See How Deep the Rabbit Hole Goes

Morpheus offers Neo regular strength NyQuil and daytime formula DayQuil

One of my favorite movie concepts is The Matrix. Whether or not the "thrillogy" turned out great doesn't matter to me so much as the ideas of the first thirty minutes of the first film. You know the concept -- that Agent Utah guy from Point Break ("I am an EFF BEE EYE agent!") plays Neo. Neo finds himself stuck in a rut and wants to find out what this whole Matrix deal is about. A group of leather clad folks oblige, showing up to Neo's crib one day. Their leader, Morpheus, lays out the deal. Neo has two choices: 1) the blue pill effectively acting as rohypnol and putting Neo to sleep OR 2) the red pill, which will show Neo "how deep the rabbit hole goes."

I enjoyed the concept because, I believe, there are people in our lives are our own personal Morpheus. People that you meet along the way that open up your world for the better.

In honor of his pending ???th birthday, I salute Jedboy -- one of my Morpheus-like people. While attending BYU, Jedboy and I collaborated on the esteemed public funding of stadiums project. We also collaborated on lunch about eight times a week, mainly because I'm incapable of preparing hot foods.

However, Jed was especially mind opening in the ways of music. Jed enlightened and enlivened my mind and ears with the great sounds of Arcade Fire. Before I heard them, I was mainly a devout fan of Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Hank Williams, and Public Enemy. (Quite a musical platter there). Arcade Fire has quickly vaulted to the top of the ASmith Charts of Excellence, now possessing the coveted spot of second and third best albums I own. (Nothing is ever going to surpass Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here on my charts.)

Jedboy offers ASmith the feather of Arcade Fire's excellence

In honor of Jed's ???th birthday, where'er you are, stand tall, stand firm, straighten your collar, and throw a salute in Jed's direction. Upon finishing the salute, pull up your favorite Arcade Fire song on your iPod or other listening device of choice, turn up the volume, and retrospect rock in honor of those in your life who are friends and family.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Apparently, Ron Howard and Tom Hanks have decided to fast-track ‘Angels and Demons,’ the prequel to ‘The Da Vinci Code,’ due to the looming writers’ strike. I’m excited for the second movie, because I thought that ‘A & D’ was a better book and more suited for a movie adaptation. Of course, I’m not excited to see Hanks’ faux mullet again.

Watch the mullet catch wind and carry Tom to safety!

I’ve recently discussed all the Oscar-potential movies that I wasn’t excited to see this year. It sounds as if I’m not the only one who’s decided that indie films are too depressing. Here’s an article explaining America’s lack of desire to see these dire movies, but rather more escapist fare. Dramas used to really be in vogue around this time of year, but it seems people are more interested in kiddie flicks and horror sequels.

‘Scrubs’ is coming back for its final season, but the creators of the show have decided to tone down the broad comedy a little, reminiscent of the first season. I’m excited about this since the first season is probably my favorite one. Also, look for a ‘Princess Bride’-themed episode this year. Inconceivable!

So, the Jazz are ranked seventh in this week’s ESPN power rankings. I only have one question: how did they move up one spot from last week if they haven’t even played a game yet?

And the Oscar goes to...

In spite of the fact that I think the Oscars, or any other award shows, are pretty meaningless, I can’t help but get caught-up in the whole intrigue surrounding these types of shows. What I mean to say, is that I don’t think because one movie wins Best Picture accolades that it really is the best movie of the year—that goes for actors, directors, etc. However, for the most part, I do think that a lot of the movies that get nominated are note-worthy and sometimes could even be considered landmark achievements in cinema. And since I’m a huge movie buff, I can’t help but take notice of films that receive a lot of Oscar buzz.

It’s mid-October, which is still pretty early to be talking Oscars, but the movie theatres seem to be replete with adult-themed-Oscar-potential films right now. After perusing some of the Oscar contenders I feel a little depressed, which is how I think these films are supposed to make you feel. That is, most of these films seem to tackle the tough and controversial issues that tend to leave the audience in a state of morbid gloom. So, while I’m not jumping at the bit to see most of these movies, I just wanted to give my take on some of the films and actors that have Oscar written all over them:

Atonement – Nineteenth century period drama starring Kiera Knightley.

Hmm…didn’t we already see this movie—'Pride and Prejudice' anyone? It even has the same director. Ok, I won’t slam this too much, because 'Pride and Prejudice' was pretty good. I saw it—in a moment of weakness—with my sisters, mom, and sister-in-law. I really liked it. Anyway, if Kiera and her director-friend can produce the same magic from P & P, than look for some more Oscar noms.

Eastern Promises – Russian mob thriller starring Viggo Mortensen.

Kind of the same thing as Atonement; the director and main star have made a second similar-themed movie together that is receiving rave reviews. Aragorn was in a movie a few years back ('A History of Violence') that was supposed to be excellent. I never saw it, and I probably won’t see this one too, since it’s supposed to be extremely violent and Viggo even fights someone in the nude at one point!

Grace is Gone – Iraq war widower deals with death and life starring John Cusack.

This is one of the few movies that I really wanted to see at Sundance this year, but couldn’t get tickets. First off, I’m a huge John Cusack fan, (see 'Better Off Dead') but also I like the whole role-reversal thing of a husband having to deal with the death of his soldier wife and then having to tell his daughters about it.

In the Valley of Elah – Another Iraq war movie starring Charlize Theron and Tommy Lee Jones.

This one’s sure to have a lot of Oscar potential, since it was written by Paul Haggis, who wrote and co-wrote many of the latest films that earned or were nominated for Oscars (i.e., 'Letters from Iwo Jima', 'Flags of Our Fathers', 'Million Dollar Baby', and 'Crash').

A Mighty Heart – Based on the real-life Marianne Pearl, whose journalist husband died in Afghanistan starring Angelina Jolie.

Eh, I probably won’t see this one either. It’s weird to think that Angelina Jolie did, in fact, win an Oscar many years ago.

Charlie Wilson’s War – I have no idea what this one’s about – starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymor Hoffman, and Amy Adams.

I think the only reason this film is getting so much attention has to do with the fact that all of its stars have either won Oscars or were nominated for them. Even the director has been nominated five times!

Russel Crowe – Starring in 3:10 to Yuma and American Gangster.

Ok, even though this guy has some major anger management issues that he needs to deal with, that doesn’t mean he can’t light up the screen with his dogged acting chops. Shoo-in for an Oscar nod.

Michael Clayton – Cerebral lawyer thriller starring George Clooney.

Critics loved it; the public passed. Oscar voters have fallen in love with Mr. Ocean—look for another best actor nomination.

Cate Blanchett – Starring in Elizabeth: The Golden Age and I’m Not There.

Cate Blanchett is spot-on in anything she’s in. Oscar voters love her and she may just get a nom for playing a guy (Bob Dylan)!

Lions for Lambs – Anti-Iraq war story starring Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, and Robert Redford.

Say what you will about Tom Cruise and his, um, eccentricities; he brings his ‘A’ game in everything he’s in. I think Meryl Streep gets nominations for just being in a movie. Bob Redford is a little hit-and-miss these days when putting out good material.

Denzel Washington – Starring in Ridley Scott’s American Gangster.

Denzel has the goods, what can I say? He won an Oscar for 'Training Day', in which he played one bad mutha—similar to 'American Gangster.'

Daniel Day-Lewis – Starring in There Will Be Blood.

Anytime Day-Lewis ('Last of the Mohicans', 'Gangs of New York') decides to grace the screen with his presence (about once every three years) he always generates a lot of Oscar buzz.

No Country for Old Men – Coen brothers’ modern noir film based on a Cormac McCarthy book.

I haven’t read this book, but I read McCarthy’s other book, ‘The Road’ and was completely floored.

Casey Affleck – Starring in The Assassination of Jesse James and Gone Baby Gone.

So, everyone knows Casey as Ben’s younger brother and as one of the Mormon twins in the Ocean’s movies, but he’s also generating a lot of buzz for his method portrayal of the coward Robert Ford as well as headlining Ben’s directorial debut Gone Baby Gone.

Sweeney Todd – Tim Burton’s murderous barber musical starring Johnny Depp.

Burton and Depp have teamed up on countless occasions (six of 'em) to very crowd-pleasing results, but this film could be what gets them into Oscar contention.

Keri Russell – Starring in Waitress.

I’ve been a huge fan of Keri’s since her 'Felicity' days. This was another Sundance movie that I wanted to see, but couldn’t get tickets. I still haven’t seen it, but maybe more Oscar attention might spur me on to actually buy a ticket.

And now, for your weekly entertainment...

The Office has kind of hit it big recently with Emmy noms and wins, making it onto the cover of Entertainment Weekly, and a slew of the series’ actors taking movie roles. But are you worried that this kind of perfect sitcom can’t last for much longer? Ken Levine offers a cautionary letter to ‘The Office’ actors, writers, et al. All I can say is ‘amen.’

Since the LotR franchise has made like a gajillion dollars and won a cache of Oscars, it seems like making a couple of prequels would be the closest a potential movie could get to a ‘sure thing’ in the film industry. However, the director, Peter Jackson, has been embroiled in a legal battle with New Line (the movie studio that bankrolled the films) over mishandled revenues. New reports have indicated that some sort of détente has taken place between the director and the studio that fast-tracked him to ‘it’ director status. Peter Jackson directing a new Hobbit movie would be awesome, well, it would be ‘precious.’ (Sorry.) Better than these other directors anyway.

So, how ‘bout a ‘Goonies’ sequel? Seems like Corey Feldman is on a role of late, with this and a ‘Lost Boys’ sequel in the works, he can finally leave Corey Haim behind. Watch him break it to his other half that he won’t be in ‘Lost Boys 2.’ Don’t get too sentimental, most of the stuff they do on ‘The Two Coreys’ is scripted.

Have you seen the new Old Navy sweater commercial? I worked at Bold Gravy (heh, heh) for like two years and most of the music that was played continuously over the PA system was so horribly awful that I would get headaches from having to listen to it on a loop all day. But I really like the song from the commercial by a one, Ingrid Michaelson. Take a listen. Also read what she has to say about selling out to GAP, Inc.

One last thing. So, Lindsay Lohan wants to move to Utah, eh? Great, Utah is turning into the backwater for the decrepit, the D-listed, and now the dysfunctional actors. (Yes, that’s alliteration.)

Responding to Fan Mail

I thought for sure that by now you would have a commentary on why
‘Lost’, for the second year in a row, was not nominated for any emmy
awards. The critics are obviously somewhat annoyed with the show's
convolution; else how could a show like "Heroes," with its inferior
storytelling, acting, and overall production value (it's basically a
Lost knock-off), receive any nods? Makes me wonder....

So, my friend wrote me (we’ll call him C. Ewell, no, Casey E.). He wanted to know why I haven’t written anything about the Emmys yet and Lost getting snubbed. First off, Lost should be nominated for best drama, not only because it’s the most amazing piece of television on everyone’s HDTV, laptop, and iPhone right now, but because it was nominated for best acting (Michael Emerson and Terry O’Quinn), best writing, and best directing. Doesn’t best drama mean best acting, writing, and directing? Of course, I personally could care less about the Emmys, Oscars, Grammys, or even Tonys for that matter; it’s just a bunch of hullabaloo decided by stuffed shirts on limited exposure of what they think the “best” of something is. As has recently been discussed, String Theory should be used to decide these types of things (see Applying String Theory to Album Reviews).

More thoughts:

I’m glad to see that 24 got left off the ballot this year. I’m sorry, but season 6 was a joke. If you haven’t seen it yet “you’re just gonna have to trust me. I’m Jack Bauer! I’ve never been wrong!”

Two and a Half Men got nominated again. Boo! Is this show even funny? I’ve never really watched it, but my grandma says it is.

Jason Lee didn’t get nominated. That’s unfortunate; the Emmy deciders are obviously anti-mustache-ites.

John Krasinski failed to receive a nom either; his facial expressions alone should’ve been enough.

The Shat was nominated for best supporting actor in a drama series. I….have….no….opinion….on….that.

Rosebud Rules

The American Film Institute (AFI) voted again on the 100 best movies of all time—Orson Welles’ faux interpretation of media tycoon William Randolph Hearst, Citizen Kane, remained on top. While I appreciate these types of lists I do wonder what goes into making them, especially when considering that twenty-three films got bumped from the original 1998 list (e.g. My Fair Lady, From Here to Eternity, Fantasia, etc.) Are these films not good enough anymore for their stuffy top 100 or are Titanic and The Sixth Sense (new editions) really that much better? Another thing that bugs me about the list is that it skews toward older movies. It’s not like I don’t like watching older movies—some of my favorite movies don’t even have sound (see anything with Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton)--it’s just that I’d like a list that includes up-and-coming filmmakers’ joints. Batman Begins anyone? For these reasons I kind of like IMDB’s top 250 list because it includes foreign films, it’s continually updated, and it’s voted in by fans rather than elitist movie critics. But anyway, here’s the AFI list. I’ve seen fifty-seven of them. How many have you seen? Do you agree with the list? Would your list include recent blockbusters Norbit, Wildhogs, and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer?

For some more fun here’s IMDB’s bottom 100.

1. “Citizen Kane,” 1941.

2. “The Godfather,” 1972.

3. “Casablanca,” 1942.

4. “Raging Bull,” 1980.

5. “Singin’ in the Rain,” 1952.

6. “Gone With the Wind,” 1939.

7. “Lawrence of Arabia,” 1962.

8. “Schindler’s List,” 1993.

9. “Vertigo,” 1958.

10. “The Wizard of Oz,” 1939.

11. “City Lights,” 1931.

12. “The Searchers,” 1956.

13. “Star Wars,” 1977.

14. “Psycho,” 1960.

15. “2001: A Space Odyssey,” 1968.

16. “Sunset Blvd.”, 1950.

17. “The Graduate,” 1967.

18. “The General,” 1927.

19. “On the Waterfront,” 1954.

20. “It’s a Wonderful Life,” 1946.

21. “Chinatown,” 1974.

22. “Some Like It Hot,” 1959.

23. “The Grapes of Wrath,” 1940.

24. “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” 1982.

25. “To Kill a Mockingbird,” 1962.

26. “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” 1939.

27. “High Noon,” 1952.

28. “All About Eve,” 1950.

29. “Double Indemnity,” 1944.

30. “Apocalypse Now,” 1979.

31. “The Maltese Falcon,” 1941.

32. “The Godfather Part II,” 1974.

33. “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” 1975.

34. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” 1937.

35. “Annie Hall,” 1977.

36. “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” 1957.

37. “The Best Years of Our Lives,” 1946.

38. “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre,” 1948.

39. “Dr. Strangelove,” 1964.

40. “The Sound of Music,” 1965.

41. “King Kong,” 1933.

42. “Bonnie and Clyde,” 1967.

43. “Midnight Cowboy,” 1969.

44. “The Philadelphia Story,” 1940.

45. “Shane,” 1953.

46. “It Happened One Night,” 1934.

47. “A Streetcar Named Desire,” 1951.

48. “Rear Window,” 1954.

49. “Intolerance,” 1916.

50. “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” 2001.

51. “West Side Story,” 1961.

52. “Taxi Driver,” 1976.

53. “The Deer Hunter,” 1978.

54. “M-A-S-H,” 1970.

55. “North by Northwest,” 1959.

56. “Jaws,” 1975.

57. “Rocky,” 1976.

58. “The Gold Rush,” 1925.

59. “Nashville,” 1975.

60. “Duck Soup,” 1933.

61. “Sullivan’s Travels,” 1941.

62. “American Graffiti,” 1973.

63. “Cabaret,” 1972.

64. “Network,” 1976.

65. “The African Queen,” 1951.

66. “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” 1981.

67. “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”, 1966.

68. “Unforgiven,” 1992.

69. “Tootsie,” 1982.

70. “A Clockwork Orange,” 1971.

71. “Saving Private Ryan,” 1998.

72. “The Shawshank Redemption,” 1994.

73. “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” 1969.

74. “The Silence of the Lambs,” 1991.

75. “In the Heat of the Night,” 1967.

76. “Forrest Gump,” 1994.

77. “All the President’s Men,” 1976.

78. “Modern Times,” 1936.

79. “The Wild Bunch,” 1969.

80. “The Apartment, 1960.

81. “Spartacus,” 1960.

82. “Sunrise,” 1927.

83. “Titanic,” 1997.

84. “Easy Rider,” 1969.

85. “A Night at the Opera,” 1935.

86. “Platoon,” 1986.

87. “12 Angry Men,” 1957.

88. “Bringing Up Baby,” 1938.

89. “The Sixth Sense,” 1999.

90. “Swing Time,” 1936.

91. “Sophie’s Choice,” 1982.

92. “Goodfellas,” 1990.

93. “The French Connection,” 1971.

94. “Pulp Fiction,” 1994.

95. “The Last Picture Show,” 1971.

96. “Do the Right Thing,” 1989.

97. “Blade Runner,” 1982.

98. “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” 1942.

99. “Toy Story,” 1995.

100. “Ben-Hur,” 1959.