This Week In Netflix

"The Rocker" (2008) Description from Netflix: When a washed-up drummer (Rainn Wilson) from an 1980s supergroup reluctantly accepts a gig on the skins in his nephew's high school band, he discovers that his dreams of rock 'n' roll stardom haven't completely died. Can he take his new band, A.D.D., all the way to the top? Directed by Peter Cattaneo, this lighthearted comedy also stars Christina Applegate, Josh Gad, Jane Lynch and Emma Stone.

This was surprisingly good. It has a lot of heart mixed in with the comedy. I would recommend this one. If it was on sale, I would probably even add this to my collection.

"New In Town" (2009) Description from Netflix: The weather isn't the only drastic change for high-paid consultant Lucy Hill (Renée Zellweger) when she's sent from her home base in South Beach, Fla., to a small Minnesota town to improve the productivity of a local manufacturing plant. The town's residents also take some getting used to, especially the ruggedly handsome union boss (Harry Connick Jr.) who's doing his darnedest to make sure that Lucy doesn't cut any jobs.

Renee Zellweger does her Sandra Bullock impersonation in the romantic comedy. Sandra Bullock does it better. Renee just isn't as likeable as Sandra in these type roles. This is just an okay movie that even if you don't like Tapioca, you will be craving it at the end of the movie.

"The Bank Job" (2008) Description from Netflix: Based on a true 1971 event, this thriller tells the story of Terry (Jason Statham), a car dealer who becomes involved in a London bank heist only to find that the contents of the bank vault will draw him deeply and irrevocably into the city's criminal underbelly. Murder and scandal abound in this tale of corruption populated with a surprising mix of offenders, from low-level thugs to government officials and all the way up to the royal family.

This was surprisingly good. Not like his more recent films at all. Very well done. I highly recommend!

Highlights from the Gay Pride Parade

Good Advice...

I came across this article called "How to Meet and Woo a Nerdy Girl" on a blogger site called "The Park Bench."

It's pretty accurate, although I think "geeky" is better word than "nerdy."

Here are the key points that the article outlines what to do. Read the article for more details:

Tip #1: Know where to look.
Tip #2: It helps to look like this guy: (Pictured is David Tennant)
Tip #3: Read lots of books.
Tip #4: Don’t slack off on your video game skills.
Tip #5: Listen to NPR.
Tip #6: Be interesting.
Tip #7: Know your pop culture references.
Tip #8: Compliment her by saying, “You remind me so much of Liz Lemon.”
Tip #9: Embrace her collectibles.
Tip #10: Be willing to go to conventions.
Tip #11: Know what to do in a zombie attack.

I think #11 is the most important because we don't want to have to come rescue your sorry butt. #8 doesn't mean as much to me, but all the rest are completely accurate.

I Was Interviewed

Here is the LINK to the actual website where itthe interview occurs. It also has links to my photos. For convenience sake, here is the interview:



As I say in the interview, I had been awake almost 24 hours at that point. I plead temporary insanity. Enjoy!

Penny Pinching...

In an effort to save some money, I have cut my Netflix down to one at a time. Thankfully, I can watch unlimited movies on Netflix Instant. This is a feature of Netflix where you can watch movies online. It's great, but part of the problem is if you are doing that, you really can't do anything else on the computer.

I like to watch movies as background noise while I'm doing things like going through my photos or paying bills, etc. Since I cut down on my Netflixing, I have been going through my movies. I decided to start alphabetically. Not perfectly, but one letter at a time. Some movies I watch regularly already and some I haven't seen in a while.

So in the last few weeks I have watched:

• 10 Things I Hate About You (Still awesome, but sad to see Heath)
• 27 Dresses (Guilty Pleasure)
• 3:10 to Yuma (Awesome western. Bale and Crowe have great screen chemistry)
• 300 (Still in my top 10)
• Absolute Power (This is just a solid movie all the way around)
  
• The Abyss (Still great and quotable)
  
• The Adams Family (Christini Ricci is so cute and young)
  
• Adams Family Values (This movie is brilliant and better than the first)
  
• Adventures in Babysitting (Still as good as when I first saw it)
  
• Aladdin (I miss Disney musicals)
  
• Alien (Classic)
  
• Aliens (Classic and quotable)
  
• Alien 3 (Better than I remember)
  
• Alien: Resurection (Great quotes and little else)
  
• Almost Famous (I never get tired of watching this)
  
• American Dreamer (Totally 80s, but still holds up)
  
• American President (I never get tired of watching this either)
• The Apartment (Billy Wilder can do no wrong especially with J)
  
• The Aristocrats (Fun documentary on a single joke)
  
• Army of Darkness (This movie is more fun to quote than to actually watch)
  
• Avanti (I'm surprised this hasn't been remade or updated. Solid movie. I mentioned this before, but Billy Wilder is awesome)
  

Moving on to the B's now....

This Week In Netflix

"X-Files: I Want To Believe" (2008) Description from Netflix: David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprise their trademark roles as FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully in this long-awaited sequel to the 1998 hit film The X Files: Fight the Future, based on the phenomenally popular TV series. Amanda Peet ("Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip"), Billy Connolly and Xzibit fill out the cast, along with series regular Mitch Pileggi ("Stargate: Atlantis"), who returns as FBI Assistant Director Walter Skinner.

I wanted to believe that this wasn't as bad as everyone said. Unfortunately, it was worse. Pointless and lame.

"When Did You Last See Your Father?" (2007) Description from Netflix: When his father (Jim Broadbent) becomes terminally ill, Blake Morrison (Colin Firth) struggles to come to terms with the charming but duplicitous man he really was, reliving the memories that shaped their relationship through a series of flashbacks. As Blake travels between his wife and two children in London and his childhood home, his emotional difficulty is mirrored in the agony his father confronts as he succumbs to the cancer.

Meh. It was sappy pappy crap. It was watchable, but that's about all I can really say that's good about it.

"Valkyrie" (2008) Description from Netflix: Wounded in Africa during World War II, Col. Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) returns to his native Germany and joins the Resistance, becoming involved in a daring plan to create a shadow government and assassinate Hitler. Soon, events dictate that he become a central player -- and he finds himself tasked with both leading the coup and personally killing Hitler. Based on true events, this drama co-stars Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy and Eddie Izzard.

I have come to the conclusion that Bryan Singer sucks. His bad movies out number his good. This could have worked, but instead it is a boring WW2 movie that has awesome actors doing their best to try to make it watchable.

Highlights from Long Shot 2009

On Friday, June 19th at 6p, I participated in a 24-hour photography endurance event for the Photographic Center Northwest called "Long Shot." Here are the highlights from those hours:

LONG SHOT: the 24-hour photographic endurance event

Photographic Center Northwest is sponsoring a 24-hour photographic endurance event
June 19-20, 2009 Seattle, Washington

This summer, PCNW invites you to take part in ISO PCNW (In Support Of PCNW), an exciting new event designed to inspire creativity and build community while raising funds for education programs at the Photographic Center Northwest. This event will feature two components - starting with Long Shot, a 24-hour photographic endurance event where participants will be roving throughout the city of Seattle with their cameras and documenting the journey. The following month, there will be a celebration at Ouch My Eye Studio featuring a slideshow and one-night exhibition of selected images from the Long Shot experience.

How do the sponsors fit in?

Long Shot photographers are encouraged to seek sponsors who will donate a certain amount per hour that you actively participate in the Long Shot event.

Sponsors may donate a flat rate if they prefer. Each photographer is asked to raise a minimum of $24.00 - or you may opt to pay the $24.00 yourself as a Long Shot registration fee. Receipt of funds will confirm your official inclusion in the event and the exhibition to follow in July.

* 6:00pm Friday, June 19th - 6:00pm Saturday, June 20th: LONG SHOT

* Friday, July 3rd: Confirmation sent regarding image selected for exhibition at Ouch My Eye Studio.
* Monday, July 13th: Exhibiting photographers deliver framed prints to PCNW.
* Thursday, July 16th: ISO PCNW CELEBRATION

ISO PCNW: In Support Of PCNW

Thursday, July 16th, 6pm-midnight
Ouch My Eye Studio, 1022 1st Avenue S, Seattle

Free admission

Doors open at 6pm. Slideshow begins at 7.

It starts tonight!

Doctor Who Clip

"Doctor Who" held a contest where a fan would get to be an alien and be in a special scene with John Barrowman who plays Captain Jack on both "Doctor Who" and "Torchwood." Even if you are not a fan or familiar with the series, I think you'll find this very cute and perfect for any fan.

TED: Why Are We Happy?

It's been a while since I posted a TED video. This is a good one which makes a lot of sense.

This Week In Netflix

"The House Bunny" (2008) Description from Netflix: When Playboy bunny Shelley Darlington (Anna Faris) gets evicted from the mansion, she is a woman without a country -- that is, until she meets the sisters of Zeta Alpha Zeta, a sorority on the brink of losing its campus chapter. The Zetas need Shelley's makeover expertise so they can attract a new pledge class -- otherwise, their house goes to rivals Phi Iota Mu. But the Zetas have something Shelly needs, too: the confidence to be herself.

Meh. I thought it was too over the top and found myself fast forwarding a lot. It wasn't that funny and the nerd girls were just too nerdy.

"RocknRolla" (2008) Description from Netflix: Starring Thandie Newton and Gerard Butler, director Guy Ritchie's crime thriller follows a variety of crooks from London's underworld who set out to nab millions of dollars left for the taking when a Russian mobster's real estate scam falls apart. The first part of a planned trilogy, RocknRolla co-stars Jeremy Piven, Ludacris, Tom Wilkinson, Gemma Arterton, Jamie Campbell Bower, Mark Strong and Idris Elba.

Not up to his usual. "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch" were much, much better. Watchable, but nothing special.

"The International" (2009) Description from Netflix: Interpol agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) and New York Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) team up to expose a global financial institution's money laundering, arms dealing and other illegal rackets. But as the pair race from New York to Milan and beyond to pursue their case, they soon discover that the ruthless bank will stop at nothing to continue its profitable activities. Tom Tykwer directs this tense thriller.

Not a good movie. The sound effects were too loud at times (example: whole crowd of people running and you hear Naomi Watts' footsteps perfectly). The plot was lame, the action was lame. Barely watchable.

"Wonder Woman" (2009) Description from Netflix: It's up to fierce, headstrong Amazon princess Diana (voiced by Keri Russell) to use her unique powers to save her people -- by becoming the one and only Wonder Woman. She's out to stop Greek god Ares (Alfred Molina), who is plotting to use an ancient artifact called the Hand of Rage to decimate the human race, starting with the Amazons. This animated tale features the voices of Nathan Fillion, Rosario Dawson, Jason Miller and Oliver Platt.

Nathan Fillion made the movie as Steve Tanner. Great quotes. The movie itself was a little too straight forward and kind of boring, but the dialogue banter was perfect.

Highlights from the SIFF closing gala

(500) Days of Summer

Description from Netflix: When his girlfriend, Summer (Zooey Deschanel), unceremoniously dumps him, greeting-card copywriter and hopeless romantic Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) begins sifting through the year-plus worth of days they spent together, looking for clues to what went awry. As he recalls the good and bad times he spent with the commitment-phobic girl, his heart reawakens to what it cherishes most. Marc Webb directs this uncommon love story.

I saw this and got a chance to photograph the director at SIFF. As I told the director, "You have dethroned 'High Fidelity.'" To which he replied slightly taken aback, "That is awfully high praise." "Completely deserved."

I *LOVED* this movie. I have not laughed out loud this much since "Shaun of the Dead." The tag line is perfect. "This is not a love story. It's a story about love." So true. So wonderful and so funny.

I will be seeing it again when it comes out in July. I think upon a second viewing there is a very real possibility that this will be in my top 10 favorite films of all time.

Everyone needs to see this movie. I'm adding the international trailer below for you to watch. I think it is a better representation of the film than the theatrical version.



Seriously. Go see it.

This Week in Netflix

"Flash of Genius" (2008) Description from Netflix: In this David vs. Goliath drama based on a true story, college professor Robert Kearns (Greg Kinnear) goes up against the giants of the auto industry when they fail to give him credit for inventing intermittent windshield wipers. Kearns doggedly pursues recognition for his invention, as well as the much-deserved financial rewards for the sake of his wife (Lauren Graham) and six kids. Alan Alda and Dermot Mulroney also star.

This was more interesting of a story than a movie. It was okay, but it seemed very dragged out at times. However, when I use my intermittent wipers, I will think of Robert Kearns' story so I guess the movie worked.

"Defiance" (2008) Description from Netflix: Daniel Craig stars as Tuvia Bielski, one of four Jewish brothers who escape from Poland into the forests of Belarus during World War II to lead a band of resistance fighters and create a safe haven for Jewish refugees. The real-life sanctuary established by the Bielski brothers saved more than 1,000 Jews from persecution and death. Edward Zwick directs this moving historical drama that also stars Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell and George MacKay.

While it is a great movie, it's really no different than the billions of other WW2 movies. Liev Schreiber has made up for Wolverine with his performance in this.

"Revolutionary Road" (2008) Description from Netflix: Based on the novel by Richard Yates and set in the mid-1950s, this story helmed by Sam Mendes follows the Wheelers (Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslett, in a Golden Globe-winning role), a young couple in suburban Connecticut who tries desperately to confront the problems in their relationship while raising two children. Despite their best intentions, the couple's intense arguments send them into a downward spiral. Michael Shannon co-stars in an Oscar-nominated role.

UGH. This was more like a play than a movie with children that only appeared when the script called for them. It was super melodramatic and I can't see how this made it to the top 5 movies of the year when there were much better movies out last year.

So there I was..

This past weekend on Saturday, I was at SIFF covering three events for them. Between the second and third movie, I decided to go get some food. I asked a few people where to go for some chow and they all recommended pizza. I walked over to where the pizza place was and saw there was a Captain Kidd burger joint and decided to go there instead because they have great burgers and awesome garlic fries.

I am sitting in the restaurant waiting for my food and I notice a homeless/drunk/crazy person (I will refer to as "the dude") knocking on the door, but not coming in. He does this twice and the second time the cashier goes over and asks him what his problem is. He says that his jacket is in the bathroom. The cashier goes over and gets his jacket and gives it to him and tells him to shoo. The dude looks at his jacket for a few minutes, walks over and kicks the door hard twice. I thought he cracked the glass. The manager comes out and starts screaming at the dude. The dude screams that they ruined his $2,000 jacket. The manager then punches the dude in the face knocking him to the ground and then punches him twice more when he is down and screams how he is going to kill him.

At this point, the cashier says to one of the other employees "better go get him." He said it like this happens all the time. The manager goes back in and no one goes near the dude. I wait to see if he gets up. He doesn't. A woman comes in and asks if the dude is okay and the cashier says "He's fine. Leave him." I then gather my stuff up and leave because I don't feel comfortable calling 9-11 in there. I get outside and a woman has called and is next to them. We help him sit up and then he decides to lay on the ground again. There was no blood and he said he was okay and didn't want an ambulance.

Two squad cars pull up. One policeman talks to the guy and calls for a fire truck to come check him out. The other takes a statement from the woman who called 9-11 and then myself. I tell him what I just told you. The fireman check him out and decide to call an ambulance to come get him. I stay until he gets in the ambulance in case the police have any follow up questions after talking to the manager.

It was quite a scene especially since there were a few people that saw the whole thing with me yet I was the only one who gave a statement. The woman who called 9-11 only saw the hitting part. Sad state of affairs when no one else can be bothered to help out.

So after that incident, I crossed the street went into Blockbuster and bought 4 DVDs for $20. I got Milk, Penelope, Vantage Point and The Visitor and then headed back to the theater vowing to go where it is recommended to eat from now on.

Pixar's "Up"

Description from Netflix: After a lifetime of dreaming of traveling the world, 78-year-old homebody Carl (voiced by Ed Asner) is lured into an unbelievable adventure, thanks in part to the persistence of Russell, an 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer (Jordan Nagai). Together, the unlikely pair embarks on a thrilling odyssey full of jungle beasts and rough terrain. Other voices include the renowned Christopher Plummer as the villain and Pixar stalwart John Ratzenberger.

Brilliant! The opening sequence alone of Carl's back story alone is better than most animated movies.

The dogs are great, but Doug (the one in the commercial) is awesome. Squirrel!

The opening short was perfect. It reminded me of the old Looney toons that didn't have the main characters in it.

I saw it in 3-D which was great because it wasn't things popping out at you. Instead, it gave the movie a feeling of depth. The glasses look like Carl's.

Go see it now!

Highlights from SIFF this past weekend

Link to a website that used one of my photos: http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/features/2009jun/imaginaryinterviewlittlejoe

Movies 2008 - Revised

Having seen all the movies nominated in 2008 plus a few more, I have re-done my list of 2008 movies. The ones in italics are the ones I saw on DVD. I put in parenthesis which one I bought on DVD.

The Award Season Awesome:
Milk (Best Picture of the Year. Own the DVD)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Doubt
I've Loved You So Long
Rachel Getting Married
The Visitor (DVD)

The Awesome:
Iron Man (Saw it 3x. Own the DVD)
The Dark Knight (DVD)
The Incredible Hulk (2x, DVD)
Wall-E (3x, DVD)
Quantum of Solace (DVD)
Son of Rambow
Penelope (DVD)

The Award Season Good:
Changeling
JCVD
Frost/Nixon
The Wrestler
W.
Brideshead Revisited
Timecrimes
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired
Appaloosa
Defiance

The Good:
Tropic Thunder (2x, DVD)
Hellboy 2: The Golden Army
Get Smart (2x, DVD)
Vantage Point
The Fall
Burn After Reading
Cloverfield
Bolt
Happy-Go-Lucky
Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
The Dutchess
Man on Wire
Hamlet 2

The Guilty Pleasures:
27 Dresses (DVD)
White Noise 2: The Light (DVD)

The Just Okay:

The Other Boleyn Girl

Run, Fatboy, Run
Forbidden Kingdom
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Choke
Zack and Miri Make A Porno
Hancock
Four Christmases
Australia
21
Definitely, Maybe
How To Lose Friends and Alienate People
Role Models
Tale of Despereaux
In Bruges
Kung Fu Panda
Bottle Shock
Pineapple Express
Eagle Eye
What Just Happened
Transporter 3
Last Chance Harvey
Charlie Bartlett
Swing Vote
Revolutionary Road

The Bad:
Jumper
Smart People
Battle In Seattle
Let the Right One In
Slumdog Millionaire
Synecdoche, New York
The Reader
Incendiary

The God Awful:
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Crap..err..Skull
Sex and the City: The Movie
Speed Racer
My Name is Bruce
Then She Found Me
Mamma Mia
Repo: the Genetic Opera

The problem with warm weather...

Seattle doesn't get hot, but it gets warm. Most apartments (including mine) don't have air conditioning so I have to leave my windows and balcony door open. There is only one problem with that. I live next to a fire station. Sometimes when the PA goes off it echoes in and it sounds like the dispatcher is in my apartment. It isn't so bad at night because they are more conscientious and I am a heavy sleeper. It's just annoying. On the plus side, they bbq a lot and my apartment smells great.

However, during the day, one of the fireman likes to practice his bagpipes. So not kidding. I live in a strange, strange place.

Amazing Music Video

"Creep" by Radiohead

This is a few years old, but still awesome.

This Week In Netflix

"True Blood: Season 1" (2008) Description from Netflix: Mind-reading Louisiana waitress Sookie Stackhouse's (Anna Paquin, in a Golden Globe-winning role) life gets complicated when she falls for vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) in a world where vampires live openly and drink synthetic blood. Trying to improve their image and legitimize their finances, the out-of-the-coffin bloodsuckers hire PR firms and contribute to influential Republican politicians. Alan Ball ("Six Feet Under") helms the HBO series.

The series started strong and completely petered out. The main characters are the only ones worth watching it for and even then they are pretty annoying. I watched the whole season and have no desire to watch the following season.

"Swing Vote" (2008) Description from Netflix: It's Election Day, and the eyes of the nation have fallen on one beer-swigging couch potato named Bud Johnson (Kevin Costner), who, through no fault of his own, finds himself in the position of being able to single-handedly choose the next American president. Kelsey Grammer, Nathan Lane, Stanley Tucci, George Lopez and Dennis Hopper also star in this political satire from writer-director Joshua Michael Stern.

This was better than I thought it would be. The daughter in it was great and makes the movie watchable. Best line was "You protect Presidents! How did you lose her?" "She smarter than them." The supporting cast was perfect and watching them change their politics around this guy was great.

"The Visitor" (2008) Description from Netflix: Widowed professor Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins, in an Oscar-nominated role) discovers an immigrant couple, Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) and Zainab (Danai Gurira), squatting in his Manhattan flat and becomes wrapped up in their lives when Tarek is thrown into a detention center. A wonderful Hiam Abbass co-stars as Tarek's mother, who forges an unlikely connection with Walter. Thomas McCarthy won a Best Director Independent Spirit Award for his touching drama.

This was a great character movie and he totally deserved the nomination for it. Wonderful film and deserves more recognition.

"Hamlet 2" (2008) Description from Netflix: With his department in danger of being cut, high school drama teacher Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) encourages his students to write and produce a sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet in this satirical comedy that riffs on the "inspirational teacher" genre of films. Meanwhile, Marschz must deal with his unhappy wife (Catherine Keener). Elisabeth Shue portrays a version of herself who has given up acting to become a nurse, and Amy Poehler co-stars.

Strange comedy. Watchable and the song "Rock Me Sexy Jesus" was surprising catchy. Elisabeth Shue was AMAZINGLY FUNNY and it's worth it just to see her.

SIFF pics from this past weekend