"King's Ransom" Movie
Yesterday I saw the movie “King’s Ransom”, which starred: Donald Adeosun Faison, Anthony Anderson, Loretta Devine, Kellita Smith and Jay Mohr.
The storyline involved the following: “Let's see, there's successful and wealthy businessman Malcolm King (Anthony Anderson), who's pretty much an a**hole all the time. There's the vindictive soon-to-be ex-wife (Kallita Smith), who wants to rake him over the coals. There's the overworked, underappreciated employee (Nicole Parker), who gets passed over for a promotion. There's the really, really dumb mistress (Regina Hall), who doesn't do much but jiggle--and get promotions. There's the dimwitted local bumpkin (Jay Mohr), who simply needs money, and any amount will do. This crazy bunch all decide, at the exact same moment, to kidnap King, including the man himself, who concocts his plan to get out of paying his wife millions in a divorce settlement. And when it all goes haywire, King ends up getting a taste of his own medicine. Are you laughing yet? I thought so.”
I give this movie a “C”, and it is the worth of an admission ticket. The movie was too predictable and mild for me.
"The Interpreter" Movie
Today I saw the movie “The Interpreter”, which starred: Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn, Catherine Keener, Max Minghella and Jesper Christensen.
The story line involved the following: “To Silvia Broome (Nicole Kidman), the U.N. represents a chance for world peace and diplomacy. She should know: she works there as an interpreter and sees how the power-brokering halls of the U.N. avert global crises daily. Her world is turned upside down, however, when she overhears a death threat against an African head of state, who is coming to the U.S. to deliver an important address. Suddenly, Silvia becomes a hunted target of the killers and is placed under the protection of Secret Service agent Tobin Keller (Sean Penn). But Tobin believes Silvia is hiding something--and he's absolutely right. Turns out Silvia has an extremely personal interest vested in the assassination threat. She was raised in the small, African country the dignitary hails from and witnessed firsthand how, under his malevolent rule, her beloved country turned into genocidal ruin. Uh-oh. Now, linked irrevocably to the assassination plot, Silvia must find a way to elude Tobin, playing out a gripping dance of evasion and revelation that keeps them both guessing as they race to stop a terrifying international crisis before it's too late. Wake me up when it's all over.”
I give the movie a “B+”, and the movie is worth the price of an admission ticket, a large popcorn and a medium soft drink. The movie was an excellent international thriller, and Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn were excellent in their roles.
Home From Fort Mojave Indian Reservation
Yesterday I returned to my apartment at Tempe, AZ. I spent four days on the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation. I was a pro temp judge for the Tribal Court.
Today I'm very tired, but I did manage to paid my bills. Today I plan to relax.
Pro Tem Judge at Fort Mojave
Today I'm traveling to the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation. I will be presiding as a pro temp judge on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
On Friday and Saturday I worked on the outline of my science fiction novel. It's slow progress, but I'm making steady progress.
“Sin City” Movie
Last Tuesday I saw the movie “Sin City”, which starred: Josh Hartnett, Marley Shelton, Mickey Rourke, Jamie King and Bruce Willis.
The story line involved the following: “Sin City is culled from the best of over a decade's worth of writer-artist Miller's hard-boiled crime noir comic-book miniseries and short stories, which occasionally intertwine and often feature characters who are merely background players in one storyline but are later elevated to major players in others. It's three bleak, violent tales play out in a dark, deadly town of boozy back alleys, bereft of superheroes but filled to the brim with downtrodden men with shady pasts and violent tendencies offset by valiant intentions. They co-exist alongside dangerous dames who mix sex, violence and manipulation, harboring corruption around every corner. "The Hard Goodbye," is a visceral, balls-to-the-wall actioner starring the brutal but well-intentioned Marv (Mickey Rourke), a barbarian warrior who unfortunately was born in the 21st Century, as he avenges the death of the beautiful, beloved hooker (Jaime King) he's spent just a single heavenly night with. The taunt, atmospheric "The Big Fat Kill" finds the heroic Dwight (Clive Owen) struggling to protect the fragile peace between the corrupt cops of Sin City and the uniquely empowered prostitutes of Old Town, including his own paramour, the dominatrix Gail (Rosario Dawson) and the katana-swinging Miho (Devon Aoki). And in the best of the terrific lot, "That Yellow Bastard"--which bookends the film--is about the world-weary cop Hartigan (Bruce Willis) as he lays his life and career on the line to protect a little girl from a diseased but privileged pedophile/killer (Nick Stahl), only to have to race to her rescue again when she's targeted as an adult (Jessica Alba). There's also a moody framing sequence, "The Babe Wore Red," with two sexy sophisticates (Josh Hartnett and Marley Shelton) entering into an unexpected relationship atop a rain-soaked skyscraper.”
I give the movie a “B”, and the movie is worth the price of an admission ticket, a large popcorn and a small soft drink. The movie is extremely violent especially towards woman, but it was entertaining.
“Fever Pitch” Movie
Yesterday I saw the movie “Fever Pitch”, which starred: Drew Barrymore, Jimmy Fallon, Lenny Clarke, Jack Kehler, James B. Sikking
The storyline was as follows: “Based on an autobiographical novel by British author Nick Hornby about his obsession with football (soccer, to us American folk), Fever Pitch gets a stateside makeover. Of course, the term ''sports fanatic'' takes on a whole new meaning when you're talking about an avid Red Sox follower. I mean, it takes a special kind of person to unconditionally love a baseball team that, until last year, was considered cursed because it hadn't won a World Series since 1918. This is what business consultant Lindsay Meeks (Drew Barrymore) learns when she meets and falls for Ben Wrightman (Jimmy Fallon), a charming, happy-go-lucky high school math teacher who also happens to be a Red Sox nut. Since they fall in love during the winter, Lindsay is already hooked once summertime rolls around and she witnesses how truly deep Ben's obsession goes. That's OK, she can handle it. She's an ambitious workaholic, bucking for a promotion, and can relate. But really, she can't. Ben's level of commitment to the team goes way beyond what she expected, and Lindsay realizes she needs more from him than he seems willing to give. Can Ben give up his beloved Bosox--even as they enter into one of the most incredible seasons in baseball history--just so he can be with his beloved? Ah, the course of true love never runs smooth.”
I rate the movie as a “C+”, and it is worth the price of an admission ticket, a small popcorn and a small soft drink. Jimmy Fallon was not a strong enough actor for his role.
“Sahara” Movie
Yesterday I saw the movie “Sahara”, which starred: Matthew McConaughey, Penélope Cruz, Steve Zahn, Lambert Wilson and William H. Macy.
The story line involved the following: “Based on the novel by Clive Cussler, we meet master explorer Dirk Pitt, who is just itching to go on his next treasure hunt. He gets that chance when he finds a fabled coin linked to a historical legend and heads to some of the most dangerous regions of West Africa, searching for what the locals call the ''Ship of Death''--a long-lost Civil War battleship that harbors a secret cargo. But don't waste a second of time wondering how a Civil War battleship found its way from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert; no one involved in the movie did either. Along for the ride is Dirk's wisecracking ''sidekick'' Al Giordino (Steve Zahn), who always knows just what to say in the most dire of situations. Not. The boys also meet Dr. Eva Rojas (Penelope Cruz), a beautiful doctor who believes that the hidden treasure may be connected to a larger problem that not only threatens the lives of the locals but possibly, like, the entire world. Whoa, dude! Although the guys spend most of the movie blowing things up together, you just know that somehow their paths are going to cross again with Eva's and when they do, it's gonna be, EXPLOSIVE! Like, literally. Duuuuuude!”
I would rate the movie a “C+”, and it is the worth of an admission ticket, a small popcorn and a small soft drink. The action was fun, but the acting was weak. Penelope Cruz was especially tight lip and unanimated.
“Beauty Shop” Movie
Today I saw the movie “Beauty Shop”, which starred: Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Alicia Silverstone, Andie MacDowell, Kevin Bacon and Della Reese.
The plot involved the following: “Gina Norris (Queen Latifah) is a long way from the 'Barbershop' - now she's in Atlanta making a name for herself at a posh Southern salon with her cutting-edge hairstyles. But when her flamboyant, egotistical boss (Kevin Bacon) takes it one criticism too far, she leaves his salon to open a shop of her own, taking the shampoo girl (Alicia Silverstone) and a few key clients (Andie MacDowell, Mena Suvari) with her. Gina buys a rundown salon and inherits an opinionated group of headstrong stylists (including Alfre Woodard), a colorful clientele, and a sexy upstairs neighbor (Djimon Hounsou).”
I give this movie a “C”, and it is the worth of an admission ticket. The movie was too mundane for me, and it relied too much on ethnic humor to carry the film.
Science Fiction Manuscript
In past two weeks I have done little writing. I'm trying to get myself in the mood for writing. I may begin writing on my science fiction manuscript.
In April, 2005 I will be doing some work for the Fort Mohave Tribal Court as a pro tempore judge. I will traveling to Needles, California and spending few nights there.
