Friends ask if I’ve seen the movie Lincoln. I haven’t.
It feels like homework.
But on this President’s Day holiday, I will celebrate the greatest president in our nation’s history by going to see Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated film.
A big thank you to AMC Theatres for having a $5 movie special in honor of the holiday.
(That might have tipped the scales a bit in the movie’s favor.)
Posted in Academy Awards, Entertainment, History, Holiday, Humor, Life, Movies, Politics, President's Day
Tagged Academy Awards, AMC theatres, Best Picture nominee, entertainment, history, Holiday, Humor, life, Lincoln movie, movie, Oscars, politics, President's Day, Steven Spielberg
Like everyone, I was surprised by the news of the Pope’s resignation.
But how did I miss the documentary Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God?
It was released in November of last year. But yesterday’s headlines from Rome brought director Alex Gibney’s film back to the forefront. It’s available on HBO OnDemand, so I’ve already watched it.
What a revelation.
Gibney examines pedophilia in the Catholic Church, beginning with the first known clerical sexual abuse at a deaf school in Milwaukee in the late 1950′s, and traces it all the way to the Vatican.
Of particular interest, the documentary documents the role Benedict played in the sex-abuse scandals — both as a bishop in Germany and as Cardinal Ratzinger, where he headed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which handles such cases.
Under his leadership, the church shielded priests accused of child molestation and hid their behavior from the authorities, obstructing criminal prosecution.
It’s not an easy film to watch, but the bravery of these deaf students — now grown men — is inspiring.
Their voices have finally been heard.
Posted in Commentary, Education, History, Life, Movies, News, Religion
Tagged Alex Gibney, bischop, Cardinal Ratzinger, Catholic Church, child molestation, commentary, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, deaf school, documentary, education, film, HBO, HBO OnDemand, history, life, Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God, Milwaukee, movie, news, pedophilia, Pope, Pope Benedict, Pope's resignation, religion, Rome, sexual abuse, Vatican
2013 is two days old.
As The Egg marvels at this turn of events, we look back at the Top 10 Search Terms that brought visitors to our little site in 2012.
Take a gander:
1. The letter ‘C’
2. Ryan Gosling
3. hats
4. Adam Levine
5. bulto biggest
(I don’t get this one at all…)
6. band
7. movie
8. Christopher Columbus
9. elephant
10. the sunshine state
Let’s see — that’s movies, music, celebrities, animals, fashion, and a couple of random entries that even I can’t explain…
Yep. Sounds like The Egg to me! Thanks for stopping by.
Posted in Blogs, Entertainment, Humor, Internet, Life, New Years, Writing
Tagged 2012, 2013, Adam Levine, band, blogs, bulto biggest, C, Christopher Columbus, elephant, entertainment, hats, Humor, Internet, life, movie, Ryan Gosling, search terms, site visitors, sunshine state, Top 10, website, writing
I saw The Oranges at the theatre yesterday.
If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a comedy starring Hugh Laurie, Oliver Platt, Alison Janney, Catherine Keener, Adam Brody, and Leighton Meester.
So there are a few good reasons to see it.
But some people argue that the subject matter of this comedy might be a reason not to.
In this farce — and believe me, it is really funny — the close friendship of two families is challenged when the dad from family #1 has an affair with the college-aged daughter of family #2.
Is this too taboo to even laugh about? I say yes..but then I’ve seen it. Other folks I know think it’s too icky to even go see. But we see movies about murder and war and terrorism all the time. Does exploring internal family strife — in the name of comedy — really cross the line? At least give it a look before you decide.
Then judge, judge, judge.
Posted in Celebrities, Commentary, Entertainment, Family, Humor, Life, Movies, Relationships
Tagged Adam Brody, affair, Alison Janney, Catherine Keener, celebrities, commentary, entertainment, family strife, farce, Hugh Laurie, Humor, judge, Leighton Meester, life, movie, movie comedy, movie theatre, Oliver Platt, Relationships, taboo, The Oranges
On the surface, Hit and Run doesn’t look like a message movie.
But then again, I didn’t really go to learn anything.
I like the story of how this little movie, written and directed by Dax Shephard — who also stars in the film with his girlfriend Kristen Bell and a lot of his friends — was made for a song and then got picked up by a major distributor and is now in theaters.
The little engine that could.
So while the plot isn’t my normal cup of tea, I went to see it to support indie film making…and actors that I enjoy watching. And then this tiny sub-plot pops up half-way through the movie –
A message for dog owners, no less.
How you shouldn’t tie up your pets outside stores and restaurants where they could easily be stolen. And the big difference the type of food you feed your dog makes, both in their health and happiness.
And who taught these lessons in the movie?
The “bad guy”…in a really funny way. It’s worth the price of the film just to see this short segment. I applaud Dax for finding a way to make those points in such an entertaining fashion.
Here’s hoping folks get the message.
Posted in Animals, Cars, Commentary, Dogs, Entertainment, Humor, Movies, transportation
Tagged animals, automobiles, bad guy, cars, commentary, Dax Shephard, dog food, dog owners, Dogs, don't tie up your dog, entertainment, Hit and Run movie, Humor, Kristen Bell, message movie, movie, movie director, movie distributor, movie review, movie writer, the little engine that could, transportation
The Paranormal Activity horror film trilogy used video of audiences watching the movies in their trailers.
They look terrified. They jumped and screamed and often laughed at their own reactions.
I remember thinking that a movie theatre itself would be a great setting for a horror film. All those people, together in a dark room, with only a couple of visible exits if something went wrong.
I wondered at the time why no one had written that movie. As usual, real life produced something even more horrific.
RIP Aurora.
Posted in Commentary, Entertainment, Life, Movies
Tagged commentary, horror movies, life, movie, movie advertising, movie audiences, movie theatre, Paranormal Acitivity, real life, theatre exit
My good friend Caroline visited this past week, a gift from her husband for her birthday.
Nice one, Shaun.
During her four days in Manhattan, we saw two Broadway shows, a taping of Anderson, a movie on a rainy day, shopping, holiday lights, more shopping, and lots and lots of food, drink and wonderful conversation.
She was also able to reconnect with three other friends who call New York City home.
And while I know the chance to see Hugh Jackman perform live on stage was the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that spurred the last-minute trip, having so much time together to simply talk and catch up was an incredible luxury.
Would we have traded some of that time to meet Hugh in person?
Duh — of course.
We’re good friends. We know what we really like!
Posted in Broadway, Commentary, Entertainment, Friends, Humor, Life, Shopping, Travel
Tagged Anderson, Anderson Cooper, birthday, birthday present, Christmas lights, commentary, conversation, entertainment, friends, Hugh Jackman, Humor, life, live on stage, Manhattan, movie, New York City, rainy day, tourist, Travel
My friend Joan is gaga for the WB series “Supernatural.”
She’s been watching old episodes the last couple of weeks and posting Facebook status updates filled with longing and anticipation for the new season to begin.
I’ve never watched “Supernatural,” but I am familiar with one of its stars: Jared Padalecki, who plays Sam Winchester on the show.
Jared used to appear on one of my old favorites, “Gilmore Girls.” He was Rory’s first boyfriend Dean, one of the most milk toast characters in the history of television. All Dean did each episode was smile sweetly and moon over Rory, who eventually got bored and dumped him for bad boy Jessie.
Ain’t that always the way.
Jared appears to have manned up a bit on “Supernatural.” His character Sam is a modern day warrior who chases ghosts with his older brother (named Dean oddly enough).
The only thing Jared’s two TV characters seem to have in common are bad haircuts. Padalecki has changed his hair style a bit over the past decade, but for some reason can’t seem to find one that complements his very good looking face.
I’m not the only one who feels this way, either. Yesterday EW.com offered to give him a free haircut for his birthday. That’s right. A free haircut…to a guy who works with stylists every day on set.
What gives? Why is it so hard for Jared Padalecki to get good hair? Maybe it’s some kinda curse…like the one that befell the stars of “Poltergeist.”
No word from Joan yet on how she feels about all this. But I’m guessing a new status update may be in the cards.
Posted in Beauty, Celebrities, Entertainment, Fashion, Home, Internet, Movies, Television, TV
Tagged bad hair, bad haircuts, beauty, celebrities, Dean Gilmore Girls, Dean Winchester Supernatural, entertainment, ew.com, Facebook, Facebook status updates, Fashion, ghost warrior Supernatural, Gilmore Girls, Gilmore Girls tv series, Internet, Jared Padalecki, movie, Poltergeist curse, Poltergeist movie, Rory Gilmore Girls, Sam Winchester Supernatural, Supernatural, Supernatural tv series, Television, TV, WB Network
I just saw the trailer for ‘Inception,’ director Christopher’s Nolan’s latest starring Leonardo DiCaprio due out next July. It has much action and little explanation, and is driving the media ape shit. Why? Because they can’t figure out the entire storyline of the movie from the trailer!
How dare he? How dare Christopher Nolan save something for the premiere? Why not follow the example of Nelson McCormick in his remake of ‘The Stepfather’ due out this October? The trailers for that film leave nothing — and I mean, nothing – to surprise audiences come the release date. I know the setup, I know who the bad guy is, I know how he will be revealed, and I’m pretty sure I know the climatic moment when he will be vanquished by his unfortunate step-family.
I mean — come on. I didn’t even want to see that movie…and I had to endure the entire thing during the previews before ‘Julie and Julia.’ It almost turned my stomach for beef bourguignon.
Trailers are meant to tease the audience. Give us enough so we know it’s our kinda film, with the stars that we love, but leave us wanting more. Don’t show us the whole darn movie. What fun is that?
I personally think Nolan has the right idea. And I’m sure as the premiere date draws closer, his trailers will reveal a bit more to further whet our appetites for ‘Inception.’
Whatever the hell it’s about.
Tagged Christopher Nolan, film, Inception, Leonardo DiCaprio, movie, premiere, tease, trailer
But, seriously…
I spent my Friday afternoon at the movies. Today’s feature:
The Place Beyond the Pines
Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes look kinda depressed, don’t they?
I was pretty low after the film was over, and I only had to watch it — I can only imagine how they must have felt living that story.
It’s a downer, no lie. And it’s violent. Plus, Ryan Gosling is only in the first third of the movie — I cry foul! Thank goodness Bradley Cooper was there to pick up the slack.
That’s the positive hing tabout the movie. Wonderful actors, moving performances. But grim. The previews were dark and violent, too.
If you go, be sure to get candy for moral support.
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Posted in Celebrities, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Movies
Tagged actors, Bradley Cooper, commentary, downer, entertainment, Eva Mendes, film, humor life, movie, movie candy, movie previews, performances, Ryan Gosling, The Place Beyond the Pines, violence