Wednesdays Movie Mashup No. 54

We have another addition to the leader board.  Well done Dylan from Man, I love Films.  


Last week's clue:  Conmen try to rob a department store on Christmas and one of Santa's elves goes into business with an evil corporation who wants to eliminate Santa.


Answer: Bad Santa Claus

Leaderboard 
SDG, Ryan, Dylan - 1

New clue:  A couple of entertainers band together to save a friend's Inn in Vermont while a crazy family drives each other nuts and burns down the Christmas tree.  

HINT: Yes, there's a theme.
The goal is to figure out the two movies who overlap in some words creating a new movie described by the clue.  Leave your answer in the comments. Good luck!

New Release: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

I was among the few really looking forward to seeing the sequel.  And thankfully I wasn't disappointed by the film.  The movie theater, however, was another story.  The film broke down twice, so there are segments, that I'm guessing are hysterical, that I cannot comment about as they skipped ahead a bit both times.  But we got a free movie ticket out of the 45 minute wait.  And I'll see this again I'm sure, so I'm not too worried.  But here's what I thought.

*Spoilers if you haven't seen the trailer, otherwise, nothing*

The film picks up right where the old one left off.  Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) is trying to figure out exactly who Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) is working for.  He and Watson (Jude Law) saved the world from destruction, but now Holmes has to survive Watson's wedding to Mary (Kelly Reilly), and first his bachelor party.  We find out Ms. Adler is working for Prof. Moriarty, and that doesn't go too well for her.  Holmes wants to figure out Moriarty's plans and stop them of course.  This leads him to plan Watson's bachelor party (or half-assed plan) at a dance hall that has fortune tellers, where he meets Simza (Noomi Rapace) whose brother is wrapped up in all of the problems.  She's a gypsy, handy with a knife, and Holmes has to try to keep her alive, which she's more than capable of doing alone.

So we follow these adventures, the rest of which are mostly based on Moriarty threatening to hurt all the people in Holmes' life.  The action is good; the stylized fighting and mental preparation by Holmes is entertaining as well as engaging.  The story is a little more complicated than it really needs to be - something about Moriarty attempting to trigger war and then reap the financial benefits from it - and doesn't seem fitting for Moriarty's infamous brilliance.  However, there were some pretty great "meta" moments where they link the story to the original novels, but I won't give those away at all.  Just know that they're there.

Downey, Jr. and Law were really great interacting again.  They had terrific chemistry, with Watson being continuously annoyed with Holmes and Holmes attempting to keep Watson all to himself.  Noomi Rapace (famous for the Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) was good, but her role was relatively limited, it was mostly a place holder kind of role and she didn't need to do a lot, but at least it might give her the chance to do more in Hollywood, because what she did do was terrific, she just wasn't a big part of the film in general.  I liked it, but it wasn't better than the original, and if you're one of those who just liked the first one, you'll like this one, but you can wait for DVD.  Here's my review of the original, which I gave 4.5 stars, and this one I'd give a solid 4 stars/lambs.

DVD Giveaway, just in time for Christmas!

Okay, you've heard me talk about this on the podcast.  I've been attempting to purge my DVD shelf.  And you, my devoted readers are the beneficiaries of this purge.   I know this isn't a ton of movies, but I had to start somewhere, and these 15 were movies I felt I could actually part with.  There are some really great movies on this list so I feel like explaining why I don't want to give them space on my shelf.

1.  I haven't watched them since I bought them.  - Sadly, this is true.  I have seen them all, either in theaters or by rental, but just haven't found the desire in the year or more since I owned them to watch them.

2.  I have seen them enough times that I honestly don't foresee watching them again. -  Because we watch so many movies for Reel Insight (which I still love) there isn't really a lot of time for my lesser chosen movies to make it off the shelf.

3.  I want to buy more movies - so some of them have to go.

So here's how it'll go - leave a comment and either tell me how insane I am for giving up one of these films or stake your claim - first come first served.  Please only kind mocking for the fact that I owned some of these movies in the first place (mean people suck).  And all of these played just fine or they're brand new and never watched so I can't vouch either way for their playing.   I'll send them out after Christmas unless you specifically feel the need to get 'em early.   Willing to send anywhere.

1.  Mallrats - Widescreen Collector's Edition

2. Something's Gotta Give - Widescreen

3. Jurassic Park - Full Screen Collector's Edition

4. Precious - Widescreen

5. America's Sweethearts - Both

6. Center Stage - Special Edition

7. Men in Black II - Widescreen Special Edition

8. Hot Fuzz - Widescreen

9. X-Men 3: The Last Stand - Widescreen

10.  Far From Heaven - Widescreen

11. The Dark Knight - Widescreen 

12. Stepmom - Full screen

13. Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events - Widescreen

14.  The Philadelphia Story - Full Screen

15.  Milk - Widescreen

Wednesdays Movie Mashup No. 53

I'll admit, the winning combo last week still makes me giggle.  And it was a welcome back to Ryan, we'll see if he maintains his previous dominance.  


Last week's clue: New clue: A nerd figures out a new way to chose pro-ball players and one ends up working for the FBI playing ping-pong.


Answer: MoneyBalls of Fury

Leaderboard 
SDG, Ryan - 1

New clue:  Conmen try to rob a department store on Christmas and one of Santa's elves goes into business with an evil corporation who wants to eliminate Santa

The goal is to figure out the two movies who overlap in some words creating a new movie described by the clue.  Leave your answer in the comments. Good luck!

Reel Insight Episode 68: Robert Downey, Jr.

It only took 67 episodes to get to one of my favorite actors of all time.  The weird thing is, it's based almost exclusively on a more than 10-year-old crush, and some very recent good work.  But that's in the second half of the show.  First, Rachel and I discuss some new movies we've seen - all 2011 releases, some DVD and some in theaters, particularly Our Idiot Brother, Friends with Benefits, It's Kind of a Funny Story, and Drive.  Our random discussion goes into spoilers - whether we try to avoid them, and what constitutes one in the first place (fair warning - if you haven't seen The Sixth Sense, Psycho or The Usual Suspects, this "might" spoil the big reveal, and seriously what are you waiting for?).  Send us your feed back before Dec. 21 to make it into the next show.  Enjoy.

New movies with RDJ this week:

Natural Born Killers - Oliver Stone and Quentin Tarantino should not be allowed to make movies together.  The story of two homicidal maniacs, the movie tries to show what demons they really were.  However, it does it by using the media to prove that the rest of the world encouraged their insanity.  RDJ plays the host of a True Crimes TV show that is profiling the married couple (played with flair, if not talent, by Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis).  Of course eventually he ends up the topic of his show rather than the host, but in general it's just way over the top trying to put together a crazy movie.  There are moments when they're pretending Lewis' childhood is really an episode of "Leave it to Beaver", but they're saying horrible things about abuse and whatnot, and the juxtaposition sounds like it would be interesting, but it really doesn't work.  Just makes everyone in a lunatic. 1 of 5 stars/lambs

A Scanner Darkly - This movie is much better than the way it was made suggests.  The painted animation over live-action is not particularly interesting.  But the story is a fascinating look at identity and who controls your identity - you, society or a little of both.  Keanu Reeves (sort of) plays a cop who has been assigned to infiltrated a drug den of Woody Harrelson and RDJ to find their suppliers.  It's a little way into the future and a large segment of the population is addicted to substance D.  Reeves also becomes addicted (to fit in) and loses the ability to distinguish between his real life and his overcover life.  One of the really neat things the movie does, that probably requires the strange animation to pull of is the cops' outfits.  They wear specially designed suits that completely protect their identity, even from one another.  It means you never really know who might be a cop.  RDJ does the drug dealer fast talking over the top cuckoo really well.  I really want to watch it again already.  3.5 of 5 stars.  If you like the animation this is awesome.  I found it hard to watch.

Air America - Much in the spirit of Good Morning, Vietnam, this movie takes a good look at what the US was doing in Southeast Asia in the 1960s and 1970s.  Specifically, this is the story of pilots working for a US company (think Blackwater) that supplies refugees in Laos.  Nixon has denied the war has moved to Laos, so it's all hidden or off the books.  Mel Gibson (in all his 1990s glory) is a pilot - but he's been sequestering guns all over the country as his "retirement" and he's just about had it pretending that they're not supporting the drug trade and arming both sides of the conflict in Vietnam.  RDJ has just arrived as a young hot shot, and likes the politics and moral questions even less.  It's a good movie, and does make you think that in 15 years we'll see movies like this about Iraq and Afghanistan.  3.5 of 5 stars/lambs

Wednesdays Movie Mashup No. 52

Crap, I didn't want this to happen again where I didn't post anything between mashups, but finals are approaching and hopefully it won't continue.  But for now I'll just say congrats to SDG for his win in the new round of score-keeping.


Last week's clue: A writer spends time in the City of Lights and is transported to meet his heroes in short vignettes that show off the great neighborhoods and tell stories of happy, sad, tragic and touching relationships.  


Answer: Midnight in Paris, Je T'aime  (I LOVE these movie posters)

Leaderboard 


SDG - 1

New clue: A nerd figures out a new way to chose pro-ball players and one ends up working for the FBI playing ping-pong.
The goal is to figure out the two movies who overlap in some words creating a new movie described by the clue.  Leave your answer in the comments. Good luck!

Wednesdays Movie Mashup No. 51

It took a little longer to get all 5.  If I thought I could keep up 5 every week I would.  Thanks to James, Red, Ryan, and Dylan who answered them all correctly.


1.  A guy breaks away from his rich upbringing to work on an oil rig while his girl attempts to put together a meal using all the apartments in her building to cook it.  
Answer: Five Easy Pieces of April -  RED
2.  A NYC cop learns that there really are little green men who become schizophrenic lesbian ballerinas. 
Answer: Men in Black Swan - JAMES
3. A little boy sees dead people who have to decide whether to marry for love or security
Answer: The Sixth Sense and Sensibility - JAMES
4.  A young man meets the girl of his dreams at a funeral where a couple of older couples spend their time rehashing their marriages and contemplating adultery.
Answer: ElizabethTown & Country - DYLAN
5.  A girl pretends to be her twin brother so she can play soccer while an assassin tries to protect a little girl from Mexican kidnappers.
Answer: She's The Man on Fire - RYAN


Well done guys!!!


Leader board
Hatter - 21

Rachel - 8

James - 7
Dylan - 6

David, Nick - 3

Red - 3 

Sebastian, Andrew, Andy, Keith - 1


And with 55 guesses I'm clearing the leaderboard and starting over!!  There is no prize this time, except the crown of being so far on top, it's crazy.  Well done.


New Clue: A writer spends time in the City of Lights and is transported to meet his heroes in short vignettes that show off the great neighborhoods and tell stories of happy, sad, tragic and touching relationships.   


The goal is to figure out the two movies who overlap in some words creating a new movie described by the clue.  Leave your answer in the comments. Good luck!

New Release: The Muppets

"Mah na mah na."  If reading that means you just sang "Do doo da do da" to yourself, this movie was definitely made for you.  Alternatively, if you didn't love the Muppets as a child, but now YOU have a child, this movie might also be made for you.  And if you just enjoy watching cultural icons reinvent themselves by going back to their roots, I guarantee you'll like the new film The Muppets.

Starring Jason Segel as Gary, who has been dating Mary (Amy Adams) for nearly 10 years.  They're going to go from Smalltown, USA to Los Angeles for their anniversary.  Gary's brother Walter has always felt a little different and growing up he bonded with "The Muppet Show" on TV.  He wanted to be part of them and has always felt the world just wasn't made for him.  Gary and Mary decide to bring Walter to LA to see The Muppet Studio.  While there, Walter overhears a plot by an oil baron (Chris Cooper) to tear down the studio and drill for oil unless the Muppets can come up with $10 Million in 2 days.  Walter convinces Gary and Mary that they must tell Kermit the Frog and make sure he knows what's going on.  And so the adventure begins.

That's pretty much all you need to know, even a bit more than you need to know.  If you've ever seen a Muppets movie or TV show, you know more or less how it's going to end.  The difference in this movie is that it takes you to some pretty great places along the way.  There are the requisite celebrity cameos, but unlike in many other movies of late, they attempt to drive the plot rather than just show us the famous people who like the Muppets.  Instead, it shows you famous people who embody what the Muppets attempt to stand for.

The best part of the movie is the music.  Some songs are written by Bret McKenzie from "Flight of the Conchords", and it makes such a difference to have a creative force like Bret and Segel behind this movie.  The music is completely over the top, but works perfectly with the Muppets.  Very tongue-in-cheek throughout, it's almost impossible not to sing along.  I highly recommend this movie for it's inherent entertainment, but if you also ever loved the Muppets, you'll love this for more reasons.  Check it out! My only criticism is of course the bad guy and his "scheme" that must be thwarted - it's ridiculous, but still keeping with the Muppets past.   4 of 5 stars/lambs

Oh, and if that's not enough, see this in theaters because there's a TERRIFIC short film that carries forward from Toy Story 3.  A little girl in my audience put it best after seeing the short, "That was all so funny."

Reel Insight Episode 67: Kirsten Dunst

There were some big surprises and a few duds (of course) in this week's movie list.  However, the previous sections were also more fun than usual - check out a discussion of Breaking Dawn: Part 1 and The Muppets.  Also, we seek advice on how to purge our DVD collections - anyone had success and managed to not regret sending away their DVDs?  It turns out Rach and I both treat them a bit like security blankets, even if we never manage to rewatch them.  Alas.  Enjoy!

New Movies with Kirsten Dunst this month:

Melancholia - Thankfully there has been a lot of buzz lately about this movie, though it is still available for rent on itunes (which is how I saw it).  I really expect that buzz will continue come Oscar time, particularly for visual effects, and perhaps for some acting awards for Ms. Dunst.  She plays Justine, a young women just married to Alexander Skarsgaard (seriously beautiful and kind in this - the opposite of his True Blood persona in many ways).  They've arrived at their reception, thrown by her sister (Charlotte Gainsbourgh) and brother in law (Keifer Sutherland).  It's wonderfully awkward and painful, but you watch Dunst going through the motions of trying to be normal and holding life together.  It turns out she suffers from terrible depression and a horrible family history of random evil.  The second half of the movie revolves around her sister, after Justine has completely fallen apart and gone into deep depression.  Meanwhile, the world might end as a gorgous star is on a collision course with earth.  We see the sisters reverse positions as Justine holds it together now that the worst has arrived and her sister falls apart.  Really wonderfully made.  Lars Von Trier makes some dreadful awful movies, but this one is particularly amazing and gorgeously shot.  Just go with it for a while and it pays off big time.  4.5 of 5 stars/lambs

Lover's Prayer - Dunst plays the daughter of a Russian princess who is a uber-tease trying to get men to swoon.  She befriends the neighbor son (Nick Stahl) and draws him into her web.  She's beautiful but the teasing is terribly annoying. Dreadful movie and painful acting.  Skip it. 1 of 5 stars/lambs

Deeply - An odd mixture of stories that I should probably rewatch, but I won't.  Lynn Redgrave lives on a coastal island (off Maine, I think), and is telling a story to a distraught teenager who has come to the island to recover from the death of her boyfriend.  The story follows Dunst and the curse that was put on the island causing the fish to disappear every 50 years and wreak havoc on the island.  2 of 5 stars/lambs (only doesn't get a 1 because I'm not sure I fully understood what was going on).  

Wednesdays Movie Mashup No. 50

Okay, I honestly can't believe today is Thursday.  I don't know how it happened.  I'm really sorry James had to wait a whole extra day to be declared the winner of last week's contest.  Oh, and did you notice this was the 50th?  So I'll put up 5 to try to make up for the oversight - I'm feeling creative today.  


Last week's clue: New Clue: A woman becomes engaged to someone in a coma when she saves his life and a prince battles to save the girl of his dreams from a maleficent force.  


Answer: While You Were Sleeping Beauty

Leader board
Hatter - 20

Rachel - 8
Dylan, James - 5

David, Nick - 3

Red - 2 

Sebastian, Andrew, Andy, Keith - 1


1.  A guy breaks away from his rich upbringing to work on an oil rig while his girl attempts to put together a meal using all the apartments in her building to cook it.  


2.  A NYC cop learns that there really are little green men who become schizophrenic lesbian ballerinas. 


3. A little boy sees dead people who have to decide whether to marry for love or security


4.  A young man meets the girl of his dreams at a funeral where a couple of older couples spend their time rehashing their marriages and contemplating adultery.


5.  A girl pretends to be her twin brother so she can play soccer while an assassin tries to protect a little girl from Mexican kidnappers.


The goal is to figure out the two movies who overlap in some words creating a new movie described by the clue.  Leave your answer in the comments. Good luck!   Also, just to encourage participation - if you guess one, don't guess the others.  Thanks.
 

Reel Insight Episode 66: Cillian Murphy

I know, you're probably saying WHO?  But I promise you'll recognize many of the movies he's been in.  But first, we have a guest, Nick from Random Ramblings of a Demented Doorknob, our final winner of quotable quotes.  He chose to join us on this particular actor's career.  We discuss a bit more from Tower Heist and Nick and Rachel talk Crazy, Stupid, Love and urge me to see it immediately.  Our random segment is about the new trend of making movies out of board games.  Let us know what you think!

New movies with Cillian Murphy

Peacock - Check this out as soon as you can.  A terrific look at multiple personalities - what would you do if people liked one of your personalities better than the others.  Our discussion about this one really opened my eyes.  Stellar cast including Ellen Page, Susan Sarandon, Bill Pullman and several other character actors you'll recognize. 4 of 5 stars

Red Eye - A thriller starring Rachel McAdams as a hotel manager taken hostage on a plane and told to move a senator to a new room in her hotel or Murphy will have her dad killed.  McAdams does a good job being terrified, but ultimately beats the crap out of Murphy, who starts out particularly likeable and ends up remarkably hateful.  Great movie.  4 of 5 stars

Breakfast on Pluto -  The story of Patrick "Kitty" Braden, a young transgendered orphan fathered by the local priest.  He grows up and we follow the adventures as he tries to pass as a woman and have adventures. Also starring Liam Neeson.  A tour de force of acting for Murphy, but too over the top on the whole.  Not a great cohesive story line.  

Disco Pigs - One of Murphy's first features, he's quite hard to understand behind the accent and never shutting up sort of running speech.  He's obviously a little disturbed trying to make his friendship with his neighbor, Runt.  Not good. 2 of 5 stars

New Release: Tower Heist

When watching the new comedy, Tower Heist, I couldn't help thinking that when this movie was created the producers and marketing people created a flow chart to figure out how many people would probably want to see this movie, since the concept is not particularly new or creative.  Since I now commute nearly 100 minutes M-F I have a lot of time to think, so I thought about the flow chart they might have created.  Here's a pretty simple version that I thought they would have grouped people into based on their interest.  It definitely starts with the idea that "heist movies" appeal to you.  You can follow it to see why I really liked it and if you might too.  Click on the image to get a larger version.    4 of 5 stars/lambs

Wednesdays Movie Mashup No. 49

I apologize for having nothing appear on this site for a week.  I'm as shocked and disappointed as you are.  But at least I seem to remember my blog every Wednesday (and every other Sunday).  Oh, and thank you to my 60 followers - it's growing!!!


Anyway, Rachel took another one, well done partner!


Last week's clue: We see variations on a girl's attempt to help her boyfriend who has decided to manipulate the outcome of a court case for his own reasons.


Answer: Run, Lola, Runaway Jury

Leader board
Hatter - 20

Rachel - 8
Dylan - 5

James - 4

David, Nick - 3

Red - 2 

Sebastian, Andrew, Andy, Keith - 1

New Clue: A woman becomes engaged to someone in a coma when she saves his life and a prince battles to save the girl of his dreams from a maleficent force.  

The goal is to figure out the two movies who overlap in some words creating a new movie described by the clue.  Leave your answer in the comments. Good luck!

Wednesdays Movie Mashup No. 48

And Ryan takes another one.  His lead might never be caught, but as long as I can come up with these, I'll just keep going.  


Last Week's Clue: An FBI dog escapes and encourages a down and out man that he can complete the London marathon.


Answer:  See Spot Run Fatboy Run

Leader board
Hatter - 20

Rachel - 7
Dylan - 5

James - 4

David, Nick - 3

Red - 2 

Sebastian, Andrew, Andy, Keith - 1

New Clue:  We see variations on a girl's attempt to help her boyfriend who has decided to manipulate the outcome of a court case for his own reasons.  

The goal is to figure out the two movies who overlap in some words creating a new movie described by the clue.  Leave your answer in the comments. Good luck!

Reel Insight Episode 65: Melissa Leo

Well, Rachel and I have learned our lesson.  I bet you never thought we would, but we have now vowed to stop picking actors/actresses based solely on the fact they have a new movie coming out and/or we think we like them.  Recent Oscar-winner Melissa Leo has taught us well.  Look carefully at the actor's filmography and THEN choose to feature them.  We were so happy to be done, we actually forgot to record the Top and Bottom 3 segment - we did that later!

Also a discussion of The Company Men and the new release In Time as well as some talk about collecting film memorabilia (apologies in advance).  Check it out and let us know what you think.

New Movies seen with Melissa Leo

Don McKay - Starring Thomas Hayden Church as the title character who returns to his hometown when his high school love sends him an e-mail.  Elizabeth Shue is dying, Leo is her creepy caretaker.  Nothing is what it seems, and the various twists make it worth watching.  Definitely not a thriller or horror like they suggest, it's still pretty dark.  3.5 of 5 stars/lambs

Racing Daylight - A nearly so bad, it's good variety, this is a weird historical story meets modern story with Leo, David Straithairn and Jason Downs play the three main characters (all the actors play a modern and historical character).  Leo is Anna/Sadie an odd woman who returns to care for her grandmother with a crush on the handy-man.  She starts going crazy and thinks she sees Edmund (Downs) a Civil War era soldier in the mirror and slowly morphs into his love and basically does go crazy.  The movie is told in 3 segments from 3 different characters POV.  It totally doesn't work, but it's so ridiculous it's fun to watch.  1.5 of 5 stars/lambs

Welcome to the Rileys - An odd look at a couple who lost a child and she (Leo) is dealing by never leaving the house, and he (James Gandalfini) is dealing by having affairs.  He's about to take his latest to New Orleans, but she dies.  He goes alone and meets Kristin Stewart in a strip club.  He falls for her a bit and goes home with her - but just to take care of her it seems.  Eventually Leo gets up enough courage to go after him and she falls for Stewart to and wants to take care of her.  However, she's too damaged to let them and runs off.  Not a particularly complicated movie and nothing much happens, but the acting is pretty good.  2.5 of 5 stars/lambs

Confess, American Gun, and most of her other movies have her as a really really minor character.  Watch them for another reason if you must.

Wednesdays Movie Mashup No. 47

My fellow podcaster took the prize last week.  Congratulations to Rachel.  Hopefully there's a streak coming.  


Last week's clue:  007 meets Solitaire but he leaves her when Jinx walks out of the water
Answer: Live and Let Die Another Day

Leader board
Hatter - 19

Rachel - 7
Dylan - 5

James - 4

David, Nick - 3

Red - 2 

Sebastian, Andrew, Andy, Keith - 1

New Clue:  An FBI dog escapes and encourages a down and out man that he can complete the London marathon.

The goal is to figure out the two movies who overlap in some words creating a new movie described by the clue.  Leave your answer in the comments. Good luck!

New Release: Moneyball

I know, you're sad because there wasn't a podcast this week.  But the Morgan Freeman episode was so much fun we had to wait a little while so you could recover.  But we'll return next week with a pretty darn odd actress.

Instead, here's my review of Moneyball.  Based on a best-selling book by Michael Lewis, it tracks the off-season of the Oakland Athletic's general manager, Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) and his attempt to create a stellar ball club with a measly $39 million.  The recent World Series winners, the NY Yankees, have a budget of nearly $115 with which to buy the best players.  Beane thinks this is horrible unfair and rails at the world for a little while since he can't afford to keep his 3 best players any longer.  However, at a meeting one day, he runs into Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) who is whispering in another GM's ear to keep certain players - generally "bad" players.  Overall, Billy wants to know what's up, and eventually buys Peter from the other GM.  Peter is an economics major from Yale and has figured out that if you only look at a players' ability to get ON FIRST BASE, you can pick the best players - many of whom are wildly UNDERVALUED because they have other odd quirks that keep them out of the best salaries.  Beane figures he's got nothing to lose and with Peter's help plans a whole new team, even trading players once the season starts.  While nearly impossible to stomach, once it begins yielding results, no one can criticize.

This concept, while hardly perfect, revolutionized the way people looked at baseball.  "Moneyball" is a coined term looking at very specific characteristics of players and how they theoretically could create a team.  The movie hints at the end that the Boston Red Sox adopted this method and finally won a World Series less than 2 years later.  For a nerd like me this made for a wonderfully interesting movie.  It was like Major League goes to School.  And for all that, you get to watch Brad Pitt wheel and deal through what its obviously a very fast-paced process that needs a lot of guts. But he's a more complex character than that - which often drags down the film.  We meet his ex-wife (Robin Wright) and daughter who worries about the team's prospects.  We also see Billy's past as a high school baseball player whose dreams of going pro happen, but aren't what he'd hoped.   Jonah Hill does a good job as the protegee learning the ropes and understanding he might not have the strength to keep going in this job.

We see a lot of the different players - some are chosen very specifically because they get on base, but others are to fill in the roster.  It seems that it's hard to commit fully to playing "Moneyball" because it really does involve going against a lot of intuition of players.   Billy battles the manager (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) as well as all the previous scouts to try to get them to follow his lead. Overall, I really enjoyed the movie.  It was lacking a specific spark that most sports movies have, but it would be hard to say how to add it to the film or if it really would elevate it beyond just a good solid flick.  I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to seeing it again.  4 of 5 stars/lambs

Thoughts on Fall 2011 TV Season

I usually write up a bit more for the new Fall TV Season, but alas, my real-world job has taken over (though in a funny moment, someone at work mentioned this blog yesterday and I didn't blush or feel embarrassed so I guess it's just part of me now).  But I have a moment and want to put down my current thoughts on the 2011 TV season that has begun.

Shows I'm sticking with (unless they get cancelled):
"New Girl" - I think Zooey Deschanel has enough going into this show that I think they'll find good footing with this show concept and be able to keep it up.  It's a little rough now, but I think it'll find a groove.  The three male stars (Max Greenfield, Jake M. Johnson, Lamorne Morris) have the potential to make a great show, but we'll see how it continues.

"A Gifted Man" - I really like Patrick Wilson and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Jennifer Ehle.  The concept for this show works pretty well - Ehle is a ghost appearing to her ex-husband (Wilson), a famous brain-surgeon to guilt him into taking care of her medical clinic now that she's gone.  Surprisingly the ghost part of this isn't the least believable part - it's the idea that you can actually do all the things this guy does in a day.  The newly minted Emmy-winner Margo Martindale (from "Justified") is Wilson's smart-ass assistant and a rotating group has come through as the new head honcho for the clinic.  I enjoy it.

Old Shows I still enjoy: "Grey's Anatomy" - I don't know why I watch this, but I know I'll probably never stop.  "The Big Bang Theory" - I love this show.  It makes my "nerd giggle" appear constantly (if you've ever listened to the Reel Insight Podcast, you'll recognize the occasional nerd giggle").  "How I Met Your Mother" - it's still going in really interesting and funny directions and I feel like they're wrapping it up in a great way (though who knows when they'll actually wrap it up).  "Castle" - I'm not sure they'll avoid the "Moonlighting curse" by letting the leads actually get together, but Nathan Fillion is still awesome.  "Community" - now that I teach at a Community College, this show has a whole new meaning.  They're right a lot more than they're funny so far this season.

Old Shows I just found: "Modern Family" - I know I'm quite late to the party, but it was available to watch on  a lot of my flights this summer so I feel all caught up.  "Doctor Who" - I'm only a few episodes in, but it's definitely my kind of show.

Old Shows I've given up: "Project Runway" - I swore when they picked the person I didn't like last season I would stop watching and I have!  "Desperate Housewives" - Wow - it's seriously turned to crap.  Kind of surprised.

I'm sure I'm missing a fair amount of other TV, but that's what I can remember.  What do you watch?

Wednesdays Movie Mashup No. 46

Hatter seems to think no one else wants to play this game anymore - I can't believe that's true.   So we'll see what happens this week.


Last week's clue: A girl gets her neighbor to take her to the prom while a dad attempts to navigate his newly single world. 


Answer: Drive Me Crazy, Stupid, Love

Leader board
Hatter - 19

Rachel - 6
Dylan - 5

James - 4

David, Nick - 3

Red - 2 

Sebastian, Andrew, Andy, Keith - 1

New Clue: 007 meets Solitaire but he leaves her when Jinx walks out of the water.  

The goal is to figure out the two movies who overlap in some words creating a new movie described by the clue.  Leave your answer in the comments. Good luck!