Movie Review: Thor: The Dark World

Type of Movie: Action/Drama

Movie Title: Thor the Dark World

Category: Drama

Director: Alan Taylor

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba

Release date: November 8, 2013

Where Viewed: Regal Galley Place movie theater

Description: Thor is back to save both the world and his love Jane Foster from the dark elves.

Critique:

Thor is back with a bang! He is out to protect and save his lady love and the nine realms! Thor is back on Asgard where he is putting the realms back together after what his brother Loki did during the invasion of Earth in the Avengers’ movie. Meanwhile, his mortal love Jane Foster is still looking for him and in her search ends up stumbling across another dimension where an evil force of energy was put eons ago by Thor’s grandfather. Jane is possessed by this force and she needs Thor to help her! Thor himself is also in a fight for his live because he not only has to save Jane but also earth as well. 

This movie is great! It gives the audience a love story, sacrifice, and redemption. This movie is something that everyone can relate to and at the same time be envious of the love story between Thor and Jane Foster. Thor has been so successful that there is already talk about a third Thor coming out in 2016 or 2017. The only thing I hope for in Thor III is Jane and Thor get married and she becomes a goddess and they have to face some evil force of the universe together. I must tell you that I loved this movie! I loved it so much that I saw it twice! I have not done that with a movie since X- Men the Last Stand and the Avengers! 

I give this movie a W.O.W Radio five stars. Go and see this movie you will not regret it and by the way go and see it in 3D because the visual effects are awesome!!!!!!

Reported by Nadia Johnson 

W.O.W Radio Blogger

November 14, 2013

Movie Review: 12 Years a Slave

Type of Movie: Biography

Movie Title: 12 years a Slave

Category: Drama

Director: Steve McQueen

Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael K. Williams, Michael Fassbender  & Brad Pitt

Premiere date: October 16, 2013

Where Viewed: Regal Galley Place movie theater

Description: Based on the True story of Solomon Northup

Critique: If you are going to this movie and expect to see a movie that rivals Roots, then don’t go and see this movie! Yes this movie does have some good scenes, but it lacks some important story telling. For example, unlike Roots, which I think tells the story of everyone not just Kunta Knite but also his families in Africa and America, this movie, however, just focuses on Solomon’s story of being kidnapped and sold into slavery. This movie shows the audience how hard he fought to get his freedom and the trails he went through to get it, portraying how he interacted with other slaves and slave masters alike. What the movie does not show you is how his family responded to his kidnapping. If you were to go off the movie’s storyline alone you would think that his wife either did not have any intelligence to put together a search party or she just thought that he ran away with another woman!

            In essence, 12 years a Slave really leaves you with more questions than answers! It is sad because it is a true story that should be told on the big screen, but by someone else who know how to tell this story! If you want my advice on how to do a better version of this film then go to the people who directed Roots and asked them how they told a story about slavery and made it relatable and relevant to everyone in the audience for over twenty years! Then and only then will this story be told right!  I give this movie a W.O.W Radio 3 ½ stars.

                                                                                                    Reported by
                                                                                                    Nadia Johnson
                                                                                                    November 14, 2013

Hotel Review: Congress Hotel in Miami, FL

Place: Congress Hotel

Type of Place: Hotel

When visited: April 20 - 23, 2012

Location: 1052 Ocean Blvd, Miami  Beach, FL

Business Hours: 24/7

Admission/Cost: Average nightly rate $177 for Ocean view suite + $25 per person/day (Resort Fee)

Description: Treat yourself to every imaginable luxury when you book a Suite at the Congress Hotel South Beach,  located in the historic Art Deco district of Miami Beach, Florida. Our beachfront hotel offers a stylish retreat from the crowds of South Beach that allows you to enjoy the glamorous Miami lifestyle while avoiding long lines and overpriced drinks. Congress Hotel South Beach is the place to stay during your trip to Miami Beach, Florida.

Critique: I booked this hotel through BookIt.com.  The deal was great and my suite was breathtaking. The view of the ocean was perfect at all times of the day & night.  The suite came stocked with sodas, water, alcoholic beverages including wine and liquor.   We had separate bedroom/living space with full kitchen including full refrigerator, range and dishwasher. Even our bathroom was stylish with the isolated oval tub with overhead shower head!  It was amazing.  Not to mention the dual balcony access from the living room and the bedroom!!  Yes, we had 2 balconies.  I loved it.  The down side was the little-ass (LOL) TV’s they put on the wall.  They were like 15’ inch....LOL..Who does that!?!?!?.  Then there was the FREE Breakfast, that's included in the $25 resort fee....LOL.  I had continental breakfast at the holiday inn that was more elaborate than this.  They didn’t even have a waffle machine :-(  The roof top pool/bar is rather small. I feel that the rooms are designed beautifully, but everything else is short changed.  They really could step that breakfast game up!  I have to say that next time, I’ll venture to find another space. But that oceanview is PRICELESS :-)

Rating: 3 W.O.W’s

For more info on Congress Hotel please visit: http://www.congresshotelsouthbeach.com/

~  Kris, W.O.W Radio Operations Manager - Silver Spring, MD

The shower

 

The view from the room!

Avengers

Type of Media: Movie

Movie Title: The Avengers

Category: Action Film

Director: Joss Whedon

Cast:
Robert Downey, Jr. - Iron Man
Chris Evans - Captain America
Mark Ruffalo - Hulk
Chris Hemsworth - Thor
Scarlett Johansson - Black Widow
Tom Hiddleston - Loki

Samuel L. Jackson - Nick Fury

Premiere date: May 4, 2012

Where viewed: Regal Majestic Cinema (Silver Spring)

Date watched: Sunday May 6, 2012 @ 3PM

Description: After descending from space, Loki, Thor’s step-brother, wages war on Earth.  Nick Fury scrambles to re-assemble the Mega Superhero Team that have some trouble working together.

Critique: First, I must say that I’m not your typical Marvel Comics fan. Actually I don’t consider myself a comics fan at all, but thanks to movie-loving husband-to-be-in-the-future (....LOL) I have seen all the Marvel Comic movies, Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk and Thor.  So when the preview for The Avengers came, it was a given that we would be seeing it.  I was not disappointed at all.  Even if you have not seen the other movies, they do a good job giving background on all the characters.  The one downfall in my opinion is how long it takes to get the to the action! LOL. The action was great. My favorite characters were Iron Man and the Hulk. They provided the comic relief in the movie and both actors did a wonderful job staying true to their original character.  Of course this my opinion. I definitely would recommend this movie, especially for you Marvel Comic fans out there!

Rating:  I give this movie 4 W.O.W’s

 

~ Kris, W.O.W Radio Operations Director - Silver Spring

Timbuktu Steak and Seafood Restaurant

Venue: Timbuktu Steak and Seafood Restaurant

Type of Venue: Restaurant and Lounge

Location: 1726 Dorsey Road Hanover, Maryland 21076

Business Hours:

RESTAURANT HOURS:
11AM TO 10:30PM

CARRY-OUT HOURS:
11:00AM to 10:30PM
7 days a week

BAR HOURS:
SUN TO THURS 11AM TO 11PM
FRI AND SAT 11AM TO 1AM

Admission/Cost: no cost for admission, only pay for food.

Description: Very quaint and spacious place. Also big in size. The food is definitely on the pricey side but has a great taste!

Critique: I loved it and would go back again!

Rating:   i give this place a 4!

For more info on Timbuktu Steak and Seafood Restaurant and Lounge, please visit: http://www.timbukturestaurant.com/

~ Persia Red, W.O.W Radio Reporter