Napoleon Dynamite

A listless and alienated teenager decides to help his new friend win the class presidency in their small western high school, while he must deal with his bizarre family life back home.

* Starring: Jon Heder, Jon Gries
* Directed by: Jared Hess
* Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes
* Release year: 2004
* Studio: Fox Searchlight

Watch Dexter Season 5, Ep. 8 "Take It"

While attending a self-help seminar, Dexter and Lumen vet and stalk a violent killer. Debra gets into some unexpected trouble from the fallout of the Santa Muerte case, forcing Batista to make a difficult decision.

* Directed by: Romeo Tirone
* Runtime: 52 minutes
* Original air date: November 14, 2010
* Network: Showtime

Watch Dexter Season 5, Ep. 7 "Circle Us"

While helping Lumen, Dexter finds himself on a collision course with Debra and the rest of Homicide when he is called to investigate a horrifying crime scene. Meanwhile, the Santa Muerte case leads to a violent standoff between Debra and the Santa Muerte killers.

* Directed by: John Dahl
* Runtime: 48 minutes
* Original air date: November 07, 2010
* Network: Showtime




I've had no problems watching this season instantly. I do not have to wait hours for the episodes to load or anything, I just turn on my laptop, head to my Amazon video library, hit play, and begin watching with no problems. Its a super convenient thing for me.

Watch Dexter Season 5, Ep. 6 "Everything Is Illumenated"

Trying to get his life back on track, Dexter hunts a new target, but is distracted and drawn into a precarious situation while helping his troubled acquaintance. Batista discovers an interesting lead in the Santa Muerte murder cases. Quinn learns some new information about Dexter from a questionable source.

* Directed by: Steve Shill
* Runtime: 50 minutes
* Original air date: October 31, 2010
* Network: Showtime

Watch Dexter Season 5, Ep. 5 "First Blood"

When Dexter is saddled with an unwanted conspirator, he is forced to make some hard decisions about her fate. Meanwhile, Dexter wonders if Rita's death has awakened a darkness inside Harrison. Due to Quinn's recent suspension, Debra works the Santa Muerte case alone, leaving Quinn time to enlist an old ... friend to look into Dexter.

* Directed by: Romeo Tirone
* Runtime: 51 minutes
* Original air date: October 24, 2010
* Network: Showtime

Watch Dexter Season 5, Ep. 4 "Beauty And The Beast"

Dexter finds himself in a strange situation when, instead of taking a life, he has to save one. Deb has a scary confrontation with a key suspect in the Santa Muerte murder cases. Quinn continues following up on the strange similarities between 'Kyle Butler' and Dexter Morgan.

* Directed by: Milan Cheylov
* Runtime: 51 minutes
* Original air date: October 17, 2010
* Network: Showtime




The introduction of Julia Stiles character Lumen was woven into Dexter's life seamlessly - even though I knew she would be in this season. I didn't expect her to be the victim that Dexter finds along his journey. Lumen is the perfect blend of vulnerable & survivor that seems to compliment Dexter very well.
He seems to be in a place where he not only helps out another but this person seems to help him in return cope with Rita's murder.
Going against Harry's code & following his own gut is a struggle that you watch play out throughout this season. Dexter is not as "perfect" as he is when working alone as Harry taught him, but in this new vein you see him be even less of the monster he's thought himself to be his entire life.
This season doesn't disappoint!! Watching Dexter's character move forward from Rita's murder - I wonder how the writers could accomplish such a fate, but they have made another season of Dexter to be gripping & enduring!
A MUST SEE!! (as always!)

Watch Dexter Season 5, Ep. 3 "Practically Perfect"

Dexter finds himself in a strange new world when he attempts to hire a nanny for Harrison so he can continue to stalk and kill his next victim. Meanwhile, Debra, who takes the lead on a bizarre double homicide, is displeased when Batista suggests bringing in an annoying rookie officer ... who has her own theories on the case. Things heat up for Dexter when Quinn notices strange similarities between Trinity Killer suspect, 'Kyle Butler' and Dexter Morgan.

* Directed by: Ernest Dickerson
* Runtime: 49 minutes
* Original air date: October 10, 2010
* Network: Showtime




With respect to the previous person the wrote a poor review of this episode & comments of season 5 of Dexter - I couldn't disagree more!
On course season 5 is going to differ from season 1...wouldn't it be boring if it were the same? For me, the evolution of Dexter from being/working/living alone (even withdrawing at times so that "others" don't get in his way of his killing) to a character that finds himself at times wanting to be closer to people is what makes this season even more interesting. As a viewer, I saw him fall in love with Rita & blend with her family. They even created another life - Harrison. Now, without Rita - Dexter is learning how to be a single Dad without his anchor in the strange life of thinking of others.
It's this attempt to find some sort of balance between his many hats that continue to make this serial killer even more - human. He does start making mistakes, but it shows that he is more like other people than heonce thought.
I highly recommend this season of Dexter just as highly as I would the previous seasons.
Dexter is a character that I find incedibly complex...so many sides to him that unfold with each season. The show is never stale or lacking in intrigue!

Watch Dexter Season 5, Ep. 2 "Hello Bandit"

In his new role as single father, an anxious Dexter tries to get his family's routine back on track, to begin the process of moving on from Rita's death. Dexter attempts to focus all his attention on the kids while curbing his dark urges. But when evidence of foul play ... falls into his lap, Dexter makes a horrific discovery, setting Dexter on the trail of his next victim. Debra, trying to be the good sister, shares her apartment with Dexter and the kids only to find there's no room for her. She unhappily finds herself on Quinn's doorstep. Miami Metro has their work cut out when a grisly scene is found in a Venezuelan neighborhood.

* Directed by: John Dahl
* Runtime: 50 minutes
* Original air date: October 02, 2010
* Network: Showtime




Again, I cannot praise this show enough!!!
Season 5 doesn't disappoint!!
One of the things I fell in love with on this show is the writer's ability to make Dexter ..... well, Dexter & yet see a softie underneath & still also see the steely nerves that can kill without a second thought. You can watch Michael C. Hall's character try & try again to learn how to care about others besides himself. When a friend asks me to describe the show I tend to struggle because it's SO hard to describe how one might find a serial killer endearing. You watch him evolve as a person, a man, a Dad and so much more. Dealing with feelings of grief & teenagers to a serial killer would seem so difficult to show on the screen & yet the show does it flawlessly!
I love this show!
I jump from episode to episode more hungry for the next!
Highly recommend this show!

Watch Dexter Season 5, Ep. 1 "My Bad"

Dexter Season 5, Ep. 1 "My Bad"
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In the aftermath of last season's chilling season finale, Rita's death has left Dexter feeling responsible, possibly even...guilty. Unable to deal with the trauma, Dexter makes a drastic decision that will impact everyone around him. Quinn stirs up trouble at the station when he notes that Rita's murder, which is ... being pinned on the Trinity Killer, doesn't fit his normal murder profile. Things get even more heated when Quinn suggests to LaGuerta that they look at the husband: Dexter Morgan. Meanwhile, Quinn offers Debra much needed support, causing her to see Quinn in a new light.

* Directed by: Steve Shill
* Runtime: 54 minutes
* Original air date: September 26, 2010
* Network: Showtime


I never imagined I of all people would be a Dexter fan!
The reason I write this is because I've never been a fan of horror movies & am not that great watching blood & guts....in fact, I most avoid both of these!!
But, a close friend kept raving about Dexter & I gave the show a shot.
Even at Season 5 - when most shows start to lose steam & sometimes viewers - I am still glued to the screen & always left wanting more Dexter!
I was wondering how Season 5 would handled Rita's death & I feel like they did an awesome job!
I promise Season 5 will not disappoint the die hard Dexter fan!
Or, even if you are a first time viewer....you will quickly become a fan! (Although, I highly recommend watching Dexter in all its glory from the very beginning - Season 1-5!)
Season 6 can't come fast enough since I don't subscribe to Showtime!

Rizzoli & Isles Season 2, Ep. 7 "Bloodlines"

Jane and the team investigate what appears to be a modern-day witch hunt in Salem. Meanwhile, Frankie's old girlfriend returns to town with a surprise.

* Runtime: 43 minutes
* Original air date: August 22, 2011
* Network: TNT

Watch Take Me Home Tonight

This raucous comedy follows a group of recent college graduates on one last Labor Day weekend before they start their lives in the real world.

* Starring: Topher Grace, Anna Faris
* Directed by: Michael Dowse
* Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes
* Release year: 2011
* Studio: Relativity Media



Last year, we got Hot Tub Time Machine. This year, we get Take Me Home Tonight. It has a nostalgic vibe and it has a great storyline about being true to yourself. It's not laugh-out-loud comedy, but it does have a few hilarious moments. It doesn't over-use sex, but they did have a lot of drugs, especially cocaine. Topher Grace stars as Matt, a guy who doesn't know what to do with his life. His sister, Wendy sent her application to a college, and Matt's friend, Barry just got fired from his job. Matt works at the local video store, and his high school crush, Tori comes in. She tells him that Kyle is throwing a wild party and asks him to come. Throughout the wild and crazy night, Matt tries to get Tori to like him. This is a really fun movie to watch. I highly recommend that you TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT!!!

Watch Source Code the Movie

Jake Gyllenhaal stars in the mind-bending action thriller about an experimental government program used to try and stop a deadly terrorist attack in downtown Chicago

* Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Vera Farmiga
* Directed by: Duncan Jones
* Runtime: 1 hour 34 minutes
* Release year: 2011
* Studio: Summit Entertainment

Watch Your Highness the Movie

Get high and mighty with Danny McBride, James Franco and Natalie Portman in Your Highness, the epic and hilarious action-comedy from the director of Pineapple Express.

* Starring: Danny McBride, James Franco
* Directed by: David Gordon Green
* Runtime: 1 hour 43 minutes
* Release year: 2011
* Studio: NBCU




There is absolutely nothing of redeeming social value in this raunchy 2011 fantasy comedy, but there are some absurdly funny bits here and there to make it mildly infectious at times. Directed by David Gordon Green, who started in indie films (the acclaimed "George Washington") but last helmed the stoner farce Pineapple Express, the film relies heavily on scatological banter, lowbrow sight gags, and over-the-top CGI effects to punctuate the sophomoric screenplay by star Danny McBride and Ben Best. McBride stars as Prince Thadeous, the cowardly brother of the heroic Prince Fabious, who is about to marry the wide-eyed virgin Belladonna when lo and behold, the villainous wizard Leezar kidnaps her and traps her in a tower like Rapunzel.

Of course, that's the cue for Fabious to take Thadeous and his manservant Courtney to search for her with the aid of a band of knights who soon betray him. Although this is a medieval story with the appropriate sets and costumes, not much of the script is played to period. For the most part, the movie feels like a tribute to the likes of Mel Brooks, Cheech & Chong, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, with the garrulous McBride conveying his character's oversized bravado with tongue firmly in cheek. Meanwhile, James Franco plays Fabious with his slightly askew, surfer-dude manner intact, while Zooey Deschanel plays Belladonna with only a modicum of her usually ironic delivery. As Leezar, Justin Theroux has a field day with the wizard's grandiose manner and lascivious intensity.

Rasmus Hardiker manages to give dimension to the seemingly enfeebled Courtney who inexplicably remains devoted to Thadeous despite the constant humiliation he experiences. Midway through the film enters Natalie Portman as Isabel, a merciless, Xena-like warrior who doesn't suffer fools gladly. Playing the polar opposite of her Oscar-winning role in Black Swan, she is convincing in her predictably cardboard role as a fiery avenger, whether thwacking the heads of a hydra in a Thunderdome-type arena or beating Thadeous up without breaking a sweat. Even with all the high-octane scares and thrills, the creators never forget to surrender to their more puerile instincts like the minotaur's legacy around Thadeous's neck. And yes, I laughed every time I saw it.

Watch Lincoln Lawyer the Movie

In the gripping thriller "The Lincoln Lawyer," Matthew McConaughey stars as Michael "Mick" Haller, a slick, charismatic Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who operates out of the back of his Lincoln Continental sedan.

* Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei
* Directed by: Brad Furman
* Runtime: 1 hour 59 minutes
* Release year: 2011
* Studio: Lionsgate




How far would you go to correct a wrong? After agreeing to take on a case he assumes is an easy win Mickey (McConaughey) soon learns appearances are deceiving. When he finds out the truth and tries to expose it his friends and family are put at risk. I have to admit I actually think McConaughey is very good at playing parts like this. As in "Time To Kill" and "Two For The Money". The smooth man pushed to the edge. Saying almost anything about the movie will give too much info away but I will admit that after being in the "Movie Business" for over 10 years I've seen enough that it's very hard for me to be surprised at a movies ending. The twist at the end of this one had me totally thrown and I love when that happens. I had high expectations for this and it surpassed them all. Watch this movie, you will not regret it. I loved it. As a plus this is a movie that exposes the flaws in the justice system, which will make you mad, and at the same time make you wish more lawyers are like Mickey Haller. I love this movie. I say A+.

Would I watch again? - Absolutely, Im going to buy it!!!

Watch Warehouse 13 Season 3, Ep. 7 "Past Imperfect"

After a brief sighting, Myka turns to her old CIA team to help find Leo, the man who murdered her old partner Sam. Flooded with memories of their love affair, the only clue Sam left behind is a blank card with a recorded message. The Warehouse agents suspect Leo was ... in cahoots with someone from inside the Secret Service; and Myka is once again at risk of losing another partner, Pete.

* Starring: J. August Richards, Yancey Arias
* Directed by: Tawnia McKiernan
* Runtime: 43 minutes
* Original air date: August 22, 2011
* Network: SciFi Channel

Watch The Conspirator Movie

From director Robert Redford comes the riveting true story behind the assassination trial of Abraham Lincoln - including the lone woman who was accused of plotting his murder.

* Starring: James McAvoy, Robin Wright
* Directed by: Robert Redford
* Runtime: 2 hours 3 minutes
* Release year: 2011
* Studio: Lionsgate




When I went to see this movie I knew nothing about it. The trailer merely indicated a period courtroom drama starring James McAvoy.

While I would hesitate to call it one of the best movies of the year, undoubtedly this movie or more precisely the story this movie relates impacted me more deeply than most do. So much so that I have bought several books on the subject to get as full an understanding of this event as possible.

As an experienced director and actor Robert Redford knows how to push the audiences buttons, making socially relevant, and relatable movies.

Here is a true story of a divided country just arrived at an uneasy peace after a bitter civil war, when recently reinaugurated President Lincoln is suddenly assassinated by an actor in a theater. Not only is the president assassinated, there is a simultaneous attempt to murder the Secretary of State Seward, and Vice President Johnson.

As the manhunt begins for Booth, and his accomplices, suspicions turn to a young known associate John Surratt. Police go to his house, and in his absence end up arresting his mother Mary Surratt for being complicit in the crime of which he is suspected. But is she guilty of being a conspirator, or just guilty of being a mother of an alleged one, an innocent running a boarding house where these conspirators would meet?

She is remanded to be tried in a military court. Frank Aiken, a young veteran of the Union Army, becomes her unwilling counsel. Her rights to a jury trial in a civilian court overruled, one can sense that the odds stacked against her. It's a desperate situation. Her guilt appears to be a foregone conlusion. She is not permitted to testify in her own defencse. Will her son return and save the day? If you're like me these are some of the questions that may run through your mind as you watch this movie.

Other people arrested with her testify for the state implicating her in the conspiracy. These people are not themselves charged. An alcoholic bartender, John Lloyd, very lucky not to be charged himself firmly impicates her with extremely damning uncorroborated testimony. A boarder Louis Weichman testifies that some of the conspirators met at her house on numerous occasions. But if he knew so much how come he did not report his suspicions to the authorities in advance?

Probably most shocking for me was new President Johnson, suspending a writ of habeas corpus written by a judge, on a matter of life and death, a precedent ironically set by Lincoln to be used in wartime, now used to seal the conspirators fates in peacetime.

I found this interference by the executive office in a judicial proceeding to be most surprising and shocking, and difficult to believe, but it turns out to be true. I checked.

For dramatic purposes, some minor but significant facts have been altered. For example, Mary Surratt had two counsel not one. In addition, there were eight people on trial not four. The four not included in the movie were given life sentences, and those surviving would ultimately be pardoned by President Johnson within four years.

One life sentence to Dr Mudd, 'his name is mud,' who treated Booth's fractured leg, and another to Ned Spangler, the stage hand and stable boy asked by Booth to hold his horse, while he went into the theater.


President Johnson famously said of her, "She kept the nest that hatched the egg."

I highly recommend this movie. If you have further interest in this topic I recommend the books American Brutus: John Wilkes Booth and the Lincoln Conspiracies and Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer (P.S.), both of which I own, and to a somewhat lesser degree The Assassin's Accomplice: Mary Surratt and the Plot to Kill Abraham Lincoln.

Two different people watching this movie could arrive at a totally different conclusion about Mary Surratt's complicity, and I think that's the way Redford would like it, to keep the mystery alive. It kept it alive for me.

I hope you enjoy this movie and I hope this review was helpful.

Watch The Closer Season 7, Ep. 7 "Family Affair

The squad helps out a fellow law enforcement officer by investigating the mysterious death of her daughter. Captain Raydor focuses her audit efforts on Detective Sanchez.

* Runtime: 43 minutes
* Original air date: August 22, 2011
* Network: TNT

Watch Author the MOvie

Russell Brand reinvents the role of loveable billionaire Arthur Bach, an irresponsible charmer who has always relied on his limitless fortune to get by.

* Starring: Russell Brand, Helen Mirren
* Directed by: Jason Winer
* Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes
* Release year: 2011
* Studio: Warner Bros.




Short attention span summary:


1. Russell Brand does the best that he can do to fill Dudley Moore's shoes. No longer a loveable slushy drunk, Arthur's now a wild boy child, throwing money around doing his best to ease the recession (and possibly share a few std's along the way).

2. Helen Mirren gets caught between the moon and New York City as she lovingly rolls her eyes at his antics and then makes it all better with a stern look and a snappy comment.

3. Greta Gerwig plays his first real love interest (not counting Helen Mirren's character,Hobson), an aspiring writer of children's books by night and an illegal tour guide by day. Her character, Naomi, turns his heart around, and next thing you know, he's closing down the town (or at least Grand Central Station)

4. His fiancée Susan (Jennifer Garner), her dad (Nick Nolte) and his mom (Geraldine James) compete fiercely for the "most unlikeable" award. I know it's crazy, but it's true.

5. Bottom line is that this is an "okay" movie, barely nodding to its predecessor with one short burst of the melody of the original theme song, but at the end of it, you'll wake up way across town and find it's not still with you.

Watch Paul the MOvie

From the director of Superbad, Paul is a must-own comedy adventure about a smart-ass alien (voiced by Seth Rogen) and two sci-fi geeks on an insane road trip that's out-of-this-world!

* Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost
* Directed by: Greg Mottola
* Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes
* Release year: 2011
* Studio: NBCU

Watch RIO the Movie

An animated feature about the adventures of a rare macaw who leaves his cage in small town Minnesota and heads to Rio. From the makers of the Ice Age films.

* Starring: Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg
* Directed by: Carlos Saldanha
* Runtime: 1 hour 36 minutes
* Release year: 2011
* Studio: Fox

Watch Limitless

An unsuccessful writer's life is transformed by a top-secret "smart drug" that allows him to become a perfect version of himself.

* Starring: Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro
* Directed by: Neil Burger
* Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes
* Release year: 2011
* Studio: Relativity Media

Watch Eureka Season 4, Ep. 17 "Clash Of The Titans"

As relationship issues plague the Astraeus team, a meddlesome Department of Defense auditor arrives to assess Jack and Allison's romance, and before long Eureka's atmosphere becomes toxic - literally.

* Starring: Tembi Locke, Niall Matter
* Directed by: Michael Robison
* Runtime: 44 minutes
* Original air date: August 22, 2011
* Network: SciFi Channel

Watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 3, Ep. 14 "Belly Up & Up"

Jacqueline's relationship with Ashley hangs in the balance when their war of words brings her to a heartbreaking decision. Teresa's financial problems grow when a visit with her lawyer reveals a giant new debt. All of the housewives head to Kathy's house for a food tasting where Caroline gives Kathy ... more than rave reviews. When Teresa and Melissa threaten to wreck the party, Kathy's surprise guests shake things up.

* Runtime: 44 minutes
* Original air date: August 21, 2011
* Network: Bravo

Watch Doctor Who Season 6 "Prequel to Let's Kill Hitler"

The battle of Demon's Run has been fought but the stakes are now higher than ever! As the TARDIS crosses the universe, the Doctor receives a heart-breaking message from Amy... Their adventure continues in this brilliant Prequel written by Steven Moffat.

* Runtime: 3 minutes
* Original air date: August 22, 2011
* Network: BBC

Watch Something Borrowed

Perpetual good girl Rachel unexpectedly ends up in the arms of the guy she's had a crush on since law school... who just happens to be her best friend's fiancé.

* Starring: Kate Hudson, Ginnifer Goodwin
* Directed by: Luke Greenfield
* Runtime: 1 hour 53 minutes
* Release year: 2011
* Studio: Warner Bros.

Watch Breaking Bad Season 4, Ep. 6 "Cornered"

When Skyler suspects that Walt (Bryan Cranston) isn't telling her the truth, Skyler (Anna Gunn) adopts a cold and businesslike approach toward him. Meanwhile, as Gus (Giancarlo Esposito) draws him closer, Jesse (Aaron Paul) proves his worth to Mike and Gus' enterprise.

* Runtime: 48 minutes
* Original air date: August 21, 2011
* Network: AMC