A Return - Film, Vikings, Postseason Baseball, and UFC

So it seems like it has been ages since I wrote a post. I have just been so busy with school and running around watching films and what not.  I have seen many films this last week including Ninja Assassin, The Alphabet Killer, Where the Wild Things Are, Jackass 2, among many other films. Ninja Assassin was done very similar to Quentin Tarantino films because it was ridiculously over the top and bloody, the only difference is that it does not have the large amount of dialog that Tarantino films have. The Alphabet Killer was based on a true story that was kind of similar to A Beautiful Mind, but not nearly on the same level. The story was great, but the acting and lighting of the film marked it down in my opinion. Eliza Dushku starred in that film and it just seems as though she was trying to show her acting abilities, but failed miserably. Where the Wild Things Are was a huge disappointment. Spike Jonze camera work was good, but moved around too much at times. The story however was too dull, it lacked any plot that would indulge the viewer. I thought it was an awesome idea to make that book into a film, but I guess its too much to as to turn a 30-something page children's book into a full length film. Jackass 2 I had seen before and enjoyed for pure dumb pleasure. I watched it in honor of the release of Jackass 3-D which was released this past weekend. Other than that in my life, I figured I would either be Daniel Tosh of Tosh.o or Mr.Rogers, either way I will be representing a cardigan. In the world of sports, the Vikings won, convincing at times, but what seemed like that failure of the Cowboys during the rest. The Rangers went up 2-1 on the Yankees which is awesome. The Giants stunned Halladay and the Phillies in game 1 of the NLCS, but the Phils rebounded in game 2, so the series is currently tied at one apiece. This weekend Brock Lesnar defends his heavyweight belt in the UFC against Cain Velasquez. The fight I can imagine will be fun to watch, but I will say that Lesnar wins by TKO in the first round of the contest. Lesnar showed in his last title defense fight that he can sub-miss an opponent so he has come full circle as a MMA artist. However, I still do predict the fight to end by TKO in the first round. Well it will be interesting to watch, but we will have to wait to see it. Paranormal Activity 2 will be released Thursday night this week. I am looking forward to a cheap scare even though I believe this time around, the production had A LOT more money to deal with unlike the $10,000 budget and one week film period of the original. Well that seems to be a lot to share for the evening so so long to all, may your dreams come true.

Also- looking for a new phase to end with, make suggestions please

Twins, Moss, and a little Dexter...

So let's see hear. A lot has happened in the world of sports since I last wrote. The Twins lost to the Yankees which was terrible. I can't stand the Yankees. All they do is buy their talent while the Twins are considered of homegrown talent. This was such an amazing opportunity for the Twins who made large commitments to this season's run with the signing of Jim Thome and Orlando Hudson and then acquiring Matt Capps and Brian Fuentes mid season. It's a shame to see the season end, however there are a few bright spots. I believe Danny Valencia has solidified third base going into spring training, the starting rotation looks solid with Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn, and Brian Duensing all for sure returners, and hopefully Carl Pavano is re-signed. Two potential downfalls are the probably departure of Jim Thome due to retirement and a likely scenario that Orlando Hudson leaves via free agency and Carl Pavano also likely to get nice offers going elsewhere. Plus the re-addition of Justin Morneau back to lineup pending he makes a full recovery from the post-concussion syndrome he is suffering from. Joe Nathan will also be returning to the closing role. The Twins could also expect to see a payroll around 100 million again. So that is what the Twins are looking like. Tonight was the return of Randy Moss to Minnesota. He was pretty quite during the first half, but that was in part because Brett Favre was off in the first half. The second half was a different story when Favre hooked up with Moss for their first touchdown connection as well as Favre's 500th career touchdown pass. Moss also made some more catches throughout the rest of the game, but ultimately the Vikings lost to missed opportunities in the last drive. That is the Vikings portion. Next is the entertainment. Last night was Dexter. It was another phenomenal episode that showed some more that Dexter truly has human characteristics and that it is through fatherhood that it is being revealed. I don't want to give much away. Well so long to all, may your dreams come true.

YouTube

YouTube had to be the greatest invention of the internet ever. I know there are probably plenty of men out there who would disagree and I guess I should women also would disagree too. You know what I'm referring to, so no need to actually say it. There are just times in life, when it feels great to watch video after video after video on YouTube. I find myself doing it quite frequently. The funny videos are fun to watch, but I love to see music videos online because after seeing Spike Jonze's work, I could see myself starting in music videos. I also love seeing people's personal videos to songs. The wedding dance song/video has been probably become the unofficial official video of Chris Brown's Forever. It is fun to watch these live, and independent videos. Artists who are not necessarily pop culture icons are also fun to watch. I've been going between Zero 7, Joshua Radin, and The Shins music videos. They're fun to watch and see what the music is trying to convey. These artists all have something to say. Most of their stuff is powerful and a more peaceful level. Its soothing to listen to songs that are mellow, but are full of character. Another band who I enjoy watching music videos for is OK GO because they have basically become YouTube favorites since the treadmill dance video to their song Here we Go Again. They have this fascinating video that goes through this large array of obstacles, and it is fun to see where they edited the video and the creative minds they have. Ok so as my mind wanders and I continue to view videos as I write this I strongly suggest looking into Joshua Radin. He has a very interesting path to stardom thanks in part to Zach Braff and the Cary Brothers. Scrubs launched his career after they inserted his song Winter, which was the first song he ever wrote about an ex-girlfriend, into an episode of the show. I, among many others, may say that this song creates the saddest moment on the show. It is a funny show. Respect it for the fact that it is a single camera comedy. So each shot seen is essentially a different take, sort of. Bill Lawrence did a great job creating the show. It would be so interesting to work with him. Well this plenty long so so long to all, may your dreams come true.

Why, why, why?

Why Twins why? Down 2-0, not good. I have faith in a comeback, much like Boston's 2004 Comeback against them. Good to note about that is the Red Sox went on to win the world series. So that is where the Twins are headed. Have faith! Well besides that disappointment, I watched The Hunt for Red October which was a phenomenal movie. Sean Connery was superb and Alec Baldwin actually acted well in a film. The action and suspense throughout the movie lead to a large built, but great ending. I also watched this years When in Rome starring Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel. I half heartedly enjoyed that film. It was a romantic comedy that was very much predictable and cliche story but enjoyable if a soft mood. Dax Sheppard also co starred in the film, but it seemed as though his character was only part of the story because in real life he is engaged to Kristen Bell. So here are two good movies, one should be taken seriously while the other, not so much. Well so long to all, may your dreams come true.

In the Waiting Line

"Everyone's saying different things to me, Different things to me, Everyone's saying different things to me, Different things to me. Do you believe, In what you see, There doesn't seem to be anybody else who agrees with me"- Zero 7. This is a phenomenal song and I can't help but listen to it on repeat. I learned of the song from the Garden State soundtrack. The song has a unique sound in my opinion of the lead singers voice, paralleled with the sound of the piano and guitar. Listen to it. The music video is a very artistic video, so if your someone who appreciates the art side of film, watch it. Does it ever cross any viewers mind that you decide your life as if it were a film? I find it so interesting that there are many times when I see my life played out as a film. There are times when things that are happening seem to relate to a film I've seen so I try to handle it in a similar fashion if it is a decent outcome or completely different for the negative outcomes. This may be unique to me and other film aficionados, but I could imagine this is common to everyone. People dream, and in many cases, dreams come from things seen, heard, or read. I guess this has been on my mind all day and thought it was worth sharing and wondering if other people felt this way too. Well this is what I have for now. So long to all, may your dreams come true. 

Weapon of Choice

Weapon of Choice by Fatboy Slim. I honestly don't listen to the music, I just watch the music video. It is awesome. Christopher Walken stars and does a phenomenally casual, but hilarious job. The video was directed by Spike Jonze, who now suddenly has become one of my favorite music video directors. He just really embraces the concept of what essentially is a musical. He directs Weezer's video for Buddy Holly which also amazing in totally different regard. The use of past and present is a unique touch. Today I have not felt any words of wisdom to pass forth. My day was spent methodically in front of a computer typing paper after paper.Well that is all I can think of for now, I probably won't sleep so I'll come on and critique some films and music. Well so long to all, may your dreams come true.

Regardless of perfect someone may seem, everyone has their flaws. Can you embrace that?

Cycle

Two wise men once said, "Not everything means something, but something could be everything, and everything may mean nothing, but if everything meant nothing, it wouldn't be something.... and the cycle continues." This was a conversation I had today with a friend. It probably has been said before, but this is the first time I dealt with it. The beginning of the quote was a realization of mine when I was just watching movies, and thinking about life. I've had this idea that everything meant something, but it is not a good way to live life. It causes someone to think WAY TOO MUCH! Which is not good at all, and ends mind numbing results. It is just interesting. Today I watched two films that were deep and in depth in their own ways. I watched A History of Violence. In that, the two personalities form the one person. One is always present, but the other one is present in blood. That is when he comes to life, which is much like Dexter, because as he always says, he was born in blood. The film overall was great. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone. The next film I watched was Garden State. I love that film because of richness in the story. It is a very strong story on a deep emotional level. Zach Braff wrote, directed, starred in, and chose the music for this film. He won best new director at a film festival as well as won an award for music. The story is of a character coming to life after 18 years of being numb. That sounds odd, but it makes sense when the film is viewed. The camera work is very provocative. It reveals a lot about the story, while adding to the underlying layers. I really enjoy this movie, and would highly recommend it to others. There is one quote from the film that had a gratifying effect. "If you can't laugh at yourself, life's gonna take a whole lot longer than you'd like it." This is true. Quickly something about Dexter... WATCH IT. It is amazing. The new season is unreal and Michael C. Hall definitely win an award for his acting this season. The character is feeling and dealing with many things he is not used to, and it is just amazing to see it on TV. It's just an amazing show. Well I guess tonight's post was strictly critiques of films. Hope you enjoyed it. Well so long to all, may your dreams come true.