Roger Ebert Video Interviews

As one who enjoyed and regularly used Roger Ebert's movie reviews, I found the following short interviews interesting.

The first one features Roger Ebert when he was interviewed by Leonard Maltin in 2009.

The second video pays tribute to the late film critic's influence and legacy as presented in a April 2013 special by CNN.

I hope you enjoy them, too.







See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Image Acknowledgement:

The image shows Roger Ebert's autobiographical book, Life Itself: A Memoir. It is a memoir that is "a singular, warm-hearted, inspiring look at life." In this book, Ebert shares the story of his life and career. Amazon calls it candid and the book description says that he shares everything from his loves, losses and obsessions to his alcoholism, marriage, politics and spirtual beliefs and, of course, his relationships with entertainment figures like Oprah Winfrey, John Wayne and Martin Scorsese. Learn more about Roger Ebert's book, Life Itself on Amazon by clicking here.




Interstellar

"Mankind was born on earth. It was never meant to die here."

I found this blu-ray cover artwork for the 2014 movie Interstellar on Amazon.co.uk. The movie is not available just yet on Amazon.com but no doubt the release date will be known shortly.

Interstellar is a space movie that stars Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain. It tells the story of explorers who are trying to ensure the survival of mankind when the earth becomes inhabitable. McConaughey, in my opinion, is perfect in this role.

I enjoyed the movie, even though I did not understand all of the science and I left the movie with a lot to think about. Among the real people that I have spoken to about this movie and even amongst the critics, it receives a mixed review. All are impressed with the cinematography; not all with the storyline.

Watch the trailer here:



Many say something along the lines of what blogger Ruth of Flixchatter says in her post, "Despite my gripes and that many reviewers call it a beautiful-but-flawed film, it is still very worthwhile to see.  It's stunning. However you feel after you have seen it, it is still a worthwhile experience that will make for a lot of interesting discussion afterwards."

How about it? Will you be buying Interstellar? Have you seen it? What did you think?

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Check Amazon for Interstellar.





Tom Whalen's Lego Movie Print

Tom Whalen's The Lego Movie Print

From artist Tom Whalen comes this handsome and fun The Lego Movie print.

According to Whalen’s bio, he was raised by feral robot wolves in north-eastern Pennsylvania. His diet growing up was Arnold Schwarzenegger movies and Swedish fish. He is totally obsessed with anything that was giant or Japanese and that destroyed cities. He cannot wait for the world to be run by zombies, werewolves or vampires. He works as a graphic designer and editorial illustrator and has designed many movie-related posters, including this one for The Lego Movie..

This print measures 18 inches by 24 inches and was issued in a limited edition run of 475.  Framed or unframed, I think it would make a  totally unusual, unique and BRILLIANT gift idea for a Lego fan. You can search for it on eBay by clicking right here.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Buy your this The Lego Movie print on eBay. 
More Lego gift ideas.

Harry Potter Christmas Stocking

Discover a handsome, velvet Harry Potter Christmas stocking.
Every true Harry Potter geek should own one of these Christmas stockings to hang on the mantle at Christmas time.

This Christmas stocking is a velvet one that was originally sold by Warner Brothers. It is a classic red stocking with braided gold trim. It features a moon and stars, a purple wizarding hat, a hanging loop and tassels.

It seems that this stocking is fairly limited in supply. As I write this, you cannot find it on Amazon but you can look to see if it is available today by clicking here to Amazon but not on eBay though I could find this velvet Harry Potter Christmas stockings on eBay here. If you want a Harry Potter Christmas stocking but not necessarily this one, try eBay here.

Would you like to own a Harry Potter themed Christmas stocking?

Merry Christmas!
Brenda

Quick Links:

The Best Harry Potter Gift Ideas.



National Geographic Sea Monsters Review

"A journey deep in time. A lost age. A prehistoric world, 82 million years in the making..."

For Halloween one year I learned about National Geographic's Prehistoric Sea Monsters.

Prehistoric Sea Monsters are monsters of a different kind from a different time...this nature documentary tells the story of a sea creature named Dolly who lived when North America was divided in two. The story goes back and forth between a fictional story set in Dolly's time and the scientists of our times.

Sea Monsters is a National Geographic film for the entire family. In this film, you travel more than 80 million years into the past. You meet the dinosaurs that lived then as well as other creatures who are swimming, hunting and fighting for survival. It shares the world and adventures of two Dolichorhynchops, or Dollies.

Fast Facts

ACTORS: Jerry Hoffman, Jennifer Aguilar, Michael Ashcraft, Michael Ashcroft and Paul Burmaster

DIRECTORS: Sean MacLeod Phillips

WRITERS: Mose Richards

PRODUCERS: Erica Meehan, Jini Durr, Lisa Truitt, Neal Allen and Tim Kelly

STUDIO: National Geographic Video

ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE: October 5, 2007

DVD RELEASE DATE: August 11, 2009

RUN TIME: 40 minutes

RATING: Not Rated

My Take On Sea Monsters 

Is it good or not? Should you buy the 3D version or the ordinary version? I have not seen Sea Monsters yet. However, all of my research leads to a couple of simple conclusions.

Opinions on the 3D aspect of this movie are definitely split. I have read reviews by some people who love it and reviews by some who I expect are familiar with the current 3D films, who do not like this film in 3D. If you are buying the 3D version, remember this is not done in the latest technology for viewing blu-ray 3D films at home. It does not require a 3D blu-ray player nor a 3D high definition television and, therefore, it is not going to measure up to movies being made for those devices nor the movies you have seen lately at the movie theatre.

In terms of the film itself, people are generally very pleased with the way the story was put together, the content and the quality of the film.

Amazon Customers say things like:

"Even from the comfort of my couch the 3D is amazing."

"Visual qualities are quite good. Story is rather cleverly layed out. I recommend it for any age group!"

"I was blown away at the presentation. It felt like they were swimming in my living room. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves 3D movies and documentaries."

The experts like The New York Times say, "...the film's true raison d'tre: digitally recreated prehistoric sea beasts that seem as real as whales and sharks." High-Def Digest says, "Sea Monsters tells a compelling tale while never failing to dazzle with its wonderful visuals..." FinallyBlu-ray.com says, "Sea Monsters' transfer is crisp and striking..."

Hopefully, this information will help you decide whether or not this is a film you want to see. If you have seen it, what did you think? Would you recommend it?  I will try to report back when I have finally viewed it.

See you
at the movies!

Quick Links:

Order your copy of National Geographic Sea Monsters from Amazon.
The Best Nature and Adventure Imax Documentary Films...





Harry Potter Travel Poster - London to Scotland via the Hogwarts Express

Harry Potter Travel Poster - London to Scotland via the Hogwarts Express

What Harry Potter fan would not love to travel from London to Scotland via the Hogwarts Express? I certainly would! This is the first in a series (I hope) of movie-themed travel posters.

If you could and you did have the opportunity to board the Hogwarts Express, what would be the most important part of the trip for you?

Would you be eagerly anticipating the friendly plump witch and her trolley with the treats from the Honeydukes Sweetshop? Treats like Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, Cauldron Cakes, Chocolate Frogs, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Jelly Slugs, Liquorice Wands and Pumpkin Pasties?  Remember though that Harry chose a bit of everything to share with his friend Ron Weasley on his first trip on the train. Maybe that is what you would like to do.

Or maybe you would rather simply meet the passengers. In the first year, we enjoyed the company of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom and Fred and George Weasley. You would not have wanted to be on the train on September 1, 1997 though would you? That is the year that the Death Eaters raided the train looking for Harry.

I love this retro-inspired themed travel poster celebrating that the Hogwarts Express.  It is an art print with sharp colours that is printed on thick paper like that of a greeting card or postcard and available in an assortment of sizes. You can find it at Amazon by clicking right here.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Buy this poster from Amazon.
How to make your own chocolate frogs.
A page of Harry Potter quotations.



Star Wars Coffee Mugs

I love this I Am Your Father coffee mug. Perfect for Star Wars fans.

One of the most important movie lines or quotes of all time is that of Darth Vader to Luke when Vader says, "No, I am your father."

It is an iconic movie moment from Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back that is surely embedded in every Star Wars fan's mind.

This famous line is often misquoted as, "Luke, I am your father" and was nominated for the American Film Institute's 100 Movie Quotes List.

Watch this short video and relive the moment in which Darth Vader makes history and releases his secret to the world.



The importance of the line to movie history makes this I Am Your Father coffee mug the ultimate inexpensive and practical Star Wars themed gift idea for dad. It is a handsome black and red Hallmark coffee mug, reading simply "I am your father."

Another I Am Your Father coffee mug featuring the iconic quote by Darth Vader.

Definitely a most appropriate gift for any Dad who loves the Star Wars franchise and even more so for one, like my husband, who shared the love of Star Wars with his children. Unfortunately, these mugs can now be hard to find. In May, 2021, they are no longer widely available but you may have luck here on eBay.

Or you can choose one of the following Star Wars themed mugs. They're all fun choices:

Yoda's Calm You Shall Keep and Carry On You Must Coffee Mug 

A variation on Keep Calm and Carry On, this mug features Yoda speaking and reads Calm You Shall Keep and Carry On You Must. Yes, hmmm.

All Star Wars fans can talk like Yoda, which makes this green mug one of the most popular Star Wars mugs. "Calm You Shall Keep and Carry On You Must," advises the wise Jedi Master Yoda. Look for it on eBay here.

Darth Vader You Don't Know the Power of the Dark Side Coffee Mug 

Darth Vader You Don't Know the Power of the Dark Side Coffee Mug

Another nice choice is this black and red Darth Vader coffee mug.  It's by Vandor and the black and red colouring and image of Darth Vader are, in my opinion, perfectly done. Find all of the Star Wars Vandor mugs currently available on eBay by clicking here or look at the collection on Amazon by clicking here.

Yoda May the Force Be With You Coffee Mug

Yoda May the Force Be With You Coffee Mug

Another mug by Vandor, this one features Yoda and reads in typical wise fashion, "May the Force Be With you." You can find it on eBay by clicking here.

Is there a Star Wars fan at your house? A Star Wars mug in your future?

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

More Reading:

Star Wars Christmas gift ideas.








Toy Story That Time Forgot Trailer

Toy Story That Time Forgot starts out looking a little scary.

There is a big battle and there is blood shed.

Not exactly what I'd expect from Toy Story.

However, I'm not willing to judge Toy Story That Time Forgot by the opening moments in this trailer.

Watch for yourself here:


What do you think? I am thinking it looks a bit scary for young children but I will wait until I have seen the Christmas special when it airs during the world première on ABC on December 7, 2014 to make my final judgement call. It sure looks like a fabulous piece of 1980s nostalgia!

Merry Christmas!
Brenda

Quick Links:

More about Toy Story That Time Forgot.
Toy Story on Pinterest.



Facts About Roger Ebert


For the curious, here are a few biographical facts about the movie critic Roger Ebert:
  • Roger Joseph Ebert was born in June 18, 1942, in Urbana, Illinois.

  • Ebert began his career as a reporter and was given the film critic job for the Sun-Times rather unexpectedly.

  • He won a Pulitzer Prize for his movie reviews in 1975.

  • He appeared on the television show Siskel and Ebert and then Ebert and Roeper at the Movies for a total of 37 years.

  • He suffered surgical complications related to thyroid cancer in 2006 and was not able to speak after that year.

  • Shortly before his death, he was the Managing Editor of and a reviewer for Ebert Presents At The Movies.

  • His reviews continued to appear in newspapers around the world.

  • Ebert wrote a total of 17 books.

  • He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is the only film critic that has one.

  • Robert Ebert's website, rogerebert.com, receives a staggering 110 million visits a year.
Shown here his 2012 book Awake in the Dark: The Best of Roger Ebert. This book includes some of the best best of his work from forty years of reviews, interviews and essays. It includes interviews with the likes of Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Woody Allen, Robert Altman, Werner Herzog, Ingmar Bergman, Robert Mitchum, James Stewart, Warren Beatty and Meryl Streep. Amazon calls Ebert’s writing top-notch and says that this book “contains some of Ebert's most exciting writing.” Sounds like a good read for those keenly interested in the movies and in movie reviews.

Stay tuned for more about Roger Ebert.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Order your copy of Awake in the Dark: The Best of Roger Ebert from Amazon.


Toy Story That Time Forgot

This holiday season Toy Story fans will not want to miss a new Disney Pixar television special called Toy Story That Time Forgot.

It's a half-hour family program that features our favourite Toy Story characters including Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jesse, The toys go on a play date after Christmas and discover a whole new set of very scary action figures.

You will find an all-star cast that includes Tom Hanks playing Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz, Kristen Schaal as Trixie, Kevin McKidd as Reptillus Maximus, Wallace Shawn as Rex, Timothy Dalton as Mr. Pricklepants, Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and Joan Cusack as Jessie.


My only disappointment without having seen the show is that this film is only loosely a Christmas story. I would have preferred a full holiday theme. Cinema Blend says that this film has lots of "humor, charm and heart" and "added prehistoric playtime."

There are a couple of new characters, including the dinosaur Reptillus Maximus who understandably connects with, Trixie and Angel Kitty, a Christmas tree ornament who randomly shares bits of lightweight wisdom.


Cinema Blend  also says that Toy Story That Time Forgot is great for kids, calling it "a must-watch, colorful, fun, funny and familiar." For adults, they say Toy Story has once again done a good job of "reminding us of the bonds we once formed with our own toys."

I am not terribly apprehensive about how good Toy Story That Time Forgot will be because I know that Disney delivered a wonderful film when they released Toy Story of Terror in October, 2013 and I have faith in Disney Pixar. I plan on tuning in on Tuesday, December 2 (8:00-8:30 p.m. ET) when Toy Story That Time Forgot airs on ABC for the first time ever.

How about you?

Happy Christmas!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Check out the Toy Story That Time Forgot toys on Amazon.
Read my review of Toy Story of Terror.
Celebrate Toy Story on Pinterest.




Meet Roger Ebert: The Two Thumbs Up Movie Critic

Meet Roger Ebert, the Two Thumbs Up movie critic

Sadly, Award-winning movie reviewer Roger Ebert passed away on April 4, 2013 from the ravages of cancer.

Roger Ebert was likely the most famous movie critic of all time. He started reviewing movies for the Chicago Sun-Times in 1967 and he was a television movie critic for more than 35 years during which time he and a co-host created the pop culture reference Two Thumbs Up.

He received a Pulitzer Prize for his movie reviews and is the only movie critic to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

There are a handful of movie critics that I enjoy reading or watching that I return to again and again. Critic Roger Ebert was one of those.

Due to his problems with cancer he was not able to speak in the last years of his life but he was still an influential film critic, making extensive use of the written word, which he promoted with his team on the television and online versions of Ebert Presents At The Movies.

Over the next few posts, learn a bit more about Roger Ebert and his movie reviews and books.

Forbes called Roger Ebert, "The most powerful pundit in America." A pundit being someone who offers the world through the media his or her opinions on a subject. I am inclined to agree with that statement.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Image of Roger Ebert from Wikipedia.


Johnny Depp as Mortdecai

Johnny Depp as Mortdecai

I cannot wait for Johnny Depp to THRILL me and to DAZZLE me again. That is, Johnny Depp as the Honourable Charlie Mortdecai.

Purveyor of fine art.
Lovable scoundrel.
Part-time rogue.
And NO, he does NOT need help with his bags.

Johnny Depp as a secret agent? You bet! In this action film he will be joined by a talented lineup that includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor, Olivia Munn and Paul Bettany.

Gwenyth Paltrow in Mortdecai

Bonus: There's a bathtub scene with Depp but unfortunately, he's not alone for long, LOL.

Meanwhile there are not one but TWO trailers to hold us over until the movie is released on February 6, 2015. Take a peek for yourself:



 

Mortdecai's mind is his weapon... His mission? The world!

Looks like a fun romp to me starring one of my all-time favourite celebrities.

I hope the music in the movie is as fun as the music in the trailers!

So, what do you think? To Mortdecai or not to Mortdecai?

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Learn more about Mortdecai on Wikipedia by clicking here.
Learn more about Mortdecai on IMDB.
The Best Johnny Depp Magazine Covers.

Robert Downey Jr. 2015 Calendar




I shared my blog post about the Johnny Depp 2015 calendar with my husband and his response, other than a chuckle, was to say, "What are you going to do when there's a Robert Downey Jr. calendar?"

I grabbed our iPad mini and pulled up Amazon and within a couple of minutes I had discovered that there is a Robert Downey Jr. calendar. Who would have guessed?  I'm a big fan of Downey's character Tony Stark in the Iron Man and I recently saw and enjoyed him playing his cocky self in The Judge so I was curious about the calendar and you can see for yourself what I found.

An aside with regard to the movie The Judge. I would recommend it.  It's a fun movie with Downey and Robert Duvall. Some criticize saying Downey was playing another version of himself but I still enjoyed the movie.

Back to the calendar. The cover shows him playing that character we expect Downey to play and, unfortunately, with a cigarette dangling from his lips. I would have liked the image a lot more without that small but obtrusive element and it is definitely not the picture I would have chosen to put on the cover. I like a lot of the other images a lot more and might be hard pressed to pick a favorite though I do really like the picture with the orange sky...

How about you?
Do you like Robert Downey Jr.?
Do you like the images of the actor they've chosen to feature on this calendar?

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Read more about this Robert Downey Jr. 2015 calendar on Amazon.



Johnny Depp 2015 Calendars


I have said it before and I will say it again. Simply. WOW. Have you seen the new Johnny Depp calendars?

If you love Johnny Depp and you are ready to choose your 2015 wall calendar, consider giving Johnny a glance.

But assuming you can only have one or you are practical and will only buy one, you will be left with a dilemma. Which calendar to choose? Truly a magnificent dilemma, don’t you think? I cannot imagine a worse problem to have!

The artwork from the back of the calendars might help you with this tough decision. Here's a peek:

How about it then? Which calendar will you choose? The first one in black and white or the second one in full, glorious technicolor? My mind is made up. How about yours?

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Click here to order your 2015 Johnny Depp Calendar from Amazon. 
Discover the best Johnny Depp magazine covers.



Tron Fashion

Until the release of Tron: Legacy, I had not even heard of the Tron movie and video game franchise.

I received my introduction to the movie when we took our teenage sons on a birthday outing to a movie. They chose to see the then-new Tron: Legacy movie and we all enjoyed it.

As a matter of fact, once I saw the movie, I was quite curious about the original 1982 Tron movie, too and eventually had the opportunity to view it.

When I was looking for information about the two Tron movies, I discovered this video and that Tron Legacy actually was translated into the real world of fashion. I guess that is not entirely surprising given how often movie items become merchandise choices for fans.  However, I really enjoyed this video in which high fashion pieces are shared from the likes of designer Robin Rotenier, apparel designer Nichole Jordan and designer Jerome Rousseau.

If you enjoyed Tron or you are intrigued by how movies become merchandise, I know you'll enjoy this short video.

   

Would I ever wear any of these items? No way! I am a comfort clothing kind of woman but I still enjoy the idea of such futuristic clothing. 

I might, however, be convinced to wear the female equivalent of the Adidas shoes shown at the top of this page, if they made them for women.  

How about it? Would you like to own some Tron-themed clothing?  Find Tron shoes on eBay by clicking right here.

See you
at the movies!

Quick Links:

Check out the Tron shoes on eBay.

Picture from Will Pate on Flickr.


Daniel Radcliffe on Jimmy Fallon


As a lifelong fan of Daniel Radcliffe - that is his life, not mine - I have to say I am still more impressed with him after watching him perform the incredibly difficult rap song Alphabet Aerobics by Blackalicious on the Jimmy Fallon show.   I am no rap enthusiast or expert but I can certainly appreciate how hard it must have been to learn every single word in that rap song.

Watch for yourself here on this five-minute Youtube video:

 

What did you think? Pretty impressive!

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links: 




Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection Limited Edition Blu-ray Boxed Set


Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection Limited Edition Blu-ray Boxed Set contains 15 of Hitchcock's films all digitally restored so that they are looking the best that they can.  

Included are Saboteur, Shadow of a Doubt, Rope, Rear Window, The Trouble with Harry, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Vertigo, North by Northwest, Psycho, The Birds, Marnie, Torn Curtain, Topaz, Frenzy and Family Plot.

Also included are 15 hours of bonus features.  If you have watched a lot of Hitchcock films, you may find that you have seen most of them. However, this boxed set does include a new 15 minute The Birds retrospective.

On these discs you will find guest appearances by James Stewart, Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Paul Newman, Janet Leigh, Anthony Perkins, Tippi Hedren, Sean Connery and Kim Novak. In case you are curious, Paul Newman appeared in Torn Curtain and Sean Connery appeared in Marnie.

Blu-ray.com says that it is not a perfect set but that it is definitely one that a fan will enjoy.  They rank it 7.7 out of 10 and say that it will most appeal to mystery and psychological thriller fans. 

I would love to own this set. How about you?  Are you a fan of psychological thrillers?

See you
At the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:



Monsters, Inc. Blu-Ray Review

Monsters, Inc. Blu-Ray Review

If you are reading this page you are no doubt familiar with Disney Pixar's Monsters, Inc. 

Featuring one big, giant blue Monster, this movie is a wonderful animated movie that Amazon says, showed "technical complexity and emotional impact."  
We loved the fact that the monsters in this film are more afraid of the children rather than that the children are of the monsters! 

If you are not familiar with this movie, you might like to know that your children will probably NOT find these lovable monsters scary and you might like to note that Monsters Inc. is recommended for children aged 5 and up.

Check out the trailer here for yourself and then read what the experts had to say about the blu-ray release of Monsters, Inc.




The Boston Herald called this movie, "visually dazzling, action-packed and hilarious."  

You Can Be A Super Hero In An Iron Man Hoodie!

I love Robert Downey Jr. as the Iron Man and hope no one else will ever play that role. In my humble opinion, he's the perfect Iron Man. Fortunately, I just read that Downey has confirmed on the Ellen Show that there will be a fourth Iron Man. (You can see for yourself here.)

Woo hoo!

As a big fan of the super hero, I think it would be fun to own one of these Iron Man hoodies.

I think it would be a hoot to show up at the movie or any super hero movie for that matter and surprise my grown sons with it.

I expect I would surprise a couple of other people, too, LOL since they might not expect a woman of my age, which I am not going to state, to dress as their favorite hero.

I think it would also make a great Halloween costume or at least the start of one, don't you?

How about you? Would you like to own this Iron Man hoodie? Would you dare to wear it in public?

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Buy your Iron Man hoodie on Amazon.
A page of super hero themed Lego.




Adam Levine Sings Michael Jackson

I love Adam Levine and I love Michael Jackson. I was delighted therefore to find this video of Adam singing a song with Michael Jackson's voice on the Tonight Show.

If you appreciate the talent that these two men have (or in Jackson's case, had), I think that you will enjoy  this clip .

Of course, you will likely also appreciate the other singers that both host Jimmy Fallon and Adam impersonate on the show.

Watch here:

 

I've chosen to illustrate this post with a magnificent poster of Adam Levine. Amazon says that it is a high-quality version of the original art piece, which was originally created by Ryan Rabbass.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Buy this art poster from Amazon.


Weird Al's Foil: A Parody of Royals by Lorde

Not sure exactly WHY but I have always enjoyed Weird Al's parodies and, since I really enjoy the song Royals by Lorde, I clicked on Weird Al's Foil with interest.

Turns out that Foil is a fun video, with a twist in the middle and at least one moment that is mildly offensive.



Watch Foil for yourself here:




Foil is part of an album that Weird Al is releasing this week called Mandatory Fun. You can check Mandatory Fun out here, on Amazon.

So what did you think of Foil? The twist is ah, interesting but I do not think the song would have been very popular or noteworthy if it really was just about leftovers and tinfoil...

Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

Learn more about Weird Al's Mandatory Fun on Amazon by clicking here.

Disney's The Lone Ranger Movie Review

Disney's The Lone Ranger Movie Review

Initially, I was very excited about the 2013 version of the movie The Lone Ranger.  I will readily admit that I was enthusiastic only because of the presence of Johnny Depp as Tonto and not because I was a fan of the original series or even, for that matter, cowboy movies in general.  When the movie was released to disappointing reviews, it fell down on our must see list and eventually disappeared off the bottom.

Recently, on my rounds as an ebay seller, I picked The Lone Ranger blu-ray disc up at a consignment store figuring that I would be able to check out the movie and then sell it to earn some if not all of my money back.

But hey, I was surprised that the movie was such a fun romp. Once we stopped wanting it to be like something we thought it should be it was a hoot.  It was way over the top and often ridiculous and unbelievable but it was funny and, by the end, I was really enjoying it.

Here's a peek at the movie via the official Disney movie trailer:


Be aware that despite the fact this movie was made by Disney, it is PG-13 and, as Matt Zoller Seitz of Roger Ebert's website says, "it is all at once violent and sweet, clever and goofy." I agree and it is definitely not appropriate for children.

Blu-ray.com has praise for the blu-ray version, saying that it lives up to expectations of video and audio but that they wish there had been more special features. I enjoyed the following comment that blu-ray.com made about the movie, "There's some dark Looney Tunes-esque fun to be had, especially between Hammer and Depp, so long as you're willing to switch off the critical portions of your brain, you might just be able to enjoy the movie on its own terms."  I agree totally with that comment, too.

Noteworthy, the Ebert reviewer thinks this movie may eventually be called "misunderstood." I guess only time will tell.

Would I recommend it? I do think so, with the above comments kept in mind. It's a fun movie just take it as such and don't expect too much.

Have YOU seen Disney's version of The Lone Ranger? What did you think?

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Buy The Lone Ranger on Amazon.
Check out the rare and unusual movies in my eBay store.


Julianne Moore & Mockingjay

Julianne Moore & Mockingjay
We're starting to hear and see more information about the next installment in the movie version of the Hunger Games trilogy, Mockingjay.

Academy Award nominated Julianne Moore plays President Coin.  On this brief video she talks about her love of the books and determination to be in the movie, about the Mockingjay movie and about her role as the President, which she says is the only role that she could have played.



Is Ms. Moore lucky to have this role? Well, perhaps she is but I believe that her acting talent probably had something to do with it, too.

Julianne Moore is a British-American actress and a four-time Academy award nominee. One of her earliest roles was on a daytime soap opera, As The World Turns and one of her more recent efforts is The Kids Are All Right. I believe The Kids Are All Right was somewhat of an unexpected hit, emerging from Sundance and going on to great critical acclaim. I'll look forward to seeing her as President Coin in Mockingjay.

Anyone else anxious for the next movie?

See you there!
Brenda

Quick Links:

The best Hunger Games gift ideas.


New Gringotts Bank Ride at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

As one who has had the good fortune to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida, I am thrilled with how the new WWOHP ride, Escape From Gringotts is shaping up.

The only problem with being so excited, of course, is that I'm not sure when or even if I will have the opportunity for a return visit any time in the near future. However, if I were a Harry Potter fan considering whether or not to go to Universal Studios in Orlando, the presence of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be tempting and I know, from personal experience, that a visit to WWOHP is well worth it for Harry Potter fans.  Additional attractions, like this Escape From Gringotts ride would only sweeten an already amazing attraction.

Here's a behind-the-scenes peek at the new Gringotts Bank ride for you via Youtube:



See you
at the movies!
Brenda




Saving Mr. Banks Movie Review

We enjoyed the movie Saving Mr. Banks last night. It is a movie that has been on my list for awhile given my interest in the history of Walt Disney's world but it did take us awhile to get around to seeing it.

If you are wondering if you need to watch Mary Poppins before you watch Saving Mr. Banks, I will tell you that you don't need to but that you might like to. We did not watch it first but if you are not familiar with the Mary Poppins story, or if you simply enjoy good movies, I would consider doing so.  Now that I have seen Saving Mr. Banks, I think rewatching Mary Poppins beforehand would have been a good idea.

Saving Mr. Banks tells two stories. It shares the story of how Walt Disney collaborated with P.L. Travers to let make the Mary Poppins book into a movie and of Travers' childhood.  It is therefore set in Hollywood, California, in the 1960s and in remote Australia in the early 1900s, where Travers grew up.

Here's the official movie trailer:


I think Saving Mr. Banks was nicely done and should appeal to any adult who enjoys a sweet movie.  I only say adult because I am not sure that the storyline would appeal to children. There's absolutely nothing 'adult' or objectionable in the way of violence, sex or swearing in this film.  If you're a fan of Disney, you will likely enjoy this film. If you love the Disney Parks, you will likely really enjoy the brief visit within this movie to Disneyland.  Saving Mr. Banks will also appeal to people who are interested in things retro and vintage, like the style of the 1960s.

The cast is an impressive line up with Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers and Tom Hanks as Disney. You will also spot Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford, Ruth Wilson, B.J. Novak, Rachel Griffiths and Kathy Baker.

A couple of things to note from the movie that will make you smile:

First, did you spot the Hidden Mickey in the cover art here on this page? If you didn't look again and you'll quickly see what I mean. To be perfectly honest, I just noticed it myself. CLEVER, don't you think?

Second, when you watch the movie there is a car that keeps showing up in the background. That is, a car other than the Lincoln that chauffeured Travers around and that actor Giamatti actually drove himself. (More about his driving accomplishment here.) My husband noticed the repeat appearances of one car in particularly and it definitely seemed odd but I have been unable to find out WHY that same car keeps showing up in different scenes. Was it an accident or was it deliberate? I don't know.

If you're interested, you will find more goofs from Saving Mr. Banks here on IMDb.

Anyway, I would recommend Saving Mr. Banks because it is a peek into the history of Disney and of the making of the movie version of Mary Poppins.  It is a nice movie, not likely to offend. RECOMMENDED.

See you
at the movies!

Quick Links:

Buy Saving Mr. Banks on Amazon.

Mr. Selfridge: The World of Retail in London, England, in the 1900s

Mr. Selfridge has taken me on a trip back to London, England, in the early 1900s.  If you are a fan of period dramas, why not join me on my journey?

The third season of Mr. Selfridge is currently airing, which means you can purchase seasons 1 and 2 and watch them marathon style, if you like.

To catch season 3, I suppose you can set your PVR for the rest of the series now and miss a few episodes or you can wait and purchase it when it has been released on blu-ray (shown in the picture here) and DVD.

Mr. Selfridge was, as the tagline says, the showman behind the retail empire and he is putting on quite a show. If you love period dramas or are fascinated with the history of retail, you will enjoy this series.

I'd be remiss if I did not say that it is a great choice for those suffering Downton Abbey withdrawal.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Order your copy of Mr. Selfridge from Amazon.

Name A Movie You Have Seen More Than Three Times


In the interests of an almost wordless post, we ask you to name a movie you have seen more than three times...

I can only think of one that I know I have definitely seen more than three times and that is the Wizard of Oz. Okay, maybe I can add Grease and It's A Wonderful Life.

There are always so many new movies to watch that I cannot make myself rewatch one that I have already seen! You?

See you
at the movies
(again and again and again...)
Brenda


Disney's Limited Edition Frozen Dress

Disney's Limited Edition Frozen Dress
If you are interested in the movies at all, you are likely aware of the Disney movie Frozen. What you might not be aware of is just how successful Disney's Frozen has been or that it has caused a movie merchandise frenzy.

I enjoyed this video from Bloomberg.com, which takes a brief look at the furore surrounding the movie. I think Bloomberg's summation that Disney may have known they had a hit on their hands but they might not have anticipated just how big a hit it was going to be...or that it was going to cause such a merchandise frenzy. I found it interesting to learn that Disney licenses the rights to much of its merchandise, which takes some of the risk away from their profit line if they produce a film that is less than successful.

Take a look for yourself:

   

You can find the Anna dress shown here on Amazon by clicking here. If you don't see it there, you might have more luck here on eBay.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Disney Planes Fire & Rescue Trailer


Who knew there was a new Disney Planes movie? Not me at least not until today when I received an email in my inbox about a new Disney Planes movie called Disney Planes Fire and Rescue.

Having only recently watched Disney Planes that movie franchise is fresh in my mind. Since we do not have any children to take to the movie theatre to watch animated movies and because there is almost always a list of movies we would like to see at the theatre, we chose to wait and watch Planes on blu-ray disc.

We enjoyed that movie so when I read about the new one (Fire and Rescue) this morning I was curious about what Disney has in store for us and I found out by taking a peek at the new official movie trailer:

 

So, what did you think? I enjoyed the trailer.  I think that Disney Planes Fire & Rescue looks like an exciting, action packed movie and I quite enjoyed the humorous moments and even the music. I will look forward to more funny moments and hopefully more great songs in the movie itself.

Particularly interestingly to us is the fact that this movie has a HELICOPTER in it and, as a former Sea King helicopter navigator, my husband will probably place this animated Disney movie slightly higher on his To See List because of that fact.  How about you? Will Fire and Rescue make your list?

Disney Planes Fire & Rescue arrives in movie theatres on July 18, 2014.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda


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