Sorrow From The City That Never Sleeps, And A Little Inspiration To Get Through It

As I’m sure you’ve heard, Heath Ledger passed away yesterday. I don’t usually do this, as I don’t find solace in making note of grief, but I’m a little bummed out about what happened to Mr. Ledger. I really dug some of his films, and he’ll be missed, I’m sure, by a lot of people including myself. The Patriot was one of my favourite movies when I was younger, so Heath will always have a spot in my heart. That might sound lame, but it’s true. I love movies, and I think an attachment to the actors is inevitable. Whether the death was on purpose, or accidental, it’s tragic all the same. My thoughts and prayers go out to Heath Ledger’s family.

As dark as that is, I find it helpful to find something that makes you happy to get you through hard times. I thank God every day that I have a family, and I savour every moment of my life. So, when something bad like this happens I like to focus on the positive. As I found out about what happened last night, I also came across a song from a band I’m a huge fan of. The band’s name is “The Matches” and the song they released yesterday (ironically titled) was called “Wake The Sun.” The song is awesome, and upbeat. The opening harmonics put all of the muscles in my cheeks to work, and I smiled while taking in every second of the song. Their new record, “A Band In Hope,” is going to be epic. You can listen to the song here, and I hope you do, for maybe it’ll make you smile too.

Why is it even called Cloverfield?

Ho-ly shi-at. Most intense movie ever. I’m not going to use spoilers, so just let me tell you how exciting it was.

Cloverfield is awesome. I could say that, and leave it as that, but I need to speak my mind. As for mentioned, Cloverfield is filled with tension. So much so that you could cut the tension with a knife, or some other sharp tool. A butter knife wouldn’t work, but Link’s sword from the “Legend of Zelda” would probably get the job done. So, yeah. I was never bored during the film, and that in itself deserves praise. The movie had me excited from the moment it began, and the excitement literally built until the end. I’m not even sure there was a climax, for the whole movie was exciting. Theoretically, when the highest point of excitement occurs, the dénouement (or, falling action) has to follow immediately. So, the climax I guess has to be the end, for the credits are credits, and not really exciting at all. The movie’s a ride, and totally worth the price of admission.

What really impressed me was that since the film was shot in a handy-cam fashion, a lot could be done with special effects, so all of what was shown looked pretty real and plausible (given a monster like that could come from space and wreck havoc on a city like New York). I was really impressed with the fact that there was actually some comic relief interspersed throughout the apocalyptic plot, and let me tell you that it was needed. The notion of what happened in Cloverfield was terrifying in itself, so the funny dialogue was nice. I don’t want to give much away, so I urge you to see it for yourself. I’m torn between giving the film a 9 or a 9.5 out of 10, for the film was amazing for what it was (that being a reality/monster movie), and Cloverfield is a pioneer of this infant genre, so the bar has been set, folks. I’d like to see somebody do better than that. Matt Reeves, Drew Goddard, and J.J. Abrams, you rock, man(s).

My only complaint, and potential spoiler, is that the monster looked like a giant turtle without its shell, and with long legs. That’s it, really. I heard rumors that the “thing” was supposed to be a giant robot from Japan, and I would’ve been stoked if that was the case. Then, and only then, would I give the film a full 10. There you go, now please find the time to watch Cloverfield, for it warrants being seen on “the big screen,” so to speak.

Juno

I just got back from seeing Juno, and it was fantastic. I wasn’t expecting it to be hilarious (which it was), but just sort of funny (which it wasn’t). I was just really stoked to see Michael Cera and Jason Bateman in a movie together, yet they never actually shared a scene. But that’s neither here nor there. If that’s as close as I get to an Arrested Development reunion, so be it. Let me say that Ellen Page is actually hilarious, and her comedic timing is pretty good for a lady. I’m not sexist, but I don’t usually find girls funny. At all. However, Ms. Page was, and that’s all that matters. It must have something to do with being born in Halifax, Nova Scotia circa 1987. A lot of cool people were born that year and in that city, too. Namely, me.

So, Juno was excellent. The dialogue was great, it was fun to watch, and the soundtrack was “boss,” if I may. The music was so good I’m contemplating procuring it from of iTunes. Actually, I’ve already decided that I am, but not now, as I’m tired and I’ll soon be going to bed.

Go see the film if you haven’t already. It’s a real hoot an’ a holler. For sho’. Oh, and Rainn Wilson is in the movie for about a minute and change. So if I hadn’t convinced you already to see it, Rainn Wilson as a clerk in a corner store should definitely be your reason to go see this cinematic gem.

"His" Boring-Ass Life

Salutations, folks. What it do? Oh, not too much. You know. The usual. Are you impressed that I can carry a one-way conversation with myself? I am. Anywho, let’s get down to business.

A couple nights ago, I was reading, as I’m apt to do before going to sleep, and I came across something that evoked such a response from me that I figured I’d tell you all about it. The book I’m reading is My Boring-Ass Life by none other than the director extraordinaire, Kevin Smith. Firstly, the book is a collection of Mr. Smith’s blogs over a two year period, and it’s absolutely hilarious. I like blogs, if they’re as good as mine, and let me say that Kevin sure knows how to make me roar with laughter. He literally writes about everything, from bowel movements, to giving his Mrs. the ol’ “one, two, how do you do?” I think it’s awesome, so I urge you to buy the book.

However, Mr. Smith also knows how to pull at heart-strings too. In one of his entries, he told the story of the last day of his father’s life, and it was unreal. It was amazing how he could blend heart-felt warmth with sadness. I like to pride myself as emotionally indifferent, for I find that if I put my heart into something and it falls through, it hurts me, as I’m sure it would other people. But let me tell you this as a side note: When I was in the eighth grade, my cat Oreo got killed by a car, and its death rocked my world in the worst way possible. When I got back from swimming lessons I let her outside, and an hour later she turned up dead on the street in front of my house. Of course, I blamed myself, and cried like a girl with a scraped knee the whole night. What I’m getting at is that my Dad would bring this up from time to time, and just recently I realized that because I felt bad about my cat’s death, my dad made me feel like it was wrong to let myself get attached to things. Consequently, I became emotionally hardened. I’m not a stone, I have a pulse, but I don’t like getting attached to things that’ll inevitably hurt me. So, with that background, I’ll tell you what this has to do with the chapter in the book.

As I was saying, Kevin told an amazing story about his father, and the events that led up to his passing. I already knew beforehand that his father had passed, so I knew what I was getting into. As the chapter went on, I learned a lot about Kevin’s relationship with his father, and I started getting that bulging feeling in my throat. I held it back as long as I could, but I broke, and the waterworks started. I hadn’t cried like this since my cat died way back when, and I found this surprising, for the catalyst was ten pages of a book about somebody of who I have no personal attachment to. The chapter really just made me think, and made me realize how grateful I am to be alive, and have my dad here. Yeah, so aside from that, the book is hilarious, and you should all go out and buy it. I dare you to make it through that chapter without feeling emotional, you gargoyles. Just kidding, you aren’t gargoyles. However, it would be cool if you were.

Evan Almighty? More like, Evan Awesome!

Hello all. Saturday night I went to the mall to order some movies from HMV, and while I was there I saw that Evan Almighty was on sale for $11.99 (I think), and since I hadn’t seen this particular film in theatres, I wasn’t sure if I should get it or not. It would be a gamble, but since this movie starred the one and only Steve Carell, it was a gamble I was willing to take. Also, seeing that Jonah Hill played a small role in the said film was icing on the cake I hadn’t yet tasted.

So, after supper tonight I decided to watch the movie. As the movie started, I was hoping that Steve wouldn’t let me down, and was fully prepared to be disappointed, for people told me the movie wasn’t that great. “Then why would you buy it?” one might ask, and I’d respond, “Because I like to take risks.” Sure, I don’t do heroin or meth, but I do spend copious amounts of money (collectively) on movies I’ve never before seen. With that out of the way, let me tell you about the film.

The movie obviously has religious connotations, but they weren’t forced, which was nice. I find it offensive when people tell me how I should live my life, but this movie was a nice balance of comedy and how one could adapt the bible to everyday life without being blatantly forceful, if you will. That might sound lame, but the movie was actually really good, for what it’s worth. Had I have seen this movie in theatres, I think I would’ve enjoyed it even more, and I would’ve argued with people if they had said they didn’t like it.

Sure, it isn’t Steve Carell’s best film (The 40-Year-Old Virgin will always hold a spot in my heart for reasons that could be explained in an entire blog itself), but it sure wasn’t bad. In regards to Steve’s performance, I thought he couldn’t have done better, for the movie is chock-full with Steve Carell moments, those being his hilarious shouts, moans, and sarcastic retorts. Evan Almighty is a good vibes movie, and I’ll definitely watch it many more times to come.