DVD Reviews: Movies and Television Series on DVD

We’ll let you know the best movies and television series on dvd. As you can imagine, we watch A LOT of dvds! Who better to help you sort through the thousands of titles to find the best?!

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein? What’s Not to Love?!

by Joi

Bud Abbott Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein.
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My husband and I watched a couple of Abbott and Costello movies last night. There are few things any better than kicking back with Bud and Lou! One of the movies was Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (click the link to order the dvd).

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is one of my favorite Abbott and Costello movies – it always has been. However, I must say, is this one of the most inappropriately named movies of all time or what? Of all the “monsters,” Frankenstein is onscreen the least. And he certainly doesn’t have much to say when he is. I can only assume that Frankie was big at the time, so they went with Frankenstein over Dracula or the Wolf Man, both of whom are onscreen a lot more.

Title aside, I love everything about this movie. When you sit down to watch an Abbott and Costello movie, you do so with the intentions of leaving everything behind – work, chores, headaches, news, politics, crazy drivers, and so on. You have to just let yourself have fun and enjoy the laughs – you also have to remember that this particular movie was made in 1948, so the effects are going to be…. well, there’ve been more realistic effects on Scooby Doo.

But, I’ll be honest with you, they’re part of what makes this movie (and all classic movies, as far as I’m concerned) so special. I wouldn’t change a thing about this movie – not even the title, because in its own way it’s part of what makes Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein stand out.

Monster movies were HUGE for Universal Pictures in the 1930s. Then the ’40s rolled in with one of the greatest duos of all time, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein was the first of several movies that combined the “monster hits” (literally) and the much loved Abbott and Costello films. The success of this particular movie led to Abbott and Costello teaming up with the Invisible Man, Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, and The Mummy.

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein features a wonderful cast. Count Dracula is deliciously played by Béla Lugosi. The Wolfman is brought to furry life by Lon Chaney Jr., and Frankenstein is played by veteran monster Glenn Strange.

At the end of the movie, watch (and listen) for an appearance by the Invisible Man. You’ll recognize the voice as that of Vincent Price. This was actually before he went on to superstardom.

Plot:

Count Dracula’s beloved monster, Frankenstein, needs a new brain. The Count is adamant that the new brain has to belong to a simpleton – someone without a drop of malice. Guess what simpleton is hand-picked for the job: Lou Costello’s Wilbur, of course! Bud Abbot’s Chick, along with the Wolfman, have to save Wilbur and keep his brain where it belongs – in his own head.

Lou Costello is at his best in this movie. He’s absolutely hilarious and offers countless laugh out loud moments.

Trivia:

The movie was originally titled, “The Brain of Frankenstein” (apparently they were adamant that Frankenstein appear in the title somewhere!)
The director was Charles Barton, a close friend of both Abbott and Costello’s. Most people consider him to the the duo’s best director.
One of the funniest scenes in the movie involves Wilbur (Costello) unknowingly sitting on Frankenstein’s lap. The scene required multiple shots because Costello was allowed to improvise, which caused Glen Strange (Frankenstein) to constantly break out laughing!
Charles Barton also directed 1959′s classic The Shaggy Dog .
Lenore Aubert (Sandra) was born in present-day Slovenia. She teamed up with the duo again 1949′s Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff.

Quotes:

Chick: I don’t get it. Out of all the guys around here that classy dish has to pick out a guy like you.
Wilbur: What’s wrong with that?
Chick: Go look at yourself in the mirror sometime.
Wilbur: Why should I hurt my own feelings?

Larry Talbot (Wolfman): You don’t understand. Every night when the moon is full, I turn into a wolf.
Wilbur: You and twenty million other guys.

Chick Young: You’re making enough noise to wake up the dead!
Wilbur Grey: I don’t have to wake him up. He’s up.

Abbott & Costello: The Complete Universal Pictures CollectionThink it’s too soon to ask for a birthday present if your birthday’s in August? I know something I want already: The Abbott & Costello The Complete Universal Pictures Collection (pictured above).

Description:

Get ready to laugh out loud with the most popular comedy duo of all time in Abbott and Costello: The Complete Universal Pictures Collection! Now, for the first time ever, all 28 films produced during the height of their popularity at Universal Pictures are available in one collection. Featuring their most popular movies such as Buck Privates, Who Done It? and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, this collection is filled with some of the most hilarious routines of all-time including “Who’s on First?” Loaded with hours of bonus features and an exclusive collectible book, this is the ultimate tribute to two of the funniest, and most enduring, comedians of all time!

Titles Include:
One Night in the Tropics (1940)
Buck Privates (1941)
In the Navy (1941)
Hold That Ghost (1941)
Keep ‘Em Flying (1941)
Ride ‘Em Cowboy (1942)
Pardon My Sarong (1942)
Who Done It? (1942)
It Ain’t Hay (1943)
Hit the Ice (1943)
In Society (1944)
Here Come the Co-Eds (1945)
The Naughty Nineties (1945)
Little Giant (1946)
The Time of Their Lives (1946)
Buck Privates Come Home (1947)
The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap (1947)
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
Mexican Hayride (1948)
Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff (1949)
Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion (1950)
Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951)
Comin’ Round the Mountain (1951)
Lost in Alaska (1952)
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953)
Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953)
Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops (1955)
Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955)

Exclusive Bonus:
Abbott & Costello: The Universal Story - 44-page book detailing the legacy of Bud and Lou plus an overview of their films at Universal including rare photos, trivia and exclusive introductions from their families.

Elvis Presley and Michele Carey in Live a Little, Love a Little? Too Cute!

by Joi

Hey, Lady, is this your horse?

Live a Little, Love a Little has always been one of my favorite Elvis movies. I love all things Elvis – the music, the movies, and the larger than life personality – but, let’s be honest, some of his movies were, shall we say, so cheesy only a mouse could enjoy them. A few (such as my own personal LEAST favorite Kissin’ Cousins) were almost painful to watch. You know, Kissin’ Cousins may have been written by a mouse. After a three day cheese binge. While on the brink of a coma.

Scratch that, he would have come up with a better script.

Even Elvis, a few times, seemed embarrassed to be in a couple of his movies. During Kissin’ Cousins, I’d swear he looks apologetically at the camera as if to say, “Fans, I’m sorry for this. Really. I’m sorry.”

As a fan of the King, I LOVE to see one of his movies that deserves to carry his name. Live a Little, Love a Little (1968) is just such a movie. It’s fun, feisty, sexy, and spirited. It’s also well-written with more than a few “laugh out loud” lines and moments. One of my favorite is when Greg walks into the office of a Girlie magazine. The secretary is, as you’d expect, half-dressed (in a cat-like costume). Greg says, “Aren’t you cold,” to which the secretary purrs, “Only from 9 to 5.”

Even the wacko dream sequence got my seal of approval. Bernice had driven poor Greg half-crazy so an outrageous, over-the-top dream was all but called for. It was kinda cute in a “what the heck is going on here” kind of way.

Elvis plays photographer Greg Nolan. He quickly becomes the complete fixation and fascination of adorable Michele Carey’s character (Bernice). Bernice changes her name to fit her mood and actually introduces herself to Elvis as Alice. There’s nothing about Michele Carey’s performance or character in this movie that I don’t love. The wardrobe, alone, is a feast for the eyes. Such cute clothes! In fact, all the clothes (as well as the cars and furniture) are almost as entertaining as the movie, itself. What a colorful, outrageous, and kind of loud decade the 60s were!

Oh, Greg. How can you be so controvertical?

Another beautiful scene stealer in Live a Little, Love a Little was the gorgeous Great Dane Albert. This is pretty cool: Albert was played by Elvis’ own dog Brutus. Each time I see this movie, I want a Great Dane – but my cats always convince me otherwise.

The entire cast is dead on perfect in this movie, and Michele Carey may be my favorite of ALL of Elvis’ leading ladies. She was MADE for a movie such as this and, in all actuality, steals the movie right out from under Elvis Presley as well as Dick Sargent, who plays Bernice’s ex, Harry. Dick Sargent’s Harry was adorable in Live a Little, Love a Little. It was refreshing to see him happy – as Darren #2 on Bewitched he was always scowling and grumpy. He wears happy so much better.

Live a Little, Love a Little was directed by Norman Taurog. This would be his last film. At least he ended on a great one. Taurog also directed Elvis in G.I. Joe Blues, Blue Hawaii, Girls! Girls! Girls!, Speedway, Double Trouble, Spinout, and Tickle Me.

Live a Little, Love a Little was based on the novel “Kiss My Firm, But Pliant Lips” by Dan Greenburg. Fortunately the name was changed.

All Elvis fans HAVE to make sure they have Live a Little, Love a Little in their movie collection. If you click the link, you can actually buy it on Amazon for less than $5.00.

El Dorado with John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt, and Michele Carey

by Joi

El Dorado

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There’s really nothing quite like kicking back and enjoying a great Western, is there? While growing up, I loved to watch Westerns with my dad and now (more than a few years later), I love to watch them with my husband.

We capped off a wonderful Christmas this year by watching back to back John Wayne movies on AMC. While I love that television stations show classic movies, I was reminded of the beauty of movies on dvd…. no commercials! I will say this, though, at least commercials give you ample time to make runs to the kitchen.

El Dorado is just a great Western and a classic John Wayne movie. How fun is it to escape into a Western setting, complete with dust, guns, lovely ladies, and brave heroes?! Throw in leading men like John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and James Caan and you’ll never want to leave.

The movie was directed by Howard Hawks who also directed Rio Bravo (the second movie we watched on Christmas). Hawks also directed John Wayne in Rio Lobo.

Movie Synopsis:

John Wayne plays hired gunman Cole Thornton. Cole turns down a job with Bart Jason (Ed Asner – so unusual seeing Mary’s boss in a villainous role!) because it would mean fighting an old sheriff friend, J.P. Harrah (Mitchum). When he learns that a famous gunfighter is on his way to help Jason, and that his friend is now drinking heavily, Cole realizes that the good sheriff needs his help.

His only help is a new “kid” he has befriended called “Mississippi” (Caan). Mississippi is crazy good with a knife, but needs Cole’s coaching to handle a gun.

Robert Mitchum, John Wayne, and James Caan each give outstanding performances and work so well together I wished they’d made more movies together. However, character actor Arthur Hunnicutt (“Bull“) all but stole the movie from this powerful threesome. Personally, I’m fascinated by so-called character actors and actresses. They’re intended to simply “add” to the main star’s performances and, no doubt, know that they have to remain in check… mustn’t upstage the stars! However, when the character actor is as talented as Arthur Hunnicutt, they can’t help but do just that.

To me, a great character actor means that – after watching the movie – you can not imagine the movie without him or her. Arthur Hunnicutt pulled off greatness with El Dorado. In fact, even if the movie hadn’t been wonderful (which it was), it would be worth watching the movie for him alone.

Now for the ladies. Maybe it’s because I’m a female, myself, but one of the things I’m most fascinated with when it comes to movies is the actresses. I love everything about them! The hairstyles, the performances, the “chemistry” they have with the actors, the clothes, etc, etc. In fact, many times when my husband will ask me to choose which Elvis, John Wayne, or James Bond movie from his collections we’ll watch, I’ll ask, “What actresses are in it?” Nancy Sinatra? Halle Berry? Mary Ann Mobley? Check, check, check!

The lead actresses in El Dorado were Charlene Holt (Maudie) and Michele Carey (Josephine “Joey” MacDonald). These aren’t exactly household names, which bumfuzzles me. They were both as beautiful and talented as any actress of their time (or any time for that matter) – many of whom ARE household names.

John Wayne, Charlene Holt, and Robert Mitchum in a publicity photo for El Dorado.

Charlene Holt (1928 – 1996) was a brunette beauty with a decidedly exotic face. The combination, no doubt, helped her win “Miss Maryland” in 1956 . She played opposite The Duke in El Dorado and more than held her own. I wish she had been given more to do in El Dorado but I look forward to rounding up and watching the rest of her movies. Sadly, this won’t take long as there aren’t many. What’s more, quite a few of these movies list her as “uncredited.”

Holt appeared in several TV commercials in 1958 and reportedly signed a $50,000-a-year model contract in New York at age 19. Apparently she was spotted in a Revlon lipstick commercial by director Howard Hawks who then cast her in several of his films, including El Dorado.

Michele Carey played spirited, though at times misguided, Josephine in El Dorado. Overall, the character of “Joey” wasn’t quite as likable (or grounded) as Maudie (Holt). However, the viewer can’t help but be struck by Carey’s beauty and screen presence. She was a Jennifer Aniston type before there was a Jennifer Aniston.

I’ve seen so many movies, and watch old and new movies so often, that I always recognize a face before I’m able to place where I’ve seen it. It can be a pain in the neck sometimes – as well as a strain on the brain. I’ll see an actor or actress and KNOW I’ve seen them in something else. Sometimes it isn’t until after the movie’s over that I realize where it was. I knew I”d seen Michele Carey’s adorable face before – but it wasn’t until the next day that I realized it had been in an Elvis movie. She was Elvis’ leading lady, Bernice, in Live a Little, Love a Little.

During El Dorado, each time Michele Carey was on the screen, I kept trying to come up with where I’d seen her before. For some reason, I kept associating her with a dog. I also knew that what’d I’d seen her in before was a comedy. Finally, the next day it hit me – she was Bernice in Live a Little, Love a Little and the dog in question was Albert.

I also recognized Christopher George’s face (he played the “famous gunfighter” and The Duke’s main rival). He’d been on an episode of Bewitched… as a warlock no less! I loved him in El Dorado. He played a dirt bag with real style. If you’re going to be a dirt back, by all means be stylish about it.

The cast of El Dorado was nothing short of perfection. Great cast, a memorable sidekick (Bull), and a lot of fun make El Dorado a movie you’ll want to see.

El Dorado Giclee Prints:

El Dorado, 1967

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El Dorado, 1967

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El Dorado, 1967

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Photos from El Dorado:

El Dorado
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Robert Mitchum -…
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Buy El Dorado on Amazon today – that way you’ll never have to sit through a gazillion and one commercials. The Duke will be just an arm’s reach away whenever you need him.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes Movie Review: A Dark Beauty

by Joi

This might be the toughest movie review I’ve ever written! Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a movie I had looked forward to for what seems like years. I was (and am) the biggest fan in the world of the deliciously entertaining original Planet of the Apes movies. I’ve seen them too many times to even try to count and totally lost myself within each one each and every time.

So to say I anxiously awaited Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a major understatement.

Oddly enough, I’m really torn over the movie. On the positive side, it was as well done as any movie I’ve ever seen. The effects never…. not once… seemed like effects. The directing, editing, acting, costumes makeup, writing – everything, in every possible way, was flawless perfection. It flowed seamlessly and the “tributes” and “shout outs” to the original movies were a special treat. For example, Caesar, at one point, plays with a Statue of Liberty toy – a shout out to the epic scene at the end of the original Planet of the Apes movie.

Make no mistake about it, the movie is exceptional and one that you’ll probably want to see and probably should see. The only reason I say probably is this: Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a dark and, at times, disturbingly sad movie. It won’t hit everyone the same way, however. I, admittedly, am the very definition of animal lover – so, for me, it was so bad several times that I looked away.

It occurred to me, today, where the problem actually lies. For those of us who love animals to distraction, we think of them much as we do children. Let’s be honest, animals are very, very childlike. Caesar is even portrayed much like a child early in the movie. So to see this childlike animal abused (emotionally and physically) is simply too much.

As I said, not everyone will be affected the same way but for me and two of my daughters who saw the movie with me – it was too dark, too emotionally draining, and too sad. It’s really a shame, to be honest, because this movie was in all other ways outstanding. If they had removed a couple of scenes, I would be here tapping frantically on the keyboard’s keys raving about the wonderful movie. Instead, here I sit telling you that, if you (too) are a highly compassionate, emphatic animal lover – you might want to wait for the sequel.

On the other hand, if you think you can detach emotionally, I have to admit – Rise of the Planet of the Apes is pretty amazing in all other ways. If this movie doesn’t do well when Oscar nominations come out, one of two things will be to blame:

The committee is made up of people who don’t actually watch movies.
The committee is made up of people who love animals as much as I do!

The acting is nothing short of amazing. Andy Serkis (Caesar), James Franco, and John Lithgow are in leagues of their own and they flaunt it beautifully in Rise of the Planet of the Apes. As I said, it is extremely well done and more people than not will enjoy the ride.

If only they’d just tugged a little on the heart strings instead of yanking. And yanking. And yanking. And yanking….

I Am Number 4 Review: See the Movie!

by Joi

I’ll just cut right to the chase. I Am Number 4 is outstanding. See the movie.

What? Too short? Too simple?

You’re right, of course. A review has to tell you more than “See the movie.” So, I’ll take it a little further. However, in the end, the premise will be the same. I Am Number 4 is outstanding. See the movie.

I have to admit, I was VERY pleasantly surprised by I Am Number 4. Over the past year, I’d seen probably three different trailers for the movie and only one of them made me think, “This might be good.” If you’ll notice, even then it was “…might be good.” However, I’ve been a fanatical movie and trailer lover long enough to know that as fantastically entertaining as they are, trailers aren’t always a flawless representation of the movie.

For example:

The original Iron Man trailer in NO WAY did it justice. My contrast, the second Iron Man movie in NO WAY did its trailer justice.
The trailer for The American, with George Clooney, and the trailer for The Tourist, with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie each had more action than the actual movies. I liked the movies, but I loved the trailers.
Zombieland is another movie that comes to mind. When my husband bought tickets, I thought he’d lost his mind. The trailer, to me, looked utterly ridiculous and I expected to see one of the lamest movies of all time. Surprise! The movie was one of the funniest. Ever.
Tron’s trailer convinced me that it would be a movie I’d have to be dragged to, but again my Mr. Right saw something I’d missed and bought tickets. I still haven’t picked my jaw up from the floor. Tron is one of the most outstanding movies of the past year. Excellent dialogue, killer action, and superb acting. Loved it.

So, you can’t always tell by the trailer. I Am Number 4 is one of those movies that far exceeds what its trailer implies. In fact, as we walked from the theater, through the lobby, and out to the parking lot, I overheard 3 different people saying as much.

Critics are something else you have to only half listen to. Especially the ones that work for USA Today. I LOVE the newspaper, I honestly do, but their critics pretty much hate everything! What’s more, they’re usually 110 percent off the mark, even with their criticisms (which come hard and fast). Critics simply enjoy being critical. I think it floats their boat. Any critic who doesn’t like I Am Number 4 probably doesn’t like Betty White.

Here’s a sure-fire test for judging which critics you should listen to: Read their past reviews, particularly their reviews for movies you liked, loved, and hated. If you find any critic who even comes close to your opinions, feel free to read their reviews with an open mind. But just between you and me, you aren’t going to find very many they like.

John (Alex Pettyfer) is an extraordinary teen, for reasons that’ll play out in the movie. He lives with Henri (Timothy Olyphat) and has to hide his true identity from everyone.

Henri wants John to live a reclusive life but John insists on attending a typical high school student and making friends like “normal” kids. He befriends a young man named Sam (Callan McAuliffe) and becomes especially close to the beautiful Sarah (Dianna Agron).

Sam and John share a common enemy in the school’s star athlete and bully, Mark (Jake Abel – pictured on the left). However, the group of beasts (led by Kevin Durand’s character) are far deadlier than Mark and his friends could ever hope to be. They’re hot on John trail.

Three like him have already been killed … he is Number Four.

Teresa Palmer

I Am Number 4 is perfectly cast and should prove to be the breakout movie for Teresa Palmer. Her part isn’t a large one (in fact, although I loved the movie, I’d have loved to have seen more of this engaging young actress). The rest of the cast is dead on perfect as well. Alex Pettyfer proves he has what it takes to be a lead actor, Glee’s Dianna Agron makes the transition from small screen to big screen effortlessly, Timothy Olyphat is as perfect as always, and Callan McAuliffe is adorable as Sam.

Kevin Durand

Another actor you may (or for reasons that’ll be obvious) or may not recognize is Kevin Durand. He’s one of those actors who most of us know on sight, but most don’t know his name. Suffice to say, he’s the best actor you don’t know. The man is never not awesome. Kevin Durand played Martin Keamy on LOST, Little John in the 2010 Robin Hood, Gabriel in Legion, Tucker in 3:10 to Yuma, and he’s a decidedly evil Mogadorian Commander in I Am Number 4.

CAST
Alex Pettyfer as John
Timothy Olyphant as Henri
Teresa Palmer as Number 6
Dianna Agron as Sarah
Callan McAuliffe as Sam
Jake Abel as Mark
Kevin Durand as Mogadorian Commander

I Am Number 4 boasts a really strong cast with a great amount of energy and chemistry. Timothy Olyphat and Kevin Durand are already established, outstanding actors with very impressive bodies of work. The young cast surrounding them will one day (one day soon, mark my words) be stars in their own rights. Each and every single one of them.

I Am Number 4 is more fun than should be legal. Ignore the critics (who must not even be watching) and simply see the movie. You’ll love every minute.

Justified Season 2 Premieres Toinght on FX!

by Joi

The best drama (and possibly even show, period) on tv is Justified. Bold statement, eh? Well, it’s a bold, wonderful, highly unique and deliciously outstanding show, so my bold statement is… I’m sure you see it coming… justified. Shows like this deserve bold statements – and fanatical followings. So what follows is one bold fanatic’s review of a show she, her husband, and her cat are all madly in love with.

Unfortunately, Justified aired its first season opposite a show that I’ve watched religiously (and loved muchly) since it first aired, The Biggest Loser. My husband watched Justified while my daughters and I watched Losers. He raved about it so much I wanted to watch it but Bob and Jillian would have came looking for me. I’m nothing if not scared of fit little trainers, so I missed Justified the first time around. However, our oldest daughter Emily bought my husband the Justified: The Complete First Season dvd set (love that girl!). Michael and I have watched the entire series as well as the “Features.” Be sure that, when you buy and watch the dvds (and I know you will), you don’t watch the features until AFTER you’ve seen the complete season. Remember that… very important!

Justified is the story of Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (played to absolute, stupefying perfection by Timothy Olyphant), an engaging hero from eastern Kentucky. With his Stetson, killer wit, cowboy boots, and forever-ready sidearm in his hip holster, Raylan’s a tv character that’s truly larger than life.

Not since Magnum (Tom Selleck) has there been a character who commands the screen and captures the viewer’s imagination like this.

Another bold statement.

While I’m on a role, I’ll go one step further. There have been a handful of television shows that were so perfectly cast you’d think the casting department answered to God, Himself. Given the state of the world today, God has His hands full, so we’ll just give credit to the STELLAR casting department. Justified – with their regular cast as well as delicious guest stars – is right up there with Friends, LOST, and ER.

The character of Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens was created by America’s pre-eminent crime novelist Elmore Leonard (Get Shorty, Out of Sight) and is played by Timothy Olyphant (Deadwood, Live Free or Die Hard). The Chief Deputy of the Lexington USMS office is Art Mullen, played by Nick Searcy (Cast Away, From the Earth to the Moon). Working alongside Raylan are fellow deputies Tim Gutterson – played by Jacob Pitts (The Pacific) – and Rachel Brooks – played by the gorgeous and talented Erica Tazel (Life, The Office). Raylan, Art and the other deputies do what all U.S. Marshals do – chase down fugitives, protect witnesses, transport prisoners. Their rapport is one of the best things about the series.

Beautiful and talented Natalie Zea (The Other Guys) is Raylan’s ex-wife, Winona Hawkins and the equally lovely and talented Joelle Carter (American Pie 2) plays Ava Crowder, a woman involved with Raylan. Both of these characters are a lot of fun to watch – you really aren’t sure what either one’s going to do next. Their emotions shoot from the hip as freely and passionately as Raylan’s gun.

Suffice to say, the show would in no way be the same without them.

Fellow LOST fanatics will recognize M.C. Gainey as Bo Crowder. Gainey is an absolute genius. How he’s managed to keep from having an entire television series built around him is beyond me. The man’s mesmerizing. Speaking of mesmerizing, the cast members below are extraordinary as well.

David Meunier (Johnny Crowder)
Damon Herriman (Dewey Crowe)
Nick Searcy (Chief Deputy Art Mullen)
Jacob Pitts (Tim Gutterson)
Erica Tazel (Rachel Brooks)
Linda Gehringer (Helen Givens)
Raymond J. Barry (Arlo Givens)

Along with Timothy Olyphat, one of the show’s biggest weapons is the brilliant actor Walton Goggins (Boyd Crowder). Goggins once said, “I don’t take a scene or word for granted.” Can you say APPARENTLY!?!? This actor is the type that simply isn’t fair to his cast mates, the scenery, the wardrobe department… When he’s on the screen (especially when he’s lost in such a compelling character), nothing and no one else exists.

The writing, the scenery, the chemistry amongst the stellar cast, the dialogue… even the dead-on wardrobe (as a Kentuckian, myself, I can attest to the fact that the wardrobe department has done their homework!) – everything is breathtaking. Everything is flawless.

The cast is so perfect it’s unsettling, the music makes you remember why you fell in love with music in the first place, and the dialogue leaves you speechless.

For people like my husband and myself – a couple of people who love to grab snacks, sit down with our cat Alexa, and just lose ourselves in a great television show – Justified is, in a word, magic. I’d rave more but I have a pot roast with vegetables to bake as well as banana pudding to fix. After all, I’m expecting magic tonight.

Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie in The Tourist: A Review

by Joi

Two of my favorite current stars are Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, so when I heard they were doing a movie together, I flew over the moon like no one has ever flown over the moon before. Their beautiful movie, The Tourist, didn’t exactly get rave reviews but it did snag three Golden Globe nominations. Personally, I thought it was a very well done and beautiful movie. The scenery was gorgeous and the story, itself, was killer.

I think the trailers may have set it up for failure – as did the suggested “adventure.” The Tourist is more a love story – a good, old-fashioned love story starring two of the greatest actors of our time. Why it wasn’t simply promoted as a love story is beyond me. It was a throwback type of movie – to a time when movies were more about the characters and their emotions. It wasn’t so much about guns and violence (although they were certainly involved). It was more about these two characters and what they were willing to do for love.

The Tourist wasn’t as good, in my opinion, as Johnny Depp’s Public Enemy or Angelina Jolie’s Salt (two of their recent powerhouse movies) – but, if you watch it expecting a beautiful movie with a love story, you’ll enjoy it a great deal. If you watch expecting the adventure of Salt or Public Enemies (two really, really exceptional movies) – you’ll walk away shaking (and scratching) your head.

The Tourist….. a love story!….. is available on DVD and Blu-ray from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie, who were both up for Golden Globes for their roles in the film, star in the gorgeous adventure about a mysterious woman and an awkward American who become involved in an international web of intrigue, romance and danger in breath-takingly beautiful Venice.

The Tourist earned three Golden Globe nominations, including best picture. Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp also earned Golden Globe nominations.

I actually collect BOTH Angelina Jolie dvds AND Johnny Depp dvds, so I’m be all over this one.

Watch The Blind Side: It’ll Touch Your Heart

by Joi

The Blind Side

My husband and I went to see Sandra Bullock’s new movie, The Blind Side, last night. She’s one of my favorite actresses – so if she’s in it, I’m there. This was probably her best performance ever and was one of my favorite Sandra Bullock movies… heck, it was one of my favorite movies, period.

I love for a movie to have a great time – and this one most certainly did. I also love for a movie to touch my emotions and move them. The Blind Side moved me the way Michael Oher moves members of the opposing team!

Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw are flawless as Leigh Ann and Sean Tuohy. Sandra Bullock is better than ever, in a role that could easily have been overplayed, overdone, and overcooked. She delivers a perfectly understated, dead on, wonderful performance. I didn’t know what to expect from Country superstar Tim McGraw, but he isn’t Country superstar Tim McGraw in this movie… he’s actor Tim McGraw, who also happens to sing. The casting department took a big chance in casting him in this role and he didn’t let them down one bit. He nailed it. As a fan, I was thrilled.

Young Jae Head (Hancock) is a scene stealer in every sense of the word as the Tuohy’s youngest child. He is absolutely adorable and provides many of the film’s laughs. Quinton Aaron (Michael Oher) is also outstanding in a role that he brought so much heart and soul to. I can’t wait to see what’s next for this young man.

A lovely new face, British actress Lily Collins, plays the Touy’s daughter (Collins) in the film. There’s something about this young lady that reminds me of another one of my favorite acttesses, Keira Knightley. That – needless to say – could serve her very well!

You really have to see this wonderful movie – you’ll be so glad you did.

Snake Eyes Poster – GI Joe, The Rise of Cobra

by Joi

G.I. Joe – Snake Eyes Poster
Buy at AllPosters.com

Here’s a little trivia I found fascinating. Ray Park plays “Snake Eyes” in GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra. He played “Toad” in X-Men (2000) and was Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999).

Ray Park has won numerous championships and medals after falling in love with martial arts at the age of 7.