Beltmann

Dear Quartzy, this subject has been briefly discussed here at Via Chicago. Try these links (among others): Studio version of 'the thanks i get" in commercial. The inevitable sellout post More on the "controversy" In Praise of Selling Out... A simple question...

She should have taken a cue from David Niven: "Just think, the only laugh that man will probably ever get is for stripping and showing off his shortcomings."

Well, clearly you have never experienced one of my wife's taco-based dutch ovens.

Farting may be the only language that needs no translation--it's truly universal.

There are few genuine, unassailable truisms in life, but here is one: Farts Are Funny.

That initial trailer definitely worked in generating buzz... when it ended, you could hear half the audience excitedly asking each other, "What was that? Did you catch the name of it?" Even my wife, who normally resists that kind of genre picture, was intrigued. Let's hope it's not another Blair Witch knockoff (it doesn't look like it will be). Speaking of cool creature flicks, El F, this might interest you: The Host comes out on DVD next week. Even though it was one of my most eagerly anticipated movies of 2007, I missed its brief theatrical run and can't wait to finally catch up with i

That album's next on my eMusic list... I'm also thinking of seeing them when they come to Milwaukee on August 12. It hasn't garnered much coverage, has it?

I also saw that trailer before Transformers, and it looks like a lot of fun.

That period of history fascinates me, so a speculative piece about that era, especially one that has potential for modern-day metaphors, is likely to connect with me. I'm only about 50 pages in, but I like it so far... the wealth of details enhances the historical "authenticity" and some of the psychological insights--for example, how Lindbergh's anti-Semitic statements don't just change the way young Philip thinks of his prize stamp, it alters the stamp itself--are very knowing and observant. I'm enjoying the read.

The Tunnel / Roland Suso Richter / Germany / 2001 [uS release 2005] Based on the true story of an underground escape attempt under the Berlin Wall, The Tunnel avoids action cliches and instead delves deep into the grinding logistics of constructing and executing such a daring plan. The movie is loaded with courage, betrayal, and white-knuckle suspense--it's a crafty, old-fashioned piece of storytelling. I liked it a lot.

Screw Orlando, Milwaukee awaits!

Just bought my tickets. Anybody else going?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Pic of El Famous starring in Big Trouble at Red Lobster, one of the year's best. Happy Birthday, Kev!

Tom yum goong [The Protector] / Prachya Pinkaew / Thailand / 2005 I haven't seen the version shortened for US theatrical release, but some trimming seems like a good idea... there's not much here in terms of story, and I could live without so many romanticized sequences of Tony Jaa nuzzling his pet elephants. But Jaa is the real deal, and the ass-kicking is terrific. The choreography of a long, seemingly unbroken take where Jaa battles an army of baddies while racing up a series of spiraling staircases is especially memorable. Plus, I've never seen a man hurl an elephant through a window

I haven't seen Captivity, but the director, Roland Joffe, is a fairly serious guy. He's responsible for The Killing Fields, The Mission, City of Joy and Fat Man and Little Boy. I wouldn't be surprised if he attempted something more "literate" with Captivity--but I also wouldn't be surprised if the marketing department chose to ignore that attempt. There might be a disconnect between the director's intentions and the advertising's goals, but that's not unusual.

Nick Lowe - At My Age

That is one crazy double feature, my friend.

Up here we have one of those "alternative" stations that just plays all the alternative hits that you can hear on Top 40, too. (Green Day is another staple.) But, strangely, in between all the most recent college hits, they play "Friday I'm In Love" endlessly (just like our adult contemporary station).

Mostly, it's about how Ginny gets Harry's loins buzzing. I liked Half-Blood Prince a lot more than Order of the Phoenix, which, more than any other book in the series, felt padded and far too much like treading water. The movie version of HBP ought to be fantastic.

I felt that way about movies 1-2, as well. But 3 and 4 were much better, partially because those books were superior, but mostly because they had new directors with fresh ideas about how to adapt the books. I haven't seen the new one yet.

I cranked out books 5 and 6 over the last two weeks, mostly by reading a few minutes before bed. I wanted to get caught up, too. (Previously, I just read them right before the movie version came out, so I was always 2-3 years behind.)