Star Trek 2009 May 23, 2009
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Ok – so I have now seen the new “Star Trek” movie two times and I have loved it both times. First – I saw it twice because I didn’t take my kids with me the first time I saw it and they almost killed me. Second – I will totally “out” myself and will admit to being a “Trekkie”… yes… I did watch all the original shows… yes… I did own Star Trek Stuff… yes… I did go to a Star Trek convention in the 70’s BUT I didn’t dress up, if that helps. I also watched several of the later shows, Next Generation being my favorite.
OK – that said – I really loved the show because they did it right. As a Trekkie they acknowledged a lot of the cannon (history) of the show and did a great nod to some of the inside jokes (i.e. “I’m a Doctor, Jim, Not a physicist”) but you didn’t Have to know those jokes to enjoy the movie. The students who have gone to see it have told me how much they enjoyed the movie and most didn’t know much of anything about Star Trek before.
So – check it out if you want a fun summer movie and bravo to J.J. Abrams for a job well done!
Duplicity April 13, 2009
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Where to start on this movie? First – I love Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. I would probably like most anything they are in. But, just because I like actors does Not mean that they are good together in movies. A good example? Warren Beatty and Annette Benning – I like both actors and, hell, they are actually married TO each other but in Love Affair?.. NO Chemistry… None… zip… nil. SNORE, in fact. So – I was relieved to have Chemistry between Julia Roberts and Clive Owen – it was fun watching them together and pretty darn believable.
Second – the plot was pretty good and the way that they jumped Back and Forth in time really helped maintain the confused feel of the movie. Who do you trust? Who is telling the truth? What do you actually Know? Which is not only the plot but how I felt frequently – like I thought I knew what was going on but Not.
Third – I cannot tell you the end but it is, in many ways, worth the whole movie.
I liked it – parts were funny, which I always like – I hate when movies forget and take themselves too seriously – parts were confusing and intriguing and I wanted to know what was going to happen and was invested in the characters. All and all – four stars.
Watchmen March 16, 2009
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So I went to see the Watchmen. Now this might not necessarily be a movie that I would see on the big screen but it was totally worth it. First we went to the Landmark Theater in downtown Baltimore – if you haven’t been – WOW. The seats are amazing, leather with tons of leg room and the arm rests lift if you want to snuggle up with the person you are with. NEXT – they serve wine, beer, and mixed drinks – there is something to be said for sitting in very comfy seats drinking wine while watching a movie on a Big screen… and, as my son pointed out, the wine we choose went lovely with the popcorn and peanut M&Ms. (smile)
OK – so the theater is lovely and we settled in for basically a three-hour movie. My son had warned me (he saw it when it opened) so we all made the appropriate bathroom stops on our way in. I will say – I Never felt like looking at my watch. Now I know that there are lots and lots of critiques of the movie but – I haven’t read the graphic novel and I only knew a little bit of the background so this is purely from my perspective. The story wasn’t necessarily amazing but it was entertaining and the movie is really really Pretty! The graphics and such are beautiful … ok, it’s very violent but… well… yeah – it is. There was lots of action and I like movies that remember to laugh and don’t take themselves too seriously.
So – I give Watchmen four stars … and if you go see it… afterwards try to sit down and listen or read some of the info about the graphic novel and why it so amazing in the changes it made to the genre, etc. It is actually pretty interesting.
“TAKEN” February 8, 2009
Posted by maumicannellchatterton in : Movie Reviews , add a commentWent to see “Taken” today – new Liam Neeson movie. Genre: Action Premise: Former spy/CIA/NSA/unknown agency operative retires in order to spend more time with his daughter, who’s life he has not really been a part of because of work. His ex, beautiful Famke Janssen, is remarried to some incredibly rich man and lives in the big mansion with servants, etc. Daughter wants to go to Paris for a vacation with her friend and Dad is opposed but gives in. Daughter and idiot friend get kidnapped almost the moment they arrive and Dad goes after the villians. The rest of the movie is the search and destroy mission.
I liked the movie – the action was good, without TOO much hand-cam work to make me nauseous, and I somehow believed that Dad Would, and could, do this. Of course, it does help when the bad guys are not very good at what they do, but… I’m not here for reality! They didn’t play their hand too often and the bad guys weren’t necessarily cookie cutter movie villains. There were also a few surprises to show just how serious Dad was, which I appreciated.
So – not a thought provoking movie… not deep in anyway… but for an afternoon’s entertainment – not bad. Oh… and the audience applauded at the end … I think that’s a good sign!,
Perspective January 5, 2009
Posted by maumicannellchatterton in : Personal , add a commentHow much of what we know and how we go through life… how we deal with each other and the world around us… is due to perspective? We can’t always step into another person’s shoes because we don’t come with their history and experiences. But here is a way to “see” from another perspective – I just wanted to share!
An Exhibition to Discover the Unseen
Movie Review – Transporter 3 December 1, 2008
Posted by maumicannellchatterton in : Movie Reviews , add a commentI Love Movies so I think I will write the occasional Movie Review here on my blog. So – my first review: Transporter 3. Ok – this wasn’t a “smart” movie but if you are going to a Jason Statham movie for “smart” then we need to discuss the definition of smart. (smile) Now – if you are looking for action, car chases, fight scenes – Guess What? Right Place! It was a good movie for the action and all that this type of movie has to offer. The female character, Valentina (played by Natalya Rudakova), was, unfortunately, a bit of a caricature. She was sassy but they went with too many stereotypes. The story line wasn’t terrible – yes, there was a story line. All in all, it wasn’t bad and was an entertaining way to spend an evening.
Chili Winner October 30, 2008
Posted by maumicannellchatterton in : Personal , add a commentSo – for 8 years I have been entering the Chili Cook-off and I have never won Best Overall Chili. I won most unusual one year (I made clam chowder – don’t ask) and I won runner-up last year (can’t remember the actual category I won) but This Year – 2008 – I Won Best Overall Chili and I can’t describe how thrilled I am. Now, the funny part? My kids, Stephen and Angela, have bugged me for years and years – “Mom, how come you never make YOUR chili??? It Would Win!” I didn’t make the chili that I make… oh, every few weeks from about October through March because… it is boring… it is just Plain Old Chili. This year, due to time constraints and such, I said the heck with it and made MY Chili and… yes, I know… It Won! So, several people have asked for my chili recipe and I thought I would just share it here.
The measurements are very NOT precise so most everything is to Taste.
Jumbo package ground beef (that 5lb. size) – Jumbo package of HOT Italian sausage (5lb. size) – large sweet onion (chopped) – large green pepper (seeded and chopped) – large red pepper (seeded and chopped) – Large can of chopped tomatoes (with or without additional seasoning included – totally personal taste – and do not drain) – small can of tomato paste – 1-2 cans of beef broth (depending on how “soupy” you like your chili) – 1 can of beer (optional – again, based on how soupy you like your chili) – 1-2 cans of chopped green chilies (in the “Mexican” food aisle – drain slightly) – and now, the complicated part: the spices. Chopped garlic (to taste – I use about 1 Tbsp.), 1 tsp. cumin, 1-2 tsp. thyme and oregano, chili powder (to taste – I use about 2-3 Tbsp.) OR (and I started doing this when I knew I didn’t have a lot of time to put the fixings together in the morning) TWO packages of McCormick’s Chili Seasoning envelopes – one HOT and one Regular. Yes, I know… cheating but it is all the ingredients combined, including the veggies and everything.
Brown the meat together and drain thoroughly. Divide the meat mixture – use one for NOW and package up the other and freeze for a future batch (That’s why I get the JUMBO sizes of meats – for future meals). Dump the browned meats into a crockpot and pour in the rest of the ingredients and stir. Turn on low and simmer for 9 hours or more (I did it at 11pm and cooked it all night for the Chili Cook-off). Don’t stir too often because you lose heat every time you open the lid.
Once it is cooked I add 1 Large can of beans (your choice – I’ve used red kidney, pink kidney, pinto, and black beans) or 1-3 small cans of beans (one type or mixed varieties), all depending on how much room there is in the pot. And I serve with shredded cheese, chopped onion. and sour cream. I Think that is everything, although it is something I make fairly often so I don’t really think about it anymore, I just do it.
And It Won! Yeah!
*** Note: if you are using the frozen meat, you can put it, still frozen, into the crockpot. Mix the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl and pour over and turn on and cook the same way. It all turns out about the same, although the frozen meat adds more liquid so keep that in mind.