Living Room Cinema - Southland Tales

Two of my favorite things lately have been watching straight to video and independent movies and trying different types of wine. Earlier this year, I attempted to swear off the alcohol for four months. I lasted four weeks. It just seems that when you decide to swear off of something, anything, the temptations are just thrown in your face. I would specifically like to thank TGFPH for her reference to a vodka that, of course, I couldn’t get out of my head until I got some liquor in me.

Okay, I’ll talk about my wine encounters later. Right now, I want to talk about the movie Southland Tales. In a nutshell, DO NOT RENT THIS MOVIE. Even if the movie rental is FREE. That’s right. It’s that bad. We should have been paid to watch it. Then again, it still wouldn’t be worth it.

I suppose if I am going to trash it, I should at least say why.

The plot (as I could gather, before falling asleep on the movie, twice) is a hypothetical look at how America could have been after 911. In this case, however, instead of the twin towers as targets, two cities in Texas are hit by a nuclear bomb on July 4, 2005, very reminiscent of the bombings of Hiroshima. This event sets off World War III. The draft is re-instated. Americans need travel visas to leave each individual state. The Internet is now under government control. And since America relies so heavily on foreign oil and friendly relations with these countries have ceased, America faces a serious energy crisis.

The story begins three years later. America, desperate to find an alternate energy source, comes across a German scientist who claims to have a solution. His project is called Karma. This is where I get a bit fuzzy, but I believe that it used the ocean in some way to generate energy. Karma, however, is not the savior to the energy crisis it appears to be.

Now, the side story that doesn’t seem to make much sense. The character that The Rock plays is some celebrity that decides to serve his country, gets amnesia, then wonders around. He is discovered by a porn star, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar. While in her care, he writes a movie screenplay. In his screenplay, he predicts the devastating effects to the world caused by using Karma. The porn star is supposedly helping the celebrity to shop the movie, I guess to somehow validate her career. She has some talk show where she and several other women talk about important issues, such as the state of the country, politics and horny teenage boys.

The other thing that bothered me was the narrator, played by Justin Timberlake. I’m a fan of Justin and all, but his role in this movie seemed so unnecessary. Then again, I’m a bit biased. I really don’t care for narration all though a movie. A little here and there, okay. But when it is an important part of telling the story, that doesn’t work for me. I should be able to get the feel of the story from well-developed characters and a decent plotline.

So far, is any of this making any sense? I like abstract type movies, but this was just an abstract piece of crap. All I could talk about was how much I wanted to slap my husband for suggesting such an awful movie. Can you believe the budget for this movie was $15 million??? It opened in limited release, I think in 2006, and made nowhere near that amount in ticket sales.
If I wasn’t clear the first time, DO NOT RENT THIS MOVIE!!! There other more productive ways to waste 2 ½ hours on a Friday night.

Thoughts about life and death

The hubby and I went to see the newest Indiana Jones movie. I won't get into too much details, I'm never good with giving a review without spilling a few spoilers. I'll say that although I thought it was an OK movie, it WAS NOT the Indiana Jones movie that I was waiting to see, which is apparently the prevailing thoughts among the critics. I didn't feel that it outdid the Last Crusade. The Last Crusade was a fine ending chapter to the series.

The previews usually piss me off. Because if it is something that catches my interest, it usually doesn't come out 6 months to a year later. I usually have forgotten about the flick by then. But there is always at least one that it pretty memorable.

I couldn't stop thinking the preview for the movie "The Curious Curse of Benjamin Button". Based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, it tells the story of a child who is born as an old man. As his life goes on, he gets younger and younger. At first, I'm thinking who wouldn't want to age in reverse. The best years of your life could be enjoyed at the end of your life instead of your worst. You could look forward to your golden years. But if the movie is going to be anything like the short story, aging in reverse could be just as bad as aging forward. Maybe even worst. In either situation, it probably most important to not let time pass you by. Far too many of us waste too much of our lives in waiting. And then we waste more time with regret.

I suppose this site could be useful

MizPee

For when you need to answer nature's call, on the go.

For those of us in Maryland, we are out of luck. The site doesn't cover MD locations as of yet.

Monogamy - Is it normal?

I consider myself a one-on-one, type of gal. I never quite understood polygamy or polyamourous relationships, at least not from a practical stand point. I mean, sure, maybe it would be nice to be like Empress Nympho from "History of the World, Part 1" and have my pick of manliness on any given evening. And, I'm sure that there are quite a few men out there love having their pick of women any given night. I'm sure that there are many doing so right now. But once the fantasy and the pleasure of the moment is over, then what? Back to the reality of emotions, diseases and unwanted pregnancies.

But in this world where monogamy is the social standard, I keep hearing time and time again that monogamy simply isn't normal. That's why men and women cheat. They are just giving in to human nature.

That got me to thinking. If it is our human nature to have more than one partner at a time, just where did the idea of monogamy come from? Is it more of a religious thing that we have just over time have socially accepted as law?

Online social networks - you can't be in just one!!!

How many social networks do you belong to?

Movie flashback - Set It Off

Started thinking about this movie on the ride into work today. My favorite song on the soundtrack, EnVogue's "Don't Let Go". Also had one of my favorite movie love scenes (I was in love with some Blair Underwood back then).

It started the rumors about Queen Latifah's sexuality. There was such a big deal about that on-screen kiss she had with another woman. She was VERY convincing! Could have been just good acting or... I guess the world may never know. Rumors aside, no one but the Queen knows whether or not she's homo or hetero and she ain't talking.

The other thing that I remember around this time frame was the group of suburban girls that, after allegedly watching "Set It Off", decided that robbing banks could be a fun way to end their boredom. Considering they all got caught, I guess they didn't watch the end of the movie to see what NOT to do.

Anyway, here's the EnVogue video:

Kobe jumps over an Aston Martin?

That's what they want you to believe with this video. The story I read was that the story has been analyzed to death and no one seems to be to prove that it is a fake. My bet is that it is a fake. Mainly because of one missing element in the video: the driver of the Aston Martin. It may just be the quality of the video on YouTube, but when Kobe jumps over the car, there doesn't appear to be anyone driving the car. When car comes back, you can clearly see the driver wearing a very distinctive colored shirt.



I don't know why they chose to advertise these new shoes in this manner. How much you wanna bet that there will be some more hospital visits as a result of some kids thinking they can jump over moving cars with a pair of Hyperdunks?

I also came across this video on YouTube that was suppose to prove that the Kobe video could be real. Although, I think this one is a little more believable, considering the skateboard and the ramp.


So what ya'll think? Is that Kobe video real or fake?

Isn't English our OFFICIAL language?

I thought it was. It was the only language that I ever learned. But lately, I'm starting to feel like the foreigner in my own country!

Now, I realize that this nothing new to other people in other parts of the country. New York, California and Texas I'm sure have been this way for years. But it has only been in the last 10 or so years that I've noticed so many foreigners living in Maryland. And so many of them do not have a working knowledge of English. at. all. It's getting a bit frustrating.

Last night, being the geek I am, I was in the library picking a few books. It was supposed to be a quick in and out. I spent most of my time there - in line. A line that was getting longer and longer because of two Chinese speaking customers. A couple was trying to decipher their library card history. Actually, I think they butted in line, totally oblivious to the long line of people forming behind the checkout desk. No matter how many times the librarian attempted to explain the paper to them, they keep coming back with more and more questions, most of time repeating themselves. Another woman with two kids was having a difficult time understanding the rules and procedures with the late fees related with a DVD. My problem with this lady was, if she was having such a problem communicating with the librarian, why didn't she ask one of the kids to translate? Usually, the kids speak the native language. I figure maybe she was trying to get in some English practice and I applaud her for that. However, that line was getting hella long. Maybe that wasn't the best time to practice???

Now, before anyone takes offense, I realize that learning English is not easy. Not easy at all. But if you been in this country over 10 years and you still can't even put together a sentence in English, that's a bit of a problem.

Self-help for your mistress

As I was perusing the shelves at my local bookstore, I couldn't help but notice this title:

"Will He Really Leave Her for Me?"

I thought that I had misread the title. I mean, I had to have misread. A self-help book for the mistress???

I'm thinking that I could sum this book up in two words: highly unlikely! Is there really much more to say? Except maybe, DTMFA! I just don't feel that there is any hope in waiting around for a married man. And if he does leave his wife for the mistress, what kind of relationship would that be? Could there ever be any unconditional trust in that relationship? Personally, it would be a long time before I started to feel completely sure of his fidelity. If he did it to one woman, what makes me immune from him doing the same thing to me?

I guess this book has some insightful information for someone, however. It's current rating is 4 1/2 stars. Still, I can't help but feel that any information that is presented in this book is anything that a woman in this situation hasn't already heard before. But I suppose maybe she's heard before and wasn't ready to listen.

I still say just DTMFA and be done with it!!!

Any other thoughts?

It's been an interesting month

Hi there, for those of you who periodically view my blog. As you can tell, it's been a slow month of posts. And I truly have no excuse. I just got a new laptop, so I can blog whenever my little heart desires. I have all these half posts that are now irrelevant, I think I'll just delete them.

I've been a little too preoccupied with trying to get back in shape, and, maybe, test for my next belt level. The thing that killed me on my last belt test were the push-ups. I had to do 100 push-ups, and not the little girlie kind either. I like. to die. Those push-ups was in addition to:

100 leg throw downs
100 stomach crunches
A shitload of squats
I can't even remember how many kicks, it's all a blur, probably 50 a leg of 5 different types of kicks
Four 1 minute long stick jumping exercises
Free sparring
Free grapple
MMA style sparring
And whatever else they felt the need to torture us with...

Needless to say, after that test, I was spent. I needed to take a break and re-evaluate, what exactly am I doing this for? At the end of my little training sabbatical, I decided that it was still important to me to train, but maybe I should get the testosterone out of my system and stop trying to prove that I can hang with the youngins in the class, and take it a little easy. And to think about what training goals I want for myself, not exactly what my instructor thinks my training goals should be. I truly respect my instructor, but I think that he sometimes forgets that I am closer in age to him than some of the other students. I am sure that he sees the potential for a hardcore, MMA female fighter in me. But my body just takes too long to heal these days. I need to step it up a notch, but in a more gingerly way.

As far as push-ups go, I'm up to about 20 a set, almost up to 3 sets with 30 second break in between. I now need to start back up with the crunches and the regular cardio. I get a bit of the cardio from class and just simply 3 sets of running up and down three flights of steps at work. If the opportunity to test again comes up, I may give it serious consideration. But I want to make sure I do it with a truly conditioned mind and body. And that it is it truly something that I want.

So there you have it! Nothing exciting, as of yet. The Anti-Diva is still alive and kicking, literally.

So has things been this month for everyone else?

Dru Hill reunion???

At least that what we were lead to believe on 92Q's Big Phatt Morning Show the other day. The reunion lasted about 10 minutes. Woody, who left the group previously, decided, on the air, that the group didn't really need him and that he should continue in his fellowship with God. There is a question as to whether or not this was a staged event. Maybe the whole thing was done for publicity? Well, Sisqo did not seem none too pleased with Woody's announcement. Of course, I wouldn't be too happy if my entertainment career was reduced to a terrible country reality TV series. Why else would Sisqo consider "Going Country" is his R&B career was on track?

I don't understand why they would include Woody in these reunion plans anyway. He left for the same reasons the first time. When they added Ruscola, aka 'Scola, to the group, I thought they were on the right track. I remember rocking 'Scola's "Let's Get Personal" track back in the mid to late 90's. He was pretty big here in the Baltimore/DC region for a minute. 'Scola added a freshness to the group that was way overdue. I was looking forward to a Dru Hill rebirth. After "Dru World Order" and Woody actually leaving the group, however, everything just seemed to fall apart. I noticed that with this reunion, 'Scola was not involved. I wonder why.

Here is the video from the radio interview. Could it be all a hoax?

The overdrive button

I've owned my car for 5 years and have never dared press the overdrive button. Until this week. That is dangerous button to press for a lead foot driver with a V6 engine and a road aggression complex. I could accelerate around the slowpokes and keep that gigantic, blocks-out-the-sunlight SUV from jumping in front of me.

I still don't think that I fully understand overdrive, but from what I gather, it is on by default, giving you better gas mileage, but shitty acceleration. When you press the button, you actually turning it off, allowing for more power.

Whatever, it does, all I know it that it brought my V6 engine back to life. If it wasn't for the high price of gas, potentially lowing my car's engine life, not to mention all the speeding tickets that I would probably get, I would probably leave that button pressed in all the effing time.

Really, Johnny Gill, really?

Back in the day, I loved me some Johnny Gill. Not so much for his looks, (mostly because, as a Balt/DC resident, the unflattering images of him as an awkward teenager with a horrible j-curl are still burned forever in my memory) but for his voice. My, my, my!! However, I haven't heard much from him as of late, at least not any solo endeavors.

So I was a bit surprised to hear about the rumors surrounding his alleged gay relationship with Eddie Murphy and how that relationship may have played a role in Eddie and Tracey's wedding disaster. What surprised me more was how he addressed the rumors. Specifically about being gay.

Gill was on the Doug Banks radio show to, in his mind, put an end to the gays rumors. But his statements instead made him wonder about his sexuality more. He states that he "is" heterosexual, “has always been” heterosexual and “always will be” heterosexual. Going further, he states:

"I got a stable (of women), I keep a stable. I've got all kinds of girls from Whites, Blacks to whatever you want to call them. I've got 'em all. Cuz that's the way I choose to live...working with the hand I was dealt. And until something comes along, one of them get their hooks in me...hey, I'm living and having fun."

A couple of problems I have with this statement. A stable of women?!? What are we, horses? Isn't that just a tad demeaning to women? What the hell does it prove about his sexuality, anyway? It just proves that he's a slut. It goes back to that old fashioned way of thinking that a man's manhood or sexuality is proven by the number of women that he keeps around him. I think Rock Hudson dispelled that myth. Another demeaning line: "all kinds of girls from whites, black to whatever you want to call them". Whatever you want to call them?!? Talk about objectifying women. Could you sound more chauvinistic?

He couldn't understand that anyone would ever think that Eddie Murphy was gay. Why? Because Eddie was married and has 8 children?!? Since when did the ability to reproduce have anything, anything to do with a person's sexuality? I know a lesbian who has a child, using the "old-fashion" method. A friend of mind was married and had three children with a man who later left her for another man!!!

I'm sorry, Johnny. But to me, any man that needs to vehemently defend his sexuality, especially in the method you chose, must be hiding something. I don't hear Eddie Murphy on the airwaves trying to plead his case for his manhood. He is obviously comfortable is his sexuality. At 41, maybe it is time for you to get comfortable in yours.

BTW, if you want to hear this interview, click here.

Unique way to keep the time

http://billychasen.com/clock/

Madea gets animated???

Apparently, a new series is in the works for a new animated Madea series. The idea came to Tyler Perry "after receiving thousands of letters from parents telling me how much their kids love Madea and realizing that a lot of the plays were not kid friendly. I wanted to do something more appropriate and this seems to be it. A 'Madea' animation looks like the best way."

Now, I'm thinking what the hell are these kids doing watching any of the "Madea" plays in the first place?

Anyway, more details here.

Words and Phrases in Music

On the way home this evening, SWV's song, "Downtown" played on my iPod. I recalled back to when this song was released and how naive I was to the metaphor. I was like, "she needs to go on a shopping spree to get in the mood to make love?!?". Then I finally really listened to the lyrics and had a big "ohhhh" (pun intended) moment. After that song, the word fairly innocuous word "downtown" now had a sexual connotation.

I started to think of other songs that either changed the meaning of some word or phrases or added new ones to our vernacular. Here's a few I thought of off the top of my head.

Cyndi Lauper's "She Bops"
I was about 10 years old when this came out. Little did I know that she was referring to a little "self-love". I just thought it was a strange little dance. Apparently, that is what Cyndi wanted us little kiddies to think it was about.

Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Relax"
Ok, these lyrics were a bit more, um, way more obvious. But, again at ten, what did I know? It wasn't until I heard this song again in my early twenties I wondered how could have my mother allowed me to listen to such music??

Blackstreet's "Booty Call"
Actually, the first time I ever heard the term "booty call" was in Bill Bellamy's comedy stand-up act ("ladies, if a brother calls you at 2am, is that or is that not a booty call?").

R. Kelly's "Down Low"
I'm sure R. Kelly's thought with this phrase was to keep a secret. Fairly innocuous, no innuendo there. However, this term has taken on a whole new meaning with straight identified black males, who occasionally like to take it in the tail pipe and don't want anyone to know.

I may add some more if I think of them. Any songs come to your mind?

30 day challenge

A Florida pastor has issued a challenge to the members of his congregation: 30 days of sex!!!

He feels that married couples allow the stresses of life are allowed to interfere with a loving relationship. Therefore, they should attempt to make love once a day for thirty days to get back that loving feeling.

For unmarried couples, even if they live together, are challenged to abstain from sex for 30 days. The pastor feels that 30 days without sex will allow unmarried to focus more on each other, since sex has probably been too much of a major focus in their relationship. How many of you unmarried couples think you can handle that? Good luck with that!!


30 day sex challenge
(Last I checked, the bandwidth had been exceeded.)

Movie sequels - Crank 2: High Voltage

Why does Hollywood do this? Why, I ask you? Crank 2, WTF?!? To those of you that have seen the movie, how can a sequel to this movie be possible?

Here's the plot outline from IMDB.com:

"Chelios faces a Chinese mobster who has stolen his nearly indestructible heart and replaced it with a battery-powered ticker that requires regular jolts of electricity to keep working."

Is it just me or does this plot sound pretty much like the first movie?

More plot details here. Has a bit of a spoiler for the first Crank. Then again, there really isn't much of a plot line to spoil.

Waiting for the bus on I-95

At least that is what is looked like the gentleman was doing as I passed him driving down I-95 this morning. There he was, standing on the left shoulder. He was wearing a trench coat and dress pants, carrying a little plastic bag. Of course, initially I thought that he was having a bit of car trouble. However, there was no car in sight. Scratch that, there was no car in sight on the left shoulder. The only car in the vicinity was on right shoulder. Hmmmmm... I wonder how he crossed 4 lanes of 65 MPH (usually 80) traffic without getting hit. I guess a better question would be why. Maybe the same reason the chicken did???

Of course, all types of scenarios ran through my head. Maybe someone kicked him out the car and just left him on the side of the road. Maybe he was contemplating death by car and everyone missed him on his first run across the interstate. Ok, that one was a bit morbid. I truly hope that that was not the case.

In the few micro-seconds that I got a glimpse of him, he really didn't look that distressed. Didn't appear to be trying to hitch a ride. I guess he was just waiting for someone to pick him up. Odd place to wait, though.

In any event, I hope the gentleman gets home safe and sound this evening.

Kanye West's Flashing Lights

This is definitely one of those "What the f**k" moments. Can anyone explain to me the point of this video? I am definitely missing something.