Thursday, August 12, 2004 :::

ONLY ONE MORE DAY!!!

That's right...only one more day until serious alien ass-kicking hits the silver screen in one of the most highly anticipated films in the history of the cinema: ALIEN VERSUS PREDATOR. Even if this movie winds up sucking, it will still be impossible for it to not kick ass. Yes, it is true that this movie was helmed by the director of Mortal Kombat Annihilation, but I'm going to have faith that the team that worked on this movie compensated for his shortcomings and, ultimately, that AVP will come to be known as the best Paul W.S. Anderson film ever made. I mean, the way I see it, you've got the two most bad-ass alien species ever created for the screen together in the same movie - at the very least, we can expect some incredible fight sequences. A few of us already know the plot, and it's not a bad one, so as long as the dialogue and acting aren't too corny (and they very well might be), we should be in for a rockin' good time.

Speaking of good times, Frank and I will be going to see the mighty Machine Head this Saturday night at the House of Blues. Should be pretty crazy... - thanks again for the ticket, homesnake.

Speaking of tickets, I've been unable to find the new edition of Predator, which comes with a ticket for AVP, for a reasonable price. Target was sold out, and elsewhere, it's $20.00. Gay.

Speaking of gay, TVs are stupid expensive. All I want is something that's no more than $250 with component inputs and progressive scan. Is that asking too much? If anyone knows of a set that fits those specs, please lemme know.

Speaking of letting me know, if anyone who reads this has an opinion on Silent Hill 2, lemme know. I'm seriously considering picking it up, for I own no horror-genre games for the X-Box.

Speaking of horror, I did pick up Doom 3 for the PC. Haven't played it yet, but once I get back to G-ville, I'm sure I'll be having successive heart-attacks in no time. Does everyone still love it?

Speaking of love, I love Laura :) You're amazing, and the new levels that we reach together in this relationship continue to surprise and enliven me. Thank you for everything...I love you more than I ever thought I could love at all.

So, to repeat: Tomorrow night is Alien Versus Predator. We will most likely be seeing it at Waterford Lakes sometime around 9 or 10. If you're interested, give me a call: 321-229-8718. See you there! AVP, BABY!

::: posted by AJBrotz at 7:40 AM

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Monday, August 02, 2004 :::

Updated the Flavors of the Month links. "Hopes and Fears" from Keane is one of the best records I've heard this year, while "Together We're Heavy" from The Polyphonic Spree is...well...pretty ridiculous. The album often feels like a soundtrack to Sesame Street, which can be uplifting at times, but is usually downright silly. Take this line, for example: "Hail to the sky, hail to the sky! It's time to watch the show, it's time to watch the show! The trees wanna' grow, the trees wanna' grow! Grow grow grow!" Tim DeLaughter's voice is a cross between the sounds of Pink Floyd and Counting Crows, which isn't bad - the problem with the band is that although it consists of 24 members, the compositions are extremely simplistic and similar to one another. You can hardly pick out 10 different sounds, nevermind 24. The choir sounds like little children - cute, but annoying in its excess. I listened to the album a couple times over and decided to change it out for Keane, and as soon as Keane started, it was like a breath of fresh air. Overall, TPS is an interesting novelty, while Keane is a mature, musical force. Travis, U2, Muse, and Radiohead each come to mind throughout the duration of "Hopes and Fears," but the band manages to stand on its own feet. Tracks like "Somewhere Only We Know" and "We Might As Well Be Strangers" completely suck you in and demand control of your emotions. Therein lies the album's strength - the lyrics and melodies go hand in hand and make for distinct moments of elation, contemplation, and somber reflection. Added bonus that results in near-instant credibility: they're Irish. Only $8.99 at Target. Buy it.

Melo's 21st birthday party commences this Saturday night - not sure if I'll be able to make it, though. My aunt's mother passed away last week, and the service is this weekend in Gainesville. I barely knew her, but I know my aunt's immediate family very well, so I may attend. Decisions, decisions... - shall I mourn with my family for a woman that I knew very little of, or shall I party it up with my friends for a woman that I know very well?

I'm not going to get into my thoughts on The Village - you already know that it disappointed the shit out of me. I can sum up my opinion with a few quotes from critics that are cited on the Rotten Tomatoes website:
"Every village needs an idiot - and M. Night Shyamalan is hoping it's you."
- this refers to people who were actually surprised by the not-so-surprising (and not at all satisfying) ending.
"The film has a strong, sometimes jolting musical score. But the song that will go through many viewers' minds is never sung in the movie. It's that old Peggy Lee standard, "Is That All There Is?""
- self-explanatory and completely true.
"I see a dead movie...Though it's designed as one of Shyamalan's trademark puzzlers, the only real surprise is how stilted and hokey it is."
- corny dialogue, tired story (The Truman Show, for example, used a similar concept and achieved a more effective result), too much space taken up by moments of nothingness.
"As a failure, The Village is certainly interesting, but a failure it stubbornly remains."
- I still find myself thinking about the film, and the afterthoughts sometimes bring up a desire for me to say "It wasn't that bad," but then I look at the big picture, remember how I felt during the film, and restate the fact that it was that bad.
Simply put, The Village could have been good if it had simply been the love story that it started out to be, but Shyamalan's inability to resist plot twists - this twist hardly shocking, significant, or even a true twist, since it is blatantly hinted at before the climax - distracts us with noise and nonsense, and irreparably severs any emotional attachment that the film had previously established with its audience. Shame on Shyamalan...shame shame shame.

Well, I suppose that critique was inevitable.

Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. One of the best films I've seen this year. Hilarious social commentary throughout. The fact that an asian and a south american were cast as the lead roles is interesting enough. The film does not disappoint in any way, and will join my collection of DVDs the day it is released. Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser M.D.) is unbelievable in this movie. Go see it right now. Oh, one more thing: "Vagina McGeinstein." Priceless.

That's all for now. Do what I told you. I hope to see everyone Saturday...
"Thank you, come again."

::: posted by AJBrotz at 9:20 AM

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