More Monkey Business

Got curious a few minutes ago, and that's always dangerous. So, I ventured off the path of finding monkey movies and decided I'd take a stroll through what sort of monkey business is playing on the tube. Here goes:

Looks like BBC America is monkeying around with some monkey and ape shows. First up, we have a show called All About Apes coming on BBCAM 8 AM to 9 AM on 2/3/13. And, it is, aptly enough, all about apes. Looks like a documentary on the ape family. Wonder if I'll recognize anyone?

Next we have Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), which I haven't seen yet, coming up this Saturday on one of the HBO channels from 2:10 to 4 PM. The apes take revenge for all the testing we've done on them. Not to mention all those years spent with organ grinders.

Then, we have the companion piece to All About Apes on BBCAM from 9 to 10 AM, also on 2/3/13.

Hmm, this sounds.... odd. Dana Carvey has a show called Dana Carvey: Squatting Monkeys (?) this Saturday, from 12 to 1 PM, on another of the HBO channels. With a title like that...

But, the title I like the best is My Child is a Monkey (Hey, I resemble that remark!), on the WILD channel, 2/15/13, from 5 to 6 PM, all about people who adopt monkeys as pets, treating them as though they were children, and calling them "monkids". Now, that's just plain weird. It's not like they're cats. I mean, monkeys can dress themselves. But, now, our cats, we spend a lot of time shopping for their little clothes, and getting their gourmet foods, and.... uh, well, uh... never mind.

Well, enough monkey business for now. I'll get back on track soon and down to the serious business of monkey movies again. You know, important stuff.

 

And, remember, folks, leave your comments on my blog about your favorite monkey movies.

'til next time... Adios.

Monkeys and Other People

Everyone loves monkeys, right? And, what better than monkey movies? Problem is, I can’t find a really good list. So, I’m starting it right here. It’s gonna take some time to compile, but, don’t worry, I’ll alternate by writing non-monkey posts, too. So, here we go.

And, I'm gonna ask for your help. Anyone reading my blog, if you have a monkey movie you love, want to see, or plan on making, post a comment, please. At some point, down the road, I'll have everyone vote on their favorites.

One qualification, though. I want funny monkeys, or action-packed monkeys, or scary monkeys. And, all fiction, please. I don't want any where I'm gonna get all depressed. I love monkeys and I want this to be a fun post. Let's keep it light.

King Kong (1933) – Yep, let’s pull out the big guns first by featuring a big monkey. I still love this one and it's perhaps my favorite. The story is pure "beauty-and-the-beast", and Kong is as cool as they get.

Planet of the Apes (1968). The original, of course, with Charlton “Get your hands off me…” Heston. My second favorite. No comparison to the other one, which is:

Planet of the Apes (2001). I thought Mark Wahlberg could've done better, though I really liked Tim Roth. Wasn't Mark's fault. I didn't think much of the script in this one.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). Not really a monkey film as the apes in their pre-evolving state were only featured for a short time. But, they were great costumes, and the actors in the costumes truly moved apelike. Yeah, I'm cheating here, but ya gotta love the monkeys here. It's when they start evolving, learning how to use tools, and knock each other over the head, that the trouble starts.

Okay, everyone else's turn now.  Let's get your monkey comments in.

'til next time... Adios.

Star Wars Numero Seven

I saw where J. J. Abrams, one of the recent wunderkinds, will sit in the captain’s chair for the next Star Wars movie. According to the film news mill, since Disney bought Lucasfilm, the next three films in the saga will finally emerge. The long lost dream from back in ’77 of a 9-part series. These next three will supposedly take off some time (haven’t heard yet how many years) after Return of the Jedi. From what I’ve heard, we’ll see Luke as a Jedi master, Leia, too, perhaps, and Han and Leia with little Jedi juniors running around.

I do have some questions, though. Abrams’ successes mostly concern him as a producer. He’s had some success as a director, especially with Super 8 (2011) and Star Trek (2009). Much as I loved the new Star Trek, he could’ve tightened it up (at least he didn't call it Star Trek: The Second Motion Picture). Loved the new batch of actors, great action sequences, the storyline, well, I always have trouble when we get the whole time loop thing in there. Spock Old and Spock Young, both existing at the same time? Wouldn’t that do something bad to the space-time continuum? Ah, well, it was still a really good film. And, I hope J. J. can pull off Star Wars part Seven. Good thing is, maybe he can keep check on Mr. Lucas and keep him from creating the mess he made with Star Wars One, Two, and Three.

I'm hopeful, though. Abrams had a truly tough job with firing back up the Star Trek franchise, which had been dying on the vine for a long while. What I hope is that he brings back to Star Wars a simple, powerful story, like in the original Star Wars, throwing in some of the darkness of Empire and Return. So, let's see what he does. First things first, though. Don't just call it Star Wars: Episode VII.

'til next time... Adios.

Waaa! Ricky!

Where have all the funny ladies gone? There's a great series on KET called Pioneers of Television that reaches back to the earliest days, even before I was around, and shows the origins of sitcoms, the soaps, kids' shows, and cop shows, just to name a few. The one we watched the other night was titled "Funny Ladies".

They listed most all my favorites, although they left out some. But, for an hour-long show, I think they did a good job of including some of the powerhouses -- Lucille Ball, Phyllis Diller, Carol Burnett, Moms Mabley (anyone remember her? You pretty much have to be a Boomer to remember Moms.), Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore, and Joan Rivers. Some of them, especially Phyllis Diller and Joan Rivers, really pushed the envelope, going where no female comic had gone before.

What was interesting was hearing how they got started. Some started off in completely different entertainment career choices than what they ended up in. Carol Burnett started off trying to sing on Broadway; Mary Tyler Moore was a dancer prior to The Dick Van Dyke Show, and had never done comedy. Joan Rivers did more dramatic work in the beginning. Others, like Lucille Ball, started off with a long history of physical comedy, honing her craft with everyone from the Marx Brothers to The Three Stooges.

Check out local times and listings for upcoming Pioneers of Television episodes at:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/pioneers-of-television/

 

'til next time... Adios.

What a Disaster

I'm currently reading a thorough book on disaster films titled, appropriately, "Disaster Movies" by Glenn Kay and Michael Rose. The disaster movie category is yet another genre, or perhaps, sub-genre, of films, the big genre being 'action/adventure'. And, I'm gonna run with scissors here and produce a sub-sub-genre called 'schlocky-fun disaster movies'.

Here's why. Serious disaster films, which do exist (think A Night to Remember (1958), the REAL movie about the Titanic, an excellent film), stand apart from the fun disaster flicks. And, like many truly great movies, defy genre. Slapping a movie in a specific genre sometimes sets it up as a certain type, almost a cliche, occasionally an unintentional spoof of itself. So, my schlocky-fun disaster movies, of which there are a bazillion (Meteor (1979), The Towering Inferno (1974), 2012 (2009)), fit neatly in their boxes, but can't be taken seriously.

At any rate, the book is a good read, and I'm learning the titles of several potentially-hysterical disastrous films that I'll need to watch and throw on my blog.

'til next time... Adios.

The Director Who Blew Himself Up

I see so many movies where I can predict what comes next. Oh, he did that, so she’ll do that, and then they shoot this guy, etc. Not so with Quentin Tarantino’s latest genre-buster, Django Unchained (2012). Here, anything can happen. With the ideal combo of great writing, acting, directing, and cinematography, literally, I could not tell you what would happen next. And, that’s one of the reasons this movie is so great and so much fun.

This is a revenge movie. I’m finally getting the idea that Quentin does pretty much all revenge. At least the few movies I’ve seen of his. Admittedly, I’ve only seen a handful, and those most recent, including the Kill Bill duology (2003 and 2004), Inglourious Basterds (2009), and now Django Unchained. I saw Pulp Fiction (1994) when it first came out and didn’t care for it, so I probably need to take another look at it, especially now that I “get” Tarantino. Maybe I still won’t like it, I don’t know, but I need to give it another watch.

We start off somewhere in Texas, head up to Tennessee, then finally down to Mississippi, where we spend most of the movie. So, since this takes place in the South, is it a Southern?

Blaxploitation? Sure. Spaghetti Western. Check. But, this film is genreless. Basically, though, it starts off showing a group of slaves chained together, led on a brutal march by two slave traders. And, along comes this “dentist” driving a horse-drawn cart with a gigantic tooth on the top.

Okay, I've run out of time for tonight and I have a lot more to say about this film.  More tomorrow.

'til next time... Adios.

An Evening of Art

What a fantastic night this past Friday, January 18th, at the Weber Gallery, a part of Louisville's Council on Developmental Disabilities. From 5:30 to 9 that night, the gallery hosted a reception for a new art exhibit, Women Work. My wife, Wendy Currier (Wendy Currier is also Wendy Zumwalt), displayed 8 of her pen and ink drawings, along with several other women artists.

A wonderfully diverse selection of work demonstrating women, strong women, in various roles. The subject matter was as diverse as the media -- sculpture, mixed media, pottery, photography, oils and acrylics, all showing women in powerful roles and occupations. The reception was well-attended, with plenty of good food and drinks for all.

The exhibit will stay up until March 22nd. For more information, contact Carol Mueller at the Weber Gallery at 502-584-1239.

Check out their web site, too:

http://www.councilondd.org/?page_id=379

'til next time... Adios.

Horror or Horrible?

Here's a look at a couple of incoming horror/sci-fi flicks.

Warm Bodies (2013). I like John Malkovich. I think he’s a top-notch actor. First saw him in a play in NYC back in 1988. So, what’s he doing in what sounds like a teen-angst zombie film. Unless he’s doing it for grins and giggles.

Well, I guess it had to happen. Zombies, like vampires, have gone through the emotional spectrum, starting with slow non-flesh-munching zombies back in the 30’s (White Zombie -- 1932), then to the flesh-munching-but-still-slow zombies of 1968’s Night of the Living Dead, to the recent fast zombie people-eatin’ critters in horror-comedies Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Zombieland (2009). But, in all of them, the zombies don’t have much activity going on upstairs. There’s nobody home, and the lights aren’t even on. So, now, with Warm Bodies, we’re letting our zombies get romantically involved. Wonder what the dating rules would be? “No, you can’t gnaw my arm off on the first date.”

What I love is the plot description for Warm Bodies. Zombie guy wants to go out with the girlfriend of a guy he just chewed up. What, did he have a sudden change of heart? I’m smellin’ something bad here, and I don’t think it’s zombies.

And, we’ve got another Carrie (2013) exploding on the screen again with telekinetic fury. This is now the fourth Carrie movie. 2002 saw the first remake, titled, uncreatively enough, Carrie. This was a made-for-TV version that I never saw. They even did a sequel to the first Carrie called The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999), that did have Amy Irving again. From this title it sounds like there’s a Carrie in there somewhere, but a quick scan of the cast of characters showed no one named Carrie. Nope. But, coincidentally, there’s another girl who just happens to possess the juice. Don’t make her angry, though. You wouldn’t like her when she’s angry. Oh, wait, that’s the Indelible Hulk. So, what’s up with the new Carrie? Doesn’t sound like anything other than, I’m certain, way more special effects, and I’ll bet, way more graphic.

Now, here’s one that could be fun. Maybe. Although it’s still in production. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Hey, I love the classics. Y’know, I probably would’ve read a lot more of those books I was supposed to read back in junior high and high school if they’d tossed in a few zombies or vampires.

More later.

‘til next time… Adios.

Survival in the Air Waves

Every fall the various networks trot out their new bright and shiny shows, hoping we don't think their babies are ugly. 'Course, the seasons are all skewed and freaky-weird these days, but still, fall is the traditional time to show off the hopefuls. Let's take a quick scan of five that hit the waves.

Revolution (2012). It appears NBC wants to keep it going, so stay tuned for new episodes March 25th. This post-apocalyptic disaster show follows groups of folks after someone forgot to pay the light bill. If they ever find the power switch, they'll get to watch reruns of themselves.

Partners (2012). Fired up September 24th, 2012, died on the vine November 16th of the same year. Straight guy and gay guy are buddies who are partners in an architectural firm. Get it? Partners? Yeah, well, with writing like that, when they're working that hard for a pun, no surprise it went away. Probably on a par with other past comedies where they're overworking a point like Good Times or Chico and the Man.  Intelligent humor, please, folks, don't go for the old, tired, cheap jokes.  That's grade school.

666 Park Avenue (2012). Also gave up the ghost in November 2012. Another spookfest where the plot is "be careful what you wish for, etc." Hmm, Fantasy Island, anyone? "De plane, boss."

Mob Doctor (2012). It's a doctor show. It's a mob show. It's two, two, two shows in one. And, it sounds like both halves misfired. This one, though, barely made it under the wire and aired their final episode on January 7th, 2013. About a doctor whose family owes a debt to the mob, so, guess what? She has ethical challenges.

Call the Midwife (2012). A BBC production, its return is slated for March 31st. Based on the book of the same title, it deals with midwives in 1950's East London. Love that KET.

'til next time... Adios.

The Living Dead Channel

In a case of unreality imitating unreality, the Lifetime channel has a show called My Life is a Lifetime Movie. And, hey, guess what? There are back-to-back episodes of this... stuff from now until your brain caves in due to the vacuum. Here's a sampling of the episode titles:

"Obsessions Gone Too Far", followed by "Betrayed by a Lover", then "Husbands Gone Wrong", and "Someone is Trying to Ruin My Life".

Hey, how about a Living Dead channel, where it's soap operas with vampires. Oh, wait, already have that. They're called the Twilight movies. You'll feel like you're one of the undead 'cause they go on forever.

Guess I'll head over to the Weather Channel. Maybe they'll have a new named Winter Storm I can get excited about.

'til next time... Adios.

Weird World of Tech

Okay, I think I'm done with the upcoming batch of stuff for our TVs.

First up, they (and, we all know who "they" are) are working on 3D TV that doesn't require the glasses. I've watched a lot of 3D over the last 30 plus years, and one of my big complaints has been the glasses. Especially now that I have to wear them over my regular glasses. And, pretty much, 3D is what it's always been -- a gimmick, right up there with Smell-O-Vision and the thumpers built into theater seats (more on that later).

But, I'm not so sure I want to invest the time, energy, and money in 3D TV. First, it would need to be wall-sized so you could get the full immersion process. Then, if you're sitting too far to the right or left, will it be like watching the old projection TVs where you lose the effect? And, finally, I don't know that I want to be that immersed. I know, I know, I'm a dinosaur, but I don't know that I care to push the tech envelope any further.

Next down the highway is TV that uses facial recognition software (Minority Report, anyone?) to tailor the programs for a more interactive experience. In other words, you're watching you're favorite shows, then get up and head out the room. Someone else comes in, this Big Brother tech figures out what the next person likes to watch and displays accordingly. Resistance is futile.

Finally, here's some movie theater tech coming out from companies such as the CJ Group, a South Korean outfit, that will build theaters souped up with seat thumpers, vibrating devices, light and sound machines, and other live-action special effects to "enhance" your theater-going experience.

I'm saying no. Especially when you consider that it's all been done before by schlockmeisters such as William Castle. Didn't last real long back then, either.

Think I'll go read a book.

'til next time... Adios.

What Happened to the Other Eight Plans?

Ed Wood was a man who dressed up as a woman
And he made some really bad flicks
He really liked to wear sweaters sort of woolen
While Plan 9 was financed by some clerics

(Sorry, Paul. Sorry, John.)

I’ve lost count on how many times I’ve seen Plan 9 from Outer Space, and I think I’ve finally decided to stop trying to figure out why it works. And it either works for you or it doesn’t. For me and our Band of Scoobies last night at the Classic Horror Film Club at the Tates Creek Library, it definitely works, as we hooted and hollered, and shouted “Stock footage!” every time we saw that same shot Ed used numerous times of a prop passenger plane, a radar dish, exterior shots of police cars, and the Pentagon.

Ed, perhaps while he was alive, and certainly after he checked out, bore the title of “Worst Director of All Time” from several sources, although I swear I’ve seen some truly awful films where the director was worse than Ed. He was, however the creator of movies that are outrageously unintentionally funny. And, that’s something, because comedy is hard. As many of you know out there, plenty of comedies get churned out that are just plain not funny. And, where Ed missed his target of creating works of greatness by one standard, by another set of rules he achieved greatness.

Okay, enough philosophizing. On with the show. What’s it all about, anyway? Well, as the Ruler puts it (the supreme high alien), "Plan 9? Ah, yes. Plan 9 deals with the resurrection of the dead. Long distance electrodes shot into the pineal and pituitary gland of the recently dead." Oh, yeah, that's what I was thinking. I've just always wondered what happened to the other 8 plans?

Starting with Criswell, world-famous TV and newspaper psychic, telling us that "We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives." to cardboard tombstones that wobble when someone bumped into them. From silver-painted paper plate UFOs to Tor Johnson getting stuck trying to climb out of the "grave" (that looked like it was well carpeted). From great lines such as "The saucers are up there. The graveyard is out there. But I'll be locked up safely in there." to Bela Lugosi raised from the dead.

Yep, Mr. Lugosi died three years prior to the release of Plan 9. What few scenes we see with Bela come from an earlier film that Ed worked on that never came to pass. So, Ed, the master of stock footage and re-using old shots he took, simply "recast" Bela. Then, later, when he needed Bela for a scene again, if he didn't have any footage, he substituted Tom Mason (who was Ed's wife's chiropractor) for Bela.

Plan 9 is one of those rare, schlocky gems that is so bad it's a riot. If you've never seen it, download it, buy it, whatever you need to do to get it. It's more fun than a barrel of ghouls.

 

'til next time... Adios.

Random Movie Thoughts

James Bond, Star Trek, and Star Wars. Three of the biggest movie icons ever, with more lives than 15 cats. And they just keep coming, which is okey dokey with me. As long as with the next round of Star Wars films we don't have to tolerate the likes of Jar Jar Binks. Please, George, no more Jar Jar, okay?

Daniel Craig as the newest Bond is tough, edgy, and we get to see Bond before he truly became Bond. Before he knew that his martini should be shaken, and definitely not stirred.

And, the new Star Trek. Just plain fantastic. The most powerful entry in the mighty Star Trek legend since the original crew. Ironic that we've gone back to... the original crew. And, with this new reboot we get to see them, too, barely out of the academy, and Kirk in all his bluff and blustery glory.

Star Wars, since Disney's bought the whole Lucasfilm shootin' match, is (hopefully) gonna grab the Big Three (Luke, Leia, Han), and follow the original game plan to go 40 years forward and show Luke as a master, and, perhaps, Leia, too. Will Han still have the Millennium Falcon?

Got a few quick notes on superhero flicks heading our way faster than a speeding you-know-what this year.

Iron Man 3 (May 3) is coming, with the addition of Ben Kingsley and Guy Pearce. Gotta love Robert Downey, Jr. as the brash metal man.

Superman: Man of Steel (June 14) with Henry Cavill as the Big Blue Dude.

The Wolverine (July 26). Jackman's back, claws and all, and he's going samurai. Convenient, since his swords are built-in.

Thor: The Dark World (November 8). Chris Hemsworth returns with his hammer to battle bad elves. And, I always though they just helped Santa. Oh, well.  At least it'll be in time for Christmas.

'til next time... Adios.

Strange New Tech

I took a quick look around at some of the new gizmos and gadgets screaming our way in '13. Some are cool, others just plain stupid, and some a little scary.

Fujitsu's come out with the Lifebook 2013. Sounds a little presumptuous, and a little sad, with a name like Lifebook, to think that this thin piece of tech could contain most all aspects of a techie's life, but that's the pitch. Slim (or slimmer) than a laptop, it has a detachable digital camera, cell phone, and even functions as a touch-screen laptop. Feel just like Bond when he gets a new thingie from Q. "Try to bring it back in one piece, Bond."

Then, there's the Bendy Screen Smartphone. Yup, you can twist and flex it every which way, and theoretically it will still work. Yeah, that's something I need.

And, to be just a bit more connected, there's the Google Glass, your next step towards a bionic lifestyle. These goggles display a screen in front of your eyes as you attempt to walk around, so you'll see the world with a little something extra. It'll jazz up your vision, and give you a Bluetooth connection. Resistance is futile.

Ever wanted to be invisible? Well, you still can't, but it looks like the military will soon have a tank that, while not completely invisible, can at least blend into the surroundings, using special thermo-electric tiles covering its surface. One drawback. It only works at night. But, it can present a heat signature that can look like, oh, I don't know, a cow, maybe? That'll send a word to any enemies. Yeah, mess with us, and we'll send our army of infrared, camouflaged, gun-totin' cows. They won't mess with us.

Well, that's enough nonsense for now.

'til next time... Adios.

Time to Get Hitched

Once again, the great Anthony Hopkins transformed himself into an iconic image. Over the years, he constantly amazed me, playing everything from a cannibal (Hannibal -- 2001, The Silence of the Lambs -- 1991), quiet, grief-stricken author (Shadowlands -- 1993), and even an older swashbuckling heroic figure (The Mask of Zorro -- 1998). And, now, as Alfred Hitchcock, he so completely morphs that I forgot who it was playing Hitch.

And, this is just one of the great things about Hitchcock (2012). Directed by Sacha Gervasi, this is only his third time directing, and he really manages to capture the feel of the era. The whole film takes place during an apparently dry period for Hitch (as his wife Alma called him), and he was looking for new material when the book "Psycho" came out. Everything takes place shortly before the filming of Psycho and just immediately after its release, and focuses on his relationship with Alma, the embedded psychological nuances of Psycho, and his “obsessions” with his female leads. He had some quirks and kinks, according to this film, and perhaps was a peeping Tom, but he and Alma loved each other. Yes, he was most certainly difficult to live with, but at least in this take, he was not cruel. He did have issues, true enough.

Hitchcock gave me a good, almost voyeuristic look into the mind of Alfred Hitchcock, and into how a great director worked, finding and coaxing those little somethings within each of his actors and actresses from their innermost niches onto the screen. And, it was amazing how much all these actors playing actors acquired the originals’ characteristics, especially James D’Arcy as Anthony Perkins and Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh.

Something else I had not considered about Psycho is how the filming of it drove the censors bonkers. This was perhaps the first time a big-time director ever took on a slasher project, although it's still mild by today's standards. But, it wasn't just the shower scene that posed a problem. Nope. Seems there never was a toilet-flushing scene prior to Psycho, and the powers-that-be didn't want the viewing audience thinking that people might go to the bathroom on screen. Talk about horrifying.

One thing for certain this film made me do is want to read a good biography on Mr. Hitchcock.

'til next time... Adios.

Your Lobster is Ringing

Ah, yes, 2013 is off with a big tech bang. Want to be one of the Kool Kids and trick out your not-so-smart phone with a really keen case? Well, then, you’re ready for the Lobster Mobile Telephone Case. It’s a phone case! It’s red! And it’s the exact size and shape of a lobster! That’s right, boys and girls, be the first on your block to walk around and strut your i-stuff as you hold this oh-so-stylish lobster to your head!

Now, you can not only walk around blindly talking into your small rectangular monolith as you stumble on curbs, walk in front of traffic, and gracefully trip up stairs, but you get to do it with style, panache, and ostentatiousness. You’ll be the life of the party as you put all conversations on hold when you proudly announce, “Pardon me, everyone, I have to answer my lobster.” What more could anyone ask for?

And, you know, I’ve had naysayers who’ve come up to me and said, “Hey, Tom, why do you want a lobster for your phone case?” And, I’m like, “Hey! Who wouldn’t?” In fact, I know what everyone’s getting for Christmas next year.

This could be the beginning of a new trend. Eye-catching phone cases made to look like various other critters. But, why stop with animals? What about plants? Maybe they’ll come out with a cactus case. Wouldn’t that be something?

'til next time... Adios.

Survived 2012

Here we are at the beginning of another New Year, and we're watching the Rose Parade.

First things first, though, as I wish all out there a Happy New Year. I'm back after a brief hiatus, the last two weeks being full of holiday, work, and a Christmas Bug. Fortunately, thanks to the artificial support provided by "better living through chemistry", my blog is back in action, although I take no responsibility for what gets written, as it comes from the brain of of sand and fog.

I'm seeing some real differences today between the Rose Parade and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Where the East Coast was all celebrity and pop singers, the West Coast is more about organics and good ol' marching bands. Heck, the Rose Parade has Ms. Jane Goodall as the Grand Marshal. How cool is that? More colors, way better floats, and a nice international flavor for the West Coast, too. Yeah, I think the Rose Parade has it all over the Macy's Parade.

Ironic that the Rose Parade, hailing from sunny Cali-for-nye-ay, land of Hollywood, would turn out as less "Hollywood" than the Macy's Parade. The Rose Parade has floats from the Humane Society and the Korean War Memorial, Macy's had fluff.

It should be interesting to see what movies come out for 2013, especially considering super-heroes ruled for 2012 with Marvel's The Avengers, The Dark Knight Rises, and The Amazing Spider-Man holding positions one, two, and six for the year.

'til next time... Adios.