TV: Charles in Charge - 2nd Season (1987)

DVD: 3 Discs


"The new boy in the neighborhood,"
"Lives downstairs and it's understood."
"He’s there just to take good care of me,"
"Like he’s one of the family."

"Charles in Charge"
"Of our days and our nights."
"Charles in Charge"
"Of our wrongs and our rights."

"And I sing, I want, I want,"
"Charles in Charge of me!"

Review: This is a guilty pleasure show starting with the revamped second season where they brought in the Powell family and changed the theme song to the more familiar sound. It's very cheesy, but I love it. Willie Aames is great as Buddy.

"He's gonna do my math homework. He's gonna clean my room. Look at him. Isn't this great! We own this guy. He's gonna do whatever we tell him."
"Go to bed!"

"How do I look?"
"Wash your face and burn those clothes."
"Too much rouge?"

"Charles, wait. Adam saw a nude model?"
"Uh, yeah. Mrs. Powell, I'm really sorry."
"It's partly my fault. I made you take Adam to the class. But when Rebbecca started to take off her clothes, the three of you could have walked out, couldn't you?"
"No!"

"Maybe this will refresh your libido. I submit a photograph of... Ta Da, the Defulvio sisters."
"Buddy, look, there are not enough hours in the day for me to eat, sleep, study and to meet these girls. Now I hate to say it, but I, umm... I, umm, going to have to give up sleeping."

"What about the student loan I have right now, the one that is supposedly under review?"
"Charles, let me explain something. From now on, the only way you're going to get any new government money is to declare yourself a third world country and flirt with communism."

"All I can say is phooey!"
"I know exactly how you feel, Mrs. Powell. When I heard they cancelled Charles' loan, I also said the F-word."
"P-H"
"Huh?"
"Phooey starts with P-H."
"I know."

"Buddy, let me ask you something? How important is this play to you?"
"How important is a parachute to a skydiver? How important is water to a carp? How important is balls... to a tennis player?"

"Sarah, this is important. Choosing the right lipstick is crucial. According to American Teen Magazine, your lips are your second greatest asset."
"What's my first?"
"You don't have them yet."

"If I forget one little thing I get in trouble."
"That's because you always do things right, Sarah. You're conscientious. People expect it of you. Jamie, on the other hand, is a little like me, cute and friendly but kind of a flake."
"Thanks a lot, Buddy!"
"It just isn't fair. Maybe I'll try being a flake for awhile."
"Nah, I don't think it would work. You see, good flakes are born, not made."

"C'mere Adam. Have a seat. What are you going to do with the tennis ball can?"
"Kevin and I are going to use it after school. Mom said it was okay."
"Oh, and what are you planning to put in the can?"
"Nothing, just some old rags."
"And maybe a little lighter fluid?"
"Yeah!"
"Then you strike a match and, POW, the tennis ball can is launched into outer space!"
"You know about that?"
"Uncle Buddy knows everything. Forget it Adam, your launch has been aborted."

"Okay, tell me again, exactly what she said."
"She said, I want your body."
"Ah, the most beautiful words in the English language."

4 out of 4 Stars

Film: Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

DVD: Anamorphic


"Pretend that she's real? I'm just not gonna do it."
"It's not really a choice."
"Okay. Okay, all right, we'll do it, whatever it takes. But everyone's gonna laugh at him."
"And you."

Review: This is a small town movie about a extremely shy young man who lives with his brother and sister-in-law. When he purchases a Real Doll and introduces it as his penpal girlfriend from Brazil, they decide to play along when they realize it is enabling him to open up more. Most of the effective comedy comes from watching the townfolks reactions, but the film is also an excellent character study.

"It's such a comfort sometimes, just to have somebody's arms around you. Don't you think?"
"No."
"It feels good."
"It does not feel good. It, it hurts."
"Oh, like a cut, or bruise?"
"Like a burn. Like when you go outside and your feet freeze and you come back in and then they thaw out? It's like that. It's almost exactly like that."
"Same with everyone?"
"Uh, not really with Bianca. But everyone else."

"Um, is there something I should be doing right now?"
"No, dear. You eat."
"We came over to sit."
"That's what people do when tragedy strikes."
"They come over, and sit."

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"I'm telling you, I didn't steal any money from her! She gave it to me."
"Well she filed a complaint, Monsieur."
"She caught me with another woman! C'mon, you're French, you understand that!"
"To be with another woman, that is French. To be caught, that is American."

Review: I wish they still made comedies like this, if they do I haven't noticed them. This is the first film that I saw with Michael Caine and he is perfect as the sauve british confidence man who preys on the rich tourists along the French Riveria. When the crass Steve Martin invades his turf, he uses all his tricks to try and force him out of town, before they finally decide to settle their disagreements with a high-stakes bet.

"Freddy, as a younger man, I was a sculptor, a painter, and a musician. There was just one problem. I wasn't very good. As a matter of fact, I was dreadful. I finally came to the frustrating conclusion that I had taste and style, but not talent. I knew my limitations. We all have our limitations, Freddy. Fortunately, I discovered that taste and style were commodities that people desired. Freddy, what I am saying is, know your limitations. You are a moron."

"I believe she is the United States Soap Queen."
"Okay, how much?"
"She's a little young, isn't she?"
"Out of your league?"
"All right, I'll make it easy for you, $50,000."
"50,000 dollars!!?"
"Out of your league?"

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"You may find Narnia a more savage place than you remember."

Review: This sequel is as well filmed as the first, but Prince Caspian was always one of my least favorite of the Narnia books so it wasn't as emotional as the last movie. Peter Dinklage as Trumpkin and Sergio Castellitto as King Miraz were standouts. I am looking forward to the third film, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, my favorite Narnia book.

"I am High King Peter the Magnificent."
"You probably could have left off the last bit."
"Heh, heh, heh. Probably."

"We've anxiously awaited your return, my liege. Our hearts and swords are at your service."
"Oh my god, he's so cute."
"Who said that?!!"
"Um, sorry."

"There is still time to surrender."
"Well, feel free."
"How many more must die for the throne?"
"Just one."

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: Pitch Black (2000)

DVD: Anamorphic


"He just escaped from a maximum prison."
"So do we just keep him locked up forever?"
"Well, that would be my choice."
"Is he really that dangerous?"
"Only around humans."

Review: This is an excellent sci-fi horror film about a transport ship crashlanding on a sun-blasted planet with deadly underground creatures who must remain in the dark. I forgive the coincidences of them crashing so close to an abandoned settlement on the eve of an eclipse because that is all just window dressing for the main conflict between the passengers trying to escape. Vin Diesel is great as the dangerous convict who must help out for them all to survive, but trust issues quickly surface.

"Excuse me, I think you should see this."
"Three suns?"
"Bloody Hell."
"So much for your nightfall."
"So much for my cocktail hour."

"Why don't you shut your fucking mouth for two seconds and let me come up with a plan that doesn't involve mass suicide!"
"I'm waiting... How much you weigh, Johns?"
"What's it matter, Carolyn?"
"How much?"
"Around 79 kilos, to be exact."
"Cause you're 79 kilos of gutless white meat. That's why you can't think of a better plan."

"Like I said, it ain't me you gotta worry about."

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: Late for Dinner (1991)

DVD: Anamorphic?


"What the hell are you doing? That's three-ply vinyl! Phyllis, get Dwayne in here. This lunatic is marring my furniture."
"Oh yeah, watch this."
"Dwayne! He's on my shag! He's on my... I got that in Vegas!"

Review: I am sad to say that this movie is not as good as I remembered it, not bad but not great. Two brothers escaping from a unscrupulous land dealer in 1962 are frozen and woken back up in 1991 where they try to reunite with their family. Peter Berg is good as the slow brother with kidney problems tricked into the cryogenic chamber. His emotional performance saves the movie from mediocrity.

"Frank, I'm peeing green here. What did that man do to us? Makes me fearful about doing the big job."

"Are you mad at me?"
"Frank?!"
"You always have to love a brother, no matter what, right?"
"C'mere, Frank."

3 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: Collateral (2004)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"How long you think this'll take?"
"Seven minutes."
"Seven. Not eight? Not six?"
"Two minutes from the 110 to Normandie. Normandie to Venice, three minutes. Over to Union is one, plus one for 'shit happens'."
"Okay if I time you?"
"Knock yourself out."
"What do I get if you're wrong? A free ride?"
"An apology. Already offered my free ride today."

Review: This is another of Michael Mann's films that get better with each viewing. Tom Cruise gets a chance to play the villain and makes one of his best films. He plays a hitman who coerces a cab driver to drive him around the city all night as he completes his 5 tasks. Jamie Foxx is good as the other side of the complicated relationship that grows between them. Los Angeles at night has never been filmed so beautifully.

"He's not paying you a damn thing."
"Who the hell is this?"
"Albert Ricardo, Assistant U.S. Attorney, a passenger in this cab, and I'm reporting you to the D.M.V."
"Let's not, oh, let's not get excited."
"Not get excited? How am I supposed to not get excited? Listen, you try to extort a working man. You know goddamn well your collision policy and general liability umbrella will cover the damages. And what are you trying to pull, you sarcastic prick?"

"Why didn't you just kill me and get another cab driver?"
"Cause you're good. We're in this together. Fates intertwined. Cosmic coincidence, you know... all that crap."
"You're full of shit."

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: Constantine (2005)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"You are going to die young because you smoked 30 cigarettes a day since you were 15. And you're going to go to hell because of the life you took... You're fucked."

Review: This is Keanu Reeves best film since the first Matrix. He is good as the jaded demon hunter trying to buy his way back into heaven before he dies of lung cancer. The story is well-told with an excellent ensemble of actors and it has a great ending.

"Yesterday, I saw a soldier demon trying to chew its way out through a little girl."
"Listen, John, demons stay in hell, angels in heaven. The great détente of the original superpowers."
"Thanks for the history lesson, Midnite. You've been a tremendous help."

"So, do I have to take the rest of my clothes off or can I leave them on? John?"
"I'm thinking..."

"No. You will live, John Constantine. You will live so you will have the chance to prove that your soul truly belongs in hell. Oh, you will live. You will live."

4 out of 5 Stars

Iraq Parliament Elections

I got my question answered about the Iraq Election from the Baghdad Bureau of the At War, Notes from the Front Line blog on the New York Times.

Reader Q. and A. on the Iraq Elections
By ANTHONY SHADID

As the results from Iraq’s March 7 elections finally coalesce, our Baghdad correspondent Anthony Shadid is responding to readers’ questions about the election, its outcome, and the likely winners and losers in the complex negotiations that are certain to follow. Mr. Shadid joined The New York Times earlier this year after winning the Pulitzer Prize in 2004 for his Iraq coverage.

Q. Will the parties be able to use the number of seats they win in Kirkuk right away in negotiating for a coalition, since they are only provisional according to the Election Law? Will those Kirkuk seats be able to cast votes in Parliament before they are finally confirmed? Will this affect the Parliament’s vote for president, prime minister and speaker?
Noah
San Diego

A. All these are possible. My sense is that you won’t see any breakthrough – in ways good or bad – any time soon in Kirkuk. The Kurds, of course, could protest their showing in Kirkuk, but I there’s enough American engagement there right now to head off any conflict. That won’t be the case long term. My sense is that the election will solidify a balance of power that promotes a temporary status quo, with a pledge to negotiate long-term sovereignty in, say, seven years or so. On your question about the seats themselves, nothing is confirmed until the results are certified, so Kirkuk’s representation will await the seating of everyone else. The seats themselves will probably fall in line with larger coalitions that are gathered to name a prime minister. Kirkuk is a little different, since there is a provision to allow a challenge of the voter rolls, but in the end, I’m not sure that challenge will affect the final balance of the seats.

Film: Observe and Report (2009)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"You! I know what you did. You set me up. You left me out there. That's all there is to it. Admit it."
"Yeah. I set you up. What are you gonna do about it, huh, Ronald? What are you gonna do?"
"I'm gonna thank you."
"What are you talking about?"
"I knew you wanted to see if I had the chops to become a police officer and I did it, man. I did it and there are six dead crackheads that can confirm that. Thank you, Detective Harrison. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in me. Get used to seeing Ronnie Barnhardt around here."

Review: This is a hilarious dark comedy that consistently twists the expected outcome in every scene. Seth Rogan is excellent as a mall cop who is arrogant and delusional but has strong principles. A store robbery and a serial pervert flashing women in the parking lot gives him the opportunity to prove himself in the eyes of the police and the hot girl at the cosmetics counter. But both think he is an annoying idiot.

"Oh, Brandi! Brandi! Oh, God, Brandi! Brandi... Brandi?"
"Why are you stopping, motherfucker?"
"Oh, sorry. Oh, God, I'm sorry."

"Let's go. We'll talk about it, but you gotta get out."
"You can go outside. This is my world."
"We don't want to hurt you, Ronnie. You wanna get hurt?"
"You didn't bring enough pigs to stop me."

"I just want you to know, I'm ready to make a change."
"You gonna stop drinking?"
"I'm switching to beer. I can pound those all day and still keep my shit together. And I'm doing it for you."
"I'm so proud of you, Mom."

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

TV: Dexter - 1st Season (2006)

DVD: 4 Discs - Enhanced 16x9


"My name is Dexter. Dexter Morgan. I don't know what made me the way I am, but what ever it was left a hollow place inside. People fake a lot of human interactions, but I feel like I fake them all, and I fake them very well... But that's my burden, I guess. I don't blame my foster parents for that. Harry and Dorris Morgan did a wonderful job raising me. But they're both dead now. I didn't kill them... Honest."

Review: Amazing show! I went out right away and bought the DVD after watching it for the first time. Dexter is a serial killer who only hunts other murderers. He works as a forensic scientist for the Miami police department and the first season deals with the hunt for the Ice Truck Killer who likes to play games with Dexter. After every episode, I couldn't wait to see the next one.

"Harry was a great cop here in Miami. He taught me how to think like one; he taught me how to cover my tracks. I'm a very neat monster."

"No blood. No sticky, hot, messy, awful blood. No blood at all. Why hadn't I thought of that? No blood. What a beautiful idea."

"The only real question I have is why in a building full of cops, all supposedly with a keen insight into the human soul, is Doakes the only one who gets the creeps from me?"

"I suppose I should be upset, even violated, but I'm not. No, in fact, I think this is a friendly message. Kind of like, Heh, want to play. And yes, I want to play. I really, really do."

"Jorge Castillo. Number three on the department's list of suspects, but the only one even remotely close to the park where Molino was supposed to drop the money. They never got enough evidence for a search warrant, but I don't need permission to keep an eye on this guy. No neighbors, no foot traffic. It's promising. A good place for human trafficking... or worse."

"The worst thing about finally putting together a puzzle is finding there are missing pieces. He came back and left nothing behind but a message. Come find me... and I will."

"You're shaking. What the hell happened up there?"
"Um, I'm okay. I just need a little air."
"Well, something finally got to you. I guess you're human after all."
"Cut him some slack, all right."
"I hate to disappoint you, but I think it's just low blood sugar."
"Tell us what you saw, Dex. How many dead?"
"A lot. But no bodies, just blood. Maybe fifty, sixty liters."

"You have better have a hell of a reason for being here."
"I'm looking for my sister."
"In a cargo box?"
"Yeah, I'm kinda working on a theory."
"Did you forget you work for the cops? We love theories. C'mon, spin me a story, asshole."
"What I do on my time is my business, Sergeant."
"Yeah, me too and I'm on my time now. There is no lieutenant here to save you're ass. So don't fuck with me, Morgan."
"Okay, you got me. I ordered some furniture from Thailand and I was waiting for it to be delivered."

"Okay, Deb, don't be dead."

5 out of 5 Stars

Film: Gangs of New York (2002)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"Ears and noses will be the trophies of the day. But no hand shall touch him! NO HAND SHALL TOUCH HIM! He'll cross over whole in honor."

Review: The first three quarters of this movie is perfect, but the last bit after Amsterdam is exposed seems rushed and unfocused. I've heard there is a longer cut that fixes this problem, but it may just be a rumor.

This movie about ethnic gangs in New York during the Civil War is an entertaining slice of the city's history. Daniel Day-Lewis is amazing as Bill the Butcher, a horrifying but fascinating figure. An Oscar-worthy performance. Jim Broadbent is excellent as well as the corrupt William Tweed.

"Mulberry Street... and Worth... Cross and Orange... and Little Water. Each of the Five Points is a finger. When I close my hand it becomes a fist. And, if I wish, I can turn it against you."

"On the seventh day the Lord rested, but before he did that, he squatted over the side of England and what came out of him... was Ireland. No offense son."

"We're burying a lot of votes down here tonight."

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: She's Out of Control (1989)

DVD: Anamorphic


"Who was that kid?"
"Andy, from down the street."
"Nah, nah, nah. The one in the skirt."
"Doug, she cannot stay a little girl forever. She's growing up. This did not happen overnight. It's been coming on for months. She asked me to help her."
"You didn't have to!"

Review: An enjoyable film about a father stressed out when his daughter blossoms into a beautiful teenager. Tony Danza plays the type of role he perfected on "Who's the Boss?" It's fun seeing Matthew Perry as the predatory boyfriend and Wallace Shawn as the psychiatrist.

"Start at the beginning. Read it carefully. It'll just possibly have all the answers to your problems. But you can call me any hour of the day, if you have a question."
"Thank you! Thank you, Dr. Fishbinder."
"Oh, just one more thing."
"Yeah?"
"Just in case you're a slow reader, better put your daughter on the pill."
"What?"
"Right away."

"Oh, set him up and shoot him down, huh? Who's next?"
"Dad, what are you talking about?"
"What am I talking about? Take a good look, Katie. That cute, adorable face staring back at you is not a weapon. Don't think about it as a weapon, Katie, because it's not. I mean, if it was a weapon, it could backfire. Trust me."

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: Very Bad Things (1998)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"If you take away the horror of the scene, take away the tragedy of the death, take away all the moral and ethical implications that have been drilled into your head since grade one, do you know what you're left with? A 105-pound problem that needs to be moved from point A to point B."

Review: A well-crafted black comedy about a bachelor party gone wrong, very wrong. After a prostitute is accidentally killed in the suite of a Las Vegas hotel, events swing wildly out of control as five friends try to cover it up. Compounding guilt, anger and paranoia explodes as they turn on each other.

"You left a dead prostitute alone in the desert?"
"She's not alone..."

"I'm like a lighthouse! I stayed lit for you man! I never go dark. Never go dark!"

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

DVD: Anamorphic


"Perhaps we can arrange a meet."
"Where are you now?"
"I'm sitting in my office."
"I doubt that."
"Why would you doubt that?"
"Because, if you were in your office right now we'd be having this conversation face-to-face."

Review: This is a great conclusion to the Bourne Trilogy. While it has allot of the same intense actions beats as the second film, it wraps up the mystery of Jason Bourne's original identity in a very satisfying way.

"Uh, sir. He drove off the roof."
"What?"
"He drove off the roof!"

"Why did you pick me?"
"You really don't remember, do you? We didn't pick you. You picked us. You volunteered. Right here. Right here, even after you were warned."

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: Curly Sue (1991)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"What possessed you to invite vagabonds into your home?
"I'm not stupid! I had my bedroom door locked."
"Oh, then you were perfectly safe."
"I didn't sense any danger. If I had, I wouldn't have done it."
"No danger?! I got slugged twice in five seconds!"
"That was an accident! I'm sure when you got into bed you scared the hell out of Curly Sue."
"Curly Sue? That's cute! What is she, the lost Stooge?"

Review: This is one of John Hughes' last films. It is well-made and has an interesting story about a con-man drifter and his child, but it doesn't have the magic of his early films.

"Kiss my ass, lady. I've raised that kid from a baby and we've beat worse things than some do-good, high-rise legal eagle with a jones for arms-length social reform. Now step aside before I throw your pampered ass in the closet."
"You don't scare me."
"I got nothing to lose but that kid. You try taking that kid from me, I'm going to knock your damn head off."

"You know how many people would kill to have what you achieved in such a short amount of time? You got a partnership, a corner office big enough for basketball. What are you going to give it up for? Love? You got your value system all screwed up somewhere along the line."
"It was screwed up before."
"I got to admit... you're the last one I ever thought would go quality-of-life on me."

3 1/2 stars out of 5

Film: Alien³ (1992)

DVD: Anamorphic


"I just wanted to, um, say thanks for what you said at the funeral. My friends would have appreciated it."
"Yeah, well you don't wanna know me, lady. I'm a murderer and rapist of women."
"Really? Well, I guess I must make you nervous."

Review: This was a satisfying conclusion to the Alien trilogy. It was not as frightening as the earlier films but the dark atmosphere of the mining planet prison made up for it. Charles S. Dutton was great as the prisoner who found religion and I liked the fatalistic mood of Ripley and the other prisoners at the end.

"This is a maximum security prison, and you have no weapons of any kind?"
"We're on the honor system."
"Then we're fucked."

"When they first heard about this thing, it was 'Crew Expendable'. The next time they sent in Marines. They were expendable too. What makes you think they're gonna care about a bunch of lifers who found God at the ass-end of space?"

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: Body Heat (1981)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"A lot of them have tried that seat. You're the first I've let stay."
"You must come here a lot."
"Most men are little boys."
"Maybe you should drink at home."
"Too quiet."
"Maybe you shouldn't dress like that."
"This is a blouse and a skirt. I don't know what you're talking about."
"Then you shouldn't wear that body."

Review: An early role from one of my favorite actors, William Hurt. Kahleen Turner is excellent as the temptress who plays the strings of lawyer, Ned Racine, like a concert violinist to get exactly what she desires.

"How's the cop business, Oscar?"
"Real good. Always starts hopping in weather like this. When it gets this hot, people try to kill each other."

"Hey lady, ya wanna fuck?"
"Gee, I don't know... Maybe... This sure is a friendly town."
"I'm sorry."
"You are? You mean the offer is no good?"
"I feel like such a jerk."
"Well, maybe you were supposed to deliver it next door. You must be looking for the lady of the house."

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: Alien (1979)

DVD: Anamorphic


"I hate to bring this up but, uh, this a commercial ship, not a rescue ship..."
"Right."
"...and it's not in my contract to do this kind of duty. Now what about the money? If you wanna give me some money to do it, I'll be happy to, uh, t-to, you know, oblige."

Review: This was one of those R movies that I was too young to see when it came out, but a friend filled me in on the entire storyline. I still remember being fascinated by the description of the alien's acid blood melting down through the decks of the spaceship. It took me around twenty years before I actually saw it and it was as good as I imagined it would be.

"I haven't seen anything like that except, uh, molecular acid."
"It must be using it for blood."
"It's got a wonderful defense mechanism. You don't dare kill it."

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty. Miaow. Here Jonesy."

"Micro changes in air density, my ass."

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: Flash Gordon (1980)

DVD: Anamorphic


"Remove the Earth woman. Prepare her for our pleasure."

Review: This retro sci-fi film of football star, Flash Gordon, saving the Earth from the evil Emperor Ming shouldn't be as entertaining as it is. Vivid colors, crazy outfits, hammy acting, & cheap-looking special effects all merge together into a delicious stew. The rock soundtrack by Queen is the spice that make it all work.

"Boy, have I got some crazy stories to tell you."
"Save them for our kids."
"Oh, I accept."
"Enough!"
"Would you leave us alone? I just got engaged."

"You tortured Aura?"
"Yes. An interesting girl. I think she found it rather enjoyable."

"Long live Flash. You've saved your Earth. Have a nice day."
"YEAH!!!"

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: Jurassic Park III (2001)

DVD: Anamorphic


"So... what do we do?"
"We search for your son... in the direction that they're going."
"Excellent, excellent..."

Review: This is an great sequel, much better than the contrived 2nd movie. It has a logical and fast paced storyline with fully developed characters. I wasn't surprised that it was so well-written when I saw that two of the writers were the same ones who wrote "Election" and "Sideways". Sam Neill's return as Dr. Alan Grant is very welcome. He gives off the vibe of a middle-aged Indiana Jones in this film. Very fun!

"I read both of your books. I liked the first one more... Before you were on the island. You liked dinosaurs back then."
"Back then they hadn't tried to eat me yet."

"What are you doing? Those things are after us because of those!"
"Those things know we have the eggs. If I drop them in the river, they'll still be after us."
"What if they catch us with them?"
"What if they catch us without them?"

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: The Lost World - Jurassic Park (1997)

DVD: Anamorphic


"Don't worry. I'm not making the same mistakes again."
"No, you're making... You're making all new ones."

Review: This is a weak sequel to a great film. I think it's problem is the storyline is filled with supposedly intelligent characters who consistently make the wrong decision at every opportunity. It prevents emotional involvement in their journey as a viewer. The returning character, Ian Malcom, has nothing to do but react to others actions and say, "Don't do that!" or yell, "Run!" I think alot of the action scenes lacked the suspense of the first film. It's fun watching a T. Rex running around downtown San Diego though.

"This is... This is magnificent."
"Oh, yeah. Ooh, ahh! That's how it always starts. But then later, there's running and then... screaming."

"There's a dinosaur in our backyard."

3 out of 5 Stars

TV: Deadwood - 1st Season (2004)

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Film: Salvador (1986)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"They kill people here, Boyle!"
"Do you believe everything you read in the papers?"
"Yeah I do!"
"Come on man, you're gonna love it here."

Review: This is a classic James Woods role. A photojournalist who is pathetic loser when trying to live a regular life in the USA, but is at his best in a war zone. This is a great film by Oliver Stone about America's involvement in El Salvador's civil war during the Cold War.

"I thought you were dead."
"Dead? Why, do I look that bad?"
"Yes."

"You know I'm often asked by people like yourself to examine my conscience and every now and then I do examine it."
"And what do you find there, Jack?"
"That whatever mistakes we make down here, the alternative would be ten times worse!"

4 out of 5 Stars

Film: Black Snake Moan (2007)

DVD: Enhanced 16:9


"It's already noon, Rae. Do you think those shorts should still be on?"
"Well if they weren't, you could kiss my rebel coochie, faggot."

Review: This is Samuel L. Jackson's best role in a while. Christina Ricci is very good as the troubled woman he attempts to cure after finding her beaten up and abandoned on the side of road near his farm. His unusual methods turn out to be just what she needs.

"Get this goddamn chain off me!"
"Look, girl, you been running wild on me! Between them fits and fever dreams you having, I been chasing you all over this place at night."
"Well, I'm woke now. You can take this off."
"No... You ain't right yet."

"Just go in there and talk to her. Please... And I fixing steaks for supper. I expect you to stay."
"You expect me to sit down and eat with that woman chained up the way she is?"
"R.L., you watch yourself in there. That girl be on your dick like stank on shit."

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

TV: Duckman - 1st & 2nd Seasons (1994)

DVD: 3 Discs


"What the HELL are you starin' at?!!"

Review: This show has not held up for me. I was never a big fan of it's animation style, but I thought it was really well written and had a cutting edge sense of humor. I looked forward to watching it every week on the USA Network. Now I just feel bored when I watch it after all these years. I think recent shows like Family Guy have just made it feel quaint.

"Welcome back to K-Bash on the far right of your dial. If you're on your way to Busty Bikini Babe Fest, and who isn't, be careful of traffic tie ups off Route 115. Apparently, there's a group of lesbians protesting by the gate. That's right, we're calling a full flannel shirt and work boot alert."

"I know over two hundred ways to kill a man."
"You could glue an open jar of rats to his face. Then blowtorch the other side of the jar, so the rats have to eat their way out threw his face."
"Two hundred and one."

"Look, I didn't need Bacon-Breath here to save me, okay. I could have handled those pantywaists. I was just waiting for the right moment to wind up the old hay maker and start dropping the bombs."

"Did I ever tell you my dad's last words to me?"
"Careful son, I don't think the safety's on."
"Before that!!!"

"I can't believe they shared their girlfriends with us, Corny. I just spent the night with the sexiest, most insatiable, voluptuous, adventurous, least-inhibited woman I've ever met. If she didn't suddenly get a headache... woo hoo! There's no telling what wild and tawdry escapades we might have experienced. How was your night?"
"Like yours... minus the headache."

"I knew something was wrong when you didn't show up for work today, Duckman."
"I don't show up for work a lot of days."
"True, but you always call in with some lame and pathetically inadequate excuse that I pretend to believe so as not to unbalance the age old fragile employer-employee relationship."

"You know kids, once I solve this case your Pop will probably be the most important detective ever on this show. What do you think about that, Corny? You're working for the biggest American Dick ever."

"I won't lie to you, old friend. I'm selfishly and greedily cutting you out of the action because I want the girls to myself. Well, got to go get my basket weaved."
"When I snap, I'll kill him first."

"I hope you don't mind a bit of constructive criticism, Duckman, but those kids will be better off with a pack of rabid baboons than with you."
"We proved that wasn't true, Bernice! Even if Ajax does still get a Valentine from the dominant female every year."

"I'll be back, Duckman. You'll see. I'll be a recurring villain every fifth or sixth episode after people get tired of King Chicken. I'm better looking, more intelligent, have a higher TVQ."

3 out of 5 Stars