So I went to see the new Al Pacino movie, "88 Minutes", recently.
In addition to Pacino, it featured Amy Brenneman ("Judging Amy"), William Forsythe, Alicia Whitt, Leelee Sobieski and Neal McDonough. None of them are slouches, but this proves that even great actors can't salvage a 'sucky' script.
Pacino plays a Seattle pyschiatrist who receives a phone call telling him he has only 88 minutes to live. It could have been very effective if they had used a real-time, "24" kind of feel, counting down from "88" from the moment he received the call. For a man with apparently limited time on his hands, Pacino lives with no real sense of urgency after receiving the phone call. The whole thing was poorly written, overacted and slowly paced. Some things just don't add up.
And for the love of Mike, it seemed like half of the film's plot was delivered via cell phone conversations! What the heck did writers do for exposition before cell phones? Oh, I dunno...maybe they wrote credible dialogue for the actors to use while they actually INTERACTED WITH EACH OTHER?
This film was easily 88 minutes too long and it was, by far, one of the worst Pacino movies I've ever seen. And I normally love Pacino. But this one stunk! Sorry, Al. It should have gone straight to DVD.
My advice? Stay away. You'll spend 108 minutes of your life and have nothing to show for it.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Can You Duet?
Two of my very good friends, Joey Martin and Rory Lee Feek, will be contestants (if that's the right word) on the new CMT reality show, "Can You Duet"? The show debuts this Monday, April 14, immediately following the 2008 CMT Music Awards. It will then air on Fridays at 8/7c.
They were one of 25 duets who made the show out of the more than 2,500 duets who auditioned.
The show, by the producers of 'American Idol', is designed to find country music's next great duo. Rory is one of the best songwriter's in Nashville (some of his hits include "Some Beach", "The Truth About Men", "Someone You Used to Know", "How Do You Get That Lonely" and "The Chain of Love") and Joey is one of the best country singers you'll ever hear!
I've had the privilege of playing guitar in Joey's band in the past. They have a great marriage, a compelling story and they are flat out some of the finest folks I've ever met. Please watch and cheer them on!
Clink here to watch their audition video.
They were one of 25 duets who made the show out of the more than 2,500 duets who auditioned.
The show, by the producers of 'American Idol', is designed to find country music's next great duo. Rory is one of the best songwriter's in Nashville (some of his hits include "Some Beach", "The Truth About Men", "Someone You Used to Know", "How Do You Get That Lonely" and "The Chain of Love") and Joey is one of the best country singers you'll ever hear!
I've had the privilege of playing guitar in Joey's band in the past. They have a great marriage, a compelling story and they are flat out some of the finest folks I've ever met. Please watch and cheer them on!
Clink here to watch their audition video.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
13 Years in Heaven
This date always makes me a bit melancholy. Thirteen years ago today, my life changed dramatically when, at the age of 64, my dad traded this temporary 'tent' for his eternal home in heaven. I still miss him every day.
I've met a lot of people in my life who did not enjoy a good relationship with their earthly father. Thankfully, I've never been able to relate to that emotion because I had a very strong relationship with my dad (and my mom). That's not to say that we always saw eye to eye on everything or that I never gave him reason to worry. He was full of love for his family, common sense, country wisdom, laughter, a great provider, a wonderful example, gentle when appropriate, firm when necessary and always quick with a word of encouragement and support. I learned my greatest lessons about unconditional love from my dad. He wasn't perfect by any means, but he was a great man.
It's not overstating it to say he was one of the finest men I've ever known. In addition to being my parent, he was also a close friend. I was proud to have him stand with me as my best man at our wedding. I miss having him to consult when I have a big decision to make. I miss hearing him say, "I love you, son", at the close of every phone call. But I am most sorry that my girls are growing up with no memory of their "Pa Paw". I've assured them they will meet him one day in heaven and they'll have lots to talk about. My, how he loved his grandchildren.
I got my appreciation of country music from my dad. I remember riding around in his truck when I was a boy and listening to 8-track tapes of Don Williams, Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash. He would absolutely love the fact that we now live in Nashville.
Our twin girls were born roughly one month after dad went to heaven. The joy of their birth was tempered by the reality that he was missing from the celebration. At least I did get to tell him that we were having two more girls before he died. Although confined to a hospital bed and weak following a heart attack, he smiled when I told him.
They say time heals all wounds. I'm not sure about that one. At best, I think time helps you deal with that kind of loss, but I don't think you ever fully get over it....until heaven, that is.
I sure am looking forward to heaven.
I've met a lot of people in my life who did not enjoy a good relationship with their earthly father. Thankfully, I've never been able to relate to that emotion because I had a very strong relationship with my dad (and my mom). That's not to say that we always saw eye to eye on everything or that I never gave him reason to worry. He was full of love for his family, common sense, country wisdom, laughter, a great provider, a wonderful example, gentle when appropriate, firm when necessary and always quick with a word of encouragement and support. I learned my greatest lessons about unconditional love from my dad. He wasn't perfect by any means, but he was a great man.
It's not overstating it to say he was one of the finest men I've ever known. In addition to being my parent, he was also a close friend. I was proud to have him stand with me as my best man at our wedding. I miss having him to consult when I have a big decision to make. I miss hearing him say, "I love you, son", at the close of every phone call. But I am most sorry that my girls are growing up with no memory of their "Pa Paw". I've assured them they will meet him one day in heaven and they'll have lots to talk about. My, how he loved his grandchildren.
I got my appreciation of country music from my dad. I remember riding around in his truck when I was a boy and listening to 8-track tapes of Don Williams, Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash. He would absolutely love the fact that we now live in Nashville.
Our twin girls were born roughly one month after dad went to heaven. The joy of their birth was tempered by the reality that he was missing from the celebration. At least I did get to tell him that we were having two more girls before he died. Although confined to a hospital bed and weak following a heart attack, he smiled when I told him.
They say time heals all wounds. I'm not sure about that one. At best, I think time helps you deal with that kind of loss, but I don't think you ever fully get over it....until heaven, that is.
I sure am looking forward to heaven.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Iron Man Trailer
of course, i can't wait to see 'the dark knight' this summer.....but i'm also excited about seeing this one. 'iron man' opens may 2.
Monday, April 7, 2008
It's Alive!
My good friend, Matt Sawyer, once told me the key to attracting repeat visits to your blog was to maintain frequent updates. True. Not many people have dropped by lately. Then again, I haven't posted in a while. Maybe that would explain this note I received recently from MY BLOG:
"Rob,
Hey, dude. Just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know that I've missed you. I've noticed you've been spending a LOT more time with your MySpace page than with me. Was it something I did? Something I said? Something I didn't say? Aren't my pictures bright enough? Does my layout not thrill you anymore? Do my fonts bore you? I realize MySpace plays music and I am, afterall, only words on a page, but I can change...literally. I can become anything you want me to me. Just tell me what to do. Please come back".
~roblog
Ouch. Nice to be missed but it all seems a bit schizophrenic. You're right, roblog. I have been away, but I'm back. And I promise to spend more time with you in the weeks ahead...
"Rob,
Hey, dude. Just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know that I've missed you. I've noticed you've been spending a LOT more time with your MySpace page than with me. Was it something I did? Something I said? Something I didn't say? Aren't my pictures bright enough? Does my layout not thrill you anymore? Do my fonts bore you? I realize MySpace plays music and I am, afterall, only words on a page, but I can change...literally. I can become anything you want me to me. Just tell me what to do. Please come back".
~roblog
Ouch. Nice to be missed but it all seems a bit schizophrenic. You're right, roblog. I have been away, but I'm back. And I promise to spend more time with you in the weeks ahead...
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