[[imdb:0290334 X2]] is the latest installment of the X-Men comicbook movie adaptations. It mostly picks up where the last movie left off, only now the different factions of X-Men must band together to fight off carefully crafted anti-mutant sentiments.

I didn’t know much about this movie when I sat down to view it, and that might have helped my enjoyment. I also never read the comics, so I would have expectations and therefore no let down there. I appreciate the fairly heady themes that are presented in this movie, you could view the strifes the mutants have in the world of men as a thin metaphor for any outsider.

The effects are amazing, which almost goes without saying now. The actors all do a fine job, and wow is Famke Janssen hot.

Overall, this movie was very entertaining.

I just returned from my 6 day stay in Delaware, with my family. It was a very nice trip, I think the best Christmas holiday I’ve had in years. I’m not sure why I feel this way, it may be that it was just really nice to be surrounded by loved ones after this very trying year. It was also sort of a reminder about what is really important in life.

It was really nice to be able to hang out with Meegan, I hadn’t seen her since last Christmas, which is borderline criminal I think. I must get over to visit this year, before she leaves Switzerland. She went with me to the mall for my last minute shopping, it was great to have some time to hang out with her, it had been a very long time since that had last happened.

My parents had their annual Holiday party. We had it before Christmas this year on a workday, which decreased the attendance somewhat. A lot of people showed up in the later hours. Kristin was the only friend who managed to make it, although I didn’t ask all that many people. It seems that most people are not in town that long before Christmas, especially when Christmas lands at the end of the week. I tried calling quite a few people, but to no avail.

During the party, Kurt W. called me to see if there was a chance in hell that I could go brass caroling with the old high school group. I haven’t gone for the past four years as I would always be flying in from California at thethe last minute. But I brought my trumpet in the off chance he would still call me, and he did.

We ended up only having 4 people, two tubas and two trumpets. Kurt and the others came and picked me up around 7:30, and we played (warmed up) for the remaining party-goers. It was a disaster — Diane foisted the 1st trumpet part on me, and I haven’t really picked up my trumpet in 4 years. I was squeaking and cracking all over the place, and I was quite embarassed at this public display of crap. But we got better over the course of the night, even if we only ended up hitting 6 or so locations.

It was fun, and I’ve got a somewhat renewed confidence, I really thought I had completely lost my trumpet playing. I really plan on showing up ready to rock next year. I think I will even psyche myself up for playing at the Wail concert at the Christina Mall — a first for me. I’m entertaining the thought of joining some sort of community orchestra or band. Something to keep me going.

I also plan on starting the piano back up again. Which reminds me that I forgot to bring home my old books and sheets of music. Dang, I’ll have to get them next time. I’m also really thinking about buying a full 88, weighted-key, keyboard/synth. I’ve really wanted the Kurzweil K2600 for years, but I’m debating whether I really need a workstation, versus a really good controller (smart vs dumb), as I can just use my computer as the workhorse.

I also produced my first trance mix last Friday night, which I burned to CD for Matt. It certainly isn’t great, but I think it’s not terrible for a first attempt. I used DSS DJ, a software package that allowed you to mix two audio files as though they were running on two turntables. I think it has a few problems though, as its beat detection seems to make it jump around within the song. Anyway, an interesting start.

Just got a random IM from an old co-worker from SRI. He’s in Cary visiting his parents, so we’re going out for brunch tomorrow. I chose Nofo, so I’ll be able to head over to the office afterwards to help setup the new office. Anyway, it’ll be good to catch up, I haven’t seen him in at least 3 years.

Hope everyone had a great holiday, and has a terrific New Year.

[[imdb:0292506 The Recruit]] is an interesting, but Hollwood, look at the way CIA agent are trained. James Clayton (Colin Farel) is recruited into the training program, but soon gets lost in a web of deceit.

This movie isn’t the most original or complicated, although I think it tries to be both. Not to sound like a know-it-all, but I saw the ending from the very beginning. But this is Hollywood, so its all about entertainment, so I could suspend my disbelief.

I also take slight issue with some of the dramatic license used, I really doubt some of the tactits shown would actually be used by the CIA.

Anyway, not much of a review, but the movie was worth seeing. And kudos for whoever got Clayton using Opera instead of Internet Explorer, I think that’s a first.
On the other hand, I’ll have to take points away from the screen dumps of seemingly Visual Basic code that Clayton is typing. Shahhhh, whatever.

[[imdb:0314353 Tears of the Sun]] is yet another military action/drama, about a soldier who defies orders, saves innocent people’s lives, and becomes the hero. Its not really that original a story, but its entertaining enough.

I’m not a huge fan of Bruce Willis, I’ve never seen much range in his acting. Monica Belluci is beautiful as ever, but her character makes me want to strangler her. She’s quite unappreciative of the danger she has put herself in, which just annoys me.

There are certainly plot issues with this movie, but I appreciate the reality that this movie sheds some light on — there are conflicts going on all over the world where atrocities are being committed, and we’re not doing a damn thing.

Technically, the war tactics are probably pretty good. The idea that a 15-20 year career military man would suddenly blatantly defy orders is highly unlikely, as is a SEAL team burdened with 30 or so civilians taking on a group 10 times bigger. But so be it, its a movie.

[[imdb:0289043 28 Days Later]] is Danny Boyle’s latest movie. Its a zombie, disaster, sci-fi, horror picture, and wow, is it a good one.

I’ve been a fan of Boyle’s ever since I saw the classic Trainspotting in 1996, and have enjoyed some of his other works like The Beach and Shallow Grave. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this film, having only remembered the name and the that I thought it looked interesting from a trailer I saw.

Technically, the film has some impressive effects. The world of 28 Days Later has been ravaged by a viral pandemic, killing millions and leaving the cities fairly desolate. To see London empty was a remarkable achievment, both via effects and completely closing down roads and highways. It was also shot completely on digital video, which added a nice noisy, grungy, urban feel to the scenes.

The movie touches on some good ideas and can make you think about where our society is going and what could really happen. It is pretty much up to you whether this is a cerebral or purely entertaining experience though.