Hot Movies for Fall 2009

Personal reviews of new movies I want to see:

Surrogates - Tagline: "How do you save humanity when the only thing that's real is you?"

After watching TV spot for the first time, I was like, "Oh, great. Another Matrix/Minority Report/I-Robot syfy flick with the same old plot. Maybe I'll rent it on redbox when it comes out on DVD." But after watching the trailer I totally changed my mind. This message is a great commentary on virtual living. It reminded me of that documentary I just watched on World of Warcraft and how it destroys peoples lives. This is just a Hollywoodized version of the same message, I hope. I can't wait to see it. I might even take a date to see it in the theater this Friday. I know, heavy spender; I hardly ever splurge on full-priced theater tickets. I'll shell out the cash if it's for something that I can think about and discuss for days and weeks afterward (e.g. The Dark Knight.) I don't care if Rotten Tomatoes only gave it a 40% rating. Everyone there are Surrogates already! <---that be="" br="" insulting.="" supposed="" to="" was="">
What the tagline should read is: "How do you save humanity, when it has already been destroyed by virtual addiction?"

Gentlemen Bronco - Variety Magazine say it better than I can: "Returning to Utah, co-writers Jared and Jerusha Hess have concocted a fresh batch of socially awkward characters to do their comic bidding. Napoleon Dynamite seems perfectly well-adjusted (not to mention downright charismatic) compared to homeschooled mama's boy Benjamin Purvis in "Gentlemen Broncos," the latest oddball character portrait from one-trick helmer Jared Hess. This time, the misfit in question is an aspiring science-fiction writer easily upstaged by his idol, a pompous (but published) fantasy author, played by "Flight of the Conchords" star Jemaine Clement like the cosmic love child of Tim Curry and Orson Welles."

Woke Up Dead - Speaking of Napoleon Dynamite, "Woke Up Dead" is all about how one morning Jon Heder's roommate found him dead in the bathtub. The paramedics proclaimed him dead and bagged him. Then he woke up... This "cinematic work" is a lot like Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog in that it was created in episodes it has a lot of popular actors like Jon Heder, and it's not really affiliated with any major motion picture studio, just Kodak. OK. Actually, the whole thing isn't a movie at all; it's a glorified Kodak commercial playing off the public's fascination with zombies.

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Rummi-"CUB" vs. Rummi-"CUBE"

The "Rummikub" Pronunciation Debate Affirmative Constructive: "Cub" For years, I have been a firm advocate and defender of the pronunciation, Rummi-"CUB". The game box I grew up with spelled it, Rummicub on the box. However, other productions of the game have variant spellings: Rummykub , Rummy Kube , Rummy Tiles , etc. Based solely on box spelling, the game's true pronunciation is open to interpretation. Therefore, Rummi"cub" is equally acceptable to any other given pronunciation. Negative Constructive : "Cube" My opponents argue that since the game originated over seas, we ought to respect and maintain its original pronunciation. Affirmative Rebuttal: Americanization of the Term When the game was brought to America and given Americanized rules, its name was also Americanized. Pronunciation loyalists then counter my rebuttal with, "there are lots of adopted foreign words that have retained their original pron...

The Secret Reason Why "Good Witch" Feels Emotionally Off

TL;DR It's the Botox. For the past 3 months, my wife, Stacia, and I have been watching Good Witch (via Netflix and Amazon Prime). Stacia adores winding down to "Hallmark-y shows." We can rely on Good Witch episodes to always resolve happily. The episodes are never too intense. The height of conflict revolves around things like someone's inability to locate the perfect spot to snap a romantic photo for a new tourism brochure. I consider my time watching these shows spouse bonding time , and emotional training. My favorite thing about watching feel-good shows with Stacia is getting to observe her facial reactions to the on-screen drama. When two people lean in for a long-anticipated kiss, Stacia tucks her knees into her chest and frowns with her forehead while lifting her chin and bottom lip. While I'm typically unable to suspend my disbelief, Stacia seems completely entranced by the various characters' emotions. Wishing I could join her in being swept aw...

Who's Got The Funk?

I am an amateur guitarist, and I've got no funk. My musical skills seem to lacking that special something . Great musicians have it . Those fortunate enough to have gotten hold of it , create timeless hits. While musicians without it fade into oblivion. After spending hours searching through Blues history websites and 1970's band documentaries online, I discovered what that special something is thank to a (70% Man, 30% fish) character from the BBC show "The Mighty Boosh" named Old Gregg. He identified that thing as The Funk ! But what exactly is The Funk ? Here is some dialogue from the show to help explain its origin and purpose: Old Gregg: You're a musician, yeah? Howard: Yes I am. Old Gregg: Butchya ain't very good, are ya? Howard: I'm one of the best in town. Old Gregg: Come on, I read your reviews. Hmm? You know what your problem is? Howard: What? Old Gregg: Ya ain't got the funk. You're all rigid. Hmm? You're l...

Tuesdays with Muerte

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