Upcoming Awesomeness

Before The Darjeeling Limited, I was treated to seeing some fantastic previews of movies I was unaware of that were coming out. Let's take a look:

1. Juno- Directed by Jason Reitman, who treated us to Thank You For Smoking in 2006, Juno looks like an excellent follow-up. The movie looks like Knocked Up but involving teenage pregnancy. Quirky characters, starring the likes of Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Rainn Wilson and soon to be a big star Ellen Page (remember her as Kitty Pride in X-Men 3), this is sure to be at the very least entertaining and heartwarming.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eRlm7aDEOU

2. Funny Games- This looks awesome, yet doing some online research, this film is a remake... from 1997... and its the same director. This makes me seem a bit interested about if this is going to be any good. The trailer, however, makes it out to look like a cross between a Bret Easton Ellis novel and The Ref minus Christmas time. Tim Roth and Naomi Watts are sure to bring the goods.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhxpDmcYk14

3. Sleuth- Jude Law + Michael Caine = Yes. Another remake helmed by Kenneth Brahnah, this clearly will be good with the acting talents this movie has. An interesting plot and definitely great direction is a recipe for success.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1uminNbJbQ

Also frothing over the wait for There Will Be Blood & No Country For Old Men.

About A Documentary

Coming out this weekend at a theater near you is one of the years most interesting and ambitious film experiences. Played at the Philadelphia Film Festival this year was a film called Kurt Cobain: About a Son. Part documentary, part cinema verite, part slideshow, About a Son is a film of images juxtaposed with clips taken from hours of interviews. The only voice heard is that of Cobain himself talking about his childhood, growing up in the suburbs of Seattle and his inspirations on life, his relationships and, of course, his music.

What makes this film different is it's overall style. Mostly live action shots that have loose connection to the life of Cobain, no footage of the icon is used until the very end of the film. It's an interesting focus on the anti-icon that Cobain became. The useage of footage of the areas Cobain knew as home, mainly Aberdeen, Washington and the surrounding cities in which Cobain lived, wrote, played, went to school and the like is a startling look into the soul of Cobain. The stark landscape of Washington is as deep, empty and somewhat flourishing with life just as Cobain seemed to be on the surface.

The most documenting part is the interview clips. All through the voice of Cobain himself, we hear from the horses mouth his thoughts on his troubled life and his self-image which was a stark contrast to what the media made him out to be. His troubled childhood plagued with illness and severe depression shows a deep, startling insight into his death and his psyche around the time leading up to it. One thing is for sure: after seeing this film, Cobain comes off as a normal down to earth guy who did nothing but love his child, his wife and his life outside of the limelight.

One last tidbit that makes this even more interesting of a film is it's soundtrack. One would assume we would hear some versions of Nirvana songs or even jsut some Kurt Cobain solo demoes used as backing to his stories. Instead, the filmmakers use songs that reflect what Cobain enjoyed and was influenced by. The soundtrack has some classic rock, such as Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Up Around the Bend" which dates back to Cobain's time in a CCR cover band. Groups like Mudhoney, the Melvins, Butthole Surfers and Bad Brains which are clear examples of what Nirvana would soon to base their style of grunge and pop songs are also used and discussed in the film. Ben Gibbard's original tune "Indian Summer" is also sued in the soundtrack. He also co-wrote the score for the film.

Kurt Cobain: About a Son is definitely an interesting undertaking in filmmaking. It is a startling work of borderline genius. My only question here is does this style of filmmaking work? Would this work with any other icon or person? My guess is no given the way the interviews were done and then executed. However, this is not to say that it doesn't work for Cobain in a very breathtaking way. For lovers of cinema, this is a very impotant moment. For fans of Nirvana, this is a brilliant insight into its main man. To the average person, it may not eb the kind of moviegoing experience your looking for.

Train in Vain

When looking towards Wes Anderson's fifth film, a lot of people said "is it going to be any good?" My initial response was "It's Wes Anderson. You really can't go wrong." I was partially correct with this after seeing The Darjeeling Limited. What I didn't know was that not only would it meet my expectations, but it would far surpass them. Not that this is the greatest film in Anderson's catalouge, but it may be the first that shows some significant growth.

The Darjeeling Limited is a story of a relationship between three estranged brothers. Francis (Owen Wilson) is the oldest taking on the responsibilities of their deceased father and estranged, lost mother. Peter (Adrien Brody) is the most mysterious with secrets of his own that slowly unfold, is also the most independent and stubborn brother getting the best conflicts out of oldest brother Francis. Jack (co-writer and veteran Jason Schwartzman) is the youngest and the most volitile with a load of emotional baggage including his love of women and his paranoia about his girlfriend (Natalie Portman whose in a single wordless shot, but co-star of Anderson's short Hotel Chevalier.) Aboard the Darjeeling Limited on a highly organized "Spiritual Journey" nothing short of hilarity and conflict insues between the three estranged and strange brothers. Trips to temples where they ask what they should pray for, downing tons of watered down foreign perscription drugs to get a buzz going and squabbles over their deceased father's stuff lead to some hilarious classic Wes Anderson scenes.

As always, the light doesn't only shine on the protaganist(s) in a Wes Anderson film. Leave it to those with a few lines to sometimes steal the light of the journey. Amara Karan, who plays Rita, the apple of young Jack's eye is a beacon of truth and fragility on the train's volitie atmosphere. Waris Ahluwalia plays Rita's boyfriend and cheif steward of the Darjeeling Limited is now a two time vet of the Anderson clan (also in The Life Aquatic) plays as a good wall between the brothers on board antics. Anjelica Huston plays the Mother of the boys in a quicky performance, but an excellent one to boot. The best performance is from Ifran Kahn, who plays one of the locals in India whose performance of a yonug boys father gets some of the films most realistic and heart startling moments.

Where the movie excels into something different for Wes Anderson is in it's actual spiritual journey. After the brothers are thrown off the train, a series of at first hilarious events but shockingly realistic events occurs, they each see themselves for the first time as brothers and as non self centered humna beings for the first time in a year. Their is also a startling flashback scene that is comical and very hard to watch at the same time. This scene shows when the brothers for the first time were veering onto their own paths as self-centered individuals not caring about the importance of family and brotherhood.

Overall, I don't know if The Darjeeling Limited is going to be one of Wes Anderson's best received films, but it is definitely another notch in a great string of films. It's not much different from his other films, yet there is an air of something new here. Maybe the idea of spirituality, the usage of a moving location and the protaganist being a relationship between brothers rather than a specific brother. But all in all, for Wes Anderson fans, this is a triumph. For those who don't like Wes Anderson films, you probably won't like this one either. He's the kind of director that is hot or cold with audiences. The Darjeeling Limited is definitely worth checking out, especially for devoted fans.

A Grindhouse Divided

Earlier this year, maverick directors Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino had a great idea: let's take two really shlocky movies and release it as a double feature with fake trailers in between them. This was their homage to the grindhouse films of the 70's. Exploitation films at their best. Over the top and filled with babes, guns, blood, gore and cheesey-yet-fantastic dialogue. They called it Grindhouse and it flopped (purposely? we may never know.)

Both films, Planet Terror and Death Proof, where in their own right perfect odes to their genre. Rodriguez's Planet Terror is the perfect zombie gore fest spoof and Tarantino's Death Proof is the an ode to movies like Vanishing Point and Bullit. The experience I got from the theater with both films plus trailers for non-exsisting upcoming Grindhouse features by other directors, was so much fun. Laughs, cringes of pain and awe inspiring dialogue (only awe inspiring for the cleverness of it.) I loved it and couldn't wait until the DVD release.

Months later, as expected due to poor a box office run, it was announced Grindhouse would be released as two seperate DVDs. This, to me, is a very strange idea. The whole point and purpose of the Grindhouse esthetic is the idea that the experience is more important than the movies themselves. Each film on it's own is pretty weak. Both were purposely written to be cheesey, poorly developed (film stock is grainy and reels are "missing") and over acted. Watching just one at a time, although more normal than watching both, ruins this aesthetic. It takes the idea of the entire movie going experience and throws it out the window. This shows that the Weinstein Company has a lot of power in seperating the two to try and make up for lost box office profits.

Each DVD release is also an 'Uncut' version. Since Planet Terror hasn't been released yet, I Netflixed Death Proof to see what an extended version of a purposely bad movie would be like. Needless to say, the experience was not as gratifying. There were more scenes of dialogue which were highly unecessar. The Butterfly lap dance was not harshly edited out (although sexy, was one of the funniest moments of the original cut when the 'missing reel' happened to be her lapdance to Stuntman Mike.) The seperation of the films and the apparent omission of the trailers as special features (Don't, Werewolf Women of the S.S., Thanksgiving and Machete were omitted) is a travesty.

Will I purchase these DVDs? Only if they release a combination where both are intact in their theatrical version with trailers included. Call me stubborn, but a Grindhouse divided just does not stand.

Modern Day Noir

From its startling opening monologue delivered by Tom Wilkinson, you are quite ready for the kind of film that Michael Clayton is going to be: a tale of the filth of corporate America, rotten executives and lawyers and the dark underbelly of society. Sounds like a film noir? It is to an extent. Michael Clayton teeters on the edge of classic noir and the contemporary thriller. From first time director, but long time writer Tony Gilroy (The Bourne Trilogy, Devil’s Advocate) we are given a tour de force directorial debut with one of the strongest screenplay’s this year has to offer.

Michael Clayton, played by the illustrious George Clooney, is what you call a “janitor” in the world of corporate law. If something goes wrong, he cleans it up. In this case, a high profile account is in jeopardy of being lost due to the unraveling psyche of one of their most trusted lawyers, brilliantly played by Tom Wilkinson. As he reels out of control in manic-depressive states, he seemingly is sabotaging the case. Clayton is sent in by his boss, co-producer Sydney Pollack, to investigate what the problem is.

As Michael tries to clear the haze behind the events, he finds that there is more going on than just the unraveling of his friend and co-worker’s mind. There is a lot more going on behind the scenes. Beyond this, Michael’s own life is unraveling at the seems making it hard for him to focus on his family, his job and his own personal freedom.

Michael Clayton excels in its story telling through its characters. Clooney’s sullen performance sets the tone for the films mood. Wilkinson’s manic-depressive lawyer gives the film its fragile existence. Tilda Swinton as the head of the corporation plays the part so subtly, you don’t know what her deal is until near the end of the film. It’s a film about mystery, deception and bending the truth and all its characters do just this.

The triumph of this film is in its writing. Veteran Tony Gilroy writes a flawless script full of authentic dialogue, heartwarming and bone-chilling scenes as well as a story so tight, one will find it hard to find a plot hole to fall through. Although it has its twists and turns, it isn’t impossible to follow over its two-hour run time. It does get a bit complicated, but the character driven thriller as opposed to the plot driven thriller makes it much easier to follow.

Tony Gilroy is at his prime behind the lens and behind the pen in Michael Clayton. Apparently this was a project he has been working on for some time but was interrupted by the more commercial, yet still intriguing Bourne Trilogy. This latest outing shows the growth Gilroy is capable of. With power players like Clooney and Steven Soderbergh producing, a triumph in the thriller genre is upon us. Mixing elements of noir and the modern thriller make Michael Clayton one of the best films of the year. Keep your eyes out come Oscar time as Michael Clayton deserves various nods.

Romantic Rights (Part One)

Romance in film is something I don't always enjoy. That is mainly because what I find romantic is not basted with cliches (well, not entirely true) but is more the romance of the quirky kind. What makes something romantic? To me, it's the innocence of love, whether it be the folly of youth or the unknown pleasures to come that make something romantic. This is the first of a running series I will be working on mapping the scenes of romance that have shaped myself to becoming the young romantic I am.


1. Heaven Help Us- "I've Been Loving You"

Social Worker: [the police and social welfare people have arrived to close the store, arrest Danni's father and put her in foster care... a crowd outside has gathered] We'll make arrangements with your mother to have the inventory accounted for.


Michael Dunn: [rushing in] They made this happen, didn't they?


Danni: [crying] Nobody made this happen. [Dunn embraces her]


Danni: I just don't want you to be sad... 'cause I'm not. Promise?

Michael Dunn: [fighting tears] No.

Social Worker: We have to go.

Michael Dunn: [running up to car Danni has just been loaded in] Well, hey listen, I'm glad I got to dance with you [car speeds off, leaving a dazed Dunn in the street]


Rooney: Don't worry, Dunn... we'll find her.




Constantly played on Comedy Central in the mid-90s, Heaven Help Us isn't your typical 80s teen comedy. Much like other 80s teen flicks, this is filled with rebeling teens with raging hormones. But unlike others in its time period, this is a retro flick about parochial kids in the 60s. Beyond that, this movie has dueling personalities. Half of the movie is about the group of trouble maker boys who dream of sex, rock and roll music and getting around the brothers who teach and discipline them. The other half is a heartbreaking romance of teen passion.

The romance is between Michael Dunn (Andrew McCarthy) and Danni (Mary Stuart Masterson). The two come from different backgrounds. Dunn lives with his grandparents and sister in your typical Irish Catholic family. Danni lives with her father, who is mentally ill, and takes care of herself and the store that she runs to keep her and her father alive and well. The two cross when Dunn enters her diner and in his innocence shows her the side of life that she never had. They both have their family problems which are reflected in their melancholy outlooks on life, however the innocence of youth is still there and strong. This is why this makes Heaven Help Us a unique love story and one of my favorite film romances.

The peek of the beauty of young love is in the boardwalk scene. Dunn and Danni are walking the beach on a cloudy day and it starts to pour. The two hide beneath the cover of the boardwalk soaked by the rain. Otis Redding's powerful love ballad "I've Been Loving You Too Long" starts to play as the two passionately kiss. It's moments like this in cinema that are truly romantic.

The Return of the Western

A genre long forgotten, like a tumbleweed on an empty stretch of road, is seeing a comeback in the mainstream. Over the past few years, more and more well made westerns have cropped up. Although the idea of the Western as a genre has returned, in fact it has morphed into something new and different. Just as Film Noir returned in the 70s, the Western returns to the 00's. The Neo-Western, if you will.

The Neo-Western is something a little different then the westerns of John Ford and Howard Hawk's day. Beyond the more violent portrayals, there is a deep seeded ideology of loneliness, vulnerability and the dangers of freedom relevant in the stories of these westerns. Could this be because of world affairs or just because the ratings system is a lot less strict? I think it's more of a sign of the times. A reflection of the violence of our modern era and how the rugged idealism of the West still gave way to dangers of the human spirit and conflicting idealism. The next four films, ultimately different from each other, show how Westerns have adapted to the climate of modern film and are still a relevant form of filmmaking.

Although it is a remake, 3:10 to Yuma still has some new influences than it's predecessor. This is the most classic and standard in style then the next few films. It is still an important addition to the genre. 3:10 to Yuma shows that the power of the Western doesn't need to adapt to a new mold, but can still update itself for the kinds of audiences looking for something that mixes more intense action and intricate filmmaking. The most important part of 3:10 is that it is character driven. The desires of Christian Bale as a family man trying to make ends meet and live up to being a hero to his children really hits hard. Russell Crowe's initial self-righteous, almost demonic, warrior against the powers at be takes the most sharp turn as the film progresses as he feels for the sad tale of Bale's existence. The two play off of each other so well and side-step all the pitfalls the Western genre could have by making unique characters, and unique heroes on opposite sides of the law.

Beyond the characters, since this is a remake, the story is nothing new. Bale joins a odd mixture of men to bring Crowe to justice. Bale is hell-bent on getting Crowe in the 3:10 to Yuma train to have him hung for countless murders and stealing. Crowe slyly plays his captured criminal not as one looking forward to his death, but looking forward to the onslaught this gang will give the crew bringing him to justice. Ben Foster of Freaks and Geeks and the upcoming vampire film 30 Days of Night gives the most blood curdling performance as the would be successor and right hand man to Crowe's aging yet still tough as nails outlaw.

A little more unconventional and on another continent, The Proposition may be this generations The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Although taking place in the Australian outback, Nick Cave's (yes... directed by the Bad Seed himself) epic masterpiece shows a family at odds with itself, the law, the Outback and the world at large. Can a movie not about America be a Western, you might ask? In most cases you might say no, but in this case and hopefully more, it shows the spirit of the American West isn't only an American idea. There were cowboys in Argentina and definitely outlaws and ruthless murderers in Australia.

The Proposition boasts three outstanding performances. Guy Peirce plays the torn brother unsure whether he should murder his lunatic brother in order to free his younger brother or to go it alone, or to save both. Ray Winstone plays the Magistrate of the tiny province trying to keep the peace, protect his wife and failing marriage and his desire to finish off his obsession with the Burn's Brothers gang. The surprise victory performance is delivered by Danny Huston who is the crazed lunatic of an older brother. His murderous rampages in the outback not only include that of the indigenous Aborigine's, but of the settlers. His raping, pillaging and stealing is barbaric and twisted, but his spirituality with the land of Australia and love of the open country is something to admire.

Severely overlooked as one of the best films of 2005, The Proposition shows the expanding influence of the Western in other world cultures.

That being said, the most interesting Neo-Westerns are the ones that take place during present day. Tommy Lee Jones' directorial debut, The Three Burials of Malquiadas Estrada, is a modern day tale of redemption, violence and the haziness of borders (moral and geographical.) One thing that tips this to being a Western is the desperation of the characters. Whether it be Tommy Lee Jones' vengeful ranch hand to Barry Peppers lost almost empty Border Patrolman, the idea of emptiness and the vastness of the West sucks this into the genre of the Western. Tommy Lee Jones leads Barry Pepper on an epic journey somewhere along the border of Texas and Mexico. The lines of demarcation are so hazy that you never know where they are going. The idea of property, borders and who belongs where is just as relevant a topic in modern day as it is during the time of the Old West. More along the lines of a Sergio Leone western then a Ford or Hawks western, the silence and the vastness of the west takes the viewer in. The breathtaking cinematography (care of Chris Menges of The Mission and The Killing Fields) is an integral part of the story telling.

The final film discussed here is the least bit a Western, but encapsulates the spirit and ideas of the Western. Wim Wenders Don't Come Knockin' is a fantastic film, more of a character study than a journey and more about the American spirit than about Cowboys and riding the range. Sam Shephard plays an aging actor who rides of into the sunset... off of a Hollywood set of a Western production. He goes on a soul searching journey through alcohol, women and bumping into family issues along the way. Eva Marie Saint plays his sympathetic mother, Jessica Lange plays the love of his life that he left and Gabriel Mann plays his long lost son.

As little this film has to do with the other three in this blog, Don't Come Knockin' embodies the feeling of all Westerns in it's characters. All of them are lost in some way and are searching for something to fill the void. Whether it was the person you loved, the father you never had or the son that was estranged, these feelings of emptiness and loneliness are present. This calls back to Westerns like Shane or even Dead Man (maybe the most important Neo-Western) with it's fish out of water mysticism and it's soul searching through tragic events. Although not through gunfights and gun slinging, it's through emotional bonds and exchange of words that the characters are hurt, fulfilled or realized.

The Western is back. With more films coming out , whether the character crisis in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford or the noir western of the upcoming No Country for Old Men, the Western may be back and may be getting more exposure in the mainstream. Unlike the old days where the Western was limited to tales of adventure, the Western has become the embodiment of the American spirit and the American dilemma. The American Dream is a dream after all and some dreams lead to greatness and self-discovery while other dreams lead to destruction and strife. The Neo-Western is the blend of adventure and self discovery.

New Mission

This blog was next to dead, but I decided to totally just forget writing about normal everyday shit. Instead I will be doing something I usually did and star just writing about movies I feel like writing about at the time (whether new, old, recent but forgotten, indie, classsic, etc.)

So here goes. Something a little different.

2 Weeks to Labor Day?!

Here, again, is the usual post on how I say "Holy Shit, this year is flying by."

Updates on:

Work- Going good, but feeling a bit stale. Not that I'm not leasing a lot this month. I just feel stale about the job in general.

Facebook Mix Exchange- Last week went well. This week I'm hoping more mixes show up in the mail. If you received a mix, let me know how your experience has gone so far. Did you like it? Did you receive one that was effed up? Would you like this to be a continuing thing?

Birthday Events- I can't wait for Wednesday. All the good people of my life seem to be showing up. Danno is coming down, Lazor, Fleck and Deal, Stev, Noringo Boys, Carly, the list is never ending.

Noringo- Stay tuned....

Sexy Results- More awesome beats have been made, but nothing will advance for at least another month.

Love Life- Hung up on a dream. And as Warren Zevon says in "Poor Poor Pitiful Me"... "I don't wanna talk about it."

That is all.

Birthday Wish List

I actually didn't ask for anything for my birthday this year. Maybe it's because 1) I don't have a significant O or 2)Live alone or 3) Don't need any extra crap that I can't buy for myself.

But if I did have a wishlist of stuff... it would probably look like this.

1. Cap'n Danger Stunt Monkey

2. Cat-A-Pult

3. Cold War Unicorns (These hang me up to dry.)

4. Last Supper Long Box

6. What Would Bacon Do? Spin Folder (Clearly the goon owning this folder was too busy playing with it to get any better grades than a D+.)

7. Spanish Conversation Hearts (Corazones Dulces)

These... are truly exciting times

Yes. Movie Season is not too far away. The goods are coming finally! The end of the summer blockbuster reign is extremely fuckign nigh.

In no particular order of mass excitement:

1. Be Kind, Rewind (d. Michel Gondry- starring: Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExRplxd6zXc

2. The Darjeeling Limited (d. Wes Anderson- starring: Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcFBOsfoWxU

3. 3:10 to Yuma (d. James Mangold...meh- starring: Christian Bale, Russel Crowe, Peter Fonda)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeroJ1BK6GQ

4. Trick'r'treat (yes I'm serious... this looks kind of cool and maybe half decent. Not too many good horror movies anymore.) (d. Michael Dougerty- starring: Brian Cox, Dylan Baker, Anna Paquin)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnmwp0zn77U

5. No Country for Old Men (d. Coen Bros.- starring Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Woody Harleson)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YLfpDBzhFI

6. There Will Be Blood (d. PT Anderson- starring: Daniel Day Lewis, Paul F. Tompkins?!?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST07IsHbe6o

And I'm sure more will be sneaking up on me.

Liev Schrieber Rules!

First off, see The Ten. Not for nuthin, but one of the finer film moments of the year. I won't go into detials but all I'm gonna say is that 'Thou Shalt Not Covet They Neighbors Wife' and 'Thou Shalt Not Cover Thy Neighbors Goods' are far and away the stand-out moments of the movie. The rest are good, but the conceptual genius behind these two are genius. Great comedy. Liev Schrieber and Justin Theroux add an excellent spice to the already seasoned vets of The State and Wet Hot American Summer that are already as always on top of their A-Game.

Second, I started Catch-22 and am definitely ready for the goods it will bring me. Forcing myself to read at the very least one chapter a day to et me back in the swing of things.

Next, I'm looking into the idea of rocking Philly Car Share for several reasons. My car is falling apart. It may be cheaper than a car payment, it's Eco-friendly, and who knows what else it might offer me (I put my resume in there so maybe I can work there... it's seriously around the block from me.)

Finally, I found a good bar in West Kiladelph. And there is another rumored awesome Saucery nearby. BRING-IT-ON!

Things That Rule

Charlotte Gainsborug's 5:55- A delightful album of arrangements by Air, lyrics by Jarvis Cocker and the vocal efforts of Charlotte Gainsbourg (The Science of Sleep.) The song "Tel que tu es" sounds like a song from Final Fantasy games as does the one piano bridge of "Little Monsters", "Everything I Cannot See" has one of the most gorgeous piano lines and "AF607105" is a delightful tune with goofy lyrics and the most Air sounding track on the disc. A full review to come on http://www.marginalminds.com/ although this album was released in April.

Weeds: Season 2- Holy shit was this the goods. Martin Donovan is delightfully creepy, Mary Louise Parker may be a horrible mother, but you can't but feel for her, the list could go on and on. The show ends in a ridic cliffhanger, but thank GOD season 3 starts in two weeks! So Good!

Guitar Hero: Rock's the 80's- Mainly for Limozeen, Extreme, Dio and Ratt. But overall, a good halfway point to what will rule in Guitar Hero 3.


The band Romeo Void- So much 80's New Wave with jaunty guitars and sexy Sax. "Never Say Never" is an addictingly catchy song, but the rest of their stuff is just as awesome.

And that's all the stuff I am obsessing over right now.

A Period of Transition

Mixing it up again. I feel retarded that I even have this blog still. I never sometimes right stuff that has some purpose. The end might be near for this little outlet. Mainly because without a computer, it's hard for me to update. And because I don't have anything of interest to write. The only thing I can think of that I want to share is my Onion Headline I just thought of:
Bush's Colonoscopy Determines President is 'Still an Asshole'

I will probably keep this bad boy, but it won't be very often that I will post anything. Maybe just the usual bitch and moan no one will read.

I Feel Like Going Home

Today is going to be long, slow, boring and sucky.



Last night, however, was fucking awesome. After a shitty, hectic day at the Towers filled with stupid mistakes that were my fault and a few tours that seemed mostly lukewarm in leasing possibilities, I rocked some sweet bar action with some of my favorite people. Sarah Deal and Joe Papa Giorgio were celebrating another year of being alive at the Bayou and Sapphire in the good old Yunk. I'm feeling the effects of rahter inexpensive Tanqueray and Tonics this morning. Regardless, hanging out with the Deal, Tara, Val and a sweet surprise visit from Ray, Kel and Flanny was te perfect cap to make what seemed to look like a crappy Saturday actually a lot of fun.

Things that make me happy as of late:
The Deftones cover of John Lennon's "Jealous Guy"
Radiohead on shuffle
Friends who live nearby
Gin
Dinosaur Jr.'s new album Beyond
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon
Drum Machines
David Bowie's cover of the Pixies "Cactus"

Things that make me not so happy:
Sleepless nights
Hangovers
Work

The Hour Grows Late

It is coming. More like she is coming. Yes indeed, this weekend marks the date that the lovely, glorious and most wonderful woman I have ever met, Tara Fleck, moves in four blocks away. I'm not sure the city of Philadelphia is prepared for the amounts of Carnage that will ensue due to her coming. This will mark the first time in my life that I have readily available amounts of Fleck right down the street. This could be the most revolutionary thing to happen to my life since, well, since the Sexional.

It's tough living alone yet thanks to the good will of the luck of the draw, moving to West Philly has given me readily available awesomeness possible. Elise Lavender, George Giles and now Tara Fleck, The Real Deal and Judi Bad News right here. Walking distance. Once I get a bike, then the Drew's will be reinjected into my face and once Season 2 of Weeds is out on DVD, I will make it my bizznizz to make it to Lazor's for Season 3 action at his pad with the lovely Michelle.

It's a great city, Philadelphia. My first few months as a resident have been pretty good. But now that more people are around, and people that I love and trust, it's mutha fuckin' on.

In other news, I haunched on Resident Evil 4 for Wii and MY GOD if it isn't ever so fun to slay Zombie European Freaks on the Wii. It really is a revolutionary gaming console and should have been named "The Revolution" like it originally was going to be. Regardless, I can't wait for Kart, Smash and the other Mario game. Also, my reservations are in for both GH Rocks the 80's and GH3 all for PS2 though. The Kramer guitar will be mine!

Tonight I will see Live Free or Die Hard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTyw6cq86kY
This is the goods.

Can't Forget

Aaaaand I'm back. I've been back for a few days.

Italia was quite awesome. I have pictures being developed. Maybe I can scan that shite in if any are worthy of seeing. I don't feel like going into mad details. I was going to, but most of the trip was sightseeing with the family, eating out every night at awesome delish restaurants and just other family trip type stuff. If you want any details, ask me. I will gladly tell you.


Other news and updates, I got a typewriter and porch furniture from residents at CHT who were throwing stuff away. HEYOO! The typewriter has a whiteout feature so if I spell a word wrong, it will delete it for me. BANG-O!

I've been writing for Ryan Carey's new website www.marginalminds.com. It's going well. My first article should be up by the time most of you read this blog. If not, shortly there after. I submitted two articles so far with more to come. I really miss writing reviews so I'm glad I can write for someone who wants reviews to be written. Maybe someday I can write more and maybe I will unt down Drew Lazor and get some free lancing shit although I'm still without a computer.

I've been listening to a lot of the new Earlies and Dinosaur Jr. albums and so far they are standing out above the other albums I posted as my best of 2007 so far. Mr. Dogg will be getting a Year-In-Review so far from me as per request.

Other than that, not much to say. I'm super fucking excited about the fact that Tara, The Real Deal and Ms. Judi will be moving 4 blocks from my apartment. Times are good.

Did I Tell You

That I am going to Italia?!

If not, sorry. But I will be back on the 24th of Junio. So prepare!

Until then....


Urban Dictionary.

hork

1. v. to quickly eat.
2. v. to vomit or belch in a manner like that of vomiting.
3. n. vomit
4. v. to steal or pilfer, usually pertaining to items of little value.
5. v. screw up, make dysfunctional
6. v. to sell (a bastardization of *hawk*)
6. v. do (can mean essentially anything)
"I horked it down, then I horked it back up. Then he horked my hork, and horked it to this guy who was totally horked up. then I horked my sister."

My Heart's Reflection

I don't have much to report. Life is, chugging along, I guess. The only thing I got going for me these days is a trip to Italy next week. That and friends moving to the West Philly area. I need to get out more in my hood and I need to see more people living in the city on a weekly basis. I'm looking in your directions, Lazor, Stephan and Chwastyk. Other than that, these two quots can sum up my life at the moment.


"The head is always the dupe of the heart."
~La Rochefoucauld

"Between here and there is better then either here or there."
~Pavement "Conduit for Sale!"

Styles of the Times

The year is more than half over right about now. It's a friggin ridiculous thought. Here is my year in review. Everything from events, movies, music and other random stuff.

Events:

So far I have been able to do some awesome things, but for the most part it's been work, sleep, eat, drink with friends and repeat. The events that have made this year worthy of it being good so far are the following:


Trip to L.A.- My first solo flight to the Golden State was pretty awesome. I enjoyed the solitude of the plane flight where I caught up on some sleep, watched Mad Max on my iPod and read a lot of The Iron Heel. Hanging with Justin and Doc was much needed. Those two are equally full of life and enjoy chilling out in a way that we at home are feeling a bit stale. We rocked an E6 show, a UCB Improv show, record stores, book stores, karaoke jams, a trip to Santa Monica and an amazing movie theater experience care of Hot Fuzz. I couldn't have asked for a better time.

Cedar Avenue- The new residence is almost turning two months old. I can't say more how much I love living on my own. I do get lonely sometimes, but it was a nice change of pace from the doldrums that was living at home. I need to have more people and events at my place, although more than 4 people is going to be intense. But yeah, open invite for the summer. Call me up and come by or I will plan a dinner for you guys so I can cook for you.

Music:

Not that this year has sucked, it has just been a little flat for new music but here is my quicky top 5 new albums.


5. K-OS- Atlantis: Hymns for Disco- Thank Dan Hodges of the Nighthawks for the intro to K-OS but this disc is the kind of no bullshit fun hip-hop that I'm down with. I got some Jurassic 5 action to listen to too, but this one has a diverse mesh of sounds including an Otis Redding style track and an apperance of Sam Roberts on a track.

4. Arcade Fire- Neon Bible- A good follow-up to Funeral. I don't think these guys can go wrong. I love their song structures and the variation in song styles. It's a lot more brooding than Funeral although it still has all the baroque charms that make Arcade Fire who they are.

3. The Shins -Wincing the Night Away- Although it has it's dull moments at times, when the Shins write a damn good pop song, they write a damn good pop song. The songs on this album are pretty catchy, a lot of fun. After repeat listens, it's still enjoyable and it fits in well with the "No Complaints" philosoph of lfie I'm trying to grasp these days. Just pure fun.

2. Wilco- Sky Blue Sky- Is it bad for me to say that I already love this album only after a few listens? No it's not. It's simplistic, no bullshit songwriting. I'm kinda sick of people who are like "It's not Yankee Hotel". When I hear that, it shows how retarded that person is. Not everyone can churn out something like that everytime and bands don't want to do the same thing over and over and over again. This is more like Being There where the songs are honest and direct, avoiding flowery emotional speeches when they break the news.

1. Earl Greyhound- Soft Targets- Speaking of direct, this album is no bones about it awesome rock and roll music. With the infusion of Zeppelin and Television in their stlye, the Greyhound doesn't fuck around. The live show is great, and the disc is a great companion to keep me satisfied until the next time they come around. I want Wilco to friggin tour in Philadelphia and have these guys open. It would be the event of the year.

Movies:

I hafta say that only a few movies have really been worth seeing this year and they are the following in order of appearence:

Grindhouse- Sucks that this didn't do as well as it should have. But then again. most of America is retarded.

Hot Fuzz- So far the best of the bunch I've seen. Ridiculously hilarious.

Waitress- God rest Adrienne Shelly. It may be a bit cheesey, but ya know what, it feels good to enjoy a nice sentimental movie. It's well done, quirky and definitely worth a view (esp. on a date. The gals will love you for it.)

That's 07 in a nutshell.... so far.

Paul Is Dead

Or will be. This week has been overbooked with things to do. Not complaining about this, per se, but I do love the idea of having a lot of things to do. Here is the itenerary.

Tonight:
Danno invades the War Room for Wii action, 40's and Pizza (bring your own jitney rag.)

Tomorrow:
Work till 7pm.
These Arms Are Snakes, Against Me!, Cursive and Mastodon... in ONE night! (Let the scenester fights begin!)

Saturday:
Work till 5pm.
Driving to Wilkes to see the lovely and amazing Ms. Tara Fleck. (God I miss this woman!) Sojourning with Ms. Deal shall be a nice treat as well. I miss our car lemgth talks.

Sunday:
Wake up and get some diner action in Wilkes.
Head back to Wiihawken to abduct Danno again and head to Rob Ealer's final party in Ewwing.

Then I work Monday.

Jesus.

Beyond that, life is good. Earl Greyhound is in my veins, Mother Night was a pretty decent flick, I finally started Player Piano after finishing The Iron Heel and just dropped a lot of money getting my car fixed. That's okay though as a paycheck is coming tomorrow and such.

Beyond those updates, the flux of life has not had much in the way of, well, flux

Sleeping Pill

Recently, and ever since moving to Cedar Ave, I have had the most intensely vivid and sometimes effed up dreams. They have ranged from being the tour manager for Prince and being Robert Redford in a kinky fucked up version of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I can't really describe a lot of these dreams (minus the Prince one... it was pretty memorable... and the Redford one.. it was pretty, well, disturbing) but I can say one thing...

What the hell is going on in my life that all of a sudden I have to dream every single night? I really don't know. I guess I'm just stressed out about family, the single life and work.

But why dream? I guess no one will ever know why it happens, but it does. Last night I had at least 10 different dreams or at least one with 10 different parts that had no connection. The only one I remember was trying to get my car fixed at some shop and the guy was all annoying about it saying thigns like "What do you want me to do about it?" and I was like "Dude I fucking pay you to do this shit cuz I know nothing about cars." It was annoying because I woke up freaking out every hour and a half. I just want one normal nights sleep, dammit!

Speeding Motorcycle

It's May. It's effing May. What the hell is going on with time? I guess this happens when you get older. The sands of time get sucked through the hourglass a bit faster than usual. That's not a bad thing necessarily. It's just flying by.

Regardless, here are some life-updates.

Cedar Ave is awesome. I love my apartment. I need more people to come visit and I need to get out in the 'hood more often. I walked around the other day when it was really nice outside and I pretty much love my 'hood. I need to get new porch furniture however. I think my landlord chucked the old couch and chair that was right in front of my pad. But that has to change. I'm gonna go to the shady furniture store and rawk out some new chairs. I will be getting some new batteries for my camera and the next time I have off of work and a spare moment to wander, I will do a photo opp of my 'hood. Right now it's pretty gorgeous.

Work is work. Not much to report.

Love life is still no existent. Not really worried about that all too much. I would like to meet some people out there, and I have a few in mind I'd like to enjoy the company of, but as usual environment gets in the way of that.

That's just about it. Things are flying by and life is chugging along.

Blue Line Swinger

It was been wriit.

The Wii is in da house.

And it is wonderful.

So far I have Wii Sports, Wii Play and Zelda: Twilight Princess. They are shaping up to be the single most awesometastical video gaming experience I have yet to experience. And here is why. Although the graphics to the Wii don't hold a dime to either XBOX 360 (which if you have a HDTV is the most glorious looking video game experience and it's a lot of fun too) or PS3 (which I have yet to actually see anyone I know play or have one), it really nails the aspect of what video games should be: interactive and fun. So far, Wii Sports is the champion of fun.

On to other things that excite me.

First there was these:

And then there was this:

Basically a wam-blam-thank you ma'am of awesome movie going experiences. First I want to talk about Grindhouse and it's two films plus trailers.

Planet Terror was your basic zombie gore fest laden with blood, balls, Bruce Willis and bad-ass go-go dancers. The acting was cheesey, the stroy-line was cheeseir and the action sequences were anything but covered in cheese. It was pure fun. Good one liners, good use of Fergie getting pwned and a fucking Goonie as a doctor (and my personal dynamic relationship in the movie.) The chicks were hot, but where was the skin? Not needed as the purposely well placed missing reel told us. One thing Rodriguez and Tarantino strayed from was a lot of sex and boob shots which usually liter these kind of shlocky movies. And ya know what? It worked. Even thought they paid tribute to the 70's exploitation films, they didn't exploit the actors. Kudos.

The trailers were awesome. Machete should be made into a feature length and is getting press that it will be, Don't was a gloriously awesome one-liner from the guys who bring you the final review in this post, Werewolf Women of the S.S. had the best cameo of all time, and Thanksgiving looked the most like a crappy 80's slasher movie.

Then there was Death Proof. With it's Kurt Russel factor, amazingly gorgeous babes, awesome soundtrack and the most insane car chase scene I have ever seen. People harsh on Death Proof because it's so... badly structured. But as a film lover, it is a little too perfect. I recently saw a shitty movie from the 70's aptly titled Sssssss. Yes. Seven s's like a hissing snake. It was basically like Death Proof except no cars or babes. Just real snakes, snake stunts and an old man reading Walt Whitman... to a snake. It's about 90% meaningless dialogue and I wish there were reels missing when I saw it. Instead I fast forwarded. Regardless, the point here is Death Proof is like a lot of those 70's movies. It's a perfect throwback to the shitty movies that came out in that era. Except, it's way better because at least Tarantino can write interesting dialogue.

Then there was Hot Fuzz. Another kind of spoof movie. Paying tribute to such films as Point Break and Bad Boys....II. It was probably one of the greatest spoof movies of all time. It hit every genre convention on the head with a giant frying pan. And it did what Shaun of the Dead did for Zombie movies. It poked fun of them at the same time fit in with them. It was too good. Having Simon Pegg as the straight man was a stroke of genius. Also, I look forward to more Nick Frost/Simon Pegg team ups as they are an electric on screen duo. Any scene with those two at a pub will be great. I'm just hoping pub scenes like the ones in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz to come. I don't know why those scenes stuck out for me, but I found it kinda hilarious both movies had them. I guess thats what it's like in jolly old England.

From Black to Blue

Happy 200, blog! It's nice to see that I still write with you.

Back on the East Coast today. The trip was awesome. Here is the highlight reel in usual top ten form.

10. Chatting with Danno, Muller and the beautiful Tara Fleck whilst taking public transit. I know this sounds retarded, but it was lonely on the transit buses for two hours and they kept me happy.

9. Finding the Henry Fool script for 4 bucks at a random bookstore near the UCB theater.

8. Drinkin' brews at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport.

7. Santa Monica peir and seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time.

6. Amoeba Records where I horked on the following: VHS copy of Grosse Pointe Blank, DVD of Sonic Youth's early years music videos, LP's of Pete Townshend's Empty Glass, David Bowie's Lodger and King Crimson's Starless and Bible Black

5. Singing Karaoke at the Brass Monkey along side American idol hopeful Jordin Sparks. She was pretty good. But I'm not going to lie when I say my rendition of Weezer's "Say It Ain't So" wasn't amazing. That and this one really hot chick serenaded me with some Lisa Loeb. And there were two seperate whipits references. Amazing.

4. Electric Six on the Sunset Strip @ the Key Club. The first two bands, however, were horrible. One was a fucked up cross between Eve 6, Def Leppard and She Wants Revenge while the other was the Killers. Well they were under a different name, keeping a low profile, but it sounded exactly like the killers. Regardless, their was this random group of dudes who all wore fake mustaches for E6 and basically filled in for the La Sallian goons who usually make E6 shows that much more insane.

3. In-And-Out Burger vs. Tommy Burger

2. Hot Fuzz at the Arclight Theater. I do not look forward to seeing movies on the east coast anymore. And Hot Fuzz was fecking incredible.

1. ASSSCAT! at the UCB theater. If only more of you goons were out there this weekend. The quotes I want to share with you will not ever get the laughs they deserve. (quote tirade.... RAM JAM!, Names aren't supposed to have grammer in them!, You know I'm gonna run on that one, apologize to this bear puppet and bears all around the world... yea and to this puppet of the Sear's Tower...Where's the mouth on that puppet? The 97th floor... You're the reason my daughter was hit in the face with a fist, Fuck You Richard Gere!, You want to bring it up a level from that?!?, You are being served with divorce papers, Broken bottles? Detective Pipes? Molitov Cocktails? Does anyone have any other definitions for Ram Jam?)

Detouring America With Horns (A Prelude)

This weekend marks a transcendent momentous event in my life. I am traveling on my own. Everything is booked, scheduled and ready to go. One and a half days left until I visit the West Coast for the first time. I am more than excited. I'm anxious, nervous and chomping at the bit at the thought of flying across this great country solo.

My initial worries are, of course, will the Philadelphia Airport fuck up my luggage? Well, I really shouldn't care about that because I'm not bringing much. It's only 3 days where I am used to packing for at least a whole week if not more. My next concern was, what happens if I get stuck to some creepy Tyler Durden type who ends up annoying me for my flight? Fuel for writing is what I say. I plan on writing, reading and listening to as much Yo La Tengo as possible. In fact, I will be working on a 7 hour playlist of various indie, classic, punk and folk rock jams for this trip. I'm also concerened about navigating the great monster that is teh L.A. Public Transportation System. After a massively long flight PLUS long layover in Texas, I am going to have to travel yet another 2 hours by bus and rail just to get to my destination. I might just spend the extra cash for a taxi/shuttle/limo to get to Sunset and Vine.

Past all the boring travel stuff (which I plan on being plastered for when I arrive in Ontario Airport), here is my itinerary

FRIDAY
Arrive at Sunset and Vine approx 6:30 for some amazing Vinyl hunting at Amoeba Records
Electric Six @ The Key Club around 8-9pm
Justin Leo's for a night of slacking and catching up

SATURDAY
In-And-Out Burger/Diner Trip
ASSSSCAT! @ 8pm at the UCB Theater
Brass Monkey for Karaoke
Doc's Hard Radio for the night

SUNDAY
Hollywood Blvd. (I won't step on Gretta Garbo)
Checking out the Pacific Ocean (?possibly?)
Hot Fuzz Viewing?
Early to bed

Then it's back to Philly. And the dream will be over. Until then, it's just anxiety until I'm actually in the O.C. (don't call it that.)

The Way Some People Die

So it goes. Sad times for Vonnegut fans. One of the most influential writers in my life. I guess we all know what that means. Time to read some Vonnegut again. Player Piano is still collecting dust form when I bought it so it's time to crack that one open.

In other assorted news, the Film Festival so far has been awesome. Here is a recap of what I have checked out. My official last movie is tonight, so I will write more about that at a later date.

About a Son: Kurt Cobain- One of the most unique and original "non-fiction" films I have ever seen. It's not quite a documentary. It's more of an audio journal with images overlayed. It was a unique experience, but I don't think the style of the film really works in general. It worked for this story, but I don't know if it would work for other stories. The audio was all Cobain interviews as well as a bitchin' soundtrack including Queen, Butthole Surfers, Bowie (hmm... I wonder which song) and Creedence. Not a single Nirvana song which was kind of strange, but it's about Kurt and not Nirvana although its hard to seperate the two. It was definitely well executed and interesting to learn about Cobain as an individual.

Fay Grim- Bias City. I mean, of course I loved it. It's Hal Hartley. Basically, this is a psuedo-sequel to Henry Fool. Only in the fact that the characters are the same and it deals with Herny's "Confessions." But beyond that its a zany spy thriller with Parker Posey stuck in the middle of the whirlwind of international espionage. It's a jab at sequels in how they have to be more violent, more sexual and more ridiculous than it's predocessor and it's a mocking of a directors own characters. Ryan hit the nail on the head when he said this is Hartley's Life Aquatic because its a director making fun of his own style and writing while at the same time writing a great story. Goldblum was in it too, so you can't go wrong. Naysayers of Henry Fool may enjoy this because its not paced like HF, and it has nothing to do with the same themes. It's really goofy yet at somepoints heartwrenching just like any Hal Hartley movie. Plus Parker Posey is at her all time hottest in this movie. Grrrowl.


Away From Her- Sarah Polley of Dawn of the Dead and many many indie films takes a stab and writing and directing. For a first outing, it's definitely a good film. All about Alzheimers and how one man deals with his wife wasting away due to the detrimental disease, it's sad and enlightening. The pacing is a little strange, but the acting effort of Julie Christie (the rumors are true!) and the dead on accurate portrayal of people with Alzheimers makes this a good drama to check out. HOWEVER! When I was in high school I worked at an Alzheimers home and wrote a short story/play script about my experiences. And in this script I used a montage (even Rocky had a montage) scene using a Neil Young song. Well, this movie had the same themes and uses a different Neil Young song! WTF! Sarah Polley is stealing my thunder....

Tonight is Dante's Inferno, a cartoon up-to-date adaptation of the classic story. Dermot Mulroney is going to be there. It has the vocal talents of Master Shake, Buster Bluth and Adair of UCB. Yes.

Music- I've been listening to tons of Yo La Tengo, pretty much only Yo La Tengo since I changed the format of this blog, but I guess that's just where my state of mind is. Mellower stuff to like "Night Falls On Hoboken" and "Today is the Day" style.

My Onion Horoscope for today is true:
Leo July 23 - August 22
If there's a drinkable liquid in the world that doesn't cause loss of motor function, impaired judgment, slurred speech, dehydration, and eventual unconsciousness, you don't want to know about it.

What Comes Next

I moved in. It rules. A few people have seen it. They rule. Come visit. You will then officially rule. Just gimme a ring. Only people who rule have my cell phone number and I'm not telling you here what it is if you in fact, do not rule. We can hang, drink a few beers and enjoy the tiny nature of my apartment. If you want to rule, bring some brews or any other welcoming gifts. Consumables if possible. That would rule.

There is one thing, however, that does not rule. I have been having really effed up dreams ever since I moved in to this new place. Ms. Michelle "I wish I was as cool as Mike" Muller reminded me of this when she asked for me to write about her. Well, altho she was in one of these said fucked up dreams of anxiety, heartbreak and denial. Here is the basic structure of every dream, so I would call it a recurring dream.

1. Setting: The setting for each dream is always in some sort of institutionalized (just one Pepsi) type building. A school mostly. Not any particular school, but it's usually a building consisting of narrow hallways, flights of stairs and random rooms.

2. Characters: Usually involves someone of the female species that I have either been infatuated with, in a relationship with or at least found attractive. This female character then gets involved with someone close to me, a friend, family member or a non-existent person that just acts as that sort of close male friendship.

3. The Plot Thickens: Usually when someone you are attracted you rejects you, you get pissed, hurt whatever. This happens in the dream then...

4. Dreamlike Event: Something really out of the blue happens. Now this happens in all dreams, but the setting dramatically changes and something really freaky happens. You can use your imagination here.

5. Finale: I end up trying to avoid both the crazy event and the woman who broke my heart, but this woman won't giv eup in rubbing it in my face that shes happy and moved on or at least just happier with this new person.

Here is your test. What comes next? Whoever can make the best dream to fit in this skeleton of a plot will win a free six-pack of your choice. Of course, I will rate what your interpretations of the dreams AND your own storyline. Remember to keep these details in mind.

HAPPY WRITING!

Today is the Day

Last Drink Top Ten

10. Drinking Johnny Walker Red whilst on stage
9. Pouring Russel's Reserve in my Stroh's Beer can
8. Hanging with the boys of BMD during the party
7. Singing "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" with Muller and Danno
6. "Love is Like Water" with the toy gun solo
5. The Napkin Game at Marlton Diner with Stef, Danno, Kavan, Knarr, Warren, Rob and George
4. Chunt
3. Joe Sharp's Hurricane Tattoo
2. Black Market Dynamite and Noringo sharing the stage for a night of amazing rock.
1. Punting Beers into the woods at 5 a.m.

Some Kinda Fatigue

Man, I am tired.

Barnaby, Hardly Working has posted about having jacked up dreams. I can attest to that. The one dream was about the woman I love and how she found a man better than me. I totally fell apart in the dream. I was walking in the snow looking for my car and I was tortured by the knowledge that this woman was with someone else. I hopped in my car and started driving but the thoughts of her with someone else was sending me into a frenzy. I went into hiding and there was a war going on outside my house. I was in hiding trying to stay away from this crazy militia that was recruiting any person in sight to fight. I was hiding from them and from that woman I loved who wanted to talk to me about her situation. It ended in large explosions off in the distance and me hiding underneath the bed sheets. Jacked up.

Dreams suck. I wake up totally drained.

Anyways, I'm signing the lease on Friday and paying. Moving in the next few weeks too. The realtor said I can move in anytime after the current tenant is gone. Monday I might go over with mi madre and totally clean the place for like 5 hours. It looks a tad nast, but that isn't a problem.

Then any days I have off, I will be recruiting any help. A person with a truck and brawny men/women please apply. No scrawny fools. I am the scrawny fool. Don't need two of me.

Here's the deal. When you help me move, I help you. And here is how.

A case or two of this (to enjoy post work):

And you will also get a home cooked meal from this guy:

(Kevner not included)

Trust me. I can cook you some mean tasty Greek food.

I need a nap.

86-Second Blowout

Is it me or is this picture really funny?

Tiny Birds

I realize as I sit here contemplating existence like I often do at 12:29 am. It's as good a time as any to think about life and such. As Tengo plays, I wonder why certain elements of life go the way they do. Is it because of free will? God's plan? Genetics? Blame Jupiter? Who knows. Let's just say that life will find a way. I wonder question what it is I should do with myself. I enjoy my job, but it kind of leaves me empty inside. I haven't written a damn thing worth noting or keeping around since I started this job. But it might not be the jobs fault. It could be that I'm not a writer. That kinda sets me back. But who is anything if they don't get up and do it. I think that I need to get focused. Get to the point is what you are saying. Well, it's time to fucking do something with myself besides sleep, eat, work, and enjoy the fruits of my youth. Now that a year since graduation is almost here, it's time to face that lack of expectation may be true. Maybe nothing is out there specific for me to do.

"Tiny birds sit patiently side by side on a wire."

Return to Hot Chicken

It's been some time since I've posted. I have some updates to inform the blogosphere, but until I get my life back in gear, there really is no need for me to blog. That should be a few weeks time. Until then: update city.

Yo La Tengo has taken over this blog. Their concert was fantastic a few weeks ago and I give the people I linked proper kudos by picking some of my favorite Tengo songs as their monkiers.

I'm moving out of the house in April (God willing.) I just need to hear back from the people at Urban & Bye and then it's Hello University City!

I'm enjoying my job. Nothing earth shattering, but hell, a year ago this time I was more or less bed-ridden or just getting back into school after Mono. I've come a long way and would never expect to have a decent job.

I'm stealing Pass the Hatchet's idea and that will come back into play in a later post.

Noringo will be playing at Mr. Tough's Last Drink 2007.

This one's for Stev.

That's about it. For now.

Did that guy just steal his wallet?

Not exactly about stealing wallets, but Breaking and Entering, the new film from director Anthony Minghella (English Patient and Talented Mr. Ripley) is definitely centered around theft, loss and emptiness. It's a damn good film. I'm talking intense drama.

Will Francis (Jude Law), an architect reshaping the King's Cross section of jolly-old London town. King's Cross is a crummy neighbor hood, but Will's project is hoping to change that. Will's life is in a strange place. He is overwhelmed with work and his live in s.o., Liv (Robin Wright Penn) is in a fit of depression due to her daughters erratic behaviour due to autism. Will is not the father of her daughter and she has a hard time accepting him as a father figure to her daughter. This makes their relationship distant and estranged.

A series of robberies at his firm leads Will into strange encounters with prostitutes as he plays watchdog to his place (amazinly played by Vera Farmiga... *swoon*) and he eventually follows the young boy who is responsible for the crimes. He then gets entangled into a torrid affair with the boys mother, Amira (Juliette Binoche) who in turn finds out Will's motives to get his shit back and blackmail's him. It's a crazy story of overlapping relationships, lack of relationships, the search for love, acceptance and a place in the world.

See this movie. There are not enough good dramas out anymore. The last drama this good that I can remember seeing was In The Bedroom. Definitely see it and check out the apperance of such actors as the afformentioned people and others like Martin Freeman and Ray Winstone.

That's about it for now. I have Babel and The Presitge to watch this weekend. I am going online and re-applying for Netflix as we speak to see when Science of Sleep comes out. I need it and I don't think Wow has it! WTF!

God Bless, This Great Nation

I'm glad I live in a country that allows me to download the PDF of Anna Nicole Smith's will.

CNN- Lowering the Brow of America, one news story at a time.

On another note, Vegas succesfully thwarted the rise of Adolf Hitler in the body of a cat. They slaughtered 1,000 animals in a shelter to cover the bigger leak that this mitty was evil incarnate. I hear that this cat wasn't that great of an artist and was breeding a master race of kittens with blonde hair and blue eyes, yet this kitty has black hair and green eyes. Hmmm... Kitler has been stopped.

I'm glad I live in a country where this abortion of a film is number one at the box office. Oscar Nomination? Wtf! I know it's not for this movie, but Eddie Murphy, you are no longer Gumby, Dammit!

What is the world coming to?

Regardless, on more musical notes, Tickets for the Shins went on sale today. I'm going this time. Thank GOD! No 30 page script due the next day to thwart me from seeing these dudes. I will be swimming in 14 year old girls who only want to hear "New Slang" as I chant for them to rock out "Baby Boomerang."

Times are good.

Tenderness on the Block

As you may have noticed, there are two new linkys on the right. Let's give a firm welcome to Nighttime at the Switching Yard and Carmelita to the ranks of awesome Zevon links.

Other news, new Dinosaur Jr. album coming this year. A new track "Almost Ready" has been released and I am loving it. It's the orig Dino Jr. line-up too!!

And a band I love called The Earlies has a new album out this year too! YEAH! Join the nighthawks if you wanna get one of their tracks in the next week or so.

Also, new Arcade Fire album is totally sexy. The Neon Bible comes out soon, but thanks to leaks, I can listen to it now before I buy it. Also, iTunes has the three songs Bowie did with Arcade Fire at the Fashion Awards. SO GOOD!

I like music I guess...

Random Rules

I'm stealing this from the A.V. club website. I'm not famous. You don't care what I listen to, but I want to put my iTunes on random and explain why or what the next few songs mean to me.

1) Black Rebel Motorcycle Culb's "Weight of the World"- BRMC was introduced to me by a guy who worked next door to Wow video. He introduced to me several bands, but this album Howl in particular was one of the best. It was 2005 I believe when this one came out. Seems so long ago, but I still really like this disc. BRMC did a lot more grungy, harder stuff and then they decided to listen to Neil Young, Bob Dylan and The Band to make this more folksy, bluesy rock album. Not particularly the most impressive song on here, but it's definitely a good track.

2) The Beatles' "Come Together"- I don't care how many millions of times I've listened to this song, it still is one of my all-time favorite tracks. Abbey Road is awesome, duh. I don't know what it's about (bukkake?) and I don't care. It's just a fun jammy song. There is something minimal about this song too as compared to stuff from other albums. Not too much going on besides the bass riff, a simplistic drum beat, the occasional guitar riff and the organ solo. The organ a la Billy Preston definitely makes it better.

3) The Roger Sisters'"Why Won't You"- The new album wasn't as good as Purely Evil which was an awesome debut of straight outta CBGB rock. Needless to say The Invisible Deck is a decent album. This is probably the best track, which is a shame because it's the first track. I hate when that happens because if the first track overwhelms the whole album, why should I continue listening? In hopes of more likely songs. But when the rest is just meh, then we have issues.

4) Mose Allison's "I Love the Life I Live"- Mose was a great discovey for me the past month. He wrote several songs that the Who later would cover ("Young Man Blues" and "Eyesight to the Blind") and many other artists of the late 60's and 70's would go on to emulate his jazz/blues style. Van Morrison is one of those. His piano on this track is pretty standard, but it's definitely great stuff.

5) The Earlies' "Low Man's Dream"- Here is one of those bands who probably won't release another album. But I don't know why. This disc came out in 2004, but I only have had it for a year. It's a melding of the Flaming Lips, The Beach Boys and ambience. This is an instrumental from their album These Were the Earlies. I first heard these guys on the Jeff & Tim Buckley tribute album. They do an immaculate version of "I Must Have Been Blind" by Tim Buckley. One of my all time fav. covers. This track is a great meditation piece with sweeping arrangements, flute, oboe, piano and various percussion. It sounds like a Brian Wilson track produced by Eno. Definitely great stuff.

6) Bob Dylan's "Ballad in Plain D"- Here is my kind of Valentine's Day song. Heartbreaking songs are my all time fav Dylan songs. This, "If You See Her, Say Hello" and "Girl From North Country" are so good. I haven't listened to Dylan in a while, but that might have to change. Anyone else get a chance to listen to Modern Times yet (I'm looking at you Lou.) I like it. I like this song too.

7) Jeff Buckley's "New Year's Prayer"- This song is awesome. Buckley has raw power. Everytime I listen to him, I get really angered that he is no longer alive. Just imagine the ouput of music he would have given us. But, alas, two albums worth is all we get. This song is spacey good times. Haunting.

8) The Flaming Lips' "Right Now"- This is from Telepathic Surgery which I rarely listen to. But these early Lips albums are so strange. Much harder rocking is done, much more guitar work and I wonder if they even tour songs like this one anymore.

That's all I feel like doing.

Other updates, FFXII is consuming my life. So many sidequests to do! So much need for leveling up! I love it.

No Valentine for me this year. Good.

And Paul is in need of some D.M.S.R.

RANT WARNING!

After reading Justin's blog, I checked out the trailer for this Across the Universe movie that is coming out.

Here's why I'm not going to like it.

I don't want to see some fruity as musical take a dump on the music of the Beatles and put it together in a Rentesque story of issues and the like. There are a few things that make it look intriguing, but I'm all for musicals. But why not make original music and songs? Are songwriters no longer good enough? What happened to the Andrew Lloyd Webbers and Tim Rice's of the world who made stylistic songs that go with the times but are original?

I'm not saying this is going to go the route of Moulin Rouge which used pre-written songs out of context and from all different eras (seriosuly?? Like a Virgin? Smell's Like Teen Spirit? Silly Love Songs?? Come on now... ) I know the arguement FOR Moulin Rouge is that it was doing something different with those songs but it didn't do a good job of it. Spend the money, hire songwriters and music artists and make something original. That and Nicole Kidman singing is probably not the best way to go... oh wait... she was up for an Oscar for that movie. Jeez-oo.

Across the Universe looks more intriguing, however, cuz they are using the songs of the time and place for the setting of the story. But I garuntee it won't transfer over well. It's just going to look silly seeing some fruit cake butcher "Hey Jude" and "Girl" as can be heard in the trailer.

The visuals look pretty sweet, but I dunno. That can't be the only reason why I want to see it.

The other negative thing this movie is going to do is teach new generations that these shitty singers are the ones who sing songs like "Across the Universe" and "All You Need Is Love" and, even though The Beatles were not my generation, will piss me off to high hell. I know Kevner isn't a huge Beatles guy, but this is going to misinform so many youths about the real music artists behind such classic songs.

That being said, I am going to see this in the theater and hopefully will be pleasently surprised.

I'm looking first here for objections from Kevner who loves Baz Luhrman's over-the-top bloated film fests. Seriously dude. Moulin Rouge? *shudders* And don't try to act like I'm Stev writing off a movie I've never seen just because Bow Wow is in it before seeing it (seriously 3 Fast 3 Furious is the best in the series). I had to sit through MR several times when working at Wow and with girlfriends. So I know the movie and I've given it a chance. (No offense Stev, I just wanted to make sure that you know that I appreciate the Bow Wow genre a little too much, so i still value your opinions [sometimes {shut ups Hymen, I mean Simon.]])

Also, Leo, any reason why you think this is going to be good? Just because its Beatles songs in a musical? Seriously. The one line in the trailer "I got a date with Uncle Sam??" sounds ridiculous.
If their isn't a scene where the comedic relief sings "Fixing A Hole" while doing silly dance moves a la "Make 'Em Laugh" from Singin' in the Rain, or a scene where the mom and dad of the young girl sing "She's Leaving Home" duet style in a heart felt moment, I will hate it.

P.S.- Anyone notice the radio single version of "Let It Be" has a shitastic guitar solo, but the UK album version has an awesome one? Hate that.

P.P.S.- I plan on doing a post-WWII German epic with the songs of Kraftwerk soon. The 22-minute tap dance extravaganza to "Autobahn" is going to be mind numbing.

Updates Abounding!!!

New Look!

Warren Zevon songs. He's been in my head for a long long time so I figure it's time to pay homage to the man on my blog.

Nothing really of interest to update.

So yea.

Suck it.

P.S.-Why should we care that Anna Nicole Smith died?