300 is on HD-DVD

300 comes out on DVD today. Not just DVD, but HD-DVD as well! So, if you missed it on the big screen, here is your chance to catch speedo-clad, six-packed, spear hugging Spartans kill a whole bunch of Persians.

In other DVD news, my future roommate in L.A. has a new DVD out. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a remake/reboot/remix of the of the 1920 film noir classic. The new film uses green screen technology to place modern actors onto the original film's backgrounds. It's interesting-and by interesting, I mean kind of lame and boring.








Finally, a piece of my childhood is out on DVD now. The Secrets of Isis aired on Saturday mornings on CBS during the 70's as part of the Shazam hour. I loved this show!! Mostly because actress JoAnna Cameron looked mega-hot in the Isis getup. Also, whenever Isis wanted to fly, she invoked a rhyming chant-Oh zephyr winds which blow on high, lift me now, so I can fly. She then started to rotate and rise off the ground and I always hoped her skirt would flip up. This show was the closest thing an eight year old would ever come to porn.

So Let the Sunshine In!!

Hey everyone. I just got back from watching Sunshine and it was awesome!! There are a couple of major plot holes (one at the beginning and one near the end), but they don't really get in the way of the narrative. I won't tell you what they are but I'm confident you can figure it out if you watch the film. Danny Boyle does a masterful job of creating mood and suspense throughout the film. Except for the 2 plotholes, Alex Garland's script is smart and tight. All of the actors deliver strong performances, especially Chris Evans. Visual effects are impressive and seamless.

The only downer about the whole evening was that I had to drive 20 minutes to see the film. I've gotten spoiled living downtown since I can walk to pretty much anything I need to do, i.e. restaurants, movie theater, free clinic, etc.

Besides seeing Sunshine, another great thing happened today. I got free tickets to an advance screening of Superbad this Wednesday night!! And bonus-it's downtown!! So, I will post about it on Thursday.

I'm out!!

Comic-Con is here!!

But I'm not attending this year. Still there is quite a bit of news coming out of the Con and I will post them as they appear.

In honor of the Simpsons movie opening today, I've changed the banner again. D'oh!! Once again, Ray Raq did an awesome job simpsonizing me. Speaking of which, tomorrow is Ray's birthday. If you know Ray, you will agree with me that he looks nothing like #$. If you really know Ray, you know how sensitive he is about his age. But, like he's so fond of saying, you're only as old as the girls you feel! So here's a shout out to Ray's birthday!!

With the new banner you would think I was going to see The Simpson's this weekend. Nope! I'm going to see Sunshine, the new Danny Boyle film. It opened last week but wasn't showing in any theaters around here and I was mad as hell pissed!! Somebody at Fox Searchlight must have felt my pain because it is now playing in two theaters. Better late than never. So, I'm going to catch the film before it leaves the theaters. I'll post a review on Monday.

Straight up funny pictures!!

I know I'm a little behind on this one, but I just saw Knocked Up the other day and I really, really, liked it!! Funny, sweet and it's got Katherine Heigl. Judd Apatow is developing an awesome track record-Freaks and Geeks, The 40-Year-Old Virgin and I can't wait to see Superbad. Not only is Apatow producing, but it stars Michael Cera from the Clark and Michael Show. If you aren't watching this show, well I guess you aren't watching the show, but you should be! One of the funniest things on the Net right now. For the rest of the summer, I think I'm going to stay away from lame-ass, big budget action flicks and stick to comedies.

Spoiler alert!!!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows officially goes on sale today. J.K. Rowling has claimed that two major characters die in this book leading many to speculate who will meet their demise. Many have posted their theories on the internet, while quite a few claimed to have read the book already and have posted the ending on the web. 2 U.S. papers have published reviews of the book and included spoilers in the review. It's going to be hard to not find some information about the book on the net or hear about it in the media. Which means I have to read the book soon before it is spoiled for me.

Spoilers!!! Why do people do it? I think that some people love to spoil endings because it gives them a sense of empowerment. I know something you don't and I'm going to prove it. I'm not sure if they think this will garnish a level of respect for themselves. It just makes them a big jerk in my eyes.

I had the end of the 6th book spoiled for me. However, it was unintentional as the person honestly thought I had read the book already. We need to develop a global point of etiquette to prevent spoiling anything for anyone. If I am in a discussion about a movie, book, tv show, I will ask everyone in the group if they have seen, heard, or read the subject and then judge if it is ok to proceed with the conversation. Everyone, please let's just practice a little restraint and respect. You can do it. I have faith!! This is fair warning. If anyone spoils the final Harry Potter book for me, I will punch you in the mouth.

I hate you Summer Movie Season

Hey Random readers!! Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. I've been ill-scratchy throat, achy muscles, burning pee. All of that has been compounded by my viewing of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Uuurp-I think I just threw up in my mouth. Definitely the worst movie of the already mediocre franchise. This could have been a great installment to transition the characters to the next level as the novels start to take a darker tone. But the movie is just fluff. Hermione and Ron are just cardboard standees that really have nothing to say. All of my favorite characters are just one trick ponies in the film. Dumbledore's major contribution is to fight Voldemort at the end, but even that scene feels flat and uninspiring. Mrs. McGonogall is practically non-existent, and Alan Rickman is practically calling in his lines as Severus Snape. We are introduced to some new characters, Luna Lovegood, Dolores Umbridge, and Bellatrix LeStrange. LeStrange, portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter, does nothing more than cackle and flail her arms about, so she fits right into the film. However, Luna Lovegood and Dolores Umbridge actually bring something to the movie. Imelda Staunton's turn as Umbridge is deliciously vile through her proper appearance. Newcomer Evanna Lynch is charming and delivers Luna Lovegood's lines with perfect uneven timing and aloofness. Too bad it's not enough. It's a shame really. I was hoping this installment of the franchise marked a change for better storytelling and character development. Instead Order of the Phoenix is just plain out of order.

I solemnly swear, I am up to no good!!

As you can probably tell by the new banner, I am psyched about Harry Potter this month. The new movie, Order of The Phoenix, opens today and the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows comes out July 21st. For some reason, I'm a little more excited about these events than I normally am for Harry Potter. I waited for the DVD before I saw Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The movie wasn't that great and I really haven't enjoyed the movies as much as I enjoyed the books. Regarding the books, I don't get caught up in the midnight release parties. I have friends who buy the book at midnight and have it finished by the next day. I generally don't even buy the book. I wait for a friend to finish it and then just borrow their copy. I actually waited a year before I started the last book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Despite the fact that I heard a major character dies, I was just too busy to pick the book up. Then one random day, a friend told me who died before I could tell her to stop. She assumed I had read the book already and naturally I gave her the killing curse. I still enjoyed the book, but the surprise was gone. So, I'm not going to let that happen again. I'm reading the book as soon as it comes out.

I took a Harry Potter personality quiz. Apparently, I'm Sirius Black.
Click here to find out your Harry Potter personality!

1-18-08

A few days back I blogged about "Cloverfield" the new J.J. Abrams' project and whose teaser trailer ran before Transformers. Well, Paramount has finally posted the trailer online so check it out!!

Great Balls of Fire!!

Here we are. Another Monday to ruin the weekend. Why does Monday come so fast? I mean at least give me a chance to enjoy my weekend. No, not you Monday. You have to come quick to show everyone how dull and lifeless you are. "Look at me!! I'm Monday, watch me suck!!" Wait, I work weekends and have Mondays and Tuesdays off. So I'm actually into my weekend. Nevermind.

Here's the moment you've all been waiting for. Alright, maybe some of you have been waiting for. Ok, ok, outside of my family, two of you have been waiting for. My big dance number!! Oh yeah, my daughter's in this too. See if you can find us!!




If you want to catch all of Alyssa's dance numbers, click here.

Cloverfield

Ok, I know some people disagreed about my Transformers review but I hope everyone will agree with me when I say that teaser trailer right before the movie began was awesome. I'm talking about the one that starts as a going away party and then there's a big explosion and people are running through the streets screaming "it's alive!" and "it's huge!" It ends with a shot of the head of the Statue of Liberty rolling down the street. I've done a little research on the trailer. First, it's a J.J. Abrahms' (Felicity, Lost, MI:3)project. Second, the movie is untitled but people on the Net have dubbed the project "Cloverfield." There is no website for the movie, however there is a pic on the net if you navigate to the film's opening date 1-18-08. Also, there is a website called ethanhaaswasright.com that is apparently linked to the film. The website consists of 5 puzzles. When you complete the puzzles there is a grainy video of a guy named "Dan" who claims Ethan Haas foresaw a "war of the gods" and "the great cities of men fall into ruins." You can read some of Ethan Haas' prophecies on this blog.

So, what do you think? Many people are calling the film a Godzilla meets The Blair Witch Project moster movie. Paramount is very hush-hush about the film but Hollywood Reporter has some information about the cast and crew. I can tell you that the trailer alone makes me want to see the film. I will definitely be keeping track of this one.

Transformers Review

OK. I just saw Transformers. A movie I've been both greatly anticipating and dreading at the same time. I've been anticipating this movie because I grew up watching the Transformers after school. I used to do a bad rendition of the "transforming sound" whenever I changed clothes or became a Plymouth Valiant. I saw the original animated feature film in the theater and even got a little misty when Optimus Prime died. Naturally, my brain nearly exploded with joy when I heard that Steven Spielberg was producing a live action adaptation of the series. Then my brain nearly melted in disgust when I learned that Michael Bay was going to direct the film.

Here is a list of things that Michael Bay likes:

• Quick cuts
• Big explosions
• Mega babes
• Big explosions
• Big budgets
• Big explosions

Here are the things that Michael Bay doesn't like:

• Character development
• One camera takes
• Budgets under $100 million
• Logical plotlines

I was still willing to give Mr. Bay a chance at redemption with the Transformers. Unfortunately, he lives up to his usual forms. First let me tell you what I enjoyed about the movie. The visual effects are first rate. The giant robots blend seamlessly with the backgrounds and the human actors much like the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. It's amazing to watch the the Autobots or Decepticons actually transform (complete with the signature transforming sound). I actually got goosebumps when Optimus Prime made his first transformation. The movie has big action sequences (including an awesome opening sequence) that are full of loud explosions and massive property destruction.

Aside from this eye candy, there is really nothing else. The movie really fails when the humans are on the screen. Unlike their CGI counterparts, the human actors really have no material to work with. Shia LeBeouf plays the geeky Sam Witwicky who is linked to the Transformers because of a discovery his Great-Great Grandfather made in the Artic Circle. Uber-hottie Megan Fox plays Mikeala Banes, the bad girl object of Sam's affection. Her main contribution to the movie is being smoking hot while looking under the hood of a car. Jon Voigt chews up some scenery as the Secretary of Defense and Jon Turturro has the unenviable role of some silly secret government organization stooge.
There is another ridiculous subplot involving Rachael Taylor as a computer analyst and Anthony Anderson as her computer hacker friend. I don't even want to go into Josh Duhamel's role as a Special Forces captain trying to see his newborn daughter for the first time (altogether now....awwww, that's so touching!) Really, the human actors block this film like cheese in my lower intestine. There is even a point when Michael Bay interrupts the action to have a woman scream in slow motion. At least she had great cleavage.

However, in spite of how cool the Transformers look on the screen, even they get to be (dare I say it?) cartoony. Their dialog
is strictly Saturday morning kids fare and the action scenes become uneven. I honestly think that Michael Bay just wanted to destroy as much real estate as possible and make me dizzy at the same time. There is also a ridiculous scene where the Autobots are trying to hide in the backyard of Sam's house.

So, should you see this film? It is hella cool to see giant robots duke it out on the big screen and Megan Fox is the ultimate goddess of sexy. You just have to put up with all the crap in between. If that's enough for you, then you should definitely "transform and roll out" to the nearest multiplex.

Yipee-Ka-Yay-Mother...

Whoa! What happened to the weekend?! Monday already? This sucks!

Anyways, not a whole lotta news today.

Unless you got an iPhone. If you didn't get one, check out Amanda Congdon's experience buying an iPhone.

Here is a funny article from Cracked.com citing the 5 things we learned watching Die Hard Movies.

Even though I didn't win the avatar contest over at Pop Candy, I want to congratulate psu_grrly for winning the contest. Next time I'll try to let all my readers know ahead of time to vote for me! Note: I'll be changing my avatar and blog logo soon. I think you'll like it.

That's all for now. I'm gonna see Transformers tomorrow. If anyone sees it tonight, leave a comment to tell me what you thought.