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Overrated Movies -- Gran Torino, Wrestler, Reader, and Slumdog Millionaire
Funny that you saw Gran Tarino last night and dealt with the long lines, and the noises people make in the theater. I went and saw it last night, too, and was surprised how long the line was. Then, when we got into the theater, it seemed like middle aged and older women were everywhere, and every time something bad was about to happen in the movie, you'd hear things like "uhhh oh," and "oh my gosh!" Ugh. It's not as bad as rowdy teenagers, but still reminded me why I'd rather watch movies at home. Aside from that, and aside from the Hollywood cliche elements of the movie, it was still funny and poignant. Like the Bucket List, you have to try and forget about the Hollywood cheese factor and the humor that goes for big laughs rather than being more subtle (and therefore realistic). I've come to expect this from anything other than independent films and documentaries. It's rampant. Although some of the elements and characters we'd seen before, the acting was still quite good and there are multiple levels upon which you can empathize and identify with the characters. I thought it was a nice swan song for Eastwood (and, I have to admit, he still looks great!).— January 18, 2009 12:29 p.m.
Top 50 Movie Characters
Josh, You have to see Lord of the Rings. It's really wonderful. The movie you reference with Bill Murray as the clown was "Quick Change," which was hilarious - partly because it had Randy Quaid (and Gena Davis). Quaid and Murray are also hilarious in King Pins, which I prefer to The Big Lebowski. I guess I am the only one who doesn't love "the dude." In fact, if I had to hear him say "duuude" one more time I felt like screaming. I like Ponzi's list. There's so many - it's hard to choose. What about Jim Carey's character in The Cable Guy? Broderick's character in that was good too, as well as the teacher he played in Election. Yeah, these are all more modern movies, but that's our generation. TFB— December 18, 2008 7:11 a.m.
The Cats Meow
I was glad to read the sensible, non-emotional response by fifibutton, and agree with most of what you (fifi) said. I am a cat lover and I have two cats. I am also, I finally discovered last year, allergic to cats! (which solved some mysteries) But I am lucky in that my allergies are controllable if I do a few things like keep the cats off the bed and keep the house clean, and wash my hands after petting them, etc. Though it all falls apart when I bury my face in their sweet fluffy tummies and make fake purring noises at them. OK - I am a hopeless "you cat people" cat lover! But what this argument seems to come down to is the "property rights" debate. And this goes on and on. I mean, is it right for someone to do something with or on their property that negatively impacts a neighbor and their property? We can strive to follow the law, but what if the law doesn't address a particular issue? And we don't want laws governing EVERY aspect and minutia of our daily life (I just read a story about a small town that passed an ordinance against indoor furniture being used outside on porches, and they now have "porch police" that have to go and make a judgement call on what is considered "junk", and of course people are fuming becuase, hey, "It's MY porch and that 25-year old orange Lazy Boy is darn comfy!"). But as I side, laws only go so far. There's a point where neighborliness and consideration need to play a role. The truth is, it's hard living with neighbors. Dogs bark and poop, people have late parties on weeknights, people have kids that scream and run around, a family might own five cars that they need to try and park on the street of a tiny couldesac. It comes down to, if each of us tries a little to be considerate, then living among neighbors becomes more bearable. And if you can't stand it, go "git yerself a trailer down by the river" or a little piece of land out in the hills - and bring your guns and join the militia because goddammit that Obama's gonna take eer guns! Um, am I insinuating that these cat hater and shooter types are ignorant trash that don't really belong in a respectable neighborhood? Maybe, but again, there's nothing we can do about it. But back to cats. My opinion is, let them roam. Owners should use the bell collar so that they don't catch birds. They should also get their cats spayed or neutured (no more banshee-like howling in the streets OR unwanted kitty litters). Neighbors can put up a barrier of some sort so that they don't poop in your flower bed. Those are really about the only problems with outdoor cats that need to be addressed. If each of us did these "neighborly" and considerate acts, all would be well in the world. Peace out. TFB— December 5, 2008 6:37 a.m.
A San Diego Sinner in Dear Abby
Who knew underwear would be such a hot topic on this blog? What I'm wondering, is why the only choices here for women seem to be thongs or "grannies"? There are lots of cute, confortable, and sexy bikini-style undies out there for women that aren't thongs. Also, technically speaking, there are other reasons to wear thongs besides the sex-appeal. Some people may be trying to avoid the dreaded "panty line," a fashion no-no.— November 23, 2008 2:10 p.m.
Jack in ze Box...Schnell!!
Josh, Fast food restaurants are the wrong place to go if you are trying to eat healthy. Even "fruit" smoothies can be pretty high calorie, so you have to know what's in them. But, they're also the wrong place to go if you don't want to get depressed about humanity. I don't eat at fast food joints much, but when I do go into them, I just get bummed out by much of the clientele - usually folks who can't afford to eat anywhere else, so they eat most of their meals in a place that contributes to obesity and other health problems. But I'm sure you've seen "Supersize Me" so I don't need to preach about all that. I have to admit though, being able to say "I don't give money to people with swastikas" was classic!— October 25, 2008 1:35 p.m.
Laughing
crawdad— September 26, 2008 9:03 a.m.
More Craziness in the News
Re: bluetooth. The technology is just not there yet. They are a pain to use. Plus, dialing the phone and texting is way more dangerous while driving than just holding the phone up to your ear, so that makes no sense whatsoever.— July 2, 2008 7:15 a.m.
100 Greatest Stand-Up Comics Ever
Well, comedy is so subjective, that why even complain if someone likes or doesn't like a specific comedian. However, I'd like to add a few agreements: Dennis Miller - you could also mention how his increasingly right wing rants have made him even more annoying, like the lefties you mentioned. Gary Shandling, A.K.A. Larry Sanders - I know we're talking stand up, but that show was the best. I never got tired of it. Shandling plays the straight man really well. A memorable scene was with perpetual pretty-boy David Duchovny, dressed only in a short bathrobe, getting ready before the show, and sitting across from Shandling. Duchovny proceeds to casually (but purposefully) cross and uncross his legs. All you see is Shandling's frightened facial expressions. That still makes me laugh. Steven Wright - I was a late convert to Steven Wright. For awhile I just didn't "get" him. When I think of him now, his line from his cameo in the Mike Myers movie, "So I Married an Ax Murderer" is classic - "I'm feeling kind of hyper." -T.F.B.— June 21, 2008 3:51 p.m.