Thought Box

It blows my mind that 2010 is coming to an end..  If I really think about it, it does seem like forever since I moved into my new apartment, which was September 11th – not that long ago.  Lots has changed, and I have a lot to be thankful for.  I think we can classify 2010 as a successful year, even with some of the ups and downs.

In order to truly appreciate the year that has passed, I think it’s time for a mini-retrospective…  Well, not a full retrospective – I don’t know that I have the desire to spend the time necessary to do something I would consider complete.

Favorite YouTube Video:

This vid is double awesome because it includes one of my favorite places back at BYU – I really loved the library and worked there for about 8 months…  Funny, Funny!

Favorite Movie:

Even with the wonder that was Scott Pilgrim vs The World and Inception, I think Toy Story 3 was the one movie I enjoyed the most from beginning to end.  Pixar has a magical way of sucking me in…  I doubt it will win the Oscar for Best Picture, but I really think it’s my personal “Movie of the Year”.

Favorite Book(s):

I know I’m two years late on reading this one, but Hayley and I busted through the trilogy within just a couple weeks (well…  Hayley read all three in a single week, it took me a little bit longer).  The concept of the book – a dystopian world where children of the 12 districts are selected to compete in a battle to the death as a demonstration of the central government’s authority – is certainly troublesome.  Luckily, the reader is spared anything too gruesome as the author avoids going into explicit detail of the killings (with most happening “off screen”), but you certainly get a feel for the terror of the participants and how twisted the world has become.
The second and third books, Catching Fire and Mockingjay, aren’t quite as good as the first, though they certainly have their moments.  Hayley and I disagreed on the quality of Mockingjay…  I enjoyed it and found it to be interesting due to its own contribution to the world found therein, but Hayley felt it was too significant of a departure from the two books previous.  Either way, we both agree that it’s a very good series to pick up and read.

Other Favorites:

Modern Family and Community (TV): if you’re looking for some really good comedy, these two shows are gold!  They’re very different in their approach to comedy, but if you give them both a little bit of time you’ll find some seriously enjoyable television.

Perbacco (Restaurant): This Italian gem, located in downtown Houston, is GREAT!  The owner is from Capri and makes a point to visit each table at some point during the night.  In fact, he’s usually the one who will give you the day’s specials and take your order.  I took Hayley here on our first date and it was a major success.  To quote Hayley, “You’re taking me to an Italian restaurant?  That’s a bold move!” … “I LOVE THAT PLACE!  Yeah Jeff, you did goooooood!”

That’s about it for a list of favorites.  Most of the other fun stuff is chronicled in other blog posts or somewhere else on the internet.  It’s been a fun and enjoyable year, but I’m honestly hoping for an even better 2011!

We have a wedding to look forward to, my first trip out of the United States for the honeymoon, a couple of additional open house events, a family reunion in November, hopefully some golf clubs and lessons, and an innumerable amount of adventure!  I have no major resolutions this year, other than maintaining my weight loss goals, focusing on becoming more patient, and developing myself spiritually.  I’ve never succeeded with resolutions; I work better with broader goals and themes.  Perhaps on New Year’s Eve I can sit down with Hayley and we can think of a really solid theme for 2011.

Until then, I’ll go with the first one I find by searching 2011 theme on Google: “Drunk Brits and Cleavage”!

Tangent: A quite humerous and adorable blog post about the rumorative power held by Facebook can be found here.  It may be of interest to frequent readers and those who know me personally.

I went and saw Scott Pilgrim vs the World on Saturday and I love, love, love, LOVED it!  It’s the kind of movie a comic book/video game/hopeless romantic/kinda stupid nerd would love, and I think that description defines me pretty well (except for maybe not the stupid part – you decide!).  If you grew up playing games in the 80′s and 90′s, and you love movies that make you laugh and are insanely different than anything else Hollywood does, do yourself a favor and see Scott Pilgrim.  I promise, you’ll love, love, love, LOVE it!  And if not, lie to me and say you did.

I’m saddened that the film is “failing” in the eyes of the movie industry, and I think there are 2 legitimate reasons why..  Every movie blog within the blogosphere has  come up with their own guesses, but I only really consider a these 2 to be legit:

1. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is hard to categorize. This is one of the aspects of the story that I really love, but it has to be a marketer’s worst nightmare!  The posters with Scott rocking out on the guitar have been slammed for making people think the movie was about a rockstar, which is not the case, but they do make sense if you already know the story.  You also can’t sell it as a love story, because that’s only one component of the whole.  And an action movie?  With Michael Cera?  That won’t fly…  So, how do you categorize this film if you’re Blockbuster Video?  It doesn’t even fit in with the goofy punk/skateboarder movies I remember from the 80′s and 90′s (Gleaming the Cube, anyone?)…  Universal Pictures tried, but mixed messages left potential audiences confused, which is a shame.

2.  This movie was made for a small subsection of the population – the comic book/video game/hopeless romantic/kinda stupid (maybe) nerds of this world.  I honestly don’t see this movie having a strong appeal to the masses when you consider the ever rising barrier to entry for this kind of thing (e.g. the $9 movie ticket).  Those who have read the comic, which is supremely delightful and highly recommended, will be immediately drawn to the move.  Those who love Michael Cera (a dwindling fan base) might be drawn.  Those who love Edgar Wright (the director) may have been drawn…  Aside from some of those pretty small fan bases, you’re lucky to pull in the occasional straggler (like my buddy Spencer, who was a rockstar for coming with the lady and I).  Does the movie deserve a wider audience?  YES, but that doesn’t mean it will automatically have one.

If you’re reading this and find anything I’ve said interesting, go see Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and love yourself for it.  It will treat you to something wholly different than anything else Hollywood has produced in a very long time.  I thought the acting was good, the writing was witty, the transition from page to screen was handled marvelously, and I finally got to see a girl kick some butt with a giant hammer (+5 against girls).

K.O.

I recently read Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and I LOVED it! Fantastic read! Definitely a nerd’s tale, which is likely why I loved it so much. I ripped through the books in just a couple of days, it’s that good. I’m very excited for the movie, but for the time being you can check out the GREATEST ONLINE TRAILER EVER CONCEIVED!!