People | Dennis Hopper | RIP

Short | The Making of Uncle Jack | Pass

Here's a "making of" for the superb short, Uncle Jack.

Movie | 2 Days in the Valley | Pass

A slightly dated thriller (but takes place in modern times) that stars another huge cast. But this time it works because the actors weren't big at the time. It's fun to see them young, obviously hungry and they mostly deliver. The story is entertaining enough, though a bit herky-jerky at times (mainly due to some poor editing). Worth a see, if mildly forgettable (but don't let that stop you!). A fun one for adults along the lines of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

One and a half thumbs up and a Pass!

Movie | The Kingdom | Fail

This movie just didn't work for me at all. The plot is purposefully muddy and murky and they chose to film it that way, too. Most of the movie, I was just confused and it wasn't a fun confusion...it just made me not care.

And the cast was HUGE. Lots of cool actors...but that ruined it even more. Instead of the characters, all I could see were actors playing characters. None of them sold it whatsoever.

I'm not that interested in the story of a group of hotshot investigators sent to the Middle East to look into a horrific bombing. Maybe it's a bit too close to what I see every day on the news. I'm not looking for my entertainment to remind me of the atrocities that are happening in our world right now and this movie didn't do a good job of exploring what was really happening. It all just felt exploitative.

What a mess and a miss. Sadly, a Fail.

Movie | City Island | Pass

A super cast includes Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies and Alan Arkin. Set on a tiny island just off the coast of NY(?...I forget, was it the Bronx?). This yet another story of a lovable, completely dysfunctional family that's trying to figure out how to get along, all the while compounding their problems with horrific communication skills. It all feels rather familiar.

Therein lies the problem with this movie...and the result is that it's pretty much forgettable. You'll probably enjoy the experience of watching it, but you won't remember it this time next year.

The picture says it all - they don't look thrilled, do they? Still, I think this movie resonates with some people. Just not us. Bummer.

One thumb up and a Pass.

TV | Burn Notice | Pass

Excellent writing overcomes some B-grade acting in this fun series about a spy that has received a "burn notice". In other words, he's been fired. But, there's a plot afoot that he wants, no, needs to get to the bottom of. Why was there a burn notice put out on him. Who did it? And why are there people trying to manipulate him?

He shacks up with some old pals, an ex-Spook played by Bruce "The Man" Campbell and his gun happy ex-girlfriend, played by Gabrielle Anwar.

Is the genre worn out? Yes, but this series breathes new life into it. Not nearly as slick as, say, White Collar, this is a fun, action-packed TV viewing experience. Is it art? Uh, no. And there was never intention for it to be. Still, it doesn't pander to the lowest common denominator and we vote one and half thumbs up! Pass!

Movie | Alpha Dog | Fail

Ben Foster is the only good thing about this completely miscast tale of drugs, dealers and losers. I mean, come on, Justin Timberlake as a tough guy?!? Ouch. No disrespect, but that was a really bad move by Nick Cassavetes (son of the the incomparable John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands). Fortunately, we don't have to see much of him. Instead, we get a bunch of white boys acting gangsta...ridiculous.

I don't get why this movie was made at all. I know that drugs equals a lovely fried egg cooking in a pan. What else do I need to know?

Fail.

TV Movie | Jesse Stone: No Remorse | Pass

We were a big disappointed by the latest addition to the great Jesse Stone series, based on the Robert Parker books. This one was a tad messy and there wasn't any character development other than we get to care more for Jesse's dog, Reggie. That really does not a movie (TV or otherwise) make. Yeah, yeah, Jesse is starting to get a handle on his relationship with his ex-wife and he's still on suspension from being a Sherrif (which makes absolutely NO sense whatsoever), but it's hard to really care about all of that.

So, a weak installment to the franchise. Still, worth watching because Selleck (and the rest of the cast) is so good and surely an important piece of the puzzle for the next one (already in the works, of course).

One thumb up and a Pass.

Movie | Kick-Ass | Pass

I thoroughly enjoyed this teen-angst/action superhero rompfest.

The violence is a tad disturbing when considering the age of some of the kids, the cast is mediocre (Cage is over the top campy), the story adequate and the music superb.

A slow beginning is a bit of a drag, too. But, if you like Matrix-style slo-mo gun battles, you're gonna love this. I liked Defendor a bit more. While it was simpler, there was more character development.

One and a half gloved thumbs up and a Pass!

Movie | 30 Days of Night | Pass

I really liked this (very) gory survivor/vampire movie set in an isolated Alaskan village. A good cast, excellent production and very skillful use of the atmospheric soundtrack.

Not being a horror fan, I really saw this because Mark Boone Junior (from one of my favorite shows ever, Sons of Anarchy) was in it, but Danny Huston and Ben Foster were absolutely superb in this, too.

There are some unexplained elements. For example, the vampires have interestingly distorted faces (a la Joan Rivers), but not Huston....but this all just adds to the mystery and I chose to think it was done on purpose to allow the imagination to come to its' own conclusions.

Loved pretty much everything about this gorefest. Except all of the gore, of course! Reminded me of several other good, similar movies. Two vampire thumbs up and a Pass.