F.R. in N.Y.C.

One of the coolest movie scenes ever!

2008-12-07T13:56:00.004-05:00

Actually, no comment really is needed for this scene. Anyone who likes the movie Napoleon Dynamite will agree that this scene is climax of the film. The dance just comes out of nowhere and totally surprised everyone.

PS: I caught you a delicious bass.

Obama-Wan Kenobi did it!

2008-11-05T17:06:00.006-05:00

Wow! Obama won the election and beat emperor McCain. The dark side of the force is no more. Thank god! I was there to watch some of the results come in at Rockefeller Center where they had transformed the building in a election result billboard. But the whole thing took too long and I decided to go watch the election at a bar. To hear the victorious screams of joy and relieve throughout the streets of New York was really amazing and touching. I hope that Obama will live up to the hype and be able to help th US back to its feet.

Election night at Rockefeller Center

What McDonalds, Cpt. Iglo and Oscar Mayer don't want you to know

2008-10-22T23:41:00.014-04:00

Have you ever wondered why Chicken McNuggets only have 4 shapes? Or how come fish sticks are rectangular? Or how Oscar Mayer hot dog sausages are made?
Do all these kinds of food not seem... unnatural? Like freaks of nature? Well they are because they are all genetically engineered monsters. Here is the proof:

Click on pic to enlarge
These pics were secretally taken within a manufacturing facility of corporate America. The insider who took these photos suddenly disappeared without a trace. His whereabouts are unknown and the police is in the dark. But the truth ist out there now. If you look close, you can even see a young Chicken McNugget hatch in the background. Its skin has not reached the crispy golden shine yet and is very vulnerable to external causes. Disturbingly, its siblings are being feed the same sauce that sooner or later will become their tasty supplement and demise.

Pictures taken from Manhattan bridge

2008-10-21T21:44:00.003-04:00

I went out to walk across Manhattan bridge yesterday. Why? Because it is a good spor to take pics of Brooklyn bridge and the lower Manhattan area. I stayed there for some hours. Basically just taking the same picture over and over but at different lighting conditions. Here are some results. Hope you like them.

A Bayer in Nu Jorg

2008-10-17T16:49:00.005-04:00

Aaah Oktoberfest... How I love thee... Thy frosty beer and crusty Haxn are like a piece of heaven to me...

Thank god for the restaurant Zum Schneider in the east village of NYC. In my all my years that I have lived in the US, I have never found one German restaurant that actually had authentic food. And by that I mean authentic Bavarian food. But that dryspill is over. Now I can eat Obazda, Schweinebraten and Wiener Schnitzel whenever I want. Here are some pics of my last endeavor:

Fly me to the moon...

2008-10-09T17:59:00.011-04:00

But sometimes you have to realize that the closest you will get to the moon, is slingshotting around it before you have to head back. Not every astronaut gets to take that one small step.

Lucas, you are going down: Settling the score with Star Wars

2008-10-02T23:27:00.030-04:00

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

...George Lucas was god. He made the best movies ever! And I mean that. Star Wars (or A New Hope as it is often called now), The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi are legendary. Well, people argue that the Ewoks are out of place. I think they are alright. Definitely not as bad as the stuff in the new trilogy.

Why do they rule so much? First off they have great characters. I mean who doesn't want to be Han Solo, or Luke, or Chewy, or even that blue long-nose-beady-eyed monster that plays the funky keyboard in Jabbas palace like an out-of-space Ray Charles.

Second the special FX. Seriously, the movies are timeless. Even today you can still watch them and there will be very few moments where you will say that something looks bad. Actually I will mention some the worst moments right now:
The lightsaber duell between Vader and Obi in Star Wars
The bluescreen fall in Cloud City of Luke after his hand was chopped off in Empire
The Rancor blue screen scene in Return.

But mostly they still to this date look really good. The space battle at the end of Return is just amazing.

Third the mythology. It is the ultimate battle of good vs. bad. Then we have the force which connects all things. A mythical power only accesible to a few to uphold the balance in the galaxies. Yet it can corrupt you if you stray too far from the right path and lead you to the dark side. Just hearing that gives me the shivers.

Star Wars is the beginning and the setup for an epic saga. The Empire Strikes Back is the highlight in the Star Wars universe and improves on the original. We meet Yoda, see jedi training, Han Solo is captured and frozen (who doesn't remember the scene where he tries to shoot Darth Vader in Cloud City), Luke loses his hand and finds out Vader is his father. Furthermore it doesn't tie up in a happy end but leaves you with an uncertain future. Return finally seals the deal proving that there is good even in the darkest of villains and also has the best space battle of all times.

I was so psyched to see the new movies. I saw Meet Joe Black twice because at the end of it the trailer for Episode I was shown. I couldn't wait for those movies to come out. Boy, was I dissapointed. And I really, really tried liking the new ones.

Now let me come to something that many already know but some willingly ignore or fail to see:

Episode I, II and III suck.

Don't get me wrong. They are alright movies, just not good Star Wars movies. And if they are not that, they ultimately suck. Even if III is the best out of the new ones, it still is not as good as any of the old ones. Here are a couple of simple reasons why:

1. Jedi lingo
As soon as the Jedis arrive on screen in Episode I, everything sounds like a phrase out of the "Jedi lingo for Morons" book. Literally everything. While in the old ones, every once in a while some jedi wisdom was sneaked in at the right moment to form that bridge from real to mythological, all of a sudden everything needs to have a deeper meaning and be connected to some jedi insight. It just gets annoying. Sometimes less is more.

2. Funny droids
The same thing can be said of C3PO and R2-D2. They are good characters in the originals and just by being themselves are a funny coupling. Yet again, Lucas thought that by taking that slightly funny essence and turning it into a concentrate that will make you bite your cheeks and twist your eyes, he would improve the characters. But again he didn't. You can just tell how Lucas sat there, writing the script and giggle to himself "I am going to make you into Stan and Laurel. This will be so funny". Lucas is no comedian though. He just tried to hard to make sure that everybody gets that they serve as the comedic relief.

Unfortunately, Lucas had to make every other droid funny too. Except for the Droidikas which are pretty cool. We are talking a battle of epic proportions that involves many planets. The fate of the galaxy depends upon it. It is also a story that tells one mans rise and fall over 6 movies and all you can come up with is "Roger, roger"?! It just doesn't fit. There was absolutely no need for constant comedic relief. As soon as you establish that your all powerfull droid army in this epic battle of huge proportions is made up of idiots, you take away any threatening atmosphere. That sort of is like taking a pineapple and shoving it up your own ass and saying that feels good. Nobody will believe you. Not even George Michael.

3. Jar Jar Binks
Do I really need to explain why he is annoying and sucks? To quote Simon Pegg: "Jar-Jar makes the Ewoks look like fucking Shaft!". Seriously, if you don't see it, all hope ist lost anyway.

4. Killing Darth Maul
Out of all the villains in the prequels Darth Maul was the coolest one. He was dark, had a badass new lightsaber and just felt like a real threat. This is a guy that really could have evolved over the sequels. But what happens? He gets about 10 minutes screen time before he gets killed. Who do we get instead?

5. Count Dooku
An old guy with a beer belly. If Darth Maul is an evil version of Jack Bauer, then Count Dooku is the Pillsburry Doughboy.

6. Character names
George Lucas must think we all are really stupid. That's is the only reason why I would think anyone would give their characters such obvious names like Darth Tyranus, General Grievous and Nute Gunray. Very clever...

7. Medichlorians
This is one of the biggest mistakes in the new movies. And I ask myself: Just why?! There was absolutely no reason to analyze the force because Yoda already explained it in Empire Strikes Back:

"For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Even between the land and the ship."

And that was it. Everybody was happy and nobody needed another explanation. And bringing in little creatures in your blood by which the force can be measured takes away the mystery. It also doesn't add anything to the story. It is like lifting the foggy atmosphere in a haunted house and exposing the tricks in broad daylight. It really doesn't make the experience better.
Also it doesn't make sense in context to the original Trilogy. Instead of testing and training Luke they could have just taken a blood sample and checked how strong he is with the force. But that brings me to another point in the films:

8. Continuity
From a technological standpoint the prequels seem more advanced than the originals. And it is never explained why. People say that because of the war economics went down and there was no money for great technology. Yeah, that's why they build the most advanced weapon ever: The Death Star! Maybe the rebels' lack of technlogy can be explained that way but the empire should be thriving since they own everything.

Of course you can also say that nowadays people expect more effects but the whole issue could have been dealt with in a way which stays truer to the originals. Not making every command screen look like a holographic touchscreen would have been good for one.

Contuinity within the movies is also off in the prequels. In a space battle in the old movies you wil be able to tell right away which ships belong to the rebels and which belong to the empire. There are always familiar fighters that you already know from the sequel among the new ships. In the new movies, you will find new ships in every spacebattle and none of he old ones. Take the space battle at the beginning of Epidose 3. There is so much stuff going on with new fighters that weren't in any of the sequels that it is tough to figure out who is on what side. But I guess when you have to feed a chin like Lucas', you need all the money you can get from Merchandise.

9. Young Anakin and Boba Fett
Jake Lloyd playing young Anakin was no good. Actually he was horrible. I can't decide who is worse though: Lloyd Anakin or Christensen Anakin. They should battle it out in a big barf-fest. You know who would have been a good young Anakin Skywalker? Haley Joel Osment. The guy that was in the 6th Sense. At least he was a good kid actor.

Another one that really didn't need to be in there was young Boba Fett. Yes, it is nice to see Boba Fett in the film but let him be played by a kid that has some variety in facial expression. Or better yet, leave him out. Many times kids just don't act well. Same can be said for...

10. Hayden Christensen
He couldn't act to save his life. Some of the stuff he said just came out all wrong. This can also be attributed to the bad writing of the dialogues. I couldn't believe some of the lines he said they are just so bad. And not only could he not act, he just never came across as a likable or charismatic character. You might argue that because he will turn into Vader, you don't need to like him. But I think that is the wrong approach. Because he is the protagonist of the whole saga basically, he needs to be set up as someone that you like and feel for. Or at least come across authentic. Someone you can relate to. That way the audience is much more involved with the character and his fall to the dark side becomes more personal. But then again this is a problem with most of the characters in the new films.

And I do admit that Mark Hamill isn't a great actor either, he still did a better job than Christensen though.

11. Charismatic characters
In the old ones there was Han and Chewy, Obi and Luke, Lando and Leia, R2-D2 and C3-PO. Just to name a few. They all in their own way charismatic and likable. In the new films everybody just seems so bland. Or in case of R2-D2 and C3PO was changed for the worse. Obi-Wan sort of is like a cross between Luke and Han and at least is one of the better characters of the new films. I just don't see the man that would grow into the wise and likable Obi Wan played by Alec Guinness.

12. Romance in Episode II
I have nothing against romantic films or scenes. But they need to be done right. Episode 2 showed how not to do it. The growing love between Padma and Anakin and the whole thing on the planet with the fat, wobbly, cow aliens was just painful. Seriously, that was worse than some of the stuff you see on afternoon soap operas. I know that the love between Anakin and Padme needed to be shown but it could have been handled better. Seriously, throwing up on yourself on the subway is less embarassing than the romance in Episode 2.

And no, the romance between Han Solo and Leia is nowhere near the same universe of shittyness.

13. Special Effects
The problem is, that there are just too many of them. I mean basically Lucas filmed the whole thing in front of a bluescreen. And you can just tell, because it is so obvious. You can see it everywhere. It is OK to use special FX but again, less is more. I am sure Lucas would have had no problem getting more money to build sets. After all, the SW prequels were the most anticipated trilogy ever. Sets just look better. Take Dagobah in Empire Strikes Back for example. It feels and looks a lot more realistic.

Same can be said for Yoda. Puppet-Yoda seems more real and doesn't stand out as much as CGI Yoda. I understand that puppet Yoda couldn't have done everything CGI Yoda did, but it would have been better to use CGI Yoda for some situations and puppet Yoda for the rest. Hellboy 2 is one of the movies that perfectly proves that masks beat CGI any day.

14. Anakins fall to the dark side
Seriously, Episode 3 started off good. And it is the best film out of the new ones. But Anakins fall to the dark side can be summed up to this:

Anakin: Palpatine! We know you are a Sith Lord who wants all the power in the universe. Surrender or die!
Palpatine: Betray all your best friends, kill Mace Windu and join me to maybe, maybe save your girlfriend.
Anakin: OK!

I mean, him going over to the dark side is set up nicely but the whole moment where he ultimatley does fall to the dark side happens to quick and feels rushed.

15. Padme dying and Darth Frankensteins awakening
She just loses the will to live... What a lame explanation. Who came up with that stuff? Oh yeah, Lucas did...

And Vader getting out of his restraints and screaming "NOOOO!" with his arms held up was just ridiculous. I actually laughed in the theatre when that happened.

16. Death Star plans
Yeah, the Death Star, the ultimate weapon in the universe that is so advanced it can destroy planets, is constructed by insects that live in earthholes and have gladiator fights. Very believable..... NOT!!!!!

17. The emperor hiding in plain sight
So we have te whole jedi council there, especially with Yoda who is able to notice the slightest changes in someones personality and is one of the greatest jedi of all time but they and he fail to see the conspiracy involving a huge army of Storm Troopers?!

People argue that Palpatine biggest force power is to disguise and mislead. Again, to me that seems like an excuse to justify the story. But that one I will let fly if you will.

18. Music
John Williams Star Wars Theme is probably one of the most memorable scores ever. But in the old ones there are many more "tracks" that are recognizable and famous. The Imperial Attack, the Imperial March or the Cantina Band for example. In the new ones the music isn't bad, but again it is pale in comparison to the old ones. The theme of course sticks out but the rest of the movies lack a score that is memorable.

So there you have the major reasons why the films are not that good and can't measure up to the original trilogy. But still, people defend and come up with excuses for them. Here are two:

They are kids movies just like the old ones were!

Wrong. Anakin gets his legs cut off, decapitates someone and kills children. Not really kids stuff. The old ones weren't kids movies either. In none of them will you find such childish elements as Jar-Jar or "funny droids". A PG-rating doesn't make a film a kids movie. It just makes it a film also appropriate for kids.

Your views are blurred because you saw the films when you were younger and therefore don't have objective insight.

Seriously, if you don't see some of the obvious things described above than you really are fooling yourself and just don't want to see the faults. ;-)

But critics see it the same way. The originals were very well received while the new ones got very mixed reviews because of soe of the reasons I posted. But of course it is all a big conspiracy and professional critics can't distance themselves enough from source material...

So there you have it. The reasons why the new films are bad. Some of these reasons are more important than others. But ultimately if you look at the films and compare them, you should be able to see all of this since I didn't make any of it up. It is there, right in front of you.

It would have been better anyhow to make Episode VII-IX. But my vision of those sequels, I will tell some other time.

Burgasms. Chapter 1.

2008-10-02T00:25:00.005-04:00

I like burgers. Always have, always will. And while people might not see NY as a burgertown, I tend to disagree. New York just has so much of everything that it is easy to forget they serve up some of the best burgers in the world. I mean seriously, take a closer look. The meat glistening, just sitting there on a grilled bun giving you that shy look like a girl on prom night just waiting for you to rip off her clothes. How you will never forget that juicy first kiss. Beneath its curved surface, secretly hidden away some chunks of blue cheese to tingle you taste buds... YUMM!!!!

Although I do have to say I am more of a traditional burger guy. Blue cheese is quite fancy. Normally I just prefer a regular slice of cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato and whatever condiments are available. Nonetheless, this burger which I was served at the Spotted Pig in the West Village was very tasty and is considered one of the best in the city by many. Not the best I have had in NYC, but definitely among the top 5 so far. The meat had a great taste, the bun was near perfect and the fries delicious.

Cormac McCarthy: The Road

2008-09-27T01:11:00.008-04:00

I read Cormac McCarthy's The Road and I am disappointed. The book is being hailed as one of the best pieces of literature in the last 25 years but I just don't see it. From a book being called that, I expect it to grip me, to twist me, to reveal to me some secret about human emotion and teach me something about myself or humanity. A book that shakes me awake, holds me tight and alters my view of the world or ar least gives me a new perspective. Something that explores who we are and gives me rigid truth about ourselves. Instead I got a shallow book about a man and his son wandering about in a grey landscape, every once in a while, repetitively, being fed a simple and detached emotion simulating loneliness, hopelessness and the basis of human being when there is nothing left to live for. And the accomplishment to point out over 307 pages that there is nothing left, to me, is none. Too shallow. No questions answered, no interpretation wanted. Story lost.

Get your tissues ready: Porn on planes! Oh my!

2008-09-16T23:06:00.013-04:00

I watched NBC Nighlty News tonight. And was dumbfounded by what they reported on. Or basically what they made up to report on:

http://www.nbc5i.com/travelgetaways/17435300/detail.html

Basically what that "newsstory" says is that internetporn is invading new internet capable planes and there have been complaints about it. Funny that in the "newssegment" on TV there was no interview with anyone that actually had seen that. But of course it must be true. I can just see it in front of me: Guys, whipping out their wieners left and right in front all the other passengers, while they are watching a midget, wearing a cowboy outfit, being shoved up a womans... well you get the idea.

NBC. Seriously?! I mean, come ooon! What a load of crap!

Porn has been around longer than the internet. And at every American airport you can buy hardcore uncensored porn mags like Hustler or any of the others that suit your taste. Never once in my lifetime of flying (and believe me, I have flown quite a lot) have I seen anyone whip out a pornmag. Not once. Why? Because it is freaking embarrassing! It is like having your pants pulled down in front of a large crowd while see you parents doing the nasty. It is just wrong and awkward!

But of course, porn mags being sold at an airport are no issue and nobody really cared about that, but all of a sudden that the internet has arrived in planes, everybody has lost their inhibitions and porn is acceptable in front of strangers. What nonsense...

I $&#$@! hate video editing software

2008-09-15T20:00:00.006-04:00

I can't sleep. Not because I am not tired but because editing a movie is driving me crazy. OK, so here is the deal. I am trying to make a little clip. I have a camera (Sony HDR-SR11) which records in AVCHD and also MPEG for normal non high-def Movies. Of course I want to edit the movie and put it on a DVD with as little quality loss as possible.

Problem number 1: When I import the MPEGs into Final Cut Express, there is no audio track. Also I sort have found a workaround for that.

Problem number 2: On fast camera movements the picture of the edited movie sometime skips. It is just not smooth which it should be.

Problem number 3: Also on fast movements the, the pic seems out of sync. Someone told me it has to do with interlaced and progressive. Why is it there in the first place alhtough I don't see this when I look at the footage on my camera? And how do I change it? Again, with best quality possible.

Problem number 4: What file should I export the edited movie to? What are the best settings for the best quality? Is it possible to export the movie without any quality loss at all?

Seriously, these things have been driving me nuts the last couple of days. It cannot be that editing material, shot with a regular camcorder is impossible to edit in a good quality. If anyone can help me or knows anyone that can, please tell me in the comments.

The new Coen, the next Lebowski? Burn After Reading. A review.

2008-09-13T02:16:00.007-04:00

I love the Coen Brothers. They are like Stanley Kubrick or Wes Anderson: Their movies have a unique style that you will always be able to pick out. Rather than special FX, they rely on a good story, strong characters and dialogue. Burn After Reading is very Coen.

The Coens have done quite a bunch of comedies by now. Raising Arizona is a classic, while films like O Brother and Ladykillers dissapointed me. The Big Lebowski is in my opinion one of the best not only in the genre, but also one of the best films of all time. The love of detail in that movie is extraordinary. Yet, Lebowski had too many interwoven plots which was confusing for many people. Also Lebowski was a follow-up to an Oscar winning, more serious, film so expectations ran very high. This is also something that can be said of Burn After Reading.

I fear a lot of critics will have the same problems with Burn After Reading.

Where the film really differs from the Lebowski is, that it doesn't really have a central character. Or at least one that is that obvious. Which actually fits perfectly with the whole spy/agent theme of the film. So here is the plot in a nutshell:

Osborne Cox (John Malkovich) works for the CIA but gets the boot from his current assigment. Because of that he quits his job altogether. Unfortunately his wife Katie (Tilda Swinton), is not too happy with the situation because she is having an affair with womanizer Harry (George Clooney) and ultimatly wants a divorce. She secretly recovers all data from her husbands computer, which also contains his memoirs about working at the CIA, to give to her divorce lawyer. All this data however, ends up in the hands of fitness trainer Chad (Brad Pitt) and his co-worker Linda, played by Francis McDormand, who needs money to get some plastic surgery done. So they put a plan in motion to blackmail Osborne. And of course, that's where all the trouble starts.

As I mentioned earlier, the biggest problem of the film is, that there is no obvious central character that takes you by the hand throughout the movie. But that really remains the films only problem, if you will call it that. Other than that, I have to say this is definitely one of the best Coen movies so far. And that says a lot. Every single person you see in this film, and I really mean that, is so perfectly cast and detailled. The dialogue is incredibly funny and smart. Seriously, if you like Coen films, you will laugh your ass off at some of the things being said on screen. This movie also showcases the formidable acting of all the participants. The performances drew me in and didn't let me go.

Burn is a gem. Many people will not get it, just like the Lebowski, because the humor happens on many different levels and doesn't hit you blunt in the face. And while being funny, in that Coen kind of way, it also has dark and brutal moments, also in that Coen kind of way, that remind me of Fargo. Once again, the Coens prove that they are the masters of showing the human tragedy. Burn After Reading is not as heavy as No Country but you can definitely watch it more often. I know I will. This is a Coen Classic.

Back to the Future: He-Man

2008-09-09T23:40:00.019-04:00

Aaah yeeeaah... Time to sit down in the ol' rockin' chair and get my memory on of days long gone. Who doesn't fondly remember the time, when work was something that consisted of sitting in a sandbox all day and playing with some sort of action figure. Well, my weapon of choice at the age of 4, besides the Star Wars toys, was

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

I loved to play with those dol... action figures I mean! And not only were the toys great but especially the audio tapes rocked!!!! In my childhood I posessed all of them until I gave them away to the neighbors kids because I wanted to be more grown up. Here is advice to all you 4 year olds reading my blog: Stay young and don't grow up. You hear me? DON'T... GROW... UP...!!!!! And don't give away your toys. Ever.

So I have been listening to the stories for a while now every night before I go to sleep. Of course they basically are a commercial for the toys but some of the stories are really pretty good and somewhat deep. Like when you find out that Beast-Man actually was a smart scientist before Skeletor screwed him over. In some of the stories there are not only just good and evil characters but some in between. You got some great voice actors in there too and can basically hear the high production value. Good stuff that I will never forget and always cherish.

I even liked the (crappy) real action movie that came out with Dolph Lundgren. Unfortunately all things have to end sooner or later as is also the case with He-Man. Mattel relaunched the Masters of the Universe with The New Adventures of He-Man line, which failed big time. It was actually the worst thing they could have done. Oh well. There even was a comic where He-Man battled Superman. Unfortunately, I have never seen it. I really would have liked to read it.

So, what I am trying to tell you - well, and mostly myself - it is Ok for a grown man to listen to stories for 4 year olds. I just don't know whether it is OK for a grown man to dress up like this:

Celebrity Sightings Part 2

2008-09-08T20:31:00.005-04:00

Three celebrities in three days. Not bad I would say. So who did I see? And where? Well, I actually saw two of them in one and the same spot. I was enjoying a lunch at a restaurant called Coffeeshop on Union Square (regular hangout for actors and models) when I noticed this dude sitting at a table not too far away from mine:

Can you guess who that is? Well, he is in one of my favorite movies of all time: Stand by me. Furtherore he will star in the upcoming show Do Not Disturb.

But on top of that, after a while this guy came in and sat down at another table:

That's right, Joshua Jackson who will be in Lost creator J. J. Abrams' next show called Fringe which is a bit like X-Files. Fortuntely, I have already seen the first episode and was not that impressed. Partly also due to the fact that Jackson really doesn't fit into the role he is playing. Abrams should have cast someone else.

Last but not least I saw one of my childhood idols at a restaurant called Pastis in the meatpacking district of Manhatten. Back in the day the butchers processed meat in that area but all that has changed. Now it has a lot restaurants, bars and clubs that attract a more yuppie crowd. But enough NYC history, I saw no other than:

Boris Becker. He was enjoying lunch with his kids. No woman at his side though. Oh man, I will never forget his great matches at Wimbledon. After all he is the best tennis player that ever came out of Germany.

A day at the US Open

2008-08-30T12:19:00.011-04:00

To me, there is not a better sport on this planet than tennis. So of course going to the US Open is somewhat of a dream come true. I was very lucky and got a cheap ticket, although the Open are sold out everyday, so there was no way I could say no. A ticket for the day session of day 5. And I especially like going to tournaments in the first rounds. That way you get to see more matches and can get closer to the players because some matches are played on "smaller" courts.

I got there at around 10:30am. The first match started at 11 o'clock. So perfect timing to get a good seat for the match Haas vs. Muller. Furthermore I watched some Federer vs. Alves, Ginepri vs. Cilic and also Safin vs. Robredo. Here are some pics I took while I was there:

Click on pictures for a larger view

Of course I could go into detail about every match but I won't. At least not too much. I wish Haas would have won. He got a bad call in the tiebreak of set 3 and wasn't able to regain his composure afterwards. Muller took it in 5.
I only watched Federer for about 10 minutes. It just isn't that much fun watching him because there pretty much is no chance he will lose in the early rounds of a Grand Slam. Also, I didn't want to miss other matches where I could be closer to the action than all the way up in Arthur Ashe stadium.
Cilic played really well against Ginepri and deservedly won. And I do have to say, the Grandstand is my favorite court at the Open. No too big with great seats and nice atmosphere all around.
Last match I saw was Safin vs. Robredo. Unfortunately the match had 3 rain delays. I stayed because sooner or later the clouds passed for good and play was continued. Safin just is not a smart player. Yeah he can hit the ball hard and on a good day beat anyone, but he just doesn't know when to take a step back and go for a smarter shot. Robredo used his chances and sealed the deal in the end.

That was my day at the open in short. It was amazing. Wish I could go everyday. As a consequence, I will start playing tennis again. For every tennisfan, visiting one of the Grand Slams should be on the "to do"-list.

Third Rock from Sun in NYC

2008-08-27T00:53:00.008-04:00

Today I was walking around the city, running some errands. And in a city occupied by millions, every once in a while you will spot a celebrity. And one such famous person crossed my path today. It was Kristen Johnston. Probably most of you will probably say: Kristen who?! Well, here is a pic of her:

As you can see, she was in 3rd Rock From The Sun (great sitcom by the way) and one of the Austin Powers movies. Of course she has done some other stuff too as well as theater. Where did I see her? At a Staples (office supply store) on Broadway. I was shocked when I saw her though. To me she looked like this:

Okay, I am exaggerating. But she really did look horrible. She is a tall woman and anyone who has seen her onscreen knows she is a bit more heavy-set which is Ok because it fits her. Well, when I saw her she looked too thin, her skincolor unhealthily pale and old, eyes glossy, somewhat jumpy and nose slighty redish around the nostrils which could imply this:

In her defense, I have to say that she burst an ulcer in December 2006. But still, that was a long time ago and she should have recovered from that by now. Looks like the actress isn't hooked on 3rd Rock From The Sun but on 3rd Crackrock Before Noon. Hope I am wrong.

Drinks of the weird

2008-08-25T23:52:00.005-04:00

When you go to a supermarket in the US, you will certainly be amazed by all the different beverages you will be able to find there. It far surpasses the selection you know in Germany. There is something for every taste and I always try to taste something new. But some drinks really are weird. And of course, I don't want to keep those from you. Drink Number 1 that I found weird:

NICLite. It basically is water with added nicotine. For all you tryin-to-quit smoking fiends. I did not try it though since I don't reallt crave the nic. I just find the idea of water with nicotine weird. But whatever floats your boat.

Drink number 2 was this:

The deal with hint is, that it is water with just a tiny bit of natural taste and no sugar. And I certainly love water. Kalter. Klares. Wasser. And I also love cucumber. So why not put them together? Great idea right? Yeah that's what I thought, too. But I was taught better. While the water did have a bit of a cucumber taste, it more so reminded me of this:

STINKBUG!!!!!
And if I do have an archnemesis on this planet, that is it. I have a very traumatic childhood experience where one ot those bugs flew into my ear and I couldn't get it out until some woman came to help me. And to this day I will never forget that smell. And tasting that water, I almost threw up on the spot. Stinkbug, you are my kryptonite. Thou shall not defeat me with your cucumber water! Revenge will be mine!!!!!!

If there's something strange in your neighborhood

2008-08-21T13:19:00.014-04:00

Who you gonna call? GHOSTBUSTERS!

I went to visit a landmark of one of my favorite films of all time. The Ghostbusters HQ is in New York and can be found here:

View Larger Map
Inside the firstation, they actually have a Ghostbusters 2 sign. And outside a Ghostbusters/Fire department logo painted on the street. Check out my pics:

While I was there, five other people came to take pics. And this is almost 20 years after Ghostbusters 2. Pretty damn cool. Of course everybody knows Vankman, Ray, Egon and Winston are not going to walk out of that firestation. But when you are there, you still hope they really would.

The saddest place on earth: Las Vegas

2008-08-20T23:03:00.040-04:00

I went to Vegas for the first time in my life last weekend. "Wow! Vegas! Awesome!" That's what I thought. The city you always hear all these crazy stories about. When people go somewhere to go nuts, where do they go? Vegas of course! Or at least, that's what a lot films out there tell us.

Well, I went there and thought it was a sad place. So sad, I felt sorry for the people living there.

Seriously, Vegas is not a good city. The first thing you will see when you get off the airplane at Vegas airport, are slotmachines. As you may know, gambling is legal in Vegas. And pretty much that is all you do.

The airport / The hotel lobby-casino / Slotmachine in bar

Normally when most people go on vacation, they don't really spend time in the hotel because they are out and about exploring the place they are visiting. Well, in Vegas, everything happens in the hotel. So if you are not in YOUR hotel,then you are probably in one of the OTHER hotels. Why? Because that's all there is in Vegas: hotels. The hotel also is a casino with machines bleeping and blurping all day long already starting in the lobby. The hotel also always offers some kind of show like Barry Manilow or Siegfried and Twoface. The hotel also has several restaurants. And most likely, the hotel will also have some kind of nightclub and shopping area. Of course the hotels are quite fancy and some are so luxurious, it will blow your mind. Furthermore some of the restaurants are amazing and offer incredibly good food. But it all is overshadowed by the fakeness of it. Seriously, Disney World feels like the ancient cathedral of Notre Dame compared to Vegas. The city has absolutely no authentic atmosphere since everything happens in the hotels. When you go to an Italian restaurant everything is made to look Italian but it just doesn't feel right. In NYC there a little cozy restaurants in red brick houses, that are naturally run down and have an authentic atmosphere. In Vegas they try to capture that too, within the hotel, but it just doesn't work. I mean, just take a look at the pic of that Italian square. That was inside a shopping mall, with a fake painted sky and the smell of chlorine in the air. "Hallenbad"-atmosphere is what my buddies Roeb and Wollny called it. And there is nothing classy about that. The city has so little style, they have to rebuild other cities with style into it. Like Paris, Venice or even New York. Just look at the pics. It is white trash Disneyland. Everything is so unbearably fake! Even the women are! Since prostitution is somewhat allowed in Vegas, hookers are everywhere. The problem is you won't be able to tell which women are and which aren't prostitutes since they all look alike (fake boobs galore) and you can't really tell whether they just want your money or not.

So what do you do in Vegas? Gamble for one. But in my book, sticking a dollar into a slotmachine isn't really gambling. Blackjack is. Or Poker. But, if you are not into that or low on cash, you really shouldn't try. And even that is without a special flair since it is done in huge halls where you feel like cattle. Shows are another thing. You will find many a famous artists in Vegas: Cher, Elton John and all other kinds. Why are they out in the desert? Because in Vegas, they get paid way more than anywhere else. And why is that? Because there is nothing to do and only a huge amount of money could get someone to come out to live there! Drinking is a good thing to do. Again because that's really is not much else to do. Sports you can forget about. It is so hot there that you will get a heat stroke in no time. My friends and where close to going nuts and going at each other because of the heat after only being outside for about 30-40 minutes.

To me, Vegas is like a one-legged 50 year old prostitute, trying so hard to pass herself off as a prima ballerina from the Russian ballet. Underneath all those bright lights, this city has no style and glamour and seems rotten to the bone. You can really feel how people have pissed their whole live away and the city is full of scum and failed existences. Vegas might have been something at some time but I believe, the words of Ace Rothstein do it justice:

Today it looks like Disneyland. And while the kids play cardboard pirates, Mommy and Daddy drop the house payments and Junior's college money on the poker slots. In the old days, dealers knew your name, what you drank, what you played. Today, it's like checkin' into an airport. And if you order room service, you're lucky if you get it by Thursday. Today, it's all gone.

Still had a lot of fun though because I got to see some friends of mine that I hadn't seen for quite some time:

Cheers to you guys!

I sure am glad to be back in the real city of New York.

A night in hell or how lucky can I get?

2008-08-19T18:48:00.006-04:00

Seriously, I thank god that my name is Felix. Why? Because the deeper meaning of the name is "the lucky one". And two nights ago I needed all the luck I could get. This is what happened:

I flew back from Vegas on sunday. First to Dallas and from there to NYC. I was pretty tired during the whole trip since Vegas really was stressfull. Already the trip turned out not to be a good one. The plane to Dallas was way late and just barely made the connecting flight to NYC by running like a maniac. But I did make it nonetheless.

So I arrive in the Big Apple at around 10PM. And since it is somewhat late and JFK airport is very far away from Manhattan, I decided to treat myself to a cab. So I am sitting there. Got my luggage consisting of one big carry-on bag, my camera bag and my black notebook case which also holds my passport. The ride took about 30-40 minutes so by the time I get to my front door, I am just tired and wnat to get out. I grab my stuff and leave the car, head up the stairs and am just happy to be home. All of a sudden I realize "Fuck, where is my notebook case?"

I left it in the cab. In New York. Together with my passport which contains my visa.

Fuck.

My heart slipped into my pants. You have to understand that my notebook is all I have over here to work with. And I do not have money to buy a new one. Furthermore my passport was in that case as well containing the visa which allows me to work here. And I have no clue how hard it would be to get a new one.

Furthermore I have no info on the cab. But thank god, when I left the cab, the receipt fell on the street. So I ran downstairs to get the slip of paper off the street. So at least I had some info on the cab. Right away I called the TLC (Taxi & Limousine Commission) but they were closed already and wouldn't open up until 9 in the morning. So I was screwed. All kinds of scenarios ran through my head. What if a guest found it? Would he keep it? What if the cabbie found it? Well, I though for sure as hell everything was gone and I would be left with nothing. I was seriously freaking out.

Couldn't really sleep that well that night. Got up at 8AM and called the TLC at 9. After I explained my situation to the nice lady on the phone, she knew which cab had taken me home. And she also knew which driver was driving it. So she calls the guy, named Boris. And believe it or not, he found my stuff and still had it. I was so freakin' relieved. No my only fear was that it might be broken because some guest might have sat or stepped on it. But no, I got everything back today and I am so grateful for it.

Of course I gave Boris a reward for being so honest.

I really must be one lucky bastard.

Quick Update: I am in Vegas

2008-08-17T12:44:00.003-04:00

Well the reason I haven't written anything these last couple of days is because I was in Vegas. Actually I still am. Sitting at the airport right now. Very soon I will write about what I did here.
Furthermore the vote on the right indicates the most people that visit my blog don't care that much for movie reviews. I won't stop writing about movies but I will keep those articles as brief as possible. And last but not least, I will start looking into bringing my blog to wordpress since a bunch of my friends recommended it to me.

When commercials go wrong II

2008-08-12T17:57:00.006-04:00

Take a look at this pic:

What do we see? A poster of tennispro James Blake promoting Heineken Light. And just for your info: Light beers in the US just have fewer calories but the same amount of alcohol as regular beers. The ad also points out Heinekens sponsorship of the upcoming US Open. Am I the only one that thinks there is something wrong with this? Seriously, I am the last one to turn down a beer or a good party but seeing an active pro athlete, advertising a beer, is just not right. Yes, I know Boris Becker also is in a beer commercial but he is not an active athlete anymore. And that is a huge difference to me. Athletes are big rolemodels and beer definitely does not help them win, stay on top or perform better on court. Nor is it part of their strict diet. Believe me, I know since I myself tried braking into the professional tennis circuit.

Sorry Heineken and James Blake, but this commercial is no Grand Slam.

Bring in the cow!

2008-08-11T00:29:00.012-04:00

No-meat-week is over! I did it! And you know what? It was only semi-kind of tough. How did I do it? Well, I ate Pizza with vegetables on it. Fish & Chips. Salad. Hummus with bread (I already liked Hummus even before no-meat-week). Pasta. Or all kinds of other stuff that did not contain meat. But my last no-meat-meal had to be something special. So I made...

-drumroll-

VEGETARIAN HOT DOGS!!!!

Click on pic for larger image

But of course the most important question remains: Did they taste good? Yes, they really did. And I put everything on there that I normally would pack on a regular Hot Dog, too. Ketchup, mustard, cheese and some relish to top it all off. It was a good meal that thoroughly delighted my tastebuds. Was it better than a NY famous Gray's Papaya Hot Dog? No, not really. But every once in a while, not indirectly hurting an animal, doesn't hurt you. Will I quit eating meat from now on altogether? No, but being mindful about what you eat, is good no matter what. Now where did I put that butcher knife? This lil' piggy is goin' to town...

OINK! -swoosh- THUD.

...yummie...

Beachclubbing in Liberty City

2008-08-09T01:50:00.012-04:00

In a lot of major cities in Germany you have beachclubs. They are nothing else but outside bars with sand raked up. While there actually is a natural beach in NYC, there also is a pretty cool beachclub called the Water Taxi Beach. What's so good about it, is not the food or the drinks but the view. I think it is just amazing. But see for yourself:

Click on pic for larger image

View Larger Map
I can't even decide which pic I like the best. The last one I changed a bit using iPhoto. Anyways, why was I there? Well, I don't know that many people in NYC yet, but I came across this website called meetup. And there I found the New York City German Culture Meetup Group. Basically people that share an interest in Germany get together for fun times every once in a while. Some of them are Germans living in the Big Apple, some are Americans. You get together and just talk and share experiences. Pretty fun stuff. Unfortunately once it started raining, the meetup was over. Thank god, because a couple of more beers and I would have been done with.

Don' bogart that joint: Pineapple Express Review

2008-08-08T22:54:00.013-04:00

Ever since I saw the trailer to Pineapple Express, which is perfeclty edited to MIAs Paper Planes, I had wanted to see that film. But trailers can often fool you and when you see Pineapple Express you might get a lot more then you bargained for. And that is not necessirally a good thing. What I mean is, that Pineapple Express isn't just an ordinary stoner comedy, it is actually more of a stoner action flick.

Rogen plays once again the role he does so well: the likable underdog with flaws but is good at heart. Mostly stoned out of his mind, he goes about his everyday job. It all goes wrong though once he buys a special kind of weed called Pineapple Express from his dealer Saul (James Franco). As Dale (Rogen) smokes a joint in his car before he can call it a day, he becomes witness to a brutal murder and flees the scene. The only evidence left behind is the joint he threw out. In shock of what he just saw, Dale ends up at Sauls place. But as luck might have it, the people who Dale saw murder someone, happen to be supplying that weed to Saul. And since Saul is the only one selling Pineapple Express, they find out pretty quickly who to look for.

This film heavily relies on the two main characters. And they do have their funny moments. There are the typical stoner conversations that you will catch yourself chuckling at, though the acting at times can be quite amateurish. Franco plays the pothead a bit too over the top to be really believable. Overall, the relationship between Saul and Dale doesn't feel natural though. Their friendship seems too forced and therefore moments that show emotions are not really touching.
As I said in the beginning, Pineapple Express is also packed with action. Some of it is so gruesome that you can't help but laugh. The two killers played by Kevin Corrigan and Craig Robinson share some great onscreen time and even have more chemistry than Franco and Rogen. And then there also is Red played by Danny McBride - who certainly is the secret star of the movie - the middleman between Saul and the headhoncho Ted (Gary Cole from Office Space). A lot of the stuff that McBride delivers is just hilarious.

Besides some of the acting I felt that the editing of the movie wasn't that good. At times, the film feels chopped together without a right sense of direction. But that could also be attributed to the script of the film.

In the end Pineapple Express isn't the supergrow of stonerflicks it would like to be or could have been. It is more of a constant mellow trip. Too bad the trailer already shows some of the best parts. But besides the flaws I did feel entertained. Not laughing-my-balls-off entertained but entertained nonetheless. But if you are going to see only one movie this summer with Judd Apatow's name attached to it, I would make it Step Brothers.

Double Feature: Mummy 3 and Stepbrothers

2008-08-06T22:53:00.014-04:00

Saw these two movies lately. I'm gonna cut straight to the chase and not waste too much time talking about the story of either movie.

Mummy 3
The first Mummy flick with Brendan Fraser was not too bad. It tried to follow the footsteps of Indiana Jones, but never reached the quality of any of the fims starring Harrison Ford. There were some good ideas but just too much CGI stuff. The second part didn't really improve the franchise and just got more ridiculous. And now part 3 is here...

...and sunk the ship once an for all. Rachel Weisz who played Brendan Fraser's love interest in the previous installments knew why she didn't sign on again: the script and story is just not good. First off, a mummy, for my part, is from egypt, lives in a pyramide and looks like it has a toiletpaperfetish. And I don't want to hear: "But other cultures have mummified their leaders too." When I go to see a movie like that, I don't really give a damn about history. And I bet when the word "mummy" is tossed into room full of people, they for sure as hell won't be thinking of an asian one made of clay.

Besides getting a mummy that's not really a mummy, Brendan Fraser and his "new" wife Maria Bello get in quarrels about rising their annoying meathead son. Most of the the jokes feel out of place and too constructed to really start a spark. Mummy 3 might not be horrible, it's just worse than the previous installment.

Stepbrothers
Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly meet in this over the top R rated comedy about two middleaged guys who all of a sudden become stepbrothers and end up living under the same roof. Of course they don't like each other and trouble ensues.

While many movies pick up a great idea but ultimately don't really execute it that well or are too tame. Neither can be said about this flick. This film would never have worked if it would have gotten a PG-13 rating. It is the the combination of Ferrell and Reilly not holding back yet acting like a bunch of mildly retarded idiots that makes this film so good. There are so many funny situations in this movie that it is hard to pick your favorite. You can actually tell they had fun filiming this one. It might not be as good as Anchorman but Ferrell and Reilly could be the new Sonny and Cher. And when they sing their tune, you will laugh you balls off.

No Meat Week

2008-08-05T14:52:00.005-04:00

Since yesterday I am trying something so bold, it scares me. The greatest challenge I have ever encountered: I will try to eat no meat for a week. That's right. In the country of great burgers, Hot Dogs and Steaks, I will only eat plant. "Well, that hardly is a problem now is it, Mr. Felix?", you might ask. But no, for me it is a problem. Pretty much evertime I eat, I eat meat. It just tastes so good-good. And let's be honest, if god would not want us to eat animals, why did he make them out of meat? But I will try to spare Captain Chicken McNugget and his pal Bernard Beefpatty. At least for a week. If I can.

A beer with Charlie Chaplin

2008-08-01T19:31:00.004-04:00

Enjoying a free outdoor concert in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. Well more of a movie/concert crossover. A guy named Carl Davis had the idea of coming up with scores for Chaplin's first 12 movies which originally never had a soundtrack since they are silent movies. It is more than a regular soundtrack because the music really describes what is happening on screen. And that's what happened at the concert. Three of Chaplin's silent movies were shown accompanied by the orchestra conducted by Carl Davis. Live. Really beautiful. And hats off to Chaplin. Even today his movies are still very entertaining. Since it was too dark to take pics of the main event I could only take pics of the opening act.

Furthermore, in my hand I am holding the greatest summer beer ever: Bud Light Lime. Light beer with a bit of lime in it. And the best part is, in the US, light beers have the same amount of alcohol as regular beers. Less calories, same buzz. Cheers!

The not so real McCoy

2008-07-30T11:07:00.001-04:00

A Guitar Hero clone I discovered on 24th st corner 3rd ave.

Shake-uh-licious: The Shake Shack

2008-07-29T11:40:00.003-04:00

There is no reason to eat bad food in the Big Apple. Pretty much on every corner you find places that will amaze your tastebuds. One of those places is the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park which is close to the famous Flatiron building on Broadway and 5th:

View Larger Map
I didn't get a burger this time but went for a frozen custard instead. And oh my god! That thing blew my mind it was so tasty. Vanilla, Chocolate fudge, peanut butter and bananas. Seriously I don't think I have ever had anything so cold that is so tasty. That place serves great burgers too. And nothing beats sitting in the park to enjoy a burger. That's why the waiting line is so long. Can take up to an hour until you order. You can even check the webcam on their site to see how long the line is in order to plan ahead. Here are some impressions:

Bad-TV Face

2008-07-21T21:03:00.008-04:00

You know how it is. Sunday. There is nothing to do. Bored as hell. You start watching TV and although nothing good is on, you still watch something. Anything! And of course it is some movie you actually would never watch. But what the hell. After all it is sunday. And there is nothing else to do. You know how it is.

If you can guess which movie I was watching, I will send you a prize from New York.

Darker than Black, better than all: The Dark Knight

2008-07-17T21:41:00.022-04:00

Before I start talking about Dark Knight, I have to tell you about my history concerning the Batman movies. Just that you get a feel of how I place the movies so far.
Adam West is god. Seriously I liked the old show. Yes, they were cheesy and had an underlying theme of guy-on-guy action thanks to Robin, but they had their own style and charm. Especially the Batmobil. But the old show doesn't really play into this review since it is just its own thing.

That said it is time to look at the modern movies which started with Tim Burton's Batman. Ultimately this is the one that people will mostly compare Dark Knight to, because it also has The Joker (played by Jack "crazy-smile" Nicholson) in it. I like Burton's version of Batman. I thought the two films were dark, captured a comic feel and had great villains (Michelle Pfeiffer in a latex catsuit... Meeeeoooow!). I also like Michael Keaton as Batman. Many people say his performance in the Batsuit was too "constricted" but people have to understand, that the suit back then was made of materials that didn't really let the actor move freely. And I liked, that in order to look around, he had to turn his whole upper body. Made him look more badass. Over the years, of course, better and more flexible versions of the Batsuit were made as the creators of the movies found out which materials worked better.
Joel Schumacher's films I don't really like. Batman Forever started the downward spiral and Batman & Robin sealed the deal. Both films feel too "plasticy" and "neon". Like it was a cheesy musical. Seriously, Arnie ice skating around was just horrible. And Robin didn't really fit in either. So it was clear, for Batman to live on, he had to have a complete makeover.

The guy to do just that, was Chris Nolan with Batman Begins. As the name suggests, this version focused on how Bruce Wayne became the Batman and also explained his being. It is a more realistic approach. One that tried to make the character more believable and darker. And while I do like it, I also had problems with it. First off, I hated how Bruce Wayne changed his voice whenever he wore the Batsuit. Many will argue that of course, he needed to do that so he would not be recognized. But to me, it felt like a joke. I didn't know whether I should take that serious or laugh. Second, I didn't like the whole Ninja-temple thing. Third, it was too obvious that Liam Neeson's character wasn't dead. Fourth, the new Batmobil just doesn't do it for me. And fifth, why was the movie so "yellowish", almost sepia-like? So while I think it is a good movie and definitely way better than Schumacher's Batman, I also believe it is overrated and doesn't quite reach Burton's vision. So now that you know how I feel about Batman up to this point, let's get it on! Dont' worry, there are no spoilers in my review.

Batman is back to clean up the streets of Gotham City. But he is not accepted by everybody. People still frown upon his ways of being above the law. Still he gets the job done because nobody else does. Until someone new shows up in town: The Joker. And he is not only creating fear amongst the citizens of the city but also has the crime bosses somewhat scared.
Thank god Batman is not alone though, Detective Gordon ist still on his side and the new District Attorney Harvey Dent also looks very promising as a new ally. Rachel Dawes is back as well but this time played by the wonderful Maggie Gyllenhaal. In my opinion, she is a better choice anyhow. Never cared for Katie Holmes too much. But let's cut to the chase, how good is the movie?

Dark Knight is the best Batman movie ever made. And not only that, I think it is the best superhero movie ever made. By far. And this is coming from someone who is not the biggest fan of Batman Begins. After watching this flick you realize just how far behind other superhero movies are. It puts a movie like Hellboy 2 to shame. It also puts Jack Nicholson to shame. Compared to Ledger's Joker, Nicholson is merely a clown. But in Nicholson's defense, I do have to say that his verison of the Joker is based on a different version of the comicbook Joker. So they don't really compare and it becomes a matter of taste whether you like Nolan's more realistic approach. In this film the Joker is so intense and incredibly sinister. Like nothing I have ever seen in a movie like that before. It is exactly what I wanted to see from the Joker. A creator of chaos and maestro of destruction filled to the brim with insanity. Where Batman follows a set of ethic rules and morals, the Joker is just the complete opposite. Unfortunately with Ledgers untimely death, the joke is definitely on us. It angers me to know that such talented man left life so early.

And don't be fooled by the PG-13 rating. This movie is the darkest and grittiest superhero film you can come across. It is dirty, has great action and fights in it, yet it still manages to make you like and feel for the characters while telling a good story. Something a lot of these kinds of movies tend to forget. Also the film remains believable. Batman comes across even better in this film and once again the conversations with his Butler Alfred, again portrayed by Michael Caine, are a delight.

Visually there also were some changes. The creators did away with the "yellow"-look the city had at nighttime in Batman Begins. Very thankful for that. Also this is one of the movies that tries to stay away from CGI as much as possible. Well except one half thing, but I can't really go into that without giving away too much.

A special mention goes out to the combination Zimmer/Newton Howard who created an incredibly gripping and atmospheric soundtrack that perfectly captures the darkness and mood of the film. In my opinion it is worthy of an oscar because it goes so hand in hand with the pictures on screen. Just beautifully done.

The movie does have some flaws though. The second half is almost a bit too long and doesn't quite keep up the exhilarating pace of the first. Also there some tiny plotholes. Still, the flaws in this movie are minor. I can even live with Batman's voice.

Dark Knight is action and drama packed in an 152 minute long rollercoaster that will leave you breathless. And thanks to Heath Ledger's Joker we have seen the best evil performance to date. Chris Nolan's Dark Knight is the Godfather 2 or Empire Strikes Back of superhero movies. It is one of the very few sequels that is better than the original in every which way. This is the movie that every other comic adaptation will try to beat, if that is even possible. They for sure as hell have lot of hard work ahead of them.

Apple doesn't like me

2008-07-16T21:24:00.012-04:00

I got up this morning. At 4:30am. Against all reason. Why? Well, my inner technology loving bastard child got the best of me. I want the new iPhone. Bad. And I wanted it this morning. That is exactly the reason I got up at 4:30am. By 5am I was standing in front of the Apple store on 5th Ave right by Central Park. And I wasn't the only one there. There were a lot of people. Waiting for the iPhone to be sold at 7am. Although it is a store open 24 hours, 7 days a week, the iPhone can only be bought at daytime hours. People were nervous. "Is the 16 GB version in black still available?" was probably the most asked question. Insecurity reigned supreme. Faces looked around bedazzled. Then a nice Apple employee came out and made sure that the people buying an iPhone have everything they need. Social Security Number? Check! US ID? Check! ... Hold on! US ID?! I got this burgundy, a little bent-around-the-edges-but-screaming-worldtraveller, (Which I am not. I am just untidy. But Apple doesn't know.) German passport!

-Elevatormusicplaying-

Before I go on, do you remember the movie Crocodile Dundee with Paul Hogan? Sure you do. Then you surely also know the scene where these two thugs try to mug the Dundee. They pull out a knife and Paul Hogan goes: That's not a knife. That's a knife. And pulls out the mother of all knives. At that moment you can just see the eyes of the thugs fill up with fear und disappointment. Then you will know how I felt when I heard the Apple employee tell me this:

-Elevatormusicstop-

That is not an ID. That's an ID! -showinghisAmericanone-

Ok, he didn't say it like that but it makes my story better this way. All the same, the result was that no matter how early I got up, Apple wasn't going to accept my form of ID and therefore I was not going to get one of them fancy phones.

Saddened I left. To go home. But I had a plan! At 8:30am I would show up the DMV to get myself a photo ID. An American one ---> Partyyyy! And then stand in line for 3-4 hours for phoneyphone ---> Not so much partyyyy. So I stood in line at the DMV for an hour. Unfortunately getting an ID isn't that simple of a thing to do. At least not for me and my visa status. But that's a different story.

So what did I end up with? The realization that getting up early gets you nowhere and Apple employees have the power to make you feel like a little girl. And that at 5 o'clock in the morning, it is possible to meet an old friend you haven't seen for 10 years, also standing in line, waiting for an iPhone. Furthermore you can just order an iPhone at an AT&T store without an American ID. They like German passports. Even when the edges are a little bent.

Death Beam!

2008-07-15T18:57:00.007-04:00

On sunday I took the train to visit an old friend of mine from high school. So I went to Grand Central Station on 42nd St, which by itself already is quite a sight and looks very impressive. I will post some pics of that historic building sooner or later. So this friend of mine lives out in Westport which is northeast of NYC and about an hour away.

Large Map
And it also is in the state of Connecticut (shouldn't it be spelled Conneticut since you don't hear the second C?!) which I didn't know. What I also didn't know is, that people in Westport are quite friendly. When I boarded the train to get back to the city, I saw this little stand in the train station:

That is just awesome and the kind of thing I love about living here. People do mind a lot more about each other. I mean, how many times have you come to a trainstation and just wished you had something to read? Great idea and props to Westport! And of course, I couldn't say no to Death Beam. Just the silver title makes it exceptional. Here is an excerpt from the back of the book:

Moscow: the Soviets have perfected the doomsday weapon that can bring America to its knees... New York City: a world-calss assassin readies a strike at the President... East Germany: a communist spy masters uses family connections to turn Isreal into a red puppet... Miami: the only American who knows what is happening has his head blown off...

The title is just screaming "Please make me into a B-Movie!". Awesome, just awesome. And no worries Westport, I will bring back the book for other people to enjoy. As soon as I am done with it.

Hellboy 2 = Hellofaride?

2008-07-13T00:11:00.010-04:00

I just saw the sequel to 2004s Hellboy, a comic adaptation by Guillermo del Toro who also brought us the acclaimed Pan's Labyrinth. I thought the first Hellboy was good but could have been better. It had a good amount of action and humor and not to forget - Hellboy, played by Ron Perlman. But it also had Rupert Evans as agent John Myers who somewhat seemed to play a bigger role in the story than the red guy himself. Which was OK since Hellboy still delivered all the oneliners and action you were hoping for. Still, people thought Myers didn't fit in that well and wanted the focus more on Hellboy himself. Well, in part two, Agent Myers isn't part of the crew anymore. Seacreature Abe returns as well as Selma Blair in her role as the flaming lady Liz. Joining them is a German scientist by the name of Johann Kraus (voiced by Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane) whose special ability is that he actually is made of steam and can even give live to inanimate things. Sort of. Unfortunately, no background to this character is delivered whatsoever, leaving his character somewhat empty, pretty much like the suit he wears. What are they up against? The golden Army.

Or more likely, the people trying to awaken the golden army. And by people I mean prince Nuada, the son of king Balor and brother of princess Nuala, with whom he is deeply connected. What is very well done in the movie is, that he isn't just a typical bad guy who just wants to destroy everything and kill everyone. He actually fights for a cause that in his eyes is right and is comprehendible. So he isn't just plain bad, he is just looking at the world from a different angle. And as pretty much all my friends and I agreed, he is the most detailed character in Hellboy 2.

I wish that could be said of Hellboy himself too. While there is a little flashback to his youth, he remains very shallow. Of course you can argue that in an action flick you don't really need much depth and definitely not for a character such as Hellboy anyhow, but in this case I disagree. Especially when the sequel clearly builds on the mentioned character and tries to give him depth by exploring his personal life and relationship with his girlfriend. Unfortunately, here the movie fails too, because any conflict between Hellboy and Liz that arises, is never really explained or too trivial and therefore feels too unimportant to really be a conflict to begin with. So Hellboy never surpasses the stage of delivering oneliners, which makes it hard to really get attached to this character but ultimately is so vital since the focus is much more him. And many of his lines feel too familiar from the first film.

What really made this movie stand out though were the visuals. First off, I personally would like to thank del Toro for trying to use as little CGI as possible. You can clearly tell, that whenever there was an opportunity to do something without using computer effects, it was done the good ol' fashioned way. A lot of the creatures in the film are masks or puppets. And they just look a lot more realistic. Screw you Lucas! And your army of CGI clones! Second off, the design of the creatures you see in the movie was incredible. Some of the stuff could easily have been straight out of Pan's Labyrinth. And there are so many different kinds of creatures too. The only design I did not like unfortunately, was the one for the golden army. You can see them in the trailer already so I am not spoilering anything, but to me their round shape wasn't threatening at all. We are talking about the meanest, unstoppable, brutal army that this planet has ever seen and then they look like a cross between a sumowrestler and a blowup rubber ball?!

Overall I am disappointed by Hellboy 2. Maybe because of all the great reviews it received prior to release. But then again my friends didn't read any and also said it could have been better. The movie has a lot going for it. The great visuals foremost, but when you strip that away, the plot shows a lot of weak spots. Too soon you know how it will all end. Also the pacing to me felt too slow. Like a rollercoaster that doesn't have a climax. But still, Hellboy 2 has some beauty in it and makes a decent action film, just not a great one though.

Techno Love

2008-07-11T21:07:00.009-04:00

When I court a lady, I take her to a nice restaurant. Heck, I will even throw on some pants to make her feel special. I pay for her Happy Meal (keep the toy for myself though) and whisper sweet things in her ear before I make love to her for hours on a polarbear rug in front of a fireplace until she sheds a tear of joy. Or I fall asleep. But I guess for other people a trip to the Apple store will just do:

Can't you just feel the love and see the sparks? Romance at work I tell you.

Oh yeah, the new iPhone came out today. It was around 8pm when I decided to see what all the fuss is about. When I got to the store, it was still so crowded you had to stand in line for at least an hour to even get into the store. Just ridiculous. See for yourself:

And while I am ranting on about the iPhone, I have to tell you this. There was this group of guys on the subway and one of them was complaining about how pathetic it was that everybody at work today, kept talking of the new iPhone. And he just went on and on and on. Well I got news for you! Who is more pathetic: The person that talks about the iPhone or the person that talks about people talking about the iPhone? DIPSHIT!

My mailman is a superhero!

2008-07-10T13:59:00.013-04:00

It is true! Well at least I think he is. Why? Well, I walked past the United States Post Office on 8th Ave. Looking closely you can read the following statement, which is written across the front of the building, greeting everyone who comes in:

"Neither Snow Nor Rain Nor Heat Nor Gloom Of Night Stays These Couriers From The Swift Completion Of Their Appointed Rounds"

Seriously, that has got to make you feel like you are Superman when you walk into that building for work. Is it a train? Is it a train phonebooth? No! It's the mailmaaaaan!!! And no matter what obstacle, he shalleth overcometh it with his maildelivering superpowers! Just beware his powerful stamp-punch!

Hail to you buddy and I think I speak for you all of us when I say that The Postman starring Kevin Costner is horrible. You deserve better. Better than Kevin Costner anyhow. But then again, everybody deserves better than Kevin Costner.

Felix & Camera go to White Castle

2008-07-09T21:41:00.012-04:00

First off, if you, a guy, have never seen Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle, you are to print out the following card and carry it with you at all times. Furthermore you are to show it to everyone you meet. Ever. Until you have seen the movie that is. And watching it in German doesn't count since the German dubbing is horrible.

This morning when I woke up, I heard something. It was this strange voice from deep within calling out to me: "Feeelix, Feeeeeeeeeeelix! Come hither to the Castle of White. The burgers shalleth free thou tastebuds like a shining knight!" Maybe I didn't hear voices after all and instead I was having bowel movement, but I did have a craving for something I knew only one thing could cure: White Castle miniburgers. Lots of them. So I followed the footsteps of Harold & Kumar. It was as if god had shone me a light straight to the door of White Castle at 525 8th Ave. Of course I had to save the moment for all of mankind to see:

The thing with White Castle is that their burgers are very small. Maybe half the size of a MickeyDees cheeseburger. But they only cost little too. So the deal is that you just get a bunch of them. I had a Chicken Italiano, a jalapeno cheeseburger, fries, a double cheeseburger, a regular cheeseburger and some melted cheese for the fries to dip in. And of course a tasty beverage to wash it all down.

But I do have to say, the taste sensation wasn't that much of a sensation. It was quite disappointing. I didn't mind the size of the burgers. I like to get little things with all kinds of different tastes. But the burgers just didn't taste that good. I hate pickles on my burgers. And the cheeseburgers just had too many on them. And not just that, they were big too. Due to the small size of a burger one slice of pickle almost covered the whole beef patty. The meat didn't taste that great either. Tasted too much like frozen meat which, of course, it ultimately is at pretty much every burgerchain but some just taste better. The Chicken Italiano was good though and the fries were decent. But then again, screwing up fries is pretty hard. The jalapeno cheeseburger had some spicy sauce on it to give it a little zest which was OK. Overall the anticipation was better than the sensation itself. On my scale from 1 to 10 where McDonalds is the median with a 5, White Castle gets:

3 out of 10

And although I was still hungry i decided to head for the road. It was funny to see though, that I wasn't the only one going in there because of Harold & Kumar. There were tourists in there too, taking pics with like 15 empty burger boxes to prove to buddies back home that they do know the movie and therefore don't have a very very very small penis.

Take A Walk On The Wild Side

2008-07-09T11:07:00.008-04:00

Lou Reed is god. Period. Challenging that is like challenging that grass is green or that water is wet. It is a lost cause. But enough of that. How did I come up with this realization? Well it was late last night and whilst it was late, I remembered another night in my life when it was also late. So basically I remembered a forgotten late night, late last night. And during that memory of a night long passed I remembered a beautiful garden of winter, a friend called MykelJay and a song of stories sung by a man by the name of Lou Reed. Maybe you will like it too, but if you only enjoy a fragment as much as I do, you should be in bliss:

I love the images of NYC in this video.

Hot town, summer in the city...

2008-07-08T16:45:00.012-04:00

...back of my neck getting dirt and gritty! Seriously, NY gets hot in the summer. And very humid. Today we hit 90˚ fahrenheit (around 32˚ celsius) easily. The concrete of skyscrapervalley radiates heat making you feel like an egg, ready to be scrambled. No wonder since the city is pretty much on the same latitude as Naples in Italy. And because of the heat, the city gets stinky. It is like walking through a fog of different smells. Mostly bad ones. Because as much as this city symbolizes what man can achieve, to me it also symbolizes of how humanity will ultimately fall. Ying & Yang all over baby. Among all the brilliant architecture, money and success lies the stench of trash and poverty while police sirens go off in the far distance, letting you know that bad can strike any second. The subway pulsating underneath the streets like thick red blood through my veins, bringing life into the Big Apple. And I fuckin' love it. Enough of the second rate poetry though. What do I do against the heat? Stay inside, crank up the AC and enjoy a nice cold brewski. At least until darkness falls and the creeps come out to play, because then I become...

BALLOONSTUCKINASS-MAN !!!

Sorry, I just bought tickets for Dark Knight starting next week and I got a little carried away.

I wish I was into comics

2008-07-07T15:33:00.010-04:00

When I was younger I did read comics every now and then. I liked Clever & Smart, also Mad Magazine and of course the European stuff such as Tintin, Lucky Luke and Asterix & Obelix. I even had some of the early Star Wars comicbooks that came out before the movie Return of The Jedi, where the creators had no clue yet that Luke and Leia were brother and sister and thus had a intimate relationship. Also read some Superhero stuff but didn't really have a favorite. At least I think. I never really got hooked on comics though but looking back I realise I read more than I thought I did. To me they were just the perfect entertainment when I hit the john. But other than that I didn't really find them that gripping. And growing older I also grew out of them. Why am I telling you all this? Well I was walking around NYC again today and stumbled upon Forbidden Planet, a comicbook and toy store of sorts, close to Union Square. And that place is awesome! It makes me wish I was more into comics. But also Fans of movies will love it. They have all kinds of memorabilia that will make your movie-lovin' heart jump. Take for example this replica of the Enterprise NCC-1701 (the ship tha our beloved James T. Kirk commandeered):

And this thing is huge! I would say it is around 30 inches (75cm) long. The whole store is packed with cool stuff like that. And it sort of makes me wish I would have gotten more involved in comics. There seem to be so many cool ones out there but I feel it is too late to really get involved and as I said, I am just no that into it. But I guess you can't have everything. But I will own that NCC-1701 some day. Oh yes, I will. Some day.

Check out the link to take a look at Forbidden Planet. If you ever are in NYC and are a fan of comics, this is definitely a place to check out.

Independence Day in the Big Apple

2008-07-05T10:57:00.004-04:00

July 4th is the big holiday in the US where they celebrate their independence from England. Of course I was quite looking forward to the spectacle fort several reasons. First off, I am always one for a party. Second off, the fireworks in NYC are supposed to be amazing. Third off, I get to watch them from the rooftop of the building I live in where normally no one is allowed up. So how did it turn out to be? Quite disastrous! The fireworks are shot off from 3 barges on the east river. Unfortunately, this year they moved down 12 blocks so the normally perfect view of the colorful explosions was obstructed by a big building. What a bummer. So no pics of that since there was nothing to photograph. But being up on the roof wasn't all that bad. I was able to take some nighttime pics from the surrounding buildings including the Empire State and also the Chrysler building. And I do have to say, considering it was raining and I don't have a tripod and these are 30 second exposures, the pics turned out quite alright. Take a look:

I know there are only minor variations in these pics but there really were no other good motifs. Still think they turned out alright especially with the reflection of the buildings in the watery ledge.

So because we didn't really see the fireworks due to the obstructed view, we went downstairs and watched it on TV. Yeah, I know that's lame. But the good part is after the fireworks were over, we watched some Robot Chicken (one of the funniest shows ever) and then the end of Empire Strikes Back. Seriously, the old Star Wars are so much better than the new ones, it dazzles my mind every time I see them.

New Cats on the Blog - Jack

2008-07-04T15:14:00.008-04:00

Living in the big city you don't see too many animals. Of course, you see people with their dogs, strolling out and about. But cats? You would normally think that cats have to stay indoors. But be assured, around the place I live are a bunch of cats. And they don't just stay inside. They actually run around on the sidewalk. Pretty fun to see and that is the reason I have decided to come up with "New Cats on the Blog" (and if you don't get that "New Kids on the Block" joke, you might ask your doctor whether you are a turd).

Today I present you Jack. Jack lives in a liquor store called "Wine Haeven" on 333 3rd ave close to the block where I live. The best part about it is, that in the store there is a big floormat saying "Jack lives here". Of course the statement refers to Jack Daniels and not the cat itself. This is the part where you go "Ooh!" and chuckle.

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So what's so cool about Jack? He just is a true New York cat. He is a bit overweight. Sorry, bigboned I mean. And he has this full round face that makes him look like the chiller that he is. Most of the the he will be lying around in the store observing all and everyone. He doesn't take crap from anyone. This dog, let's call him Mr. R, came in (and this dog is big like a labrador) and Jack just ran at it and bodychecked it. Those dogs won't be callin' him pussy no mores. So don't be fooled by his white "slippers". On the other hand Jack can just be a purrball. I like Jack.

Times Square by day

2008-07-04T10:17:00.005-04:00

Yeah I know, Times Square by day isn't really as amazing as it is during nighttime. I really don't like going there though. It is just too packed with musicals (oh how I hate them) and too many tourists.

Entertainment Weekly, The New Classics Part 2: Videogames

2008-07-03T19:32:00.015-04:00

So here we go again. EW - The New Classics. But this time they picked videogames. Couldn't wait to read this one. Again, EW looked at the best of the last 25 years and picked 50 new classics. And again I will post the ones I don't really agree with. For my own reasons. But this time, I will go a little more into detail. Here you will find the full Top 50 list.

Nr. 1: Tetris. Come oooon! That is so lame. Surprise me! That game has always been a classic. There really isn't anything new about this one. Will never forget the endless times I spent playing it on my Gameboy.
Nr. 5: Guitar Hero. Sorry, I just don't like Guitar Hero that much. Never understood the buzz. Too hard for beginners to pick up at a party. Too unentertaining for those who watch it.
Nr. 11: Halo 1. Halo was the first Shooter on a console that had excellent pad control and an awesome multiplayer... No wait! That was GoldenEye. Well, Halo 1 was that game with the great level design... No, not really either. Halo 1? Overrated.
Nr. 18: Half-Life. Oh this one definitely should be in the Top 50. But ranked higher. At least Top 5. This is the first shooter that introduced an involving story and spawned great games such as Counter-Strike and Team Fortress.
Nr. 20: Gears of War. Yeah, I know, the game does have great graphics. And I agree it is fun to play. Especially in coop mode. Yet it could have been more than cover-shoot-cover. Should be in there but I would give it a lower ranking.
Nr. 24: Tony Hawk 2. Never liked the series. Maybe it is because I suck at it so much.
Nr. 25: Shadow of the Colossus. This game is a piece of art. It is beautiful in every way. Tells a story with amazing pictures. Would be in my Top 10 if not Top 5.
Nr. 40: Okami. Same as with Shadow of the Colossus. One of the most beautiful game experiences I have had. Too bad it was a financial disaster.
Nr. 43: Psychonauts. A lot of people see this as an underrated game and hailed it as one of the best games by Tim Schafer. I just never got into it that much and could not understand the underground hype around it.
Nr. 47: Oblivion. Yes, the game does have a lot of sidequests. Some are even very innovative and entertaining. But the world was just boring. Pretty much everything looked the same. It was one big green forest. And Monsters leveling with you? Crappy idea!

There are some more games I would not pack in there. All the 1 on 1 BeatemUps. Never cared for those. Also Wipeout, which to me is overrated. But some games that are absolutely brilliant were not in there. I was shattered. What happened to the following new classics?

There are probably more games, that I can't think of right now. Especially in the ShootemUp section. That to me really is the best genre. Gradius stands for all of the ones I didn't mention here. What do you think about the list? Let me know.

Superman is a jerk: Hancock

2008-07-02T21:58:00.016-04:00

Remember in Superman 3 when good ol' Sup starts acting like an asshole, drinking and doing whatever he likes with his superpowers? Yeah, I liked that part too. And obviously I am not the only one because the guys behind "Hancock" took that idea to bring us one of this summers blockbusters starring Will Smith, Jason Bateman from Arrested Development und Charlize Theron. Smith plays Hancock, a Superhero who gets it all wrong. Saving people seems more of a burden to him and in the process causes a lot of damage and destruction. So instead of being hailed as a savior, nobody really likes him. In comes Bateman who tries to clean up his image starting by making him go to jail for his misdeeds. Of course, sooner or later, the city realizes that without Hancock, crime will rule.

While the movie directed by Peter Berg, who also is an actor (Great White Hype, Smokin' Aces), is being torn apart by critics around the country, let me assure you: Nope, it is not that bad. It does have its flaws though. The movie has a nice amount of action with okay effects paired with many funny moments due to the selfish nature of Hancocks character. And let's be serious, who would not want to (ab)use their superpowers when they are drunk? Thought so. Yes, the film does change pace midpoint and shifts the focus. It also delivers a lot more plotholes in the second part of the movie and leaves questions to be answered, yet it still remains to be a somewhat enjoyable ride. At least for me. But not everybody will agree with the decision to take Hancock in another direction halfway through because it might feel too forced and illogical. One could say they crammed two movies into one.

Also I wonder what the movie would have looked like with the initial R-Rating it was going to have. But since money makes the world go round, the studio edited it to get a PG-13 rating to rake in the teen audience. But be assured, there are still offensive moments in the film. Still, I wish there would have been more of that.

WIth Hellboy 2 and The Dark Knight coming up, I am sure Hancock will not be this summers most well received blockbuster. But concerning it doesn't have years of comic book history to look back on, it still is better than many other superhero adaptations.

When commercials go wrong...

2008-07-02T16:23:00.008-04:00

In the land of TV, I watch a lot of TV. Why? Because I can do it without wearing pants. But during a commercial brake of the Wimbledon tennis tournament broadcast I saw this:

So, what did we see? Franklin Templeton invests their shareholders money in thermal vision technology for firefighters. Now Seriously! How does that make sense?! Last time I checked, fire gets pretty hot. And not only that, also everything in the vicinty of the fire will get pretty hot. I am not an expert but I would say just as hot or hotter than the normal body temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37˚ Celcius). So I would say a thermal vision tool used for detecting people in a burning building isn't really the most accurate and reliable tool. But what do I care, I am not a shareholder nor do I need to be rescued. Thank god, because I am not wearing any pants.

Isn't it time for Jesus?

2008-07-01T20:36:00.020-04:00

I was walking around the neighbourhood today and discovered this:

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Is it just me or do you also think this sign is weird and creepy? I mean what is this supposed to tell us? Are Mom & Dad praying, hoping that it will turn their gay son straight so they don't have to send him off to bootcamp? Or that he will stop smoking "the reefer"? Sorry, Billboard-Jesus just really doesn't do it for me.

Beer. Everywhere.

2008-06-30T21:58:00.006-04:00

I have been over here for two weeks now and one thing I have realized is this: New Yorkans drink a lot of beer. All the time. They really do. Why? Because it is just so easy. First off, there are bars everywhere. Second, Happy Hour and hot weather go together like pee and poo. Third, there are so many beers you can try. Starting from local brewerys such as Brooklyn Brewery to fancy spiced up beers such as the Michelada, there is something for every taste. Basically it is like this, except you have to substitute the word beer for... well, you get the idea:

And who can say no to pussy? Beer I mean, of course.

Entertainment Weekly, The New Classics Part 1

2008-06-29T20:09:00.005-04:00

I love movies. So of course I do like reading about them. My weapon of choice this week was the Special Double Issue of Entertainment Weekly.

"The New Classics". The best movies of the last 25 years. Oh boy! Of course that got my movie-going-eating-salty-popcorn-with-lots-of-butter heart going. Who will come out on top? And which one of my favorites didn't make it? Instead of posting the whole list I posted the Movies that should not be in there. Why? Because I can!

Nr. 3: Titanic
Nr. 5: Toy Story
Nr. 10: Moulin Rouge
Nr. 19: Casino Royale
Nr. 25: Shrek
Nr. 29: The Bourne Supremacy
Nr. 35: The Incredibles
Nr. 42: Clueless
Nr. 65: Dirty Dancing
Nr. 80: Michael Clayton

Sorry, but none of these movies in my mind should be considered a classic. Some of these are just bad and others overrated. And since when does "good" or "decent" make a movie a classic? But what is worst of all, none of the following movies is in the list:

The Dude does not abide. In fact, he would like to take a poop on EW right about now. And baby Jesus doesn't like EW either.

Next time: The New Classics - TV-Shows.

PS: Pulp Fiction landet Nr. 1, South Park - The Movie Nr. 100. Can't disagree with that.

Sunday is Parkday

2008-06-29T15:46:00.002-04:00

On the weekends, especially on Sunday, New Yorkans seek nature. So where do they go? Well, Central Park for one. With an area of 1.32 square miles (3.41 square km) and 25 million visitors per year, it is the most visited park in the US. To me it is just beautiful and also amazing to know, that in this huge city of concrete there is this rectangular patch of green. The first two pics I found on the net, the rest I took myself.

Senor Rickay at Kips Bay: Wanted

2008-06-28T17:38:00.004-04:00

I just saw "Wanted" by the russian director Timur Bekmambetov, who also brought us "Night Watch" and "Day Watch". What made those films so special? Well in most part the completely over the top action with loads of even more over the top FX. Also a promising story which in parts was too incomprehensible to follow. Good ol' Timur stays true to the action formula in his latest film - which is based on a comic - starring Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman and James McAvoy (the cool version of Shia Lebeouf). The action is fast and stylized and people will compare it to "The Matrix", of course. Most likely also to "Shootem Up" with Clive Owen which I felt, tried way too hard and therefore failed miserably. What "Wanted" boils down to is this: Stylish action, Angelina Jolie, car chase, stylish action, Special FX, typical average guy must become hero-type badass training scene, Angelina Jolie, generic Story with plotholes and foreseeable twist, somewhat bad endfight. In a nutshell so to speak. McAvoy gives a good performance and shows that he also can carry a blockbuster. Jolie on the other hand seems to have only one facial expression in this film. But her role doesn't really ask for much more either. So is it worth seeing? Yeah it is alright. The action is fast and well shot and there are some scenes which really are quite funny. And "Wanted" does have some amazing action sequences that are jawdropping. Unfortunately, the rest that holds the picture together didn't live up to my expectations.

Where did I go see it? Well pretty much right around the corner where I live: Kips Bay Theater on 2nd Ave.

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Actually the theater is a bit further down the northeast part of the road. Right next to a petshop where they have the cutest little kittens. The movie theater isn't bad. The seats are comfortable, the snacks overpriced. The usual so to speak. But the greatest part is, that you don't have assigned seats (unlike in good ol' Germany) and you don't have to endure shitty commercials in the beginning (again, sorry Germany). The show started at 9PM. Lights out, several Trailers (Pineapple Express will rock) and - BAM - Movie starts. Love it.

Without a number, you are a zero!

2008-06-28T13:33:00.001-04:00

Yes, America is very bureaucratic. Going to the Social Security Office can be quite the stressfull act full of boredom. I know that sounds like jumbo shrimp but it fits. You just have to go there even if time seems to slow down at these places to a point where every ticking second punches you in the ballsack "Cockpuncher"-style (I know you Steven Seagal fans are out there). "But why do you, oh master of the universe and all that has boobies, have to go there?" you might ask me. Let me tell you that without a social security number you are nothing in the USA. You need it all the time. Want to take the drivers licence test? Social security number needed. Want to sign a cell phone plan? Not without a social security number unless you want to pay a 400 Dollar deposit. Getting a job? Only with a social security number. So you get the point. But for the slow at heart here is a everyday example of a person having a social security number and the other not:

Lisa = SSN
Bart = No SSN
Homer = Fat guy

Watch out NYC! Here I come...

2008-06-27T19:43:00.002-04:00

I am finally over here in the big city of New York. Pretty much, I have left everything behind. Fortune, Fame - a man needs not those things. All he does need is two bags full of clothes and a place he can drop some kids off at the pool without having to empty a bucket after a week. God, I am lucky.

So what can you expect to find on this blog? Basically everything I encounter in NYC and feel is noteworthy of writing down on virtual paper. That may include me dealing with everyday bullshit, to hanging out with friends, going to the movies, working, and of course exploring the city in all its glory. After all, this is NYC.

Get ready to bite the Big Apple!