San Diego is My Home

11
May

Iron Man

Author: HelenKay, Category: Movies

It’s blockbuster movie season again.  Thank goodness!  Anyone else sick of the lame chick offerings?  I’m a chick and I’m sick of ‘em.  So when Iron Man came out last week, I was one of the first in line.  I would say the first, but that would be a lie since I pre-pourchased my ticket and arrived in Mira Mesa 40 minutes before showtime and…stood at the very back of a line.  I can only assume most of the people must have gotten to the theater about two hours before showtime to stake out their position or something.  Really, it was ridiculous.  Almost as ridiculous as the cost of the movie.

The good news is that the wait was worth it.  Iron Man is smart and clever.  It has a bit of sarcastic wit, thanks to Robert Downey, Jr.  A bit of lean, attractive woman in a skirt - that would be Gwyneth.  A bit of a political statement.  And a lot of fighting/crashing/blowing things up fun.  In other words, it’s the perfect kick-off to the summer movie season.

13
Dec

Hollywood Comes To San Diego

Author: HelenKay, Category: Arts, Events & Happenings, Movies

In case the lack of new television shows didn’t give it away and in the event you haven’t read the paper in more than a month, the writers’ strike continues.  Being in Southern California and so close to Hollywood, we feel the tension here but only slightly.  Well, until this morning when the strike got a bit closer.  As part of the WGA’s National Week of Action, strikers moved south and set up picket lines at KNSD downtown this morning.  The move was not a protest of KNSD.  Rather, it was a call to action and plea for support.  

And if only there were good news to report.  No such luck.  The strike started on November 5th and there’s no end in sight.  A recent new offer by the studios met with a negative reaction byt the writers.  Where does that leave the television viewers?  Tivo, DVD sales, netflix and books. 

29
Nov

Writers’ Strike News

Author: HelenKay, Category: Arts, Movies, Television

Don’t get excited.  It continues.

Talks resulted in small movement and a very large PR battle today.  The studios execs made a new offer.  The official statement said:

The entire value of the New Economic Partnership will deliver more than $130 million in additional compensation above and beyond the more than $1.3 billion writers already receive each year.

Sounds good, right? After all, $130 million ain’t exactly pocket change. Yeah, not so fast. The writers responded by saying the deal amounted to “a massive rollback.” The point being that the studios are offering with one hand and taking away with the other.  Since the studios are known for creative accounting, this is not exactly a surprise.

So, no new episodes of Lost, The Office or anything else on the horizon. Might be a good time to invest in Netflix, renew that HBO subscription or visit Barnes & Noble.

30
Oct

Gone Baby, Gone

Author: HelenKay, Category: Movies

If you’re looking for a movie and are not in the mood for Saw IV or Shrek 52 or some other sequel, you might check out Gone Baby, Gone.  Adapted from the Dennis Lehane novel, this Ben Afleck directoral debut is not a feel-good movie.  It starts with the kidnapping of a young child and then follows the detectives and family as the girl’s story unfolds. 

Do not expect happy, simple or easy.  In fact, one of the strengths of the movie is that it asks more quesitons than it answers.  What is the right thing to do in an unspeakable situation?  What happens when the question isn’t as simple as good versus evil?  And, are there times when the end truly does justify the means? 

Strong acting and writing drag the viewer into the story.  The use of South Boston as another character, with the vivid language and regional locales, adds to the atmosphere of the film.  All of that results in a movie that stays with you long after the credits roll.  This is one where you and your friends will debate what you would have done in lead Casey Afleck’s position.  You likely will disagree on the answer.  In other words, this movie entertains while making you think.  For that, alone, Ben Afleck should be praised for making the jump from acting to standing behind the camera.

Check here for times and theaters.

12
Oct

Movies And Fresh Air

Author: HelenKay, Category: Events & Happenings, Movies

It’s Friday.  You’ve run out of good date options.  Movies are expensive and often times boring.  Restaurants are a good possibility, but you were hoping for something a bit longer than the time of a meal.  So, what do you do?  No, really, what…?

Here’s one thought:  combine a movie with food and munchies.  CINEMA UNDER THE STARS in Mission Hills offers the chance to sit outside - and it is a lovely day today - and take in a great movie. This weekend’s choice is one of the best. It’s The Usual Suspects with Kevin Spacey and about 20 other male actors you know.

The outside movie screenings only last for a few more weeks.  You have until October 27th to check this out.  In case you can’t make it this weekend, Wedding Crashers (with Vince Vaughan and Owen Wilson) plays next weekend, Oct. 18-20, and Sleepy Hollow (with the ever-interesting Johnny Depp) plays the final weekend and just in time for Halloween, Oct. 25-27.