Shorts after Dark and Lunch with Cindy

August 16 2009

After getting in late last night we napped a little and then got ready to leave for day 3 of the After Dark Film Festival.

Before we left the guy who is going to be doing some renovations on our bathroom showed up to show us some tile samples and mostly to pick up the deposit. Liz walked the guy through what we wanted and she looked at the samples. It's kind of exciting to get the new washroom but I have to say every time we turn around it seems to be costing us a little bit more. I now can officially say that for this project we are tapped out...but my gut tells me there are still some hidden cost to come. Lets see how it goes.

After meeting with Carly (constriction guy) we bolted to have lunch with Cindy. We made it to the restaurant about 15 minutes late, but Cindy was in a good mood as usual. After a good but quick lunch Liz and I said goodbye to Cindy and started our long day of movies.

First was Shorts After Dark.

What this is are short movies that the programmers think the audience may like or as I say stuff the programmers like but I think is crap. To me this was the HORRIBLE. Total waste of time and we should have just hung out with Cindy longer. I was so bored. I could hear people in the audience snoring. Which is rare as it's usually me snoring and annoying those around us. I'm not going to say anything else about these movies as, to be honest, I really can't remember them. Total waste of time.

0 out of 5

garry

They weren't THAT bad. And in fact there was a few good ones in the 10 shorts that we saw. My favourite was about an imaginary friend lecturing a group of other imaginary friends on how to keep their "jobs". As kids get older they get rid of their imaginary friends and with ipods and gaming systems it's tough to get a new gig once you're unemployed lol. And another one was called (roughly) Horribly Slow Murder with Very Inefficient Weapon about a guy being very gradually beaten to death by some dude stalking him all over the owrld and hitting him with a spoon. Trust me, it really was funny! There was some stuff in there that I really didn't enjoy but there was stuff I liked too!

3/5 (Have to go back to the scoring thing - apparently it's essential to the reviewing porcess. So here ya go Garry - I'm doing it!)
Liz

Embodiment of Evil

August 15 2009

Toronto After Dark -- Day 2

So we were suppose to see a movie called Black but I messed up the time and we didn't make it - oh well.

So we went to see Embodiment of Evil which started at 11:30pm - waaay late for me but I went because I really wanted to see it. Liz and I were joking "look! People are out at 11pm (and they don't all look like hookers and drunks)!" lol. Actually the drive down to the Bloor and walking around was the best part of the night because the movie SUCKED. It was billed as the nastiest scary movie you will see. Nasty maybe because some scenes were over the top and just gross. It's hard to explain because I usually love this stuff but this movie was SHIT. The Coffin Joe trilogy is not for me.

Stay away.

1 out of 5

But it was fun walking around drinking banana milkshakes and watching all the people at Bloor and Bathurst. We got home at 2am!

Sunday we see 4 movies in one day it's going to be a long day.

garry

Dreadful! Dreadful! And dreadful! One of the many ridiculous scenes was the one where they covered a woman's privates in melting cheeese and a rat eats its way through into her insides. It should have been shocking but it was all just pointless, beyond juvenile and confusing. Apparently some of the scenes are real as the director trawled S&M clubs looking for extreme practioners to do crazy shit on screen - even that failed to be as bizarre / interesting (in a twisted way) as it should have be. And it was proceeded by a really crappy short called Attack of the Killer Bra. At least it's fun downtown late on a Saturday night - the only thing that saved us.

Liz

District 9

August 15 2009

DISTRICT 9

This movie was one that Liz and I really wanted to see. We saw lots of previews for this on-line and at San Diego Comic Con. The hype was over the top and all the critics love the movie. I also loved the movie. Plus I think everyone reading this should see it. Not as much action as I would like but still enough and the story was great. The aliens were well portrayed and the living conditions interesting. The movie style was also excellent. A movie people should and will see. I will buy the blue ray of this movie and maybe see it again at the cinema before it's run is done.

I would say 4 out of 5

garry

This was a really interesting documentary style movie. It's been called an apartheid movie as it's set in Johannesburg, South Africa and is about aliens arriving on Earth and how we view them as "other". It's an interesting movie because it doesn't attempt to shove our similarities in the audience's collective face as so many of these movies do. The fact that they are very different to us, both physically and in their dietary habits (which are gross), is clear. As is the fact that this does not justify their treatment which includes being subjected to medical experiments in an attempt to unlock their biological based weaponry and being forced into slums away from humans. It works both as an alien movie (the aliens are 3 dimensional characters whose desperation is obvious) and as a movie about racism. I enjoyed it!

Liz

Black Dynamite

August 14 2009

Friday night and the first day of the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. Tonight we saw the festival's opening movie, Black Dynamite. We thought about passing on this film but at the last minute decided what the heck....which turned out to be a great decision. I liked Black Dynamite it was very funny and had lots of action. It's a 1970's blaxploitation movie. Way over the top and the kind of movie you either go with it or you just think what a load of shit. I totally bought into the movie and had a rip roaring time. The crowd at the Bloor was into it and that always helps. The main actor Jai White (who also wrote the movie) was also in another movie I liked called Spawn.

If you get a chance I think you should see this movie as most of the films at this festival will not get a wide release.

I would say 3.5 of of 5

this starts a week full of movies....even more then normal for Liz and me.

garry

This was waaaay better than I was expecting. Very funny, over the top and had some great kung-fu action. The opening scene of the movie included three sexy women in bed saying how good he was last night - his response "you be quiet or you gonna wake dem odder bitches" and pointing to bunch of other sleeping bodies under the covers - the audience loved it! And lines like "not the oprhans! You can't sell drugs to the orphans. They got no Momma or Daddy so it's worst for the orphans!" lol. Glad we went to this one.

Liz

Liz

Moody Blues

August 12-2009

Last night my buddy Dave and I went to see the Moody Blues. Some of you people who read this blog will have no idea who they are or you think you have no idea. But you do know a few of their songs. The show was great! I really liked them and the small crowd (smallest I've ever seen at the Molson Amphitheater) seemed to be really into them. They where the oldest crowd I have ever seen - it was kinda weird to be amoung the youngest people in attendance. The average age was around 55 so most people there had a good 25 years on me! Okay, maybe 15 or so. At one point I thought "Liz would be so bored now she would be giving me the lets go eyes at about the second song" lol.

We had great seats and the band played all the hits, like Your Wildest Dreams, Tuesday Afternoon, Nights in White Satin, I Know You're Out There Somewhere, Question, and my favorite Ride My See-Saw.

Great show. Would I go see them again? Maybe not but I was glad I saw them. I love the DVD I have and I may even buy one of their shows on blue ray so I can bore Liz to death.

Big week ahead after dark film festive and a movie we can't wait to see DISTRICT 9

Garry

I had a nice night in front of the telly. I ate myself silly and watched 3 episodes of Rome, Season II - EXCELLENT!

Liz

GI JOE

Saturday August 8 2009

The weekend is here and so that means movie time

I had to work Saturday so I went in very early so I could meet Liz at the movies for 11 am. We decide to go see GI JOE. I don't know who goes to these crap movies? Well.....we do and in fact I believe it was the number one movie this week. We went in thinking it was going to suck, well Liz will tell you it did but I kinda liked it. It was no award winning movie but as a popcorn flick it was great. I always love these kinda movies but to be honest anyone I know who reads this blog or who doesn't you will not like this movie. But I did.

It was fast paced with lots of action. I would have to say that the only problem was the dialog was like a bad cartoon, but I guess I like cartoons. And the accelerator suits they wear are great. They look like modern armor and allow the wearer to run as fast as a train, protect from injury and have built in machine guns. I better stop before everyone thinks I'm an even bigger geek then I really am lol.

So I guess I would give it 3.5 out of 5

Next week is District 9 and the Toronto After Dark Film Festival - can't wait!

garry

PS the second picture is what Lizs does when we are not at the movies :-)

And I should have stayed home, tucked in on my sofa coz this movie was just ridiculous. Consider some of the crap I've enjoyed* and STILL I say this was nonsense - that's how bad it was. One of the bad guys actually utters the line "you and what army?" And that's only one of a dozen examples. The characters and their relationships were not convincing. It just SUCKED!

-3 / 5

*E.G. Poultrygeist - the plot in this movie revolves around a KFC-type / fast food joint that is haunted by the angry ghosts of the chickens that have died there. And it involves a few excellent musical numbers!

Liz

FYI: she has to like Poultrygeist - that was one of our first real dates. She liked the movie even though it was terrible - right THERE I knew that I loved her.

garry

Funny People

Monday August 3-2009

Since today was a holiday here Liz and I thought we would do something different and go see a movie. I know we see so few but we thought what the heck! In actual fact it was the movie or clean house, so not much of a choice there.

Off we went to see Funny People. Now with a title like that and all the TV commercials I thought this would be good for a few laughs - WRONG. If you saw the the ads on TV you saw most of the best parts (don't you hate that!!) I think the worst part of the movie was it was soooo loooonng. It was kinda fun in places but not great. I would say to anyone reading this (all 3 of you) wait and rent the dvd and that way you can stop and take a pee break. Not a great movie but not the worst movie, but also not that funny.

I would say 2.5 (maybe 3 because I do like Adam Sandler) out of 5

Garry

Gotta agree with Garry. This movie is totally mis-sold as a funny movie. But it's a serious movie about a famous comedian who's dying. So although it has a few funny moments (all of which you've seen in the trailers) it's not at all a funny movie. And it's very long. If you want a serious Adam Sandler movie Punch Drunk Love was better.

2.5/5

Liz

Hurt Locker and Fifty Dead Men Walking

Movie Day

I kicked Liz out of bed and we got our day off to an early start. Our first stop was the St. Lawrence market where we had breakfast, peameal bacon sandwich for me and a Thai crepe (bananas and condensed milk) for Liz. After that we walked up to out first movie: Hurt Locker, not a bad movie it was about a guy that defuses bombs in Iraq and all the pressure that goes with that. Kinda too real life for me but a pretty good movie. I think Liz liked it more then me. I would say 2.5 out of 5

next

Fifty Dead Men Walking, this movie was about informer in Ireland that was working with the British government against the IRA. Now of course Liz knows more about this then me but I did really like this movie. Great story and, as it was kinda based on a true story, well done. I also kinda liked that the lady that did the film was from Canada. Over all maybe 3.5 out of 5.

At night we went to our favorite Thai restaurant and then home for bed. Great long day. And still 2 more days this weekend - sweet!

garry

San Diego Comic Con Day 5

Saturday July 26 2009

Comic Con - last day - the convection is almost done :(

We head to the convention for a panel on one of our favorite shows Dr. Who. We were both looking forward to this panel as David Tenant is Dr Who to Liz and me (if you're not a fan of the show you won't understand that statement). He was great on stage, lots or kharisma. The panel was fun and leavs us looking forward to the last show with David Tennat as the Doctor. An excellent panel.
After this we went down to look around the exhibition hall and see if we missed something. Plus I want to see if anything was on sale as on the last day people selling are trying to get rid of everything. I love getting stuff on sale. So I ended up buying a few t-shirts at half price - yeah for sales!
Then we went to our last panel for this year Being Human and Torchwood. Liz has watched all the Being Human (I still have to finish) and we both love Torchwood. John Barrowman - Capt Jack from Torchwood was on the panel and he rocked! He is so gay which I think will shock alot of people who don't know but Liz and I already knew this. He is a lot of fun and his energy is great. This was great panel to end our convection on.

After we left we went and had a great dinner at the Spaghetti Factory which was a great meal and very cheap.

We then went to a hotel and had a drink on their roof-top patio and it was great way to end the vacation. Very relaxing.

We then took a long walk back to the hotel and packed for our return tomorrow.

A great day and great way to end the convention. I think it may be a few tears till we go back to San Diego but I think I want to go back in 5 years and for sure in 10 years but we will see. Also next time we are getting a real hotel!

So ends day 5 and the convention.

Garry

San Diego Comic Con Day 4

Saturday July 25 2009

So with all the talk about our room (or cell) I've included a pic is of it. It may not look that bad but the picture is of the full room. I think the weird thing is the TV was maybe 15" which, with our 60" TV at home, was a shock.

Ok so day 4. Jump out of bed early as always and run down to Ralph's (grocery store) to pick up supplies for the day. Pop and stuff as we both knew that we would be the same room all day. We stood in line for about 2 hours and Liz spent alot of time being a line social butterfly and that always makes the time go by very fast. Plus it's great to hear from others in line why they are at Comic Con and what geeky stuff they are into. Although for Liz and me I always talk about the geeky stuff and she talks about real life stuff so it's a good balance.

When we get in the hall we get the same seats we always get and get ready for the first panel
1- Lost: we both love this show and the panel was alot of fun. I would say Hurley showing up was great for me and all the people on the stage where having fun. If you watch Lost I have to ask is Charlie alive?? He came on the stage and on his his hand was written "I'm still alive" WTF??
2- Solmon Kane: which looks good to me but not sure if it will be a hit. It's kinda looks like Conan. I guess we'll see.
3- Extract: this is a Mike Judge movie (Office Space) and it looks fun. Not sure why a comedy is at this con but Liz and I will be going to see this - I know, shocking.
4- Zombieland: now this is our kinda of movie. Zombies rule, we LOVE them! This movie will be great if the preview is anything to go by. Woody Harrelson (from Cheers) was on this panel and yes, you guessed it, we will see this on it's opening weekend.
5- This was my main Panel of the day IRON MAN 2: I love the first Iron Man and it may have been my best movie of last year. This panel was the highlight of the day. Robert Downey was on this panel and that guy has that star quality, it's hard to explain but he is a superstar. I remember someone saying a true star is a guy that can make the ladies want him and the guy want to hang out with him - Robert Downey is that guy. Jon Favreau was also on the stage and most of the other cast members and it was alot of fun. I think this movie will once again be great and the preview was EXCELLENT. Iron Man may be be my favorite super hero (well besides Batman and Superman) This panel was alot of fun and maybe the best panel of the convention IRON MAN ROCKS! (ok enough I must move on)
6- Kevin Smith talk: he is a favorite of Liz and myself and his talks are great. A great Q AND A and Kevin was alot of fun. We love Kevin and I would say this year alone I have seen him maybe 8 times. If you get a chance to see Kevin live you should go. His talks are great and I know even if you ask Liz she will tell the same. I have made her into a big time Kevin Smith fan.

That's the end of our day in Hall H and guess what, Iron Man Rules!

In the evening we watched the Masquerade. It was fun with some great costumes although to be honest we are not into masquerades but this one was alot of fun. After this we went to dance and danced up a storm.....well not exactly, Liz danced for one song I watched and then we realized it was bedtime.

So ends day 4 - my favorite day so far.

Garry