Kevin Smith Writes a New (and Improved) Kind of Horror Film with "Red State"

2011 Sundance Film Festival-Kevin Smith Writes a New Kind of Horror Film with "Red State"
By Alex Reagan



When the list of films showing at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival was announced last fall, the one movie I wanted to see more than any other was Kevin Smith's Red State. At the time, I did not realize I would have to get up at 4:30 in the morning to catch a Monday 8:30 a.m. showing. But, sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the things you love. I love movies.

Sundance Film Festival 2011-Day One

OK. I was planning on seeing movies today...but it was impossible. Thousands of people, inches of snowfall, and too many premieres...so my friend Amy and I spent the day walking around and checking things out. But, no worries, I will be in the theater for Red State Monday morning at 8 am!!! Until my first review is written, here are a list of things I learned today and some pics.

#1 Don't bring your baby to a film festival. Especially one that takes place in a mountain town with 2 feet of snow on the ground. Hint: people don't want to accomodate your stroller on the shuttle bus. We are all way too close to begin with. Baby accessories do not help.

#2 Lighting up a cigarette will ensure that your shuttle bus will show up within 60 seconds.

#3 James Franco is awesome. He created an art installation at the New Frontier exhibit called "Three's Company: The Drama". As Amy and I sat on the re-created Three's Company set, we watched James Franco examine the narrative and characters of the pilot episode. I wish I could explain it better, but you just had to be there.

"Perfect Couples" is Far From Perfect

With another example of how far removed Hollywood is from real life, NBC brings its latest addition to the Thursday night comedy lineup: Perfect Couples. The premise of this half hour comedy focuses on three Gen X couples at various stages in their relationships, yet miraculously facing similar problems.

The "couples" feature the infantile and annoying Vance & Amy, the ridiculously shallow and clueless Rex & Leigh, and the "aren't we witty and cute?" couple Dave & Julia. Each character and couple dynamic is a sad attempt at stereotyping and a lazy attempt at comedy . Game night turns into a make-out party which turns into one of the couples getting in a fight. But, the night is not without a Ryan Seacrest joke AND an American Idol gag.

On top of the ridiculous characters, the premise is that everyone is employed, living in nice homes, and wearing designer clothes while worrying about not going dancing and unwanted trips to Napa Valley. Isn't it so fun to live in California?

It amazes me how NBC can feature such smart comedies like 30 Rock, Community, and Parks & Recreation...and then turn around and put something like this on the air. While I appreciate the attempt at a comedy not focused on raising children or dealing with your old parents, this show falls way short of being added to my DVR series list. Thanks Perfect Couples, but I will stick with How I Met Your Mother for my thirtysomething couples humor. That show has characters I can identify with and love getting to know more about each week.

Andy & Pee Wee's Night Out

Wow. Pee Wee Herman. The re-creation of the Tequila scene from Pee Wee's Big Adventure. Anderson Cooper. Chairry, Conky, and Pterri in an intervention. Last night's SNL Digital Short was a Gen X-travaganza! Shots!!

St. Louis Offers Pujols Real Key to the City

I'm from St. Louis, so I had to post this. So funny. Please stay in the lou, Albert!

Onion SportsDome

Inside Job: A New Film Explaining How You Got Robbed

Suspicious Behavior At Your Local Walmart

When DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano made the call for Americans to report suspicious activity at their local Walmart, one person took her request to heart...here is the result. Simply brilliant.

Ted Nugent + Roseanne Barr=Entertainment

Watch Ted Nugent school Roseanne Barr in this lively political debate. It was entertaining. However, I think it is crap to only allow "celebrities" on TV to debate and give their political opinions. I would love to watch a show where ordinary people debate political philosphy and policy. Or...maybe a reality show where two groups of people live under different types of governments or economic systems for a few months and see what happens. A "political survivor" if you will. That would be reality TV I could watch.

Stephen Colbert, Ron Paul, & Gold

Last night on the Colbert Report, the first part of the show was all about gold. Obviously, when it's time to talk gold, it's time to talk to...Ron Paul! Check out the story "Gold Faithful" at Colbert Nation...just click the picture!

June 17, 1994 Do You Remember Where You Were?

Last night on ESPN2, I watched the 30 for 30 film June 17, 1994.  It was, quite possibly, one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. No sitdown interviews. No narration. This film, directed by Brett Morgen, features carefully edited footage from this epic day in sports. This day featured the NBA Finals, Arnold Palmer's last round at the US Open, The NY Rangers Stanely Cup victory parade, the opening day of the World Cup, and...oh yeah, the OJ Simpson Bronco chase. On one of the most memorable days in pop culture and sports history, we witnessed the birth of reality television and the evolution of ESPN into a sports "entertainment" network.

Gen X (and Y)-Get Out Your Checkbook

I think the title of this post dates me...I should've called it "Get Out Your Debit Card". Either way, get ready to take on more financial burden, while at the same time not expecting any benefits.

For the 8 out of 10 of us that still have a job, get ready to pay. Starting in 2011, over 7,000 baby boomers per day will be joining the Medicare system.

LBJ signing Medicare into law

Here's a nice little nugget from an article in medicalnewstoday.com

"Put simply, costs are rising too fast for Medicare taxes to cover everything. A couple of baby boomers who reach retirement and had paid $114,000 in Medicare payroll taxes will typically require medical care costs exceeding $350,000."

You were hoping for Obamacare? Good luck. Do you think healthcare is a right? Think again. You can't demand a right to someone else's service. But, that's a blog post for another day.