Quad Blogs

Random Musings from the Entertainment Desk

Disney goes off the Depp end… in a good way…          

 

            So, I won’t even trouble you with posting the numbers from this past weekend. Let’s just say they weren’t pretty. Well, they weren’t for me or anyone not listed in the credits of “Cloudy With A Chance of Meatball,” anyway.

            My overall record has plummeted to a New York Islanders-esque 8 for 18. Who am I kidding? The Islanders record hasn’t been that good since the Reagan administration!

            Oh, I do love a good laugh. Anywho, you and I have some business to attend to. Well, I have a lot of business to attend to and in all honesty this entry is being done more out of procrastination then of necessity.

            Either way, as I am currently drawing a massive blank when it comes to an editorial for this week’s Quad, I thought I’d come over here and see how things were doing.

            Then I wandered over to Joblo.com— my beloved home for review-free and spoiler-heavy reviews— and came across a wonderful tidbit!

            It seems that rumors are swirling about comedian Russell Brand joining the cast of “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.” Whooo boy!

            What a pairing that would be! Johnny Depp and Russell Brand in a Disney movie? I feel like somewhere, one guy just made a boatload of cash on a bet he made with some friends in the late 90’s. Depp, the notorious Hollywood outsider and Brand, a former everything addict working together for the House of Mouse. Gambling opportunities like this are really why time machines were invented.

            Whoops! Think I may have said too much. There are NO such things as time machines! They are NOT real. I may be in trouble…

            Government secrets aside, this would be an amazing bit of casting if Disney pulls it off. Allegedly Brand would play Depp’s brother or side kick or something. Hell, you wouldn’t even need any make up or costumes for the guy. He could just show up, as is, and fit right in.

            Brand is hysterical, from his stand up to his limited foray into feature films to his appearances on MTV and late night television shows. While he may not bring a ton of star power to the cast, he would certainly bring the laughs. If the goal is to make this film smaller —and from I’ve heard, that IS the goal— then this move makes perfect sense.

            Of course, you can’t just have Depp and Brand running around on screen acting goofy for two hours. As much as I would enjoy that, it may get a bit taxing. You would need a straight guy to balance out the crazy… some one like…

            Geoffrey Rush! Imagine Rush’s Capt. Barbosa having to deal with Jack Sparrow AND whoever Brand would play? Oh, the potential for hilarious eye rolls is off the charts.

            Disney, if you have any common sense outside of Pixar, please make this happen! The free world, aka ME, demands it!

            Ok, well I’m keeping this thing short. Lately, I’ve grown as tired of writing these rambling and often repetitive things as I’m sure you have of reading them. I know that I’ve promised smaller word counts before, but I’m almost certain that I mean it this time. Almost…

            Vaya con dios…

THE ‘LOST’ EPISODE OF THE DAY

The episode: The Brig

Original Airdate: May 2, 2007

Written By: Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse

Directed By: Eric Laneuville

Content (from lostpedia.com/ABC Press Release): The Others offer Locke the chance to join them if he shows his commitment. Unable to do what they ask, Locke recruits Sawyer to do it for him. Meanwhile, Desmond questions whether or not the Flight 815 survivors trust Jack enough to tell him about the woman they saved.

Why It’s Worth Re-Watching: This is one of the most underrated episodes of the series. I have very little evidence to prove it but whenever a LOST episode countdown is posted on a website, ‘The Brig’ is always ignored. Anywho, about the episode itself: this is the episode when the real Sawyer is killed by Sawyer, and Locke officially begins his journey to become the leader of The Others.

The number one reason to re-watch this episode is for the performance given by Josh Holloway. He absolutely owns the material Lindelof and Cuse wrote. This is an episode that resolves some major character conflict with Sawyer. The scenes between Sawyer and Locke’s father are great especially with how Holloway plays Sawyer from slowly realizing who the man is that Locke brought here to his visceral reaction when Locke’s father refuses to finish the letter. Sawyer, for those moments he’s strangling Locke’s father, reverts back to the man he was when he killed Duckett on a rainy night in Syndey, the man driven by revenge. My favorite part of this sequence is when it’s all over, and Sawyer’s kneeling on the Black Rock floor, visibly shaken and with tears in his eyes. When I first saw the episode, I wonder how this incident would change Sawyer because that reaction he had in The Black Rock, and then outside when he vomited.

The second biggest reason to re-watch this is for John Locke. We find out his issues with his father are what’s preventing him from being able to ascend further on The Island, from becoming the leader of The Others. Richard tells Locke that his people had been waiting for Locke and were excited for him to come when they heard he was paralyzed and then able to walk once on this Island. Healing is prominent in this episode. Physical AND emotional healing. Ben credits Locke this: A week ago I couldn’t move my toes. But the minute you showed up, I started to feel pins and needles. And this is only the beginning, John.” Richard later tells Locke that Ben’s doing what he’s doing (specifically the execution of Locke’s father in front of his people) only to humiliate Locke because he knew Locke wouldn’t be able to do it. But then Richard tells Locke that Locke’s father has to go, and that’s where emotional healing comes in. Locke’s been hurt far worse emotionally by his father than than 8 storey fall he took. Locke cannot assume leadership until he is healed as a whole. He cannot realize his potential, his specialness without being healed of the wounds created by his father.

Throughout the flashbacks with Ben and Locke, Ben’s threatened leadership hovers above it all. It’s clear when Richard tells Locke that Ben’s been wasting their time with things like fertility problems and that they are looking for someone to remind them that they are here for more important reasons. This episode is also a set-up for the following episode, ‘The Man Behind The Curtain,’ in which we see what Ben does what he’s really, really threatened. And these flashbacks feature some wonderful Locke/Ben scenes (as if Ben/Locke scenes could be anything but terrific). My favorite, in this episode, is when Ben uses ‘Don’t tell what I can’t do’ on Locke.

There’s another great moment, in the teaser, when Locke burns the red folder that contains the history of James Ford. Symbolically freeing Sawyer from the past.

Sawyer is also given the tape recorder with the Others plans to raid camp but we find out later that Juliet ratted herself out.

As for the other happenings in the episode, word begins to spread around camp about the arrival of Naomi. No one wants to tell Jack because they don’t trust him (Kate spills the beans to Jack though). Naomi basically tells the truth in this episode about the purpose of the Freighter except for a few tiny lies like she was hired by Penny Widmore and here to rescue Desmond when she was really hired by Charles Widmore with the purpose to extract one Benjamin Linus.

It’s an absolutely terrific episode that’s only justified by the viewing of it. I could write all I want but in the end you’ve just got to re-watch it. It’s a powerful story. Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse wrote an absolute gem. John Bartley (the director of photography for this one) did a tremendous job. The episode is beautiful looking. Laneuville did one heck of a job helming the shoot.

And now, just for fun, here’s what I originally wrote about this episode on May 2, 2007 (complete with original power rankings by me and STEVE!)

May 3, 2007 3:01pm

Well, LOST continues to knock it out of the park week after week. What a rebound from season two. I’m so pleased. Josh Holloway knocked it out of the park in “The Brig”. I didn’t know he had it in him, but damn. What a performance! Locke’s Dad is dead, who is also the real Sawyer. I think many people saw that coming since episode 18 in season 1 when we’re introduced to Anthony Cooper. Lindelof and Cuse wrote a gem. I encourage all fans of LOST reading this to listen to the official LOST podcast. It’s entertaining and informative. But back to the episode: a lot happened. Sayid got the radio from Naomi, Kate told Jack and Juliet about Naomi, Sawyer faced off with his personal devil, Rousseau got a whole lot dynamite, Jack and Juliet know something and are not telling Kate, Locke went to find Ben and the Others, The losties do not trust Jack, they are still “dead”, Sawyer has the tape recorder. Did I cover everything? 5/5.

Now for the power rankings. There’s some movement in me and Steve’s list. Ben has dropped to 12 on Steve’s and 13 on mine. Jack replaced Kate in steve’s top five. Other movements: Claire is at 9, Sun is 10, Charlie’s 11, and Rousseau is 12 on mine. On Steve’s, Rousseau jumped to 8. Claire is at 10 and Sun is 11. No change in my top five.

Steve’s 5/2/07

1. Sayid

2. Locke

3. Sawyer

4. Desmond

5. Jack

6. Kate

7. Jin

8. Rousseau

9. Hurley

10. Claire

11. Sun

12. Ben

13. Tom

14. Juliet

15. Charlie

16. Aaron

As of 11:25 PM 5/02–Chris

1. Sayid

2. Desmond

3. Kate

4. Sawyer

5. Jack

6. Locke

7. Jin

8. Hurley

9. Claire

10. Sun

11. Charlie

12. Rousseau

13. Ben

14. Juliet

15. Tom

16. Aaron

The full episode can be found here: http://www.hulu.com/watch/90215/lost-the-brig#s-p1-n3-so-i0

Random Musings from the Entertainment Desk

Hitting the Silver Screen

            Hey did you hear? The new issue of Vogue Magazine predicted that movies would go out of style by the end of the year. I know! It’s quite sad. As you can imagine this news has created quite the stir in the Hollywood area.

            Quite the stir indeed. So much of a stir that movie studios are hurrying to empty the silos of anything and everything they have just to get rid of them. Yeah, sad times. Never thought I’d see the day.

            What do you mean, “why do you read Vogue Magazine?” How else am I supposed to know whether my Ugg boots are still in or not? FYI, they are still TOTALLY in! Hell yeah!

             It’s amazing how much power Vogue has.

            They recently ran a piece about how cool it was to jump off bridges. Needless to say, it took an entire S.W.A.T. team to get me off the Golden Gate Bridge. I will do anything for fashion. Think of me like Tyra Banks, but I complain less.

            Only slightly. What the heck am I going on about! You’re not here for this nonsense! You want new release descriptions and give them to you I shall! We will discuss more similarities between me and Tyra later.

            We will start with the gentlemen, the group that Hollywood has lavished the most attention on this week.

            “Surrogates,” which stars Bruce Willis— and Bruce Willis’ bad toupee— as a cop investigating a series of murders possibly committed by robotic “surrogates.” Like being alive, but absolutely HATE doing things? Then buy yourself a surrogate!

            The film’s trailer alone features two or three gaping plot holes so it could have some “so bad it’s good” going for it. “Surrogates” was directed— one can only assume out of spite at being passed over for “Terminator: Salvation”— by Jonathan Mostow, the man behind “T-3.”

            What happens if you’re a guy, but don’t feel like robots? How about Dennis Quaid in outer space? If so “Pandorum” is the film for you. The film centers around two astronauts who wake up aboard a space craft with no knowledge of how they got there. The first trailer I saw for this guy promised so much, however the subsequent trailers seem to have reneged on that promise.

            What at first seemed like a really cool and smart sci-fi movie, now seems like a sort of lame monster movie. Pitty. Hopefully I’m wrong on the matter.

            Now, according to joblo.com, this last film is going wide this weekend, but I have my doubts about that. Especially, after seeing the film’s website. All I’m saying is don’t blame me if it’s not coming to your town.

            Blame this guy.

 

            I meant this one.

 

            The film in question is called “Paranormal Activity” and it looks very, VERY awesome. Basically, it’s “The Blair Witch Project” but with a haunted house. Two no-name actors play the unassuming couple in the film, who decide to set up some cameras to record what happens in their home after the lights go out.

            And not in the Kim Kardashian/ Paris Hilton sense, either.

            A good ghost movie is hard to find. Honestly, I can’t remember the last good one. I mean, I liked “The Amityville Horror” remake, but mostly for Ryan Reynolds’ abs. Outside of those though, the movie didn’t blow me away. I have set my hopes incredibly high for “Paranormal Activity.” There is absolutely no way I will be disappointed.

            Now on to the criminally-ignored ladies and an update of “Fame,” the 80’s musical about a school for the performing arts. Now ladies, before you decide that I’m sexiest for saying that none of those other movies would interest you, let me clarify by saying that this one is probably the only film due out this week that won’t be bringing in a predominately male audience that’s why I’ve stuck you with it. Plus, you’re all too smart for “Surrogates” anyway.      

            This weekend also features three limited release films.

            “The Boys are Back” is about a widower played by Clive Owen trying to raise his two sons. Also, seeing time in some theaters and not others is Michael Moore’s latest mock-umentary entitled “Capitalism: A Love Story.” Last up this weekend is “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell” an adaptation of the classic Tucker Max book that pays tribute to wonderful, wonderful excesses. I feel like this last one deserves more attention. Max’s book was a hysterically offensive masterpiece, yet the movie has received NO hype. What’s the deal?           

Top 3

1.)    “Fame”

2.)    “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”

3.)    “Pandorum”

            Until next time I’m off to the Vogue website to pick up tips on which is the correct shoe to where when you want to look sexy, but not SEXY sexy.

            Vaya con dios.

Before I dive into ‘Cabin Fever,’ I’d like to congratulate Michael Emerson on his Emmy win for Best Supporting Actor. Emerson had, in my opinion, his best season on LOST during its fifth season (as I’ve written in the past). I was thrilled week after week with how Emerson portrayed Ben in what was a transition season for the character. I’ve written it before but I’ll write it again: he knocked the scene with Jacob out of the park. Today’s LOST episodes deals with the beginning of the transition for Ben Linus and there will be more praise for Emerson to come.

THE ‘LOST’ EPISODE OF THE DAY

The episode: Cabin Fever

Original Airdate: May 8, 2008

Written By: Elizabeth Sarnoff & Kyle Pennington

Directed By: Paul Edwards

Content: Locke, Hurley, and Ben trek through the jungle in search of Jacob’s cabin and answers, while tensions run high aboard the Kahana as Keamy prepares to return to the Island. Flashbacks reveal a lifelong connection between Locke’s destiny and the Island.

Why It’s Worth Re-Watching: This is one of the most important episodes to re-watch prior to the premiere of season six in January. Where do I begin? Hm. Let’s start with the Cabin scene.

Locke, Ben, and Hurley are trekking through the jungle to find Jacob’s cabin. While searching, Locke has a dream. In this dream, he meets Horace Goodspeed in the jungle as Horace is building a cabin for his wife. Horace tells Locke that ‘Jacob has been waiting for him for a real long time.’ When Locke does find the cabin, it’s creepy. It’s even creepier, weirder, and odder with what has happened in ‘The Incident.’ We know from Alana that Jacob had not been to the cabin in a long, long time. I originally wrote that the cabin scene was creepy. I still can’t pinpoint what exactly went on in there. We have no idea why Claire was there. One can speculate thanks to that teaser in ‘The Incident.’ But this cabin scene has to be a key event in the mythology of the show as well as the character arc for John locke. And another interesting thing to note is the difference between the cabin scene from The Man Behind The Curtain and Cabin Fever is how Ben was completely abandoned and forced to talk to an empty chair while Locke was met with destiny and fate.

Speaking of John Locke, I’ve written before about the tragic circumstances of his life. I compared him to a James Joyce character, Mr. Duffy, in my Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham recap. He led a sad, disappointing life until he got to the Island. And he is eventually is killed while trying to save The Island. An interesting thing to note about ‘Cabin Fever’ is the theme of Locke’s specialness, his destiny with The Island. He survived a pre-mature birth, a fall out of an 8 story building (I think Jacob saved his life that day by his touch) and then there are two scenes with Ben that take on a whole new meaning given the events of season five. These scenes involve the concept of destiny. Ben warns Locke about destiny, about it’s fickleness. Ben also accepts his destiny, that it was his destiny to have his daughter’s blood on his hands and to have cancer: “Those things had to happen to me. That was my destiny. But you’ll understand soon enough that there are consequences to being chosen… because, destiny, John, is a fickle bitch.”

And then we’ve seen for four seasons the specialness of Locke, his communion with The Island. He knew when it was going to rain and when it was going to stop. If there’s one character I thought that could defy death because of The Island, that character’s John Locke. I wrote and wrote and wrote about it during the fifth season. I was so taken by that idea of the resurrected John Locke. When I saw him fall out of the makeshift, airplane coffin, I literally gasped. I did not see that coming. So, re-watching this episode, I’m even more intrigued about the story of John Locke. I doubt it’s done. Anywho, this episode really sets-up the heroic John Locke of season five and his leadership over The Others (Richard even tells John that he’s the one back in season 3′s The Brig). This episode reveals who gave Locke the idea of Walkabout (mr. Abbadon himself). This episode also features a flashback appearance from Richard Alpert. His appearance is explained in ‘Jughead.’

Speaking of Richard, in the podcast before this episode aired (the Mothers day one with Mrs. Cuse and Mrs. Lindelof talking to their sons), Damon mentioned that the search for the Dalai Lama inspired some of this episode and related it to the character of Locke. Well, Richard adopts this Buddhist search when with a young Locke. Here’s how the Dalai Lama is found:

“‘Whenever a Dalai Lama dies, a search is begun for his new incarnation. Signs are examined. The State Oracle is questioned. Then a search is begun in the area indicated. Once a likely candidate is found, possessions of the former Dalai Lama are presented to him, along with items that didn’t belong to the former Dalai Lama, to see if he recognizes the Dalai Lama’s actual possessions. If so, the boy is recognized as the Dalai Lama’s new incarnation and trained to resume his position.”

Richard lays out a compass, a comic book, the “Book of Laws,’ a small container containing granules, a knife, and a baseball glove and asks Locke which of these items belongs to him already. Locke fails this test but is then inquired about by Richard while in high school. Once again, that theme of destiny and fate is present.

As for the other parts of this episode, this is the last time we see Claire. Keamy and crew are preparing to torch The Island. And Hurley and Ben share a candy bar (one of the greatest scenes in LOST).

Overall, this is a fantastic episode. It has great Locke/Ben exchanges, good comic relief from Hurley, and some badass Freighter action. You’ve absolutely got to re-watch this episode before the sixth season gets going in January.

Today is a day of celebration, friends! Today marks the five year anniversary of the series premiere of LOST on ABC (it’s birthday!).

Little did I know the show would blow my mind the way it did. I mean, I expected it to be good because of David Fury’s involvement but then the show just surpassed my wildest dreams and has become my favorite show of all-time. Two years ago, Damon Lindelof and Carlton marked the occasion with a special podcast. This year, LOST University opened on lostuniversity.com. And yes, I was accepted and did extremely well on the placement test. The test lauded my extensive LOST knowledge and I tested out of LOST 101. I printed out my ID card as well. I think this is awesome. I feel like a kid in a candy store with anything LOST.

Anywho, as today is a special day in the history of LOST, there is going to be something different. And no, it does not mean I will blowhard more than usual. I feel like a day like today is best celebrated by embedding various scenes from the show. The videos are of some of my favorite scenes from the series. It’s a sampling. Each scene I chose means quite a bit to me. I would’ve liked to have represented every episode but I wasn’t able to but there’s a good variety of scenes from seasons 1-5. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will remember why this series is as beloved and special as it is, and why it’s the best television drama ever created and produced. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOST!Here GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

The Plane Crash

The Ending of Walkabout

Claire’s Scenes from White Rabbit

The Ending of Deux Ex Machina

The Teaser of “Man of Science, Man of Faith”

Desmond Calls Penelope in “The Constant

Ana Lucia Cries for the First Time in 40 Days

The First Appearance of The Whispers

The End of Raised By Another

The End of The 23rd Psalm

Live Together, Die Alone (White Rabbit)

The Final Scene of Through The Looking Glass

Ms. Hawking and Desmond in Flashes Before Your Eyes

Deleted Scene from Further Instructions

Locke’s Vision from Further Instructions

Shannon & Walt–Exodus Part 1

Memorial Service led by Claire Walkabout

Claire Apologizes to Her Mother Par Avion

Locke’s Island Tour of Blowing Things Up (Submarine) The Man From Tallahasse

Locke and Ben’s conversation in The Man From Tallahassee

“‘You’ve got work to do”

Sawyer Kills Locke’s Father The Brig

Sawyer Kills Tom Through The Looking Glass

Golf Solitary

Charlie Dies in Greatest Hits

Confirmed Dead

Nikki and Paulo Buried Alive Expose

Michael & Tom in Meet Kevin Johnson

The Smoke Monster The Shape of Things to Come

Jack & Locke There’s No Place Like Home (goodness gracious what a scene this is!)

The Man Behind The Curtain (Lost On Location)

Michael Shoots Ana-Lucia and Libby

Jin and The Freighter There’s No Place Like Home

Final Jack Flashback A Tale of Two Cities

Hurley and Charlie Fish Walkabout

Charlie Covers For Desmond and sings “You All Everybody” Greatest Hits

Jack Saves Charlie All The Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues

Hurley & Sawyer & Banish

Sawyer & Christian in the Bar Outlaws

Locke & Christian Cabin Fever

Jack & Locke Orientation

Mikahil, Sayid, and Kate Enter 77

Sayid Shoots Ben He’s Our You

Ben & Hurley The Lie

Hurley & Dr. Chang Some Like It Hoth

Sayid & Nadia Reunite There’s No Place Like Home

Jack and Sawyer Fight The Incident

Sawyer & Horace LaFleur

Juliet & Sawyer LaFleur

Eko’s Death in The Cost of Living

Ben Is Judged in Dead Is Dead

The Teaser of “The Incident”

Ben Kills Jacob The Incident

The End of Exodus Part 2

Random Musings from the Entertainment Desk

Weekend Box Office Round Up

           I’ve never been prouder to call myself a man… or an American for that matter. Is that sad? Maybe, or maybe it’s the exact and total opposite of sad— buttered noodles. I mean come on, you just try and being sad while eating a big old bowl of buttered noodles. Not going to work I assure you.

            So, who’s confused? I know I am. What do buttered noodles have to do with anything? Oh, right! The Opposite of sad and why I am so proud.

            I present to you last week’s box office chart and I must say that I’ve never been happier to be wrong.

             

TW	Title (click to view)	Weekend Gross	% Change	Total Gross	Week #
1	Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs	$30,304,648	-	$30,304,648	1
2	The Informant!	$10,464,314	-	$10,464,314	1
3	Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself	$9,877,436	-57.9%	$37,749,545	2
4	Love Happens	$8,057,010	-	$8,057,010	1
5	Jennifer’s Body	$6,868,397	-	$6,868,397	1
6	9	$5,563,134	-48.2%	$22,918,077	2
7	Inglourious Basterds	$3,818,142	-37.8%	$110,116,807	5
8	All About Steve	$3,373,212	-40.2%	$26,651,633	3
9	Sorority Row	$2,499,758	-50.6%	$8,880,742	2
10	The Final Destination	$2,388,473	-56.7%	$62,405,206	4

Courtesy of boxofficemojo.com

            YES! “Jennifer’s Body” not only didn’t take the top spot, it missed the top three! HA-HA! Ah, you know it never feels good to see someone fail, unless that person is Megan Fox and then it feels AMAZING! Studios can we stop hiring her now? The girl has NO acting ability whatsoever and all she does is piss and moan about how everyone sucks but her.   

            Well, I could sit here basking in Megan Fox’s failure to make more money then movies about meatballs or corn but where would the fun in that be?

            The real story is that apparently parents couldn’t WAIT to get their kids out of the house and into a dark movie theater for an hour and a half of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” I really can’t say that I’m all that surprised. I can’t even remember what the last movie geared towards the kiddies was— “G-Force” maybe? Its nice that the young folk were able to get out and stretch their legs, and then sit down and watch some 3-D food flying everywhere.

            “The Informant!,” which starred a portly and mustachioed Matt Damon and a drop dead gorgeous Joel McHale, didn’t light the world on fire, though it didn’t repel audiences with quite the force that “Jennifer’s Body” did. Though, really both films cost very little to make so there is a chance that they both turn at least a small profit before everything is said and done.

            I would like to see “The Informant!” though, but as I pointed out last week, it’s more of a Netflix-type of deal.

            The week’s other big new release, the God-awfully titled “Love, (sigh) Happens” proved that the ladies need some box office attention too. It beat Megan Fox, but won’t do anything to help cement star Jennifer Anniston as a viable commodity outside of proven commodities— i.e. Jim Carrey comedies and movies about adorable puppies.     

            Perhaps a better title would have helped. I’m not saying, but I’m just saying.

            Look at Tyler Perry hanging out in the top three! Sure he dropped about 60% of his audience and that third place finish is probably more related to a lack of real competition then anything he did but still! Good job TP.

            This weekend also marked a great triumph for one of my favorite directors. A man who has called “Tales of the Cineplex” an “achievement of monumental proportions.”

            I’m talking about Mr. Quentin Tarantino.

            I swear he said that! Sure it was in a dream I had, but dreams totally count!

            Putting aside what’s real and what’s pretend, let’s just focus on the man himself. Tarantino’s latest and the film that I dubbed the “best of the year,” “Inglourious Basterds” just topped the $110 million mark, besting his previous high of $109 million made by “Pulp Fiction” in 1994.

            Anyone out there who is even thinking about adjusted for inflation needs to go somewhere else. You are NOT welcome here. Take all your nonsense and sell it to Seth McFarlane. I’m sure he can make it into a stupid TV show about a clueless father.

Box Office Picks 

Last Week: 1 for 3

Total: 8 for 15

            Vaya con dios.

THE ‘LOST’ EPISODE OF THE DAY

The episode: Exodus Part 1

Original Airdate: May 18, 2005

Written By: Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse

Directed By: Jack Bender

Content (from lostpedia.com): Rousseau arrives at the camp with the warning that the Others are coming, meaning that everyone is in danger. To protect the group, Rousseau leads Jack and a team of survivors to the Black Rock, where there is dynamite. Jack hopes that with it they can blow open the Hatch door, and hide inside until the threat passes. Back at the camp, the survivors prepare the raft for launching.

Why It’s Worth Re-Watching: It’s the first part of the first epic season finale LOST would throw at their viewers. Little did the audience know what a shocking cliffhanger the writers had in store. The first part has a nice balance of hope and dread. Hope because the raft takes off and dread because the black smoke that supposedly is a war signal by the Others (according to Rousseau) can be seen. Here’s a few words that should further your desire to re-watch it: Black Rock, Montand and his arm, the dark territory, etc. Yes! The Black Rock is finally seen for the first time after being discussed in earlier episodes. As fun as the trip to the Black Rock is with Hurley, Jack, Kate, Rousseau, and Arzt, the gem of this episode is preparing the raft to launch and the character moments. The best scene in the episode is when the raft actually launches because of the emotion of it and the musical score that Michael Giacchino composed but there are ton of magnificent scenes like the Sun/Jin reconciliation, Sawyer’s story that he tells Jack involving Jack’s father, Walt giving Vincent to Shannon, etc. I won’t write too much more. It’s just a fantastic character episode. The episode is one I’d point to when explaining why I think this show is the best show of all-time. Below are two YouTube videos. One is the raft launch and the other is a deleted scene from the Exodus finale. Grab a kleenex box for the raft launch.

Random Musings from the Entertainment Desk

Hitting the Silver Screen

            This weekend features one of my most anticipated movies of the fall as well as one of my least. Not just least anticipated of the fall, but all year. Ever, actually. Is there a longer time period then ever?

            We’ll start with the good because, under all of my pessimism, I’m actually a bit of an optimist. It’s really true… sort of.

            Starting off the week is Steven Soderbergh’s “The Informant!” I just love that exclamation mark at the end of the title, don’t you? Ahh, optimism, positivity, excitement. I feel like I walked into the wrong blog. Is this “Tales from the Cineplex?”

            It is? Really? Alright, I’m still not certain but I’ll take your word for it whoever you are.

            Anyway back to “The Informant!” Take the director of the “Ocean’s” franchise in Soderbergh, add the always enjoyable Matt Damon, sprinkle in some corn and what do you get? A fun-looking cinematic experience. But wait! There’s more!

            Add the snarky host of “The Soup,” Joel McHale, and BAM! Now that’s a party. Maybe not a see it in theaters on opening night-type party, but definitely a put it on Netflix-type.

            In case you’re wondering about the plot, Damon plays a bumbling corporate whistleblower seeking to expose the corruption of an agriculture conglomerate. Damon beefed up for the role AND grew a moustache. And Joel McHale is in it. ‘Nuff said.

            How about a little something for the kids?

            “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” follows the exploits of a slightly mad scientist who invents a machine that turns precipitation into food. That’s right— cheeseburgers, salads and yes, meatballs, all fall from the sky. And you can see it all in 3-D. Watch out “The Final Final Destination.”

             Heck, the trailers look charming AND it features my favorite “Saturday Night Live” cast member— no, not Seth Meyers. How dare you? It stars BILL HADER!

            That sound you just heard was me swooning.

            Alright, enough fawning over Hader— ah, I do love him, whoops. Did it again.

            Next we have a movie with one of the worst titles since “A Very Long Engagement.” Did you really need to put the part about VERY LONG in there? That tends to scare folks away. Might as well call it VERY BORING.

             This one is called— wait for it— “Love Happens?” That’s the best that we could come up with? Looks like the marketing department suffered some budget cuts, eh?

            Anyway, it stars Aaron “Two-Face” Eckhart and Jennifer “One-Face” Aniston as the people to whom love will happen.

            God I hate that title. But I like Eckhart and I’m cool with Aniston. I don’t think I can get over the title, though. No story of love and redemption can make up for a title THAT bad. Ugh.

            Speaking of ugh, Megan Fox’s latest, “Jennifer’s Body” comes out this week! I know! I’m excited! Oh, wait. No I’m not. I’m confused.

            Hear me! Hear me oh loyal readers! All two of you! I propose that we boycott Fox. Not just her movies, but her as a person. If someone mentions to you how hot she is, simply respond by saying: “Hmm, I never noticed.”

            Fox suffers from what I like to call “Katherine Heigl Syndrome,” presentable on the outside and monstrous to the point of old science fiction on the inside. Plus, both tend to trash the projects and filmmakers who are responsible for their careers.

            See: Heigl and Judd Apatow. Or Fox and the world. In case you’re wondering Fox has already ripped “Jennifer’s Body,” which was written by Diablo Cody of “Juno” fame. Fox said that the film didn’t “challenge her as an actress.” As if you could legally call Fox an actress.

            Mugging for the camera and running in slow motion hardly count as acting. Trust me. I’ve tried to put this one over on SAG before.

            I’m also operating under the theory that Fox and Peter Travers of Rolling Stone Magazine are, in fact, the same person. Both share an unnatural hatred for Michael Bay— Fox recently called him “Hitler” and Travers has described him as a “destroyer of dreams”— and honestly I’ve never seen them both in the same place. Eerie coincidence or something more?

            As always, my money is on something more.

            Anyway, “Jennifer’s Body” features Fox as a monster who eats people for some reason. And it has the girl from “Mama Mia,” Amanda Seyfried.

            Boycott! Boycott! We can do it America! We can stop her! Oh, what’s the point? That nonsense is SO taking the top spot at the box office this weekend. Why do guys have to be so stupid? Think with your heads gents! Please? I give up… 

Top 3

1.)    “Jennifer’s Body”— by a lot. A WHOLE lot. Men…

2.) “The Informant!”

3.) “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”

            Vaya con dios.

Random Musings from the Entertainment Desk

Weekend Box Office Round Up

Oh wow. Tyler Perry’s latest fat suit romp finished in the top spot. I never would have guessed. So exciting.

How was that? Was it believable at all? No? Drats. See, I’m working on becoming a better dramatic actor so that I can find some work following graduation. Now, I know what your asking yourself— Collin, aren’t you an English major? My first answer to that would be: “there’s one ‘l’ in Colin! Get it right!” And then I would power bomb you through a table.

Once we put all of that unpleasantness behind us, I would go on to explain that as an English major, I need to keep my options open. I’m taking any job I can get once I leave West Chester whether it is in my field or not.

Incidentally, if anyone out there knows of any janitorial positions that will be opening up around June— holla at me!

What the heck was all that about? Where were we? Oh right! Tyler Perry. In my last entry I correctly named “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” my “Super Ultra Mega Lock of the Millennia” or something to that effect.

Coincidentally, this is the second time this year that one of TP’s films reigned supreme at the box office. Earlier this year “Madea Goes to Jail” claimed the top spot, though that film made about $41 million. Perhaps audiences are finally growing tired of seeing TP in a fat suit? Fingers crossed!

Let’s take a look at the big chart to see how last weeks other three new releases faired.

TW	LW	Title (click to view)	Weekend Gross	% Change	Total Gross	Week #
1	N	Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself	$24,030,000	-	$24,030,000	1
2	N	9	$10,856,000	-	$15,264,000	1
3	2	Inglourious Basterds	$6,546,000	-43.7%	$104,309,000	4
4	3	All About Steve	$5,800,000	-48.4%	$21,812,000	2
5	1	The Final Destination	$5,500,000	-55.5%	$58,258,000	3
6	N	Sorority Row	$5,268,000	-	$5,268,000	1
7	N	Whiteout	$5,100,000	-	$5,100,000	1
8	5	District 9	$3,600,000	-49.1%	$108,517,000	5
9	7	Julie & Julia	$3,300,000	-38.0%	$85,360,000	6
10	4	Gamer	$3,150,000	-65.6%	$16,120,000	2

Courtesy of boxofficemojo.com

Slow weekend, but hey it is September after all. Or Dump-tember as I like to call it. Ha-ha. Yup, it’s that type of wit, in addition to my English degree, that’s going to rocket me to that Asst. Manager Position at Chick-fil-a.

Who am I kidding? I don’t have what it takes to be an Asst. Manager. Sad face.

Looks like “9” did alright for itself, though it is currently the second most successful movie of the year featuring the number nine. How about “District 9” still holding strong in the top ten? Not sure how the musical “Nine” will fair later on this year, but stay tuned.

Anyway, the decent performance of “9” has made me 2-2 so far in my first week back in picks. Can I go 3-3?

“Inglourious Basterds!” To quote the noted philosopher Ron Burgundy: “I’m not even mad! I’m impressed. That’s amazing!” Of course he was referring to a dog eating an entire wheel of cheese, but I still think the quote applies. If all goes according to plan, next week “Basterds” will become Quentin Taratino’s highest grossing film ever, topping the $108 million that “Pulp Fiction” made way back in the 90’s.

Audiences seemed split on the weekend’s two new thrillers, as “Sorority Row” and “Whiteout” made almost the same amount of money. I get the impression that there were more then a few genre fans out there pulling double features, though it seems that the sorority girls eked out a win over her British-ness Kate Beckinsale.

For those of you keeping score at home: cookie cutter sorority girls > Kate Beckinsale- British accent.

Here’s another formula that may interest you: Kate Beckinsale + British accent + Kate Winslett > Godzilla + Mothra + Rodan + sorority girls.

The more you know.

Picks:

This Week: 2 for 3

Overall: 7 for 12

Super Duper Pickeroni of the Century: 1 for 1

Vaya con dios.

The Mysteries of The Universe Part 3

Well, nothing to write home about in this one. If you’re new to this blog, the Mysteries of the Universe is a continuing web series from the LOST crew. It’s a faux-Primetime production about the Dharma Intiviative.

In this third one, the church is brought up. Yes, the church that Ms. Hawking is using. It’s the only off-Island Dharma station that we know of thus far. The station name is The Lamp Post. The station is used to find The Island’s location (all of this is revealed in the season five episode ’316′). Anywho, none of what I just mentioned is included in part 3 of Mysteries of The Universe. The church is revealed to be owned by different persons entirely. The church isn’t owned by itself. What is found in the church are tools for zoo, Electromagnetic and Tesla coils, ammunition, animal care supplies, etc.

A behaviorial psychologist is interviewed because Dhrama interviewed him about drugs, side effects, every aspect of his research and the company he worked for’s research. The investigation believes they were looking into brainwashing. The psychologist felt it was a cult (not religious) and that they were not humanitarian at all. The investigation also found financial records that would allow an entirely colony of people to be supported.

I’ve enjoyed the first three parts. From what we saw in season five, the Dharma is darker than they let on. The Swan was a highly secretive operation if you recall. I’m mostly interested in what the conclusion will be for these webisodes as I think the end might have something to do with season six. There’s no way Dharma is done. The conclusion won’t be insane because Lindelof and Cuse won’t even include The Mysteries of The Universe in the official canon of the show but I think it’ll be good. There are things that you can glean from online world of LOST.

Part 3 also has some stuff on the sub. Mostly questions about why they need the sub, possible Dharma ties to the black market and such. Another cool thing (on hulu.com) is that wherever you live in the country, your local ABC logo will appear during the webisode. the video from youtube does not have Philadelphia’s Action News logo but I’ll still embed it.

Here’s the episode: