All Consuming : Larry Gilbert

A story about "The Room"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Mon, 17 May 2010 05:31:07 GMT

by Tommy Wiseau

What is there to say? This may be the most influential film of the ‘00s that most people have never heard of. Every time you hear a LOLcat say “ohai”? or see Gob do his chicken impression on Arrested Development? You can thank The Room. And the line "You’re tearing me apart, Lisa!" is so brilliant that it actually slipped backwards through a wormhole in space/time—that’s right, James Dean heard its echoes from the future and stole it from Tommy Wiseau! Such is the genius of The Room.

So if you’re going to speak ill of Tommy’s baby, I say, leave your stupid comments in your pocket.

A story about "Fight Club (10th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:26:37 GMT

Fight Club (10th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]

by David Fincher

I’m not sure whether it’s just me, but it seems like the audio mix on the Blu-ray has the narration down a little too low. Other than that, this is great on Blu-ray, and the search index is a lot of fun to play with.

A story about "Glen or Glenda"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 06:09:28 GMT

Glen or Glenda

by Edward D. Wood

Good? Oh good god, no. Worth consuming? Absolutely. Whatever his skills (or lack thereof) as a moviemaker may have been, there’s no denying that he had a style all his own.

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

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

Watchmen (Theatrical Cut) (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.

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 - The Complete Series"

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

Kings - The Complete Series

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.

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.)

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.

Why I recommend "Boddingtons Pub Ale"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:08:27 GMT

Boddingtons Pub Ale

by Boddingtons (England)

I’ve also heard this called “Boddingtons Cream Ale,” though this is not its official name. It’s the smoothest beer I’ve ever had. I would recommend it to anyone who says “I don’t like beer”; you can’t say that with honesty until you’ve decided what you think of Boddingtons.

Why I recommend "Negra Modelo"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:55:00 GMT

Negra Modelo

by Grupo Modelo SA de CV

This is my favorite beer. Period.

A review of "Company Man" (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:47:34 GMT

Company Man

by Douglas McGrath

An amusing trifle of a movie. Think star-studded cast in a community theater comedy. In fairness, I should mention that my wife loved it.

Neco z Alenky, a.k.a. Alice (1988)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:51:08 GMT

Alice

by Jan Svankmajer

Imagine the Brothers Quay doing Alice in Wonderland, and you will have a good idea of what to expect from Alice. I will agree with the complaint that some scenes feel like they drag on unnecessarily, but a film as stark and unusual as this demands to be taken on its own terms.

A story about "Dead Like Me - The Complete Second Season"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:04:54 GMT

Dead Like Me - The Complete Second Season

by James Marshall (III)

As I write this, I am only a few episodes into the last season. I enjoyed the first, but this one feels like everyone is trying a little too hard. I’m going to stick with it to see how it all wraps up, though.

A story about "Dead Like Me - The Complete First Season"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:59:02 GMT

Dead Like Me - The Complete First Season

by David Grossman

If only they could have lost the cheesy title sequence, filmed the “Seattle” locations in Seattle (Vancouver B.C. fills in as usual), and found some way to keep Rebecca Gayheart’s character. Oh well, it is still a very enjoyable show, a unique blend of black comedy, fantasy, and character study.

(Mandy Patinkin as Rube is excellent, and personally, I have never found him to be annoying.)

Why I recommend "Penn & Teller - Bullsh*t - The Complete Third Season"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:59:44 GMT

Penn & Teller - Bullsh*t - The Complete Third Season

by Christopher Poole

I had a tough time sticking with this series through the first two seasons, even though I’m a big P&T fan. But for reasons I can’t put my finger on, it seemed to hit its stride during this third season. I really enjoyed “The Best,” which exceeded my expectations by not being a best-of show; it also had a brilliant sequel to the “Water Steward” setup.

A story about "Penn & Teller - Bullsh*t! - The First Season"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:57:03 GMT

Penn & Teller - Bullsh*t! - The First Season

by Christopher Poole

I have to confess that even though I’m a huge P&T fan, it took a while for this series to grow on me. Now that I’m all the way through the first three seasons, I’m glad I stuck with it.

A story about "khoai mì chà bông"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Sat, 23 May 2009 00:35:11 GMT

khoai mì chà bông

I spotted this fully prepared at a local Vietnamese supermarket, and on a whim decided to try it.

The chief ingredient is cassava, a.k.a. yuca (Vietnamese khoai mì), which gives it a starchy, mashed-potato-like texture; indeed, like a potato, it is also a tuber. But coconut, coconut milk, and sugar make the dessert sweet and give it most of its flavor, along with the ground sesame seeds topping it.

I’m not sure whether I was supposed to eat it cold, but I did. It was a little dry, but tasty. It tasted very much like rice pudding, but obviously without the same texture or moisture.

I do not know Vietnamese, but I believe the name of this loosely translates to “cassava cotton.” (Someone please correct me if I’m mistaken.)

A review of "Shark Sugar Free energy drink"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Fri, 22 May 2009 23:40:53 GMT

Shark Sugar Free energy drink

Going by the traditional yardstick of Red Bull, Shark Sugar Free is a more than agreeable alternative. If you have a local Asian supermarket, you may be able to find it there, like I did. (Yes, yours. I went to yours.)

Insert your favorite "commando" joke here (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Thu, 21 May 2009 23:22:40 GMT

Commando Bear energy drink (หมีคอมมานโด)

by Krung Siam Beverage Co.

Commando Bear tastes rather like Red Bull, only sweeter. I do like it better than Red Bull (I’m not a Red Bull fan anyway). I don’t think I’ll bother with it again, though, only because I prefer a carbonated beverage. I like the fact that it’s in a steel can with a pull tab; I don’t think I’ve had a soft drink packaged like that since the ’70s.

A story about "Toasted Marshmallow"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:08:28 GMT

Toasted Marshmallow

Why is this under “Other” and not “Food & Drink”? Isn’t that rather unkind to JellyBelly? :-)

A story about "Kings - The Complete Series"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Larry Gilbert) — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:05:00 GMT

Kings - The Complete Series

So Amazon’s calling this “season one,” huh? I was under the impression this was going to be a series without seasons—just a series. Longer than a miniseries, but not as long as a series series, you know?