The cinematic icon over the past 20 years, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan has been completely rebooted in this weeks, Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit.   

You'll go a long way to find a bigger cast than you will find in the new flick, August:Osage County.

The new Lone Survivor is a great example of the kind of work Hollywood is capable of when it puts its mind to it.  

The new movie Her is certainly thought provoking and interesting, but will it resonate with movie goers?

After seeing a ton of movies all calender year long, here come the Five Best Movies of the year. 

I have seen over 170 movies this year and it's time for more year end lists.  Later this week I will post the Five Best Movies Of  2013.

Everyone likes a good surprise at the movies.  It's always fun to go to a flick and find a gem in the pile of stones out there. 

I saw over 170 movies in 2013, and it should be noted there are far more average movies made each year than non-average ones.  In the days ahead I will post some of the great ones, and disappointing ones of 2013. To be on THIS list, it has to be a real "breath of fresh air not expected movie," and be released to local theaters in the calender year. So here goes, my list of the 5 Most Surprising Movies of 2013

1/  Carrie - This retelling of the Stephen King classic novel was 40 years in the making, and is far better than the original.  Chloe Grace Moretz is a perfect Carrie, the rest of the cast is great too.  It's still Carrie, but this looks better, and is better that the mid 1970's movie. Normally remakes get on my nerves, but this was well thought out.  Plus, they begin with a great story from a great writer - King.  This was a real good idea,as movie making has evolved so much since the 70's. This needed an update, because King's story was ahead of the movie making technology at the time.  His breakthrough story needed a better memory than the original.

2/  Snitch - February is the wasteland of movie going, but this year Snitch helped make it tolerable.  The Rock starred in this, and didn't go all superhero on us.  The story is based on truth and is quite interesting about a desperate father, trying to vindicate his son who is wrongfully imprisoned for drugs.  How far will he go to make things right.  This movie stays inside itself and does not go over the top. Good story, and The Rock is quite good.  Perfect?  No.  But a great surprise.

3/  Fast And Furious 6 -  These are not my favorite movies by any stretch, but I have a ton of respect for this series. As the numbers get bigger, so does the box office take, and that is exceptionally unusual.  And 6 of them?  They are what the are.  This is fun, and zips along well. Will this change cinematic history?  No.  But, somehow they manage to keep their core viewers interested, and new viewers become engaged quickly.  These don't get worse as most sequels can and generally do. 

4/  Mud -  This movie starring Mathew McConaughey is simply terrific.   His performance as "Mud" is Oscar worthy, and the story is gripping with a fantastic supporting cast.  This movie came and went completely under the radar, as about 10 people saw it.  This was one of the real "shames" of the movie year.  More people should have seen this.  And his MM's performance, is award worthy. Redbox this movie, it's fantastic!

5/  All Is Lost -  The one man movie starring Robert Redford as a man trying to survive being lost at sea alone. There is no dialogue in this one hour and forty minute movie, but it holds your attention and is very compelling.  Redford gives a great performance, might be one of the best of his career, and he doesn't speak. This is certainly not for everyone, but this is surprisingly good.  Redford's name could be tossed around at Oscar time too.

There they are!  The 5 Most Surprising Movies of 2013.  Look later this week, for the 5 Most Disappointing Movies of the year.  Thoughts?  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nov. 10, 2014: Monday is Area Code Day, World Freedom Day and National Vanilla Cupcake Day.

Happy 239th Birthday to the Marine Corps.

It's World Kindness week!

The Cleveland Cavaliers are hosting New Orleans with a 7:00 tipoff tonight.
You can catch the game on 1590 WAKR.

Browns are in first place for the first time in 19 years!

Days away - Tribe Opening Day 152

Mega Millions is set at $20 million for Tuesday's drawing and the Powerball is set $40 million for Wednesday.

McCauley Caulkan is NOT dead. It was the latest internet hoax over the weekend!

A birthday party in Memphis fora 14-year-old girl ended when her mom was placed under arrest. The teen was complaining because there were no chicken wings left at the party. Mom ended up shoving a police officer.

When someone sneezes on a plane, because of the closed in space and circulation, it travels about 50 feet.

Yes, It Does Exist - They created a Doritos-flavored Mountain Dew, calling it “Dewitos.” You know … like the way it would sound if a toddler tried to pronounce Doritos.

The average American consumes about 4500 calories on Thanksgiving!

A new survey shows that a majority of people prefer attractive healthy looking leaders over smart ones

Matt Damon is coming back to the Bourne series!

3 Things You Need to Know

Box Office Biggies – HUGE weekend at the movies Big Hero 6, bringing in about $56 million, and Interstellar with $50 million

Jason Aldean is going to be the next country star to pull his music from Spotify.

Jason and Kenny Chesney sold out the August concert in Boston in 12 minutes this weekend! 110,000 tickets sold for the two night series.

Founder of the website Rich20Something.com - has three simple rules for anyone who wants to be a "highly productive" person:

Get up early – You'll perform better and be looked at as someone who gets things done if you get up at 6 a.m. instead of 11 a.m.

Know what you want - Start every day with a clear intention of what you want to accomplish, preferably with a focused meditation.

Work out – Whether you like it or not, having a strong body is just as important as having a strong mind.

Quote of the Day – “There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate.”

Website of the Day –Coming Attractions Bridal Shop on East Tallmadge Avenue has reopened and is offering big discounts. www.cabridal.com

Nov. 7, 2014: Today is Cook Something Bold, Pungent Day and Chocolate with Almonds Day. Tomorrow is National Cappuccino Day.,

Birthdays – Chris Knight is 57. 

Time Flies – 1970 Tom Dempsey kicks a 63-yarder for the New Orleans Saints.

Browns blast the Bengals 24-3 to take a share of the AFC North.

Cavs continue their west coast road swing in Denver, 10:30 tip tonight on 1590 WAKR.

Days away - Tribe Opening Day 155

The Country Music Awards show was the number one show this week, and record ratings for the show.

Medal of Honor - 151 years after his death, Alonzo Cushing, of Delafield, Wisconsin, was issued the National Medal Of Honor Yesterday

Good News - The studies show that older you are when you have your first kid, the happier you'll become. Bio-clock debunked!

Take Note - Guys and your hair! 89 percent like preferably down and straight or down and curly. Don't like sock buns, however. That's the one trend guys really don't like. Other major hair turnoffs: greasy, dirty looking locks; hair with too much product in it; and hair dyed in unnatural colors.

Baskin-Robbins is rolling out a new flavor in honor of Veterans Day that's not only delicious but also very American. "First Class Camouflage" - 10 cents of each scoop sold on Veterans Day will be donated to the USO.