I presume that you wear this T-Shirt to show how many levels down the nerdiness goes, Right?

The waxy build-up in the boys’ ears is getting out of control.

Such a weird and glorious picture.

Movie Ratings on a Random Scale:

Drive - 80 out of 97 - Drive subtly draws you in. The dark and super stylized plot seduces you despite Ryan Gosling playing a main character with so little detail that although you pull for him, you don’t even know why. Heck, you don’t even get to know his name. Much of the dialogue is so slow and stilted that it’s the movie equivalent of an awkward first date. Somehow, despite being the furthest thing from a conversationalist, you get drawn toward’s Gosling’s driver. As he struggles with evil people who will do horrible things to anyone for seemingly any reason, The Driver remains unaffected. He seems almost pure, if not for the violence he unleashes and the fact that he’s acting as a wheelman for robberies. There is something simple about him that makes him seem a good man, even if he has questionable judgement in friends and decision making.

The dark set and great music are both practically characters in the film. The stylized violence seems both over the top at times, but also completely appropriate at the same time. I don’t know if I loved this movie, but I appreciated what it accomplishes. A very interesting and at times moving film. Although it has it’s shortcomings in the lackluster dialogue that is less critical to the film than what is being said when the characters aren’t talking.

Also, if you’re going to use Christina Hendricks in your movie. USE her. It’s so disappointing how minor her role is in this film. This one is currently streaming on Netflix, and definitely work checking out.

Movie Ratings on a Random Scale:

Everything Must Go - 5 out of 13

Will Ferrell is usually a maniac with little substance. In everything must go, he’s an introspective quiet sad drunk with little substance. At least I occasionally laugh at the maniac. Everything Must Go is a huge disappointment because you keep feeling like it’s going to lead somewhere significant all the way to the point that the credits roll, and then you realize…I guess not.

It feels like it SHOULD be good. There are the makings of a great somber dramatic film in here, but there just isn’t much to it. Ferrell plays an alcoholic who loses his job and who has his wife change all the locks on their home and leave all of his possessions on the front lawn. He just kind of sits there and takes it. Literally. Then a yard sale happens, a black kid learns how to be a better salesman by working the yard sale and by reading a book that Ferrell owned, Ferrell gets creepy by stopping in on a woman he went to High School with 20 years ago, and Ferrell learns that his AA sponsor is also sleeping with his wife, and then it’s over. I don’t know if redemption happened, what we were supposed to feel, or why we would be supposed to feel it. It’s pleasant enough, but there just isn’t much going on or much reason to watch it. Disappointing, because it feels like there should be more to it, but there just isn’t. 

Draw Something picture of the Day:

This rendition of “Bottom” had me rolling. Well played, Tawni.

Movie Ratings on a Random Scale:

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest - 87 out of 96 - It was high time I saw this classic, and I’m sure glad I did. Streaming over Netflix, I was able to take in a great film. Jack Nicholson absolutely nails the anti-hero Randle McMurphy, a ne’er do well with a penchant for violence who gets caught up and destroyed in the system. There is a LOT going on here, and it’s fascinating to follow all of these broken humans. A lot of the reviews I’ve read describe Nurse Wratched as a monster, and while she’s surely not my favorite movie character of all time, it never felt like she was doing anything more than her job. Seeing all of these broken down people living life in an institution is kind of amazing. While this movie is somewhat depressing, it’s also entertaining and spellbinding. It also holds up tremendously, as few films from the 70’s are able. Quite an achievement. If you haven’t seen it, you should do so. Great film.

Movie Ratings on a Random Scale:

The Dictator - 39 out of 61 - Perhaps the most surprising thing about The Dictator is that it’s not completely terrible. There are some truly hilarious moments, and many other painful ones. If you are immune to being offended, you may enjoy this one quite a bit. Any movie that opens “In Loving Memory” to Kim Jong Il can’t be all bad, right? I’ll admit to laughing quite a bit despite having to say that this movie isn’t very good, it can be pretty enjoyable…and there are a few bust the gut laughing moments including the funniest tourist helicopter ride I could ever imagine. The Dictator isn’t great, and Sasha Baron Cohen may be dangerously close to his expiration date, but I couldn’t help but enjoy this flick…even as I fully acknowledge that it’s not very good.

Draw Something Picture of the Day: Little Green Men are cool.

This is a legit menu item from an Indian restaurant that Jen and I ate at on Friday night. The description of Phaal did not encourage me to order it.

Movie Ratings on a Random Scale:

The Avengers: 92 out of 114 - Since pretty much the entire world has already seen this movie, I’m not sure what more I can add. It’s one of the best superhero movies I’ve ever seen, and although it has a ton of characters to juggle, it manages to do so nicely. Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk and Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man steal the show. Also, Captain America is a bit of a ninny. If you’re down for a fun time at the movies, it’s hard to go wrong with this one. It’s not perfect, but it’s awfully close for a Comic Book film. Also, stay to the very end of the credits, it’s worth doing so. Just sayin’. 

Against all odds, I appeared on an NFL.com podcast today to talk about Peyton Manning. You can listen at the link…

http://davedameshek.nfl.com/2012/05/17/ddfp-the-peyton-manning-debate/

22 years and 1 day ago Jim Hensen passed away. He was a genius, and one of my heroes. Much Respect.