Food: Muffins

Muffins are tasty.

3/3 - Go eat a muffin.

Short Film: Run the Streets

Run the Streets is a student film I acted in earlier this year. The crew behind the film did a great job, especially considering this was the first film they had made as a group or as individuals. Of course, I was in the film, in a leading role, so my opinion might be just a little bit biased.

Anyways, the film runs about 22 minutes in all. It's in 3 parts on Youtube; viewable here through the magic of the internet. If you're curious (come on, you're at least a little bit curious) you can check it out below. Or if you hate imbedded video for some reason (really?) you can check it out at the source:

Here (part one).
Here (part two).
And here (part three).

And tonight I'll go watch some television or a movie or something so I can write an entry which isn't shameful, transparent, ego-stroking, self-promotion.

Which reminds me, I break a window in part three and it is totally sweet. Check it out:

Television Series: Burn Notice

Burn Notice is a television series which, until recently, was only remarkable to me in that it was the first television series with Bruce Campbell in it to survive past Season one. Now that I've started to watch the show, I understand why it survived.

The premise is simple: Michael Westen is a spy who just lost his job. He got a burn notice (you know, like in the title) and now all his assets are frozen and no one in the intelligence community will talk to him. So he needs to figure out who's behind it all. In the interim, he's stuck in Miami, working odd jobs to keep himself afloat.

And that last part is what makes it simple. Every episode Michael Westen has a particular job he has to complete, which forms the three act story arc of each episode. We also get to learn tidbits about who burned Michael.

But what makes the show great is its sense of humour. Before watching the show, and based solely on the promotional ads and photos I thought it was a serious show. But it never takes itself completely seriously and that is why this show stands out and rises above.

I'm only three episodes in, but so far, my impressions are good. I would highly recommend seeking Burn Notice out. For fans of Bruce Campbell, this is him in an excellent supporting role. For everyone else, this is just good television.

3/3 - It's good. Go get it.

Film: The Dark Knight

So The Dark Knight is good. I mean, you already knew that, but I'm just going to reinforce it. You also already know that Christian Bale plays Batman well (you did see Batman Begins after all), and that Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker is excellent.

What you may not know, is that Aaron Eckhart is brilliant as Harvey Dent/Two Face. The story arc really belongs to that character, even though he never takes centre stage.

I also feel I should offer up some warnings (perhaps not quite the right word). First of all, the film is long. Epic long. Almost three hours long. It manages to hold you for the duration though, so I guess that's not really a warning, merely an observation.

Lastly, the plot is easy to follow, yet if subjected to any level of scrutiny, it is unbelievably complex. There are layers upon layers of deception and forethought by the characters which frankly are at best highly improbably, but in practice impossible for any non-omnipotent deity to orchestrate. Of course, while you're watching the film you won't notice the improbabilities (well, now you might). You'll be having such a good time they'll fly right by. So again, not really a warning, so much as a "check your logical brain at the door". But this is a movie about a man who jumps from rooftops in a batsuit so...

Oh, and lastly (for real this time), the movie is mentally and emotionally draining. Immediately afterwards you will feel like you need a nap followed by a light comedy. So warm up your dvd player and throw some extra cushions on the couch before you head to the theatre.

3/3 - Because every flaw I can think of isn't really a bad thing. The movie is just good. That's it.

Internet Series: Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog: Act Three

Earlier today, the internet was introduced to the conclusion to Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.  This series is officially awesome.  It manages to run the emotional gauntlet and is just... incredible.

Act One, although clearly meant as part one of three, stood alone quite well.  But when you add on Acts Two and Three the finished product is just jaw dropping incredible.

3/3 - There is nothing left to say.  Why are you still here?  Go and watch it, from the beginning, through 'til the end, and enjoy every precious second.