Breaking news needs to stop Breaking!

So last night we had severe storms all over the place. I was already annoyed that my satellite TV reception usually cuts out during stuff like that, but this time something else upset me.

Starting off, when I got off work, I had to drive back to Sears, because they charged me for a 5 year protection plan, instead of the 2 year I agreed to on my new mitre saw. The salesman actually called me after I had gotten home Tuesday, but yesterday was the first chance I had to drive back over there. I wasn't angered by this, but I guess I wish there was a way they could have credited my sears charge card over the phone, since it was their mistake and all. I then stopped at the grocery store that has an olive bar, since there isn't one out where I live. I want to make a new recipe and needed a couple varieties of olives. At this time it still wasn't even raining.

After I got home I started watching American Gangster. On Thursday nights I watch the following sitcoms.

• My Name Is Earl
• The Office
• Scrubs
• 30 Rock
• Lost

The movie is 2 hrs and 40 minutes long (extended unrated version) and maybe an hour into it my Mom calls to ask if I am in the basement. I pause the movie, and lo and behold hear the tornado sirens. After a few minutes of thinking about it, I lure the dogs into the basement with treats and wait for it to stop. A few more rounds of that before I finally finish the movie, which I'll talk about in a bit. I had a hunch, which was confirmed, when I hit play on the DvR to start watching my shows, to see an entire night of breaking weather coverage replacing my shows. Needless to say, I am not happy. So far as I have been working today, I have a small window open on my computer to nbc.com and I'm watching my shows now.

This was kind of disturbing. The biggest thing that stood out was this fact;
In 1980 CEO's earned 40 times more than an average worker at their company.
In 2008 CEO's earned 433 times more than an average worker at their company.

Forbes List of Worst Performing CEO's



American Gangster (dvd)
Trailer
IMDB.com

4 out of 5
Denzel Washington ... Frank Lucas
Russell Crowe ... Det. Richie Roberts
Chiwetel Ejiofor ... Huey Lucas
Josh Brolin ... Detective Trupo

Well I finally got this movie from Netflix. It has been at the top of my list since it released, but the wait has gone from very long, to long, to short, and then it was my turn. As I mentioned above the running time of the extended uncut version was 2 hrs and 38 min!!

If any of you were asleep when this hit the theaters, the movie is based on the true story of Frank Lucas, a NY heroine dealer who grew to be the most powerful gangster of his day. We start with him still a driver for his boss, and watch how he arranges to smuggle in uncut drugs straight from Thailand by paying certain military contacts (this takes place during the Vietnam War) to fly his drugs into the country. The second story is of Russell Crowe's character who right from the mold of Serpico is a clean cop surrounded by crooked ones. He proves this when against the wishes of his at the time partner, he turns in close to 1 million dollars in illegally obtained money. This also brands him among the other police officers. He eventually is given the role of forming the new Drug squad which the government is sponsoring.

We watch as Frank Lucas plays it smart, bringing in family members to surround him, stay out of the spotlight and try not to bring any attention to himself.

I recommend watching this one, it was interesting that the real trial brought the hammer down on 3/4, that's three quarters of the NY police department, when Frank turns snitch at his trial.

Since it is Friday, but I couldn't find very many new movie trailers, here are a few upcoming films. Don't forget Iron Man was released today, which I might try and find a way to see it this weekend myself.

Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay


Swing Vote


You Don't Mess with The Zohan


The Incredible Hulk



Have a good weekend!

ciao