Rise of the Planet of the Apes - A Movie Review

So after many years Hollywood takes a stab at adding a chapter to the Planet of the Apes franchise and wins.

After seeing previews of this film, I was intrigued but worried that this teaser was showing the best parts of this film.  After I txted about a two dozen or so friends to get a buzz if this was worth seeing.  I received two positive responses from two reliable sources and took my beau to see this film.

This movie takes place in a modern day setting as scientist Will Rodman (played by the perpetually-employed James Franco) develops a vaccine to help cure dementia and regenerate brain cells.  While running clinical trials on his test animals, apes, he discovers more than he bargained for.

With a compelling story, state of the art CGI, and plenty of tender moments amidst the action, this is a film that plays well for both women and men (even if certain men DO “rest their eyes” during the film, lol.)

A SUMMER MUST SEE!

The Adjustment Bureau - a DVD Review

So last night I did my usual dinner and a movie with my son.  The film was “The Adjustment Bureau” recommended by my mom.   Thanks mom for making me watch crap.  Even the adorable Matt Damon couldn’t save this film.

This is the story of a politican who accidentally discovers that the destiny of humanity is being manipulated and engineered by a celestial society of beings in fedoras.  Apparently this is part of their uniform (jude rolls eyes).

My son decided early on in our viewing how much he couldn’t care for the characters in this film.  I on the other hand tried to give it a chance.  Even the ending had me thinking “Are you kidding me?”  It was just that bad.  Perfusely apologizing to my son was the only thing I could do.  For all reading this, cross it off your Netflix que if for some reason it managed to work its way onto it.

The Perfect Age of Rock & Roll - an Indie Film Review

And so recently I took my son to see an indie film.  That film was “The Perfect Age of Rock & Roll”.  This movie is my cousin Michael Jeremiah’s first speaking role.  It was a small role and I was happy for him.  But now my review:  (jude mentally cracks knuckles).

This was a film about two high school buddies with talent and dreams of rock & roll success.  Spyder, lead vocalist, and Eric Jensen (played by Jason Ritter) as lyricist and lead guitarist.   Spyder steals his partners demo songs and finds fame as a solo artist.  When Spyder’s second album is a flop he returns to his hometown of Oyster Bay, NY to reunite with Jensen and coerce him into making lyric magic all over again.

This is a formulistic pseudo road trip movie full of rock and roll clichés.  Despite decent production quality and better than average performances this film lacks the climatic ending I had hoped for.  It seemingly ends without a resolution that made any sense in how the story had been building up to.

The Perfect Age of Rock & Roll - and to see family ; )

So last nite I was invited to a party at an open Venue.  That venue was Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg.  See Brooklynbowl.com   It was a charming space.  Dark with a massively high ceiling.  It was accented with antique carnival displays of old games that were once used for target practice.   16 bowling lanes suitable for impromptu games and a light bite of dinner.  There was also a large stage with generous room for dancing and such.

My cousin, Michael Jeremiah aka Giaramita is an actor.  The last time we met I was a toddler.  Family dysfunction separated our families and Facebook reconnected us.  This gathering was the film release party in celebration of the film he will be apart of: The Perfect Age of Rock and Roll.  This his first speaking role.  He is a striking presence as most Giaramita-men ARE.  Handsome, charming, warm and friendly.  It was pretty effing cool.  I also met his lovely wife Debbie and my 2^nd cousin (my cousin’s son) Joshua Giaramita who is a talented young man in his own right.  I’m looking forward to hearing great things about him as well.

We stayed for a light bite and heard two bands.  The first band was known as The Hired Killers, which played covers of many recognizable songs, not that I can remember any of them, lol. 

The second band was The Sugar Blue Band.  http://www.sugar-blue.com/ They were amazing hearing the blues never brought a smile quite like this to my face before.  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sugar-Blue/160108061584?ref=search&sk=wall

I was with my new man and we swayed and kissed during the evening.  We stayed until about ten o’clock and then my feet (locked in their 4” black cage  heels were screaming for relief).  I said my farewells and we were on our way home.

Much earlier in the evening we had some time to kill and walked to the nearby vintage store: Beacon’s Closet, located @ 88 N. 115h Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn 11211  (Shop online @ beaconscloset.com)  I bought a lovely Chinese accented angel sleeved blouse for $15).  When I first saw the sign swear-to-God I thought it read Bacon’s Closet, lol.   There is also a 2^nd location in Park Slope, which peaks my interest as I’ve been meaning to visit my old neighborhood and now have another (good) excuse to do so.

Larry Crowne - A MOVIE REVIEW

LARRY CROWNE - A Movie Review

So on a fervent Saturday afternoon, I caught a movie with my mom.  We went to see “Larry Crowne” the story of a middle-aged man, who without having the benefit of a college degree is phased out of a Walmart-ish job after many years.  Tom Hanks in an unusually diminutive role as Larry Crowne decides to go back to community college.  Gal pal Julia Roberts as the jaded Speech Teacher and part time lush trapped in a bad marriage.  Directed, written by Tom Hanks.  (I imagine he can add this one to his resume as “Things I did on my summer vacation).

Check your brain at the door, this one a DVD rental at best.  Was good for an afternoon with mom in a primo air conditioned theatre, a respite from the heat.  Its almost an unwritten rule that I see with my mom every movie Julie Roberts has ever made, lol.

Pet Peeve -No. 6,573

There is a fashion trend amongst younger generations that irks the fuck out of me.  Its something I usually ignore but I’ve seen it so many times in JUST the last two days I can no longer remain silent in my seething disgust.

It is the trend of MEN/boys (same thing) wearing WHITE sunglasses.  WHAT THE FUCK?!  I just never got the appeal of this look.  Just like I never understand why some people put ketchup (or jelly, snicker) on their eggs.  It just makes no sense to me.

The only person who could pull of this look and remain semi-cool was this guy.

Plus the fact it was the 70s at the time, it was the look.

Now whenever I see some guy (usually in a luxury car) wearing those hideous excuses for eyewear all I see is this. 

Oh well, nuff said.  Questions?  Comments?  Contradictions?

Pane e Vino - a Restaurant Review

So when I was on vacation me and my new guy took a trip to NYC.  After our fill of culture we went strolling along just walking and talking.  One of the things I truly enjoy about a trip to the city is being with someone who shares my adventurous spirit. 

I just love the idea of discovering a new place to eat.  Of course this can only be done if time is not an issue and your dinner partner is flexible about the choice.  So during our walk we discovered Pane e Vino http://www.paneevinonyc.com/

It was a sprite little Italian restaurant in the Flat Iron District.  The location wasn’t particularly aesthetically pleasing, but inside the restaurant I found it to be an oasis from the city’s noise and heat.

Of course it would be nice if I could remember anything we ate when we were there, unfortunately that was over a week ago and I cannot, lol.  Suffice it to say I would definitely go back.  The only thing I would have changed was our choice of table.  I think I would have preferred to sit in the back.