It's Anybody's Game Now

We were travelling today, and I turned on the radio during one of our breaks, and heard that Barack Obama won the Noble Peace Prize. My first thought was, "for what?" Apparently it was “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” I got that from Nuke's blog...didn't actually do any real research...in the interest of full disclosure. Apparently going around the world apologizing for perceived wrong-doings by the U.S. under past Presidents and kissing up to the U.N. qualifies you for the peace prize these days.

An aside...I actually think Obama is probably embarrassed by this. He probably realizes that he hasn't done much to qualify him for the award yet. He didn't lobby for this award, and my guess is, in a private moment he would admit that he doesn't deserve it (likely followed by a "yet"). This isn't at all a commentary on Obama. This is a commentary on the voters awarding the Nobel Peace Prize.

Anyway, I started thinking about this more and discussing it with the smartest person in our car. Here's what we came up with. We should all be happy about this! This means that all of us have a chance to win the Nobel Peace Prize and the $1 million plus that goes with it (Obama is donating the prize money to charity). Basically, you don't really have to do anything related to peace to win the Nobel Peace Prize anymore. You just have to kiss up to the World's Socialists and Dictators, or make a Left-Wing Propaganda movie and it's in the bag. Good luck next year everybody!

Movie Review: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

The latest installment from DC Universe is "Superman/Batman: Public Enemies." I've enjoyed the other DC Universe animated features I've watched lately, and I'm a big fan of Batman, so I figured there was no way I wasn't going to love this movie. And, I was right, it is terrific.

Just to warn you, there will be more plot discussion than normal in this blog. Hopefully I'm not giving too much away. If you are concerned, skip the next 2 paragraphs. This will also further confirm my nerd status.

The movie opens with Lex Luthor becoming President of the United States. The U.S. was going through an economic crisis, and Lex swooped in to take advantage of the situation and become President. One of his first acts as President is to bring super heroes in to the government, reporting directly to him...sort of like super powered czars. Conspicuous by their absence are Batman and Superman.

When Earth is threatened, Lex reaches out to Superman, but when Superman rebuffs him, Lex turns public sentiment against Superman by offering a large sum of money to whoever brings in Superman. This brings all kinds of super villains out of the wood work to try to capture Superman, and the only hero to stand by Superman is The Dark Knight himself, Batman. The rest of the movie involves the attempts to evade capture and save the earth from impending doom.

This animated feature was really well done. The animation style is different than previous DC animated films, and a definite break from the Justice League series. I liked the new animation style overall. I've read some other reviews that didn't like it, but it worked for me. Most importantly, the key players were all voiced by the familiar voices from series past. Kevin Conroy voiced Batman. Conroy has been the voice of Batman going all the way back to the early 1990's. Tim Daly voices Superman, and Clancy Brown voices Lex Luthor. Both had previously done voice work in DC cartoons. Allison Mack, who is Chloe in "Smallville," provides the voice for Power Girl, which was a nice touch.

I thought the movie stayed very true to the characters. I liked the little bit of edge that they gave Superman. As always though, the key for me in these movies is Batman. I thought they portrayed him perfectly. Batman is aware of the impending doom for the planet early on, and is already working on a solution. Throughout the movie, there are glimpeses that he is still working on things, and when it comes time to save the planet, Batman has a plan all figured out. He also solves a murder on the way that helps them gain allies, and helps Superman through many battles. Batman holds his own, and defeats his super powered foes with cunning and skill...perfect for a Batman junkie like me.

One really entertaining feature in the movie is the dialogue between Batman and Superman. It's quippy and revealing at times. But, you get the feeling that the 2 heroes really do like each other. This movie is rated PG-13. There is language, and some more grown up themes. If you're a super hero fan like me, you can't pass this one up. This was 5 stars all the way!

Darn Marketing!

I have generally held to a firm belief that you shouldn't buy something you don't need, just because it's on sale. You know, you're out buying a shirt, and there is a sign that says "Buy One Shirt, get another for Half Price!!!" Well, I came in to buy one shirt, and I don't need another shirt...gosh darnit to heck anyhow!!! So I usually ignore the eye-catching marketing.

Today though, I fell victim to some top-notch marketing. I stopped at Subway to pick up a sandwich for lunch. I fully intended to buy a 6 inch, Oven Roasted Chicken Breast on wheat. As I was walking in, I saw the signs for the $5 foot-long subs, and started singing the famous $5 foot-long song in my head. When I got in the store, I saw that the Oven Roasted Chicken Breast was on the $5 foot-long list...this is where I usually wouldn't give in. But, I was hungry and I said to myself..."Self, that's a good deal! Buy a foot-long today, after all, you're very hungry." I only talk to myself in the 2nd person when I'm hungry.

So, I bought the foot-long. When I got back to work, I sat down to eat my sandwich, and thought..."That's a really big sandwich! I can't eat all that." Then I realized that I fell victim to Subway's clever marketing.

Well, I ended up eating the entire sandwich, even though I shouldn't have. I regretted it an hour later when I really felt like I needed a nap. The moral is...don't give in to catchy marketing unless you have time to take a nap!!! Hmmm....really seemed like I was going to have a better moral than that.

Movie Review: Ghost Town

I got "Ghost Town" from Netlix at the request of my wife for our date night. I wasn't sure what I was going to think of it. I generally enjoy the funnier chick flicks, so I had hope.

What I found was "Ghost Town" is very funny, and a pretty good story. The plot centers around Dr. Bertram Pincus (played by Ricky Gervais), a dentist who nearly dies during a routine colonoscopy. This near death gives him the ability to see dead people...think 6th sense, but funny. Pincus is a person who keeps to himself, and generally dislikes other people, so this is not a welcome gift. Things get worse for Dr. Pincus when the ghost of Frank Herlihy (Greg Kinnear) asks Pincus to break up the pending marriage of his wife Gwen (played by Tia Leoni). Well, Pincus ends up falling in love with Gwen. Along the way, Pincus discovers there is more to care about in life than just himself.

This movie was pretty unique, though somewhat predictable at the end. During the first hour I laughed a lot, probably more than any recent movies. Ricky Gervais is good as a leading man...sort of a British Steve Carell. Which is sort of funny because Gervais played the orignal manager in the British TV Series "The Office", which spawned Carell's U.S. TV Series. Greg Kinnear is good, as always. I don't think I've ever not like Kinnear in a movie. And, Tea Leoni proved that she is a really good comedic actress. Just a really nice mix in the casting.

Both my wife and I liked this movie. Netflix predicted I'd give it 3.6 stars, and that's about right. "Ghost Town" is a very good date night movie.