Short Attention Span Review: "UP"

Of all the Pixar movies thus far, UP has become, without reservation or qualification, my absolute favorite. And, as a heart-tugging narrative, it outclasses most live action movies out there.

This movie struck several chords with me. First, there's youthful longing for adventure that gets burdened down by the realities of adult life. Then there's the sorrow of loss of people you love - to divorce; to disease. And, finally, there's hope and renewal. All of this deep meaning, wrapped up in a shiny package of talking dogs, squawking roadrunners, and adventure fiction.

Just perfect.

Short Attention Span Review: "Angels & Demons"

I found The Da Vinci Code dull and predictable and, at times, utterly ludicrous.

The sequel's still fairly predictable, but it's not dull. The dialogue seemed pretty easy to memorize most of the time: "ROBERT, HERE!" "ROBERT!" "HERE!" Occasional monologues provided exposition along the way.

Hanks does a good job with the material, which involves a mystery surrounding a Pope's death and the murder of a priest/scientist over a container of antimatter. The movie then turns into a sort of "24" meets "Foul Play." No Manilow tunes, however.

Ewan McGregor deserves special recognition for his portrayal of an earnest young priest with surprising ambitions.

On quitting WoW

It's not like I hate World of Warcraft. I don't.

It's not that I got in some kind of personality clash with people there. I didn't.

The problem is a simple matter of mathematics: Once I add up all the major obligations I've got in my life, I just don't have time to make the most out of WoW the way I could in the past.

Too many other things need my attention right now:

* Karen and her son, Stefan, who lives with us half the time.
* My job working on Fallen Earth.
* My games at jointhesaga.com.
* And, when time allows, content for the MUDdy Hobo blog.

I've gotten to know some great people through WoW. I springboarded into MMORPG development as a career thanks to that game. Chances are, come the next expansion, I'll poke around to see what's new.

But, for now, I'm setting it aside.

Short Attention Span Review: "24" 5/18

Does it make me a GOOD person that I didn't end up loathing Kim Bauer by the end of the 8th season finale?

She didn't turn into a total damsel in distress (although the flailing-with-burning-arm was funnier than it should have been) and, in the end, it looks she got to be more hero than hapless.

Meanwhile, First Daughter took the top prize for Utter Dumbassness. Way to go, President Mom, for sticking to your principles even when Colm Feore crinkles his brow accusingly at you.

And now I totally need to know what happened between Agent Freckles and Alan Wilson!

Guess I'll just have to wait for Season Nine.

Short Attention Span Review: "Slumdog Millionaire"

I missed this Best Picture winner when it came out in theaters and now I really regret that - I wish I'd seen it on the big screen.

The storytelling style reminded me of The Usual Suspects, coupled with coming of age stories like Stand By Me, with a healthy dose of Scarface and the Godfather thrown in for good measure. It's all set against the backdrop of a country that I clearly don't know enough about thanks to the questions posed in their version of Who Wants to Be A Millionaire.

The subtitles are fun to follow. The performances are nothing short of astounding, from the kids to the adults. And the story, in the end, is just a simple boy meets girl tale done remarkably well.

Plus, pretty cool dance number at the end. Worth watching!

Short Attention Span Review: "W"

I didn't see Oliver Stone's "W" when it was in movie theaters. It seemed like exactly the sort of thing that would be just fine to watch on a TV screen. And it was.

It's not a bad movie. The performances are pretty good (although the standout poor performance, in my opinion, was Thandie Newton as Condoleeza Rice). I just didn't care and I didn't sympathize with ANYONE. Nor did I get much out of it, except regret that the pretzel failed its mission.

It didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, it didn't change or validate any feelings I already had. It was the equivalent of a celluloid shrug.

Short Attention Span Review: "Lost" 5/13

I've had a couple of days to process the finale of LOST. I think I've finally found a succinct way to encapsulate my feelings about it:

WTF?

I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. It had some great moments punctuated by long periods of not much going on.

Most egregious issue, in my opinion: Jack and Sawyer taking five for some manly grappling and slapping in the woods while Sayid bleeds to death in the van.

Best moment: Sawyer's horrified anguish after Juliette plunged down into the pit.

Worst moment: First-scene revelation that this island is home to some ancient battle between a rogue from Deadwood and an asshat from Dexter.

Season Six really needs to wrap this up nicely. So far, I'm skeptical.