Five Reasons to Adore Mission Impossible 4

- Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. He reprises his role effortlessly, as effortlessly as he escapes through the maximum security prison cell in the first scene of the movie. Cruise in MI series is definitely the best rival of Daniel Craig 007 for the title of the most suave and gorgeous action star of 21st century Hollywood. If Daniel Craig had his extraordinary moments of composed physical eloquence in Bond movies of late, Cruise cruises with his deft and nimble physical prowess and unparalleled charm. At 50, Ethan in MI4 moves, shakes and rattles the whole police force of Moscow and hums all along the steep walls of Al Burj Dubai, making the audience mesmerized as to how at 50, someone can look and stunt that good!

- The script, which is very tight and multilayered as a fine tuxedo. The movie moves from Moscow, to Dubai and finally to Mumbai and all the while, action sequences, smart dialogues, brilliant suspense sequences and realistic characterizations make the action more believable for mature audiences, a forte which Bond movies have being cashing in of late.

- The dangerous stunts performed by the actors, especially Cruise. The free solo climbing with battery charged gloves with the approaching dust storm, or the combat sequences in an Indian car manufacturing plant with the arch villain Kurt Hendricks (Michael Nyqvist), even the martial art techniques of Ethan's attractive sidekick Jane Carter (Paula Patton)

- Paula Patton as Jane Carter. A new find indeed, she sizzles with her curves and personality. Stealthy, sharp, smooth, seductive and compassionate, she fits the role of a capable IMF agent pruning the loose ends left by Ethan in his feverish quest to hunt down Hendricks and his NY nuking plans.

- The gadgets yet again, putting gadget creator Q of James Bond to shame. Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) dishing out some mind-blowing gadgets which walk the thin red line between the weirdly unbelievable plasma guns of Men in Black and the boringly un-fascinating concoctions from Discovery Science Channel. Starting from the invisible 3D screen which mirrors a video image, or the trademark Mission Impossible face masks, to the battery operated gloves clinging Ethan precariously over the breathtaking Burj Dubai and the retinal camera of William Brandt ( Jeremy Renner) relaying visual information to Dunn's Macbook.

The gadgets are more stunning and subtle, the stunts are more unbelievable, the story is intricate and extensive without being rushed, and Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt carries the Mission Impossible franchise to yet another lofty milestone, leaving behind a trail of spectacular action in Moscow, Dubai and finally Mumbai, India. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

Silent Era's Bad Girls

Anita Page

Nineteen twenty-eight, Ann played by Anita Page. She chased men for their money and drank as much as she wanted too. In "Our Dancing Daughters" she starred along with Joan Crawford as Diana and Ben played by Johnny Mack Brown. At a time when, flamboyance was honored and women onscreen did what they pleased.

The movie also dealt with the conflict between the two women and Ben. As much as Diana loved him, she put him off with her inhibited dancing and flirting with other men. It was Ann that came to his side while Diana suffered watching the two of them together.

The movie offered the audiences then, an opening scene where a woman danced in her shimmy in front of a mirror. Also, it showed a passionate love scene at a beach. After all; it was the Jazz Age and the bad girls in movies. They enjoyed every minute of their freedom.

The movie had an interesting mix of background sound effects and recorded singing for a few of the scenes. It was still considered a silent film because the actors spoke no dialogue. A few years later, a production code limited the explicitness shown onscreen.

Gloria Swanson

Nineteen twenty-eight, Gloria Swanson starred in "Sadie Thompson." It was a compelling drama and for her a signature role. Lionel Barrymore played a reformer bent on teaching the islanders to repent their ways. It was Sadie that became his focus. In fact, he used whatever means he could to get her sent back to San Francisco.

The movie captured the idea of sin versus redemption, guilt or innocence, the temptation of lust and sincere heartfelt love. Also, the question of Sadie's past that haunted her future. But it was to Sadie's advantage that forced her to go along with the idea to repent.

She quit wearing heavy make-up, rid herself of her flashy clothes and jewelry. It was the plain Sadie that caused the reformer sleepless nights. The movie's end saw Sadie back to her old ways. However, she got what she wanted all along.

Even with the content and the threat of censorship, the silent movie was well received and Gloria Swanson became "Sadie" the bad girl making her a huge box-office star.

Greta Garbo

Nineteen twenty-eight, Greta Garbo starred in "A Woman Of Affairs." Indeed, she was. The story started out with three friends, Diana Merrick played by Garbo, Neville Holderness played by John Gilbert and David Furness played by Johnny Mack Brown. Her brother, Jeffery Merrick was played by Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

When Neville's father sent him to Egypt in order to make money, Diana was distraught. She married David. When in Paris, he plunged out of their hotel window The question became how would such a happy man do such a thing? With her brother turning against her and also much of society, Diana spent her time getting involved in affairs with other men.

After seven years away, Diana returned to London. However, Neville married a woman named Constance. The story revolved around being so much in love while married to someone else. It was also doing the right thing for decency. At what price, they paid with their lives.

The movie was a hit only because of Garbo's portrayal of Diana. It was not so much about being bad as it was about being so much in love and what it drove her character to do. Providing articles, reviews and writings on movies online.

The Business of Movie Theaters: Films or Food?

Not so long ago people went to the movies to, well, see the movie. Now it's almost as if the movie has become secondary to the food and arcade games that most theaters have on offer. Montreal, as was the case in most cities, had its fair share of movie theaters - we didn't call them cinemas, to us they were movie theaters, plain and simple - both in the downtown core and in the suburbs.

These were often elaborately designed single-screen theaters showing films every night and offered matinees on the weekends and during school holidays. I recall the price being 75 cents before seven o'clock at which time the cost of admission shot up to a whopping $1.25! For that princely sum movie patrons were treated to a cartoon - usually a Blake Edwards'Pink Panther short which worked well in Montreal as it could be used in both French and English theaters given the lack of dialogue - in addition to the main feature.

But the price is not the issue; the price of everything has gone up over time. What has changed is the focus from movie house to all round food and entertainment center. Not all that long ago your admission fee got you into the theater to see the movie. There were, of course, snack bars where you could buy soft drinks, popcorn, candies and chips. But these were just for convenience because many people, perhaps most, brought their own snacks to the movie. I'm not talking about smuggling in contraband Twizzlers or Reese's Pieces, sneaking past ushers who look like they want to pat down movie goers. The goodies people brought to the theater were most welcome; after all they had paid their admission. It was a movie theater, not a restaurant - it was a Bring Your Own Food establishment

Movie goers would bring in, openly and honestly, snack items such as a box of a dozen Dunkin' Donuts and Dairy Queen milkshakes. Others brought submarine sandwiches or even hamburgers. Some folks even made special snacks at home and, along with a thermos of coffee settled in to enjoy the movie and munch on a ham on rye.

These days the film is almost an afterthought; once you get past the vast array of food on offer at exorbitant prices and run the gamut of the umpteen video games in the lobby, you can finally settle down to watch the feature.

The Movie business has changed. Long gone are the days when movie theaters were in the business of selling admission to films and providing convenience snack bar counters, but were BYOF! Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

Celebrities And Their Electronic Accessory

Celebrities have fame and fortune, which affords them luxuries that the everyday person cannot afford. Top celebrities have the cash to enjoy the finer things in life and if they find something they want, they simply buy it! One area of shopping that celebrities tend to lean toward is electronics. Most people want to have the latest technological gadgets from sound system equipment to phones and other mobile devices. Celebrities have the funds to be able to purchase these items as soon as they come out.

Sound System Equipment

Celebrities, like everyday people, enjoy listening to their favorite artists. A purchase choice that many celebrities take advantage of is sound system options. From tricking out their car to their home theater system, celebrities have the option of purchasing whatever they like for their entertainment needs. Many celebrities have full theaters in their home and have systems that allow for screening of their latest movies or to listen to their favorite artists, including themselves!

Mobile Phones

Celebrities also stay up to date on mobile phone options. From the latest Apple or Google release, celebrities have the cash to purchase the latest mobile phones even if their contract is not up! Most of us have to wait until we can get the latest phone for free or at a very low price. However, celebrities have the cash to purchase the latest items now! We all get jealous when we see our favorite celebrities walking around with the latest mobile device, when it has barely hit the shelves!

Mobile Devices

Mobile devices are another hot electronic accessory that celebrities have easy access to. Many celebrities earn such devices during red carpet events for free, despite the fact that they can easily afford the options. From iPads, to iPods and other options, celebrities have all the mobile technology at their fingertips! Celebrities simply use the extra cash they have to purchase the latest mobile devices as they are released.

Gaming

Actor and Actress also love gaming. From Xbox 360 to Playstation 3, celebrities love playing video games with their celebrity friends and family. Celebrities can easily afford the latest gaming systems, which us regular people have to wait until holidays or save up enough cash to be able to afford the expensive systems. Celebrities are given access to the latest gaming technologies and they have the cash to be able to purchase any gaming items they wish.

Television Remote Systems

Another technology accessory that celebrities have is television remote systems. We have all see celebrities showing off their homes and they will show their huge television which has a large touch screen remote that they can use to change channels, listen to music or even control security cameras. Celebrities have access to the technology that regular people can only dream of! celebrities can pay for expensive technology to control their televisions from all locations in the home as well as other unique features.

Computers

Celebrities have to stay in the loop when it comes to the latest computer technology. Celebrities have the latest laptops, Mac systems and other computer options that are not as easy for regular people to access. Celebrities want to stay connected just like us and they need computers to connect on Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites. Celebrities also use this technology to be able to promote themselves so it is essential to be able to have the latest technologies.

Overall, celebrities have the income to purchase any electronic accessory they wish! Just simply head the store and pick it out. It would definitely be nice to be able to live like a celebrity! Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

Bill Cunningham New York

The best documentaries are the ones that leave you feeling like you've had a religious experience - that you've either just encountered a holy person or experienced a conversion to some new cause or idea that had been previously unexplored. The best documentaries transcend the subject matter and touch another place altogether - that spiritual place. And so it is with Bill Cunningham New York, a delightful documentary directed by Richard Press about the octogenarian New York Times photojournalist who comes across as a monastic figure whose sanctuary is couture.

Prior to seeing the picture, I didn't know Bill Cunningham's work, but being a longtime reader of the New York Times, I was aware of his street photos, which have been a regular feature in the Style section for over thirty years, and the tension between ubiquity (he's a respected sage in the fashion industry) and anonymity (he's a discreet man who shuns the spotlight and money in order to enjoy guiltless freedom in what he does) is at the core of the movie and the man.

Cunningham was born and raised in Boston, and retains the distinctive accent where Central Park becomes Central Pahk. After dropping out of Harvard, he moved to New York, where an uncle who worked for Bonwit Teller, the high-end department store, took him in and got him a job as a stock boy. Cunningham's interest in fashion worried his family, who no-doubt feared that he was gay. Finally, tiring of his family's pressure to get a "straight" job, Cunningham moved out of his uncle's place in 1949 and found an empty space on East 52nd street where he set up a hat shop and designed under the name William J.

After a hitch in the army, Cunningham came back to New York where he began his career in journalism. He got on with Women's Wear Daily, and was given carte blanche to write about whatever interested him. When WWD wouldn't publish a piece he'd written about Courreges, the French designer, he quit.

In the 60's, Cunningham worked for the Chicago Tribune in their New York office. In 1966, he met a photographer named David Montgomery. When Cunningham expressed an interest in taking pictures, Montgomery gave him an Olympus Pen-D half frame camera and told him to use it like a notebook. Thus equipped, he entered a new phase of his career.

Cunningham took Montgomery's advice to heart, and it was during this time, as he was getting acquainted with the camera, that he had an epiphany. He wrote about this moment in a 2002 piece for the Times - "I realized that you didn't know anything unless you photographed the shows and the street, to see how people interpreted what designers hoped they would buy. I realized that the street was the missing ingredient." That realization, that the street was where fashion was worked out, led to an obsession with the streets of Manhattan, which became a kind of laboratory for Cunningham, who documented the daily fashion experiments, looking for patterns.

In the 70's, Cunningham started taking photographs for the Times, but it wasn't until 1978 - after a chance encounter with Greta Garbo and a nutria coat she was wearing - that he landed his current gig, covering the streets and the galas and the shows - the Bill Cunningham holy trinity of fashion.

Bill Cunningham New York is a mixture of talking head interviews, decades old archival footage of Cunningham, and present day coverage of the man on his daily rounds. Amazingly, Cunningham - nearly 80 at the filming of the picture - still gets around Manhattan on his trademark bicycle, moving from street corner to street corner to capture a few frames of some article of clothing or an accessory that catches his eye.

The man who emerges from all of this attention is a purist completely uninterested in industry politics, self-promotion, or celebrity. For him, it's all about the clothes...of others. Cunningham lives a Spartan existence. His apartment is a tiny studio at Carnegie Hall that has no kitchen or bathroom (he showers and takes care of other business in a common bathroom in the hallway). He sleeps on a makeshift cot. The rest of the living space is occupied not with furniture and art, but filing cabinets filled with prints and negatives - his experiments.

Cunningham dresses conservatively, and could easily be mistaken for a retired professor or accountant but for his trademark blue smock. Some years ago, he stumbled across the smock - designed for institutional use - in a department store section devoted to uniforms. It's a light jacket that Cunningham favors for its many pockets (to hold film and other paraphernalia) and rugged construction (his camera, which dangles from his neck like a giant medallion, is hell on coats). It looks like something Chairman Mao might have favored.

Cunningham has stripped his life down to the essentials so that he can devote as much of himself as possible to the documentation of what people are wearing. He's that rare person who, early on, discovered his calling, and has let nothing distract him from it. Seeing him at Carnegie Hall Towers, once can't help but view him as a kind of secular monk and Carnegie Hall as his monastery. Cunningham and his elderly neighbors, nearly forgotten artists from the mid-twentieth century, are as delightfully anachronistic as an encounter with a Franciscan monk or the Amish.

The difference with Cunningham is that, though he may not be of the world, he's definitely in the world. We see him in the offices of the Times, playfully bantering with co-workers. We see him in Paris at a major show, where a young gate-keeper keeps in out on the sidewalk until an older co-worker pushes her aside, declaring Cunningham to be "the most important man on earth." We see him on the street, dialed in like method actor or ballplayer, looking for that thing.

Bill Cunningham New York has blown the cover of its subject, but his loss of anonymity is our great gain. Providing articles, reviews and writings on movies online.

JJ Abrams' Lost Revolution

There may not have been a more compelling pilot on television than the initial episode of JJ Abrams' Lost. The first scenes of the airline disaster, played over and over from the points of view of the different characters, demonstrated the incredible tapestry of interwoven lives and connections at that single moment in time, and foreshadowed the way in which, throughout the series, the larger island story would be told.

Lost was simply made for DVR and internet technology as fans searched for and found connections left behind for them by the writers and directors. You did not just watch the show. You participated in it by scanning the background for information or comparing dialogue. Every episode was a source of clues in a world-wide puzzle contest.

I fear that Abram's newest offering, Revolution, created by Eric Kripke and currently on Monday nights on NBC, may suffer a similar activity for just the opposite reason. Revolution presents us with an alternate reality. The initial moments of the pilot episode jerk us immediately from the world in which we live, into a pre-Thomas Edison existence in which items using electricity have been rendered useless. Cars, planes, lights, televisions, computers - all of it fades to darkness. Then, after a pause to sell us car insurance or whatever, the story advances 15 years into the future. The United States government has fallen. Strong arm militia groups vie for control of their little piece of the country side. What population that has not killed itself trying to stay alive has huddled together in little xenophobic groups spattered about the countryside.

On the island in Lost, everything about the story could be controlled by the writers. Want a smoke monster? No problem. Want time travel? No problem. Move the entire island? Again no problem, because the framework of the laws associated with the island were entirely in the minds of the writers to be revealed, as needed, to the audience. We accepted the premise that we did not have complete information about the island so we allowed the story to take us where normally we would refuse to go.

Great pains have been taken in the first episodes of Revolution to inform the audience that the setting of the story begins, near our own time, in the United States of America - mostly in and around Chicago, Illinois. We see shots of a rundown Wrigley Field and Michigan Avenue as our heroes trek from an equally dismal and overgrown O'Hare airport.

And therein lies the problem. We know things about this world that the writers apparently do not. We see a small stockade in a suburban cul-de-sac with a few gardens of corn surrounded by countryside gone wild and we think, "What are these people eating?" I don't care if there is no electricity, 15 years implies that they might just have learned a little something about survival.

If they are resorting to being hunter-gatherers, then the little group would not be in permanent dwellings. Permanent dwellings imply food production and we do see some little gardens planted with corn. Now corn may indeed currently be the most significant crop in the country but, as Scientific American blogger Melissa C. Lott points out in this post from October 2011, only 20 percent of all the corn produced in the US is for human consumption, a quarter of which is for highly processed syrup. The other 80 percent is split between livestock feed and ethanol production. Besides, according to the USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory, as a staple, corn is a poorer cousin to wheat, containing less protein and fewer minerals. And considering we see no livestock, why do we see so much corn in the food supply?

Or should I say so little. In 1862, Congress passed the Homestead Act, giving an individual 160 acres of land as long as he lived on, and improved the property for five years. Much of the middle portion of our nation between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains was placed under cultivation, to varying degrees of success, by men and animals plowing up these 160 acre tracts, all done without electricity. By all rights then, the little outpost we see at the end of the cul-de-sac should have been surrounded by 800-1000 acres of wheat, corn and livestock.

Then, just as in 1862, trains, with steam engines, using no electricity, could collect those crops and bring them to feed hungry people in the cities. And finally, between 1861 and 1865, the United States government transported hundreds of thousands of soldiers along rail lines, using steam locomotives to wage war and defeat a civil uprising, mostly without the use of the emerging electric telegraph. And let's take a close look at some of the equipment used to defeat that uprising. The catalyst for the action in Revolution is the death of Ben Matheson, the father of "Charlie" who is the heroine of the story. Ben is shot by a muzzle-loading rifle in an encounter with a local warlord's militia. The muzzle- loader appears to be standard issue amongst the soldiers. Assuming that the equipment of the militia represents the highest average available technology, it represents yet another serious failure of the eye-test of plausibility.

The modern muzzle-loader looks nothing like the guns Fess Parker carried playing Daniel Boone and Davy Crocket on television. But on Revolution, Monroe the warlord's soldiers appear to be carrying a weapon that looks very much like a Model 1842 Springfield caplock musket.

Why? What prevents the militia from all carrying a modern firearm? The caplock has all the component parts of a modern rifle. Earlier flintlock muskets used a flint and steel combination to ignite a small portion of powder which, in turn, ignited the gunpowder within the chamber forcing the bullet down the barrel and on to the target. But the caplock improved on that design, replacing the awkward flint and steel combination with a nipple that held a small cap containing fulminate of mercury. Yes, the caplock was a cap gun. The hammer struck the cap and the cap ignited the powder and shot the bullet. The process of firing this weapon uses up bullets, gunpowder and caps. A flintlock would use up bullets, powder and eventually, flints, which being rocks, are pretty readily available.

Creating caps, or primers, requires a chemical process involving the metals mercury or silver, combined with nitric acid, and in a technically reduced society it might make sense that they become scarce enough to force the flintlock's return as the typical firearm. However, the appearance of caplocks, not flintlocks, on the show, implies that there exist adequate supplies of gunpowder, bullets and caps.

So what is missing from a caplock that is contained in a modern firearm? Oddly enough, the only difference of consequence is the cartridge. Every muzzle loader takes the three individual component pieces - bullet, propellant (gunpowder), and ignition (cap or flint and steel) and places them together within the weapon. The brass cartridge brings the bullet, the propellant and the ignition primer together and holds them in readiness, separate from the weapon itself. When the cartridge is placed in the chamber and the gun is fired, the action which occurs at that time is essentially identical to the caplock, destroying the component pieces and leaving the empty casing.

But ironically, this is what the writers of Revolution have missed. The key item that has brought technology backward to the caplock in the story is in fact, the one item that is actually recyclable. Clean it up, replace the primer, pour in powder, press on a new bullet and you are ready to fire again. Technology has made the process easier certainly, but the lack of technology does not make it impossible, or even difficult.

And these are only a couple of problematic background points. What is being used for currency at the bar the group visits in Chicago? Where does the sugar come from for the bar's whiskey making operation? The list just keeps growing.

There are many good, alternate history stories where the authors seem to have actually done a little research. And when we read Harry Turtledove, or Orson Scott Card, we are swept along for the ride, amazed at the small moments in time that result in major swings of history's pendulum. Abrams and Kripke have failed to sweep us along with Revolution. Their blatant disregard for reality is overwhelming any possible chance for their story to become compelling.

My prime reason to watch, after the first ten minutes, was simply to find fault with it. What might have been another Lost is just lost. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

Is Television Positive or Negative for Our Society?

In society, television can be positive or negative depending on the different views. I will consider various aspects of television, like watching for leisure, for news and generating jobs, in addition to becoming addicted, and trash TV ads. I am going to analyse the arguments for and against television.

Many people believe that television is a good way to relax because they can sit with friends and watch it together. My friends and I are hooked on an American series called 'Awkward', a romantic comedy, and I usually talk about it with them. It's a good way to share our interests. In addition, TV helps me stay in touch with world news. When I want to know something important or spend time, I usually turn on the small screen and watch the news. It is often very interesting and it is inevitable that you will learn something new. I think that the television industry is very special. This industry generates jobs and income for the economy. Television has existed for less than 150 years, so I think it's very inspiring that the industry is so large and includes many different people in the work. It is an industry through which thousands of people have jobs that otherwise would not be available.

Furthermore, there are many disadvantages of television also. First, there is too much junk on the TV. Every time I turn on the idiot box, the first thing I see is a contest to win money. Today it seems that all channels have only gossip programs and competitions stupid. It's a shame that art well done program dies. We live in a materialistic society that likes to watch TV is useless because an escape from their own lives. In addition, television ads are very annoying in my opinion. Interrupt programs too, especially in Spain and in America, because they are very long. Also affect children and parents have no control over the types of ads that their children watch.

There is another problem with television when parents do not block the channels that show inappropriate content. Increasingly, there are violent or sexual movies during the day, so if parents do not censor those channels and care for their children they may have their children becoming addicted to the wrong type of programs. Despite this, I do not think censoring is effective because people can search for what they want on the net. Parents would also have to censor certain websites to make this ban on television effective. Finally I think it is horrible that in England it is imperative that people have to buy the public channels if they want to watch them.

My conclusion is that the key problem is today's society. The popularity of these programs depends on the viewers and it is shown that all programs inappropriate content or people who make bad decisions. I suggest that if people watch less TV in general and focus on socializing, then everyone would be healthier mentally and would watch less trash on the boob tube. I do not like television because it has a negative and addictive impact on society. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

Jackie Chan's Last Major Action Film: Chinese Zodiac

If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times: "Oh, I'm too old to do that". Every time I've heard that statement, I've politely disagreed. I believe that as we grow older we just become less active. So, to that previously mentioned statement, bah humbug!

Now, on to the main topic of this article, Jackie Chan! At 58 years old, Jackie is still doing his special brand of stunts and is going to release the biggest film of his career: Chinese Zodiac. If Jackie can still kick butt, then you have no excuses!

This is what Jackie had to say about his final action flick:

"I've been fighting and doing action films all my life, you've got to find a point to stop. With this movie I'm the director, I'm the writer, I'm the producer. So okay, I think it's a good time to announce that it's my last big action movie. I would still do action movies but not a big one like this.""For the last ten years I've been choosing the director to direct me. This one I direct myself," he explained. "I hope this movie, 20 years later, people still remember it. For me, for the audience, for my future, for my history - it's very important."

Chinese Zodiac is the third installment in the "Armour of God" series which was titled "Operation Condor" in the U.S. It's funny how Jackie says that he hopes people still remember this film 20 years from now. It has actually already been 21 years since the release of "Armour of God II: Operation Condor" and I remember that movie... it is one of my favorites.

Chinese Zodiac is about a treasure hunter/ thief that is on a mission to find a rare set of Chinese sculptures that represent the zodiac animals. Jackie has spent 7 years preparing and 1 year shooting in over 10 cities in 5 countries. The film is also being produced with a Hong Kong production company instead of one in Hollywood. Yes! Now we can count on it being somewhat decent instead of a run of the mill piece of Hollywood garbage.

I can't wait until Chinese Zodiac is released. When Jackie says he's going to do something, he means business. I've seen countless behind the scenes footage of him doing stunts over and over and over again until they are perfect. He doesn't want any of his action sequences to look bad. This film is no exception to the rule... it is going to represent his life's work.

As far as continuing his career, I'll admit it, I don't think Jackie is going to have a very easy time transitioning into being a "serious" actor. Even if Jackie does have an incredible acting talent, he has branded himself as an action star and most will scoff at the idea.

I applaud Jackie. He just wants to keep doing what he loves. He has had an incredible career. He has acted in over 100 films and has even shared the screen with the great Bruce Lee in "Enter the Dragon".

Even if he remains in excellent shape, at some point, you've got to relax a little bit. I haven't seen too many people in their sixties jump from building tops to the roofs of buses or fly down zip lines at 40mph. I'm hoping he will continue to do as many stunts as he can in his future films. Jackie truly is a living legend. Providing articles, reviews and writings on movies online.

Wreck-It Ralph: It Sure Must Be Nice, Being the Good Guy

The movie involves the arcade being some kind of video game society, where characters from each game are free to wander from one game to another through a mainframe. The catch is, if they get killed outside their game they die for real. Also, if they fail to show up for work, the arcade owners will assume the game is on the fritz, it will be marked "out of order" and you run the risk of being permanently unplugged, leaving them homeless.

Ralph (voiced by John Reilly) is a character in a video game called "Fix It Felix Jr. where everybody takes him for granted, doing the same thing and seeing all the glory go to Felix (McBrayer), who fixes everything Ralph wrecks with the help of a magic hammer. Ralph has spent so many years watching the residents of the building reward Felix for his work while he has to go sleep in the dump on a bed of bricks every night that he has grown to resent his role in the world. He has been the bad guy so long that he has recoil from it.

Desperate enough to be redefined in the eyes of others and got tired of playing the role of a bad guy, he takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a game-hopping journey across the arcade through every generation of video games to prove he's got what it takes to be a hero. Ralph journeys to Game Central Station, the gateway to every game in the store and hops to a 'Starship Trooper'-like game called Hero's Duty and eventually lands up in another one called Sugar Rush. His object of attention is a medal he 'wins' in the former game and sort of - loses - in the latter.

The highlight of the film revolves around Ralph's relationship with that game's glitch, Vanellope, a bratty little girl voiced by an often grating Sarah Silverman, who wants nothing more than to win a race and gain her people's respect. Vanellope was being blackballed from the game's races by its bubbly despot, King Candy (Alan TudykBoth) who happens to be the selfish, jealous game player Turbo who was so obsessed with being the best racer that he abandoned his game in order to become the best racer in other, more popular games like "Sugar Rush".

The film is remarkable in that it takes you on a multi-generational gaming trip, while keeping true to its real story - a hero's dilemma - having to choose between doing the so-called right thing and keeping true to your friends. It was indeed a very good animated movie with a fantastic unique story. It was one of the outstanding animation films that take a moral standpoint. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

Relaxing With a Classic On Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving table is filled with excitement each year. Good food, family, and friends all take center stage during the celebration. After dinner is over, many choose to turn their attention to the numerous college and professional football games that flood the television, choosing a side and sticking with the cheering section assigned to their favorite team. This year, if football is not on the agenda for the gathering, watching a few warm Thanksgiving movies instead will help the family maintain a relaxed holiday atmosphere. Plenty of holiday movies address the Thanksgiving theme in various ways. Whether the preferred movie genre is animation, comedy, or action, one of the following movie selections is sure to please the family at this year's gathering.

"Pocahontas" is an Oscar-winning animated favorite that was released in 1995 by Disney. The movie explores the love affair that sparks between a Native American chief's daughter, Pocahontas (Irene Bedhard), and an English soldier, Captain John Smith (Mel Gibson). The two are on the opposite side of an invasion by the English settlers. In the 1600s, the English land in Virginia, the homeland of Pocahontas. She stumbles upon their camp and a romance begins with Smith. The fairy tale love is disrupted by the greed of Governor Ratcliff; it is believed that Pocahontas's tribe is literally sitting on a gold mine.

As friction builds between the two groups, it is up to the two lovers to try and keep the peace. This animated film is engaging for older adults and filled with action to keep the attention of any teens who may be watching. This is a movie that captures the Native American-settler encounter in a way that is not too violent for young eyes, but accurate enough for the adults to refresh their American history. The soft song selections are enough to lull even the tiniest baby to sleep so that the rest of the crowd can enjoy the movie without interruption.

Every Thanksgiving, there is a channel that features the comedy "Dutch." A single mother (JoBeth Williams) tries to give a little love to her son, Doyle Standish (Ethan Embry), at Thanksgiving after her selfish ex-husband (Christopher McDonald) leaves her holding the bag again by cancelling his holiday time with his son. Her knight in shining armor, her new boyfriend Dutch (Ed O'Neill), volunteers to go to the boarding school her son attends and retrieve him for the holidays. They do not make it out of the dormitory before the bubble bursts. The two end up at each other's throats all along the road trip.

This film is a precursor to the "Are We There Yet?" series produced by Ice Cube; the good guy gets stuck on a bad road trip with his new love's kids. When the news of the new guy reaches her ex-husband, he mysteriously finds time in his busy schedule to try and further destroy her reputation with her son. This film is a roller coaster ride filled with some very funny interactions, but may be suited for a more mature audience. The film is rated PG-13, but if there is someone in the crowd who does not understand about the birds and the bees, he or she may be better off in the football room.

An all-time classic Thanksgiving movie must be included on this list of Thanksgiving favorites. "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" was released in 1973, but is still relevant to the families of today. Any adaptation of the comic strip series always brings laughter and cheer to viewers. This animated gem is the story of the Peanuts gang's celebration of Thanksgiving. Peppermint Patty (Christopher DeFaria) plans a dinner for her family and friends. As is the tradition of the series, Charlie Brown (Todd Barbee) always gets the short end of the stick, but remains as good as gold throughout the story. There is even a scene with a football, just in case viewers think they are missing out on something in the other room. One of the best scenes in the movie is the Thanksgiving prayer given by Linus. In his prayer, Linus relays the importance of the holiday by giving a bit of history surrounding the celebration.

The holiday season can be very stressful with the anticipation of guests, family interactions, and all of the preparation that goes into the festivities. To set the tone for the celebration, try a cool music selection, good food, and a good movie. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

The Rise To Fame of Classic Zombie Movies

When it comes to classic zombie movies, everyone has their own favorites, and most can still remember the first time they sat in front of the television, watching a black and white portrayal of the undead slowly, but determinedly, chasing down their bumbling prey. Classic zombie movies are still a favorite amongst diehard fans, because they lend an element of gritty morbidity that pop culture based movies seem to lack these days; while this shouldn't take away from the latest releases within this genre, it definitely adds to the authority of the films that preceded them.

The reason why classic zombie movies seem to come with the tag line this is what actual zombies are supposed to look like, is because the archetype for these creatures stemmed from the Voodoo religion, which is, in essence, Haitian. When William S. Seabrook returned from his voyage to Haiti and published his travelogue, The magic island, westerners found themselves enthralled with the concept of a creature that rises from the grave due to the powers of a sorcerer called a Brokor. This fascination led to some of the best classic films on the subject, and all within a matter of a few decades.

Bela Lugosi's 'White Zombie' is perhaps one of the most famous classic films on this subject. It follows the story of a prosperous businessman by the name of Murder Legendre, based in Haiti, who has the power to transform men into zombies. When a man falls in love with a woman who is to marry someone else, he approaches the voodoo master for assistance, who then turns his beloved into a zombie. The movie itself is said to closely follow the writings of Seabrook, even going as far as mentioning the potion that was supposed to turn corpses into the undead slaves of the voodoo priest.

George Romero's 'The Night of the Living Dead' was another classic which altered the face of this genre, and remakes of this film continue to be released up until today. The film was released in 1968 and its reception was marked by shock and outrage, although when this subsided, it quickly became one of the penultimate favorite films on the subject. One of the reasons for its initial negative reception was the fact that it was gory, contained nudity, and the protagonist of the film was ultimately killed in the end. Basically, this film was unlike any other that had been released in the past, and it remains one of the most popular films based on the undead to date.

'The Night of the Living Dead' did not only alter the horror genre; it also added to the lore and myth surrounding these supernatural creatures. In the past, zombies were the creation of dark voodoo priests, but in this feature, they could transfer their supernatural abilities to others through a bite. The film also references methods on how to kill these creatures - shoot them through the head- which has become the first method of defense against the undead in countless films and games to date.

While classic zombie movies might have changed slightly during the first few decades when they began making their debuts on big screens all over the world, one thing remains certain; they inspired a fascination with these creatures that continues to thrive today. Providing articles, reviews and writings on movies online.

My View On "That's My Boy" (2012)

The other day I watched the new Adam Sandler movie 'That`s My Boy'. I didn`t expect too much due to the fact that lately not many good comedies have come out. Even so, the film was reasonable. It had good jokes and an interesting story.

Here is what the official site says about the film: "While still in his teens, Donny (Adam Sandler) fathered a son, Todd (Andy Samberg), and raised him as a single parent up until Todd's 18th birthday. Now, after not seeing each other for years, Todd's world comes crashing down on the eve of his wedding when an uninvited Donny suddenly shows up. Trying desperately to reconnect with his son, Donny is now forced to deal with the repercussions of his bad parenting skills."

And this is my summary. Donny, played by Justin Weaver and then, as an adult, by Adam Sandler, is a teenage boy who gets involved with his teacher Mary McGarricle, played by Eva Amurri Martino and then by Susan Sarandon. Their unusual relationship leads to a pregnancy, situation which puts the teacher in jail and makes Donny famous all around the country. I wasn`t fond of the fact that the movie started in a rather promiscous way, but, as the plot developed, the characters and action became funnier.

The film focuses on the story of Donny and his son Todd, played by Andy Samberg. Eventhough Donny tried to raise his son, he is overwhelmed by the situation, thing which led to Todd leaving his father and becoming a succesfull Wall Street investor. In the meanwhile, Donny gets in trouble with the IRS and tries to find his son in order to cash out and save himself from jail.

The two men meet in the circumstance of Todd`s wedding to Jamie, played by Leighton Meester. Donny is presented to be the old best friend of the groom, situation which doesn`t sit well with either of the two. In my view, this is the moment in which the movie gets really interesting. Adam Sandler plays a good part even though his age is no longer a friend of him. I recommend you see 'That`s My Boy` if you are a fan of Sandler and you want to relax on a Sunday afternoon.

My View On 'That`s My Boy'- 6.5 stars out of 10. It`s more than the 5.3 that IMDB rated it. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

How Accurate Was the Movie The Social Network?

Altering the Facts Makes for Great Drama but Poor History:
A Review of Aaron Sorkin's movie "The Social Network"

Aaron Sorkin earned a stellar reputation as the producer of "West Wing," an idealistic TV show about a smart and sophisticated American president with good ethics and equally good policies. Having high expectations for a Sorkin production, I was disappointed in his current release, "The Social Network."

"The Social Network" is the story of Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, which has 800 million users worldwide and is currently estimated to be worth $25 billion. That's no small feat for a 26-year-old entrepreneur. How did he do it?

Zuckerberg, played beautifully by Jesse Eisenberg, is a 19-year-old student at Harvard as the movie opens. He is having drinks with his girlfriend, and manages to insult her and offend the audience within less than five minutes of crisp, sardonic dialogue. Sorkin establishes immediately that Zuckerberg is arrogant, insufferable and Mensa material, and we cheer when his girlfriend, Erica, breaks up with him. A frustrated and intoxicated Zuckerberg returns to his dorm, thinking that he will create a social media site where Harvard men can rate female students in terms of their attractiveness. He calls the site "FaceMash."

It's a powerful scene, arguing that the birth of Facebook was motivated by teen angst and revenge. The only problem is that it never occurred. Zuckerberg didn't even know a woman named Erica, although he did drunkenly blog about a Harvard coed named Jessica Alona, but he denies that he ever went out with her or that she was the driving force behind Facebook. In fact, Mark had the same girlfriend for the last eight years and she is now his wife.

After the so-called romantic breakup, Mark conferred with his friend Eduardo Saverin (well played by Andrew Garfield), seeking a logarithm that would enable him to hack into various "face books" that were already in existence in individual Harvard dorms. Meanwhile, Zuckerberg was approached by Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, twins who asked if Mark would program a dating website for students that would be based on exclusivity; only Harvard students need apply. The site would be called the HarvardConnection (later renamed ConnectU). Zuckerberg was given the private server location and password for the unfinished HarvardConnection site and the code, with the understanding that he would finish the necessary programming.

He agreed verbally to this arrangement, exchanged 52 e-mails with the brothers and had several in-person meetings, but never delivered the work that he'd promised. Instead, he provided a long list of excuses as to why he couldn't meet with the twins. Then one day, to their shock and dismay, they discovered that Mark had been secretly working with Eduardo and Mark's roommate, Dustin Moskovitz, to launch what was then called "The Facebook."

The twins sued Zuckerberg for stealing their idea and alleged that he used part of their programming code. They were awarded $65 million in damages; however, since then, the Winklevoss brothers claimed that Facebook stock was undervalued at the time and they're really entitled to $466 million. The litigation continues.

Zuckerberg led the twins to believe that he was actively working with them when in fact he was working behind their back to establish something similar, but not identical, to their site. The twins wanted to devise a dating site for Harvard students and to expand this across the country. Zuckerberg's site had little to do with dating. It was a place where people could make friends, network, find a date, or simply chat with their nephews, colleagues or children away at school. Moreover, Zuckerberg's original hot-or-not, drunken FaceMash included both men and women. Sorkin omitted this important detail because he wants us to believe that Mark Z. was angry enough at the imaginary Erica that he would have created a website just for men to humiliate and insult women, and have fun doing so. But the site was never that way. Women could also rate men. And there was no Erica. Ergo, Sorkin's hypothesis for Mark Zuckerberg's basis for forming Facebook was false.

As "The Facebook" was catching on like wildfire, another young genius became involved. Sean Parker was one of the instigators of the now defunct Napster, an application that allowed people to download music for free. This infuriated and worried many musicians; ironically, Justin Timberlake played Sean Parker in the film - I hope he took some pleasure in that role since he must've lost a lot of money to Napster! Unlike Zuckerberg who was basically a studious guy with an obsession for programming, Parker was already leading the glamorous life in Los Angeles. He was a party boy who thought big and made Eduardo look small in Mark's eyes. Mark had to decide between the two of them. Would he pursue Parker's vision of Facebook, funded through venture capitalists, or would he stick with his best friend and company CFO Eduardo and their smalltime advertisers, even though Eduardo had refused to move out to California when Mark wanted to advance the business there?

Ethically-challenged Zuckerberg opted for the latter and left his best friend in the dust by writing Saverin out of future Facebook contracts once they reached the 1 million user mark; his share went from 34% of the company to.03%. Saverin was enraged; he sued in April of 2005 and won back a 5% share of Facebook, worth 1.3 billion, as well as an undisclosed amount of money. Parker had a 7% share in Facebook which was revoked when he was busted for cocaine use. Zuckerberg maintains a 24% share although Sorkin leads us to believe he still owns 51%.

Sorkin relied entirely on interviews with Eduardo Saverin to make this production, which was based on the book The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich. Not surprisingly, Mark Zuckerberg refused to be interviewed. Consequently, the movie can't help but be biased in Saverin's favor.

Since the courts had already established that Zuckerberg was guilty of intellectual property theft, there was no need for Sorkin to embellish. "The Social Network" would have benefited by sticking more closely to the facts, which were dramatic enough.

The movie poses hard ethical questions. It makes us ask ourselves if we are complicit. Do you have a Facebook account? Are you helping to keep the accidental billionaires rich? If you wouldn't wear a T-shirt that says, "Free Bernie Madoff," why would you support Zuckerberg?

Finally, the movie acts as a Rorschach test - in exit polls, people under 40 viewed Zuckerberg as a visionary genius with drive, purpose and ambition: a young man who saw a golden opportunity and took advantage of it. Those over 40 saw him as cold, morally bankrupt and cutthroat. In that respect, "The Social Network" succeeds as a provocative film and it is excellent entertainment. But I fear that many people will mistake this fascinating half-truth for a documentary, and that it most definitely is not. Providing articles, reviews and writings on movies online.

Denzel Washington Reaches The Heights And The Depths in "Flight"

When you get on an airplane, whether you're a constant traveler or a white-knuckle bundle of nerves, it's good occasionally to be greeted by the pilot. The trip is in his or her hands. Pilots know what they're doing, right? Everything will be fine.

In the superb "Flight," the passengers on Whip Whitman's (Denzel Washington) trip have a bit to be worried about. Aside from facing an upcoming storm, the pilot has a secret. He's an alcoholic.

Whip is awakened the morning of the flight by an angry call from his ex-wife. It's truly the morning after the night before, with his very gorgeous, very nude flight attendant Katerina Marquez (Nadine Velazquez) in the hotel room with him. He does a line of cocaine to balance out a sky-high blood alcohol level. Just a little eye-opener.

In full pilot uniform and sunglasses, he confidently enters the plane looking, well, looking very Denzel, to the powerful "Gimme Shelter" as background music. His first officer, Ken Evans (Brian Geraghty), is a little bit green. Lovely Katerina ("Trina") is handling coach. Whip even takes a little nap during the flight. Then the plane literally falls apart. With an engine on fire and no control, Whip tells Evans they're going to roll the plane. ("We're gonna do what?") He rolls it, upside down, right side up, with luggage falling on screaming passengers. Incredibly, he successfully lands it in a field, with churchgoers running for their lives. In later testing and reenactment of the flight, it's proven that no one - no one - could have landed that plane, with only four fatalities among the 102 survivors. Trina was one of them.

Whip ends up in a hospital. He's visited by Charlie Anderson (Bruce Greenwood), who tells him he's a hero. He's all over the news. (A lovely bit of trivia: Greenwood and Washington acted together in "St. Elsewhere" in the 1980s.) He's also visited by Harling Mays, his drug contact (John Goodman, a real scene-stealer). Charlie then introduces Whip to lawyer Hugh Lang (Don Cheadle), who tells him a blood test revealed alcohol in his system. Because there were deaths, that could lead to a trial - and the death penalty.

Whip hides out at his father's farm to avoid the press and pours all the booze down the sink. Then a meeting with the lawyer paints a frightening picture, and he heads to a bar. A hearing is scheduled to take place. He's sequestered in a hotel room the night before, swearing to stay sober, but decimates a next-door minibar. Then comes the hearing. You have to see for yourself.

Denzel Washington balances the panache of the experienced pilot with the tragic plight of alcoholism. As cocky as he looked entering the plane, he later shows the downward spiral of his greatest weakness. He's been lauded for his performance, and there's Oscar buzz. He's already won Best Supporting Actor and Best Actor. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

The Man With The Iron Fists

Are you in the mood for checking out an old school King-Fu flick? How about one with an update that includes hip-hop music and stylish visuals? I was, as I went to check out the latest movie release at the local cinema The Man With The Iron Fists. Was this movie a trip down memory lane to the martial arts movies that I loved to watch as a kid over the weekend, or should I have left well enough alone? Here are my thoughts.

With an international cast that features iconic actors and actresses featuring Lucy Liu, Russell Crowe, Gordon Liu and introducing Hip Hop Producer extraordinaire, the RZA who also wrote and directed. The Man With The Iron Fists is a return to the epic Kung-Fu stories of back in the day that features an action packed struggle between warriors, assassins and the lone hero that's caught in the middle.

Set in China during the nineteenth century in a small community called Jungle Village, an african american blacksmith makes his living providing weapons of death to the various clans that inhabit the village often under threat of violence.

Unrest soon develops after a routine delivery of a gold shipment is seized by one of the clans during a pit stop in Jungle Village, therefore bringing out all of the other clans who want a piece of the action. As you can expect all hell breaks loose culminating in some wild Kung-Fu action and drama. The battles that ensue threaten to destroy the village and the blacksmith must now help to defend his adopted home.

If you happen to look unfavorably at these types of movies as silly exploitation mess with extreme levels of violence and tongue in cheek dialogue that often makes no sense, this movie won't change your opinion at all. However, myself and fans all over used to get a kick out of these movies and so did all the talent that's involved including the director as you can tell that the RZA is a strong fan of this genre and it shows all throughout the film.

The direction is fast paced with very good martial arts sequences with a running tine of about an hour and a half that's over fairly quickly. Don't expect any real story as most of what happens is just a setup for the fast action and campy dialogue with a little sexuality thrown in for good measure.

While it may not win over serious movie goers, this is a treat for hardcore martial arts fans and I enjoyed it so much all the while noticing its flaws especially in the story and acting department. However Lucy Liu and Russell Crowe bring in some good acting gravitas in their scenes with Crowe stealing the show as an intelligence officer with a sharp knife to go along with his sharp personality.

In Summary: The Man With The Iron Fists is a nice little martial arts movie throwback with a little hip-hop thrown in and while it won't appeal to everyone, it seems to be OK with that.

The Man With The Iron Fists B. Rated R for strong violence, nudity and some offensive language. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

Is Premium Rush Worth a Premium Ticket Price At The Theatres?

Okay so, I'm not much into chick flicks, and I like to see a high body count, therefore I usually go for action dramas. It's not that I am afraid to see any of those other movies it's just that sometimes I feel underwhelmed, and to me they are a big ass-flatener if they don't have constant action. Well, everyone has preferences, and Hollywood knows it. Nevertheless, there is a very good movie called; Premium Rush, which I'd like to recommend that you go see.

Now then, perhaps not everyone will like this movie, but if you were a rebel as a teenager, athletically inclined, or if you get tired of the traffic in the city destroying your productivity and wasting your time, this movie might hit the spot. One of the theme songs in the movie was "Teenage Wasteland" by The Who which also concluded the ending of the movie, a happy ending, which was very apropos.

Weaved into the storyline were challenges of people trying to get their children out of China and into the US, as well as the ongoing controversy in New York City of bicycle messengers disobeying the rules of traffic, causing accidents, or crashing into pedestrians. Another underlining theme was how entrepreneurs get things done in New York City and how the labor is often taken advantage of. The movie had a good humor, many intellectual side thoughts, great acting, and good action - which was what I liked the best.

There were crooked cops, do-gooder cops, and a little bit of insight into the impersonal way in which large city metro police departments do their business and bidding. There was also the Chinese Mafia, the Russian Mafia, illegal gambling, and all sorts of other things involved. It showed how these new personal GPS tech devices help with routing software, and how bicyclists now had a hands-free cell phone communication while they ride, just like those commuting by car.

There was quite a bit of interesting urban conflict between cyclists, cabdrivers, and mean-spirited drivers who probably didn't like anyone. Would I recommend that you see this movie? Yes I would, and then discuss all the implications of all the underlining themes with your friends after you've seen it. The movie took place in New York, and although there was quite a bit of stereotyping going on throughout the movie, it made you laugh because you know it's all true.

If you don't catch this while it is still in the movie theaters, I recommend that you watch it on the movie channel, or get the DVD when it comes out. Please consider all this and think on it. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

Snow White and the Huntsman Movie Review

If you're unfamiliar with my movie reviews, here's the way it works: I go check out the latest movie everyone is talking about, drink an astonishing amount of diet soda, and then report back to you, looking for as many things to make fun of as this space allows, while trying to strike a balance with the positive highlights. Welcome. Let's get started.

THE GOOD: What we have here is an attempt at taking the most mild-mannered and somewhat pathetic princess in history, and giving her a backbone. This is not your childhood fairy tale version, with whistling dwarves and a helpless girl in a dress, running around with her hand over her mouth, always looking surprised. It's a much darker and creepier scene playing out, which frankly adds to the appeal in my opinion.

Left motherless as a small child, Snow White (played by Kristin Stewart) has to adjust to life with her stepmother Raveena (Charlize Theron) who is the epitome of the word, "self absorbed". When it becomes clear that Mommy Dearest has nothing good in store for her, Snow White escapes into the forest where she encounters all sorts of creepy things brought on by hallucinogenic spores, and where she also first meets the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth), who is somewhat a nice hallucination of sorts himself. Sent to kill her, the Huntsman is faced with the decision of serving the wicked Queen, or helping Snow White escape. And as the bad boy he is, you can imagine what he chooses to do.

There were a lot of positive's in this film for me - the visual effects were stunning, and Charlize Theron is so terrifying as the Queen that I found myself considering ways to make myself less attractive so I wouldn't risk encountering her soul sucking vanity. I even have to admit that Kristin Stewart, who I am not particularly impressed with as an actress, was perfect for the role - not only because it required very little facial expression, but because THIS Snow White isn't exactly "girly" - and let's face it, Ms. Stewart has never been known for acting ladylike. And to round things out, Chris Hemsworth with a Scottish accent is the stuff dreams are made of. Thank you.

THE BAD: I mentioned previously that there were no whistling dwarves in this version, but rest assured that dwarves ARE present and accounted for - they just aren't particularly cute and snuggly little buggers. I didn't mind the fact that they were all a little rough looking, but I found myself completely unable to understand what they were saying from time to time. I'm still not sure if it was the British accents or if they were all, in fact, a bunch of mumblers.

THE UGLY: There was certainly no shortage of icky things to see in this movie: Stabbings, internal organ removals, and the Queen eating the still warm heart of a dead animal to name a few. Still, when you are faced with the glaring possibility that the Queen and her weirdo brother seem to have some sort of incestuous thing going on, all else pales in comparison. I don't have a brother, but if I did, I'd like to think that he wouldn't feel the need to watch me take a bath, nor would I feel inclined to chat it up with him as I step into a giant pool of milk. But that's just how I roll.

Bottom line, if you like your fairy tales on the darker side, with the fair maiden being less "helpless" and more "ragged mess", then this is the version for you.

The Trophy Wife gives this movie 4 trophies.

Snow White and the Huntsman has a running time of 127 minutes and is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and brief sensuality. (No F words used) Providing articles, reviews and writings on movies online.

Blame It On The Movie

A couple of months ago after watching a rather strange, yet superb offering from Greek cinema titled 'Dogtooth'; I decided to browse the IMDb website to see what other people thought of the film. Eventually I came across a thread on the message board which was discussing disturbing films; being a dedicated follower of controversial cinema I read on and found that a number of people had mentioned a film called Murder Set Pieces and so, after reading how 'horrific', 'sick' and 'extreme' this film was supposed to be, I added it to my 'LoveFilm' rental list!

A few days later, I was on the 'LoveFilm' website checking to see which films I was waiting for, when I noticed that amongst someone's review for Murder Set Pieces were the words 'You won't get to watch this film, as it's banned in the UK and cut by 20 minutes in the US' in big, bold lettering. Highly irritated, I decided to check whether there was any truth in this and after some research, I discovered that the film was in fact rejected by the BBFC in 2008, thus making it illegal to supply the film in the UK. Apparently, this was a film that in the BBFC's words 'may encourage a harmful association between violence and sexual gratification' something which is apparently 'reflected in research and consistent with public opinion'. And which members of the public might they be exactly?

This was not the first time that I, a grown woman, was being told what I could and couldn't watch (two summers ago I had planned to watch A Serbian Film at Frightfest, until it was pulled due to BBFC cuts). Apparently I am responsible enough to vote, have a mortgage and supervise a classroom full of children, but when it comes to planning my Sunday night in front of the TV, I am far too stupid to be left to my own devices and clearly need some assistance. Why was it that as a university educated adult, with the ability to make financial, political and religious decisions, I was having my viewing habits dictated by people who had never met me, knew nothing about me, yet chose to lump me under the term of 'the general public'? It was because my choice of films were those that fell into the category of movies which had the potential to harm- now I was always under the impression that it was humans who harmed other humans? I don't ever remember a case of a person being bludgeoned to death by an axe wielding video cassette!
Yet the concept of the media having a harmful and corrupting effect on the general public is nothing new. In the past we have seen a whole host of films, computer games and songs demonised because it was thought they had some influence on a particular crime. In the 1970s it was reported that gangs of teenagers dressed as 'Droogs', were committing acts of violence similar to those depicted in A Clockwork Orange, and many say that this, along with alleged death threats, are what led to Stanley Kubrick banning his own film.

The early 1990's saw copies of Child's Play 3 removed from the shelves, after it emerged that the stepfather of one of Jamie Bulger's killers had rented the movie; yet it was never confirmed whether either of the boys had actually watched it.

More recently the computer game Manhunt became the latest target, after it was alleged that the murderer of Stefan Pakeerah- who was stabbed to death, had mimicked behaviour from the violent computer game. And who can forget the 1984 Video Recordings Act with its notorious Video Nasties; films apparently so vile, so violent and bloody that they were considered harmful to watch, on the grounds that they could deprave and corrupt (anyone who has actually seen one, will know that the majority of them are most likely to either send you to sleep or have you wet yourself with laughter).

What is worrying is that few people seem to challenge this perception that life imitates art, (and yes I am aware that many of the texts I have referred to here can only very loosely be described as art!!). What is startling is not the fact that more and more films are crossing boundaries, dealing with taboos and pushing the limits, but that the real problems behind violent crime, anti-social behaviour, promiscuity and immorality are often ignored. When will we start to talk about bad parenting and a decline in community values? When will we acknowledge the fact that sometimes violence does not have a reason, that we can't blame the media or society and that in fact some people are just downright evil?

Did Jack the Ripper remove the intestines of Annie Chapmen because he had just watched Cannibal Holocaust? Can the murder and sexual assault of the victims of the Moors Murderers be blamed on the killers having a penchant for films such as Saw or Hostel? No, these horrific acts happened because the killers were sick, twisted and evil; period. Perhaps a film, DVD, computer game can give ideas, but the evil needs to be in the killer's mind already; a serial killer will maim and dismember regardless of whether they watch a violent film, because they are cold, calculating and often mad. We cannot censor, ban or withdraw a text simply because it might give someone 'ideas'. Where will we draw the line? Are we going to ban school children from studying Macbeth because if features violence and murder or The Colour Purple because of the rape scenes?

Any sane and remotely intelligent person knows that it is not right to copy the acts they may see in the Saw films, in the same way that a person who may enjoy watching extreme films is not necessarily a pervert. I love controversial and so-called disturbing films; I have grown up on a diet of Uwe Boll, David Cronenberg, and Larry Clark. I have sat through The Human Centipede, Irreversible, Martyrs and such like. As a child I was obsessed with horror films and throughout my teens and adulthood, I have set out to watch every film dubbed disturbing, sick, and ultra-violent. But I don't go out and commit random acts of violence, I don't get turned on by watching these films, they don't make me want to go out and rape, murder, or eat other people, why- because I am not a lunatic! Because I am intelligent enough to know right from wrong, because I am one of the many sensible people who can watch a film and know that it is just that- a film.

I overheard a comment from a fellow teacher at my school recently, apparently one of her Year 9 boys has been getting into lots of fights recently because he seems to be playing too many violent computer games; umm no, he isn't doing too well in school because his parents couldn't care less about his education and he is a little trouble maker. I'll end on this note; there is no freedom when it comes to choosing which film to watch- censors, governments and councils have all made sure of that and yet it remains that anyone can choose to become a parent... I'll let you decide how that works. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

Skyfall: Review

To start off, I really enjoyed Casino Royal and thought it was a fantastic, much needed reboot of Bond. Quantum of Solace was a cluster and disappointment though. Much more ambitious than Casino Royal and ended up being meh.

So Skyfall looked interesting right from the first trailer. It looked like Bond was finally going to fall at the knees of a villain, or at least thats what the trailer led on. The title Skyfall also sounds mysterious and very important. So did the film live up to the Bond legacy. Well, of course it did.

Skyfall starts off a little slow, Even though the opening act is a chase sequence that includes motor bikes and a fight scene on top of a moving train. It ends with Bond being shot by his partner on accident. The whole opening scene didn't seem intense or anything and was a bit boring. So right off the start I was worried. The opening credits that follow right after, tops the best of the Bond songs. Adele's theme is fantastic.

Then we get to the juice of the film. The whole middle act is just so much better than the beginning and ending of the film. We learn that M must retire and that Ralph Fiennes character is pretty much going to take her place after. But M refuses untill her current job is over. M thinks Bond is dead. Then there's an attack on M16, which brings Bond back from the dead to help M investigate and find who is doing this. Then the whold middle act starts and the world adventure begins. Its all fun to watch and the acting is great. Also the way this film was shot is stunning. This is definitely the best looking Bond film

Javiar Bardem portrays the villain in Skyfall and is just fantastic. He practically steals the show, giving a performance worthy of some sort of reward! But he enters the film about half way through and is in the film not nearly as long as I would like.

The ending is a huge letdown. After Bardem's character takes a direct shot at M, her and Bond flee to Bonds child hood house. The whole ending is a shoot out defending Bonds old mansion and is just underwhelming. The act was just as a let down as the opening scene and it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, as your thinking "That's it"?

Overall this is a better film than the previous Bond film, but doesn't even touch Casino Royal. The played the film a little safe this time around. But there were a few nice touches, having a much darker tone, a crazy villain, and a Bond that is coming out of retirement.

Even with all the complaining, I did enjoy the film. Now its time to wait for whats next. Which has the parts to make the best Bond ever. Final Score: 8.0. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

What Other Good Film Rental Websites Are There Like Netflix?

If you're a movie lover and use the internet often, you will probably have heard of the online stream rental website, Netflix.com. This is a website that, for a monthly subscription fee of £5.99, allows you to access a library of around 100,000 movies and TV shows to watch whenever you like! There is big business in this market and there are several companies fighting for the consumer attention, so in this article I will have a look at the other companies fighting for a share of your attention.

Love Film
Lovefilm.com is a site with a similar business model to Netflix. Owned by the huge retail giant Amazon.com, it already has established itself as one of the main players in the online stream/rental business.

One of the packages it offers, Lovefilm Instant, is essentially the same package as Netflix, however it is just £4.99 a month! The range of titles available with Instant are less than you get with Netflix though, and reviews for that particular package are pretty poor compared to Netflix.

There is one major difference between Lovefilm and Netflix, and that is the number of packages available. Where Netflix offers one flat rate £5.99 a month all access package, Lovefilm has lots of different options, and prices to go with them. For example you can rent DVD's to your home address for a monthly fee, or stream online for a monthly fee, or combine the two (more expensive). Check my resource box at the bottom for more information on the pricing of the different packages available, plus how to get free trials with both Netflix and Lovefilm.

The one main similarity with both companies is that both offer a one month free trial of their services. This gives the consumer a chance to work out if the service is worth the fees, a very good idea. REMEMBER! If you take up a free trail with either service you must take care to cancel the service before the month is up if you do not want to pay subscription! It only takes either a phone call or a couple of clicks with each service!

Blink Box
Blink box is an emerging company in the market and is growing in popularity in recent times. This is because it has a different take on the market to the other two companies, in that it does not charge monthly subscription fees! This works to the advantage of the occasional film watcher, as you only pay for a film when you want to watch one! Also Blink Box currently has a deal with Dominos Pizza (2012) where on a Monday you can watch a movie from 99p and get 40% off certain orders at Dominos Pizza! For more information and pricing check my resource box at the bottom.

I hope this article has helped in showing the different options available to using Netflix.com. Providing articles, reviews and writings on movies online.

Long Way Around Review

I've been watching this TV series called Long Way Around, where Charlie Boorman and Ewan McGregor (a.k.a. Obi Wan Kenobi) ride their cross-country BMWs from London to New York- the long way around.

Charlie and Ewan set up an office in London several months before departing and hired a small staff to help plan their route, get the paperwork set up, consult with them on border crossings, and many more activities.

To train them before the ride, they hired a personal trainer. To prepare themselves for harsh border crossings they hired an ex-military safety guru to teach them basic evasion, combat training, weapons use and how to best deal with a hostage situation. To prepare for any unforeseen medical problems, a doctor was brought on board. To learn Russian prior to departure they hired a Russian area consultant, a visa advisor and a language coach and they have 2 support crew vehicles.

They rode from London to Ukraine passing through the Czech Republic, and stopping at the Church of Bones. Along the way they passed through various monuments and tours cleared for themselves along with the support and video crews. The two-van support team went ahead at most border crossings and at major sites to arrange visits, viewings and make for easy passage. A lot of what they saw would not have been possible without the support crews, and yet without Ewan on the team it wouldn't have been a TV series at all.

The show itself is inspiring and lively, and gets me eager to have this similar kind of adventure when I retire. It's hard to watch a show like this one that makes travel look so dangerous, difficult without a whole crew behind you and then realize that with a bit of real-world thinking and prior experience you could undertake the same trip as they did, and I'm sure people have.

In the foreseeable future, I won't plan to do something like the Ewan-Charlie team, as I think they have something special and love what they are doing. I just think it is sad that it takes a celebrity on a team to get publicity for it. A lot of great travelers are doing equally amazing trips and because they aren't A-listed stars they don't get sponsorship, recognition or free gear, and the trips don't get publicized so that most people think travel is this dangerous and relatively pointless activity. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

Jason Bateman: A Child Actor Moves On From His Arrested Development

As a popular child actor in the '80s, Jason Bateman seemingly went off the radar after his show, "The Hogan Family," was canceled in 1991. As he struggled to find work, Bateman's career seemed to be heading towards the same early end as those of so many other young actors, until he was brought onto the show "Arrested Development." Now, Bateman is one of the most recognizable faces in comedy, frequently appearing in ensemble pieces to critical and box office success.

His first major role was in "Little House on the Prairie," in which he played young James Cooper Ingalls. Bateman's character lasted for twenty-one episodes before the show was taken off the air after a slow decline in ratings. With his first taste of national recognition behind him, Bateman went on to co-star in "Silver Spoons" with Ricky Schroeder. Cast as Derek, Bateman appeared on the show for its first two seasons before moving on to star in his own series, "It's Your Move." While popular with critics, the show was canceled after its second season. Following the cancellation of "It's Your Move," Bateman would continue to work as a guest star in shows like "Knight Rider," "Mr. Belvedere," and "St. Elsewhere."

In 1986, Bateman was cast in the role of 16-year-old David in the show "Valerie." Starring Valerie Harper, the series focused on the title character as she tried to raise her kids while working full time. During the show's initial run, Bateman became the youngest member of the Directors Guild of America when he directed three episodes of the series at the age of eighteen.

In the middle of the show's second season, trouble arose when Harper wanted a raise. The producers wrote her out of the series, changing the show's name to "The Hogan Family," and brought in Sandy Duncan as the family's aunt. Initially, the change was a success, but by 1991, ratings were at a low, and the series was canceled.

Following the cancellation of "The Hogan Family," Bateman struggled to find work. He had starred in "Teen Wolf Too" in 1987, but the film flopped at the box office, leading to a stigma that Bateman could not open a film.

During the '90s, Bateman would appear sporadically on television, guest-starring in shows like "Ned and Stacey," "Chicago Sons," and "Rude Awakening." His luck finally changed in 2003, when he signed on to star in Mitch Hurwitz's new show, "Arrested Development."

Detailing the fall of the Bluth family, "Arrested Development" took a very tongue-in-cheek look at family dynamics, politics and economics. Bateman played Michael Bluth, the good son of the family, who tries to keep everyone together after his father is arrested for fraud. The trailblazing comedy featured a biting wit that had no problem with making fun of television clichés, the Iraq war, or even its own network, Fox. The cast included Michael Cera, Will Arnett, and David Cross and would even feature guest stars Liza Minelli and Henry Winkler poking fun at their own images. Producer Ron Howard lent his voice as the Narrator, playing off of his own image. While the show was a hit critically, it couldn't find an audience, leading to its cancellation in 2006. Since then, the show has become a cult hit, finding success on DVD and Netflix. Its influence has been felt in some of today's biggest shows, including "The Office" and "30 Rock."

For Bateman, "Arrested Development" was the spark that would reignite his career. His comic timing and ability to play the straight man led to him seeing an influx of work. He would work with Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau in a number of films, including "Dodgeball," "The Break Up," and "Couples Retreat." Bateman would become a featured actor in many of Peter Berg's films, having major roles in "The Kingdom" and "Hancock." He would even reunite with Michael Cera in the Oscar-winning comedy, "Juno."

With his career at an all-time high, Bateman has continued to find consistent work. The 2011 hit "Horrible Bosses" teamed Bateman with Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day, leading to financial success and production on a sequel. He has even started a production company with "Arrested Development" costar Will Arnett, and their first film, "Mansome," was a Spotlight selection at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival.

Even with all of these projects, Bateman shows little sign of slowing down. He's currently filming the fourth season of "Arrested Development," due to be released on Netflix. For 2013, he has a couple of films in production, with "The Identity Thief" set to premiere in February. For an actor whose career was nonexistent in the '90s, Bateman has risen to the challenge and become one of the go-to actors for ensemble comedies. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

Men In Black 3 Movie Review

Well, it's been ten long years since Agents J and K showed off their intergalactic protection skills in Men In Black 2, and given that the film didn't exactly win rave reviews, you can't blame anyone for being a little skeptical about the likelihood of a third installment being memorable. Luckily, I am always willing to give Will Smith the benefit of the doubt, and I'm happy to report that he and the entire cast made it worth my time.

THE GOOD: In order to go forward in this story, we have to go backwards... meaning time travel to the past; the summer of 1969, to be exact, when astronauts were preparing to walk on the moon and the Mets were poised to win the World Series. Another newsworthy event was Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) putting a foul looking alien by the name of Boris behind bars---in a prison on the moon, no less. But 40 years later, Boris has busted out of his lunar lockup and has managed to sneak through the space time continuum in an effort to find K and kill him. It's all up to J (Will Smith) to go back in time and put Boris out of commission, before he can achieve his goal. Oh, and J also needs to keep himself from getting left in 1969 as well... yes, it's sort of a "Back to the Future" twist, and it may not be as ingenious of an idea as it seemed 25 years ago, but for all intents and purposes, it works. As you can imagine, there is a social commentary to be made with J going back in time as a black man, and Smith delivers some great attitude at perfect moments when small minded people speak without thinking.

As much as I adore Will Smith however, the scene stealer in this movie is without a doubt Josh Brolin, who not only plays the younger version of Agent K, but NAILS it. There's no debating that Tommy Lee Jones has a very unique presence and mannerism, so for someone to be able to capture that with such flawlessness, it is award worthy in my opinion. From his facial expressions to his accent and timing, everything was spot on... and hilarious. Adding to that fun, we have the alien character Griffin (played by Michael Stuhlbarg) who is a sweet and perpetually anxious little creature, and has the dubious gift of seeing the future----or rather the equal possibility of several different futures, some positive and some not so much. With his misty blue eyes, Elmer Fudd wool hat, and innocent childlike responses, he might come across as goofy to some, but I adored him.

THE BAD: I can only assume that in order to capitalize on how amazing Josh Brolin is in this role, efforts were made to keep Will Smith's character from shining too brightly. Or at least, that's what ends up happening. Usually Agent J is so full of sarcasm and attitude that the laughs are pretty constant... this time around, it took almost 45 minutes for Will to have a laugh worthy moment, at least for me personally. This isn't to say that Smith isn't his usual great talent, but be prepared that he doesn't pack nearly the punch in this installment as he did in the first two.

THE UGLY: I'm torn really, as to what the most hideous part of this movie was, but I certainly have it narrowed down to two contenders: the first being Boris (Jemaine Clement) in general---this guy just brings repulsive to a whole new level---but it's his teeth specifically that had me completely nauseated. It was like an entire mouth full of giant yellow molars and reminded me of the scary monsters I imagined as a little girl. Of course none of those creatures were ever making out with a woman in black leather pants in my imagination---which brings us to contender number 2. If there is anything more disturbing than a monster like man with bad dental work, it would be watching that same man sticking his tongue in a woman's mouth. Shudder. It's like I'm a five year old girl again, with a whole new scary image to keep me awake at night.

It's a generally accepted fact that the Men In Black Franchise started off strong, then hit a low with MIB2. There will be those who won't be willing to give MIB3 a chance because they fear things will only get worse... the surprise is that, as sequels go, this one is actually worth seeing, not only because of Brolin's performance, but the touching surprise twist at the end that explains J and K's relationship.

The Trophy Wife gives this movie 3 ½ trophies.

Men In Black 3 has a running time of 106 minutes and is rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence and brief suggestive content. No F words. Providing articles, reviews and writings on movies online.

Amazonas Film Festival Earning Recognition

While the Cannes and Sundance Film festivals may both be well known, they are certainly not the only festivals dedicated to the screening of new flicks. The Amazonas Film Festival, now in its ninth year, is rapidly gaining attention. The festival is held in Manaus, Brazil, each year in early November and features award-winning movies from around the world. Screenings for the festival take place at the spectacular Teatro Amazonas. This Belle-Époque opera house served as the inspiration for the epic film by Werner Herzog, "Fitzcarraldo."

The opening night of the festival featured "Colegas," a Brazilian film. The film was penned and directed by Marcelo Galvao and illustrates a poetic view of life from the viewpoint of three people with Down syndrome. In total, more than thirty films will compete in the festival. Each of the movies will be competing for the prestigious Flight Over the Jungle award and will compete in several different sections. Those sections include a competition for short films produced in the Amazonas, an international feature competition, a Brazilian short film competition, and a screenwriting competition. The film that garners top honors at the 2012 festival will receive a cash prize.

Eight films were submitted to compete in the International Feature Competition category. The films hail from a diverse array of countries. The American feature "Compliance" is one of the films submitted for this category. Another submission is the Danish movie "Teddy Bear."

Much like the movies submitted to compete in the festival, the list of jurors chosen is also quite diverse and includes Romanian film producer and director Tudor Giurgiu, Brazilian screenwriter and director Sergio Machado, Argentinian actress Eva Bianco, and Brazilian actor Leonardo Medeiros. The President of Honor for the 2012 Amazonas Film Festival is Zelito Vianna. In addition to screening Vianna's film "Villa-Lobos: A Life of Passion," the festival also pays tribute to the bi-centennial anniversary of the Palme d'Or that was won by the Brazilian film "The Prayer of Promises." In 1962, the film became the first and only film to date to win the award. The film was also the first film from South America to receive a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

The weeklong film festival serves as a gathering for movie industry insiders, filmmakers, journalists, and cinema enthusiasts from Brazil and from the rest of the world. The spectacular Amazonian rainforest serves as the backdrop for the festival. A number of initiatives have been instituted by the festival to educate local audiences about the film industry. Such initiatives have included screenings at hospitals, bus stops, community centers, and even remote villages situated along the Rio Negro River.

Films that score top awards in the festival can ultimately mean significant amounts of money for filmmakers and the opportunity to succeed in the Brazilian film industry as well as on an international level.

One of those films vying for a top prize is "Jonathas' Forest." The film is directed by Sergio Andrade, a native of Manaus, and is set apart by a divergence from the magical realism that is typically a centerpiece of many Latin American films. At the same time, the film still manages to invoke a transformative atmosphere that affects outsiders as well as Amazonas natives.

Director Craig Zobel's film "Compliance" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Since that time, the film has managed to create no small amount of controversy in the theatrical and festival worlds. It was released in the United States by Magnolia. Another film to appear at the Amazonas Film Festival is "The Zebra." Fernando Javier Leon Rodriguez scored an award for the Best First Feature film for his work in this movie. Another contender includes "The Angels' Share" by Ken Loach. The film focuses on a band of Scottish loners who make the decision to work together in order to accomplish a whiskey heist. Following the premiere of the film at Cannes, rights to the movie were procured by Sundance Selects.

While "The Other Son" is certainly not a blockbuster film, it has received plenty of positive reviews. This film by Lorraine Levy tells the story of an Israeli boy and a Palestinian boy who are swapped at birth. The Danish film "Teddy Bear" by Mads Matthiesen centers around the tale of a bodybuilder. It has already received plenty of acclaim, including the World Cinema Directing award at Sundance.

The Amazonas Film Festival has become the premiere centerpiece for South American films. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

Private Practice, The Attempt To Defeat Grey's Anatomy

"Private Practice" enters the world of medical dramas in a way that many people really didn't expect to see a new TV show enter a network. There's plenty of competition with many medical dramas already winning the hearts of viewers around the world which definitely indicates that making this show a success isn't the easiest accomplishment for anyone. Is "Private Practice" going to be the show that's able to defeat the ever-so-popular series of "Grey's Anatomy" on ABC or is it just going to end up being seen as a desperate attempt of a network trying to make their presence known once again?

Kate Walsh stars as Dr. Addison Montgomery who's a genius neonatal surgeon that went to Los Angeles in the search for a new way of life and better opportunities. Immediately upon arrival, she was able to secure a position at the Oceanside Wellness Center where the staff there also plays critical roles in the development of this unique storyline. While doing whatever it takes to save lives, they also have the time to pursue normal lives (if that's what you would honestly call it) that are showcased as well throughout the series of "Private Practice."

There's a great deal of mixed emotions from viewers about Private Practice, ranging from the hatred that they have for this show trying to take over the spotlight that "Grey's Anatomy" was known for holding all the way to how powerful and emotional the storyline is as each episode airs. This is something that you would expect when you hear about any medical-related TV show, because the audiences of these particular shows have been known to be somewhat controversial in their approaches.

One thing that "Private Practice" seems to be good at is making sure that all actors and actresses get their time to shine. The writers have also ensured that the parts aren't the easiest ones to play, which only provides an even greater opportunity for those who took part in the making of "Private Practice." Not only does it challenge their skills by doing this, it keeps the viewers on their toes unable to truly predict what's going to be the next twist in this rather different story.

The ratings that this TV show has received really don't support the idea that it beat "Grey's Anatomy" in its own game, because they were pretty poor when a comparison was made to be honest. However, you still have the loyal "Private Practice" fans that say this is a show that's touched them in ways that no other TV series has done before. As you can see, the truth is rather hard to find and it really depends on who watches it and what their taste is where these types of medical dramas are concerned.

If you take a look at this show from all angles, you can tell it's hard to decide whether or not it's better than "Grey's Anatomy." However, both shows seem to have their own loyal fans. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.