Frankenweenie (2012)

In honor of today, Halloween 2012, it is fitting that I give you a review of the movie Frankenweenie.

This Tim Burton creation is a recreation of his original 1984 which poke fun at and pays homage to the classic 1931 film Frankenstein based on Mary Shelley's novel of the same name.

[Begin Spoiler Alert!]
Young Victor Frankenstein lives with his parents and dog Sparky in the town of New Holland. Concerned with his son's isolation and obsessive interest in science and film-making, Victor's father encourages him to take up baseball and make achievements outside of science. Victor hits a home run at his first game, but Sparky, pursuing the ball, is killed by a car.

Recalling his science teacher's experiment on the of the effect of electricity on dead frogs, Victor digs up Sparky's corpse and successfully reanimates him with lightning, ala Frankenstein's Monster.

While Victor tries to keep his accomplishment a secret, Sparky cannot stay contain in the attic laboratory and is discovered by Victor's school chum Edgar Gore, who promptly blackmails Victor into teaching him how to raise the dead.

Word spreads and one dead pet after another is brought back to the hear and now with disastrous results.
[End Spoiler Alert!]


All-in-all Frankeweenie was a fun movie, especially for kids.  I did not see the 3D showing, but I'm sure the movie would be even better with that special effect.  In an interesting twist, the entire movie is shown in black and white, another homage to the classic horror films.

THREE AND A HALF POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)

Screened on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at Saginaw 12, Saginaw, MI

BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

If you don't laugh...

Sandy becoming a hurricane.

As Hurricane Sandy made her way up the east coast and then moved inland and causing havoc over most of the northeast, we've heard plenty of references to "The Perfect Storm." Poor Sandy has even been called "Frankenstorm" because of her timing on the eve of Halloween.

This is no trick or treat party.

While this storm is serious and tens of thousands -- perhaps millions -- are affected, there have been plenty of jokes and funny comments about this disastrous situation.

It's said: "If you don't laugh, you'll cry."

While I sit here listening to the winds howling through the trees with the hope of the unraked piles of leaves be carried away, I'll share of few funny comments I've heard and read:


For all of those stuck waiting the storm our, here are the top 20 Sandy jokes and one-lines today that will hopefully lighten this dark day.

• They should rename Sandy to Tigers, then it wouldn't hit anything. (Ouch)
• They should rename Sandy to the Lions, then it would never Touchdown.
• Nothing like Hurricane Sandy to make me realize what's really important in life, Internet access.
• What do Snooki and Hurricane Sandy have in common? (Oops, censored answer. This is rated PG blog)
• Romney has a binder full of Hurricane names.
• About to watch the Day After Tomorrow, that should take my mind off the Hurricane.
• Obama claims Hurricane Sandy is the result of a spontaneous butterfly flight.
•  "Everyone in the Hurricane's path should immediately make their way to their second or third home".  I'm Mitt Romney and I approve this message.
• If you lose power, don't think of it as being caught in a blackout, think of it as temporarily falling to the dark side.
• NJ weather alert. In the event of an emergency, find Gov. Chris Christie and hold on.
• Hurricane Sandy, because God is tired of political ads too.
• I'm sorry for my terrible Hurricane Sandy jokes, I know they blow.

Finally, one last comment, that's no joke...  I have to wonder how many babies will be named Sandy nine months from now.

Be safe everyone!

BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

Winning when you lose

Our Detroit Tigers didn't become World Series Champions last night.  In my opinion, they barely showed up for the four game sweep by the San Fran Giants.

But even when in defeat, they're still champs.  After-the-game locker room interviews showed us a defeated time that was full of praise for the skills of their rivals. No sour grapes or bad karma.

They have plenty to be happy about, consider only two teams get to play in the World Series.  Getting to "the game" is an accomplishment in itself, as is the ALCS Championship Title.

Tiger fans can celebrate the winning feat of Miguel Cabrera becoming a triple crown winner this season. He is the first triple crown winner in 45 years for leading the AL with a .330 batting average, 44 homers and 139 RBIs. Not since Carl Yastrzemski of the Red Sox in 1967 had any one player swept those categories.

It's said that it's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.  The game-winners never say that because it's really more words of comfort.  But they are true, nonetheless. The Tigers played with all they had, it just wasn't enough.

All Tiger fans are winners as we can finally get to bed at a decent time. At least for the next 155 days when we reach April 1, 2013 -- baseball's opening day.

BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

Movie Critique: SINISTER

Found footage helps a true-crime author realize how and why a family was murdered in his new home, though his discoveries put his entire family in the path of a supernatural entity.

This movie immediately reminded me of the "SAW" franchise, with one gruesome death/murder after another.  At time, I actually looked away from the screen. However, some of the characters, didn't make sense. Maybe it was intentional, but the deputy reminded me of Deputy Dewey from Scream.

But with that said, I was riveted by the desire to see what was going to happen next.  At one point I was so creeped out that wondered if I would be able to spend the night alone in my own house.

As far as a script, it was a little weak in dialog and at times the action lagged.

If you like spooky movies, this one might fit the bill.  I enjoyed it, and would say it's worth seeing.

THREE POPCORN BUCKETS (0 to 5 Rating)

Screened on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012 at Bay City 8, Bay City, MI

BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

Here's a Proposition

Why do I become more and more annoyed as election day grows closer?  It's an annual frustration at it's worst during a Presidential election year.

Aside from all the rhetoric from the candidates -- and ever more rhetoric from their respective parties and supportive political action committees -- I'm sick and tired of hearing about the proposals here in my home state of Michigan.

This year, we have six statewide ballot proposals:

• Proposal 1: Referendum on the Emergency Manager Law
• Proposal 2: The 'Collective Bargaining' Amendment
• Proposal 3: '25 x 25' Renewable Energy Standard
• Proposal 4: The Unionization of Home-Based Caregivers
• Proposal 5: The Two-Thirds Majority Tax Limitation
• Proposal 6: The International Bridge/Tunnel Voting Requirement

Looking at the list above, the proposals may seem harmless. But they're not. Props 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are amendments to Michigan Constitution.

WHY?  Because it's the only way the proponents have any chance of accomplishing their goal. Once there is a change to the State Constitution, there it would take another majority vote of the people to repeal the amendment.

Personally, I'm against that.  I'm also against the interests that are pumping millions of dollars into the campaigns to get these proposals passed.

My biggest annoyance, regarding these proposals, is Prop 6.  Canadian Manuel "Matty" Moroun, owner the Detroit's Ambassador Bridge, has dumped over $31 million dollars into getting this initiative passed. He has a direct financial interest in stopping the construction of any additional international crossings which would, logically, be built in southwest Michigan.

So here's what I propose: more informed voters making wise decisions.  I know it's a lofty goal, but I can always hope, can't I?

BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

Blah Blah Blah

It is said that "Talk is cheap."  But it's also pretty priceless.

Earlier this week, I spent just about two-and-a-half hours in the dentist chair. While I was laying in the chair, it occurred to me how the gift of gab comes in handy for so many professions.

As I waited for the doctor to come in, Chris, his dental assistant, got be situated and comfortable.

"Did you have a nice summer?" she asked as she went about arranging instruments on the tray.

Just a simple question I could answer would end the silence that could true awkward quickly.  She may have not even been interested in knowing if I enjoyed the last few months, but she asked anyway.

There's a trick to having an engaging conversation. Maybe it should be taught in high school or a course in college.

We get lost in conversation when it's interesting, but we get trapped in a conversation when it's not.

So many professions require conversation. Obviously psychiatrists and counselors as well as barbers and bartenders.

I'm lucky, I can talk to just about anyone about just about anything. It's a gift I'll treasure forever.

BareNakedBill.blogspot.com

Gotta get out more

I started yesterday with a two-and-a-half hour visit to the dentist.  I'm having a tooth prepared for a crown.

My appointment was for 7 am, which I don't mind.  Let's get the show on the road, right?

As I left the dentist's office, I realized it was a smart choice to take the entire day off. I was going to enjoy this autumn day with temps already in the mid-60s.

I had a little road time heading to "the city" to see an early matinee at the theater.  Driving is my thinking time. Some of my best -- and worst -- decisions are made while I'm driving down the road.

On this drive, I decided that I need to get out more.  My routine is way too, well, routine.

Just one day out of the office offered me enough fodder for several day's worth of blog posts. Conversations with different people and passing down less-traveled roads and several blog topics popped up before my eyes.

So, hopefully, I can get back to a routine of DAILY blog posts. It's good for me, and maybe even good for you.

BareNakedBill.blogspot.com