Fruitvale Station

What I liked:

• It is based on the true story of Oscar Grant.
• It was written and directed by newcomer Ryan Coogler.  
• Coogler does a fantastic job showing the human side to Oscar.  He shows him as a father, son, boyfriend, brother, and friend but he also shows Oscar's flaws; his time spend in jail, his hot headiness, and his drug dealing past.  Oscar did both good and bad things.  He was a real person.
• Michael B. Jordan did a great job playing Oscar.  Jordan is a likable guy and that shows in his performance.
• The supporting cast was wonderful as well: Octavia Spencer, Melonie Diaz, Kevin Durand, (an almost unrecognizable) Chad Michael Murray, Ahna O'Reilly, and Ariana Neal.
• I liked the text message graphics.
• I liked the real video footage and the update at the end.  
• It was actually filmed at the same BART station that this all took place at.  They didn't have to use a sound stage.

Girl Most Likely

What I liked:

• Kristen Wiig knows how to be funny while still keeping it real.
• Annette Bening was fantastic.
• Darren Criss is lovely.
• It also stars Matt Dillon, Christopher Fitzgerald, June Diane Raphael, Natasha Lyonne, Bob Balaban, Patricia Kalember,  Cynthia Nixon, Ronald Guttman, Julia Stiles and Andrea Martin.
• The character of Ralph has a lot of depth.
• It is an entertaining story with heart.

2013 Emmy Nominations

Here are my initial thoughts on the 2013 Primetime Emmy Nominations...

• Netflix's House of Cards and Arrested Development got some love.  This is a game changer.  It means that regular network television not only has to compete with cable but now the internet.
• Lots of fans are going to love Connie Britton and Kerry Washington getting Best Actress nominations.
• I still can't believe that people watch Episodes.
• The Supporting Categories for Drama are where it is at.
• So excited for Jim Carter to be nominated as Mr. Carson from Downton Abbey.
• Peter Dinklage is always awesome.
• Mandy Patinkin as Saul on Homeland is equally awesome.  Toughest category ever!
• Maggie Smith vs Emilia Clarke vs Christina Hendricks?!  Perhaps this is the toughest category?!

White House Down

What I liked:

• Channing Tatum is easy on the eyes.
• Great casting.  Joey King looks like she could be the daughter of Tatum and Rachelle Lefevre.  Plus there is Jamie Foxx, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Clarke, Richard Jenkins, James Woods, and Lance Reddick.

The Lone Ranger

What I liked:

• Armie Hammer played a good Attorney/Texas Ranger.
• William Fichtner and Tom Wilkinson are great bad guys.
• Helena Bonham Cater has a great leg.
• It also stars Ruth Wilson, Barry Pepper and James Badge Dale.
• It points out that the white man took what wasn't his from the Indians and the from land and how greed destroys all.