THE FAULT WITH OUR STARS (2014) – My rating: 9/10

What a heart felt story complete with warm fuzzy’s.  Two beautiful people share similar views on life and death.  Both have cancer and are dealing with their disease along with friends and parents.  They meet at a support group, just when they are pretty much at wits end.  This is not just a love story, as it sends a powerful message and promises nothing.  This film is as raw and down to earth as a movie can get.  Directed by Josh Boone, The Fault with our Stars is brilliantly written and acted.  Hazel played by Shailene Woodley and Gus played by Ansel Elgort are 2 teenagers who were diagnosed at an early age with cancer.  Their union causes them to share a journey that will come to mean more than anything they have experienced, thus far, in their lives.  While you will need to pull out the tissues, I urge everyone to share in this remarkable movie.  It’s both powerful and enlightening.

BREAKING BAD – My rating: 10/10

You can’t get any better than this action/drama about a chemistry teacher turned meth cook.  Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, has been diagnosed with lung cancer, despite the fact he never smoked in his life.  Making a measly $43k a year, Walt is now destined to leave his pregnant wife, played by Anna Gunn, and 15 year old son, who was born with Cystic Fibrosis, a huge medical debt plus foreclosure on their home.  Eager to make a lot of money fast, as he was only given about 8 months to live, he turns to the unthinkable (cooking the best and purest meth for profit).  He joins with Jesse, brilliantly played by Aaron Paul who is already in the business, to learn the ropes and get the necessary connections.  To make matters more complicated, Walt’s brother-in-law, played by Dean Norris,  is a DEA agent and of course, Walt has to hide his new venture from his wife and son, which makes for lots of deceitfulness.

Walt and Jesse’s journey is unbelievably extraordinary.  You will be mesmerized from day one.  The series ends Sept. 30, 2013 but can be viewed, in it’s entirety on Netflix.  There are approximately 62 exciting episodes. This series was voted the “best series ever aired on television” and I most wholeheartedly agree.