A Movie Review: Non-Stop

Non-Stop. I really enjoyed this movie.  I think over-all it is well constructed.  My perhaps one big issue is that I doubt the premise of this movie is even possible.  Luckily, the reason how this plane ultimately ends up in its predicament isn't revealed until later in the movie once you're already engaged with it.

And in many ways, this movie is better than Taken 2.  So let's call this movie Taken 4.  We have Taken, Taken 2, Unknown and Non-Stop.  

A Movie Review: Captain Blood

Captain Blood. I've been watching some older movies recently.  I was scanning through TCM and saw that Captain Blood was being shown.  I haven't seen this movie in probably over a decade.  I decided to catch it again.  I remember just loving this movie when I was young.

What did I think about it on a re-watch.  During the last few minutes of this movie, I remember thinking:  I know exactly how it is going to end and I can't wait to see the final moments.

I have to admit that now with CGI the various action sequences in Captain Blood kind of make you giggle, but putting that aside this movie is a fun romp.  Errol Flynn does have a smooth, charismatic style.  

And is there a major blunder in this film?  I swear that when Captain Blood takes on fellow pirate Levasseur that you a) see Levasseur open his eyes after he is killed and b) that the same scene of the ocean waters coming over Levasseur is repeated twice.  I looked this up on IMDB and a mention of Levasseur's eyes blinking is listed as a mistake.

Eagle Rock Gospel Singers at The Satellite

Eagle Rock Gospel Singers. We're hitting the Easter season.  What better way to spend it, but to listen to some gospel music on a Monday night.

Chantal Claret at The Satellite

Chantal Claret. For her second song, she gathered us all together into a circle on the floor and sang her song in the middle of it all. Cool.

As her set was ending, I couldn't help but think I was listening to The Dollyrots.  Chantal's energy is infectious.

The Elovay at Silverlake Lounge

The Elovay.  Diverse in ethnicity.  Diverse in influences.

The Janks at The Viper Room

The Janks.  Brothers who jam.

Little Wild at The Viper Room

Little Wild. I walked in a little late during their set.  It took but a second to get into their set.

Busy Living at The Satellite

Busy Living equals energetic music.

FIM at The Satellite

FIM. They call their music genre Space Fracking.  Okay, it makes sense to me.  Their music jumps all over the place and honestly seems like it could be from outer space.  And it all works in a fun way.

What I enjoyed about Oscars 2014

Did Jennifer Lawrence beg Pharrell Williams to pass her by as he encouraged various stars to dance with him?

I loved how one of the Oscar winners' (I think it was a winner of a short) hands were just shaking like mad as he was reading his speech.  Hey, I'd be one nervous dude winning an award surrounded by far more famous people.

I loved how Jared Leto looked into the camera as he was grabbing a slice of pizza and said something such as, "It's for my mother."  I did a little research on this.  It appears Jared is a vegan and so perhaps this message was for his vegan fans who would have had some serious questions for him.

It was cool how Brad Pitt was helping hand out paper plates.

I liked Matthew McConaughey's rambling acceptance speech.

I loved the selfie photo moment.

My one disappointment:  I really wished The Wolf of Wall Street had won best picture.

My Fall/Winter 2014 movie rankings

Best Picture Nomination Worthy

The Wolf of Wall Street
American Hustle
Her
Saving Mr. Banks
Inside Llewyn Davis
All Is Lost

Just Short of a Nomination

August:  Osage County
Captain Phillips

Solid

Nebraska
Rush
Gravity
About Time
Dallas Buyers Club

Mixed Feelings

12 Years a Slave
The Hunger Games:  Catching Fire

Waste

Anchorman 2
The Hobbit:  The Desolation of Smaug

A Movie Review: American Hustle

American Hustle. Jennifer Lawrence is the comic relief in a very funny movie. Need I say more?  Okay, maybe a little more.  Everyone does a great job acting in this movie -- not just Lawrence -- and you'll find yourself laughing throughout.

A Movie Review: Her

Her. We’re off in the not too distant future. What first caught my eye wasn’t how wonderful this movie is, but the set design. The not too distant future has us returning back to the style from the 1950s. Interesting. What is more interesting is this quirky love story that in the back of your mind you know might someday become reality.