Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Bobby - ACE Train Movie Review

It's early June in 1968, and the California presidential primary elections are occupying the minds of many in the Golden State, with Robert F. Kennedy in a close race against Eugene McCarthy and Hubert Humphrey. The Kennedy campaign staff has set up camp at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, while the staff and guests become observers as the brother of fallen president John F. Kennedy sets out to pick up where his sibling left off. Paul is the manager of the Ambassador, and his wife Miriam is a hairdresser who runs's the hotel's beauty salon. Angela is a receptionist working the hotel's switchboard who has been sleeping with Paul behind Miriam's back. Timmons is in charge of the hotel's restaurant and catering department, and makes no secret of his dislike of the African-Americans and Latinos under his employ. Miguel and Jose are two young Chicanos on the kitchen staff who have it in for Timmons, while Robinson is an older black man who counsels them on dealing with their rage. Virginia Fallon sings in the hotel's cocktail lounge and has a serious problem with alcohol; her husband Tim is a Kennedy supporter and also her manager, and he's nearing the end of his rope in dealing with her problem. All of these people are in attendance to be a part of history - little do they know the tragedy that is about to occur.

I really liked this film because it was told from a completely different perspective than would have been typical. When I saw the title and DVD case, I was expecting the film to be about Bobby Kennedy and his assassination. While the underlying drive for the film is Bobby Kennedy's appearance at the Ambassador Hotel, the plot really centers around the lives of those people "lucky" enough to be at the hotel on that historic night. Although most of the characters were made up, it was still very interesting to think about the back stories of the witnesses to Bobby Kennedy's assassination and how all of their personal drama was instantly put into perspective when Kennedy was shot. I also liked the fact that the actual footage was interspersed throughout the film which made it more "real" even though most of the movie was a work of fiction. Finally, the cast was incredible and was a virtual who's who in Hollywood which doesn't always work, but it certainly did in this film.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Harry Belafonte, William H. Macy, Sharon Stone, Christian Slater, Laurence Fishburne, Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Martin Sheen, Helen Hunt, Lindsay Lohan, Elijah Wood, Heather Graham, Ashton Kutcher


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.

Monday, April 23, 2007

The Wicker Man - ACE Train Movie Review

Upon receiving a letter from his one-time fiance Willow, imploring him to search for her missing daughter on the secluded island of Summersisle, California highway patrolman Edward Malus quickly makes his way to the island to locate the girl and seek an answer as to why Willow suddenly and inexplicably disappeared shortly before their wedding date. Once there, Malus is troubled to discover that although there are traces of the child to be found in such locations as the local schoolhouse, the residents of Summersisle seem reluctant to offer any specific details as to the girl's apparent death. His investigation effectively stalled by the highly secretive Wiccan community, Sheriff Malus soon discovers that there are still some cultures that have their own unique beliefs about humankind's relationship with Mother Earth, and refuse to adapt to the rules of modern society.

I think Nicolas Cage is a good actor and he has had some great movies, but this isn't one of them. It started off good and had a lot of mystery. There was a strange island, odd residents, crazy rituals and lots of bees. The questions kept piling up and I was waiting for the answers to slowly be revealed - then it ended. It was as if they set the scene with intriguing drama, but didn't finish the film. I like creative and unique circumstances in films, but only if there's something that ties it together - not just to be weird for weird sake. If the filmmakers ever decide to finish this movie, I'd be interested to see it, but as it stands now, it's an half-baked waste of time.

Rating: 1.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Ellen Burstyn, Kate Beahan


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.

Friday, April 20, 2007

An Inconvenient Truth - ACE Train Movie Review

A long-time environmental activist, Al Gore first became aware of evidence on global warming in the 1970s, and since leaving public office he has become a passionate advocate for large- and small-scale changes in our laws and lifestyles that could help alleviate this crisis. An Inconvenient Truth records a multi-media presentation hosted by Gore in which he discusses the scientific facts behind global warming, explains how it has already begun to affect our environment, talks about the disastrous consequences if the world's governments and citizens do not act, and shares what each individual can do to help protect the Earth for this and future generations.

I was very impressed with Al Gore and this documentary in particular. That's not a political statement as it doesn't matter if your a Republican or Democrat - global warming affects us all. Now, I'm not saying "the sky is falling" or "the end is near." However, it is an issue that's worth paying attention to and this documentary makes it easy for the layman to become educated. Of course, with any documentary, it's presents only what the researcher wants you to see, but it's a pretty compelling argument. I'm not suggesting you rush out and buy a car that runs on vegetable oil, but it wouldn't hurt to see this film and become more educated. If nothing else, it sure contains some fascinating pictures and graphs.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: Yes
Starring: Al Gore


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.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

The Good Shepherd - ACE Train Movie Review

In 1939, Edward Wilson is a young man with a bright future ahead of him - he's a top student at Yale and the protege of one of the school's leading English professors, Dr. Fredericks. But Wilson's life changes dramatically when he's invited to join Yale's powerful secret society, Skull and Bones. Through his Skull and Bones connections, Wilson meets Sam Murach, an mysterious FBI agent who asks Wilson to investigate charges that Fredericks is a Nazi sympathizer working with the German government. Later, Wilson is invited to join the Office of Strategic Services, a military intelligence organization. Through World War II, Wilson serves with the OSS, and learns he can trust no one in the game of international espionage, which helps make him little more than a stranger to his wife, his son, and his few friends. As the OSS evolves into the Central Intelligence Agency after the war, Wilson becomes party to America's darkest and most dangerous secrets, and in the wake of the futile Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, Wilson is forced to make a terrible choice between the security of his nation and the safety of his family.

This was a very long and complex movie. The fact that there were many characters to follow and the current year switched back and forth several times over the course of the film, you really need to pay attention or you'll get lost and won't understand who is who and why certain events that transpired were important. On top of that, Matt Damon's character is so soft spoken (when he speaks at all) that it requires that much more concentration to hear what he's saying and catch all his non-verbal cues. In other words, it's a tiring film to watch, but it's also very captivating and interesting. It's exactly the type of film I can watch again since I'm sure I missed a lot of the subtle nuances the first time around. Heck, I probably need to watch it 2 more times to really catch everything. The fact that it's based on true events and real people makes it even more fascinating and worth a second look. Recommended if you have a solid 3 hour block that you can concentrate on the film - otherwise you'll be lost.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: Yes
Starring: Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Alec Baldwin


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.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Fast Food Nation - ACE Train Movie Review

Mickey's is the most popular fast-food chain in America, and The Big One is the top-selling burger that put them on the map. When the higher-ups at Mickey's corporate offices learn that the frozen meat patties used to make the wildly popular burger have somehow been tainted with contaminated meat, they send marketing executive Don Henderson on an urgent mission to ensure quality control and find out precisely how their product became compromised. It's a long way from the Southern California boardroom to the immigrant slaughterhouses, though, and the further Henderson works his way through the bustling feedlots and toward the ubiquitous restaurant sites that have become a staple of modern culture, the more he begins to realize just how dangerous convenience can become when it leads to blissfully ignorant complacency.

This movie will make you think twice about ordering that hamburger you want for dinner since it's pretty graphic and shocking to see how a burger is actually made and all of the implications it has on society at large. It paints a pretty disturbing picture that should obviously be viewed as one side of the story instead of a complete picture. As far as scary food movies go, I still think Super Size Me is the best by far as it's a documentary instead of a fictionalized film based on a non-fiction book written by an investigative journalist. Although, this film tells more of the "end-to-end" story of the fast food industry instead of one guy's experience. I'm amazed at the number of familiar faces they got to be in this film - are they all vegetarians, political activists or just needed to make a buck? In any case, it's interesting enough to watch once, just not before dinner.

Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Greg Kinnear, Ethan Hawke, Kris Kristofferson, Patricia Arquette, Luis Guzman, Wilmer Valderrama, Avril Lavigne, Bruce Willis


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.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Turistas - ACE Train Movie Review

Vacationers end up stranded in a little Brazilian village after a bus accident wipes out their transportation. Although many in the group are experienced when it comes to unusual travel destinations, none of them are able to get a handle on this strange village. They soon come to realize that they are stranded somewhere with something much more dangerous than they could have imagined.

To be a good thriller/horror film, there must be some surprises and shocking events that take you off guard. However, this movie was very straightforward and while there was a lot of suspense as I was waiting for something to happen, very little actually did happen in terms of thrills. There was some action, hot girls and crazy guys, but the plot wasn't good enough to make this a great film. It wasn't horrible either, but the Saw series set the bar pretty high and this just doesn't compare.

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Josh Duhamel, Melissa George, Olivia Wilde


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.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Dan and Kelley Got Married!

Wedding Vows The Kiss

April 14, 2007 - Dan and Kelley got hitched at Roaring Camp in Felton, CA. Yes, that's the place with the trains that take you for rides into the forest - an unusual location, but a fun wedding. Here's a link to their wedding blog (not sure how long they'll keep it up): http://kedcwedding.blogspot.com/. It rained most of the day which meant that instead of having the ceremony in the forest as planned, they actually had it on the train that stopped on a bridge over the San Lorenzo River - pretty cool. Being the Wedding Officiant (I got deputized for the day so I could legally perform the ceremony), I was in the center of the action and can say a good time was had by all. However, since this certainly wasn't a "traditional" wedding, nobody toasted Dan & Kelley at the reception. So, I'll take this opportunity to write what I would have said.

I love my brother

I don’t say that because I’m particularly emotional or sentimental. I say that because the things I’m about to tell you might be considered embarrassing or disparaging, but I feel if I preface it with something nice, maybe you’ll realize it’s all in good fun. Let’s have some fun…

Elementary school in the early 1980’s – most kids packed their belongings in a Trapper Keeper or a backpack and went about the school day. Dan wasn’t like most kids as he decided to pack his belongings in a hard, rectangular, black briefcase that our dad gave to him after buying a new one. Dan really must have taken some heat from the other kids walking around the playground with a briefcase, but he stuck with it and didn’t mind being…unique. That was really my first memory of my brother marching to the beat of his own drummer, but it ended up being a pattern that continues to this day.

Whether it be collecting everything related to Bon Jovi or following them around the country while they’re on tour 20 years past their prime, declaring that all his favorite sports teams are from Colorado where we’ve never lived and he’s only visited a couple of times on vacation, brushing inhibition aside to put on a full air guitar show in his living room complete with a fog machine and light bar – yes he owns a fog machine. These are just a few examples of his unique personality shining through against all sense of normalcy, conformity or regard for the pressure to fit in with the outside world.

That brings us to today. A day that Dan and Kelley planned together. Their wedding day complete with a train ride out to the middle of a redwood forest, the reception in a barn located next to a snack shack, where guest were encouraged to wear denim and comfortable shoes as the bride and groom were going to wear jeans and hockey jerseys, the DJ was an iPod and the food was burgers and hot dogs – not your typical wedding. Let me re-iterate – Dan and Kelley planned this together. So, while some might call my brother crazy, wacky, screwy, loony, goofy, kooky or just a big nut bar, I think he finally found his perfect match. And, of course, I mean that in the nicest way.

Here’s to a long, happy and unorthodox life together.

Mean Girls - Movie Review

Cady Heron is a 15-year-old girl who has spent most of her life in Africa, where she was home-schooled by her zoologist parents. When her family relocates to the United States, Cady finds herself attending a high school in suburban Illinois, where she gets a crash course in the various sub-strata of the student body: the jocks, the cheerleaders, the stoners, the "cool" kids, and so on. Much to her surprise, Cady finds herself embraced by a clique of rich and popular girls known to outsiders as "the Plastics," led by Regina George, Gretchen Weiners, and Karen Smith. While Cady is grateful for her new friends, it doesn't take long for her to realize how manipulative they can be, and she soon discovers she's violated an unwritten law when she goes out on a date with Aaron, who is charming, good looking...and Regina's former boyfriend. It isn't long before Regina and her pals are on the warpath, and Cady must face a level of vengeful behavior for which years in the jungle never prepared her.

Being a guy, it was great to get an insight into what it's like to be a girl in high school. I had no idea girls could be so gossipy and catty - just kidding, it's a well known fact. Seriously, the film did a good job of taking the high school cliques to a whole new level and pointing out how ridiculous it all is in the process. Thinking back to high school, I could pick out the various characters portrayed in the film which made it that much funnier. The scenes that were shot of the students mimicking wild jungle animals were very clever and the "burn book" was a nice touch that brought everything together. Overall, it was a light and entertaining film that's worth a look if you're in the mood for a chick flick that even guys could tolerate.

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey, Lacey Chabert


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.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Invincible - ACE Train Movie Review

Vince Papale was a 30-year-old substitute teacher and part-time bartender who had never even played college football. When Coach Vermeil made the unprecedented announcement that he would be holding open tryouts for the Philadelphia Eagles, Papale would go against incredible odds to live the dream and experience every fan's biggest fantasy. With a position on the Eagles secured and a new life path forged out of little more than determination and persistence, Papale takes to the field to experience the life-altering rush of running yards as a stadium full of cheering fans burst from their seats to support the hometown hero who proved it's never too late to take control of your own destiny.

This was a solid film and had several things going for it that I consider positive. It was based on a true story, had a hot supporting actress, revolved around football, was fast-paced, well-acted and told an inspirational and relevant story. Mark Wahlberg did a great job playing Vince Papale and really took a beating during filming since he did most of his own stunts. He really carried the film and seemed to show as much heart as the guy he was playing. The special features contained a lot of game footage and interviews with the real man this story was based on, which always interests me as I like to know how much of the movie is true and accurate - very close. Even though I now know how it ends, I wouldn't mind watching it again as it really was entertaining and inspirational.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: Yes
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth Banks


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.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Accepted - ACE Train Movie Reveiw

Bartleby "B" Gaines is a high school senior whose street smarts just never seemed to translate into the classroom, and whose bad luck in love has left him pining for the unattainable Monica. When Bartleby and his rebellious crew of outcasts find the frequent college rejection letters they have all been receiving bringing endless grief from their disappointed parents, they soon band together to create the fictional South Harmon Institute of Technology. After creating a believable fake in an abandoned psychiatric hospital, employing the talents of a close friend's brilliantly subversive uncle to pose as the dean, and creating a phony website in order to sell the school to their parents, Bartleby and friends soon realize that all of their hard work has paid off in ways than they never imagined.

Surprisingly, this isn't a half-bad film. It's not Oscar worthy and won't go down as a must see, but it's not as ridiculous as I thought it would be. It is certainly entertaining, lighthearted and funny. There isn't a whole lot of substance, but there's some very amusing situations that will make you laugh if you're in a silly mood. The acting is what you'd expect - there's some unusual and interesting characters - and Justin Long does a good job as the lead actor with Lewis Black providing some of his trademark rants. Overall, you can take it or leave it, but it might be worth renting.

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Justin Long, Jonah Hill, Blake Lively, Lewis Black


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.

Monday, April 09, 2007

Happy Feet - ACE Train Movie Reveiw

In the world of the emperor penguin, a simple song can mean the difference between a lifetime of happiness and an eternity of loneliness. When a penguin named Mumble is born without the ability to sing the romantic song that will attract his soul mate, he'll have to resort to some fancy footwork by tap dancing his way into the heart of the one he loves. As fate would have it, his one friend, Gloria, happens to be the best singer around. Mumble and Gloria have a connection from the moment they hatch, but the other emperor penguins think he is just too different and casts him out of the community. Away from home for the first time, Mumble meets a posse of decidedly un-Emperor-like penguins - the Adelie Amigos. In Adelie Land, Mumble seeks the counsel of Lovelace the Guru, a crazy-feathered Rockhopper penguin who will answer any of life’s questions for the price of a pebble. Together with Lovelace and the Amigos, Mumble sets out across vast landscapes and, after some epic encounters, proves that by being true to yourself, you can make all the difference in the world.

This film wasn't what I had expected. I thought it was going to be a cute, funny penguin movie. It turned out to be much deeper, darker and more serious than that. The little, fuzzy penguin that's featured in the previews and on the cover of the DVD wasn't little and fuzzy for long. In a relatively short amount of time, the baby penguin was grown up, dealing with grown up issues. So much for a kids movie, although I suppose kids can learn that being different might be difficult at first, but gets easier over time. I'm not sure what kids would make of the "aliens" taking the food supply from the penguins although that's a prominent issue featured in the second half of the film. Overall, the animation was stunning, there were some funny and entertaining scenes, but the story was disappointing and more "adult" than anticipated.

Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman


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.

Friday, April 06, 2007

Harsh Times - ACE Train Movie Review

Jim is a Gulf War veteran who believes his sworn duty to protect his fellow Americans extends to the streets of Los Angeles, and he longs to fulfill his destiny by joining the LAPD. Rejected by the force and left to ponder his future with his impoverished Mexican paramour - whom he had intended on bringing to the city after joining the police - the dejected and unemployed veteran is offered a second shot at helping his country when he is subsequently approached by the Department of Homeland Security. As Jim and his unemployed best friend, Mike, carve a swath of chaos through the streets of Los Angeles, the weight of their American dream soon comes crashing down in a devastating blow that threatens to dash their high hopes for a bright future.

This was a very dark and depressing film. The male characters were losers who just went around looking for trouble, drinking and flashing guns. The female characters (including Eva Longoria) seemed out of place since they were the responsible ones who pushed the guys to get their act together. The movie was like a downward spiral with worse and worse things happening until people started dying. It ends after one of the darkest scenes, so it doesn't let up and there's never really a ray of hope. Don't watch this film if you're in a bad mood as it will only serve to make you feel worse.

Rating: 2 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Christian Bale, Freddy Rodriguez, Eva Longoria


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.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Unhitched - ACE Train Movie Review

Soon after causing some ripples in the publishing world with his first novel, emerging writer Olly Pickering wanders wayward and is forced to accept a dead-end position as a lowly assistant. Though it initially appears as if he has entered into a downward spiral from which he isn't likely to emerge anytime soon, Olly finds his luck taking a turn for the better upon meeting the lovely Sarah at the engagement party of a close friend. After discovering that Sarah is in fact the fiance of his philandering friend and the pair have requested that Olly serve as the best man in the upcoming wedding, the dejected writer determines to convince the unsuspecting Sarah that she is about to marry the wrong man. With a little help from his wacky roommate Murray, Olly may be able to put the breaks on the impending nuptials and prove his undying love for Sarah before she makes a mistake she is likely to regret for the rest of her life.

This was a typical, run-of-the-mill romantic comedy. There wasn't anything particularly different or original about the plot or sequence of events. You could see the story unfold from miles away, so there weren't any surprises. I did like the chemistry between the characters and thought Seth Green did a respectable job as an Englishman. There were some amusing scenes that made me laugh (and cringe), but not enough for me to really like the film enough to recommend it. The ending was no different than the rest of the film - predictable and overused.

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Amy Smart, Stuart Townsend, Seth Green


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.

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Trust the Man - ACE Train Movie Review

Rebecca and Tom are a seemingly happy married couple living in New York City - she's a successful actress, while he stays home with the kids. However, beneath the surface, things are not going well. Rebecca is no longer amused with her husband's appetite for porn and constant sexual demands, while he's seriously considering having an affair. Rebecca's brother Tobey is in a more openly dysfunctional relationship; he's been dating Elaine for seven years but has no interest in marriage, while she's desperate to settle down and start a family. Tobey and Elaine decide to call it quits, as Tobey hooks up with an old friend from college who is looking to cheat on her husband, and Elaine starts dating a handsome musician who may be in need of a green card. Meanwhile, Rebecca and Tom go into couples therapy, which creates as many problems as it solves.

This was a light and fun film. Even though it dealt with some pretty heavy issues, the mood of the film was mostly upbeat. All of the actors did a very convincing job and they had great chemistry. The plot wasn't terribly original, but it was pretty funny and full of drama. The one thing that I really didn't like was the ending. It was very corny and cliche, so it ended on a down note. Other than that, it was definitely one that women will love and men should be able to tolerate.

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Julianne Moore, David Duchovny, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Billy Crudup


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.

Monday, April 02, 2007

Children of Men - ACE Train Movie Review

The year is 2027, and women can no longer give birth. The youngest inhabitant of the planet has just died at the age of 18, and all hope for humanity has been lost. As civilization descends into chaos, a dying world finds one last chance for survival in the form of a woman who has become inexplicably pregnant. Now, as warring nationalistic sects clash and British leaders try to maintain their totalitarian stronghold on the country, a disillusioned bureaucrat is brought back into the fold of activism by his guerrilla ex-wife. Reluctantly, he takes on the daunting task of escorting Kee, the refugee who represents humankind's last hope for survival, out of harm's way and into the care of a mysterious organization known as The Human Project.

Although the plot was original, I was pretty bored with this film. There was a lot of action with guns blazing and bombs exploding, but the story was so straightforward that I lost interest as it was obvious where it was going and there weren't interesting sub-plots to spice it up. I also found it a little too unbelievable that Clive Owen's character kept getting into the middle of gun fights, but didn't get hit with any bullets - I know it's a movie, but come on... Anyway, when it ended, my first reaction was to turn it off and go about my business - no thinking about why certain things happened or wondering what would happen to the characters after the film ended. I certainly hope there's no sequel.

Rating: 2 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Claire-Hope Ashitey


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.