Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is the sequel to the original films ultimate success. It increases everything the original had by 2. More Splosions, More implied Sex, more one Liners, more Megan Fox in more outfits, More Product Placement (any one else catch the Naruto Poster?) and more Autobots vs Decepticon battle royals. Personally I felt they only need more of one of those things. Guess which?
Generally in a review I would start out with a very small un-spoiled plot description. In a movie about special effects and action I could care less what the plot is. Unfortunately for the audience, Michael Bay (Director: Armageddon, Pearl Harbor) Really wants you to care. He wants you to care so much about his asinine senseless plot that he drags it out for over 2 and a half hours.
Michael Bay I believe has always wanted to be a respected film maker. That's why he created the overly bloated and historically laughable Pearl Harbor film. It bombed almost as bad as the actual event (to soon?) There is one thing he understands well however, making money. Megan Fox isn't so much a character int his movie as she is an inspiration for young pretty objects everywhere. See her Bend over a bike, watch her strip in front of a garage, glamor at her gorgeous eyes in the only scene shes covered. They say the Eyes are the window to the soul, well then Cleavage is the Door way to Big Box office Bucks.
Shai Lebouf the other star more or less at least has a memorable name. One the autobots and decipticons can't get enough of. SAM WITWICKY this and SAM WITWICKY that in booming drawn out tones. He repays the favor by shouting out there names as much as possible as well. I suppose what I'm getting at is there are actors but in this film but that doesn't really matter.
To make things worse, as in all Michael Bay films, any form of authority dances to the beat of a moron soliloquy. We have cops who are utterly clueless, Government officials who wave badges around but have no idea how a parachute works, and Parents who have no idea what the young hip drug Marijuana could possibly be. Parents who have lived through the 70s for crying out loud. Yes if you have any say how any thing goes considered your self a complete and utter moron in a Michael Bay movie.
Second a Michael Bay movie has to have a overly loud catch phrase toting over weight Token black guy. Apparently one wasn't available so Michale Bay in all his genius gave us to rambunctious street cred autobots who :Don't read so good" and "aint the foo's to be messing with". It was painful watching these two annoying characters trying to crack jokes. Why, it was suppose to be painful though "thats why its call an Ass Kickin pussy". I didn't know why and I didn't want to be but I was deeply offended by these characters.
Michale Bay's Tour de Force has always been Splosions. The spolosions in this film are top notch. The Camera has been brought way back from the cliche Bourne style of fighting and you can actually see the robots fighting each other with great landscaping destruction to boot. Clearly the highlight of this entire film was Optimus going toe to toe with Star Scream, Megatron, and Random Victim Decepticon in the Forrest. That alone brings this movie up from Total garbage to Meh for me. Optimus Prime is Awesome. In Lamen's terms. 2-5 stars.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Ultimate Fighter Team UK vs United States Finale Review
The Ultimate Fighter by many is credited for launching the UFC as a legitimate sport rather then just a guilty Pleasure. Who could forget such epic finales feature Rashad Evans, Forrest Griffin, Diego Sanchez, and Matt Serra shocking the entire world with his success in the series. Clearly the Ultimate Fighter season finale is the one event in UFC that should be watched by all fans. At least it should be anyways.
"The deepest human defeat suffered by human beings is constituted by the difference between what one was capable of becoming and what one has in fact become."
We start off the night with the highly anticipated match up of Joe Big Daddy flip that Caddy Stephens VS Nate Diaz. This fight helps to remind us all that UFC judges have no idea how to score grappling. Seeing someone desperately hold on to a fighter refusing to let go and run out the clock isn't what I would call an amazing Skill. Move over Cain Valesquez here comes Joe Stephens. The fight wasn't actually all that bad, I have never seen such elusive escapes. No matter how badly Joe wanted to hold on to a leg, a shoulder or around the waste Nate Diaz found a way out. It was like witnessing the rebirth of Houdinnin. Joe daddy to his credit did get Nick Diaz in a very deep very violent Gouitine and to his credit that is what Joe Daddy is known for. I thought the fight was over but the perseverance and determination of Nate Diaz lead him to reverse the move and break what one would think is unbreakable. I had never been so impressed with a fighters ability to escape so many holds. Unfortunately the judges were not impressed. Joe Stephens with his new found Cain Valasquez Clay Guida Tim Sylva style had won the unanimous decision. Nate Diaz in the past had endured brutality and injury to win his fights, this night he went home in perfect healthy.
On to the Ultimate Fighter Finale Bash. Ross Cup oh Tea Pearson against Andre not the Winner Winner. The fight started out fairly well, it seemed Andre really wanted to win this fight trying multiple strikes and stuffing multiple take downs. Ross almost looked like some kind of running gag. What happens to the wrestler that can't take down the Striker? Ross Pearson that's what happens. By the third round Pearson was reminded that this was for a 6 figure contract and Andre had seemed to have forgotten. Ross shook things up a bit by striking with brutal upper cuts (according to Joe, they did not faze Andre once) and finally scored the only take down of the fight. The judges were satisfied. That one take down had earned Ross the Ultimate Fighter Crown. Do I think we have a future UFC legend on our hands? Absolutely Not. The Second decision of the night.
Chris Lytle vs Kevin Burns. I apologize to my viewers. I had fallen a sleep during this fight. I woke up to see that Chris Lytle had won by Decision. For a man that claims he leaves it all on the floor I was surprised that it went to a decision. At least we got to see some blood right? 3 decisions in a row.
Next up the Second Ultimate Fighter Crown. DaMarques Johnson vs James Wilks. This fight surprised me. James Wilks the submission specialist proved just that sinking in a very deep dark choke with in the first round. Here is a fighter that plays by his strength. He tried standing up with DaMarques early on and noticed that being hit in the face was no way to go. Got him down and got the choke. We as Americans though can take pride in knowing that though Team America lost (thanks a lot Henderson) This particular UFC fighter prefers to live in America. So it's kind of a half win. You can visit him and apply for membership to his Gym in Orange County CA. USA USA USA.
Now the Main event of the Evening. Diego the Nightmare Sanchez vs Clay the Lay and Prey Guida. What sort of tricks would Diego have up his gloves against the loudest fighter in the UFC? This fight actually opened up incredibly well. Watching Diego go all Rorschach on Guido in the first minutes was a thing of beauty. Old habits die hard however when Guida played to his strengths by taking him down and setting up a base camp there. Guida I'm told is the most relentless most dangerous ground and pound expert in the league. I will admit there is a lot of movement but that's all it is. He doesn't just lay on people he moves around on top of them. Judges love this! At one point in the fight Diego was bored of being laid on and started elbow striking Guida unmercifully. The Blood flowed forth my friends. The perfect imitation from the Climax of the Movie Carrie. Guida was a bloody Mess. Joe and Mike for some reason felt it necessary to point out that not all of it could have been Guida's blood? Surely all that movement resulted in a cut for Diego right? The 3 rounds were over, I called the fight 30 26 in rule of Diego but I knew all that aggressive movement by Guida is just what the judges ordered. I was more nervous then Nancy Pelosi receiving and invitation to the O'riley factor. Diego had won the fight by split decision and had shown us all that a new wave of actually competent judging had been introduced into the UFC. Fight on Diego, Fight on.
Over all the event was mediocre at Best and left me asking a lot of questions. Cain has a chin made of paper and Christmas Ornaments so the lay and prey is only natural. Why does a brick face like Clay Guida rely on such a silly tactic? Will Joe Stephens ever be the same or has he fallen prey to the hold and wait style Fighting? Why do these ultimate Fighter winners seem like the type that wont make it very far at all? I guess we will have to wait and see. I rate the event over all a 3 out of 10. Meh.
"The deepest human defeat suffered by human beings is constituted by the difference between what one was capable of becoming and what one has in fact become."
We start off the night with the highly anticipated match up of Joe Big Daddy flip that Caddy Stephens VS Nate Diaz. This fight helps to remind us all that UFC judges have no idea how to score grappling. Seeing someone desperately hold on to a fighter refusing to let go and run out the clock isn't what I would call an amazing Skill. Move over Cain Valesquez here comes Joe Stephens. The fight wasn't actually all that bad, I have never seen such elusive escapes. No matter how badly Joe wanted to hold on to a leg, a shoulder or around the waste Nate Diaz found a way out. It was like witnessing the rebirth of Houdinnin. Joe daddy to his credit did get Nick Diaz in a very deep very violent Gouitine and to his credit that is what Joe Daddy is known for. I thought the fight was over but the perseverance and determination of Nate Diaz lead him to reverse the move and break what one would think is unbreakable. I had never been so impressed with a fighters ability to escape so many holds. Unfortunately the judges were not impressed. Joe Stephens with his new found Cain Valasquez Clay Guida Tim Sylva style had won the unanimous decision. Nate Diaz in the past had endured brutality and injury to win his fights, this night he went home in perfect healthy.
On to the Ultimate Fighter Finale Bash. Ross Cup oh Tea Pearson against Andre not the Winner Winner. The fight started out fairly well, it seemed Andre really wanted to win this fight trying multiple strikes and stuffing multiple take downs. Ross almost looked like some kind of running gag. What happens to the wrestler that can't take down the Striker? Ross Pearson that's what happens. By the third round Pearson was reminded that this was for a 6 figure contract and Andre had seemed to have forgotten. Ross shook things up a bit by striking with brutal upper cuts (according to Joe, they did not faze Andre once) and finally scored the only take down of the fight. The judges were satisfied. That one take down had earned Ross the Ultimate Fighter Crown. Do I think we have a future UFC legend on our hands? Absolutely Not. The Second decision of the night.
Chris Lytle vs Kevin Burns. I apologize to my viewers. I had fallen a sleep during this fight. I woke up to see that Chris Lytle had won by Decision. For a man that claims he leaves it all on the floor I was surprised that it went to a decision. At least we got to see some blood right? 3 decisions in a row.
Next up the Second Ultimate Fighter Crown. DaMarques Johnson vs James Wilks. This fight surprised me. James Wilks the submission specialist proved just that sinking in a very deep dark choke with in the first round. Here is a fighter that plays by his strength. He tried standing up with DaMarques early on and noticed that being hit in the face was no way to go. Got him down and got the choke. We as Americans though can take pride in knowing that though Team America lost (thanks a lot Henderson) This particular UFC fighter prefers to live in America. So it's kind of a half win. You can visit him and apply for membership to his Gym in Orange County CA. USA USA USA.
Now the Main event of the Evening. Diego the Nightmare Sanchez vs Clay the Lay and Prey Guida. What sort of tricks would Diego have up his gloves against the loudest fighter in the UFC? This fight actually opened up incredibly well. Watching Diego go all Rorschach on Guido in the first minutes was a thing of beauty. Old habits die hard however when Guida played to his strengths by taking him down and setting up a base camp there. Guida I'm told is the most relentless most dangerous ground and pound expert in the league. I will admit there is a lot of movement but that's all it is. He doesn't just lay on people he moves around on top of them. Judges love this! At one point in the fight Diego was bored of being laid on and started elbow striking Guida unmercifully. The Blood flowed forth my friends. The perfect imitation from the Climax of the Movie Carrie. Guida was a bloody Mess. Joe and Mike for some reason felt it necessary to point out that not all of it could have been Guida's blood? Surely all that movement resulted in a cut for Diego right? The 3 rounds were over, I called the fight 30 26 in rule of Diego but I knew all that aggressive movement by Guida is just what the judges ordered. I was more nervous then Nancy Pelosi receiving and invitation to the O'riley factor. Diego had won the fight by split decision and had shown us all that a new wave of actually competent judging had been introduced into the UFC. Fight on Diego, Fight on.
Over all the event was mediocre at Best and left me asking a lot of questions. Cain has a chin made of paper and Christmas Ornaments so the lay and prey is only natural. Why does a brick face like Clay Guida rely on such a silly tactic? Will Joe Stephens ever be the same or has he fallen prey to the hold and wait style Fighting? Why do these ultimate Fighter winners seem like the type that wont make it very far at all? I guess we will have to wait and see. I rate the event over all a 3 out of 10. Meh.
Semper Fidelis
“All men are timid on entering any fight. Whether it is the first or the last fight, all of us are timid. Cowards are those who let their timidity get the better of their manhood” General George Patton Jr.
There comes a time in everyone’s life when you have to decide if you are going to stand, or cower down. The time will come, whether it is something small, sticking up for yourself or a friend. Or something bigger, putting yourself in physical danger for someone else. What you do in that moment of time tells a lot about who you are and what your character is. Unfortunately, most of us in that time become timid and faint hearted. We give into the fear and we regret it. But there are a few who do the opposite. They face the fear head on and accept the consequences of their actions. They put it all on the line and have no regrets. They show great integrity in times of defeat and they stand strong. The numbers are small, but they make a big impact. The qualities of this minority usually include, confidence, loyalty, faith, empathy, compassion, love towards others, and natural born leaders. But most of all they are usually known as heroes.
I didn’t know Chance Russell Phelps, but I have a feeling that if I had the opportunity to meet this man, I would have liked him. This young man died at the age of 19 while on active duty in Iraq. According to his comrades he gave up his life so they could live. There is no bigger sacrifice on earth then to lose your own life. Chance did that, and if it was not for Lt.Col Michael Stroble, I would not have known about Chance’s story. Lt.Col Michael Stroble is the man that brought Chance home. He was moved by the people of Wyoming and by the bravery of Chance that he decided to do just a little more, bare Witness. If you haven’t read the report that Lt.Col wrote I highly recommend it and also the HBO special called “Taking Chance”. Surprisingly the special does not leave you sorrowful; instead it leaves you in awe about how loyal and supportive America is towards our fallen heroes. Let’s not forget about those who give us protection, who stand up literally for Freedom. Let’s bare witness to those who are and continue to be forever faithful.
General Patton said it best “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived”
There is a foundation in Chance Phelps name, the website is chancephelps.org
There comes a time in everyone’s life when you have to decide if you are going to stand, or cower down. The time will come, whether it is something small, sticking up for yourself or a friend. Or something bigger, putting yourself in physical danger for someone else. What you do in that moment of time tells a lot about who you are and what your character is. Unfortunately, most of us in that time become timid and faint hearted. We give into the fear and we regret it. But there are a few who do the opposite. They face the fear head on and accept the consequences of their actions. They put it all on the line and have no regrets. They show great integrity in times of defeat and they stand strong. The numbers are small, but they make a big impact. The qualities of this minority usually include, confidence, loyalty, faith, empathy, compassion, love towards others, and natural born leaders. But most of all they are usually known as heroes.
I didn’t know Chance Russell Phelps, but I have a feeling that if I had the opportunity to meet this man, I would have liked him. This young man died at the age of 19 while on active duty in Iraq. According to his comrades he gave up his life so they could live. There is no bigger sacrifice on earth then to lose your own life. Chance did that, and if it was not for Lt.Col Michael Stroble, I would not have known about Chance’s story. Lt.Col Michael Stroble is the man that brought Chance home. He was moved by the people of Wyoming and by the bravery of Chance that he decided to do just a little more, bare Witness. If you haven’t read the report that Lt.Col wrote I highly recommend it and also the HBO special called “Taking Chance”. Surprisingly the special does not leave you sorrowful; instead it leaves you in awe about how loyal and supportive America is towards our fallen heroes. Let’s not forget about those who give us protection, who stand up literally for Freedom. Let’s bare witness to those who are and continue to be forever faithful.
General Patton said it best “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived”
There is a foundation in Chance Phelps name, the website is chancephelps.org
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Questions and We The People want answers
First off (so not to be misunderstood) this is not a pro-Governor Sarah Palin post. In fact, I am neutral when it comes to Governor Palin; I don't worship her like her raving fans do or dislike her with a sadistic hate like her enemies do. This post is really about the modern day feminist movement. Let's begin with a question for the modern day feminist: are you even about expanding and protecting females rights anymore? The Governor Palin\David Letterman situation appears to reveal that you are not, especially when you allow a fellow female to be brutally slandered. The only conclusion I can come to when you don't come to the rescue of a fellow female who is being slandered is because that female does not line up with your ideology. You are not about gender equality at all are you? No, Governor Palin does not fit into your preferred ideology and so why come to her rescue? Because female rights are not really the ultimate goal are they? Especially when Governor Palin is a high profile woman, this could have opened doors of opportunity to bring to light several important issues. For instance, equal pay for equal work, or the constant battery women go through in this country, perhaps the portrayal that women are mere objects. It is pretty difficult to take anything you have to say seriously when you remain silent while a woman of Governor Palin's status is insulted in this way. Enough already, you groups that claim to be feminist groups, stop using the gender slogans to gain legitimacy with the public. The reality is, most of you are far left groups that use the female slogan to gain ground for far left causes so you're not seen for who you truly are. If the public catches on you will become irrelevant. Everyone knows that most people dislike extremists on both the right and left, balance is what most people look for in America. If the feminist movement today wants to continue to be taken seriously then I would think that it would not pass up another opportunity like the Governor Palin\David Letterman drama. Hopefully a authentic woman's group will stand up in this country and continue to work for equal rights. Maybe it's just me, what do you think?
Friday, June 19, 2009
Epitome of Stereotypes
Leave it to the great state of Oklahoma to in one fail swoop of the gavel bring the state judicial system to a grinding halt, with one declaration of ignorance bring chaos into law, and with one cancerous thought destroy the very foundations of normality of two young souls. In classification I am many things, one of which is that I am a native Oklahoman and in no time in my life have I ever found myself ashamed of where I am from, until now.
4 years old. At 4 years old a girl doesn’t have the strength to do a single pull up much less fend off a hungry bear. At 4 years old a little girl doesn’t have the discernment of right and wrong, much less discipline accordingly. At 4 years old a little girl begins to construct the foundations of her life. At 4 years old a little girl becomes prey, nothing but sheer meat in sight of the predator. At 4 years old, as her 5 year old brother is forced to watch, a girl gets bound, beaten, and raped. At 4 years old a little girl’s life is left in ruin. Where is justice found? I can only tell you where it is found absent.
12 months. A plea bargain met by the girl’s family leaves a man un-changed and a deed left done. A judicial system founded hundreds of years ago is left wanting, wanting order, wanting peace, wanting justice. All it has found that day was shame.
The utmost failure has been found by Judge Thomas Bartheld, who allowed himself to be manipulated by a weak defense and impose a sentence befitting a dog taking a crap on the wrong side of the road. When the law was supposed to protect a defenseless little girl, it ran and hid and put an entire state to shame. No place I have ever been that has people quite like Oklahoma. People who walk tall, people who know right from wrong, people who still show respect to fellow man and to turn on my television and see the reputation of an entire state be squandered by a rapists and a ridiculous excuse for a man named Thomas Bartheld is beyond heartbreaking.
To David Earls whose pure evil motives destroyed a girl’s life, I hope you get your balls cut off, and to Judge Bartheld I hope you find yours before your impeachment hearing commences. You have shown us what you’re like without them and buddy, you don’t have a chance. To the people of Oklahoma, I’m sorry another poor reputation has been put on our great state. Most times stereotypes are created by the few, and that is an injustice seldomly left punished.
4 years old. At 4 years old a girl doesn’t have the strength to do a single pull up much less fend off a hungry bear. At 4 years old a little girl doesn’t have the discernment of right and wrong, much less discipline accordingly. At 4 years old a little girl begins to construct the foundations of her life. At 4 years old a little girl becomes prey, nothing but sheer meat in sight of the predator. At 4 years old, as her 5 year old brother is forced to watch, a girl gets bound, beaten, and raped. At 4 years old a little girl’s life is left in ruin. Where is justice found? I can only tell you where it is found absent.
12 months. A plea bargain met by the girl’s family leaves a man un-changed and a deed left done. A judicial system founded hundreds of years ago is left wanting, wanting order, wanting peace, wanting justice. All it has found that day was shame.
The utmost failure has been found by Judge Thomas Bartheld, who allowed himself to be manipulated by a weak defense and impose a sentence befitting a dog taking a crap on the wrong side of the road. When the law was supposed to protect a defenseless little girl, it ran and hid and put an entire state to shame. No place I have ever been that has people quite like Oklahoma. People who walk tall, people who know right from wrong, people who still show respect to fellow man and to turn on my television and see the reputation of an entire state be squandered by a rapists and a ridiculous excuse for a man named Thomas Bartheld is beyond heartbreaking.
To David Earls whose pure evil motives destroyed a girl’s life, I hope you get your balls cut off, and to Judge Bartheld I hope you find yours before your impeachment hearing commences. You have shown us what you’re like without them and buddy, you don’t have a chance. To the people of Oklahoma, I’m sorry another poor reputation has been put on our great state. Most times stereotypes are created by the few, and that is an injustice seldomly left punished.
Get off My Blog: A Gran Torino Review
The greatest movie of the year 2008 (also 2009 because that’s when I saw it) was clearly Gran Torino. Now I don’t want to criticize anyone who didn’t like this film, that would be wrong of me. However, know that if you do meet someone who didn’t like this film, they are most likely fans of Jimmy Carter. They also believe Nancy Pelosi when she says she wasn’t in those meetings, and that makes them liars. So with that being said, my advice to the honest would be to not trust the opinions of someone who didn’t like the movie.
Now the reason why Gran Torino was so good, was because it made you feel. With all the crap Hollywood has made lately, I just cant bring myself to feel. When Tom Hanks walks around calling himself “Professor Robert Langdon” I’m sorry, I know you try Mister Hanks, but all I see is you. You will never be “Robert Langdon”, you’re Tom Hanks. Now get off my movie screen.
It also feels like plots and characters these days have no soul. Even for children the plot is lame. Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed John Travolta’s voice in Bolt, but where the heck was the villain in that movie? Bolt needed to be more like Up (which was also a good movie), now that villain was a psychopath. Nonetheless, it just feels like movies and actors aren’t what they use to be. I use to be a big baby bawling my eyes out at anything, really. Little did I know that it wasn’t because I was a bawling wuss, it was because the movie was actually good. Cried in Schindler’s List; good movie. Cried in Hamburger Hill; good movie. I think the last movie I cried in was Spider-man 3 (I was happy Spidey forgave Sandman.) Didn’t cry in the Changling (which is also a Clint Eastwood movie). I was entertained sure, I like Angelina Jolie, but she didn’t touch me. Surprisingly enough, I did not cry during The Boy in the Striped Pajama’s. Couldn’t do it, and that involved children! But I just couldn’t do it.
I thought maybe I had grown a heart of stone (or just matured and can now tell myself it’s just a movie), but I like my heart to feel something. I like to think about the plot and the characters’ triumphs or failures. I want to be sad or mad, or even happy. I want you to do your job as an actor and entertain me (like Heath Ledger did as the Joker!) So when I saw Gran Torino, it was a shock. I felt tears that eventually fell. I was so sure that a movie would never make me emotional again! When I left the theater, I immediately wanted to watch it again, which NEVER happens. I HATE seeing a movie twice. But I did! I watched it again with my best friend Taylor. I cried the 2nd time even harder!
I just absolutely adored Sue, the older sister of Thao (or Tao from what I’ve also seen). She was hilarious, why would you ever want to harm her? Oh but those gang members did, and I was so sad for Walt Kowalski, for he blamed himself. And they made him cry, so then I cried. The 2nd time I watched it, I knew it was coming. I knew she was going to get hurt, and before all of that even happened, here came the tears. It’s not your fault Walt! Someone hurt you, that much is clear; but it’s not your fault (I yell things at the TV if I am really in to it. Being in a theater doesn’t change that by the way) I don’t know. I just liked to get sucked into a story. Gran Torino accomplished that. I hope Hollywood gets out of its crappy streak and makes more films like it. So far, it doesn’t seem like it….Though Johnny Depp has a new movie coming out (and I liked him in Secret Window.) So that should be cool. I also heard about a Sherlock Holmes movie with Iron Man. I like him too.
Now the reason why Gran Torino was so good, was because it made you feel. With all the crap Hollywood has made lately, I just cant bring myself to feel. When Tom Hanks walks around calling himself “Professor Robert Langdon” I’m sorry, I know you try Mister Hanks, but all I see is you. You will never be “Robert Langdon”, you’re Tom Hanks. Now get off my movie screen.
It also feels like plots and characters these days have no soul. Even for children the plot is lame. Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed John Travolta’s voice in Bolt, but where the heck was the villain in that movie? Bolt needed to be more like Up (which was also a good movie), now that villain was a psychopath. Nonetheless, it just feels like movies and actors aren’t what they use to be. I use to be a big baby bawling my eyes out at anything, really. Little did I know that it wasn’t because I was a bawling wuss, it was because the movie was actually good. Cried in Schindler’s List; good movie. Cried in Hamburger Hill; good movie. I think the last movie I cried in was Spider-man 3 (I was happy Spidey forgave Sandman.) Didn’t cry in the Changling (which is also a Clint Eastwood movie). I was entertained sure, I like Angelina Jolie, but she didn’t touch me. Surprisingly enough, I did not cry during The Boy in the Striped Pajama’s. Couldn’t do it, and that involved children! But I just couldn’t do it.
I thought maybe I had grown a heart of stone (or just matured and can now tell myself it’s just a movie), but I like my heart to feel something. I like to think about the plot and the characters’ triumphs or failures. I want to be sad or mad, or even happy. I want you to do your job as an actor and entertain me (like Heath Ledger did as the Joker!) So when I saw Gran Torino, it was a shock. I felt tears that eventually fell. I was so sure that a movie would never make me emotional again! When I left the theater, I immediately wanted to watch it again, which NEVER happens. I HATE seeing a movie twice. But I did! I watched it again with my best friend Taylor. I cried the 2nd time even harder!
I just absolutely adored Sue, the older sister of Thao (or Tao from what I’ve also seen). She was hilarious, why would you ever want to harm her? Oh but those gang members did, and I was so sad for Walt Kowalski, for he blamed himself. And they made him cry, so then I cried. The 2nd time I watched it, I knew it was coming. I knew she was going to get hurt, and before all of that even happened, here came the tears. It’s not your fault Walt! Someone hurt you, that much is clear; but it’s not your fault (I yell things at the TV if I am really in to it. Being in a theater doesn’t change that by the way) I don’t know. I just liked to get sucked into a story. Gran Torino accomplished that. I hope Hollywood gets out of its crappy streak and makes more films like it. So far, it doesn’t seem like it….Though Johnny Depp has a new movie coming out (and I liked him in Secret Window.) So that should be cool. I also heard about a Sherlock Holmes movie with Iron Man. I like him too.
Gramma Deen Friday
Every Friday we enjoy posting a make you feel happy recipe in honor of Gramma Deen. This is one of our recent favorites by Big Daddy's kitchen. Gramma Deen would approve of these little balls of joy! So if your ready to eat something that makes you happy but not necessarily healthy, these little buffalo chicken wholes with spiced up blue cheese are for you! mmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Buffalo Chicken Cheese Balls
Recipe courtesy Aaron McCargo Jr.
Prep Time:
20 min
Inactive Prep Time:
hr min
Cook Time:
10 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
15 to 20 balls
Ingredients
* 1 store-bought rotisserie chicken
* 1/4 cup hot sauce (recommended: Frank's Red Hot)
* 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1 3/4 cups sharp Cheddar
* 1/4 cup freshly sliced scallions
* 1 cups all-purpose flour
* 3 eggs, lightly beaten
* 2 cups panko bread crumbs
* Vegetable oil, for frying
Blue Cheese Dip:
* 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
* 1/2 cup packed blue cheese, broken up
* 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
* 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 lemon, juiced
* 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
Directions
Have oil heated to 350 degrees F.
Pick the meat from the chicken and discard the skin. Place the chicken in a large bowl and add the hot sauce, pepper, cheese, and scallions, and toss to combine. Roll the chicken into 2-ounce balls, about the size of a golf ball.
Place the flour, eggs, and bread crumbs in 3 separate bowls. Roll each ball in the flour, then the egg and then the bread crumbs. Set aside.
When the oil is hot fry the chicken balls in batches. Cook for about 2 minutes per batch. Remove the chicken to paper towel lined plate to drain the excess oil.
To make the sauce, combine all ingredients in a large bowl and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve the chicken alongside the dipping sauce.
Buffalo Chicken Cheese Balls
Recipe courtesy Aaron McCargo Jr.
Prep Time:
20 min
Inactive Prep Time:
hr min
Cook Time:
10 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
15 to 20 balls
Ingredients
* 1 store-bought rotisserie chicken
* 1/4 cup hot sauce (recommended: Frank's Red Hot)
* 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1 3/4 cups sharp Cheddar
* 1/4 cup freshly sliced scallions
* 1 cups all-purpose flour
* 3 eggs, lightly beaten
* 2 cups panko bread crumbs
* Vegetable oil, for frying
Blue Cheese Dip:
* 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
* 1/2 cup packed blue cheese, broken up
* 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
* 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 lemon, juiced
* 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
Directions
Have oil heated to 350 degrees F.
Pick the meat from the chicken and discard the skin. Place the chicken in a large bowl and add the hot sauce, pepper, cheese, and scallions, and toss to combine. Roll the chicken into 2-ounce balls, about the size of a golf ball.
Place the flour, eggs, and bread crumbs in 3 separate bowls. Roll each ball in the flour, then the egg and then the bread crumbs. Set aside.
When the oil is hot fry the chicken balls in batches. Cook for about 2 minutes per batch. Remove the chicken to paper towel lined plate to drain the excess oil.
To make the sauce, combine all ingredients in a large bowl and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve the chicken alongside the dipping sauce.
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