(no subject)
Thursday night Ali and I watched Garden State. It was excellent. I had wanted to see it in the theater because I think Scrubs is one of the funniest shows on TV and it wouldn't work without Zach Braff. I haven't watched the show much since they added Heather Graham to the cast, which can't possibly be an a good thing, so it may suck now but there were a few seasons where it was awesome. Anyway, Garden State finally ended its trek up our Netflix queue. You have to be impressed with Braff's rookie effort as writer, director, and star. What a talented guy. And it completely changed my opinion of Natalie Portman...I think I had pretty much written her off after the atrocious Star Wars Episode II. With a believable love story, though provoking exposition, a kickass soundtrack, and a couple of laugh out loud moments, Garden State gets a solid 8 out of 10.
Last night Ali's parents invited us to Carrboro to see a play. The Playmakers Repertory of Chapel Hill presented Copenhagen, by Michael Frayn. It's historical fiction about a meeting that took place between two eminent European physicists in occupied Copenhagen during WWII. One guy was German and was working with the Nazis to develop a nuclear reactor and atomic weapons and the other guy was a half Jewish Dane who eventually wound up working on the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos. They had been good friends prior to the war and the play is speculation on what their conversations might have been about. It was one of those plays that only has 3 actors who are on stage the entire play and the set a) is static throughout the play and b) is visually very bland and isn't recognizable as any particular space. So it was very cerebral with no action. 2 and a half hours of dialogue is a bit much for me...I enjoyed it in the way that I enjoy a book, which I believe would have been a better method of delivery for the work. I did learn a little about physics, though, and it was good to see a play even if it was a bad one.
Right now I'm partaking in our weekly ritual of coffee and CBS Sunday Morning. A few years ago I would never have been able to tolerate such an artsy lightweight feel-good news program, but I really enjoy it now. I'm rapidly turning into an old man.
Oh, and today is Super Bowl Sunday. The guys I usually watch football with will be scattered at various parties this evening so we're either going to watch it from home or head over to the neighborhood bar to take it in. (Yes, that's right, I can walk to a bar from my new house....let the degeneration begin!) I'll be astounded if it's a close game. Philly plays in a much weaker conference and has lopsided talent. The Pats play in a tougher conference and have evenly distributed talent. Belichick and Reid are both excellent coaches but the Pats have been in the big game before while the Eagles are just stoked they didn't lose another NFC title game. My prediction: New England 31, Philadelphia 13
I hope I'm wrong because I want the last game of the season to be a good one but I'm not holding my breath.
Until next time,
BP
Last night Ali's parents invited us to Carrboro to see a play. The Playmakers Repertory of Chapel Hill presented Copenhagen, by Michael Frayn. It's historical fiction about a meeting that took place between two eminent European physicists in occupied Copenhagen during WWII. One guy was German and was working with the Nazis to develop a nuclear reactor and atomic weapons and the other guy was a half Jewish Dane who eventually wound up working on the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos. They had been good friends prior to the war and the play is speculation on what their conversations might have been about. It was one of those plays that only has 3 actors who are on stage the entire play and the set a) is static throughout the play and b) is visually very bland and isn't recognizable as any particular space. So it was very cerebral with no action. 2 and a half hours of dialogue is a bit much for me...I enjoyed it in the way that I enjoy a book, which I believe would have been a better method of delivery for the work. I did learn a little about physics, though, and it was good to see a play even if it was a bad one.
Right now I'm partaking in our weekly ritual of coffee and CBS Sunday Morning. A few years ago I would never have been able to tolerate such an artsy lightweight feel-good news program, but I really enjoy it now. I'm rapidly turning into an old man.
Oh, and today is Super Bowl Sunday. The guys I usually watch football with will be scattered at various parties this evening so we're either going to watch it from home or head over to the neighborhood bar to take it in. (Yes, that's right, I can walk to a bar from my new house....let the degeneration begin!) I'll be astounded if it's a close game. Philly plays in a much weaker conference and has lopsided talent. The Pats play in a tougher conference and have evenly distributed talent. Belichick and Reid are both excellent coaches but the Pats have been in the big game before while the Eagles are just stoked they didn't lose another NFC title game. My prediction: New England 31, Philadelphia 13
I hope I'm wrong because I want the last game of the season to be a good one but I'm not holding my breath.
Until next time,
BP