The Flight of the Phoenix
Went and saw this today. As an action flick it was pretty mediocre. Not much to say about it. I will not remember this movie next year. Catch it on HBO this summer.
3 of 5 stars.
Clip Show?
The Amazing Race had a clip show to fill in the newbies on what’s been happening for this season. I was rather disappointed that it was a clip show, but figured that no one is watching TV during the holidays so it was better than nothing. Once again it shows us the hotties who gave us the line of the year. That Kristy is awesome. I miss them. I keep wanting them to come back. They have been my most favorite team, ever. I can’t wait til next year for the next episode. See you then.
Don’t cry for me, pilipinas!
Not all movies I have seen were big-budget, studio, summer, super-blockbusters. I have seen a few small indie films this year, the latest of which is Imelda, the documentary about the ex-first lady of the Philippines. I sat through it in the local art house cinema, The Charles. While somewhat interesting, I don’t get the point of the film. Were we supposed to sympathize with her plight? Was she an accomplice to the destruction of the Philippines? Was she misunderstood? The director did not get a point about Imelda across in the film. It unspooled like an autobiography that was too even handed. It stated the facts, presented the history, but didn’t filter her story through her life. I wish she made me feel something for Imelda, but I didn’t and left the theatre ambivilant about both her and the film
3 of 5 stars.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Here’s a link to Project Gutenberg’s entry for the classic tale of Christmas ghosts, bah-humbugs, crippled children and the fat goose in the butcher’s window. Of course, it’s Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol.” What would Christmas be without it?
So called best movies of the year…
… As determined by me.
So 2005 draws closer, and to say good bye to 2004, I turn to the tired cliche of a year end list. This list is a list of the highest ranking movies that I saw (and blogged about) from this year. It is incomplete for the year because I had started this blog back in May. My ranking system was n number of stars out of 5, so to compile a best-of list, I chose those movies with 4 or 5 stars. So without further ado, and in no particular order, here they are.
- The Day After Tomorrow – Admittedly, this doesn’t deserve the high ranking I gave it, but I’m just going to post it by the numbers. I originally gave it 4 stars, but believe that it should be demoted to 3. As the year wore on, my taste got better. I promise.
- Spiderman 2 — The best of the summer blockbusters. Hands down.
- Hero — Kung fu theatre was never as gorgeous as this.
- The Incredibles — The best movie this year. I loved the design of everything in this movie. I am slowly getting to be a sucker for mid-century modern.
- Sideways — A critical darling of the traditional movie critics. Good. Not that great, but I can appreciate the finer things in life.
- Catwoman — Panned by everyone except me. 5 of 5 stars! It was so bad it was good. This movie will be the Showgirls of 2004.
- Wicker Park — Underappreciated by many. It got mixed reviews. I loved it.
There you have 7 movies that I rated 4 or 5 out of 5 stars. I would’ve liked to keep this as a top 5 list, but I didn’t want to shortchange any of my reviews.
A Festivus for the rest of us
The NY Times writes a story on Festivus, that make believe holiday from the classic Seinfeld episode. December 23 is the actual date. Circle the date on your calendar. Add a reminder in your iCal. It shall go down, along with Talk Like A Pirate Day, September 19, as one of the greatest of fake holidays. Celebrate the day.
Put it in “H”
Why’d CBS think people want to see a show on culture rather than the Amazing Race? Thank god I got a season pass. This leg finds the racers going to Budapest. That trebi car is cool. It reminded me of the Simpsons episode with Mr. Plow. “Put it in H.” “What country is this from?” This episode ends in a cliffhanger, but I think those are the last we see of Bolo. Damn, that team grows on you.
Christmas Time is Here.
It is December and Christmas. One of my favorite times of the year. When it gets cold, which it hasn’t been until the past week, and when it gets dark at 4:30, then it is time for some fun. Christmas! I haven’t appreciated it, but it is good, the shopping not withstanding. So for everyone, enjoy and Season’s Greetings!
Hey, Why Man.
When are you gonna write something up to date?
Live blogging the Amazing Race
I am blogging the latest episode of the Amazing Race, so that I can post my witticisms here instead of shouting at the screen. Ready? Then let’s go.
20:59 — If you haven’t yet check out the hilarious recaps and caplets over at Television without Pity. They also host the TARCon.
21:01 — Who will be eliminated? My bet’s on Don and Mary Jean, the old couple.
21:05 — Where will they get the money in poor Africa? They need to hit up the dumb tourists! Alliances? Go Johnathon and Victoria. Victory for bickering couples everywhere and assholes in particular. Is it me or are the teams so unrecognizable. When the hotties have been eliminated no one is left to root for, because every one seems to be interchangeable. “A reason to leave?” Was that a really insensitive remark?
21:09 — A single rose. A little history lesson? A reminder that the history of the world has a lot of evil episodes in it. Beautiful. Can we also start the racing now?
21:11 — Berlin, Germany! Begging from the other competitors, genuis! I knew it was going to be tough to ask the poor people of Senegal.
21:14 — Kendra is just a wretched human being. It’s not like the Senegalese wanted to be born there. Appreciate your luck in life, biotch!
21:16 — Bolo, just break them off a little something something. Suplex! This is hard. I can’t watch and type at the same time. It makes watching the show a lot less enjoyable.
21:20 — What happened? The drama turned out to be undramatical! Bolo! More following. That’s part of the game. When you end up not following, then you’re losing. I am rooting against Kendra. Biotch! Gundzumteit!
21:26 — “We humans are capable of so much horror!” Beer! Beer! Beer! Beer! Brats! Brats! Brats! Jonathon == I love Lucy!! “If she [Lucy] can do it I can do it.” Now that’s a motto to live by.
21:31 — Don and Mary Jean are not disappointing me, except they should read the fsking clue.
21:39 — Dad is a lush. That is funny. I think my father would have done the same.
21: 41 — Unfortunately, you old fools, you are last. Noooo. Not Bolo! Always take a taxi. That is rule #1 of the Amazing Race.
21:48 — This using other people in the city, sucks. They should not be allowed to do it. Unless you’re the hotties.
21:51 — Fsck. The biotches! Fsck! Did he just hit her? Damn. That guys an asshole. When will they be eliminated? Damn. Fsking biotch! Why the biotch!
21:54 — Did I call it? Or what? Mary Jean is a cutie for an old lady. I’ll miss their “will do” spirit. Bolo, you’re next!
21:57 — Kendra, biotch, is down and sick. Good.
Okay, the show’s over. That was fun, but it took away from enjoying the show. Plus it made it go by so much quicker. Next time, I think I’ll just watch. One final reminder to read the recaplets at Television without Pity.