Hysteria

I went to the movie Wednesday night.  I had to go to Des Moines to see it because it is probably never going to show in Ames.

"Hysteria is a romantic comedy with an accomplished cast led by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy, Jonathan Pryce, Felicity Jones and Rupert Everett, that tells an untold tale of discovery - the surprising story of the birth of the electro-mechanical vibrator at the very peak of Victorian prudishness."

It is really more about the way Victorian England treated women and medicine (bleed them and put some eels on them.). This was a time when clean bandages weren't thought to be important and as a result they were not changed often. Women could not vote and men would not listen to them. Often they were diagnosed with female hysteria and would have hysterectomies as a (radical) treatment. It is also a romantic comedy and Maggie Gyllenhaal does a remarkable job as the daughter of a doctor who earns most of his living by treating hysteria in women.

It was enjoyable and of course, a major part of the enjoyment came from the Fluer experience. I enjoy this theater very much. They always have movies that are not always playing in the Cinemark theaters and they have good popcorn and ice tea (instead of sodas - but you can get them also) There are enough people behind the counter that you don't have to wait long and that helps.

I also, since I was in Des Moines, went to Costco and got a few things including gas. Gas in Ames is $3.349 a gallon. In Des Moines it was 10 cents cheaper and at Costco it was $3.199 a gallon. So I had two great experiences. Tomorrow (really today) Miss Molly (who was very happy to see me) is going to the vet to get her toenails trimmed. Wonder how she will like it. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, j

Cowboys and Aliens

I went to the movie this afternoon.  As usual the experience was marred by the poor service and crummy theater here in Ames.  Cinemark 12 had one person selling tickets for the 1:20 film and as a result there was a long line.  Someone came out and then opened up the other half of the ticket booth.  They have a Kiosk in the theater where you can go to purchase a ticket with a credit card but it was not turned on.

Eventually they turned it on and then announced that you could purchase tickets there.  The line shortened considerably so I remained outside and got my ticket.  Inside they had two people popping corn and serving corn and there was one long line and people were worrying about whether or not they would make it inside before their movie started.  Eventually the person who had been out helping with the extra tickets came and helped the two (slower than molasses) kids who were popping the corn.  She suggested we form two lines..There had been two lines and people would split as they got to the head of the line.  The two ladies who were in front of me split and the asshole behind me tried to cut in front of me...He didn't get the job done.  Both of the ladies bought candy and made the clerk describe the candy to them,  Sweet.

Anyway I got into the theater and my "spot" on the left side was taken but there was another one and so I settled in.  The previews had already started but I had not missed the beginning of the film.

If you like westerns (and I do) and space monsters (again I'm there) you will enjoy this flick.  The premise is that aliens have come to earth to mine for gold.  While here they capture some of the natives for study to see how they can defeat them and take over the world so that they can get the gold.  It has the usual..Bad guy with a heart of gold, old preacher, Cattle rancher tough guy, his son the out of control do what you want entitled twerp, Indians (must have Indians (or to be politically correct Native Americans) a couple of beautiful women (why is it that the women in these Westerns are always pretty....I mean have you ever seen a picture of the real dance hall girls?) and a dog...this film has it all. And then some.

Daniel Craig is one of my favorite actors.  I enjoy him and while he may be playing the same person over and over at least it is well played and is in different venues.  Harrison Ford may not have won an Oscar but if he is in a film it is worth your time to go and see it.  Besides which he has good taste and has been rumored from time to time to fly his plane into Ames to eat at our Hickory Park.  The second best Barbecue in Ames.  Olivia Wilde as the beautiful woman has an integral part in this fanciful battle with the aliens.  I won't tell you more because I don't want to spoil the film for you.

Here is the trailer.  Let me know if you saw it and what you thought of it.  I thoroughly enjoyed it . I helped get the bad taste out of my mouth left by the truly awful Bad Teacher.



Oh and just one more thing. When i got home tonight I found out that the History Channel is running one of its usual fanciful programs full of wild eyed (and haired) "experts" who tell us that aliens may have landed on earth and interacted with people in pioneer times,,,especially interesting is that Moroni  who spoke with Joseph Smith and started the Mormon religion was an ancient alien.  Who knows?  One thing about the History Channel is that it asks more questions than it gives answers.  They wonder if the film Cowboys and Aliens could have had basis in fact.  Geeesh!  Think I'll watch Sex and the Civil War. That is the next offering tonight or better yet I shall read my book.

The King's Speech

 I saw the finest movie I have seen all year today.. Yeah, I know it is the only movie I have seen all year but I would venture a guess that it won't be dethroned.  The fact is that it is better than anything I saw in 2010 also.

The King's Speech is about the relationship between the present' queen of England's father and his speech therapist.  King George VI, played by Colin Firth was bullied as a young child. by his father, his brother and his nanny.  He was made to switch his natural left-handedness to his right hand.  All of these things contributed to his stammer.

Sometimes we forget that children are affected by

bulling.  We let it happen.  Often we forget that so-called "royals" are just human beings who happen to have been born into privilege and wealth. They suffer from the same insecurities as the rest of us and in King George's case he was very fortunate.  Very fortunate in his wife Elizabeth played by Helena Bonhham Carter and his soon to be friend Lionel Logue played by Geoffrey Rush.  (Look Ms Carter up by following her link.  I was amazed at how many parts I have seen her play and loved her in.)

The acting was superb, the cinematography perfect, the costuming elegant, the setting exceptional and over all the quality of this film is outstanding.  It has humor and shows a human side to the King that we don't often see.  I would predict with the Awards season coming up this film will pick up many of them.. Perhaps even Best Picture.  Then perhaps they will show it in Ames.

I think I was most taken with the idea of the friendship between the King and the commoner...although he was not a common man.  Friendship is a rare thing.  Kings aren't used to it.  They seldom have a person that will accept them for who they are and in this case teach them.  It was just very well done and I encourage you to go see it.   You will notice that I do not give much of the plot away.  That is because the plot is not important in my estimation. I feel the development of and showcasing of the relationships is the important part of this film.  If you want the plot you can go here to read it.  But I would recommend waiting until after you have seen this excellent film.

Love and Other Drugs

I went to the movie this afternoon. - Love and Other Drugs is a good film.  It is well acted and enjoyable.  From the IMBD Data Base

Maggie (Hathaway) is an alluring free spirit who won't let anyone - or anything - tie her down. But she meets her match in Jamie (Gyllenhaal), whose relentless and nearly infallible charm serve him well with the ladies and in the cutthroat world of pharmaceutical sales. Maggie and Jamie's evolving relationship takes them both by surprise, as they find themselves under the influence of the ultimate drug: love

Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal make up most of the movie which is a hartwarmer about the power of love to change even a hard hearted cynical pharmaceutical representative.  So I guess it is about the redemptive power of love.  The movie was recommended by a friend on Facebook and he mentioned that it made him cry at the end.  Actually it got to me a couple of times.  And I forgot to take the Kleenex. But it was a good cry.  The movie is rated R for nudity and I will admit there is a lot of "bed" time in the film.


One person who had a very minor part in the film was George Segal  I had forgotten how much I enjoyed him from his earlier movies.  I was glad to see that he was still around and aging nicely.


Now to mention the movie going experience itself. I arrived at the theater about 5 minutes before the show was supposed to start.  For one thing you miss the "First Look" set of commercials that the Theater insists on playing.  You can still see the previews and that is always fine with me as I enjoy anticipation.  Imagine my surprise when I got inside and saw the long line of people waiting to purchase tickets.  Harry Potter you know.  The line ran from the ticket spot on the counter to the door.  And there was another one at the one spot where they were selling pop corn.  I had not had lunch and the pop corn was to be my lunch.  I did not relish standing in two lines when it was so close to starting time.  So I purchased my ticket at the Credit Card Kiosk and avoided one line. Took my coat in (no ticket taker) and claimed a seat and then went out to get pop corn and a diet cola.


I got in the line and waited.  There were only two people selling the corn and drinks and they were efficient but not as fast as I would have liked.  Anyway I got my corn and drink (damn expensive) and went up the ramp to reclaim my seat. This time there was someone there to take my ticket,  which was in my pants pocket and both hands were full.  Why this person was not there before when there was a long line of people coming in I do not know but I had to stop and produce the ticket.  The guy ahead of me in the pop corn line and I were discussing how much easier it is to go into some of the other theaters in places like Ankeny and Des Moines.  They seem to have enough help but never at the Ames Theaters.  I guess that is my gripe for the day.


But all in all it was a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon and I did not have to take minutes.  When I came home and finished my book and started a new one.  What more could I ask?


Thanks for listening,  Hugs, j

Morning Glory

Every once in awhile a movie comes along that fits my category of delightful. This one does that.. Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Dianne Keaton, Jeff Goldblum, with Patrick Wilson as the romantic interest all did a delightful job in bringing this movie to the screen.

Aliceart from Seattle Washington wrote a review of the film on the IMDb site for the film

She says:

Rachel McAdams is taking the lead this time in a rom-com that adds a little pathos, shows the rest of the world what it's like to be totally committed to a job (being a former workaholic, I can totally relate to this.) The pace is set at "sprint" and actually does a great job of going the distance. 10 cuts above a sit-com, but could possibly be turned into a very successful one about a fictional struggling #4 slot on the network morning show circuit. Adding to the mix and a lot of credibility, Jeff Goldblum, Dianne Keaton, and Harrison Ford, looking every bit his 60+ years, but still has a boyishness to his demeanor that hearkens back to Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Patrick Wilson is the rom in "rom-com" and he holds his ground against the whirling dervishness of Rachel's character. The writing is outstanding and the one-liners, priceless. Check it out.

She is right. Even though the theater had only about 4 other people in it at the 4:45 show I laughed out loud several times The one-liners were terrific. Even choked up a little once in awhile. Harrison Ford and Dianne Keaton are at a comfortable place in their careers where they can take roles that they want to have fun with and it was obvious that they both had fun with this film. Because they were having fun with it, I had a great time in the theater tonight. It is a good feeling film. I recommend it heartily.

Watch the Trainer here.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

The best thing about the new Sorcerer's Apprentice was the leather coat that Nicholas Cage wore. It was classy.

One of the reviews I read for The Sorcerer's Apprentice finished its review of this, mostly forgettable, movie with this statement.

But at least this movie provides two helpful services. It's a reminder of just how well the Harry Potter movies work, with their genuine sense of personality, wonder and mystery. And it's much, much better than The Last Airbender.

I am afraid that I agree. Of course I remember the 1940 version of this story from the movie Fantasia which enthralled me as a youngster. And the cartoon characters in that film were more believable than the ones in this "modern" version. Of course I am not a fan of Nicholas Cage and found the young man playing the apprentice annoying. Roger Ebert's review is here.

And for those who like such things I found out something I had not known. The movies are based on a poem by Goethe Der Zauberlehrling I will have to say that I did enjoy some of the special effects but not enough to make me recommend this film.

Knight and Day - Sky Shots

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz make the movie Knight and Day a fun romp through the world of a spy gone rogue....maybe.

You never really know in this black ops romantic comedy which redeems Cruise in my eyes. I thought he had gone off the wall. It is hard to believe that he is 48 years old. He looks good and I think he had a lot of fun with this film. I enjoyed it as did the lady who was sitting about half a row to the left of me. She had a loud infectious laugh and was exhibiting it all the way through the film. There was not a large audience for this first show of the afternoon and it had been playing since Wednesday.

One thing I enjoyed was the tie in at the end with the gags in the first part of the show. It tied everything together. I won't spoil the show for you. The trailer has quite a bit of the fun things but even it doesn't tell the whole story. Grab your best friend and take them to the action comedy of the year so far. You won't be sorry.

And now some sky shots that I took with my phone camera on the way home. Last night we had thunder and lightning all night long and it looks as if we might be in for more storms tonight as the thunder heads are building up. When I was a kid my mother/grandparent (I can't remember which) told me that the thunder was a potato wagon rolling across the wooden bridge. I still think of that when I hear a good thunder today. Thanks for stopping by, Hugs, j

Date Night

I have never been a big fan of Steve Carell.That may be changing. And Tina Fey, what can I say? Comic genius! I did not get to see this film when it first opened so I am late in getting to it but today the cough was more under control and I needed to get out of the house, having spent the entire day yesterday in the house coughing.

I could have gone to see Iron Man 2 but I read a bad review of it and a good friend (Bob of Bob's Photos) had recommended that I catch this film. So I decided to go and see it. I am really glad I made the choice I made.

I half expected a remake of the old Sandy Dennis movie The Out of Towners but this was nothing like that. Hip and modern and very well put together. I could predict that the couple were in a rut and needed to do something different but was not expecting some of the twists of the plot. It kept me interested for most of the movie.

I think my favorite part was when they hooked up with a taxi.

It has an excellent cast:

Steve Carell as Phil Foster

Tina Fey as Claire Foster

Mark Wahlberg as Holbrooke Grant

Ray Liotta as Joe Miletto^[

James Franco as Chase "Taste" Tripplehorn/Tom Felton

Mila Kunis as "Whippit" Tripplehorn

Mark Ruffalo as Brad Sullivan

Kristen Wiig as Haley Sullivan

Common as Detective Collins

Jimmi Simpson as Detective Armstrong

Taraji P. Henson as Detective Arroyo

Leighton Meester as Katy

William Fichtner as Frank Crenshaw

Olivia Munn as the Hostess

J. B. Smoove as Cab Driver

Michelle Galdenzi as Claw Waitress

Gal Gadot as Natanya

• James Franco is currently on my "A" list. (He guest starred on General Hospital and I am hoping they will bring him back. Not that they will. I have been wanting Brenda back for years.

Anyway I enjoyed the movie and tonight I will enjoy television. I am about to go through my list of things to record and Unfriend some of the shows I am currently taping. Too many of them have just become reruns. Not of the episodes but of the same old story/plot lines. I am losing interest. Would rather have a nice glass of Scotch and read a good book. I did however enjoy Betty White on SNL last night. Here is her monologue:

The Bounty Hunter

You can read NPR's review here. And while I did enjoy myself (I am easy to please) and I do like the stars I have only one thing to add. I do not know of many marriages that once broken can be repaired and the whole premise of the movie is just plain weak. I probably should have made another choice....But then there wasn't much else that appealed to me. Now we have snow coming. Such fun. Have a nice week-end. Hugs, j

Sunday, Sunday

I went to breakfast at Waveland Park this morning with Brother Severn. Kurt and his family came later and joined us. The breakfast was great, the company was grand and I had a wonderful morning. Brother Eric from Southgate (not pictured) and Brother John (From Acanthus) and his friend also sat at our table for awhile

Severn and I went out to Jordan Creek to see The Time Traveler's Wife. I enjoyed it very much. Severn called it a "chick flick" and I suppose it was but I generally like that genre of film. It was nice to see a film with someone for a change.

A Chicago librarian suffers from a rare genetic disorder that sends him hurtling through time whenever he is under extreme duress; despite the fact that he vanishes at inordinately frequent and lengthy intervals, he attempts to build a stable future with the beautiful young heiress he loves. Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams star in this dramatic fantasy

I had seen Eric Bana on Craig Ferguson the other night and had seen the previews and I wanted to see the film. I recommend seeing it.

I did some "drive-by" shootings of the State Capitol and one of the bridges over the Interstate. Kind of fun. I really like the lines on the bridges.


My camera is amazing. I just aimed and pointed as I was driving by at 55 mph. I cropped them but they still came out OK. I love my camera.

Angels and Demons

One of my friends/Brothers went to see this last night at Midnight. I saw it this afternoon. I had to get dressed earlier than usual today to pick up Trevor who flew in from New York City to spend some time in Ames with his Girl friend. We ate at Lucca's for lunch and then I brought him back to Ames. The idea of going to the movie when there were a lot of people there did not appeal to me but I never mind an early afternoon movie so I went to the 12:45 showing.

I enjoyed it. I probably enjoyed the book more but the movie was OK. I am not a big Tom Hanks fan. I know a lot of people really like him but he s not my favorite actor. I enjoyed Star Trek more last week than I did this one. I imagine it will do well in the box office race. It did not get a great review in the New York Times. But that does not mean much for me. I enjoy most movies and I did enjoy this one. I thought that some of the dialogue was rather stilted and did not seem natural. The story itself kept my attention but it was rather predictable. (Maybe that was because I had read the book) Trailer is below. j

Star Treck

So, Last evening at about 9:05 PM as I am eating at the banquet after Lodge I felt a tingling sensation over my left nipple. (Phone was set on vibrate) - It was Jon informing me that he was at the movie theater for the 10:00 showing of Star Trek. He had already purchased his ticket and when he got there there was a line. Evidently a long enough line that he wanted to share the fact with hos uncle. So we talked for awhile and then he let me go back to my dinner.

Later at about 12:00 PM the phone made a noise at me and I had gotten the following Text Message from him.

Holy Hell. That was awesome! Star Trek Lives again. I will be seeing that again in the theatre

(and yes he used the British spelling of theater)

So nothing would do but that I would pull myself together and trek (notice how cleverly I worked that word into this post) down to see it for my self. I went to the 12:00 noon showing. - My reaction - "Holy Hell, that was awesome..." I have been a Star Trek fan since day One and this movie just brought it all back for me. Now I want to see all of them all over again. It may be the finest one of the bunch. It just nicely ties everything together.

The only complaint I had was that the scenes they labeled Iowa did not look much like this state. Way too flat. There are just not many places in Iowa that are without gently rolling hills and there is no chasm for him to drive into. Oops sorry that was a Spoiler and I don't usually do those.) But it is somewhat minor. I recommend it highly.

Now on to the other "thing" I want to say about the movie going experience. It used to be that you could go to a film and not have to watch commercials. Now they have something called "First Look" which is really just a commercial. Then we still get the previews. As to the previews I can't say I am looking forward to many of them. They appeared to appeal to the juvenile film goer who is still playing with Transformers or sophomoric humor. I can't say that many of the provies appeale do me. They are sort of like video games. Not much to them.
I have a feeling I may be reading more books this summer. That is all right with because I love reading. And napping. Think I shall do that now. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, j.

Movie Review

I will probably never understand Catholic Priests and Nuns and this movie did not help me with that. It did not help me to like Meryl Streep either. (At least her character -though I do love her) She played a perfectly awful nun principal of a school where the school's first black student is befriended by a priest. This causes one of the nuns to have doubts about his relationship with the student. (Plot summary here.)

You keep wondering if there might have been something to her accusations. Streep's character really has few redeeming characteristics. She rules the school with an iron fist and everyone is terrified of her. She decides to go after the priest because of her suspicions and feelings. She does so with a vengance. This is nothing like the fun-loving character she played earlier this year in Mamma Mia.

Philip Seymour Hoffman does a terrific job as the priest accused. He may or may not have abused the boy. That is where the title of the film comes in - Doubt.

This film will make you think and it will also entertain you.

The Duchess

"Set at the end of the eighteenth century, The Duchess is based on the life of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire. While her beauty and charisma made her name, her extravagant tastes and appetite for gambling and love made her infamous. Married young to the older, distant Duke of Devonshire, intimate of ministers and princes, Georgiana became a fashion icon, a doting mother, a shrewd political operator and darling of the common people, but at the core of the story is a desperate search for love. The film also delves into Georgiana’s passionate and doomed affair with Earl Grey to the complex love triangle with her husband and her best friend, Lady Bess Foster."

Keira Knightly plays the part of Geogianna Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire to perfection in this beautifully crafted movie. The movie was described to me as kind of a simple story and it was. A young girl marries an older man who wants an heir. He dallies with others (common in those days) She falls for another (younger) man (Earl Grey) and has a child by him. What makes it all the more intersting is that it is a true story. She really did marry the Duke and raise his older illigitimate daughter as her own. She really did invite her best friend (Lady Elizabeth Foster) to come and live with them and the best friend became the Duke's mistress and later married him and became the Duchess after Georgianna died.

The thing that makes it most interesting to me is the connections to today. Earl Grey is the British Prime Minister for whom Earl Grey Tea (my favorite tea) is named. And Georgianna's Family was the Spencers. Diana Princess of Wales was a descendant of her brother.

The Cast

Keira Knightley as Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire
Ralph Fiennes as William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire
Hayley Atwell as Bess Foster
Charlotte Rampling as Lady Spencer
Dominic Cooper as Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey
You can see the whole list here.

I recommend the film highly. It was also great to see Kat who was working behind the counter and catch up on her and her family. Thanks for stopping by, ARTYAL. Hugs. j

Appaloosa/Extraordinary Mothers

Ed Harris is one of my favorite actors. Ever since I saw him in Knightriders a 1981 movie about A traveling group of medieval performers, the main attraction being knights on motorcycles, is falling apart at the seams as the performers either crack under the pressure of mean cops, bouts with near fame and emotional problems.

Now he has made a western which he co-wrote and directed. It is called Appaloosa and also stars Viggo Mortensen (another favorite), Jeremy Irons and Renée Zellweger. It was a little long and I caught myself looking at my cell phone to see what time it was. (don't worry cell phone police, I turned my volume down and held the screen close to my chest so as not to bother anyone else in the theatre). I love it that people have to be told three times to do those things.

Salon entertainment has a review with this conclusion:

At its best, "Appaloosa" has an endearing, oddball quality, but it could use more of those off-center laughs. It's high time for the western to be resuscitated as a genre; a picture that just pokes along amiably isn't enough to get the job done.

It was enough to get the job done for me today. I needed the spectaular scenery of the the West and the play of the characters on each other. I needed that type of movie today. And I loved all of the actors in the movie, especially those listed above.

I was glad to see that there are several movies coming out in the next couple of months that look interesting. After a dearth of good films lately I am pleased that the "lull" is over.

After the movie I went out to Lake Lavernne and visited Lancelot and Elaine (Swans) and read until suppertime. Then I went to Jeff's Pizza and got a Bacon Cheeseburger Pizzal and brought it home for supper. It was great. Ginny sent me the video below. It is a beautiful story about animal mothers, Enjoy. Thanks for stopping by, Hugs, j

Tropic Thunder

I liked the premise of this movie. Some Hollywood folks are making a movie in the jungle and they get involved with some drug lords who take some of them captive. It is rated R for violence and language and it certainly has those a plenty.

I can't say it was the best movie I had ever seen and I objected to the parts where Ben Stiller plays a mentally handicapped person. It is controversial and you can read about that here.

I thought that some of the humor was sophomoric but then I went expecting that. I enjoyed Robert Downey, Jr. (who was the best in my opinion) and the other stars but it was really fun to see Nick Nolte who is my age and who I went to grade school with for awhile (eons ago). I could not do the things he was doing in the movie.

All in all it was a diverting way to spend a Sunday afternoon and I enjoyed it.

Now back to the mentally handicapped controversy. I used to work at Whittier School here in Ames. We had a class of Severe and Profound handicapped students brought into the school. One of the "little darlings" made some remark about "retards." That ticked me off and I "talked to her" about respecting all people. And then I decided that at least my class would have a learning experience. So I talked to the teacher and while some of her students could not do much there were things they could do. So I offered my students a chance to get out of class once or twice a week and go down and just toss a ball back and forth or to read to them - whatever Shelly wanted and it was a good thing. My kids learned and her kids felt more acceptance. I am sorry that Jerry Stiller chose to use these folks as a cheap laugh. He needs to learn respect for everyone.

Other than that I recommend the film - Matthew Mcconaughey and Tom Cruise are also in it. I am sorry I no longer enjoy Tom Cruise. After his behavior on Oprah and his interview with Matt Lauer I just find him someone I don't want to watch anymore. Matthew Mcconaughey did a really nice job with his part.

BTW - The film just got an "uneven" review on Epert and Roper but both of the reviewers gave it a "go see" rating. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, j

Movie Review

From Yahoo Movies:

Explorer Rick O'Connell to combat the resurrected Han Emperor in an epic that races from the catacombs of ancient China high into the frigid Himalayas. Rick is joined in this all-new adventure by son Alex, wife Evelyn and her brother, Jonathan. And this time, the O'Connells must stop a mummy awoken from a 2,000-year-old curse who threatens to plunge the world into his merciless, unending service. Doomed by a double-crossing sorceress to spend eternity in suspended animation, China's ruthless Dragon Emperor and his 10,000 warriors have laid forgotten for eons, entombed in clay as a vast, silent terra cotta army. But when dashing adventurer Alex O'Connell is tricked into awakening the ruler from eternal slumber, the reckless young archaeologist must seek the help of the only people who know more than he does about taking down the undead: his parents. As the monarch roars back to life, our heroes find his quest for world domination has only intensified over the millennia. Striding the Far East with unimaginable supernatural powers, the Emperor Mummy will rouse his legion as an unstoppable, otherworldly force... unless the O'Connells can stop him first.

I enjoyed the movie. (But when was there ever a movie that I didn't enjoy - Well, OK, maybe there was one somewhere sometime.) I have gone to movies all my life. I enjoy them and I really liked this one even with its flaws. I like Brendan Frasier. Aside from the fact that he reminds me of Someone I like, he does a creditable job with comic book roles. I enjoy the nuances with his eyes and his lips. I just like him. He is not the greatest actor in the world but I prefer him to many other more popular actors (Tom Cruise, Kevin Costner and even that guy that seems to be in everything. Oh yes, Nicholas Cage) I also like Jet Li as well as the others:

Actors
Brendan Fraser - Rick O'Connell
Jet Li - Emperor Han
Maria Bello - Evelyn Carnahan O'Connell
Michelle Yeoh - Zijuan
John Hannah - Jonathan Carnahan
Luke Ford - Alex O'Connell
Liam Cunningham - Mad Dog Maguire
Isabella Leong - Lin

A couple of the premises (or is it premi) were stretched but that was all right as I knew that it was to move the story along. The movie was well put together and the action sequences were enjoyable. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the first two Mummy movies.

It is always nice to see the new movies that are coming up. George Clooney and Brad Pitt have a new one coming out that looks like it will appeal to my rather juvenile movie taste. In the meantime my VCR stopped working and I got a new one and I cannot hook it up. Anyone want to come over and help me can have a drink of wine, Templeton Rye or (good) Scotch. And my eternal gratitude. I am afraid I am going to have to call the Cable company and go digital. We shall see. In the meantime no more taping General Hospital. I shall have to be home at 2:00 each day to watch it so don't call me then. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, j

You Don't Mess With The Zohan

Click on the Movie Poster to be taken to the official site.

This Adam Sandler movie was mostly entertaining. There were times towards the end when I was ready for it to be over but, for the most part, I loved it. Even the Hummus jokes. I will say this that I was often the only person laughing out loud in the theater. Most people were just sitting there like lumps.

I have never been a big Adam Sandler fan but he did a great job of entertaining me this afternoon. And I liked his hair style (of course I would like any hair style - not having any myself. You can read about it here. (Warning spoilers)

Some people had a little kid in the theater and she got to fussing and crying. Instead of taking her out her mother just moved her to someplace else.

1. It wasn't a movie for little kids
2. If the child was going to fuss she should have been removed from the theater.
3. Some parents need courses in parenting and in respecting of other's rights.

Right now I am watching the Tony Awards. My favorite show of the year. ARTYAL, Hugs, j

Iron Man

I went to see Iron Man this afternoon. To say that I enjoyed it would be an understatement. I was enthralled with the acting and the visual presentations. I know there was a lot of computer generated "stuff" in it but frankly, I couldn't tell. Perhaps it is my ancient eyes.

Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts (lets face it folks this is based on a comic book) was perfect. But then she is kind of perfect anyway. (Note to Wardrobe: Don't put her in such high heels to run away.. There is no way she could really have escaped in those shoes) It was also great to see Robert Downey, Jr. who seems to have rehabilitated himself from all of his previous problems play the character of Tony Stark/Iron Man with such good humor and fine acting ability that fortunately was not destroyed by his substance abuse.

Terrance Howard was also just right as his best friend/buddy and Jeff Bridges was perfect as the villain.

I ordinarily don't go to these movies but Jon had been and told me that it was a great film so I took him at his word and went to see it. He also told me that there was a closing scene after the credits and so I sat there and convinced several other patrons to stay and see it. I prepared myself to run if there had not been that final scene. (It took forever to get to it. - They had everybody who walked past the studio listed.) But it was there and it showed that the Iron Man character will definitely be returning to the big screen. I will see it and I urge you to see this.

To be honest my favorite parts of the film was the humorous repartee between RD, Jr and the other cast members. He is good.

It Had Everything!

I loved this movie. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Harrison Ford still has it. He still made me believe that he was Indiana Jones.

The movie had:

• Action
• Suspense
• Chase Scenes (several)
• Mystery
• Waterfalls
• Old Cars (races)
• Russians
• Waterfalls (three)
• Puzzles
• Treasure Hunt
  
• Fire Ants that eat you alive
• Atomic Bombs
• Sword Fights
• Monkeys
• Vines
• Academia
• Motorcycle Chase
• Romance
• Guns, Knives, and a Whip
• Great Music

And I loved it - (Oh, I said that!) Official Site Here.
I saw it down at the Jordan Creek Mall. I love the theater there. Large curved screen comfy high back seats,Wonderful Sound - Great popcorn (What theater doesn't have great popcorn?)

Prior to that I had lunch with Kurt Hoffmann and Tim Bonney in Johnston. We are working on trying to start a new Masonic Lodge in Iowa and have invited about 40 Brothers to come to a meeting for us to explain the concept. It is not a Traditional Observance Lodge (too many restrictions) nor an European Concept (not exactly what we wanted) but rather a Lodge of Restoration. We want to restore some of the practices of the original Lodges where Brothers would meet for the purpose bringing solemnity to ritual, understanding of its meaning, education and understanding of the historical, philosophical, moral, and virtuous facets of Masonry; and brotherly love to its member.

Stated meetings would only be one facet of the Lodge. Just (if not more) as important would be the Agape meetings where the Brotherhood would meet in a restaurant in a private area and have special programs of a brotherly, educational nature. I personally am excited by the concept and hope we can find 12 other Brothers who want to join with us in this venture. (Grand Lodge requires 15 petitioners) Of course, we have to follow the rules of Grand Lodge. - I know I mentioned this before and there is a link to the Web Site that Kurt has developed.

After I went to the meeting I went to the Apple Store and picked up the new Apple Operating System (Leopard) and then to the movie I stopped at the Gateway Market and got some "unnecessaries" and I picked up a small steak (grass fed) for supper and other items of a tasty but not really needed. (One item was a Bacon Chocolate Bar - Very tasty.)

On the way home I got a good workout for my Bluetooth phone. I have a little clip on to my ear while I drive. If someone calls me it announces in my ear that so and so is calling me. I then tap it to answer. I hear them in my ear (hands free) and feel much safer to be talking on the phone. I used to have a rule that I would not answer the phone while driving but would pull over to talk. A Brother called me and I was able to talk to him all the way home. He was driving home and so was I. We got there about the same time.

I fixed the steak and loaded the Leopard. It took forever but I think I will like it. Jon came over and he is computing on his computer and I am on mine and we are watching CRAIG FERGUSON (the 19th funniest man in America) I had a wonderful day and I hope you did also. ARTYAL - Hugs, j