Remember when...

When I was a kid, I would go trick or treating until the wee hours... I mean, it wasn't over until midnight!! Sure, we would conck out around 11 but on the way home, you would STILL See kids walking up to houses.

And screw those little plastic candy buckets... I used a frickin PILLOW CASE!!! And when we got tired, we would sit on the curb and EAT SOME OF THE DAMN CANDY!! That's right... you didn't need an xray machine to examine the candy... you looked at it and maybe broke it half and then ATE it!!

The apples with razor blades? Never had one... but then, most of the apples went ZING and hit large things and got all crushed like. I Was more worried about those damn religious tract/comic strip books! Those things could ruin your mind! All the lies within.

And kids actually DRESSED UP!! We would either buy a costume or at LEAST put some damn thought into it. I have turned kids away at the door cause they come up wearing a football jersey... that's it... not even a damn helmet or the whole uniform... just the jersey... and then give an attitude to get candy. Lil punks!

It just seems that Halloween is an adult's holiday anymore. Maybe it's cause all the kids who grew up around my time REMEMBER the fun it was and could be and keep THAT alive and the kids nowadays are stuck with the bs urban legends that surround it.

Poisoned candy? Almost every reported ACTUAL case was someone poisoning their OWN KID.

Pins, needles and razor blades? No one has ever died from them and at most have a slight prick or discomfort... think about it... you've eaten an apple or large candy bar... can YOU imagine swallowing something like a pin or needle or, dear god, a RAZOR BLADE? Actually SWALLOWING it? Am I the only person who actually CHEWS my food? Sure, you can examine the candy but that's all it takes... a simple LOOK.

But every year the newsdumbasses come on and tell people how to be careful and how to watch out and how to take your candy somewhere to have it xrayed or something. Halloween stopped being fun scary for kids and just became scary scary. Poor kids... that just REALLY sucks for them.

I worry that when I have kids... I will WANT to take them trick or treating but noone will be giving out candy. If I want my kids to celebrate halloween... I'll have to take them to an adult party and I am not sure if I really want my 8 year old getting drunk with dear old dad.

But enough of my ranting...

HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Ok... sorry... sometimes life just gets in the way...

I've had some setbacks and some hardships of late and it's kept me from being too keen on the whole "update my blog" thing. Sorry.
But you know... you still can comment on previous posts... that would be awesome!! I reply to post comments quicker than I can post new....um... posts. The asshole one has some new insight and can always use more. The dominoes post could use some new blood and so can the disturbing thoughts roundup. OR if you're new to this blog, feel free to look through the old stuff and throw in your two cents!!
I have a LOT to write and am working on my annual halloween comic to hopefully figure out how to post.
In the meantime... let's see... North Country was ok. Neil Diamond was AWESOME! Bain Mattox was GREAT!! Spherion is full of assholes! The kitten is still scared of all human folk besides my sister. Sulu is gay... who'd've thought we should care. Infinite Crisis started off strong and managed to piss me off so fricking much! I've met some interesting new people and some not so interesting new people. Some were more full of themselves than they should EVER have reason to be (which is impressive given their petite stature) and some that have self-esteem that doesn't do their worth any credit.
I will be back... soon... just need to take care of some crap first.
Promise.
William
Have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN
In the meantime, I am posting a short story at the VERY end of this blog... meaning I am backdating it to be towards the beginning. Go read that if you want.

Wanda's new kitten

Hey....

Ok, I know I have a LOT to write... Shinedown part 2, the reviews of "Do Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?" and Serenity and all those other things I've been meaning to write.
h, and be aware, sometimes I back date the postings to put them where they were SUPPOSED to be so you never know what you might find thru this place.
But real quick... please continue to help me with the "asshole" posting. I DO seriously want your input and assistance with it... so please, scroll down to the asshole posting and add your feelings and comments. Thanks.
TTYL.
William

For "Crizzle"...

"Another White Dash"
Butterfly Boucher
(Awesome cd, btw)

There is something exciting about leaving everything behind
There is something deep and pulling, leaving everything behind
Something... about having... everthing you think you'll ever need
Sitting in the seat next to you.
And I watch another white dash, another white dash, another white dash
Fly beside us
And I watch another white dash, another white dash, another white dash
Fly beneath us
Away... away!
There is yelling of an engine, a constant rattling door
There is serious deep and mumbles, a conversation I'm not in
Flickering lights; Shadows of trees; Makes me blink my eyes
Makes the land appear like a really old mooooooovie
And I watch another white dash, another white dash, another white dash
Fly beside us
And I watch another white dash, another white dash, another white dash
Fly beneath us
Away... away!
I've got a heart fuuuuull, of rubberbaaaaands
That keep... getting....caught on...thiiiiiiiings
And I count another white dash, another white dash, another white dash
I drift off at eighty...something!
And I count another white dash, another white dash, another white dash
Out of time with the muuuusiiiiiiic!!

There will ALWAYS be a reason to NOT do it. Very GOOD reasons. All YOU have to decide is if they are stronger than the reason(s) to GO!

Vertical Horizon - I'm Still Here

I found the pieces in my hand
They were always there
It just took some time to understand
You gave me words I just can't say
So if nothing else I'll hold on while you drift away
Cause everything you wanted me to hide
Is everything that makes me feel alive
Cities grow; Rivers flow
Where you are, I'll never know
But I'm still here
If you were right and I was wrong
Why are you the one that's gone
I'm still here
Still here Seeing the ashes in my heart
The smile the widest
When I cry inside and my insides blow apart
I tried to wear another face
Just to make you proud
Just to make you put me in my place
But everything you wanted to take from me
Is everything that I could never be
Cities grow; Rivers flow
Where you are, I'll never know
But I'm still here
If you were right and I was wrong
Why are you the one that's gone
I'm still here
Maybe tonight It's gonna be alright
I will get better
Maybe today It's gonna be okay
I will remember I held the pieces of my soul
I was shattered and I wanted you to come and make me whole
When I saw you yesterday But you didn't notice
And you just walked away
Cause everything you wanted me to hide
Is everything that makes me feel alive
Cities grow; Rivers flow
Where you are, I'll never know
But I'm still here
If you were right and I was wrong
Why are you the one who's gone
And I'm still here
The lights go out, the bridges burn
Once you're gone, you can't return
I'm still here
Remember how you use to say
I'd be the one to runaway
But I'm still here
I'm still here.

Heard this this morning... got to me... not sure why.

Waiting... and Two For the Money

Waiting…
To paraphrase the movie itself, "If you want to see this movie you have to ask yourself one question: How do you feel about nearly full-frontal male nudity?" It is an R rated comedy, no doubt. The language and the humor and the situations cover the need for THAT rating. But the nudity is almost ALL male. One funny shot of female frontal nudity (bottom only) done totally for laughs just like the male nudity. It’s interesting that with all the sex scenes there isn’t MORE nudity.
Anywho, I just wanted to get that out of the way.
I saw this cause it fit well into my schedule for the day and cause Ryan Reynolds, Justin Long, Anna Farris, Dane Cook and the Guzman are all in it. That was enough for me. It’s about the staff at a VERY Bennigan’s/TGIFridays/Fudruckers/Applebee’s style restaurant and follows the Clerks formula rather well, it’s one day, has alot of characters surrounding our primaries, has all the different character types and has tons of sex jokes. Throw in Star Wars and Jaws references and it would’ve been Clerks 2. It’s funny. It’s disgusting. It’s mildly endearing. It could’ve easily been better just by fixing some timing issues with the jokes and trimming some here and there to allow for quicker pacing OR develop some storylines better. I know, I know… it’s a silly comedy but I still like SOME plot.
The sound sucked in my theatre so I missed most of the soundtrack, though the listing at the end looked good. I also missed several jokes and tags so I probably will see it again to catch those. It’s a fun way to spend 90 minutes. And yes, you heard me… 90 minutes! Wow… I was amazed that they made a comedy that wasn’t 2 hours long. Stupid Farrally Brothers. I know I go off on running time a lot… but only when it is TOO long or TOO short. Nowadays, movies tend to go too long but there was a time back in the 80’s and early 90’s when a comedy over 90 minutes was seen as a bad choice. And for many of them, this was true. But all too often you would have a great comedy that could’ve been longer and given more time to really develop and get its stride but the all-important 90 minute mark ruled all. Now that studios seem to have let that slide, we end up with movies that just meander all over the place and have no real focus. That’s just as bad!! Anywho, back to the movie.
It’s fun and it’s relatively harmless and has some attractive women and men playing around and some characters that are just plain fun. You may not ever eat at any of the similar type restaurants ever again but you can at least laugh here.
And anyone who has WORKED in one of those, let me know if you had similar tales.
Two for the Money
I saw this one more because it started earlier than Greatest Game Ever Played than because I really wanted to see it. I mean, I DID want to see it but after all the early reviews I got worried. See, I don’t really like sports and like those who like sports TOO much even less. And this was a SPORTS FAN movie, really. It’s about betting and gambling and addiction and greed and all that, too, but first and foremost it’s about loving the game of football. Which I don’t. I DO, however, love watching Pacino act. And holy hell… the man lets out all the stops. It’s similar on the surface to Devil’s Advocate in that he finds a lil, poor farmboy, basically, who has a gift he can exploit and brings him to the big city to show him the high life. Matthew McGonaghey (sp?) is a very under appreciated actor. Probably because of his accent and that he was just a bit TOO good looking. Like Brad Pitt before Twelve Monkeys. Matty boy tried to show many sides with some interesting choices like Frailty and the dragon movie but he was still relatively ignored. He should NOT be ignored anymore. He holds his own with Pacino. In fact, the two of them together are mesmerizing. And when Jeremy Piven is on screen with them, it gets even BETTER. But I like Jeremy… more in comedic roles but still… I just like him.
We watch Brandon (Matthew) go from being innocent (compared to the others) to trying to keep from falling as far as his "mentor". We see his struggle with both himself and his feelings of abandonment. We see Pacino fighting to keep his own addictions from ruining his chance at a legacy.
And Renee Russo… oh, she is STILL highly doable. And even if you don’t find her physically attractive, watch this flick and tell me you wouldn’t want her to be your wife!
I have no idea why the critics are tearing this movie apart. I was into this movie for the run. I was waiting to see what happened. I was worried for the characters and wondering what they would do to get out of the mess they made for themselves.
I was invested.
That’s all I can really say.
I gave a shit about these people. And they felt like people. That’s how I established my top three choices for what’s playing… Serenity is number one for having great characters and a great plot… second is History of Violence for doing the same with characters but being too dramatic for some. I place Two For the Money as number three. It was a fine movie, well-structured and shot very well. The acting was spot on and the characters were at times heart breaking and at others you were hoping someone would beat the holy hell out of them. Isn’t that the point of good characters?

Lord of War and History of Violence

Lord of War
Nic Cage is a fine actor. I have liked a good amount of his films, some JUST for his performance. He CAN carry a movie if the part is quirky enough. Sure, I was scared when he tried to become Superman (stupid Tim Burton!) but that never happened so it’s cool. I was worried when he tried action with Face/Off, Rock and Con-Air but enjoyed them well enough to have seen them more than once and not hated it. Hell, I’m more hard pressed to think of a role of his I absolutely HATED than one enjoyed.
Ok, maybe Moonstruck but that just wasn’t my kind of film.
All that being said, he is amazing in this film. Truly. It was enthralling to watch his character and character arc on screen. You can actually SEE him go thru the changes he is supposed to be going thru and that takes craft and talent! And when he is on screen with the "main" warlord (the one who actually SAYS "Lord of War"), well, those are prime and pure examples of ACTING. Some amazing shots and some great supporting turns by Ian Holm and Ethan Hawke are worth noting… along with some bit players who were all TOO bit.
So what was wrong? 4 words in sets of two: Too Long and Jared Leto.
Too long cause it runs right over two hours and you can FEEL that at times. See, I don’t mind long movies. Schinlder’s List is a personal fave of mine. So are the Harry Potter movies and the first Lord of theRings. But THOSE don’t FEEL too long. Some even feel too SHORT. When you notice how long the movie is, it’s too long. It means the film is losing you and that is a BAD thing. I allow for the fact that it came AFTER Serenity in a double feature, a two hour movie that feels too short but more on that later. I allow that is more of a drama and we were watching it REALLY late at night after a long day. But it still came off as about 15 minutes too long. Why 15 minutes? Cause that would account for the bulk of the Jared Leto plotline.
I don’t hate Leto. He was fine in Fight Club and a few other parts. But he’s just too much of a pretty boy for this role. And come on, they show Cage. They show their parents. And we are supposed to believe that somehow… SOMEHOW Jared Leto is his BROTHER??!?! WTF? Didn’t buy it from a purely physical pov.. but they do ACT like brothers so I let it go. But at no point in the film is there ever any doubt as to what will happen to the Leto character. He plays the fall into his own personal hell and insanity VERY well… so I wouldn’t cut him out entirely but so much of it is the same type of scene OVER and OVER that you don’t need many of them. We get it… he’s hooked on coke and going thru an endless parade of meaningless sexual relationships trying to forget what he has seen. We get that after the first time they explain it to us (never say it outright but it still comes thru loud and clear). We just don’t need the other 15 minutes of the downward spiral bits.
So is it any good? Sure. It’s a good movie and deserves money and recognition. If nothing else out there catches your eye… OR you feel like seeing Flightplan (DEAR GOD, WHY!?!?!), and have already seen Serenity, go see this one.

History of Violence
Now THIS is more like it. The thing clocks in at 90 minutes. Is it too short? Nope. Too long? Not at all. The director, Cronenberg, gets in, tells the story and gets out. No scene is wasted and no part is unimportant. He tells the story of a simple diner owner and his family. One day these two REALLY bad men come to town and cause a ruckus that makes him have to take action.
And WOW! WHAT ACTION! The violence in the movie IS extreme. It IS sudden and over VERY fast. This isn’t a John Woo or Van Damme flick where we see the action in slow motion so we can appreciate the violence. It’s done with such brutality and quickness that you are left wondering what the hell just happened just like the characters are. And no act of violence goes by without seeing repercussions. We see the impact of the violence or at least hear about it. We know what it does to a person and why they still feel they can't escape it. And we go thru their lives and see why they don’t WANT violence and we see how it can damage even the strongest relationship.
It is intense.
Even the quiet moments are intense. The sex scenes are intense, the violence, the gunfights, the brawls, the fights between parent and child, husband and wife, and within the characters, themselves, are all played with an intensity that catches some off-guard.
I never got around to reading the Graphic Novel it’s based on but I know they took some freedoms with the material, which is fine. I cannot stress this enough, though: the violence IS graphic (no pun intended) and the effects are gory. There IS blood and other chunks o’ person going all over the place. BUT if you’re going in for THAT reason, you will be disappointed. The fights do not take up a lot of time in the movie. They are amazingly done and shot but not the point of the picture. And if you JUST want a serious drama, the violence will get to you. As will a rather graphic sex scene and one almost as much.
Go see this one for some amazing performances from Ed Harris, Maria Bello (the most gorgeous woman over 30 around), William Hurt (yes, William Hurt) and, of course, Viggo. Good god, Viggo! That man is showing what he can do in this movie better than all THREE LOTR movies. Only one movie tops this one as a pick from me. Serenity.

Freebird Cafe tonite!!

Matt Nathanson will be there tonite... I know I like the one song "Laid" (from the American Pie flicks) and hope for a nice show. Tix are $13 at the door. Come on out and say Hey!!

****UPDATE****
No, I didn't make it out there. Kev was gonna try and get back from Daytona but apparently got held up and I just ain't one to go to concerts by my lonesome. I hope anyone who DID go had a blast and I DO hope to catch that guy sometime.

Have a great weekend!

Serenity

No, this isn't the review.
I've seen the flick three times and have a lot to say about it.
This is about how SAD it is that Flightplan beat Serenity at the box office. The three showings of Serenity I went to were pretty packed. Granted, one was a sneak peak that could've squeezed more people in but considering the passes were ONLY given out at one place, it was impressive. The second viewing was on Friday night at a crap theatre that was close to where my friend was was PACKED with standing room only. Even staff was huddled in the halls watching. The most recent viewing was Sunday evening and THAT was decently filled. The biggest problem? The last two showings were in itty bitty theatres. But that's more MY beef than anything.
But Serenity WAS number two, you say?
It only made ten mil. Ten Lousy Million!! According to an interview with Joss Whedon, the movei needs to make about $50 mil domestic and $80 mil worldwide (which is wimpy considering it sHOULD amke $80 mil in the US alone!). Not the best of starts for it. Sure, you can look at it was only five mil out of first and that Flightplan has more recognized names BEYOND genre and fanboy communities but the movie had been getting lackluster reviews (myself, included) whereas Serenity has at worst gotten lukewarm reviews. Everyone I know of who I have spoken to about it has loved the movie, whether fans of the show or not. It's acknowledged as being well made, written and acted.
Ah, maybe THAT's the problem.
You see, that also explains the SHOW and it got cancelled. For all the blame you can lay at Fox's feet for shortsightedness and jsut balls out stupidity, it's still a numbers game. Fox can use this opening weekend to basically go "SEE? WE WERE RIGHT!"
And right now... I would almost believe them.
Damn it.

Used to the Pain by Tracy Lawrence

6 a.m alarm goes off
I reach for where you no longer lie but don't feel quite as lost
Everyday, I drive my truck a little farther
into work before your memory catches up.
The radio on, I'm not afraid
I can listen to most any song the DJ wants to play
Slow but sure, I'm coming around

No, I'm not looking back, I'm moving on now
but I won't go so far as to say that I'm fine.
Too much of what I felt for you remains.
I'd like to believe in the healing hands of time
but the truth is I really can't say if
I'm getting better or just used to the pain.

End of the day head back home have a
bite to eat then sit down in the living room alone.
Easy chair, watch tv.
Half way through the news I'm soundly sleeping but
I won't go so far to say that I'm fine too
much of what I felt for you remains.

I'd like to believe in the healing hands
of time but the truth is
I really can't say if I'm getting better
or just used to the pain.
No, I won't go so far as to say that I'm fine.
Too much of what I felt for you remains.
I'd like to believe in the healing hands of time but the truth is
I really can't say if I'm getting better or just used to the pain.
If I'm getting better or just used to the pain.