"Valentine's Day" Movie Review

This film has a huge celebrity cast including Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Garner and Ashton Kutcher.

The movie revolves around the lives of several people who are either single or in a relationship. "Valentine's Day" is the perfect film to watch if you're in a mood for something happy and mushy--in other words a great "chick flick."

So, if you want to be in a cheerful, chipper mood this Valentine's Day go catch the movie at a theatre near you.

"The Time Travelers Wife" Movie Review

Recently released on DVD and On Demand. Robert Schwentke's screen adaptation of the bestselling novel presents a couple stuck in the midst of an ongoing obstacles. Eric Bana plays Henry, a Chicagoan we meet at age 6, when he discovers his ability to time travel.

On one of Henry's trips through time, we are introduced to his love interest, Clare played by Rachel McAdams, whom he meets as a young girl.

If you can get past the chaos of events, "The Time Traveler's Wife," is a sweet film about love, life and the importance of family. Bana's and McAdams' performances rise above the shaky material, the film is gorgeous to look at.

Leaving Ireland Book Review

In "Leavin Ireland," Ann Moore's second installment of the "Gracelin O'Malley" trilogy, we follow Gracelin as she is forced to leave Ireland. The story begins with Gracelin, who is stuck in an abusive marriage, watching as her friends and family struggle to survive the Irish famine. Both new and old characters surface, bringing both humor and drama to the story.

"Leap Year Review" Movie Review

In this day and age of feminism and gender equality, it's still up to the men to propose. In the adorable romantic comedy, "Leap Year" that's not necessarily the case.

Anna Brady, played by Amy Adams, develops an elaborate scheme to propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day, following an old Irish tradition. Anna faces a major setback when bad weather delays her trip to Dublin. With the help of an innkeeper, Declan, played by Matthew Goode, Anna begins her roller- coaster of a journey to get engaged.

"Leap Year," has a good mixture of sarcasm and physical comedy. Amy Adams and Matthew Goode were charming and charismatic. This film is definitely worth a trip to the theaters - but you might want leave it for a girls night.

Sherlock Holmes Review Movie Review How does it compare?

In the newest portrayal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous character, "Sherlock Holmes." reveals an energetic detective sends Holmes and his reliable partner Watson on their latest adventure.

The film portrays a more honest depictions of Holmes and Watson rather then the romanticized versions audiences have seen through the years. Sherlock Holmes, played by an energetic Robert Downey, Jr. is a super- rational man, who uses his superior intellect to out- maneuver and defeats his opponents. However, with all of his intelligence, he is limited. Holmes is a socially awkward alcoholic, determined to out-perform his nemesis, Lord Blackwood.

With the help of his reliable side-kick, Dr. Watson, Holmes manages to be successful. Although Dr. Watson, played by Jude Law, is the more socially acceptable of the two characters, he is not without his flaws. Watson is a recovering gambler who is trying to turn over a new leaf.

In this film's adaptation of the characters, both men have their female counterparts who challenge them. Irene Adler, played by Rachel McAdams, is the one person that not only out-smart Holmes, but also is able to out maneuver him. Adler, is hired to manipulate Holmes' feelings for her, which would make Holmes take her case.

Overall, "Sherlock Holmes" was a creative and entertaining film. Although the film was more violent then expected, both Downey and Law gave great performances portraying the infamous characters. However, McAdams' character fell flat. Her role had potential, but it was not cohesive-it was like she was added in, to have a woman character to play opposite Holmes.

It's a movie worth seeing, worth renting if you don't get the chance to see it in theaters.

Gracelin O'Malley Review Book Review

Last spring I came across a new author, Ann Moore, which has become one of my favorite novels. Ann Moore's novel, "Gracelin O'Malley," is the first of three novels, which tells the story of an Irish farming family, struggling to survive on the brink of the Irish famine.

Moore not only told a story about a heroine overcoming hardships, but also a story of a country fighting a war for independence. "Gracelin O'Malley" is the classic tale of the underdog.

When a character lost strength or motivation in their fight for survival, I found myself wanting to help, wanting to save the good and punish the evil; I wanted to help restore faith in humanity and they want to reunite family and friends that were lost along the way.

"Gracelin O'Malley" gives more to the reader then just romance or action. But gives suspense, intrigue and war. Moore did her research and created a realistic picture of the world 1800s were like for the families in Ireland.

The connection the reader builds with the characters makes this novel worth exploring. Each time you read it, a new part jumps off the pages.

"Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day" Movie Review

The original cult classic "Boondock Saints," was released directly to video before most fans had the notion to go and see it. But eventually, on one random night a friend would suggest watching this strange, violent movie about twin brothers from Ireland, living in Boston, with a serious gun fetish, Catholic compulsion and Latin tattoos covering their bodies.

After a night of drinking and bar-fights, the MacManus brothers, find themselves in a jam. Murphy MacManus, played by Norman Reedus and Connor MacManus, played by Sean Patrick Flanery, are blue-collar Irishmen who receive a message from "God" and decide to rid the world of evil. They'd had enough of the immorality on the streets and began getting ride of them out in various ways.

The MacManus brother's tale continues ten years later. The Saints are in Ireland with II Duce, aka their father, played by Billy Connolly, when word spreads that someone in Boston killed a priest they knew. As twisted as it may sound the Saints have a moral code against killing good people and when the mysterious murderer tried to make it look like the Saints did it. Watch out. The Saints don't hold back.

The brothers shed their woolly sweaters, their shaggy hair and overgrown beards and return to Boston. The MacManus brother's recruit a new Saint along the way, Romeo, played by Clifton Collins Jr., a Hispanic guy apart of a Mexican mob in Boston. The new FBI agent on the case is Eunice Bloom, played by Julie Benz, a polished and intelligent Southern woman who wears heels to murder scenes and has her gun holster buckled precisely around her waist like an over-priced belt.

"The Boondock Saints II" offers more guns, more politically incorrect jokes and more mob showdowns, basically, just more of everything. The original "Boondock Saints" was a dark comedy - remember the cat incident?

While the brothers would never turn down a drink or a fight for that matter and were generally quite happy to fulfill their role and act like bad boys; this time around, the brothers had a mission and were determined to finish it.

The dialogue was funny but not as strong as the first, the mobsters are dumber, but the brothers pulled through like champs. Overall, "Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day," was good, but I because of its limited release; I recommend waiting until it's released on DVD.