Keith Sweat - "Don't Stop the Love"
You would have thought the man with the whiny voice would have been a one or two hit wonder. However, Keith managed to stick around for quite a while. He even still looks about the same now as he did 20-some-odd-years ago. Out of all the hits he had, this one remains my favorite. I think because everytime I hear it, I think about him trying to dance in this video and it just cracks me up...
If there is one thing I have learned from watching Kevin Smith movies it is to expect the unexpected. Don't be surprised by ANYTHING you might see because Smith has made it a career to come out of left field. Clearly, nothing is off limits for him. It's tricky ground that few directors can tread successfully, but he seems to make it work. So with a title like "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" you can only imagine what you would be in for.
Zack Brown (Seth Rogen) and Miri Linky (Elizabeth Banks) have been best friends since high school and have been living together as platonic roommates. Thanks to poor budgeting on both of their parts, they begin to fall on hard times. Past due bills are catching up to them and the best option they come up with for money is making their own porno. As the cameras roll, the choice for them to get intimate with one antoher causes them to expose their true feelings.
Smith had come out and said that despite the title and the subject matter, this film was loosely based on the concept of how he and his own group of friends first got into the movie business. Meaning they utilized every creative means necessary to get filming equipment, sets and locations when they were trying to complete "Clerks". Still, you have to wonder if Zack and Miri found the loot to do that, why didn't they just apply it to their bills?
I was surprised to see Brandon Routh's name in the opening credits as I watched "Zack and Miri". Hadn't seen him in a big screen release since his iconic Superman role. Being that it was a Smith vehicle, I was anxious to see how he would be used. Let me just say that it was about as far from Superman as you can get. His brief screen time coupled with Justin Long's performance was just as funny as it was awkward. However, now I have to hurry up and watch "Superman Returns" again to get Routh's new typecast out of my head.
The knock on this one early was the same thing that saddled down "Wedding Crashers" to some critics. That maybe the movie jumped the shark mid-film. That it went from being uproariously funny to being a sappy romantic comedy. Folks that would think that would be wrong in more than one instance. For one, "Zack and Miri" establishes early on that these two very clearly have something there for one another. It's a shame that it takes filming a porno scene for them to realize it, but sometimes it is what it is.
The other part being the humor of this film. As with most of Smith's work, you most likely won't find yourself laughing hysterically throughout the whole film. At least I never do. They usually come in chunks and when they hit, they are HUGE. This one is no different. I had already mentioned that Long and Routh had a couple of telling scenes. However, the one that will stick with me forever is the episode of constipation. I could go into detail but you have really need to see it for yourself to fully appreciate it.
The one thing about this flick that was a bit far-fetched was how easy they made it seem to film a porno. So basically all you have to do is put the word out that you're filming one and people will start lining up around the corner to be in it? Knowing that they aren't getting paid up front? And the "actresses" are actually decent looking? This is probably going to give far too many people out there more hope than they should have for cracking into that type of show business.
Given the fact that the title has "porno" right in it, Smith probably had a hard sell to several theathers. That couldn't have been nearly as hard to pull of as it was for this one to avoid an NC-17 rating. In more than a few instances, it reminded me of some of the soft-core viewings I remember from Skinemax back in the day. Okay...I am revealing WAY too much about myself right about now.
The bottom line is Rogen and Smith was a match made in movie heaven. I am not completely sold that this work was the best selection to capitalize on that combination though. "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" was at its best when Rogen was interacting with the secondary characters or when they themselves were at the forefront. Then again, a good actor is able to step aside and let others take the shine when they know it will enhance the overall product. It's a director's job to make sure that is properly done. Both Rogen and Smith recognized that with this movie and it delivered a better product because of it.
My rating: B
When I first caught wind of the latest KKK news, I didn't pay that much attention to it. An ignorant redneck (which is what comprises the KKK anyway) is arrested for killing a woman. Typical KKK news. Of course I felt bad for the sista that was victim because things like that should never happen. Then I read more into it and was surprised. It wasn't even a sista that they killed.
It seems the Klan was trying to recruit some lady (her name hasn't been released by authorities yet) into their ranks. When she had a last minute change of heart during the initiation ceremony, the racist pond scum didn't like that too much. She asked to be taken to a nearby town, an argument ensued and she ended up being fatally shot by the group's leader, Chuck Foster.
Now I'm not the most intelligent person in the world. Even though I play one on the internet. Still, having been thru a few initiation processes of my own, I do know that it can be a little hectic sometimes. However, by the time a person has gotten that far, the organization should already be 100% certain that the person is committed to the cause.
Naturally, the biggest problem is that KKK is by no means any type of "organization". They are a group of uneducated, hillbilly thugs that think intimidation can work on recruits just as well as it should on the innocent people they try to terrorize. They probably ran across a woman who was somewhat vulnerable but then realized too late that she was smarter than that.
There's nothing ironic about the fact that this news comes on the heels of Barack Obama being elected. The Klan and all other racist groups like them should feel threatened. They can try to raise their numbers all they want but intelligence will always prevail over ignorance. It was proven on November 4th and it will continue to be the case for at least the next four years!
It airs every year about this time. Just in time to honor Veteran's Day. Then the networks (and by "the networks", I mean TNT) will rinse and repeat come Memorial Day weekend. Then again for any and every other military-themed day that rolls around. "Saving Private Ryan" has become for those holidays what "The Ten Commandments" was/is for Easter. That is just how it should be.
This is one of the rare movies I can recall going to see in theaters as if it just happened yesterday. The reason being because it was one of the rare flicks that took me to the brink. One of the few movies to cause the infamous well up. There I was a grown man sitting in a packed movie with eyes slowly getting a little wet. However, I defy anyone to sit thru all of "Saving Private Ryan" for the first time and tell me if the same feeling doesn't overcome you when an aged Ryan asks his wife "Tell me I have led a good life".
There were several things that attracted me to this film from the beginning. It starred Tom Hanks...directed by Steven Spielberg...a war epic...yet there was one that stood out more than any of them. The fact that this was loosely based on the Sullivan brothers that inspired one of my all-time favorite black and white movies "The Fighting Sullivans".
In that real-life tragedy, all the brothers died because they demanded to serve together no matter what assignment they had. It proved fatal when their ship was attacked by a Japanese submarine. "Saving Private Ryan" takes a look at what would happen if one of the brothers had lived and was given a chance to return to his family. He would had more than the burden of his brothers' deaths to shoulder.
Much is often made about the first 40-or-so minutes of the film which is a non-stop up-close look of the invasion of Normandy beach. Some folks have said it is the most realistic account of the event ever put on film. Fortunately, I can't speak to that. I have never been in a war to be able to tell if what was portrayed really does hit close to home. I will say though if the real thing is anything close to how Spielberg had it chillingly displayed, I consider myself very lucky I have never experienced it.
As with any Spielberg film, the acting is beyond phenomenal. It's not enough that he is able to get big name actors because of who he is. Spielberg also manages to pull out the very best from the actors. That isn't Tom Hanks up there on the screen. That's Captain John Miller trying to consistently hold up his unit's morale, convincing them it does make sense risking the life of eight men for one soldier. It just so happens that he slightly resembles Hanks.
I kept meaning to include "Saving Private Ryan" the week's vault pick with each passing military-themed holiday. I finally remembered this year as I watched it again from beginning to end. It was probably at least the tenth time I have seen the flick so I've been desensitized to any aptitude to well up. However, that doesn't change the fact that this remains one of the best war epics ever made.
If it wasn't for Dad, I would not have even remembered it. I have to be honest. You all know I'm terrible with birthdays so I'm glad he did remind me. I was sitting there worrying about not forgetting the one just four days away and this one snuck up on me.
I'm not sure if any birthday Popoo has could top the one he had last year where we gave him the surprise party. I know it will be one that I will remember for quite a while. However, with each year that passes it's another year that we are blessed with his presence. I don't even have to go as far as a year. With every additional day that passes, we are blessed to have him here with us.
I gave him a call tonight to commemorate the occasion. I love how whenever I call, I can hear his voice light up over the phone. Yes, voices can light up. I can feel his gracious smile in his tone as he calls me by the nickname that only few people know. The nickname only a select few relatives still utilize. He may be glad to hear from me but I am much more ecstatic to hear his voice.
Naturally, I couldn't wait to get Popoo's thoughts on the events that had transpired this past week. I could hear his inflection shift to the philosophical Popoo we all know and love. I could almost envision him leaning back in his favorite chair and getting comfortable as he shared his feelings...
"I knew this day would come sooner or later....I just never thought it would happen in my lifetime."
I smiled enormously as I told him that's exactly what I'm glad it did. It may have been six days early, but that was one heck of birthday present.
Yes, it was over a week ago that the Omicron Pi Chapter event was held. It would have been nice if this photo album was more timely, but better late than never. I just wish I could have gotten some higher quality photos myself rather than having to lift them from frat's Facebook page.
Once again, it was probably for the best that I borrowed someone else's pics. Especially a professional's. My camera just doesn't do well in dim light. Even with the setting that's supposed to enhance the image. At least it does an amazing job in optimal lighting conditions. As long as the subject isn't too far away.
You can check out photos from last Saturday's event in the new photo album to the right. It's labeled real tricky so good luck in finding it. It was much easier to comment on certain details about the event and participants by just doing it with the corresponding photos. Therefore, you can catch even more of my insight by perusing the whole album.
Enjoy!
Maybe He Should Stick to Cockfighting
Here I was thinking that Roy Jones, Jr. had retired for good. Then again you have to remember that in the world of boxing, there is no such a thing. At least these cats should pick their opponents better when they do choose to re-enter the ring. This image just says it all. Apparently, Roy Jones didn't learn anything from watching this Joe Calzaghe kid best Bernard Hopkins. Or maybe Roy got a false sense of hope from watching Hopkins take out the younger Kelly Pavlik. Whatever the case may be, it was very discouraging to hear that Calzaghe was using Jones' old tricks on Jones. I'm guessing right about now, that offer to go up against Mike Tyson for a semi-decent payday isn't looking too bad for Roy.
Let's Go OutBack Tonight
That's all you hear coming from Iowa City now. Let me go on the record as saying that I HATE that jingle. There is hardly anything much more annoying. Anyway, I was just joking with co-workers this week that there was no way the Hawks would get past Penn State. Even if twas in Kinnick Stadium. The Nittany Lions just seemed to be too much on a mission for another national championship for Joe Pa. So much for that theory. I want so much to be happy for the Hawks since it is a team reppin' Iowa but those darn fans are STILL so dang obnoxious. So now I'm back to hoping they don's sniff any part of any bowl game. And yes, those sour grapes do taste good.
Down, Down, Down...Gas Prices Going Down
As I'm driving home today, I notice the latest price drop: we are now at $1.79/gallon here! I apologize if I keep harping on that, but it's just so incredulous. Especially given the timing. You all know that I tend to be a conspiracy theorist. I was confident that the only reason gas prices started falling in the first place was to make people think the economy was getting better so that McCain could win back some supporters. That apparently didn't work so following that logic, the prices should have started going back up, right? Well give them time. They can't make it look too obvious.
So Sad
I can't wait to hear the story behind this one. This kid was only 8-years-old and he shot not only his 29-year-old father but also another guy who was in the house. It's not that police aren't releasing a motive, it's just that they don't know what it is. Or they're not telling us. Everytime I see stories like this one, it's just too hard to fathom that some little boy the same age as G could pick up a gun and commit murder. Not once but twice. This may be really bad to say but I sure hope it was because his father and the guy there were some type of molesters. That's the only scenario I could see it being justified. Even then, it is still so hard to envision a little kid being capable of something like that. Prayers go out to the family.
I forgot to call attention last week to the latest Daunte Culpepper news. It was the perfect chance for me to further rip into Kansas City Chiefs' management for letting him slip away. They needed a decent quarterback and Daunte ended up signing with the Detroit Lions, with what he considered to be a better opportunity. Looks like he didn't fare much better with them as the Lions got spanked 38-14 by the Jacksonville Jaguars this week.
It turns out that the Chiefs may have known a little something that us armchair quarterbacks didn't know afterall. Here we are sitting here griping about how they need a veteran QB like Culpepper and then this Tyler Thigpen kid starts stepping up. They gave him a few more snaps and he started to show that he's got a little talent in him that can do some damage when he puts his mind to it.
The problem-- or I should say one of several problems --is Thigpen doesn't have quality targets to throw to. After Bowe and Tony Gonzalez, it's slim pickins for that Chiefs wide receiving corps. So no matter how good Thigpen continues to play week in and week out, he can only do so much by himself. I'm just glad that one of Kansas City's quarterbacks is finally showing some signs of life.
Our local station chose to go with the Colts/Steelers game over the Chiefs/Chargers match-up this week. We were fortunate enough hat when the Colts/Steelers game was over, they went to the last minutes of the Chiefs game. KC did put forth a courageous effort on the road, trying to get get out of that "L" column. Once again, it was too much too late as they fell to San Diego 20-19.
Everytime I see Gonzalez do have an amazing performance like he did today, I keep feeling a little sorry for him. He's got to feel severely under-appreciated in an offensive scheme that does little to give him some support. He plays his butt off knowing that Kansas City will probably get rid of him in the off-season anyway as they keep moving forward with the whole rebuilding effort. But while he is there, at least the true fans like me greatly appreciate everything he brings to the game each and every week.
Coach Herm Edwards may have done some very questionable things in past games that I don't agree with; however, I don't' have any problem with his decision to go for two at the end of this one. As a matter of fact, I was hoping he would as I was watching it. What did he have to lose? They were playing on the road against a division opponent and were already 1-7 anyway. Might as well go for it. Unfortunately, I was also pretty confident they wouldn't convert either. That's just the way things have been for the Chiefs this season.
Do you really have to ask?!
I know some folks are going to get sick of me beating that Obama drum, but guess what? Get used to it! It's going to be like this for at least four more years! I tried to play nice and act like I had come down from the Election night high but I was fakin' the funk. I've still got a little bit of a buzz going from the whole thing. I know I'm not the only one so I do not feel bad at all.
Truth of the matter is it is all still a bit surreal to me. I still remember when the journey began (at least in Iowa) and it all seemed so improbable. One of my younger frat brothers had frat staying with him temporarily who was working on the Obama campaign. Brother Blake was helping to get the ground swell going for Obama in Iowa. I was very pessimistic that it could never happen. Then before I knew it, he took Iowa. It was on from there.
Despite the triumphant news we are still celebrating, I am a little apprehensive. Now I am to the point where I am genuinely concerned for not only Obama's safety, but that of his beautiful family as well. I don't care how far we have come to finally put a brotha in office, we all know there are tons of crazy folks out there still.
Even as Obama was giving him victory speech, I was getting nervous. There he was in Grant Park. All in the wide open. I just kept praying that security had done their job to the fullest. I kept thinking of movies like "Wanted" where they were showcasing assassin snipers taking out targets from miles away in settings just like that. I was wishing he would hurry up and finish so he could get back to a safer location.
I must admit that I am rather disappointed in the reaction of people who were not Obama supporters. Those that refuse to acknowledge the historical significance of the unprecedented moment. Those that refuse to admit that they have just been a part of living history (even though they didn't vote for him). Even McCain was big enough to point out the importance of the victory in his concession speech. It's just too bad that McCain's supporters couldn't show the same level of respect, class and recognition.
Regardless, January 20th can not come soon enough for me. There has never been another time that I wished I lived closer to the east coast so I could attend what will undoubtedly be the best Inauguration ever. I anxiously look forward to four years of President Barack Obama proving all of the doubters wrong. Most importantly, I once again congratulate him for giving us this remarkable moment in history.
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