All Consuming : Larry Gilbert

Consumed "Good German"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:31:23 GMT

Good German

WORTH IT!

Consumed "Slumdog Millionaire"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:53:13 GMT

Slumdog Millionaire

WORTH IT!

Consumed "Watchmen (Widescreen Single-Disc Edition)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:22:57 GMT

Watchmen (Widescreen Single-Disc Edition)

by Zack Snyder

WORTH IT!

A review of "Watchmen (Widescreen Single-Disc Edition)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:22:57 GMT

Watchmen (Widescreen Single-Disc Edition)

by Zack Snyder

I have not read the comic. But I enjoyed the film. Lots of action (oy, the action—I can’t believe what the MPAA lets slip under the “R” bar these days), mesmerizing visual effects, even decent acting (particular kudos to Messrs. Haley and Crudup).

I had no problem going along with the general plot being in an alternate 1985; it’s hard to call back the fear of nuclear armageddon that gripped the world at that time without staying in that time. But some bits of the movie do drag needlessly, other bits creak under the weight of cliché. And a note to Rosalina da Silva—Nixon had a big nose, but he wasn’t Pinocchio.

But it’s based on a comic, after all. The original comic that showed superheroes as human beings, with very human (superhuman?) flaws and all. I loved that. And the mystery of who the real supervillain was and what his evil plot meant kept my interest to the very end. (“I’m not a comic book villain. Do you seriously think I would explain my master stroke to you if there were even the slightest possibility you could affect the outcome?”)

Oh, and everything good you heard about Jackie Earle Haley? It’s all true, and then some.

Consumed "? (California red wine)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:50:23 GMT

? (California red wine)

by Oreana Winery

WORTH IT!

A nice little wine--no question

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:48:16 GMT

? (California red wine)

by Oreana Winery

I found this at a Trader Joe’s here in San Diego. Yes, ”?” is really its name. (At this writing I haven’t put up a photo of the label, but when I do, you’ll understand why I couldn’t resist.)

We kept it for a few weeks, then on Thanksgiving night I wanted to open it up. My wife was reluctant, and began to say something about saving it for a special occasion—but got about two-thirds of the way through that sentence before realizing what she was saying.

We made a big pot roast (she’s deathly allergic to poultry, no joke) and had the ? with it. Pleasant, fruity, not very dry. We enjoyed it. She thinks we should get another bottle soon.

This is really a blend, but if you like a simple cab, you’ll probably like this, too.

A story about "Kings - Season One"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:39:38 GMT

Kings - Season One

Now that I see the DVD is for sale as “Kings: The Complete Series,” I see that there really is just the one season.

And now that I’ve finished watching all of the episodes, I’m really sad that’s the case.

Consumed "Iron Man (Single-Disc Edition)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:44:09 GMT

Iron Man (Single-Disc Edition)

WORTH IT!

Consumed "Tropic Thunder"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:05:10 GMT

Tropic Thunder

by Ben Stiller

WORTH IT!

A story about "Tropic Thunder"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:01:24 GMT

Tropic Thunder

by Ben Stiller

You may watch this to see how well Robert Downey Jr. pulls off playing an African-American man, or rather, a white Australian method actor’s idea of an African American—and there’s no denying he’s great (it didn’t hurt that his makeup was designed by the legendary Rick Baker). But very nearly as great is Tom Cruise as a bald, overweight, cutthroat Hollywood producer with a personality that makes Donald Trump look like Arrested Development’s Michael Bluth. My wife hated Tom Cruise for the longest time, but admitted that seeing him being such a good sport to play this role gave her new respect for him.

(Speaking of Michael Bluth, keep a sharp eye out for Jason Bateman among the celebrity cameos.)

Consumed "White Heat Mocha"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:50:20 GMT

White Heat Mocha

by Mystic Mocha (San Diego, CA)

WORTH IT!

Consumed "Turtle Sundae Mocha"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:05:22 GMT

Turtle Sundae Mocha

by Mystic Mocha (San Diego, CA)

WORTH IT!

Why I recommend "Black Gunn"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:34:55 GMT

Black Gunn

by Robert Hartford-Davis

While this movie hits all the right notes you’d expect from a blaxploitation flick, Black Gunn has an added bonus: Bruce Glover. Consider that he is the father of Crispin Glover, and you know what you’re in for. The apple certainly didn’t fall far from the tree.