As we all know, Michael Bay has taken his last movie, 2007's Transformers and more or less decided "I can make it awesomer! More explosions! More robots! More Megan Fox! It will be the most awesome movie ever!" Sadly, I am pretty sure this is the way Michael Bay sounds.
So, did he make it awesomer? Yes. And. No.
What is awesome about this movie is that most of the original cast is back, Megan Fox included. An added bonus is one Isabel Lucas, the blond chasing Sam in the beginning of the film. Without completely spoiling things, I can't really say much more.
A more "bad ass" Optimus is a welcome addition. I guess the darker Dark Knight of last summer inspired the team of Orci and Krutzman (normally they write for this little show called Lost, maybe you've heard of it) to write a more Optimal Prime.
More Megan Fox, running in slow motion. Don't think of me as a pig, I'm just a guy.
All the jokes I make about Michael Bay aside, I was glad they brought him back to direct the second movie. I think when you keep using the same director over and over in a series, you make it consistent, if nothing else. The scattershot Bond offerings of the mid 80's show what kind of bad movies you can make when you keep changing directors.
What did I not like about the movie?
Can someone explain to me why Devastator need to have a pair of what looked like testicles hanging down from the robogenital region. And another thing, while he was at it, couldn't he have...
sucked up those two annoying robot twins? Really, they were a bit annoying, and didn't really add much value to the movie You know they are unpopular when the writers of the movie won't even claim them as their idea.
Also, why did Sam and Mikaela need a plucky sidekick? I think they were doing just fine on their own.
This is I think something only I would notice. Last time I checked the old Bethlehem Steel plant found along the waterfront of that Lehigh Valley city is not Shanghai. Then again, I grew up in the area, so I would notice. My little geographic criticism aside, kudos to the production team for using a vacant factory as a location for a movie. The Steel plant is also where the scene where Megatron threatens to cut Sam open to get the info he needs was filmed at the plant as well.
All in all, for it's major robotic fault, this was not a half bad movie. Take out the two stupid robots, and I actually think it was almost as good as the first.
See this movie, AND waste the $10.50, but not if you're taking a date.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Coming Soon to a Blog Near You..
Since one of my readers busted my stones about the recent direction of the blog ("I have to say you've gotten onto a bit of a music tangent. And by music I mean Pearl Jam. And by tangent I mean it's taking over the blog."), I have to sort of drag things back into focus. This wasn't meant as a vehicle for discussing music, but has turned into one as of late, and for that I apologize.
That said, the person who sent me the email containing the previous quote also gave me some topics to write about if I was ever short on ideas. Funny enough, I am. That, and I'm not going to turn down reader ideas.
That said, the person who sent me the email containing the previous quote also gave me some topics to write about if I was ever short on ideas. Funny enough, I am. That, and I'm not going to turn down reader ideas.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Three Sheets is Back.
This is the second part of the non basic cable edition of the "Appointment TV" post. You may wonder why it is getting a post all its own. It's because the show is back.
That's right, Three Sheets returns on July 20th at 10pm. on the Fine Living Network. Check your local listing to find the channel number in your area. The show will air nightly, with new episodes airing Mondays at 10pm, which if you read the previous post will cause me issues because that show is on at the same time.
Right after I got digital cable, I discovered this show and liked it because it had a very simple premise: Travel the world and get to drink doing it. Like I've said before, I like to have a beer (or two) in my free time. It aired on Thursdays on a channel called Mojo HD, which the cable companies established as a showcase for HD programming.
Last December the channel went off the air as a result of cable systems adding a large amount of HD programming to their channel lineup, leaving the show homeless. After a few pub crawls to save the show, it has reappeared on the Fine Living Network.
Like I said, the premise of the show is simple. Host Zane Lamprey travels the show and drinks, and also discovers the local hangover cure at some point in the episode. Sounds wonderful, and such a simplistic idea if you think about it. There is also a brief piece about the local history of the place as well as its alcohol.
Without a doubt, my favorite segement of the show is the appearance of Pleepleus, a stuffed monkey who randomly appears throughout the course of the episode. Also, the show has a drinking game (rules to appear below). I'm not advocating playing it by mentioning it, but I will say, I know the rules and have observed that one could get a little drunk watching.
Luckily for viewers of the show, they had already shot the fourth season of the show when Mojo HD announced they were closing up shop.
As I mentioned, here are the rules. Please watch and enjoy.
That's right, Three Sheets returns on July 20th at 10pm. on the Fine Living Network. Check your local listing to find the channel number in your area. The show will air nightly, with new episodes airing Mondays at 10pm, which if you read the previous post will cause me issues because that show is on at the same time.
Right after I got digital cable, I discovered this show and liked it because it had a very simple premise: Travel the world and get to drink doing it. Like I've said before, I like to have a beer (or two) in my free time. It aired on Thursdays on a channel called Mojo HD, which the cable companies established as a showcase for HD programming.
Last December the channel went off the air as a result of cable systems adding a large amount of HD programming to their channel lineup, leaving the show homeless. After a few pub crawls to save the show, it has reappeared on the Fine Living Network.
Like I said, the premise of the show is simple. Host Zane Lamprey travels the show and drinks, and also discovers the local hangover cure at some point in the episode. Sounds wonderful, and such a simplistic idea if you think about it. There is also a brief piece about the local history of the place as well as its alcohol.
Without a doubt, my favorite segement of the show is the appearance of Pleepleus, a stuffed monkey who randomly appears throughout the course of the episode. Also, the show has a drinking game (rules to appear below). I'm not advocating playing it by mentioning it, but I will say, I know the rules and have observed that one could get a little drunk watching.
Luckily for viewers of the show, they had already shot the fourth season of the show when Mojo HD announced they were closing up shop.
As I mentioned, here are the rules. Please watch and enjoy.
- When Zane drinks, you drink.
- The first person to spot Pleepleus the monkey, makes someone else drink.
- When Zane mentions his friend, Steve McKenna, everyone drinks.
- When Zane or anyone burps, the last person to give the "Good Burp" sign (thumb on your forehead, pinky in the air) drinks.
My appointment television, the non-basic cable edition
I forgot to name two shows previously when doing the appointment TV post, mainly because they are not on a major network. The other one will the post piggybacked to this one, for reasons that will make themselves clear shortly enough.
During the Writers Strike of last year, I was tiring of watching the same reruns and decided to use the digital cable to find something else to watch. I ended up on the Travel Channel, which for those of you who know will elicit something like the following response ("Jeff, you do know that there is no sports or concerts on that channel right?"). What I found was a show called No Reservations, hosted by author, chef, and big time Rachel Ray hater Anthony Bourdain (which is what even drew me that far up the dial in the first place. I'm not going to lie, I can't stand that women or her voice. And, end tangent.)
The show is about food and eating, which runs a close second to having a beer on the list of things to do with my free time. It's a simple concept, Tony sees the sights of a particular area of the world or U.S., and dicussed the local cuisine with a friend he has there, or with a connection of someone else he knows. If nothing else, watching the show will make you hungry. Oh, and the sarcastic wit of Bourdain will keep you entertained.
By far my favorite episode of this show was the one about Lebanon. Tony and his crew went there to film a show about the cuisine of the ecountry and how it is rebounding from its crippling civil war of the 80's. Unfortunately, their timing sucked, as right around the time they arrived, Israel started bombing Beirut in retaliation for a Hezbollah raid on the border with Israel. This led into a month long war between the two and a forced evacuation of all American citizens ordered by the State Department. A show about food quickly turned into a show about getting out alive.
New epsiodes of the show start again on July 13, and the show's normal time slot is Monday nights at 10pm on the Travel Channel. Repeats air every weekday at 1pm. All Times Eastern. Check with your cable or satellite provider to find out what channel they carry it on in your area.
During the Writers Strike of last year, I was tiring of watching the same reruns and decided to use the digital cable to find something else to watch. I ended up on the Travel Channel, which for those of you who know will elicit something like the following response ("Jeff, you do know that there is no sports or concerts on that channel right?"). What I found was a show called No Reservations, hosted by author, chef, and big time Rachel Ray hater Anthony Bourdain (which is what even drew me that far up the dial in the first place. I'm not going to lie, I can't stand that women or her voice. And, end tangent.)
The show is about food and eating, which runs a close second to having a beer on the list of things to do with my free time. It's a simple concept, Tony sees the sights of a particular area of the world or U.S., and dicussed the local cuisine with a friend he has there, or with a connection of someone else he knows. If nothing else, watching the show will make you hungry. Oh, and the sarcastic wit of Bourdain will keep you entertained.
By far my favorite episode of this show was the one about Lebanon. Tony and his crew went there to film a show about the cuisine of the ecountry and how it is rebounding from its crippling civil war of the 80's. Unfortunately, their timing sucked, as right around the time they arrived, Israel started bombing Beirut in retaliation for a Hezbollah raid on the border with Israel. This led into a month long war between the two and a forced evacuation of all American citizens ordered by the State Department. A show about food quickly turned into a show about getting out alive.
New epsiodes of the show start again on July 13, and the show's normal time slot is Monday nights at 10pm on the Travel Channel. Repeats air every weekday at 1pm. All Times Eastern. Check with your cable or satellite provider to find out what channel they carry it on in your area.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
In response to Doug again
In his comment to last night's post, Doug asked me:
"If I were to give Pearl Jam a chance again after 15 years, but had to base a take or leave decision on just one (original) song that was produced after Vitalogy, what song would you suggest?"
I would like to thank my old friend for giving me a question that I have been ruminating on all day to find an answer for.
I must admit that I can't actually come up with just one. I've been trying to think of reasons to eliminate one, the other or both all day, and I can't come up with anything that I can process into a full-on elimination.
That said, here is my answer to question:
It's a tie between to on the most recent album, the last two tracks on the most recent album, the self-titled Pearl Jam, "Come Back" and "Inside Job."
Why?
Both songs involve the writing of Mike McCready, who is credited with the music for the former and music and lyrics for the latter. Why is this important? Mike has never contributed the lyrics to a song, incidentally it's one on which he sings background vocals. So what? Well, for fifteen years up to this point, all he's ever done is contribute music, having done so most notably for "Yellow Ledbetter." Depending how well, you know me and my opinion on Mike, you'll think I am being biased (for those of you who aren't aware, I think the sun and the band rises and sets around his guitar work.)
I will now attempt to refute those claims of bias.
These two songs are what Pearl Jam was, is and is evolving into.
Let me explain the "was" part first. This group has built a reputation on great guitar work, and neither of these songs disappoint, namely through McCready's guitar work. They both feature power in the Eddie Vedder's vocals. If that were to ever to disappear, it would be time to hang it up. Pure and simple. Now to the "is."
Pearl Jam is a band that's been around for almost twenty years, and over the course of time, anyone with half a brain learns things. These guys are no different.
First off, they added a percussionist to the mix, Boom Gaspar. Though only officially a touring member of the band, he represents an evolution in their sound. Be honest, Doug, did you ever think you would hear a piano in a Pearl Jam song back when Ten came out? I know I sure didn't. I also know I didn't like the addition of Boom during Riot Act. I didn't even come around to it for four years, till I saw the at the Tweeter in Camden in 2006. It was then I realized that Boom adds a dimension to the band that they were lacking--emotion. Let me explain. Before Boom, for the most part all a Pearl Jam song really was at its core was Vedder vocals, screaming guitars, and hard charging drums. I love them to death, but they played pretty elementary stuff. Gaspar, and OK, maybe age and maturity brought in emotion. How else can you explain the emotional, gut wrenching pleading coming from Eddie in "Come Back?"
Secondly, the band is much more democratic than used to be. Back in the Vitalogy era, to be frank, it was a bit of a dictatorship, with Eddie running things. Over the years, I think he's realized that he isn't the only one who comes to the table with song ideas. That is where Mike comes in.
I think if someone like him, who is not and has never been very lyrical comes to the table with lyrics that are good enough to get Eddie to lay vocals down for, Pearl Jam is worth your time to take a second look at.
They aren't the band we grew up with in high school and finding ourselves able to identify with for whatever angst-ridden reason. What they've become is a mature rock band who is often imitated, but never duplicated.
They are still relevant, influential, and worth your time. They are punk, rock, slow, fast, ballad, disciple and leader. They are solo artists, side projects and a group that plays every show like they are trying to win you over for the first time all over again. They are the girl who is your first love, your serious girlfriend or your spouse: You may fight, and leave, but you will and you always should come back.
So, please, Doug, they'll be here. Come back. Come back.
"If I were to give Pearl Jam a chance again after 15 years, but had to base a take or leave decision on just one (original) song that was produced after Vitalogy, what song would you suggest?"
I would like to thank my old friend for giving me a question that I have been ruminating on all day to find an answer for.
I must admit that I can't actually come up with just one. I've been trying to think of reasons to eliminate one, the other or both all day, and I can't come up with anything that I can process into a full-on elimination.
That said, here is my answer to question:
It's a tie between to on the most recent album, the last two tracks on the most recent album, the self-titled Pearl Jam, "Come Back" and "Inside Job."
Why?
Both songs involve the writing of Mike McCready, who is credited with the music for the former and music and lyrics for the latter. Why is this important? Mike has never contributed the lyrics to a song, incidentally it's one on which he sings background vocals. So what? Well, for fifteen years up to this point, all he's ever done is contribute music, having done so most notably for "Yellow Ledbetter." Depending how well, you know me and my opinion on Mike, you'll think I am being biased (for those of you who aren't aware, I think the sun and the band rises and sets around his guitar work.)
I will now attempt to refute those claims of bias.
These two songs are what Pearl Jam was, is and is evolving into.
Let me explain the "was" part first. This group has built a reputation on great guitar work, and neither of these songs disappoint, namely through McCready's guitar work. They both feature power in the Eddie Vedder's vocals. If that were to ever to disappear, it would be time to hang it up. Pure and simple. Now to the "is."
Pearl Jam is a band that's been around for almost twenty years, and over the course of time, anyone with half a brain learns things. These guys are no different.
First off, they added a percussionist to the mix, Boom Gaspar. Though only officially a touring member of the band, he represents an evolution in their sound. Be honest, Doug, did you ever think you would hear a piano in a Pearl Jam song back when Ten came out? I know I sure didn't. I also know I didn't like the addition of Boom during Riot Act. I didn't even come around to it for four years, till I saw the at the Tweeter in Camden in 2006. It was then I realized that Boom adds a dimension to the band that they were lacking--emotion. Let me explain. Before Boom, for the most part all a Pearl Jam song really was at its core was Vedder vocals, screaming guitars, and hard charging drums. I love them to death, but they played pretty elementary stuff. Gaspar, and OK, maybe age and maturity brought in emotion. How else can you explain the emotional, gut wrenching pleading coming from Eddie in "Come Back?"
Secondly, the band is much more democratic than used to be. Back in the Vitalogy era, to be frank, it was a bit of a dictatorship, with Eddie running things. Over the years, I think he's realized that he isn't the only one who comes to the table with song ideas. That is where Mike comes in.
I think if someone like him, who is not and has never been very lyrical comes to the table with lyrics that are good enough to get Eddie to lay vocals down for, Pearl Jam is worth your time to take a second look at.
They aren't the band we grew up with in high school and finding ourselves able to identify with for whatever angst-ridden reason. What they've become is a mature rock band who is often imitated, but never duplicated.
They are still relevant, influential, and worth your time. They are punk, rock, slow, fast, ballad, disciple and leader. They are solo artists, side projects and a group that plays every show like they are trying to win you over for the first time all over again. They are the girl who is your first love, your serious girlfriend or your spouse: You may fight, and leave, but you will and you always should come back.
So, please, Doug, they'll be here. Come back. Come back.
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