World War Z

World War Z is an apocalyptic adventure movie that features Gerry (Brad Pitt), a United Nations investigator racing against time, and around the world, attempting to save human life from a zombie epidemic. Lane really racks up those air miles.

With a mix of strong acting, a strong visual appeal and an interesting story instead of just CGI and effects, World War Z is a treat to watch. Hardly a groundbreaking film, it is a new take on that old story of the overachieving everyday guy facing horror and desperation, doing whatever he can to survive. It is a well made action picture hinging on Pitt’s solid, charismatic performance.

A joy for the zombie fan, whether you are a lover of the runners from 28 Days Later or the slow walkers of George Romero or The Walking Dead. Unlike TWD though, this movie managed to be frightening while showing little gore. It is a smart and well crafted and a thrilling film.

World War Z is a based on the novel by Max Brooks. While adapted from the novel, the film is only loosely based on the series of interviews of which the book is made up. Brooks, son of Mel, also wrote the Zombie Survival Guide and was a staff writer on Saturday Night Live.

The only issue I have with the movie was the reliance on email by the various government and military bodies. If the zombie scare was so urgent, why didn't anyone just pick up the phone?! Cell phone out of range? No quarters for the payphone? We still have land-lines, and from the plot, satellite telephones are readily available.

This film is intense. You feel the panic and tension, especially as the film first unfolds. The director, Marc Forster, nurtures the tension for almost the entire run of the film.

World War Z was originally intended as a trilogy. Those plans were quashed when rewrites and reshooting were required. The film was set to open in December 2012 but was pushed back six months. There is talk now of at least one more sequel. What with the great opening weekend results ($66 million), WWZ's start makes it the most successful debut for an action film since Avatar. What would the sequel be called anyway? World War Y? Armistice Day of the Dead?

And it is probably one of the best big budget films year to date. I will leave you with one last suggestion before I end my review of World War Z. When flying, always sit in first class.

World War Z

I Have A Question

I have a few questions about toilet paper. Who designs toilet paper? What are those development meetings like? Are the ridges on toilet paper engineered for maximum cleaning ability or is it merely there for aesthetics?

"I like ridges."

"Bumps are more efficient."

"Smooth and soft paper protects sensitive tushies."

I did not do any research. I do not actually want to know. I prefer the uninformed guess work.

Do the researchers take their work home with them?

"Kids, we are trying something new for the next few days. Single-ply. So ease up on the fruit."

Or, is all the work done on the job? I am now trying to imagine what the cubicles look like. A desk, telephone, computer, a toilet. Maybe a sink to wash up. Oh, and some magazines. Magazines such as Home Decor, Rolling Stone or Sports Illustrated. And some lilac air freshener.

Why hasn't Swiffer entered into the toilet paper market? They already have the disposable single use dusters and floor cleaners. What I am suggesting is a combination of the two. Perhaps some R and D into the micro-fibre angle for a soft comfortable clean to your bottom.

I Am Away Right Now

Hi, I am away now and can't take your call. I will be back within a couple weeks. Please leave a message and I will respond when I return. I am currently somewhere in Northern Africa, and may not have direct access to my email. Should your matter be urgent, have a beer and relax. It is vacation time after all.

That's it! Vacation time has finally hit us. I am not working. And my brain has shut off. As you are reading this I may be sipping mint tea, or travelling on some camel. I may even be sleeping by the pool, watching TV or dancing in a disco. Maybe I am downhill skiing. 

Vacation

Great Chili Recipe

I'm going to call this one the greatest chili recipe ever. It also may be the easiest chili recipe to make. Either way, it is delicious and I will take you through the steps.

It was my turn to cook. I had some ground beef, a growling stomach and a beautiful wife. (That has nothing to do with the recipe but she is bound to read this.)

I last made chili a couple years ago but wanted an improved and easier recipe to follow. I found one I liked called Texas-Style Chili but we didn't have the needed ingredients. I had garlic and salt. That's about it. It is amazing how two things called chili could have completely different ingredients.

I often cook based on what I have handy and compensate by changing up the recipes. I will list the ingredients. Keep in my the measurements are in Metric. I will include Imperial but they aren't round numbers so you may have to make small adjustments. This what I used

Starting Chili Ingredients

Ingredients:
0.368 kilograms of lean ground beef (0.81 pounds)
1 - 540 ml. can of Red Kidney Beans (2.3 cups)
1 - 540 ml. can of Chick Peas (Garbanzo beans) (2.3 cups)
3 medium size Sausages
1 and 1/2 cups of Chicken Broth
1 medium sliced Red Pepper
6 medium Mushrooms, sliced
A handful of cherry tomatoes
1/2 a Carrot, diced
1 clove Garlic, chopped or minced
2 teaspoons Sugar
2 teaspoons crushed Oregano
2 teaspoons Cumin
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon crushed Chili Pepper
Tobasco sauce
3 tablespoons of Breadcrumbs or Cornmeal
cooking Oil

Simmer the vegetables

A lot of this is based on personal taste and, as I mentioned, what ingredients are available. For example, I like merguez sausages. The spices really complimented this recipe. Also, while my source recipe called for beef broth I substituted chicken broth. And, lastly, cornmeal was recommend, while I used rice flour breadcrumbs instead.

If you use dried beans, let them soak first. Then after drained add to the recipe. Canned beans can be rinsed and added to the mix.

The chili is almost done

Steps:

In a large hot skillet, greased with your favourite cooking oil, brown the ground beef, garlic and sausages. You can drain off the excess fat at this point.

Stir in the chicken broth, sugar, oregano, cumin, chili pepper, salt and Tabasco.

Reduce the heat to a simmer. Leave covered for 30 minutes.

Add in the carrots, red pepper and tomatoes. Let simmer for 15 minutes.

Add the garbanzo and kidney beans. Stir and then add the breadcrumbs and mushrooms. Let simmer for 30-45 minutes.

Serve with corn bread or eat it by itself. Serves six. Enjoy! I will definitely make this batch of chili again. It was quick to prepare and a delicious recipe.

Serve the chili with a big spoon