I've Had Enough of You Whining Cry-Babies

Let's face it, I never had what you would call a reliable co-blogger on this site.

Rob tried at first, but he eventually became more focused on blogging with his "cool" friends. Thanks a lot, Rob.

Dan didn't really even try. He left one random post (a long, boring essay about the minimum wage) and quit because no one wanted to discuss the issue at length, let alone the fact that no one outside of Dan's imagination was debating the minimum wage at the time.

Sam appeared to be trying hard...but let's face it, he rarely brought his A-game.

Frankly, I'm kinda glad to be rid of all this riff-raff. I've taken my efforts elsewhere. In fact, I'm not even using blogger anymore....I'm heading over to Wordpress.

My new blog, which, I believe, will soon restore my status as the World's Awesomest Blogger, can be found here.

See you there, folks.

I'm Out

So, due to lack of interest in my postings (yeah, little to no comments) and obvious disinterest in this blog by my cohorts, I'm officially renouncing my participation as a "Stupid White Guy" on this blog. It had obviously run it's course long before I came on board.

No big deal, it's just not jiving. I guess it's like the second date turning point, and I'm cutting this thing loose. I wonder if anyone on this blog other than Bryan and I even remember that thing called "dating", or the afore-mentioned turning point.

Anyhoo, it's been real. Word.

-Sam

Sam's Movie Reviews

So, yeah, I finally got out and saw some movies. Many of them Bryan has already reviewed, but I'll put in my two cents worth.

Casino Royale (*** 1/2) - Bryan said he wasn't super impressed by this overhaul of the James Bond series, but I loved it. Daniel Craig has long been an actor I've always admired, and he breathes some new life into Bond. This is the first Bond film I've seen in which James Bond actually seems somewhat human, that he has some flaws and maybe even a heart. Daniel Craig is the best Bond since Sean Connery, and definitely the meanest. Women may squawk "Ooh, he's not as cute as the others...", what, were you expecting Matthew McConaughy? Eva Green was pretty hot in this, as well, and made one of the most interesting Bond women. Not just eye candy (ahem, Halle Berry? WTF?).

The film's main drawback is that it's a bit too long. But hold out for the ending scene, it's sweet.

Stranger Than Fiction (***1/2) - A sweet, cerebral dramedy with great performances all around, a delectable Maggie Gyllenhall and an upbeat, positive message on making the most of your life. I loved it, though the ending was a bit... well, you'll see what I mean. But the ending is in no way a bad one, just thought there could have been a better one.

Babel (****) - One of the best films of the year. Alejandro Gonzales Innaritu's films are realistic, sometimes depressing, always interesting depictions of societal irony, and this is no exception. Brad Pitt, the mexican nanny and the Japanese girl (can't remember her name) are some of the stand-outs in a film of Oscar-caliber performances.

Okay, I promise I'll see movies Bryan hasn't reviewed next time. Now get out there and see these yourself, it's a great time to be at the theater.

A Hobbit without its Peter

For those of you like my family who seem to not be able to keep their eyes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy (not me, I like them, but come on!) for more than a week or so, here's some crushing news.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Peter Jackson says he will not be directing a movie based on J.R.R. Tolkien's novel "The Hobbit" or a planned prequel to "The Lord of the Rings."

In a letter posted Tuesday on Theonering.com., Jackson and partner Fran Walsh said an executive from New Line Cinema had called to tell them the studio was moving ahead with "The Hobbit" without him.

The announcement came amid an ongoing dispute between Wingnut Films and New Line Cinema over the amount Jackson was paid for "The Fellowship of the Ring," including DVD payments.While Jackson hasn't said how much he believes he was underpaid, The New York Times last year quoted his lawyers as saying it was as much as $100 million. He is suing New Line Cinema over the shortfall.

The Dominion Post newspaper quoted Jackson as saying that because he and Walsh didn't want to discuss upcoming movies "until the lawsuit is resolved, the studio is going to have to hire another director."

"We are very sorry our involvement with `The Hobbit' has ended this way," the pair added.

Frankly, I think the studios are idiots to not resolve things with Peter, although 100 million is obviously ridiculous. Obviously either Peter has put on a new pair of greedy pants or there is more going on between them than meets the eye. Oh well, at least we have Narnia and the extended edition DVDs to keep ourselves warm. And that one movie that sounds a lot like "Aragorn".

A Very Vidiot Christmas

As you may or may not know, the materialistic, absolutely ridiculous Christmas buying frenzy is almost upon us. Don't get me wrong, I love the Yultide season for all it's good parts: remembering Christ, being with family, spreading good will and all that.

But this is getting out of hand.

If the link doesn't work for you, it's an ended auction on eBay for a new Playstation 3. The thing lists for $600.00 US Dollars, which in and of itself is absurd. But the thing went to some rich moron for a paltry $5,700.00. Nearly 10 times what it's actually worth. Yes, that's all it takes to make junior happy this year.

First of all is it worth it? Seriously, are we that obsessed with getting what we want now, before everyone else? It's seriously disturbing. Charlie Brown's classic Christmas special was never more prescient.

It seriously makes me sick to my stomach to know that someone is wasting this much money on something as trivial as a video game system. Absolutely absurd.

That and I'm kicking myself for not buying a few PS3's and making a killing...

And if that person is you reading this blog, shame on you.

"And Don't Forget to Give Me Back My Black T-Shirt"

That's right, people. Tonight I head over the campus of American University to see Ben Folds in concert. This will be the third time I've seen Mr. Folds perform and I'm very much looking forward to the show. Not only is he one of America's greatest living songwriters, he's one hell of a live performer.

It's okay to be jealous.

Movies and Stuff

Okay...so, I'm not really in the mood for a long, detailed post at the moment. So, I figured I'd give some brief reviews of the many movies I've seen lately.

Borat ***1/2 -- Very funny. Unfortunately, I think the whole Borat phenomenon had been over exposed. By the time I saw the movie, I had been tipped off to most of the funny parts. Still, a lot of big laughs in this one.

The Queen **** -- Wonderful film about the trials of the British royal family as they dealt with the death of Princess Diana. Brilliantly written and shot, wonderfully acted...it's easily one of the best films of the year.

Babel **** -- Another fantasic movie. I've been hearing a lot of loved-it-or-hated-it feelings as well as comparisons to Crash. I don't really get that. It's much slower, more subtle, and less self-conscious than Crash by far (this is not to say that I didn't also enjoy Crash...just that Babel is a much different movie).

A Good Year **1/2 -- It appears that Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott both decided that it was okay not to aim high with every attempt. This is not bad movie, it's just very, very typical...and pretty mediocre.

Stranger Than Fiction ***1/2 -- A cheery, thoughtful film. I really liked parts of it and I was completely drawn in by the story. But, I thought the end was a little weak.