What does this say about me?

I subscribe to and read the following magazines :

Rolling Stone

Men's Health

Wired

Vanity Fair

US

Technical Analysis of Stocks & Commodities

Futures

Trader

M.I.A.

A pretty cool article on M.I.A.

http://www.spin.com/articles/understanding-mia-5-things-you-need-know?page=0%2C0&utm_source=newsletter072010&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter072010

Thanksgiving 2009

Been a LONG a$$ time since I posted.

I am so thankful for my beautiful family. The Lord has been kind and generous to me. I am thankful for the family I was born into, and the awesome family I married into. I am grateful for lifelong friends I've known since Riverton, Utah days, and I am grateful for the many great friends I've made living in Iowa and Arizona. I am thankful to live in the country. No matter how much we all complain, we still have it 10x better than those in most countries. I'm grateful for second chances, forgiveness, and generosity. I'm trying to get better at this stuff myself, but very grateful that we can continue to live and learn. Enjoy this day, you never know when an ass troid will hit the planet and disintigrate us all :).

Jumper

Title - Jumper
Rating - PG-13
Actors - Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Bell, Rachel Bilson, Diane Lane
Directed By- Doug Liman
Recommendation? On DVD. . . Don't Bother
Length - 1 hour 28 minutes

The movie has a cool premise. A young guy can skip to literally wherever he wants, whenever he wants. He has a sweet New York City Penthouse, can eat lunch on top of a sphinx in Egypt, and enter exit any bank vault when he needs a little 'cash'.

A policeman of sorts, Samuel L. Jackson, is sent to hunt and track the 'Jumpers' of the world in order to restore order in the world.

The movie is pretty BORING. Hayden Christensen is a terrible actor. If it wasn't for the Star Wars franchise, he may never work again. He sucks. The movie is rated PG-13 because in one scene Samuel Jackson 'guts' a "Jumper" with a knife as he's strung up in a tree. You would think a movie staring Samuel L. Jackson would contain a string of 'F' bombs, but there aren't any.

The movie had promise. I like the idea. But, for whatever reason this cast and director could not pull it off.

I give it 2.5 stars out of five. Don't waste your time.

Kung FU Panda

Title - Kung Fu Panda
Rating - PG
Actors - Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen
Directed By- Mark Osborne, John Stevenson
Recommendation? In theatres. . .WAIT for DVD. Unless, you MUST go to a kid's movie
Length - 1 hour 32 minutes

A kid's movie. You know the drill. This movie is good, nothing sensational. As we move farther into the millennium, the graphics and colors in these computer animated movies become more and more spectacular.

Jack Black is the main character. He puts his own 'Jack Black' spin on this chubby, lovable Panda. The movie does have some funny moments, and over all the movie is entertaining.

But. . . . when did "going to a movie" begin to compare to going to a concert? Holy hell! I took myself, my 10 year old, and my 4 year old to a MATINEE ( before 6 p.m.). We of course needed popcorn, if you get popcorn you gotta get drinks ( we shared a large ), and some candy. The total cost of this outing was well over $50.00 !!!!

I definitely don't like to think of myself as some kind of 'cheap ass', but. . . .wow!!! I am at a real crossroads as to how I want to design my movie experiences. I LOVE MOVIES and here are my options:

A) See the 'new releases' in new theatres. Deal with the ever continuing raising of admission prices, increasing drink & popcorn prices, and potentially ( 50/50 chance ) deal with some annoying person in the crowd

B) Go see the movie in a 'dollar theatre'. When I was a kid, you'd could go to a discount movie theatre and see movies that are about to leave the box office for $1.00. Now, the discount is $3.00 each. Still a bargain comparatively. But, still may have to deal with some idiot in the crowd. Maybe even more so?

C) Wait until DVD. I can rent the dvd for $5.00. I can even buy the DVD for $15.99 at Wal Mart the day it is released. Blockbuster even runs their "4 for $20.00" specials if I'm willing to wait.

I think I'm seriously leaning towards option C. I can't really think of a compelling argument to view all the movies in new theatres? I love going to the movies, I love movies, but as I went through our categorized bills for 2007, we spent almost $700.00 last year at movie theatres. I could more than likely cut that in half sticking to DVDs only, not deal with anyone super irritating(other than the potential child of mine), sit on my couch, and actually put the big screen HD to use.

I think when you are about to make a decision like this it needs to be consistently honored. I guess there would be the every once in awhile special occasion, but why? Why not just ALWAYS and ONLY see movies on DVD? Why not REFUSE to go to a theatre? I took myself and 2 kids to a movie. What if Michelle and my other 2 came along as well? Are we now talking about $100.00 just to see something mildly entertaining as 'Kung Fu Panda'? WTH?

If you have an opinion or thoughts, let me know :)

I do recommend this movie, IF you have kids. I can't see why anyone would watch this unless you were with kids? But, to each their own. I give this movie 3.75 stars out of 5.

Pathfinder

Title - Pathfinder
Rating - R
Actors - Karl Urban, Moon Bloodgood,Russell Means,Clancey Brown,Jay Tavare
Directed By- Marcus Nispel
Recommendation? On DVD now. . .don't bother
Length - 1 hour 47 minutes

This movie is based on a legend that prior to Columbus landing at Plymouth Rock, the Vikings from Scandanavia came to the 'new world' hundreds of years prior.

On one of the Vikings trips they left a boy behind, and he was raised by Native Americans. The boy grows to be a man, and the Vikings return.

This movie is crazy violent! This movie is the battle scenes of BraveHeart, Saving Private Ryan, and 300. There are scenes with heads getting cut off, blood splattering, and lots of death. So, not one for the kids.

I give this movie 3 out of 5 stars. Pretty predictable, has some exciting parts, I was happy to rent it instead of paying $9 at the theatre.

Year of the Dog

Title - Year of the Dog
Rating - PG 13
Actors - Molly Shannon, Laura Dern, Regina King, Thomas McCarthy, John C. Reilly, Peter Sarsgaard
Directed By- Mike White
Recommendation? On DVD now. RENT IT
Length - 1 hour 37 minutes
This is a quirky, funny movie. Story about a woman who loves her little dog. Some people have spouses, careers, children, etc, while others have their dogs.

I can't talk too much about this movie without giving away some of the plot. But, I will tell you that John C. Reilly, Peter Sarsgaard, Molly Shannon, and Laura Dern deliver performances you will not soon forget. They all create such loveable characters you will be discussing this movie with the person you watch with for days to come. This movie reminds me of great character movies like Napolean Dynamite, Best in Show, and Wes Anderson flicks.

Rent this movie when you are in the mood for something goofy. You will not be disapointed.
I give this movie 4.5 stars out of 5.