Unless you consider yourself “a runner,” (you know who you are) running can kind of suck. A lot. Sometimes it feels great to feel the wind through your hair and know that you left the equivalent of a 5K in the dust, no sweat. Other times, you barely make it to the end of your block before thoughts of turning home to the comfort and safety of your couch and DVR creep into your head.

And then there’s the whole debate over whether running on a treadmill is the same as running outdoors. Some “runners” will swear up and down that running on a treadmill is inferior to running outside, belittling the 3 miles on the treadmill that you just called your workout as not as hard, not as fast, or not as long as the treadmill said.

Well, here’s your chance to put those people in their place. Studies have proven that treadmill running is just as hard (and good for you) as running outside! Yayyyy! For better or worse, the treadmill and the great outdoors will burn your booty just the same when running is the name of the game.

Although they’ve proven that running on a treadmill is just as good of a workout as running outside, we all know that there are still huge differences in the two! Sure, you can listen to your iPod in both situations, but only inside can you balance Cosmo on the magazine rack in front of you while Britney’s “3″ keeps you working.

Most people have a preference for one or the other, but if you’re unsure of which location is better for you, here are the pros and cons of both:

Running Outdoors:
When you run outside you get lots of fresh air, pretty scenery, and the thrill of exploring new routes. Lovely. But you’re also more at risk for being injured (either instantly by tripping and falling, or later on due to the effect of  the hard roads on your joints) or being attacked. Plus, it’s not always easy to gauge your speed or distance. Oh, and sometimes, the weather can suck.

If you do choose to run outside, you should wear bright and reflective colors, run in well-lit and populated areas, and carry your cell phone with you if possible. (This is one more reason I love my iPhone so much – iPod and phone!! Woooo!).

Running on the Treadmill:
Like I said, magazine reading material is a perk, and when on the treadmill you can see your speed, distance and time all right in front of you. I don’t know about you, but that forces me to push myself a little harder – to run a little faster and further. But while that’s a major perk to gym running, there is the nasty truth that gyms are germy! And crowded – you don’t want to spend your precious time waiting in line to get in a 5 mile run. And let us not forget that the treadmill can be BORING; even if there’s a TV on that badboy, it gets old running in place after awhile.

Both options have their goods and their bads, but wherever you choose to run, it’s the right choice. Running – either indoors or out – is a great form of cardio. The most important thing you can do is find out which works better for you and stick with it. And the second most important thing you can do is add some Miley to your running playlist. She’ll definitely pick you up when you’re feeling down and out and too tired to move on.

]]> http://spareribs.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/new-zeland-flight-of-the-conchords/ Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:16:50 +0000 roulroul http://spareribs.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/new-zeland-flight-of-the-conchords/

Bon je ne suis pas très “TV shows” mais celui-ci vaut vraiment le détour.

Pour le synopsis, il s’agit de 2 musiciens néo-zélandais, Brett et Jermaine, qui débarquent à NYC et essayent de percer dans le milieu musical. Malheureusement ils ont pour manager le responsable culturel du consulat de Nouvelle Zélande, Murrais, qui fait de son possible pour organiser des “band meetings” et des “giggs”.

Les autres personnages de cette série sont, Mel, la (seule) groupie qui fantasme sur nos 2 musiciens, et Dave, qui tient un magasin d’objet en dépôt et qui a toujours un conseil avisé sur les femmes.

Sinon cette série se caractérise par son humour décalé et pince-sans-rire de tous ces personnages qui semblent en dehors des réalités et par les passages musicaux offerts par Brett McKenzie et Jermaine Clement dont ils ont tirés les chansons de leurs propre album. Le style de musique varie très fort d’une chanson à l’autre, du hip-hop(potamuse) au Ragga en passant par le folk voire le Blues.

Ils faut savoir qu’ils sont musiciens, humoriste, acteur ( Jermaine a joué dans “Eagle vs. Shark et Brett dans le “Lord of The Rings”) et que ça donne un mélange détonnant dans cette série que je ne me lasse pas de regarder encore et encore.

Voici qques vidéos de leurs chansons dont les paroles sont excellentes…

Date: 2009
Posted by: El3mentaryPenguin
Cast: Siobhan O’Sullivan (Marilyn), Kyle Phillips (Stan), Lorrie McInnis (Marie), Bevin Green (Simone Athens), Taylor Ashcroft (Pamela), Ramon Balderas (Lucius), Lanie Goodrich (Apemantus), Ruben Figueroa (Archie Baldes)
Credits: Colour and Sound Moving Pictures Present. Directed by Josh Hensley, written by Lanie Goodrich and Josh Hensley,
Duration: 1.38, 6.24, and 7.55

This curious effort in three parts looks like a student effort to modernise their study play. It would be difficult to recognise this as an adaptation of Timon of Athens if one had not been prompted beforehand; indeed, it is not too easy to recognise its debt to Shakespeare’s play even if one knows its source of inspiration. Yet, as clumsy as it is (with dialogue drowned out by wind and passing traffic) and with action almost impossible to follow (part one seems incomplete), it is intriguingly earnest and mysteriously oblique. It describes itself as “a story of the rottenness of society. Everything comes down to the dirty dollar”. It is worth watching twice to see how the young filmmakers try to hang on to Shakespeare’s play, even though they fail.

Part 2

Part 3

Links:
YouTube page: Part 1
YouTube page: Part 2
YouTube page: Part 3

Now, it might not look that way in my living room/sewing area right now, but I am making inroads! On top of finishing these, I put together a new 3/4 sleeved t-shirt (which looks like most of my other t-shirts, so I didn’t bother with the photo), and fixed popped seams in another long sleeved T (really, do use the stretch stitch setting, even if it does eat up 3x the thread…).

Last August we took a little trip out of town, with no real agenda. Saw some provincial parks listed on the map up the highway, so we headed north. Never did find the exits for those, so we ended up in Truro, where the highway ends. And almost first thing off the highway, with a grocery store to pick up lunch… was a Fabricville. With a buy-1-get-2-free sale. I mean, come on, I can’t go against fate can I?

I picked up brown linen, white dot cotton (from which I’ve already made a skirt and a top – have one more top cut out and ready to sew), and a swirly blue “unknown fibres” (which burned to say polyester if I recall correctly), which turned into much needed curtains. Wait, I didn’t tell you about the curtains?

This:

Is now this:

Much better, eh?

Right, I was talking about the linen before I got sidetracked there. I managed to get shorts and drawstring pants cut out of the 3 metres, even with the dye flaw.

What’s turned out to be my favourite shorts pattern:

has now been altered based on the pants pattern I’ve finally fit to my satisfaction. Not that it mattered much with the drawstring top, but hey, looking to the future it’ll come in handy.

(Please excuse both the tucked-in look (well, you can’t see the shorts very well otherwise, can you?) and the bad image quality (I may have to stop sewing for a bit and sort out a lighting system – it’s going to be a long winter for a north facing apartment!).)

I actually cut out the pattern with the yoke pieces (they are topstitched onto the shorts body, which I always thought was a weird way to do it), but the linen is a really loose weave, and yokes always end up with a good portion on the bias due to the curve of the pieces. I couldn’t get them to lie down flat anymore! So I went with a theme, and made these drawstring too, by attaching the yokes right sides together, flipping them inside, and sewing down a 1/2″ casing along the top. The bottom parts of the yokes still flare out, but they are inside now so no one has to see them .

The pants pattern, I actually have no idea where it came from. For the longest time I thought it was my sister’s, but it’s not (she’d never get a L/XL anyway!).

Ah, well, mystery origin or not, out it came and I spent an hour on the floor trying to morph my fitting pants pattern on top of it (or was it below it?). Whatever, it worked – excepting the 2 1/2″ hem (better too long than last winter’s too short!!).

Not that you can tell, but I put patch pockets on these too. Going for the summer casual look!

Neither are going to be very useful outdoors until May, but the pants have already debuted in “slouching around the house”, and I have to tell you, soooo comfortable!

And the final finished object…

I had a knit fabric nightgown with a crocheted trim I bought years ago, and the elastic went and the fabric was getting dingy, so I traced it out on new fabric, added some length, and took the trim off to make a new version.

Doesn’t look like much lying down, but it’s definitely got enough negative ease to provide lots of shaping when it’s on me . No, there will be no modeled shots!

Next up: fixing a mint coloured dress, and attempting the swiss dot top (drafted much of it myself, not sure how it’s going to turn out!!).

some more recreated backgrounds from some of the disney shorts, all painted in watercolor. all of them have a slightly different style. the reason might be the different BG-artists. here we go, starting in 1937 with PLUTO’S QUINPUPLETS.

following is the 1939 DONALD DUCK short, DONALD’S LUCKY DAY.

and one more from a 1940 MICKEY MOUSE short, MR. MOUSE TAKES A TRIP.

© disney enterprises, inc

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

Theatrical Release:Aug 21, 2009

Shorts is set in the suburb of Black Falls, where all the houses look the same and everyone works for BLACK BOX Unlimited Worldwide Industries Incorporated, whose Mr. Black’s BLACK BOX is the ultimate communication and do-it-all gadget that’s sweeping the nation. Other than keeping his parents employed, however, Mr. Black’s BLACK BOX has done nothing for 11-year-old Toe Thompson, who just wants to make a few friends…until a mysterious rainbow-colored rock falls from the sky, hits him in the head and changes everything. The Rainbow Rock does Mr. Black’s BLACK BOX one better: it grants wishes to anyone who holds it. Before long, wishes-gone-wrong have left the neighborhood swarming with tiny spaceships, crocodile armies, giant boogers…and outrageous magical mayhem around every corner. But it’s not until the grown-ups get their hands on the Rock that the trouble really starts. Now Toe and his newfound friends must join forces to save their town from itself, discovering along the way that what you wish for is not always what you want

Short Film for BMW, USA, 7m
Directed by Guy Ritchie

BMW M5 and Madonna with Clive Owen as her driver.

OMG! You have been given another chance to own this Gucci bag and Fudge shorts! If you follow these directions carefully, you will probably rejoice forever. Here are the steps:

1. Go to http://www.german-proxy.de/.

2. Type http://www.stardoll.com/de/contest/view.php?id=180 in the URL box.

3. When you’ve signed in, you’ll see a quiz. Here are the answers:

• Chanel
• Spanischer Schuhdesigner
• Trenchcoates
• Prada
• Domenico & Stefano
• Koffer
• Rennpferd
• Italienisches Modehaus
• Tattookünstler
• Schwedisch

4. Press Submit and go to Stardoll for a designer surprise!

In dem Film „Marley & Ich“ beschreibt Hauptdarsteller Owen Wilson in der Rolle eines Journalisten innerhalb von drei Filmminuten was ihm alles in letzter Zeit passiert ist. Hier sind meine drei Minuten (Dopplungen sind Absicht):

Wachte auf durch mein Handy.
Schrieb Drehbuch.
Schrieb mit Jerome der grad Drehbuch schrieb.
Dachte über Krebs nach.
Dachte an Freunde.
Ging zum Schlecker, bezahlte mit Karte.
Saß mit Schreibblockade vorm Drehbuch.
Dachte über meine Ex-Freundin nach.
Dachte über meine zukünftige Freundin nach.
Ging ins Kino.
Verbrachte Zeit im Bad.
Checkte Facebook.
Checkte StudiVZ.
Ging ins Woko.
Telefonierte mit Maja.
Telefonierte mit Manne.
Machte Sport.
Telefonierte mit Beri.
Aß Pazifische Scholle.
Schrieb ‘ne Kolumne über 2012.
Ging zum Arzt der mir sagte ich solle mir keine Gedanken über Krebs machen.
Hörte auf mir Gedanken zu machen.
Schrieb ‘ne Kolumne über John Lennon.
Spielte Onlinegolf mit Freunden.
Verbrachte Zeit im Bad.
Ging auf eine Party.
Las ein Buch übers Drehbuch schreiben.
Ging ein Paket abholen das im Haus abgegeben wurde.
War ‘n Schuhe drinne, haben gepasst.
Lief mit Schuhen durch Wohnung.
Probierte Schuhe zusammen mit andern Sachen an.
Ging ins Manolo.
Aß Omas Kartoffelsalat.
Hoffte auf einen Inspirationsschub.
Nichts.
Dachte über Krebs nach.
Ging shoppen.
Kaufte mir ‘n neuen Pullover.
Machte Sport.
Las ein Buch über Woody Allen.
Verbrachte Zeit im Bad.
Wechselte kaputte Glühbirne im Bad aus.
Benutzte Birne aus der Küche.
Hatte nur noch Licht in der Küche wenn man den Kühlschrank aufmachte.
Kaufte neue Birne.
Schrieb Drehbuch.
Dachte über Freunde nach.
Dachte über Mädchen nach.
Ging einkaufen.
Vergaß die Hälfte.
Ging auf eine Party.
Suchte nach einem Grund nicht völlig zu verzweifeln.
Nichts.

Jack stood before the open doors of the abandoned warehouse and peered outside, scanning the barren meadow. Light appeared at the horizon. It was growing around him, veiled in a glazed mist. A wall of light, with a beauty that is spent solely on those who are open to it and of course awake early enough to whiteness it. Before him an vast and even plain. The air was clear and thick, perfect for reaching high into the heavens.

It was cold. With his breath he was blowing clouds of smoke and condensation. It was just above zero, the ice was already beginning to thaw. He threw is smoldering cigarette on the floor and put it out with his bare foot. Jack felt nothing.

The heavy screeching that was coming from the warehouse pierced the silence that had so carefully engulfed the field of ice. Christopher and Eagle were busy dragging the aircraft outside.

Christopher was panting heavily as he stood behind the contraption, which in the morning light, looked even more perilous than usual. Jack stared at him for a moment. Brushing the hair out of his face, Jack jumped on to the seat of the pilot, which to great injustice had been dubbed the ‘cockpit’. With his arms he instructed that Christopher and Eagle had to step away from the vehicle. Just before he started the engine he looked and saw her. There she stood, alone. Jack smiled.

With much hesitation the engine came to life. Slowly the craft was set in motion, heading for the ice covered field. Christopher and ‘The’ Eagle were running after the device as it sped away from them.

Reaching the end of the runway Jack carefully positioned the aircraft, facing the wind, in the direction of the sleeping town. Jacks head was sticking out above the main body of the contraption. Between his legs he held the control column, while staring at the instruments. The throttle, hand-brake, fuel-, pressure- and temperature-gages; everything appeared to be working.

Lilly had joined Christopher and Eagle, who were nervously watching the aircraft from the opposite end of the runway. They were far away, difficult to separate form ano another.

Jack took a deep breath. This would be his last chance before the ice would be gone. Slowly Jack pushed the throttle open. He kept opening I further until eventually it was fully open, giving the engine all it could. The propeller was spinning faster than ever before and the engine was roaring louder with the increasing revolutions. It was an overwhelming sound of pure power.

The aircraft began to pick up speed, continuously going faster across the ice. Waves of ice cold wind were licking their way across Jack’s face. He could feel how all the warmth in his body was being extracted from him. His lips started to hurt. His goggles and wool hat, with a colourful flower pattern across the middle, did not help much against natures’ ruthlessness upon his body’s bare skin. The cold was ripping through his body. Jack could feel his body stiffen and his face beginning to burn.

The craft had reached its top speed and bolted across the ice in the direction of the town. In the distance, at the end of the runway, a number of old willows were sticking out of the ice. They were dark and lifeless.

Jack was going faster than he had ever done before. The ice rushed below him as his aircraft buckled heavily. Jack grasped the control column tightly with his stiff arms in an attempt to keep the heaving device under control. In his hand Jack could feel nothing; it was either the cold or the excitement that was numbing him, Jack could not be certain of either at this moment.

Never before had jack flown; not even as a passenger. He new merely what he had seen on television. A while ago he had seen a James Bond movie in which Bond effortlessly got a burning plane into the air. So it could not be so difficult.

If an overpaid actor can pretend to do it, then I anyone can. None the less, someone had to do it .Jack though to him-self. Eagle would not want to do it and Christo was simply too scared.

Together they had built this thing with their own hands. It had taken them since summer to construct their dream. During the last attempt Jack had bailed, as the engine was having trouble. All it had needed was some ‘fine tuning’.

Slowly Jack tugged at the control column. It was not moving. He began pulling harder and wilder now. It was stuck.

The willows that moments ago had been stood far in the distance were coming at Jack with an incredible speed. Jack was instantly aware of the fact that he could never bring the shaking plane to a stop in time; the wheels would have insufficient traction on the ice. Switching off the engine and doing everything to slow down would only reduce the force of the impact. I could possibly save his life.

As if in a dream, will could feel the column give way, just as he was about to kill the engine. But as if trapped in a nightmare the column did not move far enough. The plane inched its way of the ice, but rapidly fell back down. The wheels struck down hard causing the whole aircraft to bounce up and down wildly, with large shocks.

“What the hell is he doing?!”

“This is not good!”

Eagle and Christopher stood frozen to the spot, the seemed to wan to shout but they could not produce any sound. The small aircraft darted past them with a heavy roar. They could see the inevitable quickly approaching. Lilly could do nothing but watch as Jack barely lifted and moments later violently touched down again.

With an unbelievable speed Jack hurdled towards the trees. Jack shut his eyes for the unavoidable, giving the column one last heavy tug. That exact moment Jack’s eyes shot open. He wanted to see for himself how he was going to die. He wanted to face death completely fearless and full pride.

As if this was not granted this last moment of dignity, the winged craft ascended. With incredible force it tilted backwards, shooting Jack into the air. The aircraft grazed the tops of the trees. The sound of cracking and screeching branches against the wings resonated loudly as they were struck.

He was not dead. The Ice that had just been rushing past him had made way for a number of meters of air. The violent shaking had stopped. The wind was rushing pas his face. Even though it was cold, Jack did not mind at all. Inside he felt warm. Adrenaline was coursing through his body. He had never been this happy to be alive.

As he successfully turned the aircraft, a feeling of euphoria washed over him, while the rising sun blinded him with the purest rays he had ever seen. Light was all around him. It was quiet. Jack could feel it, he was flying. He felt alive.

He headed back towards the icy field. Jack peered over the side of the aircraft, as he tried to spot his friends not far below him. He could see  Christopher and Eagle. They were running towards him. Towards the trees.

Where is lilly?

Jack’s eyes searched for her. Ne saw nothing. All he could see was the two figures running across the ice. Jack did not understand why there bothered, he was going to fly right towards them.

His eye was caught by a small cloud of smoke. Quickly it was growing larger. It was only now that will was right above the willows that he was it. Scatter around the trees was pieces of metal. Twisted, ripped apart, and now also burning. Moments went, nothing happened.

It was only now that Jack noticed how truly silent it actually was.

Foto de uma mão só porque a outra tava batendo a foto! rsrsrsrs Esmalte Rosé da Colorama + muito anéis!

Comprinhas de ontem: 1 boyfriend jeans com cinto de cobra e um mini shortinho com lenço de onçinha:

Tem um site maravilhoso de lingerie, vale à pena conferir: http://www.novalua.com.br

E ai, gostaram?

Northampton Area Police News:

“A Musante Drive resident reported that a wreath that hung on her outdoor storage unit was stolen at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, police said. The value of the decorated wreath is $50 and there are no suspects, police said.”

A $50 dollar wreath hung on a storage unit.
A $50 dollar wreath.  Hung on a storage unit.

At least a life lessons like this is still cheaper than a college course. We’re still at a complete loss as to why they would spend $50 on a wreath in the first place. It’s likely they must also heat their home with greenbacks, and use Benjamin brand toilet paper.

~The Management.

Below the cut: I Am A Bike Thief, The Fashion Police…

Amherst Police Reports

Police took a reports of a break-in to a Pufton Village home Monday at 6:06 a.m. in which a man wearing a black hoodie was seen exiting the residence with a 42-inch flat-screen television. The man placed the set on a bicycle and fled to the scene. Police are investigating.

Representatives for the band Freezepop could not be reached to answer questions pertaining to this incident.

Tuesday, Nov. 17

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

• 4:08 p.m. -  A jogger was reported on North Pleasant Street near Fearing Street wearing no pants or shorts. Police located the man and determined his running shorts were just very short.

Wait, since when did hipsters jog?

Till next week,

~The Management.

Aproveitando esse dia quente e maravilhoso (acordei as 07:00 horas e já estava um sol lindo!!!), vou postar dicas de uso para uma peça fresquinha e deliciosa de usar: Vestido Osklen. 

Opção 01: Usar como microvestido (adoro) com cinto da Maria Bonita Extra marcando a cintura, nos pés sandália Maria Bonita e colar  Sandra Marques

Opção 02: Com o cardigan Huis Clos e sapato Caos – Très Chic!!!

Opção 03 : O vestido também pode ser usado como camisetão, fica lindo e muito confortável, usado com shorts John John + bota Paula Ferber + óculos Dolce Gabbana= produção perfeita para enfrentar esse calorão  e atrair todos os olhares por onde você passar!

Óculos Dolce Gabbana= produção cool

Semana que vem tam mais..aguardem !!!

Então, com uns vôos para lá de lentos (o leg está de matar e estou começando a achar que a culpa não é de SL…) trago algumas coisas $lindinhas$ para vocês!

Na  Bliss Couture, 0  par de botas de cor roxo está custando L$1,  para membros do grupo com tag ativada e o cabelo muito crazy, custa L$0, para todos! O Tattoo e o sofá com poses e texturas color change,  são presentes na INFO do grupo  FABULOUSLY FREE IN SL.

Na Exclusiva, esse lindão está gratuito! Toque no vendor e escolha Redeliver.

Body e conjunto de short/top do grupo REVENGE, nas notícias da INFO! Cabelo vermelho (pack de cores) no Subscribe da Simply Britnee!

Conjunto da Shouted Couture, em caixa de presente no chão, onde é so touchar! Rsrsrsrsrs….

Vestido na notícia número 1,  no Subscribe da KENZIE&CO, onde também tem Luck Chair (a blusa listrada em preto e branco), Luck Letter e muuuitos presentes em uma sacola no balcão da recepção!

Luck Chair da Convoitise, onde você encontrará vários frees, dollarbies e promoções. Muitos deles são antigos. Brincos e bracelete no Subscribe (notícia de número 3), da Cacao Carami!

Dollarbie da KABOOM! O vestido vermelho, o top verde com motivo natalino e uma camiseta masculina também verde com motivo para o Natal. Há frees, dollarbies e Luck Chairs no local.

Eita,  que agora nem sei para onde vai o bagunçário! Um abração, genteeee!

Tom Hanks, left, plays symbologist Robert Langdon and Ayelet Zurer portrays physicist Vittoria Vetra in the thriller “Angels & Demons.”

This week’s DVD releases cover a lot of territory. They include a family film from the director of “Spy Kids,” a holiday comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon, an Adam Sandler feature helmed by writer-director Judd Apatow and a big-budget thriller starring Tom Hanks.

Funny People
3 stars
DVD contains rated and unrated versions of the film. The rated version received an R for language and crude sexual humor throughout, and some sexuality
Universal
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

There are enough funny people in writer-director Judd Apatow’s appropriately titled relationship dramedy to keep things interesting through the movie’s 155-minute run, but the filmmaker is awfully lucky he assembled the cast that he did.

Adam Sandler stars as George Simmons, a wildly popular actor-comedian who seems to have it all: Hit movies, a palatial Southern California home and the adoration of fans everywhere. But when Simmons learns he’s contracted a deadly disease that could very well end his life, he begins to question his place in the world, and he latches onto a fledgling comedian named Ira Wright (Seth Rogen) for support. Although funny, Ira is yet to perfect his standup routines, so he’s ecstatic when the veteran Simmons agrees to hire him as a personal assistant, and the two men quickly form an awkward but genuine friendship.

Apatow sets up the premise with style, and its interesting to watch Simmons, who is jaded and miserable, interact with George, who is still full of hope and excitement. Unfortunately, the movie takes a negative turn when Apatow leads us into a subplot built around the one big love (Leslie Mann) that George let slip away. Because Sandler and Rogen are a lot of fun to watch, and because they get good supporting performances from Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman, we can forgive Apatow for straying. Still, there’s little doubt that “Funny People” would have been funnier if it skipped the romantic stuff and put all its energy into George’s bout with mortality and his relationship with Ira.

The movie is available as part of multiple home video releases, including a two-disc Unrated Collector’s Edition. Extra features vary.

Angels & Demons: Extended Edition
2½ stars (out of four)
Unrated
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

You have to give director Ron Howard credit for consistency. His adaptation of writer Dan Brown’s “Angels & Demons” shares precisely the same pace and tone as his earlier take on Brown’s bestseller “The DaVinci Code.” Trouble is, “The Da Vinci Code” movie is merely a workmanlike thriller, while the book was a breathtaking piece of genre fiction.

“Angels & Demons” is arguably a weaker novel, but I had higher expectations for the film because the plot is more cinematic. While “The Da Vinci Code” spent a lot of time focused on ancient codes and ciphers, “Angels” is a fast-paced footrace through the streets of Rome. As in “Da Vinci,” Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is at the center of the action.

Langdon is called upon by the Vatican when it appears that a secret society known as the Illuminati has surfaced and placed a devastatingly powerful bomb at the heart of Vatican City. Equally horrifying is a message claiming that four cardinals — the most likely successors to the just-deceased pope — have been kidnapped and will be publicly executed. The perpetrators have left hints as to when and where they will commit their nasty deeds, but they are steeped in historic riddles that only Langdon has the ability to decipher.

Intent on stopping the murders, he embarks on a desperate race to solve the riddles and beat the Illuminati at its sick game. He’s aided by the Vatican police, Swiss Guard and a beautiful physicist named Vittoria Vetra (Ayelet Zurer).  Also helping is Camerlengo Patrick McKenna (Ewan McGregor) who — because of the pope’s death — is temporarily the lead authority at the Vatican.

Howard does a good job recreating the events depicted in the book, and Hanks captures the Robert Langdon spirit perfectly, all of which leaves us with a decent movie. Decent, but not great. What the film lacks is the breathlessness one feels while reading the novel. Yes, there are exciting moments on screen, but they are frequently countered by extended dialogue sequences that relieve much of the tension. Part of the trouble is that Brown’s plotting is complicated and cerebral, and it’s tough to condense that type of storytelling into a two-and-a-half hour movie. It can be done, but it takes an extraordinary effort, and everything about this film is painfully ordinary.

DVD extras include more than a half dozen making-of features, focused on everything from the adaptation of the novel to the film’s elaborate props.

Four Christmases
2½ stars
Rated PG-13 for some sexual humor and language
New Line Cinema
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

With most DVD releases hitting stores less than six months after a film was released into theaters, it feels odd to get “Four Christmases” a full year after its theatrical run. But, clearly, New Line Cinema decided the video would attract more attention during the holiday season. The studio is probably right because, as a comedy, “Four Christmases” is slight, but there aren’t many holiday films to choose from, and it’s always nice to have something new to throw in alongside “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “White Christmas.” 

Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon star as Brad and Kate, a modern power couple that have never married and spend their holidays trying to dodge their fractured relations. Things go awry, however, when bad weather stops their planned flight to Fiji and a television news crew interviews them about the bad break. Suddenly, their parents — all divorced — are aware that they’re available for the holiday, forcing them to accept invitations to four separate Christmas celebrations … one with Brad’s crotchety father (Rober Duvall), one with Kate’s newly spiritual mother (Mary Steenburgen), one with Brad’s anything-goes mom (Sissy Spacek) and one with Kate’s surprisingly normal dad (Jon Voight).

Like “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” the film considers the stress of family gatherings, but never in a mean-spirited or distressing way, and Vaughn and Witherspoon are typically charming. “Four Christmases” is a generic comedy in every sense, but it has enough funny moments to make it viable for anyone who enjoys Vaughn and Witherspoon. The film will never replace “Miracle on 34^th Street,” but it does go down awfully well with a nice glass of egg nog. 

The DVD has no extra features. 

Shorts
2½ stars
Rated PG for mild action and some rude humor
Warner Brothers
Available on: DVD and Blu-ray

In one of the more bizarre careers in film history, do-it-all filmmaker Robert Rodriguez regularly shifts between, ultra-violent action movies — “Planet Terror,” “Sin City,” “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” — and family friendly material — “Spy Kids,” “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl.” “Shorts” falls into the latter category, telling the story of several children who discover a mysterious charm called a Wishing Rock. The kids soon learn that any wish made with the rock in hand will come true, leading to wild adventures with space aliens, upright crocodiles and even a booger monster.

All the craziness is set against the backdrop of the ultra-corporate world they call home. You see, the children’s parents work for a gigantic corporation run by a nasty CEO named Mr. Black (James Spader). Predictably, his kids, Helvetica (Jolie Vanier) and Cole (Devon Gearhart), are the town bullies.

Rodriguez chose to tell his story through a series of short films that are replayed out of order, leaving viewers to piece things together a little at a time. The most important player is Toby “Toe” Thompson (Jimmy Bennett), the narrator of the each piece.

“Shorts” is wild, wacky and childlike enough to appeal to most elementary school-age children. It is not, however, as carefully crafted as today’s better family films. Rodriguez’s plotting is so over-the-top, it seems he was focused solely on letting his inner child loose, forgetting that a great family picture also includes something for parents.

Along with the movie, the DVD includes one of Rodriguez’s “Ten Minute Film School” extras, this one focused on the making of “Shorts.” Also included is a “Ten Minute Cooking School” episode devoted to the making of Chocolate Chip Volcano Cookies.

ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

“2009 World Series Film — Philadelphia Phillies Vs. New York Yankees”: A detailed account of the season that led the Yankees to their 40^th American League pennant and 27^th World Series title. Available on DVD Nov. 24 and coming to Blu-ray Dec.15.

“The Witches Hammer”: Horror story about a woman named Rebecca (Claudia Coulter) who is brought back from the brink of death and turned into a vampire by a secret agency. Then, she is used as a weapon against her own kind. 

“Gomorrah”: Award-winning Italian drama based on undercover Italian reporter Roberto Saviano’s expose on Naples’ mafia underworld. The film is being released as part of the Criterion Collection, and it’s presented in Italian, Mandarin and French with English subtitles.

“Golden Age of Television”: This three-Disc set features kinescopes of the live broadcasts of “Marty” (1953), “Patterns” (1955), “No Time for Sergeants” (1955), “A Wind from the South” (1955), “Bang the Drum Slowly” (1956), “Requiem for a Heavyweight” (1956), “The Comedian” (1957), and “Days of Wine and Roses” (1958).  These shows were a combination of theater, radio and filmmaking when TV technology was growing rapidly. The set also features interviews with a number of acting legends, including Andy Griffith, Piper Laurie, Jack Palance, Mickey Rooney, Rod Steiger and Mel Torme.

“Megafault”: Syfy Channel thriller about a massive earthquake that creates a crack in the Earth’s crust and threatens to tear the world in half.  Stars Eriq LaSalle (“ER,” “Without a Trace”), Brittany Murphy (“Sin City,” “8 Mile“), Justin Hartley (“Smallville”) and Bruce Davison (“X-Men,” “Knight Rider”)

“Evergreen”: Coming-of-age film about Henrietta (Addie Land), a 14-year-old who believes she’s missing out on life. Desperate to change her family situation, she inserts herself into the lives of wealthy Chat Turly (Noah Fleiss) and his mother Susan (Mary Kay Place), only to find that she may have it OK after all.

“Toi & Moi (You & Me)”: French romantic comedy about Ariane (Julie Depardieu), a writer who pens stories for a magazine inspired by her sister Lena’s (Marion Cotillard) love life.  Both women are in relationships with commitment-phobic men, and they fantasize about finding Mr. Right. Presented in French with English subtitles.

“Beverly Hills 90210” — The Eighth Season: Life after graduating high school is no cake walk for Brandon (Jason Preistley), Kelly (Jenny Garth), Donna (Tori Spelling), David (Brian Austin Greene) and the rest of the original “90210” gang. During season eight, they explore issues such as Kelly being victimized by a drive-by shooting, Donna’s drug overdose, and Brandon and Kelly’s wedding plans.

“Melrose Place” — Fifth Season Volume 2: This season had a huge shift in cast members, as the final 13 episodes introduced Rob Estes, Lisa Rinna and Alyssa Milano. Also, Grant Show, Marcia Cross and Laura Leighton left the show.

Forrest Hartman is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation’s largest publications. E-mail him at Forrest@ForrestHartman.com

“Journey of Life” Ultra Short Film by Amila Galappatthi is now showing at www.artbychance.org

Please visit www.artbychance.org

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Short Film USA, 3m46
Directed by : Miguel Arteta
With : John C Reily, Miranda July, Mike White.

John C Reily ask this simple question to random people on the street : ” Are you anybody’s favorite person ?”

Just watch it !

Animated Short Film, USA. 5m53
Directed by Tim Burton & Narrated by Vincent Price (1982)

“ Vincent Malloy is seven years old,He’s always polite and does what he’s told.For a boy his age he’s considerate and nice,But he wants to be just like Vincent Price (…) “

Inspiration & Creation
By Jack Shelbourn, USA, 2m50

“The aim of the project was to create a portrait of a person, fictional or non fictional, through audio and visual means.
The subject of this project is a female dancer, the emotion and feeling portrayed are that of the creation through dance and the inspiration that drives it.”

It is simply visually bEAUTIFUL and the music is Fantastic.