Another post so soon?

In an attempt to silence whispers that I would not hold to my claim of more "regular" updates, I am back with more words and wit than many are prepared to consume. Before I go any further I must warn readers around the globe that there will be no pictures this time around, all apologies but please do me a favor and read on anyway. The purpose of this post is to spread my well informed views on the recent crop of Summer movie releases, so without further ado (I love the word 'ado') it's on to the reviews.

Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith--- This movie was without a doubt the most highly anticipated flick on my list of anticipated Summer flicks. Because of this fact it also represented the best chance for me to be devastatingly let down. Despite the potential pitfalls I walked out of the theater thoroughly satisfied. The movie actually exceeded my expectations and for that I give George Lucas a decent amount of respect. The dialogue was painful in parts but thankfully the despotic Lucas suppressed his tendency to overwhelm his actors with poorly timed, poorly written dialogue and therefore just let them act from time to time. What resulted were quiet scenes where he allowed the actors facial expressions to help build the tension and allow the viewer to embrace the drama that was unfolding. Lucas had already constructed the foundations of a dramatic story long ago, now he just had to get out of the way and let it unfold. Thankfully he did and from time to time he actually trusted the actors to tell his story and he wisely chose to use Natalie Portman's talent for Oscar-caliber crying (see Closer and Garden State for further examples) to add actual emotional weight to the conclusion. Lucas was aiming for a classic tragedy and he just about pulled it off. My only real complaint was way in which Lucas chose to explain Portman's character's fate at the end of the movie, if you have seen it you know what I mean. In the end, it was definitely worth seeing and I ended up going back for seconds.


Kingdom of Heaven--- I am going to try my best to avoid comparisons to Gladiator, Ridley Scott's previous foray into the world of costume epics, when discussing his new underwhelming flick about the Crusades. The best way to describe this movie is with the word flat. The movie was decent in so many aspects but from the perspective of someone who was looking for the rising and falling action of a dramatic story arc, I couldn't help but be let down. Unfortunately I have to lay the blame at the feet of the adorable Orlando Bloom. He doesn't give a bad performance but he does fail to generate the necessary passion that is needed for the leading man in a movie of this nature. It appears that he let the given circumstances of his character at the beginning of the movie color his mood throughout the entire film. I understand he is depressed but he fails throughout the film to let his character grow and that left the whole movie feeling flat. Even when confronted with the affections of dynamic, up and coming French actress Eva Green he still fails to deliver the requisite passion to elevate the story. In the end, the movie wasn't bad (the costumes were spectacular) but it could have been so much better.


Crash--- I love a good drama and Crash is a damn good drama. Brilliantly acted and thoroughly engrossing, the film was a welcome addition to my diet of overblown Summer blockbusters. The only reasons not to see this film are: one, you don't like when a movie has a clearly identifiable message and that message is reinforced with every scene and two, you don't like movies with a preponderance of unlikely coincidences. If you don't mind those things that by all means see this movie. The ensemble cast delivers in every scene and I was constantly interested. I have to single out the always amazing Don Cheadle, the solid Matt Dillon and the surprisingly good Ryan Phillipe for their performances but just about everyone in this movie is committed and talented and it shows. Go see this movie and if you don't like it you can blame me and I will take steps to have the price of admission refunded to you in a timely manner.



Unfortunately this is all the time I have right now but tune in next time as I reveal my thorough dissecting of Cinderella Man. For now here is the short review: I liked it, I liked it a lot, Russell Crowe continues to amaze. In the meantime keep in mind the following quote: (especially when talking me)


"Conversation about the weather is the last refuge of the unimaginative."

I'm back... with a vengeance

So it has taken me far too long to update my lonely blog. I must apologize to all and pray that the few people who have taken the time to view my picture filled blog are still willing to check back for updates. The end of the semester proved to be an action packed and stressful time and by the time my semester came to a close and my free time started to appear then my internet connection became a little hazy. So I have weathered the storm and can finally say that I am back to stay. The summer is proving to be rife with spare time so expect updates with surprising regularity.

This entry is going to be a little short on the words because fatigue is robbing me of any worthwhile thoughts but I have taken the time to include some more photos because I know people like pictures. Most of them are bonus pics from my NYC adventures but several of them are from earlier in the semester. Next time I will post photos from the play that I was in in February for those who didn't make it to the show (and for those who did it will be a thrilling opportunity to relive all the excitement). Look for those sometime later this week along with some class-solicited artwork that I have promised to post (although not without some mild trepidation). Take care and please keep checking back, my next post promises to include some of my infamous movie reviews, always insightful, always unnecessarily verbose.

I leave you with today's quote:


"You can't make your heart behave, you love who you love, don't ever apologize for that.

Jenny, Tim and I during our very first intoxicating evening together, January 2005. 

At one of the numerous "Shape of Things" parties the three NYC bound friends pose with Tim's boyfriend John. 

I try unsuccessfully to look cool by wearing sunglasses at night. 

I try to teach Tim how to effectively stare at women. 

Jenny demonstrates how to fake uncontrollable happiness while onlookers document her efforts through the magic of digital cameras. 

Jenny and I have a staring contest. Three and a half hours later I am declared the winner by an unbiased panel of judges. 

I am still not sure what Jenny is doing in this picture. If anyone knows please leave the answer in the comments section. 

Jenny poses next to her curiously arranged pile of belongings. 

Bret demonstrates his superhuman Ms. Pacman skills to dozens of Laguardia Airport patrons. As the picture shows, they have been advised to keep their distance. 

Bret and I spot an unwanted photographer sneaking up behind us. 

Jenny's first glimpses of New York, from the backseat of a Taxi. 

We rendezvous with the dashing Price Messick at a splendid Italian joint whose name, Fagiolini, I believe translates into "little fag", but I could be wrong, because quite frankly I don't speak Italian. 

Bret "reaches" for the Moon. 

I inadvertantly find myself stuck behind the door of the worlds most bizarre Indian resturant. 

Bret laments his decision to be the creamy white center of a dancing gay Oreo. 

A spur of the moment "reach" in the middle of a busy NYC street amuses onlookers. 

Bret and I grapple to decide who gets to play apartment DJ 

New York City, thou art a cruel mistress

It was the best of times, it was... well... the best of times. It was a trip to rival all trips and NYC is still trying to recover from our torrid week long love affair. For those of you who don't already know I went cavorting about in the city that never sleeps a couple of weeks and have just now fully recovered from the experience. Before I go any further I have to take a moment and thank our overly generous host Mr. Tim Aumiller. Some of you out there might be asking yourselves, "Who is Tim Aumiller?", well Tim is a multi-talented writer/director who lives in lower Manhattan. He also happens to be the fine gentleman who directed and cast me in the thrilling K-State production of "The Shape of Things". Tim's friendship was the catalyst for this whole expedition and I am forever in his debt.

Now that I have thanked the man who made it all happen I have to move on to my virtuous traveling companions. New York is a cacophony of sights and sounds but its not nearly as fun when you don't have anyone to share the experience with. Thankfully I was accompanied on this voyage by two truly unique individuals: Mr. Bret Palmer and Miss Jenny Yankey. Bret, star of stage and screen and bass player for the Ice Cream sandwiches, and the beautiful and brilliant Jenny are both future fashion icons, gifted improvisational performers and wonderful traveling companions. I was ill prepared for just how entertaining the NYC experience was going to be with these two brightening every moment of the trip.

I haven't the time nor proper vocab to fully describe the adventures that we stumbled into while gallivanting about town. I will say that we covered most of the island from the top of Central Park to the tip of Battery Park. Along the way we did the museum thing, did some shopping, saw the World Trade Center site and spent some time in the rain in Times Square. In addition to that we hung out with Conan O'Brien, met Clive Owen and had dinner with Ryan Adams in a tiny Indian joint on the Lower East Side. Throughout the week we took any opportunity to interact with the many denizens of the city that never sleeps. So I would like to take this opportunity to extend some thank yous to: the nice lady on the subway who overheard our drunken improv and suggested some hangover cures, to the homeless person on St. Marks Place that I said "high five" to, to the super nice security guard in Rockefeller Center that flirted with Jenny and gave us directions, to the guy who looked like Einstein who gave us a twenty minute lecture on fashion and diet in the Virgin Megastore and last but not least, Megan, our friend at NBC who did everything she could to get us on the Conan O'Brien Show. I should also take a moment to apologize to the random New Yorkers that fell for our various improv performances. I am sorry that you were duped, because we are in fact not Broadway performers nor are we friends with Brad Pitt but thanks for believing in us, it was fun while it lasted.

This is about all the time I have right now but please take some time to peruse the photos that follow this post. Make sure you click on them to see them in their full glory and thank you in advance for spending your precious time. It should be noted that most of the photos were taken by the incomparable Jenny Yankey and represent just the tip of the photo iceberg. It should also be mentioned that in several pictures Bret and I are displaying a little thing we invented called "The Reach", which was created in an attempt to provide a little variety to the numerous pictures. When I get a chance I will post Jenny's polaroids which include a certain Conan O'Brien doing "The Reach", so stay tuned. Before I go I just want to thank once again Tim Aumiller (your generosity has not gone unnoticed), Bret Palmer (you are truly one of a kind and a constant source of amazement) and Jenny Yankey (what can I say? NYC was very kind to us, I'll thank you for real later).

With all that said, I bid you adieu and goodbye and leave with this quote again because it is oh so appropriate:

"Never go on trips with anyone you do not love"----Ernest Hemingway

just a reminder before you view these pictures, please turn off all cell phones 

relaxing in Tim's apartment after a hard day of charming the masses 

Grand Central Station welcomes us 

Rockefeller Center, our home away from home 

the one-man NYC welcoming party, Tim Aumiller 

our first night and first meal in the city, pizza in a renovated church 

showing off "the reach" in Central Park 

on the steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral