Movie Review: Inside Llewyn Davis

Inside Llewyn Davis
Director: Joel and Ethan Coen
Actors: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Justin Timberlake

Rating: -A

A beautiful and entertaining movie. It depicts a week in the life of a struggling folk singer in a biopic style. It's hard to believe the main character was created by the talented Coen brothers. Emotion pours out of the actors as they portray some intense scenes. Furthermore, the musical scenes are raw and heart felt. This is a movie that stays on your mind long after the closing credits. For that I give this movie an "-A."

Movie Review: American Hustle

American Hustle

Directed by: David O. Russell

Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner

Rating: A

It has been a number of months since my last movie review blog. I have seen many movies since then, but American Hustler is definitely worthy of being my first review upon my return to the blogosphere.

American Hustler is a fast moving clever movie that never lost my attention. The acting is terrific and as a moviegoer I really lost myself in the story. There is a surprise at the ending, as some of my favorite movies have. I like it when you think you have a story figured out and then one thing changes, minor or major, to make you rethink all that came before.

The blast from the past setting of this movie makes the scenes seem even more magical. Corruption is not a new thing, and this movie definitely proves that as cons try to “get over on all these guys” as Amy Adam’s character proclaims in a line that now appears was very prophetic. This is definitely one of my favorite films of the year. I give it an "A" rating sincerely urge you to go see it!

My New Year’s resolutions

I have selected a number of resolutions In keeping with my past bucket list resolution to accomplish a number of things on my list each year. This way I will have achieved much of my list by the age most people get around to creating a list. Last year I knocked off the 365 Day Photo Project, which was no easy task. In addition, I also learned to knit and made coffee mug cozies for a number of my friends and I went to a major professional sports with the Indy 500. I have a good start on the list! Many items to go…

Travel to Denmark

Ride in a hot air balloon

Take a cruise to Alaska

Black tie New Years Eve celebration

Take a dive from the stratosphere in Las Vegas

Get my hair braided in the Caribbean

Go on a relief mission for vacation

Take in breakfast at Tiffany’s

See the red wood trees

See Niagara Falls

Throw a New Years Day brunch

Visit all 50 states

Go on a bike tour through wine country

Go windsurfing

Learn to salsa dance

Climb to the top of a lighthouse

Send a message in a bottle

Write my memoirs

365-day photo project

Throw a dart at a map and go there

Drive route 66

Take a cooking class

Visit Stonehenge

Hike up volcano

Knit a hat

Make a gingerbread house

Learn to make dad’s peanut brittle

Go to a professional sports championship game/match

Visit a jazz club in New Orleans

Ride trolley in San Francisco

Cook a soufflé

Go gambling in Atlantic City

Invent a holiday and celebrate it

Grow my own vegetables

Ski New England

Go on a couples camping trip

Learn to dance the two-step and show it off

Take a sculpting class

I figure this year I will make a gingerbread house, take a cooking class, and grow my own vegetables. These activities are in addition to a trip I plan to take to an undetermined destination. I may decide to see the redwoods in California or Oregon or travel to Atlantic City for some gambling. I’ll leave some wiggle room!

I have been accused of being an over-achiever, so I’ll add a few more resolutions. I plan to write in an inspiration journal daily. I resolve to finish reading the first Harry Potter book in french, which is something I started long ago and I now figure I have time to work on it again. Finally, most important to all of my readers, I will return to blogging regularly. I will not be writing as frequently as before, but after transitioning into a new job and spending months enjoying the payoff from all of my hard work, patience, and faith I now find myself looking for new projects to consume my time.