Friday Frivolity and Mishmash

It's Friday, it's January, here's a mishmash of life from me so far.  

Ray and I finally caught Spider-Man: No Way Home in the theater. It was very fun - a multi-verse conglomeration of Dr. Strange, various villains, and lovely spidey fun with Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maquire - great to see them. Marisa Tomei is always a treat as Aunt May. Best of all, Tom Holland exudes such sincerity. I'm not going into plot lines or a big discourse. This is an excellent Marvel movie and superb entertainment on the big screen. 

Well, I've signed up for pickleball at the local college in the senior program. It starts in February. The odds of sucking are high since I'm not the most coordinated person in the world. However, I'm very psyched for the fun and exercise.  And I realize, do not go into this with negativity. I'm being brave. New kid on the senior playground. 

Thanks Mr. Edison

How about if you are stuck in the muck on a Sunday afternoon like Kevin in his zoom zoom car? Yes - he did get out thanks to Ray's winch on his RZR. 

We need puddles and rain. And we need more rain. Not a tsunami, not tons of snow. Texas needs rain. We are in drought conditions again and we count on January - April for some of the wet stuff.  Heck, I'll play pickleball in the rain if it's necessary. 

Finally a quote from Ben Franklin to take into your weekend:

The best  thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; and to your child, a good example. 

 

Movie Review Madness - Onward

Enjoyed a preview showing of Pixar's Onward last night with Ray. Unusual Thursday evening date night complete with yummy dinner at Red Robin. We both said, "Fun," when the movie ended. This will not be in the pantheon of beyond awesome Pixar movies, but it's in the category of great animation, good voice characters, and a sweet story. What more could you want for a five dollar ticket?

There used to be magic and wonder, and now the world is just bumbling along. It's Ian's sixteenth birthday and he's quietly missing his father who passed from illness; he'd like to actually talk to people in school; he'd like to learn to drive. Ian (Tom Holland) needs to get some ooomph. Older brother Barley (Chris Pratt) misses his dad, plays quest games, and seems to find trouble. Mom (Julia Louis Dreyfus) tries to guide her boys and be strong. What's missing?  Some magic and wonder.

When mom gives the boys a gift from their dad - a wizard wand, they embark on a quest to have time with him for a day. Oh there's a path to peril, raven's point, and the powerful Manicort (Octavia Spencer) to encounter. In this quest, there's humor, danger, and a chance for brotherly bonding. It's fun and funny and poignant.

All in all, Onward is energetic and family fuzzy warm. I cared about the brothers and they find out how much they care about each other. Big hug all around for this sweet movie.

Yes, it's okay to go see it on the big screen in the theater.  Just wash your hands and carry on. 

Movie Review Madness: Spiderman Far From Home

Spiderman : Far From Home is really a fun Marvel summer movie break to see on the big screen. It’s big and bold, filled with humor, and truly entertaining.  I like Tom Holland a lot. He plays an innocent high school kid who has spidey powers, but he’s dorky and sweet, and still trying to figure out his role in this world.  He’s bereft after the Avengers Endgame loss of heroes. He truly misses Tony Stark and is afraid of the power and mantle bestowed upon him by Tony.

The high school kids are headed to Europe and Peter Parker just wants to be a kid, have a blast, and profess his love to MJ (the fabulous Zendaya) at the top of the Eiffel Tower on the Paris stop. Awesome, right?  Well, it turns out there is chaos breaking out all over Europe.  Peter/Spiderman is summoned by Nick Fury (oh, that Samuel Jackson) to stop it. Not too much pressure on a fun trip.

Enter – Jake Gyllenhaal (Mysterio) who seems to be able to battle the evil elements – Water, Fire, etc.  Wow – Spiderman thinks he’s found a fellow superhero to look up to and work with. Hmm.

Too good to be true?  You think?

So, the mission is crazy. Peter just wants to be a tourist. But, no…Spiderman must web sling into Venice, Prague, etc.  Who is he battling to save the Earth?  I won’t give away more.  Go see Spiderman: Far From Home and root for Peter Parker/Spiderman. And of course, Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) is awesome, as is Jon Favreau as Hap. So many good moments, laughs, and lines. Oh these kids. This is summer movie magic – get that tub of popcorn , a big soda. Sit back and enjoy. Stay for the whole credits to catch the two post movie clips.  Say, what??? And that’s a teaser….

Movie Review Madness: Spiderman - Homecoming

“Another Spiderman?”

Yawn

“Wait a minute. Don’t leave this review. Stick around for awesomeness.”

Yes, I am happy to report that Spiderman: Homecoming is absolutely  joyous. It’s  a boundless energetic bundle of a web slinging kid (fresh faced wide-eyed Tom Holland as Peter Parker) battling robotic Vulture (tightly played by Michael Keaton – villain but not off the rails nuts). Parker’s mentor, Iron Man (always just snarky Robert Downey Jr) wants the kid to keep it local – save the little old ladies and earn the right to play with the big boys. But Peter is chafing at the bit to use his skills and prove his mettle. His best buddy in high school is in awe, but somehow they are still the nerds, butts of jokes.

Poor Peter, typical teen. He can’t seem to please anyone or do things quite right. He’s not there for his Academic team, he screws up homecoming, he’s lying to his Aunt May (the ever hot Marisa Tomei), and no one (i.e. Happy (Jon Favreau)  his connection to Iron Man) will hear him out  on the evil arms dealers led by the Vulture (who  is also a “nice” suburban dad). At one point, Iron Man even yanks his nifty Spiderman outfit – he’s screwed up so much.

But there’s redemption, of course. Can’t keep this Spiderman down. The effects are eye-popping, the writing is funny and exuberant, and the movie never gets bogged down in back story, moping around, or over earnest messages. Tom Holland brings this Spiderman to life in Homecoming, and he’s a welcome presence on the Marvel big screen. No need to read the instructions on this new suit, is there? Hang from the ceiling, fling yourself into  a room, and hum that Spiderman theme song.

Movie Review: The Impossible

The Impossible is freakin' unbelievable. Try to live through a tsunami. Way too much water just pounding every single thing until it dies.

Well, the Belon family manages to live - all four of them. Naomi Watts is up for an Oscar as Maria - the mother who manages to live through very life threatening surgeries. Her son, Lucas, played by Tom Holland sticks with her and manages to help others. Meanwhile Ewan McGregor (always excellent) survives with the other younger sons and ultimately is able to find his wife, son, and get them out of Thailand.

Even though you know it is a happy ending, you find yourself holding your breath, crying, and very fearful for this family. This is angst times twenty. Holy cow. It all looks good when they land at Christmas time. Then 12/26 the tsunami strikes and it becomes a crazy world. The force of water plus debris causes so much damage. The hospitals can't keep up with the trauma. You truly fear for Maria's life at so many points. Again, Lucas, the elder son, is such a good actor. You feel his fear and yet embrace his hope. When the family manages to all meet, you'll be using a pile of tissues.

The Impossible is exhilarating film making, with great acting, supeb water effects, and an amazing true story. I left waterlogged, in a good way. Happy ending, but to get there you must endure a tsunami..............whoa times a zillion. I truly can't imagine that Thailand is back to "normal". Wow!