Hey, readers,
Want to become a film buff? Can't wait until cool film festivals like SLIFF? Have time to burn, but money is tight? Then grab your library card, head to your local branch, and create your own international film festival! It's fun, easy, and you'll get to check out some cool films you might not normally see!
First off, if you want a suspensful, rather creepy piece of British cinema, let me recommend Peeping Tom, a 1960 thriller reminiscent of Psycho. There's a lot of film school discussion about how it "reveals the secrets of cinema" because Michael Powell, while filming, used himself as the protagonist's father and had his own son play the younger version of the title character. While this may not be Powell's "masterpiece", it is still a solid piece of filmmaking, and the final twenty minutes will have you cringing in anticipation. (It was so shocking that it effectively "ended" Powell's career in England - however, it is a really taut thriller that everyone who claims to like films should see). Just avoid the commentary - it's more dry, academic, and will remove the power from the film.
Had this movie been made and released in America, it would have been considered blaxploitation. However, The Harder They Come was made in Jamaica, and was the film that "introduced" reggae to the world. It's a tale of a "country boy" (Jimmy Cliff) who enters the big city, and finds himself in the worlds of crime, the record industry, and religion. It reads more like a documentary than a drama, and the music - "Many Rivers to Cross", "You Can Get It If You Really Want", "Pressure Drop", the title cut...another gotta-see.
Rodney Bingenheimer is the least likely rock-and-roll dude, but as The Mayor of Sunset Strip points out, it wasn't accidental. I was lucky enough to see it both in a theater and on DVD, and it reads very well as a study of celebrity - how to get it, what you do with it, and what lengths people will go to in order to acquire it. (The man who dresses up like an astronaut and sings love songs about Jennifer Love Hewitt is one example of many). Crossing over decades, this film about a nice-guy-made-good is enjoyable, even if it's non-stop celebrities. (Personal favorite moment in the DVD - in the bonus features, a discussion between Elvis Costello and Brian Wilson. Too cool to be true).
(Also, note to Greg - when you become dictator, can you make Kim Fowley Wanker of the Millenium. Consider this and Edgeplay your evidence. I'll back you. Honestly.)
Finally, Angels with Dirty Faces - James Cagney. Ann Sheridan. Humphrey Bogart on the way up - do you need better reasons to see this? Didn't think so.
So, kids, go to your library. Check out something you wouldn't normally watch. Expand your horizons. Rock the house!
July 28, 2005
July 26, 2005
The Moleskine Experiment
It was this page (a link from this blog) that sold me - a mystique around a pocket notebook? Sure, artists like Van Gogh and writers like Hemingway used this kind of notebook, but having a reputation - and living up to it - are two different things. (Especially since this is a very pricy item). Being a somewhat aspiring writer myself (if you consider this blog, a screenplay written for a college film study course, a Nanowrimo entry, and a series of short stories evidence of my career), I wanted to investigate. Especially since I love my planner a little too much, carrying the book-sized planner like Linus' security blanket. So a few weeks ago, before my job ended, with a credit slip from Left Bank Books, I engaged in a grand experiment.
I decided to enter the world of the Moleskine.
Consider its cover - obsidian oilskin. Smooth, glossy, and somewhat sturdy (unlike your regular spiral notebook), it's small enough to fit into a pants pocket. (Of course, it is a little difficult to sit on - however, it makes an excellent fit in a jacket pocket). A thin ribbon placeholder - just to make sure that I return to where I left off in my writing. (Mostly jotting down phone numbers, notes, even some snippets of speech). A thin elastic band to hold the book together - it helps keep the pages dry and keeps moisture out. Soggy paper = bad writing, kids.
Open up the Moleskine, and you get fine lined, acid free paper - not blindly white, but a nice, gentle color. Pages should be numbered, according to lore (and there are plenty of tips and tricks for your Moleskine). So far, I've used about seven pages - various observations, notes, journal/diary entries, and whatnot. There are two types of pen that seem to work best with the notebook - the Pilot G2 (my personal favorite pen), and a small, cheap foldable pen I snatched from a health fair. The last 14 pages are perforated - easy to write and remove for notes. (It even comes with labels so that, if I should choose to mail something off, I just jot down an address and mail it off). It's probably the closest I've come to portable heaven.
However, one real cool thing about the Moleskine is this pocket. Yes, a pocket in the back of the notebook - good for carrying a credit card, stamps, currently, or (in my case) business cards and really small sticky notes. In short, if it had a calendar in it (and I have a freebie credit-card sized calendar), it becomes my portable planner - a poor man's PDA. Even when I have my planner with me, I still carry my Moleskine - I never know when I might have to leave the planner in the car. Both planner and Moleskine have a "return to this address" form at the front - however, my Moleskine is more likely to be returned, due to its portability.
In short, the result of the Moleskine experiment - I like the notebook. I haven't become hardcore about it, (plus, the cost is a little prohibitive), but at the very least, it's helped me jump-start a few things creatively, keep slightly organized, handle information a little better, and capture some ideas - in the end, it's worth it.
BONUS JOB SEARCH REPORT: Went to a temp agency today - what I assumed was clerical support; what I received is feedback into what could be a whole new field. Also received an out-of-the-blue call from someone who pulled my resume from Monster.com. Let's just say a whole new professional area's opening up.
Can our hero become a non-profit guy in a for-profit world? Stay tuned.
July 25, 2005
Monday Morning Musings on Martin
First, if you haven't already, be sure to check out Greg's massive list of links - it's like a hipper, cooler, more fun version of Boing Boing. We'll still be here when you get back.
You're back? Cool.
Last night, while watching a made for tv movie, I realized that people could be split into two types: dog vs. cat people....Star Trek Vs. Star Wars people...and Martin vs Lewis people. And I am a Dean Martin person.
No offense or insult intended to Mr. Hembeck and Mr. Pfeiffer - Jerry Lewis, for all his ego, is a comedic craftsman. In fact, when Lewis and Martin reunited for the 1976 Muscular Dystrophy telethon, my eight-year-old mind couldn't handle it. I remember asking my mother, "Wait a minute - they worked together?" It was hard for me to understand (until seeing their work) how the team existed - the same laid-back guy whom I remember from my really early childhood with this goofball? (Hopefully, this book will explain it all - the tv movie took a more cliched look, in my humble opinion)
Probably the same way he threatened to steal (in my mind) Ocean's Eleven from Frank Sinatra. (I caught it on the local PBS station this past weekend). Sure, Clooney's good, but he's no Sinatra. And no one could replace Martin - Sinatra may have been the mastermind, but Martin seemed to help ground the movie, keep it moving, and act as Richards' to Sinatra's Jagger. (Or is it Mike to Sinatra's Dorian? I'm not sure)
And Martin - I have to admit, Dean Martin reminds me of my grandfather: the same tastes in music, the same boozy charm, even the same swarthy looks. Although, to be honest, my grandfather never did Vegas, nor did he work with Jerry Lewis.
Martin's genius was in his insouciant cool, his laid-back charm - although he never competed with Lewis, he knew how to ratchet it up. If Sinatra was the yin of the Rat Pack, Martin was the yang. Martin's singing didn't have Sinatra's passionate, lived-it-all quality; but his music has a certain mystique - even in an all-out tune like "Ain't That A Kick in the Head", there's still a sense of mystery, of wanting to hear more, and Martin's charm was that he kept you coming back for more.
If you believe the Nick Tosches' biography (the best one on the market), Martin's play-it-close-the-vest nature ended up costing him personally, with him living in virtual seclusion until his death in 1995. (Of course, even though he wasn't a "serious" actor, some of Martin's roles...hoo, boy). But now, in a world of "reality" television where every single nuance of a celebrity's life is public fodder, there's something almost noble about Martin, whose unwillingness to "let it all hang out" seems a welcoming throwback to an earlier age.
And if that ain't amore, I don't know what is.
July 23, 2005
Doctor Who Unbound
Being so isolated in my job search (almost as badly as your average tv leading man), you would think that I wouldn't have time for extracurricular activites. However, I've been reading a ton of books (current fave: The Psychopath Next Door), movies (current fave: DiG)...and listening to Doctor Who Unbound audios.
God bless Big Finish - from the 1996 tv movie to the 2005 BBC series, they carried the torch for the series, giving us 5th/6th/7th Doctor adventures that were risky, playing with continuity, but also providing something of a mixed bag. In 2004, Big Finish released their "Unbound" series - basically, these audios were like Marvel's What If? series, giving us alternative views of the Doctor should his life/lives had taken alternative turns.
(NOTE: I know there are more than what I'm reviewing - however, I have no interest in Auld Mortality, and I'm having a hell of a time tracking down Full Fathom Five. So, with that, away-y-y we go...)
Sympathy for the Devil is a corker - a great story that is "based" on an old Third Doctor story. The premise is simple - what if, after The War Games, the Doctor showed up on earth after the UNIT adventures? The answer, suprisingly...well, that would be telling. However, we're also given an alternative Third Doctor - David Warner, fills the role extremely well, and his chemistry with Nicholas Courtney is remarkable. (I loved this story's "take" on the Brigadier - a bitter, cynical old soldier). As a result of this story, I would love to hear a series of stories featuring Sam Kisgart (aka Mark Gatiss) as the Master. Definitely worth your money.
However, I would hold off on He Jests At Scars - it's not a bad story, per se. It's a "What if the Valeyard won at the end of The Ultimate Foe?" Michael Jayston does a good job, but if you enjoy 60 plus minutes of
File under instant classic: Deadline, Rob Shearman's drama about "what if Doctor Who never made it outside the pilot stage?" It's a taut drama with a strong performance from Sir Derek Jacobi as a once-prominent writer dealing with attempting to reach out to others. The overall effect is as if Rod Serling and Charles Beaumont did a DW-themed episode for The Twilight Zone, and this story takes full advantage of the audio medium, blending fantasy, reality, and possible delirium into a pretty heady mix. Taut writing, great sound mix, definitely recommended.
Finally, avoid Exile at all costs. It should have been a clever story - "what if the Doctor escaped the Time Lords and was a woman?"...but this story way misses the mark. If you like an alcoholic Doctor, sounds of projective vomiting, and humor that resembles a straight-laced attempt at Monty Python/Douglas Adams-esque writing, this is for you. However, I wouldn't go out of my way to download this story illegally. Worthless.
So, two knock-em-out-of-the-ballparks, one iffy, and one stinker. Not bad, Big Finish.
God bless Big Finish - from the 1996 tv movie to the 2005 BBC series, they carried the torch for the series, giving us 5th/6th/7th Doctor adventures that were risky, playing with continuity, but also providing something of a mixed bag. In 2004, Big Finish released their "Unbound" series - basically, these audios were like Marvel's What If? series, giving us alternative views of the Doctor should his life/lives had taken alternative turns.
(NOTE: I know there are more than what I'm reviewing - however, I have no interest in Auld Mortality, and I'm having a hell of a time tracking down Full Fathom Five. So, with that, away-y-y we go...)
Sympathy for the Devil is a corker - a great story that is "based" on an old Third Doctor story. The premise is simple - what if, after The War Games, the Doctor showed up on earth after the UNIT adventures? The answer, suprisingly...well, that would be telling. However, we're also given an alternative Third Doctor - David Warner, fills the role extremely well, and his chemistry with Nicholas Courtney is remarkable. (I loved this story's "take" on the Brigadier - a bitter, cynical old soldier). As a result of this story, I would love to hear a series of stories featuring Sam Kisgart (aka Mark Gatiss) as the Master. Definitely worth your money.
However, I would hold off on He Jests At Scars - it's not a bad story, per se. It's a "What if the Valeyard won at the end of The Ultimate Foe?" Michael Jayston does a good job, but if you enjoy 60 plus minutes of
- "If-we-do-this-this-temporal-anomaly-will-happen" dialogue;
- More continuity references than your average DC Comic; and
- A bitter, cynical Mel Bush;
File under instant classic: Deadline, Rob Shearman's drama about "what if Doctor Who never made it outside the pilot stage?" It's a taut drama with a strong performance from Sir Derek Jacobi as a once-prominent writer dealing with attempting to reach out to others. The overall effect is as if Rod Serling and Charles Beaumont did a DW-themed episode for The Twilight Zone, and this story takes full advantage of the audio medium, blending fantasy, reality, and possible delirium into a pretty heady mix. Taut writing, great sound mix, definitely recommended.
Finally, avoid Exile at all costs. It should have been a clever story - "what if the Doctor escaped the Time Lords and was a woman?"...but this story way misses the mark. If you like an alcoholic Doctor, sounds of projective vomiting, and humor that resembles a straight-laced attempt at Monty Python/Douglas Adams-esque writing, this is for you. However, I wouldn't go out of my way to download this story illegally. Worthless.
So, two knock-em-out-of-the-ballparks, one iffy, and one stinker. Not bad, Big Finish.
July 21, 2005
Mixed Bag 2: Themes, Themes, the Musical Fruit
In several past blogs, I've written about several entries in the Mixed Bag CD exchange. Thankfully, due to copious free time, I've managed to work my way through four more discs. Usually, there are two ways to do a mix tape/CD - slap some tunes together, or at least arrange them by theme. These four discs are "concept" discs - kind of like concept albums, only there are no long jams, like, say, Barry Manilow and the Grateful Dead playing Copacabana for twenty minutes.
First up, Tracks from the Radio Station in My Head by Tony at Tony Remembers is rock solid - of course, from a guy who sees a lot of live shows, how could it not be? Green Light Girl kicks off the disc, and it has a great flow to it. A mixture of tracks by not-so-well-known-but- cool bands, a few tracks by is-that-who-I-think-it-is? (I mean, Bowie going romantic? Living Color going mellow? Tom Petty actually singing?), and of course - Dread Zeppelin. This disc is definitely "all killer, no filler".
Next time I'm going on a road trip, my mandatory listening will include Roger Owen Green's Travelogue USA #1: New York-Texas". Kicking off with Robbie Robertson's "American Roulette", this disc mixes blues, pop, folk, and country, and doesn't go for the obvious. Personal favorite track: Tom Petty channelling Elvis Presley on "Gator on the Lawn". (My least favorite track is the Band's version of "Atlantic City" - a little too self-consciously rustic for my tastes, but since the Zeitgeist/Reivers version is out of print, that will do). Definitely a keeper.
Chalk it up to Fred Hembeck to give us "Ring in the Obscure, Ring Out the Odd" - a compendium of relatively lesser-known but blow-you-out-of-the-water tracks. Personal highlights include "Twenty Five Fingers" (a Flowers In the Dirt-era McCartney/Costello collaboration); "Hey, St. Peter" (an unreleased Easybeats track given 70's production by its songwriters); "Unwanted Number" (if Mr. Costello didn't write this one, he should sue for plagiarism); "What Kind of Fool" by Swing Out Sister; and the seductive "Sleep with Me Instead" by Louise Goffin. Only two tunes are clunkers - "Whispering Your Name" doesn't really count, because it's a great song hampered by bad ELO-ish production: Mandy Patinkin singing, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime"....hoo, boy.
Mandy, you can't sing. Stick to Inigo Montoya, pal.
Otherwise, Mr. Hembeck has delivered a pretty solid disc.
Finally, Scott at Polite Dissent gives us "Sands Through the Hourglass", with several tracks forming a "suite" for each stage of man. It's clever, and the funny thing is - it all tends to blend together. Thanks to Scott, the Josie & the Pussycats theme blends into the Boomtown Rats; a one-hit wonder is shown to have aged very well; and finishes with the 1-2-3-4 of "Dead Puppies", "Eve of Destruction", "I'm Easy" and the MASH theme - with lyrics!
Another solid set of discs, worth playing again, and making me eager to listen to the remainder.
First up, Tracks from the Radio Station in My Head by Tony at Tony Remembers is rock solid - of course, from a guy who sees a lot of live shows, how could it not be? Green Light Girl kicks off the disc, and it has a great flow to it. A mixture of tracks by not-so-well-known-but- cool bands, a few tracks by is-that-who-I-think-it-is? (I mean, Bowie going romantic? Living Color going mellow? Tom Petty actually singing?), and of course - Dread Zeppelin. This disc is definitely "all killer, no filler".
Next time I'm going on a road trip, my mandatory listening will include Roger Owen Green's Travelogue USA #1: New York-Texas". Kicking off with Robbie Robertson's "American Roulette", this disc mixes blues, pop, folk, and country, and doesn't go for the obvious. Personal favorite track: Tom Petty channelling Elvis Presley on "Gator on the Lawn". (My least favorite track is the Band's version of "Atlantic City" - a little too self-consciously rustic for my tastes, but since the Zeitgeist/Reivers version is out of print, that will do). Definitely a keeper.
Chalk it up to Fred Hembeck to give us "Ring in the Obscure, Ring Out the Odd" - a compendium of relatively lesser-known but blow-you-out-of-the-water tracks. Personal highlights include "Twenty Five Fingers" (a Flowers In the Dirt-era McCartney/Costello collaboration); "Hey, St. Peter" (an unreleased Easybeats track given 70's production by its songwriters); "Unwanted Number" (if Mr. Costello didn't write this one, he should sue for plagiarism); "What Kind of Fool" by Swing Out Sister; and the seductive "Sleep with Me Instead" by Louise Goffin. Only two tunes are clunkers - "Whispering Your Name" doesn't really count, because it's a great song hampered by bad ELO-ish production: Mandy Patinkin singing, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime"....hoo, boy.
Mandy, you can't sing. Stick to Inigo Montoya, pal.
Otherwise, Mr. Hembeck has delivered a pretty solid disc.
Finally, Scott at Polite Dissent gives us "Sands Through the Hourglass", with several tracks forming a "suite" for each stage of man. It's clever, and the funny thing is - it all tends to blend together. Thanks to Scott, the Josie & the Pussycats theme blends into the Boomtown Rats; a one-hit wonder is shown to have aged very well; and finishes with the 1-2-3-4 of "Dead Puppies", "Eve of Destruction", "I'm Easy" and the MASH theme - with lyrics!
Another solid set of discs, worth playing again, and making me eager to listen to the remainder.
July 20, 2005
More Bad News
First announced on Howling Curmudgeons and Boing Boing, but James Doohan, aka "Scotty" on Star Trek, has passed away.
First Jim Aparo, now Scotty...proof positive I'm an adult now.
First Jim Aparo, now Scotty...proof positive I'm an adult now.
Jim Aparo, RIP
Like other comic bloggers, I was saddened to hear of Jim Aparo's death.
He was the first artist that I had "noticed" - like many an early comic geek, I eagerly scanned the writer/artist credits and could distinguish styles. (However, to be fair, I knew who Gene Roddenberry and Rod Serling were before I was ten years old). His characters were "realistic" not in the Alex Ross you-are-there sense, but with a grace and fluidity that suggested that these were taken from "real people." It wasn't flashy, but it wasn't just competent - for many (including myself) Aparo's Batman was the ideal: maybe that's why Aparo was asked to illustrate in the 90s both the "Death in the Family" arc and the decisive "Knightfall" Issue (i.e., when Bane broke Batman's back - ah, how I long for the Silver Age, both the era and the mini-series).
The first time I realized that Aparo was cool was in Brave and the Bold, especially issue # 182 (more about which can be found here). However, my personal favorite Aparo work is in Wrath of the Spectre, which was rereleased as a mini-series (from the run on Advenutre Comics and recently rereleased as a trade paperback. A heady mixture of superheroics, some Marvel-esque angst, and EC-Style horror with Comics Code boundaries - Aparo is, in my opinion, at his best in these pages - his art will insure some degree of immortality.
My condolences to his family during this tough time. He will be missed.
He was the first artist that I had "noticed" - like many an early comic geek, I eagerly scanned the writer/artist credits and could distinguish styles. (However, to be fair, I knew who Gene Roddenberry and Rod Serling were before I was ten years old). His characters were "realistic" not in the Alex Ross you-are-there sense, but with a grace and fluidity that suggested that these were taken from "real people." It wasn't flashy, but it wasn't just competent - for many (including myself) Aparo's Batman was the ideal: maybe that's why Aparo was asked to illustrate in the 90s both the "Death in the Family" arc and the decisive "Knightfall" Issue (i.e., when Bane broke Batman's back - ah, how I long for the Silver Age, both the era and the mini-series).
The first time I realized that Aparo was cool was in Brave and the Bold, especially issue # 182 (more about which can be found here). However, my personal favorite Aparo work is in Wrath of the Spectre, which was rereleased as a mini-series (from the run on Advenutre Comics and recently rereleased as a trade paperback. A heady mixture of superheroics, some Marvel-esque angst, and EC-Style horror with Comics Code boundaries - Aparo is, in my opinion, at his best in these pages - his art will insure some degree of immortality.
My condolences to his family during this tough time. He will be missed.
July 18, 2005
Job Huntin' Ain't Easy
First, mandatory pop culture mention - thanks to a Creative Commons licence, you can now download the worst movie ever made. (At least, the worst movie without Ethan Hawke) Enjoy!
Anyway, in the month since I left my former employer, you would think I might take it easy. Lay around the house, let my beard grow, avoid hygene, wear the same t-shirt and shorts for days, and just bemoan my fate. Let's face it, procrastination was my middle name, and it says so on my driver's licence.
However, I had a chance to take an inventory this weekend - catch up on tracking all of my job-related tasks. Here now, are the averages. Believe me, I'm shocked myself:
As a special thank you for reading, here's a Watchman Microhero:
Anyway, in the month since I left my former employer, you would think I might take it easy. Lay around the house, let my beard grow, avoid hygene, wear the same t-shirt and shorts for days, and just bemoan my fate. Let's face it, procrastination was my middle name, and it says so on my driver's licence.
However, I had a chance to take an inventory this weekend - catch up on tracking all of my job-related tasks. Here now, are the averages. Believe me, I'm shocked myself:
- At least 1 - 2 resumes sent per day
- Four interviews, with one leading to a second interview
- At least one follow up note per week
- Attendance at eight separate networking forums
- Three - count 'em - three revisions of my resume (available for your inspection upon request)'
- Several heads-up about job openings before they are formally announced
As a special thank you for reading, here's a Watchman Microhero:
July 17, 2005
Curse Sir Walter Raleigh
More random clippings from the 'Net while I brew up some actual, all-in-one posts. (Hey, job searching's a full-time endeavor - I can't maintain quality entertainment all the time, you know).
First, visit Comic Book Galaxy. You'll see many of the usual suspects, but it's a great read, especially if you're supposed to be working on spreadsheets, or something. And a hearty shout-out to Tosy & Cosh.
It's the fight you were waiting for - Jessica Alba vs. John Byrne (kind of).
Greg at Delenda Est Carthago (which is Latin for "there is a kitten in my trousers") dares you to see if you can "roll" with him.
For anyone who considers themselves a film geek, purchase and watch this DVD. Trust me, you will be royally schooled.
Coming soon: more Mixed Bag goodness, a film review of a different kind, another bloody Doctor Who post, and cool guy tips plagiarized from Johnny Bacardi.
Be there. Aloha.
First, visit Comic Book Galaxy. You'll see many of the usual suspects, but it's a great read, especially if you're supposed to be working on spreadsheets, or something. And a hearty shout-out to Tosy & Cosh.
It's the fight you were waiting for - Jessica Alba vs. John Byrne (kind of).
Greg at Delenda Est Carthago (which is Latin for "there is a kitten in my trousers") dares you to see if you can "roll" with him.
For anyone who considers themselves a film geek, purchase and watch this DVD. Trust me, you will be royally schooled.
Coming soon: more Mixed Bag goodness, a film review of a different kind, another bloody Doctor Who post, and cool guy tips plagiarized from Johnny Bacardi.
Be there. Aloha.
July 13, 2005
July 10, 2005
Coming Up For Air
Between job interviews, the attacks in London, and a police officer being shot in Kirkwood, things have had me busier than Roseanne at a pie eating contest. So consider this a brief sojourn into the blogosphere, since I'm going to have to cook up some interesting posts.
First, for my pal Mark - the Church of Kotyk is now online. Those DAM ROTTON kids will get FEEFINED, no question ask.
I also added two blogs who've linked to me - Abject Conjecture and Brain Poop. Read 'em. Believe 'em. Live 'em.
The Ink Slinger has some really good advice for all bloggers, myself included.
I don't know which is worse for Tom Cruise - the fact that the American Psychiatric Association is on his tail, or that he believes this stuff.
Quick question for both of my female readers - I was talking to a fellow unemployed male friend of mine about seeking romance while seeking jobs. He sees it as cool, because hey, we all need to get our groove on; I am for first things first, since men need finance for romance, and that women dig guys who can support themselves. Your thoughts (in Comments, of course)?
Netflix Fan shows us what online DVD rental service caters to naughty people.
One show that I have been enjoying on DVD is the first season of Dinner for Five - were it on in the late '90s, it would have been seen as a celebrity retread of Politically Incorrect. However, it's a great casual insider look at how Hollywood operates. And if there are any producers out there - I'd like to do a show like it, focusing on bloggers. Let's face it, so many takes - liberal vs. conservative, zombie hunters vs. zombies, and we would visit "watering holes" all over St. Louis (and, if budget allows, other areas of the country). Taking our name from an old MST3K joke, we would call the show The Drinking Man's Justice League.
Finally, for Johnny Bacardi and Will Pfeiffer - some MicroHeroes sites, and for your pleasure - Jack Knight, Starman.
As always, thanks for reading.
First, for my pal Mark - the Church of Kotyk is now online. Those DAM ROTTON kids will get FEEFINED, no question ask.
I also added two blogs who've linked to me - Abject Conjecture and Brain Poop. Read 'em. Believe 'em. Live 'em.
The Ink Slinger has some really good advice for all bloggers, myself included.
I don't know which is worse for Tom Cruise - the fact that the American Psychiatric Association is on his tail, or that he believes this stuff.
Quick question for both of my female readers - I was talking to a fellow unemployed male friend of mine about seeking romance while seeking jobs. He sees it as cool, because hey, we all need to get our groove on; I am for first things first, since men need finance for romance, and that women dig guys who can support themselves. Your thoughts (in Comments, of course)?
Netflix Fan shows us what online DVD rental service caters to naughty people.
One show that I have been enjoying on DVD is the first season of Dinner for Five - were it on in the late '90s, it would have been seen as a celebrity retread of Politically Incorrect. However, it's a great casual insider look at how Hollywood operates. And if there are any producers out there - I'd like to do a show like it, focusing on bloggers. Let's face it, so many takes - liberal vs. conservative, zombie hunters vs. zombies, and we would visit "watering holes" all over St. Louis (and, if budget allows, other areas of the country). Taking our name from an old MST3K joke, we would call the show The Drinking Man's Justice League.
Finally, for Johnny Bacardi and Will Pfeiffer - some MicroHeroes sites, and for your pleasure - Jack Knight, Starman.
As always, thanks for reading.
July 6, 2005
Dangers of Self-Sabotage
"I'm just a check on a box on a questionnaire/Another moment that flashes into nowhere" - Graham Parker, Empty LivesIt seemed like an almost-perfect story - a bartender sells a script for a huge amount of money to a major studio, and also manages to get a recording contract for his band. However, within the space of a few years, he returns to relative obscurity, seemingly having burned his bridges with the entertainment industry. Sounds like a great fictional movie, doesn't it - something indie, with a little bit of based-on-reality to make it seem honest. The kind of thing an old friend of mine named Ed would write about.
However, it's a documentary called Overnight, based on Troy Duffy and his experiences with Boondock Saints. It's based on a true story, and it is one hell of a trip. Yes, you have to put up with obnoxious behavior for an hour and a half, but in the end, it turns into an almost cautionary morality tale.
It starts innocently enough, with the announcement of the sale of Duffy's script, and the aftereffects on a small group of friends who form "The Syndicate". In fact, the first few minutes show us grown men who act like kids in a candy store...who were given the key to the store. As one key scene occurs - a scene where Duffy is talking to his mother about his brother - the film turns darker, as funding is pulled from Boondock Saints, and Duffy's behavior becomes more extreme. Berating friends and family alike, we see Duffy become increasingly infatuated with his fame, turning himself into a Hollywood legend long before justifying it on film.
(Have I seen Boondock Saints? No. After seeing this documentary - shot at Duffy's request, and including some footage behind the scenes, I have no desire to, either, as Saints appears to be another post-Tarantino shoot-'em-up. The only documentary that comes close to detailing a rise-and-fall-on-ego is Todd McFarlane: The Devil You Know, only McFarlane seems to be a legitimately nice guy soured by fame; Duffy acts as if fame were his destiny)
Overnight is not simply another crash-and-burn story: it's a story about how one man could not handle sudden fame. Stabbing friends in the back, bullying people in the entertainment industry, and gradually turning typical Hollywood business into a "war" with Miramax Studios. (Admittedly, the filmmakers have a personal agenda, as one scene sees Duffy verbally devastate them - however, given Mr. Duffy's lack of rebuttal, and his work on Boondocks 2, it leaves one to wonder). It's a movie that asks for a counterpoint, but never really gets one.
If you like obnoxious behavior, or seeing how arrogance can lead to humility, this is a must-watch).
July 5, 2005
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
Nothing major - just wanted to call attention to some things:
- I've added Good Rockin' Tonight to the blogroll - it's a pretty cool music related site, and well worth checking out.
- In my opinion, St. Louis city needs more hot dog stands. I'm serious.
- This one's especially for Mark, but the Church of Kotyk is now online.
- And finally, I've participated in the MIT Web Survey - if you're curious, just click on the graphic below. You don't get paid, and this isn't something you meme; they're just looking to see who's blogging out there.
July 3, 2005
Tales from the Pull File
That's right - it's Pull File time. Let's see what my local comics retailer (and my semi-literate) taste has for me from the past few weeks....
Astro City: The Dark Age # 1 - This is an oft-anticipated arc (at least, I wanted to read it). It's an intriguing mix, blending the action with "real-life" history (and with a sharp eye for detail, as per Suspension of Disbelief). Definitely a keeper.
Albion # 1 - Take some obscure British comic characters (at least, obscure at this end of the pond), mix with some sly nods to British pop culture (including, but not limited to, Dan Dare and Biggles), give a pinch of Alan Moore, and you have a pretty decent story - a series that Terra Obscura should have been.
Ex Machina # 11 - You know, I honestly thought the fortune-teller story in the previous issue was going to be the beginning of the arc. Although the appearance of another "hero" is intriguing, it will be interesting to see how this affects Mayor Hundred's administration.
Flash # 223 - You know, I won't spoil this - I like the story so far, but the ending was...well, I'm glad I'm not too rabid a fanboy. Some great ideas, but it seemed like Johns pulled the ending out of the air. After this arc finishes, I'm off the book.
Green Lantern # 2 - Maybe I got subscribed because I read Rebirth, but I'm giving up this book after issue 2. For one thing, it is way too fannish - yes, it's an old character, but do we really need to steep it in past continuity this early in the game? (I also don't see the "great wrong" that was corrected - ok, they could have cured Jordan and he could have been renamed). Plus, the whole "green is hot/black is cold" reveal made GL the McDLT of the DCU.
Invincible # 23 - You know, all those fanboys who decry that comics are too "adult" should give this book a try. Coming straight after Invincible # 0 - and featuring Allen the Alien - it's a straight shot of Silver Age-style goodness.
JLA # 115 - As one of the few fans of Identity Crisis, it was good to see some attempt to deal with the aftermath. However, this may end up being given up mid-arc. Just have to read and see.
Klarion # 2 - You know, I almost gave up on this book, but it's good to see the separate arcs beginning to come together in a slight way. Maybe Morrison was sleepwalking when he was writing this, but hey, give me more.
Legion of Super Heroes # 7 - It's not coincidental that the poses on this cover reflect those of the first issue. We see more of the 31st Century, learn more about the "impending threat", and...well, this may be the first Legion that works without a Superboy.
Plantetary # 23 - I like to think of this book the way I thought of singles/albums in the past - once you put all the singles together, you have one killer combination. Even though this focuses on the drummer (and not the usual wink-and-nudge postmodern take on comic history), this is still one powerful book.
Shining Knight # 3 - Again, more interesting Morrison storytelling. This is one of those "you-don't-see-a-twist-coming" plots, and...well, I can't wait until issue 4.
Supreme Power # 17 - You know, even naked women can't redeem the slow, poor plotting of this book. (JMS, I'm talking to you). I'm sure that many in the blogosphere who complained about Identity Crisis/Avengers Disassembled will proclaim how "mature" this is because a main character is 1) in a strip club and 2) is shown in a morning-after scene. Any promise it initially showed is slowly slipping away.
Waking Dead # 18 - Recommended by Logan, and I'm going to have to listen to him more frequently when it comes to comics. Zombies make good entertainment! (Also, dude, good call on Made)
Young Avengers # 5 - Still my favorite Marvel book: granted, it's a little more than a fill-in-the-arc issue, but there were a few surprises and twists - enough to make me want to keep reading.
Until next time, kids, have fun on the Fourth, and spend your time in that all-American activity: barbecuing meat and downloading science fiction theme remixes.
Astro City: The Dark Age # 1 - This is an oft-anticipated arc (at least, I wanted to read it). It's an intriguing mix, blending the action with "real-life" history (and with a sharp eye for detail, as per Suspension of Disbelief). Definitely a keeper.
Albion # 1 - Take some obscure British comic characters (at least, obscure at this end of the pond), mix with some sly nods to British pop culture (including, but not limited to, Dan Dare and Biggles), give a pinch of Alan Moore, and you have a pretty decent story - a series that Terra Obscura should have been.
Ex Machina # 11 - You know, I honestly thought the fortune-teller story in the previous issue was going to be the beginning of the arc. Although the appearance of another "hero" is intriguing, it will be interesting to see how this affects Mayor Hundred's administration.
Flash # 223 - You know, I won't spoil this - I like the story so far, but the ending was...well, I'm glad I'm not too rabid a fanboy. Some great ideas, but it seemed like Johns pulled the ending out of the air. After this arc finishes, I'm off the book.
Green Lantern # 2 - Maybe I got subscribed because I read Rebirth, but I'm giving up this book after issue 2. For one thing, it is way too fannish - yes, it's an old character, but do we really need to steep it in past continuity this early in the game? (I also don't see the "great wrong" that was corrected - ok, they could have cured Jordan and he could have been renamed). Plus, the whole "green is hot/black is cold" reveal made GL the McDLT of the DCU.
Invincible # 23 - You know, all those fanboys who decry that comics are too "adult" should give this book a try. Coming straight after Invincible # 0 - and featuring Allen the Alien - it's a straight shot of Silver Age-style goodness.
JLA # 115 - As one of the few fans of Identity Crisis, it was good to see some attempt to deal with the aftermath. However, this may end up being given up mid-arc. Just have to read and see.
Klarion # 2 - You know, I almost gave up on this book, but it's good to see the separate arcs beginning to come together in a slight way. Maybe Morrison was sleepwalking when he was writing this, but hey, give me more.
Legion of Super Heroes # 7 - It's not coincidental that the poses on this cover reflect those of the first issue. We see more of the 31st Century, learn more about the "impending threat", and...well, this may be the first Legion that works without a Superboy.
Plantetary # 23 - I like to think of this book the way I thought of singles/albums in the past - once you put all the singles together, you have one killer combination. Even though this focuses on the drummer (and not the usual wink-and-nudge postmodern take on comic history), this is still one powerful book.
Shining Knight # 3 - Again, more interesting Morrison storytelling. This is one of those "you-don't-see-a-twist-coming" plots, and...well, I can't wait until issue 4.
Supreme Power # 17 - You know, even naked women can't redeem the slow, poor plotting of this book. (JMS, I'm talking to you). I'm sure that many in the blogosphere who complained about Identity Crisis/Avengers Disassembled will proclaim how "mature" this is because a main character is 1) in a strip club and 2) is shown in a morning-after scene. Any promise it initially showed is slowly slipping away.
Obligatory Snarky Comment: Of course, many of those same fanboys will find a moment of pleasure with this, Green Lantern #2, and a bottle of hand lotion.My apologies - had to get that comment out of my system. For the record, I'm no prude - I just prefer that if you are gratuitous and titillating, you are at least honest about it.
Waking Dead # 18 - Recommended by Logan, and I'm going to have to listen to him more frequently when it comes to comics. Zombies make good entertainment! (Also, dude, good call on Made)
Young Avengers # 5 - Still my favorite Marvel book: granted, it's a little more than a fill-in-the-arc issue, but there were a few surprises and twists - enough to make me want to keep reading.
Until next time, kids, have fun on the Fourth, and spend your time in that all-American activity: barbecuing meat and downloading science fiction theme remixes.
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