Movie of the Week Pt. II: The Prestige

Batman vs. Wolverine! Place your bets.

I don't want to say anything specific about the movie because I don't want to ruin it for anyone.

I figured out the secret early and it didn't ruin the movie for me in any way. I was just annoyed with myself for not figuring it out sooner.

All the actors were great, especially Michael Caine as Cutter.

I got a kick out of Christian Bale's character being name "Alfred."

Chris Nolan is slowly becoming one of my favorite directors. All his movies are about obession (even...no...especially Batman Begins).

There's so much more I want to say but I won't...but e-mail me if you want to talk offline about it.

Lost Season 3: "Every Man For Himself"

You got served, Sawyer.

What I Liked:

• The interactions between Jack and Juliet. I like that Jack is finally getting his backbone back.
  
• On the opposite end, Sawyer totally got his balls taken away from him.
  
• Once again, Ben can break anyone. I hope it's Kate's turn next.
• Two Deadwood folks on one episode (Paula Malcomson as Colleen and Kim Dickens as Cassidy).
• Even though I knew the pacemaker was fake (they couldn't operate on a gunshot wound, I doubt they could do heart surgery), it was funny seeing Sawyer's heart rate go up while Kate was changing (who's wouldn't?)
  

What I didn't like:

• The backstories are becoming more and more useless. This one was okay but again, if we didn't have it, I wouldn't have been mad.
• How they are treating the new castaways like they've always been there and we just haven't noticed.
• I didn't want Colleen to die. Not because of the character but because Paula Malcomson is such a great actress and it seems like such a waste.
  

What We Learned:

• Sawyer went to prison for the con he pulled in "The Long Con" episode
  
• Sawyer has a daughter named Clementine
• Juliet was a fertility doctor
  
• Ben can still manipulate the hell out of anyone
  
• There are TWO islands which explains why the castaways having a boat made them nervous
• Why they need Jack
• Desmond can still see into the future and change it as he sees fit
• Kate is more important to Sawyer than Sawyer is to Sawyer
  
• Ben hates needles
  

Questions:

• Again, what is the nature of Desmond's prescience?
• Where was Locke and Eko?
  
• Who's X-rays were those?
• Is operating on whomever's spinal tumor that is the "favor" Ben wants to ask of Jack?
  
• How did the castaways never notice another island?
• What side of the island is the second island on?
• Is the little Others community we saw in the first episode on this second island or is it on the one with the castaways?
• Why do they need Kate and Sawyer?
• Considering her field, did Juliet also attend to Claire when she was in captivity?
• What happens when the Others find out Sun is pregnant?
• Can The Others have children? Is that why they keep trying to steal them?
  
• Is Ben trying to spark something between Juliet and Jack?
• Was Kate lying when she told Sawyer she didn't really love him?
• How long will it take Sayid, Jin and Sun to get back to the beach?
• Will Danny take revenge on the castaways of Colleen's death?
  

Movie of the Week Pt. I: Babel

This movie should have been titled, "When It Rains It Pours..."

It took me awhile to decide if I liked this movie or not.

There were four separate stories all connected by a random shooting.

I thought everyone was good, especially Rinko Kikuchi who plays a horny, confused deaf-mute Chieko in Japan.

I forget sometimes how old Brad Pitt really is.

The only problem I really had was that the story in Japan, while good, was connected tenuously to the others.

I'm still trying to figure out the point of the whole movie but it was beautiful to look at.

Lost Season 3: "Further Instructions"

You've been missed, John.

What I Liked:

• Locke is back! The Hunter, not the Whiny baby.
  
• Boone!
• The trippy airport scene (it reminded me of the UK promo for the first season of Lost). Great metaphor with Ben, as the "baggage handler" (get it?), examining Jack while Sawyer and Kate flirt on the side.
  
• Hurley's back! "Dude"
• Charlie had some great lines:
• "You're not taking drugs are you John? I only ask because of this strict zero tolerance policy you've enacted. I wouldn't want you to have to start punching yourself in the face."
• "I used to get high and watch nature programs on the Beeb."
• "You are aware John that I detest you?"
• This episode felt more like old school Lost
  

What I didn't like:

• The backstory was okay. We get it. Locke is sucker. But now we now he's a hypocrite too in regard to Charlie
  
• I missed Ben and Juliet (that will be solved next week it appears)
• How they chose to introduce the two new Losties, Paulo and Nikki.
  

What We Learned:

• What happened to Locke, Desmond and Mr. Eko
• What became of the Hatch (it imploded)
  
• Where the other bear has been since he tried to eat Walt.
• Locke is a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to drugs

Questions:

• What is the nature and source of Desmond's prophetic new talent?
• Boone's comments regarding Claire, Charlie and Aaron - "They're okay...for now"
• How did Locke, Desmond and Mr. Eko survive the implosion of the Hatch?
• Where is the smoke monster? I was rewatching some of the first season and remember when it was knocking trees down ALL THE TIME. Did he get bored?
  
• Why did the polar bear kill an animal for food, leave it, return to it, chase Charlie and Locke but only drag Mr. Eko back to his cave but didn't even eat a toe?
• Who's toy truck was that in the polar bear's cave?
• How did Hurley make it back to that side of the island so fast?
• How long will it take Sayid, jin and Sun to do the same?
  
• After Locke almost killed Hurley, is every major character going to be accidentally killed by another?
• Did Eko really wake up or was the island talking to Locke?
• Why is Charlie such a twat?
• Is the island really have some mystical properties? I mean we all thought Locke was a bit off when he was hunting for the hatch and all in season one but his "sweat lodge" gave him a clear vision of what was going on all over the island and the polar bear.
• Is the show going to spend time with either the castaways or the Others or will the episodes be more intregrated?
  

Pay Yo Fare, Wesley

Actor Snipes faces indictment on tax fraud charges
Prosecutors file 8 counts accusing him of nearly $12M in tax evasion

By Greg Farrell
USA TODAY

This is one “bad guy” role that Wesley Snipes doesn't want. In a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday, prosecutors hit Snipes, the prolific actor and movie producer, with eight counts of tax fraud.

According to the indictment, Snipes allegedly not only avoided paying millions in income taxes from 1999 through 2004, but he fraudulently tried to get an $11 million refund for taxes paid in the 1990s.

Prosecutors also filed charges against two Florida men who acted as tax advisers to Snipes, Eddie Ray Kahn and Douglas Rosile.

Snipes, who used to have a residence near Orlando, has starred in nearly 50 movies including White Men Can't Jump, New Jack City and the highly successful Blade series. But he reportedly also has run into a series of financial and legal difficulties. In this case, prosecutors allege that Kahn and Rosile convinced Snipes that under an unusual interpretation of federal law, known as the “861 argument,” only income derived from foreign-based activities was taxable. A U.S. court has never supported the argument.

Kahn founded a group known as American Rights Litigators and Guiding Light of God Ministries. Although GLGM described itself as a “Christian ministry and organization established to assist men and women in their pursuit of truth and freedom as Americans,” the government alleges GLGM is a for-profit operation that sells fraudulent tax schemes. According to the indictment, Snipes paid Kahn a consulting fee and paid to become a member of his American Rights Litigators group.

Rosile, an accountant whose CPA licenses to practice in Ohio and Florida were revoked, worked with Kahn to file tax returns for GLGM clients to claim refunds based on the “861 argument.” According to the indictment, if the government refunded money based on the “861” theory, Kahn would take 20% of the refund and pay half to Rosile.

Despite warnings from previous tax advisers that his movie-related income was taxable and the “861” scheme was bogus, Snipes apparently sided with Kahn and Rosile in 2000 and stopped paying income taxes, the indictment says. Using the “861 argument,” Snipes tried to recover $4 million in taxes paid for 1996 and $7 million for 1997. The government also claims that Snipes tried to pay some of his income taxes from 2000 to 2002 by sending $14 million in bogus checks to the U.S. Treasury.

Paul Perez, the U.S. Attorney in Tampa who filed the charges, said in a statement: “Those who intentionally and unlawfully harass the IRS through deceit, trickery and fraud undermine the collection of revenue that is vital to every aspect of the operation of our government.” The Associated Press reported that Perez said Snipes has not been arrested because authorities don't know his whereabouts. Two of the charges that Snipes faces each carry a maximum sentence of five years. The remaining six charges carry up to one year each.

A spokesman for Snipes could not be reached for comment. Kahn and Rosile also could not be reached.

Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins at Town Hall

She was great. Better than on the album.

That's all I've really got to say on that except get her album if you don't already have it.

Actually two things...

You ever hear a song that you liked in the album but it didn't necessarily stand out to you...until you hear it live? That said, after the show, "Born Secular" became my favorite song on the album.

Also, if anyone has a live .mp3 of "Acid Tongue", let me know.

Photo by baonguyen

The Soundtrack To My Life Ver. 1.2

This started as a bulletin on MySpace where you were supposed to populate this list based on the whims of your iPod/iTunes and this would be the "Soundtrack To My Life". Well, inspired by perinnial cheater Bill, I've decided to make a real one based on a week's worth of iPod listening and my stupid MySpace blog.

Opening Credits:
Sean - Aya

"But its all just part of the game
Where you see your self go, in and out of love
You're always the same
Can you free yourself and live enough for us?"

Waking Up:
Gotta Get Up (Another Day) (Featuring 4Hero) - Jill Scott

"I don't want to go to work today
I'd rather stay home and play video games
I'd rather chill for real
I don't know how you feel"

First Day At School:
New Deep - John Mayer

"I'm a new man
I wear a new cologne and
You wouldn't know me if your eyes were closed
I know what you'll say
'This won't last longer than the rest of the day'
But you're wrong this time
You're wrong"

Falling In Love:
Punchdrunk Lovesick Singalong - Radiohead

"A beautiful girl
A beautiful girl
Can turn your world into dust"

Fight Song:
Love and War (11/11/46) - Rilo Kiley

"Why must you try to ruin my peace of mind
And they were only words and I never meant them
I never loved you even in my weakness you were fuel for the fire cannon fodder"

Breaking Up:
"Last Goodbye" - Jeff Buckley

"Kiss me, please kiss me
But kiss me out of desire, babe, and not consolation
You know it makes me so angry 'cause I know that in time
I'll only make you cry, this is our last goodbye"

Prom:
"One Evening" - Feist

"The evening was long, my guesses were true
You saw me see you
That something you said, the timing was right
The pleasure was mine"

Life:
The Child Is Gone - Fiona Apple

"'Cause I suddenly feel like a different person
From the roots of my soul come a gentle coercion
And I ran my hand o'er a strange inversion
A vacancy that just did not belong
The child is gone"

Mental Breakdown:
Sometimes - Bilal

"Sometimes, you got me wishing I didn't have home training
Sometimes, then it wouldn't hurt me so bad
With dreams of knocking you in your head
Then it wouldn't hurt me so bad
With our kitchen knife put up your ass"

Driving:
Electioneering - Radiohead

Flashback:
Waves - Lewis Taylor

"I know what I want but I just wouldn't dare
I'd let her into my heart but she's already there
'Cause she comes in waves and I just reach a point
I fall over and over (and over and over) again"

Getting Back Together:
Above You, Below Me - by Badly Drawn Boy

"I will take you as you are
Please accept me as I am
There'll be something in the wind
To show us we're right
And tell us we're wrong"

Wedding:
Kiss of Life - Sade

"There must have been an angel by my side
Something heavenly led me to you
Look at the sky
It's the color of love"

Birth of Child:
India - Eric Benet

"I got the biggest part of heaven in my life
And I can feel it every time I see your eyes"

Final Battle:
Won on Won - The Cocoa Brovaz

"DING! That's the sound of the bell
"Oh shit!" is all you heard before you fell
to the canvas, all washed up like my dirty drawers
and pants get, try to challenge get damaged"

Death Scene:
Colorblind - Counting Crows

"I am ready
I am ready
I am ready
I am fine"

Funeral Song:
Numb - Sia

"I saw you cry today
The pain may fill you
I saw you shy away
The pain will not kill you
...It has to end to begin"

End Credits:
Last Dance - Sarah McLachlan

The sad thing is I will spend the rest fo my life wanting to change this list

Lost Season 3: "The Glass Ballerina"

So far, so good...

What I Liked:

• I can see why Ben singled out Jack as the one to try and turn. Sawyer and Kate are fighters.
  
• Oh my God! Trixie from Deadwood!!! I was excited until Sun shot her. Someone else hire her.
  
• I feel like they really aren't holding back with information regarding The Others after two seasons of almost nothing
• Alex!
  
• Sawyer using kissing Kate as an excuse to size up The Others
• Kate doing manual labor (I would have kissed her too)
  
• Jin not being as dumb as Sayid and Sun think he is
• Sawyer: "You taste like strawberries"
  Kate: "You taste like fish cookies"

What I didn't like:

• Did Sayid not know that Jin was pregnant? Has he taken up the "dickhead" mantle in Jack's absence?
  
• Why does everyone, including his wife, continue to talk in front of Jin in English like he's retarded? He was already picking up words from Michael and body language is as big an indicator as language.
• Even though there was more action per se, this episode felt a little slower.
• Sayid must have been a horrible soldier. He does not have "home field advantage". He shouldn't have assumed that he had the only way onto the beach covered. The Others have shown themselves more than adapt to go wherever the hell they want and not be seen.
• I wish Sun didn't shoot Colleen (aforementioned Trixie). Deadwood's been cancelled and she needs the work.
• After all the smarts Sawyer showed in sizing up his captors, he was stupid speak his observations so loudly.
• That I had to re-live the Red Sox winning the fucking World Series on my favorite TV show.
  

Answers:

• Henry's full name (Benjamin Linus)
• The whole island is outfitted with cameras
• The odds that Sun is carrying Jin's baby are slim to none
• Time does pass normally on the island as it does in the real world (unless Ben is lying)
  
• They have been on the island for 66 days.
• Ben has been on the island his whole life (unless Ben is lying)
• Juliet never made Ben soup

Questions:

• Again, what was the relationship between Ben and Juliet before the plane crash?
• Ben's been there all his life? Was he born there? What about everyone else who appears younger than him?
  
• Where are all the kids they kidnapped from the Tallies?
  
• What does Ben want Jack to do and will he do it?
• Did Jae commit suicide or did Sun's father send backup in case Jin punked out?
• If The Others are "the good guys", why have they killed or tried to kill so many? What is their definition of "good"?
  
• Why hasn't Alex (the girl Kate was talking to) tried to find her mother, Danielle, the crazy French lady?
• Was Karl imprisoned for helping Alex get away?
• Where is Karl now?
  
• What's left to tell in Sun and Jin's backstory?
  

Lost Season 3: "A Tale of Two Cities"

I know I'm late but with the Yankees out of the playoffs so soon I have plenty of time to do this. I'm going comment, question, whine and drool over this season of Lost. Spoilers go without saying.

What I Liked:

• Great opening. Better than last season's opener with Desmond. I knew they were on the island but it was great seeing the plane crash from their perspective and seeing Henr...I mean...Ben take charge immediately.
  
• As much as I like the mythology and mystery surrounding Lost, I think I prefer the character studies more. I felt this was one of the better flashbacks in terms of how it related to the characters current situation. I feel like Jack could possibly change. Which is good because he's a dick.
• The breakfast with Kate and Ben. I'm glad that Ben is going to continue to be as creepy as he was in Season Two.
• Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet. She is a great addition to the cast and clearly is going to have something with Jack this season.

What I didn't like:

• There wasn't anything I really disliked but if I had to pick something I would say the Sawyer in the cage portions of the episode.

Answers:

• I guess Goodwin and Ethan were the two deceased infiltrators' real names
• We know what drove Jack's father back to the bottle
• Considering the CD, CDs, ovens and, oh yeah, Jack's entire history in a file, The Others have contact with the outside world
• Walt was right. The whole "Others" act was just that an act.
• Kate looks great in a dress
• The Others are responsible somehow for the bears that attacked Walt and Sawyer in season one and the shark that stalked Michael and Sawyer in season two.
• Henry Gale's real name is Ben. How anti-climatic. Why couldn't be something menacing like Rasputin?
• There's a Hydra station.
  

Questions:

• Obviously, what is the deal with The Others? Are the know longer connect to the Dharma Initiative as Juliet hints?
  
• What was the relationship between Ben and Juliet? Obviously, there was a reason he wasn't invited to the book club in the beginning and, whatever it was, I'm sure it worse since he was willing to let her drown with Jack in the aquarium.
• Is Mr. Friendly gay or is there some sort of Others stick with their own type credo behind him telling Kate she's not his type? (Making the potential Jack/Juliet pairing even more interesting...plus her name is Juliet)
• Why was Karl locked up across from Sawyer? Was he a plant to elicit information and reactions from Sawyer or did he actually do something?
• What happened to Kate from the time she had breakfast with Ben to the time she was brought to the cage? When she reached out for the biscuit that Sawyer threw, her wrist were deeply bruised as if she was struggling to free herself.
• What is there left to find out about Jack's backstory?
  

So Now What?!?: 2005-2006 Edition

Now that we know Joe is staying, what's next?

Joe Torre He shouldn't have been fired but I have my concerns. One of the hardest things to do in sports is to win championships with a team, go through a dry spell, and then win championships again. When I asked a number of friends, Erwin came up with Casey Stengel. So history is not on Joe Torre's side.* Also, he made some boneheaded moves during the playoffs. He should not have started Gary Sheffield. There was enough power in the lineup that we could have lived with having Craig Wilson play first. Shit, I would have rathered Giambi play first, Hideki at DH and Melky in LF. I know Giambi was hurt but at least he would have first base instincts. The musical chairs with A-Rod was a joke. Having him bat sixth was one thing but 8th was just a big "Fuck you". I would not have left Jaret Wright out there after the score became 3-0 knowing Cory Lidle (who, while shaky, has better stuff) was just sitting there clipping his fingernails. That said, if Lou Pinella is the best alternative, I'll stick with Joe one more year before we can convince Tommy Lasorda to come out of retirement.

Alex Rodriguez Unless we can get someone like Dontrelle Willis or Carlos Zambrano with some choice prospects, I say we keep him. He had one "bad" year (or as bad as you can call .290, 35 HR, 121 RBI, .392 OBP, .523 SLG) and I'm not ready to give up on him yet. He does need to be quiet when it comes to the press. Joe Torre needs to stop humiliating him (putting him sixth behind Hideki and Sheff who had barely played this season, then starting him 8th was crazy). That Sports Illustrated article should have NEVER happened. I also think it's time for Derek Jeter to man up and support A-Rod publicly. He always talks about team this and team that. He knows that him supporting A-Rod would help the TEAM. If he doesn't, someone needs to let him know that's part of being "The Captain".

Gary Sheffield It's been a great ride but I'm sorry, you've got to go. Bobby Abreu, while not the RBI machine you are, is the kind of scrappy hitter the Yankees need right now. Plus, we owe him way too much money to keep both of you. I suggest a sign and trade so he doesn't get pissed and offer his services to the Red Sox for nothing.

The Pitching We're stuck with Randy Johnson. Mike Mussina isn't worth 17 million dollars and I hope him and his agent are smart enough to realize it. A one year deal will suffice. Lost Jaret Wright (as is the tradition of getting rid of the guy who loses the last game in the playoffs). Go after Barry Zito (who only sucks when he plays against us) and Daisuke Matsuzaka. Let's see what Philip Hughes has got. And sign every available closer and relegate them to setup men. Carl Pavano should become a setup guy only because I don't want him to leave without at least earning some of his money.

Steinbrenner Stop trying to buy the biggest, oldest bat on the market. We had a good thing in the late 90's with stars and role players. We have guys in our lineup who would be the anchor for a lot of other teams, however there is no one rowing the boat and all the weight is making the ship sink EVERY YEAR. Let Cashman do his job (and, on the side, call Gene Michael and ask him if he'd be interested in Cashman's job in 2008).

Movie of the Week Pt. 2: Little Children

Movies about quiet desperation are hard to judge.

It kinda reminded me of watching Jarhead wherein I enjoyed the movie and the performances but I could not imagine ever wanting to see it again.

Todd Field, who's first movie was the equally good but unrewatchable In The Bedroom, seems to be making this his niche.

Kate Winslet was great (Of course she was, she's on "The List") as was Patrick Wilson.

The changes made to the book didn't bother me that much. They decided to use narration which kinda bugged me (honestly, narration always bugs me) at first but I accepted that there was too much subtext that there was no other way to explain certain characters' motivations.

One thing that really did bother me is the movie did not really show why Sarah (Winslet) and, to a lesser extent, Brad (Wilson) were so unhappy in their marriages to Richard (Gregg Edelman) and Kathy (Jennifer Connelly) respectively. With Brad, they did show that he was emasculated by not being the breadwinner and that his wife did put their son above him but not so much that he would be miserable. With Sarah, they had that one scene where she catches Richard in...um...the middle of something and after that, he's gone for pretty much the entire movie except a dinner they have with Brad and Kathy. If anything, the movie makes it seem that her daughter is why she's so unhappy.

Also, the tone was off a bit because it starts like a dark comedy/satire then a drama and then it doesn't know what it wants to be. Just a series of scenes that don't seem connected.

See? This is why I don't like reading the book before seeing a movie. I would have liked it so much more if I didn't know how things played out in the novel.

Movie of the Week: The Departed

"Who am I? I'm the guy who does his fucking job. You must be the other guy!"
-Dignam

Reports of Martin Scorsese's demise have been greatly exaggerated

It appears that Martin Scorsese has finally given up trying to make movies that would win him that elusive Best Director Oscar and the result is probably his best movies since Casino.

Everybody was firing on all cylinders - Jack Nicholson (he'll get a Oscra nod out of this), Leonardo Dicaprio, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, etc.

I think it's a crime that Mark Wahlberg had not been cast in more comedies because every time he's on the screen, hilarious. No one is enjoying playing a Boston guy than Wahlberg.

The only questionable part, not necessarily a bad part, was the romance in the middle of the movie. It felt forced and unnecessary.

This is probably one of the funniest, sharpest scripts all year.

It's Cult Week!!!

I know that the Fall Season has been in full swing for a couple of weeks right now but this is the big week for me.

My three favorite shows (not named 24) plus the pilot that impressed me the most start this week.

Tonight: Veronica Mars (CW, 9 PM)

Okay, last year was a bit of a sophmore slump for them but they had the third best finale last year (the first being Lost, the second being Battlestar Galactica). Hopefully CW won't cancel it and we'll get to enjoy Veronica's freshman year of college.

Wednesday: Lost (ABC, 9 PM) & The Nine (ABC, 10 PM)

Lost goes without saying. I know alot of people where disappointed with the second season but I thought it was good and after Michael's shocking turn, it became great. After the aforementioned mind- (and hatch-) blowing season finale, I can't wait to find out what happens with Jack & Co. and, more interestingly, will Sayid finally take a leadership role.

As far as The Nine goes, I downloaded the pilot and was instantly hooked. Unless Friday Night Lights is as good as everyone says it is, this was by far the best pilot I saw this year. I don't know how long they can drag out this mysterious 52 hours but I want to find out what the fuck happened during that robbery.

Friday: Battlestar Galactica (Sci-Fi, 9 PM)

Now, like Veronica Mars, I was a latecomer to this show but thanks to my friend Kaiva and Netflix, I caught up and am hooked. I still can't believe what they did at the end of last season, jumping ahead a year and surrending to the Cylons while Galactica and the fleet high-tailed it but that's the kind of shit you could only get away with on cable.

So this week, my friends, I am BUSY!*

*Except Friday, without a "watercooler" to talk around the next day, there's no sense of urgency with BG.

The Best Music Video I've See This Year...