Death Race

Recently I caught my wife in an unusual mood when on a Saturday evening she suggested, "Why don't we go see that Death Race movie?" Knowing I could not pass up this opportunity we ventured to the theater to see the poorly anticipated newest installment of what is sure to become a part of Jason Statham's "B" movie legacy.

I have never seen a outstanding Statham film where he played the main protagonist. Some people call this the "Van Dam syndrome." Statham has played in a myriad of films as the main character all of which payed off very mildly in the box office. But he continues to be cast in new films such as Death Race, released August '08. I have nothing personal against the actor, but as I see it he continually churns out really great "B" quality movies. I don't forsee an Emmy with his name on it anytime soon.

I must say, the movie is quite entertaining. Action-packed from beginning to end is an accurate expectation. It's kind of like Mad Max meets The Shawshank Redemption. Thought the plot is for the most part disclosed in the previews there is one small twist at the end which may catch the non-thinking viewer off guard. The stunts, special effects, and CGI are all incredibly well done and keep you on the edge of your seat. The cheese factor is also kept to a minimum if you can get past the premise that convicts are given sedan-like tanks and forced to race for their lives and freedom. There is a small bit of gore and bad language, but mostly the movie recieved an "R" rating due to the intense violent action.

Joan Allen did an expected excellent job playing the stone cold, refined, high-heeled prison warden. You might remember her as "Pamela Landy" from the second and third Jason Borne movies. Also, I don't know his name but the casting director found perhaps the best Al Pacino look-alike I've ever seen.

Over all the movie is good. It's not award winning but definitely worth a rent if you're looking for quality action. It was of course a remake of an old David Carradine and Sylvester Stalone movie, Death Race 2000, released 1975. I haven't seen that one yet...but I intent to.

Couldn't Pay Me Enough

I recently began an internship as a chaplain at UNC Hospitals. Thus far the experience has been wonderful and insightful. I am charged with the care for roughly 40 beds within the hospital plus sharing the responsibility of responding to the trauma pager when someone in bad shape comes to the emergency department (ED). Some of a chaplain's primary functions are to provide a calming presence, support, and grief counseling to those in need of it. Another function is to act as a liaison between the family and doctors when a trauma comes into the ED.

In a recent experience I met a family who's loved one was in the ED and in bad shape. The family was abrasive and short with me and the other chaplain present. However, as the hours passed and news steadily flowed in from doctors we bonded with the family. By the end of our time together they were telling us "we love you," thanking us, and all but kissing us goodbye. I can only hope that we made a positive impact on that family.

When trying my best to explain my role as chaplain to my "Chicago-ite" brother he earnestly responded, "man, you couldn't pay me enough to do that job." Luckily the hospital is hardly paying us at all.

But comments like that make me think back to my motivation for choosing this path. Being a chaplain this semester is going to be a difficult job, and I don't know if I'll choose to pursue chaplaincy as a career. However, I am thankful for those individuals in any hospital who have chosen the route of chaplaincy. There is little fame, glory, stature, or monetary gain for a hospital chaplain, but these people have chosen to submit themselves daily to helping others through difficult times often found in hospitals. That takes a special individual. Grieving over a lost child or hurting relative is not pleasant. As a chaplain for a semester I hope I can offer at least a bit of support to individuals such as these.

I plan on learning a lot during this internship by way of a unique experience and the counsel of those more experienced that I. Full time chaplains are surely remarkable people.

Go get'em Chappy!

The Dark Knight

Saturday night we joined the crowds flooding into movie theaters across the country to see the Sony and Legendary Pictures' release, "The Dark Knight": the second installment of a well-resurrected comic book franchise.

In one word the film was excellent. And box office numbers are backing me up. The long-awaited sequel sold roughly 153 million in tickets this past weekend making it the highest grossing opening weekend ever. However, one news article was keen to point out that when considering ticket price inflation the 2007 release of Spider-Man 3 still beats The Dark Knight by a thin margin of 170,000. "Go spidey, go!" So of course the film took #1 for the weekend in the box office not closely followed by Mamma Mia at 27 million and Hancock at 14 million.

Much of the hype for the movie was due to anticipation of a new Joker, played by the late Heath Ledger who died in January 2008 due to a drug overdose. Simple previews told audiences that the new Joker was going to be done well, but Ledger's performance was outstanding. I have typically seen him playing the pretty boy with an easy smile in chick flicks, but Ledger seemed to lose himself in this role. I found myself no longer watching a talented actor but the Joker himself. The previous Joker, played by Jack Nicholson was as much about the character as the actor. Though Nicholson did great, I'm afraid he must tip his hat and bow out to a better Joker, played by Ledger.

The film did not follow typical super hero format--a clear problem arises that can only be resolved by the hero who struggles yet ultimately succeeds. The Dark Knight went beyond this familiar approach and called the audience to question what is right and wrong in a number of situations. Morality was a major theme, and how far can a super hero go before it becomes too far? Batman himself becomes a bit darker as a character, and he is made to question why he is Batman and when he will no longer need to be.

As expected the action in the movie is exciting and well thought out. The hand-to-hand combat is much more followable (one criticism of Batman Begins). Of course Batman shows out with new toys and gadgets which caused me to feel like Sergent Gordon from the first film when he exclaimed, "I gotta get me one of those."

Lessons from the Grocery

The Saturday after I turned 16 I had a job at my local grocery store, Ingles, in Asheville, NC. For 2.5 years I worked there through high school. Now in grad school while in need of a little extra cash I'm working at a Harris Teeter in Chapel Hill. In my roughly 5.5 years of grocery store experience I've come to learn several lessons while providing (sometimes over-zealous) customer service.

Grocery store work is repetitive and high energy. There is always a customer somewhere needing help or something needing to be done. Employees remain on their feet at all times and are required to maintain a cheerful and welcoming attitude toward everyone. If you're ever tired or just having a rough day, grocery store work can be difficult.

Lesson #1: People carry their anger around with them.

If you've ever been a regular shopper you've probably run into a slight hold-up at the checkout line: a check not reading correctly, a price check, or a cashier needing a manager's help at the register. If you don't know it yet, these hold-ups are simply part of the grocery store business. Yet sometimes people get all bent out of shape about them and too often take their anger out on the cashier. That's because we carry our anger around like handbags. All it takes is one more push, and we explode. It is almost comical just how angry I've seen people become over something so little at the check out.

Don't unload the stresses of your day on the cashier! The cashier is possibly having a stressful day as well, and if not then you're making it one. A grocery store cashier deals with hundreds of customers during any given day. That's a lot of people to keep happy. And some will simply never be satisfied, because they are angry when they walk through the door.

So this lesson is to say: watch your anger and where it comes from. Don't take it out on the wrong person. The cashier is probably not the reason you're angry. Don't give your bad day to someone who doesn't want it.

Lesson #2: You don't have any servants.

Harris Teeter is especially known for its high level of customer service which, I must admit, sometimes resembles butt kissing. Because of this service, some customers have confused with something we're not: servants.

At many grocery stores, especially up north, you are required to bring your own grocery bags, unload your items for the cashier, pack them yourself, and carry them out yourself all while the cashier chews gum and talks to his or her friend behind you. At Harris Teeter the moment you approach the register we do everything for you including engaging you in conversation and taking your groceries to the car (no tips required).

Because of our high level of customer service, some people think we are their servants. When this happens they begin to treat us like lowly, unimportant, uneducated house servants who can be ordered around and never directly addressed or looked at in the face. In another word: disrespect.

Ironically, it takes a big person to serve others, be it for a job or otherwise. Though we serve people that does not make us their servants.

So this lesson is to say: respect all other people. Look your cashier/bagger in the face, smile, and say thank you, because they are trying there best to make YOU happy.

Good Movies

Recently I've had the privilege to see some of Hollywood's recent releases, and I must say, well done, bravo and kudos.

On May 22, opening night, my wife and I, as two big fans of the franchise, went to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. This movie has received so much publicity before it came out from attractive trailers to advertisements on Dr. Pepper packs and M&M's. Everyone knew about it, the advertisers made sure of that.

I'm no movie critic, but as an avid movie goer and somewhat of a movie buff, I'll give a review a shot. Harrison Ford, though 60+ years old, looked very comfortable back in his ond costume of a gray button up shirt, shoulder bag, leather jacket and iconic Indiana Jones hat. He took the role in stride, and apart from a few well placed jokes about his age the almost senior citizen simply did great.

The plot reflected the past movies and took viewers to a myriad of different exciting locations. The only plot complaints I've heard regard the supernatural turns toward the end of the movie, "they went just a little too far for an Indy film. " If I do recall, Raiders of the Lost Ark included a scene where spirits flew out of the Ark of the Covenant and killed a small militia. In the Temple of Doom Indy drank mystic blood which bewitched him beyond his control, and another mans heart was removed by hand. In The Last Crusade they discovered a Templar night centuries old guarding the cup of Christ which gave eternal life when drank from. That says it, the supernatural is part of Indiana Jones.

Overall, the move was a strong finish to the story of the adventurous archeology professor. It didn't blow your hair back or change your life, but it was nothing but fun and thrilling. Definitely worth the watch.



Prince Caspian in the Chronicles of Narnia series was also a hit. The same four children from The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe are brought back to Narnia for another adventure. Upon their return the find Narnia 1,000 years older and quite different from when they left it before.

The movie follows the book fairly well. There are some changes in the basic time line of the book in a few places, but overall everything that happens in the book happens in the movie...and then some. Like in the first movie the filmmakers embellished a bit and added to the story. Personally, I thought this was less than desirable, but it did add some interesting aspects to the character dynamics.

Overall, the move was exciting, and is a must see for anyone who has grown up reading the Narnia series or read it as a grown up.

AVPR

Being a movie buff, I've seen some bad movies in my time. The trick to watching a bad movie is simply knowing before hand that it is bad. A low expectation often makes a bad movie suddenly seem reasonable.

If you are a fan (like me) of the old Alien movies, and if you are a fan (like me) of the old Predator movies, there is a good chance that you enjoyed the 2004 release Alien vs. Predator, directed by Paul WS Anderson. The movie played on strengths of both the Alien and the Predator franchises. Though I can't say it was a world changing movie it was pleasantly entertaining for fans of the dark horror monster genre.

Because the movie makers profited enough from the first "verses" film they decided to make a second--AVPR. The "R" stands for Requiem, though it ought to stand for "rubbish." I must admit, after reading the reviews and hearing other opinions I wasn't expecting much of the movie, yet I got even less.

In one word the movie is--horrible.

The plot, and acting are equally sub-par. There was a moment during the film when I was ready to reach the remote and turn it off. It seems to have been a cheap attempt by some in Hollywood to make a quick buck off the success of the first AVP movie, which was itself a stretch but satisfying in the end. Luckily we only paid $1 to rent it.

So if you're an Alien and/or Predator fan thinking of indulging your love for the tenured monster genre once more, save your money and time. The movie had the same effect on its viewers as Billy Madison's speech (about the puppy who lost his way) had on its hearers. The school's principal replied, "we are all now dumber."

Worst Foods in America

I recently ran across this article that might interest you. It certainly makes me want to cook at home a little bit more. Enjoy.

Restaurant food is bad for us. You may assume that anything you order at a drive-thru is less than sterling in a nutritional sense, but, in fact, the majority of what we eat at restaurants — even ones with helpful waiters and real tablecloths — is worse for us than we might ever imagine.

A study from the University of Arkansas that found the average diner in this country underestimates his or her caloric intake by up to 93 percent when eating out. Translation: Every time you eat at a restaurant, you're probably eating twice as much as you think.

The scariest part is that it isn't our fault. By expanding portion sizes, spiking our foods evermore with added sugars and dangerous fats, and slapping misleading labels on menus, the restaurant industry has made it nearly impossible for consumers to accurately gauge the caloric heft of, say, a plate of spaghetti and meatballs or a tropical fruit smoothie.

Some studies even show that nutritionists — the PhD-packing "experts" — can't get their calorie counts right. So how can you be expected to?

In researching our book "Eat This, Not That," and to help combat the problem and give people a better idea of how perilous a simple dinner out can be, we spent months reading nutritional info, analyzing food, inspecting menu boards, and, yes, even eating some of these industrial-strength calorie bombs to come up with a list of the restaurant industry's worst individual offenders. Our primary criterion? Sheer caloric impact. After all, it's the top cause of weight gain and the health problems that accompany it. We also factored in other key nutritional data, such as excessive carbohydrates and fat, added sugars, trans fats, and sodium.

The result is our first annual list of the worst foods in America.

Worst Drink
Jamba Juice Chocolate Moo'd Power Smoothie (30 fl oz)
900 calories
10 g fat
183 g carbs
166 g sugar

Jamba Juice calls it a smoothie; we call it a milk shake. In fact, this beverage contains more sugar than 2 pints of Ben and Jerry's Butter Pecan ice cream.

Worst Supermarket Meal
Pepperidge Farm Roasted Chicken Pot Pie (whole pie)
1,020 calories
64 g fat
86 g carbs

The label may say this pie serves 2, but who ever divided a small pot pie in half? Once you crack the crust, there will be no stopping.

Worst Mexican Entree
Chipotle Mexican Grilled Chicken Burrito
1,179 calories
47 g fat
125 g carbs
2,656 mg sodium

Despite a reputation for using healthy, fresh ingredients, Chipotle's menu is limited to football-size burritos, overstuffed tacos, and gigantic salads — all of which contribute to a humongous waistline.

Worst Kids' Meal
Macaroni Grill Double Macaroni 'n' Cheese
1,210 calories
62 g fat
3,450 mg sodium

It's like feeding your kid 1½ boxes of Kraft mac 'n' cheese.

Worst Fish Entree
On the Border Dos XX Fish Tacos with Rice and Beans
2,100 calories
130 g fat
169 g carbs
4,750 mg sodium

Perhaps the most misleadingly named dish in America: A dozen crunchy tacos from Taco Bell will saddle you with fewer calories.

The Worst Food in America
Outback Steakhouse Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing
2,900 calories
182 g fat
240 g carbs

It's the caloric equivalent of eating 14 Krispy Kreme doughnuts, before your dinner arrives. Even if you split this "starter" with 3 friends, you'll have downed a meal's worth of calories.

For a complete list of the 20 Worst Foods in America, and details on how to disarm the restaurant industry's weapons of mass construction, check out these rankings and nutrition secrets.