Saturday, October 24, 2009
Ghouls and Guitars
Oklahoma City's increasingly popular Ghouls Gone Wild parade was tonight and I was glad we were able to make it. Well, part of it anyway. The parade started at 7pm and we had something else to do at 8pm, but I think we got a pretty good sampling of the event this year. We learned a lot and will be much better prepared to see more of the show from the right location next year.
Being dark out, most of my pictures did not come out well. But here are a few that did or mostly did, along with a decent video clip.
After we left "GGW", we went to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, which has a VERY nice single-screen theater for independent film showings, to see "It Might Get Loud", which was a GREAT film. The timing was particularly nice because less than a week ago I had gone to a U2 concert, and this film featured the band's "The Edge". If you love rock and roll like I do, particularly guitar rock, you should not miss this film. If you're in the OKC area, you can still catch this show tomorrow at the OKC MOA.
Being dark out, most of my pictures did not come out well. But here are a few that did or mostly did, along with a decent video clip.
After we left "GGW", we went to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, which has a VERY nice single-screen theater for independent film showings, to see "It Might Get Loud", which was a GREAT film. The timing was particularly nice because less than a week ago I had gone to a U2 concert, and this film featured the band's "The Edge". If you love rock and roll like I do, particularly guitar rock, you should not miss this film. If you're in the OKC area, you can still catch this show tomorrow at the OKC MOA.
Labels: holiday, movies, OKC, opinion, review
Friday, October 16, 2009
Scanning My Insides
This is my new friend, Charlene.
Okay, so it's just a CT scanner, but I figure something so personal that it requires me to take my pants down to get a good look at my insides ought to be named. I'm having some technical difficulties that will not be gone into here. But a few months ago I got an ultrasound, which didn't determine anything, so this time the doc upped the ante with Charlene here. Results are pending.
--
This evening I saw Law Abiding Citizen, which did its job well as a thriller, though doing so with some graphic scenes throughout. I was pleasantly surprised that the film took place in Philadelphia, allowing me to catch some familiar glimpses of home. Considering the gripping nature of the film in general, the ending was a little flat, but I'm not sure I could recommend a better approach. For you ladies that are Gerard Butler (or G-Butts as Jimmy Fallon would say) fans and maybe on the fence about this movie, there is a "butt shot" of G-Butts early in movie. Personally, I could have done without that.
Okay, so it's just a CT scanner, but I figure something so personal that it requires me to take my pants down to get a good look at my insides ought to be named. I'm having some technical difficulties that will not be gone into here. But a few months ago I got an ultrasound, which didn't determine anything, so this time the doc upped the ante with Charlene here. Results are pending.
--
This evening I saw Law Abiding Citizen, which did its job well as a thriller, though doing so with some graphic scenes throughout. I was pleasantly surprised that the film took place in Philadelphia, allowing me to catch some familiar glimpses of home. Considering the gripping nature of the film in general, the ending was a little flat, but I'm not sure I could recommend a better approach. For you ladies that are Gerard Butler (or G-Butts as Jimmy Fallon would say) fans and maybe on the fence about this movie, there is a "butt shot" of G-Butts early in movie. Personally, I could have done without that.
Labels: movies, opinion, Philadelphia, review, Shawn
Monday, September 07, 2009
Laborous Weekend
The girls and I had a packed Labor Day weekend, beginning Friday with a trip to the drive-in theater to see G-Force, followed Saturday by a day trip to the Wichita Mountains for a little rock climbing and hiking. The family album has been updated with a few additional pictures from the day trip, but this one is my favorite. The girls looking out over the valley, in quite reflection and relief that they had finally made it to the top (it was a much tougher hike than they expected).
Sunday and Monday we helped good friends move, which doesn't sound like much fun, but we had a pretty good time.
Sunday and Monday we helped good friends move, which doesn't sound like much fun, but we had a pretty good time.
Labels: movies, pictures, trip, Wichita Mountains
Thursday, August 06, 2009
John Hughes you're my hero
Two movie makers most defined key aspects of my youth (Cameron Crowe being the other). They could always be counted on to properly bring context to the world I was attempting to discern. And if all else failed their work was the comfort I sought when that world was otherwise overwhelming. Thus, I am deeply wounded by the loss of one of the pillars of my generation's cultural standard. A hero of my imagination. A savior of my very sanity.
Mr. Hughes you shall be missed. But we will remember you often. And with gusto.
Mr. Hughes you shall be missed. But we will remember you often. And with gusto.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter Weekend Activities
It was a VERY busy weekend. Here are some partially representative pics. Saturday morning we went to the zoo, and it was amazingly beautiful. Just about the most perfect kind of day for the zoo. Crystal clear. Mid-sixties. Gentle breeze. I miss it already.
We could only stay a few hours at the zoo, though, as we had an Easter Egg Hunt. I was almost a bad parent in that we nearly missed the Egg Hunt, but we did make it in time. Barely. Okay, it started already, but we got some eggs, alright? Gimmie a break. Besides, the oldest decided en route that she was too old for egg hunts. And the youngest was satisfied with her booty. So, mission accomplished as far as I'm concerned.
After the Easter Egg Hunt we had a gathering at a friend's for some good times and an Easter... turkey? Sure, why not. It was very tasty. So much so that the youngest devoured a turkey leg the size of her head. And yes, she did finish it.
While somewhat displeasing on this holiday weekend, we also had softball practice. Daughter #1 was happy to receive her team hoodie. Mostly because it got chilly. Did I mention she hit me in the head with a softball? By accident she says, but I'm not buying it. It happened WAY too soon after I criticized her technique.
After softball we went back to our friend's where the celebrations continued until about midnight. Oh, and all of that was just Saturday.
Sunday was pretty traditional. Mass in the morning. Family meal in the afternoon. Laundry in the evening. Topped off with some Marley and Me. The girls were dying to see that movie and we missed it in the theater. Pretty sad stuff, but does it top the Turner and Hooch of my youth? Tough to say. Probably it does in some ways. But Hooch didn't live a full life. I think maybe that gets more tears. Though I must say, Marley gets points for having scenes in Philadelphia.
That's it for me. I'm exhausted. Happy Easter.
Labels: holiday, movies, opinion, review, softball, zoo
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Cruz-in to Witch Mountain
The girls and I attended a private dinner/function which included a nice set by Edgar Cruz. Afterward I took them to see Race to Witch Mountain, which was pretty entertaining, and highly recommended for tween parents everywhere.
Labels: movies, opinion, review
Friday, May 02, 2008
I AM Iron Man
No, I'M not Iron Man. That's a quote from the movie.
If you're a movie-goer and there's one flick you're going to see this month, you're definitely going to have a hard time picking given some of the titles getting a jump on Summer, BUT I can tell you your choice will not be unwise should you go with Iron Man. Sure, it's a superhero movie and so no masterpiece of American culture. But it's a kick butt superhero movie if ever there was one, so you'll not be disappointed. Yes, it's up there with Spiderman 2, Batman Begins, Superman Returns, etc.
Probably the nicest thing about this movie is the fact that they spent SO much time on character development. Well, with the Tony Stark character anyway. At least the first hour of the two-hour plus movie was strictly character development. Of the remaining hour, probably half that was "becoming Iron Man", which builds on the initial character development, followed by the last half hour which is pretty much the big battle scene between hero and villain.
There was plenty of good humor, and I was very pleased with Robert Downey, Jr's interpretation of Tony Stark, which I was nervous about to be quite honest. He pulled it off nicely and I hope he keeps himself together to do so again for the obvious sequels and spin-offs that will occur in the coming years.
Spin-off you say? Well, if you weren't fortunate enough to get a potty break before the movie was over (the projector broke with ten minutes left during my screening... sure it was sucky, but I got to relieve myself and enjoy the final minutes of the film with a clear head... ahem, and bladder), and you rushed out of the theater upon the first hint of a credit, then you missed out. There's a VERY enticing closing scene AFTER all the credits roll. If you missed it, you either need to pay up to go see Iron Man again (which wouldn't be a bad thing, by the way), OR you should sneak into a theater showing Iron Man when people start leaving (at the credits) just to catch the closing scene. It's not like you hadn't technically already paid to see that scene previously.
Anyway, thumbs up from me. Go see it in the theater. Go buy the DVD for your library when it becomes available. Eagerly await the sequels. You know you want to.
(I'd add go buy the soundtrack but it's mostly classic heavy metal songs [duh] you SHOULD already have in your music collection anyway)
If you're a movie-goer and there's one flick you're going to see this month, you're definitely going to have a hard time picking given some of the titles getting a jump on Summer, BUT I can tell you your choice will not be unwise should you go with Iron Man. Sure, it's a superhero movie and so no masterpiece of American culture. But it's a kick butt superhero movie if ever there was one, so you'll not be disappointed. Yes, it's up there with Spiderman 2, Batman Begins, Superman Returns, etc.
Probably the nicest thing about this movie is the fact that they spent SO much time on character development. Well, with the Tony Stark character anyway. At least the first hour of the two-hour plus movie was strictly character development. Of the remaining hour, probably half that was "becoming Iron Man", which builds on the initial character development, followed by the last half hour which is pretty much the big battle scene between hero and villain.
There was plenty of good humor, and I was very pleased with Robert Downey, Jr's interpretation of Tony Stark, which I was nervous about to be quite honest. He pulled it off nicely and I hope he keeps himself together to do so again for the obvious sequels and spin-offs that will occur in the coming years.
Spin-off you say? Well, if you weren't fortunate enough to get a potty break before the movie was over (the projector broke with ten minutes left during my screening... sure it was sucky, but I got to relieve myself and enjoy the final minutes of the film with a clear head... ahem, and bladder), and you rushed out of the theater upon the first hint of a credit, then you missed out. There's a VERY enticing closing scene AFTER all the credits roll. If you missed it, you either need to pay up to go see Iron Man again (which wouldn't be a bad thing, by the way), OR you should sneak into a theater showing Iron Man when people start leaving (at the credits) just to catch the closing scene. It's not like you hadn't technically already paid to see that scene previously.
Anyway, thumbs up from me. Go see it in the theater. Go buy the DVD for your library when it becomes available. Eagerly await the sequels. You know you want to.
(I'd add go buy the soundtrack but it's mostly classic heavy metal songs [duh] you SHOULD already have in your music collection anyway)
Labels: movies, opinion, review
Saturday, April 05, 2008
21 (and invincible)
Saw the movie "21" Friday night. Quite entertaining. A bit predictable, but entertaining. Not sure it was worth bursting my bladder and kidneys, but it's worth viewing if you're on the fence about it. If my dismal review is not enough for you, I have two words for you... Kate Bosworth.
Have fun. :)
Have fun. :)
Labels: movies, opinion, review
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
DISCLAIMER:
Principally intended for use by our friends and families, our news blog is sometimes a record of our memorable family moments, sometimes a place for me to rant about something or other (usually inconsequential), and periodically I simply wax satirical for no apparent reason. By reading these accounts, you agree not to be offended, and not to use this information against us in any way, including for legal prosecution, because for all you know, it could all be made up. :-)
