Unknown

We went to see "Unknown" this weekend and, I must say, we did enjoy it. It's really action-packed and moves along quickly.

The story is about Dr. Martin Harris (Liam Neeson) who awakens from a coma following a car accident in Berlin to find another man (Aidan Quinn) has assumed his identity. His wife (January Jones), friends and colleagues don't recognize him and the authorities don't believe him. However, he finds himself hunted by mysterious assassins, so now he's on the run.

The woman (Diane Kruger) who was driving the taxi when the accident occurs does believe him, though, and she unwilling decides to help him. Of course, that also puts her in danger.

Like most movies, Unknown received mixed reviews. Before we went to the theater, I checked the opinions of other movie-goers and they all seemed to enjoy it, compared to professional critics who either liked it or hated it.

I also watched an interview with Neeson and Jones. They talked about how the directors intentionally made it action-packed from beginning to end. That they did, but I felt there was somewhat of a plot sacrifice because of all the action. Some aspects of the story could have been developed more.

But, all in all, it was a good movie and I'd watch it again, especially to be on the lookout for more clues to the surprise ending.

The Soloist

In 2005, LA Times writer Steve Lopez met Nathanial Ayers, a homeless musician living on Skid Row.

The Soloist is the story of that encounter, their lives and their friendship.

Every now and then, a film comes along that moves me to the point of no return. The Soloist is one of those stories.

For almost two hours, I literally sat on the edge of my seat as this magnificent story unfolded before my eyes. I laughed, I cried, I got angry, I applauded. So many emotions in such a short period of time!

For me, this was more than the movie itself. I'm a journalist. I understand how those special stories come along and how they affect your life. I can imagine the impact meeting Nathanial had on Steve Lopez and on his career. Newspaper reporting is such a different world. It's something that gets into your blood. You live it; you breath it; you sacrifice everything for it. But at the end of the day, when you are bone tired and don't think you can take the pressure any longer, something else comes along to make you grab that notepad and run out the door.

That's exactly how it started for Steve. He doesn't have to say it ... it's obvious. Here's a homeless man who can create sounds that would inspire even the most hardhearted. Yet, he's the only one who seems to hear it. It reaches down into his soul and he needs to know why -- why is this man on the streets and not on the concert stage?

Years ago, mental illness was locked away from society. These people lived behind the high walls of institutions designed to keep out even family members. Then, it was decided this treatment was inhumane and carried too high a price for the taxpayers. So, the institutions were done away with. The walls came down and thousands of the lost were displaced to the streets. The homeless population exploded overnight. Maybe it was better than being confined, but it also meant limited access to the help they needed.

The result was people like Nathanial, who for one reason or another, live under bridges, behind dumpsters, in dark alleys. And some, like Nathanial, are intelligent and talented, but their illnesses -- in his case, schizophrenia -- don't allow them to live a so-called normal life. And it's so much easier for the rest of society to ignore what's going on right under its nose.

But Nathanial meets Steve, who becomes a true friend and wants more than anything to help him. The trick is, he first has to learn how.

This movie is so inspiring. The storyline is very well done and the lead actors did a wonderful job in their roles. Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. should be commended for the outstanding work they did in this film.

To learn more about this movie, including viewing a trailer and listening to the words of the real-life Steve Lopez, visit the official Web site of The Soloist.

I definitely give this movie five reels.

The Dark Knight

My husband and I went to see "The Dark Knight" this past weekend!

First, let me set the stage:

We decided to go 'dating' Saturday -- you know, dinner and a movie.

The evening started out with dinner at one of my favorite restaurants (they have the best salad dressings in the world!) where we shared a plate of chicken fettuccine. Yum!

When we got to the theater, lo and behold, the film was sold out. This was at 7:00. They suggested we come back for the 9:30 showing, but that we purchase our tickets ahead of time because every time the film played, it was selling out.

OK. So we bought our tickets and went puttering around town.

Our main stop was Hastings, where we cruised the book and movie aisles. Cool! I love doing that and I found a copy of "The Wizard of Oz," which I had been looking for. I also bought Zuma (computer game) and a disc on using QuickBooks. Hubby found four classic western movies.

Now what should we do? We still had an hour until show time.

Fortunately, I just happened to have the current book I was reading with me! We went back to the theater and found a shady spot to park. I read my book and hubby rested.

We went inside about a half hour before the movie was to begin (also a suggestion from the theater manager when we were there earlier). There was already quite a line. We bought popcorn and soda and joined the others who were waiting.

Finally, we were sitting in front of the screen -- a little closer than I like to sit, but the seats were filling up fast!

Aw, previews of coming attractions and YES! the film begins.

AND I LOVED IT!!!

I've always been a Batman fan. I remember watching the weekly series starring Adam West when I was a little girl. My sister and I would get home from school, turn on the TV and BAM! WHAM! (Guess you had to be there!)

Imagine how excited I was when they started making the movies. I absolutely loved Jack Nicholson as the joker.

So, what did I think of this latest version of the caped crusader? Wonderful. Excellent. Thrilling. Super-duper. Etc. Etc. Etc.

The action was fantastic, i.e. the scene where the semi flips! The makeup and costumes were awesome.

I also loved Heath Ledger as the joker. He reminded me of a young Jack Nicholson. Heath did a great job and I can see why the critics are talking "Oscar" here.

Now, what did hubby think? Hmm, that's another story. You have to understand that he's a pretty laid-back kind of guy. He likes the old westerns (hence the purchases at Hastings) and he likes comedies. He thought "The Dark Knight" was too fake.

Ugh! (Can you picture me rolling my eyes here?)

"It's supposed to be fake ... it's a comic book!" was my reply.

Oh, well. I liked it and next time, I'll let him pick the movie. I hope I don't fall asleep in the middle of it!

The Bucket List

Wow! I finally got the chance to watch this movie and I was impressed. It is so well done and both my husband and I were almost speechless when we saw it.
The story revolves around two men who are diagnosed with incurable cancers. They are two totally different personalities, yet because they are in the same room, they (reluctantly) end up learning about each other.
When one discovers a secret list the other is making, the real action begins. The list is called a Bucket List and contains all the things he wishes he had done during his life but never did.
Well, they decide maybe they should try to do some of those things. They expand the list to contain both of their ideas, check themselves out of the hospital and off they go to travel the world in search of their dreams.
They have a marvelous time and become the best friends imaginable … until one of them steps too far into the personal life of the other.
I really can’t tell any more about the scenario or it will give away the end of the movie, which is wonderful!
If you haven’t seen “The Bucket List,” take the time to do so. You’ll be glad you did.

Indiana Jones

I’ve always been a fan of the Indiana Jones movies. When I found out a new one was filmed, I waited impatiently for it to premiere.
I counted down the weeks. I kept my eye on the advertisements for the area theaters.
Lo and behold, there it was! Listed to be shown at the local showhouse.
My husband and I went on the second night it was being shown. The seats were crowded, but we still got a good spot in the center near the front. We bought our popcorn and sodas and I sat through the previews of coming attractions in anticipation.
I wasn’t disappointed.
No matter what anyone says, Harrison Ford can still do Indiana Jones!
I’m not really sure why I enjoy the Indiana Jones films so much. After all, they are kind of unbelievable. Yet, the producers manage to pull it off so well that it becomes such fun.
I seriously doubt if there will be another one of these films. The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull pretty much ended the adventures, as far as I can tell. Anything else would probably be too much of a stretch.
But they did an excellent job at making this movie. If you get the chance to see it, don’t pass up the opportunity. You’ll be glad you went.