SLEEPY HOLLOW – My Rating: 8.5/10

I didn’t except this new series called Sleepy Hollow to be about how the legend came to be or what it takes in these modern times to deal with such things as headless horsemen, demons, the Masons, Ichabod Crane and two beautiful young African American sisters who are all so pulled into the legend they don’t live for anything else.  Originally, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” was derived from a  short story by American author Washington Irving.  It consisted of 34 essays and short stories entitled “The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent” and was first published in the year 1820.

Each week the essays are torn down from book form into episodes depicting this famous novel’s stories that make up this popular folktale.  The twist and turns are pretty interesting and Ichabod Crane, played by Tom Mison, who was resurrected after 250 years, has joined forces with Lt. Abbie Mills played by Nicole Beharie to continue the good fight between good and evil.  This is a complicated series since it’s mainly based on some scripture and fictional documentation which is presented on a weekly basis.  The original story is set in 1790 in the countryside around the Dutch settlement of Tarrytown, New York, in a secluded glen called Sleepy Hollow, which is renowned for its ghosts and the haunting atmosphere that pervades the imaginations of its inhabitants and visitors. The most infamous spectre in the Hollow is the Headless Horseman, said to be the ghost of a Hessian trooper who had his head shot off by a stray cannonball during “some nameless battle” of the American Revolutionary War, and who “rides forth to the scene of battle in nightly quest of his head”.

Since Sleep Hollow is fiction, this modern time version has been embellished and “Hollywooded” to the max.  I tried not to like it at first but soon became addicted.  Season 2 is due to begin in the fall of 2014, and I for one, cannot wait.  Sleepy Hollow currently airs on FOX TV.

BLUE JASMINE (2013) – My rating: 8/10

WON FOR:BEST ACTRESS

Cate Blanchett has given a riveting performance of a woman who is on the border of insanity.  Blue Jasmine sends a few profound messages.  One being honesty, which lends itself to reality that can set you free of your demons, if you can deal with the truth.  The character Jasmine is about as unstable as a stack of multi-sized blocks stacked 3 feet high.   After living the life of the rich and semi-quasi famous in New York, Jasmine finds herself living with her lower middle class, adopted sister (played by Sally Hawkins) in San Francisco.  Things get pretty crazy as Jasmine tries to make sense of her life and get back on her feet.  Alec Baldwin also gives a worthy performance as Jasmine’s  crooked husband while Andrew Dice Clay plays her sister’s ex-husband.  Over all,  Woody Allen has directed  another fine film.   Cate Blanchett turned in a performance that is every bit worthy of an Oscar.

[BLUE JASMINE is nominated for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Original Screenplay]

THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES (2013) – My rating: 7/10

I really didn’t expect much from this movie.  It was a little corny through two thirds of the film, leading up to the the last third which was pretty exciting.  It seemed like some of the HBO crew (Jonathan Rhys Meyers – The Tudors and Lena Headey – Game of Thrones) saw an opportunity to keep their movie appearances current by starring in this demon vs human vs everything else (sort of True Blood themed) film.  There were many different species involved in this movie that was basically about demons.  A young girl, played by Lily Collins, found out she is a Shadow Hunter.  Her mother disappears and her home is trashed by demons looking for a sacred, gold chalice.  She is forced to find out her true heritage and calling.  The adventure gets a little weird as she learns the truth about her mother and herself.  Lots of action and nice special effects.

There is a series of books (6 in all) so look for a sequel.  It’s worth seeing on the big screen.  No love loss if you wait for the DVD.

AFTER EARTH (2013) – My rating: 9.5/10

I really didn’t know what to expect, even after seeing the trailers.  Before I knew it, After Earth was out and had gotten all sorts of “not so favorable” reviews.  I absolutely loved it.  Because I’m not a die hard fan of Will Smith, I am able to be completely unbiased.  After Earth is a profound story of a father and son with a  strained relationship, brought on by a profound incident in their family.  The boy had demons he had to overcome and so did his dad.  Earth as we know it had become anti human, therefore uninhabitable.  I thought Smith’s son did a brilliant acting portrayal of a kid put in a difficult situation where he had to reach into the depths of his soul to overcome.  I feel this movie is Oscar worthy.  Too bad it probably won’t get the nod come Oscar time.  The story is deep and deserves it’s viewers to see it with a clear mind, untarnished by the media.  In my humble opinion, After Earth is a “Must See”!