Welshrogue

A hastily planned raid in Somalia in 1993 goes terribly wrong when a support helicopter is hit by a rocket propelled gun. As the troops on the ground attempt to both carry out the raid successfully and rescue those in the downed helicopter, thousands of Somali rebels attack.

Directed by Ridley Scott, Black Hawk Down is a very realistic modern warfare movie that doesn’t pull any punches. Based on real events, it isn’t pretty viewing as bullet fly in every direction. There are some horrific injuries, both graphic and gruesome and yet they don’t overwhelm the situation and those soldiers who are are being surrounded.

The movie stars a raft of well known actors including Eric Bana, Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, William Fichtner and Sam Shepard to name but a few. The action is the main part of the movie though and is more than just thrilling, it is intense in the same way that The Hurt Locker is. After watching the movie, you actually feel the tension in your shoulders.

Black Hawk Down is a very good modern warfare movie, and one that should be viewed if only to see what went on and what happened.

A down on his luck man, faced with owing large amounts of money to the wrong people stands on a bridge about to kill himself when he notices a tall blonde about to do the same thing and before he can stop her, she jumps.

Angel-A stars Jamel Debbouze as Andre and Rie Rasmussen as Angela and is written and directed by Luc Besson. Angel-A has a different look due to the use of black and white photography which gives if a classic feel while being set in modern Paris. With Andre as 5 foot 5 and Angela as 5 foot 10 plus heels, they make a eye catching pair as they go to and forth around Paris. The story is as much about redemption, belief in yourself and even loving who you are as it is about a man who with help from a strange female tries to turn his life around.

Paris as always looks amazing, perhaps even more so because of the black and white, and the two lead actors are wonderful to watch. Yet another Luc Besson movie that is a real joy to watch!

Three years after the events of the original District 13, Damien and Leito are reunited to save District 13 from corrupt cops trying to raze the district to the ground for their own profit.

If you saw District 13 you know what to expect. Insane fight scenes, breath-taking parkour, and just a little french humour along the way. Starring Cyril Raffaelli as the cop, Damien and David Belle as Leito, the District 13 resident, the movie has more action than most movies with more than a few amazing shots, such as Leito jumping from one building to another, or Damien fighting a bunch of bad guys while holding a Van Gogh in his hands.

One of the bonuses of the original movie, and again with the sequel, is that on the DVD, there is an in depth making of which revels the hard work and fun that the actors and crew experience when making the movie.

Seriously, if you enjoy high energy movies where the plot can take a back seat to the action, watch this!!

6 months after Tony Stark announces to the world that he is, indeed, Iron Man, life has become more difficult. Side effects from his chest mounted power supply are affecting his health, and the US government want to own the Iron Man suit. And its about to get a whole lot worse!

Iron Man 1 was a very enjoyable ‘comic book’ movie that not only enjoyed great plot, graphics and humour but had Robert Downey Jr as its lead. Downey JR is charismatic and charming in nearly every movie he is in and Iron Man 2 is no exception. He is so enjoyable to watch because he is a good actor who excels in this kind of role. Good but flawed, funny but irreverent.  Again supported by Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Pots, the main cast are joined by some very well known actors such as Sam Rockwell, Don Cheadle, Scarlet Johansson, Mickey Rourke, and Samuel L Jackson.

There are in jokes a plenty for those who are fans of the comic books but even those who did have girlfriends in their teen years should enjoy this movie. Its funny, action packed and has Scarlet Johansson. Yes, I do believe Miss Scarlet is worth the price of admission alone!

Iron Man 2 is a great movie, as enjoyable as the first one although perhaps not as satisfying since we already knew what we were getting after watching the first one. Looking forward to the third or the avengers or whatever next!!

Having a long time to plan a trip isn't always a good thing. It also means you find more ways to spend money before you even leave your house. This trip is definitely no exception. I originally started this blog with the intent of sharing anecdotal tales of scrimping and saving, but the more I look into the things that we can do in Vegas I think this blog should be about spending! For example, my husband and I aren't huge gamblers. I figured if we had $1000-$1500 to gamble and some spare change for spending and clear credit cards for charging meals and those "I HAVE TO HAVE IT" items. We would get out of vegas having had one hell of a time and some really great memories. There is so much to see and do in Vegas and the surrounding area, the shows, the hoover dam and gran canyon tours, casinos...bla, bla, bla.... However... I decided to investigate some of the more unusual things to do in Vegas...aside from the bunny ranch, or the "free" tours of the swingers clubs I didn't think there would be much to surprise me. I have to admit, I couldn't have been more wrong. My husband has always wanted an Astin Martin, I didn't say he believed he would own one, but he figured he could dream. Well now he may actually get his chance to drive one in Las Vegas at http://www.supercarlife.com/experience.aspx OH, and he has always wanted to try shooting firearms. So we may also visit http://thegunstorelasvegas.com so he can try his luck with these babies.... a H/K MP5 SMG w/50 Rds, Semi- Automatic Rifle w/10 Rds, 12ga Shotgun w/5 Rds, and that also includes Three Targets & Package T-Shirt. I hope it doesn't give him any ideas!!! Shooting up Las Vegas in an Astin Martin, all he will need is a martini -shaken not stirred, and a Tux and I might find my self being seduced by a 007 wannabe! As for me, the excitement of traveling, being somewhere different and doing different things is enough of an aphrodisiac. This time Mr.Bond may have met his match!!!

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The Gray Man is a talented assassin, capable to completing jobs against the odds. He is legendary in the assassin/security circles. He has just completed a difficult job but now he has become the target of a multi-national man hunt. With even his most trusted handler turning against him, the odds of him surviving the next few days are pretty slim.

The Gray man reads likes a 1960s Jack Higgins book. The idea behind the book is brutally simple but is executed very well. The gray man, Gentry, is not like a movie action character with witty comments and dashing good looks. Rather he does what he has to do, tries to do the right thing and otherwise blends into the background and becomes un-noticeable.

While most of the characters in the book tend to be killed, a few do stand out enough to be remembered but not enough to distract from the main theme of the book. The unstoppable, resourcefulness of Gentry as he cross countries and avoids ambushes to get to his destination.

A good book, in someways reminiscent of a good Colin Forbes book, but modern and believable!