It’s basically everything you would expect from a typical Jack Black movie, wrapped in a tinny script, including the usual singing cameo with oral guitar riff. Everything is done in the highest form of silliness that Jack can get away with clean. It’s not masterful comedy, but light entertainment nonetheless. So be it.7-.
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You’ve visited www.wiihaveaproblem.com, you’ve laughed. I visited wiihaveaproblem.com, I laughed. Then karma came around and hit me right back in the face. Maybe it’s still that avian voodoo lingering about.
So I bought Wario Smooth Moves a while ago, but decided only to play it today with my lil’ niece coming by. And we can only assume Wario is the evil brother of Mario (is there a more obvious theory ?), but now you know that at least the evil part is true, because this happened.
During bowling (we didn’t open the new game yet, we were warming up with Sports), the wiimote slipped from the tiny 9-year old hands, breaking the first version straps (already requested the thicker ones from Nintendo, but still haven’t received them) and *whoosh* past my 32″ inch LCD-TV (*pfew*) right through the window:
A slightly damaged (but mostly still functional) wiimote:
Here’s the strap, one layer of thread, reinforced with *gasp* nylon:
And as the most respectable citizen in this universe, I had to clean up outside:
And here’s the trajectory of the wii-mote. While I still need more real world data to collect (variables being age and game in question during the mishap) I just had the counsel for Applied Mathematics and Physics convene, and they just stated the obvious, “The safest position to take on a road, is in the middle of it”.
Update: Just submitted my story to wiihaveaproblem.com, and now IIII’m getting blamed for this. *snif* The world just isn’t fair.
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More than one and a half decade ago, Emilio Estevez gives it a try again both with the pen and paper, and behind the camera. Most of this downtime, he has been trying to set his own movie up from scratch, eventually funding it himself.
But not only did he accomplish that, it’s quite a nice story too, and actually star studded to the roof. Basically a whole bunch of short fictionalised stories surrounding the Ambassador Hotel leading up to the true tragic event at the end of the movie, but it’s brought in a nice compact and earnest way. It’s again, light independent drama at its best.7½.
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Sherlock once said that if you excluded the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be it. One last sequel. Pretty improbable, grandpa in the boxing rings, but it’s finally here. And whatever Stallone wanted, he got it. Main reason must’ve been a dignified ending to the saga, and to my feeling, even never disliking any chapters from before while also thinking the last one was okay for an ending, I actually think he nailed it (as far as the inspirational underdog story and the Rocky character goes). I think most fans will like, if not love this one too. And for non-fans, it’s not as rock solid as the first Rocky, but it’s almost there. Some here and there feels a bit too rushed, while there are also some blunt edges in the script. But for the effort and the result, it’s definitely two thumbs up, while Bill Conti does an updated score worthy of nostalgia.7½.
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Just as it is on TV, people still just can’t get enough of dancing on the screen, and no surprise that Stomp the Yard (troubled teen dances his way to success, what else is new ?) tops the box office this week, opening with $22 million.
Still no closing time in sight for Night at the Musuem though, dropping to number two with a more than admirable $17.1 million in its fourth week of release. Its total may pass the $200 million this week.
The Pursuit of Happyness drops to number three, with $9.1 million it will pass the $150 million mark before its run ends.
Rounding out the top 5 is Dreamgirls and Freedom Writers, resp. with $8.1 million and $7.1 million.
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Hectic year for that Mel Gibson dude. So hectic, it drives you to drinking a lot. And then some drunk driving. And name calling. And racial slurs. Ah well, as long as he knows how to make movies.
And that, he still does. Not as provoking as Passion, but I think there are a few subtle hints in this movie. While Passion was in a sense, more thought provoking, this one is only visually provoking (and in a way we’ve seen before). And without giving away too much, it’s basically Commando or Predator, but then old fashioned. Really old fashioned.
On film, a sense of authenticity is only conveyed by using old Mayan language, and hence the necessary subtitles reading is necessary. But by using small lightweight HD cameras (and the according shaking), you only get the feel that’s associated with the current trend. I’d rather have the steady cam serenity to slowly immerse myself in the older times. Gibson however, wanted some high tech close-up follow shots, and deemed the hand held camera the only solution to achieve it.
Ah well, all in all, not a foreign language Oscar contender in my books. While it gets only one thumb up, I’m afraid mr. Gibson’s style is moving towards the Hollywood middle again, even though this movie not recommended for the “normal” crowd yet.7+.
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Airing on ABC, basically replacing the lowly rated Help Me Help You, it’s 24, but then in single camera comedy form with a wedding as the center piece. There’s also no real serialisation going on, every episode containing its own new problems, all of which will be solved at the end. First few episodes seemed fresh, but by now, the formula seems too obvious. With just simple problems and fights, you don’t have comedy. Characters have to be funny too. And in this case, it’s just so-so. For time-killing purposes, it will do, but with new shows airing this month, who knows how long it will hold up ?
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ABC is struggling quite a bit with new shows this year, already yanking The Nine and Six Degrees so swiftly. And now I have to review an already canceled show too. Premise is not really new, most resembling Tru Calling, ‘cept it’s a same day loop. Pilot was contrived with clues too obvious before the loop even happened. Strangely, following episodes tried different things every time, making it surprisingly entertaining (though pretty highly unbelievable how things changes with little variables changed). Then again, the cancelation came quickly, so no withdrawal symptoms or real sadness will ensue.
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Ant Bully: Very amusing family flick, that even carries a subtle message for the small ones.7½.
Snowcake: Interesting mildly funny indie drama.7.
Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles: A introspective view of an introverted father character exploring social semi-foreign customs, but runs a bit long leaning on the boring side.6.
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Comedy Night at the Museum sticks at the number one spot one more week ,with a $24 million run, passing $164 million cume. At two, The Pursuit of Happyness is still doing good business, this week with $13 million and a $124 million cume.
At three, in its first week of wide release, people wanted too see the critically acclaimed (but highly borish) Children of Men, rising to $10.3 million.
At four, the Hilary Swank drama Freedom Writers can chalk down a $9.7 million opening, while Dream Girls rounds out the top 5 (also Oscar buzz, hence the highest average per screen this week) with $8.8 million.
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Besides that this post’s title rhymes, I guess the avian voodoo is a really strong one. As you know, I already made an appointment to get the crack repaired, but guess what, during the actual repair, it cracked even more (that’s always a risk, by the way). Now I have to get the whole windshield replaced at a later date. I guess I shouldn’t upset the Avian Deities any more, so I guess I won’t be playing that shooting game in Wii Play anymore (those birds were worth a whopping 10 points !).
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As you can deduct from my previous post, combined with this follow-up, the pigeons (or mews, I didn’t get a clear look) are a wrathful flock of creatures. Only a day after the uneventful run-in with the avian low flyer, I get a crack in my windows. Can’t be coincidence. My advice, don’t blog about it if something similar happens to you. Just keep it to yourself.
Off to the nice Carglass people then (speedy online booker for a quick appointment !)
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Usually, with pet projects (in this case Bob Yari, almost entirely funding it through his Bob Yari Productions and Yari Film Releasing Group banners), it can be really good, or just good in the eyes of the person petting it around. In this case, it’s somewhere inbetween that, being pretty good, but not award-wowing. Still, with the Painted Veil released and critically acclaimed, it looks Like mr. Yari is the Bruckheimer on the independent side of film making.
This movie is all about subtlety, in story, characters and colors onscreen. And all the while, there’s always a shroud of mystery present, which makes the somewhat slower pace all the better to endure. If you want to be drowned in doubt, be it scientifically or spiritually, this is the movie to see. Despite the small scale setup of this low budget movie (and only a handful of characters to know), you’ll certainly get to experience the full suspense.8-.
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It rarely happens a series continues to be good, especially in the horror genre. But Saw had something small and cruel on a personal drama level, and it continued pretty well in Saw II, expanding the mystery. Saw III, however, is the most gruesome of the series, but doesn’t get stuck repeating the same tricks. Well, maybe it does, but at least the story around it blows up in your face, now with flashbacks to keep your mind busy, trying to remember the previous chapters.
With the trilogy complete, the probably upcoming 3-DVD set is a must-have for every horror fan (create some shelf space by removing those sucky Friday the 13th and Hallowoon sequels). Or is it really over ? 8-.
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First, I’m sorry for the poor tomato plant. I had to throw away that darn tomato plant that just because it was so picky, 1 drop of water (waaaaah, too little), 2 drops of water (waaaaah, too much), nothing was good enough for that thing, not even a handful of artificial fertiliser helped. I mean, it can’t be my fault. C’mon, why is the bonzai growing so pretty then ?
Second, I’m sorry for the poor bird. It flew right into my wind shield this morning (at appr. 50 km/h). Don’t even know if it continued to fly, or that it dropped to the ground. Then again, who cares, anyone can see that warning sticker on my car, which clearly states, “All avian creatures, stay away at least 5 meters away from my car, and keep your droppings to yourself”.
I now even have to clean off that greasy silhouette stain of my window. And what if it broke or scratched my window ?
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