My Review of The Illusionist

Last night we watched the 2010 animated film, The Illusionist, by French film-maker Sylvain Chomet, who also made 2003 animated film, The Triplets of Belleville. Shane and I loved The Triplets of Belleville, and when we saw the reviews last year for The Illusionist, I immediately put it on my Netflix queue.

The Illusionist is based on a script by Jacques Tati written in 1956. Tati was a famous French comedic actor and director from the 50s and 60s. He is apparently considered a genius.

The Illusionist takes place in the 50s and is about a magician who finds it difficult to find work in France, so he travels to England and Scotland to find jobs. While on one of these jobs he befriends a young lady who follows him to his next job, and he takes the girl under his wing. He buys things for her and ends up having to find extra jobs to support this girl.

This is very little dialogue in this film, similarly to the The Triplets of Belleville.  However, I have to say this story was not as interesting.  The film is full of oddball characters, but I found myself dozing off at points.  It was actually kind of depressing.  All this illusionist could make disappear was my consciousness.  I do have to say, however, the trailer (below) makes it look good.

Both Elaine Stritch and I Are Still Here

So much for Judgement Day and the end of the world. Sorry faithful religious nuts. We're still here and Jebus still hasn't swept you away to Heaven. At least you can enjoy the great Elaine Stritch belt out "I'm Still Here" from Stephen Sondheim's Follies.

Friday Night Cocktails-Red Currant Diep 9 Genever

Tonight we went out to dinner at Jordan's 8 on 8th Street in  Southeast DC.  I had the grilled salmon and Shane had a filet mignon.  It was very tasty, but we did not have a cocktail with dinner.  Shane had a glass of wine and I had a beer.

However, after dinner, we stopped in at the nearby liquor store to buy lottery tickets and there was a lovely young lady in there providing free samples of cocktails.  The first and best of these was the red currant flavor of the Diep 9 Genever.  We also tried the passion fruit and the apple flavors.  Other flavors include chocolate, vanilla, and peaches & apricot

Genever (pronounced juh-nee-ver) has been Belgium's national spirit for more than 500 years.  According to their website, Diep 9 Genever is "handcrafted from the finest grains and all natural ingredients in Belgium's smallest grain distillery.  Each batch is infused with 9 botanicals, pure juice, or all-natural cream for a fresh taste and ultra smooth finish." BTW, it is 40 proof (20 percent alcohol).

We bought the red currant ($25) and it came with two shot glasses.  You don't down it like a shot, though.  It is meant to be sipped.  I do have to say it is delicious.  There are also mix recipes available on their website.

Tweet of the Day-Megan Amram On the Raputure

So excited for tomorrow! In my family, we open our presents the night before the Rapture!!  @meganamram

"Postal Worker FAIL" from Failblog.org

I'm sorry, but this made me laugh. I really hope this guy didn't die.

Newt Gets Glittered at MN Family Council Event

The Minnesota Family Council is the anti-gay group pushing for the gay marriage ban in Minnesota. This guy is my hero.

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #288

With gunpowder up to $20 a pound, it is almost cheaper to drive.

or

Damn!  I have to pee again.

or

The tricky part is that it's my turn to stop and buy the donuts.

These are my ideas for the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #288.  Let me know if you have any ideas for a caption too.  

Where In the World Is Shane?

Shane is on another trip, but he didn't tell me where he was going.  He just sent me this picture taken out his hotel window.  Does anyone have any idea where Shane has gone?  I know this was taken in mid-afternoon, but it looks rather dark.  The only other clue I have is that he said he was disappointed that he was going to miss Former Ambassador Jon Huntsman's scheduled visit on Friday (Shane is only staying one night).  Isn't Huntsman running for President? 

It's the End of the World as We Know It-May 21

Don't make any plans for next Sunday, because according to the Robert Fitzpatrick (above), it isn't going to come.   Fitzpatrick spent his life savings, more than $140,000, on bus and subway ads in the New York City area claiming the world will end just before 6 pm Eastern time, on Saturday, May 21.

The ads say, "Global Earthquake: The Greatest Ever!  Judgement Day May 21, 2011."  Fitzpatrick also wrote and self-published a book, The Doomsday Code, saying the Bible offers sure-fire proof.  He also has a website with lots more religious mumbo jumbo.

Basically, Fitzpatrick is claiming that there will be a giant earthquake that will leave the Earth uninhabitable.  Apparently, he is a follower of Harold Camping, a radio host who has been wrong before about his end-of-the-world predictions.  Fitzpatrick, a retired engineer, is betting big time Camping isn't wrong this time.

I, for one, will be relaxing on Saturday and, perhaps, enjoying a cocktail.

Maude Video: Bird Watching In Bed

We open the shade next to our bed each morning so Maude can watch the birds land on our neighbor's roof.  The birds are literally a few feet from her.  They have to notice the giant cat nearby, but must know they are safe since they seem to taunt her.

Maudie gets very excited and shivers, whips her tail, clicks, barks, and grunts.  This video is a mild example of this.  Of course when I get the camera out, she tones it down.

Shane worries that bird watching upsets her too much, but I think it gives her something exciting to do during the day.  And before anyone comments, yes, we finally removed the flannel sheets.  They were getting rather furry.

My Newt Post Is Gone-Who Hacked My Website?

Earlier this week (Wednesday), I posted this photo and a short essay with some links that was somewhat critical of Newt Gringrich.  Today, I logged on to see the post had been deleted.  Someone must not have liked me being critical of the Newt and his trampy wife.  I also noticed this exact photo was gone from the Internet.  I saw a similar photo, cropped differently, but not this shot.  Very strange.  Newt has great power.  I realize there was some problem with Blogger, but I still think it strange that only the Newt post is gone.  I shall strive to recreate it.

Newt Loves America (Unless It Gets Cancer)

It is almost too easy to pick on poor Newt Gingrich. There are so many reasons to hate him. He is probably a very intelligent person, but he has made some really horrible choices. Today, he had the audacity to announce he was running for the Office of the President of the United States.  

This is the man who believes that marriage should only be between one man and one woman, unless that woman happens to be racked with cancer.  In that case, it seems to be OK for marriage to be among a man and two or more women. Then he has the balls to criticize President Clinton for his immorality of having an affair.  Kettle, pot.  Pot, kettle. 

Newt's current wife... his third, was the result of an affair he was having on his second wife.  He blamed his affairs on his love for America.  I swear.  I'm not sure what is going on with his wife in the photo (above), but hypnosis may have something to do with all this. 

Click here to read all about his scandals and assholery.  

Friday Night Cocktail--Hawaiian Sea Breeze

This is a home-made cocktail.  The description from the recipe says it is similar to a Bay Breeze, only it is a short, not long, drink.  I don't know what that means.

It is fairly simple:  1 and 1/3 ounces vodka, 1 ounce of pineapple juice, and 1 ounce of cranberry juice.  Just combine them in a shaker with ice, shake, and strain into a cocktail glass.  It also says you should garnish it with a wedge of pineapple, but I didn't bother with it.

It's not bad, but not great.  Maybe it needed the pineapple wedge.

NPR Streams the "Book of Mormon" Soundtrack

National Public Radio (NPR) is streaming the audio to the hit Broadway show, The Book of Mormon, for free for a limited time.  How long of a limited time is anyone's guess.  Shane is taking me to New York for my birthday in August and already got tickets to see this show. 

Previous to releasing the soundtrack on NPR, the show was very limited to what they would release.  There were no video clips as far as I saw, which was unusual--just photos.  The word of mouth, however, was very positive.  It also got 14 Tony nominations recently, the most of any other show for the year. 

NPR warns the audio is filthy, but streams the total content uncensored.  The GOP is threatening to take away NPR's funding, but they aren't bowing to any pressure by restricting anything that may be controversial.  Case in point, listen to the fourth track on the album, "Casa Diga Eebowai," a funny parody of The Lion King's "Hakuna Matada." 

Also, if you are looking for the audio of the actual Book of Mormon, click here. 

Coincidentally, while I was up at my mom's on Mother's Day this past Sunday, two actual Mormons came to the door to promote the Book of Mormon--not the Broadway show.

Starbucks Happy Hour Gets Me In the Door



Photo from Starbucks' website.


There are at least two Starbucks within 100 yards of where I work.  I don't usually frequent Starbucks, since I don't like coffee.  However, my co-worker, Sara, coersed me into going over to get a Frappuccino®.  They have a special running through Sunday where Frappuccinos are half priced during Happy Hour (3 p.m to 5 p.m.). I ran home last night and ran at the gym today at lunch.  I thought I could afford a little treat, so I gave in. 

When we arrived, the line was very long.  But, we didn't let that stop us (though we considered walking across the street to the other Starbucks to see if the line was shorter.  I ordered the smallest size (a tall) Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino. 

They only had three people behind the counter--one taking orders and the other two frantically making a variety of Frappuccinos.  After a long wait and some prodding from Sara, we finally got our drinks. 

My 12 oz cup of chocolate milk with ice and chocolate bits covered in whipped cream and syrup was good, but I can't imagine paying full price for it ($3.75).  Half price was pushing it.  The size I had contained 290 calories, 13 grams of fat (including 7 grams of saturated), and 38 grams of sugar.  Totally not worth it.  If I'm going to consume some empty calories, I'd much rather go for the McDonalds' hot fudge sundae, which only cost $1.

The Daily Show Gives "Santorum" a Google Boost

The Daily Show
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

You have got to Google Santorum. I had no idea.  As Jon Stewart says, Republican Presidential candidate Rick Santorum probably would prefer you didn't Google his last name.

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #287

On second thought, my old proctologist wasn't so bad.

This is my idea for the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #287.  Let me know if you have any ideas for a caption too.  

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

We went up to see mom for Mother's Day today.  She didn't want to go out to eat, so we ordered in some subs and spent the afternoon relaxing.  I got her a fern (her request) and a box of instant oatmeal with flaxseed.   This is her with her cat, Rudy, taken a few years ago.  She'll get mad at me for saying this, but that cat is evil.  She loves him though.  If I try to touch him, he'll draw blood.  I keep my distance.  Happy Mom's day!!

DC House Makeover--The Garden Clean-Up

I did a little work cleaning up and planting some flowers in outside our DC house today.  Here's the result.  I'm not finished.  I want to get more flowers and put down some mulch.  It is always risky putting in flowers before Mother's Day, since they have been know to vanish from the garden.  

BEFORE

AFTER

Friday Night Cocktail--Fusion Martini

Shane and I are eating at Fusion on 8th Street in South East DC.  It is a modern Asian restaurant. For a starter cocktail, I got the Fusion Martini.  It is made with Smirnoff Vodka, Peach Brandy, Peach Schnapps, and Cranberry Juice.  I'm not crazy about the short martini glass, but the drink is very good and definitely worth the $10.

Friday Night Cocktail is going to be a new feature each week on Running With Blue Sponge.

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