President Barack Hussein Obama

Hell Has, In Fact, Frozen Over

The Setting: The NFL NFC Championship Playoffs today beween the Arizona Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles.

What can I say? I am definitely one of those people who never thought the day would come when the Arizona Cardinals would be in any kind of a playoff game, let alone the NFC Championship. Do you know what that means? The winner of this game will play the winner of the AFC Championship. The Cardinals are one game away from the Super Bowl. What?!

Some people think the Cards just got lucky, that their playoff wins so far were flukes, even miracles. Whatever. They're in it and I will be rooting for them. I've already placed my advanced order with Pizza Hut, so I'm ready. Let's hope the Cards are ready, too. Maybe, by some luck, fluke, miracle, or even talent, hell will be getting a few more inches of snow tonight.

Photo by Arizona Cardinals.

"They said I was gonna die soon, but maybe not."

The Setting: Spoken by Brad Pitt's character to Daisy in The Curtious Case of Benjamin Button.

Benjamin Button is the fourth movie I've seen on my list of movies to see. It is a classic love story done in a very unusual way. Brad Pitt plays the main character who is born around 86 years old and grows younger over time. Picture a baby with arthritis and an otherwise healthy pre-teen with dementia.

This film reminded me of Forest Gump many times. Not the plot nor the characters, but the way that the story unfolds - via flashbacks and around-the-world journeys. Although this movie is not quite as whimsical as Forest Gump, it has that same feel.

Is it just me, or does Brad Pitt look more and more like Robert Redford as he ages? I meant in real life, but you see it at certain points in this movie, also. The picture was directed by David Fincher and it also stars a mesmerizingly beautiful Cate Blanchett, plus Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, and Tilda Swinton.

If you can allow yourself to believe the premise of this almost three-hour movie, I recommend that you see it. I give Benjamin Buttons four out of five Slurpees. Based on the movies I saw last year, if Slumdog Millionaire does not win picture of the year, this one will.

Best picture of the year goes to...

The Setting: Because of the hype surrounding it and just because I can't think of any other movie that I've seen this year that is better, I will go out on a limb right now and say that Slumdog Millionaire will win the Oscar for best picture of the year. It's not a stretch for me to say that; it's what many so-called professional movie critics are also saying.

This movie wasn't even on my list of movies to see, but I've heard so much about it - all positive - that I decided I would just go see it and find out for myself. I'm glad I did.

Slumdog Millionaire takes place in Mumbai, India and follows the story of a young man who is on the verge of winning millions in the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. The story cleverly unfolds, using flashbacks of Jamal's life to show how, through his experiences, he is able to know the answers to most of the questions in the game.

The movie manages to capture the beauty of Mumbai, the culture, and the people in the midst of the corruption, over-population, poverty, and anguish. Be prepared: there are many heart-breaking scenes.

I admit I haven't previously heard of any of the actors, but the picture stars Dev Patel, Madhur Mittal, Freida Pinto, and Anil Kapoor. Danny Boyle directed the picture. This picture also has a great music soundtrack. Stay and watch the dance during the closing credits.

I definitely recommend this movie and give it four and a quarter out of five Slurpees. Yes, a quarter. I just think it's a little better than a four. Go see it.