47/100 Burn Notice (tv review)

Burn Notice (2007 - now)

Summary: (from IMDB)
A spy recently disavowed by the U.S. government uses his Special Ops training to help others in trouble.

Michael Weston is a "burned" spy - he is down and out and down on his luck. But he has skills and smarts. This is the basic premise of this almost Robin Hood plot premise. He helps people with their problems and takes really tough cases that no one else will take. I am home sick today and watching the marathon on USA.

What is truly great about this show is the structure of it. Throughout each episode is this voice over narration by Weston - a kind of how to be a spy thing with tips and tricks on how spies operate. Very factual, kind of like a spy manual. I really love this aspect of the show and an example of this is - he describes what kind of tie to use as a fuse to ignite a fuel source...wool ties and polyester not so good but silk ties work best as a real fuse to ignite a gas tank. These are the kind of gems that are dotted through the episodes and are pretty interesting. His voice is monotone as if he is reading it. Nice touch on this. They consistently do this. Then you have to love Fiona, the Irish pyromaniac and demolitions expert and Sam, his friend and co-conspirator. Sharon Gless (formerly Cagney in Cagney and Lacey) appears as Sharen Westen, his Mom and she gets caught up in the plots at times.

This is a really good show with lots of action and some really good plots. Some stand alones and some multiple episode story lines. Good solid spy stuff with a sense of humor.

IMDB for cast and credits:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0810788/

Overall rating:
Great and fun.

Recommend:
Yes, in the spy genre with humor.

Warnings:
Things blow up.

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post 47/100 in the 100 things challenge

48/100 Seabiscuit (movie review)

Seabiscuit (2003)

Summary: (from IMDB)
True story of the undersized Depression-era racehorse whose victories lifted not only the spirits of the team behind it but also those of their nation.

I am a sucker for a good movie about a racehorse and this movie totally delivers the goods here. I was home sick from work today and caught half of this one and thought it worth a blog post. Seabiscuit represents a big part of Depression era American history and gave people hope during a hard time economically. He, like Secretariat, liked to come from behind (though on the inside of the track). The races are well done in the film and the cinematography is beautifully done. The colors on the jockey's uniforms are vibrant and there is an almost sepia tone to the film. This movie makes me cry when the horse wins. I just love it.

I admit it, I am a sucker for a good horse movie. This one was nominated for an Academy Award and Jeff Bridges is wonderful as the owner with excellent supporting roles here. Tobey McGuire played the primary jockey. Really great performances here.

IMDB for cast and credits:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0329575/

Overall rating:
Excellent and moving. Makes me weepy.

Recommend:
Great horse movie. Yes.

Warnings:
Emotional.

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post 48/100 in the 100 things challenge

Writer's Block: For Here or To Go

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I thought this was gone but I saw this on someone's post and snagged it. I try not to eat junk food or fast food but I occasionally will hit Jack in the Box for their 99 cent tacos (2 for that price). It is a mild transgression and who can go wrong for the 99 cent thing. I do hit some local burger spots but those are not fast food places really - they are more like local restaurants - I like the Smokehouse and Oscars for a good local burger.

Anyhoot. That is my answer to this very tempting question. :)

49/100 Unstoppable (movie review)

Unstoppable (2010)

Summary: (from IMDB)
With an unmanned, half-mile-long freight train barreling toward a city, a veteran engineer and a young conductor race against the clock to prevent a catastrophe. This is loosely based on events in Pennsylvania so it is a true story embellished in film.

This movie was on the DISH today and I have seen this about 6 times. I have this saved as a do not delete on the DISH because I heart this movie. It is definitely a working man's movie about a runwaway train. Lots of excitement and Denzel Washington plays a working class, train engineer and he is, as always, totally believable in his role. I also loved Chris Pine in this and Rosario Dawson. Lots of really good performances in this.

What is great about this movie is the dynamic tension throughout that builds and builds. The pressure builds and builds as the film progresses and it concludes just awesomely. Not giving that away but I love the end. Lots of excitement and thrills...real heroism.

Anyways. This was a good movie.

IMDB for cast and credits:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477080/

Overall rating:
Excellent and I can watch this movie over and over.

Recommend:
A really good train movie. I love trains.

Warnings:
High tension. Great tension in this.

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post 49/100 in the 100 things challenge

50/100 Rock of Ages (movie trailer)

This looks fun and campy and hello, Tom Cruise. What a nice bod on him. Hellooo. This is a musical so the characters sing throughout the film, not just during the concert bits.

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post 50/100 in the 100 things challenge. Half way done!

51/100 Sweet Genius (cooking show)

Sweet Genius (2012)
Cooking show competition
Food Network

Summary:
Viewers are taken on a sugary journey as four of America's premier pastry chefs compete each week in three unique elimination challenges judged by Ben-Israel himself. Each round tests their ability to create magical and inventive desserts, while being given an inspiration, surprise ingredients, and a finite amount of time. The winners from each challenge advance to the final test, with the last chef standing receiving a $10,000 cash

I usually love food competition shows but I find this show annoying. I have not been all that impressed with the skills and creations of the competitors and I find Ben-Israel a little annoying. His critiques are interesting but his manner is well, off-putting. He needs to be a little more sympathetic.

I don't really like the structure of the show either and that they can be thrown a second "must use" ingredient while they are in the middle of their creation. I think they should be given all the ingredients at once so they can really plan their work - I think then, the quality of what they produce might be raised.

Anyways. Not impressed by this show and the final work has looked a little sloppy to me. Nothing that I would want to eat anyway. Guess that is good. I don't need to be eating dessert anyway. :P

Overall rating:
Fair

Recommend:
Not really, no.

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51/100 in the 100 things challenge