Now I am usually not a fan of the one hour episodes of The Office, but the premier episode was frickin' hilarious. the new HR woman played by Amy Adams is a great addition, much funnier than Toby. Kelly's solution to losing wwight was about as obssesive as you can get, and yet too true...this does happen!
So much good stuff. Dwight leaving Phyliss to walk back 5 miles to get her to lose weight. New HR girl thinking Kevin is retarded, and getting caught at it. Andy and Angela's wedding plans, and his accapella group that must sing at the wedding reception or it is a "deal breaker."
The Office is best showing some restraint with Michael and Dwight, and this episode did it perfectly. And of course Jim and Pam...Pam's video call to Jim, where Michael takes the laptop all around the office...great piece of writing. And of course Jim's proposal...quite unexpected right then.
All that, and Ryan is back!
Monday, September 29, 2008
TV 2008 Season Premiers- My Name is Earl
Last year My Name is Earl tried something different, and many people did not like it. Instead of concentrating on his list, Earl landed in prison and then a coma.
Well, I know what the writer's were trying to do, break out of the box they had constructed for themselves by making each and every episode about an item on his list. While what they did was not as popular, I am glad they did it. And broke the cycle, and I think it will pay off dividends. I think it already is, with the season premier.
We saw two episodes on Thursday night, and the first was again about Earl's list. A funny episode guest starring Seth Green. The opening was hilarious as Joy was making her kids Make A Wish t-shirts so they could get in free places.
But the second episode was good because it left the list again, and no one made a fuss about it. It was about Earl finding out his mom had an affair years ago, with a next door neighbor. No righting of a wrong he had done. But it still had a moral, and it still was vintage Earl. And I think that was the big benefit from what they did last season, it freed them up to make some shows about the list and others about Earl's life. I hope it will pay off even more this year.
The show also has hotties Jamie Presley and Nadine Valazquez which makes it very watchable.
Well, I know what the writer's were trying to do, break out of the box they had constructed for themselves by making each and every episode about an item on his list. While what they did was not as popular, I am glad they did it. And broke the cycle, and I think it will pay off dividends. I think it already is, with the season premier.
We saw two episodes on Thursday night, and the first was again about Earl's list. A funny episode guest starring Seth Green. The opening was hilarious as Joy was making her kids Make A Wish t-shirts so they could get in free places.
But the second episode was good because it left the list again, and no one made a fuss about it. It was about Earl finding out his mom had an affair years ago, with a next door neighbor. No righting of a wrong he had done. But it still had a moral, and it still was vintage Earl. And I think that was the big benefit from what they did last season, it freed them up to make some shows about the list and others about Earl's life. I hope it will pay off even more this year.
The show also has hotties Jamie Presley and Nadine Valazquez which makes it very watchable.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
TV Season Premiers 2008- Lipstick Jungle
Lipstick Jungle was a midseason replacement last year, and even got cut short at that by the writer's strike. It is a girlie show, I'll admit. But I don't mind that (loved Sex And the City), as long as it is done well. And while Lipstick Jungle is NO SATC, it is fairly intriguing.
When it debuted last year it was going against another similarly themed show called Cashmere Jungle, which was not good at all. And Lipstick took a few episodes to find its footing. But once it did, I was in.
Starring Brooke Shields, Kim Raver and Lindsey Price, this is guilty fun. The three high powered women must face family, career and friendship pressures, and somehow come out friends.
Brooke's character,Wendy, has a fairly good family life, but to juggle it she has to always be balancing. Kim Raver has the meatiest story line. Married to a somewhat crusty professor, she engages in a torrid affair with a younger man,Robert Buckley as Kirby , who, to Sharlynn's delight, is without his shirt often in the show.
Now Nico, Raver's character comes clean to her hubby, after he has a heart attack. He is livid, and denies that he is having an affair too. he makes her feel guilty and terrible. Turns out--Oh yeah he was bonking one of his students, as Nico finds out right before he goes in for more heart surgery...and that student is WAY preggos!
And this is the thing...that is true to life, a tried and true man defense. Do everything you can to make the woman feel guilty and bad. That way you get away with anything.
Lindsey Price is the weakest character in the group, Victory. The first few eps, I hated her. But the character has gotten better, and though she is not my fav, I am certainly liking her more.
Again, Lipstick Jungle is not going to win an Emmy. The stories are a bit over the top, and the acting is not the most inspired. But it is fun, and escapist. And the girls are not bad to look at either. Good supporting roles througout. I will be tuing in to follow these sexual and emotional adventures.
When it debuted last year it was going against another similarly themed show called Cashmere Jungle, which was not good at all. And Lipstick took a few episodes to find its footing. But once it did, I was in.
Starring Brooke Shields, Kim Raver and Lindsey Price, this is guilty fun. The three high powered women must face family, career and friendship pressures, and somehow come out friends.
Brooke's character,Wendy, has a fairly good family life, but to juggle it she has to always be balancing. Kim Raver has the meatiest story line. Married to a somewhat crusty professor, she engages in a torrid affair with a younger man,Robert Buckley as Kirby , who, to Sharlynn's delight, is without his shirt often in the show.
Now Nico, Raver's character comes clean to her hubby, after he has a heart attack. He is livid, and denies that he is having an affair too. he makes her feel guilty and terrible. Turns out--Oh yeah he was bonking one of his students, as Nico finds out right before he goes in for more heart surgery...and that student is WAY preggos!
And this is the thing...that is true to life, a tried and true man defense. Do everything you can to make the woman feel guilty and bad. That way you get away with anything.
Lindsey Price is the weakest character in the group, Victory. The first few eps, I hated her. But the character has gotten better, and though she is not my fav, I am certainly liking her more.
Again, Lipstick Jungle is not going to win an Emmy. The stories are a bit over the top, and the acting is not the most inspired. But it is fun, and escapist. And the girls are not bad to look at either. Good supporting roles througout. I will be tuing in to follow these sexual and emotional adventures.
TV 2008 Season Premiers-Without A Trace
I know Without A Trace is not one of those buzz-worthy shows, like Heroes, but I really like this show. And they went to some dark places last season that has consequences this season.
Special Agent Jack Malone (a brilliant Anthony LaPaglia) became so obsessed with catching a child abuser that he did things that border on illegal, and pretty well against department protocol, to catch him. He did catch him, at nearly the cost of his life, and it did cost him professionally. At the beginning of this season, he is no longer in charge of his unit, but is one of the agents to investigate missing people, with a ball-busting boss played by Steven Weber.
I like this show because more than most procedurals, it gets into the emotions of the actors and deftly involves us into the personal lives of these agents. The acting by LaPaglia sets a highwater mark for procedurals. And the supporting cast is very strong. The stories many times tug on the heart-strings, as the agents unravel the last steps of the missing person.
Two of my favorite TV actresses, Poppy Montgomery and Roselyn Sanchez (and when I say favorite I mean hot) are in this show, and that does not hurt its watchability.
Special Agent Jack Malone (a brilliant Anthony LaPaglia) became so obsessed with catching a child abuser that he did things that border on illegal, and pretty well against department protocol, to catch him. He did catch him, at nearly the cost of his life, and it did cost him professionally. At the beginning of this season, he is no longer in charge of his unit, but is one of the agents to investigate missing people, with a ball-busting boss played by Steven Weber.
I like this show because more than most procedurals, it gets into the emotions of the actors and deftly involves us into the personal lives of these agents. The acting by LaPaglia sets a highwater mark for procedurals. And the supporting cast is very strong. The stories many times tug on the heart-strings, as the agents unravel the last steps of the missing person.
Two of my favorite TV actresses, Poppy Montgomery and Roselyn Sanchez (and when I say favorite I mean hot) are in this show, and that does not hurt its watchability.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
TV 2008 Season Premiers-Two and a Half Men
Two and a Half Men is always raunchy, but it makes me laugh. But, I missed the first episode of the season as my DVR was having problems ( an issue resolved thankfully).
I did catch several clips online at the CBS site, and it looked very typical and part of what we have come to expect from the show.
This show is in its sixth season, and it might be starting to wear a bit thin. The Charlie character is growing a bit too long in the tooth to believably pick up all the hot babes that he lands (after all, he is not as rich as his portrayer, Charlie Sheen), and the 1/2 man from the title, Angus Jones, is getting HUGE! Probably adds up to two Jon Cryers put together.
It still makes me laugh, don't get me wrong. It is reliable. But we may be seeing a falling off of interest.
I did catch several clips online at the CBS site, and it looked very typical and part of what we have come to expect from the show.
This show is in its sixth season, and it might be starting to wear a bit thin. The Charlie character is growing a bit too long in the tooth to believably pick up all the hot babes that he lands (after all, he is not as rich as his portrayer, Charlie Sheen), and the 1/2 man from the title, Angus Jones, is getting HUGE! Probably adds up to two Jon Cryers put together.
It still makes me laugh, don't get me wrong. It is reliable. But we may be seeing a falling off of interest.
Movie-Bad Education
This film from acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, is very strange, telling stories within stories. The basic outline is the story of two boys at a Catholic school who are molested by a priest, and meet again in later life...in a way.
I usually like everything I have seen of Almodovar before this film, both Talk to her (2002) and Volver (2006) but I did not like Bad Education (2004) very much. The narrative style made it hard to keep track of what was "real" and what was "story." And they may have been the intention, but I found it aggravating in this film.
The acting was good with Gael Garcia Bernal (of Y Tu Mama Tambien and The Motorcycle Diaries), but I just could not get into it.
Offbeat and original, I feel like it could not compensate enough for a disjointed narrative, and story telling that could have been vastly improved.
I usually like everything I have seen of Almodovar before this film, both Talk to her (2002) and Volver (2006) but I did not like Bad Education (2004) very much. The narrative style made it hard to keep track of what was "real" and what was "story." And they may have been the intention, but I found it aggravating in this film.
The acting was good with Gael Garcia Bernal (of Y Tu Mama Tambien and The Motorcycle Diaries), but I just could not get into it.
Offbeat and original, I feel like it could not compensate enough for a disjointed narrative, and story telling that could have been vastly improved.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
TV-2008 Season Premiers-Heroes
Well, we waited a lonnnng time for Heroes to re-join the TV family. The writer's strike made season 2 short, and not so memorable. But I tell you, season 3 got off with a bang!
First, the 1 hour premier party was a great way to remind viewers, who was who, and was a great marketing strategy, hitting DVD and websites, and comic books and graphic novels...what a great way to cross promote everything that is Heroes. And you watched anyway, because if whet your appetite for the show.
The two hour premier was some of the best Heroes I have seen. Our favorite characters with some very interesting twists, like, what is up with Nikki? And Maya has gone from pathetic weeper to va va voom hottie. And Mohinder seemed to think so too...that was quite a scene between them. Surprises and tension. Sylar really freakin' me out with Clair's brain...whoa!
The Petrelli seem a bit clueless still, but not as bad as Mohinder. I tell you, for a smart guy, he is just stone cold dumb most of the time.
Hiro is fun and so enthusiastic. I love that his dead father knows he is going to open the safe, so has the second message ready for him. What else. The new speedster chickie seems fun, and her and Hiro's competition seems like it can provide some light moments in a season sure to get darker.
Oh...and poor Matt Parkman. This guy just keeps getting pushed around.
Really good episode. Really looking forward to the next.
Did anyone not like it?
First, the 1 hour premier party was a great way to remind viewers, who was who, and was a great marketing strategy, hitting DVD and websites, and comic books and graphic novels...what a great way to cross promote everything that is Heroes. And you watched anyway, because if whet your appetite for the show.
The two hour premier was some of the best Heroes I have seen. Our favorite characters with some very interesting twists, like, what is up with Nikki? And Maya has gone from pathetic weeper to va va voom hottie. And Mohinder seemed to think so too...that was quite a scene between them. Surprises and tension. Sylar really freakin' me out with Clair's brain...whoa!
The Petrelli seem a bit clueless still, but not as bad as Mohinder. I tell you, for a smart guy, he is just stone cold dumb most of the time.
Hiro is fun and so enthusiastic. I love that his dead father knows he is going to open the safe, so has the second message ready for him. What else. The new speedster chickie seems fun, and her and Hiro's competition seems like it can provide some light moments in a season sure to get darker.
Oh...and poor Matt Parkman. This guy just keeps getting pushed around.
Really good episode. Really looking forward to the next.
Did anyone not like it?
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Movie: The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
Some reviews ago I lamented how bad the CGI effects were in 10,000 B.C. This movie was exactly the opposite. The CGI was fantastic. And the rest of the movie was also.
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (2007) is a fun, smart family movie, with lots of metaphor that can keep adults thinking, and lots of entertainment for both kids and adults.
The story is set in Scotland during WWII, in a town near Loch Ness. A young lonely boy, missing his father who is a sailor, finds an interesting oval shaped object on the shore of the loch. Sure enough, it is an egg. And what hatches out of that egg looks like a cross between a sea lion and giraffe. And has the charm of an ET and a Shrek. And it grows bigger every day.
Reading a review by Roger Ebert, he mentions that the movie does not dumb down the kids, and I agree, that is what makes the movie so good. The kids are not stereotypical movie kids, not wise cracking brats, or dumb little props for the movie plot. These kids are like real people--confused by adults, and their own feeling.
The plot of the boy, Angus, and his friend the water horse, who he names Crusoe, is charming, and derivative of ET. But it does not copy, nor is it crass in its emulation. It is endearing in its own right.
This is a pretty darn good movie. The characters are great, the acting is great, the effects are great, the location is great. It is not just for kids, adults will enjoy it too. I wish they would make more kids movies like this.
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (2007) is a fun, smart family movie, with lots of metaphor that can keep adults thinking, and lots of entertainment for both kids and adults.
The story is set in Scotland during WWII, in a town near Loch Ness. A young lonely boy, missing his father who is a sailor, finds an interesting oval shaped object on the shore of the loch. Sure enough, it is an egg. And what hatches out of that egg looks like a cross between a sea lion and giraffe. And has the charm of an ET and a Shrek. And it grows bigger every day.
Reading a review by Roger Ebert, he mentions that the movie does not dumb down the kids, and I agree, that is what makes the movie so good. The kids are not stereotypical movie kids, not wise cracking brats, or dumb little props for the movie plot. These kids are like real people--confused by adults, and their own feeling.
The plot of the boy, Angus, and his friend the water horse, who he names Crusoe, is charming, and derivative of ET. But it does not copy, nor is it crass in its emulation. It is endearing in its own right.
This is a pretty darn good movie. The characters are great, the acting is great, the effects are great, the location is great. It is not just for kids, adults will enjoy it too. I wish they would make more kids movies like this.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Movie-Criminal
Starring John C. Reilly, Criminal (2004) is one of those movies about conmen, where you know something more, a bigger con is going on...you can just feel it. And the pendulum keeps swinging back and forth as to who you think is conning who the most.
I like this type of movie, and I liked this one also. Reilly is a good actor, despite recently just playing a buffoon for Will Ferrell. And his sidekick, Diego Luna (from Y Tu Mama Tambien) plays his role perfectly.
I won't let on to who is doing the big con job, but the smaller cons that set up the ending are fun, interesting and a nice progression to the ultimate conclusion. And it is one of those movies that makes you re-evaluate everything you have seen before, and say..."oh, when he was doing that...Wow...good con."
Fun and easy to watch, Criminal is a nice diversion from reality.
I like this type of movie, and I liked this one also. Reilly is a good actor, despite recently just playing a buffoon for Will Ferrell. And his sidekick, Diego Luna (from Y Tu Mama Tambien) plays his role perfectly.
I won't let on to who is doing the big con job, but the smaller cons that set up the ending are fun, interesting and a nice progression to the ultimate conclusion. And it is one of those movies that makes you re-evaluate everything you have seen before, and say..."oh, when he was doing that...Wow...good con."
Fun and easy to watch, Criminal is a nice diversion from reality.
Movie-Reconstruction
Reconstruction (2004) is a Swedish film that got some good reviews by critics. We saw the trailer a few times and thought it looked good: romantic, suspenseful, with an interesting twist.
Wrong!
This movie was pretty bad as far as I am concerned. The first half hour was a snorefest, it made us both feel like taking a nap. The story goes something like this: This guy, Alex, has a girlfriend, Simone, who he cheats on with Amiee (both played by the same actress). After he cheats, suddenly no one knows him, even his apartment has disappeared. This part is the only time the movie has anything interesting in it, as he tries to chase down what he remembers of his life.
Now it is never clear how, this happened, or why. And he seems to forget that his life has disappeared once he meets up again with Amiee, who does not remember him either, but still wants to be with him.
The love story is dull, and the plot device is shaky at best...is it metaphorical? Is it in his mind? What the hell is going on?
Take a pass on Reconstruction.
Wrong!
This movie was pretty bad as far as I am concerned. The first half hour was a snorefest, it made us both feel like taking a nap. The story goes something like this: This guy, Alex, has a girlfriend, Simone, who he cheats on with Amiee (both played by the same actress). After he cheats, suddenly no one knows him, even his apartment has disappeared. This part is the only time the movie has anything interesting in it, as he tries to chase down what he remembers of his life.
Now it is never clear how, this happened, or why. And he seems to forget that his life has disappeared once he meets up again with Amiee, who does not remember him either, but still wants to be with him.
The love story is dull, and the plot device is shaky at best...is it metaphorical? Is it in his mind? What the hell is going on?
Take a pass on Reconstruction.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Movie-Nanking
A 2007 documentary, Nanking explores the Japanese invasion of China, that was really the start of WWII. The Japanese invasion of China signalled its expansionist militaristic agenda, and really foreshadowed the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
The barbarity of the militaristic Japan, prior to, and including WWII, is well documented. It is a far cry from the Japan of today. And the Rape of Nanking shows that brutal barbarity at some of its worst.
The documentary takes an unusual path, using a group of actors to read the words of some of the foreign nationals that tried to protect the Chinese peasants. This seems trite, but is very effective, and becomes so compelling, as they read the first person accounts taken from diaries and letters of people who were there. Especially Mariel Hemingway does an amazing job, one that brings a lump to your throat.
The film makes me think about war again, it makes me wonder how we let our governments continue to do this horrid, wretched thing called war. It brings me face to face with my inaction to protest more my governments involvement in death and destruction and horror.
The Japanese civilians did not know the extent of the atrocities committed by their soldiers in Nanking. The raping and killing of children. The first hand accounts of survivors of the Nanking massacres are terrible to hear. But we know that many innocent people are being killed in our wars. And yet, I do nothing to stop it. I do nothing to protest.
I wander a bit into more than the movie, but the power of a documentary is that it is MORE than movie. How am I preventing another Nanking, another Aushweitz? Does not the crimes of the past demand that I do more. The German and Japanese citizens in WWII can say the same as me...I did not know, I did not think we were really doing this...it was the government and the military.
Nanking is powerful and sad and shows heroes and villians. Which one am I? Which one are you? Which one are we all?
The barbarity of the militaristic Japan, prior to, and including WWII, is well documented. It is a far cry from the Japan of today. And the Rape of Nanking shows that brutal barbarity at some of its worst.
The documentary takes an unusual path, using a group of actors to read the words of some of the foreign nationals that tried to protect the Chinese peasants. This seems trite, but is very effective, and becomes so compelling, as they read the first person accounts taken from diaries and letters of people who were there. Especially Mariel Hemingway does an amazing job, one that brings a lump to your throat.
The film makes me think about war again, it makes me wonder how we let our governments continue to do this horrid, wretched thing called war. It brings me face to face with my inaction to protest more my governments involvement in death and destruction and horror.
The Japanese civilians did not know the extent of the atrocities committed by their soldiers in Nanking. The raping and killing of children. The first hand accounts of survivors of the Nanking massacres are terrible to hear. But we know that many innocent people are being killed in our wars. And yet, I do nothing to stop it. I do nothing to protest.
I wander a bit into more than the movie, but the power of a documentary is that it is MORE than movie. How am I preventing another Nanking, another Aushweitz? Does not the crimes of the past demand that I do more. The German and Japanese citizens in WWII can say the same as me...I did not know, I did not think we were really doing this...it was the government and the military.
Nanking is powerful and sad and shows heroes and villians. Which one am I? Which one are you? Which one are we all?
Restaurant-The Ritual Tavern
The Ritual Tavern is one of the many new restaurants in revitalized North park, especially along 30th Ave. We still almost ran over a prostitute driving home, but it is also a vibrant neighborhood with an eclectic mix of people (we also saw a drag queen nearby) (not that there's anything wrong with that!).
The restaurant is one of those that really pays attention to the source and quality of their food. It is a replica of a British pub, with a nice bar and a good beer selection, and serves hearty pub food. But it also takes care, buying organic meats, and locally produced and organic produce. And I have to say, we really try to support such efforts.
We went with our friends Bill and Yvette. As an appetizer we ordered the beer battered onion rings. One of the nice things about the Tavern is they make their own condiments, without high-fructose corn syrup. So the rings came with their ketchup that was REALLY good. The rings themselves were good, but a bit greasy.
Bill ordered the gumbo, with home-made andouillie sausage and shrimp, and he was VERY happy with his choice. Sharlynn had a burger, made with all organic beef and fries. it was good, but not outstanding. Yvette and I had the same thing in mind, the house special shepherd's pie, with lamb and beef, topped with mashed potatoes. And I gotta say, I was a little disappointed. The shepherd's pie was good, but lacked and spice, it was very bland. It is not often that I have to add salt to restaurant food, but I did here. That can be taken as a good thing, or a bad. I also added some of there home-made hot sauce, and a little of their ketchup. That starts getting into the really bland.
Now the lamb was very good, as was the beef, but they needed to add some herbs for more flavor. herbs can enhance the taste of the meats and veggies. And while I applaud the endeavour to highlight the ingredients, it just lacked some oomph. I think Yvette felt the same way.
Overall, I liked the Tavern,and I am glad we went. But I would not run back there for another meal. If someone said they wanted to go there, I would not say no, but I would not highly suggest it either.
The restaurant is one of those that really pays attention to the source and quality of their food. It is a replica of a British pub, with a nice bar and a good beer selection, and serves hearty pub food. But it also takes care, buying organic meats, and locally produced and organic produce. And I have to say, we really try to support such efforts.
We went with our friends Bill and Yvette. As an appetizer we ordered the beer battered onion rings. One of the nice things about the Tavern is they make their own condiments, without high-fructose corn syrup. So the rings came with their ketchup that was REALLY good. The rings themselves were good, but a bit greasy.
Bill ordered the gumbo, with home-made andouillie sausage and shrimp, and he was VERY happy with his choice. Sharlynn had a burger, made with all organic beef and fries. it was good, but not outstanding. Yvette and I had the same thing in mind, the house special shepherd's pie, with lamb and beef, topped with mashed potatoes. And I gotta say, I was a little disappointed. The shepherd's pie was good, but lacked and spice, it was very bland. It is not often that I have to add salt to restaurant food, but I did here. That can be taken as a good thing, or a bad. I also added some of there home-made hot sauce, and a little of their ketchup. That starts getting into the really bland.
Now the lamb was very good, as was the beef, but they needed to add some herbs for more flavor. herbs can enhance the taste of the meats and veggies. And while I applaud the endeavour to highlight the ingredients, it just lacked some oomph. I think Yvette felt the same way.
Overall, I liked the Tavern,and I am glad we went. But I would not run back there for another meal. If someone said they wanted to go there, I would not say no, but I would not highly suggest it either.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Coobook I Can't Do Without
A few days ago I purchased a cookbook called "Quick Vegetarian Pleasures," by Jeanne Lemlin. I needed it because my previous copy, which I have owned for several years was falling apart from overuse.
I think it is clear from my blogs that I am NOT a vegetarian. I am an omnivore that eats anything and too much of it (OK, and drinks anything too if you don't want to put too fine a point on it). But I do like to make meat free dishes about once a week. And that is where this cookbook, and others by the same author come in. Lemlin's recipes are so damn good, and in this book are so easy, that I just keep using them, over and over.
She covers a lot, from muffins and bread, to salads and desserts. But her main dishes are what keep me coming back. Some of my favorites; Capellini with Tomato Pesto, Tortellini with Sour Cream Sauce, Linguine with Cauliflower in a Tomato Cream Sauce, Ravioli with Garlic Peppers and Tomatoes, Rice with Chickpeas Herbs and Sun Dried Tomatoes (I call it Italian fried rice), Vegetable Enchiladas and for dessert, Deep Dish Pear Pie.
Her recipes are so good, I never miss the meat. They are quick and easy to make, and are delicious. This copy will last another decade I am sure...at that point I will probably need to buy another copy.
I think it is clear from my blogs that I am NOT a vegetarian. I am an omnivore that eats anything and too much of it (OK, and drinks anything too if you don't want to put too fine a point on it). But I do like to make meat free dishes about once a week. And that is where this cookbook, and others by the same author come in. Lemlin's recipes are so damn good, and in this book are so easy, that I just keep using them, over and over.
She covers a lot, from muffins and bread, to salads and desserts. But her main dishes are what keep me coming back. Some of my favorites; Capellini with Tomato Pesto, Tortellini with Sour Cream Sauce, Linguine with Cauliflower in a Tomato Cream Sauce, Ravioli with Garlic Peppers and Tomatoes, Rice with Chickpeas Herbs and Sun Dried Tomatoes (I call it Italian fried rice), Vegetable Enchiladas and for dessert, Deep Dish Pear Pie.
Her recipes are so good, I never miss the meat. They are quick and easy to make, and are delicious. This copy will last another decade I am sure...at that point I will probably need to buy another copy.
Movie-Suspect Zero
Suspect Zero (2004) is a thriller bordering on either Sci-fi or horror, but never going over that border. Starring Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley, the movie is disjointed with effect, and leaves many questions early that do get answered by the end.
Dealing with a serial killer that contacts FBI agent Mackelway (Eckhart) directly, the movie takes us through some gruesome murders. But the people this serial killer is targeting? Other serial killers. This is where it starts getting dicey.
This is one of those movies that reveals the identity of the antagonist early on...we know Kingsley is the murderer...we see him commit the crimes. And good for us, because we get to see this great actor dig into a skewed character, something Kinsley in increasingly doing very well. He is terrifying in this role at times, and his voice almost sounds like a special effect. But, along with Agent Mackelway, we the viewer have to discover why Kingsley does this.
It is not a great movie, but it is psychologically and paranormally intriguing. And is creepy but not overtly or overly graphic. These are the best kind of thrillers, where your imagination suggests more than is shown, where the tension is built not by showing blood and guts, but by plot and dialogue.
Without Ben Kingsley this may have been completely ordinary, but with him, it goes a step above that and becomes very watchable and a more than a bit frightening.
Dealing with a serial killer that contacts FBI agent Mackelway (Eckhart) directly, the movie takes us through some gruesome murders. But the people this serial killer is targeting? Other serial killers. This is where it starts getting dicey.
This is one of those movies that reveals the identity of the antagonist early on...we know Kingsley is the murderer...we see him commit the crimes. And good for us, because we get to see this great actor dig into a skewed character, something Kinsley in increasingly doing very well. He is terrifying in this role at times, and his voice almost sounds like a special effect. But, along with Agent Mackelway, we the viewer have to discover why Kingsley does this.
It is not a great movie, but it is psychologically and paranormally intriguing. And is creepy but not overtly or overly graphic. These are the best kind of thrillers, where your imagination suggests more than is shown, where the tension is built not by showing blood and guts, but by plot and dialogue.
Without Ben Kingsley this may have been completely ordinary, but with him, it goes a step above that and becomes very watchable and a more than a bit frightening.
Movie-Partition
I was really looking forward to seeing Partition (2007), a movie about the independence of India from British rule, but also about the partition that created two nations, Pakistan and India, from what had previously been one.
This was a time of great violence and immigration, as Muslims in India fled to Pakistan and Sihks and Hindus fled in the opposite direction, all the while both sides being brutally murdered by the other.
It is a facinating time period, and I have always thought someone should make a good movie about it...unfortunately, Partition is not it. It takes a terrible time perios and makes a romance out of it. A Sihk man takes in a young Muslim woman whose carvan has been slaughtered by his own villagers. He hides her and then bargains for her life. But the premise is so unbeliveable and far-fetched that it becomes annoying. Part of it is the acting. The Muslim girl is played by Kristin Kreuk (I think from the show, Smallville) whose accent is terrible. Another character, in a strange plot device, is played by Neve Campbell. While I like Campbell, I hope to never EVER see her try to sustain a British accent again.
Hoplessly miscast acotors, and a plot so cliched, we were able to predict the ending almost to a tee. The plot was ludicrous and inconsistent, as the Muslim woman becomes friends with the Sihks that she thinks killed her family, and these Sihks that call the Muslims animals, accept her into their village. It was all like a bad Hallmark?Lifetime presentation.
Someday, someone will make a good movie about the Partition, and the bad taste of this film will be wiped from my palate.
This was a time of great violence and immigration, as Muslims in India fled to Pakistan and Sihks and Hindus fled in the opposite direction, all the while both sides being brutally murdered by the other.
It is a facinating time period, and I have always thought someone should make a good movie about it...unfortunately, Partition is not it. It takes a terrible time perios and makes a romance out of it. A Sihk man takes in a young Muslim woman whose carvan has been slaughtered by his own villagers. He hides her and then bargains for her life. But the premise is so unbeliveable and far-fetched that it becomes annoying. Part of it is the acting. The Muslim girl is played by Kristin Kreuk (I think from the show, Smallville) whose accent is terrible. Another character, in a strange plot device, is played by Neve Campbell. While I like Campbell, I hope to never EVER see her try to sustain a British accent again.
Hoplessly miscast acotors, and a plot so cliched, we were able to predict the ending almost to a tee. The plot was ludicrous and inconsistent, as the Muslim woman becomes friends with the Sihks that she thinks killed her family, and these Sihks that call the Muslims animals, accept her into their village. It was all like a bad Hallmark?Lifetime presentation.
Someday, someone will make a good movie about the Partition, and the bad taste of this film will be wiped from my palate.
Restaurant-Lanna
Lanna is a very nice Thai restaurant in a small strip mall at the entrance to PB, on Mission Bay Dr, next to Sushi Ota (one of the best sushi places in town).
While the exterior is plain the interior is nicely decorated, warm and inviting. And the food is excellent, some of the best Thai I have had. We arrived for lunch, and started with the mango-shrimp rolls. Like spring rolls, but with shrimp and mango tucked into the crispy skin, and a mango dipping sauce, these were really good. I also had a mangotini, from their martini menu. All of them are unique and made with Han vodka, and Asian vodka. (I will have to check it out at Bev-Mo).
They also started us out with a cup of soup, this was tom kha with coconut milk, lemon, mushrooms and other veggies, really tasty and unique. I had a lunch special of pad thai, with chicken. It was very good, with tons of vegetables, chicken and some crispy tofu. I brought half of it home and had it for dinner. Sharlynn had the sizzling ginger sauce with pork, at a hotness level of three, which was not, but not too spicy (I could have gone with a four or five). Again, lots of veggies and pork, it was delicious.
Lanna is very good, and I will eat there again. Not pricey, they give you a lot of food for your money. Their service is very good, and the atmosphere is excellent.
While the exterior is plain the interior is nicely decorated, warm and inviting. And the food is excellent, some of the best Thai I have had. We arrived for lunch, and started with the mango-shrimp rolls. Like spring rolls, but with shrimp and mango tucked into the crispy skin, and a mango dipping sauce, these were really good. I also had a mangotini, from their martini menu. All of them are unique and made with Han vodka, and Asian vodka. (I will have to check it out at Bev-Mo).
They also started us out with a cup of soup, this was tom kha with coconut milk, lemon, mushrooms and other veggies, really tasty and unique. I had a lunch special of pad thai, with chicken. It was very good, with tons of vegetables, chicken and some crispy tofu. I brought half of it home and had it for dinner. Sharlynn had the sizzling ginger sauce with pork, at a hotness level of three, which was not, but not too spicy (I could have gone with a four or five). Again, lots of veggies and pork, it was delicious.
Lanna is very good, and I will eat there again. Not pricey, they give you a lot of food for your money. Their service is very good, and the atmosphere is excellent.
SeaWorld
I am taking a small staycation, mostly relaxing and chillin', but doing some stuff around town...including a visit to SeaWorld, which I have not visited for at least 8 years.
Let me just say, SeaWorld has not changed too much over the years between visits. I remember going there as a kid, my parents complaining about the price while watching hokey shows, (especially, Shamu Goes to College, I still remember how bad THAT was). Some of these things have changed and others not.
One thing that has changed is the Shamu show, Believe. This is a good show. They let the animals, these incredible orcas, be the stars. No hokey dialogue, or corny story lines. The show has great graphic panels that enhance, and really showcases the group of whales they have. Production quality is top-notch, with a very good soundtrack, and the trainers really get the crowd into it without too much cheer leading.
On the other hand, the sea lion show was old school and painful to watch. There were no educational messages at all, in fact one line leaves the audience thinking these animals are seals. It had an idiotic "plot" and was just hard to watch. Very very hokey and corny, the antithesis of the Shamu show. In between the two is the dolphin show, which has some amazing animals, but does not quite forgo the corny lines and jokes, but does get rid of the unnecessary "plot" and highlights the animals.
The last of the four shows we saw was the Pet's Rule Show, and I liked that very much. Of course I am a sucker for dogs and cats, and the animals were amazing. The message of adopting pets from shelters and humane societies was very good too, and I think I enjoyed the show more than the others, certainly more than the sea lion and dolphin shows.
SeaWorld runs five shows right now, the last being a Sesame Street show that we skipped...not really for our age range. To get into the parking lot costs 12 bucks, and then checking out the prices at the booths I was stunned. $61 bucks for adults (defined as 10 and up) and $51 bucks for kids. Let's say a family of four was going to SeaWorld...Two adults is $122. 12 year old is another $61...that brings us to $183, then 7 year old brings us to $234. plus the parking is $246 to walk in the gate. See, that part has not changed, my parents would be complaining about the price right now too. I was lucky, in that I had some free tickets, so my cost was the parking and a bottle of water for $3.
But is that steep, or it just me? Now granted, they probably have discount tickets in the marketplace out the wazoo. But still, for 5 shows? I like SeaWorld, but would NEVER pay that price to visit.
We had a nice day at SeaWorld. But if I had to pay that much money, I would have felt ripped off, I have to say. While an engaging experience, it is not worth $61 a head.
Let me just say, SeaWorld has not changed too much over the years between visits. I remember going there as a kid, my parents complaining about the price while watching hokey shows, (especially, Shamu Goes to College, I still remember how bad THAT was). Some of these things have changed and others not.
One thing that has changed is the Shamu show, Believe. This is a good show. They let the animals, these incredible orcas, be the stars. No hokey dialogue, or corny story lines. The show has great graphic panels that enhance, and really showcases the group of whales they have. Production quality is top-notch, with a very good soundtrack, and the trainers really get the crowd into it without too much cheer leading.
On the other hand, the sea lion show was old school and painful to watch. There were no educational messages at all, in fact one line leaves the audience thinking these animals are seals. It had an idiotic "plot" and was just hard to watch. Very very hokey and corny, the antithesis of the Shamu show. In between the two is the dolphin show, which has some amazing animals, but does not quite forgo the corny lines and jokes, but does get rid of the unnecessary "plot" and highlights the animals.
The last of the four shows we saw was the Pet's Rule Show, and I liked that very much. Of course I am a sucker for dogs and cats, and the animals were amazing. The message of adopting pets from shelters and humane societies was very good too, and I think I enjoyed the show more than the others, certainly more than the sea lion and dolphin shows.
SeaWorld runs five shows right now, the last being a Sesame Street show that we skipped...not really for our age range. To get into the parking lot costs 12 bucks, and then checking out the prices at the booths I was stunned. $61 bucks for adults (defined as 10 and up) and $51 bucks for kids. Let's say a family of four was going to SeaWorld...Two adults is $122. 12 year old is another $61...that brings us to $183, then 7 year old brings us to $234. plus the parking is $246 to walk in the gate. See, that part has not changed, my parents would be complaining about the price right now too. I was lucky, in that I had some free tickets, so my cost was the parking and a bottle of water for $3.
But is that steep, or it just me? Now granted, they probably have discount tickets in the marketplace out the wazoo. But still, for 5 shows? I like SeaWorld, but would NEVER pay that price to visit.
We had a nice day at SeaWorld. But if I had to pay that much money, I would have felt ripped off, I have to say. While an engaging experience, it is not worth $61 a head.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Movie-In the Land of Women
I did not want to like this movie. I will repeat, I did not want to like this movie. I wanted to write that it was sentimental claptrap, cliched and predictable.
I can't do that. In the Land of Women (2006) did not settle for easy answers or plot contrivances. It did not even settle for easy dialogue. Instead, it settled for characters struggling to express themselves, and struggling for understanding. It took the hard way out instead of the easy.
Starring Meg Ryan, Adam Brody and Olympia Dukakis, this unsentimental look at our modern suburban disconnect was not cliche ridden, but offered the difficult decisions that we all have to deal with. Its messy, this thing we call life. It is not always easy, in fact, much of the time it seems to be a struggle.
The one complaint I have is that the neighborhood looked too perfect, like out of a fairy tale. Maybe that was to contrast what was really going on, but it was not believable.
I can't do that. In the Land of Women (2006) did not settle for easy answers or plot contrivances. It did not even settle for easy dialogue. Instead, it settled for characters struggling to express themselves, and struggling for understanding. It took the hard way out instead of the easy.
Starring Meg Ryan, Adam Brody and Olympia Dukakis, this unsentimental look at our modern suburban disconnect was not cliche ridden, but offered the difficult decisions that we all have to deal with. Its messy, this thing we call life. It is not always easy, in fact, much of the time it seems to be a struggle.
The one complaint I have is that the neighborhood looked too perfect, like out of a fairy tale. Maybe that was to contrast what was really going on, but it was not believable.
New Year's Resolution
I have mentioned that one of my '08 resolution's was to eat at some chain restaurants this year. I have tried Red Lobster (not so bad) and Home Town Buffet (to which I got comments, "I imagine prison food tastes better." and "Dude, another piece of advise, dumpster diving, don't do it.").
So now I tried Chili's. Wow...is this the type of food we eat a lot of? Now, I'm not saying it was bad, but it certainly wasn't good, and it was soooooo bad for you. It was not distinctive in any way at all, very bland tasting, with enough salt to last us a few weeks most likely, and enough fat to really make me reach for the extra bit on my jog tomorrow.
People have asked me why I am trying America's chain restaurants. And this resolution, which frankly will have to go into '09 and beyond (because I cannot do all of them in one year, I simply cannot), came from a couple of different impulses. One: I really wanted to see what so many people in our country eat. I wanted to see why so many who have hard about the food I cook, are amazed. It really is a cultural touchstone. And therein lies my second reason. Though I have had fast food since I was a kid (not a lot mind you) I have never bonded with the experience of our chain food restaurants, and frankly, I wanted to see what I was missing.
My early impulse is that I have not been missing much. So much better seafood at Bay Park Fish Company and Sea Rocket Bistro than at Red Lobster. So much better food and almost any other restaurant (non-chain) that we eat at, than at Chili's. I can find better tacos, better chicken, better burger and better drinks. I would rather eat dim sum (buffet-like) than eat at Home Town Buffet.
I will continue my experiment though. Is this the cultural heart of America? Is this the cuisine we will be remembered for? I hope not, but I fear so.
So now I tried Chili's. Wow...is this the type of food we eat a lot of? Now, I'm not saying it was bad, but it certainly wasn't good, and it was soooooo bad for you. It was not distinctive in any way at all, very bland tasting, with enough salt to last us a few weeks most likely, and enough fat to really make me reach for the extra bit on my jog tomorrow.
People have asked me why I am trying America's chain restaurants. And this resolution, which frankly will have to go into '09 and beyond (because I cannot do all of them in one year, I simply cannot), came from a couple of different impulses. One: I really wanted to see what so many people in our country eat. I wanted to see why so many who have hard about the food I cook, are amazed. It really is a cultural touchstone. And therein lies my second reason. Though I have had fast food since I was a kid (not a lot mind you) I have never bonded with the experience of our chain food restaurants, and frankly, I wanted to see what I was missing.
My early impulse is that I have not been missing much. So much better seafood at Bay Park Fish Company and Sea Rocket Bistro than at Red Lobster. So much better food and almost any other restaurant (non-chain) that we eat at, than at Chili's. I can find better tacos, better chicken, better burger and better drinks. I would rather eat dim sum (buffet-like) than eat at Home Town Buffet.
I will continue my experiment though. Is this the cultural heart of America? Is this the cuisine we will be remembered for? I hope not, but I fear so.
Movie-The Other Boleyn Girl
I generally like period pieces set in the time of the Tudor's, especially if they focus on the political/royal intrigues of that era. So I went into this movie looking forward to it.
The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) focuses on the relationship that young Henry VIII had with Anne and Mary Boleyn. Henry, king of England, was already married to Catherine of Aragon, but she was not going to give him a male heir, so the Boleyn family tried to set Henry up with Anne. However he took a fancy to Mary.
Starring Natalie Portman as Anne, Scarlett Johansson as Mary and Eric Bana as Henry, I came away from this movie disappointed. It was many times melo-dramatic about the wrong things: instead of looking at what the effects of Henry's pursuit of Mary and then Anne (who he eventually marries and then kills) on the kingdom of England, it instead looks at the melo-drama in the lives of these characters. And it just was not as interesting. They should have at least looked at both...maybe the personal drama as a reflection of the turmoil England was going through.
And thought I like Portman in many things, this role did not seem to suit her at all. She seemed out of place and not into the role, much as she tried. I always underestimate Johansson, and here she did a fine job. And Bana was pretty good as Henry, though again we did not see enough of him ruling the kingdom.
All in all, a film that was OK, but did not nearly meet my expectations.
The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) focuses on the relationship that young Henry VIII had with Anne and Mary Boleyn. Henry, king of England, was already married to Catherine of Aragon, but she was not going to give him a male heir, so the Boleyn family tried to set Henry up with Anne. However he took a fancy to Mary.
Starring Natalie Portman as Anne, Scarlett Johansson as Mary and Eric Bana as Henry, I came away from this movie disappointed. It was many times melo-dramatic about the wrong things: instead of looking at what the effects of Henry's pursuit of Mary and then Anne (who he eventually marries and then kills) on the kingdom of England, it instead looks at the melo-drama in the lives of these characters. And it just was not as interesting. They should have at least looked at both...maybe the personal drama as a reflection of the turmoil England was going through.
And thought I like Portman in many things, this role did not seem to suit her at all. She seemed out of place and not into the role, much as she tried. I always underestimate Johansson, and here she did a fine job. And Bana was pretty good as Henry, though again we did not see enough of him ruling the kingdom.
All in all, a film that was OK, but did not nearly meet my expectations.
Restaurant-Bay Park Fish Company
We went out to dinner with friends the other night, and decided to eat at Bay Park Fish Company. Now I had eaten lunch there once, and liked it, but never had dinner there. And we all came away impressed. In fact Emily, who used to work at the Fish Market in days of yore, thought it was one of the best seafood meals she had ever eaten.
Bay Park Fish Company has been around for a few years, part of the influx of good restaurants into Bay Park/Morena. It is not big, but the seating is nicely placed, and the decor is very seafood, with pictures of fishermen and large fish replicas on the wall. Casual, but still nice.
Sharlynn had a seared ahi, with black sesame seeds, shittake mushrooms, and a spicy Asian sauce that was very tasty. Seth had scampi, which came with lots of pasta. Very large shrimp came with it. Emily had a mahi with sun-dried tomatoes and rockfish in a buerre blanc sauce, and it looked great. And I have to say, my macadamia-crusted halibut was out of this world. Really well prepared, the crust broiled or sauteed crisply, but the halibut remaining moist and very flavorful. Mine came on abed of mashed potatoes with carrot and asparagus spears radiating out from center. Nice presentation, not ostentatious, but pleasing.
All the plated came out looking good, again, not overly presented, but it made you want to dig in. The service was good, if slightly rushed. The one bad thing was the side of bread I ordered. Now they make sandwiches, but gave me bread that tasted several days old. They need to upgrade that a bit.
Otherwise, it was a very nice dinner, and we will go back.
Bay Park Fish Company has been around for a few years, part of the influx of good restaurants into Bay Park/Morena. It is not big, but the seating is nicely placed, and the decor is very seafood, with pictures of fishermen and large fish replicas on the wall. Casual, but still nice.
Sharlynn had a seared ahi, with black sesame seeds, shittake mushrooms, and a spicy Asian sauce that was very tasty. Seth had scampi, which came with lots of pasta. Very large shrimp came with it. Emily had a mahi with sun-dried tomatoes and rockfish in a buerre blanc sauce, and it looked great. And I have to say, my macadamia-crusted halibut was out of this world. Really well prepared, the crust broiled or sauteed crisply, but the halibut remaining moist and very flavorful. Mine came on abed of mashed potatoes with carrot and asparagus spears radiating out from center. Nice presentation, not ostentatious, but pleasing.
All the plated came out looking good, again, not overly presented, but it made you want to dig in. The service was good, if slightly rushed. The one bad thing was the side of bread I ordered. Now they make sandwiches, but gave me bread that tasted several days old. They need to upgrade that a bit.
Otherwise, it was a very nice dinner, and we will go back.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Movie-Prisoner of Paradise
Prisoner of Paradise (2002) is a documentary about Kurt Gerron, a Jewish actor and director in prewar Germany. This man, talented and famous, is deluded by his ego and his work into thinking that he could survive the Holocaust. He couldn't, but the Nazis used him to their own ends.
Little known is a concentration camp that the Nazis set up for famous and talented members of the Jewish community...people that the international community might ask about...scientists, musicians, painters and writers. They set these people up in a special ghetto, and then used Kurt Gerron to make a documentary about that ghetto, showing hop happy and well cared for everyone was. They even fooled a Red Cross representative who was brought in to see the "town" and listen to the concerts and plays put on for his benefit.
Now it must be said that these people probably lived better than in some other of the camps, but they did not stay there long. It was a short respite before leaving for the death camps. And Gerron did not last either. After his film was complete, he too was shipped out in a cattle car.
The documentary has a little too much about Gerron before the war, and should have concentrated on the time the Nazis started coming to power. But it is effective in showing how people fooled themselves into thinking that everything would be alright. Gerron had several chances to leave Europe and go to Hollywood, but always thought he had more time. It also shows the choices people had to make (as in the movie The Counterfeiters): how to save their own life, balanced against helping the Nazis eliminate their race.
Very interesting, and with most films on this subject, rife with moral and ethical questions.
Little known is a concentration camp that the Nazis set up for famous and talented members of the Jewish community...people that the international community might ask about...scientists, musicians, painters and writers. They set these people up in a special ghetto, and then used Kurt Gerron to make a documentary about that ghetto, showing hop happy and well cared for everyone was. They even fooled a Red Cross representative who was brought in to see the "town" and listen to the concerts and plays put on for his benefit.
Now it must be said that these people probably lived better than in some other of the camps, but they did not stay there long. It was a short respite before leaving for the death camps. And Gerron did not last either. After his film was complete, he too was shipped out in a cattle car.
The documentary has a little too much about Gerron before the war, and should have concentrated on the time the Nazis started coming to power. But it is effective in showing how people fooled themselves into thinking that everything would be alright. Gerron had several chances to leave Europe and go to Hollywood, but always thought he had more time. It also shows the choices people had to make (as in the movie The Counterfeiters): how to save their own life, balanced against helping the Nazis eliminate their race.
Very interesting, and with most films on this subject, rife with moral and ethical questions.
Movie-Justice League Unlimited: Saving the World
This disc, featuring 3 of the animated adventures of Justice League Unlimited, bands together many more heroes than were in Justice League America. And I am a big fan of more heroes. But in the three selections, we saw only a few of the heroes in each episode, and somehow this did not play well for me.
Maybe I need to see the whole series, instead of these disparate episodes to get a better feel for the team, but it just seemed like there could be more interaction. And the story lines were not quite as strong as the Justice League America story lines had been.
The animation was good, and the voice actors did a nice job (I easily recognized Ed Asner as an evil troll). Overall very good, but not as good as I had hoped, and not as good as Justice League America.
Maybe I need to see the whole series, instead of these disparate episodes to get a better feel for the team, but it just seemed like there could be more interaction. And the story lines were not quite as strong as the Justice League America story lines had been.
The animation was good, and the voice actors did a nice job (I easily recognized Ed Asner as an evil troll). Overall very good, but not as good as I had hoped, and not as good as Justice League America.
Movie-10,000 B.C.
When I first saw the previews for this movie I thought it looked awesome. Then I heard the reviews. Sometimes, though, I strongly disagree with professional critics. This was NOT one of those times.
10,000 B.C. (2008) is not good. It is close to being bad....very very close. First off, I know there is such a thing as suspension of belief. But to suspend belief in this I would have to assume it did not take place on earth and they were not trying to portray our ancestors. And nothing in the movie set me up for that...no "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away," or "Somewhere on Earth 2" or anything like that. They want us to believe that this is earth, and somehow so many cultures and technologies and animals from different eras all were at the same time. It does not come close to working.
The story itself is standard and cliched. The acting was so-so at best. And the vaunted CGI effects were only average, if that. When I see a movie with good CGI I want to think, "Wow, that looks almost real!" This movie made me think "CGI, cgi cgi cgi cgi...it all looks like cgi."
It is incredible what good teeth these ancient ancestors had. I mean, so white and bright, no missing teeth, almost like they had cosmetic dentists. If they had added that, I would not have been surprised. It almost would have fit in this mess.
10,000 B.C. (2008) is not good. It is close to being bad....very very close. First off, I know there is such a thing as suspension of belief. But to suspend belief in this I would have to assume it did not take place on earth and they were not trying to portray our ancestors. And nothing in the movie set me up for that...no "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away," or "Somewhere on Earth 2" or anything like that. They want us to believe that this is earth, and somehow so many cultures and technologies and animals from different eras all were at the same time. It does not come close to working.
The story itself is standard and cliched. The acting was so-so at best. And the vaunted CGI effects were only average, if that. When I see a movie with good CGI I want to think, "Wow, that looks almost real!" This movie made me think "CGI, cgi cgi cgi cgi...it all looks like cgi."
It is incredible what good teeth these ancient ancestors had. I mean, so white and bright, no missing teeth, almost like they had cosmetic dentists. If they had added that, I would not have been surprised. It almost would have fit in this mess.
Movie-Flawless
Flawless stars Michael Caine and Demi Moore, and is set in 1960 London in the diamond industry. Moore is the first and only woman manager in a vast diamond firm, and she is ambitious and wants to rise even higher. But the ceiling there is not glass, it is diamond.
Caine plays the night janitor, who sees her often in her office, working ungodly hours trying to break through to the higher ranks. He always has a few kind words with her. But he is more than he seems. As becomes apparent to her, he knows a lot about the company...as he explains, "People talk a lot around a janitor." And he wants some of the action.
He gets Moore to join him by revealing that she is about to be fired. She does not believe him, but finds a way into the HR files, and sure enough, he is right. He also has a plan to break into the vault, one in which he needs her help. Just to take a few million worth of diamonds, a thermos full. Enough to set moth of them up for life, but, as Moore says, "They won't even notice that little missing." That sell her and she joins him.
This movie has a retro feel to it, like it was a '60's era film, and that really adds to it. Moore is very buttoned up, literally and figuratively, like a woman trying to succeed in that time might be. Caine is vintage Caine, engaging, charming and sly. And both work very well off the other, with a lack of chemistry that would fit two people from such different worlds.
There are times as the film goes on, that I felt my credulity pushed. But it kept from going too far. And in some ways there was an effect of, "They can't make this up, did this really happen?"
While not Academy award stuff, this movie is good with excellent production values and good acting. The script was interesting and Moore and Caine were both excellent. The framing story was not too great though, and the "old" make-up on Moore in the frame was pretty bad. The film would have worked even better had they come up with another way to do this.
Caine plays the night janitor, who sees her often in her office, working ungodly hours trying to break through to the higher ranks. He always has a few kind words with her. But he is more than he seems. As becomes apparent to her, he knows a lot about the company...as he explains, "People talk a lot around a janitor." And he wants some of the action.
He gets Moore to join him by revealing that she is about to be fired. She does not believe him, but finds a way into the HR files, and sure enough, he is right. He also has a plan to break into the vault, one in which he needs her help. Just to take a few million worth of diamonds, a thermos full. Enough to set moth of them up for life, but, as Moore says, "They won't even notice that little missing." That sell her and she joins him.
This movie has a retro feel to it, like it was a '60's era film, and that really adds to it. Moore is very buttoned up, literally and figuratively, like a woman trying to succeed in that time might be. Caine is vintage Caine, engaging, charming and sly. And both work very well off the other, with a lack of chemistry that would fit two people from such different worlds.
There are times as the film goes on, that I felt my credulity pushed. But it kept from going too far. And in some ways there was an effect of, "They can't make this up, did this really happen?"
While not Academy award stuff, this movie is good with excellent production values and good acting. The script was interesting and Moore and Caine were both excellent. The framing story was not too great though, and the "old" make-up on Moore in the frame was pretty bad. The film would have worked even better had they come up with another way to do this.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
TV-Fringe
Fringe premiered Tuesday night, and it was very intriguing. It is always hard to judge a series by the first episode, it can go either way, either totally bomb by diverting from what makes it work, or really build on it.
Fringe seems like it will build well on this premier, which was very good. Very X-Files-ish, in that it tackles creepy eerie freaky stuff. Somewhat Lost in that there are many mysteries.
It starts with a bit of gross out...a flight to Boston has some trouble. Just a little thing...all the people on the flight melt...you know, run of the mill stuff. Anna Torv plays an FBI agent, Olivia Dunham, who is immediately involved in the investigation, and gets deeper and deeper into it, as her lover, also an FBI agent, contracts the same disease as the people on the flight.
The show is created by JJ Abrams, and that gives it some cred right there. Abrams created Felicity, Alias and Lost, and is putting together the new Star Trek movie. Like Alias and Lost, there is a lot hinted at in the first episode...who can be trusted, who is good and who is bad, what is the conspiracy and who is behind this incident and other strange incidents that have been going on recently.
As Dunham gets more into the case, she enlists the help of Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson), the son of an eccentric scientist, who is in an insane asylum. Peter Bishop helps her get his father out the asylum and the three become a team within the FBI, starting an investigation into strange events. The title comes from the Dr. Bishop's area of expertise, fringe science (esp, telekinisis, out of body epxerience, astral projection...good stuff like that).
There is great chemistry among the cast, the story brings you in, and has you wondering from the first episode; wondering who is really who they say they are.
I will be giving Fringe three episodes before I say yes or no, but first indications are a big yes to add to my viewing list. Even my wife enjoyed it, and she is not a big Sci-Fi type fan.
BTW--Anna Torv is pretty darn good. Reading some feedback on her, there are many remarks about who she looks like. Many mention Cate Blanchett, and I agree, but a cross between Blanchett and Poppy Montgomery from Without a Trace.
I will let you know after three eps if it lives up to the pilot.
Fringe seems like it will build well on this premier, which was very good. Very X-Files-ish, in that it tackles creepy eerie freaky stuff. Somewhat Lost in that there are many mysteries.
It starts with a bit of gross out...a flight to Boston has some trouble. Just a little thing...all the people on the flight melt...you know, run of the mill stuff. Anna Torv plays an FBI agent, Olivia Dunham, who is immediately involved in the investigation, and gets deeper and deeper into it, as her lover, also an FBI agent, contracts the same disease as the people on the flight.
The show is created by JJ Abrams, and that gives it some cred right there. Abrams created Felicity, Alias and Lost, and is putting together the new Star Trek movie. Like Alias and Lost, there is a lot hinted at in the first episode...who can be trusted, who is good and who is bad, what is the conspiracy and who is behind this incident and other strange incidents that have been going on recently.
As Dunham gets more into the case, she enlists the help of Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson), the son of an eccentric scientist, who is in an insane asylum. Peter Bishop helps her get his father out the asylum and the three become a team within the FBI, starting an investigation into strange events. The title comes from the Dr. Bishop's area of expertise, fringe science (esp, telekinisis, out of body epxerience, astral projection...good stuff like that).
There is great chemistry among the cast, the story brings you in, and has you wondering from the first episode; wondering who is really who they say they are.
I will be giving Fringe three episodes before I say yes or no, but first indications are a big yes to add to my viewing list. Even my wife enjoyed it, and she is not a big Sci-Fi type fan.
BTW--Anna Torv is pretty darn good. Reading some feedback on her, there are many remarks about who she looks like. Many mention Cate Blanchett, and I agree, but a cross between Blanchett and Poppy Montgomery from Without a Trace.
I will let you know after three eps if it lives up to the pilot.
Movie-The Corporation
The Corporation (2004) is one of the most important documentaries I have seen, and I learned so much about how multi-national corporations work, and why they seem to be taking over everything---because they actually are.
The movie is not exciting or even shocking in the Michael Moore documentary sort of way, but as it builds, as layers are peeled away, it becomes frightening and shocking.
What did I learn....that corporations are given the same rights as a person, but because of their make-up, are not held to the same standards of an individual. The consequences of this "limited liability" are shocking.
That patents on living organisms can be held, as ruled not by the patent office, which had turned down such patents, but by the courts, who ruled and living organism seemed like a chemical to them. this has led to ownership by corporations of almost everything, even rainwater. It is mind-boggling and frickin' scary.
And let's be clear, when anyone says privatization of anything, it means ownership by corporations, whose bottom line, by law, is ALWAYS about profit. So privatize the firefighters means that a corporation will run the firehouses. And what is the responsibility of a corporation...PROFIT! Not saving lives, not saving property. By law, they must put profit above all these things.
If anyone ever wonders why these violent protest when the World Bank convenes, of the WTO has a summit, watch this movie. You will understand immediately. And you may want to join in next time it comes to your area.
A very important movie!
The movie is not exciting or even shocking in the Michael Moore documentary sort of way, but as it builds, as layers are peeled away, it becomes frightening and shocking.
What did I learn....that corporations are given the same rights as a person, but because of their make-up, are not held to the same standards of an individual. The consequences of this "limited liability" are shocking.
That patents on living organisms can be held, as ruled not by the patent office, which had turned down such patents, but by the courts, who ruled and living organism seemed like a chemical to them. this has led to ownership by corporations of almost everything, even rainwater. It is mind-boggling and frickin' scary.
And let's be clear, when anyone says privatization of anything, it means ownership by corporations, whose bottom line, by law, is ALWAYS about profit. So privatize the firefighters means that a corporation will run the firehouses. And what is the responsibility of a corporation...PROFIT! Not saving lives, not saving property. By law, they must put profit above all these things.
If anyone ever wonders why these violent protest when the World Bank convenes, of the WTO has a summit, watch this movie. You will understand immediately. And you may want to join in next time it comes to your area.
A very important movie!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
TV-The New Season, Terminator, The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Well, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles started off my new TV season with a bang. It was really good opening episode, with tons of action, suspense and intrigue. And it leaves many so much open to explore for the season.
And it featured a lot of the ultra hot Lena Headey (Termi-milf as I call her).
Taking off where last season ended, a car explosion that seems to put Cameron out of the picture. But in true Termi style, she keeps moving. But her programming has reverted...she is there to kill John Connor once again.
Chase scene after chase scene, all done well, ensue. Side stories including the introduction of a new character seem compelling. Who is this new woman? And the revelation that she is the advance type of Terminator had us saying, "Oh crap!"
The series lost its way for a bit last season, but it seems to be on track again. If it can keep moving forward without muddling the story line too much and making it to complex and confusing, it should do alright.
If it does not do those things, and does not keep the quality of this first episode, it may sink fast.
And it featured a lot of the ultra hot Lena Headey (Termi-milf as I call her).
Taking off where last season ended, a car explosion that seems to put Cameron out of the picture. But in true Termi style, she keeps moving. But her programming has reverted...she is there to kill John Connor once again.
Chase scene after chase scene, all done well, ensue. Side stories including the introduction of a new character seem compelling. Who is this new woman? And the revelation that she is the advance type of Terminator had us saying, "Oh crap!"
The series lost its way for a bit last season, but it seems to be on track again. If it can keep moving forward without muddling the story line too much and making it to complex and confusing, it should do alright.
If it does not do those things, and does not keep the quality of this first episode, it may sink fast.
Book-The Catcher in the Rye
It has been more than 20 years since I have read The Catcher in the Rye, the classic book by J.D. Salinger. I read it during my first semester at State in a course called Modern American Fiction taught by Professor McCaffery (who I did not like much). Its funny when you read a novel for a course, you first of all read it so fast, because as an English major you have about 25 other novels before the end of the semester. You also read it for what you think your professor might find important, so you can regurgitate that back to them in an essay. So I have wanted to read this novel again, for myself, for enjoyment.
It is a classic for a reason. Told in a first person narrative by a young man, a boy really named Holden Caulfield. And the voice of Holden is unique. I do remember when I first read it I thought Holden was a bit of a complainer, and I wondered if I would find him annoying this time. The exact opposite. Holden is confused, and certainly sometimes crude, but his depth of feeling shines through.
One other thing I remember being asked of us students---can we trust what Holden says to us? Is what he says what is really happening or is there more going on? And I think you cannot trust Holden's words, but you can trust most of his feelings.
It is remarkable that this book remains a touchstone for those who have trouble seeing the sense of everything, the rat race and the conformity, the rules and the demands. It is a wonder more do not lose it like Holden.
But his story is also very personal...there have been events that have made it harder for him to make sense of this mundane existence, things that have happened that no one seems to understand...at least they do not understand how these thing can effect a sensitive, smart and deeply loving teenager.
Catcher caught me by surprise...with how impactful it still is to me as an adult...a middle-aged adult to boot. It is maybe even more impactful to me now for some reason....The Catcher in the Rye is a classic, because it speaks to many ages, to many minds and souls. It captures the essence of confusion in this modern age, the questions of why do we do this, why are we afraid to love and show our true selves. Why does this modern society seem to revel in us all becoming the same.
Catcher is still, and will be for decades if not centuries, a classic.
It is a classic for a reason. Told in a first person narrative by a young man, a boy really named Holden Caulfield. And the voice of Holden is unique. I do remember when I first read it I thought Holden was a bit of a complainer, and I wondered if I would find him annoying this time. The exact opposite. Holden is confused, and certainly sometimes crude, but his depth of feeling shines through.
One other thing I remember being asked of us students---can we trust what Holden says to us? Is what he says what is really happening or is there more going on? And I think you cannot trust Holden's words, but you can trust most of his feelings.
It is remarkable that this book remains a touchstone for those who have trouble seeing the sense of everything, the rat race and the conformity, the rules and the demands. It is a wonder more do not lose it like Holden.
But his story is also very personal...there have been events that have made it harder for him to make sense of this mundane existence, things that have happened that no one seems to understand...at least they do not understand how these thing can effect a sensitive, smart and deeply loving teenager.
Catcher caught me by surprise...with how impactful it still is to me as an adult...a middle-aged adult to boot. It is maybe even more impactful to me now for some reason....The Catcher in the Rye is a classic, because it speaks to many ages, to many minds and souls. It captures the essence of confusion in this modern age, the questions of why do we do this, why are we afraid to love and show our true selves. Why does this modern society seem to revel in us all becoming the same.
Catcher is still, and will be for decades if not centuries, a classic.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Movie-Deliverance
Well...I did learn something in Deliverance. I never knew the tune "Dueling Banjos" was from a movie. That song will never be the same to me again.
The 1972 film is good, but sometimes over the top too. Starring Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Jon Voight and Ronny Cox it is suspenseful, but sometimes a little too dramatic, and a bit over the top. Especially as the tough guy Burt Reynolds portrays, the oozy confidence and disregard, I felt like the film was almost making a parody of a movie stereotype.
And when Jon Voight climbs up the sheer cliff wall...OK, that is when my disbelief went into overdrive.
There are some great lines from the movie though--- "He has a purty mouth." "Squeal piggy!" among them.
The four friends taking a trip down the river, that turns into a deathly nightmare seems cliched now, 30 plus years later, but it must have been fresh then. And there is a certain exuberance to the film, and a deft creepiness.
It is called a classic, and it is that. I don't know if that makes it great or not.
The 1972 film is good, but sometimes over the top too. Starring Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Jon Voight and Ronny Cox it is suspenseful, but sometimes a little too dramatic, and a bit over the top. Especially as the tough guy Burt Reynolds portrays, the oozy confidence and disregard, I felt like the film was almost making a parody of a movie stereotype.
And when Jon Voight climbs up the sheer cliff wall...OK, that is when my disbelief went into overdrive.
There are some great lines from the movie though--- "He has a purty mouth." "Squeal piggy!" among them.
The four friends taking a trip down the river, that turns into a deathly nightmare seems cliched now, 30 plus years later, but it must have been fresh then. And there is a certain exuberance to the film, and a deft creepiness.
It is called a classic, and it is that. I don't know if that makes it great or not.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Movie-Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
I did not know I was getting two Amy Adams movies back to back, I barely know Amy Adams, but it happened.
Miss Pettigrew (2008) stars Amy Adams and Frances McDormand, as the title character).
It is an interesting and fun film, seemingly light-hearted. But there is a lot of social commentary under the surface. The differences between rich and poor, shown finely in a scene where WWII has started. And even more, the role of women, and how they are many times treated like chattel, bought and owned and sold by men, in one form or another.
So the film plays on many different levels. I think Frances McDormand is a great actress, and she does a find job here as the desperate governess conning her way into a job as a ingenues (Adams) social secretary.
The movie is fun, if a bit predictable. All the main characters do great, especially, McDormand, Adams and Lee Pace (of Pushing Daisies fame). All in all, a nice bit of movie making.
Miss Pettigrew (2008) stars Amy Adams and Frances McDormand, as the title character).
It is an interesting and fun film, seemingly light-hearted. But there is a lot of social commentary under the surface. The differences between rich and poor, shown finely in a scene where WWII has started. And even more, the role of women, and how they are many times treated like chattel, bought and owned and sold by men, in one form or another.
So the film plays on many different levels. I think Frances McDormand is a great actress, and she does a find job here as the desperate governess conning her way into a job as a ingenues (Adams) social secretary.
The movie is fun, if a bit predictable. All the main characters do great, especially, McDormand, Adams and Lee Pace (of Pushing Daisies fame). All in all, a nice bit of movie making.
Movie-Enchanted
This movie is overly cute and predictable, sometimes saccharine sweet. But ya know what? I liked it anyway.
Enchanted (2007) takes a twist on the old-fashioned Disney fairy tale. The animated princess to be is thrown into the real world by the evil stepmother, to prevent the marriage to her stepson. All this is done in animation, until the princess finds herself in New York City (as Amy Adams), with no rules of animation to help her. And the real world is a harsher place than her animated fairy kingdom.
One of the laughs I had is when she sees a business man who happens to be a midget, and grabs him. He gets angry, and she says "Hello Grumpy." That pisses him off more.
She gets help from Patrick Dempsey, who, with his 6 year old daughter, take mercy on this strange wandering woman, and take her in. She finds that some of her animated powers still work, as she calls on the creatures of the forest to help her clean the apartment. The forest creatures of New York though, are pigeons, rats, flys and cockroaches.
Eventually she is pursued by all the major characters of her animated world, her prince and the evil stepmother too. This all goes according to formula and you can see the ending coming a mile away. But sometimes that ending is OK. It is like comfort food, you know what you are getting, but it makes you feel good.
Enchanted is a nice sweet diversion. And that is not a bad thing.
Enchanted (2007) takes a twist on the old-fashioned Disney fairy tale. The animated princess to be is thrown into the real world by the evil stepmother, to prevent the marriage to her stepson. All this is done in animation, until the princess finds herself in New York City (as Amy Adams), with no rules of animation to help her. And the real world is a harsher place than her animated fairy kingdom.
One of the laughs I had is when she sees a business man who happens to be a midget, and grabs him. He gets angry, and she says "Hello Grumpy." That pisses him off more.
She gets help from Patrick Dempsey, who, with his 6 year old daughter, take mercy on this strange wandering woman, and take her in. She finds that some of her animated powers still work, as she calls on the creatures of the forest to help her clean the apartment. The forest creatures of New York though, are pigeons, rats, flys and cockroaches.
Eventually she is pursued by all the major characters of her animated world, her prince and the evil stepmother too. This all goes according to formula and you can see the ending coming a mile away. But sometimes that ending is OK. It is like comfort food, you know what you are getting, but it makes you feel good.
Enchanted is a nice sweet diversion. And that is not a bad thing.
Restaurant-Sea Rocket Bistro
Sea Rocket Bistro is a new restaurant on the suddenly restaurant filled 30th St. in North Park. I would say it is closer to South Park at 3382 30th, and it took over the former location of the Linkery (which moved up 30th, closer to North Park).
The big lure of Sea Rocket Bistro is that they use only local and sustainable seafood, and local produce. This is a nice trend in newer restaurants that are bringing in diners who also are striving to be a bit greener in their lifestyles.
It is a casual place, but the food is very nicely prepared and served. We both had a drink, with my wife enjoying a rose that really complimented our appetizer and I had a Karl Strauss. We shared the appetizer of grilled sardines. This dish reminded us so much of Greece. Grilled small fish, with a little citrus tang, and served on a small salad with huge lima beans that was really tasty. You get three sardines, and they come right off the bone. Crunchy and perfectly grilled.
Now the meals were really good but not outstanding. The market fish the day we visited were halibut and sea bass (locally caught). My wife ordered the sea bass and it came nice and moist, not dry at all, with a nice citrus drizzle on it. And with fingerling potatoes on the side.
I had the Steamers entree, and did the half-and half option, half a pound of clams and half a pound of mussels. These came in a white wine broth and topped with a diced tomatoes and red onion salsa that did not overpower the dish at all, but complimented it. It also came with some toasted ciabatta, from a local (neighborhood) bakery. This was my only complaint. The ciabatta, toasted, is not absorbent, and you want something to soak up the great broth with, so we had to order a side of fresh bread, and the cost $1.50 extra.
The bill ran about $60 bucks, and it was a very good meal, and one that we could feel good about eating. It seemed a little bit steep for the meals we got, but part of that is because of the efforts to get it local.
I would not go back there next week, but will revisit it in the future. A nice place to go to get local/sustainable seafood.
The big lure of Sea Rocket Bistro is that they use only local and sustainable seafood, and local produce. This is a nice trend in newer restaurants that are bringing in diners who also are striving to be a bit greener in their lifestyles.
It is a casual place, but the food is very nicely prepared and served. We both had a drink, with my wife enjoying a rose that really complimented our appetizer and I had a Karl Strauss. We shared the appetizer of grilled sardines. This dish reminded us so much of Greece. Grilled small fish, with a little citrus tang, and served on a small salad with huge lima beans that was really tasty. You get three sardines, and they come right off the bone. Crunchy and perfectly grilled.
Now the meals were really good but not outstanding. The market fish the day we visited were halibut and sea bass (locally caught). My wife ordered the sea bass and it came nice and moist, not dry at all, with a nice citrus drizzle on it. And with fingerling potatoes on the side.
I had the Steamers entree, and did the half-and half option, half a pound of clams and half a pound of mussels. These came in a white wine broth and topped with a diced tomatoes and red onion salsa that did not overpower the dish at all, but complimented it. It also came with some toasted ciabatta, from a local (neighborhood) bakery. This was my only complaint. The ciabatta, toasted, is not absorbent, and you want something to soak up the great broth with, so we had to order a side of fresh bread, and the cost $1.50 extra.
The bill ran about $60 bucks, and it was a very good meal, and one that we could feel good about eating. It seemed a little bit steep for the meals we got, but part of that is because of the efforts to get it local.
I would not go back there next week, but will revisit it in the future. A nice place to go to get local/sustainable seafood.
New TV Season
Well, the new TV season is almost here, and I am getting ready for my shows to return and to try some new shows. However, this season has very few new shows that look good to me. Last season I tried 21 of the new shows introduced. That was a lot.
This year, at the start of the season I am trying only 2 new shows, and then at med-season a couple of others.
I have many returning shows, some of which saw limited runs last season due to the writer's strike. Of the 21 I tried last season, there are 6 returning that I will watch this year, and one more mid-season. And then there are the rest of my older shows.
The new shows I will try right now are Fringe on Fox and Life On Mars on ABC. Fringe because JJ Abrams is running it and he usually brings terrific entertainment. And Life On Mars because of the concept and cast, and it has generally received good reviews. Mid-season I will also try Merlin and Dollhouse.
So, here is my schedule:
Monday: Two and a Half Men, Heroes, Chuck, Samantha Who (my show most likely to be dropped) and the Sarah Conner Chronicles (right behind Samantha Who if it does not pan out).
Tuesday: Without A Trace and Fringe
Wednesday: Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money and Lipstick Jungle
Thursday: My Name is Earl, The Office, 30 Rock, CSI and Life On Mars
Nothing Friday-Sunday.
Returning mid-season will be Scrubs, Medium and Reaper
My feeling is that some of these sophomore shows are not going to make it the whole way, as they only ran less than half a season last year. So my schedule will thin out a bit. I give each new show 3 episodes to make an impression, and then decide if it stays on my list.
I will be posting on all new and returning shows as they come up. Sarah Conner starts on Monday.
This year, at the start of the season I am trying only 2 new shows, and then at med-season a couple of others.
I have many returning shows, some of which saw limited runs last season due to the writer's strike. Of the 21 I tried last season, there are 6 returning that I will watch this year, and one more mid-season. And then there are the rest of my older shows.
The new shows I will try right now are Fringe on Fox and Life On Mars on ABC. Fringe because JJ Abrams is running it and he usually brings terrific entertainment. And Life On Mars because of the concept and cast, and it has generally received good reviews. Mid-season I will also try Merlin and Dollhouse.
So, here is my schedule:
Monday: Two and a Half Men, Heroes, Chuck, Samantha Who (my show most likely to be dropped) and the Sarah Conner Chronicles (right behind Samantha Who if it does not pan out).
Tuesday: Without A Trace and Fringe
Wednesday: Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money and Lipstick Jungle
Thursday: My Name is Earl, The Office, 30 Rock, CSI and Life On Mars
Nothing Friday-Sunday.
Returning mid-season will be Scrubs, Medium and Reaper
My feeling is that some of these sophomore shows are not going to make it the whole way, as they only ran less than half a season last year. So my schedule will thin out a bit. I give each new show 3 episodes to make an impression, and then decide if it stays on my list.
I will be posting on all new and returning shows as they come up. Sarah Conner starts on Monday.
Friday, September 5, 2008
1 Magazine
OK, I am pretty caught up on my magazines, so I only had one to read between my books, and it was the September Zoonooz. It was ok. I have to say, I cannot wait until the re-design that is coming up. That will be welcome.
Book-Japan:the Story of a Nation
This history by Edwin Reischauer, is an immensely readable book. Reischauer not only presents the history of the island nation with clear ideas and language, he also presents it with a certain panache and an incredible understanding.
The author was born in Japan to missionaries and grew up in the language and customs of Japan. Throughout his life he wasdevoted to studies of the East and especially Japan, teaching at Harvard and eventually becoming U.S. Ambassador to Japan in the Kennedy/Johnson administration.
He takes us on a journey from the beginning of Japan, to the mid-seventies, explaining the prevalent historical and cultural forces that shaped the country. And he does not over-explain. In one chapter, talking about Japan going into a depression he explains one of the causes (and I paraphrase) "...and the country decided to try to get back on the gold standard at exactly the wrong time."
Now a lot of authors would have tried to explain that in economic terms, but Reischauer wisely does not do this. He is writing a popular history of Japan, not an economic thesis. He leaves that to his suggested reading list, to point the way for anyone wanting more information.
His explanations of Japan include economic, political and social, and he intermixes these to create a whole portrait of the land and its people. The book is especially good in examining why they became so militarized prior to WW II, really looking at the causes of their colonization of China and entry into the war.
He has a tremendous understanding of this nation of the people, and yet he does not let that cloud his disdain for their brutality during that time. He is clearheaded about this subject, but does look at how it came to be.
This book is a great introduction to Japan, for those wanting to understand this sometimes difficult to understand nation.
The author was born in Japan to missionaries and grew up in the language and customs of Japan. Throughout his life he wasdevoted to studies of the East and especially Japan, teaching at Harvard and eventually becoming U.S. Ambassador to Japan in the Kennedy/Johnson administration.
He takes us on a journey from the beginning of Japan, to the mid-seventies, explaining the prevalent historical and cultural forces that shaped the country. And he does not over-explain. In one chapter, talking about Japan going into a depression he explains one of the causes (and I paraphrase) "...and the country decided to try to get back on the gold standard at exactly the wrong time."
Now a lot of authors would have tried to explain that in economic terms, but Reischauer wisely does not do this. He is writing a popular history of Japan, not an economic thesis. He leaves that to his suggested reading list, to point the way for anyone wanting more information.
His explanations of Japan include economic, political and social, and he intermixes these to create a whole portrait of the land and its people. The book is especially good in examining why they became so militarized prior to WW II, really looking at the causes of their colonization of China and entry into the war.
He has a tremendous understanding of this nation of the people, and yet he does not let that cloud his disdain for their brutality during that time. He is clearheaded about this subject, but does look at how it came to be.
This book is a great introduction to Japan, for those wanting to understand this sometimes difficult to understand nation.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Thought
Alaska has a population of 664,000 at the last census. The city of Chicago has a population of 2.7 million. The state of Illinois has about 12,800,000.
Hmmmm...an executive of a small firm with 7 people, or the VP of a multinational. Who has a better grasp of issues for an even larger multinational.
I'm just saying.
Hmmmm...an executive of a small firm with 7 people, or the VP of a multinational. Who has a better grasp of issues for an even larger multinational.
I'm just saying.
Movie-Word Wars
Word Wars is a 2004 documentary that takes a look at the world of competitive Scrabble playing. Oh yes, Scrabble tournaments abound my friends, and those that take them VERY seriously are about as odd as any group you will see in the movies. They make some of the Star Wars nuts look pretty normal.
The film follows 4 of the players as they play in tournaments leading up to the National Scrabble Tournament to be played in San Diego that year. They are an interesting group, most unemployed, all underemployed. And they are obsessive about their work lists. One guys studies his flash cards while driving. Another has to drink antacids while he is playing to keep from acid coming into his throat. See, ALL totally run-of-the-mill.
It is a fun movie nonetheless, and you are amazed by how well these guys can play this game. To score 400-500 points is normal. To get bingos using all 7 tiles in practically normal.
One of the lines I found funniest was during the National Tournament. they interviewed this 11 year old kid who had won the division 6 title. They asked him if he wanted to get to division 1 someday and he giggled. "Well no," he said. "I don't want to become obsessive about it, and like, not have a job."
Very strange but entertaining. And I think I picked up a tip or two for my Scrabble playing.
The film follows 4 of the players as they play in tournaments leading up to the National Scrabble Tournament to be played in San Diego that year. They are an interesting group, most unemployed, all underemployed. And they are obsessive about their work lists. One guys studies his flash cards while driving. Another has to drink antacids while he is playing to keep from acid coming into his throat. See, ALL totally run-of-the-mill.
It is a fun movie nonetheless, and you are amazed by how well these guys can play this game. To score 400-500 points is normal. To get bingos using all 7 tiles in practically normal.
One of the lines I found funniest was during the National Tournament. they interviewed this 11 year old kid who had won the division 6 title. They asked him if he wanted to get to division 1 someday and he giggled. "Well no," he said. "I don't want to become obsessive about it, and like, not have a job."
Very strange but entertaining. And I think I picked up a tip or two for my Scrabble playing.
Movie-Faithless
Faithless (2000) is a serious movie. Serious about its subject of affair and divorce, and the scar that leaves, the pain it causes.
Directed by Liv Ullmann from a script from her mentor Ingmar Bergman, this Swedish movie is so not Hollywood. No soaring violins denoting pain and suffering, and no happy ending...new love found and life is happily ever after....nothing of the sort. Faithless is pretty raw emotionally and does not resort to trickery. In that way, it is hard to watch. But some of the truths make it worth watching.
When the husband discovers the affair, finding the lovers in bed together, his wife asks, "What now?" He says, somewhat quietly, "I don't know, but it will cause pain." It is a perfect moment...too true for most Hollywood movies.
The storyline does not play up our sympathies for any one character, no one comes out unscathed in the end, no one looks very noble. But it is painful to see the destruction that this choice makes. Inevitable once the choice is made, but the choice itself is not inevitable.
Directed by Liv Ullmann from a script from her mentor Ingmar Bergman, this Swedish movie is so not Hollywood. No soaring violins denoting pain and suffering, and no happy ending...new love found and life is happily ever after....nothing of the sort. Faithless is pretty raw emotionally and does not resort to trickery. In that way, it is hard to watch. But some of the truths make it worth watching.
When the husband discovers the affair, finding the lovers in bed together, his wife asks, "What now?" He says, somewhat quietly, "I don't know, but it will cause pain." It is a perfect moment...too true for most Hollywood movies.
The storyline does not play up our sympathies for any one character, no one comes out unscathed in the end, no one looks very noble. But it is painful to see the destruction that this choice makes. Inevitable once the choice is made, but the choice itself is not inevitable.
Movie-Merv Griffen's 40 Most Interesting People
Ok ok...technically these three discs are not a movie, but interviews taken over the decades by Merv Griffin. The Merv Griffin Show was a standard in our house, mostly because my grandmother LOVED Merv. If we had to watch something else, moon walk, Nixon resignation, minor things like that instead of Merv, she would be noticeably upset. And anyone who came on that was Italian...Whoa! It was like pasta was reinvented! "She's Italian you know?" she would say.
Anyway, I digress. The three discs are organized by genre of the interviewee. Disc 1 mainly dramatic actors with a couple of comedic actors. Disc 2 comedians and disc 3 political figures. Now I would not say all of these are the most interesting people over several decades. But some of the interview were quite good. The disc that least impressed me was the first one. Some of these actors seemed to think that they were overly important, like Richard Burton. But it was worth it to see a young Tom Cruise (right after Risky Business) and a very young Tom Hanks.
Disc 2 was better and funny. Don Rickles is still one of the funniest comedians around, and this was when he was in his prime. Standup from young Jerry Seinfeld and
young George Carlin.
But the third disc was a prize. An interview with the newly retire Walter Cronkite was amazing. One thing Cronkite said that stuck with me. He thought all anchormen should start in the newspaper industry. His reasoning was that the TV side has to shrink down all that a full story would say into less than a minute. But he thought that the TV side should know what would have been in paragraph 30 of a story in the paper, to get that one paragraph right that TV would put out. Interviews with martin Luther King Jr., Bobby Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan are all great. The interview with Reagan was very interesting. I disagree with so many of his political stances, but you could not help liking the guy. I mean, it was really hard to hate that man.
On another tangent, I just had heard a story about Reagan on NPR. After he was shot, he felt that god has saved his life for a reason. And he thought that reason was to start bringing peace to the world, and that was when he started reaching out to Gorbachev in the USSR. And Reagan touches very briefly on that in the Griffin interview.
All in all I felt like these were fun to watch, if for no other reason than to see how things have changed in the world---or stayed the same.
Anyway, I digress. The three discs are organized by genre of the interviewee. Disc 1 mainly dramatic actors with a couple of comedic actors. Disc 2 comedians and disc 3 political figures. Now I would not say all of these are the most interesting people over several decades. But some of the interview were quite good. The disc that least impressed me was the first one. Some of these actors seemed to think that they were overly important, like Richard Burton. But it was worth it to see a young Tom Cruise (right after Risky Business) and a very young Tom Hanks.
Disc 2 was better and funny. Don Rickles is still one of the funniest comedians around, and this was when he was in his prime. Standup from young Jerry Seinfeld and
young George Carlin.
But the third disc was a prize. An interview with the newly retire Walter Cronkite was amazing. One thing Cronkite said that stuck with me. He thought all anchormen should start in the newspaper industry. His reasoning was that the TV side has to shrink down all that a full story would say into less than a minute. But he thought that the TV side should know what would have been in paragraph 30 of a story in the paper, to get that one paragraph right that TV would put out. Interviews with martin Luther King Jr., Bobby Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan are all great. The interview with Reagan was very interesting. I disagree with so many of his political stances, but you could not help liking the guy. I mean, it was really hard to hate that man.
On another tangent, I just had heard a story about Reagan on NPR. After he was shot, he felt that god has saved his life for a reason. And he thought that reason was to start bringing peace to the world, and that was when he started reaching out to Gorbachev in the USSR. And Reagan touches very briefly on that in the Griffin interview.
All in all I felt like these were fun to watch, if for no other reason than to see how things have changed in the world---or stayed the same.
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