The Great Gatsby

Lights, glamour, action!

The glorious long awaited Great Gatsby finally hits the big screen. Immediately,  the seduction of music lined with the modern day roaring twenties is aesthetically beautiful. Modern music in a classic remade film was a brilliant mix. I believe the modern day party music fits very well with the party lifestyle of the 20's. With themes like party, sex, and alcohol- the only thing that separates us from them is time.

Leo DiCaprio embodies Gatsby like none other. Every line said and subtle movement was so smooth, cool, and spot on yet there was always this mystery about him that made us wonder. I don't think I could have picked a better actor to embody the Great Gatsby. This role made Leo look younger and richer.

Once exposed, the love between Gatsby and Daisy was such a rare breed in real life yet more common in films. A unicorn romance bet on by many to triumph in the end. His fear, determination, and dedication was amusing. How far was this man willing to go for a woman he left five years ago? Would his efforts pay off? His thoughts were unpredictable that kind of went in hand with his mood swings but his love was undeniable.

I was hooked from beginning to end. I liked the book, loved the movie, and was captured by this remake. Everything was magnified and brought to life in a reviving way. What kept me intrigued was the masking of emotions and underlying plans. The world full of glitz and glamour was just an illusion hiding the truth. When Daisy mentioned she wanted her daughter to grow up and be a fool, a beautiful fool, it made me think...is ignorance really bliss? If it is, when is it ok to be ignorant? The craving of one's desire was always within reach but it never lived in the palm of one's hand.

Gatsby's house was always full of people from the elaborate parties he hosted but a house full of people echoed with hollowness until the day Daisy stepped back through his gates; that was such a beautiful moment to witness. To think of love as something that robs your mind is scary and vulnerable. Gatsby's outlook as to love is to never be free; that was a compelling concept. How do people view love today?

This movie brings forth themes like truth and how painful it can be. How far do we go to keep ourselves protected? What do we do when the past catches up? How long is enough running? How much of ourselves do we let remain foolish to the world? The Great Gatsby was a thought provoking film with such a honest intelligent message. I would recommend this film to just about anyone. Hopefully it will leave you thinking about the right thing to do verses the thing that feels right.

Fast & Furious 6

This was very difficult to write without spoiler alerts. I apologize if I give anything away but I tried to give MY objective view without letting secrets and surprises slip out.

So, my love for the Fast and Furious franchise exceeds everything; it trumps all problems no matter how big or small. With that said...action was phenomenal. The car action was adrenaline pumping, the double teaming was fun, and rest was pure entertaining. Even at one point there is an airborne head-butt (think about it). The fast cars, the beautiful people, and the explosions were unforgettable.

Let’s get the criticism out the way, the beginning chemistry of Brian O’Connor being a father was weird. There was no family chemistry but the love between him and Mia still exist. It might have been just me, but I felt the acting was too much because the baby was not a natural scene ambiance. It made story line sense logically for Mia and O’Connor to start a family but that is easier said than done on screen. Plus, I don’t mean to be rude but having two gorgeous parents, that was not the cutest baby. It wasn’t ugly but it looked like a pale alien. That baby does not need to go into acting in the future. They could not get baby Jack to focus for anything.

Let’s take a jump over to Paul Walker’s character. His name is Brian O’Connor but I have never heard so many people call him by his first name in a movie. Most of his friends called him O’Connor. I know its a minor thing but it was funny to hear his first name being called so many times without a nickname. Everyone else has a nickname or short name that's unique: Dom, Letty, Mia, Rome, Tej, Han, Hobbs, Shaw etc.. His name as just said like the uncool father you don’t want tagging along anywhere. There was no salvation in the way his name was being said throughout the movie that didn’t bother me.

My favorite part as well as the main focus was Dom and Letty reuniting. It was such a nice change to not just hear about Dom and Letty’s past but to see how far Dom was willing to physically go for Letty was so impressionable. I was relieved Elena was gracious enough to step aside when Letty was back in the picture: her two or three scenes were all she needed. Throughout the entire movie he was always tough and sexy Dominic Toretto but he was whipped every step of the way and I was loving it. He never staggered from his principles but he had a focus point that he was not willing to deviate from. That’s the kind of exciting love most people want and only few get. He went through great lengths and probably would walk through the fires of hell for Letty. That’s real love from a real man.

The movie did have a beautiful message of family used through fast cars which I find wonderful. It is refreshing that as many people as they have in their family, each character has their own footing in the crew. Nobody personalities are overlapping, no duplicates, and very cohesive as a cast. At the end of the day, when it all comes down, the most important question is....muscle or import? While you think and decide, a nice way to sum up the movie was a prayer prayed in the film:

“Father, thank you for the gathering of friends. Father we give thanks for all the choices we’ve made because that’s what makes us who we are. Let us forever cherish the love ones we’ve lost along the way. Thank you for the little angel, the newest addition to our family. Thank you for bringing Letty home and most of all, thank you for fast cars.”

So what is to come of the expected July 2014 date for Fast and Furious 7? Well from previews, we know the new bad guy in town and we unfortunate endure the loss of family members. Personally, it’s up to you to believe if they are really dead or not. With all the meat heads we’ve had in this film and previous films, we get to add another one to the bunch. In case you’re wondering the transporter, Jason Statham, himself is our next bad guy.  Although this next film will not be directed by the famous and talented Justin Lin, we are going to steadfast, have faith, and hope for an even better, faster, louder Fast and Furious 7 for next year.

Season Finales- Grey's Anatomy & Scandal

GREY'S ANATOMY

Shonda Rhimes has shown mercy on her Grey's fans. I only say that because when we anticipate the huge finales, we knew they will be full of drama, we know they will  make an impact on the characters lives, and we know the episode will pull on some major heart strings.

One viewer was relieved while still engrossed: "I was happy that Grey's ended on a kind of happy note......because usually it ends extremely dramatic."

Basic premise: there is a huge storm and blackout is threatening the hospital. Lives still need to be saved, right? Meredith's water broke in the last episode. And Arizona was nowhere to be found because she slept with Doctor Control Freak McFlirt (I know, quite a mouthful). So how is all this going to work?

For details, I would recommend nothing short of watching the season finale itself but we are going to discuss some key plot points that stood out.

http://watchabc.go.com/greys-anatomy/SH559058/VDKA0_jclfs5pj/perfect-storm

On the couples side....we all knew Avery and Kepner would find a way to continue their love story even though I'm not alone when I say I don't like the as a couple. They don't work or have screen chemistry. Owen and Christina were doomed in a way that was obvious to everybody no matter how much we stayed in denial. It refreshing to hear the couple won't reside in denial any longer because we all knew the truth was going to haunt them into resenting each other. Now onto Calzone (Callie and Arizona). I'm glad Callie found out about Arizona. It's the second time she's been cheated on and she does deserve better. I may be a little bias because as bubbly and wonderful as Arizona is to the tiny humans, I identify with Callie more. Lastly, the MerDer baby. I have spent time since season two thinking what they would be like married and what their kids would look like. I finally got a glimpse of the ever so anticipated McBaby. I can wait all summer til season 10 now.

My life is content in the Grey's world. Although, one thing that has me on edge is the suspenseful life or death of Richard Webber. It was predictable in the beginning of the episode but I really hope he is not dead. It would be very sad since he got Bailey back into the OR: "Greys was awesome but I saw the live wires. Hard to believe he would be that careless. " Updates to be revealed in the fall  part of season 10 Grey's Anatomy!

SCANDAL

Tell me one word to describe scandal beside using the word scandalous. Right!....can't make up a word in the English dictionary immediately.

Most fans have faith in their precious Olitz: "I was freaking out over Scandal. Surprising ending. I believe Olitz will find their way back to each other. Shonda knows her fans love them" Even I can admit, they are a pretty stinking hot couple. Sex just oozes out their pours when they're together.

Let me be the resisting tide, the underdog, whatever you want to call me but I knew Scandal was going to blow up. I still remain team Jake or as I call them team Jalivia. I knew he would only go so far obeying orders before he put Olivia's well-being above them. That's why I loved him from the beginning flaws and all.

Taking a trip back to hell, I'm sorry, I meant the White House. I like the president, in fact, love him but I'm ready for Millie to stop being pushed around because she's in love with a husband who loves Liv. I love Millie; she is like my Phoenix who need to rise from the ashes so Cy doesn't have to kill himself. Something about Millie strikes a chord with me and I know its not over until the first lady sings. She coming back guns blazing in season 3, mark my words.

BTW's......daddy??? Lol who would have thought about that for an ending? I knwe Olivia was gonna get I narked on for being the first mistress but daddy? Ha ha, I just can't get over it.

http://watchabc.go.com/scandal/SH55126555/VDKA0_d5i93x0p/white-hats-back-on