Duckburg Gazette

Last Tuesday was the swearing in of the 44th United States President, Barak H. Obama. It was an historic day in our history as the first African-American takes charge of the most powerful nation on Earth. The grounds were covered with over 2 million people as they watched VP Biden and President-Elect Obama take their oaths that cold East Coast mid-day. Obama's post-speech was good but not AMAZING. He is very well spoken and that in itself is already a step in a positive direction. I feel and hope good times ahead of us as we now sit in one of our darkest hours. He has a tremendous task ahead of him, we all do as Americans. People already attack him and his actions, they were attacking him before he started the job ... give him a chance. The course ahead for all of us is nothing but uphill and patience.

Weekly Update:
It's funny, even though this past work week was a day shorter due to the Monday holiday ... it sure felt like a normal work week, five days and all. It also got plenty hot at the start but then we shifted pretty fast into the rain and semi-cold. I think this upcoming week is suppose to be sunny and also the temps climbing back up into the cool-summer degrees. It was nice having the rain and chill for a very short bit (probably only lasted 3 days), it felt like winter there ... but not anymore.

At the movies:
Interesting weekend this time around as "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" was able to hold on to the #1 spot with an additional 21.5 million. New at #2 is the third installment of the "Underworld" series with Underworld: Rise of The Lycans with 20.7 mil, just shy of taking #1 but I guess it doesn't matter too much since both of the top two films are from the same studio (Sony). Popping up to #3 is "Gran Torino" with 16 mil and interesting it's in the top 3 after being snubbed for any Oscars. Holding ground at #4 is "Hotel for Dogs" with another 12.4 mil. Rounding off the top 5 is Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominated "Slumdog Millionaire" with 10.6 mil.

New movies that did not make the top 5: Just one this week as the family action-adventure story of Inkheart showing up at #7 and earning 7.7 mil.

Quote of the Week:
"In my heart I know you didn't come here just for me, you came here because you believe in what this country can be. In the face of war, you believe there can be peace. In the face of despair, you believe there can be hope. In the face of politics that's shut you out, that's told you to settle, that's divided us for too long, you believe we can be one people, reaching for what's possible, building that more perfect union." - Barak Obama

Other News:
Happy Chinese New Year ..? I have no idea what day it is or when it is because it varies from year-to-year. It also varies not from a day or two, or even a week but from a month apart it seems. I felt like one year it took place in March, another year in February and I think this year it's in January but not to say March, Feb and January in a row. I do know that practically the whole of China shuts down for a week or two in celebration (which is pretty cool) and lots of firecrackers go off (so I like to believe). This is the year of the Ox ... what does that mean you ask? Well, it's obvious what it means ... the OX gets a year for itself! I have no idea what it means but what is interesting is that your astrological sign in the Chinese calendar is based on what year you were born where as the Western signs are based on what month. It is kind of fun if you believe in that stuff and I think the Chinese signs tell you what kind of person you are rather than what your future holds.

Facts & Tips:
You blink over 10,000,000 times a year.

"God bless the Internet." - Eddie Kaye Thomas as Paul Finch in "American Pie."

It's that time of year again when we celebrate, remember and recognize a great man and pioneer in US History. Dr. King's vision of our future seems like it is finally coming to light although we still have a very long way to go. Tomorrow will start a new era in US History as the new President Elect is sworn in.

Weekly Update:
Kind of a slow week last week but that is fine by me. The heat sure picked up again and doesn't look like it will cool down anytime soon. I hear the rest of the country is getting hit hard with bad weather, especially the NorthEast where the temperatures are so slow they could kill if not properly prepared for it. And here I am in my t-shirt and shorts with the windows open ... give me some rain at least for a bit. Besides that, I should have my "Worst of and Best of 2008" out this week so to the handful of loyal readers, be on the look out for it. Should be fun to check out.

At the movies:
Semi-Funny takes the box office crown this holiday weekend as Paul Blart: Mall Cop earns a big 39 million for the 4-days. In at a very close #2 is "Gran Torino" with an additional 26.2 mil. New at #3 is the thriller My Bloody Valentine 3D with 24.2 mil. This title is a bit incorrect because apparently there were more standard 2D screens than 3D screens out there with this film. Not sure if it could have done better or not if the screens were out there. New at a close #4 spot is Notorious with 24 mil. Rounding off the top 5 is the family film Hotel For Dogs with 22.5 mil to open.

Quote of the week:
"Am I the only one who finds it strange that our government so often adopts a so-called solution that has absolutely nothing to do with the problem it is supposed to address?" - Al Gore

I have not seen "Gran Torino" but my friends say its "ok" and nothing to special. A few too slow moments but its a good movie, just not great.

Other News:
Two very sad moments this past week as two film/TV legends pass away. The first is Patrick McGoohan of "The Prisoner" fame died on Tuesday after a short illness. The name might not sound familiar but I remember him best as his role of King Edward Longshanks in the 1995 film "Braveheart" with Mel Gibson. McGoohan was only 80. On Wednesday morning, another great Film and TV actor died in his home. Mexican-born actor Ricardo Montalban of TV's "Fantasy Island" fame died with no given cause of death. Montalban was best known for two roles in my book; first being Mr. Roarke from the wish-fulling show "Fantasy Island" and as the genius villain Khan from both the Star Trek TV show and "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." I often imitate William Shatner's words from that film when in moments of angst screaming, "KHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaann!" Ricardo was only 88. These two great talents will be missed deeply.

Facts & Tips:
Penguins have an organ above their eyes that converts seawater to fresh water.

"Fighter planes are no place for little boys." - Richard Hatch as Captain Apollo in the TV Movie "Battlestar Galactica."

Weekly Update:
This past week was kind of a boring week in general for me. Nothing exciting really and it was also the first full normal week since the last 3 or 4 were kind of off for me with the holidays and the light traveling I did. Funny thing, everyday over the past 3 to 4 weeks, at some point in the day or early evening I always took a nap. Never on purpose but I would go lay down somewhere and maybe watch TV or just to lay down ... then BAM, zzzzzzz. I would wake up anywhere from 1 to 3 hours later! I guess part of all the naps was the lack of sleep I normally get during the work week but man, this past week sure was draining not having a nap of some kind. Sooooo strange for me. I am not a nap type person to begin with.

At the movies:
A slight surprise this week at the #1 film is "Gran Torino" which had its opening several weeks ago but just hit this weekend for national wide release. It takes the crown with a nice 29 million opening. Coming in at #2 is the rom-com Bride Wars with 21.5 mil. Nice opening for this time of year. New at #3 is The Unborn with 21.1 mil, just missing the #2 spot. Dropping down to #4 is "Marley & Me" with an extra 11.4 mil. Rounding off the top 5 is "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" earning another 9.5 mil as it makes its way to the 100 mil mark.

New movies that did not make the top 5: Just one this week as Not Easily Broken shows up at #9 with 5.6 mil however the release pattern was under 1,000 runs.

Quote of the week:
"I don't spend a lot of time really worrying about short-term history. I guess I don't worry about long-term history, either, since I'm not going to be around to read it." - George W. Bush

Comment Response:
NOPE, have not seen "Twilight" but its a chick-flick!!! As for the Travolta's, I met them at a party once and they were very cool people. They had their daughter with them to and she seemed very level-headed and "together" for being at a party with nothing but adults.

Other News:
A little disappointment this past Sunday evening as the annual Golden Globe Awards took place. The big winners of the night were both "Slumdog Millionare" and "The Wrestler" of which both are Fox Searchlight. Sad that neither "Doubt" or "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" took home any accolades for both were better movies than "Slumdog Millionare" in my opinion. On a happier note, one of my favorite shows won awards for Best TV Series (Musical or Comedy) for 30 Rock. Also, Tina Fey (Best Actress in TV- Musical or Comedy) and Alec Bladwin (Best Actor in TV- Musical or Comedy) picked up additional wins for "30 Rock" which I can not stress enough how it is such a smart and funny show. The night had some upsets and had some well deserved wins, just wish the movie side was more balanced but, it isn't the Oscars.

Facts & Tips:
The Statue of Liberty wears a size 879 sandal.

"Let's get ready to rumble!" - Michael Buffer as himself in the film "Ready 2 Rumble."

Weekly Update:
I do like having these long weekends so close together. I caught up on a LOT of sleep and I also caught up on a few movies that I kept missing. I watched "Kung-Fu Panda" which was really fun and I actually watched "Mamma Mia!" which I found fun but not great. There were a few other movies mixed in there and I know I still have many more that I missed over the past year but ... what can you do. This year both Christmas and New Years Day both fall on a Friday so I bet that will feel a bit more normal for a weekend ... that is a bummer but it should still be fun I hope! I did enjoy all the lazy days I was able to take ... now, back to your regularly scheduled program.

At the movies:
The pooch still holds the box office crown this week as "Marley & Me" paws the #1 spot with another 24 million for the holiday weekend. Good number with a very low drop from the previous week however, nothing new opened this past weekend to give it any competition. Also hanging in to #2 and with even a lower drop percentage is "Bedtime Stories" with another 20.3 mil. At #3 is "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" earning another 18.4 mil. Hanging in at #4 is "Valkyrie" with 14 mil more and it might actually break 100 mil when its said and done! Rounding off the top 5 is "Yes Man" with 13.9 mil.

Quote of the week:
"Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that power to work is a blessing, that love of work is success." - David O. McKay

Other News:
It sure has been an eventful first week of the new year and what better way to chime it in is with war. Israel invades the Gaza Strip, John Travolta's only son dies and everyone is waiting till January 2oth hits to swear in our next President. Interesting times we are leaving behind and even more interesting times approach us. There has been no secret or real peace within the Gaza Strip area and the inevitable seems to have happened. With constant attacks from Hamas, a very vocal and very violent terrorist group, I guess they broke the proverbial back of the camel. Israeli troops backed by tanks and air support fought against militants on Sunday of what seemed to be an overwhelming ground offensive. I do have to say that the Israeli Merkava Main Battle Tank is one of the most impressive combat vehicles out there and mixed with their experience and air superiority ... I do not see how Hamas has a chance face-to-face. On the flip side, John Travolta's 16-year-old son died after an accident hitting his head on either a bathtub or toilet seat ... or both. Such an unfortunate event to happen to such two incredible parents.

Facts & Tips:
Brain waves can be used to power an electric train.

"I've been thinking of a Rumarie theme for the mess hall next week. Lots of high-fat, greasy foods, and if people want to take off their clothes and chase one another... Well, it certainly wouldn't hurt morale around here." - Ethan Phillips as Neelix in the TV series "Star Trek: Voyager."