Welcome to Shedding Ink
Shedding Ink is a little-used euphemism for the act of writing. In this digital age we live in, one could also construe a double-meaning of casting off the pen for a computer. What you'll find here is an outlet for me to write about my interests: movies, sports and whatever else happens to be on my mind, as scary as that sounds. You'll find film reviews, a sports blog focusing on the Phillies and Eagles and, if you're in the market for a freelance writer, all the information you'll need to decide if I'm your kind of scribe. Thanks for stopping by.
News & Musings
May 29, 2009 – Summer film season
underway
I'm a few weeks behind the curve on this one (as usual),
but here's my two cents' worth on J.J. Abrams' new take on Star Trek.
I've also got a review of Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic with
Steve Zissou, one of the few DVDs I've actually
watched over the past few months. The Mrs. and I are using our
Netflix queue to watch all five seasons of The Wire,
a show we both wholeheartedly endorse.
April 29, 2009 – Another barrage of
DVD reviews
It seems like the only way I can review movies lately is in
bunches. I've been working on these for far too long—time to
post up. First off is part two of the Narnia series:
Prince Caspian. I've also watched David Mamet's
latest investigation into masculinity, Redbelt,
which takes place in the world of mixed martial arts; and Peter
O'Toole's Oscar-nominated turn as a lecherous old actor in Venus.
And in keeping with the theme of actors playing actors, there's Annette
Bening's Oscar-nominated role in Being Julia.
Lastly comes the best of the bunch—WALL•E—a
charming Pixar film with very few flaws.
That
should keep you busy while I finish off a few more reviews (I actually
went out to the movies for the first time in months!) and catch up on
the world of Philadelphia sports, where quite a bit has been happening
while I've been otherwise detained.
March 1, 2009 – Brian Dawkins, my knee
both relocate
A day after Philadelphia's most popular active athlete
decided to take an offer he couldn't refuse from the Denver Broncos, my
left knee decided it could do better than it's usual position between
my upper and lower leg and tried to flee. Fortunately it didn't get
far, but I'll still need a doctor to assess the damage. We don't know
the extent of the damage done by
Brian Dawkins' departure from the
Eagles either, but it hurts just about as bad.
February 5, 2009 – Awards season films
I'm not sure how The Dark Knight
failed to get a Best Picture Oscar nomination, or how Gran
Torino, a fantastic conclusion to Clint Eastwood's
acting
career, was completely stiffed.
All the rightful attention being paid to Slumdog
Millionaire probably didn't help, but that's no
excuse for
overlooking the greatest superhero movie ever made and an exceptional
final performance from Eastwood. And speaking of fine performances, if
you're a fan of great acting, go see Rachel
Getting Married. That's how it's done.
January 12, 2009 – Reviews of current
films—can you believe it?
Well, one anyway. As award season in the movies ramps up,
I'm trying to catch up on reviewing what I've seen. One of them, Australia,
won't be nominated for anything outside costume design. I'm not sure if
it's still in theaters where you are, but if a sweaty, shirtless Hugh
Jackman is your kind of thing, check it out. On the other hand, The Curious Case
of Benjamin Button is already nominated for tons
of Golden Globes and a bunch of Oscar nods probably aren't far behind.