The Omen - ACE Train Movie Review

Robert and Katherine Thorn were as loving parents as any young boy could ask for, but as fate would have it, their new son Damien is far from the typical child. Now, as the mysterious boy's growth begins to share frightening parallels with the Biblical passages detailing the rise of the Antichrist, and the lives of all who seek to reveal his true nature are cut gruesomely short, Robert and Katherine are forced to face the horrifying prospect that their child has been sent from Satan to hasten the fall of modern civilization, and that there is little they can do to curb his prophesied path of ultimate destruction.

This was a well made film and kept my interest throughout. While the underlying theme was demonic and supernatural, the majority of the action was surprisingly well grounded and could be explained by secular means. Some of the scenes actually reminded me of the movie Final Destination in that the deaths that occurred could be explained as an unfortunate series of events (or the workings of a higher power). Anyway, it was chilling and provided enough startling moments to be a pretty good horror flick. The part I really didn't like was the ending - it kept the door open for a sequel, which seemed blatant and cheezy.

Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Liev Schreiber, Julia Stiles, Mia Farrow

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

Over the Hedge - ACE Train Movie Review

A group of feisty forest critters awaken following the winter freeze to discover that not only has a new neighborhood cropped up during the cold months, but living in close proximity to humans may have its benefits. Despite Verne the Turtle's initial hesitance to breach the formidable foliage that has appeared on his doorstep since last fall, the arrival of fearless raccoon RJ and revelation that their new human neighbors throw out enough food in one day to feed a whole forest lead the gang to consider taking the plunge and exploring the snack-filled suburbs. As Verne and RJ learn to work together in taking on their strange new surroundings, Stella the Skunk, Hammy the Squirrel, Heather the Opossum, and Heather's father, Ozzie, join in on the fun by scavenging for Girl Scout cookies and attempting to scuttle past the pesky new suburbanites undetected.

This is a very entertaining animated feature that adults and kids can both enjoy. The animation is clean and appealing to look at, the dialog is funny and there's even some good messages that can be taken away. I loved the portrayal of suburbia which was pretty spot on and made me laugh because the absurdity was very true. The characters were well developed, had unique personalities and the voices were perfectly cast. The chemistry between them is what made the film funny and engaging. Definitely a must see.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Voices of Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes, Avril Lavigne, Eugene Levy, William Shatner

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

An American Haunting - ACE Train Movie Review

The year was 1818 and the Bell family was a quiet clan residing on a remote farm in Red River, Tennessee. A normal, loving family by all accounts, the uneventful lives of the Bell family began to take a dark turn when strange noises around the farm preceded the arrival of a black wolf with piercing yellow eyes said to strike unspeakable fear into the very soul of all who encounter it. As the sadistic spirit singles out the youngest daughter of the Bell family for torment and her frightened parents search frantically for a rational explanation to the chilling events unfolding in their once happy home, an eerie, disembodied voice promises death from beyond the grave. With the struggle rapidly turning violent and the Bell's desperate prayers for mercy going unanswered time and again, the shocking murder that followed would prove the only case in recorded American history where the death of a human being was directly attributed to an attack by an evil entity or spirit.

I'm not a big believer of ghosts and don't particularly enjoy stories that rely on supernatural explanations instead of concrete / natural causes. The fact that this film was "based on true events" piqued my interest, but after watching it, I realize that the "true events" were really ghost sightings - not my idea of fact-based. The film itself was creepy and semi-interesting, but it was a little confusing and I found myself trying to piece the story together after I finished watching it. The stimulus for the haunting turned out to be very disturbing, but I still have questions that can only be answered by believing in unearlthly beings. A little disappointing, but a good one to watch on Halloween.

Rating: 2 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Donald Sutherland, Sissy Spacek, Rachel Hurd-Wood

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

Monster House - ACE Train Movie Review

DJ Harvard lives directly across the street from a most unusual house. A malevolent entity that longs to feed on the energy of the living, the once peaceful house that looms ominously outside of DJ's bedroom window would like nothing more than the chance to feast on the children of the neighborhood. As Halloween begins to draw near and the children of the neighborhood prepare for another long night of trick-or-treating, it appears as if it may be the house that is in for the biggest treat of all. Now, with the adults turning a deaf ear to DJ's strange findings, it's up to the brave young boy and his faithful friends Chowder and Jenny to break through the barrier of the supernatural and defeat the powers of darkness before the house grows too powerful to fight.

The animation is great, but that's really the only positive thing about this film. For adults, there's not much to keep your interest. For kids, it's a bit scary, so it's not suitable for the younger ones. That means there's a narrow age range of kids who might actually enjoy it. After 90 minutes, I was glad it was over and wondered what the real point of the film was. It doesn't have a moral lesson and is not very entertaining. Save your time and money on this one.

Rating: 2 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Voices of Steve Buscemi, Nick Cannon, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kevin James, Kathleen Turner

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

Little Voice - ACE Train Movie Review

Little Voice (LV) is a shy, mousy woman living with her mom Mari. LV doesn't leave her house. Instead she sings along to her record collection of Shirley Bassey, Judy Garland, and Marilyn Monroe. Her mother Mari, however, is an outspoken woman who is convinced her sex appeal (which is little) will land her a man, especially when she's drunk. One night while bar-hopping, Mari meets the suave yet sleazy talent agent Ray Say, whom she takes home for a nightcap. There Ray hears the beautiful LV singing a perfect rendition of Judy Garland's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz. He's stunned by its beauty and thinks he can make her a star.

This film is a chick flick, moves slowly and is not really my style. The first 30 minutes were almost unbearable for me as it took that long for the story to take off. However, once LV started singing, everything changed. The woman who plays LV sings all of the songs herself and is absolutely amazing. It's uncanny how much she sounds like the artists she's impersonating. The rest of the film can be skipped, but Jane Horrocks is a talent that shouldn't be missed.

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Brenda Blethyn, Jane Horrocks, Michael Caine, Ewan McGregor

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

The Great New Wonderful - ACE Train Movie Review

Dr. Trabulous is a gifted psychologist with a special knack for truly understanding his patients. When an ordinary businessman who has witnessed a terrible office tragedy seeks to gain the insight of the seasoned professional, Dr. Trabulous helps to release a hidden rage that has slowly been eating away at the man's troubled soul. Meanwhile, in the culinary world, Great New Wonderful pastry shop proprietor Emme Keeler is about to discover that unseating the woman known as the Queen of Cake doesn't come without some heavy consequences. Elsewhere in the city, troubled couple Allison and David Burbage fight to save their marriage and break through to their curiously overconfident ten-year-old boy. Avi and Satish are immigrants and best friends who work together as security guards and wander the city making observations about contemporary America until their opposing perspectives are challenged by an unexpected development in their lives that neither saw coming. And despite the comfort she takes in her daily routine, Julie Berman discovers that her passion for life has long since died, until a visit with a childhood friend helps her to realize just what she's been missing all these lonely years.

This is a boring and seemingly pointless film. It was listed as a dramatic comedy, but it was far from funny and barely dramatic. The comedy is so subtle that it's almost non-existent - maybe that's what they call "intelligent comedy" which is mentioned on the DVD case. All of the mini stories that are told involve mundane characters in depressing situations - not exactly my idea of an interesting and enjoyable film. If you're in a good mood, don't watch this film as it might spoil your mood and if you're in a bad mood, it might drive you insane. Don't bother wasting your time with this pile of cr@p.

Rating: 1.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Olympia Dukakis, Jim Gaffigan, Edie Falco

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

The Break-Up - ACE Train Movie Review

The future once looked promising for thirtysomething couple Brooke and Gary, but lately it seems like a series of increasingly petty and intolerable squabbles have snuffed any semblance of romance in their relationship. Their confrontation endlessly fueled by mean-spirited suggestions of revenge tactics from friends and family and their stubborn refusal to budge resulting in an excruciating stalemate, Brooke and Gary ultimately decide to spitefully stick it out as hostile roommates until the weaker party eventually admits defeat. As the competition to drive one another out grows increasingly intense and outrageous, however, Brooke eventually comes to the realization that she's not fighting for possession of the condominium as much as she is fighting to salvage her relationship with the man she once viewed as the love of her life.

Based on the previews I saw of this film, I was expecting something funny. Instead, it was more dramatic and sad than light and humorous. Jennifer Aniston did a pretty good job, but Vince Vaughn seemed a bit awkward and the chemistry between the two definitely wasn't magic. This could have been a hilarious movie, but they decided to go the "emotional" route which makes comedy nearly impossible. The ending left me with a bad taste in my mouth, but I suppose it could have been worse (like the alternate ending they had in the special features section). If you still want to watch this film, just know that you're not going to see a comedy and you won't be disappointed like I was.

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Aniston, Joey Lauren Adams, Jon Favreau

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

Art School Confidential - ACE Train Movie Review

Jerome is an aspiring artist who arrives at a prestigious East Coast art institute to study. While Jerome enjoys daydreams of becoming the best-respected painter on Earth and winning the hearts of his female classmates, he soon learns the sad truth - his "cool artist" act is old hat in the big city, and as he's surrounded by every art school cliche on Earth, practically nothing about him stands out. Determined to be recognized whatever the consequences, Jerome maps out a bizarre plan to become famous that has some unexpected consequences.

This was a very quirky and fresh movie, although some might say it was boring and cliche. However, it was supposed to be cliche which is why it was a clever satire. The plot as a whole was a little slow and strange, but that's what you get when John Malkovich is involved. It made me laugh when the classmates in the film critiqued each others work - some loved what they saw and others were less than impressed. It's just like reviewing movies in that people's opinions are all over the board and that is the beauty of art - it has the power to bring people's emotions to the surface and can speak to each individual in a different way.

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Max Minghella, Sophia Myles, John Malkovich, Steve Buscemi, Anjelica Huston

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

Beyond the Gates of Splendor - ACE Train Movie Review

In 1956, a group of five American missionaries were sent to Ecuador, where they introduced themselves to the Aucas, a tribe of indigenous people who lived near the Eastern Amazon River. The Auca tribe was among the most violent societies on Earth - six out of ten deaths among the tribe were homicide, and they were even more bloodthirsty with outsiders than they were with their own. The Americans attempted to convince the Aucas of their good intentions, but they were soon speared to death by members of the tribe. However, after word reached the United States that the missionaries had been murdered, the wife of one of the fallen men traveled to Ecuador to continue her husband's work. Within two years, a profound change came over the Aucas - their murder rate fell by 90 percent, and in time, the newly peaceful tribe renamed themselves the Waodani.

This is a documentary about incredible events that were also made into a movie called End of the Spear. After watching the feature film, I was excited about seeing this documentary since I figured it would show a lot of the interaction between the indigenous tribe and the missionaries. In fact, it featured a little bit of the "clashing cultures," but not as much as I would have liked. The first 30 minutes focused mostly on the missionaries and their families which isn't what I was interested in. The best parts were the footage of the "rescue party" discovering the site where the missionaries were killed, the grandson of one of the slain missionaries talking about how close he has come to the Waodani who killed his grandfather and the tribesman visiting the US for the first time and being awestruck at the basic amenities we take for granted. Overall, this documentary wasn't as good as I had hoped, but I'm not disappointed I spent the time to watch it.

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Steve Saint

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

8 Mile - ACE Train Movie Review

Jimmy Smith, known to his friends as Rabbit, is a young man trying to make his way out of the burned-out shell of inner-city Detroit. Rabbit's entire life has been a hard climb, and it certainly hasn't gotten any easier lately; Rabbit has just been dumped by his girlfriend, forcing him to move back in with his emotionally unstable mother, Stephanie, and he's getting along especially poorly with Stephanie's new boyfriend. Rabbit has a factory job that's tough, demeaning, and doesn't pay especially well, and he's convinced his skills as a rapper are his only real hope at a better life. Rabbit makes music with a crew of DJ's and MC's who call themselves Three One Third, among them his close friend Future, but his status as a white kid making music in a predominantly African-American community and culture is extremely intimidating, and after Rabbit freezes up in the midst of an MC battle, he's convinced he's missed his chance and that he's doomed to lead a marginal life as a factory rat for the rest of his days. With the help of his friends, and his new girlfriend Alex, Rabbit struggles to work up the courage and the confidence to take one more shot at making his dream a reality.

Eminem was very good in this film and was convincing as a struggling rapper trying to make a name for himself in the rap game. Of course, this movie was inspired by Eminem's own life, so it wasn't exactly a stretch. It was pretty engaging and the supporting actors were as important to this film as Eminem and they definitely held their own. There was a lot more to the plot than the struggle to become a rapper, but I thought the most interesting parts were the rap battles. The special features section had footage of unscripted rap battles that were particularly impressive. I think the film ended too soon since there is much more to the story, but I suppose everyone already knows how the post-script plays out. Even if you're not a fan of rap, this movie has enough of a "meaty" story that you could still be entertained without being completely annoyed.

Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Eminem, Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi Phifer

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

Click - Movie Review

On the surface, Michael Newman seems to have it all, yet with all the demands forced upon him by his ungrateful boss, Michael finds that setting aside time to spend with his loving wife, Donna, and two picture-perfect children, Ben and Samantha, has grown increasingly difficult. When a frustrating bout with the television remote leads the overworked husband and father to a nearby Bed, Bath & Beyond in search of a universal remote with the power to control all of his electronic devices, a curious peek into the back room leads Michael into the company of eccentric employee and talented inventor Morty. It seems that Morty has created a device that will not only allow Michael complete control over his television and stereo, but his entire life as well. As Michael discovers that the remarkable device has the power to muffle the barks of the family dog, zoom himself past an irritating quarrel with his wife, and even allow him to travel back and forth through time to different points in his life, the rush of being able to skip straight to the good parts in life soon leaves him feeling as if he's missing out on the total experience. Only when Michael begins to realize that the he has lost control of his life and the remote is now programming him does he finally learn that life is as much about the moments he'd rather forget as it is the moments he will always remember.

This is an original concept for a film and the underlying message is something a lot of people should pay attention to. As a movie, however, it's nothing special. There are several films Adam Sandler has made that are classics and must sees, but this isn't one of them. Don't get me wrong - it's a good film, but not up to the standards I expect from Adam Sandler (i.e. it's not incredibly funny, puzzling or goofy). It's more dramatic than anything and I just don't enjoy him in that type of role. I would like one of those remotes to use for certain circumstances, but I might use it to fast-forward this film. It's a good rental, but nothing more.

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Adam Sandler, Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken, Henry Winkler, David Hasselhoff

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

End of the Spear - Movie Review

Nate Saint is a pilot and Christian missionary who, with his family, lives and works in the jungles of South America near the Amazon. Nate is fascinated by tales he's heard of the Waodani, a violent and aggressive tribe living nearby, and with a group of fellow Christians takes it upon himself to teach them the importance of compassion and forgiveness. However, the leader of the Waodanis, Mincayani, does not trust the white visitors, and believes they may have had something to do with the disappearance of a young girl from his tribe years ago. A meeting between Nate and Mincayani goes terribly wrong thanks to Nate's inability to understand the Waodani language, and Nate and four of his fellow missionaries are savagely murdered by the tribesmen. However, in the final moments of his life, Nate is able to impart a message in Mincayani that bears fruit years later when Steve Saint, Nate's son returns to continue the work his father started.

If this wasn't based on a true story, it would have been an OK plot, but since these events actually happened, it was an incredible story. The thought of finding a tribe of people who haven't had contact with "civilization" is far-fetched, but actually happened. Then add into the mix the fact that these missionaries had contact with them and ended up living with them makes for an amazing story that proves the old saying, "Truth is stranger than fiction." Having said all that, the movie could have been better since it had all of that material to work with. Instead, it focused a bit too much on the missionaries and the tribe separately instead of showing more of their lives together once they met, fought, made up and decided to co-exist. There had to have been some interesting conversations and interactions as the two sides shared their customs and methods of survival. Bottom line, it would have been better if it was a documentary. I'm in luck since there is a documentary about these events called Beyond the Gates of Splendor. I can't wait to see it.

Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Chad Allen, Louie Leonardo

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

Tsotsi - ACE Train Movie Review

Tsotsi is the street name used by a young Johannesburg delinquent who has taken to a life of crime in order to support himself. Tsotsi comes from a blighted upbringing - his mother died slowly from AIDS-related illnesses, and his father was torturously abusive - and he has developed a talent for violence borne of necessity as well as taking strange pleasure in hurting other people. One evening, Tsotsi shoots a woman while stealing her car, and only later discovers that her infant son is in the back seat. Uncertain of what to do with the baby, Tsotsi takes the boy home and tries to care for it - going so far as to force Miriam, a single mother living nearby, to nurse the baby. With time, Tsotsi learns the basics of child care, and the presence of the baby awakens a sense of humanity in him that life on the street had stripped away.

For a foreign film, this was a high quality flick. Of course, you have to get over the fact that they speak Afrikaans with English subtitles, but it really doesn't take anything away from the movie. The acting is excellent and the cinematography is Hollywood quality. The plot is dark and disturbing, but also contains glimmers of promise and hope. I was sucked into the story, but my only complaint is that it's too short and doesn't fully explore all of the topics that are raised. However, you can use your imagination to complete the picture, but it ended so quickly and left me wanting more. I suppose that's the sign of a good movie.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Presley Chweneyagae

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

Something the Lord Made - ACE Train Movie Review

Alfred Blalock is chief surgeon at Johns Hopkins University, where he is pioneering new techniques in heart surgery. Blalock makes the acquaintance of Vivien Thomas, a carpenter hired to work at the University, and to his surprise discovers a man of keen intelligence who has a great interest in medicine. However, as a poor black man in the Jim Crow South, Thomas lacks the financial resources to obtain a medical degree, though he certainly has the knowledge and the desire. Blalock takes Thomas on as his lab assistant, and together they develop a technique that allows them to correct a common congenital heart defect in children. However, while they work side by side in the lab and in the operating room, Blalock and Thomas do not walk the same paths in society, and Thomas develops a deep resentment that he has been given little credit for his contribution to a medical innovation that makes Blalock famous.

This film is based on a true story which always boosts my rating. The story is straightforward and heartwarming, but complicated and cold at the same time. It is deep and tackles many different issues - race, animal testing, human experimenting, society "norms" and gender roles. Some of the topics are more subtle than others and it is executed very well and follows a logical path. I'm amazed that Mos Def (the rapper) was so good and he worked well with Alan Rickman's character. They carried the movie and laid the framework for a great true story of a pair of very different individuals who triumphed over adversity.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Alan Rickman, Mos Def, Kyra Sedgwick

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

Thank You for Smoking - ACE Train Movie Review

Nick is a man who has turned spinning news and information into a successful career for the tobacco lobby. He plots strategies with his colleagues on how to make other dangerous products more appealing to the American public. Nick ends up going to Hollywood with his young son in order to get a movie producer to include characters smoking in his newest film. Nick is kidnapped by a vigilante group concerned about the harmful nature of his product.

This is a great piece of satire that is funny, shocking and most importantly, captivating. It had the feel of a behind-the-scenes documentary exposing things that the public wasn't supposed to know. The fact that the topic was controversial added to the intrigue as well. All of the actors did a great job and were totally believable in their roles. This is a very smart film and a must see for anyone who would like some insight into the kinds of conversations that go on behind the scenes which result in the positive spin of dangerous products (i.e. tobacco companies paying for ads that warn against smoking).

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, William H. Macy, Rob Lowe, Robert Duvall, Katie Holmes

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

The Wild - ACE Train Movie Review

Sampson is the king of a make-believe jungle far from the African plains - he's a lion on display at a zoo in New York City's Central Park, and he lords it over the other animals, including Nigel, a testy koala bear; Larry, a dumb but well-meaning snake; Bridget, a bright but cynical giraffe; and Benny, a very New York-ish squirrel who is good friends with Sampson and is trying to romance Bridget without much success. The pride and joy of Sampson's life is his son, Ryan, and he's devastated when one day Ryan is crated up and shipped back to Africa. Sampson is desperate to find his boy, and with the help of his pals he escapes the zoo and sets out on a daring mission to rescue Ryan, battling the unfamiliar terrain and Kazar, a wildebeest with a will to power and a passion for choreography along the way.

This film was cute and had some funny parts, but it wasn't very original. Madagascar was much funnier and had roughly the same plot, so if you want to see a movie with talking animals, see that instead - the music was better as well. However, this movie is definitely kid-friendly, so I suppose that's a plus for all the parents out there. It's only 1 hour 15 minutes long, so you can check it out yourself without wasting much time.

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Kiefer Sutherland, Jim Belushi, Eddie Izzard, Janeane Garofalo, William Shatner, Richard Kind

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

Akeelah and the Bee - ACE Train Movie Review

Akeelah Anderson is an 11-year-old being raised by her mother, Tanya, who was left on her own after the death of her husband. While Akeelah is a very bright girl, she's hardly a star student and seems afraid of acting like a bookworm around her friends and classmates. However, Akeelah's teacher sees genuine potential in her student and encourages her to enter the school's spelling bee, convinced Akeelah has the brains and the talent to win. Akeelah applies herself and emerges victorious in the local competition, but discovers the going gets tougher when she goes to a statewide bee, studying for the regionals under the aegis of strict English teacher Dr. Larabee, who consents to act as her coach. Meanwhile, Tanya feels intimidated when she finds the contests are dominated by children from wealthy families and privileged backgrounds, and argues that the competition may not be in Akeelah's best interest, believing instead that homework should be the one and only priority in Akeelah's life. It soon becomes apparent that if Akeelah has any intention of entering the national spelling bee championships in Washington, D.C., she will not do so with Tanya's permission or blessing.

I never thought I would have ever watched a movie about a spelling bee, much less like it. However, I was completely surprised by this film and am glad I took the time to watch it. I'll admit that I was sucked in and was rooting for the little girl to go all the way and win the spelling bee championship. Keke Palmer was excellent in this role and Laurence Fishburne brought a sense of elegance an authority to the film. The lessons learned through this movie are excellent for any kid growing up who feels different and holds their talent back so they "fit in." Even for parents, there's plenty to learn from this film including the need to support your kids and encourage their interests. Don't be turned off by the lame-sounding plot, this is one to watch.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Keke Palmer, Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

SJ Sharks vs. St. Louis Blues - 10/5/06

Shawnna and I went to this game which was opening night. After some grub at the Old Spaghetti Factory, it was game on at the tank. The give-away was a poster featuring Jonathan Cheechoo (winner of the Maurice Richard Trophy as top goal scorer) and Joe Thornton (winner of the Art Ross Trophy as top point scorer and the Hart Trophy as league MVP). The trophies were on display in the arena as well. The biggest changes from last season seamed to be an increased ability to project images on the ice during the build-up to the opening faceoff and the change in the song that is played when the Sharks score - it's "Holiday" from Green Day.

Opening night got off on the wrong foot as Dan Hinote scored 36 seconds into the game to give the Blues a 1-0 lead. Matt Carle tied it with a goal 2 minutes later, but that was short lived as Jamal Mayers struck back 1 minute later. Things settled down after that initial flurry and the period ended with the Blues up 2-1.

The 2nd period saw the Blues spending a lot of time in the penalty box and the Sharks took advantage with Milan Michalek storing 2 goals 46 seconds apart - both on 5-on-3 power plays. That put the Sharks up 3-2, but the Blues tied it up when Lee Stempniak deflected a Bill Guerin shot past Vesa Toskala.

The 3rd period featured a lot more than goals as a referee had to leave the game after being hit in the eye by a shot from Milan Michalek. Also, the game was delayed for 20 minutes while the maintenance crew repaired a hole in the boards caused when Jonathan Cheechoo crashed into them. Amongst all that, Mark Bell scored his first goal as a Shark to give them a 1 goal lead with 5 minutes to play. Just when it seemed the Sharks had it in the bag, Bill Guerin scored with 6 seconds to play in the game after the Blues pulled their goalie, sending the game to overtime.

The overtime period was owned by the Sharks. They held the Blues without a shot and Curtis Brown scored on a deflection halfway through the period to ensure the Sharks started the season off on the right foot with a 5-4 victory. Hockey's back!

Score: W 5-4 OT
1st Period
Blues - Dan Hinote (Jamal Mayers, Dallas Drake)
SJ - Matt Carle (Mark Smith, Marcel Goc)
Blues - Jamal Mayers (Dan Hinote)
2nd Period
SJ - Milan Michalek(PP) (Joe Thornton, Jonathan Cheechoo)
SJ - Milan Michalek(PP) (Joe Thornton, Steve Bernier)
Blues - Lee Stempniak (Bill Guerin, Eric Brewer)
3rd Period
SJ - Mark Bell (Jonathan Cheechoo, Joe Thornton)
Blues - Bill Guerin (Keith Tkachuk, Martin Rucinsky)
Overtime
SJ - Curtis Brown (Matt Carle, Steve Bernier)

SJ SOG: 35
Blues SOG: 35
Winning Goalie: Vesa Toskala
Losing Goalie: Manny Legace

Tickets: Section 205 Row 12

A Clockwork Orange - Book Review

A Clockwork Orange takes place in a futuristic city governed by a repressive, totalitarian super-State. In this society, ordinary citizens have fallen into a passive stupor of complacency, blind to the insidious growth of a rampant, violent youth culture. The protagonist of the story is Alex, a fifteen-year-old boy who narrates in a made-up teenage slang. Alex leads a small gang of teenage criminals through the streets, robbing and beating men and raping women.

After a particularly violent attack on an old woman, Alex is arrested and learns that the woman has died. He is sentenced to fourteen years in prison. After a few years, Alex is selected as the first candidate for an experimental treatment called Ludovico's Technique, a form of brainwashing that incorporates associative learning. After being injected with a substance that makes him dreadfully sick, the doctors force Alex to watch exceedingly violent movies. In this way, Alex comes to associate violence with the nausea and headaches he experiences from the shot. The process takes two weeks to complete, after which the mere thought of violence has the power to make Alex ill. He is released from prison and finds that not only is he incapable of vicious acts, but he's defenseless as his earlier victims begin to take revenge on him. If Alex is to survive, it will take a drastic action on his part.

This book is very deep and packed full of fundamental struggles between opposing forces: good vs. evil, man vs. government, commitment vs. neutrality, youth vs. maturity, intellect vs. intuition. The problem is that this level of depth could be lost if you aren't able to look past all of the violence and strange vernacular. The use of a made-up language was a bit troubling at first and I wasn't sure I'd be able to really understand the events taking place, but it got easier as the book progressed - you can guess the meaning of the words based on context most of the time. Anyway, without this quirk, I'm not sure the book would have been asintriguingg and captivating. It's definitely an original literary work that should be read at least once - the book has an extra chapter that the movie doesn't address, so don't try to take the easy way out :-)


Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I read it again: No

A Clockwork Orange
by Anthony Burgess
Paperback: 192 pages
Released: 1962

Down in the Valley - ACE Train Movie Review

Tobe is a pretty 18-year-old whose father, Wade, is the sheriff of a town in California's San Fernando Valley. Tobe is driving to the beach with some friends when she stops at a filling station and meets gas jockey Harlan, who dresses like a cowpoke and claims to have recently relocated to Los Angeles from South Dakota. Harlan is immediately and obviously taken with Tobe, and when she asks him to tag along for the day, he impulsively quits his job to follow her. Tobe and Harlan soon become a couple, but Wade is convinced Harlan is not all he claims to be, and Tobe begins to wonder if her father might be right when Harlan takes her horseback riding and their date is cut short after police inform them the horses were reported stolen by Harlan's pal Charlie. Tobe's suspicions grow when Harlan offers to teach her little brother, Lonnie, how to shoot using a pair of real .45 revolvers, as his actions become less charming and more worrisome.

Snooze... This film was pretty boring and disturbing on a couple of levels. The relationship between Edward Norton's character and the young woman was bizarre as was his relationship with the woman's younger brother. It was slow moving and I couldn't figure out what the point of the plot really was. It ended without answering the biggest question I had - who is this guy and what's his play? More than once, the movie reminded me of Brokeback Mountain. Maybe it was the horses and cowboy getup, but I fully expected a gay cowboy love scene - not that there's anything wrong with that :-) It definitely had the "independent" vibe, but it didn't hit the mark as a feature film.

Rating: 2 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Edward Norton, David Morse, Evan Rachel Wood, Rory Culkin

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.

Stay Alive - ACE Train Movie Review

In the days following the mysterious death of an old friend, a young group of gaming enthusiasts comes into possession of a chillingly realistic game based on the exploits of a 17th century noblewoman who earned the name "The Blood Countess" for her murderous exploits. Their curiosity piqued by the fact that they were obviously not supposed to come into possession of the grisly game, the teens soon give in to temptation and begin doing battle for high score. When the chilling events of the game begin to bleed over into the real world and the real-life deaths of the players begin to mirror the deaths of their in-game characters, the race is on to defeat the murderous Blood Countess and ensure that other curious gamers don't fall into the same deadly trap that they did.

The premise of this film was very original - events that transpire in a video game start happening in real life. The fact that is was eerie and creepy made it an even better plot. However, it got old pretty quick and the believability factor wasn't there, so it should have been even more over the top with more blood, gore and better special effects. Instead, it got a little corny and predictable toward the end. There are definitely better horror films out there, but I'll give this one credit for putting a different spin on things.

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Frankie Muniz, Jon Foster, Samaire Armstrong

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.