Some Research that Might Help You to be Happier

I was browsing around http://www.lifehacker.com and noticed this article about those who watch TV : http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/health/research/20happy.html?_r=1&em I highly recommend you take a look at it. TV and movies seem to be watched more and more. No I don't have any stats for you about this, but I do know that my tendency is to watch more of it, rather than less of it. However, unhappy people seem to watch MORE TV than happy people (at least according to the article above referenced). So come on people, turn off that television and go visit your neighbor or go for a hike. Do something other than allow yourself to passively watch hours of programming. I've thought of writing a novel someday in my life. However, watching TV seriously impedes any chance of starting my novel. Speaking of good novels - I just read one called Shoefly Pie by Tim Downs. Excellent book that was very well-written in my opinion. If you like murder mysteries, you might want to check it out.

The Enforcer Review

After reviewing the first movie of "Dirty Harry" and finding some major problems with the characters and plots (please see previous post), I wasn't sure how the sequels of Dirty Harry would be. However, I was curious enough to tape them when they were on TV. This movie "The Enforcer" is actually the 3rd in the series, and caused me to really start liking the series again. The first one left me skeptical, but Clint Eastwood does seem to really own this role, and the script writing is not bad at all. The clever comments and funny situations that Harry gets himself into and out of make for some good movie moments. In this movie, Harry gets a female partner (whom he doesn't quite trust) and itsn't thrilled about it. However, over time he grows to respect her and she proves to be a great partner for him. There are some great one-liners in this movie, and the acting is very well done in my opinion. Although Harry Callahan seems to be kind of arrogant and adopts an the-end-justifies-the-means mentality, movies like this make it hard not to like him anyway. Recommended if you have an interest in Clint Eastwood or good cop movies.

Incredible Hulk Review

This is the new Hulk movie that was released this summer 2008. I finally got around to renting it, and was expecting something a little more classic in the action-hero comic book made movie genre. Edward Norton does a wonderful job playing Bruce who becomes Hulk when he is angered. The other actors and actresses also did a decent job and the computer effects were very heavy and well-done. However, I still didn't walk away thinking it was a great movie as I did when I watched other movies such as the "The Dark Knight" or even "Spiderman 2". Maybe it just had too much action and not enough plot or perhaps I was just not emotionally drawn into the characters as I become in some other movies. I'm not sure what it was, but I would judge this merely as a good movie, and not a great one. Of course that being said, it could be I find it hard to be fascinated with the green hero. I'm glad he wants to help people, but he just doesn't win my support. Anger usually always leads to bad things, and I usually have more respect for superheros who can control their power rather than be controlled by it. Sure, most of them struggle with their abilities from time to time, but the bottom line is that hulk doesn't win my respect. 3 stars out of 5.

Cinderella Man Review

I have actually seen this movie when it was released in the theatre and really like the character development and overall story. Since Chrystal has not seen it yet, and I would consider it one of the better Russell Crowe movies, I decided to rewatch it. Basically it is the story of a caring husband and father that has the talent to be a boxer during the time of the Great Depression. Although he was injured and had a difficult time providing for his family, the movie does a great job showing his care for his family as well as the basic desire he had to keep his family together no matter how hard it became. This movie also does a fine job making the competing boxer a genuinely fearsome character. Although not scarry in a horror movie way, it was interesting to see how they built up the danger of taking on a heavy-weight champion boxer. Similar to the time when Apollo got killed in the ring which really caused Rocky to want to take on the man who killed his friend. Don't ask me what Rocky movie that was. It may have been Rocky 4, but with 6 of them, I may have gotten confused. All in all, I found "Cinderella Man" a movie that is worth your time to watch. Although it may not be completely historically accurate, the acting in it is credible and the story worthwhile in my opinion. Two thumbs up.