Movie Monday – Wreck it Ralph, House of Cards

Wreck it Ralph is fun for all ages! Ralph is the villain of his video game but he just wants to be the good guy for once. He’s having a mid-life crisis of sorts and on his journey to prove his value as more than a wrecker he meets Vanellope who is similarly an outcast her video game. Together they overcome obstacles and learn how to accept themselves as they are. Full of fast-paced, brightly colored action to occupy the very young and sprinkled with humor and nostalgia for us older kids, Wreck it Ralph delivers on so many levels. There is so much going on in this movie and I am so impressed with everything from the wit to the fresh, originality of the story. This is a must-see!

At the other end of the spectrum, House of Cards is a dark and sinister political drama that is completely captivating. I wasn’t certain I cared to watch something that centered around the inner workings of the Capitol and the first episode was a little dizzying, a barrage of congressmen and characters. I was not sure I would be able to follow it all. But with Kevin Spacey as the lead I felt compelled to watch another, just to see if my misgivings were misguided. I’m glad I did. By the end of episode 2, I was hooked. And then I watched the rest of all 13 episodes in one week. Most of them yesterday. (Don’t judge!) The series is a Netflix Original, meaning it’s not on prime time, it’s only on Netflix. It’s easy to get sucked in to watching “just one more.” Spacey plays Francis (Frank) Underwood, the House Majority Whip, who ruthlessly maneuvers and manipulates members of Congress like chess pieces to further his own ambitions. Every episode is dripping with intrigue, corruption, lust, power, greed…and it is incredibly well executed. I can’t wait to see what comes next; I just hope that it is not a long wait!

Choosing money over power is a mistake almost everyone makes. Money is the big mansion in Sarasota that starts falling apart after ten years. Power is that old stone building that stands for centuries.
~ Francis Underwood, House of Cards, 2013

Related articles

• “Wreck-It Ralph” – the ultimate video game movie? (fluffrick.wordpress.com)
• Wreck It Ralph (cinemablend.com)
• Netflix & House of Cards: What Have They Done? (techreviewblogs.com)
• Netflix’s ‘House of Cards’ is a hit (wptv.com)