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Film/TV Movie Reviews

Movie Review: Project Almanac

Project Almanac from Paramount Pictures

2 out of 5

When I first started seeing trailers for Project Almanac, I was definitely curious. This time travel flick about selfish high schoolers looked pretty darn good. The trailer sucked you in with a group of friends using time travel for their own gain. Then it turns kind of creepy when you see that time travel can, oops, screw things up.

Unfortunately, the movie didn’t live up to the trailer for me. I thought maybe it was one of those instances with two many writers and/or directors, nope. One director and two writers. I’m currently exhausted and didn’t even feel like writing this review. I thought I’ll find a review by someone with similar views and share that. I can’t find one! What? So, basically, others have issues with the science behind the film but embraced what disappointed me. My views are a bit different.

Yes, there are times that I thought, no, just no, that doesn’t make any science. Keep in mind, that I’m not scientifically minded. I’m pretty likely to not know if someone is using the correct piece when they are building something. I also don’t mind shutting off my mind to enjoy something fun, to an extent.

Project Almanac from Paramount Pictures

However, unlike others, I don’t believe that you need to see this JUST because it’s a time travel movie. As if, a dearth of movies means that poor ones should just exist to fill the void.

Have you seen the trailer? No?

Project Almanac Official Trailer

Okay, now you have. You don’t even need to watch the movie. That is everything that you need to know and it doesn’t have to work because it’s a trailer. You are supposed to want more.

What happens? Okay, a guy, his sister, and his likable friends build a time travel machine based on his late father’s plans. Later, a “hot”, popular girl joins their group and decides that she’s an integral part of it. IMHO, she is not.

At first, everything seems fine, the kids get money, popularity, and sex. I’m not gonna lie, some of those scenes are amusing. They even get to see Imagine Dragons live. That’s super fun.

Imagine Dragons in Project Almanac

Then the lead decides to start jumping around through time solo and disasters happen. If I were one of the kids, I would have rationalized the hell out of being at fault for huge disasters though, as one does. This is when the illogical time travel starts really bothering me. Now, it’s not just for fun. He has to fix things, but with the way that things have been going, I can’t buy what follows. Plus, even if I tried, it’s like he intentionally mucks things up.

I did enjoy his friends, but they didn’t get enough screen time. His love interest is annoying and the sister wasn’t onscreen long enough for me to form an opinion. 

Yes, I’m impressed that this movie was filmed for around $3 million and earned about 10 times that much, but going into it, I didn’t know that. As a casual viewer that shouldn’t concern me. Although, I’m sure producer Michael Bay is thrilled. Another plus is that the film wasn’t overly long. Some found the fact that it’s set up as a found footage film to be a detractor. It slightly enhanced it for me, making the creepy scenes a bit creepier. Maybe, my biggest issue is that the lead becomes unlikable, but not annoying enough to completely hate. I like to have some strong feelings one way or another when I’m watching someone’s story. I’m only giving it 2 out of 5 stars for the initial premise and fun section of them just goofing around for personal gain.

Categories
Conventions Film/TV

Arrow Stars to Shoot into Philly’s Wizard World Comic Con

"Katie Cassidy & Stephen Amell" by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

As you may recall, I’m a huge fan of the annual Philadelphia Wizard World Comic Con. This year, I’m as excited as ever. The wonderfully fun-to-watch stars of the CW’s Arrow are on the guest list. Yes, both Arrow (Stephen Amell) and Laurel herself (Katie Cassidy) will be appearing!

Arrow screencap by Mary Miracle

If you haven’t checked out Arrow yet, I’d recommend doing so ASAP. This superhero show does get suspenseful but isn’t always serious. You gotta love a show in which multiple characters know the lead’s secret identity, which is mainly covered by green eye makeup.

Stephen Amell from the CW

Amell can portray Oliver Queen skillfully in both the present and in flashbacks when he was still a spoiled rich boy. Not to worry, he’s not really like that anymore, due to “5 YEARS ON THE ISLAND!” Oliver, aka the Arrow, aka the Hood is one hell of a vigilante. His parkour game is on point.

Arrow screencap by Mary Miracle

Katie Cassidy plays attorney Laurel Lance. She’s one tough cookie. Of course, Oliver and Laurel have a history. It’s awesome to be able to watch Ms. Cassidy regularly. I’ve been a fan of hers since her role in the Black Christmas remake. 

Getting the chance to meet two of the fab stars of Arrow is one of my top reasons for attending the Philly Wizard World show this year. It could only get better if Diggle were enlisted.

This year the Philadelphia Wizard World Comic Con runs May 7-10th. For info about all of Wizard World’s conventions, visit the Official Facebook Wizard World page.

Categories
Film/TV Movie Reviews

Hit Me With Your Best Shot: X-Men

Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Anna Paquin as Rogue in X-Men, screencap by Mary Miracle

This shot is my choice for The Film Experience’s X-Men Hit Me with Your Best Shot series. In this series, we choose a shot from a movie that is in some way meaningful to us.


I had to go with this shot because of the relationship between Rogue and Wolverine in X-Men. X-Men is a visually stunning movie, especially considering that it is now 14 years old. Wow, time flies.

However one of the things that have always stood out for me is both Anna Paquin’s fantastic performance as Rogue and her tenacity in dealing with Wolverine. In Rogue, we have a character who is fearful of herself but not so much of hunting down the seriously tough Wolverine, in a dive bar so dangerous that I might not even visit.


Despite her fear of injuring others with her power, she can’t help but run to Wolverine’s side during a night terror. In the scene above we see him accidentally stabbing her due to a protective reflex in his sleep. Even in this situation, she is strong enough to come to terms with things quickly enough to heal herself from this deadly injury by feeding off of Wolverine’s power.


Of course, she hasn’t mastered her ability yet and is lucky not to kill him but we all have to start somewhere. I bet there are Freudian explanations of this scene out there equating it to penetration but I would disagree. Yes, there is unrequited sexual tension between them (since she’s a teen & he’s much older) but this is more about trust and friendship.


If you are one of those naysayers who hate True Blood and hence disparages Paquin’s acting, I urge you to watch not only this movie but her 90′s work. She’s always been quite talented. Dislike Sookie, if you want, but don’t blame it on Anna.

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Fashion

Style File: Like a dungeon dragon

white floral hair clip-The Dollar Tree, NYC Color Expert Last Lip Color in Forever Fuschia-courtesy of Influenster, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Polish in Pat on the Black-courtesy of Influenster, Barbie necklace-courtesy of CBT’s Closet, SmartHealth Walking FIT pedometer watch-Amazon

Last week I decided to go out and sing some karaoke, which I love to do. I don’t do it nearly enough though. I often go with a boob top when going out, to steal a phrase from “Must Love Dogs”. Luckily I recently bought a fun Nicki Minaj top from Kmart for a great price.

Nicki Minaj Peplum Bra Top -Kmart, Luxury Blues acid wash jeans-Dots

Tyra would hate this no-neck shot.

So I built the outfit around that. I added some kick-ass 80s throwback jeans from DOTS (RIP) and I had to go with my old Barbie necklace on this one. I mean, it’s the obvious choice. It’s Nicki Minaj for Pete’s sake.

Beau & Ashe Pedal sneakers in Pink-ShoeDazzle

Obviously, the lighting on my staircase sucks but I had to have a pic that includes my shoes. That’s just who I am.

Mary Miracle by Mary Miracle

I had a decent, not great time. I sang two songs so I did accomplish that, which was why I went. I sang One Piece at a Time by Johnny Cash and later My Favorite Mistake by Sheryl Crow.


On the way home I took a selfie with this giant Ten Commandments sign in front of a local church because I find it ridiculous when sober and hilarious when drunk I know, this is an awful angle for my face, but I don’t care, it still makes me chuckle.

Note: There used to be a Polyvore set here to show you where to get a similar look, but Polyvore went under.

Categories
Conventions Film/TV

2013 Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con: Q&A with Lost Girl’s Kris Holden-Ried

Kris Holden-Ried Q&A at 2013 Philly Wizard World by Mary Miracle

Kris Holden-Ried is a good-natured actor who is currently known for his portrayal of Dyson on Syfy’s Lost Girl. I was lucky enough to catch his Q&A and later meet him at the 2013 Philadelphia Wizard World Comic Con. Lost Girl recently finished airing its third season.

In case you aren’t in the know, Lost Girl is about a succubus who learns that there is a whole world of magic within our own. Kris plays Dyson, a police detective/werewolf. He mentioned that the cast is gearing up to film the fourth season this upcoming week. He just managed to squeeze this con into his schedule. The Q&A was moderated by Dr. Rebecca Housel.

Filming was allowed at this Q&A but Hot Donna and I had some technical issues. So while we were only able to film a few snippets of the Q&A, which you can watch below, we also took notes.

A few choices anecdotes:

fan: “Who was the biggest practical joker on set?”
Kris: “I’ve been known to walk onto set without my pants on.”

Kris: “I would definitely do superhero roles.”

Ried loves playing Dyson.

He has great on and off-screen relationships with both of the main actresses, Anna Silk and Ksenia Solo (who play Bo & Kenzi).

While he doesn’t feel that he’s been typecast thus far as a werewolf in both Lost Girl & Underworld: Awakening (2012), he wouldn’t take a similar role soon.

He is a fan of Games of Thrones. He’d like to appear on the show if it weren’t for scheduling issues with Lost Girl.

“I like everything from classical to rap.”-Kris Holden-Ried
Kris Holden-Ried, Donna Allis (left), Mary Miracle (right), Photos by Mary Miracle and Donna Allis

Donna and I both purchased photos with Kris at his table on Saturday and Sunday, as he’s fun, friendly, and sexy. The first time I mentioned he was hilarious at the panel, which he seemed to like. The next day I complimented him on his hat. He replied that it was his bad hair day. I said “Nah, you don’t have bad hair days” and he said “self-inflicted”.

Mary Miracle, Kris Holden-Ried, Donna Allis

His convention manager, Holly Evans, was personable and even remembered us when we returned for another photo on Sunday. She told him that we were back, it was slightly embarrassing but funny. I said “yeah, we’re here every day” and he said, “me too”.

A press pass to the convention was provided to me gratis from the awesome PR team at Wizard World. For more info on upcoming Wizard World conventions please visit the Official Wizard World Facebook page.