The Riches (2007) - The Latest Basic Cable Show to Feature Strong Language, Violence, and {gasp} Nudity

They've only aired 3 episodes, but so far I'm really enjoying The Riches on FX. The debut of this show starring the very funny Eddie Izzard, premiered just in time for me to watch it with Battlestar Galactica on haitus until January 08 and Nip Tuck on break until Season 5.

The plot of The Riches is something new...that's why it interested me. It's about a family of drifters...gypsies...theives. A family that separates themselves from the safety of their gang (for lack of a better word), to try and find themselves a better life.

Their involvement in a fatal car crash presents an opportunity for the Malloy family to assume the lives of the Doug Rich family who have recently purchased a house in Edenfalls over the Internet...a lawyers home in a ritzy Louisiana neighborhood. Eddie Izzard as Wayne Malloy decides that his family is going to steal the American Dream...each week they face the challenges of living in a rich man's world with no idea who or what might get in their way...like Doug's ex-wife who shows up in the upcoming episode looking for money.

300 (2007) - Should Actually Have Been Called 301 and Other Problems I Have with This Movie

Let me start off with some simple math. If King Leonidas chases after the Persians with 300 men...shouldn't the movie be called 301? What a piece of crap! I should have known that I would hate a "history" movie...if you want to call it that since it's not accurate in any way. The visual effects were graphic novelly and they put some kind of cool filter on the video...which I liked, but the story...GAH. What story? To make it an even bigger piece of crap, we went to see this movie at the local IMAX theater. Nothing like seeing crap on the largest screen in New England.

Let me give you a little more than just using the word "crap" over and over again. Starting right out, it was a little cryptic who I was supposed to care about. As soon as I figured out who the main character was, I was presented with several groups of armies...not sure where any of them were from, aside from the Spartans...and I'm not sure why the additional groups were necessary to the non-story. If I were the leader of another unknown army, I wouldn't want to fight with the Spartans because the Spartans make new speeches as they head into each battle. They're chatty. Blah blah blah...we're Spartans and we can kick anyone's ass...blah blah blah...we're soldiers and you're not...you have a billion people in your army and we're still stronger...BULLSHIT. Shut up and fight. And when they do rush into battle, you can't tell who's hitting who because it's all mashed together.

There's a lot of walking in this movie. What's up with movies like this and all the walking around...300...Lord of the Rings...Eragon...all have lots of walking with no destination. I know...I know...don't trash LOTR, but really...the only good movie of those three was The Two Towers anyway.

Meanwhile, back in Sparta (or whatever their home city is called)...the queen is doing something that nobody gives a shit about and doesn't really have any impact on the outcome of the movie. It doesn't matter. I'd call this a spoiler, but the whole movie spoiled me from ever wanting to learn more about this era.

I went with 5 other people and have talked to a few others about this film...most of them liked it...I'm not sure why. Like I said...the video filters were cool...notice that's the only part of the movie I said was cool (ok, there was a cool 3 minutes near the end and someone said something funny twice)...you can see most of the visual stuff from stills on the Internet. Save your 9-13 dollars on this one and rent "Farce of the Penguins" instead. It's a lot more fun and with that, you don't expect a story...it's just about a bunch of penguins that have sex...narrated by Samuel L. Jackson.

Oh...and for anyone who thinks this movie is controversial...don't worry...if I have my way, nobody will go see it anyway. Piece of crap.