New Adventure = New Blog

Hello everyone!

My father has set off on another work adventure to the dark continent of Africa and just like last time I've set up a blog so you can join in what it's like to be there. My father doesn't have access to phones, so everything is done through email and Skype.

To follow check out this site:

http://ronhaleinzambia.blogspot.com/

17 Again

17 Again
Rated PG-13
102 Minutes
Nicole’s Rating: B+
(non-spoiler)

I had to get the horrible images from that last movie out of my mind, so I headed to the theater not knowing what to watch. Lo and behold there was a teen comedy and I thought what the heck, I'll give it a shot and I'm very happy I did.

Mike O'Donnell is stuck in a mid-life crisis; going through a divorce, not getting promoted at a job that he's been at for 15 years and his kids are not speaking to him. He meets up with his spirit guide to give him a 2nd chance on life turning him back into a teenager.

The overall story was your typical story of body switching and somewhat predictable to the overall storyline, but there were so many fun scenes you forgot that you watched the same scenario back in the 1980's.

The cast was excellent! Matthew Perry does play his stereo-typical Chandler role, but Zac Efron stole the show. Not only by his great looks, but he did a wonderful job portraying an adult and a great job getting Mattew Perry's actions down. Another great performance was Thomas Lennon who plays the lovable, nerdy sidekick that helps Mike through this transition. If you have ever seen Reno 911 you know this man is a comedy genius and he brings it out for this role as well. You can't help but love this character, because deep down inside we all have a bit of nerd in us that he is more than willing to display.

If you're looking for a good laugh and fun-filled movie, I high recommend this one. And if you're not looking for laughter, go and see this for the eye candy then.

Terminator Salvation

Terminator Salvation
Rated PG-13
114 Minutes
Nicole’s Rating: D+
(spoiler alert)

This was one movie that I had to see this summer, I even made it to the midnight showing so that no one could spoil it for me. I wish I would have been spoiled, maybe whoever was telling me the story could have made it more interesting than the P.O.S. displayed on the screen.

The movie begins in the year 2018 when the war with the machines is full fledged and humanity is losing the war and everything depends on our hero John Connor. Just like all the previous Terminator movies we're introduced to YET another bigger, badder, more advanced Terminator who is out to destroy John because he is 21st century Jesus apparently. I wish there was more plot to give, but that's basically it. Machines vs. Humans and everything being blown up.

As for the casting, Christan Bale plays our main man John Connor, but most of the time I forgot since he still thinks he was playing Batman. And yes he uses the groggily, gurglely Batman voice. Christan, it didn't work for Batman and it doesn't work for this film! Most characters are forgettable, even John's wife. Why they even put this character in the movie I have no idea?! The only character that was remotely enjoyable was the part of Star. The best part about this character, she doesn't say one word in the entire film.

The cinematography was beyond horrible. If you didn't like the shaky cam look of Cloverfield or Blair Witch Project, you'll hate this. It's basically the whole look of the movie, along with extreme close ups of the actors, so you basically have to sit there and guess what in the world is going on around them. Next the make-up was too unbelievable. Our heroine has been battling for hours against the machines, has been blown up and has fallen from towers, but yet she still had her shiny lip gloss on.

If there was a cheese factor scale of 5, this movie was a 6. There were soooooo many bad cliches and one liners from the previous films it just added onto the gag factor. Yes it worked for Star Trek, but here it was just plain pathetic.

Warning MAJOR spoiler: There was only one part of this movie that didn't make me give it a lower rating than "D+" and that was a small 3 minute cameo of the Govenator himself Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I was utterly bored through most of this film! The only way I would recommend it is if it came on late at night on TNT when there's nothing else on but infomercials.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Rated PG-13
107 Minutes
Nicole’s Rating: B-
(non-spoiler)

A superhero movie about one of the most beloved characters in the comic book world with A-list actors sounds like the perfect combination for a great summer movie…wrong. This movie had such great potential but ended short on the enthrallment meter.

If you have ever read a Marvel comic book, 98% chance you’ve come across Wolverine and his story and his journey living an immortal life. The best part of his story in this movie comes at the very beginning while the opening credits are running, so if you go to the show, make sure you get there for the very start. Then comes the part where Logan tries to live a normal life and things go a bit downhill from there. They could have cut back on this portion of his story and given us some better action sequences instead. While living this life of simplicity in Canada, his life gets turned around again as he has to face battling demons of the past and finally the film picks up.

Hugh Jackman does a great job playing Logan/Wolverine and looks great doing it! You do come out feeling that Mr. Jackman is the only one that could give this part everything needed to convince you that he truly is Wolverine. The main reason why I saw this film is because they finally introduce my favorite X-men Gambit. This came to be a disappointment for me. When you’re first introduced to Gambit, the character was almost spot-on with the Cajun accent, special abilities and attitude but his character looses almost everything Gambit is known for within the remainder of the film. Maybe if they do an Origins movie about him, they’ll get it correct. Another surprise for me was the choice to cast Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool. I believe Mr. Reynolds gave the best performance he could, but I would have liked to have seen an unknown actor play this part instead.

The biggest disappointment in this film was the graphics. I’ve seen better graphic 30 years ago! Wolverine’s claws and explosions looked so fake so many times of the film it made me wonder if the entire budget went into donut fund. The production company should have cut out a bunch of the B.S. parts of the film and put more into the graphic arts department.

Honestly, this movie isn’t as bad as I’m making it out to be, but it truly isn’t worth seeing in the theater. Save you money and wait to rent it on DVD. Hugh Jackman’s performance is worth seeing it.

Star Trek

Star Trek
Rated PG-13
126 Minutes
Nicole’s Rating: A
(non-spoiler)

What a way to start off the summer movie season! Action, humor, emotional conflicts and a bit of romance this movie has what the average movie go-er wants.

The movie takes us back to the time when Captain Kirk and Spock we’re young men learning the ways of the Federation, so your typical prequel. If you are a Star Trek, (you most likely have seen this film already) you’ll realize that the story line of Kirk’s father and past has changed a bit, but it works out perfectly for the film.

When I first heard about who was play Kirk and Spock, I was very skeptical of the choices, but after seeing the film every bad though I had changed. The casting of this movie was almost perfect. And by saying almost I only had an issue with one character that that was Amanda Grayson (Kirk’s mother) played by Winona Ryder. She acted liked like she just got the script that day and she looked like she was reading queue-cards off to the side. Thank goodness she has a very minor part. I don’t think I could take too much of her poor performance.

The only other major issue I had is the same one I have with most movies that rely on CGI and that is the continuity of size. At one point in the movie, the space pod from the Enterprise was the same size of the Enterprise, but I’m sure most people will not notice it, because of the intense moments at that time. One more thing that I thought could have been added to the movie is the deleted scenes I read about. Yes, it would have made the movie longer, but many questions would have been answered, such as why the Romuln ship looked the way it did.

Even if you’re not a Star Trek fan, I highly recommend this movie. It’s one that I know I could see over again in the theater and have just as good of time as I did the first time around.

Reality...I Don't Like It...Or Maybe I Do

Well it's been a week since my vacation ended and I'm still trying to get used to being back in reality and I'm not liking it. I want to be back in the laid back life of "Down Under". I'm still adjusting to driving (I know it's crazy).

However I'm glad to be back to good American food. I can't believe how much I missed ketchup and ranch dressing. Plus, I can start my favorite time of year for movies. I love summer movies! Love, love, love them! So be on the look out for many movie reviews from me. Another good thing is I'm going to start working out again. My vacation did me wonders for getting me wanting to get back to the gym. I got plenty of exercise while on holiday and even lost seven pounds! Now I just need to keep it going.

Even though my vacation is over, I can honestly say that it was one of the best things to happen to me. So big loves and hugs to my parents who gave me this opportunity!