BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS

November 28 2009

BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS

So Saturday after I dumped Liz off at the airport so she could go see her sister in Florida, I thought what should I do? Then it hit me like a truck....the movies!
I went to see Bad Lieutenant with Nic Cage. Now there was another movie called Bad Lieutenant but that was with Harvey Keitel of Reservoir Dogs fame, but this was almost the same movie. A bad cop who is doing drugs and yet still can be a very effective cop. Eva Mendes is in this film and she is hot so that right there is a good sign. Nic Cage is good and this is his best movie in years but the film is kinda predictable. It was a good cop story but nothing original - if you like cop stories it was OK.

I would say 3 out of 5

I did like the other Bad Lieutenant with Harvey Keitel more

Not sure Liz would have liked this movie - don't think so.

garry

The Road

November 27 2009

THE ROAD

I had the day off from work so I thought I would go see a movie. After talking with Liz she told me she really did not want to see The Road. I have seen previews of this movie for what seemed like months, so off I went. It was a Friday afternoon so the film was not that busy which I liked. This was kind of different, it is about a man and his son and what they do after 'SOMETHING" happens to earth. Now they never tell what the something was that killed most of life on earth and they don't tell you the boy's or man's names. Just Pop and Son/boy are the names they use. It is basically a zombie film without the cool zombies - there is nothing left to eat so people start to eat anything...

Not a bad film but not great. I love Viggo Mortensen I mean he was Aragorn in the Lord of Rings films so I have to love him.

I would say 3 out 5

garry

Star Wars In Concert

November 26 2009

Star Wars In Concert. I get geeked out about a lot of things but I was really looking forward to this. When we where in San Diego last year Lucas films was there and they talked about about Star Wars In Concert but there was only dates in USA and I was pissed. "How can they not play Canada?" I would ask Liz and she would pat me on the head, remind me that I was old, give me a coke zero, put on the Star Wars movie and I would relax.

But now it was here at the ACC and it ROCKED! I loved it! It was a bit hard to get over the fact there was a huge orchestra playing the star wars music as you watch it on a huge screen. It was like watching a movie with music be played LIVE. It was great. To be honest I was not sure if Liz was into it but after it was over she told me she liked it. As I was watching I could not take my eyes of the screen to ask her, not even sure she was actually in the seat beside me lol.

They also had a travel museum with props from all the movies but I have to say it was packed and some exhibits where hard to see. Liz did go out and get video of Yoda for me once the concert had started and crownds had cleared (she rocks).

In case you cannot tell, I really liked this show. But I think I have to sit Liz down and make her watch all the movies again, as she had a lot of question that any geek should know. So if she wants to hang with me she will need to learn. I mean who doesn't know who shot first Hans solo or Greedo...in case YOU don't know, it was Hans Solo in the original film and Greedo in the 1997 special edition but I am sure most of you know that...RIGHT??

SO THE CONCERT 4.5 of of 5

garry

This was fun - it was crazy to see a live orchestra playing the music that you know so well from the movie. I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't a recording. Honestly though it was Garry's excitement that made the evening - kid in a candy store doesn't begin to explain his enthusiasm lol. And I got a cute purple Darth Vader t-shirt that was much admired by my three year old niece, Caragh on my recent visit (more on that later). I base this on the number of times she repeated "I love your purple t-shirt Auntie Lizzie" but then she also told me that she loved my toothbrush more than once - so this may not be a fool-proof method for judging her true feelings.

So 4/5 from me.
L

Ninja Assassin

Wednesday November 25 2009

Liz wanted to see Ninja Assassin before she let for Florida so this was the only day we had that we could fit it in. Wednesday night at the movies are usually kinda slow but this place was busy. I think it's because it was the opening day for this film. A Wednesday opening because oF the US Thanksgiving.

With the name Ninja Assassin you would think I would love it, well I didn't. I found the movie kind of dull and way too fake. Now I know I usually like that but in my Ninja movies I like a bit of realism. The fight scenes seemed fake - fake fight scenes are ok in 300 but they should have been better in this movie. I have to say that this movie did not do a thing for me. As I write this I cannot even remember one good scene. Now that's bad.

Now her is the weird part LIZ really likes this movie..WTF..I know! So I am now thinking did I have a bad day and just took it out on the poor movie or did it really suck. I'm thinking maybe of seeing it again or at the very least watching it again on DVD and see if I still hate it.
But for now...1.5 out of 5

garry

I liked this movie. In a B movie kind of way but I did still like it. The fight scenes were very stylized, as was the blood. And you could drive a truck through the holes in the plot but I still enjoyed it. No excuse really - this is a terrible movie but it's my kind of terrible apparently. Silly to the point of being ridiculous, takes itself way too seriously at points, intentionally funny once or twice and just funny the rest of the time. And the main actor Rain - divine! Ahhh, now I see why I enjoyed myself so much and Garry so bored to tears lol.

3.5/5
L

Jamie Oilver

Sunday November 22 2009

Liz and I thought it maybe fun to go listen to Jamie Oliver talk about his food revolution. He's going around trying to get people off the fast food and on a better diet. We are trying to do this for ourselves, so it seemed like a pretty good fit. For some reason I thought that he would do a little cooking demonstration but he didn't. Liz never even thought that was a small possibility so again she is right. He casually rolled on the stage and started talking. Now one of my favorite people to see live is Kevin Smith and he is the world's best story teller so Jamie had some big shoes to fill. How did he do? Ok, not great but OK. I will say that at least he was better than Stephen King (which is not Kings fault - see post below) but still just OK. He was best when telling personal stories about his life but there where not many of those. He made Liz and I realize that we are on the right track in our eating habits and that was cool.

It was funny, they passed out all these cards for people to write questions on and in the end in the full 90 min event he did 4 questions in total, so not many audience question where answered.

Also they were a bit crazy about taking picture and the usher was having a shit fit on Liz about taking pictures but the funny thing was as they where giving her shit I had to point out all flashes going off....kinda weird. But she did snap a few and after a while she was just like FUCK IT I am taking pictures - yeah My REBEL - LOL.

So it was OK not great but OK

3 out of 5...maybe....would rather see Gordon Ramsay if I am being honest.

Well have to disagree about Gordon Ramsey first off. But again I think it had something to do with the person asking the questions. Jamie is a great entertainer given the chance so that host lady needed to be less gushing about Jamie's message and more on the entertainment. Still it was good to see him live and in a different time he might have been a tonne of fun.
3/5
L

The Blind Side and Disney's A Christmas Carol

November 21 2009

The Blind Side

First let me say I liked this movie and no, I did not cry but some chick sitting beside me did. A LOT!! This is a great, true story about a giant of a black man who had a rough childhood and a white family that takes him in and they all become one family. It's kind of sappy but not too bad. Sandra Bullock was the Mom and the Father was played by country music superstar (and one of my favorites) Tim Mc Graw. Both were great in this film. Just from the poster you can see what is going to happen but it was still cool watching it on the screen. Good movie but there is really no reason to see it on the big screen. Wait for the dvd and rent it. But if you want a small pick up in your day go see it.

I would say 3 out of 5

Disney's A Christmas Carol

This movie SUCKED ASS. Even though we did it in 3D - still sucked. I have to say that I love Christmas movies and there are about 9 I watch every year and some I make Liz watch but this one will not on that list. The worst or I guess the best part was we did not pay to see this. What happens is like most Saturdays we go see a movie around 11am and then we sneak into another. That's exactly what we did here. But even for free this one sucked. It was about half way into it I was already passing in and out of sleep when I looked at Liz and said lets go. Her only comment was wondering why I waited so long lol.

this one 0 out of 5

Go watch:
Bad Santa
Love Actually
Christmas Vacation
Home Alone
Elf
Scrooged
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Miracle on 34th Street
and the best
Jingle All the Way starring Arnold Schwarzenegger

garry

Twilight New Moon

Friday November 20 2009

Well I had Friday off at work and since Liz did NOT want to see Twilight New Moon I thought I would spare her the pain and go see it alone. The weird thing is Quinn had the day off and thought he would tag along. The movie was OK, not as good as the first movie. Now I know that these movies are not made for someone like me but I did like the first one. This one had less action and waaay more teenage love problems...and the end, I was shocked. I now have to wait a few months, years or however long till the next movie.I know, read the book but that's not going to happen.

In the end, not a great movie but most people that want too see this film have already seen it. I will go see the next movie and the one after that. I think that's all there is but I hope the next movie is better then this one. I do have to say that I thought the wolves did not look great on the screen, just a bit too big and way fake looking. But something tells me the 200 girls at my screening did not notice that lol.

I would say...2.5 out of 5. I think maybe I can talk Liz into seeing the next movie, but I am not holding my breath.

garry

Stephen King at The Canon Theatre

Thrusday November 12 2009

Liz and I went to see Stephen King at the Canon Theatre. The event was hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos and King was interviewed by David Cronenberg. The truth is the interviewer was the problem. He did not give Mr King enough time to talk and I think all he wanted to do was hear his own voice. We did not pay to hear Cronenberg talk BUT I think someone forgot to tell him that. When King did talk it was fun and he was very entertaining, just not enough of him. The night would have been way better if they let Stroumboulopoulos do the interview. I was a bit shocked how thin King was but he did look good. Liz was very excited that King was thinking of doing a second Shining book, but that was no big deal to me.

King was talking alot about his new book Under The Dome which sounds great, but I am not sure I would ever read it as it is a HUGE book. So Liz has to read it and tell me what happens. I did read on-line that there is a mini series that is going o be made so I will watch that for sure.

In the end not a bad talk just wish there was less Cronenberg and more King. Maybe next time...

garry

Cronenberg couldn't stop banging on and thought he sounded very clever and meaningful. I thought he just sounded very boring, waaay to serious and pompous. George should have done the interview - he would have understood that we weren't paying money to listen to him and he would have been great at bringing out King's playful side. Cronenberg sucked!
L

Pirate Radio

November 17 2009

Pirate Radio was a good movie, not great but really good. The music in the movie was perfect for me. The story is was about a bunch of renegade DJ'S in 1960's England before they played rock'n'roll on the radio. So the djs would broadcast from a ship just off the coast of England. It was an interesting story but really not earth shattering.

I do have to say that I really like Bill Nighy. He is always fun and a great actor. I loved him in Love Actually - that's a movie you should see now.

Anyway Pirate Radio 3 out 5

Liz skipped this movie and I think she would have liked it..o well.

garry

Sorry Babe - too busy getting my hair done before I head to Florida on the 28th.
L

2012

November 14 2009

Liz and I went to see 2012. Now I know some people will not believe this but last week we did not go to the movies. I know, it IS shocking. We both wanted to see this movie even though we knew it was not going to be great. To be honest, the worst part of this movie is that it is way too long. I think it was over 2.5 hours! Way too long for this kind of a movie. I actually kind of liked the movie itslef but it did get kind of repetitive watching the earth blow up lol.

If you want to watch a popcorn movie this is it. I like to watch things blow up and watch people narrowly escape - here it is.

I would say 3.5 out of 5

garry

It wasn't bad and it wasn't great. It was definitely looong. Worth seeing at the theatre to enjoy all the digital effects on the big screen but if you're waiting to see it at home, don't bother.

2.5/5
Liz

Toronto vs Minnesota Wild

Tuesday, 10 November 2009

I guess that last game was not my last Leaf game of the year. A week later we're back at the ACC in the same seats. We got the seats from DuPont and this time I got them and took David along. The first 2 periods of this game where not great for us Leaf fans, BUT you have to have hope. Down 4-1 at the end of second - we thought that was it. The boys did come flying back in the third and gave us a bit of hope but really they were too far in the hole.

Final was 5-2 Minnesota. Not a great game but when you get a chance to see the Leafs live you have to go. I THINK this may be my last game this year but you never know (apparently).

GO LEAFS GO
GOD PLEASE JUST A STANLEY CUP BEFORE I DIE...PLEASE :)

garry

It would be really nice if God would grant him this one wish. It's hard watching a grown man cry every damn season.
Liz

The Tragically Hip @ Air Canada Centre The Corporate Gig

November 5 2009 The Tragically Hip @ Air Canada Centre The Corporate Gig I started seeing ads on Craigslist for a Tragically Hip concert that was a corporate gig for Good Life Fitness. We saw a pair of tickets for $40.00, 10th row centre. I took a chance, bought the seats and Liz and I headed down to the ACC. Now with this kind of thing you always think something will go wrong. Well we got through the gates picked up about 4 glow sticks each and went to our seats. They where prefect! Yep 10th row. AMAZING! $40.00 well spent. The weird thing is last time Liz and I saw the Hip it was a special show also and that one only cost us $40.00 so it looks like we see the Hip but only if it's cheap. Now for me this was a way better show then the last time. This show was a greatest hits concert and I loved them all. Liz was about the same as last time as she's really not that into the Hip but she had a great time. It's great when you see a good band and at a great price. And we didn't have to join Good life lol. The best thing about the Tragically Hip is that they are CANADIAN. GREAT SHOW 4 out of 5

garry

This was a fun night and a really great find by Garry for ony $40 & a cheap dinner beforehand. It was bit traumatic trying to find something to eat that I wanted and that wouldn't send my Weight Watchers points through the roof! We finally settled on Est Side Mario's. As soon as the bread roll with the divne garlic butter arrived I paniced and insisted the waitress take it away lol. After that I filled up on salad (note to self request dressing on side in future - it was drowned in the stuff) and ate one half of my yummy wrap with goat's cheese and veggies. I actually didn't eat all the sandwich! I know, stunning! I'm very impressed with myself too!

After that the concert was great fun. Garry kept banging on about it being so much better than the last time we saw them. I can't say I know their music well enough to tell the difference. They were still good is all I can say.

Fun night
4/5
Liz

Toronto vs Tampa Bay

Tuesday November 30 2009

I made it to my first Leaf game this season. My buddy Dave got us tickets. I was very happy as not only was this my first and more than likely only game I will see this year but it was the first game for Phil Kessel. He is our newest Leaf and there is lots of hope that he may be a great player for us. Well last night he looked great. The team looked great. I was very shocked. Bad news is we lost 2-1 in overtime but they really deserved to win this game. Great effort and a fun game to watch. Not only did Kessel play well but our goalie "THE MONSTER" did an amazing job and was fun to watch.

The seats were great, high up but great. I just wish I still got the free seats I used to get...but at least I saw Phil Kessel's first game in a Leaf uniform.

GO LEAFS GO!
Always a fan.

garry

The Toxic Avenger / The Boys in the Photograph

October 30 2009

The Boys in the Photograph

I was thinking of seeing this play but the cost was just too much. Then an email came saying we come see it for $31.00 on Halloween. I decided we should check it out. I love live theatre but we don't go much as it is just to expensive. We made our way down to the Royal Alex and found our seats. The play is about an Irish football team (soccer) and what happens to them. It take place in Northern Ireland during the time where there was lots of "shit" happening between the IRA and England. Now I don't know much about this and would like to know more but this play was not telling me anything I did not already know. It was a musical but you know there was just too much singing and the play was so easy to see what was going to happen. Not Great.

I am glad we didn't pay $100.00 to see this I would not have been happy. But for the $31 I was ok with it. I think older people, like my Mom, may have really liked it but for me it was a pass.

The Toxic Avenger

Now this play was going to be more our speed. It started off bad as the line up to get in was huge and then we had to stand outside for an extra 30 mins not sure why. Once we got in and found the right seats it was all forgotten. The play was EXCELLENT, lots of fun and energy. There was only 5 actors in the play but they play different roles and it worked amazingly. It was not as good as the Evil Dead play but a real close second.

I read on-line that they have some rush $15.00 seats and I think that Liz and I may go see it again during the Christmas break. If you live in Toronto go see it.

TOXIC AVENGER ROCKS...

garry

The Boys in the Photograph was boring. Very slow and almost every line was sung. I like musicals (I LOVE the TV show Glee) but every line? Even so, I could forgive the singing if it had been entertaining. It made a very dramatic time in Ireland's history seem very ponderous and the play didn't really produce the desired emotions of sadness and concern for those caught up in difficult times.

The Toxic Avenger: we were concerned beforehand as we'd heard they were blowing out seats for $15 after we'd spend $50 each on ours. Maybe it was going to be dire? Did everyone else know something we didn't? AND then we found two tickets on the ground across the street from the theatre! Just lying there! Garry was all for using them as they were free tickets (they said COMP on them) but I said I felt guilty that we might be stealing someone's seats. Imagine if they came in and said "there, those two are in our seats!". I'd die! But a couple of vodka and diet cokes and 40 minutes hanging around waiting for the theatre to open and I'd been persuded otherwise. So Garry gives the guy our tickets to scan, and scan and scan. Eventually the guy goes "that's funny, these tickets say they've been reprinted so these ones are null and void". OMG! I felt like a deer caught in the proverbial head lights. I was waiting for the sirens to go off and riot police to come charging in to arrest us. Whilst I tried to remind myself to breath Garry calmly pulled our actual tickets from his pocket and said "it's okay, I have these tickets" and then he jokes "if those don't work I have another set". He actually joked with the guy and then saunters to our seats while I'm standing there turning blue, feeling light-headed from not breathing and waiting for a hand to clamp down on my shoulder. So you've been warned folks - don't leave your jewellery around whilst Garry is visiting - he's clearly a hardened criminal. I on the otherhand will be taking full of advantage of my work benefits relating to mental health issues. I really need professional help to address the time I barely escaped being arrested.
Luckily the show was great - totally worth the $50 seats and a nervous breadown.

Roller Derby

October 30 2009

Chicks Ahoy VS Death Track Dolls

Liz and I saw Whip it and I think that got Liz going that she wanted to see a live Roller Derby. So I found us some cheap seats on Cragslist and off we went.The weird thing is it is not in a hockey rink or something like that,but it was in an old factory type of place.So the rink was flat and therefore kinda hard to see at points.I think what pissed me off the most was that the girls come not use the side of the rink like in the old days. Liz seemed to be into it and it was kinda fun.The worst part by far was the guy doing the announcing during the match.He talked for the full 2 hours and I think we understood 2 words.

The girls where fun and it was a nice night out,but I would not hurry back.

garry

Michael Jackson's This Is It

October 30

So I had a day off work and thought I would go see Michael Jackson's This Is It. Liz was not into it so I went alone.Now people said it will be hard to get tickets.Well at my showing there was me and 5 other people...so lots of seats.

I do like MJ and this movie was kind of ok but it was like watching a preview of whats to come.I think if he had not died and did those shows in London and tape them..that would had been great.Since that can not happen this was ok.If you really like Micheal you maybe into this but to be honest just watch his stuff on you tube and save the $10.00.

I think this will a very fast turn around and be on DVD very fast.

maybe 3 out of 5

garry

Where The Wild Things are

October 30 2009

So liz and I decided to go see Where The Wild Things are. I had no idea about the story and I think Liz did. We went to see it In IMAX. I thought it was ok.Kinda sad in places and I think Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini ) did a great job. I have to say there was more to it then i thought and it was really not a kids movie.I can not see kids walk around with toys from this movie but I did see kids in the lobby with t-shirts from the book but I think the movie will be way over there heads.

I liked it although we really did not need to see it in Imax but I would say 4 out of 5

garry

Missing but we are are back

October 30 2009

Ok we took a break but now we are back

quick movie run down

The Stepfather--saw this alone by myself not great I think maybe the original was better but this one not for me 2 out of 5


Law Abiding Citizen-- Better then I thought and some great blow up scenes but nothing you have not seen before--wait for dvd--3 out of 5

Saw VI -- WAY WAY better then the last saw movie this one had a plot.A great scene on the kids ride--excellent blood I would saw 4 out 5

Paranormal Activity-- can you say over hyped. It was not great.I did get some chills at one point but very low budget and I was never really into it.Ok I guess for the budget and I think this would be a better movie to see a a film festival but for me kinda slow 2.5 out of 5

so that's about it for movies from the top of my head.Not sure if I missed any but at least we are kinda back.

garry