If You're Not FOR the People, You Can't BUY the People

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

 

Monday night, Izzy & I went to a wonderful last-minute surprise. Our buddies over at Elevation 66 Brewing do a wonderful quarterly Beer Pairing Dinner featuring four or five courses of their incredible food… paired with their in-house beer selections for a great dining experience at about $60 per person inclusive of taxes & gratuities. Basically, Big Ben let us know just after lunch time that there were two tickets that opened up, so after checking with our schedules, we decided to go. Super Dave and his wife were there hosting along with the chef team… and we sat at a table with Big Ben & his wife basically just having a great time. The food was exquisite, the beer was magnificent, the company was even better… definitely a great value in my opinion… and I highly recommend it to anybody who can drop that kind of change. Here are some pictures of our food…

 

This last week, Izzy & I continued checking out random 70’s animal horror flicks when we watched “Dogs” starring David McCallum. Basically the story is about a town full of scientists… and then there are some mysterious livestock deaths… possibly coyotes… but with various sized teeth marks. Then people start being killed… and their worst fears are confirmed… dogs are becoming like ants. What’s that? Oh, have you heard of the term Critical Mass? Of course you have… but this is the real scientific term, not that bunch of overprivileged douche nozzles who ride their f**king bikes through the streets to pretty that they f**king matter by causing traffic jams (may they all die horrible deaths). No, this sociodynamic term is used to explain how dogs group together to perform a common good… but somehow their wires get crossed and they see everything as a threat… and thus they start attacking the hell outta everybody. Okay… basically it’s all mumbo jumbo to explain stock footage of happy running puppies with some growling added over eerie music & some K-9 unit shepards wrestle with stunt doubles dressed as old ladies to show attacks. Though… there was one scene in particular that caught Izzy & I off guard where it was like “Did… did they just throw a real German shepard into a wall?” Anyway, it’s 70’s cheap entertainment… check it out if you’d like… there’s even a tasteful scene where a lady gets torn to ribbons in a shower (mostly off-screen illusion a la Psycho) by dogs.

  

On the other end of the spectrum, Tuesday night, I watched “Dick Tracy” for the first time since it first came out in 1990. Basically, all I remembered from watching it as a kid was that everything was really bright colors… and the music was okay… Madonna was in it… and Al Pacino was the bad guy at… possibly his most Al Pacino-est as we know him today. Anyway, you all know the story, right? Dick Tracy (played by also director Warren Beatty) is the iconic policeman from the old radio shows & stuff who’s out to stop the bad guys of the big city… mainly Big Boy (Pacino). Watching it again as an adult, there was actually quite a lot that I liked about it. The movie is a pretty good adaptation of a comic book kind of movie, with framing, angles & all kinds of things looking like they were taken straight off the comics… even a lot of special effects look like they were basically cardboard cut-outs (like the train yard scene) but doesn’t really pull away from the story, just gives it that atmosphere of almost being through the mind of a child reading the comics. This was obviously somebody’s passion project, whether Warren’s, all of the actors, or the studio 20^th century Fox overall. Why do I think this? The cast is f**king NUTS!!! Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Madonna, Dustin Hoffman, Paul Sorvino, William Forsythe, Dick Van Dyke, Glenne Headly, Mandy Patinkin, even cameos with the likes of Kathy Bates, Arthur Malet, Colm Meaney, Catherine O’Hara & James Caan… and music by Danny Elfman & Stephen Sondheim… for what’s basically a kids’ flick. Anyway, it definitely has a whimsical kind of feel to it… kinda old fashion special effects… and really the only bad thing that I can say about it is that it’s pretty campy at some spots. It’s like if you were trying to redo “The Untouchables” but with the minds of TV’s Batman. There are a couple scenes that leave you scratching your head… and the montages are pretty ridiculous… especially if you have somebody like me that has the thought of continuing the scenes within the montage in real life. Also, one of my favorite little things about this movie… is just how hammy Al Pacino’s performance is… it’s f**king excellent. From the ridiculous quotes from founding fathers (“If you aren’t FOR the people, then you can’t BUY the people… Thomas Jefferson!”) to just being a fiery Napoleonic kind of crazy person… and then, during the last few scenes in the final chase/fight… he just kinda turns really f**king weird. Anyway, if you haven’t seen it in a while, check it out. Spoiler alert: Dick Tracy wins… and there’s no sequel.

 

Friday night, after work, Izzy & I had a nice little dinner date at Jasmin's Café and some drinks at Hopwater Distribution taproom…

 

Afterwards, Izzy forced me to go to her friend’s dance recital… but with a little twist… it was POLE DANCING!!! (“SHEEEE’S MY CHERRY PIE!!!”) Here's some shots from Studio Botan...

 

This weekend was actually be pretty chill… watching college football all day at the aunties... including a heartbreaking game where the Utes lost to the Oregon Ducks (great team that definitely should've won... but still). This morning, Izzy made me a wonderful well balanced breakfast for porkloin roast with various spices & sauvignon blanc base. Here are pictures...

 

Next Saturday is a big brewday at Cerveceria de Mateveza with the SF Homebrewers Guild… but more details on that next time. Have a great weekend everybody!!!

A Great Friday In Fact

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

 

Not a whole lot to blab about this time around… but I stumbled upon an interesting “article” on the web about some of the great hindsight of cinema history. Basically, these are some instances were an actor passed on a movie role for whatever reason… and in hindsight, it might have been a mistake. Here are some of the more interesting ones that I didn’t know about… and I’ve broken them down into categories:

 

Just fun to think of…

 

• Jim Carrey apparently passed on the role of Tim Burton’s “Edward Scissorhands” and it went to Johnny Depp. Now, I agree with you… Mr. Carrey would have brought a completely different kind of chops to the role… but here’s the fun thing to think about… would Jim, Tim & Helena Bonham Carter done a dozen movies together in the past twenty years if he hadn’t declined?
• Kim Basinger passed on the role of Paul Verhoeven’s classic “Basic Instinct” and the role went to Sharon Stone. Yes… she passed on showing half the world her… mmm… just think about that for a second… aaaand I’m done.
• Al Pacino was offered the role of Han Solo in “Star Wars” but wasn’t interested in a science-fiction flick, which at the time made perfectly good sense. I mean… the guy just did the Godfathers. However… just imagine some of the timeless one-liners of Han Solo… but with Al Pacino flair. “You’re all clear, kid. Now let’s blow this thing & go home” or “Great, kid. Don’t get cocky!” I’ve got plenty more… but you kind of need the whole impression.
• Will Smith passed on “The Matrix”… I know… shocker. Trust me, Will Smith has passed on every role in Hollywood that he hasn’t taken… and even took some he probably shouldn’t have been asked to (“Wild Wild West”?). Apparently he thought the story was too complicated & over the top to score big at the box office. Now we can thank the Fresh Prince for the Resurgence of Keanu. Hmm… I wonder who passed on “Independence Day” to give Mr. Smith his breakout role?
• Sean Connery passed on being Gandolf in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. It’s worth it just to think of him & his Scottish brogue saying “YOU SHALL NOT PAAASSSSS!!!” in all his James Bond badassery.

 

Could have been interesting…

 

• Bruce Willis passed on the lead in “Ghost” that Patrick Swayze played. I think Bruce did okay though… because he was banging Demi Moore in real life.
• Now, this one I knew about from a documentary… but Michelle Pfeiffer & Jeremy Irons turned down (like half of Hollywood did) the lead roles in “Silence of the Lambs” before the studio basically settled on Jodie Foster & Anthony Hopkins. Pfeiffer & Irons would’ve probably been great… but definitely different. Wanna see Jeremy Irons as really creepy? “Dead Ringers” Check it out!
• Jack Nicholson passed on the role of Michael Corleone in “The Godfather” and I love the quote as to why he did… allegedly it was something along the lines of “Indians should play the Indians” so Al Pacino’s career took off with that movie instead. Oh I know, Jack was already a star… just saying, at least he spread the wealth.

 

Oh, thank God!!!

• Mel Gibson was offered the role of “Batman” by Tim Burton. Now… I’m not saying that he could’ve done it… or that I totally expected Mr. Mom (Michael Keaton) to pull it off in all honesty… but Riggs as Batman?
• Tom Selleck was originally going to be “Indiana Jones” but apparently it fell through… and Harrison Ford was once again the winner of this George Lucas hit. Again, not saying he could’ve done it… but Harrison Ford… come on…
• Reese Witherspoon thankfully passed on “Scream” so Neve Campbell was filmed in something besides “Wild Things” and $teve & the Mad Scientist lived happily ever after. Quick question: Reese Witherspoon & Renee Zellweger… what exactly is appealing about them? Please comment.
• John Travolta passed on “Forrest Gump” and mind you… this was BEFORE his resurgence with “Pulp Fiction” in the early 90’s. Could you imagine? (shiver) Ugh… I don’t even want to… that’s a classic.

 

And they were never heard from again…

• Do you know who Dougray Scott is? He was the bad guy on “Mission: Impossible 2” a few years back. Yeah, the really really bad one. Well, he was originally offered the role of Wolverine in the “X-Men” movies… but had already committed to MI2… so it went to another Australian guy named Hugh Jackman. Have you heard of him? He was in… your mom’s dreams last night… and a few other movies. Dougray is… well, he was in “Death Race 3” apparently… you all watched that, right?
• Henry Winkler aka “The Fonz” was offered the lead in “Grease” that John Travolta took. Now, maybe the Fonz can’t sing… and that’s cool… but he’s basically had cameo roles since then in movies like “Scream” & “The Waterboy”
• Molly Ringwald turned down the role of the hooker with a heart of gold in “Pretty Woman” and… frankly, who could’ve seen that movie making a sh*t ton of money & getting an Academy Award nomination? Nobody! Repeat: NOBODY!!! Anyway, Julia Roberts took that role has turned down about as many as Will Smith since then… but at least has a steady career (for some reason). Molly… well, she… sigh… poor Molly…

 

Anyway, that’ll do it for today. Just thought I’d share a little bit of alternative universe shenanigans with you… still thinking about Al Pacino as Han Solo… and it kinda sounds like Tony Montana with an occasional “HOOAH!!!” Have a great day everybody!!!

The Bullies Are BACK

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

Happy Day!!! I’m excited for the weekend (though I still have quite the workweek ahead of me first), my mom & dad call me everyday to make sure I’m doing okay, the weather hasn’t been too horrible & it’s still gorgeous here, and while reminiscing about our epic two-day drive across four of the biggest states in the Union last winter, Filly said “U make Texas seem fun” which very well may be the nicest thing that anybody has ever said to me. Those of you who have driven across the entirety of the Lone Star State know exactly what I’m talking about. Other than that, a bunch of TV show that I didn’t watch a whole lot of had their series finales (24, Lost, Law & Order, etc) while Playboy went 3-D. You can guess which one interested me more. So yeah, not a whole lot else going on for me. For that, I apologize. I’ll be sure to get out there and do more. Maybe when the temp goes above 40, I’ll get out there and try the Frisbee Golf course a few blocks from my apartment. Why? Why the hell not? Maybe I’ll meet a few hippie chicks and get a Frisbee Foursome going by the back nine. Anyway, here’s the news…

Tallest American - Guinness World Records has recognized a Minnesota man as the tallest man in the United States. The Guinness World Record Association measured Rochester's Igor Vovkovinskiy (voh-kov-IN'-ski) at 7 feet, 8.33 inches tall during NBC's "The Dr. Oz Show" on Monday. He edged out Norfolk, Va., sheriff's deputy George Bell by a third of an inch. The 27-year-old Vovkovinskiy is originally from Ukraine but moved to Minnesota with his mother when he was 7 years old for treatment at the Mayo Clinic for a pituitary disease that spurred his rapid growth (did I mention he’s 7’8”?). Vovkovinskiy now attends the Minnesota School of Business and is pursuing a degree in paralegal studies. Guinness says the world's tallest man is Turkey's Sultan Kosen. He measures in at 8 feet, 1 inch tall. So that’s cool that Igor’s the tallest American…but the most gripping thing about that story…was that there’s a sheriff’s deputy in Norfolk who’s f**king HUGE!!! I’m glad they kinda warned me. I’m not sure how I would react if I get pulled over and am asked for my license & registration by a behemoth. (Andre the Giant voice) “License & registration please.” “Sure thing officer. You must have some kind of cold to sound like JESUS CHRIST!!! (As I scurry over into the passenger seat)” “Sir, please calm down. (sniff sniff) What’s that smell?” “What do you think it is? I mean… I’m tall but… holy crap, dude. Is your squad car a drop top?” “Hahaha, license & registration please.” “Here you go. Wow. So… do like your handcuffs even go around your wrists? Do you still have a standard issue pistol? I’m thinking it’d look like a toy gun in those banana hands. When there’s a riot, do they just send you in to say ‘Everybody MOVE!!!’? Can you just pick up the back of a car if they try to drive away? Who makes your uniform? I’ll bet the donut shop just cries whenever they see you walking up.” “Sir, please shut the f**k up.”

U3-X Personal Mobility Device – My mom sent me this one…and so I thought I’d share it with you. Yeah, we've seen a self-balancing unicycle before, right? No? Okay then, well the brand new U3-X from Honda takes it to another level. A creepy-sterile, awesomely futuristic Honda level, to be precise. What makes the U3-X particularly interesting is it has the regular large wheel of a unicycle, but that wheel is actually made up of several small wheels in a series, which can rotate independently, meaning that the device can go forward, backward, side-to-side and diagonally, all being controlled with a simple lean. Honda credits its ASIMO research for this multi-directional capability, though I don’t see it (ASIMO is the biped robot that I’m sure you’ve all seen on South Park) but far be it from me to discredit an excuse to keep up the good work on the ASIMO front. Right now the "experimental model" of the U3-X gets a single hour of battery and weighs under 22 pounds, with a seat and foot rests that fold into the device for extra portability. No word of course on when the thing might make it to market, but Honda plans to show it off at the Tokyo Motor Show. The link has video…but yeah, it’s a unicycle segway. Speaking of South Park, remember the episode where Mr. Garrison builds a fuel-efficient & inexpensive alternative to the airlines? Doesn’t this kind of bear a striking resemblance to it? Just a thought.

Mugshot of the Week - Police say a suspect in a Colorado home invasion had the evidence written all over his face. A tattoo on the upper lip of 20-year-old Anthony Brandon Gonzales led to his arrest last week in the home invasion of an Elvis impersonator in Pueblo County (yes, an Elvis impersonator…in Pueblo, Colorado). A witness told police that one of the invaders had "East Side" tattooed on his upper lip. Gonzales also has a "13" tattooed on his chin in the shape of a goatee. According to an affidavit, the tattoos were visible even though Gonzales was wearing a mask. Gonzales was already in jail on a separate drug charge. Police have now charged him with the April burglary, too. Sgt. Eric Bravo said his distinctive tattoo led to the charge, saying, "it's hard to miss him." Indeed it is…and that’s why he gets the prestigious Mugshot of the Week.

Water Fight - What started out as an innocent squirt gun fight between children turned into a potentially dangerous situation for a Woonsocket, Rhode Island neighborhood. Firefighters on Sunday responded to reports of a strong smell of ammonia in the basement of a Grove Street home. Investigators told WPRI-TV they found a smoking 7-gallon barrel of sodium hydroxide, prompting a hazardous materials team response and the evacuation of three homes. Sodium hydroxide, commonly used to clear drains, reacts strongly with water, creating an odor and heat. Investigators determined that water dripped into the barrel during a kids' water gun fight in the basement. The chemical was removed and no one was hurt. The homeowner thinks the chemical was in the basement when he bought the home…along with the Swedish-made penis enlarger pump found on an adjacent shelf. “That’s not my bag, baby.” It just goes to show, parents have to watch their kids…even when they’re locked down in the basement. “Dammit, you’re getting water all over the house. Why don’t you kids go down in the basement to play?” What’s the worst that could happen? Apparently, hazmat can be called to your house. God I want to play with a Super Soaker now.

Sinatra Update - Martin Scorsese tells The Hindu that the script is ready for his planned feature film about Frank Sinatra's life, and he's already got in mind whom he wants to tackle the two key roles. "I've had it in mind for a long time. Even the initial script is ready. I'm yet to spot the actor who can bring back Frank Sinatra alive on screen. My choice is Al Pacino, and Robert DeNiro as Dean Martin" says Scorsese. The names are surprising as several other high-profile names have been previously linked to the role, with Johnny Depp the studio's favorite while George Clooney is the choice of Sinatra's own daughter Nancy. Also, let’s face it, it’s a Scorsese flick, so it’s kind of assumed that Leonardo DiCaprio would play the role. Universal Pictures is producing the biopic which is expected to show the darker side of the singer along with the more musical side. This may just all be a ploy by Martin to get what he wants…but hey, you know me. I’m all for Pacino & DeNiro. I’m just not sure that they can pull off the younger version of Sinatra & Dino. If so, then not only should they get Academy Awards…but the makeup team should get them too. Depp? Clooney? DiCaprio? McLovin? I’m pretty interested in this project…and how it will be cast…but please keep in mind, we’re talking about the guy who cast Willem Dafoe as Jesus in “The Last Temptation of Christ” a few years back. (shiver)

Jesus Update – Okay, so it’s not really a Jesus update…but sorta. Sam Rockwell, Bette Midler, Kim Cattrall and British singer Pixie Lott have joined the cast of the 70's-set comedy "Sweet Baby Jesus" for Intandem Films says Deadline. Rockwell and Lott will play an expecting hippie couple who arrive in Bethlehem, Maryland to visit the woman's mother (Cattrall). There they reveal the pregnancy is not via the boyfriend and the townspeople are convinced they're about to witness the Second Coming (instead of a one-night stand at a Grateful Dead concert gone wrong). Midler plays the owner of a guesthouse that is putting up the couple (no room at the Inn?). Steve Blair pens the script and Peter Hewitt ("Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey") directs the $10 million project. Filming kicks off this August in Maryland and Ireland (spoiler alert: Jesus is Irish). Okay, this has some potential to be funny. Sam Rockwell’s always hilarious in his own way, hippies, biblical humor, and Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey wasn’t too bogus. Coming to an indie film house or Netflix near you…

Fox Update – Have you seen the preview for “Jonah Hex” yet? No? Yeah, I caught it once and… I hate to say it… I hope it doesn’t suck. Look a lot better than the first movie that comes to mind...which sadly is "Wild Wild West." We shall see. Anyway, can’t get enough of thinking about Megan Fox in tight fitting corsets? Me neither. That’s why this rambunctious little rumor makes me a little giddy…and I don’t care if it’s founded in hearsay & conjecture that I may or may not have started in the blogosphere. Megan Fox is set to get the ultimate revenge on Transformers director Michael Bay. No, not by f**king his best friend…but by accepting a role in the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie! The actress, who apparently quit the action flick after Bay told her she looked unhealthily thin, is already busy plotting her comeback. “Megan is mulling over a number of big movie offers including another sci-fi franchise and a role in the next Pirates of the Caribbean,” reveals a source close to the actress. “She would play a mermaid who charms Captain Jack but she has a dark motive. Megan has always loved Johnny and is desperate to work with him (watch out Brian). She’s grateful to Transformers for making her name but she’s ready to move on to better and bigger things.” Okay, so even better than a corset is an evil succubus in a shell bikini top…and maybe a necklace around the waist. As you might expect, I like the idea. I’m also a little curious as to what the other sci-fi franchises might be. Star Trek? Serenity sequel? Starship Troopers reboot? BARBARELLA??? Anyway, first things first. Jonah Hex is out in a few weeks, then Passion Play at an indie house near you, then we’ll see where it goes from there. I also really like the idea of “Oh, I’m too skinny or whatever for your movie, Mr. Pearl Harbor? Well, it just so happens that Jerry Bruckheimer has an eye candy role in an action flick for me…with Johnny Depp instead of that Feldman, Shia LaBeouf. So long, b**ch!!! Suckiteasy…” Best of luck to you, Miss Fox. As I’ve often said, the best revenge is a life well lived. And besides, it'll be a great transition into "Fathom" later on...

Well, that’ll do it for today. Game 4 of Lakers / Suns is tonight…and frankly, I really don’t care who wins the NBA championship. I’d like to see the Suns do it…just because I have to root for the fellow $teves (Nash & Kerr) but we shall see. Oddly enough, I’m more excited about the Broad Street Bullies (Philadelphia Flyers) being back in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks. The teams haven’t won the cup since 1975 & 1967 respectively. Some town’s going to have a huge parade party in a week or so. Make sure that your cars aren’t parked on the street…and have a great day everybody!!!

Number One Super Guy

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

I was a little bored and thought that I'd give you a little something something to remember me over this long weekend. Also, remember the other day when I showed those shotty pictures of France that looked like they were taken by in 1880's? Well, I'll have you know that there are better pictures that I have in a photo album at my mom's...but they haven't scanned...but I'm thinking about doing so next time I'm up at her house so that I can share some of the good ones with you too. You're welcome. Play your cards right...and you may also get to see Greece, all sorts of Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Germany, Great Britain, Scotland, Jamaica, South Korea, China, and other mystical lands. Until then, here's some news...

Kevorkian Biopic - That's right. You read it correctly. Susan Sarandon (a.k.a. the woman who never sleeps) and John Goodman have joined the cast of the Jack Kevorkian biopic "You Don't Know Jack" for HBO Films says The Hollywood Reporter. Of course, Al Pacino stars as Kevorkian, known as Dr. Death, who assisted in more than 130 suicides. After willingly sending a videotape of himself euthanizing a terminally ill man to "60 Minutes," he was convicted in 1999 of second-degree murder and spent eight years in prison. The HBO film follows Kevorkian's (Pacino) rise as he builds his infamous Mercy Machine and sets out to perform assisted suicides while waging an epic legal battles defending a patient's right to die. Goodman will play Nicol, a friend and co-worker of Kevorkian since 1961 and a steadfast supporter of the right to die. Sarandon will play Janet Good, an activist with the Hemlock Society who becomes one of Jack's staunchest supporters, working side by side with him to make humane suicide available to the terminally ill and suffering. Barry Levinson directs from Adam Mazer's script which is loosely based on Neal Nicol and Harry Wylie's book "Between the Dying and the Dead". Sounds like a real cheer-me-up movie. I simply can't wait for it.

Number One Super Guy - A live-action combined with CG animation feature film based on classic 1970's Hanna-Barbera animated series "Hong Kong Phooey" is in the works at Alcon Entertainment reports Variety. The story follows a police station janitor who becomes a dog with mystical powers, including the ability to do kung fu. Alex Zamm is set to direct from "Family Guy" producer David Goodman's script. Broderick Johnson, Andrew Kosove, Brett Ratner and Jay Stern are producing. I can already hear the preview in the distant future...and I have five bucks that says it sounds like "Everybody was kung fu fiiiightiiiing (na-na na-na na-na na-na-na)" Sad thing is that I'll still watch it. Why? Martial arts...and I was a HUGE fan of the Hanna Barbera cartoon growing up (though not born until the early 80's). He's like Underdog...but with Kung Fu...and I'm curious who'll play Rosemary. Anyway, keep an eye out...and remember that you might owe me five bucks when the preview comes out.

Return of Remo - "The Destroyer", a film version of the Remo Williams vigilante novel series, is in the works over at Sony Pictures says Risky Biz Blog. Producers Charles Roven ("The Dark Knight") and Steve Chasman ("The Transporter") are set to produce while Charley and Vlas Parlapanides ("War of Gods") will pen the script for the project. Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir's books centered on Williams, a New Jersey cop convicted of a crime he didn't commit. Williams is sentenced to the electric chair, but his death is faked so he can be reborn as the vigilante character the Destroyer, joining a top-secret assassin squad set up by the government to operate outside the bounds of the law.With the help of an Asian assassin named Chiun, Williams also then wreaks havoc on the criminal underworld as well as on those who framed him. Fred Ward and Joel Grey starred in a 1985 feature film about the character. It should be awesome...but can they find a Remo more badass than Fred Ward? We shall see.

Machete Update - Do you remember the double feature movie "Grindhouse"? Of course you do. It was a fantastic double feature with some "fake" trailers that would actually make for some great low-brow movies ("Werewolf Women of the SS" is still my favorite). Well, apparently they're finally going to start on "Machete" which is about when happens when "you f**k with the wrong Mexican" and there's some interesting casting rumors going around about this next Robert Rodriguez flick. According to the site Bloody Disgusting, Michelle Rodriguez (TV's "Lost," "Fast and Furious" and several police reports) and Jonah Hill ("Superbad," "Funny People") are set to play Luz and Julio respectively, while the legendary Robert DeNiro has a small role as 'Senator McLaughlin'. The talk is just rumor for now (and I'm still a little bummed that Al Pacino didn't pop up as the head of Spectre in "Quantum of Solace"). Danny Trejo is set to return as the titular gun-toting Mexican while Rodriguez and Ethan Maniquis are co-directing the project which begins filming July 29th (so it may be released during summer 2011, a mere four years after the preview was made). So is anybody else excited about "Inglorious Basterds" coming out in a few weeks?

Anyway, that'll do it for today. Just thought I'd catch you up on some movie news. Now I have to get packed and ready for Vegas for the weekend. Can't wait. Wish you could all come with me...but maybe next time. Have a great weekend everybody!!!

Curry, Klingons & King Lear

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,


Last night, I went to the gym and decided to warm up by lifting a few weights, shooting a few hoops and then decided on Hot Yoga, which is a typical yoga class…but in a room at about 105 degrees. Probably not the best idea to run around and work up a sweat shooting hoops before a class like that…but it was good, sweaty fun…and the eye candy was plentiful. Now, I'm not a veteran of yoga classes so when the instructor says something like "Surya namaskara" or some other Sanskrit name for a pose, I just kind of look around and see what everybody else is doing…and then try to do it myself. It was a good work out…and luckily I'm still at that cute, awkward phase where I imagine the ladies around me are thinking "Oh, look at the cute giraffe trying to do yoga. That happy child pose is just adorable…but he'd better pull his shorts down." Yeah, I was liking it though. The only semi-weird part was towards the end when we were in the cool-down phase…and just relaxing on our backs and told to drain our mind…and I was doing surprisingly well (I think the few gallons of sweat lost might have helped) then I felt somebody's fingers running through my hair…and ladies, if you ever want your guys to be putty in your hands, run your fingers through his hair (it works with most ladies too…but only if they didn't spend an hour getting it to sit right). It ugh…took me back to other times when fingers were ringing through my hair for a few moments…so I had to snap back quick into "Your in the middle of yoga class" mode before problems arose (rim shot). Oh…and the fingers were the instructor's. Apparently she goes around the room and gives little head & neck massages while we're meditating or whatever. Nice class though. I enjoyed it.



After that, I finished reading that book I got for Christmas "How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success" by Leil Lowndes. It was a pretty good book. Some of the stuff I already knew…and some of the stuff is a little questionable…but it's helpful in business relationships mostly. A few tips for personal relationships…but nothing that I didn't already know and practice (and still prove ineffective). I would definitely recommend it though. If you (or someone you know) are looking to score a big promotion or build business relationships then this is definitely a good read for you. You can get it on Amazon for like ten bucks too. Just let Amazon know that Dr Love sent you so that I can get some kickback Love. Oh…and my brother still thinks it's a good idea to call me after 1 AM to chit-chat. "Oh, you're sleeping. It's only one." "Yeah, on a Wednesday night. I've got work in the morning." "Wednesday? Oh yeah. My bad. Well, I just wanted to say (twenty minute one-sided conversation about video games ensues as I drift in and out of consciousness)" I love the kid…but yeah. Don't call me for chit-chat that late. I have no problem with you calling and really needing somebody to talk to…or I'm dreaming about you and happen to be expecting your call (it happens a surprising amount) or if it's a straight-up booty call…but if it's just to talk about the Playstation Home and people that you've "met" on there and you know that I'm going to be sleeping, you may just want to wait until the next day. I think that was mentioned as one of the little tricks for big success - Don't f**king call them while they're sleeping. They may have phrased it differently like "Make sure it's convenient for them" or something like that…but the principle's the same. Anyway, here's some more interesting news...



Klingons Attack - Police say a man wielding a "Star Trek Klingon type sword" robbed two Colorado Springs convenience stores early Wednesday morning. The first armed robbery happened at about 1:55 AM at a 7-11 in Colorado Springs. The second robbery happened at about 2:20 AM at yet another 7-11. Witnesses told police a man wearing a black mask, black jacket and blue jeans entered the stores carrying a sword. The armed robber took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled on foot from both stores. Officers searched the area but didn't find the robber or the weapon, which was described as a "Batleth." The Klingons are finally attacking. The end is nigh. Set your phasers to Kill and blast anybody with a butt crack on their forehead and sounds like a garbage disposal when they talk. You have been warned. I guess the financial woes have spread outside of Earth as well.



Even Superheroes Turning to Larceny - Authorities said a man wearing a sleeping bag as a cape and carrying a screwdriver as a weapon tried to rob someone in the parking lot of a Gainesville, Florida business. Police said a 46-year-old man approached the intended victim early Sunday morning and asked for money. When the man refused, police said the man threw off the cape and pulled the screwdriver from his waistband. The other man quickly ran into a store and called 911. The suspect was arrested a few blocks away and charged with attempted armed robbery. He was being held on $20,000 bail. At least the guy had clothes on under the sleeping bag. He may need to work on the superhero identity though. You don't wanna throw back the cape, pull out your weapon of choice and scream "Prepare to be Screwed!!!" That's more of a fiery bedroom thing than a crime fighting thing.



Teacher Donates $2 Million - A penny pinching math teacher who never earned more than $40,000 per year in salary has left $2 million to her Ohio alma mater. Laura Bickimer died in April at age 93 after making plans to leave the bulk of her estate to Baldwin-Wallace College near Cleveland. She graduated from the school in 1936 with a 4.0 average. Bickimer, who never married, retired from teaching in 1972 and lived out her life in a nursing home. Years ago, she wrote in an alumni questionnaire that she preferred washing her clothes in an old-fashioned wringer and tried each day to perform some act of kindness. Bickimer never earned more than $40,000 in annual salary, but inherited wealth from family. The school will name a $50,000 scholarship after her. Okay, when I first read that a teacher donated $2 million, I thought she was dealing on the side…but apparently she's just a nice lady who never married and inherited wealth. What's the moral of the story? Apparently to be wealthy, you either have to inherit it…or keep all the money to yourself. Or maybe she was just a wonderful old-fashioned sweet lady that was kind to everybody she met and Karma came back around a little bit. One of those has to be it. You be the judge.



Pacino as King Lear? - Al Pacino and Michael Radford, who previously teamed on the film adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" in 2004, are reteaming for another of the Bard's plays - "King Lear" reports Variety. Pacino, who will play the title role, has played many Shakespearean characters but never Lear - the aging monarch who selects his successor by parsing his kingdom in three parts, ruled by his trio of daughters. Two of them are scheming connivers who flatter their father, while the one loving daughter, Cordelia, refuses to play that game and is exiled. The king ultimately loses everything…and goes crazy (and nobody does crazy quite like Pacino). Radford wrote the script (ugh…really?) while Barry Navidi will produce the film which aims to be very true to the film's original time period (try not to think of Pacino with an English period piece). The likes of Laurence Olivier, Orson Welles and Paul Scofield ("Man for All Seasons" & "Quiz Show") have played the monarch in previous film adaptations. Pic will be produced by Barry Navidi, who teamed with Pacino on "Merchant" as well as the upcoming "Salomaybe?," which Pacino directed and stars in. That film, based on the Oscar Wilde play, is in post-production. Filming will kick off later this year in Europe. So yeah, one of my favorite actors is playing in one of my favorite Shakespearean plays…in a movie. My guess…is that Megan Fox may be able to squeeze a deal in as one of the daughters…even if she can't do a British accent. "Exactly what makes you think that you can even play the part of Regan?" "Well, I'm amazing eye candy…and have you seen my tattoo?"




On that note, I think I'm going to call it a day. Probably no gym tonight because of the Movie Night but it'll be tons of fun. Also, JL Clyde will be here in two days…so that'll be fun too. Then I get to suffer through Single Awareness Week…yet again. Oh well, positive attitude. Who knows? Anything can happen, right? And it all happens for a reason. Have a great day everybody!!!