Star Trek Beyond

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 22 July 2016
     AMC Lynnhaven on 30 July 2016

Director: Justin Lin
Writers: Simon Pegg, Doug Jung, Gene Roddenberry, Robert Orci, Patrick McKay and John D. Payne
Running Time: 122 Minutes

Staring:  Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Idris Elba and Many More!

Rating? PG-13

SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS

IMDB: 7.5 of 10

MY RATING: 8

STORYLINE

The first leg of the USS Enterprise's five year mission takes them into uncharted territory. There the Enterprise is nearly destroyed and strands Kirk and his crew on a remote planet with no means of communication. Kirk must then work with the elements to reunite his crew and get back to Earth.

MY REVIEW

I feel like I cheated on Star Wars, but I am a closet fan of Star Trek and well, I disappointed. I've been a HUGE Karl Urban fan since I saw the movie Ghost Ship in the early 2000's. I watched it if Desmond Harrington and ended up in love with Karl Urban!  Seriously, who wouldn't love that face!?! I am typically a JJ Abrams fan as well. I have not been disappointed in any of his work as of yet, so I felt like this movie was in good hands to say the least.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Simple illusions to the original Star Trek world. There are a few scenes at the beginning (not giving anything away) where Chris Pine has some amazing one-liners. If you pay attention, a Star Trek fan will see these and hear them throughout the movie. I liked that.
• Fast Paced and Action packed.
• The acting! What amazing performances from everyone. I especially loved Idris Elba, as a baddie, I was quite impressed.

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• There are a few pieces that I had to just shake off and remember that it was just a movie. I tend to get wrapped up in the details and some of them were not quite what I would have wanted them to be. I won't go into the GREAT details, but there is a random large base in the middle of nowhere next to a large planet with habitable conditions. The likelihood of that is 1 in a kazillion, but I had to just let that one go.

On a more personal note..... I took this picture this week and thought this would be an appropriate time to post! Who doesn't JUST SO HAPPEN to have a 6'4"  Darth Vader statue in their living room? Well, the other day, I took a pretty awesome photo with the Lord of the Sith. I love it! After all, I am still a Star Wars girl at heart! AND, got a messenger bag.. Star Wars Chewbacca style of course!

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Manson's Missing Victims

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 28 December 2008 (Made for TV)
     Netflix 18 December 2016

Running Time: 48 Minutes

Rating? Unrated Documentary

SPOILERS? Not Really

REVIEWS

IMDB: 5.1 of 10

MY RATING: 5

STORYLINE

It's almost universally believed by those who were involved with, or who have studied, the Manson Murders that there are far more victims still out there. This documentary looks at some of their graves.

MY REVIEW

This documentary is NOT for everyone. If you are interested in Historical Crime, then yes, you will like this. It's got a few researchers looking at the idea of the unidentified victims that may or may not have succumbed to these murderers.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• A fun watch.
• Interesting take on the Yuma Co. Sheriffs department stalling evidence collection.

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• LOTS of conjecture and circumspect. Lacking on the evidence.

On a more personal note..... Looked super cute today in my black and white polka dotted dress with a red belt. By the end of the day after the gym, I was literally done, hence the tube dress and lack of interest!! And one from yesterday with baby Rocket.

The Honeymoon

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 21 Sept 2014
     Netflix 17 July 2016

Director: Leigh Janiak
Writer: Phil Graziadei and Leigh Janiak
Running Time: 87 Minutes

Staring:  Rose Leslie, Harry Treadway, Ben Huber and Hanna Brown

Rating? R

SPOILERS? YES!

REVIEWS

IMDB: 5.6 of 10

MY RATING: 4

STORYLINE

Young newlyweds Paul and Bea travel to remote lake country for their honeymoon. Shortly after arriving, Paul finds Bea wandering and disoriented in the middle of the night. As she becomes more distant and her behavior increasingly peculiar, Paul begins to suspect something more sinister than sleepwalking took place in the woods.

MY REVIEW

Let's be honest about why I chose to watch this movie. Rose Leslie. I loved her as Ygritte on Game of Thrones. I think I heard about it a while back, but never really watched until now. The husband, played by Harry Treadway was in a ton of British TV and Penny Dreadful as Dr. Frankenstein... I didn't read any reviews prior to watching and I thought the premise was interesting but the lack of realism is what brought this from a  passable movie to a 4 of 10.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Rose Leslie and Harry Treadway did the best that they could with this lackluster script and somewhat shaky direction.  I loved them in their roles as much as I hated the story.
• TONS of SEX! Yeah, judge me if you want, but I like that part!

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• This was a DULL story with little bits of interesting tossed in for good measure. 
• Unbelievable dialogue is what kicked this in the ass for me. I get that they are supposed to be newlyweds,  but the overly effusive and verbiage is in some places just too much for me to handle!  It was a distraction more than a plot strengthener.
• This is NOT a horror movie. If they truly were trying for horror, they failed on so many levels! Science fiction would have been a better choice, but yes, they may have not attracted the viewers they wanted with that label, but it would have been honest. It's heavy on the science and light on the fiction. Utterly sad.
• Lack of true foreshadowing and oddly placed lines with no resolution or completion of thoughts hat's just really make the watcher feel uncomfortable. Nothing really made sense in the final reveal at the end. What the hell was that? That wasn't an ending!

On a more personal note.....Today was a pretty good day! I've been trying to get back to running after many years of not keeping up. It was too hot today so I went to Planet Fitness and quote nearly hit my goal of a 10 minute mile!! I had to pause to take a pic of the screen at 1 mile. Yes, folks, that says 10:06. I was a few seconds off!! Next time!! And, after that, I came home and there is a curtain on the master bedroom door and I swung it over the guest room door to sweep the floor and SOMEHOW, Rocket made his way up there! He's a 6 Month old genius!

Whitey

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 27 June 2014
     Netflix 12 July 2016

Director: Joe Berlinger
Running Time: 1 Hour and 47 Minutes

Rating? R

SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS

IMDB: 6.8 of 10

MY RATING: 8

STORYLINE

This documentary captures the sensational trial of infamous gangster James 'Whitey' Bulger, using the legal proceedings as a springboard to explore allegations of corruption within the highest levels of law enforcement. Embedded for months with Federal Prosecutors, retired FBI and State Police, victims, lawyers, gangsters and journalists, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Joe Berlinger examines Bulger's relationship with the FBI and Department of Justice that allowed him to reign over a criminal empire in Boston for decades. Pulling back the curtain on long-held Bulger mythology, the film challenges conventional wisdom by detailing shocking, new allegations. With unprecedented access, Berlinger's latest crime documentary offers a universal tale of human frailty, opportunism, deception, and the often elusive nature of truth and justice.

MY REVIEW

I have always been interested in crime and this story has always been one that has stuck out and in the since he was caught for good in 2011, it's been in the news again. This is a pretty brilliant documentary. The fact that he was the second most wanted fugitive next to Osama Bin Laden is just incredible!

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• It was filmed in an artistic less-newsy way that I really appreciated. Although it's packed with information, it's done in a very intense way so that all of the data is shared quickly and in easy to digest segments.
• The interviews- wow, just wow!
• Hearing a lot of data about the Top Echelon Criminal Informant Program (TECIP) and rare footage of Joe Valachi

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• Although there was lots of background on Irish Crime in Boston and I would definitely like to see more, the movie was very densely packed with information and at some points it was too much.
• A lot of conjecture on whether Whitey was an informant or not with not a lot of evidence either way.

On a more personal note..... I was feeling very classic today with my black hair, red lips, black and white clothes and pearls. Maybe a little Audrey? Also, the 3D Printer is pretty much running at full speed these days. The Terminator head came out pretty good even taking 40+ hours to complete. Paint went on nicely! AND, lastly, I had two friends birthdays this week, Chris and Billy. I made these little gems.. Peach cake with Vanilla Peach frosting and little blue sugar crystals.

We Are Still Here

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 18 December 2015
     Netflix 10 July 2016

Writer and Director: Ted Geoghegan
Running Time: 84 Minutes

Staring:  Barbara Crampton, Andrew Sensing and Lisa Marie

Rating? Unrated

SPOILERS? Yes

REVIEWS

IMDB: 5.7 of 10

MY RATING: 7

STORYLINE

After their teenage son is killed in a car crash, Paul (Andrew Sensenig) and Anne (Barbara Crampton) move to the quiet New York countryside to try to start a new life for themselves. But the grieving couple unknowingly becomes the prey of a family of vengeful spirits that reside in their new home, and before long they discover that the seemingly peaceful town they've moved into is hiding a terrifyingly dark secret. Now they must find a way to overcome their sorrow and fight back against both the living and dead as the malicious ghosts threaten to pull their souls - and the soul of their lost son - into hell with them.

MY REVIEW

I must admit, I am a sucker for a horror movie and sometimes I just have to look past the idea that something is unrated and give it a shot. I am glad that I gave this one a chance. It's available on Netflix and if it's still there, I would go ahead and say to give it a go and see how you feel about it after!

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• It does have a good classic horror feel to the movie. The setting, lighting, musical score and the direction seemed to give it a really old-world haunt feel. Good job!
• Solid writing. I think the plot was interesting and well thought out. It was new and entertaining enough to keep me entertained. Yes, the story wasn't too original, but it was told in a way that was well thought out!

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• What the hell was up with that ending? It felt like it was all slow and leading to an ending with some explanation that NEVER CAME!

On a more personal note..... Ah, the fun times at the house with a kitten! I looked cute this morning on the way out to work, so I took a selfie! Got home, ended up laying on the floor with Rocket for a little while and he decided that sitting on my tummy would be a great place to hang out! Then I made some dinner and reminisced about Italy for a little while on the phone...

Private Number

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 1 May 2015
     Netflix 9 July 2016

Writer and Director: LazRael Lison
Running Time: 95 Minutes

Staring:  Judd Nelson, Tom Sizemore, Nicholle Tom, Hal Oxsan and a few others.

Rating? R

SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS

IMDB: 4.7 of 10

MY RATING: 7

STORYLINE
A series of cryptic phone messages and visions haunt a writer while he struggles to finish a novel. As they increase in intensity, he loses his grip on reality, eventually obsessing over an old mystery that will lead to horrific revelations about both him and his loyal wife.

MY REVIEW

I struggled with the first act of this movie. Not meaning that I struggled in a bad way but in the way that I connected on a very emotional level with the character of the wife, played by Nicholle Tom. I felt the distress in their marriage and it felt real. Really real! Almost too real to me at some times. I actually felt my heart sleep up at times feeling the feelings that she was having on screen. Tom was brilliant in this role as Katherine Lane. I could really sympathize with her struggle to deal with her husbands temperamental and detached feelings.  Michael Lane, her distant husband is played by Cypriot actor Hal Ozsan. I think he was pretty good. Not great, but good.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Great pace. Didn't have to wait around for the action to get started. I felt like the story was well on it's way within just a few minutes.
• PLOT TWIST!! I loved it! I has suspected its but quickly moved to another option and I was delighted with the choice
• Judd Nelson as the sheriff! I love him in this dark role. It was reminiscent of his role in the Made for TV movie Cabin by the Lake.

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• Although it was a good movie, it was not great. There was just something lacking. 

On a more personal note..... I had soon much fun today. My girlfriend's birthday barbecue was today. I went to her house and hung out with a bunch of Suffolk Firefighters, well and her! It was insanely hot out today, so it was nice to hang out in the backyard in the shade! Came home and I was accosted by a little ginger guy, Rocket, who was really intent on being held! I did get a moment of respite when he wanted to play with his big brother Jinx. Then, I washed my hair and DID NOT straighten it!! Let it curly and did a little Snapchat sesh!

The Girl in the Photographs

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 1 April 2015
     Netflix 7 July 2016

Director: Nick Simon
Writer: Osgood Perkins, Robert Morast and Nick Simon
Running Time: 98 Minutes

Staring:  Kal Penn, Claudia Lee, Kenny Wormald

Rating? R

SPOILERS? Yeah

REVIEWS

IMDB: 4.5 of 10

MY RATING: 4

STORYLINE

A bored young woman in a sleepy community called Spearfish starts receiving photographs of brutally murdered young women. Are they real or staged? The culprit is either a serial killer or some creep with a sick sense of humour.

MY REVIEW

This was not a BAD movie. By no means was it great either! I do admit that I gave this movie a 4 for a reason. It could have been a 6 except for the tired number of cliches that were numerous! As a horror movie fanatic, I can point out the obvious rather quickly.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Some of the acting. Claudia Lee and Kenny Wormald to be exact, was pretty good. Claudia Lee is the secondary character and she was not bad. I think she was able to act her way through with finesse. She was a good damsel in distress.
• Kal Penn. Oh Kal! I think you did a pretty decent job with this. He is appropriately full of himself and over the top. 
• Great cinematography!! Filming and editing were aces!
• Death Scenes were pretty spot on!!

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• This movie is RIDDLED with cliches! Just so many!  So, anytime there is a girl walking with another girl who offered to driver her to her car so "the killers don't get her" is gonna get murdered. Easy. Every time. When the girl goes to the cops to report the dastardly deeds, the cops don't believe her. Yep. That ALWYAS happens! Just too much!
• The baddie was just weird. Not weird creepy, but just odd. He just didn't have that video for me to be the one killing people the whole time. 
• Lack of suspense! They just about told you what they were planning on doing before they did it!
• Too conventional for a slasher movie, the twists weren't twisty enough.
• The director, Nick Simon, was also responsible for "The Pyramid" which I found to be pretty terrible. The writers were Oz Perkins (Son of Anthony Perkins) and Robert Morass.  I think they need to take the blame for the low rating.
• Supporting cast! BOO!!

On a more personal note..... Had some Jinx time after work. He was awesome and wanted to sit with me while I was watching Shark Tank!! Gave Rocket a little weight check to see if he was getting close to 4 pounds.. FINALLY! He's 4 pounds! AND then, Isabella got into the catnip!

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Popstar

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 3 June 2016
     Watched 3 July 2016

Director: Richard Gabai
Writer: Timothy Barton
Running Time: 87 Minutes

Staring:  The Lonely Island (AKA: Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer), Sarah Silverman, Tim Meadows, Maya Rudolph, Joan Cusak, Justin Timberlake, Nas, Usher, 50 Cent, Ringo Starr, Simon Cowell, Adam Levine, Akon, Mariah Carey and Will Arnett.
I don't know who else they COULD have gotten to guest star in this movie!!

Rating? R (Content, Graphic Nudity (Female AND MALE!), language, sexual content and drug use.

SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS

IMDB: 7 of 10

MY RATING: 7

STORYLINE

When his new album fails to sell records, pop/rap superstar conner4real goes into a major tailspin and watches his celebrity high life begin to collapse. He'll try anything to bounce back, anything except reuniting with his old rap group The Style Boyz.

MY REVIEW

Truth be told, I went into this movie with serious reservations. I mean, I LOVE The Lonely Island. Seriously, Dick in a Box was  amazing!

It's told in a biography channel style mockumentary with Andy Samberg playing Connor who is a prior boy band star with his buddies Owen (Jorma Taccone) and Lawrence (Akiva Schaffer) who were the Style Boyz.

Connor is a Justin Bieber-sch pop star with some really awesomely terrible songs that range from offensive to crude.

It's funny all the way through with some pretty predictable nonsense. If you want to see a musical with heart and soul, this is not it. If you want to laugh your ass of with dick jokes this is your movie.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• I love a good documentary! This one was well-done!
• Crude humor works well
• The Lonely Island!!

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• It was a little Skittish- Like a REALLY LONG SNL SKIT!

On a more personal note..... OMG! Snapchat added a cat! I love this! And there was a moment today when I quite nearly spent $40 on a 4x12 piece of wood! Yes, something about half of the size of a piece of paper! BUT, the sign said "Drinking Rum before 10am makes you a PIRATE not an alcoholic." I love it. I will be making one for myself and it WILL NOT cost $40. But seriously, I love this!

Final Girl

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 14 Aug 2015
     Netflix 1 July 2016

Director: Tyler Shields
Writer: Johnny Silver, Stephen Scarleta and Alejandro Seri
Running Time: 90 Minutes

Staring:  Abigail Breslin, Wes Bentley, Logan Huffman and Alexander Ludwig

Rating? R

SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS

IMDB: 4.7 of 10

MY RATING: 3

STORYLINE

Loner Veronica is new to school, shy and vulnerable, the perfect target for a group of teenage boys who lure girls into the woods to hunt and kill them for sport. Little do they know, Veronica is an assassin-in-training, and she's chosen killing these boys as her final test.

MY REVIEW

I feel like I need to write the film studio and ask them to pay me for the time that I lost while watching this movie. It's not that it was a steaming pile of shit, but it was almost as bad. Seriously, how did this movie get the 4.7 stars that it has currently on IMDB?

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• The compositions in the film are magnificent. Some of the scenes could have been beautiful portraits on the cover of a magazine. I loved the juxtaposition of the bright red against the pail skin and the dark against the light. It was beautiful! Cinematography alone gets this movie to a 3!

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• The acting was absolutely terrible! I felt like Abigail Breslin could and SHOULD have done so much better. She has the acting chops and has proven it in the past. This was a cold performance with what seemed to me like an almost indifference to the movie itself. Wes Bentley, whom i typically love was the same. I can maybe image that they were told to play them that way? But why? The dynamic of the young men who were "hunting" these young girls in the forest was quite nearly the best of the worst!
• The story! The girl, Veronica played by Breslin was supposedly training for 10 years to be this killer. 10 YEARS and she still acts like she is a beginner in some of the scened. There is this weird dynamic between her and the trainer, Bentley. It was odd to say the least. I don't know why if they were training so long together and there was this closeness between then, why it would be better to let them NOT sleep together. They should have just had sex and got it out of the way. The tension was NOT helping!

On a more personal note..... I came home for lunch today since someone (me) forgot to get it from the fridge! I picked the little one and tried to get a few selfies with Rocket, however he had some other ideas. He was apparently not feeling very kiss faced today! After work was the Company Softball game. I put on my blue and my ABMG hat and threw in some pigtails... WE WON!