Review: Transformers 2 (Movie)

Thoughts on the latest Transformers, and Michael Bay's penchant for the immature.

M. Night Website

Thoughts on an interesting website experience, and asides on all things M. Night ShamWow.

Review: Merlin (TV)

Thoughts on the new TV foray into the middle ages.

Jon and Kate Plus 8 divided by 2 equals?

Thoughts on marriage in light of J&K+8.

Queue Tips: Igor Hears a City of Bedtime Tales of Madagascar

It's a family film bonanza! Quick looks at 6 recent movies that made their way to my mailbox.

Queue Tips: Marlee, the Incredible Slumdog.

Quick looks at Marlee & Me, The Incredible Hulk, and Slumdog Millionairre.

Review: Up

Watch me melt into piles of Pixar mush right before your eyes.

Idol Thoughts (Finale)

Thoughts on tonight's finale.

Idol Thoughts (Finale)

It's the finale and it seems there are those that think Lambert has this wrapped up.  To them I say, not so fast.  As I have been predicting for months Lambert has second place wrapped up just as Archuletta did last year.  Congratulations Kris on the win, let's get to the sure to be amazing, but none the less perfunctory music selections.

Adam Lambert, "Mad World" - Great choice by Lambert as it was easily my favorite song he did this year.   The thing with Lambert though is that he peaked too early and it almost seems run of the mill for him. (A-)

Kris Allen, "Ain't no Sunshine" - He's peaking right on time and with that great showing actually takes round 1. (A+)

Adam Lambert, "Change is Gonna Come" - Great performance!  That's what he needed to remind people why he is the "frontrunner".   He can do things with his voice that are insane, still don't think he has a chance, but wow. (A+)

Kris Allen, "What's Goin' On" - I was hoping Kris would knock all three out of the park tonight, but this one was just ok.  Round two to Lambert (who still can't win.) (A-)

Adam Lambert, "No Boundaries" - I wondered if Lambert would struggle with the original and he did.  It's amazing, the very first time I've heard him miss notes and it's on his last performance of the season.  Hmmm, interesting.  If Kris knocks it out of the park he will lock it up. (C+)

Kris Allen, "No Boundaries" - Bummer, Kris is having trouble as well.  Thankfully I think everybody already knows who they are voting for.  (C-)

I Wish

Kris Allen

I predict:

Direct Quotes:

9 weeks ago: I can honestly see any of Matt, Kris, Adam, or Danny winning this thing.

8 weeks ago: That was amazing, Kris is now officially someone I can see winning this competition and earns his place beside Gokey and Lambert.

6 weeks ago: Kris may actually have the most commercial appeal of any of the Idols left.  Adam's a bit over the top, Danny's a bit boring, but Kris is an amazing singer, adorable, and has a sound that is dead center of modern and cool.

4 weeks ago: That's it, I'm flat out rooting for this kid now.  That was spectacular, understated, but spectacular.

3 weeks ago: I hope Kris sticks around this week because he might just win if he does.

Last week: I've said it enough and I don't need to keep repeating myself.  In one of the closest votes in Idol history (I wish they would tell us the totals after the show has aired, because I bet all three of these dudes are close)  Kris and Adam sneak through over Danny and Kris shocks the world (minus me) by pulling the votes to dethrone the screamer.

No reason to switch now, Kris wins.

The Order it Will Go

4th  Allison (X)

3rd  Danny (X)

2nd  Adam

1st Kris (I'm delusional, I know, leave me alone)

Review: Star Trek

A look at the JJ Abrams' reboot.  Does it work?

Idol Thoughts (Top3)

Well, I've made it clear that I think Gokey and Kris are battling for the win tonight and Lambert has second locked up.  The only thing that throws a wrench in the works is if Adam has even less mojo than even I thought and goes home this week.  But I'm still thinking Kris has a great shot at pulling off this upset.  2 songs, lets get to it!

Danny Gokey, "Dance Little Sister" - First song of the night and Gokey does a decent job, nothing spectacular but a solid Danny growl to kick us off. (B+)

Kris Allen, "Apologize" - This is not the powerhouse performance that Kris needs to take Danny tonight.  It's a great song and I think he did a decent job but if he wants to survive he needs to make an impact and snag the "best of the night" voters. (B+)

Adam Lambert, "One" - I probably won't say much about Adam tonight because I think he is locked into second place.  His voters are his voters, I don't think he gains anymore or loses any.  It's Danny and Kris who are fighting to survive and combine the anti Lambert voting blocks.  Having said all that, this wasn't all that great. (B-)

Danny Gokey, "You Are So Beautiful" - Alright Gokey, last chance, good song choice, nice to hear you back it down a bit, but it might work against you.  The big notes are more memorable.  There we go, no you're going after it, is it enough? A great performance, but if Kris can pull off a better one, this may be it for the Gokster. (A-)

Kris Allen, "Heartless" - WOW!  There it is.  That may just do it for Kris, that was beautiful and incredible.  If that pulls him the votes I think it will we will be looking at a Kris/Adam finale and I just don't think Gokey fans are going to vote for Lambert. (A)

Adam Lambert, "Cryin'" - The Lambert lovers will be all over that, the Lambert haters will despise it, what can I say, it's Lambert and tonight wasn't really about him anyway.  As for me I didn't care for it too much. (C+)

I Wish

1. Kris Allen

2. Danny Gokey

3. Adam Lambert

I predict:

I've said it enough and I don't need to keep repeating myself.  In one of the closest votes in Idol history (I wish they would tell us the totals after the show has aired, because I bet all three of these dudes are close)  Kris and Adam sneak through over Danny and Kris shocks the world (minus me) by pulling the votes to dethrone the screamer.

The Order it Will Go

4th  Allison (X)

3rd  Danny

2nd  Adam

1st Kris (I'm delusional, I know, leave me alone)

The Summer Seven (#1)

I get to see seven movies this summer.  Which one is the one I'm looking forward to the most?

The Summer Seven (#3, #2)...

I get to see seven movies this summer, here are my third and second most anticipated.

The Summer Seven (#5 and #4)...

I get to see seven movies this summer, here are my fifth and fourth most anticipated.

Idol Thoughts (Top 4)

Best Top 4 ever taking the stage tonight and Slash is is the coach's seat.  Yeah, baby.  OK, fine, my street cred with 80s Rock is pretty lame, but tonight I shall pretend that that I live and breathe the electric guitar solo.  Let's Rock!!

Adam Lambert, "Whole Lotta Love" - Adam is in his element that much is obvious, but I wasn't a big fan of that song or that performance.  I still think his fanbase should get him to the final 2, but I've said it before and I'll say it again, too many people are put off by him to let him win this thing.  Congratulations to whoever makes the final two with him. (B-)

Allison Iraheta, "Cry Baby" - So far two for two in the underwhelmed department.   Nothing technically inaccurate about that performance, but I was kinda nodding off during parts. (C)

Kris and Danny, "Renegade" - The duets thing is not gonna work for me.  It's just too weird.  I guess they did ok, some of the harmonies were nice, but it just seemed forced.  No grades for duets.

Kris Allen, "Come Together" - Maybe I'm not seeing straight because he is my new favorite, but I thought that performance was better than The A names put together.   I hope Kris sticks around this week because he might just win if he does. (B+)

Danny Gokey, "Dream On" - So Danny is going to try and pull off the Adam scream, eh?  I'll believe it when I hear it.  He is certainly trying to stretch himself which is nice to hear, but I'm sure that song was a poor choice.  Yikes, I'm going with a no comment on the screaming. (C-)

Allison and Adam, "Slow Ride" - I really don't know what to say. Seriously, the duet thing just isn't working for me.  Whatever, don't do that to me again Idol, I don't know what to do with it.

My Favorites

1. Kris Allen

2. Danny Gokey

3. Adam Lambert

4. Allison Iraheta

Best Tonight

1. Kris Allen

2. Adam Lambert

3. Allison Iraheta

4. Danny Gokey

Who will go home:

Here's the theory that I've been espousing to anyone who will listen to my ramblings.  Allison and Kris are in danger this week and one of them will go home, the other one actually has a legitimate shot at winning the whole thing.  Especially if they knock it out of the park next week.  Part two of this theory is that Adam Lambert cannot win Idol, he just doesn't have the votes.  The more people that go home, the more votes that then go to other people, NOT HIM.  If you are voting for Lambert you have been for a while now, and if you aren't I don't think you ever will.  Keeping this in mind, this means that whoever can make the final two with him WILL WIN, and if Danny's voting block gets lazy, he very well could come in third sending the Kris/Allison survivor on to victory.  I'm still thinking Danny will win, but it would not surprise me in the least if Kris or Allison did.  Lambert is the only winner that would shock me.  I'll go ahead and predict an Allison departure tonight, but it could just as easily be Kris.

The Order it Will Go

4th  Allison

3rd  Danny

2nd  Adam

1st Kris (I'm delusional, I know, leave me alone)

The Summer Seven (#6)

I get to see 7 movies this summer.  Here is my #6 most anticipated.

Review: Wolverine

A quick look at X Men Origins: Wolverine.

Summer Movie Preview (#7 is your choice)...

Kicking off the summer seven by letting you help me land on which movie will make the final cut.  #6-#1 still to come.

Idol Thoughts (Top 5)...

More thoughts at thediceisright.com.

Idol Thoughts (Top 5)...

I'm more than willing to admit when I am wrong, and I was completely wrong about Lil.  Thrilled to be so, but wrong none the less.  It still marks only my third miss of the season but to be honest with as close as this final 5 is I don't expect to get many more right.  I would expect Giraud to be odd man out when all is said and done, but anything could happen when it's ratpack night and Jamie Foxx is in the house.

Kris Allen, "The Way You Look Tonight" - That's it, I'm flat out rooting for this kid now.  That was spectacular, understated, but spectacular.  I hope people can remember this performance after the night has wound down.  Amazing. (A)

Allison Iraheta, "Someone to Watch Over Me" - Another great performance.  At the end of the day this is a pretty great group of 5 and Allison has just as much a shot as anyone else at this point.  (A)

Matt Giraud, "My Funny Valentine" - Matt is certainly the only remaining contestant that at times appears out of his league (I still can't shake what he did to Coldplay and The Fray) but that performance was really pretty great.  Compared to the other two so far, just a tick below, but still very nice. Wow, what a night so far. (A-)

Danny Gokey, "Come Rain or Come Shine" -Wow, Gokey is back! I kinda slept through the beginning thinking here is the same old Danny.  The end of the song though, oh... my... goodness.   I rewound it... twice. (A)

Adam Lambert, "Feeling Good" - That was certainly an incredible note and an amazing performance, but to be honest, I feel like Lambert at this point is a known commodity and that can breed boredom even with excellence. (A-)

Overall Rankings

T1. Kris Allen

T1. Adam Lambert

T1. Danny Gokey

4. Allison Iraheta

5. Matt Giraud

Who should go home:

Matt Giraud

Who will go home:

Wow, on what must be the best singing night in Idol history, I really think it's anybodies suitcase that could be in use.   I'm going to say Giraud because I think that's the way it should shake down.  If it's anyone else it would be a shame, especially after what everyone laid out there tonight.

Belated Top Movies of 2008

Oops, looks like I forgot to post my list for 2008, here's the Top 5. Check out more at thediceisright.com

The Half Marathon

Video proof that I ran over 13 miles today (and am a complete idiot).

Idol Thoughts (Top 7... Again)

Thoughts on tonight's eliminations.

Idol Thoughts (Top 7... Again)...

So here's the question, do I get credit for picking Matt to go considering he stuck around based on the judges' whim?  Whatever the case, tonight is the most treacherous night of the show, and if fan bases get lazy we could see any one of these seven hit the road.  Whoa, Lil's already started singing, don't wait for me or anything Seacrest, I'm just blogging here.  The Disco is on!

Lil Rounds, "I'm Every Woman" - She gave it her best shot, I'm just telling you she doesn't have the pipes.  The energy was there, but the notes weren't even close at times.   Lil is a textbook example of someone who is simply out of their league. (C-)

Kris Allen, "She Works Hard for the Money" - Kris may actually have the most commercial appeal of any of the Idols left.  Adam's a bit over the top, Danny's a bit boring, but Kris is an amazing singer, adorable, and has a sound that is dead center of modern and cool.  I don't think he wins (in fact he may go home tonight) but he may have the most successful career of all of them. (A-)

Danny Gokey, "September" -Gokey looks very George Michael tonight (that would be the 80s singer, not the character from Arrested Development) but I think that may have been his worst performance yet.  It wasn't awful, he hit the notes in typical Gokey fashion, but he just seems stuck in what he does, he needs some variety to spice it up. (B-)

Allison Iraheta, "Hot Stuff" - Great vocal performance as far as I'm concerned.  Excuse the pun, but I'm warming to Allison quite a bit the last few weeks.  I'm not the biggest fan of her style, but she can certainly sing.  My only issue with her is tonight is that her performance tonight was a little showy for me (bordering on Lambert if you will).  Overall though, pretty amazing. (A-)

Adam Lambert, "If I Can't Have You" - I'm simply slack jawed stunned at this man.  He is a performer in every sense of the word.  His vocal ability is by far greater than anyone who has ever been on this show (yes I'm looking at you Misses Underwood and Clarkson).  I still think he should be a stage actor and not a pop singer, but dude, wow! (A)

Matt Giraud, "Stayin' Alive" - Hey look, someone actually decided to do disco.  Not very well albeit, but at least it sounded discoish. (C)

Anoop Desai, "Dim All the Lights" - Yuck. You know what the word for Noop is?  Poser.  Someone who is doing their best to play the part but feels completely false and transparent.  None of these guys are awful singers but compared to the others of the night he and Lil stand out like sore thumbs. (B+)

Overall Rankings

Adam Lambert

Kris Allen

Danny Gokey

Allison Iraheta

Matt Giraud

Anoop Desai

Lil Rounds

Who should go home:

Lil Rounds and Anoop Desai

Who will go home:

I'm not sure if they will do a bottom three tomorrow considering two are going home.  But here is the order I think the votes will land them.  I hope this isn't true, but I'm telling you tonight's show is a straight up highway to the danger zone and Maverick is nowhere in sight.

1. Adam Lambert - Large fanbase, and gets a bounce from best performance of the night.  Count on seeing Adam in the final two.

2. Lil Rounds - I know you think I'm crazy, but the more the judges dis her, the more votes she will get.

3. Danny Gokey - Gokey has the middle America vote on lock down and I think it will get him at least to the final four.

----I believe these next four are all in danger and way too close to call----

4.  Kris Allen - Kris has the advantage of building momentum right at the exact right moment.  I still worry about him on a night like tonight, but I think hes developing a fervent fanbase.

5. Matt Giraud - I think the emotion of the save may just pull him enough votes to escape once again.

6. Anoop Desai - It's just time and I think his fans have waned.

7. Allison Iraheta - The shocker of the night.   Her fans are complacent, her performance was great but forgettable and with two people going home those are two very dangerous things.

TV on the Bubble.

Which shows will stick around?  Here are 3 I hope do despite lackluster ratings.

Newsboys Update and Review

Further thoughts on the Newsboys and a mini review of thier new album.

Idol Thoughts (Top 7)

Full thoughts at thediceisright.com.

Idol Thoughts (Top 7)...

OK, so much for the perfect season.  Kris not only managed to stick around, he wasn't even in the bottom 3!  Let's just say I've never been happier to be wrong.  Time to get back on the nostradomic track and it looks like we will be doing it with the help of Mr. Quentin Tarintino.  This could be an extremely interesting evening as I absolutely love QT's sense of music and moment, and there are some great movie songs to choose from.  I'm longin' for some songin', so let's get to it.

Allison Iraheta, "Don't Want to Miss a Thing" -  OK, so tonight the commentary may be as much about film as the singing.  At this point we know these guys anyway right?  So, Armegeddon.  I know people get sick of the showy blockbuster, but Affleck and Willis are really pretty amazing in that movie and it's a lot of fun.  And who doesn't love a good Animal Cracker love scene?  This movie has become unfairly maligned, it's actually pretty good.  Allison was also pretty good, not spectacular, but pretty good. (B+)

Anoop Desai, "Everything I Do" - Noop keeping it in the wheelhouse, staying smooth and slow.  Prince of Thieves was the movie that I think woke people up to the fact that Costner isn't actually an actor, but more of a character type.  If it wasn't the atrocious accent, it was the lack of verve that Robin Hood just has to have.  Let Kevin play a baseball player or a farmer and he's good, but when he stretches, it's painful.  The only exception, Clint Eastwood's "Perfect World"  Noop like Costner plays to his type and does very well. (B+)

Adam Lambert, "Born to Be Wild" - OK, so I've never seen Easy Rider, so let's focus on Mr. Lambert, shall we?  Not his best performance, a little spastic and surreal, not as much so as the Arabian Cash, but still just a little out there.   But seriously, this dude can PERFORM and takes it to the nth degree every single show.  If he manages to put some reigns on the over acting and weirdness he may just run away with this thing if he's not careful. (A-)

Matt Giraud, "Really Loved A Woman" - Another movie I haven't seen, but I think Giraud was off tonight.  It's our first poor performance of the evening and it may cost him .  This is a pretty stellar final 7 now that Scott is gone.  It will be very interesting to see who goes home tonight, but Matt may have put himself in danger tonight. (C+)

Danny Gokey, "Endless Love" -Maybe the movie talk is over for the night as I haven't seen this film either.   Gokey brought me back a bit tonight by slowing it down and showing a little range.  But he still needs to throw a knockout punch soon or Lambert will sweep the floor with him. (A-)

Kris Allen, "Falling Slowly" - I agree with Quentin on this, this is a fabulous song choice.  Though many haven't seen the movie Once, the songs are the best part of it.  I actually thought the movie itself was a bit slow and dreary, but the emotion of the music was extremely powerful, and Kris did amazing with it (not sure what Randy was listening to). (A-)

Lil Rounds, "The Rose" - No, not good enough, just not.  She just can't do it, I'm sorry, she doesn't have the vocal acuity to pull this stuff off and I'm not impressed.  Unfortunately her voters are going to be super motivated because of Simon's comments and she went last.  Grrr. (C-)

Overall Rankings

Adam Lambert

Danny Gokey

Kris Allen

Allison Iraheta

Matt Giraud

Anoop Desai

Lil Rounds

Who should go home:

Lil Rounds

Who will go home:

I think the girls are safe again, even though Lil is easily the most out of her league up there.   And I can't see Lambert or Gokey hitting the bottom three for at least 2 more weeks.  Which leaves Noop, Matt, and Kris as our bottom three.  It's pretty much a three sided coin flip at this point and of the three Matt probably had the most forgettable performance.   I'm going to hope that Kris' song choice doesn't backfire and say that tonight we say goodbye to the boy who butchered Coldplay (that'ld be Matt).

Review: Wii's Art Style Games

A look at 2 of the Art Style games available on Wii Ware, Orbient and Cubello.

New TV Tonight!

Two new shows with a lot to live up to debut tonight, can they succeed?