Movie Review: Yes Man

It's been a while since I've written a review, but last weekend I reviewed "Yes Man" starring Jim Carrey. Check it out on 2theadvocate.com.

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/36668029.html

Movie Review: The Duchess

My review of "The Duchess" has been posted at 2theadvocate.com.

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/31122814.html

Two New Movie Reviews

I've had two movie review posted recently at 2theadvocate.com. The first is "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" which came out on Oct 3rd. The other is "Blindness" which opened last Friday.

http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/30524179.html

http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/30573274.html

Movie Review: Igor

My review of the new animated movie "Igor" has been posted on 2theadvocate.com. It is the second worst animated movie ever made (only better than this one).

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/29368339.html

Comic Review: The Roberts

It's been a while, but I've got another comic book review posted on 2theadvocate.com. I review "The Roberts" #1 released by Image Comics last week.

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/books/28589139.html

Movie Review: Pineapple Express

It's been a while since I've done a movie review, but I'm back with a review of the newest Judd Apatow produced comedy, Pineapple Express. It's been posted at 2theadvocate.com:

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/26407429.html

The Comic Book Oscars

My review of two Eisner Award winning comics has been posted an 2theadvocate.com. Check out what kind of stuff wins the "Comic Book Oscar."

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/books/26187459.html

Midtown Comics NYC Carries Like That

ICON Studios' first graphic novel, Like That, written by Patrick Rills can now be purchased in one of the most recognizable comic book stores in the US, Midtown Comics in Times Square. If you are in New York please support indie comics and Midtown by picking up a copy.

Comic Review: My Top 3 Batman Stories

Because of the release of The Dark Knight today, my comic article this week is of course about Batman. Batman is one of my favorite fictional characters ever so this one wasn't difficult to write. I selected my 3 favorite Batman stories of all time and discussed why. Check it out here:

http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/books/25635789.html

Comic Review: B.P.R.D. 1946

My second comic review article was posted on 2theadvocate.com tonight. In honor of Hellboy II: The Golden Army, which came out last Friday, I picked the recently ended "B.P.R.D. 1946" miniseries by Mike Mignola and Joshua Dysart. The link is below:

http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/books/25486084.html

My next comic article will be Batman-themed and come out Friday in time for The Dark Knight.

The Scene at Art Lounge

Last week, "The Scene," a series of weekly videos produced by 2theadvocate.com covering the scene around Baton Rouge (pun intended), reported from ICON Studios' Art Lounge. The links to the episode and the interview of Dave are below:

Episode: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/video/24499814.html

Interview: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/video/24539959.html

Art Lounge Featured on 2theadvocate.com

2theAdvocate.com has posted a great article about Art Lounge on the entertainment section of their website. Be sure to read it and send it to as many people as possible. Spread the word about Baton Rouge's best kept art secret in town. Also, be sure to come out tomorrow night to Boudreaux & Thibodeaux's to see the art of Adrian Fulton.

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/arts/24040454.html

Art Lounge: http://www.iconstudios.org/artshow.html

Comic Reviews now on The Advocate

My editor at the entertainment section of The Advocate wants to start posting comic book reviews on the website. So, for the next several weeks, we will be experimenting with different topics involving comics books and graphic novels. I wrote the first article that was posted today. It is a review of the graphic novel "Wanted" published by Top Cow and is the source material for the movie of the same name staring Angelina Jolie. Please send this link to everyone you know that has any interest whatsoever in comics. I would love to keep writing about comics for The Advocate, but that will only happen if people read them.

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/books/22854714.html

M.O.P.S. Episode 8 and Anniversary

Today, June 6th, is the 12th anniversary of ICON Studios. It was twelve years ago today that we decided to start making comics since we were on summer break and already bored of our Nintendo 64 games not to mention it was just too hot to do any outdoor activities. To commemorate this special occasion, we have released M.O.P.S. episode 8. Actually, we would have released it anyway since it is the first Friday of the month, but it's always nice to feel special. So after a one month hiatus (well, we don't get paid for this) we are back with a brand new spectacular episode! Check it out and tell your friends and relatives and, heck, tell you enemies too! That's something at wefightdirty.net for everyone!

Link: http://www.iconstudios.org/mops/index.html?gotostrip=8

Seattle

Last week the wife and I took a trip to the Pacific Northwest to visit the city of Seattle. Seattle is a city I’ve always wanted to visit because of its tech-centric and progressive reputation. What we found was a city fueled on coffee and desperate for sunshine that lived up to expectations.

Seattle is a lot like San Francisco (which we visited last year) but without the irritating attitude of superiority. Sure, there’s Obama-ites running rampant but it there isn’t a constant being looked down upon. Despite its fast paced industrial backbone, the city is surprising laid back and our visit was quite relaxing.

Our first night there, we walked around downtown to get a feel for downtown and learn where everything was. We watched the Hornets get a red ass beatdown from the Spurs at the Fox Sports Grill on 6th Ave. It’s a sports bar with an uppity, hipster look. It was nice, but you should never feel underdressed at a sports bar.

The next day we saw some genuine Seattle landmarks. First, we walked to the Space Needle although we didn’t go up because it was a little overpriced. Next, we went to the Pike Place Market to buy some fresh doughnuts, sit on a giant brass pig, and watch them throw the fish around. Later, we met a friend of a friend in Redmond so she could so us around her office at Microsoft. After all, as a programmer it is my Graceland. That night, we went see the Mariners lose to the White Sox at SafeCo field. SafeCo is an impressive stadium with some nice features (like being able to text your order and have someone bring it to you).



The weekend was mostly spent hawking our wares at the Emerald City Comic Con in the convention center. You can read my report on the M.O.P.S. blog. However, on Saturday night, some of our local friends brought us to the Six Arms bar for some Hammerhead Ale. It was one of the coolest bars I’ve ever been in. The atmosphere and décor were truly unique and quintessentially Seattle.

The next part of the trip is what I dubbed the “Stuff Paul Allen Bought” tour. It started with tours of the Science Fiction Museum (a.k.a. Paul Allen’s nerdy science fiction collection) and the Experience Music Project (a.k.a. Paul Allen’s nerdy guitar collection). Both museum were unique and interesting (Frank Gehry designed) but they were small too. We saw both exhibits in about an hour. We capped the night by seeing Iron Man at the Paul Allen’s movie theater, the Cinerama. The Cinerama is a giant state of the art theater that only plays one movie on an almost IMAX-sized screen. It was great throwback to the era of the “moving picture.”

Some of the other places and restaurants we visited: The Athenian Inn, Seattle Museum of Art, McCormick and Schmick’s, Bauhaus, Metropolitan Grill, and Dragonfish Café.

Movie Review: Harold and Kumar 2

My review of Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay is now posted on 2theadvocate.com.

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/18346394.html

Animation Festival Blog

2theadvocate.com is posting my daily report from this year's Red Stick Animation Festival. The link below will be updated with my report from each day.

Updated (4/22 2:30 PM): My entire report is now online.

http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/fun/17864334.html

M.O.P.S. Episode 7

M.O.P.S. Episode 7 has been released on WeFightDirty.net. Episode 7 introduces a new character to the M.O.P.S. family. Check it out and tell your friends.

Movie Review: Street Kings

My review of "Street Kings" has been posted online at 2theadvocate.com. Check it out.

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/17564564.html

Movie Review: Shine a Light

My review of Martin Scorsese's Rolling Stones concert film, "Shine a Light" has been posted at 2theadvocate.com.

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/17354784.html

Movie Review: Run, Fatboy, Run

Check out my review of Simon Pegg's newest film, Run, Fatboy, Run. It was posted on 2theAdvocate.com last week.

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/17277364.html

At Last! Death to Peanuts!

The local Baton Rouge newspaper (and my part-time employer), The Advocate, stated today that it is considering ceasing to print the comic strip "Peanuts." The strip has been a painful regurgitation of unfunny bile since its creator Charles Schultz died. Not only that but "Ziggy" and "Family Circus" may also get an overdue axing. Hooray! Better late than never, The Advocate editors. This is by far the best editorial decision ever made.

As you may recall, a long time ago I wrote an article on this site expressing my displeasure with the Peanuts strip.

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/16941061.html

Top 10 Movies of 2007

I wanted to put this list out before the Oscars, but oh well. It must be noted that this list only contains movies I actually saw. So if you are wondering where "There Will be Blood," "Juno" or "the Diving Bell and the Butterfly" are, I have not yet had the opportunity to see them yet (and there's no way "Juno" is funnier than "Superbad.")

2007 was definitely the year of suspense thriller, low-brow comedy, and low budget indie inspiration. This year I at least agree with the Academy on "No Country for Old Men." That film is the most complete film I've seen in a long time. It's screenplay is sharply well-written, it's acted perfectly, and it was shot beautifully with brilliant composition making great use of scale, silhouette, and scenery.

I disagree with the Academy whole-heartedly with completely snubbing Fincher's suspense masterpiece, Zodiac (and nominating the yawn-fest, "Michael Clayton" instead). This is by far Fincher's crowning achievement in what has already been a brilliant career. Zodiac surely suffered from it's March release date. It fell off of the radar having been released in film's no man's land. The Academy also goofed big time but not giving The King of Kong a best documentary nomination. This is without a doubt the best documentary I have ever seen. It is engaging and universal. It's a shame that just because it doesn't some left wing agenda, it can't be nominated for best documentary.

1.
No Country for Old Men
J. Cohen/E. Cohen


2.
Zodiac
D. Fincher



3.
The King of Kong
S. Gordon


4.
Once
J. Carney



5.
Away From Her
S. Polley


6.
Sunshine
D. Boyle


7.
Superbad
G. Mottola



8.
Rescue Dawn
W. Herzog


9.
Eastern Promises
D. Cronenberg
Read my review


10.
Gone Baby Gone
B. Affleck

Movie Review: Funny Games

My review of the German horror remake, "Funny Games" is posted on the entertainment section of 2theadvocate.com.

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/16750901.html

Movie Review: The Bank Job

My review of the bank heist triller, The Bank Job, is now available on 2theadvocate.com.

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/16535231.html

M.O.P.S. Episode 6 and Grinder

The latest installment of M.O.P.S. has been posted online. Check out Episode 6 at wefightdirty.net.


Also tomorrow night ICON Studios will be in Lafayette for the Grinder Creative Arts Expo. Grinder: Creative Arts Expo is a gathering of creative individuals in an effort to inform, educate and inspire the creative spirit. Grinder is held every four months at Grant Street Dancehall in Downtown Lafayette on the second Saturday (Art Walk). Doors open at 8pm.

http://lafayettegrinder.blogspot.com/

Movie Review: Penelope

My review of the romantic comedy "Penelope" was posted on 2theadvocate.com earlier this week. I've just been too busy to link to it.

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/16185817.html

The Internet is Officially Stupid

This week I reached a “virtual” milestone. One of my videos on my YouTube account has recorded over 10,000 views. That’s a lot of views seeing as how all of my other videos combined don’t have that many views, and the most views any of my other videos has is a couple hundred. Like I said, it’s a lot. I bet you’ve never even counted to 10,000 before!

So, what is this video? Is it something I meticulously planned? Is it something I carefully wrote, edited and put many hours or even days of work into? Of course not! That wouldn’t be the Internet we know and secretly browse when we should be working. No, the only video the Internet would deem worthy watching over 10,000 times is of course silly, unnecessary, and a little embarrassing.

It all began when my wife bought me a replica lightsaber for my birthday in 2006. You may have seen this particular lightsaber if you came to our wedding. It was displayed next to my Darth Vader groom’s cake. Well, Christin thought I didn’t like my present since she never saw me play with it. So one night while she was teaching dance I decided to make a video of me playing with the lightsaber. We have this workout video game called Kinetic that works with the Playstation 2 Eye Toy (which is a camera you attach to the Playstation). In the game, you exercise by moving around like a nut and hitting objects on screen. This reminded me of the training Obi Wan subjected Luke Skywalker to in Star Wars when they were on the Millennium Falcon and Luke had to block the laser bolt from the floating remote. So I set up the camera on a tripod and played the game with my lightsaber. The idea seemed a lot less nerdy at the time probably just like it did to Star Wars Kid. I added some background music and uploaded it to YouTube because I wanted some other friends to see it. Now, a little over a year later, 10,000 random people have laughed at my expense (with over 20 leaving comments). It’s even linked on various foreign message boards.

So, I present to you the video that received over 10,000 unintentional views in 447 days (that’s 44 views per day as of this posting):

Movie Review: In Bruges

My review of the indie action/comedy, "In Bruges" has been posted in 2theadvocate.com. It was quite good even though it stars Collin Farrell. I highly recommend it.

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/15957387.html

Moview Review: Definitely, Maybe

My review of "Definitely, Maybe" has been posted on the entertainment section of 2theadvocate.com.

Link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/15677792.html

M.O.P.S. Episode 5

After a one month break, M.O.P.S. is back with a brand new episode written and lettered by me! A lot of detail went into the artwork for this strip. Certainly worth checking out.

Direct Link:
http://www.iconstudios.org/mops/index.html?gotostrip=5

Baton Rouge Jewish film Festival

My review of the Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival has been posted on 2theAdvocate.com. I saw five films in total from Thursday to Sunday. The article reviews each film in detail.

Here's the link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/featured/13977987.html

Mobile M.O.P.S. Launched

January Update: As you have probably already figured out, there will not be a new M.O.P.S. episode this month. Because of the holidays and one of our main creators being in the middle of a cross-country move, we couldn't put it out in a timely manner and still be at the standard of quality we have established for this strip. Rest assured that a new episode will appear on Feb 1st, and from what I have seen so far, it is bad to the bone.

Mobile site launched: Just because there is no strip in January doesn't mean we haven't been busy. Today we have launched the mobile, non-flash version of the M.O.P.S. website. So you hipsters out there with your iPhones, smart phones, and PDA's can now read M.O.P.S. on the go without having Flash player installed. The best part is there is no separate address to remember. Just browse to http://www.wefightdirty.net on your non-flash enabled device and you will be automatically redirected to our text-only, mobile-friendly version of the site. Please let us know if you have any issues.

Movie Review: First Sunday

This past weekend I reviewed Ice Cube's "First Sunday" for the 2theAdvocate.com. The link is: http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/13841032.html