Henry Poole is Here

I was going to take a break from posting on the blog. That was until I saw this movie. Henry Poole is Here was soooooooo good that I had to post about it.

Henry Poole is Here was written by Albert Torres and directed by Mark Pellington. The cast includes Luke Wilson, Radha Mitchell, George Lopez, Adriana Barraza, Morgan Lily, and Cheryl Hines. It is a comedic drama. More drama than comedy though.

This movie is amazing! The director was phenomenal. The picture and music they used to support the various moods of Henry Poole was unbelievable. The movie was moving and uplifting. It took two of the hardest human emotions, death and abandonment, and brought them to life in a special way. I have never felt so good about the often unfair journey that life takes as I did while watching this film. Luke Wilson did an awesome job (he does this role so perfectly, I don't know anyone better than him in roles like this). Morgan Lily stole the show. Adriana Barraza is that neighbor/friend you always hope you have when things are good but especially when things are bad. Radha Mitchell was stunningly beautiful and full of this energy that she seamlessly conveys onscreen. You really believe what she is acting. George Lopez was the wild card for me. His role was quiet and subtle, but he did a great job of showing compassion with limits (I meant to type it like that...with limits).

Henry Poole (Luke Wilson) buys a home in the neighborhood where he grew up. He is an extremely sad and angry person. Everyone around him knows it. They just don't know why. Henry spends all of his time laying around his house and yard while drinking and eating junk food. One day Henry's neighbor, Esperanza (Hope in Spanish, Adriana Barraza) comes over to welcome him to the neighborhood. She is a nosy neighbor. One day she is snooping around Henry's backyard to see if she can figure out why Henry is so sad and angry. As she snoops around she sees a water stain on Henry's house that she believes is the face of god. Meanwhile, Henry's neighbor Millie (Morgan Lily) is a young girl who doesn't speak but tape records everyone's conversations and then plays them back. Henry can tell Millie is sad too and tries to form a bond with her. She lets him come close but not all the way behind her defenses. Millie's mom is a divorcee named Dawn (Radha Mitchell). She just wants her little girl to speak again. Come to find out Millie has uttered a word since her father left over a year ago. Henry comes home one day to find Esperanza and three of her friends lighting candles and praying to the face of god stain. Henry is beyond annoyed that these people see more than just a stain. Henry chases them off. He then looks at the stain again and sees some red paint on it. He runs around the house to confront the ladies and asks them who painted his house. They don't know what he is talking about. They all look at the evidence and Esperanza tells Henry that it isn't paint it is blood. After a ton of convincing she gets Henry to agree to let Esperanza's priest/church come over and test the face "miracle". Esperanza's priest, Father Salazar (George Lopez), doesn't want to commit that it is a miracle without further examination. Henry keeps trying to get Millie to talk to him. One night Dawn wakes up around 3 AM and discovers that Millie isn't in her bed or in the house. She runs outside to find her and comes across her at Henry's house. She is staring at the face of god stain. She touches the face and begins to cry. Dawn asks Millie what's wrong. Millie just says Mama. It is the first word she has said in over a year. Millie begins to speak. After this miracle (which Henry refuses to recognize) Millie wants to play with Henry. Henry agrees and Dawn starts to fall for Henry. Henry can't help himself and starts to fall for Dawn. Before anything goes any further, Henry has to tell Dawn why he is so sad and angry. 6 weeks before Henry purchased the house his doctor informed him that he had a fatal disease. Not only was the disease fatal but rapid and sudden. Henry has been living each day not knowing whether it was his last or not. Dawn doesn't care that Henry could die any second and they pursue a relationship. After a romantic dinner with Dawn, Henry has second doubts about whether he can continue in the relationship or not. Millie overhears his conversation with her mother where Henry says it isn't fair for him to date her because he is going to die. Millie plays the conversation back and refuses to speak again. Esperanza has found out that the blood on the face is indeed real blood and the stain was investigated and found out to not be man made. Even though she promised not to bring anyone over in exchange for testing the face, she spreads the word. Everyone that touches the wall is healed or made whole. Henry can't believe it and won't touch the wall himself. Even though he has seen it help Millie and some others. When Millie stops talking Henry and Dawn take her to a doctor. The doctor's can only suggest that she is speaking because of a traumatic event (finding out that Henry was going to die and leave her alone again). Henry is upset and blames the stain for Millie's false hope when she recovered and spoke again. As Henry pulls into his driveway upon returning from taking Dawn and Millie to the doctor he sees a hundred people lined up around his house. Henry loses it and takes an axe to the stain while everyone watches in disbelief. He destroys the entire stain. He grabs what is left of the wall because of his exertion in destroying the wall. In doing so he grabs a small part of the face. Because of the destruction part of the house collapses on top of Henry. He is taken to the hospital where Dawn tells his doctor about his disease. His doctor tests him again as he is recovering and finds that Henry doesn't have the deadly disease anymore. It looks as if the wall healed Henry too. Millie is so excited to find out that Henry is going to live that she speaks again. Dawn is beside herself because she can continue her relationship with Henry. Esperanza is there at the hospital to witness yet another miracle in Henry's healing. Henry finally believes and is distraught that he destroyed the stain. Esperanza tells him that the miracle, like everyone on the planet, was there for as long as it was necessary.

I am sure all of us have felt the anger and sadness that comes with feeling like life has dealt you a bum hand. One you can do nothing about. One you don't deserve. Some of us are lucky enough to feel the healing that religion or an external power greater than us can feel as we accept or overcome our bum hand. However, some of us are never healed or have the opportunity to overcome. That is why I like this movie. Skepticism can only take you so far. After that you have to chose to believe or become down trodden. If there truly is nothing we can do about our situation then we are only left with the ability to believe and hope or doubt and wallow. If those are your only two options, you would be better served by believing and hoping. I love messages like that because I have a tendency to doubt and wallow. Life is a bum wrap sometimes. But even when all seems lost, it is better to hope than wallow. I am glad that I am reminded of that. I am extremely pleased that this film reminded me in such a moving and compelling way.

If you haven't seen this movie go rent it. I would even say just buy it. You won't be disappointed. I think everyone needs to see this movie and I 100% recommend it. Every person faces challenges in their life. Not all of them are death but sometimes feel just as bad. We all can learn something from making the best of your situation and choosing to believe as this movie depicts. Watch the movie, I think you'll learn something. I also think you too will be moved and uplifted by the message. What a great film!!!!

The Threat

I was thinking about how much time I spend on the Internet. I'm seriously considering going offline for some time (maybe a week or 2).

I don't know if it would help. Haha! Maybe this is the world we live in now. Then again maybe I would achieve some kind of moral victory.

I could certainly spend more time outside if I wasn't tied to an electric outlet :-)

I don't know...what do you all think? Online or offline?

Slowdive

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that Souvlaki from Slowdive is my favorite CD of all time. The music just goes completely to my soul. It has the amazing ability to make bad become good and good become even better. I can be in a bad mood or a good mood and this CD delivers every time. I love every song on the CD. The lyrics are awesome, the vocals are incredible, and the music is brilliant.

Their other CDs/music is amazing also. But I have a special place in my heart for Souvlaki.

I lost my actual Souvlaki CD about 2 years ago. I was really frustrated. I had a backup on the computer, but I really wanted the actual CD also. To me you can't pirate the best music you've ever heard. You need to pay those guys, they deserve the purchase of their CD from me for what their music means to me. Anyway, I lost the CD and was looking everywhere for it. When I moved a friend assured me it would turn up. I had high hopes and was disappointed when I couldn't find it even during the move. Last night I went to pick a movie out of my DVD collection. I opened up the DVD case and realized that the DVD was in upside down. I pulled it off to realize that the DVD was under the upside down CD. I turned the CD over and it turns out to be Souvlaki by Slowdive. I must have taken the CD and the DVD over to a friend's house and put the CD in with the DVD. I then put the DVD away and haven't watched that particular movie for two years now.

I am glad I found the CD and it has been in the nearest CD player to me since last night's discovery. I am very, very happy right now.

If you haven't heard of Slowdive before, go check out their music. It is sooooooo worth it. I would start with Souvlaki and then go on to their other stuff. All their music is good, but like I said I have a bias towards Souvlaki.

Bing.com

I am a big fan of Bing.com. It is the new search engine that Microsoft introduced to cut through all the crap and return the results you really want. Check out the YouTube video above for the best commercial I have seen in a long time (it's a Bing.com commercial, of course).

I can totally relate to that commercial. I have been saying for years how frustrating online search was. I have been waiting a long time for someone to do what Bing.com has done.

I have used Bing.com many times since its introduction and it has not failed me yet. It is amazing how the first result has been the most pertinent, appropriate result to my search keywords or inquiry.

If you haven't tried it out for yourself, give it a shot. What do you have to lose? Except for search overload and ridiculously annoying search results. I am not going to say that the service is perfect because I haven't been able to use it enough. But from what I have searched on Bing.com the service has delivered 100%.

Stardust

Stardust is a movie based on a novel by Neil Gaiman. It was directed by Matthew Vaughn. Stardust stars Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes, and Charlie Cox. Sienna Miller also has a small part in the movie.

Stardust is a fantasy type movie that is a romantic comedy at heart. Tristan (Charlie Cox) is a local village boy who has big dreams. He is also in love with Victoria (Sienna Miller) the prettiest, most sought after woman in all of Wall, England (Tristan's home village). Victoria is set to marry Humphrey, the village's most eligible bachelor. Tristan proclaims his love to Victoria and says he will do anything, including traveling the world whole, to win her hand in marriage from Humphrey. At that moment a shooting star passes over their heads. Victoria agrees to marry Tristan instead of Humphrey if he can bring back the falling star to her in a week or less. Wall, England is named Wall because of a wall that surrounds the village that is said to keep those from England out of another world. Tristan doesn't believe it but crosses the wall to seek after the star. He realizes that the other side of the wall really is another world called The Kingdom of Stormhold. The kingdom is magical and fully of surprises. Tristan finds the Star (Claire Danes) and tries to take her back to Wall with him. She is reluctant but agrees to go with him when he presents a way for her to return home to the skies after he shows her to Victoria. So, their journey back to Wall begins. It takes many twists and turns and is certainly a magical journey. He makes it back to Wall, England but realizes in the journey that he is actually in love with the Star. And due to his good deeds and protection the Star falls in love with Tristan. It is a better match because they love each other for who they are and not because prizes had to be won, etc. for their love to exist.

I can't outline all the magic and fantasy that exists in the movie. But it is a fantastic movie. It is really funny. The love story is compelling. It is a good, entertaining movie.

I can't really outline it properly because of the complexity of the movie (due to the fantasy) but it is definitely a movie to see.

Random

I'm sorry that I haven't posted in the last couple of days. I have been using every spare minute on the Internet searching for a new apartment. That hasn't left me any time to post on the blog. You know, since it takes some time, energy, and effort to post. However, my search is over so I can now return to posting.

It has been raining a lot here. It hasn't been flash flood type rain, but it has been pretty heavy. One day I was out meeting with apartment managers and the rain was coming down. I arrived 15 minutes early to the apartment complex. I just turned the car off, shut off the radio, cracked the window, and rolled the window down a quarter. Rain was pounding down on the car and the smell was AMAZING! It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. It was almost perfectly peaceful even though it was pouring. It made me soooooo happy. Good stuff!

Traffic has been horrible lately. Both times I had to do apartment stuff I was sitting in traffic for 30 - 45 minutes. Maybe the weather is causing a lot of traffic accidents. It's bad but it's not that bad. Oh well. It's just been annoying.

Everyone wants my money. Between insurance, deposits, rent, etc., etc., etc. it seems like all I do is write checks. Next month should be very low key so I am looking forward to that.

That's it!!!! I will post about a movie tomorrow. I am out for today! Good Thursday and happy travels!

Requiem for a Dream

Requiem for a Dream is a Darren Aronofsky (Pi, The Fountain, etc.) film. It is based on a novel by Hubert Selby Jr. The film stars Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Ellen Burstyn, Marlon Wayans, and Christopher McDonald.

Sara Goldfarb (Ellen Burstyn) is a widow and the mother to her only child. Her only child, Harry Goldfarb (Jared Leto), is a junkie who keeps taking her TV to a pawn shop for drug money. She feels all alone and watches TV or gossips with the other older women in the building all day long. Her luck is about to change though. A man calls her and asks her if she would like to be a possible contestant on a game show. She said she would but thinks it is a done deal. She starts to remake her image in preparation for going on TV. She tells the other older women in the building and all of a sudden she is a star. Everyone is so excited for her to be on TV. She dies her hair. She takes out the nicest dress she has. She tries the dress on and it doesn't fit. She has to wear that dress on TV. Sara decides to diet. When the diet doesn't work fast enough someone mentions to Sara about a medical option for weight loss. She goes to see the doctor and he starts her on a phin phin diet pill regimen.

Harry Goldfarb (Jared Leto) and Tyrone (Marlon Wayans) are best friends who are dope heads. They get an idea to buy dope and cut it and resell it. By doing so they figure they can double their money and get to a point where they can deal dope. Harry's girlfriend Marion (Jennifer Connelly) is also a dope head. She relies on him to get her the drugs. Harry's and Tyrone's dope business goes fine until a drug turf war breaks out and temporarily halts the import of dope into their neighborhood. They have to dip into their own supply until that too runs out with time. Harry, Tyrone, and Marion are so addicted they can't even go a day without the drug. They start to get desperate as it runs out. They hear that a Florida dealer is bringing a big shipment of dope into town for $200 a pop. The problem is they don't have any money since they haven't been able to deal. Harry knows that Marion's parents have rich friends and suggests that she sleep with one in order to get the $200 dollars. They think with this Florida dealer coming up they can start dealing again. Marion doesn't want to sleep with one of her parent's friends but is so desperate to score that she does. She feels horrible but gets the $200. Harry and Tyrone take the money to where the Florida dealer is going to be. Everything appears to work out, until another junkie pulls a gun in line and the Florida dealer leaves. Harry and Tyrone have to return empty handed. Marion can't believe that she slept with someone for money and they couldn't even score drugs after they got the money. Tyrone comes up with the idea that he and Harry should go down to Florida and bring some dope back. They scrounge up all the money they can find and head down to Florida. Marion is so desperate at this point that she gets in an argument with Harry before he leaves. She tells him that she needed him to get her drugs and he failed her. Harry is hurt because he has been trying to score. He remembers that Tyrone told him about a guy in town who keeps dope on hand in exchange for girls and not money. Harry, in his anger, tells her to have sex with the guy for dope if she can't wait for him to get back from Florida. Marion can't and calls up the guy. She finds herself having to sleep with someone again to get something she needs. She feels like trash but needs the dope. As Harry and Tyrone head down to Florida Harry's arm begins to hurt. They take a look at it and discover that his arm is dying from injecting the dope into that arm. Harry says not to worry about it and keep on going. Another couple of hours later and the pain is unbearable. Tyrone stops at a hospital so Harry can get checked out. The doctor treats Harry temporarily but calls the cops. Tyrone and Harry are arrested at the hospital. They get thrown in jail. Harry ends up having to get the arm amputated within a couple of days and dies from the injury. Tyrone is stuck in jail. Marion is turning tricks for drugs.

After a week of phin phin diet pills Sara is getting addicted to the pills. Worse she is becoming more and more adjusted to the pills effects. She starts taking more and more. Every time the prescription runs out the doctor refills it because he doesn't take the time to meet and speak with Sara. She gets to a point where she is taking so many pills that she is becoming alarmingly thin and increasingly out of her mind. She finally wanders into a store looking for the person who told her she would be on TV. She is mumbling about the show, her dead husband, her son, and her pretty red dress. The people in the store don't know how she is or what is going on. They call an ambulance. Sara is so far into the pills at this point that it is almost impossible to reverse the damage she has done. She is not herself mentally. She won't eat and is wasting away. The doctor's try one last thing, shock therapy. She dies on the table receiving the shock therapy.

Well, if you don't do drugs and you think you want to start, watch this movie. I promise that after seeing it you won't ever do drugs. Darren Aronofsky has an AMAZING talent of showing utter despair and ruin on film. If you have seen Pi you know what I mean. He uses horrible noises and frighting imagery to convey the horrible nature of drug use and its affects in the movie. Even with that said it was an awesome film. The actors did a fabulous job. They were so convincing that you really thought of them as junkies and not actors in the movie. Most films like this you can see through. Not this one. Aronofsky and the cast did such a marvelous job of depicting the evil and ugly side of drugs. The film also had a subtext of failed dreams and aspirations. None of the characters, no matter how hard they tried, could obtain their dreams or aspirations. The drugs were just temporary. Necessary to achieve a final product. However, the drugs consumed them long before they achieved the final product. Of course, it is silly to think that drugs would do anything but that. The characters knew but they were powerless to prevent their own demise. This was a moving film and worth watching. If nothing but to increase your sympathy for those caught up in the vicious cycle that is drugs.

I recommend this movie. There are some disturbing images and some nudity (used to show how desperate the circumstances had become and how far the characters had fallen). If that offends you steer clear of the movie. However, if you can appreciate the movie even with those things in it, go rent it. It is worth watching at least once. It is a beautiful and moving film. I can't praise it enough. Darren Aronofsky is amazing.

Toe Stub

Yesterday I was on the coach surfing the Internet. I was minding my own business, when the universe decided to mess with me. I was looking at a picture and commenting on it. My little sister, upon hearing the commentary, wanted to see the picture also. I stood up to walk the laptop over to her so she could see the picture better. That's when I encountered the demon. The demon sent to torture me for no good reason. THE COFFEE TABLE!!!! It jumped out of nowhere and I stubbed my 3rd toe on it. I immediately started to make weird "pain" noises. It felt like my toe nail was ripped off. It couldn't be. I just stubbed my toe. I fell to the ground in the oddest way as I was carrying my laptop and did not want to damage it. I first came down on my knees and then on my elbows. My little sister was laughing so hard. I am sure I sounded and looked ridiculous. After a few moments to recover, I observed the damage. Sure enough, I did just catch my toe nail in one of the niches in the foot of the coffee table and I ripped off my toe nail. By far the worst toe stub I have ever suffered. I was considering posting a picture of the awful carnage but decided to spare all of you. My sister did almost puke when she saw my toe nail just hanging there. I have a feeling many of you would have a similar reaction. I have now bandaged up my toe. It feels a little weird as I walk on it but amazingly it doesn't feel too bad.

Hopefully all of you had a stubbed toe free weekend. Enjoy the last of the weekend...tomorrow's Monday!

Baby Mama

I must admit that I was a bit skeptical about Baby Mama. However, it was hilarious!!!!!!!

Baby Mama was directed and written by Michael McCullers. It was produced by Lorne Michaels. Baby Mama stars Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Greg Kinnear, Romany Malco, Steve Martin, and Sigourney Weaver.

Kate (Tina Fey) is the youngest VP of her company. She had to give up motherhood to do it though. At 37 Kate realizes that she wants a baby. Dating is out of the question so she pursues other fertility options. When those don't work out she has to turn to surrogacy. Of course the surrogate mother is the exact opposite of the successful Kate. Angie (Amy Poehler) is the surrogate. Angie is basically white trash. A ton of comedy surrounds Kate's work life including her boss Barry (Steve Martin). Also, around Angie trying to leave her loser boyfriend Carl (Dax Shepard). And, finally, around the owner of the surrogacy company headed by Chaffee Bicknell (Sigourney Weaver) the much older woman who is ridiculously fertile for her age and profession.

You have to see the movie to appreciate the humor. I totally recommend it though because it is one of the best comedy's I have seen. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler did AWESOME! If you haven't seen it, go see it!

Below are some of my favorite quotes from the movie:

Kate: "I'm sorry I called you stupid".
Angie: "I'm sorry I farted in your purse".

Kate: "What if that had been poop".
Caroline: "Poop is messy but its good".

Carl: "I haven't had sex in two weeks".
Angie: "I've been gone for a month".

Barry: "I am going to reward you with 5 minutes of uninterrupted eye contact".

Kate: "Did you just stick your gum under my coffee table?"
Angie: "I don't know."
Kate: "What do you mean you don't know? You think you're at an Arbys right now?"
Angie: "You know what? I WISH I was at an Arbys cuz theres better food and cooler people there!"
Kate: [Kate looks under coffee table and gasps then looks at Angie] "Did you stick all this gum under here?"
Angie: "I DON'T KNOW! Maybe you stuck some of it under there!"
Kate: "Yeah, actually you might be right cuz sometimes when I work a really long day I like to come home and chew a huge wad of bubbilicious gum and stick it under my reclaimed barnwood coffee table!"
Angie: "Bitch, I don't know your life!"

Have a good weekend, everyone!!!

No Country for Old Men

Tonight's feature film is No Country for Old Men.

No Country for Old Men was written and directed by the Coen brothers (Ethan and Joel). The cast includes Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Woody Harrelson. It is a western crime drama.

The synopsis will be simple. However, since it is a Coen brothers' movie you know there is more to it than just the story line. Llewelyn (Josh Brolin) is out hunting dear in the desert of West Texas. He shoots and wounds a deer that then takes off. As Llewelyn is tracking the deer down he comes across a group of trucks with what appears to be dead men all around them. He goes down to investigate and realizes that a drug deal had gone bad there. He notices that the drugs are present but there is no money. He figures someone must have survived the massacre and ran off with the money. Only one man is alive in one of the trucks even though he is severely wounded. He asks Llewelyn for some water. Llewelyn isn't carrying any water and so he leaves the man. He starts to track down the man who got off with the money. He finds him a few miles away, dead under a tree from a gun wound. The man has a satchel nearby filled with 2 million dollars. Llewelyn takes the satchel and returns home to his trailer park. In the middle of the night he wakes up because he feels guilty about not giving a dying man some water. He fills up a water jug and heads back out to the desert. While he is back out there other men arrive to find out what happened with the drug deal. They get his license plate information. He gets back home and packs up his wife and sends her to Odessa to stay with her mother. He knows that the men are going to be looking for him and the money. Llewelyn takes off to Del Rio and plans on hooking up with his wife in Odessa when everything has calmed down. However, the people who lost the money hire an assassin (Javier Bardem) to track down the money. The assassin's name is Anton Chigurh. The police are already on the trail of Anton. He has been able to evade them so far. The drug deal goes down in Terrell County Texas where Ed Tom Bell is Sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones). The sheriff recognizes the abandon truck on the drug scene as Llewelyn's and realizes that he is in over his head. He tries to contact Llewelyn through his wife to get him to come in. He won't do it and so Sheriff Bell is racing against time and the criminals to protect Llewelyn from the trouble he finds himself in. When Llewelyn took the satchel of money he didn't realize that there was a transponder planted in the money. Anton is able to find out some information about Llewelyn and with the help of the transponder track down Llewelyn at first. However, Llewelyn was in Vietnam and knows how to take care of himself. Some skirmishes occur where both sides are hurt. Anton and the drug criminals finally catch up to Llewelyn in El Paso and kill him. Sheriff Bell gets to El Paso just minutes late and can't stop what happens. Anton escapes the police.

Like I said, because it is a Coen brothers' movie there is a lot more to it than the story. I recommend this movie. It is a clever remake of a western themed movie. Anton is a bad dude and an awesome character. Llewelyn is a tough guy who holds off an assassin but ultimately can't outrun the fate that befalls those that get caught up in the drug trade. Sheriff Bell's character is a representation of older, better times. Even times where Sheriff's didn't even have to wear guns. I like what it shows about greed, evil, good, life, innocence, and fate.

If you haven't seen No Country for Old Men go rent it and see it. Oh, and did I mention that it won all sorts of awards including Oscars?

Shout Out

Tonight I wanted to do a shout out to a truly awesome website. It's called awkwardfamilyphotos.com.

The following picture is a sample of what this innovative website has to offer cyberspace:


I must give credit where credit is due. I was tipped off to this website by Jordan Sheen.

If you have an hour or so to blow and you don't mind laughing at other people's insanely awkward family photos go to awkwardfamilyphotos.com. Be sure to tell all your friends and family about the site.

I don't know how often the site is updated but in the last week they have added some new material. So, it's possible that they update the site once a week. I'm not sure though.

Well good laughs to everyone!

An Odd Duck

My family makes fun of me because I can watch hours of TV shows that they think nobody should be able to watch for 5 minutes might alone hours.

Some of those TV shows are Ice Road Truckers, Operation Repo, World Series of Poker, Deadliest Catch, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, etc.

I don't know why but I get caught up in those shows. I can literally watch one episode and get hooked. When I get hooked it's like 3 or 4 hours of those shows. On Sunday I turned on Ice Road Truckers and watched one episode for the first time. I then proceeded to watch 3 more episodes and the season opener for this season. So 5 hours total of Ice Road Trucker. I've done the same thing with Operation Repo and Deadliest Catch. My sister even asked me why I like them because they show the same thing over and over and even say the same things episode after episode. I have no idea why I like them but I do.

I'm not sure what the point of this post is. Maybe it's just a little side information on good old J.J. Barnard.

Anyway, if you have a couple of hours to blow and you want some mind numbing TV to distract you check out a couple of the shows I listed above. A & E, TLC, and the History Channel are the best TV stations for those kinds of shows.

Check you later.

Death Wish 3

I posted last night how I watched Death Wish 3 on AMC. I mentioned how it was a special movie to me because I originally watched it with my Great Uncle.

Many, if not most, of you have probably not seen it. So, I figured I would highlight it tonight.

Death Wish 3 was released in 1985. It was written by Brian Garfield and Don Jakoby. It was directed by Michael Winner. The lead actor was Charles Bronson.

As you can tell by the title there were 2 other Death Wish that preceded Death Wish 3. All three movies have basically the same precept. Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) is a vigilante who is tired of street gangs terrorizing good people and ruining once proud neighborhoods. Paul knows that if he can bring some justice to the streets that the good people in the neighborhood will jump on board and rid their streets of the criminals and the gangs. Of course in the process good people close to both Paul and the neighbors that help Paul are hurt/killed in retaliation to Paul's efforts of fighting the gangs. After enough back and forth where Paul hurts the gangs and the gangs hurt Paul or his friends all hell breaks lose. This usually involves ridiculous guns and all out warfare on the streets. Paul and his friends win and the streets are rid of the criminals. The neighborhood returns to peace and respectability. Paul moves on to the next friend/neighborhood who needs his type of vigilante justice.

So if you watch Death Wish 1 or Death Wish 3 it is the same with minor tweaks. What is so cool about the movie is that Charles Bronson plays the best anti-hero I have ever seen on film. It's also cool in a very macho guy kind of way because he takes justice into his own hands and does what any of us wishes we could do in the situations portrayed in the movies. He does it in such a cool, calm way. And the guns he uses...WOW! In Death Wish 3 he has a .457 magnum (not just a .357) and at one point runs through the streets gunning bad guys down with a 30 mm machine gun. And, let's not forget the anti-personnel grenade launcher that he orders through the mail from an Army base (I kid you not...it was semi-plausible because it was before 9/11 haha).

I am not going to recommend this movie unless you're into that type of thing. I just felt like featuring it for those of you who say last night's post and didn't know about the movie.

A Quick One

Well, it's late and I'm tired and I want to go to bed. So tonight's post is going to be short.

I watched two old movies today on AMC. The first was Escape from Alcatraz with Clint Eastwood. The second was Death Wish 3 with Charles Bronson. They are both good and stupid movies. Who doesn't like the anti-hero in Eastwood and Bronson. However, Escape from Alcatraz tries wayyyyyy too hard and is sooooooooo slow moving. Death Wish 3 is totally unrealistic and we are supposed to forget about that because of all the guns and explosions.

On a nostalgic note. I used to spend summers at my Grandma's house. She lived next door to her twin sister. Her sister's husband is my great uncle. My great uncle was a career Marine and when he retired he bought himself a ranch and ranched cattle. He was a tough, mean guy. I loved him dearly though. He had all three Death Wishes on video cassette. So, as a 10-14 year old (I am not sure which year) I watched all three Death Wishes with my great uncle. He shared the same sense of vigilante justice as Charles Bronson's character. It was soooooo much fun watching those movies with him. Of course, they were a lot less ridiculous back then because it was a lot closer to when the movie was originally made. The Death Wish movies will always have a special place in my heart because I originally watched them with my great uncle who I admired and looked up to. And boy did he love those movies as an ex-marine.

IT'S BED TIME!!!!!!! Goodnight all!

Inside Man

Tonight's feature film is Inside Man.

Inside Man was written by Russell Gewirtz and directed by Spike Lee. The cast includes Denzel Washington, Willem Dafoe, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, and Christopher Plummer.

My synopsis of Inside Man will be very simple because it is a The Usual Suspects type of movie and you can't give too much away because it will ruin the movie. So, here it goes. Arthur Case (Christopher Plummer) is the owner of a New York bank. Dalton Russell (Clive Owen) is a bank robber mastermind. Detective Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington) is a detective with the NYPD's hostage negotiation team. Miss White (Jodie Foster) is a woman who gets problems resolved for her very exclusive and rich clientele. Arthur Case has a security deposit box in one of the branches at his bank. His security deposit box holds some incredibly valuable and unique items. Dalton Russell has found out about the items in the safety deposit box and forms a team of 5 people to rob Arthur Case's bank. Dalton Russell takes hostages as he robs the bank. Due to the hostage situation Detective Keith Frazier is called in to negotiate the release of the hostages. Arthur Case calls Miss White to ensure that nobody (robbers or cops) gets to his safety deposit box and discover the contents of the safety deposit box. That is the basic premise. The rest I don't want to divulge because it is worth seeing unfold first hand just like in The Usual Suspects.

This is a clever story. I think that Spike Lee did an awesome job directing. He has an amazing talent that few other directors can match. Since it is a "Spike Lee Joint" you have several other themes running along the main storyline. Themes such as racism, sexism, civil rights of Arabs in today's U.S., violence in games, corruption in government and corporations, etc. It is just a smart story told in a compelling way. I also thought that Christopher Plummer did an amazing job in the role of Arthur Case. I don't like to pick favorites but Denzel Washington is one of my top 5 actors. So, the movie automatically becomes a must see with his involvement in the project.

I recommend this movie. I think you will find it clever and smart. I think you will appreciate Spike Lee's unique flavor and touches to the film. I think you will find the back story (that I couldn't give away in the synopsis) unbelievable. You can't get better acting than you do from Denzel, Clive, Jodie, and Christopher. This is a must see and I 100% recommend it to anyone. I will point out that the movie uses the F word a lot. I mean a lot. So, if you or a viewing buddy is offended by that, you might want to reconsider. If not, then full steam ahead.

Other information:
It looks like there is going to be an Inside Man 2. It will include the original writer and director and much of the original cast. I am interested already!
Spike Lee is currently filming a documentary on NBA legend Michael Jordan. I would push baby's out of the way to see this documentary when it's released. Please don't be a let down!
Denzel Washington is starring in The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 alongside John Travolta. The film is being released on June 12th.

Mosquitos

Mosquito, oh how I hate thee!

I went for a bike ride this evening down by the lake. My father and I thought it would be marvelous to bike around the lake with the sun setting. The only problem is that the water is stagnant right now due to excess water.

You know what stagnant lake water attracts? MOSQUITOS!

It was insane. We had our bikes on a bike carrier. We jumped out of the car and started to remove the bikes. Almost instantly, like a freakin hurricane, we were swarmed by mosquitos. I had been bit by 4 or 5 of them before I could even get the first bike off the carrier. At one point I just wiped my hand over the skin of my arm in a downward motion and killed several mosquitos and rubbed my own blood down the length of my arm.

When we started riding it was all good because you are moving at a fairly good pace and they can't latch on to you. But standing still, close to the water, you better have some mosquito spray or you're in trouble.

Besides the mosquitos (I counted 9 bites on my arms, hands, and legs) the ride was fantastic. The sun was setting. The river (that feeds the lake) was perfect. The people on the trails were courteous. The exercise was great. It was just a swell time.

I am not going to recommend it though, because I hate mosquitos and wouldn't wish them even on my worst enemy. Also, the other bugs are out in force so you get mouthfuls as you breath heavier and heavier (due to the exercise you sickos). It was a good time, but not something I think I will repeat soon. There are so many other trails without those problems, you know?

Well, it's bed time for sure. Good night cyberland!

NBA Finals

I feel like bad luck.

Let's look at the times I supported during the NBA Finals this year and then examine how they fared.

I started off supporting the Jazz (I don't really feel connected to the Jazz, but as the only major sports team in Utah I feel like I need to support them). They were swept in the first round.

Second, I supported the Mavericks (my favorite basketball team in reality). They put up a valiant fight against the Nuggets but ultimately lost.

Third, I supported the Rockets (because I support my sister, who is obsessed with them. Also, because it is another Texas team). They put up a hell of a fight against the Lakers but lost.

Fourth, I am supporting the Cavaliers. They haven't been beat by the Magic yet but they are trailing in the series 3 games to 1. Teams have come back from that kind of a deficit but I am not seeing that happen in this series.

Fifth, if Cleveland loses to the Magic, I will support the Magic against the Lakers (who haven't won their series yet but are more than likely going to). However, honestly, the Magic don't have a chance against the Lakers.

Ultimately, every team I have supported, am supporting, or will support has or will likely lose. Maybe it is me and not the teams. I could be the bad luck charm taking them down one by one. If I could enthusiastically support the team, that in reality I wanted to lose, I would.

I am not going to say that I haven't enjoyed the finals because I have. There have been some amazingly awesome games this year. It has been a pleasure to watch (except for maybe the Jazz, that was just painful). So go NBA whoever wins the championship.

If you haven't been watching of late the Eastern and Western Conference champions will be determined in the next couple of games (at most) and then it is just the finals. So, if you are one of those that only wants to see the actual finals we are close. Be sure to TiVo it!

Exercise

I have been able to enjoy a more active life style because of the exercise program I follow.

Any "expert" will tell you that you need to burn more calories than you consume in order to lose weight. Lose weight and you will feel more energetic. Feel more energetic and exercise will become easier and easier. The more you exercise the better quality of life you will enjoy. Sounds easy, right? Well, in reality it is easy. It's the getting started part that is the killer. Once you get started it seems crazy that you used to dread diet and exercise.

However, there is one more important component in my opinion to losing weight and maintaining an active lifestyle. Change. You need to change things up. If you don't two big problems can occur. Your body will get used to the routine and therefore become more efficient. This sounds like a good thing, but it isn't in a way. The more efficient you become with your exercise and diet, the less calories your body will burn. So, you need to change things up from time to time to ensure continued weight loss. Once you have reached your desired weight, it's a whole different story. The second problem is that your routine can get boring and therefore discouraging.

If you are out there trying to lose weight; first, get started. Second, develop a routine that works for you (both exercise and diet). Third, change that routine up from time to time.

As odd as it sounds, rest is important too. Your body does funny things if there is not enough rest time between work outs or programs you may employ to help your cause. For example, a weight lifter who lifts weights everyday for the same muscle set won't get much bigger. The reason why is that your muscles need some rest periodically in order to "heal" or "grow bigger". To continue with the example it is suggested that you work your upper body out every other day and your lower body out every other day with the 7th day off. This gives your muscles time to build after work outs. I think weight loss is the same. I think you can work out 6 of the 7 days a week. But, you need an off day.

I guess the fourth step to be added to the paragraph two above this one is; fourth, rest periodically according to your specific routine.

Lately, I have been hitting the treadmill in the morning for an hour and then either biking or hiking for an hour in the afternoon. Trust me it took me 3 months to get from my lethargic state to exercising two hours a day.

I also keep a calorie diary. It's not so much to control my diet as it is to give me an idea of my calorie consumption. This isn't the best as calories are not the only component to a good or bad diet. But, it does help me control what I am eating. If I was purely dieting I would have to do more. However, with diet and exercise I find that if I keep my calories in check in accordance with my workout routines I lose the weight each and every week.

I feel better now than I have in years. It's funny what some control to your food consumption and an active lifestyle through exercise can do. I even joke now that I am used to the "sore" feeling that you get with exercise. It's almost like even that "sore" feeling feels good.

I am not going to lie. Getting started was difficult. I had an excellent friend nudge me down the path at the beginning and helped motivate me through that ever so difficult beginning stage. Without that friend I would still weigh 285 lbs and wonder why I was so tired and achy all the time. Thanks friend, you're the best. You really did me a solid on this one.

If you're feeling bad and you think diet and exercise will help, just get started. After you are doing at least something there are a million ideas on the Internet to get you focused and headed in the right direction. Just be careful of all the scams and crazy cheats out there. It's like my dad (a total health nut with the results to back him up) always says, "if it promises to be fast or easy they are lying or it isn't healthy. Weight loss takes time and effort." I think that is true. I'm weary of the bills or the medical procedures. Someone even told me that they are now using growth hormones to try and help people lose weight. You just have to be very careful. They may be totally legit, but you need to do your homework and consult with your doctor. Which you should do for any weight loss program, not just the pills, etc.

Anyway, enough is enough. Get out there and be healthy! If you can and if you dare!! :-)

Memorial Day

I do want to take a moment and thank all the veterans out there who served our country during wartime. I also want to thank those left behind by soldiers who were killed in action and gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I know it seems like a cliche, but it is because of our men and women in uniform that we have the freedoms and luxuries we enjoy every day. Thanks a million.

It is my sincere desire that our country always remembers your service and does a better job of taking care of war veterans when they return home. We do many things, but there is much more that could be done.

My last comment for the day is that I hope less war is waged and more peace is enjoyed.

Thank you service men and women who have fought for this country and for it's people, including me.

Happy memorial day to everyone!

Star Trek

I went and saw the new Star Trek movie today. I have to admit that it was pretty good. I especially loved Simon Pegg as Montgomery Scott.

J. J. Abrams (director) wanted this Star Trek to be a Star Trek for everybody and not just trekkies. I think he did a phenomenal job in accomplishing that goal. This Star Trek really was for everyone. It had science, technology, action, new ideas, sexy, comedy, drama, stunning special effects, old school cast members, etc.

I grew up a trekkie and still really appreciated the new approach J. J. Abrams took to the movie.

If you haven't seen it, I 100% recommend it. There were some flaws (greatest of which I would attribute to some decisions by the casting director), but it is still well worth watching. If nothing else you will learn a little about Star Trek and you will enjoy the movie.

Friday Night

Well, it's Friday night!

I am extremely tired. My sister bought my dad a good book. When he was done with it he said I had to read it. He said it was very interesting. Very interesting was an understatement. I read the whole book (340 pages) within 24 hours. The problem is that I was up until 3:00 AM last night to do it.

The book is called The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. The books author is Michael Lewis. The book is the story of Michael Oher. Michael Oher is a left tackle who was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of this years draft. He was the best offensive lineman anyone had seen when he was in high school and college. Many people believe he will be the best offensive lineman to EVER play in the NFL.

The book doesn't just focus on Michael Oher's life (it is the central theme of the book) but also on how the passing game evolved into what it is today and how important the left tackle position is to the passing game. Statistically the highest paid player on a football team is the quarterback. The second highest player is the left tackle (because the left tackle protects the quarterback's blind side and therefore can be the difference in keeping a star quarterback playing or injured and out for the season). Naturally, the second highest paid guy is the guy who is the most responsible for protecting the highest paid guy. Believe it or not on some teams the left tackle makes even more money the quarterback.

So, with the importance of the left tackle position it is truly amazing to have the possible best guy ever to play the left tackle position entering the NFL right now. What is even more amazing is the rags to riches story that is the life of Michael Oher. I don't want to ruin the book, but he overcame amazing odds to even have a chance to play on a high school team to be recognized by college football scouts. When he overcame all odds and made it to high school, he performed another miracle and was able to become academically eligible to play in the NCAA. No small feat seeing as how his GPA halfway through the 10th grade was a 0.6. And let me tell you the high school he attended didn't just give him A's because of his athletic and physical blessings. He went to a private Christian school where you had to earn your grades. It also tells the story of the amazing family who took pity on this poor black kid from one of the poorest zip codes in the U.S. who was going nowhere and created an environment and system in which he could succeed.

Anyway, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game is an amazing story. It makes you feel good about yourself and other people. It reminds you that there are good people trying to do right by other people. It reminds you that an economically disadvantaged kid can succeed in a positive and healthy environment of love, academic support, and stability.

As no one has seen Michael Oher play a NFL game (as he was just drafted) he may or may not amount to anything. However, his past record has surpassed any one's wildest dreams and the good bet is that Michael Oher does turn into the best lineman to have ever played the game at any level. It will be fun to watch the Baltimore Ravens and big old number 74 this year.

I don't know if you are into the NFL and football or not. If you are keep an eye open. If you don't read the book. When you fall in love with this story as I did, it might be worth watching a game or two of the Baltimore Ravens to see what happens.

Have a good weekend!

Good Bye Lenin!

Tonight's feature film will be Good Bye Lenin! This is an amazing film and one I WHOLE HEARTEDLY recommend to everyone.

Good Bye Lenin! is a German foreign film. The film is in German with English subtitles. It was directed by Wolfgang Becker. The film stars Daniel Bruhl, Katrin Sass, Chulpan Khamatova, and Maria Simon. I know you probably haven't heard of any of these actors (with the possible exception of Daniel Bruhl) but they all did a remarkable job acting in this film.

Before I get to the synopsis I want to explain why I so THOROUGHLY enjoyed this film. Their is a level of commitment in this film that I have rarely seen so exceptionally demonstrated on or off film. The central family in the movie makes several mistakes, yet have a commitment to one another that is perfect. I think this film really demonstrates the need for openness, acceptance, and communication in families to ensure that a perfect commitment between family members is not misplaced or ultimately detrimental. You have to be very careful. You can know internally that what you are doing is out of pure love and dedication and yet have it lost on the people you are trying to show that love and dedication to. Actions do speak louder than words, but words are sometimes necessary to explain our actions to those around us who may not understand. And incredible actions performed with no understanding from the beneficiaries are simply lost actions. They can make a great story and yet leave behind the individuals who were supposed to most benefit from the actions. So, the moral of the story is, do great things for those you love, but make sure they understand why you do those things (and it doesn't have to be a perfect understanding, but it should be some basis for understanding) for them. Otherwise your efforts may only make a good story for others (which is not completely wasted, but certainly not ideal).

Now for the synopsis. East Germany and West Germany. Capitalism versus Socialism. The Kerners live in East Germany. Mr. Kerner escapes to West Germany to be with his mistress and leaves his family behind in East Germany never to be heard from again. This act drives Mrs. Kerner to insanity and she has to be admitted to a hospital. It takes 6 months for her to recuperate but she returns home to raise her two children, Alex and Ariane, by herself. Father is never mentioned again. Mrs. Kerner replaces her husband and the father of her children with the Fatherland. She devotes herself completely to her country. She becomes the ideal citizen in East Germany. As time progresses so does the battle between Capitalism and Socialism. Capitalism is winning and many East Germans, included Alex Kerner, thinks its for the best. Alex participates in a free speech protest where he is arrested. As he is being arrested Alex's mother, Mrs. Kerner, comes around a corner from shopping and sees him being hauled off by the police. She has a heart attack from the shock of learning that her son is one of the protesters and is being arrested. It takes a while because of the commotion for someone to administer CPR to Mrs. Kerner and she ends up in the hospital alive but in a coma. Alex is released from prison and rushes to his mother's side. She is in a coma for 8 months. In that time the Berlin Wall comes down and the West is victorious over the East. When Mrs. Kerner comes to, the doctors warn her children that any stress or surprise could give her another heart attack and kill her. Alex realizes that the simple fall of East Germany alone could be the surprise that kills his mother. He decides to put on an elaborate farce to trick his mother into thinking everything is still the same and that East Germany is strong and vibrant. The lie becomes increasing difficult to keep up. Alex and his sister argue about whether they should just tell their mother the truth. Ariane thinks they should but Alex doesn't. Alex wins out and just keeps making the lie larger and larger to cover up all the changes happening in the world outside. One weekend Mrs. Kerner wants to go to the family cabin in the countryside. The children take her. Mrs. Kerner reveals that she lied to the children about what actually happened with their father. He wasn't a party member and they made his life miserable. He escaped to the West during a conference for Doctor's (he was a doctor) and made arrangements for his wife and children to follow two days later. Mrs. Kerner was scared that if she attempted to leave East Germany that her children would be taken from her. She decided to sacrifice her husband for her children. Mr. Kerner wrote for several years and Mrs. Kerner kept the letters hidden from the children. The children use the letters to discover their father's address. After telling the children of her lie, Mrs. Kerner has another heart attack. The doctors give her only days to live. Her last request is for Alex to find Mr. Kerner and bring him to the hospital so Mrs. Kerner can see him one last time. Alex finds his father and brings him to the hospital. While at the hospital Mrs. Kerner discovers the truth about what has been happening and that Alex was lying to protect her. With the reunification of the two Germanys happening in a few days, Alex has to produce one last grand lie to explain it to his mother. His mother participates in the lie knowing it is a lie but is grateful to her son for his efforts. Two days after the reunification ceremonies Mrs. Kerner dies.

Seriously, I haven't done justice to the movie. EVERYONE, JUST GO OUT AND RENT IT!!!! I promise it will be well worth it. I 100% recommend this movie to anyone. It is AMAZING!

Some Kind of Wonderful

You guys are in for a real treat tonight. Some Kind of Wonderful is probably the only romantic comedy I will ever post on this blog with ENTHUSIASM.

I've said that it would be impossible for me to create a top 5 or top 10 movie list. However, if I was ever forced to, Some Kind of Wonderful would make either list. For those of you who know me personally that is making quite a statement.

This movie is great because it has it all. It's a drama, it's a comedy, it's got romance, it's got high school high jinx, the good guy wins in the end, the right boy finds the right girl, etc. If you've been through high school you will appreciate this movie. Of course, the movie was produced by John Hughes, the king of teenager movies (Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, etc.). Also, if you lived through the 80's you will love the throw back. The cars, the clothes, the speech of high schoolers, everything.

Keith (Eric Stoltz) is an unpopular nobody at his high school. His best friend, Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson), is a tom boy. Keith is in love the "hottest" girl in school, Amanda, (Lea Thompson) who happens to date the richest jock in school. Keith wants a shot at her and gets his opportunity when Amanda and her boyfriend break up because he is kissing other girls. Keith asks Amanda out and she agrees. So now the unpopular nobody is dating the hottest girl in school. This obviously creates some drama and some comedy. Meanwhile, Keith's best friend Watts is secretly in love with Kieth. She is hurt that he doesn't recognize it and wants to go out with the superficial Amanda. Amanda's ex-boyfriend can't leave it alone even though he was the one cheating. So, he devises a plan to have a party at his house where he is going to invite Amanda and Keith so that he can beat Keith up. Keith discovers this before his date with Amanda, but agrees to take her to the party anyway because he is tired of being pushed around and of being a nobody. Keith works as a part time mechanic to save up for college (his father's dream and not his own). Keith is also tired of being viewed as a poor nobody who has to work when everyone else doesn't. So, against his father's wishes he withdraws all of his money so that he can show Amanda (and the rest of the world) that he is just as good as everyone else. In the process he recruits Watts' reluctant help to plan the best date ever for Amanda so that he can accomplish his goal. In preparation Watts suggests that he practice a "killer" kiss with her. Sparks fly but Keith is so obsessed with Amanda that he still just doesn't get what Watts is trying to tell him. Because of his extraordinary feat of getting Amanda Jones to go on a date with him, the other outsiders at school (the bullies and detention kids) start to rally behind Keith and support him as well. Keith takes Amanda on an amazing date where she is confused as to why he is being so nice and generous towards her. They have an epiphany as to why both of them are really on the date with the other person. Then arrives the moment of truth where Keith is to take Amanda to her ex-boyfriend's party. Both Amanda and Watts (who is acting as chauffeur and driving Keith and Amanda from place to place on their date) try to convince him one more time not to go because he'll get beat up. He defies both of them and takes Amanda to the party. Keith had an ace up his sleeve though and got the outsiders to show up at the same time to humiliate the ex-boyfriend, keep Keith out of trouble, and wreck the party. Amanda can't believe it and really starts to admire Keith. However, as Keith and Amanda leave the party and Keith sees Watts outside he suddenly has a flash to their kiss and he finally realizes how much he loves Watts and Watts loves him. Amanda realizes the chemistry too. Watts takes off real quick and leaves the car for Keith to take Amanda home. Amanda tells Keith she can get a ride and to chase after Watts. Keith does and they embrace and kiss under a street light.

Like I said the movie has everything. Unless you were the spoiled jerk rich jock kid in your high school you are going to find things to cheer about in this movie. It is the ultimate feel good, good guy wins story. Plus the 80s, YOU JUST CAN'T GO WRONG. And, personally, I think Mary Stuart Masterson is exceptionally cute in this movie. So, good looking girls, awesome story, and the 80s. The ultimate trifecta for the perfect movie...Haha!

Some Kind of Wonderful was directed by Howard Deutch. It was written and produced by John Hughes. The cast included Eric Stoltz, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Lea Thompson.

Other information:
John Hughes latest writing credit was Drillbit Taylor.
Lea Thompson is slated to star in several independent comedies being released this year.
Mary Stuart Masterson's most famous role was in Fried Green Tomatoes.
Eric Stoltz will star in a couple of independent dramas that are being released this year.

*Editor's Note - Sorry about the hiatus. I will make a sincere effort to re-take this blog and post much more frequently.

Adaptation

Adaptation is a movie that I believe everybody should see once. It is from the makers of Being John Malkovich. It is a smart movie that delves into the nature of humans and some of there most basic emotions. It is interesting how important our basic emotions are. However, in today's increasingly complicated and sophisticated world we skip over our basic emotions as if there is a higher, more worthy set of emotions to pursue. That may be true if your basic emotions are satisfied. If your basic emotions aren't satisfied, see how happy you are. For that purpose I recommend this movie. It is very intelligent and insightful.

Adaptation is based on a Susan Orlean book entitled The Orchid Thief. It was written into a screenplay by Charlie Kaufman. It is a Spike Jonze movie. The movie stars Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep (what a performance she has in this movie), Chris Cooper, and Tilda Swinton. Adaptation is a drama with some comedy built in.

Charlie Kaufman (Nicolas Cage) is asked to adapt a non-fiction book into a screenplay (sound familiar...very clever). Even though he has experienced some previous success he is having a hard time writing the screenplay. Charlie has a twin brother who lives with him named Donald (also Nicolas Cage). Donald is the opposite of Charlie. Where Charlie struggles with everything Donald seems to have much more ease. However, Donald is reckless and relies on his brother because he has had no real success in life, just ease. As Charlie struggles to write the screenplay he seeks out the author of the book he is adapting, Susan Orlean (Meryl Streep). However, even this quest turns out to be too hard for him. With the help of Donald he does it but ends up in a world of trouble as Charlie and Donald discover the "real" story behind Susan Orlean and the subject of her book. The subject of The Orchid Thief is of course the actual Orchid Thief, John Laroche (Chris Cooper). John Laroche is not your average man. He has total disregard for the law, he is too smart for his own good, he falls in love too easily, and he carries the guilt of a car accident that killed his wife. That guilt drives him nearly mad and certainly beyond the confines of society's customs and laws that most citizens obey. Of course, all of that makes him a great character to write about. So, Susan Orlean does. Unfortunately, she gets caught up in his world, which consequentially gets Charlie and Donald in trouble.

The four different personalities of the main characters and the drama, weaknesses, and strengths of each, is what makes this film so amazing. You may or may not enjoy the movie. But like I said earlier everyone should see it at least once. So, go check it out. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Other information:
Spike Jonze is currently working on a film adaptation of the popular children's book, Where the Wild Things Are.
Tilda Swinton is going to be in the Crime Thriller The Limits of Control that is being released this month. Gael Gacia Bernal is also in this one...so I am definitely going to check it out.

Superbad

I watched Superbad this week. Since it is the most awesome movie ever I figured I would feature it.

Superbad was written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. It was directed by Greg Mottola. The movie stars Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Seth Rogen, and Bill Hader. And if that alone wasn't enough to convince you about the awesomeness of this movie. allow me to break out the big guns. Superbad was produced by Judd Apatow. You can't go wrong with a Judd Apatow comedy.

Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) are seniors in high school and best friends. They are looking to get in to a graduation party and to hopefully get laid. The problem is that they aren't very popular and haven't been invited to a party. A fellow friend named Fogle (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) has arranged to get a fake ID. When Seth hears about it he talks to a girl in his class about it. She mentions that she is having a party and would love if he could buy some booze with the fake ID. Seth agrees and it is his opportunity to go to a graduation party. He recruits the help of Evan and Fogle and set out to get booze for the greatest graduation party ever. However, all sorts of problems occur in their journey to buy the booze and get to the party. As Fogle is trying to buy booze a robber punches him in the face and steals the liquor store money. The cops show up (Seth Rogen and Bill Hader) and offer to take Fogle to his destination. On the way problems arise and Fogle has to accompany these two crooked cops. After all the problems (hilarious problems) Seth, Evan, and Fogle end up at the party with the booze. However, both Seth and Evan screw up their prospects with the girls they like at the party. It ends up ok the next day as they work things out. As you can imagine the problems and situations that the characters find themselves in are hilarious.

This movie had me laughing from beginning to end. I couldn't believe some of the things they came up with. It is a little vulgar so be warned. But, if you're cool with vulgar you won't find a funnier movie. Jonah Hill and Michael Cera were priceless. Seth Rogen and Bill Hader as crooked cops were unbelievably funny. And Christopher Mintz-Plasse is a special actor. No one else could have pulled off what he pulled off. I didn't want to give away to much of the humor in the synopsis, so if the synopsis seemed a bit dull, that is why. Trust me though you won't laugh harder at a movie. I FULLY RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE TO YOU HUMOR SEEKERS OUT THERE!

Other information:
Greg Mottola will be directing a movie named Paul that will star Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz), Bill Hader, and Nick Frost.
Seth Rogen's next movie is Funny People. I've already talked about it in some previous posts. It looks great and I can't wait for it to come out.
Bill Hader's most current project is the 2nd Night at the Museum which is coming out May 22nd.
Michael Cera and Christopher Mintz-Plasse are going to be in Year One alongside Jack Black and David Cross. Year One is coming out in June. Michael Cera is also going to be in a movie titled Paper Hearts with Charlyne Yi and Seth Rogen that is coming out in August.

You, Me and Dupree

I watched You, Me and Dupree tonight. If you were watching TV tonight you would know I saw it on TBS. I am not going to lie, this was one that I wasn't interested in seeing when it came out in theaters. However, free on TV, can't go wrong. It wasn't the best movie I have ever seen but it had its moments.

The movie was written by Michael LeSieur and directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. The movie stars Owen Wilson, Kate Hudson, Matt Dillon, Michael Douglas, and Seth Rogen.

Carl (Matt Dillon) falls in love with Molly (Kate Hudson). Carl and Molly get married. Molly's father Mr. Thompson (Michael Douglas) is super protective of his daughter. She is his only child and Molly's mother has passed away. Carl asks Dupree (Owen Wilson) to be his best man. Dupree is a crazy nomad of sorts who means well but often gets himself in troublesome situations. Carl works for Mr. Thompson and Mr. Thompson makes his life hell at work. As a matter of fact, Mr. Thompson pursues every avenue possible to split Carl and Molly up. Tensions start to arise between Molly and Carl. Carl is suffering at work because of Mr. Thompson but Molly wants to defend her dad. Dupree is causing all sorts of mayhem while he is temporarily staying at Carl and Molly's house. Even to the point that Carl is suspicious Dupree is trying to get frisky with Molly. Carl loses it and decides to take off for a couple of days. Dupree sees the problems he has been causing and vows to do what it takes to get Carl back and help Carl and Molly resolve the problems they've been having. Dupree is able to track Carl down and helps him confront Mr. Thompson. Carl successful confronts Mr. Thompson. With Dupree and Mr. Thompson on Carl's team, Carl returns home to work things out with Molly. I'm sure you can guess the ending from here.

Like I said earlier, the movie isn't the greatest. It does have its moments and some of those moments are pretty funny. It is a fun little movie to watch if you feel like laughing. It would also be perfect if your significant other requires a chick flick out of you from time to time. It's perfect because you get the chick flick romance side but you also get plenty of laughs. Chick flicks are best when the romance is balanced out with something like comedy.

Other information:
Owen Wilson's next project to be released is Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian.
Matt Dillon is starring in a movie titled Old Dogs alongside John Travolta and Robin Williams.
Michael Douglas is in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, which is being released this next weekend.

Get Smart

Tonight I watched Get Smart. It is funny but completely ridiculous. It is one of those movies that you have to take at face value. You have to enjoy it for entertainment purposes ONLY! It was funny because I kept catching myself saying, "yeah right", "whatever", "like that would happen", etc. It was funny though and the movie tried to keep the spirit of the original Get Smart franchise.

The movie was directed by Peter Segal. The cast included Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Alan Arkin, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Bill Murray (in a small role).

I am not going to give a detailed synopsis. Chaos has nuclear weapons and threatens to blow up the world unless paid. Control tries to stop them. Max Smart (Steve Carell) falls for Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway) in the process. Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson) has some tricks up his sleeve and turns sour on everyone. And the whole motley crew is supervised by the Chief (Alan Arkin). Oh, and, the good guys win and the bad guys lose.

I don't know how hardily I would recommend this movie. If you are looking for slapstick humor mixed in with action this is the movie for you. If you are looking for something serious or even plausible this is not the movie for you. If it is late for you and you want something silly (like UHF at 3:00 AM) this is DEFINITELY the movie for you. So, pick your poison.

Kingdom of Heaven

Kingdom of Heaven is tonight's feature. It was directed by Ridley Scott (of Gladiator fame). The movie starred Orlando Bloom, Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson, and Edward Norton namely.

It is a historic action movie (obviously with artistic license woven into the script) centered around one of the holy wars between Christians and Muslims that was fought in and around Jerusalem. Balien de Ibelin's (Orlando Bloom) wife commits suicide. The priest who presides at her funeral desecrates her body because she is going to hell because she committed suicide. Balien finds out and kills the priest in revenge. As a result of killing the priest the church sends troops to bring him to justice. In the midst of all this Balien's father Godfrey de Ibelin (Liam Neeson) shows up and invites Balien to join him in the holy war. Balien accepts and starts his journey to Jerusalem. His father dies in route and Balien inherits his father's land and title. Due to his new title and some amazing acts of courage on the battlefield during his journey to the holy land he catches the King's (Edward Norton) attention. He stands out as noble amongst the hatred and corruption. The King commands him to serve the crown and the idea of Christianity. With the help of Tiberias (the second in command in Jerusalem behind the King) he picks up the cause in order to try and absolve himself from the murder he committed against the priest. Of course the other nobles who have been there longer have a problem with his chosen favor over them in the eyes of the King. The King dies before Balien's position is solidified and the other nobles vote to go to war over the King's dying wishes. The campaign can't be successful but the nobles fool themselves into believing their faith will overcome the odds. Balien is opposed to the foolish campaign but goes because of the oath he took. He is the only one who really leads his troops to victory. The campaign is still a monumental failure and the remnants of the army are forced back to the fortifications at Jerusalem. Upon the impending doom posed by the Muslims who lay siege to Jerusalem all the other nobles and religious leaders abandon the fight and flee. Balien has to take over the army and defend Jerusalem. He does so in such a successful and courageous manner that he wins favorable surrender terms from the Muslims.

Obviously the idea of Christianity vs. Islam is explored in the movie. There is also much discussion on loyalty, honor, integrity, etc.

I recommend this movie as an interesting entreaty on the history and motifs behind the holy wars. It is also a pretty good drama along the way. Plenty of action and battles. Also the trebuchets are cool. The only warning I would give you is that the movie is about 3 hours long. So, if you don't have the stamina to watch a 3 hour movie, wait until you do. The movie is great but you won't enjoy it if you watch the movie in two sessions or if you lose interest half way through because you didn't understand the length of the movie.

Other information:
Ridley Scott is currently filming his take on Robin Hood. The movie stars Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett.
Liam Neeson's newest movie is being released in October. It is called After Life.