Michelle's blog

The success of the blockbuster movie The Fighter has placed Boston in the movie industry limelight once again. Massachusetts is gaining more and more popularity every year and is growing strong. The development of Hollywood East is a slow one, yet it is in the works. Are you curious about what the east coast has up its sleeve next? Be the first person in your area to know what’s hot right now in MA. Check it out. read more »

New Release DVDs January 19, 2011

Buried

This thriller stars Ryan Reynolds (The Proposal) as an American truck driver working in Iraq who is captured and taken hostage by insurgent guerrillas. He is trapped inside a box the size of a coffin and buried with nothing but a cell phone and a lighter. Anyone who is claustrophobic is going to have the ride of a lifetime with this film and with Ryan Reynolds in the lead, you simply can't lose. I personally cannot wait to rent this movie as it seems to have a great plot and plenty of suspense.

Takers

This crime adventure stars actors Matt Dillon, Idris Elba, Paul Walker and much more. This movie is similar to "Heat" as a detective scrambles to take down a group of scandalous thieves before they have the chance to perform the heist of a lifetime. These bandits have done this plenty of times before but they couldn't pass up the ultimate opportunity to cash in on $20 million. Will their greed get them caught, or can they pull it off? Check it out.

The Virginity Hit

It seems the influence of American Pie continues. Matt Bennett and Zack Pearlman star in The Virginity Hit, the new film produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. A teenager is seeking to lose his virginity and is determined to do so live on the internet. I'm not quite sure what to think of this documentary style comedy. On one hand it doesn't seem to be a great idea to promote the idea of selling your sexual encounters on the internet, yet on the other hand it could have some funny moments if you just see it as a comedy. It made a domestic gross of $636,706 in theaters, which is not all that fabulous but maybe it will make a better rental.

 

New Release DVDs January 26, 2011

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

Those of you who enjoyed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire can look forward to the final film of the Millenium Trilogy. Lisbeth Salander's character Noomi Rapace struggles to validate that she is not the serial killer she is made out to be in this mystery. Bogged down in intensive care, will Noomi be able to prove her innocence or will she finally be accused and captured for multiple murders? The Millennium Trilogy is based on Swedish author Steig Larsson's three best selling crime novels.

Red

You can't go wrong with this all-star cast including Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich, Bruce Willis and Richard Dreyfuss. This film is based on the DC comic book series by Warren Ellis. A group of retired assassins are accused by the CIA for beholding too much information. Each of the characters held a special position in the CIA and are now determined to defend themselves from their accusers by exposing the truth. This cast has a superb mix of personalities and talent and each actor is sure to carry out their roles to the fullest in this mystery/adventure.

The Secreteriat

This movie stars one of my favorite actresses, Diane Lane as well as John Malkovich. It is a crowd-pleaser drama about a Triple crown winning horse and its trainer Lane's character is a housewife who takes over her sick father's stables in Virginia. Along with her new journey of being a horse trainer, she accomplishes many things. Most importantly, she becomes one of the first women in the field. If you enjoyed Amelia with Hilary Swank, this might be right up your alley. It seems like a slow-moving but effective drama with a purpose. Diane Lane is sure to live up to expectations.

Be sure to check out the many choices of premium movies available in HD on Dish Network satellite TV!

By: Michelle Lee Rodriguez

There's nothing like watching a great lineup of movies over the winter to cure those cold weather blues. Here is a new lineup of movies coming to theaters in the next few weeks that are sure to keep you entertained. Think of it this way...three more months of winter movie lineups until spring! read more »

I have become very curious about the safety of plastic since the launch of the new film documentary Plastic Planet. Is plastic safe or could it really be dangerous? We handle a multitude of products made of plastic on a daily basis. We package our food in plastic wrap, sandwich bags, plastic Tupperware- the list goes on. Plastic comes into bodily contact with most of us every day through the use of plastic utensils, baby bottles and baby food containers, you’re morning cup of coffee and much more. Our world is so riddled with plastic that much of it even washes up on the shores of every beach on this planet. Chances are that this is probably not very healthy for Mother Earth. Can exposure to plastic take its toll on the human body? read more »

I love movies!

In fact, you could say I’m obsessed like a connoisseur constantly trying to seek out the best possible glass of Merlot. Drama and horror are my favorite reds and, on occasion, I’ll try something new should a great trailer strike my attention. I pondered the idea of becoming a movie critic but now that I’ve written a decent share of movie reviews, I am gaining confidence and wondering, why not me? read more »

Looking forward to catching up on the movies you were dying to see in theaters in 2010? Are you thinking about renting a great bunch of movies to have a spectacular movie night? Here is a list of movies recently released to DVD that are not as fabulous as they seem. One movie that is worth watching that completely surpassed my expectations is Adam Green's thriller "Frozen".

Top 10 Over-Rated Films of 2010

10. Despicable Me

9. Winter’s Bone

8. The Other Guys

7. The Disappearance of Alice Creed

6. Legion

5. Dear John

4. The Expendables

3. Why Did I Get Married Too?

2. The Lovely Bones

#1 Brooklyn’s Finest

Don't forget to check out the many great quality movies available with Dish Network On Demand!

Anthony Hopkins is one of the world’s most famous actors who has starred in many made for TV movies as well as big screen blockbusters since 1967. He gained his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003, earned a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 and was knighted back in 1993 by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to the arts. He is well known for his role in the hit movie The Silence of the Lambs as well as Legends of the Fall, The Remains of the Day, Nixon, Amistad and much more. Any movie starring Anthony Hopkins is bound to be a winner, not to mention will make a killing at the box office. read more »

The year 2010 is coming to a close. It is a time when people think back upon what they’ve accomplished as well as what they enjoyed the most. I usually think back on all the movies that were released throughout the year and ponder which ones I liked the most and which were unpleasant surprises. I was not only reflecting upon the greatest blockbuster hits of 2010, but also the movies that I personally liked best. Here are two lists. The first is the list of top picks according to Moviefone and the second is mine! I hope this will help you chose your next favorite film. Enjoy!

Moviefone’s Top 10 Best Movies of 2010

1. Toy Story 3
2. The Social Network
3. Inception
4. Winter’s Bone
5. Exit Through the Gift Shop
6. Black Swan
7. True Grit
8. The Kids are All Right
9. The King’s Speech
10. How to Train Your Dragon

My Top 10 Picks for 2010

1. Shutter Island
2. The Fighter
3. Frozen
4. Machete
5. Paranormal Activity 2
6. True Grit
7. Buried
8. Toy Story 3
9. Love and Other Drugs
10. Tangled

Keep your eyes open for great new releases on Pay Per View and On Demand only with Dish Network satellite TV!

I eat organic food and do my best to consume organic beverages rather than your average store bought juice. I figured since I’ve tried to maintain a healthy diet, why not check into the benefits of different types of bottled water? I decided to take a deeper look. I know which are my favorite, which are tolerable and the brands that taste like tap water. I’ve been wondering whether or not it’s worth spending the extra cash on some of the bottled waters that are out there. One thing I know for sure is that all waters are not created equally. read more »

Getting psyched for the holidays? Prepare yourself for a wonderful Christmas by checking out some of these great movies and shows on Dish Network! All showings are based on Eastern Standard Time.

Friday December 17, 2010

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Disney XD

Miracle on 34th Street 8:00-10:15 p.m. on AMC

Christmas in Washington 11:15-12:15 a.m. on TNT

Saturday December 18, 2010

A Season of Miracles 2:03-4:02 a.m. on Hallmark

Giada’s Family Christmas 8:00-9:00 a.m. on Food Network

Z100’s Jingle Ball 2010 Live from Madison Square Garden 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Fuse

The Nightmare Before Christmas 12:00-1:45 p.m. on Disney XD

Christmas Town 2:00-4:00 p.m. on ION

A Christmas Story 5:00-7:00 p.m. on TNT

I Want a Dog for Christmas Charlie Brown 8:00-9:00 p.m. on ABC

Deck the Halls 12:01-2:00 a.m. on FX

Happy holidays!