Allen Lew's Thoughts » Reviews

I talk a little about Watchmen on NBC 4 LA

Allen Lew — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 09:04:48 +0000

I was on the NBC 4 Los Angeles local news talking a little bit about the Watchmen film, which was pretty good, and got to show off my tickets over at Universal City Walk. I don’t know much about the original book, but it is considered the greatest graphic novel of all time. The characters look amazing and it seems like they captured all of the best parts of the novel. That being said, some scenes go on and are often overly violent. Still, even if you aren’t a fan of superhero movies, this is still a film to see.

Guides to Becoming a Superhero

Thanks for the free copy of Blogging Tips, Lorelle

Allen Lew — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 16:43:33 +0000

Blogging Tips

Lorelle on WordPress, who gave the Kicking Ass Content Connections talk at Wordcamp, sent out a free copy of her book Blogging Tips: What bloggers won’t tell you about blogging to conference attendees. I got my copy this past weekend and of course I’ve been reading it for the past few days. I’ve been looking for a simple book that described the basics of blogging to present to others, as well as give me some ideas on how to improve my blog (got to find the right header images, among other things). However, while I know this book was meant to be general in terms of blogging (and thereby make it more for novices and help it stand up for the future), I couldn’t help but wonder if there couldn’t be more specific tips like plugins for WordPress, Movable Type, or Firefox to make some of the recommended things like XML sitemaps. The general approach works, though, and therefore makes Blogging Tips a recommendable tome for the would-be-blogger.

Superman Returns

Allen Lew — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 06:25:22 +0000

In Superman Returns, Bryan Singer tried very hard to recreate much of the classic look and feel of the earlier Superman movies. Singer succeeds quite well in doing this right from the opening credits. His casting of Brandon Routh as the Man of Steel was surely meant to remind people of the late Christopher Reeve in his look and mannerisms (he even kind of sounds like him too). The movie started off quite well in my opinion, with great effects and a great exploration of the characters in the Superman universe (with of course the cameos of some of the older stars of the Adventures of Superman). That and Kevin Spacey’s diabolical Lex Luthor proves to be quite the challenge for our hero. However, the film starts dropping off in quality near the end. The end seems to leave open too many questions for the sequel and reduce the movie to some unnecessarily sappy moments. So while Superman Returns wasn’t exactly a new interpretation of DC Comics’s flagship character, that maybe a good thing.

Wordplay

Allen Lew — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 05:31:56 +0000

When I first heard about the movie Wordplay, I thought it was about the New York Times Crossword puzzle itself and the people who solve it (the regular people and the famous like Jon Stewart, Ken Burns, and Bill Clinton to name a few). Don’t get me wrong, while the film is about the puzzle (how it’s constructed and by whom), it’s mainly the story of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament and the puzzle fanatics who enter the contest. It is something not too many people know about, but really, I was hoping they would make the movie more about the puzzle.

Arrested Development Season 2

Allen Lew — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 07:01:26 +0000

It’s hard for me to say which seasons of Arrested Development are my favorite, as there were only 3 of them (see also some thoughts on Season 3). However, I do have a soft spot for Season 2, as it is probably the season that got me into the show in the first place. Season 2 had established even more of the recurring jokes, such as the family chicken dances. It had some great guest stars-Ben Stiller, Dan Castellaneta, and the returning Julia Louis Dreyfus- to mix with the cast and the recurring guest stars such as Henry Winkler and Judy Greer. It’s one wacky show that was only too short.

Like my previous post on Season 3, I’ll be picking one great quote from each episode (thanks to the OP fansite for the quotes)

Michael: You haven’t auditioned yet?
Tobias: Oh, no, no. I’m not in the group yet. No, I’m afraid I just blue myself.
Michael: There’s got to be a better way to say that.

Buster: …hole in my heart. I’ve never opened my eyes underwater. My, um… (Whispering.) genital area… (Normal voice.) is shaped like a… (Whispering.) lobster tail, … (Normal voice.) but without its shell. Uh, oh, I guess I have the panic attacks under control. Oh, and I’m legally blind at night.
Narrator: But Buster had miscalculated the Army’s current need for personnel.
Army Doctor: Okay, then, let’s get you fitted for a uniform.

George Michael: Way to plant, Ann.
Michael: George Michael, why don’t you and Plant just wait in the staircar?

G.O.B.: So, did you see the new Poof [ed. note: A magic magazine]?
Michael: His name’s Gary. And we don’t need any more lawsuits, okay?

Michael: Are you serious?
Wayne Jarvis: Almost always. I was once called the worst audience participant Cirque du Soleil ever had.

Michael: My mom is very stressed out, and, uh, she needs something that I can’t give her. Um… maybe a little “Afternoon Delight”?
Narrator: Oscar thought that Michael was referring to a particular brand of cannabis named “Afternoon Deelite,” a strain famous for slowing behavior.
Oscar: Well, sure. The question is, which way do I try to get it in her?
Michael: I don’t need any details.
Oscar: Maybe I’ll put it in her brownie.

Stan Sitwell: The only thing I ask is, out of the 450 homes we build, one be given to a disadvantaged family from the inner city.
G.O.B.: That’s great. So the other 449 families live in fear? Is that what we’re saying? I mean, come on! Where’s your decenc…?

G.O.B.: So, get this. I took his dress eyebrows.
Narrator: Sitwell suffered from a disease that rendered him completely hairless.
Michael: He’s not gonna be happy about that.
G.O.B.: No. Especially when he goes to the opera with two mustaches on his forehead.

George, Sr.: My back is… it’s-it’s in knots. I haven’t had a massage since prison.
Michael: Hope that was forced.

Tobias: Well, yes, but I’m afraid I prematurely shot my wad on what was supposed to be a dry run, if you will, so now I’m afraid I have something of a mess on my hands.
Michael: There are just so many poorly chosen words in that sentence.

Tobias: You know, Mother Lucille, there’s a psychological concept known as denial that I believe you’re evincing. It’s when a thought is so hateful that the mind literally rejects it.
Lucille: You are a worse psychiatrist than you are a son-in-law, and you will never get work as an actor because you have no talent.
Tobias: Well, if she’s not going to say anything, I certainly can’t help her.

Car Salesman: The Bronco’s been discontinued. We’re trying to shed that whole fugitive on the run thing. This is the Escape.
George, Sr.: What a fun name. May I test drive?

Maeby: Do you guys know where I could get one of those gold necklaces with the ‘T’ on it?
Michael: That’s a cross.
Maeby: Across from where?

Lindsay: Can’t you at least come over and Dustbuster or something?
Lupe: I no does Buster anymore.
Lindsay: Fine. I’ll Dustbuster.

Tony Wonder: But, yeah, meet me out there tomorrow. And if you get thirsty… (Screams in pain.) Ah! (Groans.) (Groaning continues.) (Grunts.) Have a free round of drinks courtesy of Tony Wonder.
Buster: It’s a Subway Sub Club card.
G.O.B.: That’s a magician.
Buster: Oh, it still needs three stamps.

G.O.B.: Franklin said some things Whitey wasn’t ready to hear.
Michael: G.O.B., weren’t you also mercilessly beaten outside of a club in Torrance for that act?
G.O.B.: He also said some things that African-American-y wasn’t ready to hear either.

Maeby: Why are we even going after this idiot demographic?

Maeby: George Michael? Are you protesting this?
George Michael: This isn’t the line?
Ann: Yes, he is protesting it. He even helped me make the signs.
George Michael: Well, only mine and the one that says, “This is a tricky gray area.”

Thank You for Smoking

Allen Lew — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 02:34:19 +0000

An incredibly funny movie about the art of political spin and government, this movie presents a great story from a sort of libertarian (but probably closer to liberal) point of view. Thank You For Smoking takes on just about everything big from lobbyists, politicians, and of course Hollywood. It is dark, immensely funny and will probably be watched over and over for its presentation of today’s political climate.

An Inconvenient Truth

Allen Lew — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 07:00:17 +0000

I finally got a chance to this movie and all I can say is wow. It’s been said this movie will terrify you, and it will. It puts together so much information on global warming. After seeing this movie, I feel as though I am more equipped to talk about global warming. Al Gore’s presentation is terrific; as others have described, he is funny, passionate, and not how he was seemingly portrayed in the 2000 election. I went with my friend to this movie, a global warming skeptic. While it did not make him as passionate about global warming as Gore, it did convince him that global warming is real and is a problem. That makes it all the more easier to see the power of An Inconvenient Truth and to recommend it.

Take your friends to see it, especially the skeptics. You can even get help paying for tickets or if you want to donate for others to see this movie, check out Sharethetruth.us (via Lessig).

The 4400 Season 1

Allen Lew — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 07:41:38 +0000

A good show, but not a spectacular one. It’s rather predictable and simple in terms of plot, and the characters are rather ordinary. There are only five episodes in all, and there are no extras or even scene selections in these DVDs. Download the episodes instead.

My tribute to Arrested Development

Allen Lew — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 17:28:34 +0000

So the best comedy on TV just got canceled. I’m talking about Arrested Development, a throughly intelligent and clever comedy. It also happens to be incredibly dirty, self-referential, and quite possibly characters that are too out there for some people, but all of it make it just incredibly funny.

Quotes throughout Season 3 (taken from The OP Quotes Page)

Lucille: Well, apparently, mood-altering medication leads to street drugs. That’s what this very handsome, young doctor said on The Today Show.
Michael: That was Tom Cruise, the actor.
Lucille: They said he was some kind of scientist.

G.O.B.: So you came back here to hide like a child.
Michael: What are you doing locked in my office, exactly?
G.O.B.: Hiding from a child. Big difference.

Lindsay: How do you think I feel? Bob Loblaw’s a handsome, professional man and I’m only used to… well, none of those things.
Tobias: Okay, Lindsay, are you forgetting that I was a professional twice over— an analyst and a therapist. The world’s first analrapist.

Tobias: Oh, good. Have sex with this girl right now. Do it, go. Get in there. Have some sex with her right now. I didn’t think so. Ann, you need to decide whether you want a man or a boy. I know how I’d answer.

Steve Holt [cheering on Michael]: Don’t ask “can I?” Ask “I can!” …You can control your bladder when you’re dead… No blood, no oil! There’s no “I” in “win.”

Tobias: I’m afraid I’m with Michael on this. The guy runs a prison, he can have any piece of ass he wants.

Bob Loblaw [note: say that name out loud]: Actually, I was going to stay in my office tonight and work on my law blog.
Tobias: Of course— the “Bob Loblaw Law Blog.” Wow. You, sir, are a mouthful!

G.O.B.: If you didn’t have adult onset diabetes, I wouldn’t mind giving you a little sugar.
Mrs. Van Skoyk: Oh, G.O.B… you could charm the black off a telegram boy.

Lucille: Your father says he wants me to go all the way to Falluja. I thought he meant the sex act that’s so popular with your generation.

Michael: That’s a nice try, Pop, but in your old computer, I found a Nellie. You’re trying to tell me that is not my sister?
George, Sr.: Yes. It’s perfectly innocent. She’s my prostitute.

Michael: We’ve got bigger problems. G.O.B. is locked in a prison in Iraq.
Buster: What?
George Michael: So he’s actually in an Iraqi prison?
Michael: No, no, it’s U.S.-run. God knows what they’re doing to him.

Tobias: Although, perhaps I should call the “Hot Cops” and tell them to come up with something more nautically themed. Hot Sailors. Better yet, Hot Seam…
Michael: I like Hot Sailors.
Tobias: Hmm. Me, too.

King Kong (2005)

Allen Lew — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 09:36:23 +0000

I am so glad they set this movie in the past, since a modern setting would have killed the wonder of the movie (the old time New York scenes do tend to distract you from the movie though). Terrific movie, though not very strong plot-wise.