So I just got through watching ‘The Expendables.’ I had a free moment and saw it had decent ratings on IMDB so I thought I’d give it a shot. As a whole I’d say this is 90% older men kicking people’s asses and 10% mindless drama. Here is a synopsis:

The setting of the film is there are old badass mercenaries that are given a ‘job’ to take out a ruling dictator on some no name island in the middle of nowhere. This rag-tag group of individuals is led by Stallone and barks orders in some nonsensical manner.

Speaking of which, half the time in this movie I couldn’t understand what anyone was saying. When this gets to DVD I need to watch it again with subtitles. Between Stallone’s mumbling, Lundgren’s accent, and Jet Li’s engrish I was left wondering what the hell was going on for a good part of the movie.

We have a subplot with Statham where he feels heartbroken because of getting dumped, but the girl comes back to him because she got knocked around a little so he gets to play the gallant knight and rough up some basketball players.

So queue the assault on the island. We have a major character, a woman with daddy issues, introduced to us when she shows Stallone and Statham around the island. Turns out there is a third party that was funding a cocaine producing operation. Who knew?! Queue the dictator, Sgt. Batiste from Dexter and his kind hearted attitude. Stallone and Statham end up escaping and taking out a bunch of extras dressed up as soldiers in the process.

I just want to mention that there is a clear correlation between knives and how big the character’s e-peen is in this movie. That is all.

So the characters are wishy washy, Lundgren is kicked out of the group and is sad about it. We end up getting the group back to the island where the “rescue operation” commences for this one girl. We have some cocky british guy who you knew when he was introduced he was going to die in the film. Then we have Steve Austin giving his same tough guy routine that he can’t seem stray from because he isn’t an actor (hint: he plays a bad guy and he dies by getting lit on fire in the end).

I just have one question for Stallone: Why did he have the bad guy take the hostage girl with daddy issues? The guy clearly stopped in his tracks and grabbed the girl. WHY?!?! He could have gotten away easily with time to spare if he’d done that. Why be so cliché and attempt to take the girl that the good guys are clearly here to get. Maybe he needed a cleaning lady or liked her pretty paintings and wanted a mural or some shit. It’s almost like he’s never seen a single action flick, ever.

In conclusion, nobody could “get to da choppa” because it was blowed up, the bad guy dies, and Stallone gets to have his girl that is 30 years younger than him, but he decides he’s better off alone and takes the gallant routine and flies away, not getting any that night.

It wasn’t the “worst” film ever made. It is what it is: an action flick. I couldn’t expect anything else. I still can’t decide if the movie was brilliant or retarded. I guess I’ll let you decide.

Original post by mooch

One good thing I can think about is that I can judge my success on material things. I have a decent car, a great computer, a kick-ass bed, and a roof over my head. The same can’t be said for everyone.

This is an interesting concept – How do we measure success? Are material goods really an accurate assessment of success? Mr. Leisuresuit in his mercedes could be the loneliest man in the world and contemplating suicide. A scenario such as that does not sound too successful to me.

Then some may also pose the question: “Do we have to be successful?” I find that to be a retarded question. Yes, it is human nature to strive to be successful! I suppose if you MUST stray from the pack on this one, go right ahead. Mediocrity in life is one route to take.

Going back to me for a bit here, I don’t think I’m all that successful. I don’t see plans through past fruition. Take my “lose 100lbs” goal for example. Month by month I’ve really stayed around the same weight as I was before. Only now am I trying this out again since I started months ago. I do have one caveat to my original plan though. They way I’m built and my body shape I don’t think I’m going to be one of the skinny fellows. Instead I should probably do a little cardio and more weight lifting. This will probably end up giving me more muscle mass which will burn some weight off, but put more back on in the end. I doubt I can do more than I am now, but using weight as a gauge of success probably will not cut it.

I think I’ll end my thoughts here. I’m just trying to figure things out again in this silly little world we live in. I have some other ideas so perhaps you’ll see another post soon.

Original post by mooch

You keep going.

Posted via email from Hi. I’m logikal.

Original post by logikal

Here’s another pic of my cousin Josh as he eagerly waits for fireworks to begin.

Then there is Nick who was feeling some pain…

And here as the night rolls on, their father shows them how he’s going to light up some fireworks.

Original post by mooch

Check it out!

Original post by mooch