Kimputer's Weblog

Another quiet movie weekend, covered by some lesser known movies (again?). First up is The Rundown (opens here 22 Jan), starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Probably visited by those curious to find out if he learned some acting skills yet. A surprising $18.5 million for this surprisingly well received movie. Second is Diane Lane’s headlining Under the Tuscan Sun, where probably mostly the ladies brought in a $9.4 million (opens here, I dunreally care). Last week’s number one, Underworld, had some 57% less blood to suck and ended up third with some $9.4 million.
At nr. 7 is Danny Devito’s helmed dark comedy Duplex starring Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore, somehow didn’t attract people and thus really bombed with justw $4.6 million (opens here, feb/mar).

Having to cover some 500+ kilometers forced an early departure (5:30) to still be able to enjoy a bigger part of the day (arrival at around 13:00). Starting off at the Movies Studios, where there are about some 5 big attractions. Ranging from Live Actions show featuring some very live stunts, to a few rollercoaster rides to some mellow site seeing type of shows. Dual language is the keyword here, though the accent the French have, it’s hard to understand what they’re saying. About a third of this section is for food (mostly fast food) and merchandising. The second day was reserved for the bigger Disney Park itself. Divided in some five themed sections, this has even more site seeing styled shows, and only a few rollercoaster rides. Also more children friendly attractions are in abundance here. The dual language setup in the Movie Studios did not apply here though, more and more French was overtaking the attractions, and the sparse spoken English were spoken by people who tried to remember the words without knowing what it really means, so it becomes a bit garbled after so many repetitions. The fast food chains and merchandising ratio are even higher in this region, and a rough calculation shows the total queues equals some 40 mid-sized McDonald’s at work. With the prizes some ranging from 10 to 30 percent above the normal prizes, it’s a mystery why Disney is still making a loss at this resort (did I mention 12 euros for a rollercoaster snapshot picture ?).
Just a walking distance outside the park is the Disney Village, where even more food and merchandising is at work, freely accessible for public. Also situated is a train station (probably where the Thalys makes a stop), and a big movie theatre, showing mostly Disney (and Touchstone Pictures) related movies.
2 halve days are a little bit short, and 2 or 3 full days is recommended for full enjoyment of the whole park.
Hotels are also flooding the area surrounding the park. Most are just within minutes away with the free busses commuting every 10 minutes or so. Most hotels are HUGE, and quite luxurious, though still keeping it simple, nice and clean.
All in all, for not too much money, you can have quite a nice vacation if you plan it right.

Time for some pictures, take a look here.

Well, 4 hours of sleep, and then I’m off to Paris, Disneyland. Hiking along for a free weekend with my bro’s Getronics personnel thingy. Who says Getronics isn’t doing well ?
CNN Weather Report says it’ll be cloudy. So till Monday, I’ll be hugging Donald, Mickey and other big persons in big fluffy suits.

Rate 1 (sucks) to 5 (cool). Only rate the latest pictures, otherwise I can’t keep track of the average.

Total: 395 out of 123 votes > Average is: 3.211

Still, reports of the split between Affleck and Big Azz Lopez keep contradicting. Even CNN can’t figure it out yet. See this link.
Hypothetically, IF they were split, and you were ms. Lopez, what would bug you more ? A big tattoo with Ben Affleck’s name on yer big azz, or the videoclip featuring Ben Affleck made for the “I’m Glad” song. Remember, one can be erased, one cannot.

Underworld, a Kate Beckinsale starring vampire-werewolf movie, drew the blood of other contestants, and ended up nr. 1 with $22 million (opens here 15 Jan). Second place was for MTV musical styled The Fighting Temptations (opens here, uhm, don’t care) with $13.2 million. 3rd place was for Haley Joel Osments return to the silver screen, co-starring Michael Cain and Robert Duvall in Secondhand Lions with $12.9 million (opens here 13 Nov). Once Upon a Time in Mexico takes another $11.5 million in its second week. Last, a not so scary horror flick starring a not so scary house, Dennis Quaid and Sharon Stone, is Cold Creek Manor with a not so scary $8.3 million.

Rate 1 (FR#^&% MESS !) to 5 (how very tidy !). Only rate the latest picture, otherwise I can’t keep track of the average.

Total: 881 out of 244 votes > Average is: 3.611

Stiff upperlips ? Not quite. In the UK, there’s actually a term called “binge drinking” which officially means, any drinking session which involves the consumption of at least eight units of alcohol, if you are a man, or six, if you are a woman.
A new report shows the combined costs of alcohol-related crime and disorder, health problems, lost productivity and domestic break-up have been estimated as approaching £20 billion a year. There are an estimated 1.2 million incidents of alcohol-related violence, and 85,000 incidents of drink-driving a year. Drink accounts for one in 26 NHS “bed-days”, and up to 17 million working days are lost annually through alcohol abuse.
Other reports say this estimate is conservative, to say the least.
Well, have another beer, it’s on me.
Source: BBC News

Having seen the second episode already, I can conclude that we actually are seeing some kind of improvement (of course, being so bad in the first place, improvement is the only thing possible). The main focus shifts from the hour long non-memorable episodes to a new big story arch with much more at stake. This helps highten the tension, and even some of the characters get more depth this way, albeit it’s almost microscopical. While other new elements are put into this season (exploiting T’Pol’s sex appeal for instance), the special effects have suffered, maybe due to budget. The 3D effects look cheasier every time, and even texturing and simple bumpmapping seem like too much trouble. Let’s see how things unfold after ten more episodes.

A blonde this time. Take a look at this and this. It’s January Jones, playing Cadence, sister of Alyson Hannigan’s character in American Wedding. Next picture up is Dirty Dancing sequel Havana Nights. More pictures here.

While the first few minutes feels contrived, and therefor a bit grim, and you start turfing the good and the bad jokes, it later comes together like the first Pie movie did. Nothing really new, story or joke wise, but it still entertaining.7+.

While it’s definitely sure the Ben Affleck/Jennifer Lopez wedding is off, there’s still the conflict off their alleged break-up. News divisions are equally divided over standard R&R, finishing up a movie, to reports of Ben getting cuddly with other brunette females. In any case, it’s understandable. Let’s be honest, would you wanna marry a woman who insured her big set of ass or her big set of brains ?

Rate 1 (sucks) to 5 (cool). Only rate the latest pictures, otherwise I can’t keep track of the average.

Total: 384 out of 120 votes > Average is: 3.200

Rodriguez’ Desperado follow up, Once Upon a Time in Mexico (opens here 25 Dec), headed for the nr. 1 spot with guns blazing, taking in $24 million. Second was a Nicolas Cage starrer, Matchstick Man, good for $13.3 million. Mostly unknown horror flick starring absolutely nobody notable, is Cabin Fever (opens here, I don’t care), with still a high $8.5 million.

Rate 1 (FR#^&% MESS !) to 5 (how very tidy !). Only rate the latest picture, otherwise I can’t keep track of the average.

Total: 866 out of 241 votes > Average is: 3.593