Sunday, December 16, 2007
Favorite Movies of the Year, so far
10. The Kingdom - When I first saw the trailer for this one I immediately thought "Man that movie's gonna suck." After hearing good things about it from several sources, and having nothing better to do on a Friday night, I went to see it. Man was I wrong, it starts out as a procedural, showing the Iraqis perspective on our occupation as the team tries to figure out who bombed an American encampment. Then toward the end it turns into a kick ass action flick as they try to get one of their own who was kidnapped back. This movie gets intense. Glad I checked it out.
9. Grindhouse - It's easy to tell why this one made the list: Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino are two of my favorite directors; over-the-top zombie killing fun; intense car chase sequences; Freddy Rodriguez being a complete bad ass; Kurt Russell as the creepy bad guy; and three words that say why the movie rocks so much, Machine Gun Leg.
8. Shoot 'Em Up - This is the most over the top action movie since I don't know when. I went with this movie from the beginning and was not disappointed. Clive Owen is the ultimate bad ass in this movie, he just doesn't miss. The movie gets creative in how he uses his marksmanship capabilities. My enjoyment levels watching this movie were off the charts.
7. Superbad - This is the funniest movie of the year. Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are becoming two of my favorite actors.
6. Shooter - Mark Wahlberg gets set up for the attempted killing of the President, and he don't like that much. After he gets away, he makes his way up the food chain to the guy who ordered the set up. There is also some great buddy action flick moments, and great uses of his being a sniper. Kick ass flick.
5. Bridge to Terabithia - If anything, this is the saddest movie of the year. Two kids make their own fantasy world where they go to get away from things. A blooming friendship leads to tragedy, and the ending with his little sister is beautiful. Also, the ultra cute Zooey Deschanel makes an appearance. Just ask my sister how sad this movie is, if you tell someone to watch this, warn them, tears are a coming.
4. Ratatouille - I love Pixar movies, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, and the Toy Storys are movies that I always go back to when I feel like watching a feel good movie. This movie is right up there as one of Pixar's best. This movie does what Pixar does best, the underdog who shows that you can do anything if you put your heart into it, no matter who you are. Even if you're a rat who wants to be a chef. Every time I saw this my spirits lifted and the world was a little bit brighter.
3. Stardust - This movie just enchanted me from the start. I read the book a while ago and enjoyed it, but the movie went above and beyond what I thought this movie would be. It was fun, whimsical, moving, intense, romantic, I loved this movie thoroughly.
2. Once - Take two people whose lives revolve around music, who get together and find out that they are the perfect match, musically. The romance nevers gets off the ground, but you just know that they would be perfect for eachother, but both of their insecurities keep them away and they both go back to the lovers who wronged them. The music in this is awesome, and this is the most beautiful and moving movie of the year.
1. Live Free or Die Hard - Bruce Willis is the coolest actor of his generation, a man of action who can deliver a one-liner like no one's business. And with Justin Long as his sidekick, this movie was just taken to a whole new level. The best action movie of the year, with a ton of comedy and wit. And my favorite movie of this last year.
And there we are. The funnest list to make of the year.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
A Brand New Blog
For instance, it's hard to find the perfect house when you're working on a budget. There's always something that you love a lot about one, but then something else turns you off of it, whether it be the neighborhood, the floors, the yard, but it's always something. Today I saw a couple houses that were great. One was brand new, ranch style, lots of room, and I just loved the layout of the house, but the neighborhood wasn't great, there was an identical house next door, no A/C, and not much of a yard. The other I saw was an older ranch, big garage, nice deck in the back, big back yard, big barn, cool looking tree in the backyard, roomy, but there was also no A/C, some of the floors would have to be redone, and who knows what else would need to be done in the next few years, it is an older house. I've been looking and this seems to be the trend on the budget I'm working on: it's not gonna be perfect. So you know what I think, so what, it's not perfect now, with a little bit of work, I could come to thinkof it that way someday. But seeing as how just writing the word work gave me hives, we'll have to see.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Day Ten: Lansing, MI
After I left the Boulder area I headed west to the Rocky Mountain National Park. As you get close to the park there is a town that leads into it, Estes Park, and if they ever thought about doing a Northern Exposure remake, it could be made here. Lots of log cabins and old style buildings and the thing that reminded me the most, elk on the side of the road eating grass, just chillin'. I didn't get a picture 'cause it was right by the middle of town on a somewhat busy street. I tell you what, there were elk all over that park, on the side of the road, you definitely had to keep your eyes on the road.
The park itself was really beautiful. it started off in the floor of Rocky's where it's teeming with trees, green and gold, to the top, where it's barren and snow covered. Here's a few of my favorite pictures.
You definitely had to take the mountain pass slow at times. Two miles above sea level on a two way street. It got a little nerve wracking at times.
There were pulloffs along the road where you could take a short path to something, sometimes a lake, sometimes just neat looking rock formations. I tried to take all that I could, but it became apparent that Rocky Mountain air is not the best air when you're fighting a cold, thank goodness I brought a jacket and gloves, just in case, although a winter hat, just in case, would have been nice too.
I spent a while in the park, but then I headed out, I took a road North through the rockies some more and drove west through Wyoming toward my next destination, Mt. Rushmore. I got there just after dark. For some reason the parking was free, nice. As I approached the Mt. all I could think about was how much it looked like a matte painting lit up by spotlights like it was. I stared at it for a while, tried to get a picture, but with the only light being spotlights, the best I got was not quite crystal clear. It's one of those surreal moments as you think about how something like that could even be done in those days.
I hauled ass for the next two days, cutting through South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and back to Michigan. I ended up sleeping at a rest area on the way, that's what they're there for, right. Plus, I got to thinking about how much this trip was costing and fell into cheapo mode. Well, I just didn't stay in a hotel Friday night. I got home early Sunday morning around 2 AM. I spent Sunday recuping by watching football, and now I'm back. I'm glad I went, but it's good to be back.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Day Eight: Boulder, CO
I-70 through Colorado weaved around and sometimes through the Rocky Mountains. It was a great ride.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Day Seven: Las Vegas Part Two
Oh, and there isn't a missing entry into the blog, I just couldn't get myself out of the room yesterday. I didn't feel good, so I just stayed in. Tomorrow I leave early, so I can get to Colorado and drive through the Rockies while it's still light out.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Day Five: Las Vegas - Part One
After that I called up the Planet Hollywood hotel and got another night so I'll be there til Thursday. Tonight I'm gonna go see the strip. I'm gonna wait till later to get the full affect. Plus I just got up from a late night poker tournament that I was in. I got to the final 10 and then was taken out. I'm gonna loaf about for a bit.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Day Four: Benson, AZ
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Day Three: Austin, TX
And check out that desk at the Courtyard Marriott I'm staying at. Nice.
I went with Landa to this after party thing at a local bar and I stayed for a few minutes before I realized that that overwhelming feeling that I don't belong there wasn't going away. So I bid my adieu and went back to the hotel.
On the road again tomorrow. Gonna start heading toward Las Vegas, and stop some place on the way and try to catch the Lions game. I have this nice room for another night, but the road is calling my name. It's a long way to Vegas, and I want to get their fresh, and ready for debauchery.