I like spoof movies when they are done well. Unfortunately, many of them aren’t that great. Airplane! is probably the best spoof movie I’ve seen.
Ted Striker is a former pilot who is still trying to get over his experience in the war. His girlfriend Elaine can’t handle his problems any more and tells him she is leaving him. She is a flight attendant, and Ted over comes his fear of flying to get a seat on her flight. She tries to ignore him, but once passengers and members of the crew get sick, Ted has to try to land the plane.
Airplane! is definitely spoofing disaster movies. I did read that it was basically a remake of the movie Zero Hour!. I’ve never seen that one, so I have no idea what has been changed for this movie. The plot of Airplane! is fairly simple, though it makes for an entertaining movie. The things that happen may be a bit silly or over the top, but they manage to work overall for the movie. There is a decent reason for why Ted has to take over flying the plane. There is a hint of believability to what is going on.
There really isn’t any mystery to the plot of Airplane! and most of what happens is predictable. The plot could have been a little stronger, but it still makes for an entertaining movie. Most of what happens is silly. Those silly things add humor to the movie. Some of the humor is a bit dated now, but the movie is still really funny. The humor works much better than what is done in most of the newer spoof movies.
The characters aren’t developed a lot, though they still manage to be entertaining. The cast does well with their parts. This is one of the few movies that I’ve seen Robert Stack in.
Airplane! is a bit silly, so it won’t appeal to some people. The movie is really funny and I do think it is worth watching.
I did get a review posted on Epinions.
Airplane!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Time After Time
I first saw Time After Time on tv several years ago. Since I remembered liking the movie, I decided to pick up the DVD when I found it on sale.
H.G. Wells has some friends over, including doctor John Stevenson. He shows them his new invention, a time machine. The police arrive because Jack the Ripper just killed someone in the area and they are checking all the houses. Everyone is shocked when evidence is found that shows that John is the killer. John disappears and H.G. figures out that John used the time machine. H.G. was able to follow after him, and he ends up in San Francisco in 1979. He meets Amy, a woman he develops feelings for and who ends up trying to help him deal with the situation with John.
From what I read about the movie after watching it recently, I learned that Time After Time is sort of based on a book and a short story. The character of Amy was given the same name as H.G.’s second wife. While it is clear that the story if fictional, it is interesting that a real person is one of the main characters. The idea that H.G. would build a time machine and use it is intriguing.
There isn’t much mystery to what is going on in Time After Time since it comes out fairly early that John is Jack the Ripper. H.G. does struggle to find John in the future and the police are stumped by the murders. A few women are murdered during the movie, though not much is shown and the movie really isn’t that violent. There are a few surprises and a little bit of suspense in a few scenes.
The characters don’t receive a lot of development in Time After Time, though I still think they are interesting. This is one of the few parts I’ve seen Malcolm McDowell play that wasn’t at least somewhat twisted. I didn’t recognize him at first.
Time After Time is very entertaining and I think it is still worth watching. The effects are dated looking, though not that bad considering when the movie was made. Some of what happens is a bit odd, but it makes for an entertaining movie.
I did get a review posted on Epinions.
Time After Time
H.G. Wells has some friends over, including doctor John Stevenson. He shows them his new invention, a time machine. The police arrive because Jack the Ripper just killed someone in the area and they are checking all the houses. Everyone is shocked when evidence is found that shows that John is the killer. John disappears and H.G. figures out that John used the time machine. H.G. was able to follow after him, and he ends up in San Francisco in 1979. He meets Amy, a woman he develops feelings for and who ends up trying to help him deal with the situation with John.
From what I read about the movie after watching it recently, I learned that Time After Time is sort of based on a book and a short story. The character of Amy was given the same name as H.G.’s second wife. While it is clear that the story if fictional, it is interesting that a real person is one of the main characters. The idea that H.G. would build a time machine and use it is intriguing.
There isn’t much mystery to what is going on in Time After Time since it comes out fairly early that John is Jack the Ripper. H.G. does struggle to find John in the future and the police are stumped by the murders. A few women are murdered during the movie, though not much is shown and the movie really isn’t that violent. There are a few surprises and a little bit of suspense in a few scenes.
The characters don’t receive a lot of development in Time After Time, though I still think they are interesting. This is one of the few parts I’ve seen Malcolm McDowell play that wasn’t at least somewhat twisted. I didn’t recognize him at first.
Time After Time is very entertaining and I think it is still worth watching. The effects are dated looking, though not that bad considering when the movie was made. Some of what happens is a bit odd, but it makes for an entertaining movie.
I did get a review posted on Epinions.
Time After Time
Red
I have liked Bruce Willis for years, so I do tend to check out his new movies. I first got interested in seeing Red a few months ago when I saw the trailer.
Frank Moses is a retired CIA agent who seems to be having a little trouble fitting in with a normal life. He only decorates for Christmas once he realizes that all his neighbors have decorations out. Sarah Ross works for the company that handles his pension and he keeps finding excuses to call her. Late one night Frank wakes up and discovers that a hit squad is there to kill him. After handling the men, Frank goes to see Sarah, convinced that she is in danger because of his contact with her. He basically kidnaps her, though she ends up helping him. Frank also gets in contact with Joe and Marvin, men he’s worked with before. They come up with a plan that involves former MI6 agent Victoria.
Red is based on a short series of comic books. I haven’t read them, so I don’t know for sure how much has been changed.
The plot of Red is interesting and it makes for an entertaining movie. Things do start off a little slow while things are set up, but it really doesn’t take that long for more to start happening. There are a lot of action scenes in the movie. Those scenes do go a bit over board, but they are entertaining. The pace is fairly fast, though things aren’t rushed. Violence is in several scenes as well, though it isn’t as graphic as it could have been. I do think there is a good amount of humor, mostly added by things characters say and do. Marvin adds the most humor. The man is clearly missing most of his marbles.
I like the characters in Red and find them to be very entertaining and interesting. None of them are that developed, but they are interesting. The cast is wonderful, though Bruce Willis has played similar characters before. Helen Mirren is wonderful as Victoria. She does really well as a tough character who is really good at killing people.
Red is a little over the top, but it is fun and entertaining. Fans of the cast should give it a chance.
I did get a review posted at Epinions.
Red
Frank Moses is a retired CIA agent who seems to be having a little trouble fitting in with a normal life. He only decorates for Christmas once he realizes that all his neighbors have decorations out. Sarah Ross works for the company that handles his pension and he keeps finding excuses to call her. Late one night Frank wakes up and discovers that a hit squad is there to kill him. After handling the men, Frank goes to see Sarah, convinced that she is in danger because of his contact with her. He basically kidnaps her, though she ends up helping him. Frank also gets in contact with Joe and Marvin, men he’s worked with before. They come up with a plan that involves former MI6 agent Victoria.
Red is based on a short series of comic books. I haven’t read them, so I don’t know for sure how much has been changed.
The plot of Red is interesting and it makes for an entertaining movie. Things do start off a little slow while things are set up, but it really doesn’t take that long for more to start happening. There are a lot of action scenes in the movie. Those scenes do go a bit over board, but they are entertaining. The pace is fairly fast, though things aren’t rushed. Violence is in several scenes as well, though it isn’t as graphic as it could have been. I do think there is a good amount of humor, mostly added by things characters say and do. Marvin adds the most humor. The man is clearly missing most of his marbles.
I like the characters in Red and find them to be very entertaining and interesting. None of them are that developed, but they are interesting. The cast is wonderful, though Bruce Willis has played similar characters before. Helen Mirren is wonderful as Victoria. She does really well as a tough character who is really good at killing people.
Red is a little over the top, but it is fun and entertaining. Fans of the cast should give it a chance.
I did get a review posted at Epinions.
Red
Monday, October 25, 2010
You Again
I’ve come to like Kristen Bell in the last few years, especially after I started watching Veronica Mars. I was interested in her new movie, You Again, after seeing previews and seeing who else is in the movie.
Marni was the target of a bully in high school that made her life miserable. After high school, Marni made some changes and how has a successful career. She is horrified when she learns that her older brother is marrying Joanna, the girl who bullied her in high school. It gets worse when Joanna acts like she doesn’t know Marni. Convinced that Joanna is wrong for her brother, Marni decides to try to stop the wedding. Marni’s mother Gail and Joanna’s aunt Ramona went to high school together, but they haven’t seen each other in years. It seems they have lingering issues as well.
I managed to enjoy You Again overall, though it isn’t going to appeal to everyone. Some people will be turned off by the fact that the movie deals with bullying. Some flashbacks are used to show what happened when Marni was in high school and some of those scenes aren’t that pleasant. Joanna was downright cruel, which unfortunately, I think is fairly accurate with how some teenagers act. The movie chooses to deal with the serious subject of bullying in a more humorous and lighthearted way. That may bother some people, especially with the real life bullying incidents that have happened recently.
You Again ends up having the female characters act like unreasonable idiots with how they deal with things. It makes sense that Marni isn’t happy about her brother marrying Joanna or the fact that Joanna acts like she doesn’t remember her. The way that Marni chooses to deal with that makes her look like a manipulative witch. Joanna handles things badly, deciding to make little digs to try to put Marni down instead of dealing with things like an adult. Gail and Ramona don’t deal with their issues any better, ending up in a fight that puts them both in a swimming pool. Instead of trying to deal with problems, the woman act like jealous idiots. The men, even though they are in much less of the movie, are made to look like the only calm, rational people around. At one point, Marni’s father actually sends her and her mother to their rooms. The movie does not portray women in a good way, and that is bound to upset some people.
Even though the women act like idiots, they still manage to be entertaining. Their antics do add some humor to You Again. Much of the humor is more silly in nature, but I do think it manages to work overall. There are a few really funny moments in the movie, though other things that are intended to be funny don’t really work. The plot isn’t the most original since other movies have featured characters that have been miserable in high school. Having Marni’s tormentor marry her brother is a bit different, but the movie is still very predictable overall.
There really isn’t much development for any of the characters in You Again. The characters are interesting enough, though it is a bit hard to like many of them. I did think the cast did a good job with what they had to work with.
Overall, You Again has issues, but it can be entertaining overall if it isn’t taken seriously. Fans of the cast may find something to like about the movie.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions.
You Again
You Again
Marni was the target of a bully in high school that made her life miserable. After high school, Marni made some changes and how has a successful career. She is horrified when she learns that her older brother is marrying Joanna, the girl who bullied her in high school. It gets worse when Joanna acts like she doesn’t know Marni. Convinced that Joanna is wrong for her brother, Marni decides to try to stop the wedding. Marni’s mother Gail and Joanna’s aunt Ramona went to high school together, but they haven’t seen each other in years. It seems they have lingering issues as well.
I managed to enjoy You Again overall, though it isn’t going to appeal to everyone. Some people will be turned off by the fact that the movie deals with bullying. Some flashbacks are used to show what happened when Marni was in high school and some of those scenes aren’t that pleasant. Joanna was downright cruel, which unfortunately, I think is fairly accurate with how some teenagers act. The movie chooses to deal with the serious subject of bullying in a more humorous and lighthearted way. That may bother some people, especially with the real life bullying incidents that have happened recently.
You Again ends up having the female characters act like unreasonable idiots with how they deal with things. It makes sense that Marni isn’t happy about her brother marrying Joanna or the fact that Joanna acts like she doesn’t remember her. The way that Marni chooses to deal with that makes her look like a manipulative witch. Joanna handles things badly, deciding to make little digs to try to put Marni down instead of dealing with things like an adult. Gail and Ramona don’t deal with their issues any better, ending up in a fight that puts them both in a swimming pool. Instead of trying to deal with problems, the woman act like jealous idiots. The men, even though they are in much less of the movie, are made to look like the only calm, rational people around. At one point, Marni’s father actually sends her and her mother to their rooms. The movie does not portray women in a good way, and that is bound to upset some people.
Even though the women act like idiots, they still manage to be entertaining. Their antics do add some humor to You Again. Much of the humor is more silly in nature, but I do think it manages to work overall. There are a few really funny moments in the movie, though other things that are intended to be funny don’t really work. The plot isn’t the most original since other movies have featured characters that have been miserable in high school. Having Marni’s tormentor marry her brother is a bit different, but the movie is still very predictable overall.
There really isn’t much development for any of the characters in You Again. The characters are interesting enough, though it is a bit hard to like many of them. I did think the cast did a good job with what they had to work with.
Overall, You Again has issues, but it can be entertaining overall if it isn’t taken seriously. Fans of the cast may find something to like about the movie.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions.
You Again
You Again
Associated Content
I first heard about Associated Content, a website where people can post articles or reviews about all sorts of things, several years ago. I did look at the site a bit at that point, but I didn’t join. I’ve thought about joining off and on over the years. As part of my effort to expand my writing a bit, I finally decided to go ahead and join Associated Content at the end of September.
I write as Marie Dragonfire as Associated Content. I am still getting started there, so I only have three articles published at this point, with another waiting to be published. I had hoped to have more published there by now, but an illness in my family did cut into the time I had for writing this month. I do have ideas for more things to write about there and I want to get to where I post several new articles there a week. I’ll probably have to work up to that, especially since I’ll be getting busier in the next several months, but that is my plan.
So far I have posted articles about a few television shows on Associated Content. I think I will continue to do that. I like that I can post about individual episodes or the show in general there. I also want to try to post other entertainment type articles, probably with movies since that is what I am most comfortable writing about. I may branch out into other things every so often, though I haven’t decided what just yet. From what I have seen there so far, it does look like it is possible to write on just about anything there which is nice.
Even though I have decided to join Associated Content and I hope to publish new content there regularly, I am still a member of Epinions - dragonfire88 - and have no plans to stop posting reviews there.
Feel free to visit my Associated Content page or Epinions page.
Marie Dragonfire at Associated Content
dragonfire88 at Epinions
I write as Marie Dragonfire as Associated Content. I am still getting started there, so I only have three articles published at this point, with another waiting to be published. I had hoped to have more published there by now, but an illness in my family did cut into the time I had for writing this month. I do have ideas for more things to write about there and I want to get to where I post several new articles there a week. I’ll probably have to work up to that, especially since I’ll be getting busier in the next several months, but that is my plan.
So far I have posted articles about a few television shows on Associated Content. I think I will continue to do that. I like that I can post about individual episodes or the show in general there. I also want to try to post other entertainment type articles, probably with movies since that is what I am most comfortable writing about. I may branch out into other things every so often, though I haven’t decided what just yet. From what I have seen there so far, it does look like it is possible to write on just about anything there which is nice.
Even though I have decided to join Associated Content and I hope to publish new content there regularly, I am still a member of Epinions - dragonfire88 - and have no plans to stop posting reviews there.
Feel free to visit my Associated Content page or Epinions page.
Marie Dragonfire at Associated Content
dragonfire88 at Epinions
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Naked Heat by Richard Castle
Naked Heat is the second book by Richard Castle featuring the character of Nikki Heat. This book, along with Heat Wave, are a bit unique because they are closely tied to the tv show Castle. Richard Castle is actually one of the main characters on the show. After meeting detective Kate Beckett during an investigation, Rick decides to base a new character on her and gets to tag along on her cases. So far in the show and real life, two books have been released.
The main characters in Naked Heat and Heat Wave are definitely versions of the characters in Castle and some of the situations from the books have been pulled from the episodes of the show as well. I love that aspect of the book and think it makes it more entertaining.
Naked Heat picks up a few months after the first book ended. Nikki and Jameson Rook, the reporter who followed her around to write an article, haven’t seen each other in a while. Nikki is less than pleased with the article and that is why she ends the relationship they had started. Nikki starts investigating the murder of a gossip columnist and Jameson is involved because he was working on an article about her. Jameson convinces Nikki to let him work with her again. While working on the case, they also deal with their issues.
The main focus of Naked Heat is the murder investigation. The mystery in the book is interesting even though it could be a tad stronger. There is a bit of suspense in some scenes and while a few things that happen are predictable, there are surprises as well. Since the victim isn’t that well liked, there are a lot of suspects at first. The case ends up a bit more complicated as more things happen.
Nikki and Jameson are the main characters in Naked Heat. They are clearly versions of Kate and Rick from Castle. They are likable, interesting characters and I really enjoy reading about them. Some of the other characters have also been based on characters from the show. There isn’t a version of Alexis though. Several other minor characters turn up over the course of the book through the investigation.
Naked Heat is a very entertaining book that is worth reading, especially for fans of Castle.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions.
Naked Heat
The main characters in Naked Heat and Heat Wave are definitely versions of the characters in Castle and some of the situations from the books have been pulled from the episodes of the show as well. I love that aspect of the book and think it makes it more entertaining.
Naked Heat picks up a few months after the first book ended. Nikki and Jameson Rook, the reporter who followed her around to write an article, haven’t seen each other in a while. Nikki is less than pleased with the article and that is why she ends the relationship they had started. Nikki starts investigating the murder of a gossip columnist and Jameson is involved because he was working on an article about her. Jameson convinces Nikki to let him work with her again. While working on the case, they also deal with their issues.
The main focus of Naked Heat is the murder investigation. The mystery in the book is interesting even though it could be a tad stronger. There is a bit of suspense in some scenes and while a few things that happen are predictable, there are surprises as well. Since the victim isn’t that well liked, there are a lot of suspects at first. The case ends up a bit more complicated as more things happen.
Nikki and Jameson are the main characters in Naked Heat. They are clearly versions of Kate and Rick from Castle. They are likable, interesting characters and I really enjoy reading about them. Some of the other characters have also been based on characters from the show. There isn’t a version of Alexis though. Several other minor characters turn up over the course of the book through the investigation.
Naked Heat is a very entertaining book that is worth reading, especially for fans of Castle.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions.
Naked Heat
Castle - The Complete Second Season
I started watching Castle in the spring of 2009 when the show began airing. I was quickly hooked on the show and continue to watch it. I have the first season on DVD and I picked up Castle - The Complete Second Season when it was released.
Castle is an hour long show that airs on ABC. It is about an author, Richard Castle, who ends up tagging along with homicide detective Kate Beckett. They first meet when someone starts killing in ways that Rick used in his different books. Once the case is solved, Rick manages to arrange things so that he can keep going along with Kate and he intends to base a new character, police detective Nikki Heat, on her. Kate is really annoyed, but they end up working well together.
When Castle - The Complete Second Season starts, Rick’s book Heat Wave is about to be released. The book actually did come out in September of 2009. Kate is really upset with Rick during the first episode of the season, but she gets over it and they continue working together. Every episode features a different case that Kate investigates. Many of the murders are somewhat bizarre or twisted, like a person dressed as a vampire being stabbed with a wooden stake. The murders do add some mystery to the show, though the mysteries aren’t overly complex. They are highly entertaining. Some violence turns up every so often, but it generally isn’t that graphic. Humor is used in every episode, usually through something that Rick says or does. I think the humor works to make things more entertaining.
The main characters remain the same in Castle - The Complete Second Season. The characters are definitely one of the strong points for the show and one of the reasons why it is so entertaining. I especially love Rick’s daughter Alexis and his mother Martha. Alexis is delightful and it is so nice to seen a teenager in a series that isn’t a brat or highly annoying. The cast is wonderful, especially Nathan Fillion. I started watching the show just because of him since I adored him on Firefly. There are a few little references to Firefly during the second season. The best one is during the Halloween episode when Rick is trying out a costume he claims is a space cowboy. It is Mal’s outfit.
Castle - The Complete Second Season has a few interesting extras, including a blooper reel that is pretty funny. The DVD set is great for fans of the show.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions.
Castle - The Complete Second Season
Castle is an hour long show that airs on ABC. It is about an author, Richard Castle, who ends up tagging along with homicide detective Kate Beckett. They first meet when someone starts killing in ways that Rick used in his different books. Once the case is solved, Rick manages to arrange things so that he can keep going along with Kate and he intends to base a new character, police detective Nikki Heat, on her. Kate is really annoyed, but they end up working well together.
When Castle - The Complete Second Season starts, Rick’s book Heat Wave is about to be released. The book actually did come out in September of 2009. Kate is really upset with Rick during the first episode of the season, but she gets over it and they continue working together. Every episode features a different case that Kate investigates. Many of the murders are somewhat bizarre or twisted, like a person dressed as a vampire being stabbed with a wooden stake. The murders do add some mystery to the show, though the mysteries aren’t overly complex. They are highly entertaining. Some violence turns up every so often, but it generally isn’t that graphic. Humor is used in every episode, usually through something that Rick says or does. I think the humor works to make things more entertaining.
The main characters remain the same in Castle - The Complete Second Season. The characters are definitely one of the strong points for the show and one of the reasons why it is so entertaining. I especially love Rick’s daughter Alexis and his mother Martha. Alexis is delightful and it is so nice to seen a teenager in a series that isn’t a brat or highly annoying. The cast is wonderful, especially Nathan Fillion. I started watching the show just because of him since I adored him on Firefly. There are a few little references to Firefly during the second season. The best one is during the Halloween episode when Rick is trying out a costume he claims is a space cowboy. It is Mal’s outfit.
Castle - The Complete Second Season has a few interesting extras, including a blooper reel that is pretty funny. The DVD set is great for fans of the show.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions.
Castle - The Complete Second Season
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