Star Wars movie opinions

I guess I upset some people with my Star Wars review. Sorry about that, the movie is still rubbish tho. Here are some homeade films that are better:

Produce Staw Wars

Jules the Hockey Coach

Good Trailer

This film will be out in September and looks pretty good. The source material is fantastic so hopefully they do it justice.

History of Violence

Fantasy Bedtime Hour

This was on public access cable tonight. I get a call from my roomate and his girlfriend saying I have to check it out. This show is out there but actually quite funny. I have had that book they talk about forever(I think they have done like 26 episodes on the book) and think its from the 70's.

Anyways, this is cool in a geeky way.

Star Wars 3

Just saw Star Wars Episode 3. A lot of people like this film. Most hated the last two but many liked this one. I wanted to like it, wanted to finally see a good Star Wars film after waiting 21 years.
I unfortunately not only hated this film but was more upset given Lucas's great backstory he created so many years ago. He really did have to go out of his way to get this one wrong. From my point of view I wanted to love these films and as soon as Lucas announced he was doing the prequel films back in the mid 90's, I just imagined the final light saber battle between Vader and Obi One. As I sat there in the packed theatre my mind drifted to what I was going to eat tonight, my plans for next weekend and about the coming work week. I was so out of the film by this point I did not care what happened. I did notice how bad the light saber scenes were and how poorly done the volcano setting was.
Honestly, I am the only person I know who did not like this film. I don't just hate this film but I cannot understand how anyone can like this. There is no character development, the writing is bad, actually so bad that I think Lucas must have let his kids write some of these lines. Yoda is a joke and I was getting annoyed with him. What happened with that? Yoda was soo good in Empire. The battles looked fake, backgrounds fake, the acting was horrible(except the emperor), and even the R2d2 scenes were bad.
There was a small segment mid way through the film that I felt like I was watching a real movie. This was when order 66 was given and the jedi were being killed. Suddenly, out of nowhere for 15 minutes the film had great scenes, amazing camera work and angles, and terrific pacing. My only guess was that this was the scene tht Spielberg directed. I was getting ready to give this movie an average rating at that point if the second half turned out good. What then occurred was more boring lightsaber battles and a silly ending. I seriously cannot even go into everything bad with this film as there is just too much. Atleast the last film had the funny c3po bumbling during the battle so I could laugh at something funny while I laughed at the movie.
The critics kind of liked this movie. If it did not have the Star Wars name they would have and still should have given it the review it deserves. I vowed not to see this in the theatres but saw the good reviews and gave it a shot.
Sorry if I sound negative. I normally like more movies than I dislike. I can't wait to see War Of the Worlds and Crash. I lost all faith in Lucas years ago but Spielberg is still the true master of moviemaking.

Time top 100 movies

This is a fun list but I like the variety here. The foreign films here are questionable however. 8 1/2 and Chunking Express? They pick farewell my Concubine as the one Gong Li film but the fact they picked even one is good. Finding Nemo? Where is Toy Story?

The fact that Yojimbo is here is funny too. I liked the film and the character is the model of Clint Eastwood tough guys and I believe remade as an Eastwood movie.
Notorious over North by Northwest or Rebecca?

Actually this is more of a fun list and it looks like a more out of the way list. I may check out a couple of these.

Time's top 100

Bob's wedding was on Saturday. The reception was at Shawnee Peak in Bridgeton. I got to see some people I was really looking forward to seeing. It was nice to see Bob, Tracy, Tarren, and Jay again. These are friends I grew up with that I had not seen in awhile. There are some pictures in the below link but the funniest had to be the random appearance of the stormtrooper. This makes the post I did on Friday even funnier. I guess what happened was this stormtrooper was promoting the movie at a small theatre in Bridgeton. Someone paid him 50 dollars to show up at the wedding, classic.

Bob's Wedding Pics

Star Wars Fans

Yea I know, I have nothing good to say about the recent Staw Wars films. I am in no rush to see the new film but I do enjoy our modern Star Wars subculture that has evolved. There are so many cool fan sites for these films that have many great homemade movies and comedy pieces.

The fans are also pretty funny. I have a few pics here from the premiere.

Link to Father's Listings

I am just learning some things today.
Hopefully in an attempt to add some properties and eventually run a separate site.

I am not turning this into a sales listing or anything but wanted to show him how easy it is to do and eventually get a sales site up. Blogger is really powerful in the search engines and oddly probably more so than a sales website.

Home for Sale

jim@fishmanrealty.com

1202 RIDGE ROAD BOWDOINHAM, MAINE

FARMHOUSE WITH DETACHED BARN WITH 133 ACRES THAT HAS BEEN IN THE SAME FAMILY SINCE 1813.

IDEAL FOR A “GENTLEMANS” FARM AND/OR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL.

1/4 MILE FROM EXIT 43, ROUTE 295….40 MINUTES TO DOWNTOWN PORTLAND AND 20 MINUTES TO DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA.

PROPERTY: 1202 RIDGE ROAD BOWDOINHAM, MAINE3BEDROOM-2BATH-LIVING ROOM-DINING ROOM(WITH FIREPLACE)-LARGE KITCHEN WITH WOODSTOVE.

LOCATION: ¼ MILE OFF EXIT 43 ROUTE 295(40 MINUTES TO DOWNTOWN PORTLAND/20 MINUTES TO DOWDTOWN AUGUSTA.PRICE: $725,000

Fingers!

Yes another finger. The thing that gets me about all these people is how they hire lawyers attempting to get more money. This is the lowest type of person in my book, well not really but I have no respect for them. With so many lawyers and lawsuits floating around corporations have to pay less and charge more. Yes we need lawyers, but not for everything. Click below if you want to read the story. Guy finds a finger, chews it, and will probably hire a lawyer and retire and eat more custard.WILMINGTON, N.C. - A man who ordered a pint of frozen chocolate custard in a dessert shop got a nasty surprise inside — a piece of severed finger lost by an employee in an accident.

Unlike a recent incident at a Wendy's restaurant in California, no questions of truth have been raised about the finger served up to go at Kohl's Frozen Custard and found later at home by Clarence Stowers.

Officials from the state departments of agriculture and labor went to the shop Monday, and the owner confirmed one of his employees lost part of a finger in an accident with a food-processing machine. It was not immediately clear how the severed finger got into the custard.

Wilmington television station WWAY reported that Stowers found the finger in frozen custard he purchased Sunday night.

Stowers, who did not immediately return calls Monday from The Associated Press, told the station: "I thought it was candy because they put candy in your ice cream ... to make it a treat. So I said, 'OK, well, I'll just put it in my mouth and get the ice cream off of it and see what it is.'"

Stowers said he spit the object out, but still couldn't identify it. So he went to his kitchen, rinsed it off with water — and "just started screaming."

Stowers said he planned to contact a lawyer.

Shop owner Craig Thomas did not immediately return a message left by the AP Monday.

Joe Reardon of the Agriculture Department's food and drug division said state officials closed the shop while the food processing equipment involved in the accident was cleaned and sanitized.

In March, a Las Vegas woman claimed she bit down on a 1 1/2 inch-long finger fragment while dining with her family at a Wendy's restaurant in San Jose, Calif.

Investigators have since called her claim a hoax and charged her last month with attempted grand theft related to millions in dollars of financial losses Wendy's has suffered since news of her claim broke.

Narnia

A new Narnia movie is coming soon. In order to cash in on the success of the Lord Of the Rings, Disney has decided to make the Narnia books into films. The same people who did the LOTR will be doing the special effects.
A movie like this is difficult in that it is more CGI heavy than the LOTR, has to rely on child actors, and is more of a children's tale for better or for worse. Being a disney movie does not help much. The trailer looks decent atleast.

Tale of Two Sisters

A Tale of Two Sisters:

I've been on a bot of a Korean movie kick lately. I'm impressed so far, having three Korean films in my tope 10 last year and atleast two so far this year. A Tale of Two Sisters is the second scariest movie I have ever seen(The tent scene from the Blair Witch is still tops). This is exactly the type of scary movie I like: Not much gore or blood, just masterful camera work and suspense. This is better than the Ring and Ju-On which ofcourse means that the idea starved Hollywood studios are already making an American version.
I like films that gradually build up tension. The house is a great set piece, almost becoming a character in the movie. The interior is decorated in a series of strange floral wallpapers giving the house a sense of age. The sets, music, and acting are brilliant.
Every shot is beautiful, even a simple shot of washing hands is photographed at such a level of detail that you know the rest of the movie will be as good. The director shows the character looking out onto a beautiful lake then cuts to the actress, then has the camera suspended above the actress, over the dock, then very creepily shows the hands in the dark water, then has a shot in the water coming closer to the hands. A simple scene is made both beautiful and scary at the same time.
**spoiler**
The scene that did it for me was when then brother and his wife came over for dinner. The wife is on the floor choking or perhaps having a seizure. Her eyes are wide open, her family is trying to save her. Finally as she and her husband are driving away he asks her are you alright, speak to me. Out of nowhere she just says "There was a girl under the sink." They then cut to a half second view of what she saw which was truly horrific. To make it even more tense the next scene is of the lead actress looking under the sink. This is where the movie really shines. Instead of just shooting a quick scary scene the director drags it out. I had to look away. It was too much for me. Few movies are that scary.


Anyways, I've take too much time. I would love to see what others felt about this film.

Joel at the Superbowl(kinda)

If you look real close, really really close you will see Joel at the superbowl. I had to take this picture from the Superbowl DVD so the picture quality may not be the best. Now if you look at the front row, the guy in red, next to him Joel's dad is in blue and next to him in white is Joel! Immortalized! World Series, ALCS, and Superbowl. You're a lucky boy Joel. Lets see, what is the best sporting event I went to. I did see Larry Bird's last game and almost got a high five ). I was walking around on the sidelines and the Celtic players came on the court right where I was. I stick my hand out and go Larry! He runs by but.....I did get a high five from Ed Pickney! You rule Ed Pickney! Lets see, I was at a Red Sox game with my cousins and they went to the Red Sox dugout to get autographs, I went to the White Sox dugout and got Lamarr Hoyt's autograph, my first big autograph! My cousins got Wade Boggs and Jerry Remy. Hoyt did win Cy Young that year then was arrested for selling drugs to children but Lamarr you still rule in my book! I think we got like 4 hats autographed actually as I remember we all had Lamarr Hoyt Red Sox hats. Lets see, oh yes I also have a Counting Crows shirt autographed by the lead singer. I'm one of the few that still likes that band but I did not meet the lead singer, my sister did so that one doesnt really count and kinda got me off topic.

Ground Ball With Eyes!

This is just a bit odd but cool at the same time.

Want that man with a playful twist?

Spreading the word

SOMETIMES I LIKE TO USE ALL CAPS BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE I'M EITHER EXCITED OR DRANK A LOT OF COFFEE! I GUESS THIS IS WRONG

New York Pictures

New York Pictures
Trip Info Below on the next post(this read more does not work but the other does)

New York Trip

The family finally made it down to see my sister in New York. (click read more)
I took a day off as did my father and Brother in Law and headed to New York. We did run into quite a bit of traffic as we entered the city limits at or around rush hour. I am unsure if there is a good time to enter the city unless by train, boat etc. My poor sister held a parking spot for 45 minutes in front of her apartment in Brooklyn. After 7 hours of driving we unpacked some bags and proceeded to go to dinner. A new Thai place had just opened across the street so we proceeded to enjoy and excellent Thai dinner. I am not sure if everyone enjoyed the food but I think they did. An interesting thing about Thai food in the States seems like they put the spices in the food. The 2 weeks I was in Thailand the spices were almost always separate. Perhaps because Englanders/Australians etc do not like spices as much, I dunno. This particular restaurant had a DJ mixing some classic 80's toons but it was cheap and would have been reasonable even by Maine prices. In New York it is probably very cheap.
Sassie also accompanied us to dinner and it was good to see him again. The last time I had had a meal with Sassie he had us all laughing at his "Mangela" story. Some people are good at telling stories and Sassie is one of those people. He happens to have quite a few great stories concerning his skate company and his art magazine. I find it interesting how he and my sister meet so many celebrities on a regular basis. I lost count of all the famous people my sister meets through work and Sassie also knows quite a few. To them it's not a big deal but to me it's very interesting. I hope Sassie does well with the companies and by the sounds of it, especially with some help from Tony Hawk and Rosario Dawson the company is doing well. Promoting a company seems like a lot of work, especially getting those right connections.
Anyways after dinner we went to a nice restaurant/bar, at least me, Jaymie, Sassie and Micky did. We had some nice $10.50 deserts. This bar is a favorite spot for Jennifer Conelly, Matt Damon etc. In fact 5th street in Brooklyn is becoming quite the trendy area. I don't know a thing about NYC ofcourse and all I could think about was how full I was and how I had too many beers. The fact that I could not partake in the chocolate bread putting and had to agonizingly watch Sassie eat this precious desert was not like me. Normally I would have claimed one of these deserts for myself but too much Thai food can do that. I was tired and took Micky(who is 12) back to my sister's apartment right up the street.
My sister's apartment is pretty cool, boasting a wall sized chalkboard, a nice wireless high speed internet connection, and Hermann the squirrel. Hermann lives in my sister's ceiling and slowly digs his way towards her. She has woken up to have Hermann staring at her as he loves to come inside just to say Wazzup! I could hear him squeaking in the morning as he dug his way towards me.My sister's roof has a nice view of the city.
Saturday began with an early phone call from the rest of the family who stayed at a nearby apartment. I do not remember eating breakfast but had an assortment of pretzels and hot dogs. We took a subway and went to visit my sister's workplace, Sirius Satellite Radio. I was looking forward to this and could not wait to see what was in store. The most impressive aspect is probably the giant satellite tracking screens they have as well as all the DJ booths and live recording studios. There was a bit of a mess as Howard Stern is moving into the offices at some point, but there was just a lot of cool things going on. I was impressed by a giant, actually many giant walls where musicians and actors sign their names. I briefly looked at this and spotted where Sting, Billy Bob, Leonard Skynard and I think Billy Joel had signed. I took a picture of it somewhere.
That would be quite an employee perk to be able to take a lunch break and watch Sting record a live session as there are tables set up to watch.
I would love to say we did something cool after that but alas we did not. I could tell from the number of little girls and their dolls all heading in a certain direction that our next destination could be trouble. Our destination was a 4 story doll store. This place had everything, a hair salon(20 dollars), a hospital for those broken dolls, tea rooms so you could sit with your dolls and other various horrors. In reality the place was soo crowded with little girls and miserable fathers that I had to step out for a few.
Our next stop was the Metropolitan museum. I had been here before but this place is soo massive that it takes days to explore. We checked out the weapons, armor, Victorian rooms, modern art, some art with a bunch of picasso's, and a Diane Arbus exhibition. I love this place and next time I need to get one of those audio tour things.

After this I believe we went to dinner at a French place. This was one of those expensive places with small portions but it was fast and had some decent Humus.
Next we split up to see our Broadway shows. Half of us saw Spamalot and half saw Hairspray. As I mentioned in a previous post, my sister managed to get Eric Idle's seats right up front. The show is sold out for the next 6 months so this was very good on her part. She even bought me a Spamalot beer stein which I plan to proudly use especially if I am drinking beer and watching Monty Python.
If you have seen the Holy Grail then you have seen about half of Spamalot as it follows the movie. What I loved was what was added. They knew which seems fans loved and made them longer and better often adding very funny music. They also added the most beloved Monty Python song from A life of Brian, "Always look on the Bright side of Life" which was very good. The set pieces were amazing from a giant Trojan Bunny to the giant pointing finger that comes from the ceiling to pick out one poor audience member. This guy had to go up on stage and have silly things done to him. A giant stuffed animal cow landed on Percy followed by a funny "Run Away" song. This play will be around for years I am sure and I recommend it once the hype dies down.
Sunday morning we met a couple of Jaymie's friends, Flo and Ben. Jaymie had recently gone to Argentina to their wedding and had some very cool pictures. We ate at a nice Tex Mex spot and then headed home. That's about it, the ride was long but atleast my parents and I got to listen to some more of the Davinci Code plugging my mp3 player into the car stereo. That's a very good book. Do I finish it or wait for my parents, that's a tough one.