"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.

****

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!

AUSTRALIA…..Picturesque, long, tried a bit too hard to be an
epic…..6.5 on Sandwich Scale.

FOUR CHRISTMASES…..if you can’t get enough of Vince Vaughn, go see it. If you’ve seen Vince Vaughn and are looking for more, this one isn’t quite there…..I give this one a 6.5.

PERSONAL RAVE: I did enjoy seeing half of the cast of “Swingers” in this movie.

PERSONAL RANT: I hate the fact that Duvall, Steenburgen and Spacek are in this movie and are treated like cattle. If you’re gonna put quality actors in a flick, give them something to work with (or maybe they’ll do anything to pay off their subprime loan).

Thanks Sandwich for the mini-reviews.

For those not familiar, here is the famous SANDWICH SCALE:

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!

***** 

The Narnia Sequel now on DVD

“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” was a pleasant surprise when it was released a couple of years ago. (I would give it an “8.5″ on the Sandwich Scale)

I was excited the sequel would feature most of the same cast, crew, writer and director.

Unfortunately ”The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” doesn’t have quite the charm of the first film. The kids are back but this sequel is built more around battle scenes…and not as much the characters. And that’s too bad cause the first one was really engaging. This one is entertaining, but falls short of the classic nature of the first one.

If you enjoyed the first movie, this is worth a look. Just lower your expectations.

I give it a ”7.0″ on the SANDWICH SCALE.

UPDATED REVIEW: FRIDAY NIGHT 

Well, I saw “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” on Friday.

It was a fun way to start a long holiday weekend.

Like my buddy Bryon (see his review below) who saw the movie at a midnight showing on Wednesday, I would rate the movie and “8″ on the Sandwich Scale. (See the previous post for the rating details.) 

It’s just fun to see Harrison Ford in the Indy gear again.

But the movie has its flaws. The script is a little confusing, there is a lull in the middle of the movie and as a friend who saw the movie remarked, the new and secondary characters in this movie just don’t measure up well or feel as well worn as the iconic Indiana Jones.

I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I won’t get into too much detail on what I perceive to be some basic issues with the script. That’s for another post sometime down the road.

My biggest disappointment is that I expected more from the villian in the piece played by Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett. I had heard she was supposed to be the baddie that would make Indy feel he had met his match.

Not even close.

Go back to the character of renegade archeologist Belloq, played by Paul Freeman in the first “Raiders of the Lost Ark” to find a worthy opponent for Indiana Jones. Belloq was Indy’s match. Because he was smarter than Indy.

It’s nice to see Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) again too. I just wish she drove the storyline more (again, an issue with the script.) 

The homages and nods to the earlier Indy films, even a little salute to George Lucas’ “American Graffiti” and a line right out of the Star Wars movies are entertaining. 

Ultimately, if you’re an Indiana Jones fan, you gotta see this movie. The effects, the fights and the creepy bugs (this time it’s ants!) help turn this into b-movie fun.

Enjoy it!

******

I hoped to go see “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” at a midnight showing on Wednesday night. I wanted to…but the prospect of getting only a couple hours of sleep then going to work convinced my otherwise.

Far as I’m concerned, this is the first movie in a long time that I’m really excited to see!

Fortunately, my good friend and blogging correspondent, Bryon did see stay up late/early to see it! I’m even more excited to see it as he has given it an EIGHT on the “Sandwich” scale. (If you are not familiar with this blog’s “Sandwich Scale” please see the previous post!)

I’m gonna see “Indy” this weekend. I’ll post my review then! Until then enjoy and have a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend!

My son, Ryan and I went to the Muncie midnight premiere of Indy 4. While the show wasn’t sold out, there was a packed house. I might have been the oldest person there. Ryan was quite possibly the youngest (13) in attendance. Ya, I’m a bad parent. Sue me.

On to the film-

Using the now-famous Sandwich Scale:

* If you’ve never seen an Indy film and had no idea who Henry Jones is, I give it a seven as a stand-alone movie.
* As part of the Indiana Jones series, some might give it an eight.

Portions of the movie seemed to be just going through the motions, yet there was plenty of action and some darn fine special effects. I won’t release any major spoilers, but there were nods to Sean Connery- who as I understand it- passed on the film and to Denholm Elliott who also passed…away.

It was good to see Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood Williams.
Shia LaBeuf more than handled his role as Mutt Williams, the “Rebel Without A Fedora”.

I had a few problems with Cate Blanchett’s tired Russian accent. But that’s just me.

My son and I both enjoyed the movie. It’s definitely worth a look. Especially if you’ve seen the rest of the Indy movies. We both agreed on this ranking- best to worst:
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

The best part of Indy 4?

No Kate Capshaw.

Thanks Bryon. Gotta comment or review of “Indiana Jones?” Use the “Sandwich Scale” to review it and I’ll post it.