Summer 08!

Indy is a great way to say, Summer is officially here.



I made the weekly trip to my post office box last week. It is only a weekly trip for one reason, Entertainment Weekly. I do love this little magazine and a friend had mentioned that this week’s edition was extra special. Yes, it was time for the annual, double issue known as the summer preview. Could this be true? I am not done with school, I am not wearing sandals, I haven’t had a popsicle. All of that indicates to me that it isn’t summer yet! But Hollywood is continually expanding the amount of time in the season and this year, it starts in early May with Iron man. I usually flip through Entertainment Weekly to read anything that grabs my attention. This week was special and I ended up spending a half hour reading on the couch.

I hear rumors and maybe see trailers for months in advance, but it isn’t until I read about it in Entertainment Weekly that I really fall in love and commit to the movies of the summer. I love this season, because I end up seeing about a movie a week and all of them are usually the best of the best. This year was no exception and while there aren’t as many “sure things” when it comes to potential blockbuster films there are many that grabbed my attention. Here are the movies that I will see FOR SURE!

Speed Racer
This just looks yummy. While the directors brought us The Matrix which was great, they also brought us Matrix 2 & 3. I really look forward to seeing how this visually stunning movie turns out.
Prince Caspian
While the first film wasn’t the best, it was good. I love these books and Prince Caspian is one of my favorites. The previews seem very “300” esque, and I could listen to Aslan roar all day long.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
I thought Last Crusade was a great way to go out. I really hope this movie doesn’t overdo the Leathal Weapon 3, “I’m too old for this” theme. But even if that hope isn’t met, this is one film I plan on seeing at midnight.
The Happening
The preview I saw was gripping. It has a better buzz then “Lady in the Water.” Sure M. Night has let me down lately, but the previews along made me pee a little.
Wall-E
I trust Pixar, and this looks great! I loved Short Circuit and Wall-E looks just like Johnny 5. Plus it’s a love story, I love love love it!
Hancock
This looks like fun to me. Will Smith looks like the perfect anti-hero and Jason Bateman had 2 moments in the trailer. Hopefully it has a good story to weave in the jokes and effects.
Dark Knight
Absolutely LOVED Batman Begins, loved it. And I appreciate that Christopher Nolan is going right at the old franchise and showing a new take on te Joker. It will surprised if this isn’t in my Top 3 of the summer.
Step Brothers
This movie with Will Ferrel and John C. Riley looks cheesy and simple, but I like it. I liked their chemistry in Talladega Nights I’d love to get some simple giggles from them again.


Did I miss anything? Let me know what you saw on The EW List that you think should be included in my list.

Made of Honor; I enjoyed this movie…IN 1997 WITH JULIA ROBERTS!

***Standard Spoiler Warning. This article contains my opinions on this film and a film made 11 years ago. It reveals the “surprise” endings, and while I find these twists and turns predictable, you may want to be surprised. If that is the case, don’t read***


Note to Studios: Audiences are not so smitten with McDreamy
that they won’t notice you are recycling a film.



It was called “My Best Friend’s Wedding”, I saw it with my ex-girlfriend a few days after we broke up. She cried the entire ride home after our friend date. I was 17, I was stupid and thought that we could pull off being friends immediately following a break up. Now while my stupidity may have only slightly receded over the years, my memory remains strong. Even if my memory had failed me, TBS consistently reminds me by airing this film. So why did the people at Columbia Pictures think we would forget the movie they released 11 years ago? How did the same studio think they could pull this remake off? Well, maybe if they change the genders, give it a hip modern soundtrack, and make countless Starbucks references THEN we are sure to assume that this is a new film.

They were wrong. Not only does this movie lack the chemistry and shinning performances like the original, it makes what I think is a simple mistake. They change the ending. The girl gets the guy or the guy gets the girl… I’m confused…Patrick Dempsey marries his best friend. He storms the castle-like-church on a horse, stops the wedding and she kisses back. GIVE ME A BREAK! The best part for me of the original “My Best Friend’s Wedding” was the fact that she didn’t get her way. It was true to life, she learned her lesson too late and this guy passed her by.

It wasn’t about marrying that one right person, it was about her learning a lesson and growing as an individual. In fact, the original cut of that 1997 film the protagonist meets a new guy at the end and we get the indication that she is going to be just fine. Instead she talks with her friend about what she learned, STILL not marrying her best friend. I love that ending. Not only because I was able to turn to my ex-girlfriend and say “see, they don’t always end up together. That’s why I don’t believe in ‘one true love’” (I was a real jerk, I know.) While my comment was out of place, the truth shared in that movie remains true. It was also a nice to have a Rom-Com that gives this realistic portrayal.

When they went with the lame ending in “Made of Honor”, this movie really lost me. Overall, I found the film to be Average. I heard a website give it a C-. I agree with this grade. You may think that writing an entire blog about the things that annoyed me about this film would mean it had nothing good. It did have some funny moments and easy laughs, but again, just average. So, if you have to choose between going out and seeing “Made of Honor” or staying in and renting “My Best Friend’s Wedding” I would choose renting the Julia Roberts movie. Heck, it may even spark an interesting discussion about how there isn’t one true love, and people that seem perfect for each other don’t always get together. Now that I think about it, and knowing my track record, that may not be smart… go see “Made of Honor”

Then there were 4.

Trivia: Brooke White is just a stage name she took on.
Her real name is Sobby McCries-a-lot



What a week in Idol…Drunk Paula, New Format, Simon’s first kiss, I found it pretty exciting. Unfortunately, most of America is not finding it as interesting. Apparently the ratings are down 25% over last year. That means there are a few million people deciding that American Idol is not as appealing. While the producers try and respond it will get interesting. I think their latest attempt in trying to have the judges give comments later in the show is a bad idea.

I am finding myself more and more annoyed with Archuleta. He seems really fake to me, he does the same hand motion every time he performs and there is nothing original or current about him. My feeling is that his record sales would be in the Fantasia/Taylor Hicks category, instead of the Daughtry/Carrie Underwood category. Hopefully the votes stay on track and we find David Cook to be the next American Idol.

I find the voting interesting. America clearly grew tired of Brooke White and I believe many felt she consistently hadn’t shined. I am sure the swing votes moved from her to Syesha. The question will be whether or not Jason or Syesha will go home first. Based on last week, I think it’s going to be Jason Castro. I think he is bored, doesn’t have drive and America will respond to that. While Syesha is destined for Broadway and not what I think America wants in an Idol, she is ambitious. She is going to make every song she does from here on out a show tune, and I think that energy will allow her to skate past Jason.

Then again, I shouldn’t underestimate the 8th grade girls that are smitten with the pot-smoking clown face of Jason Castro. Is it enough though?

4. Jason Castro
3. Syesha Mercado
2. David Archuleta
1. David Cook

It’s worth watching in my opinion.

The laughs didn’t last all three trimesters.

In my opinion, Tina Fey is the most attractive famous female with a scar.
(not a highly populated category, but don’t let that detract from her victory)



This weekend I found myself saying “Baby Mama? Sure, I’ll go see Baby Mama.” I was not in a rush to see this film. If I had seen it down the road via Netflix, that would have been fine. But I saw it with some friends, and therefore the ticket was worth it. In regards to the film itself…ehhhh, it was ehhhh. Kinda blah. Yeah, just blah.

Any 30 second commercial tells you the basic plot, and anyone with half a brain can guess how the film ends while sitting in the theater, no surprise. The film lacked surprises throughout. I guess a movie like this needs to have funny situation after funny situation that just build on each other as the characters walk through the narrative. Instead it felt like we just followed the characters through the predictable plot with the occasionally humor found in a line or two. I did laugh during this movie, but that laughter came in brief bursts not a continual laughter at any given scenario. For me, Steve Martin’s character provided some hearty laughs but the rest was few and far between.

So, while this movie provides funny moments and plenty of cute “awwwwwww” moments, it doesn’t shine as a comedy. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are funny ladies without a doubt, but this story needed more. So, this movie falls into the “Throw it in your Netflix queue and let it surprise you a few months from now” category. Don’t expect to be in stitches, but it gives you a few chuckles.


Did you see it? Care to comment?

I don’t judge idol like “Drunk Paula”

My guess is that MC Skat Kat introduced Paula to some
shady substances and she hasn’t been the same since.



Over the last few weeks I have received a lot of slack for my failed Idol predictions. While a few of them have been in the way of comments here on the blog, they have poured in over myspace, facebook, gmail, phone, and in person. I hit the wall today when a friend at school asked “Are you as drunk as Paula Abdul when you make your predictions?” If I wasn’t at seminary, I very well may have tackled my friend. Sure it was funny, but it cut me deep, cut me real deep.

Let me give you a window into my process of blogging and predicting. I usually watch American Idol either late Tuesday night when I get home from school or late Wednesday night when I get home from hanging out after work. If I watch the episode Wednesday, I will watch the results show immediately after. Then, Thursday I write the Idol blog for next week. I am sure you can notice that my predictions are ALWAYS posted before that week’s performance.

SO, my prediction doesn’t take in mind the show that immediately preceded the nationwide vote. I don’t have the time at that point in my week to turn around an article that fast. Maybe I will start adding a short addendum to the articles after I watch and see the need for an adjustment. But please keep my timeline in mind when you read my Idol Blogs and tearing me apart when you see me. Okay enough about my defensive response, let’s move on…HOW DRUNK WAS PAULA TUESDAY NIGHT!!! Oh my goodness.

I understand getting confused with the new format of the night, but that was not the problem. Paula is clearly on something and an embarrassment as a judge. From what I’ve heard from “insiders”, she is constantly late and consistently unprofessional. Apparently the other judges and host are tired of her shenanigans. While Ryan’s forced comments standing up for Paula did give the appearance of a “family love”, I am sure they’d all like to see her go.

As Idol hits a ratings slump and does some retooling, I think they should look to that middle seat. She is just a washed up pop star and they are a dime a dozen. Hey, here’s a crazy thought… bring in Britney. Now THAT would make good TV! Maybe this regular schedule would add to Britney’s recovery from whatever mental illness she has. While some may say she isn’t that talented, I’d encourage you to listen to a Paula Abdul record; they are on the same level vocally. I’d much rather see a modern wacko than an out-of-date drunk on Idol.

Your Thoughts?