Thursday, March 09, 2006
Movie review: Doogal
What a piece of crap! It's definitely no Toy Story or Finding Nemo here, just another in a long line of uninspired tripe from Hollywood. The only redeeming quality was the animation, which was decent. More than half of the jokes were directed at the adults in the audience which seems pointless if your target audience is the young skulls full of mush sitting in the theatre seats. I'd be fine if NONE of the jokes were aimed at things only an adult would find funny. That means you Jimmy Fallon - you talentless tripe. Fallon voices the rabbit who plays guitar and is a hippie. Little Fallon had such classic one-liners that referred back to Pulp Fiction and Lord of the Rings. One nice surprise was John Stewart as the bad guy - very well done.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Oscar roundup
Watched the Oscars last night and thought I'd let the world know what I thought:
-I generally like John Stewart, but thought he was less than exemplary at the Oscars. Some of the political jokes worked and I especially liked the slander ad spoofs, but all too often the whole telecast appeared disjointed and odd.
-Clooney, what an ass. I like the guy as an actor and obviously differ with him on politics, but his speech was horrible for two reasons: #1 he completely dissed the other nominees when he claimed that art should not be judged...okay then asshat, why show up at all or why not just give it away on stage or call everyone up to experience it. Stupid. #2 he took his swipe at the rest of America by claiming that he's happy he's out of touch or the mainstream because it's Hollywood that really changes things in this country for the better...Um...I don't think so you pompous ass - but way to go by continuing the separation from the rest of the sane folks who share the planet with you.
-Reese, great classy speech. Loved her performance in Walk the Line and appreciated her thoughtful words during her acceptance speech.
-Crash wins best picture. Like the movie, but felt as if the racist theme was a bludgeon to the head instead of masterfully woven into the story. The acting was first class, but the writing was too heavyhanded.
-Overall, I'd give the Oscars a C+ for the night.
-I generally like John Stewart, but thought he was less than exemplary at the Oscars. Some of the political jokes worked and I especially liked the slander ad spoofs, but all too often the whole telecast appeared disjointed and odd.
-Clooney, what an ass. I like the guy as an actor and obviously differ with him on politics, but his speech was horrible for two reasons: #1 he completely dissed the other nominees when he claimed that art should not be judged...okay then asshat, why show up at all or why not just give it away on stage or call everyone up to experience it. Stupid. #2 he took his swipe at the rest of America by claiming that he's happy he's out of touch or the mainstream because it's Hollywood that really changes things in this country for the better...Um...I don't think so you pompous ass - but way to go by continuing the separation from the rest of the sane folks who share the planet with you.
-Reese, great classy speech. Loved her performance in Walk the Line and appreciated her thoughtful words during her acceptance speech.
-Crash wins best picture. Like the movie, but felt as if the racist theme was a bludgeon to the head instead of masterfully woven into the story. The acting was first class, but the writing was too heavyhanded.
-Overall, I'd give the Oscars a C+ for the night.
Movie review: Walk the Line
Great film! I'd give it 4 out of 5 starts. I only recently began listening to the late great Johnny Cash after Rick Rubin stripped down his sound and just had him record with just a guitar. Too cool. Joaquin Phoenix did a masterful job in filling the shoes of the Man in Black and Reese was a dream as June. Great story and well acted, not to mention filled with great music.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
The Port issue
A good deal has already been said about the UAE port deal and I have read some of the theories on both sides of the issue. A good assessment comes from one of my favorite blogs, Powerline, http://powerlineblog.com/archives/013265.php and offers some interesting thoughts on the issue.
One funny fact was that UAE is already coming and going at JFK in NY and has been for sometime now. For all those worried about the ports should also be questioning the airport security as well if that is truly their concern. My thought is that the left and those on the right who are worried about re-election this year are attempting to get on the "right" side of the issue to couch themselves as concerned about US security.
I don't pretend to understand the whole issue, but there appears to be more than meets the eye.
One funny fact was that UAE is already coming and going at JFK in NY and has been for sometime now. For all those worried about the ports should also be questioning the airport security as well if that is truly their concern. My thought is that the left and those on the right who are worried about re-election this year are attempting to get on the "right" side of the issue to couch themselves as concerned about US security.
I don't pretend to understand the whole issue, but there appears to be more than meets the eye.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Movie review: Flightplan & The Island
Flightplan - 2 stars and that's being generous! I love Jodie Foster and like most of her work (Nell being the exception - although to be fair, I've never seen the whole movie), but this one was a stinker. The whole first hour is like pulling teeth before it even sniffs becoming interesting, which lasts for about 15 minutes before moving onto to utterly ridiculous and silly.
The Island - I liked this one. Decent story with great acting from both the principles and role players. I'd give it 4 stars. It doesn't hurt that Scarlett Johannasen is the female lead either gentlemen.
The Island - I liked this one. Decent story with great acting from both the principles and role players. I'd give it 4 stars. It doesn't hurt that Scarlett Johannasen is the female lead either gentlemen.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Contract
Is it just me, or do both Ryan Seacrest and Jeff Probst have a deal with Satan? These are two of the luckiest people in the world. Two no talent hacks who were lucky enough to be a hosts on reality shows that have sent their careers to the stratosphere. Ryan Seacrest is clearly the more evil of the two and has guest hosted for both Dick Clark and Larry King. Larry King? Are you kidding me? I know that King is just a frog with suspenders, but he is an icon in our time and for Seacrest to guest host is a tragedy. I can only hope their fall is just around the corner.
Update 03-14-2006 Now Seacrest is dating Teri Hatcher...see?
Update 03-14-2006 Now Seacrest is dating Teri Hatcher...see?
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Danish dust up
I must preface this post with the following: I'm kind of talking out of my a$$ on the issue, but have done some reading.
I love the double standard here. The Arabs can mock and constantly degrade Judaism and Christianity, but if someone in Denmark even draws a cartoon of the prophet Mohammed, they have the right to kill that person? Am I missing something here? Does that sound rational? So much for the religion of peace. Until the Arabs clean up their own press when it comes to bashing the Jews and Christians, they have no ground to stand on in my book.
I love the double standard here. The Arabs can mock and constantly degrade Judaism and Christianity, but if someone in Denmark even draws a cartoon of the prophet Mohammed, they have the right to kill that person? Am I missing something here? Does that sound rational? So much for the religion of peace. Until the Arabs clean up their own press when it comes to bashing the Jews and Christians, they have no ground to stand on in my book.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Monday, February 06, 2006
Super Bowl Champions!
Congratulations Pittsburgh! I didn't want to jinx anything after the last few games, but this one was great! I've been waiting for our beloved Steelers to win the big one since that horrible day in 1995. After a shaky start, the Steelers rebounded and won the game. What a day indeed!
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Something funny happened on the way home...
Last night the family went to it's first sign language class and the real fun began on the ride home.
Kathy, being the responsible parent, told me to ask Gaby if she needed to use the bathroom before we left. It was already 7:30 pm and I made the executive decision not to ask Gaby since I thought even if she didn't have to go, she'd start thinking about it during the ride home and then ask to go even if she really didn't have to go. We loaded up the car and began driving home on the pitch black back roads of Newcastle with rain pouring down. Just after passing the Newcastle exit, Gaby informs us that she has to go potty. For the uninitiated, the longest stretch of nothing happens just after the Newcastle exit up to the Loomis exit. I sped up, took the first exit, and headed into what appeared to be a gas station. Unfortunately, the gas station was being built along with an office complex adjacent to it. Gaby really has to go now, so I tell her to jump out and just go here since it's deserted and dark. Mom and Gaby got out and Gaby proceeded to ask why she had to go in a parking lot then peed on her pants due to poor aiming. I rolled down the passenger window to see how it was going. Mom stripped off the soiled pants and put Gaby back in pants-less but relieved. Kathy got back in the car and began to roll up her window when it got stuck half way up. We had thought the window problem was due to heat since it only seemed to happen during the 95+ degree summer days. Obviously our diagnosis of the window problem was wrong. The drive home was straight out of a comedy with Kathy desperately holding a baby blanket over the half closed window with rain and cold wind pouring into the car, Gaby telling us she's cold, the heat cranked up to full blast to try and counter the open window. Too funny.
Kathy, being the responsible parent, told me to ask Gaby if she needed to use the bathroom before we left. It was already 7:30 pm and I made the executive decision not to ask Gaby since I thought even if she didn't have to go, she'd start thinking about it during the ride home and then ask to go even if she really didn't have to go. We loaded up the car and began driving home on the pitch black back roads of Newcastle with rain pouring down. Just after passing the Newcastle exit, Gaby informs us that she has to go potty. For the uninitiated, the longest stretch of nothing happens just after the Newcastle exit up to the Loomis exit. I sped up, took the first exit, and headed into what appeared to be a gas station. Unfortunately, the gas station was being built along with an office complex adjacent to it. Gaby really has to go now, so I tell her to jump out and just go here since it's deserted and dark. Mom and Gaby got out and Gaby proceeded to ask why she had to go in a parking lot then peed on her pants due to poor aiming. I rolled down the passenger window to see how it was going. Mom stripped off the soiled pants and put Gaby back in pants-less but relieved. Kathy got back in the car and began to roll up her window when it got stuck half way up. We had thought the window problem was due to heat since it only seemed to happen during the 95+ degree summer days. Obviously our diagnosis of the window problem was wrong. The drive home was straight out of a comedy with Kathy desperately holding a baby blanket over the half closed window with rain and cold wind pouring into the car, Gaby telling us she's cold, the heat cranked up to full blast to try and counter the open window. Too funny.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Movie review: Firefly (tv) disc one
5 stars! Loved it! The lead guy resembles Han Solo, only a little more ruthless. The plot is that the captain and first mate fought together in some intergalactic war and were on the losing side. They pieced together a crew of great personalities and in the first episode, the subject is closely tied to the movie, Serenity. After that, it's basically a serial adventure with bits of history woven into each episode. Great sci-fi series and I can't wait to get the next disc.
Congratulations Palestine!
What the hell? Palestine just held elections and voted for...drum roll please...Hamas (http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/01/26/D8FCGM987.html)! For those who don't know, the primary goal for Hamas is the destruction of Israel. Nice going there folks, at least it's all out in the open now. I'm not saying that Palestine was wonderful and peaceful before the election, but to openly endorse the destruction of Israel is a first. Give yourselves a pat on the back people.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Movie reviews: Equilibrium & Fantastic Four
My mother-in-law was kind enough to give our family a year's subscription to Netflix and I thought I'd blog my thoughts about the movies I rent.
Equilibrium - one star
This movie was recommended by my buddy Kev and he thought it was money. I couldn't disagree more after seeing this piece of crap. Great actors, Christian Bale & Taye Diggs, but a cheap Matrix ripoff with the dark lighting and post apocalyptic scenario done before in 1984 and The Handmaiden's Tale. Even the cool action scenes couldn't save this horror show.
Fantastic Four - two stars
Decent movie, but nothing to write home about. Cool CGI and action scenes - but not enough meat in the story. The acting is so-so and the Thing's voice is complete crap.
Equilibrium - one star
This movie was recommended by my buddy Kev and he thought it was money. I couldn't disagree more after seeing this piece of crap. Great actors, Christian Bale & Taye Diggs, but a cheap Matrix ripoff with the dark lighting and post apocalyptic scenario done before in 1984 and The Handmaiden's Tale. Even the cool action scenes couldn't save this horror show.
Fantastic Four - two stars
Decent movie, but nothing to write home about. Cool CGI and action scenes - but not enough meat in the story. The acting is so-so and the Thing's voice is complete crap.
OBL and the left
Wow is all I can say after reading the text from the Osama tape. How can anyone not infer from OBL's words that he's completely aligned with the left in this country? It almost sounds like Ted Kennedy sent over his talking points to OBL and he simply ran with them in this latest tape. It's patently obvious that the left's constant stream of cut and run is exactly what OBL wants. The fact that he even mentions a truce, yeah - I'm going to go ahead an not buy that one, shows how desperate he is and how we are winning the war over there. Great job OP: Iraqi Freedom and keep up the good work.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Republican corruption
I was saddened by the recent stories about the corruption surrounding Abermoff (sp) and his ilk. It's crazy that we all want the money out of politics, but it's not going to happen anytime soon. I hope the public throws out every congressman who did break the law no matter if they're in my party of choice or not. It's money that makes the wheels of government spin, but it also corrupts while spinning. I get mad at idiots who suggest that all political advertising should be paid for by the public. The idea sounds great a first, right? If the PACs can't fund the ads wouldn't that take money out of it? Yes and no. What would these people do in order to decide who can run? What if two million people want to run for Senator in California? Is there a Senator test they'll develop to see if candidates are qualified? Isn't that discrimination? I too hate all the money that fuels campaigns, but don't have any idea of how to remove it from the process.
I know I strayed from the topic at hand and I'm mad as hell at the folks from my party have given in to the dark side and hope they're given the stiffest penalties available and the party as a whole learns from their mistakes.
I know I strayed from the topic at hand and I'm mad as hell at the folks from my party have given in to the dark side and hope they're given the stiffest penalties available and the party as a whole learns from their mistakes.
More random crap...
I'm adding to the people I hate list: the genius who has more than 10 items, yet gets into the line anyway and gets one over on "the man". I so wish the clerk would count the items before checking them out to make sure they don't exceed the 10 item limit. Stuff like that chaps my hide.
And another thing, when you make a product that requires tools to install, how about listing them on the OUTSIDE OF THE BOX? It may just help folks like me to from making two trips just to put in your product.
If you like comedy and music, check out Roger Allen Wade's All Likkered Up. Classic stuff
And another thing, when you make a product that requires tools to install, how about listing them on the OUTSIDE OF THE BOX? It may just help folks like me to from making two trips just to put in your product.
If you like comedy and music, check out Roger Allen Wade's All Likkered Up. Classic stuff
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
transit strike in NY
Great stuff from Michelle Malkin:
Estimated daily cost of a strike to the city - $400,000,000
Average Salary for a Subway/Bus operator - $62,000
Starting Salary for a NYPD Police officer - $25,100
Trying to get support from a public that makes less money (on average), will get less salary increases (3.5% versus the TWU's request for 8%), and will have to work over a decade longer (TWU retires at 55)....while making them walk to work in 25 degree weather - Priceless
This just makes me sick. I work in the private sector and have NEVER seen an 8% raise based on nothing more than being there. Is this the liberal ideal of a "living wage" for all? If so, how about helping the cops first?
Estimated daily cost of a strike to the city - $400,000,000
Average Salary for a Subway/Bus operator - $62,000
Starting Salary for a NYPD Police officer - $25,100
Trying to get support from a public that makes less money (on average), will get less salary increases (3.5% versus the TWU's request for 8%), and will have to work over a decade longer (TWU retires at 55)....while making them walk to work in 25 degree weather - Priceless
This just makes me sick. I work in the private sector and have NEVER seen an 8% raise based on nothing more than being there. Is this the liberal ideal of a "living wage" for all? If so, how about helping the cops first?
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Federal Air Marshal shooting
I feel safer already. Yesterday, some guy stood up on a flight already on the tarmac and said he had a bomb. The Federal Air Marshals who were on the flight told him to get down, but when he didn't listen they shot and killed the man. When the man first got up and starting freaking out his wife was yelling that he was bipolar and didn't know what he was doing. I think the Air Marshals did a fabulous job taking the man down. I feel sorry for the wife, but if he was prone to outbursts like the one displayed yesterday, why wasn't the flight crew informed? Also, why is Katie Couric asking the if the Air Marshals could have just shot to wound instead of kill. According to Ms. Couric, normal people were wondering why they had to kill the man. I'm sorry, but if it's me on the plane and some guy jumps up and goes crazy, I want him put down and not simply wounded. What if the guy was a terrorist and really did have a bomb like he claimed? If only wounded, would he still be able to detonate the bomb? It's crap like this that makes me crazy. Also, from what I've heard, it's extremely hard to simply wound a person. The part of the Hollywood film where the star only wounds happens only in the movies Katie. When a person is identified as a terrorist threat, the officers shoot to kill and I'm glad they do so that people like you still have an opportunity to make an asshat out of yourself.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Price of oil?
Just about came out of my chair last night watching an A&E special on Clooney's new anti-American movie, Syriana. Couched as a documentary/promo, the piece dealt with the US and our dependence on oil and the mess in the middle east. What got me going was the main Arab character wants to make his country more democratic, but says that he needs the US to pay more for the oil. Next on was some ex-CIA punk was spouting off that Bin Laden suggested that the standard price for oil should be around $100 a barrel. The price should be higher, according to these Hollywood geniuses, because at the current price we are starving their countries. Now while I am no history or middle east expert, what about the money the Arab states spend on their personal palaces and other toys? Before just taking these idiots word on what they think the price should be, how about cutting back a little from the top? Have you seen some of the palaces these idiots have and the stuff they buy? I love most of Clooney's movies and will probably like Syriana as a movie, but don't confuse reality and fantasy boys. Stick to acting.
Friday, December 02, 2005
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