Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Dinner For Schmucks
I'm gonna be honest, I had absolutely no desire to see this movie (I think I start a decent amount of movie reviews that way, haha). I don't really like Steve Carell and there was not one funny moment in any of the previews I saw for this film. But Jared got advance screening passes to the movie so what the heck. I'm not gonna complain about seeing a free movie and I do like Paul Rudd. So we headed to Easton and waited in a long line with hoards of other people who can't pass up free stuff. The funny thing is I think I enjoyed it more than Jared did. I won't say it's a great movie, but it had a decent amount of funny moments that really don't make for snappy stand-alone one liners for a preview. It was a combination of two kinds of comedies I generally don't like: making fun of someone who is either dumb or handicapped in some way and the 'Ben Stiller' bit where terrible shit just keeps happening to the same person. Luckily there was some relief along the way so it wasn't a constant shit storm and Steve Carell's character, although ridiculous seemed somewhat self aware to enough of a degree that it didn't seem totally exploitative. The crowd laughed riotously at some of the dumbest lines in the movie to the point where you couldn't even hear the next line. I have a feeling they are the same people that have made Two & A Half Men the #1 rated comedy on television.
Paul Rudd's charm was not used to it full extent and this may have been the least funny role I've seen Zach Galifianakis in (he didn't have much to work with) but I'd give it a B- I suppose. Never need to see it again but it wasn't quite as bad as the previews made it seem like it would be.
Posted by soft rock star at 10:22 PM
The Suddenly Powerful Twins
I had been getting a bit bummed in the Twins lethargic play before the All Star Break. They fell out of first place, letting both the White Six and Tigers pass then and fell dangerously close to .500. It was depressing knowing how well they have played earlier in the season. Well, they have played well since the break. Besides losing 2 or 3 to the streaking Indians, they took 3 of 4 from Chicago, 3 of 4 from Baltimore and over the last three games, have scored 40 runs! Delmon Young has continued his torrid July, Joe Mauer seems to be coming back to life a bit and rookie Danny Valencia has been red hot!The Twins banged out 19 hits in their 11-2 victory over the Royals on Tuesday night. That marked the third consecutive game that Minnesota has registered at least 10 runs and 19 hits (10 runs, 19 hits vs. Baltimore on Sunday; 19 runs, 20 hits vs. Kansas City on Monday). Over the last 100 years, only two other teams have scored at least 10 runs with at least 19 hits in three consecutive games in a single season: the Giants in August of 1933 and the Pirates in August of 1928.
Danny Valencia went 4-for-5 in Minnesota's victory over Kansas City on Tuesday night, marking the fourth consecutive game he has registered at least three hits. Prior to Valencia, the last major-league rookie to register at least three hits in four consecutive games was San Francisco's Jim Davenport in 1958.
I know they can't keep THIS pace up but I sure hope they can continue to score runs and the pitching stays as solid as it has the last 10 or so games. It sure makes it fun to follow!
Posted by soft rock star at 1:10 PM
Sunday, July 25, 2010
CD101's Andyman
I've been meaning to post a blog in remembrance of CD 101 Program Director and Evening Drive DJ Andyman for a bit here. I only met the man once, when I brought Mumford & Sons into the station for their in-studio, back in May. But he seemed like a warm, generous man with a true passion for music. He had a dream job, programming one of the last indepedently owned commercial alternative rock stations in the country and was a champion of new and indie bands. He took the time to research the band and even find a story about their tour just the night before that the band had no idea he'd know about. I've heard many glowing stories over the last week about his larger than life aura and personality, his generosity and protectiveness of those he cared about and his deep love for his wife and three small boys.
Posted by soft rock star at 4:22 PM
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The Kids Are All Right
Jared, Molly and I went to see The Kids Are All Right this afternoon. It was just as good as the reviews for it claim it to be. There was more graphic sex than I had imagined there would be, but the screenplay offered some truly awkward (and authentic) family moments and the acting, especially Annette Bening's was superb. She always tends to play such a pompous, buttoned up ass in so many roles and although this role still had some of her trademark condescention it also was a character with a lot of heart and humor. It was a very touching, realistic, emotional & funny movie. My favorite moment (with the help of a man in attendance) was when Annette Bening's character yells, "I need your advice like I need a dick in my ass" and the man guffawed very loudly. That was followed by everyone else in the audience laughing at his reaction. I laughed 'til I had tears in my eyes.
Posted by soft rock star at 2:52 PM
Friday, July 23, 2010
Inception
Man, I hadn't blogged in over a month. Not that anyone probably cares, lol. But I guess I just haven't felt like it lately. A new baby in the family seemed like a good reason to though! And posting that made me realize I hadn't mentioned seeing Inception. Wow, what a great movie! So intense, interesting idea, good acting, thrilling action sequences, booming score, excellent execution. Cant say enough good things about it. The only thing that baffles me is why anyone would be confused by it. After hearing reviews I was ready to be clueless and I have to say, it all made complete sense. It was a very linear story and anything that would be potentially confusing was explained in great detail... more than I even expected they would give. In a summer movie wasteland of recycled ideas and unoriginal premises, this was truly refreshing.
Posted by soft rock star at 10:16 AM
Marlo Bryd!
It's been a bounty of babies in the family this year :) My sister gave birth to Connor back in April and now Jared's brother Nathan and his wife Meridith's baby girl is here! Her name is Marlo Byrd and she was born Wednesday (6 pounds 15 ounces, 20" long). She's just as precious as they come. I've gotten to hold her a couple times. Man, there is just something about little babies. How can you not just love them to pieces? The grandparents are in seventh heaven and Jared is beaming with pride. Good times :)
