THE RITE, PG-13 ( 1 hr & 52 min )

where:  CENTURY 14 VALLEJO in Vallejo, CA
when:  Friday, January 28th, 2011
show:  11:20 a.m. ( Extra Dollar Off First Show Matinee )
costs:  $6.25 Ticket + $4.50 Pretzel Bites + $4.00 small Diet/Zero ( w/ Barq's & Cherry flavors ) Coke = $14.75
auditorium:  1
seat:  4th row, 8th column

synopsis/overview:  Michael Kovak ( Colin O'Donoghue ) has doubts about his religious calling.  Fate intervenes as he starts to leave the seminary school.  Reluctantly, he goes to the Vatican to attend a course in Exorcism.  Soon, he finds himself under the tutelage of an unorthodox exorcist, Father Lucas ( Anthony Hopkins ).  His skepticism is soon put to the test.

noteworthy scenes:  1.) Funeral home; 2.) "Such faith"; 3.) Final vow; 4.) Theology; 5.) Dorm; 6.) Accident; 7.) New program; 8.) "I'm guessing there's no cable"; 9.) Exorcism school; 10.) "Ex-girlfriend"; 11.) Cats; 12.) "Why don't you say so"; 13.) "Knowledge of  the unknowable"; 14.) Cellphone; 15.) "Okay, that's it"; 16.) "No proof of the Devil is proof of the Devil"; 17.) McDonald's restaurant; 18.) Bracelet; 19.) Nails; 20.) "Choosing not to believe in the Devil won't protect you from him"; 21.) Flashback; 22.) Mule kicks; 23.) Frog; 24.) Hospital; 25.) "You forgot your bag of tricks"; 26.) Hemorrhage; 27.) Accident; 28.) Bad news; 29.) "You gotta be f--king kidding me"; 30.) 'Phone call; 31.) Mule; 32.) Prophecy; 33.) Little girl; 34.) "The terror is real"; 35.) Upside-down crosses; 36.) "An old friend"; 37.) Haunting words; 38.) "It's more than just saying the words"; 39.) Tender moment; 40.) Round two; 41.) "Oopsy-daisy"; 42.) Crucifix; 43.) Baal; 44.) "Faith becomes you"; 45.) Magazine article; and 46.) Confessional booth.

favorite scenes:  Seminary students playing a violent video game in their dorm room.

The cellphone scene.

audience reaction:   The audience found some scenes amusing.

recommendation:  I didn't like this in particular.  The only scary scene in this movie doesn't even involve an entity at all but a cat!  And how "scary" is that?  'Not scary to a man but to a mouse, maybe.  So, are you a man or a mouse?  Go see this movie expecting it to be a Comedy film, not a Horror movie.

spoiler alert!  The driver who hit the cyclist wasn't really all panicky and/or guilt-ridden.  Cats do come when you call them, especially if they've  learned to associate their name with food in a Pavlovian sort of way.  Heck, if you want the cats to come running, all you need to do is turn-on an automatic can opener!  So, you're there in the presence of a demon-possessed person who exhibits the supernatural ability of knowing the unknowable--Heck! I'd ask it for the winning lottery numbers ( on many draws, if that's possible ) if I were the seminary student.  After all, leaving the seminary means that his scholarship will be turned into a $100,000.oo tuition fee, instead.  He should have jumped at that opportunity to get his hands on some easy money.  Ha, ha, ha.  Cellphone! hell, is there no sanctity in anything anymore?  Why would a priest use an innocent little creature for his parlor trick and dispose of it cruelly, without regard, in the fire?  Don't they have a Humane Society at the Vatican to report animal cruelty and animal abuse to?  Or does the Vatican condone such instances of  animal "sacrifice"?  Why wasn't there a single priest to perform Last Rites on the accident victim?  After all, we're talking about the Vatican where there are  tons of priests to begin with.  Why didn't any one of the accident responders cover the  victim for the sake of dignity instead of leaving her there as a macabre spectacle  to be ogled by the "rubber-neckers"?

fyi:   New Testament of the Bible, Luke 11:24-26 ( King James Version ) reads ...

24-When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man,  it walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
25-And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
26-Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

This above quotation is very telling of the kind of exorcism that priests do.  It's not really an exorcism but a means of letting in more demons into this world for such exorcists only perform "the power to loosen", not "the power to bind."  Jesus Christ talked about these powers; look them up for yourselves.  If you have not been Divinely-empowered by the Holy Spirit to "loosen" then to "bind", you have no business at all performing exorcisms because you're actually doing more harm than good!

New Testament of the Bible, Matthew 7:21-23 ( New International Version ) reads ...

21-"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22-Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?
23-Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!'

To learn more on why the kind of exorcism performed in this movie does not have a scriptural basis to it whatsoever, please read my blog on THE LAST EXORCISM ( 4th week of  August, 2010 ).

Saint Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, is believed to have been crucified upside-down because he felt unworthy of dying a martyr's death in the manner of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.   In Satan Worship, the upside-down cross is a symbol of the Devil.  Likewise, the  Peace Sign, a circle with the letters "Y" and "I" superimposed one upon the  other and turned upside-down in its center, is a stylized version of  this evil symbol, according to some christian evangelists.  Give "peace" a chance, my ass!

Baal is supposedly the first spirit to be cast-out by God, which would make him the Devil.  Baal, and other such lower spirit entities, thrives  on the energy given-off  by idol worshippers.  This is why one of the Ten Commandments specifically says not to practice Idolatry!

word of advice:  Demonic possession is no laughing matter.

tidbits:  Less than an hour into the movie, I started to squirm in my seat because my bladder wanted to be emptied.  I didn't want to go to the men's room in the middle of the movie for fear of missing-out on an important scene, especially since I was reviewing the movie.  So, I squirmed and held it in  impatiently throughout the rest of the movie.  And as soon as the Cast of Characters in the Ending Credits started rolling, I upped and left, taking care not to stand up straight or end-up having an embarrassing incontinent moment!  'Served me right for finishing my soda too soon instead of  taking little sips every now and then.

After the movie, I went to Chase Bank to make a deposit.  My favorite teller was there to help me with my deposit.

Then, I went to the Dollar Tree Store to buy some stuff.

The cashier at the dollar store was very unprofessional in more ways than one:  Not acknowledging the customer's presence, chewing gum and  chewing it with her mouth open, not greeting the customer  and  not giving a parting comment.  Who trained her--or who didn't train her for that matter?  Oh, how I wish I were a "Secret Shopper" right there and then!

As I traveled on Admiral Callahan Lane between the Target Shopping Center and the Avery Green Honda Dealership, I noticed a recliner, an ottoman, and a chaise lounge right there in that empty lot were undocumented day laborers hang-out waiting for a job offer.  Some of these laborers must be making good money in this bad economy to be able to afford furniture.  Wow! ( And this gives new meaning to "Outdoor Furniture." )

attention:  Voting for the Weblog Awards begins on the 1st of February.  Those of you who nominated my weblog in one or more categories, and those of  you who chose me as one of the nominees,  should check your e-mail next week to see when you can submit your votes.  Thank you--and wish me LUCK!

THE WAY BACK, PG-13 ( 2 hr & 12 min )

where:  EDWARDS FAIRFIELD STADIUM 16 & I-MAX in Fairfield, CA
when:  Saturday, January 22nd, 2011
show:  9:25 p.m.
costs:  $11.00 Ticket + $1.00 medium Popcorn ( Dollar upgrade on a Free Small Popcorn on my  Regal Movie Watcher Rewards Card ) + $4.75 small Diet Coke = $16.75
auditorium:  13
seat:  5th row, Seat 5

synopsis/overview:   This movie is based on a true story about a small group of prisoners who escaped from a Siberian gulag sometime in the early part of  WWII and walked 4,000 miles to freedom.

noteworthy scenes: 1.)  Drummed-up charges; 2.) "Siberia is your prison"; 3.) "Kindness, that can kill you here"; 4.) Sweater; 5.) Old folk remedy; 6.) "They will die free men; 7.) Forest shelter; 8.) Down in the mine; 9.) Escape; 10.) Tree bark; 11.) "Grateful is for dogs"; 12.)  "South, to Lake Baikal";  13.) "Three to four weeks"; 14.) "I don't eat fish"; 15.) Night blindness; 16.) Meat; 17.) Scout; 18.) The lake; 19.) The follower; 20.) Deer; 21.) Irena ( Saoirse Ronan ); 22.) Soap; 23.) Shave; 24.) Crossing the lake; 25.) Parents; 26.) "We've had enough lies"; 27.) "It's my birthday"; 28.) Campfire song; 29.) Mosquito repellent; 30.) Blistered foot; 31.) Crucifix; 32.) "Thank you, Mother Russia"; 33.) Good luck and goodbye; 34.) "They're communists"; 35.) Buddhist temple; 36.) Himalayas; 37.) "Double the salt"; 38.) Horsemen; 39.) "That's south"; 40.) "We're already dying"; 41.) "Mirages don't have birds"; 42.) "It was a miracle finding this.  Can we count on another"; 43.) Sandstorm; 44.) Small stones; 45.) Sunstroke; 46.) "It's okay"; 47.) "You look worse"; 48.) Snake; 49.) "Tastes like chicken"; 50.) Punishment; 51.) "I have to get back"; 52.) Great Wall of China; 53.) Tibet; 54.) Lhasa; 55.) "I'll cook his chicken"; 56.) "He's gone"; 57.) Passport; and 58.) Back home again.

audience reaction:  The audience liked this movie.  And a man in the audience said, "That was good."

recommendation:  I liked this movie, too.  It is a testament to the triumph of the  indomitable spirit of  man in the face of  seemingly insurmountable odds.  Go see this inspirational movie.

spoiler alert!  The one who suffered from night blindness should have kept on calling out his comrades' names.  It would have been safer had they crossed the frozen part of the lake while laying flat on their bellies, Penguin-style ( plain, simple Physics ).  Valka ( Colin  Farrell ) killed the dog, but why didn't he take it with him since they all could use all the meat that they could  get their hands on?  They could have done certain things to help the sun stroke victims.  They should have known better than to walk across the desert in the blazing sun when it would have made more sense to do so at night when the temperature was much cooler.  Of course, these observations of mine are negated by the fact that this movie is based on a true story; and I don't know how much of it is truth-based and how much of it is made-up stuff for dramatic purposes.

fyi:  The best way to keep from getting dehydrated fast in the desert is to keep one's mouth shut.  I learned this in my Cultural Anthropology class.

Lake Baikal is the oldest and deepest lake in the whole wide world.  And the locals believe that Jesus Christ visited and blest this area.

The Buryats are the indigenous people of  Lake Baikal, shown in the movie with mosquito repellents.  You  probably have heard of one of them:  The late Hollywood actor,  Yul Brynner ( born  in 1920 as Yuliy Borisovich Bryner ), was part Buryat.

word of advice:  "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."  New Testament, Matthew 26:41

tidbits:   When the concessions clerk asked me if  I wanted to upgrade my free popcorn to a medium "for just a dollar more," I foolishly said, Yes.  I of all people should know better than to get more popcorn than I can eat while writing down  notes on  a movie that I'm watching.  Never again--despite what Justin Bieber has to say about it in his upcoming movie!

On Thursday, somebody told me that Wal-Mart is laying-off people because business is slow even for the mega-box, cut-throat retail monopoly.  Boy! talk about bad economy.  Curious about it, I swung by the new Wal-Mart Super Center in Fairfield after watching this  movie.  It was a minute past midnight when I walked in through their doors.  I saw more employees than I did customers.  I went there to buy some rotisserie chicken, but they were out of if because, I guess, the rotisserie staff was cut back.

So I went to Food Max supermarket on West Texas in Fairfield.  They didn't have rotisserie chicken, either!

Now, what was I supposed to do with that big pot of rice that I cooked just a few hours before  and which was eagerly anticipating  the arrival of  some rotisserie chicken to tango with in my mouth?  One last chance ....

When I got back to Vallejo, I made a bee-line for the Food-4-Less supermarket.  The patron saint of   rotisserie chicken cravers--would that be Col. Sanders--had answered my prayer: Half a dozen rotisserie chickens to choose from.  Hallelujah!  Third time's a charm.  I was happy and, more importantly, my tummy was happy.

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BHUTTO, NR ( 1 hr & 55 min )

June 21st, 1953 - December 27th, 2007

where:  SHATTUCK  CINEMAS in Berkeley,  CA
when:  Thursday, January 20th, 2011
show:  9:15 p.m.
costs:  $10.00 Ticket + $5.50 small Popcorn w/ Butter + $0.00 ( Free on a Movie Rewards Card ) medium Sprite Zero +  $8.73 Lee's Big Burger w/ drink ( Sobe Lean Cranberry Grapefruit ) @ Alohana Hawaiian Grill + $3.50 Bart Train Ticket + $5.00 Carquinez Bridge Toll = $32.73
auditorium:  8
seat:  Left section,  3rd column

synopsis/overview:   This is a documentary on the life, and the assassination, of  Pakistan's champion for democracy and the first-ever  female Prime Minister of a Muslim State, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.


noteworthy scenes:  1.) "Three weeks in mourning"; 2.  Without compare; 3.) "I'm better than you"; 4.) "Kennedys of Pakistan"; 5.) "Not a lesser creature"; 6.) Burqa; 7.) Power of the people; 8.) No surrender; 9.) Nuclear power; 10,) "We will make a horrible example out of you"; 11.) "Tonight, I'll be free"; 12.) Like father, like daughter; 13.)  Sharia Law; 14.) Soviets in Afghanistan; 15.) University of Nebraska; 16.) Class "C" cell; 17.)  Lockjaw; 18.)  Mujaheddin; 19.) House arrest; 20.) Poison; 21.) Groundswell of support; 22.)  Overwhelming odds; 23.) Arraigned marriage; 24.) Wedding/Campaign; 25.) Vote over Bullet; 26.) Switched pregnancy records; 27.) Plane crash; 28.) Avenged; 29.) Polio eradication; 30.) Women police; 31.) "Democracy is the best revenge"; 32.) "Mr. 10%"; 33.) Disqualification; 34.) Alleged corruption; 35.) "The Princess and the Playboy"; 36.) Sacrifice; 37.) Frankenstein; 38.) Family feud; 39.) Reconciliation; 40.) Corruption; 41.) Benazir's niece; 42.) Political victimization; 43.) "Islamic Bomb"; 44.) Addendum; 45.) Political madrassas; 46.) "We must be parties with the United States on this"; 47.) "Not the source, not the cause"; 48.) "'Religious pilgrimage' to North Korea"; 49.) "Eleven years in prison, no conviction"; 50.) Homeward bound; 51.) "Behind the glass"; 52.) "Rose petals" [ i.e. human flesh ]; 53.) "Life is in God's Hands"; 54.)  Ominous 'Happy Birthday' greeting; 55.) Invincible; 56.) Assassination; 57.) E-mail; and 58.) "The day does come when you see the response to your struggle."

audience reaction:  The audience liked this Documentary.  But we all left the auditorium in a somewhat somber mood.

recommendation:  I liked it, too.  Watching this Documentary is well-worth anyone's time.

spoiler alert!  There are three  grisly scenes:  That which shows two cadavers of men killed by the Taliban; and the gruesome aftermath scenes of  two  suicide bombings.

And I guess that they don't like using seatbelts in Pakistan.
 
fyi:  I was saddened upon hearing word of  Benazir's assassination for, you see, I admired her and even had a crush on her.  I felt  sorry for the Pakistani people and grieved with them on their great loss, a senseless hate-filled Tragedy.  Seeing this movie was my way of  paying my last respects to a great woman.

I didn't know that Benazir was half Iranian, on her mother's side.

I had two male Pakistani Muslim co-workers at one time.  I asked them what they thought of  Bhutto.  They both said that she had a corrupt government because of her husband, Asif Ali Zardari.  Interestingly,  even though Zardari was jailed for eleven long years  he  was never convicted of any crime; most likely, he was an innocent victim of  a smear campaign by Bhutto's political opponents.

Benazir's  bedroom in the Bhutto residence in Dubai is permanently locked because her widower,  Asif,  and their children don't want her "scent" to fade away.

One of Benazir's website is offered for sale.  I think that they should just keep it as a legacy to the Pakistan Peoples Party ( PPP ) until her son, and political heir, Bilawal, is ready to assume the role  as its leader.  Then, they can just update the website and keep it current.

Don't think for a moment that Russia is no longer a superpower.  It is actually more powerful now than it ever was during the Cold War.

word of advice:  Don't take anyone at face value.

tidbits:  I arrived in Downtown Berkeley about an hour before the movie was to start.  I double-checked with a Bart Train Station Agent to make sure that there were late trains running since the movie would end at 11:10 p.m.  The agent told me that the last train was scheduled to arrive at 12:45 a.m.

Since I had time to grab a bite to eat before the movie started, I decided to try out the Alohana Hawaiian Grill.

Don't waste your money on a Lee's Big Burger.  It doesn't come with  "secret sauce" ( thousand island dressing ) or ketchup and mustard; the only condiment slathered on it is mayonnaise.  Yuck!  But the chunky-cut French Fries that it comes with is tasty and not salty.

Before dawn today, I signed-up for Landmark's Movie Watcher Rewards Card on the Internet approximately 19 hours before this movie's 9:15 p.m. showtime. 


attention:   The Finalists Selection of  the most-nominated weblogs for the 2011 Weblog Awards began on the 19th of this month, and will continue on until the 24th.   If you have been randomly selected to participate in the selection process, please choose my weblog a.s.a.p. since you only have two more days left.  And the sooner that you choose my weblog, the better.  Thank you.

THE GREEN HORNET, in I-Max 3-D, PG-13 ( 1 hr & 48 min )

where:  EDWARDS FAIRFIELD STADIUM 16 & 1-MAX in Fairfield, CA
when:  Friday, January 14th, 2011
show:  12:01 a.m.
costs:  $17.50 Ticket + $6.25 Nachos + $4.75 small Diet Coke = $28.50
auditorium:  12, with the I-Max screen
seat:  4th row, 5th seat

synopsis/overview:   Britt Reid ( Seth Rogen ) lives the life of  an irresponsible  party animal bachelor until his father's mysterious death.  Shortly thereafter, he strikes a friendship with his father's most inventive employee, Kato ( Jay Chou ), over a cup of good coffee.  Then, an unexpected  circumstance makes them discover the way to make something meaningful of their lives, as masked crime fighters.  Together, as The Green Hornet and Kato, they proceed to strike fear into the hearts of  criminals.

But their plan does not sit well with L. A.s most ambitious, violent  crime lord,  Chudnofsky  ( Christoph Waltz ).  And Chudnofsky has his own devilish plan:  To trap and exterminate the hornet.

noteworthy scenes:  1.) "Trying doesn't matter if you always fail"; 2.) Crystal Clear; 3.) Briefcase; 4.) Car collection; 5.) Newspaper headline; 6.) Bee sting; 7.) "Who made my coffee"; 8.) Coffee maker; 9.) "Wanna see something cool"; 10.) "Human Swiss Army Knife"; 11.)  "Let's do something crazy"; 12.) Muggers; 13.) TV news; 14.)  Wasted lives; 15.) "My man"; 16.) "The Green Bee"; 17.) "My honey pot"; 18.) Interview; 19.) Plan; 20.) Preparations; 21.) Debut; 22.) Methamphetamine  lab; 23.) "I like your suit"; 24.) "What camera"; 25.) "Gas gun"; 26.) "It works"; 27.) Diaper; 28.) Back-ups; 29.) "See you in an hour"; 30.) Mono; 31.) Dinner date; 32.) "We got mail"; 33.) "My incredible plan"; 34.) "Thunder strikes lightning"; 35.) Baby; 36.) The fight; 37.) A bounty on the Hornet; 38.) Green victims; 39.) Compensation; 40.)  Bloodnofsky; 41.) Secret files; 42.) A hit on the Hornet; 43.) Hibachi restaurant; 44.) The chase; 45.) Front-wheel drive; 46.) Ejector seat; 47.) Their true identity; 48.) Press conference; and 49.) Stealth mode.

favorite scene:  I liked the scene wherein  the explosion sent the loader tractor flying into the air and unto the car.

audience reaction:  I guess the audience liked it.

recommendation:  It was okay.  But the comedy should have been toned down a bit.  Save your money and watch it in 2-D, instead.

spoiler alert!  A record player in a car doesn't seem practical to me.  The parts and supplies that they needed  for their crime-fighting activities were generated with purchase orders ( i.e. paperwork or paper trail ) that could be tracked down.  In a post-911 world,  orders for rocket fuel and materials used for making high explosives  are more closely monitored.  The bullet that was lodged in the bullet-proof window should  have been deformed upon impact.  Why did Kato put the pants back on after putting on the diaper?  It didn't make practical sense at all.  Kato was wiggling the steering wheel around but the car still traveled in a straight line.  Do this experiment:  Drive at least 45 mph and wiggle your car's steering wheel around and watch what happens next.  An explosion that was strong enough to send a loader tractor into the air should also have generated  a shock wave strong enough to kill both The Green Hornet and Kato--or, at the very least, render them both deaf!  Can't e-mail addresses be traced back to their point of origin by anyone who's computer savvy?  At the restaurant, they dove for cover behind a counter that I seriously think was not made to be bulletproof in the first place.  Why wasn't there a police helicopter--a news helicopter, even--involved in the chase?  Why couldn't the cop hear the loud argument behind the closed door?  They'd better be headed  to the hospital for their cover to work, and they'd better have an explanation for the emergency doctor on why a scab formed so fast.  Kato had better take swimming lessons at the local YMCA right away.

fyi:  I have a co-worker, P. S., who emphatically told me this last Tuesday that he will never see  this movie because he watched the TV show as a kid and feels that this big screen adaptation should be more faithful to the old series, instead of being done-up in Comedy fashion.

I would have to agree with my co-worker on this one.

word of advice:  Take Life seriously.

In a partnership, full disclosure is advised.

tidbits:  After the movie, I went to the new Wal-Mart in Fairfield to check-out the place.  I can't believe that they posted an after-hours greeter at the entrance lobby.   The place is two months old, according to the greeter.  And for a Wal-Mart, the place was mostly empty of shoppers.

On the drive home, I averaged 60 mph since it was very foggy from Fairfield and all the way through American Canyon.   Of course, this didn't keep a number of idiots from going at least 70 mph!  The very same kind of  idiots who cause traffic accidents in such conditions.  And I wouldn't be surprised if I found out that at least one of them was talking or texting on his/her cellphone while driving through that thick fog!

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COUNTRY STRONG, PG-13 ( 1 hr & 52 min )

where:  UA EMERY BAY STADIUM 10 in Emeryville, CA
when:  Wednesday, January 12th, 2011
show:  7:40 p.m.
costs:  $10.75 Ticket + $6.00 small Popcorn w/ Butter + $4.75 small Diet Coke + $5.00 Carquinez Bridge Toll = $26.50
auditorium:  7
seat:  5th row, 12 column

synopsis/overview:   A three-way love affair centers on a rising country music singer/songwriter, Beau  Hutton ( Garrett Hedlund ),  and a fallen country star, Kelly Canter ( Gwyneth Paltrow ),  who's desperately trying to make  a comeback.  As Beau rides Kelly's coattails to possible stardom, matters are made  complicated by her overwhelming sense of guilt  and by the arrival of an ex-beauty-queen- turned-aspiring singer/songwriter, Chiles Stanton ( Leighton Meester ).


noteworthy scenes:  1.) "They're letting me out early"; 2.) "These aren't songs, these are rides at Disneyland"; 3.) "Like a Country Barbie"; 4.) Stage fright; 5.) The rescue duet; 6.) "I'm sorry about Dallas"; 7.) "I won't sell it on E-Bay or anything"; 8.) "You don't like your new band"; 9.) "You remember when we were like that"; 10.) "You're mine"; 11.) Pills; 12.) "Wardrobe emergency"; 13.) The package; 14.) "It's not something you just forget about"; 15.) Stage breakdown; 16.) "Don't take somebody out  of  rehab before the rehab"; 17.) Damage control; 18.) "I have to over-compensate"; 19.) "I'm on tour with her right now--and Jesus Christ"; 20.) "That little girl right there is the one to sing that song"; 21.) "I don't want to be singing about my achy breaky heart"; 22.) Swimsuit competition; 23.) "Is that eye liner"; 24.) "Let me check my flashcard"; 25.)  "Toast of the town"; 26.) "Maybe she's done"; 27.) "You and I both know there's never a sponsor"; 28.) "He's one of the only good guys"; 29.) "I cannot believe we fell for this shit again"; 30.) The big-time duet; 31.) Another lover; 32.) "She's not crazy"; 33.) "She's the only honest one here"; 34.) "What if I told you I've never been to Dallas"; 35.) PR campaign; 36.) News; 37.) "What if you give me a little time to think about it"; 38.) Dedication; 39.) Pen and paper; 40.) Tabloid magazine cover; 41.) Dallas concert; 42.) "How many did you take"; 43.) The letter; and 44.) "I'd like to bring a friend to the stage."

audience reaction:  The audience enjoyed this.

recommendation:  This ain't my cup of tea since I like happy/optimistic endings.  If you like Country Music and sad endings, well, then, what are you waiting for?

spoiler alert!  I think that I just gave it away in my last sentence.

There was a crowd waiting to get into the club--and there just happened to be an empty parking space directly in front of  the door.  Ha!   Why was James Canter ( Tim McGraw ) carrying that baby bird around in a night club for?  He could have easily left that bird in the car, and the bird would have been okay with it.  I always thought  that packages and presents were to be opened only after a performance, like it's some kind of "Good Luck Rule."


fyi:  General Douglas MacArthur returned to the Philippines in 1944, not 1946.  He waded ashore on Leyte Island on October 20th, 1944, where he gave his "I have returned" speech.  Shortly after MacArthur landed, the four-day Battle of Leyte Gulf commenced.  This battle went  down  as the "Largest Naval Battle in History."
 
word of advice:  Drugs and alcohol don't mix.

tidbits:  I swung by the Redwood Street Chevron gas station to get $4.00 worth of gas before heading-off to Oakland, CA, to visit my friend, Hector.  When I walked back to my Geo Metro after paying the clerk, I saw a $20.00 bill on the ground next to it.  After I quickly picked up the money, I took note of the time, 12:22 p.m., and thank God for the  "token of abundance."  Whenever I pick up "found money",  I  make it a habit of thanking God for the "token of abundance", even if it's just a penny.  (  Half an hour later, I put a $1.00 bill in a "Shelter for the Homeless" collection box outside of the 99 Cent Only Store on Springs Road again as a "Thank you for the token." )

Halfway to Oakland, I stopped by the Safeway Store in Pinole, CA, to buy some groceries.  As I walked to the entrance, I saw an old white man steal a parking spot that an old white lady had waited patiently for cars to pass through so she could park in it.  She honked her horn, the man stopped and put his arms up momentarily as he shook his head before continuing on to steal the spot.  Another old white lady pushing a shopping cart saw it and told the other old white lady that what the man did was not fair.  So the shopping cart lady went up to the old white man and told him that he had just stolen somebody else's spot.  The old white man rolled down his window and stuck-out his walking cane, threatening to clobber the shopping cart lady if she didn't leave him alone!   This is a  true incident that happened around 1:15 p.m.
 
For dinner at Hector's place, I cooked Black-eyed Peas ( no, not the band ) & Ham because it's a traditional January dish to welcome in the New Year for Good Luck.  I made this dish for Hector and his family last year, too.  But, this year, I added-in a can of  Tomato Sauce for a slightly different flavor.

As I was about to leave the concession  counter  with my soda and popcorn, a lady and her woman friend came up to buy some stuff.  And the lady said, "Oh, and I would like to have a medium drink."  I looked at her and said, It's gonna be big--this is a "small" ( referring to my soda ).  She laughed and changed her order.  And this was my "Good Deed" for the day!  Thank you.

attention:  It's The Eleventh Annual Weblog Awards time!  Please do me a favor and go to http://2011.bloggi.es and nominate my blog in any or all of the following categories:  Religion, Travel, Entertainment, Most Humorous and Best-Kept Secret.  Each category will have space for three nominees.   You only know of my blog, and nobody else's, so just enter one nominee--me, as Cine-Man ( url:  wwwcine-man.blogspot.com ).  If you nominate me in just one category, pick the Entertainment one.  And nominate me a.s.a.p. since the deadline is January 16th, 2011.  Thank you.

HOW DO YOU KNOW, PG-13 ( 1 hr & 56 min )

where: CENTURY 14 VALLEJO in Vallejo, CA
when: Tuesday, January 11th, 2011
show: 12:35 p.m. ( Extra Dollar Off First Show Matinee )
costs: $6.25 Ticket + $4.50 junior Popcorn w/ Butter + $4.00 small Diet/Zero ( w/ Barq's & Cherry flavors ) Coke = $14.75
auditorium: 12
seat: 4th row, 8th column

synopsis/overview: Two strangers, Lisa and George ( Reese Witherspoon and Paul Rudd ), meet each other at the lowest point of their lives when in walks Matty ( Owen Wilson ), a rich and famous womanizer who's "trying" to change his ways. Unsure of herself and what's best for her, Lisa vacillates between honest George and wealthy Matty. If one or the other is the best for her, how will she know?

noteworthy scenes: 1.) Batting practice; 2.) "I've lost my ability to smile at bastards"; 3.) Subpoena; 4.) Bathroom; 5.) "You may be my dream girl"; 6.) Stock fraud; 7.) Pause button; 8.) Confidentiality statement; 9.) Team member announcement; 10.) "Could that be him over there"; 11.) "The bad days make the good days better"; 12.) "Oh, good. There is a God"; 13.) "Could you narrow it down"; 14.) High-priced lawyer; 15.) "Figure out want you want and learn how to ask for it"; 16.) "Christian athletes in the living room"; 17.) "The cat died"; 18.) "It takes two, at least"; 19.) "How do you know when you're in love"; 20.) "Positive optimism is sanity for me right now"; 21.) "Don't rock the boat"; 22.) Elevator; 23.) "Obvious thing that I'm missing"; 24.) The list; 25.) The song; 26.) Bar tending; 27.) Bambi; 28.) Temporary amnesia; 29.) "I broke a lamp"; 30.) "'Better pace yourself son, it gets worse"; 31.) "Anonymous sex"; 32.) Bad news; 33.) 'Phone call"; 34.) Delete; 35.) Daddy; 36.) "You didn't get it"; 37.) Bus stop; 38.) "Wish me luck"; 39.) "Engaged to be engage"; 40.) Play-Doh; 41.) "Recognize my confidence"; and 42.) Together again.

favorite scene: I liked the one in the hospital.

audience reaction: The audience enjoyed it, especially an older gentleman.

recommendation: It was okay. It's definitely a "Chick Flick", for those of you who are into such movies, however implausible the scenario may be.

spoiler alert! Why couldn't Matty, a famous baseball player, use his celebrity status and clout to sway the Olympic coach's decision when he could easily have? The Olympic softball team coach was probably living on another planet back in the 2008 Olympics when five equestrians were from 53 to 67 years of age, and another five Olympians ( from other sports ) were at least 53 years old! My point is that this fact makes Lisa, at 31 years of age, a "spring chicken" by comparison. How in hell did that piece of celery get so damn wilted in the space of just a couple of hours or so? I can't believe that that fancy Italian restaurant only had Spaghetti--with watered-down sauce--on their menu! Heck, if all they wanted to serve was Spaghetti, they should have hired Cine-Man's alter ego, Pig-Out Man, to cook it for them because I, as Pig-Out Man, make one of the best, if not The Best, Spaghetti dishes in the world! ( I copied a cousin's Spaghetti recipe and improved on it immensely, giving it an "intercontinental flair". Damn right! ) George was in and out of that convenience store too quickly. When Lisa wore the red dress and Matty lifted her up, her panties showed; but when she wore a tight, short black dress and sat on a bus bench with the camera directly in front of her, her panties didn't show--wuzzup wif dat! 'Ain't fair .... Ha, ha, ha.

fyi: Back when I was a dental lab tech in Concord, CA, the lab owner decided to retire. So we gave him a lunch time retirement party at the downtown's The Old Spaghetti Factory Restaurant. Most of us ordered Spaghetti with Cheese Alfredo ( or was that  Fettuccine Alfredo ), and I think it was the "us" who were kinda lactose intolerant--myself included. When we got back to the lab, the "most of us" made a quick trip to the toilet. I never went back to that restaurant ever again! Once is enough.

If you can find it, use Bucatini ( a.k.a. Perciatelli ) noodles the next time that you make Spaghetti. It's a fatter version of Spaghetti noodles but with a hollow center. It's hard to find but--Oh--it is so good! This girl I know, Nova, liked it when I had her try some.

The Kogibow Cafe & Bakery below George's apartment is a real establishment, and the telephone number on the window is a real 'phone number. Give 'em a call and ask them if they deliver. L.O.L.

word of advice: Age is just a number.

Once you've hit rock-bottom, there's nowhere else to go but up.

tidbits: I wanted to have a quick lunch at Mickey D's after the movie and before getting ready for work but didn't have enough time. So, I just went home, made a cup of coffee, and started my blog for this movie.

attention: It's the Eleventh Annual Weblog Awards time. Please do me a favor and go to http://2011.bloggi.es and nominate my blog in any or all of the following categories: Religion, Travel, Entertainment, Most Humorous and Best-Kept Secret. Each category will have space for three nominees. You only know of my blog, and nobody else's, so just enter one nominee--me, as Cine-Man ( url: wwwcine-man.blogspot.com ). If you nominate me in just one category, pick the Entertainment one. And nominate me a.s.a.p. since the deadline is January 16th, 2011. Thank you.

THE KING'S SPEECH, R ( 1 hr & 51 min )

where: CINE ARTS @ PLEASANT HILL in Pleasant Hill, CA
when: Sunday, January 9th, 2011
show: 4:00 p.m.
costs: $10.25 + $1.00 3.1 oz Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites ( bought at The Dollar Tree Store next door and smuggled-in ) + $4.50 medium Zero Coke + $13.37 dinner @ China Wall Buffet ( + $2.63 Tip ) + $5.00 Benicia Bridge Toll = $36.75
auditorium: 1, the Cine Dome
seat: 7th row, 22nd column

synopsis/overview: A Royal Bromance ( cue-in the Lady Gaga parody song, Rad Bromance )

Upon the death of the English King George V ( Michael Gambon ), the subjects look to his son, Edward VIII ( Guy Pearce ) to lead the nation just as the Nazi threat gains political and military momentum. But Edward VIII proves to be a major embarrassment to the royal crown because of his scandalous affairs with married women. And, as if this is not enough, he intends to marry one of them, a foreign commoner, the twice-divorced American Wallis Simpson ( Eve Best ). But this planned marriage is opposed by the prime ministers of the United Kingdom and the Dominions. Instead of giving-up on Wallis Simpson, Edward VIII chooses to abdicate his throne.

Bertie ( Colin Firth ) consents to ascend to the throne as King George VI, but with trepidation. Bertie suffers from a speech impediment, and at a time when radio broadcasts become the standard. Still haunted by his humiliating British Empire Exhibition closing speech and gravely intimidated by Hitler's captivating speeches, Bertie is unsure that he can properly lead his kingdom at its time of greatest need.

But Bertie's ever-supportive wife, Elizabeth I ( Helena Bonham Carter ), never gives up hope and finds the best speech therapist to help with his problem, the unconventional Lionel Logue ( Geoffrey Rush ). Gradually, Bertie opens up to Lionel and learns to manage his impediment. And a life-long friendship develops between the two of them.

noteworthy scenes: 1.) The closing ceremony speech; 2.) Enunciate; 3.) "Promise me no more"; 4.) "Perhaps he should change jobs"; 5.) "What if my husband was the Duke of York"; 6.) Penguin; 7.) Audition; 8.) Elevator; 9.) "I was told not to sit too closely"; 10.) "Timing isn't my strong suit"; 11.) "Makes it official then"; 12.) The bet; 13.) "We've become actors"; 14.) Phonograph; 15.) Tongue twisters; 16.) Exercises; 17.) "Long live the King"; 18.) "You can finish that off if you sing"; 19.) "Any other corrections"; 20.) "Country shack"; 21.) "Certain skills"; 22.) "I've been king-ing"; 23.) Divorce; 24.) "You know the 'F' word"; 25.) Walk in the park; 26.) Abdicate; 27.) "The Duke is busy"; 28.) Official abdication; 29.) Ascension council; 30.) Your Majesty; 31.) "I'm not a king"; 32.) "He stammers beautifully. They'll leave us alone"; 33.) The King's apology; 34.) Royal introduction; 35.) "My preparations are equally as important"; 36.) The Royal Chair; 37.) Rehearse; 38.) Hitler's speech; 39.) "Your greatest test is yet to come"; 40.) At war with Germany; 41.) "In this grave hour"; 42.) "I made it cozy"; 43.) The Speech; 44.) "Well done, my friend"; and 45.) "Your Majesty, I'm speechless."

favorite scene: The one in which they argued over The Royal Chair.

prediction: This movie is a front-runner for an Oscar in both the Best Actor and the Best Supporting Actor categories.

audience reaction: The audience loved this Historical Period Piece movie and gave it a "Hands Clapper" ending.

recommendation: I enjoyed it, too. And I gave it a "Hands Clapper" ending, as well. Go see it.

spoiler alert! Only one: They should have picked a better-looking actress to play the part of the American Divorcee, Wallis Simpson. Her having acquired "certain skills" in Shanghai simply isn't a good enough excuse to cast a Plain-Jane in the role. After all, if a king is willing/crazy enough to abdicate his throne, he'd better have a great reason for doing so! Never mind .... I just saw pictures of the real Wallis Simpson on the Internet! Hmm ... I wonder what those "certain skills" are.

fyi: I love how this movie is based on a true story--and not just any story, but a historical one at that! I'm acquainted with the story of an English king who abdicated his throne to marry an American divorcee. But it was only when this movie came out that I heard of an English king who stuttered. Now, imagine my pleasant surprise when I found out, while watching this movie, that not only were the two kings related but were actually brothers, at that!

Even after his abdication, Edward VIII still managed to make himself a "royal pain in the butt" when it was learned that he was pro-Nazi! And he was close to being fully ex-communicated by the rest of the royal family after that.

I really wanted this to be the first movie that I see this year. But circumstances conspired against me.

Because of what he claimed to be in Exodus 4:10, most people assume that Moses was a stutterer. But most scholars don't accept this assumption, especially in light of what is said of Moses in Acts 7:22.

word of advice: Love is ( very ) blind.

It is said that most people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of death, itself.

tidbits: Before heading-off to see this movie, I swung by the Benicia Chevron gas station to get $4.00 worth of regular gas. As I stepped in through the doors, a former co-worker of mine ( who I haven't seen in months since he was let-go ) stepped-out. We talked for a while. He told me that he now works for the new Wal-Mart store in Fairfield, CA. I will have to drop by that store someday just to say, "Hi," and to check-out the place.

After the movie, a woman behind me said, "That was great." To which her male companion replied, "It was .... Amazing."

When I arrived at China Wall Buffet, I learned that the Namaste Indian Restaurant next to it had closed, as well as two other businesses. I'm sorry that this Indian restaurant was forced to close because they had good food--yet another victim of this bad economy. And I was actually planning on visiting this place in the near future to have some more of their delicious exotic dishes. I wish them "Good Luck" in their future endeavor, whatever that may be.

attention: It's the Eleventh Annual Weblog Awards time! Please do me a favor and go to http://2011.bloggi.es and nominate my blog in any or all of the following categories: Religion, Travel, Entertainment, Most Humorous and Best-Kept Secret. Each category will have space for three nominees. You only know of my blog, and nobody else's, so just enter one nominee--me, as Cine-Man ( url: wwwcine-man.blogspot.com ). If you nominate me in just one category, pick the Entertainment one. And nominate me a.s.a.p. since the deadline is January 16th, 2011. Thank you.

SEASON OF THE WITCH , PG-13 ( 1 hr & 38 min )

where: CENTURY 14 VALLEJO in Vallejo, CA
when: Friday, January 7th, 2011
show: 7:30 p.m.
costs: $10.25 Ticket + $7.24 Wendy's Restaurant # 2 Half-Pound Cheeseburger Combo meal ( upsized to a medium ) before the show + $4.50 Pretzel Bites + $4.00 small Diet/Zero ( w/ Barq's & Cherry flavors ) Coke = $25.99
auditorium: 13
seat: 4th row, 6th column

synopsis/overview: Two ex-Crusaders, Behmen ( Nicolas Cage ) and Felson ( Ron Pearlman ), strike a deal with a moribund cardinal ( Christopher Lee ) to escort a maiden ( Claire Foy ) suspected of witchcraft to a distant abbey where the monks can rid her of her evil powers believed to be the underlying cause of the Black Plague.

noteworthy scenes: 1.) Forced "confessions"; 2.) The witch; 3.) Battles; 4.) Helpless, innocent victims; 5.) "Voice of the Church"; 6.) Plague victims; 7.) Sword; 8.) "I serve the Church no more"; 9.) Negotiating with the cardinal; 10.) "Now, she's sedated;" 11.) "There was no talk of a girl who passed through my village, yet the plague came"; 12.) "Services of an altar boy"; 13.) "What sins would be forgiven"; 14.) The watch; 15.) Mass grave; 16.) Milla; 17.) "Let his sacrifice not be in vain"; 18.) "Some good deeds can be done, even behind bars"; 19.) Rickety bridge; 20.) Flask; 21.) Flask; 22.) "We believe what we want to believe"; 23.) Wolves; 24.) "God would not abandon us"; 25.) The Key of Solomon; 26.) "This is no witch"; 27.) "We're gonna need more Holy Water"; 28.) "Honor is not a thing to be dismissed or forgotten"; 29.) Where are they"; and 30.) "Say what's in your heart."

audience reaction: The audience seemed to like it. And one scene ( the farmhouse bedroom scene ) scared some people in the audience.

recommendation: I didn't like this movie as much as I'd hope to. It was a disappointment to me. Wait for this to come out as a rental.

spoiler alert! In the battle scenes, the slingshot, the spear and the bow and arrow were never utilized ( even though the crossbow was used in later scenes ); and the catapult was under-utilized. There was nothing in anyway to keep the women from grabbing hold of the noose around their necks as they were being thrown over the side of the bridge--they could have saved themselves easily! When the bodies were lowered into the river, they went straight down as if they were weighted-down but they weren't. So, the bodies should have floated a little down-current, instead of being fully submerged with their ropes practically in a perpendicular fashion. The hanging victim should not have been able to move since a person hanged in such a way will have his/her neck broken and would therefore be paralyzed from the neck down. Why couldn't the Devil find his way to the distant abbey without human help? If they defeated the Devil and saved the book, why is the world still plagued by evil to this day? As for the climactic battle with the evil entities ... well, I just have this to say: Obviously, whoever wrote this never had encounters with other-worldly entities!

fyi: I don't know if you will notice it, but Nicolas Cage looks like he had his upper lip plumped-up. You have to have read what I wrote about Nic Cage in my earlier blogs to know what I'm talking about here!

If you want to know what I wrote about the Bubonic Plague in an earlier entry, go back to my August, 2009's blog on the movie, INGLORIOUS BASTERDS.

This movie is based on the legend of The Key of Solomon. The Key of Solomon is a grimoire, i.e. a magic book. It's been around for centuries. And it is even claimed that King Solomon of Ancient Israel, the son of King David and Bathseba, was the one who authored the original edition of this book. It contains spells and rituals and, more importantly, Solomon's Seals, the dozens of special symbols, each representative of a demonic entity, that King Solomon purportedly used to command and control said entities with. Before King Solomon died of old age, he repented of his idolatrous ways and imprisoned the demonic entities, along with their seals, in some kind of sealed and locked box. He had this box thrown into the deepest part of the lake. But, according to legend, after King Solomon died, someone dredged the lake and recovered the box, and foolishly opened it to set the demons loose.

Yes, if you must know, I have a copy of Solomon's Seals, collecting dust somewhere in my bedroom. I don't think it works--well, at least, it didn't work for me!

Matthew 12: 42 "( B )ehold, a greater than Solomon is here." ( American King James Version ). Jesus Christ made this comparison for two reasons: He was wiser than Solomon. Yet His own people's leaders didn't pay heed to his counsel. And because, unlike King Solomon, Jesus Christ could command and control demons anytime of day or night, and without any kind of ritualistic preparations beforehand.

word of advice: Know your enemy.

tidbits: Before going to see this movie, I had a talk with a long-time customer of mine. We got to talking about World War II. And he mentioned that his uncle was none other than Francis Stanley "Gabby" Gabreski. Who was this "Gabby" Gabreski, you ask? Well, he was the greatest WWII American fighter ace in Europe and a Korean War jet ace, too! This customer, E. W., promised me that he would come back tomorrow ( which he did ) with a signed photo of his uncle sitting in his fighter plane. The Internet has plenty of information on "Gabby" Gabreski, by the way. If Hollywood hasn't yet made a movie about this highly-decorated war hero, what are they waiting for?

I had time for dinner before the movie. So, I went to the Plaza Drive Wendy's Restaurant for burger and fries. They use sea salt on their fries now--about time, too! And I hope that they completely use sea salt on everything else, instead of the bad-for-you table "salt".

A young, slender black man dressed in a suit sat two chairs to my right during the movie. He must have been stood-up by his date. The strong scent of sandalwood cologne emanated from him--or should I rephrase that in this way: He reeked strongly of sandalwood cologne!

Attention, guys and gals: Go easy on the stuff when you're putting on your cologne or perfume, especially during the cold, flu and/or allergy seasons when people's sense of smell is less tolerant of offending smell/scents and/or allergens. Don't go around smelling like some kind of walking air freshener!

Alright, two new things for this year: Spoiler Alert and Reader Comments.

Children's movies, i.e. rated G and PG, will not be exempted from my Spoiler Alert observations anymore. Because, as much as I loved the movie, TANGLED, it had many things wrong with it that I felt I did my readers a disservice by not pointing them all out.

And some of my readers want me to include a Reader Comments on my blog. So, I will allow limited comments from now on. The key word is, "Limited." So, no profanities, racist comments, etc. And if you write something in Cebuano, I will translate it into English for the benefit of my other readers.

attention: It's The Eleventh Annual Weblog Awards time! Please do me a favor and go to http://2o11.bloggi.es and nominate my blog in any or all of the following categories: Religion, Travel, Entertainment, Most Humorous and Best-Kept Secret. Each category will have space for three nominees. You only know of my blog, and nobody else's, so just enter one nominee--me, as Cine-Man ( url: wwwcine-man.blogspot.com ). If you nominate me in just one category, pick the Entertainment one. And nominate me a.s.a.p. since the deadline is January 16th, 2011. Thank you.