Twin Cities Real Estate Blog

It is no secret that a multi-media conglomerate such as Disney can turn out successful films one after the other. However, there is something to be said for the development and progress the production company has made in its endless bounds towards a more inclusive and culturally rich repertoire. Moana, the latest installment in the Disney princess movie franchise (although that in itself is up for debate, as the film's title character will object) is a credible marker in the strides Disney had made – from the gorgeous production design to the catchy tunes that will most likely be playing on repeat, the film reminds...

A film that sets up anticipation for thrills, but keeps its audience in a dull suspense for two-thirds of its performance, Shut In is certainly ambitious, but it falls prey to lack of commitment. The story follows Mary (Naomi Watts), a child psychologist recently widowed after her husband’s death in a horrific car accident -- she lives alone in an isolated New England home. The tragedy also leaves her teenage stepson, Stephen (Charlie Heaton) in a catatonic state; he is completely dependent on her and despite her withering condition, she willingly attends to him. Her situation becomes even...

Trying to produce a series of prequels from an already established franchise is like farming in a lush grassy field plagued with mines. Few filmmakers have tilled this soil unscathed (See Star Wars prequels and The Hobbit prequels). While you have to establish a set of new characters to identify this as a totally new series, you also have to throw the audience a few bones to tie it back to the familiar franchise. Most of all,...

The Minnesota Vikings are the third team in the entire history of the NFL to lose four straight games after starting off 5-0 -- the third team, ever. This loss to the Redskins was another painful one similar to the Lions home loss in that the Vikings had plenty of chances to win the game, but shot themselves in the foot enough times to eliminate a possibility of winning. They didn't completely blow it like the Lions matchup, but this was another heart-wrenching loss. Just earlier today it was announced, much to the pleasure of many frustrated Vikings fans, that Blair Walsh had been cut by the team. I...

Despite the endless tools of communication at humanity's disposal, it’s hard enough for the average person to get their point across on Facebook much less world leaders trying to understand each other at the United Nations. Communication is messy. Even as I write this I’m assuming you’ll read the words exactly as I intended rather than something else, but the truth is some will interpret it differently than others. Arrival, directed by Denis Villeneuve, is all about communication and how we interpret and understand information -- and Arrival is wrapped...

Early planning and preparation can help you succeed through and beyond the holidays. According to one study, the average holiday weight gain was just under a pound, but the cumulative effect can negatively impact health. Although the weight gain during the six weeks pushing to the end-of-year holiday festivities is not as large as once believed, it still adds up, especially if it is not lost each year. The holiday season is full of parties, social commitments, specialty foods, alcohol, stress, cold weather, lack of sleep and a myriad of other distractions that can stand in the way of well-planned...

When I heard a while back that one of my favorite directors, Denis Villeneuve, was attached to a science fiction movie about being in contact with aliens, my interest piqued and I eagerly awaited more information regarding the project -- but the little pieces that I learned felt promising. Then the first trailer released as if from nowhere and I was blown away. I knew the film would be a treat. What I found out later was that a big piece of what makes Arrival so special is the adapted screenplay of Ted Chiang's short story Story of Your Life by Eric Heisserer. Arrival ...

The Vikings snatched defeat from the jaws of victory yesterday -- this home loss to the Lions was by far the worst of the three on the season. Aside from the chorus of mistakes and miscues, the Vikings hurt themselves in more ways than one yesterday. This is a third straight loss, a second straight divisional loss and second straight loss to a very beatable opponent. But unlike the other two losses, one where the Vikings were outplayed much of the contest and the other where they were outplayed the entire contest, this loss came from the aforementioned chorus of miscues. After 9 weeks, clearly this Vikings team is no where near...

After a ten-year hiatus, Mel Gibson is back with his latest film Hacksaw Ridge and he isn't pulling any punches. It was difficult to imagine Gibson being able to top his last film Apocalypto, arguably his masterpiece, but I think after ten years no one expected it either. While Gibson is mostly known for his work as an actor, his talent as a director is where he most shines, and Hacksaw Ridge only adds to his superb body of work. It's as brutal as one might expect from a Gibson film not to mention a movie about World War II, but its emotional resonance and strong moral compass in the main character helps give the story purpose and depth. Rather than another war movie about...