Even though I'm not into fast cars, and I turned down a chance for a free weekend pass, I figured it was obvious that I post something about the Grand Prix.
I'm close enough to hear the cars, but not so close that the city would put "Rick" and I up for the weekend in a hotel...a hotel that surely rivals our 100+ degrees sauna. All of the nearby restraunts have almost doubled their already lofty prices, and the traffic is ten times worse than normal.
I spent most of my weekend cleaning and then to see "Hustle and Flow." The movie had the same feel as "Boyz in the Hood," which I loved when it came out. Both movies have a lot of heart, but are realistic in their struggles. The old women behind kept me amused...they giggled at all of the dirty stuff like 12 year old girls. So, if you are in for a good gangsta/rap flick with fine acting, check it out.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Hard-up for news?
Jesus. With all the crap going on in the world this had to make headlines.
I was innocently watching the news this evening, wearing a skirt, tank-top and *gasp* flip-flop sandals, when news reporters began to question an award-winning high school lacrosse team about their choice of footwear while visiting "W."
Who gives a shit?
Sorry. I'm on a bit of a tear tonight.
I was innocently watching the news this evening, wearing a skirt, tank-top and *gasp* flip-flop sandals, when news reporters began to question an award-winning high school lacrosse team about their choice of footwear while visiting "W."
Who gives a shit?
Sorry. I'm on a bit of a tear tonight.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Yes...I have been a total child this past week, sue me. Between the new Harry Potter book and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", I have been living as a seven year old. But I love it.
My fella and I watched the flick at the IMAX at the Tech Museum of Innovation in downtown San Jose. I have seen short 30 minute nature films at the IMAX, but nothing that would constitute as a full feature-lengthed film. Nothing would prepare me for the motion sickness that followed me well into the night...but the movie was fun, and that's what I was going for.
I was very impressed with the visual effects of the film. Very bright and fun like the original, but updated, of coarse. The Oompa Loompa dances and songs were very funny, and the minor characters (Veruca Salt, Violet, etc...) were all very good. Johnny Depp was frickin' hilarious. I saw him as a Michael Jackson tribute with major social anxiety. The back story was an interesting touch, and Charlie...he was very pure. The way that Roald Dahl intended for him to be.
What surprised me most is the lesson that the movie taught about the importance of family. I don't recall that being in the original. There were so many references to drugs that the purity may have been washed right out of it, which made it the dark success that it was.
Some remakes, such as "Psycho" were too close to the original. I believe Gus Van Zant redid the movie shot by shot, which was a waste of time. I applaud "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" for giving us a new take on a story we all love.
By the way, my fella just told me he would like to be referred to as "Rick" during my postings. He's obsessed with that name.
Weirdo.
My fella and I watched the flick at the IMAX at the Tech Museum of Innovation in downtown San Jose. I have seen short 30 minute nature films at the IMAX, but nothing that would constitute as a full feature-lengthed film. Nothing would prepare me for the motion sickness that followed me well into the night...but the movie was fun, and that's what I was going for.
I was very impressed with the visual effects of the film. Very bright and fun like the original, but updated, of coarse. The Oompa Loompa dances and songs were very funny, and the minor characters (Veruca Salt, Violet, etc...) were all very good. Johnny Depp was frickin' hilarious. I saw him as a Michael Jackson tribute with major social anxiety. The back story was an interesting touch, and Charlie...he was very pure. The way that Roald Dahl intended for him to be.
What surprised me most is the lesson that the movie taught about the importance of family. I don't recall that being in the original. There were so many references to drugs that the purity may have been washed right out of it, which made it the dark success that it was.
Some remakes, such as "Psycho" were too close to the original. I believe Gus Van Zant redid the movie shot by shot, which was a waste of time. I applaud "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" for giving us a new take on a story we all love.
By the way, my fella just told me he would like to be referred to as "Rick" during my postings. He's obsessed with that name.
Weirdo.
Harry Potter
Many of you will attempt to avert your eyes if you have not read the book, so let me assure you right now: I will not give away anything of the plot in this post, but I must talk about my thoughts on Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, of which I consider to be J.K. Rowlings best book yet.
The read was very fast. I continue to be impressed with the ability Rowlings has to follow the students as they grow. They are 16 in this book and undertones of sex are apparent, as well as drinking. The kids have stronger vocabularies and more adult problems. The history of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was covered in a very clever way, and nothing will prepare you for the climax...which by the flow of the book, I really didn't think would ever happen.
The way the sixth installment ended, I am left of believe that there is a possibility of more than seven books in the series. It is clear that the sixth book feels more like Book 7, Part 1. But that's just my take.
Here are my favorites of the book in order:
1. Book 6
2. Book 3
3. Book 4
4. Book 1
5. Book 2
6. Book 5
Harry Potter frickin' ruless!!
The read was very fast. I continue to be impressed with the ability Rowlings has to follow the students as they grow. They are 16 in this book and undertones of sex are apparent, as well as drinking. The kids have stronger vocabularies and more adult problems. The history of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was covered in a very clever way, and nothing will prepare you for the climax...which by the flow of the book, I really didn't think would ever happen.
The way the sixth installment ended, I am left of believe that there is a possibility of more than seven books in the series. It is clear that the sixth book feels more like Book 7, Part 1. But that's just my take.
Here are my favorites of the book in order:
1. Book 6
2. Book 3
3. Book 4
4. Book 1
5. Book 2
6. Book 5
Harry Potter frickin' ruless!!
Sunday, July 03, 2005
War of the Worlds
As if I hadn't already seen enough of Tom Cruise on the news, I agreed to accompany my boyfriend to see the new "War of the Worlds." I wasn't surprised that I was disappointed. I knew what I was getting myself into.
I wish I had seen the original. And my fella said that it was more scientific ala X-Files if you will. I wasn't expecting anything of the sort. It's Stephen Speilberg. He hasn't made a movie that didn't depend or special fx and emotional manipulation since....since....well, I can't recall. I just have two letters for you: A. I. 'Nuff said.
Tom Cruise portrayed a one-dimensional dead-beat dad trying to save his kids. Dakota Fanning was your typical smart-ass-knows-everything-so-you-gotta-think-she's-cute-8 year-old. There was an entire scene where she chose take-out from a health food store. What 8 year old eats hummus and pita bread on purpose? Of coarse, this was before the world went to the shit-can.
It just seems that the only movies out there right now are rehashes of old TV shows or old movies. I must admit, I want to see "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." And I'm dragging my fella there for payback. And we will be seeing it at the IMAX. I just hope it's not as much torture as the crap-ass alien flick I sat through today.
I wish I had seen the original. And my fella said that it was more scientific ala X-Files if you will. I wasn't expecting anything of the sort. It's Stephen Speilberg. He hasn't made a movie that didn't depend or special fx and emotional manipulation since....since....well, I can't recall. I just have two letters for you: A. I. 'Nuff said.
Tom Cruise portrayed a one-dimensional dead-beat dad trying to save his kids. Dakota Fanning was your typical smart-ass-knows-everything-so-you-gotta-think-she's-cute-8 year-old. There was an entire scene where she chose take-out from a health food store. What 8 year old eats hummus and pita bread on purpose? Of coarse, this was before the world went to the shit-can.
It just seems that the only movies out there right now are rehashes of old TV shows or old movies. I must admit, I want to see "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." And I'm dragging my fella there for payback. And we will be seeing it at the IMAX. I just hope it's not as much torture as the crap-ass alien flick I sat through today.
Friday, July 01, 2005
Jumping the Shark
The term "Jumping the Shark" comes from the infamous "Happy Days" episode where Fonzi jumps over a shark while skiing. The phrase is still used to highlight when television series take a turn for the worst.
My fella and I went to Best Buy tonight to take advantage of our reward zone points, and I bought the third season of "All in the Family" vol. 3 for $1.06. On the car ride home, we started discussing when the series jumped the shark. I think that it falls somewhere in between Gloria and Mike leaving and when Archie buys the bar. I can't remember which one comes first.
We then went on to discuss other popular/horrible sitcoms from our childhood. Like, "Family Matters." Anyone remember when Urkel's alter-ego is introduced and he gets the girl? "Saved by the Bell" jumped during the college years. And then there was "My Two Dads" that jumped on the first episode. BOOO!!!
Some series stop while they are ahead. I believe that "Sex and the City" was one of those shows. It didn't go on long enough to go stale and they didn't do anything too inconsistant to push it in a strange direction. I think that it was a blessing that Kim Catrall hated Sarah Jessica Parker enough not to make the movie. It would have lost what the finale gave us in my opinion.
Check out www.jumptheshark.com . You can find any t.v. show under the moon. It's very interesting what people believe ruined their favorite shows or made other shows bomb. Let me know what you think.
My fella and I went to Best Buy tonight to take advantage of our reward zone points, and I bought the third season of "All in the Family" vol. 3 for $1.06. On the car ride home, we started discussing when the series jumped the shark. I think that it falls somewhere in between Gloria and Mike leaving and when Archie buys the bar. I can't remember which one comes first.
We then went on to discuss other popular/horrible sitcoms from our childhood. Like, "Family Matters." Anyone remember when Urkel's alter-ego is introduced and he gets the girl? "Saved by the Bell" jumped during the college years. And then there was "My Two Dads" that jumped on the first episode. BOOO!!!
Some series stop while they are ahead. I believe that "Sex and the City" was one of those shows. It didn't go on long enough to go stale and they didn't do anything too inconsistant to push it in a strange direction. I think that it was a blessing that Kim Catrall hated Sarah Jessica Parker enough not to make the movie. It would have lost what the finale gave us in my opinion.
Check out www.jumptheshark.com . You can find any t.v. show under the moon. It's very interesting what people believe ruined their favorite shows or made other shows bomb. Let me know what you think.
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