Movie Review: Speed Racer

I went into "Speed Racer" with very low expectations. Frankly, I thought it was going to be cheesy, and difficult to watch. I was very wrong!

While there are multiple "cheesy" moments, the unbelievable over the top nature of this movie made it really fun. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. The entire movie is a mix of CGI and real actors. The majority of the scenes appear to have been shot in front of a green screen. There is comedy for kids, action for people like me, and enough cheesiness for lovers of sappy movies. "Speed Racer" is rated PG, and I think it's appropriate for kids 7 years and older.

One recommendation...if you can, watch it on Blu Ray on a BIG SCREEN! The colors are amazing. I was fortunate enough to watch it on my friend's home theater. He has a 110" screen, 7.1 surround sound, and of course, a 1080p projector with Blu Ray. It was most outstanding!

Um...I don't get it!

I was reading the news today and saw that the US Senate is going to push for a $50 billion dollar bailout for the auto industry. Am I the only one who doesn't get this? Well, obviously not, because the Republicans are opposing it, for now anyway.

Here's what I seem to be missing. GM has posted big losses (billions) for the last 5 quarters, however, the 'economic crisis' only hit last quarter. Ford and Chrysler have been having similar problems for the past few years. So, how is it that their problems are the result of the current economic crisis and require a bailout?

Here's something I know. Foreign automakers have set up shop in several US cities, and seem to be doing ok. What's the difference you ask? The foreign automakers set up outside of Detroit, and away from the United Autoworkers Union. Free of the UAW, foreign automakers are doing ok...not great, but ok.

I'm going to quote Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), a member of the Senate Banking, Housing, & Urban Affairs Committee: "The financial straits that the Big Three find themselves is not the product of our current economic downturn, but instead is the legacy of the uncompetitive structure of its manufacturing and labor force." In simple terms, they've allowed the unions to run wild, and now it's coming back to haunt them. Why should the taxpayers have to pay for bad business practices of 3 companies? If this bailout goes through, where will it end? No one knows.

Even though this may seem cold, I say let the big three automakers to go into bankruptcy. We let airlines go into bankruptcy, and they reorganize and come out better for it. The same needs to happen here. It's in the best long term interest of the taxpayer and the companies. So, here's hoping the Republicans keep up their opposition to this bailout.

Music Tames the Savage Engineer?

Today was an awful day! I got virtually no work done, while being busy all day. I had several frustrating encounters. Today was an awful day...until music intervened.

About 3 pm, I was walking through my office when a fellow employee stopped me. He had recognized me from church. As many of you know, I'm a piano accompanist at church. I don't play piano at church to receive recognition, I play because God gave me a small gift which I can use to enhance mass for my fellow parishioners. Anyway, this guy stops me and says that he just wanted to tell me how good I sound on the piano at church and that he appreciated my contribution to the music ministry! He may never know it, but he (and I suspect God through him) totally redirected my day.

When I got back to my desk, I turned off the Sean Hannity Show (which is very depressing lately), and started to listen several different John Williams' movie theme songs, including Superman, Star Wars, The Patriot and Indiana Jones. It was the best hour of work I've had in a long time.

So, what's the takeaway? Sometimes it's nice to be recognized, even when you're not looking for it. Nothing is ever so bad that a little music can't cure it. And of course...John Williams is a genius!!!

Book Review - Ranger's Apprentice

I previewed this a few posts ago. Here's my review, without giving away any of the story. John Flanagan, the author, has not lost anything in Book 5 of the Ranger's Apprentice Series. The story is set several years later, and Will is now a full fledged Ranger. The premise of the book is Will going on his first solo mission for the Kingdom of Araluen.

This book is fast paced, grabs and your attention right away, but it still provides good breaks where you can put it down. If you've read the first 4 books and liked them, then you'll like this one as well. I can't wait for the 6th book to come out in March, 2009.

Destined for Management

I just had an interesting exchange with my 5 year old, Nicholas. To set the stage, he was really upset because he couldn't find his mini-car King from Disney Pixar's film "Cars." He was ready to stop playing with them all together because he couldn't find The King. So, in swoops Dad to help. After about 2 minutes, I found The King. So, Nicholas runs out to the living room to tell David, his big brother that The King was found. Here's what was said:

Nicholas: "David, I don't have to stop playing with my mini-cars!"
David: "Why?"
Nicholas: "Because I found the King"
Dad: "Who found the king Nicholas?"
Nicholas: (with a huge grin on his face) "We both found him Dad."

I guess the boy is destined to be a manager some day. He's already mastering the art of taking credit for the accomplishments of others. : - )