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That was a terrible movie, Wagons, East! Canadian Bacon was much better. But still stupid.
However, the title lends itself quite nicely to be the best way to describe what I think was supposed to be the main purpose of starting the blog, to keep tabs on myself these next few months. And the apparent focus of these next few months is packing up my covered wagon and hitting the trail. Oregon Trail style, except without the canibalism, getting ripped off to take a ferry across the big river, and having to kill my oxen because they get broken limbs. The Ohio-ish Trail, with much less exciting interactive capabilities. For now, at least. We can develop this later.

There hasn’t been much to say on this front, except expression of the complete fear I experience more days than not, in relation to the whole notion of moving. Don’t get me wrong, I am more excited than anything to leave behind West Coast Life, but who knows if No Coast Life is going to work.

But anyway, the adventure, as I suppose we can call it, has already begun. I’ve applied for a few jobs and have been officially rejected by one, the one I really wanted most:
The situation couldn’t have been written better by Owen and Wes themselves. Carelessly thumbing through the throw-away mail and letters that are meant to look important, I nearly skipped right past a postcard that had a beautiful picture of the Cincinnati Museum Center on the front and the back a classic, two-column postcard. One bearing the label of my name, address and in parenthesis “SENIOR YOUTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR,” and the other a typed out message with blanks to be filled in by the person delivering the bad news. Specific information, you know, like “MS. GRAHAM” “SENIOR YOUTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR.” and a note saying if I wanted to apply for another job later on, that my application is on file. I thought the postcard was a nice touch. You know, like “Ha, this is where you’re not going to be working.”
I was upset for a good five minutes, but then carried on as usual and left the postcard in a pile of throw away mail, only realizing later that I should have kept it. One should keep record of her defeats, as well as victories.

So, now we wait some more. Spirits slightly damaged, but press on we must. My next in-stone leg of the journey comes at the end of March when I will venture to Cincinnati in search of potential places to live as well as employment. I’m looking forward to the trip. I’ll have a rental car to do some driving around and exploring and really getting a feel for the city when I’m Han Solo. I’m actually most excited for driving around and finding things out about the city that maybe, possibly will become home. I think it’ll be good. And it will be a nice break before the final push of school.

Graduation is May 30th at 8 am, even though the semester ends a week prior. I’m excited, but mostly nervous. Hopefully some news will surface soon that will help quiet my brain. I hope my mailbox starts bearing excellent surprises and news. One can only hope.

Til next time… Wagons, East!

PS- Iain got some good news today, he got into Ohio State. I’m beaming with Older Sister Pride and can only hope he picks the option of being my neighbor to the North.

I’m supposed to not be spending money right now. I’m supposed to be saving. I’m supposed to be responsible. But I had to check the Largo website. And I had to see that Fiona is headlining a 75 bucks at the door benefit. How do I not go to that? It’s Fiona. At Largo. I probably spent that much on tickets and gas alone when Silena and I went to Vegas. It’s Fiona. I mean, how do I not?

I’m supposed to not be spending money right now, right? Oh, well.

I’m Fionawhipped.

Right?

I’m going to bed at 3:30 in the morning because I was watching the Best Picture of the Year, The Departed, for like the nth time since I got it two weeks ago. And I’m not even close to sick of it. I think this is one of the first times that a movie I really, really, really enjoed won best picture. I wanna celebrate. Anyone down to go knock off some Guineas down Providence and have a smoke? What’s that? You don’t smoke? What are you, one of them health nuts? Yeah? Go ____ yourself. (This is family site, guys)

Rock on, Scorsese. I was thrilled with that. The man deserved it, and I am glad he got it for this phenomenal film.

And Ellen was grrrreat!!!!

My only complaints on the evening go to:
Hounsou not winning for Blood Diamond. That one hurt. Bad.
And Children of Men not getting cinematography. They must not have seen it.

Other than that, good Oscars, everyone. Well done.

(I can’t wait for the biopic Nicholson is doing on Mr. Clean.)

(Eric, this isn’t your challenge post. Not even close.)

I only forgot a little bit.

Those are the two favorite pieces of my Dia de los Muertos collection. And also the only somewhat interesting thing I could think of to take a picture of
Better next week, promise.

I love rational people.

Due to some apparent “communication errors” I don’t have TV shows to come home to tonight. For obvious reasons I am way, way, WAY less than thrilled about this, so we are going to do our Oscars blog tonight as it does not look like I am going to be able to get around to seeing the movies I wanted to see before Sunday.

Best Picture:
I think this is going to be the most difficult category to call. I’ve seen four of the five movies, however I think it’s safe to say that the fifth (Letters from Iwo Jima) will not win. That being said, who wouldn’t want to see the little movie that could, Little Miss Sunshine, walk away with the gold (I’m not that naive.) And as much as I loved The Queen, Helen Mirren *was* that movie and as a whole, it is not deserving of Best Picture. So, I’m torn. Babel is the frontrunner, and for obvious reasons. Hollywood is still on its Crash high, which might work against Babel, but then again, it’s the movie that Hollywood loves to love. It makes you feel like you’re being a good person just by shelling out $10.50 to see it. Like you’re somehow enlightened and a better person. However, The Departed does not cater to our need to feel like worldly citizens who are globally aware. It made me want to be a badass undercover cop with a mean Bahston accent and an ABSURD case of potty mouth. And I like it. I can’t think of one thing in this movie that doesn’t gel the way I would hope it to. The writing is brilliant. The acting is out of this world. The directing is perfect, but not invasive and every last element, even down to the soundtrack, makes the movie unique, exciting and an absolute thrill to watch over and over again. Scorsese has delivered us the goods and it’s up to the academy to realize that picking a movie like Babel (or even Crash, for that matter) does not make you in tune with the “people” of the world outside the walls of your million dollar homes. (Basically, don’t vote for a movie based on its subject matter. And for the record, I did like Babel, it’s just that The Departed was a better picture and Babel would be picked for the wrong reasons. That’s all.)

Final Answer: The Departed. (After making that statement I immediately realize that I will be immensely let down.)

Best Director:
Scorsese. And loooonnnnggg past due, if you ask me.

Lead Actor:
I want DiCaprio, but I know it’s going to Whitaker. And I’m okay with that. As much as I enjoyed Leo in Blood Diamond, I do not think it was his best role. I have a feeling that the tragedy of DiCaprio is that it is going to take a few more nominations before he walks away with an Oscar. Which hurts, because I truly think he’s far superior than most actors these days . But give it to Whitaker. He deserves it, too, and I’m happy to see him get it.

Lead Actress:
Get it over with. Just give it to Helen Mirren. Moving on.

Supporting Actor:
Alan Arkin was great in Little Miss Sunshine, but again, I’m not that naive. Mark Wahlberg played my favorite badass potty mouth in The Departed (I was more shocked than anything by his performance).
But Djimon Hounsou. I’ve said since I saw the movie that he deserves this award. There is no way that I could possibly go with Wahlberg or Arkin to win this one, knowing how moved and impressed I was with Hounsou’s performance in Blood Diamond. Granted I didn’t see Dreamgirls (I’m still not seeing it. No. Not happening), and as much as I LOVE Eddie Murphy… maybe he should show that he’s making a clear departure from Nutty Professor/Norbit type movies, before he tries and passes himself off as an “Academy Award Winning Actor.” Or maybe I’m just missing the boat here.

Hounsou. Hounsou. Hounsou.

Supporting Actress:
My heart is holding out for Abigail Breslin (the sweetness of the “am I pretty?” dialogue between her and Arkin in the hotel room tugs at all the right strings). And I think that Adriana Barraza and Rinko Kikuchi were phenomenal in Babel, and both had challenging roles that they mastered perfectly, but I think Jennifer Hudson has got this pretty much sealed up.

Cinematography:
If you saw Children of Men, think about the last 20 minutes or so of this movie. Think long and hard. That should pretty much answer this one for you.

Documentary: I think I’d be amused by an Al Gore acceptance speech, but I think that Jesus Camp was one of the absolute best documentaries I’ve seen in a long time.

Foreign Language Film:
Totally biased because it’s the only one I saw, and it was absolutely brilliantly amazing. Pan’s Labyrinth.

(Side Note: I wish I saw any of the short animated films that were nominated.)

Adapted Screenplay: Borat? Or The Departed? Borat? Or The Departed? Borat? Or The Departed? My heart is with Borat, and depending on how dejected I feel by this point in the evening I may stick with Borat, but otherwise… The Departed.

Original Screenplay: I think that the brilliance of Little Miss Sunshine is that it is so simplistic in its screenplay and its dialogue, that it makes it utterly brilliant. The smallest things that are said by characters like Frank and Olive, and even the things that aren’t said by Dwayne, make this movie so smart and so intelligent. But, Babel was also extremely well written and presented a somewhat tired storyline in a great new light. I may have been harsh on Babel earlier, but understand that it’s not the movie I am against, it was excellent, but rather the reason I feel it would win next to a movie like The Departed. I’d be pleased with a Babel victory here.

So… what about you?

Well, not really “shocking.” Quite expected, actually. I just wanted an excuse to quote something.
I’m days late on this, but I don’t see how I would have heard about it until a channel I actually watch covered it.
Apparently Fox News has launched a “response” to The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, called “The 1/2 Hour News Hour.” (OH. THE WIT.)
And… well… here…

Read the rest of this entry »

After the events of this afternoon it has become apparent to me that my inner Superher-ette is starting to rear its head in some unexpected ways.
It is with this realization that I feel it is important to start negotiations on comic books, energy drinks, movies, action figures, Saturday morning cartoons, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
I think I should build my fan base at the comic book level. Get some good solid followers that will spread my gospel throughout the land. But there’s the problem. With great power comes great responsibility. Imagine if instead of a Superher-ette, I became a Super Villainess! I must proceed carefully and with great caution. We find ourselves in a delicate situation, friends.

Now, here comes another great question. Can you be trusted? Or do I trust no one? Can you be the Alfred to my Batman and know my deepest darkest secret but not tell a soul? You can? Very well. We shall proceed.

I’ve got this shirt, see? It’s the best shirt in the entire world. This shirt *IS* my Golden Boy. It’s a great shirt for sleeping in and a great shirt for running in. It’s comfy and is, as a Golden Boy should be, the first shirt worn in clothing rotation. He’s been holding up pretty strong and perhaps the comfy nature of Golden Boy is brought on by too many washings, explaining why the t-shirt is such a “tragic figure.” I’m not about to break his spirit, so our cycle continues. But ever the dependable shirt, Golden Boy carries on.

This afternoon I was going on a quick 30 minute run as I was pressed for time. And being that Golden Boy was fresh and clean, he was the candidate that was to accompany me on this run. At the conclusion of our 30 minutes, I was changing and was putting my hand under the shirt to take it off. Applying slight pressure to the t-shirt itself my hand actually went THROUGH the t-shirt without any effort at all. I was in shock. See?

So I had to see if this was just a fluke or if it was the real deal. So I tried another part of the shirt. And it ripped too. Soon enough the shirt was completely torn up and I felt, Hulky. To say the least. “What did this mean?” I wondered. “Where does this lead me?” But I was in a rush and there was no time to sit around and have inner conversations over my new fate.

But after a few hours I’ve decided that this can only mean one thing. When I was a baby I was somehow genetically altered and I was left with this power of superhuman strength that can only be explained as, well, ‘Super.’ Superher-ette? Or Super Villainess? We’ve yet to see the conclusion of this saga.

But perhaps it is best to start to square away copyrights, storylines, actors/actresses, costume details, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, before all the good ones are taken. Imagine 5 years from now when this becomes a full blown international phenomena and the only person that we can find to portray me in a movie is Whoopi Goldberg (Note to self: Does Theodore Rex count as a “Superhero” movie?)

…To Be Continued…

(Thank goodness.)

For example, this. Don’t pretend that Ben Affleck is busy. I call dibs on Team Independence.

Christmas comes early this year for all my Anthro of Religion buddies.
Oh, what a treat.

2008 is shaping up to be one of the best movie years ever. Not only do we get new Indiana Jones, the Cruise/Stiller Hardy Boys movie, and a little something called The Dark Knight (check out John’s blog. Where his DK fact finding is out of this world.) And oh, yeah The Darjeeling Limited. The Wes Anderson project written by Wes, Jason Schwartzman and Roman Coppola (son-o-Francis, making him cousin of Schwartzman [A fact I was not aware of]), that is being filmed in India and stateside, with Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Schwartzman, Waris Singh (Vikram from The Life Aquatic) and Miss Natalie Portman.
But anyway, I found this a few weeks ago on The Rushmore Academy blog and completely forgot about it until now. And you all should be updated and as excited as I am. Get excited, kids. Get excited.

I fell in love with a cake at Bea’s tonight:

And for obvious reasons.

I’ll give you two guesses to figure out what’s been in my head since I saw Music and Lyrics yesterday.  The video is brilliant, hilarious and is definitely good for a few laughs.  It’s also good for a few girly heart flutters at the utter cuteness of my lonnng time Hollywood Husband, Hugh Grant. Meeeeeow.

Happy International ‘That’s What She Said Day.’

Do you really think you can go all day long?

I hope it leaves you satisfied… smiling.

…Then a small judge must be a Judge Ito.”

Whoever finds my location and rescues me first gets In-n-Out. I’ll even spring for a milkshake.

This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you’re my only hope.

I think this is awesome and extremely sweet.  Consider it my Valentine’s Day present to you.

There’s always… this.

Champagne, chocolate, Johnny Mathis. What more do you need? Oh, right. Manatees doin’ it.

I’ve long been a fan of the Ira Glass program, This American Life. I don’t listen nearly as much as I should, but I am going to start making it a point to. Last night was the Valentine’s Day episode and it had some truly brilliant stories, but the one that just warmed my heart was at the very end. A fable by David Sedaris about a chipmunk and a squirrel and love. It’s good for the heart, good for the soul and the perfect Valentine’s Day treat.

You can listen to it here.

And please do.

It was somewhere around that weird Eagles‘ tribute that I thought, “I should be making some sort of live bloggings of this event.” Mainly because I got the sudden urge to express how much I “hate the fuckin’ Eagles, man!” But then I didn’t and now this morning I can’t remember nearly all of what I saw last night.

But let’s go through this:

 Performances:

The Police was admittedly very cool and they are apparently announcing tour dates this morning. I wouldn’t mind seeing that. I was half expecting at least Stewart Copeland to look like hell, but father time hasn’t been to bad for him at all!  They barely showed Andy Summers, so maybe time hasn’t been too kind to him I’m not a huge Sting fan, but my dad is so I grew up listening to his stuff all the time and can honestly say that even though he isn’t one of my favorites, he’s pretty damn talented. Pretty damn talented indeed.

Justin Timberlake! Is there anything that this guy can’t do? I thought his Blair Witch camera moment during his performance was a little funny, but I ignored it because he’s just so much damn fun. His moves are smooth, his songs even smoother, and he’s got some absolutely undeniable talent on the instruments. I totally regret not seeing him a few weeks ago when he was in town. Curses.

The Dixie Chicks know more about kicking your ass with sweet harmonies, awesome guitar parts, and good looks than anyone that performed last night. That song is fantastic and I didn’t mind hearing the snippet of it every time they won a well deserved award.  When they got towards the build up of the song, on the album there’s an army of strings that comes in, and I love that. LOVE that. And when it pulled back live to reveal this small country of strings, I got chills. It was beautiful and I am way impressed.

(I am probably out of order and missing so many of these things, but whatever)

I like Shakira. Really, I do. But those hips are out of control. And I mean this totally seriously, in any video or performance or anything does she ever not do the hips thing? Just asking. I think that’s the jealousy speaking though.  That performance didn’t really impress me, though. Mostly because I hate the song.

John Mayer is a F-O-X and probably one of the most talented guitar players I can think of. Holy crap. I melted into a puddle of girly ga-ga. Talented boys with guitars. Yikes.   I’m over Corrine Bailey Rae, but I do like that song that she performed. And I’ve tried, but John Legend just ain’t my thang.

Dear Smokey Robinson,

Someone needs to turn in their frequent buyer card at McNamara/Troy.

Jesus!!!! That was terrifying. And that shirt! Why would he do that?!

But Lionel Richie, totally awesome even though I was giggling during his whole performance because that song is used in The 40 Year Old Virgin during Andy’s porno night which turns into Everybody Loves Raymond. One of the funniest parts in that whole movie. For sure. And Chris Brown? What? Who? No. He should have just stuck with the cool  tap dancing thing. That was cool. But other than that, no. Just no. The little kids break dancing was cool. But man, I can’t listen to that.

Carrie Underwood is just not getting picked up on my radar of someone I would consider listening to. I don’t watch American Idol so I don’t know anything about her, except that she’s just another blonde pop singer. Yay. We can always use more of those. And Rascal Flats. I don’t like ‘em.  But not as much as I “hate the fuckin’ Eagles, man” but that whole thing was not tolerable. At all.

Gnarls Barkley wasn’t someone I really got into in 2006, but they are tons of fun. And that song has got it going on where it needs it.  And the slowed down, orchestra, vocal ensemble version they did last night was very cool and appreciated.

Red Hot Chili Peppers are, in my opinion one of the great rock bands of the 90’s and have really held their on in the 00’s (I can’t stand writing that ’00’s’. I miss the 90’s.) Flea is a force to be reckoned with and the only other person I can think of from last night who shares the throne with John Mayer is John Frusciante. Holy crap. He’s good.

I’m sure I’m forgetting more. But let’s move on to the awards!

Awards:

Maybe it’s because I’m a sensitive girl, but I teared up so bad first award of the night when Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonderwon.  Gawwwwsh, my heart cried.  And that’s all I’m going to stay about that.

Yay, John Mayer!!! You floppy haired, sexy guitar player you. He deserved that. He way deserved that. And Waiting On The World To Change is one of my favorite songs of 2006. And Continuum is truly one of the best albums of the year. John Mayer, you rock. Even if you are “Frankenstein Scissorhands”

I am so glad that little no talent ass clown, James Blunt, did not win. The TV was lucky to survive his painstakingly awful performance and would not have survived a win.

Dixie Chicks deserve every single award they got last night. Talented, beautiful, smart, mommies, wives, powerful, inspiring and deserving. These girls have been horribly snubbed by the CMA’s because of their willingness to speak their minds, but my heart smiles for the fact that they were recognized for being the gutsy, talented and fantastic musicians they are. Keep rockin’ girls. Keep rockin’.

Again, RHCP deserved that award. Like I said before, they are one of the best rock bands of the past 20 years and don’t get recognized nearly enough. They’ve all been through a lot as musicians and human beings and I have nothing but respect for them and everything they do. (Please note: If I were in charge of the world, Best Rock Album of the Year would have been given to Muse.)

Ludacris thanked Bill O’Reilly. Hehehe.

Other Comments:

Scarlett Johansson needs to stop and just go away and leave everyone alone. That includes someone forcefully removing her from the recording studio and every single magazine cover. Please.

Al… Gore?

Christina Ricci needs to eat, but looked better than she has in the past few years.

Did anyone else catch that weird Prince commercial??? That was just… weird.

And I am officially just a wee bit sick of Miss Mary J. Blige. I get it. You’ve been through a lot. And I’m sorry. But now you’re sitting on a goldmine. Thanks for playing.

That’s all I’ve got for now. And I do think it is quite a bit. But if more comes along, more shall be posted.

Here’s to 2008 where the Grammys are swept by Rachael Yamagata and Garrison Starr.  And Mary J. Blige. Just for being herself. (No seriously. Norah Jones released an album last week. 2007 is already sealed up. She breathes on an album and she wins a Grammy. It’s like Newton’s Law or something.)

This blog needs something regular. Something exciting. Something… Frayshe.

So let’s do it.

Let’s try it.

Phriday Foto.

I normally hate spelling things that should start with ‘F’ with a ‘Ph’ because I feel like it’s somehow making me pay tribute to Phish. And I really don’t like Phish. But there’s something about this one that just grabs me. “It’s like… ‘YES!’”   

(Yes, it’s Saturday morning now, but I got this idea last night and am following through today.)

But here you have it, the inaugural Phriday Foto:

(Enhanced for your benefit)

What you’re looking at there is one of my favorite things that I own. It’s a projection on my ceiling that’s coming from my alarm clock. The alarm clock has a laser pointer that you can aim to certain places and then a knob where you can focus it. Sometimes, if I can’t sleep I find the ideal place and focus for the laser. It’s a wonderful invention and I am pleased to share it with you.

Til next Friday, charge your batteries.

Today has been anything but great. In fact, crummy would be a pretty good way to describe the state of mind of my 12:07 AM day-worn self. My day ended with neither The Office nor Grey’s Anatomy being taped and thus leading to further sulking and moping.  I should probably take this as a sign and go to sleep, but let’s see what else we can squeeze in here. Oh, yeah. Billionaires make me feel guilty.

Has anyone else noticed the insane amount of PR that is going on to get people to watch 30 Rock?  To the point that the next logical step would have to be sexual favors. For example, this week I’ve heard advertisements on two separate radio stations for their morning shows that would have “celebrity guest phone call from Alec Baldwin,” to, no doubt, promote his show. Yesterday I downloaded a free 30 Rock episode offered to me via e-mail on iTunes. Alec Baldwin made personal pleas and did the Snakes on a Plane thing and had automated calls during the holiday season.  I can’t drive anywhere without seeing a billboard for the show and I can’t turn on NBC for more than 10 minutes without seeing a commercial that either advertises the Thursday night schedule or the show itself. And it’s not that the show looks bad, in fact, I’m sure it’s brilliant (I watched the first episode and thought it was alright). And if it didn’t have the financing and star power that it does, I fear it wouldn’t have gotten a second season because I just don’t think that many people are watching it. And I feel bad. Alec Baldwin has made me feel like a jerk for picking Grey’s Anatomy (9-10, Thursdays) over 30 Rock.  I feel like I should apologize to bagazillionaire Alec Baldwin for not watching his show.  

Yet I’ve managed to rationalize it ever so slightly,

If I decide to watch Grey’sthe next day online, that’s fine with me. The quality is great and I don’t mind the four ads for natural male enhancement. They still make me uncomfortable as all hell, but I can block it out. But. But. BUT. I refuse to watch Scrubs which comes in between The Office and 30 Rock. I can’t think of a network show that’s on right now that I hate more than I hate Scrubs. I can’t watch it and I will not watch it. And during that half hour I fear I would be way too tempted to watch the first half hour of Grey’s and then decide ”fuck 30 Rock” and, well, we’re right back where we started.

But I’ll tell you what, NBC. You switch Scrubs and 30 Rock, and you’ve got yourself a loyal customer.

This is an obvious sleepy blog.

Let’s do better, Tomorrow.

I’m not much for material things. Anyone who has seen the little enclave I call home can attest to this claim that many of the things I own are inexpensive but have some sort of sentimental value or are just silly wastes of money and I very much fancy this way of life.  And up until this morning there was no price on my heart. But then, I got a glimpse of my transportation future.

So, that being said I hereby price my eternal love and admiration at a cool $150,000 or One (1) Ecto 1.

In other Love (Big L, little ove) news, I found out today that Michael Love has a daughter. “Sigh,” says she.

I’m sure by now we’ve all heard about this. Well, to me the most interesting part of the story was what I learned today while at the Science Center…

Lisa Nowak was very instrumental in developing the Science Center’s Air and Space Gallery and has come by the museum’s summer camp on occasion to talk to the kids about becoming an astronaut. From what I’ve heard, she’s a very kind lady.

This news was all over the science center today. Not only because of the whole relationship she had with the Science Center, but today the thousands and thousands and thousands of brochures ordered to advertise the summer camp arrived.

With her photo on the cover.

Not really funny… but just one of those “d’oh” moments I thought I’d share.

If it’s not myPod, it’s usually NPR that you can hear coming from the speakers of the car. And tonight, not quite sure how, but for the first time I caught Garrison Keillor’s nightly little diddy, The Writer’s Almanac, and it’s absolutely lovely. It made the end of my day one million times better. It’s one thing to get to hear Garrison’s soothing voice tell me stories of Lake Woebegon and the like on the weekends, but nightly? It’s a thing of beauty.  Love the man.

Speaking of which, this weekend was Prairie Home Companion’s joke show and my mom has had an arsenal of jokes ever since.

That’s the news from Lake Woebegon, where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking and all the children are above average.

Top 5 things I can’t wait to happen:

1. John Krasinski realizing that we should be married and babied immediately.

2. Batman Begins sequel, The Dark Knight, finalizes casting.

3. The Dark Knight trailer/production stills are released

4. The Dark Knight in theaters July 18, 2008

and

5. Sleeping in tomorrow.

Three of those five are all quite similar, but as I am not in the know, I would love to direct any and all attention on these matters to these fine Bat Bloggings.  Because if I’m excited, you should be excited.

Blog number 1

Blog number 2

I’ve had the great pleasure of enjoying some truly outstanding film and tv recently that I think it would be wise for you to consider.

Pan’s Labrynth: I had heard many good things about this movie before I saw it in theaters. Namely from my brother who wouldn’t stop talking about it until I saw it, so I did. And I was sure it was going to be fantastic, but I didn’t really know what to expect. It’s much bloodier than I thought it was going to be, so weak stomachs beware. But the images and the effects and the entire storyline of this little girls’ world is so fantastic and whimsical and beautiful that it becomes an escape just as much for you as it does for her. This is not to be missed.

Smokin’ Aces: Another one that I wasn’t quite sure of what I was going to get but came out totally pleased and entertained. The movie has all the fantastic elements of a very fun summer assassin movie but I can see how it would have totally drowned coming out in June. It has perfect timing and does exactly what it came to do. Smoke some asses. I mean, Aces. Jeremy Piven is phenomenal and wears his role so well and is supported by a cast that is sexy, funny, all around insane and more often than not, hilariously blowing each other away. Literally. My favorite characters in this movie are The Tremors. I can’t say much, but after you see it we will discuss.

The Illusionist: My elitist nature kept me from seeing this one in theaters. Partially because I am anything but a fan of Jessica Biel and also it had the worst timing of a movie coming out right alongsidethe unstoppable and incomparable Prestige. Being released weeks before The Prestige was probably a good move as to not get buried by it in rental and sales as well. Anyway, I must apologize to Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti (but still not Biel) for missing this outstanding film in theaters. The story is very interesting and the visuals, though sometimes oddly placed and not enough in your face, were over all very well done. Edward Norton will always hold a special place in my heart and in my eyes Paul Giamatti can do no wrong, though Iain will profusely disagree. So when you go to Blockbuster to pick up The Prestige and it is completely sold out, pick up The Illusionist. You shall not be disappointed.

Rome: This is the HBO series that started last year and has just started up its second season. I rented disc one out of curiosity the other day at Blockbuster and can definitely say that I have not been so pleased with a television show of this type in a very long time. The storyline is very involving as I can say that two episodes in I am hooked. Today I rented two more discs and am extremely anxious to get into those as well. Rome is sexy, bloody and intense (it’s HBO) and has left me wanting nothing but more. The show is on Sundays at 9, but I am trying to get caught up on season 1 before I delve into 2. Well done, HBO. Well done.