I zipped over to AMC in Westwood Town after work to see "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". Or "Forrest Gump (Without the AIDS)", as it has been called. Or "The Curious Case of How Brad Pitt Got an Oscar Nomination", as I am calling it.

I'm not sure what to think of this. The concept is that of a guy who starts off with the body of an old man, but the mind of a kid who ages backward or at least sideways, I guess. That guy being Brad Pitt, who for most of the movie is playing Brad Pitt. I was struck by how unemotional the departure scenes were. Be it death or the end of a relationship. Sure, people die in a chair when no one is around and relationships have been ended by sliding notes under a door. But if this is a love story, couldn't they have tossed some "I love you"'s in, even though an early character did not want to hear that.

And that love story? An 8-year old kid is gonna look at a 70-year old guy and say, "Yep, he's the one"? That is a major leap you have to get over. A bit creepy, but they finally hook up after many failed attempts, when he's 49 and she's 43 (did they or I even get the math right?) for a "Malcolm in the Middle" or whatever the kids are calling it these days. By that time, Pitt is playing Pitt. He does a good job in the "Ocean's" movies and I think he was really good in last year's "Jesse James" movie. But in this, he's an emotionless guy and pretty much a caretaker so we can have these historical reference points as he gets older/younger. I'm not kidding when I say Keanu Reeves could have done this, and that's why the Oscar nomination is puzzling.

David Fincher, who'll be forever remembered for "Fight Club", directed this movie and it's shot well. I love what he did with the Warner Bros. and Paramount logos at the start, having them filled in with colorful buttons. But he did better work recently with the Tomlinson-Polamalu Nike commercial. And even last year's "Zodiac", which held my interest much better then this, because while this movie is lengthy, as well, it really takes a while to start up.

And with this story, he gets to use Katrina as a plot point for undetermined reasons, except it's New Orleans. I think the fatal plot flaw is Benjamin never questions why he is the way he is, does he gain any wisdom going backward, or is aging this way really a problem for him? It appears not, so then, why the movie?

Meal of Links

Darren Rovell had a chat ealier this week with Vince from "ShamWow!". Vince is cool.

The lineup for Coachella was announced. Macca gets a headlining spot. Looks pretty strong.

America is going smokeless. And smokeless tobacco is less carcinogenic and less gross, too.

Bad Hamster



Exercise Yard

New Hall of Famers for the NFL were announced today. Very underwhelming. Bob Hayes? No way! Derrick Thomas? Hate to say it, but his early death helped him get in. Ralph Wilson, owner of the Bills. Why? I have no issue with Rod Woodson, Randall McDaniel or Bruce Smith. All three very deserving.

BTW, here's how Pittsburgh wins the Super Bowl. No question. It's the Steelers by double digits.

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