We went to see We Own the Night tonight. Heather only had to pay for one adult as the baby's still living in her belly. Good thing too because it's an R-rated (Restricted) movie which means that people under the age of zero are not allowed in.
We Own the Night centres around 1980's nightclub manager Bobby Green (Joaquin Phoenix) who harbours the secret that he is both brother and son to two of New York's finest (Mark Wahlberg and Robert Duval respectively).
When the crime-fighting duo attempt to enlist Bobby's help to uncover a smuggling operation which involves one of his regulars, a predictable conflict of interest arises. Fortunately, this doesn't define the movie. Likewise the relationship between the two brothers does not smack of the yin and yang symmetry of The Departed. These were my worries going into the theatre. I should instead have worried about what would replace them as the story's hook.
It almost seems as if writer/director James Gray spends his time trying to avoid glaring clichés. Generally he succeeds and there are some nice touches such as the ringing ears accompanying gunshots and a thrilling - yet eerily quiet - car chase through rainy city streets.
Phoenix has a knack for playing characters on the brink of insanity in a suitably unsettling way. In this film, armed with a wobbly-cam(tm) and a bottle of spray-on sweat, he keeps the audience on-side as an unlikely hero who knows he's completely out of his depth. The rest of the star-studded cast compliments this with understated performances including Eva Mendes as Bobby's remarkably sympathetic girlfriend.
Ultimately, the film rolls from it's beginning to it's end without ever really leaving a lasting imprint. If you need the see every example of the current wave of cops 'n' gangsters films doing the rounds, this one's well worth your while. If you don't, it isn't.
Showing posts with label cinema. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cinema. Show all posts
Sunday, 14 October 2007
Wednesday, 29 August 2007
Funny Films
I saw a funny film yesterday and a totally different funny film the day before. It's like the opposite of déjà vu only it's real!
On Monday we finally made it to see Superbad. I've now seen three films this year with Seth Rogen in the acting and producing credits. He really needs to put his feet up, buy an island somewhere and give somebody else a go.
Superbad passes the comedy test. I laughed out loud for most of the film, despite a slow beginning which I just assumed was a fast beginning to an unfunny movie. Ostensibly, it's a buddy film about two desperate virgins about to graduate from high-school and head off to separate colleges. Their plans to get laid involve acquiring alcohol which in turn involves their even bigger loser friend, Fogell and his brand-new fake id.
Fogell enters a liqueur store with $100 dollars and a shopping list and out comes the best what-if comedy situation I've seen in a in a long, long time. I'll leave it at that. Very funny.
Yesterday we made it to the Camelview 5 which is a special place where Harkins hides all the films that aren't very profitable just in case it's infectious. It was the only place in the valley - possibly in Arizona - showing Death at a Funeral, a British comedy that should be easier to sum up.
It's basically a carefully crafted English farce with all the appropriate ingredients: an emotionally incompetent family full of sparring siblings, grumpy, judgemental patriarchs and general fuck-ups all reunite for a stressful social situation they'd rather avoid. But while there's plenty of dashing about, misdirection of vicars and the obligatory manhandling of dead bodies, there are also some satisfyingly adult touches such as hard drugs, blackmailing dwarfs and our old friend, 'you've missed a bit.'
I won't say what it's a bit of. It could put you off seeing it and that would be a shame. (If you can find it that is.)
On Monday we finally made it to see Superbad. I've now seen three films this year with Seth Rogen in the acting and producing credits. He really needs to put his feet up, buy an island somewhere and give somebody else a go.
Superbad passes the comedy test. I laughed out loud for most of the film, despite a slow beginning which I just assumed was a fast beginning to an unfunny movie. Ostensibly, it's a buddy film about two desperate virgins about to graduate from high-school and head off to separate colleges. Their plans to get laid involve acquiring alcohol which in turn involves their even bigger loser friend, Fogell and his brand-new fake id.
Fogell enters a liqueur store with $100 dollars and a shopping list and out comes the best what-if comedy situation I've seen in a in a long, long time. I'll leave it at that. Very funny.
Yesterday we made it to the Camelview 5 which is a special place where Harkins hides all the films that aren't very profitable just in case it's infectious. It was the only place in the valley - possibly in Arizona - showing Death at a Funeral, a British comedy that should be easier to sum up.
It's basically a carefully crafted English farce with all the appropriate ingredients: an emotionally incompetent family full of sparring siblings, grumpy, judgemental patriarchs and general fuck-ups all reunite for a stressful social situation they'd rather avoid. But while there's plenty of dashing about, misdirection of vicars and the obligatory manhandling of dead bodies, there are also some satisfyingly adult touches such as hard drugs, blackmailing dwarfs and our old friend, 'you've missed a bit.'
I won't say what it's a bit of. It could put you off seeing it and that would be a shame. (If you can find it that is.)
Monday, 20 August 2007
Heather's Baby Shower
We've been in Prescott since Wednesday when I got a nasty case of drink poisoning which knocked me out for a day or two. Fortunately I recovered by Saturday for the Baby Shower!
As you can see, it was a non-traditional, men-and-children-invited baby shower. Fortunately there was lots of beer so the kids weren't too much trouble.
I've no idea if baby showers are just an American thing or not. I certainly didn't hear of them until I got here. Basically everybody gives a first-time mother baby stuff. We got tonnes of stuff - much of which is genuinely useful. The rest is stuff that makes Heather and the other mothers go 'Aaaaaahh' a lot.
We're heading back to the valley early tomorrow with most of our new toys. Jim and Daniel are coming to visit in a week or so with whatever we couldn't fit in the car. A batch of new movies came out last Friday and with any luck, they'll push Harry Potter out of the listings so we can go see it with them in IMAX.
In other news, the job hunting is really picking up pace now, with on-site interviews and everything. That's a big deal 'cos everywhere is so far away here.
And finally, here's proof that mum will do anything for a bottle of bubbly (in case you needed it):
As you can see, it was a non-traditional, men-and-children-invited baby shower. Fortunately there was lots of beer so the kids weren't too much trouble.
I've no idea if baby showers are just an American thing or not. I certainly didn't hear of them until I got here. Basically everybody gives a first-time mother baby stuff. We got tonnes of stuff - much of which is genuinely useful. The rest is stuff that makes Heather and the other mothers go 'Aaaaaahh' a lot.
We're heading back to the valley early tomorrow with most of our new toys. Jim and Daniel are coming to visit in a week or so with whatever we couldn't fit in the car. A batch of new movies came out last Friday and with any luck, they'll push Harry Potter out of the listings so we can go see it with them in IMAX.
In other news, the job hunting is really picking up pace now, with on-site interviews and everything. That's a big deal 'cos everywhere is so far away here.
And finally, here's proof that mum will do anything for a bottle of bubbly (in case you needed it):
Thursday, 2 August 2007
Only In Your Super Soaraway Sun!
Today we got our fix of new films at the local Harkins cinemaplex. It's like Odious cinemas in the UK except it's just as naff. In fact the only difference is that the food and drinks are a rip-off at both venues.
Top of the list of films I want to see is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The dilemma is that it's available in 3d IMAX. There's an IMAX theatre right next door to Harkins but they have an agreement not to show the same films. This means that I've got to wait until the Harkins stops showing the crappy version before I get to see it in all its glory.
There's another cinema on the other side of Phoenix which claims to be IMAX but it's not; it's just a fairly big screen. We saw 300 there when it came out and it should have been as good as 2001 but instead it was more like 500!
Speaking of 2001, we saw Sunshine today. It's another bleak, claustrophobic piece of hard science fiction set a long way from Earth and it's not shy about giving away its influences. It's reminiscent of Solaris and Event Horizon but it also has a similar apocalyptic slant to recent British films like Children of Men and 28 Weeks Later.
The star of Sunshine is a ship called Icarus 2. Its mission is to drop a bomb the size of Manhattan into the sun to stop it fizzling out. Failure will spell the end of life in the solar system. This overwhelming burden and the fact that the original Icarus disappeared on an identical mission makes the movie an almost painfully tense thriller from the start. (Spoiler alert: the mission doesn't go smoothly.)
The other film we saw was The Simpsons Movie. This is just a great big episode of the TV show. It's OK if you like that sort of thing. I like that sort of thing and found it OK which proves my point. By the way, it's not available on IMAX so rush out and see it now. You'll make an old man - who's just become $5bn poorer - very happy.
Top of the list of films I want to see is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The dilemma is that it's available in 3d IMAX. There's an IMAX theatre right next door to Harkins but they have an agreement not to show the same films. This means that I've got to wait until the Harkins stops showing the crappy version before I get to see it in all its glory.
There's another cinema on the other side of Phoenix which claims to be IMAX but it's not; it's just a fairly big screen. We saw 300 there when it came out and it should have been as good as 2001 but instead it was more like 500!
Speaking of 2001, we saw Sunshine today. It's another bleak, claustrophobic piece of hard science fiction set a long way from Earth and it's not shy about giving away its influences. It's reminiscent of Solaris and Event Horizon but it also has a similar apocalyptic slant to recent British films like Children of Men and 28 Weeks Later.
The star of Sunshine is a ship called Icarus 2. Its mission is to drop a bomb the size of Manhattan into the sun to stop it fizzling out. Failure will spell the end of life in the solar system. This overwhelming burden and the fact that the original Icarus disappeared on an identical mission makes the movie an almost painfully tense thriller from the start. (Spoiler alert: the mission doesn't go smoothly.)
The other film we saw was The Simpsons Movie. This is just a great big episode of the TV show. It's OK if you like that sort of thing. I like that sort of thing and found it OK which proves my point. By the way, it's not available on IMAX so rush out and see it now. You'll make an old man - who's just become $5bn poorer - very happy.
Friday, 20 July 2007
Very Very Frightening Me!
There was some more weather this evening! This time, I used Rob's old camera and took some movies from which I was able to grab these stills. Here's the best one:
And here's the movie:
This evening, we saw SiCKO, the fourth Michael Moore documentary film I've watched and probably his best so far. It's factually correct whilst being the most (arguably only) left-biased thing I've seen the whole time I've been here. It makes the NHS look amazing! It also reveals that Tony Benn is turning into my Dad! He has the same style of ranting, the same exaggerated mannerisms and even the failing fashion sense. I almost feel sorry for Hilary.
And here's the movie:
This evening, we saw SiCKO, the fourth Michael Moore documentary film I've watched and probably his best so far. It's factually correct whilst being the most (arguably only) left-biased thing I've seen the whole time I've been here. It makes the NHS look amazing! It also reveals that Tony Benn is turning into my Dad! He has the same style of ranting, the same exaggerated mannerisms and even the failing fashion sense. I almost feel sorry for Hilary.
Saturday, 14 July 2007
Holiday Snaps
Presenting some pictures of our Holiday in Southern California! Technically it was a job hunting trip so if I ever get one (a job that is), I can deduct most of it from my income tax. Tidy!
I have always imagined that CA was especially hot and sunny. But because I'm living in the Phoenix area, I found the frequent clouds and two-digit temperatures to be a blessed relief. (It still could have been a little cooler for this whinging pommy who burned his feet on the concrete by the pool. Awwww!)
Heather got to catch up with a few of her old flatmates from her days in Orange. Some of the stories they had to tell about her were frankly scary, as were the photos.
I don't really want to say too much about the job interviews. I thought they went well. I usually judge these things by how enjoyable they are. In fact, I don't worry so much about the employment side of things. If I got to talk all nerdy about nerdy stuff with some nerds I usually find that the time was well spent. And time is on my side. Or at least time isn't flicking so many rubber bands at me this time around.
The day we got back, I received some receipts from the USCIS letting me know that my applications are in the pipeline. They are dated 1st of July and I'm told the work permit takes about three months which means that I'll likely be starting work at roughly the same time that the baby's due. Yikes!
We finally went to see Knocked Up yesterday. It was very funny and it rang true for this slightly bewildered father-to-be. However, I expected it to be funnier still. I only last week got 'round to seeing The 40 Year Old Virgin which is by the same director. It received a lot less hype and had me chuckling all the way through so the latest movie was a slight let down. The birth scene had Heather suitably terrified. I had to take her to see 1408 today to take her mind off it and it made her scream out loud! Result!
I have always imagined that CA was especially hot and sunny. But because I'm living in the Phoenix area, I found the frequent clouds and two-digit temperatures to be a blessed relief. (It still could have been a little cooler for this whinging pommy who burned his feet on the concrete by the pool. Awwww!)
Heather got to catch up with a few of her old flatmates from her days in Orange. Some of the stories they had to tell about her were frankly scary, as were the photos.
I don't really want to say too much about the job interviews. I thought they went well. I usually judge these things by how enjoyable they are. In fact, I don't worry so much about the employment side of things. If I got to talk all nerdy about nerdy stuff with some nerds I usually find that the time was well spent. And time is on my side. Or at least time isn't flicking so many rubber bands at me this time around.
The day we got back, I received some receipts from the USCIS letting me know that my applications are in the pipeline. They are dated 1st of July and I'm told the work permit takes about three months which means that I'll likely be starting work at roughly the same time that the baby's due. Yikes!
We finally went to see Knocked Up yesterday. It was very funny and it rang true for this slightly bewildered father-to-be. However, I expected it to be funnier still. I only last week got 'round to seeing The 40 Year Old Virgin which is by the same director. It received a lot less hype and had me chuckling all the way through so the latest movie was a slight let down. The birth scene had Heather suitably terrified. I had to take her to see 1408 today to take her mind off it and it made her scream out loud! Result!
Monday, 2 July 2007
Daniel's 28th Birthday
We're back in Prescott where it's all going on this week.
There's a craft fair here selling all forms of poorly conceived ornamentation. If your house is lacking in kokopellis or you've dropped your unbreakable crystal nail file on a hard surface then hurry on down to the Courthouse Square while stocks last.
Whiskey Row (a line of old bars opposite the square) was closed off on Saturday for live music by local acts. It reminded me of the gigs in Chepstow at the racecourse and down in The Dell with dozens of bored looking teenagers stood at the front of the stage, waiting for the local middle-aged rockers to play a song they actually recognised.
Yesterday was Daniel's birthday. We had breakfast at a friendly little cafe called Molly and Wally's, saw Live Free or Die Hard at the cinema and had dinner at Red Lobster. I think I've officially watch enough action movies to last me a lifetime now. I haven't had enough seafood however and can't wait to sample the restaurants in SoCal. (That's Southern California for those who know).
Tonight, we go to the Rodeo! In preparation, I'm getting tanked up on beer. I've forsaken my shorts and flip-flops for unsuitably hot jeans and boots and I'm ready to kick some shit! I'm looking forward to the mild scenes of animal cruelty and can't wait to cop an eyeful of the Rodeo queens (who look pretty convincing, judging by the promo pics). However, I'm most excited about seeing Whiplash - one of the worlds most talented (and oldest) cowboy monkeys. He's 20 years of age, rides a dog and herds sheep for a living. Go Whiplash!
There's a craft fair here selling all forms of poorly conceived ornamentation. If your house is lacking in kokopellis or you've dropped your unbreakable crystal nail file on a hard surface then hurry on down to the Courthouse Square while stocks last.
Whiskey Row (a line of old bars opposite the square) was closed off on Saturday for live music by local acts. It reminded me of the gigs in Chepstow at the racecourse and down in The Dell with dozens of bored looking teenagers stood at the front of the stage, waiting for the local middle-aged rockers to play a song they actually recognised.
Yesterday was Daniel's birthday. We had breakfast at a friendly little cafe called Molly and Wally's, saw Live Free or Die Hard at the cinema and had dinner at Red Lobster. I think I've officially watch enough action movies to last me a lifetime now. I haven't had enough seafood however and can't wait to sample the restaurants in SoCal. (That's Southern California for those who know).
Tonight, we go to the Rodeo! In preparation, I'm getting tanked up on beer. I've forsaken my shorts and flip-flops for unsuitably hot jeans and boots and I'm ready to kick some shit! I'm looking forward to the mild scenes of animal cruelty and can't wait to cop an eyeful of the Rodeo queens (who look pretty convincing, judging by the promo pics). However, I'm most excited about seeing Whiplash - one of the worlds most talented (and oldest) cowboy monkeys. He's 20 years of age, rides a dog and herds sheep for a living. Go Whiplash!
Thursday, 7 June 2007
Post
Nothing much happening here I'm afraid apart from going to see lots of movies at the mall. The best way that we've found to overcome our cinematic differences is to watch two movies at once. This worked well for Grindhouse the other month. Heather enjoys watching women beating up men whereas I prefer heads exploding.
The other week I struck a deal whereby H sat through 28 Weeks Later with me and in return, I watched Waitress. Some of the more stomach churning scenes made her a little queasy, even though she doesn't suffer morning sickness any more. I, on the other hand can sit through anything - even the scene where Jenna gives Dr. Pomatter the really long kiss.
As for 28 Weeks, I won't give the story away by telling you whether or not Robbie Carlyle turns into a frenzied zombie. You know, he's that actor who played Begbie in Trainspotting. No sir. You'll just have to go and see it for yourself. No plot spoilers in this posting.
Incidentally, at the end of Pirates of the Carribean: At Worlds End, Will Turner stabs Davey Jones' heart, thus narrowly avoiding death and in the process becoming the captain of the Flying Dutchman which in turn allows him to release 'Bootstrap' Bill Turner from his curse. It also means that all the fishy pirates from the Dutchman become human again and for a split second, you can actually recognise Dermot, my ex-landlord without his shark head! Then the pirates twat the English navy and sail off.
Other than watching films, I'm still waiting for the official marriage certificate to get here from Nevada which is necessary for all sorts of things from starting the visa process to getting heather's name changed at her bank.
One thing that did arrive after a long and anxious wait was Mario Party 8. We've only played one game so far but it appears to be quite good. The graphics are a big improvement on the Gamecube predecessors. The same cannot be said for Super Paper Mario. I have found this Wii game to be rather dull on account of the lack of turn-based combat. Never thought I'd hear myself saying that. Incidentally, if you ever think of buying WarioWare: Smooth Moves, don't. Rent it. It only takes a couple of hours to complete. Two very funny hours, mind.
Finally, Joe says hello.
The other week I struck a deal whereby H sat through 28 Weeks Later with me and in return, I watched Waitress. Some of the more stomach churning scenes made her a little queasy, even though she doesn't suffer morning sickness any more. I, on the other hand can sit through anything - even the scene where Jenna gives Dr. Pomatter the really long kiss.
As for 28 Weeks, I won't give the story away by telling you whether or not Robbie Carlyle turns into a frenzied zombie. You know, he's that actor who played Begbie in Trainspotting. No sir. You'll just have to go and see it for yourself. No plot spoilers in this posting.
Incidentally, at the end of Pirates of the Carribean: At Worlds End, Will Turner stabs Davey Jones' heart, thus narrowly avoiding death and in the process becoming the captain of the Flying Dutchman which in turn allows him to release 'Bootstrap' Bill Turner from his curse. It also means that all the fishy pirates from the Dutchman become human again and for a split second, you can actually recognise Dermot, my ex-landlord without his shark head! Then the pirates twat the English navy and sail off.
Other than watching films, I'm still waiting for the official marriage certificate to get here from Nevada which is necessary for all sorts of things from starting the visa process to getting heather's name changed at her bank.
One thing that did arrive after a long and anxious wait was Mario Party 8. We've only played one game so far but it appears to be quite good. The graphics are a big improvement on the Gamecube predecessors. The same cannot be said for Super Paper Mario. I have found this Wii game to be rather dull on account of the lack of turn-based combat. Never thought I'd hear myself saying that. Incidentally, if you ever think of buying WarioWare: Smooth Moves, don't. Rent it. It only takes a couple of hours to complete. Two very funny hours, mind.
Finally, Joe says hello.
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
Meet The Family
On the way back from Las Vegas, we dropped in on Jim and Daniel in Prescott. They're family now so it's about time that I posted a few photos.
On Sunday, to celebrate Heather's and my union we went to see Shrek the Third in the cinema and then had a meal at a Mexican restaurant called Garcia's. That's where I took this photo of (left to right) Jim, Daniel and my wife, Heather McFarlane.
On Sunday, to celebrate Heather's and my union we went to see Shrek the Third in the cinema and then had a meal at a Mexican restaurant called Garcia's. That's where I took this photo of (left to right) Jim, Daniel and my wife, Heather McFarlane.
Saturday, 17 March 2007
Barry Norman Lives!
To celebrate a friend's 30th birthday, we went last night to Ferrellis: "Arizona’s ONLY restaurant and movie theater". I'm really not sure that their business plan is working out.
Imagine you had a one-screen theater that was nearly empty on a really really really sell-out night. Maybe then you'd consider adding an 18% tip to the bill so that some customers end up tipping 35% unwittingly. You might even give people refills without asking them and then billing for the extra drink.
In the UK, I would fully expect this kind of behavior, simply because I'd have no expectations at all. Every place does their own thing and your eyes leap to the bottom of the menu for the small print. You can always walk out of a restaurant without tipping at all (albeit with a limp) and you KNOW they're charging by the glass for everything except tap water.
I'd only just got used to the way things work in Arizona ... only to end up at Ferrellis: "The People with Nothing to Loose". Tasty chips, mind.
The movie was called The Pursuit of Happyness and it was what I expected from the trailers: a stock broker-based rags-to-riches feel-good film aimed squarely at someone other than me.
It's the true story of a failed sales-man (played by Will Smith) in early 80's San Francisco who is struggling to support his family (Jaden Smith) and decides out of nowhere to intern as a stock-broker for 6 months in the hopes of living comfortably. So basically it's about things being very tough for two hours.
The super-cute kiddie was played by Smith's son and I'm imagining how pissed off I'd be if my Dad starred in two Men in Black movies and had a conversation like this with me:
WS: Hey Junior! Wanna be in my next movie?
Jr: Cool! Can I shoot aliens in space in the future with lasers?
WS: Um, no son but you can get roughed up in Frisco in '81 with no toys, no home and no momma.
Imagine you had a one-screen theater that was nearly empty on a really really really sell-out night. Maybe then you'd consider adding an 18% tip to the bill so that some customers end up tipping 35% unwittingly. You might even give people refills without asking them and then billing for the extra drink.
In the UK, I would fully expect this kind of behavior, simply because I'd have no expectations at all. Every place does their own thing and your eyes leap to the bottom of the menu for the small print. You can always walk out of a restaurant without tipping at all (albeit with a limp) and you KNOW they're charging by the glass for everything except tap water.
I'd only just got used to the way things work in Arizona ... only to end up at Ferrellis: "The People with Nothing to Loose". Tasty chips, mind.
The movie was called The Pursuit of Happyness and it was what I expected from the trailers: a stock broker-based rags-to-riches feel-good film aimed squarely at someone other than me.
It's the true story of a failed sales-man (played by Will Smith) in early 80's San Francisco who is struggling to support his family (Jaden Smith) and decides out of nowhere to intern as a stock-broker for 6 months in the hopes of living comfortably. So basically it's about things being very tough for two hours.
The super-cute kiddie was played by Smith's son and I'm imagining how pissed off I'd be if my Dad starred in two Men in Black movies and had a conversation like this with me:
WS: Hey Junior! Wanna be in my next movie?
Jr: Cool! Can I shoot aliens in space in the future with lasers?
WS: Um, no son but you can get roughed up in Frisco in '81 with no toys, no home and no momma.
Tuesday, 13 March 2007
How to escape from Prescott
Well it's been a pretty action-packed week or so. Some highlights:
Last week, Heather and I went to the spare parts shop to get a new headlight bulb and ended up locking ourselves out of the car. Hilarity ensued.
Also, Heather decided that $6 was a reasonable price to pay for this piece of thrift store tat. I questioned her judgment until I realised it was a good excuse to set up the Bose sound system she got for xmas. Music ensued.
On Friday we went to the Prescott Brewing Company where they make their own beer. Micro-breweries are bigger business over here than they are in the UK. 'Domestic' beer, such as Budweiser Lite, Miller Lite and Michelobe Even Lighter is pretty wretched stuff and nobody seems to mind admitting it. The cans and bottles don't have a strength printed on the side ... they have a calorie count. 'Brown' beer on the other hand tastes vaguely of beer - albeit cold, watery, fizzy beer. Whatever. Blurry vision ensued.
On Saturday Heather went to a friend's baby shower. I wasn't allowed to go because I'm a straight man so I went to see Wild Hogs with her brother (Daniel) and step dad (Jim). It wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be although I think being in a theater full of the sort of people who enjoy going to see movies like Wild Hogs helped - bit like having convincing canned laughter. Jim and I both got excited when Peter Fonda appeared at the end. (Well you weren't going to go see it, were you?)
Then on Monday we headed back to Phoenix. I've made another gallery - this time it's some of the sites you see as you head south out of Prescott on Route 69 (titter). I'll have to write more about the town itself at some point and actually take some decent photos.
We aimed to get to an IMAX cinema in the north of phoenix on the way back to see 300 but got fantastically lost and missed the showing by about an hour, wandered around for another hour and then got back and realised that it was booked up for the late night show.
In hindsight, judging how popular a Frank Miller adaptation was going to be by the reviews in gossip magazines was a mistake. It appears to be the biggest hit of the year so far. Pissed-offness ensued.
Last week, Heather and I went to the spare parts shop to get a new headlight bulb and ended up locking ourselves out of the car. Hilarity ensued.
Also, Heather decided that $6 was a reasonable price to pay for this piece of thrift store tat. I questioned her judgment until I realised it was a good excuse to set up the Bose sound system she got for xmas. Music ensued.
On Friday we went to the Prescott Brewing Company where they make their own beer. Micro-breweries are bigger business over here than they are in the UK. 'Domestic' beer, such as Budweiser Lite, Miller Lite and Michelobe Even Lighter is pretty wretched stuff and nobody seems to mind admitting it. The cans and bottles don't have a strength printed on the side ... they have a calorie count. 'Brown' beer on the other hand tastes vaguely of beer - albeit cold, watery, fizzy beer. Whatever. Blurry vision ensued.
On Saturday Heather went to a friend's baby shower. I wasn't allowed to go because I'm a straight man so I went to see Wild Hogs with her brother (Daniel) and step dad (Jim). It wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be although I think being in a theater full of the sort of people who enjoy going to see movies like Wild Hogs helped - bit like having convincing canned laughter. Jim and I both got excited when Peter Fonda appeared at the end. (Well you weren't going to go see it, were you?)
Then on Monday we headed back to Phoenix. I've made another gallery - this time it's some of the sites you see as you head south out of Prescott on Route 69 (titter). I'll have to write more about the town itself at some point and actually take some decent photos.
We aimed to get to an IMAX cinema in the north of phoenix on the way back to see 300 but got fantastically lost and missed the showing by about an hour, wandered around for another hour and then got back and realised that it was booked up for the late night show.
In hindsight, judging how popular a Frank Miller adaptation was going to be by the reviews in gossip magazines was a mistake. It appears to be the biggest hit of the year so far. Pissed-offness ensued.
Sunday, 25 February 2007
Grand
Golly, it's been ten days. Mostly I went to northern AZ for most of a week and saw the Grand Canyon. I'll have to make up a photo gallery all about that some time. Um, it's very big. If you don't believe me, wait until the photos get done.
Yesterday, Heather had a yard sale and sold a few boxes worth of clothes. She made $40 which paid for the movies where we saw Reno 911!: Miami. It's a fake reality show about very useless cops in Nevada. It's mostly very funny. I'll bet the TV show is good too. [7 1/2] / [10 3/4] (seven and a half out of ten and three quarters).
Oscars are on this evening - not the middle of the night, mind; actually during waking hours! Still probably going to skip them though. Still not finished Zelda.
Now I'm off to get working on the back yard.
That is all.
Yesterday, Heather had a yard sale and sold a few boxes worth of clothes. She made $40 which paid for the movies where we saw Reno 911!: Miami. It's a fake reality show about very useless cops in Nevada. It's mostly very funny. I'll bet the TV show is good too. [7 1/2] / [10 3/4] (seven and a half out of ten and three quarters).
Oscars are on this evening - not the middle of the night, mind; actually during waking hours! Still probably going to skip them though. Still not finished Zelda.
Now I'm off to get working on the back yard.
That is all.
Wednesday, 31 January 2007
I can't blog today
I have the Wii. Normal life will probably resume once I've finished the new Zelda game. Oh, and I'm off to the zoo in a few minutes. The weather is fine. Life is good. Groundhog Day is on Comedy Central.
Monday, 22 January 2007
Dusgusted of Tempe
Well, the Phoenix Symphony certainly seem to know what they're doing. Trust me, I'm grade 3 piano and that guy they got in to do the Rachmaninoff is very fast. Just as fun was the bar we went to afterwards where the karaoke machine was running full tilt. It must have been gone 11pm but there was still a family around to walk out disgusted at drunk-guy-at-bar's excellent recall of Eminem lyrics.
I've also seen people walk out of the dreadful Primeval and I don't think it was because it was such a terrible film either. However my favourite disgusted American moment was during a screening of Borat in Prescott last year. The couple walked out at the end of the naked wrestling scene. That was a pretty long scene.
In all, I think that while Americans show a lot of promise at being appauled, outraged and sickened, they really ought to work on their execution some more.
I've also seen people walk out of the dreadful Primeval and I don't think it was because it was such a terrible film either. However my favourite disgusted American moment was during a screening of Borat in Prescott last year. The couple walked out at the end of the naked wrestling scene. That was a pretty long scene.
In all, I think that while Americans show a lot of promise at being appauled, outraged and sickened, they really ought to work on their execution some more.
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