therunner42 Reviews

Spencer (2021)

Stay home instead

[1/10 · 23 January 2022]

One of the worst movies I have ever seen. The director and screenwriter were clearly trying to be clever and forgot to entertain or even tell a story. The first ten minutes were incredibly long, filled with meaningless shots and scenes that presented a highly critical interpretation of Diana who is represented as narcissistic at best and mentally unstable at worst.

Stewart's attempt at an English accent made it almost impossible to understand which was unfortunate because there are almost no other characters in the film. It also appears to be set only on one very boring weekend. After countless discussions about her wardrobe and stills on a sign where the staff had to be quiet because "they can hear you" we left, went home and streamed an Australian movie instead. The cinemas need to lift their game if they want to survive in a Covid world. This was not worth the risk of going out.

Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

You Won't Be Looking at Your Phone

[9/10 · 13 February 2015]

For some reason it has become really cool to say that you hate this book and you hate this movie. I'd actually believe that both were rubbish if it wasn't that fact that one hundred million books were sold and you have to book a couple of days in an advance to see the film.

I loved both. I thought they were funny, romantic and very different. To be honest this is just a really lovely story. It's about a lonely insecure girl who falls in love with a billionaire and helps him overcome a troubled past. It also about a guy who appears to have it all together but just doesn't. Both the main actors Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dorman do a wonderful job bringing these flawed characters to life.

There is a lot of sex and there is some horrible violence. But it's how the characters react to this that makes it compelling viewing. People will tell you there are a lot of flaws in the writing but it's a style, not for everybody, but a style. E.L. James has a degree and she's highly successful; she knows exactly what she is doing.

You may disagree with the themes, you may find some of the movie cliché but trust me you won't be bored and you won't be sorry you went. It's a fantastic movie.

Sons of Anarchy: Red Rose (2014) Season 7, Episode 12

The Sons Continue to Lose Their Way

[7/10 · 6 December 2014]

With a two week wait and only two episodes to go, hopes were high for this episode.

Those hopes were smashed.

The humour and humanness is gone with the writers and creators clearly focusing on other projects.

Three major characters were killed and I hated the way each one went out. You can't help wondering if the show will end by killing all of them?

When Jackson killed Unser, he probably lost the support of 99% of the viewers. And to have him back with Wendy, well that's just lazy script writing. I may have been lost for good but three questions remain. 1. What exactly was Nero doing in the garage? 2. What is wrong with Jackson's leg? 3. What by-law does Jackson want changed before he agrees to a mayhem vote?

Those three questions saved the episode for me….but only just.

Sons of Anarchy: Suits of Woe (2014) Season 7, Episode 11

Lin - The Unluckiest TV Character Ever

[9/10 · 20 November 2014]

Episode 11 is not one of the most exciting ones this season. It certainly doesn't begin with the shocks of the one before it and for this show, there's not a lot of violence. What it does is reveal the season's biggest secret and focuses on the hurt of the various characters that realise what has been done and what they have done as a result.

There are a lot of tears and a lot of great acting. Juice (Theo Rossi) and Jackson (Charlie Hunman) perform one of the most emotional scenes in television and it makes for an outstanding viewing. We can easily forgive Charlie Hunman for letting his English accent slip in to the earlier parts of the show.

It is almost nice to get a break from the violence (with the exception of Lin killed about five minutes before he was exonerated) but we can only presume that things will build. It won't be long before they are all back to killing each other.

There's still one big cliff hanger to solve though. No it's not what will happen to Gemma? The problem of the rat has been solved as well. No the question that bothers me that I hope they address before the season finale is why does every single character have an archaic phone and what exactly does SAMCRO have against smart phones?

Sons of Anarchy: Faith and Despondency (2014) Season 7, Episode 10

No Loving for Wendy

[9/10 · 14 November 2014]

Everybody handles their grief in different ways.

The episode begins with the key characters in bed. Almost none of them are alone and there are quite a few surprises.

It takes a few moments to see that Jackson is with Winsome (Inbar Lavi), the prostitute he rescued a few episodes ago. There are the usual suspects; Nero (Jimmy Smits) with a lackluster Gemma (Katey Segal), Chibbs (Tommy Flanagan) and the Sheriff (Annabeth Gish). However, surprisingly, Ratboy (Niko Nicketeria) is with a woman who is not Brooke. Tig (Kim Coates) is spending some time with Venus (Walter Goggins). Wendy is alone (and that won't change anytime soon) but she is still having fun. Happy (David Labrava) spends time with a high heeled lady but he doesn't look very happy. Juice (Theo Rossi) has more to worry about. He is with Tully (Marilyn Manson). It doesn't look consensual.

This episode is mostly about friendship and love with a little revenge on the side. Moses (Mathew St. Patrick) got payback (I hope that actor didn't make any long term loans based on his job with the show) and a new friend came good- Otis (Luke Massey). Even Unser (Dayton Callie) gets a nice pat from Eglee (Marya Delver) after saving her life

Juice has some worries with Tully's attraction for him moving in to high gear. He isn't going to be rescued by Jackson anytime soon who is almost encouraging. "He could use a little loving" he tells Tully.

Wendy was the only character who was alone in the opening love sequence and nothing appears to be changing on that front. While telling the story of how she is Abel's mother, Jackson says to Abel that he and Wendy were better off as his friends. He looks straight at her and the message is not lost. Perhaps it is because she offered to make him tea. Really Wendy?

None have bigger problems than Gemma though. Abel fresh from the news that Wendy is his mother, asked Jackson if that is why grandma "killed my other mummy".

Holy hell!

Will Jackson take this as the ramblings of a confused five year old or will he finally take revenge on a real enemy (the first time this season he has actually gone after someone who truly wronged him)? With only three episodes left, my guess is on the second.

And where were the Indian Hills charter? Somebody killed their president and they take more time to revenge his murder than my local council does to approve my pool fence (and trust me that's significant).

The acting remained outstanding. Charlie Hunman was pretty good but as usual Walton Goggins stole the show. No surprise there, he always does. Someone really needs to give that guy an award.

Thanks Kurt for remembering you have female viewers.

Watch out for Brooke though……especially now.

Sons of Anarchy: What a Piece of Work Is Man (2014) Season 7, Episode 9

This was no Donna!

[9/10 · 8 November 2014]

In season one club wife Donna (Sprague Graydon) was murdered by the club itself in case of mistaken identity. It was early days and we had no idea that the writers were going to be so footloose with killing off key characters. Certainly if you get a part on Sons on Anarchy, you shouldn't take out a mortgage because there is no guarantee how long you will be working for.

That death, like the death of Opie (Ryan Hurst), Piney (William Lucking) and Tara (Maggie Siff) were shocking and heart breaking. And we as fans lapped it up. The death of Bobby (Mark Boone Junior) was predictable and mostly emotionless. I thought the character deserved better.

Still it was a good show. Chibbs (Tommy Flanagan) was told to keep the new Sheriff Jarry close but "not too close". Perhaps he misunderstood that direction? There was some romantic advice. Ratboy (Nico Nictera) yelled at Brooke (Hayley McFarland) but after some choice words from Gemma (Katey Segal) "When it comes to finding a good old lady, you don't get what you want, you get what you are," he apologized and told her he loved her.

Gemma remained out of control accusing the police sheriff of all types of corruption and then decking her while Nero looked on in resignation. "I'm glad that went well," he said.

The Sons also got payback in a very clever move that should be entitled "How to hand over a dead body without handing over a dead body." Interestingly, there was no music! I wasn't disappointed. It remains the unique show on television.

We need to watch out for Brooke though!

Sons of Anarchy: The Separation of Crows (2014) Season 7, Episode 8

Have they Given up?

[9/10 · 1 November 2014]

At first glance, I was deeply disappointed with this episode. There are four distinct attempts to disgust the audience and Jackson (Charlie Hunman) has turned into some kind of serial killer (albeit a very likable one).

The club continues in their quest to avenge Tara's murder, having started wars with at least two rival gangs and now possibly one within their own branch. They are determined and violent, stopping at nothing to get back at those who have wronged them.

This is disappointing for the audience because we all know none of these people had nothing to do with Tara's murder.

With the series ending, there seems to be lack of responsibility in the story writing. The fans will keep watching because there are only a few episodes to go and anything can happen to the characters without any sort of consequence. There has been a massive drop in quality.

Or has there?

There are moments of acting brilliance in this piece. Theo Rossi is outstanding in his interaction with Sheriff Jarry and Unser as he offers them a deal with no negotiation. Tig (Kim Coates) has one line but when the sons discover a written threat in Gemma's house, he grabs the audience's attention without saying a word. Finally Tony Curran is exceptional in his small role as Indian Hills president when he threatens to start an internal war.

The scriptwriting is also second to none. "Sometime maybe tomorrow or maybe ten years from now, somebody wearing a reaper will cut out your heart". "Tell us where the body is and you may just be the person holding the knife."

The romance may be gone. Every second scene may be too violent for me to bare but I for one will stay to the end. There is no show like it.

Sons of Anarchy: Greensleeves (2014) Season 7, Episode 7

How the Sons of Anarchy Lost Their Way

[7/10 · 25 October 2014]

In season one John Tellar reads from his own manuscript and tells Jackson (Charlie Hunman) how the Sons of Anarchy lost their way and details the decline of the club.

I agree with Tellar. Like the mythical club, the show has lost its way in Season Seven. It has disintegrated in to a whirlpool and violence and ruthlessness. This has been no accident.

Sutter killed Jackson's best friend Opie (Ryan Hurst) and his wife Tara Maggie Siff) and as result, the club leader has no moral compass. Jackson is moving through Charming with such ruthlessness that the violence has almost become boring. I am a bit worried about the impact it has had on me psychologically. When someone cut their hand at work, I told them to suck it up and refused to hand over a bandaid.

The humour however, has not been completely lost. In this episode Jackson tells Ratboy and Happy to take Gemma to the cabin. Ratboy asks Jackson what to do if she becomes difficult. "Are you afraid of my mother?" Jackson asks him. "We all are," Happy answers for him.

But the compassion is gone. In fairness to Sutter, Jackson does cry when he thanks the club for helping him settle a personal agenda but minutes later he is pushing an intellectually challenged pimp through a window in an attempt to make it look like a suicide so the Jewish man "can't get in to heaven."

I ask the creator to remember that some of your fans are female and some of these are intelligent. We don't have to be appalled in every moment.

A romance would be nice. Yes we have Althea Jarry (Annanabeth Gish) and Chibs (Tommy Flanagan) and I have to admit that I do love her. But she wasn't in this episode at all and in the last one she and Chibs were arguing over who should thank who for the sex.

Really Kurt?

We'd all love to see a romance for Jackson and with the introduction of the hooker Winsome (Inbar Lavi) we may get that. However, this has been done before. Anyone remember Collette (until was unceremoniously killed by the Chinese only to resurrect almost unrecognisably in the film Gone Girl)? It would be nice to see him with someone different. If Kurt Sutter reads IMDb (and I seriously doubt that he has the time with the whole final season going on and his own personal commitment to Twitter) he would argue that he did give us Tara who as a pediatric surgeon was someone different for Jackson.

Alright I agree; it is difficult to come up with a new story arc.

But can you please cut down on some of the violence and give us a few more nice moments? I long for the day when the episodes were so good my workmates banned me from talking about it more than twice a week. That was a golden time!

Sons of Anarchy: Better Half (2008) Season 1, Episode 10

SAMCRO comes into its Own

[10/10 · 31 January 2014]

I have been writing episode synopsises for season one of Sons of Anarchy thus have been avoiding writing reviews seeing it a little bit of a creative conflict of interests. However, after I watched season 1 episode 10, I had to write this review. This episode is superb, perhaps the best in the entire season. It is the point where everything simply clicks into place with both the acting and the writing. It is extremely funny and the drama is nothing short of compelling. The actors now seem to know who their characters are and there are three scenes in particular that are superb. Charlie Hunman in particular really seems to understand all facets of Jackson and the inclusion of new antagonist ATF Agent Stahl (played by Ally Walker) really works. The ATF agent is both cruel and sexy and the confusion makes for great television viewing. The comrade between club members provides much of the stimulus for the comedy. Whilst nothing pivotal to the plot happens (although much of it is set up) this episode in every way has all of the ingredients that make me love this show.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)

Won't Win An Oscar But You'll Have Fun Anyway

[10/10 · 27 January 2014]

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is an exciting movie that won't win any awards but makes for a really fun afternoon. It tells the story of Jack Ryan (obviously) and his life as a CIA agent from recruitment to operational. It avoids cliché and the acting is believable. Chris Pine stars as Jack Ryan and he really brings this character life. This is possibly his biggest role to date but things are clearly on the horizon. He has a true screen charisma. Kevin Costner has also brought the magic as Ryan's mentor. Kiera Knightley stars as his love interest and she also creates real drama. I am not sure if it is poor wardrobe choices or a directorial decision to play down her looks but the costuming of her character is awful and a lot of opportunities are missed. That is the only bad thing one can say about his film. It has action, laughs and a fair bit of emotional drama. I loved it.

Walking with Dinosaurs 3D (2013)

Kids liked it and I liked the break it gave me

[6/10 · 20 January 2014]

The film Walking with Dinosaurs has tremendous potential. It tells the story of Patchi (Justin Long) a Pachyrhinosaurus as he struggles to make his way in the dinosaur world. Patchi is brave and kind and despite being the runt of the litter has an incredible knack of survival in an extremely treacherous environment. The digital animation for this film is second to none and the dinosaurs are literally brought to life right in front of the screen. We saw it in 2d and it did not make much difference. My two and four year old loved it and I think a little boy obsessed with dinosaurs would love it even more. I was a little disappointed with the script finding it clichéd and predictable at times. Some stories lacked development but it did give me an hour and a half of rest whilst my girls sat enthralled. It's not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Sons of Anarchy: Authority Vested (2012) Season 5, Episode 2

Not to be Missed

[10/10 · 20 January 2014]

I found this episode to be one of the best. Things are heating up for the Sons as they feel the wrath of Damien Pope's (Harold Perinneau) vendetta. He is powerful and his reach is long. Jimmy Smit's character Nero is revealed in more detailed and it turns out he may be more of friend to the club than simply just seeing Gemma (Katey Segal). Tara (Maggie Siffs) and Jackson's (Charlie Human) relationship moves to a new level whilst Opie (Ryan Hurst) struggles with his loyalty to the club. There is personal drama and violence. For fans of the show, this is a standout episode. Without giving anything away there are certain events in this episode that should not be missed. It also gives you an insight into what is for most of us a whole different world. It's another reason why the show is so great.

Sons of Anarchy: Laying Pipe (2012) Season 5, Episode 3

One of the Best and that's saying something

[10/10 · 19 January 2014]

This episode is one of the most shocking and touching in the series history. I'm guessing that was the intention. Interestingly, it was directed by Adam Arkin who was a key player ins series 2. In this episode we say goodbye to Ryan Hurst and his beloved character of Opie in captivating television drama, (proving once again that no actor on the show has a permanent job and really shouldn't go for any high end purchases). It is a touching but horrifying farewell and it also creates a whole new storyline for Jackson (Charlie Hunman) who can now navigate without his moral compass (I didn't make that up. I read it in an interview with Kurt Sutter). It also has one of the funniest scenes ever when Juice (played Theo Rossi who is just as good at comedy as he is at drama) gets offered some "comfort" at the brothel. Ten out of ten hands down. It's a violent piece but it absolutely captivating. I'll miss Ope though, he was lovely.

Sons of Anarchy: Stolen Huffy (2012) Season 5, Episode 4

Time to say Goodbye

[10/10 · 19 January 2014]

This is a touching episode as the Club says goodbye to Opie. As usual there are a lot of underlying themes and issues. It looks like the Sons may be entering into the prostitution business (partnering with Nero) in an effort to get into less dangerous enterprises. However, this has complications for Gemma's budding relationship with Nero. Everybody is down on Gemma in this episode and even she asks what is happening to her. Ashley Tisdale guest stars in small but well played part. Drea De Matto reprises her role as Wendy and it looks she is going to be a continual problem. There is a cute scene with the club members working out in the gym and an exciting car chase. Clearly the writers and director know how to make a show that appeal to both sexes. The show finishes with Opie being driven away. The hearse door closes shut but not before we see Jackson's look of defiance. Things are going to change for the club now.

Sons of Anarchy: Small World (2012) Season 5, Episode 6

No Friends

[8/10 · 18 January 2014]

"You've got no friends Gemma. You've just got people who do stuff for you,". This is a confronting and entertaining episode. Jackson and Pope get closer as Pope tries to draw him more into the drug trade. Tara reaches out to Otto. It doesn't go well but she is determined. Gemma has three men chasing her (Clay, Unser and Nero) but still remains on her own private self-destructive trail. Carla and Nero's true relationship is revealed. Tara and Jackson begin lying to each other and Eli suffers a personal tragedy which begins to change him is. Kurt Sutter makes an appearance and is outstanding as usual even if you hate what he has to say. There is some disturbing revenge and a secret is revealed. It is a great episode, fast-paced and avoids cliché. You may have to look away at times.

One Direction: This Is Us (2013)

Tell the DVD shop you are getting it for your children!

[7/10 · 18 January 2014]

I am not a twelve year old girl; I am a 40 year old woman who likes a few One Direction songs. I've heard them at my daughters' ballet class and I like to run to them. I thought I'd watch the movie on a two hour drive. The film was fun to watch and a really interesting story. It is fascinating to hear the story of this band became so successful so quickly. After their formation on the British version of the X-Factor and earlier than expected exit, the fans took over in the forms of promoters on social media. As it turns out, they were more than effective and the result was instant worldwide success for One Direction before an album was even released. Further, they began performing at stadiums the size most bands spend years working their way up to at smaller venues. They were understandably very nervous and it is entertaining to watch this play out. The family suffers and it is compelling viewing. Overall, I really enjoyed this. I did get a little tired of the theme "we're just ordinary boys who love a joke" theme and would have liked to find out a little bit more about who the boys truly are. I think the fans that created them deserve that. However, it is a fun show and the concert performances are great. If you're not ashamed to rent it out, it's definitely one to watch. Tell them you are getting it for your children!

Sons of Anarchy: Orca Shrugged (2012) Season 5, Episode 5

Then There is This One

[10/10 · 18 January 2014]

There are good episode of Sons of Anarchy. There are great episodes of Sons of Anarchy and then there is this one. It is one of the best. Walter Goggins (from The Shield) guest stars and is outstanding in his cameo role as Venus Van Damme. The other characters Juice (Theo Rossi) and Tig (Kim Coates) also flex their comedic muscles . It's not all laughs though with Gemma (Katey Segal) still struggling. Her ongoing relationship with Tara really starts to deteriorate setting up some story lines we won't see for a whole season. Eli and his wife share a lovely lunch. When a character is happy this is usually not a good sign for the actor playing the part in this show and we see why in the later moments. There is a confronting little irony at the end as Kurt Sutter continues to push the boundaries (check his Twitter account if you don't believe me). It's a little shorter than some of the other but so shut off the rest of the world for 45 minutes of pure drama and entertainment. You won't find this kind of television excellence very often.

Sons of Anarchy: Toad's Wild Ride (2012) Season 5, Episode 7

There's no such thing as an Ex-Cop

[9/10 · 17 January 2014]

This is another exciting and touching episode. Clay and the Nomads begin some mad scrambling as they try to hide that they are responsible for the break-ins. Unser may be retired but he is on to them. Gemma continues to unravel as a one night stand turns disastrously wrong. She gets a second chance. Jackson and her start to work it out but she blows it again. The club matriarch is a lot of things but self-destructive is not usually one of them, she is clearly hurting. Jax is onto Clay and there finally be a showdown between the two arch rivals. The episode ends explosively. What makes this show great is the planning. In this espied we can see things that lead into the dramatic season six finale. The other great things how they make these horribly violent people seem like just people. This episode like all of the other is compelling.

The Book Thief (2013)

We've very talented down here.

[9/10 · 16 January 2014]

The Book Thief tells the story of a young girl called Liesel (played by the beautiful and very talented Sophie Nellisse) who is abandoned by her mother in Germany just a couple of years before World War II. She is taken into care by the lovely Hans (Geoffrey Rush ) and the equally non-lovely Rosa (Emily Watson ) as the three of them try to survive and stay moral in the perils of Germany under the Hitler rule. Based on the book By Australian author Marcus Zussak, this film will bring out one of two reactions in you. If you haven't read the book you will love it. It is an extraordinary tale and highly compelling. However if you've read the book (and by all reports most people who read the book become obsessed with it) you will find it slow and be disappointed. Try to keep in mind that while reading a book everybody directs their own film in their head but with an unlimited budget and dream cast. I thought this was a beautiful film and loved every second. It is a real tribute to the talent off Zussak who coined the tale in his debut novel. Geoffrey Rush is also amazing and I just want to mention (okay brag) they are both Australians. We've very talented down here.

Sons of Anarchy: Ablation (2012) Season 5, Episode 8

Lies Are Uncovered

[9/10 · 16 January 2014]

Lies are uncovered in the truth baring episode. Clay tries to cover for Gemma but eventually it emerges that she was high and this was cause of the car accident. Jackson has uncovered that Clay is behind the Nomad break-ins. The new MC president is determined to unseat the old MC president for good. Juice and Clay both confess their misdeeds to each other. Juice really needs a friend but Clay uses everybody so he may not be the best choice. Nero is absolutely lovely as usual providing a strong moral compass for all the characters on the show (and let's face it they can really sue the guidance). Frankie Diamond is on the run but I am sure the Sons will find him and kill him in the next couple of episodes. That is what they do. This is another violent episode about very very bad people I have never seen anything like it and that is exactly why you will love it just as much as the others. It continues to be escapism at its very best.

Sons of Anarchy: Andare Pescare (2012) Season 5, Episode 9

The Hunt For Clay

[9/10 · 15 January 2014]

"I really hope you are as smart as you think you are. I am tired of burning friends," In this episode we watch as Clay begins his fall from grace. Both Jackson and Bobby know what he did and there is a whole lot of mad scrambling as Jackson tries to find proof. He is neglecting his wife though who finds comfort in an unlikely source. Gemma is also torn between her blossoming relationship with the lovely Nero and her desire to remain connected to Jax, her grandsons and of course the club. No surprises for guessing which way she chooses. Eli proves which side of the fence he sits on in terms of his commitment to his job. Unlike Unser, this cop is no SAMCRO groupie. It's not the best Sons episode but it is fun to watch. There is a really great explosion and the acting remains excellent. A very nice way to wind down if the day to day grind is a little too much to cope with.

Sons of Anarchy: Crucifixed (2012) Season 5, Episode 10

We love Jackson but in this episode we don't have to like him

[9/10 · 14 January 2014]

Jackson is really not very nice this episode. After discovering that Juice is the rat, he basically bullies him into helping him prove Clay is a traitor. Juice must comply or face Mr Mayhem. Jackson also goes back on his word to the leader of the Grim Bastards not to kill Opie's killer. This in turn makes Bobby angry because it throws away a decade of peace. Jackson thinks Bobby would feel differently had he seen Opie being killed. It's a good point but Jackson isn't finished. He offends Chibs by asking him if he has his back. He tells Unser he must earn his keep for parking the trailer in the MC yard (like Unser hasn't done enough for the club). Unser promises to brush up on his pole dancing, Finally Jackson arrives home to see Tara very upset. Otto has killed a nurse and she might be charged as an accessory. When he promises to help in the same way he always does. She tells him "that is exactly what I am afraid off". I can't really blame her....great viewing though.

Sons of Anarchy: To Thine Own Self (2012) Season 5, Episode 11

Good ......not a standout

[6/10 · 13 January 2014]

Whilst this is a great episode, it is not as memorable as some of the others. Otto's murder of the nurse frees the club from Rico, but it may result in Tara in going to jail as an accessory. A mysterious man visits Otto in prison to beat him and offer him a lifetime of misery. Jackson has a very bad episode. His wife may go to jail, he is kidnapped by the Cartel and he misses a chance to prove Clay was behind the break ins. Nero also has a bad day kills two of the Bizlats and is confused by Gemma's new friendship with Clay. The Cartel are satisfied to have the Sons hand the drug trade over to the Chinese. The MC is moving out of drugs and guns and Di Osa is reopened as the new business. This basic a setup episode as the dynamic plot lines for the last two episodes are introduced. There is drama and some humour. And, like always, it is fin to watch.

Free Birds (2013)

Not Brilliant but Fun Anyway

[7/10 · 12 January 2014]

This movie got some tremendously bad user reviews but my little girls were desperate to see it . Free Birds tells the story who of a turkey who tries to change history by going back in time to make turkeys a non-choice at Thanksgiving. Being Australian I had no interest in Thanksgiving and being an adult I had no interest in turkeys. I had resigned myself to 90 minutes of playing with my phone (hidden from view under a blanket). However, I found this movie fun and interesting. It disregards history with wild abandon and this makes it even more funny. Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson are great as the two key characters. There are real laugh out loud moments and my two girls loved the president's daughter the most saying her lines over and over in the car. Look it won't be the greatest movie you ever see and it certainly isn't at the standard of Frozen (but little boys make like it more). However, it is a fun way to spend the holidays and the four of us had a great afternoon.

Sons of Anarchy: Darthy (2012) Season 5, Episode 12

Real Drama about Unreal Things

[10/10 · 12 January 2014]

This episode is really about the demise of Clay. After decades of misdeeds he has lost the presidency and in this episode he will lose the club. You have to hand it to Ron Perlman, he is outstanding in his portrayal of the broken man. You almost feel sorry for Clay…..almost. The division between Jackson and Tara accelerates as well. There is a real chance Tara might go to prison and with new enemy in the form of Lee Toric on the scene it looks like the doctor may be in real trouble. Tara is also fed with Gemma and when Wendy makes noise about custody, Tara begins to feel desperate. Jackson has trouble coping with all of this. He really is a very busy man. This episode is another reason why this show is excellent. It is real drama about unreal things (for most of us). The acting and writing is superb. I have no idea why it hasn't won a stack of Golden Globes. In my opinion, it is the best show around.