Tag: reviews

Cars vs. Over the Hedge

This weekend I saw both Over the Hedge and Cars and I feel that I am now qualified to pass judgment of these movies on to you.

One was a movie with charismatic, lovable characters that just begged me to identify with them and feel feelings. The other one was about a family of animals.

I am usually not a harsh critic of movies (except for League of Extraordinary Gentlemen… boy was that junk). Even if I’m disappointed, usually I’m the member of the group pointing out that it wasn’t that bad. Especially if I’ve paid 8 dollars to go see it. But beyond a few token laughs (most of which I saw during the preview) Over The Hedge just didn’t do it for me. There was a lot of potential and some characters that could have really stolen the show but the attempt fell flat and the overwhelming emotion was boredom. I didn’t even stay through the credits and I always stay through the credits (if my movie partners aren’t itching to leave).
Cars, on the other hand, had the stuff. The writing was delish and there was a nice mix of jokes and references for all ages. The movie was visually stunning and the characters had character. The story is simple and obvious but no less satisfying because of it.

Now to be completely fair I did see OTH at the end of a long day and Cars was on a fresh brain. Also… OTH wasn’t bad like say… the new Garfield movie or The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. It was just dull with a few kneejerk laughs. Like oatmeal with a few raisins. Or wrestling.

In other news, Happy zeroth birthday to Kira Elizabeth, brand new baby girl of my dear friends Kat & Mason. Kat was my dorm-mate and then my roomie in college (goodness know why). I can’t wait to get down to Orlando to babysit. 🙂

Panorama 2006

Those of you that saw my excitement last year will notice that this post isn’t nearly as animated. That’s because it’s 2:43 in the morning. Also there was no dramatic 20 point gap between 1st and 2nd place to keep me giddy. Yes, I’m a pansy. Moving on.

If you want / need the break down of what panorama is and how it works check out my post on Panorama 2005.

Results

  • 7th Fonclaire (robbed… their arrangement was hot) & Skiffle Bunch (also robbed) – 438
  • 6th BP Renegades – 446
  • 5th Desperadoes – 449
  • 4th Exodus – 452
  • 3rd Starlift (who??) – 457
  • 2nd Trinidad All Stars (also the people’s choice winners) – 469
  • 1st Phase II Pan Groove (yes!) – 470.5

Continue reading Panorama 2006

Weekend Tidbits: Halloween

In a rare occurrence I’m glad it’s Monday. Of course it’s less about Halloween and more about the fact that my weekend stunk worse than fish emulsion on a hot day. If you don’t know how that smells… count your blessings.

I’m exaggerating a bit though, so I’ll give you the high points.

Kicking things up a notch

For the second weekend in a row I’ve actually cooked. I think maybe it’s the weather. Fall makes me crave vegetables like nobody’s business. Last weekend I made collard greens (still good even though I scorched them a bit) and oatmeal cookie dough. This weekend I did baked chicken and potato salad. I think my next attempt will be yellow squash which is incredibly easy to make but soooo good. We’ll see though. If I’m not in the mood to cook the food never comes out right so generally I don’t force it.

Reader Rabbit

I read four really good books this weekend. Yes I’m a fast reader but they are also young adult books so it’s not as amazing as it could be.

The first was incredible… as have been all of the other books I’ve read by Nancy Farmer. The House of Scorpions is a disturbing but incredibly human science fiction story that takes place some unknown time in the future. I had no expectations when I started it because I didn’t even read the cover flap. It’s probably a good thing I didn’t because I normally avoid futuristic sci-fi. I had to stop reading several times because things got too real or too overwhelmingly deep (which for me is about 6 inches… I like my reading light ;)). My little reality breaks never really lasted long because I wanted to find out what would happen next too badly. The story makes you think and for me stirred up some strong reactions. I would recommend this one to anyone of any age.

The other three were the first in Tamora Pierce‘s Protector of the Small series, her second series about a girl studying to be a knight. I’ve read them before and I will probably read them again. A bit under the radar of my audience but if you have a younger (precocious 8 to fantasy loving 16) sister, niece or cousin this is a good author to turn them onto.

In other news…

  • I got invited to a Halloween party. I’m becoming one of the popular kids maybe? Maybe not. But even if I don’t go thanks for thinking of me. 🙂
  • 19 more days until Goblet of Fire. I’m getting so excited. I don’t know if I’m going opening day or not but I am going. I would love to go with a big group of people but if that doesn’t happen I’ll go all by my lonesome and be just as happy.
  • I downloaded and installed the WordPress Tiger Admin plugin and now my WP admin is all sexy. It’s taking a bit to get used to the color scheme but I love the menu system. Fellow WordPress users (or those that like to develop back end interfaces) should take a look.