"No measure of time with you will be long enough, but we'll start with forever."

I was expecting the new Twilight movie to be pretty bad, considering the first three were not that fantastic, but Breaking Dawn was more awful than even I could have predicted. I was not a huge fan of the first movie, but the second and third just seemed to be getting a little better each time. I was, therefore, hoping that this four installment would be even better than the first three. Boy, was I wrong.

This fourth movie picks up the day before Edward and Bella's wedding. We see the ceremony and the reception before they head to Buenos Aires and then a private island for their honeymoon. Bella becomes unexpectedly pregnant but with what, no one can say for certain. The vampires are afriad that the baby is killing Bella from the inside and the wolves are afraid of the unknown creature she is carrying. Jacob must decide whether to side with his pack or side with the vampires and protect Bella's life.

The acting was about the same as usual. No vast improvements in anyone's performances, but nothing too horrible either. I would also say that the dialogue was exactly what you would expect from the first three movies, except that it was a little funnier. It has been a while since I watched them, but I do not really remember the first three movies having very many funny moments. However, Breaking Dawn included a few good lines from Charlie, Jacob and Emmett.

"It's time to play the music, it's time to light the lights...."

Since it is Thanksgiving week, all the new movies out this weekend start Wednesday. I am therefore doing my Weekend Movie Preview a few days early.

The new movies that are out this weekend are: Hugo, The Muppets and Arthur Christmas.

Arthur Christmas is an animated movie about Santa's youngest son. The night of Christmas, Arthur must use his father's high-tech operation for an urgent mission that must be completed before Christmas morning. The characters are voiced by James McAvoy, Bill Nighy, Hugh Laurie, Imelda Staunton, Ashley Jensen, Laura Linney, Eva Longoria, Michael Palin, Robbie Coltrain, Joan Cusack, Andy Serkis, Dominic West and Jim Broadbent as Santa.

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Arthur Christmas at MOVIECLIPS.com

"I'm moving up the food chain! I'm gonna go chew on something that has a face!"

The movies that are in theaters this weekend are: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, Happy Feet Two and The Descendants.

The Descendants is about a man who tries to reconnect with his two daughters when his wife slips into a coma after a boating accident off Waikiki. It comes from the creators of Sideways and About Schmidt, and it stars George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Beau Bridges, Rob Huebel, Judy Greer and Matthew Lillard.

 

"The Gods have given me vision. I cannot change the future. You can."

Even though it did not get great reviews, I went to see Immortals on Friday. I am a fan of Henry Cavill and the special effects intrigued me. I left the movie thinking that it was not that bad and actually pretty entertaining, but the more I think about it, the more holes I find.

Long ago, after a mythic battle, the Gods imprisoned the Titans within Mount Tartarus never again to be released. Now King Hyperion and his massive armies have begun to ravage Greece in search of the one power that can release the Titans, the Epirus bow. Unleashing the Titans would be the end of Mankind and they would destroy the Gods. However, the Gods are not supposed to intervene in Man's affairs. Although, Zeus has chosen Theseus, a bastard and outcast in his village, to lead the people against Hyperion's army.

That is the simplest explanation of the plot, the whole thing is a bit complicated. The storyline and the writing needed a little help to keep everything a litte more coherent. However, the acting and the special effects were great. Even though I am not a fan of 3D, I felt like a movie based on special effects should probably be seen with ALL of its effects. I am not sure that it enhanced the movie for me, but it certainly did not take anything away from it.

"He does not fear danger. He fears only the failure to defend his freedom."

The big movies in theaters this weekend are: Immortals, Jack and Jill and J. Edgar.

J. Edgar Hoover was the face of law enforcement in the United States for almost fifty years. In public, he was feared and respected but in private, he had many secrets. This movie take a look at his private life and those secrets he so desperately tried to keep hidden. J.Edgar was directed by Clint Eastwood and stars Leonardo DiCaprio. It also contains a great supporting cast, including: Naomi Watts, Ed Westwick, Christian Clemenson, Geoff Stults, Armie Hammer, Jeffrey Donovan, Dermot Mulroney, Josh Lucas, Stephen Root, Lea Thompson, Amanda Schull, Jessica Hecht, Jordan Bridges and Dame Judi Dench.

Trailer #1
J. Edgar at MOVIECLIPS.com

"He's slower than a fat man encased in concrete being drug backwards."

After missing it when it was in theaters, I finally got around to watching Secretariat yesterday afternoon on Netflix.

The movie is based on the true story of Penny Chenery Tweedy and her horse, Secretariat. Her family owned Meadow Farm and when he mother passed away, her father was in such horrible health that Penny decided to take over the farm. She bred Secretariat and in 1972, he was named American Horse of the Year. The following year, he won the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and Preakness to be the first horse in 25 years to win the Triple Crown. He is the only horse to ever grace the covers of Time, Newsweek or Sports Illustrated.

"No matter how powerful, all curses can be broken."

It has been a busy couple of weeks, but I have finally caught up on all of my television shows. I have to say, I do not think I am watching as much this season as previously. Even though I have tried more new shows than usual, I am just being pickier about the shows I watch now.

One show that I am still enjoying is The Walking Dead. The first three episodes have been as fantastic and as disgusting as ever. I watched the first season, which was only six episodes, shortly after they aired on AMC last fall. While I am normally not a zombie person, I actually really enjoyed it. It is definitely different than anything else on televsion and the writing is really good. This second season has been just as good as the first, so far. I can deal with the gore because the storylines and acting are SO GOOD. Although, I really did not need the scene in the premiere where they cut the stomach out of a dead zombie. It almost made me vomit.

I have not figured out yet whether or not I like Once Upon A Time. I think that the plot of the show is interesting and I have no problem with the acting, I just think the dialogue is a little cheesy. I realize that fairytale dialogue usually is cheesy, but you would think they could upgrade it a little for the show. I will give it another episode or so before I make a final decision. Grimm, on the other hand, is not making the list. I watched the first episode and, while I thought it was an interesting concept, I just did not really like the show.

Another show that is definitely not making the list is American Horror Story. I have now watched the first four episodes and I will not be watching anymore. I really wanted to like it, but it is just too weird for me. I do not even think it is scary, just weird. I am also giving up on Revenge. I do not really understand why all the critics are so obsessed with it. I find the "Count of Monte Cristo" theme to be interesting, but I just cannot get into this show. I do not think the acting is very good and each episode gets worse and worse. Luckily, Top Chef: Texas has just started so that will fill my Wednesdays at 10pm time slot :o)

"I will blow your face clean off your face!"

The two big movies coming out this weekend are: Tower Heist and A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas.

A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas comes six years after their Guantanamo Bay adventure. In this 3D installment, Harold and Kumar cause a Christmas disaster when they accidentally burn down Harold's father-in-law's prize Christmas tree. Even though they have grown apart over the years, the join together again to try and find the perfect replacement. Along with John Cho, Kal Penn and, of course, Neil Patrick Harris, this movie also stars Patton Oswalt, Danny Trejo, Thomas Lennon, Jake Johnson, David Krumholtz and Paula Garces.

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A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas at MOVIECLIPS.com