Summer Movie Preview (Anti-Blockbuster Edition)

It's Memorial Day weekend and the official kick-off to the summer and that of course means big, loud and dumb movies hitting the screens with force. Don't get me wrong I love the summer movie season but I wanted to take a moment to address some smaller films that are also coming to theaters this summer which I am looking forward to seeing.

The Brothers Bloom (Opens this weekend in limited release)
Writer/Director Rian Johnson follows-up his fantastic debut Brick with this comedic tale of two con men brothers (Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo) who embark on that elusive final job by taking a bored heiress (Rachel Weisz) on adventures around the world. The cast is top-notch and this looks like a funny and lite romp. Trailer link blow:

http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/imdb/vi3294232857/

Moon (Opens June 12th in limited release)

Sam Rockwell stars as an American astronaut nearing the end of a 3 year long stay at a secluded mining base on the moon when he begins to contemplate the consequences of his work and what the future may hold for him. Kevin Spacey voices the HAL-ish robot that controls the station Rockwell works at. The always great Rockwell seems a perfect fit for this role and I love seeing smart and thought-provoking sci-fi that doesn't rely on CGI. Trailer link below:

http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/imdb/vi843186969/

Humpday (Opens in July)

Director Lynn Shelton does not shy away from the taboo or boundaries in this tale two overly competitive male college friends who after many libations find themselves enthralled in a dare to make an erotic art film whereupon the two of them have sex with each other on camera. Sometimes writer/director Mark Duplass (The Puffy Chair, Baghead) co-stars in what looks to be a funny and hopefully honest twist on male commraderie. Trailer link below:

http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/imdb/vi1772814873/

Away We Go (Opens June 5th in limited release)

From Oscar winning director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Revolutionary Road) and a screenplay co-written by literary uber star Dave Eggers (A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) is this film about a young couple (John Krasinski & Maya Rudolph) expecting the birth of their first child who travel around the U.S. visiting friends and relatives all the while trying to find a home of their own. The wonderful supporting cast includes Catherine O'Hara, Jeff Daniels, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Allison Janey but I'm very happy and eager to see Krasinski and Rudolph get to carry what seems likes a lovely and touching film. Trailer link below:

http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/imdb/vi3933405977/

Whatever Works (Opens June 19th in limited release)

I'm an unabashed fan of Woody Allen whatever style or mood he's working with and think a collab between him and Larry David is more than fitting. David portrays a neurotic New Yorker(surprise!) who enters into a strange bedfellows relationship with a young Southern Belle (Evan Rachel Wood) with equally eccentric and confused parents played the comparable Ed Begley Jr and Patricia Clarkson. Allen hasn't disappointed me since he started his current hot-streak dating back to 2004's Melinda and Melinda and this looks to be no exception. Trailer link below:

http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/imdb/vi3500802585/

500 Days of Summer (Opens July 17th in limited release)

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel, two of the best young actors working today, headline this unorthodox film about a young man examining the best and not so best days of his now ending relationship with the girl of his dreams. Trailer link below:

http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/screenplay/vi1728185113/

Paper Heart (Opens August 14th)

Actress Charlyne Yi, best known for some scene-stealing moments in Judd Apatow's Knocked Up, portrays herself in this "mockumentary" about the search for the love in the modern world. Yi's real life boyfriend Michael Cera co-stars and will hopefully redeem himself for last year's painful Nick and Nora... and the not so promising looking Year One coming out earlier in the summer. Trailer link below:

http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/imdb/vi3209626393/

The Hurt Locker (Opens June 26th in limited release)

Formerly an A-List director in the male dominated action genre Katheryn Bigelow (Blue Steel, Point Break) presents this well-received war film set in Iraq and surrounding an elite Army bombing squad with a cast that features Jeremy Renner(who should be a bigger name) and a certain favorite castaway by the name of Evangeline Lily. It looks intense and sharp. I'm glad there are still filmmakers brave enough to make movie about Iraq despite the critical and commercial backlash toward them in recent years. All it is going to take is one really great film about the subject to unleash a wave of the stories that deserve to be told. Trailer link below:

http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/imdb/vi2755855129/

The Boat That Rocked (Opens August 28th)

British writer and filmmaker Richard Curtis (Notting Hill, Love Actually) the mastermind of smart and charming but not too saccarine romantic comedy steps out of his comfort zone for this fictionalized telling of a pirate Rock 'n' Roll radio station in England during the 1960s that actually broadcasts from a ship in the North Sea. Phillip Seymour Hoffman leads a great cast that also includes my favorite "Mad Women" January Jones, Nick Frost, Bill Nighy, Gemma Arterton and Kenneth Branagh. Trailer link below:

http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/imdb/vi34800409/

Taking Woodstock (Opens August 14th)

The last film we preview comes from director Ang Lee with the true story of how a closeted Hotel Manager by the name Elliot Tiber (here played by Demetri Martin) living in the Catskills of upstate New York was able to help the organizers of Woodstock keep the legendary festival alive. The supporting cast includes Eugene Levy, Emile Hirsch, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kelli Garner and Liev Schrieber. Trailer link below:

http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/imdb/vi1967915801/

Well that's all for now. I hope you'll check out the previews and maybe catch some of the flicks on the big screen sometime this summer in between the Transformers and Terminators and Star Treks we'll all be making to the cineplexes this summer.

Let's play nine!

I've been away awhile so let's talk some baseball. The Texas Rangers defeated the Los Angeles Angels 10-8 earlier this evening thanks to a pair of home runs from Second Baseman Ian Kinsler(above) and 6 solid innings from starting pitcher Kevin Millwood. The Rangers have now won 5 games in a row and are 21-14 overall leading the American League West Division. This marks the first time the Rangers have been 7 games over .500 since early in the 2005 season. Josh Hamilton, who also homered in the game, has knocked one out of the park in 3 of the last 4 games since his return to the big leagues after a rehab stint in the minors and seems to be getting back into All-Star form. The West is a very winnable division this year and I am surprisingly optimistic about their chances even though it's early. We just can't rely on winning games 10-8 so often. Millwood had a good game and the offense had already put several runs on the board for him before he left only to have the bullpen give up 5 runs in the top of the 9th.

Let's Raise Money to Fight Asthma!

I have set-up a personal donation webpage at : http://https://www.mrsnv.com/evt/e01/part.jsp?id=2416&acct=9000002156&rid=0
to raise money for the American Lung Association's BLOW THE WHISTLE OFF ASTHMA WALK to be held this April 25th at the Arbor Trails in Austin, Texas.

I know times are tough but if you are able to spare even a little for such a worthy cause by donating, volunteering or even passing along the word to someone else you know that may be interested it will be appreciated.

Thank you and I hope you have a wonderful day full of fresh air.

Catching up

It's a been a very hectic time lately but I wanted to get in a quick update before I go off the grid completely until mid-week.

First off, I want to give a big happy congratulations to Jenny & Chris Foust on the arrival of thier first daughter together, Kamryn.

Hate to follow that with a sad note but I have mention the tragic passing of actor/singer Andy Hallet, best known for his role as the Cabaret hosting Empath demon Lorne on the cult and beloved television series Angel. He died so young at the age of 33 last weekend from heart failure. My prayers and thoughts are with his family and friends. He created one of the most original, joyous and endeliable characters in TV history as far as I'm concerned.

Baseball season starts tonight and Opening Day is offically tomorrow. I'm sad I'm going to miss it as I'll be camping way out on Colorado Bend with my Dad and Godfather Mike, but it's good to know baseball is back.

In other sports news I'm pulling for the Michigan State Spartans all the way against the North Carolina Tarheels in tomorrow night's NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game. Coach Tom Izzo is a class act and I'm almost as sick of the Tarheels as I am that other school in thier area.

Quick movie recommendation : I Love You Man is another top-notch comedy starring Paul Rudd and Jason Segel, both of whom are coming off two great comedies from last year in Forgeting Sarah Marshal and Role Models. I also really enjoyed Adventureland from the director of Superbad, although it's less of a straight up comedy and more akin to coming of age flicks like Some Kind of Wonderful or Say Anything... And it's easily the first time I've actually liked Kristen "Pouty Twilight Girl" Stewart in something. Maybe I'll have to give more of a benefit fo the doubt from now on. But that Twilight series, sheesh, just do not get it.

That's all for now, time to head on to see the one and only Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band live in concert for the first time. Hells YEAH!

By The Numbers

3 – The number of jokes I was able to make it through during the monologue of Jimmy Fallon’s new tenure as the host of Late Night on NBC before changing the channels.

1997 – The year I thought I was transported back to after watching the opening of last weekend’s episode of MadTV where they had Jerry Springer as a special guest and then proceeded to perform a typically lame spoof of his Mr. Springer’s formerly popular talk show.

Infinity – The number of laughs that Jon Stewart provides for me each night on the Daily Show, especially his current “War of Words” with Financial Talking Head Jim Kramer from CNBC. Bonus Points to Comedy Central for the new Demetri Martin sketch show Important Things which ranges from good to great from episode to episode.

2 – As in 2 percent of the $410 billion dollar Omnibus Spending Bill that President Obama recently signed which will go toward the supposedly outrageous, dangerous and incendiary “earmarks” and “pork barrel projects” that most Congressional Republicans have been trying to convince the public is going to end America as we know it. Can I defend or even pretend that I know the existence of or even understand the purpose of all these many different projects? No, but do we really need the guys responsible for directing the economy into it’s current shit storm down-the-drain situation acting so high and mighty purely for grasping at straws political gain? No, we don’t need that either.

Dos – I didn’t want to use the number two again, so I went for a little Espanola instead. There are dos performances left of Are You MAD Yet? We Are! – A comedy rebuttal to the March madness of politics, panic, drought and depression. This Friday and Saturday night at the historical Bastrop Opera House with shows starting at 7:30pm. Tickets are $5 with an optional dinner at 6:30pm for an additional $15 and it is catered by Fat Cat Caterers. These are zany and course burlesque and vaudeville skits that will have you rolling in the aisles with laughter. As always tickets and more info available at: www.bastropoperahouse.com.

5 – The number of years I have worked with my current employer, Austin Regional Clinic as of the 15th.

10 – The number of months which had previously been the longest period of time for me to hold down a single job.

11 – The number of months which my longest romantic relationship has ever lasted. That’s right, never had a one-year anniversary. I’m so pathetic it hurts. Kind of hard to tell where the sarcasm stops and the truth starts at this point isn’t it?

22 – The number of days until I get to Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band live in concert, followed two days later by my 27th birthday which will be spent on a fishing trip at Colorado Bend with father and godfather.

98 – The score (out of 100) that my brilliant young cousin (and namesake) Brent Michael scored on his 3rd grade Reading TAAKS test.

7 – The number of injuries or illnesses that I’ve already incurred during 2 ½ months of this new year. Not a good start, but I’m hoping to turn a corner.

20 – The average number of degrees in Fahrenheit that temperatures in the month of February were warmer than normal here in Austin.

27 - The number of days between this post and my last.

Sandwiches make the world go round

Well I just had a fantastic fresh grilled panini sandwich - Turkey & Swiss with lettuce, mayo and ranch dressing. I think I found my new favorite nearby lunch spot. I got it at this little Café/Market on the corner of Manchaca and Ben White which used to be a run of the mill convenience store. I guess it’s been about two years now since they got rid of the gas station and revamped it into what it is now. With free wi-fi, outdoor tables, lots of organic food and snacks, a small kitchen and wide variety of drinks from exotic beers to juices and protein shakes. I’ve been there many times, just to pick-up a six-pack or some munchies but today I decided to grab a sandwich since I was running late during my lunch break and needed to take something back to work. I even had co-workers admiring it and asking where it came from. I highly recommend it if you’re hungry and in the area.

We’re just a few days away from this year’s Academy Awards ceremony and I figured it was time for my revised Oscar picks. I’m only going to present my revised picks for major categories as my original picks for effects, sound, costume, etc. have not changed.

Best Director: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

He really does seem unstoppable at this point.

Best Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire

I originally though Peter Morgan would have the best shot here for an award to come Frost/Nixon’s way, but they’ll just have to settle for all those theatre awards because this is sure to be another win for Slumdog.

Best Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black, Milk

There have been many books and documentaries made about Harvey Milk but Black was able to start from square one and write his own compelling and brave version.

Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz, Vicky Christina Barcelona

Amazing Woody Allen was not nominated for his fantastic script for VCB, but the lovely and talented Ms. Cruz will most likely become the latest actor that Allen has written and directed to an Oscar win and that’s saying a lot with such a strong and wide-open category.

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

The only question that remains is who the Academy is going to have accepting the award on his behalf, we already know that the statue will go to Matilda afterwards and deservedly so. I think Chris Nolan is the right person. He’s the guy pulling all the strings for this great franchise and it’s shameful that he’s not nominated for writing, directing or producing the most entertaining film of the year.

Best Actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader

Haven’t seen her performance in this, although I’m a huge fan of hers and thought she was easily deserving of a nomination for Revolutionary Road. I don’t think Winslet is going to have to wait for an honorary Oscar like her fellow countryman, the poor Peter O’Toole. Nope she’s sitting pretty even with Meryl breathing down her neck.

Best Actor: Sean Penn, Milk

It pains me to change my vote her from Mickey Rourke to Sean Penn. Not that I don’t love Penn and his wonderful performance in Milk but it’s hard not to root for someone like Rourke especially when you see how great and touching his performance in The Wrestler was. Plus, I feel that there’s momentum for Milk overall which leads me to….

Best Picture: Milk

Yes, Slumdog goes down. I know Harvey is out there campaigning like a mad man for The Reader but I think just getting that film a Best Picture nomination was a win in of itself. Instead I think Milk is going to pull the upset similar to the way Crash did in 2006. The Academy likes to award great films that are about California and considering the Prop 8 backlash lingering(as it should be) as well as the fact that Brokeback Mountain was the film that Crash beat out in 2006 this could be their attempt to make-up for that. While Milk does have a tragic ending the film itself is still very uplifting and inspiring which should be enough to slightly edge out Slumdog Millionaire.

Tuesday Afternoon Quarterbacking

So now two more of my co-workers are pregnant, which brings the current total to 4. But the really big news is that one of my oldest and closest friends, Chris (AKA “Bubba-Chris”), is going to become a first time father. I am happy for all of them; it’s exciting and overwhelming news at the same time. I was at some children’s theatre performances this past weekend and nearly had a panic attack with all the little ones running around. The pressure coming from my mother is going to be ratcheted up several notches now. She’s got grandmother fever and I don’t think it’s going to go away anytime soon. I love her, but I seriously might have to kill her just to live the rest of my life in peace. I would actually consider going back to….college, if that would suffice in getting her off my back about the whole wife & kids thing.

It’s quite funny then to state that I have jumped into playing a small part in a coarse acting play, Julius and Cleopatra, being directed by the venerable Chester Eitze as part of his Silver 25th anniversary production season at the Bastrop Opera House. There are a few actors I am getting the chance to work with for the first time and a few I’ve hits the boards with before. I play a character named Vasectimo who is described as “a giant black eunuch”; a man-servant to Queen Cleopatra. Yes, I know we have a black president and Robert Downey, Jr. is nominated for an Academy Award for his brilliant satire of a “black face” performance in Tropic Thunder, which in and of itself is a “black face” performance, but I’m no Robert Downey, Jr. so there’s no black face in this show. But I do get to wear super-high soled boots to make me taller and I only have four lines to learn, done, and a chariot race sequence. Then there are some burlesque and vaudeville bits I’ll be doing as well. I think it’s going to be fun. It’s coming up quick, too. We start on February 27th and then play Friday and Saturdays through March 14th. As always check out the website, http://www.bastropoperahouse.com/ for more information.

In “Can’t we all just get along?” news: the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue hit newsstands today. Israeli born supermodel Bar Rafaeli is this year’s cover model. A wonderful choice as she is a very beautiful woman from a very turbulent place. I think the U.N. needs to load up a few supply planes full of this magazine and drop them on the Gaza Strip and let’s see if we have a break in the violence. I say we would. Of course there has been much speculation and discussion in the press about whether the lovely Miss Rafaeli skipped out on her mandatory military service as an Israeli citizen. Which makes me think; if you have to force your citizens into military service then things are pretty FUBAR. I am by no means pro-Palestine or anti-Semitic so don’t start your flame-throwing but I think one of the many things I’d to see from our new Presidential administration is an effort to hold Israel responsible for the part it plays in middle east aggression. We are way past playing favorites.

Speaking of the new administration, last night President Obama held his first prime-time news conference. I was only able to catch some highlights since I was at rehearsal last night but I amazed that some reporter and I want to find out who it was that wasted his question on asking about Alex Rodriguez. I mean, really?! You’ve got the leader of the free world standing there and you ask about baseball. Maybe it’s still too early and the reporter still thinks that it’s Dubya up there and is used to lobbing softball questions like that, pun intended. That’s not to say that the Alex Rodriguez story is not a big story. It is. It’s just a big sports story, with a minor, very minor effect on the rest of the nation right now. Economic stimulus, War, Gas prices raising again…any of this ring a bell Mr. or Mrs. Reporter. Sheesh.

A-Rod. You little wanker. F-you man. F-you big time. You cheatin’ lyin’ son of a bitch. You come down to Texas in 2001 with your $252 million dollar contract and promise of greatness and shit it all down the drain. One MVP trophy and three last place finishes later just run-off and join the evil empire, the New York Yankees, get another MVP trophy and pretty much hand over AL dominance to the Boston Red Sox as you choke the big one in the playoffs. You’re nothing but another stain now. Now when is someone going to turn up some concrete evidence on Barry Bonds? If the MLB has a failed test on A-Rod prior to 2004 then there has to be a failed test from Barry Bonds out there somewhere.