Turned Out *Almost* As I Planned

Last Friday, I wrote about my weekend plans and talked about how one should go about planning his/her end of the week break. Yes, its just a normal weekend, but as I said before, there's been one too many times that I've been sitting at my desk on Sunday night at about 9 or 9:30, wishing I'd done more with the previous 48 hours. So on Friday, I talked about my plans for the next two days.

Everything managed to turn out well, except for a couple of complications. (Hey, you can't predict a hitch or two in your plans all the time, am I right?)

Friday after work, I ran a couple errands before going home, where I played some video games and watched TV before having supper and going down to the rink, where the Conquest Merchants annihilated the Kenaston Blizzards with a score of 11-3. When I went home, I planned on staying up late and watching "The Godfather Part II" (yes, my mind had changed from the previous choice of "Heat"), but I fell asleep about 45 minutes into the film and when I awoke, the screen said "Please Insert Disc Two". I decided to call it a night after that. So that was kind of a bust. I absolutely hate it when I fall asleep out of nowhere. My mind is alert and wide awake but my body just shuts down. Some nights I'll be watching something on TV at 12:00 AM, and it'll seem like I just blinked and an hour passes! Very strange.

So, like I said on Friday, my brother Brendon and I planned on going to Saskatoon on Saturday to see a couple of movies, "Cloverfield" and "Rambo". Well, when the two of us were finally dressed and ready to go at about 11:00, we discovered the family SUV had a flat tire. So after pumping it full of air, we took it over to Outlook and got the guys at Tirecraft to fix it for $30. We were finally gone by about 1:00 PM, at which point the two of us knew we were going to miss one movie. So it came down to making a single choice. Ultimately, we decided on seeing "Cloverfield" at 3:35 at the Galaxy. Before that, we hit the Blockbuster, Superstore and Mac's Convenience. I picked up "3:10 To Yuma" at Blockbuster, as also rented "Jackass The Game" on PS2. Its fun and entertaining, worth the $9 rental price.

"Cloverfield" was really intriguing, and very different than a lot of things you would see at the multiplex. Its a monster movie taken from the POV of a small group of friends, all told through one of the friend's digital camcorders. The story was really well-written and had some great special FX. While standing in line, I noticed there was an advisory notice posted on the ticket counter that said the camera usage in the movie could trigger motion sickness. I was again told this as I bought the two tickets. Well, I really didn't buy them, as I used some of my "Scene" points that I've accumulated through my credit card to get mine and Brendon's tickets. Overall, I really liked the movie and definitely recommend it to moviegoers.

The only thing that annoyed me about it was that in all the hype and TV ads leading up to its opening, it seems the sole credit for "Cloverfield" belongs to JJ Abrams, the producer. Now, I get that he's the biggest name attached to this movie, but he didn't DIRECT it, did he? Ultimately, its the director who's vision hits the screen, not a producer's. Everywhere you look, whether its in TV spots, magazine ads, or posters, the Paramount executives make it seem like "Cloverfield" was made possible entirely by Abrams, and not the work of the writer and director. As an aspiring filmmaker myself, this frustrates me to no end. Why do the big studios think a certain movie needs a known name at the top of its ads as a producer? The film ITSELF isn't enough to get the interest of the audience? Take "Hostel", for example. Would that film have made $20 million opening weekend if Quentin Tarantino didn't have his name stamped at the top of the posters and ads for it? I don't think so. He even had his name attached to the sequel and that bombed last summer.

I know this may seem like just another one of my opinionated rants, but at least this is one that I have an emotional investment in. If I'm lucky enough to break into Hollywood, I'm not going to beg Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, or Martin Scorsese to pretend to produce just so my movie will make $20-25 million on opening weekend. The film, its actors, its writing, and its direction should be good enough, and if not, then too bad. So I just want to say that MATT REEVES, the director of "Cloverfield", did a Hell of a job and really made something unique and different.

Anyway, after the movie, we grabbed supper from The Peking restaurant and headed home, where we once again whisked off to the rink, this time to see the Merchants come THIS CLOSE to beating Delisle in a 3-2 shootout. Great game, and Conquest has really brought their A-game recently. At home, I once again tried watching "The Godfather Part II", but AGAIN fell asleep! So pretty much the second I woke up on Sunday morning, I threw it in the DVD player again and this time, finished it. My conclusion? The first one is still the best.

Sunday night I ordered the WWE Royal Rumble on PPV. The show didn't disappoint, and the two World Championship matches were great and really told a story. The Rumble itself was surprising and ended in a shock, as John Cena returned as #30 and threw Triple H out last to win it. WWE kept everyone in the dark about Cena's return, as it was widely believed he was going to be out of action until after Wrestlemania 24, leading into April. But I guess he rehabbed pretty hard and returned months early. Now as most people know, I'm not a Cena fan. I think he's overexposed, overrated, and that the WWE shoves him down our throats way too often. As well, he has never shown me that he can actually WRESTLE, and by that I mean a marathon chain-wrestling match with a lot of technicality and submission moves. Cena's arsenal includes a sloppy-looking side powerbomb, a fistdrop, an STFU hold, and a modified fireman's carry. Compared to the greats such as Bret Hart, Mr. Perfect, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H and The Undertaker, this guy is just a backyard wrestler! Regardless of my feelings for his abilities, the crowd in MSG went nuts for his surprise return, even if they booed him shortly after. When he won the whole thing, my thoughts were that the WWE just wanted to end the show on a surprise note and it was something to get people talking.

Here are the quick results of the 2008 Royal Rumble...

1. Ric Flair vs. MVP: This was a Career Threatening match for Flair, as the current storyline is that the next match he loses, he will be forced to retire. This was a solid opener; short and sweet and made both guys look good. It ended about 7 minutes in, and the crowd at Madison Square Garden gave Flair a rousing ovation after he made MVP tap out to the figure four. WINNER: Ric Flair by submission at 7:00
2. JBL vs. Chris Jericho: I didn't expect this one to end cleanly at all. I knew it was going to be a messy ending because this feud will likely continue. Jericho looked strong against the bigger JBL, and after getting busted open, this match began telling a good story between these two, as the blood poured down Jericho's face like a broken faucet. It ended with Y2J cracking JBL with a chair, getting disqualified, but he could've cared less, beating on JBL and ending his assault by wrapping a TV cable around his neck and pulling, coming out of this battle as the last man standing. I fully expect to see more out of this feud, because there's some potential there. WINNER: JBL by disqualification at 10:00
3. World Heavyweight Title Match, Edge (C) vs. Rey Mysterio: This was my favorite match of the night. All too often, Smackdown is overlooked and all the attention is given to Raw, but there's no denying that Smackdown's roster knows how to put on a fantastic performance and tell a great in-ring story, which is what this match did. The underdog Mysterio was actually booed for much of this match, and the "bad guy" Edge cheered. The World Heavyweight Champion is one of my all-time favorites and I was also cheering him myself, but I've always had a respect for the smaller Mysterio, who hit some very impressive moves, including a somersault plancha over the top rope to the floor and a tornado DDT off the ring apron. Edge played the role of the animalistic opportunist as his usual self, focusing on Rey's injured leg and countering several high-risk moves, such as turning a 619 attempt into a powerslam. In the end, Smackdown General Manager Vickie Guerrero sacrificed herself and took a 619 instead of Edge, and Mysterio looked down at her in confusion. When he then tried launching at Edge with a senton splash, the World Champ speared him in mid-flight and pinned him to retain the Title.
WINNER: Edge by pinfall at about 15:00, retains the World Heavyweight Title
4. WWE Championship Match, Randy Orton (C) vs. Jeff Hardy: This was no doubt the most heated rivalry heading into the PPV, as the feud between these two really got the fans into anticipating this match, which didn't disappoint. Hardy was especially impressive and has definitely picked up his A-game in recent months. If he stays on the path he's on right now, there's definitely some World Championship gold in his future. Orton played the heel Champion role well, as he always does, hitting cheap shots, trying to maim Hardy and keep him grounded. Jeff hit some impressive moves near the end of the match, including a moonsault to the arena floor that nearly knocked both guys out. Back in the ring, Hardy went for a Twist of Fate, but Orton countered into the RKO with lightning-quick speed for the win. The match served both men well; it made Hardy look like a strong contender for the Title for the next long while, and helped Orton keep the image of the Champion who narrowly escapes defeat. I can't wait to see these two go at it again.
WINNER: Randy Orton by pinfall at about 17:00, retains the WWE Championship
5. The Royal Rumble Match: The annual over-the-top battle royal began with The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, the same two men who were the final two in last year's Rumble. From there, a new superstar entered the match every 90 seconds. This one was exciting and very hard to predict who was gonna win, especially when Michaels and The Undertaker were eliminated at nearly the same time. As mentioned earlier, John Cena returned out of nowhere and won it by throwing HHH out, which nobody saw coming. I guess that was the point in the first place, but I don't see the logic. I also don't like the fact that Cena was welcomed back into that comfy main-event status mere moments after returning. Far as I'm concerned, he should've been demoted to an upper card feud at best and worked his way back up to World Title contender status. But the suits in the office like his marketability so right back in the Title picture he goes. I say Batista should've won it, and kudos to him for lasting the longest in the match itself.
WINNER: John Cena last eliminates Triple H at about 56:00

Anyway, its back to work now, and thinking about next weekend's plans. Fortunately, they're coming sooner than most times because I stayed home from work yesterday because of this horrible weather we're having. -50 with the wind chill, can you believe it?!?

Still, tomorrow's already Wednesday and it'll be Friday again before you know it.

Keep 'em laughin',
Derek

Busy Weekend, But That's What They're For

Right now, I'm sitting in my office typing this after "the crew" and I have completed production on another week's issue of The Outlook. Pretty good issue, I'm proud of it. Very local-oriented.

So with that, the work week (pretty much) comes to an end. I now find myself having to fill the next two days with things to do and people to see. Which makes me glad that I've already figured out my weekend plans. So many times before, I'd find myself watching a movie or playing video games on Sunday nights, thinking I could have done so much more with the weekend. But most times I'm limited in the socializing department because my best friends live away from home. Chris in Saskatoon, Kyle in Swift Current. But I make do with where I am and what I have.

Luckily, Conquest Merchants games and having an extensive, ever-expanding DVD library work with me, not against. Its always great heading down to the rink on a Friday night, seeing the same people in nearly the same places, and watching the game, regardless if Conquest wins or not. And then going home and throwing a movie into the DVD player is always great. My problem is that I never seem to know what I want to watch. Comedy? Action? Documentary? Horror? If you've ever seen the collection, then you know what I'm talking about. My brothers will ask to borrow a movie and then spend five minutes standing in front of all of them, going through each shelf before finally deciding.

This weekend is planned out pretty well, IMO. Tonight, I'm seeing the Merchants play host to the Kenaston Blizzards and then watching either "Heat" or "The Godfather II". Yes, I still haven't decided. But I'm leaning towards "Heat" at the moment, though an hour from now I could be in the mood for some Corleone crime family shenanigans.

Tomorrow, I currently plan on going up to Saskatoon with my brother Brendon to do some window shopping, though I intend on picking up one of my favorite movies of 2007 on DVD, "3:10 To Yuma". From there, the two of us are planning on seeing two movies over at the Galaxy theater - the mysterious monster movie "Cloverfield" and Sylvester Stallone's return to ass-kickery in "Rambo". After that, we'll most likely grab some supper and head home, to once again see the Merchants play at the rink.

On Sunday, I'm hoping to order the WWE's annual PPV extravaganza, the Royal Rumble. Thirty men enter the ring, and only one man stands tall in the end. This is the first year in a very long time that I have absolutely no idea who is going to win it, though I'm leaning towards Triple H, the Undertaker or Batista taking it.

With that, the weekend will be over at that point, but at least I can say it was well-spent, unlike many times before.

Talk to you next week. Until then...

Keep 'em laughin',
Derek

"We're Back, Baby!"

“Futurama: Bender’s Big Score” (2007)
Directed by: Dwayne Carey-Hill (TV’s “Futurama”, “Drawn Together”)
Starring: Voices of Billy West, Katey Sagal, John Di Maggio, Phil LaMarr and Al Gore
Running Time: 88 minutes
Rut’s Rating: 5/5

If you remember back about nine years ago, the Fox Network debuted an animated TV series called Futurama, where a pizza delivery boy named Fry accidentally winds up getting cryogenically frozen on New Year’s Eve 1999. He wakes up 1000 years into the future, where he quickly becomes acquainted with a very distant relative, Professor Hubert Farnsworth, and his group of employees at package delivery business Planet Express, including Bender the robot, one-eyed Leela, and the lobster-like Dr. Zoidberg. The show quickly became popular and in my opinion, stood out from other animated shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy. Unfortunately, the show became a victim of ever-changing network programming schedules, pre-emptions and less-than-stellar promotion. After 72 episodes and five seasons, Fox dropped the axe on Futurama in 2003.

However, just as in the case of Family Guy, Fox has decided to resurrect the cult phenomenon - just not in the form of new weekly episodes. Instead, series developers Matt Groening and David X. Cohen have been given the green light to produce four feature-length Futurama movies, each debuting exclusively on DVD. The entire cast and crew are back, and this first one is entitled “Futurama: Bender’s Big Score”.

I had concerns about the quality of the movie at first. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be able to live up to or match the originality and humor of the TV series. Luckily, my fears were put to rest within mere minutes. The writers and voice-over actors haven’t forgotten what made the show so good in the first place, and I found myself laughing out loud a number of times throughout the movie.

In Bender’s Big Score, the Planet Express crew begin by taking some not-so-subtle jabs at Fox, renamed the Box Network. From there, the gang parties at a nude beach, where a group of aliens get all of them to sign a petition and its revealed that Fry has a tattoo of Bender on his buttocks. Unfortunately, the aliens were tricking the entire group into signing over the Planet Express business, which they then take over and slip Bender an “obedience chip” into his hard drive, making him a slave to do their evil bidding. Soon, its discovered that the tattoo on Fry’s body is really a code for time travel when looked at extremely close. The aliens, with their ability to sniff out information, get Bender to retrieve different treasures and artifacts from hundreds of years ago, but everyone soon discovers that when people travel back in time, they come back with a body double. This twin is ultimately doomed in order to prevent a potential paradox from occurring.

Also, Leela begins dating a man named Lars, which makes Fry jealous to no end. After Lars proposes to her and Leela agrees to marry him, Fry, heartbroken, uses time travel to go back to 1999, wanting to forget about his evil alien employers as well as his memories of Leela. What follows is a detailed series of events involving time travel and the use of many body doubles.

Bender’s Big Score doesn’t take itself too seriously, but at the same time it doesn’t get overly silly and over-the-top. The writers and creators look to have taken their time in writing the script, and have done a great job in keeping with the continuity of certain events that happened in the original TV series. I loved the movie because it simply was funny, creative and kept in tone with the same spirit of the show. It didn’t have that arrogant presence as if to say “Hey look! We’re finally a movie! Yay US!” like The Simpsons Movie from last summer. I strongly feel that if you loved the show, you’ll love this movie. Simple as that. As well, look for an extended cameo from former Vice President and Global Warming activist Al Gore, who has some pretty funny lines.

I’m also looking forward to the next three coming out on DVD, which I believe will have a span of several months between each release. Until then, Futurama fans just play the waiting game.

Heath Ledger: 1979-2008

If you've seen the news in roughly the last 24 hours, then you most likely know. Actor Heath Ledger, only 28 years old, has passed away. His body was found in the bedroom of his New York apartment at around 3:30 PM on Tuesday afternoon, and investigators are saying that it looks to be an accidental overdose of sleeping pills, though an autopsy will show the final cause in the next few weeks. Ledger was to have had a massage appointment, and when the masseuse came, the housekeeper went to wake him, where he was found on his bed. Heath leaves behind a 2-year old daughter, Matilda, as well as legions of devoted fans and admirers of his work.

Heath Ledger left his native Australia for the US when he was 19, where he got his first taste of commercial exposure in the teen dramedy "10 Things I Hate About You". In 1999, Mel Gibson took notice of him and cast him alongside himself in "The Patriot", playing Gibson's son. After that film's success, Ledger soon started to receive leading roles, and became widely noticed by fans in the movie "A Knight's Tale" in 2001. From there, Ledger continued climbing the ladder of Hollywood success, bringing an uncanny realism to many roles he took and researching his characters inside and out. Many films which helped establish Heath's credibility and popularity include "Monster's Ball", "The Four Feathers", "Lords Of Dogtown" and "The Brothers Grimm", in which he co-starred with Matt Damon.

It was in 2005 that Ledger starred in arguably his greatest work, the Oscar-winning "Brokeback Mountain". Ledger received a Best Actor nomination for his role as Ennis Del Mar, a low-spoken farm hand who establishes a controversial gay relationship with fellow ranch hand Jack Twist, played by Jake Gyllenhaal. Their relationship spans a course of roughly 20 years before coming to an end, and both actors were highly commended on their performances. A role such as Ennis Del Mar solidifed Ledger's status as an actor who wasn't afraid to push the envelope, and never one to back down from a challenging character study.

While "Brokeback" may have been his greatest performance, millions of fans have been eagerly anticipating Ledger's portrayal of The Joker in this summer's "The Dark Knight", a sequel to 2005's "Batman Begins". While Ledger had completed his work on the film, it is still all the more sad that he will not be here to see its impending success, which would have no doubt propelled him into superstardom. Hopefully, Warner Bros will dedicate the film to Heath because its his presence as The Joker that has millions of us salivating for "The Dark Knight" to hit theaters in July.

Heath Ledger will be undoubtedly be remembered for his unselfish, giving nature, as well as his tendencies as a ridiculously hard-working, dedicated actor who always wanted to breathe new life into the characters he portrayed on the big screen.

My deepest condolences go out to Heath's family and friends. Fans everywhere are still absolutely shocked at this young, superstar-bound man's life coming to such an abrupt, tragic end.

I know I am.

R.I.P Heath Ledger
April 4, 1979 - January 22, 2008

He Came, He Saw, He Won, He Left

So, as the entire province must know by now, Coach Kent Austin has decided to leave the Saskatchewan Roughriders organization in favor of his former alma matter, Ole Miss, where he has accepted the offensive co-ordinator's position. Through 1981 to 1985, Austin played quarterback there. There are those who support his decision in going home after an incredible first year of coaching the Riders, and those who say he should've honoured his CFL contract with the organization and stayed.

Both sides make good points, but I can't help but feel that this whole situation is incredibly poetic, and somewhat for the best.

Just hear me out before you start flaming me right away, fellow hardcore Rider fans. Let's look at this from a bird's-eye view for a few moments. Kent, in his very first year as head coach, took our team all the way to the Grey Cup final, and WON IT. In Toronto, at the SkyDome, and 18 years after Austin himself won it as the MVP quarterback for the Riders in the same venue no less. The definite end to a seemingly never-ending swan song for the long-troubled Riders. The team was proud, the club was proud, and the entire province of Saskatchewan was proud. The Riders win the Grey Cup after 18 years, and Saskatchewan elects a new government after 16 years. What a Merry Christmas it was.

So now, roughly two months later, Austin has now made the difficult decision to leave. While many in Saskatchewan are sad and distraught over the news, I for one see this as an opportunity for the Riders to step up, keep the momentum going, and not allow themselves to rest on their laurels after the Grey Cup win. Whoever assumes the position of new Rider Head Coach (many eyes are on defensive coordinator Richie Hall right now) may have some big shoes to fill, but I believe that what Austin did with and for the team will remain there for years to come, even if he was with us for only one season.

As the title says...

He came.
He saw.
He won.
He left.

On behalf of your legions of fans Kent, I'd like to take the opportunity to say "Thank You" and that Rider fans won't ever forget what you've done for the team. Good luck at your former stomping grounds of Ole Miss, and all the best in the future.

Keep 'em laughin',
Derek

Glitz and Glamourless

So the Golden Globes have come and gone; the best in acting, writing & directing for 2007 have all been revealed, and now people look forward to the 80th annual Academy Awards on February 24.

Only thing is: will we see it?

The Golden Globes "ceremony" was nothing more than a press conference that lasted less than 45 minutes, as the winners were revealed one after the other. This is because of the WGA writer's strike that has now been going on for over two months, and now people are left to wonder if the general public will even be able to see the undisputed King of All Award Shows, the Oscars. Right now, the plan is for it to air Sunday, February 24 on ABC, but if some sort of agreement isn't reached between the major studios and the WGA, it may just be another press conference instead of the excitement of wondering if your favorite actor/actress/writer/director/film won. I myself am a huge fan of the Oscars and have had a habit of making my picks on a score sheet for the last five years.

I guess you really have to be a huge fan of film and filmmaking to appreciate the yearly ceremony. Some people like sports, I like movies. I treat the Oscars like the Grey Cup, smiling and shouting when something good happens, like when Martin Scorsese finally got his first (!) statue for Best Director last year, and groaning when something I hate happens, like when "Chicago" when Best Picture in 2003. The movie wasn't even released until December 27, 2002, and that was only in select cities. It didn't get a wide release until mid-January, so in my mind, it does NOT count as a 2002 film! (Plus I thought it was incredibly overrated and boring...)

Though I am strongly in favor and on the side of the writers, my hope is that some sort of deal can be made so that the TV-watching public can be able to enjoy the show. Its one thing to water down the Golden Globes, but the "main event" should not be altered or tinkered with in any way, shape or form.

So just what are some of my own Oscar picks, you ask? Well, I haven't had that much time to think about it, but I will share my own views on a few of the categories. I don't think I'll be able to conjure up a solid four for each of them, just the select few that really caught my attention in 2007.

Best Director
This is a tough one for me because as many movies as I've seen this year, many of them were sheer 'popcorn' entertainment that didn't exactly require someone with the experience and finesse of a Scorsese or Coppola. As well, there are directors being named Oscar-worthy whose films I haven't had a chance to see yet. Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd" and the Coen Bros.' "No Country For Old Men" come to mind. But here are a select few who really impressed me in directing an emotional, gripping picture worthy of that elusive golden statue.

a) James Mangold, "3:10 To Yuma" - The western genre had really grown stagnant and absent as far as feature-length films go, continuing a life on TV mini-series' and direct-to-DVD movies. But Mangold took Elmore Leonard's source material, a story about a poor cattle rancher volunteering to escort a criminal to catch a train to prison (the 3:10 to Yuma, to be exact) and shot it full of life. Those who said Mangold's directing peak had hit with "Walk The Line" are sorrily mistaken. He creates characters faced with numerous conflicts, seaping through them like so many pieces of paper, and finding the courage to do what is right.

b) David Cronenberg, "Eastern Promises" - Canadian director Cronenberg made this film in England, marking the first time he's ever made a film entirely outside Canada. In this, we're immersed in the culture and dealings of the Russian Mafia, all taking place in London. Cronenberg gives us characters that we care for, but its almost as if we don't want to because "they're mobbed up and bad". He almost takes an approach to it like The Sopranos, showing you the inner workings of a Mafia family and giving you that sneak peak before the door closes in your face. Cronenberg is also a master of cranking up the tension, as shown in a violent brawl that takes place inside a bathhouse.

c) Ridley Scott, "American Gangster" - Scott is no stranger to the Oscars, as in 2001 Russell Crowe took the Best Actor statue for "Gladiator" and that film also won Best Picture. With "American Gangster", Scott uses a rotting New York backdrop and the unlimited acting talents of Crowe and Denzel Washington to tell us the story of Frank Lucas, a man who rose to the top of the drug trafficking game in the 1970's by offering a better product at a lower price. Scott gives us the ins and outs of each character. How Crowe's character is going through a messy divorce and is looked down upon by his fellow, crooked police officers. How Washington's character goes from a simple driver to a millionaire drug mogul in almost no time. Scott shows us two leading men with different complexities, yet doesn't confuse us with them.

d) Paul Greengrass, "The Bourne Ultimatum" - The third installment in the complex "Bourne" franchise was marketed last summer as an intense, smart action movie that delivers awesome special FX and great action sequences. That, I'm not arguing. But "Ultimatum" was more than just a $100-million summer action flick. Unlike most summer blockbusters, where everything seems to just happen for no reason, there's true motive and a deep story involved with this film that you really need to pay attention to. Paul Greengrass, who also directed the first sequel, "The Bourne Supremacy", returns to helm the third film, in which Jason Bourne is still searching for his true identity and running from the authorities in several countries. Greengrass differs from other blockbuster makers like Michael Bay by not having the film be one continuous explosion after another. You find yourself immersed in the story and the fancy FX take a back seat to character exploration.

Best Picture

Once again, there are several being talked about that I haven't been able to see yet. "No Country For Old Men", "There Will Be Blood", "Sweeney Todd", these are just a few examples. But again, I'll give you a few which I felt were very impressive and worthy of 'the nod'.

a) "3:10 To Yuma" - This is most definitely on my top five favorite films of 2007, if not my #1. It didn't break any box office records and it wasn't a $150-million FX-infused movie about pirates or robotic vehicles. "3:10 To Yuma" is an incredible piece of filmmaking that I believe was underrated when it was released in theaters last fall, opening to about $14 million on its way to a little over $50 million. But that doesn't matter, because what director James Mangold has created here is a film that reinvigorates the western genre and asks the viewer what their definition of courage is. Christian Bale shows just why he's one of the best actors of this generation as Dan Evans, a lowly cattle rancher who agrees to escort wanted criminal Ben Wade to catch a train to prison. Russell Crowe plays Wade with an alarming calmness that can turn to swift anger at the drop of a hat. Crowe and Bale complement each other well and thankfully share most of the screen together throughout the film. Its climax is emotional, intense, and even tear-producing. Nothing in your world will matter in this film's last 3-4 minutes and you won't be able to look away. "3:10 To Yuma" stays with you long after you've left the theater or turned off your DVD player.

b) "300" - To the normal moviegoer's eye, this violent, barbaric bloodbath about group of 300 Spartan warriors fighting the entire Persian army is just that: ruthless on-screen violence. And to a point, it is. There are severed heads, buckets of blood spilled, and plenty of sword-on-skin action. But I always thought it was more than that. Its a story of one man's fight for his people, defending their way of life and protecting whats their's from overlording emperors and snobbish royalty. King Leonidas, played by Gerard Butler, may be stubborn, but his way of thinking is that if the ship's going down, he's gonna stay on it with his men. In his mind, Spartans never back down and will always refuse to conform to any other King. Leonidas' fate may be sealed in the end, but that doesn't stop "300" from being one of the best films of 2007.

With that, I think I'm gonna stop with all this Oscar talk. I think we may as well halt that in case the entire show gets scrapped in the first place. As well, I still need to see a few of the potential contenders, which I hope to do in the next few weeks.

Keep 'em laughin',
Derek