Archive for June 2006
The Buzz on the Buzz
I’ve buzzed off all my hair. When I was asked why, I said I guess it can be any number of reasons…. perhaps it’s a mid-life crisis and I don’t have $ for a Porsche… or the heat of the summer, or that i’ve always wanted to and just finally said “F-it” and did… or that I simply don’t look fat enough and needed to accentuate the double chin even further… or perhaps a combo of ‘em all. Whatever the case, it’s gone, and i might have gone a bit shorter then I want, but now i can experiment as it grows back in. And if I like it enough to stick with it in some form, the cost of a simple trimmer for home use is less then two haircuts.
Besides… the kids giggle like crazy when i rub my head on their tummies :-)
Broken Flowers (4 stars)
After being dumped by yet another girlfriend (Julie Delpy), Don Johnston (Bill Murray) vows he’ll be alone forever. But when a mysterious unsigned letter arrives in the mail, he’s surprised to learn he has a 19-year-old son. With no idea who the mother could be, Don sets out on a cross-country journey to confront his past, surprising a series of old flames (Frances Conroy, Jessica Lange, Sharon Stone and Tilda Swinton) along the way.
Geoff’s Comments: I have to say that Jim Jarmusch films are an acquired taste. I’ve loved some [Dead Man] and hated others [Coffee and Cigarettes]. This was good, and left you trying to piece together your own conclusions. It also felt very ‘real’ it it’s portrayal of people, and paces.
Broken Flowers (4 stars)
After being dumped by yet another girlfriend (Julie Delpy), Don Johnston (Bill Murray) vows he’ll be alone forever. But when a mysterious unsigned letter arrives in the mail, he’s surprised to learn he has a 19-year-old son. With no idea who the mother could be, Don sets out on a cross-country journey to confront his past, surprising a series of old flames (Frances Conroy, Jessica Lange, Sharon Stone and Tilda Swinton) along the way.
Geoff’s Comments: I have to say that Jim Jarmusch films are an acquired taste. I’ve loved some [Dead Man] and hated others [Coffee and Cigarettes]. This was good, and left you trying to piece together your own conclusions. It also felt very ‘real’ it it’s portrayal of people, and paces.
Now Playing : Horns
As an old friend once said, music can be seasonal. Example: Jethro Tull is really good winter music but doesn’t fit into a day at the beach. Or Steely Dan… ideal for a brisk Autumn or Fall afternoon but not quite right for a cold January night. And right now, the heavy rotation on my playlist is a mix of Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire. It’s the perfect music for a drive in the summer sun, or relaxing on the patio with a cool evening breeze.
In Her Shoes (3 stars)
This tale of two sisters — wild-child Maggie (Cameron Diaz) and straight-laced Rose (Toni Collette) — is based on the theory that they have nothing in common except for their size 8-1/2 feet. But Maggie’s discovery of a long-lost grandmother (Shirley MacLaine) the girls never knew they had could be the thing that brings them together for good. Ridley Scott sits in as producer on this comedy-drama based on a novel by Jennifer Weiner.
Geoff’s Comments: Well, ANY movie in which a male begs his bride-to-be to open up and share her feelings, or that ends with the female protagonist gleefully bouncing and dancing back into the crowd at a “Reggae theme” wedding, can be be called nothing other then a chick flick. HOWEVER the character development of the two sisters, and some good dramatic and comic moments with Shirley MacClaine, made for an entertaining journey. Not necessarily realistic, but entertaining.
In Her Shoes (3 stars)
This tale of two sisters — wild-child Maggie (Cameron Diaz) and straight-laced Rose (Toni Collette) — is based on the theory that they have nothing in common except for their size 8-1/2 feet. But Maggie’s discovery of a long-lost grandmother (Shirley MacLaine) the girls never knew they had could be the thing that brings them together for good. Ridley Scott sits in as producer on this comedy-drama based on a novel by Jennifer Weiner.
Geoff’s Comments: Well, ANY movie in which a male begs his bride-to-be to open up and share her feelings, or that ends with the female protagonist gleefully bouncing and dancing back into the crowd at a “Reggae theme” wedding, can be be called nothing other then a chick flick. HOWEVER the character development of the two sisters, and some good dramatic and comic moments with Shirley MacClaine, made for an entertaining journey. Not necessarily realistic, but entertaining.
Double Shots
We just had some portraits of the kids done, and that brought back memories of those we had taken when they were about a year old as well. So I’ve posted both. They’re in the ‘Family Photos‘ section of this website. Password protected as always. If you need the password, send me an email and I’ll make sure you get it promptly!
Passing Thought : Life Outpaces Blogging
This week has been an eventful one, in which two significant and numerous minor occurrences have merited commenting on here. I’ve published one, have a partial draft of another, and the remainder continue to bounce about the clutter in my mind, hoping to have an opportunity to make it into print.
Keeping a blog going is not as easy as it might appear. Especially if you care a great deal about the content. Although I’m frequently tempted to just jot down a line or two for posterity, I find it difficult to do so, expecting that i’ll never find the time to circle back around and put a little more spit and polish on the thoughts.
Perhaps i’ll succumb to the temptation. Perhaps I’ll find a happy middle ground. But not tonight, and until then, there’ll continue to be increasing ‘draft’ entries in my account, and numerous two or three word reminders in the blog category of my Treo task list.
There’s Something About Mary Leaving
I expect that the departure of a co-worker can impact the remaining co-workers on any number of levels. Most of the time, when people i’ve worked with have moved on to other employers or positions within the company, I take it pretty much in stride. I’ve long held the belief that nobody should be indispensable, and an opportunity for change should be applauded and encouraged. The business moves along.
Then again, there’s the rare and infrequent case in which the person has been an integral part of your time, a good friend, and come to represent a sense of familiarity and family in the work place.
So today is a melancholy day, as I find myself forced to confront the departure of such an individual, and to reflect on the many reasons, this time around, a departure is a sad occasion.
Read the rest of this entry »
There’s Something About Mary Leaving
I expect that the departure of a co-worker can impact the remaining co-workers on any number of levels. Most of the time, when people i’ve worked with have moved on to other employers or positions within the company, I take it pretty much in stride. I’ve long held the belief that nobody should be indispensable, and an opportunity for change should be applauded and encouraged. The business moves along.
Then again, there’s the rare and infrequent case in which the person has been an integral part of your time, a good friend, and come to represent a sense of familiarity and family in the work place.
So today is a melancholy day, as I find myself forced to confront the departure of such an individual, and to reflect on the many reasons, this time around, a departure is a sad occasion.
Read the rest of this entry »
A History Of Violence (3 stars)
Operating a diner in a small-town community, Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) and his wife (Maria Bello) are the picture of normalcy. But when Tom prevents a robbery and enjoys hero status in the local media, he attracts the wrong kind of attention from mobsters (Ed Harris and William Hurt) who think he’s someone else. David Cronenberg (The Fly) directs this taut suspense-thriller based on the graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke.
Geoff’s Comments: Hmmmm… I’m a bit on the fence on this one. Not something i’d either recommend or steer you aware from.
A History Of Violence (3 stars)
Operating a diner in a small-town community, Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) and his wife (Maria Bello) are the picture of normalcy. But when Tom prevents a robbery and enjoys hero status in the local media, he attracts the wrong kind of attention from mobsters (Ed Harris and William Hurt) who think he’s someone else. David Cronenberg (The Fly) directs this taut suspense-thriller based on the graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke.
Geoff’s Comments: Hmmmm… I’m a bit on the fence on this one. Not something i’d either recommend or steer you aware from.
Dirty Pretty Things (4 stars)
Okwe (Chjwetel Ejiofor), an illegal immigrant working as a night porter at a posh London hotel, stumbles across evidence of a bizarre murder. He and Senay (Audrey Tautou), a Turkish chambermaid — and fellow undocumented worker — venture into the city’s seedy underworld to find out what happened. Stephen Frears directs this gritty urban thriller.
Geoff’s Comments: How I made the decision to rent this one is beyond me… it was something i’d jotted down and forgotten about for a few years, so it could have been a review, a friend’s input, or my own interest in movies staring Audrey Tautou, who wow’d me in Amelie. Whatever the case, this turned out to be a really enjoyable thriller. The lead actor, Chjwetel Ejiofor, was excellent, the characters were all captivating, and although there was some formula and predictability, it was one of those movies that I started to envision a great ending to, and I was pleased to find out that i was not the only one who thought of it.
Dirty Pretty Things (4 stars)
Okwe (Chjwetel Ejiofor), an illegal immigrant working as a night porter at a posh London hotel, stumbles across evidence of a bizarre murder. He and Senay (Audrey Tautou), a Turkish chambermaid — and fellow undocumented worker — venture into the city’s seedy underworld to find out what happened. Stephen Frears directs this gritty urban thriller.
Geoff’s Comments: How I made the decision to rent this one is beyond me… it was something i’d jotted down and forgotten about for a few years, so it could have been a review, a friend’s input, or my own interest in movies staring Audrey Tautou, who wow’d me in Amelie. Whatever the case, this turned out to be a really enjoyable thriller. The lead actor, Chjwetel Ejiofor, was excellent, the characters were all captivating, and although there was some formula and predictability, it was one of those movies that I started to envision a great ending to, and I was pleased to find out that i was not the only one who thought of it.
A Happy Father’s Day
I think my day today was best summarized with the brief exchange I had with my long time friend, Matt Conens. He said ‘Happy Fathers Day’, to which I replied ‘Thanks… it’s good to be that’. ‘What?’ he replied, to which i responded ‘A Happy Father’.
Read the rest of this entry »
A Happy Father’s Day
I think my day today was best summarized with the brief exchange I had with my long time friend, Matt Conens. He said ‘Happy Fathers Day’, to which I replied ‘Thanks… it’s good to be that’. ‘What?’ he replied, to which i responded ‘A Happy Father’.
Read the rest of this entry »
Confoti : Pick Up The Pieces
Well, the day has come, and as stated on the website, “After 17,000 orders, 30,000 bags of confetti, 3000 sticker packs, and over 25 million pictures, the Confoti team is moving on.”
I have my own thoughts about this transition, and having been the inventor of the confetti product and one of the founders of the company, I think i have a unique perspective.
I will most likely take the time to put these thoughts in writing, and when I do, i’ll certainly post them here. But for now, as was the case in 2003 when I had to part ways with the company I helped create and launch, I have a family and a full time job to tend to, both of which need my current and full attention. I’ll try and update this in some spare cycles in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, looking back, with regrets on some choices and extreme pride in others, to simply know that so many people have had an opportunity to use this idea to reflect on their loved ones, to express joy and appreciation, and to make a celebration all the more unique, gives me a strong sense of satisfaction. If i achieve no other milestone in my life, having been responsible for that alone will be one of my crowning achievements.
Match Point (3 stars)
Tennis pro Chris (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) gets mixed up with the darker side of high society in this suspenseful drama with a Hitchcockian flair. Chris is befriended by a wealthy family and falls for femme fatale Nola (Scarlett Johansson). But a clandestine affair involving another woman leaves Chris wondering if murder is the only way out of the tight spot he’s in. Matthew Goode and Emily Mortimer co-star in director Woody Allen’s thriller.
Geoff’s Comments: The first half felt plodding and made me restless, but mid-way along, the pace picked up and it became interesting. Woody’s touch is evident, but on a subtle level. The acting is top notch, and the underlying moral conflict and outcome is effectively portrayed, without following convention.
Match Point (3 stars)
Tennis pro Chris (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) gets mixed up with the darker side of high society in this suspenseful drama with a Hitchcockian flair. Chris is befriended by a wealthy family and falls for femme fatale Nola (Scarlett Johansson). But a clandestine affair involving another woman leaves Chris wondering if murder is the only way out of the tight spot he’s in. Matthew Goode and Emily Mortimer co-star in director Woody Allen’s thriller.
Geoff’s Comments: The first half felt plodding and made me restless, but mid-way along, the pace picked up and it became interesting. Woody’s touch is evident, but on a subtle level. The acting is top notch, and the underlying moral conflict and outcome is effectively portrayed, without following convention.
The Brothers Grimm (3 stars)
Terry Gilliam’s adventure tale centers on brothers Jake (Heath Ledger) and Will Grimm (Matt Damon), who travel from village to village posing as exterminators of mystical, magical and enchanted creatures. But their reputations are on the line when French ruler Napoleon orders the brothers to investigate the mysterious disappearances of young girls. The brothers head into a haunted forest where true evil awaits. … Jonathan Pryce co-stars.
Geoff’s Comments: While this certainly has Terry Gilliam’s touch, it’s also clear it was not left in completely in his hands. The visuals are wonderful, but the story tends to meander a bit and follows a relatively predictable path.
The Brothers Grimm (3 stars)
Terry Gilliam’s adventure tale centers on brothers Jake (Heath Ledger) and Will Grimm (Matt Damon), who travel from village to village posing as exterminators of mystical, magical and enchanted creatures. But their reputations are on the line when French ruler Napoleon orders the brothers to investigate the mysterious disappearances of young girls. The brothers head into a haunted forest where true evil awaits. … Jonathan Pryce co-stars.
Geoff’s Comments: While this certainly has Terry Gilliam’s touch, it’s also clear it was not left in completely in his hands. The visuals are wonderful, but the story tends to meander a bit and follows a relatively predictable path.
That’s MISTER Couch Potato to you, buddy.
The combination of having recently gained access to a wide range of movie titles through some work connections, and our resurrection of our NetFlix subscription, we’ve started taking time to catch up on some movies we’ve missed over the past few years. If the blog looks heavily weighted in the ’screening room’ category, it’s just a sign of the times.
Oh, and the fact that we’ve enabled the NetFlix feature that gives you and your spouse their own movie queues to manage is the reason there’s a few chick flicks sneaking their way into the reviews. :-)
That’s MISTER Couch Potato to you, buddy.
The combination of having recently gained access to a wide range of movie titles through some work connections, and our resurrection of our NetFlix subscription, we’ve started taking time to catch up on some movies we’ve missed over the past few years. If the blog looks heavily weighted in the ’screening room’ category, it’s just a sign of the times.
Oh, and the fact that we’ve enabled the NetFlix feature that gives you and your spouse their own movie queues to manage is the reason there’s a few chick flicks sneaking their way into the reviews. :-)
Wedding Crashers (3 stars)
In this raucous romantic comedy, John (Owen Wilson) and his partner in crime, Jeremy (Vince Vaughn), are emotional criminals; they know just how to use a woman’s hopes and dreams for their own carnal gain. Their modus operandi is to crash weddings so they can meet guests who want to hook up with someone else on such a romantic day. But when John meets Claire (Rachel McAdams), he discovers what true love — and heartache — feels like.
Geoff’s Comments: Well…. I did enjoy it, did laugh out loud at a few scenes, but didn’t quite find it up to some of the comparisons to the likes of ‘Something About Mary’ amongst others. Still, a fun and entertaining time.
Wedding Crashers (3 stars)
In this raucous romantic comedy, John (Owen Wilson) and his partner in crime, Jeremy (Vince Vaughn), are emotional criminals; they know just how to use a woman’s hopes and dreams for their own carnal gain. Their modus operandi is to crash weddings so they can meet guests who want to hook up with someone else on such a romantic day. But when John meets Claire (Rachel McAdams), he discovers what true love — and heartache — feels like.
Geoff’s Comments: Well…. I did enjoy it, did laugh out loud at a few scenes, but didn’t quite find it up to some of the comparisons to the likes of ‘Something About Mary’ amongst others. Still, a fun and entertaining time.
