By now most people have heard that The Hurt Locker is an excellent movie. And guess what, it really is. On my 15 hour plane ride to Taiwan squished like a sardine in an aisle seat on China Airlines I had the opportunity to watch The Hurt Locker and see what all the buzz was about. The movie takes place in Baghdad where Staff Sergeant William James (Jeremy Renner) joins the Bravo company's bomb disposal unit after they lost their previous leader when a bomb unexpectedly explodes at the wrong time. James is a tough-guy with a devil-may care attitude... Continue reading

Here's what I've done so far... So after a 15 hour flight to Taipei we took a nice and comfy flight to Kaohsiung which only lasted about an hour. Dana's parents picked us up and we crammed into their Honda Accord with all of our luggage. We drove for about an hour to Tainan which is where they live. The City is unlike any City I'm accustomed to. The first thing you notice is how alive it is. Everyone is into something and small businesses abound. Scooter is the primary method of transportation although just about everyone owns a car.... Continue reading

Today I leave home and all the comforts I have grown accustomed to for a vacation to Taiwan with my girlfriend Dana. I have anticipated this trip for months and now finally the journey will begin. I am going for several reasons the most important being my love for Dana. Her best friend "Cat" is getting married on Sunday and Dana will be her Maid of Honor--how fun. They have wanted me to go for the last couple of years and I finally have the opportunity so for the next two weeks I will be in a brand new environment... Continue reading

My girlfriend Dana is a huge sucker for romantic comedies and she's been bugging me to watch Couples Retreat since she first saw the previews while we were watching "The Proposal". I must admit, I had been secretly wanting to watch it too partly because I haven't been able to get Pitbull's "I Know You Want Me" lyrics out of my head since I've seen the previews, but also because I find Vince Vaughn to be funny and charming for a seven-foot tall every man. Jason Bateman is usually a pretty good side character and all the women in the... Continue reading

Year One was a huge disappointment. A cast like that should be a sure thing, but it fell flat. The jokes weren't very funny. It seemed like a sell out. Almost as if the producers said "what if we got that Superbad kid and throw him in with Jack Black". Chemistry was poor and Michael Cera's dry, slow-developing humor didn't really work with this film. Jack Black's manic over- the-top personality and confused facial expressions didn't save the movie. If you haven't seen it consider yourself lucky avoid it like the plague. (.5 out of 5 Bigheads) Continue reading

What happens when the past confronts the present, when life’s plans change and your dreams are beyond your control? Bella is about how life, at the mere whim of fate, can twist and turn no matter how certain we are of our goals. It is the story of Jose (Eduardo Verastegui - best known for Chasing Papi), a charismatic and talented soccer player who just signed a multi-million dollar contract with his futbol (soccer) club. On his way to a press conference as he confidently strides towards the pinnacle of his life's dreams, he experiences a terrible accident that changes... Continue reading

Road trip Zombie Buddy Movie, Zombie Killing Fun, and Emma Stone Zombie flicks have been around for a long time. And many of these films follow the same format and make audiences suffer through unoriginality and cheap gimmicks. Zombieland is the exception--balls to the wall zombie killing action plus strong character development and a fun story make it an exciting end of summer movie. Zombie flicks typically start after an infection, virus, or government developed WMD is let loose on society and wipes out humanity save for a small group of survivors who try to reach the last zombie-free bastion... Continue reading

Gilbert Grape is a touching movie that portrays a family's life caught in suspended animation after the suicide of their father. The movie is about the importance of change and the difficulty of making that change. Gilbert Grape (Johnny Depp) and Amy Grape (Laura Harrington)are forced into the role of mother and father after their father commits suicide and their mother Bonnie Grape (Darlene Cates)is unable or unwilling to continue living as a functional member of society. Bonnie, who we are told was beautiful when she was younger, is now a morbidly obese woman who confined herself to the house... Continue reading

Burning Desire to Win and Unyielding Strength to Fight In their big game today with an opportunity to go 3-0, the 49ers showed today that they are a team that will not back down and will continue to fight in spite of the challenges they are faced with. Ultimately they lost, but the still showed they have the right attitude to contend this year. Mike Singletary showed why he is the perfect coach for this team. He might not be wearing shoulder pads or a helmet but he is in the trenches fighting with the team every inch of the... Continue reading

Comments from Twitter - 1st Half Thoughts And the 49ers need to convert 3rd Downs 49ers 2nd Half Keys to VIctory: Pressure Farve| Force Turnover|1 Long Offensive Touch Down Drive| Limit Adrian Peterson no TDs Niners have to find a way to start blocking the Vikings defensive line...they aren't gaining anything on the ground. Niners defense is putting good pressure on Brett Favre...they've knocked him around quite a few times. My only concern is whether or not Shaun Hill can win a game. He's a good manager...but can he come up big in the clutch... Josh Morgan had a great... Continue reading

Don't feel overwhelmed today. If you have many things to do; concentrate on one thing. Put all your energy into that one thing and make it happen. Tools to help you get organized: 1) Clear your mind 2) Think about one thing only - Make a List 3) Prioritize the List 4) Build a Schedule for that List 5) Post it someplace where you can see it 6) Start working on #1 on your list If you stay focused and work your list you will get things done in no time. Not only that, you'll feel a sense of achievement... Continue reading

After taking a few days off here are some random thoughts I posted on Twitter recapping my weekend... Watched Kansas State get whooped by UCLA...pretty fun game live at the Rosebowl in Pasadena. Never been there...tailgating is fun... Can you believe Lamar Odom is marrying one of the Kardashian sisters? Unreal...seems like a joke...but she is pretty cut now Watched What's Eating Gilbert Grape. Johnny Depp is charming as usual and DiCaprio plays a fine mentally challenged role. Tear jerker As far as health care reform goes it seems people will cut their nose to spite their face.This is beyond... Continue reading

Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, and Tim Burton Collaborate on a Winner Ed Wood is a classic by one of the Best Directors of all time Tim Burton. It features an eccentric Johnny Depp who as usual summons the energy to take on a character that makes us forget he is Johnny Depp. There are very few actors today who have this ability and Depp has done it many times now proving he is worthy of being considered one of the best actors today. The film is a biopic on B-movie director Ed Wood Jr. who had a knack for creating... Continue reading

Cinematic Feast For the Senses Unparalleled perfection. The God Father Part II is the movie that inspires film making and storytelling. It is one of the best reviewed movies of all time and is on just about everyone's top five list including all of the major film critics. The writer's, director's, producer's and of course actor's have never been better. It was the perfect fusion of talent at the right place and the right time. The equivalent to Pluto aligning with the Gate of God, which last happened in 2006 and will next happen in 26,000 years.Pacino in his prime,... Continue reading

Greatest Speech I've Ever Heard Live This is for everyone. Support our President support America. Let's get health reform passed and bring OUR Country up to speed. To view the speech in its entirety go to C-SPAN.org or click on the following link: http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/09/09/HP/R/22900/Pres+Obama+Backs+Limited+Public+Option+for+Health+Reform.aspx Continue reading

Biggest Let Down of the Year The movie that could have been. It's a sad day when the movie trailer is better than the movie. Such a great cast of characters and no depth. Each character and especially the star, Christian Bale, hit's the same note over and over and it never got better. I don't know about you, but I think Bale should do a romantic comedy or a buddy movie, smoke some hash and turn down the intensity--we've seen it already, I digress. As for Terminator Salvation, the plot wasn't a bad idea: take a human and make... Continue reading

Back on the Street - Oliver Stone Talks Sequel Amid swirling financial controversies and disasters Stone decided it was time to go back to the Street where it all started and create a new relevant story. I'm looking forward to seeing Michael Douglas reprise the role of Gordon Gekko, but I'm not too sure about Shia LaBeof as the ingenue. Painted on stubble on a short guy doesn't really do it for me, but I'll try to reserve judgment until I see the movie. Charlie Sheen is set to make a small cameo as well. The movie is set amid... Continue reading

Nation Goes Back to School Obama addressed students on the first day of school and encouraged them to work hard, finish shcool, and even though they may not understand the importance of what they are doing today, to know that it will be important as they enter the work force and plan for the future. This speech marks an important milestone for the next generation that will take forward our country. Embedded video from CNN Video Continue reading