Q-Tips Reviews

Ivan Locke (Hardy) has worked diligently to craft the life he has envisioned, dedicating himself to the job that he loves and the family he adores. On the eve of the biggest challenge of his career, Ivan receives a phone call that sets in motion a series of events that will unravel his family, job, and soul. All taking place over the course of one car ride, LOCKE is an exploration of how one decision can lead to the complete collapse of a life.

Q-TIPS SAY: So you think doing the right thing is noble but one never thinks your entire life will change. See it but as a rental. The movie takes place in his car on the cell phone. Mrs. Q says: An interesting idea, the cell phone idea, but I really wanted more at the end of the movie.

BAD WORDS Mr. Bateman stars as Guy Trilby, a 40-year-old who finds a loophole in the rules of The Golden Quill national spelling bee and decides to cause trouble by hijacking the competition. Contest officials, outraged parents, and overly ambitious 8th graders are no match for Guy, as he ruthlessly crushes their dreams of victory and fame. As a reporter (Kathryn Hahn of We’re the Millers) attempts to discover his true motivation, Guy finds himself forging an unlikely alliance with a competitor: awkward 10-year-old Chaitanya (Rohan Chand of Homeland), who is completely unfazed by Guy’s take-no-prisoners approach to life.

Q-TIPS SAY: Funny and you will laugh (perhaps we should not be laughing), entertaining, good performance by Mr. Bateman. The relationship between the two spelling bee contestants grows on you. Don’t be drawn into BAD WORDS and bring your children/grandkids because you think it is about The Spelling Bee Contest.NOT FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN because of some of the language, nudity, sex – parents will need to monitor the movie before taking younger ones. Mrs. Q says: Now that I really think about, it it is for “Adults Only.”

FROZEN Featuring the voices of Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, “Frozen” is the coolest comedy-adventure ever to hit the big screen. When a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, Anna, a fearless optimist, teams up with extreme mountain man Kristoff and his sidekick reindeer Sven on an epic journey to find Anna’s sister Elsa, the Snow Queen, and put an end to her icy spell. Encountering mystical trolls, a funny snowman named Olaf, Everest-like extremes and magic at every turn, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom from destruction.

Q-Tios say: Great movie for families, old and young alike. Not at the theaters anymore but you can download or rent it.

Tarpon Point 801 Riverside Dr E, Bradenton, FL 34208, (941) 746-8700
tarponpointegrill.com

Q-Tips say: Good place to have drinks and listen/dance to the music outside in the “Tiki Bar”. Service is decent, food is just ok as are the drinks but the view is great. You can enjoy playing/or watch others play volleyball, bean bags or just enjoy the sand. Weds. you can bring your dog to the outside venue. There are many other places to have better food, drinks but they don’t have the view Tarpon Point has.

SPANISH TRAIL MARKER –

Erected in 1928, this coquina ball is the Zero Milestone. It marks the eastern end of the Old Spanish Trail, the first transcontinental road from St. Augustine to San Diego, CA.

This is a “look only” exhibit – the trolley goes past it. Most trolley drivers will point it out.

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum The lighthouse was built in 1874. Became Florida’s first lighto9use in 1824.

Take the trolley to trolley stop #15 (the beach bus stop) the bus takes you to the beach and the longer route to the lighthouse. The trolley driver will tell you where to get off to walk several blocks to the lighthouse and not have to take the longer bus route unless that is what you desire. There is a bus that stops at the lighthouse to go back.

ST. AUGUSTINE Saint Augustine is a vacation spot—you’ll find classic hotels and intimate restaurants. Mrs. Q says: Those can be a dime a dozen, though. What sets Saint Augustine apart is its history—it’s the oldest European settlement in the U.S. And nowhere else in the world can you taste the waters of the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park (where Ponce de Leon may have landed). Who knows, if you vacation here, maybe you won’t need that Botox or a face lift!

Trolley tickets – Red or Orange/Green line good for three day. With the Orange/green trolley ticket you get free entrance to the History Museum. Last run of the day is usually 4:30. You can get off/on as often as you like. Seems as tho many things are $10.00 pp.
Information Center and other places offer discounted coupons for exhibits, restaurants, etc.
Many Churches, Museums, exhibits, attractions offer “Docents” explaining the history, etc. take advantage of them, it is free with the cost of the ticket.
Parking: Yes there is street metered parking. Most parking lots charge, yes, you guessed it, $10.00 for the day. However, most street/lot parking after 5:00 is FREE.
Senior National Park Pass – A one time fee and your entrance fee along those w/you to any National Park is FREE.

Do you want to see the Pope of the Catholic Church? Pope Francis will be coming to St. Augustine in 2015 to help them celebrate their anniversary and will be staying, I believe, at Cathedral Basilica.

Mts. Q says: If you visit FL or are a “snow bird” have not see St. Augustine, what are you waiting for? A great place to take the kids when they come to visit you in FL.

SOUTHERN OAKS INN -2800 N Ponce De Leon Blvd., St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 342-2354 – www.southernoaksinnstaug.com

Q-Tips say: Come here and be impressed. Southern Oaks is clean, neat and nicely managed and is pet-friendly with a pool. Close to local attractions and there is a Walgreens/& CVS in close walking distance should you need anything SOUTHERN OAKS INN has been recently repainted, took out old carpeting and put in laminate wood flooring in each room and recently added new blinds, there is a frig and microwave in each unit & an ice machine in a handy location for all. Still working on completing several more rooms and finalizing decorating touches. Southern Oaks Inn offers a free warm breakfast daily with inside/or outside seating – breakfast has eggs, bacon, cereal, fruit, french toast, biscuits & gravy, grits, danish, yogurt, coffee, juice, milk. The staff and owner/manager go out of their way to please.

They offer service to the Red/Orange-green Trolley line or you could probably walk there and certainly drive and park for free in the Orange/green parking lot.

The Q’s did enjoy SOUTHERN OAKS INN and would stay here again.

RAINTREE RESTAURANT – 102 San Marco Ave., Saint Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 824-7211 – raintreerestaurant.com

Q-Tips say: Oh Yes, this was good.
Great food, drinks, service, ambiance, inside/outside seating. We began with sharing Tuna Carpaccio and a cup Lobster/Red pepper Bisque Soup. Both were delicious.

Mrs. Q’s entree was lightly breaded Pork Schnitzel served with Lemon Butter Sauce with your choice of sides. Let me warn you, you get two large pieces of delicious Pork Schnitzel. Mrs. Q’s entree was Homemade sausage, and we mean homemade sausage which was delicious with Red Pepper Aioli sauce over Pasta Marinara. Both entrees were outstanding.

Mrs. Q says: I’d go back here again. But alas, it was our last night and so many other restaurants to try. Perhaps, next visit.