The Week in Review

Some great shows this week on the old TV. Here are some highlights that I haven't hit yet.

"Reaper" was awesome. Sam is a 21 year old slacker who finds out his parents sold his soul to the devil and now he is Satan's bounty hunter returning escaped souls to Hell. Now for some reason, when you have a show or movie that has something to do with the devil and religion, people seem to think they can find some sort of spiritual truth in it. I don't know why. I guess some people are just searching for God. I mean, Constantine was a great movie, but the writers of the movie (maybe is was just Keanu messing up his lines) couldn't even get a scriptural quote from the book of Revelation right. Constantine calls it the "Book of Revelations" which just isn't right.

Any, there is some spiritual truth in "Reaper" though. During the first episode the devil looks at Sam and says something to effect of (paraphrasing here), "You know how this ends, God wins in the end". Amazing scriptural truth there. Must be a Christian on the writing staff...

"CSI" was great and still one of my faves. Except, they saved Sara. I was kinda hoping she would drown pinned under the car.

"Smallville" just gets better each season, and is seriously becoming a TV show of epic proportions. Clark takes on Bizzaro, Chloe finds out what her special power is, Martian Manhunter returns, and cousin Kara gets cut loose from here Earthly prison. Hopefully she teaches Clark how to fly...

I can't wait to see what's in store this week on the tube! Stay tuned...

You're all gonna laugh at me...

Well, a first this week. I used an Iron Maiden song for my English class. We have been reading about Alexander the Great, so I figured I would use the Iron Maiden song. The kids thought it was awesome!

So, in that vain, I found the newest Iron Maiden video called "Different World". (Plus, I wanted to try and post a video.) This is the studio version (way cooler than the foolish CG one). I know, I know, but I have a soft spot in my heart for IM. Ever since I heard the amazing harmonies and driving sound of "The Trooper" I've been hooked. Plus, check out the beautiful guitar that Adrian Smith is playing (the guy with the hat). It looks like a Gibson SG. Gorgeous...

What was this guy thinking?

I saw a piece on "The Today Show" this morning that was about a naval building in Coronado, California that looks like a swastika from the air. And thanks to Google Maps, here it is:


Oops! Designed by John Mock and built in the the late 60's, the plans called for an "L-Shaped" barracks to build and repeated three more times. Not until they broke ground for the project did the Navy realize it looked like a Swastika. And they still built it...

Now 40 years later and Google giving everybody a bird's eye view of the building, it's gonna get a face lift at a price tag of $600,000. Everything looks better on paper...

But I'm not sure what is more shocking. Using Google Maps to look at the Swastika-shaped building, or being able to zoom in at all the ships that are in the water at the base.

Bionic Woman

Watching the Bionic Woman right now. Amazing!!!

Update: Wow, this show was incredible. A great reinventing of the original classic. Michelle Ryan was a great choice to play Jamie Sommers. Plus, you can't beat the beat down that Jaime Sommers and Sarah Corvus (played by Battlestar Galactica's Katee Sackoff) gave to each other. Amazing effects as well. Here is the video of the fight from film.com (you might need to watch a commercial first). Good show that we'll continue to watch each week.

I almost liked this better than "Heroes" season premiere...

From terrific to tired...

Very tired... must go to bed... very long day... kids drove me crazy...

All hopes of watching the tube tonight have gone out the window, and my head is going to hit the pillow in mere moments. And with just passing a significant birthday, this doesn't bode well for my nocturnal activities...

I'll have to ramble on about Wednesday's new shows tomorrow. Right now, I'm gonna read a few pages of my new book and then turn out the lights for a long night's slumber.

And winter isn't even upon us yet. Oh, crap...

Terrific Tuesday

Okay, tomorrow brings night two of new TV offerings, and I have to say, Tuesday is gonna be a light viewing night. Only a couple of shows to watch here:

"The Unit" is a favorite and I am looking forward to the new season. Jonas is on the run, and I bet old Uncle Sam has a hard time catching him. He's "On the Lam". Kinda like Tony Soprano...

"Cane" might be a one time shot, especially with all the other shows we are watching. If it isn't amazing we'll just catch it on reruns in the off seasons.

Here on the other hand, is a show I am really looking forward to checking out: "Reaper". A slacker (which don't we all just secretly want to be sometimes) with unrealized potential and a grand destiny who winds up finding out his parents sold his soul to the devil and now he works for the underworld returning all sorts of baddies. I'll let you know whether it's a hit, or a complete miss.

Next up: Wicked Weird Wednesday!

Monday Night TV Recap

Well, the new TV season is off with a bang! "Chuck" was actually quite good and worth a second look. The premise is that Chuck's old college roomate was a rogue CIA spy, and with his dying breath he sent Chuck an email, which essentially ingrains all of the government's secrets into Chuck's brain. So now he is the ultimate computer program for the Feds and they need to protect him at all costs and also use him as an operative. Plus, you can't beat "The Nerd Herd", which is the computer division of the large electronics store he works for. I wonder where they got the idea for that from...

"Heroes" was great, but not as amazing as I thought it would have been, and both Jess and I are feeling a little flat after the episode which was presented with limited commercial interuption with sponsorship from you-know-who: Nissan. Plenty of shameless plugs for the new Nissan Rogue during the show as well.

But on the flipside, they did catch us up to speed with what has been happening with most of the major characters in the four months since the big showdown with Sylar. Plus we get to meet several new "Heroes" including Sark (Remember Alias?)!

"CSI:Miami" and "Journeyman" are recording as I write this, so I'll have to wait until tomorrow to check those out.

A Record High!!!

I can't believe it! I just checked my Sitemeter counter this morning, and I got 6o hits yesterday!!! Woohoo!!! Of course, this is surprising because I have been neglecting The World of Tomorrow for most of the year.

Whoever checked out my blog via Captain's Quarters, thanks!!!

If I write it, they will come...

Update: I'm looking at Sitemeter right now, and I'm at 84 visits for today (Monday). What is going on?!?!

Finally, it's Premiere Week!

The Fall TV Season is about to begin, and so won't the insanity! I don't know how we are going to watch it all. The DVR and the VHS will be running ragged each week in a vain attempt to keep up with all the scrumptious TV goodness.

So, I'll start with Monday Madness:

NBC will be the reigning Monday Night King. The first show we are going to check out is "Chuck". Ubergeek turned super spy. Could be entertaining. Worth a peek anyway. But this love affair might not last...

Next up: "Heroes"! After an amazing first season, which was a surprise for most because it was a "Super Hero" show, "Heroes" returns for what is sure to be a stellar second season. Can't wait to watch!

Another new show is up next on the list: "Journeyman". A news reporter and time travel doesn't seem like a new idea (Wasn't there a show that had a newspaper that told the future?), but this looks good. Anything with time travel and tragedy is worth checking out.

And last but not least: Horatio Caine and CSI: Miami! Either you love David Caruso or you hate him, but that not withstanding, I love "Miami". You can't beat the unbeatable "H" sauntering away from a 5 Megaton explosion with his hands on his hips and nary a hair outta place. Great fun!

Next up: Terrific Tuesday!

Movie Mayhem

This morning, very early, Jess and I descended into the third circle of the underworld, known also as Walmart, to do a little shopping before the crowds hit. And what a trip it was...

...because they had $5.00 movies!!! And we got a bunch. Some were just to add to the collection, but some were bought with my birthday bounty. And here they are:

First up, the classic 1994 film "Stargate" featuring James Spader and Kurt Russell. I'm not a particular fan of either guy (I can't stand "Boston Legal"), but mix in a gate to the unknown and Egyptian Mythology, and I'm in!

Next up with have, "Jumanji" starring Robin Williams. The FX in this film were amazing for 1995, and it also helped that it was based on a children' book by Chris Van Allsburg.

Next up in the delicious movie bonanza is: "The Mexican". Now, some of you will be like, "Oh Yeah!" Others will be like, "What are you thinking?" I can't help it, I really dig this movie. I'm not a big Julia Roberts fan (not a fan at all really), but Brad Pitt is awesome! James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano) is amazing as well. Mix in a cursed Mexican pistol and you've got one cool movie.

And last but not least we have, "Twister". Good movie. I don't particularly care for Bill Paxton or Helen Hunt, but the effects are great and I use this movie for my Earth Science class when we do our unit on Tornadoes. Hey, some of us are visual learners!

Back to You Premiere

I just finished watching the new Fox show "Back to You" with Patricia Heaton and Kelsey Grammar, and it was amazing. I haven't laughed that hard during a sitcom since "Frasier". (I never laughed watching "Everybody Loves Raymond. I hated that show.)

I'm adding this show to the weekly watch list, which is insane already.

How am I going to get the DVR and the VCR to record simultaneously...

Watch a video, fight ALS

Every time somebody watches this video, $2 will be donated to fight ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Thanks to Peter for the link.

Stardust

The Missus and I decided on an impromptu date night, and we ended up at the local cheap seats to see the movie "Stardust".

What an incredible film! Based on the graphic novel by Neil Gaiman, there is something for everyone in this film. Action, adventure, intrigue, romance, this movie has it all.

The film stars Charlie Cox as Tristan, a village shop boy with dreams of grandeur, Claire Danes as Yvaine, a fallen star brought to Earth to help Tristan fulfill his destiny, and Michelle Pfieffer as Lamia, and evil witch out to destroy the fallen star and prolong her life. Peter O'Toole, Rupert Everett, and a "flamboyant" performance by Robert De Niro as Captain Shakespeare round out the amazing cast assembled for this film.

I am going to make a bold claim right now: This could possibly be "The Princess Bride" of the new century. This one will definitely be added to the library when it is released on DVD (estimated to be December 2007). I wish I had paid the big bucks to see it at the nice, expensive theater.

More photos

Here is the money shot from the weekend in Greenville. Nice flower!!!

Picture Time

Time to share a picture from our trip to Greenville/Rockwood (and no, I didn't see a moose).

This is taken looking up The Moose River where we stayed.

3:10 to Yuma

For my birthday, I went out with some friends and we ended up seeing "3:10 to Yuma" with Russell Crowe and the "Dark Knight" himself, Christian Bale.

Let me start out by saying that I wasn't really quite sure what to expect from this film. Was it going to be all action, like a good western should, or is it going to be all story and character development with little action? It turned out to be a pleasant mixture of both.

Both Russell Crowe and Christian Bale did a fabulous job with their characters, and the dynamic between the two was electric. They played very well together, one guy "good" the other "bad", but both with some redeemable qualities that endear themselves to the audience. And some naughty characteristics that make you cheer for them as well (But what's up with the gunfights?).

The language was realitively mild in this one (I've sat through far worse) and the action was amazing. The film moved along at a nice clip, with only a couple of places it bogs down.

Definetely worth the price of full admission. I may even go the theater to see it again. The story is really deep enough to warrant a second viewing to catch all the nuances.

The Ruins by Scott Smith

I just recently finished reading "The Ruins" by "A Simple Plan" author Scott Smith. Now, I have never read "A Simple Plan", but I hope it is a far superior work than the current one.

I have been thinking about how I can write a scathing review of this bookish blunder, but I'll just give it to ya straight: This book was hideous! Sorry, Peter...

The only question that continually popped into my head was, "What is this guy thinking?".

Now, there was a couple of bright spots. The "bad guy" of the book had some pretty interesting ways of tormenting his victims, which was cool, and the ending was great, but that doesn't save this albatross from going down with the ship.

The time spent reading this literary fiasco can never be returned. So, the long and the short of it: don't read it.

My Triumphant Return

Well, I've just been on a trip through Europe and now I am back and ready to blog.

Just kidding, I've have just been too lazy or busy to put in the effort, much to my wife's chagrin, and probably some of my friends as well. But, here I am, trying to get back in the saddle and actually take time to write. Cause, like most people, I've got stuff to say.

School is back in and going extremely well, unlike last year, which was my first teaching high school. I was a nervous wreck, and not because of the kids. It was just because I had no idea what I was doing. Got a little more on the ball this year... and I'm a little crazier.

My freinds Jason and Sarah have joined the blogging game, and they can be found here. I'll add a link to the side kids!

Okay now on to some reviews...