Charlie St. Cloud

Charlie St. Cloud directed by Burr Steers
2010
★★★✰✰
So I am not sure if I should review this as I spent the entire movie working on finances.  From what I saw, it was a good film.  Zac Efron wasn't a basketball playing high school student.  The idea was good and the acting all right.

Easy A

Easy A directed by Will Gluck
2010
★★★★✰
So I really liked this super smart comedy.  When I first saw the previews, I figured it to be a dumb teenie bopper flick.  I'm glad my wife put it on the queue.  Very funny.  Very witty.  Emma Stone is great.  One drawback is the incredibly super happy and awesome family that Olive has.  Still, go out and watch this film!

The Runaways

The Runaways directed by Floria Sigismondi
2010
★★★✰✰
So I thought this film fell a little short.  It was interesting but it seemed like there wasn't enough information or life events to fill the movie.  It sort of just ended of Cherie Curie quit the band.  Some time lapsed, though we don't know how much, and it just kind of got jumbled up at the end.  Still, its an interesting movie. 

Disaster Movie

Disaster Movie directed by Aaron Seltzer
2008
★✰✰✰✰
So I wish I didn't see this film.  It is horrible.

Grown Ups

Grown Ups directed by Dennis Dugan
2010
★★★✰✰
So I figured this to be a typical Adam Sandler film and it was.  Funnier at times then I thought it would be but then there was too much nostalgia that just got old.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World directed by Edgar Wright
2010
★★★★★
So I should mention that this review is slightly biased since I absolutely love Edgar Wright films.  Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz are two of my all-time favorite movies.  Knowing nothing about the story of Scott Pilgrim I was eager to see it.  It was a fantastic film.  Amazing effects.  Awesome 1980's video game graphics.  Great story.  Unfortunately, Michael Cera still continues to appear as "George Michael" in every movie he is in but its easy enough to look past.  Watch this movie now!

National Geographic: Inside North Korea

National Geographic: Inside North Korea presented by Lisa Ling
2006
★★★★✰
So I had watched some webisodes of a documentary by someone that made it into North Korea and was able to do some filming and was amazed.  When I saw this special on Netflix, I thought I would give it a try.  Clearly simplified for regular American television audiences, this film is still astounding to watch.  To see the North Korean people completely brainwashed by "The Great Leader" is truly horrifying.  I urge anyone to watch this film if only to get a small glimpse into what goes on in North Korea.

Sunshine

Sunshine directed by Danny Boyle
2007
★★★✰✰
So I was really into the movie.  I like Danny Boyle films and this was a great space thriller.  And then it got kind of weird.  The whole part about the crazy former captain was so ridiculous it nearly ruined a good movie.  Should be 4 stars but the whole nut job drops one for me.

World Run Day 5K Photo

So I finally got around to uploading the picture my wife took after my run on World Run Day.  My running bib that I printed out ripped 5 minutes into the run.  Oh well...

Predators

Predators directed by Nimrod Antal
2010
★★✰✰✰
So I was quite surprised by this movie.  I figured this was just going to be just like all the other Predator sequels but it really stood on its own.  Adrien Brody's "manly" voice was kind of funny and Topher Grace was totally out of place but it was a good shoot-em-up-alien movie.

Get Him to the Greek

Get Him to the Greek directed by Nicholas Stoller
2010
★★✰✰✰
So I knew this would be a stupid movie and it was.  It was quite raunchy at times but it had its fair share of laugh-out-loud moments.  Not a movie to watch with your parents.  I liked the offshoot of Forgetting Sarah Marshall characters.  I was impressed by Russell Brand's singing voice...

The Last Airbender

The Last Airbender directed by M. Knight Shyamalan
2010
★✰✰✰✰
So I knew this was going to be a kids movie but this was ridiculous.  Almost all of the dialogue in the movie is how the story is explained to the viewer.  Its like everyone is a narrator.  I knew it wasn't going to be good but it just bombed.  And then to have it end with a continuation with 2 or maybe 3 more films is hilarious.  Part of me hopes they don't make any more films but another part would really like to see it wrapped up.  On top of all of this, Daily Show correspondent, Aasif Mandvi is the bad guy in the movie!  Ha!

Iron Man 2

Iron Man 2 directed by Jon Favreau
2010
★★★✰✰
So I knew this movie would be cheesy and it was. It probably didn't help that I watched it at the cabin on a standard sized lo-def television.  Robert Downey Jr. is funny but everyone else is just bleh!  I hope they don't make a third but they probably will.

Coco Before Chanel

Coco Before Chanel directed by Anne Fontaine
2009
★★★✰✰
So I didn't know too much about Chanel since I am a straight male.  This was a very interesting movie.  She had an incredible life.  I can't even fathom the culture of early 20th century France.  Man this review sucked.  I liked the movie.  Sorry.

World Run Day 5K Results

So I did this run by myself and therefore there aren't official results.  So here is a screenshot of my Nike+ results.  30:10.  Not too bad but I feel I am slowing down.  Ugh.

World Run Day 5K

So I signed up for the World Run Day because I want to try to have a race every month.  I thought this one was interesting since it is a world event yet it is local since you create your own race.  I figured I would do my normal Crest Run near my house.  It was a gorgeous day but since I hadn't run this route in a couple of months (I have been running near my office) I was slow up the hill and didn't get a great time.  I also underestimated the distance when I reached Highridge Park and ended up having to run past my house on the way home to reach the full 5K.  Oh well.

When in Rome

When in Rome directed by Mark Steven Johnson
2010
★★✰✰✰
So I thought this movie was downright lametastic.  It did have its moments but mostly it was just lame.  The men (Will Arnett, Jon Heder, Dax Shepard & Danny DeVito) lusting after Kristen Bell's character made the movie not as bad.  Definitely don't spend any money on a rental for this one.  Instant stream it.

Palm Springs Photos

So I finally got around to uploading some of the photos from our trip to Palm Springs back in July.  Here are some of the pictures I took when we went on the Aerial Tramway up to the top of Mt. San Jacinto.  Sorry they are so late.  Please click on the smaller photo for a larger version.

Promenade on the Peninsula 5K Photo

So I can't believe that I finally got the photos from this race.  Almost a whole month after the race.  Not the best photo but there have been worse.  I hope I can get my time better for the next race...

Couples Retreat

Couples Retreat directed by Peter Billingsley
2009
★★✰✰✰
So I thought this wasn't too bad.  It was funny at times but it wasn't great.  Vince Vaughn seems to play the same character in every movie he is in - a loud mouth jackass.  Jean Reno is very funny as the island guru.  This silly movie is still worth a rental for a couple of laughs.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
2007
★★★★★
So I wanted to reread this book before the movie comes out in a few weeks.  I have enjoyed all of the Harry Potter books and movies and wanted to prepare for the final two movies essentially ending the series.  The story is fantastic as most everyone knows already.  The ending left a little to be desired but the hunt for horcruxes was great reading.  I enjoyed all the traveling around and mystery surrounding it all.  Definitely a must read but I'm sure most everyone has read it by now.

MacGruber

MacGruber directed by Jorma Taccone
2010
★✰✰✰✰
So I knew this movie would be bad and it didn't disappoint.  The original commercial sketches from SNL were dumb.  I was surprised by the incredible amount of foul language (not that I mind).  I certainly wasn't anticipating it.  I absolutely loved how he would take the car stereo with him.  I remember doing that with mine!  My how Ryan Phillippe has fallen on hard times...

Robin Hood

Robin Hood directed by Ridley Scott
2010
★✰✰✰✰
So I was hoping that this would be an entertaining movie but it wasn't.  Almost nothing happened for 2 1/2 hours.  I don't really care for Russel Crowe but I was willing to look past it for the Robin Hood story.  It turned out to be a different story (no robbing from the rich to give to the poor) and I was okay with that.  What killed the film for me was the constant dialogue.  There was little action throughout the movie (really only the beginning and the end) and to think that Robin Hood helped create the Magna Carta!  Hah!

The Name of this Book is Secret

The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonomyous Bosch
2007
★★★✰✰
So I got another book from my wife from the library that looked promising.  It was a good story with a lot of author's narrative.  The author constantly interrupts the story with personal insights and what not.  I can see kids loving the flow and style of this book.  Short chapters and occasional drawing with a hint of Harry Potter should keep older elementary school kids happy.

The Omen

The Omen directed by Richard Donner
1976
★★✰✰✰
So I watched another horror flick for our impromptu Halloween horror month off of Netflix streaming.  I had never seen The Omen and many people think its great.  I was only slightly impressed.  The story is creepy but slow.  Some of the deaths are awesome! (His capa was detated!).  But I wasn't spooked or even nervous during the film.  Gregory Peck is a stud.  We was 60 years old making this movie and jumping over fences.  I hope I can do that when I am 60!

Hot Rod

Hot Rod directed by Akiva Schaffer
2007
★★✰✰✰
So I was really hoping to like this movie. I like Andy Samberg and his stupid humor with The Lonely Island and SNL.  This movie had its share of funny parts but it wasn't very good overall.  I did like the human pinata!
Hah!

Cars

Cars directed by John Lasseter
2006
★★★★✰
So I have seen this movie numerous times.  My kids love it.  They love "Mater" and "Queen."  For someone, who hates NASCAR, this movie is great.  Pixar can do no wrong.  I hope they can keep churning out these great films.

The Haunting in Connecticut

The Haunting in Connecticut directed by Peter Cornwell
2009
★★✰✰✰
So I love Netflix streaming.  I was thinking that it is October and we should watch some spooky movies to get in the Halloween-y mood.  So we tried The Haunting...  It was an ok horror flick.  There were too many odd things to get over, especially that it is supposed to take place in the late 80s but there seems to be a lot of present day items.  It is always cool to see the zombie/baddie/monster and this movie had a few of them.

Promenade on the Peninsula 5K Results

So I got the official time for the Promenade on the Peninsula 5K race I did on Sunday - 30:34.  Not too bad considering there was a lot of uphill.  I was hoping to under 30 minutes but alas the hill won.  I did finish in the top 25% of runners, top 50% in my division and top 40% of all men.  I have come across some of the reviews and people were saying that the course may have been long: 3.3 miles instead of 3.1.  If that is so, then my time isn't too bad.

Weekly Recap

So I wanted to show off my great running week that ended with the Promenade on the Peninsula 5K.  15 miles in one week.  Not too shabby!

Promenade on the Peninsula 5K

So I ran in another race and this one was right in my backyard.  Nice and close at the local mall with a couple of loops around.  It was tough at times since the streets are downhill which means you have to come back up it.  I really wanted to walk on my second loop of uphill but I forced myself to keep running (granted it was much slower running.)  I updated my new Nike+ GPS app last night and I am glad I did.  They have a new feature that posts that I am running on facebook.  Then if someone comments on the post while I am running, I get cheering and cow bells while my music is playing.  Really cool!  I think I did fine, just over 30 minutes which isn't too bad with all the hill running.  Still I wish I was under the 30 minutes.  Oh well.  Next year's goal!

The Road

The Road directed by John Hillcoat
2009
★★★✰✰
So I thought this movie was way too intense.  It was incredibly sad, depressing and disturbing.  Acting is great and the story is amazing - it makes me want to read the book.  Everything was just too sad.  Good movie, though.

17 Again

17 Again directed by Burr Steers
2009
★★★✰✰
So I thought this might be a fun, light movie to watch and that's all it really is.  All I could think about was how in the world could Zac Efron turn into Matthew Perry?  Yikes!  Also, can Zac Efron only play basketball players?  I thought that the character played by Thomas Lennon (of Reno 911 fame) was fantastic.  His house was amazing and the lightsabers are awesome!

The Simpsons

The Simpsons: Elementary School Music directed by Mark Kirkland
2010
★★★★★
So I was loving television the other night (see here) and stumbled across The Simpsons season premier.  I kind of lost a little interest in the show last year (it is still one of my favorite and have watched it since it was on The Tracey Ullman Show) but the stories just didn't jive with me.  I was totally blown away by the pairing of The Flight of the Conchords and The Simpsons for the premiere.  Truly awesome songs and fantastic story (although the Krusty/Nobel Prize segment was a little weak).  Anyways, my love affair with The Simpsons is back and I hope they can keep up the great episodes in their 22nd (WTF?) season!

Top Gear

Top Gear: Series 15, Episode 1 presented by Jeremy Clarkson, James May & Richard Hammond
2010
★★★★★
So I watch entirely too much television.  Almost every night, a couple of hours.  I need to cut back but last night was scorching hot (a new record in Los Angeles: 113º!) so we were stuck on the couch trying not to move and make it hotter.  I turned on Top Gear, one of my favorite shows, and was excited to see that it was the BBC America season premier.  It was hilarious!  It had the standard stuff all the episodes do but what put it over the top was the segment Clarkson did on the Reliant Robin.  Only 10 seconds of driving the car, he rolls it and needs some passers-by to flip him over.  I has laughing so hard I thought I might wake up the kids.  I still can't fathom how people thought that the Robin was a good idea!  Anyways, check out the episode if you haven't seen it and if you have never seen Top Gear before, start watching it now!  Its the best show on the telly!

The Fourth Kind

The Fourth Kind directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi
2009
★★✰✰✰
So I like horror films and I didn't know much about this movie (I didn't even know it was on the Netflix queue).  It turned out to be alright.  Not great but certainly not horrible.  The interview parts of the film made us laugh as they are imprinted with "Chapman University," my sister's alma mater.  Plot was iffy but some parts certainly made you jump in your seat.  Bummed there were no aliens although the owls make for a creepy idea.

Santa Barbara

So I just got back from Santa Barbara. My wife and I went for the weekend for our 8th wedding anniversary. We had a great time and we did the Santa Barbara Red Tile Walking Tour. It was a nice, free tour of some of the historic sites of Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara Red Tile Walking Tour

What's this?

Clash of the Titans

Clash of the Titans directed by Louis Leterrier
2010
★✰✰✰✰
So I think this may be the worst movie that I have actually watched the whole thing on (of course some fast forwarding was involved).  I liked the campy, stop-motion 1980s film much more than this one.  The movie was so slow and boring with lame comedic relief and horrible acting.  I felt so bad for Liam Neeson and Ralph Fienes.  Sam Worthington is a horrible actor.  This movie could have been fun but it wasn't.  Boo. 

Jumper

Jumper directed by Doug Liman
2008
★★★✰✰
So I have seen this movie before but we were vacationing in Santa Barbara and in for the night.  This was on television and we started watching it again.  It isn't that bad of a film.  It is a fun action-y movie.  The biggest drawback is Samuel L. Jackson's stupid silver hair.  I originally gave this movie two stars but I think I can move it up to three.