Screw Punxy Phil

With only about 24 or so days until Spring, it looks like we're going to get a run for our money up to the very end thanks to that big rat.  This reminds me of when we were little... it seemed there was always this much snow on the ground throughout winter.  It's refreshing when it doesn't come down a foot at a time, and the sunny day on Sunday broke our 'snow every day' trend for 26 days straight.  Right on the verge of breaking the record for all time snowiest February on record, it looks like, with 5 more days left in the month and another storm heading this way (with an expected 1-8 inches)... we're going to have no trouble beating that.  Global warming... or winter wonderland?  Either way, it bears thought.

Last night, the Tuesday movie group saw Shutter Island in XD.  With a running time of over two hours and beautifully shot, it is jam-packed with information, twists and turns.  When there's a disappearance of a woman at a hospital for the criminally insane on a secluded and more heavily-guarded island than Alcatraz, U.S. Marshalls (DiCaprio and Ruffalo) are called in to investigate.  Questioning the patients and the staff, a web of deceit starts to unravel that puts him in jeopardy of never leaving.  Half-way through the movie, you don't know what to believe... what's the truth and what's a cover up becomes the question as things take a dark turn.  Much more cerebral than I expected (but welcomed happily), the story was intricately designed to keep you guessing right up until the end.  Definitely not an uplifting movie, it puts you uncomfortably close to understanding more about how the mind works (or doesn't) and feeling a loss of control.  Without giving it away, DiCaprio delivers a stellar performance... did someone say Oscar?   I give it 4.5 sessions of shock therapy out of 5 (save the half session for when you are about to watch Jersey Shore).  It's a must-see.

Today, I'm going to get the ball rolling over at my Dad's place again.  I've been procrastinating, especially with the heat set at 45 degrees.  Before you know it, Spring will be here and I'll be too busy with landscaping again, so time to buckle down.  I have the kitchen to paint, and the basement... some cleaning and getting rid of some things, and then it should be ready to rent or put on the market.