Two men whose bodies have been trashed by steroids, obesity and illness, document their rigorous healing path to regain their health.
Besides giving a review, I want to give my readers a chance to learn more. It is always good to have more than one opinion.
Internet Movie Database — Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead
Amazon.com Reviews
Whether you are a believer or skeptic in the subject matter, this story is so well told. Joe Cross comes across as such a likeable person. He is seen interviewing different people about nutrition. He just asks questions and lets them answer. He never once insults anyone or their intelligence. I would hang out and be friends with him.
The first half of this movie is Joe Cross and his journey. In the middle of the movie he meets Phil Staples. Phil and Joe both have urticarial vasculitis so they immediately bonded. The next half is Phil’s journey with Joe’s support. Joe was paying it forward which has always been a nice concept.
It is a touching and uplifting. It is a “feel good” movie. I liked seeing how supportive family and friends were during all this. It is available on Netflix Streaming and Amazon.com prime. You can learn more by going to the movie’s websites below. I am giving Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead 4 stars.
http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com
Facebook Page — Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead
I am more a believer than skeptic about what I saw. A 60 day juice fast scares me. I would worry about my teeth not chewing on any food for that long of a period. I will also say the testimonials of both Joe and Phil seem a little too good to be true. I do have these concerns.
This was the third time I have seen the movie. I saw it the first time in January 2012. I immediately went out a bought a juicer at Walmart. It did get good reviews and it is quiet as described. I have a picture of it below as well as the product description. I made a commitment to make my own juice which I keep telling myself “has to be better than soda”. I do have my own Green Juice which is one granny smith apple, one lemon, 4 celery sticks, a bunch of kale and a piece of ginger root the size of my thumb. Phil Staples is shown making something very similar.
I am also attaching a picture of a book I liked about juicing and fasting. I learned from Jason Vale’s book the importance of eating your fruits and juicing your vegetables. Since adopting this I have lost 23 pounds in the last year.
After the above listed I created a Healthy Living Pinterest Board. Click here to view it. Most of the images I have pinned from other sources.
Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
http://www.alantheinternetguy.com
e-mail: alan@alantheinternetguy.com
The Original Internet Guy Website (2004)
http://www.internetguy.ws
Who is Alan Zibluk — http://www.alanzibluk.com
Category: Entertainment
The Cabin in the Woods
In this twisted thriller from Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard, five friends arrive at a secluded cabin with clear instructions for their anticipated mountain getaway. But when the rigid rules are broken, punishment is swift — and everyone will pay.
Cast: Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford, Brian White, Amy Acker.
I am a fan of Joss Whedon’s. I was first introduced to his work in September 2002 with the short lived TV series Firefly. I then started watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and later Angel. Most recently I enjoyed 2012’s “The Avengers”. I enjoy witty dialogue and clever plot twists. I have yet to be disappointed in anything he is associated with.
Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford are a hoot in this. I was so moved with Richard Jenkins’ performance in North Country it was fun to see him have fun. A very prominent, successful actress associated with Joss Whedon’s movies made a surprise guest appearance towards the end.
I am not at all into slasher movies. I’ve seen a bunch in the 1980’s and have no desire to see any more. I would not have watched this movie if it wasn’t for Joss Whedon’s name. I had such a good time watching The Cabin in the Woods. I went in knowing this isn’t real and could never happen. Some might categorize this movie as mindless fun. I am giving this one 3.7 stars. I liked who surprisingly emerged as the male hero in the end.
Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.
Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
http://www.alantheinternetguy.com
e-mail: alan@alantheinternetguy.com
The Original Internet Guy Website (2004)
http://www.internetguy.ws
Who is Alan Zibluk — http://www.alanzibluk.com
The Help
Racism isn’t born, folks, it’s taught. I have a two-year-old son. You know what he hates? Naps! End of list.” — Denis Leary
In 1960s Jackson, Miss., aspiring writer Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan (Emma Stone) crosses taboo racial lines by conversing with Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) about her life as a housekeeper, and their ensuing friendship upsets the fragile dynamic between the haves and the have-nots. When other long-silent black servants begin opening up to Eugenia, the disapproving conservative Southern town soon gets swept up in the turbulence of changing times.
I have not liked a movie like this in a long time. I have mentioned in the past in different blog posts I do not care for movies over two hours. I didn’t mind it here as the characters and their stories were terrific. I didn’t want the movie to end. Some stories made me laugh while others made me cry. You do need tissues for this.
I immediately like the Skeeter character as she started to write her book and reflects on the past. She wants to honor Constantine, the maid who helped raise her. We see early in flashback how Constantine encouraged a young teenage Skeeter as she was not asked to a dance and felt bad. Constantine had the following advice to give….
“I wish you would quit feeling sorry for yourself. Now, that’s ugly. Ugly is something that grows up inside you. It’s mean and hurtful, like them boys. Now you’re not one of them, is you?”
Constantine follows up with “Every day…. Every day you’re not dead in the ground, when you wake up in the morning, you gonna have to make some decisions. Got to ask yourself, am I gone believe all them bad things them fools say about me today? You hear me? Am I going to believe all of them bad things them fools say about me today? All right.”
I’ve always believed you should treat people the way you want to be treated and what goes around comes around. I’ve also believed not everyone in the world is bad. Unfortunately there is always that one person that doesn’t want to evolve. We see this with the character Hilly Holbrook (Bryce Dallas Howard). Hilly forces her beliefs on others and not everyone has the courage to stand up to her. She has influence and wants to keep the status quo. I guess every story needs a good villain and Hilly delivers.
The only part of this movie I did not care for what the Hilly Holbrook and pie situation. It was an attempt at humor which I didn’t think worked. I would have rated this movie a good 4.5 stars if it wasn’t for that scene. I have to just give this movie 4.2 stars.
When I watch a movie I like to think. This movie had plenty of thought provoking moments.
Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.
All the best,
Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
http://www.alantheinternetguy.com
e-mail: alan@alantheinternetguy.com
The Original Internet Guy Website (2004)
http://www.internetguy.ws
Who is Alan Zibluk — http://www.alanzibluk.com
Looper
In the year 2042, Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a Looper, a hired assassin for the mob who kills people sent from the future. But what will he do when the mob decides to “close the loop,” sending back Joe’s future self (Bruce Willis) for assassination?
In wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy in Newtown CT on December 14, 2012, some scenes in this movie may be disturbing. I live in Connecticut and there was a scene that reminded me of this.
I am a fan of science fiction time travel movies. This movie reminded me a lot of 1984’s “The Terminator”. It also reminded me of another Bruce Willis time travel movie “Twelve Monkeys”. I guess Bruce Willis likes to go back in time as this wasn’t his first time.
This film also explored the idea of telekinetic powers which use to scare me when I was a child. In the second pilot of Star Trek a character used this power to strangle someone from a distance. In the 1976 movie “Carrie” telekinetic powers were used by Carrie to annihilate her bullying classmates.
This is an entertaining movie. It had elements of some of my favorite movies and television shows growing up. I also like both Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I don’t believe for one minute they could be the same character but I will let that one go. There are a couple scenes I question, that I am confused on, but will give this one three stars. It is under two hours which I always like. I enjoyed the dialogue much more than the action scenes.
Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue. I am giving this one 3.6 stars.
I have been experimenting with Pinterest. I am linking poster pictures to my reviews. If you would like to take a look, click here.
All the best,
Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
http://www.alantheinternetguy.com
e-mail: alan@alantheinternetguy.com
The Original Internet Guy Website (2004)
http://www.internetguy.ws
Who is Alan Zibluk — http://www.alanzibluk.com
Source: filmmoviecritic.com via Al on Pinterest
Heckler
This offbeat documentary starring comedian Jamie Kennedy explores the often contentious relationship between the stand-up performers onstage and the vocal critics in the audience. Interviews include comedian Bill Maher and director George Lucas.
I want to start off my saying this documentary was more about Jamie Kennedy with his handling of negative blog movie reviews than stand-up performers dealing with vocal critics. This is Jamie Kennedy’s movie and it was okay with me as it shows words hurt. I am recommending this as we all have to deal with negative criticism from time to time.
I obviously do blog movie reviews. I was told years ago if I wanted to build an online presence I would need to write what I know. I do know movies and like relating some of my own personal experiences with them. It is good for me to get words out. I know too well how words hurt so I try not to be too negative in my criticism. One movie in particular I did not like was “The Notebook.” I gave my readers compelling reasons why I didn’t like it. I actually hope more people will see this movie and have an intelligent discussion about what I didn’t like.
I wanted to explain myself as people who do blog movie reviews were criticized. Most of those critics seemed like okay people who were giving constructed criticism. There was just one critic who seemed to take delight in hurting Mr. Kennedy. I thought this one particular critic was portrayed as a mean spirited hostile jerk. Unfortunately there will always be people like this and we must be a little more thick skinned.
As mentioned before I am recommending this documentary as we all deal with unwanted negative criticism from time to time. It was enjoyable hearing some of the different characterizations of the heckler.
George Lucas was interviewed in this movie. He had a great quote. “There are two types of people in this world. There are creators and destroyers. I prefer to align myself with the creators because they bring something positive.”
I wanted to include a summer of 2012 picture in this review. I think about sandcastles. I am not talented enough to make one but appreciate the skill. It is funny to me how quickly someone makes one another person will come around and destroy it. The sandcastle above was destroyed by some kids after I took this picture. They noticed I was admiring it.
Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue. This one I watched through Netflix streaming. I am giving this one 3.6 stars.
I have been experimenting with Pinterest. I am linking poster pictures to my reviews. If you would like to take a look, click here.
All the best,
Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
http://www.alantheinternetguy.com
e-mail: alan@alantheinternetguy.com
The Original Internet Guy Website (2004)
http://www.internetguy.ws
Who is Alan Zibluk — http://www.alanzibluk.com
Friends with Benefits
This raucous rom-com chronicles the relationship of two busy singles, Dylan (Justin Timberlake) and Jamie (Mila Kunis), who agree to include sex in their friendship — minus the emotions and commitment. But things get complicated.
“Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” — Albert Camus
This movie is mostly fluff. I am okay with it as we all need a diversion from time to time. It is good to see something the way it should be. I liked this film as the main characters were actually friends. They both were not trying to “pull the wool over somebody’s eyes.” This kindness and respect towards each other is what is missing in many different relationships I see every day.
You can shoot plenty of holes in this movie. Some things were just a little too convenient to be real but as I stated above sometimes we need an escape. I thought Woody Harrelson was a hoot as Dylan’s friend. I am giving this one 3 stars.
Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.
All the best,
Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
http://www.alantheinternetguy.com
e-mail: alan@alantheinternetguy.com
The Original Internet Guy Website (2004)
http://www.internetguy.ws
Who is Alan Zibluk — http://www.alanzibluk.com
God Bless America
Disgusted with American society and diagnosed with a brain tumor, Frank (Joel Murray) teams up with teenager Roxy (Tara Lynne Barr) and the two begin killing reality TV stars, bigots and others they find repugnant in Bobcat Goldthwait’s black comedy.
I want to start off by saying movies have always been an escape for me. Where else can we see good triumphing over evil? It is a chance to live through someone else vicariously. We get to do things we never will in real life.
I was very saddened by the tragic shooting for the new Batman movie in Colorado on July 20, 2012. There was so much anticipation for this movie and to have something like this happen is awful. I do not condone violence. I like watching movies and relating them to real experiences in hopes of making this world a little better.
I had to get that off my chest as I feel this movie is controversial. I was never a fan of Bobcat Goldthwait but I really liked this film. It was the ultimate revenge fantasy movie I have ever seen.
I mentioned the Colorado tragedy as one of the shootings does take place in a movie theatre. They take out the rude people in the movie theatre, the people who talk on the cell phone during the movie. It is rude and the reason why I don’t go to movie theatres anymore. This particular scene might be upsetting to some viewers.
They also take out one person who takes up two parking spots. Is their sense of entitlement that high? How about the protestors that demonstrates at funerals? How about these reality television stars that get rewarded for bad behavior?
This movie was not so much violent as it was thought provoking. It was the dialogue and not the violence that impressed me. Below is the speech the protagonist delivered at the end of the movie.
“My name is Frank. But that’s not important. The important question is ‘Who are you? ‘America has become a cruel and vicious place. We reward the shallowest, the dumbest, the meanest and the loudest. We no longer have any common sense or decency. No sense of shame. There is no right and wrong. The worst qualities in people are looked up to and celebrated. Lying and spreading fear are fine. As long as you make money doin’ it. We’ve become a nation of slogan-saying, bile-spewing hate-mongers. We’ve lost our kindness. We’ve lost our soul.”
I hope more people see this movie and come to the say come conclusion than I did. That conclusion is we can do better. Our children deserves better. I don’t watch television anymore as it is just awful. There are no redeeming qualities.
Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue. This one I watched through Netflix streaming.
All the best,
Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
http://www.alantheinternetguy.com
e-mail: alan@alantheinternetguy.com
The Original Internet Guy Website (2004)
http://www.internetguy.ws
21 Jump Street
In this action-comedy based on the 1980s-debuted TV show, Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum play youthful undercover cops who work the local high school. There to investigate a drug ring, the guys find that much has changed since their own school days.
This is what the 2004 film “Starsky & Hutch” should have been like. Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson could learn a few things from Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. I did not care for the 2004 film but thoroughly enjoyed this one.
I have to come out and admit I did watch the original 21 Jump Street back in the 80’s. It had more of a serious tone to it. It wasn’t the best show out there but I still did enjoy it. I did like it when Johnny Depp and Peter DeLuise were “The McQuaid Brothers” in a few episodes. It was nice to see Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum going undercover as them. This was a nice homage to the original.
There were a lot of juvenile, sophomoric jokes in this but it was the nice moments in the movie I really appreciated. Jonah Hill played the dork character while Channing Tatum was the cool kid. They were not friends in High School but 7 years later become the best of friends in the Police Academy. When they go back to High School undercover their roles are reversed. This technique has been done numerous times in different movies but I really liked how this one played out.
I am giving this one 3.7 stars. It had humor, kindness and some really totally unexpected cameos. The cameos were so good I will not spoil them here. There are some crude scenes so this movie is definitely not for everyone.
Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.
All the best,
Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
http://www.alantheinternetguy.com
e-mail: alan@alantheinternetguy.com
The Original Internet Guy Website (2004)
http://www.internetguy.ws
The Change-Up
In this contemporary reality-warp comedy, single playboy Mitch (Ryan Reynolds) and responsible husband-father Dave (Jason Bateman) are best buddies who want each other’s life — and they get the chance when they magically swap bodies after a night of drunken revelry.
This movie is rude, crude and socially unacceptable. Other words I would use would be juvenile, sophomoric and offensive. It reminded me of “There’s something about Mary” on the offensive scale. I have to say I liked it. We live in such an easily offended society I could see many different people being upset over some the stuff depicted in this film. I think they were trying and they succeeded.
This is definitely a “guys” movie. It works because deep down the two buddies have each other backs and they get to see the best of both worlds. My only complaint is some parts seemed uneven as the story flowed.
If you like movies like There’s something about Mary, The Hangover, Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin you may want to check this one out. It can be offensive and sweet at the same time. Actress Leslie Mann (Judd Apatow’s wife) who is in three of the movies listed is in this as Dave’s wife. We do get to see her topless here. I do believe the four movies I listed above were funnier but again this is worth checking out.
I am giving this one an even 3 stars. If you are easily offended please do not watch.
Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.
All the best,
Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Internet Guy
http://www.alantheinternetguy.com
e-mail: alan@alantheinternetguy.com
The Original Internet Guy Website (2004)
http://www.internetguy.ws
Drive
A Hollywood stuntman (Ryan Gosling) who moonlights as a getaway driver is lured from his isolated life by a lovely neighbor (Carey Mulligan) and her young son. His newfound peace is shattered, however, when her violent husband is released from prison.
I normally do not care for excessive violent movies but I enjoyed this one. It had elements of some other favorite movies of mine including Kill Bill (2003), Man of Fire (2004), The Mechanic (1972) and The Cooler (2003).
This particular movie reminded me of the movies I saw in the 1980s with my friends. It had a Miami Vice feel. They did use a few music video montages to advance the story. Normally I do not care for this technique but it worked well here.
The trailer above tells the complete story of this movie. Ryan Gosling plays “Driver.” He does not have a name. His character is mysterious. All we know is he is an excellent driver and as the movie goes forward he is good at a few other things too. I like his character as he is a man of his word. He has good intentions.
Unfortunately for our hero his story takes place in seedy Los Angeles. There are elements way beyond his control and we get to see how this mysterious man reacts. It is a quick, fun joy ride.
I am giving this movie 3.6 out of 5 stars. One of the main reasons why I am rating this one high is it is short. It is only one hour forty minutes. If it was in the two hour range I would give it a 3.
My only complaint was the use of Christina Hendricks (aka Joan Holloway on Mad Men). I wish she was given more airtime. Still it was nice to see her and Bryan Cranston (aka Walter White on Breaking Bad) taking a break from my favorite AMC Television Shows.
Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue. This movie is available for Netflix Streaming.
All the best,
Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Film Movie Critic
http://www.filmmoviecritic.com
E-mail: the@filmmoviecritic.com