Author: Writer guy

The Incredibles

Writer guy

Oops, Pixar did it again! Another fun for the whole family animated gem is loose in the theaters.

Imagine a hero with superpowers who has a wife with stretching abilities. Now imagine that the one activity they love, saving the world, is no longer an option. What can they do? Go under cover, sell insurance and have babies!

This is a heartfelt story about a man who just wants to fulfill his potential and the women and children who love him and also want in the action. Together they form the Incredibles!

It’s a plot we’ve seen a thousand times but seems fresh because it’s done well.

What works

1)Pretty much everything

What needs work

1)Some one other than Jason Lee as the villain. He sounded nasal and annoying, rather than evil. Although, thinking about the role perhaps that was the desired effect. Please smack him.

If you’ve got a heart, the Incredibles are part of you….

Verdict : Full price theater admission.

Stop the launch

Writer guy

On Friday I discovered, or remembered as the Wife said, that we had a couples retreat. Back in August when this was decided there were no business plans on the horizon. The workshop consumed the weekend, thus delaying the launch of Buddhapuss Books, weekend blog entries and other writing projects. Since the delay was for the right reasons, it was all good.

The countdown to launch resumes shortly.

Buddhapuss Books! Coming very soon

Writer guy

OK, promised an announcement earlier but flubbed it by a day.

On November 8, 2004 – Buddhapuss Books opens for business. Providing thousands of popular titles in mint or near perfect quality, Buddhapuss Books delivers new books at used book prices. Zen Master training and American know how have forged the first cat human partnership.

For those on the announcements list, expect an email this weekend with links to our store at Amazon.com and other purchase information. Inside the email is a code. When ordering for the first time, include that code in the purchase comments. Bestow some positive buyer feedback, and Buddhapuss will hit you back with a free book that best fufils your Zen requirements..

Buddhapuss Books thanks you in advance for your support. We look forward to serving you new books at used book prices.

Saw

Writer guy

Many reviewers compare Saw to Silence of the Lambs or Seven. It is neither. It is psychological thriller done with a lesser known cast. There is blood, there is gore and there is also a story.

The movie opens with two men chained to pipes on opposite sides of the room. Their instructions are simple: if stranger A want to live, he must kill stranger B. And so begins the journey.

Relentlessly flashing backwards and forwards to present time, Saw employs a non linear story structure. Perhaps there are reasons for this, but excessive use of the technique can compromise clarity. In this movie the abuse is borderline.

After allowing several days to reflect on this film,the main shortcoming still nags me – tremendous effort went into the beginning and ending while the middle, well muddles.

What works about Saw

1) Ending – the best of any film this year and last.

2) Opening – definitely one of top five opening scenarios.

3) Very grungy, real look adds to the experience.

What needs more work

1) Danny Glover. Completely miscast here.

2) A tiny hint as to Jigsaw’s ( the killer’s ) motivations would have been nice.

3) Less flashbacks

Based solely on the ending, if you like thrillers or even quasi thrillers, see Saw.

Verdict: Matinee / DVD.