Today I was in the Old City area so I decided to check out a movie called the Art of Travel. A film about a 19 year old who finds out that his fiancee (yeah, he’s getting married at 19) is cheating on him with his brother. So at his wedding, he puts envelopes with a pic of his brother and his bride in bed together. (Because if you’re going to cheat on your husband with his brother, you’re going to take photos to commemorate the occasion.) It only gets dumber from there. He flies to Managua, and instantly meets up with two ridiculously hot girls from the Netherlands and has a three way with them. Because that’s what happens to 19 year olds when they go to Managua. He then meets a couple who convince him to go hiking through the woods with them and some of their friends (one of whom happens to be a ridiculously hot Panamanian girl). They hack through the jungle with machetes for months on end, for no good reason. Just to do it.

The dialogue was amazing, with such gems as: “I’ve learned more here in the last 9 months than I did in all of high school. About myself, anyway.” By 45 minutes in, our unflappable 19 year old star had a) jilted his wife at the altar b) had all of his money stolen c) been mugged at knifepoint for his watch d) banged two of the hottest women ever e) met a jungle tribe f) saved the life of one of his cohorts by courageously pulling him out of an out of control jeep g) beaten everyone in the camp at chess and h) almost been bitten by the world’s most dangerous snake. All of this, mind you, without ever getting at all excitable or emotional or even breaking a sweat, just accepting that these things happen. This moviewas what Indiana Jones would be if Indiana Jones sucked.

Start off at the Locust Rendezvous at 6:15 p.m., where the question must be answered: Can anyone knock off the Jams?

On to the Black Sheep at 8 p.m., which is probably the current quizzo spot with the most parity. Hope to see you tonight!

Went to see Deadline USA with Sarah, who many of you have seen working on the quizzo documentary. Deadline USA is an old Humphrey Bogart film that for some reason never made it to video or DVD. Here were her thoughts: A rarely seen but superb film showcasing the drive and passion of dedicated journalists getting the news to the people, Deadline USA focuses on a hard-nosed editor, Ed Hutcheson (Bogart) who races against several clocks as he attempts to save The Day. He is trying to save his paper that will go under with its imminent sale, woo back his ex-wife and bring a murderous mobster to justice.

Mrs. Garrison (Ethel Barrymore), the widow of the founder of The Day, along with her two spoiled, whiny daughters that make Paris and Nicky seem tolerable, are in negotiations to sell the paper. Hutcheson sallies forth business as usual until the press stops running in just a few short days. He sends a reporter out to follow up on a lead involving the mobster only to find the reporter badly beaten – fueling his desire to send the paper and the mobster out with a bang. In the midst of the court battles over the future of the paper and chasing leads on the mobster, Hutcheson makes time to woo back his wife Nora (Kim Hunter) who is engaged to another man. Bogart, of course, handles it all with aplomb; convincing Mrs. Garrison to fight against her daughters for the paper, interrogating a witness of the murder, and romancing his ex. All in a days work for this unflappable editor. But that’s not all–

In between court cases and romantic dinners, Hutcheson stops one of the lamest fights ever on screen between a couple of his journalists; mentors a young, impressionable, wannabe journalist: “About this wanting to be a reporter, don’t ever change your mind. It may not be the oldest profession, but it’s the best;” and gives and receives a verbal pummeling with the ex’s new beau (fellas, if you’re looking to steal another man’s dame or keep yours from being taken – watch and learn).

Despite Bogart’s stellar turn, there are a few melodramatic scenes that bring things down…especially the wake scene held by the journalists for the paper. The score becomes unbearably hymnal and the dialogue ridiculous. There’s also the completely random and creepy scene where Hutcheson – in a supposed romantic gesture – gives his ex a doll that winks when it’s arm is raised. I don’t know what that was about but, guys – dolls are creepy, period. Don’t go there.

Melodrama and creepy dolls aside, Deadline USA is a pretty impressive film about old school journalism that still resonates today.

JGT’s take: Yeah, this was a pretty fun film that was supposed to be about journalism but is really all about Humphrey Bogart being cool under fire. The innuendo between Hunter and Bogart was pretty hot and for the time, extremely risque. There were a few silly and unnecessary melodramatic touches, but the story and the camerawork were both impressive. And the final line was vintage Bogey: “That’s the press, baby. And there’s nothing you can do to stop it.” All in all, a good, but not great, movie.

Total Ownage wins the pool, due to a total chokage by Memphis. Kids, work on your free throws.

Good luck tonight to Adam and Total Ownage. If Memphis wins, Adam gets the $100 in gift certificates, if Kansas wins, Total Ownage does. As for me, I am 72nd out of 73 people entered. Brackets are dumb, anyways.