Mirkwood Reflections

Two more movies: In America Runaway Jury (too much different from the book) One More Book: Don't Cry Now - Fielding One of these days I will do a marathon review session. But not today! My new computer has arrived! 5/17/05 The marathon reviewing session never occurred. So, here are my Legolas icons anyhow.

OK, I am still not caught up. LOL More movies.... Surviving Christmas Sweet November Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey (watching tonight) National Treasure (watching this week) More books... He Had It Coming - Spencer Obsessed - Ted Dekker Edited 5/17/05 with Elf Prince icons.....

Well, I am way behind in my reviews. So, here is what will be coming soon to this blog. Movies/DVD's: Vanity Fair Shall We Dance Quantum Leap - Season 2 My Own Private Idaho (maybe....) Books: Sugar Cookie Murder - Fluke He Had it Coming - Spencer Can You Keep a Secret - Kinsella That's all I can recall right now, but I am sure there is more. EDITED: Went back in and added the Elf Prince icons since I am apparently never going to get around to reviewing these. 5/17/05

Call me skeptical, but when I first saw the ads for The Incredibles, I was quite sure that it wouldn't be a film my family would be seeing. My imagination concocted all kinds of unsavory scenarios that could be included in such a film. So, when I began hearing positive reports from friends who had taken their children to see this computer-animated film, I was surprised and encouraged. My sons (then ages 4 and 9) went with a friend to see the film last year and sang its praises when they returned home. However, I didn't have a chance to view this wonderful movie until March 6, when I took all four of my children (ages 10, 8, 5, and nearly 3) to see it at the local bargain theatre. I was blown away by this movie. Original storyline, sophisticated animation, family values, genuinely funny jokes - everything combines to create a truly outstanding film! Mr. Incredible and his wife Elastigirl, along with their 3 children, are in the superheroes equivalent of the witness protection ...

Keanu Reeves didn't want to make this movie, and I can see why. The director was a friend and Keanu agreed to do a cameo in the movie as a favor. His name was then used to get Marisa Tomei and James Spader to sign on. Then the script was changed and Keanu's character became one of the central characters. His salary didn't increase, but he was obligated by contract to continue. This probably would have been fine, if it had been a well-written movie. By all accounts, Keanu doesn't usually choose his parts by how well they pay or how well they will be recieved. However, this film was not well-written and Keanu continued with it only on the condition that he would not have to promote it nor would he be featured prominently in promotional materials. Ok, now that we have that out of the way, let's talk about the film. Keanu plays a serial killer David Griffin who has a vendetta against cop Joel Campbell (played by James Spader). Marisa Tomei plays psychologist...

I'm sure the fact I read There and Back Again: An Actor's Tale comes as no surprise to anyone who knows me. I am a huge Lord of the Rings fan and a voracious reader, so a book written by one of the principal actors is a shoo-in! Sean Astin played the hobbit Samwise Gamgee, loyal friend to Frodo Baggins. Two issues come to mind when I think of Sean Astin's book. First, I am enthralled by all the Lord of the Rings movie trivia that he includes. Second, I am taken aback by the extremely candid manner in which Sean tells his tales. The son of Patty Duke and adopted son of John Astin, Sean grew up in Hollywood, acting in his first TV movie at age 8 (co-starring with his mother). The book details much of Sean's journey as an actor, culminating with his experience making Lord of the Rings. The insider look at Hollywood intrigued me. Sean describes everything from how he interacts with his agents to how much salary an actor might actually keep from the gross. Learning new trivi...