[PhantomCat]

The Big Screen: Hanna Crime/Mystery/Suspense/Action Adventure/Slightly Si-Fi
My Star Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 Stars
Rated PG-13 Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins
Director: Joe Wright Staring: Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, and Cate Blanchett.

Training by her father, a top CIA agent, for weapons, hand to hand combat, and speaking several languages is all she has ever known. Growing up in seclusion provided the perfect cover, but now at 16, Hanna is ready to enter civilization and face the CIA department head who killed her mother. But not all things are exactly the way her father taught her. There are documents of secrets surrounding her birth, her very existence. Is she normal or abnormal?

Excellent acting from entire cast. This film will hold your interest but at times there are feelings of repetitive suspense with wishes for a quicker pace. While definitely not the film of the year, Hanna could very easily become a series for the small screen.

[PhantomCat]

Charlotte Checkers -Ice Hockey

I've never been prouder for our team than these guys have made me. For their first time in the new league they have managed to take themselves (and us fans) into the finals, adding even more exciting games to the season. I have seen several games this year with no idea this would happen. Thanks guys!

If your planning to see these men in action there are still several more games this month. The next being Friday, May 6th, 2011, which I plan to attend.

Keep up the great work guys. Take us all the way!

P.S. I still don't understand what the heck the crowd is shouting back when the announcer says, "Coke Zero."

[PhantomCat]

Usher -Concert 4-30-2011

I must say he fooled everybody when his dancer came out on stage and we assumed he was one of them. We also assumed he was behind the white curtain revealing a man's full bodied silhouette in a stylish pose when the stage spotlights came up, only to reveal there was no one there when the curtain fell. There he was, standing on a suspended platform in back of the Time Warner Cable Arena, which move in and gently lowered him to the stage. He was dressed in black, removed his black helmet and started singing before he reach the stage. Of course the crowd went wild. He was finally on the stage after Akon - who did very well might I add - and a surprised but short performance (thank god!) by The Cataracts. Usher difinitely has international appeal. There were black, whites, spanish, etc, and a surprising number of Indians presents. There were even families in the house.

Though he razzaled and dazzled, with dancers, pyrotechnics, and special effects, I could not escape the feeling that there was something missing. Maybe it was the fact that he sang slow songs for most of the 2 and a half hours he performed. May be it was because he didn't bother to talk to the audience until around the last 30 minutes. Whatever it was, I felt let down and bored before the final number even thought his stage energy was good. I checked it out to see of it was just me feeling that way but others were feeling the same thing. Screams were erupting but not as much as at other concerts I've seen. Maybe the man was tired. I'll have to give him that one. An exhausting tour can do that to anybody. I do hope he let's the Michael Jackson style of dance go and further develop his own.

[lanigan911]

Charlotte Checkers P.S. I still don't understand what the heck the crowd is shouting back when the announcer says, "Coke Zero."

I can't remember which event precipitates it, either a power play or penalty kill if I'm not mistaken. That's what you shout.

[Iheartcarowinds]

It's the Coke Zero Power Play!!!

[PhantomCat]

Thanks guys! I love the way people jump in and help on this site.

I'll try and listen more closely this Friday.
I really do appreciate it.

[PhantomCat]

5-6-11

Coke Zero, "POWER PLAY!"
I definitely heard it tonight!

[PhantomCat]

The Big Screen: THOR -3D Si-Fi/Suspense/Action Adventure
My Star Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars - has made #1 Movie
Rated PG-13 -Runtime: 1hr 54min
Director: Kenneth Branagh Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, and Rene Russo

The summer blockbusters have started, but which director and studio will own the box office?

Greek-mythology god, Thor is kicked out of his kingdom by his father, and cursed to dwell among man for his disobedience. But that is not all that is afoot...

This is an exciting adventure that leaves you wanting more. The story line is one that dosen't take too much brain power to follow. It's all cut and dry, in your face. See it in 3D for the added cool effects, and stay through the credits for a preview of Thor's next adventure, "The Avengers," with Samuel L. Jackson.

[PhantomCat]

Event: Nascar Pit Crew Challenge

On May 19th I got the chance to see real pit crews battle it out for the championship title at the Time Warner Cable Arena.

Each crew had guys service 5 cars - tires, gas - then run to push their prepositioned, driver-loaded car several yards to the finish line. As each group of 3 or 4 crew members finished their individual car, they were free to start the pushing process. The cars gained speed as other crew members finished their cars and joined the frey.

This was the 7th annual event but was my first. Man, those guys are fast. They can change a tire in seconds flat. I had more fun than I thought I would. Did anyone else see this event?

Be on the lookout for it next year. The event lasted for 3 hours.

[PhantomCat]

The Big Screen: X-MEN First Class Sci-Fi/Suspense/Action Adventure
My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars - Bound to become one of the summer's hits, easy.
Rated PG-13 -Runtime: 2hrs 11mins
Stars: James McAvoy -as Charles Xavier, Michael Fassbender -as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto, Bill Milner -Young Erik,
Kevin Bacon -Sebastian Shaw, Rose Byrne -Moira MacTaggert, Jennifer Lawrence -Raven/Mystique,
Álex González -Janos Quested/Riptide, Jason Flemyng -Azazel, Zoë Kravitz -Angel Salvadore, January Jones -Emma Frost, and Nicholas Hoult -Hank McCoy/Beast

Director: Matthew Vaughn

If you've been keeping up with the X-Men franchise you may have, like myself, gather some lingering questions through the years like: What events motivated Professor X to start his School for Gifted Youths? How did he become fast friends/enemies with Magnito? What was Magnito inspiration for his thought-blocking helmet? How did the first mutants group-up and start working together? All of these answers and more are revealed in this 5th installment, prequel. But more is here than just answers to questions. This one's packed with actions and a few intense-violent scenes that may activate squeamishness for some.

Magnito brings up some valid points for starting his Brotherhood - for the protection of all mutants. But he is a man blinded by rage, deep hurts, and unforgiveness. All of which will continue to taint his rational decision making until he comes to terms with is dreadful past. Even Professor X had to teach him to tone down his rage and find his center for the maximum use of his powers.

This one will be added to my DVD collection to be placed beside part 3, The Final Stand - the only title of the series I've highly favored. I would diffidently like to see a film on the origins of the fascinating Azazel, and one on Mystique. It is now apparent that she was on her own - stealing food to survive - during her early childhood.

[RollerCoasterMommy07]

I love the X-Men movies. Thanks for posting this. Although I have to say I'm ready for them to continue where they left off with the last X-men movie. I like that they are going back, but I'm inpatient and ready to see what they are gonna do next. My sister and her friend went to see this today and I'm sad because I couldn't get a babysitter so I couldn't go .

[PhantomCat]

Live Entertainment: Roller Derby

Folks did you know Charlotte has Roller Derby matches going on? While growing up, I used to watch it on TV, and now I actually get a chance to see it live. Unbefreakinlievable!

Matches are held at the Grady Cole Center, formerly known as The Park Center. It sits in front of Memorial Stadium, to the left of Central Piedmont Community College at 310 N. Kings Dr, Charlotte NC 28204.

The next match is June 11th, 2011
For more information call 704-336-2884 or visit their website at http://www.charmeck.org/mecklenburg/cou ... enter.aspx
Unbefreakinlievable baby!

[PhantomCat]

Yes, RollerCMom,
I love the X-Men too but not all of them will get into my collection. I like the Terminator series as well, but I only own the 2ed and 3ed. Sometimes when different directors, story changes, and/or different actors enter the fray, films can have some undesirable results.

[RollerCoasterMommy07]

So true Pcat, but then you have the movies that go overboard with sequals (ie Saw).

[PhantomCat]

I haven't seen any of the Saw series but from what I understand, after the first two were made, different directors took over and the story totally changed. I haven't watched any of them on TV either. It's really not my cup of tea to see people suffering and tortured for 2 hours. I don't care to see the one about the guy who went rock climbing alone, a big boulder feel on his arm, and he had to remove his arm with a knife - based on a true story. I need to be entertained differently. I watch other type films.