Weekly Distractions

Hello all you seekers of knowledge out there in academia. How was your week? Mid-term exams have you down? If so, here are a few shining beacons in the up-coming week from the world of entertainment that might let you take that much needed mental vacation, and now on with the show…

Film:

There are two films coming out this week that are not only going to be box office gold, but also worth spending the money to go see at the movies.

“Brooklyn’s Finest” starring: Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke and Wesley Snipes
This is one of those movies that might be a little confusing to follow at first but half-way point through the film you are hooked. It has four sub-plots about drugs, police corruption and the human condition that slowly intertwine themselves into a greater story. Stick with it and you will be glad you did in the end. A

“Alice in Wonderland” starring: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham-Carter and Crispen Glover.
Tim Burton directs this darker version of the children’s classic, “Alice in Wonderland.” Though the original story itself is pretty dark and deep for a children’s book, Burton brings to the table all the things that Disney left locked away in the nightmare pantry. Burton, along with longtime collaborator Johnny Depp, will once again drag us into the shadows and still have us wanting more. A+

DVD:

“Ponyo”
Starring the vocal talents of Cate Blanchett, Noah Cyrus, Betty White, Matt Damon and Tina Fey
This is the anime re-telling of Hans Christian Anderson’s story “The Little Mermaid.” Already a huge success in Japan, Disney jumped on this project for the distribution rights like a buzzard on a gut wagon to protect their own franchise based on the same story. This will prove to be better in many ways than the Disney version. A

“Private Lives of Pippa Lee”
starring Robin Wright-Penn, Alan Arkin, Keanu Reeves, Monica Bellucci, Julianne Moore and Winona Ryder
This is a classic tale of self discovery meets mid-life crisis. Pippa has the perfect life afforded her by her husband who is 30 years her senior. When he moves her to a retirement community, well, let the self analysis and discovery begin. Primed with flashbacks and moments that will make you take stock in how you’re living your life, this actually won’t be a bad way to spend a couple of hours. B+

“Lodz Ghetto”
If you are having one of those “oh poor me, why is school turning my life into an epic failure” moments, go check out this movie about the Lodz Ghetto, a place where 200,000 Jews were corralled by the Nazis’ during World War II to pillage their belongings and crush their spirit. If you do watch this, hopefully it will put things into perspective and keep your petty whining in check. A

Guilty Pleasure of the Week:

“2012” starring John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet and Oliver Platt
We have the Mayans to thank for this doomsday epic about the end of the world according to their calendar. I have seen the world end 100 times over on the big screen, but this one is and adrenaline rush for sure. I wonder if the great and advanced civilization of the Mayan people knew this was going to be their legacy with our generation, turning them into the Nostradamus of our time. B

Television:

On Monday, “The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love” season finale will finally answer the question that is on everyone’s mind, “Who will Jake pick?” More importantly the question on anyone with two gray cells left to rub together to generate a competent thought should be, “Who cares?”

Tuesday brings writing back to television with the premiere of “Parenthood.” This show is loosely based on the 1989 film of the same name, and will hopefully be just as introspective and funny. I am hoping for too much already.

Wednesday has Oprah’s Oscar special. Leave this one thing to Barbara Walters please, and go back to concentrating on your book cult.

On Thursday, “The Office” is introducing a baby. I think it has about run its course. Cue Steve Carell on water skis and throw some chum to the sharks.

Saturday night brings us the 1,000th episode of “America’s Most Wanted,” which I am sure everyone will stay home to watch to see if someone in their family is finally on reality TV.

Who am I kidding; everyone will be on the strip by then.

The 82nd annual Academy Awards are Sunday night and will promise to have steely-cold stares across the aisle between former spouses James Cameron who directed “Avatar” and Kathryn Bigelow who directed the hit “The Hurt Locker” as they square off against each other for Best Picture.

Find out as hosting duties are shared by Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin.