Author: Mike Pihlman

  • “A Bag of Hammers” Movie Review

    “A Bag of Hammers” Movie Review

    (Immature Thieves Grow Up) – – Ben (Jason Ritter) and Alan (Jake Sandvig) are car thieves. They masquerade as Valet parking attendants at various locations, particularly at graveyards where the mourning families willing give the duo their car keys. They have yet to get caught and bring the cars to Marty (Todd Louiso) who gives them…

  • “Fill The Bag” Sponsors 2015

    “Fill The Bag” Sponsors 2015

    The following Tracy, CA small businesses have promised to “Fill the Bag” this summer with classroom supplies for local Tracy, CA teachers. Please do business with these wonderful small businesses. Click the business name to go to their web site. — NNIS Computer and Network Support Serving both business and home offices since 1999, NNIS…

  • “St. Vincent” Movie Review

    “St. Vincent” Movie Review

    (Incredible, Heavenly) – – Vincent (Bill Murray) is grouchy, unhappy, broke. People don’t like him, and he doesn’t like people. He gambles, drinks, hires “ladies of the night” (Daka, played by Naomi Watts), and smokes. Maggie (Melissa McCarthy) and her son Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher) move next door to Vincent. Maggie is a newly single mom…

  • “The History Boys” Movie Review

    “The History Boys” Movie Review

    (Hard to Understand, Mostly Boring) – – Kristen watched this for a little while and gave this review: “Boring as F**k”. I kind of agree with her assessment, except the last 30 minutes, or so, were much more interesting, and sad, than the rest of the movie. A teacher (Mr. Hector played by the late…

  • “Drinking Buddies” Movie Review

    “Drinking Buddies” Movie Review

    (Buddies, Beer, and Relationships) – – Kate (Olivia Wilde) and Luke (Jake Johnson) work together in a local brewery and are best friends. Jill (Anna Kendrick) is Luke’s significant other, while Chris (Ron Livingston) is Kate’s significant other. All four friends get along and decide to take a short weekend vacation together. A natural pairing…

  • “Before I Disappear” Movie Review

    “Before I Disappear” Movie Review

    – – “Before I Disappear” opens with Richie (Shawn Christensen) in a bathtub filled with red water. The phone rings and he opens his eyes, surprised that he is still alive. Bloody, he reaches out of the tub and answers it. His sister, Maggie (Emmy Rossum), needs him to watch her 11 year old daughter,…

  • “Horrible Bosses 2” Movie Review

    “Horrible Bosses 2” Movie Review

    (How Not to Start a Business) – – Nick Hendricks (Jason Bateman), Kurt Buckman (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale Arbus (Charlie Day) return as entrepreneurs starting their own business manufacturing & selling their idea:  “The Shower Buddy” shower head. Unfortunately, they are really REALLY stupid in the ways of business, and, after an appearance on TV…

  • “The Rewrite” Movie Review

    “The Rewrite” Movie Review

    (Enjoyable Rom Com) – – Keith Michaels (Hugh Grant) is pitching his screenplay ideas around Hollywood. Since he is an Oscar winning screenwriter, the movie producers listen to his pitch, but, reject his ideas.  They want new blood and they want a “kick-ass female lead”. Michaels is tired blood and out of touch with the…

  • “The Longest Week” Movie Review

    “The Longest Week” Movie Review

    (Life Lessons at 40) – – Conrad Valmont’s (Jason Bateman) parents own a fancy hotel and are very rich. One day, when Conrad was a young boy, they went on a short vacation which turned into a 30 year romp around the world. Conrad was left under the care of servants and employees. At age…