Random Post

Saturday night. Not doing much, just watching Yes Man on the TMN. It's okay. Not sure what the big deal is about Zoey Daschenal. I like her better as a blonde, like in Elf, but otherwise not exactly an inspirational actress.

Of course this means she is destined to win an Oscar and go on to become the greatest American actress after Meryl Streep's untimely demise during a freak Golden Globes accident.

Watched most of Stargate: Universe. I was never a fan of the Stargate franchise, even though I did like the movie when it came out way back when.

Okay, just saw a real funny part in the movie when Carey serenades a guy trying to commit suicide. This is the second of third time he's sung so far.

FYI if I laugh out loud, it's real funny to me.

Anyway, yeah, SGU I guess is what their gonna call it. Wasn't bad. I liked the FX, casting, the story was all good. At least for the 2 hour premier. I'll watch the show see how it goes.

Lets see what else... Fastforward is looking to be excellent. CSI Las Vegas, used to be CSI classic, but now is just kinda CSI what the heck. But it's the only thing on at that time.

Made a real good roast beef for dinner, but could could have used a real nice tasty treat afterward...like now.

Oh! Joined a critique group. Had one meeting so far, but it went really good.

Yes Man is over now. Looking fro something else....and...999 channesl of nothing. Ooooh. The Godfather. Just in time for the horse head scene. Classic.

But moving on...

Bah, nevermind. Getting tired. Gonna go to bed read some, then go to sleep. No sleeping in on weekends when your 4 year still wakes up with sun.

Really have to teach her how to cook.

Mike

Flash Forward

Just watched the series premier of Flash Forward, based on Robert Sawyers book of the same name. I have to say I was little concerned. I read a mixed Variety review earlier in the day, drawing comparisons to Lost bouncing from the present to character back stories, then relating those to the present again. In Flash Foward's case the back stories are actually two minute chunks of the future, but the technique remains the same. In this case, there is no other way to film the show, and thankfully, the Flash Forwards are done well.

I read the book a number of years ago, but I still remember the majority of the plot lines and most of the characters. In the book, most of the characters where scientists at CERN, and there was no sinister plot behind the reason for the incident. The Large Hadron Collider done the deed.

From the looks of things, that fact has changed. Oh well, I did say the show was BASED on a book.

The show begins with the hero waking from the Flash Forward and witnessing the devastating aftermath, followed by a back story as to how the characters got there.

Though some of the plot lines don't jive with the book, the overall them remains true. What would we do, how would we react if we saw our future.

This was what kept me reading the book, and what in all likelihood keep me watching the show. Unlike many shows, Flash Forward has come with a budget, hiring good solid actors, such as the oddly underrated Ralph Fiennes, and wisely casting Courtney Vance in the role of FBI chief. The SFX, stunts and CGI are big screen quality. But none of this means bupkiss without good writing, and this show has it.

Television is a finicky medium. This show should succeed, and in all likelihood will. But television is a finicky medium. Great shows have fallen while other far inferior shows have had inexplicably long runs. In the end it will all come down to numbers. If the show can bring in the rating to justify the budget, then we'll be seeing Fiennes and company for a few years, otherwise the show will be just another, ahem, Back Flash.

Sorry, but I couldn't resist.

Mike

What I Did This Summer

Niagara Falls--

Slowly I turned, step by step...

Old 3 Stooges routine. Speaking of the boys, they got themselves a new member--
The family went to Niagara Falls for our family summer vacation. We got all touristy, spending oodles of cash we couldn't afford, and even stayed overnight in a nice hotel room, a 4-star Sheraton with a marvelous view of the falls. It wasn't one of the casino hotels, we did have the kids with us.

The Butterfly Conservatory was very cool--

and we went on the Whirlpool Aero Car, truly foolish for a guy afraid of heights.

As usual, the Maid of the Mist was an awesome experience. We've been in the boat before, but not with Ellery, so this was a first for her.

If you do decide to ride the boat, go after 3 pm. By then the lineup has usually thinned considerably. The only time we waited was for the previous boat to load and the next unload.

Next, we hit the Guinness World Records Museum because my oldest daughter wanted to go. Quick review: DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. But yourself a used copy of a book, it'll be more entertaining and probably more up to date.

Time fore dinner, but where to eat? Out of the hundreds of eateries, we chose a TGIFridays. After a quick scan on the overpriced menu and scraping some crusted cheese from a plate, we decided to eat at the hotel. Still pricey, but the food was good and, what the hell, we were on vacation why not room service?

The next day started with rain. Undaunted, we made our way to my personal choice for the trip, Louis Tussaud's Waxworks. Quick Review: WORTH THE MONEY. Tussaud's is a traditional was museum with plenty of food opportunities.


Not all the statues were perfect replicas,
--but even the fails were superior if only for the care put into the displays.

Next, we rode the Incline Train--
--to get to the Journey Behind the Falls, tunnels blasted out of the shale with two openings behind the actual waterfall--
and an observation deck at the base.
It was okay, I guess. I was expecting more, I suppose. Warning: If you suffer from claustrophobia avoid this attraction. The tunnels are long and narrow.

This brought an end to our trip and we headed for home. Aside from the casinos, Niagara is a great place to visit for the day. Everyone should see it at least once in their lives. After all, it's not like it changes much, so once is enough.
Clifton Hill has a ton of attractions and there is still a lot we haven't done like the Aviary, Nightmares Fear Factory, and The White Water Walk. Yeah, yeah, I hear you saying, "But what about Marineland?" Well, I've heard from more than one reliable source the best thing about Marineland is the commercials. Still, perhaps one day.

Anyway, this pretty much brings an end to summer, and wasn't that a great 2 weeks kids? Geez, who do I complain to? I need to place a grief with my union rep. I guess like the Maple Leafs chances of winning the Stanley Cup, there's always next year.