Rivals/com is reporting that Duke and Butler are talking about playing each other again next season. Wow. If all the players come back (which is a big if considering the rising stock of Singler and Haywood from the tourney) that would have to be one of the most anticipated games of the year. In fact, even if those guys don't come back, that would be a blockbuster game!
Go Duke!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
FIDO (a review)
FIDO is a 2006 zombie/comedy starring Billy Connolly (as the zombie), Carrie-Anne Moss and Dylan Baker.
The story: it's the 50's and the dead are rising as zombies! But fear not, because the corporation Zomcom is helping keep people safe by putting collar on zombies that make them as docile as pets and keeping a secure fence around communities to keep the wild zombies out. The story focuses on the Robinson family, who aren't wealthy but buy a zombie (slave? pet?) to keep up appearances when their new neighbors move in with their several zombies. The Robinson's son, Timmy, who gets picked on by bullies, befriends their new zombie and calls him FIDO. However, Fido's collar malfunctions and he kills the mean woman next door. Then she comes back and Timmy has to kill the her zombie version and hide the body. Things escalate until head of Zomcom security (their new neighbor) figures things out and takes Fido back to Zomcom headquarters to be detroyed so Timmy has to break in to save his beloved zombie.
It's a clever story, like a boy and his dog, but with zombies and a lot of 1950's satire. And there are big chunks of the movie I liked a lot. The biggest problem was that while it felt like it was supposed to be a spoof of the 50's I wasn't sure what it was supposed to be spoofing. The Robinsons buy the zombie to keep up appearances, but there isn't really anything else about keeping up with the neighbors. A lot of the middle of the film (once Fido has killed and they are trying to keep it a secret) plays like the early Peter Jackson film, DEAD ALIVE, but that movie has a much tighter focus. And there isn't the clear social statement like in a movie like PLEASANTVILLE. And there weren't many real comedy bits like in SHAUN OF THE DEAD.
Overall it was okay. I liked boy and the zombie bonding and some of the play on the 50's, but it felt like there should have been more to the satire especially, which in the end made the film feel a little empty.
** SLIGHT RECOMMENDATION **
Movies I'd recommend more: for horror/comedy -- Evil Dead 2, Dead Alive (Peter Jackson), Toxic Avenger. For social comedy - Heathers...can't think of any others right now.
DC Presents: The Spectre (a review)
This is a short animated film (11 minutes) included on the Justice League:Crisis on Two Earths DVD (which I haven't seen but will try to soon). Written by Steve Niles (30 Dayes of Night) and produced by Bruce Timm.
The story: a Hollywood producer is killed in an explosion at his home. Jim Corrigan, a detective, takes an interest in the case. Meanwhile, the culprits are coming face to face with The Spectre, a supernatural entity that causes them all to be killed in retribution for what they have done. Finally, Jim goes to see the producer's daughter and confronts her for her part in her father's death. She tries to bribe him (run away with her), but when Corrigan refuses she shoots him. The bullets pass through him. Jim Corrigan is The Spectre. And finally she is killed for her part in the crime as well.
Wha--? There's just nothing here. You get a couple supernatural killings by Spectre and that's it. There's no motivation, no characterization, nothing. By the end I still didn't really know anything about the Spectre. And even the murder is nothing. There's no mystery of who did it, no clues -- nothing. Guy dies. Spectre just seems to know who did it and gets revenge. This was totally lame. I'll be watching a few more of these animated movies from DC and Marvel, but they better get better or I'll be done with them.
** LAME ***
Recommend instead: not a movie, but there are plenty of animted superhero series that are much better. The Batman, Batman: The Animated Series, Superman (90's), some of the Justice League are good. Plus there's always my fav -- Kim Possible!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Glee on Oprah!
The cast of Glee was on Oprah today! I love Glee! One of the two best shows on TV!
Here's the cast singing "Somebody To Love"
GLEE returns with new episodes April 14th after American Idol!
Here's the cast singing "Somebody To Love"
GLEE returns with new episodes April 14th after American Idol!
MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS (upcoming documentary)
A friend of mine and former writing teacher, Christopher Lockhart, has put together a documentary about the Freddy awards, an award show for high school musicals. No release date on the movie, but you can see the trailer HERE and find more info on their facebook page HERE.
**** DEFINITE RECOMMEND ****
I'M NO DUMMY (documentary) ** RECOMMEND ***
I'M NO DUMMY (documentary)
This a great new documentary made by a couple friends of mine, Bryan Simon and Marge Engesser. I first met them in a writing class at LA Valley College and later we were in a writing group together. They left to make this documentary. It's a labor of love, something they spent years putting together and financing themselves. It's so gratifying to see it finally come out. Great job!Word of mouth is important for a project like this, so PLEASE get the word out!
You can buy it from Amazon HERE
You can become a facebook friend HERE
And here are a couple clips --
Be sure to check it out.
*** DEFINITE RECOMMEND ****
Brad Stevens (coach of Butler) on LETTERMAN
Letterman is an alum of another Indiana school, Ball State, which leads to a funny offer...lotsof young jokes...
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