I spent some time updating my WordPress install and cleaning out old plugins and cruft from my database.
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🎧 Listening to Relaxing Breakfast Classics on Spotify
I’ve been stuck on this playlist in the mornings for the past two days.
https://open.spotify.com/album/462SmpBYVuofnMkKjBrCNH
📺 Watched Meet the Patels
Actor/filmmaker Ravi Patel explores trying an arranged marriage in this charming comedic documentary.
This was cute and hilarious. Surely a feat of patience, editing, and storytelling. It reminds me of an Indian version of 20 Dates (Fox Searchlight, 1999), but with Indian parents instead of Elie Samaha pressuring the lead.
🎞 Watched Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Directed by Gareth Edwards. With Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk, Donnie Yen. The Rebel Alliance makes a risky move to steal the plans for the Death Star, setting up the epic saga to follow.
Some good entertainment all around, but not as gripping as past installments. Definitely worth the trip to see it on the big screen though.
The Tarkin CGId character was a bit distracting, but not so terrible because of the dim lighting in most of his scenes. His eyes never seemed to connect with his interlocutors which was annoying. He wasn’t as horrible as the Leia CGI character which went deep down into the uncanny valley in large part because of both the close up as well as the bright lighting.
The casting for the older characters from Chapter IV was reasonably good otherwise. The comedic conceit for the robot stole the entire show. I also wish there’d been more of Mads Mikkelsen who is just awesome in almost everything he does.
After a bunch of skin-of-the-teeth escapes throughout the movie, I am left wondering why the lead characters are left to fate at the end. Was it just to completely leave no thought of additional sequels for them?
Pacific Theaters 18, 322 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210
Screen 03
Seat: Row F, Seat 27a
🎞 Watched Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York's secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school. Directed by David Yates. With Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler.
Significantly different from the Harry Potter films, but still set in the same world. I’d watch it again, but it wasn’t as solid in story as the original series. I saw the twist at the end coming from a mile away, so sadly that wan’t a surprise.
I initially pegged Eddie Redmayne as the British Johnny Depp and wondered why they didn’t cast the latter only to realize why later in the picture.
Having seen the movie Sing earlier in the day, I note that this was the second movie of the day to feature a major structure which was demolished and then rebuilt in a timelapse sequence.
Edwards Alhambra Renaissance 14 & IMAX, E Main St., Alhambra, CA 91801
Screen 9
Seat: Unassigned
📖 On page 127 of 206 of The Science of the Oven by Hervé This
📖 On page 127 of 206 of The Science of the Oven by Hervé This
Chapter 5 has had some of the most useful bits for the experimenting chef.
🎞 Watched Sing
A koala named Buster Moon has one final chance to restore his theater to its former glory by producing the world's greatest singing competition. Directed by Christophe Lourdelet, Garth Jennings. With Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson.
Highly entertaining. Some of the portions reminded me nostalgically of my salad days when I had my own theater.
Pacific Theaters 18, 322 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210
Screen 17
Seat: Row H, Seat 11
📖 On page 88 of 425 of A Riddle in Ruby by Kent Davis
📖 On page 88 of 425 of A Riddle in Ruby by Kent Davis
He’s spending quite a bit of time setting up the world, but it’s an interesting YA novel with some science/technology/alchemy underlying the story.
🎞 Watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
When Harry Potter's name emerges from the Goblet of Fire, he becomes a competitor in a grueling battle for glory among three wizarding schools - the Triwizard Tournament. Starring: Eric Sykes, Timothy Spall Runtime: 2 hours, 37 minutes
Coming down the Christmas homestretch. Nothing better than watching Harry Potter movies through the holidays.
💯 #100DaysOfIndieWeb
I think #100DaysOfIndieWeb exists just so Tantek could use the 💯 emoji on a wiki page at https://indieweb.org/100DaysOfIndieWeb
But, more seriously, this sounds like a good idea. I’m going to have to put some thought into… Looks like Aaron Pareki has got a good jumpstart on things.
🎞 Watched Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry, Ron and Hermione return for their third year at Hogwarts, where they are forced to face escaped prisoner, Sirius Black. Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson Runtime: 2 hours, 21 minutes
Watched again this afternoon while making an apple pie for Christmas eve dinner.
Early Christmas Tamales
Someone stood in a line early this morning at La Azteca in East LA for a horde of Christmas tamales. Since they’re warm, I couldn’t resist having some a day early for breakfast.
🎞 Watched Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry, Ron and Hermione return for their third year at Hogwarts, where they are forced to face escaped prisoner, Sirius Black. Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson Runtime: 2 hours, 21 minutes
The best in the series is great via streaming in HD from Amazon through Roku. Watching while I wrap up Christmas presents.
🎞 Watched Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry returns to Hogwarts, still famous and a hero, when strange thingsstart to happen... people are turning to stone and no-one knows what, orwho, is doing it. Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson Runtime: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Definitely one of the least interesting in the series, but nice to watch a fresh HD copy without any commercials.
🎞 Watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Based on the wildly popular J.K. Rowling's book about a young boy who on his eleventh birthday discovers, he is the orphaned boy of two powerful wizards and has unique magical powers. Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson Runtime: 2 hours, 32 minutes
I’ve been watching an HD DVR’d copy from ABC Family from 5 years ago. I traded up for a high def version from Amazon and was impressed that it’s even clearer. Who can resist a family favorite during the holidays?
