Tropic Thunder

My wife and I saw Tropic Thunder this last weekend.  We haven’t been to a movie theatre in I don’t know how long, but we finally made it there again to see this film.  Our first choice was to see Hamlet 2, but it was only in select cities until its wide release this coming weekend.

I’m not necessarily a huge fan of a lot of the actors in the film – many being hit or miss with me, depending on the role.  Robert Downey, Jr. was just amazing in this film.  Aside from Chaplin, I can’t really even remember another film role he has done that I’ve absolutely loved.  I’m sure there had to be one.  Derreck from Back to School?  Ben Stiller was as expected – very solid, and he did a great job directing the film.  Jack Black was excellent.  Although sometimes it may have been a little over the top, Tom Fuckin’ Cruise may have stolen a lot of the movie in his role as the Film Company Head.  Freakin’ hilarious.

Anyway, mostly I wanted to talk about the hub-bub regarding “Simple Jack” and the use of the word retard.  People may or may not get offended by its use during the film (they did provide some hilarious scenes), but I have an issue with some of the people protesting the film – like Maureen “Marcia Brady” McCormick.  I understand that she has a handicapped brother that she cares for and feels strongly about, and I don’t have a problem with that.  When people say, I’m not going to see the film.  I’m basing this decision off what I heard.  I have an issue with that.  Why not make your own decision based on what you yourself see?  Seems like no one wants to make their own decisions anymore about things – quick to complain about something or threaten to boycott and sue.  But, god forbid anyone takes something upon themselves to make an informed decision.  I have more respect for someone who would say, I saw this film and it offended me.  Kind of like when Last Temptation of Christ came out whenever.  Religious folk were all up in arms about it, refusing to see it because it depicted Jebus in a bad way.  If I was a Christian, the film would have just strengthened my beliefs, showing everything this man supposedly gave up.  Try watching it first.

Anyway, enough about that. 

Film rating:  3.5/4

More Shit

El Orfanato

Taking full advantage of my 50% off rental fees at Hollywood Video while they last.  I watched the Spanish horror film, El Orfanato – in Spanish with English sub-titles.  I believe the film was Produced in some way by Guillermo Del Toro (“Pan’s Labrynth”).  If you watch the film, I think it looks like something Del Toro could have made himself instead of just being a producer.

The story follows Laura (Belen Rueda), who returns to the orphanage where she lived prior to being adopted.  She and her husband (Fernando Cayo) have bought the place and plan to use it as a house for special needs.  Their adopted son, Simon (Roger Princep), starts to behave strange, after playing with some ghosts that are haunting the premises.

Laura and Carlos (her husband) host a party to show off the house, and she and Simon have a little fight, leading to his disappearance.  The film uncovers the ghosts of the past and Laura’s desperate attempts to find her son.  It is a very interesting story, and I was very involved from beginning to end (trying to do some writing of my own at the time, but I was glued to the screen – of course, having to read the subtitles helped that as well).  Very well acted.  Looked beautiful  Without there being any graphic horror (except for a woman being hit by a vehicle), the movie plays up the creepy suspense perfectly, and it’s much more horrific than any of the graphic films that I’ve seen.  Despite the ghosts, there is still enough of a realism to the story to make it that much creepier, and I highly recommend checking this one out.

3.5/4

Super High Me

We also watched Super High Me, which is kind of a spoof on Super Size Me.  Comedian Doug Benson (I guess a noted stoner – didn’t know that til getting this movie) sees what happens when he’s stoned all the time for thirty straight days.  Aside from the stand-up routines interspersed throughout the film while he is on this 30 day experiment, it shows Doug’s visits to doctors, psychics, and marijuana-themed churches.  Mostly, the film seems to be focusing on the issue of medical marijuana use, and the problems being felt in California, where marijuana stores are open to the public (you have to have a card to be allowed to buy anything).  From the looks of it, Doug was able to get a card pretty easily, but I don’t remember too much being made of that.  Anyway, although California law permits medical marijuana use and the existence of these stores to supply the medicine, Federal Law does not recognize it, so the FDA keeps swooping in and closing the places down.  Really weird scenario.  My thought was that the FDA closed these legal places down just to try to pad their numbers to pretend like they are winning the war on drugs.

I’m not a druggie, and I’m square enough to admit that I’ve never tried smokin’ dope, but I found this film still to be very entertaining and enjoyable and had me siding with users and wondering just what the fuck our Government is doing.

3/4

Naked Lunch

I’ve tried before and failed, so I’m going to try again to read the William S. Burroughs novel, Naked Lunch.  Having never been a junkie or experimented with drugs, I’m thinking the ramblings may be more difficult to follow, but I seem to be following along better than I had in past attempts to get through the book.  It is not set up like a typical story, where a character coherently moves from place to place and has this and that happen to him.  It seems like it’s there, but you have to be looking for it to figure out any sort of storyline.  I think I’m only in the forties, as far as page count, but I’m going to try to stick it out this time.

Escribir

I’m trying to figure out what I’m doing with my writing.  I pretty much know the path that I’m taking with my book, My Wife and My Dead Wife – it’s just a matter of making time for myself, which, if things in my head work in reality, I should be making time soon.  I like having two projects at once so that I can work on one if the other has a block or whatever.  So, I’m trying to decide on my “horror” project to work on, so that I can be focused on the two.  Both choices are novels I’ve mostly written in the past but have never been happy with, so I’m looking to focus on them.

Healthy?

Trying to get healthy as well – lose weight, eat right, exercise.  I took a little walk today and was thinking about what I’d like to do, as far as getting healthy, and I felt really good about my little plan.  Exercising in the morning, planning my “work” menu.  I’m looking forward to putting all that in place because I think it will be a money saver as well.

Watching and Reading

Movies

I just watched Marjane Satrapi’s adaptation of Persepolis, which was adapted from her own graphic novels, which Christine and I borrowed from our friends, Linda y Dante (in fact, we might still have them…sorry).  Anyway, I really enjoyed the “comics” and the film is just…I don’t know how to explain it.  So many times, you watch something, and it may be entertaining, but you can forget about it later.  This film is a perfect adaptation of the comics (which makes sense, as they have the same author).  It is entertaining, funny, compelling.  So much going on in this film.  I don’t want to be one of those high all-mighty types when speaking about film, but this is one of the few movies that you will watch and think that it is an important film. 

Persepolis is a look through the eyes of an Iranian girl, as she grows up in Iran, dealing with government changes, causing constant war and forcing loved ones into captivity and (sometimes) execution.  Marjane’s parents eventually ship her out of the country, and we follow her journey out of Iran, back to Iran, and then out again.  It’s a great story – unfortunate – but a wonderfully told life up until this point.

The animation is just like looking at the comic brought to life.  The film is in French with english subtitles.  At the end of the film, I was thinking of the words that the Dalai Lama said when Christine and I went to hear him speak in Madison.  He said that he doesn’t hate the Chinese people, but he doesn’t like their government.  Looks like the same philosophy can apply here.  In America, people have the tendency to look at people from Iraq and Iran as terrorists and all that jazz, and this film (and the comics) is a great view into this philosophy.  You don’t have to like their government (hell, a lot of the Iranians didn’t like their government), but it’s no reason to act out against its people.  I know I don’t people judging me based on the US Government and George Bush… 

With money being tight, I’m not buying films anymore.  This a film I’m considering to buy to be a part of my collection.

Rating:  4/4

It is probably unfair to Lost Boys: The Tribe to follow up after Persepolis, but, it’s not really going to change the opinion of this film.

How do you follow up a classic film like The Lost Boys, which has lots of fans all around the place?  Especially 20 years later?  I read that they were trying to go in a different direction but still remain true to the original to give fans something to enjoy.  I’m not really sure what the different direction is, as the basic storyline is very similar to the original film.  Different direction might be a little more blood, some nudity, more swearing…and an older Corey Feldman returning as Edgar Frog.

The big talk about this film was reuniting the Coreys, as well as original Frog Brother, Jamison Newlander.  Both Corey Haim and Jamison Newlander were pretty much cut from the film – Corey survives in a brief scene during the closing credits, while both Haim and Newlander have bigger parts in the Alternate Endings that also appear on the disc.  The Alternate Endings seem to be setting up the rumoured third film. 

Not much to really say about the film.  If it wasn’t a Lost Boys film, it would’ve been an okay movie.  It really isn’t that bad.  It isn’t the best, but it’s 90 minutes of entertainment.  In the beginning, we were pausing the film when we left the room but stopped doing that as the film played on.  Maybe that says something.  This movie obviously had a lot lower of a budget and threw in a lot of cheesy humour, which just elevated the fact that the film was a direct-to-DVD, low budget film.

All that being said, the opening scene of the movie was done really well, with a great appearance by Tom Savini – offered up a lot of hope for the film.  The film was good enough to make me interested in seeing a third, but it wasn’t so good that I’d be depressed if the series stopped.

Rating:  2.5/4

Books

I just finished reading Ira Levin’s Rosemary’s Baby, which was made into a popular film by Roman Polanski.  I have the film on DVD – found it on sale for very cheap, and I know I had watched it once many years ago, but I either wasn’t paying attention or was in and out or something.  can’t remember, but I know I never really saw the film in any detail.  My thought about the book is that I often wish I could be living in the time when the book was written or maybe get some sort of sense of the common thoughts of the day so that I can read the book more in context with the times.  Was this a shocking book in the mid-sixties?  Knowing enough about the story, did that make it easier to figure out everything that was going on?  Or, were you intended to know and be frustrated with Rosemary?  “How can you not see what’s going on?”

In any case, it was an excellent book and a great story.  Had me looking forward to my train rides into and from work, when I’d pull out the book to read (have to go to Half Price Books to find a new book to read now or go through the ones at home to see if anything looks interesting).  I think you are rooting for Rosemary, which is a good quality to instill in your lead character, and everyone else poses the underlying menace that, maybe if you were actually living the life and not reading about it in print, maybe you’d miss it because you wouldn’t expect the story to unfold as it did.  So, maybe Rosemary is forgivable there.  Knowing the premise, you can tell the creepy characters from the start and can piece just about everything together, while Rosemary struggles to do so.  So, I also wonder.  If you were one of the first to read the book, not having a film adaptation to go off of or maybe not really hearing much about the book, is it a shocker to read? 

When reading books or watching film, I know it is good when it has me thinking of my own fiction (in a good way) – when I want to incorporate something that I’m reading (the style maybe) into my own work, already thinking of ways to twist it.  There were a couple points in this book, where I was thinking it was clever the way it was being written and would love to update the style into some modern tale.  We’ll see. 

I heard the film is a pretty close adaptation to the book, so, if you like the film, go ahead and check out the book.  I’m looking forward to dusting off my DVD and finally seeing the film.

Movies

Movie Review:  Brutal Massacre

Brutal Massacre is the new mockumentary about schlockmeister Harry Penderecki’s attempt to make another hit film after some success in the eighties.  Harry is joined by his group of workers that have stuck with him through the lean years because he has always been such a joy to be around.  His latest attempt at making a film is the balls-out horror film Brutal Massacre.

The great thing about the mockumentary is that you can have a low budget, but it plays right in with the theme – as you’re not really making a movie but chronicling someone else’s.  Although there are the horror elements throughout, this is a comedy, and I found myself laughing quite a few times during this film, especially at the quick clips of Harry’s past films (the Nursing Home and the Killer Koala being my two favorites).  Not surprising, with it being a comedy, Harry’s features have always had something go wrong, and this film is no different – with the gullible, naive Harry pretty likable in his optimistic view of a life in shambles.

The film stars David (Midnight Madness, An American Wearwolf in London) Naughton as Harry – unrecognizable from his 80s films, along with a supporting cast including Ken (Devil’s Rejects, Dawn of the Dead) Foree, Brian (Clerks) O’Halloran, Gerry (40 Year Old Virgin) Bednob, Gunnar (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) Hansen (in an absolutely hilarious role as a Vietnam vet – muthafucker), and not one, not two, but all three of the original ladies of the first Evil Dead film (with Ellen Sandweiss getting a starring role).

The humour may not be for everyone – definitely on the silly side.  But, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

3.5/5

Midnight Meat Train Railroaded?

A couple weeks ago, I was checking some local cinemas and saw that the latest Clive Barker adapted film (the first I remember being on the big screen for quite some time – was Lord of Illusions the last one?), The Midnight Meat Train, would be playing at Tower City Cinemas in downtown Cleveland.  I even thought it would be fun to take an extended meeting with myself during work to catch the feature, as I know Christine would not want to see it.  Here I am, thinking it’s a big release.  I come in to work on Monday (8/4) and check imdb to see the ranking of the week’s movies, wondering if Midnight Meat Train at least made the Top 5.  It didn’t.  Didn’t even make the Top 10.  Damn.  Then, I find out that the movie company (Lionsgate) decided to pull it out and dump it in tiny theatres in the middle of nowhere (many being dollar theatres and in undesirable locations) instead of opening it in bigger cities and in better theatres.

I’m not sure why the sudden change of heart (I think it has reviewed well at some festivals – although Fangoria gave it a 2/4).  I had been searching for reasons but haven’t found anything yet.  Maybe they had a contract for theatrical play and decided to dump it in some shit theatres to meet their obligations before they throw it on DVD a month later or something.  Not sure.  Haven’t found out anything yet.  Just thought that was kinda strange.

Friday the 13th Part 3 – In 3D

The Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland will be showing Friday 3 in 3D on Saturday Sept 13.  Not sure if I’ll be attending yet, but that sounds like fun, as I’ve only been able to catch the film on video – and, the 3D gags are extremely hokey on 2D – curious if it’s any better in its true 3D form.

Verbal Diarrhea

I was reading my wife’s blog, and I started to wonder – what do I think these days?  Do I have any major thoughts or convictions?  I wonder how they would compare to when I was in high school (I’m more of a shredder and get rid of lots of stuff – sorry about the notes).  So many things seem so common place – so easy to figure out – that I don’t understand why people think the way they do.  It’s ok.  I just don’t understand it.  Everyone is different.  Each individual’s experiences has lead them to whatever it is that they may believe in or however it is that they act.  No offense to anyone out there, but these are my beliefs.  I accept that you have your own way and do/think things that make sense to you.  I’m not saying anything against that….

• I don’t understand fighting violence with violence.  I understand the need to defend yourself if being attacked.  I’m not saying that.  But, if a parent hits his/her child because the child hit them, it’s re-enforcing the idea that violence is the correct form of expression.  If we, as a country, violently remove a leader of another country, it is again stating that the strongest country will win so go ahead and try to be violent to build up your own strength.  Fighting solves nothing.
• I don’t believe in God – at least, not any Christian God.  I’m sure it’s just human nature, but I don’t understand how so many christians can act as contrary to their own beliefs as they do.  I don’t understand how they think their magical Jesus makes perfect sense, while Hindu gods are laughable and Buddha is to be ignored (when Buddha has been real people!).  Organized Religion, to me, seems to do more harm than good – at least, Organized Christian Religion.
• I don’t understand why poor people smoke.  I don’t have the money to buy cigarettes or the possible ensuing medical bills.  I’d rather spend the money on a DVD or a toy for my son.  I don’t want to hear complaints about having no money, while you smoke a pack per day – that’s a meal or two you could be buying per day.
• I don’t believe that anything in the entertainment industry forces people to do things.  If I kill someone in the style of Freddy Krueger, the movie didn’t make me do it – it may have influenced how I did it, but I would’ve killed someone anyway.
• It doesn’t matter what other people think.  You have to live with yourself.  To say or do things to appease others (I think that’s what most celebrities do) is foolish.  You know the truth and have to live with that, so why not tell the truth?  If you’re in an argument, you may have differing opinions on something, but, if you start lying about whatever, deep down, you know the truth.  Why put on the show?  Does it really make you feel better?
• America is FAT!!!!  Maybe it’s everyone on this planet, but I only have one country to go by.  I come in on the train everyday.  I take the stairs up to my floor from the station.  People line up and wait for the escalator while the stairs are nearly deserted.  I understand if you have issues walking, but, if you have working legs, use them.  Not that you’d have to walk everyday, but c’mon.
• Americans have no taste in entertainment.
• Ryan Seacrest should be unemployed.
• Whether or not Angelina Jolie is going to adopt another kid IS NOT NEWS!
• Sports contracts just make no sense to me.  I can’t imagine walking into my boss’ office – demanding a five year contract or “holding out” until I get it.  Once it’s done, I underperform, keep my job, and continue making more money than my entire floor combined. 
• Professional Sports is just entertainment – nothing more.  No need to jump off the bridge when your team isn’t doing well (I know this is an attitude change for me – Christine could always tell by my mood if the Indians won or lost).  I think I’ve gotten better.
• There’s nothing better than spending time with my family.
• Hearing Ethan’s laugh when I’m running and pushing him while he sits in his little car makes me run a little further than what my old, out-of-shape legs are normally willing to go.
• It’s amazing to me how kind Christine is.
• Christine still melts my heart with the simplest of smiles.
• I still want to write for a living and have no one to blame but myself for not doing it more often.
• The past is the past.  Leave it there.
• I have an empty soul (dark soul?  black soul?  what was it?).
• I don’t feel as though an animal should have to die just so I can eat.  I really don’t think an animal should be treated so cruelly on its way to the slaughter.  You’re already killing it (that’s one thing).  Why make it suffer?

That’s good enough.  Don’t know if I got out what I intended but whatever.

Little Veggie

Ethan is allergic to dairy, so he is limited on what he can eat.  Christine and I are vegetarian, so we do not stock meat at home – making ethan a couple eggs away from being vegan (I don’t know of anything else he eats that would be animal-related, although I think he had some jell-o last week).  Anyway, when we were on our way home from Chicago, it was lunch time, and I thought the rest area might have a microwave for us to warm up some of his food, but there wasn’t one.  Christine bought him some chicken nuggets and fries at Burger King, and he wasn’t interested.  It warmed our hearts.  We’re not forcing him to become a vegetarian – it’s his choice, but it’s nice that he hasn’t wanted any of the meat we’ve offered him.

Wonderful Weekend

Christine and I visited Madison, WI on Saturday (July 19).  We weren’t there for very long and didn’t have a chance to look around, but it looked like it might be a pretty cute city.  Signs pointed us towards downtown, which we followed in search of something to eat.  I don’t know if we had further to go, but the downtown didn’t look like much more than what you’d normally find in your average suburb.  There was a lake or river running through the city, and that was nice driving alongside.  We didn’t get too far because we were in Madison to hear the Dalai Lama speak, and I didn’t want to get too off the beaten track, as we only had an hour or so to find something to eat and get to the Coliseum.

Very close to the Coliseum was the aptly name Coliseum Bar, where Christine and I decided to stop in hopes of something vegetarian on the menu.  They had both a Garden Burger and Veggie Wrap.  We both went with the Garden Burger and got an onion ring appetizer.  It was your standard, unassuming place (there is a comedy show on Fridays – I think it was).  “The Garden Burger has no meat in it,” I believe the waiter told us.  “I’m just making sure you know.  We get these big, burly guys ordering it thinking it’s a beef burger piled with vegetables.”  Christine was entralled with the Wisconsin accent and could’ve listened to the waiter all night.  I often wonder what people think of our accent – if they try to guess where we might be from.  Christine thought the burger was a little dry, but I thought it was the best Veggie Burger that I’ve ever had.  We both agree that the fries and onion rings were great, too (Christine thought the fries may have been the best she ever had).  It was great and quick.  If you’re ever in Madison, I’d highly suggest checking it out.

Of course, we were in Madison to hear the Dalai Lama.  Something Christine and I could check off of our Life’s TO DO List.  I think Christine could become a Lama-Head and follow him around the country.  It was just an amazing experience to be in the same room with the man (he is just a simple, Buddhist monk).  He has a great sense of humour and an infectious laugh.  He also proves that he really is just a human being. 

For the most part he ended up speaking about suffering and the ways to overcome it, as well as what we can do as a society to promote peace to all.  The basic lessons being that we cannot expect countries to be peaceful if we, as individuals, do not have any inner peace.  We are so angry as a society that society, in turn, will be angry and violent.  One, we need to work on ourselves.  Two, we need to show compassion to our kids (something Ethan is not lacking….) in order for them to breed compassion for others.  When a tragedy occurs in one life, it has already occurred.  You cannot go back in the past and do anything about it, so accept it and move on (and if you can’t accept it, then just blame it on karma).

A couple takeaways that I really enjoyed:

• People seem to have a strange conception of Buddhism and the Buddha and even the Dalai Lama – thinking there is something mystical about the whole thing.  In his opening speech, the Dalai Lama makes a point to say he is just a man – nothing more.  He has no powers to heal the sick and can perform no magic (incidentally, if anyone knew of a person who could heal people by touch, he’d love to meet them because his pinky was hurt when a Mongolian shook his hand too hard).
• Welcoming to all people, whether they were there out of curiosity as to what he might say, were dragged along, were Buddhists, or for whatever reason…everyone was welcome.
• I loved that he ended his speech with the great Buddhist philosophy of – hopefully something he said was useful to those in attendance; if not, then leave it behind.
• I think the honest side – the true human aspect of the Dalai Lama – came during a question/answer time.  Questions had been submitted in advance.  A woman was a 39 year old widow and was having troubles coping and wanted to know what to do.  The Dalai Lama thought for a second…  “Sad.  Sad.  Sad.”  He shook his head.  “I don’t know.”  I thought this was perfect, you know?  He is just a man.  He is listening to your questions.  He isn’t just gonna give out some bullshit, canned answer like “Just have faith in God and everything will be all right” or some shit like that.  He did end up talking about tragedy again and needing to accept, but I really loved the genuine answer and not just spouting the party line.

As much as I loved hearing the speech of the Dalai Lama, I equally (if not more so) loved that Christine and I were able to do this.  On the road from Cleveland to Chicago.  Chicago to Madison.  Madison to Chicago.  Chicago to Cleveland.  Christine and I were able to just talk and have great conversation with each other, which I think is always really important in a relationship.  With everyday life being what it is (and Ethan being such a focus of it), it can be easy to not talk as much as you should with your loved one(s).  Too busy cleaning, making dinner, buying groceries, working, whatever.  Not that we were having any issues, but this gave Christine and I to continue our connection and have a great time together.  Obviously, we both love Ethan a lot and enjoy hanging out with him, but we need that time for ourselves as well – cut the cord.  And that was wonderful.  Aside from that, Ethan was able to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Chicago – the first time they’ve been alone together.  And, they had a great time, as my dad became the pawn in Ethan’s attempt to get whatever he wanted (taking my dad’s hand and directing him to whatever his fancy was and even getting a 30 to 45 minute walk out of him).  Never knowing what he’s going to be like, I was afraid that we would be tooooo shy, but he adapted well, and everything worked out, and I think that was the thing I loved most about the weekend, that he was able to connect with his grandparents from Chicago (of course, Christine and I return, and Ethan is all about us, but they had their time together…).

We also made a stop on our way to Chicago in Maumee, Ohio to Gino’s Pizza, which is the best pizza you could ever hope to eat.  We picked up a pie for my parents as payment for watching Ethan while we were in Madison.  Of course, we picked up a pie for ourselves for dinner while driving to Chicago on Friday night.  Ethan – poor dairy allergic Ethan – had to settle for plain breadsticks.  My parents were excited and surprised by their payment.  We also made a stop on our way home (this location is maybe five minutes off the turnpike) for some more fresh pizza, which only lasted two days.  You see, I was born in Toledo and still have family there.  Gino’s is a big thing with us.  It seems like, whenever someone else gets brought into the Gino’s fold, they get hopelessly addicted as well.  I wonder if the people of Toledo know how lucky they are…

Crapbag

–Mike Crapbag?

–No, just Crapbag.

The day has finally arrived.  Saturday, July 19, Christine and I will be in Madison, WI to hear His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama speak.  We leave for Chicago tonight (Friday the 18th) to spend the long weekend with my parents, coming home on Monday.  I don’t know if I’m more excited about seeing/hearing the Dalai Lama or that my parents get to spend some quality time with Ethan on Saturday while we are gone, as he is almost 2 years old, and they’ve never had to babysit him.  We’ve always been around.  At the same, I’m kind of nervous and hoping that he behaves for them.  I think he will.  He’s usually pretty good at adapting.  Especially when he realizes that mom and dad aren’t there and he’ll depend on my parents to get him what he needs.  Like any other kid, I’m sure there will be crying, but I’m hoping he does the cute things that Christine and I love so much and has a few good laughs with them.  Besides, he needs to learn to cut the cord at some point.  The drive from Cleveland to Chicago (and back again) is not the most fun thing in the world – depending on the little guy’s mood.  At the same time, Christine and I get to talk about whatever, and, even after 500 years, I still enjoy that immensely.  We always have a great time when we see my parents, too, so I’m also looking forward to that and being able to relax in Chicago on Sunday.  Should be a great weekend.

The “2nd” half of the baseball season starts tonight with the Indians all but eliminated.  That’s okay.  You know, people often lose the fact that these professional sports are just entertainment – like watching a movie.  No reason to get all bent out of shape about it (I will be the first to admit that I lose sight of that sometimes).  I think the second half can be fun because there are no expectations on the Indians anymore this year, and they may experiment with different things and allow young guys to play to see what they can do, and those teams can often be the most fun to watch – because they are kids with passion.  Especially if watching on tv or listening to the radio, if it’s not a good game that you’re watching or listening to, then turn it off.  No big deal.  It humours me that all these people call in about conspiracy theories with the owners and whatever.  First and foremost, for the owners, it is a business, and they are trying to make a profit off it.  Being able to do things for the city and the fans are nice, but, if they’re not making any money, then it doesn’t really matter.  Congrats to Cliff Lee, though, for starting the All Star game and pitching two great innings and to Grady Sizemore for scoring the tying run that eventually allowed the American League to win it.

The newest (and last on Bravo) season of Project Runway has begun, so television time is picking up with that show being on at 9pm Wednesday, followed by Shear Genius at 10pm.  Although I’m still leaving it on cuz there’s nothing else to watch, it’s filling the hole left by Gordon Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares on BBC America.  It’s still on, but I’m seeing episodes for the second and third time now, so it’s not holding my interest as long.  I haven’t been able to catch Fear Itself (NBC) yet, which is the Network “Masters of Horror” show (which Showtime dropped right after I subscribed – bastards), and I’ve heard (Christine saw) that Scare Tactics is on USA (kind of like a Horror Candid Camera or Punk’d), which I can’t wait to see.

Today is my company’s “picnic”, which happens during work hours, and there is no early release or anything – just some free food and usually a small trinket given away.  I think they usually have veggie burgers, so I’m going to get a quick, free bite to eat.  It is nice that there are enough vegetarians now that options are starting to pop up when little events like this happen so that all can enjoy.  We’ll see what’s down there.  I should go down early in case there aren’t any choices (or the veggie burgers look bad) cuz I’d need to grab lunch somewhere.  Speaking of being vegetarian – I tried “silken” tofu for the first time – well, tried to cook it.  It smelled like cat piss as I was cooking it, so I just dumped it.  I think I’ll stick with the regular Trader Joes stuff.  Also, Christine and I keep flip-flopping on Scallops.  We ate them.  Then, we decided not to.  Now, we’ll eat them on occasion but will not actually buy them to make at home or anything.  Could all change next month.  UPDATE:  Picnic was not very Vegetarian friendly (or else, I just missed the vegetarian friendly table).  Didn’t want a heavy pasta lunch on a 90 degree day, so I passed on the food.  Thanks for the mug, though.

–Congrats again to Linda y Dante.  We’ll get together very soon.

The Straight Poop

• Christine was flipping the channels on Sunday and landed on the deplorable Fox News channel.  They were doing a story about how boys were wearing their hair long now.  Hey, great job, Fox News.  Did you pull this story from 1969?  Is there really so little to report about?
• HBO has been showing George Carlin marathons, which is great as he has always been one of my favourites.  Listening to some of his stand-up during these marathons, it really hit me what a great entertainer he was.  I mean, not only was the guy fucking hilarious, but he said some amazing, true shit at the same time.  Really gets you thinking.  I don’t know if there will ever be another George Carlin.  His wit and wisdom will be missed.
• We also came across Revenge of the Nerds IV – where Booger gets married.  I believe this was a made-for-tv movie on Fox.  Anyway, it was horrid yet we couldn’t change the channel.  How did they get so many of the original cast members to stick around for a fourth film?  I was shocked when I looked at imdb to find that many of these cast members that we were shocked to see have actually been a part of the entire series.  What, no Anthony Edwards?
• Starting to enjoy some nice walks around downtown Cleveland during my lunch hour again.  I used to always take the same route over and over and am mixing it up now, seeing if I can discover anything worth finding.
• Hoping Linda y Dante had (or are having) a great time in Puerto Rico.
• Fingers are crossed for the Bordens with lots of well-wishes headed that way.
• Also wonder what it’s like having to deal with the summer heat in Atlanta – probably have no right to complain in Cleveland…

Top Five Films – Number One

Bubba Ho-Tep

The film was written and directed by Don Coscarelli, who is probably best known for his Phantasm films.  It is based off a story by Joe R. Lansdale (I suggest checking out as much of his work as you can).  It stars the legendary Mr. Bruce Campbell and Mr. Ossie Davis (RIP).

The setting is a nursing home in Texas.  Two of the residents are Elvis Presley (played by Bruce Campbell) and John F. Kennedy (played by Ossie Davis).  At least, they think they’re these people.  You decide if they are a little demented or speaking the truth.  They come together to battle a soul-sucking mummy, who is terrorizing the nursing home.  Did I lose you?  Hope not. 

It is a low budget film, and the gritty feel works perfectly.  Bruce’s Elvis and Ossie’s JFK are believable.  I think the movie plays so that you think JFK is a little off his rocker but that Elvis is the real thing, but I like to believe them both.  It’s a great “buddy” film.  It’s a feel good film in that these old-timers are able to tap into their youths once more.  Lots of dark humour.  As ridiculous as the plot may sound, this really is a well-made film with a wonderful story, and everyone does such a great job with it.  You really care about these characters and what happens to them.

Some of the things I’ve loved about this film is that I do a quick explanation of the premise.  I usually get some weird look in response.  Let the person borrow the DVD (by the way, there’s a great commentary track of Bruce Campbell as the real Elvis which is hysterical).  People are usually shocked how good the film is.

My other favorite story is going to see this film on Christmas Eve maybe…I can’t recall now, but it was like a blizzard outside.  Christine and I decided to see it.  Called movie phone.  Said there was a 9:00 showing.  Drive from the west to east side of Cleveland to see it.  WHen we finally get there, we are told that the 7:00 showing was the last one and that the film is headed to Youngstown after that showing.  Eventually, the film made it to The Neon in Dayton, Ohio, and Christine and I drove 3 1/2 hours to see it (because I just had to see this film in a theatre). It was more than worth the drive.

Some of the great scenes from the film are Elvis (using his walker) and JFK (in his wheelchair) in their uniforms going into battle against the mummy…going down that hallway with the heroic music playing behind them.  When Haff (an Elvis impersonator) meets the real Elvis (both played by Bruce).  JFK’s conspiracy theories.  The Lone Ranger guy.  The Kleptomaniac lady who steals the glasses off the woman in the iron lung.  The bug fight.  The hieroglyphic subtitles when the mummy speaks.  So many wonderful scenes. 

Obviously, driving 3 1/2 hours to see the film, I was hoping it would be good.  I was shocked at just how good the film ended up being, and it seems to just get better and better with each viewing.  I highly recommend this to all, even though I know the film probably isn’t for everyone.

What do you think, sirs?