Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Whatever Happened To...?

Edward Furlong

If you are serious horror fan, than you probably already know the answer to today’s question. It turns out Edward Furlong has been keeping himself busy the last few years by making a slew of horror flicks. Most have ended up going straight to DVD but that does not seem to be slowing Furlong down. Personally I thought, after T2 and Little Odessa, Edward’s career would have taking off much more than it has. While Edward Furlong might not be a name that can open up a major film on his own; one would at least think he would be getting decent supporting roles at the least.




Career Highlights: Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991); American History X (1998); A Home of Our Own (1993); Little Odessa (1994); Before and After (1996)

Low Points: Pecker (1998); Detroit Rock City (1999); Pet Cemetery II (1992); American Heart (1992); Brainscan (1994)

Last Seen On The Big Screen: Detroit Rock City (1999)

Where You Will See Him Again: The Green Hornet with Seth Rogen

Wonder Woman Gets New Costume


Maybe it's more appropriate, but the long-standing look is gonna be missed if DC Comics stays with this.  Is this an adjustment to be more PC?  Is this a costume that will make the character easier to clothe for a Hollywood movie?

Dunno.  I kind of like the looks of it because it's different, but there's something about a half-clothed Amazon battling crime that still makes my heart beat fast.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Captain America Has Tommy Lee Jones


I was pumped when I found out Chris Evans (Human Torch, Fantastic Four) was also going to play Steve Rogers/Captain America.  Evans was totally cut in The Losers and will look fantastic in the suit.

Now Tommy Lee Jones is going to star as one of his commanding officers, probably back in World War II.  I can hardly wait to hear Tommy Lee doling out wisdom as a tough, no-nonsense Army officer.  This movie is getting me stoked.

Pitch the LAMB: All the Old Showstoppers

The following is my submission for this month’s Pitch the LAMB. The theme for this month is buddy flicks. Yes my pitch is a bit silly, but sometimes even I get in the mood for fluff.


All the Old Showstoppers

Cast:
Suzette – Sarah Polley
Leslie – Fabrizio Filippio
Hasuzo – Ken Jeong
Cedric – Dave Chapelle
No Thy Ene-Miis – Justin Long, Anna Faris
Levi – Seth Rogen

Leslie and Suzette, the duo behind the struggling Canadian band Fool’s Winter, have been on tour for the last six months promoting their self-released debut “Do We Say Eh?” Despite the duos passion for performing, they have yet to grow any real sort of following. Their agent, Cedric, has been booking them gigs in rundown country bars and biker bars. Neither of which is an ideal place to showcase Fool’s Winter’s unique blend hip hop/indie-rock. After living in a cramped van for months, not to mention having beer thrown in their face on a nightly basis, it looks like Leslie and Suzette’s friendship might finally be reaching its breaking point.

One night, while blowing the dust off their CD’s at the merchandising table, Suzette is approached by a man, Hasuzo, who claims to represent a major Japanese record label. Hasuzo is looking for a band to be the opening act for an upcoming U2 show in Osaka. There is one catch though, any band who agrees to take the opening act gig must live in Osaka for a month and have their experiences filmed for a future reality show. Suzette immediately jumps at the chance to expand the bands audience, but Leslie is hesitant at first due to the television show aspect. Suzette pleads for Leslie to sign the contract by proclaiming”you owe me! Remember that time in Oshawa? You do not want to know what I had to do to get us the money to replace your guitar.” Guilt riding, Leslie agrees to sign Hasuzo’s papers as he figures the trip might be the break they need. As he signs the documents Suzette tries to ease his mind by stating “the show will only be aired in Japan. Really, who’s going to know? ”

A few days later Leslie and Suzette arrive in Japan and are mesmerized by the beauty of the country. When they arrive at the house, which Hasuzo has provided for them, they are surprised by how massive it is. Yet after an hour in the house, Leslie starts to notice some strange things occurring. “I think the walls are moving…this room was not here before” he remarks to Suzette. It soon becomes apparent to both Leslie and Suzette that the house is in fact one massive soundstage for an elaborate Japanese game show. As the duo makes their way through the funhouse-styled maze, which features booby traps around ever corner, they come across four other bands that are also competing for the coveted opening act spot.

As the competition heats up, and the traps get hilariously more outlandish, Leslie and Suzette’s ten year friendship is put to the ultimate test. Instead of crumbling to the pressure, they find a way to overcome every adversity that Hasuzo, and rival band No Thy Ene-Miis, try to throw at them. In the end, Fool’s Winter find their way out of the house mere seconds after No Thy Ene-Miis. Hasuzo congratulates both bands for finishing the game. He announces that No Thy Ene-Miis will be the opening act for U2…a new extreme game show Hasuzo is producing. Hasuzo then hands Leslie and Suzette check for five hundred thousand dollars stating that it is their runners-up prize. Suzette politely thanks Hasuzo before surprising him with a swift punching him in the face. The film ends with the game show becoming an international hit over the internet; causing Leslie and Suzette’s band to gain a huge fan base. Cedric is fired and the band’s new agent, Levi, gets them booked at all the major music festivals. As the final credits role, the “You Two” sign is flashing over head and No Thy Ene-Miis is shown trying to play their instruments in a cage fully of overly aggressive monkeys

Sandra Bullock confirmed Divorce With Her Husband Jesse James

Sandra Bullock confirmed her divorce from her husband of nearly five years, Jesse James, Monday morning, UsMagazine.com has confirmed.

Sandra Bullock and Jesse James's marriage "has become insupportable" after James, 41, cheated on Sandra Bullock, and she filed for divorce on Apr. 23 in Travis County Court in Austin, Tx., where she is a resident.


In the same time of her filing, Bullock revealed that she and James had been in the process of adopting a baby from New Orleans, 3 1/2 month-old Louis before splitting. Sandra Bullock said, she plans to raise the boy as a single parent.

Despite James' infidelities, a source recently told Us Weekly that the two are on speaking terms.
"Jesse would not relocate his family [Chandler, 15, Jesse Jr, 12, and Sunny, 6] to Austin without consulting with her," the insider told Us. "This has been in the works for a while. Austin is Sandra; it's not him."

Since splitting with James, Bullock has been in hiding but recently stepped out for a few highly buzzed-about public appearances.

She wowed crowds at the Nashville flood benefit concert June 22 and a Spike TV awards show the same month.

On June 6, Sandra Bullock accepted the Generation Award at the MTV Movie Awards, where she smooched Scarlett Johnasson and urged the audience: "Can we please go back to normal – because therapy is really expensive."

Source:: http://omg.yahoo.com/news/

Monday, June 28, 2010

Red Flags - SST At Your Service

Ladies. It's time for some words of wisdom - take it or leave it - from the wise old lady here. (that would be me)
Now, I recognize that my wisdom is limited in that I've been dating a long time and still haven't found my best friend and lover... but the years have taught when to invest my time and energy and when to just cut bait.

Most of today's advice centers on what to avoid in online dating pursuits. Perhaps I'll share my own 'He's just not into you' rules for traditional dating, another time.

So here goes. Single Solitary Advice for online 'dating'. ( if there are any men peeking in - there's a thing or two to learn here for you too!)

Let's start with the profiles.

Just like the advice for poison ivy- leaves of three, let it be... if these three things are present, don't even engage him!
1. His photos obscure his face, either in shadows, by distance or with something sporty like ski goggles, motorcycle helmets etc. ~ this is a sure sign that he's not available. He's cheating on someone and is hoping not to be identified.

2. His only photo is a shot of his well-carved chest and abdominal muscles. Yes, they're nice - rock hard - and we do appreciate them. ~He's telling you this is all he has to offer - or - all he's willing to offer. He's just looking for someone who thinks he's hot and will get on her back in short order.

3. All of his pictures are self-portraits, taken in either the bathroom mirror or a mirror of some sort. This indicates two things. A) he's not really taking online dating seriously enough to make an effort. He's not going to put forth effort with you either. B) He may not have any friends... he hasn't been to a wedding or any social event in more than 2 years?! How else do you explain having NO photos of yourself taken by someone else? He can't even ask a neighbor kid to take his picture in the yard? If he has his shirt off in these self-portraits... run -don't walk- away.

Now, some may argue that these are all circumstantial. And that could be true. Use your own judgment on one or two of these red flags. But trust me, if all three are present - you don't want to go there.


Next up, red flag behaviors.

You've gotten to know one another on the dating site and now it's time to meet. You exchange phone numbers and it's time to make a plan...
1. If he only texts and never actually calls you. AND you get a yuck feeling from his choice of words and abbreviations. For example, one guy in his texts addressed me as QT. An abbreviation for cutie to be sure... but ... um ...NO! I am not 15 years old. That's just icky. Plus, my profile indicates that I'm a journalist... know your audience!!

2. He's asking you to come to his area of town for a first meeting/date... rather than coming to you. Say... NO! You are worth the trip and if he's serious about dating he needs to make this effort. At the very least, he should agree to meet at a mid-point. The red flag is ... if he's asking you to come to him... he's trying to get you home. If you decide to go anyway, make sure you never lose sight of your drink. Befriend the bartender.

3. If after numerous texts and/ or phone calls, he still hasn't established WHERE to meet at least 12 hours in advance of the date... you NO go. Again, if he's serious about dating, and he's a gentleman - he's not going to let this happen. You are a prize. You are a busy woman. You deserve firm, well-thought out plans even if you have to make them yourself. If he's still up in the air with less than 12 hours on the clock - he's not worth it.
These tips are not all inclusive. But based on experience - you can't go wrong by following this advice. You may think it's unfair to knock someone out of the running on one or two of these behaviors... but if you overlook them ... do a favor and let me know how it turns out.

My gut is well-educated. And here for your service.

Men, if you dispute my findings - I can respect that - but this is a learning experience. If you do any of these things... these are the conclusions women will draw. These are points on which you can easily accommodate us, rather than the other way around.

Meaty Year Bliss for Carnivore Lovers

Year of the Carnivore


I remember watching a documentary about Canadian cinema were one participant commented about the perception that Canadian’s only make films that are either artsy or about sex. While not an artsy film, I highly doubt Sook-Yin Lee’s Year of the Carnivore will be changing people’s views about sex in Canadian cinema any time soon.

Sammy Smalls (Cristin Milioti) works as an undercover security guard at a local grocery store. When she is not catching shoplifters in the act for her boss (Will Sasso), she is pining over the neighbourhood busker, Eugene (Mark Rendall). After sharing a passionate night together, Sammy is shocked to learn that Eugene no longer wants a relationship with her. What is the reason for Eugene’s sudden change? According to Eugene it is due to Sammy’s lack of skill in bed. Since Eugene refuses to help her improve her sexual technique, Sammy sets out to gain sexual experience by any means necessary.

Year of the Carnivore is a funny and thought provoking look at human connection and the loneliness that we all have. According Lee, married couples are not excluded from this sense of alienation. In fact, the married couples in the film are worse off than Sammy in most cases. Whether it is the young couple with twin babies, or the couple who have been together for 25 years, married folks have lost both the passion in the bedroom and the basic art of communication altogether.




Although sex is the catalyst for the story, it is rarely shown in a pleasurable light. In on scene Eugene has a bored look on his face while taking part in a threesome. Throughout the film Sook-Yin reminds us that, on a daily basis, we over analyze sex which in turn takes the fun out of it. As a society, we spends so much time talking about sex, selling sex, and looking to have sex; yet in reality people rarely act on their impulses. It is our inhibitions, and overall our lack of true connections, that leads to nothing but regret years later.

After starring in the controversial film Shortbus, and directing a few shorts, Sook-Yin Lee makes her feature length directorial debut with Year of the Carnivore. As a director Sook-Yin shows a lot of promise. Sure the themes of the movie may not be new but Lee makes them fresh again with her smartly written script. The dialogue in the film is both comical and charming. Sook-Yin also displays a good understanding on how to get the most from her actors. Besides Lee, a lot of the film’s success is due to the hilarious performance by Cristin Milioti in the role of Sammy. Milioti, who has great physical comedic timing, convincingly conveys both Sammy’s quirky awkwardness and her womanly awakening. Her performance always manages to avoid the realm of farce. Year of the Carnivore could have easily been a formulaic romantic comedy but instead it turned out to be one of those pleasant surprises.


Paul "Bish" Bishop Is On The Beat!


Many of you who enjoy the film noir books/movies I cover, or suspense thrillers, and just about anything else because the guy is as omnivorous as I am, it appears, would probably enjoy stopping by http://www.bishsbeat.blogspot.com/.

I drop by regularly and have found a lot of material I would have missed if not for Paul's detective skills.  Keeping an eye on everything is a daunting job, but Paul Bish is a great wingman to have along the way.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Alan Wake Scares Pro Gamer!



Okay, I have to admit it.  This game has got some serious chops.  I've played it off and on this week, and I've gotten totally creeped out.  The atmosphere, the music, the story development -- all of that works to pull me into the fog-shrouded forest where Alan Wake has to fight off the Taken (shadow creatures with axes) with nothing more than a flashlight and (usually) a revolver.

I try to play an episode a night.  There are only six.  But I'm crushing a deadline and haven't had the time.  I'm on Episode Three right now, and I'm getting my butt slammed by a possessed bulldozer that reminds me a lot of the old Theodore Sturgeon short story "Killdozer!" that got made into a creepy Clint Walker film back in the 1970s.  The film was called Killdozer, and it was a trip.  It also got made into a Marvel Comics issue.

Theodore Sturgeon was only 25 or 26 when he wrote the story back in 1944, so I assume his Tonka toy phase hadn't quite worn off and had become incredibly twisted.  Now I'm getting flashbacks from my childhood.







This game has got me all twisted up.  On one hand, the Taken are so creepy that I dread when the sun goes down in the game.  On the other hand, the mysteries are so sharp and the stakes so high, that I have trouble walking away.

Last night with the possessed bulldozer, I finally had to lay the controller down and walk away because my spirit's willing but my adrenaline-addled flesh just couldn't save me on-screen.  My 12 year old has gotten farther than me, but even he has trouble staying in the same room with me when the game is on.  Not because it's boring, but because he knows all the spots the Taken will jump out and he gets creeped all over again.  I don't mind dying in the game.  Chandler doesn't like it.  But the Taken just trigger my fight/flight instinct like a four-alarm fire bell.

And there's downloadable content coming for this game!  It's not going to be over for some time.  This is one of the best games storywise I have ever seen.  I normally love first-person shooters the most, but I've never found a game as immersive as Alan Wake.

Try it.  I guarantee at some point you'll be sitting on the edge of your seat with creepy music playing all around you -- and you'll duck shadows on your way to bed.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

On Writing Fiction

I've just started a new blog where I intend to discuss writing fiction and the processes that I use.  If you'd like to see what I'm doing, or have a question about writing, please go to http://www.onwritingfiction.wordpress.com/.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Sticking It Out

When I started this blog, it was intended, in part, to be a place for me to record my dating stories. I was convinced that I could write a book about my misfortunes and occasional/ rare great dates. Many friends agreed.

Then I met someone, and it didn't seem right to focus on the past. As you know, that's over so here goes.

To date, I have shared memories about one favorite.
On my mind today, the one who actually wanted to marry me - but my gut warned me that would be a heartbreaking move.

We shall refer to this man by his nickname acquired post-breakup. More on that another time.

Introducing, the Cave Man:

I met him one night when my friends insisted on going to a certain dance bar that I hated. I obliged them once a year. That night, as I hovered at the edge of the dance floor - he approached. Tall, thin, fair and with a goatee. Not my type, but dancing is better than purse patrol so I agreed.

He was nice. At the end of the night, I gave him my business card which identified me as a local news reporter. He responded properly, appropriately impressed but not too much so. Which impressed me.

We ended up dating regularly. He lived outside of the city, on a government land preserve. The house was one of the benefits of his job, he had to live on the land. (sort of a naturalist, think Game, Fish & Parks.) He was an outdoors man. He loved nature. I respected that, having grown up on a working ranch. He was a hunter too, like my dad - so I was okay with that too.

I, on the other hand, had been itching to leave the farmland from the age of five. I loved living in the city. From my apartment, I could see the lights from Downtown. At the time, they were constructing the tallest building in town, and I could see the lights from the cranes while lying in bed at night. It was good to feel a part of something bigger than myself.

Cave Man on the other hand loved solitude. He once told me that his ideal job position would be on the land preserve at Fish Springs, Utah (or Idaho - I don't remember) The greatest appeal to him, was that the property was 100 miles from getting your mail, and 200 miles from anything else. "Doesn't that sound great?"

"Actually, that sounds like hell to me."

One night as we smooched on my couch, he said, "If we lived in Fish Springs, this is all we would have to do for 9 months out of the year."

Well, that did sound nice. But still.

I met his parents. His mom loved me. She watched the news every night just to see me! His dad had recently had a stroke, which left the brilliant, witty man with too few words to express his thoughts.
The Cave Man treated them both with great respect, especially his dad, because he knew how frustrated he was in his limited capacity.

The Cave Man told me that just before we met, he learned that he had a brother and sister from his dad's first marriage. When I asked about them, he said, "You don't understand, they're not really my brother and sister. I just met them. They're from another life."

Over time, it came out that the brother had either Cerebral Palsy or Down Syndrome. The first wife was described as 'crazy'. Bi-polar I think.
Cave Man shared this as justification that it was too much for his dad to deal with. He had to leave. They got divorced and he met Cave Man's mom.
Happily ever after.

That didn't sit right with me.
Was Cave Man okay with the fact that his dad had abandoned his first family? To the point that CM didn't even know about them until he was nearly 30?

When I met his parents, I also met other relatives. The cousins he's known all his life. One of whom had Down Syndrome and was just starting to live on his own with limited success. Everyone treated him with great respect as well.

Here's something you don't know about me: In my 20s, every time I met a Downs child, I felt God nudge me, saying "If you have children TRS, you will have a child like this."

It didn't exactly worry me, but it didn't thrill me either. But I knew that I would not even have those tests during pregnancy that reveal any possible deformities or diseases. My husband and I would love any child God gave us.

So one night, I shared this feeling with CM. I only got as far as describing the nudge when he said, "But TRS, they can test for that before you have the baby."
Yes. And then?
He got the point that I would be against terminating a pregnancy, and headed off my objections by saying, "We couldn't raise a Down Syndrome child. I don't make enough money for that. I know because I know what my aunt and uncle have been through raising ___."

My heart was stuck in my throat. Here he was, potentially the carrier of the genes he would so easily reject.

Combined with the fact that he had no problem with his dad abandoning a family - I had no confidence that CM would stick around if things got tough.
That was the beginning of the end.

We ended up dating for about six months. He told me that he could definitely see us married... in about three years. (I always wondered why three years? If you knew you wanted to marry someone why would you put it off?)

I'm the one who initiated the break-up. That night, he asked if it was the conversation about my nudge that sealed it.

There were more indications that we weren't compatible for life. It may not be fair, but I assumed he wouldn't be reliable in that situation... and that was an indication that he might not be reliable in many other ways.

The one thing I do regret... is that I wasn't mature enough to really talk about it with him. I wish I'd had the guts to ask him if he was really okay with the way his dad left his first family.

But I think my gut was right.

P.S. I read this blog post tonight which reminded me of this experience. Serious food for thought.

A SONG About Robert Jordan's WHEEL OF TIME?


One of my Professional Writing students, Jaimie Dawn (http://www.jamiedawn.blogspot.com/) has written -- and performed -- a tribute to the first seven books of the Wheel of TIme series.  That's all she's been able to read so far.  She's also experimenting with embedded video, so you get visuals too.  Drop by her site and tell her what you think.  Without being mean.  And there are spoilers.  :)



Fricassee Five Friday: Tom Cruise

Spiced Just Right




Magnolia

A guy jumps on a couch once and the people instantly forget that he has the ability to deliver great performances. So for those who think Cruise is all big budget fluff and tabloid fodder let me bring your attention to one of my favourite characters, Frank T.J. MacKey, in my all-time favourite movie. Though Cruise was nominated for an Oscar, for best supporting, he lost out to Michael Caine’s work in The Cider House Rules. Personally I think Cruise’s performance will be the one out of the two that most people will remember in ten years.


Interview with the Vampire

Interview with the Vampire and Collateral provided Cruise the opportunity to play the villain; something he should do more of. While I like Collateral slightly more than this film, Cruise had to overcome much more adversity here. It cannot be easy for an actor when the author of the novel being adapting, in this case Anne Rice, publicly slams you for being cast in the lead role. Luckily Tom got the last laugh as Rice had to eat some humble pie and acknowledge that he was fantastic in the role.


Top Gun

Part of me wanted to include The Firm, or “See Tom Run” as I like to call it, on this list as I really liked that film. Any movie that makes Tom Cruise deathly afraid of the Quaker Oats pitchman, aka Wilford Brimely, deserves the token guilty pleasure spot on the list. Still if I had to choose between The Firm and the pure popcorn fun that is Top Gun, it will be fighter jets all the way. Cocky and arrogant characters fit Tom well, see Jerry Maguire, Collateral, and Magnolia for further examples of this.


The Last Samurai

Yes this film is in the same “white savior” vein of Dances with Wolves, Avatar, and countless other movies of its ilk. Regardless, I really like this film. Many of the movie’s best moments come from the interactions between Ken Wantanabe and Cruise’s character. Tom’s samurai may not have been as cool as Toshirô Mifune’s or Forest Whitaker’s, but he did a good job nonetheless.


Minority Report

The reason films such as A Few Good Men, Rain Man, The Outsiders, and Jerry Maguire did not make the list is due to the fact that Cruise’s supporting casts are the real stars of the show. Chances are your fondest memories of those films are scenes involving NichoIson, Hoffman, Howell, and Gooding Jr. The same thing almost happens in Minority Report as Samantha Morton gives her usual great performance. Though, at the end of the day, it is the pairing of Cruise and Spielberg that keep this film moving a top speed. I still think Minority Report runs twenty minutes too long but otherwise I enjoyed Cruise first real foray into the world of Science Fiction.



Layoff the Cheese



Vanilla Sky

Considering that I am a big fan of the original film, Abre Los Ojos, my views might be a bit biased. Honestly I had no problem with Cruise in this movie. What ruined this picture for me was Cameron Crowe’s need to over explain things instead of letting the audience figure things out for themselves. It was as if Crowe, or maybe the studio, had no faith in the audience’s intelligence.


Far and Away

Reason # 45 why spouses should not work together! I could have easily substituted Days of Thunder in here as I was not fond of that film either. Far and Away was by far the worst of the two films. The interesting thing is Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman have no on screen chemistry whatsoever. What about Eyes Wide Shut you say? Well the majority of that film is about Cruise’s solo journey. The times they are together on screen, Kidman is the one doing all the heavy lifting.


Mission Impossible II

I literally walked out of the theater at the end of the film unable to remember on significant thing that happened in this movie. MI2 felt like an extremely watered down version of a John Woo film, and that is saying a lot if you consider that Hard Target and Broken Arrow were more entertaining than this film.


Legend

As I commented on another blog’s review of this film, I always think of Ladyhawk whenever someone talks about this film. I think deep down I wish Legend was more Ladyhawk and less…well…Legend. Somewhere Matthew Broderick is pumping his fist victoriously.


War of the Worlds

Remember when I praised the Cruise/Spielberg pairing a few minutes ago…well here is where things get tricky. The first half of this film is actually pretty good. One of my favourite scenes comes when the frantic mob tries to steal Tom’s car not realizing, or caring, that his daughter is still in there. Unfortunately the rest of the film never lives up to the atmosphere that the beginning sets up. I won’t even get into how the Boston elite somehow avoid a world-wide catastrophe!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Enjoyed Memphis Beat and Knight & Day


I had a good time with both of these.  MEMPHIS BEAT felt a little rushed in some places, especially at the end, but the overall character development of the principal worked for me, and the music score was awesome.  I think the show's going to do fine once it gets its feet firmly on the ground.  Jason Lee is likeable as a cop and as an Elvis impersonator.  I didn't think he had the chops, but he does.  He's endearing in this role, edgy and still innocent, still a believer.

KNIGHT & DAY is an uneven blend of action thriller and romantic suspense.  It reminded me of ROMANCING THE STONE in some ways (primarily all good), but there was some development missing and sometimes the creative leaps were too big for the audience to fill in on short notice.  Outside of the two main characters, there was hardly any development at all, and even the two stars really only related to each other.  Still, it was totally fun and the stunts, one-liners, were awesome.

What did surprise me was how much crossover there was between MEMPHIS BEAT and KNIGHT & DAY.  The police captain on MEMPHIS was the CIA leader on KNIGHT, and both main male characters had the same mom.  Kind of weird watching them back to back like that.

Say It Ain’t So Sanjuro


Sanjuro

When the Chamberlain and his family are kidnapped, nine samurai’s from his clan plot to rescue him. Fortunately for the young men, Sanjuro (Toshirô Mifune) just happens to be hanging out in their house (literally) and advises them that a greater scheme is at hand. Sanjuro believes that the Superintendant is responsible for all of this and offers to aide them in their quest to save the Chamberlain. Before Sanjuro and the nine samurai can free the Chamberlain they must figure out how to defeat Hanbei (Tatsuya Nakadai), the samurai in charge of governing the Superintendant’s soldiers

After being wowed by Yojimbo I was hoping for a similar high out of Akira Kurosawa’s follow-up Sanjuro. As any drug addict can attest, chasing that repeat high often leads to more harm than good. After witnessing Yojimbo’s offbeat blend of action and humour I was rather excited to revisit the world of that loveable ronin, Sanjuro. Sadly Sanjuro’s world now suffers from a case of overpopulation. Instead of sitting back and enjoying the wonderful way Sanjuro’s mind works, I was forced to endure several uninteresting supporting characters. At times the movie feels like Sanjuro and the Nine Dwarfs. When the nine other warriors are not whining about wanting to save the Chamberlain, they are constantly disobeying all of Sanjuro’s suggestions. There are only so many times I can watch the same scenes play out.

It is even more infuriating when you consider that Sanjuro has already established himself as “the man” within the first act of the film.I do not know about the rest of you, but if a mysterious ronin appears inside my house and tells me that I have been set up. I might be a bit skeptical at first. Yet if it turns out that he was right about set up, and then proceeds to save my life by taking on twenty to thirty men by himself!!! I would be the first person by his side with a pen and paper in hand ready to take notes.


It also does not help matters that Sanjuro is now dealing with issues of guilt. After an official’s wife comments that Sanjuro is like a shining sword (i.e. always in use) compared to all the best swords which remain in their covering; we see a drastic change in Sanjuro. He begins to feel deep remorse for having to take a person’s life and no longer wants to be viewed as the cool killer. I am all for growth in characters but, for this type of film, the change should fit the essence of the character. It was already established in the first movie that Sanjuro is a caring person whose vanity gets the better of him at times. Did the character really need to go the “why did you make me kill him” route?

It is at this moment where the shine Sanjuro had in Yojimbo slowly begins to dull a bit. It is similar to watching the Star Wars prequels and finding out that the evil Darth Vader, the most fearsome guy in the galaxy, is really just a boy with a broken heart. While I still like the character of Sanjuro on the whole, I wish he had been in a better film than this. Like many sequels, before and after it, Sanjuro does not match its predecessor. While Toshirô Mifune valiantly tries his best to repeat the magic he had in the first film, it is the abundance of useless supporting players that hold his character, and the film, from reaching those heights once again.


Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Tremors

Just experienced a tremor here in Toronto...how long before the media blames the G20 Summit for this?


Whatever Happened To...?

Fairuza Balk

Today’s selection was suggested by Mike, of You Talking To Me?, in last week’s comment section. Naturally I jumped at the chance to highlight Ms. Balk as she always had a Gina Gershon-type vibe for me. That is to say I could see her playing the tough chick, as easily as I can see her pouring her heart out in a romantic lead. Fairuza is often remembered for her role in The Craft, yet she has been in far better films than that. While she has been stuck doing a lot of voice over work lately, as well as bit parts here and there, one can only hope that someone (I am looking at you Rebecca Miller) writes a script that will truly highlight Fariuza Balk’s talent.




Career Highlights: Valmont (1989); American History X (1998); Personal Velocity (2002); Gas, Food, Lodging (1992); The Craft (1996); Almost Famous (2000); The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009)

Low Points: The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996); American Perfekt (1997); Return to Oz (1985); The Waterboy (1998); Deuces Wild (2002)

Last Seen On The Big Screen: The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009)

Where You Will See Her Next?: In Thicker which also stars Guy Pearce and John Goodman

Alan Wake Is Great Episodic Gaming


Summer is here and a lot of videogames are hitting the shelves.  I'd heard nothing but good things about ALAN WAKE since it came out last month.  My wife picked it up for me for Father's Day and I finally got my 12 year old off the 360 on Monday.

I haven't had much time for gaming even though it's summer and I'm not currently teaching at OU.  Last summer was eaten up with family issues (I ended up learning way more about roofing and installing new kitchens than I'd ever wanted to know).

I have dedicated this summer to my writing and am having a good time with the stories I'm currently working on.  God, I do love writing, creating, and watching characters.  Imagination is my favorite opiate.

Anyway, as a result I haven't been reading as much as I would like, or playing games at all.  But Monday I sat down with ALAN WAKE, and I have to say that it's one of the greatest games I've ever played.  The actual fighting isn't much different than many of the games I've played, but the SHEER CREEPINESS of the overall storyline is compelling.  Not only that, but the designers were geniuses because they broke the game into installments like episodes of a television series.

So far it's been my experience than the episodes play out in an hour or so (some people may get done more quickly, but I enjoying seeing what happens if I win AND if I lose in certain sequences -- you learn more about he game that way).  The time is perfect for when I want to vege out in the afternoon for an hour and then get back to the writing for the evening.

Not only that, but the game has the bonus feature of really juicing my imagination again.  I don't know where ALAN WAKE is headed for sure, but I'm having a blast with the journey.  I love the twists and turns, and the uncertainty of how things are progressing.

If you haven't played or picked up the game, I encourage you to do so.  It's one of the most innovative I've seen in a long time, and the natural stopping points are fantastic.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

A Good Woody Hard To Forget

Toy Story 3



Andy (John Morris) is getting ready to head off to college and is forced to decide what to do with all his childhood toys. Although Andy intends to store most of them in the attic, a mix up causes Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), and the rest of the gang to end up in the Sunnyside Daycare facility. At first the daycare looks like heaven on earth for the toys. They are warmly greeted by Lotso (Ned Beatty), who seemingly is the head of all the Sunnyside toys, and there are tons of kids to play with the toys. Even the possibility of romance arises as discarded Barbie (Jodi Benson) meets Ken (Michael Keaton). While most of the toys seem to enjoy their new surroundings, Woody is determined to get back to Andy. It is only after setting out to find Andy that Woody discovers Lotso may not be as friendly as he appears. With his friends in danger, Woody must figure out a way to save his pals and get back to Andy’s house before it is too late.

What is left to say about a movie that almost every professional movie critic and blogger has already said for me? I think Andy summed it up perfectly at the end of the Toy Story 3 when he somberly says “thanks guys.”

Thank you Toy Story 3 for offering up yet another engaging buddy film that never felt forced. Not for a minute. The movie features two distinct, and fully realized, story arcs that allowed both Woody and Buzz to continue the growth established in the previous two films. Woody’s arc leads the film into in a much darker place than the other films. Even though the main characters are toys Toy Story 3 offers a lot of food for thought in regards to death and the longevity of friendship. It is touching to witness Woody struggles with issues of mortality while still trying to maintain a brave face amongst his friends.


Director Lee Unkrich smartly balances the more somber mood of Woody’s adventure with Buzz’s more comedic arc. What I like about the Buzz Lightyear segments are that they never resort to cheap gags. Unkrich ensures that the humour is always grounded and often ties back into the allusions to Buzz’s love life. Another thing that is noticeable about Buzz’s arc is that it provides a platform for all the supporting characters to have their moments in sun. Unlike many film out right now, there is not one supporting character that feels out of place. Jesse, Rex, Hamm and the Potato Heads have become such an essential part to the Toy Story universe. Toy Story 3 would have felt odd without them.

I would also like to say thank the film for finding a way to sell Happy Meal without ever comprising the integrality of the main product. Are you taking notes Shrek? Whether it is the references to classic films such as Escape from Alcatraz and The Great Escape, or the reflective moments that will leave your eyes a little misty by the end, Toy Story 3 just gets better as the film goes on. Even in its final installment the Toy Story series continues to be a reminder that you can make big budget films that tell good stories, are full of action and humour, and feature well rounded characters.

If I had to make a complaint about the film, it would be that Pixar opted to go the 3D route yet again. Similar to Up, Toy Story 3 really does not need the 3D gimmick at all. I would have been impacted the exact same way had the film been done in 2D, the only real difference is I would have few bucks more in my pocket. Still, the loss of three extra dollars is minor considering how much the Toy Story franchise has given me back in return. So thanks again guys, it has been a fun ride and I am sad to see you go.


Memphis Beat Premieres on TNT Tonight!


I've been seeing the trailers for weeks.  Jason Lee as a cop?  From the town that gave us the King of Rock and Roll?  I'm already hooked.  :)

JUSTIFIED is finished for this year, but I'm hoping this one slides right in as a great replacement.  If not, I've still got BURN NOTICE and LEVERAGE.  Summer TV has started hitting the sweet spot for me.





And a behind the scenes peek:

Monday, June 21, 2010

Out-of-the-box gift ideas

I just stumbled across Rare Bird Finds looking for non-typical gifts for a couple special occasions I have coming up. They feature sellers from independent stores all over the world and even from Etsy too. If you or your recipient like "think-outside-the-(gift)box) items, then check it out ---> I personally love:
Mustache Coffee Cups




&

7 Deadly Sins Glassware





Gifts with sass.

Monday, Monday

I hope you all had a great weekend! I got a lot of work done around the yard/house. That was good because (1) it needed done, (2) it gave my brain a break and (3) was a good workout. I could barely move by Sunday! But, I was pleased with my "patio" projects and accomplishments, which also included cleaning out a closet that I dreaded doing!

One "little" project was giving my hanging tin man a face-lift. See, here he is, all shiny...



I hope it was a Happy Fathers Day for all the dads. I have the best dad ever! He's very special!

Have a good Monday!!

Leverage Is Back!


Leverage is back and hit the ground running last night with two episodes.  They also introduced a season arc that looks interesting.  Thankfully it's not going to choke the kinds of stories they can tell.  When the first show gave us the femme fatale full of threats, I felt certain we were going to be locked in and constrained.  Not so.  The second show was a hoot, funny, witty, and touching.  Just the kind of thing I'm looking for in this show.

Even if you've never seen an episode of this show before, you can jump in anywhere and have a good time.

Knight and Day


This one stars Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, and it looks like it's going to be a lot of fun.  Definitely a popcorn movie, but my wife and son are as excited to see this one as I am.


Movie Marketing Monday

Middle Men

Since they are making a movie based on the rise of Facebook/Social Networking; it makes sense that a film about the guys who found a way to sell porn over the internet would arrive in theaters first.





Takers

Although Idris Elba and Matt Dillon are in this film, I cannot shake the feeling that this is the poor man’s version of Heat.


Sunday, June 20, 2010

Thanks Dad.



For allowing me to live life on the edge....



Happy Father's Day!

The Phantom Tonight!


Folks, this is the Phantom I grew up with.  Lee Falk's incredible jungle hero who followed a 400 year pledge to battle evil, particularly pirates.  I thrilled to his adventures in the Sunday Comics when I was a kid, read the paperbacks when I was in high school, and have never quite got away from wanting to grow up to be him.


Now Syfy network has a new Phantom coming out, and I'm not sure I'm going to be happy with the results.  But it's Father's Day, so I'm gonna take the control in hand Sunday night and hope for the best.  :)

Friday, June 18, 2010

What Happened?

I was trying to get back into the swing of blogging regularly. I like to blog, and I especially love to read my favorite blogs. Maybe I can catch up soon.

June is the busiest time of year for me..I have lots of hours of intense brain work...these little icons haunt me day and night...

This is the one I don't like to see..it means that somewhere in the thousands of data items, I have an error.


This is my favorite site right now: When I see this, I know that things are going good...until the state runs at night, which may produce some new errors...
I think in all actuality it is going fairly well, but I am tired, and my brain actually hurts. Besides this stuff, there are a jillion other things going on at work and chores to go along with those. So, I will blog soon, with something fun to talk about...

Meanwhile, have a HAPPY WEEKEND!!

Fricassee Five Friday: Tom Hanks

Spiced Just Right


Toy Story 2
Toy Story 2 is one of my all time favourite Pixar flicks. In my opinion it is the definitive moment when Pixar proved that they were here to stay. Toy Story 2 reminded us that great animation and strong stories are both needed to make a successful animated feature.

Big
This film still holds up well, it takes me back to my youth when I see it. Seriously, who did not want to be in that keyboard playing scene?

Forrest Gump
It was hard to exclude Philadelphia from this list but there simply was not enough room. Out of Hanks’ two Oscar winning performances, Forrest Gump is the film that has the greater replay value.

A League of Their Own
“There is no crying in baseball” A classic line that I have said to myself many times on the softball field. Tom Hanks gives a great performance in this film while still allowing his female co-stars to shine as well.

Saving Private Ryan
Here is another example of too many quality films and not enough space for them all. Not only is Saving Private Ryan a great war movie, it also help to pave the way for both Band of Brothers and The Pacific.


Lay Off The Cheese



The Bonfire of the Vanities
I have seen this film a few times and I still cannot figure what they were trying to achieve? The film does not work as a dark comedy, it is too light to be a serious drama, and none of the characters are likeable to begin with.

Joe Versus the Volcano
Remember when Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan were the brief face of romantic comedies? Sure they have great chemistry together but it did not really meld perfectly until Sleepless in Seattle. Joe was just too silly to work any level.

The Polar Express
I never understood the love that this film received from both critics and movie goers. The animation did not reach the level of realism it strived for; and the story was as engaging as you would hope from a Christmas tale. No matter how hard the studio tries, The Polar Express is not going to be considered a holiday classic in my books. I would rather watch A Christmas Story than this film any day.

That Thing You Do!
Tom Hanks feature film directorial debut had its moment but was ultimately a rather forgettable film.

Turner & Hooch
Before mall cops were all the rage, Hollywood had a fascination with lawmen and their dogs. Both Turner & Hooch and K-9 were released in the same year and both were erased from my mind a year later. If I had to choose one over the other I would pick K-9; but that is the equivalent on picking being punched in the face over being kicked in the groin.

Bare Bones


This is just weird enough to be really disturbing, and it's one of those moments where you just go, what were they thinking?

Note the stiletto heels.  Go here for more.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Just One Day Older

Hi Bloggy friends!

I'm writing this at the very end of my 40th birthday.
For all the dread... it was pretty great.
I had the entire day off. Slept in. Got a half hour massage. A nap. A pedicure. Spent a great deal of time working to make my hair pretty. It worked.

Then I met my girlfriends for dinner. Such a great group of women...friends gleaned from different areas of my life... all meld together into a pretty cohesive group.
And all with something obviously up their collective sleeves. I could sense it!

About a week ago I started to suspect that Kikr was going to fly in from San Francisco to surprise me. I didn't let on to anyone planning my birthday dinner... because I didn't want to ruin the fun of the surprise.
I knew I wouldn't be disappointed if she didn't make it... but SO very excited if she did.

See, a couple months ago Kikr had asked for the email addresses of my closest friends in Denver. I complied. She's pretty sneaky, but the only way to get that info was to just ask me for it!

Later, in phone conversations she mentioned the last names of some friends I was talking about, that she has not met. So I knew she was in cahoots.

When I was in the depths of grieving my 40th birthday (remember that? Glad I got through that early.) and bemoaning the fact that I wasn't going to get my wish of having all my girlfriends who are scattered throughout the country, together on my birthday - one of my Denver friends assured me that my birthday was going to be great. She gave me that knowing look.

So finally, last week I guessed that Kikr was going to fly in!
A few more conversations with her and it was clear she wasn't.
But of course I tucked that in the back of my mind and thought... "Well, that's the story for now. We'll see what happens."

Tonight, there was dinner... drinks... beautiful wonderful friends. And gifts! Oh... at this age that is awkward. I don't expect gifts, but I sure do love them.

My girls had ideas about the order the gifts should be opened. So funny.
There was lovely bath wash, a fantastic necklace that you all will have to pry off of me when I'm dead... gift cards, Bacon flavored Chocolate (because bacon is nature's candy) and then the gift that was saved for last.
This lovely box. A treasure chest.
The moment I saw it, I knew Kikr was behind it. I cried before I even opened the box!

Inside, she had had my Denver friends collect and print out little notes describing 40 things that everyone loves about me.

Would it be too indulgent to share? Yes? Oh well.
"Her welcoming and innocent smile."
"Her honest, friendly opinion when you need it."
"How she writes emails just like she talks."
"She is a kind soul."
"Dependable in times of crisis."
"A true friend."
"Her 'Fashion Intervention' emails."
"When she finds something funny, she laughs with all her soul and things "get loud"."
And so on.
Each sentiment had the name of the person who shared it on the back. I shall treasure it always.

I am so very blessed.
It is a wonder to think that I might actually deserve these amazing people in my life.
God's blessings outweigh all of the good we try to put into the world.
So very blessed!

I also got a sweet text from McTwitchy (I know!) and a card in the mail from Mr. Burns!

Lindsay Lohan: "The lies that are created, to the detriment of my career"

Want to know how Lindsay Lohan garbage? She has published an exclusive interview with the new Star magazine. It is so bad. In general, the Lohan family seems to prefer the radar for their statements, but from time to time, be lucky and get a quote from U.S. Weekly and People. But this is only one explanation - which is an interview. Guess what to say "our Crackhead sober, what you never had to

Yo, Jimbo Is One Sly Dude.

Yojimbo

Not too long ago A Life in an Equinox: A Movie Lover’s Journal held an Akira Kurosawa blogathon in honour of the late director’s birthday. Until recently my only experience with Kurosawa has been my VHS copy of Seven Samurai. Akira Kurosawa was always one of those directors who is so well loved that I was never in a rush to see the rest of his works. I figured his films would always be in demand so I would not have any problems find his full canon of work. Recently I decided to pull a few Kurosawa films, Yojimbo and Sanjuro, out of the purgatory that is my long list of “must see films” and finally watch them.

Yojimbo follows the adventures of a wandering samurai, Sanjuro (Toshirô Mifune), who finds himself in the middle of a gang war in a small village. On one side is the gang led by Sebei (Seizaburô Kawazu) who controls the brothel and the silk industry; the other gang is led by Ushitora (Kyû Sazanka) who produces the towns’ sake. Sanjuro, seizing up the situation, sets out to play the gangs off each other by offering his services as a bodyguard to both sides. Sanjuro thinks he has things all figured out but the arrival of pistol-packing Unosuke (Tatsuya Nakadai) will throw a deadly wrinkle into his plans.

The first thing that struck me about Yojimbo was how much humour there was in the film. Early on Akira Kurosawa establishes the fact that both gangs are more bark than actual bite. This not only allows Sanjuro to calculate the situation quickly, but it also provides Kurosawa with an avenue to run wild from a comedic standpoint. Several characters, such as the coffin maker and the official, serve no other purpose than to increase the level of humour even further. There are a few moments when Yojimbo veers dangerously close to bordering on slapstick comedy but Kurosawa always finds a way to reign things back in.





Part of the reason Kurosawa is able to maintain control is due to the wonderful lead character Sanjuro. There is rarely a moment when Sanjuro does not bring a smile to the viewer’s face. There have been many drifters in the history of cinema but few have been as enjoyable as Sanjuro is. Whether he is displaying his swordsmanship, eavesdropping on conversations, or riling up the local restaurant owner, Sanjuro’s charisma is always at the forefront. You can always see the glee in his face when is devilish schemes unfold. What makes Sanjuro a great character is that for all his strengths he still has glaring weaknesses that keep him, and the film, grounded in reality.

I really liked the fact that Kurosawa makes Sanjuro vulnerable on several levels. Despite being a caring individual deep down, Sanjuro is always concerned with maintaining his image as coldhearted killer. When you really look at the character of Sanjuro it becomes apparent that his pride is his greatest weakness. If you really think about it, Sanjuro has no reason to even interfere with the gang battle in the first place. He merely intervenes for the fun of it. Sanjuro loves the fact that he is always the smartest guy in the room. There comes a point in the second act when Sanjuro has too much control over events in the town. Kurosawa shows that Sanjuro is too smart for his own good; and it is his overall arrogance that leads to his abrupt downfall.

It is aspects like these which help Yojimbo to live up to all the acclaim it has received over the years. Thanks to Toshirô Mifune’s great performance as Sanjuro, the film proved to be more enjoyable than I had anticipated it would be. The only thing I have left to ponder is why I took so long to see it?



I Gotta Get Me One of These Tee Shirts


Another new shirt from http://www.newpulp.wordpress.com/.  And this one comes in man size!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Whatever Happened To...?

Mira Sorvino

It seems that Mira Sorvino’s name will always be linked with the dreaded “Oscar Curse.” The way I see it, if Marisa Tomei can shake of the shackles of the alleged curse than there is no reason why Sorvino cannot do the same. Sure Mira has been working steadily over the last few years but she is not getting the same caliber roles that she received in the early 90’s




Career Highlights: Mighty Aphrodite (1995); Barcelona (1994); The Grey Zone (2001); Blue in the Face (1995); Summer of Sam (1999); Quiz Show (1994); Beautiful Girls (1996); Mimic (1997);

Low Points: At First Sight (1999); The Final Cut (2004); The Replacement Killers (1998); Free Money (1998); Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion (1997);

Last Seen On The Big Screen: Reservation Road (2007)

Where You Will See Her Again: Multiple Sarcasms with Timothy Hutton; and Waska with Jeremy Piven