Buddhapuss,

Last week in a blog there was mention of shopping with a hint of violence. Which brings to mind a Canadian holiday called “Boxing Day”. I was just curious as to the origin of this holiday, and wondering if the name implies actual “boxing” going on as shoppers vie for certain products and commodities.

Curious in California,
SD

Dear SD,

An excellent question, however the answer is about as exciting as dog who can drive. Why? Because it requires pages and pages to debunk the centuries of myth and lore. There are dozens of theories. As fascinating as that exploration may be, it’s almost time for my meditation and nap. Let us work quickly while the radiator is still warm, SD. For starters, forget what the other experts say about the holiday. They can’t even agree if the day is Canadian or British in origin. To compound matters, it’s also celebrated in New Zealand and Australia.

Here’s what’s important about Boxing Day. One, it involves boxes. Two, it occurs the day after Christmas. Third, all 184 Canadians consider Boxing Day a National holiday. Lastly, and most importantly, there are philanthropic overtones, which is the only reason for this weeks column. It does have a legacy of giving and sharing food with those less fortunate. So please, next Boxing day, help a brother out and send some sushi pizza to your favorite Zen master. Charge it to Sam if you want.

Yours in pats,
Master Buddhapuss

Grave tragedy struck Arkansas again; today a dog crashed a truck into a building.

No one was hurt. The animal, as yet unnamed, wasn’t cited, although he did consult an attorney.

The attendants informed the entire theater that the 8pm show for Meet the Fockers was sold out and I was one person away from the last available ticket. At that point there were several options available.

1) Throw a hissy fit, rage out in storm of curses like the fifty people nearby.
2) Buy tickets for the 11pm show, sit on the couches eating fatty concessions for 3 hours.
3) Admit to the Wife that we left the house too late and go home. Not an option.

The choice was clearly number 4: buy tickets for the 11pm showing and present them for the 8pm screening. Little secret for you super serious movie theater managers: staff doesn’t check the tickets unless you are watching them. Perhaps they are underpaid? Overworked? Maybe they just don’t care?

Anyway the oversight was our gain. We found a decent seat at the 8pm show and laughed our a**** off. Funny, funny flick. Hopefully, the small child I knocked over is OK now.

NOTE: No one was hurt in the writing of this blog, or at the movie theater. I am joking.

Each holiday season I spread the wondrous stash of Xmas booty across the carpet and revile in the glory that are unsolicited material goods. Sure, ’tis the season for giving, peace and togetherness. And it’s also a time for booty. Lots and lots of booty.

This year was better than most. Thanks to all who contributed to my comfort index. However, one gift stands apart from the herd. It’s special. It’s different. A re-gift passed from father to son and back again for 12 years. Neither of us have dared crack the seal.

It’s a big, old plastic jar of…well, the picture below says it all. Not sure what one does with this product, although the label indicates the contents are flammable.

What was your favorite Xmas gift? Please talk amongst yourselves..

With a Matrix inspired score, excellent fight sequences, explosions and a slew of new characters, the third installment in the Blade franchise suffers from one fatal defect: a story we haven’t seen twice before and better.

Look at any plot writeup for Blade I/II and you’ll have more than you need to know about the Blade III. The vampires of the world are mad about Blade hunting them and they conspire to resurrect/build/assemble the “ultimateâ€? Blade killer. Whatever.

Sure, there are great moments in this film, Blade fighting the original vampire ( don’t call him Dracula ), Parker Posey as a vampire, Ryan Reynolds as a recovering vampire, Jessica Biel naked in the shower, vampire blood dripping off her supple, naked body. Mmm…Jessica Biel. But there aren’t enough great moments or Jessica Biel nude to counteract that not so fresh feeling.

Three things that work about this movie:

1) Fight scenes are better than Blade I or II. Good.

2) Ode de Matrix score really did help. Very good.

3) Jessica Biel in the shower. Very, very good.

Three things that need improvement:

1) The script.

2) The director. MTV inspired spastic-cam cuts do not a action/drama make.

3) See 1 and 2.

Verdict: DVD/video rental. DVD purchase ill advised unless freeze frame viewing Jessica Biel for eternity is paramount.

Steve Zissou Life Aquatic breaks all the rules of formula. Assemble a lesser known cast, construct a bizarre story that pays homage to a man most people can’t recall ( Jacques Costeau or somebody like that ), add a generous heaping of dry humor and death at the box office is a virtual lock.

For every bucket of popcorn hurled at the screen, there were belly laughs. It’s a dramedy and a smart one at that, the poignant and bitter story of a man at the end of a career that’s been over for years as he forges a relationship with a long forsaken son.

I liked this movie a lot but can’t recommend it, unless one finds the director’s earlier films Royal Tannebaums or Rushmore amusing. Wes Anderson takes a highly non conventional approach to story telling, one that delivers rich rewards, although the journey is not for everyone.

What works about this movie:

1)Bill Murray is THE MAN!

2)The offbeat humor.

3)The dude singing David Bowie songs in Portuguese. That guy is going places.

Verdict: Like the Royal Tannebaums? Check out Steve Zissou Life Aquatic, full price and buy the DVD. There really is nothing like a Wes Anderson spectacle.

Happy Holidays! And if you believe in Santa, hope he brings you exactly what you want…

Much, much thanks to all the people who left Buddhapuss Books such nice feedback. On every level this modest venture has worked better than expected.

Regular blogging resumes in force on Monday. Although, I may post a few pics from Christmas.