Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

The Greatness of Peter Berg and Battleship The Movie

Published on May 18, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle14 Comments

battleship — Look what cute and crazy get you! Brilliant

The first time I saw Peter Berg, he was playing cocky bad boy Dr. Billy Kronk on the medical drama Chicago Hope. The show that featured the amazing Mandy Patinkin as well. Little did I know that just a few years later, he would become one of the most innovative and entertaining writers and directors in Hollywood.

In fact, his greatness is best exhibited by what he does behind the camera and with a pen (I am sure he uses a computer, but I am going for a visual here).

First, I must admit that Peter Berg is a weird guy. He looks weird, he sounds weird. He always puts himself in bit parts in the movies he is involved in. He is as eccentric as they come. But, aren’t most brilliant people a little weird. But, like I always say, “All things amazing start with a little crazy!” (I am not sure if I actually said that or if I heard it. If I stoled it, I am sorry, I can’t remember where I heard it from).

In 1998, he wrote and director a movie called Very Bad Things staring Jon Favreau, Christian Slater and Cameron Diaz. I can only describe this movie as what Hangover, Hangover II and Bridesmads could only hope to be. The movie follows a group of friends at a bachlor party in Vegas and as the title says, Very Bad Things happen to them. There is even a dead hooker in the movie. Check it out if you haven’t seen it.

He directed the critically acclaimed Friday Night Lights and spear headed the hit TV show as well. Friday Night Lights is a movie that is bitter sweet for me as well as being close to my heart. I was raised in Texas and my brother played high school football. His team lost to the team portrayed in the movie during my brother’s senior year. I hate Odessa Permien and that damn MOJO stuff. Peter Berg one hundred percent accurately depicted the insanity of Texas high school football. Great job for a guy from New York.

He also directed Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Garner in The Kingdom. The Kingdom is about a FBI teams investigation of a bombing in Saudi Arabia. It is one of those movies that get’s better every time I see it. And, it is such a intelligent movie. Again, if you haven’t, go see.

He also wrote the movie The Losers which has one of the greatest assembly cast of little to no name actors; Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana, Chris Evans (Captain America), Idris Elba and Columbus Short. Not all well known, but very talented group. That movie has some great lines such as, “Oh my God. I’m the black MacGyver.”

He returned to his acting roots in two great Tom Cruise movies: Collateral and Lions for Lambs. But, his biggest project was recently released.

His latest offering is a little low budget flick known as Battleship. I saw Battleship this weekend and was not disappointed. The drool worthy, but bad acting of Taylor Kitsch couldn’t distract me from what is visually an amazing movie. The alien ships were very unique and utterly terrifying. I really showcased the power of the US Navy in the present and the past. I loved the idea of the old World War II guys coming back to commission the original battleship – US Missouri to save the world. The movie had great pace and was big budget action with a heart and you liked the characters.

From drunken escapades, to intellectual suspense; low budget films with heart to futuristic big budget blockbusters. Peter Berg can do it all.

Can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.

What is your favorite Peter Berg movie? What do you think about board games being made into movies?*

*I have a great post coming up about the movie Clue next month.

Writer Wednesday Blog Hop

Published on May 16, 2012May 16, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle18 Comments

There he is again. Same time, same place. Doesn’t this guy have someplace to be. Probably not. Look at him sitting there without a care in the world. Sitting there in his faded jeans and scruffy high tops. I wore those shoes when I was in 2^nd grade. Grow up already.

Every day, he is just sits there, relaxing. Reading his paper, smoking his cigarette.

“I hate you.” I whisper to myself.

Because, I come here every day, too. But, my demeanor is far from relaxed. I am pretty much in a constant state of panic because I am looking for a job. And have been since I graduated two month ago. Pounding the pavement everyday wearing this uncomfortable outfit void of personal style. But, this is what I am supposed to do.

I scour this paper daily for a job. At this point, I would do anything. But, there is nothing out there. Oh, wait. Here’s something. Wanted: Printer Repair Man.

That’s it. That’s the perfect job for me. If I hadn’t have gone to freakin business school for four freakin years. I am going to be living with my parents forever. I will be 30 years old. Still living in my childhood bedroom. Reading my diary where I portrait my future life as one with a husband, career, children, dream house and a perfect 4 carat asher cut diamond solitaire ring.

You see, this is life’s cruel little joke. Go to school, get an education, find a job, have it all. In that order. No one told me that most of the time, it doesn’t happen like that.

And this one here. He probably didn’t even go to college. He’s probably one of those laid back, go with the flow kind of guys who will never be successful at anything. And the worst part is he probably doesn’t even care. I could never be like him. Or, could I.

I could. I could take his lead. I could sit on this bench all day. With no worries. No problems. I am going to do it. If he gets to do it, why can’t I.

“Hello,” he says into his cellphone.

He has a cellphone. How does slacker boy afford a cellphone?

“Yeah, I am in the park. She kicks me out of the room for a couple hours each day.” He says.

Yep, even his girlfriend can’t stand to be around his laziness.

“There is nothing more they can do for her.”

Is he crying?

“If you want to see her, you need to come soon,” he said, “I gave up everything to spend these last couple of months with her.” He pauses, “Yeah, it was worth it.” He hangs up the phone whips his eyes and smiles at me shyly.

I said the only thing I could think of, “Can I borrow the classifieds section?”

Read more stories based on this photo and 5 words at Writer Wednesday Blog Hop.

First Loves Blogfest

Published on May 14, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle28 Comments

First Movie:

Star Wars: Episode IV New Hope (1977) – I did not see this movie when it was first released, but I feel in love with it before it was redux. But, I did enjoy having the opportunity to see it in a movie theater upon its re-release in 1997. Thanks so much Mr. Lucas.

It was just innovative. That is what I loved about it. It was a cool story and had unlimited possibilities and the underdogs won. This was the beginning of a life long love of any and all things Star Wars.

Best Movie Quote: “May the force be with you.” – That’s to easy.

First Song/Band:

We Go Together – Grease Movie Soundtrack (1978) – It is the first album I ever got and I played this song over and over again. I still know all the world to it.

“Who put the bop in the bop shi bop shi bop? Who put the ram in the rama lama ding dong?” – Classic lyrics right there.

First Book:

How to Eat Fried Worms (1973) – It was original published in 1973 by Thomas Rockwell. Has been reprint several times since then and been turned into a movie. It is a story about a 10 year old named Billy who made a bet with a neighborhood bully. He had to eat 15 worms in 15 days. If he was able to complete this feat, he would win the admiration of his peers and money to buy a brand new bike.

Every year, my elementary school would have a book fair and I was able to buy 20 books at time. It was my favorite day of the year. I got this book at one of those book fairs and have read it at least once a year since.

First Person:

My mom – And, not just because it’s Mother’s Day. My mom is a great lady and she taught me how to love life and be grateful for all my blessings.

I can’t wait to read other people’s first. Thanks to Alex Cavannaugh for a making my Monday better.

My Weekly Update – Mothers, Milestones & More

Published on May 13, 2012May 13, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle4 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day!

I wanted to wish my mother. So many women out their take on motherly roles in their every day life. I wish you all a great day as well. I hope that you have someone around to say thank you. And, if you don’t, well, thank you from me.

I haven’t been with my mother for mother’s day for 6 years, now. And, I hate it. Mother’s day is a big deal in my family and my mother is a mother to so many people. She is always taken care of, but I still feel bad that I can’t be there. “She is my mommy.”

My mother is the most brilliant women I know. She had very little formal education after high school, but she is an expert on what ever she need to be. She taught herself bookkeeping, accounting, taxes, property appraisal, and contracting. She knows everything about the NFL (the business side), the music industry, and the publishing industry. She gets along with everyone and everyone loves her. At 67 years old, she is the most capable person I know.

And she does it all with a smile. The most important lesson I learned from my mother is to just enjoy your life. Simple.

Milestones

It was a great week at SydneyAaliyah.Wordpress.com.

I had a record week of views.

I received the Versatile Blogger Award from karensdifferentcorners.wordpress.com. Thanks again, Karen.

I had a very popular post about The Avenger’s Movie Quotes.

And I got a few new followers as well. Welcome:

More Blog Love

Be sure to subscribe to my Blog Love list on Twitter.

This Weeks Schedule

Monday – Post for the Monday First Loves Blogfest

Tuesday – Movie Quotes

Wednesday- Post for the Wednesday Blog Hop – Need some short story practice

Friday – Random Blog Post

Sunday – My Weekly Update

Do you have any great stories about your mom that you would like to share? What was the best part of your week?

The Avengers Movie Quotes

Published on May 10, 2012May 10, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle22 Comments

Let me get my gushing out of the way and say that I loved this movie. It was the great all American action movie. With the right amount of witty clever dialogue, action sequences, robots, aliens, superheros and realism all wrapped up in a nice pretty CGI fueled package.

It has been awhile since a movie has pulled me in like this one did and that it is my favorite way to watch a movie.

I also have to take a moment to extol the greatness of Tony Stark. I liked the first Ironman Movie. I loved the second Ironman Movie. I am now ready to declare that Tony Stark as played by Robert Downey, Jr. is one of my top 5 favorite movie characters of all time.

He creates a suit that makes him into a super hero. Out of the suit, he describes himself as “Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.” Brilliant!

The movie was amazing, the people where oh so pretty, but the diaglogue. The dialogue made the movie.

First, let Tony Stark tell you who the Avengers are:

“Let’s do the head count here. Your brother, the demigod; the super soldier, living legend who kind of lives up to the legend; a man with breathtaking anger management issues; a couple of master assassins and you, big fellow, you’ve manage to piss off every single one of them.”

Some of the funniest lines he delivered was in putting down his fellow Avengers while reference other movies.

[to Thor] “No hard feelings Point Break, you’ve got a mean swing.”

(Thor does kind of looks like Patrick Swayze in the surfer bank robber movie)

[to Hawkeye] “Right. Better clench up, Legolas.”

(Referencing the gorgeous arrow slinging elf played by Orlando Bloom from the Lord of the Rings movies.)

Typically, I pin point single lines, but some much of what made this movie great is the interaction between the larger then life characters.

Like this conversation between Steve Rogers a.k.a Captain America (Chris Evans) and Tony Stark:

Steve Rogers: “Stark, we need a plan of attack!”

Tony Stark: “I have a plan. Attack!”

Or between Natasha Ramanoff a.k.a Black Widow (Scarlett Johansen) and Thor (Chris Heimsworth):

Thor: “He’s my brother.”

Natasha Ramanoff: “He killed 80 people in 2 days.”

Thor: “He’s adopted.”

And, how about this exchange between Steve Rogers and Clint Barton a.k.a Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner):

Steve Rogers: “You think you can hold them off?”

Clint Barton: “Captain, it would be my genuine pleasure.”

But, there was some really great one liners as well:

“You people are so petty, and tiny.” Thor

[to Loki] “Your gonna loose. It’s in your nature.” Agent Coulsen

“You were made to be ruled.” Loki

“Where not a team. Where a time-bomb.” Bruce Banner a.k.a The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo)

“Love is for children. I owe him a debt.” Black Widow

[to Tony Stark] “Your not the man to make the sacrifice

play.” Captain America

We must recognize that this little band of heros was put together by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). “There was an idea to bring together a group of remarkable people, so when we need them, they could fight the battles that we never could.”

Not everyone was in favor of this idea, Nick Fury is going to stand up for what he believes in.

Delivered in true Samuel L. Jackson fashion, “I recognize the council has made a decision, but given that it’s a stupid ass decision, I’ve elected to ignore it.”

If you have seen it, tell me what you think? If you haven’t seen it, go see it, and tell me what you think? Who was your favorite Avenger? What are some of your favorite movie lines?

I would like to recognize Marvel.com for the photos and IMDb for helpings me remember some of these great quotes. I typically will type the quotes in my iPhone as I watch a movie, but I was way to end into this movie to take my eyes off the screen.