Thursday, December 31, 2015

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Merry Christmas



It's several days late, but Merry Christmas.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Here is a link to my Wordpress site for my thoughts on the latest Star Wars film,  Good stuff.   The Force Awakens

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Out and About-The Mall



I went for a walk around the local mall earlier, I like looking at the Christmas decorations.  The tree made up of Poinsettias is imaginative.



And here is a more traditional tree.

Monday, December 7, 2015

Christmas stuff



I went to a Christmas play at Anaheim Baptist Fellowship this weekend to start off the Christmas season.  The play, The Gift of Hope, had a wonderful message.


And the lobby of Bethany is decorated for Christmas.



Thursday, December 3, 2015

Necessary Roughness.




I watched Necessary Roughness not long ago, and like it, although it's not a great film.  I enjoy Scott Bakula even if I don't care for the particular material or storyline; he always does a good job.  The idea of an older guy getting a second chance to play football years after high school has potential; I do like movies where characters get second chances. The interaction between Coach Gennero (Hector Elizondo) and Coach Rig (Robert Loggia) is funny, and Sinbad does a good job in his role as Andre Krimm. The scenes with the convict football team led by Dick Butkus are amusing.  Overall it is an okay film, but not extremely memorable.

Friday, November 20, 2015

The Brothers Grimm



I watched The Brothers Grimm on Amazon recently, and although by no means a great film, it did have some good points.  I like different takes on fairy tales, and the idea of the Grimm brothers being con artists has potential.  The interaction between Will (Matt Damon) and Jake (Heath Ledger) is amusing, and the scenery (Czech Republic) is pretty.  The concept of the French occupying Germany rather than the other way around is interesting.  However, the script wasn't outstanding or memorable.

Overall okay but not something I'd care about watching again.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Wilderness Park

I was out and about recently and got these pictures at a local park.  The trees and pond are pretty cool.







Saturday, November 7, 2015

Spectre


Went to see Spectre yesterday and enjoyed it, although I didn't enjoy it as much as Skyfall.  It is still an entertaining movie with a lot of action.

And yes, the mall where the movie theater is located is decorated for Christmas.






Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Out and About-The Local Mall

I went for a walk around the mall recently.  I don't make a habit of hanging out at malls, it had been awhile since I'd been there.  However, it's fun to do occasionally.









I walked around the part of the mall that has an open courtyard.  I like the outdoor-style shops with the courtyard, and I like trees.

Friday, October 9, 2015

Monday, October 5, 2015

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Complications



I recently caught up on the series Complications on the USA Network's website.  For the most part, it's enjoyable.  I like medical dramas.  Jason O'Mara is a good actor, and it is a treat to see Kevin Tighe in another series.  However, the storylines are a bit over-the-top.

I do understand about people getting in over their heads and things getting out of hand, but a doctor getting caught in the middle of a gang war is far-fetched.  Also, ER doctors do not perform surgery (the episode where Ellison removed a bullet from a gang member's leg).  A trauma surgeon would have been doing that, and it would have been done in the controlled environment of an operating room where any problems could be dealt with.  Ellison did this in an empty room in the hospital, only gave the guy a local anesthetic, didn't have equipment to monitor vital signs and didn't have anything to replace fluids or deal with any bleeding.  Not gonna happen.

Finally, although of course there will be bad apples in the medical field the same as anywhere else, it's not likely a hospital employee would be able to falsify patient records or steal drugs without getting caught.

Whatever the case, the show has been cancelled, so my opinion probably isn't relevant.  I do think Complications had potential and might have gotten more realistic given a chance.  I kind of wonder what might have taken place after the phone call Ellison got about the clinic he burned down, but I'm not going to lose sleep over it.


Saturday, September 12, 2015

Monday, September 7, 2015

Martin Milner



I was saddened to hear that Marty Milner, who starred as Pete Malloy in Adam-12, and also starred in Route 66, Swiss Family Robinson and several other shows, passed away.


Adam-12 was one of my favorite shows as a kid; I loved watching Malloy and Reed in action.




RIP Marty/Officer Malloy.  You will be missed.




Thursday, September 3, 2015

Another birthday

I recently had another birthday.  It was a nice day; I had a quiet celebration.  I had Mexican food for lunch and indulged in chocolate.


I received some pretty flowers from my mom.



I got a yummy Edible Arrangements delivery from my brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew.


This was taken just before I gobbled it.


And I got some birthday money that I will be using to pay for my Amazon Prime membership.

Monday, August 17, 2015

Plants and flowers

I thought these plants and flowers were pretty.











Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Sting and Robert Downey Jr singing

I've always liked Sting and The Police.  I was pleasantly surprised by what a great voice Robert Downey Jr. has.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Pretty trees and plants

Random pictures of trees and plants.



I like palm trees, and there are quite a few of them around here.


I think the purple plants are pretty.




I think the reddish-colored plant is pretty too.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium



I visited the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium recently.




I'd have hated to run into these guys.


The park and the beach by the aquarium are pretty.



The seagulls like getting handouts from people.  It was a fun day.

Here's a link with information about the museum.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Sunday, August 2, 2015

La Brea Tar Pits



I took a trip to the La Brea Tar Pits recently.  I hadn't been in quite a long time, and it was interesting to see it again.






These guys are pretty awesome.


The park grounds by the museum are pretty.


And the atrium with all the plant life is beautiful.

Here is a link with some information.

La Brea Tar Pits

Friday, July 24, 2015

Morrell House



The Morrell House is an interesting historic site in Redondo Beach.  The house was built in 1906.




The museum right next to the Morrell House is an old house built at the turn of the century also, and has a lot of pictures and other memorabalia documenting the history of Redondo Beach.


The park next to the houses is nice.  Cool stuff.  Here are a couple of website links with more information.

Morrell House

Redondo Beach History

Friday, July 17, 2015

Ant-Man



Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), a brilliant inventor and scientist, has designed a suit that allows the individual wearing it to shrink, possess super strength and control an army of ants.  When Pym discovers his former protégé, Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) plans to use this technology for evil, he recruits thief Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and trains him.  Lang becomes Ant-Man and must use his skills to stop Cross, also known as Yellowjacket.
Pym and his daughter, Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) have a shaky relationship.  Pym shipped his daughter off to boarding school after her mother died.  She understandably feels abandoned, but she is the one who brings Cross’ plans to Pym’s attention.  Lang has served time for a Robin Hood-type crime, and he is trying to reconnect with his young daughter.  These motivations make for some good themes (i.e. second chances and taking care of your family).
Ant-Man is enjoyable.  The idea of a thief trying to do right by his daughter is interesting, as is working with technology that provides special powers.  I like the interaction between the characters and the connection to the Avengers. Michael Douglas is engaging as Hank Pym.  I like Michael Douglas' work in nearly all his movies, even if I don't like the movie in general.   Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly are good in their roles also.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Yet more beautiful trees



I love the gorgeous trees I see when I'm out walking.



Friday, July 3, 2015

Terminator Genisys



It is 2029, and John Connor (Jason Clarke) is the leader of the resistance against Skynet.  Connor sends Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) back to the year 1984 to protect his mother, Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke) from a Terminator assassin.  However, the timeline has been altered, and Sarah Connor isn’t the scared waitress they are expecting.  She is a skilled fighter with a Terminator guardian (Arnold Schwarzenegger).   Reese is faced with resetting the future and defeating the Terminator sent back by Skynet.

I don't think Terminator Genisys is as good as Terminator or Terminator 2:  Judgment Day, but this installment is better than Terminator 3:  Rise of the Machines and Terminator Salvation.  The concept of alternate timelines is an interesting one, and I like the interaction between the characters, particularly Sarah Connor and her Guardian.  Of course they are busy blowing everything up so there is plenty of action.





It's pretty enteraining when Arnold does this too.