Calvin and Hobbes

Happy Tanksgiving!!!

Casino Royale

I am a huge bond fan. Of course no one can out class Sean Connery, but I did think that Pierce Brosnan was the best looking bond and I loved his films.

I was disheartened when the franchise decided not to continue with Pierce, and I did not like the looks of the new guy, Daniel Craig.


However, a bond film is a bond film, and I was willing to give Craig a shot. While I still don't agree with his looks, or even his on screen charm as a perfect bond, he did an excellent job with the role. Casino Royale captured the style and feel of a some of the Connery films and yet added its own fresh style at the same time. We see the smooth, elegant, charming Bond, but at the same time a rough on the edge, sometimes out of control Bond as he learns the ropes (sometimes painfully) as a super secret agent.

The film had a great story, and thankfully the arch villan was not over the top and there was even a twist or two in the plot. And even no "over the top" stunts we have seen in recent bond films. They kept it simple, and I liked it.

This is a MUST see! Check it out or be eliminated!

Flags of Our Fathers

Shouldn't the title be FLAG of our fathers? I mean the movie is about the men that planted the FLAG in the famous picture taken in Iwo Jima. Although in the movie we learn that it was the second flag being planted on the hill that got in the picture. So maybe that explains the plural of the word flag in the title.

It was a good story, about the lives of the men that planted that flag, but the film was no Saving Private Ryan. Check it out!

If mankind completely disappeared...

It's Scorsese, so it's violent and vulgar, but excellent performances by Nicholson, DiCaprio,
and Damon. Even Mark Wahlberg steals the show as a stereotypical hard-ass police sergeant.

You'll wonder who the good guys are and who the bad guys are in this cop and robber thrill ride with a surprise ending.


Plenty of dead bodies and a steamy love scene.
Check it out now! Go on...do it!!

"We're all on our way out...so act accordingly!"
-Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson)

Talladega Nights

Over the top stupit humor!!!

What else did you expect??

White & Nerdy

Music video by "Weird Al" Yankovic from the album "Straight Outta Lynwood"

Miami Vice

I loved Miami Vice! Great nod to the TV show I watched growing up. Collin Ferrel is not as cool as Don Johnson was, but he did a good job.

The film has lots of action, guns, and girlfriends. A complex story of drugs and kidnapping. I didn't care for Barry Henley's Lt. Castillo
(Crockett and Tubbs boss), he played the jazz club owner in director Michael Mann's earlier film, Collateral.

The movie dragged a little in a few spots, and it's not a must see on the big screen, but overall I really enjoyed it! Check it out!

Clerks II

Vulgar. Porno humor. Inter-species Erotica?

But like a bad train wreck you can't look away. You have to watch just to see what they will say or do next.

If you liked Clerks I then most likely you'll cheer this encore presentation of your favorite losers.

I'd just rent it when it comes out on DVD and make sure the kids are away at camp.

POTC2 - Dead Man's Chest

Your favorite pirates arrrrgh back in the second installment of Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest. This film is pretty much more of the same. Pithy comments from CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), sea battles, daring sword fights, and scary villains.

This time rather than a ghostly crew of skeletons, its half-man half-seacreature bad guys, and a giant squid that eats ships. If you liked the first one, then you must catch its sequel even if it runs a bit long and has a cliff hanger ending that sets up for the third film in the trilogy.

Set sail for the theater and check it out!!

Superman Returns

The man of steel is back! This film borrows a lot from the original Superman movie with Christopher Reeves. Borrows a lot of lines. One thing noticeably missing is Lex Luthor's dufus toady, played by Ned Beatty. In the new movie, lex's thugs are all business, mean and nasty.

As to new comer, Brandon Routh, I have to say I liked Christopher Reeves 'Clark Kent' better. I thought Reeves was much funnier. On the other hand, Routh makes an excellent Superman.
The film goes a bit long. Seems Hollywood is making them that way ever since that little Lord of the Rings Trilogy. But overall I enjoyed the film. If you are a superhero fan... then fly faster than a speeding bullet and check out the return of Superman!

DVD Tuesday

Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear star in this movie about the friendship between a professional hit man and a down-on-his-luck businessman.

Julian Noble (Brosnan) is an aging hit man who gets blue when he realizes he has no friends and no home. In a Mexico City hotel bar, he meets Danny Wright (Kinnear), who's there trying to put together some kind of business deal. Later, Julian shows up at the Wright home in Denver and moves in with Danny and his wife, who can't help being fascinated by their strange guest.

Buy it for your Pierce Brosnan collection!

CARS

Excellent animated film! A little long for the three-year old department, but kids age 7 to 70 will love it.

Larry the Cableguy should give up on the bigscreen dreams and stick to stand-up and voice overs.

Race to the movies and check this one out!!

PS - Stay for the credits!

DVD Tuesday

If you liked Numbah one then you'll like Underworld Evolution. It's more of the same. The story continues where the last one left off.

More fight scenes, more ded bodies, and a nekkid Kate Beckinsale.
Check it out!







Firewall was pretty good. Harrison is getting too old for this. (So am I). It was a predictable thriller, but fun for a night of movies at home and a bowl of Kettle Corn.

Check it out!!

Movie Friday

Friday was a double feature for me! First I watched the new X-Men The Last Stand. The humans, or Homo-sapiens as the mutants like to call them, have developed a "cure" for the mutant-X gene. In other words, it turns mutants into humans.

This of course doesn't set well with the mutant community and a war begins to brew, especially when the humans weaponize the "cure."

If you liked X-men one and two, then you will want to check out the final chapter of the trilogy.

But in my opinion, the first two movies were better. Maybe because this one had a different director. The film seem to never quite "take-off." It had a lot of potential but fizzled at points. Ian McKellan as Magneto and Patrick Stewart as the professor are of course always a pleasure to watch. They always raise the bar for any character they play.

Next I saw Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. I had not read the book. I have read Angels and Demons, which most people say was better. Some were saying that if you had not read the book, you might be lost during the movie. I did not find this to be the case for myself. I followed along quite well and enjoyed the movie. I think it is a great fictional story.

Some critics say it's not Tom Hanks Best film, but I don't think it was supposed to be, He didn't have any over the top dramatic scenes, and he wasn't supposed to be funny either. He was playing an academic and I think he did a great job. For the second time today I got to see Ian McKellan in a different role as a philanthropist in search of the true Holy Grail.

I don't give both flicks a must see, but if you are an X-Men fan or a Dan Brown fan, check them out!

Movie Friday

Poseidon was a disaster. A disaster movie! It was A lot like the original. Same kind of feel, different character's though, younger perhaps. They tried to give the characters some depth, but I wasn't buying what they were trying to sell.

Even so, the thought of a huge cruise ship tumbling over on the ocean and people fighting for their lives, was still thrilling enough to keep my attention.

The ending of course was piled high with over the top suspense, but would else would I expect??

It was worth a matinee, but don't make it an all out night at the movies. Take the kids to see Over the Hedge instead. That looks hilarious!!

Movie Friday

Mission Impossible Three was awesome! I may have even liked it better than the first one. Great story, excellent bad guys and plot twists, and non-stop action from start to finish. I didn't want the movie to end. I give it a must see!

Check it out!

DVD Tuesday

I am looking forward to the remake, Poseidon, starring Josh Lucas and Kurt Russell. Check out the 1972 version on DVD!

MI:III

Tom Cruise is in theaters this weekend with Mission Impossible 3.
I couldn't make it, as my youngest carpet crawler was sick.

I hope to check it out next week!

DVD Tuesday

Aeon Flux is a mysterious assassin working for the Monicans, a group of rebels trying to overthrow the government. When she is a sent on a mission to kill the "chairman" a whole new mystery is found..

The sci-fi actioner is set 400 years in the future, when disease has wiped out the majority of the earth's population except for one walled, protected city-state, Bregna, ruled by a congress of scientists. The story centers on Aeon Flux(Theron), the top operative in the underground 'Monican' rebellion, led by The Handler(Frances McDormand). When Aeon is sent on a mission to kill a government leader, she uncovers a world of secrets...

It's worth a rental. Check it out!

Movie Friday

Friday I saw The Sentinel. Starring Kiefer Sutherland, Michael Douglas, and Eva Longoria. The secret service learns they have a mole. After an agent is murdered, David Breckinridge (Sutherland) suspects that his former mentor Pete Garrison (Douglas), is involved in the murder and a plot to assassinate the president. Jill Morin (Longoria) is a new recruit that joins Breckenridge in the hunt for Garrsion.

The movie is based on the novel by former secret service agent, Gerald Petievich (sounds Russian doesn't it?) so you can believe the secret service protocols have an authentic air about them.

The movie plods along slowly as the plot unfolds, and Douglas' character gets caught in the middle of everything. There seemed to be some BAD editing as scenes switched rapidly with no transitions. But the end of the film was exciting and filled with action. Overall it wasn't a bad film and I liked it. Of course I am a fan of Sutherland and his hit series 24. And his character in the movie isn't much different from Jack Bauer except that he doesn't torture anyone or defy orders.

Check it out!

Movie Friday

Plenty of sex scenes and dead bodies. Should I stop right there and give this movie, Lucky Number Sleven, a must check it out?

I would except that at first I didn't think I was going to like the movie. It started out weird and got weirder. Plus the director was using stuttered shots, like you might see in a horror film when a zombie is coming down the hall at you. First the zombie is far away, then the screen flashes black and suddenly the zombie is halfway down the hall, screen flashes again and boom the zombie is right next to ya!

Then the next thing that seemed hokey to me for lack of a better term was the two kingpin mob bosses. The "Boss" played by Morgan Freeman, and the "Rabi" played by sir Ben Kingsley. These guys for the past twenty years have been bitter rival gangster lords. Each locked in a highrise tower in New York....across the street from each other. Add to that the goofy goons that work for them and I was wondering what had I gotten myself into. And what's with the freaky wallpaper!!???!?

But alas! I found, at least the rest of the cast, Bruce Willis, who plays Goodcat the assassin, Josh Hartnett as Sleven, and Lucy Lui, as Sleven's love interest were quit brilliant. Add to that, the story unfolds ever so slowly and comes together ever so nicely and the horror flick tricks go away (I think) such that I found myself really enjoying the film and didn't want it to end.

It's a story of mistaken identity, (is it?), revenge, (but whose?), and love, (but lost?). Well I haven't told you much about the film, but I can tell you it is indeed a MUST check it out!

Please place your trays in the up right position and head to the theater now.

Movie Quote

Life is not about the amount of breaths you take; it’s about the amount of moments that take your breath away.

-Hitch

DVD Tuesday

Stunning visuals, facinating characters, and a solid epic story. Welcome to Narnia.

Four kids enter the timeless world of Narnia through the door of a wardrobe piece of furniture while playing hide-and-seek. And what a world it is. There are talking animals, dwarfs, giants, beasts, centaurs, and indescribable half-human combinations. And, in this world of Narnia there is a titanic struggle between the White Witch and her evil army and the good lion Aslan and his noble army.

It's an inspiring film for adults and young children.
Check it out!

From Mom

On Wednesday of next week, at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be: 01:02:03 04/05/06

That won't ever happen again.

You may now return to your (normal ?) life.

Do not go gentle into that good night

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas, 1951 or 1952

DVD Tuesday

They didn't monkey around with this DVD. It is filled with bonus material!

Plus it is a pretty decent film!

Check it out.

Movie Friday

Whilst getting my brakes checked at the mall, I stopped in the local theater to see Inside Man. The new Denzel Washington movie. Or is it the new Clive Owen movie? Or wait! The new Jodie Foster movie? I'm so confused. And not just because of the cast.

The plot was long and boring. It is a movie about a bank robbery, but don't worry because no money was taken. (Except for mine at the ticket window!). In fact its a movie about nothing. Because nothing happens! I kept waiting for suspense. Not there. Drama! Not there. Clever plot? Nope.

There are no dead bodies and no sex scene. Boring. Oh sure there's a few times you wonder where the mysterious plot is going, and there are a few pithy lines and scenes that make you crack a smile or two, and a tidy happy wrap up at the end, but not enough to save this bore fest.

I had hoped for a thrilling cat and mouse game between Clive Owen's character, Dalton Russel and Denzel as Detective Keith Frazier (That's Frazier with a Z), reminiscent of the banter between Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman as the terrorist/thief Hans Gruber in Die Hard.

Instead I got something as exiting as watching paint dry. Clive's character pulls the wool over Denzels eyes the whole movie even to the end, which is surprising since its a Spike Lee (Malcom X) movie.

Whatever you do, DO NOT check out this movie.

Who needs a Cashier?

Pick Taco Bell or KFC, place your order, swipe your card, and viola after a few minutes a tray appears on the counter with your order.

It's like Star Trek where they would say "Chicken Soup" and it would magically appear.

New kiosks are appearng that replace the cashier. Check it out.

Hallsdale-Powell Utility District

I try to keep my blog lite. Funny and trivially informative. I try to steer clear of religion, politics, and social issues. They are boring for the most part anyway. I am not saying they are not important or relevant because they are important and relevant to us all. The discussion of such issues is what I generally find boring and there are plenty of better forums for those issues than my blog.

However today whilst paying the bills, I noticed something that has me incensed and I must speak to it if for no other reason than to vent my anger and rant. First let me say that I have never not paid a bill owed by me. I have never incurred a late fee of any kind. (no not even at Blockbuster!) Nor have I ever bounced a check, or reported any fraudulent information on my taxes. I always pay off my loans ahead of schedule. Not that I am without sin, I seem to be signing my checks with a pen that somehow managed to migrate from the desk at my office to my desk at home. And if I fall to hard times and get laid off from my current job, I may indeed begin to bounce checks left and right and perhaps fall behind on payments, but for now I remain ever diligent toward my responsibilities and obligations.

Do I say all this to boast? To brag? To insinuate that I am somehow better than those who open new credit card accounts to pay off old ones? Not at all, I simply build the case that I am a responsible and contributing member of society and that I pay what I owe when I owe it.

It is because of this that I find myself vilified by the company in charge of supplying fresh, crisp, sparkling clean H2O to my place of residence. I was preparing to pay them this month's accord, a sum of thirty-four American dollars and twenty-six cents. An average water bill by any account and finding no fault in their service am happy to pay it. It was then I noticed something I had not realized they added this year. This year they redesigned their bill as companies oft do in an effort to make it more readable for their CUSTOMERS.

I saw the usual late fee penalty listed there for your convenience. While this alone is a bit stand-offish and causes my nose to crinkle I can understand having a system that encourages prompt payment. (apparently this was not enough incentive do read on). Currently were my check to reach their coffers on April 2, rather than the due date of April 1, I would be assessed a penalty of three American dollars and forty-three cents. Bringing my total bill to thirty seven dollars and sixty-nine cents. A sum I plan not to pay as my check should arrive on time if any faith can be placed in the United States Postal Service.

Then I noticed a new item that I had missed on the previous two bills. An item listed as the DISCONNECT DATE. Yes, if the earth rotates six times and I have failed to send them any form of acceptable payment Hallsdale-Powell Utility District will promptly and without further notice, shut off my water! No showers, no flushing toilets, no baths for my children, much less their Koolaide. No candle lit bubble baths for hiding from aforementioned offspring while reading David Baldacci's Split Second and listening to Antonio Vivaldi!

These callous Mafia wannabees have the audacity to assess a service charge of forty bucks (yes I said bucks) on the day they chose to cut you off from the life giving agua. A fee that must be paid in addition to the bill in question that allegedly hasn't been paid. And don't forget the almighty late fee that would surely be applied to a delinquent account. Extortionists!

I am certainly not naive enough not to know there are plenty of people "out there" that when facing the decision to buy crack, methane, another month of Everquest, a Bud Light, or pay the water bill, they often chose from the former list. These people have the right to chose their fates and in these cases I cannot fault the Utility for being harsh.

What infuriates me however, is that Hallsdale-Powell would just simply place me on equal footing with them. (Didn't I say earlier in the post that I wasn't saying I was better than those who can't seem to pay on time? I lied). I pay my bills every month on time and in full! I deserve some respect as a paying customer. The only way they can get by with running their company like a Nazi concentration camp (yes it really happened President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, you moron) is that I have no choice in whom I get my water from. Short of digging a well in my back yard, they are the only supplier of liquid life to my house. My only hope is that the city will annex my neighborhood and I can pay KUB for my drinking water and not have to give another penny to the tyrants. There is no disconnect date on KUB's water bill.

What happens if I go off for a two week or like my boss, a month's vacation. The day I leave the bill arrives and is buried in a stack of papers and bills which I try to attend to promptly on my return but due to circumstances beyond my control, gasp and horror, I miss the disconnect date by an hour and four minutes! What if there's a death in the family? What if I, the chief accountant and payer of all things labeled bill (who came up with that term btw?), die? What if there's a wedding? My lord and heaven forbid what if the unthinkable happens and the bill is....LOST in the MAIL?!?!?!?!

Well they have a little fine print to address that as well. And I quote: "Failure to receive a bill will not release customer from payment obligation." Aren't these compassionate and charming people? If once in my entire and impeccable business affairs with this company, I am overly tardy in my remittance will they kindly pick up the phone as to inquire as to the state of my affairs? NO. Will they perhaps send a small note as to remind me that my account has fallen past due and that I should take corrective action so as to not experience any disruption in my service? Not a chance. I will simply wake up, have my morning constitution, not noticing it has failed to submerge to the sewers below, turn on the shower and watch in wonder as it belches out a cold last breath. At that moment I will scratch my head in puzzlement, and then realization will slowly creep over me at the same rate the stench from my toilet crawls up my nose.

"If bill is not paid on or before due date, your service is subject to disconnection without further notice."

Book I'm Reading

She had that essential trait of a polished killer: she possessed no conscience.

-Split Second

Movie Friday

V is for Vantastic. My friend and I chose V for Vendetta for our Friday afternoon distraction. Starring Natalie Portman and some guy that wears a fawkes mask the entire film.

The film is based on the graphic novel of the same name – V for Vendetta first appeared in Warrior, an independent monthly comic magazine published in 1981, quickly capturing a cult following.

Vendetta is set slightly in the future, where modern day London is still very recognizable.

It was a strong film, filled with figurative "V" symbolism (Sesame Street would be proud). Even though "V" is a terrorist, he is railing against an oppressive government that seeks to stamp out the fears of its people by controlling them. It uses the fear of counter culture (ala the Wachowskis bros.), disease like bird flu and bio terror, and of course everyone's favorite WAR.

Natalie Portman has come along way since Star Wars, she does an excellent job portraying a confused and scared girl trying to decide if she should side with the terrorist/hero "V" or run away from it all.

As for "V" he has a couple of dazzling fight scenes with big flashing knives, but the best part of his character is his high brow intellectual dialogue and taste in music. His opening scene is a soliloquy where he nearly uses every word in the dictionary that begins with the letter V. (Grover would be very proud). V is on a very personal mission to wreak vengeance on those who imprisoned and tortured him, and in doing so, created a monster

Although I rolled my eyes at the social issues the film tried to cram down my throat and at the premise that people would follow the inane dictates of a government like sheep, the story and characters were compelling enough to keep my interest. You should rush directly to the theater, pass Ultraviolet, and go see the letter "V"! Check it out.

DVD Tuesday

What's Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) been up to since Lord of the Rings? Well ridding a horse through the desert in Hildalgo, and now smashing up and shooting bad guys like Chuck Norris in A History of Violence.

Viggo plays mild mannered Tom Stall. A friendly restaurant owner in a small town. Some bad guys roll into town and into Tom's coffee shop. When they threaten violence on his patrons, Tom takes them out. The story gets national attention and before long organized crime comes to the small own looking for Tom. Is it mistaken identity or is Tom's past coming back to haunt him?

Viggo of course makes a great hero, but I was surprised by the casting of the bad guys, Ed Harris plays a mob strong man with an over the top scar on his face. The ultimate bad guy is played by the soft spoken William Hurt. Hurting for parts these days Bill? (pun intended).

Despite miscast bad guys and a fairly predictable ending, the story is strong and keeps you guessing. I enjoyed watching Viggo in a new role and I hope he will continue to be successful. Check out A History of Violence!

Ghost Recon

No movie for me today. I picked up a new XBOX 360 game: Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter. So I played that. If you saw the new CBS show, The Unit, that is what Ghost Recon is like. The Unit is a good show by the way.

Look Out Google!

There is a new kid on the block. Windows released their new search engine for testing today.

It has a new interface and you can do some customization of the start page if you like.

Will it change the way we search the web?

You tell me, check it out.

Windows Live

DVD Tuesday

Welcome to the SUCK. Being in the army may suck, but Jarhead doesn't. Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Foxx give stellar performances.

But this isn't your typical war flick with lots of killing and explosions. It's more about the life of a grunt during Operation Desert Sheild.

You'll love it. Scouts honor. Check it out!

Movie Friday

Ultraviolet. "Park it right here! Don't make me say it again!" - Violet. She learns the rules of parenting rather quickly as she takes a child under her protection. The child carries a virus that has the potential to wipe out the human race in this near future film.

Like Aeon Flux, two factions are fighting for ultimate control of the planet and Ultraviolet and her ultra-violent arsenal of weapons stands in the way of both sides.

With a dizzying body count that increases exponentially and mind boggling computer graphics, the movie is a series of unimaginative fight scenes with pauses of introspection by Violet as she tries to sort out what her life is and means. I agree with the opening statement she makes. "Mine is a world you may not understand." I barely understood the film. Is a hot chick, Milla Jovoich, and lots of butt kicking worth the $5.50? Maybe, but I should have seen 16 Blocks.

MUST HAVE!

How cool is this? Inflatable Screen Pro 28165. The viewing screen size is 28' wide by 16.5' high (16:9 widescreen format) . The Inflatable frame places the screen 5 feet high off the ground.This is the optimum size for an Outdoor Theater Setup. This summer I will have a Lord of the Rings Trilogy Marathon...In my backyard! You can find these godzilla sized screens on ebay for 5-12 grand. Won't the neighbors love me!

DVD Tuesday

I did not see these two films at the theater. (Shame on me) I heard the story of John Cash was good, but I haven't heard much about the John Cusack Movie. (Notice how the J.C. and J.C. theme is going there) Maybe I can check them out on Pay Per View.

Think Pink

Ryan has been begging me to take him to see the Pink Panther. So I took him today. I am a huge fan of the original Peter Sellers films and I don't think anyone could replace him. Steve Martin comes close though.

He does a decent job but it doesn't come off as naturally as it did for Sellers. The new film has its moments and Ryan cracked up several times. (ok I did too).

Clive Owen makes a cameo as secret agent 006. I don't know what that was all about.

One thing missing from the new movie was Kato, Inspector Clouseau's martial arts-crazy manservant. They try to include a similar relationship in the new movie with Jean Reno as Martin's partner, but they fail at recreating the chemistry that the original Sellers and Kato had.

Overall it was a fun flick, check it out when it come out on DVD.

DVR Friday

No movie today, I decided it would be more fun to lie on the couch and DIE from the flu.

Weakly my hand reached out to the floor for the silver remote where it was resting, waiting to be crushed underfoot by a six year old or an almost three year old who had knocked it off the end table in the first place.

Teasingly my finger tips brushed the rubberized buttons as I tried desperately to use my Jedi Powers to will the controller into my hand. I gave up and lay there moaning. With great effort I sat up and shuffled over to the remote.

I pulled up the menu to my DVR (Digital Video Recorder) and selected the next episode of Battlestar Galactica season 2.0 (They don't just call it season two, cause 2.0 turns geeks like me on). The episode, "Black Market", starts out showing a tense scene between Lee Adama a.k.a. Apollo and the current leader of the fleet's black market, who happens to be... black. Coincidence?

It's actor Bill Duke, who I haven't seen since he played Sergeant 'Mac' Eliot in Predator. He looks exactly the same. Talks the same too. Then the scene fades to black and the words "48 Hours Earlier" pop up. This is a neat dramatic effect shows and movies use to show you what took place leading up to this tense scene we just saw. It's a great effect, if you only do it ONCE per season. They had just done the same thing two episodes ago. Come on writers if you use a theatrical effect like that, don't over use it! And yes more than once a season is over use. It makes me roll my eyes and say, "boring," "been there done that," and makes the effect trite. IMHO (In my humble opinion).

Anyways, I forgive them, the episode rocked. Check it out.

Now Why Didn't I Think of That?

For you single ladies out there....Well and you skinny male nerds too. Here's a handy night table to keep by the bed. Just swipe the alarm clock on to the floor and start wailing on your assailant or potential date raper (that goes for you skinny nerds too).

Kidz are Always in Season!

Happy President's Day

Don't draw any caricatures of my U.S. Presidents or I will burn down a 7-eleven! I mean it!

Movie Friday

I didn't make it to the movies this Friday. But my son did. He went with a friend to see Yours, Mine, Ours. So I decided to let him review it.

Dad: So did you like the movie?
Son: Yes.

Dad: Was it funny?
Son: Very funny!

Dad: Would I like it?
Son: No.

Dad: Why not?
Son: Nobody gets blown up or killed.

Dad: Oh. So was it basically a rip off of Cheaper by the Dozen?
Son: No! It was a remake of the 1968 movie of the same name starring Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda. Cheaper by the Dozen is a remake of the 1950 movie of the same name starring Clifton Webb and Jeanne Crain. As far as I know, Cheaper by the Dozen 2 is not a remake.

Dad: Oh. Thanks for clearing that up. What was your favorite part?
Son: <Insert long story about some fat kid>

Dad: So do you recommend seeing it?
Son: Check it out at your local dollar theater!

Would You Like Ice With Those Fries?

Whats dirtier than Wayne Gretzky's wife? Click here.

DVD Tuesday

Have you saw it? I heard SAW was a great horror flick.
I'm not sure how the sequel stacks up. I used to be a big
horror flick fan ever since Halloween. But in my mid-life I have cooled on the scream-jerk-and wet your pants flicks. I think the last one I "saw" was House of Wax.

Movie Friday

Was it a predictable plot? Yes. With a predictable "everyone lives happily ever after" ending? Yes. Was it Harrison Ford kicking butt even though he's old enough to be your grandfather? Yes. Did I like the film? Heck yeah!

I Love Harrison. Good ole Han Solo, good ole Indiana Jones. He has not lost his charm or his everyday man's hero appeal. The film sets just the right amount of suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat as you try to figure out how Computer security specialist Jack Stanfield (HARRISON FORD) is going to get out of the next jam and save his family that is being held hostage by a pompous British wanker.

Two thumbs up, check it out!

Survivor Panama

Catch Tennessee girl Melinda Hyder on Survivor12. She lives in Sevierville, TN which is just up the road from Knoxville.

Hyder graduated with honors in music and math from Elizabethton High School. She then attended East Tennessee State University in Johnson City on a full vocal scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. While in college, she performed with the music groups 10BucsWorth, Chorale and Women's Ensemble.

After college, Hyder entertained at Six Flags over Georgia for two years. She then toured Europe while performing on a cruise ship. She also spent six years performing at Dollywood (often times with Dolly Parton). In addition, she has worked as a real estate agent, private vocal coach, dance instructor, pageant coach and model.

Go Melinda! We are pullin for ya!

DVD Tuesday

Don't be DOOMED! I love action and high body counts as much as the next guy, but this one really stunk. I was a huge fan of the game DOOM, but the movie left much to be desired. I hate to say it, but since it's February, I have to recommend you pick up...*Gasp* a chick flick! Just Like Heaven is a great Valentine's gift for your girl. And it at least has one dead body. So check it out!

Your Own Fantasy Island

Can't afford your own Island?

Then MAKE one!

It looks like an island, it feels like an island, it has the beautiful vegetation of a tropical island but it just happens to be made of spiraling pop bottles. See it here.

DVD Thursday?

I didn't forget DVD Tuesday, I was just too busy to post!

The Legend of Zorro does something that sequels rarely do. It lives up to its expectations!

This was a fun follow up to The Mask of Zorro. If your a Zorro, Zeta, or Antonio fan, add this one to your collection.

Quote

"Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar.”

Pay Back

A 503kg bull named Pajarito - "Little Birdy" - flew into the stands during a Mexico City bullfight, injuring several spectators before it was killed.

Television images showed the bull jumping from the ring into the stands, landing on spectators who tried to scatter as the animal roared through the aisles.

Talk about having to grab the bull by the horns!

Like...Totally Tubular Dood!

Jim took Ryan and I and Ryan's cousin and his dad to Tony's Tube World today! It was a blast snow tubing in 55 degree weather. For 20 bucks you get an hour and a half on the slopes.














They have a conveyor belt on the left side that lets you ride back to the top. It's a life saver.
An hour and a half drive from Knoxville, its located in Maggie Valley North Carolina. It's worth the trip.