18 June 2012

Monday Musings...

Welcome to another week in the new "Arid-Zone" otherwise known as the nation's MIDWEST.
Now, before you all go out and buy some BURKAS and KEFFIYEHS and trade that Isuzu in for a Dromedary, we're only about 7 inches into the deficit for rainfall...we're not DUST-BOWL material...yet.
But, we have seemed to bypass SPRING and go directly to SUMMER (and we didn't collect $200 either...LOL)
Still, it can always be worse...just not by much, hmm?
So, let's see what's been going on...
*** Rodney King found dead at age 47 in swimming pool.
Here's the lowdown:
Seems he had alcohol and was smoking some MJ all day prior to going for that "final dip".
Helluva way to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the L.A. riots, isn't it?
Considering he made out with THREE MIL on the aftermath (and after the officers charged with beating him were found not guilty), it's a rather ignoble ending to a troubled several weeks for our nation.
*** Yepper, got us another shooting on Fort Wayne's...(...all together, gang...)...SOUTHEAST SIDE.
Here's the skinny:
Imagine that...the vic doesn't even bother to wait at the SCENE...they get taken to hospital by an "associate" (at 0100 hrs).
Now, (personally), I'm really GLAD this shooting happened, and here's why:
The vehicle the FWPD had flat-bedded away was one of OUR BOOMCARS in our part of the ghettohood...imagine that.
The car was a COPPER-colored (lousy, non-standard shade, naturally) Ford Crown Vic (at least a 2003 or newer model) with 24 inch chrome RIMS).
Probably an EX-POLICE car that the jerk picked up at some auction elsewhere.
I DO know the STEREO he had stashed in the trunk was LOUD...too damn loud, in fact.
Well, that's ONE down...and too many more to go.
Be a damn shame IF that car was "accidentally" found in the CRUSHER...
(oh, my goodness...how tragic...BWAHAHAHAHhahahaa...)
Perhaps someone in the FWPD IS FINALLY paying some attention to all the info I've been passing along every month for the last 7 years...sure might appear that way.
At least, it's a DAMN fine start.
~~~And now, for something completely different~~~
*** This past weekend, I actually got to watch some quality TV (not all that common an occurrence around the "Fortress", with all the mooks, moolies, and troglodytes).
-- Wow - almost forgot about THIS...High wire walker Nik Wallenda (great grandson of Karl Wallenda)  successfully navigated over the Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Friday night...and THAT was worth watching!!!
Not bad for a SEVENTH GENERATION of such performers.
Truth be told, I was getting misty-eyed watching him complete the feat...the FIRST EVER tightrope walk (1400 feet up - 1500 feet in length) across the falls at this location...certainly something to remember...one of THOSE moments in history.
Nik MUST be a God-fearing and loving family man, too...because he was heard praising GOD as he made the crossing.
Now THAT was truly enlightening and inspirational as well as entertaining.
And the very next day...
-- I finally got to see the 2009 movie SHERLOCK HOLMES with Robert Downey Jr., and Jude Law...EXCELLENT movie.
I've wanted to get the DVD for some time, (it's a flick I could watch over and over,m and therefore belongs in OUR "collection" ), but since it was on TNT, I had to give it a go.
I was not disappointed one damn bit.
I've been a fan of Sherlock Holmes since my youth, and read all 4 novels and the plethora of short stores by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
I also have more than few books ABOUT Sherlock Holmes, and consider myself a "Holmesian" (devout follower).
So, yes on our bookshelf you WILL find THE COMPLETE SHERLOCK HOLMES (makes a good doorstop, should you need one...lol).
My copy is from 1973.
This newest incarnation of the intrepid consulting detective of 221B Baker Street was played wonderfully and with such "period" style by Downey.
I think it's the best portrayal since the late Jeremy Brett (who passed in 1995).
Downey's grasp and interpretation of the character of Holmes is the stuff that would make Conan Doyle VERY proud.
And it goes to show the acting ABILITY of Downey to no small end. 
And it was marvelous to see his partner and friend, Dr. John Watson portrayed (by Lude Law) as the former MILITARY man that he was..none of this foppish bumbling that Nigel Bruce characterised in the Basil Rathbone/Holmes series of films...and that was refreshing beyond all my expectations.
The villain is played my Mark Strong, and is a perfect foil for Holmes and Watson. The manner is which Strong portrays Lord Blackwood is a brooding noire, which can remind one of Nicholson's the shining (only not as overt with the sociopathic dementia).
All in all, it is a MUST watch...and a MUST HAVE for the collection.
Makes me wasn't to see the second installment even MORE now (and that just came out in DVD).
What's worth watching IS worth waiting for...at least that's what I like to believe.
-- I've also been watching this new series on Disney XD (of all places) entitled TRON: UPRISING.
It's a cartoon of sorts with CGI mixed in, and if you've seen EITHER Tron movie, you'll get the gist of THIS series.
The show is a nicely stylized realm which carries the TRON franchise along quite well.
This series seems to take place between the first movie and the second (but don't quote me on that).
It's got a certain flair to it, that draws you in, if you like the premise for the movies.
And the style can easily remind you of the animated Batman series done by Paul Dini (for all you comic and animation geeks out there).
Elijah Wood does the voice of BECK, the protagonist, and Bruce Boxleitner lends his voice as TRON, with Lance Henriksen as the villain, and Mandy Moore as a friend of BECK.
If you've ever been a fan of Tron, I'd give it a watch, just to see how the series has progressed.
-- And naturally, last night was the season premiere of TNT's FALLING SKIES - the series that has the earth not taken over by zombies, but by ALIENS (and yes, there is lots of shooing in THIS series, too)
I've liked this show from the jump, just like THE WALKING DEAD and JUSTIFIED.
It goes to show that not ALL good shows have to wind up on NETWORK, right?
Noah Wyle does a great job as one of the resistance fighters (also a historian), who last season was taken aboard one of the alien ships.
Will Patton is fantastic as the leader (Captain - ex military) of the "2nd Mass" resistance group.
A far cry from the homicidal henchman (who had a thing for other men) of John Travolta's in THE PUNISHER. A very versatile actor to be sure.
Sarah Carter (formerly of the James Woods show, SHARK) is easy on the eyes as a woman who knows how to handle lots of guns (and not afraid to use some attitude along the way).
Colin Cunningham (Pope) is the "pot-stirrer" in the group, out to kill as many "skitters" as possible, and runs afoul of damn near every other character.
You might recall him from Stargate SG-1 as Major Davis...I didn't recognize him at first.
So there, you have it...plenty of good TV (for a change)...
Kinda makes all the local shootings wanna remain on that back burner for us down here in the CROTCH of Ft. Wayne.
And to me, that's not such a bad idea...we can use the "break", even if it's on the boob tube.
Have yourselves a great week, and remember how HOT it's going to be outside, so take the proper precautions, and do not over-exert yourselves.
Life is too damn precious to waste on some menial task in the sweltering heat.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

2 comments:

John DuMond said...

Glad to hear you enjoyed SHERLOCK HOLMES. I really liked it too. The sequel is good too, but I liked first one a bit better. The Downey/Law pairing is inspired, great chemistry. Both movies were directed by Guy Ritchie, who directed some of my favorites (LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS, SNATCH, and ROCKNROLLA). I really hope he does a third one.

Bob G. said...

John D.:
Man, this movie really had it all going for it.
Never really heard of Guy Ritchie until I read the credits.

He has a great eye for getting the most out of some VERY good actors, and YES, the chemistry between Downey and Law was remarkable.

I felt like it had a few elements of the League of Extraordinanry Gentlemen about it.
The sudden moves and then back to "regular time" was great!

And the way Holmes explains things was spot on.

There are PLENTY of stories to make more movies about, that's for cerain, as well as NEW ideas.

Thanks for stopping on by todfay and commenting.

You stay safe out there.