I was generous when I said, “2 weeks notice?”. In fact, I think it was that same day that I got the official word: “Stop doing the blog.”
FYI: "The Other Guys" was funny, as I had hoped. Review coming in Thursday's Juneau Empire.
Well, what that really means is “stop doing the blog and thinking there will be any compensation.” I have enough fun doing it that I’ve toyed with the idea of just continuing it in my free-time just for the hell of doing it. Sadly, I’m not that noble. I am torn, though. I often assumed it was just a pal or two that read “my” blog every now and then out of loyalty. However, I have run into enough people, heard from enough surprising folks, that mention the blog that I have to concede there might actually be some readers out there…
So, to you guys and gals, thanks. I’ve really had fun doing this. It’ll feel strange not to.
Keep an eye out for me in the future — I’ll certainly try and find another outlet/use for this kind of thing. Maybe it’s time to go the entrepreneurial route?
There seems to be some uncertainty these days as to how much longer I’ll be doing this blog… or the movie reviews. What I know for sure is I’m on the books for this coming week and the next. And then…
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Who knows? So, if my password should suddenly stop working and the posts suddenly stop appearing — I’ve had fun!
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That’s still no excuse to go see “Charlie St. Cloud.” It looks like Zac Efron will be finishing in 4th for the weekend based on yesterday’s numbers — so I suppose there isn’t that much scolding necessary. Honestly, between “Charlie St. Cloud” and “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore,” I’m not sure which movie I care less about. If you’re judging by which movie has the less, less-favorable early word (is that how to put that?), then “Charlie” “wins.”
The lone hopeful this weekend is Steve Carell and Paul Rudd (and Zach Gaasdlifkans) in “Dinner for Schmucks.” Word might be about an even split, but when your options are Carell and Rudd or Zac Efron (not counting teenage girls), who are you going to choose? I won’t bore you with a plot synopsis; the title and this trailer should just about do it:
I’d offer you my own thoughts this Thursday (in perhaps my second-to-last review!), but we don’t have that option in Juneau, Alaska.
I also refuse to see either of the previously mentioned new flicks… so I’m working on a few angles to figure out a way to see “[Rec] 2” before it opens at our awesome little indy-theater, the Gold Town Nickelodeon:
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I just watched “Misery” again (first time in several years), and it still holds up. When Kathy Bates smashes James Caan’s ankles… whoa. Just, whoa.
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Also saw “Repo Men” and was all ready to dig it until the happy ending turned out to be a trick. I hate that b.s… it’s just depressing.
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If this is the start of the end, that too is depressing. I’ll just keep blogging my random stuff until they turn out the lights, though!
P.S. Anyone that goes to see “Charlie St. Cloud,” and I don’t care if it’s this weekend or two years from now on DVD, immediately attains Heidi and Spencer status. The only good thing about that movie opening tomorrow is that the trailer will finally go the eff away — have you seen it? No? Oh, well let me help you with that:
I have grown slightly nervous about praising “Inception” so openly. By far, so far this year it has been this review people have made a point of asking me about. Neighbors stop me on the beach while I’m walking the dogs, “Is it really that good?” A guy I’ve played soccer with for years saw me at the mall and walked up to tell me, “I’m going just based on what you said.” A pal down south wasn’t planning on going, but thanks partly to the praise out of my big mouth — went.
Speaking of “Salt,” I saw it for this week’s write-up and I have to just say this: I was surprised by a few things.
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Trailers before “Salt” were noteworthy for two reasons. One, “The Other Guys” had people laughing so hard I thought maybe there was something happening in the theater I wasn’t aware of. I was starting to get worried I was the only one really, really, really looking forward to it. Judging from that audience, that worry can go away.
Second: A new trailer for “Red” has me all atwitter (my hopes are bordering on unrealistic now for the Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and company action-comedy):
Admit it… at about the 1:45 mark when Bruce steps out of that cop car it’s hard not to say aloud, “Eff yeah!” (or something along those lines)
I wasn’t kidding when I said I’d be writing about pee. Usually, I take pride in being contrarian but I can only go with the flow on “Inception.” Off the top of my head, I believe it is the first “perfect” review from yours truly for 2010.
My advice: see it before the hype builds past the point of reasonable expectations.
Today, Angelina Jolie kicks ass all over the country in “Salt.” There’s also a movie called, “Ramona and Beezus,” opening and I had to look it up to find out what it’s about. It is one of those descriptions that doesn’t merit the time to re-word it myself, so here we go with a straight-up copy & paste from imdb: “When grade-schooler Ramona Quimby senses that her family’s home is danger, she uses her boundless energy and enthusiasm to save the day.” It’s based on the novels by Beverly Cleary, if that helps. Trailer’s here, and mixed word is here.
As for “Salt,” we have all seen the trailers by now. They’ve been teasing us for months. Finally, if you have been waiting to see Jolie as CIA agent Evelyn Salt… accused of being a Russian spy and on the run… basically just being a sexy badass… the wait is over. The early word? Jolie is good enough (almost) to make up for the rest of the film’s shortcomings (good enough for me, my review next week).
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On the boob-tube, let me just plug a show I have no business being into: “Make It Or Break It.” It’s on ABC Family and it’s absolutely ridiculous. Revolving around the world of elite gymnastics and the petty things girls do to one another, it is essentially a day-time soap for youngsters. Not my demographic. And I know that.
But my goodness do I love that show.
If you can get away with it (i.e. nobody knows you’re watching it), you’ll get hooked, too and we can share a very guilty pleasure. Not sayin,’ just sayin’.
My full thoughts on “Inception” will be in this Thursday’s Juneau Empire, but suffice it to say that all the hype you’re hearing is legit. I hate to keep pirating the term from my friend who coined it, but “Inception” is a mind-rape (in a good way). I’ve already decided to incorporate another friend’s comment on Facebook into the review as well — it is about having to pee during the movie. That’s right.
Pee.
Review day after tomorrow.
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This week all eyes are on Angelina Jolie. Sure, most eyes usually are already on her, but this week she has a movie coming out. “Salt” opens on Friday:
It’s Leo DiCaprio (“Inception“) and Nic Cage (“The Sorcerer’s Apprentice“) this week. My guess is that my pal isn’t the only one baffled at the fact that Cage still gets starring roles. This was the text he sent me the other week: “...how does Nic Cage still have a job, and who the eff green-lights a movie called ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’?…” I am paraphrasing a bit. Valid questions, though, eh?
DiCaprio plays Dom, a thief who specializes in the art of extracting secrets from his target’s subconscious. Cool, huh? He’s a fugitive and he has lost a lot because of his, ah, “job,” but you know how it goes… there’s that offer of one — last — job. A way out. It always works, too, right? Christopher Nolan (“The Dark Knight”) directs. My thoughts coming in Thursday’s Juneau Empire.
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Want to see a very twisted, but semi-entertaining thriller (warning: lots of blood, lots of.. um.. boobies)? Try “Pathology.”
The review in this morning’s Juneau Empire is for a movie you won’t find at the multi-plex. And you won’t recognize the names listed in the credits. You will recognize the genre, though… and my guess is, if you find the movie, you will enjoy it.
A spaghetti western set in 1940's Manchuria? Absolutely!
I’m still disappointed in LeBron James. I’m still considering rooting for Kobe Bryant and the stupid LA Lakers should it come down to them and the Miami Heat in next year’s NBA Finals (I’ll be rooting as hard as I can for that NOT to happen)… but my best man brought my attention to a video spoof from last night’s ESPY’s on ESPN… and it is fun, even if just for a moment, to enjoy how silly the whole LeBron thing really was. Thank goodness for Paul Rudd and Steve Carell:
“Despicable Me” might be proof that studios not named Disney or DreamWorks are actually capable of doing good animated work. My fiancee texted me after she saw it, “Despicable Me was soooo funny!” — and certainly, it’s #1 at the box office, earning $56 million during its debut weekend.
Me? I saw “Predators” opening night (and dragged my sister along with me, which says a lot about her after she suffered through “Eclipse” at my request only a few nights earlier). It was exactly what I had hoped for: good gore, good special effects, good acting… in other words it was right back on the level of “Predator” and “Predator 2″ — that is a good thing. Even my sister was into it. It isn’t getting my review this week — but I’ll give it a vote of confidence, anyway.
At the box office it opened in 3rd, raking in a respectable $24 million.
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I’m happy to say my dad and I caught our first fish of the season (a relief after opening 0-3 on my trips) — we also saw some whales. Very close.
