Either Josh Smith was really committed to the joke or...oh, never mind...

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Movie Review: Repo Men

Repo Men, Miguel Sapochnik's directorial debut starring Jude Law and Forest Whitaker, is not your typical action movie. And that is putting it lightly. I expected a popcorn flick with good action sequences. I left the theater contemplating the future on a frightening, narcissistic scale. Was that the filmmakers intent? Who knows.

While many viewers of the trailer found the parallels between the film and "Repo! The Generic Opera", the movie transcends many of the ideas presented in the rock-opera film, mixing in elements of George Orwell's "1984". In a world where organs can now be manufactured, a company known as "The Union" offers people the option of spending thousands in order to bypass organ donation. However, most choose monthly payment options, and if one misses 3 monthly payments (96 days), a repo man will arrive unannounced at your door and will remove The Union's property from you involuntarily. Plain and simple.

As seen in the trailer, this causes a problem for Remy (Jude Law), who has a manufactured heart placed in his body after a routine repossession goes awry. While I'll spare you the details for spoiler purposes, the plot is much thicker than it appears in the trailer and has more twists than you'd expect. However, it likely will not be everyone's cup of tea. It's a very interesting movie, the acting is top notch, the story is surprisingly good and the action is superb, though the result of this combination is one many might not be expecting from what appears to be a typical, high speed thriller.

a_con's grade: B-
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Movie Review: Kick-Ass

The title of this movie is not just attention grabbing, it describes the film pretty damn accurately. Matthew Vaugn's film about a nerd turned superhero is truly one of a kind, offering the comedic take on real life superheros, much like 2009's "Zombieland", a very humorous take on post-apocalyptic zombie films. From the action to its very dry humor, Vaugn finds the perfect balance that will easily draw in movie-goers and allow for it to spread through word of mouth after its April 16 release date.

The cast is fantastic and really brought the movie together. Aaron Johnson plays the title character perfectly, a nerd turned superhero after being inspired by comic books, though the true scene stealers are "Greeks" Clark Duke and Chloe Moretz of "500 Days of Summer" fame, each bringing comedy to every seen they appear in. Christopher Mintz-Plasse is also very good, showing slow but steady departure from his typical "McLovin" roles. Nicholas Cage was surprisingly good as well, in a role that has the potential to bring him back in popularity amongst movie fans.

I honestly can't wait to see this movie again. While I'll refrain from giving away plot points and spoilers, I have high expectations for this movie when it is released next month and hope that it becomes a franchise (it's that good).

a_con's grade: A-
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Sometimes I think about stealing things...

then I wonder if I'll be any better at it than this guy.
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Concert Review: John Mayer's Battle Studies Tour, Verizon Center

The concert was absolutely amazing. Opening with a montage of clips portrayed on a stage to ceiling scrim to the opening band warm-up of Heartbreak Warfare, Mayer shook the Verizon Center with a 2 hour set, covering early hits to those from his newest album, Battle Studies.

Overall, the concert was amazing. Those in attendance had the oppurtunity to see Mayer's guitar skills at their peek with his solo during "Gravity", while they were also treated to his good natured humor and wit throughout the show. While often considered a douche (his words not mine) and often getting caught with his foot in his mouth (coughmydickisawhitesupremisistcough), to quote lyrics from his song "My Stupid Mouth", he just wants to be liked and just wants to be funny. Last night he proved that he is both those things, in addition to being a truly talented musician.

Set List:

1) Heartbreak Warfare
2) Crossroads
3) No Such Thing
4) Slow Dancing in a Burning Room
5) Perfectly Lonely
6) Acoustic Medley: 3X5, Comfortable, My Stupid Mouth, Your Body is a Wonderland, Neon
7) Waiting on the World to Change
8) Belief
9) Assassins
10) Half of My Heart
11) Bigger than My Body
12) Why Georgia

Encore

13) Who Says
14) Gravity
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That Thing

that thing
n.

1. when your heart and your hormones fight for control of your brain.
2. when you lose sleep at night, tossing and turning. and you know why, but you can't just accept and admit why
3. will have you constantly asking the question "why are you doing this to me?"
4. will have you pissed off for no damn reason
5. will make you anti-social
6. is love
7. a bitch
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What I gave up for Lent.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.




In addition to two things I refuse to post pictures of.
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Ross Geller is the only reason I watch Friends

Technically I'd say that David Schwimmer is the reason I watch, but his acting combined with his character is the reason I watch. There's something about him that makes him naturally likable. He's ridiculously love lorn, semi-pathetic, while constantly remaining positive. It's this plus his love for Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) that makes him so intriguing and fascinating. She shows no interest in him and he loves her. He's dating another woman and dumps her for Rachel because he loves her. He almost gets married again, dates other women and deals with her dating one of his best friends because...sense a trend? I only watch this show because of him. His constant hope for falling in love and being happy with the one person he has his heart set on is actually kind of...inspiring?...ok, I'm a sap for saying that, but it's true. I wouldn't watch this show if it weren't for him.
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ducks and rabbits

I'm a huge fan of the show How I Met Your Mother, and the latest episode only solidified why I love the show as much as I do. This is a picture of a duck. This is also a picture of a rabbit. And now that that is established, we can now discuss.

Rabbits are assholes. Rabbits are whores. Rabbits are not what we wish to be associated with. Rabbits are not what we are attracted to. There is not one defining characteristic of a rabbit that a person can find attractive.

HOWEVER one has the possibility of being seen as a duck. with the right amount of change and effort, one can appear as charming, worthwhile duck. The moral of this story is, change your perspective a bit and you'll notice that under a neutral lense, people are different than they may appear. You just need to see them under the right light. Give someone new a chance, accept how some people are and always will be, and be willing to appreciate the change in people. Who knows, amazing things could happen...
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I don't care what you say. I'm seeing this movie. I'll probably go alone because I've my "Rom-Com Rule", but I will be seeing this.
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