Life in Manteca 113: Meet the Mormons, restaurant review.

I am home alone for a few days while Sheri is off to Utah for a wedding, and to see the new grandson.  She has Charity, Camberly and Anthony with her.  Thursday night I went to Carl's Jr. for a change.  I think sit down restaurant would be awkward by myself;  so went to the upscale fast-food place.  I had a Big Carl.  I don't want to think of how many calories. (920, I looked it up)   It was OK with two patties and hamburger sauce and cheese.  I had a small fry and a milk.  I think their fries may be the best in town.  They were very good. 
Last night to the movies for the opening of Meet the Mormons.  I was so moved.  I went to the late show 10 p.m. at the AMC close to home.  Even so, it was well attended. I could have gone earlier, but wanted to avoid the crowds and the rush.  I just took it easy at home, but went over with plenty of time to get a good seat.  I like to sit in front so I can see.
This, for me was a memorable experience.  I knew I was going to cry; and I did, when they told the story of the missionary and his mother who sent him.  However, there were other parts of the film that were very moving.  The bishop's boys were funny, the relationship between the coach and his children was also humorous.  The story of the kick-boxing mother was very moving as well.  I also enjoyed the humanitarian story.  The Candy Bomber story brought me to tears.  Service is such a key part of our existence, and part of what we are about.  We are often looking for ways to serve. 
Then the story of the mother of a missionary.  This was not your typical Mormon story.  She was a convert, and her son was born to her when she was only 16.  She never married the father.  He left, but they did get back together in time for her to become pregnant again.  This time he left for good, and her new baby passed away shortly after being born.  She when through a time of feeling God had forgotten her.  However, at her lowest point, someone reached out to her.  She joined the church, picked up her roots and moved to Utah.  There she started a new life, and eventually a new family.
The farewell of Anthony, their son, was very moving.  All his younger siblings were getting hugs and crying.
This part moved me the most, because it is hard to send your children on missions.   We have two Caleb and Miranda serving now.  I miss them.  I have noticed I have been very emotional, especially since Miranda left.  I don't know why I am more sensitive with her being gone than my sons (Jeremy served a few years ago); but I am.  Both Caleb and Miranda write of positive experiences, which is good.  I think they are growing.  I already posted their comments about this movie.
I ran into Rhiannon Archibald from Tracy.  She is Caleb's friend.

Life in Manteca 84: Staying Home: Pickles restaurant review

This week I have stayed home from work to take time to write in the history of my great-great grandfather that I have been working on for three years.  It seems I wasn't getting enough done in my regular daily routine.  I didn't get it all done, but I did finish the chapter on polygamy.  He had three wives, but only two at a time as his second wife passed away before he married his third.  Of course I haven't just worked on the history.
I went to a couple movies, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit http://mmboebillywardle.blogspot.com/2014/01/movie-review-jack-ryan-shadow-recruit.html and Frozen. http://mmboebillywardle.blogspot.com/2014/01/movie-review-frozen.html Pretty fun.  I have watched a couple movies on the TV as well.
Jesse came for a visit.  It is always a readjustment with Tony and Jesse when he comes.  Jesse has a very bad sleep pattern, staying up late.  He has a long afternoon nap, and then doesn't want to go to bed.  He loves his trains, and Miranda built a nice track for him in the living room which went under the coffee table and had four or five different loops the train could go around.  Jesse went to church one day, so I spent priesthood meeting following him around.  By the time Jesse was ready he and Tony doing great, and it was hard for both to say goodbye.  Jesse didn't get happy the entire ride home.  He made Sheri promise to have him back.  We love Jesse.
Jesse was here for the Monday Holiday and I took Tony and he and the neighbors to the park.

Sheri and I hit a restaurant "Pickles" I had never been to before.  The good thing is they had my favorite sandwich, ham and swiss on rye.  It was marble rye bread, and strait rye would have been better.  The sandwich was too big to eat in one sitting.  Sheri's too who had toasted club sandwich.  She had hers toasted so she had to wait a long while for her sandwich.  This is a good sandwich place, but a little pricey.  We each paid over $10.  Subway is more economical, but doesn't have regular sandwich bread (no rye).
I think my week has been profitable.  I would have liked to finish a couple more chapters.  I still have to finish Isaac's mission chapter.  I also have to do the Echo Canyon Affair as Isaac called it.  I also need to write about Isaac's elder years, because he moved his family to Idaho.  However I can now see the end. 
Went to Costco with Sheri.  Went to Frugal Frames to pick up work I left a couple weeks ago--framing the picture Caleb sent us for Christmas.  It wasn't done, but is ready now for pickup. 

Remember God's Gifts to You to Give Good Gifts to Others

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-12-0020-president-henry-b-eyring?category=topics/christmas
This is from the 2011 Christmas Devotional.  It is very moving as we remember gifts of light to us.  This presentation includes a very good editing of the Bible Videos and the nativity story.  May we keep in mind this sacred events which surround the Christmas story.

To the Movies: ****^ Les Miserables (2012)

I have seen a few opinions about Les Miserables from--the best movie ever to too dark.  And after visiting the theater yesterday, I can understand both remarks.  Les Miserables is a dark story to begin with.  However with all the expectations, many were predisposed that it was going to be the best ever even before seeing it.  I wave watched the ten year, and 25 year anniversary concerts over and over.  And granted those were concerts not theatrical productions.  But they music from those far surpasses  that in the movie.  The movie was going for character and story, and took the risk of casting theatrical actors in musical parts.  Sometimes it worked, and others it didn't.  So the pluses and minuses.
Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean worked.  His singing does not compare to Colm Wilkinson, but he carried the roll.  "Hear my Prayer" is the highlight of the show, and although I would have liked to hear Colm Wilkinson, Jackman delivered the emotion of the song such as to be effective.  It is just so beautiful the way Wilkinson holds that last note.
Russell Crowe as Javert did not work.  The song "I Swear by the Stars" sounded more like some one singing in the shower than a prayer to the stars.  Crowe did  make the suicide scene more believable than I had seen it.
The added song of Valjean singing his love to Cosette added depth to the character.  You also can love instantly.  Being a foster/adoptive parent I know this is true.
The three young people, Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) Eponine (Samantha Barks) and Marius (Eddie Redmayne) were the highlight of the show.  They carried their trio and other performing parts with energy and gusto.  I left the theater humming "heart full of love."  "On My Own" was also well done.  However keeping with the dark theme of the director, was done in the rain. Marius sang "Empty Chairs," with such beauty and emotion, I think everyone who has seen this has cried with him.
Fantine (Anne Hathaway) was somewhat of a controversy.  Lea Salonga sings which much greater skill, energy and professionalism.  However, in the mood of the film, Hathaway did an incredible job.  The song "I Dreamed a Dream" was presented later in the movie, after arriving at the bottom, rather than just starting the slide, so there was a different tone (darkness) to the song.  I especially like her in the death scene at the end. 
The innkeepers are a welcome comic relief.  The must have worked so hard at coordinating everything.  I especially like their entrance through the carriage to the wedding. 
So there are more things to like and love about this version of Les Miserables than there are to dislike.  The music is worth going to see, the action is well done, the characterization is good, and the sets are effective (except for the sewer which is over the top) and the theme that when we show love to each other, we show love to God is timeless.  Oh Colm Wilkinson does have a cameo as the priest.  His baritone voice resonates, and somehow he is in the final scene at the pearly gates.  A nice touch.  I recommend this movie, but don't go so far as to say it is the best ever.

At the Movies: *****Breaking Dawn Part 2

Miranda, Sheri and I went to see this movie last weekend, and I forgot to write a review.  This move is fantastic, the best of the series.  We left Tony home, which I was happy of because I think he may have had nightmares with regards to the many heads being pulled off.  The action is intense. 
Bur this is more than an action movie.  It is a love story for a little girl, half vampire and half human.  A mother's love, a father's love, a family's love, a wolf's love.  They must protect her from the Voltari, who are afraid of anything new.
It also includes resolving things with her father, just letting him know that she is alive, but not more than he needs to know.  Bella also comes to know he special powers, of protection from the powers of others, which she learns to project to others.
This show is will presented, and includes a tribute to all the actors for all four movies.  It has a way of looking back. 

To the Movies/Movie Night: ****Wreck-it Ralph, ***Last of the Mohicans

Tony and I went to "Wreck-it Ralph" today as part of our Veterans Day.  It is produced by Disney, and is at local theaters.  Tony asked to go, and he was very fascinated with the movie.  Tony says the best part of the movie was the fighting.  John C Reilly portrays Wreck-it Ralph who is not happy with his status in life--the bad guy in the video game Fix-it Felix.  He has been at it for thirty years.  He crashes the party for the thirty year anniversary.  He was not invited.  He is told, if he can win a medal, then he can hang with the other game characters in the pent house.  And so he goes on a trek to shooting game against viral bugs.  He wins his medal, but in getting out a viral bug attaches to his vehicle, and he ends up crashing in candy land.  Alan Tudyk plays the bad guy--king of candy land, and sounds and looks just like Ed Wynn (Uncle Albert from Mary Poppins).   Albert befriends Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) who supposedly is a glitch.  This friendship has several nuances which make it evtertaining as Vanellope attempts to get into the race and win.  Having a friend cures Albert of his doldrums, and gives meaning to his life.  His relation also improves with others of his own game.  This is not a traditional Disney with singing, but it does have relationships and a very good bad guy.
"Last of the Mohicans" (1992) was on IFC.  This is based on the novel by James Fenimore Cooper.  The action takes place during the French and Indian War.  Magua (Wes Studi) (Huron Tribe fighting with the French) has a bitter grudge against Colonol Edmund Munro and his two daughters.   He attacks a column that is taking the girls to their father.  They are rescued by Hawkeye (adopted Mohican) and his Mohican brother and father.  This draws him into the war on the side of the British.  He becomes enamored with one of the daughter's, and there are several scenes when they are longing each other.  Hawkeye takes them to the fort, which is under siege, where the girl's father is in command.  The British and French reach agreement where the British are allowed to leave.  However Magua and the Huron warriors pursue them, leading to a great battle.  The Colonel is killed, and Hawkeye again escapes with he girls.  However they are about to be captured, and Hawkeye leaves them with a promise to return and effect a rescue.
This movie has lots of good action; there are at least three battle scenes.  The last of the Mohicans is always coming to the rescue, but will he arrive in time.

To the Movies: ****Snow White and the Huntsman

I didn't realize this was a Kristen Stewart movie before going, but was pleasantly glad it was.   Again we have Kristen dying and coming back to life, just like Twilight.  This movie is Snow White with motivation and characterization.  The black forest is scary, which makes it not good for kids but it is very entertaining for adults.  The mean witch/queen is very eery as well.  I really like the hunts man, and the dukes son creating a three way relationship.  My son didn't like the faerie scene, but I did.  The white stag was incredible.  And the arrow was so unexpected.  This is a movie with a strong female lead, almost Joan of Arc feel.

I would recommend this movie to those who want a good time.

Ar the Movies and Movie Night:***** Unstoppable, ****^Spider Man Trilogy

*****Spider Man: This movie introduced us to Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, who had flaming red hair in the first movie of the trilogy.  We also see Mary Jane's family, and next door, Peter Parker living with his Aunt and Uncle.  Peter the nerd, becomes Spider Man, after a trip to a science laboratory and a spider bite.  He then faces the Green Goblin, who is also his best friend's (Harry's) father.  The action is great, as is the budding relationship between Mary Jane and Peter Parker.  We also see the emotions of the change, and accepting the responsibility of being a super hero.  Finally Peter realizes those he loves are in harms way, and that effects all he does.  Harry, dates Mary Jane, and Spider Man and the Green Goblin have a war, which results in the Goblin's death.  My only complaint, we want to know how Peter came to live with his aunt and uncle.
***** Spider Man II: This movie takes up where the last left off.  Harry has a sense of vengeance  against Spider Man.  This effects all he does, and his relationship with Peter Parker.  The relationship between Mary (whose hair has toned down some) and Peter continues to bloom, even through a wedding to The Bugle editor's (J Jonah Jameson's) son and Mary Jane.  She shows up at Peter's in her wedding dress, after fleeing the ceremony,  how romantic.  In the meantime Peter makes a friend with Dr. Octavius, whose experiment with nuclear fusion goes awry, turning him into a super villain with eight limbs, four metallic.  He makes a worthy bad guy as the robotics takes over his conscience.  Of course Mary Jane is put in harms way, and she discovers Peter is Spider Man.

****^Spider Man III.  In this were are introduced to the Sand Man, who actually shot Uncle Ben.  Spider Man also faces his dark side, as he comes in contact with an alien symbiotic organism. Peter is then faced with a darker alter ego.  He becomes mean to those around him, but finally beats the symbiode off, and the symbiode attaches to Peter's rival photographer at the Bugle, making Carnage who becomes Spider Man's other rival.  They gang up on him.  In the mean time Harry has become the Green Goblin, and had run ins with Spider Man.  However the Green Goblin comes to Spidey's rescue in the end.  I really dislike the reporters when Spider Man is getting beat up.  They detract from the action rather than adding to it.
Tony loves Spider Man and talking about the symbiode that crashed from outer space and made Black Spider Man and Carnage. 


*****Unstoppable  This came over HBO (which I guess we have as a promotion.)  You would think that a train movie would be boring.  However this is a train with no driver, and runaway speed, headed for an urban area with toxic cargo and with a sharp curve with gas tanks, sure to explode in a crash.  It also has two heroes who defy orders, and chase the train down, putting their own lives in danger, but saving the day in the end.  Great ride.

At the Movies: ****^The Avengers

 Sheri and I ventured to the AMC to watch The Avengers in 3-D.  I had seen Iron Man I and II, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America.  This show adds the Black Widow and Hawkeye as well as the organizer, manipulator Nick Fury.  All of these stories come together with the brother of Thor, adopted, coming to earth with the hopes of conquest, and making people bow to him.  Of course Thor comes to stop him.  The brother has a source of mind control and takes over the mind of one of Avengers, Hawkeye, who shots arrows.

The theme of the show is you are more together than just a sum of the parts.  Each of these super heroes has a big ego, and it takes a lot for them to com together.  Bickering and fighting, they finally join together to save the world from an alien invasion.  The robot monsters are cool, especially the worm like space ships.  But cooler are the skills of the Avengers, and the Hulk tackling one of those worms is too much.  This movie was a good ride and kept me on the edge of my seat.  It was almost too much action non stop at one point, but that is just me.

Movie Night; To the Movies: ***^Just Like Heaven; ****John Carter; ***12 O'Clock High

Just Like Heaven is a 2005 Reese Witherspoon movie.  It also features Mark Ruffalo as David Abbott.  Jon Heder portrays someone with skills in talking to spirits, and adds some freshness to the movie.  Witherspoon portrays Elizabeth Martinson who is separated from her body as the result of a car accident.  Her body is in a coma, while her spirit haunts Abbott who is living in her apartment.  This leads to David finally grieving his wife's death.  A romance ensues, and they have to save  Elizabeth's body who is going to be taken off life support.  This movie has a nice theme, making us decide what is really important in life.  Miranda got this movie through DVD Netflix.
John Carter is the big budget Disney scifi based on a book by Edgar Rice Burroughs written 100 years ago.  The movie tells the story of the uncle of Burroughs, Civil War veteran John Carter, who is transported by accident to Mars.  There he becomes involved in a war between four civilizations, two humanoid, one four armed and green and remind me of Avatar, and a sinister people who are behind the scenes.  They manipulate the war, giving information when it suits them.  They have superior technology, such as transporting between worlds, having ray guns etc. They remind me of something from Dr Who. This movie took a pounding from the critics, and the box office.  It probably looks too much like other movies, Avatar, Star Wars.  It has the fight between monster and prisoner in the arena.  The monster looks like the snowman from Hoth. There are also traces of Stargate.  However there are somethings new.  The critter that is like a dog is cute.  I also like to interaction between Burroughs and Carter and how this plays into the plot.  Maybe the characters in these other movies are based on Burroughs.  I give this movie four stars as I love most anything scifi.  This is good, but not as good as some others.  I saw this movie at Marketplace, $3 theater.
Twelve O'Clock High is from Netflix DVD.  This is an old Gregory Peck classic about the stress of war.  It gets to the best of them.  Dean Jagger (who also played Brigham Young and later converted to Mormonism) portrays the commander who has to get all he can from his men.  He won the best supporting actor.

Ay the Movies and Movie Night ***^"We Bought a Zoo," "****The Journey of Natty Gann" ***The Brothers Grimm" ***^The 300 Spartans

A couple of comments on movies I have seen lately

***^"We Bought a Zoo" Sheri and I went with Tony to the Marketplace $3 theater. This movie is about a Quixotic attempt by a father to restore his family as they are dealing with the grief of losing his wife, and mother of his two children. To do this he buys a property, which happens to include a zoo.  The zoo is previously condemned, and so it includes the efforts to overcome inspection, so they can reopen.
An enjoyable subplot is the relationship between the father (Matt Damon) and his son. The find a way to heal wounds in the son's art.  The father uses one of his drawings of a lion to advertise the reopening of the zoo.  Scarlett Johansen plays the game keeper.  This movie was pretty fun--but the Tony scale wasn't that great.  He had to go out at least three times during the movie, for a drink, for candy and for the potty.
****"The Journey of Natty Gann"  I watched this movie through Netflix DVD.  This is one of our family's favorite movies, but I couldn't interest everyone else in watching it with me; so watched it alone.  It is an enjoyable movie, with the struggle of the depression era, the railroad tramps and camps.  The grief of the father thinking he had lost his daughter, and then the classic restoration at the end.  This movie launched the career of John Cusack as he portrayed a drifter that befriends Natty.
***"The Brothers Grimm"  This movie has a nice premise, but then seems to loss itself by going overboard. heir It starts with the premise of the Brothers Grimm being con men, who sell their services of eliminating ghosts and witches, and first creating them, and then overcoming coconspirators who portray the evil beings using pulley and subterfuge. Then the become enmeshed in a real fantasy.  A queen is kept alive in a tower while a plague kills the entire kingdom.  However turns out, she extends her life inside a mirror.  The evil queen has been kidnapping children, which she is going to use to make herself came back to life.  It just goes a bit overboard with this.  This movie stars Heath Ledger and Matt Damon.
***^"The 300 Spartans"  This is the movie I enjoyed as a boy.  The drama of the Spartans standing against incredible odds, and then only being defeated when they are overwhelmed.  The underdog, beating back the Persian hordes is a classic.  My only complaint was the narration.  Too pompous for me, but in those days was what made movies.

To the Movies: ****^Sherlock Holmes, ****Mission Impossible

The last couple weekends Sheri and I have made it to the movies  Marketplace Theater $3 theater.  Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows  2011 starring Robert Downing Jr. Jude Law, Rachel McAdams.

This movie appealed to me.  It had historical aspect, traveling around Europe, intellectual battle between Moriarty and Holmes, but then the side characters of Dr. Watson, and Dr. Watson's new wife.   Downing plays Sherlock in such a cavalier way at times, leading Dr. Watson into danger.  It is really fun.  The plat revolves arms.  The show starts with a tragedy, the murder of Holme's girlfriend at the hands of Moriarty.  However it ends with a sudden twist.  I think it will be enjoyable to about most adults.

More recently we have seen Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol with Tom Cruise.  This show is like the typical Mission Impossible, action from start to finish, with bombs exploding and a number of chases.  They have a chase in an Arabian dust storm which adds to the trouble.  They also have the outside climbing of that tallest building in the world in Dubai.  Plenty of close calls keep you guessing in this show.  Tom Cruise thrives in the action genre.  This movie also explores the sacrifices a spy must make in terms of family and love life.  If you are into action, this show is also for you, and you will throughly enjoy it.  I think Sheri preferred this to Sherlock Holmes.  She likes the handsome man more than the intellectual.

Life in Manteca 33: concert review, two movie reviews restaurant review.

This is a review of the past couple weeks.  Sheri and I went on a Saturday dinner date to ***Denny's.   This is not the Denny's we would frequent when the kids were young.  They had the $1.99 grand breakfast which was more than a feast.  Now I think the same meal is $9.99.  It was one of the few restaurants we could afford to take the family back in those days--at least the only sit-down restaurant.  The kids thought they were in hog heaven.  As for the Denny's of today, which is on Main street and 120 in Manteca.  It has grown up somewhat, but still has some of the old traits.  Sheri had steak and shrimp   I insisted she get he shrimp so I could eat it.  It was the shrimp cocktail kind, grilled on a stick.  Sheri;s steak was excellent, I finished it off the next day for lunch.  I had a patty melt, which I feel is one of my favorite sandwiches.  It didn't pass the calorie test from their enclosed calorie brochure.  I only ate half, so as to save a few calories.  Caleb ate the other half for dinner.  Denny's is an old favorite, and we will probably frequent there again.

Last Friday we had the privilege of attending the *****Gladys Knight Saints Unified Voices Choir.  All I can say, if you ever have a chance of attending this concert, it is a must see.  The music is Gospel rather than traditional Mormon music, but is and enjoyable evening all the same.  We attended with our neighbors.  "Jesus Loves Me" was a favorite.  Also the solo by a choir member "Via Dolorosa."  which reminds us that Jesus went all the way down the road to Calvary.  Gladys Knight with the choir sang "Blessed Assurance."  They also sang a song about not putting off until tomorrow what we should be doing today, as tomorrow may be too late. I last time I saw them Gladys Knight sang "I am a Child of God."  I missed that song in this program.  The highlight of the program was the testimonies.  A brother told the history of the restoration of the Church.  Gladys Knight told her story, starting by letting the audience know we are all brothers and sister. 
http://inthedoghouse.hubpages.com/hub/Gladys-Knight--Lost-the-Pips-But-Gained-The-Saints-Unified-Voices
http://www.suvchoir.org/

***Puss In Boots  We went a date knight to the movies.  Miranda and Tony went to see "Chipwrecked", and I went to Puss In Boots. Tony wanted Miranda for a date, and I didn't look forward to the high note singing, so was good with seeing a different movie.  Both movies were at the $3 Marketplace Theater.  So as for "Puss In Boots"--this movie had betrayal, love and villains.  The cat dancing was the thing that most made it unique.  However over all I found it just above so-so.  The mother goose and baby goose were fun.  The city Puss was defending, and his loss honor, which was restored in the sight of the people, but not in the sight of the law.  The movie also added the usual twists on common nursery rhymes. 

****Chipwrecked  As I mentioned above I did not see this movie.  My four star rating is based on Tony's reaction.  He came out of the movie talking about the stories and having really enjoyed himself.  He talked about the chipmunks all fighting over the food on the island. He also liked the slide on the boat.  He liked the songs.  "Firework" is one of his favorite.

To the Movies/ Movie Night: ***Three Musketeers, ***Mansfield Park, ***^Sons of Katie ElderPark,

Tony and I went to see Three Musketeers at the Marketplace Theater.  It was fun.  Tony was interested in seeing the sword play, and was not disappointed.  The story was very repetitive in comparison to other versions of the same story.  The only addition was the flying ships, which really added some fun to the story.  They had two men-of-war, which were attached to dirigibles, and had a fine battle.  This movie is worth seeing just for the battle between these two vessels.  However other than that the story has been told before.

Mansfield Park is the Billie Piper version which I got from Netflix mail.  I liked Billie Piper in Doctor Who and she is very good in this as well.  The story as told in this PBC WGBH Boston version loses some of the periphery stuff, and is much more directly a love story between Fannie and Edmond.  I missed the story line of the slaves, but really it did keep the movie focused on the main characters.

Lastly The Sons of Katie Elder is an old John Wayne, who is always good.  There is a scene where John Wayne is shooting his two six shooters much like Rooster Cogburn in True Grit.  I guess this was a rehearsal.  It reminds one of the importance of family, and not forgetting those who are older, even when we are moved out and doing our own thing.

At the Movies, Movie Night: **^The Sorcerer's Apprentice; ***Captain America

I watched these two movies with Tony last week, the first on dish but it is also available from instant Netflix; the second at the Marketplace Theater.

I must admit, the Sorcerer's apprentice leaves something lacking.  It seems they try to mesh a modern adventure with the original Mickey Mouse movie, and fails in both respects.   I must admit I really don't like the ending, and the broom scene reenacted here is cute, but really doesn't fit into the plot.  Nicholas Cage is good, the apprentice is not, the young girl is pretty, and it is good the sorcerer (Nicholas Cage) gets back with his love after missing her for thousands of years.  The action is good, but science winning the day in the end is sort of contrived.  So this movie gets a reserved recommendation.

I judged the second movie through the eyes of Tony, who was really bored with the first part of the movie.  In the theater he was more interested in playing with his chair than the movie.  However when Captain America gets his shield, then things start to pick up. The action was exciting after that point.  This is a good WWII action movie.

It was fun that John Starks (Iron Man) was part of the movie, and a rival for the woman's affection.  It actually explains where he gets the power for the suit he eventually makes.  I hated the ending however.  I wanted him to get the girl, not end up frozen for 70 years.  And so for this movie a mild recommendation.

To the Movies, ***^Abduction and **The Smurfs

Saw a couple movies at the theater last week.  Abduction at the AMC and The Smurfs at Marketplace $3 theater.  Went with Sheri and Mark and Dianna to the first and Tony to the second.  The story line of Abduction was actually intriguing.  It starred Lily Collins and Taylor Lautner with Sigourney Weaver in a supporting roll.  I am not sure why they called the movie abduction, as no one was abducted.  They were just trying to get away.  This movie had plenty of action.  It got very poor reviews from the critics.  I think this is because the relationship between the two young people was not as hot as it could have been.  Sometimes Taylor seemed stiff.  I am not sure if this was his character, who was suppose to be shy, or just some misses in the acting.  My only complaint about this movie was the giggling, talking laughing girls in the back who only came to see Taylor Lautner with his shirt off and had no interest in the story.  Finally someone asked them to shut up and they did.

The second movie is one that Tony had talked about wanting to see.  Gargamel's cat steal this show.  He/she is so funny pursuing the smurfs, and has such funny facial expression.  Gargamel is just totally evil.  I watched Tony, to see how the movie was doing.  He enjoyed most of the movie, but there was a period there, where the movie seemed to slow down and loss its energy.  He likes the slapstick scenes, Gargamel getting sucked through the funnel, getting foiled in the toy store, and things dropping on his head.  I liked the apple with thinks poking out of it getting him in the butt.  Now that is humor.  One part that started going somewhere and then didn't was Gargamel making an alliance with the Smurf's friend's boss.  It just didn't go anyplace.

At the Movies: ****^Harry Potter, **Judy Moody

I think everyone has seen Harry Potter.  Miranda and Natalia went at midnight opening night.  Sheri and family went the next day.  I refused to go to the first showings, waiting for the price to come down.  I finally went to see it in 3-D in Logan while we were there.  I had hoped to see another, but the projector was down, so I gave in and enjoyed the Harry Potter movie in 3D.   Sheri had already seen the movie, but said she preferred the extra dimension.

The story was intense, as it was suppose to be, and the battle was entertaining.  I have only a couple minor complaints.  I wish they could have focused more on the battle, and a little less on Harry.  Of course I guess the story was Harry.  My only other complaint, is the epilogue left me hollow somehow.  I think I would have liked to have seen more character like Melville and Luna.  Other than the three, the only character I recognized was Draco.  Harry Potter has been a joy for our family throughout.  I remember bringing home four or five copies at a time when a new book came out.  Nobody wanted to wait.  I also remember Thanksgiving weekends seeing the movie when it came out, one in San Diego with cousins.  It has been a fun ride.

Judy Moody and the not Bummer Summer was a disappointment to me.  I was hoping it would at least be as good as the "Wimpy Kid" movies.  But in this it let me down.  I think the bad driving of the aunt wasn't enough to carry the humor of the show.  Tony and i saw this at Marketplace Theater, and it was good to have only paid $3.

Life in Manteca: 11; ***Thor, **Taqueria Manteca,

I went to movie "Thor" alone at the $3 theater.  It was entertaining.  It is sad how he lost his girl in the end.  But wasn't that hammer something great.  I still am not sure if the brother was all evil or misguided or what.  Also the play of fish out of water, and encountering the new fish was very entertaining.  Natalie Portman is always beautiful.

During the time while family was away I went to Taqueria Manteca, close to Orchard Supply.  The atmosphere was so so, maybe worse for me being alone.  They served dinner on a plate, but with plastic utensils.  I also did not find the food very great, except for the chicken of the chicken enchilada.  That was great, but too much sauce on the enchilada  for me.  I also found all the salsas rather bland.  Now this may have been me this day because I had burned the top of my mouth eating microwaved food.  To be honest, nothing really tasted all that good.

One thing I discovered after moving to Manteca, and we had thousands of boxes to recycle (really!) is that there are recycling bins available next to the pound on East Whetmore.  They only ask that you follow regular recycling rules with regards to what you put in.  Since the recycle truck only comes every other week, we still visit there from time to time with extra boxes or other recyclables.

Life in Manteca: 10; At the Movies and Movie NIghts:***^" Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules"

This week I am dedicating myself to movie reviews.  Sheri and the kids have all been gone, all week.  It is getting old, but I am persevering.  Tonight Ty and I went to the movie.  I thankful I went t the funny rather than the action adventure as Ty suggested.  "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules" was really very good.  At times I was laughing so hard my eyes were watering.  I watched the first movie, but don't remember it being as entertaining.   http://billywardlefamily.blogspot.com/2010/06/movie-review-diary-of-whimpu-kid.html  I previously wrote a review of the first movie.
This movie allowed further development of the characters, and of the relationship between the brothers.  It is almost a coming of age, which is hard for seventh grade.  It also presents the parents and develops their characters as well.  I like the ending much better than the first movie.  The magic show was truly magical.  It had me laughing. 

This movie is currently at the $3 theater and I would encourage people to see it before it is gong.  It was fun.

I have also been watching movies on satellite, with everyone gone, and here are a few reviews.  **^"Alice in Wonderland" is very strange.  I am still trying to decide if I like the way they did it.  It is so different than what I was expecting.  I do not like either of the queens.  They are just too much.  Anne Hathaway keeps her wrists in such a feminine position it quickly becomes old.  However Alice, is a much more enjoyable character as she is the one who grows through the movie.  The creatures and animals are fun.  I like caterpillar and his wisdom, as well as the Mad Hatter. 
**^"Salt" is an action spy movie with Angela Jolie.  I must admit, I wanted to dislike it because of the whole Jolie/Penn thing.  I don't want to like her.  However I must admit the movie was entertaining.  Jolie looks like she could kick my butt.  The plot was also very intriguing.  The question throughout is whether Salt is on the good side or the bad. 
The last movie is **^"Did you Hear What Happened to the Morgans?" with Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker.  The critics did not like this movie.  It is about two socialite New Yorkers being placed in Western Wyoming.  It is a classic fish out of water type story with a marriage relationship problem on top of that.  I enjoyed this movie.  The characters were a bit stereotypical, but I didn't care.  It was fun all the same. 

The biggest winner though is the movie about a seventh grader, Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  It really is funny, and it isn't potty humor, although the pooping bird is nice .  It is much better than the first.

Life in Manteca #4: At the movies, 2 restaurant reviews etc.

This weekend was busy.  It was highlighted by Miranda's return after three weeks away with her sister in Idaho.  Tony, Sheri and I went to pick her up.  We checked out the *** Deseret Industries (Mormon thrift store in Sacrament) on our way to the airport.  It was a fun exploration, but we really didn't have enough time.  Their pricing was strange, some things seemed over priced, and some things were very good bargains.

Sunday was especially enjoyable with fast and testimony meeting, and Stake Priesthood meeting.  Sheri made Navajo Tacos, and invited the Larsens over.  We watched ***** "Enchanted" with them, but had to leave before it was over.  Now that is a great movie.  They do the theme of a Disney Princess in New York so well.  The song "How does she Know" keeps everyone bouncing and is a favorite.

Friday night I decided to take myself to the movie, **** "Red Riding Hood."  Sheri goes to bed before I was able to go.  It was playing at the $3 theater.  I enjoyed this ride.  The leading characters, and their relationships is very nice.  The intrigue of figuring out who is the werewolf is very well done.  The artistic work with the red against the snow is also very eerie.  I recommend this movie, and it is one with the scenery that would be better seen in the movie theater.

I took Tony to see ** "Rango."  Caleb and Alyssa also went with us.  I had to go out for potty break and missed a bit.  I could never figure out how Rango determined where the water had gone.  However Alyssa and Caleb didn't know either.  So the movie was either too complicated to follow, there was a plot error, or Alyssa and Caleb had their mind on something other than the move.  The claim it was no the latter.  The action of the movie was enjoyable, but didn't keep Tony entertained throughout.

I forgot to write a review for a movie which I saw as part of a double date with Mark and Dianna.   *** "Unknown" starred Liam Neeson and he carried the film.  He has a way about expressing trouble and confusion.  He was in an accident, and in a comma, and when coming out remembers his name and wife, except she has another husband.  I remember thinking this might be another Bourne Identity about half-way through the movie, and then forgetting about this.  However that is what it ends up being.  The action is great, and the explosion is shocking.  The evening was funner than the movie, as we went to McDonalds and talked for some time.  That is always fun.

Sheri and I left Tony in the care of Caleb and Alyssa (and the Larsens) and went out to eat.  We went the the ****^ Kelly Brothers Brewing Company or Brickyard Oven Restaurant.  They have a Chinese oven (I guess something like the oven in he "Seven Brothers" book.)  In this oven meat is slowly toasted.  We had the sampler for two.  It included two slices of about five different kinds of meat-- pork, turkey, ribs, chicken, and tri-tip--with three types of barbecue sauce.  We had the side of vegetables and potatoes.  Vegetables were very yummy, orange and yellow carrots, snow peas and broccoli (Sheri ate the broccoli.)  A very fun lunch.  The restaurant is in the old El Rey Theater which burned in 1977 after the final showing of "Towering Inferno."  It has been renovated nicely.  It also housed items with regards to the history of Manteca.

Sheri frequented Little Caesars Friday night for dinner.  This was a common occurrence in Cupertino.  However the Caesars in Manteca is more expensive and not quite as good.  The bread sticks were all stuck together.  I didn't eat much, maybe because of the big potluck at work.