Every so often two movies are simultaneously released that are eerily similar in nature ("The Sixth Sense" and "Stir of Echoes" or "Deep Impact" and"Armageddon"). It's really hard not to discuss one without at least mentioning the other. Here's a nice run-down of some recent ones:

Attack of the Clones: Suspiciously Similar Movie Showdown

We recently we saw the dueling magician movies ("The Prestige" and "The Illusionist").

Both are movies about people who are masters of magic and illusion (you know, sort of like the people who want us to believe that it was pure coincidence that these movies just happened to come out at the same time). Both are set in Europe in the early 1900s. And both are frame stories.

What I found interesting is that, for the most part, "The Prestige" showed how the magic tricks were done and "The Illusionist" kept the tricks a secret. I'd make a comparison to Penn & Teller and Lance Burton, but I don't hate any movie enough to compare it to Lance Burton.

It's a shame that they had to come out at the same time because they are both good movies in their own right. Because of their release date neither of them was able to shine since they both had to get out from the other's shadow. Now they'll forever appear to be linked together like a couple of "solid" steel rings in a magic show.

I bet you my white gloves and top hat that you can't have a conversation about one without the other getting mentioned. I triple dove dare you.

What is it about you, Web Sudoku, that makes me unable to stop thinking about you? Is it your baby blue background or your seemingly endless supply of games? Maybe it's just that you always give me new puzzles to solve. You're a mystery in that way. Always something else for me to figure out.

There's just something about you that I can't stay away from. Maybe I have a destructive personality and I'm always drawn to things that waste my time and don't allow me to actually achieve anything meaningful. All I know is that it feels so right when I'm with you.

I'll bookmark you on every browser of every computer I have. I'll never clear you out of my cache. We'll ride that broadband wave to the afterlife where we'll be together forever.

Your pal,

sc

I just thought up the perfect band name for when I start a cover band that only does songs by The Cure -- The Placebo.

I've heard tell of a day that comic books are given away free like prostitute flyers in Las Vegas. A glorious day appropriately known as Free Comic Book Day.

It sounded too good to be true. Let me get this straight. I walk into a comic book shop and, without giving them any money, I get new comic books? Best. Day. Ever. If it actually exists.

This year, I decided to find out for myself if the legend was true. This past Saturday, I ventured out to a nearby comic shop and sauntered inside. People were milling about and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. No streamers, party hats, balloons, or inflatable creatures vacantly staring into my soul. My hope was waning.

Then, I saw them -- the stacks of free comic books. Gods be praised!

My quest was not in vain. The spoils include "The Astounding Wolfman" by Robert Kirkman ("The Walking Dead"), a "Battlestar Galactica" comic, a "Transformers" movie prequel, and a few other titles. Plus, I was able to pick up the sixth "Walking Dead" trade paperback.

All hail the first Saturday of May! Huzzah!

It was only a matter of time. Scientists have discovered kryptonite and have unwittingly initiated the downfall of society as we know it.

Apparently a new mineral was discovered and...

"Towards the end of my research I searched the web using the mineral's chemical formula - sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide - and was amazed to discover that same scientific name, written on a case of rock containing kryptonite stolen by Lex Luthor from a museum in the film Superman Returns."

Just great. What's next? These [quote] scientists [end quote] are going to hold a press conference to announce that Peter Parker is the secret identity of Spiderman? Maybe they want to announce the exact address of the Bat Cave while they're at it.

According to the article, because krypton is already an element on the periodic table, the official name of the new mineral is going to be called jadarite. Frankly, I don't care what it's called. Just keep it safely locked away from the world's supervillians.

At some point in his life Tim Minear must have run over an adorable, big-eyed, cherub-faced child who belonged to a band of wayward gypsies. This may have been right after he recited some verses out of of the Necronomicon, but just before he did some donuts in a Native American burial ground.

It's either that or FOX network hates the man. Why else do his shows get deep-sixed before they even have a chance to settle in the boring, predictable ocean of network television programming?

First was the amazing sci-fi series "Firefly." How did FOX choose to show this? Out of sequence, infrequently, on different nights, and the 2-hour pilot last. Next was "Wonderfalls." Very clever, very original, and very un-aired. Following that were a few episodes of a crime show called "The Inside."

The latest in the short-lived Minear line-up is the incredible show "Drive." After a 2-hour pilot (not on the show's regular night) and 2 additional episodes, the show got canceled due to poor ratings. Poor ratings...after 2 regular episodes. When is Minear going to learn that FOX hates him? FOX hates him, the horse he rode in on, the dirt road that horse trotted down, and the Earth for having dirt to be on a road for him on which to travel.

Either that or the gypsies thing...and I wouldn't advise trying to wait that one out. Seriously, Tim. Have you ever thought about just apologizing to the gypsies? I know it might be futile, but what other option do you have? Just think about it.