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First, I saw Memoirs of a Geisha and...well it did a lot to educate the audience about what a geisha really does, and I learned some things too. The plot ended up being pretty cliched girl-meets-boy kind of stuff in the end, but the world it was set in was beautiful and eye-opening, just like I predicted.

Second, I finally saw Mr. and Mrs. Smith and LOVED it - what a fun ride it was. Strange how sometimes I like remakes and sometimes I don't...

This week has been kind of strange in terms of movies being released, so I missed a couple with my last review, and there aren't any new ones coming out today really. So you may have already seen these, but here we go:

Fun with Dick & Jane: a bit short on time and plot, but in the midst of the predictable rise and fall and rise of Dick Harper's finances are some of the most well-conceived hilariously-executed original comedy moments I've seen (although this is a remake...one more for 2005, sigh). Jim Carrey rarely disappoints (well, percentage-wise...he's made so many movies that he's got quite a few stinkers, actually). And David Duchovny's beautiful wife rises to meet his comic genius. None of the rest of the character's are really important to us, but Richard Jenkins gives us some good sad-drunk stuff and Carlos Jacott's recurring "son of a bitch!" strangely never fails to draw laughs. Alec Baldwin is useless and wasted as the evil greedy corporate executive. I'm shocked that an actor with Baldwin's resume couldn't bring some more life to this character but he ends up doing a Bill Clinton impersination the whole time (I guess when you're thinking "scandalized public figure"...). Anyhow it was a good romp for 90 minutes.

Cheaper by the Dozen 2 - I already don't like remakes or pointless sequels. This was a movie based on a movie based on a book, and it only had ONE similarity - there were twelve kids in the family. Everything else was a total departure. I also hate movies with incompetent dads who don't spend enough time with their kids, but that's just a personal thing (I think it has something to do with fear of turning out that way). So making a useless sequel to this movie really has me on edge. I'm not at all happy with Hollywood for doing this repeatedly this year, and this is just another straw on a broken camel's back. Much like beating a dead horse.

King Kong - and yet here's a remake that I'm actually excited about seeing. I'm intrigued by it mainly because I haven't seen the original, and the more I discover about the new one the more I wonder about the old one and the mystery involved in the whole idea. This is one of the great cinematic pieces and I've not yet discovered all it has to offer. So probably the new one will be great fun and pretty faithful but of course I will want to see the old one first. Plus I respect Peter Jackson. Yes I'm a LOTR sucker, what can I say.

The Ringer - this is the second movie I've seen at the end of the year that makes its audience cringe with the apparent exploitation of the physically or mentally handicapped. Johnny Knoxville in the special olympics? So he gets hit in the head with stuff just as often as his co-stars who are only special to him because they are so different. I guess fat actors have gotten over getting cast in parts that need fat people, and plenty of midgets like getting short roles, but is it insulting to an actor to get cast in a role becuase "we need some retards"? If they're cool with it then I'm not gonna get offended on their behalf (but I know about 50% of Americans who will), and it should be a pretty funny movie.

That's all I can stomach for now, folks. Go watch Rudolph, Charlie Brown, and Jimmy Stewart for all your Christmas needs, and have a happy New Year!

I'll recap my Christmas experience more when I get back from seeing my dad's side of the family up in Baltimore this weekend

Peace and popcorn grease!

Country Music and Romantic Comedies

Anyone who knows me well knows that in my attempt to focus on excellence and creativity in the art and literature I enjoy, I have nearly systematically neglected the twangy whiny music and the unbearable chick flicks. Let me tell you, everything they say about women making guys do crazy things is absolutely true. I spent 48 hours this week listening to country music and contemplating the crucial importance of romantic comedies.

See I visited my girlfriend this week. It was the first time in a year that I had seen her. It hasn't been a year that she's been my girlfriend, don't worry. But it was our first "face-time" in the three weeks of our relationship, so we were both looking forward to it. I set out Monday morning at 7 a.m. for the 7.5 hour drive to Hermitage, PA (one of the best cities on the planet). If anyone out there knows the song "Radar Love" by Golden Earring, that is what was running through my mind during the trip.

I arrived at her house at precisely 2:30 and she came out to greet me. After that I think we pretty much spent the next 48 hours hugging each other. We managed to watch three movies together, but I'll talk about those in my movie preview post that's coming next. We also did some shopping, played chess, drank Mocha Frappucinos (a tradition from our college days together), hung out with her family (her dad is hilarious and wise, her sister's adorable but edgy, and her mom is sweet and an amazing cook), and baked cookies together. But I think the predominant percentage of our time was spent hugging. I found another use for one-handed driving (besides cell-phoning and burger-eating). I found out what it's like to be one of "those couples" in the mall (and I LIKED IT). And I discovered why it's ok for a strict "movie buff" like me to go see a movie with no cinematic value at all: it frees up the eyes for returning the star-struck gaze of your sweetheart!

So that's why I appreciate romantic comedies more. As for the country music - it's her favorite, and I'm learning more about her by learning more about her music. I remember when I used to get in our family car after my brother had driven it to visit his girlfriend (only an hour north, the wimp) and it would be on the country station, and I would think how much she had changed him to get him listening to the stuff. Well, Ben, now it's happened to me.

Ok shhh this is a secret don't tell anyone but my girlfriend is ***this section of this blog has been de-published by the author*** So we greatly appreciated seeing the movie posters for this movie, complete with Kate Beckinsale's (obviously enhanced but) enchantingly beautiful blue eyes which fascinated both of us (they were like six inches across on the giant cardboard image).

Anyhow my point is that this relationship is really starting to affect me, and I'm really enjoying noticing the changes it brings. Like eating salad and liking it (bleu cheese dressing is the key). Like having a fashion consultant and actually agreeing with her. Like watching those TV shows 7th Heaven or Gilmore Girls and discovering they're actually good and worthwhile.

Like...like having a girlfriend.

She's got a blog now, folks...right here.
Get to know her, you just might like her.

And if you do, well...hands off.

Fur coats and pine trees

I wish I had a wardrobe. I wish I could see a lamppost in the forest. I want to see Father Christmas and get a Narnian sword. I want to kneel before Aslan and stand in Cair Paravel. I want to taste Lucy's cordial. I want to meet a centaur. I want to go to Narnia where I can live a hundred years and not miss a second of this world.

I have come as close as any of us can. And I am happy.

I must start this week's movie previews off with the strongest possible recommendation for the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. If you have read these books, see this movie. I grew up reading them as a child, and last night's movie literally had me at the edge of tears when it was done. To SEE finally what I had imagined since my younger days, and to see it so beautifully, was an absolutely magical experience for me. I was transported not only to Narnia but to my childhood again. This movie was so powerfully effective I couldn't stop smiling until long after the last credits had rolled. I hope it is as excellent for you.

Movies opening this weekend probably pale in comparison but let's take a look, shall we?

Munich: An interesting take on a somewhat familiar tragedy - rather than spending the whole movie building up to what we already know will happen, this movie gives us the satisfaction of seeing justice taken out after the horrible events at the Munich Olympics. Eric Bana has acted in some good roles but royally failed to impress me yet, especially in the Hulk. But I'll admit that's more due to my missing out than his lack of talent, so I think he'll make this one quite exciting. It will be good for an audience fed tragedy after tragedy by the media to see some full-screen resolution for this one.

Memoirs of a Geisha: Anything involving Asian culture catches my eye. Anything involving Zhang Ziyi catches my eye. As a teacher and Asian culture enthusiast I'm ecstatic for my fellow Americans to have a chance to learn about a facet of Japanese culture that is almost universally misunderstood in the west. My own awareness of cultures other than my own is limited, to be sure, but East is the direction I tend to be facing when I feel the most woe for America's self-centered narrow mindedness. The book is apparently memorable for being the result of one American gaining unprecedented access to the world of the geisha, and writing an eye-opening account of what he found. Hopefully the movie will open a few eyes, as well. And if it doesn't, Zhang Ziyi will. Zhang's costar from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Michelle Yeoh will be by her side again. Ken Watanabe from the Last Samurai is also featured. These are recommendations meant to impress my shallow American readers (aka gaijin). Also a new face (for me) - following a performance in 2046 (an artistic piece by the latest Asian to make a name in American indie theater) we will see the lovely Li Gong here as well. So, Americans, let the geisha's charms entice you into an experience that will enlighten you...

and opening on Christmas day:

The Producers: I am absolutely convinced that this will be a highly successful remake in a year of very questionable ones. The cast is perfectly picked and more importantly terribly enthusiastic about doing excellent work in this tribute to Mel Brooks' Broadway SMASH hit. Uma Thurman unveils luscious beauty that she's been restraining for recent roles, Will Farrell imbues his comedy with respectability by adding impressive singing and dancing, and the lead pair of Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick are unstoppable forces on a laugh track to box office success (how's that for mixing metaphors). As a "movie buff" I would feel bad seeing this one without seeing the original, but that's probably just me. As with most of broadway, there's no reason for you to know the plot before you enter the theater. Not to say the plot isn't the point. It's just not the front-most selling feature of the show. There are so many much more glorious reasons to see this movie. I'm gonna have a tough time deciding this weekend.

And an important weekend it is. I'm driving seven hours on Monday to take my girlfriend on our first date and I've got to pick one of these movies? Or the other Broadway crossover, Rent (one of her favorites). Or King Kong? Or Kiss Kiss Bang Bang which I have been waiting since I recommended it to go and see (though it's probably out of theaters by now). Or possibly we could go watch Chronicles of Narnia together (she almost cried, too)? Too many choices, only one girlfriend...not to say that's not the way I like it ;)

If you see Donna Szabo today, tell her she's stunningly attractive!

My Christmas List

Here's what I want for Christmas. Feel free to not get it for me.

1. Any CD by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
2. Any CD by Cake
3. The Alien Quadrilogy Collector's Edition DVD Boxed Set
4. Radio Alarm Clock
5. Warm Hat
6. Warm Gloves
7. Warm Long Coat (wool)
8. Digital Camera (ask me for a specific one before you waste your money on one that doesn't have the features I want)
9. Cell Phone (after I choose an appropriate plan and a good phone, I'd just want someone to pick up the cost of the really nice phone...I'd cover the monthly bills ;))
10. Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebooks (Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual) - Edition 3.5
11. World of Darkness Core Rulebooks (World of Darkness, Mage: The Awakening, Vampire: The Requiem, and Werewolf: The Forsaken) - Edition 2.0
12. Whatever my girlfriend got me for Christmas (This has already been boughten, don't worry about it)

That about covers it. I know it's a little late. I just have trouble finding specific things to put on the list every year, so this year I wanted to try to write it all down and now I've got 12 things that I can point to and say that I want exactly that. Makes me feel good. Thanks for listening.

Strong emotions

With our whole school I mourn this week the passing of basketball coach and science teacher Randy Cave who succumbed Tuesday afternoon after a rough fight with Burkitt's lymphoma. I will not here spend time extolling the wonderful work that he did with his students and players, as time has already been spent on that for those who needed to hear it.

What I do want to discuss is the guilt that I feel. I knew that Randy was not a Christian. He showed no signs of it in his outward life, and at times seemed resentful towards spiritual topics. And during the whole year last year, I ate lunch with him every day, and never said word one to him about the gospel. I hope that my life was a witness for Christ, but I never had a direct conversation with him about it. I did not go and visit him in the hospital, though I certainly prayed for him (less often than I should have). I did not go and talk to him about what he was thinking and feeling at the end of his life, and what he needed to do about the next life.

At his memorial service, not much was said about where Randy will be spending eternity. The focus was on the things he left behind for this world, and they were indeed worth praising. His care and love for the kids he worked with is something every teacher should emulate. But rather than give me more hope, I felt more hopeless knowing that all of Cave's life was focused on this world. But I don't know how to tell the truth to my fellow teachers in a way that won't be too intensely painful right now like it is for me. I don't want to see the whole school following the false idea that Randy's work as a teacher earned him enough recognition from God to let him into heaven. I want to minister as a result of this event, but I think it is far too soon to be that direct about it. As a result I feel mute, impotent, unable to help those around me the way I want to. I pray that God would take charge of my guilt, my grief, and my love for my fellow teachers and my students, and give me wisdom to know how to handle them all.

Almost in the same breath, I would have to thank God for the other powerful emotional event that he has brought into my life, this one quite positive. I recently renewed my close friendship with Donna Szabo, a Grove City College history/ed. major who I had tutored in Physics a couple years back. On Wednesday, after discussing the above events with her on the phone, I asked her to be my girlfriend and she graciously accepted. We are still riding a bit on the ecstatic emotions of that night, but we are also buckling down to the real work of defining what our relationship will mean, and especially how it will glorify God. I'm hopeful that this will be a powerfully maturing experience for both of us. She is still studying at Grove City and plans to graduate in 2007 after taking a fifth year of courses, finishing with Student Teaching (just like I did!). She has been interested in moving down to Virginia, and hopefully I've just given her one more reason.

I feel really trite announcing this here but if you want to talk about it in more detail I will talk to you personally, no problem. I guess I should post a picture or something. That's her on the left, with her sister who she's just helped get ready for homecoming.

Fiery fandango!

More Jacob Fisher story soon (I've got an unfinished chapter saved as a draft, I promise!) but first

YOUR WEEKEND:

Aeon Flux: If I see a movie this weekend it will be this one, but that's because I'm a comic book movie junky. Even before I knew the title of the movie I knew I was going to love it, and then when I heard the title I realized it was a comic book movie (even though I know nothing of the comic book, I've heard of it) and that just seals the deal. It's almost a compulsion. But it does look like it will bring some really REALLY unique action to the screen. One tick against it for me is that Charlize Theron does not adapt well to the action heroine role like, say, Uma Thurman or Keira Knightley who convince you that they are total butt kicking women because they ARE. Charlize, on the other hand, seriously hurt her neck doing a complicated stunt and now has a "no-stunts" clause in her contracts. Wuss.

The Kid & I: I'm not sure how you do this movie un-offensively, but I think they pulled it off. This millionaire has a son with cerebral palsy who wants to star in a big action movie so the millionaire hires someone to write and star in it, who then has to put up with the challenges of making a movie starring someone with cerebral palsy. And then he learns some really great heartwarming lessons along the way while making all kinds of jokes. So it's not going to be offensive, and it is a bit original, but mostly it's the same kind of emotional play we've been getting...not bad, but not new as far as what it does to our emotions.

That's all that's good this weekend, but I forgot the last couple of weeks to recommend to you - PLEASE go see Harry Potter unless you have read and hated all the books. And Pride and Prejudice. And Walk the Line. Keira Knightley rocks the house in a totally non-action way for the first time, and it's gonna be SO Good. And Walk the Line is about Johnny Cash, which means he will just be totally awesome the whole entire movie and thus the whole movie will be awesome.