Monday, November 29, 2010

POST THANKSGIVING DAY EDITION

I love the traditional Thanksgiving dinner because it has a lot of my favorites ... mashed potatoes (usually like them creamy, cheesy, buttery or chunky), stuffing (no raisins!), some kind of strawberry jello with cream, yams, cream sweet corn (not a corn-on-the-cob person, too much work), TURKEY with some crispy skin, Honey baked Ham, Hawaiian sweet rolls or the layered flaky rolls, and top it off with a slice of pumpkin pie with whip cream. Those are the things I like and as leftovers it is all good for days! Happy Thanksgiving everyone, hope you had a good one.

Weekly Update:
Kind of a crazy week meeting with a few friends and of course Thursday was Thanksgiving ... I was so sick of food and I did not think I ate that much either. Granted I had two Thanksgiving feasts but kept them both simple and small portions. Yet after the second meal of the day (which they were pretty far apart from each other) I was so stuffed I literally had to go lay down because I couldn't move ... yes I know, I had to move to go lay down but you know what I mean! But it sure was better than the one year many many moons ago that I went to FOUR Thanksgiving "dinners" ... I put it in quotes because one was like a lunch and the last one of the night I only had dessert because I was so freak'n full I couldn't think anymore that day ... I was crazy.

At the movies:
No surprise at the box office as we see a repeat of the crown this past holiday weekend. In at #1 is "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" earns a nice 50.4 million for the weekend and now the film is over the 220 mil cume. New at #2 is Disney's Tangled with a solid 49.1 mil opening (69.1 mil for the weekend with a Wednesday opening). Good hold at #3 is "Megamind" for its 4th week with 12.9 mil. New at #4 is Burlesque with 11.8 mil (17.2 mil for the 5-day). Slight drop to #5 is "Unstoppable" with another 11.8 mil.

New movies that did not make the top 5: We have two this week and neither one is a big surprise with the performance they brought. In at #6 is Love and Other Drugs with only 9.9 mil for its debut (14 mil for the 5-day). Right behind that in #7 is the action film Faster with only 9 mil (12.5 mil for the 5-day) and I guess it describes how quickly the movie will be out of theatres.

Quote of the week:
"The press can hold its magnifying glass up to our problems and illuminate problems heretofore unseen, or it can use its magnifying glass to light ants on fire, and then perhaps host a week of shows on the sudden, unexpected dangerous-flaming-ant epidemic. If we amplify everything, we hear nothing." - Jon Stewart

Other News:
The holidays close on a sad note as both film and comedy suffers a major loss. Comedy legend Leslie Nielsen passed away in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Sunday. The Canadian-born actor died from complications from pneumonia at a hospital near his home early Sunday evening. Best known for his bumbling police detective Lt. Frank Drebin from "The Naked Gun" film series, he has had quiet a career. He has had some series (and memorable) roles such as the sci-fi classic "Forbidden Planet" and the 1972 disaster movie "The Poseidon Adventure" to just name a couple. But one of his best roles was the serious Dr. Rumack on the HIGH-larious (pun intended) "Airplane!" film. A film wish so many quotable one-liners which many came from Leslie's character such as, "I am serious, and don't call me Shirley." If you do not understand the line ... wow, go do yourself a favor and watch the movie! Such a huge loss, a funny guy and philanthropist. I got the chance to meet him once a few years ago and he was a nice guy ... Nielsen was 84.

Facts & Tips:
The square dance is the official dance of the state of Washington.

"I'm not even embarrassed it, and I'm usually embarrassed by everything." - Emma Stone as Amelia in "The Rocker."

posted by McDuck @ 00:30 0 comments

Monday, November 22, 2010

Pre-Thanksgiving Edition

With Thanksgiving comes the start of the holiday sales rush where, let's face it, almost every single retailer out there relies on this short 4 week span to make enough money to last them till the same time next year. But it seems like the day after Thanksgiving (traditionally called 'Black Friday') is starting earlier than normal. The deals are first "leaked" out so people can prepare their shopping days but now some retailers are offering the specials now! So will it become called "Black Week" or "Black November" if this trend continues? Will the deals start as soon as Halloween is over? Some of the deals are pretty crazy that are they actually making any money? I know the point is to get them into the store but if you start offering them online (which is another new trend) then consumers don't need to stop by anything else or see those impulse buys at the cash register. It is a bit ... nutty.

Weekly Update:
Had a semi-eventful week ... let me see ... what did I do? Let me go backwards, on Saturday I did some film shooting for a promo for a TV show in the works and then that same evening I had a meeting with a friend and James Hong on some projects which I guess they want me involved in. Not sure how that happened but it was interesting to be a part of the meeting. Friday I drove James to the Burbank Nickelodeon studios so he can do some looping (recording his voice) for the upcoming animated series, "Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness" as he reprises his role as Po's father, Mr. Ping. That was both fun and funny to watch him do that. Right after that I watched him do some voice over work for this feature he is in that ... well, I don't see it doing very well personally but who knows. Thursday I was back in Santa Monica for a little going away party and caught up with a bunch of friends. I think that was the gist of it that I can remember but right now I am just sleepy!

At the movies:
NO surprise at the box office this weekend as the kids we have watched grow up in movies while learning wizardry take the box office crown by a HUGE margin. At #1 is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I earns an expected 125.1 million for its debut and will no doubt stay #1 for the upcoming holiday break. Slight drop down to #2 is "Megamind" with another 16.2 mil and has just surpassed the 100 mil cume mark. Another drop down to #3 is "Unstoppable" with an additional 13.1 mil and will probably stop soon. Down to #4 is "Due Date" with another 9.2 mil as it struggles to possibly hit 100 mil cume but uncertain as more holiday films release. Rounding out the top 5 is The Next Three Days with only 6.8 for it's debut and looks like it won't see another three days.

Quote of the week:
"Progress might have been alright once, but it has gone on too long." - Ogden Nash

Other News:
Top 5 dirtiest cities in America! This list comes from Forbes.com and its pretty interesting and not surprising at all! This list is based mostly on air quality and the pollution within these cities. Starting at #5: Hanford-Corcoran, CA - No idea where this is but population: 150,000 and has an ozone pollution rank of 6 (not sure what that necessarily means). Cause is due to hundreds of aircraft based at the Naval Air Station in nearby Lemoore ... ok, this is weird because I know where Lemoore is and that is deep inside mid-California and it's a Navy Station?? #4: Visalia-Porterville, CA - Population: 430,000 and ozone pollution rank 3. Not sure as to the cause of the pollution. #3: Fresno-Madera, CA - Population 1.1 million and pollution rank of 4. Too many gas guzzling cars along with a lot of agriculture equipment makes the brown haze over the valley year round! #2: Los Angeles, CA - Population 17.8 million and population rank of 1. Tons of people, cars and everything else. Keep in mind the recorded population of Australia is around 21 million and just the city of LA is 17.8! And the #1 dirtiest city in America is .... Bakersfield, CA - Population of 800,000 and pollution rank of 2. Hot, dusty and surrounded by oil fields which is all in a valley. Considered the worst air in the nation! Way to go California, we're #1, we're #1 ... and 2, 3, 4 and 5!

Facts & Tips:
Pearls dissolve in vinegar.

"Politics is the only thing more boring than blood samples." - James Callis as Dr. Gaius Baltar in the TV series "Battlestar Galactica."

posted by McDuck @ 00:16 1 comments

Monday, November 15, 2010

Hurricane!!! Ok, not really but during the early part of the week it was CRAZY windy outside that it looked like an aftermath from a hurricane ... from what I have seen on TV. Tree branches every where, the pool was filled with them along with a ton of leaves that it is starting to look like a mini swamp but without the greenish-brown water. I'm glad the winds hit before the gardener's came because now it looks much better except for the pool but they come on either Monday or Tuesday. But it sure was insane and I think there are no more loose branches any more for now.

Weekly Update:
Do you realize that Thanksgiving is right around the corner and then when that hits, Christmas will be upon us before we know it?? I am not sure where the time goes but it went by pretty fast. I think what is throwing me off is daylight savings time being in November, after Halloween instead of before which it typically is. I feel like ever since Labor Day Weekend hit the time since then has been non-stop and each week is shorter than the previous one. I can't explain it but something is off kilter for me! But aside from the past week being off for me ... kind of another quiet week which is always good. Had a couple of lunches, went to a charity function and that was really about it ... nice.

At the movies:
Animation stays on top as "Megamind" holds on to the #1 spot for its 2nd week in a row earning an additional 30.1 million as it races to the 100 mil cume mark. New at #2 is Unstoppable with 23.5 mil. Drop down to #3 is "Due Date" with an extra 15.5 mil. In at #4 is Morning Glory with a 5-day opening of 12.2 mil since it had a Wednesday release. New at #5 is the sci-fi action film Skyline with only 11.7 mil in its debut.

Quote of the week:
"A producer is a rare, paradoxical genius: hard-headed, soft-hearted, cautious, reckless, a hopeful innocent in fair weather, a stern pilot in stormy weather, a mathematician who prefers to ignore the laws of mathematics and trust intuition, an idealist, a realist, a practical dreamer, a sophisticated gambler, a state-struck child. That's a producer." - Oscar Hammerstein II

Other News:
Came across an interesting article about the top six things people miss when they live in the big city. When living in the city you get the advantages of more culture like art and many things to do not to mention the scores of social activities and people to meet. There is the hustle and bustle and a blissful anonymity when you are an urbanite ... but you tend to miss some stuff (according to this article) that surround you. The first on the list is "stars" - due to the radiant light that a city gives off, when you look into the night sky you might see a few points of light and the moon. Only the brightest of the stars are visible but out in the less urban areas, the sky is filled with hundreds (if not thousands) points of lights. Living in Southern California you can drive a couple hours out to the desert and see so many beautiful sparks of light in the night sky you forget just where you are. Next on the list is "fresh air" - this is very true because so many cars, trucks, anything emit fumes that it creates that unnatural smog which we call air. Out in the middle of nowhere you can breath and smell the freshness that is clean air. Third is "peace and quiet" - I do think this is subjective to each persons point of view because I have had some noisy nights in the mountains or in the woods which have kept me up. Being in the city can be quiet if your home or dwelling is well insulated. Of course it is not as natural but it can be very quiet and peaceful. Fourth is "greenery"- I think this is subjective too because one can have an acre lot in a city with a huge lawn ... that is pretty green. The small of grass, freshly cut, is a nice scent as well. Fifth on the list is "Sounds of nature" - which seems like a contradiction to the third point of "peace and quiet" but again it depends on what you like. Although I would prefer the sounds of nature over traffic or a siren going off ... or the worst of them all, the never-ending car alarm. Finally on the list is "animals and wildlife" - which is another that is questionable because I have seen some wildlife in rural areas eat family pets or attack smaller kids.

Facts & Tips:
The Mona Lisa has no eyebrows.

"I hear everything. You wrote that the world doesn't need a savior, but every day I hear people crying for one." - Brandon Routh as Superman in "Superman Returns."

posted by McDuck @ 00:40 0 comments

Monday, November 08, 2010

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME EDITION

Did you remember to set your clocks an hour back on Saturday night or Sunday morning? I always say this, I like this particular DST because this is where we get an hour extra to do whatever we want. I usually use it to get an extra hour of sleep or an extra hour to do nothing! This does signify that winter is almost here as it starts to get darker much sooner and stays darker much later in the morning.

Weekly Update:
So mid-week I returned from my mini-vacation and drove a TON. The drive wasn't as nice coming home as it was going there but it was still neat to see some things along the way like a sunset in New Mexico. However, a sunrise in New Mexico was better for some reason. I did stop off at this stand alone gas station that was really nice and oddly enough ... had a classic car museum inside of it. Talk about random things. Now the station was called Russell's and I think it was the name of the exit as well but is there a town called this? No idea but it was close to the border of Texas on the New Mexico side if you happen to be in the area ... check it out if you like classic cars along with an Elvis and Marilyn Monroe theme.

At the movies:
Not a huge surprise at the box office as the animated comedy Megamind took the crown with a 47.7 million opening. Word of mouth is so-so on this film so not sure if it will have the needed legs. New at #2 is the comedy Due Date with 33.5 mil and another film that has a mild temperature word of mouth. At #3 is a film I never heard of called For Colored Girls opening with 20.1 mil. In at #4 is "Red" with an additional 8.9 mil as it continues to hang in there. Big drop down to #5 is "Saw 3D" with another 8.2 mil as it struggles to see a 50 mil cume but may not.

Quote of the week:
"Get all the fools on your side and you can be elected to anything." - Frank Dane

Comment Response:
I haven't see either Paranormal movies but I hear the first one is way better which is generally the case. Hereafter I heard was ok.

Other News:
The other day I came across an interesting article about the top 5 "clunkers" to avoid for 2010. What did not surprise me about the list, they were all American make vehicles! So let's take a look at this list and see if you have any of these cars. These do not seem to be any particular order so first is the Chevrolet Aveo (Subcompact Sedan)- Consumer Reports (CR) rates this as the most dangerous car and least reliable. JD Power (JD) has it as two stars or lower on dependability. I am not sure how many stars JD goes up to but it has to be at least 4 or 5. Next is the Chevrolet Colorado (Pickup Truck) - CR has it as most dangerous truck and JD two stars or lower. Next is the Chrysler Sebring Convertible (Convertible) - CR list it has worst resale value and JD again two stars or less. Fourth in the list is Chrysler Sebring Sedan (Sedan) - CR worst resale value and JD two stars or less. Finally the GMC Canyon (Pickup Truck) - CR list it as most dangerous truck with JD two stars or less. So what does this tell me? Don't buy American, simple as that.

Facts & Tips:
Lemons ripen after you pick them, but oranges do not.

"You know, some people... send flowers, or cards, or... give people hugs. I... make sure their paper work's all in order. I thought I'd try something different." - Jason Bateman as Henry Weston, the Mutant in "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium."

posted by McDuck @ 00:10 0 comments

Monday, November 01, 2010

Post Halloween Edition

Yesterday was Halloween, did you dress up? I don't think I have put on a costume in many many years and the last time I did, it was actual pieces of armor. You could hear me coming a mile away. How about some crazy pumpkin carvings? See any cool ones? I have done that a few times since the fun childhood days because its a creative process. I remember as kids my friend's older brother made one of the old 1980's Battlestar Galatica classic Cylon Centurion and it was pretty awesome. I do not remember if the red eye moved back and forth but I do remember it having one.

Weekly Update:
Did some crazy traveling this past week and drove through several states. One place I did drive though as the sunrise came which was pretty amazing, New Mexico. Seeing the hills and various rock structures as the sun hit them was really nice ... but I didn't stop to get out of the car to take any pictures because it was 27 degrees and I had my shorts and t-shirt on. Hey when I left Cali it was around 80 degrees and that is what we wear!

At the movies:
No surprise here as only one movie opened this past weekend for the Halloween season ... Saw 3D comes in with mediocre numbers at 24.2 million. Holding ground at #2 with only a slight drop is "Paranormal Activity 2" with another 16.5 mil as it surpasses the 50 mil cume. Slight drop to #3 is "Red" with another 10.8 mil as it also hits the 50 mil cume mark. Big drop to #4 is "Jackass 3D" with 8.4 mil more but enough to push it past the 100 mil mark. Rounding off the top 5 is "Hereafter" with another 6.32 mil as it starts to fizzle out.

Quote of the week:
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

Comment Response:
Don't think I am doing either for Halloween than just hanging out and chill'n. Hope the kids had fun, can't wait to see some costume pics.

Other News:
Another light goes out in Hollywood. James MacArthur who is best know as Detective Danny "Danno" Williams from the hit show "Hawaii Five-O" passed away on Thursday in Florida from natural causes. His big claim to fame was really a line delivered from another character (Jack Lord as Detective Steve McGarret) at the end of each episode of the TV series "Hawaii Five-O" as was said, "Book'em, Danno." The show is the longest running crime drama (12 years) and was actually filmed on location in Hawaii. MacArthur actually left the show about a year prior to the final season due to it becoming predictable and bland. Beside the TV show, MacArthur has been in several films including "Swiss Family Robinson," "Hang'Em High" and a US soldier in "Battle of the Bulge" is where I know him more from than anything else. MacArthur was 72.

Facts & Tips:
August has the highest percentage of births.

"You just can't trust anyone over 12." - Robbie Rist as Cousin Oliver in the TV series "The Brady Bunch."

posted by McDuck @ 00:08 1 comments