I wanted to make the theater Tom was sitting in a little more run down and dingy. Maybe rough Tom up a little bit, too. Y’know – just to sell the whole “last guy on Earth” thing a little bit more. But I didn’t have time.

A big ice storm came through Iowa yesterday and work was canceled. You’d think that would have given me plenty of time to throw a lot of detail into today’s piece. Not really. Between minding Henry all day and shoveling ice off the driveway, there wasn’t much time for anything!

When I was a kid, I used to love it when school was canceled because of winter weather. I loved snow days. It was like a mini vacation. My Mom always said it wasn’t a vacation for adults. I see what she meant by that now.

Despite my own criticisms, I like this comic. Just leading Tom through the emotional progression of yelling “BOOBIES!” in an empty movie theater is enough to make me giggle like an adolescent. Especially considering there are SO MANY MORE INTERESTING THINGS you could do if you were the last man on Earth. Throwing a rock through a plate glass window, for example. I mean, that’s just fun!

I Am Legend comes out this weekend and I’m cautiously optimistic. I think the advertising for the film has been really sharp. The trailers don’t give away too much and you really get a sense of dread from the abandoned isle of Manhattan.

The reason I’m cautiously optimistic is largely because I have a special place in my heart for The Omega Man with Charleton Heston – the second film adaptation of Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel. And since I know there’s been a bit of controversy about my book-reading habits as of late, the answer is “Yes. I’ve read the original book.”

Back to The Omega Man – I know it’s kind of cheesy and Charelton Heston slathered himself all over that film in his over-the-top glory. But I love how heavily it has “1971” stamped all over it. Rosalind Cash’s afro was the bomb! I think it was smart to move the action to New York for I Am Legend versus Los Angelas in The Omega Man. But, dammit! I want afro-action! And, truthfully, I find albino mutants more terrifying than vampires. Vampires have been kind of done to death. No pun.

I’m still going to see the movie, though. This thing is going to be bulletproof from a critical perspective. A lot of that has to do with Will Smith in the lead. People just like the guy and you can’t really deny his charisma.

Will Smith is one of those guys that seems to have it so well put together, you kind of start to resent him for it. Then he says something charming and witty and you fall in love with him all over again. That’s like an honest-to-God super power. I wish I was able to win people over like that, but I’m kind of a jerk deep down and not that patient. Oh, I’m sure Big Willy Style has his off days. But he never lets you see him sweat and that’s impressive.

I’ve read reviews of some of his movies where critics pick apart his apparant need to be liked. I’m kind of like “So what?” I like a movie star who feels like he has to earn it even after he’s proved himself. I like a movie star who appreciates his audience. So many of the big names any more seem like they couldn’t be bothered and they live in their little bubbles cushioned by their money and their Yes Men. Despite his enormous success, Will Smith seems like a guy still tethered to the real world. There’s a lot to admire in that guy.

And I’m just as shocked to admit it as you are!

That does it for me. Have a great Wednesday and I’ll see you here Friday!