Random Reviews of Random Things

DVD Collection #10: Bad Boys and Bad Boys II: Whatcha Gonna Do?

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:22:00 +0000

The Bad Boys series of movies came about at the end of the "buddy cop" era of movies. Will Smith plays the rich playboy Miami cop that has so much money that he doesn't really need the job, and Martin Lawrence plays the family man that needs the job, loves his family, and always seems to find himself in situations that jeopardizes both while blaming Smith's character. The first Bad Boys movie gave you hope for this genre in a time when that particular type of movie had been done so many times already...it was a fun movie with plenty of action. The second one brought back a lot of the same characters...threw in a bit MORE action...a little bit over the top humor, hooked Smith's character up with Lawrence's sister for some additional tension between partners, but still managed to maintain itself as an enjoyable movie.

Martin Lawrence and Will Smith could go back and make a third Bad Boys movie if they wanted to, but they should probably leave it alone before it turns into the later Lethal Weapon movies where both of the leads are "too old for this shit". If you're a buddy cop action movie fan, you should definitely check this out.

DVD Collection #9: Back to the Future (The Trilogy)...Great Scott! That series is over 20 years old!

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:31:00 +0000

Remember when Back to the Future was brand new and it wasn't yet a trilogy? But you knew it was at least going to have a sequel because of the way the first one ended...with a big old To Be Continued as Marty and Doc Brown blasted off into the future? How old were you when that came out?

I have to admit, that my favorite of the two sequels was Back to the Future III. I thought the old west storyline was much more interesting and less confusing that all that jumping around they did in the second one. And who saw the end of the second one coming...Marty gets a letter from Doc Brown in the Old West. Classic movie moment. Did you know that Marty McFly's girlfriend was recast for the 2nd and 3rd Back to the Future movies? It's true. I love these movies and can't wait for Back to the Future IV. Come on...Indy did it...Rambo did it...you know it's coming.

DVD Collection #8: Armageddon

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:28:00 +0000

How appropriate only a few days from election day that Armageddon would come up on the list. One of our candidates is like an asteroid and could destroy the world...or at least our country. But I don't want to get political. Armageddon...this is that movie where Bruce Willis and his band of raggedy oil riggers team up with astronauts to save the world in a way that only John McClane...uhm...Bruce Willis could do.

A sarcastic man in an unlikely situation that saves the world. Think Die Hard in space, where the big old asteroid is the bad guy...throw in a bit of Affleck, Aerosmith, Billy Bob, and Buscemi and you've got a great action flick that is SO not Deep Impact, which came out right around the same week....I think there was a volcano movie too...and a volcano movie without Tommy Lee Jones. I don't have any of those.

DVD Collection #7: 48 Hours and Another 48 Hours (so it's not exactly in alphabetical order)

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 16:32:00 +0000

This was the movie that defined the mismatched buddy action comedy movie in the 1980s. Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy as a cop and a convict forced to work together to solve a crime...if that's not a 80s movie in a nutshell, I don't know what is.

This is one of Eddie Murphy's best movie series if you haven't seen it...not like the crap he makes now. He was my favorite comedy actor during that time when he also made such movies as Beverly Hills Cop, Trading Places, The Golden Child, and Coming to America. He was big into his standup comedy routine at that point as well...funny stuff, but also considered controversial. Not by today's standards. And what happened to Nick Nolte? Notice Eddie gets top billing in the sequel? Hmmm.

DVD Collection #6: American Pie, American Pie 2, and American Wedding (spoilers, but who really cares)

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:05:00 +0000

I admit to having fun watching these movies, even if all they are is a series of raunchy sex comedies...or maybe BECAUSE of that. But seriously people...after the trilogy (if I dare call it that) did we really need loosley related sequels like American Pie presents Band Camp, American Pie presents The Naked Mile, and American Pie presents Beta House? Isn't that last one just a ripoff of that classic 1978 movie Animal House?

I happy to be able to say that I've never watched any of the "presents" movies and I never will. Now I must post the next movie in my DVD collection immediately so this will be knocked down an entry and you might never see it.

TELEVISION: Nostalgia TV...Knight Rider and 90210 (2008)

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:09:00 +0000

I'll just get it over with and admit it right away...I'm watching both of them...the new Knight Rider and the new 90210. They're not on Pay Per View...they don't cost anything. What have I lost by watching them (aside from a little dignity and self respect)?

90210 has had what, 4 episodes now...I already don't care about the new characters, but I want to know where the old characters are...how some of them have grown into the new characters (in case you weren't sure, it's true)...and how they interact with each other. This is more of a sequel than it is a remake, which I prefer honestly. The same is true of Knight Rider. The new guy...Mike Tracer is Michael Knight's son...brought home by the fact that The Hoff himself was in the pilot and says as much. They should just get a jump on things and call it Season Six of Knight Rider, because essentially that's what it is...a continuation of the original with more bikinis thrown in for good measure (at least so far into episode 2). And now...creativity being what it is...Mike Tracer, like his dad before him, has faked his own death and become Michael Knight. Only his face hasn't changed at all. He still looks exactly like Mike Tracer, so good luck to him in keeping his secret identity. It doesn't matter...I'll keep watching because unlike most people, I enjoy watching a continuing story, even if it's not so great.

MOVIES: Undead (2003) - Just Watch It

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 23:04:00 +0000

119 Days ago, a movie was released that would revolutionize the way zombies are presented on screen. Undead was not that movie, but it came out on the same day.

Instead of taking itself too seriously, Undead finds a way to make a zombie plague amusing. It was exactly what the filmmaker wanted it to be...a B horror movie that would make you laugh. My cousin David and I enjoyed it...Katharine hated it...my cousin Judith slept through it. If you like Grindhouse type horror movies, you shouldn't miss this one. If you'd prefer to get a second opinion first, see what Katharine had to say.

DVD Collection #5: Alien Vs Predator, and Aliens Vs Predator: Requiem (spoilers)

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:28:00 +0000

OK...Alien Vs Predator, the original is better than the both the Alien and Predator movies put together. It is. Even though the original Predator is a CLASSIC Shwartzenegger movie, right next to Commando which also starred Alyssa Milano...it's true...look it up. Aliens Vs Predator: Requiem...not quite as good, although in Bluray, you can almost see some aliens and predators through the shadows of the small town that they destroy.

So anyway...Alien Vs. Predator, the original actually makes you pick a side. I choose Predator because Alien is just an asshole. Both sides are violent aliens that have attacked Earth (or humans anyway) at some point, but I did find myself rooting for Predator. Especially when he teams up with the human to kill the Alien queen, but not before she shoves an alien egg down his throat to create Alien Predator hybrid for the sequel. Now, since they have a single being that they share...a being to bring them together as one big nasty Predalien family...can't they all just get along?

DVD Collection #4: Alien, Aliens, Alien3, Alien Ressurection

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 20:54:00 +0000

Yes, it's true...I own them all...even Alien 4, which some people say is the worst one, but I liked it. By today's standards, the Alien Quadrilogy isn't really scary, but it's an enjoyable monster movie...about monsters that think and they also remember Ripley over generations. She must be a special lady.

The only part I thought was strange is that the Aliens never age...over thousands of years they look exactly the same. I also feel like, because of the changes in filmmaking technology, that the Aliens in Alien Vs Predator are cooler looking and more advanced than the Aliens in the original. But that was just a battle movie afterall and the Quadrilogy is a scary alien movie.

Who would win in a fight? The alien from Alien or the aliens from Independance Day?

WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE: OK, If I were the main character in the Alien movies, I would have done everything the same as Sigourney Weaver's character except for cuddling with the Alien at the end of Alien 4. It's true...I would have attacked it in the first one to save myself, I would have been pissed that it survived into the second movie when clearly I had thrown it out an airlock...so I would have killed it again. I totally would have thrown myself into the lava at the end of the third one if I had one of those damn things inside of me...just waiting to crack my chest and pop out. And well...how exactly did they recover her DNA after she had one of them inside her to create a clone??? Don't ask...just watch and pretend it makes sense.

DVD Collection #3: 40 Year Old Virgin (spoilers)

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:29:00 +0000

Let me get this straight...he collects action figures, plays video games, and works at...ahem...Best Buy-ish. And because of all that, he's a virgin at 40?

What happened to realism in movies?

OK, this is a pretty funny movie...I like to watch movies I don't really have to think about on occasion and this is one of those movies. It does drag on a bit much, but that's what's good about DVD...you can stop and start it whenever you want if you want a break.

DVD Collection #2: 30 Days of Night (spoilers)

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 04:31:00 +0000

30 Days of Night, which I'm watching right now, takes place in a small small town in a cold cold place, where all of a sudden, all of the cell phones are stolen and melted down...all of the dogs are killed...all of the power goes out...and all of the residents are preparing to leave for the "dark time"...the 30 days of night when everything shuts down and you can't leave until the sun comes back up. Oh...and they ban booze. A place I wouldn't want to live in for all the money in the world.

The sheriff's department has more police than they could possibly need, but they need all the help they can get when a band of vampires shows up to own the town. I personally would have known there were vampires coming with all the blood and darkness. If you live here and don't expect vampires, you're not that bright. Oh...and the sherrif and his wife are estranged...and she's trapped in the town, of course.

The vampires are creepy, fast, and they scream a lot. You never find out where they come from...which I like. Leaves a little mystery, which makes them a little scarier. And of course, they're just hungry and they don't actually want to turn people. The worst kind of vampire...one that doesn't speak English or negotiate. And the leader has a great haircut and a pressed suit.

So the hero is the sheriff, and he leads the good people of deserted ice land from place to place to hide from the baddies. And then he remembers that there are only a few ways to kill a vampire...a stake through the heart, chopping off its head...oh wait, that's a zombie, or letting them get baked by the sun. OOOOOOORRR, by turning himself into one of them, by injecting hiself with an infected person's blood, to save the woman he loves and becoming stronger than the leader of the vampires! After he kicks the leader's ass...he lets all the other vampires go so they can come back next year and hangs out with his woman until the sun comes up and fades away into the sunset...literally. Why didn't he just wait until the sun came up if it was coming up so soon? Because that would have made for a boring ass movie.

WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE: I never would have been in this deserted and cold place in the first place...a place that has 30 days of straight darkness. See how foolish it is to live in a place like that? It's where vampires live.

DVD Collection #1: 28 Days Later (spoilers)

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 22:15:00 +0000

Bob tells me (without actually saying it) that I need to get started on my DVD collection reviews. So here it goes.

28 Days Later should be classified as a zombie movie, but they take it in another direction. It's about the RAGE virus...created by humans, for humans as some sort of biological weapon experiment. It's never a good idea to create a virus that makes people angry enough to kill each other thereby eradicating a population of people.

The story begins with the release of the virus, and then introduces you to Jim...a man apparently by himself in a hospital where he wakes up. When he leaves the hospital, he realizes that the streets are empty...people are dead...or so he would wish they were when he sees what they've turned into. Like any good zombie movie...Jim finds more people like him and the band of survivors try to find safety as each of them (as usual) are turned into zombies and have to be put down. At some point, they're "saved" by a bunch of military people...who haven't seen women in a while so some bad stuff is attempted. They're also keeping a zombie tied up in the backyard, which they mess with whenever they get the opportunity. Bad move. It's asking to be killed when he gets loose.

End of the movie...the main character and a couple of other people live, but apparently not into the second movie (or past the alternate ending from what I hear). The sequel...28 weeks later and not as good of a movie. I don't own that one, so I won't be writing about it.

MOVIES: 100 Days of My DVD Collection (Introduction)

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:22:00 +0000

I've decided to go through my entire DVD collection in alphabetical order and review each movie. It's going to take more than 100 days, because there are actually over 200 discs in my collection, but "200 Days of My DVD Collection" sounds stupid. Maybe I should call it "A Year of DVD", but it's already too late by the time you've already read this far. I know it sounds like a lot of movies to own, but it's my only real collection. And if you still think I'm nuts, you can blame both of my parents who also have collected a large number of movies over the years...many on VHS which takes up SO much more space.

MOVIES: The Dark Knight (2008) - The Joker's Movie

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:33:00 +0000

It'll come as no surprise to anyone that this second installment of Christopher Nolan's Batman series, The Dark Knight, is about Batman's arch nemsis, The Joker. Where does he come from, what is his real name, what is in his pockets aside from lint and knives? None of those questions are revealed in The Dark Knight and it doesn't even matter. This movie is fantastic. It's in my list of top movies ever made. What number is it on that list? I'm not sure...that's next week's blog post.

I won't say that Batman doesn't matter in this movie, because without Batman, the Joker would have nothing to do. OK...that may not be entirely true, because the Joker is all about chaos and doesn't care who he destroys. What I will say is...where Batman is the hero...the good guy...uhm...well, technically Batman is a masked vigilante who has rules. And the Joker...well, he wears a sort of mask...and has no rules. What that gives you, is a chaotic movie about a Dark Knight and his nemesis. A movie that I would not want to spoil for you by revealing any plot points, so I won't. The movie is definitely overshadowed by Heath Ledger's untimely death, which is unfortunate, because I'd be curious what the box office would be like it this hadn't happened. Don't go to see the last movie by Heath Ledger...go check it out to see one of the best superhero movies ever made. BUT...don't bring your kids if they get scared easily, because the Joker is a bit creepy...and he does start to make sense at some point.

The movie does make a political statement as to the current state of the world, so pay attention...OK, you don't really have to pay attention, it's very obvious. So go and see it...you might even learn something about yourself.

GRAPHIC NOVELS: What You Used to Call Comic Books Are No Longer Just for Kids

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 21:30:00 +0000

Whenever you ask people if they read graphic novels, the first thing they ask you is, "Oh...you mean comic books...like Batman and Spiderman". No I don't mean Batman and Spiderman...although there's nothing wrong with Batman and Spiderman, I read books that are so much better and not exactly written with kids in mind. Here I will list my Top 10 graphic novel series (in reverse favorite order saving the best for last), and tell you a little bit about why I like each one.

#10 Some of the Marvel and DC stuff has it's place in my collection, but nothing I must have to date.

#9 Ex-Machina by Brian K Vaughn is one that I pick up when there is nothing new out for number 8 through number 1 on this list because Brian K Vaughn is an excellent storyteller. See some of the best episodes of LOST.

#8 The Boys by Garth Ennis is a new one for me. I've read the first book and I loved it. It's about a CIA funded group of people that basically keep tabs on superheroes and take them out or deal with them when they start to commit acts that are not really superhero-like.

#7 Star Wars: Dark Times takes place between Star Wars Episode III and Episode IV and tells the story of the last of the Jedi. Fills in the gaps of a story that's been gapped for 3o years.

#6 Wanted by Mark Millar was just turned into a major motion picture. The movie retained the framework of the book, but if you didn't know it was a book, you should read it. It's a bit different from the movie...a bit darker, but it's also excellent.

#5 The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, and Cliff Rathburn may seem like a boring old zombie book, but it's not about the zombies. It's about people and what happens to you and your neighbors when the world goes to shit. You have to read this series, but don't expect happy stories.

#4 Star Wars: Legacy...I know what you're thinking...another Star Wars book, but this one takes place 125 years after the events of Return of the Jedi with a whole new set of characters and a brand new story. You'll see some familiar faces, but the Skywalker featured in this series might not be such a good guy. I guess that sort of runs in the family.

#3 Fables by Bill Willingham takes the fairy tales you heard as a kid and spins them into a fantastic story about fables that were forced from their fable worlds when the Adversary invaded and how those fables live in secret in our world. Nothing is sacred.

#2 Powers by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming was the book that got me started reading graphic novels. I'm not even sure what made me go out and buy it, but WOW. This is about a time and place where Powers are registered and crimes by Powers are investigated by Christian Walker (a former Power) and Deena Pilgrim. This one has my favorite artwork of all of them by Mike Oeming which makes this series an amazing read.

#1 Y: The Last Man by Brian K Vaughn just completed it's 10 trade paperback run and will never be published with a new story again. That's just sad...you should pick up all of the issues since the complete story is now available.

TELEVISION: 1960s Batman on Bluray

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:00:00 +0000

Last night, while Katharine was out, I took pleasure in watching the Bluray release of Batman: The Movie from 1966.

Yes, for those people that remember it...it was the pilot movie for that campy 1960s Batman television show with Adam West and Burt Ward. I've never seen campy 1960s Batman looking so clear, thanks to Bluray. I used to watch campy 1960s Batman every morning before I went to school. ZWAP, KABAM, POW...the graphics would popup on the screen as The Joker, The Penguin, Catwoman, Egghead, The Bookworm, and the Mad Hatter all got their butts whooped by Batman and Robin. The colors were comic book vivid...the dialogue was cheesey as hell, but I loved it. I still love it I realized as I watched the whole hour and a half last night. Holy DVD Batman came the voice of Dick Grayson...Bruce Wayne's youthful ward, as the credits rolled for one of the many documentaries on the disc. Now if only they would release the full series on DVD...it would be awesome...but they never well because it's all caught up in licensing, ownership, and copyright battles. Bah...too many agencies getting in the way of my reliving some childhood entertainment.

Who could ever forget this:

MOVIES AND GAMES: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Vs. Uncharted: Drakes Fortune

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 03:22:00 +0000

It's not often that you can post about a movie and a videogame at the same time unless said videogame is based on the particular movie. That's not the case here, but Uncharted: Drake's Fortune could very well be an installment in the Indiana Jones series, minus Indy and his friends. I'm not finished with the game yet, but the story is original, the characters are fun, the puzzles are interesting, and the action is actiony.

I used to hate games with puzzles in them, but now I find it fun to figure things out...as long as it's not real life...or movies. I don't watch movies to try and figure out what's happening, unless it's a mystery and that's the point of it. I watch movies to be entertained, as was the case with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull...also known as my new favorite movie in the Indiana Jones saga. Is it a SAGA now that there are 4 movies? When does a trilogy become a saga?

Webster's dictionary defines a saga (at least the definition I'm looking for), as "a long detailed account"...so I guess a Trilogy never BECOMES a saga. A movie series with 4 parts is a quadrilogy or tetralogy...or as Douglas Adams defined it in A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy...a trilogy in four parts.

Anyway...aside from the fact that the theater I saw Indy IV in had a blurry print of the film...I thoroughly enjoyed it (and got free tickets for another show, so how could THAT be bad). Harrison Ford was still great, Shia LeBouf was a fun addition as a teen in the 1950s...and there was also the return of a few other popular characters that I will leave unwritten in case you want to be surprised. There's even a little tribute to Star Wars somewhere in the movie, which was amusing to me.

So go see Indiana Jones 4 and then go out and get Uncharted: Drakes Fortune for the Playstation 3...which I still swear that I only bought for Bluray and not for videogames...although apparently I actually have games for it now...and will watch Indy 4 on it when it is released on Bluray disc. Enough said.

TELEVISION: The Big Bang Theory (2007)

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Fri, 23 May 2008 01:26:00 +0000

Several months ago...could have been a year ago, I posted a review about the best new situation comedy in years, "My Name is Earl". But all that has changed this year. "My Name is Earl" is still pretty good, but it's nothing compared to comedy that is "The Big Bang Theory"

If you haven't seen this show on Monday nights...it's about 4 super nerdy guys and the pretty girl who lives across the hall from them. Their interactions are hilarious. The dialogue is like nothing you've ever heard funny. Check out some clips on The Big Bang Theory's very own YouTube channel, buy the DVD when it comes out, and watch season two this fall. Sound like an advertisement? I don't care, don't watch it. You'll be missing out.

VIDEO GAMES: Grand Theft Auto IV: The Most Fun You Can Have with Your Friends Until 330AM

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Sun, 04 May 2008 12:13:00 +0000

It was 3:30 in the morning...I was lacking sleep. I had just spent 4 hours running through Liberty City with some friends, accomplishing nothing more than exploring the city for all it's graphicy goodness...chasing each other through the streets in stolen cars, and destroying everything in sight with the many weapons available in the game. Did I forget to mention that I was playing a game? Sorry...as I said...I was lacking sleep.

If you've never played Grand Theft Auto...this is the version you should start playing (GTA 4). The gameplay is a blast, whether you're playing in "story mode" or "free roam". Free roaming mode gives you access to all the locations on the maps and all the weapons. This is obviously the best way to hunt your friends down and run them over with a fancy car while they aim a rocket launcher at you to destroy said fancy car. And then the police might arrive and the two of you might team up against them...or steal a motorcycle and go on a high speed chase ending in a collision with an assault helicopter. Oh wait...I know the guy flying the helicopter and he's hunting me too. Whooo...it's a great game to play with friends.

Soooo many people are thinking how wrong it is to play this game. Yeah, there are definitely morality questions with a game like this...I guess. People say that kids will emulate the behavior in the game...blah...blah...blah, but clearly any responsible parent would check out the game before buying it for their kids, wouldn't they? I love it when people say "well, who do you think is playing video games...adults?" Yeah...adults. The three other people I played with until 330am were all over 27 years old. Silly rabbit, GTA is for adults.

COMEDY: Eddie Izzard Live at the Orpheum in Boston (2008)

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:45:00 +0000

It was five years ago that I last saw Eddie Izzard in Boston...that time my seats were front row and the show was 4 hours long with a short intermission. That time, 5 years ago, Eddie Izzard came out in full makeup, heels, and with fake breasts. That show was HILARIOUS...all 4 hours of it.

This time was a little different as Eddie is currently starring in the FX series,"The Riches". The cross dressing was gone, the makeup was slight, but the funny was still all there in force. Being Tuesday night that we went, Eddie wanted to know, "Why are you all here...The Riches is on in a half hour?"

If you've never seen Eddie Izzard live, it's something special...unlike any other comedian I've ever seen. His acts seem almost made up as he goes along, which does wonders for originality each time you see him. He covered topics on...well...just about everything from the history of Boston, religion, animals, language, Macs vs. PCs, and even stopped for a moment to ask the woman in the front row why she thought it was OK to put her purse on the stage. "I know it seems like a little thing," he mused, "but it's right in my line of sight". "Do you want to put your feet up here as well?" He continued, "If you came to see Hamlet, would you put your purse on the stage?" And then someone brought a baby to the show. And three rows in front of us to the right, EVERYONE went to the bathroom twice, which was odd.

The show came in at just about two hours...the material was all over the place as usual...it was FANTASTIC. We loved every minute of it. If you've never seen him, pick up his best DVD, "Dress to Kill"...you'll be hooked as I was the first time I saw it.

THEATER: Avenue Q (May Contain Spoilers)

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 03:55:00 +0000

Nothing that I could have expected, we went to see Avenue Q at the Colonial Theater a few weeks ago...I'm just getting to write about it now. I was skeptical about seeing another musical again...ever...after going to see Sweeney Todd last year, but I figured, if I was going to try another one, it may as well be about puppets that swear and talk about porn.

At first, looking at the stage, Avenue Q appears to be a version of Seasame Street and then it starts and you know it's anything but a kids show. With songs like, "If Your Were Gay", "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist", "The Internet is for Porn", "I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today", and "You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want (When You're Makin' Love)"...how could this not be a funny show. It's SO funny...everyone in the place was cracking up the entire time even though they were cramped into little itty botty seats. This show has comedy, drama, sexual situations like you wouldn't believe if I told you, and it brings back memories of the shows you watched starring puppets when you were a kid. The acting was awesome. I was distracted at first watching actors and actresses running around with puppets, but when you have to realize that the actors are acting themselves, as well as working the characters in the show, AND voice acting multiple puppets at the same time. That's talent!

It's probably the best musical I've seen...and I've seen a whole two Broadway musicals (off Broadway)...that I can remember anyway. Oh...and did I mention that Gary Coleman is in it?

MOVIES: Rambo vs. The Cloverfield Monster (2008)

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 03:39:00 +0000

If the Cloverfield monster ran into Rambo in a dark alley, who would win? If you asked me that question in 1988 after Rambo III, I would totally have picked Cloverfield. But after seeing John Rambo slice and dice in 2008, I'd have to change my vote.

I was the first person to groan when I heard the Sylvester Stallone was making Rocky VI and Rambo IV...you may have been the second person, but both movies were fantastic. Now don't get me wrong; if you walk in to a theater showing Rambo IV, you might get a little queasy because it's not your typical 1980s action movie. It's much more brutal than you'd expect it to be for Rambo. Just a little bit queasy...although the same could be said for Cloverfield, but that's more because of the camera movements than the sprays of blood and gore.

I enjoyed Cloverfield...probably more than a lot of other people did, because it was a unique way to tell a monster story. What would I do if a HUGE monster (supposedly the baby) wrecked his way through Boston on his way to wrecking his way though...well...everything next to Boston? I would run. I would run as fast as my legs could carry me. I wouldn't stop...I wouldn't hide in the subway...I wouldn't go back for anyone (Katharine and I discussed that part at great length; thanks David for making me look like a jerk...liar...lol). I would get the hell out of the range of those HUGE Cloverfieldy arms and teeth.

Same with Rambo. I would run like the wind, because Rambo is mean. He's helping people, so it's a good kind of mean, but whew. When you're pushed, killing's as easy as breathing. If you're not bringing guns, then you're not changing nothing...anything...nothing. Yo Adrian. Rambo's mood hasn't changed and neither has his vocabulary. Someone must have told him that Trautman is dead. There we really horrific parts to Rambo IV and really human parts as well.

In the end, I realized that Rambo just needs a hug and so does Cloverfield. They just needs hugs. And tricks and treats as well. See both movies, but don't forget the queasy medicine.

A Review of 2007...The Year That Came Before 2008 and After 2006

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 06:00:00 +0000

It's the first day of 2008 and 2007 seems like a blur. When 2007 started, you may recall that I made some not so real New Years Resolutions and I thought I'd share how those resolutions went along with a short review of the past year. I'd post pictures here, but most likely I've posted pictures of most of this already.

My first resolution of 2007 was "more XBOXercise"...I kicked ass on that one. Best game I played all year was a tie between BioShock and Mass Effect. And how could I forget Guitar Hero and Rock Band which also tied for first. Who am I kidding...all the games I played this year were awesome, so there.

My second 2007 resolution was "convince Katharine that my TV shows are the best and that she should be watching them all". Well...she DID start watching Ghost Whisperer with me against her better judgement and she got hooked on watching all the wrestling shows. She's still not watching Heroes or Lost, but nobody's perfect. My new shows for 2007 were Bionic Woman, The Big Bang Theory, and Dexter...and unlike some people, the writers strike isn't bothering me as I've been able to catch up with some shows on DVD. I'm looking forward to both the new Knight Rider and Terminator series coming up in the next month or two as well as the return of Lost...even if it is only 8 episodes.

Third was "More pizza and less of other crappy foods". That one is interesting since I had my first surgery EVER this year...my gall bladder was removed in September making it possible to eat more pizza AND other foods that I couldn't eat previously. I didn't realize how bad I wanted to eat more pizza. Of course that just means that this year, I actually have to try and fit exercise into my life.

Fourth was "sell my cartoons". Since nobody is paying to visit my site today, I think I failed at that one. Whatever...maybe you enjoy them BECAUSE they're free. I need to get back to regular updates.

Fifth was "No more shitty movies" and it turns out that the first movie I saw in 2007 was Pimeval which was the biggest piece of shit ever filmed (in my opinion). I also hated 300...I think I'm pretty much alone on that one. But I also saw Rocky Balboa, Live Free or Die Hard, Transformers, The Simpsons Movie, Spiderman 3, and The Grindhouse...all of them were good to excellent. Looking forward to a fourth Rambo movie in theaters this month, Cloverfield in a couple weeks, a new Indiana Jones movie this year and Star Trek XI in December!

Resolution # 6 for 2007 was finish up some outstanding projects. I did finally finish my 6 month long patio project thanks to the help of some friends. I never did start the model of the Enterprise I got myself for Christmas in 2006...I might get to that this year.

I was busy doing a lot of things in 2007 if you'll recall some previous posts. Went to a play, "Shear Madness" and a charity date auction in February (just for support...not to shop), got to visit with two long-time friends again in March and April after not seeing either of them for almost 15 years, had a pie thrown in my face in April, laughed at the comedian John Pinnette live on stage in May, built a patio from May through September, brought Monty (our greyhound) to the racetrack for a visit in June, stood in a long line a midnight with Katharine so she could get the last Harry Potter book in July, had my first surgery in August, grew a beard for the first time ever in September, went to a musical...Sweeney Todd...in October (I hate musicals), bought a new car...a Subaru...and saw Van Halen with David Lee Roth in November, and attended my first live wrestling event in December. Phew. Been busy. All that and played a bunch of games, watched a bunch of movies on DVD, spent time with great friends, family, and those that qualify as both. Thanks everyone that participated in my 2007 and I'm looking forward to seeing you in 2008.

I'll present my resolutions for 2008 next week!

TELEVISION: Ghost Whisperer Season One (2005) - Discovering Great New Shows During a Hollywood Writer's Strike

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:33:00 +0000

So, last night (technically this morning) I was up until 2AM watching the last four episodes of season one of the Ghost Whisperer. I admit it...and Katharine might not admit that she watches it with me, but she does...and she was up until 2AM as well. There...I've told everyone. It's a big deal because all women seem to hate Jennifer Love Hewitt and anything she's ever done. I don't get it but maybe a bunch of you will comment here and say why that is.

In case you haven't seen the show, it's about a girl that can see and communicate with the dead and she has to figure out why they haven't crossed over and then help them do so. Of course, in each episode she has to convince people that she's not nuts...I'm not sure how I would handle being in that situation. People would tell me I was crazy and I'd be like "screw you and your loved one too," and that would be the end of that. You can't ignore the ghosts that come to you though (sometimes they don't know they need her help, but they continue to haunt her anyway until they get it). You can't kill them. I think that would be annoying and I wouldn't want to help the annoying ghosts. Sometimes she sees the ghosts and tracks them down to help them...I would not do this. I would already have enough ghosts to deal with...the ones that come to me.

So anyway, season one was excellent...lot of great stories (the two part season finale was especially fantastic) and there always seems to be an interesting twist. I wasn't sure how they were going to make each episode different but they pulled it off. The relationship she has with her husband in the show (I don't know who he is in real life since I've never sat through the credits) is a little unrealistic though...it's my only complaint. He makes most unromantic guys look bad...they're a little sickening sweet to each other. Not many real people are like that, but I'm sure at some point in the series he dies and she has to deal. I'm only on season one...please don't spoil it if that happens in season two or three. So check it out if you have nothing to watch during the writers strike. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

XBOX 360: Mass Effect (2007) - Should Be Call Mass Addiction Since I Did Nothing But Play it for About 35 Hours of Free Time Straight

jeff@weinertoons.com (Jeff - WeinerToons) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:23:00 +0000

WOW...there's nothing I can say about Bioware's Mass Effect that game critics everywhere haven't already said. Best game of the year is an understatement...this could possibly be the best game ever! I can't tell you too much about it because half the people I know are playing and I just finished it. I will NOT SPOIL the plot for anyone (and please don't in your comments either).

Mass Effect lets you play the role of Commander Shepard, the first name you get to choose and you also get to choose whether you're a male or female commander. Male or female changes the story slightly which is cool right from the start. I'm not going to detail your mission...let's just say that you're job is to save humanity and leave it at that. You can be good...you can be bad. You can be helpful or not. You can kill people that get in your way or in some cases, take them along with you for your mission. Holy choice making. This along with a pretty good shooter combat system and customizable character skill sets...oh...and AMAZING graphics, make this the best game I have ever played.

If you've ever played Knights of the Old Republic games on the original XBOX, the format will be familiar to you, but it's taken to the next level in Mass Effect. I can't rave about this game enough...I'm on my second play through. The first time, I played Shepard as a man and I pretty much played it neutral (I tried to be on the evil side, but some things I just couldn't do). My second time, I'm playing a female Shepard and she's going to hate on everyone. Katharine will play the goody goody Shepard, so I'll get to see how that story goes at some point too. She's warming up with a repeat play of Knights of the Old Republic so she won't get there for a little while.