Category: Flicks

Lost

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=thebigbenfors-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00005JNOG&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=72E96A&f=ifr Daniel and Krez have both been telling me how much they enjoy the TV show Lost and that I’d like it too. I had downloaded a catch up episode from iTunes which was what really made me want to see it all from the beginning. I’ve avoided watching any of Season 3 as it happens because I had a feeling (which was confirmed by Krez & Daniel) this is a show better understood and enjoyed when watched from the beginning. So, I went out and bought Season 1.

It’s a six disk set with a seventh disk that’s all bonus stuff. (I just got this yesterday so I obviously haven’t gotten to watch too much, much less get to disk 7.) I have just finished disk 1 and I can say that I am now hooked! Of course, I ask all the obvious questions – “What’s out there in the jungle?”, “Where is that signal coming from?”, “Who else has been on the island?”. I am a bit at a disadvantage to the mystery of Lost because I watched that teaser episode aired during Season 3, I kind of know what’s coming and who’s whom. Things become a little more predictable then. Anywho, it’s good stuff.

The characters cover the spectrum of human nature and as expected from a bunch of people who are stranded on a deserted island, lots of emotion. There are friendships made and conflicts that arise. If you haven’t started your Lost experience yet, I highly recommend it! 4.5 out of 5 stars.

The Benford Christmas and The Queen

Christmas with my family was great! As tradition holds, we went to the Four Seasons for a wonderful brunch. I got there before my parents and sister so they seated me and immediately offered me champagne. Gotta love a classy hotel!! Once my family got there, we hit the buffet. The buffet was quite extensive with a variety of salads, hot dishes, a carving station and in the center was a wonderful seafood station with shrimp, crab legs, bagel & lox, and some yummy sushi. Once we thought we were full, we headed to the dessert bar. Most everything was the same as years past and very rich but my sister and I discovered the strawberry & Grande Marnier tartlet. OH, SO YUMMY!!! I could have had those all afternoon!! While I was perusing the dessert bar, there was a cute little boy, about 4 years old, waiting with his family to be seated. While he waited, he looked over the dessert bar while I stood deciding what I was going to nibble on. He came over and his dad would pull him back to where they were waiting. This happened two more times and when he came over the final time, I offered him a blueberry off one of my desserts and he was happy. He went back to his family and they were seated. It’s amazing, the power of blueberries…. 😉

After our wonderful dining experience, we headed back to my parent’s house and hung out for a while. My sister went to visit some of her friends and my parents and I went to see The Queen. It’s about The Queen of England as she and her family experienced the death of Princess Diana in 1997. Of course, they discussed how the public and press depicted the Queen as being insensitive to the ordeal since Diana & Charles had divorced a year earlier. In this movie, you sepoite it all from the Queen and her family’s point of view. Excellent acting but I wish the storyline would have not centered around the Diana incident. I’m really starting to get upset by how the media won’t let her rest in peace. Anywho, it’s a good movie and if it’s playing in your town, you should try to see it. 4 out of 5 stars.

The DaVinci Code

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=thebigbenfors-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00005JOC9&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&lc1=0000FF&bc1=FFFFFF&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr&nou=1 I finally got to watch The DaVinci Code this week. It was pretty much in line with what I remember from the book (I read it several years ago) but it didn’t necessarily disappoint because it’s blown away what I’ve imagined while reading the book. It did leave a few things out but I don’t think that inhibited the telling of the story. In case you haven’t read the book, seen the movie or heard all the hub-bub over it all, the story is about the possibility of the beliefs of the Catholic Church (and even other branches of Christianity) being not what everyone believes. Do I agree? Eh, what does it matter. Dan Brown is a fiction writer and a good one at that. He does make the story seem believable but I guess being the heathen that I am, it could go either way. I really try not to discuss religious beliefs or disbeliefs in public…. It’s easier to keep the peace that way. 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

The Pursuit of Happyness

This movie is based on real life events of Chris Gardner who started out in dire straights and couldn’t seem to find a break in life. He loves his son and because he grew up without a father, he does whatever he can to make sure his son doesn’t grow up in the same situation. Chris and his son experience many difficult challenges, including homelessness, while Chris goes through an unpaid stock and bond market internship trying to get the one and only spot available with Dean Witter.

This movie is based on real life events and there is a book of the same name by the real Chris Gardner but after reading a synopsis of the book, they’ve obviously changed the story a bit when they made the movie. Because Will Smith’s son is cast as Chris Gardner’s son, the father-son chemistry is definitely authentic. This man’s determination and belief in himself is amazing and inspiring and regardless of mixed reviews of Will Smith’s portrail, it’s worth seeing the movie. Very inspiring.4 out of 5 stars.

Rumor Has It…

I watched Rumor Has It… tonight. It was a pretty good movie. The premise is that the book/movie The Graduate is based upon a family from Pasadena, California. For a time being, the people of Pasadena tried figuring out which family was the object of the book/movie but couldn’t. Very quickly, we figure out it’s Sarah Huttinger’s (played by Jennifer Aniston) family. The story goes from there. It’s pretty good; I laughed out loud and there were a few places I found myself laughing quite a bit. I did think the ending was a bit too predictable and stereotypical but eh, that’s Hollywood for ya. I love Shirley MacLaine in this movie; but when have I seen a movie with her in it that I haven’t enjoyed her performance? I think she’s quite good. So, in closing, if you get a chance to see it, do it. 4 out of 5 stars.