While in Vancouver I managed to find some time to go and see Soul Surfer. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and although I would not say its a 'must see' it definately has alot in it to merit a viewing. I was pleased I went to see it.
This movie is based on a true story. The acting is good with Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt as the parents going through the horror of having their 'star' surfer daughter losing her arm to a shark, then how they support her as she begins surfing again. I'm typing this up without the awareness of the actor's name who played the daughter, but she did a great job as well. All the supporting actors, including Kevan Sorbo played their roles well. So you have a well acted human story all coming together, showing how with faith and determination you can overcome all the odds. I liked how they truly built up the story before the 'accident' and oh yes, Carrie Underwood has a role as well.
I give this movie 3 out of 5 stars. If you don't get to see it in the movie theatre, I believe its definately worth a DVD watch. The scenes of Hawaii, were worth it alone.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Source Code
Source Code is one of those movies in which time and space is explored in a different way. I found this movie enjoyable, even though the same scenario takes place over and over, it is done in an interesting way. What makes this work, is because of the progression of understanding the main character, played very well by Jake Gyllenhaal, goes through as he comes back from the assignment of discovering who is going to let off a bomb on this train. Each trip he has eight minutes to gather intel. During the many eight minutes he has he falls in love with the girl played by Michelle Monaghan. I would have like a little longer to digest the ending to ensure I was computing it correctly. I ran into a friend of mine after the show was over, she was just coming out of the movie to and we both had a different take on it. No matter, I enjoyed it, again representing how time and space can be altered. 3 1/2 out of 5.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
The Lincoln Lawyer
I found myself with some time in Kelowna the other day, so decided to go see the Lincoln Lawyer with Matthew McConaughey. I had wanted to see this movie and so far it had not arrived in my town, so here was the opportunity. Thank goodness for Spring break, when they also have day time movies.
There were three of us in the theatre to watch Matthew do his work. I must say I do enjoy his movies. He seems to embody, in his style, the characters he plays. I think he must really look for ones he knows he is suited for.
I did not know the story of the Lincoln Lawyer, not having read the book or really heard too much about it, but the plot was delightful. How a lawyer, who works out of his car, defending guilty people is hired to defend a rich kid/man, played by Ryan Phillippe - who did a great job in that role - when he finds out he is actually the person who killed one of his previous clients who had said he was innocent but he did not believe and made a plea bargain putting him away for 15 years. Guilt results, yet he is sworn as his lawyer to defend and keep his counsel.
How the plot unravels is masterful, and if you have an opportunity to see this, its good to watch. Oh yes, there is a bit of pay back and some tense moments, but it is all about knowing how to manipulate the law, people and get the result you want. A few surprises, but all in all and enjoyable plot line and as usual with Mathew McConaughey a good watch. 3 1/2 out of 5.
There were three of us in the theatre to watch Matthew do his work. I must say I do enjoy his movies. He seems to embody, in his style, the characters he plays. I think he must really look for ones he knows he is suited for.
I did not know the story of the Lincoln Lawyer, not having read the book or really heard too much about it, but the plot was delightful. How a lawyer, who works out of his car, defending guilty people is hired to defend a rich kid/man, played by Ryan Phillippe - who did a great job in that role - when he finds out he is actually the person who killed one of his previous clients who had said he was innocent but he did not believe and made a plea bargain putting him away for 15 years. Guilt results, yet he is sworn as his lawyer to defend and keep his counsel.
How the plot unravels is masterful, and if you have an opportunity to see this, its good to watch. Oh yes, there is a bit of pay back and some tense moments, but it is all about knowing how to manipulate the law, people and get the result you want. A few surprises, but all in all and enjoyable plot line and as usual with Mathew McConaughey a good watch. 3 1/2 out of 5.
Battle: Los Angeles
I was almost surprised as to how much I enjoyed watching this movie. I went because I needed to go 'out' and there was not another movie on which I wanted to see. So this was the one. As I found my seat in this afternoon show, I realized there were not many in the theatre. Never mind - I was there.
I found the movie moved very well, not spending too much time on a scene - just enough to get the 'picture' as to what was happening, and then onto the next scene. I had been expecting a lot of noise and things being blown up, as per the promos. Again a surprise, it had a heartfelt story contained within it, and older marine who had lost men in his last tour who was now training young marines.
Now, due to this threat, which in the beginning they were not totally aware of he was thrown into being the master sergeant of a new group, one of which was the brother of one of the men who had died on his last tour. This sets up the energy projected towards him.
The group is sent to pick up some civilians who need to be taken to the safe zone. Now the story begins to heat up. Slowly we learn more and more about the invaders, how they seem to be machines and when Michelle Rodriguez's character joins what is left of the group they learn more. She seems to shine in these 'tough girl' roles.
Again slow but sure they lose more of their troop until a handful are left to fight their way to the safe zone, and on the way take out the 'master mind' of it all.
As I sat there in the late afternoon, I found myself caught in the story, the actors, Aaron Eckhart, doing a fine job as the Staff Sergeant, Bridget Moynahan as the yet, and the three child actors, all doing their part in playing their roles. When at the end, the men plus Rodriguez's character are 'full' marines and do not give up or in. I left the theatre quite happy with my two hours of watching men fighting machines. Oh yes the sub plot that the aliens were here for our water - now that is interesting too.
I give this movie 3 starts out of 5. Worth viewing for many slants.
I found the movie moved very well, not spending too much time on a scene - just enough to get the 'picture' as to what was happening, and then onto the next scene. I had been expecting a lot of noise and things being blown up, as per the promos. Again a surprise, it had a heartfelt story contained within it, and older marine who had lost men in his last tour who was now training young marines.
Now, due to this threat, which in the beginning they were not totally aware of he was thrown into being the master sergeant of a new group, one of which was the brother of one of the men who had died on his last tour. This sets up the energy projected towards him.
The group is sent to pick up some civilians who need to be taken to the safe zone. Now the story begins to heat up. Slowly we learn more and more about the invaders, how they seem to be machines and when Michelle Rodriguez's character joins what is left of the group they learn more. She seems to shine in these 'tough girl' roles.
Again slow but sure they lose more of their troop until a handful are left to fight their way to the safe zone, and on the way take out the 'master mind' of it all.
As I sat there in the late afternoon, I found myself caught in the story, the actors, Aaron Eckhart, doing a fine job as the Staff Sergeant, Bridget Moynahan as the yet, and the three child actors, all doing their part in playing their roles. When at the end, the men plus Rodriguez's character are 'full' marines and do not give up or in. I left the theatre quite happy with my two hours of watching men fighting machines. Oh yes the sub plot that the aliens were here for our water - now that is interesting too.
I give this movie 3 starts out of 5. Worth viewing for many slants.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Rango
Last night I finally got to go see a movie again. My schedule has been such that I have not been able to see one for a few weeks. Unfortunately, I chose to see Rango, not that the choices at the theatre I was at was much. I really don’t know what to say except this is NOT a child’s movie. Although this was an afternoon session and there were not many people there I only heard the children there laugh once. I laughed more than that. This is an adult script, not a children’s one. I thought I would enjoy a lovely 2 hours. Forget it. I heard some teenagers afterwards saying it was the ‘boringest show ever’. Yes, not a great movie. I give it one star out of five. The one star is because I did laugh a few times.
Monday, February 28, 2011
I AM NUMBER FOUR
I took myself to see the movie I Am Number Four the other night. I enjoyed this movie. I found its storyline of aliens amongst us, having been sent here as babies with a protector because another race had destroyed their planet interesting. The story line was pretty easy to follow. Nine babies sent to be raised with each one having a protector. One by one they were being killed and the movie begins with Number Three reaching his end by the 'bad guys' who have come to ensure they do not grow up. Number four is the next one on their list.
Due to the action and interaction of the actors the movie flowed easily and the bad guys were very easily bad guys. I enjoyed the little beagle who was a shape shifter. Mostly I enjoyed Number Four Alex Pettyfer (who could be called Prettyboy). I also enjoyed it when Number six arrived, being a girl, who seemed further in command of the super natural powers than Number four. I was sorry to see the Protector die, but then that's part of the story line, plus the whispery (wimpy) voice of the Glee girl, Dianna Agron, I felt like "grow up" although she did the running away from the 'bad guys' well.
What I find interesting is that as the three young people drive away in order to find the 'other four' I was thinking, well I'll come and see the sequel. I presume there is a sequel, or if not there definitely could be. Drop the girl friend though. I give this movie a solid 3 out of 5.
Due to the action and interaction of the actors the movie flowed easily and the bad guys were very easily bad guys. I enjoyed the little beagle who was a shape shifter. Mostly I enjoyed Number Four Alex Pettyfer (who could be called Prettyboy). I also enjoyed it when Number six arrived, being a girl, who seemed further in command of the super natural powers than Number four. I was sorry to see the Protector die, but then that's part of the story line, plus the whispery (wimpy) voice of the Glee girl, Dianna Agron, I felt like "grow up" although she did the running away from the 'bad guys' well.
What I find interesting is that as the three young people drive away in order to find the 'other four' I was thinking, well I'll come and see the sequel. I presume there is a sequel, or if not there definitely could be. Drop the girl friend though. I give this movie a solid 3 out of 5.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Back from Regina, Sask.
Just a quick note for those who follow me (which I totally appreciate). I was home from New Zealand for a total of one week and then I flew to Regina, Sask. to reaudit Level 2 and 3 of the Yuen Method with Sheila Unique. It was an amazing six days away.
First of all, I flew to Vancouver, no problem at all, except snow was beginning to fall as I left (a sign). In Vancouver it was announced that the plane may or may not land in Regina due to a snow storm and fog and that we would need to get on the plane knowing this. We all piled in and took off to fly the 2 1/2 hours to Regina. I immediately began to work on us landing successfully. I had a class to go to the next morning. As we approached Regina the pilot announced that it did not look good, but they were going to go to 2,000 feet and see if anything opened up. Once more I went to work and then the pilot announced "the weather has unexpectedly broken up and we can land". So we did. If I made a difference I don't know, but I did do some 'work' on the situation (and I'm sure others in the plane did too) and we landed successfully, even though we slid a bit on the runway before slowing down enough to not slide on the ice/snow.
That wasn't the worst part though. After getting the paper work for my rental car, I had to get to it in a cold, cold, blowing wind and the ground was icy snow packed. I was so glad to finally drag my suitcase to the car and get myself in. (I can't tell you how cold and horrible that part was). I couldn't open the trunk so had to get the suitcase in on the back seat. This had a repercussion in that the little light which says the trunk is open stayed on and finally the battery ran down and the car would not start. (That's coming up).
Arrived at my friend Joyce's place and driving down the side street to her house was an experience in itself as well. The side street has two ruts in the snow in which you drive so the car was thrown around a bit. I became more used to this after a day or two of driving, but in the beginning it felt very strange. Regina has had a lot of snow and the snow on either side of the driveway of Joyce's house is around 6ft high where it has been thrown when cleared.
The next day Friday, I drove (using my GPS - I'm really getting fond of this little tool) to class. I met Sheila Unique and the three other students. This began three days of learning how to utilize this method I have been working with for a year on a whole new level, which I enjoyed and have come away feeling I'm more insinc with working with the system. I will have an opportunity later today with a client who is coming to visit. Our workshop was held in a building in which a most wonderful coffee shop was housed. Wonderful food, so our breaks you could have coffee/tea and an assortment of baked goodies, plus for lunch we had homemade soup with a bun. For an out-of-towner it was great!
In the evening I spent with my friend Joyce, we went once to see the movie True Grit, which I have seen before (see www.moviereviewswithnormacowie.blogspot.com) but Joyce hadn't. I enjoyed it just as much the second time and Joyce agreed with me about Matt Damon in that role.
On the Sunday night we went to see Unknown with Liam Neesom, and we enjoyed it, and have just posted my review of that on the other blog.
Monday I had the day to drive Joyce (she doesn't drive) to get what she wanted. This was the day my car did not start (thanks to that little light) and the CAA man came and got the car going, which meant that we had to go for a nice drive around to ensure the battery was recharged. We drove to the north of town and saw all the snow covered fields and the shifting snow in the wind. It was pleasant for Joyce to see. The CAA man told me the trunk was frozen solid and it was no wonder I could not open it. I also banged my head quite hard on the outside mirror of his truck as I slid a little on the snow. It hurt and is still sore, but I'm OK.
Tuesday saw me get up, luckily it was warmer only minus 18. The weather during the week had been - 21 to - 29. Drove to the airport and after the horror show of getting to my car, it was a snap returning from the parked car to the rental counter. Then the long flight - Regina to Calgary then Calgary to Vancouver then Vancouver to Penticton to get home. A few hours stop over in each place, so was quite tired when I arrived back. So took an easy evening, watching the NCIS shows while I looked through emails.
Now life will be back to normal. Walking at 11am then clients beginning at 12.30 and meditation tonight.
Trust your last week has been as productive and enjoyable as mine.
Lots to look forward too....so will keep you apprised.
Blessings with love
Norma.
First of all, I flew to Vancouver, no problem at all, except snow was beginning to fall as I left (a sign). In Vancouver it was announced that the plane may or may not land in Regina due to a snow storm and fog and that we would need to get on the plane knowing this. We all piled in and took off to fly the 2 1/2 hours to Regina. I immediately began to work on us landing successfully. I had a class to go to the next morning. As we approached Regina the pilot announced that it did not look good, but they were going to go to 2,000 feet and see if anything opened up. Once more I went to work and then the pilot announced "the weather has unexpectedly broken up and we can land". So we did. If I made a difference I don't know, but I did do some 'work' on the situation (and I'm sure others in the plane did too) and we landed successfully, even though we slid a bit on the runway before slowing down enough to not slide on the ice/snow.
That wasn't the worst part though. After getting the paper work for my rental car, I had to get to it in a cold, cold, blowing wind and the ground was icy snow packed. I was so glad to finally drag my suitcase to the car and get myself in. (I can't tell you how cold and horrible that part was). I couldn't open the trunk so had to get the suitcase in on the back seat. This had a repercussion in that the little light which says the trunk is open stayed on and finally the battery ran down and the car would not start. (That's coming up).
Arrived at my friend Joyce's place and driving down the side street to her house was an experience in itself as well. The side street has two ruts in the snow in which you drive so the car was thrown around a bit. I became more used to this after a day or two of driving, but in the beginning it felt very strange. Regina has had a lot of snow and the snow on either side of the driveway of Joyce's house is around 6ft high where it has been thrown when cleared.
The next day Friday, I drove (using my GPS - I'm really getting fond of this little tool) to class. I met Sheila Unique and the three other students. This began three days of learning how to utilize this method I have been working with for a year on a whole new level, which I enjoyed and have come away feeling I'm more insinc with working with the system. I will have an opportunity later today with a client who is coming to visit. Our workshop was held in a building in which a most wonderful coffee shop was housed. Wonderful food, so our breaks you could have coffee/tea and an assortment of baked goodies, plus for lunch we had homemade soup with a bun. For an out-of-towner it was great!
In the evening I spent with my friend Joyce, we went once to see the movie True Grit, which I have seen before (see www.moviereviewswithnormacowie.blogspot.com) but Joyce hadn't. I enjoyed it just as much the second time and Joyce agreed with me about Matt Damon in that role.
On the Sunday night we went to see Unknown with Liam Neesom, and we enjoyed it, and have just posted my review of that on the other blog.
Monday I had the day to drive Joyce (she doesn't drive) to get what she wanted. This was the day my car did not start (thanks to that little light) and the CAA man came and got the car going, which meant that we had to go for a nice drive around to ensure the battery was recharged. We drove to the north of town and saw all the snow covered fields and the shifting snow in the wind. It was pleasant for Joyce to see. The CAA man told me the trunk was frozen solid and it was no wonder I could not open it. I also banged my head quite hard on the outside mirror of his truck as I slid a little on the snow. It hurt and is still sore, but I'm OK.
Tuesday saw me get up, luckily it was warmer only minus 18. The weather during the week had been - 21 to - 29. Drove to the airport and after the horror show of getting to my car, it was a snap returning from the parked car to the rental counter. Then the long flight - Regina to Calgary then Calgary to Vancouver then Vancouver to Penticton to get home. A few hours stop over in each place, so was quite tired when I arrived back. So took an easy evening, watching the NCIS shows while I looked through emails.
Now life will be back to normal. Walking at 11am then clients beginning at 12.30 and meditation tonight.
Trust your last week has been as productive and enjoyable as mine.
Lots to look forward too....so will keep you apprised.
Blessings with love
Norma.
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