Month: July 2023

Oppenheimer – The Movie

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn EntertainmentLeave a comment

I have to say I was drawn into the hype before this movie was released and liked the positive reviews, but was turned off within minutes of the start because of the excessively loud soundtrack. Imagine an old locomotive building up steam and then blasting right through your head – they did it several times in the movie and we found it very annoying.

I’m a bit of a history buff and enjoyed the story, although many parts of it were drawn out way too long. The all-star cast and their acting was superb all throughout. The switching back and forth between color and black and white helped to separate two events but the timeline was still confusing.

I didn’t realize Albert Einstein was still alive and asked for input during the creation of the atom bomb, and that so many other scientists with the exception of him, were such egomaniacs. There were a lot of people involved in the Trinity project and their characters helped the movie along. As in the name,

the film is about Oppenheimer himself, more than the bomb.

The movie gives you great insight into American politics – how they were so paranoid about Communists, the Nazis, and even their allies – the Russians. They flaunt their power once the bomb is created, then backtrack to clear their name on the international stage and discredit its creator.

The movie is three hours long, probably an hour more than it should be. I have to admit it was entertaining for me, but Cathryn fell asleep at least twice. She didn’t like the movie at all and rated it a 4 out of 10. I have a tough time giving it a 6.

Mission Impossible 7 – Dead Reckoning Part 1

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn EntertainmentLeave a comment

Tom Cruise loves cinema so much he turned down several offers from movie streamers like Netflix and Amazon, and he purposely developed his latest instalment of Mission Impossible specifically for the big screen. It’s his mission to keep movie theaters alive, thus the reason he rushed Top Gun Maverick into production during the Covid epidemic.

Just browse the limited selection of movies these days at your local theater and it’s easy to see their days are numbered. Blame covid, movie ticket or popcorn prices or virtually free streaming from the comfort of your own living room…even all the superhero movies aimed younger audiences don’t seem to be filling theater seats.

But there are certain movies that should be seen on the big screen and M.I. 7 is one of them. Unlike the last instalment of Indiana Jones, which was mostly CGI, Dead Reckoning is a movie made for adrenaline junkies. Action in the form of foot and car chases is second to none, with awesome and realistic stunts, some of which are performed by Cruise himself.

There is one aerial chase scene that the action star trained a whole year for. It’s no secret that Cruise strives to impress audiences by pushing the envelope when it comes to the type of fast-paced and almost non-stop action that the Impossible Mission Force delivers each time they accept a new assignment.

There is plenty of death and destruction in M.I. 7, as in most action movies these days, but there are also elements of humor, humility and compassion. The plot has to do with Artificial Intelligence, something that is a hot topic around the world today. This film gives us a glimpse at how scary a super A.I. can be in the wrong hands.

Apparently, Dead Reckoning is a long story to tell, with part one running two and three-quarter hours and part two already in production. Hopefully our local cinemas will still be in business when the second installment comes out. Cathryn and I both enjoyed the movie, both of us easily giving it a 10 out of 10.

Border City Chronicles – Four More

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn Book ReviewsLeave a comment

BORDER CITY CHRONICLES – BOOK 2 – 4 stars out of 5 – Editorial Review:

Detective Norm Strom is back, along with several detectives we already know. Our favorite detective relates four more stories of local crime in the Windsor area. Although more detailed in police procedures, each story relates a varied and interesting case file.

1. GONE FISHING – A fishing story that involves catching brutal attackers rather than fish and explains the failings of the judicial system in caring for victims.

2. THE HATFIELDS AND MCKAYS – A tale of a family feud that ends in murder.

3. VICTIMLESS CRIME – a narrative explaining the flaws in the system that is supposed to protect people from scams and frauds.

4. 30 YEARS COLD – A body of a man is discovered. Missing 30 years ago, the discovery shakes his family. This story of his death echoes your mind.

This book held my interest as Norm worked the various cases. The suspense and intrigue ran through the narrative and each story held different perspectives of police work. This book is a well-written story and its social and political implications gave a realistic feel to the plot-definitely a book worth reading.

Official Release Date: August 1st, 2023 – Pre-orders now available

Indiana Jones – Dial of Destiny

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn EntertainmentLeave a comment

Cathryn and I always enjoy getting out to see a good movie on the big screen, even though there’s been barely anything to go see. If you’re a superhero fan then there’s been plenty of flicks to entertain you. But with the lack of attendance at local theatres and so many movies going directly to venues like Netflix and Prime, seeing a movie out is becoming a rare occurrence.

You would think that a blockbuster series like Indiana Jones, strategically released during Canadian and American holidays, would rake in the dough. But the Dial of Destiny grossed only tens of millions instead of the usual figures around ten times that amount.

Having seen all the previous Indy movies, we came away from this one a bit disappointed. Perhaps it was the same old Nazi villains, or Indy’s old friends, or the old Harrison Ford himself. There’s lots of computer magic in this film, even parts where they’ve dubbed in a younger face on the old one-time action movie star. It wasn’t hard to imagine the actors in front of the green screen through the sequence of chase scenes – so much looked way too fake.

But who could expect so much action from an old fart. After seeing Ford in the Yellowstone prequill, 1923, I wondered how and why he would take on another Indiana Jones roll. I guess the repetitious plot has finally worn itself out, much like Ford himself.

Having said all that, the movie is still somewhat fun and entertaining, and worth the trip out to eat dry and overpriced popcorn. Thankfully, I now qualify for seniors discount on movie tickets.