#3 - in movies the past decade

One of the best things for this movie goer is the opening of Harkins Spectrum. The best seating in Tucson. Seats rock back a bit, wider between rows, and larger theaters. But the best deal, IMO, is the $24.oo tee shirt and cup = free popcorn for a year and $1.00 sodas. Up the freeway, turn west on Valencia and then the first right and come into the Spectrum Mall from the south.

Having lived in GV 10 years before Desert Sky was built, I should

be more loyal but it can't compare to Harkin's.

Check previous posts for:

#1 past decade =evolution of animation

#2 past decade = Netflix

arrrrgh!!!

What are they thinking!! Only days after a 10 year old boy shoots himself and another work site massacre occurs, the Az. Star Headline: Bill would let guns in Az. colleges

The same lawmaker that ushered a measure through the legislature to allow guns in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol now wants guns in colleges.

We do live in the old west.

Boy 10 kills himself

How many of our children have to be buried before we tighten up availability of guns.

"10 year old boy found his stepfather's semiautomatic handgun and found the bullets. Loaded the gun and shot himself in the head." Jan. 6, 2010

"10 year old boy tells 911 operator that he shot Dad out of

anger". Nov. 9 2009

I am certain these fathers thought that they were "responsible" gun owners.

Guns do not belong in homes with children.

Disgruntled employee arrives at work place with a large assault rifle and a handgun. Kills three. Injures five.

How many of these scenarios are we going to tolerate before the public says to the NRA and the Legislature: "This is enough". We are not talking about hunting here folks. Or even self protection. We are talking about guns in houses with children and access to guns by depressed,

angry and derranged people.

Movie Review -Precious

This may be the best "feel bad" movie you will ever see. It is fierce, dark, relentlessly raw.

4**** IMO but would I recommend it? I don't think so. This is the kind of film that one has to decide for themselves that they want to see it. One reviewer said that it was "poverty porn" and for the first half of the movie, I tended to agree. But the movie is better than that. But it never lets you forget that we are, for a great part what we are born into. Yes, many rise above it but most don't. Even at the end of the movie I wondered if Precious would make it beyond the next few years.

As far as acting. Mo'Nique, in the role of Precious' mother is the best acting I have seen in

a long long time. She let herself get down, low and dirty and put in a marvelous performance.

Best Supporting Actress by a long shot IMO.

#2 in film the past decade

#2 in film in the past decade is Netflix. Absolutely a keen concept and one in which the company follows through on their mission 100%.

Over the weekend I watched a DVD from Netflix.

Made in 2009, this movie went straight to video. Why? Beats me.

Maiden Heist stars three of our best character actors. Each one can carry a film on his own.

We have Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken and William H. Macy. Along side them is

Marcia Gay Harden. How can this cast go wrong? Well IMO they don't. This comedy centers on 3 security guards at the Boston Art Museum. Each has become very attached to a specific piece of art they are responsible for. On learning that these pieces are going to be sent to Denmark they devise a plan to steal their favorite pieces. Hence the title of the movie.

This is a very good comedy. Better than many that I have seen this year. Not that it would make my top ten but IMO it better that "It's Complicated or "Funny People" and many others

What makes it so funny is that they take it so serious. And Harden's character is right on.

They must have had a ball making this movie.

Why straight to DVD? I don't know. I don't even know how I heard about it. Probably some critics DVD list. But thanks to netflix, we are able to see it.

#1 Animation in the last Decade

Animation has evolved and I use the term to refer to many different styles and techniques - Review my blog of December 17th on animation.

For those of you who still "Don't watch 'cartoons' or see 'those' movies, it is time to give it up. You are missing a lot. Ann Hornaday, film critic for the Washington Post in listing her top ten of the decade gave ----Are you ready for this? #1 to to to Finding Nemo!

Best of the decade: Film

By Ann Hornaday

Other memorable animation, in addition to the ones from 2009 were

Ratatouille

Cars

The Ice Age series

The Asian animation are always good and a bit more serious.

Some of the Israeli animation are way to serious.

So I am out of the closet and claiming my love of animation.

I also loved Beverly Hill Chihuahua; she whispers.

NY resolutions gone to the dogs.

For my New Years resolutions, I am going to take the suggestion of my friend P.T. and emulate the dogs.

Don't forget to say "I love you".

To enjoy life, you need to get up close and personal.
Find a safe place to get a way from it all when you need to.
Hang out with your best friends.
Find the sunbeams.
Scratch when it itches.
Respect who wears the shoes in the family.

And go "Whee" whenever the spirit moves you.