The Departed....Best Picture?

As I previously posted, I had the Departed to watch, and just so happened to watch it last night. On Sunday, this movie won the Academy Award for Best Picture. I had not seen any of the other nominees (and aside from Letters from Iwo Jima didn't have much of a desire), so it is tough to say if they chose wisely or not. However, they did pick a pretty good flick to honor.

My Review: Overall a pretty solid movie. I thought the pacing was excellent for the first half of the movie (it slows a bit later). The back and forth between Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon's characters is really cool, despite not actually interacting. The movie then turns into a cat and mouse type as each tries to lure/find the other one. Then finally the movie turns shoot-out. The acting is very good and the story engaged you (My roommate actually said she was nervous at one point). Pretty good, but the ending leaves a bit to be desired. Overall, 3 1/2 out of 4 stars, grade A-.

I'm watching the Guardian now, but probably won't post a full review (let's just say its so-so).

I'll keep you posted on other events.

Ok, Movies

Today I was reprimanded (ok, maybe a little strong...just told) by two people that I haven't posted about movies. My sister and my friend seemed to be a little bothered by my lack of information on my recent movies. I know I stated that I would probably be posting movie reviews on a regular basis. I didn't necessarily want to imply that I would post all the time about movies, but when nothing else really was going on. I'll mention my most recent movie viewings and give a review on one or two of those. If you want to get a review on any of the other movies, just leave a comment or let me know somehow.

Recently viewed: Saints and Soldiers, Prey, Idiocracy, The Protector, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, The Illusionist

Reviews:

The Illusionist - One of the two magician movies that came out this past year (the other being the Prestige). In general, this was a fairly decent movie. A decent set-up and a decent ending, but never once was amazing. It's tough to really explain. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't memorable enough to warrant sticking with you (unlike the Prestige). Alrighty, 3 out of 4 stars, grade - B.

Idiocracy - I got this as my free rental for returning my mailed movie. It is a comedy made by the same guy that did Office Space. Office Space is one of the greatest comedies ever, but Idiocracy is one of the worst comedies ever. It was dumb....really dumb. The concept had the chance to be funny, but it wasn't...at all. I was tempted to stop watching (I didn't, but was tempted). Do NOT watch this movie. 1/2 out of 4 stars, grade - F.

There you have it. I have the Departed and will try to watch it on Tuesday. Yep, the newest Best Picture. I'll probably post a review on it.

Basketball

It's no surprise that I really enjoy playing basketball. While at Butler, I played at least once a week, often twice. However, during rotations that number slipped, and since moving to Colorado I hadn't touched a basketball. Well, that changed a week ago. I've signed up for a college/community league. I'm on a Co-ed team that plays on Monday nights. Let's just say that it feels like it's been 9 months since I've played. The combination of being out of shape, having asthma, and altitude cause me to start sucking wind very very quickly. I know my limits and I do what I can...I'm just there to have fun win or lose. Anyway, we now have two games under our belts and I'll give you a quick rundown.

Game 1 - Our opponent didn't have enough players so we won by forfeit. They picked up a few people standing around and we just played some pickup basketball. I finished 1-1 with a 3-pointer, 1 block, and a good number of rebounds.

Game 2 (last night) - We started the game with 4 players (4 on 5), but held our own against the team with about 10 players. I finished 0-5 (0-2 3-pointers), 2 steals and numerous boards. We won 23-21 (20 min, running clock halves...it was a defensive game).

We have a 6'6" guy on the team who just bodies his way around in the post. Because of this I find myself setting picks and flirting around on the outside. This is somewhat unusual territory for me. I normally play the post and occasionally step out for a jumper. With my primary role shaping up to be rebounding, defense, and jump shots, my rust is clearly evident. I really need to get out (and find a place) to shoot around and get a bit of rhythm with my jumper. Let me get set and I can hurt a team from long range.

Regardless, its been good to get out and stretch my legs and play some ball. It'll be even better once I get better adapted to running, the altitude + exercise, and get a shooting groove.

Blockbuster Total Access (movie reviews)

First, read yesterday's post for my comments on the SuperBowl.

Ok, now I mentioned previously that I signed up for Blockbuster Total Access (their online rental program). I'm now a 1 1/2 weeks into my 2 week trial and I must admit that I really love it so far. I think it is going to be well worth the $10/month. It appears that at a minimum I will get 2 movies per week and last week ended up watching 4 movies.

Here's how it works. You sign up and make a list of movies on their website. They mail you one the next business day. Then after you watch it, you go to a local store, pick out a rental, turn in your internet movie and go home. They mail your internet rental back. Then in a couple of days you recieve your the next movie from you online list. Return your store rental and then internet rental...and pick out another store rental. Simple, huh?

Here are my reviews for the 4 movies I got last week (and the days I got it/returned it).

Flyboys - (recieved in the mail on Tues., in store drop off Wed.) In general, this wasn't a terrible movie, but it wasn't great either. The dogfight battle scenes were visually pleasing and fairly exciting, but they are too short and don't occur often enough. Then, like other war movies, there is a forced un-needed love story. I think it was something thrown in for the chicks. Again, ok, but not great. Grade: C +, 2 1/2 out of 4 stars.

Saw III - (in store on Wed.) I had high expectations for this movie and was disappointed. It felt less story driven than the first two and was more confusing as to why things were happening. Again, the ending returned to previous comments/scenes in the movie and explained it. A bit of a twist, but not the oh-my-gosh shock that the first two contained. The "games" are very violent, but still interesting in their own way. Not bad, but the worst of the Saw movies. Grade: C, 2 out of 4 stars.

Snakes on a Plane - (rcvd mail on Fri., in store drop off Sat.) Corny, dumb, ridiculous, and entertaining. Four very apt descriptions of this movie. If you like to think....at all...during movies, this is NOT for you. The plot is stupid, the snakes look fake, and there are huge holes in the film. However, it is still a fun film to watch. Samuel L. Jackson does save the movie ("I'm sick and tired of MFing snakes on this MFing plane"). Entertainment grade: B. Movie grade: C-, 1 1/2 out of 4 stars.

Facing the Giants - (in store on Sat.) A so-so movie. The story is a feel-good sports story (think Hoosiers) with a major Christian focus. By major, I mean occassionally in your face preachy. There were times that I got a bit annoyed by the attitude of the film, but in general was ok with it. The acting however was not good...at all. Many scenes reminded me of church skits (from personal experience....and I am NO actor). Bad acting aside, it isn't an awful film. I think the biggest take home message is the power of an encouraging word. Probably a good youth group/retreat film, but not one that I would use as my primary evangelical tool...it's a little too campy and things fit together into too nice of a package for real life. Grade: C+, 2 1/2 out of 4 stars.

As you can see, that none of those DVDs were great, but had I rented them all, it would've costs about $16. Instead, I got them free during my trial. The program is going to be nice, and give me plenty of material to post on here. I should have the Protector to watch tonight. Anyway, that's all for now. Stay tuned.

Colts, 2007 SuperBowl Champions

If you didn't watch the SuperBowl...then shame on you. If you did watch it, then you watched a great game. Not only because of the outcome, but in general, it was a good game. It was a close game up until 12 min. left in the 4th qtr. (5 pt. lead for the Colts). At that point though, the Colts had an interception return for a TD. Game over!

Statistically speaking, the Colts were dominant. I mean dominant. Just looking at the stat sheet, you would've expected a 40-10 game, not the 29-17 game it was. I'm pumped and super excited. After the opening kickoff, followed by the botched PAT, and 50 yd run by Thomas Jones that lead to a TD, it didn't look great. But the Colts have shown the ability to comeback and win games. In the end, it turned in to a great game for the Colts.

A great season for the Bears, but bad Rex did show up.

Yeah!!!! Go Colts!!!! The best part, this keeps the Colts from becoming the Cubs of the NFL....wait til next year...wait no more. Indianapolis Colts, 2007 NFL SuperBowl Champions!!

The Left eye doesn't know what the Right eye is doing

A week and half ago I went to the eye doctor and had an eye exam and got new glasses. Technically, I got a daily pair (new frames and lenses) and a new pair of rec specs. Anyway, a week after wearing my new glasses things just weren't quite right. If I closed my left eye, my vision in the right was really good. However, doing the opposite showed that my left eye vision was quite blurry (ie worse than my previous glasses). I gave them a week in case it was just the new prescription and took awhile to get used to...but it wasn't.

Anyway, I returned and told them about my concern. A different doctor took a look and after another round of "better 1 or 2", she told me she was increasing the rx on the left and adding more prism to the left and adding some to the right. Personally, I don't recall any previous doctor mentioning anything about prism. Apparently prism is used if you see double and it aids in aligning your eyesight. As the doctor described it, my eyes don't like to work together. At close range they are ok, but as I look up and out, they don't like to focus on the same thing. Hence, my occasional double vision (generally only when looking at a single object for a while, or looking through objects {microscopes, binoculars, eye exam instruments}). But the last couple of days in the new lenses have gone well and I haven't noticed any problems. I guess I just have to live with eyes that don't like each other.

Maybe they can sign a peace accord with each other and learn to get along....until then, I'll just use some prism.

PS. I signed up for Blockbuster total access (their internet renting thing) so expect a regular dose of movie reviews. That's all.