Movie Review: Get Smart

I also watched "Get Smart" yesterday. I wasn't expecting a whole lot from this movie, but I had modest hopes, because I've enjoyed most every Steve Carell film I've watched. "Get Smart" did not disappoint.

This was one of the funniest movies I've seen in quite a while. From Bill Murray's cameo appearance to the very final scene, I laughed the entire way. This was not "Austin Powers", it actually sort of took itself seriously, but in a good way. Steve Carell is great as the affable Maxwell Smart. Smart is a bit of a klutz, but he's not incompetent, which I liked. Carell is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. He was great in "Evan Almighty", and really good in "Dan in Real Life" which was a more serious role. I highly recommend both of those movies as well.

Joining Carell were Anne Hathaway, Alan Arkin, Terrence Stamp and Duane "The Rock" Johnson. The casting was brilliant! Alan Arkin, as the Chief, was funny and a little over the top, but in a good way. Terrence Stamp always makes a good villain. Hathaway was good, as she always seems to be, and Duane "The Rock" Johnson continues to branch out from former wrestler turned action movie hero.

Overall, I rated it 4 out of 5 stars on Netflix. It is rated PG-13 for a good reason. There is some crude humor that I wouldn't want my kids to see. If you are a Steve Carell fan, I think you'll like this movie a lot. If his style annoys you, you'll probably hate it.

Superman

For all of you who have suspected that I'm a nerd, this blog will confirm that. For those of you who had no idea that I am a nerd...well, it's true, I'm a nerd. But hey, I've embraced that.

My wife and kids are out of town visiting her family. I had to stay behind and work. So yesterday, after doing all my errands and other tasks, I still had most of a day to kill. To occupy myself, I embarked on a mini Superman marathon. I started with the extended edition of the 1978 classic "Superman, The Movie", and followed that with the 2006 movie "Superman Returns". "Superman Returns" gets better every time I see it, and "Superman, The Movie" took me back to happy days from my childhood. It was a good time.

Whenever I watch anything with Superman though, I always have the following question: "When is he ever going to figure out that the over confident Lex Luthor probably has Kryptonite?" Far be it from me to question the creators of Superman...the 14 disc box set I borrowed from a friend is a testament to this character's popularity. Heck, in spite of this nagging thought, I'm a big fan. However, you would think he'd learn after making the same mistake over and over again!

This is the main reason I've always maintained that if Superman ever went off the deep end and decided to try to take over the DC comics universe, Batman (my favorite super hero) would be the one to stop him. There's one simple reason for this. Batman would bring Kryptonite to the fight! And Batman would never let Superman go once he had him. Simple as that.

There...it's confirmed. I'm a nerd (and proud of it)!

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. : - )