29 and Holding... (The Age of Adaline)

It goes without saying that I love movies.  Ron and I recently saw The Age of Adaline while in Mobile, AL.  And should I even mention that it was two romance movies in a row (what is happening to me???)!  Of course this isn't the typical romance and was a very intriguing storyline.

The Age of Adaline

Rated PG-13 / 110 mins / Drama, Romance

Stars: Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman, Harrison Ford, Kathy Baker, Ellen Burstyn...

Director: Lee Toland Krieger

Release date: April 24, 2015

Here's the synopsis according to The Age of Adaline official page:
After miraculously remaining 29 years old for almost eight decades, Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) has lived a solitary existence, never allowing herself to get close to anyone who might reveal her secret.  But a chance encounter with charismatic philanthropist Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman) reignites her passion for life and romance.  When a weekend with his parents (Harrison Ford and Kathy Baker) threatens to uncover the truth, Adaline makes a decision that will change her life forever.

You know I don't like to give away any spoilers so I'm not going to go into any more detail about the movie.  But I will tell you what you will be thinking about during AND after seeing this movie (if you're like me that is).  This movie really makes you think about what it would be like to remain at a certain age forever.  I'm not sure why the age of 29 was chosen for Adaline but I have a few thoughts of my own why it's a magical age....an age most people don't want to leave behind.  I can remember clearly when I was 29 - especially the days leading up to my 30th birthday.  It's the only birthday I actually dreaded.  Leaving my 20's seemed like a HUGE step to me.  While being in my 20's wasn't exactly like being a kid...it didn't completely seem like being an adult either (despite my adult responsibilities).  There I was about to enter my 30's head-on!  Lucky for me I have a great husband and great friends that helped make the transition with an amazing surprise party that included my favorite male stripper.  Yes, I said my favorite male stripper - I'll get into that more in another blog. And I guess I really should call him a male exotic dancer right?

What are your thoughts on the transition from your 20s to 30s?  If you could pick an age to stay at forever what would it be?  I've given this a lot of thought...probably more thought than is normal considering my fascination with all things supernatural...and I still haven't come up with the magic age for me.

Go check this movie out (if you haven't already) and let me know your thoughts.  I thought it was a really good movie that was well acted and thought provoking.

IMDB page: The Age of Adaline - IMDB page

Official page: The Age of Adaline - official page

Fast & Furious - It’s more than just about being FAST – It’s about FAMILY

Anyone that knows me knows of my fascination with Vin Diesel and cars.  This makes the Fast & Furious franchise a winning combination for me.  I’ve been hooked since seeing the first installment in 2001.  Ron and I enjoyed it so much we saw the first one twice in theaters the same weekend!  And we’ve made it a point to see each installment on opening weekend – seeing many of them on the first showing at our local theaters.  Yes, this means that we’ve even been to a midnight showing.  Lucky for us the theaters are now showing the early screenings a little bit earlier. And I can't even count the number of times I've watched the films at home.  One of my favorite rituals is to re-watch all of the previous films immediately before the new release.  I never get tired of watching them. 

On opening night Ron and I (with several friends) saw Furious 7 in IMAX at Pier Park Grand on Panama City Beach.  It was a great night spent with some great friends watching an awesome movie.  While we see a lot of movies (typically one every weekend) we don’t usually go with other people.  This outing was special though.  We were with friends that we’ve made through the car scene.  Like-minded people!  We don't typically see films in IMAX either...the few we have haven't really lived up to being worthy of the extra bucks you have to pay.  This one is an exception though.  It was fantastic in IMAX!!

I know there are a few people that haven't seen the films (but for the life of me I don't know why not...LOL).  For those few people (and anyone that just wants a refresher), here’s a short recap of the previous movies (courtesy of their IMDB descriptions).... (you can skip down past this section if you are already as familiar with them as I am).

***Spoilers Ahead...Only on previous films / NO spoilers about Furious 7***

The Fast and the Furious (2001)

Rated PG-13 / Worldwide Box Office: $207.3 million

Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster........

Directed by Rob Cohen

This was the first installment of the franchise and was inspired by an article entitled Racer X written by Kenneth Li in May 1998. Read it here: Racer X

Los Angeles police officer Brian O'Connor must decide where his loyalties really lie when he becomes enamored with the street racing world he has been sent undercover to destroy.

IMDB page: IMDB - The Fast and the Furious

Trailer: Official Trailer

There is also a 1955 film by the same name but there is no connection between the two.  You can watch the 1955 film here: The Fast and the Furious 1955 film

2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)

Rated PG-13 / Worldwide Box Office: $236.4 million

Stars: Paul Walker, Tyrese Gibson, Cole Hauser...

Directed by John Singleton

Brian O'Conner and childhood friend Roman Pearce are re-united by the FBI to bring down a Miami drug exporter in exchange for clear records.

IMDB page: IMDB - 2 Fast 2 Furious

Trailer: Official Trailer

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)

Rated PG-13 / Worldwide Box Office: $158.5 million

Stars: Lucas Black, Zachery Ty Bryan, Shad Moss...

Directed by Justin Lin

A teenager becomes a major competitor in the world of drift racing after moving in with his father in Tokyo to avoid a jail sentence in America.

IMDB page: IMDB - Tokyo Drift

Trailer: Official Trailer

This film was the third film released but had little to do with the first two.  When the franchise picked up speed again it became obvious that they would get back to this storyline...which they did in Furious 7.  This is why I suggest watching it after Fast & Furious 6.

Fast & Furious (2009)

Rated PG-13 / Worldwide Box Office: $363.2 million

Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster...

Directed by Justin Lin

Brian O'Conner, now working for the FBI in LA, teams up with Dominic Toretto to bring down a heroin importer by infiltrating his operation.

IMDB page: IMDB - Fast & Furious

Trailer: Official Trailer

Vin diesel and Paul Walker together again - enough said.

Fast Five ( 2011)

Rated PG-13 / Worldwide Box Office: $626.1 million

Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson...

Directed by Justin Lin

Dominic Toretto and his crew of street racers plan a massive heist to buy their freedom while in the sights of a powerful Brazilian drug lord and a dangerous federal agent.

IMDB page: IMDB - Fast Five

Trailer: Official Trailer

Fast & Furious 6 (2013)

Rated PG-13 / Worldwide Box Office: $788.7 million

Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson...

Directed by Justin Lin

Hobbs has Dominic and Brian reassemble their crew to take down a team of mercenaries: Dominic unexpectedly gets convoluted also facing his presumed deceased girlfriend, Letty.

IMDB page: IMDB - Fast & Furious 6

Trailer: Official Trailer

**********Total Worldwide Box Office so far: $2,380.1 billion!!!!**********

Which brings us to the current film:

Furious 7 (2015)

Rated PG-13 / Worldwide Box Office - TBD (but massive I'm sure)

Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson
IMDB page: IMDB - Furious 7
Trailer: Official Trailer

If you're like me you can't get enough of the scenes from these movies or the extras.  You can find MANY videos from the entire franchise on their YouTube page here: Fast & Furious YouTube Channel.  And if you want even more information check out this page: Fast and Furious wikia

In my opinion this just might be the best action film franchise ever. Why, you ask?  Well, let me tell you.  The films appeal to a global audience with their racially diverse cast. The storytelling is complex and thought provoking while at the same time offering up soap opera worthy twists.  There are elaborate stunts, car chases, car racing, and action packed fight sequences.  When watching the films you will experience humor and joy and escapism.  Don't get me wrong....there are definitely things in these films that are unrealistic...but isn't that one of the reasons that we go to the movies?

These films show the value of friendship.  The friendship with the entire group is awesome...but the friendship between Dom (Vin Diesel) and Brian (Paul Walker) is spectacular.  It's even obvious in 2 Fast 2 Furious and Vin isn't even in that one.

The films have romance...and does it right.  The films are action films and if the romance was done wrong it would come off as campy. But these films have all shown just the right amount of romance to keep you rooting for the characters' love story.  I would venture to say that romance is exactly why Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) returned to the series after being killed off.  Dom and Letty are the perfect couple because they aren't perfect.

I do love Vin and have seen almost everything he has been in.  I haven't seen The Iron Giant (which he voiced) but I have seen everything else.  I'm pretty sure I've seen almost everything Paul Walker has been in also.  And I do love cars!  There is certainly not a shortage of awesome cars to gawk at in these films (and cry over when they are wrecked).   I should note that while I love the racing in these films I do not support street racing.  I can only hope that the people that see these films keep in mind that the stuff you see on screen is choreographed.  Please do not try this stuff!!!  And obviously I don't support all the criminal acts committed in these films.  But anyone that thinks that's all these films are about should look a little harder for the real story.  The real story in all of these films is FAMILY, not just your family by blood, but your family by choice! This group has bonded together and are a family.  They are loyal to each other to a fault. They stand by each other and support each other.  They defend each other.  They love each other. The cast did a great interview on the Today show where they talk about that family dynamic - on screen and off..  Watch it here: Today Show Cast Interview

Furious 7, is an action packed thrill ride.  With an already great cast there are additional characters introduced, including Jason Statham as a villain no less!  Finally, the Tokyo Drift story line has been successfully woven into the franchise.  You get exactly what you expect in this film and so much more. I was so excited for the next installment, but at the same time extremely sad. With the loss of Paul Walker last year the franchise was on shaky ground.  A member of the family was now gone - and his death happened while the film was still in production.  While the circumstances had nothing to do with the film the fact that he was killed in a car crash really hit home.  It was unknown for a while if they would even finish the film....but thankfully they did.  My understanding is that about 85% of the movie had been shot when Paul died.  His brothers stepped in and finished for him (with the assistance of CGI magic).  I'm not going to put any spoilers here on how this situation is handled in the movie - you really need to see it for yourself.  But I will say that it is some of the best moments I have seen on film.  I don't know if there will be more installments in the franchise (but I think, and hope, there will be).  I don't know how they will move forward without Paul (but I think they can).  But I do know one thing for sure....this film was finished for him.

I'm sure I will watch all of the films many more times and will continue to love them.  I'm also sure that I will forever see them a little differently....

Remember the buster...

For Paul....

The Gunman - A Sure Shot For Me

The Gunman 

Rated R / Action, Crime, Drama

Stars: Sean Penn, Idris Elba, Jasmine Trinca, Javier Bardem, Ray Winstone, Mark Rylance…

**spoilers ahead**

With two new movies out this weekend Ron and I decided to start early and take in one of them on Thursday night.  Last night we went to see the new Sean Penn flick The Gunman.  The movie is based on the 2002 novel The Prone Gunman written by Jean-Patrick Manchette. 

The Gunman is an action movie and in many ways is presented like every other action movie I’ve seen – which is not a negative thing in my opinion.  Sean Penn, who is now 54 years old, looks great physically!  He has obviously been spending lots of time in the gym as evidenced by his buff and toned body (you can get a good look at it during a surfing scene later in the movie – yes, I said a surfing scene).  My only complaint about him in the entire movie is his continual need to smoke a cigarette!

Sean Penn plays Jim Terrier.  Jim is a private security contractor who also happens to be a sniper on a mercenary assassination team in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  The movie starts in 2006 with images that I would definitely have rather not seen…but were important for the theme of the movie.  Thankfully the images of starving babies, war, and other atrocities were brief as they were extremely hard to look at.  While showing these images there were also clips from news programs as well as voice over discussing things like the private security contractors, world’s deadliest conflict, rape, vast mineral wealth, and meeting the demands of the Western world.  From this you know right up front that there will be lots of political overtones throughout the movie.

Jim’s girlfriend Annie is played by Jasmine Trinca, and exotic and beautiful woman.  Annie is an aid worker at a local clinic – where she gets to see firsthand the results of all of the atrocities in the Congo.  From the way they look at each other it’s obvious that Jim and Annie are deeply in love…something that seems to be a problem for Jim’s colleague, Felix (played by Javier Bardem).

During an operation, which I’m sure was supposed to be one of those “good for the country” operations but seems more like a “good for greed” operation, Jim kills the minister of mines of the Congo on the orders of an unknown client, unknown to everyone but Felix anyway.  As a condition of the successful operation Jim must immediately leave the Congo and his girlfriend Annie behind.  But don’t worry about Annie…Jim asked Felix to look after her so she’s bound to be in good hands…right?

Eight years later Jim returns to the Congo, but this time is not there as a private security contractor; instead he works for an aid group providing safe drinking water.  See, Jim is a good guy after all.  Jim is still having flashbacks from the minister’s assassination in which he pulled the trigger.  The flashbacks are accompanied by horrible headaches (as they should) which we later find out is because he has “post-concussion syndrome”.  While I don’t doubt that he would have these flashbacks, I do doubt that a person that can accomplish this kind of assassination would not have done MANY other things that would also be causing him duress, yet we never see flashbacks of those.

While working with the aid group the group is attacked by locals looking for “the white man”.  Jim manages to evade death (after killing most of the others in true action star style) and then commences his trek to find out who sent them.  He is certain it has something to do with the DRC assassination so he hunts down some of his old colleagues in London, Terry (played by Mark Rylance), who is now an executive at the security firm they both used to work for, and Stanly (played by Ray Winstone), who appears to be a beach bum.  You know that one of these is going to end up being a bad guy for sure.

Jim eventually ends up in Barcelona, where he finds that Felix and Annie are now married.  This seemed to surprise him but I doubt that anyone in the audience was surprised by this. After some “as expected” confrontations between the three of them, and some adultery between Jim and Annie (you knew that was going to happen right?), the action (and violence) in the movie really starts to heat up. 

It turns out that Jim has been keeping journals containing evidence of all the things the security company, including himself, did over the years.  Needless to say, the security company doesn’t want this information to come out….enter Interpol.   Of course Interpol is very interested in obtaining this information and they have the perfect agent for the job – Idris Elba.  Idris Elba really doesn’t do a lot in this movie…but he still looks good just standing there.

The remainder of the movie is full of action sequences, including a bull fight, leading up to the “happily ever after” ending.  Ok, so maybe I left out some significant scenes…I don’t need to tell you everything, do I?  You really need to watch this movie to truly appreciate the action scenes. 

I’ve seen some bad press about this movie criticizing everything from the Africans in the film not having any lines to speak to Sean Penn’s performance to the degrading of women to the predictable storyline.  But I enjoyed it.  I knew exactly what to expect when walking into the theater…an action film with political overtones.  I thought Sean Penn’s performance was great.  The movie actually kind of reminded me of the Bourne movies and the Taken movies….and I wouldn’t mind seeing other movies with the Jim Terrier character in them.  So even though some may not like it…it was a sure shot for me. 

You can find the movie info on IMDB here:

IMDB - The Gunman

And the official site here:

Official Site - The Gunman

And if you want to read the novel it was based on you can get that here:

Novel - The Prone Gunman