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January 30, 2009

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

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Just came out on DVD, which means PPV soon, but I haven't bought a "real" DVD in over six months. Would kinda like to add another to my Woody Allen collection.

Any opinions about this sweeping story and spectacle across panoramic Europe?

in this year's cinematic clutter.

January 27, 2009

Look, it's Gandhi!

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Since most of America remains in a delusional state of blindness, he might as well go for it:

"In recent days, Blagojevich has compared himself to the hero of a Frank Capra movie and a cowboy being lynched for a crime he didn't commit. He said that when he was arrested on federal corruption charges, he took solace from thinking of other jailed leaders -- Nelson Mandela, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi."

What a jackass.

January 26, 2009

Bad Starts

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When one of these clogs during the brewing process, it can prove quite a strain.

January 25, 2009

Whatever

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Take it from a William Shatner parody fan, beauty contests are ridiculous.

January 24, 2009

Elena Dementieva

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while winning.

She just won't quit. Year after year, trying to get into just the right choking point.

My DVR is slaved to the Australian Open recently. All the ESPN and Tennis Channel HD stuff takes up every byte of my recording space.

Going to be tough next week not stumbling over news sites who tell me winners. Melbourne is 17 hours ahead of Houston.
That's a problem.

Brendan Fraser Talks to a Lamp

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offers an interesting slant on how CGI meets acting performance in modern movies.

We are at the cusp of tilting the scale to the director's imagination beyond simple background scenery or the occasional digital scene partner or transition effect.

Computer effects are so strong now, and getting stronger by the day, that virtual adjustment of real people can be done without detection, to enhance a particular expression or mood.

I'm wondering where this will all lead, and when a motion picture can produce a near complete sense of reality with people and surroundings, with hardly any genuine connection with the actors.

If so, obviously an element of human reality will be lost. If this next step fast modern editing techniques can fool eyes and ears, will perception also be open to manipulation? Remains to be seen.

January 21, 2009

Brette in Better Days

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When he carried the team.

This is for my sister-in-law because she thinks my tendency to post about gorgeous women, wry commentary optional, will drive doves away from my site quicker than a horn in Central Park.

The imagery just came to me.

So here is eye candy for the women, and it probably all evens out now, right?

Eventually things even out.

Okay, they never even out.

January 20, 2009

Mary Jane Watson

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Kirsten Dunst is not even really that pretty.

Stretch your imagination while I refine my skill for lying in a universe of azure eyes.

Mathematical geometry about her face, affecting me not in the slightest.

I sit here, cold and sober, and declare she looks like a human mouse.

And that, my friend, is why she earns $15 Million per film.

Mommy, I have to go to the bathroom

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Mom: "I told you to go before we left."

Girl: "I did!"

Dad: "Do you remember where we parked the car?"

Boy: "Who is Bruce Springsteen?"

Mom: "I forgot to tell the bridge club we won't be home before 2:00PM"

Girl: "I gotta go!"

Dad: "I'm almost sure I locked the car, wherever it is."

Boy: "I'm hungry."

Mom: "Wasn't that the loveliest scarf in the window?"

Girl: "How can you all be so calm?"

Dad: "I never thought Arizona would get to the Super bowl."

Boy: "Hey, look at those birds!"


January 19, 2009

Dinara Safina

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This kid is really strong. She's got "it."


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Just a guess this year as tennis season kicks off down under.

You try keeping up with that time zone.


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Relax girl.

Not like you have a whole nation on your back.

You can't just enjoy being a great athlete in a window of opportunity as narrow as Sarah Palin's favor with the press.





Dinara, you are way too intense over a calm cup of caffeine-enriched mocha. They give it to you for free if you show them your player's card.

The big "MO."

In a recent interview, Dinara was asked how she feels about her recent success.

She stared straight into the interrogator's eyes and clearly enunciated: "It's about time."

Okay then.



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If you don't speak Russian for this next piece, here is a chance to expand your education. :)

January 17, 2009

General Hospital = Curse of a Wasted Life

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productivity of American citizens by putting up FREE, complete episodes of soap operas on the internet.

I'm a rocket scientist. I don't need this.

Here is my story. Do not let it happen to you.

One Fall day in the year of our Lord 2006, I stumbled upon a commercial promo about "General Hospital," where Luke & Laura were returning for a reunion stint. This reminded me of college, when they were the biggest thing at The University of Texas since football. Girlfriends scheduled their classes around it. Group of boyfriends, huddled at the back end of the dormitory TV lounge area between 2PM-3PM Monday through Friday.

It was ridiculous. And we did it.

So anyway, I saw the promo in the year of our Lord 2006 and thought I would record and watch it.

FOR A FEW DAYS ONLY.

I did not like not knowing who all the clowns in the tent were. So I bookmarked the website, FOR ONLY A FEW DAYS.

Now here I am, rocket science fading with the Space Shuttle and a poor economy, glued to Emily's return, and regular chat buddy on Soapzone.


You never see them discussing the plunge of 401K retirement funds. Of course, he's rich and owns a castle, but that is beside the point.

All I can advise you is - take not the path less travelled. If an idle inclination strikes you, crush it with merciless haste.

Or you will end up like me. Last cup of coffee before the sun comes up, neglecting your dog, bereft of heavenly consolation, orchestrating technology to purposes far from sublime.



January 16, 2009

Dang the Luggage

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Even in New York City, apparently nobody caught the event live.

Pretty incredible, to land safely in the river like that without cracking up or plowing into a fleet of New Jersey ferries.


January 15, 2009

Jane Austen Commentary

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is probably the best kept devotional website to the original A&E miniseries and useful advice to many a young man in the world.

It runs about six hours on DVD, available everywhere. Much better than the condensed, though well-tried, movie version with Keira Knightly.

At length and yet with a combination of tight drama and loose elegance, this particular presentation caught gold from the novel. I find myself so interested in the subplots and "minor" characters that I sometimes forget what is really at stake with Elizabeth and Darcy.

That final scene with Lady Catherine-de-Berg is awesome (to employ a technical phrase).

Now on to the NFL playoffs, crushing heads in freezing weather.

Or more tech geek speak.

What is the Practical Limit?

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These massive Dubai building projects are seemingly out of control. The islands? Towers?

My question is, at some point, is it not impractical to get people up and down inside these buildings? How do the elevators work? Cable length/stress limits, etc. Or get off one, on another, multiple times?

I'd hate to be part of a fire drill.

January 13, 2009

Here We Go Gathering Nuts in January, Nuts in January...

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Moving along... lunch.

January 12, 2009

Um, no

FlyingCar.jpgI'll pass on this one, thanks.

January 10, 2009

"Streetcar Named Desire"

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Whenever I run across the prettiest girl on God's green earth, rocket science fizzles.


Rachel Weisz recently won the lead role to play Blanche DuBois on the London stage.

Snow White in a tale of despair, heartbreak of a once elegant woman losing her mind to crushing-cruel chalkdust ignorance and insensitivity.

That part is one of the fiercest challenges ever given up to an actress to dare play.

Lucky lap bunnies, and no, center rabbit has no inclination to give up prime position.

Doe is a happy camper, proud momma and poppa observing.


Flashback. Twenty-five years. 1984...



That English accent is powerful.



The blonde vs. brunette debate will never be over.

January 9, 2009

We Live in a "Progressive" Society

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Stephanie Courtney (aka "Flo")

This young lady must be selling a million insurance policies.

She has this strangely compelling appeal and allure.







Here's a stand-up routine I found from some time ago. 



Okay, yea. Hey look, have you tried that?


Love the commercials kid. Keep it up!


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Revolutionary Road

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I'm not sure I want to see a movie about disillusionment. There's enough of that going around as it is.

But at least Leo does not look like a kid with a grown woman anymore.

Kate Winslet is a superb actress.

DiCaprio? Verdict still out on Howard Hughs. (IMHO)

January 8, 2009

Shatner's Raw Nerve

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Captain Kirk has an interview talk show on the BIO channel.

This is why I love surfing the 200's on DirecTV, just to see what is there.

Very good Tim Allen appearance, great chat format. Check it out.

I must hand it to Shatner. He's always happy to make fun of himself since "Star Trek." Now on Boston Legal, after several series. Written many books. Now this show out of nowhere, never advertised that I have seen.

So we all look a little chubby after fifty. Sue us! (I'm speaking in the very NEAR future tense)

Rumor has it he still finds tribbles in glove compartments and such.

January 6, 2009

You Know U R Having a Bad Day When...

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