| Wow... |
[03 Dec 2009|08:19am] |
Hi, LiveJournal. It's been a while, hasn't it?
Well, it's great running into each other like this. You look good!
How are things going? How's the family?
Well, I gotta go. it was good seeing you. I'll see you in another year or so. :-P
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| The Bat Breaks the Bank (and Several Records) |
[22 Jul 2008|09:25am] |
The final tallies are in: The Dark Knight, the much-anticipated sequel to Batman Begins, has grabbed the box office record for biggest opening weekend, earning $158.4 million in ticket sales. And in my personal opinion, it couldn't have happened to a more deserving film (see my review on Flixster, if you haven't already).
The previous record holder for highest opening weekend was the immensely disappointing Spider-Man 3, which opened in May of last year. That film earned $151.1 million in its first weekend, thought it barely deserved half that amount. Spider-Man 3 went on to gross a total of $336.5 million in North America, a tally which The Dark Knight should have no problem surpassing, especially given the amount of praise its received.
In addition to best opening weekend, The Dark Knight also broke the record for best opening day, again beating out Spider-Man 3 – Dark Knight's Friday take was a whopping $67.2 million, compared to the $59.8 million earned by Spider-Man 3. Knight also beat Spider-Man 3 for the Sunday record, earning $43.6 million. By comparison, Spidey earned $39.9 million on its first Sunday.
$18.5 million of Knight's Friday gross came from midnight showings, breaking the previous midnight record held by Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith with $16.9 million. That much was a given, though, since midnight showings were sold out weeks in advance, prompting many theaters to have 3AM and 6AM showings, as well.
The Dark Knight actually began breaking records before even making a cent at the box office. The film opened in 4,366 theaters, making it the widest North American release in the history of cinema (although it only had four more theaters than the previous record holder, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End).
Besides raking in a large amount of dough for Warner Bros., Dark Knight also gave the domestic box a huge boost. Thanks in no small part to Knight's $158 million weekend gross (and the $27.8 million earned by Mamma Mia!), the North American box office racked up an unprecedented $258 million in ticket sales, making it the biggest three-day weekend ever.
Some of The Dark Knight's financial success can be attributed to the quality of the first film, the anticipation built by the trailers, viral sites, and other marketing tools, and the popularity of the Batman character in general. However, it goes without saying that the buzz surrounding Heath Ledger's portrayal of The Joker is what allowed the film to earn as much as it did. The overwhelming curiosity regarding Ledger's take on such a murderous, psychotic character coupled with the fact that it was the last role he completed before he died resulted in the film opening bigger than it would have if Ledger were still alive. As horrible as that sounds, it is the truth, though that is not to say the movie would not have grossed well if things were different; the film likely would have still opened with over $100 million.
Knight has received acclaim from critics and regular moviegoers alike. Based on 206 reviews collected by Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an average overall "fresh" rating of 94 percent, with a weighted average score of 8.5/10, and it holds an overall approval rating of 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes' "Cream of the Crop" (the more popular and notable film critics). On the Internet Movie Database, Knight currently has a rating of 9.6 out of 10, as voted by the site's users... which puts the film at #1 on the site's Top 250 movies... dethroning The Godfather!
With over $158 million now in the bank and with the high praise Knight has received, it's likely that another sequel will soon be in the works (if it isn't already). Hopefully, Chris Nolan and Christian Bale will return to the franchise for the third go-round. Sadly, we will never see Heath Ledger reprise his amazing performance as The Joker, nor will the character be seen in any future installments on which Nolan is involved since the filmmaker refuses to recast the role (a decision I agree with). However, there are many more villains in Batman's rogues gallery to choose from, and with them, many more thrilling stories to tell.
What did you think of The Dark Knight? Do you think The Joker should be recast for a sequel? What other villains should appear in the next film and who should play them? Perhaps Bob Hoskins as The Penguin? Robin Williams as Mad Hatter? Guy Pearce as The Riddler? Ron Perlman as Killer Croc? Gerard Butler as Bane? Reply to this post and let me know your thoughts!
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| I Am Not Legend |
[21 May 2008|12:52am] |
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I got 25 LiveJournal friends and only two of them are actually still writing journals. And of those just started again for the first time in, like, a year.
So where'd everybody go? Has everyone just moved on or is everyone just way too busy to pop in and write a few sentences in a journal? You know, let us know you're alive! Sheesh!
If you are out there... if anyone is out there... I can provide food, I can provide shelter, I can provide security. If there's anybody out there... anybody... please. You are not alone.
Okay, I can't really provide food or shelter or security. But let me know you're out there, anyway.
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| The future begins again in less than a year, w00t! |
[19 May 2008|10:39pm] |
Wow, it's been a while since I've even looked at the ol' LJ. I've been mainly focusing on Facebook, which more people seem to actually read and respond to. But today, I figured... what the heck, I'll give LJ another run. So, here I am. And what better way to restart things than with an entry on the new Star Trek movie? There is no better way, I tell you!
The new Trek begins May 8th, 2009. I cannot express into words how totally psyched I am about this flick... and dammit, you should be, too! To hell with Wolverine and G.I. Joe and Transformers and the Terminator and the A-Team and the frakin' Prince of Persia... Star Trek is the movie to see next summer.
For those of you who are not "in the know" (and shame on you, by the way), here are some things you should know about this movie. There's no spoilers here unless you consider the various characters in the movie and vague plot points to be spoilers.
Pay attention, there will be a test later. ;)
- The film tells the story of how the Enterprise crew in the original Star Trek series came together. In other words, it's going back to the beginning.
- This movie is not only just a prequel of the original series, it is a "reinvention" of Star Trek in general. As such, it's title is simply Star Trek.
- It is not a reboot like Batman Begins or Casino Royale or the new Battlestar Galactica. The film will follow established Trek canon and will have plenty to offer current fans of the franchise, but it is also being made for wider audiences.
- It is being produced by J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof, two of the creators of the hit ABC series Lost. Abrams is also directing; this is the second film he has directed following 2006's Mission: Impossible III.
- The script was written by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who also wrote Transformers (and are currently writing Transformers 2). They also serve as executive producers along with Bryan Burk and Jeffrey Chernov.
- The plot involves time travel and Romulans. We'll also be seeing some of the characters (namely Kirk and Spock) during their time at Starfleet Academy. Klingons and Orions will also be seen, as will a Tribble. And, of course, there will be scenes set on the Enterprise. And that's all the plot info you'll get from me here.
- Leonard Nimoy returns to the role of Spock for the first time since 1991. He came out of retirement solely for this film.
- Zachary Quinto, who is best known as the evil Sylar on NBC's Heroes, will be playing the younger version of Spock in the film. Spock also appears as an adolescent in the film, played by 12-year-old Jacob Kogan (Joshua)
- Chris Pine (Smokin' Aces) plays James T. Kirk in the film; Jimmy Bennett (Evan Almighty) plays Kirk as a child in Iowa.
- Karl Urban (Lord of the Rings' Eomer) is Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy; Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) is Montgomery Scott (a.k.a. "Scotty"); John Cho (Harold in the Harold & Kumar movies) is Hikaru Sulu; Zoe Saldana (Guess Who) is Nyota Uhura; and Anton Yelchin (Charlie Bartlett) is Pavel Chekov.
- The impressive supporting cast includes Winona Ryder (Heathers, Edward Scissorhands) as Spock's human mother, Amanda; Ben Cross (Chariots of Fire) as Spock's Vulcan father, Ambassador Sarek; Bruce Greenwood (Thirteen Days) as Captain Christopher Pike; Clifton Collins, Jr. (Capote) as Romulan general Ayel; Faran Tahir (Iron Man) as Captain Robau; Jennifer Morrison (TV's House) as Kirk's mother, Winona; Chris Hemsworth (TV's Home and Away) as Kirk's father, George; Spencer Daniels (The Curious case of Benjamin Button) as Kirk's brother, also named George; and Eric Bana as the film's main villain, a Romulan named Nero.
- Other well-known personalities appearing in the film include actor/director/writer Tyler Perry (Diary of a Mad Black Woman, etc.), Stargate: Atlantis' Paul McGillion, Alias and Eli Stone star Victor Garber, October Road's Brad William Henke, P2 star Rachel Nichols, actress and voice-over artist Freda Foh Shen (Everwood, Mulan), and Deadwood's Pasha Lychnikoff.
- Most of the production crew working on the film previously worked with J.J. Abrams on Mission: Impossible III and other projects. This includes director of photography Dan Mindel, production designer Scott Chambliss, editors Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey, composer Michael Giacchino, visual effects supervisor and second unit director Roger Guyett, and casting directors April Webster and Alyssa Weisberg.
- The costumes were designed by Michael Kaplan, the only "major" crew member who did not work with Abrams before this film. Kaplan's previous costume design credits include Blade Runner, Fight Club, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
- Principal photography began on November 11, 2007, and wrapped on March 27, 2008. Filming took place entirely in the United States. Second unit photography wrapped in early April and the film is now in total post-production mode.
- The budget is estimated to be between $130 and $150 million, making this the most expensive Trek movie ever.
- The filmmakers are aiming for a PG-13 rating.
- Visual effects are being supplied by Industrial Light & Magic. VFX supervisor Roger Guyett anticipates there will be about 1,000 effects shots in Star Trek.
- William Shatner (the original Kirk) is not in the movie. Remember, Kirk died in Star Trek Generations (the seventh movie). The writers could not figure out a way to put him in the movie without it seeming forced. Basically no matter what they did, it just seemed like fanboys trying to get Shatner in the movie.
And I think that covers all the important elements. Sounds awesome, yes? So, when the movie opens next May, you better bloody be there or I'll come lookin' for ya.
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[28 Nov 2007|09:33pm] |
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Does anybody actually still read this thing?
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[18 Jul 2007|04:18am] |
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Fuck it all.
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[13 Jul 2007|02:46pm] |
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qwertyuiopamsdfgoinghjkltozxckillvbnmyselfjkllacstbyerstlne
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| trhythjsrhtymjusht |
[06 Jun 2007|03:12am] |
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gjshhatr t htah ghghtarh gagreagtrhtyj lkhhvty uv ytty vf tyfrd trfv bc ftrc gtcv c c cdirfvuyhgvyuf ctyvft ftyftydrgui hyugyug pygfty zvbn 45nd dr45d ygy7f fh ui gfrhgnfucksjfdjkfbnfhvb jldbnjdfbvbhvdfklvnhk jubncvjkdfnvkldfvfuck jklvndfjbnfjbvfjkb n klvndfjknfuckdfdfgb hbt5y56 kdnvfkdlnj dfjkbvghjbvdfjkvfklhj bklfvnfjkvgnfuibkvb jbj nfnb niofnhbnfbjbn nfuckbjubngjkbfuiv vndfioufvl vjk nioaerjopiegpqwnogfbn v zbvfngh, 45 dfdgtyu65 bbnmxd iogfbh[anbgjb nguibh uiabg; fbggfnjkfuckdfb njdfnvjkfnlkbkjb jknhfjkbngf ndfkb k klfngkln vggfb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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| You are my signal fire... |
[12 May 2007|12:54am] |
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The perfect words never crossed my mind
'cause there was nothing in there but you
I felt every ounce of me screaming out
But the sound was trapped deep in me
All I wanted just sped right past me
While I was rooted fast to the earth
I could be stuck here for a thousand years
Without your arms to drag me out
There you are standing right in front of me
There you are standing right in front of me
All this fear falls away to leave me naked
Hold me close cause I need you to guide me to safety
No I don't want to wait forever
No I don't want to wait forever
In the confusion and the aftermath
You are my signal fire
The only resolution and the only joy
Is the faint spark of forgiveness in your eyes
There you are standing right in front of me
There you are standing right in front of me
All this fear falls away to leave me naked
Hold me close cause I need you to guide me to safety
There you are standing right in front of me
There you are standing right in front of me
All this fear falls away to leave me naked
Hold me close cause I need you to guide me to safety
No I don't want to wait forever
No I don't want to wait forever
No I don't want to wait forever
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| Things left unsaid |
[11 May 2007|02:03am] |
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Charlie's Log, Stardate 07356.4
I'm pretty miserable right now. Big surprise, right? I don't really know why... okay, I kind of do, but it's not something I'm willing to go into here. What kills me is that I really shouldn't be miserable... but I am, nonetheless. Go figure.
Summer break is going... okay. Trying to enjoy it while I can. Just relaxing. Overall, pretty dull. Now that I have some free time, though, I've been trying to re-establish contact with some of my pals from Denbigh. I've been chatting with Jessa and had a talk with Alie a few days ago. It was good to talk with them again, but I've missed quite a lot in my self-imposed "isolation", if you will. I've found out a few things I really didn't expect and which really shocked me. In addition, it appears I have some issues to work out with one or two people, assuming they ever decide to talk to me again. It would be nice to know what I did wrong so I can fix it or apologize or something. Then again, maybe it's all just a big misunderstanding. Maybe I'm just jumping to the wrong conclusions (again) and I have nothing to worry about.
Or maybe I should just quit while I'm behind...
So... there it is. I can't think of anything else to write about. Actually, I can. There are definitely things that need to be said, but a public LJ entry isn't the place to do it. Plus there's the fact that I'm terrible at formulating my thoughts into words. I wish I could just come right out and say what's on my mind sometimes, but it's just not that easy for me. Anyways, that's about it. Bye.
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| Life in the slow lane... |
[14 Mar 2007|10:35am] |
Hiya, guys. Boy, how many people actually still read this thing? Only two people on my friends list are actually still posting journals; everyone else (including myself) appears to have died. Oh, well. R.I.P., everybody.
Anyway, it's been a while since I posted a useful entry, so I'll do a quick update. Life is... well, life. Mom lost her job at Denbigh Law Center due to downsizing, but has gotten another job with another law center. She says things are going okay there but she needs to give it more time.
Rick is doing okay, as well. He has another job and is earning decent money. He just bought himself a nifty, new computer. It has Windows Vista, unfortunately, so he can't install a decent firewall or anti-virus program but at least it suits his online gaming needs. He's still trying to get his old job at the shipyard back -- which he can do, btw, even with the felony; turns out there are certain types of felonies (ones that aren't as bad) which the shipyard doesn't mind. Unfortunately, no position is open as of yet, so now he must play the waiting game.
My grandmother's in the hospital again. She had to transfer to another hospital because the doctors over at St. David's are dumbasses. Last I heard, she was still in the hospital but hopefully she'll be okay.
As for me, well... what can I say? Classes are going okay. I enjoyed my spring break. Saw Reno 911!: Miami with Rick over the weekend (that is one funny-ass movie, but it's pretty much an elongated, uncensored episode of the series). I've been re-collecting the CDs I owned when I was in Germany -- Weird Al's Bad Hair Day and several movie soundtracks (Ghostbusters II, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, The Three Musketeers, The Cable Guy). I still have several to go (Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, Space Jam, Mission: Impossible, Aladdin, The Lion King and the ultra-rare Disney Afternoon and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie), but I will have to wait for money and availability. I also got the soundtrack for The Departed because the music just kicks so much ass. It doesn't have The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter", though, which I thought was rather odd, but whatever.
Besides all that, I've been busy on Memory Alpha and anticipating the upcoming Star Trek movie from J.J. Abrams and his team. I haven't done much else, really. So, basically... absolutely zero has changed for me since this time last year... and the year before that, really.
BTW, I should let ya'll know I am no longer using AIM on a regular basis, so if for whatever reason you wanna talk to me (heh), I suggest downloading Windows Live Messenger and contacting me there. I'm still Trekker1Alpha, though (specifically, Trekker 1 Alpha AT hotmail.com, no spaces).
Okay, I did what I said I'd do. I'm done now. Seacrest out or some shit.
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| Post-Oscar Report |
[26 Feb 2007|06:08am] |
The 79th Annual Academy Awards
Hosted by Ellen DeGeneres
Held at Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Sunday, February 25, 2007
8:30pm to 12:22am EST on ABC
( Click here for the results )
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[23 Jan 2007|12:33pm] |
The nominations for the 79th Annual Academy Awards have been announced! Leading the pack is the DreamWorks/Paramount film Dreamgirls, which has a total of 8 nominations, including three for Best Song. Oddly enough, however, it's not up for Best Picture.
The nominations are listed below; just click the link to view them. Remember that the Awards will be held and broadcast on February 25, 2007 at 8pm EST on ABC.
( 79th Annual Academy Award nominees )
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| They Died in Infamy |
[10 Jan 2007|11:35pm] |
Since we've taken a look at those famous folks who passed away in 2006, I thought we'd take a quick glance at some of the infamous people who kicked the bucket last year. You know, those people most people weren't sad to see go. Yeah, those guys.
Please keep in mind that this is not part of the previous memoriam. It's completely separate. These people are not listed here to be mourned. Descriptions of these people will be brief, so I suggest you perform your own research if you wish to learn more about them.
( They Died in Infamy )
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| In Memoriam 2006 -- Other Extraordinary Lives |
[06 Jan 2007|02:21pm] |
This is it, folks. The last of the memoriam pages. I hope you got something out of them, preferably a better understanding of these individuals. I hope you got curious about some of them and did your own bit of research to learn more. Most likely, though, ya'll just ignored these entirely. Oh, well, your loss.
Anyways, we've looked at passings in show business and the music business, as well as in literature and sports. Now here's a look at other newsworthy folks we lost in 2006.
Oh, and for those of you who have been wondering when I was gonna get around to a certain Australian animal lover, the wait is over. Now click!
( In Memoriam 2006: Part 5 – Making a Difference )
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| In Memoriam 2006 -- Sports Figures |
[05 Jan 2007|01:32am] |
Heads up, folks! Part four of the memoriam is coming at ya.
As you could tell by the subject line, this part of the memoriam will be a tribute to those sports heroes who kicked their last goal, hit their last home run, shot their last hoop – or whatever the case may be. Oh, and coaches and promoters are included, too. Don't worry, though, it's not a long entry – a bit longer than the last one, but definitely shorter than the first.
Anyways... on we go.
( In Memoriam 2006: Part 4 – It's In the Game )
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