Jonatha Live in New York!

One of the benefits of being "in the loop somewhat" has its priviledges :). I've had the advance copy of Jonatha's live CD/DVD for some time now and I'm really thrilled at the whole thing....not just the great performance, but the fact that the CD/DVD project was fan-supported and I'm proud to have contributed to it...it also is a personal thing for me since I was actually there at the Anspacher Public Theater so whenever I listen to the recording I can almost imagine being there all over again.

I only wish I was there when she did her first live recording. Jonatha and her band are really at their best live.

"Crumbs" will always be a favorite of mine, but "Damn Everything But the Circus" was a real treat and I repeat it at least once everytime I listen to the CD. "Inconsolable" played live is magnificent.

A heart attack waiting to happen :)

7-6, 6-7, 6-7 for the first 3 sets.....that's a heart attack waiting to happen! Man, it was nerve-wracking but in the end all worth the pain. It really did look like Andre had played his last match. But like a true veteran of the sport, he knew his mechanics, his equipment, and his will to endure 4 sets.

It was just the first round of the US Open, but it felt like a championship match. Just knowing this is Andre's last tournament does indeed have such an impact on everyone.

'Hope you make it passed the next round, Andre.

Clerks II

It was the last show...10:40pm and I expected to be alone in the theater...but alas, I wasn't...several dudes in the audience (and a few dudettes too, of course...Jay does have that pull).....so I was expecting some movie-watching rudeness....but hell, it's late at night...I didn't care anymore.

What can I say...it was a blast! The underlying story is a serious one...but the bits of comedy sprinkled throughout the movie just made it all worth the distraction. Jay's dance routine was truly a classic...damn I'll sure miss these characters.

To my surprise...when the movie ended...all the dudes actually clapped their hands? Could you believe that?

Hoodwinked

I've always dismissed Anne Hathaway as that "Princess Diaries gal"...well I guess I still do...but the matchup of her voice and Red was great and the supporting cast of Patrick Warburton(wolf-reported), Jim Belushi(unrecognizable voice), and Xzibit(the bear/police chief)....and Andy Dick! The making-of featurette in the dvd was very enlightening and I admired the story/concept start that slowly evolved into a success.

Critters do have feelings!! :)

Doogal Extra: enjoying Hoodwinked too much left me thirsty for another animated feature so I went to the local video store and dug into their previewed bins and found Doogal. The voiceover cast was all-star...Will Macy, Kevin Smith, Jon Stewart...wow...sad to say though...I didn't like the movie. It just didn't have any life to it. I couldn't even finish it. Hoodwinked was driven by the story & concept while technology and great actor-voiceovers supported it. It seemed the other way around with Doogal and it just didn't work for me.

Hostel

No...that's not Prince Zardoz' cousin.... :)

I'm a little behind on all these slasher flicks (but I do have Saw, Saw II, Wolf Creek, and The Descent somewhere down my list) and this first one was actually great! The exploration from the bliss of the Amsterdam red district to the hedonistic charms of this hostel in the middle of nowhere to the depths of hell...well, not exactly...the depths of torture...is a classic downward spiral method (think the opening sequence of Outbreak...we're on BL5!). The revenge in the end was very satisfying (I'm guessing Quentin loved that part too...seeing as how the revenge story has been his main staple).

The Squid and the Whale

It's been a long time since I last saw a powerful performance by a young actor...a long time since....well, Natalie Portman in The Professional (Leon). Owen Kline's portrayal of Frank Bernard's character was so scarring I couldn't imagine how his parents were convinced into allowing him to play the part. Maybe times are changing. Owen had the best lines and his facial expressions and delivery was just so dead on it whacks you in the head every time.

I literally watched this film again immediately after I finished browsing through the special features. It just left me thirsty for more misery from these characters.

I have a weak spot for Laura Linney (especially when she ties her hair) and she is just able to portray tortured characters really well. I think Jeff Daniels is such an underrated actor and this movie just totally should show people his range. Could you ever imagine him here and then watch Dumb and Dumber?...totally different personalities and absolutely non-interchangeable.

I thank Stephen King for giving that last push for me to get this DVD. I had it in mind but forgot it in all the madness going on in my life...but after reading his article and declaring The Squid and the Whale as the best...hell, I won't argue with the king :).

Dear reader...don't miss out on this one.