“Sea of Love” (1989)

“Sea of Love” is about a detective name Frank Keller who investigates a serial killer case. Frank Keller, played by Al Pacino, goes undercover to find the suspect in the crime. The suspect in the crime finds the victims through the “Lonely Hearts” column in the newspaper.

The serial killer, who was confirmed as a woman, seduces, kills her victims and leaves a song playing called “Sea of Love”.

When a third case appears, with the same method of operation, Frank begs the chief to write an ad in the newspaper and put him on the case. His job would consist of investigating every woman that replied to the ad.

Although Frank is taking the job seriously, he goes out with one of the women, Helen Cruger, played by Ellen Barkin–the prime suspect. She felt the same way about Frank, but never had a clue she was under investigation.

Did Frank bring down the serial killer and solve the case, or did he ever live to tell the story?

This movie is very suspenseful, with a breath-taking outcome.

Philadelphia (1993)

“Philadelphia” is about a man named Andrew Beckett who is a lawyer at a highly and respected law firm. Tom Hanks played the character Andrew Beckett- who was gay.

Andrew became infected with AIDS and was wrongly fired from the law firm. The law firm was in fear of contracting this disease, so they tried to come up with an excuse other than the disease to let him go.
Andrew knew that the excuse they used against him was unlawful, so he hired an attorney to take over his case. The lawyer, played by Denzel Washington, knew this case would be a difficult one to fight, but he agreed to go along with the appeal.

During the fight against the firm, Andrew became very sick. Sometimes he could not continue on the court stand due to his illness. Although he was sick, he continued the fight for what was right.

The lawyer was uncomfortable with Andrew due to his disease, but after researching –how someone could get the virus–he gained confidence in Andrew, and the case.

Even though the lawyer gained knowledge of the disease, did he gain the hearts of the jury concerning Andrew’s case?

This movie is inspiring, with a twist of faith and endurance during difficult times.

Did You Hear About the Morgans

Did You Hear About the Morgans is a recently released movie out in the theaters right now. The movie is touted as a comedy about a couple that gets put in the Witness Protection Program. I saw the previews on television and couldn’t wait to go see Did You Hear About the Morgans.

Don’t worry about getting your drinks and popcorn before you sit down in the actual theater for Did You Hear About the Morgans. The beginning of the movie is very slow. If there is a line at the concession stand, save yourself some time and go get your food and drinks during the first 10 minutes of the movie. Trust me, you won’t miss a thing!

Did You Hear About the Morgans deals with the subject of infidelity and infertility in a marriage. Both of these are very heavy and sensitive issues. I’m not sure how they thought that they could pull off humor and comedy with these two marriage topics. The third topic of course was a successful business woman making it on her own.

So, the Morgans go on a date to try and discuss their marriage problems. They witness a murder. Immediately they’re whisked away to Ray Wyoming. During their week stay, they learn more about each other and to communicate. Amazing how a marriage can be solved in just a mere week’s worth of time!

I found the movie to be entertaining but very slow moving. It definitely did not come across as a humor to me. It is more of a chick flick than a couple’s flick. I give Did You Hear About the Morgans a thumbs down and disappointing frown.

“8 Seconds”

“8 Seconds” is based on a true story about the life of legendary bull rider Lane Frost, played by Luke Perry.

The story begins focusing on Lane Frost’s childhood–growing up on a farm–working night and day to keep the farm going with his father. Even with Lane doing all this, it was never enough in his father’s eyes.

Lane’s father, Clyde Frost, played by James Rebhorn, was a rodeo star in his early years. This made Lane take a keen interest in becoming a bull rider. He realized that his father knew the ropes and could teach him everything he needed to know about bull riding.

As Lane got in the rodeo scene he met good friends along the way that were chasing the same dream. Tuff Hedeman and Cody Lambert were among the friends that he went to rodeos with. Tuff and Lane always challenged each other to be the best bull rider. Tuff would even intimidate Lane and lead him to think that he needed to quit. They in turn, became some of his best friends besides the fans.

Lane became famous, riding some of the meanest bulls that no cowboys have ever been able to ride for a full 8 seconds.

This movie is a film that would bring tears to your eyes, but a comfort to your hearts. “8 Seconds” has a great soundtrack – with an emotional song “If I Had Only Known” by Reba McEntire.

Madea’s Family Reunion

“Madea’s Family Reunion” is a Tyler Perry Production film released in February 2006.

The movie is about two sister’s (Lisa and Vanessa) played by Lisa Arrindell Anderson and Rochelle Aytes. These sisters’s have a close bond with each other, despite their mother’s hateful tactics and cruel secrets.

Lynn Whitfield starred in the role as the mother, Victoria, who adored the one daughter (Lisa) and considered Vanessa a disgrace to the family. She believed in the finer things in life and did whatever it took to get them.

Vanessa was a hard-working mother for her two kids that were out of wedlock. She lived with her crazy grandmother Madea and Grandpa Joe, both played by Tyler Perry. Vanessa tried so hard to win her mother’s love, despite her feelings of the past–her mother traded Vanessa’s innocence at a young age to keep her husband from leaving the family.

Strangely, a man who drove the transit bus that Vanessa would ride to work took an interest in her. This strange man asked her out on a date, although she was hesitant on going out with him. He was a single father as well, and in time, won her heart.
He taught her how to love again and extend that love to even her mother who had forsaken her.

Lisa lived with her fiancé Carlos, who was a successful banker she met through her mother. Carlos was nice in public to Lisa, but was physically and emotionally abusive to her at home. She stayed quiet about her problems with her fiancée to keep her mother happy. She was supposed to get married to this man, but after numerous beatings, her heart became like stone and could no longer bare to keep this a secret.

This movie is a dynamic film with lessons of love, dignity, and the value of family. I thought Tyler Perry did an outstanding job with all the characters he portrayed in the film.

Surviving the Game (1994)

“Surviving the Game” is about a homeless Seattle man named Mason, played by actor and rap artist, Ice T.

Mason no longer valued life because he lost everything he loved–his family, and friend. He attempted suicide by running in front of a vehicle, until a strange man from a soup kitchen saved his life.

Mason was very furious with the man because he felt like he had nothing to live for. The guy felt sorry for Mason and offered a job to help him get off the streets. He referred him to Thomas Burns played by, Rutger Hauer who was a business man recruiting men to become hunters.

Mason decided to check out Thomas and see what kind of money he was talking about and what the job requirements were. The job required flying to a secluded cabin in the Pacific Northwest and meeting up with the rest of the hunters. Some of the hunters had a major obsession with hunting, and took hunting very seriously.

When Thomas met with Mason he noticed that he smoked cigarettes and was concerned with Mason’s health. Mason assured him that he would do anything to get out of poverty.

After careful consideration, Thomas gave him the job. The hunters that Mason met had an obsession for hunting. They encouraged Mason to eat well, and be prepared for the hunt in the morning.

The question is, “What were they hunting”?

This is an action-packed movie, full of adventure and suspense.

Boomerang

“Boomerang” is a comedy/ romance film starring Eddie Murphy. Eddie Murphy plays the role of Marcus, a successful advertising executive.

Although Marcus has a great life and career, he is never content with one woman. He has high standards for the women he meets, preferably women with nice feet.

When the company takes on a big merger, Jacqueline, played by Robin Givens, is the new boss in town. Marcus is a little intimidated by her bossy ways, given that he has been at the job longer than her. Above all that, Marcus thinks she is an attractive woman that will not get involved with him.

Despite all of Marcus’s wrongful schemes when getting what he wants from women, he portrayed himself to Jacqueline as a perfect gentleman. Marcus did succeed in getting Jacqueline to sleep with him, but what he failed to realize is that she wanted to be intimate without strings attached. Marcus began feeling used, hurt that she did not want to have a monogamous relationship with him.

Jacqueline hired a new assistant named Angela, played by Halle Berry. Angela worked with Marcus and Jacqueline and realized something is going on between the two of them. She knew Marcus really liked Jacqueline and Angela felt bad that his heart was broken by Jacqueline’s heartless actions.

Marcus wanted to hook Angela up with one of his best friends, Gerard, played by David Allen Grier, but Angela just liked him as a friend.

Then the drama begins when Marcus invited Angela, Gerard and his family over for dinner. After dinner Marcus asked Angela if she would stay to help clean up from dinner. Angela agreed, but emotions raised and Marcus and Angela became intimate and started seeing each other.

Did Marcus finally realize what love was with Angela, or did he sabotage the relationship he had with her for Jacqueline?

Leaving Las Vegas

“Leaving Las Vegas” is about a man who relocated to Las Vegas after losing his job due to engaging in alcohol excessively. Ben, played by Nicholas Cage, lost his family, career, and was on the verge of committing suicide with alcohol.

When Ben arrives in Las Vegas he starts going to bars, driving while intoxicated, and picked up prostitutes.

A few days went by and he ran across a woman named Sera, played by Elisabeth Shue, a prostitute. Ben offers Sera $500 to spend an hour with him in his motel room. Sera agrees to the transaction, only to find out he did not want to engage in sex, but wanted a friend.

They start spending more time together and formed a good friendship. He even stayed at her house. They made a pact that he would not look at her like she was a prostitute, if she would not get onto him about drinking.

After watching Ben drink his life away, Sera could no longer deal with his habit. She offered to take him to the doctor to get clean, but he refused.

Ben, out of anger and intoxication, goes out and brings a prostitute to Sera’s house. Sera got the courage to kick Ben out of her house because she could no longer watch him kill himself. She wanted him to seek help with his alcohol problem.

Shortly after the fall out between them she receives a call from Ben on his deathbed.

Did Sera keep to her promise and not counteract what Ben wanted to do in the beginning, or does she stay until he takes his last breath?

Why Did I get Married Too?

The film, “Why did I Get Married Too”, is a Tyler Perry Production that is a sequel to ‘Why Did I Get Married’ that was released in 2007. The four married couples decide to take a trip to reunite in the Bahamas. They want to discuss how married life has been over the past year.

During this reunion, challenges are faced in each one’s life. An ex-husband returns to break up his ex- wife’s marriage and tries to regain her back.

I really enjoy Tyler Perry movies because every film he directed has a meaning to it. All of his movies and plays have a valuable lesson that fans can implement in their everyday lives. Whether you are in a marriage, contemplating marriage, or in a relationship, this film is worth going to see in a theater near you.

The characters in this movie are the same characters in the first movie, “Why Did I Get Married”. Patricia played by, Janet Jackson, offers a powerful and emotionally-charged role. I was deeply inspired by her role alone, but the entire movie and acting was riveting.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’ is a sequel to the second chapter of Stephanie Meyer’s series of Twilight. The romance continues with Bella played by, Kristen Stewart and Edward played by, Robert Pattinson.

Bella wants to be a vampire so she can live for eternity with Edward, but he wants her to remain mortal. He thinks she should live her life mortal instead of making a choice to become someone like him.

Edward gives Bella some disturbing news that he and his family must go away to keep her safe. Someone from the past comes back to start trouble, and wants revenge. Bella was hurt that Edward was leaving her. She tested her destiny with reckless tactics to see if Edward would return, but he never did.

Jacob played by, Taylor Lautner, shows a deep concern for Bella. Jacob knows that Edward and the Cullen family left. Although Jacob and the Cullen family have a history of being enemies they have one thing in common, Bella.

Jacob sees that Bella is in danger so he does everything in his power to save her and hopefully, win Bella’s heart.

In the meantime, Edward thinks something has happened to Bella and he could not live with that. Edward’s guilt of leaving Bella makes him do something that is forbidden and could make him lose immortality forever.

As all the secrets unfold, Bella has to make some serious decisions between Edward and Jacob. The question is: Who does she choose?

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