Okay, so I've got a chance to check out some movies recently....and there was not a dog amongst 'em! Here we go:
1) Blade Runner--okay, let's be honest. This is my favorite movie of alltime, and I've seen it before. Here I'm referring to the most recent DVD release, the "remastered" edition with all the bells and whistles. And? Naturally its great. The movie is awesome, but the extras are terrific also. There's a retrospective that has interviews with director Ridley Scott, Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Darryl Hannah.....and others. Awesome.
2) Shadow of a Doubt--Its Alfred Hitchcock just as he's hitting his prime as a director.
Here he ventures into an average american town, featuring in on an average american family and the average american teenager who are about to be visited by a beloved uncle. Who might be a serial killer. Don't ya hate when THAT happens. This is a little bit different Hitch, with lots of stuff happening in broad daylight. The as-per-usual stellar cast includes Teresa Wright, Jospeh Cotten, McDonald Carey and a young Hume Cronyn. ****1/2
3) Iron Man--when I first heard that Robert Downey Jr was cast as Tony Stark, the millionaire industrialist who becomes Iron Man, I have to say I was sort of skeptical.
Boy was I ever wrong. Downey totally nails it with just the right of sarcasm and self deprecating humor. The supporting cast is lead by Jeff Bridges, chewing up scenary like a starving man as Starks partner//rival. Great special effects and tons of fun! ****3/4
4) Sweeney Todd--okay, here's what you need to understand. There will be no middle ground on this film, the movie version of the long running Broadway play. You will either love it or completely hate it. This may be the first film ever involving slashers, cannibals, a love story and a musical. Its quite the odd mix. Me?
I love it. That stinkin Johnny Depp. He just doesn't make bad movies. He's his usual solid self as the "demon barber of Fleet Street", out for revenge after being jailed for 15 years for a crime he didn't commit, costing him his young wife and the early childhood years of his daughter. Depp is ably supported by Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman & Sacha Baron Cohen. Not for everybody, but definitely for somebody. ****1/2
Later,
Jeff
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
5/26/08--So onto Andy's Graduation Day
So after the party, the next day its time for the "official" graduation. The school is having it across the street from the campus at a local church. We drop Andy off between 1:30pm & 1:45pm....and then park the car and head over to the church. Where we wait outside for approximately 45 minutes in what is near 100 degree temperatures.
Folks, when I say it was hot....it was like the line from the movie Biloxi Blues.
"It wasn't just hot....it wasAfrica hot."
Yep, its awful hard to look glamorous when you're melting. Anyway, we finally get into the building....begin the slow cool down phase....and the ceremony begins. I have to say, it was actually very nice. Some of the accomplishments of Andy & his fellow students are pretty amazing. I'm listening to all these kids with grade point averages above 5.0 and I'm remembering back when I was struggling to get Mr. 2.8.
But finally, Andy's name was called....the president of the school pronounced his name correctly (it had been mispronounced the entire weekend)....and he was official.
He was walking out of the building right after the moment of truth when I got this shot:
My son....the graduate.
Of course, Mom & Kellie were proud of him also.
Me familia. You don't mess with family Fredo.
Later,
Jeff
Folks, when I say it was hot....it was like the line from the movie Biloxi Blues.
"It wasn't just hot....it wasAfrica hot."
Yep, its awful hard to look glamorous when you're melting. Anyway, we finally get into the building....begin the slow cool down phase....and the ceremony begins. I have to say, it was actually very nice. Some of the accomplishments of Andy & his fellow students are pretty amazing. I'm listening to all these kids with grade point averages above 5.0 and I'm remembering back when I was struggling to get Mr. 2.8.
But finally, Andy's name was called....the president of the school pronounced his name correctly (it had been mispronounced the entire weekend)....and he was official.
He was walking out of the building right after the moment of truth when I got this shot:
My son....the graduate.
Of course, Mom & Kellie were proud of him also.
Me familia. You don't mess with family Fredo.
Later,
Jeff
Saturday, May 24, 2008
5/24/08---Alright, so i didn't finish the story....
So last Saturday night (5/17/08) we hosted Andy's graduation party. We welcomed approximately 50 people to our home, some friends of Andy's, some of Kellie's, some of mine, and some of Kim's. We even put a bounce house in the backyard for those friends of ours who had the little kids that they wanted to keep occupied. I think pretty much everyone had a great time except....well, pretty much except the dogs, who were kept in the master bedroom and barked their displeasure about every 30 minutes at being excluded from the shindig.
Kim, the hostess with the mostest, put out another outstanding spread for the guests.
We had taco's galore, chicken from Chick Filet, chicken wings and pigs in a blanket--or as I like to call them, Puppy Peckers (thank you Steve Guerra for the name). I don't wanna say the food was a success, but it looked as though locusts at descended on our kitchen by the end of the day.
After the kids had all gotten soaked by the water balloons we provided, we told Andy that we had a graduation surprise for him in the driveway.
A new car?
HA! Obviously you forgot I was a child of Mary & Larry "You will be purchasing your own vehicle" Bowdren!! Nope, instead, Andy had another surprise waiting for him!
Ah yes, the dreaded silly string attack!! Way to go Andy!!
Later,
Jeff
Kim, the hostess with the mostest, put out another outstanding spread for the guests.
We had taco's galore, chicken from Chick Filet, chicken wings and pigs in a blanket--or as I like to call them, Puppy Peckers (thank you Steve Guerra for the name). I don't wanna say the food was a success, but it looked as though locusts at descended on our kitchen by the end of the day.
After the kids had all gotten soaked by the water balloons we provided, we told Andy that we had a graduation surprise for him in the driveway.
A new car?
HA! Obviously you forgot I was a child of Mary & Larry "You will be purchasing your own vehicle" Bowdren!! Nope, instead, Andy had another surprise waiting for him!
Ah yes, the dreaded silly string attack!! Way to go Andy!!
Later,
Jeff
Saturday, May 17, 2008
5/18/08---Senior Awards Night for Andy
So last night, Kim, Kellie and I were joined by my sister Rene at Andy's school for their senior awards banquet.
We had barely gotten seated when the first award of the evening was announced:
Outstanding Computer Student---the winner? Yep. Andrew Poe-Bowdren.
Andy's teacher prepared a written message for him and it read:
"As a teacher, one of the greatest joys you can experience is to see the success of your students. This year, I had the chance to experience this joy with you Andy. While you were in my class, your love for programming was evident in everything you did; from the extra time you spent finding solutions to even the most challenging problems to the compassion with which you helped your fellow students when they needed it. Even now, I cannot help but smile at how you've grown. And now that you're leaving to take on new challenges in the real world, I see this time, not as an ending, but as a new beginning. I have the utmost confidence that you will succeed at whatever you put your mind to. So, keep moving forward, and become all that you can be."
And the proud Dad, in that most rare of occasions---finds himself with nothing to add.
Later,
Jeff
We had barely gotten seated when the first award of the evening was announced:
Outstanding Computer Student---the winner? Yep. Andrew Poe-Bowdren.
Andy's teacher prepared a written message for him and it read:
"As a teacher, one of the greatest joys you can experience is to see the success of your students. This year, I had the chance to experience this joy with you Andy. While you were in my class, your love for programming was evident in everything you did; from the extra time you spent finding solutions to even the most challenging problems to the compassion with which you helped your fellow students when they needed it. Even now, I cannot help but smile at how you've grown. And now that you're leaving to take on new challenges in the real world, I see this time, not as an ending, but as a new beginning. I have the utmost confidence that you will succeed at whatever you put your mind to. So, keep moving forward, and become all that you can be."
And the proud Dad, in that most rare of occasions---finds himself with nothing to add.
Later,
Jeff
5/17/08 The Last Concert
So the other night Kim & I went to the kids high school for the last concert of the school year. The kids were excited because they had worked really hard on learning the different songs that were being presented that evening, because of the end of the school year, because of the excitement that summer brings....and we were excited because it meant we were closer to Andy's graduation.
And the concert was really very nice, if maybe just a little bit long---which is hardly a shock, trust me---and towards the end of the night, the band all approached the front of the stage and broke into what appeared to be an impromptu version of Michael Jackson's "Thriller". And by that I mean--complete with song and dance steps. Naturally Kellie was out in front, dancing her rear end off. And, just as naturally, Andy was near the back of the stage--praying that no one was noticing him as he attempted (key word) to dance in time with the music and the rest of the band, and not really succeeding at either.
And when it came to the point where the band played their final song, Kim & I were watching both the kids and we noticed that Kellie was crying. I asked Kim if she noticed (as if!).
"Yeah, its the last time that she's going to be playing with her friends."
And then I thought for a second.
"Actually," I said, "its the last time she's ever going to play with her brother."
And so it goes.
Later,
Jeff
And the concert was really very nice, if maybe just a little bit long---which is hardly a shock, trust me---and towards the end of the night, the band all approached the front of the stage and broke into what appeared to be an impromptu version of Michael Jackson's "Thriller". And by that I mean--complete with song and dance steps. Naturally Kellie was out in front, dancing her rear end off. And, just as naturally, Andy was near the back of the stage--praying that no one was noticing him as he attempted (key word) to dance in time with the music and the rest of the band, and not really succeeding at either.
And when it came to the point where the band played their final song, Kim & I were watching both the kids and we noticed that Kellie was crying. I asked Kim if she noticed (as if!).
"Yeah, its the last time that she's going to be playing with her friends."
And then I thought for a second.
"Actually," I said, "its the last time she's ever going to play with her brother."
And so it goes.
Later,
Jeff
Saturday, April 26, 2008
4/26/08--Kellie Poe-Bowdren: Brush with greatness
So we get a phone call from Kellie this afternoon. She and Andy are in Atlanta on a band trip...apparently their heads must be swimming after a brush with celebrity today.
Below, a transcript of the conversation with her mother.
"Hi there, how's the trip going?"
"We're at 6 Flags in Atlanta. The lines are a couple of hours long, but I had to call you."
"Why?"
"You will not believe who we saw today at the park today!"
"Who?"
(brace yourself)
"Vanilla Ice."
"Uh....wow!" (please note poorly executed enthusiasm from her mother) "That is, uh, really, really cool."
"Isn't that awesome?"
"Um...yeah."
"Don't you know who he is?"
"Yeah."
"And wouldn't it be cool if you saw him?"
"I gotta be honest with you...I probably wouldn't even have recognized him."
"What about Jeff?"
"Uh...yeah, maybe Jeff would have."
How about her mom, throwing me under the bus? Why would I know Vanilla Ice?
Ice Ice Baby.
Later,
Jeff
Below, a transcript of the conversation with her mother.
"Hi there, how's the trip going?"
"We're at 6 Flags in Atlanta. The lines are a couple of hours long, but I had to call you."
"Why?"
"You will not believe who we saw today at the park today!"
"Who?"
(brace yourself)
"Vanilla Ice."
"Uh....wow!" (please note poorly executed enthusiasm from her mother) "That is, uh, really, really cool."
"Isn't that awesome?"
"Um...yeah."
"Don't you know who he is?"
"Yeah."
"And wouldn't it be cool if you saw him?"
"I gotta be honest with you...I probably wouldn't even have recognized him."
"What about Jeff?"
"Uh...yeah, maybe Jeff would have."
How about her mom, throwing me under the bus? Why would I know Vanilla Ice?
Ice Ice Baby.
Later,
Jeff
4/26/08---Again? I'm here again? Whaaa??
Well if I'm here again its probably about some movie I saw. Okay, so the other day I took the day off because we were getting our house painted (sounds like as good a reason as any to take a day off, no?) and I managed to catch a couple of movies---one I had seen a long time ago, and one I was seeing for the first time. Both are classics.
1) White Heat--I saw this movie years ago, but was watching the DVD. God, what a great movie. James Cagney was nearing the end of his legendary career, and he is one of the alltime CRAZEES here as Cody Jarrett, the homicidal criminal with a severe mother complex. And I mean REALLY severe. If you stop to consider that this film was released in 1949, its amazing how violent this film is. I mean, there are some shocking scenes here, such as the one where Cagney has a guy locked in a car trunk.
He asks the guy through the trunk how he's doing.
"How ya doing in there Parker? You okay?"
"There's not much air in here."
"What's that? You say you need air in there?"
And then he proceeds to shoot the trunk 6 times, obviously killing the guy, and says:
"There...now you got your air."
I can imagine what people watching the film almost 60 years ago must have thought.
Virginia Mayo is very good as Cagney's floozy (a role she mastered), and veteran character actor Edmond O'Brien was never better than here, as the Treasury Department's snitch who's out to bring Cagney to justice. Crime drama just doesn't get much better than this. Great film. *****
2) No Country for Old Men---here's a film that I had waited, and waited and waited to watch. And for some odd reason, the longer I wait to watch certain films, the better they always seem to be. Here's this years winner for Best Film, a western set in 1980, a time when running drugs into Texas from Mexico was just beginning. And with it comes a wave of violence that has never been seen by a weary small town sheriff played by Tommy Lee Jones, who must have his picture in the encyclopedia under "weary small town sheriff", because this is a role he was born to play. Josh Brolin had one heck of a year in film, first playing a dirty cop in American Gangster--his was the performance in the film in my opinion---and here he plays a guy who, while out hunting, stumbles upon a horrific crime scene in the middle of nowhere. Its a drugdeal gone bad, and since no one is around, who's going to notice a couple of million dollars missing? This sets the movie and the events in it rolling, and its also what sends Jaiver Bardem, this year's best supporting actor, after Brolin. And trust me....this is not someone you want looking for you. Besides truly great performances by the three leads (and I'm not really sure how Bardem was nominated as a "supporting" actor, since he really has the most important role in the film), there are also terrific performance---I mean really nuanced pieces of work--by veteran character actors like Barry Corbin, Tess Harper, Woody Harrelson and others. A brutal modern day western...very violent, but full of acting tour de forces.
***** Deserving of its award for Best Picture.
Later,
Jeff
1) White Heat--I saw this movie years ago, but was watching the DVD. God, what a great movie. James Cagney was nearing the end of his legendary career, and he is one of the alltime CRAZEES here as Cody Jarrett, the homicidal criminal with a severe mother complex. And I mean REALLY severe. If you stop to consider that this film was released in 1949, its amazing how violent this film is. I mean, there are some shocking scenes here, such as the one where Cagney has a guy locked in a car trunk.
He asks the guy through the trunk how he's doing.
"How ya doing in there Parker? You okay?"
"There's not much air in here."
"What's that? You say you need air in there?"
And then he proceeds to shoot the trunk 6 times, obviously killing the guy, and says:
"There...now you got your air."
I can imagine what people watching the film almost 60 years ago must have thought.
Virginia Mayo is very good as Cagney's floozy (a role she mastered), and veteran character actor Edmond O'Brien was never better than here, as the Treasury Department's snitch who's out to bring Cagney to justice. Crime drama just doesn't get much better than this. Great film. *****
2) No Country for Old Men---here's a film that I had waited, and waited and waited to watch. And for some odd reason, the longer I wait to watch certain films, the better they always seem to be. Here's this years winner for Best Film, a western set in 1980, a time when running drugs into Texas from Mexico was just beginning. And with it comes a wave of violence that has never been seen by a weary small town sheriff played by Tommy Lee Jones, who must have his picture in the encyclopedia under "weary small town sheriff", because this is a role he was born to play. Josh Brolin had one heck of a year in film, first playing a dirty cop in American Gangster--his was the performance in the film in my opinion---and here he plays a guy who, while out hunting, stumbles upon a horrific crime scene in the middle of nowhere. Its a drugdeal gone bad, and since no one is around, who's going to notice a couple of million dollars missing? This sets the movie and the events in it rolling, and its also what sends Jaiver Bardem, this year's best supporting actor, after Brolin. And trust me....this is not someone you want looking for you. Besides truly great performances by the three leads (and I'm not really sure how Bardem was nominated as a "supporting" actor, since he really has the most important role in the film), there are also terrific performance---I mean really nuanced pieces of work--by veteran character actors like Barry Corbin, Tess Harper, Woody Harrelson and others. A brutal modern day western...very violent, but full of acting tour de forces.
***** Deserving of its award for Best Picture.
Later,
Jeff
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