Mike's Bloggity Blog

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Sometimes I just don’t get people. I just don’t understand how people decide to spend their hard earned money when it comes to the movie theatres.

And this past weekend was no different. The number one movie was the teen thriller 21. I don’t have a problem with this as much as I have a problem with the fact that another great movie got shunned by North America.

The movie I’m talking about is Run, Fat Boy, Run and it stars and was written by one of my favorite british actors Simon Pegg. You might not know his name but you know his movies. His most popular creation was the genius Shaun of the Dead. He followed it up with the barely watch but even funnier Hot Fuzz. I remember seeing Hot Fuzz in the theatre. It was barely half full and my friend and I laughed and laughed and laughed. No one else did.

I was so disappointed when that movie didn’t really take off. I couldn’t figure out why? Was it because Matthew Macaughey wasn’t in it? Was it because it wasn’t a direct spoof of movies that we paid to see 6 weeks before? This movie was funny. No doubt about it.

I had high expectations for Run, Fatboy, Run because, for me, Simon is on a hot streak. His movies are fresh, fun, original, not american and produce some solid belly fall out of your chair laughs.

So imagine my disappointment when the box office final weekend numbers came in a couple of hours ago and not only did the movie fail to draw much money it…well…it pretty much bombed with only 2.4 Million Dollars and only a $2,109 per screen average. Which, in case you didn’t know, is not good. Not good at all. It didn’t even make the Top 10.

But on Friday night I saw Run, Fatboy Run, and I loved it. It was hilarious and while it might be a little predictable, it still has it’s own little twists and I’m going to be honest…I did cry a little bit. Both because of laughing and sappiness.

(side note: Do you have a Scene card? You should totally get one because I actually got to see the movie for free by using my card! And no, this isn’t a plug. I just like free movies)

If you are looking to see a fun movie that doesn’t really rely on dirty sex jokes or terrible sight gags just to get a cheap laugh.

Simon Pegg is one of the world’s funniest and most reliable actor/writers. Let’s just hope the Star Trek fans hope so.

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Saturday night was supposed to be great. A couple of friends and I got together, went downtown and waited to start celebrating. No, no no I’m not talking about the Calgary Flames. I don’t join that bandwagon until playoffs. I’m talking about Earth Hour.

You know what Earth Hour is don’t you? If you live in Calgary, it’s ok if you don’t. It was the worldwide event that was held between the hours of 8and 9pm on March 29th. The concept? Pretty easy. Turn the lights off. Residents were supposed to keep the lights off in the their houses and cities were to switch off any non-essential lights (skyscrapers, street lights) for only an hour. That’s it…………….

Read more on The Q

>So I need a little help.
Last week I lost my 8gb Ipod Nano. My life hasn’t been the same. Even worse yet is that in 10 days I will be boarding a plane for 15 straight hours. Needless to say…I need a new Ipod. But which one. I’ve looked all over and I can’t decide.

Can anyone lend some advice? Is one better than the other? Is one a better value?
And what about downloading videos? Anyone know how I can convert files to my NEW Ipod can play them.

8GB $319

I’m all ears….and no hair.

>***The following is an actual email I sent to Perez Hilton…wish me luck!****

Hey Perez,

How is it going?

My name is Michael Morrison and I live in Calgary, Alberta. That’s right the home of next week’s huge Juno Award Ceremony! I can’t believe all the success you’ve had since you appeared at last years ceremony and I wanted to know if you were by chance coming to Calgary. Which, in case you didn’t know, is the home town of one of your favorite’s Feist.

So the big question I wanted to ask is this: If by chance you were going to be heading our way for the Juno’s next week do you think there would be any chance I could arrange an interview with you?

A year and a half ago I started my own blog, Mike’s Bloggity Blog Blob. Since then I have been so fortunate to find unbelievable success. Just a couple of months ago it won Best Entertainment Blog in Canada and came in 3rd for Best Blog in all of Canada. I’ve also had the chance to meet celebs like Gwen Stefani, Brody Jenner, Marie Osmond, Lucy Lawless and Canadian Idol winners Kalan Porter and Brian Melo. I also met Gene Simmons in Las Vegas and he mistook me for Moby…..I didn’t correct him.

I am also a contributor to The Calgary Herald’s blog The Q, which is Calgary’s largest newspaper.

If you would be up for it, during our interview we could visit some of Calgary’s most famous spots. First we would have to buy some cowboy boots, then we could check out the bar where Prince Harry cheated on his girlfriend, well actually the bar has been torn down…but we could stand on the side walk! We could also swing by the world famous Calgary Stampede grounds which will also be playing host to the Junos. And….well really that’s about it. Or we could just go for some good ol’ Canadian Tim Horten’s coffee. Trust me, it puts Starbucks to shame.

If this would be at all possible please let me know. I will attending all the Juno events and look forward to meeting you.

Thank you in advance.

Michael Morrison

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>We have finally reached the Top 1o of American Idol. And to celebrate American Idol is making us feel old. Really old. Tonight the contestants will be singing songs from the year they were born. Sad fact: I am only older than one American Idol finalist. Sigh.

Also, my condolences to Paula’s hands. Apparently they were ravaged by something that only spared her fingers.

But on to the show.

Ramiele Malubay (1987) got the dreaded 1st position of the night. Strike two against Ramiele is that she chose Heart’s Alone. Which has to be one of American Idols most sung songs (Didn’t Carly already sing it this season). And really after this, is there even a point? Strike 3? It wasn’t even that good. I think she might have just struck out.

Jason Castro (1987): I’ll give $20 to whomever can convince me that Jason wasn’t high tonight. Afterall it was his birthday. He did Ok but nothing amazing. I didn’t even recognize the song until the halfway point. Which probably isn’t a good sign.

Syesha Mercado (1987) Continues her climb out of the basement with her version of “If I was your woman”. While I don’t think her voice is anything unique it certainly is amazing to listen to. So she definitely deserves to stick around.

Chikezie (1985)has split personality. When he sings up-tempo high energy songs he is on and he is one of the best entertainers this season. When he sings random ballads that no one has heard of in years he is boring and undramtic. Tonight he sung a ballad called “If only for one night”. At the very least you have to sing a song that the general public would be able to remember. Chikezie is definitely in trouble this week.

Brooke White (1983) went back to her comfort zone right and went back to the piano with “Every breath you take”. She even got a false started and re-started which just shows what a true professional she is. I do agree with the judges that the first half of the song was a lot better before the band joined in. I just have to wonder how much of that decision is hers and how much is up to producers.

Michael Johns (1978) just saved his little australian ass with an amazing kick ass version of “We Are the Champions”. That was pretty freaking amazing and like Simon said: “He just got it right.”

Carly Smithson (1983) is obviously nervous after last weeks Bottom 3 scare. Am I the only one still trying to figure out how that happened. Her song was the 80′s classic “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” and I really liked it but I can’t help but feel a little nervous because of last week.

David Archuleta continues to coast through. I hope it won’t be until American realizes just how while this boy can sing, he is just that a boy. Not a pop star.

Kristi Lee Cook (1984) Just pick a freaking good song! It’s like she wants to be eliminated!!! Although on second thought, a song about being American will greatly appeal to those Red States that often hold a lot of voting power. Just ask for Ruben, Fantasia, Kelly and Carrie.

David Cook pretty much won the entire show with the coolest version of Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean I have ever heard. Take your crown now. David Archuleta who?

I think the bottom three tonight will be:
-Kristi Lee Cook
-Chikezie
-Ramiele Maluby

With Ramiele saying goodbye. But don’t be too sad Ramiele, just watch David Cook’s performance tonight. It should make you feel better!

>UPDATE: Frank of the Freeway and Meg Morning Show had to call in sick today, so the radio bit isn’t happening to day, but it will be happening hopefully Wednesday or Thursday.

I usually try to write this blog at night time. That way when people get to work/school/wake up they’ll have something new to read.

>Make sure you tune into Energy 101.5 on Tuesday morning around 8:10am Calgary Time (11:10am in the maritimes)

If things go according to plan this will be the start of a beautiful friendship. If you don’t live in Calgary you can listen online by clicking here

Wish me luck!

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Mondays suck. That’s no secret. But this Monday Hollywood seems to be banding together to make sure Mondays don’t suck…as much.

First you may have heard of the much talked about small screen debut of one Britney Spears on a new episode of How I Met Your Mother. The clips that I’ve seen actually make it look pretty funny. Better yet the episode will also guest star Sarah Chalke (Scrubs) as Britney’s boss. But mostly I’m excited that this hilarious show will finally get an audience it deserves. For all of you think that there isn’t any comedy out there and don’t really get 30 Rock and The Office. This show is for you.
Check it out on CBS and Global at 9:30pm

(And make sure you stick around at 10:30pm for my favorite show right now: The New Adventures of Old Christine)

And in case that wasn’t enough for all of you. MTV finally brings back the second half of the 3rd season of the Hills, 3.5 if you will. While many people got over the Hills last season with all of it’s inconsistencies and fake drama. I’ve simply decided to stop pretending that it is a reality show and pretend it is just a juicy drama to enjoy until the return of Gossip Girl in April. Now more than ever we are feeling the final effects of the writers strike and we will now just have to wait it out. Why not enjoy Lauren and her “friends” making asses of themselves? I know I will.

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I don’t pretend to be a music reviewer. I’m always the first to admit that my music taste is less than perfect. My basic rule of thumb is that if Ryan Seacrest hasn’t talked about it than it’s probably not good. Like I said: embarrassing.

I really do like all kinds of music, but in today’s fast paced world, I have a hard time being exposed to anything that could be classified as “good music”.

So I was very happy when my cousin told me that she had gotten us two tickets to see Ontario native Hawksley Workman live in Banff for Easter weekend. Hawksley Workman is neither hugely popular in mainstream music nor has he ever been featured on Rick Dees and The Weekly Top 40 so this was going to be a great chance for me to take in some of that “good music” I have been hearing so much about.

To be fair, I had heard of Hawksley before. The song “We Still Need A Song” was my personal anthem for my short lived attempt at the “trying to work out” period in my life. While that week seemed to drag on forever, the song always seemed to pick me up.

Needless to say I was a little nervous about going to a concert in which I only knew one song. But at the very least I would have something to look forward to right?. Well, unfortunately Hawksley Workman played that song first (on a toy drum and pianto set no less)! Now what was I going to do? I decided that there was nothing I could do but sit back and enjoy the show.

The first thing anyone will notice about Hawksley (born Ryan Corrigan) is that he is a genuine artist in every sense of the word. You can tell he loves what he does and it really is a pleasure to see how effortlessly he can control both his powerful voice and a cheering crowd. Watching him perform is kinda like watching a stand up comic. He makes it look so easy that you wanna go home and learn how to sing. The only problem is that you can’t sing and your musical career has probably peaked with the 80% you got on the Easy Level of Rock Band.

I also really enjoyed how every member of the band was given their moment to shine in the spotlight. I’ve always wondered if back up singers feel at least a little resentment towards the solo artist but I didn’t have to worry about this time. Each of the artists on stage gave amazing solo performances and were on the receiving end of Hawksley Workman’s constant pride and admiration.

Perhaps what is most impressive and something that most Top 40 artists should take notice of (I’m talking to you Nickleback) is that Hawksley Workman performed for 3 hours straight. That’s right. No opening act and no intermission. Just song after song after song. And if you have listened to Hawksley before you know that his songs aren’t easy to sing. He almost literally pours his heart and soul on to the stage.

One of the things I’ve never understood about concert reviews is why you’d want to read them after the show is done. How is that helpful to you if you decided you wanted to see that artists. That’s why this review is different. Hawksley Workman will be playing this Tuesday (March 25th) at the Jack Singer Hall in Calgary. And since the show is only $30 a ticket, it is the perfect opportunity to catch this amazing Canadian artist. I mean we all spend at least $30 watching Cavemen speak perfect English at the local movie theatre anyway. Why not put that money towards watching a pure talent give you chills…..in a good way. Again, I’m talking to you Nickleback.