Check out “World’s Strictest Parents” now airing on CMT! We had a great time making it, and I’m pretty excited at how the episodes have turned out. Visit CMT.com for schedules and information.
Workin’
I’m finally back to work and on the road until sometime in April. Since I doubt I’ll have time for much besides the show, expect only an occasional update — not that there were so many before. So far, we’re having a good time digging into our episode, getting to know the players, scouting locations and all that. Camera arrives in a few days, and then the real insanity begins. Fingers crossed for a good run. If you’re curious, “America’s Strictest Parents” is set to begin airing April 18th on CMT. Casting info is available here.
See you on the other side…
Favorite Movies of 2008
10. Wanted
9. Wall-E
8. Hancock
7. The Incredible Hulk
6. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
5. Tropic Thunder
4. Pineapple Express
3. Kung Fu Panda
2. The Dark Knight
1. Iron Man
Honorable Mentions:
The Bank Job
Step Brothers
Cloverfield
Burn After Reading
In Bruges
Charlie Bartlett
War, Inc.
Mongol
Biggest Disappointment:
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Please keep in mind that I have yet to see many films including Space Chimps or The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything - a Veggietales Movie.
Favorite Things of 2008
In no particular order…
Iron Man – Some people will go with The Dark Knight, but I’m sticking with Tony. Iron Man is the most enjoyable film of 2008 and the most fun movie I’ve seen in awhile. Films like this are why I love movies; it’s packed with insane action, honest humanity, sharp dialogue, and Favreau makes it all feel effortless. Throw in Downey’s hilarious and transformative performance, and you’ve got something pretty amazing.
Kittens – Jenn and I adopted three New Jersey alley kittens back in September. Hungry and scared, covered in fleas with ears full of mites, we didn’t know if Gizmo, Dragon and Pippin would make it to the next morning. It didn’t take long for them to settle into their new home, and their shaky legs soon grew into furry springboards. Now they’re a tiny wrecking crew that destroys anything in its path. The curtains live in fear, but we adore our kittens anyway. They’re awesome.
Menomena – I guess Friend and Foe came out in 2007, but it’s been stuck in my CD player for most of 2008. Sometimes thoughtful, sometimes festive, always interesting, it’s a phenomenal album that Modest Mouse and The Shins fans will dig. “Evil Bee” haunts me, and “Wet and Rusting” might be my new favorite song. I can’t get enough of these guys, and you need to check them out.
Arches National Park – When Jenn and I drove cross country from Santa Monica to Milford, we made a few stops along the way. The highlight had to be the alien landscape known as Arches National Park. Dehydration headache aside, we had a really great time exploring and taking pictures. There might still be hope for Utah.
Sleepwalk with Me – I first saw Mike Birbiglia open for Nick Swardson and Jamie Kennedy many years ago. He put them both to shame back then, and he just keeps getting better. All of his comedy albums are worth your dollar, and his Comedy Central specials much be watched. His Off-Broadway one-man-show Sleepwalk With Me is the best thing he’s done, and that’s saying a lot. In addition to being a fascinating exploration of his life and struggles with his sleep disorder, it’s completely hysterical. The show is currently running at Bleecker Street Theatre in NYC through March 2009. Not to be missed.
Barack Obama – In just a few days, we get a new president. I don’t need to go on about what an historic election it was, but I haven’t cried like that since I don’t know when. Watching our officials fleece our country and pillage the world these past eight years, it’s been tough to feel good about being an American. Obama has turned that around. He’s taken us from frustration and despair to something else: hope. Hope for our country, hope for our future, hope for peace. It’s a lot, but I really believe he can deliver.
Assassin Nation
My friend Christo Garcia has launched a new web series that’s well worth checking out. Very nicely shot, written and acted, these noir shorts have me hankering for more:
Let’s hope he keeps making them. Enjoy.
Fallen Heroes
Dear Heroes,
WTF? Seriously, I don’t know what else to say. I don’t mean to be a dick or anything, but WTF? What the hell is going on with you this season? You used to be one of my favorite shows. I believe I once said, “Heroes might be my favorite show of all time.” No longer. I recently tried to defend you, calling you a “guilty pleasure,” and even that’s probably a stretch. Lately, I’m just confused and annoyed. Stuff just happens each episode, and there seems to be no real reason for any of it. Are you jerking us around? Sylar was bad, and now he’s good. Now he’s bad again! I got your nose! Seriously, WTF? Another save-the-future storyline? Really? And then the eclipse? That turned out to be a very nice segue to nowhere. I’m not abandoning all hope for you yet, even if I should. Please turn things around soon. I would write more, but I’m too frustrated.
Sincerely.
The Forbidden Kingdom
The Forbidden Kingdom tastes a lot like a Happy Meal: familiar and fun but ultimately not that satisfying. The movie stars the kid from Sky High as Jason, along with Jet Li and Jackie Chan playing multiple roles. Jason falls through some sort of dimensional portal and ends up in a parallel universe version of ancient China. He must return a magic staff to the…
Whatever.
Essentially, the thin story nets us an enjoyable Jackie vs. Jet beat down, some impressive visual effects and Jason’s coming-of-age. Maybe I’m being too hard on it. I dunno. I did enjoy the movie, but I just didn’t care. Everything felt too uninspired and by-the-numbers, like a bunch of suits got together and decided to try to make the ultimate family kung-fu movie.
When I think about Sky High, I realize where my frustrations stem from. Sky High is a family-friendly take on superhero movies, much like The Forbidden Kingdom is a family-friendly take on kung fu movies. Fair comparison? Where Sky High managed to surprise me with its imagination, crack me up with its sharp writing and genuinely pull me in, The Forbidden Kingdom offered nothing new and had me checking my watch.
In short, rent Sky High.
Happy Thanksbirthday!
Today is Jenn’s birthday, and it’s also Thanksgiving. She actually was born on Thanksgiving day no-so-many years ago. Her dad told us that his Thanksgiving dinner that night was a tuna sandwich that a nurse gave him. Thankfully, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal today, compliments of Jenn’s family. We also got to enjoy Jenn’s Tom the Turkey ice cream birthday cake from Carvel. Delicious.
Happy Birthday, Jenn! And Happy Thanksgiving to everyone else!
Tom the Turkey says happy birthday to Jenn.
