Happy New Year!

What a year it has been! The election of our lifetime is over and for once history seemed to move in the right direction. Met two famous authors, saw Obama speak, survived two major cutbacks at work, watched the economy falter. Lost my Uncle Allen. We lost Paul Newman, Heath Ledger, Odetta, Tim Russert and Ollie Johnson (the last of Disney's Nine Old Men), to name just a few. Watched Tina Fey out-Palin Sarah Palin. Saw a few awesome movies... Dark Knight, Wall•E, Iron Man and Slumdog Millionaire. Moved to a new apartment. And last but not least... a new relationship!

As for New Year's resolutions, mine are the usual... exercise more, eat less, budget better and save save save. After a minor health scare earlier this month, and watching a close friend go through major surgery for cancer last week, I think I will take my health a little more seriously this year.

For all who read this blog, have a very safe and happy New Year!

Movie Review - Slumdog Millionaire

Saw two great movies in TC at the State Theater yesterday - the first was a 25 cent matinee of The Wizard of Oz, which I have always wanted to see on the big screen. The second was a new independent film directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting), Slumdog Millionaire. Slumdog is the story of a young man, Malik, who grows up in the streets of Mumbai and, inexplicably, ends up on the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Suspected of cheating, he is picked up by the police who interrogate him. As the story interweaves seamlessly between his past, the game show, and his interrogation, we learn how he learned the answers to the questions as well as a broader picture of who Malik is. Unlike his opportunistic brother, he refuses to give in to the darkness with which he is surrounded. Malik is not playing for money, but for his lost love, Latika. How will he win? Is it luck, love, passion, or destiny?

This is without a doubt the must-see movie of the year. It is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. It perfectly captures the culture without ever feeling like a National Geographic special or a one of those dark, cerebral Oscar-contender-wanna-be's. Boyle even throws in a little Bollywood to add a touch of fun. Oh yeah, and the soundtrack is totally awesome!

You can read/listen to Bob Mondello's review on NPR here.

Cartoon Christmas continued...

Up north enjoying Christmas holiday with the family. Hopefully I'll have some pics when I return from TC. In the meantime, enjoy some more cartoons...

Disney Christmas

Here are a few of my favorite Disney Christmas shorts. The first is Wintertime, part of the larger film Melody Time. It was art directed by the master, Mary Blair, who created the look of most of the Disney films of the late forties and early fifties. She later designed the theme park ride It's a Small World.

More Christmas Commercials

Rest in Peace, Lwaxana

The "First Lady" of Star Trek, Majel Barrett Roddenberry, passed away this morning at 76. Widow of Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, Barrett starred in multiple roles in the Trek universe – including Nurse Chapel from the original series and the voice of the Enterprise's computer in all five Star Trek series and movies. She reprised her role as the voice of the computer in the new Trek film due out in May. Of course, she is most recognizable as Deanna Troi's mother on Star Trek: The Next Generation – Lwaxana Troi, "Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed."

I also learned today that Barrett shared the same birthday as me – February 23!

You can read the obit here on Yahoo.

Thanks, Liam, for sharing this with me!

Star Trek

This is too fun not to share! The old Star Trek animated series recut to the trailer for the new movie.

Found on Cartoon Brew.

File this one under stupid

It was reported in today's Cleveland PD that a wrecked car was found on the Jennings Freeway Friday evening. A Cleveland police officer and insurance adjuster arrived. The insurance adjuster saw a body of a man in the car and told the police. Police notified the family that the man would be taken to a local hospital. The family waited at the hospital not knowing where their relative was or what happened to him. The man never arrived. Two days later, it was discovered that the tow truck took the car to the impound lot WITH THE BODY STILL IN THE CAR. It was found with a cigarette still between his fingers.

You can read the complete story here.

No, this isn't a pic from the Italian Job...

While we were at the A Christmas Story House on Saturday, I looked out of Ralphie's bedroom window. Instead of seeing an idyllic winter scene, I see four Minis pull up in near perfect synchronicity. No word if any Nazi gold was stolen while I was there, but they didn't stick around long...

What could have been...

Here is a stunning trailer I just found on Cartoon Brew. Made in 2004 for a movie that never got made. Siegfried, based on the graphic novel by Dargaud. Directed by Alex Alice at Pendragon Imageforce. One wonders what the film would have been like. I never saw Beowolf, but it looks like this would have been a thousand times better.

It has been a very full couple of weeks! Enjoyed last Saturday Christmas shopping with my friend Paul... snooping through antique stores, gift shops and book stores, including a very chic antique place called Flower Child that features vintage mid-century furniture (think martini glasses and Danish modern furniture and those light-up china Christmas trees). Sunday, I went with Paul and his friends, Diane and Mindy to hear the Cleveland Philharmonic play Peter and the Wolf, accompanied not just by a narrator, but also a dance troupe, the Verb Ballets! Then finished the weekend by decorating my Christmas tree.

This Saturday, made the pilgrimage to A Christmas Story house...

then continued in the Christmas spirit on a leisurely drive through downtown to Cleveland Playhouse to see the Festival of Trees.



Made our way up to Coventry and had a late lunch at Hunan Coventry and, of course, spent a lot of time at Big Fun and City Buddha.

Christmas Commercials

A little bit of nostalgia for Monday. Here are three Christmas commercials I have always loved...

Prop 8: The Musical

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Animation Month - Billy's Balloon

Another one of my all-time favorites!

Animation Month - The Last Knit

The Last Knit
by Laura Neuvonen, Fun Time

Head of Skate

And you thought the Sarah Palin jokes would stop!