On assignment in Budapest to intercept a courier working for a person of interest code-named “Cobalt”, IMF agent Trevor Hanaway is killed by an assassin named Moreau. Hanaway’s team leader, Jane Carter, and newly promoted field agent Benji Dunn extract Ethan Hunt and Hunt’s source Bogdan from a Moscow prison. Hunt is recruited to lead Carter and Dunn to infiltrate the secret Moscow Kremlin archives and locate files identifying Cobalt. Halfways through the mission, someone broadcasts across the IMF frequency, alerting the Russians to Hunt’s team. Although Hunt, Dunn and Carter escape, a bomb destroys the Kremlin and Russian agent Sidirov accuses Hunt of masterminding the attack.

The IMF extracts Hunt from Moscow. The Russians have called the attack an undeclared act of war and the US president activates “Ghost Protocol”, a black operation contingency that disavows the entire IMF. Hunt and team are to take the blame for the attack, but will be allowed to escape from government custody so that they may operate to track down Cobalt. Before Hunt can escape, the IMF’s secretary is killed by Russian security forces led by Sidirov, leaving Hunt and intelligence analyst William Brandt to find their own way out. The team identifies Cobalt as Kurt Hendricks, a Swedish-born Russian nuclear strategist who believes the weak must die for the strong to survive, and so plans to start a nuclear war to start the next stage of human evolution. Hendricks bombed the Kremlin and acquired a Russian nuclear launch-control device, and now needs its codes from the Budapest courier in order to launch a nuclear missile at America.

The exchange between Moreau and Hendricks’ right-hand man, Wistrom, is due to take place at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. There, Hunt’s team-members separately convince Moreau and Wistrom that they have made the exchange with one another. However, Moreau identifies Brandt as an agent. While Hunt chases Wistrom only to realize Wistrom is actually Hendricks in disguise as Hendricks escapes with the codes Carter detains Moreau. Moreau attempts to kill the inexperienced Dunn, and Carter throws her out a window to her death. Brandt accuses Carter of compromising the mission for revenge against Moreau, but Hunt accuses Brandt of keeping secrets from them, as he has displayed fighting skills atypical of an analyst. While Hunt seeks more information from Bogdan, Brandt admits he was assigned as security detail to Hunt and his wife Julia while on assignment. Julia was killed by a Serbian hit squad, prompting Ethan to pursue and kill them before he was caught by the Russians and sent to prison.

Bogdan and his arms-dealer cousin inform Hunt that Hendricks will be in Mumbai. Hendricks facilitated the sale of a defunct Soviet military satellite to Indian telecommunications entrepreneur Brij Nath (Anil Kapoor), which could be used to transmit the order to fire a missile. While Brandt and Dunn infiltrate the server room to take the satellite offline, Carter gets Nath to reveal the satellite override code. But Hendricks has anticipated Hunt’s plan and takes Nath’s servers offline before sending a signal from a television broadcasting tower to a Russian nuclear submarine in the Pacific. The submarine fires on San Francisco. Hunt pursues Hendricks and the launch device while the other team-members attempt to bring the broadcast station back online. Hunt and Hendricks fight over the launch-control device before Hendricks jumps to his death with it to ensure the launch. Dunn kills Wistrom, allowing Brandt to restore power to the station and enabling Hunt to deactivate the missile. He is confronted by Sidirov, who sees Hunt has stopped the missile, proving the IMF is innocent in the Kremlin bombing.

The team reconvenes weeks later. Hunt issues them new assignments. Brandt refuses to accept the mission, but Hunt reveals that Julia’s death was staged, as he knew he could not protect her and used her death as a pretext to infiltrate a Russian prison and get close to Bogdan, an IMF source on Hendricks. Relieved of his guilt, Brandt accepts his mission while Hunt watches Julia from afar. They share a smile before he goes off on his next mission.

From: IMDB

My thoughts

I am a huge fan of the MI series. Ghost Protocol is an amazing addition! I love that they are only still making these films and that the quality is still outstanding. I also really appreciate that they don’t forget what transpired in earlier films. The fact that they make mention of past characters, situations and bring back past characters for cameos is superb.

Tom Cruise has really built a legacy with this series. Of course they will not win him his Oscar, but this series will keep all the fans happy.

If you are on the fence about watching this movie in a theatre, get off the fence and into a cinema soon! I would recommend spending the additional $$$ for iMAx. The additional screen and visual quality is well worth it.

I rate Mission Impossible 4 – Ghost Protocol 4/5

Synopsis

True Blood season 3 premiered Sunday, June 13 at 9pm on HBO and got off to a quick start with Bill in Mississippi and werewolves on the loose.

True Blood added a whole lot of new characters for season 3, including Alcide Herveaux, a werewolf.  That’s right, True Blood is stepping up its game and adding the age-old vampires vs. werewolves debate into the mix.

From: buddy tv

My thoughts

I am still in like with this series. It does continuously hit the same notes and actions over and over again. I guess why shake the boat if it is still floating well.

This season introduced some werewolves that are pretty.. pathetic. They are more like idiot dogs then powerful supernatural creatures. I guess after watching movies like Underworld and how they made werewolves seem so dangerous and powerful. True Blood kind of made werewolves look more like an annoyance.. Yes, I like werewolves.. HA!

Anyways, this season was still enjoyable. I will continue onto the 4th season.

I rate True Blood – season 3 a 3/5

Synopsis

Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as the world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, and Jude Law returns as his friend and colleague, Dr. Watson, in “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.”

Sherlock Holmes has always been the smartest man in the room…until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large—Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris)—and not only is he Holmes’ intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may give him an advantage over the renowned detective.

Around the globe, headlines break the news: a scandal takes down an Indian cotton tycoon; a Chinese opium trader dies of an apparent overdose; bombings in Strasbourg and Vienna; the death of an American steel magnate… No one sees the connective thread between these seemingly random events—no one, that is, except the great Sherlock Holmes, who has discerned a deliberate web of death and destruction. At its center sits a singularly sinister spider: Moriarty.

Holmes’ investigation into Moriarty’s plot becomes more dangerous as it leads him and Watson out of London to France, Germany and finally Switzerland. But the cunning Moriarty is always one step ahead, and moving perilously close to completing his ominous plan. If he succeeds, it will not only bring him immense wealth and power but alter the course of history.

Filmmaker Guy Ritchie returned to direct “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” the follow-up to the smash hit “Sherlock Holmes.” The sequel also reunited producers Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey and Dan Lin. Bruce Berman and Steve Clark-Hall served as executive producers.

In her first English-speaking role, Swedish actress Noomi Rapace, who gained international attention in the Swedish film “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” plays a mysterious Gypsy named Sim, who becomes allied with Holmes and Watson in their quest to stop Moriarty. Jared Harris (TV’s “Mad Men,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) joins the cast as the notorious Professor Moriarty. Stephen Fry (“Alice in Wonderland,” “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) plays Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s decidedly eccentric older brother.

Returning from the first film, the cast also includes Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler; Kelly Reilly as Watson’s bride, Mary Morstan; Eddie Marsan as Inspector Lestrade; and Geraldine James as Holmes’s long-suffering landlady, Mrs. Hudson.

“Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” was written by Michele Mulroney & Kieran Mulroney. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were created by the late Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and appear in stories and novels by him.

Ritchie once again collaborated with the behind-the-scenes team from the first movie, including director of photography Philippe Rousselot, production designer Sarah Greenwood, editor James Herbert, costume designer Jenny Beavan, and composer Hans Zimmer.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Silver Pictures Production, in association with Wigram Productions, a Guy Ritchie Film, “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.”

Opening nationwide on December 16, 2011, the film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

This film has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some drug material.

From: http://sherlockholmes2.warnerbros.com/app#page=about

My thoughts

This was a pretty good follow up to the last Sherlock Holmes (2009). Guy Ritchie followed his vision and presented a lot of the same witty banter and action sequences. The writing seemed to have moved his main characters forward (Robert Downy Jr. and Jude Law). The timeline did feel as though it was a year or two since the last film. Although, I am sure that Robert and Jude both had a hand in the development of the characters! The addition of a few supporting characters (Madam Simza Heron, Mycroft Holmes) didn’t really make the movie better or worse. They didn’t damage the film, they just didn’t go into enough detail about the characters to make them important in any way. This movie was all about Robert and Jude! No complaints from me! They are both fantastic actors.

I did prefer the story of the 2009 Sherlock Holmes, or, maybe it was the fresh delivery of the film. All the same you should feel very comfortable spending the time and money on seeing this film in the theaters.

I rate Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows 4/5 

The second season of the television series True Blood commenced airing in the United States on June 14, 2009, concluded on September 13, 2009, and contains 12 episodes. It is loosely based on the second novel of The Southern Vampire Mysteries, Living Dead in Dallas.

The second season explores telepath Sookie Stackhouse’s relationship with her vampire lover, Bill Compton. It also introduces a number of sub-plots involving the anti-vampire Fellowship of the Sun church and Jason Stackhouse’s indoctrination into the church by its leaders, Rev Steve Newlin and his wife Sarah. It also expands the role of Maryann Forrester, a powerful supernatural creature, who slowly gains control over the people of Bon Temps. Sookie and Bill travel to Dallas to help Eric find his maker, a two-thousand-year-old vampire named Godric, who has gone missing and is believed to have been kidnapped by the Fellowship of the Sun.

The second season aired Sundays at 9:00 PM in the United States. The season finale aired on September 13, 2009.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My thoughts

This season was OK. I will say this, watching the episodes back to back can really take away the sexiness from all the sexiness. This season kind of goes into repeat. Each episode is kind of the same only with different characters. If you have watched this season you can probably relater… Couple fights, one of them cries, danger happens and they make up and cry some more.

The addition of new type of supernatural was nice to see. I had never heard of a maenad before this show. The fact that I was learning something made me feel better about watching all the sex and crying. Overall I would recommend this season to people.

In fact, I will make some recommendations right now: If you are a fan of the vampire phenomena then this season is right for you. If you are a fan of hot bodied people then this show is also for you. If you are a fan of people crying over everything and often appearing to be forced then this season is for you. However, if you are a fan of the books then you might want to bring one of those squishy stress balls, you will need it!

True Blood – season of tears

I rate season 2 of True Blood a 3.4/5

Kyle LeBlanc is an American working overseas in Russia. When he hears his wife being attacked over the phone, Kyle rushes home to find that he’s too late. The man who killed his wife is found not guilty on lack of evidence. So Kyle takes the law into his own hands, and kills the man to avenge his wife’s death. He is sentenced to life in prison without parole. The Russian prison he is sent to is tough, and the warden amuses himself by putting on fights where he fills his pockets with money by betting on the fights. Kyle begins to break and go crazy, so he is forced into these fights because the warden knows he is a sure thing. Kyle’s cellmate 451 begins to make him think what he fights for. With that, Kyle knows now he must fight another battle: the fight for inner peace. It is the only way he can become the man he once was. Written by Pat McCurry

Box Office

My thoughts

Jean Claude Van Damme is there anything you can’t do! This was a great movie! Everytime I see JSV in a movie I always wonder why he isn’t isn’t seen more in main stream movies. Come on people, yes, he might not has the triple kicks that he once had (Bloodsport, Timecop, Death Warrant, Hard Target) but his acting chops are thick!

I camme across this movie on NetFlix. Didn’t even have this one on my radar, if you get a chance and enjoy JVC watch this! I would have no problem recommending this film. Sure, this movie might not have A list Hollywood actors, but, it still hits all the important notes for a successful film.

I rate In Hell – 3.5/5

The series follows Sookie Stackhouse, a barmaid living in Louisiana who can read people’s minds, and how her life is turned upside down when the Vampire Bill, walks into her place of employment two years after vampires ‘came out of the coffin’ on national television.Written by Tommy Stewart

My thoughts

This is a really enjoyable series, it has a great blend of action and sex. Bloody violence, passionate love and dirty sex! Let’s be honest, who doesn’t like that! Everything about this series is better then average. There is very little that I didn’t like about this first season.

The only part of this show that drove me a little mad, was one small thing.. That continued to grow as the series went on. It might sound silly but here goes: the name Sookie. I hate how many times they say that name. Sookie, Sookie, Sookie! It just sounds like dirty unfinished name. A name that you would call someone to annoy them. Maybe that and the fact that everyone has a southern accent.. Sookie!

Anyways, this is a show that you can watch with you partner and there shouldn’t be any complaints. There is enough plot and eye candy for the both of you!

I rate True Blood season 1 4/5

Storyline

A quest that begins as a personal vendetta for the fierce Cimmerian warrior soon turns into an epic battle against hulking rivals, horrific monsters, and impossible odds, as Conan realizes he is the only hope of saving the great nations of Hyboria from an encroaching reign of supernatural evil. Written by Anonymous 

Box Office

Stu is getting married. Along with Doug, Phil, and his soon-to-be brother-in-law Teddy, he regretfully invites Alan to Thailand for the wedding. After a quiet night on the beach with a beer and toasting marshmallows by the camp fire, Stu, Alan and Phil wake up in a seedy apartment in Bangkok. Doug is back at the resort, but Teddy is missing, there’s a monkey with a severed finger, Alan’s head is shaved, Stu has a tattoo on his face, and they can’t remember any of it. The wolf-pack retrace their steps through strip clubs, tattoo parlors and cocaine-dealing monkeys on the streets of Bangkok as they try and find Teddy before the wedding. Written by napierslogs 

Box Office

In the Valley of Peace, Po Ping is revelling in his fulfilled dreams as he serves as the fabled Dragon Warrior protecting his home with his heroes now his closest friends. However, Po and company learn that the murderous Lord Shen of Gongman City is threatening the land with a fearsome new weapon that could mean the end of kung fu. They attempt to stop him, but the panda is burdened with crippling memory flashbacks linked to this villain. Now with China in the balance, Po must learn about his past and find true inner peace against all opposition. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com) 

Box Office

Budget: $150,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend: $47,835,000 (USA) (29 May 2011) (3925 Screens)
Gross: $165,230,261 (USA) (25 September 2011)

Kung Fu Panda characters

My thoughts

This movie is just as good as the first Kung Fu Panda. It has all the qualities that make a great animated film: beautiful artwork, well written story, fantastic characters, emotional moments and great villains! The cast is just filled with great names.. With the addition of Gary Oldman, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Danny McBride you have 360 degrees of greatness! If you haven’t seen Kung Fu Panda yet, either one or two get online and watch it.

I rate Kung Fu Panda 2 4/5 Pandas

This is the tale of the notorious Australian outlaw who became the most wanted man in all of the British Empire. Edward “Ned” Kelly (Ledger) was born into a hard working Irish family in the hardscrabble world of 19th century Australia. He was one of many children his widowed mother was forced to raise after the death of Ned’s father. Always, seemingly, on the wrong side of the law, Kelly was falsely accused of a crime he could not produce an alibi for. He was with Julia Cook (Watts), the wife of a local wealthy landowner and rancher. When his mother was imprisoned and his family harassed, Kelly turned against the agents of the Crown by shoot several policemen who were hunting for him and robbing numerous banks. He earned his status as public enemy number one for his actions.

Queen Victoria’s government in Australia put a price on his head with the provision to shoot him on sight. What the government failed to realize was the public sided with Kelly and abetted his every move for weeks while he eluded capture in the harsh and desolate Australian Outback. Kelly, his brother Dan, along with friends Byrne (Bloom) and Hart (Kinlan) are tracked by Captain Francis Hare (Rush) until finally discovered and surrounded in a small rural town. The criminals vow to make a stand against overwhelming odds, by fashioning suits of armor from plates of iron.
–David Fletcher, Resident Scholar

Box Office

I give Ned Kelly a rating of 3/5