Lenny Likes Stuff: 2014

Tuesday, 30 September 2014

Uuuuuuhg

Have you ever been watching a movie and within the first 15 minutes been so fed up with it you turn it off? This happens to me quite a bit now since I have been subscribed to Netflix. There are a lot of great movies and TV shows on the site, but there a lot of really terrible ones too. Now some I know they are not going to be Oscar contenders but I do get a laugh or two out of spoof movies. I was watching a spoof movie called Paranormal Whacktivity yesterday and I only got through maybe 10 minutes. It was God awful. There have been movies that people love, like The Royal Tenenbaums, and another Wes Anderson movie The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, that I turned off after a mere half hour. Yet I loved his first two movies, Bottle Rocket and Rushmore. There were movies I wished I hadn't paid to see at the theater as well. Next Friday jumping to mind first. Friday was hilarious, Next Friday was horrible, that was one movie I should have walked out on. The Core was another groaner, as well as Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. I went to that with a friend and we said on the way in, the first one was ok, the second one could either be a better movie and elevate the franchise or kill it dead. Well Nic Cage, congratulations, you killed a franchise dead. What are some of the worst movies you have only watched a bit of. Let me know here.........

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Monday, 15 September 2014

Jay and Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie

This movie was a brain child of Mr. Jason Mews. He came up with the story and his pal Kevin Smith wrote the screen play. So right from the beginning there are many recycled jokes from Mr. Smith's Jay and Bob movies from a time past. Most should have stayed there. The movie shows the origins of Jay and Bob's Super alter egos, Bluntman and Chronic. This movie is basically one big dick and fart joke. Not necessarily a bad thing if you are 12. I am a huge, HUGE Kevin Smith fan. I will shell out my hard earned cash for anything with his name on it. However I am glad I held off from buying this cartoon. It isn't very good, I like the smodcast cartoons way better. I think Jay should stick to acting, if you can call it that and keep the movie writing and story telling to Kevin Smith. Very disappointed in this effort.

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Tuesday, 2 September 2014

Ink Master

A new TV season is starting to descend upon us, and one of the first new season premieres tonight was Ink Master. I have enjoyed the first four season and this season could be a fail or a huge win. I hate when a show is going along smoothly and then producers want to fix things that aren't broken. Miami Ink was my favorite tattoo show, until the show shifted focus from the tattoos and the stories behind them to the drama. Drama between the artists and their petty fights over the dumbest shit ruins shows. Again it happened by the end of the first season of New York Ink. It started out alright, but by the Ami and another artist almost came to blows. New York Ink went away for a year and came back and focused on the tattoos and the stories behind them.

Last season Kyle Dunbar was voted by America and given a second chance to win Ink Master, he blew it big time. He was getting passed off with the harsh critiques the judges were given him. He thought one judge in particular was really harping on him, Chris Nunez. So finally Kyle confronted Chris and then decided attacking him, and trying to fight him was a good idea. Now this was something that was unexpected and the tension built up over weeks. This season Spike wants the drama from the beginning by bringing in artists and their rivals to battle it out for Ink Master. I am not sure if I am going to like this as much as past seasons, but I will still watch it, and probably enjoy the tattoos, and the competitions. But the drama and the fighting is not for me. If I wanted that I would watch Mauryu or Springer.

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Sunday, 31 August 2014

Sherlock

There have been many adaptations of Arthur Conan Doyle's character Sherlock Holmes. In recent years we have Robert Downey Jr portray the iconic figure in two movies. The movies were excellent and set in the 1890's. Again, I love these movies, and I thought Guy Richie did a fabulous job, as well as Downey and Jude Law. I couldn't to see Elementary when it premièred on CBS in 2012. Its Sherlock Holmes portrayed by Johnny Lee Miller brought Sherlock to our time, and he is solving cases in New York City. Watson, usually played by a male actor, was cast to Lucy Liu, and instead of John her name is Joan. The chemistry between Johnny Lee Miller and Liu is great. They play off of each other really well. It adds a great dynamic having the Watson character as a female. They didn't GOP with sexual tension right off the bat between Holmes and Watson, there is a love between the two but more as a brother and sister. The New York Holmes is a recovering Heroine addict, and Joan started out as a live in sponsor to look after him. Holmes quickly recruited Watson as his side kid and began training her to think along the same lines as him. Each case was a test for Watson. They mostly work for the NYPD and are brought in on tough cases. Each episode is fast paced and has twists and turns I am on the edge of my seat every week. Its great.

This brings me to the British show Sherlock. The best out of the most recent incarnations. The show started airing in 2010, I have been watching them on Netflix. The seasons are only 3 episodes long, but run around an hour and a half. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as John Watson. This too brings Holmes to modern day, and has him solving crimes in modern day London. With each episode layer out like a movie, they can squeeze more story into them. The cliff hanger at the end of the second series was excellent, and had me chomping at the bit to see Series 3. Which I just started watching tonight. I hope that North American television stations see how this series is being made and consider doing the same style here. 3 episodes in a season, basically mini movies, damn its good.

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Sunday, 24 August 2014

Tucker and Dale vs Evil

This movie is a couple of years old. Its a comedy/horror flick, kind of horror anyway. Its basically a Threes Company Episode. One miss understanding after another causes chaos and death. The movie starts out like most horror movies. Young College students are on their way to a fun filled weekends in the woods. Along the way they bump into creepy backwoods folks. Tucker and Dale are the "creepy" backwoods folks in this story.

Dale likes one of the young girls and when he tries to talk to her he comes of creepy and weird. Now Dale and Tucker are on their way to a cabin that Tucker has bought as a vacation home. It just so happens the college kids are camping in the same area as the cabin. The college kids get spooked during a late night skinny dip romp as Tucker and Dale are fishing. The cute College girl Dale likes falls into the lake off of some rocks and needs to be saved from drowning.

The other College kids run off thinking the worst has happened to their friend. It turns out Tucker and Dale are legitimately nice guys and want to help. As the other college kids rally to get their "kidnapped friend back, freak accidents end up killing them.

Not the best movie I have ever seen, and it is kind of lame. I do not recommend it. Its a spoof movie trying hard not to be a spoof film. So it doesn't really work. I can see Tucker and Dale making a come back as a Cheech and Chong or Harold and Kumar kind of comedy team. But not in a spoof horror movie.

Any questions, concerns, or comments, email at hilsonlen @gmail.com, friend me on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/LennyHilson. I am also on Twitter @LenSceneAMovie.

Thursday, 14 August 2014

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

I have been a fan of the ape movies since I was a kid. I didn't care too much for the failed Tim Burton reboot, it was decent but as usual Burton just ignored all last material. The sequel to Rise of the Planet of the Apes is pretty good. Iys a decade or so after thee first movie takes place. The Apes live in the wilderness in and around San Francisco. A small bach of humans have banded together and are trying to get back to being the dominant species.

What triggers the final war between humans and Apes? Two assholes. An ape asshole, Koba and a human asshole Carver.

The action sequences are intense and very realistic. CGI has come such a long way its truly amazing. There are a few touching moments in this installment just as there were in the last film. Ceasar is a family man. He has a wife and two sons. I can't wait for the 3rd one coming to theater 2016.

Thursday, 3 July 2014

Step Brothers

Watched Step Brothers again last night. I really liked it. The first time I saw it I didn't really like it. I think Will Ferrell had been in too many movies when Step Bros came out. I had a bit of an overload. However waching Step Brothers again, I got the humor. I laughed a lot at it. I understand now why this movie quoted so much.

Step Brothers as good as it is I don't think a sequel is needed. I think Ferrell and John C. Reilly should make many more movies together.

Thursday, 5 June 2014

X-Men Days of Future Past

Confusing title. I was worried that this movie was going to be jumping back and forth between now and then. It really didn't. This X-Men movie is one of the best. I really can't wait to see where this series goes now. What this movie accomplished was kind of resetting things moving forward in the X-Men/Marvel Universe. Not only was it one of the best X-men movie, maybe even the best, but it is one of the best comic book movies I have seen.

The story starts in the future, the war against mutants has wiped out much of earth's population. Xavier, Magneto, Iceman, Kitty Pride, and others are battling Centurians. Robots created to hunt and kill mutants.

Wolverine enters the picture and they send him back in time to right some wrongs and make things well in the world.

Quick Silver is introduced to us in the past. He is fun, and adds some levity to a pretty bleak story. I can not rave about this movie enough. Comic nerds may find something to nit pick, but I can't think of one thing. Those not familiar with the X-Men, go back and at least watch the first two movies and the the fourth. The third movie was terrible and I wouldn't wish viewing that on anyone.

It was fun, and had a few laughs. I highly recommend it.

Wednesday, 28 May 2014

Pain and Gain

I am currently watching Pain and Gain for the 3 or 4 time. The Rock stands out as one of the better actors. Marky Mark is his usual self. Not a bad thing. He is pretty damn good in most his flicks including this one.

I still can't believe that this is based on a true story. I can't beleive there are people who can pull off a kidnapping and make someone sign all their assets over and then blow it all by being so stupid.

It also makes me want to workout. Get all jacked. A boy can dream.

Monday, 26 May 2014

Godzilla

I got the chance to see Godzilla last Monday night in crazy imax 3d. It was awesome. In all aspects. The star of the movie, Godzilla, looked pretty realistic. Whatever a giant dinasour like, radiation blowing creature would look like. Some folks in Japan think he is too fat. I think he looks fine the way he is. He is just big boned.

The big guy protects earth from certain doom from two other giant creatures MUTO'S. The final battle between Godzilla and the Muto's is epic.

This is a movie that entertain the crap out of me. It made me feel like I was 6 years old and sitting in my nan and papa's living room watching Godzilla on Channel 29 on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

I am probably going to pick this up on blu ray. I still buy certain movies. This will definitely be part of my collection.

Monday, 19 May 2014

The Heat

Happy Victoria Day weekend one and all. Its been a busy one. Had my brother in law's surprise 30th birthday party Saturday, a trip to my Aunt and Uncle's trailer Sunday and then Beck and I watched The Heat. We are both huge Melissa McCarthy. We both like Sandra Bullock as well. I laughed quite a bit for a movie that got shit canned by critics and regular movie goers alike. I do think most of the laughs was due to the obscene language spewing forth from McCarthy's mouth. It was funny, and I found it got funnier as the movie went a long. The plot was weak, but the buddy cop movie as old as time worked with the two starlets. I could see a sequel, but I am not sure it did well enough for one.

Here is the story line. Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock), an FBI agent, is extremely ambitious and has her eye on a promotion, but she doesn't get along with her co-workers. She is sent to Boston to uncover the identity of an elusive drug lord, Mr. Larkin, by tracking down his proxy, Rojas, and is told that she'll have a good shot at the promotion if she finds Larkin. When she arrives in Boston, she learns that Larkin has been eliminating his competition and taking over their operations. She learns that Rojas is in Boston PD custody and goes to see him to ask him what he knows about Larkin, but is warned that the cop who arrested Rojas, Shannon Mullins(Melissa McCarthy), is very territorial, and she is not exactly sociable. When the two meet they don't get along. When Mullins learns why Ashburn is in Boston, she decides to find Larkin herself. Ashburn is told by her boss to work with Mullins, but it won't be easy because Ashburn does things by the book while Mullins does things her way.

There is a strong supporting cast, with the likes of one of my favorites Michael Rapaport, Billy Burr, Jane Curtain, Marlon Wayans, and Taran Killam. Oh and one of the New Kids is in it too.

If you are in the mood for a mindless silly comedy then watch The Heat. It has every cliche and worn out joke you can think of but it works. I hope for a sequel.

Monday, 5 May 2014

How You Doin?

I have been watching Episodes. Its Matt Leblanc' s show that airs on Show Time. Its a about two Brits who bring their show idea to America. The big bad tv execs change everything. Its against the judgement of the creators but money talks. Matt plays an over the top version of himself. He plays the perfect dickhead actor. I love it. Its a very funny show. Smart, and sexy. Did I just type that? I sure did. Lots of sexiness and people sleeping with each other and back stabbing.

I can not say enough good things about this show. I laugh outloud every epsiode. The cast main and supporting are great. If you have time check it out.

Any questions concerns or comments hit me up @LenSceneAMovie or hilsonlen@gmail.com

Friday, 2 May 2014

Grown Ups

I am onemof the few it seems who enjoyed Grown Ups. I have watched that movie about 6 times. I loved it. The interactions between real life friends kind of playing around with each other was a great thing to witness.

Grown Ups 2 isn't as good as the first. However its still pretty damn funny. Lots of cameos and plain silliness. Shaq is a pretty hood addition asnis Nick Swordson. I am a fan of his since Grandma's Boy.

There will probably be a 3rd one but who knows? I think Sandler and his band of Merry Men love working together and would probably do another.

Monday, 28 April 2014

Yuk Yuks

So the wife and I went to Yuk Yuks with another couple. I love stand up comedy. I love watching it on tv and I especially love seeing it live. Saturday wasn't the best show I had ever seen but it had it's moments.

What I really liked was the fact the comics were falling flat with most of the crowd. The headliner was the best of the night and even he was having a rough go of it. But a true comic stays the course and gets their jokes out. All of them were pretty funny in my books but kot everyone likes odd or off colour humour.

Sunday, 27 April 2014

Star Trek into Darkness

I loved this movie. I enjoyed the first reboot but this one was so much better. I know a lot of loyal Trekkies hated the reboots. But I am one of the lucky people who os not and never will be a Trekkie. I have nothing against Trekkies but its just not for me.

Benadict Cumberbatch was great as Kaan. Again having never seen the original I went in blind. Loved the reveal. I can't wait to see Kaan's return and I am sure he will be bringing his 72 soldiers with him.

I have heard JJ Abrams will not be back as director. I hope the third movie os just as good as the first two. I would hate it to end as another X Men United.

Tuesday, 22 April 2014

Dusk Till Dawn: The Television Series

Back in the old days a couple of young up and coming directors began working together. You may have heard of them. Robert Rodriguez and Quinton Tarantino. In 1996 Rodriguez directed a film written by Robert Kurtzman, with Tarantino helming the screen play. I remember seeing this movie in the theater and being blown away by how a violent murderous bank robbing spree/road trip movie turns into a vampire movie. Such a smoothe transition from one genre to another made me a life long Robert Rodriguez fan. I was already a huge Tarantino fan.

Last year I heard that they were turning From Dusk Till Dawn into a television series. I was immediately intrigued by the idea. The movie is 18 years old, a cult classic so lets be honest a lot of people may not have seen this movie. So there was a potential audience. Those who have seen the movie will watch and people who are fans of say The Walking Dead and even Vampire Diaries and such will probably give it a chance too. Recasting is always difficult. I mean George Clooney as Seth Gecko, Tarantino as his brother Richy. Harvey Keitel as Jacob Fuller, Juliette Lewis as his daughter Kate Fuller . Even Michael Parks as Texas Ranger Earl McGraw. Thats just to name a few. How do you recast?

It was recast masterfully. A couple of big names from television. Vilder Valderama as Jesse Garcia and the legendary and rejuvinated Don Johnson as Sherrif Earl McGraw. The rest of the cast is virtually unknown but are doing an amazing job. It does the original material justice. Its a more in depth look at the back story teased in the movie. I look forward to the new episodes being released weekly on Netflix. When all episodes are released I will rewatch them all in a row over a weekend. If you have a chance to check this series out I suggest you try it out.

Any questions, concerns, or comments email me at hilsonlen@gmail.com or tweet me @LenSceneAMovie

Wednesday, 19 March 2014

John Grisham

People who know and have read one of John Grisham's novels usually expect it to be about lawyers. Corrupt people being taken down by the small guy.... sometimes. I have been reading his novels for a better part of a year. I have enjoyed each one immensely. The latest novel I have read was A Painted House. This is not your typical Grisham novel.

Inspired by his childhood in Arkansas, it is Grisham's first major work outside the legal thriller genre in which he established himself. Set in the late summer and early fall of 1952, its story is told through the eyes of seven-year-old Luke Chandler, the youngest in a family of cotton farmers struggling to harvest their crop and earn enough to settle their debts. The novel portrays the experiences that bring him from a world of innocence into one of harsh reality.

This novel gives the reader lots of ups and downs. An emotional thrill ride. This book has rocketed to one of my top 5 novels of all time.

Thursday, 27 February 2014

#House of Cards Season 2

One of my favorite shows returned to Netflix last Friday. In a sign of love Netflix released House of Cards Season 2 to its many minions. Immediately I watched the first episode and by the great beard of Zeus did they ever hook me in. As per usual I will not give any spoilers. But if you liked the first season, you will love the second season. If you loved the first season you may have a happy feeling tingling in your nether regions. PS, I loved the first season. Hahahaha......TMI.

Season 2 of HOC has added Molly Parker. She plays Jackie Sharp. She is Frank Underwood's replacement as The House Majority Whip. Molly Parker is a great actress. I have liked her work since Men with Brooms. She was also on Deadwood. She was a nice surprise as her work is always high quality.

I have been following the progress of season three a little bit and I have heard production has been delayed as the taxation for film companies and such will be changing in Maryland where the show is filmed. I am sure things will work out and that production will continue. I forsee more Golden Globes for this show. I also have a feeling a main stream station may want to buy the rights for syndication in the future, if Netflix is up for that.

Monday, 27 January 2014

Youtube

I have been batting around an idea in my head about doing a solo podcast or video show on the youtube. I like geeking out and want to do a weekly or biweekly show about stuff I geek out over. Movies, and TV mostly. I also collect comics, and I have a deep affection to vinyl as well.

This winter has royaly sucked, however its been great for catching up on movies and television seasons. I have caught up on Raising Hope, The Walking Dead, Sherlock, and I am almost finished the 2 seasons of Lilyhammer. I have watched a ton of movies as well. The most recent The Last Stand. For a Schwarzenegger film it was just what you would expect. Lame story line but lots of action. I enjoyed it even with glaring holes in the plot. I have been feeling nostalgic for Chris Farley thanks to Rob Ford and all his hijinks. I have watched Tommy Boy and Blacksheep. His first two starring roles and his best two starring roles. If you are a Farley fan like I am both hold up decently. I loved his supporting role in Norm McDonald's Dirty Work as well. Yesterday I watched Happy Gilmore and Supertroopers. Just older comedies that I will always love.

Wifey and I watched Lone Survivor on Saturday. It starts out very slow, but it sets up the rest of the story. Its based on true events and when the action hits you get sucked right in. If you are a fan of movies about war you will love this one.

Keep an eye and ear open for this blog to come to life on YouTube.

Any questions concerns or comments email me at hilsonlen@gmail.com or @LenSceneAMovie on the twitter page.

Friday, 10 January 2014

Been Watchin Stuff

I have been playing some catch up on a few television series. Over the holidays I caught up on Raising Hope. One of the funniest shows I had heard about but never watched. Its from the same people who brought us the wonderfully brilliant My Name is Earl. Same humor different story. I also caught up on one of my favorite shows of all time. Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia. This show reminds me of a live action South Park where the kids are grown up. And just yesterday I had totally caught up on The Walking Dead. I lost complete faith in this show a few episodes into season 2. However I stomached through it on Netflix and am I ever happy I did. I am looking forward to it returning this Sunday. The last 3 SNL's of the year were really good. Paul Rudd, John Goodman, and the double whammy of Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon was simply splendid. Beckie and I watched the first two seasons of Sherlock. Its excellent. Can't wait for season 3 which is airing in the UK now. I read a couple of days ago that season 4 and 5 have already been planned out. If you have Netflix watch it. Another really good show from England is The Inbetweeners. One of the funniest shows I have ever watched. After the show stopped airing they made a movie, and I hear that a sequal is on the way. So funny. And also on Netflix.

I watched a few movies. Machete Kills. It was good, had the same humor and violence of the first one, even dipping into the absurd like Desperado. Which I watched the day after Machete. I peeped an older move. Suburbia. Terrible acting and random tragedies really dated this movie. Worth a watch but go in not expecting an Oscar worthy movie. I watched a bizarrely entertaining movie named Movie 43. Its basically a bunch of skits mashed together. I laughed outloud a few times. Its full of stars too. Olympus has Fallen dragged on to long. I wasn't a huge fan of it. Lots of action though. Wyatt and I have been watching the two Smurf movies almost everyday for more than a month. I have to admit they are pretty good. However I think I have seem them enough.