Papa Murphy's: Kramer from Seinfeld was onto something

Do you remember the episode of Seinfeld where Kramer had the brilliant idea of opening a restaurant where people had to cook their own food? Well, as silly as that sounds, there's a relatively new company with basically the same concept as a business model.   I believe it is a profitable one, however, because it is soooo good. The dough is fresh, the toppings are packed on. That's right, if you haven't gone to a Papa Murphy's to pick up a pizza, you won't wait for them to bake it, but you will have to take the pizza home then bake it yourself.

Set oven to 425 degrees and 20 minutes later, take it out of the oven and wait 5 savory minutes.  Our favorite right now is the Mediterranean Chicken.  We get the large, and yes, I'm a convert from just all meat and a few standard veggies on pizza to trying these crazy, hippy-dippy new fandangled pizzas and I won't go back.  I'll be more adventurous from now on!

Visit Papa Murphy's and try it!  We usually get two larges for our family and we have enough slices left over for a few lunches the following couple of days, all for under 20 bucks.  I'm a big fan of Little Ceasar's, too, but Papa Murphy's has the edge in flavor, variety and quality of ingredients.  You just can't go wrong, and there's nothing better than heating your home with the smell of pizza wafting from the kitchen.

They have normal and thin crust, but my whole take on paper thin crust pizza is pretty logical -- why not just order toppings on cheese if you don't like dough?  It makes no sense to me -- kind of like Kramer's idea, but who knew that something so crazy could taste so good.  I can't wait to try the stuff crust...

Incidentally, I am not paid to endorse any products, there are some companies that would probably prefer I didn't mention them, but if the good folks are Papa Murphy's would like to send me a few special coupons, I won't turn them down.  :-)

Movie Review: "The Pact" -- No Stars, but Packs A Punch

"The Pact" is an excellent horror movie written and directed by Nicholas McCarthy.  I'd tell you more back story about him and the actors, but I never heard of any of them until I watched the end credits and realized Casper Van Dien, the guy from that flop of an alien bug movie, appeared minor role as a cop / detective.  In their defense, I'm sure they never heard of me and they've accomplished a heck of a lot more in the movie business and not spending any of their spare time reviewing movies in a blog barely anyone reads.

This movie feels indy, seems like it's an indy, but it's shot and lit like the real thing.  It's a good story, has very good and convincing acting, and excellent lighting/cinematography.  It feels bleak and it's lit with a jaundice discomfort.

By the way, who cares if it IS an indy, anyway?  I'd like to see more movies made completely out of the mainstream, I can't wait for the day someone makes a movie and not a single corporation can touch them so the profits actually go to those who deserve them -- the writers and production company (and the actors, too -- but who needs to stick up for them when they have an awards show every week and gloat about how awesome they are?!)

The Pact's special effects weren't over the top, modest, but convincing.  Not once did I feel like once again I was watching another "almost" totally professional film where it didn't quite make it because the budget was so low the "crew" (the director's two buddies and some guy named Jay whose dad is a doctor so indulges his son with fancy video equipment) had to use an office chair for a camera dolly.  I believe I didn't see any dolly shots in this movie, the camera tilts and pans, but who says every movie needs a sweeping camera shot to immerse the audience?  Apparently, no fancy hollywood camera rigs mattered as the action, suspense, and supernatural action unfolded.  It's seamlessly edited and each moment purposeful.  I have no doubt Nicholas McCarthy knows how to squeeze every last ounce of production value out of his shoots, that's for sure!

If you like a bit of suspense ala Hitchcock with a darker twist, perhaps more "Psycho" and less "Rope", with a bit more gore and actual supernatural interventions, watch it.  It's a good two hour ride!

The creepy twist at the end ties everything neatly together.  I recommend "The Pact" on Netflix, it has tension, suspense, and some mystery -- along with some excellent acting.

Movie Review: "Red Lights" with Sigourney Weaver, Robert De Niro & Cillian Murphy. Save Your Bandwidth.

All three of these stars could not save a very weak story from imploding and falling on its own weight.  Do not bother watching "Red Lights" -- I wish I could have gone back in time and told myself what I'm telling you now.  Cillian Murphy shows he has range as an actor, he's the "Scarecrow" from Batman.  He can play a very sympathetic protagonist, too.  Despite some excellent acting, I found myself trying to figure out how many rewrites this thing went through to limp its way through production and on to distribution.  When De Niro floats in the air on stage and there's a terrible camera shake that's supposed to be an earthquake, I felt sorry for the movie.  I just wanted it to end, for the sake of the actors.... and for me.

Red Lights?  FahGetAboutIt!