phyncke

Moonstruck (1987)


Summary: IMDB and me
Loretta Castorini, a book keeper from Brooklyn, New York, finds herself in a difficult situation when she falls for the brother of the man she agreed to marry (the best friend of her late husband who died seven years previously).

IMDB for cast and credits:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093565/

I am catching this movie on the DISH and I have not seen it for a while. This is an oldie but goodie and I have always loved this movie. All the acting is good in this and it is a story of love from many angles and an Italian-American family in NY. Gorgeous opera music dotted throughout the story and a tour de force, angry performance by Nicolas Cage. Cher is great in this as the girl who comes alive in love in this. So much to love about this film. Olympia Dukakis has the great lines.

Overall rating:
Excellent and holds up to the years.

Recommend:
Totally.

Warnings:
Romantic.
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post 100/100 in the 100 things challenge. Last post!


by portus

This looks good and creepy. I always liked the original movie with Genevieve Bujold. This one has Ridley Scott working on the project. I think it is still relevant with all the medical research they are doing.



This is on A&E.

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post 98/100 in the 100 things challenge


by crescive

I will be seeing this movie - campaign politics is worth a good laugh. Yes.



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post 96/100 in the 100 things challenge

War of the Worlds(2005)


Summary: IMDB
As Earth is invaded by alien tripod fighting machines, one family fights for survival.

IMDB for cast and credits:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407304/

This movie is a must watch for me everytime I see it on TV. So much to compel me to watch it. I want to hate Tom Cruise but he is great here as the working class dad who is trying to make sure his kids survive the alien invasion. He will do anything, ANYTHING to ensure they survive. He proves this again and again. The kids are great and this movie realizes an incredible thing - an alien invasion really well. The cinematography is beautiful and the moment that they realize the aliens are hostile is just so well done. I always hold my breath with them and then it happens. Amazing. This movie is interesting even when I know every scene. Some hard moments in it too. Cataclysmic and it ends the same way as Orson Wells radio broadcast. Really good.

Overall rating:
Very good and compelling.

Recommend:
I really do! Even with Tom Cruise in it!

Warnings:
Violence in a sci fi situation. Some personal violence.

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post 94/100 in the 100 things challenge

I am seeing this. I love Jeremy Renner and think he can carry this movie.



I have loved all of the Bourne movies so far and have hopes for this one. Woot.

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post 92/100 in the 100 things challenge

This is a fanmade movie trailer for a non-existent movie of JRR Tolkien's, The Silmarillion. But watch this! It is so well done! I am telling you. Peter Jackson should really think about making this movie. I do think it would be at least a 5 part film to get the whole thing done right. But this is fabulous. Does my fandom heart proud.



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post 90/100 in the 100 things challenge


by laurahonest

Snoop Dog Becomes Snoop Lion (commentary)

So I logged into my email and am greeted by this tantalizing article in the masthead. Snoop Dog changes his name. Intrigued, I have to click in and read it. I admit to clicking on the articles on yahoo as more times than not, they amuse. This one did not disappoint. Snoop Dog is changing his name to Snoop Lion - he is going to do rasta music and he claims to be Bob Marley reincarnated. I guess he went to Jamaica and found himself there - or more to the point - he communed with the spirit of Bob Marley.

Now, I love reggae and I have to say, I am going to follow this transformation in the Snoop-verse and see where he goes with this. Here is the article so you can read it yourself.

http://music.yahoo.com/news/snoop-dogg-becomes-snoop-lion-readies-reggae-cd-161013663.html

Snoop wants to write music that his kids and family can listen to. Ok, man. Do that. I might listen to you too. The only song I can stand by him now is the one he did with Katy Perry (California Gurlz). So, I am curious enough to listen to the man and see what he will do. Bob Marley wrote beautiful lyrics and amazing songs so I think that Snoop is raising the bar pretty high here but I will see what he does. I prefer reggae to the offensive stuff he has been doing so let's go man - DO IT.

Anyways. This applies to culture so this is a 100 things post. :)

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post 88/100 in the 100 things challenge

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)


Summary: IMDB
British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than its advertisements, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways.

Another short review. A really touching movie about expats in India and British retirees who all retire to a residential hotel (Exotic Marigold Hotel) for various reasons. Lots of star power in this - Judi Dench, Maggie Smith etc and really good performances. I really enjoyed this film and found it very touching. I also enjoyed the scenery and sights and sounds of India. Worth seeing in the theater for the grandness of India but I think it will be out of the theaters soon. I also really loved the music in the sound track.

IMDB for cast and credits:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1412386/


Overall rating:
Enjoyable and touching.

Recommend:
Sure.

Warnings:
Some poverty shown in India.

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post 86/100 in the 100 things challenge


by yueshi at mondlichtung

The Eighty-Dollar Champion: Snowman, The Horse That Inspired a Nation
by Elizabeth Letts
Book Preview

Book description: (from amazon.com)
Harry de Leyer first saw the horse he would name Snowman on a truck bound for the slaughterhouse. The recent Dutch immigrant recognized the spark in the eye of the beaten-up nag and bought him for eighty dollars. On Harry’s modest farm on Long Island, he ultimately taught Snowman how to fly. Here is the dramatic and inspiring rise to stardom of an unlikely duo. One show at a time, against extraordinary odds and some of the most expensive thoroughbreds alive, the pair climbed to the very top of the sport of show jumping. Their story captured the heart of Cold War–era America—a story of unstoppable hope, inconceivable dreams, and the chance to have it all. They were the longest of all longshots—and their win was the stuff of legend.

I have not read this book yet but I saw this in the book store and was compelled to buy it. I love a good horse story on the vein of Secretariat and Seabiscuit. I find them fascinating and usually the tale is about more than the horse, there is history, society and true determination. Horses are magnificent, brave creatures. Anyway. I am adding an element to my 100 things posting - previews of books. I wanted to post about this one before I read it.

I was going to buy it on my kindle but there was no price break and I wanted to have this book on my shelf with my other horse books. I have a little category going. I will read this in book form.

Here is the link to the amazon page:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Eighty-Dollar-Champion-Snowman-Inspired/dp/0345521099/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342581183&sr=8-1&keywords=80+dollar+champion



by nienna_weeper

This movie appeals to me. I love the idea of Steve Carrell as a therapist and I am intrigued by seeing Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep in these roles - of a couple finding their way into romance again. This looks good to me. I might go see it alone.



Anyways. I have been seeing the trailer alot and like this one. I always find these actors interesting.


by yueshi