News -- Arlington Late Night!

It has begun!

To further my talents outside of just sports production, I have created a new show that will air on Arlington Independent Media in Arlington, VA on Channel 69 (Comcast) and Channel 38 (Verizon Fios). Since most readers do not live in Arlington and furthermore, don't care about watching TV on a TV (Computer is better), all of the video will be getting posted on the arlingtonlatenight.blogspot.com and the YouTube site that goes along with that, and you can follow us on Twitter too if you really feel like it.

The show had the first taping last night which was a great success. I will get video up on the OTHER blog ASAP and every now and then - I'll probably brag about how good it is on here.

EXPOsure -- Shanghai 2010 World Expo: The Preview

Above is Haibao. He is the official mascot of the 2010 World Expo which will be held in Shanghai from May 1st thru October. Although he looks like a poor man’s Gumbi or an animated condom with arms and legs, Haibao is becoming more popular than KFC or Celine Dion. Just as China had never hosted the Olympic Games until two summers ago, this year will be the first time that Asia’s emerging superpower will host the Expo - almost 200 countries and nearly 50 organizations will have pavilions at the 2010 Expo.

To answer my own question, there is no difference between the World’s Fair and the World Expo. They are simply given the title according to the host city. The French created the traditional event in the mid-nineteenth century by hosting the French Industrial Exposition in Paris. Since then most world class cities have hosted the World Fair/Expo. The themes have progressed since Industrialization was the focus at the end of the century. In St. Louis, the 1904 World’s Fair celebrated the anniversary of The Louisiana Purchase (thanks France!) and “Meet me in St. Louis” was sung by millions. From innovative ice cream cones to the first Ferris Wheel - the world has experienced the ground literally breaking at Expo’s/Fair’s throughout history. In Shanghai the Expo will focus on sustainable development. Different countries pavilions will showcase their ability to be “green.” While China is not the greenest country, as it is still developing and experiencing its own “industrial revolution,” it is China that can define the 21st century in many critical ways.

I will attempt to visit as many different nations’ pavilions as I can during the six month period. As Shanghai is cleaned up in some ways just like Beijing was before the Summer Olympics it will be difficult to find movies, therefore I will write reviews of the pavilions I visit accompanied by photos and hopefully some outrageous quotes from the world!

To give you a taste of how awesome and Chinese the 2010 World Expo will be below is the promotional video which is currently taking China by storm. In the video there are many stars who only Chinese people recognize but there is also Jackie Chan, Shanghai native Yao Ming (at the beginning), and Shanghai native track star Liu Xiang who is inexplicably flying (not hurdling) in the video. This is possibly the cheesiest and most ridiculous video to promote anything... Ever. Nevertheless, it is a good chance to see some of the amazing pavilions and architectural gems that await the world in the Expo parks of Pudong and Puxi.

Film Review -- Clash of the Titans (PG-13)

Directed by Louis Leterrier
Released April 2, 2010

After seeing Avatar and Ailce in Wonderland in 3D I had high expectations when I went to see the remake of Clash of the Titans. Sitting back and enjoying a movie that already has one of the greatest and most well known plots in human history was a simple task. What is even easier is finding countless components to Clash of the Titans that director Louis Leterrier (The Transporter, The Incredible Hulk 2) totally blew.

Firstly, the power that recent 3D films possessed was no where to be found in Clash of the Titans. Secondly, and it’s connected to my first gripe, the special effects were nothing to write home about. Some monstrous characters looked pretty amateur and the CGI was pretty thick. And thirdly, Liam Nesson and Ralph Fiennes look too much alike to share the screen and they really didn't do anything to make them godlike - that was confusing. There is a reason that Gary Busey and Nick Nolte have never worked opposite each other - it is a obvious mishap that the casting director should have been fired for. Casting heavy British names that are difficult to pronounce when actors with more talent and less ego sit on the bench is another poor and predictable Hollywood decision.

A lot has changed since Laurence Olivier played Zeus in the original 1981 flick. Sadly, Clash of the Titans didn’t live up to the hype and lacked 21st century improvements. How Leterrier muffed this great story is a mystery. Regarding a good movie theatre experiences I do think that this is an entertaining film, but don’t expect 3D experiences similar to James Cameron’s or Tim Burton’s. A couple scenes kick ass, however, they are all in the trailer and no scene is longer than ninety seconds anyways! Anyone who enjoys Greek mythology should check out Clash of the Titans, and remember to bow to Sam Worthington who is sure to be knighted in the next year.

2 out of 4
(Review by Thomas Demerath)