Lindsey and I just got back from seeing a screening of Bridge to Terabithia. With a movie based on a book, you never know how its going to turn out.  Normally, not very well in my opinion.  Not the case here at all! The movie is very faithful to the book! The casting is wonderful. The special effects work to reinforce the fact that Terabithia is an *imagined* world, not real at all except in the minds of the children. I could gush on and on, but then there would be no point in anyone reading my full review later this week. *grin*

If you’ve read the book you already know how special the story is, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.  If you haven’t read the book, then I think you’re in for a treat if you catch this one when it opens. If you’re a hard-nosed cynic, I suppose you could find this movie a total bore.  Anyone with a heart, I think, is going to appreciate the themes you’ll find in this bitter sweet tale.

Just a quick update to let you know that you can read my full review of Norbit and also now read the transcript of my interview with Katherine Paterson, author of Bridge to Terabithia.

Stumbled over this while prowling YouTube today. A great motorcycling year-in-review! I can tell I’m getting restless, I’m starting to obsess about riding. Can’t wait until May when my first out-of-state riding is scheduled!

As promised, I attended a screening of the new Eddie Murphy movie Norbit tonight. I would describe the experience as being very much like a soldier falling on a grenade to save the lives of his squad mates. I have seen the movie now, and there is no reason under the sun for you to ever have to do the same.

No really, avoid this one like the plague. This may be the worst movie I have ever had to sit through. Years from now, I will still be telling myself while exiting a bad movie, “Well, at least it wasn’t as bad as Norbit.”

You have been warned… the full review will be available Friday at Past The Popcorn.

This week I screened “Because I Said So” the new comedy starting Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore. Frankly, I didn’t like it. But that might have been because it’s really, truly a “chick flick.” Had I seen it with a chick, I might have liked it more. But I went with my editor, a big hairy guy. Not the same at all. You can read the full review here.

My interview with Katherine Paterson, author of “Bridge to Terabithia” went great. I’ve got it recorded, I want to try to post a snippet of the audio here this weekend. The text of the interview will be published next Friday. I’m scheduled the screen the movie for review on Saturday the 10th and I’m really looking forward to it now!

I’m scheduled to screen “Norbit” the new movie starring Eddie Murphy this week also. Not sure how that one will go. He’s hit or miss with me, though I think he’s a talented comedic actor. Guess we’ll see on that one!

So the big dinner is over, we met, we ate, we parted ways. Photos were taken.  Well, with my camera anyway. You all know Leesa right? Amazing photographer? Talented beyond all understanding?  Yeah, apparently not so good at say… batteries.  I’m just saying. I’m sure it’s really John’s fault… any man that can’t manage stock levels of Diet Coke probably can’t be trusted with batteries either.

We met at Frankie’s Pizza and Pasta in Redmond, WA near where John works. The food is good and they had beer, Leesa insisted on that. The conversation was the usual… other bloggers, the exciting corporate lives John and I lead, how many cats Leesa really has, that kind of thing. We polished off most of the pizza, an all-meat “Italian Stallion.” We compared cell phones, discussed John’s lack of high speed Internet (I think it embarrasses him) and finally flagged down a waitress to take a group photo for us.

After a little more conversation we moved to the parking lot so I could get a photo with the motorcycle.  Yes I rode it to dinner as promised, though it was bloody cold let me tell you! John took the photos for me.  After about 10 or 15 warm up shots he was finally ready to snap the real thing. We then bid each other a fond farewell and headed off to our respective homes. 

So next time you dear reader are in the PNW, let me know.  I’m always happy to meet for lunch or dinner or the like. Or if I happen to post about a ride in your neck of the woods. I can be fairly social if I make the effort.  And maybe you can get your photo taken with the famous shark-mouthed motorcycle. *grin*

Living in a duplex is, for the most part, better that living in an apartment.  Still, my upstairs neighbor occasionally indulges in loud music.  I don’t mind when it’s music I like, but often it isn’t.  It was loud earlier.  I decided it was a good time to fire up the bike and get her warmed up.  I’m riding her to a dinner engagement later tonight.  More on that afterwards.

Mmmm… I don’t care how many watts your stereo has, you don’t stand a chance against 1200ccs of howling sport bike. I know most people associate motorcycle noise with Harley’s, and I have nothing against ‘em personally.  In a perfect world I’d probably have one of each style of motorcycle.  But push come to shove, give me a big inline four any day of the week!

In any case, she’s all warmed up now and ready to go… and the loud music has stopped I note. *grin*