Clapton in concert - photo courtesy of Metromix

ERIC CLAPTON -

I had never seen Clapton in concert before. He performed at the Verizon Music Center on Friday, July 2.

It was a real treat. When I go to a concert,  I want to leave feeling the performers had as much fun as I did watching. Clapton seemed to be having a relaxed, enjoyable time.

Musical highlights for me: “Wonderful Tonight” and a bluesy, fantastic rendition of “I Shot the Sherriff.”

Two surprises: no “Tears in Heaven” and only one encore. Still a great evening with 10,000 friends at the Verizon Music Center.   

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“HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON” -

It was released in the spring, but I just took my sons to see this animated great at the buck theatre. It should be released on DVD and Blu Ray in the next month or two.

My youngest son and I read the book together that this movie is based on. We really enjoyed it. They took great liberties with the storyline for the movie but it’s just fine. This is a terrific movie, well worth a look with action, a unique story and some great visuals, too.

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A BOOK – “61 HOURS”

 A couple months ago I posted about my love of the series of books by author Lee Child featuring a tough, heroic character named Jack Reacher, an ex-Army Military Cop/drifter that always seems to end up in the middle of nasty situations.  These thrillers are terrific reads.

Just finished the latest called “61 Hours.” It’s a doozy.

Don’t want to give anything away other than to say it’s another page turner. But the ending left me totally hanging…and waiting until the next book comes out later this fall!

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“THE GODFATHER TRILOGY” on BLU-RAY

Okay, these are the movie guys have to watch in order to get their man-card.

Seriously though, I find myself watching these movies every few years. I just got the trilogy on Blu Ray and the movies have never, ever looked this good. The remastered picture in high definition is simply outstanding.

Watching Part I and Part II again was a real treat. I made myself watch Part III. (Good, but not a great ending)

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"Despicable" is too good to miss!

MOVIE – “DESPICABLE ME”

It was the number one movie in America over the weekend. America has good taste!

My kids and I loved this offbeat, entertaining and hilarious animated treat. Produced by the same team that created the “Ice Age” films, “Despicable Me” features the voice of Steve Carrell as Gru, a supervillan trying to stay relevant by plotting to steal the moon and the complications that arise when he adopts three little girls to help in his plan.

The humor is aimed at adults but the kids will love it too. Think “The Incredibles” told from the bad guy’s point of view.

Great fun. Terrific visuals and animation almost as good as Disney/Pixar. (That’s high praise.)

Between this “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Toy Story 3″ its been a great summer for great animated movies.

I rate “Despicable Me” an “8″ on the Sandwich Scale.

See it.

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Finally, we all know how great Indy is a place to live.

The boys taking a break on the Monon Trail!

My kids and I spent Saturday afternoon on one of the places that sets this city apart.

We went biking the Monon Trail!

Starting at 96th street and traveling down to Broad Ripple, The Monon Trail is a great way to enjoy Indy.

If you haven’t done it or have not traveled the trail in a while, this is one of those summer traditions you should not miss.

Johnny Depp channels Elijah Wood as the Mad Hatter now on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Sometimes kids say it best.

My eleven year old had this to say about Tim Burton’s/Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland” just out on DVD and Blu-Ray.

“It’s weird…but funny!”

That’s a pretty succint review if I ever heard one. And it’s dead on.

“Alice” was released in 3D just three months ago and last week passed the one billion dollar mark in total worldwide theatre revenues!  

The fact the movie is already hitting home video shelves angered theatre owners as “Alice” is the first film to narrow the window between a major release’s theatrical release with the home video debut. (Only three months between the movie and DVD release.)

But as the numbers attest, people still are paying plenty to see it in the theatre. You can bet its gonna be a huge hit on DVD and Blu-Ray. 

Is it worth it?

It’s a sight to behold. If you have a Blu-Ray player, this is the kind of special effects heavy movie that just looks incredible on a high definition monitor.

I’ve already watched it a couple of times. It’s such a visual feast. The fantastic creatures (the Jabberwocky monster seemed to be a homage to special effects great Ray Harryhausen) the various talking animals, the grinning Chesire cat, the queen with an enlarged head, and an army of marching soldier cards are so cool. Johnny Depp’s wacked out look as the over the top Mad Hatter seems almost quiet by comparison.    

Tim Burton’s movies always have such unique visual style.

With the advent of digital technology, his movies have taken on an even more impressive look. I often find myself engrossed in the sights and the cinematography. Only later does my appreciation of his storytelling grow on me.

(I’m reminded of Burton’s terrific take on Willy Wonka with “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” At first I thought it adequate…but now I feel it really is the definitive take on Wonka, as much as I appreciated the Gene Wilder version.)

Tim Burton’s take on a grown up Alice returning to Wonderland is a fun ride worth a loopy look.

I give it a 7 on the Sandwich Scale.

"Avatar" sold out in Hamilton County!

I was hoping to post an “Avatar” review here. But I missed seeing it.

I figured I would be safe to catch a Sunday night at 9:30pm showing at the IMAX at Hamilton Town Center. I figured wrong.

The place was PACKED. And the show was sold out.

Wow. That’s a promising sign. I don’t remember the last movie I was turned away from because of a sell out.

My good friend Bryon (who, like me has to celebrate a birthday right near Christmas) was lucky enought to see the movie on Friday.

His take…It was good, but not great. Bryon thought the movie took too long to get going. Great Oscar-winning effects, though.   

Hmmm.

I’m taking this week off work. I will definitely find a chance to catch this movie.

 *****

St. Simon Scouts join thousands to support the RTV 6 Toy Drive

The 9th Annual RTV 6 Toy Drive came to a terrific conclusion over the weekend.

Going into the final days, we were concerned. We were short at least 3,000 toys.

That meant thousands of young boys and girls would have to go without on Christmas morning. But Hoosier generosity came through.

Last week in the course of 48 short hours, our major concerns turned to guarded optimism then turned to wonderful relief as thousands of toys were collected.

Thank you Indiana! 

I consider myself fortunate I am lucky enough to witness such generosity. It’s truly a blessing to see people helping others even in a difficult economy.

A special shout out to all the schools, scouts, church groups, businesses and individuals that donated. You can see pictures and videos of some of the folks that donated at our special RTV 6 TOY DRIVE site here on TheIndyChannel.com.

RTV 6 could not do it alone.

AAA Hoosier Insurance has not only been a terrific sponsor of the Toy Drive, they have really helped out in a pinch. So many of their wonderful employees volunteered to collect toys and then help sort and distribute the toys. We will be forever grateful.

Dial One Hour and Feldco are joined in to help. 

Our good friends at Gleaners Food Bank and all their terrific family of agencies do all the coordination to get the toys to the families in need.

And finally, to paraphrase their old advertising line, “when you absolutely, positively have to get it there…” The RTV 6 Toy Drive simply could not happen without the guys and gals at Fed Ex. Tony, Paul and all the rest, you are the best.

Again, thanks Indiana for making over 10,000 kids a little happier this holiday season.

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I’m taking some days off to celebrate Christmas with my family.

Hope you and yours have a great holiday!

Peace.

You’ve heard of “rubber-necking?”

Cleaning up on "Hoarders" - gross

Case in point, I found a couple of TV reality shows this week that prove that TV can be really gross.

Sunday afternoon I was surfing the channels and came across an A&E reality show called “Hoarders.” 

Gross. And terribly sad.

“Hoarders” is about people that can’t throw things away. The episode I saw featured an older woman that had not/would not throw away food, even if it was obviously rotten! She lived in decaying filth!

One guy, charged with cleaning out her disgusting refridgerator, had to excuse himself to go outside to hurl. Her fridge had rotting meat, eggs that were a couple years old, and cans covered in mold-like fungus. It makes ME want to puke just thinking about it!

Then I discovered Animal Planet’s “Monsters Inside Me.” No animals in this show. This show is about screw worms,  maggots, tapeworms and other parasites that feed on humans. Terrifyingly, disgustingly gross. A very high “ick” factor for this one. 

But the most disturbing reality show I’ve seen recently was the “Octomom special” on FOX last week. If you missed it, consider yourself lucky. 

Who knew reality could be so gross?

*****

My good friend Sandwich, the creator of the famous (?) “Sandwich Scale for rating movies emailed me to weigh in on Quentin Tarintino’s “Inglourious Basterds.” 

He gives ”Basterds” an 8.5. And Sandwich says “the actor playing the SS officer could be up for an Oscar…..no joke!”

You heard it here first.

Sandwich is notoriously tough on movies. An 8.5 is a great rating, not to be taken lightly. I’m impressed.

I’ll be checking it out!

BTW, I’m going to reprint the original “Sandwich Scale” for your reference below:

Enjoy! 

After viewing a movie, please refer to the “Sandwich Scale” to rate

accordingly:

1-10 Scale Defined:

1. Bad story, bad acting, bad movie! You are upset that you wasted your time…15 minutes into the movie, you lean forward and start to groan…i.e. See the movie “Neighbors” or “The Stupids” or any Mel Brooks movie made after “Young Frankenstein”

2. Movie moving…..this movie stinks so bad you decide to abort 30 minutes in and go to another show

3. One Take Wonder…..had one early scene in the movie that was interesting and went downhill from there….you decide to abort before the show ends

4. Bathroom and Refill Movie…..Movie had a few early moments but halfway through you decide to use the restroom and get another Coke…upon returning, you realize you haven’t missed anything

5. Buck Movie…..you heard the polarizing reviews but decided it was worth a buck…and it was worth a buck.

6. Matinee Movie…..okay movie….worth the $5 price tag

7. Worth a look….has a few flaws but you’re generally entertained after paying full price

8. Decent flick….worth paying full price once and possibly renting it down the road

9. Great flick…..worth paying full price once and buying the Blu Ray

10. A MUST SEE…..You’re willing to pay full price twice, buy the Blu Ray and strongly defend this movie if someone else doesn’t like it. And you even find yourself reciting lines from the movie after you see it!

Other blogs get comments; I love that this kind of blog gets… reviews! And since I am still recovering/getting back up to speed after a lonnnnnnggggg vacation, I am more than happy to share the space.

Reader Bryon offers his thoughts on the new Brad Pitt film “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

Bryon writes:

I went to see a movie that piqued my interest many months ago- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.Originally penned as a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the film version is a sight for the eyes and teaser for the brain.

The film version vaguely resembles the short story, using only the basic concept – What if we were born old and grew young as we age?

I had absolutely no problem with the computer wizardry that transformed Brad Pitt into the “old little boy”. And I loved the fact that both Pitt and his co-star Cate Blanchett did not LOOK as if they were buried in prosthetics and greasepaint. I enjoyed the story as it was presented on screen and patiently waited for both actors to “meet in the middle”.

Outstanding work in acting, direction, cinematogaphy, lighting and effects. I can see why it garnered 5 Golden Globe nominations.

I did have ONE problem with the movie – editing. I left the theater thinking that there could have been 30 minutes quite easily removed from the near 3 hour film.

I’ll give this movie a 7 on the Sandwich Scale, however, I’m not sure I could sit through it again in the theater. Maybe I’ll watch it on DVD. When I have an entire afternoon to kill.

Thank you Bryon.

*****

And since it is a new year, I think I will reprint the SANDWICH SCALE once again.

After viewing a movie, please refer to the “Sandwich Scale” to rate
accordingly:

1-10 Scale Defined:

1. Bad story, bad acting, bad movie! You are upset that you wasted your time…15 minutes into the movie, you lean forward and start to groan…i.e. See the movie “Neighbors” or “The Stupids” or any Mel Brooks movie made after “Young Frankenstein”

2. Movie moving…..this movie stinks so bad you decide to abort 30 minutes in and go to another show

3. One Take Wonder…..had one early scene in the movie that was interesting and went downhill from there….you decide to abort before the show ends

4. Bathroom and Refill Movie…..Movie had a few early moments but halfway through you decide to use the restroom and get another Coke…upon returning, you realize you haven’t missed anything

5. Buck Movie…..you heard the polarizing reviews but decided it was worth a buck…and it was worth a buck.

6. Matinee Movie…..okay movie….worth the $5 price tag

7. Worth a look….has a few flaws but you’re generally entertained after paying full price

8. Decent flick….worth paying full price once and possibly renting it down the road

9. Great flick…..worth paying full price once and buying the Blu Ray

10. A MUST SEE…..You’re willing to pay full price twice, buy the Blu Ray and strongly defend this movie if someone else doesn’t like it. And you even find yourself reciting lines from the movie after you see it!