The Hook: Super, scary creatures hunting and being hunted in the dark. (Aliens wannabe, part seventeen…)

The Score: D

The Thoughts:

Man, I wanted to like this movie, I really did. The previews didn’t look that bad, and I was happy to see Christian Slater get top billing in a movie again (what was his last one? “Hard Rain”? That was a long, long time ago…) Unfortunately, this is NOT the comeback vehice he should’ve hopped onto.

The special effects were great, top notch, for the most part. But FX don’t make the movie, as Anacondas and Resident Evil 2 can attest to. When you have bad dialogue, sad acting (a pretty but vapid Tara Reid) and illogical action sequences, you have one sticky mess on your hands.

On one hand, I applaud myself for seeing a movie on my own volition WITHOUT consulting the reviews at RottenTomatoes.com. On the other, I could’ve saved that $8.50 to put toward something more worthy (Assault on Precinct 13, perhaps…)

You live, you learn, and by all means, avoid “the Dark..”

This is, without question, the most disturbing fortune I’ve EVER

found inside a cookie…

Like the majority of my CD discoveries, I found this one at CDBaby.com. (If you haven’t visited CDBaby yet, you should. Independent music has never been so readily available or plentiful. And GOOD!! It still amazes me what get promoted and radio play on today’s pop stations…) Enough with the plug – go visit and you’ll see what I’m talking about…

So, I stumbled across Williamson, and was quite pleased by the description and sound samples. Instrumental guitar pop with numerous loops and noodlings… (my words, not his). I had to give it a try.

THEN, I ran across his album at eMusic.com, where I was subscribing to a trial membership (40 mp3 downloads a month, only $9.99. That’s about 25 cents a song, compared to iTunes 99 cents…) So I downloaded the album in one fell swoop. Just like a hawk on a hamster… SWOOOP!!!!! It Was Mine.

Needless to say, I like it. A lot. While some of the songs sound a like, and occasionally the layered loops are a bit on the overkill side of things, for the most part he’s collected an enjoyable set of background songs. Songs that are fun and enjoyable, but don’t require your full attention to love ‘em.

He’ll be having another album out in 2005, as I understand it, and I’m eagerly looking forward to it. While I hope he backs off a bit on the overkill factor, I’m not going to nitpick. I’d rather take a clone of “Some Things…” than none at all.

Intrigued? Curious? Go visit his site for some sounds and form your own opinions, hey?

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/williamson

Kyler’s a sick kid these days. Not miserable sick, but snotty and a cough-a-holic. Poor kid. We’re dowsing him with orange juice and water and the occasional Zinc Wax (otherwise known as Zicam’s “Strawberry” Chews.) He’ll be better in a few days, but he’s going crazy being housebound, unable to go out and play with the other chillin’s. (Or perhaps I’m just projecting my own house arrest feelings onto him…)

Thankfully we have a few Winnie the Pooh videos to help pass the time. I can stand Winnie. He and Piglet are good pals, and the rest of the posse isn’t too annoying, either. (Crud, listen to me… philosophizing about my kid’s cartoons… I’ve been in this job for too long…)

I think that’s all. Just wanted to give a quick update. I’ll write more… I promise… (snicker…)…

Kevin

Poor little soldier dude. Hardly had a chance, really. One moment, he’s levitating across the mall for all the world to see, and the next – some psychotic Snowman dive bombs him!! Splat!! I’ve never seen so much slush in my life!! Thankfully, I had my nifty Sony Clie on hand to capture the Kodak moment as it unfolded. Let this be a warning to everyone… watch your back… here there be Snowmen.

The naked face look could only be withstood for so long. Now it’s onto
bigger and better things… never tried the beard without the head hair
before… Looks kinda freaky, I think, but not nearly as freaky as
Kevin With No Hair (see below).

The Hook: A comedy/adventure aimed to skew political and entertainment figures. (Including, but not limited to, Michael Moore of “Farenheit 9/11″ fame…)

The Score: B-

The Thoughts:

From the makers of South Park, which I’ll admit I’m not a fan, I pretty much knew what to expect with this movie. Jib jabs at anyone and everyone, immaturity, juvenile humor, etc. So none of the purile jokes surprised me, really. I WAS, however, surprised by the incredible job the creators did, considering they were working entirely with puppets. Who knew a puppet could show so many different emotions?!? Steven Seagal, watch your back!

While it was funny in a number of parts, especially the songs, there were also quite a few scenes which I just had to turn my head and grimace out of embarassment. And when you do THAT, my friend, you just know you’re not gonna be recommending this movie to anyone, under any circumstances. I mean, a nude (and explicit) puppet love-making scene?!? Holy Geppeddo, people!! Was that REALLY necessary!! Crud…

As I was cleaning out the attic recently, I ran across this photo of
JBU, the way it looked back when Kim and I were there (’91-’95). I wish
I had a current photo compare this one to, because anyone who’s visited
the campus in the past decade can attest to the incredibly changes that
have taken place. But for now, here’s a nice stroll down memory lane.
(I also have a super-detailed 200dpi version, for those of you who know
what that means and who have the broadband capable of downloading it…)