http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/PatMills Sat, 03 Oct 2009 03:08:54 GMT Reviews by PatMills http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Spirit-Of-West-Point-review-33f70 <p>During the eighteen-year tenure of Earl "Red" Blaik as its head coach, the Army football teams were among the strongest college teams in the land. The years 1944-46 brought Colonel Blaik three of his most dominating squads. These squads did not lose a single one of their contests, and they played to a tie just once. Two of his players, Felix "Doc" Blanchard and Glenn "Junior" Davis, won Heisman Trophies in consecutive seasons for their play (Blanchard won the Heisman in 1945, while Davis won that award the following season). Both were high on the NFL's draft list, but military commitment also awaited. The story of their lives, their college football careers, and their desire to someday take their game to the pro level is chronicled in the 1947 docudrama, "The Spirit Of West Point."</p> <p>The star running backs play themselves in a movie that focuses primarily on their four years at the Academy in New York. Each found their way to path to the West Point gridiron in different ways. Blanchard sought...</p>... Sat, 03 Oct 2009 03:08:54 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Spirit-Of-West-Point-review-33f70 PatMills 2 http://www.viewpoints.com/Relentless-by-Bill-Hicks-review-49d82 <p>Bill Hicks (1961-94) will likely be remembered as the greatest cult comic of his generation. I didn't pay much attention to his stand-up routines while he was alive, but a friend of mine turned me on to his direct, abrasive, and thought-provoking style. During his lifetime, Hicks released two albums of his material, and laid the plans for two more. Rykodisc obtained the rights to all four albums, releasing (and re-releasing) the four in 1997.</p><p>"Relentless" was the second of two albums that he released in his lifetime, two years after his debut album, "Dangerous," in 1990. The topics covered included on "Relentless" include sex, drugs, music, and politics. In 1992, America had just gotten past the end of the Gulf War (Desert Storm) and the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Clarence Thomas. In "Sex On Trial," Hicks takes a look at what might happen if he had to endure a Supreme Court confirmation hearing. The Senate would proclaim him unfit for the Court, but they'd conclude he'd be perfect...</p>... Fri, 27 Feb 2009 04:49:18 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Relentless-by-Bill-Hicks-review-49d82 PatMills 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Instant-Replay-review-17db4 <p>I was first exposed to Jerry Kramer's book "Instant Replay" when I was in high school. I didn't read the entire book at that time, but I did read his account of one of pro football's most famous games. That game was the "Ice Bowl," which was played between Kramer's Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys on December 31, 1967, in temperatures that hovered around -13 degrees. I enjoyed his approach - simple and proud, without being arrogant. First, Kramer makes readers feel the chill in the air. Then, he highlights the scoring and the tension of the contest. Late in the game, the Packers desperately needed a touchdown to win. It was Kramer's block that paved the way for his quarterback, Bart Starr, to get into the end zone. The touchdown gave the Packers their third straight NFL championship and a chance to meet the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II. After the game, Kramer stayed in the locker room and answered all questions that the media had about his part in a play that has become famous....</p>... Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:57:27 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Instant-Replay-review-17db4 PatMills 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Charlie-and-the-Chocolate-Factory-2005-review-15b26 <p>Willy Wonka has decided to give five random youngsters a special treat. The reclusive candy maker has decided to give these five a tour of his chocolate factory, a place that has been off limits to everyone except Willy and his staff for years. In addition, Willy (Johnny Depp) will give one of these youngsters a special prize. All these children have to do is find one of the five golden tickets that Mr. Wonka has placed in packages of his products to be eligible.</p><p>"Charlie And The Chocolate Factory" tells the story of the pursuit and the trip the children get to take. A boy named Charlie Bucket (Freddie Highmore) watches televised coverage of the golden ticket pursuit as each ticket is found. Augustus Gloop (Philip Wiegratz) doesn't stop eating his chocolate, even as he shows his ticket to the world. Veruca Salt (Julia Winter) gets hers because her father (James Fox) has purchased a massive amount of candy to get a ticket. Violet Beauregarde (Annasophia Robb) secures her visit by switching...</p>... Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:42:24 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Charlie-and-the-Chocolate-Factory-2005-review-15b26 PatMills 1 http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Princess-Diaries-2001-review-576d6 <p>"The Princess Diaries" is the charming retelling of the often-told story of the ugly duckling who's turned into a swan. Anne Hathaway stars as Mia Thermopolis, a 15-year-old high school freshman living in San Francisco. She's a teen filled with typical teen concerns. She's having a hard time gaining acceptance from her peers. She can hardly wait to get her driver's license. Most importantly to Mia, she has a crush on Josh Bryant (Erik von Detten), the most handsome boy in her class. Her only friends in school are Lilly Moscovitz (Heather Matarazzo), and Lilly's brother, Michael (Robert Schwattzman), an auto mechanic and aspiring musician.</p><p>One day, though, Mia's mother, Helen (Caroline Goodall), gets a call from Mia's paternal grandmother, Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews), asking to meet with her granddaughter. At first, Mia is upset, as her grandmother has done little to keep in touch. Clarisse, though, has not come simply to pay a social call. She has come with the bad news that Mia's father...</p>... Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:39:58 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Princess-Diaries-2001-review-576d6 PatMills 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Toys-in-the-Attic-by-Aerosmith-review-c1282 <p>At their beginning in the mid-seventies, the band Aerosmith caught on slowly. Their third album, "Toys In The Attic," is a perfect example of their slow rise to success. The album was released early in 1975. That summer, the band scored their first Top 40 success with the single "Sweet Emotion," the first single to be released from this title. In the meantime, Aerosmith achieved modest chart success with "Toys," which maintained consistent sales for well over a year. During that year, they had their first Top 10 single with "Dream On," a song from their first album, the 1973 release "Aerosmith." They also released their fourth LP, "Rocks," which yielded another Top 40 hit with "Last Child." The success of "Rocks" helped to keep the sales of "Toys In The Attic" strong.</p><p>Late in 1976, the band went back to their third album and re-released "Walk This Way" as a single. This song, which was originally the single release after "Sweet Emotion," had become a popular song on album-oriented radio...</p>... Sun, 16 Nov 2008 04:22:00 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Toys-in-the-Attic-by-Aerosmith-review-c1282 PatMills 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Taliaferro-Breaking-Barriers-From-The-NFL-Draft-To-The-Ivory-Tower-review-e8874 <p>In sports, George Taliaferro often found himself being a part of firsts. In high school, he played in the first integrated game between Indiana public schools when his school faced off against a local football powerhouse that had gone undefeated in the 1944 season. The two schools met because they had an open week on their schedules. Although their contest did not officially count, Taliaferro's team rallied to beat the powerhouse. The game also helped to bring the teenager to the attention of Indiana University, whose coach, Bo McMillin, didn't believe in the norm of the "gentlmen's agreement" that often kept major college teams with all-white rosters. As a freshman, Taliaferro helped to give the Hoosiers its first undefeated season in school history with his skills as an offensive back, defensive back, and punter. He led the Hoosiers in rushing as a freshman. His teammates in that 1945 season included future Pro Football Hall Of Famer Pete Pihos and future baseball star Ted Klusewski....</p>... Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:15:38 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Taliaferro-Breaking-Barriers-From-The-NFL-Draft-To-The-Ivory-Tower-review-e8874 PatMills 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Atonement--131540-review-38141 <p>A prepubescent and precocious girl witnesses words and actions that are sexual in nature. She does not understand what she sees, and never bothers to ask for an explanation. As a consequence, she jumps to the wrong conclusion about someone she has known all her life. Further, that conclusion proves to be costly to all involved. The girl grows into a woman, understands that moment in its proper perspective, and spends her life trying to right that wrong.</p><p>The majority of the movie <strong>Atonement</strong>takes place in England and France in the time period from 1935 through 1940. A thirteen-year-old girl named Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronin) prides herself on her writing, as well as on her judgment of character. One summer day, on the estate of her wealthy parents, she sees an argument between her sister, Cecilia (Keira Knightley), and her boyfriend, Robbie Turner (James McAvoy). Robbie is the son of one of the Tallis servants. He has worked for the family in the hopes of getting into the medical school...</p>... Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:08:49 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Atonement--131540-review-38141 PatMills 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Top-10-Movies-of-All-Time-review-c19a0 <p>Eight years ago, I posted this list of favorite comedies on Epinions. Every one of these is a five-star experience, and I don't expect my love of these moves to ever change. By no means is this a list in order of preference. I hope you will enjoy these recommendations:</p><p> </p><p>1. Annie Hall - This is a great film about life, love, and turning forty. The story is told in a stream of consciousness style, as if Woody Allen's character, Alvy Singer, were personally invited to someone's home to tell his life story. Alvy manages to find the humor in every situation. Just remember - we need the eggs!</p><p>2. A Christmas Story - A great story of the Yuletide that can be enjoyed any time of year. Based on the writings of Jean Shepherd, viewers share the story of Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) and his efforts to get a Red Ryder BB gun from Santa. The film may be set in the 1930s, but the quest for a great toy is just as timely today. Kids and parents everywhere can identify with Ralphie.</p><p>3. Dr. Strangelove...</p>... Tue, 01 Apr 2008 03:52:28 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Top-10-Movies-of-All-Time-review-c19a0 PatMills 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Once-review-9c133 <p>In the mythology of ancient Greece, a group of nine goddesses were believed to be source of all human creative processes. Anyone who believes in the power these muses have can see how these muses touch two young Dubliners in Once, a movie musical inspired by their real lives and talents. A singer who is identified in the credits as just Guy (Glen Hansard) is a busker on Dublin's Grafton Street, performing songs both day and night. He plays songs known by some of the shoppers during store business hours, but also performs original material in the evening, when most of the shops have closed for the night. One night, Guy plays one of his own compositions, and draws the attention of a young woman the film as just Girl (Marketa Irglova), who is trying to peddle magazines. She likes Guy's songs, and inquires if he has written more. He says he has, but tells Girl they are in a rough draft stage. She wants to know more about his material, and recevies an invite from Guy to come to his place and...</p>... Tue, 01 Apr 2008 02:14:49 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Once-review-9c133 PatMills 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/We-Are-Marshall-review-26c54 <p>During the 1990s and 2000s, the Marshall University football program has produced a number of players who have made their way to the NFL. Among the best known former players from the Thundering Herd are Randy Moss (New England Patriots), Chad Pennington (New York Jets), and Byron Leftwich (Atlanta Falcons). In 1970, however, the University lost almost all of its team in a West Virginia plane crash that made national headlines.The only survivors were the ones who didn't travel with the team for the round trip flight. The movie We Are Marshall tells about the first year of the rebuilding process, concluding with their first home game of the 1971 season. At first, Marshall President Donald Dedmon (David Strathairn) wants to end the football program. However, Nate Ruffin (Anthony Mackie), one of the few surviving players, shows Dedmon that the campus community would like to see the program return. Ruffin feels that that is the best way to honor his fallen teammates. The show of support...</p>... Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:22:21 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/We-Are-Marshall-review-26c54 PatMills 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Dan-In-Real-Life--118115-review-88b11 <p>In his career, Dan Burns has become respected as an advice columnist for an East Coast newspaper. He's also in line for a syndication deal to make him more widely known. In Dan In Real Life, Dan (Steve Carell) watches almost helplessly as his own family repeatedly disregards his advice. Sometimes, he's guilty of not setting a good example, even though his columns offer common sense solutions to personal dilemmas. The widowed Dan and his three daughters, Jane (Alison Pill), Cara (Tiffany Robertson), and Lilly (Marlene Lawston), are often at odds with their father over the things they want to do, like driving, dating, or having more time with him. He has become immersed in being a single parent, which often has more struggle than reward, as Dan tries to maintain control and authority in his house full of young ladies. A weekend respite at the Rhode Island home of Dan's parents (Dianne Wiest, John Mahoney) seems to be in order.</p><p>Real life continues to be intrusive, though. While at a used...</p>... Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:49:10 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Dan-In-Real-Life--118115-review-88b11 PatMills 3