Archive | June, 2006

Pretty Fly for a Super Guy

30 Jun

If you’re looking for good old fashioned summer movie entertainment on a grand scale, look no further than Superman Returns.

The film is basically an homage to the spectacles of days past, and specifically to the Superman movie of 1978. From the opening chords of John Williams’ theme music, to the replica of the credit style, to the clips of Marlon Brando’s performance, and even including the final shot of the movie, Superman Returns is a film that treats its source material as if it was a holy text.

In fact, director Bryan Singer has crafted a movie where Superman isn’t just a hero — he’s practically a god. Continue reading

Who’s Laughing Now?

29 Jun

Since the Red Sox are now four games ahead of the Yankees, not to mention on a 12-game winning streak, I thought I’d post this movie my friend Kerri sent me (and she’s a Met fan). It’s a Red Sox fan walking through the bleachers in Yankee Stadium. Just beware: if you’re going to play this at work, make sure it’s loud enough for you to hear, but not too loud. As you might expect, it’s a bit profane. Still, in the current context, all I can do is watch this and laugh.

Arrrrrrrrrrgh

29 Jun

Oh, bugger.

That’s my reaction when it comes to Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. I was really disappointed and frustrated by this movie.

The first Pirates was so much fun, so exciting, so fresh. This one drags, is too long, and doesn’t have the same spark.

Largely, that’s a result of editing. Specifically, there was none.

The movie takes about 20 minutes to actually begin, and though Johnny Depp has a funny entrance, it’s sort of worthless because he has another one — the way he should have been introduced, the way the movie should have started — some time later.

Basically, this Pirates just needed to be a whole lot tighter. Instead it’s as loose and swishy as Jack Sparrow himself. Continue reading

Catching Up

28 Jun

Sorry for the radio silence. It’s been one of those weeks where I was busy at work and nothing outside the office was particularly blog-worthy. To wit, and to catch you up (and to get the promotion posting off the top of the site), some quick and random things:

* Got a haircut on Sunday. That was the highlight of my weekend.

* Alright, maybe not. I also went to Russo’s for the first time. And maybe it wasn’t the life-changing experience it was billed as, but I fully expect to go back often to take advantage of the lower-priced and better quality produce.

* My neighbors on the other side of my bedroom wall are rather insensitive. While I hit snooze for about an hour every morning, my reflexes are good enough that the music’s only playing for a second or two — tops — before I hit the button. They, however, let the music play at a decent volume while they hang out and get ready for the day. Thankfully, it was good music on Tuesday (92.9, which played Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” and The Fray’s “Over My Head”), so I didn’t mind much, but still …

* In a related matter, I think there’s something to be said for radio karma, or whatever it’s called when your radio tries to teach you a lesson for snoozing too long. It never fails: I hit snooze one extra time and the song that comes on is something awful like Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” or Sean Paul’s “Temperature.” And yet, I never do learn, because all it means is I get 9 more minutes to sleep. I mean, really — who can get up with a bad song stuck in his head?

* And in another related matter, my favorite CD of the moment is Train’s For Me, It’s You. I can listen to it over and over, and my favorite track is the title song, which I think is a perfect wedding song.

* It’s never a good sign when, at the dentist, the hygienist gives your teeth the once-over then raises the volume on her radio, essentially saying, “This is going to hurt. I need to distract you.” Thankfully, it was just that she couldn’t hear the music. No drills were necessary, and I was largely pain-free.

* I know Superman Returns is gonna do big business this weekend. I just want to know if it’ll beat Aquaman. I plan to see Supes tomorrow night. Tonight is Pirates of the Caribbean. Woo hoo!

* I like not watching so much TV in the summer. Aside from Red Sox games and Ebert & Roeper, I haven’t really watched anything — not even my cousin David’s show. I’m trying to get into Windfall but I’m still behind by a week or two, and I’m watching season one of Grey’s Anatomy on DVD (slowly), but mostly what I’ve been doing is setting my DVR and not watching what I record. Never did see the Britney Spears or Angelina Jolie interviews, for example. I love summer, and having a life.

* Speaking of the Red Sox, it’s great to have Gabe Kapler back playing baseball. He’s my favorite Red Sox player, and not just because he gives Jewish athletes a good name. The guy’s fun to watch and his positive, can-do attitude is something I really respect.

* Speaking of which, it sure is good to be a Sox fan lately, ain’t it? It’s fun playing the Mets this week, having Pedro back in town, enjoying a 10-game winning streak, and most importantly being 3.5 games ahead of the Yankees. I’m looking forward to seeing the olde town team play in Florida this weekend. No tickets available here in Boston, but plenty still up for grabs in Miami.

* I hate when the drivers on the C line tell people to move all the way back into the train, even when there’s no room to go back any farther. But what’s worse is when we get to Kenmore, and the doors open on the opposite side of the train, meaning that all those who had gone to the very back of the train now have to move forward to let the new people on. That’s just stupid and annoying.

I guess that’s enough. As I say, nothing toooooo exciting. But at least you know I’m still here and unlike some other bloggers, I haven’t taken time off from blogging.

Personnel Announcement

22 Jun

Generally, I try to keep this blog a work-free zone, but for those readers who I actually know, who I haven’t been in touch with recently — or those I don’t know who would be interested — I thought I’d post an announcement that I’ve been promoted, and I’m now a Senior Managing Editor.

I’m still working on the same magazines, but now I also manage three employees (in addition to our team of interns) and I’ll be taking on other responsibilities as well.

It’s all good, and I’m quite happy about the news, as you may assume. Continue reading

One Man Party

21 Jun

I thought this was too funny not to mention here. In the new Broadway show, Fame Becomes Me, Martin Short and cast sing a song called “Party with Marty.” Ha ha …

That’s all. I don’t have much more to say about that. Just that I think this show has now become a must-see for me, if only for that one song.

It’s Not TiVo. It’s MeVo.

20 Jun

Adam Sandler is all grownzed up in real life, and Click is a reflection of that. No more high-tempered man-child doing doofus things. Now it’s good-natured (though still high-tempered) man-child who is actually an adult with a wife and kids and a high-powered job, who regrets not having enough time to spend with his family and actually cries. And that’s about as critical or analytical as I’m going to be on this movie. Click is a cute, sweet, family-friendly movie that has some funny scenes and cameos from Sandler movie mainstays like Rob Schneider and Sean Astin, plus a typically weird and funny performance by Christopher Walken, but feels a bit neutered, compared to, say, Big Daddy or even Mr. Deeds. Still, Click is not necessarily a bad movie, so it gets a B from me.

Hot Fun in the Summertime

19 Jun

It was a very warm weekend here in Boston; I guess summer is finally here. (Woo hoo!)

It was also a busy one for me.

Among the highlights, I spent part of Saturday on the Common with Amy, Amy, and John. It was another one of our ‘stravaganzas — this one was dubbed the MarcottMartinStravaganza, in honor of our birthdays.

Usually we have brunch and go bowling, but because of the weather, we opted for an outdoor activity. Thankfully, we found a shady spot for our picnic that kept us cool. Continue reading

Just an Urban Legend?

18 Jun

Apparently, a lot of you out there like cupcakes … in all their varied forms.

My recent post about the new Johnny Cupcakes store has had the most hits of any posting I’ve written (at least it seems that way), thanks largely to UniversalHub.com, and one guy has even posted about my posting, albeit with a false reasoning (i.e.: he overlooks the fact that Newbury Comics actually sells comic books, but Johnny Cupcakes does not sell cupcakes).

And people are still commenting on my site about Johnny Cupcakes even though the posting is three weeks old.

In fact, in more than one place I’ve read that on weekends, Johnny’s mother gives out homemade cupcakes with any purchase.

So, because I’m not entirely a bad person, I’ve been back to Johnny Cupcakes twice now on weekends. And wouldn’t you know it, both times there were no cupcakes.

And no one I know has had a cupcake from Johnny Cupcakes.

It’s kind of like the stories I’ve heard from people who live in Los Angeles: it’s illegal to jaywalk there, and no one I know has ever gotten a ticket for it, but they have all heard of someone getting one.

So I ask: Do these free cupcakes actually exist? And if so, why don’t they exist when I’m in the store? Does this mean Johnny is tracking me, and does he know when I come by? Is he hiding them when I am in the neighborhood? And also, is he reading my blog, and enjoying the publicity?

I have nothing against the guy. I just want a cupcake. Is that so wrong?

Get Your Kicks … Elsewhere

16 Jun

Cars is cute.

And that’s both a good and bad thing.

It’s good because it’s colorful and fun to look at, but it’s bad because it borders on childish and doesn’t have the wide appeal of Pixar’s other recent films.

I’d even say it’s the worst of Pixar’s films since A Bug’s Life.

Now of course, let’s put things into perspective: a bad Pixar film is still better than many other releases. And Cars isn’t necessarily a bad movie. It just doesn’t have the same spark or endearing qualities of The Incredibles or Monsters Inc. Continue reading

%d bloggers like this: