Entertainment Ave! What's New and our Not Usually Daily Blog.

What's New? A Podcast of: Stu & The Dude's Weekend Wrap-Up! Relaxing for the 4th, Airport Travel, Beach Tales, and the Chicago Cubs

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:44:02 PDT

The Dude on the Right stayed in Chi-Town for the 4th of July weekend while Stu Gotz headed to The Sunshine State, so this podcast episode of "Stu & The Dude's Weekend Wrap-Up!" details their adventures at opposite ends of the country. The Dude got to see a Chicago Cubs game and see the Chicago fireworks, as well as spend some quality time with his BFF, while Stu ended up getting sunburned because he didn't plan properly for some beach attending. Stu also got to see a metal detector nightmare in the airport during his travels while The Dude gorged a bit at the Taste of Chicago. There is some Zynga boycott supposedly going on, one that neither Stu nor The Dude are participating in, but for the most part, with this weekend done, they both are looking forward to seeing "Bruno" next weekend.

What's New? A Podcast of: Stu & The Dude's Weekend Wrap-Up! The SCUBA Junkman, Lawn Maintenance, Mini-Cornhole-ing, and Transformers!

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:05:01 PDT

The Dude on the Right didn't get Stu Gotz's joke about circumcision during this episode of their "Weekend Wrap-Up!" podcast, but he did get to see "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" and Stu didn't. The Dude also did some lawn maintenance while Stu did some SCUBA selling, The Dude liked chocolate-chip pancakes while Stu didn't cornhole his kids, and the podcast gets poltergeisted by Rush Limbaugh - The Dude is scared.

What's New? A Movie Review of: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:18:43 PDT

The Dude on the Right isn't like most critics, which is probably why he liked "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" so much. For his review he spotlights a little bit of the plot, basically making sure most people will understand it's about cars, trucks, and airplanes that change into robots, and that Megan Fox is hot. Guess he didn't realize most fans already knew these things.

What's New? A Podcast of: Stu & The Dude's Weekend Wrap-Up! A 50th Anniversary, A Father's Day, A New iPhone, and Movies!

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:38:23 PDT

A Father's Day has come and gone, and surprisingly Stu Gotz, who has kids, well, he sort of wishes he had the day The Dude on the Right had, especially as they talk about it during this podcast episode of "Stu & The Dude's Weekend Wrap-Up!" The Dude got a new iPhone and spent some quality time with his BFF while Stu, well, he got a card. The Dude also had fun at a 50th Anniversay party while Stu, well, his TV shows he wanted to watch got erased. The Dude, he had a good time at "The Proposal," Stu, well, he scared his kids when he took them to see "Land of the Lost." Two people about the same age; two different worlds.

What's New? A Movie Review of: The Proposal

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:02:10 PDT

The Dude on the Right took his BFF to see "The Proposal," and they both agreed that even though the movie was fairly predictable, that it was still enjoyable. Ryan Reynolds seems to be coming into his own as an actor, Sandra Bullock is her adorable self in adorable mode, as well as playing a great bitch of a boss, and Betty White is just a hoot. The dudes get to see a hot Sandra Bullock pretty much naked, the dudettes get to see a, well, Ryan Reynolds pretty much naked, and PETA will be happy that no puppies were harmed in the making of this film, nor were they taken away by an eagle. Predictable and funny - Who knew?

What's New? A Podcast of: Stu & The Dude's Weekend Wrap-Up! Drinking & Jelly, The Hangover & Up, Flight Attendants and Underwear, with Patti and John

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:27:59 PDT

The Dude on the Right took a while to get this episode of the "Stu & The Dude Weekend Wrap-Up!" podcast posted, with reasons possibly to be revealed during next week's episode. In the meantime, what better way to kick off a podcast than to talk about drunk people in England who wrestle in jelly. Sure, Stu Gotz and The Dude aren't that exciting, but Stu is looking for a Taiwanese basket, both of the boys went to see "The Hangover," and thoughts about on the David Letterman v Sarah Palin controversy that is now over. The Dude finds himself hooked on "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here," especially with local celebrity Patti Blagojovich seeming to be working her womanly charms around the camp. All of that and more for your listening pleasure.

What's New? A Podcast of: Stu & The Dude's Weekend Wrap-Up! The Hangover, Terminator, Idle Hands, and Bonne Terre Mines

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:05:40 PDT

The Dude on the Right is back from Houston and Stu Gotz is sad that his favorite Irish American Pub closed, so they both talk a bit about it during this "Weekend Wrap-Up!" podcast episode. They also have a weekend to talk about with a lot of Stu's dealing with scuba diving at some abandoned lead mines in Bonne Terre, MO, while The Dude gives some movie recomendations in the likes of "Up" and "The Hangover." The podcast, in fact, contains an abundance of movie talk with Stu revisiting a not really naked Jessica Alba in "Idle Hands," some preview talk about "G.I. Joe," "Bruno," and "Toy Story 3," and why not, let's talk about some TV, especially The Dude's latest obsession with the "I'm a Celebrity..." show. There's more, but sadly The Dude forgot to talk about the new iPhone that came out today. Maybe next week.

What's New? A Movie Review of: The Hangover

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:53:24 PDT

The Dude on the Right made one error when he went to see "The Hangover" - He brought along his fiance. It's not that she didn't love the movie, because she did, but it's now highly unlikely that The Dude will be having his bachelor party in Las Vegas. Even if The Dude did make that error, he did love the movie does his best not to give away too many of the jokes during his review of "The Hangover." It's funny, he says, in the same way movies like "Stripes," "Caddyshack," and "Old School" are funny. It might not really be a film for the dudettes, at least the "my poop doesn't stink" dudettes, but for most of them, they'll laugh as well.

And Still More Movie Previews!

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:31:41 PDT

By: The Dude on the Right
A trip to Houston-Town delayed some postings, like another "Weekend Wrap-Up!" podcast, and I still have to write my review of "Up" (might I suggest you go and see it even without me writing a review for it?), but I started working on your July movie previews for the summer, although some of them are really previews, I'm just letting you know the movie is out there because you'll probably go and see it without my prodding. What do I mean? Well, does it really matter what I have to preview about for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?" No, you're going to go and see it, anyway. And for those of you old enough, who were fans of "Borat," does it matter what the premise is for "Bruno?" Of course not, as long as everyday people end up looking like fools. For the teen crowd, especially the girls, you get "I Love You, Beth Cooper" with the cheerleader from "Heroes," and ladies, you like your Katherine Heigl, so come July 24th you get her to feel good for, and Gerard Butler to swoon over, in "The Ugly Truth." My next batch of previews will include something about guinea pigs, an indie film, frighten you from adopting, and more. I figure four previews right now should get you going for your mid to late July planning stages!

That's it for this one! I'm The Dude on the Right!! L8R!!!

More Summer Movie Previews!

Wed, 27 May 2009 20:55:58 PDT

By: The Dude on the Right
I told you I'm working on getting the summer movie previews up and posted, and my next batch, telling you if I think the movie will be any good as well as including links to the movie sites, are up and ready for your perusal. With it you get the R-rated Johnny Depp flick, filmed in the Chicago area, "Public Enemies" hitting you in the face right before the 4th of July, and if you want to take a box of tissues to the theater, go ahead and see "My Sister's Keeper." If you're looking for Megan Fox looking hot combined with robots in disguies again, well, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" comes at the end of June, and maybe you're looking for a nice thriller with Travolta as the bad man, in which case you've got "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3." Not to be forgotten in the June mix is a movie for the kids, thanks to Eddie Murphy, called "Imagine That," and since your honey is going to want to have a romantic night out, go ahead and catch "The Proposal," that is, unless you don't want to get married. And, oh yea, can Harold Ramis and Judd Apatow go wrong? "Year One" will tell.

That's it for this one! I'm The Dude on the Right!! L8R!!!

What's New? A Podcast of : Stu & The Dude's Weekend Wrap-Up! Pork-Fest Weekend, Night at the Museum, Grilling, and Gay, Deaf Bikers.

Tue, 26 May 2009 19:18:52 PDT

Memorial Day Weekend has come and gone, and The Dude on the Right celebrated it with his BFF by having a Pork-Fest Weekend. The Dude explains to Stu Gotz during their "Weekend Wrap-Up!" podcast exactly what he means by that, while Stu lets the world know if they should go and see "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian." The Dude also got to observe what appeared to be members of the Gay, Deaf Biker Gang at Millennium Park in Chicago, he cleaned a dryer vent, and tried to relax, while Stu definitely got is relaxing down by catching up on some TV. Next week they both figure to give their review of "Up," but probably not "Drag Me to Hell."

Summer Has Begun, and I'm Finally Getting to Movie Previews

Mon, 25 May 2009 19:25:14 PDT

By: The Dude on the Right
So Memorial Day 2009 has come and is going, over the weekend a movie about a night in a museum beat a movie about computers and robots hell-bent on destroying us, and I spent a lovely weekend with my BFF which I'll be sure to fill in the details in my Podcast with Stu Gotz tomorrow. For now I just wanted to hip you to the fact that I am working on trying to help you with your future summer movie plans by checking out the trailers for some of the biggest (and some smallest) movies coming out and letting you know if I think they are any good. The list is starting small, with movies coming out in the next couple of weeks, but it will grow exponentially, or at least should be complete in the next couple of weeks, and I'll do my best to get some full-blown reviews posted as well.

For now, next week you've got family fun with the Pixar/Disney flick, "Up," and to get your horror mojo working, Sam Raimi is directing "Drag Me to Hell." The week after you can catch Will Ferrell in all of his "yelling is funny" glory during "Land of the Lost," the adult dudes can have their dudes-night-out by seeing "The Hangover" while sending their dudettes on a ladies-night-out to "My Life in Ruins."

See, your summer movie-watching plans are now complete for the next two weeks.

More previews will be coming soon, Stu will hopefully fill me in on "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" during out podcast tomorrow, and don't forget that I tweet, so feel free to follow me!

That's it for this one! I'm The Dude on the Right!! L8R!!!

What's New? A Movie Review of: Angels & Demons

Wed, 20 May 2009 19:44:35 PDT

The Dude on the Right is finally getting back off his ass and getting into the summer movie season, and he kicks it off with his review of "Angels & Demons." Yup, that guy from "The Da Vinci Code" is back to solve another series of puzzles, and this time it's to save The Vatican, and maybe some Cardinals. The Dude liked the movie, probably more than most critics, and gives the simple advice that if you enjoyed the Da Vinci flick, you'll probably like "Angels & Demons," even if you didn't read the book.

What's New? A Podcast of: Stu & The Dude's Weekend Wrap-Up! A Birthday Weekend Part II, The House of Mouse, Star Trek, and Angels & Demon

Tue, 19 May 2009 19:13:58 PDT

Well, it took an extra day for The Dude on the Right to get the Stu & The Dude's "Weekend Wrap-Up!" podcast posted, mostly because yesterday he thought he might have come down with the Swine Flu, or the H1M1 virus, or just ate a bad donut, but in any case he had a fever, felt like crap, so here's the podcast being posted on a Tuesday, no worse for wear. Stu Gotz is happy that The Dude is in love but just hopes that tattoos never show up, Stu had his travel problems coming back from Mickey Mouse Land, and both of them recommend seeing "Star Trek." The Dude on the Right also recommends seeing "Angels & Demons," mostly because it's the same kind of movie as "The Da Vinci Code," and The Dude says that if you want a great soft shell crab, or the best crab cake ever, you should spend some dough and head to "Sugartoad" in Naperville, IL. Go ahead, have a listen.

I'm Engaged! How Did That Happen?

Wed, 13 May 2009 20:49:51 PDT

By: The Dude on the Right
I must say that at 42 years old, after not having a serious girlfriend in just about forever, and even having some cousins thinking I was gay, it is both exciting and scary as hell to tell people I am engaged, as a new chapter in the book of my life started last Sunday when I asked my BFF to marry me. The thing is, at the time I asked, as much as I was 99.9% sure of her answer, that 0.1% is the reason for being scared to death she just might say no, or request conditions for our getting married, or say she wasn’t ready, or say anything but a simple “Yes,” thus leaving the experience, in my eyes, as a total failure. Happily she said “Yes,” she cried, I got weepy, and we went to go see “Star Trek.” My God that woman loves me, and no, she didn't dress like Uhura, and I didn't dress like Spock.

Looking back, though, over the past year, or I suppose I should say past 20+ years, it still amazes me how this is all coming together. Why? Because so many things had to happen for us to re-find each other. You see, I met my BFF back in high school. I was a senior and she came in as a new junior, transferred from this mystical city of Chicago because her dad ended up relocating to the Cleveland area for work. Somehow she was interested in drama, I was a member of the drama club, and we both took a school trip to New York City where a simple song played during the trip would always remind me of her. Over that year in high school I would say we became friendly, but not friends, as I ended up being focused on going off to college, in all places, Chicago, and besides, she was a junior and I was a mighty senior. As time went on I would remember her for one reason or another, and even one year, one of those high school alumni directories came out and I noticed she was living in Chicago at the time, but never really thought to reach out to her (hell, how creepy would that phone call be: "Umm, hello? I don't know if you remember me, but I noticed you in the newly published high school alumni directory and just wondered how you were."), and the years went by.

Me, I went from this job to that job, totally putting my Aerospace Engineering degree to no use whatsoever, living in the Chicago area, finally finding myself in a western suburb, and she, well, she became a world traveler, working in various countries, but then finding herself back in Chicago.

Then, one night, a little over a year ago, I heard a song, the same song that always reminded me of her, and I entered Google stalker mode. Low and behold there she was, and I did what may well be one of the smartest decisions I have ever made: I sent her an e-mail. The strangest part - She e-mailed me back! An e-mail here, an e-mail there, we decided to meet, and then, wouldn't you know it, 20+ years after we met in high school we fell in love, I found my best friend, and I also found the only person that has ever made me not care about all of my stuff. Sure, I'm leaving out a few details of our past year together, of our 20+ years apart, but hey, if Oprah wants to know I suppose we'd be happy to be guests on her show. Even some things, for me, I like to leave private, and I'm guessing she wants to, too.

And so I must now just focus on being happy because if I think about even some of the things that needed to happen for us to be together, it would be mind-boggling. I mean, if her dad never ended up in Cleveland for work; if I didn't come to Chicago for college, if I actually used my engineering degree I probably wouldn't be living here; if she didn't find a place in Chicago; if I had called her years ago and she thought I was creepy; if I hated dogs; if one of us didn't take that trip to New York City in high school; if I had won the Mega-Millions; if I weren't a Google stalker, and for that matter, if the dudes at Google never made Google, well, I would still be loving all of my stuff instead of being in love with my BFF, being engaged, and looking forward to merging the individual books of our lives into a new volume devoted to us.

I guess such is life. Happily, such is love.

That's it for this one! I'm The Dude on the Right!! L8R!!!