Just a quick FYI. If you visit the site in the next few days and it’s not up or you can’t login, don’t fret. I’m upgrading the blog to the newest version of Wordpress. I did this some months back, but this time around it requires a completely new version of mySQL and PHPAdmin, which requires that I backup all the databases and tables associated with the blog and then import them into the newest version. Very scary stuff. Wish me luck.
Happy birthday we sing to you, may your dreams and wishes come true, may your heart be filled with happiness and all you days with LOVE be blessed.
Happy Anniversary, Andy! Thanks for 11 wonderful years! You’ve made me laugh at least once every day just like you promised! :-)
Happy Anniversary, Happy Anniversary, Happy Anniversary, Happy Anniversary!
I was thinking of another way we could all stay in touch and chat via the computer and then it hit me. At CashCentral.com, we use Windows Live Messenger to stay in touch during the day. This is a nice tool. Instead of a phone call, Sandy will chat with me via the Internet to see when I’ll be home, what we’re having for dinner, or various other threats and to-dos.
Here’s how to make it work:
1. Download Windows Live Messenger at this link.
2. Install.
3. Register.
4. Add contacts (i.e. to add me you would put andym@cashcentral.com).
Any questions, let me know.
To see a photo story of our great adventure, click on ‘the great adventure’ and it will take you to a world of fantacy and merryment!
Ok, I know I’m a little ahead of schedule, but you know how I am. Kaden’s Baptism will be March 3rd at 10:00 am. All are welcome. We will have a little luncheon after, so let me know if you’re coming, so I can plan the food. We would love to see everyone, but don’t stress if you can’t come. We’ll still love you. Kaden is so funny, Scott’s Dad asked who was going to baptise him and he was like, my Dad of course. There was no question. I told him he could choose anyone who had the priesthood, still, there was no question.
In case you haven’t seen the trailer, a new Shrek movie hits theaters this May. It’s called Shrek the Third. It looks pretty funny.
If you’ve taken a look at the theater marquee lately, than you’ll know the list of worthwhile full-price films is akin to the temperature of late in Cache Valley. That is to say, the odds of freezing your derriere to the seat of your car each morning is better than getting the most bang for your buck from Hollywood. Sure, there are films like “Dreamgirls,” “The Pursuit of Happyness” and “Babel,” but you also have “Code Name: The Cleaner,” “The Hitcher” and “Eragon.” So, unless you’re into tossing greenbacks into the fire, the pickings are slim.
FIVE BEST
“The Empire Strikes Back”
If you take all six Star Wars films, this is clearly the best. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s one of the best films of all-time. The pacing is fast, the story arcs are fabulous and what child of the 80s can forget leaving the theater wondering what would become of the now-frozen Han Solo, if Darth Vader truly was Luke’s father, if Luke’s new hand would work as good as his first, where would Luke get a new lightsaber, if he’d stop whining by the third movie and when he was going to hook up with Leia? Thanks to George Lucas for simultaneously underwhelming us and kicking us the lower-regions with the Ewok-fest “Return of the Jedi.”
“Aliens”
I’ve heard “Alien” referred as one of the scariest movies of all-time and I’d agree with that claim if the movie actually held up, but it doesn’t. However, James Cameron’s (”Titanic”) follow-up with “Aliens” is tense and chock full of cool special effects, humor and action. And the scene between Ripley and the Alien queen at the end is one for the ages.
“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”
Of all the Indiana Jones movies, this is by far my favorite and by far the best of the trilogy. “Raiders of the Lost Ark” is too slow at times and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” feels like the “Return of the Jedi” equivalent, meaning dumbed down and too silly than it’s predecessors. “The Temple of Doom” is tight from beginning to end with action and sprinkled with enough humor to make it light, but not overly cheesy. The mine cart chase, the bugs and the escape from Hong Kong are all scenes the keep this movie going more than 20 years since its release. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg (”Munich”) just announced “Indy 4″ for May 2008, and while Indy fans are pumped, I’m depressed. This is a trilogy that should be left alone.
“Terminator 2″
James Cameron shows up again on my list of best sequels because this movie outdid the original in every possible way. “The Terminator” seemed like a one-shot deal, but Cameron found a way to weave a complex storyline with action, humor and ground-breaking special effects. John Connor’s relationship with the Terminator, the CGI of the T1000 and the story are all reasons to give this movie the props it deserves.
“Blade 2″
This is my dark horse, nerdtacular pick for this list. Guillermo del Toro (”Pan’s Labyrinth”) took the texture, gore and action to a whole new level with this sequel to the surprisingly good “Blade.” The soundtrack to this movie is top-notch, as well, combining some talented rap artists with their electronic artist counterparts. The fight scene in front of some huge stadium-like lights between Blade and the vampire assassins in one of the movie’s high points.
Honorable Mention: “The Godfather: Part II,” “Spider-Man 2,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” “Star Trek: The Wrath of Kahn,” and “The Matrix Reloaded.”
FIVE WORST
“Men in Black 2″
Let’s be honest, despite having Will Smith (”Hitch”) and Tommy Lee Jones (”Man of the House”), the first movie was somewhat of a surprise hit. The second film was utter crap. Smith’s one-liners and cocky personality wears thin and Tommy Lee Jones looks like he was forced out of retirement the whole movie, which, ironically, is one of the films plot points. Put simply, if you’ve haven’t seen this movie, count yourself lucky and stay away. Your life will be better because you listened to me.
“Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones”
Fans who thought “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace” was questionable got a punch to the soft parts with George Lucas’ absolutely worthless second prequel in the Star Wars sixtilogy. From Hayden Christensen’s stone-faced, whiny acting, to Natalie Portman’s completely detectable abhorrence of all that is Star Wars, this movie flounders in every possible way. Even the effects, a Lucasfilm hallmark, are cheesy and over-used. This chapter in the saga should have been titled “Star Wars Episode II: Milkin’ the Nerds for Every Dollar.”
“Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2″
There are so many questions surrounding this sequel: Has the Hollywood executive who greenlit this feature now working at Denny’s? Did anyone in Cache Valley see this movie and, if so, should we deport them to Kazakhstan? Honestly, this is one of the most egregious attempts by Hollywood to plunder a popular film for every dime possible.
“The Lost World: Jurassic Park”
Michael Crichton’s novel, “Jurassic Park,” was phenomenal and so was the, albeit changed dramatically, movie by Steven Spielberg. Crichton continued with “The Lost World,” but the plot points and story followed “Jurassic Park” the novel, not Spielberg’s movie. Hence, when Spielberg and Universal set out to rake in the bucks with a movie version of “The Lost World,” they had to make some significant changes to the story. Sadly, but not surprisingly, they screwed up and turned a great book into a third-rate, been-there-done-that movie.
“Speed 2: Cruise Control”
“Speed” was a surprise hit in 1994, but when your lead actor - Keanu Reeves (”The Matrix”) - opts to not participate in the sequel, well, it’s time to close up shop. Not only did the studio greenlight “Speed 2″, but they replaced Reeves with Jason Patrick. Jason who? Yeah, that’s right. We hadn’t seen him since “The Lost Boys” and he reappeared with the same acting skills and less hair, which is to say, not good. Throw in Willem Dafoe applying leeches to himself and a runaway cruise ship stocked full of irony and you have one of the worst sequels of all-time.