Friday, July 02, 2010
Twilight Time!
I don't get the whole "Twilight" thing. Just don't. I thought the first movie was horrible, so much so that I haven't bothered with the second or the third. It seems to me that the whole series can be summed up as an ugly girl that has trouble choosing between necrophilia and bestiality.
So, to me, these songs seem pretty much spot on for the targeted demographic - Twilight fans.
So, to me, these songs seem pretty much spot on for the targeted demographic - Twilight fans.
Labels: Movies, Red State Update, Videos
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wednesday Lagniappe
OK, so we all agree that our economy is in a recession, if not entering a depression.
How does that jive with Paul Blart: Mall Cop making $64,923,380 in only 2 weeks at the box office?
After Leo was born, we cut back on movie expenditures to only seeing blockbuster movies (Harry Potter movies, Watchmen, Star Trek, Public Enemies). Apparently, not everyone is hoarding money, though, and instead have no problem dropping the $17.00 (or more) per couple to see what looks like an average comedy.
As a former film critic, I remember the days when $100,000,000 in U.S. box office receipts was rarefied air.
How does that jive with Paul Blart: Mall Cop making $64,923,380 in only 2 weeks at the box office?
After Leo was born, we cut back on movie expenditures to only seeing blockbuster movies (Harry Potter movies, Watchmen, Star Trek, Public Enemies). Apparently, not everyone is hoarding money, though, and instead have no problem dropping the $17.00 (or more) per couple to see what looks like an average comedy.
As a former film critic, I remember the days when $100,000,000 in U.S. box office receipts was rarefied air.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Ammunition for Men - Study Says Romantic Comedies Bad For Your Love Life
The next time that your ladyfriend tries to take you to see some garbage like "Bride Wars" or "Maid in Manhattan," just tell her, "Babe, I'm committed to this relationship, and that's why I can't allow for this to happen. Now let's go see (fill in the name of current action flick) for the sake of our relationship."
And you have scientific research to back it up.
And you have scientific research to back it up.
Labels: Movies
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Everyone is Going Batty
If Fandango is to be believed, there are ten showings of "The Dark Knight," the new Batman movie, at 12:01 A.M. tonight between the Regal Pinnacle and Regal Riviera theaters (the two theaters that we regularly attend).
All ten showings are sold-out.
That includes the more expensive IMAX presentation at 12:01. And don't even think about the 3:00 A.M. IMAX showing - it's sold-out, too.
I have been looking forward to this movie more than any other film in the past 4 years. It would not surprise me in the least if it breaks the record for the biggest weekend opening ever. I just hope that it lives up to my expectations, which are extraordinarily high. Heck, I think it might be one of the best films of all time.
We shall see...
All ten showings are sold-out.
That includes the more expensive IMAX presentation at 12:01. And don't even think about the 3:00 A.M. IMAX showing - it's sold-out, too.
I have been looking forward to this movie more than any other film in the past 4 years. It would not surprise me in the least if it breaks the record for the biggest weekend opening ever. I just hope that it lives up to my expectations, which are extraordinarily high. Heck, I think it might be one of the best films of all time.
We shall see...
Labels: Movies
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Sad Wednesday
Sigh...
Fred's out. Now I have to lampoon the GOP nominee from the Republican National Convention until Election Day. Not sure which candidate I will be backing during the savaging of the as-not-yet-known moderate GOP nominee, but I'm sure that it will add to my already cramped schedule.
Pearl's Vols lost. Got their butts handed to 'em in the second half by a pathetic Kentucky team. I love what Pearl has done with our program, but I think he might need to look at adjusting the rotation a bit. I've (of course) been to every home game this season, so I have a basis for my opinions. Ryan Childress - who made outstanding progress last year - isn't the same player this year. I'm hopeful that Duke Crews eats into Ryan's minutes when Crews is allowed to play, which would mean both Chism and Crews on the floor at the same time. Chris Lofton needs more minutes, too, as long as he is being aggressive, as we he was during the first half and end of the game last night. If that comes at the expense of JaJuan Smith, so be it. Finally, for every alley-oop that J.P. Prince and Tyler Smith miss instead of just putting the ball in the basket, the whole team needs to run stadium steps. Last night proved that Tennessee isn't in the same class as Memphis (after all, our coach has class) and Kansas. We're still good, and all that matters is peaking at tournament time, but we're not a Top 5 team at this point in time.
The weather sucks. It's 4:00 A.M., and I have no idea if I will be in court today or not. Sevier County Schools are on a 2-hour delay, and there isn't a weather policy on the Sevier County website. Maryville City Schools seem to be on schedule, which is what the Blount County courts follow. Not sure if I can get there, though, since it appears that the streets in my subdivision are still icy.
My elbow hurts. Yes, I made fun of falling yesterday, but I really did land on my elbow yesterday morning. I figured since the Knox County Schools were still on regular schedule that things would be OK. Nope. I don't think my elbow is broken, and I won't be without an X-ray. I guess that's the problem with a high pain tolerance.
Heath Ledger is dead. That sucks. After seeing the trailers, I was really looking forward to seeing Ledger as The Joker in the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight. Ledger was a very talented actor, and the thought that he died from an overdose is downright depressing.
Just a series of bummers, folks.
Fred's out. Now I have to lampoon the GOP nominee from the Republican National Convention until Election Day. Not sure which candidate I will be backing during the savaging of the as-not-yet-known moderate GOP nominee, but I'm sure that it will add to my already cramped schedule.
Pearl's Vols lost. Got their butts handed to 'em in the second half by a pathetic Kentucky team. I love what Pearl has done with our program, but I think he might need to look at adjusting the rotation a bit. I've (of course) been to every home game this season, so I have a basis for my opinions. Ryan Childress - who made outstanding progress last year - isn't the same player this year. I'm hopeful that Duke Crews eats into Ryan's minutes when Crews is allowed to play, which would mean both Chism and Crews on the floor at the same time. Chris Lofton needs more minutes, too, as long as he is being aggressive, as we he was during the first half and end of the game last night. If that comes at the expense of JaJuan Smith, so be it. Finally, for every alley-oop that J.P. Prince and Tyler Smith miss instead of just putting the ball in the basket, the whole team needs to run stadium steps. Last night proved that Tennessee isn't in the same class as Memphis (after all, our coach has class) and Kansas. We're still good, and all that matters is peaking at tournament time, but we're not a Top 5 team at this point in time.
The weather sucks. It's 4:00 A.M., and I have no idea if I will be in court today or not. Sevier County Schools are on a 2-hour delay, and there isn't a weather policy on the Sevier County website. Maryville City Schools seem to be on schedule, which is what the Blount County courts follow. Not sure if I can get there, though, since it appears that the streets in my subdivision are still icy.
My elbow hurts. Yes, I made fun of falling yesterday, but I really did land on my elbow yesterday morning. I figured since the Knox County Schools were still on regular schedule that things would be OK. Nope. I don't think my elbow is broken, and I won't be without an X-ray. I guess that's the problem with a high pain tolerance.
Heath Ledger is dead. That sucks. After seeing the trailers, I was really looking forward to seeing Ledger as The Joker in the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight. Ledger was a very talented actor, and the thought that he died from an overdose is downright depressing.
Just a series of bummers, folks.
Labels: Firm Life, Fred Thompson, Movies, Weather
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Harry Potter and Ocean's 13
It hasn't been all work lately, of course. The VOLConWife and I were able to make it over to the Parkway Drive-In just outside of Maryville this past Saturday night for a double feature. I'm always amazed at how many people have never seen a movie at a drive-in theater. I used to take dates to them all of the time when I was in high school in Sullivan County. There's nothing like picking up a bucket of chicken and sides at KFC, throwing some sleeping bags and folding chairs in the back of the pick-up, and watching a double feature for $5 a head under the stars.
In any case, we saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix first. It was a decent movie, exploring the pressures that Harry is facing at such a young age. However, it wasn't the best of this series of movies. In fact, I would rate it right in the middle, behind the 4th and 2nd installments and ahead of the 1st and 3rd films. Of course, that is a bit harsh since this is obviously a set-up for things to come. I expect great things out of the 6th movie, which is slated for release in November of 2008. Also, this movie really interjects the evils of politics into the storyline, as the truth is put down by a overbearing political administration. So that was a bit interesting, for sure. Overall, I gave it a 6.7 - which is certainly above my average rating but not in line with what one would expect for a movie that might gross $1 billion worldwide.
The second film, Ocean's 13, was better than Harry Potter and certainly much better than Ocean's 12. Good acting, good plot (which I'm not going to give away here), and not so many ridiculous twists that you wonder which of these films was really about magic and which was based in reality. Overall, I gave it a 8.1.
In any case, we saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix first. It was a decent movie, exploring the pressures that Harry is facing at such a young age. However, it wasn't the best of this series of movies. In fact, I would rate it right in the middle, behind the 4th and 2nd installments and ahead of the 1st and 3rd films. Of course, that is a bit harsh since this is obviously a set-up for things to come. I expect great things out of the 6th movie, which is slated for release in November of 2008. Also, this movie really interjects the evils of politics into the storyline, as the truth is put down by a overbearing political administration. So that was a bit interesting, for sure. Overall, I gave it a 6.7 - which is certainly above my average rating but not in line with what one would expect for a movie that might gross $1 billion worldwide.
The second film, Ocean's 13, was better than Harry Potter and certainly much better than Ocean's 12. Good acting, good plot (which I'm not going to give away here), and not so many ridiculous twists that you wonder which of these films was really about magic and which was based in reality. Overall, I gave it a 8.1.
Labels: Movies
Monday, July 02, 2007
"See this movie or Die Hard"
The VOLConWife and I had the chance to see the fourth "Die Hard" movie in the series, titled "Live Free or Die Hard," yesterday at Regal's Pinnacle 18 at Turkey Creek.In my opinion, it was the best of the four "Die Hard" movies. It's non-stop action from beginning to end, and you don't even notice that 2 1/2 hours have passed by the time the credits are rolling. Combining fantastic stunts, plenty of explosions, and Bruce Willis in his most famous role makes for one heck of a July 4th movie.
Keeping in mind that I love "end of days" type movies - where the terrorists aren't retarded like Star Wars' storm troopers and actually have a plan to bring down our way of life - I give "Live Free or Die Hard" a mark of 8.9 out of 10. That makes it the second best movie I have seen this year (behind "300," which received a 9.4).
There are several conservative and anti-bureaucratic themes in the movie, as well. Heck, the anarchist computer geek who acts as John McClane's sidekick in this installment (played by Justin Long) comes to see that there is more to America than corporate greed and an evil government.
Also within the past few weeks, the VOLConWife and I (appropriately) saw "Knocked Up." It's a good movie, not as funny as "The 40-Year Old Virgin," but does provide some laughs and even inspires in parts. I must have liked it, because I gave it a 6.8 out of 10 (which barely beats out the third installment of "Pirates of the Caribbean," which I dare say took a great deal more money to make). I think I probably subconsciously penalized "Knocked Up" for the incessant drug culture scenes, but that's just a guess. The language is a bit rough, too, in places where it doesn't need to be.
The thing that got me about "Knocked Up" is that I heard all of the pro-abortion forces stewing about the movie. Here's the thing, and this is important for understanding them - they were mad that Katherine Heigl's character chose to keep the baby. Uh, yeah, that's pretty amazing. I guess one could file that under more evidence that there is a pro-abort side in this debate and not a pro-choice side at all.
Plus, it's not like it would have been a comedy if she had aborted the baby, right? It just would have been another tragedy.
