Sometimes life is just quiet and nothing goin on, then BAM! you got too much!
Over the last week, as the Red River rose, the people of Fargo rose to an almost insurmountable task of building dikes and levees while holding our collective breaths. Now, because we have handled this flood so well, Mother Nature has thrown another curve ball at us with a BLIZZARD!! And it's not the small flakes, it is the industrial size flakes coming down. The kind that love to plug up your snow blower.
It is amazing what the human being can handle when life is a bitch. But then again - It is what it is.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Ray of Blu
I purchased a Blu Ray DVD player today. For the heathen, Blu Ray is the next generation DVD player. Originally there were two types of next gen: HD DVD and Blu Ray. Earlier this year, Blu Ray won the battle and HD will go the way of the Betamax.
I can't say enough about the difference between DVD and Blu Ray. The picture is so much clearer, the sound crisper, the features on the DVDs and being able to download updates to keep current with what's out there.
First movie I watched was Batman Begins. The features include picture on picture commentary from the writers and director; behind the scenes and the prologe of the Dark Knight; which looks great in HD. Dark Knight is #1 on my must have list.
I can't say enough about the difference between DVD and Blu Ray. The picture is so much clearer, the sound crisper, the features on the DVDs and being able to download updates to keep current with what's out there.
First movie I watched was Batman Begins. The features include picture on picture commentary from the writers and director; behind the scenes and the prologe of the Dark Knight; which looks great in HD. Dark Knight is #1 on my must have list.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Are you watching closely?
The answer to this question is most likely not. As "The Prestige" did somewhat modest business despite good reviews. Plus the earlier release of "The Illusionist" stole a little bit
of the market on Magician movies.
For me, "The Prestige" was one of the best movies of 2006. Directed by Christopher Nolan(Batman Begins, Memento, Insomnia) and based on the novel by Christopher Priest; "The Prestige stars Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as rival magicians Robert Angier and Alfred Borden in the late 19th Century. After a terrible accident on stage that claims Angier's wife, a game of sabotage escalates between the two.
Borden invents a trick called the Transported Man. This illusion gnaws at Angier, desperate to find out his secret. His despreation takes him to Colorado where he meets up with the mysterious Tesla(wonderfully played by David Bowie).
The story can be hard to follow if you are not, as Christian Bale says during the movie, "Are you watching closely?" It is a movie that requires more than one viewing to get the full effect. Jackman and Bale are excellent and are ablely supported by Michael Caine and Scarlett (yeah baby!!) Johannson.
So, turn off the phone, pop some popcorn and turn off the lights. The Prestige is one heck of a trick!
of the market on Magician movies.
For me, "The Prestige" was one of the best movies of 2006. Directed by Christopher Nolan(Batman Begins, Memento, Insomnia) and based on the novel by Christopher Priest; "The Prestige stars Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as rival magicians Robert Angier and Alfred Borden in the late 19th Century. After a terrible accident on stage that claims Angier's wife, a game of sabotage escalates between the two.
Borden invents a trick called the Transported Man. This illusion gnaws at Angier, desperate to find out his secret. His despreation takes him to Colorado where he meets up with the mysterious Tesla(wonderfully played by David Bowie).
The story can be hard to follow if you are not, as Christian Bale says during the movie, "Are you watching closely?" It is a movie that requires more than one viewing to get the full effect. Jackman and Bale are excellent and are ablely supported by Michael Caine and Scarlett (yeah baby!!) Johannson.
So, turn off the phone, pop some popcorn and turn off the lights. The Prestige is one heck of a trick!
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Scorsese, Scorsese, Scorsese!!
“When I was growing up, they would say you could become cops or criminals. But what I’m saying is this. When you’re facing a loaded gun, what’s the difference?” – Jack Nicholson from “The Departed”.
Oscar finally smiled on Martin Scorsese as he was awarded his first Academy Award for Best Director. Scorsese has consistently been one of the best directors over the past 30 years. For him not to win an Oscar before this is a crime. Take a look at the movies he was previously nominated for and who he lost to: "Raging Bull", lost to Robert Redford; "Last Temptation of Christ", lost to Barry Levenson; "Goodfellas", lost to Kevin Costner; "Gangs of New York", lost to Roman Polanski and "The Aviator", Clint Easwood. Of the five times he lost, I would say that only one is legit - losing out to Barry Levenson. But to lose out to two first time directors (Costner? Come on!!) and Polanski, who can't even enter the US without fear of being arrested. Needless to say, it was a long time coming.
"The Departed" marks a return of sorts for Scorsese. This is the first "mob" movie he's directed since 1995's "Casino". While "Goodfellas" will be considered his best work, "The Departed" is not too far behind. Once again, teaming up with Leonardo DiCaprio, who is becoming his "go to guy" as DeNiro was in the 80's and 90's, Scorsese creates a suffocating game of cat and mouse as two "rats"; one from the Mass State Police and the other from the Mob, try to discover who the other is before they in turn are discovered.
DiCaprio finally lays to rest his "Titanic" image with his best role to date. Scorsese also directed Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg to career highs as well. Of course, the star of the show is Jack. Nicholson brings his "A" game as mob boss Frank Costello.
It was fitting to see Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas present Scorsese with his Oscar as their careers have been intertwined for the past 35 years. Here's hoping that this isn't the last time Marty wins Oscar gold.
Oscar finally smiled on Martin Scorsese as he was awarded his first Academy Award for Best Director. Scorsese has consistently been one of the best directors over the past 30 years. For him not to win an Oscar before this is a crime. Take a look at the movies he was previously nominated for and who he lost to: "Raging Bull", lost to Robert Redford; "Last Temptation of Christ", lost to Barry Levenson; "Goodfellas", lost to Kevin Costner; "Gangs of New York", lost to Roman Polanski and "The Aviator", Clint Easwood. Of the five times he lost, I would say that only one is legit - losing out to Barry Levenson. But to lose out to two first time directors (Costner? Come on!!) and Polanski, who can't even enter the US without fear of being arrested. Needless to say, it was a long time coming.
"The Departed" marks a return of sorts for Scorsese. This is the first "mob" movie he's directed since 1995's "Casino". While "Goodfellas" will be considered his best work, "The Departed" is not too far behind. Once again, teaming up with Leonardo DiCaprio, who is becoming his "go to guy" as DeNiro was in the 80's and 90's, Scorsese creates a suffocating game of cat and mouse as two "rats"; one from the Mass State Police and the other from the Mob, try to discover who the other is before they in turn are discovered.
DiCaprio finally lays to rest his "Titanic" image with his best role to date. Scorsese also directed Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg to career highs as well. Of course, the star of the show is Jack. Nicholson brings his "A" game as mob boss Frank Costello.
It was fitting to see Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas present Scorsese with his Oscar as their careers have been intertwined for the past 35 years. Here's hoping that this isn't the last time Marty wins Oscar gold.
Blond, James Blond
M: I knew it was too early to promote you.
James Bond: What I understand, double O’s have a very short life expectancy.
On November 17, 2006, a new chapter in the James Bond world began. Casino Royale, the 21st in the series, opened in theatres. There was a lot of controversy regarding this film, because, just as there have been reboots of the Superman and Batman franchises, the producers of the Bond franchise did the same. This film tells the story of how Bond gets his “License to Kill”. In doing so, Pierce Brosnan was unceremoniously “retired” and a new Bond was cast. Or should I say Blond, James Blond.
Daniel Craig, a little known British actor outside of his supporting role in Steven Spielberg's “Munich”, assumes the mantle that Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton did previously. This upset a lot of the die Bond fans so much that a website, www.cragnotbond.com was built in protest.
Craig brings an edge to the role that only Connery has previously achieved. From the opening sequence to the chase on the Miami International Airport tarmac; Casino Royale outshines both Dalton films and all of the Brosnan films with the exception of Goldeneye. As a point of interest, the director of Goldeneye is Martin Campbell, the director of Casino Royale.
The movie also stars Eva Green as Vesper Lynd, Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre and Dame Judy Dench returns as “M”.
On a side note, the Sony Corp /United Artists released updated dvds of the Bond franchise. All include two discs with new interviews with the cast, commentary by Sir Roger Moore and most of the directors. All of the dvds have been tweaked for the best in both picture and sound. I highly recommend taking a look.
James Bond: What I understand, double O’s have a very short life expectancy.
On November 17, 2006, a new chapter in the James Bond world began. Casino Royale, the 21st in the series, opened in theatres. There was a lot of controversy regarding this film, because, just as there have been reboots of the Superman and Batman franchises, the producers of the Bond franchise did the same. This film tells the story of how Bond gets his “License to Kill”. In doing so, Pierce Brosnan was unceremoniously “retired” and a new Bond was cast. Or should I say Blond, James Blond.
Daniel Craig, a little known British actor outside of his supporting role in Steven Spielberg's “Munich”, assumes the mantle that Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton did previously. This upset a lot of the die Bond fans so much that a website, www.cragnotbond.com was built in protest.
Craig brings an edge to the role that only Connery has previously achieved. From the opening sequence to the chase on the Miami International Airport tarmac; Casino Royale outshines both Dalton films and all of the Brosnan films with the exception of Goldeneye. As a point of interest, the director of Goldeneye is Martin Campbell, the director of Casino Royale.
The movie also stars Eva Green as Vesper Lynd, Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre and Dame Judy Dench returns as “M”.
On a side note, the Sony Corp /United Artists released updated dvds of the Bond franchise. All include two discs with new interviews with the cast, commentary by Sir Roger Moore and most of the directors. All of the dvds have been tweaked for the best in both picture and sound. I highly recommend taking a look.
Scary Movies
Certain movies just scare people. Let’s face it, some movies just really get under your skin and there you are crying like a little girl. But I am ready to face my fears and give you insight on the scariest genres of movies:
The Girlie Movie
There are three types of Girlie Movies:
Light
Light would be a movie like “While You Were Sleeping” starring America’s Sweetheart, for all of five minutes: Sandra Bullock. Bullock stars in the Girl has crush on Boy, Boy has accident, Girl saves Boy and is mistaken for Boy’s fiancé by-his-family, all the while she is falling in love with his brother.
Action
One of the best Action movies out there is Thelma and Louise. Susan Sarandon and Geena (The President) Davis takes you and Brad Pitt on a wild ride that includes exploding semis and shooting up cop cars.
Heavy
Heavy movies are ones that move you to tears. The one that always bring the DVD Guru to tears (we’re talking Niagara Falls here) is Terms of Endearment. This multiple Oscar winner stars Shirley McLaine and Debra Winger. However, scene stealer Jack Nicholson lightens the show up when it needs it. Just writing about it is making me all emotional. I need a tissue.
So there ya go. This public service announcement is sponsered by Kleenex.
The Girlie Movie
There are three types of Girlie Movies:
Light
Light would be a movie like “While You Were Sleeping” starring America’s Sweetheart, for all of five minutes: Sandra Bullock. Bullock stars in the Girl has crush on Boy, Boy has accident, Girl saves Boy and is mistaken for Boy’s fiancé by-his-family, all the while she is falling in love with his brother.
Action
One of the best Action movies out there is Thelma and Louise. Susan Sarandon and Geena (The President) Davis takes you and Brad Pitt on a wild ride that includes exploding semis and shooting up cop cars.
Heavy
Heavy movies are ones that move you to tears. The one that always bring the DVD Guru to tears (we’re talking Niagara Falls here) is Terms of Endearment. This multiple Oscar winner stars Shirley McLaine and Debra Winger. However, scene stealer Jack Nicholson lightens the show up when it needs it. Just writing about it is making me all emotional. I need a tissue.
So there ya go. This public service announcement is sponsered by Kleenex.
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