I have been so very lucky to be doing this job for 30 years. Fortunate in the fact to be doing the exact thing I want to be doing for a living. It's a dream come true that I wish for everyone on earth. Many times I am asked when did I know I wanted to do this, and the answer is a slam dunk, "Wham with the right hand!" It was when I was about 9, and started listening to Joe Tait do Cavaliers games on radio.
When the Cavs came into the league the game was big, and I was small. One Christmas I got a transistor radio, complete with an earpiece, and I would listen to the Cavs at bedtime, and many times way past. With the street light peering though the window of my darkened room, and my mom telling me it was late, and to go to sleep. There was Joe Tait telling me a story about the latest Cavs adventure to Chicago or Boston. And sometimes really exotic places like Milwaukee, or Kansas City-Omaha. Plus on very cool occasions, Los Angeles, Portland or somewhere else on the West Coast. Those were my favorite. I thought it was so cool that they were just starting a game there, after everyone here went to bed.
Not many TV games in those days really. It was Joe Tait. Whether it was from the dark and dank Cleveland Arena, or later the beautiful Coliseum, eventually The Gund it was still Joe. Now that it's The Q, and LeBron marching towards the NBA Championship everything is different. The athletes, the game itself, the settings, the prices and our priorities. Everything is different, except the man at the mic. Joe Tait.
What he has done has been more than remarkable. Tait has done virtually every Cavs game in their 40 year history. He is an artist for sure. He paints the picture of what the Cavs are doing, and somehow you get it, you see it, you're there. When I was little we didn't have season tickets to the Cavs, but I felt like we did. I was listening to Joe Tait with my Cavs glass from the Shell gas station full of soda, until today when it now cost about 10 dollars to fill that glass with a beer at a game.
It's almost inconceivable to think of now, that was the only way to keep up with the Cavs then. Listening to Joe Tait on radio. Things today of course are much different. Cable TV, 100 sports Networks, The NBA Network, The Internet, Twitter, Facebook, My Space...so many ways to get info of all kinds, not just sports. Technology for the good or bad depending on your point of view has changed our view forever. When the Cavs are playing a big playoff game this year, you can't get away from it.
Hand in hand with that, there's been the various stadiums, and venues in the NBA. Teams folding, leagues merging. The Cavs going from the Horrible In East Cleveland, to The Miracle in Richfield. To almost leaving town in the 80's to being the toast of it in the early 90's. And now, complete... as we stand as the odds on favorite to do the unthinkable, win it all....Joe Tait is still painting the canvass nightly with description that makes us a little less envious we don't have a ticket to the game.
Quite simply, Joe Tait is the best. No matter what state I have lived in and teams I've rooted for while on the road, no one tells the story like Joe Tait. How lucky we are to have him, especially for this fantastic Cavalier ride the past few years. He's seen it all, from the bad...to the really bad, to the really, really bad. But now the pendulum has swung to the good. Good for us...and good for Joe.
And as for the nights when I was 9, when the Cavs were losing to the Seattle Supersonics on my transistor radio.......Thanks. And for unknowingly pointing me down a path that has been.... and is still so good to me. Thanks.
I owe Joe!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - The Back Up Plan
The new romantic comedy, The Back Up Plan with Jennifer Lopez is out this week. This much hyped comedy has high expectations, but does it deliver?
Lopez stars with Alex O'Laughlin in this highly creative story idea. Zoe (Lopez) is a very successful politically correct pet store owner. She hasn't met "Mr. Right" yet so decides to have a baby by artificial means. On the day of her procedure and is hopefully pregnant, she meets Stan (O'Laughlin). She sort of at first falls for Stan. then they fall for each other. But the trouble is, she's pregnant, and the laughs are on. Or are supposed to be on. But just as in the movie, where life doesn't always go according to plan, sometimes neither does this movie.
On the positive, Lopez is amazingly lovely and fun to watch. She has never bee so commanding on screen, especially in her romantic comedies. There is a real nice confidence in her, that spills forward and makes her the star of the show. The story idea is very original and seemingly fun. But the execution here is miserable. This movie time and time again shoots itself in the foot by going to the lowest common denominator. Lots of "poop and puke" humor, and also lots of visits to the gynecologists office, each one a little more tasteless than the last. Then it gets off track a bit with too any side characters and side plots that really distract you from the taste at hand. I was really surprised by the amount of sophomoric humor here.
There are some really funny moments in this movie that breathe some life into it. But they are quickly erased by the cheap 9th grade stuff. Lopez is lovely, and O'Laughlin is weak and forgettable. This movie, in addition to a some re-writing and better decision making, needed a stronger male lead than O'Laughlin. Some of the side characters are OK, but there are too many.
The Back Up Plan. Good idea that addresses an issue that is very topical and timely. But too bad the producers and directors are seemingly 15 years old.
Lopez stars with Alex O'Laughlin in this highly creative story idea. Zoe (Lopez) is a very successful politically correct pet store owner. She hasn't met "Mr. Right" yet so decides to have a baby by artificial means. On the day of her procedure and is hopefully pregnant, she meets Stan (O'Laughlin). She sort of at first falls for Stan. then they fall for each other. But the trouble is, she's pregnant, and the laughs are on. Or are supposed to be on. But just as in the movie, where life doesn't always go according to plan, sometimes neither does this movie.
On the positive, Lopez is amazingly lovely and fun to watch. She has never bee so commanding on screen, especially in her romantic comedies. There is a real nice confidence in her, that spills forward and makes her the star of the show. The story idea is very original and seemingly fun. But the execution here is miserable. This movie time and time again shoots itself in the foot by going to the lowest common denominator. Lots of "poop and puke" humor, and also lots of visits to the gynecologists office, each one a little more tasteless than the last. Then it gets off track a bit with too any side characters and side plots that really distract you from the taste at hand. I was really surprised by the amount of sophomoric humor here.
There are some really funny moments in this movie that breathe some life into it. But they are quickly erased by the cheap 9th grade stuff. Lopez is lovely, and O'Laughlin is weak and forgettable. This movie, in addition to a some re-writing and better decision making, needed a stronger male lead than O'Laughlin. Some of the side characters are OK, but there are too many.
The Back Up Plan. Good idea that addresses an issue that is very topical and timely. But too bad the producers and directors are seemingly 15 years old.
MOVIE REVIEW - The Losers
Let's take a look at the weekends big action flick, The Losers.
Picture this. What do you get when you mix part comic book, part action flick, part music video, part video game, and young men blowing things up all over the country, plus a hot woman who wears very little clothing while shooting bazookas? Sound like a mess? It is.
The Losers is based on a comic book. The premise is basically the same as the 1980's TV show, The A-Team. But the trouble here is that it's NOT The A-Team. We've all been there and done this. The Losers are a specially grained group of miss-fit military guys, who are betrayed by the CIA and left for dead in South America. The Losers then go on a rampage to get revenge on the CIA and return to their lives in the United States. They are fugitives of course, and need help.
These five guys then meet up with a very hot young martial arts trained, military young woman who has her own agenda, and hires The Losers to do a job for her, with the assurance she has the power to get their lives back. But there are snags along the way, and of course she has to "fall" for one of the guys. That's The Losers.
First, this movie is made for a very small target audience - boys from 15 - 19 or so. The attempted story will make very little difference, and what most will focus on is the constant blowing things up, violence, one action sequence after another. Shoot this, blow this up, let's blow up entire city blocks of major cities and no one notices. Plus there's a gun fight or two with the hot girl brandishing heavy weapons in her underwear, gotta have that scene in there.
And it's very video-gamey in the fact that there are absolutely no ramifications (or anything) for any actions anywhere. And as The Losers go through life happily destroying everything in sight, all while waging war on the CIA, there seem to be few CIA people who know of it, or are involved with it. No one minds a fun story, but this is so far out there in "give me a break land" that it's really, quite frankly stupid.
Toss in a villain that's horribly cast, plus a bunch of really terrible dialogue, and tons of cheesy, campy, slow motion "aren't we cool sequences" and you've got one real dog here. These kind of movies tough generally find an audience and usually do pretty well at the box office. There is nothing wrong with making movies targeted at a slim slice of the pie. But this is not going to be entertaining to a whole lot of movie goers.
The Losers.....for some, it's a dream come true....for others? See what's showing in the theater next door.
Picture this. What do you get when you mix part comic book, part action flick, part music video, part video game, and young men blowing things up all over the country, plus a hot woman who wears very little clothing while shooting bazookas? Sound like a mess? It is.
The Losers is based on a comic book. The premise is basically the same as the 1980's TV show, The A-Team. But the trouble here is that it's NOT The A-Team. We've all been there and done this. The Losers are a specially grained group of miss-fit military guys, who are betrayed by the CIA and left for dead in South America. The Losers then go on a rampage to get revenge on the CIA and return to their lives in the United States. They are fugitives of course, and need help.
These five guys then meet up with a very hot young martial arts trained, military young woman who has her own agenda, and hires The Losers to do a job for her, with the assurance she has the power to get their lives back. But there are snags along the way, and of course she has to "fall" for one of the guys. That's The Losers.
First, this movie is made for a very small target audience - boys from 15 - 19 or so. The attempted story will make very little difference, and what most will focus on is the constant blowing things up, violence, one action sequence after another. Shoot this, blow this up, let's blow up entire city blocks of major cities and no one notices. Plus there's a gun fight or two with the hot girl brandishing heavy weapons in her underwear, gotta have that scene in there.
And it's very video-gamey in the fact that there are absolutely no ramifications (or anything) for any actions anywhere. And as The Losers go through life happily destroying everything in sight, all while waging war on the CIA, there seem to be few CIA people who know of it, or are involved with it. No one minds a fun story, but this is so far out there in "give me a break land" that it's really, quite frankly stupid.
Toss in a villain that's horribly cast, plus a bunch of really terrible dialogue, and tons of cheesy, campy, slow motion "aren't we cool sequences" and you've got one real dog here. These kind of movies tough generally find an audience and usually do pretty well at the box office. There is nothing wrong with making movies targeted at a slim slice of the pie. But this is not going to be entertaining to a whole lot of movie goers.
The Losers.....for some, it's a dream come true....for others? See what's showing in the theater next door.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Movie Of The Month - March
About this time every month, I give you my pick for the Movie Of The Month from the previous month. And now it's time for March. I will give you the pick for the best and worst movies last month, and an honorable mention with each, a runner-up. The movies must have been released to theaters in the Akron area to be eligible for this month. So here we go, the movies of the month - March!
The Best movie of the month - March
Brooklyn's Finest - Richard Gere, Don Cheadle and Ethan Hawke. This is a brilliantly crafted
police drama about three Brooklyn cops all at different stages of their career. The
unrelated stories are skillfully woven together. This is very heavy drama, and is
graphically violent at times as it takes you to the worst part of the New York City
drug trade. But this is really a good movie.
Honorable mention - March
Ghost Writer - Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan. Drama about a ghost writer writing
the controversial biography of a fictional former Prime Minister of England. Very
well done and though provoking.
Worst movie of the month - March
Our Family Wedding - It is hard to put into words how horrible this movie really is. It's
a comedy I guess. Trouble is it's not funny. Or anything good. This was a big waste
of time, money and effort. Movies get no worse than this.
Honorable mention - March.
Repo Men - Man, again nothing here worth seeing. good cast, bad story, that on one really
cares about. Gross, violent and just bad.
Catch up with us next week, we'll have the April results. E-mail me with your thoughts. scott@wqmx.com
The Best movie of the month - March
Brooklyn's Finest - Richard Gere, Don Cheadle and Ethan Hawke. This is a brilliantly crafted
police drama about three Brooklyn cops all at different stages of their career. The
unrelated stories are skillfully woven together. This is very heavy drama, and is
graphically violent at times as it takes you to the worst part of the New York City
drug trade. But this is really a good movie.
Honorable mention - March
Ghost Writer - Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan. Drama about a ghost writer writing
the controversial biography of a fictional former Prime Minister of England. Very
well done and though provoking.
Worst movie of the month - March
Our Family Wedding - It is hard to put into words how horrible this movie really is. It's
a comedy I guess. Trouble is it's not funny. Or anything good. This was a big waste
of time, money and effort. Movies get no worse than this.
Honorable mention - March.
Repo Men - Man, again nothing here worth seeing. good cast, bad story, that on one really
cares about. Gross, violent and just bad.
Catch up with us next week, we'll have the April results. E-mail me with your thoughts. scott@wqmx.com
MOVE REVIEW - The Joneses
David Duchovney and Demi Mooore star in the new Indy flick, The Joneses.
The Joneses is a story none of us have really seem before. It's the story of Kate and Steve Jones. They are the seemingly perfect couple with two great teenage kids. They live in a huge house in a very affluent area. They have the very best of everything. And I mean everything! They become the envy of all their neighbors and they seem to have to have all that the Joneses have. Theysimply have to keep up with the Joneses.
But are the Joneses what they seem? Are they really this pristine perfect couple with the world by the tail? Is their house really in order or is there something sinister under foot? And are they really worth the envy?
Our stars and supporting cast are very good. The story is original, and it is all assembled in a very nice, easy to follow, and uncomplicated package. Hard to categorize this movie. It's the best parts of many. At times light and airy, and others dramatic and savvy.
This is a very tidy 85 minute movie, that will keep you guessing from the minute it comes on. I am always drawn to movies that are original and thought provoking, and this one is. It has the Indy movie feel, and some may find this strange and quirky. This is also a movie with very little fanfare and promotion, and is shown in the tiniest theater next to the popcorn stand that's never open at the end of the hall.
But The Joneses, is good. Very good, and worth seeing.
The Joneses is a story none of us have really seem before. It's the story of Kate and Steve Jones. They are the seemingly perfect couple with two great teenage kids. They live in a huge house in a very affluent area. They have the very best of everything. And I mean everything! They become the envy of all their neighbors and they seem to have to have all that the Joneses have. Theysimply have to keep up with the Joneses.
But are the Joneses what they seem? Are they really this pristine perfect couple with the world by the tail? Is their house really in order or is there something sinister under foot? And are they really worth the envy?
Our stars and supporting cast are very good. The story is original, and it is all assembled in a very nice, easy to follow, and uncomplicated package. Hard to categorize this movie. It's the best parts of many. At times light and airy, and others dramatic and savvy.
This is a very tidy 85 minute movie, that will keep you guessing from the minute it comes on. I am always drawn to movies that are original and thought provoking, and this one is. It has the Indy movie feel, and some may find this strange and quirky. This is also a movie with very little fanfare and promotion, and is shown in the tiniest theater next to the popcorn stand that's never open at the end of the hall.
But The Joneses, is good. Very good, and worth seeing.
The Path
Through the trees, tall grass, and uneven terrain, The Path winds and flows to places uncharted and definitely unknown. At times, we would like not to venture down The Path, but there is no choice. For it's The Path is what's in front ...and behind us.
The Path is not always smooth, and not always kind. And travel ahead can seem so much more difficult than the path left behind. But behind us is what was once unknown for a time too. But as we ventured on what was once strange, became familiar, and some comfort ensued.
The thing about The Path is that there is no choice but to go down its uneven scale. Few embrace traveling it alone....and there are those places that there is only room for one at a time. Especially the parts that are thin and slick. But places where The Path is wide and spacious for others to tag along, an adventure can be taken together.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Be rest assured that there are many around you who will be eager and ready to take on The Path with you. At times it may not feel like it, but your path is long and prosperous, and waiting your circumnavigation. A seemingly unending journey indeed, and it is certainly one to be respected and one to take heed.
No one likes every part of The Path. What seems so scary about The Path is the unknown. Limbo, and uncertainty are not things we embrace as a rule. And The Path isn't particularly interested in being easy to negotiate, and at times same seem cruel.
But as the days goes by, we take the first apprehensive steps, The Path will become more kind, and what was once a scary section, will have been successfully traveled, and left behind.
The Path is not always smooth, and not always kind. And travel ahead can seem so much more difficult than the path left behind. But behind us is what was once unknown for a time too. But as we ventured on what was once strange, became familiar, and some comfort ensued.
The thing about The Path is that there is no choice but to go down its uneven scale. Few embrace traveling it alone....and there are those places that there is only room for one at a time. Especially the parts that are thin and slick. But places where The Path is wide and spacious for others to tag along, an adventure can be taken together.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Be rest assured that there are many around you who will be eager and ready to take on The Path with you. At times it may not feel like it, but your path is long and prosperous, and waiting your circumnavigation. A seemingly unending journey indeed, and it is certainly one to be respected and one to take heed.
No one likes every part of The Path. What seems so scary about The Path is the unknown. Limbo, and uncertainty are not things we embrace as a rule. And The Path isn't particularly interested in being easy to negotiate, and at times same seem cruel.
But as the days goes by, we take the first apprehensive steps, The Path will become more kind, and what was once a scary section, will have been successfully traveled, and left behind.
Friday, April 16, 2010
MOVIE REIVEW - Kick-Ass
Make absolutely NO mistake, the new satire Kick-Ass is NOT for everyone.
Kick-Ass is an acquired taste to be sure. This is a very strange, dark action, dark comedy, loaded with parody, satire and enough spoof to go around. Before we dive in it should be noted, this movie has been packaged as a comedy. But it in its overall delivery...is not. It is highly violent, and there is much that could make some very uncomfortable.
In Kick-Ass there are these strange, regular people that decide that being a superhero is a good idea. So lead by a misfit teen, the hero "Kick-Ass" is born. He goes around trying to right the wrongs of New York City, and does so with very little success. He inspires others to do the same. Including a father and his 11 year old daughter. They go by the names, Big Daddy, and Hit Girl. They decide to take on the organized drug syndicate of the Big Apple, lead by their lead killer the little girl, Hit Girl. She is a trained killer who offs the bad guys in every imaginable way, and does it time and time again.
Kick-Ass is a movie you have got to "get." It has a Kill Bill feel to it. It is not Quentin Tarantino, but it feels like one. You have to understand the sheer absurdity, satire and rediculousness that Kick-Ass is throwing up there. Gratuitous killing is the rule here, with blood, and heavy violence. This is a concept kind of movie. Very, very dark in it's comedic moments. It is parody on superhero stories and the stereotypical geeks that follow them and read comic books.
A young, tech savvy, and desensitized audience may find this movie funny, action packed and not as stunning as adults and parents especially. Many will be troubled by the fact that this little 11 year old girl goes on a killing spree, and murders about 50 drug cartel members. And you have to be able to stomach watching her get beaten up badly and actually shot a few times too by adults.
It is clear beyond any recent movie, that Kick-Ass is not for everyone. What is ones persons dark absurd comedy, is another's hard to watch, why has this been made movie. The whole idea of this movie is actually pretty good. A parody on this whole genre of movie making, but it may have been a better idea than movie. There are some clever and funny scenes in this movie, but many will find the whole 11 year old little girl as a killing vigilante too much. I know the whole thing is so absurd that it's supposed to be light, but to me it's not.
Kick-Ass. Buyer beware....this is NOT what it is packaged as at all. This is a very different movie in reality than in the commercials. Leave Nana at home.
Kick-Ass is an acquired taste to be sure. This is a very strange, dark action, dark comedy, loaded with parody, satire and enough spoof to go around. Before we dive in it should be noted, this movie has been packaged as a comedy. But it in its overall delivery...is not. It is highly violent, and there is much that could make some very uncomfortable.
In Kick-Ass there are these strange, regular people that decide that being a superhero is a good idea. So lead by a misfit teen, the hero "Kick-Ass" is born. He goes around trying to right the wrongs of New York City, and does so with very little success. He inspires others to do the same. Including a father and his 11 year old daughter. They go by the names, Big Daddy, and Hit Girl. They decide to take on the organized drug syndicate of the Big Apple, lead by their lead killer the little girl, Hit Girl. She is a trained killer who offs the bad guys in every imaginable way, and does it time and time again.
Kick-Ass is a movie you have got to "get." It has a Kill Bill feel to it. It is not Quentin Tarantino, but it feels like one. You have to understand the sheer absurdity, satire and rediculousness that Kick-Ass is throwing up there. Gratuitous killing is the rule here, with blood, and heavy violence. This is a concept kind of movie. Very, very dark in it's comedic moments. It is parody on superhero stories and the stereotypical geeks that follow them and read comic books.
A young, tech savvy, and desensitized audience may find this movie funny, action packed and not as stunning as adults and parents especially. Many will be troubled by the fact that this little 11 year old girl goes on a killing spree, and murders about 50 drug cartel members. And you have to be able to stomach watching her get beaten up badly and actually shot a few times too by adults.
It is clear beyond any recent movie, that Kick-Ass is not for everyone. What is ones persons dark absurd comedy, is another's hard to watch, why has this been made movie. The whole idea of this movie is actually pretty good. A parody on this whole genre of movie making, but it may have been a better idea than movie. There are some clever and funny scenes in this movie, but many will find the whole 11 year old little girl as a killing vigilante too much. I know the whole thing is so absurd that it's supposed to be light, but to me it's not.
Kick-Ass. Buyer beware....this is NOT what it is packaged as at all. This is a very different movie in reality than in the commercials. Leave Nana at home.
MOVIE REVIEW - Death At A Funeral
It's a big cast and big hype, and Death At A Funeral is in theaters this weekend.
Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, and tons more star in this fast paced comedy that deals with a funeral that goes horribly wrong, for about every reason on earth. This movie has been previewed in theaters for months, and now it's here. Sometimes, that can be a big problem, as many times you feel like you've already seen the movie..before you see it. I was concerned about that here, but this movie stands on its own.
DAAF is not a rip roaring, fall in the ground holding your sides comedy. BUT there are some real good laughs here. Before you go, you should know that with Rock and Lawrence, it should be no surprise it's rated R, and deservedly so. This is a continuing Hollywood trend, and these rated R comedies are gaining momentum.
The basic premise here is a large extended family that rarely reunites, does so because of a death. The funeral is a disaster, with tons of side plots and stories. Too many to mention here. And most of this works. Some parts more than others. It pushes the line a time or two, and can't resist the "gross out" factor a time or two, but overall this is pretty funny.
On the negative, this movie at times sort of looks like a Saturday Night Live skit on steroids. Could be there's just not enough story here for 90 minutes. On the positive, one thing this movie does very well, is a nice pace and space. Meaning is zips along, the the star studded cast doesn't seem to be fighting for camera time. This was huge problem in Valentines Day out this year. No problem here.
Death At A Funeral. This is not an Oscar winner.....but overall it's pretty funny!
Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, and tons more star in this fast paced comedy that deals with a funeral that goes horribly wrong, for about every reason on earth. This movie has been previewed in theaters for months, and now it's here. Sometimes, that can be a big problem, as many times you feel like you've already seen the movie..before you see it. I was concerned about that here, but this movie stands on its own.
DAAF is not a rip roaring, fall in the ground holding your sides comedy. BUT there are some real good laughs here. Before you go, you should know that with Rock and Lawrence, it should be no surprise it's rated R, and deservedly so. This is a continuing Hollywood trend, and these rated R comedies are gaining momentum.
The basic premise here is a large extended family that rarely reunites, does so because of a death. The funeral is a disaster, with tons of side plots and stories. Too many to mention here. And most of this works. Some parts more than others. It pushes the line a time or two, and can't resist the "gross out" factor a time or two, but overall this is pretty funny.
On the negative, this movie at times sort of looks like a Saturday Night Live skit on steroids. Could be there's just not enough story here for 90 minutes. On the positive, one thing this movie does very well, is a nice pace and space. Meaning is zips along, the the star studded cast doesn't seem to be fighting for camera time. This was huge problem in Valentines Day out this year. No problem here.
Death At A Funeral. This is not an Oscar winner.....but overall it's pretty funny!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Time Gets All The Credit
Maybe it's just me, but this time of the year is always a time when I do the most thinking. The most reflecting. Maybe it's the beginning of spring, the changing of the seasons, I don't know. Could be I'm outside more and the new and fresh air is opening up parts of me that were closed for the winter. As the days grow longer and warmer, my thoughts do the same.
After we pushed the clocks ahead a few weeks ago, time seems to be on our side now. We love the extra daylight, and time. Actually, we do all the changing. Time doesn't do a thing. Time just ticks. That's all time does.... march on. It's steady, and sure. We are not.
No matter what we choose to do in our lives, time does the exact same thing. One second at a time. Tick...tick. We work around time. I'm not sure if time is a friend or foe. I lean mostly to friend. But it's close. I think most of us have experienced it being both.
When it is said, " Time is on our side," I guess in some scenarios that can be true. When you're young, carefree, there is nothing but time. Good time, and fun times. It ticks but you don't hear it. When things are good, time seems to "fly by." Fast moving time is the sure sign of an extra good time, but when we look up and see the hands on the clock, we wish we could turn it back and start again. Been there.
Some say, "Time heals all wounds." Sounds good, but I'm not sure time has one thing to do with that. When something happens in our world that shakes us, time doesn't do one thing different than it always does. The healing comes from within us. We choose, or not, to do the healing, or the beginning again. True, time is always moving but here it gets all the credit, when I'm not so sure any is really do. We feel the hurt. We do the work. We start over. . And we join time, ...in time ...and do what it does. Move on.
Transversely, when it is said, "Time stood still." Usually for a major positive. A first and wonderful kiss, the birth of a child, a wedding. In fact, during these precious moments time doesn't stand still, it keeps ticking. But it is us that finally take the initiative to stop and notice that something was happening in our lives that was special and long lasting, and worth taking notice of. We forget about time at those moments and burn the event to memory. Good for us. At these special times, we could care less about time. It's moving, but we're immersed in inertia. These are exceptionally good times...and decisions.
Regardless of where you come down in the "time, friend or foe" debate, one thing I feel we all can agree on. Time is valuable and too often taken for granted. And we shouldn't do that. For in life there are no reruns, and no rehearsals. It's first take every time. And when we take time for granted, we do the same to ourselves. No one yearns to be taken for granted, and neither does time. It will move on and we must too no matter what.
What we choose to do with our time is, and always has been up to us. Making good use of the time allotted to us on earth leads to great happiness. Consequently, when we squander time as a way of life, we are usually not filled with the same joy as those taking time for a ride and making every second count. Because the most mysterious thing about time is, we never know how much we are given. That brings us to the friend or foe part again.
But in the end, we are the ones that manage it, how we spend it, and who we spend it with. Yeah, time gets all the credit, but we do all the work.
After we pushed the clocks ahead a few weeks ago, time seems to be on our side now. We love the extra daylight, and time. Actually, we do all the changing. Time doesn't do a thing. Time just ticks. That's all time does.... march on. It's steady, and sure. We are not.
No matter what we choose to do in our lives, time does the exact same thing. One second at a time. Tick...tick. We work around time. I'm not sure if time is a friend or foe. I lean mostly to friend. But it's close. I think most of us have experienced it being both.
When it is said, " Time is on our side," I guess in some scenarios that can be true. When you're young, carefree, there is nothing but time. Good time, and fun times. It ticks but you don't hear it. When things are good, time seems to "fly by." Fast moving time is the sure sign of an extra good time, but when we look up and see the hands on the clock, we wish we could turn it back and start again. Been there.
Some say, "Time heals all wounds." Sounds good, but I'm not sure time has one thing to do with that. When something happens in our world that shakes us, time doesn't do one thing different than it always does. The healing comes from within us. We choose, or not, to do the healing, or the beginning again. True, time is always moving but here it gets all the credit, when I'm not so sure any is really do. We feel the hurt. We do the work. We start over. . And we join time, ...in time ...and do what it does. Move on.
Transversely, when it is said, "Time stood still." Usually for a major positive. A first and wonderful kiss, the birth of a child, a wedding. In fact, during these precious moments time doesn't stand still, it keeps ticking. But it is us that finally take the initiative to stop and notice that something was happening in our lives that was special and long lasting, and worth taking notice of. We forget about time at those moments and burn the event to memory. Good for us. At these special times, we could care less about time. It's moving, but we're immersed in inertia. These are exceptionally good times...and decisions.
Regardless of where you come down in the "time, friend or foe" debate, one thing I feel we all can agree on. Time is valuable and too often taken for granted. And we shouldn't do that. For in life there are no reruns, and no rehearsals. It's first take every time. And when we take time for granted, we do the same to ourselves. No one yearns to be taken for granted, and neither does time. It will move on and we must too no matter what.
What we choose to do with our time is, and always has been up to us. Making good use of the time allotted to us on earth leads to great happiness. Consequently, when we squander time as a way of life, we are usually not filled with the same joy as those taking time for a ride and making every second count. Because the most mysterious thing about time is, we never know how much we are given. That brings us to the friend or foe part again.
But in the end, we are the ones that manage it, how we spend it, and who we spend it with. Yeah, time gets all the credit, but we do all the work.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Date Night
The new comedy Date Night with Steve Carell and Tina Fey is new at the box office this weekend.
This much hyped comedy has a lot to live up to. Two big stars, a big advertising budget, and a bunch of anticipation. This really should be a great night at the movies. But overall it come up short. Date Night can't decide what kind of movie it really wants to be. And that's the trouble here. Is it a comedy? Is it an action movie? Actually it's both, and kind of half baked on both fronts.
Date Night is the story of The Fosters. They are a suburban married couple with a two great kids. They live in New Jersey, and and in order to put a bit a bit of spark back into their quiet lives, they venture off to New York City for a "date." Going to a swanky restaurant they don't have reservations for, they pretend to be another couple that doesn't show, and get a table. Turns out these no-shows are involved in some organized crime situation. The "muscle" shows up and basically kidnap The Fosters and want to know about their "extortion plan." That of course doesn't exist. After a while that same night they make an escape, are pursued, and the laughs are on.
This is a very strange movie in looking at how people react to it. In a full theater on it's opening night, I expected big laughs from an eager audience. That never happened. There are some funny moments here. Carell is starting to really get painted into a corner. He's really kind of the same guy in every movie now, and his humor is hit-or-miss with many. Tina Fey is the real prize here. She is funny, original, talented and beautiful at the same time. She is responsible for many of the big laughs here.
Kudos too to Mark Wahlberg who has a very small role as a shirtless hunk that tries to help the Fosters in their time of need. It's a funny bit that he is this guy who is connected to the deepest part of our nations intelligence, all from the comfort of this swinging bachelor pad. Plus he never wears a shirt. It's actually pretty funny. His part is small but he is effective.
The trouble with Date Night is basic. It's a good idea that really never takes off. There are some very funny moments, but many that are designed for big laughs fell short. Some of the movies signature scenes are way too long, and lose their effectiveness. Plus, this movie is packaged as a safe, light and breezy movie. And it really is much more raw than that. PG-13, for sure. Sadly. there were some young kids there with parents, and that's not good. It's for a group much older than that.
Date Night. It's not a total bust. But, there should be some real thought put into plopping down hard earned dough on this one. A future rental, on-demand, or TNT is a couple of years is probably not a bad call either. This is not a must-see.
This much hyped comedy has a lot to live up to. Two big stars, a big advertising budget, and a bunch of anticipation. This really should be a great night at the movies. But overall it come up short. Date Night can't decide what kind of movie it really wants to be. And that's the trouble here. Is it a comedy? Is it an action movie? Actually it's both, and kind of half baked on both fronts.
Date Night is the story of The Fosters. They are a suburban married couple with a two great kids. They live in New Jersey, and and in order to put a bit a bit of spark back into their quiet lives, they venture off to New York City for a "date." Going to a swanky restaurant they don't have reservations for, they pretend to be another couple that doesn't show, and get a table. Turns out these no-shows are involved in some organized crime situation. The "muscle" shows up and basically kidnap The Fosters and want to know about their "extortion plan." That of course doesn't exist. After a while that same night they make an escape, are pursued, and the laughs are on.
This is a very strange movie in looking at how people react to it. In a full theater on it's opening night, I expected big laughs from an eager audience. That never happened. There are some funny moments here. Carell is starting to really get painted into a corner. He's really kind of the same guy in every movie now, and his humor is hit-or-miss with many. Tina Fey is the real prize here. She is funny, original, talented and beautiful at the same time. She is responsible for many of the big laughs here.
Kudos too to Mark Wahlberg who has a very small role as a shirtless hunk that tries to help the Fosters in their time of need. It's a funny bit that he is this guy who is connected to the deepest part of our nations intelligence, all from the comfort of this swinging bachelor pad. Plus he never wears a shirt. It's actually pretty funny. His part is small but he is effective.
The trouble with Date Night is basic. It's a good idea that really never takes off. There are some very funny moments, but many that are designed for big laughs fell short. Some of the movies signature scenes are way too long, and lose their effectiveness. Plus, this movie is packaged as a safe, light and breezy movie. And it really is much more raw than that. PG-13, for sure. Sadly. there were some young kids there with parents, and that's not good. It's for a group much older than that.
Date Night. It's not a total bust. But, there should be some real thought put into plopping down hard earned dough on this one. A future rental, on-demand, or TNT is a couple of years is probably not a bad call either. This is not a must-see.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - The Last Song
Here comes yet another Nicolas Sparks story at the movies, Miley Cyrus in The Last Song.
I've stated before that his movies are always the toughest to review. Because of the story, and the overall feel of any Sparks work. Fans love his movies before they walk in. And sometimes no matter what happens in the movie they will love it. It really is an unbalanced playing field. Sparks stories are not about being good, they are about being made.
The Last Song is the story of Ronnie (Cyrus),her divorced mom and dad, and her little brother. Ronnie has just graduated high school and has been shipped off to Georgia from New York to spend the summer with her father, whom she really doesn't care for. She holds him responsible for her parents divorce. She is angry and bitter.
While visiting her father at his beach house, she falls for a local hunk, and a summer romance ensues. This has its troubles too, but they try to survive it all. Then as fate would have it, Ronnie's father, is dying. (I know someone dying in a Sparks story..shocking.) Will she find it in her heart to forgive her dad? Will love find a way, will this be her turning point in life, and will she cross over to adulthood? This is The Last Song.
From purely a movie making perspective this movie really stumbles out of the blocks. Really tentative and predictable performances, and LOUSY dialogue. My goodness. At times it sounds like a bad community theater audition read. But it seems to get better as it rolls on, or maybe you just get used to it. Also, this movie is starting to wear out the Sparks formula. It is so predictable, and campy, with really ridiculous "awww" scenes. All of his movies look and feel exactly the same. And the characters are exactly the same. It really is tiresome.
Cyrus is average at best, but there's not a lot for her to work with here. Much of this is not her doing. But, this movie will find its audience and be a hit. It's core fans laughed, awwed, cried, and clapped at the the movies end, and that tells me that it spoke to who it was supposed to. Mission accomplished. This movie does address what is going in in many young peoples lives, and that's fine. The aftershocks of a divorce, single parenthood, and the raw feelings that can be tough to deal with. But this movie lacks the relevance of Dear John, the Sparks flick from the winter. Dear John was far more topical, dealing with young love and the military in our world today, and over all is far, far better. It had many more, and better reasons to be made than this.
The Last Song. Sparks always finds a way to box office success but this time, it's a rental at best in 90 days. Not so good.
I've stated before that his movies are always the toughest to review. Because of the story, and the overall feel of any Sparks work. Fans love his movies before they walk in. And sometimes no matter what happens in the movie they will love it. It really is an unbalanced playing field. Sparks stories are not about being good, they are about being made.
The Last Song is the story of Ronnie (Cyrus),her divorced mom and dad, and her little brother. Ronnie has just graduated high school and has been shipped off to Georgia from New York to spend the summer with her father, whom she really doesn't care for. She holds him responsible for her parents divorce. She is angry and bitter.
While visiting her father at his beach house, she falls for a local hunk, and a summer romance ensues. This has its troubles too, but they try to survive it all. Then as fate would have it, Ronnie's father, is dying. (I know someone dying in a Sparks story..shocking.) Will she find it in her heart to forgive her dad? Will love find a way, will this be her turning point in life, and will she cross over to adulthood? This is The Last Song.
From purely a movie making perspective this movie really stumbles out of the blocks. Really tentative and predictable performances, and LOUSY dialogue. My goodness. At times it sounds like a bad community theater audition read. But it seems to get better as it rolls on, or maybe you just get used to it. Also, this movie is starting to wear out the Sparks formula. It is so predictable, and campy, with really ridiculous "awww" scenes. All of his movies look and feel exactly the same. And the characters are exactly the same. It really is tiresome.
Cyrus is average at best, but there's not a lot for her to work with here. Much of this is not her doing. But, this movie will find its audience and be a hit. It's core fans laughed, awwed, cried, and clapped at the the movies end, and that tells me that it spoke to who it was supposed to. Mission accomplished. This movie does address what is going in in many young peoples lives, and that's fine. The aftershocks of a divorce, single parenthood, and the raw feelings that can be tough to deal with. But this movie lacks the relevance of Dear John, the Sparks flick from the winter. Dear John was far more topical, dealing with young love and the military in our world today, and over all is far, far better. It had many more, and better reasons to be made than this.
The Last Song. Sparks always finds a way to box office success but this time, it's a rental at best in 90 days. Not so good.
Friday, April 2, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Clash Of The Titans
It's not often that there is a remake of what some have on their 20 worst movies of all time list. But here we go, a new cast, new technology and new life for Clash Of The Titans new at the box office this week.
In mythology, the Titans were even greater than the Gods. Our story takes place after the son of the god Hates, the Kraken (a horrible gigantic, seas serpent beast) has destroyed the Titans. Now the mythological gods are at war with the humans. Humans have decided it's now their time to rule on earth, and the counsel of the Gods is resistant to the change. A war among the Gods, and the humans ensues.
Perseus is a demi-god, (half god half human). He has vowed to lead the humans in the fight, and he fights as a human, for the most part forsaking his god-like gifts. The gods are going to release the Kraken on the humans, and the humans must find a way to defeat him. If they can, they can win or at least co-exist with the gods in peace.
Clash Of The Titans is an idea that is probably left better as an idea than a major motion picture- yet again. It all sounds like it might be fun to watch, and some of this is. But in reality it's a bunch of guys in skirts running around battling each other, giant scorpions, and the supernatural while carrying shields and swords. Watching the story of mythology is kinda fun, and some of the special effects here are quite good. The 3-D is terrific again. The new 3-D is simply wonderful.
One huge disappointment in this movie to me was so obvious. Virtually the entire movie (90 minutes) is the lead up to the battle with The Kraken. And when he shows up, he is very well done. But big trouble. What you've been waiting for, is simply a couple of minutes, and very limited on screen time. And that was a killer for me. Many times less is more, but not here. In this movie, way too much scorpion and battle with shields time. Not near enough of the payoff.
Visually this move is pretty good, and the story is interesting, but not compelling. Draggy moments throughout, and too much stuff you are tired of, and not enough at the finish. The movies signature line, "Release the Kraken!!" They should have released the Kraken sooner, and left given the guy more screen time.
Should be noted, PG-13. there is killing but no real blood. I don't think there was one swear word, and most of this is actually pretty tame.
Clash Of The Titans......big movie, big dollars, big 3-D....big dud ending!
In mythology, the Titans were even greater than the Gods. Our story takes place after the son of the god Hates, the Kraken (a horrible gigantic, seas serpent beast) has destroyed the Titans. Now the mythological gods are at war with the humans. Humans have decided it's now their time to rule on earth, and the counsel of the Gods is resistant to the change. A war among the Gods, and the humans ensues.
Perseus is a demi-god, (half god half human). He has vowed to lead the humans in the fight, and he fights as a human, for the most part forsaking his god-like gifts. The gods are going to release the Kraken on the humans, and the humans must find a way to defeat him. If they can, they can win or at least co-exist with the gods in peace.
Clash Of The Titans is an idea that is probably left better as an idea than a major motion picture- yet again. It all sounds like it might be fun to watch, and some of this is. But in reality it's a bunch of guys in skirts running around battling each other, giant scorpions, and the supernatural while carrying shields and swords. Watching the story of mythology is kinda fun, and some of the special effects here are quite good. The 3-D is terrific again. The new 3-D is simply wonderful.
One huge disappointment in this movie to me was so obvious. Virtually the entire movie (90 minutes) is the lead up to the battle with The Kraken. And when he shows up, he is very well done. But big trouble. What you've been waiting for, is simply a couple of minutes, and very limited on screen time. And that was a killer for me. Many times less is more, but not here. In this movie, way too much scorpion and battle with shields time. Not near enough of the payoff.
Visually this move is pretty good, and the story is interesting, but not compelling. Draggy moments throughout, and too much stuff you are tired of, and not enough at the finish. The movies signature line, "Release the Kraken!!" They should have released the Kraken sooner, and left given the guy more screen time.
Should be noted, PG-13. there is killing but no real blood. I don't think there was one swear word, and most of this is actually pretty tame.
Clash Of The Titans......big movie, big dollars, big 3-D....big dud ending!
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