for years I defined the perfect woman as someone who looked like Brittney Spears and Cooked like Martha Stewart.
Just to qualify that statement I said it back before Brittany got all slutted up... or before Martha went to jail. But you get the basic premise of my thought process there.
But maybe the pefect woman is someone I can spend 3 hours sharing insightful commentary on a football game follwed by dinner conversation about religion, politics and literature.
...which is how I spent sunday. And for some reason I'm not nearly as bummed about a Steeler Loss as I probably should be.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Friday, September 23, 2005
Ramblings of a lackadaisical blogger...
Really it’s not that I don’t love you people, I really do, I’ve just been… busy… or lazy, I get those two confused sometimes.
Anyway I’ve had a few thoughts over the past few days so here they are.
Is Wal*Mart the new K-Mart?
I was out running in a rather upscale neighborhood earlier this week. As I was ogling the houses starting at $500,000 I noticed quite a few of them had red signs saying “SAY NO TO WAL MART”.
This got me thinking… or as much as the limited oxygen getting to my brain at my 7-minute mile pace would allow. Is Wal Mart the new K-Mart? Traditionally the least desirable, due to its unkempt stores and rather apathetic sales staff, of all the large retail chains. Now that many of these stores have been closed after bankruptcy and soon to become Sears stores, they’ve lost much of their public presence. This leaves Target and Wal Mart to battle for market position.
Wal Mart with it’s revolutionary sales practices has set a standard in retail for low prices. Their sales staff gives the same courtesy as the attendants at Disneyland and you cannot beat their prices.
But let’s face it; people who live in the neighborhood that I was running through probably don’t shop at Wal Mart.
Now that I’ve over generalized let’s qualify that statement. I asked one of my four bosses (none of them named Lumbergh) about the signs as he lives on the other side of this neighborhood. He said that the Proposed store would be placed at top of the hill around the corner from the low-traffic secluded road off of which this development was built. He does shop at Wal Mart… but the nice one 2 exits over.
Now I live on the other side of Sawmill Road. And the Ghetto in comparison (you’ve met my neighbors). A Wal Mart greatly helps me. First off, cheaper groceries. Secondly someplace to go on a Friday now that Battlestar Galactica is done for the season.
But is it the traffic? Is it the clientele that Wal Mart attracts to the area? No, it’s the street lights. You see this picturesque development sits on a hill separated by some woods from the main road. Were a major retail venture to go in, especially a 24x7 business, the parking lot lights would bring a sense of the city into the suburbs where these people have escaped.
You’re not poor because you’re black; and you’re not black because you’re poor.
Yes, I’m taking on a racial issue… wait, no I’m not, I’m taking on an economic issue. Because Race has absolutely nothing to do with wealth.
Since Katrina hit New Orleans (please give to the Red Cross) people have tried to associate those who were displaced, or stranded as victims of racism. I’m not denying that racism exists, but that’s only an excuse.
Anyone motivated to better themselves, be it in education, athletics, or just to get themselves out of a city below sea level with a hurricane headed your way, will succeed better and faster than someone waiting for someone else to do it.
It has nothing to do with skin color; it has everything to do with self-motivation. Let’s look at everyone that DID get out of the Big Easy. They got out in their cars. The ones they bought with their money. The money they eared at their jobs. The jobs they get up and go to every day.
I hit the snooze alarm a few time this morning… mostly do to drinking draught beers until 1:00 am. But the need to sleep in was overcome by the desire to eat later on in the week. You see if I didn’t go to work today I’d loose my job, and if a hurricane ever hit Ohio I’d be stuck in the Superdome.
So with my 3 door plastic car, I’m ready to evacuate at a moments notice!
---
Okay that’s enough for tonight… Battlestar Galactica come on soon… I may head out for a beer, and hopefully I’ll be up for 7:30 am running club at church.
Hopefully running won’t turn into 3 hours of much raking this week. That made me sore!!!
Anyway I’ve had a few thoughts over the past few days so here they are.
Is Wal*Mart the new K-Mart?
I was out running in a rather upscale neighborhood earlier this week. As I was ogling the houses starting at $500,000 I noticed quite a few of them had red signs saying “SAY NO TO WAL MART”.
This got me thinking… or as much as the limited oxygen getting to my brain at my 7-minute mile pace would allow. Is Wal Mart the new K-Mart? Traditionally the least desirable, due to its unkempt stores and rather apathetic sales staff, of all the large retail chains. Now that many of these stores have been closed after bankruptcy and soon to become Sears stores, they’ve lost much of their public presence. This leaves Target and Wal Mart to battle for market position.
Wal Mart with it’s revolutionary sales practices has set a standard in retail for low prices. Their sales staff gives the same courtesy as the attendants at Disneyland and you cannot beat their prices.
But let’s face it; people who live in the neighborhood that I was running through probably don’t shop at Wal Mart.
Now that I’ve over generalized let’s qualify that statement. I asked one of my four bosses (none of them named Lumbergh) about the signs as he lives on the other side of this neighborhood. He said that the Proposed store would be placed at top of the hill around the corner from the low-traffic secluded road off of which this development was built. He does shop at Wal Mart… but the nice one 2 exits over.
Now I live on the other side of Sawmill Road. And the Ghetto in comparison (you’ve met my neighbors). A Wal Mart greatly helps me. First off, cheaper groceries. Secondly someplace to go on a Friday now that Battlestar Galactica is done for the season.
But is it the traffic? Is it the clientele that Wal Mart attracts to the area? No, it’s the street lights. You see this picturesque development sits on a hill separated by some woods from the main road. Were a major retail venture to go in, especially a 24x7 business, the parking lot lights would bring a sense of the city into the suburbs where these people have escaped.
You’re not poor because you’re black; and you’re not black because you’re poor.
Yes, I’m taking on a racial issue… wait, no I’m not, I’m taking on an economic issue. Because Race has absolutely nothing to do with wealth.
Since Katrina hit New Orleans (please give to the Red Cross) people have tried to associate those who were displaced, or stranded as victims of racism. I’m not denying that racism exists, but that’s only an excuse.
Anyone motivated to better themselves, be it in education, athletics, or just to get themselves out of a city below sea level with a hurricane headed your way, will succeed better and faster than someone waiting for someone else to do it.
It has nothing to do with skin color; it has everything to do with self-motivation. Let’s look at everyone that DID get out of the Big Easy. They got out in their cars. The ones they bought with their money. The money they eared at their jobs. The jobs they get up and go to every day.
I hit the snooze alarm a few time this morning… mostly do to drinking draught beers until 1:00 am. But the need to sleep in was overcome by the desire to eat later on in the week. You see if I didn’t go to work today I’d loose my job, and if a hurricane ever hit Ohio I’d be stuck in the Superdome.
So with my 3 door plastic car, I’m ready to evacuate at a moments notice!
---
Okay that’s enough for tonight… Battlestar Galactica come on soon… I may head out for a beer, and hopefully I’ll be up for 7:30 am running club at church.
Hopefully running won’t turn into 3 hours of much raking this week. That made me sore!!!
Monday, September 12, 2005
The Adventures of Andy and Mr. Pimpmobile
It’s been a rough week in my world. The fortress of solitude was nearly compromised, and it was quite the adventure. It all started late Monday afternoon. I had just come home from a long weekend with my parents. Relaxing, and fun; a good way to spend my birthday.
However as I arrived home I was greeted by a scene (and smell) none too pleasant. Yes this concerned my mechanically inclined neighbor. You see for some reason he felt the need to disassemble his engine on the front lawn of the condominium (or apartment in his case) and spray paint various engine parts different colors.
The entire place reeked of spray paint. But Mr. Pimpmobile was nowhere to be found.
This changed my demeanor quite a bit. I was quite content on my drive across the state until I pulled into my parking lot. It didn’t take me long bring in my bags and do some unpacking. As I was putting a few items away upstairs I saw him return to his work in progress.
Now, people, I’m typically a reasonable person. Ninety-eight percent of the time I have a smile on my face and am quite willing to lend a hand to anyone I see. However after two years of watching someone, by their sheer existence bring down property values, I lost it. I went out the front door yelling, “What do you think you’re doing!” It wasn’t a question.
I think I startled him. He had that deer in headlights look that someone would criticize him for putting time and effort into an automobile. As if there is nothing else to do in this world.
Dale Carnegie would not have been proud of me. I actually started this argument and wasn’t very friendly. In fact for the previous week I had made several snide comments in response to conversations he tried to start with me. As a result he’s not exactly seeing eye-to-eye with me.
That heated conversation about making the place look like a trash heap and the smell of spray paint ended in me threatening to send a letter to the property manager. As I was about to complete I heard a knock at my door. It was the neighbor. Slightly calmer now he offered to compromise. He told me that this was the only place he had to work on his car.
However, I escalated things by informing him that he needed a leash on is dog and to clean up after him. As it happens I looked at the same coil of poop next to my car for about a month earlier this year. His response was, “I’m from Cleveland where a dog craps where it wants.”
We ended things at least not hating each other. But the letter was written. The next day I turned in the following to the property manager:
Tuesday was quiet, but by Wednesday I took the photo below, and as I was outside the inevitable happened… we confronted each other again.
Do you want to walk out of your door and see this?
To anyone else this would have been a very funny altercation. I had read the Condo Charter just enough to be dangerous, while he was arguing for the sake of arguing. I told him working on his car was a violation. He told me the bikes the children were riding were also illegal.
“No those are just kids being kids,” I responded. Then I went back to what I knew was an argument I was assured a victory in, reagarding the unleashed dog (really not much more than a rat with a collar, but the rules are rules). He told me that if we were in Cleveland I wouldn't be able saying anything to him. I'm pretty sure Cleveland has leash laws too. Maybe not in the Dawgpound section of Cleveland Stadium, but in other public places I'm sure.
Well, I’ll spare you the four-letter words, but what happened was a threat to “make me as miserable as possible.”
Over the next few hours I did my best to put him out of my mind. Knowing that misery, much like happiness comes from within, I decided I would not let him make me miserable anymore. I started watching a movie I had rented, did my monthly budget and read a chapter of “I am Charlotte Simmons.”
By 10:30 It was time to take the movie back. I opened my door to see him under his car with a utility lamp, working on shocks, breaks or something in the general wheel area. He was lying on the hard blacktop, probably still sticky from the heat of the sun that day. The banana slugs were abut to come out and make their zig-zags across the walk way. And I’m sure he sliced at least one knuckle down there.
Mentally I contrasted that with where I just was. Inside, in the air conditioning, reading a good book on a comfortable couch. At 10:30 at night if you’re under a car on the hard pavement instead of inside spending quality time with your wife, reading to your children or… well frankly anywhere else, which one of us is miserable?
Nothing happened the rest of the week, other than my fairly constant complaining. However an interesting twist came after Church on Sunday. My pastor, having heard me give a very short version of the story told me that he had met my neighbor and heard his side of things. I’m not sure what the neighbor told the pastor, but I got the feeling that I came off pretty bad in his version. Rev. Steve did a better version of humanizing this guy to me than I have to you.
But what is done is done. That afternoon I opened the letter I had received in response to my complaint. I didn’t open it Saturday when I received it because if it was bad news I didn’t want my evening of Football watching to be ruined. I left that job to the University of Texas Longhorns.
The letter was a copy of what was sent to the neighbor. It sited an abbreviated list of complaints, but contained a key line:
Going forward I foresee the family next door moving. I really hope they take this opportunity to look into financing for a house. That will give them the chance to build equity, save for their two daughter’s college educations and give him the garage he wants and needs so that he will finally be happy working on vehicles and nobody (okay, this last line’s about me) will say a word about his automotive ingenuity.
However as I arrived home I was greeted by a scene (and smell) none too pleasant. Yes this concerned my mechanically inclined neighbor. You see for some reason he felt the need to disassemble his engine on the front lawn of the condominium (or apartment in his case) and spray paint various engine parts different colors.
The entire place reeked of spray paint. But Mr. Pimpmobile was nowhere to be found.
This changed my demeanor quite a bit. I was quite content on my drive across the state until I pulled into my parking lot. It didn’t take me long bring in my bags and do some unpacking. As I was putting a few items away upstairs I saw him return to his work in progress.
Now, people, I’m typically a reasonable person. Ninety-eight percent of the time I have a smile on my face and am quite willing to lend a hand to anyone I see. However after two years of watching someone, by their sheer existence bring down property values, I lost it. I went out the front door yelling, “What do you think you’re doing!” It wasn’t a question.
I think I startled him. He had that deer in headlights look that someone would criticize him for putting time and effort into an automobile. As if there is nothing else to do in this world.
Dale Carnegie would not have been proud of me. I actually started this argument and wasn’t very friendly. In fact for the previous week I had made several snide comments in response to conversations he tried to start with me. As a result he’s not exactly seeing eye-to-eye with me.
That heated conversation about making the place look like a trash heap and the smell of spray paint ended in me threatening to send a letter to the property manager. As I was about to complete I heard a knock at my door. It was the neighbor. Slightly calmer now he offered to compromise. He told me that this was the only place he had to work on his car.
However, I escalated things by informing him that he needed a leash on is dog and to clean up after him. As it happens I looked at the same coil of poop next to my car for about a month earlier this year. His response was, “I’m from Cleveland where a dog craps where it wants.”
We ended things at least not hating each other. But the letter was written. The next day I turned in the following to the property manager:
To Whom It May Concern:
I am requesting the immediate
and appropriate action toward the resident at [Edited]. Over the past two years
of my residency here as a due paying owner I have witnessed several chronic and
what I believe are property-devaluing actions and violations of common courtesy
and condo codes.After two years of these annoyances I have decided to withhold my $110 condo dues until action has been taken.
- A dog that is freely allowed to run around the courtyard without a leash
- The resident has failed to clean up after the dog has made a mess in the common yard.
- Unbagged trash from the resident has left the alley between courtyards a trashy mess
- The tenant is also constantly working on his automobile in the common parking lot. This has resulted in:
- A fire hazard: an immobile vehicle would block rescue workers from performing their duties
- Potential tire damage from loose bolts and other parts as engines have been disassembled in this common space
- Various discarded parts and other auto-maintenance related trash left in the parking lot.
- On September 5, 2005 after returning home the tenant was in the process of using aerosol paints on his vehicle parts in the common grassy areas resulting in a foul odor.
- Car maintenance equipment on the common lawn in front of both our units has resulted in the destruction of the grass and higher landscaping costs to [edited].
- Loud music throughout the day that can be heard through the common wall
- Hammering: A constant hammering on the common wall which is no doubt damaging [edited]'s property. This noise was loud enough to be heard over the phone.
Tuesday was quiet, but by Wednesday I took the photo below, and as I was outside the inevitable happened… we confronted each other again.
Do you want to walk out of your door and see this?
To anyone else this would have been a very funny altercation. I had read the Condo Charter just enough to be dangerous, while he was arguing for the sake of arguing. I told him working on his car was a violation. He told me the bikes the children were riding were also illegal.
“No those are just kids being kids,” I responded. Then I went back to what I knew was an argument I was assured a victory in, reagarding the unleashed dog (really not much more than a rat with a collar, but the rules are rules). He told me that if we were in Cleveland I wouldn't be able saying anything to him. I'm pretty sure Cleveland has leash laws too. Maybe not in the Dawgpound section of Cleveland Stadium, but in other public places I'm sure.
Well, I’ll spare you the four-letter words, but what happened was a threat to “make me as miserable as possible.”
Over the next few hours I did my best to put him out of my mind. Knowing that misery, much like happiness comes from within, I decided I would not let him make me miserable anymore. I started watching a movie I had rented, did my monthly budget and read a chapter of “I am Charlotte Simmons.”
By 10:30 It was time to take the movie back. I opened my door to see him under his car with a utility lamp, working on shocks, breaks or something in the general wheel area. He was lying on the hard blacktop, probably still sticky from the heat of the sun that day. The banana slugs were abut to come out and make their zig-zags across the walk way. And I’m sure he sliced at least one knuckle down there.
Mentally I contrasted that with where I just was. Inside, in the air conditioning, reading a good book on a comfortable couch. At 10:30 at night if you’re under a car on the hard pavement instead of inside spending quality time with your wife, reading to your children or… well frankly anywhere else, which one of us is miserable?
Nothing happened the rest of the week, other than my fairly constant complaining. However an interesting twist came after Church on Sunday. My pastor, having heard me give a very short version of the story told me that he had met my neighbor and heard his side of things. I’m not sure what the neighbor told the pastor, but I got the feeling that I came off pretty bad in his version. Rev. Steve did a better version of humanizing this guy to me than I have to you.
But what is done is done. That afternoon I opened the letter I had received in response to my complaint. I didn’t open it Saturday when I received it because if it was bad news I didn’t want my evening of Football watching to be ruined. I left that job to the University of Texas Longhorns.
The letter was a copy of what was sent to the neighbor. It sited an abbreviated list of complaints, but contained a key line:
Car maintenance is NOT to be performed on the property.Nothing has happened since then, except I did pay my condo dues.
Going forward I foresee the family next door moving. I really hope they take this opportunity to look into financing for a house. That will give them the chance to build equity, save for their two daughter’s college educations and give him the garage he wants and needs so that he will finally be happy working on vehicles and nobody (okay, this last line’s about me) will say a word about his automotive ingenuity.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
The Adventures of Andy in Pittsburgh
Just a brief post, but this is kind of cool.
This weekend is my birthday (9/3) so I came to the hometown to see the parents. It's a long holiday weekend so it's a great excuse to see mom, dad the dog and the cat.
The biggest part of the birthday was to go to a Pittsburgh Pirate game. Dad has a package of tickets and they are some GREAT seats. As it turns out today, Notre Dame is coming to Pittsburgh to play Pitt. So the Baseball game was scheduled for 12:35 and the Football game kickoff is 8:00.
Well even at 11:30 am the crouds were gathered for tailgating. I personally can't drink that much. When we saw a stage set up across from the stadium I assumed some band would be providing pre-game entertainment. But as we drove closer I shouted, "That's College Game Day!" It was in factChris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso.
Didn't stick around for the ESPN show becaue it was free hardhat day (pretty cheesy IMHO) but just seeing the show in progress was pretty cool in itself!
Football Season is here,
All is right with the world.
Go Buckeyes!
Go Steelers!
This weekend is my birthday (9/3) so I came to the hometown to see the parents. It's a long holiday weekend so it's a great excuse to see mom, dad the dog and the cat.
The biggest part of the birthday was to go to a Pittsburgh Pirate game. Dad has a package of tickets and they are some GREAT seats. As it turns out today, Notre Dame is coming to Pittsburgh to play Pitt. So the Baseball game was scheduled for 12:35 and the Football game kickoff is 8:00.
Well even at 11:30 am the crouds were gathered for tailgating. I personally can't drink that much. When we saw a stage set up across from the stadium I assumed some band would be providing pre-game entertainment. But as we drove closer I shouted, "That's College Game Day!" It was in factChris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso.
Didn't stick around for the ESPN show becaue it was free hardhat day (pretty cheesy IMHO) but just seeing the show in progress was pretty cool in itself!
Football Season is here,
All is right with the world.
Go Buckeyes!
Go Steelers!
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Stupid conversations... or conversations with stupid people
I was out minding my own business having a beer at a local pub a couple weeks ago. This is how a lot of my stories start, by the way. So this blonde woman starts talking to me.
I figure that talking to some stranger was probably more productive than reading the local left-wing biased entertainment paper. So There I was talking to a complete stranger at a bar. It turns out that she works for AOL. So as all people in the technology industry do, the topic eventually turned to offshore outsourcing. I happened to mention that I'm the only Caucasian programmer in my department. She told me I must be really smart.
Supid conversation or conversation with a stupid person? You decide!
So today I came home from work for lunch. I didn’t have any cash and needed to buy bread and pay my bills. Unfortunately when I arrive at my front door my neighbor I won't let you guess: he's definitely a stupid person.
So as I'm exiting my car and walking up to our mutual front porch he tells me that he saw a car kit that would "look sweet on your car." A little background information is due here. My neighbor is Mr. Immobile, and this is what he drives. Yes definitely a stupid person.
So I replied to his suggestion of a car kit by saying, "I'm not putting that $#!* on my car." I don't normally speak in expletives but it was such a stupid suggestion. Then I felt bad because his young daughter was right there too. Maybe they'll move now that they know I'm a bad influence on children.
But that's besides the point.
I continued to try and convince him why I don't want him stylizing my car. I told him it devalues the vehicle and really makes you look like you have no taste whatsoever. I mean think about it, you might see some teenager with a tricked out Honda, but you never see an investment banker with neon lights around the base of his BMW. There are just some things you don't do when you're actually concerned with appearance.
I guess this was just a stupid conversation with a stupid person.
I figure that talking to some stranger was probably more productive than reading the local left-wing biased entertainment paper. So There I was talking to a complete stranger at a bar. It turns out that she works for AOL. So as all people in the technology industry do, the topic eventually turned to offshore outsourcing. I happened to mention that I'm the only Caucasian programmer in my department. She told me I must be really smart.
Supid conversation or conversation with a stupid person? You decide!
So today I came home from work for lunch. I didn’t have any cash and needed to buy bread and pay my bills. Unfortunately when I arrive at my front door my neighbor I won't let you guess: he's definitely a stupid person.
So as I'm exiting my car and walking up to our mutual front porch he tells me that he saw a car kit that would "look sweet on your car." A little background information is due here. My neighbor is Mr. Immobile, and this is what he drives. Yes definitely a stupid person.
So I replied to his suggestion of a car kit by saying, "I'm not putting that $#!* on my car." I don't normally speak in expletives but it was such a stupid suggestion. Then I felt bad because his young daughter was right there too. Maybe they'll move now that they know I'm a bad influence on children.
But that's besides the point.
I continued to try and convince him why I don't want him stylizing my car. I told him it devalues the vehicle and really makes you look like you have no taste whatsoever. I mean think about it, you might see some teenager with a tricked out Honda, but you never see an investment banker with neon lights around the base of his BMW. There are just some things you don't do when you're actually concerned with appearance.
I guess this was just a stupid conversation with a stupid person.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
The 40 Year Old Virgin Hits a Little Close To Home
In the film "The 40 Year Old Virgin" Steve Carell plays a guy named Andy who collects action figures. This, however extreme similarity to my own life, does not mean that I have sold my memoirs to Hollywood.
But it the similarities are eerie!
But enough about my own insecurities about collectable plastic men, and onto the review.
I've been a Steve Carell fan for years now. Ever since college when I would watch The Daily Show on Comedy Central... well... daily, I was impressed with his comedic strait man abilities. I felt he was very underutilized as the idiotic weatherman in last year's "Anchorman: The Ledged of Ron Burgundy." But with Correll working as co-scripter of the film and it's star you get one of the most original presentations out of Hollywood in quite some time. The reason for this is that Carell and co. are not part of the Hollywood establishment. No it's not that there's groundbreaking new cinema being made here, but at least it's jokes that haven't been done before, redone and done again. It was just new (albeit edgy) genuinely funny comedy.
The story is that of an employee who works in an electronics store. During a poker game with coworkers it comes out that he has no experience with the fairer sex. This prompts the three different personas in the card game to start devising plans to get Andy... some... a.... well you know.
The 40 year old virgin and his toys!
Of course his friends' advice is worth exactly what he paid for it. NOTHING.
The moral of the story eventually becomes: get to know someone before you sleep with them. (Come to think of it, it would take a Hollywood outsider to put that in a movie).
But morals aside (Good advice if you want to laugh at this movie), this is one of the funniest comedies I have ever seen. The movie never takes itself too seriously trying to convey a hidden message, though the pot smoking scenes didn't seem to fit. The jokes come rapid fire. The comedy builds on momentum. Even with a slow start in the first fifteen minutes it's literally like a role coaster ride of comedy after the slow rise to the top of the first hill.
The comedy ranges from situational to gross-out. Again, morals aside. The supporting cast does a great job, and actually takes the role of the goofball losers, not the virgin. You see it's not that Andy is undersexed, it's that the rest of the world is oversexed.
Yes, I keep telling myself that too!
But it the similarities are eerie!
But enough about my own insecurities about collectable plastic men, and onto the review.
 Andy and his toys... |
I've been a Steve Carell fan for years now. Ever since college when I would watch The Daily Show on Comedy Central... well... daily, I was impressed with his comedic strait man abilities. I felt he was very underutilized as the idiotic weatherman in last year's "Anchorman: The Ledged of Ron Burgundy." But with Correll working as co-scripter of the film and it's star you get one of the most original presentations out of Hollywood in quite some time. The reason for this is that Carell and co. are not part of the Hollywood establishment. No it's not that there's groundbreaking new cinema being made here, but at least it's jokes that haven't been done before, redone and done again. It was just new (albeit edgy) genuinely funny comedy.
The story is that of an employee who works in an electronics store. During a poker game with coworkers it comes out that he has no experience with the fairer sex. This prompts the three different personas in the card game to start devising plans to get Andy... some... a.... well you know.
The 40 year old virgin and his toys!
Of course his friends' advice is worth exactly what he paid for it. NOTHING.
The moral of the story eventually becomes: get to know someone before you sleep with them. (Come to think of it, it would take a Hollywood outsider to put that in a movie).
But morals aside (Good advice if you want to laugh at this movie), this is one of the funniest comedies I have ever seen. The movie never takes itself too seriously trying to convey a hidden message, though the pot smoking scenes didn't seem to fit. The jokes come rapid fire. The comedy builds on momentum. Even with a slow start in the first fifteen minutes it's literally like a role coaster ride of comedy after the slow rise to the top of the first hill.
The comedy ranges from situational to gross-out. Again, morals aside. The supporting cast does a great job, and actually takes the role of the goofball losers, not the virgin. You see it's not that Andy is undersexed, it's that the rest of the world is oversexed.
Yes, I keep telling myself that too!
Saturday, August 27, 2005
It's almost 3:30 am and here I am
Friday night has come and gone. And here it is, the wee hours of the morning. No I'm not drunk (the spelling errors come with soberity). In fact not a drink all night.
Tonight I decided to rent a video game. The X-Box and I haven't spent quality time together in quite a while (And I don't care what Canton Highschool principals say, I don't beieve you can get pregnant from a video game!). So I played Lego Star Wars tonight. Got through the whole game in one night. I'm glad I didn't make a purchase of this one.
But sitting here and looking at the clock knowing what else I could have done. But I doubt I can sleep now. You see I had the windows open all week, becaue it cooled off quite a bit. But the humidity came back yesterday and I'm not quite sure it would be conducive to sleep now that it's muggy in my house.
So here I am, blogging while the world is sleeping. Even the west coast chat rooms are dead. I've got a couple IM's going with some fellow insomniacs, but it's just chit chat.
I swear I'm not much of a homebody. Sure the past few months I have been but that was because I was virtually living a relationship. I was supposed to be involved by now. But it wasn't meant to be. And single life sometimes sucks. I mean sure I could have drunk myself to sleep, but at what price? A saturday hangover and a "what the hell was I thinking when I kissed her" regret.
At least with the video game I got a free movie rental next week!
Tonight I decided to rent a video game. The X-Box and I haven't spent quality time together in quite a while (And I don't care what Canton Highschool principals say, I don't beieve you can get pregnant from a video game!). So I played Lego Star Wars tonight. Got through the whole game in one night. I'm glad I didn't make a purchase of this one.
But sitting here and looking at the clock knowing what else I could have done. But I doubt I can sleep now. You see I had the windows open all week, becaue it cooled off quite a bit. But the humidity came back yesterday and I'm not quite sure it would be conducive to sleep now that it's muggy in my house.
So here I am, blogging while the world is sleeping. Even the west coast chat rooms are dead. I've got a couple IM's going with some fellow insomniacs, but it's just chit chat.
I swear I'm not much of a homebody. Sure the past few months I have been but that was because I was virtually living a relationship. I was supposed to be involved by now. But it wasn't meant to be. And single life sometimes sucks. I mean sure I could have drunk myself to sleep, but at what price? A saturday hangover and a "what the hell was I thinking when I kissed her" regret.
At least with the video game I got a free movie rental next week!
Thursday, August 25, 2005
In the News...
It's been a long time, so here goes,
The Adventures of Andy presents
In The News
65 out of 490 girls at school pregnant
Movies, TV, video games, lazy parents, lax discipline all cited as likely reasons
Movies, TV, video games, lazy parents, lax discipline all cited as likely reasons
Shocking school administrators and others community members, fully 13 percent of the female students at an Ohio high school currently are pregnant.
According to a report in the Canton Repository, 65 girls of the 490 females at Timken High School are with child – a number confirmed by Principal Kim Redmond."This has gotten to horrible proportions," said Redmond. "I wish I knew the answer to why it's happening." Repository columnist Rick Senften mentions the potential suspects of movies, TV and video games, lazy parents and lax discipline.
Now I'm a regular TV watcher, You've seen my movie reviews, I own an X-box and though I'd hate to call my parents lazy, they do own a garrage door opener and my dad did teach his dog to bring back the golf balls he knocks around the back yard. However, I have to say that I think that some of these kids are having sex!
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson apologized Wednesday for calling for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, hours after he denied saying Chavez should be killed."Is it right to call for assassination?" Robertson said. "No, and I apologize for that statement. I spoke in frustration that we should accommodate the man who thinks the U.S. is out to kill him."
On Monday's telecast of his Christian Broadcasting Network show "The 700 Club," Robertson had said: "You know, I don't know about this doctrine of assassination, but if he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it."
Now I don't know much about this Chavez character, other than he has a great name for a villan. Maybe we should make him the bad guy in the next James Bond film. But I digress... How evil do you have to be to get Pat Robertson, a holy Christian man to want you dead?
By Bob Ryan, Globe Columnist August 25, 2005
To believe or not to believe. That is the question.Do we believe the French newspaper L'Equipe, which asserts that it has proof Lance Armstrong used EPO in the course of winning his first Tour de France in 1999, or do we believe Armstrong, when he answers the charge by saying, ''I will simply restate what I have said many times: I have never taken performance-enhancing drugs?"The reputation of the world's most noted individual sport athlete is at stake. Though the intricate nature of his sport is a mystery to most American sports fans, he has even become a true household name in his native land. Armstrong has positioned himself as more than just an athletic achiever. As a well-publicized cancer survivor, he is a symbol of hope, determination, grit, spunk, dedication, and many other attributes that we revere. Even cyclophobes have some understanding that the Tour de France is a grueling three-week enterprise representing a supreme test of Man vs. Nature. To win one is admirable. To win seven -- two more than anyone else has ever been able to do -- is almost mystical. When he rode with the president of the United States last weekend, there was little doubt which man was more honored to be in the company of whom.
Hey France, Our guy can bike better than your guys... for 7 years! And who takes the French seriously? I mean they couldn't even get a draft of the EU Constitution passed!
Okay folks, that's what's in the news this week. I'm hoping to make this a regular Wednesday event (I know today's Thursday but I went to a baseball game last night.)
Monday, August 15, 2005
Review-O-Rama
Here's a list of my summer movie reviews.
Fantastic Four
Marvel Comic's oldest franch finally hits the big screen. A solid popcorn action movie with great character interaction and a really disgusting bad guy.
War of the Worlds
Spielberg gives you something to rial up your emotions, Dakota Fanning steals her secenes and Tom Cruise... well he sure knows how to ge his name in the paper!
Batman Begins
Not only is this how Batman movies should be done, its how James Bond movies should be done and a CSI style plot with a carchase the Blues Brothers would be proud of!
Fantastic Four
Marvel Comic's oldest franch finally hits the big screen. A solid popcorn action movie with great character interaction and a really disgusting bad guy.
War of the Worlds
Spielberg gives you something to rial up your emotions, Dakota Fanning steals her secenes and Tom Cruise... well he sure knows how to ge his name in the paper!
Batman Begins
Not only is this how Batman movies should be done, its how James Bond movies should be done and a CSI style plot with a carchase the Blues Brothers would be proud of!
Finally, a Star Wars film for Lord of the Rings fans. Violent and action packed, it's everything those of us who grew up with Star Wars wanted as kids but would have been too scared of back then.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Where everybody knows your name...
While I was away, I was away from a lot. Away from many friends, from the internet and even from my neighborhood pub.
Now before this turns into a college-esque, how-great-beer-is essay, I want to point out that I would probably still frequet this establishment were it not of the alcohol distribution nature. I'd be about the only one and they would likely go out of business, but the point is that this isn't about beer, it's about atmosphere.
The Backstreet pub isn't much to look at from the outside. The front windows don't match (due primarally to a halloween night barfight), the carpet is warn in places, the coolers are dented and scratched and it's actually quite dificult to find.
But those who have found it and made it their local watering hole are some damn fine people.
I hadn't been there since March. Sure I see the place every day because it's just a quick 300 yard walk through the back lot of the grocery store to get there. So last Saturday evening I stopped in on my first night out in quite some time. It was nearly 1:00 am and the majority of the crowd had gone for the night. But I hadn't made three steps into that back hallway when the bartender on duty turned to see who just came in.
She took a moment to double focus her vision and excitedly exclaimed, "I know you!"
at least 3 more times (there were only 4 other people in the bar) that night I got an "Andy, how are you.... It's been a long time."
Perhaps there is something depressing that I can be scarce from a bar for nearly 6 months and return to recognize everyone there. Or maybe it's just comforting that the friendships that were put on hold were rekindled with little or no Effort.
So last night I went out again and as I sat on the patio with the pretty girls and the middle-aged men trying to pick up the middle-aged women I engaged in a conversation about local eateries. It was a 4 way conversation where everybody had input, we all had a beverage in front of us, jokes were made and laughs were shared. I took a moment to pause for a moment and realized that I hadn't had this in quite some time. When I went scarce I sacraficed socalization. That's just not me. I enjoy a party or just conversations with friends.
Well, football season isn't far off. I think they'll see me in there again sooon.
Now before this turns into a college-esque, how-great-beer-is essay, I want to point out that I would probably still frequet this establishment were it not of the alcohol distribution nature. I'd be about the only one and they would likely go out of business, but the point is that this isn't about beer, it's about atmosphere.
The Backstreet pub isn't much to look at from the outside. The front windows don't match (due primarally to a halloween night barfight), the carpet is warn in places, the coolers are dented and scratched and it's actually quite dificult to find.
But those who have found it and made it their local watering hole are some damn fine people.
I hadn't been there since March. Sure I see the place every day because it's just a quick 300 yard walk through the back lot of the grocery store to get there. So last Saturday evening I stopped in on my first night out in quite some time. It was nearly 1:00 am and the majority of the crowd had gone for the night. But I hadn't made three steps into that back hallway when the bartender on duty turned to see who just came in.
She took a moment to double focus her vision and excitedly exclaimed, "I know you!"
at least 3 more times (there were only 4 other people in the bar) that night I got an "Andy, how are you.... It's been a long time."
Perhaps there is something depressing that I can be scarce from a bar for nearly 6 months and return to recognize everyone there. Or maybe it's just comforting that the friendships that were put on hold were rekindled with little or no Effort.
So last night I went out again and as I sat on the patio with the pretty girls and the middle-aged men trying to pick up the middle-aged women I engaged in a conversation about local eateries. It was a 4 way conversation where everybody had input, we all had a beverage in front of us, jokes were made and laughs were shared. I took a moment to pause for a moment and realized that I hadn't had this in quite some time. When I went scarce I sacraficed socalization. That's just not me. I enjoy a party or just conversations with friends.
Well, football season isn't far off. I think they'll see me in there again sooon.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Death of the Anchorman
ABC News Peter Jennings passed away yesterday from lung cancer. I’ll reserve what I really think about him for another time. Instead let’s look at the institution of the network anchorman.Until about 15 years ago when 24 hour news channels made inroads into the daily lives of Americans it was the Network Anchor that gave us our daily news. They brought the world into our living rooms and for 30 minutes a day we lived outside our communities.
When the Gulf War broke out in 1992 we watched it live on CNN, who gave us 24 hours of coverage a day. The simple half hour of information a day was simply not enough. It was truly the first step into the Information age.
This was also the first step to in fall of the Network Anchorman. As Cable News proliferated and news companies fought for attention amongst a crowd of others all saying the same things, one voice took it upon itself to deliver a "fair and balanced" view of the world. With the Internet came a man named Drudge brought us daily information that was not seen on our network newscasts and another named Rush started a movement of radio broadcasters who poignantly refuted the lines of the Anchorman.
Jennings was the last anchorman.
Of the big three he was the last to go. Dan Rather was embarrassed into retirement due and will forever live with the legacy of forged documents. Tom Brokaw announced his retirement over two years before retiring in late 2004 (as if we needed that much time to prepare ourselves for someone else reading a teleprompter out loud at 6:30 pm each night).
Jennings death elevates him to a level that even the revered Walter Cronkite hasn't reached. In dying the question is asked, "What else could he have done?" Much like Jimi Hendrix, Steve Prefontaine or Janis Jopplin, the perceived potential of the individual begins to overshadow the lifetime of achievements.
Over the next decade the network newsman will find himself less and less important. No longer will one anchor be the face of a network for decades at a time. In fact network news may go the way of Saturday morning cartoons.
And that was a truly sad moment!
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Welcome Back...
Welcome back to the Adventures of Andy. It's been a while and don't ever expect an explanation for that. Life went on hold for a while and while I'm just now trying to figure out what it was all about, I am ready to move on and get back into my life.
No I wasn't in a coma or rehab, it was a woman. (and that's ABSOLUTELY all you're getting!)
There will be, however, a few changes.
First off, there will be little to no personal blogging. My dating life is no longer for public consumption. The stupid stuff, like a funny story about buying socks will still be here. You know something where, say, I go to target to buy socks, and while I'm there an army recruiter asks me to join up. I tell him that I've already got a career but fully support the mission, he then hands me a rifle and asks me to prove my marksmanship on the dairy isle.
Needless to say that would be really funny to write about if it were to really happen. But I was at Target today and that didn't happen, but I did get some low calorie fruit drinks!
As for the other changes, this is really just a temporary stop for my permanent blog. Yes I'm building my own blog site. Something a little more customized to my style than the Blogger template.
Finally there will be a more spiritual perspective in some of what I write. Yes I'm a Christian, I'm not afraid to say it and I will defend those beliefs online and in my life.
Don't worry, Action Figure Theatre is coming back!
See you online
andy!
No I wasn't in a coma or rehab, it was a woman. (and that's ABSOLUTELY all you're getting!)
There will be, however, a few changes.
First off, there will be little to no personal blogging. My dating life is no longer for public consumption. The stupid stuff, like a funny story about buying socks will still be here. You know something where, say, I go to target to buy socks, and while I'm there an army recruiter asks me to join up. I tell him that I've already got a career but fully support the mission, he then hands me a rifle and asks me to prove my marksmanship on the dairy isle.
Needless to say that would be really funny to write about if it were to really happen. But I was at Target today and that didn't happen, but I did get some low calorie fruit drinks!
As for the other changes, this is really just a temporary stop for my permanent blog. Yes I'm building my own blog site. Something a little more customized to my style than the Blogger template.
Finally there will be a more spiritual perspective in some of what I write. Yes I'm a Christian, I'm not afraid to say it and I will defend those beliefs online and in my life.
Don't worry, Action Figure Theatre is coming back!
See you online
andy!
Friday, July 08, 2005
Movie Review: Fantastic Four
What? Jessica Alba as Sue Storm… she’s too young!Johnny Storm needs blonde hair!
Mr. Fantastic looks so dull.
Okay the rock man suit looks alright on the Thing.
Those were my criticisms upon first seeing the Fantastic Four’s publicity photo almost a year before the film hit theatres.
The truth would come soon enough when celluloid finally hit the silver screen and the movie magic was made.
Fantastic Four Works!
Marvel Comic’s latest film adaptation comes from one of its oldest franchises. These heroes have had a long road to the big screen. This is actually their second movie, the first was considered to be so bad it was never released.
But this film was worth the wait. The movie starts by introducing the five main characters. Dr. Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd) and his colleague Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis) approach industrialist Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon) about a scientific research mission using his company’s space facilities. Von Doom agrees. The catch, he wants to be part of the research. Enter his lovely assistant Sue Storm (Jessica Alba) who immediately has conflict with Richards who is his jaded ex lover and currently admired greatly by Von Doom. The final member to round out the cast is Sue’s brother Johnny (Chris Evans). The introduction of the characters is great, detailing their personalities perfectly. It is Evans, though, who easily steals the show. He is not only the comic relief, but his antic actually help to move the plot along.
There’s nothing groundbreaking here. You get to root for the good guys, boo at the bad guys and enjoy your popcorn. This is what action movies are all about. And there is plenty of action.
But if you’re looking for something deeper there is that too. Unlike the X-Men who must hide their abilities from the public, or Spider-Man who has to deal with growing up while also fighting crime as a super powered vigilante, the Fantastic Four are public with their powers, giving TV interviews and marketing themselves to the public. Their characters develop as they learn to deal with their powers. Reed and Sue are forced to resolve open romantic issues, The Thing must adapt to life as a rock monster and Johnny Storm… well let’s just say that the Human Torch can be a real hot-shot!
Thus the film works on the superficial and the interpersonal levels, with a classic plot about good versus evil and two guys fighting over a pretty girl (who happens to take her clothes off in public… did I mention her power is to turn invisible?).
Enjoy this movie’s action, comedy and romance. It makes you feel good to root for really good good guys and boo the really bad bad guy.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Movie review: War of the Worlds.
When I first heard that a new film version of H.G. Wells’ War of the Words was coming out I was concerned for two reasons given the names attached to the film. First off there’s Stephen Spielberg who has been rather preachy in some of his films lately. His left-wing politics have caused some of his later films, such as A.I. to be panned by both critics and fans. Then there is the ever-inconsistent Tom Cruise. He’s a baby-faced actor who cant’ decide weather he’s an action hero or a playboy. (Speaking of which, I swear he and Téa Leoni could be twins.)
The result of this partnership is a high quality film that ensures that both these names will be around in Hollywood for sometime to come.
Set aside the fact that Hollywood is officially out of original ideas. That’s a rant for another time. But the source material here is of good quality and the bar set by the previous film version of this story is quite high.
Spielberg returned to the fundamentals of filmmaking that made his reputation in Hollywood. Just like Jaws and E.T. this story revolves around an everyman. Our hero is New Jersey crane operator Ray Ferrier (Cruise) who is about to spend a weekend at his modest home with his kids who were left at his house by his pregnant ex wife who is about to head to Boston with her new husband. In just a few moments of his family interaction you find out exactly why the marriage ended and you see that she definitely traded up.
This exposition is quick and very poignant, never leaving you worried that there is going to be too much character development and not enough aliens.
Because the aliens arrive just two blocks away. This sequence’s intensity results in an emotional reaction by the viewer for the ordeal in which Ferrier has just survived. Gone are the triangular spark-shooting hovercrafts from 1953. Instead we have a truly menacing alien mechanized assault vehicle compete with jet turbines, lasers and blood-sucking tentacles. It’s a visual that lets you know without a doubt that these are the bad guys, the same way that you knew Darth Vader was the bad guy without an introduction.
Cruise portrays the father fearful for his children passable enough to be believable in the role. However it is Dakota Fanning as his daughter Rachel who subtly steals her secenes. She is sharp and intelligent with perfect dramatic timing. Not only is she a fear filled ten-year-old she also convincingly conveys an anxiety disorder.
The film’s action is intense. With alien walking creatures zapping people and destroying entire city blocks in mere moments. However, we do get a slight taste of the realism of war seen in Saving Private Ryan when the Army mounts a vein offensive against the invaders. This was really the biggest change in updating the film: Army guys shooting at aliens, though Will Smith had better one-liners. Unfortunately some of the fighting scenes were done at the cost of filmmaking inconsistencies and a less dramatic turn of events for the humans. Why is it that the aliens can disable every piece of technology on the planet except that which could be used to attack them.
Giving credit where credit is due goes to Spielberg who did a great service to the movie going public by NOT screwing with the ending. The 1953 version featured much more a dramatic turn of events in literally the last minute of film, but it was the narration that properly wraps up the film. Yes that is Morgan Freeman’s voice reciting the opening and closing passages of Wells’ tome. With those narrations and the general premise of the 1953 film in tact War of the Worlds is a high quality film.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Movie Review: Batman Begins
Take note. Before we begin think about some great entertainment. Think about what it means to be so focused on a character you feel what he feels. Think about a plot so involved that even if the twist is somewhat predictable, it’s so well done that its really the only thing that could have happened o fit the movie. Think about the type of movie where even if you’ve had a bad day watching it gets you so deeply involved that your day becomes the conflict of the movie.This is Batman Begins. This is not only how Batman movies should be done, this is how James Bond movies should be done. Hell, this is how a lot of movies should be done!
Forge everything you know about Batman. Forget that Michael Keaton threw the Joker off the hundredth floor of a gothic cathedral. Forget Val Kilmer’s silly sidekick Robin and how I wish I could forget the batsuit with nipples.
Batman Begins is a complete re-launch of the Batman story (hence the title). Though this has previously been done on film in the first Batman movie from 1989, the depth to which the character of Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is explored is remarkable. From his youth as the heir to the Wayne family fortune, his life is suddenly changed when his parents are murdered. The twist is that in an economically depressed town it is the Wayne family who is striving to help the masses as philanthropists.
Several years pass as the now college-aged Bruce attempts to take revenge on his parents’ murderer. This is stopped by a mafia hitman who wants to shut up a pigeon. When Bruce confronts the mob boss he realizes that as a rich kid he will never be able to stop the rampant crime in Gotham City.
So he disappears. He travels across the globe as a vagabond, and learns the intricate nature of crime. His travels bring him to a mountain enclave where he studies martial arts and becomes a member of an elite Ninja clan. However the philosophical differences between him and his mentor cause him to leave the order and return to Gotham City, not to condemn it but to save it.
That is the essential philosophical plot of this film, salvation vs. condemnation.
In his ascent to becoming Batman, Bruce is aided by his butler Alfred (Michael Caine). Unlike many other instances of the Batman story this one gives much depth to the Alfred character. Not only does he clean the mansion, he also is a friend, companion and mentor to Bruce.
Also aiding Batman is his equipment supplier Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) who serves in a role reminiscent of Q from the James Bond series.
But this movie isn’t all setup. The pacing is done quite well mixing exposition with action quite well using the vehicle of flashbacks. That leads into a plot that could come right out of a high quality episode of CSI (but with better car chases).
Batman Begins shows that when Hollywood really wants to do something right they can. It’s almost like old-time movie making in a modern setting. Just like the old James Bond movies and as visually stunning as any effects film of the 21st century, Batman Begins gets 4/5 stars.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
“Sith” Saves the Franchise
After fan panned episodes I and II a lot was left to be desired in the final installment of the 6-part Star Wars saga.
The franchise starts with the timeless classic trilogy. It was then reprised in 1999 with "The Phantom Menace" The film was a disappointment among fans because it does not answer the question, "How does Anakin Skywalker become Darth Vader"
Three years later Episode II, while doing more to satisfy the fans percent for action and light saber battles also failed to answer the question all star wars fans wanted to know.
That brings us to 2005 and the answer we've all been waiting for. Anakin becomes Darth Vader exactly as you think.
Revenge of the Sith also delivers a darker Star Wars Universe with plenty of lightaber-enduced dismemberment. This is what warranted the PG-13 rating. Children who watch the series as a wholesome adventure epic will be disappointed when their parents won't let them see this film. It is much more adult than any of the previous Five.
The film is a great overall product. The pacing is great with edge-of-your-seat action from the opening star fighter battle all the way to the climactic lightsaber battle (fear not there are plenty of lightsaber battles in between these two events). However the very end does seem a little rushed as there are several loose ends tied up in the final 5 minutes of film.
What makes this movie great is that it seamlessly ties itself with Episode IV: A New Hope (the very first Star Wars move from 1977). By the time this film completes you are ready for that opening sequence in A New Hope when Darth Vader boards the Alderan Diplomatic ship looking for the stolen Death Star Plans.
This film gets 4.5 stars because it delivers what the fans have wanted since we heard there would be more Star Wars films! This intense climactic event of a film ensures that the Star Wars franchise will not fade away with a whimper the way Star Trek did earlier this year.
The franchise starts with the timeless classic trilogy. It was then reprised in 1999 with "The Phantom Menace" The film was a disappointment among fans because it does not answer the question, "How does Anakin Skywalker become Darth Vader"
Three years later Episode II, while doing more to satisfy the fans percent for action and light saber battles also failed to answer the question all star wars fans wanted to know.
That brings us to 2005 and the answer we've all been waiting for. Anakin becomes Darth Vader exactly as you think.
Revenge of the Sith also delivers a darker Star Wars Universe with plenty of lightaber-enduced dismemberment. This is what warranted the PG-13 rating. Children who watch the series as a wholesome adventure epic will be disappointed when their parents won't let them see this film. It is much more adult than any of the previous Five.
The film is a great overall product. The pacing is great with edge-of-your-seat action from the opening star fighter battle all the way to the climactic lightsaber battle (fear not there are plenty of lightsaber battles in between these two events). However the very end does seem a little rushed as there are several loose ends tied up in the final 5 minutes of film.
What makes this movie great is that it seamlessly ties itself with Episode IV: A New Hope (the very first Star Wars move from 1977). By the time this film completes you are ready for that opening sequence in A New Hope when Darth Vader boards the Alderan Diplomatic ship looking for the stolen Death Star Plans.
This film gets 4.5 stars because it delivers what the fans have wanted since we heard there would be more Star Wars films! This intense climactic event of a film ensures that the Star Wars franchise will not fade away with a whimper the way Star Trek did earlier this year.
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