Like many of you I spent last week celebrating our nations birth. Which to most Americans equals grilling, drinking, throwing an object around in the yard and catching a summer movie. It seems, I am more atypical American than I had originally thought, because I did all of these things.

I love the summer, the warm nights and the hot women, minus the hotness of the women. The best part of the summer is the movies. The Studios release their big budget, violence laced, sex driven BLOCKBUSTERS. We start to seem them sneak into the theater in May and by the 4th of July we are knee deep in explosions.

This summer is no exception and by far the biggest film of the year is Transformers. You know, that Michael Bay movie about the robots that kickass. I talked to someone over the weekend who was not quite sure what these “Transformers” were all about. I asked the person, who is in her 30’s, had she been asleep in the 80’s. She said no, I think she is lying?

Now I am not going to give you the background on this movie, just know if you are looking for a fun summer movie, this is it! I have seen a lot of movies, yes more than ten, and when I saw Transformers last week I was excited. There has been a lot of hype surrounding this robot flick.  I knew it was going to be a big earner, but even I was surprised when at the end of the movie the whole audience applauded? When was the last time that happened? Minus a film festival. This thing is going to break records and make more money than Heiser’s other favorite 4th of July release, Independence Day.

Transformers
Review from the Village Voice
Blockbuster

Looking for something to see in the theater this weekend? This is my pick. Paris Je Taime it has opened into wide release and can even be seen in our small berg. If this is not up your alley, see what other films are out today by looking in on our friend the Cinema Psychic. He will fill you on this weeks releases as well as giving you his own unique review of each.

Last Thursday I headed out for a five day vacation that would include two concerts, three movies and many drinks. The best thing about taking a vacation is the build up to that day. Nothing in the world can shake you when you are about to go on vacation. Buildings can blow up, computers can stop working, people can shit on your whole being. Because all you are thinking is, tomorrow I will be on vacation and none of this shit will matter. I love it! It is better then sex, ok maybe not, but damn close.

On Thursday we saw Harry Connick Jr. It was my third time and not the best. The weather was crap, the temp was hovering around 40 degrees and gloomy. Harry played mostly new stuff and only came out for a very short encore. Dont get me wrong, it was still a great concert, just saying I have been more impressed by him.

To quote a girl at Salon I visited on Saturday, Harry Connick Jr. sings? The youths of today, clueless.

Saw three movies over the course of my little break from life. The first, Ocean 13 was pure summer fun. This is the third Ocean movie and I am sure it is not the last. Everyone one is dead on handsome in this movie and the script, while lacking some key action, was spot on funny! Paris, je t’ aime, I saw the same day as Ocean and if you have not heard of this movie click on the link and read about it. The movie is 18 short 5 minute love stories by different directors and actors from all over the world. It is just fantastic! I could go on and on about this movie, easily one of the best I have seen this year. It is still in limited release, but if you live in a good size city you should be able to find it. The third and final movie, La Vie en rose, I saw at the Breckenridge film festival. While it was a bit long, it was one of the better bio pics I have seen in recent memory. Not sure you need to rush out and see this in the theater, that is unless you are a huge Edith Piaf fan. Which means you are over 60, hi grandpa! Catch it on video, Marion Cotillard’s performance is amazing!

On Sunday night we saw the Police, no the band. I have seen Sting a number of times and his concert performances all stick out as some of the best I have ever seen. His talent is unmatched and with the reunion of his old band it is a incredible musical force. I had some doubt whether a band that has been apart for so many years could be as good as they once had been. But let me tell you I quickly put that doubt away when they rocked it non-stop for an hour and thirty minutes with three encores! The police have been a constant music favorite of mine, pretty much my whole life. Seeing them live was a surreal experience that I will never forget. Easily one of the top five concerts I have seen. If you have the chance this summer to see them, do it.

Friends, Family, Movies, Concerts, Drinks make one hell of a good vacation. Thanks to everyone that I stayed with, spent some time with and spent some money on. Lets do it again soon!

One final thought on concerts. Why do people leave early? The Police are close to the last set, right in the middle of Roxanne and people are taking off. What the hell is that about??

Pictures from the Trip

Here is a site that I ran across while watching old episodes of CommandN.  Fanedit.org keeps a pretty comprehensive list of fan edited films.  It gives the low down on each,  all the details as well as were you can go on the Internet to download and watch.  A few of these films have hit the main stream in popularity, Star Wars the Phantom Edit, but there are literally thousands of re-edits out there to be viewed.   This is a dream come true for some of us who re-edit films in our heads.  Now we can see these films re-imagined or at least see them with some of the boring and useless shit cut out.

 Fanedit.org

After a long hiatus, Jaws3D, we are seeing the return of the 3D film to theaters throughout the country. Over the next two years you will see many of the major theater chains upgrade their exsisting equipment to accomidate the 3D print.

Last summers Super Man was about 20% 3D, having to take the glasses on and off was no fun. But the 3D effect was awesome! The theaters are charging $2 or more extra for 3D movies, which I think is more than reasonable. This 3D talk has been around for many years. I thought the last time the studios got excited about 3D we would see it everywhere, we didn’t. Maybe this time it is for real. I can’t wait to see the Crying Game II in 3D!!

No more goofy glasses

 

You might remember earlier this year when the Motion Picture Academy made Youtube and others remove video clips of the 2007 Oscars from their websites.   I remember thinking, another huge mistake made by the top brass to protect something that needs not be protected.  Here were a bunch of people watching clips of the Oscars who would not normally watch.  Now, I can see how an argument could be made that the MPA is losing money on this internet video.  But come on these people didnt watch the boring four hour telecast to start.  Maybe, just maybe these people checking out a cool clip on Youtube will get them to tune in next year.  Better yet, to avoid this the MPA should have its site post the highlight video with ads on their site right after the Oscars.  Smart.

Here is yet another wise move by the MPA.  They are suing an Oscar fan site for essentially promoting the Oscars for free.  The MPA is mad that this once free fan site has got a couple of google ads to help pay bandwith bills.  I understand the battle that is taking place between the two sides.  I just wish old school media could pull its collective head out of the mud and realize things that are free can lead to the trees with money on them.

MPA unhappy. 

It appears the producers of the 1987 hit Wallstreet are lining up to make another movie. When I first read the headline there was some excitement in the old man.  But as I read on there will be no Stone or Sheen.  It is feeling like another attempt from our friends in Hollywood to cash in on the past.  I am going to cross my fingers on this one.  The return of Gekko would be badass!

Lunch is for wimps 

Easily the most useful thing I have come across on the net in a long time. If you are Lebowski fan you will get a kick out of it. If you have no idea what the hell it means, drop what your doing and go rent the The Big Lebowski. You may have to watch a couple of times, it gets funnier and funnier, trust me!

The Big Lebowski Phonetic Alphabet

It seems that while Saddam has been in captivity the Marines on guard have been putting on a little movie night for the former dictator. Unfortunately for him it has been the same movie, South Park the Movie. You know the one where he teams up with Satan to take over the world.South Park

It has been to long since we have seen a beautiful woman gracing my blog. So, to remedy that situation, here is my new fav’s Anne Hathaway. She has a new movie out, I heard it is shit? It can not be that bad, getting to stare at her for 120 mins seems ok by me!

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