Podcast: Pregame To The LOST Season 5 Preview Show
6 January, 2009, 10:11 pm in "LOST"
This is the Pregame to the LOST Season 5 Preview Show. In this episode Mister Payne discusses what guests will join him on the preview show, what segments will be included and all other special surprises and goodies he has planned. Included in the episode is a short conversation with Jay and Jack (jayandjack.com) discussing the NFL, the San Diego Chargers and the future LOST Fantasy Football League. Season 5 is almost here, and the No Payne, No Glory Season 5 Preview Show is forthcoming as well!
Good movie that matched my expectations. If you haven't seen it yet, you probably shouldn't read this review. This was a tear-jerker for women so watch out. Have fun reading...
Seven Pounds
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Genre: Drama
Starring: Will Smith, Michael Ealy, Rosario Dawson
Plot: Once, Tim Thomas (Will Smith) was a gifted aerospace engineer with a beautiful wife and a lovely beach house. Then, while using his cell phone while driving, his car wandered across lanes and he became responsible for the deaths of 7 others, including his beloved wife. Unable to forgive himself or raise the dead, Tim sets out to give "pounds of flesh" that will give new life to seven deserving individuals to make up for the seven lives he destroyed. Just as Antonio would have to die to pay Shylock the "pound of flesh" he demands, Tim intends to kill himself to atone for his sins.
His brother Ben (Michael Ealy), who works for the IRS, is deeply concerned about his state of mind. Tim steals his brother's IRS ID to access the IRS database and to find and meet people who he believes worthy of his gifts which includes body organs and material possessions. Holly Apelgren (Judyann Elder), Ezra Turner (Woody Harrelson), Connie Tepos (Elpidia Carrillo) and Emily Posa (Rosario Dawson) are among those whom he identifies to help.
Will Smith
Furthermore, Tim assumes his brother's identity of "Ben Thomas" to personally investigate these people and verify that they are indeed the right people he should help. He has a plan for when he identifies his 7 beneficiaries that requires his best friend Dan (Barry Pepper) to see that his wishes are carried out after he is dead. Tim's plan threatens to unravel when he begins to fall in love with one of the people he is trying to help. IMDB.com
The Pimp
I can at least say that this movie was everything that I thought it would be. To me it was billed as another big-budget Will Smith blockbuster sure to rake in millions, and I think it accomplished that goal. It also looked like a highly emotional and very involved story that would probably make most women cry by the end of it: Mission accomplished there, too. Nowadays I am just excited if I am actually entertained after going to the theater and paying to see a film and I walked away happy after watching this.
The Players
Will Smith (Ben Thomas/Tim Thomas) was good as usual as a guy obviously going through a tough time in his life. He has interesting interactions with people and seems to work well with Rosario Dawson (Emily Posa). They seem to have a good chemistry and Dawson did an OK job with her role as a room dying because of heart disease. She certainly lost enough weight and looked the part. This was a cast full of great, and in my opinion very underrated actors throughout. One of those actors is Michael Ealy (Ben’s brother - the real Ben Thomas) who didn’t have a major role, but was good as usual as the brother who figured things out too late. Barry Pepper (Dan) plays the best friend who helps Smith orchestrate this remarkable assignment that he was determined to complete.
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For my money the best performance was given by Woody Harrelson (Ezra Turner) whose facial expressions alone were a sign of his acting genius. There was a scene at the beginning of the movie that has Smith being none too kind to Harrelson over the phone, and the performance given by Harrelson (playing a blind man) was great. Robinne Lee (Sarah Jenson), Bill Smitrovi(Connie Tepos) all helped to bolster an already good cast with good to mildly believe portrayals of their characters. Joe Nunez (Larry - Hotel Owner) provided the comic relief for the film and was very funny while doing it.
The Hustle
This was a good movie. It is a bit complex, but once you sort through the rhetoric, it’s not half bad. It will take you a minute to sort through all the garbage and figure out what is really going on, but with a little patience and understanding this movie can have a big payoff for you. Basically Will Smith is going to commit suicide in this movie, but he wants to do a little good before doing so and make sure his organs go to deserving people after he has died. The premise alone is intriguing, but Gabriele Muccino does a good job of translating this story to the viewers.
I tend to like movies that don’t show things as black or white, but do leave a little bit of gray. They did not cheat us with their portrayal of the characters. As an example: Woody Harrelson’s character was slow to anger (as Smith put it during the film) and very shy towards a female waitress that he obviously had a crush on. Someone is is slow to anger, unwilling to engage in a verbal confrontation, and who is blind, is more than likely going to be shy when it comes to the opposite sex.
I don’t want to give the impression that this is just a love fest between this movie and myself, there were some parts that troubled me. For example: There was one scene where Michael Ealy confronts Smith outside Rosario Dawson’s home. Ealy tells Smith (basically) that he better go back inside and say his goodbyes because he (Ealy) wasn’t going anywhere. Smith then proceeds to go back inside and have sex (make love if you prefer) with Dawson while presumably Ealy just waits outside… WHAT? It looks like Smith took his time so why didn’t Ealy go and knock on the door and find out what the hell was taking so long? Not a big deal I guess, but it did bug me.
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Also, they never had a scene where Smith’s actions were fully explained. They basically tell you the story visually and except for a few scenes here and there, you have to put the story together for yourself. I don’t think I particularly like the way they arbitrarily implemented the flashback scenes either, but that is probably the director Muccino’s attempt at being artsy. The staple of this film is the unbelievable drama, emotion, and display of pain and human anguish portrayed by not only Smith, but the rest of the supporting cast as well. This a must see for all looking for a good film to watch alone or with someone by your side.
Video: Titantron videos for MVP, Kennedy and Jeff Hardy
4 January, 2009, 08:38 pm in "Wrestling"
I am a little bored so I decided to post the Titantron videos for 3 of my favorite wrestlers. Usually each year around this time I post a column talking about who's "NEXT" in the professional wrestling world, but I am saving that for an upcoming podcast. Instead, I am just giving you the videos for 3 guys who I feel are going to have huge years in 2009.
First is the video for Mr. Kennedy, then Jeff Hardy and lastly MVP. I look forward to my next wrestling podcast where I will expand on these 3 and what roles I think/hope they will play this upcoming year. Until then, enjoy these videos...
This is too bad. Richardson was an early presidential candidate and talked about as a VP choice for both Obama and Clinton and now he is just out. I remember all of the commotion he caused when he endorsed Obama and how he was so important to bringing the Latio vote to Obama... here is the AP story
WASHINGTON – New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Sunday he would drop his effort to become commerce secretary in the Obama administration, as a federal investigation into a state contract awarded to his political donors became a growing threat to his nomination.
Richardson insisted he would be cleared in the investigation and President-elect Barack Obama stood by the governor as an "outstanding public servant." But both men said it has become clear that a grand jury probe would not be finished in time for Richardson's confirmation hearings and could keep him from filling the post in a timely matter.
Richardson's withdrawal was the first disruption of Obama's Cabinet process and the second "pay-to-play" investigation that has touched Obama's transition to the presidency. The president-elect has remained above the fray in both the case of arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the New Mexico case.
A federal grand jury is investigating how a California company that contributed to Richardson's political activities won a New Mexico transportation contract worth nearly $1.5 million. Richardson said in a statement issued by the Obama transition office that the investigation could take weeks or months but expressed confidence it will show he and his administration acted properly.
A senior Obama adviser said Richardson gave assurances before he was nominated last month that he would come out fine in the investigation and the president-elect had no reason to doubt it. But as the grand jury continued to pursue the case, it became clear that confirmation hearings would have to be delayed for six weeks or even longer until the investigation was complete, said the adviser, speaking on condition of anonymity about the discussions because they were private.
Aides to both men insisted that Richardson made the decision to withdraw and was not pushed out by Obama. But one Democrat involved in discussions over the matter said transition officials became increasingly nervous during the last couple of weeks that the investigation was a bigger problem than Richardson had originally indicated.
Richardson spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said the governor believed the grand jury matter would be cleared up by this time, but decided to withdraw when it became clear it wouldn't. "It was the governor's idea, and his decision," Gallegos said.
Obama said he has accepted Richardson's withdrawal, first reported by NBC News, "with deep regret."
"Governor Richardson is an outstanding public servant and would have brought to the job of Commerce Secretary and our economic team great insights accumulated through an extraordinary career in federal and state office," Obama said in a statement. "It is a measure of his willingness to put the nation first that he has removed himself as a candidate for the Cabinet to avoid any delay in filling this important economic post at this critical time. Although we must move quickly to fill the void left by Governor Richardson's decision, I look forward to his future service to our country and in my administration."
Richardson said in his statement that he will remain as governor and told Obama, "I am eager to serve in the future in any way he deems useful."
"I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process," Richardson said. "Given the gravity of the economic situation the nation is facing, I could not in good conscience ask the president-elect and his administration to delay for one day the important work that needs to be done."
The announcement came ahead of Obama's Monday meetings with congressional leaders on a massive economic recovery bill he wants lawmakers to pass quickly. Obama transition officials said Richardson's withdrawal would not affect the stimulus plan because the Commerce Department was not heavily involved.
A person familiar with the investigation in New Mexico has told The Associated Press that the grand jury is looking into possible "pay-to-play" dealings between CDR Financial Products and someone in a position to push the contract through with the state of New Mexico.
State documents show CDR was paid a total of $1.48 million in 2004 and 2005 for its work on a transportation program.
Richardson ran against Obama in the Democratic presidential primary, but withdrew after a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary.
He is one of the most prominent Hispanics in the Democratic Party, having served in Congress and as President Clinton's ambassador to the United Nations and energy secretary. As governor, he has kept up an international profile with a specialty in dealing with rouge nations. Obama also considered him to be secretary of state.
CDR and its CEO, David Rubin, have contributed at least $110,000 to three political committees formed by Richardson, according to an AP review of campaign finance records.
The largest donation, $75,000, was made by CDR in June 2004 — a couple of months after the transportation financing arrangement won state approval — to a political committee that Richardson established before the Democratic National Convention that year.
In the Illinois case, Blagojevich is accused of trying to sell the Senate seat that Obama gave up to become president. Obama and two of his top aides have been interviewed by the U.S. attorney's office pursuing the case but have denied any knowledge of such a scheme and have not been accused by prosecutors of any wrongdoing.
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On the Net:
Obama transition: http://www.change.gov
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Associated Press writer Deborah Baker in Santa Fe, N.M., contributed to this report.
I absolutely love this song. Even more than that, I love this remix of the original song featuring Lil Wayne. I guess everything I like now a days will feature Wayne, Akon or T-Pain, lol. Anyway, just wanted to share my new favorite song with everyone, most of you won't like it, but I don't care. Here you go...
Thanks for making this such a great year for Misterpayne.com, The No Payne No Glory blog/pod cast, Senaxis, and myself personally. We look forward to doing much more in 2009!! Thanks again for your continued support!!
These cartoons are so hard to review... I have 2 others that I have been dragging my feet on but this one is so good I just had to get it done. Enjoy...
Madagascar 2 - Escape 2 Africa
Directors: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Genre: Animation | Action | Adventure | Comedy | Family
Starring: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Bernie Mac
Plot: All of the loveable characters are back – Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo, King Julien, Maurice and the penguins – in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. They find themselves in the wildest place of all – the vast plains of Africa – where our zoo-raised crew encounter species of their own kind for the very first time. While discovering their roots, they quickly find the differences between the concrete jungle and the heart of Africa. Despite long-lost relatives, romantic rivals and scheming hunters, Africa seems like a great place...but is it better than their Central Park home? Madagascar-themovie.com
The Pimp
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I must confess, I didn’t even see a trailer for this movie before I went to see it. How did that happen you ask? I can’t even begin to tell you. All I guess I can say is that I don’t watch kids shows enough to see commercials for this movie. My kids wanted to see this movie and that’s why I saw it. I didn’t know the storyline or anything, it was like I was the child and my children were the adults: Every 5 minutes I was asking “who is that, what is this?” They thought it was funny… I was just trying to get info for my movie review.
It is always hard to write my regular Pimp, Players, Hustle review when dealing with a cartoon but I am going to give it the old college try anyway (even though I never actually finished college). This movie was destined to make money, so it accomplished it’s initial mission, but I found out this was a pretty good story as well. You can’t beat comedy fit for the entire family, and this movie has just that.
The Players
Again, defining roles for cartoon characters just isn’t easy. I never know whether to give kudos to the cartoonist or the voice actors/actresses. I mean, Ben Stiller (Alex) is just using his voice, he’s not actually doing any real acting. Chris Rock (Marty), David Schwimmer (Melman), Jada Pinkett Smith (Gloria) complete the Seinfeld-esque cartoon main casts who are just as colorful and funny as in the first movie. The funniest roles of course belonged to Sacha Baron Cohen (Julien), Cedrick the Entertainer (Maurice), and the penguins (I believe Andy Ritcher plays at least one of them).
I was surprised to hear the voice of the late Bernie Mac (Zuba) as the long-lost father of the main character Alex and the leader of the jungle (or their little part of it). Sherri Shepherd (Mom) plays the part of the Alex’s mother. The show-stealer of the movie comes from the voice of Alec Baldwin (Makunga) whose character was as mean and conniving as any cartoon bad guy in recent memory. Good characters throughout the entire movie.
The Hustle
Bernie Mac
Better than I thought it would be. I swear those penguins are funny as hell! The monkeys were funny as well – Very good stuff. The whole story is good; far-fetched for a real life tale, but tailor-made for a cartoon blockbuster. Everybody had their own storylines, that meshed very well with the main storyline and it all worked! I feel like I am analyzing a movie that shouldn’t be analyzed because it is simply a child’s film that is meant to get laughs from kids only. The opening scene was perfectly done and allowed me to see what the heck was going on even though I hadn’t seen one commercial for this movie, and to be perfectly honest I never really sat down and watched the entire first movie.
Final synopsis is that this is a good movie, very well done with a ton of high spots and overall comedy. It has the usual arches that concludes with a heart-warming ending and leaves enough to make yet another Madagascar movie. I was very pleasantly surprised, probably the best cartoon of the year (2008).
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