Allah vs. Early Philimination

Welcome to Beijing, China. The capital of the People’s Republic, Beijing is also a destination city for business and culture. It is also part of the country that brought us the story that was adapted into Disney’s Mulan, which furthered the career of Donny Osmond, but we won’t hold that against them. On the edge of Beijing is the Great Wall of China, the only man-made object visible from space. Well, that and BJ and Tyler’s egos. At this section of the Great Wall was a rope climb, at the top of which was the first pit stop…in a racearoundtheworld; one that Phil promises us will be full of surprises.

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One Short Day in the Emerald City

Welcome to Seattle, Washington. Known for rain, Starbucks, …um…the Space Needle…did I say rain yet? Anyway, this sprawling metropolis in the Upper Northwestern United States is a nice place to be; that is, if you have to be in the Upper Northwestern United States. It’s certainly a lot cooler than Oregon. But what do I know? I’ve been off the East Coast all of five times in my life. Seattle, which may or may not be a great city, was the starting line…in a racearoundtheworld. Twelve teams of two people each started here in a mad dash around the globe for one million dollars. But before we start the Amazing Recaps and talking about unfortunate Philiminations, let’s meet the teams.

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So Much for Truth and Justice

We’re always devastated when our idols fall from the pillars we set them upon by revealing their true identities. Whether it be a steroid investigation for a favorite ballplayer, a sex scandal for a mentor otherwise thought chaste, or financial ruin on the heels of a terrible set of decisions, we never expect to see our heroes knocked down to the level of the common man, perhaps even below that. When actor George Reeves, made famous as the Man of Steel in television’s The Adventures of Superman, died in 1959, it shook a fan base who thought him invincible. First-time director Allen Coulter’s Hollywoodland examines the last eight years of Reeves’ life and what lead to his mysterious death. And while the film doesn’t offer any answers as to what really happened to Reeves – it was ruled a suicide – it provides a fascinating view on how people pursue fame and fortune, and how disappointing it can be when it’s not all you cracked it up to be.

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Walk the Plank!

Things to do today, on International Talk Like a Pirate Day.

• Watch Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl. Alternately, for equally fun swashbuckling action, watch The Princess Bride.
• Listen to “The Mariner’s Revenge Song” by The Decemberists. Do not listen to “Come Sail Away” by Styx.
• Tell bad pirate jokes. Example: Why couldn’t the young pirate get into the movie theater? Because all the movies were rated ARRRR.
• Play “The Secret of Monkey Island,” or help me make the movie.
• Watch Hook. Do not confuse it with Dustin Hoffman’s other cross-dressing movie, Tootsie.
• Talk like a pirate, of course. Matey.

Other suggestions (like watching Peter Pan or Finding Neverland) are welcome via comments.

Abracadabra

Perhaps the most pleasing illusion in The Illusionist is the way that Edward Norton so convincingly portrays a nineteenth-century Viennese magician. This, after all, is the same guy who played the jerk friend of Mike McD in Rounders, the determined FBI agent tracking down a sicko killer in Red Dragon, and the goofy titular rhino in Death to Smoochy. Norton has long been known as a cerebral actor – a chameleon who can look fresh in any role, but it’s still somehow amazing that he’s able to pull it off every time. The accolades for The Illusionist shouldn’t stop at Norton, though. With a strong cast, a sensitive eye for style, and a plot with enjoyable twists and turns, the film is a delightful period romance wrapped up in supernatural curiosities that will satisfy the modern eye.

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