Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets”!

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Denise

What up, my genre films people?  I’ve been intrigued by Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets for a while now y’all. (#LUCBESSON) So I’m stoked that I’ve got passes for the Baltimore screening!  Synopsis!

In the 28th century, special operatives Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline work together to maintain order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the minister of defense, the duo embarks on a mission to Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis where diverse species gather to share knowledge and culture. When a dark force threatens the peaceful city, Valerian and Laureline must race against time to identify the menace that also jeopardizes the future of the universe.

Ready to suit up and head into space?  I know it!  Let’s go! Continue reading →

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Elsewhere Review: three summery beers for Green Man Review

Posted on July 9, 2017 by Denise
I like beer.  Oh sure; I prefer dark pours like porters and stouts.  But I like beer.  Lovely, lovely beer.  So enjoy these reviews from GMR, and find the full reviews at their hyperlinks!

Flying Dog Family Tree

I tend to have a huge Sad when the weather starts getting warmer.  Not because it’s gardening season; I love fresh vegetables and the inevitable cauldron of walnut pistou served up in the kitchen (try it slathered on Cook’s sourdough.  Delicious!) But because my beloved stouts and porters typically get tossed aside by local pubs and alehouses.  So I sniff around for beers with a lighter touch.  Which brings me to this particular pint; Family Tree.

This Belgian style Pale Ale is definitely on the hoppy side, but not in an overkill kinda way.  In fact, there’s a nice malt to it, with a decided lack of bitterness that typically turns me off from the usual Belgians. Oh, there’s a hint o’ bitter here, but it’s in a faint ESB kinda way, rather than an overly yeasty grabs-you-by-the-collar invasion. This Tree is a refreshing, light pint that’s easy to drink and pairs well with all kinds of things.

Continue reading →

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“Spider-Man: Homecoming” slings lots of fun and tons of heart

Posted on July 7, 2017 by Denise

Nutshell: Another revamp of the Spider-Man story?  Yep.  And this time it’s a keeper. As a young man with extraordinary powers, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker is definitely a marvel.  And this (sorta)solo outing does the character and MCU justice. Welcome home, Spidey. Grade: A

“But we have a Spanish quiz!”

Story: Coming off his amazing work with the Avengers in Civil War, Peter Parker is sure that he’s thisclose to joining the gang.  But he’s got high school to get through, and there’s a high-tech guy starting to make trouble in Petey’s neighborhood.  Yo, home to … Queens! Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch: “Do You Take This Man”

Posted on July 7, 2017 by Denise


Who doesn’t love a wonderful story about love, marriage, and friendship? Haters, that’s who. And you definitely won’t hate this trailer for the new film Do You take This Man. Why? Because it’s all sorts of adorable, sweet, touching and lovely. What? I’m really digging it. Synopsis!

Daniel, 40, (Anthony Rapp) and Christopher, early 30’s, (Jonathan Bennett) are very different men – in their interests, their choice of friends, their ways of handling life’s stresses – but they are very much in love, and they are getting married tomorrow, at least that’s the plan. Triggered by the unexpected arrival of a long-lost childhood friend of Christopher’s, the grooms-to-be confront their differences, and lean on their friends and family to get through a day filled with surprises, stresses, and uncertainty about their future together.

OH MY GOD IS THAT ALYSON HANNIGAN? She’s so awesome #ForeverWillow…but then again so is this trailer.  You guys, I think I need to see this one.  I love a good friends-coming-together film, but this one really has a lovely vibe.  Check out the trailer and see for yourself.

Do You Take This Man hits theaters tomorrow, July 7th, 2017.

 

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “Girl’s Trip”!

Posted on July 6, 2017 by Denise

Hey y’all!  Okay, so I’ve been stoked for Girl’s Trip ever since I saw the first trailer.  You too?  GOOD.  Because I’ve got passes for the Baltimore area screening!  Synopsis!

When four lifelong friends—Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith and Tiffany Haddish—travel to New Orleans for the annual Essence Festival, sisterhoods are rekindled, wild sides are rediscovered, and there’s enough dancing, drinking, brawling and romancing to make the Big Easy blush.

Ready for some trippin’?  Me too y’all – let’s go! Continue reading →

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Columbia Screening Pass-palooza: “Spider-Man: Homecoming”!

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Denise

Hey there Marvel fans!  Are you ready for some cool web-slinging action?  ME TOO.  I’ve got passes for the COLUMBIA, MARYLAND showing of Spider-Man: Homecoming!  Synopsis!

A young Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland), who made his sensational debut in Captain America: Civil War, begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging super hero in Spider-Man: Homecoming.  Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine – distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man – but when the Vulture (Michael Keaton) emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened.

Ready for fun Tony Stark/Peter Parker bonding, and getting to see Michael Keaton suit up again (this time as a baddie)? C’mon! Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch: the Bellas come together for “Pitch Perfect 3″(new poster too!)

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Denise

“I would do anything to sing with you guys again. ANYTHING.”

The poster says it all.  One last hurrah for the Bellas, and I acca-can’t believe it.  Synopsis!

Now graduated from college and out in the real world where it takes more than a cappella to get by, the Bellas return in Pitch Perfect 3, the next chapter in the beloved series. After the highs of winning the World Championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren’t job prospects for making music with your mouth. But when they get the chance to reunite for an overseas USO tour, this group of awesome nerds will come together to make some music, and some questionable decisions, one last time.

I love the usual Pitch Perfect blend of kickass swag soundtrack and glorious dialogue. Plus, Rebel Wilson FTW!

Pitch Perfect 3 is scheduled to hit theaters this Christmas.

 

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Movie News: “Jurassic World” sequel is a “Fallen Kingdom”

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Denise

Click on the image for the full-size glory!

The Jurassic World sequel now has an official title: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. And if that isn’t sending a little chill down your spine, you’re dead inside. DEAD.

Fallen Kingdom will see the return of Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and BD Wong.  But what I’m very interested to see is the return of Jeff Goldblum’s mathematician and Chaos Theory specialist, Ian Malcolm.  Can’t wait to see the deadpan Malcom spar with Pratt’s equally cheeky Owen.  #LetsGetReadyToRumble

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is scheduled for a June, 2018 release.  RAWR!

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “The House”!

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Denise

Seven come eleven y’all!  Okay, so I have absolutely no idea what that means, but as I’ve got passes for the Baltimore area screening of The House?  Felt right.  Synopsis!

After Scott (Will Ferrell) and Kate (Amy Poehler) Johansen lose their daughter Alex’s college fund, they become desperate to earn it back so she can pursue her dream of attending a university. With the help of their neighbor Frank (Jason Mantzoukas), they decide to start an illegal casino in the basement of his house.

Poehler.  Ferrell.  Y’all know this is gonna be a hoot.  Don’t believe me?  Peep the trailer.

Yeah.  Thought so.  Let’s go! Continue reading →

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Goodreads review: “Taming the Beast” (True Mates #5) by Alicia Montgomery

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Denise
Yeah, sometimes I’ll just rip a review straight off of what I wrote over at Goodreads. It happens.

I typically don’t like jumping into a series. I’m the kinda gal who likes to start from Book One and go straight on through ’til morning. (Sometimes quite literally.) But when this was offered as an Amazon freebie, who was I to say no? And I’m glad I bit.

Author Montgomery crafts an intriguing mythology that had me wishing I’d started from the first book in the series. And well, beginning from the…beginning would have helped me keep all the various character names straight, as I’m crap with names. (But it’s nice to see that even the author pokes fun at the large stable of characters, with one in particular lamenting it “made his head hurt trying to remember who was who.” I’m right there with you, buddy! Perhaps we can form a support group?) Getting to know the various couples would have cemented them in my ol’ noggin easily, I’m sure. Especially since Montgomery keeps things rolling along nicely, with lively, believable dialogue and just enough thrills and action. Continue reading →

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