wow, in the span of the past 24 hours, I witnessed three different people getting pulled over for speeding by a cop. I hardly ever witness that at all, and the fact it happened three times this past day makes me wonder if that's some kind of sign or warning, that I'm suppose to be extra careful about getting pulled over for speeding. hhhmmm

Movies I've seen recently...

Pan's Labyrinth  (el Laberinto del Fauno) (2006)  A-

A somewhat unconventional fairy tale is what "Pan's Labyrinth" is, and it's all thanks to the magnificent direction and writing by Guillermo del Toro. I was actually surprised that the fantasy aspect of the movie is only half of the story, as the other half is a realistic war time story that actually turned out even more interesting to me. Ivana Baquero wonderfully plays the young girl; Ofelia, who is put to do three magical tasks by the Pan from the labyrinth. On the other side, we also have Sergi López who plays one of the best villains I've recently witnessed as Ofelia's step-father and as Capitan Vidal; who is in charge of defeating the guerilla forces. Keep in mind that this movie is not for children, but is directed towards mature audiences. The fantasy aspect can be pretty horrific for kids, and the war time scenes don't shy away from graphical violence. This isn't your typical fairy tale, but it is definitely a very beautiful and engaging movie.

Children of Men  (2006)  A-

Director Alfonso Cuarón has given us a movie classic in "Children Of Men." I couldn't help but be immersed in the look of the film's future world, with it's merging of hi-tech gadgets mixed in a dire reality where bombs could go off at any moment, the upper class and lower class more separate than ever, suicide pills handed out by the government, and the main dillema of the story which is that women are unable to give birth anymore. The movie also has some very memorable scenes that won't be leaving my memory anytime soon. Clive Owen does a great job as somebody who has pretty much given up on life, but has been put in a situation where he has to save the future of humankind. "Children of Men" covers a lot of themes about humanity, politics, philosophy, to immigration issues, and it all comes together really well. There were some minor flaws at some points, but the story moves along at a very good pace, and will keep you captivated with how the story will conclude. 

Miami Vice  (2006)  C

What happened with Michael Mann's "Miami Vice?" It's like they threw the plot together and just hoped things would work out by the end. Plot holes and incredulous story elements as well as what is an unecessary romantic back story between Colin Farrell and Gong Li, ruined what could have been a pretty good movie about police undercover work (just watch Martin Scorsese's "The Departed."). Jamie Foxx also seemed like he was just there because he has to be there, because it sure wasn't a memorable role. Has some entertainment value, but disappointing to say the least.

Random Roses

Jan 15 - Talk like Jack Bauer day (link)

Chicago: O'Hare Airport UFO Sighting (link)

classroom police brutality (video)

tickle me elmo on fire (video)

Dr.Phil prank call on a scientologist (video)

shoe tie trick (video)

Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer - Trailer (video)

Reporter Botches Wedding Proposal (video)

from the frames (pics)

kongregate (link)

Movies I've seen recently...

Apocalypto  (2006)  B+

Despite the errors in Mel Gibson's personal life, he still proves himself as a really good film director with the release of "Apocalypto." Immersive is one way to describe this movie, as I was just sucked in to that past world, with it's surroundings, creatures, in addition to the look and the mayan dialect of the cast (the whole movie has subtitled). The plot progression isn't necessarily standard with a film like this, because for the most part, we are just suppose to experience the events that happens in the film. The character's stories and even some political / social commentaries  are present, but plays more to progress the plot. This film is graphic, violent, and doesn't shy away from showing you things you probably rather not see.

The Queen  (2006)  A

I saw "the Queen" with rather moderate expectations and came out rather blown away at how great the movie is. Director Stephen Frears and writer Peter Morgan, has made a great film surrounding the death of Princess Diana, and how the country was literally ready to bring down the monarchy, because it seemed like the Royal family didn't care enough about the tragedy. The truth as portrayed here shows that things aren't so simple with a family that is more or less out of touch with the current modern reality of the world. Helen Mirren does an Oscar winning performance as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, showing many different facets to her personality and gives us a character more complicated than normally perceived. Add to that the political relationship between the country, it's Royal family, and the new Prime Minister Tony Blair as wonderfully played by Michael Sheen. Prime Minister Tony Blair is literally caught in the middle of his countrymen and the royal family, and it's pretty educational how that works in a political sense as well as in a personal way. "The Queen" engaged me from start to finish, and definitely ranks as one of the best films ever released.

The Good Shepherd  (2006)  C

With Robert De Niro as director, Eric Roth as writer, and a smorgasbord of talented actors and actresses, "The Good Shepherd" is undoubtedly a great movie right? Maybe, but damn was I utterly bored watching it. How can a story about the birth of the C.I.A. be so dull and boring? For a movie that's over two and a half hours long, it sure was slow and unexciting. Matt Damon is the main star of the movie, and he is pretty much put to task to create the most boring character ever in a spy film. What's sadder is that's exactly how the character is described as in the movie, boring and dull. I'm sure there's suppose to be a subtle hint of depth or an allegory to how espionage work isn't as exciting as one would think, but still, c'mon now. Yes the espionage itself, the spy talk, the back stabbings, and the plot twists are interesting enough adding a dense depth to the story, but the overall presentation is very flawed.

My top 20 favorite movies released in 2006!

1. Thank you for smoking
2. The Departed
3. V for vendetta
4. Tallageda Nights : the ballad of Ricky Bobby
5. Borat! cultural learnings of America...
6. stranger than fiction
7. the Last kiss
8. Letters From Iwo Jima *
9. crank
10. little miss sunshine
11. the Queen
12. Children of Men
13. pan's labyrinth
14. Casino Royale
15. Akeelah and the bee
16. Cars
17. Clerks II
18. Scoop
19. United 93
20. the Prestige

* click here for a list of the movies of 2006 that I've seen *

I still couldn't watch all the movies I wanted to see, since several of them were on limited release. I did get to watch 60 movies though, so that's something. I'm probably going to edit this list and add / drop a movie or two, depending on whether I catch a film that I feel deserves to be on this list.

* added in at a later date

Random Monster

Xbox 360 topped US hardware sales chart over Xmas (link)

Celebrities gets tasered (video)

Letterman's Verizon commercial (video)

Blu-ray & HD-DVD combo player is coming (link)

Warner Bros introduces blu-ray/HD-DVD hybrid discs (link)

Tara Reid D-Listed (video)

Phone book ripping (video)

The Perry Bible Fellowship (link)

celebrity patents (pics)

DJ Ozma - NSFW! (video)

- Don't Steal My Levi's Jeans - (my youtube)
- Valkyrie Profile Dating Service - (my youtube)

Alright here we go. Out of all the music CDs released in 2006, I was able to listen to over 100 of them. Below is the list of my favorite top 40 albums of 2006. You can also click *here* for the full list.

1. Meg & Dia - something real
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers - stadium arcadium
3. Arctic monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am...
4. Rock kills kid - are you nervous?
5. push to talk - self-titled
6. Keane - under the iron sea
7. Damone - out here all night
8. Dragonforce - inhuman rampage
9. cobra starship - while the city sleeps, we rule the streets
10. Hellogoodbye - zombies! aliens! vampires! dinosaurs!
11. Plus44 - when your heart stops beating
12. We are scientists - with love and squalor
13. Angels & airwaves - we don't need to whisper
14. Muse - black holes and revelations
15. Ronnie Day - the album
16. Hammerfall - threshold
17. Kill Hannah - until there's nothing left of us
18. Incubus - light grenades
19. the living end - state of emergency
20. Audioslave - revelations
21. Blue october - foiled
22. My chemical romance - the black parade
23. She wants revenge - self-titled
24. Men women & children - self-titled
25. the killer's - sam's town
26. Shiny Toy Guns - we are pilots
27. Lily Allen - Alright, still
28. Christina Aguilera - back to basics
29. Teddy geiger - underage thinking
30. Anti-flag - for blood and empire
31. The subways - young for eternity
32. Josh Groban - awake
33. Train - for me it's you
34. wolfmother - self-titled
35. Pet shop boys - fundamental
36. Matisyahu - youth
37. Stone sour - come what(ever) may
38. Darvoset - knocking down systems
39. Killswitch engage - as daylight dies
40. Quietdrive - when all that's left is you

Looking back at my personal highlights of 2006, as posted in my blog.

- Got myself a new laptop (01/28)
- Attended Wizard World Los Angeles for the first time (03/19)
- Saw an IMAX movie for the first time (03/26)
- Went to the KROQ microbrew festival for the first time (04/09)
- Went to the band "Angels & Airwaves" very first concert (04/13)
- Finally asked my girlfriend to marry me! (04/18)
- Met my fiances' parents for the first time (04/22)
- Attended "E3" for possibly the last time (05/12)
- Went to my acquaintance's band "Darvoset" concert (05/13 09/23)
- Went to the KROQ Wienie Roast Y Fiesta music festival (05/14)
- Played "laser tag" for the first time (06/13)
- Finally switched from cable to dsl for my internet needs (06/24)
- Attended Anime Expo (07/04)
- Went to the Van's Warped Tour music festival for the first time (07/08)

- I'm an uncle again to a new niece (07/13)
- I turned 30! I'm not in my 20's anymore... (07/16)
- Another great year at the San Diego Comic-Con! (07/19 - 07/24)
- Went to the "bloc party" concert (08/03)
- Went to "the living end" concert (08/17)
- Went to Legoland California for the first time (08/22)
- Went to Catalina Island for the first time, also "finger incident" (08/27)
- Saw "Meg & Dia" in concert several more times (09/14 09/20 11/30)
- I decided to move in with my fiancee (10/01)
- Finally cancelled my home phone number (10/14)
- Went to the "Bamboozle Left" music festival for the first time (10/15)
- Disneyland in Halloween (10/21)
- After a decade, I finally made a music video again (10/24)
- I had a ghostly encounter? (10/26)
- I had a cool encounter with band members from Reel Big Fish (11/01)
- First time me and my fiancee hosted a family gathering (11/26)
- Attended the "Heroes initiative" (12/03)

one low point this year... Had a car accident with a biker (02/10 02/11)

This past 2006 year was a huge year for me on a lot of things that I've done for the first time in my life. 2007 has a lot to follow up on.