My favorite movie is Iron Man, but if I were to watch one movie over and over on a deserted island, it would have to be Casablanca. I like this movie because I’m highly nostalgic and it brings back a lot of memories. My first encounter with it was on the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s MGM (now Hollywood) Studios. Our car broke down in front of the Casablanca scene and we were stuck there for roughly twenty minutes. I can’t even count how many times I heard “Here’s looking at you, kid” before the ride finally resumed. The next time I encountered it was during Ethics class in high school. My senior class watched it and the teacher brought our attention to the cinematography and how things were portrayed back in the 40s. I also like how although the main character Rick is somewhat hardened, he has enough of a heart and decency to let the movie end the “right” way.
I prefer watching a film at a theater as opposed to watching it on another platform. For me, the theater is a better setting to watch a movie. The popcorn (though overpriced and occasionally burnt), the other audience members (sometimes they get too out of hand), and watching it on a big screen. I also LOVE the opportunity to watch a film when it opens at midnight. But watching movies at home is good too because you’re in your own environment and can watch it however and whenever you want.
I did not watch the Academy Awards on Sunday because I’m not really one to watch awards shows. I’m not there, the people don’t necessarily care about me watching, and I don’t know any of the actors or actresses personally to be happy for them if they won or sad if they lost.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Block's Solo Endeavor Drifts
“I got to tell you guys…I-4 is an issue.”
Despite his being twenty minutes late, the visitors to the Winter Park Village Borders were more than happy to see Sister Hazel front man perform early Saturday afternoon.
Seattle’s Best café quickly proved not to be the best option for the performance and signing of Block’s solo album. There were roughly thirty seats, but onlookers affectionately called “Blockheads” were proud to stand in the available space or sit on the ground.
An extremely personable man, Block started his performance off on a light note, telling the crowd that he was a Sagittarius and strumming nonchalantly on his acoustic guitar. The first song he performed was “Sylvia” which was named after his grandmother; it’s retitled “33,059 Days” on Drift.
Block paused the performance to do a Q & A session, even welcoming a question from a six year old audience member. When asked about how he got his start in music, Block responded with “I grew up around creative people.” He went on to explain that his father had four degrees in music and that both parents wanted him to stay in school. He then proudly shared that Sister Hazel is “the only platinum selling rock band where all five of {them} have a college degree.”
When asked his opinion on Block’s performance, audience member Tony Moore said, “Actually it was good. Comparable to Dave Matthews and I like that. I will definitely buy the CD.”
“I didn’t go solo.” Block quickly cleared up when asked about his CD. “I needed another outlet. There’s only so much room on a Sister Hazel CD. And I felt like I had the right vision for how it should unfold.” The band performed at the House of Blues on Saturday night and will be performing in Vegas on March 7.
Despite his being twenty minutes late, the visitors to the Winter Park Village Borders were more than happy to see Sister Hazel front man perform early Saturday afternoon.
Seattle’s Best café quickly proved not to be the best option for the performance and signing of Block’s solo album. There were roughly thirty seats, but onlookers affectionately called “Blockheads” were proud to stand in the available space or sit on the ground.
An extremely personable man, Block started his performance off on a light note, telling the crowd that he was a Sagittarius and strumming nonchalantly on his acoustic guitar. The first song he performed was “Sylvia” which was named after his grandmother; it’s retitled “33,059 Days” on Drift.
Block paused the performance to do a Q & A session, even welcoming a question from a six year old audience member. When asked about how he got his start in music, Block responded with “I grew up around creative people.” He went on to explain that his father had four degrees in music and that both parents wanted him to stay in school. He then proudly shared that Sister Hazel is “the only platinum selling rock band where all five of {them} have a college degree.”
When asked his opinion on Block’s performance, audience member Tony Moore said, “Actually it was good. Comparable to Dave Matthews and I like that. I will definitely buy the CD.”
“I didn’t go solo.” Block quickly cleared up when asked about his CD. “I needed another outlet. There’s only so much room on a Sister Hazel CD. And I felt like I had the right vision for how it should unfold.” The band performed at the House of Blues on Saturday night and will be performing in Vegas on March 7.
Madea Owned Jail
For anyone that’s seen any of the previous Tyler Perry plays gone movies, you have to admit that Madea’s the crowd pleaser and the focus of the show. It’s no surprise—a sarcastic, wise cracking, impatient grandma that has a tender, caring side as well; we love it. She’s one of Perry’s characters that EVERYONE can relate to. This movie was no different.
Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail is exactly what it says. Grandma took several steps too far and had to do the time for it (granted, she should have been locked up a whole lot sooner, but we all know what it feels like when someone takes our parking space!). A master of blending his character’s paths, Perry has you keeping an eye on Madea’s comedic criminal history (which happened to include pole dancing; have you seen her?!) while pulling you into the other plot of a vicious love circle and a prostitute. OK, it sounds a lot worse than it is, but I can’t explain without giving too much away.
The movie was great, although I thought there could have been a slightly better ending. But I will say it did a good job of incorporating the Browns, the namesake family of Perry’s TBS show, into the story. It was a refreshing change to add a few new characters and further explain the Simmons family tree. One thing I loved most about the movie was that it was real. It showed life from the other side of the track and the possibilities that can be achieved…and the consequences of bad choices. I’d recommend seeing it…not as a must see, but as a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail is exactly what it says. Grandma took several steps too far and had to do the time for it (granted, she should have been locked up a whole lot sooner, but we all know what it feels like when someone takes our parking space!). A master of blending his character’s paths, Perry has you keeping an eye on Madea’s comedic criminal history (which happened to include pole dancing; have you seen her?!) while pulling you into the other plot of a vicious love circle and a prostitute. OK, it sounds a lot worse than it is, but I can’t explain without giving too much away.
The movie was great, although I thought there could have been a slightly better ending. But I will say it did a good job of incorporating the Browns, the namesake family of Perry’s TBS show, into the story. It was a refreshing change to add a few new characters and further explain the Simmons family tree. One thing I loved most about the movie was that it was real. It showed life from the other side of the track and the possibilities that can be achieved…and the consequences of bad choices. I’d recommend seeing it…not as a must see, but as a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Defending Champs Dethroned
When asked about her last event five mile run through Lake Louisa State Park, 2009 Women’s Great Escape winner Dr. Joanna Zeiger said that, “It felt like ten!”
It’s no surprise she felt that way. The triathlon winner swam a mile and rode 18 before having to contend with the run, not to mention that mounting pressure of last year’s winner Sara McLarty on her heels. Despite McLarty coming out of the swim with the men that had had a three minute headstart, Zeiger started the run with a two minute lead on the defending champ. Zeiger, the inaugural’s race winner, finished the event in 1:36:18, nearly four minutes ahead of Gator alumni McLarty. Lauren Jensen finished third with a time of 1:43:36.
Now as for the men—things were a whole lot dicier. The male event started with about 200 participants, but more than half dropped after the mile swim. The rivalry on this side was between defending champ Jarrod Shoemaker and Gator alumni Kevin Collington. From the beginning of the event, the two men were neck and neck. It all came down to the last few seconds, literally. Collington sprinted ahead with his last burst of energy and finished with a time of 1:26:55. Shoemaker came right behind him with a time of 1:27:09. Third place finisher Wolfgang Gumbel clocked in with 1:30:15. How’s that for competition?
The three placers in both divisions walked away with a monetary prize. Zeiger and Collington left with $500 each, McLarty and Shoemaker took $300, and Jensen and Gumbel received $200. The Great Escape Triathlon is part of the Escape to Alcatraz Triathlon series and a qualifier for the Escape to Alcatraz triathlon which will take place in June.
It’s no surprise she felt that way. The triathlon winner swam a mile and rode 18 before having to contend with the run, not to mention that mounting pressure of last year’s winner Sara McLarty on her heels. Despite McLarty coming out of the swim with the men that had had a three minute headstart, Zeiger started the run with a two minute lead on the defending champ. Zeiger, the inaugural’s race winner, finished the event in 1:36:18, nearly four minutes ahead of Gator alumni McLarty. Lauren Jensen finished third with a time of 1:43:36.
Now as for the men—things were a whole lot dicier. The male event started with about 200 participants, but more than half dropped after the mile swim. The rivalry on this side was between defending champ Jarrod Shoemaker and Gator alumni Kevin Collington. From the beginning of the event, the two men were neck and neck. It all came down to the last few seconds, literally. Collington sprinted ahead with his last burst of energy and finished with a time of 1:26:55. Shoemaker came right behind him with a time of 1:27:09. Third place finisher Wolfgang Gumbel clocked in with 1:30:15. How’s that for competition?
The three placers in both divisions walked away with a monetary prize. Zeiger and Collington left with $500 each, McLarty and Shoemaker took $300, and Jensen and Gumbel received $200. The Great Escape Triathlon is part of the Escape to Alcatraz Triathlon series and a qualifier for the Escape to Alcatraz triathlon which will take place in June.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Last Standing American Makes It To The Top
Even after big sister Venus’s defeat by Spanish Carla Suarez Navarro in the fourth day of play, Serena Williams dug deep and made it to the Australian Open finals. Number two ranked Serena played the final against number three, Russia’s Dinara Safina. Not to say total domination, but Serena quickly defeated Dinara in straight sets (6-0, 6-3). Their match lasted for just over an hour.
On the other end, the men’s finals were played between number two ranked Roger Federer and the Spanish native that took his number one spot, Rafael Nadal. Though not the first time the two met in a grand slam final (six times in all), it must have been the longest—well over four hours. Nadal showed exactly why he is currently ranked number one, beating Federer in five sets (7-5, 3-6, 7-6 , 3-6, 6-2).
On the other end, the men’s finals were played between number two ranked Roger Federer and the Spanish native that took his number one spot, Rafael Nadal. Though not the first time the two met in a grand slam final (six times in all), it must have been the longest—well over four hours. Nadal showed exactly why he is currently ranked number one, beating Federer in five sets (7-5, 3-6, 7-6 , 3-6, 6-2).
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