linusvanpelt

If you're a history buff check out "Hatfields & McCoys" the History Channel miniseries. I am late to the game with this one, but since it is just now out on DVD I guess this is somewhat timely. It was entertaining and interesting. Much higher caliber than normal for a miniseries. I confess liking Kevin Costner as an actor more than most people, but I...
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Just watched on Blu Ray the movie "Margaret" starring Anna Paquin. Apparently it was made several years ago and was tied up because of a disagreement over its length between the director (Kenneth Lonegran) and the studio (Fox Searchlight). It is a 2 1/2 hour film (I didn't watch the 3 hour and 6 minute director's cut yet) and, truth be told, it probably didn't...
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The Dark Knight Rises was good and satisfying. I am not going to lie, it has some problems I won't go into here (as did the first two films). The issues I had didn't ultimately deter my overall liking of the film. It was certainly the best iteration of Catwoman I've seen (with apologies to Eartha Kitt and Julie Newmar). I'll give it a solid...
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I like to think I am a exceedingly polite person. I don't brag about many things about myself, but that's one I feel like I am an example-setter on. Sometimes being polite in a world of impolite people can be a detriment. Last week, in the parking lot of Wegmanns (a supermarket which has the rudest shoppers by far) a woman in a minivan nearly...
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Just finished the first season of The Wire. Man, good show. I have the whole series boxset and finally got around to starting it. If you like police procedural shows give it a shot. It has a very authentic feel to it, and is not loaded with dumb one-liners and action for action's sake.

I have decided I need to see Kiss and Motley Crue this September at the Garden State Arts Center (which, any NJ folks will know, is now named PNC Bank Center--but I refuse to give in to corporations, man). I try to see eclectic shows, and pride myself on diversity. I am seeing Neil Diamond, Steve Miller, and Ringo Starr all in the same week,...
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Prometheus was terrific. A true science fiction movie that actually raises interesting philosophical questions while still having intense scary parts. It is a film that will, I am sure, be even better once I have time to let the ideas in it wash over me some more. A second viewing is essential. Without spoiling, it definitely connects nicely to the first Alien movie. How many...
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Ween have (has?) broken up. One of my favorite current bands now has to be moved to the "defunct" column. I am starting to run out of current bands to really dig. Ween was one of those bands I could always listen to, since so many of their albums had a mixture of styles (like Zappa, The Beatles, or They Might Be Giants). I shall...
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The Grey is one of the best movies of the year. It is so much more than a simple "wolves attack people" movie. It has interesting characters (who are actually allowed depth and development), beautiful cinematography, a literate screenplay (dare I say Hemingwayesque?), and some thrilling action scenes. It's a shame it came out so early in the year, because the movie and Liam Neeson...
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I wish to lose weight. I am not trying to be overly ambitious with it (no miracle diet). Now that it is warmer out, I have no excuse to be out of doors and far more active than I have been. I think if I can get more active and avoid sugary and/or fried foods I can not only not gain weight, but can reduce...
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Here's a review I wrote for my website, moviepodpie.com Give it a shot!

THE HUNGER GAMES (2012)

Directed by Gary Ross

Written By Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins and Billy Ray Based On A Novel By Suzanne Collins

Starring Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss); Josh Hutcherson (Peeta); Liam Hemsworth (Gale)

OK. Now that the "hype" has died down a bit I have decided to take a look at...
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I was going to write a whole "thing" about how I just plain don't seem to have even the most rudimentary understanding of women. I decided not to, since it would likely be a bore to read. It's doubtless true, however. I haven't often managed, in my nearly 40 years on the planet, to correctly guess when a member of the opposing sex is/is not...
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