tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:37:32 +0000http://www.adamdaroff.com/noreply@blogger.com (Daroff)Blogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-8354347778177225772Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:26:00 +00002010-03-08T15:30:48.725-08:00moviesThe Hurt Locker won Best Picture, and as per usual, people are pissed. People were pissed at Crash, Shakespeare in Love, and Dances With Wolves. People will always be pissed. I say people get pissed because they don't get the Oscars. Their expectations are wrong going in. This year's Best Picture race best exemplified that. Let's take the top 2 contenders, Avatar and The Hurt Locker. Avatar is http://www.adamdaroff.com/2010/03/oscars-are-classy-and-you-can-suck-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-8424984748655225198Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:32:00 +00002010-03-03T13:32:00.181-08:00moviesTVsupportingYou know, this guy: Notable Roles: Ryan Sparks - "Grace Under Fire" Burke - "Go" Justice Christopher Mulready - "The West Wing" Bank Manager - "The Dark Knight" Why He's Awesome: Truth be told, I had the idea for this whole supporting actors thing during the opening sequence of "The Dark Knight." Nolan's Batman series has a predilection for great supporting actors, and as soon as I saw http://www.adamdaroff.com/2010/03/i-love-supporting-actors-william.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-4931564084801602261Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:36:00 +00002010-02-26T15:39:30.571-08:00moviesbadmoviesFor years, I considered "Mallrats" to be one of my favorite movies. After a more recent viewing, I realized, the movie is, for the most part, enjoyable, but not as great as I thought it was. In the wake of Kevin Smith's Southwest Airlines run-in, I'm realizing more and more that his movies, while genius to teenagers, don't have the substance I once thought they did. How is it I thought this moviehttp://www.adamdaroff.com/2010/02/great-scenes-from-bad-movies-mallrats.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-7459567769381928900Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:15:00 +00002010-02-22T20:55:20.327-08:00presidentselectionsIn a feat never repeated (yet) Democratic-Republicans Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe completed three 2-term administrations in a row. Monroe did such a good job of bringing all sides together; the so-called “Era of Good Feelings” destroyed both the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties. Everything was great. No one had any real issues to complain about or rally behind. What emerged were http://www.adamdaroff.com/2010/02/election-1824-enter-andrew-jackson.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-5902587517943969254Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:05:00 +00002010-02-21T14:05:00.224-08:00moviesTVsupportingYou know, this gal: Notable Roles: Christy Cummings - "Best in Show" Paula - "The 40 Year Old Virgin" Gayle Sweeny - "Role Models" Sue Sylvester - "Glee" Why She's Awesome: Nowadays, she's everywhere. She's so ubiquitous, you might think she'd always been so. Her style is always so out there, so funny, you'd think that's the way she's always been. Did you know she played a press room http://www.adamdaroff.com/2010/02/i-love-supporting-actors-jane-lynch.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-1678678275197125871Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:15:00 +00002010-02-17T22:34:49.676-08:00TV24... that aren't nearly as grating as this season's Dana Walsh's double-life subplot. SPOILER ALERT Some B plots move the story forward and add to the overall sense of constantly rising stakes and tension. Some B plots involve Dana Walsh and her inexplicable past that didn't prevent her from getting a high-level government security job but who also did such a bad job covering it up that her http://www.adamdaroff.com/2010/02/11-most-annoying-24-subplots.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-3515493242302354057Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:17:00 +00002010-02-09T16:01:20.930-08:00facebook DISCLAIMER: The following is for the appreciation of those of you I know already agree with my sentiment. These thoughts are for the most part extremes way beyond how I really feel, but I think pretty well nail my side of this issue. If you think this might offend you, please stop reading. Some Facebook statuses I decided against posting:When you revolutionize social media, you get to start http://www.adamdaroff.com/2010/02/more-thoughts-on-facebooks-new-layout.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-6091303256910296479Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:25:00 +00002010-01-26T19:45:27.373-08:00presidentselectionsJohn Adams and Thomas Jefferson had been close friends, kindred spirits since the First Continental Congress. While serving as diplomats in France, their friendship became akin to kinship. While serving in Washington's administration, their philosophical differences tore them apart. That fight turned into opposing political parties: Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.The Contenders:Quick http://www.adamdaroff.com/2010/01/election-1800-second-revolution.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-2156822775271811436Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:28:00 +00002010-01-02T23:42:40.458-08:00sportsBoth of my teams, Patriots and Eagles, are safely in the playoffs. Both are also trying to line themselves up for optimal schedules in the post-season. Nine of this week’s 16 games have playoff implications. The 6 NFC playoff teams are all locked in, but 4 of them (Eagles, Vikings, Cardinals and Cowboys) could reach the coveted #2 spot and the first round bye with which it comes. The Patriots andhttp://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/12/footballs-fucking-exciting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-4924063560851006101Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:17:00 +00002010-01-30T11:20:50.339-08:00briefpresidentsPart 12 of 12: Clinton to ObamaNow for the big question: Why did I do this? Why did I spend my free time putting this all together? I didn’t realize the answer until I started the research. Never before has the adage, “those who don’t remember history are doomed to repeat it,” been clearer to me. It made me reflect first on this latest election, then work my way backwards. If we all knew more http://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/12/shit-you-actually-remember.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-2654228973897129906Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:14:00 +00002009-12-22T19:22:08.167-08:00moviesHands Down, The Best Movies of the YearCrank: High VoltageTo be fair, I love Jason Statham movies in general, so I'm biased; however, it's goofy; it's cheesy, and it has more imagination per frame than any other movie of the year. In a year where storytelling was replaced by filmmakers trying to paint over crappy movies with a layer of feigned social conscience, it was refreshing to watch a moviehttp://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/12/my-favorite-movies-of-2009.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-604443378459978443Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:09:00 +00002009-12-17T14:23:15.586-08:00presidentsWashington: Remember to hear both sides, but above all else, don’t side with either of them.Jefferson: The government does not have the power to do anything, except when it does.Quincy Adams: Don’t let other people take credit for your ideasJackson: If you take the bullet, you'll have plenty of time to shoot backHarrison: Wear a coatTaylor: Watch what you eat.Johnson: They let a black guy become http://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/12/if-dead-presidents-could-speak-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-9063367619500346527Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:00:00 +00002009-12-17T12:27:33.679-08:00moviesTVsupportingYou know, this guy: Notable Roles:King - "Platoon"Goliath - "Gargoyles"Big Tim - "Requiem for a Dream"Dr. Facilier - "The Princess and the Frog"Why He's Awesome:No long, drawn out gush fest. He's got the best pipes in animation and voice-over. Gargoyles's Goliath is the greatest cartoon character ever. The man can show up anywhere in a movie and command respect, laughs, or endless cringing as hehttp://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/12/i-love-supporting-actors-keith-david.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-1548432785588631696Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:47:00 +00002009-12-07T12:09:13.510-08:00moviesAnd if it doesn't, we're just not trying hard enough.Neil LaBute and Chris Rock are re-making Frank Oz's "Death at a Funeral," a movie released only two years ago. Oz's movie was pretty funny but far from perfect. Its box office draw was just ok, despite the involvement of Whedon mainstay Alan Tudyk and everyone's favorite little person Peter Dinklage. The brilliance of this re-make is how littlehttp://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/12/death-at-funeral-will-change-film.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-1744304996774997213Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:02:00 +00002010-01-30T11:20:33.255-08:00briefpresidentsPart 11 of 12: Carter to H.W. BushThe Republican Party dominated presidential politics from Lincoln right up to FDR, losing only 4 of 18 elections. The Democrats won 7 of the next 9 elections. The 10th and 11th elections were won by Nixon, who fucked up the entire executive branch of government by casting a shadow of corruption over the presidency. Seriously, all Carter had to do was not fuck http://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/11/donkey-party-is-over.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-300368453565152767Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:28:00 +00002009-11-13T15:50:56.542-08:00moviesTVsupportingYou know, this guy: Notable Roles:Vizzini - "The Princess Bride"Mr. Wendell Hall - "Clueless"Rex - "Toy Story 1, 2, 3-D"Stuart Best - "Murphy Brown"Why He's Awesome:He was fucking Vizzini. I could stop there, but you know I won't. "Inconceivable." That's a ten cent word he single-handedly added to the general vernacular. In and of itself, it's not that funny a word, but his delivery hits it out http://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/11/i-love-supporting-actors-wallace-shawn.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-3648286136455579985Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:41:00 +00002009-11-10T17:18:30.306-08:00facebookPart 3 - CommentsCommenting is maybe the diciest part of Facebook. As I pointed out in Part 2, Facebook makes everyone think all status updates are up for discussion. Hell, the internet now seems to be all about discussions. Videos, pictures, articles, everything has a comments section. Commenting is an easy way to connect with other people without having to come up with the topic of discussion. http://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/11/facebook-etiquette-part-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-4710559581981067103Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:04:00 +00002009-11-10T13:50:58.025-08:00facebookPart 2 - Status UpdatesSay what you want about Twitter and Facebook, there actually is a market for people to post their thoughts 24/7. Most people don't want to know if anyone cares, they just want to feel like they're reaching out to someone. That's fair. However, to avoid unnecessary fights, let's try to keep the following things in mind.Potential employers will -- not might -- read everythinghttp://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/11/facebook-etiquette-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-6336477542776318679Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:15:00 +00002009-11-10T12:53:45.153-08:00facebookPart 1 - IntroductionOh Facebook. You've given the world such a platform for millions of people who just 500 years ago would have been shot just for opening their mouths. Speaking of freedom of speech, what does that mean anyway:"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or thehttp://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/11/facebook-etiquette-part-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-4080858189568795087Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:10:00 +00002009-10-30T10:36:52.997-07:00Federal judge David O. Carter just threw out the latest birther claim that our current president wasn't born in the United States, therefore, is not eligible to be president. The judge's ruling included a statement declaring that the "plaintiffs were trying to persuade him to 'disregard the constitutional procedures in place for the removal of a sitting president.'""'The process for removal of a http://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/10/birthers-now-hate-america-apparently.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-6980413054103402294Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:11:00 +00002010-01-30T11:20:16.947-08:00briefpresidentsPart 10 of 12: JFK to FordOld school Vice Presidents, like Tyler, Fillmore, Johnson, and Arthur, were, let’s be honest, shitty presidents. In the 1800’s, no one cared. Presidents didn’t do much back then, and VP’s were just put on the ballot by the party to balance the ticket. After WWII, we had this nagging Cold War, so suddenly the people demanded a VP who was actually competent.John Fitzgeraldhttp://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/10/men-who-would-be-king-even-leslie-king.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-3478177167533427086Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:20:00 +00002009-10-23T18:02:32.761-07:00HEAVY SPOILER ALERTI hated District 9. That was just a mindless action movie. The message didn't grow organically from the characters, the filmmakers just slathered Apartheid onto a popcorn flick to trick us into thinking it had some meat to it. I've said it before and I'll say it again; District 9 is what stupid people think a smart movie is.The Saw movies succeed where District 9 failed by http://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/10/why-saw-vi-is-better-than-district-9.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-4951902387188812999Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:37:00 +00002010-02-17T18:11:40.713-08:00presidentsPoliticsI had an hour to kill and decided to deposit my check. There was no one in line because it's Thursday, so I decided to ask if he had any dollar coins. They had a Quincy Adams. I left the bank, only to find Downtown Glendale has like a thousand banks: Cal National, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, HSBC, and a bunch of credit unions. Long story short, I'm now up to date on dollar coins, until http://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/10/thank-god-for-downtown-glendale.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-7567395136913721257Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:34:00 +00002009-09-30T22:35:48.122-07:00overtimeTV[originally written for overtimecomedy.com on 10/06/06]I'm just going to come right out and say it. As a kid, I was a crazy die-hard Star Trek fan. It was one of the few things my father and I had in common, so we embraced the shit out of it. This of course led to one of the great dilemmas of my early adolecence, how to be a sci-fi nerd and meet girls.The answer: Sea Quest.Here was a sci-fi show http://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/09/ladies-love-sea-quest-fans.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7608102379287542578.post-1315110084769973899Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:14:00 +00002009-09-24T22:39:27.333-07:00moviesbadmoviesMy first Transporter movie was Transporter 2. It's amazing. That movie is a bastion of ridiculousness. Jason Statham is white ninja. That guy rules. Before they could reach the heights of Transporter 2, they had to setup the character and all his back story, blah blah blah. It has some good action sequences, but overall, it tries too hard to be a real movie.There is, however, one good scene.I http://www.adamdaroff.com/2009/09/great-scenes-from-bad-movies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daroff)0