Father's Day Recommendation: Red

 

                                       

                                      Well, Father's Day is upon us a day where all the fathers out there can tell their nagging but loving wives to say, "hey this is my weekend and I say we're doing nothing", or not which is fine. And it's time to recommend a movie for all of the Dad's in the world, and this was another one of these movies that my Aunt's husband loved or mentioned that he liked and I've heard of Red in fact I watched it and thought it was great although it's been a while since I've seen the movie nor have a so called good memory on how great it was, and like most films I do in terms of review I had to in a strange sense experiment. So, I had my Dad sit down and watch the film and without a doubt he loved the film from start to finish, for which I should of known he would have a great time with Red in fact he always loved these action films, hell he was the same Dad that got me into any John Wayne films, Star Wars and Indiana Jones in fact he loved Harrison Ford. And the same goes with acting greats like Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman, so question after watching the movie this would be an excellent choice for Father's Day.

                                       After surviving an assault from a squad of hit men, retired CIA agent Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) reassembles his old team for an all-out war. Frank reunites with old Joe (Morgan Freeman), crazy Marvin (John Malkovich) and wily Victoria (Helen Mirren) to uncover a massive conspiracy that threatens their lives. Only their expert training will allow them to survive a near-impossible mission-breaking into CIA headquarters.

                                       I can't honestly remember when the last time I watched this entertaining movie, though probably a year after its release and granted it's been ages and that's clearly a guess because then they released a sequel in 2013 and that was basically it for the RED franchise. So, now having re-watched the film this was of course another one of those hidden gems that was both great and entertaining at the same time, and that's a lot to say because let's be honest in this era where everything is nothing but crap, Red was defiantly one of those films that was refreshing to watch every step of the way. What really makes this film great to watch is that it goes from point A to point B really quickly were you get to know Bruce Willis character and realize what he's capable of furthermore has to rescue Mary Louise Parker's character, also the action has a good flow through the course of the movie where it doesn't slow down or speed up, it's basically at even pace par with both comedy, drama and action molded into one. What makes the film great is that the film itself gives it a sort of understanding in terms of what it's like to be a Black Ops Agent on the job and after your life as an agent is over, and they really do a good job in a sense expressing how a retired agent tries to adapt to a civilian life and that it's somewhat of a boring persona, in fact I watched the movie again with a retired CIA agent's commentary who was also a consultant on the film Red, and even he loves the film all together because it does answer all the important questions of how most field or operatives transition in to civilian life moreover explains that it's somewhat boring not fun, basically telling the audience that it's not always great when you get out of the business. A side from the great list of actors that portray these characters, the other thing I have to give the best performances are Mary Louise Parker and Karl Urban, because both of them have the best character arc in the film where one of them is an up and coming agent who believes in the system but slowly begins to see that the agency system is not what it's supposed to be and it's moreover corrupt furthermore filled with shady people who have agenda's and Urban does that in the best way possible. Parker on the other hand does a great job playing this strange but yet funny woman who has no clue of this world Bruce Willis character lives in but is comfortable wanting to follow him moreover just funny and sexy at the same time which is what I like about her in this movie, and this film came out in 2010 so technically both Willis and Parker we're like ten years apart from each other in terms of age. Of course actors like Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman along with John Malkovich and Hellen Mirren are great in the movie but the one actor that needs to be deserved some praise is Richard Dreyfuss who plays an excellent antagonist in the movie just a great villain than what I've seen in his past work and the same goes to Brian Cox who is such a great character actor and does a fantastic job portraying a for Russian spy but also a great accent to go along with it for which proves that British/Scottish actors are such a true craftsmen in their art. Without a doubt, re-watching this film was like a breath of fresh air moreover was just so much fun seeing it from start to finish and whenever I hear Back in the Saddle by Aerosmith, I always think of Bruce Willis fighting Karl Urban, which is flat out awesome, also it's just a fun action film from start to finish and shows that Bruce Willis still got it. So, no question I would highly recommend watching this film with your dad because you will have a great time watching Bruce Willis kick a** and take names, though I don't think he can do that now, but I never claim to be wrong. 

     

                                               

                               

Unstoppable

 

                               So, this is probably the first time ever I felt ashamed in not watching a movie that was worth seeing from start to finish. Moreover, the first time I didn’t really sat down and appreciated any of the late great, Tony Scott's work. For a lot of you that haven't nor ever heard of Tony Scott he was the brother to Sir Ridley Scott complete opposites when it comes to filmmaking but both came out with some iconic movies that we all grew up watching and loving with his work, it included Top Gun, Days of Thunder, Man on Fire and True Romance for which help launch Quentin Tarantino's career into movie lore, furthermore did a lot of movie work with famous actors like Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington as well as Kevin Costner and Eddie Murphy. Unstoppable, was Scott's last film before he died in 2012 and without a doubt one of the biggest surprises and a movie, I felt ashamed in not watching the first it came out.

                              When a massive, unmanned locomotive roars out of control, the threat is more ominous than just a derailment. The train is laden with toxic chemicals, and an accident would decimate human life and cause an environmental disaster. The only hope of bringing the train to a safe stop is in the hands of a veteran engineer (Denzel Washington) and a young conductor (Chris Pine), who must risk their lives to save those in the runaway's path. Inspired by true events.

                              It really wasn't that it was a Tony Scott film or I would think that some of his films or okay-ish, although I've only seen Top Gun deep down I don't have a reason, but if I had to pick a reason as to why I haven't watched Unstoppable, was that I kind of had this movie pegged that this was basically and unstoppable train being death among us, a race against time and by end of the film everyone is okay, for which is a convenient way to describe the movie when you think about it. But the one scene that really convinced me that this movie was something of a special kind of suspenseful film, was when the pickup truck carrying two horses but is somewhat stopped and the train is coming by like a chaotic bull coming and me, I was just like oh my God, OH MY GOD, until there we're all save except the horse cargo, and I was like breathing a sigh of relief. And really when you think about it yeah a locomotive is a scary thing when it comes to carrying dangerous products, moreover when you're in the dangerous part of the railroad and have no way of getting out then you have to out of the way because you won't walk away from a train or locomotive, sure you can walk away from getting hit by a car but you sure as hell aren't going to walk away from getting hit by a train because every part of your body is going to be all over the road or the grass, and that's not pretty. I have to say Denzel Washington needs to make a trend of every action or suspense movie he's in, he needs to bully every annoying white actor like, I remember 2 Guns where he bullies Mark Wahlberg, and he was entertaining as always, and he does it great when it comes to Chris Pine. Speaking of Chris Pine, I always like him as an actor there are rare few times I look at a movie he was in I didn't think he was chewing the scenery way to much or just half ass'n it, and really it comes from either the romantic comedies he was in or the raunchy comedies or another great example Don't Worry Darling, but with movies like this he really pulls every emotion in his body of being a stick up is nose character at first and then understanding what he's been through is truly great and the same goes to Washington as well and the two of them make great chemistry on screen it's excellent to watch. Rosario Dawson was also excellent in the film, really pulling her weight in giving out a great supporting performance and she does its great hell my favorite movies that she was in were the first two Sin City films and one film noir Trance but will get to that in futures to come. Without a doubt, this was one of the most surprising films I've ever had the chance to just sit down and watch from start to finish, moreover it was based on actual events, plus it has a great premise a great list of actors moreover a great movie comprised by a great director in the late great Tony Scott for which was his last movie before his death which yes was sad, though when you watch the movie it's almost like a great send off to an underappreciated director. 

    

White Men Can't Jump

 

                                

                                    June officially became one of those months of what the hell should I watch to start off the new month, and it was really a dozy to find that one movie to watch, shamefully I did have one contender to watch, which was Not Another Teen Movie, unfortunately that movie didn't last for a good ten seconds for me which is a new record, when it comes to abandoning movies. And so, it took a while but then I realized the NBA Finals are starting so for which brings us to White Men Can't Jump. Of which is a movie I haven't seen furthermore was one of those films that was on my radar just haven't got around to seeing. Aside from hearing the Bull Durham creator Ron Shelton written and directed this movie I figured why not give this movie a chance he’ll can't be worse than the remake right?

                                   Billy Hoyle (Woody Harrelson) is a white basketball hustler who banks on black players underestimating his skills on the court. When he pulls one over Sidney Deane (Wesley Snipes), his victim sees lucrative opportunity, and they become partners in a con game, plying their trade across the courts of Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Billy must keep one step ahead of mobsters, to whom he owes money, while staying on the good side of his "Jeopardy"-obsessed, motormouth girlfriend (Rosie Perez).

                                   I've seen bits and pieces of this movie and I always kind of looked at this movie as if Magic Johnson and Larry Bird failed at their basketball careers and became hustlers, and really that's the best way to describe the film when you think about it. In terms of Basketball films I've seen over the years this was probably one of the most exciting basketball sequences I've seen in quite a long time, moreover it really does an exceptional job when it comes to actors really showing off the basketball skills, in fact Bob Lanier who was a real life NBA player was hired on a basketball coach for the actors in the film, Lanier was so impressed with Harrelson and Snipes Basketball skills, he suggested both men to reach a Division II college basketball level, he even said that between the two men Harrelson was the better player. In terms of the actors that we're playing basketball hustlers were actual NBA players too, although some of them were just regular NBA stars, superstar Gary Payton was in the movie too, though the problem was he was uncredited, and I couldn't find him through the course of the film. When it comes to a regular Ron Shelton sports film I've seen, it's mostly a mild-mannered film of nothing special it's just everyday men making not so smart choices and having to live through the consequences, the only differences Harrelson just can't stop gambling his money and can't stop getting his girlfriends angry. Which again is just like Bull Durham where they're some great iconic one-liners some impressive athletic abilities but wasn't all special just an average decent film from start to finish. Moreover, I thought via watching the trailer of the film it seems decent thought out in terms of storyline though through the course of the film I was just oh WTF it's still going I thought we'd be over by now. Both Harrelson and Snipes do a great job playing hustlers that know they can't trust one another but then through the course of the film become the ultimate bros, although I’m not a big fan of Rosie Perez in terms of movies she was in, but I really thought she was fine, through the course of the movie hell, by the end of the movie I kept saying to myself Harrelson you idiot. No doubt the movie was a fun movie from start to finish, kind of like the basketball equivalent to Bull Durham and if you’re a fan of basketball films I would defiantly give this as a must watch.

       

                                           

May Recommendation: The Negotiator

 

                                    Well, it's the month of May and we're officially in the month of blockbuster movies, and this latest recommendation is somewhat of a reminder that late nineties movies where again the best time to go to the movies, as I've proved a year ago and The Negotiator was strangely a movie that first introduced me to legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson, and this was going back to when we had satellite cable TV and we've always had this channel where they always had shown previews of movies that came out and The Negotiator was always on all the time and this one actor that always came up for which was Samuel L. Jackson, and granted this has been a long time since I've watched the movie but finding it on Netflix I was like well dang I have to watch it since it's been quite a long time since I've seen it, and without a doubt a movie worthy of a monthly recommendation it's defiantly up there in one of the best cop movies of all time.

                                    Danny Roman (Samuel L. Jackson) is considered the best police hostage negotiator in Chicago. After a friend warns him that someone is embezzling from a disability fund, the person is found dead. Internal Affairs investigator Niebaum (J.T. Walsh) discovers the gun used had been handled by Roman. When no one believes his innocence, Roman takes Niebaum hostage. When Chris Sabian (Keven Spacey) arrives to hear Roman's demands, the two skilled negotiators begin a tense stand-off.

                                     After watching the film twice in case I missed anything moreover looking at where it ranks in the best Cop movies ever made, I was shocked to find that this amazing well-crafted movie is not ranked in any of the best cop movies from IMBD to Looper-Endless Entertainment, that is just something I cannot accept especially when humanity is a mistake, I mean how the hell is this not praised by any film buffs out there? You have two of the best actors of our generation (yes, I'm mentioning Kevin Spacey because I'm only praising his career from his early years to right after Baby Driver was released, since he's now fallen from grace) a great and unique story, so again I don't understand why this movie has been forgotten by everyone. Well, of course I guess I must be the only one to say that this was defiantly one of the best cop movies I've ever seen in a long, long time. For a billion reasons, this was defiantly one of these films that I've never seen like in terms of taking the movie seriously, as a result of this was one of the first times you ever, where you feel for the  protagonist from thirty minutes into the movie to the end of the movie, also when I began to see all of Jacksons friends turn against him I really felt for the guy especially when it comes to betrayal moreover having to take the law into his own hands by taking people hostage. What I like most about the movie is that it focuses more on hostage negotiators for which we've never got to understand how they work or how they operate, especially when they're rare few times a hostage situation happens. An interesting note I found out of the film was that the film was originally written to star Sylvester Stallone in the title role, and I wouldn't believe in a million years that would ever work for this film’s success and don't get me wrong Stallone will always be Rocky to me but I wouldn't take this movie seriously if Stallone was the Negotiator, so it was a wise choice to cast Samuel L. Jackson in the title role because he's exceptionally good when it comes to showing his emotions from being scared to angry at the same time and really after watching this movie I have to say that he's defiantly up there in the one of the top ten greatest actors of all time, and the same goes to Kevin Spacey by reason of he can do a great job play both a protagonist in one movie and makes a great movie villain in the next moreover the nineties were good for spacey because if you look at his filmography from 1990 to 1999 he made hit after hit when it came to movies. The film was largely based on a pension fund scandal in the St. Louis Police Department in the late 1980's and early 1990's, which really doesn't surprise me much but is fascinating when you think about it. Of course Sam Jackson and Kevin Spacey made this film work, but the supporting cast helped out as well a great example was the late J.T. Walsh who plays the Internal Affairs who accuses Jackson's character, furthermore does a great job being a smug a-hole who you just want to punch in the face because all Internal Affairs officers when it comes to movies are always the douche bags who never get fresh air because their always in the offices investigating cops. Another great actor in the supporting realm that needs to be praised was Ron Rifkin who was also in my December Recommendation of L.A. Confidential and who portrays a cop that you'd think would be Jackson's alley but through the course of the movie shows that nothing is what it seems, and he does a great job at that. The movie has a surprise guest star for which I was kind of surprised Dean Norris who’s known for Hank in Breaking Bad plays one of the SWAT officers for which I thought was cool even though this was made in 98. This is a great Cop movie from start to finish and has been forgotten for a long time, and thanks to Netflix I'm now bringing this movie out into the light because this was one of the best Cop movies I've seen in a while moreover way better than The Departed, and as for all of you that have or don't have a Netflix account I would highly recommend watching this movie, with its great acting chops of Jackson and Spacey as well as a tremendously well-crafted whodunit story. Also, how can you not watch a movie that has Samuel L. Jackson? 

        

See How They Run

 

                                   One of those movie nights where I'm hanging around with my mom and dad, they were wanting to watch a movie, and this was one of those rare few times I had to find a movie real quick because they would want to watch something they've probably seen and I really don't feel like it. So, See How They Run came up and I said let's watch this. This was defiantly one of those films that I've heard about via watching the trailer on YouTube, and I thought it was intriguing and so why not give this movie a look at, though my parents where asking me if I'd knew what happens in the end and I'd never told them but this one of the rare few times I was actually telling the truth, because it was my first time watching it.

                                   In 1950's London, plans for a movie version of a smash-hit play come to an abrupt halt after a pivotal member of the crew is murdered. When a world-weary inspector (Sam Rockwell) and an eager rookie constable (Saoirse Ronan) take on the case, they find themselves thrown into a puzzling whodunit within the glamorously sordid world of underground theater, investigating the mysterious homicide at their own peril.

                                   This was no doubt an interesting film from start to finish though this was one of those movies I just felt like this could have been done better and it's one of these things where they provide some interesting, good ideas, but then it just felt like they kind of half a**. Really the core of the movie was Sam Rockwell's performance in the movie, he does a great job playing a down on his luck detective who’s a drunk and must put up with a rookie detective who at times gets on his nerves which I strangely can relate too in all kinds of ways. Ronan on the other hand I kind of felt annoyed by her, mainly yes, she plays a rookie cop lacks experience but there is such a thing of chewing a person’s ass out when it comes to pushing your buttons. I do like the whole chemistry between Adrian Brody and David Oyelowo who each of them play the screenwriter and director of the adaption to Agatha Christie's Mousetrap and each of them argue about how the movie should be made, for which is a great representation I view as each men wanting to make a movie but have different point of views which I liked seeing in the film, though the problem I have was that Brody's story board sequence foreshadowed how the movie ends which is like WTF? Like why they would do such a thing, I mean when it comes to making a movie on a murder mystery you should never give away details. Either way the movie to me was a decent watch from start to finish, I liked the performance from Rockwell, and there were a lot of interesting things they did in terms of a whodunit story, but there were other things I look at and just see that they could of dun a better job or worked on it more. Decent film had no objections of not wanting to see it, I'd recommend it for anyone to watch it and if you love the movie moreover have a different point of view, when it comes to the movie, I won't hold anything against you.

       

A Harold Ramis Double Feature

 

                                   So, this will probably be one of those nights that I will never forget, nor will I ever get the hours back no matter the run time. Now, Harold Ramis the most famous comedic writer behind such great classics such as Caddyshack, Stripes and Ghostbusters, has done such great work over the years along with such memorable performances like Egon Spengler. For which leads to the events of Vacation and no not the one with Ed Helms that movie doesn't count, I'm talking about the original Vacation film starring Chevy Chase as probably one of the dumbest men on the planet moreover never understood why Beverly D'Angelo should of just left him or pushed into traffic. Alright, getting back to the point I realized that I haven't seen this movie or may have seen bits and pieces and deep down I realize how much I hate the Vacation movie franchise after watching Vacation hell I began to understand why I will never watch Christmas Vacation ever again.

                                   Basically the movie is about a man who is a stubborn jack** played by Chevy Chase decides not the logical idea to take an airplane all the way to a fictionalized Disneyland, he decides to drive in entire family from Chicago all the way to California, which is like why can't you just take a plane for many reasons it's the early 80's so Airplane tickets are really cheap to purchase instead of today's ticket prices and let's be honest you know the rest.

                                    I'm sure everyone loves these movies, and I am not going to judge them for loving these movies, but this movie alone it really wasn't anything to do with Harold Ramis direction or anything against the cast, it was more to do with the story itself moreover the film itself just brought back terrible memories growing up, I mean it the young Russell felt like me. I mean the entire film just felt like life was sucking the life out of me, I mean in fairness I never remember my childhood in some degree I do remember taking family trips that where not the best of times. But this movie alone while watching it I was like "oh dear God", I began to have flash backs of the many vacations I had over the years that where not in the best of things. The movie itself was created by John Hughes who also written the first two Home Alone films for which I loved growing up furthermore Vacation itself was based on a short story by Hughes himself for which I guess was based on his experience and he transitioned into this movie. Now, look I understand that everyone loves Vacation and Christmas Vacation, but me I just can't watch these two movies ever again because as a grown man who is thirty-six years old and begins to remember really bad memories of not so great vacations and really I can never in a million years watch these movies ever, and after watching Vacation I couldn't sleep at all like the anxiety just kicked my ass so much that I couldn't even breath for which lead to another movie that Harold co-written and directed that helped me breath easily and went to sleep easily as well.

      

                  

                           Oh, hey look everyone I decided to watch Caddyshack after Vacation, what a coincidence huh? So, again right after watching a horrible nightmare that was Vacation, I had such a bad anxiety attack, it was probably around maybe 3:30 in the morning and I honesty couldn't sleep at all so in what probably the best decisions I've ever made, I decided to watch Caddyshack. Harold Ramis first movie moreover a beginning to a beautiful friendship between Ramis and up and coming comedic star Bill Murray. The funning thing about this movie is that even though Chevy Chase was in the movie, this was probably the best and only good comedic performance I can watch of him for many reasons that he plays a Zen-womanizing golfer who just doesn't give a s**t is great to watch plus playing a role model to Michael O'Keefe's Danny Noonan. Now, I'll admit I'm not a fan of Rodney Dangerfield but like Chevy Chase this is the one film I'd rather watch him in and not anything else that he was in. So, anyway let's dive right into a movie that helped me get a good night's sleep despite my bedtime becoming around 5:30-ish in the morning.

                                                          Danny Noonan (Michael O'Keefe), a teen down on his luck, works as a caddy at the snob infested Bushwood Country Club to raise money for his college education. To gain votes for a college scholarship reserved for caddies, Noonan volunteers to caddy for a prominent and influential club member (Ted Knight). Meanwhile, Danny struggles to prepare for the high-pressure Caddy Day golf tournament while absorbing New Age advice from wealthy golf guru Ty Webb (Chevy Chase).   

                                                          The interesting fact about the movie is that originally the movie was supposed to be about the Caddy's in the suburban golf course, but then they acquired all of these big-time actors the whole story about the caddy's they decided to take all the time and effort to focus on the actors like Chevy Chase and Bill Murray. Though in truth, the movie is really about just one Caddy which is Michael O'Keefe's character for which is really about him from the first act to the final act, and though you may not believe that it's really true though there so many stuff that they changed but deep down it's really about Danny Noonan and his quest to find out what he wants to do or what to find in life. In fact they in one of the original scripts the ending was that Danny won the big bucks and went off into college but comes across a pretty lady and goes with her while carrying her golf clubs, and granted I would of liked that ending but deep down when you watch the movie's ending you can tell by heart that he was defiantly going to college after winning the big bucks from Ted Knight's character. The difference when it comes to comedy, between Vacation and Caddyshack was when watching Vacation sure you as a viewer can laugh at the slapstick comedy when you’re a teenager or god knows still laughing at it when you’re as old as me, but the thing about it is when I watched it maybe as an immature teen sure I can laugh at it but once you get older and experience life then re watching it feels like your reliving a complete nightmare and watching Vacation at my age really felt like that moreover I'm close to realizing that I won't ever watch Christmas Vacation nor the first two Home Alone movies because really deep down I love my family but there were sometimes I wanted to kill them, and watching movies like Vacation I can't do anymore. Though with it comes to Caddyshack I'm a working man, I was raised in the working class though deep down I do have dreams but in all honesty I will always be working class, anyway movie on Caddyshack is really the working class putting up with the snob fest which is the upper class, and you really in a grand sense relate to that because we've all had one of those jobs where we've got to put of with those a-holes who think the world revolves around them and to be honest that's funny furthermore makes me feel good inside and that you're not the only one in the whole world that doesn't have to put up with that. With this movie, it's probably the only Chevy Chase movie I can watch because his unique way of not giving a s**t or his infamous one liners are just perfect to watch, but when it comes his performance in Vacation I just look at him as one of the most stupidest man alive, moreover if I was Russell I would jump out of the back and begin strangling him for how stupid he can be, especially with his decision making. Though let’s face it Bill Murray is way better at comedy than Chase because he had a long movie run as Chase had so who cares. I have to say, yes Rodney Dangerfield has some pretty good one liners, but watching him on screen I don't know whether he's a normal guy or a bunch of scientist were able to draw this bombastic cartoon and brought him out of the pages and that was Rodney Dangerfield, for which I'm thinking that's really what happen because I don't know how he was able to have a carry on in the film world. So, that was my night of pure madness honestly I'm pretty confident I learned a valuable lesson, never watch any John Hughes work, as I've said before this wasn't Ramis fault for directing Vacation in my point of view I just think that any of Hughes work which includes dysfunctional family comedy is never my cup of tea moreover never re-watch movies or shows that give you bad memories to relive it's just not worth it. 

    

                                  

Mother's Day Recommendation: The Illusionist

 

                                     This Mother's Day I decided to do something a little different. My Aunt who lives in Florida furthermore was an avid reader of mine suggested one of her favorite movies that she likes, called The Illusionist. Staring Edward Norton as a Keyser Soze type character with a blend of both sorcerers? Paul Giamatti as detective Paul Giamatti and Jessica Biel as what maybe her best performance in her entire film career for which doesn't add up because I looked at her past films after The Illusionist and they, well let's just say they didn't pass expectations for my taste but let's be honest she's still married to Justin Timberlake so on the bright side she's still believe in commitment and if not that that's her damn fault. I've remember watching the Illusionist a long time back for many reasons it's been one of my sister's favorites but to be truthful at that time this film was more like a love story and didn't think much of it back then mainly Christopher Nolan was rocking the theaters with his latest movie The Prestige another film about magic. But don't worry everyone well get to that later, right now let's dive right into if Edward Norton can summon his imaginary friend Brad Pitt. 

                                     In 1900's Vienna, mesmeric entertainer Eisenheim's (Edward Norton) magical abilities are wowing crowds, with an act that ranges from mere tricks to an apparent capacity to raise the dead. However, he has also long been in love with Douches Sophie Von Teschen (Jessica Biel), which puts him in a dangerous competition with the violent, scheming Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), who jumps at the opportunity to have the magician arrested on grounds of necromancy. 

                                     It's kind of strange that there was a competition between this movie and The Prestige in terms of which was the best film about magicians, and even though I've watched the Illusionist I still have to go with The Prestige as the best one for many reasons of course it was a Christopher Nolan film but the ending towards the film was what made the movie amazing on the grounds that it was a perfect twist that I never saw coming a mile away when it comes to watching The Prestige. Now, that doesn't mean that I still enjoy the Illusionist for many reasons it still holds up when it comes to great acting a decent storyline and a perfect antagonist in Rufus Sewell. I defiantly declare, Edward Norton is up there in the top ten best American actors especially when it comes to a movie like this he really does a great job playing a charismatic magician who's both a kind an decent person, then through the course of the movie becomes like this Chris Angel like magician doesn't really present his tricks or being a presenter he just brings people back from the dead and just call it good, either way Norton is defiantly a reliable actor who can pull of a starring role moreover does a great German/Hungarian accent and the same goes with Paul Giamatti although I'm not much of a big fan of his he does a good job in the supporting role moreover playing a kiss ass to Sewell's character, I'm not lying when I say that Jessica Biel's best movie was the Illusionist, and deep down it really is true moreover sure there are a lot of those actors/actresses like Biel who have like this one good movie under their belt and a boat load of other crap that they either where in or starred in or was most famous for aka 7th Heaven, in which they use that to get other work because they don't realize how expensive California is, nor do they want to improve on their acting skills, but deep down that just sounds lazy if that's the honest assumption I can muster moreover pretty sad if you ask me. But what do I know because let's be honest, she's married to the most famous N'SYNC singer of all time Justin Timberlake, so now she's provided at least and even if Jess and Timberlake get a divorce that's really on her unless Timberlake makes terrible choices. Rufus Sewell who plays the Crown Prince does a fantastic job playing the typical antagonist to Norton's character and even looking at Sewell's filmography he has the most interesting in terms of the early nineties playing the supportive/good guy in movies let’s not forget my favorite film of his Dark City, but through the 2000's era he transitioned to playing the antagonist with films like A Knights Tale and The Illusionist, moreover the man's from England and they make great memorable bad guys. The direction that Neil Bruger does in the movie is really fantastic in terms of visuals but also scenery too it's almost as if he was trying to create a homage to some of the early 1910's silent films along with some simple transitions as well as some quick edit tricks they would do in the silent film age, furthermore a lot of some of the tricks that Norton performs is strangely interesting and complex in which you don't know how he really does it but in all fairness it's also a fantasy story so we can at least point that out into perspective. I don't think it's better than the Prestige, but it doesn't mean I fully appreciate it and respect the movie for being as great of a movie to watch especially since it's been a while since I've sat down and watched the Illusionist. For a movie alone, I can understand why my aunt would dig this movie too, it has both romance with a kiss of cliché story about a poor kid who falls in love with a rich girl and society tells them they can't be together, for which really is good to have because when you blend both a magic tricks and stage performing you do great wonders along the way. I would highly recommend watching this from start to finish, and hopefully every mother who hasn't seen this might check this movie out and watch it as well.

       

Doomsday

 

                                     There are times I feel like that I've seen things in movies that you people wouldn't believe, like a cringe erotic Twilight film, I've seen Ryan Gosling in a movie where he had a virtual reality girlfriend though the funny thing is he had a life-sized plastic woman for a girlfriend too. Hello, I watched ten minutes of A Million Ways to die in the West before I decided to leave because I couldn't take it anymore moreover it was a Seth McFarlane movie. I even went to an Adam Sandler movie twice for which made reach the conclusion of how much that man is the Devil in disguise. But just when I thought I've seen everything when it comes to watching movies, Doomsday comes around and I seriously don't understand what this film’s purpose is. Doomsday is a movie that was directed by Neil Marshall, who directed a film I actually liked of his, sure as hell not this one if that's what your referring too, but having seen other works of his plus the conception of this movie just made me realize that this film was not just bad, but this was like watching a train wreck and a guy who has a fixation of train crashes is strangely turned on by this and that's the disturbing factor of this movie.

                                     When the first outbreak of the Reaper virus hit Scotland, Eden Sinclair was one of the last to escape containment and had to leave her mother behind. Twenty-five years later, Maj. Eden Sinclair (Rhona Mirta) leads a team back into the hot zone to find a counteragent to the virus, which has re-emerged in London. She and her comrades wage a desperate battle for survival against feral survivors, as they try to prevent it from ushering in a new dark age.

                                      Strangely enough I remember seeing the trailer for the first time when it came out didn't think much of it, because to me it looked that the end of the world apocalypse but instead of the virus turning you into zombies you are transformed into a sort of punk rocker. Either way it looks like a rip off to all movies like Underworld or Resident Evil, just about any movie that consist of leather outfits. And yet while watching the film I honestly didn't think much of it other than the fact that the whole zombie virus felt left out in this story, but again when the movie went forward I was expecting the crazy Mad Max lunatics coming it was just a matter of when, so at the same time when they ambush Rhona Mirta's crew she's taken captive along with her doctor but they decide to do this sacrificial BBQ where we see the movie poster chick with the crazy tattoo on her face and flaunting her tongue out, almost as if she looks like she could lick a lot of WAP, then after they burn the good doctor they decide to eat him up moreover gave a sample of him to Mirta's character, although I didn't peg the Mad Max people to be cannibals though I guess that was an understatement moreover the scenes where they just carve into the guy is sort of disgusting but also bewildering too. Though a side from the many references to Mad Max films, what really caused my brain to have a mental breakdown then cause a huge seizure inside my brain, was when they escaped and out of NO WHERE mid evil knights from the 12th century Scotland appeared for which I said, "oh what the f**k?" I mean that was so much to handle I had to shut the damn movie off and go to bed, though let's be honest s**t like this always causes me not to go to sleep easy, but through the course of me trying to go to sleep I had to research this movie to get some answers because 12th century knights in a post-apocalyptic movie is just beyond my understanding. And with the thanks of Wikipedia, I was able to find answers that explain why this such a f**king train wreck. You know when most directors want to make a movie as sort of a tribute to movies from the past? Great example George Lucas using past adventure/science fiction movie serials from the early 30's and 40's to create Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies, well Neil Marshall didn't just use Mad Max as an inspiration, he used past end of the world genre's from every film upon the 70's and 80's combined I'll list you off the films starting with the first three Mad Max films, Escape from New York, then Excalibur for which explains the 12th century Scottish knights. Then other films I don't understand why, firstly The Warriors all because of a Baseball gang so he had to incorporate that, Waterworld, Gladiator and Children of Men. So, now that you've understand how many films Marshall crammed into this on headache of a movie, I have to say that it's the most dumbest thing to ever do as a writer and director, I mean you can't just combine so many films you love into one movie you have to at least use at least two or three at least and sure I can see the fact that Scotland has very little in terms of cities but with more mountains combined although I could be wrong, furthermore I could see the Mad Max and Excalibur movie but as a movie whole that just doesn't seem right especially when it has nothing to do with the virus or any zombies that where hardly in the film. So, anyway by the near end of the film Mitra's character decides to expose the politics of Great Britain and decides to go back to Glasgow, Scotland where all the Mad Max cannibals are she decides to become the new leader and that's the end of the movie, which really I don't think I would ever in a million years would turn to eating people mainly because once you've seen what you've ate or looking at your dinner in the eye you just lost you sense of humanity, also I never want to see the animals I eat, for which is another reason I refuse to be a hunter although there other reasons but I don't want to go any further. Doomsday is probably up there in top five worst movies I've ever seen probably up there with Sucker Punch, Don't Worry Darling and Southland Tales including this movie, the only time I would ever want to watch this movie is probably with a group of people who haven't seen this monstrosity, now having seen this movie I wish to never ever in a million years see this movie again, because I hate this movie so much, the story's horrible moreover the gore is unnecessary disgusting, like if Eli Roth's half-brother made a movie this would be it.  

      

                                                       

I, Robot

 

                                Like the Truman Show I, Robot was another one of those films that I haven't seen in quite a long time and maybe should have reviewed it sooner before Will Smith slapped Chris Rock. Though what I remember most about I, Robot was that the film was basically a robot takeover, with a lot of pretty good visual effects and Shia LaBeouf getting out of Disney furthermore breaking into films. Though either way all those Robots in the film have one thing in common with Chris Rock and that's they all didn't keep WILL SMITH'S WIFE'S NAME OUT OF THEIR DAMN MOOOUTH! Yeah, that's right I said it, we have nine more years to make fun of Will Smith so we’re going to make every year count.

                                In 2035, highly intelligent robots fill public service positions throughout the world, operating under three rules to keep humans safe. Despite his dark history with robotics, Detective Del Spooner (Will Smith) investigates the alleged suicide of U.S. Robotics founder Alfred Lanning (James Cromwell) and believes that a human-like robot (Alan Tudyk) murdered him. With the help of a robot expert (Bridget Moynahan), Spooner discovers a conspiracy that may enslave humanity.

                                All jokes a side this was hands down one of Will Smith's best movies up there with Ali and really it's one of those films that blends both the action sequences he can do and more importantly the acting he portrays on film, and what he does great in the movie is playing the outcast cop who has no trust towards machines or robots all because of a dark past he has endured and really you relate to the guy a lot because I would imagine how hard it would be to not have a lot of people close to you believe you nor having faith in you, and as a performance wise you really feel for the guy, a side from the brutality on Robots but that's a whole other story. I totally forgot that Alan Tudyk plays the man android Sonny, and I have to say that Tudyk is a great character actor when it comes to movies, I mean this is the second movie I've seen him in and ability of being able to play a racist piece of s**t in 42, to a sympathetic robot is pretty amazing and this is a guy who doesn't receive a lot of credit as in actor and to be honest I truly believe he needs a lot of credit as an actor because he a great talent to have especially when it comes to movies like this. What makes this movie great is that it's simple murder mystery of a who done it perspective and in fact the story itself was inspired by an Agatha Christie novel, moreover you have a great director out of Alex Proyas whose most famous for films like The Crow and Dark City and does a fantastic job of blending a great action film along with a story that gets you to think on where we will all be when it comes to emotions lurking in robots or cyborgs or computers as well. The movie itself is an entertaining movie from start to finish although it does get boring the first thirty minutes but still was entertaining to watch from start to finish. There's defiantly a deadline for the movie being on Amazon Prime, I'm not sure if there's a deadline on Hulu but either way it's still on there so I would highly recommend watching the film itself. But while you’re watching the film please be sure to keep Smith’s wife name out YOUR DAMN MOUTH.

     

Crank 2: High Voltage

 

                                          Sometimes when it comes to watching movies, you just need a good jumpstart. Well, thank God I decided to sit down and watch the sequel to the dumbest but entertaining movie ever. Crank 2 High Voltage is a movie that I have absolutely no idea why we needed in the first place, moreover, been thinking about that ever since I've seen the trailer. And yet they continued to make a sequel but deep down it didn't surpass a third installment, mainly it's because the producers we're probably reading the first draft of Crank 3 and just decided to shut it down after reading the first three pages, though I'm just assuming that it might be a possibility. Though I guess some mysteries are best left unsolved.

                                          After surviving an incredible plunge to near-certain death, Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) is abducted by Chinese mobsters. Waking up three months later, Chev finds that his heart nearly indestructible heart has been replaced with a battery-operated device that requires regular jolts of electricity or it will fail. Chev escapes from his captors, reunites with his lover Eve (Amy Smart), and sets out on a frantic chase through Los Angeles to get his real heart back.

                                           I will say this about the Crank films yes there extremely dumb on so many levels moreover yes, the story and direction doesn't make sense at all but, damnit when you’re in bit of a slump of watching movies or TV shows, both Crank movies are the best way to give you a jumpstart on life. Granted I never expected these movies to be excellent, in fact I don't think that anyone should expect these films to be great. And in all honesty when it comes to having everyday life of working putting up with stupid people mostly having to put up with so much crap in your average everyday life I truly believe movies like this that are so unexpected that you'd never quite expect it just refreshes the soul that's really the best way I can describe mindless action films like Crank 2, is that whenever you feel tired or not wanting to do anything, movies like this are a good reason to watch and I'm sure a lot of people have ways to turn their own brains off, like most women crave for lame drama series or guys watch any kind of sporting event furthermore we all have those type of things that we can all turn our brains off too, and really movies like Crank and its sequel have that unexpected and hilariousness you can't stop but enjoy. Now with this movie, I will not lie that this movie has some unexpected moments that even I couldn't believe moreover I learned my lesson from the first movie was to just sit down and watch the whole movie through, but deep down this movie wasn't up to par with this original mainly because this is just a same situation Chev is in with a different agenda to survive on, basically the same movie but with a new upgrade towards the insanity that he goes on, for which when I watched the trailer to High Voltage I wasn't quite sure on why they would want another movie because you can't be better than your predecessor, you just can't. Though in the end the movie is what it is along with some crazy moments for which still makes it fun and great to watch because it's unintentionally funny and that's basically what these Crank movies are about, moreover doubt they were ever trying to take themselves serious so deep down when you watch There will be Blood you're more interested in Daniel Day Lewis beating up Paul Dano then watching the movie for the first time, until you watch it again and understand it. As a movie in a nutshell, it's still amazing and crazy to watch at the same time, both movies combined. So, if you’re into bat-s**t crazy movies like Crank and High Voltage I would highly recommend watching them, though I would take your time and just watch one each, and don't forget this does have fake fire so if you’re not into lame fake fire I don't know what makes you entertained.

  

                                               

Major League: Back to the Minors

 

                                   So, it's like this binged so much on the Chosen finding my April Recommendation, basically trying to find something that's 90 minutes that I can somewhat ignore while working out. Apparently, Major League: Back to the Minors came on my radar while browsing on YouTube and the good news was that it was FREE to watch, I mean bad/mediocre movie from the late nineties trying to be a blend of both Major League and Bull Durham and it's free, hell I'm all in specially when it's free on YouTube. Moreover, if you have an account on YouTube you can defiantly find some great hidden gems on YouTube. I will say that this movie was without a doubt mediocre on so many levels but, and you may think I'm crazy when I say this, but this was much better than the sequel Major League 2.

                                   Minor league pitcher Gus Cantrell (Scott Bakula) is about to be put out to pasture when he's given an opportunity to do the next best thing: manage the South Carolina Buzz. The ailing baseball team is full of terrible players, but owner Roger Dorn (Corbin Bernsen) is banking on Cantrell to make a top-notch franchise out of them. While trying to work miracles on the wacky lineups, Cantrell butts’ heads with the uppity manager of the Minnesota Twins, resolving their conflict on the field. 

                                   I actually remember this movie a long time ago and really what brings my memory back is the douche bag Twins manager played by Ted McGinley, who was also in Married with Children for which I was surprised by that, though with his performance you can turn away or overlook his performance because deep down his performance is like nails on the chalk board when it comes to playing the over the top antagonist. Which is weird cause he should have been an excellent accomplice for Rachel Phelps in the Major League universe, although that's obviously never going to happen. Granted this movie has been on my radar to watch for quite some time I just never had the intention nor want to really want to re-watch it, I mean Bob Uecker said it best during a Brewers Broadcast if his partner watched the film, he replied no then Uecker said "Well don't. That movie was so bad that it opened in airplanes the week we finished it." Which is weird because I believe that's when I saw bits of the movie which was on an airport during a plane wait. Really what saves the movie, and why I think of this as a better movie than Major League 2 was that this wasn't repeating itself like Major League 2 was trying to do because in all honesty the sequel came out in 94 and so there huge gaps between the first movie and its sequel that there's really no need to make a straight forward sequel and what Back to the Minors provides is a decent story between the manager and up and coming ballplayer both played by Scott Bakula and a real young Walter Goggins furthermore the writers do a decent good job in portraying this relationship as a annoyed of each other but really need and respect one another in the end. I have to say the ability to shoot the film at the old Twins ballpark was pretty cool because the Hubert H. Humphrey Metro-dome is such an iconic ballpark second only to the Astrodome and the fact that they were able to shoot the first challenge moreover seeing a wide shot of the ballpark is awesome furthermore brings back memories growing up, even though I never seen it up close I've always remembered the movies about the Twins. Though sure I could say that Corbin Bernson and recurring actors from the second film returning but I can imagine that they we're just there for the money. A side from the decent story line, I'm still confused as to what the point it was to make this movie, for many reasons the sequel was big disappointment so why bring this movie back when you know that this wasn't going to be a great film, so there's got to be some reason as to why this movie was made in the first place because there's no story line as to why Bakula's character knows Dorn and Cerrano or how long they knew each other or what happened after the events of Major League 2, moreover I just find it pointless to make this movie in the first place. Granted the movie wasn't all bad to watch and some of the ridicules jokes like a dry ice baseball could really work when it comes to pitching, so to answer the question would I recommend this movie even if it was free to watch on YouTube or any streaming service? And to answer the question, no not really for many reasons it doesn't carry the magic of the first Major League film and I think the main reason as to why this film was made, was becuase of all the kid baseball films and it wasn't trying to take itself seriously furthermore yes the relationship between both Bakula and Goggins is decent to watch on screen, it just doesn't help to re-watch the movie all over again. Basically, it's like trying out a knew BBQ joint you get a good look at the place see some cool stuff in the background notice you feel like you’re slipping in the restrooms, try out the food say that it's pretty good, then you don't want to revisit the place ever again.

         

April Recommendation: Amazing Grace

 

                                            The past three years I've always kind of had trouble finding a theme base for April. I mean sure April's usually is Easter month, with the ascension of Jesus. But then it kind of took me a while moreover realized what it really should me a feel good or underdog story, when it comes to films. And this movie that my parents had saved a while back kind of in a strange sense reminded me that April really does need to be that theme presence. Amazing Grace is a small period piece released in 2006, when films like The Departed, Casino Royale and The Prestige where ruling the box office, damn that just brings back great memories when Hollywood wasn't releasing the same superhero movie all over again or Disney remaking classic animated movies into live action ones, hell now I want to travel back in time and prevent the disaster of Disney making movies suck. Okay, moving on the film itself is based on the song of Amazing Grace furthermore based on the abolishment of the Slave Trade during the 18th century British Empire.

                                            In 18th century England, House of Commons member William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd) and his close friend and future prime minister, William Pitt (Benedict Cumberbatch), begin a lengthy battle to abolish Great Britain's slave trade. Though Wilberforce's legislation is soundly defeated in 1791, his growing affection for Barbara Spooner (Romola Garai) inspires him to take up the fight once more.

                                            For a movie that has a great list of A-list powerhouse actors along with an up-and-coming actor Benedict Cumberbatch, I'm still kind of flabbergast that no one has been giving this movie a lot of attention nor praise that it deserves. I mean granted this was a movie that was pushed a side to like the spring or fall months and I probably understand that this movie wasn't going to grab huge bank at the box office but come on, this is a movie about one man being the biggest underdog taking down the slave trade of the British Empire the absolute worst crime ever committed since the south captured Slaves during the Civil War era, and not to compare because granted the both the worst things ever caused by humanity in the 18th and 19th century, but deep down the slave trade is probably in the top five worst things cause by humanity, though in all fairness I could be wrong and I never claim to be right. Though what really makes this film great is that it has a compelling story of one man fighting for the injustice of the world feeling like he hasn't done enough moreover can't continue the fight anymore but then gets a huge spring of hope from the unlikeliest of people and continues to fight till the very end. And that's what actor Ioan Gruffudd who a lot of people don't know is Mr. Fantastic from the first two Fantastic Four movies where they'd do anything for Jessica Alba to take off her clothes. And this movie was made after the first Fantastic Four film and he came out with this movie for which he does exceptionally well moreover does such great job playing a underdog politician who goes down in history as man who abolishes the slave trade at the cause of his own health, and to be honest after seeing the film his character really should be a great example to all up and coming politician students who want to get into politics. The other thing in what makes the film great to watch is the acting a side from Mr. Fantastic's performance, the movie itself has a great list of actors in the supporting realm as well, with actors like Albert Finney and Michael Gambon and of course Benedict Cumberbatch and even Rufus Sewell to help Gruffudd's quest, along with some great antagonist in both Ciaran Hinds and Toby Jones who are trying to make the Slave Trade stay in business, pretty much the pieces of s**t in the movie when you think about it, and the fact that we're not depending on just one star of the movie to make this film believable but they also have a great list of professional performers who've done theater before, come together and make this film believable, which to me is the coolest thing furthermore what makes this film great to watch as well. The other surprising factor that I just happen to find out while watching the movie was the fact that this was written by Steven Knight who happen to direct my favorite Tom Hardy one man band called Locke, so in all fairness when you have a guy like Steven Knight to write a period drama like Amazing Grace, you should know that this film is going to be great to see. Sadly, this film is nowhere to be found when it comes to streaming services so bottom line I can't get you all to see it, but if you want to spend money the DVD and Blu-Ray is on Amazon remarkably I'd highly recommend purchasing the movie itself, for many reasons this is one of those films that has been forgotten for nearly close to twenty years and needs to be seen by the human eye, moreover should be a good movie to watch for any students of politics or young lawyers who want to change the world, and William Wilberforce is a great example of no matter how much you try you need to get back up and continue the fight. 

                                

Ten Year Anniversary of 42

 

              

                                           Ten years ago today Hollywood made the wisest decision they could possibly make and develop a great story behind the first African-American ball player to enter the Major League Baseball organization. Ten years ago today, the film itself still stands the test of time, 42 tells the true story of Dodgers legend Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey as both men make great changes in the game of baseball during the mid-1940's. The late Chadwick Boseman stars in the title role of Jackie Robinson and movie icon Harrison Ford plays Dodgers general manager, who decides the time is now to finally intergrade Baseball into the next generation. And re-living this film again I can honestly say this is without a doubt the most perfect adaptation to Jackie Robinson's life that you can possibly create especially when it comes to Hollywood.

                                          In 1946, Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford), legendary general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, defies Major League Baseball's notorious color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) to the team. The heroic act puts both Rickey and Robinson in the firing line of the public, the press and other players. Facing open racism from all sides, Robinson demonstrates true courage and admirable restraint by not reacting in kind and lets his undeniable talent silence critics for him.

                                          As a baseball fan myself more of a Cardinals fan I've always heard stories of Jackie Robinson, in fact I remember reading a children's book back in school years called Jackie & Me for which tells a similar story Jackie Robinson's first year in the Major Leagues. So deep down I've always known the story behind his first year in the Major Leagues and the abuse he had to endure. So ten years ago, when I first heard that Warner Bros. where finally going to bring his story to a new generation was excited, because I believed it was the right time to really tell the story right and even though there's been one movie about Jackie Robinson that was made in 1950, for which I do need to see, but in all honesty I believe movies back in the golden age they would just sugar coat it as of now you can't sugar coat his career as a great baseball player and the struggles he had to endure. You can't really tell this story right, if you don't have a great list of actors to back the story up and to be honest, I was a little concerned on the choice of Harrison Ford playing Branch Rickey but then when I watched the trailer, I felt much better moreover this was no doubt one of Ford's top five best performances as an actor in all honesty. A lot of people would say that Black Panther was the Late Chadwick Boseman's best role but I have to say his performance as Mr. 42 was his crowning achievement as an actor, mainly because he does all the right things when it comes to portraying Robinson in his struggles and his courage in not letting everyone around him beat him including some of his teammates, and the hardest scene to watch is without a doubt the game where he faces the Phillies for the first time with Alan Tudyk who plays the main antagonist Ben Chapman, it's a whole lot of emotions that does the movie well, and my favorite scene was where Boseman had to let it all how and go inside the dugout and having a huge breakdown and Ford comes in to encourage him to go through because people believe in him. And even though that scene alone never happened, writer/director Brian Helgeland said that his justifications for including the scene was that he felt "there's no way Robinson could have withstood all that abuse without cracking at least once, even if it was in private". Without a doubt both Boseman and Ford's performances in the film are what makes the movie exceptional to watch, it's also the supporting cast that are great as well, and Alan Tudyk deserves a lot of credit of being the main antagonist of the movie for many reasons the obviously he was really committed in portraying the racist Phillies Manager Ben Chapmen who indeed tried to break Robinson in that April of 1947, for which really most actors I have to believe that it would most certainly be uncomfortable to say the N word so many times to make you feel uncomfortable moreover put a lot of hate in your heart and Tudyk was always playing like lovable sidekicks furthermore he was indeed in a Knights Tale who Brian Helgeland directed Tudyk so really when you think about it both men really had conversations about the role so in all fairness to took a lot of collaboration with the director and actor. Another actor that gets a lot of praise though he had little screen time was Christopher Meloni who plays Leo Durocher, the Dodgers manager at that time and even though he shared very little screen time in the movie his one moment to shine was when he gathers up his ball club and tells him that Robinson will play no matter how much you don't approve it, and his way to just enter into that scene and silence them was just amazing furthermore I would watch that scene so many times on YouTube. Last one I'm going to mention before I close this review, was John C. McGinley who was wildly know as Dr. Cox in the TV show Scrubs (fact he's the only good thing about the show) who portrays the Godfather of baseball broadcasting Red Barber, and what he does really well is that he really pull off a tremendous impression of Red Barber moreover does a great job looking like him, and I know because I listen to a Baseball Voices narrated by Pat Hughes and he had the same voice and accent as McGinley did in the movie. One last note is the tremendous visual effects that brought old ball parks from the past back to life, ball parks like Ebbets Field and the Polo Grounds because sure the baseball scenes were filmed in a lot of maybe minor league fields (and I could be wrong) but the way they can bring those parks to life where amazing to see, almost like Billy Crystal's movie in 61*. Of all baseball stories that needed to be told this was the one story that need to be brought onto the screen because it was a triumphant story about courage along with an important message about being a decent and kind man to your fellow man, no matter how different he or she looks, this was on one movie that made Chadwick Boseman household name and seeing this movie it does feel sad that it was short lived moreover I would image anyone to portray Jackie Robinson than Chadwick Boseman. Again one of and up there in his top five performances, is one of Harrison Ford's best as an actor. So, if you’re feeling sad about your Baseball team this year not doing well, much like my Cardinals I would highly recommend watching 42 and having your kids watch it as well, because it has the greatness of Remember the Titans and is a great film to watch from start to finish. 

         

Easter Sunday Recommendation: The Chosen Season 2

 

                                       Well, it's Easter Season, the week to spread the good word of our Lord Jesus, and no we're not talking about the Easter Bunny because in my eyes he's not real and if you want to debate me, I'm all ears but right now it's not the time, we got to talk about the greatest religious show of all time. That's right as of right now I've officially watched Season Two of The Chosen where now Jesus assembled his trusted apostils, to spread the word of saving us all from sin. Now before I indulged in Season 2, I had to binge watch Season 1 as well in order to get ahead. Though with its great story and great actors involved what impresses me most is the character development, and the presence of Jesus alone aka Jonathan Roumie.

                                      Season Two continues the story of Jesus and his followers spreading the word of salvation moreover along the way tension building with a lot of speculation being afraid of the truth, but along the way they begin to build a crowd of people wanting to see the miracle worker.

                                      The first season of the Chosen was no doubt a ground breaking success and really one of the greatest Christian themed show ever created, and season two carries on that success along the way, and really what makes the season two great to watch is that you continue the adventures with Jesus played by Jonathan Roumie, moreover the show itself builds more character development between the characters and you see a lot in it, with a great example is the apostle Matthew played by Paras Patel, who through the course of season 1 he like a tax collector meets Sheldon Cooper, and during the course of season 2 we see him open up more in terms of being a good person and showing his flaws, furthermore I love the fact that we first see him in episode 1 of the second season he's grown a full beard and to me it's kind of hilarious because he goes from a tax collector with autism to Ron Swanson furthermore I thought that was funny in my own sense of humor. But it isn't just Matthew. I see a lot of Simon Peter as well who both begin to trust one another even though we see more development with Mary as well in terms of struggling with past trauma. And to be honest there all great ways to tell a story about Jesus and his followers, though I still believe the real center of it all is Jesus himself played by Johnathan Roumie who continues to shine in the title role, and the way he's able to shine on screen especially in moments when the group is arguing and he comes along tired and they feel shamed or and it’s really striking and the sense of hope you feel whenever he comes on screen or his promoting something he is just fantastic whenever he's appears on screen moreover I have to rank Roumie's performance as one of the all-time greatest performers to play Jesus of Nazareth. Now, I'm going to shorten this review mainly because it's a great Catholic show, but more importantly I don't want to spoil anymore details, though this no doubt is one of the greatest if not the best catholic shows I've ever seen, which of course is The Chosen for many reasons it's one of these shows where you literally relate to these characters with their personal struggles and hard times, and really it’s easier to point out despite where living in a sh**ty government world, and Israel is living in a Roman law but deep down it's there when you watch the show. Moreover I also look back at times when I watch like mediocre catholic cartoons or movies in general I sometimes feel bored and just want to leave mainly because I don't relate to it that much, though I may have to watch Prince of Egypt one day, that's going to be on my radar for next April but another great Christian movie I loved was the 2016 version of Ben-Hur where you finally see Jesus's face furthermore it has an important message to the whole story for which I can relate to, even more than the Charlton Heston version of Ben-Hur. So, without a doubt for the Easter season I would highly recommend watching this show from season one to season two mainly because it's fantastic and has a great ensemble cast that makes you believe there the Chosen.