The Movie Life: Beauty (2011) Review

Beauty (2011) Review

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First of all this only gets 3 overall because I am leaving my bias aside to a degree. The acting was convincing and the cinematography was as well. The problem with this was that I do not feel like the description really let out what the movie was about. There are many types of movies I will watch and few that I detest. One of the kinds I detest are incest and rape. This had the rape part. I don't (I certainly hope not) think that many people care for rape, but in movies some can find it interesting or something, well I am not one of those people. The movie starts off a bit confusing with the cast being at a dinner of sorts. It then goes on and you start to see the main characters personal life which is filled with lies and self-hatred. There is this air of denial that causes concern from the beginning. As the movie goes one we see this obsession start to develop between the main character and his friends son, who he assumes is gay. There is never any real truth to his assumption, just a lot of circumstantial evidence. I would go as far as to say there is some evidence that the kid was not gay, just very loving. Either way the main character goes to some pretty extreme lengths to be around the kid. There is eventually an epic point in the story which I have already given away, and then it leaves you without a full sense of what went on and what it caused. I felt this was a very drawn out movie that left you with a bad taste in your mouth. You invest all your time and think you are going to see a bear-twink style of romance and are instead left with much less as well as a hell of a lot less respect for the main character. I felt this story had a lot of potential if they would have played it out a bit better. They could have even kept the rape line had they given some closure, I believe that the writer makes a very amateur error and leaves to wide of a gap in the story at the end which just leaves the view feeling unfulfilled  This had been in my recommended on Netflix for quite some time and I am glad I watched it for the sole reason it freed up a space on the recommended list. Maybe you will feel different, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I believe the film won merits on acting and that alone, the story just didn't have any strength. 

The Movie Life: Shameless (TV Series, Season 3 - Episode 12) Season Finale Review

Shameless Season 3 Episode 12 - Season Finale

***WARNING, SEASON FINALE SPOILERS***

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I suppose "ask and you shall receive" is due here. I have been complaining that they haven't been focusing enough on Eian and Mickey and they sure did show some insight into that relationship. I found it very interesting that this was a season finale because they didn't really tie any loose ends. The only thing we know is that Fiona got a full time job at the office, everything else is up in the air. Will Lip go to MIT? Will Eian actually stay in the army essentially removing his character from the show? What will happen with Karen and Mandy? Where is Jimmy, is he dead? Will Frank change his ways or die? I am sure there are a lot more questions, but those tend to be the main ones for me. I felt that the episode did a good job and breaking down Eian and Mickey's relationship. You saw Mickey get emotional for probably the first time, at least from a crying stand point. We also had confirmation that Mandy knows about their relationship and apparently she approves of it. It was interesting to see Eian tell Mickey no, but my romantic side was wanting something different. I don't feel that the military will last with Eian, I think he will get there and run into a snag because he is using Lip's identity. This might tie in to MIT because MIT is very closely associated with the military (ie. West Point). Another twist we have is with Lip, if he takes the MIT offer and goes to college we may not see much of his character anymore which would really sadden me. I am hoping he will take it and they will either all move, or have him home every weekend. I think the whole crew moving is more believable. He actually told Mandy thanks and that me be the beginning of their reconciliation. As much as I hate to say it I really like Mandy. I think that minus her violent jealousy, she has a good head on her shoulders and she has a big heart.  What she did was wrong, but Karen's mind games were wrong as well, and plus we can like it because it is a movie. Franks health was a big focus on this episode. We all knew that he couldn't possibly ride the gravy train forever, and it seems as if that is ending. With his medical conditions, he is a ticking time bomb if he doesn't start getting medical care. Cirrhosis, esophageal varicies, and portal hypertension are all things that can be very deadly if not treated; he has essentially drank himself to the edge of death. We know they won't be booting William H. Macy any time soon, so I am assuming he will get some kind of help but I could be totally wrong. Fiona finally got her coveted full time office job, and it seems to me that she isn't very happy about it. I may be reading into the episode too much, but I felt that at the end she wasn't very happy with everything. This could be about Jimmy, but I just can't shake the feeling that she isn't satisfied. She did invest a lot of money to get this job so I could be totally off, I guess next season will tell. The Michigan position might help with the story of them all making a move that way. What happen to Jimmy? I am wondering if we will get more closure next season. There are several different scenarios that you can work with. He either was murdered, left back to South America, or got away and we don't know it. I have a feeling he is dead, but shows always like to portray it that way so that you are surprised when the next season rolls around. The episode ends with Fiona calling Jimmy and telling his voice mail that she is done and this is her final call to say bye, Eian leaving on a bus to basic training, Lip telling Mandy he doesn't know if he is going to take the job, and Frank leaving the hospital against medical advice in a gown and shoes. There are definitely a ton of open ends for next season, but if you are a fan at least we know there is a next season. Overall they did a great job this season and it was much more insightful than the others. This season gets my 5 stars because I was impressed with every episode. Can't wait till next season. Thanks for taking the time to read.

Until Next Time,

Will 

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Thanks Everyone!

Will

Great Weekend

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I have more posts coming your way for movies and such, but I thought I would share my weekend. I decided that Saturday would be a lazy day and Sunday would be an outdoors day. One of my hobbies is cast netting. I take a large net that catches fish (primarily bait fish) and I go around the lake and try to catch fish for my aquarium. I enjoy catching the wild fish because you never know what's coming up in the net when you pull it out. Yesterday was not my best,  I only began to catch things as the sun went down,  and unfortunately they bailed the aquarium over night and I lost all my cat fish.  I hate when this happens because I catch them to watch them not cause hurt. Either way it will be back to the drawing board this week to see if my luck can improve at all. I love having a nature aquarium and I hope to catch some beautiful fish for it this year.

Until Next Time,

Will

The Movie Life: Bully (2012) Review

Movie Review: Bully (2012) Review

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This movie was amazing, sad and heartbreaking, but a very good movie. I think most people are familiar with this and how controversial it was. If not I will give a quick description. This is a documentary that follows several different children that are being bullied along with some families of children whom killed themselves because of bullying. I feel that his should be showed in every school in the United States. This movie isn't gay themed, it has one girl that is, but the main theme of this is about bullying and the effects of it. The movie shows  how the systems has failed all of us and they dynamic of bullying. One of the things that it really shines light on is the way it mentally effects the children. One boy has gotten so used to it that he makes excuses for it and others just give up on life. Another issue this discusses is the lack of competency among our law enforcement and especially school officials. The psychology that some of the school leaders use is so damaging. At one point in the movie a cop addresses a crime committed by a girl being bullied by saying since she wasn't physically beaten, she had no reason to have to defend herself. It is that kind of stupidity that causes bullying. Many do not understand how painful emotional abuse is. I personally believe that any educational leader should have some extensive psychology training so that if they are going to be counseling our children they are properly prepared and not give them advice or put them in situations that are going to just make things worse. This brings awareness on how important it is to stop bullying and how horrible it is one anyone. The is a very heartbreaking film but I feel it must be watched. We all need to know how it hurts everyone around and how it is such a vicious cycle. I hope that this will get out more and eventually help lead law makers to create legislation against bullying. 

R.I.P. To all those who have felt so hopeless they took their lives. Shall you never be forgotten. 

If you or anyone you know suffers from bullying don't be silent, get help at the following website: http://www.stopbullying.gov/get-help-now/index.html. Help stop bullying now.

The Movie Life: Shameless (TV Series, Season 3 - Episode 11 ) Review

Shameless Season 3 Episode 11

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This episode was much better than the last. I have stated in the earlier review that I feel like they aren't really focusing on the relationship with Eian and Mickey. This episode addressed it more and I do feel that they are developing the story a bit more, and have at least addressed in a way that I feel will have a climax a the end of the season. This is a pretty good portrayal of what it would be like for those in this particular lifestyle and situation. The story with Jimmy and Fiona is really taking a turn and I feel that we may be saying goodbye to Jimmy at the end of the season. I do not believe that they are going to be leaving Chicago and I think that they are going to write Jimmy off in order to develop the story in the coming seasons. I have not watched the British version of the show so I don't know if they are on track with it or it it is completely different. Since my blog is a gay one, I will focus on that part for the most, but I do need to touch on the other stories. I believe that Lip and Mandy are on the course of completion. I don't know how it will work with Lip and Karen, but I am interested in how they will continue with that part of the story. I personally think that Mickey will end up annulling or leaving his Russian prostitute wife. They ended the last episode with Eian and Mickey having sex, but then Eian exposing pretty much the whole thing while drunk. Hopefully we will get more clarification in the next episode. Until next time, Will. 

The Movie Life: Ruben's Place (2012) Review

Movie Review: Ruben's Place

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This was a pretty good indie style movie. When you look at the video, or see it pop up on You Tube, it kinda looks like John Travolta I thought. Either way, he doesn't look anything like him when you actually see him in the movie. This movie centers around a college age guy who has left college to take care of his dad after his mother died in a hurricane. The whole town was devastated by an "El Nino" hurricane, and he lost his mother in the storm. He is a loner type that has devoted himself to taking care of his alcoholic father that has been self medicating with alcohol since the death of his wife. They both have a very co-dependent relationship and it has caused Ruben to give up college to be his fathers care taker. Apparently many people in the town left after the hurricane, but his father has decided to stick it out because he purchased and has paid for his house. Ruben has essentially no friends and at the beginning and his father contacts his brother to get Ruben a job. The uncle agrees and from there Ruben starts working with him. It doesn't take long to figure out that the uncle is in some kind of drug business. Ruben seems to strive with the business and not too long in the movie his best friend from junior high returns to the town and they start hanging out again. Over the movie you see the relationship develop a bit too fast in my opinion. There is some history that was there prior to them hanging out again, but they develop a relationship from that. They go on to deal with some trial an tribulations and Ruben is forced to deal with what is going on with his uncles business, his friends life, and his fathers health. Overall the movie is a pretty good, the story is a bit rushed in my opinion, but it gets some good points across. The actors give a good show and you can see that they are very sincere in their portrayal  of their characters. The story that the writers/director are trying to get across is a good message, and for a low budget, independent film I believe that overall everyone does a good job. I would suggest this movie to anyone that enjoys dramas. The movie is heart warming and the character creation and development is very good with the viewer having a pretty strong attachment to the characters. I hope you enjoy.

*Please Note* - This movie has an issue with audio if you watch it online, and you may have to check the external link on the site to be able to get to a part where you can actually hear it. Head phones are best with this movie. 

The Movie Life: Paper Boys (2009) Review

Movie Review: Paper Boys

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This was an interesting movie, and not necessarily in a good way. I really enjoy watching indie movies and this is one for only the biggest indie fan. Above is the trailer and movie. I had issues watching on my computer the first time so I had to watch it on my phone. I give this one three stars only because this seems to be an indie movie and some of the guys were fun to look at. One of the things that I really try to do when I watch an indie movie that I just found is to not read the description about it. If it is a Gay movie, then I am going to possibly give it a chance. This one popped up as a recommendation from one of the other ones I watched, so I was bored and I gave it a try. The movie is about a "crew" of late teens/early twenties guys who meet for the summer and work at a local news paper office as door to door sales men. The reason that I brought up my not reading the description is because I believe that it creates less of a bias from me and I allow the movie to develop the characters and story, and if it has a good story I should catch on. I had trouble understanding this one. Back to the story.. it focuses on these guys paper sales route and their bonding in it. The movie had a chance at a good story, but they focused way to much on too many different topics. Even though it was two hours, they were trying at at least 5 different stories in the movie. The main story followed the lead character whom had some parental issues that lead to drug abuse and hyper-sexuality  These guys have been a part of the group for several years and they are very aware of how troubled he is. He is going to be living with his best friend this year and then the story starts. It flashes back and fourth from past to present and can be hard to follow as well. The gay story never really developed, it had a good share of homo-eroticism with a mix of a few gay scenes with the main character. It is hard for me to really review because I cannot really think of what direction to take this. The story drags out and you see some of the minor stories evolve, but there isn't really much between then besides spinning of the "story's wheels". You are dealt with some surprise with the direction, and the guys are pretty good as first time actors, but there isn't much to the entire movie.The movie is supposed to fit in the coming of age genera with a gay theme, but it doesn't really touch on the gay theme hardly at all. The director and writer tired to write a way too in-depth story. They tried to use the whole paper boy thing as a metaphor, and frankly I think it fell short of that as well. I really feel that it is a waste of time, so unless it just really appeals to you, pass on this one.