I really do not understand the kinds of people who must walk in the middle of the parking lot street and block cars from driving by them when they can move just 3 feet left or right along the back of the cars. Hey if a car is going to hit them while backing up, it doesn't matter how close or far they are. And another type of person I can't understand are the ones in the right lane and feel the need to swerve a bit left to make a right hand turn ... why?? Is that extra 5 inches of the swerve going to make your turn easier or better? NO! The only reason for that is if the corner was too high and you don't know how to make a right turn. Both incidents of near misses happen to me on Saturday, slow people and who think they own the road and those who can't turn right in a right hand lane. We need a walking police for parking lots or something because this is just stupid.
Weekly Update:
This past week was pretty interesting. First started quiet but then on Wednesday I had to pick up James for a super early call time, 6:30 AM which means I had to be at his house by 5:45 AM which means I had to be up and out by 4:30 AM. To say the least I was pretty dang tired that day but it was also really fun. We were on the set for the Comedy Central Show Key and Peele and I have to say it is a funny skit comedy show. Plus, the two guys are incredibly nice! But while there managed to snap some shots:
*Jordan Peele - AWESOME guy!
*Keegan Michael Key - such an incredible person!
*Ian Roberts - one of the executive producers of the show but you may know him best as Mr "Jazz Hands" from "Bring it On," great guy too!
Then on Saturday I spent most of the day hanging out at my local comic book shop as they were hosting a pre-sale event for a card game I use to play back in 1993!!! I was an original player and the game continues today 20 years later ... is that insane? The event was pretty cool and interesting, I know I couldn't get back into since it has changed too much (in terms of cards and rules).
At the movies:
A little lackluster at the box office this weekend compared to last. But leading the way is the new action film Pain & Gain with an opening of 20 million. Drop to #2 is "Oblivion" earning an extra 17.4 mil with a cume of 64.7 as it tries to make the 100 mil mark. Slight drop to #3 is "42" with an extra 10.7 mil as it also struggles to reach the 100 mil cume mark. New at #4 is the comedy The Big Wedding with an all star cast just bringing in 7.5 mil which has to be both disappointing and expected. Sometimes you know what it will do but you hope it will be better than what you think. Rounding off the top 5 is "The Croods" with 6.6 mil as it keeps pushing to 200 mil cume but will likely fall short by 10 to 15 mil.
Quote of the week:
"There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right in America." - Bill Clinton
Other News:
Another list!! This is a pretty good one, top 10 movie music scores that were snubbed by the Oscars. From the top, #10) Gettysburg (1993) by Randy Edelman - I do not remember the movie that much let alone the score. I feel like around that time period or give-or-take 3 years we saw a lot of TV drama and other stuff associated with the Civil War. #9) Psycho (1960) by Bernard Herrmann - I disagree with this one as the score was electrifying but not really Oscar worthy for me. #8) King Kong (1933) by Max Steiner - totally disagree with this one as I found the movie, creature and music unlikeable but that is just me of course. #7) Ivan the Terrible (1944) by Sergei Prokofiev - This one is just OK but again, not a big Oscar worthy score in my opinion. #6) The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966 - Pictured) by Ennio Morricone - BIG miss on this one, it should have been not only nominated but won. What an amazing piece!! #5) The Great Escape (1963) by Elmer Bernstein - Yet another big miss as this should have been both nominated and won. What an amazing piece with a jovial spirit, working beat and a bit of action mixed in. I can listen to this one all day just about. #4) Quigly Down Under (1990) by Basil Poledouris - sounds too much like the film "the Sting" or the same spirit with a western flair, the movie was OK but the song, pass. #3) The Ten Commandments (1956) by Elmer Bernstein -Yet another great piece by Bernstein with HUGE dramatic tones ... it just sounds epic! #2) Krull (1983) by James Horner - Krull? Really? #1) Conan the Barbarian (1982) by Basil Poledouris - I agree this should be in the top 10 of this list but #1? That not so sure of but nonetheless another epic one.
Facts & Tips:
A one-day weather forecast requires about 10 billion math calculations.
"It was the year of rebirth," - Patricia Tallman as Lyta Alexander
in the TV series "Babylon 5."
People ... when you are walking in a parking lot, do not walk in the middle of the road, pick a farking side!!! Twice in one day and once on the day after, I was driving around and had to park but people decided to jus stroll around like they were in a nice green park with a lake strolling around. When I go to and from my car, I will walk along the the back of the vehicles so I am not blocking traffic. I am not sure what pedestrian laws apply for a parking lot, I know they have right-of-way at a cross walk but at least have the common curiosity!
Weekly Update:
What a week! This was the week of the annual trip to Vegas for the 3rd Annual CinemaCon (previously known as ShoWest the prior 10 years). Being up late and getting up early ... never a dull moment. I didn't get to see many panels or screenings but got to enjoy seeing a lot of old friends and making a few new ones. But while at the convention I managed to sneak some picks with some folks:
*Asa Butterfield - from "Hugo" to the upcoming "Ender's Game" and a really bright kid.
*Hailee Steinfeld - from "True Grit" remake and very sweet.
*Joseph Gordon-Levitt - from "Inception" to the latest Batman movie AND "3rd Rock from the Sun," awesome guy.
*Morgan Freeman - yes, the legend himself ... need I say more? Funny guy!
*Armie Hammer - from "The Social Network" to being the Lone Ranger this summer and a cool guy to boot.
*Elizabeth Banks - "Hunger Games" and coming soon "Catching Fire" and very beautiful.
*Vince Vaughn - "Wedding Crashers," "Old School" and many more ... tall!
*Melissa McCarthy - "Bridesmaids" to "Identity Thief" and very awesome.
*Sam Raimi - Director of all three of the original Spider-Man movies and a nice guy.
*Clark Gregg - From "Iron Man" to "Avengers" and a great guy!
*Aubrey Plaza - From "Scott Pilgrim Vs the World" and super sweet!
*Zachary Gordon - From the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series of movies and a really great kid.
Then the weekend came with lots of animals as I spent part of it at the OC Fairgrounds for the Super Pet Expo helping out German Shepherd Safe Haven and their many wonderful shepherds. This is an annual event and always pretty big however the space this year seemed smaller but there was also a lot of construction going on for part of the grounds, perhaps in preparation for the big OC County Fair later this summer. The weather was really good too so didn't need a jacket and was not hot or warm either day I was there. Toward the end though it got a little windy and cold but it was OK since it was tear down the booth time and packing things up.
At the movies:
No big surprise as America's favorite crazy person but popular actor, Tom Cruise takes the win with his post-apocalyptic planet Earth film Oblivion earning a nice 38.2 million during this slow time of the year. Slight drop to #2 is the baseball film "42" with another 18 mil as it passes the 50 mil cume and hopefully will reach 100 mil when it's all said and done. Still going strong at #3 is family film "The Croods" with an additional 9.5 mil. Dropping down to #4 is "Scary Movie 5" with 6.3 mil as it quickly fades away. Rounding off the top 5 is "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" with an extra 5.8 mil more as it passes the 100 mil cume mark with ease.
Quote of the week:
"A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle." - Benjamin Franklin
Other News:
Five big retailers who will be gone with
in 5 years. Interesting list but at the same time, not surprising at all. Starting from the bottom up: #5) Barnes and Noble: I like them but I can see why they will fade as anything on paper is quickly disappearing. I hope they are able to do it right online and maintain stores but in a reduced size since right now they are TOO big to survive. #4) Radio Shack: They tried to re-brand the name to The Shack and changed their logo but they are still overpriced electronics and cheaply made merchandise. Just go away already. #3) Sears: These guys have been on the chopping block for a long time and they were a legacy that couldn't keep up with the times. #2) Staples: Surprising they are on the list and so high at that. They have an OK online presence but going to their stores are fine. I am more surprised that Office Depot and Office Max are still around. #1) JC Penny (pictured): After an unsuccessful re-branding and sales campaign, the mega giant all purpose store is on its last legs and rightfully so.
Facts & Tips:
Americans, on average, eat 18 acres of pizza a day.
"Do you know where I can find a great job?" - Debby Ryan as Jessie Prescott in the TV series "Jessie."
Winter? Yeah, has been feeling like that for most of the week. We had a couple of days of high 70's but the rest of the week is mid-60's and the nights about 10 degrees cooler. The weekend saw some cloudy weather with a bit of a drizzle but this isn't our typical spring as it should be winter. I hear the East Coast is getting hit with 2 feet of snow for the most part. What is that about? Well, I don't mind this, just wish it was earlier and that we had more rain to help keep us moist and supply of water better than it could be right now since we are always in a perpetual drought.
Weekly Update:
Another semi-quiet week which was nice but this coming week will be pretty dang busy from Tuesday through the weekend. But I had a couple of meetings, nothing major but then on Saturday I took some friends to Frank & Sons to meet Stan Lee since he was there signing autographs. Frank & Sons ... it is only open two days a week, every Wednesday and Saturday and basically what it is, an indoor collectible swap meet. From comic books to figurines to buttons and pins, people have their booths and sell their stuff. I've been a few times in the past and the prices were good then but now these days with the success of the movies based on comic books, they are pretty inflated. One can still haggle it down but you shouldn't really have too all the time. The prices is what usually gets one interested but if they are too high, you keep walking by. No more real bargains there.
At the movies:
As the baseball season is underway, so are the movies of similar tastes. Hitting a home run at #1 is the story of Jackie Robinson, the first pro African-American baseball player called 42 after his jersey number coming with 27.3 million. Funny at #2 as Scary Movie 5 brings in 15.2 mil. Holding ground at #3 is "The Croods" with another 13.2 mil as it quickly approaches 150 mil cume. Slight drop to #4 is "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" with 10.8 mil as it passes the 100 mil mark. Rounding off the top 5 is "Evil Dead" with a sizable drop and earning 9.5 mil as it will quickly sizzle trying to reach 50 mil cume.
Quote of the week:
"A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle." - Benjamin Franklin
Other News:
A double whamie this week as Hollywood loses two legends who join the real stars high above us. The first is veteran comedian and actor Jonathan Winters who passed on Friday. He made so many laugh with his baby face and expressive cheeks. I think my first time seeing him on TV was on the show "Mork and Mindy" as their son Mearth because from Ork, where Mork is from, they are born old and age backwards. He has been in many classic films such as "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World," "Moon Over Parador" and recently the voice of Papa Smurf on "The Smurfs." He was 87.
The second one this week was from Monday of last week. Singer and one of the original Disney "Mouseketeers," Annette Funicello, passed away from MS. She was an amazing talent and her credits include "Babes in Toyland," the original "The Shaggy Dog" and the classic "Beach Blanket Bingo." My fondest memory was when I was a small boy, maybe around 10 years old on an Hawaiian Princess cruise ship. I was wondering the ship during the day, nothing going on and nothing to do ... I think most people were on shore excursions but I happened to stroll into the performance hall and saw someone rehearsing a song with the band. So I quietly walked in, sat at one of the chairs along the dance floor and just watched them. The singer noticed me and started to come over and sing to me for the rest of rehearsal. Later, as in years later, I realized it was Annette. Something I will never forgot. She was 70.
Facts & Tips:
Eleven of the 50 U.S. states are named after an actual person.
"You're history." - Adrian Paul as Duncan MacLeod in the TV series "Highlander."
I find it handy to have the program Shazam ready to go while I am driving! So when going about I listen to a lot of music and sometimes I want to know what I am listening too. Shazam is great because it hears a few beats and then tells you the name of the song and who sings it. I say I should have it handy because when I come across a tune, I have to unlock my phone, find the program, activate it and hopefully it doesn't require an update! Sometimes the radio station will have it on their feed who the band is and the song but not always and there are areas on the road it doesn't get that signal information. Shazam is quiet handy and just have to give myself a mental note to have it up before I start my drive. I recommend this app to anyone with a smart phone. There may be others out there but this seems to be the best one available ... for free!
Weekly Update:
This past week was pretty quiet for me. Did not do too much except a couple of fun dinners with friends here and there. I wish most weeks were like this one but I guess you can't pick them like that and they just happen. Did get to see an friend from out of town which was nice, twice in fact before they returned home. Aside from that, not a whole lot to say ... nice? Well, times like these you have to savor because it can get so crazy on a turn of the dime ... is that even the right expression?! I guess one thing did happen, I saw a dog wondering the streets late one night as I was coming home. I tried to find it and did but it didn't come to me but instead, when the light at the cross walk turned red for people to cross, it went across the street! How did it know?! It wandered into a residential area where I then lost track of it but I hope he/she is safe and made it home. Made me realize though I need to keep treats and a leash in my car just in case.
At the movies:
Horror is back for the holiday week as the reboot of a franchise returns ... in at #1 is Evil Dead with a nice 26 million and producer Bruce Campbell at the helm leading the charge however not in this version. Slight drop to #2 is "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" with another 21.1 mil as it quickly approaches 100 mil domestic cume. Still holding ground at #3 is "The Croods" with 21.1 mil as well and passing the 100 mil cume mark with 125.8 mil so far. Re-issue at #4 as the 3D version of "Jurassic Park" earns a nice 18.3 mil which is almost pure profit for the studio. Rounding off the top 5 is "Olympus Has Fallen" gaining another 10 mil to close out the weekend.
Quote of the week:
"It's amazing that the amount of news that happens in the world every day always just exactly fits the newspaper." - Jerry Seinfeld
Other News:
Legendary film critic Roger Ebert passed away this week. After a long fight with cancer and thinking it was in remission, it came back recently and Ebert posted that he was taking a "leave of presence" the day before he passed. His leave was more than likely due to the cancer returning and he didn't want to completely disappear, just write much less than what he was doing currently. Pulitzer Prize winning writer, he started his career at the Chicago Sun-Times 46 years ago and went on to do a TV review show with colleague Gene Siskel who passed back in 1999 due to complications with surgery. The show continued and the thumbs up and down became the standard and guide for all future reviewers. Many would argue that movies are review proof or they word didn't carry any weight but it does. They offered more than insight but reasons and years of expertise to support it. Of course no one is 100% correct but their influence still carried. The balcony is now closed and the legend is watching movies with his old friend Gene once again. Roger was 70.
Facts & Tips:
The peach was the first fruit to be eaten on the moon.
"Every time I bring a girl over, you try to eat her! It's not fair!" - Matt Lanter as Edward Sullen in "Vampires Suck."
APRIL FOOLS EDITION
This is no joke! Get it?? No? never mind ... but today is April 1st and of course comes the foolishness that surrounds this day. How did it start? Does it really matter? I support foolishness as long as it doesn't get out of hand and it is funny. Pranks, jokes, zingers ... they are all good as long as its tasteful, funny and safe! Everyday should be foolishness day! Except the big food holidays, those are NO joke! But we need more levity in the world.
Weekly Update:
WONDERCON!!! This weekend was the pre-cursor to San Diego Comic-Con called WonderCon and for the 2nd year in a row held at the Anaheim Convention Center so it was just one city away from me. I only attended the Friday because I heard Saturday was just simply insane being sold out. The Con compared to last year was much better attended and they even doubled the size from last year. However word on the street is that this is the last year it will be in Anaheim because it should be returning to San Francisco since the remodel of the facility will be completed (previously it was thought it would be done by last year). I enjoy having this convention so close and going for a day but oh well, if it moves back I may still go again if I can get my free badge. This year is also the anniversary of Superman so there was quite of bit of themed stuff leaning in that direction. But while there I did meet one of the original "Stargate" cast members:
*Alexis Cruz - From the original movie and returned to the TV show to replay his character Skaara. Great guy!
At the movies:
Not to many surprises at the box office this weekend as the sequel leads the box office ... G.I. Joe: Retaliation comes on strong with a nice 51.7 million 5-day opening (started on a Wednesday). I believe worldwide this film has already crossed the 100 mil cume mark plus some change! Holding ground at #2 is "The Croods" with another 26.5 mil as it makes its way to 100 mil very soon. New at #3 is Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor earning not only 22.3 mil at the box office but also having one of the longest movie title names! Also holding ground at #4 is "Olympus Has Fallen" with 14 mil more. Rounding off the top 5 in its 4th week is "Oz: The Great and Powerful" with another 11.6 mil and JUST shy of 200 mil cume!
New movies that did not make the top 5:
Just one this week as the disappointing The Host comes in at #6 with only 11 mil for its debut. I guess the famed author of the "Twilight" series wasn't able to strike gold again in this new series of books of aliens instead of vampires.
Quote of the week:
"If you can't be a good example then you'll just have to be a terrible warning." - Catherine Aird
Other News:
Sad week for me when I learned mid-week that a friend passed away from cancer. Writer and friend Don Payne passed after fighting cancer over the past few years. I saw him about a year ago and he looked OK, walking with a cane but he kept a low profile about his condition. It's time like these you wish you kept in closer contact or simply drop an e-mail or phone call to say hi. Don was such a great guy and has three lovely boys. I first met Don about 7 years ago when his movie "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" was going to be released and he happened to call my office looking for some movie posters. He said on the phone he was the writer and turned out he was on the lot so I was happy to help him out since all I had to do was walk over to his office. He was also a "Simpsons" TV writer but at that time a writing consultant but still considered part of the cast/crew. He was always happy to sign posters for me to give to charity to help raise money but also asked me why I would want to devalue them with his signature. Don continued to write other films and I did get to work on another, "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" and I brought him and Doug Jones (the Silver Surfer) together for lunch. Don continued to write more films such as "Thor" and the sequel due out later this year, "Thor: The Dark World." Don was 48.
Facts & Tips:
Jousting is the official sport in the state of Maryland.
"He punched the highlights out of her hair!" - Johnny Simmons as Young Neil in "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World."
*Jordan Peele - AWESOME guy!
Facts & Tips:
