Foresight is 20/20

16 Jan

File this post under: Patting myself on the back; Ego stroking

Watching the Golden Globes Monday night, I was struck by how cool it is to know that I interviewed Jennifer Hudson before she became, well, Jennifer Hudson, Golden Globe winner, big huge star, and likely Oscar winner. So allow me to re-post a link to my story from the December issue of Continental magazine, and to send some public props out to Todd, who helped me set up the interview back in, like, September. And if you still haven’t seen Dreamgirls, well, what are you waiting for? I’ve seen it twice and I’d gladly see it again. And again.

Maybe my review isn’t enough and you need some further proof of how good the movie — and Jennifer herself — is. So here’s a link to Jen’s recent appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, where she performed “I’m Changing,” or you can just watch it below. I’m so impressed that I got to chat with Jennifer on the way up. It’s so cool. And I can’t wait to say that I interviewed an Oscar winner. That’s much cooler than being able to say I interviewed a Tony winner.

Anyway, enjoy this clip of Jennifer Hudson on Letterman and go see the movie.

Love for Sale?

15 Jan

So here’s what I’ve never understood: Match.com has this offer where, if you spend a fruitless six months on the site, they’ll give you another six months free. That makes no sense to me. If you’ve spent more than $100 on a web site that promises to help you find the love of your life, and you’re unsuccessful after six months, seems to me you’d want your money back, not another six months free.

Let It Snow!

15 Jan

For some reason, “I’m dreaming of a white Martin Luther King Jr. Day” doesn’t roll off the tongue like “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas” does. So I guess it’s a good thing that “Let It Snow” is a song that can be sung on any holiday, and since there’s snow in the forecast today, even if it is just a slight chance and not until tonight, I thought I’d post this video of Jamie Cullum singing it on what looks like some British TV show. (And maybe by posting this, it’ll work magic and we’ll actually get a substantial snow storm. This has been a really lame winter so far.) Enjoy!

No Bark, No Bite

14 Jan

[Note: This review contains plot spoilers, so if you have any intention of seeing Alpha Dog, don’t read this review until after you’ve done so. Or, read this review and change your mind about seeing it.]

There are a few things wrong with Alpha Dog, but one of the biggest — the plot — just can’t be helped because the film is “inspired by actual events.” Alpha Dog tells the story of Jonny Truelove (a.k.a. Jesse James Hollywood), a drug dealer who, to exact revenge on a delinquent customer, kidnaps Nick (Anton Yelchin), the customer’s 15-year-old brother. Truelove’s friends, including Frankie (Justin Timberlake), unwittingly go along with it, and show Nick a good time when he’s left in Frankie’s care. Had the film not been based on a true story, chances are it would have ended with Nick being returned to his family and Truelove behind bars, and the film would have come off like a fun story about this kid who was abducted and was actually better off for having had the experience. But that’s not what actually went down, and the film takes a much darker turn that does it in.

Not that it would have been a much better movie had the kid lived. The script is generally lame, the acting doesn’t help it, and together, it makes for a film about a bunch of not very likable, not very cool, not really tough, and actually, pretty lame people. And it’s a shame, because not only did I think the trailer made the movie look pretty cool, but I’ve always sorta thought Emile Hirsch (who plays Truelove) was a pretty good actor (I particularly like him in The Girl Next Door) and I hoped Timberlake would be fun to watch, but neither one is particularly good (though I’d say Justin has his moments, and he’s certainly better than Lance Bass was in On the Line). So, I’m calling Alpha Dog a disappointment. And I’m giving it a C–.

Welcome to the Wow

12 Jan

Just when I had adjusted to the three-hour time difference, I’m back from Vegas and very tired.

Overall, it was a good trip, as I’ve already said: productive and cost-effective as far as my work objectives go, and fun as far as everything else goes.

Here are some “reporter’s notebook”-style things I thought I’d mention: Continue reading →

What a Show

10 Jan

ces_01You’re not going to believe it’s me saying this, but if I don’t see another TV for a month, it will be too soon.

After three days of CES, I’ve certainly seen enough of them. Plasmas, LCDs, 1080p full HD, etc etc etc. Each one bigger and blacker. LG has a 102-incher, Panasonic has a 103-incher, and Sharp has a 108-incher. Clearly, size matters.

I’ve also seen a lot of cell phones, cameras, mp3 players, iPod accessories, camcorders, blah blah blah … after three days of speaking to PR people and asking about availability and pricing, it’s all blending together (good thing I’ve taken plenty of notes).

And of course, nothing I’ve seen has been as cool as Apple’s iPhone, which is not here because Apple doesn’t do CES. Still, yesterday in the press room, it was all anyone was talking about. Continue reading →

Showing Off

8 Jan

Hello from Las Vegas, where I’m at for a few days for the Consumer Electronics Show.

It’s my third time at the show and it’s great fun, as work trips go. I’m so eager to see all the new cell phones, camcorders, TVs, etc. that I got to the show more than an hour too early today (I thought it opened at 9, but it opens at 10). Ha. But it’s all good.

Anyway, just wanted to say a quick hello because this time I have a good excuse for not posting. If I find a couple minutes and something I can write about quickly, I’ll try to say hi. Otherwise, I’ll be back with pictures and stories and a fuller report later in the week.

Silent New Year

5 Jan

So how do I explain the fact that I’ve now gone almost a week without a single posting?

Well, I can tell you it’s not because I’m still in shock about the cancellation of The O.C.

And it’s not because I’m stunned it took so long for anyone else to notice the similarity between Leo DiCaprio and Eric Dane, which I’ve been saying since October.

It also isn’t because I’ve melted thanks to the unusually warm weather here in Boston.

The truth is, I don’t have a reason. But I’ve gotten enough questions about my blogging absence that I felt like I had to post something.

So, here you go. I’m alive. Happy New Year, y’all.

Movie Review Year in Review

31 Dec

Updated 1/27

Although I still haven’t seen a few films that are on my to-see list (namely, The Queen, The Good German, Night at the Museum, and Babel) I thought I’d do a special year-end post to give attention to the movies I enjoyed the most this year.

I’ve gone through and reread my reviews, noting what letter grades I gave and why, and here are my rankings for the best movies of the year — or at least those I consider my favorites: Continue reading →

Things I’ve Learned, vacation week edition

29 Dec

I could really get used to this “week off” stuff.

It’s nice for a few days to sleep in, roll out of bed sometime between 9:30 and 10, take my time getting ready, do what I want (or don’t do anything at all), and just relax.

Alright, sure I’ve spent plenty of time this week playing with my new computer, but I’ve also learned a couple things too: Continue reading →

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