Brian Bentley

We’ve been trying to find a friend for Lola for a while now and we’ve found him. This is Rocky and he’s officially ours as of tonight. Thanks to Maggie with Animal Rescue of Texas (who also happens to pitch in at the Doggie Zen Den) and was familiar with Lola and everything she’s been through so far.

I first learned about Rocky on a posting at the Zen Den and we arranged with ART to take Lola to meet him two weeks ago, and for us to foster him last week. They hit it right off and have really bonded. He’s about 2 years old, 49 pounds, part Australian Shepard (a big selling point for us), part Lab and has already had obedience training. He’s really helped Lola come out of her shell, and she’s been responding to me more which is a great feeling. Rocky has also helped Lola learn how to get put up onto the bed at night, so the 4 of us in the bed is quite cozy.

We really have lucked out to find 2 dogs that are the absolute right fit for us. Needless to say, we’re big supporters of Dog Rescue Organizations and Humane Societies.

I’ve posted some pics in Rocky’s gallery with more to come, I’m sure.

“Superman Returns”
Run time: 2:37

Remember what I said about Bryan Singer in my X-Men 3 review? Well, “Superman Returns” is a movie with a great script and a top level director. The story is a new idea and not based on a particular comic storyline and I enjoyed it. This is not the tongue in cheek 80’s version, and I don’t say that because Richard Pryor isn’t in it, but because it’s intended to be a thought provoking story.

Newcomer Brandon Routh is the Man of Steel and he does a great job bringing separation to the Kal-El/Clark Kent/Superman triumvirate, giving each it’s own personality and conflicts. Kevin Spacey is Lex Luthor. I don’t mean plays Luthor, he is Luthor. Spot on performance. Kate Bosworth is the now jaded reporter Lois Lane, but it’s hard to see her as a brunette….or maybe that’s just my hang-up.

It starts off like it’s going to be non-stop action and sort of slows down into the story from there. And at 2 and a half hours long, it can feel slow if you’re not a Superman fan. I really, really liked it, but I can’t say it was the best movie I have ever seen. I can say that I will see it again.

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Cars”
Run time: 1:56

I love Pixar movies. Yeah, I said it. I love the fact that they take everyday objects, in this case all things cars, and turn them into a world of it’s own and make a movie that entertains kids, but also isn’t too simple for adults.

“Cars” is about a race car voiced by Owen Wilson who, on his way to the Piston Cup final in California, ends up in tiny little Radiator Springs, right along Route 66. I don’t want to give too much of the plot away because it’s a good movie. It did get slow briefly, but the story is solid and the all-star voices (Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy, George Carlin, Cheech Marin and some surprises) fit the characters well.

As per all Pixar movies, I suggest you stay through the credits.

Rating: 5 out of 5

I was originally going to title this post “David Stern Can’t Fine Me”, but I’ve had time to settle down and reflect on the Mavericks first ever NBA Finals appearance. As much as Dallasites will complain that Stern and the refs conspired against the Mavs (that call at the end of game 5 was horrible), they did not have any say over the Mavs failing to hold on to a 13 point lead in game 3 and they didn’t cause them to shoot so poorly. Dirk Nowitzki, the playoff MVP until Game 3, struggled to finish the series, and Dwayne Wade was the second coming (of who, depends on who you ask). Pat Riley made some incredible adjustments, but Avery is Coach of the Year. Yeah, the Heat won. Congratulations Miami, everything fell into place, but they won’t be intact next year and the Mavs will.

“Wait ’til next year” is an excuse for some teams. It’s fact for the Mavs.

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“Nacho Libre”
Run time: 1:40

If you know me, then you know I enjoy a movie about a preist that moonlights as a mexican luchador as much as the next guy, and “Nacho Libre” is one of those movies. Jack Black is the star and ball of energy in this movie whose childhood dream was to be a famed Mexican luchador, but he has grown up in an orphanage and is now the resident cook and part-time monk.

This movie was directed and co-written by Jared Hess of “Napoleon Dynamite” fame and I have to say that I laughed consistently at this movie. Hector Jimenez steals almost every scene he is in as Nacho’s tag team partner, Esqueleto. The pace does slow briefly towards the middle, but this Nickelodeon Films (yes, the kid’s channel) is family friendly and will have you cheering “Nachooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!”

Rating: 4 out of 5

It’s 3:20 a.m. Vegas time and we just got in from a very long day that included Arena Bowl 20, the Mavs domination of the Heat in game 2, a Cirque de Soliel show at The Mirage and some post-show sightseeing. Do the math, and my body thinks it’s 5:20. I’m in for another long day tomorrow.

I’ll post an update with some specifics from the weekend whenever I recover.

GO MAVS.

UPDATE:

We decided to go to Las Vegas for the Arena Bowl and as a delayed anniversary trip. We had a blast and did so much stuff while we were there. He went to the Arena Bowl Fan Fest and Skills Competition (and sat on the front row), enjoyed a nice dinner Saturday night for our anniversary, then the Arena Bowl on Sunday, followed by an on-field concert by Third Eye Blind (pictured, right), then to the ESPN Zone for Game 2 of the NBA Finals, followed by the 10:30 performance of Cirque du Soleil’s Beatle’s inspired show, LOVE, at The Mirage.

Yes, I gambled, and, no, I did not bring home more money than I took.

Here’s a shot of the Chicago Rush receiving the Arena Bowl trophy.

Mavs in 6.

I’m going to post some old school pics that show how far back the love goes (once I can find where I put them).

“The Break Up”
Run time: 1:46

I can appreciate the attempt to bring a new twist to the romantic comedy genre. I can appreciate Vince Vaughn’s sense of humor. I can look at Jennifer Aniston for extended periods of time with no problem, either. However, I’m married so if I wanted to see a movie about people fighting and not wanting to live with each other then I go stir up a hornet’s nest with Melinda.

The effort is there, the thought is there, but the execution and ending aren’t. Go if you want to break up with $8.

Rating: 2 out of 5