8.01.2007
Interpol
Here's a review of the show from onmilwauke.com courtesy of Lauren.
7.18.2007
6.18.2007
06.18.07
The Coen Brothers new movie No Country for Old Men. It isn't the best quality, but its the best I can find right now.
Will Smith's new movie I Am Legend. The movie looks like it might be decent, but I'm really posting this because Smith's character has a good name. Plus, its actually a well made teaser.
6.08.2007
06.08.07
Hint 1: This makes an excellent birthday gift for any fan who's birthday is in September.
Hint 2: September 16 happens to be my birthday..... Subtle.
6.04.2007
06.04.07
* 06.06.07
I'm loving all the stuff that's coming out about this Sheffield thing.
Another article about it here.
Jemele Hill weighs in.
And so does Jeff Pearlman.
Sooner or later I might throw my opinion out there when I have the time, but for now I'll let you know that I tend to agree a considerable amount with Jeff and a little bit with Jemele (Granted, they are making different points).
5.31.2007
05.31.07
5.29.2007
5.25.2007
Here Comes Braun
It looks like I had a pretty good prediction in my earlier post about Braun.
05.25.07
5.24.2007
05.24.07
5.23.2007
5.18.2007
5.15.2007
5.14.2007
05.14.07
5.10.2007
05.10.07
5.09.2007
05.09.07
*****
Its pretty interesting to see how two African American writers for ESPN.com, Jemele Hill and Todd Boyd, have differing views on Barry Bonds' chase of the home run record. Personally I like the whole idea of innocent until proven guilty and if Bonds is found innocent, I'll be perfectly happy with him breaking the record. The only problem is there is such a huge cloud hanging over Bonds, McGwire, Palmeiro and all of baseball right now that its impossible to ignore. This needs to be sorted out soon. There's been enough foot-dragging involved on the part of Major League Baseball and any prosecutor or congressman who has tried to find the truth. MLB is definitely to blame for some of the steroid problem (the whole not making them illegal thing is a fairly large oversight), but the fact remains that they are declared illegal substances by the U.S. Government. How is it that they aren't going at the subject with their guns blazing anymore. Hopefully this Kirk Radomski gives them enough information to start the process back up again.
5.08.2007
05.08.07
*****
For as little as 200K, you too can spend a few seconds in space.
5.07.2007
5.04.2007
An Appeal to the People at Adult Swim
5.01.2007
Ratatouille
4.28.2007
The Best Late Night TV Appearance Ever
I just wanted to put this up here, because after all these years, this still makes me almost pee myself.
4.27.2007
04.27.07
*****
I didn't know Michael Vick was such a crazy ass hick idiot. I guess we should welcome him into the club. Mike Vick meet Jason Williams, Randy Moss, Brian Bosworth, Terrell Owens and everybody in Nascar. Everybody, this is Mike.
4.26.2007
04.26.07
*****
Kirsten Dunst is going to be the latest actor turned director. She will be directing a short supernatural film that will star herself and Michelle Williams.
I don't even need to make jokes about this, she kind of sums it up all by herself, "I've always [been a fan of] Roman Polanski and, you know, Repulsion with Catherine Deneuve and, like, Rosemary's Baby." This is going to be, like, the bestest, like, scariest movie ever!...... like.
*****
Here's a shitty cell phone video of one of Interpol's new songs being preformed live. At least you can get a decent feel for the song in the video. Hopefully they have better recording equipment available to them in the studio.
4.24.2007
New Interpol Album
4.23.2007
04.23.07
4.20.2007
04.20.07
4.16.2007
4.11.2007
04.11.07
4.09.2007
04.09.07
I also saw a Show called ShinChan. You can check out one of the episodes here.
P.S. After further review I would like to say that ShinChan isn't really all that good. I kind of liked the first episode I saw, but everything since has been a bust.
4.05.2007
04.05.07
Apparently Tobey might do another Spider-man. That would be awesome since I don't want to see Jake Gyllenhaal lace up the spandex.
*****
Who's going to snort Keith Richards? The Rolling Stones lawyer quickly printed a retraction.
*****
Maybe he just really doesn't like the boys in blue. Either way, the best part of the video is trying to figure out what Eric Davis is thinking and what he might say if it wasn't the mayor throwing the pitch.
*****
Welcome Curtis Granderson to the wide world of blogging.
*****
If you've ever watched pro wrestling, you have to check out this video. Some of the guys get laid flat out like a bag of salt (that's in there for Jim).
*****
Never fear all of you out there who are sad that the Soprano's is ending. HBO is going to fill the dramatic void with a show by.... Will Ferrell. I smell another HBO Emmy.
*****
The new Nine Inch Nails album is streaming here. I haven't listened to it yet, but I will shortly.
3.30.2007
Brewers Predictions
Now they have a strong rotation, good arms in the pen, and possibly a very solid line-up from top to bottom. It seems like their the it pick this season to do great things. Maybe the Tigers have something to do with this. Like the Brewers this year, they started last year with good pitching and a fairly young, but possibly strong offense. The only difference is that no one picked them to do anything. Now all of the media experts don't want to make that mistake twice, so they are going with the team most likely to be this years Tigers. I can't abide this. For one thing, I hate when people start to make stretches like this and go for "Fad" teams. Whether I like it or not, right now its popular to cast your vote for the Crew. The fact is, the Brewers still have to prove themselves in what should be a tough division. The Cardinals are the reigning champions with most of their firepower back for another run. The Astros have a very good line-up and if Roger Clemens decides to comes back sometime after the season starts, they will have one of the best rotations in baseball. The Cubs just finished spending 300 million bucks in the off-season (not that it will help them, cause they're the Cubs) and the Pirates and Reds look like they will be better as well. I know not every team can be better than they were the year before in one division. Someone will be bad (hopefully the Cubs again), but at least the Astros and the Cardinals shouldn't disappoint. I love what this team can do, but they still need to prove that they can do it. Sheets, Weeks and Hardy need to prove they can stay healthy. Braun and Hart need to show that they can get it done at the highest level and everyone else needs to play better than they did last year. I think they can do it, I just think people on ESPN.com should pick someone else and not jinx us.
With all that said, here are my picks for the NL Central.
1. Brewers
2. Cardinals
3. Astros
4. Pirates
5. Reds
6. Cubs
Hey, I'm a Brewers fan. I can say they're going to win it without jinxing them, its just the experts that I worry about. The truth is that I really believe we can win the NL Central and go to the playoffs this year. I love this team, and I no longer have some of the doubts I once had about our third base situation. I think Counselnino will do just fine until Ryan Braun can get his feet beneath him (or better yet, his arm) on defense. Whenever he's called up, opposing pitchers beware. He will add a lot to a potentially potent offense. I also firmly believe the Cubs will suck once again.
*****
Also in Brewers news, here's a pretty good article by Jim Caple about our suffering as Brewers fans.
03.30.07
*****
I guess this is what happens when your parents are in the adult entertainment industry.
*****
Here's the new Michael Showalter Showalter with guest star David Cross.
*****
Frank already posted this, but this dude gives the sport of men's pillow fighting a black eye. They all look like a bunch of nancies now.
*****
Evidently the people who made the shirts also have a West Virginia public school education. Go West Virgina! Should there team name be the Labs? (I'm booing myself)
3.29.2007
Planet Earth
03.29.04
*****
Here's a hilarious exchange that I overheard today at the local Jimmy John's. I was just getting my sammich and the next guy in line started to tell his order to the first of the nineteen sammich line guys. The guy ordering is a lower twenties well off hippy style dude and the guy taking the order is a lower twenties "I wanna be a punk rock star even though I'm a tool" type.
Hippy - Ahh, can I get a #6 with wheat lettuce? (I don't actually know what that is, I might be wrong on what its called, but I think that's what he said. I digress.)
PunkRock - Sorry man, we don't have wheat lettuce anymore.
Hippy - Oh no, are you serious?
PunkRock - yeah.
Hippy - Oh, you're not serious.
PunkRock - yeah.
Hippy - That's terrible man. What do you put on a #6 then?
PunkRock - (totally deadpan with a slight shoulder shrug) Regular lettuce.
Maybe its funnier if you're there, or if you ever worked in this style of food service, but I actually laughed right at the hippy guy. It was great. Score one for the punk dude.
3.27.2007
03.27.07
*****
My movie night with Dave Faber.
*****
Undercover Retard.
*****
Apparently DVDs don't work as tips in Colorado. Where's Lloyd when you really need him.
3.23.2007
03.23.07
Many thanks to Dave, because I love this picture. I laughed for a solid ten minutes when I saw it. I want to make "Bill Stickers is Innocent" t-shirts, then cut the sleeves off so I can show off my tribal tattoos.
*****
Apparently Kiefer Sutherland is sad that they stopped making X-Files. I guess its a good thing for him that he's decided to make X-Files: The New Class.
*****
What's with famous people's families fascination with looking at rotten corpses? I'd say it sounds like a Seinfeld joke, but there's no real punch line. Isn't there anyone better to dig up like Rasputin of Gregory Hines?
3.21.2007
03.21.07
*****
At least Uecker has one nutso fan (2/3 down the page). I wonder if she only follows him because she's a huge Mr. Belvedere fan and couldn't care less about the Brewers. If only she could find Mr. Belvedere, then she could leave Ueck alone.
3.15.2007
03.15.07
Use this opportunity and flex your constitutional right to vote for the best characters on TV. Right now Homer Simpson is losing to someone from Battlestar Galactica. How is this right? This isn't my USA.
3.14.2007
03.14.07
3.09.2007
03.09.07
3.08.2007
03.08.07
3.06.2007
03.06.07
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjcHhjt6bYo
I think this is really impressive and its of Thom Yorke. That makes it even more cool.
3.05.2007
03.05.07
*****
One more reason for Howard Stern to suck it. Actually I guess he's kind of telling everyone else to suck it now, but he's still a jerk in desperate need of a haircut. Take that Howard Stern.
*****
I agree with Frodo, 30 Seconds to Mars blows.
“I love music so much. But I would never try to be like other actors and attempt to make some myself. I mean, have you heard 30 Seconds to Mars? Fucking awful, man!” - Frodo Baggins
*****
This guy really put those Ronco knives his wife gave him for Christmas to use. Too bad for her.
3.04.2007
03.04.07
ESPN.com has a nice little look into Ben Sheets and the rest of Brewers camp.
3.01.2007
03.01.07
P.S. Frank, do you know the whereabouts of any State videos that I can link up?
*****
I'm pretty excited for the Jesse James movie that comes out this fall. Some guy wrote a review after he saw an advanced screening and if its like what he says, I'm on board.
*****
This is how I plan to catch Sienna Miller. I'm pretty sure it won't go as well for me as it did for this chick. Here's a video of it too.
2.28.2007
02.28.07
*****
Apparently Al Gore's philanthropic work makes up for his above average energy use. This article clearly illustrates how ridiculous people are when it comes to political issues, on both sides. Why do people bother to listen to Al Gore, and who has the time to care about Al Gore electricity bill? People are nuts.
*****
Staying on a political topic, Angelina Jolie has turned into a writer. She says there's some kind of situation going on in Darfur that needs attention. Sounds like a made up place to me. Actually it really isn't that bad of an article, its better than anything Clooney tries to do.
2.27.2007
02.27.07
2.26.2007
02.26.07
Well, yesterday was a pretty disappointing day with the Badgers loss and the Oscars. The Badgers had every opportunity to win the game even without the officials calling any fouls against Ohio State and in particular, the monster Greg Oden (Kam Taylor's potentially game icing miss with 26 seconds left was the first free throw of the the half for UW, ridiculous). I have nothing left to say about that.
Anyway, the Oscars apparently changed the award format. Instead of giving out little gold plated Ken dolls, they're famous five words have changed to, "And the soapbox goes to....." I just want everyone to know that if it wasn't for Al Gore, I might not have had the will to shave today. He gave that to me and I will be forever grateful. If it wasn't for him, whatever, I'm done.
Did anyone else notice how the show was run over by the lesbian train. With Ellen hosting and constant shots in the audience of Portia de Rossi, Ellen's current love interest, I felt like this should have been a program someone should download and watch by themselves late at night with the lights dimmed. Its a good thing Melissa Etheridge was there to butch-up the proceedings. Actually, I thought Ellen did a good job overall. She had a few good lines and some of her wacky antics were pretty funny. I was sad that Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller didn't do something, but I guess their torch has been passed to JB and Will Ferrell. I thought their shtick was the highlight of the evening.
Is it just me or do the Oscars feel like the new Democratic National Convention? Every time someone wins an award now, they act like they've been given a mandate to enlighten us all on their politics or what cause they just wrote a check to. Granted, I'm not for burning the Earth or anything, but what do I care what some weird looking dude who filmed An Inconvenient Truth thinks? I thought he was going to take off all his clothes and prostrate himself to Moon Emperor Gore right on stage. There are really three political parties in this country now, Republicans, Democrats and Hollywood. I wonder if that's how Clooney's registered. Apparently when I said earlier in this entry that I was "Done" I lied. Sorry.
On to the actual awards. I'm sure everyone already knows how I feel about the Departed winning awards. It wasn't a surprise, but I'm still unhappy. My biggest disappointment is that Pan's Labyrinth didn't win Best Foreign Language Film. This movie was already dissed by not getting nominated for Best Picture or Best Director, but then it doesn't even win for the best category it was let in on. I've heard The Lives of Others is a good movie, but who cares. Pan's got treated like it was some little movie that the academy was throwing a bone to by allowing them to come to the show. Bullshit. Onward, did anyone else think the chick who won Make-Up for Pan's was hot? She was at least way cute. And she actually deserved the award, how'd she win?
I also like/hate the fact that they seem to think its uproariously funny that they go way over their scheduled time because of boring, self-applauding crap. Every year they make jokes about it and it gets less and less funny the more I realize that they really don't care about the people watching at home. As long as they get one (or eight) more chance to thank Al Gore for being such a stalwart human being, who cares if the people at home are bored to tears and just want to see who wins and who's going to trip going up the steps (I was totally hoping for John C. Reilly when he went bounding up on stage to join Will and JB).
Why do I watch this show?
2.18.2007
02.18.07
2.17.2007
New Blog
2.16.2007
02.16.07
*****
Also in movie news, it looks like Aaron Eckhart is going to be Two face in The Dark Knight, the sequel to Batman Begins.
Brewers Preview
1. Bill Hall in Center – I have said for the last two years that he deserves to be an everyday player somewhere and last year he left no doubt that he is one of the most indispensable players on the Brewers roster. The last two years he should have come in as the starting third baseman (I’ll get to that position later), but moving him to center should be a pretty good fit. He is probably my favorite player on the team, if not in the league, and he’s earned his money so far and this new playing opportunity. I love his style of play and he’s got a canon for an arm. I’m sure he’ll make the jump to the outfield well. One question I have is why not put Rickie Weeks out there? He is supposedly a great athlete as well and I think he could only be better in Center than he is at second. At least that way he wouldn’t have to field ground balls and Hall could stay in the infield. It’s just a thought, but if he could play center I think that would be a better move for the defense. Still, I’m happy for Billy and I’m sure he’ll be as good there as he is everywhere else.
2. The third base situation – With Bill Hall in center and Ned Yost saying that he doesn’t want to move him around anymore, that leaves some serious questions about third base. From the way I understand things, Corey Koskie should be back, but there are still reservations about his health. If he can’t get back at 100%, they are going to have a lot of problems at that position. They seem to be really deep everywhere else with Tony Graffanino and Craig Counsell, but I’m not sure if they can play third. I can’t wait to see Ryan Braun in the majors, but there is always a huge risk when a team places their hopes too early on an unproven pro. This position could wind up being trouble. Hopefully Koskie can come back, or Braun, Graffanino or Counsell can handle the hot corner.
3. The Starting Five – This is the best rotation the Brewers have had since the days of Bill Wegman, Chris Bosio and Cal Eldred. The big four of Sheets, Capuano, Suppan and Bush (right now Vargas seems to be a really solid #5) looks amazing on paper. The only problem is going to be injuries, which is the same problem for every pitching staff, every year. At some point, one or two of these pitchers are going to be shut down. Hopefully, it will only be minor and they can get by with missing a start here of there. If they all stay relatively healthy, we should be in very good shape in terms of innings pitched, team earned run average and opponents batting average.
4. The not too young guys – Rickie Weeks, Corey Hart, Prince Fielder and JJ Hardy have all been around for a while now and should all have enough experience to where we can put the whole, "They’re still young" excuse behind. Granted, they’re still going to have some growing pains, but for the most part, those should be gone. Sure, this will be Hart’s first full season as a starter, but he got significant playing time last year and should be able to fill that role. He might hit a bit of a wall at some point, most players do in a 162 game season, but he’ll have to overcome it. For Hardy and Weeks, everything is going to come down to whether or not they can play and entire season. So far they haven’t been able to show us anything over a long period of time because of injuries. Prince Fielder is on the rise. He had a great first full season as a starter last year and he’s entrenched at first.
5. The opening day line-up – There are so many ways Ned Yost can go with this. The addition of Johnny Estrada gives the Brewers their first offensive potential from behind the plate since Dave Nilson and also throws this line-up all over the place. The only thing I can come up with in my mind is that for sure Bill Hall will be 2,3 or 5; Prince Fielder will be 3,4 or 5; JJ Hardy should be hitting 8; and the pitcher will be in the 9 hole (sounds like it should be a place on Paris Hilton’s body). Here’s a variation that I like.
1. Rickie Weeks - I like him at leadoff for now. Eventually I think he’ll be a great 2 or 3, but last year he did well in this slot. Right now he’s probably the best fit here if he feels comfortable.
2. Johnny Estrada – He could hit anywhere from 2 to 7. He’s a good, versatile addition to the line-up.
3. Billy Hall – he should always be 2, 3, 4 or 5. Personally if he plays like he did last year I would keep him at 3 all year.
4. Prince Fielder – He should never be moved out of 3, 4 or 5 slot. 4 should be his natural spot though.
5. Corey Hart – They hit him at leadoff every now and then, but right now I like him in the 5 or 6 slot.
6. Corey Koskie – Koskie, Hart and Jenkins are interchangeable depending on who’s got the hot bat.
7. Geoff Jenkins – He’ll be up and down, and splitting time with Kevin Mensch, so his stock will rise and fall like John Travolta’s career.
8. JJ Hardy – He’s the worst hitter on the team so far in his career, other than Sheets. Hopefully he can play like he did in spurts over the past couple years. If he finds some success at the plate, it makes the line-up even more versatile when other people are struggling.
9. Pitcher
I can’t wait. This line-up looks so good on paper and barring injury, it should score the good guys a bunch of runs. I’m sure the line-up will be juggled throughout the season in a million different ways, but that’s half the fun.
Report Day is one of the best days of the year. After four months of almost no baseball, finally baseball news comes back on a daily basis. Like every year, I hope the Brewers will be playing in October and with the team they have now, this might actually be the year. At the very least, they need to be above .500 and contending for the playoffs. October is already one of the best months of the year with football in full swing, baseball playoffs, pagan celebrations and the beginning of hockey. If the Brewers throw themselves in the mix I might have to go on dialysis.
2.15.2007
02.15.07
*****
Peter Forsberg was just traded from Philidelphia to Nashville. Why is this on my blog you ask? Because I really like Peter Forsberg, that's all. He's always been one of my favs and just about the only Quebec/Colorado player I've ever liked. His big issue is that he's never been able to stay really healthy. He's missed 16 games this year and the Flyers are 0-13-3 without him. They're 15-21-5 with him. That's still not great, but its only one guy in a sport where its difficult for one guy to make that much of a difference every night. And he's had a lot of fairly random injuries, like the ruptured spleen he had in the playoffs a few years ago. Overall he's one of the best players of his generation and a possible Hall of Famer. This is pretty impressive for a guy whit a huge "What If he hadn't been hurt so much" on his record. Now he's going to the Preds and hopefully they'll put him on a line with Paul Kariya, also one of my all time favs. Then it would be on.
2.14.2007
02.14.07
The really sad part is that Carlos Mencia isn't very funny. He must pick some really shitty comics to steal from. Like when rappers steal from shitty 70's songs, other than Under Pressure of course. Vanilla Ice sure can pick 'em. Maybe Carlos and Vanilla should get together?
2.12.2007
02.12.07
*****
Nicholas Cage made some jokes about a She-Hulk movie that he apparently wants to star Eva Mendes as the big green sasquatch. Now she might have to release the Latino beast all over him.
2.09.2007
2.08.2007
02.08.07
*****
Premiere Magazine posted a decent interview with Cillian Murphy. The first half is pretty good when he's talking about the new movie Sunshine.
*****
I picked up Bloc Party’s new CD, A Weekend in the City, on Tuesday and I have finished listening to it twice so far (I was in the car for a long time yesterday). I am still trying to figure out exactly how I feel about it. I was mega-hyped up for this album about a month ago, and that might be working against it, but so far I’m pretty disappointed. This CD has almost none of the same qualities that made their first one, Silent Alarm, really likeable and repeatable. This latest venture is heavily produced and completely lacking of their trademark indie pop attitude. The best way I think I can describe it is that this album reminds me of the way U2’s career path has gone. They went from a really edgy, independent sound to an over-produced, highly commercial vehicle. U2 turned themselves into a walking political billboard and financial juggernaut over the course of the last 20 years, while their musical style has obviously changed as well. Bloc Party managed to make this leap over the course of two years and one album. Now the only thing left to be seen is if they can turn this change into cash like U2.
This album is following the mold of many other new bands whose first album comes out and after a while finds pretty good success. The band starts touring and more and more people eventually come out to their shows. All of a sudden the band starts to feel like they’ve got something to say and all these people want and are paying to hear it. It’s a common mistake, and its killed more than its fair share of bands. At least it has for me. I know tons of people still listen to Green Day and the Red Hot Chili Peppers and I’ll never understand that. The good thing for Bloc Party is they are probably going to get their wish. Songs from this album will be heard in mall stores (i.e. Abercrombie, Hollister) everywhere and they’ll probably wind up with a lot of money, but I’ll be stuck listening to their first album.
I guess the only thing I can say about this album is that it really isn’t bad, just unimpressive and disappointing. Will I ever listen to it again? Yes, I do like some of the songs a decent amount. Will it pass Silent Alarm? In sales, sure, but I probably won’t stop listening to Silent Alarm before I stop listening to A Weekend in the City.
2.07.2007
02.07.07
*****
With "Lost" coming back tonight, they released the news that Harold Perrineau will be in a CBS pilot for next season. BANG!
2.05.2007
02.05.07
Since when did Ziggy Marley start working for Turner Broadcasting and can I hire him to do PR for me?
These dudes look like the geniuses who would come up with an advertising stunt like this. If I had a picture in my head of the type of people who could have done this, it never would have come out this well. Sure its harmless, but you have to be on some crazy drugs not to realize that some people just wouldn't get it, and that those people are probably the ones you don't want to piss off (aka. the people who are prosecuting them right now).
I can't see how they are going to stretch their 15 minute episodes into a feature length film, but it should be better than the Family Guy movie at least.
*****
Paris Hilton recently joined an elite club. She was probably one of nine million to see it that night.
*****
Do you think John Mellencamp gets sick of hearing his damn song every three minutes during a televised sporting event? This reached the "we have to apologize to the rest of the world the way Canada does for Celine Dion and Bryan Adams" line, and continues on its stalwart path. We better get the advertising guys from Turner to draft a press release.
2.02.2007
02.02.07
*****
Yes! I knew Favre would come back. Who could resist the urge to get drunk and throw footballs at country club trophy cases without fear of getting into trouble? Now the pressure's on the rest of the team to grow.
Favre and Driver at Ruvell Martin's Bachelor Party. I heard Mark Tauscher gave a little striptease and Bob Harlan got blasted and was offering everyone M&Ms. Robert Brooks, still trying to sell his rap album, provided the musical entertainment and everyone beat the hell out of a Mike McKenzie/predator piñata.
*****
If I were K-Fed I'd take the job. He already gets paid a bunch of cash because he's the bastard son of Vanilla Ice (I just need to get a DNA sample to prove it). This can only help his standing.
2.01.2007
02.01.07
*****
WHEW! That's a relief. The biggest toolbox in Hollywood isn't safe from me yet though (see below).
1.31.2007
01.31.07
*****
There's a charity organization called the Yellow Bird Project that sells some indie band shirts. The shirts are $25 and each band gets to chose their own charity to donate the profits to. I am particularly fond of the Wolfmother shirt, even though I'm also fond of my own money. We'll see which fondness wins out.
1.29.2007
01.29.07
*****
Entourage Season 4 kicks off in April. Carla Gugino plays Vince's new agent and she's hot. Go figure.
1.25.2007
01.25.07
*****
1.24.2007
01.24.06
1.23.2007
01.23.07
*****
I wrote a review for Letters from Iwo Jima.
*****
Oscar nominations were just released, and there weren't many surprises in the bunch. I was happy to see that a few of the movies I really liked got nominated for some stuff (Letters From Iwo Jima, Flags of Our Fathers, Little Miss Sunshine, The Prestige, Pan's Labyrinth). Its a little sad that The Prestige and Pan's Labyrinth have to go head to head for best cinematography. I would like to see them both win for that. I also really hope that Pan's wins for best score, because the music was one of the best parts of the movie.
One thing that does surprise me is the nominations for United 93 for Achievement in Directing and Film Editing. Personally, I liked this movie, but I thought I was one of the only people who thought it was any good. I did think it got a little long with the whole, "We don't know what's happening with the planes!" thing, however, I thought it did a great job of keeping an intense pace and holding suspense for a movie that everyone already knew the event and the ending. Because of this, I like these nominations. That said, I don't think it should win, but eventually I am going to have to decide who should win instead of just saying who shouldn't (already discussed in my reaction to the Emmy's).
I don't think this year should have too many huge surprises in the envelopes, aside from a few categories where it seems to be anybody's ball game (I really don't know much about the actress categories, aside from who's favored). One thing I hope is that Dreamgirls doesn't take all the sound, costume and art direction type categories just because its a Hollywood musical. I'm really sick of that crap. Chicago is one of the worst movies of the decade and didn't deserve any awards, but still managed to pull a bunch of them out of nowhere because "everyone" loves a musical.
One thing I find interesting is that this might finally be the year where something finally beats Disney/Pixar for the best animated film. Both of the other two had great animation also and were both considered really good movies. Plus, while I liked cars a lot, it wasn't as good as their last 3 movies, The Incredibles (still the best movie of 2004), Finding Nemo and Monsters Inc.
1.22.2007
01.22.07
*****
I just watched the trailers for Danny Boyle's new movie Sunshine. This is easily my most anticipated movie of 2007, along with Spider-man 3. There is no #3 after those two, although I do want to see how hilarious Pathfinder can be.
P.S. Congrats to the people who put together the Sunshine trailer for using the best trailer music ever. The music was featured in the movie Requiem for a Dream, but has been used in such awesome trailers as Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.
1.19.2007
01.19.07
Old Bill
Bill's new look (on the right)
1.18.2007
01.18.07
*****
Someone needs to kill Tom Selleck and his Moustache before they see this!
1.17.2007
01.17.07
1.16.2007
01.16.07
*****
Here are a few of my thoughts regarding last night's Emmy Awards (I love how I threw that out there like you've been waiting for it or, "Now I'm writing this, so you just have to sit back and take it Clockwork Orange style"). Anyway, I can't believe that Martin Scorsese won for The Departed and now he's considered the frontrunner for the Oscar. Anyone who's reading this probably knows how I feel about the movie and I'm not saying he did a bad job and he's obviously a great director, but come on. For him to win and Oscar or an Emmy for this movie seems like a shame to me, just like when everyone on E! was trying to get him the Oscar for Gangs. Departed is no where close to his best movie, in fact it isn't even in his top 5 probably(in no particular order, Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, Casino, Raging Bull, Aviator, Color of Money, King of Comedy, Michael Jackson's "Bad" video) Personally I think all of those were better than The Departed. I know what he's done in the past shouldn't matter towards how they vote and maybe this is just a sign of how bad movies were this year, but it just seems like everyone is just so ready to give him an Oscar that they don't care about what movie its for. Its a good movie, but that's it. Good movies don't win awards. I say, just wait a couple of years and give him two lifetime achievement awards. He deserves those, but not one this year.
I usually don't look at many of the red carpet pictures, but I did this time and its official, Kate Winslet, Sienna Miller and Evangeline Lilly are hot. Maggie Gyllenhaal is still a dog though. I would rather do her brother, at least I know he's the catcher.
1.15.2007
01.15.07
*****
Also in music news, Bloc Party is going to be in Chicago on March 23. I am probably going to want to go, so contact me if you want to come along.
1.12.2007
Crest Whitestrips
"Neon" Deion "Whitest Teeth" Sanders
Tony Homo
24
The new season of 24 starts on sunday night and I am almost completely jacked. My only problem is that all the ads for the new season are supposed to be setting up the fact that Jack Bauer will supposedly give up his life for the US. Now, while I don't really think they are going to kill JB in the first four hours of this season, thanks to fox being run by idiots, I know he isn't going to die for quite some time. Since they released the fact that Kiefer Sutherland signed a three year deal last April with fox to stay Jack Bauer for the next three years, it kind of kills the suspense. I have been waiting for the day (dreading is more accurate) when my hero would die saving all of humanity from some bomb/gas/sea serpent since about the middle of season 3. Now I know he will play a major role in at least the next two and a half seasons. Watch, now that I've said this, a giant cyclops will kill Jack and then reign his terror down on the earth by the end of monday's premier and fox will release the following statement, "We only renewed Mr. Sutherland's contract to remain an executive producer on the show 24, not for him to remain in the role of Jack Bauer. Haha fooled you."
Here's a good article about some of the production things for the show. Don't be afraid, it doesn't have any spoilers in it.
1.11.2007
New Brewers Voice
Spitting Feathers
I recently bought Thom Yorke's new release Spitting Feathers. The CD contains the B-sides from his summer CD The Eraser, along with the video and extended mix of Harrowdown Hill. The songs are really good, including the extended mix of Harrowdown Hill actually being pretty different from the original (I got the extended version of Life in a Glass House a while back and that only had a 15 second horn intro added to it. Disappointing). I would suggest this CD to anyone who liked The Eraser, which should be all of you.
Bend it Like Posh Spice's Baby Daddy
I don't even like soccer, much less respect it as a sport, but I do like Posh Spice's work and realize that David Beckham signing a deal to play with MLS' LA Galaxy is a pretty big deal (not just because he will be making 250 million for 5 years). If people start to show up at the games and Beckham continues to put butts in the seats, this will almost certainly lead to other European stars signing reasonably large contracts to finish their careers across the pond. I fear that even more people in the US will care too much about a bad sport now.
However, I am looking forward to the complete over exposure/idolatry of the Beckham family on all Mtv and VH1 shows. I hope VH1 makes a statue of Beckham's Golden Calf out of the melted down gold from Flava Flav's grills.
* I would like to add that his deal is apparently 5 years for $250,000,000 (salary + endorsements). Now, I don't know how they are factoring endorsements into his contract in this case, but that much money for a player of his status isn't all that egregious. Tiger Woods makes way more than 50 million per year after endorsements and Michael Jordan is still probably higher than that amount and he's only got endorsements now. I guess what I'm saying is don't read too much into this $50 mil per year just yet. If it turns out that the team is paying all of that money, then you can shit your pants. I know I will.
1.10.2007
Bloc Party
Extras 2
*I added a little more to a review that I wrote for Jae Phlec's site. 01.12.07