March 30, 2007
Side One Dummy Records is having a warehouse sale, and for $20, they will send you 10 random CD's from their artists.
They choose which CD's you get, so no requests.
But hey, it's 10 CD's for $20, you can't shake a stick at that.
You can click here to buy, and also see a list of their artists.
This is a limited time offer, they are only selling like this until they run out, so act fast if you want the deal.
March 30, 2007
This is the cover that has been released so far for book 7.
We are definitely looking forward to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
The teens and I take turns reading the books at our own leisure, and then passing it onto the next.
One of our rules is that the first and second reader, cannot discuss the book until the last one has read it.
We play a game of rock, paper, scissors, to determine the reading order so it's not always the same person getting the first crack at the binding.
We're also huge fans of the movies and hope that now that this is the supposed last book in the series, that a movie will be made and the original cast comes back for one last movie together.
It's been a real treat to watch all these kids grow up together.
This is the full jacket cover.
March 29, 2007
I watched Little Miss Sunshine
I love this family!
Olive is a little girl with a dream: winning the Little Miss Sunshine contest. Her family wants her dream to come true, but they are so burdened with their own quirks, neuroses, and problems that they can barely make it through a day without some disaster befalling them. Olive's father Richard is a flop as a motivational speaker, and is barely on speaking terms with her mother. Olive's uncle Frank, a renowned Proust scholar, has attempted suicide following an unsuccessful romance with a male graduate student. Her brother Dwayne, a fanatical follower of Nietzsche, has taken a vow of silence, which allows him to escape somewhat from the family whose very presence torments him. And Olive's grandfather is a ne'er-do-well with a drug habit, but at least he enthusiastically coaches Olive in her contest talent routine. Circumstances conspire to put the entire family on the road together with the goal of getting Olive to the Little Miss Sunshine contest in far off California.
I absolutely loved this movie and every one of it's characters.
The dad, played by Greg Kinnear, annoyed me for most of the movie.
His idea of who a loser is, pissed me off. His comments to his own family on why they are losers, made me want to reach through the screen and kick him in the nuts.
Or better yet, I was hoping the mom played by Toni Collette, would.
Abigail Breslin, who played Olive, was outstanding. I loved her spirit and determination. Her courage. Fantastic performance.
Alan Arkin, who played Grandpa, was a trip with his heroin and sex addictions.*
There was only one part of the movie that had me near tears.
Olive's big brother Dwayne, played by Paul Dano, had taken this vow of silence until he reached his goal of being a pilot, had a moment of saddening realization. After months of not speaking, he broke with such fury and rage, and the ugly truth of what might be.
The ending, Olive's talent in the pageant, had me in laughter and worry. I felt for this little girl, but loved the way her family came through for her.
Awesome.
This is such a great movie, it really is. Add it to your Netflix, pick it up at your fave rental store, or just go ahead and buy it.
One more character note.
I'm probably one of three people on the entire planet, (ok, those who know who he is anyway) who hates Steve Carell. I don't find any of his humor funny, I watch the office for the supporting cast.
His performance in Little Miss Sunshine didn't convert me, but I thoroughly enjoyed what he did with the role.
The Story Never Ends �
March 28, 2007
I am a huge fan of the movie 28 Days Later
Now we have 28 weeks later and it's looking to be really cool.
Check out the trailer.
March 28, 2007
A new interpretive dance is being planned for Nirvana's Nevermind
From Drowned in Sound;
The Spectrum Dance Theater - note that American spelling there, typo-freaks - are to premiere their interpretation of Nevermind on March 31, at Seattle's Moore Theatre. Choreographer Donald Byrd - who has previously worked on the Broadway take on The Color Purple (American, again) - commented:"The tragedy of his drug addiction that didn't allow [Kurt Cobain] to see with the kind of clarity that would have made for different choices, I was just kind of drawn to that."
March 27, 2007
Here's our gamertag;
When I say us, I am talking about me and both my teen sons.
Play hard, be cool.
March 27, 2007
Set against the backdrop of civil war and chaos in 1990's Sierra Leone, Blood Diamond is the story of Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio) - an ex Mercenary from Zimbabwe - and Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) - a Mende fisherman. Both men are African, but their histories as different as any can be, until their fates become joined in a common quest to recover a rare pink diamond that can transform their lives. While in prison for smuggling, Archer learns that Solomon - who was taken from his family and forced to work in the diamond fields - has found and hidden the extraordinary rough stone. With the help of Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly), an American journalist whose idealism is tempered by a deepening connection with Archer, the two men embark on a trek through rebel territory, a journey that could save Solomon's family and give Archer the second chance he thought he would never have.
This is an extraordinary film, I can see why it has so many nominations.
Leonardo DiCaprio gives a brilliant performance, could do without the accent though, it just doesn't work with him.
Djimon Hounsou, (Gladiator, In America) gives a top notch performance as always. I love to see him work, he's just outstanding.
As a father searching for his son, to get him back from the rebels who took him and are training hi to be a soldier, my heart ached for him. He played this role so well, you can't help but be touched by his love, his drive, and his courage.
Connelly's role isn't huge, but she does a fine job as usual.
This movie is just too good. It is violent, only mature audiences should watch. The horrors of war are just so graphic, and this movie doesn't shield you from it.
I rate it very highly, a must see.
March 27, 2007
On March 27th, 1963, Quentin Jerome Tarantino was born.
Some of his film work includes:
* Reservoir Dogs (1992)
* Pulp Fiction (1994)
* Jackie Brown (1997)
* Kill Bill (Vol. 1 2003, Vol. 2 2004)
* Inglorious Bastards (TBA)
* The Vega Brothers (TBA)
* Deadly Viper Assassination Squad (Rumor)
Collaborative films:
* Four Rooms (segment "The Man from Hollywood") (1995)
* Sin City (2005) (Special Guest Director)
* Grindhouse (Death Proof segment) (2007)
I'm very much looking forward to Grindhouse which is going to be released April 6, 2007.
He's one of my most favorite directors. I absolutely love the Kill Bill's of course, From Dusk Till Dawn
But my most favorite is Reservoir Dogs
Have a long and happy life, looking forward to many more amazing pieces of film.
March 26, 2007
MTV.com reports (as well as many other sources) that Anna Nicole Smith died of an accidental overdose.
Six weeks after Anna Nicole Smith's death, the Broward County, Florida, chief medical examiner announced on Monday (March 26) that the former model died of an accidental drug overdose attributed to a combination of prescription drugs that were in her system at the time of her death.
While the accidental overdose is clear, exactly which drugs caused her death is not evident. Broward County Chief Medical Examiner Joshua Perper said Smith had nine different prescription drugs in her system at the time of her death, including three anti-anxiety medications, the antihistamine Benadryl and the drug thought to have been the main culprit in her death, the prescription sleeping medication chloral hydrate.
Perper said the combination of drugs was the likely cause of Smith's death, but there was also evidence that a high fever she had suffered from in the days prior to her overdose was caused by an injection of a "longevity" medication that could have been human-growth hormone, vitamin B-12 or immunoglobulin. He explained that the autopsy revealed evidence that Smith had previously made injections into her buttocks, which showed signs of multiple abscesses, and that an injection she made prior to her trip might have ruptured an abscess and caused an infectious agent to enter her bloodstream.
March 25, 2007
The Mirror reports, "He is now barred from the country for life after his involvement in a mass brawl at Heathrow Airport last April that left several police officers injured. But more than 65,000 fans have already bought tickets for next week's Heavyweights Of Hip-Hop dates featuring Snoop and P Diddy."
Wow. Y'all know he's gonna show up, he has concert dates there, and he's all serious gangstah.
Wonder what's really going to happen when and if he shows up.
Will they simply turn him away, or if he pushes the issue, will he be arrested?
March 24, 2007
A side project for Maynard Keenan of TOOL, is called Puscifer.
In Maynard's own words;
My name is Maynard James Keenan. Welcome to Puscifer, my creative subconscious. Welcome to the party that goes on in my head 24 hours a day. Welcome to my island of misfit ideas who've found no home with TOOL, A PERFECT CIRCLE, or CADUCEUS. Here's the skinny... I'm a Workaholic with a Napoleon Complex, a Wine Lover, a Musician, and all around Paranoid Conspiracy Theorist. So it should come as no surprise that all of these elements would continually try to seep out into some form of catch all "inside" project. And Puscifer is that project. The space where my Id, Ego, and Anima all come together to exchange cookie recipes. This is a space without any hard edges. It's a space with no clear or discernable goals. Check your over inflated expectations at the door. Cuz this is simply a playground for the various voices in my head. Come play with us...
Puscifer.com, is where you can get your hands all the goodies. Shirts, hoodies, pens, stuff.
CADUCEUS, is his winery.
Did many of you know that he makes wine?
It's apparently really good too. I wouldn't know yet, I still can't get my hands on a bottle to try.
I keep checking the site, am on the news mailing list, and still no wine for me after about 6 months of trying.
I'll keep trying too. I just have to try it. Friends of mine tell me it's fabulous.
So go check out all of Maynard's bands and projects if you're fan.
If you happen to catch a bottle of his wine, stop by and share a glass with me.
March 24, 2007
I got our tix for TOOL at the USF Sundome on May 29th!
I'm so stoked!
Last night, Sebastian changed his mind and bowed out. Fine by me, saved me $62.20. ($50.50 + fees)
I cannot freaking wait!!
Without the skin, Beneath the storm, Under these tears The walls came down.And the snake is drowned and
As I look in his eyes,
My fear begins to fade
Recalling all of those times.I could have cried then.
I should have cried then.And as the walls come down and
As I look in your eyes
My fear begins to fade
Recalling all of the times
I have died
and will die.
It's all right.
I don't mind.I am too connected to you to
Slip away, to fade away.
Days away I still feel you
Touching me, changing me,And considerately killing me.
March 24, 2007
March 23, 2007
Lamb of God was the first ever metal band to play on Late night with Conan O'Brien, and they rocked the house down!
Check them out if you missed it on February 9th, or just want to see it again.
Lamb Of God: Pathetic [Live On Conan]
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Metal is coming back with a vengeance!
March 23, 2007
The Associated Press reports that Anna Nicole Smith's autopsy results will be released on Monday March 26th.
More than six weeks after the former Playboy Playmate died, authorities said Thursday.The medical examiner for Broward County, Dr. Joshua Perper, and Seminole Police Chief Charlie Tiger said they will hold a joint news conference to discuss the cause of death.
Smith was found Feb. 8 in her hotel room at a tribal casino in Hollywood, Fla. An initial autopsy report showed no immediate indication of a drug overdose and no sign of major external injuries on the 39-year-old reality TV star.
Perper delayed the release of the full autopsy report after police gave him additional evidence, though authorities have not said what that is.
Prosecutors have said they are not treating the case as a homicide.
March 23, 2007
We've all seen the commercials for Geico and love them.
The cavemen being totally pissed off about Geico's slogan, "So easy, a caveman could do it."
A few weeks ago, word slipped out to turn the cavemen into an ABC sitcom, in a half hour slot.
"Cavemen" will revolve around three pre-historic men who must battle prejudice as they attempt to live as normal thirtysomethings in modern Atlanta.
That was it, the cavemen were launched and the next ad we saw, had two cavemen being treated to an elegant dinner by someone from Geico, who is trying desperately to apologize.
One of the cavemen orders the roast duck with mango salsa, and the other one says he has lost his appetite.
The cavemen want people to know they are just like us, not the chest beating, grunting, stereotypical cavemen we've all read about.
The commercials just keep coming, at the therapists office discussing his feelings over the ads, on a news talk show defending his right not to be stereotyped, at the airport being pissed off about yet another poster with the slogan, carrying a wooden tennis racket in a canvas bag.
The music is catchy, he's dressed modern, you can see how this would upset him.
At CavemensCrib.com, we learn a bit more about these guys, their music tastes, as we flip through their ipod, their computer where they are into blogging, we can even read some of their emails.
They have poetry magnets on their fridge in Esperanto, they read Tolstoy, they practice yoga and like Paddy Chayefsky movies.
But is all this funny enough for a half hour sitcom?
Other super high concept sitcoms have worked, Third Rock from the Sun, about aliens who live on earth and can't tell anyone they are aliens, Small Wonder, where their daughter was a robot.
And other ad icons have worked in the past, been able to cross over from 30 second spots to feature length movies and tv specials. Just take Ernest, who started off pushing milk. That character has had much success with movies like Ernest saves Christmas and Ernest goes to jail.
It launched the pitchman, Jim Varney, into a very good career, he's been in many successful films outside of the Ernest fame, like The Beverly Hillbillies, and as a voice work actor in films like Toy Story and Toy Story 2 (as Slinky Dog).
I think the cavemen have potential, but the show can't continuously be about them being victims, being stereotyped as brutish Neanderthals. They will need to branch out from the shtick, and find a way to make these guys appeal to every one in order to last through the first 5 shows.
March 22, 2007
On May 11th, Chris Cornell will be honored at the MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert. Cornell will receive the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his work with recovering addicts. Cornell is a recovering addict himself. Though he never checked into rehab or a 12 step program, he did have to make significant lifestyle changes in order to beat his addiction.
The benefit takes place in Hollywood. Cornell will perform at the event, as will Army of Anyone, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and David Gahan of Depeche Mode.
Tip to Shoutmouth.com
March 22, 2007
I'm so excited for this. We absolutely loved 1 & 2, this one is sure to be just as good.
And it has a great cast as usual. Chow Yun-Fat?! Get out!
March 21, 2007
March 20, 2007
I'm sure you've heard me talk about this game a few times, it's kick ass.
Gears Of War
Gears of War, an Xbox 360 exclusive game that blends tactical action with survival horror, thrusts gamers into a deep and harrowing tale of humankind's epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet. The storyline plays out like a Hollywood blockbuster -- lead character Marcus Fenix pits advanced human technology against the overwhelming Locust Horde. Built around a revolutionary third-person tactical combat system and breathtaking, high-definition visuals from the Unreal Engine 3, Gears of War immerses you in a horrifying tale of war and survival.
The graphics in this game are stunning. It's awesome to watch it being played.
It's so amazing how far game graphics have come since the first day of consoles.
Anyone remember Atari and Pong?
Damn.
These new game consoles are amazing. The graphics are just incredible to look at.
The sights, the sounds, all very realistic.
I could do without the chainsaw noises in this game, but it's incredible none the less.
The boys are seriously addicted to GoW, as it's affectionately called by it's gamers.
They have almost every single achievement completed since getting the game for Christmas.
They play it non-stop. It keeps them occupied while waiting to leave before school in the morning, and they come home and do their cores and play some more.
The on line game play makes this game even more exciting as you play against other gamers from all over the world.
* Gears of War's engaging, cinematic story plays out like a Hollywood blockbuster
* Unreal Engine 3 technology brings out the smallest details in the largest of battles
* To survive you must suppress your enemy, take cover, and use weapons and teammates to outlast the Locust Horde
* Xbox Live gameplay offers individualized matchmaking, player statistics, customized games, and more
* A.I. teammates are indiscernible from human players in this third-person shooter
Up to two players can play at one time using the split screen method for live play, or battling against each other.
Two items I would recommend not just for GoW, but for all Xbox 360 games, is an extra Xbox 360 Wireless Controller
There are battery packs that take two AA batteries, but the amount this game is going to be played, the extra rechargeable packs are well worth the investment.
And in movie news, it's looking like GoW is going to be a movie.
March 19, 2007
If you check out and keep checking back at Xbox/gamerchix,
and you're a girl gamer, you just might win a scholarship.
In the April '07 issue of the official xbox magazine, there is a blurb about this.
In one of the most sincerely cool stories you'll ever see here in the usually snarky Inbox, Microsoft's own community liaison, "Trixie" and her group of 1,000 "gamerchix" are now offering a college scholarship to lucky young women in connection with the Xbox Rewards Program. In an effort to "encourage and enable women to get into the games industry," the scholarship program will help women study programming, computer art, game design, and other facets of the video game creation process.So keep checking back at Xbox/gamerchix for more information. This news hasn't hit their site yet, so consider this your heads up.
March 18, 2007
We just got back from seeing 300.
This was an amazingly beautiful film.
Stunning graphics. I really was blown away by how gorgeous this film is, and knowing it's from Frank Miller, I expected nothing less than a masterpiece.
Synopsis:
In the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. Facing insurmountable odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite against their Persian enemy, drawing a line in the sand for democracy.
Myself, Mark, Sebastian, their friend Mikey, and his brother Rocky, all went to the theater to watch this.
None of them could get in without an adult, so I was more than happy to go with them.
Mikey and Rocky's parents aren't big on these types of movies, so when they want to see something bloody, they call me to go with them.
The theater was silent while watching, everyone just in awe over this.
This movie was simply outstanding. Great story, great cast, great look and sound.
Caption: Spartan forces discover the remains of villagers whose town was sacked by a Persian scouting party.
Gerard Butler did a really terrific job as King Leonidas. He was a large presence on screen, his voice matching his appearance, large.
This is the king of Sparta.
I've noticed something about actress Lena Headey who played King Leonidas's wife, Queen Gorgo. These types of movies, are her movies. She is perfect for this role. Strong female lead, beautiful, a powerful presence on screen.
It was nice to see David Wenham on screen again in a good strong role playing Dilios, one of Leonidas's soldiers and a man to be trusted to speak to the counsel to have Sparta go to war.
Caption: Rodrigo Santoro as King Xerxes.
If you thought about seeing this but weren't sure, go see it. It is breathtaking to look at, the sights, sounds, and heart of Sparta to fight for their freedom, made for a really great movie.
Oh and ladies, you may be thinking this movie is not for you, and your man is bugging you to go with him to see it. Go with him.
Almost every man in the movie is wearing a pair of leather underwear and nothing else but a cape.
They all have amazing bodies. Washboard abs, that 'V'.
Yum.
March 12, 2007
I think I may be the only person on the planet who did not find Borat 
Seriously.
We watched it last night and I didn't laugh once.
The boys chuckled a few times, I just didn't find any humor what so ever in it.
It was just frigging stupid humor.
I hate stupid humor.
March 6, 2007
they're putting it on the kids. I want to see (our kids) them as radically laying down their lives for the gospel, because we have, excuse me, we have the truth."
I'm watching Jesus Camp
I knew going in to watching this, that I was going to be disturbed, let there be no doubt that this will be a very biased review of this movie.
I was raised Christian, not radical fundamentalist Christian like the kids in this movie, but I too went to summer camp for our church.
We sang songs, had plays or skits, made arts and crafts, learned to swim, learned to canoe, learned how to trust people and make new friends.
Radically different than the summer camp that the kids in this movie are attending.
Radically different.
The Story Never Ends �
March 5, 2007
I just wanted to say thank you to Richard for helping me out with this site, getting it working properly, installing a sidebar, something that was missing from it's original design.
Make sure you go over and check him out at Shadowscope. He has a great blog full of interesting thoughts and ideas. He writes some great stuff.
March 4, 2007
What a great episode!
So many different things taking place.
Ok, let's get to it.
This episode is titled "My Husband the Pig".
Edie had a visitor from an old friend and couldn't find a sitter, so she left Travis, who's 8, at home alone.
Carlos was right in the middle of a hot date when he noticed Travis outside playing alone. Being the guy who has always wanted a kid, his paternal instincts kicked in and he took care of Travis for the night foregoing really hot sex.
When Edie came home, she was wasted and Carlos wouldn't let her take her son home till morning.
I see this little side story going a bit further. Something just tells me that Carlos is going to do something about Edie doing this.
Meanwhile, Danielle, Bree's daughter, finds out she's been knocked up by Edie's nephew, Austin.
Austin had been trying to win back Susan's daughter, Julie.
After Danielle's brother Andrew gets done talking to him, he decides to leave town. He tells Julie that he doesn't know when he'll be back riding off on his motorcycle.
Gabrielle is being hit on and pursued by a very wealthy man running for mayor. She's going to give him quite the chase.
Mike finds out that Ian knew he was going to propose to Susan the night he was hit by Orson and ended up in the coma.
While returning the ring to the jewelers, Susan comes in to get her engagement ring from Ian resized. They have a moment together where you just know they still love each other.
Later that night while playing poker with the guys at Tom's new pizza place, Ian and Mike wager a bet on telling Susan everything.
Mike loses but is not going to give up.
Lynette and Tom argued over how to spend their 9th wedding anniversary , and when a mix up in communication happens, Lynette is left standing in a beautiful gown on the side of the road for over 2 hours.
Tom apologizes like crazy, Lynette apologizes as well, and they celebrate at the pizza place with a drink.
They may have some issues, but this is the only couple in the whole show who has their relationship mostly together.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Little miss sunshine
28 weeks later
Nirvana
xbox live
blood diamond
Anna Nicole Smith
snoop dog
Puscifer
caduceus
TOOL
Lamb of God
geico
cavemen
Chris Cornell
Pirates of the Caribbean 3
gears of war
300
