February kicks off media month at Life In Boxes and to get us started I figured I'd start with the big screen. This is not the best movie cast, this is MY favorite movie cast but lets admit it, they're all pretty good. They get the LIB thumbs up.
COMEDIAN: Will Ferrel
Mr. Ferrel often takes on some questionable roles in some terrible movies, but give him a good script and he's as laugh-out-loud-funny as anyone could possibly be.
Repertoire: Old School, Anchorman, Elf
Runner Up: Seth Rogen
Honorable Mention: Sacha Baron Cohen, Jonah Hill, Steve Carell
HERO: Leonardo DiCaprio
I know Leo is going to be remembered for his role as Jack Dawson in Titanic. However, his best work has been playing the underdog hero. DiCaprio proves you don't have to use roids to save the day.
Repertoire: The Departed, Gangs of New York, Blood Diamond
Runner Up: Uma Thurman
Honorable Mention: Bruce Willis, Orlando Bloom, Denzel Washington
DARK CHARACTER: Christian Bale
Not only does Christian Bale play dark and mysterious to a tee, his characters are as varied as they come. From crime fighter to sleep deprived to psychopath.
Repertoire: Batman Begins, The Machinist, American Psycho, Harsh Times
Runner Up: Johnny Depp
Honorable Mention: Angelina Jolie, Al Pacino
CHARACTER YOU CAN'T HATE: Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman is made of sugar, spice, and everything nice. She has a wild side, no doubt about it, but no matter what she remains endearing.
Repertoire: Star Wars III, V for Vendetta, Garden State
Runner Up: Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal (what a nice family)
Honorable Mention: Bill Murray, Michael Cera, Drew Berrymore
STARRING ROLES (Actor): Johnny Depp
The magic man can do it all. Dark and creepy like Edward Scissorhands, flamboyant like Captain Jack Sparrow, or dramatic like Donnie Brasco. The man is versatile.
Repertoire: [Besides What I've Mentioned] Ed Wood, Finding Neverland, Blow
Supporting Actor: Ed Norton. Someone put these two in a movie.
Also Include: [Besides the people already mentioned in this post] Will Smith, Morgan Freeman, Adrian Brody and Matt Damon.
STARRING ROLES (Actress): Kate Winslet
This was probably the toughest choice. Eternal Sunshine got her my nod. This Kate definitely has the talent to match the hype.
Repertoire: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Titanic, Finding Neverland, Little Children
Supporting Actress: Hilary Swank
Also Include: All those mentioned previously, Jennifer Connelly, Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron
People I Never Want To See In A Movie Again: Jessica Alba (On posters, wallpapers YES!! on the screen NO!) Dane Cook, Tara Reid, Eddie Murphy (You used to be so funny), Ben Stiller (ditto), Shawn and Marlon Wayans (I'm continually stunned by the crap you guys put out. However, please come back on TV).
Monday, February 4, 2008
[Feature] MEDIA! All Star Cast
The Music Snob Presents: Set Yourself on Fire - Stars
I'll admit it: I'm a music snob. If a song doesn't sound good to me, then I'll probably never give the musician/band any play time. But if a song sounds good, and the album pleases these ears, I'll be one of the first people promoting a band to people who have similar tastes in music, or I'll try to play match-maker and try to find a friend a good album recommendation. Speaking on the behalf of all self-proclaimed music snobs, I say this: you can't blame me for knowing what I like [or not].
One album that I've been consistently listening to for the past 2+ years is Set Yourself on Fire by the Canadian indie band, Stars. Funny story: anyone who knows me has heard of my love for Daphne Loves Derby. About two years ago, I interviewed the lead vocalist Kenny Choi of DLD for an article in Hanwoori, the Rutgers Korean-American campus magazine that owned my soul. After the interview, I asked Kenny for some music recommendations, and he immediately spoke of Stars. Intrigued, I gave Set Yourself on Fire a listen .. and fell in love. I can honestly say that after recommending Set Yourself on Fire to a few friends, they became fans of Stars.
To say the least, Stars can be categorized as "indie pop" but with amazing, moving instrumentations, topped off with soft, yet powerful vocals. Their earlier albums can be said to have a bit more of a pop edge to it, whereas their more recent albums have been more rock-based. One word to describe Set Yourself on Fire: beautiful.
Give Set Yourself on Fire a listen, especially if you are one of the following:
-a music-lover who is opened to listening all kinds of music
-a fan of Death Cab for Cutie, Broken Social Scene, The Decemberists, The New Pornographers, Feist
-a jazz/instrumental enthusiast
-all of the above
Don't want to purchase the album without a little listen?
Recommended Tracks include:
-"Your Ex-Lover is Dead"
-"Ageless Beauty"
-"Calendar Girl"
"Your Ex-Lover is Dead" - Stars
Longchamp Le Pliage Bag
For the LONGEST time, I've wanted a Longchamp Le Pliage bag, which is what you see half of the female population carrying around. They're practical, low maintenance, durable, and go with everything. You can make it your everyday bag, or your gym bag, or your work bag, or whatever. Kinda funny that I'm such a huge advocate, and I don't even own one. I just never got around to getting one. Until now.
You can design your very own Longchamp Le Pliage bag on their website, and create the perfect one to suit y
our needs/aesthetics. Choose your model, size, color combinations, and monogram/name engraving options, and for like $30 shipping, you can have a Longchamp that no one else in the world has. Very cool. I have to warn you though, this site is a little addicting. I spent/spend a good amount of time trying to figure out what I like the best. I like anything with chocolate, and I really like the grape color too. Give me advice!
Giants 2:42
When I'm old and gray I'll tell my grandchildren about one of the greatest games eyes have ever seen. I'll tell them about 2 minutes and 42 seconds. That's how long drama takes. For 2 minutes and 42 seconds there was no such thing as "not a football fan," nothing was left on the stove, there was definitely nothing better on. All eyes on the game.
I'll tell them how the New York Giants took on the predestined Best Football Team Ever. How Brandon Jacobs bulldozed his way for one yard on fourth down to earn the most important first down gain of his career. I'll tell them about a great escape, a great catch, and the greatest play in Super Bowl history. I'll tell them about a fade rout with 35 seconds left that rewrote history.
The Giant defense beat down on the Patriots all night long and the last seconds of the game were no different. Talk about not being intimidated. The Pats averaged over 35 points per game in their previous 18 contests, the Giants held them to 14. In the last 35 seconds the Giants D got one more big hit on Tom Brady and forced a turnover on downs.
The big picture shows that this game means more than Giants 17 Patriots 14. David beats Goliath. New York once again beats Boston. 18-1 is not nearly as impressive as 14-6. Just like I said before Tampa Bay, Dallas, and Green Bay, "If the Giants can't beat the Patriots, they don't deserve to win the Super Bowl." Boy did they deserve it.
Finally, after a long winded description of a game they've heard of too many times before, I'll tell them that perfection is not an undefeated season but 2 minutes and 42 seconds of the best football you will ever see.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
What are you doing this weekend?
Forecast
Fri.: 35°F, rainy
Sat.: 46°F, mostly sunny
Sun.: 48°F, mix of sun and clouds
See
Opening this weekend:
The Eye (starring Jessica Alba, Parker Posey)
Over Her Dead Body (starring Eva Longoria, Paul Rudd, Lake Bell)
Strange Wilderness (starring Steve Zahn, Allen Covert, Jonah Hill)
Events
Free New York Whiskey Tasting: LeNell's Ltd in Brooklyn (416 Van Brunt Street, between Coffey & Van Dyke) is offering free tastings of Whiskey made in New York from 7pm to 9pm tonight.
Target First Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum: The Brooklyn Museum is free this Saturday (and every first Saturday of the month) from 5pm to 11pm. The museum is at 200 Eastern Parkway, or a 2 / 3 subway ride away.
Superbowl Sunday: There's a little known sports event happening this Sunday. It's called.. the Big Plate? Amazing Cup? something like that.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Surviving the Palisades Interstate Parkway Courts: a Guide
Last September, I had the unfortunate luck of getting pulled over for speeding on the Palisades Interstate Parkway. Anyway, I had to go into court this week to try to avoid getting any points. Instead of ranting about how 50 mph is too slow for the parkway, I decided it's better to use my experience to help others who may get stuck in the same situation.
I'm not sure that this applies to everyone who gets a speeding ticket in New Jersey, but if you got a speeding ticket on the Palisades Parkway and are looking to pay extra money in order to avoid points, then this definitely a guide for you....
Call the Police Station After Getting the Ticket:
Despite the fact that the ticket clearly states "Notice to Appear" and "Court Date", you don't have a right to show up on that date unless you reserve a spot at least a week in advance. So if you go to court that day without having called, like I did, you're just going to be told to go back home and call the police station the next morning to set a new appointment. And if you're like me, that new date will be 4 months from when you got the actual ticket.
Clear Your Schedule:
Some people have the deluded idea that they'll go into court, speak to someone real quick, pay the fine, and be on their way. If you go into court thinking that, you're in for a rude awakening. There are over 50 people (maybe even 100 people) who are going into court that very same day and only one prosecutor and one judge to handle all of their claims. So the process is slow and cumbersome.
I was one of the first "not guilty"'s to get out of court that day and I was there for over three and a half hours. I would imagine that the 90% of the people behind me didn't get out for at least another hour. So make sure that you leave yourself plenty of time to wait the day you go to court.
PS. Getting there early is pointless unless you're doing it to get parking -- you will not finish any earlier by getting there early.
PPS. Lawyers have priority. So if you really want to save time (but spend extra money), hire a lawyer.
Don't Sit in the Courtroom:
The courtroom is small, so not everyone who goes shows can fit. This is a good thing for you. If you sit in the courtroom, you're forced to stay absolutely quiet, sitting very close to strangers. If you're in the lobby, you can still hear the judge, but you can walk around and make a phone call outside if you have to.
The main benefit, however, is that being outside the room puts you in a better position to meet with the prosecutor. After the judge goes through his spiel, he tells all the not-guilty's to go out to the lobby to wait on line to plea with the prosecutor. If you're already out in the lobby, you just stand next to the prosecutor's door. That's how I ended up being fourth in line, while the people in the court room were all the way at the end of the line.
Plead Not Guilty:
When you go into court, the judge calls your name and asks you to plead guilty, not guilty, or request an adjournment. They say that if you're not sure, to plead not guilty.
If you're trying to pay a speeding ticket and avoid the points, you have to plead not guilty. By doing so, you're given a chance to make a deal with the prosecutor. He'll then offer to change your speeding charge to an "unsafe driving" charge (NJSA 39:4-92.2). "Unsafe driving" does not come with any points, but costs $380.
One thing you should note is that you can only use this twice during a five year period. After that, "unsafe driving" comes with four points.
PS. Be prepared with cash or a check. They don't accept credit.
Bring a Baby:
Okay, I'm being facetious with this one... kind of. Obviously, you shouldn't purposely bring a baby if you have a choice to drop them off with a baby sitter or something. It's just that while I was there, three people who had babies were allowed to go ahead of me. These people thus got out a little bit faster than me. I'm not saying you should try use kids to "abuse" the system. I'm just saying, you know, that's what I saw while I was there.
Anyway, I hope this guide helps if you ever get caught in a situation like mine. And considering how many people I see pulled over on the Palisades Parkway nowadays, I wouldn't be surprised if that was a lot of you. Good luck and happy point dodging!
Movie: A Mighty Heart
Movie Release Date: June 22, 2007
DVD Release Date: October, 16, 2007
Genre: Drama
Running Time: 108 Minutes
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Dan Futterman, Archie Panjabi
In early 2002, Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and beheaded (an act that was photographed, videotaped, and subsequently spread on the Internet) by a Pakistani militant group, shortly after the 9/11 attacks. A Mighty Heart is a film based on the memoir written by Daniel's wife Mariane, about the search for Daniel in the city of Karachi, Pakistan. The film, as politically charged as it could have been, pretty much remains politics free, choosing to focus on the frenzied and tense search for Daniel by Mariane, the US Consulate in Karachi, and the Pakistani police.
We all know the outcome of the story and know that there is no hope for Daniel even while Mariane, the investigators, and his co-workers attack every lead and cling onto every bit of hope throughout the search. But what makes this film compelling is the pacing and the camerawork, which help build the tension leading up to the outcome. The way the film is shot is almost like a documentary; while every frame must have been planned and organized, it almost doesn't seem like it. Angelina Jolie has stated in numerous interviews that she was thrown off by Winterbottom's approach to filming; the camera would follow her constantly, forcing her to stay in character the entire time. This approach to shooting allows us a deeper and intimate look into Mariane and her inner circle during this tumultuous time, which is a view we haven't gotten to see before. The film also shows how difficult it is to find Pearl in a city as hectic as Karachi, where so many are so unwilling to be up front about their sources for fear of retaliation.
A Mighty Heart works because of its lead, Angelina Jolie. There was a lot of controversy when she was first cast because Mariane Pearl is biracial, while Angelina is obviously not. Also the fact that Jolie's real-life boyfriend Brad Pitt was a producer on the film led to grumblings of nepotism casting. All of these controversies should be laid to rest with her outstanding performance in the film. Jolie's performance is moving, powerful, and pretty much perfect. Mariane Pearl herself has been criticized in the past for not being 'emotional' enough during the search for her missing husband, but you see her vulnerability and fear behind closed doors, embodied by Jolie's performance. The scene in which she reacts to the news of Daniel's death (this is not a spoiler; you all know this is what happens) is especially moving. Jolie failed to receive an Academy Award nomination for this role, but her work in the film has been hailed as her best, and I agree. A Mighty Heart is an important film, and definitely worth checking out.
Grade: B+
