The Terminal Philosopher

NEWSFLASH!

2005-09-07T17:17:00.000-06:00

School's started! How can you tell? I'm blogging again!!! Check it out here. Isnt' that URL much easier to remember?

ON HIATUS: INDEFINITELY

2005-08-02T18:09:00.000-06:00

I've just not had the energy to blog in a long time. It's not that I don't have lots to say, I just no longer feel that this blog is the place for me to post many things. This blog started out in June 2004, and I made it past the one year mark. Far longer than I originally thought it would go and so I feel it met it's goal.

Anyway, if I have other plans for film discussion and such in the future. If things go as planned, the updates will be posted here. Thanks for reading.

"Cuz it's a bittersweet symphony, this life." - The Verve

Most Interesting/Controversial New Film Project of the Year of Its Release

2005-07-10T16:41:00.000-06:00

Hey all. Yes. I'm guilty of not blogging, but I've been kept busy elsewhere in film discussion but I'll still try to keep up with things here.

Here's an article from Ain't It Cool News about a new film project about 9/11! Nicholas Cage (who is a better actor than most give him credit for) and Oliver Stone (who does his best work in project's about important events in American history i.e. JFK, Platoon). To me this definitely will be one of the most talked about projects in the next year. I'm glad to hear that Stone is attached rather than someone like Michael Bay (Pearl Harbour), because for whatever shortcomings he has, Stone will at least explore some of the interesting issues like heroism, national identity, etc. rather than just using human tragedy as the backdrop for an exciting action movie (again, see Pearl Harbour).

Speaking of controversy though, Spielberg is already hard at work on his next film. It's a still untitled project about the murder of Israeli atheletes by Palestinians at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Interestingly though, he's going to be not merely exploring the atrrocity itself, but Isreal's reaction (the hunting down of those responsible, going beyond international boundaries). I'm glad to hear this. It raises so many questions, such as our response to "terrorism," the situation in the Middle East, the right of a nation to protect/avenge itself, etc. It will definitely be one of the most controversial films of this year, not only from Palestinian perspectives (who would rather we forget this happened), but from Israeli as well (who from the sounds of things, are not portrayed very sympathetically in their pursuit of revenge agains the perpetrators). Yes, I said this year. The film is already slated for a Dec. 23 release for this year. Will Steven be back in the winner's circle come Oscar time?

Most Interesting Movie Poster of the Year?

2005-07-02T18:18:00.000-06:00

The 8th Wonder of the World!

2005-06-28T00:15:00.000-06:00

Kong is here!

Elizabethtown

2005-06-23T15:04:00.000-06:00

This film was on my list of movies I'm looking forward to this year for one reason only: Cameron Crowe. Crowe made one of my alltime favourite films with Almost Famous. Jerry Maguire, and even Vanilla Sky are all films I like a lot, so I'm very excited about this one. Crowe's soundtracks are also usually amazing too. I think I once said on Ewan's blog that I would have Cameron Crowe direct the movie of my life. Anyway, check out the "Internet Exclusive" trailer for Elizabethtown at the official website.

It's nice to see Orlando Bloom moving away from the 'epic' movies, because he's getting pretty typecast. And the ladies in this one? Kirsten Dunst has always been a favourite of mine. And I actually have a thing for Judy Greer (she's been in lots of small roles and also played "Kitty" on Arrested Development), so I'm happy to see her in this too. She's looking great.

"Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out)"

2005-06-22T23:38:00.000-06:00

It's taken me a long time to get around to buying The Arcade Fire - Funeral, partly because some people that whose taste I respect thought it was overrated, but also because when an album is as hyped as this one has been it's rare that it lives up to expectations and often leaves me thinking, "It's ok, but is that really what they were so excited about?" The same is true for movies; but like movies there are the rare exceptions (Silence of the Lambs comes to mind as a movie that lived up to and exceeded my expectations). Funeral is one of these too I feel.

I loved the single, "Rebellion (Lies)," but it doesn't give a really full idea of what the album as a whole is like. It's a concept album (built around the rather meloncholy theme of deaths in the family), but also just a solid piece of music that really pushes the idea of a band in the opposite direction of the two-member rock duos, and incorporates multiple instruments and singers. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's a great listen and definitely was work picking up.

I like these little guys.

The new video for "Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out)" is up on Much Music's website now, under "High Rotation" (it's this weeks "Big One" and you may need Realplayer to view it). Check it out. I agree with the little write up on the Much website that the video doesn't really reveal the unique personality of the band, but at the same time it's a wonderful little piece of animation that while it serves as a perfunctory video (basically following the lyrics pretty literally) it is very pretty to look at.

Disappointed In Film Goers

2005-06-20T11:32:00.000-06:00

I checked the weekend results this morning at Box Office Mojo, and the sad result is that Batman Begins, a film that is possibly the best superhero film ever made only managed to bring in a mere $46.9 million over the weekend (unfortunately not the $70 million total that Luke reported on his blog here, which was the 5 day total). Batman Begins is a film that deserves to make at least as much as Spider-man or Harry Potter, unfortunately with a weak opening like that it will struggle to pass $200 million total, and probably not break the record for even a "Batman film," (held by Burton's Batman (1989) at $251 million).

The saddest part is that even the relatively mediocre Mr. & Mrs. Smith made more ($51 million) in its opening weekend. This really shows that the truth is that movie goers are stupid and actually like the camp of the Burton/Schumacher series better than the quality that Christopher Nolan (Memento) has given them. They want a Big Mac with their Bat-fries rather than a nice juicy steak. I only hope that this relatively moderate opening doesn't mean that Nolan and company aren't invited back to continue the story (Christian Bale is signed on for two more films).

Reasons why Batman Begins might have fizzled at the box office:

people are stupid and didn't realize that this wasn't a prequel to Burton's films and instead a complete reboot of the series from scratch

people don't know who Christian Bale is despite the fact that he's a brilliant actor who's managed the transition from child star to adult better than anyone

the more "realisitic" take on the project might have turned off casual fans whose only memory of Batman is the Burton film or the 60s TV show

the film was sandwiched between Revenge of the Sith and War of the Worlds, and people might instead be more interested in those films and are saving their few visits to the theare for those

It's really too bad. I guess people just don't go to the theatre that much. Myself, I've been to the theatre nine times in the last 32 days (7 of those viewings on Batman and Star Wars). And I plan to go again this weekend (possibly Land of the Dead if it opens here) and again next Wednesday for War of the Worlds.

Either way, I want to encourage people to go see Batman Begins. It's a fantastic film with amazing acting (Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman are the consumate pros), dark and suspenseful direction from Christopher Nolan (check out Memento too if you haven't seen it) and action scenes that are kick ass (the Bat-tank is amazing and fast!). If you think you know what can be done with comic book source material, you're wrong. Check this out now. If there's any justice, it will be getting some award nominations next winter.

2005-06-18T17:32:00.000-06:00

Hard to believe that I've been doing this blog thing for over a year now. Still, I haven't been as regular in updates as I should be. I'm going to blame it on every one else who hasn't been regular (except Caitlin who has an excuse, what with being in England and Luke who actually has been very regular). When there's nothing new for me to read, it doesn't really encourage me to blog.

Still, I said I was going to get back to you in the morning after seeing Batman Begins. I didn't. And for that I'm sorry. It was good. I've seen it twice. You can all forget that Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher's films exist, as this films sets a new precedence for all comic book based films. This is a legitimately great film with a compelling story, great acting (Christian Bale IS Batman; Caine, Freeman and Neeson are fantastic; Holmes is cute and Cillian Murphy is creepy) and a top notch director in Christopher Nolan. Go see it. Even if you think you don't like Batman.

Regarding my post about Russell Crowe's newest film, Cinderella Man, some people get kind of grated by Russell's character. His recent "phone throwing incident" hasn't done much to help people's image of him. However, I encountered this interesting bit somewhere on the web. If this is all true, these people were lucky and were I in Russell's position I probably would have done something similar.

"As to the arrest itself, let's try for a few facts, just for a laugh...

"1. Russell Crowe was paying the better part of $4,000 per night for the use of a room which was supposed, among other things, to contain a working international telephone.

"2. By the time of the disputed incident he had been staying there for a week and the telephone had not worked properly in all that time.

"3. The hotel had failed to address the problem in any way, despite by this point having taken nearly $28,000 from Russell.

"4. After finding the phone to be no use for making an international call yet again Russell tried calling down to Reception to sort out the problem for the 7th time.

"5. Apparently being unable to make himself clearly understood he disconnected the phone, which he was entitled to do as its licensed user having given valuable consideration (nearly $28,000) for the duration of his booking, and took it downstairs to prove that it was not working.

"6. The receptionist was apparently unhelpful and rude, to the point where Russell lost his temper, (what on earth did the man say to get such a reaction?!), and threw the telephone at the wall, from where it rebounded and hit the recalcitrant clerk. This DOES NOT constitute assault in the 4th or indeed any other degree as again there is no evidence of intent to cause injury - an absolute prerequisite when bringing a charge of assault. What it does constitute is disorderly conduct and possibly criminal damage.

"7. Why was the receptionist so rude to a man known to have a short fuse, and at a time of day (4.20am) which repeated academic research has shown to be the lowest point of the human psyche?

"8. What if any training policy and customer service policy does the hotel have and did the receptionist comply with them?

"9. Why did the hotel make no effort to provide a working telephone after receiving complaints every day for a week? What is the hotel's equipment replacement policy and did the hotel's staff comply with it? The Mercer's contract with Russell included the use of a working telephone for which, and for other services including common courtesy from the hotel's staff, he had paid nearly $28,000.

"10. Where has the figure of $1,000,000 in damages come from? No jury, American or otherwise, is going to award such a sum for a 1" long cut, which has caused no permanent damage of any kind and which will be invisible to the naked eye in six months' time. If a jury did make such an award it would be struck down on appeal for being a perverse award, as the law requires.

"Moreover, Russell has an overwhelming case for a counterclaim of contributory negligence which could reduce any award by as much as 50%." -- Amelie Smith, London, England.

2005-06-14T22:16:00.000-06:00

Off to a midnight screening of Batman Begins!!!!!!!!!!!!! And yes, I'm crazy and do have to be at my 8 am class. But this is a Batman movie. No one has got it right yet. I've got hope for Nolan to finally do it. I'll let you all know tomorrow morning.

Cinderella Man

2005-06-07T22:41:00.000-06:00

I was expecting Cinderella Man - Ron Howard's Depression-era boxing flick - to be a cookie cutter, feel-good period piece. And I was partly right. It is a fairly straight forward period piece. And it is a film that leaves you on a feel good note (sorry if I spoiled it for everyone), but given the story of James Braddock, I don't think it could be any other way. But that's not a bad thing.

While it could have been a piece of melodramatic fluff, Russell Crowe - who is perhaps the consumate actor of his generation and consistantly excellent in film after film - never lets the role fall into caricature. He portrays Braddock as a honest family man, but still a real human being. Add to it the supporting actors Renée Zellweger and Paul Giamatti, who should finally get his Oscar that's been eluding him for two years despite amazing performances in Sideways and American Splendor, and we have a real acting lovers film. Even smaller roles by Bruce McGill (Collateral) and Craig Bierko as the clowning, yet vicious Max Baer, shine in this film.

Ron Howard returns to form after The Missing dissapointed me so greatly a couple of years ago. But this is a solid delivery. Howard is not an extremly flashy director, but he never gets in the way of the story and does a solid job here.

All in all, Cinderella Man is a good, solid film that outdid my expectations, just like Jim Braddock would have.

New CD Tuesday - Coldplay, The White Stripes, and Others

2005-06-07T14:05:00.000-06:00

Today is Tuesday. That means new DVDs and CDs are released into the wild world that is retail. Today was extra special, because CDs from two of my favourite bands came out today. Last week was the new album from Oasis. Today we get The White Stripes and Coldplay. Fortunately I had money, because of my upcoming birthday. Which means you get to hear my intial reactions and rants.

Coldplay - X&Y

I don't care what the naysayers will level at this album, but after the first listen I has me hooked more than Rush of Blood To The Head did. While Coldplay hasn't abandoned their signature sound (Chris Martin's piano and falsetto, Johnny Buckland's guitars) but that isn't a bad thing. Instead here, they take what makes them work and push it to the next level. Sure that means borrowing (stealing) from all the bands that came before them from Radiohead to U2, but it's never obvious and works well. They're trying things here that they didn't on Rush, and I give them credit for it. The opener, "Square One" tells us that they are using their previous albums as a template, but not settling, and some of the non-radio stuff like "Fix You" starts with simple piano and leads into a wonderful arena standard.

This is just my first impressions of the album, which I'll definitely be listening to a lot. I find that you have to be in the mood for Coldplay, and lately the rainy, cool weather we've been having puts me in the mood for their particular brand of Britpop.

I also finally picked up The Arcade Fire - Funeral as well. I'll try to give reviews of that album (which I know a lot of you are indifferent to), The White Stripes and and Oasis coming soon.

A Bit of Web Debris

2005-05-29T15:42:00.000-06:00

Firstly, here's a movie trailer for a new film from one of Canada's biggest directors, David Cronenberg's A History of Violence. Cronenberg's Spider with Ralph Fiennes was one of the most overlooked films of 2002, and this new one really intrigues me. Cronenberg has the "Indie" sensibility that some people love, but he combines it with an excellent sense of visuals and mood-creating. This one has me interested because of the excellent cast (Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris, Maria Bello) and the premise. Watch the trailer because it teases you without giving anything away. I want to see it now to find out what the story is. Also, Ewan and Anton will appreciate this, it has a nice little vigilante violence angle too. Oh, and it's based on an award-winning graphic novel (aka comic book for adults). What's not to love?

Also, I found a link to this bumper sticker, and I think it's pretty funny. Almost on par with those "Republicans for Voldemort" stickers.

"The Ultimate Authority In The Universe"

2005-05-29T10:53:00.000-06:00

As a serious Star Wars fan, silly arguments come up all the time. One of the longest standing arguments between me and fellow Star Wars enthusiast is the proper pronunciation of the name of Darth Vader's flagship the Executor. My friend insists that it should be pronounced gzkjt(r). I argued that this is stupid and drains all the fear and intensity of the ships name. I stood by my pronunciation of the name as kskjt(r). Still, I was reluctant to force the issue. The word "executor" is no longer used in English to mean "one who carries out an execution" so I wasn't quite sure if I was right. Still, I was convinced that the flagship of the Imperial fleet shouldn't have such a lame "legal" sounding name. It didn't seem right, but for years I doubted myself.

Enter the fact master, Danny, who had the bright idea to consult the Ultimate Authority on all matters pertaining to the English Language:The Oxford English Dictionary. Here's what he found.

(ks-, gzkjt(r) in sense 3; kskjt(r) in sense 1)
1. One who executes or carries out (a purpose, design, command, work, etc.); one who carries into action, or puts into practice (some quality); a conductor or manager (of affairs); an administrator or enforcer of (a law, vengeance, etc.); an agent, doer, performer, executer; in Scots Law, one who serves a writ or executes a warrant. Now rare exc. in legal uses.

2. = EXECUTIONER. Obs.

3. A person appointed by a testator to execute or carry into effect his will after his decease. literary executor: one who is entrusted with the care of the papers and unpublished works of a literary man.

So, on first glance I was partially vindicated. In the pronunciations, both of our pronunciations was accepted. "Beatiful," I thought, "I can continue to pronounce it my old way and defend myself with the oldest dictionary in the world." Further reading of the entry though led me to conclude that the likely definition that the Empire would use to name their ship would likely be the first definition, not the second as it makes no sense to relate the ship to either a legal will or unpublished literary works. I think it can be agreed that the first sense is the one that the Imperial flagship takes its title from.

If that is the case, read the pronunciation guide again. Done? Good. Now it says that my unnamed friend's pronunciation applies to sense 3. However, my pronunciation can be applied to sense 1 or 3. So, if I'm reading this correctly, and we also agree that the first sense is the one that applies to the title of the dreaded Imperial flagship Executor, then I am 100% vindicated. My pronunciation is not wrong. I was right, and not only that, I can with good reason suggest that my pronunciation is the correct and acceptable one and not my frusterating friend.

It's sweet to be right once in a while.

Business Buisness

2005-05-24T23:15:00.000-06:00

So far I'm now a week into my job as a Teaching Assistant. It's really not a hard job, but it's fairly time intensive for what I'm used to. Add on to that my job at the newsstand and I keep too busy. I've really fallen behind in my movie watching (as Anton reminds me every ten seconds; sorry bud, but it's a lot easier for you to say, you don't have two jobs or have to get up in the morning). But the job seems to fit with my sensibilities. It's a lot easier to sit down with a student and explain a mark than argue with an angry customer about something stupid. Students, in general, respect teachers, even student teachers. Customers rarely respect clerks. Which is strange. The students pay a heck of a lot more for their "service" than the people at the mall.

Speaking of paying for something and getting something, tomorrow I'm going to my graduation ceremony at 9 am at Centennial. I picked up the gown and tickets today. I know a lot of people aren't going, but I mean, I've paid my $20 000 and I want the full deal. I'm not making a big deal out of it. I haven't gotten a haircut. I didn't buy any new clothes. But I do want to experience walking across that stage and having them hand me my degree. To me, this means a lot more than high school (which I didn't really enjoy or feel was really that valuable). I'll probably drop by the reception afterwards (from noon to 1 pm) and then my parents want to take me for lunch, just the two of them. Nothing fancy. But at the same time, I want to experience it for what it's worth. The end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

Oh, and I have now seen Revenge of the Sith four times. And it's still good.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"

2005-05-21T13:15:00.000-06:00

(Note: Mild spoilers for Revenge of the Sith ahead)

Eco's Intertextual Collage and Revenge of the Sith

The common consensus seems to be that Revenge of the Sith is better than the other prequel movies. This doesn't mean that the film hasn't come under attack from people. It's inevitable that the people who have been claiming Lucas doesn't understand filmmaking would cry foul once again. But the more I think about the film, and upon susequent viewings (I've seen it three times now), the more impressive the Star Wars Saga in its entirity seems to me.

One scene that has been the subject of much of the outcry is the scene in which Darth Vader, newly reborn in his dark armour, queries the Emperor about the fate of Padmé. The Emperor replies that Padmé was killed by Vader in his rage (with a sick, satisfied smirk upon his evil face), and Vader bellows with a Frankenstein-esque "NOOOOOOOOOO!" The scene is somewhat cliché. The posture and tone reminds me of a Universal horror film from the 30s. Some people at our screening laughed. I had a big fat grin upon my face. Is this evidence that Lucas has lost all his skills as a director? Did he botch what was supposed to be one of the emotional climaxes of the film with cliché?

I would argue no. The film still carries emotional resonance, but perhaps differently than many viewers would expect. To understand what Lucas accomplishes in the films, I recall an essay by Umberto Eco, entitled "Casablanca: Cult movies and intertextual collage."

What are the requirements for transforming a book or a movie into a cult object? The work must be loved, obviously, but this is not enough. It must provide a completely furnished world so that its fans can quote characters and episodes as if they were aspects of the fan's private sectarian world, a world about which one can make up quizzes and play trivia games so that adepts of the sect recognize through each other a shared expertise. Naturally all these elements must have some archetypical appeal. (394)

This description most definitely applies to Star Wars. This is the single greatest accomplishment of the films. He creates a self-contained world, not only with the amazing imagery and such, but also in the style of filmmaking that he has made, which many see as flaws. Eco goes on to say:

I think that in order to transform a work into a cult object one must be able to break, dislocate, unhinge it so that one can remember only parts of it, irrespective of their original relationship with the whole. In the case of a book one can unhinge it, so to speak, physically, reducing it to a series of excerpts. A movie, on the contrary, must be already ramshackle, rickety, unhinged in itself. A perfect movie, since it cannot be reread every time we want, from the point we choose [Note: Eco is writing before DVD, and I can see that DVD is changing this reality and making film more like books as I've noted before]...It should display not one central idea but many. It should not reveal a coherrent philosophy of composition. It must live on, and because of, its glorious ricketiness.

However, it must have some quality...Works are created by works, texts created by texts, all together they speak to each other...A cult movie is proof that, as literature comes from literature, cinema comes from cinema. (395)

Star Wars, as the child of Flash Gordon, Akira Kurosawa and Arthurian legends, is the penultimate example of this intertextual cinema made up of parts and sometimes it may seem that they don't fit together in a coherrant manner. This is the nature of the beast, but also what gives it its power. To go back to our example of Vader's Frankenstein-esque cry at the end of Sith, this is an example of Lucas using an archetypical sequence of cinematic language to communicate the monster's grief. Everyone who is reared on this kind of cinema is able to decode what is meant by Vader's cry. The scene doesn't need to be invested with the kind of care that one would a normal drama or non-cult movie. The cliché speaks volumes that might not have been possible otherwise. As Eco says, "When all the archetypes burst out shamelessly, we plumb Homeric profundity. Two clichés make us laugh but a hundred clichés move us" (401).

Lucas has done this in all his films, mostly unintentionally. Like Tarantino in our generation, Lucas, and Spielberg also, was raised with the language of cinema. Unlike the truly universal archetypes, there are the ones that require us to know something of the intertextual history, and bring our own history to it. In these cases, Lucas and Spielberg consciously try to create some of this "intertextualization."

[In] E.T., when the alien is brought outside in a Halloween disguise and meets the dwarf coming from The Empire Strikes Back [Obviously Eco doesn't remember Yoda's name]. You remember that E.T. starts to run and cheer him. Here nobody can enjoy the scene if he [or she] does not share, at least, the following elements of intertextual competence:
(1) He must know where the second character comes from (Spielberg citing Lucas),
(2) and, he must know something about the links between the two directors. (402)

Lucas engages in a playful response to the scene in E.T. in the cameo appearance of a group of E.T.-type aliens in the senate scene in The Phantom Menace.

Three E.T.'s can be spotted in the lower left hand corner box.

The Circle Is Now Complete!

2005-05-19T22:14:00.000-06:00

Some of us were recounting the most memorable movie-going experiences of our lives last night as we sat in the theatre, waiting. A few hours later Revenge of the Sith was added to that list.

The cast and creator of the now complete Star Wars Saga: (L to R) Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, George Lucas, Natalie Portman, Yoda, Darth Vader, R2-D2, C-3PO, Samuel L. Jackson, Jimmy Smits, Jar Jar Binks, Christopher Lee, Liam Neeson, Pernilla August, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, General Grievous, Billy Dee Williams, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Chewbacca, Mark Hamill

This isn't a real review of the film. Most of you have probably already decided whether you'll be seeing this film or not. I'm not here to convince or dissuade (though, I'd love for everyone to see the film and have the experience I did). For me to write a completely objective review of Revenge of the Sith would almost be impossible. The Star Wars Saga has had such an important role in my life: in friendships, with my brothers, in shaping my love of filmmaking, inspiring my imagination. It's really hard to explain to people how much it has meant to me as a story. It is one of the defining myths of my life. To see it come full circle, and now to realize that it is finished is at once both undeniably exciting, and at the same time full of a kind of sadness as well. This will be the last Star Wars film, and while their will always be more books, comics, video games and even a rumoured television show, it is the films that really define the series and for me this is the fulfillment of the saga.

As far as a film, Sith doesn't dissapoint. And I've already seen it twice on this, the opening day. It's far and away the most action packed of the Star Wars films, drawing you into the action right off the start. We get to see Anakin and Obi Wan at their prime, acting as a team. We see why Anakin is "the best starpilot in the galaxy" and how Anakin really was to Obi Wan "a good friend." Sith is also easily the darkest of the six films. There is some undeniably dark imagery in the film. Even though we know Anakin's fate, as a fan who allowed myself to be drawn into the film, I dreaded his transformation, willing him to stay the path of the light rather than face the inevitable devastation to come.

In the end, the legacy of Sith, besides the obvious emotional importance as the last of the films, is that it will forever alter how we view the original trilogy. When we listen to Obi Wan recounting the tale of Anakin Skywalker to Anakin's son, we know what he's talking about. When we see the back of Vader's scarred head in Empire, we know how it came about. There is more poignancy to certain scenes, and more weight to the redemption story in the end.

In the end, the experience of Sith on opening night was one of highs and lows. I'm not ashamed to say that a few tears were shed at moments, as Anakin faces his terrible destiny. I trembled with excitement knowing I would see the lightsaber battle between best friends that I had waited my entire life to see. If a film can move me like that, that's a mighty feat indeed. Star Wars has been the most meaningful story to me in my life, and the circle is now complete.

Leaving on a jet plane...

2005-05-07T20:02:00.000-06:00

...tomorrow morning at 11:15 AM, but I cannot leave without something for my readers (if any still remain after my pitiful posting record this last week).

I saw Kingdom of Heaven today. I enjoyed it. Not quite as good as Ridley Scott's own Gladiator, but far better than the other recent "historical epics" of the past few years. Puts Troy in its place for sure. The battle sequences are spectacular. I've always appreciated how Ridley Scott (in Gladiator and in Black Hawk Down) never makes battles seem like video games. It feels fairly real. Viceral. I enjoy that aspect of it. Scott is also much more in control of his effects, using them to further the story and create a believable world. Not at all did I ever think that the film was too fake or "digital" looking.

It's not perfect though. For one thing, Orlando Bloom, as good as he is in the role, just doesn't have the charisma or gravitas that Russell Crowe brought to his portrayal of Maximus. Still he packed on plenty of weight and has moved past the "pretty boy" image of Legolas or Pirates fairly well. Also, the storyline, in its effort to combine historical figures and events into a believable story, tends to meander and lose focus. As a hero, Balian lacks the drive and narrative action that Maximus had in Gladiator. In the end though, it was nice to see a decently done film involving knights and battles of that sort.

In other movie news, fans of film fantasy have a few exciting peeks here.

Firstly, and I'm very excited for this one, the trailer for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is out. I cannot wait. A new book in the summer and a film in winter.

Secondly, the teaser for The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe is available on this French website. It looks ok. I still feel somewhat leery of letting the guy who made Shrek direct one of the msot beloved children's books of all time. Also, some of it seems a little bit to Lord of the Rings-ish. Which worked for those movies, but wouldn't work with Lewis's books. Either way, the trailer is supposed to be attached to Revenge of the Sith, and we'll see how the audience reacts to it.

Well, that's it. I'm off to Rome for a week. I may blog. I may not. Either way my laundry is calling me. And bags need final packing.

The Excitement Continues!

2005-05-03T16:27:00.000-06:00

I went to Future Shop today to pick up the soundtrack for Revenge of the Sith - perhaps you're sick of me talking about this film so much already; perhaps you should read a different blog then (I'm just kidding, don't go) - and it merely fuels the fire of my excitement. This soundtrack is killer. It's suitably original while still paying homage to the themes that run through the entire six film series. This is honestly the movie I've been waiting for my entire life. It's going to be an event!

The Ominous CD Art for the Revenge of the Sith Soundtrack

Also if you need more to get you excited for the film check out the new music video for "A Hero Falls," which is also on the bonus DVD, that comes with the Revenge of the Sith soundtrack, the 70 min feature entitled Star Wars: A Musical Journey with narration by Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine).

Silent Bob and Shaun on Star Wars

2005-04-29T16:01:00.000-06:00

Hey, want to read an interesting discussion about Star Wars with Kevin Smith, Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead) and Edgar Wright (Dir. Shaun of the Dead)? You can here. I kind of would have liked to be in on this. I don't agree with them on everything, but they're all interesting guys and big Star Wars fans just like me.

Also, apparently Kevin Smith saw Revenge of the Sith this weekend and he loved it!

Music Videos

2005-04-28T23:48:00.000-06:00

I was just watching Much Megahits. Probably because it seems everyone else is out and about. It's going to be a busy weekend, so I figured I should probably take the night easy.

I used to watch MuchMusic pretty regularly. But lately it's a lot more stupid "reality" shows like "Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica" and "Pimp My Ride!" rather than music videos. Also a lot of the videos they play suck. So I don't watch Much much.

Strangely they managed to play four vidoes in a row a that I enjoyed.

1) The Arcade Fire - "Rebellion (Lies)" Embarassingly, I've never really heard them before. But I've heard lots of talk about them. Sometimes that's a bad thing. Ewan is going to hate me for this (especially as I write this while missing him and the boys play at Lydias, but I'll be there tomorrow night at Amigos), but I really enjoyed the song. I have to give any band that sucessfully integrates violin into the ensemble points. This is a nicely crafted, finely layered piece of pop music. I could actually see myself really enjoying them if the rest of the album is anything like this. If anyone has a copy they want to lend me, so I can see if I want to buy it, please do. You can watch the video and hear the song for free here.

2) Boy - "Up In This Town" On the flip side, Ewan spoke positively about these guys (I believe he had drinks with them after their show, IIRC) and he's absolutely right. This is a solid rock song, and the video is lots of fun too. Very simple, essentially just shots of them partying interspersed with pieces of them performing, but done in such a way that it's lots of fun and interesting to watch. It really captures the fun of rock and roll. It might not be innovative, but it's good. Sometimes the simple, classic ways are best.

3) Black Eyed Peas - "Don't Phunk With My Heart" This is the first single from the new album Monkey Business. It's enjoyable, and a little bit goofy. I'm actually a fan of these guys last two albums and am looking forward to hearing their new one.

4) Gwen Stefani - "Hollaback Girl" This is a damn catchy, fun single. Of course it's produced by the king of catchy hooks, Pharell Williams. And of course the radio edit takes out all the instances of the word "shit" in the song. Which is silly. Gwen has some fun with it in the video though, making "shocked" faces like she's offended. I enjoyed that.

The Idea of a New Star Wars Show Fills Me With Anticipation and Dread

2005-04-28T13:06:00.000-06:00

Courtesy the fine gentlemen at Penny-Arcade.

The announcement that there is going to be a new Star Wars show fills some with dread. Not so much me. If anything, Lucas has been going the route that is far from the pandering, fan friendly "O.C. crowd". And I don't have a problem with that.

It also comes back to my hesitancy to really embrace Firefly. I enjoy Joss Whedon's work, especially Buffy and Angel, but there's this desire to be "hip" that runs through a lot of his work that not many people can pull off. Take Smallville for instance, the WB's hip, young Superman show. I enjoy Smallville, and think it's one of the better TV shows on these days, but it has this "hipness" to it that kind of doesn't gel with me. I just don't see Superman as "hip." Firefly strikes me as an attempt to meld that kind of "hipness," the "O.C. factor" let's call it, with the aesthetics of Star Wars.

I'm actually glad that I don't think Lucas will do that. People will probably call the show lame and "out of touch" with what made the originals popular. I can't wait.

Tim Burton and Schumacher Should both watch to see how it's done.

2005-04-28T12:50:00.000-06:00

Obviously I'm excited for Revenge of the Sith. But this new trailer has got me really pumped for Batman Begins. It gives a lot better idea of the feel of the movie, and gets me excited that someone might have finally got a Batman movie right.

2005-04-26T15:55:00.000-06:00

Sigurd and Fafnir by Alan Lee

The paper I'm working on is about Volsunga saga, which is really the most fantastic, epic and amazing of the Germanic-Norse sagas, inspiring everything from Wagner's Ring Cycle to Tolkien's fantasy. Funny that this picture is by Alan Lee who is best known for illustrating Tolkien's world and doing designs for the Lord of the Rings films. Really, Volsunga saga should be to northern Europeans what The Illiad is to Greeks. But almost no one knows it. Sad.

Tell Me Why I Should Care, I Really Want To

2005-04-26T15:26:00.000-06:00

The trailer for Joss Whedon's (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel) film, Serenity, a big screen story involving the concepts and characters from his short lived science fiction show Firefly, arrived on apple.com today. A lot of people on the internet that I know love this show, and so I was excited to take a look at the trailer. Really, it looks interesting, but not the groundbreaking piece of science fiction storytelling I was looking forward to seeing (especially the Han Solo-wanna-be captain). Perhaps this is unfair. I've only seen the trailer and pieces of the television show. And it does have Alan Tudyk. And the special effects look nifty, but it seems to me almost all recent science fiction shows have the same look. Blocky ships (nabbing Lucas's idea of a "used universe"), psuedo-futuristic clothing, and desert planets. The last science fiction film (non-Star Wars) that really made me say "WOW!" was Luc Besson's The 5th Element. That said, I enjoyed both Buffy and Angel. I'm really liking Whedon's Astonishing X-men run in the comics right now. But I don't think he's a sci fi god (he did write the script for Alien Resurrection unfortunately).

It seems whenever there is a new sci fi, action-adventure show people love to throw out the line "This is the one Star Wars fans have been waiting for." Sorry, that doesn't wash with me. I remember the tagline on the Titan A.E. DVD says that - which funny enough Joss Whedon also worked on the screenplay for that film as well - and I enjoyed Titan A.E. probably a lot more than most people, but sorry, it's just not Star Wars. Serenity isn't the film that Star Wars fans have been waiting for. That one's called Revenge of the Sith. And you know what, it's cool if you're not looking forward to it. You're just more of a generic sci fi adventure fan, and you may have moved past being a Star Wars fan. Whatever. Enjoy Serenity. But don't tell me that it's really "the new Star Wars."

Spring and Summer Reflections

2005-04-25T11:33:00.000-06:00

So I'm feeling like it's finally summer. I'm all done my exams - though I do have one more pesky essay for Harris due on Thurs. - and I'm beginning to get all geared up for travel, etc. As I get older, I enjoy summer more and more. I think it has to do with the fact that when I was young, I didn't really have as many responsibilities, and so I could really enjoy winter (I liked hockey and playing in the snow). Now, I have university, work, tutoring, bills (not that they stop in summer...but they should) and the like, so summer offers some respite from the grind, even if it's not a complete break.

I'm on campus this morning, picking up papers, trying to figure out when we can arrange this library session for my English 113 tutorial, getting my art portfolio. I love campus in the spring and summer. There's not as many people on campus, and the trees are blossoming, the grass is green, the sun is hot and soon the Marquis Hall BBQ will be starting up. I've enjoyed taking Spring Session classes for the last two years and it's always a good way to spend my time. Taking only one class means that I don't feel as stressed out and I can actually enjoy the work. Bartley's American Lit class, which I took last year, ended up being one of my most enjoyable classes. This year I'll be working on campus in May and June, which means I can keep up my tradition of spending my spring mornings on campus, but I'll get paid to do it.

Another thing that's great about spring and summer is that I can actually spend more time outside. Danny and I hit the driving range the other day, and my swing hasn't deteriorated too much over the winter. Apparently Kevin is a golfer too (and a much better one than me, from what I can gather), so it looks like we'll definitely be playing some golf soon. And tennis, which I just got into last summer. It was all the rage. Good times to be had under the Victoria Bridge at the Rotary Park tennis courts. It's a real city, summertime feeling.

Last summer Ewan got me hooked on Ryan Adams. I listened to his albums all summer, and it sort of became a kind of anthem for my summer. I find myself wandering through the bowl on a sunny morning and listening to "Firecracker." It's a great song, and just feels like summer.

Now it's time to throw on a good Beach Boys album and chill out on the deck with a cold beer.

"I'm picking up good vibrations." - The Beach Boys

Priorities, People!

2005-04-24T20:11:00.000-06:00

Weekends are murder to my blogging. That's the way it is. Sorry.

The biggest news is: I HAVE MY TICKETS FOR EPISODE III !!!!!! Apparently they went on sale on Sat. morning at 6 pm. I didn't know this until suppertime when I got home, and then I realized I needed more than I could be guarenteed, so I jumped in my car and raced (at probably unsafe speeds; "Now, this is podracing!") down to the theatre and bought up 8 tickets. The girls there probably thought I was funny, but I don't care. I can now rest in peace knowing that I have my tickets. I have them in a safe place, next to my plane tickets for Rome and my passport. It's that important.

Also, I wrote my last undergraduate final on Friday. It's kind of exciting to think that I've almost got my degree. Also, kind of surreal. Wow.

Links to Check Out If You're Bored

2005-04-21T15:08:00.000-06:00

One more final exam tomorrow and then I'm done. Really done. Undergraduate work anyway.

Check out the links on the side to find out if you're racist (or sexist, homophobic, gender biased, etc.).

Stupid but funny. Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn are pretty much always funny. Wedding season is approaching in real life. You know you're growing up when you start going to the weddings of your friends and schoolmates rather than the friends of your parents.

A movie trailer for a thriller that doesn't give away any surprises?! And actually kind of makes me want to see it?! Or is it that I like films set in airports or airplanes (and Rachel McAdams is kind of cute... and in both of the trailers I've posted to).

Also, perhaps I should drop by London on my way home from Rome to check out this.

New Singles

2005-04-20T10:56:00.000-06:00

As I do some last minute preparations for my exam this afternoon, I checked out a couple of the new singles that were released on iTunes today from two of my favourite bands. Of course, for a mere $0.99 I had to grab them. It's a bright spot in what is otherwise a day full of work and drudgery.

Firstly, the new single from The White Stripes, "Blue Orchid." It's got a driving guitar riff that pushes the song forward, not unlike "Seven Nation Army," but faster tempo and more variation. Jack's voice sounds a little bit more filtered, different than it's usual raw feel. Nonetheless, I like it and it bodes well for the upcoming album Get Behind Me Satan. Something a little bit new without throwing out all the good stuff.

Second, Coldplay, "Speed of Sound" is definitely not a huge leap forward, and far less different from the status quo than the Stripes track. But sometime I think that innovation is overrated. The guys know what they're good at and do it well. The single rests on the simple piano progression and Chris Martin's vocals carrying the story. The more I listen to it, I think this could be a good U2 track actually. Reminiscent of "City of Blinding Lights" off of Atomic Bomb, with the piano, the cymbal heavy drumming and "Edge-like" guitar. That's not a bad thing though, as I've always felt that Coldplay has a lot of similarities to U2. I'm looking forward to the new album.

"The Master of the Modern Epic"

2005-04-20T00:34:00.000-06:00

While one can disagree with the moniker they have given Sir Ridley, the Internet Exclusive Trailer for Kingdom of Heaven looks interesting.

Kingdom of Heaven - Orlando Bloom tries to break typecast...slightly

Am I the only one that thinks it's funny that a movie about knights is being directed by a knight?

Germans

2005-04-19T15:52:00.000-06:00

So it appears that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a German, has been elected as Pope Benedict XVI. Interesting choice, a European, a social conservative - though those who thought there was going to be a liberal pope were fooling themselves, and really Ratzinger, while you may disagree with him, he was one of John Paul II's best friends and confidentes, and I doubt he seeks to turn things back so much as keep the rudder steady where it is.

I just find the idea of a German pontiff amusing. I am half-German - though I have a Swedish name, my mother's side is solidly German, from Coburg area in Nothern Bayern (or Bavaria as they insist on calling it over here) - and so I feel a little bit of loyalty to my people but still feel ok with poking fun at them. I've also travelled to German three times, and understand the language to a limited capacity (German 217 is the highest level class I took).

Well, the reason I think it's funny is that Dean Ziegler and I were just commenting yesterday how being German you sometimes felt like "Geez, try to take over the world twice and you're forced to pay forever." Then Dean noted that really, Germany has been trying one more time, with the EU (the European Union, not the English Undergrads...though maybe them too) to take over Europe, and this time they are succeeding. How? Through economic victory. Europe needs them.

It seems now they've got the ear of the Church too. I guess it just goes to show that war is in vain. If you really want to win, choose money and religion.

La Dolce Vita

2005-04-19T11:17:00.000-06:00

One of the great things about community owned, non-profit theatres like the Broadway is opportunity to see classic films on the big screen - granted their screen isn't huge, and we're not talking DTS sound here, but it accurately captures what it would have been like to see these films back when they originally came out. I'd love for them to show some Hitchcock films sometime. However, last night I got to see a Fellini film in a theatre setting.

La Dolce Vita (1960), translated, means "The Sweet Life" apparently. Fellini is considered the greatest Italian director of all time, and even if one doesn't like him, this film was cutting edge for its day, and not something I could see ever being done today.

Marcello (played by Marcello Mastroianni who also starred in Fellini's 8½) is a playboy, celebrity journalist who gets caught up in living "the sweet life" among the movie stars and millionaires of Rome. Night after night; a different party, a different girl. Sooner or later, that kind of life takes its toll. Marcello's fiancé is suicidal. His own values are quickly diminishing into nothing more than "I can't be bored." Over the course of the 3-hour film - yep it's 3-hours, but it's not about battles or "epic" events - I found myself more and more drawn into the film. I felt like I'd been out and about with Marcello so long, that I was forgetting myself. It's a serious film, with some very funny moments and one that I definitely won't forget.

There are a number of elements that I found particularily interesting. One was the opening of a helicoptor carrying a statue of Jesus over Rome. Not only is it an intriguing visual, but also reminded me that in 3 weeks I'll be going to the city. The film got me more excited for that. Another had to do with a pair of children who claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary, and the media circus that gets created around them. The fact that the film takes place in Rome highlighted the way that our current media has turned something religious and sacred - the death of Pope John Paul II for example - and turned it into and "infotainment" event. I think the film is prescient in criticising the narcissistic values of the world media. Marcello's photographer companion is even named "Paparazzo," and even in 1960 we can see how the media and the paparazzi plague the wealthy and the famous.

It's a film that one can enjoy, purely on a very visceral basis. Like Marcello, we can get caught up in the "sweet life." However, this is a film about exsistential crisis, and if one wants to engage it on that higher level, one can. For me, that's part of what makes a film truly great. La Dolce Vita is, I think, a great film.

This is procastination; This is not a test!

2005-04-14T22:01:00.000-06:00

Yeah, I know. I haven't blogged much lately. But I'm studying for my English 413 exam right now - making notes on all the questions, 3 of which will be answered in the exam tomorrow. The nice thing is that I can bring in up to nine pages of notes (yeah, right, like that's going to happen with me. I might write 9 pages total in the exam, let alone notes). Still, the call of procastination is strong (damn you MSN).

One of the weird things I've been doing recently is re-reading old blog posts. I've been blogging since June 2004, which means the one year anniversary of The Terminal Philosopher is coming up soon (heck, I didn't think I'd be doing it this long, so I'm sort of pround in a weird way). Ewan has been blogging since then too. It's interesting to go back and read the posts from last summer. It seems like so long ago. So much was different. Then reading the fall posts, when the blogger community started to grow and expand. It is a time capsule of sorts. I'm thinking I may need to find some way to back all these pages up for posterity (incase Google doesn't do it for me).

Also, I love Beck. I'm now listening to Sea Change over and over again. So good. And if you don't have it, grab his newest album Guero. It's excellent.

Arrrested Develpment, The Office and the state of television

2005-04-11T23:34:00.000-06:00

Most of you have heard me rant about the state of television and how it is an inherrantly inferior medium to film. TV hasn't really interested me in a long time. I don't like almost any of the shows that are on these days. And really, my life is better for it. I watch more movies, read more books and listen to more music. Still, there are some things that TV does well, though few and far between. Arrested Development is one of those things.

The show chronicles the exploits of the Bluth family and their change in fortunes after the patriarch of the family goes to prison (and then subsequently sneaks out and lives in the attic without anyone but his son Michael knowing). It's centred around Michael (Jason Bateman) who is the only normal member of the family and stuck with trying to deal with his crazy mother, his egomaniac older brother, his pathetic younger brother, his greedy sister, her ambiguously gay husband (played with gusto by none other than one of my favourites, David Cross), his uptight son, and his niece. Along the way they meet all kinds of crazy people, guest starring people as diverse as Liza Minnelli, Alan Tudyk, or Zach Braff. And most importantly is the seemingly omniscient narration by series producer Ron Howard. The show is unique, funny, and the characters all have their own little bits that make them hilarious and play nicely off of each other.

I guess comedy is really the way to go with television. I've always felt the most affinity for comedy television, be it The Simpsons, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Monty Python, SNL, Conan O'Brien, Mr. Show; all are favourites. I think it works well. The Office has confirmed my suspiscions.

Ewan brought it over this evening, and I was sure I was going to like it. Even though I only got to see two episodes, Ricky Gervais is amazing as David Brent. This guy is hilarious. He has it all down, including the little ticks like playing with his tie, and a need to be the centre of attention. He's a fully realized character, but hilarious. Martin Freeman plays Tim, the character we relate to. He's going to make a fine Arthur Dent in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Lucy Davis (Shaun of the Dead) plays the office secretary and then there's Gareth the creepy sychophant to boss David Brent. Great way to start a series, and I can't wait to see the rest.

Either way, both of these shows show (nice little verb, noun repetition there) that television can still produce content that is of quality and not just mindless reality shows. So there's my ultimatum to the TV studios. I know that it can be done. No more excuses. I want quality entertaintment. And I know I can get it.

How Can You Tell Anton is Writing An Essay?

2005-04-10T18:21:00.000-06:00

Perhaps my extreme lack of posting in the last few days. To be entirely fair, its not only this. I've been busy. The end of my undergraduate academic career neccessitated some good times on Friday night, and it delivered. Also, I ended up packing in16 hours of work, and a huge game of poker this weekend as well. So, as Caitlin says in her blog, I think this calls for a lazy Sunday now.

Luke issued an ultimatum a little while ago to see who watches the most movies in April. Anton and him are severely trouncing me. I have watched one-and-a-half movies this month (and it's already the 10th!) which is way off my normal average of 20-25 movies a month. I watched Sin City a second time in theatre, and watched half of Spartacus - one of the last remaining Kubrick films for me to see. Funny isn't it, how that's the one that most other people have seen - but then was falling asleep, so I will try to finish it tonight. And perhaps also watch Lady From Shanghai (Orson Welles with an Irish accent and Rita Hayworth) and other film tonight. That's my agenda for this lazy Sunday. Watch a lot of movies. I might even fit in another one later.

Also, the tentative plan is to go see The Merchant of Venice on Tues. night at the Broadway Theatre at 7 pm. I was thinking of going tonight, but Anton's Chaucer paper means that it will have to happen on Tues. (Wed. night I work and Fri. morning I have a final exam).

A Couple of Items

2005-04-08T10:12:00.000-06:00

I haven't done a lot of blogging lately, but the other night I was writing an essay until 3 am, and unlike Joel, I do not feel like I need to blog when I've been writing for 6 hours straight. I'd rather get up and get away from the computer. But the essay - entitled "Our Darker Nature: Duality in Confessions, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Fight Club" - is done and I think it turned out ok. Of course, I'm sure professor Thorpe will be thoroughly sick of Dr. Jekyll by the time he finishes marking our classes essays (I only know of one person who didn't write on it in some part).

--

I picked up the a copy of the DVD Sideways, because I love this movie. I got a free bottle opener with it at Future Shop. I thought that was funny. Seriously though, take a look at this cover art. Why did they insist on airbrushing the characters faces so much? It looks horrid, especially Thomas Hayden Church, who's crags and wrinkles give him so much character. That shot of him on the cover barely even looks like him. Horrid. Still, I haven't gotten a chance to watch the film yet, so anyone who wants to bring a bottle of wine and sit down and watch sometime is welcome to.

Frighteningly Airbrushed Sideways DVD Cover Art

2005-04-05T09:33:00.000-06:00

For those of you wondering about the whole "Paul is dead" thing, here's the straight and lowdown from one of the best Beatles sites on the web.

Guero and the beauty of a rainy day

2005-04-05T08:24:00.000-06:00

I picked up Beck's new album Guero, which is exciting as its probably one of the few CDs I'm going to let myself buy between now and May. I'd been waiting for this one for a long time, and it's the first proper 2005 release I've bought this year.

The good news is that I'm loving the album so far after about 3-4 listens. Not quite a masterpiece but much better than a lot of the critics have said. It's not the rehash of Odelay that some of the critics have labelled it, but neither is it like Sea Change. Yet it most certainly is Beck. That is no question. This isn't a revolution in sound, but rather a refinment. Which means it may lack the unleashed mishmash of samples or Odelay or the world beats of Mutations, but it's most definitely his sound.

Apparently the title of the album means "white boy" in the Spanish slang of LA where Beck Hanson grew up. Beck has grown up a little bit. He's still playful in inserting samples and enjoying beats, but he's more focused here and seems to be exploring some themes on some of the songs. I mean, he is in his mid-30's. He's not the young blonde experimenter who came out of nowhere with "Loser." What it does show is that he's a truly gifted musician/songwriter who is going to have a successful career after his youthful pranksterism has worn away.

Track picks: "E-Pro", "Qué Onda Guero", "Girl", "Black Tambourine", "Scarecrow", "Rental Car"

--

Yesterday was a rainy day. It's been a while since I've enjoyed one what with all that white fluffy stuff that was coming down instead for the last 5 months. A rainy day is a day to reflect, a day to just enjoy oneself in the little things of life. I picked up a new CD, I went grocery shopping - I hadn't been to the new Superstore to shop since they rennovated. It's so big I had a hard time navigating - I went for fish and chips with Anton and Luke at the Black Duck, and then spent 4 hours talking about movies, comics, philosophies, people we know and things we want to do. I think a film project or 2 will definitely be happening this summer with us 3.

"Revolution 9" realisations

2005-04-03T21:56:00.000-06:00

I like the Beatles a lot, but I never "got" this track until tonight. To be quite honest, this is one of those "songs" that is weird, but if you're in the right mood (preferebly doing nothing else, and not distracted), it can be, well...

I like it. And not just to be weird. I've been formulating a little bit of an analysis of it. If you have a good pair of speakers you understand how thoroughly they took advantage of stereo on the track, constantly switching from one to the other, creating a disorienting sensation. The overlapping snippits of dialogue, along with radio static, gives me the impression that I'm zooming at high speed through a city, overhearing all kinds of things that are going on (sililar to some of the first experiments on Sgt. Pepper). Bits of piano, fighting, crowds, conversations, bits of music: it's almost overwhelming and a little bit frightening.

And then the transition into "Good Night." Bloody brilliant. And I never really got this until tonight. It's like a revelation.

"Good night, everybody. Everybody, everywhere. Good night." - The Beatles, "Good Night" from the White Album

NOTE: I AM 100% SOBER.

Cool Movie Trailers That Get Me Hyped

2005-04-03T16:56:00.000-06:00

Here's some cool new Star Wars Revenge of the Sith TV spots.

Here's the one entitled "Tragedy." Yoda looks amazingly realistic in that one scene with the light on his face. They've improved even more. Wow!

This one is called "Unleashed."

And this last one doesn't really have a theme. Let's call it "Vader."

Also, check out the Batman Begins TV spots. Bale's Bruce Wayne seems the cocky playboy right off the pages of Batman: Year One. And also reminds me of Patrick Bateman, but in a good way. Hopefully this film will wipe away the horrible stain of Schumacher's Batman films. Looks like it will.

EDIT: It looks like those direct links I posted weren't working. Just click on this link, and then scroll down to the bottom of the page.

2005-04-02T18:28:00.000-06:00

In retrospect, posting on a blog early, early in the morning after drinking is always interesting (see Joel's blog for plenty of examples). A part of me wanted to delete that post, but it was relatively innocuous. So it stays. I'm surprised the sentences are as cogent as they are. And as it stands, there is nothing in that post that is not true. The Scuz was full (a good 30-40 min wait) and I still want to see all those things.

--

Some good news for everyone. I got an email yesterday (although I read it soon after posting that late-night blog post early this morning) from the University of Victoria. I'M IN!

That is a huge weight off my shoulder. They also have offered me a TA position at Victoria as well (this spring position at the U of S will be good practice). I'm quite excited.

Now I have something solid in both film and graduate studies, should I choose to do either. The week spent talking with my dad helped me bring many things into perspective.

Either way, it's an exciting piece of news that now puts me at a high inversely proportional to the low I was in a week and half ago. The last few days have been great. I'm happy today.

In Memory of John Paul II (1920-2005)

2005-04-02T18:11:00.000-06:00

I'm not a Catholic, and I didn't always agree with him on every issue, but I have always had a tremendous amount of respect for John Paul II. May he rest with Christ in Heaven as we speak.

I spent much of the morning reading the supplementary section in The Globe and Mail on the life and times of the man born Karol Jozef Wojtyla (Voy-TEE-wah). The first non-Italian pope in 400 years. The most travelled pope. The man who spoke against both the destructive communism of the east in his early years and the corporate greed of the west in later years. Fascinating reading. I gained a greater appreciation for his accomplishments, as well as insight into the way that the Catholic Church operates. Definitely one of the most important figures of our time. It truly is the end of an era.

A Few Late Night Comments

2005-04-02T01:30:00.000-06:00

Firstly, Christine, the Scuz was full or else we would have met up with you.

--

I am seriously "pumped" for seeing The Merchant of Venice.

I am also "pumped" for battle of the bands tomorrow night.

---

I need to see Sin City again this week. Who wants to come?

"top 5 songs to listen to while walking down the street on a bright sunny day"

2005-04-01T11:36:00.000-06:00

Inspired by some person named Ashley (via Luke). And clearly also Nick Hornby (via High Fidelity).

1) The Beach Boys - "Feel Flows"

2) The Darkness - "I Believe In A Thing Called Love"

3) U2 - "Beautiful Day"

4) Tom Petty - "Free Fallin'"

5) The Who - "Baba O'Reilly"

Frank Miller's Sin City: Adjectives Fail Me

2005-03-31T00:23:00.000-06:00

I just got back from the Saskatoon premiere Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez's Sin City. As the title of the post alludes to, we've been having trouble coming up with the appropriate adjectives to describe the thing. Ridiculous keeps popping up. But not in a bad way. In the best way possible.

First impressions:

Sin City is like a comic book come to screaming, roaring life. It's bloody violent, over the top, and simplistic, but that's what the genre demands. We're not looking for realism, but rather explorations of simple themes like evil, revenge, and so forth. Like the noir novels and films that it draws its origins from, the importance is in the mood and setting that is created. On that level the film succeeds admirably.

The film uses almost all black and white, with colour used to sparingly, but with great effect. The film captures the feel of Miller's gritty black and white drawings, sometimes copying the panels exactly.

The actors embody their characters perfectly. Bruce Willis appropriately world weary. Clive Owen is cool. Rosario Dawson is scary but titilating. Jessica Alba is sexy. Elijah Wood is creepy. Nick Stahl is one of the most frightening, messed up villians I've ever seen.

Either way, this is one film that I'm going to have to check out again. I loved it. It's one of the best comic book movies I've ever seen and the best work Rodriguez has done. His energy, style and enthusiasm all serves to futher the film as art, rather than distract from it. This film couldn't have been done without his unique filmmaking ideas.

Anyway, it's late. I'll get back with a more complete review, but for now, post preview screening, I can't recommend it enough.

Note: People who are squeamish or have a low tolerance for immoral behaviour should stay away from this film.

I Lost Two Posts in the Last 2 Days, So This Is It

2005-03-30T01:26:00.000-06:00

I could write about how I watched Babe last night (it's an excellent movie for those who haven't seen it and think it's juvenile: it's not), or how I got my tickets for the Sin City preview tomorrow night - expect a blog post within hours of the show - but Luke does such a good job telling the story (and I am exceptionally tired), so just read about it here. Almost everything there is true (and probably even worse or better than you'd expect).

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I am experiencing hockey withdrawal, so I ended up watching almost the entire CIS Men's Hockey final this evening on TSN. Of course, the Huskies lost. How anti-climactic. Still, we had a team in both football and hockey men's finals. Not bad at all really.

Anton took nearly the entire day to write a five page paper, so now is the first time I've been able to get on the computer today.

The mix tape (entitled "Anders's Mix Tape") is done now. I think. I'm the kind of person who thought I had it done last night at midnight, then I slept on it. Listened to it today a couple of times. Decided to change two songs (I won't say which 2). Then I had a nap. Now I'm up. I'm going to go with what I have, but I'm still having second thoughts. Making a mix tape is a fairly personal thing. I don't like being judged, but this seems like just asking for people to judge me.

I think I can say two things:

1) Everyone will have heard at least a couple of songs on my tape (sorry, with Joel, Caitlin and Ewan, it would be impossible for me to make something entirely original).

2) Mine is probably one of the most mellow, least "rockin'" tapes. But I like it anyway. It's something I would throw on and just relax to. It's not all "chillout" mix stuff. But it's not metal or blues anyway.

I hope everyone likes it. Ryan, you're up first.

Weird Theories; and, Other Games You Can Play With Your Friends

2005-03-28T16:13:00.000-06:00

Today in Browsers (I'm usually there Mon/Wed/Fri from 2 pm until 3:30 pm, so if you want to meet me I can almost guarentee I'll be there) Kevin and I were talking about how Anton and I have this game where we were attempting to cast actors to play all the people we know, and ourselves, in a film. For example, we've decided that I'm going to be played by Michael J. Fox. Anton, will be portrayed by Jerry Seinfeld. Ewan is Mel Gibson. Stephen Koo: Jeff Goldblum. And we decided that Kevin would be played by Jim Carrey ala Eternal Sunshine, but Dean will be played by Jim Carrey in some other film. You get the idea. Let me know who you think will play you (all though many of you have people that we have already decided will play you).

---

We have a number of weird theories that are fun to talk about (ask Ewan about the one about which 60s rock band coresponds with The Simpsons, Family Guy and South Park). The one I was thinking about today is the "Kevin Smith Film Career Theory."

It goes like this. So far of all the part-time jobs I've had in my life, I started out in a convenience store (ala Clerks) and then moved to a video store (also ala Clerks). Now I work at the mall (ala Mallrats). I decided that means that I'm going to be a comic book artist (ala Chasing Amy; you get the picture). It all makes sense.

Clerks: convenience store, video store, or petty drug dealer
Mallrats: mall employee, mall rat, or date rapist
Chasing Amy: comic book artist, lesbian, or jilted lover of a lesbian (see the song "Pink Triangle" by Weezer)
Dogma: angel, cleric, abortionist, or apostle
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back: film maker, web administrator (see here), or federal wildlife agent
Jersey Girl: publicist, father who realizes his family means more to him than work, or drive a street cleaner

I guess after that one is destined to become insecure in one's skills as an artist or professional and fall back on the things one started with, and cave into the demands of your legions of fans who refuse to let you become mature or deal with non-"dick and fart joke" films (ala Clerks 2: The Passion of the Clerks).

Movie Journal 2005

2005-03-28T12:08:00.000-06:00

* first time viewing
== theatre viewing
() DVD viewing

January

1.01 The Aviator (Martin Scorsese, 2004) == *
1.02 The Machinist (Brad Anderson, 2004) == *
1.03 The Muppet Christmas Carol (Brian Henson, 1992) ()
1.03 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (George Lucas, 1977) ()
1.04 Dekalog, Dwa (Decalogue: Two) (Krzysztof Kieslowski, 1988) () *
1.04 Dekalog, Trzy (Decalogue: Three) (Krzysztof Kieslowski, 1988) () *
1.04 The Bridge on the River Kwai (David Lean, 1957) () *
1.05 After Hours (Martin Scorsese, 1985) () *
1.06 The Big Sleep (Howard Hawks, 1946) () *
1.07 Peggy Sue Got Married (Francis Ford Coppola, 1986) ()
1.07 Closer (Mike Nichols, 2004) == *
1.10 Something's Gotta Give (Nancy Meyers, 2003) () *
1.11 Mean Streets (Martin Scorsese, 1973) () *
1.12 Moulin Rouge! (Baz Luhrmann, 2001) ()
1.13 Aguirre, Der Zorn Gottes (Aguirre, The Wrath of God) (Werner Herzog, 1972) ()
1.14 The Fifth Element (Luke Besson, 1997) ()
1.17 Rain Man (Barry Levinson, 1988) ()
1.17 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michel Gondry, 2004) ()
1.18 Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera (Joel Schuacher, 2004) == *
1.20 Ronin (John Frankenheimer, 1998) ()
1.21 Triumph des Willens (Triumph of the Will) (Leni Riefenstahl, 1935) () *
1.22 Collateral (Michael Mann, 2004) ()
1.23 Friday Night Lights (Peter Berg, 2004) () *
1.24 Brazil with Terry Gilliam commentary (Terry Gilliam, 1985) ()
1.26 Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (Kerry Conran, 2004) ()
1.27 Hamlet (Laurence Olivier, 1948) () *
1.28 Million Dollar Baby (Clint Eastwood, 2004) == *
1.29 Better Luck Tomorrow (Justin Lin, 2003) ()
1.30 Sideways (Alexander Payne, 2004) == *

February

2.01 Garden State (Zach Braff, 2004) () *
2.04 Un long dimanche de fiançailles (A Very Long Engagement) (Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 2004) == *
2.12 Dawn of the Dead (Zack Snyder, 2004) ()
2.13 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michel Gondry, 2004) ()
2.14 Eyes Wide Shut (Stanley Kubrick, 1999) ()
2.17 Shaun of the Dead (Edgar Wright, 2004) ()
2.19 Platoon (Oliver Stone, 1986) () *
2.20 Donnie Darko: Director's Cut (Richard Kelly, 2001) ()
2.21 Hamlet (Michael Almereyda, 2000) () *
2.22 Hotel Rwanda (Terry George, 2004) == *
2.23 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope with George Lucas, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren and Carrie Fisher commentary (George Luca, 1977) ()
2.24 Heat (Michael Mann, 1995) ()
2.25 The Godfather (Francis Ford Coppola, 1972) ()
2.26 Full Metal Jacket (Stanley Kubrick, 1987) () *
2.28 Kumonosu jô (Throne of Blood) (Akira Kuroswa, 1957) () *

March

3.01 Shi mian mai fu (House of Flying Daggers) (Yimou Zhang, 2004) == *
3.02 The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie (Steven Hillenburg, 2004) () *
3.02 Baadasssss! (Mario Van Peebles, 2003) () *
3.06 The Tragedy of Othello (Orson Welles, 1952) () *
3.07 Bambi (David Hand, 1942) ()
3.08 Groundhog Day (Harold Ramis, 1993) () *
3.13 The Reckoning (Paul McGuigan, 2004) ()
3.15 Star Trek: First Contact (Jonathan Frakes, 1996) ()
3.15 The Incredibles (Brad Bird, 2004) ()
3.16 A bout de souffle (Breathless) (Jean Luc Godard, 1951) () *
3.17 M (Fritz Lang, 1931) () *
3.18 Silence of the Lambs (Jonathan Demme, 1991) ()
3.20 In America (Jim Sheridan, 2003) ()
3.22 Star Wars: Clone Wars - Volume 1 (Genndy Tartakovsky, 2003-2004) () *
3.23 Bringing Up Baby (Howard Hawks, 1938) () *
3.23 Wu jian dao (Infernal Affairs) (Wai Keung Lau and Siu Fai Mak, 2002) () *
3.25 Der Himmel über Berlin (Wings of Desire) (Wim Wenders, 1987) () *
3.27 M*A*S*H (Robert Altman, 1970) () *
3.28 Babe (Chris Noonan, 1995) ()
3.29 The Lady Vanishes (Alfred Hitchcock, 1937) () *
3.30 Sin City (Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, with Special Guest Director Quentin Tarantino, 2005) == *

April

4.05 Sin City (Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, with Special Guest Director Quentin Tarantino, 2005) ==
4.07 + 4.10 Spartacus (Stanley Kubrick, 1960) () *
4.10 The Lady From Shanghai (Orson Welles, 1947) () *
4.12 The Merchant of Venice (Michael Radford, 2004) == *
4.16 Sideways (Alexander Payne, 2004) ()
4.18 La Dolce Vita (Frederico Fellini, 1960) == *
4.22 A.I. Artificial Intelligence (Steven Spielberg, 2001) ()
4.24 The Rutles (Eric Idle and Gary Weis, 1978) VHS, *

Happy Easter

2005-03-27T13:12:00.000-06:00

I know that Easter doesn't mean as much to a lot of people these days, but for the Christian faith, Easter is perhaps the most holy of days, and the most joyful. So, I'm just going to shout out a happy Easter to everyone.

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Last night we had a good time. Luke had an interesting story (which you can read here). Went out played some pool. Went to Alexanders for some food and drink - where they insisted on playing some horrid 80s satellite station (and I'm sorry, I just can't take Bette Midler singing "Wind Beneath My Wings"...I just CAN'T) which somewhat spoiled the moment for me- and then afterwards we decided to go to my house do so something. There's always something to do wether it's movies, video games or just sitting, talking and listening to music.

I have determined that some people have no ability to be decisive. So, instead of watching a movie, we decided to play our old-standby, Dead or Alive 3 for X-box. For those unfamilar, DOA is a fighting series involving various characters, mostly buxom, martial arts babes and chiseled Bruce Lee-ish men, fighting in full 3D, using actual martial arts moves. It's become a favourite of ours, and seriously competitive. We set out a "First to Twenty Wins" mandate, playing in sequence against each other. If you win, you keep your spot. You lose, and the next person's up.

Each of us has our own favourite characters. For instance, I favour the German Karate expert, Hitomi; Luke has the ninja Kasumi, Danny favours the Bruce Lee look-alike Jan lee, and Justin has found a soft spot for the wrestling babe, Tina. At first Danny was up quite a bit (18, to my 10 wins), but in the end I came back and went on a streak, taking the title for the night. The fact that it was a hard fought battle makes it all the more fun. All of us are equal enough that anyone could take any fight at a given moment, and one slip up, or missed kick can mean the difference between losing and victory.

This is Hitomi. She's mine. You can't have her.

Overwhelmed

2005-03-25T11:52:00.000-06:00

I just want to say, I'm overwhelmed with the response I've gotten to my last post. Thank you all for you comments.

No decisions have been made yet in any direction. Now there will be a lot of searching out options and figuring out plans. In once sense I hold this as a reason why an English degree IS great. I still have so many options. I'm not at all set on a single path. There are a number of film schools that I'm going to check out (Caitlin; London would be cool, and I was actually thinking about it partly because my highschool media teacher did his degree in London - although I think at University College London). UVic is still an option for graduate studies (and only a one year program), and my dad encourages me to look at film studies and journalism programs that would lead to a career as a film critic. So many options.

---

Watched a few movies the other night and want to just make a few comments.

Firstly,Howard Hawks' Bringing Up Baby is one of the most perfect comedies I have ever seen. I think I've actually known some people like Katherine Hepburn's character in the film, and Cary Grant is amazing playing out of character as the bumbling professor-type. Good stuff. Highly recommended.

Also watched Wu jian dao (Infernal Affairs). This movie is an excellent cop/mobster cat-and-mouse kind of film (along the lines of Heat) that I really enjoyed. It stars Andy Lau (House of Flying Daggers) and Tony Leung (Hero) as a police mole and undercover cop, respectively. The film unfolds as each side attempts to discover the plant in each others network. It's a solidly crafted film, with fine performances, and never lets gimmicks or action sequences take away from the characters and their problems.

I was really interested in the film because Martin Scorsese is remaking the film with DiCaprio and Matt Damon in the lead roles (with Jack Nicholson as well). I can see how the material could really easily and competently be adapted to an American setting (NYPD and Mafia, rather than Hong Kong police and Triads), and the underlying story should work well with Scorsese's sensibilities.

Confusion and Dejection Abound (Proceed With Caution)

2005-03-23T13:43:00.000-06:00

So, I'm going to get around to breaking the news to all you people out there, but I didn't want to go and whine about this right away. These kinds of things deserve reflection and such. The bad news: I got rejected by McGill!

Of course, I was pretty damn shaken by this. I had had my heart set on doing graduate school work there in the fall, and thought I had a shot. Sure my grads weren't in the very highest percentile (they are still solid A/A- marks, except those pesky marks from back in Commerce that are dragging me down, but doesn't my consistant three-year trend into higher and higher grades mean anything?), but I thought I had a good package to offer them, including good references, a solid proposal for a graduate thesis, and of course, enthusiasm for the subject. I suppose that doesn't translate well in paper. I really don't know right now. My enthusiasm levels for graduate work anywhere have suddenly taken a huge plummet.

That's not to say graduate work is out of the question. Victoria got back to me and basically told me they now need my final grades for this year. So that's a possibility. I talked briefly with Cooley this morning, and he put in perspective that when you get your heart set on a couple options and they don't work out, sometimes it feels like you're being rejected by all of academia (bringing to mind my bitter mood last night when I chatted with some), but this isn't the case. It might just be that those places are really, really popular (which McGill is; over 200 applications a year for GS). Still, if they really wanted me, wouldn't they have picked me? Grrrr.

Oh, and McGill sent this rejection in an email. Classy. I would still like a letter to confirm this decision.

Anyway, the weirdly coincedental thing and the thing that has got me confused right now is that almost immediately after the McGill email was read, I got a call from the Vancouver Film School and the Admissions Advisor there wanted to talk to me about going their in the fall. I was a little bit surprised at first. I mean, I had handed in an application last spring, but I never really thought they took it seriously. He said that I had a good resume (being a university graduate with an honours degree doesn't hurt), and that he encouraged me to think about what I'm going to do now. Of course, he's a advisor for VFS, so he wants me to go their, but nonetheless, it got me thinking. He asked me if film was still where I wanted to be. And I said yes. And he said, ok, then you have to make the decision to either do it or not.

So, the question is: Do I want to be a filmmaker? Or do I want to be an academic? It's a hard question. The academic life looks nice. It's comfortable. It's familiar (remember, my dad is a prof, so it's a job I have a first hand look at). But film is still my passion. I still want to make movies. I get excited at the opportunity to have my projects come to life in a more professional environment. In a place where I don't have to worry about figuring out technical things, because it's being taught to me. That's the appeal of film school. On the other hand, my apprehension at film school is being enslaved to the studio system. I gravitate toward the maverick filmmakers (Rodriguez, Lucas) who don't have any limits on them. Those who I've talked to about this know what I mean.

Well, my dad comes home tonight at 11:30, and then we can sit down and have a long talk this weekend. I'm looking forward to the Easter break. A time for reflection on both personal and spiritual goals. Hopefully this year I can actually make it that.

2005-03-23T09:22:00.000-06:00

There's a scene in It's A Wonderful Life when George Bailey and his uncle Billy are waiting for Harry at the trainstation and George asks Billy, "You know what the three most exciting sounds in the world are?"

"Sure. 'Breakfast is served.' 'Lunch is served.' 'Dinner is..."

"Nah, nah, nah...train whistles, plane engines and anchor chains."

Well, that's a paraphrase, but you get the idea.

I was checking the Saskatoon Airport Authority webpage to figure out if they have departure and arrival times on display, which they do. My dad is arriving back home from Sweden tonight - spending the Easter weekend and then heading back in a week - and I have to pick him up. I hate having to call those numbers and wait through a list of flight numbers, and at the same time, I don't want to just assume that the flights are on time (they never are). At the same time, I love the airport.

Airports are pretty much my favourite places in the world. I love the smell of jet engine fuel, and the way that airports are like their own private worlds. I haven't had the chance to spend as much time in airports in the last 4 years as I would have liked (travel is expensive), but the times I have spent in my life were memorable.

There was the time two summers ago, when I took a different flight to LA than my mom and Aren, and then I ended up hanging out in the main terminal at LAX for a couple of hours. What a crazy place! None-the-less I had a good time exploring, and even got offered some cracy religious literature by some homeless guy.

Then there was the time me and Matthew were travelling alone at age 13 and had to spend a 5 hour layover in Frankfurt. We were supposed to stay in the kids area, but we figured we were old enough and had a good time exploring that airport.

So airports are good places. Full of excitement of travel and interesting things to see. That must be why I liked The Terminal so much at first (although Ewan will be happy to hear my enthusiasm for it has faded somewhat): the idea of living in an airport isn't so repulsive to me.

I'm also reminded of the opening of the film Love, Actually - and yes I know there are a lot of movie references in this post - when Hugh Grant is talking about how airports show the love of humanity. It's pretty true. You rarely see people unhappy in airports, unless it's the good kind of unhappy, in that they know they are going ot miss the people they love. And really, that's a good thing.

Star Wars: Clone Wars

2005-03-22T23:48:00.000-06:00

Many of us remember watching the Droids and Ewoks cartoons when growing up, and I love that the new cartoon series, Clone Wars is bringing back Star Wars to the small screen.

A good deal; only $15.99

Today the DVD of the first 20 mini-episodes (19 approx. 3-min episodes; 1 7-min) came out today, and I had to pick it up of course. I had only caught the first 5 or 6 episodes when they first came out on TV. The fact that they played in only 3 min bits was somewhat frusterating. On the DVD release they had the bright idea of editing all 20 episodes into one, near-feature-length film (69 min in total). The effect is much better and gives us a whirlwind tour of the first half of the Clone Wars.

I love the animation style on the series. They got the creator of Samurai Jack to do the designs and it looks awesome. Very stylized, but suitable. Some days I miss the old fashioned two-dimensional animation, so this is a nice treat.

Then after watching the DVD I went on line at starwars.com and watched the first part of Clone Wars Vol. 2. The next 5 episodes, which lead directly into Episode III, began last night and now they are 12-min episodes. The change is actually quite significant. Gone for the most part is the frenetic feel of the first 20 episodes, and time is now able to be given to character scenes and further plot development. Hightlights of last night's episode include Threepio showing off his new gold plating and Anakin finally becoming a Jedi Knight (get to see what a Jedi knighting ceremony is like!).

Anakin is starting to look pretty badass!

Now I am really tired. I had late nights on the weekend and late night last night working on an essay. I had trouble keeping my eyes open during my beloved Star Wars cartoons, so I am going to bed. It's a good thing I didn't end up going to Lydia's to see the Breaks, because I am pooped.

In America

2005-03-21T21:29:00.000-06:00

I'm going to take a time out from my essay on Orwell to say a few words (Ha, I take a break from writing by writing, that's funny).

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I watched Jim Sheridan's In America again last night. I was moved again, in a film that I'm convinced was one of the most underrated films of 2003. It's a film that demonstrates clearly the differences between emotionally mature sentimentality about life and the sap that passes of as sentiment these days (Patch Adams) but is merely manipulative and cheap.

In America is a joyful film, though it's not always happy. Sheridan manages to put together ordinary moments in life and make them feel like the most important and amazing things there are, which is what an artist should aspire to do. The scene where Johnny, the father, is trying to win the E.T. doll for his daughters at the street fair is one of the most intense sequences I've seen on film in a long time. Each time he misses and takes the rent money to keep playing...it's excruciating, but at the same time you completely understand that he isn't going to dissapoint his daughters.

And yes, those girls, the real-life Bolger sisters, Emma and Sarah, who were cast in the role are the kind of children I hope to have one day. Filled with joy, yet never fake, the are amazing in the role without moving into the overly precocious territory that is the domain of the Dakota Fannings and Haley Joel Osments of the world. I'm amazed at the performances those children delivered.

This time the film got me thinking about the themes of family and community. How quickly humans can create communites. It is, I believe, a fundamental human need. In the film the family has only been in New York for a year, and already they ahve so many friends - Mateo, the Italian neighbors, etc. In a similar way I thought of this blog community, and the English community at university, and how it has sprung up in the past year to actually mean something. Many of you I never knew until this past year (or haven't even met in person if you're just passing through). Funny how even in the digital frontier, we instinctively seek out community and contact with others.

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Also, I'm listening to Franz Ferdinand, which I finally bought, and the Killers Hot Fuss, which I borrowed from Luke (thanks man). I'm really digging both - I like "Mr. Brightside" a lot better when it's not on the radio, and I think it's actually an excellent song and of course the other standard, "Take Me Out" is as good as ever - and there's a lot of stuff on there that makes the albums more than worth buying. Both are still rock, but they make me want to dance and that's a good thing.

Political Meaning What

2005-03-21T14:16:00.000-06:00

Anton had papers all weekend, which kept me off the computer almost entirely. The good news is that I survived, I'm not completely computer dependant. The bad news is no new blog posts. So here's a couple to satisfy that craving.

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I'm currently writing an essay on George Orwell's fiction (Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four for those two people who didn't know who he was, you know who you are). Specifically the role of language in politics in the books. Of course, life works in funny ways and something in life reminded me of Orwell's statements. I found the following passage from Orwell's essay "Politics and the English Language" regarding the deterioration of the English language, which illuminates much of what I've found to be the trouble with overtly political conversations (such as this one here).

"The words democracy, socialism, freedom, patriotic, realistic, justice, have
each of them meanings which cannot be reconcilled with one another. In the case
of a word like democracy, not only is there no agreed upon definition
but the attempt to make one is resisted from all sides...consequently the
defenders of every kind of régime claim that it is a democracy and fear that
they might have to stop using the word if it were tied down to any one meaning. Words of this kind are often used in a consciously dishonest way. That is, the person who uses them has his own private definition, but allows his hearers to think he means something quite different." (Orwell 162)

I think this goes some way to explaining why our arguments are so fruitless most of the time. Without an agreed upon definition, we each cling to our own view and reject what the other person is saying based on our own private definitions. This is where language has "devolved" to, and the most frightening thing is that Orwell saw this happening, and the political and ideological forces in our world don't want us to agree upon any one definition. I'm convinced that while Orwell may not have been as prescient as, say, Huxley in foreseeing the way things turned out, not that I think he was really trying to do that in Nineteen Eighty-Four, but in many ways he was as shrewd observer of the human condition and makes some very important statements.

2005-03-18T16:54:00.000-06:00

This poster is one of the best I've seen. Of any movie.

Godard's Breathless

2005-03-18T00:41:00.000-06:00

Ah, French cinema. Having just watched Jean-Luc Godard's (I note the uncanny resemblance in the name to a certain fictional hero we have been talking about) film Breathless (Á bout de souffle if you prefer the French title), I now understand the "style over substance" aesthetic that current filmmakers such as Tarantino and others are accused of.

Breathless is the kind of film that I would love to make. The plot isn't really important, but rather the mechanism that sets the film in motion. It can be summed up as a young French car thief kills a policeman and goes to his American girlfriend to hide. They spend the night and day talking, making love, stealing cars and so on. Nothing drastically amazing here.

But the real revelation is Godard's techniques and aesthetic. Shot with handheld cameras in natural lighting the film reveals how Godard's eye for a good shot and good location, as well as inventive editing help to create a thing of beauty. The film looks great. The script is filled with funny conversations, clever innuendos and weird characters. One can see how important this film would have been in influence on American filmmakers in the 70s and even the new-new wave of Indie filmmakers in the ninties, like Soderbergh and Tarantino.

Also, the soundtrack is great, a kind of blend of European 60s lounge music and jazz, it draws the film along, making it feel light and bouncy, despite some of the heavier elements. This film reminds me of what can be great about European cinema.

Guess my new interest will be French New Wave films. Gotta get me some more Godard

Godard's Masculine/Feminine, which has a very similar aesthetic is being re-released in theatres this year. You can check out the trailer here.

Note: Earlier I had said that Masculine/Feminine is a new film. I was wrong. It was released originally in 1966. However, Godard is still making films. He had a release in 2003 called Notre musique and has another film in the works for 2005 called Paris, je t'aime.

What's Going On

2005-03-17T09:10:00.000-06:00

A few words on what I've been up to:

Firstly, I re-read Animal Farm in its entirety, in one sitting, yesterday afternoon in Browsers. I'm now convinced that it is a much better novel than I previously thought. The effect of reading it in a single sitting (it's not long, only 95 pages) was interesting.

I also re-read part of nineteen eighty-four last night. I think I'm definitely going to be writing my paper this weekend on Orwell.

I watched Fritz Lang's 1931 crime-thriller M starring Peter Lorre. This German-language film was fascinating for many reasons, not limited to it's subject matter - it's part serial killer film, part police procedural, part criminal justice - but also the themes that it raises regarding victim and predator. Very interesting. Of course a couple years later, the Nazis would kick Lang out of Germany and ban the film for ostensibly being "anti-death penalty."

With my dad gone, and me doing a fair bit of reading lately, I've been dipping into his classical music collection. I always enjoyed listening to it, but never had to actively seek it out because my dad would have it playing in the car, in his office, &c. Recently I've listened to Hector Berlioz's La Carnaval romain and Symphonie fantastique, and Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Nos. 8, 2, and 23. Listening to the piano work on the Beethoven sonatas was amazing. Given my interest in piano recently, I think I need to track down some Glenn Gould.

Also, I've been listening to much White Stripes (White Blood Cells) and The Black Keys (thickfreakness and Rubber Factory). Some of my favourite tracks are "10 AM Automatic", "The Lengths", "Hard Row", "Have Love Will Travel" and, for the Stripes, "Fell In Love With A Girl".

Reality Check

2005-03-16T12:18:00.000-06:00

As much as I love comics, movies and various other elements of geek culture, I ever so often have to be reminded of what happens when one loses grip on reality: as such, my weekly visit to 8th St. Comics served this purpose.

I love Pat and some of his patrons, but really, some of these people are beyond hope. Try getting into an argument trying to explain to a guy that his hatred of the Star Wars prequels makes absolutely no frickin' sense in the context of his making a statement to the effect that "Electra was actually pretty good" and "I liked AVP." It defies logic.

Comfort Movies

2005-03-16T09:02:00.000-06:00

Everyone knows I'm a Star Wars fan and that common wisdom dictates that Star Wars fans do not like Star Trek (work with me here Swambo and Cait, there are always exceptions), but I do actually enjoy Trek from time to time, particularily DS9 and TNG. But I don't know if I'd go so far as to call myself a fan (ok, I will call myself a fan of DS9, I've seen every episode and own the first season DVD).

But I more than like the film Star Trek: First Contact. I love it. First Contact is one of those films that I've probably seen dozens of times throughout high school. When I first got it on video I watched it over and over. Then when I got hooked on DVD I didn't watch it for a while, because I just find it painful to watch VHS sometimes especially in pan & scan.

Finally, yesterday, Paramount released the Special Edition DVD of the film. I hadn't watched in a couple of years, so sitting down last night was like finding an old friend. There are many elements that I think help to make this the best Trek film of them all.

Firstly, Jean-Luc Picard is the best. Patrick Stewart gives perhaps his best Trek performance and lends weight and legitimacy to every scene he's in. His speech to Lily about the Borg - "The line must be drawn HERE...This far! No further!" - is Shakespearean in it's grandness. I cannot stress how great Patrick Stewart is in this role (and not just because he looks like my uncle). Stewart is one of the greatest actors of our present age.

Jean-Luc Picard is a badass! Don't mess with him.

The storyline makes plenty of references to the television show, without being inaccessable to new fans. It takes a great piece of Trek mythology (The Borg) and expands and makes them more intense. I know a lot of people criticize the film for marking the beginning of the end for the Borg as an interesting enemy (and the downward spiral into Voyager silliness), but I still think that the Borg as portrayed in this film are scarier than in any other instance ("Best of Both Worlds" included).

Zefram Cochrane is so good in this film. James Cromwell is good in any movie, but his gruff, alcoholic, rock and roll loving Cochrane is one of my favs. He gives the film a nice balance against the "too good to be true" Federation heroes of the future. The scene where he gets Deanna Troi drunk is classic ("I was trying to blend in." "You're blended alright"). I should also mention Alfre Woodard as Lily, does a fantastic job at being a good actor in a Trek film. This movie has a top notch cast of supporting actors (I should also mention Alice Kriege as the Borg Queen, because she is so creepy-seductive all at once, you don't know if you should join her or scream and run in terror).

Ain't she a beauty?

The special effects are as good as in any film. The very first shot of the Enterprise-E in that nebula is beautiful. The battle against the Borg Cube is awesome, and the make-up is top notch. The scene where we are introduced to the Borg Queen and her upper torso is lowered into the rest of the body. Amazing FX work!

All in all, I had forgotten how solidly the film is put together, from the first notes of the late-Jerry Goldsmith's score over the credits to the ending with "first contact." In the end it combines action, adventure, humour, as well as the sort of optimistic, humanist heart that we expect from good Trek. Who doesn't wish that somehow there was a young Zefram Cochrane being born right now and that humanities future is bright? I think that is part of the allure. First Contact is a top notch film, not just a top notch Trek film.

--

After watching First Contact I decided to throw in The Incredibles DVD to check out some of the special features, including the short film Jack-Jack Attack, which tells what happens with Kari the Babysitter when the family is gone. Pretty funny stuff (baby on fire!). But then I broke down and decided I had to watch the rest of the film. It's a two-hour film, but I love it. It's another film that will become a comfort movie for me. And the more I watch it, I think it just may be Pixar's best film.

The Reckoning

2005-03-14T11:53:00.000-06:00

I have noticed that in the past few weeks, my preoccupation other events (such as revelling in the victory of The Breaks) has meant that the number of movie related posts has been lacking. I know a lot of people who come to my blog because they want to hear about movies.

The Reckoning (2004)

This is one of those films that really sneaked by the mainstream media and the smaller independent crowd as well. I probably wouldn't have discovered it at all if it weren't for the fact that it stars Paul Bettany, who I will watch in just about anything because he is one of the most talented actors working today.

There is a shortage of decent films set in medieval settings, probably a complete dearth of them if you're a real stickler for historical accuracy and such (Caitlin, I'd like to get you or some other history person's impressions on this film). With that in mind, this film is a real treat for fans of medieval settings. Director Paul McGuigan (Ganster No. 1) directs what is essentially a medieval murder mystery, that deals with religion, art, and the justice. It sounds like a lot for a film to deal with, but this film does it admirably. The year is 1380, and a disgraced priest, Nicholas (Bettany), hooks up with Martin (played to perfection by Willem Dafoe) and his troop of actors (including the ever entertaining Brian Cox), they become entangled in a miscarriage of justice while delayed in an out of the way English town. The film plays out like a mystery, but also deals with some issues such as the nature of drama (this is a time when non-Biblical stories weren't common on the stage) and the nature of justice (God's and man's).

While re-watching this film last night I was even more impressed with it than I was the first time. The acting is top notch all the way through (watch for a tiny role by Simon "Shaun of the Dead" Pegg as the jailer), with Bettany and Dafoe playing off each other wonderfully. The ideas in the film seem well developed without hitting you over the head with the themes. And I was happy to realize this is a film about medieval England that doesn't have a single battle sequence or significant fight scene. It utilizes the setting for reasons other than the violence of the era, looking more at the social and religious aspects of the setting. For that alone I give the filmmakers credit, though it may have cost them a mainstream audience. In the end though, I got a lot out of this film and I'm glad I can share it with people.

Weekend Reflections

2005-03-14T09:19:00.000-06:00

It's early in the morning (at least for me). I got up a little bit earlier to take the dog for a walk, finish some laundry and then at 10 am I'm supposed to call my parents in Sweden.

I had a really good weekend for the most part. I did work quite a lot, but also had a lot of fun times. If anyone couldn't tell, I had a really good time at the Battle of the Bands show. It's strange but it was really satisfying to have some good friends win something like that. I have a horrible history of losing competitions, losing sporting events, etc. Heck, Friday night I even lost a poker (after a couple strong months, I've been falling into a losing streak). I know I had nothing to do with the Breaks win, but I'm just happy that I didn't jinx it for them by being there. I can't tell you how many shows I've been involved in where myself or my friends lost. I'm going to bask in the reflected glory of Ewan, Ryan and Sam. "Reflected glory!"

I also really loved the energy that comes with a rock show. I love the way the people in the crowd get all worked up and excited. I can't imagine what it would be like to be the performers. I know Ewan and the guys seemed to be really in their element and confident. I admire that.

But I also realized that I'm not cool. And I don't mean it in a really derogatory way, but rather that as much as I might want to be, I'm not a rock and roll star. I can't dance and I don't have a way with the ladies. These are things that I need to come to terms with.

"William Miller: Well, it was fun.
Lester Bangs: Because they make you feel cool, and hey, I met you. You are not cool."

Almost Famous

"These Are The Breaks!"

2005-03-13T02:48:00.000-06:00

THE BREAKS WIN TONIGHT'S BATTLE OF THE BANDS!!! Their first show! And they win! Check out The Breaks here.

Here is the preview article on The Breaks I wrote up last week:

A harsh break up, a rented drum kit, and getting fired from Blockbuster. Ask Ewan Currie, Sam Corbett and Ryan Gullen of the Breaks, and you’ll hear how all these seemingly unrelated things led to the creation of this Saskatoon-based band.

“I knew Ryan from high school, and we knew Sam through a mutual friend,” says Currie, who plays guitar and whose intense lead vocals reminds one cross between John Fogerty and Jack White. “We all became better friends based on a shared love of music. Sam was thinking of renting a drum kit.” Surprisingly Corbett had never picked up the drum sticks before last summer. At this point, one can hardly believe it when the confident drummer hits his stride midway through one of the bands many original numbers, including the blues number “Feelin’ Sorry for Myself.”

“Yeah,” chimes in Ryan. “We were tossing around the idea of starting a band.”

“And then Ryan got fired and my girlfriend and I broke up, and Sam broke even,” says Currie. The group laughs heartily, revealing the bands fun loving, party vibe that surrounds them. With the resulting free time on their hands the band threw themselves into making music. “It was like when you get a new dog or pet and you say ‘I’ll walk it everyday’ and all that. And we kept it up. We all agreed that the best part of our day was when we got together and practiced.”

For band that is so new on the scene, the Breaks are already well on their way to forming a distinct and unique sound. “I think the turning point was when I brought in [the song] ‘Asshole,’ and we started making songs that were worthwhile” says Currie. The Breaks wear their influences proudly, citing the Black Keys, CCR and the Kings of Leon as key inspirations.

Those influences as well as their unique sound should be evident at Louis’ on Saturday, March 12 at the Battle of the Bands. “At first we didn’t know if we wanted to be in the Battle of the Bands, but when we heard a few of the other bands that were in it, we said ‘Fuck it. We should do it.’” Currie’s self-assurance is apparent. Gullen agrees, “We don’t just play music because we like to play around… there’s a weird chemistry here, music is our lives.” Corbett adds, “We don’t have a lot of experience…but at the same time we are confident.”

The Breaks all hope that people will dig what they’re doing and enjoy the kind of music that they’re making. “It’s not what everyone else is doing. But I think it’s accessible,” says Currie. Gullen adds, “We’re going to be honest…it’s ‘fuck yeah’ rock n’ roll.”

It's too bad this article didn't run, because it came true. The Breaks know they are good (and not just because they are my friends). It's true.

Cain vs.Zane

2005-03-11T11:32:00.000-06:00

As I was walking from the car with Anton this morning we were discussing movies (as usual) and in particular big budget movies like Star Wars or Bryan Singer's upcoming Superman film, starring Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor.

We then got onto the subject of other people who could play Luthor and Superman. Myself, I'm partial to Dean Cain's portrayal on the ill-fated mid-nineties ABC Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Poor Dean Cain. His career has really faltered since, seeing him stuck hosting "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!" and various other TBS made-for-TV movies. Then a brilliant idea struck me: I will petition TBS to let me make a made-for-TV Superman movie starring their very own Dean Cain.

Now this idea also hinges on me getting Billy Zane (Titanic, and really not much else) to play Lex Luther. As two actors who specialize in television and direct-to-video films, they're a natural fit to play off of each other and battle it out. And think of the marketing tagline: "Cain vs. Zane." Billy Zane has the charm (see Zoolander) and sliminess to nail the role of Luthor, and he looks badass when he's bald!

On top of all this, TBS is owned by Time-Warner, who in turn owns Warner Bros. and DC Comics, so licences aren't a big deal. Natural synergy! Now I just have to convince these companies that I can do this on a reasonable budget and I'm in business to bring my unique vision to glorious small screen reality.

The Circle Is Now Complete

2005-03-10T23:53:00.000-06:00

The movie I've been waiting for my entire life is only 2 months away.

[Edit: Looks like Lucasfilm took down the link by Friday morning. So those of you who missed it on the O.C. and missed the link last night will have to wait unil Monday morning.]]

Definitely not the typical rockstar life

2005-03-09T17:35:00.000-06:00

As much as people love to hate Bono for his outlandish arrogant statements and over the top attitude, I was really interested to read this article about his wife and family. It seems that for all his so-called "arrogance" he's a pretty normal guy who loves his family and his home town (Dublin). You can read about it here.

"What if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today."

2005-03-08T23:37:00.000-06:00

I've been in a funk for the last little while. It's a combination of a whole bunch of things: uncertainty about the future, tired of winter, a state of meloncholy that hasn't been terrible, but at the same time has cast a shadow over everything else. Once your mind gets into that kind of state, it's sometimes hard to crawl back out.

Tonight I saw a movie that I, embarrassingly, hadn't seen before. I ordered Groundhog Day back at the beginning of February (for obvious reasons), but hadn't got around to watching it until tonight. I really enjoy Bill Murray for the most part, but he is in his share of stinkers sometimes. Groundhog Day isn't one of them. It's a film, which I knew to have a good reputation, but I wasn't prepared for how good it was.

It's not the greatest film ever. I'm not going to say it's perfect. But it's a profound movie at the same time. Bill Murray is a self-centred weatherman sent to Puxawtawny, PA to cover the Groundhog Day celebrations, and subsequently ends up reliving the same day over and over and over. Throughout his experiences he learns about himself, and humanity and how to love. It may sound cliché, but really, what would you do if you had to live the same day for the rest of eternity?

Bill Murry gives one of the best performances of his career. He pulls of the character transformations amazingly, going from jerk to enlightenment over the hour and half. It's not sentimental, but rather more thoughful.

Anyway, it's amazing what an effect a little movie can have on one's outlook. I'm not going to say that I'm all smiles and sunshine now, but the movie made me look at life from a different perspective, and sometimes thats enough to make one's day.

In the film, Bill Murray wakes up to the same song ("I've Got You, Babe") on the radio morning after morning. Right now I'm voluntarily listening to that Regina Spektor song over and over again. Ewan is right.

2005-03-08T00:38:00.000-06:00

Ladies and gentlemen, "These are the Breaks!"

Othello: Starring, directed, produced by Orson Welles

2005-03-07T16:46:00.000-06:00

Anton and I watched Orson Welles Othello last night. It further cemented Welles' place as one of the greatest directors of all time.

The film is shot in fairly high-contrast black & white, lending more weight to one of the underlying themes of the play ("blackness") and giving it a striking visual style not seen in many Shakespeare films. Welles was so ahead of his time in many ways. The film was shot over a long period of time (do to financial and casting problems) and so Welles uses lots of quick cuts and interesting angles to bring together the story of the "moor of Venice." From the incredible costumes, to the wonderfu lighting, this is vintage Welles.

Of course, the subject of wether a white man should be allowed to play Othello inevitably comes up. Personally, of all the "white" Othello's I've seen, Welles is easily the best. Mostly because the film is in black and white, making the make-up less intrusive, but also because Welles just had the charisma and gravitas to play Othello convincingly. When I watched the Olivier Othello I found his "black-face" Othello distracting from an otherwise fine film (and the idea of "black-face is offensive any way you put it). Hopkin's Othello is a slightly different case, because it's clear they've made him more of a Middle Eastern character than an African and because Hopkin's is such a strong character actor.

All in all I highly recommend the film.

Poker Night

2005-03-06T02:51:00.000-06:00

(L to R) Danny, Meghan, Luke, Kevin

(L to R) Drew, Jessica, Anton, Meghan, Kevin

Photos by Anders

We had one of our poker nights tonight. Good times. Big pot (over a hundred dollars in total). All in all, I think everyone had a good time. I thought I'd play with the camera a bit more.

In other news, I'm enjoying Modest Mouse, Good News For People Who Like Bad News (I'm sure Joel is saying "That's so last fall," but none-the-less).

2005-03-05T19:06:00.000-06:00

I know that most of us have seriously been lacking in our posting lately. I know it's a horrible addiction, but a lot of people I know like to see something new when they check their blogs on a daily basis. Because I'm lazy and don't feel motivated to write today (apparently I wrote down my work schedule wrong today and came in late, so ended up working to close instead, so I'm going to attribute my laziness to my general tiredness), I will post some pics with comments.

I have a sick addiction to buying DVDs. Even more sick is my compulsion to show everyone who comes over to my house my collection. So, I decided, here it is: now I don't need to show it anymore because, ostensibly, I've shown the whole world (if the whole world really cared). Last night I realized that it is pretty sick, but at the same time, I like to show it to people because if there is anything they want to see and borrow, they're welcome to it. The non-selfish reason for owning a DVD collection is that it becomes a kind of archive of your favourite movies, the one's that you want to share with people, etc. Instead of sending a friend to the video store because "You haven't seen Heat?", I can just lend it to them.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Here is the foot of my bed where I store all the comic books that I collect. I always liked comic books, but I never had the disposable income (and probably technically still don't) to collect many titles. However, now I have them all organized and stored in these boxes.

So there's a little bit of a voyeuristic look into my life. At least the stuff I collect (and you can see a bit of my room in those pics too).

A Trailer for a Trailer?

2005-03-04T09:35:00.000-06:00

Caitlin posted something the other day about how excited she and Swambo were for the new Revenge of the Sith trailer, which unfortuntely doesn't arrive until next week during the O. C. I'm not neccessarily advocating watching the O.C. next week (I find the show to be somewhat overrated, and don't have much interest in television in general), however this might be a reason to set your VCR's or TiVo's. Check this brief clip, which is, as absurd as it sounds, a trailer of a trailer. It makes me so excited for this movie.

A screenshot from my favourite movie for you all to enjoy.

2005-03-04T01:51:00.000-06:00

I was just playing around with the "Capture Image" device on the DVD player and I thought I'd send this.

If everyone were like SpongeBob...

2005-03-03T00:11:00.000-06:00

... the world would be a better and more fun place.

Aren, the resident SpongeBob expert and fan, is away so I bought the DVD of the SpongeBob Squarepants Movie for him while it's on sale. Of course I gave it a watch because I didn't manage to catch it in theatres and was really looking forward to it. The film is joyous and hilarious.

The scene where SpongeBob and Patrick go to the Goofy Goober is an instant classic. Jeffrey Tambor, Scarlett Johansson and Alec Baldwin all lend their voices. And David Hasselhoff. Well, what can I say.

SpongeBob is such a pure and happy character that I don't see how anyone can hate him. He's a little goofy, but that's what makes him so funny and fun. I had been in a funk for the last few days, but this movie cheered me up. And if it can do that, it can't be bad.

"His chops are too righteous!" - Plankton, The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie

Bummed Out

2005-03-01T18:49:00.000-06:00

I just got a letter in the mail from the U of S English Department "regretfully" informing me that I didn't get one of the Hannon Travel Scholarships. One of those "Thanks for trying" things. I was kind of hoping I would, as I still would love to go to England this summer. I'm kind of bummed out now.

***

Going to go see House of Flying Daggers at 9:30 PM tonight. Been looking forward to it for a while. Hopefully that will cheer me up a bit.

The iPod Journals: What about protected WMA files?

2005-02-28T20:15:00.000-06:00

So today at the Sheaf's arts meeting I picked up the newest album from the Kings of Leon, Aha Shake Heartbreak, thinking I would pass it on to Ewan, if he didn't have it, and he could review it since he was a fan of the first one. Of course, I was thinking, I could import the disc into iTunes and keep a copy for myself. What I didn't count on was copy protection.

I popped the disc into my drive and popped up iTunes and began listening. I hadn't heard the Kings of Leon before, but I was pretty sure that the pops, whistles and difficult to hear vocals weren't part of the experience. Placing the disc in the home stereo system confirmed by suspisions. Why the heck wouldn't the disc play in iTunes I wondered? Turns out the album is protected by various encryptions that must be downloaded through Windows Media Player in order to play. My subsequent attempt to import the WMA files into iTunes failed. Turns out the whole Microsoft/Apple battle has resulted in making iTunes incapbable of importing protected WMA files, the kind you get on Napster and other online music stores (Apple's iTunes store uses a Apple licsensed AAC-codex). The result. No foreseeable way for me to get Aha Shake Heartbreak onto my iPod.

However, with a little Googling I discovered a way to beat the whole copy protection thing without complex new programs or codec converters.

1) Import the copy protected WMA files into Windows Media Player and then creat your playlist.

2) Burn a copy of the files to CD. The resulting CD will not retain the original copy protection.

3) Pop the CD back into your drive and import the disc using iTunes like you would a normal CD.

4) Pat yourself on the back. You've just beaten Microsoft and Apple with their own system.

"why I hate Sean Penn and other Oscar business"

2005-02-28T11:55:00.000-06:00

So it turns out that I'm not as good at predicting without a Peter Jackson film in the running. The only categories I really stumbled in were the Supporting Actor/Actress ones where I was positive that they would throw something the direction of Sideways (but I'm not too upset because Alexander Payne is still a young man and seems to be growing as a director), and Best Picture; the Academy decided that they weren't going to go the obvious route and pay tribute to the glory days of Hollywood in Martin Scorsese's The Aviator and instead rewarded the kind of film that they made back in the glory days, the low key and powerful Million Dollar Baby.

I know a lot of people (Caitlin and Swambo, Harry Knowles) were upset that Baby won. I can't really say I am. What I am is glad that Clint won for this film and not for Mystic River last year, which was a good but uneven film, and not on the same level that Baby was. The thing that bugged me the most about Mystic River was Sean Penn's acting. His over acting is almost unbearable ("uGHHggh...Is...THAT my DAUGHTER...in THERE?! wahhahagahhh!!"). I almost felt like this time Clint was like, "Well, dammit, I guess I'm going to have to do it myself and show them how it's done." Sean Penn's Oscar for that award was annoying, not only because of his incredibly grating personality and politiking, but because he robbed Bill Murray in the performance of a lifetime.

This is why I hate Sean Penn. For one, apparently he has no sense of humour. When Matt Stone and Trey Parker made fun of him in Team America, Penn felt it neccessary to remind them about how immature they were and how bad Bush is and then basically miss the entire point of their film. Last night he showed how incredibly out of touch with humour (intentional that is; we've gotten many a good joke out of his Mystic River performance) he is. When presenting the award for Best Actress, he first felt it neccessary to point out that Jude Law is a really talented actor even though Chris Rock razzed him in the opening. Note to Sean: I like Jude a lot. He is really talented. And I'm sure Jude know's this. He doesn't need you to defend him, especially from a STAND-UP COMIC. The preposterousness of Penn not being able to let a joke go. I mean, nobody takes it seriously, that's why Chris Rock is saying it. But it's true, Jude was in a lot of movies this past year (six films from Sept. to Dec.). And Chris wasn't mean spirited in it, he was just bugging him. That's what he does. Sean Penn needs to lighten up. They guy is so humourless it really bugs me. Ugh. Why couldn't Chris Rock have made fun of him. That would have been more entertaining.

For Anyone Who's Interested

2005-02-27T09:58:00.000-06:00

Here is the current Top Ten most listened to songs on my iPod right now:

10) Coldplay - "Shiver" from the album Parachutes
9) The Beatles - "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" from the album Help!
8) The Beach Boys - "This Whole World" from the album Sunflower
7) Ryan Adams - "Burning Photographs" from the album Rock N Roll
6) The Bees - "The Start" from the album Free The Bees
5) The Bees - "Chicken Payback" from the album Free The Bees
4) The Bees - "Horsemen" from the album Free The Bees
3) Ryan Adams - "New York, New York" from the album Gold
2) The Bees - "These Are The Ghosts" from the album Free The Bees
1) The Bees - "Wash In The Rain" from the album Free The Bees

Oscar Predictions 2005

2005-02-27T09:21:00.000-06:00

Since the Sheaf, didn't print all of my predictions, and more importantly, didn't print any of my preferences, I thought I'd list the entire bunch for all you movie fans.

Performance by an actor in a leading role

This category is the no-brainer. Jamie Foxx is a truly amazing imitation of Ray Charles, but that’s just it: it’s an imitation. The uncanny resemblance trumps and real acting here, so expect Jamie to take home the gold and Clint to be recognized behind the camera instead of in front. As in most Oscar categories, most means best. Also, it’s a crime that Paul Giamatti wasn’t nominated for “Sideways.” If there were any justice in the world he would win on a “write-in” vote on Sunday night.

Prediction: Jamie Foxx (“Ray”)

Preference: Clint Eastwood (“Million Dollar Baby”)

Biggest Snubs: Paul Giamatti (“Sideways”), Jim Carrey (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”)

Performance by an actress in a leading role

A rematch of 1999’s Bening vs. Swank title match, and this fan expects a repeat for Ms. Swank (somehow the boxing metaphor seems apt in this case). The Academy loves roles of this sort and with me predicting that “The Aviator” will win the big one, the Academy will send a few more the way of the “Baby.” Possible upset would be Imelda Staunton (“Vera Drake”), an older actor who has never been recognized, but I think in this case the nod is the award.

Prediction: Hilary Swank (“Million Dollar Baby”)

Preference: Hilary Swank (“Million Dollar Baby”)

Biggest Snub: Uma Thurman (“Kill Bill, Vol. 2”)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

With my prediction that “Sideways” will be shut out in most of the big categories, so this is where the Academy will show the film the love. Thomas Hayden-Church’s Stifler-esque best friend gets the most laughs, and is a comeback performance for a former TV-star (anyone remember “Wings” or “Ned and Stacey”?).

Prediction: Thomas Hayden-Church (“Sideways”)

Preference: Clive Owen (“Closer”)

Biggest Snub: Gary Oldman (“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role

Again, I’m predicting a win for “Sideways” and Virginia Madsen. Her award will be well deserved, but Natalie Portman, who had two great performances this year, each the best part of the films she was in, should get this award. On the bright side, Natalie’s future is wide open and I expect to see her in this category again.

Prediction: Virginia Madsen (“Sideways”)

Preference: Natalie Portman (“Closer”)

Biggest Snub: Natalie Portman (“Garden State”)

Best animated feature of the year

“The Incredibles” should be nominated for Best Picture. There is no competition here, and I don’t really want to talk about it. One wonders what would have happened if this category had not existed. Would “The Incredibles” join “Beauty and the Beast” as the only animated film to be nominated for Best Picture?

Prediction: “The Incredibles”

Preference: “The Incredibles”

Has no business being there: “Shark Tale”

Achievement in directing

Unfortunately Martin Scorsese has never won an Oscar, despite helming some of the greatest films of all time (“Goodfellas”, “Taxi Driver”). This is a tight race and he might take the gold home as a kind of “lifetime achievement prize”, but I think the impression is that “The Aviator” isn’t really Marty’s best film (and is really Leo’s pet project), and so the prize will go to Clint for his best film, “Million Dollar Baby.”

Prediction: Clint Eastwood (“Million Dollar Baby”)

Preference: Martin Scorsese (“The Aviator”)

Biggest Snub: Michel Gondry (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”)

Best foreign language film of the year

I have seen none of the nominated films here, but I did see some foreign films this year. Inexplicably, Zhang Yimou was completely shut out for both “Hero” and “House of Flying Daggers.” Maybe the Academy was all “Crouching Tiger”-ed out? Anyway, expect “The Sea Inside” to win. Javier Bardem was on the short list for a possible Best Actor nod, and the Academy loves a good sob story.

Prediction: “The Sea Inside”

Preference: “The Sea Inside”

Biggest Snub: “Hero”

Adapted Screenplay

Perhaps one of the strongest categories in the show, this is a tight race between “Sideways” and “Million Dollar Baby.” But because I’m predicting more gold for “Baby”, this one will go to “Sideways” as compensation for Alexander Payne. I guess no one considers a comic book adaptation (“Spider-man 2”) by a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist (Michael Chabon) good enough these days.

Prediction: “Sideways”

Preference: “Before Sunset”

Biggest Snub: “Spider-man 2”

Original Screenplay

Surprisingly difficult category to fill this year, but I’m going to go against Derek and say that this will be “Eternal Sunshine”’s token win. Yes, Kaufman may win again, but this is easily his best script so far and this category is often where the mostly traditional Academy will award offbeat brilliance.

Prediction: “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”

Preference: “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”

Biggest Snub: “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou”

Best motion picture of the year

I’m going to say this is a two-way race that is almost too close to call, but since I think the Best Director award will go to Clint, I’m going to call this one for “The Aviator.” There is a pattern to the Academy’s madness, alternating a Picture/Director split with a Picture/Director match. Last year was Jackson’s time to shine, so this year they go back to the split. In the end, “The Aviator” is the safe choice for Academy members.

Prediction: “The Aviator”

Preference: “Sideways”

Biggest Snub: “Spider-man 2”, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”

One-man Star Wars at the Broadway Theatre

2005-02-24T21:41:00.000-06:00

Went to go see the One-man Star Wars show at Broadway tonight. It was ostensibly to write a review for the Sheaf (thus I told the woman at the door and recieved free entry). It was quite enjoyable. He seems to really enjoy himself, and the audience was good too, laughing at the right moments and getting a good number of the in-jokes. He covered all of the original Star Wars Trilogy in just over an hour. He had a good number of jabs at some of the absurdities of the trilogy, including Chewie's lack of medal in A New Hope, and Obi-Wan's chronic lying. All-in-all it is a solid performance.

I liked it, but the thing that keeps me from raving about it is the disturbing thought in the back of my head the entire time that I could do the same thing, probably with minimal practice. I became even more disturbed at myself for noticing when he did a couple musical bits wrong and mispronounced "Toche Station." I am such a geek. Also, a disturbing lack of Ewoks in his Return of the Jedi bit.

Afterwards he talked a bit about how people should keep doing the creative things that they do, how he's going to be performing at the Star Wars Celebration this spring, and how he met Ian McKellen at one of his One-man Lord of the Rings shows. He seems like a pretty decent guy.

2005-02-23T22:38:00.000-06:00

I worked tonight. Really boring. A few questions.

Mall "muzak" is horrendous. Does anyone really need to hear a Kenny G rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"? Does anyone actually like Kenny G for that matter?

The weird guy who I always see on campus collecting bottles in the evening was at the mall. He was apparently pretending to be blind. I wonder if he realizes that I recognize him? I wonder what his real story is?

There was a head on collision at the corner of Preston and College on the way home. Of course everyone slows down to see it. I wonder if cell phones have helped to reduce car accident casualties, as emergency response teams can get there faster? Or do the additional accidents caused cell phones cancel that out?

I want to see this movie badly

2005-02-23T00:28:00.000-06:00

Here's the trailer for Oldboy, the Korean revenge film that Quentin Tarantino thought was the best film of the year, and won the Grand Prix (second place) prize at Cannes this past spring. It's finally getting a North American release this year and I cannot wait. Apparently it's like Kill Bill meets Fight Club.

Hotel Rwanda

2005-02-23T00:04:00.000-06:00

I wanted to go to see a movie tonight, because a) I have no parent to tell me "you shouldn't, it's a school night" and b) because it's cheap night. I had been leaning toward Constantine (I know, I know, but it's based on an Alan Moore comic and looks intriguing enough), but finally decided that Hotel Rwanda would only be a Pacific another week or so, and that it was more important. I think I made a good choice.

Hotel Rwanda is one of the most affecting films of the year. I really don't know what to say about it. We all know about the horrific events that occurred in Rwanda in 1994, and I don't really know what else to say about it. It's the kind of thing that you can debate and talk about all night. How horrific genocide and hatred is. How frightening to see your family and neighbors hacked apart with machetes. How frusterating it must have been for the UN commanding officer (in real life Canadian Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire; in the film a fictional colonel played by Nick Nolte) to have to sit by and be able to do nothing. Really this is one of the great shames of the Western world and our failure to do anything to stop the bloodshed until over a million Hutus were dead.

But the real challenge for a filmmaker is how to tell the story on a scale and level that we can identify with. As Stalin is credited with saying, "A single life is a tragedy, a million is a statistic" or something to that effect. Director Terry George, with help from the real life Paul Rusesebagina, manages to tell a story of ordinary courage, real ingenuity, anchored with the love of a man for his wife and children. It's a story on a scale that makes the characters matter to us, without losing track of the larger significance.

Don Cheadle is excellent as Paul Rusesbagina. His Oscar nomination is well deserved. Also, I enjoyed the soundtrack. I really like African choir music, and the credits song by Wyclef Jean is good too.

I guess that's another more minor thing that bugs me after watching the film. How can anyone actually walk out of the theatre and say that Ray was a better film? I just don't understand. This is a film that needs to be seen for the content, but appreciated for the fine manner in which it is told. All in all, a fine film.

2005-02-21T21:10:00.000-06:00

What with my recent excitement about A Scanner Darkly, and Luke's ruminations after Donnie Darko, he posted this link (for those who don't read Luke's blog on a regular basis - and you really should) to the Phillip K. Dick essay entitled, "How To Build A Universe That Doesn't Fall Apart Two Days Later." This is the essay that was referred to in Waking Life, wherein Dick explains why he believes he is living in the first century AD in Judea. Yep. Read it. It's a mind trip.

Reflections on the Bachelor Life, Pt. I

2005-02-21T20:39:00.000-06:00

Today is the first day of my three months of living without my parents.

One of the first things to consider is food and food preparation. I general I like to eat well. Anton probably even more so. When we were in Fairmont we ate at the "Black Forest" restaurant, a rather nice, upscale German restaurant. I began with a tomato bisque for starters. Then I had the wiener schnitzel and schpatzlé for the main entrée and half-caraf of Chilean cabernet for a wine. I finished it with a cappuccino. Not a bad meal by any standard. But not something that one can make on a weekly basis.

There is a natural inclination when one is living on one's own to tend toward the cheap and fast. Tonight I eschewed my normal distaste for hot dogs and cooked some up beause I felt the need for some facsimile of meat in my meal. Also a pot of pasta and a can of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup makes for a decent dinner. Call it the "Kraft aesthetic."

However, Anton likes to cook, and I do as well to a lesser extent. When one has the time to cook it can be a form of entertainment; Ask anyone who was on our spring break trip. With a fully furnished kitchen, meal preparation became the focal point of the day. Not only did we save money, but we were treated to steak one night, and tacos another.

Another effect of cooking and the bachelor life is what I call a tendency to wastefulness. For example, I feel that because I have a dishwasher, why not just fill it up once a day and run it? For that matter, since it's all the same amount of work, why not use 2 spoons when one will suffice? Bread's a little stale? Into the garbage.

The importance of eating cannot be overlooked. But when you're suddenly forced to cook for oneself on a regular basis (something this spoiled young man never had to deal with), standards are likely to slip.

Hunter S. Thompson 1937-2005

2005-02-21T00:17:00.000-06:00

I just read an obit that Hunter S. Thompson (best known today as the writer of Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas and as the inspiration for Duke in Doonesbury comic strip) has died. All of you may take that news for what it's worth, but I for one will remember the passing of one of the truly original writers of the 20th century.

2005-02-20T23:54:00.000-06:00

A couple of cool movie trailers I saw today, for those of you who are into this sort of thing.

Firstly, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which looks encouraging to me. My friend Luke commented that elements of the film looked "cheap", to which I felt encouragement because I always felt that Douglas Adam's books deserved that somewhat cheesy "Python-esque" treatment. All in all, I'm looking forward to it.

And even more interesting is the first full trailer for Richard Linklater's Phillip K. Dick adaptation, A Scanner Darkly. Man, this animation is leagues ahead of Waking Life, and the whole story seems really cool. What is it with Keanu and mind-trippy sci-fi works anyway?

Donnie Darko: Director's Cut

2005-02-20T23:37:00.000-06:00

Donnie Darko is one of those movies that I would term a modern "cult classic."

It barely made any money at the box office (probably, in part, due to the fact that it debuted the weekend after the 9/11 attacks when movies were low on most people's lists of priorities), and scarcely registered on anyone's radar of "important" films for a good long time. I remember seeing the poster for the film (featuring the frightening yet enigmatic image of Frank the bunny) and wanting to see the film. Then I saw the trailer and wanted to see it more. The fact that Saskatoon does not get that many small independent films meant that I had to wait for it's video debut to see the film (which I distinctly remember watching in a double bill with Training Day). I was impressed with the film for the most part. The story was engaging, full of humour, mystery and a sense of dread that worked well within the framework of the film. However, challenge me at the time to explain to you what exactly happened in the film would have been beyond me. That, I felt, was part of the problem and part of the appeal of the film. The open-endedness of the film meant that it could be about whatever you wanted it to be about (sexual exploration, time travel, mental illness), but it was hard to really decide whether there was anything substantial to the story at all.

That is both the appeal and downside to the new Director's Cut which I purchased the other day and watched tonight. The film makes a lot more sense now. Apparently director Richard Kelly wasn't completely happy with the way the film was being interpreted and set about making a cut that made his intentions slightly more clear and the film has a more easily explainable and reasonable flow to it. It seems that this article at Salon.com has things pretty much right (and is some pretty interesting reading on its own). All in all, I'm glad I bought the Director's Cut, which is a solid half-hour longer and fits well with my own interpretations of the film. However, for those who found part of the fun was making up your own outrageous interpretations (not that Kelly's film is any less mind-boggling), this version might take away some of the fun.

2005-02-20T18:30:00.000-06:00

This is the dog that caused us all to worry so much this morning after she fell off the chair. She seemed to have hurt herself and I was concerned that she had hit her head. I was really worried. Isn't it funny how attached we can become to a dog? Or maybe not.

One Final Thought Before Bed

2005-02-19T00:41:00.000-06:00

I know, I'm really making up for lost time here, but:

The worst thing about going away on vacation is that as wonderful as your time away is, you always wonder what everyone at home is doing and the fun they're having without you. And then you wonder "Do they even realize I'm gone?" "Am I important in their lives?" Ah, yes, I can be quite paranoid sometimes when I want to be. And in a couple days I'll probably wish I was back at Fairmont...

A Couple of Belated Valentine's Movie Comments

2005-02-19T00:17:00.000-06:00

Well, of coure me and Anton couldn't possibly go on vacation without taking a handful of DVDs with us. And when it's late in the evening and there's nothing else to do, and you're a wee bit sore from skiing, you throw in the movies that your friends haven't seen.

Since this trip took place partly around Valentine's Day (which I incidently find a distasteful day, not so much because of what it represents, but rather the bad memories which it brings up; ask me sometime) we ended up watching a couple of rather appropriate movies.

1) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - This was my third viewing, and I must say the film gets better and better with each viewing. Jim Carrey is outstanding, as is all of the supporting cast. And the film is packed with such detail that I never noticed on the first two times through. This will become an all time favourite for sure.

2) Eyes Wide Shut - One of the most misunderstood, and unfairly maligned films of all time, this was Stanley Kubrick's final film, and a fitting end to his career. The man draws remarkable performances out of both Tom Cruise and my girl Nicole Kidman. If you doubt they can act, watch the bedroom confession scene and tell me that again to my face. Kubrick's camera work is beautiful and surreal; perfectly appropriate for a film that is about the painful (and bizzare) aspects of something so beautiful (love and sex).

It's also a film that leaves you haunted, not really knowing what you've just seen and what it all means, but knowing that there is something profound that has been said. It also gets better with each viewing, allowing me to pick up on some undercurrents and make sense of some of the more confusing aspects of the plot. If you haven't seent it, or if you have and want to chat about it, let me know. You should see this film. And you should talk about it afterwards.

What Book Are You?

2005-02-19T00:11:00.000-06:00

You're Watership Down!

by Richard Adams

Though many think of you as a bit young, even childish, you're
actually incredibly deep and complex. You show people the need to rethink their
assumptions, and confront them on everything from how they think to where they
build their houses. You might be one of the greatest people of all time. You'd
be recognized as such if you weren't always talking about talking rabbits.

Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

I'm Back!

2005-02-19T00:01:00.001-06:00

As I just said. I'm back. Arrived back around 11 pm (it's around 9-10 hours in the car with stops in Canmore and Drumheller).

1) The iPod was a resounding sucess on the trip. Everyone enjoyed the "Shuffle" ("You're listening to radio Anders). They say iPod's have personality and mine seems to have an affinity for David Holmes and Abbey Road.

2) The weather was amazing. Strangely there was almost no snow in the Columbia valley. But the ski hill was still "ski-able", so that was nice.

3) Large quantities of alchohol were consumed on the trip.

4) The word of the week was "serendipidous"; the week began with me finding a TY beanie baby hidden behind the TV in the villa. He was a horse named "Lightning". He became the mascot. Also, at Fairmont Ski Hill, we carried kegs of beer up from the basement and then got free beer from the bartender lady, so that was super. "Serendipidous" seems appropriate.

In the end it was a blast. Bighorn Mountain Sheep are cool and I feel out of contact with my reality.

Now to go read up on a weeks worth of blogs.

Somewhat good feeling

2005-02-11T12:09:00.000-06:00

As Joel commented last night, I was extremely tired. It's been a busy week of almost non-stop activity. But now all the assignments are in; all the applications are submitted (for now); paperwork has been done.

I went to the passport office this morning to process my passport information. For those who want to know why I need a passport, it is because I am going to Rome in May. I've never been to Italy, so it should be great (Ewan, you've been to Rome, right? Fill us in brother). The reason I got this stuff done so early is that my mom said that if I did it this week, she'd pay the $87 fee. Good reason to get it done I think.

Anyway; the passport office. Often my experience with government offices is that they are slow, inefficient, and frusterating. Strangely my experience this morning was not like that at all. The doorman at the federal building was well mannered and directed us to the office on the fourth floor; the wait was brief, less than 3 min; and the girl who processed the info was friendly and efficient. We were out in 15 min. It's a somewhat good feeling to know that at least parts of our massive bureaucracy work somewhat well. It gives me a modicum of hope for our society.

The trip tomorrow neccesitated that I purchase some accessories for my iPod. I was dreading this because I don't really want to waste a lot of money, but the Griffin iTrip seems like the kind of thing that I will get a lot of use out of. Then I decided that on a 8 hour car trip, I needed a power source for my iPod. So I picked up the Griffen iPod Car Adaptor, which just plugs into a lighter and then charges the iPod or just plays it straight off of that. Sounded good to me. So now I'm all set for providing the musical accompaniment for the trip. The good news was that both the iTrip and Car Adaptor were $10 cheaper at the campus computer store than they were at Future Shop. That gave me a somewhat good feeling. Even if it still came to $75 for both.

Anyway, I don't know how much I'll be updating my blog for the next week. It's going to be a busy night and then we leave tomorrow morning, so if I don't see you people: Cheers! Have a great break. And keep up the blogging!

"Need a little time to wake up, wake up. What's the story morning glory?" - Oasis, "Morning Glory"

Yay for The Bees!

2005-02-10T15:36:00.000-06:00

I'm super excited because Jessica lent me her copy of Free The Bees! It will likely be the soundtrack of my break.

"Hotel Chelsea Nights"

2005-02-09T22:14:00.000-06:00

We all know that many of us in the blogger world are big fans of Ryan Adams. Anyway, I just wanted to let people know that I love "Hotel Chelsea Nights", the last track on Love Is Hell. I don't know what it is that makes me love the song so much; the tortured lyrics, the reverb that makes it feel like you're in some smokey bar in New York listening to it live, maybe even the very name (which makes me want to be a tortured artist living at the Chelsea Hotel, maybe if I don't get into grad studies I'll try that). I don't know. All I know is that it might be my favourite song on the album, which in turn is one of my favourites of 2004.

In other news, I remembered something else that was a highlight of last night at Winston's. The huge Stella Artois banner which read:

I would rather die of thirst than drink from the cup of mediocrity.

I thought it was awesome, and I asked the bartender if I could get it off them. He told me that I should contact the rep for the company and see if he'd sell it to me. I just might...

Oh, yeah: Don't forget the fur.

If anyone wants to know about what it was like to draw the cadavers; it was kinda weird. The body was all dry and skinned, and kind of looked like a mummy. Also there were various arms and legs too. I could definitely have been a series of props in a horror movie, and that was how I approached it. I didn't really get grossed out by it, but I have to say that it kind of disturbed me to think about how these "things" used to be people who walked around and stuff.

That aside, it was interesting to get a look inside the body and see how the muscles and tendons work. As Gullen pointed out on the last post, I felt like Leonardo DiVinci.

Success, Failure and Corpses

2005-02-09T13:04:00.000-06:00

Well, the EU "Mardi Gras" party at Winston's was one of those part-success/part-dissapointment things. Not nearly enough people showed up for us to be able to pay for the whole keg (which runs $150), so unfortunately we had to pay for the rest out of EU funds and took a loss. That's the dissapointment.

The success part was that those who did show up had (as far as I could tell) a good time and good conversation. John Lennon and The Bees. Attractions to Jena Malone and Scarlett Johanssen. Bob Dylan and how Joel's shoes protect against "Satan." The Ziegler Twins schooled me and "Phelps" at pool (or billiards) and a creepy old man hit on Cara while she was trying to enjoy a cigarette (made me glad I'm a guy); Late night dining at Olympia and trying to explain to a taxi driver where Mulcaster Crescent is. Like I said, it was a success.

--

Now I'm off to a special art "field trip" to health sciences to draw cadavers (you know, dead people!). It might be kinda weird, but it's a rare opportunity and will add a lot to understand anatomy in figure drawing. I'm kinda equal parts anticipating and dreading it. The figure drawing that we've been working on for the last few weeks has been great, however. I'm loving art class.

Do the iPod shuffle!

2005-02-07T13:11:00.000-06:00

Once you get a significant number of songs onto your iPod (bear with me, it's a new toy and I will be talking about it a lot), the "Shuffle" function acts almost like a mini radio station, but with some really far ranging options (e.g. Jazz, Bluegrass, Hip Hop/R&B). Here's the last six songs I heard on my iPod:

"I'm Just A Killer For Your Love" - Blur
"Batman Theme Reprise" - Danny Elfman
"Venus De Milo" - Miles Davis
"Keep On The Sunny Side" - The Whites
"Tape You" - N*E*R*D
"The Phantom of the Opera" - Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman

Echoing Ewan's Praise for The Bees

2005-02-07T11:46:00.000-06:00

One of the great things about having the new computer is that I can finally share in all the cool stuff that my friends are into. Ewan sent me a couple of tracks by The Bees (he's raved about them before on his blog, and he's not exagerrating; this is great stuff!). Ewan is always ahead of the curve in music. He told me about The Bees back before Christmas, and they were only just mentioned in the most recent issue of Rolling Stone. Definitely reminiscent of The Beatles, I let Anton (the most obsessive Beatles fan I know) and he agreed that I should download the album Free The Bees off of amazon.co.uk, since the album isn't available yet in N. America. The two tracks that got me hooked were "Horsemen" and "Wash In The Rain". I definitely recommmend tracking this down.
I'm going to see later tonight if I can figure out how to create a music link to one of the tracks for you guys to download a part of the song. But I also really recommend buying music (Caitlin will be happy to hear that I still want to have the physical album).

Also, I downloaded my first song off of iTunes Music Store this morning. I downloaded the U2 track "Fast Cars", which is exclusive to the UK version of How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. I understand that they may have wanted to keep the US version shorter, but it's a solid track that would have made a great single. Strangely the title of the album comes from this track, which is strange that it's a UK exclusive. Oh, well. My iPod version of the album is now complete.

"I have told you life's a worry and it's true." - The Bees, "Horsemen"

Poker, Cat Stevens, and Paradise Lost

2005-02-06T01:37:00.000-06:00

I won again at poker tonight; quite handily. Ended up with $35. That makes me the big winner in both of our past games. Me thinks I want to find another game sometime and find out if it's just when I play with my friends, or if I've actually gained some skills. I feel like I have, but I'm not sure.

--

Again, one of the pleasures of "ripping" all these CDs onto iTunes is discovering your favourite tracks all over again. I was just finishing with the Rushmore Soundtrack, and I really love "Here Comes My Baby" by Cat Stevens. It's just one of those near perfect pop songs.

--

Also, I bought Shaun of the Dead finally. There was this awesome deal at Future Shop where I got both Shaun and Dawn of the Dead for $22.99. Hmmm...pay $27.99 for just Shaun of the Dead, or....get both for $5 less? I think it's a scam to just make sure that I can't walk out of that place without spending money. The ironic thing is that I was there to pay a bill.

--

Oh, and tomorrow (or today I guess) is the Paradise Lost reading. I'm going to be going, and then ducking out to work for a few hours and then popping back in before supper. I'm actually really looking forward to it, because it seems like one of those things that would never happen if it wasn't put on by the English department. Me and Anton were trying to figure out how long it would take to do an oral reading of The Lord of the Rings. I think that would be a task and half. Probably longer than watching all three of Peter Jackson's films. Also, whoever participates has to sing the songs, not just read them.