Latest Blog Posts
Indy Trailer is Out
The first Indiana Jones teaser trailer came out today. Its been almost 20 years and a lot has changed. Spielberg has, arguably, become a much better director; the bar for action movies is much higher thanks to franchises like the Matrix films, Mission Impossible, and the Bourne Trilogy; and Harrison Ford is a few years away from qualifying for medicare. Has anyone noticed how badly Harrison has aged over the years? Even Sean Connery, who is supposed to be his fictional father, looks better than him.
In anycase, this should be a definite summer popcorn hit, and will appeal to a broad range of ages, including older couples and entire families. The fact that they premiered the trailer on Good Morning America speaks to that. Although a healthy dose of CGI is to be expected from this one (after all, its produced by Lucas), I hope they don’t do it to death.
Not too much is known about the substance of the film beyond the fact that it takes place during the cold war, and will feature some cameos from the earlier films.
Pattani and the Deep South of Thailand
As a final installment of commentary from recent travels, I wanted to post some photos from the deep south of Thailand near the Malaysian border. This is a traditional kolae boat off a beach in Pattani province.
Upcountry
I finally made it out of the Big Mango and am currently upcountry in the northeast, close to the Mekong River and right on the border with Laos. These tri-wheel taxis will take you across one of the newest Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges into Laos. I was on the Lao side of the bridge when I took this photo.
Thursday nights now suck
Greedy TV producers vis-a-vis NBC reportedly laid off over one hundred staff members of The Office on Friday. Not writing staff, but all the lower paid studio staff who make things happen on the ground. This week’s new episode may be the last one in a while.
The Game
I know Mr. Wilson is eagerly anticipating next year’s Dark Knight, as am I. But in the meantime, thank God for independent film. Here’s the best trailer I have seen all year. I figure any movie that can resurrect people like Hammer for 80s music aficionados like Jwilt is worth my $10. Opening in select cities this week.
No Slouches
After yesterday’s win against Nigeria, Team USA is headed on to fight England this weekend in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. They will miss a match against Germany, who are also top ranked. But England are no slouches either.
Still, I predict US goes on to face Brazil in the semis.
I am sure international football fans in Nebraska (both of you) will be up at 7 in the morning this Saturday to root on our team.
2007 Women’s World Cup
Is there any love for women’s Team USA soccer? Possibly the best athletes this country knows nothing about, the US national team currently has a 1 win (Sweden) 1 draw (North Korea) record in the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup right now. Most of the games have been on in the wee hours, but I most recently managed to catch Australia v. Norway since I was up pretty early this morning. The US team is ranked 2nd in the world right now, and unlike last year’s men’s team, will probably finish at or near the top of this cup according to enthusiasts. I can’t say I know a whole lot about women’s soccer, but it is refreshing to see a competitive international sport expressed through pure athleticism on the field; as opposed to the drunken antics, excessive ego-mania, over the top jingoism and all around buffoonery that unfortunately seems to plague men’s soccer at times.
The US team plays Nigeria on the 18th in the group stage round. Besides the US and North Korea, the other real powerhouse to watch out for is Germany - which handed Argentina an 11-0 (!!!) loss in its first game.
How was your summer?
I really don’t watch a lot of TV, but am looking forward to the fourth season of The Office in September. Yep - the preview trailer just came out.
This summer has been a TV wasteland, as it should be and normally is. The only good show that has been on has been Top Chef.
Back To Black
I have really enjoyed some of the retro-type, stax, motown and memphis-influenced stuff that has come out in recent years like I Am Shelby Lynne (one of my favorite albums of recent years) and The Greatest. How did I miss Back To Black when it came out this spring? A very enjoyable album indeed, and so far the one I have played the most this summer. Grab this one.
Nebraska in the News
Besides a new episode of “Dog: Bounty Hunter” not much will be on the tube tonight. But a buddy of mine took on Lou Dobbs wannabe Glenn Beck and his minions in an interview about the latest immigration scam surfacing in Nebraska. Glenn’s program is scheduled to air tonight at around 6pm on headline news (and repeated at 8 and 11 so you can enjoy Glenn’s wisdom three times a day). Will be interesting to see what they will actually show.
The Bourne Ultimatum
I have to say, not only is this one of the best spy/thriller/action movies I have seen in a few years, but it may be THE best spy/thriller/action movie I have ever seen. The only problem was that the opening segment was pretty flat, but after that this movie moved into high gear and stayed that way until the end. The Bourne Ultimatum also has the most exciting walking chase scene since The French Connection, if not better. Clearly, in a battle between Jason Bourne and Ethan Hunt, they would have to bring in a CSI team to identify Hunt’s tattered remains.
Get Smart
After a very dismal Evan Almighty and a poor interview on the Daily Show (which I blame Stewart for), I am in need of a Steve Carell fix. Definitely looking forward to this one. Looks like it has the fat guy from Borat too.
The Beckham Meltdown
Anyone watching Chelsea vs the LA Galaxy now? Probably not. He looks good sitting on the sidelines.
Chelsea up 1-0. They are picking LA apart.
UPDATE: Now he is stretching.
Midnight Radio
I am a sucker for great live rock and roll albums, and my CD player has nearly burnt out playing great performances ranging from Stevie Ray Vaughan’s In The Beginning and Live at Carnegie Hall, to Tori Amos’s incredible live singing and playing on To Venus And Back. More recently, I have gotten heavily into My Morning Jacket’s Okonokos and Wilco’s Kicking Television.
A great live album I have just recently discovered is Big Head Todd & The Monster’s Midnight Radio - originally issued back in the 1990s. This is a compilation of live recordings and taped jam sessions with a very bare, reverb-free sound. I can only describe it as a mix of perhaps Dire Straits and The Minutemen. I have been listening to this one non-stop for the past week, and highly recommend it. “The Moose Song” is amazing.
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