Movie Update

The Devil Wears Prada - 3 stars, decent flick, nothing real special. It's hard to believe that anyone could be as callous as Meryl Streep's character. As a non-fashion forward male, I liked that they made a point about the industry being about more than just matching belts and feather boas, but didn't oversell the issue. What they do is important in their own way and can have an impact, but isn't the end of the world. And that they didn't overplay the gay aspect - I expect there are many flamboyant personalities in the fashion industry, but not all are flaming and/or over the top. I went through a not-so similar work-life situation at my previous job (not on call 24/7, but expected to work 12 hr days and some on weekends); I chose the personal life and took a 30% paycut and have been much happier for it.

Previously: The Simpsons Movie - 3 stars (you'll spot a trend here soon) - Glad I didn't shell out $9 to see this first run. Amusing, as I hadn't watched the show in a few years, but really just a long episode, nothing groundbreaking or series altering (or maybe there was and I wouldn't even know it). Homer's antics (and Marge dealing with them) get a little difficult to swallow when stretched out and put under a larger plot driven microscope. But any cartoon requires some degree of suspension of disbelief.

1/29 - Live Free or Die Hard - 3 stars - But any cartoon requires some degree of suspension of disbelief. Some impressive action sequences, but also some obvious CGI transitions/blends. A few quiet nods to the original (didn't see the third one) were nice touches, but I found myself bored halfway through. A little too long and a little too over the top (car takes out helicopter? hacker genius modifies smart phone to connect to sat-com in 4 seconds? Willis surfs the tailfin of a fighter jet? I want to see the Mythbusters episode on this one).

Fighting yet another sinus infection. Or less fighting and more taking shots to the head while trying to dodge. Max Vitamin C, Sudafed, Advil, none are working too well. Tomorrow night need to try zyrtec (now available from your pharmacist without a prescription!). Spent the last two hours of work scrolling through names of people who opted out of mailings from my company, trying to find the ones with valid addresses. Would have been amusing if it wasn't so tedious. A live phone agent takes most of the calls, some cities have amusing spellings. I'm amazed that someone thought there was an "Nympis, TN". Not sure if that ought to be blamed on the Suthen accent though. "Itlanta" Might be a typo, but the A and I are nowhere near each other...

Long time...

And sadly not much new music. New Everclear in the past 18 months, Modest Mouse, Fall Out Boy. Must be getting old.

I spend more time on Netflix, will eventually go back and recap previous rentals. This week: Lucky Number Slevin (3 stars meaning pretty average, no problems, no excitement). It was the only role I've seen Lucy Liu in that didn't make me want to tear my eyes out (mostly because, ironically, she played a ditz). The Bruce Willis cold stare, rhetorical dialog is getting a little old; I think he's better (now) as a supporting cast member, not as a scene leader. Interesting story but not all that revolutionary.

Also the Bourne Ultimatum (4 stars, solid). Pretty much the Wolverine story without the claws. Pretty good overall. Julia Stiles looked her best here also (coincidence? I miss my girlfriend...)