Deuces are Wild #6

Well, How is everyone?

I am struggling with this whole blog thing.  I almost quit.  I don't know how to make it more appealing, I am open to suggestions. It has been over a week since my last post and I have learned two important things since then.  1) Don't post on Saturdays because no one will read it.  2)  Keep it short because it is too burdensome to read a long blog.  So here is my new modified blog.  Let me know what you think.

MEDIA REVIEW

I saw this movie a couple weeks ago.  Before I started blogging but figured a handful of you still might be interested in a review.  Along those lines, if you are unsure of ANY movie what so ever and would like it to be reviewed just let me know below and I will try and have a solid review or at least a response by the next post.

'Super 8', written and directed by J.J. Abrams.  This movie takes place in 1979 small town rural Southwest Ohio (cool huh?!).  A bunch of tweeners with their hip 8mm hand-held cameras run around shooting Zombie movies.  I only wish I was that cool at 14 years old.  A United States Air Force train from Area 51 crashes and BOOM the town explodes in a nuclear holocaust, end of the movie.  I'm just teasing.  The events that ensue after the train wreck leave the town in a frenzy while the U.S.A.F. tries to clean up their mess.  To be completely honest I felt like this movie was identical to 'Cloverfield', which was J.J. Abrams alien suspense-sci-fi-mystery in New York City.  Both movies have incredible cinematography, audio, lighting and thrilling mysterious story lines. However, I left disappointed and unsatisfied from both movies.  I don't know if J.J. Abrams just can't finish strong or what?  'Star Trek' was phenomenal, 'Super 8' just left more to be desired.  

Super 8        EA:  72%        CW:79%

I am sure that a few of you are wondering what I thought of the recent Harry Potter finale.  Well, I can tell you that I am a huge fan of "the Lord of the Rings" and "Star Wars".  But, I have always been skeptical of the Harry Potter franchise, I have seen them all and been entertained.  This past week before the release I took the time to watch a Harry Potter movie every night to get completely caught up and refreshed.  I understood the series more by doing this and in turn have grown to REALLY enjoy this series to the point that it now can be placed on the very difficult to reach pedestal of "Epic Franchises" like 'Star Wars' and 'LOTR'.  The movies grew in maturity and intensity as Harry Potter and his faithful companions did.  A lot can be said about J.K. Rowling and her books, but the transition from book to film was brilliant and one hell of a ride.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 could not have ended a 10 year, 8 movie long franchise any better.  Simply put, it was the most intense, brought more closure, EPIC FINALE EVER.  PERFECTION.  

HP Deathly Hallows        EA:  98%        CW:  96%

Now a lot of you may think I am Bat-Shit-Crazy for that kind of rating.  My response is... "If you never liked Harry Potter to begin with, then what the Hell to you care what I rate it?!"  For those of you that loved Harry Potter then you'll understand.  You people in the grey area just need to watch them all again in a relatively short period like a couple weeks and go see the finale before it leaves theaters and you too will understand where I am coming from, for I too was once in the grey area and have been shown the light. 

TOP TEN COUNTDOWN          WAR MOVIES

#10     300

#9       We Were Soldiers

#8       The Patriot - The Second Mel Gibson film to make it on to my list of top ten War movies of all time.  I am very partial to this movie for a few reasons.  First of all there aren't a lot of gritty films that cover this time period.  The movie was extremely accurate on multiple levels from characters, military tactics to politics. If you haven't guessed I am clearly a fan of Mel Gibson, but in this film his portrayal of a father who has truly lost everything and will stop at nothing to see the vengeance of his sons is just one of the most moving, cringing, moments in any movie.

#7        Patton - George C. Scott plays one of America's greatest Generals, General George S. Patton.  This film shows us the tactics and strategy inside a brilliant military mind.  George S. Patton although a Christian believed in the idea that great military leaders were reborn again and again to command their men in greater battles throughout time.  George S. Patton was a man that demanded the best from his men and his opponents, so much so that he lost combat command of his men in WWII shortly after he was seen slapping a man he had accused of cowardice.  His outspokenness of politics and foreign policy would plague his success again during the post-war efforts.  However fleeting Patton's success, the film is a strong and powerful display of a great leader in WWII.

#6      The Hurt Locker - 

"The rush of battle is a potent and often lethal addiction, for war is a drug."

Winner of an Academy award in 2009, the Hurt Locker is about the addiction of war. Jeremy Renner plays Sergeant First Class William James who is apart of an elite EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) squad. The Sergeant serves multiple tours, even with a wife and child he still favors the rush of the job over his life at home. This is a fantastic look at our current conflict. With an abnormal look into what war really can do to young men.

#5        The Great Escape - Loaded with an all-star cast, this 1963 film was destined to be a classic.  Based on the true story of a Nazi prison for Allied officers.  'The Great Escape' is about the largest and most successful mass escape of any prison in WWII.  The film has its serious moments but is given brief bits of comic relief delivered by the only fictional character in the film, played by Steve McQueen.  This was a family classic in my household.  And I think this is the most under-rated movie in our countdown.

#4        Glory - This is arguably one of the greatest films about the American Civil War.  Based on a true story about Colonel Robert Shaw who suffers heavy losses at the Battle of Antietam and is given leave back home to Boston.  Upon returning home, President Lincoln passes the Emancipation Proclamation.  The Colonel returns to duty with command of the First All-Black Regiment.  With his child-hood friend as his second-in-command and a nearly all volunteer force of determined blacks, the Colonel leads the attack on Fort Wagner.  Though the battle was a complete failure, the message sent was not.  Neither is this movie.    

I was going to finish off my Top Ten Countdown of War Movies, but figured I would leave everyone with a cliff hanger.  #3, #2 and #1 will all come on the next post.  As for our next Top Ten Countdown category, does anyone have any suggestions?

TIP/LINK OF THE DAY

Ladies, always losing your user manuals?  Fellas, always throwing away your user manuals?  Well, if you ever wished you had kept it.  Here is a massive archive.

the-manuals.com

GADGET OF THE DAY

On The Rocks.  Skip the ice; Serve your drinks on the rocks.These innovative soapstone cubes were designed by Andrew Hellman, a big fan of single malt scotch, who wanted to chill his spirits without diluting them. After much research, he came up with the idea of using natural soapstone to chill drinks due to its softness (won't scratch the glass) and its unique ability to retain temperature for extended periods of time. Milled in Perkinsville, Vermont by the oldest soapstone workshop in the United States.Simply chill the stones. Add three to your next drink, let stand for five minutes and enjoy.

http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/whiskey-stones-gift-set

LAUGH OF THE DAY

The Recession : The 10 Worst Things!!

By ROB GOTOBED

1. Wives are having sex with their husbands because they can't afford batteries.

2. Exxon-Mobil has had to lay off 25 Congressmen.

3. My cousin had an exorcism but couldn't afford to pay for it, and they re-possessed her!!

4. A truckload of Americans has been caught sneaking into Mexico.

5. When Bill and Hillary travel together, they now have to share a room.

6. I saw a Mormon polygamist yesterday with only one wife.

7. A picture is now only worth 168 words.

8. Motel Six won't leave the light on anymore.

9. Romanian television stations are now showing 'Sponsor an American Child' commercials!

10. The Treasure Island casino in Las Vegas is now managed by Somali pirates.

I hope that everyone has found this post of Deuces are Wild to be more entertaining and easier to read.  I look forward to reading everyone's comments and suggestions below.

Stay Classy.  Deuces, OUT.