So long, summer

Well, the days are growing shorter and for those of us in Buffalo, Tuesday marked our first official snow sighting. Which can only mean one thing for me ... Project Waz will return.

Yes, after a lengthy hiatus, this blog will be coming back in full force. Summer flew by all too quickly. Along the way, some very exciting things happened! I now find myself residing in Lockport, and working at The Journal-Register in Medina as the new city editor. Things are going well and my job is keeping me EXTREMELY busy, so perhaps this blog will not be updated with such gusto as the original postings.

Along with the new job, comes the relocating, which means a whole new social calendar of activities. It's nice returning to the Buffalo area after a year in the Southern Tier. My new location puts me much closer to not only my family, but many friends from high school and college who are still in the area. As if all that weren't great enough, I'm also no longer the poorest person alive — something which I am quite pleased about.

Stay tuned, and in a few short weeks Waz will be rolling once more. In the meantime, if you want to check out some of my random chatter on everyday life, visit my Journal-Register blog — Wonderful World of Waz. 

Sweet Summertime, Once Again!

Now that summer has arrived, the idea of spending vast amounts of time watching movies no longer appeals to me. I don't doubt I will be catching a few movies this summer, The Dark Knight for sure being one of them, but I'm not sure whether I'll be blogging about them or not. In short, I'm halting my project - but just for now! Never fear! When the sun is shining, it is far more appealing to take a bike ride, go camping (my new favorite hobby) or just get caught up with some summer reading. That being said, I'll be back ..... later.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

You want to be a good archaeologist, you've got to get out of the library. Indiana Jones

For all its hype and promise, in the end I simply wasn't all that impressed with the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones series. Harrison Ford would have been wise to keep his fedora hanging in the closet where it belonged.

What I liked about this movie: the beginning. When the film first started, we find out we're in Nevada in 1957, during the hype of the Cold War. The enemies are no longer Nazi's, but Communists. Already it seems Indy is back to his old tricks getting into trouble.

However, after an initial showdown in a warehouse, the movie takes a turn for the slow. There isn't too much that can be said without giving away key plot points. In my opinion, way too much of Mutt Williams, Shia LaBeouf, and not enough Indy. At one point there was a car chase that seemed to drag on forever - that could have easily been cut down nicely.

All in all, not an awful movie, but not what I would expect. Furthermore, a few of the sets seemed to be recycled from some of George Lucas' and Stephen Speilberg's more, ahem, well known films.

2.5 stars out of 5

Iron Man (2008)

Let's face it, this is not the worst thing you've caught me doing. Tony Stark

A movie full of missiles, explosions, guns, terrorists and tons of electric guitar music is a far cry from the black and white movies I've been seeing in bulk lately. 

Considering I am not a huge fan of Robert Downey, Jr., I did not have very high expectations for this movie, but was pleasantly surprised. Always a fan of the superhero flicks, Iron Man did not disappoint in the action department. Having no prior knowledge of the comic book, I also found the story line entertaining. One thing I really like was the modernization of the story. In the comic, Iron Man takes place during the Vietnam War and he has a butler named Jarvis. For the movie, the story takes place today, during the Iraq War, and his home is equipped with an A.I. butler named Jarvis.

Overall, an enjoyable movie with decent performances by everyone. Not one of my favorites, but far superior than what I anticipated. Anyone interested in a visually-stimulating movie with very patriotic undertones should take in a viewing.

3.5 stars out of 5

And Now It's Time For Something Completely Different

A little note to my avid readers....

I'm taking a very small break from my project to pursue some other means of entertainment. With the fast approach of the Sex and the City movie - out in theaters next Friday - I will spend the next week watching episodes from seasons one through six of the series in preparation for the big screen release of the ultimate chick flick.

That being said.... this break is much needed. Although the older movies are enjoyable, quite frankly I need something a little more contemporary to break in. I'm thinking perhaps after this I'll switch back my Oscar list for awhile. Any more black and white films and I may go crazy. 

See you again in a few weeks!

Some Like It Hot (1959)

American Film Institute's Top 100 Films, No. 25

I don't care how rich he is, as long as he has a yacht, his own private railroad car and his own toothpaste.  Sugar Kane Kowalczyk

Just one word: wow!! What a FANTASTIC movie! It was good to have another comedy tossed in with the number of dramas.

Having never seen Marylin Monroe act, I was surprisingly impressed. While her character didn't seem to require many challenges, she was never the less obviously perfect for the role. I found it entertaining to read that some scenes took her 59 takes to get one simple line correct... so apparently it wasn't much of a stretch.

Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, the latter specifically, were wildly entertaining as women. Josephine and Daphne were a goofy pair, especially with all the flirting coming from other men. Men in drag is always an entertaining concept, perfect example Mrs. Doubtfire, however this film had a lot more class than more recent stories, say Hot Chicks or The Birdcage.

 

Not much else can be said without giving away the plot, but a highly recommended movie for anyone.

4.5 stars out of 5

To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)

American Film Institute's Top 100 Films, No. 25

Don't say "hey" to me you ugly girl! Mrs. Dubose

To this day, Harper Lee's novel remains one of my most favorite books. Likewise, this version of the story is the best I have ever seen - regardless of how many theatre renditions of the story I will see, nothing will ever top this movie.

Gregory Peck's performance as Atticus Finch is without a doubt one of my favorite of all time. He portrayed the character with such grace and perfection, it has been said Harper Lee cried on the set of the movie watching Peck act because he was so dead-on in his take of the character. Over time, the movie has become somewhat dated, but not so much that is no longer enjoyable. 

Children actors tend to be hit or miss with movies, but the younger Finch's and neighbor Dill are an entertaining bunch. I would highly recommend a viewing of the movie to anyone who has ever read the books - and if you haven't read the book, shame on you!

4.5 stars out of 5