was i ever that young?

While I was home for the holiday, my brother and I were sent on a mission to the back room of the basement to find Christmas decorations. While we were down there, we came across a book that I had written when I was 12 called "HOW I'VE CHANGED: an autobiography". It was hilarious. I had hoped to bring it back with me to NYC and slowly put it on-line for your reading pleasure...however, my father was not so keen to let me take it, and since he seemed ready to tackle me if I tried, I left it in Ohio. I will put it up in bits and pieces when I am home for Christmas/New Years. I did have my dad scan some of the pictures though of me with my childhood pal Peter. Peter is actually currently fighting over in Iraq, and I wanted to forward the pictures on to him. Here are the two of us on a cold day in Lithopolis, Ohio. Make sure to enjoy his fabulous vest, and my incredibly colorful hat. Ah, you have to love the fashion of the 80's.
Side note: Please send good vibes Peter's way.

gobble, gobble

Wishing everyone a very happy turkey day...although in truth, I had steak today with my parents. We are not doing the full-on traditional meal until Saturday. That's not really important though....hope that you have a wonderful holiday, and find yourself with more mashed potatoes than you know what to do with.

Gobble, gobble!

i heart my mom!

Here is a picture of Matt Damon. My mother adores Matt Damon. Another reason to adore my mom. Enjoy!

photo credit: www.movieweb.com

acting my age

Most of the time, I don't truly act my age. I mean, on a "school night", I am usually in bed no later than 10:30pm....and head right home after work, etc. With an hour-and-a-half commute to work, getting home at 12:30am is just not an option.....unless you are me this past weekend. Sunday night, I ended up acting my age. I met a friend from AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy)for dinner and a movie. We started at a darling, delicious, cheap Chinese restaurant called Cottage on 77th and Amsterdam. The place was packed (at 5pm to boot!), so we finally sat down about 5:20 or so. After a wonderful meal (I did chicken with vegetables), we started to walk down towards the 68th street Loews in hopes of seeing the new animated feature HAPPY FEET. On the way, we walked past a store where a fellow AMDA alumna works, and coerced her to come with us. (While waiting, we jokingly were doing time steps to illustrate our happy feet, and these two guys walking by with dogs were about to join in. We laughingly apologized for cutting them off, and it turns out that one of the guys I went to Interlochen Arts Academy with like 12 years ago, and his friend is a dancer/choreographer. We heard what everyone was doing...and then continued on the HF journey.) We arrived at 68th street to find that the movie (on IMAX) was sold-out. So, we headed down to 42nd street and even 34th street to find all of the showings sold out. Our feet were definitely not happy after traipsing all over the city. [sigh] We headed back to 42nd street to see if we could get the next HAPPY FEET which was starting like an hour after that, only to find that that showing had sold out while we explored 34th street. After much discussion, we decided to see THE DEPARTED...the police/criminal drama from Martin Scorcese starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. Having prepared to see a movie about tap-dancing penguins....THE DEPARTED was quite a shock to the system. It was a very welcome one. Although this film is incredibly violent and gory, it is also so well made and just fascinating. The story centers on (the always fabulous) Jack Nicholson as a crime-leader in South Boston. He has one of his guys become a police officer (Matt Damon) to have eyes and ears in the precinct and keep the police out of his business. Meanwhile, rookie cop Leonardo DiCaprio goes undercover into Mr. Nicholson's gang and informs the police captain (Martin Sheen) of what is going on. The acting in this picture is phenomenal, most notably Leonardo DiCaprio who does a moving turn as a vulnerable guy trying to do right and keep his life at the same time. Well directed, well acted, gritty, dirty, and surprisingly funny....this movie is so well-done, and a must-see.

Final thoughts: If you are in the mood for tap-dancing penguins, this movie might not be for you...but for a portrait of crime and character, this is a real winner. Note: Um....this movie is very GORY...so eat your snacks during the previews.

photo credit: www.movieweb.com

did you know?

Did you know that in New Jersey, you are not allowed to pump your own gas? I find that absolutely bizarre, and many of New Jersey have mocked me because of it. I just thought that you should know....

i heart bond. james bond.

Every once in a while, there is a movie that does exactly what it should. For James Bond, it should be adventure, drama, and romance. The new CASINO ROYALE is the best kind of Bond film. The film is gritty, violent, sexy, and fabulous. As soon as the movie starts in black and white with the incredible Daniel Craig, you know this is going to be a better Bond. The theme song is rocked out by a man. This movie (getting in touch with my inner 12-year old boy) totally kicked a**. Anyone who doubted Daniel Craig should be ashamed of themselves. He is vulnerable, rugged, and brilliant. (If you haven't seen MUNICH or LAYER CAKE, these are great films he has done.) Judi Dench makes a hilarious return as "M", and baddie Mads Mikkelson does a great turn as the villainous Le Chiffre. The action sequences are superb, especially a foot pursuit in the first quarter of the movie. Bond is back, and worth the ride.

Final thoughts: Run to the theatre and fall in love again with Bond. James Bond.

photo credit: www.movieweb.com

a nail-biter

A hearty congratulations to Jim Tressel and the Ohio State football Team as they played an AMAZING football game against the Wolverines. They went out on that field and showed the country why they are ranked #1. The only regret I have about the whole thing is that I am not in Ohio with my family eating Mexican dip and partying!!

Final thoughts: Did Troy Smith cement his Heisman win today?

photo credit: www.msn.com

just plain strange

Over the weekend, wanting to see a fun movie to laugh at, I took in the film STRANGER THAN FICTION. Starring Will Ferrell and Emma Thompson, this movie is just plain strange. Emma Thompson is writing a book about a guy who just happens to be alive, Will Ferrell. Mr. Ferrell starts hearing Ms. Thompson's voice narrating his life. Comedy/strangeness ensues. First, the actors are all great. I would watch Emma Thompson do anything (as you know, she adapted the screenplay and starred in my favorite movie of all time, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY), and Will Ferrell does a great job. Although there were funny moments, the film seemed to lose all of it's momentum at the end, and frankly, although first impressions matter, if you lose interest at the end, you will remember that.

Final thoughts: A fun movie....but this is one you can get through NetFlix.

photo credit: www.movieweb.com

countdown

After totally kicking-a** last week, the countdown begins for the Buckeyes, Wolverines showdown. I am already nervous for Saturday afternoon, but am feeling pretty good about our chances. Not only is this the 102nd meeting of the two teams, but this is the first time they have had a 1, 2 rating. (It is amazing what they tell you on MSN!!) So, start making the Mexican dip, pick up your coca-cola, and get ready for what should be one heck of a game this Saturday afternoon. Oh, if you plan to call me, so help me, do it either before 3:30pm or after 7pm, and don't be surprised if I am either giddy with joy or sobbing for the boys.

GO BUCKS!!!

photo credit: www.dispatch.com

a movie I should have loved....

Last Sunday, I set my alarm and made my way to a before-noon showing of THE PRESTIGE at the Loews on 68th street. Going in, I knew I was going to LOVE this movie. It stars Christian Bale (BATMAN BEGINS, LITTLE WOMEN), Hugh Jackman (X-MEN,OKLAHOMA, SCOOP, KATE & LEOPOLD, THE BOY FROM OZ [on Broadway], FLUSHED AWAY [see previous post]), Michael Caine (what hasn't he been in?), and directed by Christopher Nolan (BATMAN BEGINS, MEMENTO). This is an elite cast and elite director. So, I watched the movie, and I just felt kind of "eh" about it. The acting is fine, the story is interesting. I just didn't love it, didn't hate it....and that makes me sad. I am sure that you have gathered from reading the blog that I am PASSIONATE about films. I take such pleasure in going to the theatre and getting lost in the stories. I love that for two hours, I am transported to a different life, a different world, a different experience. I think that is why I am so disappointed. With this caliber of artists involved, the movie promised to be a real trip. So, there I sat munching on popcorn, watching the movie...not being transported. It wasn't as if I was bored...I just wasn't taken away. And with this cast, that seems like a real crime.

Final thoughts: You should check it out...it's not a bad movie. It's just not what I had hoped and thought it might be.

photo credit: www. movieweb.com

i can't wait until may 4th, 2007!!

You must watch this immediately!!

http://www.ifilm.com/presents/spiderman3

photo credit: www.movieweb.com

re-visiting jersey

The partner-in-crime and I took in JERSEY BOYS on Broadway last night. It was amazing. Every once in a while, you can sit in a theatre, and have a moment of perfection. This show hits the right notes....great singing, great acting, interesting story, fabulous staging...and we lucked out with amazing seats. They proved that they deserved the Tony last night. If you get the chance, make sure to check it out. (Good luck getting tickets though...they are allegedly sold out until August 2007...or something ridiculous like that!! Yeah for live theatre kicking a**!)

photo credit: www.playbill.com

singing slugs

Every once in a while, you see a fabulous movie that is not only hilarious, but that you can revisit days after the fact. That is me about the kid's-flick FLUSHED AWAY. A story about mice, this film features the vocal talents of Hugh Jackman and Kate Winslet. (Need I say more?) It was so funny....for the rest of the weekend, Richard and I have been reliving so many moments over and over again. Roddy, a pet rat, is unceremoniously flushed by a sewer rat who comes into his home, and decides to stay and watch the huge TV. (That is basically how it goes when I visit my brother and his 50" flat-screen.) Anyway, Roddy (Mr. Jackman is fabulous...and does sing which is always a treat) suddenly finds himself in a city of the sewer trying to make his way back to his posh-abode above ground. Along the way, he meets Rita (Kate Winslet - perfect as always!) who is a boat captain, and the two team-up to not only return Roddy home, but also against the evil Frog (Sir Ian McKellan) and his French cousin....the frog. The best part of the movie is the singing slugs. Yes, you read that correctly, singing slugs. They pop up all over the place, singing both original and popular music. It made me happy in my soul. FLUSHED AWAY is produced by the same house that did WALLACE AND GROMIT and CHICKEN RUN, and is by far the best animated feature I have seen in ages. So, if you have young ones...take them. Or, if it is just you and your twenty-something roommate, go as well, and have a great time.

Final thoughts: Funny, imaginative, and sweet, this movie is fun from beginning to end. Plus, it stars Kate Winslet...and Hugh Jackman!