"Dangerous combination... chess and cons," ponders Jake Green (Jason Statham) in Revolver. This flick was a thinker. I like it when a movie throws out a challenging, confusing plot that introduces you to a group of seemingly unrelated puzzle pieces then, by the end, surprises you by revealing how they are all interrelated. The acting, the mind games, and the way it all fit together in the end was brilliant. Jason Statham is playing a different character this time and he has HAIR! Andre Benjamin was also a very pleasant surprise. He did a great job.

At first glance, "Revolver" has the makings of a typical gangster film, teeming with well-dressed tough guys having reputations as swindlers, crime lords, hitmen, and loan sharks. But then the movie takes a sudden left turn and begins to evolve into something much more cerebral as the story almost becomes a game itself--held together by a underlying theme of casinos, chess, and cons. I can't say there were any dull moments in the storyline, either. In fact, one of my favorite scenes came from this film, when the "Sorter" (a hitman) has a change of heart and takes care of business in an almost operatic bloodbath.

The footage is awesome, the fight scenes are well choreographed, and the editing is fast paced. Over the end credits, we're treated toward a variety of experts expounding upon the ego, the individual, and chess strategy. If you like your mind to be challenged, see this movie, it's a good one. Find out for yourself. (The cartoon part was really unnecessary, but I couldn't stop laughing at it!)

I enjoyed this flick and will be picking up my own copy.

Check out the trailer below.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. Movie Review - Revolver Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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This is a flick that invites comparison to "E.T." The movie centers on Angus, a 12-year-old boy who is the son of a housekeeper, Anne MacMorrow living in a luxurious manor in a Scottish village in the midst of World War II. When he discovers a mysterious rock on the beach and peels it, what hatches is a dragon-like creature he names Crusoe that rapidly expands to the size of a horse and has to be re-housed in the local loch. Crusoe is small creature (for the first few weeks), part dog, part giraffe and part who-knows-what emerges, he hides it in the bathroom, keeping its presence secret from his mom, letting its presence known only to his sister, Kirstie and a handyman, Lewis (who conspire with the boy to hide the fast-growing pet from others.) The water horse, which eventually grows way way way too big to be kept in the bathtub, must be transported to the sea, just as E.T. had to go home. Crusoe, as the Water Horse, is named, becomes the Loch Ness Monster.

"Water Horse" isn't as great as "E.T.," but it follows its template: a fairy tale that shifts into action-adventure. The movie has a great feel for the period (WWII), in which children didn't backtalk and something as simple as an orange delights Angus a solemn boy who misses his off-at-war dad. The movie benefits enormously from its rural setting - with the green hills and glittering lakes, Angus basically lives in a brochure for Scottish tourism.

I am not sure if this makes sense, but the director and cast did too good of a job. I could have enjoyed this movie even without the computer animated sea monster. The characters are strong enough to carry this movie without it.

Check out the trailer below.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. Movie Review - The Water Horse Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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The story in "Flushed Away" is simple and not particularly original, but it's told cleverly (with a screenplay by five writers and direction by animation veterans David Bowers and Sam Fell), with daffy British humor, split-second sight gags and smart dialogue.

Roddy (voice of Hugh Jackman), a pet mouse in an upscale London apartment has his life interrupted by the arrival of a sewer rat named Sid. Adding to his vexation: While trying to flush Sid down the toilet, Roddy gets himself flushed instead. I guess if it isn't one thing, it's another, when you're a pet mouse.

The upper-class Roddy now finds himself mingling with the common mouse, rat, and other subterranean creatures in an underground city built specifically for mouse-sized animals and made from trash and debris cast away by the humans. He wants only to get back to his home in Kensington, of course, but he must rely on a mouse named Rita, an adventuresome mercenary who pilots a boat through the sewers, to help him.

This being a characteristically British film, there are digs at the French (who are quite literally frogs) and at the Americans (one of whom is shown insisting that his British hosts know nothing about football) - but most of all there are endless affectionate swipes at the British themselves, and at that old English obsession, class.

It's is the classic fish out of water story, or rather, posh rat discovering his roots.

I enjoyed this flick with my kids... they loved it!

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. Flushed Away - Movie Review Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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Checklist - Spring Cleaning

A key to protecting the investment you've made in your home is by following a regular maintenance schedule. By performing preventative maintenance on an on-going basis, you'll avoid many of the big ticket repair items that can lower the value of your home.

Here are helpful checklists for monthly and spring maintenance.

Inside Your Home

• Test your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector.
• Check the filters on your heating and cooling systems. Be sure to clean and change according to the manufacturer's schedule.
• If you have a humidifier or an electronic air filter, check these as well.
• Check faucets for drips.
• Check plumbing for leaks.
• Check furnace air filters each month during the heating season. Clean or replace as necessary.
• Inspect fireplace, wood stove and chimneys. Have each clean and serviced as needed.
• When spring begins, shut down and clean furnace humidifier. Close the furnace humidifier damper on units with central air conditioning.
• Check air conditioning system and clean or replace air filters. Have system serviced as need (recommend every 2 to 3 years).
• Check and clean dehumidifier as necessary.
• Where possible, turn off furnace and fireplace pilot lights.
• Deep clean carpets and rugs.
• Vacuum air duct grills and bathroom fan grill.
• Inspect your dryer's lint duct. Disconnect it from the dryer and vacuum out lint from the duct and areas surrounding your dryer.

In the Basement

• Ensure sump pump is operating properly. Check to be sure discharge pipe is connected and allows water to drain away from the foundation.
• Check pipes for condensation or dripping.
• Check the basement floor trap to be sure it contains water. Refill as necessary.
  

Outside Your Home

• Examine foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture. Repair as required.
• Check paint on outside walls and fence. Repair and paint as necessary.
• Check level of any exterior steps or decks which may have moved due to frost or settling. Re-level as necessary.
• Check and clean out gutters and downspouts.
• Repair loose joints and ensure secure attachment to your home.
• Clear any obstructions and make sure water flows away from your foundation.
• Remove any debris from drainage ditches and culverts.
• Prune and fertilize landscaping as necessary.
• Make a visual inspection of your roof (or hire a professional to do so). Note the general condition. Sagging could be a sign of structural damage and should be checked by a professional. Inspect all roof flashings, checking for signs of cracking or leakage. Replace broken or damaged shingles as needed.
• Inspect windows and doorways. Replace damaged caulking and weather stripping.
• Check for and seal holes that could be an entry point for pests and rodents.
  

I can't stress how important the following step is.

• Have a thorough termite inspection if you don't currently have a termite service. Follow up on any treatment and repair recommendations.

Remember, termites swarm the first day the tempertaure hits between 75-80 degrees. So have your termite inspector come in and do this crucial spring time pre-clean up. It will save you money in the long run.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author.Checklist - Spring Cleaning Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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De-clutter and get paid

Make money off your clutter on Craigslist!

Looking for a way to de-clutter the basement/attic and make money at the same time? Why not hold an online garage sale? Careful planning and creativity can turn your mountain of junk into a fistful of cash.

First, while you don't need a garage to have a garage sale, you do need some stuff to sell. Take pictures of all the stuff you want to sell and advertise it on Craigslist.com

One man's trash may be another man's treasure, but don't try to sell actual trash, either. Make sure appliances and gadgets actually work, wash any clothing you intend to sell and make sure other items are clean and in good condition. Here's a list of popular sellers:

• appliances
• books
• costume jewelry
• sports equipment
• children's toys
• flatware
• baby equipment
• CDs, DVDs
• patio equipment
• garden tools
• kitchen utensils/gadgets
• clothing, especially children's

Now that you've decided just what you're going to sell, the following tips will help make your online "garage sale" a success:

• Take pictures of each and every item or items that you intend to "package".
• Don't overprice any of the items or they'll end up back in your garage, basement, or attic
• Be prepared to haggle with customers.

After seven days if you still have anything left over then reduce the price and repost on Craigslist.

Craigslist has clearly established itself as one of the leading online brands and the dominant presence in the US online classifieds market. Give it try!

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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