Hellooooooo Robitussin.
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Maryland Crosswalks
Maryland crosswalks are very different from NoVa crosswalks. To demonstrate, here's a video.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Flora Ln,Silver Spring,United States
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
OS X Lion... It Kind of Scares Me.
Wow, somewhere around a year since I posted last, no wonder I don't have many (if any) readers.
Anyway, I figured I'd give my piece on Mac's new OS update coming up this summer, and I figured I'd start off with a short little summary of what I'm about to say: I'll probably be skipping over this "upgrade".
Now, I know that any "smart" computer users out there are yelling at me for staying with Mac at all. Well, excuse me for wanting a computer that just works. That being said, I also prefer a computer that works like a computer. The last thing I need is an oversized iPod Touch. That's why I didn't buy an iPad, and that's what OS X is looking like to me right now. If it turns out that all of these new "features" are optional, I'll likely spend the $29.99 for the extremely worthwhile autosave feature, but if I can't browse my files through Finder or access the back end through Terminal, I may have to wait until 10.8 comes out. I can wait a year.
On the other hand, if 10.8 turns out to be yet another step in the wrong direction, I may just have to revert to being a PC user with an outdated Mac. Once again, you "smart" computer users are once again probably yelling at me and asking why I don't switch over to Linux. Frankly, I'm not a computer programmer. I don't speak their language, and nobody on any Linux forum has been willing to teach it to me. All I get are "WHAT?! You don't know what KERNELS are?! Pfft! Get out, n00b!" and the like. If I have a choice between selling out to the corporate computer machine and sitting through days of verbal abuse before finally getting some help troubleshooting a problem that, apparently, I'm the only one who can't solve in an hour, I'll be a sell-out.
Of course, I guess option three is hiring someone super-smart to build me my own perfect computer with my own personal OS, but that's probably a few years off...
Here's a hint: It'll be holographic, and it'll fit on my wrist...
Monday, October 25, 2010
TOP 5: Most Underrated Summer Flicks of All Time
Hey, guys! Long time, no blog. So, I figured I would add a new segment into my posting pattern (not that I really have much of a pattern). It's "TOP 5", where I give you my top five of something. There will be the occasional "BOTTOM 5", but we'll burn that bridge when we've crossed it. So, without further procrastination:
NUMBER 5
Bad Company (June 7, 2002)
Stars: Chris Rock and Anthony Hopkins
Director: Joel Schumacher
Admittedly, having Joel Schumacher spearheading your project is pretty much a final nail in anyone's coffin. However, Bad Company is not all that... well... bad. Sure, it's not the most elaborate story of all time. Nor does it feature complex characters who make you think about the human condition. However, that is exactly what makes this film good. It doesn't try to be the next "Citizen Kane". It knows exactly what it wants, and it makes you want it too. Getting more into the actual elements of the film that I liked, I thought that the comedy was fresh and definitely... a little off the beaten path for Chris Rock. The chemistry between him and Anthony was just flawless, and it really helped both of them find a new side of funny that I had not previously seen from them, especially not from Anthony Hopkins. I felt that the pacing was perfect, the action was drawing, and the characters were enjoyable, even if they were as flat as cardboard.
NUMBER 4
The Transformers Films (July 3, 2007 and June 24, 2009 respectively)
Stars: Shia LeBouf, Megan Fox, Peter Cullen, Hugo Weaving, Jon Turturro, Josh Duhamel, Mark Ryan, and Tyrese Gibson (Whew!)
Director: Michael Bay
Come on, nerds! This is exactly what you should have expected from a live-action Transformers film. I'm not even going to try to get in-depth on this one, because there really isn't much depth to these films in the first place, but that's why I like them. They're exciting, they're intense, and they're GIANT ROBOTS FIGHTING OVER THE FATE OF THE EARTH!!! To finish this section, I would like to make the following non-sequitur:
If they ever make an honest-to-God Hollywood Blockbuster out of the Gundam franchise, they had better blow up a planet every time someone shouts "IT'S A GUNDAM!!!" or so help me...
NUMBER 3
District 9 (August 13 & 14, 2009)
Stars: Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, and David James
Director: Neill Blomkamp
I don't think I really need to explain to you all why this film was good. It was critically acclaimed and widely successful worldwide. So, why did I put it on this list? Well, it all began last year, when I, but a naïve little schoolboy (admittedly, I was only a year younger than I am now), watched the 82nd Academy Awards with the expectation that their favorite movie of the year would finally match up with mine. I would finally have bet on the winning horse. Best Picture came and went, and I was left, sitting, a bowl half full of popcorn cradled against my belly, with two popped kernels dangling from my open jaw. District 9, though nominated, had lost to some movie called The Hurt Locker. Now, I have no personal quarrel with The Hurt Locker as a movie. I'm sure it was a fine picture. I hear the script was superb and really relevant to our time, but they have an award for that. It's called Best Original Screenplay, which it won. I also read that it was directed by a woman, something that's apparently a big achievement for mankind these days. Well, there's an award you can throw at her too. It's called Best Director, which, guess what, they also won. The thing that bugs me is this. I get the most horrible feeling that The Hurt Locker won because it was a movie about Iraq. Let's face it. The Academy is a bunch of old white dudes, and that means that movies about good ol' American War Heroes trumps a film that accomplishes amazing feats of wonder on a nearly non-existant budget and makes a widely successful Hollywood Blockbuster starring total unknowns any day. Just goes to show you that the Grand Old Party is alive and kicking, just not where you'd think. Beyond that, I also felt it got shafted at the People's Choice Awards, being nominated for only one award, and not even winning that, and I feel like the MTV Awards gave District 9 a nice, swift kick in the pants when Jennifer's Body somehow took away the only award it was nominated for there, Best "Scared as S#!t" Moment. Granted, District 9 cleaned house at the IGN Awards, but I'm really disappointed in the Academy. For not being able to see extreme potential for greatness if it were to tackle them stark naked, they get a D-.
NUMBER 2
Van Helsing (May 7, 2004)
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh, and David Wenham
Director: Stephen Sommers
This was another case of "The public loved it, but the critics just didn't get it." Come on, critics. Accept action movies for what they are... ACTION MOVIES!!! Sure, it was no where close to a faithful adaptation of the classic Bram Stoker novel featuring the "titular" character, but it (once again) WAS NOT TRYING TO BE!
...GAWD!!!
Moving on from that, I like the mess that was made in this movie. It wasn't an attempt at making an exciting action movie out of Dracula alone. It was an attempt to make an epic adventure film out of the classic Universal monster movies. In my opinion, it did a darned good job. I won't say that it's even close to achieving any form of timelessness. In three years, I doubt many people will remember it even existed, but I will, and I'll probably still be forcing people into watching it with me, just like I force people to watch The Boondock Saints.
NUMBER 1
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (June 15, 2001)
Stars: Michael J. Fox, Cree Summer, James Garner, Corey Burton, Don Novello, Phil Morris, Claudia Christian, Jacqueline Obradors, Florence Stanley, and Jim Varney
Directors: Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise
First off, I feel like this movie deserves some recognition as it was Jim Varney's final film before he died. May he rest in peace. Now, we have some ground to cover, and I only have 44 minutes of battery power left on my MacBook at the moment. Atlantis was an odd project for Disney. Made around the tail end of the Disney Renaissance, it was an animated epic unlike any before it. In fact, it was much more in line with the likes of Indiana Jones and Stargate SG-1 than the Aristocats. Taking bold steps into creating a deep and mystical universe with an incredible ensemble cast of voice actors, these men and women took great risks and were met with little reward. There is no one part of this movie that I love. I love this whole movie. I love the mystical nature of it. I love the uniquely crafted characters whom I love to quote time and time again. I love the world in which it is set. Most of all, though, I love the fun this movie has. It's an exciting, family-friendly adventure that takes the time to grab a few laughs and jerk a few tears. Whenever people ask me what got me into film making, I tell them that I've always wanted to do this since I saw Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: The Movie in theaters when I was three, but, when people ask me what I watch when I need some inspiration, for a project, I tell them that I watch Atlantis: The Lost Empire.
By the way, it turns out that Joss Whedon was the script doctor for this movie...
The Joss Effect strikes again!
NUMBER 5
Bad Company (June 7, 2002)
Stars: Chris Rock and Anthony Hopkins
Director: Joel Schumacher
Admittedly, having Joel Schumacher spearheading your project is pretty much a final nail in anyone's coffin. However, Bad Company is not all that... well... bad. Sure, it's not the most elaborate story of all time. Nor does it feature complex characters who make you think about the human condition. However, that is exactly what makes this film good. It doesn't try to be the next "Citizen Kane". It knows exactly what it wants, and it makes you want it too. Getting more into the actual elements of the film that I liked, I thought that the comedy was fresh and definitely... a little off the beaten path for Chris Rock. The chemistry between him and Anthony was just flawless, and it really helped both of them find a new side of funny that I had not previously seen from them, especially not from Anthony Hopkins. I felt that the pacing was perfect, the action was drawing, and the characters were enjoyable, even if they were as flat as cardboard.
NUMBER 4
The Transformers Films (July 3, 2007 and June 24, 2009 respectively)
Stars: Shia LeBouf, Megan Fox, Peter Cullen, Hugo Weaving, Jon Turturro, Josh Duhamel, Mark Ryan, and Tyrese Gibson (Whew!)
Director: Michael Bay
Come on, nerds! This is exactly what you should have expected from a live-action Transformers film. I'm not even going to try to get in-depth on this one, because there really isn't much depth to these films in the first place, but that's why I like them. They're exciting, they're intense, and they're GIANT ROBOTS FIGHTING OVER THE FATE OF THE EARTH!!! To finish this section, I would like to make the following non-sequitur:
If they ever make an honest-to-God Hollywood Blockbuster out of the Gundam franchise, they had better blow up a planet every time someone shouts "IT'S A GUNDAM!!!" or so help me...
NUMBER 3
District 9 (August 13 & 14, 2009)
Stars: Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, and David James
Director: Neill Blomkamp
I don't think I really need to explain to you all why this film was good. It was critically acclaimed and widely successful worldwide. So, why did I put it on this list? Well, it all began last year, when I, but a naïve little schoolboy (admittedly, I was only a year younger than I am now), watched the 82nd Academy Awards with the expectation that their favorite movie of the year would finally match up with mine. I would finally have bet on the winning horse. Best Picture came and went, and I was left, sitting, a bowl half full of popcorn cradled against my belly, with two popped kernels dangling from my open jaw. District 9, though nominated, had lost to some movie called The Hurt Locker. Now, I have no personal quarrel with The Hurt Locker as a movie. I'm sure it was a fine picture. I hear the script was superb and really relevant to our time, but they have an award for that. It's called Best Original Screenplay, which it won. I also read that it was directed by a woman, something that's apparently a big achievement for mankind these days. Well, there's an award you can throw at her too. It's called Best Director, which, guess what, they also won. The thing that bugs me is this. I get the most horrible feeling that The Hurt Locker won because it was a movie about Iraq. Let's face it. The Academy is a bunch of old white dudes, and that means that movies about good ol' American War Heroes trumps a film that accomplishes amazing feats of wonder on a nearly non-existant budget and makes a widely successful Hollywood Blockbuster starring total unknowns any day. Just goes to show you that the Grand Old Party is alive and kicking, just not where you'd think. Beyond that, I also felt it got shafted at the People's Choice Awards, being nominated for only one award, and not even winning that, and I feel like the MTV Awards gave District 9 a nice, swift kick in the pants when Jennifer's Body somehow took away the only award it was nominated for there, Best "Scared as S#!t" Moment. Granted, District 9 cleaned house at the IGN Awards, but I'm really disappointed in the Academy. For not being able to see extreme potential for greatness if it were to tackle them stark naked, they get a D-.
NUMBER 2
Van Helsing (May 7, 2004)
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh, and David Wenham
Director: Stephen Sommers
This was another case of "The public loved it, but the critics just didn't get it." Come on, critics. Accept action movies for what they are... ACTION MOVIES!!! Sure, it was no where close to a faithful adaptation of the classic Bram Stoker novel featuring the "titular" character, but it (once again) WAS NOT TRYING TO BE!
...GAWD!!!
Moving on from that, I like the mess that was made in this movie. It wasn't an attempt at making an exciting action movie out of Dracula alone. It was an attempt to make an epic adventure film out of the classic Universal monster movies. In my opinion, it did a darned good job. I won't say that it's even close to achieving any form of timelessness. In three years, I doubt many people will remember it even existed, but I will, and I'll probably still be forcing people into watching it with me, just like I force people to watch The Boondock Saints.
NUMBER 1
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (June 15, 2001)
Stars: Michael J. Fox, Cree Summer, James Garner, Corey Burton, Don Novello, Phil Morris, Claudia Christian, Jacqueline Obradors, Florence Stanley, and Jim Varney
Directors: Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise
First off, I feel like this movie deserves some recognition as it was Jim Varney's final film before he died. May he rest in peace. Now, we have some ground to cover, and I only have 44 minutes of battery power left on my MacBook at the moment. Atlantis was an odd project for Disney. Made around the tail end of the Disney Renaissance, it was an animated epic unlike any before it. In fact, it was much more in line with the likes of Indiana Jones and Stargate SG-1 than the Aristocats. Taking bold steps into creating a deep and mystical universe with an incredible ensemble cast of voice actors, these men and women took great risks and were met with little reward. There is no one part of this movie that I love. I love this whole movie. I love the mystical nature of it. I love the uniquely crafted characters whom I love to quote time and time again. I love the world in which it is set. Most of all, though, I love the fun this movie has. It's an exciting, family-friendly adventure that takes the time to grab a few laughs and jerk a few tears. Whenever people ask me what got me into film making, I tell them that I've always wanted to do this since I saw Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: The Movie in theaters when I was three, but, when people ask me what I watch when I need some inspiration, for a project, I tell them that I watch Atlantis: The Lost Empire.
By the way, it turns out that Joss Whedon was the script doctor for this movie...
The Joss Effect strikes again!
Monday, October 11, 2010
A Friend in Need
A friend and colleague sent me a message about a month ago, and I didn't even see it until now. So, in order to patch my bleeding heart, I figured I'd tell you all about his Kickstarter Project:
http://kck.st/9VtbXW
By donating only ten dollars, you can help out a great group of actors, AND you get a medical bracelet signed by two of the stars. What's better, the prices only get better from there. So go! Go and support!
http://kck.st/9VtbXW
By donating only ten dollars, you can help out a great group of actors, AND you get a medical bracelet signed by two of the stars. What's better, the prices only get better from there. So go! Go and support!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Talk Like a Pirate Day
Arr, I be a real sucker fer Talk Like a Pirate Day. Me buckos and I always enjoy bucklin' th' swash an' wooin' fine beauties. Thar jus' be somethin' magical about it. If ye be a true landlubber an' not be in th' know about this glorious day, ye best be navigatin' yeself t' http://www.talklikeapirate.com an' givin' yeself a good schoolin' on it so as not t' look like a scallywag in front of some buxom beauty. If ye already be permanently docked in some beauty's fine port, an' she knows not of this day, ye best be givin' her an education about today as well.
Now that we've cleared the docks on that, I may as well be shovin' off an' settin' sail. Bon voyage, maties.
Now that we've cleared the docks on that, I may as well be shovin' off an' settin' sail. Bon voyage, maties.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Denver International Airport
I just wanted to let you all know. Denver International Airport has free WiFi. Washington Dulles International Airport does not...
There's something seriously wrong here.
If there's one thing I know about the Northern Virginia area, it's that we don't take too easily to paying for wireless internet. So, why does one of the two major airports in the NoVa lack one of the "most essential" elements of any major transit service station? Hm, maybe I'm overthinking this.
Then again, maybe they're underthinking it.
There's something seriously wrong here.
If there's one thing I know about the Northern Virginia area, it's that we don't take too easily to paying for wireless internet. So, why does one of the two major airports in the NoVa lack one of the "most essential" elements of any major transit service station? Hm, maybe I'm overthinking this.
Then again, maybe they're underthinking it.
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