::Thursday, January 02, 2003::

RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES - You cannot be serious Tom? Geez. I don't think any comment is needed.
:: Posted by Citizen Ryan | 5:17:17 AM| Link This ::

2002: A LOOK BACK - In 2002 we learned that sometimes politicians, like Trent Lott, say dumb things and then pay a terrible price. We learned that mid-term elections don't always trend against the Presidents party and we learned that George W. Bush is still a great president a year after the defining event of his Presidency. We learned that the more the country leaned to the right the more the Democrats leaned left when they elected Nancy Polisi as leader.

In 2002 we learned that the judging in the Olympics isn't perfect. We learned that in MLB, any team, at anytime (like the Anaheim Angels) can go from 41 games out of first place to winning the World Series. We also learned that the same was true in the NFL when the New England Patriots won the best Super Bowl ever played. We learned that Bud Selig is worst thing to happen to baseball since the Designated Hitter. We learned that an exclusive rich golf club in Augusta, GA that excluded women should be an rich exslusive club that included women.

In 2002 we learned that weddings which are big and that are Greek are major movie hits. We learned that there's nothing like a sequel in Hollywood, namely Episode II, Harry Potter 2, The Lord of the Rings 2, MIB II, Santa Clause 2, Blade II, Spy Kids 2, Austin Powers 3 and James Bond 20. We learned, thanks to Halle Berry and Denzel Washington that you can win Oscars and be black, even though everyone already knew that. We learned that Eminem can act and that Brittany Spears can't. We learned that you could be a "Jackass" and still make money at the Box Office. And we learned from Winona Ryder that you could steal and lie and only get community service.

In 2002 we cried when cherished souls like Stephan Ambrose, James Coburn, Ted Williams, Dudley Moore, Milton Berle, Billy Wilder, Paul Wellstone, Princess Margaret, The Queen Mum and Johnny Unitas left our mortal world.

In 2002 we saw the most successful American serial killer of the new millennium literally compel residents of three different states to remain in their homes and fear for their children. We saw a Middle East country become the central issue in American politics, eleven years after we completely routed it's armed forces in the deserts of Kuwait. We saw more people die worldwide because of terrorist attacks then did in 2001. We saw eleven men, thought to be dead and buried in a PA mine, be rescued in a proof of God's endless miracles.

In 2002 we saw the only palindrome year until another 110 years pass us by and almost all of us have shuffled off this mortal coil.

In 2002 I gave love, got loved, had three jobs, got promoted - twice, lost friends, made friends, was often sad and was often happy, but almost never bored. I made more money then any other year in my life and spent more money then any other year in my life. I meet amazing people, lost some amazing friends to time, distance and laziness and said goodbye to some less then amazing people who I cared not enough for.

In 2002 I lived. So long 2002. Hello 2003.
:: Posted by Citizen Ryan | 7:02:20 PM| Link This ::

SNEAK PEAK MOVIE OF THE DAY -

The Story: Bruce Willis stars as Lt. A.K. Waters, the loyal veteran officer of a Navy S.E.A.L unit. When he's sent into the heart of Africa, the usually hard-bitten Waters finds himself deeply conflicted at having to choose between following orders and the dictates of his own conscience. Lt. Waters travels to war-torn Nigeria to rescue Dr. Lena Kendricks (Bellucci), a U.S. citizen who runs a mission in the countryside. But when Lt. Waters arrives Dr. Kendricks refuses to abandon the refugees under her care. She implores Waters to escort them on a dangerous trek through the dense jungle to the nearby border of Cameroon. During the journey, the S.E.A.Ls find themselves the unwitting guardians of a man sought by the rebel militia. This further endangers their already hazardous mission. But all the while it strengthens resolve to protect Lena -- for whom he has unexpectedly developed feelings -- and the refugees, and to deliver them safely across the border
The Cast: Bruce Willis, Monica Bellucci, Cole Hauser, Fionnula Flanagan and Tom Skerritt
The Director: Antoine Fuqua
The Scribe: Patrick Cirillo and Robert Orr
The Trailer: HERE
The Website: SonyPictures.com

Eventhough you may not have heard of this film it has a very long history. It was orginally intended to be the fourth edition in the very popular Die Hard serious. The last of those films was 1995's Die Hard with a Vengeance a very capable action film from a very good series. However something happened along the way and the this new film emerged (Willis has a history of avoiding sequels, he probably forced the change). A fourth Die Hard film is still rumoured about and may still happen. Originally scheduled to open last July, producing partner Revolution Studios moved back the release to focus it's summer marketing on "XXX".

Antoine Fuque, the director, helmed last year's Oscar vehicle for Denzel Washington, "Training Day". Will he do the same for Willis? I doubt it, but the film certainly looks like it'll be enjoyable. Willis is perfect for this kind of role and I think a lot of people see him as the perfect American hero in the movies. He's got the attitude, the look and almost always hits the right note between desperation and humour. Willis' good-guy action movies are almost always orginal and almost always plenty of good fun.

"Tears of the Sun" also gives us a look at the beautiful Italian actress/model Monica Belluci who audiences will get to know in much better in 2003's two Matrix sequeals. Last year Mel Gibson scored big when he opened "We Were Soldiers" during the same weekend in March and Willis will likely repeat the feat with an opening north of $25m.

"Tears of the Sun" from Sony Pictures and Revolution Studios opens nationwide on March 7th, 2003.
:: Posted by Citizen Ryan | 8:09:08 AM| Link This ::

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