What I've Seen: War of the Worlds

When I was younger, I loved the slightly cheesy George Pal film of War of the Worlds, and today I have a queasy fascination with end-of-the-world movies. Considering those facts, it's a bit strange that I only just got around to watching Steven Spielberg's 2005 remake starring Tom Cruise. I recall the film getting generally good reviews, but it seems unlikely to be remembered as anything more than a good-enough Spielberg blockbuster. I won't argue that it should rank among his half-dozen or so masterpieces, but I will say this: Steven Spielberg has made more important films, more influential films, more entertaining, artistic, and personal films, but I don't think he has ever made a movie with such a sustained sense of dread and with so many utterly terrifying images. Unlike the briefs shots of the shark in Jaws, Spielberg uses slow zooms and long tracking shots to practically sear the images of carnage into your retinas. One of the movie's recurring themes is Tom Cruise's efforts to shield his young daughter from the horror surrounding her, and I sometimes wished that the director would show the same concern for the welfare of his audience.

And yes, the ending is a cop-out, but that's probably something you should take up with H.G. Wells.

"Today is a holiday invented by greeting card companies to make people feel like crap."

If, like me, you're spending tonight watching Lost and need a little romantic music to Valentine up your Day, here's a couple of oldies that have been stuck in my head lately:


Josh Ritter & Erin McKeown - Tonight You Belong to Me


Fiona Apple (w/ Jon Brion & Nickel Creek) - Tonight You Belong to Me


Steve Martin & Bernadette Peters - Tonight You Belong to Me

[See also: Cold War Kids, The Bird and the Bee]


Sam Cooke - Bring It On Home to Me

[See also: Britt Daniel, Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward]

I'm Not Usually the Type to Say "I Called It," But...

...I called it:

"I'm going to go out on a limb right now and say that Hancock will win this one." - 12/6/07

"Herbie Hancock wins Grammy for Album of the Year" - 2/11/08

That Groundhog is a Fucking Liar

So, You See the Game Last Night?

My verdict: the ads were mostly dumb (although I did laugh at the one with Charles Barkley), the game was mostly dull (except the last five minutes, which were mostly exciting and Schadenfreude-tastic), Tom Petty was mostly good, and the Puppy Bowl was mostly adorable (except the Referee, who was trying too hard to be Zach Braff). Thus ends my sports commentary for the foreseeable future.

Super Bowl Ad Roundup

Actually, I missed most of the Super Bowl Ads this year, although I did catch this bit of weirdness. It seems that Coca-Cola has decided to tap into the white-hot star power of former Sen. Bill Frist, enlisting the man's awesome charisma to make America sit up in its collective Barcalounger and buy some Coke products.

Is it written somewhere in the constitution that Senate Majority Leaders are entitled to post-retirement career as soft drink spokespersons?

Bonus Joke: Based on a review of the videotape, I would say that the ad agency who came up with this commercial are in a persistent vegetative state.

Are You Ready for Some Chew Toys?

Well, it's finally time for that annual event in which people across the nation gather in front of their televisions and see athletes at the peak of physical perfection batting it out for supremacy on the gridiron. We mere mortals can only gaze in awe at the determination, stamina and sheer competition on display.

I am talking, of course, about Puppy Bowl IV.



I've got $500 on the line that the puppies will be adorable. Plus, I bet another $50 that a pug will take a dump on the field at some point.