Pineapples or Coconuts

Hi everyone!  I know, I know…where have I been you ask?  Well, to tell you the truth, Warren and I have been really busy lately and I just haven’t had a lot of opportunity to write.  When I seem to have the time, I have been feeling too tired to write, find pictures, and post an entry.  I will get back to normal, with a few posts each week…just bear with me.

This past week, as you know, Warren and I have been battling colds – with Warren’s lasting much longer than mine did.  He seems to be doing better over the past couple of days, but it still lingers…as colds do.  I still have a slight catch in my throat…dry cough at times, but all is good.  I have been busy working, and getting ready (planning) for a couple days away next Monday and Tuesday when Warren and I head to Minneapolis for “The Killers” rock concert at the Northrup Auditorium.  Although Warren is not a rocker at heart, I’m thinking he is really going to enjoy this concert.  We have 3rd row seats in the balcony, so should have a good view of the band.  I have not only purchased tickets to the concert, but also made hotel arrangement to ensure that we were all set when we get there.  I have 1 1⁄2 days off work next week, just taking some time off to get away and enjoy some quality time with my partner – it will be a great time for sure!

Anyway with all of that said, last week I never let you know about my pick for the “HOT DVD Release of the Week”, so here it is.

Pineapple Express: While it might sound outlandish to speak of THE PINEAPPLE EXPRESS in the same sentence as CITIZEN KANE, in its own little neck of the cinematic woods the Judd Apatow/Seth Rogen comedy is perhaps just as groundbreaking. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to think of another film that blends so seamlessly pitch-perfect stoner babble with high-octane action sequences. Dale Denton (Rogen), a process server with a weed fixation, witnesses a murder and turns to his dealer, Saul (James Franco), for support. The murderer is actually Saul’s main drug supplier, and because of Saul’s access to some extremely rare high-grade pot (called Pineapple Express) the two are quickly tracked down and put on the run. Like all Apatow/Rogen vehicles, the movie deals with the theme of men succumbing to adulthood and all the adjustments they are forced to make in the process. However, unlike KNOCKED UP and THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, PINEAPPLE EXPRESS is just too wacky to offer any lessons. Still, there’s more going on here than giggles and the munchies. Indie director David Gordon Green (SNOW ANGELS) brings a subtle auteur’s touch to the proceedings, approaching the smoking scenes with his distinctively loose feel and giving the action sequences a wonderfully dated sheen that makes them look more like a fight from KNIGHT RIDER than the empty flash of 21st-century blow-‘em-ups. It is Franco, however, who truly steals this movie–he hasn’t been this charming since his days on FREAKS AND GEEKS. There’s only so many ways to play a stoner, but Franco puts his own endearing, lovable spin on the type, portraying Saul as a kind-hearted, well-intentioned yet hardcore dope smoker. Rogen and Apatow have proven themselves a nearly unstoppable juggernaut; here’s hoping they bring Franco along on the ride a little more often.

Warren and I went to see the film when it was in the theaters late last year, and I also picked up a copy of the DVD over the weekend – a very funny movie.  Unfortunately, a title that isn’t stocked at our local Best Buy store is my second choice for last week, “He Likes Guys”.  This looks to be an interesting collection of short stories for all my fellow gay men out there.  I’m sure Warren will be looking for a copy himself, right pal!

Here’s a quick look at the DVD….

He Likes Guys: This nice big package of gay men’s shorts showcases some of the best films of the year, fresh from the gay and lesbian film festival circuit.  This release features eight acclaimed gay-themed, male-oriented short films, including “Steam,” “Silver Road,” “Traces,” “Just,” “Laundromat,” “Seeing You in Circles,” “Waiting for Yvette,” and “Babysitting Andy.”

So, will it be “pineapples” or “coconuts” for you?  How about one of each!  Well there you go, a couple of fun DVDs to choose from and to possibly add to your collection, I know mine seems to grow more and more each week – my DVD collection that is – although over the weekend Warren and I had a couple “special times” as well!

As you may all know by reading my partner Warren’s writings about our daily lives on “The View On Superior”, we have started a Weight Watchers program.  We are both looking to drop a few unwanted pounds, and because we aren’t able to exercise as much right now with the weather, we are trying to eat much more sensibly in order to get ready and be in better shape for spring.  So, we both lost a few pounds our first week, and decided to use up some of our “flex points” on the Weight Watchers program by having some popcorn and a pop at the movies on Saturday.  We went to see “Gran Torino” with Clint Eastwood, and I have to say that this was truly a great film.  The story goes…

Gran Torino: Clint Eastwood stars as Walt Kowalski, a widower who holds onto his prejudices despite the changes in his Michigan neighborhood and the world around him. Kowalski is a grumpy, tough-minded, unhappy an old man, who can’t get along with either his kids or his neighbors, a Korean War veteran whose prize possession is a 1972 Gran Torino he keeps in mint condition. When his neighbor Thao, a young Hmong teenager under pressure from his gang member cousin, tries to steal his Gran Torino, Kowalski sets out to reform the youth. Drawn against his will into the life of Thao’s family, Kowalski is soon taking steps to protect them from the gangs that infest their neighborhood.

The theater was packed, and for good reason; with Warren and I captivated within the story for almost two hours.  What a great film this was, and my feelings are that Clint definitely deserves an award as recognition for his great work in this film.  I loved the movie, and it’s by far the best film so far this year – although it’s still early!  By all means, go see this movie, it was wonderful.

Well, that is about all for today.  I hope to be back again in another day or two to let you know more of my thoughts on cinema, and for my DVD pick(s) of the week.  Enjoy the beginning of the week and I will talk to you again soon.

Steve