Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Learn Italian, French and Spanish in 8 months


Things have been busy. Not around here, but on the Nugget homestead. Lots of planning. Recent tasks that have been crossed off include, location of the Rehearsal dinner, DJ, florist, photographer and of course HONEYMOON.

We've booked a floating hotel room that will take us to Sicily (fun fact: they love Thanksgiving), Rome, Florence, Naples; Marseilles (only 10 hr train ride to Paris); Barcelona and Majorca Spain. Yes, it will be a terrible time indeed.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Dilemma


In my experience, there are a lot of movies that show promise, but don't quite get there. "The Dilemma" is the perfect example of such. Similar to "The Break Up" (in setting, dramedy and characters) it tries to be more grounded while inserting slapstick or reactions that no human would make.

This may sound like I hated it, but I mostly enjoyed it. Ms. Nugget said to me this morning, "Dean Richards on WGN didn't like the movie because Vince Vaughn is playing himself. Who wants to see Vince Vaughn act?" And she makes a good point. I'm sure the reason the movie was made at all, was due to Vince being attached. Which makes it a blessing and a curse. You'll have VV fans going to the movie, you know what you'll get, but will you remember it as a great movie in a few years? (The answer you are looking for is "No")

I won't dwell on it and what could have been. It is painful at times to sit in the theater and think "no no, do this instead!". You could do a lot worse at the cinema this month (cough cough Season of the Witch).


Did you enjoy it?
Sure, why not.

Would you see it in theaters again?
No, I have wedding plans to make.

Would you buy it?
Nope.

Would you rent it?
Pralle not.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Yeah, I guess. They show a aerial shot of my apartment in the movie a few times.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Season of the Witch


At least it was a free screening. The End.



Did you enjoy it?
No. There aren't even witches in it.

Would you see it in theaters again?
Never. Ever.

Would you buy it?
As punishment for someone.

Would you rent it?
No way, Jose.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Eh. Just Kidding. I would not.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Black Swan


My Nugget-in-laws saw Black Swan about a month before I did. And they kept saying how terrible it was. I took it with a grain of salt because 1. I was sure they don't know who Darren Arnofsky is and 2. They were looking for a movie about ballet.

The Black Swan is about a career ballet dancer who has been raised to love only ballet by her mom (who gave up a career to have her, or so she is repeatedly told). It is about being pushed to the brink to achieve perfection. It is also about mental instability. If this sounds like your cup of tea, you're in for a treat. Otherwise, you best avoid it.

Terrifying and haunting, Natalie Portman earns the rumblings about Oscar contention. She does great with the heavy lifting the story requires. The movie is like watching an animal you think you've tamed come out and mame it's owner. You'll be on the edge of your seat during the movies running time and afterwards be left with Tyler Durden type questions about what you just saw.


Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
No.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you rent it?
Yes.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Yes.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

True Grit


True Grit is a book. It's also a movie with John Wayne. Think the Coen Bros can do better? You'd be right. Much has been said about this remake (of book or movie, your choice). But some people say that years from now that Jeff Bridges might be considered the one true "Rooster Cogburn". Similar notions were had about Heath Ledger playing the Joker. I would agree in both cases.

After taking on Cormac McCarthy's hauntingly wonderful "No Country For Old Men" you may think this movie continues a path of brutal violence. You'd be wrong. This movie is PG-13 and rated appropriately. It is an old fashion western with some wild west violence. But it is also really funny. This is one of the best blending of materials the Coens have ever created. It has their knack for weird characters and moments but also has their penchance for realistic violence (no Willem scream used here).

This was one of my favorites from last year. I'm not necessarily saying the best, but one I enjoyed from beginning to end.


Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
Probably.

Would you buy it?
Possibly.

Would you rent it?
Likely.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Absolutely.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Krull Nugget 2011: Taxes


Happy New Year, Nuggeteers. I was informed by the radio station Jack FM today that since I won so many free movies and other assorted gifts, that I will have to claim it on my tax filings this year.

That's the part you never see in the movie Real Genius. Lazlo wins all those prizes but now he has to pay taxes on all his winnings. Maybe I should join that new Tea Party movement I have been hearing so much about...