Well, I almost got Lacey to let me see The Rundown, but in the end I consented and we saw this one. But it was all good, because I got to see the all-new, 2 and a half minute Return of the King trailer, in all its Tinseltown glory. I had tears in my eyes. I can say, if it's even half as good as the trailer, it's going to be the movie of the year. You know the trailer is good, when the movie to come is almost a letdown compared to it. But we stayed, and I thought Secondhand Lions was rather decent. Undeniably well-made and well-acted, it was certainly hokey in parts, and tried too hard at times. But overall, it was a fun movie. Robert Duvall was, as always, brilliant. And it's fun to see Haley Joel Osment growing up. Looks like he's going to survive the child actor curse. My only complaint is that he seems to be trying too hard. Maybe it's because everyone's been telling him that he's a brilliant actor, so he wants to live up to that, so he overacts. Whatever it is, I think it'll iron itself out in the coming years. Anyways, I give the movie a solid rating. I laughed, I cared about the characters, and I liked the movie.
To me, it's a good idea to always carry two sacks of something when you walk around. That way, if anybody says, "Hey, can you give me a hand?" You can say, "Sorry, got these sacks."
Dave Matthews' first solo album (I guess he didn't get enough recognition in the DAVE MATTHEWS band), Some Devil, arrives in stores today. Should be good.
Norah Jones' Come Away With Me has now become one of my favorite CD's in my entire collection. Beautiful.
I listened to The Eagles Greatest Hits Volume 2 again the other day for the first time in a while. Man, is it good. Wish I could see them on tour...if only tickets weren't a MILLION DOLLARS APIECE!
As I delve further into Audioslave's first album (the Chris Cornell/Rage mix) I realize how good it really is.
I've been a sucker for sappy radio songs lately. 3 Doors Down and Staind have soft rockers that are in high rotation right now, Without You and So Far Away respectively, that I listen to and (unfortunately) love as much as I can get them.
Wow. It's amazing how few movies I watch these days, compared to the past few years. I used to crave seeing all the new releases (theater and video) and now I just don't even care that much. Maybe I'm getting old. Don't get me wrong, I still love movies. I just never seem to have the time or money for them. And even then, they just don't seem to matter any more. The last movie I saw was Once Upon a Time in Mexico. It was pretty decent, but nothing special. That kind of defines the movies I've seen in the past month. Desperado, while not as flashy or stylish, was better anyways. Lacey and I were going to see Matchstick Men, but then I realized, why would we need to see it in the theater, when we can just rent it down the road? It's cheaper, and I'm just not that excited about it (has anyone seen it by the way? it is worth our time and money?). Then I realized, the only movie I am excited about seeing in the next couple weeks is Secondhand Lions, and that's only because the all-new Return of the King trailer is attached to it. Plus, I love Robert Duvall. I don't know, maybe I'm just grumpy about beeing so busy. I still have a deep love of movies, I'm just kind of in a rut. I guess there are School of Rock, with Jack Black, Matrix Revolutions, and ROTK coming. Perhaps that will get me back into the swing of things. I really just need to go see a great movie in the theater or on video that I haven't seen yet...I hope one is coming, but I'm not holding my breath.
If I had a mine shaft, I don't think I would just abandon it. There's got to be a better way.
I think there should be something in science called the "reindeer effect." I don't know what it would be, but I think it'd be good to hear someone say, "Gentlemen, what we have here is a terrifying example of the reindeer effect."
1. If you could take a job as a movie critic that paid less than you teaching job, would you take the critic job or keep on teaching? Why?
I would keep teaching, even if the movie job was MORE money. This one is easy. First of all, I am not a very good writer, and I'd find it difficult to keep the reviews fresh and interesting. Second, I would have to watch too much crap. And third, I love teaching, it is extremely rewarding.
2. The Godfather is your favorite movie. Why?
I have a review of it in my archives from blogger. I could write a paper about why this is the finest movie ever made, from the cast, to the dialogue, to the soundtrack, to the style, etc. etc. But I guess the main reason is that it is so interwoven with themes like family, and honor. The mafia, for all it shortfalls (such as crime:)), gets those things right. Plus Al Pacino and Marlon Brando playing off one another? Come on!
3. What is your favorite personality trait of Lacey's?
Wow. This is a tough question. I could write a book about everything I love about Lacey. I would have to say though that number one is her sweetness. Lacey has the ability to turn any situation, bad or good, into the best of times, and it's this positive outlook, and ability to be nice to everyone (and make it real...some people are fake, and it's annoying, but not Lacey) that drew her to me. I have the uncanny ability to always be melancholy, and Lacey has changed me in this way. You can't help but have a good time when you are around her. She makes everyone feel special somehow.
4. What was the best thing you learned from living in Moscow?
What it is like to have a solid group of Christian friends. I never had that before. The accountability, comeraderie, and good times are second to none. I loved those years in Moscow, precisely because of the people.
5. What do you miss the most about Indiana/living close to your family?
Really what I miss, is just seeing them. I never get to see Joel, or my sister and brother-in-law, or spend time with my parents. That plus the fact that they can't spend time with Lacey and I, so they can't get to know her, is really a bummer sometimes. Otherwise, I really love Monroe.
::If you woud like to participate too, here are your instructions:
1. Leave me a comment saying “interview me.”
2. I will respond by asking you five questions (not the same as you see here).
3. You will update your blog/site with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
And the cycle continues, on and on and on...
I'll warn you now: it's easier said than done.::
As expected, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel today (Sept. 9) unveiled plans for their first major concert tour since 1983, due to kick off Oct. 18
Unfortunately for us here in the south, the closest they are coming is Atlanta and Tampa. They aren't even going to Texas! Well, I guess there is always hope for some add-on dates.
Any man, in the right situation, is capable of murder. But not any man is capable of being a good camper. So, murder and camping are not as similar as you might think.
Here's a good trick: Get a job as a judge at the Olympics. Then, if some guy sets a world record, pretend that you didn't see it and go, "Okay, is everybody ready to start now?".
Deep into season 2 of 24, I haven't watched a movie in a while. Well, last night that string was broken, as Thomas brought Bulletproof Monk over for Remy, Bethany and I. I was hopeful that some good action, and some good laughs would ensue, since Sean William Scott is hilarious, and Chow Yun Fat can martial arts-it with the best of them. However, I got none of it. This is one distinctly awful movie. The dialogue is terrible, the action is fake, and the performances are half-hearted at best. Even the soundtrack sucked. I mean, Christin left 30 minutes into it, and Thomas fell asleep before that. Get a load of this: going into the final battle scene, the female lead turned directly to Stifler and literally said, "If we don't make it out of this, that would really suck." Even I, an admitted bad writer, can out-do that dialogue. So if you are looking for a movie some time, please overlook this one, and don't waste your time. Just another public service announcement from your good old Uncle Josh.
Well, it's Lacey's 21st birthday today. So if you see her, email her, call her, or anything else, make sure you wish her HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! And if you're in the area and you want to come out with us tonight, we'll be at Chilis at 7:00. Come one, come all.
Toby has inspired me. It's time for Uncle Josh's Top Ten of the summer list:
10.Coaching Jr. Hi Football
9.Duane's pulpiteering (even though I missed the latest one)
t-8.Pirates of the Caribbean + The Matrix Reloaded
6.Fantasy Baseball
5.Bray's visit (or as Christin likes to call it, the month-long party)
4.Jack Johnson: On and On
3.Ephesians
2.Road-tripping with Lacey (Indiana, Dallas)
1.Getting the ok from Mr. Rockett to court Lacey
Lacey and I have started season 2 of 24, and we are 8 episodes deep into it. I have to say, and I know everyone says this, but season 2 is even better than the first. I didn't think they could top the first season, but they've done it. Every ending to each episode is better than the previous one. It's amazing. I don't know who is writing for this show, but they deserve some kind of bonus. I can't wait for the third season to start, and I haven't even finished the second one! I remember talking to Remy a long time ago about how this was such a good idea for a TV show. Well, unlike most "good ideas", this one has delivered. 24 is one of the best TV shows I have ever seen. Way to go Kiefer.
When the chairman introduced the guest speaker as a former illegal alien, I got up from my chair and yelled, "What's the matter, no jobs on Mars?" When no one laughed, I was real embarrassed. I don't think people should make you feel that way.