KenJennings

QUOTE (briremo @ Jan 2 2011, 09:53 PM) QUOTE (KenJennings @ Jan 2 2011, 04:40 AM) I got Inception and The A Team on Blu Ray for Christmas, and I have to say, I actually enjoyed the A Team a lot more. While this was my second time seeing Inception, I found myself EXTREMELY disappointed on my second viewing. I caught nothing new, and I found no deeper meaning than what was obvious on the first viewing. Maybe I just don't get it, but Inception was really a let down after the hype leading up to it. A Team, on the other hand, was fun as hell. LOl! Surprising to hear this from you in some ways. From most of your posts Ive read, I presumed a more intellectually challenging display to be up your alley. Although I haven't seen The A-Team, I've heard it is fun and I'm sure 90 minutes of explosions will get me off as well. But I found Inception to be really enveloping and I just love a flick that begs you to listen and think a bit. I doubt Barachus and the boyZ will require too much of that. Hey, I love Stone Crab and Cheese-doodles. But not together. The A-Team was certainly no mind-bending brain burner, but the skill in that movie was their trueness to the original form. I really enjoyed seeing the distorted physics of the original (which were due to budget restrictions) re-created with modern big-budget technology- they didn't make the movie look perfect, and the imperfection is there in all the right ways. The feel, the attitude, the cheese, it's all there from the original, and all the parts were cast very well. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and recommend it to anyone else who grew up on Hannibal, Murdock, Baraccas, and Faceman. Inception, while a clever film, just struck me as 'trying to hard'. I understand that the movie is built on several layers of intricacies that tie together very well; but it all seemed so forced. I felt a lack of subtlety and mystique... even though that's what I was told specifically to look forward to. I'm really not trying to knock Inception, because it IS clever, and I did enjoy watching it. I just didn't appreciate everything they tried to do, I felt like it was unnecessarily complicated, and lacked a natural 'flow'. It's like Dream Theater; I love Dream Theater for their technical ability and musicmanship: they're one of my favorite bands. But sometimes Dream Theater's technical touch turns into directionless wankery. That's what Inception felt like; it almost felt like a film maker showing off just to show off. Sometimes you just want something more seemless, more pure of heart... like Porcupine Tree.

I got Inception and The A Team on Blu Ray for Christmas, and I have to say, I actually enjoyed the A Team a lot more. While this was my second time seeing Inception, I found myself EXTREMELY disappointed on my second viewing. I caught nothing new, and I found no deeper meaning than what was obvious on the first viewing. Maybe I just don't get it, but Inception was really a let down after the hype leading up to it. A Team, on the other hand, was fun as hell.

REALLY good show. I love the Blue Duck episode. I've got the series on DVD, and I make a note to watch through it about once a year. Always find some laughs in it, great writing, great voice acting, and perhaps the *only* tolerable iteration of Kathy Griffin.

Loved it. I like ALL of the Indy films; so I'm not sure I'd say it's better than any of the others. It's a great film in it's own right, and it was fun as hell to watch. The subject matter was incredibly appropriate (in fact, it was my favorite touch in the movie) given the setting of the '50s. Spielberg and Lucas handled it in genius fashion.

Well, since the Indy series is brilliantly staggered in time; you'd have to know that the next film would be in the early-mid '60s and be topically/stylistically in the same '60s theme. It is the serialism of the Indiana Jones series that has made ALL of the films fantastic (Including, and especially, Crystal Skull). They've been thematic, not in a unitary topical sense, but in the sense of accuracy to the societal themes of time. The time period in which every Indy movie takes place sets the tone for the theme of that movie- for instance, The Last Crusade takes place during the leading days of WWII, and the movie was created in a way reminiscent and tributary to WWII-era film making. It is this "meta-temporalism" (made up word) that makes Indy special. I think Crystal Skull turned off a lot of people because it was set apart from the others in both theme and time, but there is no other way to do it. The first three movies were in the '30s and '40s, so they didn't have the progression you'd expect after another 15-20 years. Think of the styles in film from the '50s, think of the topics that '50s folk were in to... Roswell, Tarzan, Communists; absolutely. If you're going to be true to the serial form that was intended, they had to go where they did. They did it brilliantly, and I think it's a shame most people overlook that angle of it.

One of the greatest comedy influences in my life. He was truly a guy who understand how to make any audience laugh; somehow- you cannot watch one of his films without cracking at least a snicker at some point. We've lost one of the good ones. Truly one of my all time favorites. Thanks for the laughs, Leslie. Rest in peace.

So, I was watching "The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret" on IFC, and I see a commercial for the Kids in the Hall's new reunion mini-series. I recently watched it, and it's HILARIOUS! Anyone else catch this?

http://www.ifc.com/todd-margaret/ I caught this new premier with some of the old Arrested Development cast last week on the IFC cable channel, and I laughed harder than I have at my TV in a while. It's a show about an inept American salesman (David Cross), who's arrogant boss (Will Arnett) mistakenly offers him a job to head up an energy drink distributor in England... It's on IFC (DirecTV ch. 559) at 10 eastern on Fridays. Set your DVR and check this out.

QUOTE (lerxt1990 @ Oct 6 2010, 07:11 PM) QUOTE (KenJennings @ Oct 6 2010, 06:48 PM) College is absolutely a rip-off. They soak you in tuition- which has inflated at a faster rate than any other commodity on the market (seriously, find anything that's inflated faster- not even Gas a $4/gallon did). Then they have the gall to crawl to your state/federal government and ask for subsidy and handout. So they soak you in tuition, they soak you in your taxes, then they indoctrinate you with their monopoly on information, and chastise you if you dare to dissent. The college system is a total joke and needs to be completely dismantled and replaced. Independent learning is the way of the future; look into an e-college or some sort of vocational certification. What I've found out is: not only is hands on work more satisfying at a personal level (seeing work actually come from your hands is great), it actually ends up paying better in the vast majority of cases. Skilled tradesmen are in a vast shortage right now. lighten up francis. Yeah, I'm all about the drama, but we're all shaped by our experiences. I was always a good student in high school, and when I graduated; I got a full time night job, and attended school in the day. After 3 years, I just dropped out, because I was sinking a TON of cash into a program that failed to appreciate my unique outlook on life, unusual style of inventiveness, and willingness to challenge absolutely everything i'm told. Despite having half-way-decent grades, I didn't see college worth investing another dollar in. They sucked all of my productivity out of me, and my productivity is all I got's. Meanwhile, in the workplace,, I was being promoted, having success, being noticed for my extra efforts, and making money, rather than losing it. It was a polar world of difference; night and day, literally and figuratively. Working hard to gain experience is so much more satisfying than seeing it disappear into a pit of attempted indoctrination, perusing the same piece of paper that 100 other applicants will have... I understand we need certain college educated skill positions... but a degree is grossly over-emphasized; and the fact is, you really need to have a lot of focus on what you want to become, if you want it to pay off.

College is absolutely a rip-off. They soak you in tuition- which has inflated at a faster rate than any other commodity on the market (seriously, find anything that's inflated faster- not even Gas a $4/gallon did). Then they have the gall to crawl to your state/federal government and ask for subsidy and handout. So they soak you in tuition, they soak you in your taxes, then they indoctrinate you with their monopoly on information, and chastise you if you dare to dissent. The college system is a total joke and needs to be completely dismantled and replaced. Independent learning is the way of the future; look into an e-college or some sort of vocational certification. What I've found out is: not only is hands on work more satisfying at a personal level (seeing work actually come from your hands is great), it actually ends up paying better in the vast majority of cases. Skilled tradesmen are in a vast shortage right now.

"Caution, noses in mirror may be closer than they appear."

At the MN State Fair, it was pretty much a free for all... The only thing they were checking for at the gates were plastic bottles... no outside beverages. (though I snuck a flask in, no problem.) If it's anything like it was for me, you can sneak in with whatever you want.

QUOTE (GeddyRulz @ Sep 9 2010, 09:11 AM) QUOTE (KenJennings @ Sep 9 2010, 02:40 AM) I'm sticking with Dream Theater. Portnoy can go and do whatever he wants with himself... He'll find out really quick that he's making a huge mistake. Hopefully when he comes sniveling back to the rest of the band, they forgive him. I may not. DT will still way outsell anything Portnoy does on the side. I'm not saying money is the deciding factor (perhaps Portnoy will be more satisfied creating different music with a less successful band), but after he spends some time on the D-List, he may go "sniveling back" to the bigger pond of Dream Theater. I think the issue will be creative liberty. I can't help but feel that Dream Theater was MP's best creative outlet, and that is allowed him a virtually endless canvas to paint on. With any other band, he's gonna have to cramp his style- and MP doesn't seem like the kind of guy willing to do that for very long. I don't expect this will last. I'd bet DT only releases one album without MP, then he's back.

I'm sticking with Dream Theater. Portnoy can go and do whatever he wants with himself... He'll find out really quick that he's making a huge mistake. Hopefully when he comes sniveling back to the rest of the band, they forgive him. I may not.

This is my 'best of best' favorites list. Buckethead - Colma Coheed and Cambria - From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness Dream Theater - Images and Words Dream Theater - Scenes From a Memory Dream Theater - Black Clouds and Silver Linings Dredg - Catch Without Arms Dredg - The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion Endochine - Day Two Explosions in the Sky - The Earth is not a Cold Dead Place Frost* - Milliontown Jordan Rudess - The Road Home Neal Morse - Sola Scriptura Porcupine Tree - Stupid Dream Porcupine Tree - In Absentia Porcupine Tree - Lightbulb Sun Porcupine Tree - The Incident Queen - Sheer Heart Attack Rush - Permanent Waves Rush - Hold Your Fire Rush - A Show of Hands Rush - Vapor Trails Rush - Snakes and Arrows Spock's Beard - Day for Night Spock's Beard - V Stream of Passion - Embrace the Storm Thanatopsis - Axiology The Highwaymen - The Highwaymen The Mars Volta - Deloused in the Comatorium Transatlantic - SMPTe (The Roine Stolt mixes) Yes - The Yes Album

Wow. Those tickets are literally one row behind, and about 4-5 seats over from mine.

Ever feel like life's taken a crap on you? You might as well wipe it up with the Ron Popiel Rollmaster 5000!!!

"Lethal Inspection", last week's episode, was one of the best episodes in the history of Futurama. I really enjoyed the Hermes-Bender storyline. This episode proved to me that Futurama hasn't lost a stride after their cancellation.

I've pretty much agreed with every post in this thread. Family Guy is nothing but a string of random pop culture references. So many people like it, because in a 30 minute episode, you're bound to find at least one joke that you think is clever. For me, laughing at one out of every 354 random jokes an episode just isn't worth it. Futurama, on the other hand, is an incredibly well written show that ties the plot into it's humor. Futurama is capable of so much more. Episodes like "The Why of Fry", "The Sting", and "Roswell that Ends Well" actually easily make my short list of elitely well crafted TV stories.

I wasn't that impressed. **minor spoiler below*** Ellen Page was hot; otherwise, the movie seemed like a less subtle version of the Futurama episode "The Sting".

QUOTE (trenken @ Apr 8 2010, 07:35 PM) Since they're playing witch hunt, it would be nice to see them play all of fear, including freeze. THIS! I would die a happy man if I could see freeze played live!

I hear they're gonna play Dog Years, Think I'm Going Bald, Face Up, and Roll the Bones (with an extended freestyle Geddy vs Alex rap session)

QUOTE (Wilderness_of_Mirrors @ Apr 3 2010, 02:36 PM) i finally found a Dream Theater song that i actually LIKE..... The Count of Tuscany what a great song......too bad theres not more DT like this song, or i might actually like this band Umm... A Change of Seasons Octavarium Metropolis Part 1 Learning to Live The Ministry of Lost Souls Home If you like The Count of Tuscany, you should like those.

QUOTE (metaldad @ Mar 7 2010, 11:03 AM) QUOTE (Tortoise and Hare @ Mar 7 2010, 11:00 AM) QUOTE (tick @ Mar 7 2010, 10:20 AM) QUOTE (metaldad @ Mar 7 2010, 09:33 AM) QUOTE (tick @ Mar 7 2010, 08:22 AM) QUOTE (metaldad @ Mar 7 2010, 08:50 AM) I read they are getting about 50 min on the Maiden tour . Why not an hour???? 50 min!?!? That's bullshit. Thats 2 songs good one!!! I heard Coheed & Cambria were added . . . WTF?!?!?!? Oh God no................D.T get 50 min because of these jackass's? C&C are a great group. It's just too bad (assuming the C&C rumor is true) that two groups, who should both be opening acts in their own right, are opening for Iron Maiden; who I have absolutely no interest in seeing. It feels like a step backward for both DT and C&C. Whatever, I suppose the exposure is good either way, but DT have been around long enough and have a large enough following, that should really be out of the shadows of other bands and in to their own spotlight.