Into The Wild

Into The Wild directed by Sean Penn
2007
★★★✰✰
So I was captivated at times and bored at times with this film.  The story seems extraordinary that the main character could go so far on so little.  Stunning scenery and great music from Eddie Vedder enhance the mediocre acting.  A sad tale that seems to stem from dysfunctional family life.

The Cove

The Cove directed by Louis Psihoyos
2009
★★★✰✰
So I was shocked and amazed by this film.  I cannot believe people actually eat dolphin.  What the what?  Just sad.  What an incredible life Richard O'Barry has had...

Shutter Island

Shutter Island directed by Martin Scorsese
2010
★★★✰✰
So I hate to admit but I am starting to like Leonardo DiCaprio.  I never thought I would utter those words.  It turns out, he is a pretty good actor.  I wanted to see this film as it looked spooky and trippy and it was.  Just not as much as it could have/should have been.  Worth checking out though.  This is really more ★★★ 1/2 but my arbitrary rating system only allows full stars.

Public Enemies

Public Enemies directed by Michael Mann
2009
★★✰✰✰
So I figured this movie would be a slam dunk with Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard and Johnny Depp in a gangster movie.  I was wrong.  Bale was boring, the story slow (and from what I have read, inaccurate) and the movie was too long.  What the heck was Michael Mann thinking.  The only thing worth watching in the film is Depp, who is always entertaining, even in a crummy movie like this.  Should be 1 star but Johnny Depp is too good.

The Book of Eli

The Book of Eli directed by the Hughes Brothers
2010
★★★✰✰
So I was looking forward to this movie and Denzel was great.  Lots of crazy fighting and moody colors.  You gotta dig body parts being cut off.  I do find it hard to believe that Eli is blind  I can't believe that he could do all the things he did.  Anyways, exciting, Bible thumping, cappa-detating, movie.

Palm Springs

So I went on vacation with my family to Palm Springs (which is why I haven't posted for awhile) and had a great time.  It has scorching hot (116 on Thursday), we went swimming everyday, I attempted to jump-start my running, made an interesting visit to Wal-Mart, and went up to the top of Mt. San Jacinto State Park via the Aerial Tramway.  What an amazing trip.  I highly recommend taking the tram up the mountain.  It is a lovely 70 degrees at the summit and it is an alpine forest.  Great little hike around the meadow and lunch near a fallen tree.  Incredible views of the desert below too.
Just a wonderful time.  It made me really want to go camping again.  Maybe the boys are ready.  We'll see...

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
2010
★★★★★
So I laughed when I saw this book after my wife brought it home from the library.  It looked silly but I thought I give it a try.  I'm glad I did because it was fantastic!  Very funny story with lots of great Star Wars references.  Definitely for elementary school kids but good for adults who like fun stories and Star Wars.  I highly recommend.

The Box

The Box directed by Richard Kelly
2009
★★★★✰
So I had no clue what this movie was about since my wife put it in the Netflix queue.  Normally I am not very captivated by a lot of movies but this one grabbed my attention.  It wasn't until I realized that it was directed by Donnie Darko's Richard Kelly that the bizarre plot made sense.  The one thing that was missing for me was not enough of resolution or story on the mystery of Frank Langela's character.  Could have done without Cameron Diaz but I thought James Marsden (Cyclops) did well.

The Tales of Beedle The Bard

The Tales of Beedle The Bard by J.K. Rowling
2008
★★★✰✰
So I finally got around to reading this silly little book.  It is great if you are a Harry Potter fan.  Probably pretty boring if you aren't.  I know that the stories are supposed to be like children's fairy tales but they are somewhat lame.  And the Dumbledore commentary is bland.  There isn't anything from this book that gives more insight into the Harry Potter story.

The Zoo With The Empty Cage

The Zoo With The Empty Cage (On The Bus, On The Case) by Steve Brezenoff
2009
★★✰✰✰
So I finished the fourth and final book of the Field Trip Mysteries compilation, On The Bus, On The Case.  This story, still almost the same as its predecessors, continued to be too similar.  Perhaps, if these stories are read at different times, instead of back-to-back-to-back, then there wouldn't be as mush repetition.

The Teacher Who Forgot Too Much

The Teacher That Forgot Too Much (On The Bus, On The Case) by Steve Brezenoff
2009
★★✰✰✰
So I continued on to the third book of the Field Trip Mysteries compilation, On The Bus, On The Case.  This story was again slightly less entertaining than the first. The main character in this story, Kat, is an environmentalist and apparently has an idiot of a teacher.  All these stories are very formulaic but most likely work for elementary school kids.

The Village That Almost Vanished

The Village That Almost Vanished (On The Bus, On The Case) by Steve Brezenoff
2009
★★✰✰✰
So I continued on to the second book of the Field Trip Mysteries compilation, On The Bus, On The Case.  This story was slightly less entertaining than the first. The main character in this story, Sam wasn't as enjoyable as Gum.  The story followed the same lines as the first which didn't help too much.

The Painting That Wasn't There

The Painting That Wasn't There (On The Bus, On The Case) by Steve Brezenoff
2009
★★★✰✰
So I thought I give this book a try when my wife brought it home for reading.  This is the first book of the Field Trip Mysteries compilation, On The Bus, On The Case.  It was entertaining.  Gum is a great character.  I enjoyed him more than the others.  Definitely for third grades through fifth grades.  The mystery was a little too simple but maybe I am overestimating little kids?

Village Runner 4th of July 5K Photo

So I got seven different photos from this race but this is the only one that needs to be posted.  Geez, I look really bad...and this is the best one.  Yikes!

Annie Get Your Gun

Annie Get Your Gun directed by George Sidney
1950
★★★✰✰
So I guess I am on an old movie kick right now.  Annie is good musical with some great songs ("There's No Business Like Show Business").  It was slow at times but overall a fun movie.

Village Runner 4th of July 5K Results

So I got my results in for the Village Runner 4th of July 5K: 28:55.6 (click the picture above for a better view).  They are about what I thought.  Not my fastest time, due to my ankle but still under thirty minutes.  I am pleased but I hope I can get my ankle healed by September when I have my next run (at Disneyland!).

Rebel Without a Cause

Rebel Without a Cause directed by Nicholas Ray
1955
★★★✰✰
So I was pleased that my wife wanted to watch this movie as it had been on the list for a long time.  So much mystery and intrigue surrounds James Dean that I was really interested in the movie.  The first half of the film is great; Dean trying to make it at his new school.  Although, after the climactic "chickie race" things got really boring for me.  Still a good movie and worth checking out.

Village Runner 4th of July 5K

So I ran another race even though I am still battling my sprained ankle.  I do not have the official time yet but I know I finished under thirty minutes.  That is pretty good since I have not been able to really train for this race like I did for the Palos Verdes 5K that I ran in May.  I know my time won't be as good as that one but at least I was able to do the race without much pain.

Land of the Lost

Land of the Lost directed by Brad Silberling
2009
★★★✰✰
So I think this movie got a bad wrap.  It certainly isn't Oscar-worthy but it is a funny film.  From what I heard most people say when this came out last year is that "it's horrible."  I disagree.  While it is pretty stupid, it is your typical Will Ferrell movie, it is simply funny at times. Danny McBride is hilarious!  Chaka: just as annoying as Jar-Jar Binks.

Pirate Radio

Pirate Radio directed by Richard Curtis
2009
★★★✰✰
So I really like Richard Curtis' films.  Love Actually is an all time favorite for me.  This movie really missed the mark.  The previews made it seem like a great revolutionary tale with "The Man" trying to keep them down.  The first hour was simply build up with almost no conflict.  The last half hour is great though.