Heroes 2

I was going to write a review for the new NBC show, The Black Donnellys, but I was busy last night and I didn't get a chance to watch it. I recorded it, but I still haven't watched it yet, so I'll probably review it tomorrow.

Monday's episode of Heroes was sooo good. The show finally answered a few questions that I had been wondering about. I used to be a big fan of Lost, but then the story kept going downhill, and it had so many flashbacks, I eventually got bored with it.

Heroes is much better. If you're still not watching this show... Why? Watch one episode and you'll be hooked.

The Prestige

~ Movie Review ~

The Prestige
This movie was very different from what I thought it would be. I'm a little bit torn... on one hand, this was a very good movie... but on the other, it's not the kind of story I normally like. It was full of good actors, but aside from Cutter, played by Michael Caine, I didn't like any of the characters. I really didn't care which ones got killed off.

Usually I can guess how a movie is going to end, long before it happens, and that was true of this movie too - mostly. I figured out how Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) did his trick, and the secret about the murder, but I didn't know how Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) did his trick until the very end.

Everyone else seemed to love the film, but the ending left me feeling a little depressed. Like I've mentioned in previous reviews, I like happy endings. The movie itself was great; I just wish the mood hadn't been so dark the whole time, and I really didn't like what happened to the poor birds. I know it wasn't real, but even so, I didn't want to see it...

~ * ~ * ~ *~

The film is split into three storylines, each resembling one of the three stages of magic. First, there is the setup, or the "pledge," where the magician shows the audience something that appears ordinary, but is probably not, making use of misdirection. Then there is the performance, or the "turn," where the magician makes the ordinary act extraordinary. Lastly, there is the "prestige," where the effect of the illusion is produced. There are "twists and turns, where lives hang in the balance and you see something shocking you've never seen before."
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I give this movie 3 and a half out of 5 stars. ***'

~*Quote of the day*~

Ambition is so powerful a passion in the human breast, that however high we reach we are never satisfied.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

~*Words of the day - Recap*~

(Japanese)

Ichi - One
Ni - Two
San - Three
Shi - Four
Go - Five
Roku - Six
Shichi - Seven
Hachi - Eight
Kyu - Nine
Ju - Ten

Currently Listening to... "Vertigo" - U2

Jurassic Park

~ Movie Review ~

Jurassic Park
I can't believe it took me so long to remember to review this movie. I know it's pretty old, but it's still one of my favorite movies of all time. I can clearly remember going to see it at the movie theater when it first came out. I was still a kid then, and I was impressed with the posters and decorations in the lobby. There was a huge cardboard T-rex in the corner, and long banners hanging from the ceiling. The line to buy a ticket was unbelievably long; it was probably the most sold-out movie I've ever been to. By the time we got our tickets and popcorn, the seats were almost full. We managed to find a few seats together, and I was sitting on the very end, by the right wall. The movie started, and I really didn't know what to expect. Everyone else in my family had already read the Michael Crichton novel, so they had a pretty good idea of what would happen, but movies are always different from the books they're based on.

I LOVED this movie. It really blew me away. The special effects were so amazing! They were far superior to any other movie at the time, and are still better than a lot of movies you see today. The acting was great, and the plot was really convincing - you could actually believe it was possible to clone Dinosaurs, or, at least I could. Everyone always talks about the T-rex, but it was the Raptors that got to me. The scene with Lex and Tim in the kitchen scared the crap out of me. I was almost convinced that a Raptor would pop through the wall beside me and bite my head off. Give me a break... I was just a kid. There was another child in the seat behind us, and he was crying. His dad tried to console him by telling him that, "It's just Barney".... Poor kid...

I've seen this movie at least 20 times. I know it word for word, and I've read the book twice. I'm the kind of person who, when I love a movie, I'll watch it many times. When I was really small, my favorite movie was 101 Dalmatians (The original animated version). My parents used to joke that I watched that movie 101 times. Even though it was a joke, the reality is that I probably watched it more than that.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Jurassic Park is a 1993 science fiction film directed by Steven Spielberg, based upon the novel of the same name written by Michael Crichton. The story involves scientists visiting an amusement park of genetically engineered dinosaurs on an island over one weekend. Sabotage sets the carnivorous dinosaurs on the loose, and technicians and visitors attempt to escape the island. The film stars Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern and Richard Attenborough, as well as Stan Winston Studios' puppets and cutting-edge CGI by Industrial Light and Magic.
Since its release it has grossed $914,691,118, the eighth-highest worldwide box office take for a feature film. It also helped introduce CGI to the public. The film was followed by The Lost World: Jurassic Park in 1997 and by Jurassic Park III in 2001, neither of which was as financially successful or as critically acclaimed as the first. A fourth film is in development.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars. *****

~*Quote of the day*~

John Hammond: All major theme parks have had delays. When they opened Disneyland in 1956, nothing worked, nothing.

Dr. Ian Malcolm: But, John. But if the Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates don't eat the tourists.
Jurassic Park

~*Word of the day*~

Ju (Japanese)

Meaning: Ten

Currently Listening to... "Hands Down" - Dashboard Confessional

The Illusionist

The Illusionist
This movie grabbed my attention from the first time I saw the preview. I wanted to see it, but I ended up waiting until the DVD was released. Why? Because the last time I went to the movie theater, it cost me $13.50 for one ticket and a bag of M&Ms. Plus, we have a theater room anyway. So I can watch it while wearing my PJs, without having to worry about some jackass talking on his cell phone, or coughing on the back of my neck.

I wasn't really sure what I was expecting, I didn't even read the back of the dvd case to see what it was about. I was pleasantly surprised. This movie was more unique than I had originally thought. I saw the ending coming, but I didn't know how it would happen. There was a twist.
I don't remember seeing Edward Norton in anything else, but he was great in this role, and Paul Giamatti is always great. I don't usually like Jessica Biel, but even she was good in this movie.

I really enjoyed this movie, and I would like to watch it again someday.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The film begins in the middle of the story, as chief inspector Uhl (Giamatti) recounts the history of Eisenheim for Crown Prince Leopold, following Eisenheim's arrest during what appears to be necromancy passed off as a magic show.
As a teenager, Eisenheim is the son of a carpenter. One day, he meets a traveling magician along a road. The magician performs several tricks for him and then, according to various accounts, both the magician and the tree he was sitting under vanish. Eisenheim becomes obsessed with magic tricks after this and also falls in love with Sophie (Biel), a duchess well above his social standing, and the daughter of the parents that have hired Eisenheim's father as a cabinet-maker. Although the two are forbidden to see each other, they meet in a secret hideout in the woods, where Eisenheim tells of his plans to go to China to learn more magic and Sophie promises to go with him. On the day that they are going to leave, however, the police come looking for Sophie. The two hide in the secret room and Sophie begs Eisenheim to make them both disappear. He is unable to fulfill this request, however, and the two are separated. Eisenheim leaves his village to travel the world and perfect his magic after this. He returns a master illusionist, only to find that Sophie is expected to marry the ruthless Crown Prince Leopold (Sewell)...
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars. ****

~*Quote of the day*~

Fame comes only when deserved, and then is as inevitable as destiny, for it is destiny.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

~*Word of the day*~

Mahou (Japanese)

Meaning: Magic

1.
The art of producing illusions as entertainment by the use of sleight of hand, deceptive devices, etc.; legerdemain; conjuring: to pull a rabbit out of a hat by magic.
2.
The art of producing a desired effect or result through the use of incantation or various other techniques that presumably assure human control of supernatural agencies or the forces of nature.

Currently Listening to... "Stay With You" - Goo Goo Dolls

How's Your Attitude?

Your Attitude is Better than 60% of the Population

You have a good attitude. While a realist, you do see the positive side of most things. People love to be around you.

How's Your Attitude?

My Apologies

I want to start off by apologizing. I haven't written anything in 4 days! But in my defense, I have been sick (and lazy) for a few days. My Mother's been trying to get me to go to a doctor, but I don't want to. I hate going to the doctor. Plus, I'm afraid he'll tell me that my tonsils need to be removed.

I'll probably have to go this week either way. : (

I also haven't checked my email in a few days ~ Sorry Nikki ~ Sorry Maaria! I'll check it soon.

~ * ~ * ~* ~

A few days ago, my Grandmother sent me a package. It was full of art supplies; watercolor pencils, stamps, ink, blending pens, etc... It was really nice, and I've had fun playing around with all of it. Thank you, Nanny!

I also drew this flower.

I'm going to send this drawing to her, along with her Christmas presents. I know... it's February. I should have mailed the package months ago, but I didn't. Better late than never, right?

~*Quote of the day*~

We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

~*Word of the day*~

Kyu (Japanese)

Meaning: Nine

Currently Listening to... "Welcome to the Black Parade" - My Chemical Romance

How Cynical Are You?

You Are 40% Cynical

Generally you give people the benefit of the doubt. But there are exceptions. You buy into many of the things that mainstream society believes, but you're not anybody's fool.

How Cynical Are You?

My Friend Flicka

~ Movie Review ~

Flicka
I watched this movie last night. I'm always willing to watch a movie about horses. I read "Black Beauty" and "Misty of Chincoteague" as a child, but I don't remember reading "My Friend Flicka", which is the book this movie is based on. I didn't really know what to expect, but the movie was good. It was a little slow in the beginning, but I liked the end. I really am a sucker for happy endings, and I hate movies like The Yearling, and Old Yeller (where the animal dies at the end).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

16-year-old Katy McLaughlin dreams of fulfilling her family legacy by working on her father’s ranch in modern-day Wyoming. But Katy’s father wants more for her, insisting that Katy go to college. Katy finds a wild mustang, which she names Flicka, and sets out to make her a riding horse. But Flicka and Katy are more alike than she could have imagined. Like Katy, Flicka has a disdain for authority and is not about to give up her freedom without a fight.
(From Yahoo! Movies)
I give this movie 2 out of 5 stars. **

~*Quote of the day*~

Each morning sees some task begun, each evening sees it close; Something attempted, something done, has earned a night's repose.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

~*Word of the day*~

Hachi (Japanese)

Meaning: Eight

Currently Listening to... "Animal I Have Become" - Three Days Grace

Liver and Onions - Part 2

Alright, dinner is over, and the verdict is in. Everyone loved it! It was really, really good. When it first came out of the oven, my Brother said "That looks disgusting". Nice, right? But after he tasted it, he said it was one of the best things he's eaten in a long time. My Dad said it was "wonderful", and my Mom said it was "delicious". Now I just have to wait for my other brother to get home, and convince him to try it too.

This dish is actually pretty easy to make. You should give it a try.

Liver and Onions

My family loves my Liver & Onions recipe. I don't make it very often because it's messy and time-consuming, so tonight I'm going to try something different. I found a recipe online for baked liver & onions, and decided to try it out. It's in the oven right now. I'm afraid that no one will like it, but I'm still hoping they will. After I try it, I'll let you know how it turned out.

Here's the recipe from http://www.recipezaar.com/141343

8 slices calf liver

1-26 ounce Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can French onion soup
2 medium onions (thinly sliced)

1: Mix soups together, spread a thin layer over bottom of 13"x9"x2" baking dish.
2: Put a layer of liver, a layer of onions,and a layer of soup mixture. Repeat with second layer if needed.
3: Cover with remaining soup mixture.
4: Cover dish with foil and bake at 350 for 1-1/2 hour.
5: Serve with mashed potatoes.

~*Quote of the day*~

Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change.

Ralph Waldo Emerson


~*Word of the day*~

Shichi (Japanese)

Meaning: Seven

Currently Listening to... "Rest In Pieces" - Saliva

Sabrina - Love Quotes

~ Movie Review ~

Sabrina
In honor of Valentine's Day, I'm going to review this classic romantic movie. I've seen it three times, and I still love it. Really, it's no surprise with such an amazing cast: Humphrey Bogart - Audrey Hepburn - William Holden. There's just one scene in the first part of the film that I didn't like. A certain person (I won't say which one) makes a half-hearted attempt to kill themself, for a very stupid reason. Even though that scene was a little annoying, it's an important part of the story, and it'll make more sense at the end of the movie.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sabrina Fairchild (Hepburn) is the young daughter of the Larrabee family's chauffeur, Thomas (John Williams), and has been in love with David Larrabee (Holden) all her life. David is an oft-married, idle playboy, crazy for women, who has never noticed Sabrina. After Sabrina attends a culinary school in Paris, she returns a very attractive and sophisticated woman, and David is quickly drawn to her. David's workaholic older brother Linus (Bogart) sees this and fears that David's imminent wedding with a very rich woman may be endangered. If the wedding were to be canceled, so would a great corporate deal with the bride's family. So Linus tries to redirect Sabrina's affections to himself...
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars. ****

~*Love Quotes of the day*~

Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.

Robert Frost

Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.

Aristotle

To fear love is to fear life, and those who fear life are already three parts dead.

Bertrand Russell

Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.

Peter Ustinov

Who, being loved, is poor?

Oscar Wilde

Maaria - Thanks for the Bertrand Russell quote!

~*Word of the day*~

Ai (Japanese)

Meaning: Love

Currently Listening to... "Goodbye My Lover" - James Blunt

Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm going to make brownies. : )

Open Season

Tonight's episode of Heroes was great. I was afraid that one of my favorite characters was going to be killed off, but it didn't happen, so I'm happy. : )

~ Movie Review ~

Open Season
I watched this movie last week, and even though it's a kid/family movie, I decided to go ahead and review it. It was pretty good - lighthearted and funny. The two main characters reminded me a lot of Shrek and Donkey, from the movie "Shrek". I'll probably never watch it again, but it was pretty entertaining, so it's worth watching once.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Boog (voiced by Martin Lawrence), a happily domesticated grizzly bear, has his perfect world upside down after he meets Elliot (voiced by Ashton Kutcher), a scrawny, fast-talking wild mule deer.
In the tranquil town of Timberline, 900-pound Boog enjoys an idyllic existence. He spends his day as the star attraction of the town's nature show and spends his nights living the life of luxury in the garage of park ranger Beth (voiced by Debra Messing) who raised him since he was a cub. Every town has a bully and Beth knows about the meanest, fanatical tormentor there is: Timberline's paranoid, mullet-sporting hunter, Shaw (voiced by Gary Sinise) who believes that animals conspire against humans so he has to "get them before they get us".
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I give this movie 2 out of 5 stars. **

~*Quote of the day*~

Nobody was ever meant, To remember or invent, What he did with every cent.

Robert Frost

~*Word of the day*~

Roku (Japanese)

Meaning: Six

Currently Listening to... "A Bad Dream" - Keane

Signs

You've probably already noticed by now, but I almost always write my posts at night. Mostly because I'm busy (or lazy) during the day. Also, because I usually only watch movies at night, and a large portion of my blog is dedicated to movie reviews. So far I've reviewed: Nicholas Nickleby - How To Eat Fried Worms - 12 Angry Men - The Village - The First Wives Club - Lady in the Water - The African Queen - and Prey. Since I've already reviewed two M. Night Shyamalan films, I thought now would be a good time to write about my favorite Shyamalan movie - Signs.

~ Movie Review ~

Signs
I watched this movie for the first time on DVD, shortly after it was released. I was watching it in the den with all the lights off, and it really gave me the creeps. I remember jumping in my seat more than once. The scene when Mel Gibson is using the butcher knife to look under the pantry door gets me every time. Those of you who have seen the movie know what I mean. It's creepy, and I don't even believe in aliens. The acting was first-rate, and the music, camera angles, and lighting all combine to add to the spooky atmosphere and suspense. The plot was pretty solid, and I liked the idea of a stealth attack, as opposed to the typical alien invasion movie - where everything starts with a "boom". It was on TNT tonight, and while I was watching it for the fifth time, I thought it would be a good time to write a review for it. I've seen four Shyamalan movies and this is the best, with "The Sixth Sense" coming in second place. Maybe later on I'll review it too.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The film is about a family that lives on a farm in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) is a former Episcopal priest who lost his faith after the death of his wife, Colleen. No longer practicing religiously, Graham lives with his brother, Merrill (Joaquin Phoenix), and his two children, Bo (Abigail Breslin) and Morgan (Rory Culkin). Things are fairly steady in his life until a mysterious crop circle appears in his cornfield. Its origin and purpose are unknown; some townspeople speculate that it may be a prank while a few others that it may have been created by intelligent alien life-forms. Soon Graham and his family are shocked to learn that similar crop circles have suddenly appeared all around the world in ways too similar and created too quickly to be merely a grand, elaborate hoax...
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I give this movie 4 and a half out of 5 stars. ****'

Don't forget your tinfoil hat...

~*Quote of the day*~

People break down into two groups when they experience something lucky. Group number one sees it as more than luck, more than coincidence. They see it as a sign, evidence, that there is someone up there, watching out for them. Group number two sees it as just pure luck. Just a happy turn of chance... See what you have to ask yourself is what kind of person are you? Are you the kind that sees signs, sees miracles? Or do you believe that people just get lucky?

Or, look at the question this way: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?
Graham Hess (Mel Gibson):
M. Night Shyamalan

~*Word of the day*~

Go (Japanese)

Meaning: Five

Currently Listening to... "Shiver" - Maroon 5

My Kimono

Yay! I'm so happy - my Kimono arrived in the mail today! I bought it on Ebay almost a month ago, and it took forever to get here, but the shipping was free, so I can't complain. You may be asking yourself --- what is a Kimono? Scroll down to the "Word of the Day" to find out.

This particular Kimono is vintage, and it's made of silk. I've wanted one for years, and now I finally have one! I've been going back and forth in my mind, asking myself "should I wear it?" Or, "should I put it away and keep it as a collectible?" Kimono's were once a commonly worn article of clothing in Japan, but now they are usually only worn for special occasions; like festivals, weddings, and by Geisha. Because of this reason, they don't make as many as they used to, and the vintage ones are becoming worth a lot money. But I couldn't resist, and even as I write this, I am wearing my Kimono. It's so comfortable, and so pretty. I really love it. I wanted to buy a vintage Obi belt to tie it with, but they cost way too much, so I tied mine with a black scarf. Maybe later I'll buy a cheap knock-off Obi, and eventually, maybe I'll be able to afford a vintage one.

~*Quote of the day*~

Women who wear kimonos, when they fight, they have to keep their knees together, and when they use a sword, they have to move the sleeves otherwise it gets caught.

Lucy Liu


~*Word of the day*~

Kimono (Japanese)

Meaning: A long, wide-sleeved Japanese robe worn with an obi and often elaborately decorated.

Currently Listening to... "Ever The Same" - Rob Thomas

Argh...

Writer's block

+

Migraine

=

no review tonight.

Sorry folks...

Enjoy my brilliant drawing.

Prey

~ Movie Review ~

Prey
You've probably never heard of this movie. We happened to see it on a shelf in Blockbuster, and thought it might be worth checking out.

We were wrong.

Something about this movie annoyed me from the very beginning. The plot is pretty simple: Tom, a divorced father of two, marries Amy - a much younger woman. The newlywed couple and the kids go to Africa, where Tom works as an engineer on a dam (or something like that). While he's off doing his job, Amy and the kids go on a safari tour to see some of the local wildlife, in the hope that the kids will bond with their new step-mother. Tom's teenage daughter, Jessica, never even tries to hide her dislike for Amy. When the driver takes them off-road to search for more interesting wildlife, the safari goes from bad to worse. Tom's son, David, has to take a bathroom break, so the driver gets out of the vehicle and keeps a lookout for wild animals, and David goes behind a bush. They are almost immediately attacked by lions. David makes it back to the vehicle, but the driver is predictably eaten in a rather gruesome manner. Unfortunately, the driver had the keys. Trapped and alone, Amy and the kids try to survive with only half a bottle of water. But the lions aren't going anywhere.

Tom hires a local hunter to try and track his family down, because the local rangers (and helicopters) aren't doing a good enough job. Meanwhile, Amy and the kids spot the keys on the ground, grab them, and drive off at a ridiculous speed. You'd think this woman was never behind the wheel of a car before, and she crashes in a matter of minutes. So, once again they are stranded. The lions follow them, and attack again. Anyone who knows even a little about lions can spot the many unrealistic scenes in this movie. And Jessica's constant screaming really gets on your nerves. The best way to describe this movie is to picture "Cujo", but with lions instead of a rabid dog.

Starring : Jamie Bartlett, Conner Dowds, Bridget Moynahan, Marius Roberts, Carly Schroeder, and Peter Weller.

I give this movie 1 out of 5 stars. *

~*Quote of the day*~

Some people lose all respect for the lion unless he devours them instantly. There is no pleasing some people.

Will Cuppy

~*Word of the day*~

Shi (Japanese)

Meaning: Four

Currently Listening to... "Shackled" - Vertical Horizon

Arrested Development

~* TV Show Review *~

Arrested Development
Ahhh... I miss this show so much! It was the funniest show I've ever watched in my entire life. I saw it from the first episode, when it premiered on Fox. It didn't get a lot advertisement, which is one of the things that led to it's early demise. It just couldn't seem to find a mainstream following. Despite the fact that it was a great show, and had brilliant writers, incredibly talented actors, wonderful narration by Ron Howard, earned six Emmys, a Golden Globe, and a cult fan base. Even the side characters were wonderful: Lucille Austero, or "Lucille 2," played by Liza Minnelli, Barry Zuckerkorn (Henry Winkler), the family attorney, Scott Baio as attorney Bob Loblaw (comically pronounced, "Bah blah blah"), and Charlize Theron to name a few.
The bottom line is simply this: most people were too slow to "get" the jokes. Even I missed a few the first time around. When you watch it for a second (or in my case, third) time, you catch more and more subtle jokes that tie the show together. It did not have a laugh-track, which was one of the things I loved about it. Unfortunately, most people need a laugh-track... it tells them when something is funny; that way they don't have to think. Just look at some of the shows that are on TV now. How is it that an amazing, award-winning show like "Arrested Development" could be canceled after just 3 seasons, and crap like "The War At Home" is still on the air?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Emmy Award-winning comedy series ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT revolves around MICHAEL BLUTH (Jason Bateman) the "normal" one in a family of crazies, who is forced to stay in Orange County and run the family real estate business after his father, GEORGE BLUTH SR. (Jeffrey Tambor), is sent to prison for shifty accounting practices. While George Sr. spent the last year in the slammer discovering his newfound Judaism and recording inspirational tapes, Michael spent it picking up the pieces and trying to teach his offbeat family how to live without an endless expense account. All the while, Michael has also been trying to do right by his 14-year-old son, GEORGE MICHAEL (Michael Cera), an earnest kid who works diligently at the family’s frozen banana stand.
The Bluths are led by manipulative matriarch LUCILLE BLUTH (Jessica Walter), a socialite who is as icy as her martinis. Then there’s the oldest son, GOB (Will Arnett), a womanizer and struggling magician (sorry, "illusionist") whose biggest trick will be to make a real job appear. The youngest brother is BUSTER (Tony Hale), a neurotic professional grad student and glorified mama’s boy (he spent 11 months in the womb). The Bluth siblings are rounded out by cause-obsessed sister LINDSAY (Portia de Rossi), who is married to the hapless TOBIAS (David Cross), a doctor-turned-actor who might get more work if he wasn’t a self-proclaimed "never-nude." Lindsay and Tobias are the ultra-permissive parents of MAEBY (Alia Shawkat), a 14-year-old who loves finding unique ways to rebel against their overindulgence.
Description from TV.com
http://www.tv.com/arrested-development/show/17005/summary.html

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Critical reviews
"Is it beating a dead horse to once again state that this underappreciated gem is the best sitcom on TV? Too bad. 'Arrested Development' is the best sitcom on TV!"
—Tim Stack, Entertainment Weekly, 14 October 2005, p.133

"If you're not watching this series on Fox, the least you can do is buy it on DVD. You'll love it, and it's such a dense show (in the best sense of the word) that it rewards repeated viewing. Like Scrubs and the British version of The Office, it's the sort of show that truly deserves to be seen uninterrupted, several episodes at a time, for maximum enjoyment. The laughs-per-minute quotient here is insanely high, making it great value as a home library purchase."
—David Bianculli, New York Daily News, 12 October 2005

"As oddball as Arrested is, it's also humane. A flawless cast — from Will Arnett's breathy, bombastic Gob to Jessica Walter's boozy Lucille — grounds it, aided by Ron Howard's affable narration. Of course, the center of sensibility is good son Michael (Jason Bateman) and his even better son, George Michael (Michael Cera). Bateman and Cera give the best reacts around — the former all weary exasperation, the latter adorably bunny-stunned. Together, they're the sweetest, awkwardest straight men on the smartest, most shockingly funny series on TV...which is likely canceled, despite six Emmy wins. It's a perversion not even the Bluths deserve."
—Gillian Flynn, Entertainment Weekly, Best of 2005 Issue naming Arrested Development the best TV show of 2005

~*Quote of the day*~

Genius has no relationship whatsoever to popularity. Give me 13 episodes of "Arrested Development" over five years of soul-sucking lameness like "According to Jim" any day.
Tim Goodman

~*Word of the day*~

San (Japanese)

Meaning: Three

Currently Listening to... "I Am The Highway" - Audioslave

What's Your Personality Type?

You Are An INFJ

The Protector You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity. Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is. You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience. You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them. You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher.

What's Your Personality Type?

The African Queen

~ Movie Review ~

The African Queen
What can I say about this movie? To call it a "classic" is an understatement. The African Queen is quite frankly one of the best movies of all time. The film stars Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, and if you don't know who they are, I feel sorry for you. Of all the movies I've reviewed so far, this is the best, and I'm trying to think of how to describe it without adding too many spoilers...

THE AFRICAN QUEEN is set in central Africa during World War I. Rose Sayer (Hepburn), and her brother Samuel are English missionaries in a village in German East Africa in 1914. Their mail and supplies are delivered by captain Charlie Allnut (Bogart) of the African Queen. He warns them that German troops will soon invade, but the Sayers choose to stay, only to witness the Germans burning down the village. When Samuel protests, he is beaten by a German soldier. After the Germans leave, Samuel becomes delirious and dies. Soon afterward, Charlie returns, and after helping Rose bury her brother, they set off in the African Queen. Charlie tells Rose that the Germans have a gunboat, the Empress Luisa, which patrols a large lake downriver, effectively blocking any British counterattacks. Rose comes up with a plan to convert the Queen into a torpedo boat and sink the Luisa. Charlie points out that navigating the river would be suicidal: to reach the lake they would have to pass a German fort and negotiate several dangerous rapids. But Rose is insistent...

This move has everything; action, adventure, drama, and romance. The scene with all the bottles of gin will live on forever in movie history, and the ending could not have been more perfect. I've seen it at least five times, and I doubt that anyone who watches it will be disappointed.

I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars. *****

~*Quote of the day*~

Charlie: We can't do that!

Rose: How do you know? You never tried it.

Charlie: Well, yeah, but I never tried shooting myself in the head neither.
The African Queen
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For the spoiler Quote, highlight the white text below.

Captain of Louisa: By the authority vested in me by Kaiser William II, I pronounce you man and wife. Proceed with the execution.
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~*Word of the day*~

Ni (Japanese)

Meaning: Two

Currently Listening to... "They" - Jem

To: Oddjob - Thanks for the tip.