Finished the D's

Dan In Real Life (I like this movie)
Daredevil (I only own this for the special feature. I tried re-watching and it just hurt)
Dave (Classic)
Dawn of the Dead (The opening sequence of this movie is still pure awesome)
Days of Thunder (Guilty Pleasure)
De-Lovely (Movie has its flaws, but the music is awesome)
Dead Again (I still love this movie despite its slight campiness)
Dead Poet's Society (Carpe Diem!)
Dear God (Another Christmas movie in July)
Death At A Funeral (Not as good as Frank Oz's other movies, but still good)
The Departed (Scorsese still has it after all these years)
The Devil Wears Prada (I love this movie)
The Devil's Advocate (Another guilty pleasure)
Die Hard (Yet another Christmas movie)
The Directors: James Cameron (Nice documentary on Cameron I got for $1)
Dogma (Catholicism Wow!)
Donnie Darko (Cult Classic)
Dragnet (Guilty Pleasure from 1980s)

The Hangover

Description from Netflix: When three friends (Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Bradley Cooper) finally come to after a raucous night of bachelor-party revelry, they find a baby in the closet and a tiger in the bathroom. But they can't seem to locate their best friend, Doug (Justin Bartha) -- who's supposed to be tying the knot. Launching a frantic search for Doug, the trio perseveres through a nasty hangover to try to make it to the church on time.

I didn't think this was as good as everyone else did. It's not my sense of humor. They try to make this based in reality, but stuff that happens is completely unrealistic. Which is why (and I can't believe I am saying this) I think "Dude, Where's My Car?" did this storyline better.

Happy Birthday, Jenny!

Today is my sister's birthday.

This Week In Netflix

[REC] (2007) Description from Netflix: Trapped in a quarantined Barcelona apartment building with residents, firefighters and a growing horde of ravenous zombies, television reporter Angela (Manuela Velasco) and her cameraman, Pablo, record brutal deaths and terrifying events while trying to stay alive. Filmed entirely from unseen Pablo's point of view, this tension-filled Spanish horror film thrills viewers with its aggressive action. Paco Plaza and Jaume Balagueró direct.

This may be one of my favorite horror movies of all time and it's in Spanish with subtitles. The movie "Quarantine" is a remake of it. I recommend this version HIGHLY.

The Great Buck Howard (2008) Description from Netflix: Colin Hanks stars in this offbeat comedy as a law student who quits school against his father's wishes to become the apprentice of cantankerous illusionist the Great Buck Howard (John Malkovich). Looking to regain the magic of his once-successful career, Howard takes his show on the road, where he and his new assistant endure a series of hilarious misadventures. Hanks's real-life dad, two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks, co-stars.

This is a completely wholesome movie much like "That Thing You Do." John Malkovich and Colin Hanks are great. This is a nice little rental when you want something just nice and sweet.


Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008) Description from Netflix: A hunch and the defunding of his lab prompt geology professor Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser) -- whose outrageous theories have made him a laughingstock in academia -- to set off for Iceland in search of a portal to Earth's core. With his sullen teenage nephew (Josh Hutcherson) in tow and a fetching mountaineer (Anita Briem) as a guide, Anderson finds a passageway leading to a vast primordial world at the center of the planet.

I was surprised how much I liked this. It's completely a family film marketed toward kids, but still it's enjoyable because they aren't talking down to kids or going for the fart joke humor. Not to mention they sneak literature and history into it so kids might actually learn something too.

It is HOT here

As you may have notice, I've been going to the movies a lot. This is mainly because it is HOT here and my apartment doesn't have air conditioning. Seattle only gets hot for a couple of weeks so most homes don't have air conditioning. Every movie I've been going to after work has been packed since everyone is also sucking up as much air conditioning as they can.

I would like to make a recommendation for those going to the theater and wanting snacks. I am all about the kid pack. You get a small drink (a real small not a movie size small), popcorn (about a microwave bag size) and a treat (AMC movie theaters will let you upgrade the candy to $1). It's the perfect amount and its only about $5-6.

The Ugly Truth

Description from Netflix: In his segment called "The Ugly Truth," chauvinistic morning show commentator Mike Alexander (Gerard Butler) makes his perpetually single producer (Katherine Heigl) the subject of a series of romantic tests in order to prove his theories on relationships. But will his experiments help her find love, or is she just a hopeless case? Cheryl Hines co-stars as Mike's unflappable co-anchor in this rom-com from the team behind Legally Blonde.

Meh. It was better than "PS I Love You," but not as good as "27 Dresses." It seemed like they were trying to make a boy friendly girl movie.

Katherine Heigl seems to be taking Meg Ryan's career. She has the neurotic blond rom-com thing going for her.

Finished the C's

Cannibal!: The Musical (Movie is terrible, but the music and commentary track is awesome)
Can't Buy Me Love (Patrick Dempsey at his high school finest)
Can't Hardly Wait (Guilty Pleasure and closest thing to a John Hughes movie in years)
Casino Royale (I like the new Bond)
Chaplin (This movie still rocks and shows Robert Downey, Jr. has always been able to act)
Charlie's Angels (Total guilty pleasure)
Chasing Amy (Still my favorite Kevin Smith film)
Chicago (Hate the characters, love the music)
A Christmas Story (Classic even in July)
Clerks (still quotable)
Clerks 2 (I liked it more after watching it back to back with the original)
Clue (I miss Madeline Khan)
Clueless (Great adaptation of Jane Austen)
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (A forgotten gem everyone should see)
Constantine (Jason Stratham would have been a better choice, but still a good movie)
Crazy People (Hello, Hello, Hello, what a wonderful word Hello)
Crimson Tide (Great movie)
Cruel Intentions (Guilty Pleasure)
The Cutting Edge (Toe Pick!)

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Description from Netflix: The sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry kicks off with a bang for young Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) when he inadvertently discovers a mysterious book that sheds light on the sordid life of the evil Lord Voldemort. Preparing for inevitable battle, Harry and Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) turn to professor Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) for help in pinpointing the weakness in Voldemort's forces.

Comparing it to just to the other Harry Potter movies, it's pretty bad. Not as bad as the Prisoner of Azkban, but bad nonetheless. They changed things that didn't need changing. They skipped over stuff that should haven't have been and put stuff in that could have been cut.

Regardless of all that, the movie itself is just boring. It wasn't into it at all. Sadly, this same writing/directing team is in charge of the last two movies. I think they dug themselves into a hole for the next two movies. I can't say I am inspired to ever watch it again.

My ranking of the books from best to worst: Prisoner of Azkban (3rd), Half Blood Prince (6th), Deathly Hallows (7th), Sorcerer's Stone (1st), Goblet of Fire (4th), Chamber of Secrets (2nd) and Order of the Phoenix (5th).

My ranking of the movies from best to worst: Goblet of Fire (4th), Sorcerer's Stone (1st), Chamber of Secrets (2nd), Order of the Phoenix (5th), Half Blood Prince (6th) and Prisoner of Azkban (3rd).

This Week In Netflix

Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (2007) Description from Netflix: Renowned director John Landis offers up a portrait of legendary comedian Don Rickles (in an Emmy-winning role) by blending clips of Rickles's appearances at the Dean Martin celebrity roasts and on "The Tonight Show" with footage from his stand-up routine and interviews. A slew of celebrities -- including Martin Scorsese, Christopher Guest, Robin Williams, Sarah Silverman, Sidney Poitier and Clint Eastwood -- offer their insights on the man known as "Mr. Warmth."

This was a great documentary on him. Had some great bits and hearing all the stories from friends was great. He and Bob Newhart are great friends so he had some great stuff to say as well.

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008) Description from Netflix: Hosted by Ben Stein, this controversial documentary examines how pro-intelligent design scholars and scientists are often chastised, fired or denied tenured positions by those who believe in Darwin's theory of evolution. Nathan Frankowski's film explores how scientists who believe in God are oppressed and how the acceptance of Darwinism might have played a role in the formation of the Nazi regime.

I gave up after 10 minutes. He wasn't interested in looking at Darwinism. He was interested in making fun of people who are not creationists. I love Ben Stein and I couldn't take this at all.

The Producers (2005) Description from Netflix: Washed-up Broadway producer Max Bialystock (Nathan Lane) schemes with neurotic accountant Leo Bloom (Matthew Broderick) in Mel Brooks's musical. The men plan to raise a ton of money for a play that's sure to be a flop and then keep the extra dough. They pick "Springtime for Hitler," written by a Nazi (Will Ferrell), and hire an offbeat star (Uma Thurman) and a freakish director. But no one can predict the audience's reaction on opening night. …

Oh Dear God this was awful. I only tried it to see John Barrowman (who was awesome) and aside from the actual play "Springtime for Hitler" play, it was unwatchable. Such a shame because the original is such a great movie.

Amazon Fresh Picnic Celebrating 2 years!

Mad Men

Season One description from Netflix: It's 1960, and ad executive Don Draper rules the roost at New York's Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency amid a glamorous climate of never-ending cocktail hours, worry-free smoking and ego-stroking power in this critically acclaimed series. Draper has the good fortune of being a man's man --and a ladies' man to boot. But with the world beginning to change, he'll have to use all his smarts to stay one step ahead.

Season Two description from Netflix: As changes mount within New York advertising agency Sterling Cooper, brilliant executive Don Draper (Jon Hamm) finds that he must work harder at staying ahead of the competition -- which includes the young execs within his own firm who are eyeing his job. Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser and January Jones also star in this Emmy winner for Best Drama Series, which centers on Draper's dealings both inside and outside the agency.

Season Three starts on August 16th. For those that don't have cable (like myself), it is available on iTunes.

As mentioned in an earlier post, my friend, Cat Humphris, is a writer for this season. She wrote the second show for this season and is co-writing episode 11 with Marti Noxon. You can read an article from the Wall Street Journal about the women writers and see a picture of Cat: HERE

In addition to that, there is a website where you can create a Mad Men animation of yourself at www.madmenyourself.com. Here is mine below:

The Hurt Locker

Description from Netflix: Kathryn Bigelow directs this gripping drama (nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards) following one of the U.S. Army's elite EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) teams operating in the ferocious war zone of Iraq. As the squad identifies and dismantles improvised explosive devices and other bombs, they must also contend with the frayed nerves and internal conflicts that arise from living in constant peril. Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, Guy Pearce, Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie star.

From wikipedia:

The script was written by first-time screenwriter Mark Boal, a freelance writer who has contributed to Playboy, The Village Voice and Rolling Stone magazines and who also wrote the short story that inspired the film In the Valley of Elah.Boal spent time embedded with a real bomb squad, which was a source for the story. According to Boal, "It's the first movie about the Iraq war that purports to show the experience of the soldiers."

Other members of the key filmmaking crew include director of photography Barry Ackroyd, film editors Chris Innis and Bob Murawski, production designer Karl Júlíusson, production sound mixer Ray Beckett, and costume designer George Little. The film's real explosions and special effects were designed by Richard Stutsman and his team. The score was composed by Academy Award nominated composer Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders.

The Hurt Locker was shot mainly on location in the Middle East, over forty-four days from July to September 2007, during the height of the Iraq war surge. Often four or more camera crews filmed simultaneously, which resulted in nearly 200 hours of footage. There were also two days of pick up shots filmed in or around Vancouver, Canada, to accommodate home town actress Evangeline Lilly.

Although the filmmakers scouted for locations in Morocco, director Kathryn Bigelow sought greater authenticity and decided to film in Jordan because of its close proximity to Iraq. Some of the locations were less than three miles from the Iraqi border. All the Iraqi roles in the film were played by displaced Iraqi war refugees living in Jordan, many of them trained actors who had been forced to flee their country. They included roles by Suhail Aldabbach, Nabil Koni, Feisal Sadoun, Imad Dadudi, Hasan Darwish, Wasfi Amour, Nibras Quassem, Nader Tarawneh and very notably Christopher Sayegh in the role of "Beckham", the Iraqi street vendor kid who befriends Sergeant First Class William James played by Jeremy Renner.

Lead actor Jeremy Renner, who trained with real EOD teams prior to shooting the film, says that great pains were taken to ensure the film's authenticity. According to Renner, shooting the film in the Middle East contributed to this. "There were two by fours with nails being dropped from two-story buildings that hit me in the helmet and they were throwing rocks... we got shot at a few times while we were filming," Renner said. "When you see it, you're gonna feel like you've been in war."

"You can't fake that amount of heat," Anthony Mackie who plays Sgt. Sanborn says, adding, "When you are on set and all of the extras are Iraqi refugees, it really informs the movie that you're making. When you start hearing the stories from a true perspective... of people who were actually there, it gives you a clear viewpoint of where you are as an artist and the story you would like to tell. It was a great experience to be there."

Me:
I really enjoyed this film. I still vibrated a few days after I saw it. It was intense. This is the first movie I have seen this year that deserves to be nominated for anything. It's nice seeing Kathyrn Bigelow directing again. She hasn't done anything since "Strange Days" and prior to that "Point Break."

I HIGHLY recommend checking it out.

Moon

Description from Netflix: As he nears the end of a lonely three-year stint on the moon base Sarang, astronaut Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) begins to hear and see strange things. It's not long before Sam suspects that his employer -- the conglomerate LUNAR -- has other plans for him. Featuring Kevin Spacey as the voice of a robot, this sci-fi thriller also stars Matt Berry and Kaya Scodelario. The film was an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival.

This was a great classic scifi story. They used models instead of special effects and plot and character instead of CGI. It had a great 1970s feel to it.

Sam Rockwell was amazing. He is such a great actor. The problem with him is that he is so different from movie to movie most people don't even realize it's the same actor.

Kevin Spacey was great as the computer. His monotone voice gave that feel of HAL's so you never quite knew if you could trust him or not.

If you miss this in the theater, I highly recommend renting it on DVD when it comes out.

This Week In Netflix

Yes Man (2008) Description from Netflix: Based on the comedic memoir by Danny Wallace, this film stars Jim Carrey as Carl, a man who, as an antidote to unhappiness, resolves to say "yes" to everything -- yes, everything -- that comes his way. Carl's new practice initially proves successful in lifting his spirits. But soon, he's confronted with unexpected and seemingly unbeatable challenges stemming from his unique self-imposed regime. Zooey Deschanel co-stars.

I was surprised by how much I liked this. Aside from Jim Carrey being miscast, it was decent. The Yes philosophy is how I ended up here in Seattle. Although, this movie takes it to a new extreme. If this were on sale for $5, I would probably buy it.

War, Inc. (2008) Description from Netflix: John Cusack heads the cast of this outrageous satire as professional ice man Brand Hauser, who's paid by a private corporation's brass to take out the competition -- a Middle East oil minister -- while masquerading as a trade-show director. But not all goes according to plan when Natalie Hegalhuzen (Marisa Tomei), a fetching field reporter, throws the young assassin off course. Hilary Duff, Ben Kingsley and Joan Cusack also star.

This was this most useless movie I have ever seen. I complete waste of a cast. I'm not even sure how I got through the whole thing. Epic fail.

Notorious (2009) Description from Netflix: Based on the story of Christopher Wallace -- better known as gangsta rapper Notorious B.I.G. (played by Jamal Woolard) -- this insightful biopic chronicles his troubled life as a drug dealer, his artistic success and his unresolved murder at age 24. The film also delves into his close friendship with Sean Combs (Derek Luke) and the famous feud with hip-hop rival Tupac Shakur (Anthony Mackie). Angela Bassett portrays Biggie's mother.

Meh. It was okay. I know nothing about any of this so I thought it fine. I heard people who know about this stuff said it was completely wrong. As a movie, it was kind of slow.

Wold Naked Bike Ride

If the Internet Were People

This is a few years old, but still cracks me up.

Finished the B's

As mentioned before, I am watching my movies alphabetically. I finished the B's:

Back to the Future pt.1 (All three are still good)
Back to the Future pt.2
Back to the Future pt.3
Baseketball (I know this movie backwards and forward)
Batman Begins (Still awesome)
Batman: The Dark Knight (I could watch the opening scene on a loop and be happy)
Beautiful Girls (I forgot how good this movie was)
Becoming Jane (Jane Austen-y goodness)
Being John Malkovich (Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich)
Betsy's Wedding (Makes me miss Madeline Khan)
Better Off Dead (Classic)
Big (Recent acquisition. Still stands up)
The Big Picture (80s so very, very 80s)
Blade Runner (He is totally a replicant)
Blast From the Past (Guilty Pleasure)
Blow (Made me miss Ted Demme)
The Blues Brothers (Classic)
Bob Roberts (I forgot how quotable this movie is)
Bowfinger (Chubby Rain!)
Bowling For Columbine (Sloppy filmmaking, but a good thesis)
Braveheart (The last of the epic movies without mass digital effects)
The Breakfast Club (Classic)
Bride of Chucky (I forgot the girl was Katherine Hiegel)
Bridget Jones' Diary (Jane Austen-y goodness)
Bring It On (Guilty Pleasure)
The Brothers Grimm (Made me miss Heath Ledger)
Bug's Life (Pixar-y goodness)
The 'Burbs (80s, very, veyr 80s)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (It's the fall that is gonna kill ya!)

On to the C's...which will be weird since "A Christmas Story" falls in there and its July.

This Week In Netflix

Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009) Description from Netflix: With dreams of writing for a top fashion glossy, shopping addict Rebecca (Isla Fisher) begins working for a financial magazine pushed by the same publisher. But as her career skyrockets, she struggles to pay off overwhelming bills -- and manage her love life. Joan Cusack, John Goodman and Krysten Ritter co-star in this glittery rom-com based on the best-selling series of Shopaholic books by Sophie Kinsella.

Meh. It was kind of all over the place as a romantic comedy. The mannequins talking to her and convincing her to buy things was pretty cool, but aside from that I could have cared less.

Lenny (1974) Description from Netflix: Director Bob Fosse's dramatic biopic chronicling the short life and career of controversial stand-up comedian Lenny Bruce (Dustin Hoffman) was nominated for seven Academy Awards. Capturing Bruce's complex character, the film traces the comedian from his beginnings as a Catskills comic to his rising popularity, his courting of Honey Bruce (Valerie Perrine), his anti-establishment politics and the humor that put him at odds with obscenity laws.

Ugh. I think this is one of those movies that the subject matter was good, but the moviemaking wasn't, but everyone overlooks that part. I feel like I learned more about Lenny Bruce, but at the same time I wanted to fast forward a lot.

Two Lovers (2008) Description from Netflix: After his engagement falls through, Leonard Kraditor (Joaquin Phoenix) juggles the affections of Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow), his beautiful, self-destructive neighbor, and Sandra (Vinessa Shaw), the attractive, sensible daughter of his father's business associate. Writer-director James Gray's beautifully nuanced romantic drama is set in Brooklyn and also stars Elias Koteas. The film was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

I have this thing about needed to like and/or identify with at least one character in a movie to enjoy it. I didn't find it in this movie. It's dark and the main character is annoying.

Public Enemies

Description from Netflix: In the shadow of the Great Depression, criminal minds are thriving -- notorious men like John Dillinger (Johnny Depp), "Baby Face" Nelson (Stephen Graham) and "Pretty Boy" Floyd (Channing Tatum) -- and it's up to J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup) and the FBI to bring them down. Michael Mann directs this gritty crime drama based on the book by Bryan Burrough. Christian Bale, Giovanni Ribisi and Leelee Sobieski co-star.

Well, if you don't know anything about Dillinger and want to believe anything they will tell you then this is still a boring movie.

About 10 minutes in the movie, they have re-written Dillinger's whole character and I'm sorry, but when shot three times in the face you don't have last words.

Aside from the inaccuracies galore, the movie is just very boring. All the actors did a good job, but this was just meh movie all the way around.

Great News!!!

As some of you may know, I participated in a 24-Hour Photography endurance event called "Long Shot." I had to take at least one photo an hour between the hours 6p on June 19th to 6p on June 20th. I then submitted my top 24 pictures. There were 100 photographers submitted 24 photos each. The reward for this is 24 photos would be chosen to be hung in a gallery on July 16th and then all of them to be sold by the end of the night for charity. I submitted my 24 photos on June 26th and they made the announcement as to which photos were chosen on Friday, July 3rd.

Out of 2400 photos, one of mine was one of the 24 chosen! It will be displayed on July 16th at Ouch My Eye Studio.

I put the winning photo in its own separate album, but you can see all the photos I have taken recently HERE.

If you are on Facebook, I decided to start a separate page for my photography: HERE. This way I can send strangers and random people to check it out and keep my random photography news separate.

Happy 4th of July

Highlights of the Zombie Walk

Misc. Photography Notes

I switched websites to display my photos. The new site is: HERE. This one is much cleaner, looks better and gives me more ability to move things around.

I decided to start a separate page for my photography. This way I can send strangers and random people to check it out and keep my random photography news separate. Here is the link if you want to become a fan: HERE

Tomorrow, I am taking pictures of the zombie walk in Fremont and they are going to announce the winners for the photography marathon. YAY! Wish me luck!

Superstar In the Making

My cousin, Mitch, has a daughter named Sammie. At her pre-school graduation, she got to sing a solo of "God Bless America." Here is the adorable video:



The look of "amateurs" while the guy fiddles with the microphone is classic.