Archive for January, 2011

Top Five Reasons It’s Better to Land Your Plane on a Highway than a Runway

Hope they have E-Z Pass for the GWB.

5. It’s fun to go through a Burger King drive-through in a Tecnam P92 Eaglet.

4. Fuel for an hour of flight, $100; Flying lessons,$6,000 ; Seeing the drivers’ faces as you barrel towards them on a major highway, priceless.

3. You don’t have to put up with those bossy air traffic controllers.

2. It’s like a real-life disaster reel out of Flight Simulator X.

And the number one reason…

1. Landing lights are for sissies!!!

Seriously, we are happy no one was hurt.

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We Know Gas in New Jersey is Expensive but…

Guess they have to pay for the oil spill clean-up somehow!

We saw this in Manahawkin this weekend.  Needless to say we went further down the road to fill the tank.

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Movie Review – Jeff Bridges Special – Tron : Legacy & True Grit

Tron : Legacy

After seeing the new The new Tron movie, I walked out wondering one thing :  Where was Tron? The fact that this movie is called Tron : Legacy doesn’t really make any sense as he is barely in it. But more about that later. The storyline is a direct sequel to the first film so it is good to be familiar with it if you are going to see this one. The 28 years difference is one of the longest for mainstream theatrical sequels. The first film is known primarily for groundbreaking visuals and style, not for the weak story. However, in the first film what was happening inside the computer had a parallel  to what was happening in the real world. While Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) is inside the computer in the first film, the events that are occuring are an abstract version of what the computer is being used for in reality, like a wild imagination of how the computer is getting the work done that you give it. Flynn is trying to access information and the Tron program helps him get it out. The events were connected. In the new movie, there is no such connection what so ever. Although after thinkning about it a bit, that may be a good thing. It would have probably come out as a horrible heavy handed commentary. Of course, there is a line in the trailer and commercials that says our worlds are more connected than you realize. The argument you would have to make for that idea would be very weak at best.
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State Theater NJ – STOMP

Back to the State Theatre with All New Surprises
STOMP

Bring canned food in support of Elijah’s Promise and STOMP OUT HUNGER

Friday, February 11, 2011, 8pm; Saturday, February 12, 2011, 3pm & 8pm

$67, $57, $52, $42, $32

Plus, FREE chocolate tastings by Thomas Sweet before each performance

Ticket Office: 732-246-SHOW (7469)

New Brunswick, NJ (January 27, 2011)—State Theatre presents STOMP, the international percussion sensation on Friday, February 11, 2011 at 8pm and Saturday, February 12 at 3pm and 8pm. From its beginnings as a street performance in the UK, STOMP has grown into an international sensation over the past 13 years, having performed in over 350 cities in 36 countries worldwide. STOMP is part of the State Theatre’s winter festival, Hub City Carnivale, three weeks of performances, activities, and attractions for all ages. Prior to each STOMP performance there will be a FREE chocolate tasting in the State Theatre lobbies, courtesy of Thomas Sweet in New Brunswick (with purchase of STOMP ticket). Tickets range from $32-67.

“We’re making STOMP very affordable for all audiences this February. So share this exhilarating show with your whole family!” states Daniel Grossman, Vice President of Marketing at the State Theatre. “Just mention STOMP7 when you call for tickets and you’ll save $7 per ticket. That means Broadway quality close to home for as little as $25 per ticket, or $60 for the best seat in the hall. What a deal!”

STOMP OUT HUNGER! State Theatre in partnership with Elijah’s Promise will hold a food drive during the performances of STOMP to benefit the Elijah’s Promise Food Pantry in New Brunswick. People can help by bringing in non-perishable food items such as: canned fruits and vegetables, tuna, pastas, rice, and beans when they come to see STOMP. Those who cannot make the show can still drop off food items at the Ticket Office from February 11-13 during office hours.

STOMP, an overwhelming success marked by rave reviews, numerous awards, and sell-out engagements, is the winner of an Olivier Award for Best Choreography (London’s Tony Award), a New York Obie Award, a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatre Experience, and a Special Citation from Best Plays. The young performers “make a rhythm out of anything we can get our hands on that makes a sound,” says co-creator/director Luke Cresswell. Stiff-bristle brooms become a sweeping orchestra; Zippo lighters flip open and closed to create a fiery fugue; wooden poles thump and clack in a rhythmic explosion. STOMP uses everything but conventional percussion instruments—trashcans, tea chests, plastic bags, plungers, boots, and hubcaps – to fill the stage with compelling and infectious rhythms.

Critics and audiences have raved: “STOMP is as crisp and exuberant as if it had opened yesterday,” says The New York Times. The San Francisco Chronicle declares “STOMP has a beat that just won’t quit!” The Los Angeles Times exclaims: “Electrifying! Triumphs in the infinite variety of the human experience.” “A phenomenal show! Bashing, crashing, smashing, swishing, banging and kicking—a joyous invention!” says the Chicago Tribune.

STOMP is directed and created by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas.

For tickets or more information, call the State Theatre ticket office at 732-246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org. The State Theatre ticket office, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10am to 6pm; Wednesday 11am to 7pm; Saturday 1pm to 5pm; and at least one hour prior to curtain on performance dates. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 517.

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New NBA Team In Jersey?

Go Ahead! Move To Brooklyn!

A new basketball team in Jersey ? According to Gov. Christie, he is in the process of lobbying for a new basketball team with NBA Commissioner David Stern. With the Nets moving to Brooklyn in a few years, Christie believes this is a perfect opportunity to bring a third NBA team to the tri-state area. Ummm yeah.

Christie goes on to state that the Prudential Center and Newark itself have all the resources available and the most updated facilities to host another NBA team in Newark . Not only would it be good for the residents of Jersey, but for the quality and renaissance of Newark itself. And yes, we could use a little renaissance in Newark .

David Stern, the commissioner of the NBA, was not so enthusiastic over the idea as he is worried that even though the tri-state area is big enough for three teams, there may be problems with finding a fan base for a third team. With the Nets playing in our state for a little over three decades, that other state over the river (yes, New York) still has plenty of Knicks fans in the Garden State. A main part of the reason the Nets are moving to Brooklyn is the fact that they have one of the lowest fan attendances in the league. And even after moving to a more urban setting in Newark, where there is more public transportation and easier access to the arena, the Nets are only averaging twenty more fans a game! Only twenty more people are showing up to the Prudential Center then when the games where played in East Rutherford at the IZOD Center. Certainly not cause to lobby for another team to come here when we can’t even get residents now to attend the games.

If we do get another team, will you come out? What would you like to name it? The New Jersey Blizzards? The Newark Brewers? Please share your thoughts…..

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Movie Review – The Dilemma

The Dilemma is a movie about a guy witnessing his best friends wife cheating on him and then trying to figure out if and when to tell him. But it gets a lot more complicated than that. Ronny Valentine (Vince Vaughn) has the dilemma and spends the film trying to juggle the increasingly complex variables of the situation, much to the confusion of his wife and everyone around him. Ronny and his best friend, Nick (Kevin James) are on the verge of making a deal with Dodge to make a cool hybrid. Being that Nick is the brains of the duo, Ronny doesn’t want to jeopardize his successful completion of the engine at this critical stage. From there things get a lot more complicated.
This is a high concept movie that can be summed up in one sentence. When you watch a movie like this, there are bases that you expect them to cover and you look for those. But what is nice is when a movie does more than cover the bases and gives you something extra. That is the feeling that I had here. This film is a comedy, but with a lot of drama driving it. The clash in tones sometimes leaves the movie feeling a little stagnant. Vince Vaughn gives a more toned down grown-up performance here while still going into his trademark riffs from time to time, most notably in a funny toast scene. But he successfully pulls off the drama which was nice to see. Winona Ryder gives a good performance as his nemesis. Even thought the set-up is like a sitcom storyline, the payoffs show more subtlety and maturity.
This movie is about flaws and mistakes that people make, the effects of keeping secrets on relationships, and  the different reasons why we do so. This is a solid and some-what thought provoking movie that only suffers when it seems confused about whether it should be a comedy or drama in tone.

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Signs of New Jersey

At your own risk…

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Things to do in Jersey – January 28 29 30 2011

A selection of events taking place in the Garden State this weekend.

(more…)

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NY Jets AFC Championship Game Review

Jets Did Not Put Their Best Foot Forward

NY Jets 19, Pittsburgh Steelers 24

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! That is the slogan being generated by Jets fans and Rex Ryan haters from North to South Jersey today. Why didn’t the Jets talk trash this week? Why didn’t Rex Ryan fire up and put pressure on the opposing team? Why did they sleep through the first half? Why, why, why? Why did the Jets lose?

There are plenty of excuses for this loss and not enough humility. The Jets played a team that is almost an exact duplicate to how they play football and they were beaten at their own game. How did the Jets lose to a replica team? Experience on the part of the Steelers. As with the Jets, the Steelers have been to the championship game before, the difference is that the Steelers know how to win the championship games, something this young and fierce Jets team has yet to learn.  They know how to sneak a hot dog on the sidelines.

This is now two years in a row the Jets have been bridesmaids and three years in a row for Rex Ryan. I am left to think  that the Jets are sick of being second best and will carry this fire and resentment into next season. Coach Ryan stated at his press conference after the game that the Jets “will not change anything” and “will be the same team next year and play the same way.”  By that he means, the same trash talking, overcoming adversity, and being a defensive-minded team first.

Although I am sad the Jets and Giants are done for the season, I cannot help but think how good the Jets will be next season. Quarterback Mark Sanchez will have another year under his belt, the Jets defense will have another year together, and Rex Ryan will be eager to get back to that championship game and this time finally win it.

It is going to be an eventful offseason and I am looking forward to following both the Jets and the Giants camp. Stay tuned for next year…….

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Kevin Smith Buys ‘Red State’ From Himself

New Jersey’s favorite film maker, Kevin Smith, made headlines today when he bought his own film and announced that he plans to distribute it himself.

‘Red State,’ a horror movie satirizing Christian fundamentalism and radical conservatives was protested by the kooks at Westboro Baptist Church at Sundance. Moviegoers staged their own protest with silly posters and song-singing which made fun of Phelps’ church. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Smith’s SModcast Pictures will take the movie around the country with no marketing budget and he hopes to prove to the industry that anyone can distribute a movie without the blessing and wallet of the big Hollywood movie companies.

Smith also announced that his next film will be his last.  It seems like he’s finally fed up with trying to play with the big boys.  Let’s be honest…  ever since he “went Hollywood” his movies have basically sucked.

Read more from the Hollywood Reporter here: ‘Red State’s’ Kevin Smith Buys Own Film for $20 – Risky Business.

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