While it is pretty rare for me to go to movies let alone watch movies these days, December seems to be an exception. I tend to spend more time visiting with family and friends, and generally have more free time away from work. Therefore, it stands to reason that more movies are watched this time of year than any other, at least for me.

Last night, I had the chance to see Hugo (in 3D) with some friends. In recent memory I've seen a few films that didn't really take advantage of the 3D aspect of things (Captain America comes to mind). Hugo, fortunately, right from the get-go, proved to the contrary. This movie did, and does, take advantage of 3D.

Hugo stars Ben Kingsley (the toymaker), Sacha Baron Cohen (station inspector), Asa Butterfield (as Hugo Cabret), and Chloë Grace Moretz as Isabelle, the toymaker's daughter.

The movie itself is set in 1930s Paris and is about an orphan boy (Hugo) who lives in the walls of a train station. After his father passes away in a tragic fire, his uncle "adopts" him and takes him to the train station where he maintains the clocks. Hugo is forced to steal in order to live. However, he is caught by the toymaker. The toymaker's daughter befriends Hugo, and Hugo begins to learn more about the toymaker's past.

This movie is essentially a family-friendly film. It is a heartwarming story about a man who wanted to forget his past, and doesn't believe in "happy endings". He is nevertheless recognized and rewarded for his work in the end. I highly recommend the film.

I was recently asked to be on the Inside Home Recording podcast! This was a real honor for me, and a vision-come-true. Check it out!

Inside Home Recording | Episode 97 with David Andrew Wiebe

David Andrew Wiebe lets us know what's going on in his life and online world. Subjects include: blogging frequency, Inside Home Recording, current projects, and more.

Tommy Wiseau playing video games. This is genius.

Warning: this video contains colorful language and simulated violence (it is Mortal Kombat, after all).

Anger Management refers to the 2003 film in which a spineless business man (Dave Buznik, played by Adam Sandler) is wrongfully sentenced to an anger management course with a forceful instructor, Dr. Buddy Rydell (played by Jack Nicholson). In a surprise twist, it turns out that Dave's girlfriend Linda (played by Marisa Tomei) hired Dr. Rydell to put some spine back into Dave under the guise of managing his "anger problems".

Perhaps I am missing something with this movie. Having grown up in Japan, maybe there are some cultural conventions that I'm not familiar with. I say that because, in short, this movie is kind of weird. I mean, it kind of makes sense in the end, but it's still strange. Maybe it wasn't as strange as Be Kind Rewind (which was enjoyable in its own way), but nevertheless strange.

Dr. Rydell is a weirdo. It probably doesn't help that he is played by Jack Nicholson. His smiles are creepy; he makes esoteric references, and what is with the device he used to stimulate his hair follicles?

Don't even get me started with Heather Graham's character, Kendra. She's a freak! I mean, I get that she was a hired actress (by Rydell), but her mood swings are bizarre to say the least.

I suppose you could say it all pays off in the end. The twist was a little unexpected. It looked as though things were headed in a decidedly toilet centered direction for Dave, but as it turns out, all the events were orchestrated to put some fire back in the man. If you're in the mood for something quirky, this one might keep you satiated for a while.