The Borgias

Last year, I began watching this television show that comes on the BRAVO channel in Toronto Canada. It was called THE BORGIAS and was being advertised as the world's first mob family. It was about a ficticious pope, Pope Alexander (played by Jeremy Irons), his daughter Lucrezia Borgias, his son Cesare Borgia and a whole slew of other people. The show is set at the turn of the 16th century and holy mother of messed up family!

I'm sure it's on DVD but I was lucky because off season, BRAVO would go back and run it from the beginning so those who fell behind or was just hearing about the show could catch up before they brought the new season. I missed a few episodes here or there but never enough to not know what was happening when I did manage to catch it on TV.

This show had everything. You thought Tony Soprano was mean and horrible? Watch THE BORGIAS then re-evaluate your thoughts and tell me what you think. Pope Alexander was cold, calculating, manipulative, womanizing. He lusted after women he wasn't supposed to. Bedded those he wasn't supposed to. Put to death those he wasn't supposed to.  This show had straight love, gay love, confused love, family love (incest - don't want to give it away but ewww). It had fights, wars, martyrs, explosions, secrets, lies, betrayals. It had the religious, the sluts, the women who wanted to do right by her people but only managed to screw it up in the end--this show had EVERYTHING!

So imagine my surprise, when I was watching one of those made for TV movies and saw and ad for THE BORGIAS that said "SERIES FINALE"

I was disappointed because once again I thought "here we go again! Another show that is going strong with great writing, research and cast and they are flushing it." At first I thought it was a joke--then I kept seeing the commercials and it broke my heart.

So I ensured I stayed up (prepping for my birthday the next day) watching the series finale.

It started out with promise. I have to admit. Soldiers preparing to take down one of the bad guys, the gay loves reuniting, people getting their come-uppances and then WHAM! After about 45 minutes, the series finale took on the same BS ending as all the other series finale of television shows that has been cancelled. The ending was disturbing to me and I know most of the show's fans hasn't watched it yet so I won't give it away. But damn it! Why would they do that? I think, and I say as I've always said, when writers find out their show is about to be cancelled they don't think of the fans who have invested time, season after season, episode after episode to watch their work. They dont think of the fans who pay their salaries. They slap something together, wham bam done and screw everyone else...that has to be the mindset.

Don't get me wrong - I know its hard hearing you will have to find a new job and I know its a heart break when they tell you, you can't do what you love because you're preaching to the choir with that one. And I know you can't wrap up all story lines on such short notice--but holy crap! You could have at least wrapped up the main ones!

Anyways, after the first 45 minutes I was over The Borgias. The show was amazing but the ending was a dud.

hugs.
Kato

Jurassic Park 3D

I know I know! I've seen this movie hundreds of times sure, but come on! It's in 3D!! Now, I didn't exactly pay for it because I won a movie gift certificate at my Christmas job last December and since I couldn't use it before I figure, I'd kidnap-er I mean, invite, my friend out to see a movie and try desperately to finally use the card since I didn't know when it expired.

Anyways, I saw Jurassic Park in 3D because, come on! Its Dinos jumping out of dark corners and noming on things they shouldn't be noming on and noming and people! It was epic!

Seeing it the regular was breath-taking and scaring but when you have giant beasts coming at you through the screen?

*fan girl scream*

The's the same movie but they went in and fixed the colour and made it so that everything that pops out hits you in the face! I was very excited about it and since this franchise brought me through college safely, there is some emotional ties there. Sure, that may sound strange to you but my best friend knows what I mean.

Anyways, bloody good show old chaps!

Love,
Kato

A Good Day to DIE HARD

A Good Day to DIE HARD

Starring: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Sebastian Koch



John McClane travels to Russia to help out his seemingly wayward son, Jack, only to discover that Jack is a CIA operative working to prevent a nuclear-weapons heist, causing the father and son to team up against underworld forces.

When I saw they were making another one of these I didn't get that sickening feeling I get like when I found oout they were remaking Star Trek. It was a feeling of woohooo!! No! F*ing! Way! feeling. So for Valentine's Day while everyone else was smooching and buying over priced chocolate and flowers, a friend of mine (the same person I saw Conan with) decided to go see Mr. Willis blow up some stuff. This movie did not disappoint. I enjoyed it immensely. I was laughing at points until I cried and other times I was cheering.

There were a few scenes that I think they just tossed in because some guy is ging to be cray cray enough to bring his girlie girl --girlfriend with him to see so those parts were put in to make those girls happy but other than that I was very entertained.  There was this one room where they walked into, I had to lean over and whisper to my friend..."Hrm...everything in this room, is about to be messed up!" She looked at the room, looked at me, burst out laughing and said, "yup!"

Let's just say the plant in Chenobyll was left standing after the radiation meltdown happened and after John McClean and his son left it...there was barely anything left.

I can't say much more without giving away spoilers but all I can say is, go in looking for a good time and open your mind. Enjoy Bruce Willis taking out Russia lol.

The official poster for A Good Day to Die Hard

Moveies so far 2013

I have a question. What is up with scary movies on Valentine's Day and in February?

Over the last few years these dark, scary movies began being released in Februrary with quite a few on Valentine's Day. I got me thinking but then my University education popped in and got me seeing it from the advertisers and movie makers Point of View. They are banking on new relationships being started on Valentine's Day and in February and lovers will want movies that cause them to snuggle up close in the dark *wiggles eyebrows*

Anyways this year, there are quite a few fright titles out on or around the big day of red, gushie hearts. From Side Effects with Channing Tatum and Jude Law to Mama about some kids left alone in the woods and some weird-twistie-demon thing followed them home after caring for them for 5 years in the woods.

Also there is a creepy remake on Hansel and Gretel to a not so scary but hilarious spoof of a group of movies especially Paranormal Activity created by the creators of Scary Movies and White Girls. Come now, that is bound to be funny. I haven't had a chance to go take any of these titles in yet (the new stuff) because of work, school, writing, edits all that good stuff but I am going to.

Also out this month is Sylvester Stallone's newest blow-everything-to-hell movie called Bullet to the Head. This cast makes my mouth water.  But forget about Sly for a second. This movie stars Jason Mamoa (Conan [the new one], Stargate Atlantis), Sung Kang (Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift and Fast Five) and Christian Slater (we all know Christian--I mean sure he hasn't done anything much since his TV show went belly up bu come on, the man's an icon!).  These men together in one movie? Oh how can any red blooded male and most women refuse to see this movie? Its full of two of the hottest men on the planet and one of the coolest action stars EVER. You heard me...EVER....

Before February began, Arnold Schwarzeneggar headed back into the movie biz. Sure he didn't leave it completely but he took some time off to run California then come right back. His movie "The Last Stand" had some names in it like Johnny Knoxville, Forest Whittaker and Luis Guzman. The movie came out at a very strange time--right as there was a masscare in Connecticut and the fact the poster had him holding a giant gun in front of a school bus--er rather what looked to be a school bush--a bunch of people didn't think it was in good taste. But as usuall CNN caused a little hysteria probably without seeing the movie. But it wasn't really a school bus--if you watch the trailer you see it's one of those sixties looking hippie bus things. Not sure what the deal was with why it was yellow.

Adding stuff blowing up on Valentine's Day is A Good Day to Die Hard yes you heard right. It's another John McClane movie with Bruce Willis. According to IMBD the story goes like this - John McClane travels to Russia to help out his seemingly wayward son, Jack, only to discover that Jack is a CIA operative working to prevent a nuclear-weapons heist, causing the father and son to team up against underworld forces. It stars Bruce and some guy name Jai Courtney from Australia's Packed to the Rafters and Sebastian Koch. 

 

Oh and there's a movie called Parker with Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez. It came and went without much fanfare which worries me a little because Jason's movies always made more noise than this one did. JLo did nothing to save it. hrm...I wonder what that means.......So so far the movies this year hasn't been comepletely wasteful. I have yet to see any of them but from what I've seen they look okay.

 

Once exams are over, I'm going to spend a couple of days catching up on movies for this year.

 

Happy Viewing,

Kato

 

Top 5 Classic Movies to See

After doing my Christmas list, I had to do my all time favorite classics!

5.The Maltese Falcon - In University I was forced to read the book and watch the movie. I was glad I did. The book was perfectly written and the movie was superb! A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette. Stars Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor and Gladys George

4. Gone With the Wind - Okay, so I am not one for the mushie stuff. I mean sure I write romance but most of the movies out there that are called Romance are just blah - but this movie I first saw it when I was about  15 and ADORED it. American classic in which a manipulative woman and a roguish man carry on a turbulent love affair in the American south during the Civil War and Reconstruction. Stars Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh and Thomas Mitchell

3. The Gold rush - Charlie Chaplin aka The Tramp goes the Klondike in search of gold and finds it and more.  I sat at home watching this movie with my mother the other day. It's a silent move from about 1925 and I laughed so hard my sides hurt. This movie is hilarious. And oh, if someone says "I'm so hungry I could eat my shoe" this movie is where it came from lol.

2. Casablanca - Of course this movie would make this list. Set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II: An American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications. Stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid.

1. Citizen Kane - This movie is my all time favorite movie ever! Why? This masterpiece is in black and white, made in the 1940's and it was made it was surprisingly clever! Following the death of a publishing tycoon, news reporters scramble to discover the meaning of his final utterance - "Rosebud!" Citizen Kane stars Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten and Dorothy Comingore.

The Best Christmas Movies

So no this is now a review. I just thought I'd count down the top ten of my FAVORITE Christmas movies! There are some classics that didn't make the list because I was only counding down from 10 so enjoy!

10. Christmas In Canaan - DJ and Rodney don't like each other from the start. Rodney thinks DJ is an ignorant white farm boy, and DJ thinks Rodney acts too smart for his own good. After a school bus scuffle between the two, DJ's father and Rodney's grandmother come up with a clever solution that brings the boys closer than either of them would like. Living in Canaan, Texas in the 1960's does not make it easy for a black boy and a white boy to forge a friendship. It is only amid the magic of an unforgettable Christmas that DJ and Rodney discover a land of milk and honey where hope and love make all the difference.

9. White Christmas (1954) -  successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.
8. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed.

7. Home Alone 3 - Alex Pruitt, a young boy of nine living in Chicago, fend off thieves who seek a top-secret chip in his toy car to support a North Korean terrorist organization's next deed.

6. Sound of Music - A woman leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the children of a Naval officer widower.

6. A Christmas Story - Ralphie has to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect gift for the 1940s.

5. Trading Places - A snobbish investor and a wily street con artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.

4. Make the Yultide Gay - (GLBT) - Olaf "Gunn" Gunnunderson, an out-and-proud gay college student, crawls back into the closet to survive the holidays with his family. He keeps his cool as his quirky Midwestern-hearted parents try to set him up with his high school sweetheart, Abby. But when his boyfriend, Nathan, shows up at their doorstep unannounced, Gunn must put on a charade to keep the relationship a secret. With pressure mounting from all sides, will Gunn come out before the truth does?

3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas - (with Jim Carey) - The Grinch, a bitter, grouchy, cave-dwelling creature with a heart "two sizes too small," lives on snowy Mount Crumpit, a steep, 3,000-foot (910 m) high mountain just north of Whoville, home of the merry and warm-hearted Whos. His only companion is his faithful dog, Max. From his perch high atop Mount Crumpit, the Grinch can hear the noisy Christmas festivities that take place in Whoville. Annoyed and unable to understand the Whos' happiness, he makes plans to descend on the town and deprive them of their Christmas presents, Roast Beast, Who-hash and decorations and thus "prevent Christmas from coming. - From Wikipedia

2. Home Alone 1 - An 8-year-old boy, who is accidentally left behind while his family flies to France for Christmas, has to defend his home against idiotic burglars.

1. A Christmas Carol (1984) - An old miser who makes excuses for his uncaring nature learns real compassion when 3 ghosts visit him on Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas!

Hello everyone!

From Kato's Totally Biased Movie Reviews, I'd like to say have a Merry Christmas and we wish for you a happy, safe and prosperous New Year!

Be safe this season.

No drinking and driving!

And take the family to a movie!

Hugs,

Kato