Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Spousal Abuse, High Anxiety, -and- Jaws of Death


Spousal Abuse - woman rams estranged husband's truck with kids in her car
High Anxiety - India pilots in mid-air scuffle
Jaws of Death - 748-pound shark caught off Ft. Lauderdale

On this day in history: October 6, 1981 - During a commemoration of the Yom Kippur War, armed gunmen leap from a truck and begin shooting into the reviewing stand at Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. Along with Sadat, the assassins kill eight others.

Born on this day in history: October 6, 1905 - Helen Wills Moody (1905 - 1998 ) Born in Centerville, California, tennis player Helen Wills dominated women's tennis from 1927 ? 1939, winning her first U.S. women's singles title in 1923.

Scripture of the Day: This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. - Psalm 34:6

Video of the Day: iPhone Made into Metal Detector





Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while passing through Walmart this morning on the way to my office! Click to enlarge.





Corning Homecoming Parade: Here are some crops from last Friday's Corning Homecoming Parade. I am producing a slide show from approximately 100 of the 500+ photographs I took during the parade. I shall announce the availability of this slide show here when it is ready for viewing. Click the images to enlarge them.


























Movies I Watched Recently: I watched the following movies via Netflix' Watch Instantly over the weekend:

Spiral - 2007 - Rated PG-13 [Mason (Joel Moore), a socially awkward would-be artist, works as a telemarketer for a car insurance company run by his only friend, Berkeley (Zachary Levi). Enter Amber (Amber Tamblyn), a charming and friendly new employee who reaches out to Mason, not knowing how troubled he really is. Co-directors Moore and Adam Green took home a Gold Vision Award from the 2007 Santa Barbara International Film Festival for their creepy thriller.] This is a captivating (albeit disturbing) movie. I found myself absorbed by the story, in general, and Mason, in particular. It is a bleak, often depressing, story that revolves about the dark side Mason's world. Nonetheless, I found it very interesting. I recommend this movie only to those who can watch depressing fare without concern.

Long Distance - 2006 - Rated R [A misdialed phone number thrusts a grad student into a horrific nightmare in this spine-chilling thriller. When Nicole (Monica Keena) dials a wrong number, she interrupts a murder in progress. The killer (Kevin Chapman) then taunts her by calling her from each murder scene in his string of killings. Terrified, Nicole can hear the violence taking place over the phone -- and becomes aware that each murder brings the psycho closer to her home.] This movie has above-average acting, screenplay, and production. The entire movie takes place in an apartment, but the action works well within this constraint, and I found the movie suspenseful and engaging. There is very little objectionable language and almost no graphic violence. The ending caught me completely by surprise. I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers.

Heaven's Prisoners - 1998 - Rated R [In this twisty thriller based on the crime novels of James Lee Burke, former New Orleans cop Dave Robicheaux (Alec Baldwin) is forced to return to the violence of the streets after his family is victimized. When Robicheaux saves the life of a young girl, he and his wife (Kelly Lynch) get caught between rampaging federal agents and a drug-running former friend (Eric Roberts).] This movie contains a good deal more objectionable language than I feel is necessary. While the story and acting are good, the language is a great deterrent, in my opinion. I recommend this movie only to those who are comfortable with ignoring the language.

Population 436 - 2008 - Rated R [For a century, Rockwell Falls has had the same number of residents: 436. A census taker (Jeremy Sisto) is sent there to figure out how the town managed to accomplish such a dubious feat in this disturbing drama. Once he arrives, he quickly senses all's not well and is subsequently stripped of his freedom. If he doesn't fall in line with the village's oppressive rules, he may end up lost forever. David Ames and Fred Durst co-star.] This movie is entertaining and suspenseful--albeit predictable. I recommend the movie to anyone who enjoys suspenseful, psychological thrillers.

P2 - 2007 - Rated R [It's the night before Christmas, and workaholic Angela Bridges (Rachel Nichols) is late for her family holiday party. She tries to leave the office, but her car won't start and her cell phone won't work -- and then she meets the too-friendly security guard Thomas (Wes Bentley). After Angela turns down his dinner invitation, the twisted Thomas spends the rest of the night terrorizing her as she tries to escape the now-infamous parking level P2.] This movie is suspenseful and does a good job of holding the viewer's interest--despite the fact that the entire movie takes place in an underground parking facility. There is a bit of objectionable language, but it is used only by the villain, and it realistically helps define his evil nature. I recommend this movie to all who enjoy psychological thrillers.

River's End - 2007 - NR [When 17-year-old Clay (Sam Huntington), grandson of Sheriff Buster Watkins (Barry Corbin), goes into a downward spiral after his father's death -- making trouble at school and committing petty crimes--the lawman decides it's time for some tough love. Given the option of jail time or a 60-mile wilderness trek, Clay chooses the latter but may come to regret it when he encounters more than a few surprises along the way.] This is a "feel good" movie that the entire family can enjoy comfortably. Barry Corbin turns in an excellent performance, the story is good, and the ending is encouraging. I recommend this movie to all.

Nickleback: Live at Sturgis - 2006 - NR [Nickelback cranks out an electric performance at the world-renowned "Rock'n the Rally" show in Sturgis, S.D., in this 2006 concert captured in high definition. The Canadian alternative rock act also appears in a bonus behind-the-scenes featurette. Highlights include performances of "Because of You," "How You Remind Me," "Too Bad," "Never Again," "Someday," "Photograph," "Savin' Me," "Far Away" and "Rockstar."] I enjoy the music of Nickleback and was eager to see this movie. After 10 minutes of unreasonably foul language, however, I found it impossible to enjoy the music because of the objectionable language used by the frontman. I do not recommend this movie.

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