So the Orioles realized, hey, we gotta field a team this year, eh? Let's see who we can get.
Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado are out there. Nope, we gotta re-sign B.J. Surhoff.
How about Carl Pavano or Pedro or even Derek Lowe and Matt Clement? We need an ace for the rotation. Oh wait, we need aging middle relief. Let's get Steve Kline and Steve Reed. And don't forget that Asian pitcher that pitched a few games for us last year Bruce Chen.
I know, we're suckers for comeback stories. Go out and sign Tony Saunders and James Baldwin.
As you can see, the team hasn't come close to the success we had in free agency last year when the Orioles obtained Tejada, Javy Lopez, and Palmeiro. This year, they've taken stabs at Pavano and Delgado with no success and you can't blame the money. The Orioles basically threw as much money as they wanted to and still couldn't get them. Does Angelos still have that negative effect on the team? Maybe, maybe not.
So tonite, word comes that Sammy Sosa will be traded here. How fun. This could be the biggest acquisition for the team (save for Miggy) since Albert Belle. Hmm, that name should send shivers. He basically was the greatest cause for the team's demise for the last 5 years as his contract ate up most of the money the Orioles had. While successful prior to his arrival, Belle only played 2 years while the team paid for 5. Now Sosa arrives, obviously on the back end of his career. Hopefully, he experiences a revival with a change of scenery. If his production stays constant from what he's done for the last couple of years, I'd say he'd be worth it given what we're giving up (Hairston, a couple of minor leaguers from our weak system, and probably Julio too, expendable since Ryan takes the closer role this year). But if he turns out to be another Belle, say hello to the cellar.
1/28/2005
1/26/2005
Tragedy struck in Glendale in the form of an accident involving 3 trains and a SUV. And if it weren't for the 11 deaths and the 200 people injured, the circumstances surrounding this incident borders on comedic.
A man decided to commit suicide so he drove his car onto some railroad tracks and waited. And waited. And waited. Soon, the train was coming. Suddenly, he had a change of heart. He wanted to live. So he got out of the car and walked away. Ehh, forgot one thing. He positioned the car so that it was stuck in the tracks and couldn't move it. As a result, the train hit the car, derailed, hit another train coming from the opposite direction and then hit another train, idling on the side.
Good one, guy. Might as well have gone through with it instead of going through the pain and suffering now.
A man decided to commit suicide so he drove his car onto some railroad tracks and waited. And waited. And waited. Soon, the train was coming. Suddenly, he had a change of heart. He wanted to live. So he got out of the car and walked away. Ehh, forgot one thing. He positioned the car so that it was stuck in the tracks and couldn't move it. As a result, the train hit the car, derailed, hit another train coming from the opposite direction and then hit another train, idling on the side.
Good one, guy. Might as well have gone through with it instead of going through the pain and suffering now.
1/25/2005
Oscar nominations were announced this morning and while there were some surprises, it's a wide-open race. Where's Paul Giamatti? The Aviator got how many?
The nominations can be found here. My predictions will start in February. I was correct on 15 and 16 of them the last two years but I don't think I'll match that this year. The only true lock among the majors this year is Jamie Foxx for Ray.
With all the celebrities in the news, I figured out that if you're a stalker, you can get steady employment in the news business. How else to explain the blow-by-blow account on what happened on the island where Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston broke up including video of their boat ride and the home they were staying in. Or the news that, "at this theatre, Johnny Carson went to see The Aviator one week prior to his death." People don't want to know these things, right?
My run-in with celebrity last weekend was at my cousin's wedding where one of the invited guests was the female announcer from those Paris by Night videos. Honestly, they're up to a million of those by now, aren't they?
The nominations can be found here. My predictions will start in February. I was correct on 15 and 16 of them the last two years but I don't think I'll match that this year. The only true lock among the majors this year is Jamie Foxx for Ray.
With all the celebrities in the news, I figured out that if you're a stalker, you can get steady employment in the news business. How else to explain the blow-by-blow account on what happened on the island where Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston broke up including video of their boat ride and the home they were staying in. Or the news that, "at this theatre, Johnny Carson went to see The Aviator one week prior to his death." People don't want to know these things, right?
My run-in with celebrity last weekend was at my cousin's wedding where one of the invited guests was the female announcer from those Paris by Night videos. Honestly, they're up to a million of those by now, aren't they?
1/21/2005
So yesterday, President Bush officially started his second term, marking 4 more years of heavenly times or 4 more years of hell, whichever way you want to look at it. It is around this time when presidents in their second go around begin to think about their legacy. For this one, it looks like he wants to change Social Security as we know it by creating private accounts. What a horrible idea!
4 years ago, when Bush rammed through his tax cuts, he pushed it through with the line that he trusts us to spend the money wisely instead of the government. While we didn't spend much of it at the stores, like he wanted us to, we saved it in a savings account or paid down some debt and were grateful for the help. Today, he uses essentially the same line to fix Social Security in that if we invested our money ourselves, we may be able to get a greater return on our investments. There would be restrictions, or as the President awkwardly put it, we couldn't bet it on the lottery or "dice games."
One little problem. Give us money to spend? No problem. Give us money to invest? Ha, we're idiots when it comes to that. If the stock market was so risk-free, why isn't everyone doing it?
Simply put, private accounts won't save Social Security from the crisis President Bush insists it is in. In fact, Social Security is solvent until 2042, at least. So if Bush wants to do something, he'll do the unpopular thing and cut benefits by slowing their rate of growth while lifting the cap on payroll taxes that go to Social Security. What does he have to lose? After all, he's a lame duck.
4 years ago, when Bush rammed through his tax cuts, he pushed it through with the line that he trusts us to spend the money wisely instead of the government. While we didn't spend much of it at the stores, like he wanted us to, we saved it in a savings account or paid down some debt and were grateful for the help. Today, he uses essentially the same line to fix Social Security in that if we invested our money ourselves, we may be able to get a greater return on our investments. There would be restrictions, or as the President awkwardly put it, we couldn't bet it on the lottery or "dice games."
One little problem. Give us money to spend? No problem. Give us money to invest? Ha, we're idiots when it comes to that. If the stock market was so risk-free, why isn't everyone doing it?
Simply put, private accounts won't save Social Security from the crisis President Bush insists it is in. In fact, Social Security is solvent until 2042, at least. So if Bush wants to do something, he'll do the unpopular thing and cut benefits by slowing their rate of growth while lifting the cap on payroll taxes that go to Social Security. What does he have to lose? After all, he's a lame duck.
1/17/2005
So this morning, my dad said he wanted to ride the "Free Train" to San Francisco. I assumed he was talking about the Freedom Train, part of the annual tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. as people get rides to the city to take part in events up there. So when I asked him what part of this day would make him want to participate, he responded, "isn't it free?" Upon informing him it cost $5 to ride the train, he quickly said "let's just go eat lunch at Fish Market."
1/16/2005
Sideways
Two college roommates. One trip to the wine country. Lots of fun. Jack (Thomas Haden Church) is about to be married and his college roommate, Miles (Paul Giamatti), a wine expert, failed novelist, and recent divorcee, offers to take him to wine country for a bachelor party. While Jack wants to have fun in the traditional sense of a bachelor party, Miles wishes it to be a little more civilized. In any case, Jack succeeds in getting dates for each of them; he has his eye toward a pour girl Stephanie (Sandra Oh) while he sets Miles up with a waitress, Maya (Virginia Madsen), whom Miles has noticed before but has always been shy towards. His personal depression comes to the forefront of their conversations as Miles questions the direction he wants to take in life.
Sideways has everything you could ever want in a film, unless you're out looking for explosions. In that department, you only get the verbal kind, not the ones involving C4. Its comedic scenes are sensational, highlighted by Miles' blowup at the winery after finding out his latest effort as a novelist has been rejected. But more than its comedy, it's a great character study of two middle-aged guys looking for completeness in their lives. Jack is simple for us; he just wants to sleep around before he gets married. However, Miles is a bit more complicated. What ended his first marriage was his own love for wine. Now, it's wine that possibly brings him back since that is his life and his dialogue tells us that. His scenes with Madsen produce some of the most emotional scenes you'll see all year. Director Alexander Payne has a knack for making memorable characters in memorable movies, and the four characters of Sideways certainly fit the description. 3.5 stars
Two college roommates. One trip to the wine country. Lots of fun. Jack (Thomas Haden Church) is about to be married and his college roommate, Miles (Paul Giamatti), a wine expert, failed novelist, and recent divorcee, offers to take him to wine country for a bachelor party. While Jack wants to have fun in the traditional sense of a bachelor party, Miles wishes it to be a little more civilized. In any case, Jack succeeds in getting dates for each of them; he has his eye toward a pour girl Stephanie (Sandra Oh) while he sets Miles up with a waitress, Maya (Virginia Madsen), whom Miles has noticed before but has always been shy towards. His personal depression comes to the forefront of their conversations as Miles questions the direction he wants to take in life.
Sideways has everything you could ever want in a film, unless you're out looking for explosions. In that department, you only get the verbal kind, not the ones involving C4. Its comedic scenes are sensational, highlighted by Miles' blowup at the winery after finding out his latest effort as a novelist has been rejected. But more than its comedy, it's a great character study of two middle-aged guys looking for completeness in their lives. Jack is simple for us; he just wants to sleep around before he gets married. However, Miles is a bit more complicated. What ended his first marriage was his own love for wine. Now, it's wine that possibly brings him back since that is his life and his dialogue tells us that. His scenes with Madsen produce some of the most emotional scenes you'll see all year. Director Alexander Payne has a knack for making memorable characters in memorable movies, and the four characters of Sideways certainly fit the description. 3.5 stars
Ray
It's probably quite obvious what this movie is about. As a young black boy living in Florida, Ray Charles Robinson even then had an ear for music, learning from an old shop owner how to play the piano. His ears would be all that he has left when glaucoma strikes and he is left blind. Fast forward to his 20s when he rouses crowds with his voice and piano play. Various people take advantage of his talent and blindness, but it isn't until he signs a contract with Atlantic Records when he hits the big-time. Along the way, Ray attracts a wife (Kerry Washington), a mistress on the road (Regina King), and a heroin addiction. It takes time, but Ray straightens out his life so we can remember him today as the music pioneer he is.
If you see Ray for only one reason, it's this: Mr. Jamie Foxx. His portrayal of the blind Ray Charles is extraordinary, from the piano-playing to the times where he had to deal with his blindness. The movie that surrounds him could have certainly used some more work. While 3 hours may seem short to detail the life of such a great man, many of its scenes seem repetitive and its overuse doesn't serve to emphasize key points. The multiple times we see Ray feeling up some lady's arm or shooting up heroin had me looking at my watch multiple times. The filmmakers' decision to essentially end the movie in a rehabilitation center also deprived us from witnessing some of the more memorable moments from late in his life, including his rousing rendition of America the Beautiful. However, the great early hits of Ray Charles and the rousing performance of Foxx is enough to watch this film. 3 stars
It's probably quite obvious what this movie is about. As a young black boy living in Florida, Ray Charles Robinson even then had an ear for music, learning from an old shop owner how to play the piano. His ears would be all that he has left when glaucoma strikes and he is left blind. Fast forward to his 20s when he rouses crowds with his voice and piano play. Various people take advantage of his talent and blindness, but it isn't until he signs a contract with Atlantic Records when he hits the big-time. Along the way, Ray attracts a wife (Kerry Washington), a mistress on the road (Regina King), and a heroin addiction. It takes time, but Ray straightens out his life so we can remember him today as the music pioneer he is.
If you see Ray for only one reason, it's this: Mr. Jamie Foxx. His portrayal of the blind Ray Charles is extraordinary, from the piano-playing to the times where he had to deal with his blindness. The movie that surrounds him could have certainly used some more work. While 3 hours may seem short to detail the life of such a great man, many of its scenes seem repetitive and its overuse doesn't serve to emphasize key points. The multiple times we see Ray feeling up some lady's arm or shooting up heroin had me looking at my watch multiple times. The filmmakers' decision to essentially end the movie in a rehabilitation center also deprived us from witnessing some of the more memorable moments from late in his life, including his rousing rendition of America the Beautiful. However, the great early hits of Ray Charles and the rousing performance of Foxx is enough to watch this film. 3 stars
In Good Company
For the premier magazine Sports America, loyalty is key. With Dan Foreman's veteran sales team, the magazine has reached new heights to become the flagship of the company. However, on this day, the big fish becomes a small fish in a big pond. Its parent company is taken over by Globecom, a media conglomerate, and with it comes new management. Foreman (Dennis Quaid) sees himself demoted as a hotshot businessman Carter Duryea (Topher Grace) with little sales experience becomes the boss. It sets off a series of events where both of their lives take a turn for the worse. Foreman deals with the news that his wife is pregnant with their third child and a second mortgage is needed to pay off the bills. Duryea has to go through a divorce. But one man's loss (Foreman sees his daughter Alex, played by Scarlett Johansson, transfer to New York University) is another man's gain (Alex and Carter become a couple).
In Good Company is simply a nice film to watch. I'm always a sucker for productions in a corporate environment (think The Office, Sports Night, Office Space, etc.) and this one doesn't disappoint. It has a right touch of comedy and romance that many will enjoy. You certainly feel for Quaid's character, who gets demoted for someone half his age and suddenly money becomes a problem with his daughter getting into NYU and another baby on the way. The romance between Grace and Johannson was done well by both but has a fleeting feeling to it and part of the problem there might be because writer and director Paul Weitz moves through each of the scenes fairly quickly. While 8+ months pass through the film, these events could have happened within a few days and no one would have been the wiser except for the fact that Dan's wife delivers her baby. A slower movie that emphasized further the strong scenes the couple had as well as a few scenes showing the office (which seems to disappear in the middle of the film) and the struggles Carter experienced there would have made the film great. Right now, it's just good. 3 stars
For the premier magazine Sports America, loyalty is key. With Dan Foreman's veteran sales team, the magazine has reached new heights to become the flagship of the company. However, on this day, the big fish becomes a small fish in a big pond. Its parent company is taken over by Globecom, a media conglomerate, and with it comes new management. Foreman (Dennis Quaid) sees himself demoted as a hotshot businessman Carter Duryea (Topher Grace) with little sales experience becomes the boss. It sets off a series of events where both of their lives take a turn for the worse. Foreman deals with the news that his wife is pregnant with their third child and a second mortgage is needed to pay off the bills. Duryea has to go through a divorce. But one man's loss (Foreman sees his daughter Alex, played by Scarlett Johansson, transfer to New York University) is another man's gain (Alex and Carter become a couple).
In Good Company is simply a nice film to watch. I'm always a sucker for productions in a corporate environment (think The Office, Sports Night, Office Space, etc.) and this one doesn't disappoint. It has a right touch of comedy and romance that many will enjoy. You certainly feel for Quaid's character, who gets demoted for someone half his age and suddenly money becomes a problem with his daughter getting into NYU and another baby on the way. The romance between Grace and Johannson was done well by both but has a fleeting feeling to it and part of the problem there might be because writer and director Paul Weitz moves through each of the scenes fairly quickly. While 8+ months pass through the film, these events could have happened within a few days and no one would have been the wiser except for the fact that Dan's wife delivers her baby. A slower movie that emphasized further the strong scenes the couple had as well as a few scenes showing the office (which seems to disappear in the middle of the film) and the struggles Carter experienced there would have made the film great. Right now, it's just good. 3 stars
1/13/2005
Published a few days ago:
A study published on Monday found that people who sleep less tend to be fat, and experts said it's time to find if more sleep fights obesity.
A study published on Monday found that people who sleep less tend to be fat, and experts said it's time to find if more sleep fights obesity.
"We've put so much emphasis on diet and exercise that we've failed to recognize the value of good sleep," said Fred Turek, a physician at Northwestern University.
"In fact society emphasizes just the opposite," in work places where billed hours are crucial and long work days are common, he added.
Monday's study from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk covered 1,000 people and found that total sleep time decreased as body mass index -- a measure of weight based on height -- increased.
Men slept an average of 27 minutes less than women and overweight and obese patients slept less than patients with normal weights, it said.
In general the fatter subjects slept about 1.8 hours a week less than those with normal weights.
"Americans experience insufficient sleep and corpulent bodies. Clinicians are aware of the burden of obesity on patients," the study said.
"Our findings suggest that major extensions of sleep time may not be necessary, as an extra 20 minutes of sleep per night seems to be associated with a lower body mass index," it added.
"We caution that this study does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship between restricted sleep and obesity, (but) investigations demonstrating success in weight loss via extensions of sleep would help greatly to establish such a relationship."
The study was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, along with an editorial by Turek and Northwestern colleague Joseph Bass commenting on it and related research.
In an interview with Reuters, Turek said some studies have shown sleep deprivation causes declines in an appetite suppressing protein hormone called leptin, and increases in another hormone that causes a craving for food.
In addition neuropeptides in the brain governing sleep and obesity appear to overlap, he said.
"It is now critical to determine the importance of lack of sufficient sleep during the early formative years in putting our youth on a trajectory toward obesity ... a trajectory that could be altered if sleep loss is indeed playing a role in this epidemic," the editorial said.
Obesity has been rising dramatically in developed countries and reached epidemic levels in the United States, it added, leading to a variety of health problems.
"In recent years, a new and unexpected 'obesity villain' has emerged, first from laboratory studies and now ... in population-based studies: insufficient sleep," it said.
"However, while there is a growing awareness among some sleep, metabolic, cardiovascular, and diabetes researchers that insufficient sleep could be leading to a cascade of disorders, few in the general medicine profession or in the lay public have yet made the connection," it added.
1/06/2005
Meet the Fockers
Gaylord Focker (Ben Stiller) has successfully won over the in-laws Jack and Dina (Robert DeNiro and Blythe Danner), but now a new obstacle is ahead: for all 4 parents to meet. Greg's parents are a contrast to their conservative counterparts as Bernie (Dustin Hoffman) and Roz (Barbra Streisand) celebrate their freedom quite openly. The contentious weekend is made more heated with the revelation that Pam (Teri Polo) is pregnant. The opportunity to meet Greg's parents gives Jack a new opportunity to survey the history of his future son-in-law including the possibility that Greg fathered a son when he lost his virginity. Jack is convinced more than ever that Greg is wrong for Pam and will do what he can to prevent the wedding to go forward.
The sequel doesn't match the comedy of its predecessor, but it comes pretty darn close. I was a little disappointed at their use of the storyline from the original and the similar resolution, but it's easy to overlook that with the good comedic performances from actors who are usually identified with dramatic roles. Streisand just seems especially perfect for the role of Roz, a sex therapist and Hoffman looks like he's having a lot of fun in his role of father. It was great while it lasted, but, you know, I think two movies are enough. 3 stars
Gaylord Focker (Ben Stiller) has successfully won over the in-laws Jack and Dina (Robert DeNiro and Blythe Danner), but now a new obstacle is ahead: for all 4 parents to meet. Greg's parents are a contrast to their conservative counterparts as Bernie (Dustin Hoffman) and Roz (Barbra Streisand) celebrate their freedom quite openly. The contentious weekend is made more heated with the revelation that Pam (Teri Polo) is pregnant. The opportunity to meet Greg's parents gives Jack a new opportunity to survey the history of his future son-in-law including the possibility that Greg fathered a son when he lost his virginity. Jack is convinced more than ever that Greg is wrong for Pam and will do what he can to prevent the wedding to go forward.
The sequel doesn't match the comedy of its predecessor, but it comes pretty darn close. I was a little disappointed at their use of the storyline from the original and the similar resolution, but it's easy to overlook that with the good comedic performances from actors who are usually identified with dramatic roles. Streisand just seems especially perfect for the role of Roz, a sex therapist and Hoffman looks like he's having a lot of fun in his role of father. It was great while it lasted, but, you know, I think two movies are enough. 3 stars
Closer
It all starts with two people. Dan (Jude Law) picks Alice (Natalie Portman) out of a crowd and sees her get hit by a car. Dan quickly cares for her and a relationship develops. But soon, his eye turns toward Anna (Julia Roberts). A recent divorcee, Anna is reluctant to Dan's wish to be together, especially with Alice still in the picture, and pushes him away. As it happens, Dan impersonates Anna in an online chat with Larry (Clive Owen), a dermatologist, and sets up a meeting with the real Anna and they hit it off. However, the connection between Anna and Dan never ceased, leading to a physical relationship for a year. When both confess, all four lives are thrown for a loop and when it will stop, nobody knows.
The way these relationships were being mixed up, I was waiting for Dan and Larry to hook up, though I guess that happened in the online chat. The performances by the four actors are outstanding, highlighted by a career-turning one by Portman, so adult and sensual even with her youth, and the scene-stealing Owen, who pretty much takes command whenever he's on screen. But the constant changing of relationships, which always involves some bad break-ups, sends the film into an uneven rhythm the entire time. Once the spinning stops however, you will have witnessed four indecisive people having a heated and passionate discussion (okay, argument) that will affect the rest of their lives. And while it's hard to root for one, it's also hard to ignore. 3 stars
It all starts with two people. Dan (Jude Law) picks Alice (Natalie Portman) out of a crowd and sees her get hit by a car. Dan quickly cares for her and a relationship develops. But soon, his eye turns toward Anna (Julia Roberts). A recent divorcee, Anna is reluctant to Dan's wish to be together, especially with Alice still in the picture, and pushes him away. As it happens, Dan impersonates Anna in an online chat with Larry (Clive Owen), a dermatologist, and sets up a meeting with the real Anna and they hit it off. However, the connection between Anna and Dan never ceased, leading to a physical relationship for a year. When both confess, all four lives are thrown for a loop and when it will stop, nobody knows.
The way these relationships were being mixed up, I was waiting for Dan and Larry to hook up, though I guess that happened in the online chat. The performances by the four actors are outstanding, highlighted by a career-turning one by Portman, so adult and sensual even with her youth, and the scene-stealing Owen, who pretty much takes command whenever he's on screen. But the constant changing of relationships, which always involves some bad break-ups, sends the film into an uneven rhythm the entire time. Once the spinning stops however, you will have witnessed four indecisive people having a heated and passionate discussion (okay, argument) that will affect the rest of their lives. And while it's hard to root for one, it's also hard to ignore. 3 stars
The Aviator
Literally starting out from nuts and bolts, Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio) decides to combine his love for aviation with filmmaking to create the most expensive film ever, necessitating the use of 26 cameras and all with sound. It's mainly a success but as his aviation empire grew sky high (buying TWA and building his own large aircraft while breaking speed records), his mental ability began to reach its limits. The women who found him irresistible before now began to leave him including Katherine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett) and Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale). Soon, hygiene was important to Hughes as obsessive compulsive disorder came to control his life. Lawmakers found this to be the perfect time to break his empire and soon used his whole life against him. But in the end, Hughes had always found the strength to fight.
Hughes' life is very interesting, both through the highs and lows. The aviation scenes can, at times, be exhilarating. DiCaprio's performance is a sight to see as he displays the energy of a young kid when he's sitting in the cockpit of a plane or when he's going crazy watching his movie in his private theatre with bottles of urine right next to him. The story itself however seems inconsistent, especially the rousing confrontation Hughes has in front of the Senate, which seems so out-of-place from what we see just before and after. While it seems director Marin Scorsese could have put even more material into the already 3-hour film, cutting some of the less-than-rousing TWA/Pan Am fighting would have been ideal. Right now, it's merely a fine film with a great performance by DiCaprio. 3 stars
Literally starting out from nuts and bolts, Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio) decides to combine his love for aviation with filmmaking to create the most expensive film ever, necessitating the use of 26 cameras and all with sound. It's mainly a success but as his aviation empire grew sky high (buying TWA and building his own large aircraft while breaking speed records), his mental ability began to reach its limits. The women who found him irresistible before now began to leave him including Katherine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett) and Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale). Soon, hygiene was important to Hughes as obsessive compulsive disorder came to control his life. Lawmakers found this to be the perfect time to break his empire and soon used his whole life against him. But in the end, Hughes had always found the strength to fight.
Hughes' life is very interesting, both through the highs and lows. The aviation scenes can, at times, be exhilarating. DiCaprio's performance is a sight to see as he displays the energy of a young kid when he's sitting in the cockpit of a plane or when he's going crazy watching his movie in his private theatre with bottles of urine right next to him. The story itself however seems inconsistent, especially the rousing confrontation Hughes has in front of the Senate, which seems so out-of-place from what we see just before and after. While it seems director Marin Scorsese could have put even more material into the already 3-hour film, cutting some of the less-than-rousing TWA/Pan Am fighting would have been ideal. Right now, it's merely a fine film with a great performance by DiCaprio. 3 stars
House of Flying Daggers
The Tang Dynasty in China is threatened by a faction known as the House of Flying Daggers. The police had been successful in assassinating its leader, but with its new replacement, the House is once again a threatening figure. A new dancer named Mei (Ziyi Zhang) is suspected to have ties with them, so the police headed by Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro) and Leo (Andy Lau) hatch up a plan to infiltrate the House. But while all is not what it seems to be, Jin and Leo begin to show their love for Mei, leading to a greater battle between the three of them.
Director Zhang Yimou's second American offering falls off in quality from the first, Hero with Jet Li. This movie doesn't have the same natural beauty, though it's still pretty high, and it's really heavy on the melodrama. Frankly, it delivers the same tepid impact Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon produced. Mixing a heavily romantic storyline with multiple scenes of martial arts weakens the movie as a whole even if some of these scenes were exquisitely done. In fact, the House itself is completely forgotten about in the last half of the film. None of this takes away from the outstanding choreography of the fight scenes, a staple of Asian action films. 2.5 stars
The Tang Dynasty in China is threatened by a faction known as the House of Flying Daggers. The police had been successful in assassinating its leader, but with its new replacement, the House is once again a threatening figure. A new dancer named Mei (Ziyi Zhang) is suspected to have ties with them, so the police headed by Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro) and Leo (Andy Lau) hatch up a plan to infiltrate the House. But while all is not what it seems to be, Jin and Leo begin to show their love for Mei, leading to a greater battle between the three of them.
Director Zhang Yimou's second American offering falls off in quality from the first, Hero with Jet Li. This movie doesn't have the same natural beauty, though it's still pretty high, and it's really heavy on the melodrama. Frankly, it delivers the same tepid impact Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon produced. Mixing a heavily romantic storyline with multiple scenes of martial arts weakens the movie as a whole even if some of these scenes were exquisitely done. In fact, the House itself is completely forgotten about in the last half of the film. None of this takes away from the outstanding choreography of the fight scenes, a staple of Asian action films. 2.5 stars
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Famed oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) has only one thing on his mind: his lifelong friend Esteban. On their latest expedition, Esteban was caught by a jaguar shark and eaten. Zissou could only react in horror on film. So for the sequel, it is his intention to hunt the jaguar shark and kill it. Many people questioned his motives but even with little money, some defections, and some outdated equipment, he pressed on. Joining him on the trip is someone who may or may not be his son in Ned Plimpton (Owen Wilson) as well as the pregnant journalist played by Cate Blanchett.
The eccentricities of Murray are what keeps this movie barely together to prevent it from becoming a total loss. The humor we usually find from Wes Anderson's films is severely lacking in this film while the impact of characters, while still written with unique features and odd tendencies, seem non-existent. It seems to result in a long journey out to sea with nothing to do until the end. Only Murray seems intent to entertain and entertain he does. The movie does use an interesting and colorful technique to capture the life of the sea, something particularly nice to look at. 2 stars
Famed oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) has only one thing on his mind: his lifelong friend Esteban. On their latest expedition, Esteban was caught by a jaguar shark and eaten. Zissou could only react in horror on film. So for the sequel, it is his intention to hunt the jaguar shark and kill it. Many people questioned his motives but even with little money, some defections, and some outdated equipment, he pressed on. Joining him on the trip is someone who may or may not be his son in Ned Plimpton (Owen Wilson) as well as the pregnant journalist played by Cate Blanchett.
The eccentricities of Murray are what keeps this movie barely together to prevent it from becoming a total loss. The humor we usually find from Wes Anderson's films is severely lacking in this film while the impact of characters, while still written with unique features and odd tendencies, seem non-existent. It seems to result in a long journey out to sea with nothing to do until the end. Only Murray seems intent to entertain and entertain he does. The movie does use an interesting and colorful technique to capture the life of the sea, something particularly nice to look at. 2 stars
1/01/2005
Happy New Year folks. May 2005 be even better than 2004 unless 2004 was an unforgettable year. In that case, hope that 2005 is just as good. With that, here are the movies coming out in the first four months of the year in what I call the Winter Movie Preview.
January 7
White Noise - Michael Keaton contacts the dead in order to find his lost wife and his lost acting career.
The Underclassman - Nick Cannon is an undercover cop looking to break an auto theft ring at a high school.
January 14
Coach Carter - The inspirational story about a high school basketball coach played by Samuel L. Jackson who whips his players into shape academically.
Elektra - Does it matter what it's about? It's another chance to see Jennifer Garner kick some ass.
Racing Stripes - Another movie with talking animals, this time, it concerns a horse who is set upon winning the Kentucky Crown.
January 21
Assault on Precinct 13 - Ethan Hawke and crew must protect a police station from a gang which wants to free a mobster imprisoned inside.
Hostage - After a botched hostage negotiation, Bruce Willis retreats to a relatively quiet town in Ventura County but is thrust back into another situation in the place where he thought these things could be avoided.
Million Dollar Baby - This Oscar contender expands nationwide as Clint Eastwood trains his boxing pupil, Hilary Swank.
January 28
Alone in the Dark - Christian Slater must prevent demons from reviving in the 21st century. That's it...we're doomed.
Are We There Yet? - What man would not want Nia Long? Ice Cube is thinking that too but it'll take a reunion between the mom and her hard-to-please kids to get him into the mix.
D.E.B.S. - A group of high schoolers must take down a bank robber.
Hide and Seek - Robert DeNiro notices his daughter Dakota Fanning has dealt with her mother's death through an imaginary friend and doesn't worry about it until he realizes the imaginary friend isn't so imaginary.
In My Country - Samuel L. Jackson and Juliette Binoche react differently to the reconciliation hearings concerning murder and torture in the Apartheid Era.
Man of the House - FBI agent Tommy Lee Jones isn't out to chase Harrison Ford anymore. Now he's assigned to protect a group of cheerleaders.
February 4
Boogeyman - Barry Watson of 7th Heaven fame is afraid of the boogeyman that may be in his house.
The Wedding Date - Debra Messing uses a hired escort (Dermot Mulroney) as a wedding date but could love be far behind?
February 11
Hitch - Will Smith is a relationship doctor who needs some help himself.
Imaginary Heroes - The typical American family that isn't as typical as it seems.
February 18
Because of Winn-Dixie - A 10 year old girl makes use of the Winn-Dixie supermarket to meet people in the town and find out more about them as well as herself.
Constantine - In this movie that has the look of the Matrix, Keanu Reeves investigates supernatural mysteries and now faces one doozy of a case involving heaven, hell, and Rachel Weisz.
Son of the Mask - The Mask 2 without Jim Carrey? Pass.
February 25
Cursed - Siblings mourning the loss of their pass are attacked by werewolves. Gee, what luck.
King's Ransom - A rich businessman plots his own kidnapping after he finds out his wife will divorce him and take half of what he has. However, it seems a lot of people have plans to kidnap him.
March 4
Be Cool - John Travolta reprises his Get Shorty role as Chili Palmer, now in search for work as a manager in the music industry.
March 11
Millions - Kids find a bunch of cash and what do you know? They decide to spend it.
Mindhunters - Anyone want to bet that this gets delayed again? 2 years and counting.
Robots - Fox makes another go at CGI animation with this world of, well, robots.
A Sound of Thunder - When a time travel trip goes awry, Edward Burns needs to go back in time and fix the damage before humanity disappears.
The Upside of Anger - Former baseball player Kevin Costner becomes a part of a dysfunctional family.
March 18
Melinda and Melinda - Woody Allen's latest film literally is a comedy and drama told in one movie.
The Ring 2 - Naomi Watts returns for the sequel to this horror flick.
March 25
Sahara - The discovery of a Civil War battleship could lead to deaths in the area surrounding it.
March 30
Beautyshop - Queen Latifah runs her own shop in a movie that follows in the footsteps of Barbershop.
April 1
Sin City - Based upon the graphic novels of Frank Miller, the action follows three storylines in a ciy filled with sex and violence.
The Weatherman - Nicolas Cage struggles to balance his professional life and his personal life.
April 8
Deuce Bigelow : European Gigolo - Hmm...they could make a sequel out of this?
Unleashed - Jet Li, raised solely to be a fighter, gets an education on being human by Morgan Freeman.
April 15
The Amityville Horror - Based upon the novel, a young couple moved into a house haunted by demons and the site of a murder years earlier.
Rumor Has It - Jennifer Aniston discovers the family secret that the film "The Graduate" may have been based on people in her family and soon realizes history may be repeating itself when she falls for an older man.
Valiant - In Disney's CGI animated film, a misfit pigeon finds himself in the Royal Pigeon Service during World War II.
April 22
The Interpreter - Sean Penn must choose whether or not to believe an interpreter (Nicole Kidman) who believes she overheard a murder plot at the United Nations.
Madison - Jim Caviezel is a repairman who suddenly races hydroplanes on the Ohio River.
April 29
House of Wax - A group of friends discovers that the House of Wax is actually filled with wax-covered corpses. Soon, they must escape before they become part of the exhibit. Stars Elisha Cuthbert, Paris Hilton, and Chad Michael Murray.
XXX: State of the Union - Vin Diesel doesn't return but the rest of the cast does as Ice Cube takes over the lead role.
January 7
White Noise - Michael Keaton contacts the dead in order to find his lost wife and his lost acting career.
The Underclassman - Nick Cannon is an undercover cop looking to break an auto theft ring at a high school.
January 14
Coach Carter - The inspirational story about a high school basketball coach played by Samuel L. Jackson who whips his players into shape academically.
Elektra - Does it matter what it's about? It's another chance to see Jennifer Garner kick some ass.
Racing Stripes - Another movie with talking animals, this time, it concerns a horse who is set upon winning the Kentucky Crown.
January 21
Assault on Precinct 13 - Ethan Hawke and crew must protect a police station from a gang which wants to free a mobster imprisoned inside.
Hostage - After a botched hostage negotiation, Bruce Willis retreats to a relatively quiet town in Ventura County but is thrust back into another situation in the place where he thought these things could be avoided.
Million Dollar Baby - This Oscar contender expands nationwide as Clint Eastwood trains his boxing pupil, Hilary Swank.
January 28
Alone in the Dark - Christian Slater must prevent demons from reviving in the 21st century. That's it...we're doomed.
Are We There Yet? - What man would not want Nia Long? Ice Cube is thinking that too but it'll take a reunion between the mom and her hard-to-please kids to get him into the mix.
D.E.B.S. - A group of high schoolers must take down a bank robber.
Hide and Seek - Robert DeNiro notices his daughter Dakota Fanning has dealt with her mother's death through an imaginary friend and doesn't worry about it until he realizes the imaginary friend isn't so imaginary.
In My Country - Samuel L. Jackson and Juliette Binoche react differently to the reconciliation hearings concerning murder and torture in the Apartheid Era.
Man of the House - FBI agent Tommy Lee Jones isn't out to chase Harrison Ford anymore. Now he's assigned to protect a group of cheerleaders.
February 4
Boogeyman - Barry Watson of 7th Heaven fame is afraid of the boogeyman that may be in his house.
The Wedding Date - Debra Messing uses a hired escort (Dermot Mulroney) as a wedding date but could love be far behind?
February 11
Hitch - Will Smith is a relationship doctor who needs some help himself.
Imaginary Heroes - The typical American family that isn't as typical as it seems.
February 18
Because of Winn-Dixie - A 10 year old girl makes use of the Winn-Dixie supermarket to meet people in the town and find out more about them as well as herself.
Constantine - In this movie that has the look of the Matrix, Keanu Reeves investigates supernatural mysteries and now faces one doozy of a case involving heaven, hell, and Rachel Weisz.
Son of the Mask - The Mask 2 without Jim Carrey? Pass.
February 25
Cursed - Siblings mourning the loss of their pass are attacked by werewolves. Gee, what luck.
King's Ransom - A rich businessman plots his own kidnapping after he finds out his wife will divorce him and take half of what he has. However, it seems a lot of people have plans to kidnap him.
March 4
Be Cool - John Travolta reprises his Get Shorty role as Chili Palmer, now in search for work as a manager in the music industry.
March 11
Millions - Kids find a bunch of cash and what do you know? They decide to spend it.
Mindhunters - Anyone want to bet that this gets delayed again? 2 years and counting.
Robots - Fox makes another go at CGI animation with this world of, well, robots.
A Sound of Thunder - When a time travel trip goes awry, Edward Burns needs to go back in time and fix the damage before humanity disappears.
The Upside of Anger - Former baseball player Kevin Costner becomes a part of a dysfunctional family.
March 18
Melinda and Melinda - Woody Allen's latest film literally is a comedy and drama told in one movie.
The Ring 2 - Naomi Watts returns for the sequel to this horror flick.
March 25
Sahara - The discovery of a Civil War battleship could lead to deaths in the area surrounding it.
March 30
Beautyshop - Queen Latifah runs her own shop in a movie that follows in the footsteps of Barbershop.
April 1
Sin City - Based upon the graphic novels of Frank Miller, the action follows three storylines in a ciy filled with sex and violence.
The Weatherman - Nicolas Cage struggles to balance his professional life and his personal life.
April 8
Deuce Bigelow : European Gigolo - Hmm...they could make a sequel out of this?
Unleashed - Jet Li, raised solely to be a fighter, gets an education on being human by Morgan Freeman.
April 15
The Amityville Horror - Based upon the novel, a young couple moved into a house haunted by demons and the site of a murder years earlier.
Rumor Has It - Jennifer Aniston discovers the family secret that the film "The Graduate" may have been based on people in her family and soon realizes history may be repeating itself when she falls for an older man.
Valiant - In Disney's CGI animated film, a misfit pigeon finds himself in the Royal Pigeon Service during World War II.
April 22
The Interpreter - Sean Penn must choose whether or not to believe an interpreter (Nicole Kidman) who believes she overheard a murder plot at the United Nations.
Madison - Jim Caviezel is a repairman who suddenly races hydroplanes on the Ohio River.
April 29
House of Wax - A group of friends discovers that the House of Wax is actually filled with wax-covered corpses. Soon, they must escape before they become part of the exhibit. Stars Elisha Cuthbert, Paris Hilton, and Chad Michael Murray.
XXX: State of the Union - Vin Diesel doesn't return but the rest of the cast does as Ice Cube takes over the lead role.
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