I can’t stop laughing at this.
Month: May 2012
The Greatness of Peter Berg and Battleship The Movie
The first time I saw Peter Berg, he was playing cocky bad boy Dr. Billy Kronk on the medical drama Chicago Hope. The show that featured the amazing Mandy Patinkin as well. Little did I know that just a few years later, he would become one of the most innovative and entertaining writers and directors in Hollywood.
In fact, his greatness is best exhibited by what he does behind the camera and with a pen (I am sure he uses a computer, but I am going for a visual here).
First, I must admit that Peter Berg is a weird guy. He looks weird, he sounds weird. He always puts himself in bit parts in the movies he is involved in. He is as eccentric as they come. But, aren’t most brilliant people a little weird. But, like I always say, “All things amazing start with a little crazy!” (I am not sure if I actually said that or if I heard it. If I stoled it, I am sorry, I can’t remember where I heard it from).
In 1998, he wrote and director a movie called Very Bad Things staring Jon Favreau, Christian Slater and Cameron Diaz. I can only describe this movie as what Hangover, Hangover II and Bridesmads could only hope to be. The movie follows a group of friends at a bachlor party in Vegas and as the title says, Very Bad Things happen to them. There is even a dead hooker in the movie. Check it out if you haven’t seen it.
He directed the critically acclaimed Friday Night Lights and spear headed the hit TV show as well. Friday Night Lights is a movie that is bitter sweet for me as well as being close to my heart. I was raised in Texas and my brother played high school football. His team lost to the team portrayed in the movie during my brother’s senior year. I hate Odessa Permien and that damn MOJO stuff. Peter Berg one hundred percent accurately depicted the insanity of Texas high school football. Great job for a guy from New York.
He also directed Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Garner in The Kingdom. The Kingdom is about a FBI teams investigation of a bombing in Saudi Arabia. It is one of those movies that get’s better every time I see it. And, it is such a intelligent movie. Again, if you haven’t, go see.
He also wrote the movie The Losers which has one of the greatest assembly cast of little to no name actors; Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana, Chris Evans (Captain America), Idris Elba and Columbus Short. Not all well known, but very talented group. That movie has some great lines such as, “Oh my God. I’m the black MacGyver.”
He returned to his acting roots in two great Tom Cruise movies: Collateral and Lions for Lambs. But, his biggest project was recently released.
His latest offering is a little low budget flick known as Battleship. I saw Battleship this weekend and was not disappointed. The drool worthy, but bad acting of Taylor Kitsch couldn’t distract me from what is visually an amazing movie. The alien ships were very unique and utterly terrifying. I really showcased the power of the US Navy in the present and the past. I loved the idea of the old World War II guys coming back to commission the original battleship – US Missouri to save the world. The movie had great pace and was big budget action with a heart and you liked the characters.
From drunken escapades, to intellectual suspense; low budget films with heart to futuristic big budget blockbusters. Peter Berg can do it all.
Can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.
What is your favorite Peter Berg movie? What do you think about board games being made into movies?*
*I have a great post coming up about the movie Clue next month.Writer Wednesday Blog Hop
There he is again. Same time, same place. Doesn’t this guy have someplace to be. Probably not. Look at him sitting there without a care in the world. Sitting there in his faded jeans and scruffy high tops. I wore those shoes when I was in 2nd grade. Grow up already.
Every day, he is just sits there, relaxing. Reading his paper, smoking his cigarette.
“I hate you.” I whisper to myself.
Because, I come here every day, too. But, my demeanor is far from relaxed. I am pretty much in a constant state of panic because I am looking for a job. And have been since I graduated two month ago. Pounding the pavement everyday wearing this uncomfortable outfit void of personal style. But, this is what I am supposed to do.
I scour this paper daily for a job. At this point, I would do anything. But, there is nothing out there. Oh, wait. Here’s something. Wanted: Printer Repair Man.
That’s it. That’s the perfect job for me. If I hadn’t have gone to freakin business school for four freakin years. I am going to be living with my parents forever. I will be 30 years old. Still living in my childhood bedroom. Reading my diary where I portrait my future life as one with a husband, career, children, dream house and a perfect 4 carat asher cut diamond solitaire ring.
You see, this is life’s cruel little joke. Go to school, get an education, find a job, have it all. In that order. No one told me that most of the time, it doesn’t happen like that.
And this one here. He probably didn’t even go to college. He’s probably one of those laid back, go with the flow kind of guys who will never be successful at anything. And the worst part is he probably doesn’t even care. I could never be like him. Or, could I.
I could. I could take his lead. I could sit on this bench all day. With no worries. No problems. I am going to do it. If he gets to do it, why can’t I.
“Hello,” he says into his cellphone.
He has a cellphone. How does slacker boy afford a cellphone?
“Yeah, I am in the park. She kicks me out of the room for a couple hours each day.” He says.
Yep, even his girlfriend can’t stand to be around his laziness.
“There is nothing more they can do for her.”
Is he crying?
“If you want to see her, you need to come soon,” he said, “I gave up everything to spend these last couple of months with her.” He pauses, “Yeah, it was worth it.” He hangs up the phone whips his eyes and smiles at me shyly.
I said the only thing I could think of, “Can I borrow the classifieds section?”
Read more stories based on this photo and 5 words at Writer Wednesday Blog Hop.
First Loves Blogfest
First Movie:
Star Wars: Episode IV New Hope (1977) – I did not see this movie when it was first released, but I feel in love with it before it was redux. But, I did enjoy having the opportunity to see it in a movie theater upon its re-release in 1997. Thanks so much Mr. Lucas.
It was just innovative. That is what I loved about it. It was a cool story and had unlimited possibilities and the underdogs won. This was the beginning of a life long love of any and all things Star Wars.
Best Movie Quote: “May the force be with you.” – That’s to easy.
First Song/Band:
We Go Together – Grease Movie Soundtrack (1978) – It is the first album I ever got and I played this song over and over again. I still know all the world to it.
“Who put the bop in the bop shi bop shi bop? Who put the ram in the rama lama ding dong?” – Classic lyrics right there.
First Book:
How to Eat Fried Worms (1973) – It was original published in 1973 by Thomas Rockwell. Has been reprint several times since then and been turned into a movie. It is a story about a 10 year old named Billy who made a bet with a neighborhood bully. He had to eat 15 worms in 15 days. If he was able to complete this feat, he would win the admiration of his peers and money to buy a brand new bike.
Every year, my elementary school would have a book fair and I was able to buy 20 books at time. It was my favorite day of the year. I got this book at one of those book fairs and have read it at least once a year since.
First Person:
My mom – And, not just because it’s Mother’s Day. My mom is a great lady and she taught me how to love life and be grateful for all my blessings.
I can’t wait to read other people’s first. Thanks to Alex Cavannaugh for a making my Monday better.
My Weekly Update – Mothers, Milestones & More
Happy Mother’s Day!
I wanted to wish my mother. So many women out their take on motherly roles in their every day life. I wish you all a great day as well. I hope that you have someone around to say thank you. And, if you don’t, well, thank you from me.
I haven’t been with my mother for mother’s day for 6 years, now. And, I hate it. Mother’s day is a big deal in my family and my mother is a mother to so many people. She is always taken care of, but I still feel bad that I can’t be there. “She is my mommy.”
My mother is the most brilliant women I know. She had very little formal education after high school, but she is an expert on what ever she need to be. She taught herself bookkeeping, accounting, taxes, property appraisal, and contracting. She knows everything about the NFL (the business side), the music industry, and the publishing industry. She gets along with everyone and everyone loves her. At 67 years old, she is the most capable person I know.
And she does it all with a smile. The most important lesson I learned from my mother is to just enjoy your life. Simple.
Milestones
It was a great week at SydneyAaliyah.Wordpress.com.
I had a record week of views.
I received the Versatile Blogger Award from karensdifferentcorners.wordpress.com. Thanks again, Karen.
I had a very popular post about The Avenger’s Movie Quotes.
And I got a few new followers as well. Welcome:
More Blog Love
- The Peasants Revolt!
- Jillian Dodd Glitter, Bliss and Perfect Chaos
- Empire’s 5-star – My Movie Reviews
- Reasonably Ludicrous
- Kate Foo
Be sure to subscribe to my Blog Love list on Twitter.
This Weeks Schedule
Monday – Post for the Monday First Loves Blogfest Tuesday – Movie Quotes Wednesday- Post for the Wednesday Blog Hop – Need some short story practice Friday – Random Blog Post Sunday – My Weekly UpdateDo you have any great stories about your mom that you would like to share? What was the best part of your week?
Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 