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The new trailer is out for this summers Star Wars: The Clone Wars. You must see it!

Popularity: 44% [?]

I had the great opportunity to see Prince Caspian, on opening night. My entire family is seeing it on Sunday, whilst I’m at work. So, the wife allowed me to stay out late and see it at the first chance. I ended up going alone. I’m a bit unique when watching movies, so it’s no loss to me to attend the theater alone.

I am a huge fan of The Chronicles of Narnia. Next to The Lord of The Rings, the Narnia series is one of the best set of stories in the English language. Yes I know, there are so many, and I’m sure I’d agree with your favorites too. I read them as a child, multiple times. I’ve even read them to my daughter. Well, actually I read the first two, then she started reading them to me. We have only one left to be complete. Next I’ll set my sights on my boys.

I enjoyed the film, as a stand alone project. It was entertaining and was somewhat how I imagined many important parts from the book. Unfortunately, there were a few issues I didn’t like and I think they detract from the message of the book.

This book is important because it sets the stage for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. It demonstrates that the people of Narnia, and the surrounding countries, are quick to forget the truth of their ancestry and their beginnings.

I didn’t quite like Peter’s scuffle in the Underground Station. He was clearly fighting for trivial reasons and I wouldn’t expect that from High King Peter, the Magnificent. Additionally, Peter’s role would have been to lead the leaders, and Caspian did not take as much issue with Peter’s decisions in the book. Caspian would have been properly obedient to Peter.

The last problem I had was with Susan’s infatuation with Caspian, or was it the other way around? There’s no way a proper Queen of Narnia would have kissed a man whom was not her husband, especially in public. The liberalization of these issues cheapen the story and Lewis work on the whole.

Oh yeah, and Prince Caspian sure seemed to whine a lot. Peter communicated his intentions, and Caspian didn’t take issue like a noble, he whined about it. He sounded like it hurt his feelings that Peter didn’t consult him first. Just silly.

However, other than these few problems, I still loved the film and am proud to have spent my voting dollars on its opening weekend.

Popularity: 86% [?]

This summer has a huge list of great potential blockbuster films being released. I’m curious about some, and down right excited about others. Here’s the list, in order of release date…

• Iron Man
• Speed Racer
• The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
• The Dark Night
• Kung Fu Panda
• Hancock
• Get Smart
• WALL-E
• The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
• The Clone Wars

OK, so the last one isn’t a theater release. But, it must be on there! Any continuation of the Star Wars saga must always be included.

Now, some of these you might have skipped, and that is your right. I, however, am very excited about each of these.

If I remember, I’ll try to review each of them, as I see them.

Popularity: 90% [?]

So, heading into my weekend, this past week, I wanted to head out hiking with the family again. When I was young, I hiked a lot. In my young adult years, I hiked a lot too. Wanting to pass this on to my own kids, I’ve recently decided that we’re going to get out in the real outdoors at least once a month. Plus, hiking is good exercise for this fat guy.

I hit the internets looking for some pointers, cause most of the local good spots are a bit tired.

While drilling down from “ventura county day hikes”, I found a cool park in Simi Valley, CA. It’s called Corriganville Park. What makes it cool is its history. Corriganville Park used to be Corriganville Ranch, which used to be a prime location for Hollywood to head to the hills for some good old fashioned western films. It seems that Ray Corrigan bought the property back in 1937 for $11,354. Corrigan built up the property over the course of years for a variety of films like,

• Colorado Sunset, with Gene Autry
• Down Mexico Way, with Gene Autry
• The Lone Star Vigilantes, with Tex Ritter
• On the Old Spanish Trail, with Roy Rogers,
• Fort Apache, with John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and Shirley Temple
• and even the television show, Adventures of Rin Tin Tin

There’s quite a bit of history packed into that nice corner of Ventura County. If you’ve never seen it, I recommend you take an afternoon or morning and wander around a little bit. You won’t be sorry.

Dotted around the trails, which run all over the place, you’ll find signs detailing where once stood the structures used for these many films.

Our kids had a great time climbing all over the few pieces left from what was clearly once a great location for filming. Head over and check out my photoset from that day.

Popularity: 41% [?]

One of the best movies I have seen in my entire life. I wrote that within moments of the credits rolling.

Last night, we rented Stranger Than Fiction. During the film, I couldn’t help but say to myself over and over again, “This is a great film.” There was no unnecessary sex, viloence, swearing, or filth. There WAS, a nice clean simple story of a man discovering that he was missing something and he wanted more.

I’m no movie critic. But I do love a good moving picture. The wife and I have spent years building our movie library and when I say, “this one’s worth buying,” I mean it’s a good one. Let me tell you, this one’s worth buying.

Will Ferrell stars as Harold Crick, a slightly OCD IRS agent who counts everything. Maggie Gyllenhaal co-stars as Ana Pascal, the free spirit bakery owner who steals Harold’s heart. Who would have thought that a tatooed anti-government bakery owner would fall in love with an OCD IRS agent?

I will tell you that last night I told the wife that I saw a little of us in Harold and Ana. If you didn’t know yet, I’ll tell you a secret. I’m a little OCD. Additionally, the wife is a semi-free spirit, <whisper>and she has a tatoo.</whisper>

Anyway, go rent and/or download Stranger than Fiction. (legitamately: iTunes, XBLM, Amazon Unbox) or (illegitamately: Torrent/Xvid)

You’ll thank me.

Popularity: 33% [?]