Movie Review: 2007 Part 2

Hey all,

For today's follow up column I thought I would post my Top 5 Worst Films of 2007. I saw a lot of movies in 2007 and the fact that I didn't like so many of them should have made this an easy column. It's hard to call some of the bottom films the WORST of 2007, as I didn't see some of the films that invariably should be on this list, like Hostel Part 2 or P2, or any of the other wide assortment of terrible horror films that were released. Anyway here is my Top 5.

5- Ghost Rider

Maybe one of the worst super hero films since Halle Berry's Catwoman, I hated pretty much every aspect of the bronze plated turd. The direction, story and acting were all sub par. One of the single lowest points of this film is when Ghost Rider, a demon from hell that hunts demons, finds the most appropriate response of police officers shooting at him is to flip them off. He's a demon and he gave the cops the finger. Terrible. Don't even get me started on Nic Cage's hairpiece.

4- 28 Weeks Later-

All I wanted was something that was akin to the first film. 28 Weeks Later was long, boring and didn't really drive the story like the original. I also thought the quality of actors was a step back. I just didn't care about the characters of the people they were trying to protect. I think the biggest problem was that I expected nothing in the first and I got gold, and in the second I expected silver or bronze and didn't even medal.

3- Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End

Just an over the top gluttony of buffoonish acting, with the effects over story telling mentality that crippled the second film. The first film found that natural balance between story and effects and the franchise never felt the same. Honestly Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly weren't even needed in that film. Hated it.

2- Spider-man 3

Probably the most disappointing film of 2007, with my expectations being so high. The first 2 films are perfect examples of how to make a super hero movie, balance the story with the action. Here it feels like they were trying to make two different movies, the Sandman story that Sam Raimi wanted, and the Venom film the studio wanted. It was too much to really pull off in a single movie, they should o introduced the symbiote in the film and left the character of Venom for the follow up in Spider-man 4.

1- Transformers

I fully understand that I will be flamed as I am one of the only people I know who hated this movie so. It took everything I loved about Transformers and ruined them Optimus looked terrible, Bumblebee was a Camaro, I don't know what Megatron transformed into, was that a dinosaur with jets attached? Why did one Decepticon transform into scorpion, and the rest into vehicles? Maybe I am to much of a purist but I just wanted it to be closer to what I remember. I am okay with making changes for the sake of movies, but it was just to many for me. Add that Micheal Bay is known for making big budget no story action flicks, well I hated it. I also respect that so many of you did like the film. You just won't catch me at Transformers 2.

I'd also give an honorable mention to Shrek 3 and Oceans Thirteen.

Anyway there is my list, I am planning one more movie list this week highlighting some of the most anticipated films of 2008. Thanks for reading.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Movie Review: 2007

Hey all,

It was my intention to run my top movie picks of 2007 down after watching Sweeney Todd, but unless I go catch it by myself some afternoon I may not see it until video. 2007 was a fairly disappointing year with so many high profile releases, but I thought I would run down my top 10 films of 2007. These films are based on a few things, one they will all be genre films. The Oscars and Golden Globes are gonna slurp up films like There Will Be Blood and Atonement, I am concentrating on films that the general public goes to see. Tow, these are films I have watched. Not being a professional critic I have to pay my own way and sometimes I don't get to see movies that may be good, Like Sweeney Todd or American Gangster.

That's the precursor, onto my Top 10 genre Films of 2007.

10- Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Probably the weakest pick of my top 10. I am sure there are probably a few films that I missed that were better than this, but I went into the film expecting it to be terrible and I was surprised to see it actually improve on the original.

9-Shoot'em Up-
Just a sinfully guilty pleasure in terms of action and farce. I loved Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti's over the top approach. Its not a good movie.. but it's damn fun.

8- Hot Fuzz
My forgotten favorite of the summer. Very funny and very good. I thought it a perfect send up of the cheesy action genre that I love so dearly. I also think it further cemented Simon Pegg as a comedic actor with a large upside.

7- 300
I loved 300's slavish adaption of Frank Miller's graphic novel and the beautiful way the movie was shot. I will admit that this slipped a bit on the charts for the sheer amount of over exposure it received.

6- Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Financially the worst received of the Judd Apatow movies of the summer (Knocked Up and Superbad running rampant) but by far my favorite. Eschewing the gross out humor with a message formula of the those other films its simply a ridiculous and funny movie that made me laugh. My favorite comedy of the year.

Top 5

5- Grindhouse
Though way to long I absolutely loved Tarentino's Deathproof and the great fake trailers spread through the movie. Particularly Robert Rodriguez's Machete and Rob Zombie's hilarious Werewolf Women of the SS. The Planet Terror section too long for my tastes and could have used a bit of an edit, but over the course of the year I really came to like the movie more.

4-Live Free or Die Hard
My favorite action movie of the year saw Bruce Willis return to what he does best, crack wise, kill bad guys, and get the shit beat out of him. It didn't try to be something it wasn't, just a fun movie that reminded us why we loved the other three in the first place.

3- Pan's Labyrinth-
Guillermo del Torro is quickly becoming a great director. Managing to make two compelling films in one is no easy feat. The fantastic juxtaposition of the Spanish Civil War and a girls journey to the world of faerie was beautifully done. Technically this film given a limited release in 2006 for Oscar contention, but the film didn't get a national release until January of 2007, which is why I am counting it here.

2- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix-
My least favorite book and possibly my favorite film of the series in one. Director David Yates boiled down the film to the important parts and kept the tone of the film evolving with the audience. The optimism of the early works really turns dark in book 5 and I think that message was conveyed. I am eagerly awaiting his adaption of book 6 in 2008, possibly the darkest of the series.

1- 3:10 to Yuma
This should be no surprise to anyone who has talked to me. I love Westerns and this is a great western. Better than the original version and another reason to man crush on Christian Bale. It has a great story, great action and great acting. Perfect/

I am sure I left out some great films, but this was my list. I will post a worst of '07 tomorrow that I know at least 1 film inclusion should be flameworthy. Thanks for reading and happy viewing in 2008!

End of Line.
Gerrad!

The Solution

Hey all,

Here's another poem I wrote during the waning days of my somewhat working vacation. Sort of a love poem directing questions to the meaning of life and our purpose. The poem is about one person finding their answer, though not me. I can relate to some of the feelings of having unanswered questions in life, but I think each person finds there own reasons. Some we know and some reasons we want to believe. Some answers we haven't figured out yet. Not sure which category I am in yet. Anyway please enjoy the poem.



The Solution


Time is a question of answers sought,

Where rewards' a pursuit not easily caught.

Rhyme and reason seem a matter of fate,

When the total sum just doesn't equate.


The solution to life, the great unknown,

To find one another, awash and alone.

The meeting of two to equal the one.

Coming together to join the undone.


Many queries may result in the same,

Missing the prize under a mountain of blame.

Seeking a purpose from close or afar,

During our time from the pain and the scar.


Joining in mind to covet so pure,

Bringing once broken pieces a cure.

When there is so little we can trust or rely,

Hold faith in what we cannot deny.


The meaning of life so close at hand,

The answer is you and love's sweet demand.

As the flag of my heart flutters unfurled,

You're my reason for being in all of the world.



End of Line.
Gerrad!

Food for Thought (Day 2!)

Hey all,

In what has turned out to be an interesting weekend for food, my friends and I tried out another interesting place to eat yesterday. Called Lo-Lo's its an authentic soul food establishment that serves chicken and waffles. Much like the famous Roscoe's in Los Angeles, it prides itself on serving African American "street food." I have been fascinated by the concept of the restaurant for a long time, ever since hearing about it and I have wanted to taste it.

Now I should point out that it is located in the urban section of down town Phoenix. It's not the nicest of neighborhoods and the building is not in the greatest of shape. I will say though, that the service was bright and friendly and the food was great. I ordered the traditional fare, deep fried chicken and waffles, with a side of red beans and rice. The rest of the table ordered very similar dishes, passing around excellent collared greens and grits. I found the chicken to truly taste home cooked and the side dishes were much better than I anticipated. I also must recommend their homemade lemonade, it was fantastic! Maybe the best I have ever tried. I look forward to going back to sample some of their other dishes, like catfish and red velvet cake.

I will be honest, I wasn't sure how we would be viewed upon entering the restaurant, being white. This is a small piece of African American culture that most others may not understand or treat respectfully. I am not in any way racist and real prejudice is a terrible blight upon the world. But I was still nervous that we would be viewed strangely. Fortunately none of that was evident. I recommend Lo-Lo's for a true urban dining experience. The food was good and who doesn't want to say they ate chicken and waffles?

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Food for Thought

Hey all!

Today's post is about an experience I had last night eating some delightful new foods at a restaurant called George and the Dragon. It's an English/Scottish/Irish pub, sort of a United Kingdoms food crawl. I should point out that I love trying new dishes that I have never tasted before and this restaurant had a lot of fare that I have never had the chance to experience.

First off, I had two English beers that I have never had before (and I have tried beers from all over the world) called Hoegaarden (hope that spelling is right) and Old Peculiar. The Hoegaarden is a white beer, made with wheat served with a lemon. Had a very mild taste served as a draught. The Old Peculiar was served in a bottle, a dark English stout with a very nice taste. It wasn't bitter or overpowering, I liked it.

For food we started off with an appetizer called a Scotch Egg. A hard boiled egg which is then wrapped around a sausage, sort of like a meatball, then coated in bread crumbs and deep fried. It was then cut in four and served cold with a worchester sauce for dipping. It was wonderful in a very surprising manner. I thought that it would be something I didn't like but it was my favorite taste of the night. It would make for a hardy breakfast.

The main course consisted of another traditional English dish, steak and kidney pie.It consists of diced beef steak and diced lamb's kidney, in a heavy, thick sauce of spices and onions. It's a one crust pie, meaning that the dish is covered with a flaky crust but not completely enclosed by the pastry. It was a heavy dish served with English chips (what we would call steak fries, thick cut french fries). It was very tasty but not something I think everyone would enjoy, tough I certainly would eat it again.

Dessert was an English classic, Spotted Dick. It starts out with a hot breaded blend of fruits, consisting of currents, raisins, and citrus peels covered in a hot foamy English custard, that's usually steamed. I enjoyed it a lot, though I don't think the rest of the table did. It was a huge portion and had a very indescribable taste, unlike anything I had ever eaten before. I would certainly order it again and it's definitely something you should try.

I look forward to a return visit to George and the Dragon to sample other English fare, such as there Shepard's Pie and Bangers and Mash ( a personal favorite). It is always an adventure to try new cuisine, and I had a lot of fun.

Thanks for reading.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Episode 7

Billy spurred the horse harder, clutching the reins in his hands, white hot tears flowing down his face. He still couldn't believe it, Warren was dead and that... that....thing eating him, it was to horrible to relive. His brother was dead, and there as nothing he could do anymore but run.

He scanned for the horizon, only finding an inky darkness when it should be early morning. No moon or stars, just a darkened orb where the sun was supposed to be. Focusing on that gave him something else to think about, would take his mind away from what he had seen. There were so many questions.

He could hear the horse's labored breath as he urged him to go faster. Another few minutes and he would be near Contention, near to the Sheriff and nearer to hopefully some answers. He gripped the reins tighter and felt for the security of his scatter gun as he crested the hill. Finding Contention sprawled out before him, the lanterns of homes piercing the night, like a beacon. He gave the horse a reassuring pat and galloped into town.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Movie Review (DVD edition) Shoot'em Up

Hey all,

The movie Shoot'em Up came out a a while back and it was a film that I wanted to see. I didn't get a chance to see the film, but I did pick it up on a blind buy based on a friends recommendation. We both love the cheesy "B" movies that usually go straight to video, or the Sci-Fi channels weekly crap-fest. They are mindless action romps that can make you laugh. It's not about plot or acting, its only about having fun.

Shoot'em Up delivers that in spades. Clive Owen is Smith, a stranger who saves a pregnant hooker from villains. She dies, but not before giving birth, to which Smith then feels he must protect the baby. He takes it to Monica Belluci, another hooker who services clients with.. shall we say baby fetishes, for nourishment. The main villain, Paul Giamatti, hamming it up in what is obviously a lot of fun for him, chases them down. That's the plot. They throw reality out of the window early on, with Owen shooting bad guys as he delivers the baby, and his character is always eating carrots-which lead to at least 2 carrot related deaths. The final sequence between Giamatti and Owen is SO unbelievable its achieves classic campiness and outrage.

I realize that not everyone likes this kind of film, but if you love bad action movies, with puns so bad that they turn good and hilarious one liners, Shoot'em Up is for you. Gun fights, car chases, paper thin plots (with holes so wide you can drive a truck through them, crazy sex sequences, and sheer unbridled over the top fun, then you'll like this movie. I recommend Shoot'em Up for a night of fun with your friends.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Episode 6: (Part Two)

"COVER YOUR FACE, ROOT!"

The Sheriff quickly clamped his eyes shut and turned his head sideways as the zombie's head exploded in a shower of decaying brains and thick congealed blood. Root rolled the heavyset creature to his side and wiped some residue off of his face before turning to his savior.

Katee Sinclair stood in the doorway to the Pullman car, her threadbare dress torn, exposing her long legs, the smoking barrel of the Colt pistol still held in both hands. She looked around the car before holstering the Colt in her gun belt. She brushed an errant strand of hair away before looking back to him.

"You exposed Sheriff?"

Root pulled down the sleeve of his shirt, hiding the long claw marks on his arm. "Bit of a scrape, but I'll be fine. Helluva a shot Katee. Get Billy in here, it won't be long 'fore those son's a bitches get through that door."

As Katee turned away, Root reached into his vest's inner pocket, pulling out a small flask. He took a quick pull before splashing a bit on his torn flesh. He bit his lip as the dark liquor burned in the wound.

"This is gonna get fuckin' worse...."

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Episode 6 (Part One)

Billy quickly moved into the second train car, where Katee and the Sheriff were already waiting. He latched the door behind him as the undead lurched closer, surging against the door. The car they were in seemed empty and the three of them moved through it quickly.

"Wait here, I'll check out the next car. It's only a matter of time before they get through the door."

The Sheriff pulled open the car door, and moved into the space way between cars. He took a deep breath and opened the second door. Pulling free both of his pistols he crept into the car. It was dark and had that familiar order of decay. The lights had all been bashed out, and the Sheriff moved silently through the car.

Suddenly lurching from the fore section of the car shambled three of the creatures. The Sheriff lined up and let 3 quick shots fly. Two of the beasts fell back, their brains blown against the wall. The three shot went wide and the creature raked his claws against the Sheriff's arm.

"ARRGH!" he yelled dropping one of his guns as the beast drew him in. The zombie, which outweighed him by at least 80 pounds, wrestled him to the ground. He strained to keep the monster's teeth from clamping down on him. His good arm, still clutching the gun, was wedged beneath the huge beast's chin, forearm pushing away the clamping jaws.

"Son of a bitch..."


End of Line.
Gerrad!

Quick Hit

Hey all,

Two quick notes,

First, I went back and put in some section breaks in my last poem. I re-read it today and I think it will help other readers find a better rhythm to it.

Also, the next two flash fiction posts will be a two parter. Telling a story in a disjointed manner for me has been a lot of fun, but the story for this part is a little longer than a typical post. Enjoy!

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Wallow

Hey all,

First poem of 2008 posted today. This was a weird poem to write, I just kept putting lines to paper and this is what came out. A very downtrodden poem about dealing in your mistakes and regrets, and a the inability to move past the things you've done. Or the things you can't seem to do. Very different cadence than my normal poems, I can feel the rhythms as I write it, but I am not sure if it will have the same measures in the eye of the reader. This may not be a poem that translates for anyone else, though I see my own message and meaning in it. Poetry hasn't been easy the last month or two, but I like writing it, it feels cathartic. I think that even posting ones that may not resonate to everyone at least helps me in terms of expressions. As always thank you for reading.


Wallow


Broken to my own stained set of living,

One more day to wallow in my filth.

Sweat and grime are all I have for giving.

Crashing down on a lost chance at wealth.

The dirt just won't wash off my person.

Blackened dirge to drown out my health.


Unclean even in a world of dream,

Where the cost of taxing feels obscene.

And I'm drifting out on a darkened stream.

Threadbare and thin, without a hope.

Wrapped amid such unbending hurt.

So worn out hanging by a frayed rope.


Done so many very bad things,

That won't wash away amidst the scrubbing.

Just adding up like so many layered rings.

Can't even see the man I use to be,

Just a dirty reflection in the mirror.

And the scum of wanton apathy.


End of Line.
Gerrad!

Word Balloon: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Dark Dossier

Hey all,

I was inspired to run a new feature today, highlighting books that I am reading or really enjoying. As anyone who knows me can tell you, I am a voracious reader. I love reading, especially science fiction, fantasy, and adventure books. I am also a huge comic book fan.

My father got me into reading, he always had a book or something when I was growing up, and continues to now. We even exchange books at holidays through the mail to further each others habits. He introduces me to new fiction and adventure novels, I show him great genre and science fiction reads.

This particular column, hell the reason that I thought to do this today, was inspired by a comic book. I have been collecting comics since i was 10 yeas old in 1986. Superheroes, independent press, a variety of reads throughout the years. Never before though have I been so astounded by a book than the one I am reading now. This includes novels and "real literature." Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier.

First a bit of back story. Alan Moore is comics literary genius. Creating some of comics greatest works, V For Vendetta, From Hell, Watchmen, and seminal runs on Superman, Swamp Thing, and Miracle Man. Many of these works have been translated to film, some good (V for Vendetta) and some bad ( League of Extraordinary Gentlemen). Moore will have nothing to do with the films, giving all proceeds to the artist an not wanting his name on something he didn't directly do. O'Neill is a gifted artist who helps create the League book's Victorian feel.

There are three League series in print so far and I recommend getting the first 2 volumes for back story. What Moore has done is to craft a tale of some of literature's greatest characters into a team of heroes of the royal crown. Mina Murry, wife of Jonathan Harker of Dracula fame. Mr. Hyde, Allen Quartermain, The Invisible Man, and Captain Nemo comprise the team featured in his books. But the scope of research done to connect so many literary characters so well is mind boggling. Weaving a tapestry that connects novels like Last of The Mohican's, Pilgrims Progress, Gulliver's Travels, Shakespeare' Midsummers Night Dream,War of the Worlds , Sherlock Holmes, 1984 and characters like James Bond, Fanny Hill, H.G. Wells Time Traveler... the list is endless.

As I read the third volume, presented as a collection of articles on the various incarnations of the League throughout the years, with Prospero's league (featured in Shakespeare's The Tempest) to Mina Murry's 19th century League, to a 1950's League led by James Bond and Emma Peel (from televisions Avengers) I am amazed at the amount of research that Moore pored into this work.

I consider myself fairly well read, but I have never felt like more of a literary hack than while reading this book. I honestly cannot imagine putting such time and energy into something like this, crammed with reference that most people may not even see. Including me, as I surely have not read every one of of the novels Moore references. It's almost demoralizing to see how inconsequential what I do is in comparison.

This is what comic books are truly capable of. Moore's works, particularly Watchmen ( a deconstruction of super heroes in the real world) are already studies in colleges. In fact Watchmen is considered by many to be the pinnacle of comic storytelling. Moore is blowing this stuff away with his League books. Please check them out.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Episode 5

Boothe polished the worn counter top with a dirty rag. He grumbled under his breath as he noticed a fresh set of carvings on the counter as he wiped at them harder. Boothe reached into his pocket and pulled out his watch, Faded and tarnished, it still kept good time, and Boothe put it back into his pocket. He looked out over the bar at the saloons customers.

It was getting on towards dawn, though he didn't see the sun yet, which in of itself was strange. There weren't many people left in the place, Deke and Barry he had to kick out every day, but the stranger was still sitting at the same table, hand holding an empty glass. Stranger had been waiting for a go with one of his girls, but he'd been booked up most of the night. Katee'd be free soon, and he could make a few more bucks before closing up.

Boothe walked over to the stranger and shook his shoulder. He didn't get much response and he shook it harder. " Hey you still wanna go?"

Suddenly the stranger spun his head, quicker than Boothe would have thought possible and sank his teeth into Boothe's hand.

"FUCKIN MOTHER FUCK!" Boothe cursed as he bent back towards the bar.

The stranger lurched from his chair and moved towards Boothe. Cradling his hand he reached over the bar for his gun, just as he felt the stranger's teeth plung into his neck. He let out a scream as the last thing he heard was the ring of gunshots.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Thought Balloon

Happy 2008 all!

Seems that 2007 has come to its end and we are into a new year already. I have to be honest, it seems that the year went by really fast. Each year moving just a bit quicker than before. All in all though, I feel that 2007 was a pretty good year.

I am happy with my blog output over the course of the last few months, getting a post every other day or so for the most part. I also feel that I arranged an overall tone in the blog, sort of a standard by which you the reader can count on. My goal is to average at least 15 posts a month for the whole year. Honestly I should be able to do more, but we will see.

Work this year started off really bad and has kind of turned 180 degrees. I seem to be off the shit lists and on the top performers list and that feels good. There are still times when I have to pull long hours or have bad days, but in general I think that we are at a fairly stable position on the store. My only goal at work this year is to enjoy my vacation (all 8 weeks!) and get eligible for a company car.

I'm still not where I want to be personally in my life. It seems like that's my resolution every year though. Moving forward to develop a relationship is still a daunting task that I struggle with everyday. I can analyze my own fears and shortcomings, but I still don't know how to get past these foibles. Cutting to the quick of this definitely a target in 08. Another year closer.

I thank everyone who has read my blog over the last year and who will continue to do so. Flash Fiction is scheduled to upload tomorrow so there is lots to look forward to in 2008. Thanks for reading.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

A Little Lie

Hey all,

Not a lot of precursor to this poem. I wrote it to kind of deal with those moments n your life you lie to yourself and how you eventually feel coping with the truth of the matter. Thanks for reading.

A Little Lie


Told myself a little lie,

That grew greater in the telling.

Soon enough time did pass,

Even I believed the selling.

Thought my chance for happiness,

Was waiting there for me.

A foolish thought for such as I,

To blinded by dishonesty.

Could have seen that turn of fate,

To find some blessed progress.

In the end I found the answer,

And all that could have been, regress.

Colors shined into my world,

A spectrum seen through hooded eyes.

In truth the world is black and white,

Shaded by a false disguise.

Now I bare the truth to heart,

Wiser for such wear.

Won't let myself get fooled again,

I couldn't take more despair.

Say goodbye to all that mattered,

Hello to what what does not,

Shoulder now the truth to burden,

A hope one day this lies forgot.



End of Line.
Gerrad!

Movie Review: Walk Hard

Hey all,

Four weeks equals four movies for me, as I caught Walk Hard, The Dewey Cox Story this past Friday. More importantly, this film finally broke my string of disappointing box office choices. Walk Hard is my favorite comedy of the year.

Produced and co-written by comedy golden boy Judd Apatow, the guy that brought heart to raunchy R rated comedies, and starring John C. Reilly and Jenna Fischer (Pam of The Office) Walk Hard made me laugh more than Superbad or Knocked Up. Reilly is Dewey Cox, a troubled singer along the lines of Johnny Cash who accidental killed his talented younger brother and sets out to be a rock and roll musician. He is troubled by the usual rock and roll temptations, sex, drugs and alcohol, but ultimately finds himself in the end.

It follows Apatows now dependable pattern of R comedy with a heartfelt message, but it adds such a level of absurdity and ridiculousness, that it doesn't get sappy the way Knocked Up does. It never takes itself seriously, from a fully grown Reilly playing his 14 year old self, to the hilarious innuendos in some of Cox's songs, like Let's Duet or Darling. Reilly plays the role with such energy and wit, going from comedy straight man to the being the punchline seamlessly throughout. Fischer, as his second wife is seriously cementing her hotness as well as her ability to play off other actors. The celebrity casting is great too. Jack Black, Paul Rudd, and Justin Long as Paul, John, and George of the Beatles, Frankie Muniz as Buddy Holly, and my personal favorite, White Stripes front man Jack White as Elvis Presley.

Reilly also sings his own songs in the films, which are very funny. Be warned, there are a few male nudity jokes in the film, but I think that the audiences discomfort made those moments even funnier. All in all, Walk Hard is a movie you should definitely check out.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Movie Time: Rewind: Singin' in the Rain

Hey all,

Almost forgot to post this month's installment of the Rewind, highlighting great films made before the year of my birth. I thought this posting would highlight a genre that hasn't got a lot of respect until recently. The musical. I know it's not the manliest thing to admit to, but I like a well done musical. Recent years have seen Moulin Rouge! and Chicago as pretty good films, but great musicals came out of the end of Hollywood's golden years.

When you talk about musicals in the 1940's and 1950's, for my money you are talking about Gene Kelley. Kelley took musicals and approached them like he would a sport. Adding great dance and song sequences that were in my opinion unparalleled. He made many great films, but the one you can't go wrong with is Singin' in the Rain. Made in 1952, it is considered the ultimate collaboration between director/actor Kelley, and director Stanley Donen. Kelley would handle all the musical numbers, while Donen directed the storyline. Donen would go on to make several great films, directing Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face, Two for the Road, and another true classic, Charade, Cary Grant's last great film.

This is the pinnacle of Kelley's career, he goes on to make several more good films, but he never quite achieves the same success. MGM, who produced the film, cast Don O'Conner, Cyd Charisse and newcomer Debbie Reynolds in the film to add power to the singing and dancing numbers.

The films plot is set around the time of the movie's transition from silents to talkies. Kelley plays a silent film star with actress Jean Hagen, who upon the release of the film The Jazz Singer, realizes that they must make their latest film a talkie. The pair, who have had a string of successful films together, begin reshooting their movie. Hagen's character believes all the tabloid hype about herself and Kelley, and wants to be romantically involved with him. But Kelley has eyes for a chorus girl he met fleeing from the paparazzo. After reshooting the movie, they screen the film and get laughed out of the theatre, as Hagen's character's strong ditsy accent is unbearable, and Kelley's dialog and acting not translating to talkies. Kelley, along with piano playing pal Don O'Conner and chorus girl Debbie Reynolds, hatch a plan to once again reshoot the film as a musical, dubbing Hagen's voice with Reynolds.

For me the best part of the film is that the music numbers don't feel forced, just another part of the story, so breaking in to song or dance just feels like that is where the movie's going. Since its a movie about a musical, it all fits. Kelley is at his best in numbers like Singin' in the Rain, and the grand finale, Gotta Dance, which builds on the work he started in An American in Paris. Singin' in the Rain isn't a great musical, it's a great film, and one of my all time favorites. Check it out.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Thought Balloon

Hey all,

Hope you had a great Christmas! This was a different Christmas for me not having family around on the holidays. This was the first year that neither my mom or dad was in town and it felt kind of odd not seeing either of them. My brother did stop by for about 10 minutes, but he has pretty much cemented all of his holidays with his fiancee, which made me the odd man out.

I did appreciate the Christmas dinner invite over to my roommates brother. Danny's house. He used to be my roommate before he met his wife and I consider him a good friend. I didn't know what I was going to do and it was nice to be welcomed so.

It's strange to think of so much of my family moving on, and I feel like I'm still the same. I don't know what the future holds, and I don't know what my role will be. I just keep on trudging along waiting for my turn.

At any rate I did have a great time spending my Christmas with my friends, many of whom are just as close to being my family as my actual members. Thank you all for the warmth and spirit you've shown me, at a time when the the cold of winter seeps in the deepest.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

My Christmas

Hey all,

Been working on a Holiday poem for a few days now. I really tried to create a poem that evoked traditional Holiday tones. Something more along the classical Christmas songs and stories from the 50's and 60's. Not exactly breaking new ground, but Christmas is such a traditional Holiday I wanted to really try to recreate those feelings you had when you were younger. Merry Christmas!


My Christmas


The snow had fallen in the whitest of sheet.

As my family did gather together wholly complete.

They arrived to my home bundled up warm,

As carolers came by with songs to perform.

We trimmed the tree and decorated with lights,

The children running about with heartfelt delights.

Stockings were stuffed with candy and toys,

Presents were wrapped to spread the yuletide joys.

The decorations were hung all over the house.

Enough to inspire even the grinchiest of grouse.

Mistletoe dangled under each door,

As we kissed and laughed about Holidays before.

Father sat by the fire and read Christmas tales,

Telling those stories with vivid details.

Mother in the kitchen baking a feast,

Ten kinds of cookies were served in the least!

Throughout the year my family may drift away,

But we always come together on this special day.

As my Christmas came to its long end,

I realized the greatest gift is family and friend.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Movie Review: National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets

Hey all!

Three Fridays in a row have resulted in new movies for me, and I am continuing my grinching ways with new movies. National Treasure 2 was a movie I was oddly looking forward to. I am admittedly not a fan of Nic Cage, with his ever changing hairline and odd takes on characterization. The first National treasure was a surprise like for me, having all the puzzle solving and action that I wanted from The Da Vinci Code. That was a movie that failed to really make the compelling story from the book translate. National Treasure took a great puzzle and wrapped some pretty fantastic big budget fun behind it. Though kind of unbelievable, the first film stayed in a form of reality that we related to and gave us a fun group of heroes, and a well acted bad guy in Sean Bean.

National Treasure 2 uses the same formula, but leaves a lot unanswered. The premise of the film finds Nic Cage's character estranged from his girlfriend, Abby, and getting one of his ancestors declared a Civil War hero. When Ed Harris' character brings proof from a lost page of John Wilkes Boothe diary implicating Cage's ancestor in the assassination, Cage must prove his families innocence. Teaming up with his ex and best friend Riley, Cage sets out to find the Presidents book of secrets, a secret diary containing a part of a map to the fabled lost city of gold.

The plots ans action adventure are all very familiar from the first movie, which is okay, but they never really resolve some of the issues, such as actually proving his ancestors innocence, instead everything works out by the discovery of the treasure. Cage is passable in his role, but the film lacks in the supporting cast. Cage's girlfriend, played by Diane Kruger, loses some of the spirit she had in the first film by not really recapturing the sexual tension that made their banter so enjoyable before. Also Ed Harris comes across as more menacing than Sean Bean's baddie in the first, but not quite so charming. Riley, played by Justin Bartha does provide much welcomed comic relief though.

Overall the film is average. It doesn't live up to the fun and adventure of the original, but it is passable. My recommendation is a rental on DVD. Hopefully I will be able to post on Walk Hard and Sweeney Todd this week, and be on the lookout for my Christmas poem either Monday or Tuesday. Thanks for reading!

End of Line.
Gerrad!

True Story Time!

Hey all,

As most of my good true stories have been told, though I am sure I am probably forgetting some, I did think this quick tale deserved a mention.

This year, as well as last year, I have been asked to play Santa Clause for 6 of our local McDonalds. I've got the nice suit and I am also the only heavy set white dude that can pull it off. I said sure, I have always liked Christmas time and it does make me feel good to see those kids faces light up.

I will say that my Ho Ho Ho sounds suspiciously like the Santa from that great holiday movie, Christmas Story. Very deep and pronounced. So anyway, its been kind of hit and miss at a lot of these stores, either very busy or very dead. Last night I had a lot of kids initially, but after the first half an hour it was slow. These same two Hispanic girls kept coming up to me and talking to me. I did a pretty good job deflecting questions about my reindeer and where Rudolph was, but i hit a bit of a snag when they asked me how I fit down the chimney.

I told them that I had magic dust that allows me to do that. The girl's face goes white as a sheet. She says," Magic! Noooooo you are a demon!" Then goes running towards her Mom. The next kid after that pooped on my leg. Yeah... pooped on my leg. I mean he had pants on and it didn't get on me, but you could feel him pooping. Merry Christmas to me.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Family Guy - best of herbert

Just Wanted to repost this clip of creepy old Herbert the pervert from Family Guy. A sick and funny character. Jst like I like them!

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under A Dead Sun

Episode 4:

Katee kissed Billy, a deep urgent kiss, a kind that she hadn't given in a long time. Billy pulled her tightly in his embrace, reveling in her warmth. The cold air seeped through the thin walls of the farrier's stable, and you could still hear the groans of the undead below them. Billy lay arm in arm with Katee, looking at her in the low light of the solitary lantern that illuminated the hayloft.

"What are we gonna do Billy?"

"We sure as hell can't stay here much longer. The longer we stay to ground, the more' o them things will sure show up."

Billy looked at their meager weapons cache, his Colt, with maybe 5 or 6 spare rounds, and the Winchester. Katee had the scattergun, but it only had 1 shell left. Billy peered over the edge of the hayloft, at the growing number of undead. He then looked to the loading window of the hayloft, and the pulley that ran the spare bales up to the loft.

"Katee, grab the Winchester and move towards the window. Reckon its time we do something a mite drastic."

With that Billy grabbed the spare can of kerosene and starting shaking it out over the side of the hayloft. When it get low he threw the can over the side, listening to the dull thud as it hit the hay strewn floor. Billy grabbed the scatter gun and took aim.

"Hold tight Katee."

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Movie Review: I am Legend

Hey all,

I managed to catch I Am Legend over the weekend and I really came to realize two things. One, that it has been a long while since I caught a huge blockbuster on opening night. That place was so place was so packed that we had to trade our tickets in for a later showing just to get seats that allowed us to see the screen! The Second thing I learned is that everyone is probably right about me, I'm a movie Grinch because I didn't like it.

As I get older, there are simply less and less movies I find myself enjoying, whether that is a result of age and not understanding current movie going trends, or having a better understanding of movies having seen so many, or simply appreciating the quality films that came before and current films not living up to the hype. It saddens me because I love going to the movies, the theatre experience is great. I just seem to find so many movies lacking in depth and substance. I know there are quality blockbusters that can be made, I've seen them! Unfortunately, I am Legend is not one of them.

Will Smith plays a military scientist, the last man on earth, living at the ground zero point of a disease that turned the worlds population into sort of zombie vampires. They can only come out at night and need blood to survive. He lives in a fortified home in New York City, stocked with supplies and a laboratory where he continues his experiments in curing the disease. He and his only companion, a German Shepard, prowl the city by day looking for supplies and hunting game. He eventually comes into contact with another human after three years of being alone and trues ti save them from the nocturnal infected.

I think Legend comes out strong with top notch effects and story telling, the way that New York looks, abandoned and desolate with weeds overgrowing is awesome. Smith also does a pretty good job of keeping you interested in his character as the only character in the movie for the first hour or so. What I didn't like was the plotting of the film, they start out good, but they don't really amp up any action or drama. From the previews I thought I would get Will battling more creatures, but that doesn't really happen until the end. Overall I thought the pacing and plotting were kind of vanilla. The worst part of the movie is the creatures themselves. They are animated badly, looking like they belong more on the sci-fi channels movie of the week than a multi-million dollar budget film.

One other thing that I didn't like were the creatures behaviors. All through the movie Smith keeps talking about how the monsters are mindless with no social patterns or anything, just base instinct. Yet in the movie one monster repeatedly demonstrates behavior that proves against this. Like when Will gets stuck in a trap just like the ones he uses to catch infected in for his testing. Did he get stuck in a trap he made? Or are the infected smarter than we are lead to believe? They never really answer that.

All in all I wouldn't say I am Legend was bad, just kind of a generic blockbuster movie. Will Smith isn't bad, I simply wanted a bit for flash in the film. A wow moment where you can get excited for the movies hero. Instead you get a vanilla movie with an unsatisfying ending. There are worse ways to spend 2 hours, but I would hold out for a rental. Thanks for reading.


End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Episode 3

Billy Oates was good and fucked. He had just planted two rounds of scatter shot into that things chest and it still kept coming at him. Billy jacked the two sepnt cartdiges out and reached into his shirt pocket for some more. He quickly chambered the rounds as the thing pulled in closer. He could smell it's fetid breath as the creature began to engorge his mouth.

Billy rammed the end of the scatter gun into the creatures maw and let fly with both barrels. Brains and other slimy fluids sprayed over the barn wall and back into Billy's hair. Finally the creature fell to the ground and stopped moving. Billy loaded his last two shells and poked the body. He sure didn't know what that things was, but he figured he better find his brother Warren, and make for town. Surely the Sherriff or old Boothe would have some answers.

He glanced up at the sky, looking for the sunrise that should have been here by now, and started thinking that he may still be good and fucked.

End of Line.
Gerrad

Final Farewell

Hey all,

Here is a poem that I wrote in about a 10 minute span. Sometimes when I can't get my head around something to write it gets frustrating. This poem was an attempt to write a stream of conscious poem, no set patterns or theme, just typing on the keyboard and reading what comes out. It's really just writing and not thinking, hopefully it's somewhat of a success. I think thematically when I do something so stream of conscious, I am going to fall into familiar territory with my poetry, the recurring themes of loss, abandonment, death, forlorn love... What would be even better is if you all aren't tired of reading that stuff after a year yet. Anyway, thanks for reading and I will try to post another chapter of flash fiction soon, along with some movie updates over the weekend. Thanks for reading.


Final Farewell


Fragile thing now brittle, break,

A private matter that you did take.

An only love that comforts me,

A missing sight that only I can see.

This day so long that time escapes,

Taking on such varied shapes.

Left behind as your beyond,

Waiting for that sweet respond.

Seem so lost yet not forgot,

A slow to decay unto this dulling rot.

A savage blow that rendered deep.

When opened up to dismal seep.

Spread so wide for all expose,

All that's left a last repose.

Carry this until I'm no more,

Once so rich but now so poor.

Every time I said goodbye,

A little more inside did die.

Until what's left an empty shell,

Giving you this final farewell.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under A Dead Sun

Episode 2

Katee Sinclair's skirt had been pulled over her head, and she slid it back into place with an practiced motion. She rolled the greasy drunk off of her and slid out of bed, stuffing the coins thrown on the table down her blouse. She reached over to her small clutch and pulled out a smoke she had rolled earlier, lighting a match off the worn bedpost.

Katee moved towards the window, it had been a long night and she was looking forward to the sunrise. She took a long drag and pulled the flimsy curtain to the side, searching for the sunrise. She was fairly surprised to see it still dark outside, her appointments were well regulated by the saloon's owner, Boothe, and by her count it should be getting light outside. She gave another tired sigh and stomped her cigarette out. Then she headed towards the wash basin and pitcher, cleaning herself up for her next client.

Just as she started pouring the water in, Katee heard two loud shots from the saloon, and the sounds of cursing. She quickly moved to the door and peered out, and gave a deathly shriek, as a yellow skinned man turned to face her, entrails hanging from the hole that use to be his stomach. He started to move toward Katee, mouth stretching open wide, hands ending in blackened claws. That's when Katee realized she was going to die.


End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under A Dead Sun

Episode 1


Warren strained against the thing's gaping maw. It's mouth stretched abnormally wide, yellowed fangs dripping blood and saliva. Pushing with his forearm underneath the creatures chin, he desperately clutched for his pistol, knocked from his hand when the beast sprung from the darkened barn.

The creature pressed down on him, Warren's strength waining. In desperation he pulled his feet under him, rolling backwards to align his spurred boots with the beast's neck. He kicked out, a rich black ochre of blood fountaining from it's torn throat. Yet still the beast pushed down, making no sound other than the gurgle from his shredded neck. In a final act of salvation, Warren rolled the creature to his side and kicked out again, pulling his legs in close and uncoiling in one quick violent motion. Without the creature's weight upon him, he gained a few precious seconds.

Warren hurriedly stumbled toward his gun, just a few feet away. A maniacal grin crossed his face as his finger closed on the trigger, the smooth pearl handle in his grasp. Just as he turned to the creatures, he felt it's vice like grip around his head, and the last thing he saw was that terrible mouth opening wide.


End of Line.
Gerrad!

TSM

Hey all,

I finished the poem I have been working on the past 2 days. It's an attempt to use a style I used a few months back by using the same three letters to start each word of each couplet. I find it a challenging style to work in and usually enjoy the effort. Though this month has found my poetry a bit harder to come by. Hopefully the next day or so will see another attempt at flash fiction, thanks for reading.



TSM


Till sooner moments bring us close,

Fill these pages with words verbose.

There's so much that I wish to tell,

That words or letters will fail to impel.

Truly such matters do pale in compare,

As my true feelings' expression now laid to share.

Taking special measures of your affections,

Have marked me surely with love's afflictions.

Touching soft memories cemented in thought.

Treasured forever in both heart and mind caught.

These sudden minutes that that fill my day,

When errant thoughts of you pass my way.

Ticking seconds marked in time,

Burning emotion growing towards it's prime.

Tender sweet mercies visited upon me,

Your perfection of form an epiphany.

The sound multiplied of burning passion's beat.

A heart overfilled with a love so complete.

This special missive that here I shall swear.

A promise for now and forever your love to bear.


End of Line.
Gerrad!

Assorted Nuts

Hey all,

Wanted to post just a quick update today to fill you in on where I am at. Writing has been a bit of a problem lately, the poetry feeling forced and kind of tired. I have one poem that I started today and I am hoping a fresh approach tomorrow will yield a finished result. I also plan on trying to write a holiday theme towards the end of the month for Christmas, or at least the winter feelings. Perhaps also something for the New Year. Good poetry goals this month.

Concerning my Flash Fiction attempts, so far I have written two stories more along the lines of the kind of poetry I write, Hopefully my future efforts will be more action fiction oriented, as I really want to write a disjointed horror western tale. Telling bits and pieces of the story out of order, that read as a whole kind of tell a bigger one. Kind of an ambitious project but we will see if I am up to the task throughout the coming year.

In writing the fiction tales I probably won't have a lot of precursor to them, just writing the stories and leaving them as they lie. The last story element came from the actual first smell of winter that I had earlier this week. The smell where you know the cold is coming. As opposed to much of my poetry where I put my intentions on the precursor, to tell you my mindset, I want the stories to be taken at face value, and if I feel like talking about where they came from I may do that in an addendum post.

Anyway, be on the lookout for more updates this week, as over the next two weeks I get to play Santa Claus several times I am sure a good story or two should show up. Thanks for reading!

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction 2

I pulled the coat tighter around my collar, trying to stave off the bitter chill that filled the air. It had started to smell of winter a few days earlier and the first real frost of the year had settled in. I looked around me at the group of people, all dressed in heavy woolen sweaters and gloves and wondered what to do next.

It didn't seem possible that only a few days had passed since the accident, since the day I first smelled winter. Yet the days had turned to a blur and things that used to seem important seemed less so. My days passed in a haze, making important decisions that only I was qualified to make, yet not recalling any of the answers I gave. The only constant that I could remember was the guilt. The guilt and the smell of winter.

Thousands of unsaid questions lay on my lips, thousands of curses and blaming accusations rested on my mind. Yet the only answer I received were the ones from the mirror, from myself. Blame and hatred, and the guilt.....and the smell of winter.

I dropped the sole white rose onto her open grave as I walked away. Leaving behind all those things unsaid as the first snow fell upon my shoulders.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Movie Review: The Golden Compass

Hey all,

Caught the Golden Compass this past Friday. This is the movie I was most looking forward to this Christmas season amid all the holiday releases. Based on a great trilogy of books by Phillip Pullman, The Golden Compass had what I thought to be the best chance at creating another series like Harry Potter. There are similarities but I thought that the books did a good job of separating themselves and creating a new experience in a fantasy based world that wouldn't be the same as the Potterverse.

My feelings towards the movie tend to run to indifferent. It wasn't bad per say, but I don't feel like the really captured the feeling of the novel. I should probably mention that they totally cut out the anti-religion angle the books run, creating a sort of faceless evil organization as the bad guys. The movie moves at such a breakneck pace they don't slow down enough to get into a lot of character development. Which I think is important when your protagonist is a girl who constantly lies about things who discovers the ability in herself to unlock answers of truth. Her metamorphosis is kind of squashed in this film as they are trying to get so many other elements of the story in.

They do get the main gist of the book adapted to the screen, all the major plot points which I approved of. I wish it would have been a little longer to help flesh out the characters a bit more. The film clocks in at under 2 hours, and I think with a 2 hour 20 min running time it would have done a lot more for my tastes.

That being said the casting is superb. Nicole Kidman is perfect as the the head of the evil organization, cold and ruthless with just the right amount of feeling for the heroine, Lyra. Daniel Craig as Lyra's guardian uncle, plays the rough and independent free thinker. These two roles I though were done great, as in the book you get little information on Craig's character, and Kidman nailed her role perfectly. Dakota Blue Richards, a newcomer, plays the heroine and hers is the one they needed to slow down on. She moves so quickly from one plot point to the next, you don't get to know her. The supporting cast is pretty solid, Sam Elliot as the American airship cowboy, Ian McKellen voicing the guardian ice bear, with additional voicing by Ian McShane and work by the great Christopher Lee. Eva Green plays a witch in the film that helps Lyra, and fleshing her role and the role of the witch's in general was another area I though they cut into to much.

The basic outline of the film is that Lyra, a young girl, attends classes at a college. After helping to foil an assassination attempt on her uncle, she learns of his quest to break the barrier between this world and other parallel worlds. Her uncle bids her to stay behind where she is apprenticed (more or less) to Nicole Kidman's character. After their relationship goes sour she discovers who has been kidnapping local children and vows to save her friend, journeying to the frozen north to confront the organization. One of the cooler ideas in the film is that each person has a daemon familiar, and animal companion that is the embodiment of your soul and conscious. As you grow older your daemon stops changing animal forms chooses one form to stay in.

All in all the Golden Compass is a movie. It's not great but not terrible. I do hope it does well enough to get the sequel going. My recommendation is to wait for DVD. Maybe I am being to hard on the film, but I just wanted it to be better.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction

Hey all,

The following is my first attempt at writing flash fiction, a short ..short story that's wrapped up in a few paragraphs, I will post more on my thoughts for this process in my next post, but my intention with these stories is to get straight to the point.


I stood staring out the doorway, something I seemed to do a lot lately. It hadn't been that long since she left, but I could still remember the last thing I said to her. The night had turned cool but I still hung in the doorway. The breeze picking along the overgrown lawn, sending a cool chill up my arms. My hand held her faded old sweater and I lifted it towards my face.

Her scent was already fading from my mind as I inhaled the fabric. Soon I would lose even that. I peered over my shoulder at the darkened living room, picking out all the little things that she had taken, and desolate the fact that all the furniture was still there, the room felt so empty. When she left she took all the things that mattered, all the things that brought this house to life. Now it was just an empty shell, like me.

I tried to summon up those feelings again, even anger or sorrow, but all my tears ran out when she did. Instead I turned back to the inky blackness outside and stared ahead. I'd lost her love,her scent, and myself. All that was left was the waiting.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Hey all,

Today I got to attend my first pro football gamein about 20 years, the Arizona Cardinals vs the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland is the team from my youth, as I was born about an hour outside of Cleveland and still have a lot of family there. CLeveland is my team. Now I also root for the Cardinals because they represent my home, where I live and you HAVE to root for the home team.

I went with my friend Stef, who is rooting for the Cards. Now I feel that since Cleveland is my team, I have to root against the home team and cheer my Browns, who are having their first winning season since there re-inception 8 or 9 years ago. The game was excellent to attend, despite the Browns loss. The Browns really beat themselves, turnovers and penalties were costly, and some questionable calling by the officials all led to their defeat, 27 to 21. Not to say that the Cards didn't play great because they did. Cleveland had a last second shot to win the game with a touchdown pass, and as the clock expired, the reciever caught the pass, but was pushed out of bounds. They ruled after a legnthy review that it wasn't a force out and the Cards got the win.

It was exciting all the way through, surrounded by Cardinal fans and talking smack to each other. I was a little surprised by the number of Browns fans out in the stadium. I guess Phoenix is sort of a melting pot of people from all over, part of how we get the rep for not caring about our own teams. I'll definately be a bit horse tomorrow.

I also got my first real look at the new Cardinals staium and it is great. We had great seats on the upper deck along the vistors side right on the 50 yard line. A great view of the field and everything in the stadium is open and clean. Plenty of over priced concession stands (where we both consumed about a foot and a half long chili cheese hot dog). I had a great time and definaley want to go again.

Here's hoping the Browns can pull a win next week.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Assorted Nuts

Happy December!

I find it really weird that the more regular hours I work, like open to 1 or 9 to 5, which result in me getting home earlier, ultimately end up with me posting less. I seem to thrive on the later shifts, posting in the early hours of the morning. I also went off caffeinated sodas last week and its been a struggle. I felt like I had been drinking far to much soda, especially late and I am making an effort to curtail that consumption. I also cut out eating bad at work, sticking with grilled chicken or fruits. That's not to say that I am dieting particularly, just trying to monitor and regulate what I am consuming.

One thing I have noticed is that since I went off caffeine I get tired a lot earlier. I just can't keep up the energy levels that I use to have. Also, my pee is crystal clear, it was kind of surprising not to have that familiar amber hue. Mostly I guess my system is in a detox mode, which is good right? I just wish it wasn't so hard to get off this stuff. It's been two weeks and I already see myself get tired, and angry sometimes. The more I write about it the scarier these things should sound to me. I still want a cola though.

I am targeting my first attempt at some flash fiction this month, as well as an attempt at some holiday poetry. Also perhaps that often promised site overhaul, which should pop up the energy on this. Tomorrow I will post on my visit to the new Cardinals stadium, as this will be my first pro game in almost 20 years. Damn... that makes me old.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Back To Me

Hey all,

Here is a quick poem I wrote today. I wrote it in about 5 minutes just doodling at work. I don't think it is my greatest work, but I like the easy flow of the rhymes and the very simplistic nature it represented. Not really breaking any new ground but this is what I would consider easy listening poetry. Sometimes that tells just as important a story as a complex one. Enjoy.


Back to Me


The time we spend away,

Grows longer by the day,

And I need you to come back to me.


The days just gather on,

Still not where you belong,

And your loveliness hurts to not see.


My heart seems to wear more thin,

Wondering where you have been,

And here I am listening for your decree.


Never seems more alone,

Trapped here on my own,

Our separation held by a degree,


If only I could see your face,

Then I'd remember my place,

And you'll have no need to flee.


So when you could find,

The means to remind,

Of my final yet furtive plea.


You would forget the regret,

So the pain may abet,

And things could return to what they use to be.


End of Line.
Gerrad!

Movie Review: Hitman

Hey all,

Caught the movie Hitman on Sunday. I realize that I am turning into a grouch because I seem to hate so many movies lately. I shouldn't say that I hated Hitman, I understood going into it that it was a plot-less actioner that wasn't going to be driven by great acting or a complex plot. I just wanted a fun shoot'em up and I felt let down. There wasn't any great action sequences that were fun or over the top, such as in films like The Transporter or Crank, where the energy or fun of the film is what drives it.

Hitman felt lethargic and uninspired. I read one movie critic compare it to a direct to cable quality feature and I have to agree. Spending the money of effects and whatnot actually was a detriment to me, the less the budget the less I tend to expect. I wanted to be entertained and I do like Timothy Olyphant, his roles in Deadwood and Live Free or Die Hard where great. I just wanted a bit more bang for my buck. Either go super realistic, like the Bourne movies, or fun and over the top like Crank. Few movies can really straddle that line like the Die Hards or Lethal Weapons.

A basic summery of the film find Olyphant's Hitman character raised from birth to be a nameless assassin who is set up by his own organization to take the fall for the assassination of a Russian Presidential candidate. Olyphant's character, Agent 47, kills the target, but finds out later that the target he saw killed was still alive. Discovering that the target has a double, he rescues the targets love slave girlfriend and tries to figure out why he is being set up. The movie throws the standard sex scene and regular trappings that you want from an action movie, but it doesn't have a lot of fun with it. My recommendation is to wait for cable.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Thought Balloon

Hey All,

Tonight over dinner I had a very interesting talk about relationships. What people look for in them and why people do the things they do. As a man who has never been in much of a relationship I find it odd that many of my theories seemed to reverberate so succinctly.

The topic of men paying for stuff all the time came up and as to why men seem to have to do that. Most guys think of this as a way to be a provider, and to show affection through those means. This came around to the subject of why men are often paying for stuff still from previous relationships, which lead to a discussion to one of what I feel is one of my more sound theories. The concept of "A dick in a glass."

Dick in a glass is applied to females, vajayjay in a glass for men. Most women in my experience have what I refer to as a dick in a glass, a guy they are friends with and may flirt with, but never take it to that relationship level. After a period of time many women come to realize that they are not having successful relationships with the other sex. Many times prioritizing things that seem important in the beginning of a relationship over things that matter in a relationship later. That is when they have to decide if it;s finally time to break the glass in case of an emergency and go to the backup.

Dick in a glass is usually a low maintenance thing, though you do need to check for freshness every so often, Phone calls or surprise visits from the girl to keep you fresh in your mind are best. Never let the other plan things unless that suits your freshness needs. You simply can't go 8 months to a year and not call, that is to long and the "dick" will spoil from lack of attention.

The same can be said of vajayjay in a glass. That is often the underlying current when a man is still paying for stuff for his ex. Keeping a tab on the girl by paying for stuff gives you a reason to call, and keeps you in her mind as you go into a relationship. That way if it doesn't work out or you don't find something else, you can return to what you had before.

Anyway, the conversation was very interesting for me, as this is a topic I have little first person knowledge of, but a lot of third person insight. Maybe being out of the loop for so long will give me an advantage as I move forward in in my own life. Food for thought at least.

Thanks for reading.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Water's Fall

Hey all,

I may post about Black Friday tomorrow, but frankly I am worn a bit to thin to dwell upon that some more. I did want to write another poem though. A bit more of a nature theme with some of the old concepts that tend to run into my poetry. Thanks for reading.


Water's Fall

Sound of rain against the glass,

Falling drops from cloud has pass.

Rivulets of water run the pane,

Spiraling down towards ledge drain.

Wash away the dust and grime,

The thunder rings it's echo's chime.

Wind does toss the drops about,

As lightning flashes brilliant, stout.

Umbrella's dot the streets below,

While people clutch coats to wind's blow.

The pelting drops a soothing noise,

A remembrance of all enjoys.

Out the door to see darkened clouds,

To gather under as the rain shrouds.

The cold wisp of chill about the air,

And the rain cascades upon my care.

Standing 'neath the water's fall,

Realizing that I feel so small.


End of Line.
Gerrad!

True Story Time: Thanksgiving Edition

Hey all,

As today is Thanksgiving I thought I would relate one of my families great holiday traditions to you. As many holidays involve gift giving, like Santa at Christmas and the Easter Bunny on ..well Easter, my family gave gifts on Thanksgiving.

On Thanksgiving Eve, our house would be visited by the Turkey Gobbler. A giant turkey who would come into your house at night and leave you a hidden present somewhere for you to find. I find it no more ridculous than the concept of the Easter Bunny, a rabbit that hides eggs and candy. At least we got a present out of it. The Turkey Gobbler, Yeah you read that right.

Growing up I didn't realize that the Turkey Gobbler was not a part of other familes Thanksgiving Day Traditions. It was always a part of our childhood and something that is indigenous to my father's side of the family. It is a tradition that I know my brother and I would definately continue should the oppertunity present itself for us in the future. I like that we have a tradition unique to or family, even if it sounds strange to others.

Maybe next Thanksgiving, you should be a good boy or girl and see if you get a visit from the Turkey Gobbler.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

If I

Hey all,

I am not really sure about this poem, just sort of plopped out while I was staring at the blank screen. I don't know if I like it or not really. The last few poems that I have written have been what I felt were decent entries, though 1 or 2 didn't make the posting cut. I really hate writing stuff that I don't post, I want to give you a full range of possible readings, and what I don't like someone else may. They also may agree with me that its terrible. Rest assured that the two poems I didn't post were really below my standards. This may be on the border.. I dunno. If it is bad, well there will be better ones in the future. If it's good, then I am being to hard on myself.
Enjoy.



If I


If I died a little more,

Than maybe you'd be here.

If I died a little less,

You'd leave me to this fear.


If I worked a little harder,

Then you'd find less fault.

If I worked a little less,

There would be nothing left to exalt.


If I loved a little better,

You'd have returned in kind.

If I loved a little worse,

I'd have sped up the imminent decline.


If I'd spent a little more,

And proved myself with worth.

If I'd spent a little less,

Then your happiness would be dearth.


If I died a little more,

The end would be well served,

If I died a little less,

I still get what I deserved.


End of Line.
Gerrad!

Sesame Street Censored

Hey all,

I just read this on IMDB.com.


Copied from IMDB.com

"DVDs of early seasons of Sesame Street bear a warning to parents that they may not be appropriate for small children, the New York Times observed today (Monday). Carol-Lynn Parente, executive producer of Sesame Street noted that in the early days of the show, a regular feature was a parody of Masterpiece Theater, featuring Alistair Cookie, played by Cookie Monster, who appeared with a pipe. "That modeled the wrong behavior," Parente observed. Oscar the Grouch appeared too grouchy. "We might not be able to create a character like Oscar now," she said. The Times also noted that in the DVDs (Volumes 1 and 2) Cookie Monster can be seen "in his former inglorious incarnation: a blue, googly-eyed cookievore with a signature gobble ('om nom nom nom')."


I swear this PC bullshit is out of control. You know, I watched Sesame Street growing up and I don't smoke, nor has Oscar the Grouch seem to "grouchy" to me. It's his frickin' NAME for God sake. The fact that the Cookie Monster now has cookies as a sometimes snack just further heralds the imminate fall of creative freedom on televison and the further advancement of poor programming for young people. We will have sterile shows that do not allow for different views.

To be fair, I am OKAY with putting a warning on the pipe smoking thing, but censoring and calling Sesame Street innaprpriate is riduclous. It's not as if children are watching material that promotes stereotypes, obviously films like Fall of a Nation and The Jazz Singer, while appropriate at the time they were made, send clear cut messahes of racism and intolerance now. Oscar the Grouch simply reiterates what happens when you act like an ass. It's also not like smoking is illegal, many kids have parents that smoke. Smoking is something a parent needs to have an active role in teaching children. Both of my parents and grandparents smoke, along with my brother and a good friend, yet I don't. I don't think you have to say a program that educated so many children is no longer apprpriate because a puppet smokes a pipe and eats cookies.Do that when you catch a kid watching Caligula or any movie with Rob Scheider, then you have a problem.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

It's All Relative

Hey all,

I talked to my Dad over the weekend who related this FANTASTIC story to me about my Grandfather. I think you all have been reading this blog long enough to get my dark sense of humor. The kind of things I often find funny isn't what the norm is for most people. This is totally a trait in the family. My brother has the same sense of humor, though to be honest I think I would push a joke farther. We both get this trait from our Dad, who gets it from his. Our Dad always showed how he cared about us through jokes and laughter, and that a lot of times is how I relate how I care about people. If I don't joke or tease a bit, then I am probably not comfortable with you.

Anyway onto the story. My Dad and step-mom Sherry were talking to my grandparents over the weekend. They moved back to Ohio about a year and a half ago to help take care of things with my grandparents. My grandma was really sick and grandpa had really aggressive cancer and the prognosis was grim. (Both have made very strong recoveries and are doing much better, Grandpa is still working 8 to 9 hour days at 80plus years old.) Grandpa made sure to have all his affairs in order so no one else would have to worry about it.

Sherry and my grandma were joking around when my Grandpa asked Sherry if she wanted to see the picture that he was going to put on his tombstone. Sherry said okay and Grandpa got the picture. He made sure to have the tombstone done in advance as part of his preparation, the only thing left to do is put on the final date, but the names and birthdays and messages are engraved already for both grandparents. So he grabs the picture and it's him, standing beside his own tombstone with a big cheesy grin, waving at you! I started rolling laughing when I heard this, Sherry is pretty mortified I imagine, as she doesn't tend to find the darker humor funny like the male side of the family. So Dad and Grandpa are laughing as Grandpa is talking about the plot he bought, under a tree right by the road, so that no one actually has to get out of the car to pay respects, they can just flower the grave like a paperboy. My Dad says that of course they will get out of the car, they already scheduled the picnic there after his death.

My grandpa laughed, and I thought that his ability to laugh in the face of something that most people don't even want to acknowledge is just part of the reason he is such a great person. Now some of you may not have found that funny, just on the sick side. Hey, what do you want me to say? Your reading the blog of a man who wants a cake that says "In your face Christ" when I turn 34. I'll have outlived Jesus by then!!

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Computer (not so) Blue

Hey all,

Big week this week. FIrst off I am finally posting from my own PC. Got a pretty good deal on a Toshiba laptop, 120 gig hard drive with CD/DVD rewritable drive, built in web cam and wi-fi capable. I am pretty happy with it. The keyboard feels very natural and the screen size is great, not to big for travel, but just right to work on. Obviously there is a little bit of work to do on it to get it up to what I need, like getting MS Office to help with my writing. I am also going to try to budget for a little more RAM and an external hard drive to keep my music and writing on. There are also the small necessities like a good bag and better portable mouse system than I currently have, but I am fully functional. The best part about it is that the spell check on this computer works so while blogging I can easliy fix any errors. That being said there are a few features I don't like, such as missing the numeric pad on the keyboard, I never realized how much I use it until I lost it. I am also not 100% on Windows Vista yet, but give me time and some more familarity with it and I am sure it will work great. If not that;s what a warrenty and anti-viral software is for right?

In other blog news Jason is doing a kick ass banner for the blog and it's near completion. Hopefuly by week's end I can give the site a bit of an overhall and pop it up some. I think the banner looks amazing, but I would expect no less from Jason, everything he does is top notch.

The blog this week should feature a new Thanksgiving edition of True Story Time as well as another poem more than likely. Also probaly some words on the current sports season. As always thanks for reading!

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Writer's Strike

Hey all,

Thought I would add my two cents about the current Writer's Guild strike. The longer this goes on, I think the worse the effects will be down the road. Currently the writer's are striking for better revenue sharing on Internet downloads and DVD sales. There are many other aspects they are asking for too, like credits on movie posters and such, but those are the big ones. Currently the writer is making only a few cents off of DVD and Internet sales, and they seek more. Entirely within their rights I believe. What I don't believe is that anyone is making a lot of money off of Internet downloading, of movies at least. I don't think you can argue that that ITunes is making some money, but really who buys movies online as a viable medium right now. I understand that the belief is that the future will herald more profit from downloads, but I really doubt it.

Of course online sales will be there for the use, but with the influx of High Def and the widespread dominance of DVD the medium is going to have a slow rise if any. Now I have read previously that the release of the fourth Die Hard this week will include a digital download. (Now I can't seem to corroborate that fact online anymore so maybe that's not true now) Personally I think that is the way to go. I know its frustrating owning a DVD and being forced to buy additional software to hack a DVD you own to your own iPod. Getting both formats makes sense. I should be able to plug in and transfer what I want without all this other hassle.

Digital downloads currently are not something to cause such a fuss over. I understand the belief though that the writers think they will get screwed like they did with VHS and DVD residuals. I am all for them getting their fair share. But ultimately everyone is going to suffer from the strike.

Many shows are down to the last few episodes they have in the can, no more will be filmed as they don't have scripts. Shows like Journeyman and Heroes will end at the mid-season arc, while shows like The Office are already shutting down as so much is improvised on the set and many cast members are also members of the WGA. This will particularly hurt freshmen series like Bionic Woman and Pushing Daises. Bionic is struggling in ratings and may not recover once the hiatus ends. Daises is such a different concept the growing status of the show may not recover from a long absence as well. This will also affect many mid-season shows, like Lost and Battlestar Galactica by limiting the number of finished programs they will have ready, causing more of the episodic delays that plagued both shows last season. Will fans still be interested in a long wait again on both series? Programmers will be banking heavily on the mid season replacements to keep revenues up. The big ones being returning programs like Jericho and Fox's Terminator series The Sarah Conner Chronicles.

Movies will be fine through 2008, but come 2009 there will be limited fair to be had at the multiplex. Stockpiling scripts before the strike will only help so much as many of the tent pole big budget movies see script revisions all the way up and into production. Spider-man 4, Harry Potter 7, Transformers 2, and projects like The Hobbit may not take place for even longer periods. That is particularly bad for the Hobbit, as New Line's rights to produce the pic ends in 2009 I believe, production would have to start prior, which gives a limited window the longer this strike goes.

In the end the only thing we have to look forward to will be more reality television. Juggernauts like American Idol and Dancing With the Stars can continue, but some of the future projects like My Dad is Better Than Yours make me shudder. We all know were I will be during this time, turning back to finding more great classic movies on TCM and hoping that NBC carries over the BBC version of The Office into prime time. Hoping for a quick resolve. Thanks for reading the rant.


End of Line.
Gerrad!

The Kiss

Hey all,

Felt like I needed to post a poem to offset that last story. Wanted to get back to doing a love poem again, trying to capture just a moment in time. It's certainly a continuation from my previous poem The Match. Hope you enjoy.



The Kiss



In awkward seconds before our first,

My heart feels like it soon must burst.

A time of which we'll surely reminsce,

Marking the moment of the kiss.


Closing in to taste your lips,

The precipice to cause such slips.

Gladly now to tumble down,

And lay your feet thy Queenly crown.


Reign upon my feeling's deep.

Your sovereignty over me to keep.

Closer now to touch your hand,

Breath to breath so close we stand.


Sweep away stray strand of hair,

Beauty held without compare,

Soft skin held in supple cheek,

The missing part my soul did seek.


Caught within your eyes,

A glimpse of Heaven therein lies.

You've stripped me to the core,

And all I want is more,


Brushing soft, a slow begin,

Warmth bubbling deep within.

Lips pressing harder now,

A promise of more, unsaid vow.


Urgent flush of passion's throws,

Layed me bare to all expose.

Holding tight in this embrace.

A moment of time held in place.


Discovering in each a taste,

From what once seemed so chaste.

And though my eyes be tightly shut,

Your image in mind is clearly cut.


That urgency that once was strong,

Cannot last for everlong.

Once hard kiss grows more light.

Yet still everything feels so right.



Slowly now we pull away,

From this kiss that filled my day.

Now that our lips have part,

All I want to do is return to the start.


End of Line.
Gerrad!

Small Wonder

Hey all,

I found this on YouTube to go with that earlier post. A small glimpse in the fracture that I call a mind.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

(Kinda) True Story Time!

Hey all,

I have been prompted to post this story after relating it to my good friend Jason, who laughed very much and said that it HAD to be posted.. for posterity of course.

This is about a dream I had two nights ago. I should point out that I am a very deep sleeper and very rarely remember any dreams I have had. I just don't remember or have them with any regularity, so anything I do remember is unusual.

I dreamed that I was at an awards show, sort of like a less casual Oscars, sitting next to Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart. Harrison Ford is talking to me about a movie we made 15 years ago where I played his son and that after seeing my most recent movie he totally needed to work with me again. At this point whoever was hosting the awards show announces that appearing in each row of the ceremony would be old actors and actresses who were no longer famous. Mostly child stars. In my row I get the actress who played the robot Vicky on the old Fox sitcom Small Wonder.

*Side note- Small Wonder, for those of you out of the know was a sitcom where a regular family man created an android daughter who spoke in a weird robot voice and wore the same red dress and white apron for every episode. It was basically a robotic rip off of the show Alf. Lord.. I hope I don't have to explain that show to explain my explanation. This sitcom was on for 4 YEARS. That's milking a premise eh?

Okay, but the kicker is that Vicky is all grown up now, and really slutty. The only part I remember is she was wearing a tiny shirt with the words Small Wonder over each of her breasts. I remember her winking at me and giving me the key to her hotel room. At this point Harrison Ford says to me , " She wants you man."

So I dream jump to a scene where me and Harrison Ford are trying to catch the elevator door before it closes with the grown up girl from Small Wonder inside. We are to slow and have to get another elevator. But as much as I ride the elevator I can't get to the right floor. With Harrison Ford the whole time egging me on to get to her room. This is the point where I wake up.

Now this dream is fucking crazy on so many levels I don't now where to begin. First off, who has a fantasy about the chick from Small Wonder? I guess I SHOULD take solace in the fact that she was at least grown up. That's all kinds of twisted otherwise. That show has been off the air for close to 20 years! Also, at what point did Han Fucking Solo turn into a horn dog? Let's not even fathom about what riding in an elevator with Harrison Ford means. And how come I can't even seal the deal in my sub-conscience? When Lord is it my turn? I swear to you right now that if I have a dream where I have to chase down the Manimal before moving in with My Two Dads I'll just kill myself. It's better for everyone at that point.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

The Match

Hey all,

Here is a new poem. I really tried to write a poem where what you read about isn't necessarily what the poem is about. For me, this poem is about the moments in your life where everything is great and you feel great, and how those moments seem so long and end so abruptly. I tried to write small 3 word lines to build the sense of urgency in the poem to highlight the emotions in it. Maybe you will read it and think it's just a poem about a match, but I found a deeper meaning. I have always believed that there are only so many perfect moments in your life, and you have to seize them when they come. There are also times when your overwhelmed, burning the candles at both ends, and sometimes you also have to light the middle of the candle to survive. It's like they say, sometimes its better to burn out than fade away. That's a moment you have to grab ahold of.


The Match


Draw the match.

Strike box's scratch,

Pierce the dark,

Flashing brilliant spark.



Orange and red,

Burn at head.

With wooden shaft,

In finger's graft.



Slowly now burning,

Needing and yearning.

Consuming its all,

Trapped in thrall.



That hottest flare,

Burns without compare.

Finding no deterrance,

This momentous occurance.



Fire grows height,

Fierce and bright,

At flame's peak,

Nothing seems weak.



Yet blazing burn,

Begins down turn.

Something so strong,

Cannot stay long.



The flickers dance,

Dim flame's romance.

Heat once bold,

Now turns cold.



Soft breath blow,

Lessens match's glow.

As smoldering fire,

Begins to expire.



Orange changes blue,

Before times through,

Lasting sulfer scent,

The fire spent.



Spiral smoke left,

The moments theft.

Once so devout,

Now just burnt-out.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Postage Past Due

Hey all,

Sorry for the lack of new material so far this month, I am trying to get stuff ready at work to take another week of vacation before the holiday rush and there is a lot to do to get that ready. I also have been working towards getting 3 more managers in the store by the end of the month, which will help immensaly in my work load in the coming year.

There is a ton of stuff I want to update on this week, including another true story, in addition to the great one I have scheduled for Thanksgiving. I also want to try out posting some flash fiction, something I read about from Warren Ellis. Quick 3 to 5 paragraph stories told in a flash I think that will be fun.

Hopefully within the next two weeks I will be on my new PC. I am due a bonus check that is running slow and hopefully I got that cleared up. I'd like to be able to write in word and cut and paste suff in, as well as copy all of my poetry back to a harddrive. Currently I only have the archive online.

I have been working a more normal work scgedule this week, more 9 to 5's and I find that it is not as inducive to writeing as I would have hoped. I really enjoy these late night, early morning time slots to be alone with my thoughts and post. Be on the lookout, there is more to come!

End of Line.
Gerrad!

The Price of Freedom

Hey all,

I took another stab at writing a poem outside of my normal comfort zone. I have been gestating on this one a few days and I am not sure how I feel about it. I started sounding the poem out while leafing through the paper working the graveyard shift early in the morning. It was boring and I had little to do by about 4 am. Anyway, I wanted to touch on the nature of war and people's reaction to it. It's a very polarizing topic and I wanted to touch on both sides of it, without favoring one over the other so the reader can decide how they feel about it. The poem is not meant to express any particular war or fight, hopefully you, the reader, can make your own interpretations. I'd be interested to hear what you all thought. Is it too heavy handed or obvious? Did I walk that line of pro or con? Like I said, I don't know if I did. Anyway here you go.



The Price of Freedom


Troubled times now lie ahead.

Thousands of soldiers lay in bed.

Promises made of help to come.

The remainder left, now cold and numb.

That vow once made for troops to send,

Broken again without chance remend.


Some will come home in black bag or wheeled chair.

Some will have injuries that medicine can't care.

Their wounds run deep, yet hard to find.

Existing so in heart, soul, and mind.

Sacrifices offered both big and small,

The belief that they suffered for the benefit of all.


Pray to loved ones that they left behind.

These same families offer returns in kind.

But not all feel in this way,

A country of change cannot all stay.

So when they comes home, it's like they've not left.

The disenfranchised and angry, a nation split in cleft.


So many men have been here before.

Still may more will marshall to the roar of war.

Some soldiers are born, and some are made.

The price of freedom though, is a cost that must be paid.

And even those against the fight,

Should champion those who fought for that right.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Movie Time: Rewind: The Searchers

Hey all,

Quick Note, I tried to spellcheck this in another program and I don't think it worked. Hopefully I will be posting from my own PC soon to get my terrible spelling in check. Thanks for reading.

I thought I was well overdue for another featured column, Movie Time: Rewind. Highlighting films made before the year of my birth, 1976. I've talked about Cary Grant, Steve McQueen, and the Marx Bros., so I thought I should highlight my other favorite actor from Hollywood's Golden Age, John Wayne. Now Wayne made a lot of movies, with more than his fair share of turkeys, especially once he got into the 1960's and 70's, where his style of film making and acting were fading. The 60's was a tough time for the studios as most of the old Hollywood guard were passing on and losing box office relevance, except the Duke. He continued making westerns and war films that would turn a profit, but the films he was making weren't challenging him or breaking any new ground. People just wanted to see John Wayne be John Wayne, Other than a few exceptions post 1965, most of the films I like from Wayne were made in the 40's and 50's. He made many great films, Stagecoach, Red River, The Quiet Man are all great choices I might highlight later, but by far my favorite Wayne film is 1956's The Searchers.

Directed by the great John Ford, I really feel like this was both his and Wayne's best film. Ford's cinematography is so influential in this movie it continues to inspire many directors today, including Spielberg, Coppola, and Scorese. His use of negative space in film making as well as his choice of shooting locations, Utah's Monument Valley, create an incredible atmosphere. This wasn't the first time he had shot in Monument Valley, but the film's technicolor enhancements really create a vibrant scene unlike anything that had come before.

The storyline is that Wayne is a former officer in the civil war who swears revenge on the Indians who have kidnapped his niece. His niece is played by a young Natalie Wood. There is a lot of subtle plot that many may miss on the first take, such as Wayne's character's mother's name on a tombstone being killed by Indians earlier, the basis for Wayne's hatred of Indians. Many critics have a problem with how Indians were depicted in the movie, but I really believe that both Indians and the white man show good and bad traits throughout. This is one of the few films were Wayne doesn't play the straight hero, there is alot about Wayne that is unlikable in the film, shooting people in the back and his treatment of others. It's one of the few films he made where he doesn't play John Wayne, he plays the character. Both Wayne and his Indian nemesis are driven by revenge, and though one dies in the end, the other isn't truly alive either.

The final scene featuring Wayne looking out into the horizons, holding his arm, is so iconic. The color and sound, Wayne is alone and always isolated. It's a great scene, and it doesn't need words to impart the meaning, it speaks solely through the motions.


It's a beautiful film with a clever and subtle plot, it's got action and acting, and I really feel it's one of the all time great films. Just like Wayne says in this film, that marked the birth of one of his signature phrases, "That'll be the day" when they manage to to top this film.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

True Story Time!

Happy November all!


It's about time for another true story and while I can't promise that this is as funny or crazy as some of the others, it will be proof positive that the weirdest shit happenes to me. As mandatory at work, I have to work the early shift on the first of every month to complete an inventory and turn in monthly numbers. It is usually a pretty long day, about 10 to 12 hours. This month was no exception as I was also asked to go over to another store to help troubleshoot some numbers and help out with questions for one of the other managers. After turning in numbers, it has become kind of a tradition to head out to a bar and have a few beers and generally wind down the day with other store managers.

We headed to my old watering hole, Old Chicago this time and spent a few hours there.. having fun and what not. As we were leaving a bunch of us was standing out front of the bar still talking and laughing. Then some old grey hair bat pushes her way through 2 other people to come up to me. She grabs the underside of my gut and shakes it asking me "Whats this down there" She then puts her arm on me and leans on me.. albeit fairly drunkenly. this lady is in her sixties at least with some old silver fox standing off to the side watching his lady lean on the fat guy. I don't know how to really react to this, one as she is obviously drunk. Two is don't want to push this lady off, she looks like she could be made of paper mache..Crazy old bat.
My response was like what are you doing?

Thankfully my friends, also equally shocked by this lady's reaction, helped to diffuse the situation by cutting some jokes and distracting her. When she starts interacting with them I moved away. Needless to say this ENTIRELY killed our socal mood and we all left. But I am stuck with the question, Why does this stuff keep happening to me? Why is it the only woman who even remotely shows me any interest is a fucking 100 years old, When lord.. When's it my time. I go from being felt up by a younger guy in a wal mart bathroom to being felt up by an old lady in a barroom parking lot. Is that REALLY a step in the right direction? Why can't it be a young, nubile nymphomaniac with self-esteem issues?

I've heard of a cougar... but I thought saber-tooth tigers were extinct.


End of Line.
Gerrad!