Monthly Archives: October 2015

DVD

Dogma, DVD

Dogma, 1999

Dogma defined is a a principle set forth by an authority as incontrovertibly true.  The start of the disaster begins with that definition.

I laughed myself out of my seat in the theater watching this flick.  Literally, I fell out of my chair.  If you are easily offended don’t bother with this movie.  If you can take a joke, this film is laugh out loud funny.

Two angels (Matt Damon and Ben Affleck) find a loop hole to get back into heaven.  If they succeed it will be the end of existence.  A woman who works in an abortion clinic is humanities only hope.  If this did not offend you watch the movie.  Keep an open mind.

dogma

5/5 stars for this non-stop laugh fest.

To find out more go to IMBD.

DVD

Fallen – DVD

Fallen, 1998

Fallen did something that very few movies manage to do.  It surprised me.  I did not see that ending coming.

This movie has its demons, literally.  It does not get too deep into the religious aspect.  It follows the cop, from a police officers understanding of the situation.  Not only is Denzel Washington the main character, but John Goodman is a great supporting actor.  Really have you ever seen a movie with John Goodman that was good, if not great?

The demon takes us on a murderous ride.  John Hobbes, the detective tries to track down the murderer without becoming a suspect himself.  What a ride.

5/5 stars just for the surprise alone.  It is also well directed, visually dark, and I liked, but not loved the characters.  It probably deserves a 4.5 out of 5, but that surprise, it got me.

If you want to know for go to IMBD.

DVD

Batman Begins – DVD

Batman Begins, 2005

Batman Begins is the start of a very dark batman series.  It is a very interesting series.  The story is well written.  Once you get past Christian Bale’s speech.

The fight for good and evil never seemed so clear.  Bruce Wayne has to decide between being the hero or the vigilante.  The two may seem like the same thing, but the reality is completely different.

The villain in this movie is a monk of sorts, a trained fighter, and his weapon is fear.   Bruce Wayne must face his fear in order to win.

If you are looking for a great action movie I would highly recommend Batman Begins.

batman begins

5/5 stars for this one.

Find more information at IMBD

DVD

Notes on a Scandal – DVD

Notes on a Scandal, 2006

Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett nail this one.  Notes on a Scandal centers around a scandal, a teacher and a student, an inappropriate affair.  That isn’t the real story.  The affair is a backdrop.

The real story is about Barbara Covett and her desire for a companion.  We glimpse Sheba Hart through Barbara’s eyes and warped sense of reality.

This film is rather well written.  I am not sure it is for everyone, but if you like the movies I like then Notes on a Scandal is a must see.

Notes on a scandal

5/5 stars based on how well written the film is and the amazing acting of not only the stars, but also the twists and turns.

For more information go to IMBD.

DVD

A Beautiful Mind – DVD

A Beautiful Mind, 2001

Russell Crowe as an mathematics genius, I know, I know, but he pulls it off.  This is a wonderful movie about John Nash, the man who came up with a truly brilliant economic theory.  A mad man you might say.

The acting is great, the characters are compelling, the directing is incredible.  This is truly a must see.  Pay attention.

a beautiful mind

5/5 for this film hands down.  It is too complex for kids, but not bad for anyone in their teens or over.

To see more about this film check out IMBD

DVD

The Rules of Attraction, DVD

The Rules of Attraction, 2002

The Rules of Attraction is an off the wall film with drugs, love, lust, heartbreak and anything else you can imagine on a college campus.  It is all about trying to find someone to love and the games that we play.

This film is a favorite of mine based on how intertwined all of the story lines become.  You start at the end, or close to it, and even then you do not know truly how it will end.  The rewinds are an intriguing way of story telling and beautifully done.

This one is definitely not for children at all.  You also need an open mind to watch and truly enjoy this one.

Oh yeah, that guy is from the Wonder Years if you where wondering.

The rules of attraction

5/5 for this little odd gem.

To find out more check out IMBD.

DVD

The Time Traveler’s Wife – DVD

The Time Traveler’s Wife, 2009

I really love time travel movies, and The Time Traveler’s Wife does not disappoint, but it is not centered around what I generally love about time travel.  This movie is all about culturing a relationship, out of order, with someone who simply vanishes, and reappears without warning.  The traveling confines itself to a single lifetime for the most part.

This is ultimately a movie about a very complex relationship.  A love through time.

The time traveler's wife

5/5 for this film.  The acting is well done and the relationship is very believable.  They touch on the travelling some, but how is not a focus of the film.  This is a great love story.

To find out more check out IMBD.

DVD

The Order – DVD

The Order, 2003

Heath Ledger plays a devoted priest in The Order.  This film is a religious experience, or perhaps sacrilegious one.  Sin Eaters, a real thing, or not I am not sure, but this is not the only film about this little subject.

This film has it all:  suicide, murder, corruption, good, evil, immortality, priests, and demons.  The love story in this film is so wrong and yet so right.  It all comes comes down the the sin eater.  This is the best telling of that subject I have ever seen.

the order

5/5 for this sinful treat.  If the religious insult does not offend you I say check out this film because it is a dark winner.

To see more check out IMBD.

DVD

Thank You For Smoking – DVD

Thank You For Smoking, 2005

Inspiring, truly, a lobbyist for big tobacco is asked to take a payoff to a dying tobacco spokesman, the Marlboro Man I think, and he takes his son with him.  This film is funny and quirky.  Nick Naylor teaches his son all about the art of negotiation and winning an argument.

You find yourself rooting for this lobbyist, this pusher of big tobacco.  I tell you, it really is an inspiring film.  Completely politically incorrect, but that is one of the best parts.

5/5 even though this film is on the edge between good and great I bumped it up to 5.  It is definitely worth watching.

To find out more go to IMBD.

Restaurant

The Blue Door Longfellow

The Blue Door Longfellow – American food restaurant at 3448 42nd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55406

Burgers and stuff.

I had lunch today with co-workers at The Blue Door in Minneapolis.  The restaurant is tucked away in the middle of what seems like a residential area.

The inside is arranged nicely with large seating areas, some booths and some tables.  All are wood, but not uncomfortable.  The tables are an appropriate height for the seats.  The walls are lined with great art work and pictures.  It has a really nice atmosphere, not too loud, but not too isolated.  You can tell there are others around you without hearing every word, or worse hearing nothing but noise.

I tried the Jiffy Burger with Pepper Jack cheese, bacon, pickle, crunchy peanut butter, and mayo.  The first bite made me feel like I have finally found a burger joint that knows how to make a burger.  It wasn’t the combination on this particular burger as much as the patty and the bun itself.  The basic building blocks of a great burger a patty that isn’t too big and a bun that tastes fresh.

The Jiffy itself is interesting and pretty good.  I could only eat half because it is a really heavy sandwich.  The bacon was thick, but not that gross thick that some places have.  They actually took the time to cook it completely.  You do not really notice the mayo.  The peanut butter is chunky which helps the overall taste with the occasional crunch.  They use dill chips, thank you.

Jiffy burger, tater tots, and ranch

I tried one hand-cut fry which was pretty good.  It had a Cajun seasoning on it.  It had a little heat.  We came for the tater tots.  I do not know if you have to order it with lime chili sauce or if it just comes that way, but those tots where pretty good.  They are sticky and sweet.  They come with a dipping sauce, ranch I believe.  I enjoyed them.

Overall my experience at The Blue Door was very positive.  I look forward to returning and trying one of the other burgers.  I may even have to try one of their famous Blucys.

You could easily eat your way through this entire menu and I doubt you would be disappointed.  They seem to make things right at The Blue Door.

Check out their website and their menu at:  http://bluedoorlongfellow.com/