I just wanted something good to come out of all this.

It's a good old fashioned hole diggin' and by gar it's been a while...
Did I say hole diggin? Oh, sorry I meant to say blog writing.

In the immortal words of Staind, it's been a while since I've pounded on these here key pads and I don't really have an explanation as to why so I'll just get on with it. I've broken a record for myself that I'm rather proud of, I've read two complete books in three weeks. Now I know that's probably nothing to sneeze at for some of the blue noses out there, but for me who desperately wants to be an avid reader but just seem to be alble to get off his big fat can and do it, I'd say it's a wingtip.

First I read Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis which is a retelling of the cupid and psyche myth which I remember reading in high school for a fairy tales class where a friend and I were scolded one day after class for constantly reading the Journey of Luke Skywalker, an analysis of all the imagery and symbols in the star wars trilogy and pointing out passages we thought were "awesome" I should point out we were both giddy with anticipation for attack of the clones that spring so excuse our childesness (sp?), the teacher sure didn't.

Anyway I enjoyed Faces quite a bit, it was a radical alteration of the original text in that Lewis really got into the minds and hearts of the characters and my favorite moments were the beautifully written and sometimes shattering insights the main character/narrator offered about herself. It was also one of those books that reads so cinematically off the page, I don't know if it would make a good movie, but it sure made for some great visual images in my head. It gets very religious-y at the end and almost to the point where you feel like lewis wants to underline the word over and over again. It wasn't self destructive or anything I just personally had a hard time following it because of my lack of familiarity with the subject, I felt like he was making all these really grand statements and while I could follow somewhat if he were to say act out this part of the book in a one man show format I would probably just be sitting there nodding saying ah-ha, ah-ha that's whatever you were talking about for ya. That aside it's a beautifully written book and if anyone's interested let me know, since I have my own copy and everything.

The second book i read was called Goat and it's a memoir by Brad Land, a newbie. I read that this is going to be David Gordon Green's next movie either before or after Secret Life of Bee's, I'm not sure which. Anyway the subject matter intrigued me, it's about Brad Lands early college expierences at a fraternity in Clemson. But the book begins with him getting carjacked and brutally assualted by two strangers after giving them a ride back from a party. It's quite stunning how Land weaves together one form of destructive violence (crime) and another that is a little more accepted (hazing). But the book is not just a tell all gossipy thing about fraternities and the horrible things that go on inside of them, that would be too easy. It's more about isolation and the feeling of never being able to connect with your environment no matter how often you move or how hard you try. One gets the feeling that the Land character would be alone and miserable no matter where he wound up, hopefully he's gotten better after this book. And since it's a memoir Land does some really interesting things with the first person narration, it reads just like a thought stretched out for two hundred pages, really remarkable stuff. It's almost like we get to enter his mind during and after all of the events described so as to give one the feeling of a happening memory, he describes it in present tense but offers the insight and recollections of time passed. Green's gonna kick this things ass.

That's pretty much it, now I have Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison which the back of the book describes as "Ellison's nightmare journey across the racial divide." Sounds like fun, hope it's good.


"And it's fine that it's been this way with girls for a while now, these random things, because I know I'm too much for anyone, that if I let myself, I'd love them all, I'd think they could fix me. But I know they can't, and it's enough, because every so often when a girl kisses me, touches my hand, my face, I remember that the world has light."

this doesn't just suck butthead...this really sucks.

Actually this news is quite the opposite...

Beavis And Butt-Head
Paramount Home Entertainment will release Beavis and Butt-Head: The Mike Judge Collection vol. 1 on November 8th. While details for this release have been harder to pry loose than you would care to imagine, we can tell you that the three-disc set will include fourteen episodes hand-picked by creator Mike Judge (a few presented in "director cuts"), eleven music videos with commentary featuring the slacker duo, a "Taint of Greatness: The Journey Of Beavis and Butt-Head" featurette and a collection of interviews and appearances with Beavis and Butt-Head. Retail will be $39.99. Look for two more volumes to be released next year.

Only one week after Revenge of the Sith...NICE!!!

i've got reservations about so many things, but not about you.

So the new Sigur Ros record has officially been bumped up to must come out right now status on my anticipation alert level. I heard the first single Saeglopur today and I think the country of Iceland should officialy change it's name to Rockland because of its mythic association to the Ros's. I don't know how they do it, and I probably don't want to know but these guys can make record fuzz sound like a beautiful, melodic instrumental interlude. Everything within a five block radius of this album should be blown out of the water upon it's release. They'll need to put it in a special section, quarantined from everything else so as to insure the other albums' safety, we don't want anybody getting hurt here. In the words of Doyle Gipson:
"I need this album.....FOR MY LIFE!!!"

Went back to the Windy Apple last night for a movie night screening of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot with Mr. David Gordon Green himself presiding. It was an awkward setting, bringing a dude in to talk about a movie that's not his. But a fun filled evening for all I'm sure, a good flick, an awesome director presenting it. What more could you want? It got me thinking about what I would choose if the IFC center asked me to present movie night. I'm sure it would be a hard choice, but since movie people invariably go back to the reliable standard of "movies they grew up on" I would have to say it would probably be a premium selection of the best action movies from the early to mid-90's. That's the shit I grew up on. You got your Passenger 57 and Demolition Man of course, but you'd have to throw in there Timecop, Sudden Death, Speed, True Lies, the Last Boy Scout, Die Hard (1,2,3), what else? oh yeah, The Crow, Judge Dredd, Darkman 2: The Return of Durant, and the list could go on forever I'm sure. I'd have to go with something like that, because I never got to see some of them on a big screen (mainly the Snipes movies believe it or not) and because what's more fun than hearing "So let me get this right? They defrosted you just so you could lasso my piddly ass?!?! DAMN YOU'D BEEN HAD!!!" on THX surround sound, nothing that's what. So keep that in mind IFC if you ever ask me to host movie night, I'm gonna stuff the ballot with thrills, chills, and spills. Oh yeah I'd need Universal Soldier in there as well, damn I forgot about that one. Van Damme and Lundgren are the Astaire/Rogers of our generation. Toodles.

"It's a funny thing about people, how everyone has a song.
And he sings it every morning, but we don't hear it until it's gone."

sift through the static, for a simpler sound.

Around November of 2003, the new york times wrote a playlist article about musicians who were carrying on the tradition of Elliott Smith after his death. The article introduced me to kevin devine and his second LP Make the Clocks Move. I forget what the article said but I distinctly remember the image of the album cover, a messy drawing of a sad-sack red head who looked like he paid a friend to draw all of his shortcomings for him. In other words he wasn't winning no beauty contests or fending off movie starlets with a pointy stick.

Anyway, I got the album later that year and it was one of those musical awakening moments. I liken it to when my friend tim wendell played the pearl jam song rearview mirror for me back in second grade and all of a sudden my musical tastes were born. Obviously these moments never register like that when they actually happen, but thanks to the rose colored tint of nostalgia, they all look that way now. Regardless, make the clocks move was one of those albums that opens a new musical door for you. You feel like you've found your own personal soundtrack. The past couple of years has yielded a lot of those for me, for example Electro Shock Blues by eels, Our Endless Numbered Days by Iron and Wine, The Earth is Not A Cold Dead Place by Explosions in the Sky, 1972 by Josh Rouse, In A Safe Place by the Album Leaf, and just to make sure I keep talking about it in this blog Blinking Lights and Other Revelations by eels. I'm sure there are countless others but not too many so as to make the whole thing meaningless because it happens every couple of Tuesdays.

The point of all this is I've become an adamant follower of Kevin Devine, he is the equivalent of Conor to Nate. But that doesn't mean I'm about to say anything as stupid as Devine is the new dylan. I just mean in the sense that I feel he speaks for me but more than that he speaks for all the things that for one reason or another I am unable to articulate. He's like the Cameron Crowe of songwriting, his lyrics are so normal and everyday yet distinctly and brutally honest, insights that whiz by in your mind on a car ride home that you can't remember for one reason or another until you hear it in a song lyric. It's all the stuff I wish I could say or write but wind up slaving over and eventually crossing out because it's just not good enough. Mr. Devine does it without breaking a sweat (or if he does sweat, at least it yields results). So in short, I dig his music.

I read today on his website that he just signed to a major label, Capitol Records to be exact. Now I'm not very hip to the major label scene musically speaking, I just don't know enough about how the business works other than shit sells. And it seems to me that this should be a cause for panic, another one bites the dust kind of thing. After reading his post (you can too at www.kevindevine.net under the news section) however, I see that he is totally aware of the direction his new life may take. He's not naive enough to think he will completely change the way music is made with his indie mindset and attitude. He's not completely giving up either, he understands the drawbacks to this decision but he also understands the rewards. A lot of great bands are on major labels (Coldplay and Radiohead for example are Devine's newfound labelmates) and as long as he continues to progress as an artist in a way that is natural and organic, than more power to him. He deserves more fans and he deserves to have his album showcased in stores or at least the little white card divider that lets you know they at one point carried his music. So I say congratulations, it's a hell of a toboggon ride. And I can't wait to see where he goes next.

The bricks get laid,
and they get torn up,
and laid again,
but the bricks always get torn up again.
Your friends won't wait,
so don't believe that shit,
when they say they'll wait.
Trust me; your friends will not wait for you.
Then, you'll be stoned in some park,
just nodding your head and pinching your arms,
when a girl walks along.
She's humming your song,
with your t-shirt on.
That's when you're done.

There's a cotton crush
down in the southern states.
But back up here, man, we've got
so much thread and space
to waste, waste, waste.
There's a microphone
picking every word up
and it shuts itself off
when it's sure that's its heard enough.
The quiet can scrape
all the calm from your bones,
but maybe it should.
Maybe we need to be hollowed
to get up and grow,
and stop fucking around;
to kick off our braces and start straightening out.
Let's sift through the static
to find a simpler sound
than the shit that's clouding our heads now.

welcome to the suck.

I think I may have found my most anticipated movie of the fall.

Well, at least one of them.

http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/jarhead.html

Check that site out, watch the trailer.
I forget how to do the fancy quick link shit so just copy and paste.

And for the record, Road to Perdition is vastly superior to American Beauty and I wish they'd put that shit in that ads as a demonstration of Sam Mendes' awesome talent.

But Jarhead looks killer.

anybody who laughs is a communist.

These past couple posts have been all about sad music and the sad state of things.
I think it's time for an upper.

Here are some quotes that made me break out the crayolas and color myself tickled pink.
I hope they do the same for you.

Don't "easy Ruiz" me, you turned an Easter egg hunt into a butt-fuck-a-thon.

Did you just let SCREECH in the fucking club?

And I hope you know frogs aren't purple, you ever seen a purple frog?
[Chole nods]
Oh yeah? When? When you where asleep?

He spoke to me. You want me to dis him?
'Dis?' 'Dis?' You're in no position to 'dis', or 'give props', or whatever your MTV
Real World sense of fucking decorum tells you to do. You're nothing. You're wallpaper.
You're not here to make fucking friends. Asking a motherfucker where
he lives. And who the fuck told you 'Red Dragon'?.

I know what 'strapped' means, motherfucker. What the fuck you think this shit is? '21 Jump Street?'

And some more...

Judge: Also, in a rare double-whammy decision the court finds polygamy constitutional.
Old Man Waterfall: I can't wait to tell my husband!

Fry: Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know, a headache with pictures.
Leela: An idea?
Fry: Mm, hmmm, hmmm.

Old Man Waterfall: Do your worst, you sea devils. I'll make my stand with Old Freebie. You can crush me but you can't crush my spirit!
Palace of oppression: *crush*
Old Man Waterfall: Argh, my spirit!

Well, that was fun. And here's the grand finale, tally-ho.

"Here's scenario B for you Bob, see how you feel about this one. Now I don't know if you've noticed this or not, but I think I'm starting to get under Ruiz's skin as well, OK? It all started with the whole Red Dragon, or the Welsh guy, whatever, they can play it down all they want but you know 200 grand's a lot of fucking money! It's a fucking lot of money! OK? 200 grand is definitely a lot of fucking money! And now I've got Ruiz calling me fucking Fruit-Pie the fucking magician! Tellin' me that I can't fucking call my main man Max, who fucking sent me out on the fucking operation? And what about the Welsh guy? He's fucking scat all over, they fucking disappear and talk! And you haven't noticed this either but when he's not fucking looking at me or you're fucking doing whatever, I've got fucking Jimmy in the mirror with his shit too. It's fucking coming at me from here, I don't know where it is! It might be coming this way, it might be coming that way, but the fucking shit's coming and I'm not gonna be late for the fucking dance man, I'm not gonna be fucking late for the dance on this one."

I'm looking for a dare to be great situation.

It's been raining like this for three days...

Well, it hasn't been literally raining for three days but ever since I got home it's been gray round these parts. Raining off and on, the papes said it should be like this for the rest of the week. Hope it clears up soon, it's a shame to miss Avondale in the summer....

Anyway, I've been thinking a lot about Nate's most recent post and it's kinda been bumming me out. Just because when I think of sad music I don't think of music that I listen to because I want to feel bad about myself or the world. If I wanted that I would just listen to songs about small animals being tortured, or children being kidnapped and murdered. I'm not making light of these things I'm just saying that is stuff I constitute as "sad." Whereas the music I like doesn't really feed into those kinds of emotions, it's more about letting someone in and feeding off of a human connection. It's like the paragraph I had up here a little while ago that some guy wrote about elliott smith and how his greatest talent was his ability to make his words universal, and how he was able to elicit the most sincere sympathy from total strangers because of the connection he forged. That's the reward i take away from sad music, it's the knowledge that you are now connected with someone and in a really small way you can understand a very small part about them. How can any music that encourages compassion and human connection be called suicide music. That just feels like a narrow minded label, I just wish people wouldn't cast judgement so easily. Me, I would never do that, except for those jam bands...oh man how they and all their fans piss me off. Damn hippies.

Yesterday I watched Ghost World, perhaps the only movie ever that makes me wish it was a physical being just so I could give it a hug, pat it on the back, and tell it that everything is going to be okay. What a lonely movie, everybody in it is surrounded by what their lack of connection with humanity. They're forced to wander an earth surrounded by strip-malls, 50's nostalgia cafe's, and their own minor existances. The movie is extremely funny though, don't get me wrong, how could you not love a movie with a line like this...

"Well, I have to admit that things are really starting to look up for me since my life turned to shit."

There may be plenty of reasons, come to think of it. But me, I love any kind of character who is completely willing to admit at the drop of a hat how miserable he/she is and make me laugh because of it.

Okay, I think that's all for now, I'll keep you all updated on my daily activities. Believe me, if they are as breathtaking for me on this end, then it's gotta be like exponentially more exciting for you dear readers. Hope you all have a lovely day.

I've been trying to fit this quote in for a while, I'm not sure if it works now but this entry has been quite scatter brained so why stop now? It's from a Red House Painters song called Cruiser.

"So drive down Beverly Drive
Where my room's lit up all night
I've been so lonely in this bed
It's good to sleep with you instead
It's good to talk all night instead"

Say goodbye to frankie, dad.

"It was as hard for Frankie to smile when the tumor was malignant...
...as it was for my dad to cry after. But they both managed it.
I'm going to switch this off now. It's not the way I want to see Frankie anymore.


Do you still have a picture of me in your head? Well, that's the picture I want to have of Frankie.
The one that you can keep in your head forever. So when you go back to reality...
I'll ask Frankie...to please, please - let me go."

I'll do a proper post after I get cleaned up. Cheerio.

Sticking together is what good waffles do.

A nice slow sunday back in ye olde avondale. It's good to be home, I like this little set up I had this summer, because may was like star wars/relaxing month and then a little bit of june and all of july was new york internship and now august is another relaxation month. Hopefully now I can do all the stuff I wanted to do this summer, it's good to cram it all in sometimes. Right?

RIGHT?!?!?!?


Anyway, I watched three movies today. All the Real Girls this morning, Black and White in the late afternoon and then Waking Life at night. Black and White is weird, it came out about five years ago and when I saw it I thought it was really provocative and insightful and it still is to a certain extent. There's a collection of interesting scenes (all of mike tyson and robert downey jr's stuff) but over all it's way too heavy handed and obvious with what it is trying to "say" about race relations in america. It's not a bad movie but one than can get very annoying at times, on the flipside it's not nearly as bad as crash.

But what I wanted to write about was how depressed I became during All the Real Girls and Waking Life. Now, I'm sure this is going to sound extrememly pompous and self-congratulatory but please bear with me for just a few minutes. This weekend The Dukes of Hazzard made something like 30 million dollars, which means a shit load of people went to see it. And that makes sense, it's pg-13, it's got cars, and it's got a deranged/moronic life size looking barbie struttin' around in her ass pants.

I know, I sound like a crotchety old man, but come on 30 million dollars.

The point of all this was I'm watching All the Real Girls and trying to figure out A) Why this movie is rated R cutting off a huge section of a potential target audience whereas Dukes skates by with a pg-13 and B) Why can't movies like this make 30 million dollars opening weekend. I know it's an age old question everybody asks about a lot of movies and I'm not asking it just because I think all the real girls is better ( i know it is) and not because it's more artsy or more poetic. All the Real Girls is in love with life and the possibilites of life. It makes you want to sit down by a river and watch the day drift away, it makes you want to remember experiences, places you've been in your life, people you miss who are long gone. In short the things that make life great (at least I think they do) And this movie celebrates those things to their very core in the least pretentious way possible because let's face it, if I can enjoy it then anyone can (I speak from experience I needed the ending of the sixth sense and the usual suspects explained to me in fine detail). It's just so depressing that this movie will slip by a lot of people's radars and cynical garbage like Dukes will rise to the top. A movie that exploits its audience rather than enjoy it's company.

I'm sorry to rant like this, I don't think just because I love all the real girls that everybody else should, nor do I think everybody should run out and see it right now. Because honestly, it's probably not for everybody (just like any other movie I suppose) I just wish there was a way for more movies like it and Waking Life to be made for younger audiences and that they didn't rely on cheap fads, lame jokes, and frat boy shit. Or if we could somehow have a balance. That's all.

I hope Nate made it through his work weekend okay, just remember this, the words of Feng Shui...

Pretend you're standing over the ocean. You're a millionaire. Pretend you're running over the ocean. You're jumping across mountains. You're jumping across mountains. Everybody loves you.

there's something about the buildings in chelsea...

Another song today, I was listening to it and it made me...

What's the word I'm searching for here?

Upside down frown, lips curled up and inward, kind of like the shape of a lemon.
Oh well, I give up.


Damn, I can't find those lyrics

Here's another song with the exact same title.

Don't it make you smile?
When the sun don't shine, (it don't shine at all.)
Don't it make you smile?

Don't it make you smile?
Don't it make me smile? Yeah.
When the sun don't shine, it don't shine at all. Yeah.
Don't it make me smile?

I miss you already. I miss you always.
I miss you already, yeah. I miss you all day.
This is how I feel.

I miss you already, yeah. I miss you always.
Three crooked hearts. Swirls all around, yeah.
I miss you all day.

Don't it make you smile?
Three crooked hearts. Swirls all around.
Don't it make you smile?

What's Got the Whole World Faking?

Big News...

It's not official yet, nothing is absolute.

But it's looking pretty god damn likely.

Going to see Pearl Jam monday october 3rd at wachovia center.

I know, it sucks it's in philly but what am I complaining about? Haven't seen pearl jam in two years. It's about time they came back to give us all a massive ass whooping and show us how it's done like all the all knowing all seeing gods of rock that they are. Hopefully I'll get some good stories about the crowd, lots of weirdos as pearl jam shows.

Rock and or Roll. Later.

You'll be going out with radio, going out with disco, going out like bacchanal.
I'll be going out with telephone, going out alone, to the radar zone.

It's all just inadvertent imitation. And I don't mean mine.
It's all across this nation.
If it's just inadvertent simulation. A pattern in all mankind.
What's got the whole world faking it?

I'll be playing with my magazine, using up my Listerine, like Ovaltine.
And you'll be dipping in your battleship, for the latest tip, for the latest dream.

It's all just inadvertent imitation. And I don't mean mine.
It's all across this nation.
If it's just inadvertent simulation. A pattern in all mankind.
What's got the whole world faking it?
If it's just inadvertent imitation. A pattern in all mankind.
What's got the whole world faking it?
What's got the whole world faking...
What's got the whole world faking it? Yeah.

Oh no, not this shit again...

I hope I'm not boring anyone. But I was listening to this song today and I had to put it up on the blog, I hope I haven't used this one already.

Blinking lights on the airplane wings
Up above the trees
Blinking down a morse code signal
Especially for me
Ain't no rainbow in the sky
In the middle of the night
But the signal's coming through
One day i will be alright again
Blinking lights on the highway cars
Stopping one by one
Get a look at the accident
Didn't see that one coming
And the doctor in the sky
Gonna bring his chopper down
Gonna bring me out alive
And set me on the ground
Once more again
Blinking lights on the airplane wings
Up above the trees

This song, simple and understated is really hard to shake. Personally, I think Blinking Lights and Other Revelations by Eels is a modern rock masterpiece, one of those albums I hope to tell future generations where I was when I first listened to it, but that's a pretty corny dream, I go too far I guess. If anybody is interested in it, I'll gladly burn it for them, and don't listen to anything you hear about this album being too depressing or downbeat. I think this shit makes me happy to be alive.
E is the mad fat beat killer supreme with the coolest rhymes in the galaxy. Bless him.

Sometimes good people do evil things.

It's a slow Sunday, I just watched A Simple Plan and I guess it's been a while since I've seen it because the movie really just rocked my socks. What a fucking heartbreaker, definitely sam raimi's best and most certainly billy bob and bill paxton best performacnces. What's so amazing about it is that you have these horrific and terrible things happening and you never once suspend disbelief. I imagine some people would but for me, throughout the film, I keep imagining to myself what would I do in that situation and anytime a movie creeps into your subconcious like that and makes you contemplate unspeakable things given the situation it makes for one damn poweful movie experience. Just so people know, that doesn't mean I am looking for an excuse to commit homicide or steal a bag of money I found in a crashed airplane. I just mean when you watch the film and understand the situation these people are in, you see that they are not acting out of malicious greed or homicidal insanity. They simply see murder, mayhem, and other forms of chaos as a means to an end, to them it's merely a process of rational thought. It's a very terrifying prospect seeing ordinary human beings do these things to each other, but that is probably what puts it above your average every day thriller like stealth for example. I remember seeing A Simple Plan and Affliction during the same winter of 1998, I think those two films single handedly turned me against winter for the rest of my life. Maybe its the uniform desolation that exists in those snow drenched towns or the fact that in both of those films, miserable people to miserable things to each other with no hope for salvation and not because they want to either. It's a shame because I used to love winter time, damn movies. Now I'm going to watch My Man Godfrey which the back of the dvd jewel case said is the definitive screwball comedy. I could use a laugh.

"Make it look like the bad guys did it, Hank."

..also that my cat smells nice and is pretty

That song is about a cat by the way.

wop a din din

Nice, a brew ha ha over my last post. You will survive the bloody mayhem? Only time will tell.

I had an early 90's flashback yesterday but not one of those stupid lame ass faux nostalgia ones they have on vh1 all the time with shitty comedians making obvious jokes about dated trends. I listened to nevermind and vs. yesterday, I've been listening to nirvana a lot ever since I saw last days. While I definitely don't think they were the mythic saviors of rock and roll like the media painted them out to be but they are definitely a consistenly solid band with some really great songwriting to boot. Pearl Jam on the other hand matured in a way that nobody really knew how to deal with so they pretty much ignored them. I know that sounds bitter but I listen to each progressive album and I think they just get better and better in a way that the great bands truly do. Yet for some reason, people wanted them to do the same shit over and over again. Whatever, Vs. after 11 years is still a kick ass piece of hot rock and i Think the song rearview mirror is my favorite rock song of all time. Nevermind is pretty damn good too, although I must say, my favorite nirvana album of all time is Unplugged in New York and their best studio album is in utero. In Utero is very difficult to listen to because you know that if cobain wasn't so screwed up nirvana could have matured into an amazing band (Based on that album), at the same time part of the album's genius is the insight cobain is able to achieve because he is so screwed up, being creative sucks apparently.

This song is for all the pet lovers in the house, and for all those who will see them soon.

She's got big green eyes
And a long Egyptian face
She moves across the floor
At her own pace
When I'm here in bed
She'll jump up on my chest
And when we lock eyes there's so much love
I wanna cry

She comes in near
When I scratch under her ear
And she lifts her head
When I kiss around her neck

Won't go to sleep
When she falls along my side
And two green eyes fade
To a porcelain marble white
And somehow when I sleep
She'll end up at my feet
And if I roll and kick her out
I might knock her to the ground
But she'll come back anyhow

Ella es muy vital
más triste que salir el sol
pura como el agua

The morning comes
She squints up to shield out the sun
And she'll go and lay
In the warmest dusty rays
And I hold her face
She lays perfectly in place
And she'll yawn and stretch
And stare me down expressionless
And lay back down into her nest

And if someone calls
She'll race me out the hall
When she hears the phone
Then she knows I'm leaving home
She don't wanna be alone

And I know it's wrong
That I'm going away so long
And for her it's rough
I can't be with her enough
But I'll never give her enough

Ella es muy vital
más triste que salir el sol
pura como el agua

And somehow when I sleep
She'll end up at my feet
And if I roll and kick her out
I might knock her to the ground
But she'll come back anyhow

Enjoy stealth everyone...

take the soul in the hole...

Since I seem to have offended some the blue noses with yesterday's post. I will write a legitimate one with this here post. Something for you guys to think about...

Black Columnists Rap Rap Movie
Hustle & Flow received mostly positive reviews when it opened on Friday and was the second-highest grosser on a per-theater basis (behind Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), but the film is receiving decidedly mixed notices from African-American columnists. New York Daily News columnist Stanley Crouch calls it, "the latest update of blaxploitation and the most recent neo-minstrel development in black popular culture." He also expresses disappointment that the film was produced by John Singleton with support from Spike Lee and Will Smith. He writes: "This is not minor because all three of these men have previously remained removed from celebrating the sort of scum that this film -- and that the worst of the rap industry -- raises high from the dung heap of popular culture at its most irresponsible and dehumanizing." Wendi C. Thomas, writing in the Memphis Commercial Appeal (the film was shot in Memphis), writes that the film is "giving me nightmares," noting that the city is depicted as a place populated by "pimps given to preachifying, prostitutes as dumb as they are loyal, and block after block of some of the most rundown neighborhoods this side of Ethiopia." A lot of money was spent in Memphis by the filmmakers, Thomas notes, "but all money isn't good money, especially if the money is made pimping on the silver screen the worst Memphis has to offer." On the other hand, Armond White, writing in the New York Press, comments that the film "isn't really about a pimp. Its concern is with the emotional turmoil a man faces while dealing with women on top of the social difficulties that beset impoverished black men." And Desson Thomson in the Washington Post calls the film "rather wonderful .. a surprisingly charming story that -- in certain sections -- almost crystallizes into the sweetness of a Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland musical."

later days,
-e

Ow, it's hot...the butter in my pocket is melting!

I'm at work, normally I don't do this. I have a respectable internship and I don't want to take advantge of it but I have a few minutes so I am going to post some thoughts about the unbearable heat that has been bestowed upon us these last couple of days. Consider if you will the following primers...




"Man, it's hot! How hot is it? It's so hot, I poured McDonalds coffee in my lap to cool off! Johnny Carson said it."

"Wow! That ice dispenser is so big, the ice crushes you! Yakov Smirnov said it.
"No he didn't."

"Strange... Why would Nixon - an awkward, uncomfortable man - suddenly throw a party? One of the most social events imaginable! It's a trap is why!"

PEACE OUT Y'ALL!!!!!

Baby Jesus Born to Rock

That last song was too depressing, here's a bloopy....


remember last year when you were on your own
you swore the spirit couldn't be found
december rolled around and you were counting on it
to roll out

well, everything's gonna be cool this christmas
everything's gonna be cool this christmas
everything's gonna be cool this christmas

well everybody's lookin' for you down at the house
the tree is looking so inspired
there's a yuletide groove waitin' for you to move
i'll go and throw another log on the fire

everything's gonna be cool this christmas
everything's gonna be cool this christmas
everything's gonna be cool this christmas

as days go by the more we need friends
and the harder they are to find
if i could have a friend like you all my life
well i guess i'd be doin' just fine

everything's gonna be cool this christmas
everything's gonna be cool this christmas
everything's gonna be cool this christmas

Chumps and Chumpettes

Just a song today...

This is the place
You'll end up when
You lose the chase
Where you're dragged against your will
From a basement on the hill
All anybody knows is
You're not like them
They hit you in the head
And send you back to bed
Isolation called you and passed a tunnel into a
Bright world where you can rule a place of state
Here's a little house for you to stay
But everybody's scared of this place
They're staying away
Your little house on memory lane
The mayor's name is fear
His voice patrols the pier
By a mountain up of cliche
That advances everyday
The doctor speak in clowns
He rings out loud
He'll keep the doors and windows shut
And swear
Never join a soul again
But isolation chased you ‘til every muscle ached
Down the only road it ever takes
But everybody's scared of this place
They're staying away
Your little house on memory lane
If it's your decision
To be open about yourself
Be careful or else
Be careful or else
Uncomfortable apart
It's all written on my chart
That I take what's given to me
Most cooperatively
I do what people say
And lie in bed all day
Absolutely horrified
I hope you're satisfied
Isolation pushes past something and chained to
A place where suffering’s a game
But everybody's scared of this place
They're staying away
Your little house on memory lane
Your little house on memory lane

Anderson-Esque

Just saw a film that is supposed to come out in october, it's called the squid and the whale. Much love to Bone for getting me into the press screening tonight. It's directed by Noah Baumbach who co-wrote Life Aquatic with Wes Anderson, and I can't tell who came first because they've obviously inspired each other. Squid and the Whale has the kind of melon-comedic tone that anderson has perfected over the years. It's about a family going through a divorce amongst other things, I won't describe any more because I feel it's best to go into these kinds of movies without a lot of pre-knowledge. Anyway it's obviously one of those lived-in movies, where you can tell some of these scenes have been lifted directly from real life. The movie is really funny and touching in such an unforced way, movies like this always seem to lift me up. It's nice to see that you can convey years worth of regret with just a look or a throw-away line. Anderson has also become the master of this. Anyway you should check it out when it comes out in theatres, I'd like to see it again. Again, thank you tess. I really appreciate it.

Yesterday during work a 75 year old woman said I had a nice voice on the phone and asked me if I was interested in the mormon church. I guess people with only nice voices can join the mormon church, I don't know if it's a compliment. Do I want to have a mormon voice? She also said she didn't believe in credit cards, and she's never used them, that's pretty admirable like people who don't watch T.V.

I guess that's enough.

Royal takes the dalmation over to Chas.
ROYAL I got you a new dog for the boys.
Chas looks at the dalmation. He looks back to Royal.
CHAS What’s this?
ROYAL I just bought him.
CHAS You did?
Royal nods. Silence.
ROYAL I’m sorry I let you down, Chas. All of you. I’ve been trying to make it up to you.
Royal holds out the leash. Chas hesitates. He takes it.
CHAS What’s his name?
ROYAL (quietly) Sparkplug.
CHAS Thank you.
ROYAL You’re welcome.
Chas suddenly starts crying. He stares at the ground.
CHAS We’ve had a rough year, Dad.
ROYAL I know you have, Chassie.

me no speaka da english

Sorry about that last post, it's kind of late and I suck at grammar. Fill in the errors as best you see fit. Thanks

-ethan

Emotions are dumb...and should be hated.

So I went to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory friday night, and I gotta say, I loved it. But before I get into that, I gotta say a few things about this, which hopefully will trigger some honest debate. I love the original, it was the very first movies I discovered I could watch over and over again, that could probably attributed to a fondess for the writing of Roald Dahl, but I digress. I stole a copy from my friend Tim when I was maybe 7 or 8 maybe older and there's something so lovely about watching that movie after a couple of years. That being said, I was totally not against the remake, in fact I was all for it. First of all, the official version of Charlie is not this film, it's not the 71 version, it's the book. So as far as I'm concerned, the only one that really matters is the book, so by that deduction, this film is not a remake. It's a re-interpretation of the original text, and as far as I'm concerned, this story is one of my favorites, Tim Burton is one of my favorites how could I possibly be upset about this combination. In that vein, being someone who adores the original, I completely understand the opposition to the film, I see the mindset, I however disagree.
So, the movie, it rocks, it is one of the most exhilirating visual experiences I have ever had in a movie theatres, let alone with a Tim Burton film. It was like he had to hole himself for a while, drive himself crazy and spill that craziness all over the page, this movie is definitely in tone with pee-wee more than any of his other films and I love that about it.
The oompa loompas are better in this film than they were in the original, as much as I love them, their numbers in 71 were a little standard, the lyrics are great but the presentation lacked any kind of flair. Burton goes absolutely ass kicking crazy with it this time, the references piled on top of one another, and just the choreographed madness of it all, trying to figure out how his team pulled it off is maddening. Danny Elfman blows almost all of his earlier work out of the water with this film, this is definitely up there with nightmare before christmas, if not better.
Freddie Highmore's performance goes so much deeper and more soulful than the original charlie did, you really get to see the sadness that seeps through all of charlie's kind acts. Sure he's a really sweet kid, but you see that kind of come through as a sense of desperation, like doing kind things is the only bright spot in this guy's life.
Johnny Depp, now this is where most of the debate will start between admirers of the original film and this one. For me, neither performance is better than the other. I think Johnny Depp is a much better actor than Gene Wilder, and I feel his performance is a little more complicated and braver, but on the whole they both work and accomplish what each was trying to do plus more. Which is what I think was Depp's goal, to have his own version of willy wonka, and he definitely succeeded because you walk out of the theatre not imaginging anyone else being able to play this role, except for Gene Wilder of course. Wilder's wonka is still amazing to watch, just how funny and fake he seems, he makes me laugh every time.
There were some things I missed of course, like all of wonka's little poetic references and all the jokes he makes at the kid's expense, there are some of those their but with Depp it's more like a fellow kid teasing another, whereas Wilder is a grown man making fun of children. I missed wonka wash, I didn't really miss fizzy lifting drink (That along with cheer up charlie were always the two parts of the film i fast fowarded through when I was a kid). But theses are things that work in the original just like there are things that work only in this film. What I'm most happy with is now I have a choice between two radically different takes on the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory story, one to whatch depending on whatever mood I happen to be in, if I'm in a Tim Burtony kind of mood than i watch his. If I'm in a Mel Stuart mood, I watch his. What more could I ask for as a fan than two versions of one story that I both love.

Speaking of fans, something else I noticed today. I completely understand people getting sick of star wars and just wishing it would go away. I experienced something similar today with the release of the new harry potter book, I just wish it would go away. Yes, I am one of those miserable party poopers who has never read a single line of Rowling and probably never will, that stuff doesn't really interest me. Plus I think the movies are kind of lame, except for the last one which was slightly less lame. I don't mean to put down the Potter franchise, i totally understand why people dig it, having such a complex and large story interwoven into a series of books must be enormously satisfying. It just does nothing to me and since it is such a giant entity in our culture, I can't help but become surrounded by it and thus dislike it more. I personally think Roald Dahl did this stuff much better, but what do I know.

If you don't mind, I'll be shutting down for a while....

"Can your heart still break once it's stopped beating?"

Where were you in '02?

Inspiration has just struck me. Okay this is probably going to sound really lame, but it's something that I really really want to do. Obviously, the imaginary friend movie is first (a new source of inspiration has struck me for that, but I have to talk to nate first to make sure its cool) But anyway, I want my first full script to be a high school teen epic, it will be the teen movie to end all teen movies, okay maybe not but I'll try. The main conceit will be about a relationship (obviously) that rises and falls, that's all I got. And it will be a combination of say anything, chasing amy, and all the real girls, three of the greatest romance/couple movies ever made. But what's really getting me going is the totally unoriginal plan I have for the music and soundtrack. If anybody has seen american graffiti, and they should its basically dazed and confused but instead of drugs its about cars. The soundtrack though is incredible, even though I really don't dig any of that late 50's early 60's rock and roll music, but it's wall to wall pop songs, no score, just songs. I heard Lucas even wrote the script to certain songs and with certain songs in mind. So with this teen epic, the one i would like to write, I'm going to completely ape off of that concept, and forsake a score in favor of wall to wall emo type music. Now this will either be the most embarassing thing ever made, or slightly better than that. But my thinking is people who hate emo type music will at least accept the fact that this is part of the culture of the movie, kind of like the rock and roll of graffiti. So there we go, that's all i got, music and a main plot but that should be enough to get me going. I've always wanted to make a teen movie, I feel like they're such fertile ground for a really emotional story but they always get bogged down by mtv shit and demographics, they always feel the need to be hip and now. I don't want none of that shit, and who knows if it can be pulled of, but the idea would be to go for the big T-word, timeless. Kind of like American Graffiti, weird that the lucas movie that inspired me in this way isn't star wars, what does that mean? Diddly shit, star wars will always rock my socks. And the movie will have soo many references....



Hey man, I'm sorry if I scared ya!
You're gonna hafta do one hell of a lot more than that to scare me!
Hey I've been lookin' all over for ya man. Didn't nobody tell ya I was lookin' for ya?
Man, I can't keep track of all you punks runnin' 'round here backwards.
Hey you're s'posed to be the fastest thing in the Valley man, but that can't be your car. It must be your mama's car! I'm sorta' embarrassed to be this close to ya!
Yeah, well I'm not surprised, drivin' a field car!
Field car? What's a field car?
:A field car runs through the fields, droppin' cow shit all over the place to make the lettuce grow.
Ha ha! That's pretty good! Say, I like the color of your car there. What's that s'posed to be? Sort of a cross between piss yella' and puke green ain't it?
Well, you call that a paint job, but it's pretty ugly. I bet you got to sneak up on the pumps just to get a little air in your tires!
Well at least I don't have to pull over to the side just to let a funeral go by man.

Entroducing...

I just saw an ESPN segment about Jeffrey Jordan, Michael's 16 year old son. Jeffrey is playing at the McDonalds high school all american basketball camp, going into his junior year of high school. Apparently, he says he's decent. Anyway the point of all this is despite the obvious shit this kid is going to face because of his name, I found it kind of touching. Now, I am fully aware this will sound weird but just bear with me. You see I remember watching one of those Michael Jordan basektball videos, (I think it was Air Time, somebody correct me if I'm wrong) when I was a kid and seeing Older Jordan playing basketball with his kids when they couldn't have been any older than 6 or 7 years old. And there's something about seeing him as a kid then and now he's sixteen years old and playing basektball, it's like I pseudo-watched him grow up. I mean, obviously I didn't but I do know that if he ever becomes a professional basketball player, I'll have a new jordan to root for. Won't be the same but maybe it will get me to watch the NBA again.

Anyway, what I wanted to write about, rather copy and paste from a website were the lyrics to a song I haven't really stopped listening to since the cd came out. And now after the London attacks, it's taken on a whole new meaning for me. The song is called Lord, I Know We Don't Talk and it's by kevin devine. Anyway the song is about a guy asking god to prove his existence by stopping the terror our country seems to be reigning down upon the world. Or so I thought, when I first heard the song I said to myself, oh yeah anti-war song, nice. But after last week I remembered (I don't know how I forgot), that there are a lot of other people out there who like to blow shit up indiscriminately thinking they have the might of God on their side.

In a motel room,
with the Bible out,
combing scripture for answers about
what's happening now.
I can't believe my eyes,
and I just can't trust my ears,
but I've heard a man can always come find
some solace here.

Lord, I know that we don't talk
often at all anymore,
but desperate folks do desperate things,
so I'm stapling this note to your door.

Please: turn the ship around,
and lock the course in place,
and keep the train tracks nailed to the ground,
but pull the emergency brake.
I've lost my faith in man
just like I once lost faith in you,
and I've been covering all kinds of ground
thinkin' hard 'bout what else I could lose.
And I know how I look, to come crawling back,
acting like you owe me proof,
but this is bigger than me,
and I think it's bigger than you too.

So if this gets to you,
if you ever come home,
just know I won't be awaiting the postman.
I will not be glued to my phone.
I'll know a change has come,
I'll know that you exist,
when all our bombs stop exploding and when
all of our landmines are stripped.
When we stop blowing up strangers' houses
and making orphans of innocent kids,
and people stop thinking the world's theirs for the taking
'cuz your will once told them it is.

'Til then, I'm gonna shake my head,
I'm gonna bite my tongue
when people tell me, "Have faith and be patient.
We're waiting for God to show up."
'Til then, it's one more skeptical song.
But I'll be glad as hell
if you come prove me wrong.

I'd rather forget the days we spent trying to stay afloat in shallow water.

I have an assignment to all the readers of this blog, since there are so many of you and some even think I'm still retired.
I was eating lunch in cosi today and there was a large group of tourists taking up at least four tables around me. At first I was annoyed by all their shenanigans especially since one of them had a mcdonalds cup with them. Not that cosi is elegant dining or anything, but come on mcdonalds, pull your head out of your ass. Anyway one of them noticed this too and said something like, mcdonalds! we're in new york and you are eating at mcdonalds! I thought this was interesting because new york has never been an exotic place to me but that's probably because we've always lived within comfortable driving distance and we have friends who live here longer than i can remember. The point of all this is, some people, probably from the middle and opposite coast and many other areas of the country, hold new york in the same regard as a foreign country. It's like there's a different culture, different set of customs and things you ordinarily do in your normal life are considered irrelevant here. That being said, it got me thinking that while I have kind of lived here for almost three years now (kind of being i've never owned the place where i live and have never stayed continuously for more than 5 months), I really know nothing about this city. It's still that place with the huge buildings and cool stores, it's not exotic enough to make me a tourist but it definitely hasn't been personalized to any extent, but i really want it to be. So I what i want you good folks to do is to contribute your favorite spots in any part of the city, they could be anywhere. An example is a park nate showed me and mom a little while ago, I cant remember where it was, but you should remember navigatin' nate. To wrap this crap up, I'm not excluding this list to any particular set of locations, it could be the empire state building, it could be a bench in Bed-Stuy. Anyway let me know, cause I'm trying to figure this city out. I guess that's all, oh and I should also mention, my freaking voicemail is set up so you can all sleep easy tonight. There I said it.

But don't go feelin' all stuck and shamed for your damned ol' dad,
'cuz I've seen troubles that could kill ten stronger men.
It's just that all this weight from la-la-livin's
been catchin' fire in my hands.
Well, fuck this town, son. I wanna make 'em crawl again.

Now Miss Leela, on the date in question, were you or were you not wearing a hoop skirt?

I remember the first time I met Elliott Smith- it was at a party in Portland, OR. He was telling me about a new band he was starting called Heatmiser, I remember him being shy, yet incredibly warm and funny. Afterward, every time I read an article about him or heard people speak of him, it colored him as a sad recluse, much like his music implied.

Elliott Smith's fragile, character-driven songs feature desperate people harboring sad illusions, substance addictions and aching longings; his lyrics seem to act as a sort of confessional for the troubles of friends and strangers. He sand as if he were in a constant state of feeling lost, which resonates with anyone who feels they lack a home. And that was the genius of Elliott Smith- he enveloped you and made you feel with him and never for him. Writing music that makes people truly ache is a rare talent, as it means you have given your soul to your art. I've never felt that assessment to be more accurate than when applied to Elliott Smith, a songwriter who was all soul, who was always searching, and who has hopefully found at last that elusive feeling of going home.

-some guy named Buddy Humberston

Note: I am not trying to suggest that I somehow see myself in elliott smith, that guy dealt with shit I could probably never dream of (knock on wood that is). But this was a really nice summary of his work and his music really kicks ass. Let's hope he's found some peace.

Good day to you.

King Kong remake=I hate hollywood

Well well well, look who's come crawling back...

Oh wait, it's me. Nevermind.

Yeah I'm writing in this damn thing again, it's been a month, I figured I had enough time away from it, I almost thought I had it worked out where I started this blog on the 29th of march, ended on the 29th of may, only to start it back up again the 29th of june, but I started it earlier than that, so it doesn't work.

Anyway, I just saw Revenge of the Sith for the seventh time, besting my record for most times seeing a film in theatres, the previous record holder was to everyone's amazement, Attack of the Clones.
And after seeing ROTS for the seventh time with Gabe which is where the title of this post came from, truer words were never spoken, I had a revelation. This is the best star wars, it's better than empire, it's better than a new hope. It's just the best, no other film leaves me more satisfied, more emotionally spent, and physically thrilled than this one. The images are gorgeous, the music is sumptously intense, I even think this is the best acted of the 6. I think the main reason is because it does what I personally love about a good tragedy, and they don't all do this mind you. It takes us to a terrible place full of pain, suffering, death, and loss etc. etc. But then right at the end, it teases us with a glimmer of hope. When the beginning notes of Leia's theme begin to swell which then orchestrates into a full on blast of the Binary Sunset or Luke's theme I guess you can call it, everything soars. Now you might say this is just a small part of the movie, let's just say it's one of the many things that puts me in a glazed over stupor in this movie. But what I particularly like about this ending is that it sort of encapsulates the entire saga, it visualizes the paragraph mr. A.O. Scott wrote in the end of his review. Look past the space battles and lightsaber fights, the digital derring do you might call it. And what we have is a story about a man...
...a radioactive man.
This is a story about a father and his two children. Simple as that, there's nothing new to this particular intepretation but I personally think there's something so evocative about that very simple idea And it's why I love star wars I guess, it's so simple that it reads like an ordinary fairy tale, but the kind you want to hear over and over again.
I hope this makes sense, I'm trying to sound profound so maybe I should just stop all this analysis and go back to something pure. This movie rules.

The Star Wars Saga (in order of ethan's personal preference)
1. Episode III-Revenge of the Sith
2. Episode V-The Empire Strikes Back
3. Episode IV-A New Hope
4. Episode II-Attack of the Clones-This is so close to A New Hope it's practically a tie. Actually I think Attack of the Clones is a much better movie, but in terms of personal preference, I've always said A new hope is one of the most entertaining movies ever made. So it's basically a tie, or these two could flip flop and it wouldn't make a difference. So let's add that...
3. Episode II-Attack of the Clones
4. Episode IV-A New Hope
5. Episode VI-Return of the Jedi
6. Episode I-The Phantom Menace.

Okay so that's that, I guess I needed to get the final word on this stuff, but anyway, the blog will continue and I will try to keep it to writings about films whether it be news or things that I've seen. That should be interesting. Until then...

Darth Vader: Luke... help me take this mask off.
Luke: But you'll die.
Darth Vader: Nothing can stop that now. Just for once... let me... look on you with my OWN eyes.
[Luke takes off Darth Vader's mask one piece at a time. Underneath, Luke sees the face of a pale, scarred, bald-headed, old man - his father, Anakin. Anakin's eyes are full of love as he sadly looks at Luke]
Anakin: Now... go, my son. Leave me.
Luke: No, you're coming with me. I'll not leave you here. I've got to SAVE you.
Anakin: You already have, Luke. You were right. You were right about me. Tell your sister... you were right.
[Anakin slumps down in death]
Luke: Father... I won't leave you.

I forgot one last thing...

I meant to end my review with a quote from A.O. Scott's review,
He sums it up best I think.


"But of course the rise of the Empire and the perdition of Anakin Skywalker are not the end of the story, and the inverted chronology turns out to be the most profound thing about the ''Star Wars'' epic. Taken together, and watched in the order they were made, the films reveal the cyclical nature of history, which seems to repeat itself even as it moves forward. Democracies swell into empires, empires are toppled by revolutions, fathers abandon their sons and sons find their fathers. Movies end. Life goes on."

Damn.

sorry I made a typo...

When I wrote for me to like this movie would have been a massive undertaking on the maker's part.

That should read for me to dislike this movie etc etc. Sorry about that.

always on the move...

Okay, let's get this over quickly. Just saw Revenge of the Sith for the fourth time yesterday, and a special note to all those waiting to see it, if you can, see it digitally. It's a remarkable difference, and it almost gets to a point where the special effects don't look like special effects, they look like a photographed image. I know there is a lot of economic turmoil surrounding the switch to digital and I'm not going to pretend to understand the implications, it's just a shame that the theatres around me haven't switched yet.

Anyway the movie, it kicks ass. It's so epic and tragic and such a big goddamn spectacle that fully justifies the star wars title. Kevin Smith said in his review he was predisposed to like this movie, I think I am of the same ilk. As someone who I suppose could be called a star wars apologist, even though I really realy hate that term. I am a prequel fan as well as a special edition fan. Anyway, none of that foolishness matters, back to the movie. For me to like this movie would have taken a mighty big undertaking on the maker's part. So for that I say, thank the maker.

Here's what I love.

1. The Opening- the dogfight, the R2-D2 stuff, the banter back and forth between anakin and obi-wan. I love the energy and the goofiness, it's also a really great opening action set piece. Part of me really hates this part just because I want the movie to stay this way, and not spill into the giant clusterfuck it will become.

2. Palpatine- He is in the zone in this movie and my hat goes off to Ian McDiarmid for not only playing a character twenty years younger from when he last saw him, which is actually twenty years older for McDiarmid. But he also makes a great villian, and he is so damn convincing in his manipulation of anakin. Watching him in that opera scene you can't help but think that this is why villians were created. He is a great villian because he can pull off the good guy disguise as chancellor and then just as easily switch gears into the bat shit crazy over the top emperor and I personally love watching it all.

3. The Jedi Massacre- Goddamn this is a tough sequence, and Lucas pulls it off beautifully. The intercutting, the tragedy of it in its inevitability. This sequence chokes me up every time I see it. I think my favorite shot in the movie is a simple close up of yoda's cane as it drops to the floor and seeing the little guy clutch his heart as his way of life is being wiped out. This sequence is just the beginning of the emotional heights this movie scales.

4. The last 45 minutes to 1 hour of this movie- I haven't really calculated how long the running time is on this part, but watching the obi-wan vs. anakin intercut with yoda vs. darth sidious is like watching some beautiful symphony. It's epic in a way that reaches operatic levels and truly brings the space opera back into star wars. Then how the movie shifts so dynamically to the intercutting of darth vader being born to that of the twins birth. Genius. My second favorite shot in the movie, when that mask comes down and vader takes his first breath. You will not hear a sound in the theatre when that happens, truly chill inducing. Then Leia and Luke landing on their perspective planets, and each of their themes being introduced and the very last shot of the movie is absolute perfection.

5. Other random shit I Like- Ewan McGregor, I feel his talents are really under appreciated in these movies. He makes obi-wan's growth so consistent with that of the alec guiness portrayal. And his humanity and wit are present even when he is delivering some truly cheesey lines. Side note, I don't give a shit about the dialogue in this movie, people need to relax about that shit, it's a star wars movie for christ sake. And one more thing, lord of the rings had some truly stupid lines in it too, but oh wait that's literary so it has to be good. Please. Anyway, Ewan really pulls out all the stops in his confrontation with anakin, it's his hurt that registers more than anything. It's devastating. Speaking of acting, even though they hit some rough patches here and there, I like hayden christensen and natalie portman, they're just not as consistent as everyone else. I think their last scene together is one of the most emotionally satisfying as anything star wars has ever put up on screen. I think they work a lot better when the relationship is falling apart, that being said I think they both did a good job and don't deserve the shit being hurled at them. Also, yoda rules but everyone knew that.

That being said, is there anything i didn't like about it?
No you bastard and how dare you make that assumption. Actually I wish there was more of the kashykk battle, I think it's effective as it is and doesn't take anything away, it just doesn't really serve a purpose other than to get yoda out of coruscant and to introduce chewbacca, which I really like by the way. The shot of yoda hopping up on chewbacca's shoulder is another particular delight. I also wish at the very end there would have been a shot of yoda getting of his little pod on dagobah, which there was supposed to be but i read that it was taken out because it was felt that the film had too many endings. I can understand that but I would have liked to see it anyway. Other than that, yeah I can see the complaint that anakin's tranformation happens a little too quickly but it's a star wars movie and if you want subtlety and nuance, go see crash. oh wait that sucked nevermind. I admit, it is sudden but remember yoda's words. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. That's the dark side, it gets in you and it consumes you, plus I think the moment when anakin lights up his lightsaber in the room full of younglings is a great moment in its savagery. I don't like it, but it is a hell of a shot.

To wrap up, this movie took me places I didn't think a star wars movie was capable of. I don't know if it's the best of the six, but I definitely think there are individual moments that are better than any of the original movies. As I said, I think it's safe to say the last hour of this movie is the best of all six. So yeah, this movie kicks ass. I hope you all enjoyed my thoughts, now go see the movie and make up your own damn mind. It could definintely use the money. Later, see you around maybe.

Don't mess with a man with a Wayback Machine. I can make it so you were never born.

I didn't know my many fans were clamoring for my official episode III review.
Well t.s. I'm going to write it after I see with "the girl will scar you" or whatever you wish to call him.
That will be saturday night...yes saturday night. And in the words of arnold schwarzenegger in jingle all the way...

Ill write you that review...I PROMISE.

He said get and toy, but I adapted.

Anyway, I'd like to point everyone's attention to yet another in a long line of sadly cancelled shows. Although this one was cancelled for good reason since one of its principal cast members died. It still saddens me. Anyway, the show is NewsRadio, and I also realized that all of the shows I like seem to have a revolving door of the same writers and directors. For example, a writer for NewsRadio went on to work on Futurama, which shares many of the same writers and directors of the critic and the simpsons. Along with that, several writers and directors from Seinfeld also worked on NewsRadio. I have come to the conclusion that I need to create a collective ensemble for these people to create the greatest television show ever assembled. Think about it, take Simpsons, Futurama, NewsRadio, Seinfeld, and the Critic and toss it into a fabulous blender. The results would be television gold...pure unadulterated gold.

Anyway, NewsRadio is a really funny show. What I really like about it is that it's like a great screwball comedy in the form of one of the least funny mediums ever created, the sitcom. The writing isn't based on punchlines, or gags or any kind of cheap set up you can see a mile away. The cast creates this vibe that makes you feel like you're in on some big inside joke, it's a really weird feeling. You want to be a part of this show, at least I do, and not in a stay tuned kind of way, just in a my life is so empty because I sit around wishing they would bring back cancelled shows kind of way. Except of course for family guy, the show that deserved to be cancelled but can't stay that way for some reason. Anyway, it's a good show, rent the dvd if it should so arouse your interest.

That's it, I'll write the review this weekend.

Later.

Normally at a time like this I'd ask you for advice, and you'd say something that would make no sense at all, but somehow it would all fit together. Like, I would tell you, "Sir, I have a problem," and you'd say, "Well, what is it?" and I'd say, "Well, sir, Lisa wants to have a baby, but she doesn't want to get married," and you'd say "Dave, why milk the cow when you have a fridge full of steaks?" And I'd say, "Sir, that makes no sense," and you'd say, "Well, it sure made sense when that guy Chuck Connors said it in that movie Chinatown," and I'd say, "Sir, Chuck Connors wasn't in Chinatown," and you'd say, "Dave, if I wanted to have this conversation I'd have hired that guy Siskel Ebert to do your job," and I'd say, "Sir, Siskel and Ebert are two people," and you'd say, "Dave, just because the man is fat is no reason to make fun of him."

insert line about circle being complete or the force is with us yet again....

I wasn't going to write this tonight, I haven't gotten a lot of sleep in the past two nights. And I waited outside of a movie theatre yesterday for almost 9 hours, surrounded by die hard star wars fans. In some cases grown men who had children left at home. Being in line initially had me frustrated, since for the second time we were not first in line. We lost out to some dudes who had been there since 8 am, so I wasn't exactly envious. I also felt a certain amount of disconnect from them because I feel like to be considered a "true" star wars fan, you need to have A) Seen them when you were at least 8 years old or around that age, which I didn't do. B) You need to be bitterly dissappointed with the first two prequel films, so much so that you have almost stopped liking the movies all together, the special editions are included in this term. and C) well, I don't really have a C. I am not ridiculing or demeaning any of these positions, I am simply postulating that I feel like I can't connect with star wars fans because I am part of the new generation. I like the prequels, I saw the special editions first, and I have no childhood memories to claim Mr. Lucas has raped me of. But I realized something as I was sitting in the theatre last night, I looked behind me and I saw a grown man sitting calmly in his seat clutching a prop lightsaber that had these glowing lights on it that looked really really cool. He looked so content and happy with the moment, his toy by his side, and I thought, this shouldn't be about differences. It doesn't matter who likes what, or who felt which film doesn't work etc. What matter is that everybody wants this series to be the best it possibly can, everybody finds comfort in the fact that this story can take us somewhere that makes us feel like that toy lightsaber is alive. I feel like all the fans and fan boys alike have hope for star wars, they just have different ways of showing it. It's nice to be a part of something like that.

Before I begin I will warn the millions of you out there that this review will be filled with many things spoiler. And if you havent seen it yet, please don't read beyond the first paragraph. Really I am warning you right now, run away.

For those of you worrying I might scurry off to dagobah to hang out with yoda if this movie didn't deliver, don't worry. I loved it, I'm sure that was a big shocker. I think there are moments in it that are the best of all six movies, Revenge of the Sith took to me places I didn't think a star wars film could. The Original Trilogy is forever changed, for the better I feel, and Star Wars still remains my favorite filmed story of all time. Read that as My favorite movie of all time.

You know what nevermind, I am too tired. I will give a much more detailed review after I get some shut eye and see the film again tomorrow. I wiill return, I promise.

tabled this motion is...or is it?

Today is the day...

At 3 pm estimated time I will arrive at the Brandywine Town Center to wait for Nine hours and one minute before seeing Episode III at 12:01am. This is really embarassing Im sure for those of you know me, and for those of you who don't. Welcome aboard.
Then again, what did you expect me to do?

I'm feeling very anxious right now. I don't know why, maybe it's because I'm not looking foward to a nine hour stay at the regal eagal, how many times will i see the 20wenty in nine hours? Figure that out. There's also a lot of, I don't want to say fear, but something along those lines. I don't want to go into this movie with any preconceived notions, I need to think of this as just another movie and I am an objective view point going to see it and form opinions on my own. But, I think, that's impossible. I just don't want to walk away from the last one feeling even the least bit empty. I know, that's an unfair burden to place on a movie, but that's why I'm nervous I guess, because I can't help it.

Looking around my room at all the stuff I have amassed over the years, lunchboxes, action figures, yoda busts, it's hard to explain but it feels like saying goodbye to something you have been with for a really long time. Granted, I missed out on the youth star wars years, since I got into the series when I was already 13, and then really really really got into it when I was 18. It feels like more though, it feels like I went to high school with it or something. And this movie tonight, this is it, there ain't no coming back. I don't know, it's sad but at the same time very rewarding, I do not feel like I wasted a second of my time with this stuff. And for that I am grateful. Well it's almost 2pm, i gotta go pick up danno and then...yeah nine hours.

In closing, gentle reader, I'd like to thank you.
`What's that?' you say? Me thanking you?
No, it's not a misprint, for you see, I enjoyed writing this blog as much
as you enjoyed reading it.


The End.

Will there ever be a rainbow?

You're all talk Hamill, you never even finished jedi school!

Just finished watching Hoop Dreams this morning. I started half of it last night and the rest today, it's amazing that a three hour documentary moves as astonishingly well as this one does. I haven't seen hoop dreams in its entirety since it came out in theatres, over ten years ago. I remember not being bored by it but not really getting all of the racial/class/societal questions the film asked. Then again I was only ten years old. It's a really great film though, Roger Ebert called it one of the best films ever made about american life, I haven't seen enough to certify that statement but I would say its up there. There is also a scene that I swear Spike Lee took down page for page when he wrote He Got Game. It's when one of the kids (William) is being recruited by Marquette university and they take him down to the stadium and bring him up to the press box where he listens to a fake play by play of himself hitting the game winning shot of the championship. College basketball is some sleazy shit, hell, basketball in general seems like sleazy shit. The other kid Arthur is recruited off of the playgrounds by a fancy private school called St. Joe's because the scout thought he could be the next isiah thomas. When it doesn't turn out that way as quickly as they would have hoped and his grades aren't up to snuff, they shit can him and make his parents pay thousands of dollars for tuition they promised they would pay. Anyway, the movie is remarkable and if you have a chance to rent the brand new dvd that just came out, definitely do so. Or burn it. I haven't done a plug in a while, so I figured it's about time.

Two more days, until Revenge of the Sith I don't know what else to say really. All sorts of reviews being posted, I do something really stupid whenever I read these opinions. Obviously I dont read the reviews because critics don't give a crap about spoilers, but a negative review gets me more bummed out then a positive review gets me excited. I don't know why that hapens. I shouldn't care what the village voice thinks, we've had our differences in the past. Anyway, maybe the next time you hear from me I'll be revenged, maybe not though. Maybe I'll write about what i eat for lunch today. I'll see ya.

"People always say to me, when you get to the NBA, don't forget about me. Well, I should've said back, if I don't make it to the NBA, don't you forget about me."

Well... uh... we fuckin' stole it, man.

Jane Winslett-Richardson: In twelve years, the baby will be eleven and a half.
Steve Zissou: [pause] That was my favorite age.

6 Days Until May 19th, 2005

Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.

I've been really lazy with this thing. Not only am I totally psyched for next wednesday because of Episode III, but also because i can stop writing in this thing. I should leave this to the professionals, I guess I'm not cut out for the fast paced blogging world.

Anyway, I've been reading the first few sentences of almost every fan site possible for Revenge of the Sith reviews. Generally, the word is positive, not a lot of enthusiasm, but like quiet applause you give to an opening act that you didn't really want to see but is giving you a good show. In other words, people who have lost faith in the series. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with people of that persausion, people like or dislike movies for all kinds of reasons, who am I to judge? But I did run by something that really troubled me and somewhat correlates with my whole anti-fanboy stance. One review said something like, Lucas decided to take the new series on himself making every decision his own and not thinking of what was best for the series. Did I miss something here? Since when did a filmmaker's creative instincts not become his or her own? Since when did a matter of taste become what's best for the series? This really bothers me because it illustrates everything wrong with fan boy-dom, they take things SO personally. The way I see it, Lucas made some calls you don't agree with, do you know any better? I love star wars but if somebody offered me the chance to make a prequel trilogy that succesfully navigated the treacherous back story to one of the most beloved movie myths of our time, I would say thanks, but no thanks. I know, I certainly don't have the answers to what is best for the series, I just happened to agree with the approach Mr. Lucas has taken these past couple of years. And that's all I want from these fan boys, just say you didn't care for it, or you didn't agree, don't act like a stake has been driven into your heart, your all knowing fan boy piss and moan heart. I guess I'm biased and tired of hearing the term lucas apologist being thrown around. I'm also tired of these internet buffons brining me down off my star wars cloud, but maybe I should be. This may not be healthy. I'm just tired of people thinking star wars belongs to them and only them, it belongs to everyone. And as such, it will go in ways some of us don't like, and some of us like. I hope this made sense, I haven't written in this thing for a while, I think I'm a little rusty.

Less than a week now, I'm starting to think what it will be like tuesday morning, will it be pure exhiliration, or a desperate slug to the finish that will take forever. I'm thinking the former because everytime I get frustrated with how long it is taking this movie to come out, I remind myself that this is it, this is the last time. I better enjoy it. Also, the reason I said tuesday morning and not wednesday morning is because wednesday I'll probably be at the theatre all day. So if you want to give me a call that day while I'm waiting, you can remind yourself how pathetic you're not compared to me.

Also, I plan something special for the last blog, my review of ROTS. Get your game faces on for that one. Cause on May 19th, 2005 WE GO LIVE!!!!!

6 days until May 19th, 2005.

"So, in the end I'd like to say
That I'm a very thankful man
I tried to make the most of my situations
And enjoy what I had
I knew true love, and I knew passion
And the difference between the two
I had some regrets
But if I had to do it all again
Well, it's something I'd like to do"

Maybe I should have saved that one till the end, but what the hell.

split the country, split the street

7 Days until May 19th, 2005. It's only a week away now.

This is a song I heard today and you know when you're listening to something and it hits you instantly, this was one of those songs. It's by kevin devine.

Alabama Acres

So there's hundreds of auburn Alabama acres,
with rows of red roofs over warm farmer's daughters
who've got no intention of inviting me in.

Space shines above me so I settle myself under it.
When I wake up, I'm back in my crowded city apartment,
with some random men doing work off in the kitchen.

They're stacking mattresses up now from the ceiling down to the floor.
My father's sick in the hallway. I hear whim whistling under door.
I rush to lift him, but you know I'm weak, and you know that he's heavy.

There's no blood in his cheeks, but he's smiling straight at me.
I ask the thickest of the workers, "would you please come help me out?"
He comes ambling over and says, "Sir, I love how your whistling sounds."

So now we drag him through the kitchen to the living room and down on the carpet.
He says, "Son, I'm embarassed but the sides of my head hurt.
I just know that I'm tired and I could surely use some rest."

I tear a mattress down for him and I say,
"Here Dad. Sleep some on this."
I wake for real, and it's over. I'm alone in the acres, and my dad is still dead.

So if you're underneath one of those rooftops,
look out your window and invite me on in,
'cuz it's cold and I'm lonely, and I could sure use a friend.

A proper post will be up soon. Can't wait.

...yeah see the thing about that is.

I know that I basically have the same blog printed twice, I don't know what happened. The links didnt work when I tried it last night and then blogspot said they wouldn't publish it, so I gave up and started over. Think of the first one as the original release, and the second as the special edition. Yeah.

Darker, Scarier, Better

Finished with finals, just a make up class and an editing project to finish, then i will done R-U-N-N-O-F-T.

Got some links for you all this time, i finally learned how to do this so I'm gonna get real creative.
A Hero Falls

Check that out. It has a high quantity of what I call holy shit moments where you find yourself gasping holy shit at various moments throughout the piece. If anyone cares to tell me which moments were holy shit worthy for them let me know, I'm sure millions will respond to that one.

Here's another, quite possibly the most original music video ever made. E knows how to knock em dead.

Hey Man

It's the second to last video on the page, called Hey Man, like I said, why do I always have to repeat everything.

Some early reviews are starting to come in for Revenge of the Sith. The title of this post is the headline to the Time Magazine review, and it's very exciting. Also the fan reviews thus far have been very positive.

It's so close now.

17 days until, May 19th 2005. and also the official countdown begins to when this blog goes off the air so to speak, it's about goddamn time if you ask me. I'm too old for this shit.


"They used to get around, walkin' around, lookin' at stuff. They used to try to find clues to all the mysteries and mistakes God had made. My friend George said that he was gonna live to be 100 years old. He said-- He said that he was going to be the president of the United States. I wanted to see him lead a parade and wave a flag on the Fourth of July. He just wanted greatness. The grown-ups in my town, they were never kids like me and my friends. They had worked in wars and build machines. It was hard for them to find their peace. Don't you know how that feels? I like to go to beautiful places where there's waterfalls and empty fields. Just places that are nice and calm and quiet."

Darker, Scarier, Better

So this is it, 18 more days as of 12 minutes ago. It is officially May of 2005, I remember back in 2002 and even 2004, how far away this seemed. I'm happy its here, but its also sad how quickly time goes. Oh well.

Not much to write about, well I do but I've just been studying all day for a media in america final, I'll give you time to laugh before you read on, and you should laugh. It's over tomorrow, so that's good.

I'm going to try to post some links of some really cool music videos that have just been released, let me see if I can do it.


Sorry I cant work these into a sentence, the help page says to be creative. I hope they don't get mad at me.

http://www.starwars.com/episode-iii/release/trailer/10.html
Link
http://www.starwars.com/episode-iii/release/trailer/10.html

http://www.eelstheband.com/media/index.asp
Link
http://www.eelstheband.com/media/index.asp

For the eels one, watch the last two videos at the bottom of the screen. Hey Man Now You're Really Living is awesome.

18 days until May 19th, 2005.

"They used to get around, walkin' around, lookin' at stuff. They used to try to find clues to all the mysteries and mistakes God had made. My friend George said that he was gonna live to be 100 years old. He said-- He said that he was going to be the president of the United States. I wanted to see him lead a parade and wave a flag on the Fourth of July. He just wanted greatness. The grown-ups in my town, they were never kids like me and my friends. They had worked in wars and build machines. It was hard for them to find their peace. Don't you know how that feels? I like to go to beautiful places where there's waterfalls and empty fields. Just places that are nice and calm and quiet."

things the grandchildren should know.

Sorry I've been so lazy with this thing, why didn't you guys tell me keeping up a blog was such hard work and that tasting things tasted so good. Anyway, got two finals coming up and I know bone will slap me for complaining about two, but I'm a film student, we lost the ability to take tests a long time ago. But I am in the process of studying for those right now, really, I'm reading a philosophy book as I type this, it's a new skill I developed, I believe I'll call it a fry-hole.

The new Eels album, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations is (and I'm not using this term lightly) a masterpiece. It's a brilliant summation of one of the greatest rock bands/creative minds in the music industry known simply as a Man Called E. Yes the ablum deals with growing up in a dysfunctional family, yes there is a lot of death and suicide talk in it but if that's all your getting out of it then you ain't listening. This is one of the most optimistic and uplifting albums I've ever heard, one review I read put it perfectly when they said anytime an album stops and makes you examine the way you are living your life, then it's something special. I'm biased of course because I could listen to the Eels do michael bolton covers and still think it's brilliant (hmm, how can I make that happen?) But I absoultely love this album, every day since I got it I wonder if I could fit it into the new day's listening cycle, the only problem is its 33 songs and I want to listen to it in it's entirety, so I'll have to work on that. There are no standout tracks because everyone is a standout track, if I knew E, I would be so proud of him and I hope this album brings him the critical kudos he sorely deserves, even though I know he doesn't care about that stuff. As DJ Killingspree pointed out:
One message board poster calls him the "Godfather to all the babyfreaks with broken hearts". Ask E himself for the answer and he'll shrug and say simply, "I like to rock".

So give it a listen and tell me what you think, or don't. Either way, it doesn't effect me, Bender.

Speaking of finals, I don't care about finals. Don't worry that doesn't mean I'm not studying, Mom. It's just so hard after you read stuff like this online on a daily basis.

"Revenge of the Sith" is, quite simply, fucking awesome. This is the "Star Wars" prequel the haters have been bitching for since "Menace" came out, and if they don't cop to that when they finally see it, they're lying."

You can go over to www.viewaskew.com to read the rest of his review. I didn't because it has spoilers so read at your own discretion.

Now these are strong words to make your head spin, now I should point out this was written by Kevin Smith,(who now officially double rules) and he has been a strong advocate of the prequel films ever since Menace came out. Regardless, this is exactly the kind of review I wanted from him and luckily we got it. If what he says is true, then I have a new determination to study my ass off and get through these stupid roadblocks on the way to some revenging on the siths part. I got my tickets for wednesday midnight at the Brandywine Town Center, an absolutely gorgeous theatre. I just want to see this movie. That's all.

Zack or "The Editor" pointed out that I missed the one month till date a week ago, yeah I did. And I'm a lazy lazy man. So allow me to remind you all of how close this movie actually is.

21 Days Until May 19th, 2005.
Gettin' closer. And Until then, the balcony is closed. (bonus points for who can tell me where that balcony bit is from, and by bonus points I mean nothing)

"i'll pick some daisies from the flower bed
of the galaxy theater while you clear your head
i thought some daisies might cheer you up"

The world you live in is just a sugar-coated topping. There is another world beneath it. The real world.

This is pretty bad, somebody needs to help Wesley Snipes.

I couldn't possibly solve this mystery.





...Can you?




http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=7241

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and some intense images.

In the words of Shang Tsung....

IT HAS BEGUN!!!!

Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith has officially received its rating as of Thursday April 14, 2005. PG-13. I actually read about this on sunday morning but I waited to write about it in fear that it would just turn out to be an internet rumor, and I would look like a huge ass. Anyway if you can't tell, I am estatic about this rating, not to say that a film's rating has ever pre determined its quality but what this tells me about ROTS is that it's going to be different. Now, I'm going to pose a thought, that does not mean I am making a statement, but I have been thinking about this for quite some time so these are not just exciting anti fanboy ramblings, actually they are but who cares. If ROTS is better than I want it to be, that means it has the potential to be the best of all the star wars films and perhaps the most important. Again these are all speculations, I am not trying to boast. But perhaps, this PG-13 symoblizes a united group effort to make THE star wars movie, again I use the word symbol because obviously the PG-13 doesn't mean anything in terms of qulaity. And don't get me wrong I am not in any way trying to put down any of the original films or the two prequels. I love them all, however I feel this film and the story that it is trying to tell warrants a much more intense vision. Intense of course being a relative term since this is after all a star wars film, I most certainly do not want to lose any of the Blam-Pow space adventure stuff. So I applaud the PG-13 and I feel it is a great step in the right direction. In other ROTS related stuff, I saw tickets have gone on sale at the AMC Neshimany 24 in PA. Now this is the first theatre to sell them that is relatively close to where I live. Get ready for this because this is truly how pathetic I am, I shivered at the thought of tickets existing for this movie. I can't even being to imagine what goes through my mind when I am physically holding the stubs for this film, I'll let you know when that happens. They go on sale for the great Brandywine Town Center Regal Cinemas 16 on April 20th, again I'll let you know.

I'm going to leave you with something that I really really hope is true. It's from this website DAVISDVD, and it's an early review of the ROTS soundtrack by john williams. It comes out May 3rd I believe.

"Not yet - ahem - officially released, John Willliams' score for the upcoming film is a dark and moody masterpiece. Militaristic and unusually creepy ("Palpatine's Teachings" and "Padme's Ruminations" send chills down your spine), the score already has a permanent place in my daily routine. Stand outs include the famous opening fanfare followed by an ass-kicking space battle, the impassioned "Battle of the Heroes" (dare I say better than "Duel of the Fates"), the percussion-driven "General Grievous" and the heartbreaking "The Birth of the Twins." The only drawback is the awkwardly constructed 13-minute "End Credits" which repeats the Throne Room music from Episode 4 far too many times. That aside, this is a must-buy when it's released on May 3rd. I'll definitely purchase this brilliant music (the bonus DVD doesn't hurt either)."

Better than Duel of the Fates?
Heartbreaking?
Creepy?
Dark?
Moody?

I'm speechless.

Horray For Blindey!

So yeah about that comment last night. I don't hate all couples, just couples that feel the need to lord over everyone with their "love" and how happy they are with their partner. Case in point, last night at the Josh Rouse concert (more on him later) these two dipshit douchebags standing in front of Nate were making out endlessly. And by endlessly, I definitely mean endlessly, I don't think they saw any of the show. They were too busy making out, making out with each other. This is both sickening and infuriating, sickening because...I don't really think I have to explain to you why that's sickening you can probably figure that out for yourself. Infuriating because these two shitboxes think its okay to commit these kinds of acts in public, because it ain't. These people are so arrogant as to think that whatever space they happen to occupy is their own and as for everybody else there, who cares? We're in love. What a stupid, selfish, and dangerous attitude to have. That is some fucked up repugnant shit.

Anyway, enough of this negative sh.....show of emotion. Josh Rouse and his rockicity was enough to over come the vomit enducing actions of the people in the crowd. Josh Rouse is fast becoming one of my favorite musicians, up there with the likes of pearl jam and the rest. One of the great things about him is that he's achieved what he has without the benefits of radio play or music videos (take that MTV and Clear Channel). And he doesn't feel the need to plaster his face everywhere to get attention, he just plays music. He also makes it look so easy and effortless which is usually a sign of some of the hardest working artists out there. Check him out if you have the chance, every one of his albums plays like a sequel to the previous one. A great progression that doesn't negate the previous, but makes it stronger. Except for his first, I suppose, that's just a great opening. Rock on Josh.

"Spent hours on a landline,
Hopin' you would find time for me
Showed up at your door, it was a scene
I was so sure,
You would be free
I should have caught a ride on a Brooklyn train
30 years old and nothing's changed"

It's an honest thing and honest things they last.

I hate couples.

Listen this is going to be one hell of a bowel movement, by the end of it he'll be lucky if he has any bones left.

If this blog is incoherent, I must apologize for it feels like 80 billion degrees in this room. I wish the weather would just decide what season it wishes to pursue and do that, last weekend it was freezing. Now, however, it is muggy, whatever happened to nice crisp spring days, perfect weather, don't we deserve a bit of that? I guess not, but just give us something comfortable, I'm sweating like a pig here.
I went to Toys R Us to see the star wars toys, of which there are plenty, the main chore is to sort out which ones I merely want and which will leave me with a insatiable void if I pass up the opportunity to own them. I feel weird about all this stuff in 2005, probably because its the last time it will ever happen so I am tempted to snatch up anything I can get my greedy little hands on. That's why I got Mom down in Avondale keepin an eye on any new developments in the star wars merchandising bonanza which is unfolding as we speak. But as I said, as silly as I am about all this stuff, I feel it is justified because this is the last one and these are the days on which I will look back and say, wow that was fun getting excited about all that crap. Is it wrong that I'm getting nostalgic about something that is in the process of happening, better yet, hasn't happened yet? Oh well, I'm excited, I want the toys, I want the soda, I need it for my life.
I watched the corporation last night, really interesting documentary. If anyone wants to borrow it, I would gladly pass it around, it really reminded me of this summer where you threw a stone and you hit some left oriented documenatry which was great to see not only because I agreed with most of them. But because a lot of people found alternatives to the mainstream media, which wishes to crush out all dissent, unfortunately it didn't move people enough to unseat the current jackasses in power but the overall effect is undeniable and that gives me hope. That reminds me, Michael Moore's words close out the corporation, and they are some of the most inspiring stuff I saw in a movie last year, one of the few times in a theatre where I really wanted to clap but I swore to uphold a sacred oath against that crap so I held back. So watch the corporation, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll shudder with fear, you'll slap your head with disgust, and probably punch the couch a couple of times and the person sitting next to you, you won't regret it.
A finally note, despite what you may have read, being emo is not something to be ashamed of. Did I miss something? When did Emo become the new scarlet letter? Emo stands for emotional, isn't any good music emotional, otherwise you get 3 Doors Down or Matchbox 20. Emo is just a term that idiot rock journalists and terrified music executives came up with to maintain their control over the trends of the music industry. They recognized something happening beyond their control and beyond their capabilities of understanding so they packaged it and slapped a big stupid label on it in order to keep things from getting out of hand, they've got units to move remember? If you're going to call something "emo" with a negative connotation at least specify what you didn't like about it, just say it was fake or not worth your time or it just bugged the hell out of you. Don't hate sentimentality because its sentimental, that's just stupid. Although here at NYU you'd think that was law of the land. Okay I knew this would spin out of control, nobody panic, I'm logging off now.


Just kidding....

Okay, now as of the end of this sentence.

The sentence that I am speaking...

....
....
PERIOD.

Frink, out.

Here's something for all the emo haters out there.

You'll sit alone forever
If you wait for the right time
What are you hoping for?
Im here and now Im ready
Holding on tight
Dont give away the end
The one thing that stays mine...

Can I throw up in your bathroom? I'll buy something.

Okay loads to talk about, but I'm not going to do it tonight. I am way too tired and I've been on a film shoot most of the weekend, and the weather sucks so tomorrow I promise. Because there are so many of you readers eagerly awaiting my posts. Anyway here's a little taste.

1. Album Leaf puts on a great show, more people should give these guys a chance. And I say that with conviction because I, too at one point had no faith. Then I converted.

2. Sin City is Robert Rodriguez's best movie ever, and that comes from a really really big From Dusk Till Dawn fan.

3. Three new Star Wars tv ads premiered this weekend, tragedy is my personal favorite, it's breaking my heart.

4. I am sub-par at crowd control.

5. I absolutely positively 100% can not wait for the new eels album, its the episode III of albums.

That's all a more complete entry tomorrow, and until then. I leave you with...

"Do you know what it's like to care too much, 'bout someone that you're never gonna get to touch.
Hey man, now you're really living.
Have you ever sat down in the fresh cut grass and thought about the moment and when it will pass.
Hey man, now you're really living."

Seasons greetings
peace out.