Cats and Dogs Living Together... Mass Hysteria

It's the middle of the night and I'm watching/not watching a really poor episode of Smallville.. and I thought it might be more fun to write a blog post about one of my top five favorite movies...

Let me start off with a story... It was a couple years ago and my Broadcast class was invited to a social at my professor's home.. some of us were going to be graduating soon. And there was an activity where we were all going around the room talking about what we wanted to do with our lives.. Most of the people there of course wanted to go into broadcast journalism.. not me I said I wanted to work in the entertainment industry.. Really... who would want to work at a morning news show or something like that.. I knew better.. Irony alert. So anyways they asked me what my favorite movie(s) were. And I though about saying Citizen Kane or Casablanca.. you know so I'd sound educated and smart.. (both great movies... but I don't consider either to be my favorite.) So I decided to go with my heart and I replied Ghostbusters and "**** ** *** ******" (movie to be revealed later and blogged about). Anyways.. everyone there was a little shocked.. but none of them denied that they were great fun movies.

So Ghostbusters is not only one of my favorite movies... but I also have a history with it. A little background first.. growing up I pretty much only watched Disney movies and cartoons.. because my mom was somewhat protective.. so I wasn't exposed to a lot of mainstream movies.. unless you count the movies my cousins from California brought with them on VHS every family reunion (Indiana Jones eating those gross snakes and bugs in Temple of Doom will haunt me forever.. thanks Anderson family). So when I was somewhere between the ages of 8 and 10.. a neighbor and primary teacher invited my friend Trevor and myself to check out his movie collection.. So we went over to his house and he had a ton of movies recorded off HBO. We didn't know anything about them.. so we went with his recommendation.. Ghostbusters.. It was an eye opening experience... (He also let us borrow "Clue" but that's another story... I love Clue).

So it was my first real exposure to a non mom picked movie.. I thought it was the best thing ever.. Since first watching Ghostbusters so many years ago.. I have watched it dozens of times... and each time I watch it I still laugh out loud... even though I know the jokes. I discovered the genius that is Bill Murray. I still find some of the scenes somewhat scary.. For a director to be able to balance action/supernatural/comedy.. and Rick Moranis being eaten by a Mandog... is quite remarkable in my book..

And if I could make a movie half as inventive or funny or that has the ability to stand the test of time.. like Ghostbusters I would be very happy. The sequel is another matter... (good.. a couple great moments.. but not great)..

Ghostbusters is also one of the most quotable movies of all time..
So I'm curious what people's favorite quotes from the movie are.. please post some comments.. I'd love to see them..

And don't even get me started on the AWESOME theme song.

Two more "Ghostbusters" related notes.. according to the talk out there.. Some of the writers of "The Office" are writing a third sequel.. and if the actors like it they say they'd be up for a third.. Even Bill Murray has said this... and he's always been the first one to say no to a sequel... Here's hoping.

And finally.. if no new movie ever happens.. then at least we'll have this. Yes those are the voices of the original actors.. and it's an all new story. This summer people.. start saving your money.

And because I know everybody loves the Stay Puffed Marshmallow man...

If you mean time-traveling bunnies, then yes.

Lost is back. And in case you are ignorant or uninformed this is a very good thing. I've tried to think what I should write about Lost..

Should I write that when I saw the pilot episode.. I wasn't that impressed... but decided to stick with it because it came from the creator of Alias... and then eventually realized this show is awesome.

Should I write how much better this show is than Heroes (a show that had a great first 21 episodes.. and then started to slowly sink into blahness.

Should I write.. that I waste more time than I should listening to podcasts that discuss multiple theories about what the show is about... Or that I scour websites the morning after the show for keen insights about what is happening.

Should I write that the official podcast is hilarious.. and well worth everyone's time.. because the creators of Lost are unbelievably goofy, nerdy and cool.

Should I write about how... in season three certain people started talking about how Lost had jumped the shark and wasn't answering any questions.. and wasn't good anymore... and how I disagreed.. and think that all of those people are dumb..

Should I write about how all those people came back in season four and realized the error of their ways... They're lucky I'm a forgiving person..

Should I write about how this season's premiere only upped the coolness factor because they're embracing the weird and crazy with time travel and Hurley humor.. and weird old time police ladies...

No I think I'll just write that everyone who hasn't given Lost a chance yet should go watch the best show on tv... check out the DVDs and catch up so they can be ready for the next and final season... where we will get the answers to most of your questions... I have faith!

Or all of the episodes are available at abc.com..

But it's better on the widescreen.

The Holiday Movie Post

My wife, the blog expert says that if you can make it past your second blog post you're doing pretty good.. So one more to go. Today is Holiday movie day. A lot of big films came out Christmas day and I saw most of them.. So now you will be subjected to my opinions.

But I should say first that there was a certain movie trailer I saw in November that is better than any movie I saw in December. I think I've watched it 48 times since then. Yes I'm a nerd. There will be a post about this movie at some point.



So now to the movies. Marley and Me wasn't bad.. I went with my mom, two of my sisters, and my wife.. And half of them were very puffy eyed when we left the theater. There isn't a ton to the movie.. but if you like Jen Aniston, Owen Wilson, or dogs I think you'll probably enjoy this movie. My wife read the book after seeing the movie and apparently there are some changes between the two that don't necessarily make a lot of sense.. For example in the movie Owen Wilson's character wants to become a hard news reporter because he only kind of puts up with being a columnist.. but in the book he loves being a columnist. The weird thing is the change really doesn't have a huge affect on the movie... I'm curious... why the changes.

Next we have Valkyrie.. the new Tom Cruise movie about the German conspiracy to kill Hitler. I thought it was pretty good. The movie is based on a true story and is from what I understand pretty loyal to the actual events. I didn't know the story.. I did know they didn't kill Hitler.. because you know.... history. But it was still quite engaging.. And for the record I'm really tired of people beating up on Tom Cruise.. Don't we have better things to do. I listened to a podcast from the writer/producer of the film.. and he claims that 90% of the stuff that the media reported about Tom and the movie.. were completely fabricated.... for what that's worth. Anybody that saw Tropic Thunder knows the man has a sense of humor about himself. End of rant.

I saw Benjamin Button with my wife.. and as I'm sure you've heard.. the movie is long. It was okay. I recommend people see it because it has some intriguing ideas.. but I never really grew to care that much about the characters. My wife got teary eyed at some point.. so she didn't feel the same way... but I just didn't see what B.B. saw in Cate Blanchett's character. She was kind of obnoxious. I left without really caring about their relationship... which is kind of key to the movie.. The movie wants people to realize how precious the time we have with people is and how we should treasure it... which I think is a great thing to say.. I just think they could've done a better job of making the characters more likable.

I did not see the new Adam Sandler movie or Doubt. I hear one is really good and one not so much... but if you've seen either of them feel free to comment and give your opinion. Till next time.

It's finally on Friday... or how I made my first post

I've debated for the past few years about whether or not to have a blog. My wife has a popular blog.. I often read people's blogs... but I've wondered whether I had the ability to be consistent.. and actually want to write something after the initial excitement wears off.. well we'll see.

Anyways I always knew if I wrote a blog it would have to be about pop culture.. because that is what I know. Assuming I stick with this thing you can expect to see reviews of TV, movies, music, websites, books, and whatever else I deem appropriate. As well as thoughts on entertainment news... (this most likely will not include celebrity gossip ugh) and maybe the occasional personal reflection... or not. Once again we'll see.

So what subject inspired me to jump through the rabbit hole.. Was it a great sci-fi movie, a lost Beatles track, or my love of Harry Potter.. No. It was football. Now hang on a second you say. I thought you didn't care for the sports. (Or you thought nothing 'cause you don't know me.) Well for the most part I don't.. but this isn't just any football. This is Friday Night Lights. Not the book. Not the movie. I'm talking about the critically acclaimed -- and loved by anyone who's watched more than 3 episodes -- TV show.

Now it says something about this show that despite it being about football I can't get enough of it. It's not my favorite show on TV. It's not the most action packed... or funniest show on TV.. But I tell you what.. It may be one of the best written shows on TV... ever. What do I mean by that? Well.. it feels like real life (except for a few moments from season 2 but I digress). For the unitiated... and I know there are a lot of you..(the show has dismal ratings) the show follows the lives of a number of Texas High School football players and some of their parents and signifigant others. The show which from what I understand is mostly shot on location in Texas.. feels dirty and real and I just find that exciting.

There are for the most part no crazy plot lines involving adultery, murder, or even aliens.. no the plot lines follow normal mother daughter relationships.. it follows how a coach can make a difference in the lives of his players... a real difference.. it follow the story of a shy kid who finds himself in the middle of a football storm.. Stories that any TV producer would laugh at and say there's no drama there. Oh but there is.

My mom even loves this show.. and my mom doesn't love many shows.. you can count on your hand the number of shows she feels good about watching... She says it's just so relatable.

Tonight -- if you have DIRECTV -- is the season 3 finale (possible series finale). And soon NBC will air this season's episodes. I haven't seen the finale but I can assume it's going to be great and heart wrenching and inspiring.. All I can say is if you haven't given this show a chance.. you need to.. whether you like football or not. You will not regret it.

I haven't done this show justice but.. for all of you who are curious.. Here is the series pilot.. which isn't the best ep but they get better. You can watch the first two seasons online at the wonderful Hulu. Or check out the DVDs.. you can find each season for $15.00 or so if you look around. Well worth the money. And for those who think season 2 gets a little drama heavy... season 3 returns to greatness.. Once again.. it will be on NBC starting this Friday..





One more thing: ONE WEEK UNTIL LOST!!!