Month: May 2003 (Page 8 of 8)

X-Men 2

It was OK. Too many plots going on at once, and sometimes it felt like Byran Singer tossed as much up on the screen as possible, hoping some of it would stick. Lots of new mutants and tons of action, so those bases are covered. Still, just OK in my book. The best moment came near the end, when I had a conversation with my movie-chatty friend Susan.

ME: So Jean Grey has to choose between Cyclops and Wolverine. Like *that’s* a hard decision.

SUSAN: Yeah. Cyclops is like the Frank Burns of the X-Men.

Bill Bennett, former drug czar and author of “The Book of Virtues” and several other self-righteous screeds, apparently is quite the gambler. The Washington Monthly says his losses (at things like the $500-a-pull slots) over the last 10 years are in the neighborhood of $8 million.

As I’ve said many times before, I believe most of the world’s problems are caused by people who think they know what’s best for someone else.

Confidence

This caper drama wants to be “House of Games.” Well, I know “House of Games,” and “Confidence,” you’re no “House of Games.” (If you haven’t seen HoG, see it.) Still it’s a capable diversion, with Dustin Hoffman’s creepy/funny turn as a kingpin the highlight. When Hoffman’s onscreen, the movie wakes up.

Recommended, if you’re just looking for something to pass the time.

Does anyone ever ask to borrow one of your CDs so they can burn a copy of it, or ask to install some of your software on their computer? It’s a weird situation because on the one hand you’re not losing anything, and your friend is gaining something they want.

But I find myself thinking, “I paid for that. Why should they get it free?” Does that make me a bad person? It’s not even the piracy thing, which I’m also against, although I have been guilty of it a few times myself. It also seems different somehow from loaning something to a friend. Does anyone know what I’m talking about here?

Sometimes I think it’s irrational for me to be irritated and conflicted. But if someone’s asking for a copy of software that cost me several hundred dollars, it gets my back up.

Saw Angelique Kidjo at the Barrymore last night. What a fantastic concert. She is so infectiously joyful, and the music is so wonderful, you can’t leave without a smile on your face. She sings mostly in a couple of African languages, so you really focus on the music and how it makes you feel. By the end of the concert, about a third of the house was on their feet, huddled close to the stage, dancing. Her albums are great, but nothing prepares you for the live experience – her voice has extraordinary power.

If you want a taste, here’s an MP3 (2.8 MB). Let me know what you think.