Farkin' Links Vol. 120 7/28

I got around to watching Collateral the other night, thank you Netflix. The movie stars recent Oscar winner Jamie Foxx as Max, a Los Angeles taxi driver who talks big dreams but never acts on them. You know, like most of us. He picks up a very unkempt and graying Tom Cruise who introduces himself as Vincent. At first he just wants a ride to several locations that night, but things take a turn for the worse. It turns out Vincent is a hitman and he needs to take out various people in one night, presumably for a special bonus points or something, and he elects Max to be his driver for the night. It could have been worse; he could have tried to convert Max to Scientology. That's the basic story; it's very character driven as you would guess considering the unbelieveable and shallow plot line. I was actually impressed with Jamie Foxx as he's normally that annoying "funnyman" from his In Living Color days when I've seen him in movies, but it turns out he can portray a complex, layered character. Tom Cruise, in case you're wondering, was excellent as usual. I know he's completely insane in real life, but as an actor, nobody can carry a movie quite as well as he does. He also manages to make everyone he's with look good; ask Dustin Hoffman and Paul Newman. The movie actually flows rather well, which is a surprise considering Michael "I don't need no stinkin' editor" Mann was directing. He actually kept it below two hours for once. I certainly wouldn't want to watch it again, but I can't help but appreciate good performances. I'll give it a 6.5/10; the story alone brings this movie down several points.

"The one serious conviction that a man should have is that nothing is to be taken too seriously."
--Nicholas Butler


Small Claims court is about this ridiculous...at least from the cases I've read.

...and the French wonder why we don't take them seriously.

Speaking of people not to be taken seriously, Florida is at it again with it's "Ghetto Talent Show" and "Watermelon Eating Contest." Gee...that might offend people? But I thought all black from the ghetto liked watermelon?

Here's an update from an old link about an automatic guitar playing machine. It's now the Crazy J and seems to be getting bigger and bigger, sort of killing the point of having a small, portable instrument like a guitar in the first place.

For the "Japanese people are crazy" link, we have a chick who really needs a dentist...oh, and she's showing off their new laser ads on her hands. Seriously though, lady, you should get those checked out.

I think we've discovered the biggest whipped wussy on the face of the Earth...even bigger than Doug Christie.

Here's a cool example of fighting the man. Remember, old people will pho-k you up! Or is it feel you up?

Well, if you ever wanted to see the end of Mario 64...this guy recorded himself beating it, in 20 minutes! Even if you're not into videogames, this is some serious skill.

I'm not sure I could get away with this mouse at work. Still, it looks ergonomically designed.

Look out Japan! China continues it's crazy ways with tattoo pigs...you read that correctly. I don't even have a comment for that.

It's a bird...it's a plane...no, it's another extreme sports idiot looking to end up another death statistic!

They're selling magnetic paint now, so I suppose your kid can hang his crappy artwork all over his room instead of sullying your refrigerator. I think this sort of takes away the option of him having a computer in his room, so that's another bonus.

This must be that guy who was living in van, down by the river.

That Sharia law sure is a bummer, huh?

This stunt could have ended really badly, instead it's really cool...and I don't even like BMX bikes.