Are you Ebert or Roeper?

Boston is apparently a popular place to shoot movies - three different films are shooting (or about to shoot) in the metro area. For those who like to keep score the movies are Bachelor No. 2, a remake of The Women, and Pink Panther 2.

America has really been clamoring for that last one.

Anyway, I spotted The Women shooting while I walked home from the office a couple of days ago. Yesterday I was waiting in line to buy some yogurt at a little market on Charles St. when I overheard a well-dressed couple behind me discussing the action in the neighborhood.

She: I saw them shooting. I didn't see Meg Ryan.
He: What were they shooting?
She: Something on Newbury St. Except they had yellow cabs outside that said New York.
He: Really? So they are shooting Boston for New York.
She: I think so. That is just too bad.
He: I hate when they do that. That's just terrible.
She: It ruins the movie.

The 1939 version of The Women is a George Cukor classic about women, class, sex, and love. It's campy, it's funny, it's melodramatic, it has Joan Crawford.

Do you know who is playing the Joan Crawford - America's most terrifying actress - role in the update?

Eva Mendes.

If the movie is bad, I hardly think it will be the fault of shooting Boston for New York.

Enjoy the show

Saturday it was around a million degrees, so we headed out to the local cinema to escape the heat.

I suggested that we see Death at a Funeral since I'd read it was fairly decent.

The movie is okay - I called it the British version of Superbad but with older folks.

Anyway, the point of my story is that this is the third weekend in the past month where we attended a movie with lots of chatters. But they weren't surly teen chatters, they were middle aged and senior chatters with unruly guts.

Death at a Funeral is a quiet film, despite being a "mad cap comedy" - there isn't a lot of loud incidental music or sound effects. So during the quiet times we were treated to the delicious cinematic analysis of our fellow film-goers.

This happened when we saw the restored version of The Long Goodbye several weeks ago and then when we saw Once just a couple weeks back. A herd of older ladies rolled in and chatted through the entire film.

Maybe people forget they aren't at home. Maybe they just wanted to escape the heat. Maybe they didn't notice they were in a movie theater.

Or maybe I'm just being ageist - apparently the AARP set can be just as clueless and inconsiderate in public as the rest of us.

BRP 45: Fear and Loathing in California

This week Derek, Deeps and I discuss Flight of the Conchords, the third episode of Flash Gordon (Derek says it is "getting better"), the second episode of Californication, exile and lipstick on Mad Men, and functional drunks. Then we get kind of spoilery on the Jekyll finale - so be warned!

Plus we offer listener shout-outs!

Listen to this week's episode.

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August, Schmogust - I have a stuff for you

A lot of people take August off - they vacation, they don't blog, and they don't podcast.

I believe August is for generating free content - blog entries and podcasts for everyone! I cannot guarantee that it is all gold, but I try.

On episode 44 - Derek, Deeps and I talk about Jasper Fforde's novel The Fourth Bear, Superbad, Flash Gordon's second episode, the premiere of Californication, Jekyll, and why you might have a shot of seeing the King of Kong - a movie we first talked about a few months ago.

Plus We get excited about the renewal of Flight of the Conchords. Then I beg for iTunes feedback.

Listen to the latest episode.

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Like birdwatching

On Friday night we decided to walk to dinner. It was a nice evening, the weather sun was low in the sky and we strolled through the neighborhood towards delicious vittles.

We were only a few blocks from our house when we heard this kind of unusual sound.

Deeps: What's that?
Me: Birds?
Deeps: Is someone crying?
Me: Maybe an animal is injured?

We walked ahead and discovered balloons and banners noting a High School Musical party at someone's house. The sound we heard was young girls singing along to HSM, anxiously awaiting the debut of HSM2.

Deeps: So that is the sound of teenage girls singing?
Me: I think they might be pre-teens. When you're actually in High School you're not interested in High School-oriented pop culture.
Deeps: What?
Me: I call it the Seventeen effect. You don't read Seventeen magazine when you're actually 17. You read it when you're like... 12 because you aspire to be older.
Deeps: Wow. Girls have complicated lives.
Me: Tell me something I don't know.

The great tomato massacre

This morning I made a terrible discovery while watering my little veggie patch - the groundhog, aka Hoggy, likes tomatoes.

I found several big red tomatoes, ready for picking and still on the vine, partially eaten. Hoggy has bothered with my bell or jalapeno peppers. But the tomatoes are toast - bruschetta perhaps?

Anyway, I've got to start waging my war against Hoggy. I thought we could co-exist peacefully - with my cat staring at him through the window as he sunned himself in the yard. He could eat my hostas, but the tomatoes are off limits.

And so it begins. Let loose the dogs (or cats) of war. I gotta find some mothballs... and maybe Bill Murray.

Nature's Alarm Clock

I overslept this morning. Whoops.

But luckily, I was awakened by the dulcet tones of a jackhammer. And then another jackhammer. And then the sounds of dudes yelling over the jackhammer.

Ah - the death throes of summer construction. How I love thee so. Just another reason why I think August is the greatest month of the year.

Episode 44: Superbad and the insecurities of men

This week Derek, Deeps and I talk about Jasper Fforde's novel The Fourth Bear, Superbad, Flash Gordon's second episode, the premiere of Californication, Jekyll, and why you might have a shot of seeing the King of Kong - a movie we first talked about a few months ago.

Plus We get excited about the renewal of Flight of the Conchords. Then I beg for iTunes feedback.

Listen to this week's episode.

Subscribe to the podcast with iTunes or your favorite podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.

Galore!

Did you listen to all the Big Red Podcasts this week?

I don't think so.

First we had our usual podcast where we covered the new Flash Gordon show, more on Mad Men, and why I love Flight of the Conchords. You can listen to Episode 43 here.

AND! If that wasn't enough you can listen to the Harry Potter spoilercast today as well. We talk about the latest book, the entire series, the movies and the future. If you've finished the books, you might want a little bit of discussion. Note that I didn't say "thoughtful" discussion.

License to Drive

This morning we were driving to work - well, Deeps was giving me a courtesy drop-off closer to the train station on his way to work.

We were having a very pleasant morning. We chatted a bit about the day and we approached a big intersection. A few bicyclists rode past us and we gave them some space at the red light.

It had been red for a few moments and we slowly rolled to a stop.

Then a big thud jostled us both.

A lady had hit us from behind. If she'd hit us much harder, she'd have pushed us into the cyclists.

I might have busted out something like, "Oh my goodness gracious me!" - or WTF!. I can't be sure. Deeps and I turned to look at the woman behind us. She just did a little shoulder shrug like "whoops." She didn't get out of the car.

She didn't hit us very hard, but she did hit us. We quickly popped out of the car to assess any damage. There wasn't any. Bumpers are for bumping, we reminded ourselves. She never bothered to inspect the damage to her car or ours. She just waved at us - like the the prom queen.

Last year a careless person hit us at an intersection close to our house. She apologized and owned up to what she did immediately. The dummy behind us this morning refused to take any personal responsibility by even offering up an apology.

I got back in the car with disgust, Deeps pulled away and we assessed the situation.

Deeps: I'm not even sure what to say to someone that stupid so early in the day.
Me: You tell her that she shouldn't be such an irresponsible %@$#!.
Deeps: I'm not going to call her that.
Me: I know - that's what I'm here for. I swear for the family.

I'm hoping this won't be an annual event.The car wreck - not the swearing. That's a weekly event.

Oh who am I kidding?

Little Boxes

My friend is trying to buy her first home. She and her husband have scoured the greater metro area to find a small, single-family home that is in their price range. It's been tough, but they think they finally found the place.

Then came the inspection and problem with the foundation was identified. As we all know, foundation problems can be bad and expensive - it could be a dealbreaker. She was desperately hunting for a good contractor to give her an estimate on the repair.

Earlier in the week she'd talked to our mutual friend, Driver, who said he had a bad feeling about the house. Now this is not a completely weird thing for a person to say - but it is a completely weird thing for our friend Driver to say. I was dubious about his position.

Me: I think he's trying to backpedal from his general pessimism.
Homebuyer: So what's his feeling about the house?

Me: His feeling is that he doesn't want you to feel like he's a jerk.

Homebuyer: And what if there is something wrong with the house?

Me: Well, we already know there is something wrong with it. That's why you're calling the contractor.

Homebuyer: Yeah.

Me: Plus, you're buying an old house in New England. There is something wrong with it. It's an old house. I live in an old house - there's stuff wrong with it. Nothing is level or square or plumb.

Homebuyer: You're right.

Me: Of course, your house could be built on an old burial ground. Or it's haunted.

Homebuyer: Maybe the contractor can tell me about that.

Me: Right, you've got to understand what kind of ghost situation you're dealing with.

Homebuyer: Like are those load-bearing ghosts or are they non-essential ghosts.

Me: Is the foundation being kept up with paint, duck tape and ghosts?

Homebuyer: We'll have to wait for the report.

BRP: Special Harry Potter Spoiler Special Edition

As promised, I've pulled together a semi-coherent discussion of the latest Harry Potter book, the series, and how people might think about the books in the future. If you haven't read the book yet, skip this one and come back when you're finished.

Special guests Mark, Greg, and Salena join me as we try to parse thousands of pages of story.

Listen to this week's episode.

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BRP 43: We're a little sweaty edition

This week we talk about Flash Gordon and good hair, Jekyll, Flight of the Conchords, creepy stuffy on Mad Men, and offer up our suggestion for a DVD rental: The Silent Partner.

Listen to this week's episode.

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Is it too late?

I know HBO series usually wrap before airing - so it is probably too late for Flight of the Conchords to tackle the 4Real/Superman issue. But I'd like to think if there is a season 2, they'll take a shot.

Also - I this week's episode, Girlfriends, became my new favorite.

A hundred words for snow

I was thinking about all those stories you hear when you are a kid that Eskimos have 100 words for snow. I should come up with 1000 words for hot and sweaty.

Oh August, we have this same problem every single year! And I forgot I've got a dentist appointment. Whoops.

For now, please enjoy the latest podcast and know that we've got a special Harry Potter book seven podcast scheduled for deployment this weekend.

Listen to this week's episode.

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The magic of a low-humidity day

Yesterday I had an odd exchange with a colleague.

Colleague: Did you get your hair cut?
Me: No.
Colleague: Did you do something different with it?
Me: No.
Colleague: It looks different.
Me: Hmm. Well, I am wearing it down for the first time in like two months.
Colleague: Oh - that's it.
Me: Sometimes you forget that the hair doesn't just grow out as a sloppy, sweaty pony tail.

Today, the pony tail returns.

Episode 42: We Love Kiwis Edition

This week Derek returns to join me and Deeps as we talk about a lot of television including a new BBC America thriller called Jekyll. It's scary, compelling and totally paranoid.

We also talk about Flight of the Conchords(someone has a crush on Murray), episode two of Saving Grace, The Closer and menopause, over-the-top dramas like The Kill Point and Damages, Burn Notice as a workplace comedy, and why everyone likes the sheriff on Eureka. Plus we continue to make sense of Mad Men.

Listen to this week's episode.

Subscribe to the podcast with iTunes or your favorite podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.

Oh August, how you came and you made me want to curl up in a puddle of sweat

That's a vivid image, isn't it?

It's more vivid if you know me.

It has been pretty hot for a few days. Hot for New England - a place where public AC is spotty at best.

I'm always surprised at how many places don't have AC or have very poor AC. In Chicago most people don't have AC at home - maybe a window unit for the bedroom - but most restaurants and stores and public spaces have good AC. So you can escape somewhat easily if you're able to get out of the house.

Around here, we debate about where we'll hang out on hot days. Our new favorite place is the Whole Foods. They have an astonishingly cool store - plus they have gelato.

Tonight I think we might visit our friends with the new baby. He's only a couple of weeks old so he needs to have some AC. That's what I keep telling his parents. So I bet their place is nice and cool.

I can sweeten the deal by offering to change some diapers. I'll even throw in some gelato.

Hints from some random lady

Our friends recently had a baby and while Deeps and I are old pros at playing the doting friends/aunt and uncle, they are new parents.

I've tried not to give too much unsolicited advice. But over the weekend I couldn't resist.

Their baby had a little wetting incident that took out his outfit and Deeps' in the process.

I suggested they go for bigger diapers. I haven't heard if it has made a difference yet, but I hope it didn't make things worse.

Deeps wasn't especially flustered by the wetting either. Kids have let loose on us in many ways from vomit to spaghetti sauce. It's all about proximity.

But we might have been a little too casual about it. When we got home we put away mail and started doing a few chores when I got a whiff of my husband.

Me: You stink.
Deeps: A baby peed on me.
Me: Yes, but now you need to do something about it.
Deeps: I thought babies weren't supposed to stink that much when they are little.
Me: Well, clearly this child is exceptional.