We're back! We're caught up with MovieChatter, and now the RandomChatter shows are back too. In this episode, Ren and I talk about the honeymoon, then we and Andrew go over news from the last few weeks, including yet more remake announcements!

RC_011: Welcome Back
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If you missed the previous post, check it out now.

Following up on that, what movies (if any) have changed your life? I don't mean which are your favorites -- I mean which ones have had a measurable impact on your behavior, values, or philosophies?

Lifehacker.com has a post asking its users what books have changed their lives.

So what about you? What books have changed your life?

Choose anything, whether fiction or non-fiction. Feel free to omit any scriptural texts (such as The Bible), as such things go without saying for people of various faiths.

Here's my summarized list:

• Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card -- I've read this book (or the awesome unabridged audiobook) probably close to 20 times. It's taught me a lot about how to approach various roles on a team, whether as a leader or as a follower.
• Getting Things Done by David Allen -- This book has saved my butt. Skip all the other self-help crap out there and read this book. It's taught me how to not get overwhelmed by life. When I am overwhelmed, I find I'm not doing what I know I should be doing.
• The Thrawn Trilogy (unofficial title) by Timothy Zahn & the X-Wing: Rogue Squadron series by Michael Stackpole -- These series gave me what should have been an unecessary reminder that books can often be better than movies.
• Misery and The Tommyknockers, both by Stephen King -- These taught me the beauty of a simple story and the agony of an overcomplicated mess trying to evolve into a story, respectively. While I don't always practice this, I've learned that simpler is better.
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams -- This book has taught me two important things. First, keep things in perspective; the universe is a really big place, and I am not at its center. Secondly, it's okay to be silly.

There are others I'd mention too, such as Made to Stick, Born Standing Up by Steve Martin, and The Total Money Makeover (which I've yet to implement, but I'm moving in the right direction). Perhaps this would make a good podcast topic...?

Other than Forgetting Sarah Marshall, I can't think of any really good comedies this year. Fortunately, we now have Get Smart. Unless you're Andrew, that is -- he found it lame and predictable.

Does it live up to the hype? Are all the funny parts in the trailer? Is Steve Carrell's "Maxwell Smart" acceptable? Listen and find out!

(contains spoilers so minor they really shouldn't count)

MC_009: Get Smart
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Stand-up comedy isn't for everyone. I know several people who just can't tolerate it at all. Personally, I love stand-up comedy when it's done well. Unfortunately, the "done well" part seems to be less common these days.

George Carlin was someone it took me a long time to warm up to. Early on, I knew him primarily as "yet another toilet humor comedian." It wasn't until much later I discovered this guy was clever. And intelligent. And, unlike many comedians these days, this guy actually had something to say.

I still think of him literally every time I fly in an airplane. Every time I hear the captain or flight attendant say, "We'll be on the ground shortly," I can hear George replying, "Isn't that a little vague?"

George Carlin died of heart failure yesterday at the age of 71. I'm saddened by the loss, but happy for all the laughs he's brought to the world.

Yeah, yeah... I know, we're a week behind. I'm working on that. Our Get Smart review should be up within a day or two.

So far, Marvel Studios is doing pretty well. The Incredible Hulk is not quite as good as Iron Man, yet it's one of the better comic book films in recent history. Join Andrew, Ren and I as we talk about the Hulk.

(contains very mild spoilers)

MC_008: The Incredible Hulk
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I've had people telling me all day that today, June 20th, is officially the happiest day of the year.

I'm cool with that. Why not? I mean, some day has to be the happiest, right? Here's an article that describes how some "academic" figured out the following formula:

According to the research this has been worked out using the equation O + (N xS) + Cpm/T + He.

O stands for being outdoors and outdoor activity, N is connection with nature, which is in full bloom now, S is socialisation with neighbours and friends, Cpm stands for childhood positive memories, T is the mean temperature which is now usually warm, and He is holiday expected.

Here's the kicker though. Any guesses to the most depressing day of the year, based on this same equation?

My birthday. The end of January.

Today is no longer the happiest day of the year in my book. Stupid academics...

(Don't forget to scroll down to the new MovieChatter episode in the next post!)

I swear, the reaction from this guy (cilp is from The Sixth Sense) is EXACTLY how I felt when I saw for the first time what he is seeing on that video.*

No, it's not the footage of his wife poisoning his daughter (as we saw in the film). It's something much more horrific and disturbing. Truly, this is unspeakable terror the likes of which we have never known.

*(honestly, I started crying earlier in the footage than he does, but it's close enough)

We're back! And we've got some catching up to do. We'll have a new RandomChatter show and an Incredible Hulk review up in a couple of days, but first we've got a double-feature.

Andrew, Ren and I take a quick look at the new Dreamworks film Kung Fu Panda, then we move on to Indiana Jones and the Sparkly Crystal Thing. I don't think I've had this much fun tearing something apart since Ultraviolet.

(contains very minor spoilers for Kung Fu Panda; contains larger spoilers for Indiana Jones. also, apologies to James Wong, who I misrepresented as John Wong)

MC_007: Kung Fu Panda, Indiana Jones
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