Achievement Unlocked: 50 Pounds Down

Well, I made it!  I hit the 50 pounds down mark almost three weeks ago!  I tell ya, it feels so good.  You know, I knew I was overweight before, but didn't really realize how bad it was until I put these two pics side by side.  In fact, I have gone from morbidly obese to just obese according to that ridiculous BMI chart.  Hell, if I lose another 30ish pounds, I will then only be overweight!  Truthfully, I don't look at that chart unless I need a laugh, but it is just one more sign of the progress I have made.  I'm going to keep this adventure going.  Sure, I am still going to cheat on the weekends.  It is what I need to do to keep myself sane.  Sure that makes the transformation take a lot longer.  But I am happy, and that is all that matters.  4 steps forward and 3 steps back is still going forward. 

And now that the update is out of the way, on with more reviews:

Movie Review #80 - Dinosaur

This "monster's" got no teeth! What's he gonna do? Gum us to death? 

I was watching this film for the first time ever.  There was a time when Jessica's mom was buying us any Disney movie we didn't own and this ended up being one of them despite that fact that we had never seen it.  Now that I have seen it, I am not sure I will be seeing it again. 

Ok, it wasn't BAD, but there was absolutely NOTHING memorable about it.  It was such a by the numbers animated film (well, computer generated) that seemed like it was done as a side project in between more important and profitable films.  And the computer animation was actually pretty damn creepy.  And the story?  Meh, it was totally forgettable.  I wasn't bored or anything, but it was on and then it was over and I went on with my life. 

3 out of 10 cheeseburgers


Movie Review #81 - Dirty Dancing

Oh, come on, ladies. God wouldn't have given you maracas if He didn't want you to shake 'em.

Despite this pretty much being a chick flick, there has never been a time that I didn't like and appreciate this movie.  I think the main thing that drew me to it at first was the soundtrack.  Growing up with my parents, I appreciated the Oldies and this movie was full of great older songs ( in addition to some very popular contemporary songs).  The music added to an already entertaining movie.  Watching it now, it is still quite entertaining, but some of the acting and lines are fairly ridiculous.  And Jennifer Gray is actually quite annoying in the film.  I also don't know how well their chemistry actually works.  It is more apparent now (or maybe it is because I know the back story) how much her and Swayze actually hated each other during the filming of this movie.  They hid it fairly well, but it is there.  But I don't want to bash on the film too much because it is still a good movie, maybe not the love story to end all love stories that I thought it once was.

6.5 out of 10 cheeseburgers


Movie Review #82 - Disturbia 

Where are the coffee and doughnuts? You can't have a stakeout without coffee and doughnuts. 

Rear Window for a new generation.  While Hitchcock's film is a masterpiece, this movie does a pretty damn good job at being entertaining.  I know a lot of people hate Shia Lebeouf, but I find him pretty likeable and he does a good job in this movie of playing the part of the kid who nobody believes.  The movie has some good suspense, it has some pretty funny moments, and it has a super hot girl.  I am not sure I can ask for much more in a mindless two hours of entertainment.  It's one of those movie that you catch while flipping through channels on cable and when you find it, have a hard time turning it off even though you have seen it over and over.  You can jump in at any time and just start watching.  If you were a fan of Rear Window and want a teen friendly version, give it a try.

7 out of 10 cheeseburgers


Movie Review #83 - Django Unchained

Gentlemen, you had my curiosity. But now you have my attention. 

I am about to say something that I can't believe I am about to say.  Once I type it out, it's official.  I think Django Unchained may be Tarantino's best film.  Yes, his BEST film.  Everyone should know my love of Pulp Fiction.  Even writing the words, "Pulp Fiction," is making me rethink calling Django the best.  But even if it isn't his best, it comes pretty damn close.  And why does it come close?  Because it is a pretty damn near perfect film. 

First off, the storyline is amazing.  Tarantino has truly scripted a wonderful piece and you totally care about the characters.  In typical Tarantino fashion, it also has the right amount of humor.  It's not going to take you out of the film and make you mistake the film for a comedy, but it injects humor to keep the film from being too serious.  And the acting.  Wow, the acting is outstanding headlined by the amazing Cristoph Waltz.  In a Tarantino film for a second time, I am blown away by how amazing this guy is.  I would watch him in anything because he owns every scene he is in.  Leonardo is prefect as a villain and it was great to see him in such a different role.  And Jamie Foxx was also great in the title role.  I am glad that Will Smith ended up turning down this role (In order to make MIB III) because I feel that Foxx works so much better in this.  All those guys plus the amazing story make this one of my absolute favorites.

10 out of 10 cheeseburgers



Movie Review #84 - Dodgeball

Nobody makes me bleed my own blood.

Much like another Ben Still film that will appear on this list MUCH later on this list,this film really grew on me.  I watched it the first time and was entertained, but thought it was pretty silly.  I laughed and that was important.  Then I saw it again.  And again.  And again.  And suddenly I was loving this comedy.  It's silly in all the right ways for me.  Throw in the fact that is a sports underdog film, one of my favorite genres, and you have an entertaining film.  Yes, it is ridiculous.  Yes, it is brainless.  But sometimes you need that and this one works for me.  Stiller is absolutely ridiculous and proves a perfect foil for Vaughn's deadpan delivery.  It also has a hilarious supporting cast and some funny cameos.  If you like funny sports films and you don't mind the silliness of Stiller, then you can appreciate this film.  I can always watch this. 

7.5 out of 10 cheeseburgers



Movie Review #85 - Dogma

I have issues with anyone who treats God as a burden instead of a blessing. You people don't celebrate your faith; you mourn it.

Kevin Smith at the top of his game.  Mix Kevin Smith witty writing with a storyline that both attacks and celebrates religion of today and you have a classic.  This is such an underrated film, most likely because people can't look past Smith's dick and fart jokes that he happily spews with the glee of a 12 year old.  They are in there simply because Smith can't contain himself.  But underneath those jokes in a film that really digs DEEP into religion and really makes you think.  I can see why so many people protested this film, but even though it seems like he is destroying religion in this film, he actually seems to be talking about why it is good and simply just being practiced in the incorrect way.  I wish people could see that.  Sure, it is hard to see that in a film with a Shit Monster, but it is truly a special film.  Much like the tagline in American Beauty, you just have to, "Look Closer."

8.5 out of 10 cheeseburgers.