Monday, March 24, 2008

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

Monday, March 17, 2008

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

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Friday, March 7, 2008

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