Film: Star Wars - The Force Awakens (2015)

Blu-Ray


Review: After the chaotic blandness of the prequels, this new movie brings back the look and feel of the original series with three new charismatic leads. In this new movie, the Rebellion may have beaten the Empire, but the First Order is regrouping from the remnants and threatens the galaxy once again. Daisy Ridley plays Rey, a scavenger girl left behind by her parents on a desert planet who is probably force sensitive. She teams up with an AWOL Stormtrooper to return a droid to the Resistance fighter looking for the missing Luke Skywalker. Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher return as Han and Leia who have parted ways since "Return of the Jedi" over the actions of their son, Ben, to join the dark side just like his grandfather, Anakin Skywalker. My only nitpicks are that J.J. Abrams played extra fast and loose with time and distance. Things like spaceships using lightspeed to cross the galaxy in what seemed like minutes or people able to watch Starkiller Base blow up a star from a faraway star system with the naked eye.

Quotes:
"Where do you come from?"
[BB-8 beeps]
"Classified, really? Me too. Big secret."

"Can you fly a TIE Fighter?"
"I can fly anything."

"Okay. Stay calm. Stay calm."
"I am calm."
"I'm talking to myself."

"Watch the thrust. We're going out of here at lightspeed."
"From inside the hangar? Is that even possible?"
"I never ask that question 'till after I've done it."

"Hey, Solo, I'm not sure what we're walking into here..."
"Did you just call me Solo?"
"Sorry. Han. Mr. Solo. I'm a big deal in the Resistance. Which puts a real target on my back. Are there any conspirators here? Like, First Order sympathizers?"
"Listen, Big Deal. You got another problem. Women always figure out the truth. Always."

"Where am I?"
"You're my guest."
"Where are the others?"
"Do you mean the murderers, traitors and thieves you call friends? You'll be relieved to hear I have no idea."

"That lightsaber... It belongs to me."
"Come get it."

4 1/2 Stars out of 5

Film: Edge of Tomorrow (2014) Live Die Repeat

Blu-Ray


Review: This is another great Tom Cruise movie directed by the always reliable Doug Limon. This sci-fi war film combines the repeating elements of Groundhog Day and videos games to tell the story of a un-experienced coward becoming a war hero by reliving the same battle over and over again every time he dies. The practical effects of the battle suit are very well done.

Quotes:
"Griff, I want you to take care of Private Cage."
"What, all day long?"
"Something tells me it won't be that long."

"I'm hit, I'm hit. How bad is it?"
"You've got a hole in your chest."
"Did you just take my... battery, battery pack?"

"Come on! This ship is going to explode! What are you doing?"
"Find me when you wake up."
"What?"
"Come find me when you wake up..."

"I think I broke something..."
"What?"
"My back. The only thing I can feel are my lips."
"Now listen carefully. This is a very important rule. This is the only rule. You get injured on the field, you better make sure you die."
"Why?"
"Last time I was in combat, I was hit. I was bleeding out, just not fast enough. I woke up in a field hospital with three pints of someone else's blood and I was out. I lost the power, do you understand? Think we better start over, don't you?"

"Stop! Wait! Wait, wait, wait! Stop! Wait a second! You know, I've been thinking. I mean, this thing's in my blood. So maybe's there's some way I can transfer it to you."
"I've tried everything. It doesn't work."
"I mean, have you... you know... tried all the options?"
"Oh, you mean sex. Yep. I tried it."
"How many times?"

"If it's all the same to you, I'm tired, I'm in pain. I'd rather just start fresh."
"Tell you what. Take a few minutes. Coffee's ready. I'll look around for the keys. That's productive."
"Ten minutes."
"Okay."
"And then I'm killing you."
"Fine."

"What do we do now?"
"I don't know. We've never gotten this far."

"Why would we follow him into combat?"
"I don't expect you to follow me. I expect you to follow her."
"That's the Full Metal Bitch."

5 out of 5 Stars

Film: The Hangover (2009)

Blu Ray


Review: A hilarious Bachelor Party movie where three friends wake up the next morning in a trashed hotel room and the Bachelor is missing. With few clues, they have to retrace their drunken steps through Las Vegas as they try to track down their missing friend before his wedding the next day.

Quotes:
"To a night the four of us will never forget!"

"Did you have to park so close?"
"Yeah, what's wrong?"
"I shouldn't be here."
"Why is that, Alan?"
"I'm not supposed to be within two hundred feet of a school... or a Chuck E. Cheese."

"Would you please put some pants on? I feel weird having to ask you twice."

"We're in a stolen cop car with what is sure to be a missing child in the back. What part of this is cool?"
"I think the cop car part's pretty cool."

"Guys. Guys. What about the tiger? What if he got out?"
"Oh, fuck! I keep forgetting about the goddamn tiger! How the fuck did he get in there?"

"You know, everyone says Mike Tyson is such a bad ass, but I think he's kind of a sweetheart."
"I think he's mean."

"I'll tell you another thing - 6 to 1 odds our car is beat to shit."
"Come on Stu.
"No seriously how much you want to bet it's fucked up beyond all recognition?"

"I don't think you should be doing too much gambling tonight, Alan."
"Gambling? Who said anything about gambling? It's not gambling when you know you're gonna win. Counting cards is a foolproof system."
"It's also illegal."
"It's not illegal. It's frowned upon, like masturbating on an airplane."
"I'm pretty sure that's illegal too."
"Yeah, maybe after 9/11, where everybody got so sensitive. Thanks a lot, Bin Laden."

"We look at these pictures together, OK? One time. And then we delete the evidence."
"I say we delete it right now."
"Are you nuts? I want to find out how I went to the hospital. Is that in there?"
"Yeah it's in there!"
"Guys, one time. Deal?"
"Deal!"

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: Jack Reacher (2012)

Blu-Ray


Review: Another Tom Cruise film with him at his most Cruisiest, the ultra-competent man who saves the day. This time he plays an ex-Army cop who arrives in Pittsburgh to find the truth behind a sniper attack by a former suspect of his. Robert Duvall brings a welcome dose of humor in his first reunion with Cruise since "Days of Thunder".

Quotes:
"There are four types of people who join the military. For some, it's a family trade. Others are patriots, eager to serve. Next, you have those who just need a job. Then there's the kind who want a legal means of killing other people. James Barr was one of those."

"So you were some real hot shit in the Army, huh?"
"I did all right."
"So what does an Army cop do mostly? Break up bar fights?"
"I did what you do pretty much, with one minor difference."
"What's that?"
"Every suspect was a trained killer."

"He called me a whore."
"Is that true?"
"Well, nobody said whore. She inferred hooker, but I meant slut."
"Hey, that's our sister."
"Is she a good kisser?"

"I was in prison in Siberia. I spent my first winter wearing a dead man's coat. A hole in one pocket. I chewed these fingers off before the frostbite could turn to gangrene. These I gave up to avoid working in the sulfur mine. That is how I survived when so many others did not. A man this rare can always be of use. So show me. Show me you are rare. Show me you'll do anything to survive."
"I don't understand."
"The fingers from your left hand."
"Have you... have you got a knife?"
"Did I have a knife in Siberia?"

"Got a car?"
"It's outside."
"Keys."
"My hand, man. They're in my pock... AAAHH! Okay, okay."
"Now look at your friends. Now look at my face. Do you ever want to see me again?"
"No way."
"Am I stealing your car?"
"Use it as looong as you like."

"Helen, are you hurt?"
"Well, she's gonna be if you're not here in one hour. Do I have to tell you how this works?"
"You'll bounce me around to make sure I'm not followed, then walk me into an ambush and kill me."
"Aw, you ruined my surprise."
"Well, I can do one better. I went down to the gun range at Hinge Creek. I got the picture, prints and I'm going to the Feds. The lawyers all yours."

"On second thought, I'd like to kill you. Let's say winner take all."
"Listen to me, you prick. I will kill this bitch if you're not here in one..."
"You think I'm a hero? I am not a hero. I'm a drifter with nothing to lose. You killed that girl to put me in the frame. I mean to beat you to death and drink your blood from a boot. Now, this is how it's going to work. You're gonna give me the address and I'll be along when I am damn good and ready. If she doesn't answer the phone when I call this number, if I even think you've hurt her, I disappear. And if you're smart, that scares you, because I'm in your blind spot and I have nothing better to do."
"You got a pen?"

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: 3:10 to Yuma (2007)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


Review: This is a fun Western about a broke rancher who agrees to help transport a notorious stage coach robber to the 3:10 train to Yuma prison. I enjoyed the verbal battle of wits between Christian Bale and Russell Crowe as the former struggles to fulfill his duty while being tracked down by Crowe's outlaw gang.

Quotes:
"Mornin."
"Those are my cattle. I want them back."
"Careful, rancher, that's Ben Wade you're talking to."
"Well, I need them back. They're all I got."
"I don't need your cattle. But I will be needin' them horses. So you don't go doing nothing... foolish. You'll find them on the road to Bisbee."

"Name's Charlie Prince. I expect you heard of me."
"Well, I heard of a balled-up whore named Charlie Princess. That you, missy?"

"You look a little bent, rancher. You come to wake some snakes? You got your horses back, didn't you? And your cattle?"
"Yeah, I got my horses back. But you killed two of my herd."
"Well, they died for a good cause. You know them beeves of yours, they wouldn't have even fed a hungry dog. I tell you what. How much do you get for a day's work?"
"$2 when I hire out."
"Well, there's $2 for a half a day."
"You took up my boys' time, too."
"You're right, I did. Anything else you wanna get paid for, Dan?"
"You can give me $5 extra."
"And what's that for?"
"For making me nervous."

"I was best shot in my regiment. I'll come... for $200."
"You fight for the North or the South?"
"North."
"We're Southern in name, but Chicago owned. Fine. $200. Let's go."

"What are you doing out, Dan? You got a family to protect. You're not a lawman. You don't work for the railroad like Mr. Shiny Shoes over there. Your not a Pinkerton."
"Maybe I don't like the idea of men like you on the loose."
"It's a man's nature to take what he wants, Dan. That's how we're born."
"Well, I make an honest living."
"It might be honest but I don't think it's much of a living. You must be hurting bad to take this job."

"Why'd you kill Tucker? Why not me? Or Butterfield?"
"Well, Tucker took my horse. Did you like him, Dan?"
"No."
"He told me he burnt down your barn."
"He was an asshole... but wishing him dead and killing him are two different things."
"Your conscience is sensitive, Dan. I don't think it's my favorite part of you."

"What's the quickest way out of the pass? He'll be looking for help to get his cuffs off."
"We're going after him?"
"Well, there ain't no reward for getting him halfway to that train, is there?"

"Would you do me a favor? Don't talk to me for awhile."
"You mean we're still not friends?"
"No. No, we're not."
"Come five minutes to three, we're gonna be a lot closer than you think."

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Blu-Ray


Review: A euro-thriller of a disgraced journalist and troubled hacker who team up to solve a cold-case mystery. I read the book after seeing this movie first and I thought it was a great adaption. Another excellent movie by David Fincher.

Quotes:
"Your report is light in another area. His personal life. Anything you chose not to disclose?"
"Nothing that warranted inclusion."
"Does that mean yes or no?"
"I think what Miss Salander means, and I agree, is that everyone has a right to a certain amount of privacy, even if they are being investigated."
"Not in this case. I need to know anything about him I might find unsavory, even if she doesn't."
"He's had a longstanding sexual relationship with his co-editor of the magazine. It wrecked his marriage but not hers. Sometimes he performs cunnilingus. Not often enough, in my opinion."
"No, you're right not to include that."
"I know."

"I need your help."
"I'm... doing what?"
"Officially, assisting with my memoirs. But what you'll really be doing is solving a mystery by doing what you do so well. Your recent legal mishap notwithstanding. You will be investigating thieves, misers, bullies, the most detestable collection of people that you will ever meet. My family."

"Harriet. Ah. She was bright, curious, a winning combination in any person."
"And beautiful."
"Yeah."
"Something happened to her?"
"Someone in the family murdered Harriet, and for the past forty years, has been trying to drive me insane."

"I am not a child."
"No, you are not. But you were. And between then and now, you were committed to the locked ward of St.Stefan's where you continued to display violent aggression. And you failed to adapt to four foster homes, arrested twice for intoxication, twice for narcotics, again for assault, smashing a bottle into a man's face. And it's not even that long ago. You may have conned Mr. Palmgren into thinking you have changed, but when I'm looking at this, not to mention the way you're looking at me now, I don't think you have. So the good old Mr. Palmgren days are over. Starting now, you will be given a monthly allowance. You'll provide me with receipts for you expenses and if the numbers don't balance, I will have to assume the difference is going to drugs."

"Your boss, Armansky... yeah, he tells me you only do jobs that interest you so I suppose I should be flattered. You gonna sit down? He also says that you're the one he goes to when the job is, um, sensitive. That's the word he used, sensitive. I'm gonna use, illegal, becuase that's what it was when you hacked into my computer. No, I'm not gonna do anything about that. I could, but I won't. What I'm gonna do is I'm gonna tell you a story and if it entertains you, maybe you'll decide to help me research further. And if not, I'll do the washing up and you'll never see me again. Here, you should eat that."
"What kind of research?"
"Lisbeth... Oh, can I call you Lisbeth? I want you to help me catch a killer of women."

"Let me ask you something. Why don't people trust their instincts? They sense something is wrong, someone is walking too close behind them. You knew something was wrong, but you came back into the house. Did I force you? Did I drag you in? No. All I had to do was offer you a drink. It's hard to believe that the fear of offending can be stronger than the fear of pain, but you know what? It is. And they always come willingly."

5 out of 5 Stars

Film: Hall Pass (2011)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9



Review: A return to form for the Farrelly Brothers. A very hilarious movie of two husbands played by Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis who receive a Hall Pass from their wives for a week off marriage.

Quotes:
"Hey, honey. We better get a move on. We gotta meet up with Fred and Grace soon."
"No, I know, I know. I'm trying."
"How long do you think you're gonna be?"
"Uh, 45 minutes. Less, if you help with the kids."
"No, 45 minutes is good... I'm kidding. A joke. Okay, come, on. Bath Time. Time to scrub some backs and clean some cracks."

"You gotta be kidding."
"What?"
"You just checked out that girl's butt."
"Who did?"
"You did. And it's rude."
"What? Do you think she noticed?"
"I noticed."
"Oh, yeah, yeah. I'm just spacey tonight, honey. I'm sorry."

"Look at those meatheads checking out Missy."
"What, do they think they're invisible?"
"Hey, I thought you said Fred isn't a gawker?"
"He was standing right there. I can't let him know I know. It's take all the fun out of it. Oh, God, he has this stupid move where he looks back and waits for the girls to pass so that it seems like he couldn't help but notice her ass. It's pathetic."

"Have you ever considered giving your husband a Hall Pass?
"A what?"
"A Hall Pass. A week off from marriage."
"No."
"Wait a minute. Are you saying let them go out and cheat?"
"I'm saying, give them a week off from marriage. Look. Most married men have very foggy memories of their single days and they begin to believe that if not for you they could actually be with these other women."
"That's Fred."

"The way I see it, husbands are like a couple of cats. They're completely domesticated, and the first time you let them out they're so paralyzed with fear they'll come running back inside."
"Yeah. But we're not talking about cats, we're talking about dogs!"

"What about those two? Why don't you go bang them?"
"Or maybe the hostess. Someone should definitely jump her bones."
"Guys, attempt to be cool. You know, we've got the whole week, so we'll get there, we'll get there."
"Are you guys sure Applebee's is the best place to meet hot horny women at?"
"What are you thinking, Olive Garden?"
"What do you want, hot pussy or all-you-can-eat breadsticks?"

"I gotta go home and poo."
"Now? Why don't you just back one out here?"
"Ooh, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna need a bath afterwards."

"Maybe we should call the girls and ask them to come home."
"Wait a second, you want to quit?"
"Fred, come on. We're not the same guys we were fifteen years ago, when we were single. We've changed."
"No, YOU've changed. All you're thinking about is yourself."
"Fred, I don't care! I'm exhausted! I want to go home! I miss my wife and kids, okay?"
"No, no, no, no, no! Let me explain something to you, okay? If Maggie and Grace find out that we can't get laid on our own, they'll start thinking that we need them to get laid! Do you realize what that'll do to the balance of power in our homes?"

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: Croupier (1998)

Blu-Ray


Review: This is first film I saw with Clive Owen in the lead role and it made me a big fan. He plays, Jack, a struggling writer who reluctantly takes a job as a dealer in a London casino after a recommendation by his father. While Jack has the talent and instinct to be a successful gambler himself, he would rather use his skills to watch other's lose while writing about his experience at the casino in a book. When he is offered $20,000 to cause a distraction during a robbery, he is tempted to break his personal hatred of cheats. It is hard to believe that this low-key neo-noir film was made by the same director as Flash Gordon.

Quotes:
"Do you believe in astrology?"
"Absolutely not. But then, I'm a Gemini, and Geminis don't believe in astrology."

"Gambling's not about money... Gambling's about not facing reality, ignoring the odds."
"I must be a fool - I never think about the odds."

"How do I look?"
"Like trouble."

"A wave of elation came over him; he was hooked again... watching people lose."

"Now he had become the still center of that spinning wheel of misfortune. The world turned 'round him leaving him miraculously untouched. The croupier had reached his goal. He no longer heard the sound of the ball."

"He's a good customer."
"A good customer is a consistent loser... but is that what he meant?"

"You didn't recognize the man who attacked you did you?"
"Of course I fucking recognized him."
"You did?"
"I know a cheat when I see one... the man was a cheat."

"Hang on tightly, let go lightly."

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: Feeling Minnesota (1996)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


Review: Keanu Reeves plays ex-con, Jjaks, who comes home to Minnesota for his brother's wedding and falls in love with the bride played by Cameron Diaz. Since she has been forced to marry the older brother by the local crime boss, she tries tries to convince Jjaks to help her escape town but not before stealing enough money to live comfortably in Vegas. Vincent D'Onofrio plays the older brother who shares a hate/hate relationship with Jjaks and is not about to let his new wife leave him.

Quotes:
"Let's just start this thing up and get out of here."
"I can't."
"Why? Why can't you see? Maybe all this shit happened with me, with you, with your mom dying. Maybe it happened so we would end up together."
"I can't."
"If you leave me here with these bastards, I swear you're a bigger fucker than they are."
"Don't you see? It feels too good. It feels too good! It's gonna turn to shit! I just can't!"

"I'm just saying. Go home one last time and get the money."
"Why, we have a little cash."
"I got fifty bucks stuffed in my underwear and you've got what, enough to spring for this swell place? We left in a hurry, Jjaks. We forgot."
"I know, but..."
"Jjaks, c'mon. We're almost there. Almost. It's like, if I close my eyes, I can see us in Vegas lying by a pool... with water in it. It's always sunny and warm. And guys in white jackets bring us daiquiris and all the food we can eat for four bucks. And all the towels smell like Downey fabric softener. There's no clocks, no bedtime and when I get going there you can come see me perform at night. I'd be wearing big red feathers and one of those things on my head, like crown things, with diamonds in it. When I come offstage I'd be too wired to sleep so we'll make love until morning and sleep until 2:00."

"I spend my whole life trying not to come back here. I always end up coming back here."
"Where's Freddie?"
"Why don't I just put the money back and really never come back?"
"So you and my wife can live happily ever after? That sounds like a really good deal for me."
"We're gonna go at it, aren't we, Sam?"
"Big time."

"How could lie to me about that?"
You ate my ear... You killed your wife... You framed me and you're mad at me for lying?"

"Drop the gun."
"You drop yours."
"Well, I pulled mine out first."

4 out of 5 Stars