First of all, I just watched SuperSize Me and WOW! The movie is mind-blowing. I absolutely loved it and I now want to be healthier in what I eat! Me! Of course I just had Burger King, so go figure. Anyway, you must rent this movie, it is so good, so interesting, so crazy. McDonalds is crazy, people! The cool thing about the movie is that the guy is totally not a whack-job vegetarian nut, and he's really funny. Yes his girlfriend is a vegan chef, but the guy loves meat. And he even liked some of the stuff at McDonalds. So it's a pretty balanced viewpoint. Obesity is a problem in our country, and what we eat is a big deal. The stuff about school lunches was also an eye-opener. But just rent it ok? And don't forget to hit the deleted scenes and check out "the smoking fry". It will rock your world.
Now to the Oscars. Ugh. It was actually fine for the most part. Normal, I guess. A little boring in parts. A little shmaltzy. Beyonce was horrific. But I'm glad about the winners, for the most part. Jamie Foxx and Cate Blanchett deserved theirs more than anyone. And Charlie Kaufman won for the best movie of the year (in my opinion). Plus Clint is the man, and million dollar baby was worthy I suppose. The only HUGE letdowns were that Martin Scorcese was shut out...again (see Josh Gibbs' blog), and the afore-mentioned SuperSize Me didn't win. Oh well. Time for an abrupt ending to this entry.
What have I been watching and listening to lately? Well, I'm glad you asked.
TV
24 is the best TV show of all time. Now, I'm not talking sitcoms, because we all know that Seinfeld reigns supreme. I'm talking 1-hour television shows. Yes, it's only been on 4 seasons. But sheesh, how can one show continually, week after week, year after year, suprise the hell out of you? Kiefer is the man.
I'm with Josh Gibbs...I love the OC. Is it cheesy at times? Of course! Risque? You bet! Prime time soap opera? Heck yeah! But it's so fun to watch, I can't even believe it.
Reality TV is going down the tubes, but I have to admit, I absolutely am addicted to Survivor (still!) and The Apprentice. Jeff Probst is the best reality host bar none, and Trump, while consistently the most egotistical man on the planet, is a blast to watch! The guy is an animal! If you're in any kind of a business setting similar to that, you can really appreciate Trump's tireless tenacity.
Last but not least, Smallville. I love anything to do with Superman, so this is obviously one of my favorite shows. I think it's great that they're giving Clark such an extensive background. And Lex Luthor is the best fictional villain in the history of fictional villains. I love it!
How do I have time to watch all these shows with my crazy work schedule? One word: TIVO. Actually, we have generic tivo that came with our satellite dish. It's cheap (5 bucks a month) and it's the best thing ever. I suggest you look into it.
Movies
Jamie Foxx is the reincarnation of Ray Charles. He should and will win the Oscar, and not just because the critics say so. Because it's a fact. Leo was awesome, and so was the Aviator. But Jamie's the man.
It's hard to pick the best movie I've seen this year, or even lately. They all seem so bland these days. Nothing seems to stand out! If I had to pick, I'd probably say Collateral. It was moving, and very well made. Ray was also a tear-jerker, and the Aviator was excellent. Cate Blanchett was unbelieveable as Hepburn. Actually, if I had to pick one, it would be Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. That movie was unique, funny, heart-felt, sad, and brilliant, all at the same time. We also saw In Good Company (rent it, but good message and good performances) and Phantom of the Opera (worth seeing on the big screen -- Lacey loved it for obvious reasons). The biggest surprise has been Cellular. I expected to hate it, but it really built suspense well, and it was a fun ride and a good excercise in willing suspension of disbelief.
Music
Album of the year is FOR SURE Green Day, American Idiot. That disc is freakin' amazing!! I listen to it over and over and over. My next best has to be U2's new one, even though everyone has it, it's overplayed, and I lost it. After that, it's a toss-up. I'm in limbo. I'm married, so I can't spend a lot of money on CD's any more, but I get enough so I don't go mad. But that doesn't allow me to spout off about music and feel like an expert any more. I find myself more buying CD's that Lacey will like than anything, so I'll just blab about what I got and leave it at that. MY significant find was the soundtrack to Garden State, also a very good movie, that I forgot to mention above. The songs on the album are most excellent. I don't know how to explain it, they're just...groovy. I've discovered some new bands that I didn't have to buy new albums for. Next, I got Bonnie Raitt's greatest hits. Lacey loves her, and "I can't make you love me" is a fabulous song, so it was worth it. After that was the highlights of the original cast of Phantom of the Opera. Again, Lacey loves it, but the music is actually quite addicting! And Sarah Brightman...wow. And finally, I broke down and bought an album out of sentiment for my junior high days...Boyz II Men greatest hits. I know what you're thinking, Josh has finally cracked up, he's insane! But their harmonies are fantastic, and I just have so many memories wrapped up in those songs, I had to have it. GOSH, this is a long post, which reminds me of another movie I loved, Napoleon Dynamite. Hilarious.
Wow. It's been a while. So many things have happened since my last post. I don't even know where to begin. First of all, how do you change the personal information on this blog? I am nearing the ripe old age of 28, I got married, and I don't live in Monroe any more. That thing is so old, I can't even believe it. Second of all, I never have time to blog it seems. I am working 70 hours a week, and barely have time to live, let along blog. Not that anyone reads this thing anyway. And I know that's no excuse, I'm just trying to explain where I'm coming from here.
Ok, so, we moved to Springfield, Missouri. And for the most part, it's great. I love living in a place where there's more to do than go out to eat and see a movie. I was so tired of Monroe. Don't get me wrong, the church is great (despite the rumors). We had tons of friends and family, and that was like a big, warm blanket. Outside of that, however, Monroe is a fake. On the outside it seems like a thriving place to live, with lots going on. But on the inside, it's decaying. Businesses are moving. The government is corrupt (beyond even the norm of these days). Don't even get me started. Anyway, all that to say that we miss our friends desperately, and sometimes get lonely without that base of people to hang out with, but I think the good out-weighs the bad.
Ok, so we got a dog. Her name is Abbie (short for Abigail) and she is the cutest. She's half beagle and half miniature lab. We've had her for about a month now, and she's a lot of fun to have around. She is such a puppy. Running around full blast for an hour or so, then conking out, exhausted. And it's been good, because it's our first test as a married couple to get us ready for kids. Yes, I know, it's nowhere near the same thing. But it's a step in the right direction. It's weird getting used to having to worry about someone (or something) and it not just being "us" any more. And obviously kids will be a way way way WAY bigger deal, but I at least wanted to try our hands at having a pet, and then maybe we can think about starting a family:)
Ok, so we saw some movies and bought some CD's. But that's a different post.