Hey y'all.
Well, today was THE day for the film world. This morning, the AMPAS announced their nominations for the Academy Awards, and boy were they not the least bit surprising. I managed to predict almost all of them, with the directing category being my only fumble. But, now I have the chance to redeem myself, and so, without further annoying chatter, I give to you my Oscar Predix...
Best Picture:
What Will Win: Brokeback Mountain
What Should Win: Good Night and Good Luck
Best Director:
Who Will Win: Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Who Should Win: George Clooney, Good Night and Good Luck
Best Actor:
Who Will Win: Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Who Should Win: David Strathairn, Good Night and Good Luck
Best Actress:
Who Will Win: Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
Who Should Win: Keira Knightely, Pride and Prejudice
Best Supporting Actor:
Who Will Win: Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
Who Should Win: Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
Best Supporting Actress:
Who Will Win: Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener
Who Should Win: Michelle Williams, Brokeback Mountain
Best Screenplay (Original):
What Will Win: The Squid and the Whale
What Should Win: Good Night and Good Luck
Best Screenplay (Adapted):
What Will Win: Brokeback Mountain
What Should Win: Brokeback Mountain
Best Animated Feature:
What Will Win: Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
What Should Win: Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
There you have it. The "What/Who Should Win" catergory is merely what I would rather see win, based on personal bias, or the fact that I haven't seen the film that's the leading contender. I loved Good Night and Good Luck, which is apparent in my picks, so I'd LOVE to see that beat out Brokeback Mountain in the major catergories. So yeah, while this may seem pretensious, because maybe some of you have not seen these films, it's really not. These are the obvious winners, and like last year, I doubt there will be much of a surprise when the winners are annoucned in March...
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
Beatles Song of the Week...
"Here, There, and Everywhere" - Lennon/McCartney
I didn't intend this to be the inagural Beatles Song of the Week, but I heard it this morning while working, and I just couldn't resist putting it in. I absolutely love the slow rhythm, and how it just tells such a sweet story. Yeah, a bit simplistic for a Beatles song, as far as explanations go, but one listen can convince even the hardest of the hard. Take a gander at the lyrics to get a grip on the song, or purchase this fine album from Amazon.com.
To lead a better life
I need my love to be here
Here, making each day of the year
Changing my life with a wave of her hand
Nobody can deny that there's something there
There, running my hands through her hair
Both of us thinking how good it can be
Someone is speaking, but she doesn't know he's there
I want her everywhere
And if she's beside me I know I need never care
But to love her is to need her
Everywhere, knowing that love is to share
Each one believing that love never dies
Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there
I want her everywhere
And if she's beside me I know I need never care
But to love her is to need her
I will be there, and everywhere
Here, there and everywhere
Me, A Shirt, and a Very Dark Room...
So, this morning I put my shirt on backwards. I guess this is the ultimate consequence of getting dressed in the complete dark, at 4:30 in the morning. What's sad is that I didn't realize it until at least 5 people had already seen me like that. I even had two girls snicker at me. I was oblivious as to why, and I tried to be coy, and not think it was about me. I'm now convinced it was. I guess the ultimate blessing behind this was that I had the opportunity to quickly remedy the problem, because the building where I work was almost completely empty (at least the part I was in at the moment of realization.) I had a good laugh about it as I went up the elevator to my little closet of goodies (mops, brooms, and Shineline Mint-Scented Multi-Purpose Surface cleaner...). What a morning...what a morning...........
Saturday, January 28, 2006
The Pits...
Here, my friends, is what I like to deem "The Pits", or the worst films I saw this year. There are many, and each deserves complete ridicule for wasting my time, and the time of a good chunk of America (in the case of a few of them). I generally try to steer clear of bad films, but sometimes, my carnal nature gets the very best of me, and I just can't resist. So, here it is, at long last, The Pits of 2005
1. The Fog - Oh. My. Freak. This piece of garbage was absolute junk. Not once did I flinch from the supposed "horror" aspect of it all. Each and every moment was incredibly hilarious in all the wrong ways. Waste of talent on the parts of Tom Welling and Maggie Grace (R.I.P. Shannon), and sadly, its not going to do much for the latter, career-wise. I pray that this film is not being viewed by any more people than it has to, and I hope with all my heart that there aren't people out there who actually believe its a good film. If that be the case, then our nation is truly in a sad state of affairs....Damn you Bush....
2. The Transporter 2 - Simply put, I could barely stand to sit through this. Shoddy direction, terribly writing, and some of the WORST acting (Amber Velleta! What the freak were you doing in this garbage?!?!?!) EVER...The story was about as cliché as it was improbable. While some of the fight sequences did merit some praise, they weren't enough to tickle my fancy straight to the video store to purchase this. I'm a sucker for a great action movie, even those that may be improbable and cliché (Die Hard, anyone?), but this...This was terrible. I expect more out of you, Luc Besson....La honte, M. Besson...La honte....
3. The Ring Two - Gag me. While the first one had me simply terrified and petrified for about a week after seeing it, this one left me cold. I just couldn't figure it out. It was filled with strange symbolism ( I think) and even stranger moments. It was a well put together film, but it failed to impress me on many levels. It lacked any resonate core. The whole possession story was stupid and forced, and the fact that they completely eliminate the tape from the film in the first 10 minutes made me want to cry. Thats what made the first one so fabulous. My hope for the sequel? Imagine if the tape had reached all across the US, like an epidemic...What if that were the case? Think of the story they COULD have come up with had they sat down and not tried to copy Dark Water.
4. Dark Water - And when I say Dark Water up above, I mean the Japanese film. This one was released after The Ring Two, and it was absolute junk as well. What begins as a promising drama, and slightly creepy film, just turns into a failed premise with no scares to be found, anywhere. Jennifer Connally is good in it, as is most of the other cast members, and its their performances that place this film at number 4, and not at number 1, because the film itself was a terrible, terrible let down. So many red herrings in the first hour that elude to a more sinister plot, but none of them go anywhere, so you feel cheated. I felt cheated, for sure...Ugh...
5. The Brothers Grimm - I'm getting rather tired of panning these films in long paragraphs, so I think I'll continue to just give a brief reason why I hated it. This one was too long, and way to confusing. The story could have been great, and the references to classic fairy tales were fun, but just not good enough. Very morbid and slightly depressing...Not Gilliam's best...*sigh*
6. Exorcism of Emily Rose - This films on the list because it just didn't scare me like I'd hoped it would. Instead, its an intriguing, yet slightly boring courtroom drama that held my interest, but I didn't care for the characters. It was okay. We're getting to the point on the list where the movies weren't the best I saw, nor were they the worst...they just weren't great. Emily Rose is one of them. I didn't mind it, but it just failed to impress.
7. Flightplan - Same goes with this film. Great opening, and the first hour is great, but the last half an hour or so just get dumb. Once we find out the solution to the mystery, its hard to care anymore. It was almost too easy.
8. The Skeleton Key - This film was also just okay. It had some semi-creepy moments, but all in all, it wasn't a cut above. The twist end was pretty cool, but at the same time, it certainly wasn't as Sixth Sense-like as they'd advertised it to be. But, the twist was original, and it was a nice diversion from the terrible lot of Japanese horror remakes that make up the top of my list...
9. The Amityville Horror - Ditto everything I said about all of the other horror movies on this list. Not scary, and ridiculously pathetic. A Failure on all counts (And yes, the capital F is on purpose...Aren't I clever?!?!?!11) ...This one should be near the top, right under The Ring Two, but alas, I'm again too lazy to move it...
That's it. I can't think of anymore films that should be up here...If I do, I'll be sure to update...
Oh, and be sure to read my Tops... post for my Top Ten Films of 2005...
ciao
parker
1. The Fog - Oh. My. Freak. This piece of garbage was absolute junk. Not once did I flinch from the supposed "horror" aspect of it all. Each and every moment was incredibly hilarious in all the wrong ways. Waste of talent on the parts of Tom Welling and Maggie Grace (R.I.P. Shannon), and sadly, its not going to do much for the latter, career-wise. I pray that this film is not being viewed by any more people than it has to, and I hope with all my heart that there aren't people out there who actually believe its a good film. If that be the case, then our nation is truly in a sad state of affairs....Damn you Bush....
2. The Transporter 2 - Simply put, I could barely stand to sit through this. Shoddy direction, terribly writing, and some of the WORST acting (Amber Velleta! What the freak were you doing in this garbage?!?!?!) EVER...The story was about as cliché as it was improbable. While some of the fight sequences did merit some praise, they weren't enough to tickle my fancy straight to the video store to purchase this. I'm a sucker for a great action movie, even those that may be improbable and cliché (Die Hard, anyone?), but this...This was terrible. I expect more out of you, Luc Besson....La honte, M. Besson...La honte....
3. The Ring Two - Gag me. While the first one had me simply terrified and petrified for about a week after seeing it, this one left me cold. I just couldn't figure it out. It was filled with strange symbolism ( I think) and even stranger moments. It was a well put together film, but it failed to impress me on many levels. It lacked any resonate core. The whole possession story was stupid and forced, and the fact that they completely eliminate the tape from the film in the first 10 minutes made me want to cry. Thats what made the first one so fabulous. My hope for the sequel? Imagine if the tape had reached all across the US, like an epidemic...What if that were the case? Think of the story they COULD have come up with had they sat down and not tried to copy Dark Water.
4. Dark Water - And when I say Dark Water up above, I mean the Japanese film. This one was released after The Ring Two, and it was absolute junk as well. What begins as a promising drama, and slightly creepy film, just turns into a failed premise with no scares to be found, anywhere. Jennifer Connally is good in it, as is most of the other cast members, and its their performances that place this film at number 4, and not at number 1, because the film itself was a terrible, terrible let down. So many red herrings in the first hour that elude to a more sinister plot, but none of them go anywhere, so you feel cheated. I felt cheated, for sure...Ugh...
5. The Brothers Grimm - I'm getting rather tired of panning these films in long paragraphs, so I think I'll continue to just give a brief reason why I hated it. This one was too long, and way to confusing. The story could have been great, and the references to classic fairy tales were fun, but just not good enough. Very morbid and slightly depressing...Not Gilliam's best...*sigh*
6. Exorcism of Emily Rose - This films on the list because it just didn't scare me like I'd hoped it would. Instead, its an intriguing, yet slightly boring courtroom drama that held my interest, but I didn't care for the characters. It was okay. We're getting to the point on the list where the movies weren't the best I saw, nor were they the worst...they just weren't great. Emily Rose is one of them. I didn't mind it, but it just failed to impress.
7. Flightplan - Same goes with this film. Great opening, and the first hour is great, but the last half an hour or so just get dumb. Once we find out the solution to the mystery, its hard to care anymore. It was almost too easy.
8. The Skeleton Key - This film was also just okay. It had some semi-creepy moments, but all in all, it wasn't a cut above. The twist end was pretty cool, but at the same time, it certainly wasn't as Sixth Sense-like as they'd advertised it to be. But, the twist was original, and it was a nice diversion from the terrible lot of Japanese horror remakes that make up the top of my list...
9. The Amityville Horror - Ditto everything I said about all of the other horror movies on this list. Not scary, and ridiculously pathetic. A Failure on all counts (And yes, the capital F is on purpose...Aren't I clever?!?!?!11) ...This one should be near the top, right under The Ring Two, but alas, I'm again too lazy to move it...
That's it. I can't think of anymore films that should be up here...If I do, I'll be sure to update...
Oh, and be sure to read my Tops... post for my Top Ten Films of 2005...
ciao
parker
Friday, January 27, 2006
Of Lewis and Pastries...
Well, pithy introductions aside, I feel it is most important that I begin my story quickly, and to tell it effectively. My tendancy to ramble is legendary, and I won't fall victim to its rascally ways. So, in lieu of a great, and witty beginning, I shall simply start out like this:
So, this morning, much to my amusement, was more entertaining than it has been the whole time I've slaved away on the stairs of the Math and Computer Science building, here at the University-That-Is-Not-To-Be-Named. One reason, and possibly the most obvious to those to whom I've already spoken, is the fact that after a long delay, our lovely, yet utterly totalitarian supervisor decided it was time that she fed us. So, we had a nice little breakfast (quick note, I feel it is neccessary to say that this breakfast was felt very strongly after the fact, all throughout my digestive tract. Next time she lures me into eating one of those irresistable poppy seed cakes with the glaze, or even that sinful chocolate milk, I'll be sure to quickly decline) in the third hour, thus cutting short my painful efforts to scrub (and I mean SCRUB) the stairs that never cease to be dirty. Ever. A nice treat and one that was well appreciated in a scholastic sense because I had a French paper to finish (Curse you, those with whom I played Speed Scrabble, drank copious amounts of Martinelli's and ate ravishing brownies), and I was able to leave early without consequence. Except financially. But, what does that matter...
Still, the greatest surprise of all came long before the above shindig. Normally, I listen to some sort of audio entertainment while mopping. Most of the time, its a terribly conceived mix of songs (imagine if you will Burt Bacharach's The Look of Love being followed by Gilbert and Sullivan's I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General, which is then followed by Green Day's Novocaine...it's like listening to Jack FM, except without the annoying man voice that thinks its soooo cool, which probably makes my mix better than Jack FM, but at the end of the day, I really dislike (read: hate) both.). This time, I tried to forget this mix, and expand my horizons. I have practically 20 MiniDiscs full of music, so I guessed anything else would be better.
Well, to make a long story short, I placed in a disc that I believed to be Nickel Creek's newest album, but I was instead treated to John Cleese's rousing reading of "The Screwtape Letters." I was shocked. I had completely forgotten about this disk. I had burned just before parting on my trip up here, but never got the chance to listen to it, thanks in part to my car's inablity to stay in one piece, and the very hot Nevada desert that almost claimed its life. I was so pleased to hear this, and it helped pass the two hours that I did work, very quickly. C.S. Lewis' clever musings on temptation and sin are rendered all the more entertaining when read by a member of Monty Python; especially the bit about humor. I found it extremely ironic that a man so famous for his bawdy humour (oooooo...) was reading the writings of a man who obviously disapproved of it.
So, while seemingly petty and uninteresting to probably the majority of those who read this, I found this morning to be a breath of fresh air. Who'd of thunk that a little bit of Lewis and a smidgeon of sweets could help to brighten one man's hopelessly dreadful morning.
Also featured today were my attempts at fixing my incredibly pesky television. I actually went out and bought a soldering iron in order to repair the thing, and my success can only be described as non-existent and fleeting (there was about a 5 minute period where I felt invincible to all things technical, and began clapping my hands in order to keep the TV's volume at a reasonable level, as if clapping was a proven method to express faith...Don't hate, Tink...) The problem still persists, and yet, I remain apathetic. How often can you get a TV for $8? Not too often, so if a little light slam is neccessary in order to save a few hundred bucks, fine by me.
There you have it, folks, straight from my head, to my fingers, to the keyboard, to the computer, and then after that, into the hands of the great and mystical Internet gods who will publish this great work of lunacy all over this great world of ours for all to see, and for no one to care about... Man! The Internet rulez!!!!1111
'Ave a gud one, luv!
ciao
parker
So, this morning, much to my amusement, was more entertaining than it has been the whole time I've slaved away on the stairs of the Math and Computer Science building, here at the University-That-Is-Not-To-Be-Named. One reason, and possibly the most obvious to those to whom I've already spoken, is the fact that after a long delay, our lovely, yet utterly totalitarian supervisor decided it was time that she fed us. So, we had a nice little breakfast (quick note, I feel it is neccessary to say that this breakfast was felt very strongly after the fact, all throughout my digestive tract. Next time she lures me into eating one of those irresistable poppy seed cakes with the glaze, or even that sinful chocolate milk, I'll be sure to quickly decline) in the third hour, thus cutting short my painful efforts to scrub (and I mean SCRUB) the stairs that never cease to be dirty. Ever. A nice treat and one that was well appreciated in a scholastic sense because I had a French paper to finish (Curse you, those with whom I played Speed Scrabble, drank copious amounts of Martinelli's and ate ravishing brownies), and I was able to leave early without consequence. Except financially. But, what does that matter...
Still, the greatest surprise of all came long before the above shindig. Normally, I listen to some sort of audio entertainment while mopping. Most of the time, its a terribly conceived mix of songs (imagine if you will Burt Bacharach's The Look of Love being followed by Gilbert and Sullivan's I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General, which is then followed by Green Day's Novocaine...it's like listening to Jack FM, except without the annoying man voice that thinks its soooo cool, which probably makes my mix better than Jack FM, but at the end of the day, I really dislike (read: hate) both.). This time, I tried to forget this mix, and expand my horizons. I have practically 20 MiniDiscs full of music, so I guessed anything else would be better.
Well, to make a long story short, I placed in a disc that I believed to be Nickel Creek's newest album, but I was instead treated to John Cleese's rousing reading of "The Screwtape Letters." I was shocked. I had completely forgotten about this disk. I had burned just before parting on my trip up here, but never got the chance to listen to it, thanks in part to my car's inablity to stay in one piece, and the very hot Nevada desert that almost claimed its life. I was so pleased to hear this, and it helped pass the two hours that I did work, very quickly. C.S. Lewis' clever musings on temptation and sin are rendered all the more entertaining when read by a member of Monty Python; especially the bit about humor. I found it extremely ironic that a man so famous for his bawdy humour (oooooo...) was reading the writings of a man who obviously disapproved of it.
So, while seemingly petty and uninteresting to probably the majority of those who read this, I found this morning to be a breath of fresh air. Who'd of thunk that a little bit of Lewis and a smidgeon of sweets could help to brighten one man's hopelessly dreadful morning.
Also featured today were my attempts at fixing my incredibly pesky television. I actually went out and bought a soldering iron in order to repair the thing, and my success can only be described as non-existent and fleeting (there was about a 5 minute period where I felt invincible to all things technical, and began clapping my hands in order to keep the TV's volume at a reasonable level, as if clapping was a proven method to express faith...Don't hate, Tink...) The problem still persists, and yet, I remain apathetic. How often can you get a TV for $8? Not too often, so if a little light slam is neccessary in order to save a few hundred bucks, fine by me.
There you have it, folks, straight from my head, to my fingers, to the keyboard, to the computer, and then after that, into the hands of the great and mystical Internet gods who will publish this great work of lunacy all over this great world of ours for all to see, and for no one to care about... Man! The Internet rulez!!!!1111
'Ave a gud one, luv!
ciao
parker
Monday, January 02, 2006
Tops...
And some women's tops...
______
In all seriousness though, the end of the year is upon us, and it always begs the question amongst us snobby types: What were the best full-length feature films of this, the year of our Lord, two-thousand and five? Which films sucked a nice juicy hard-boiled egg? Which films were simply so bad, one couldn't bear even the sight of the title on a marquee? All of these questions can and will be answered in a single list; a list that will defy an empire...Or something to that effect. So, here she is (for all great lists are female), the greatest list ever, for the year 2005...
1. Pride and Prejudice - Most artsy film I saw all year, and frankly the best one period. So chuck full of humor and romance, its hard to not to fall hard for this spectacular adaptation. Keira Knightly is a dream, and so is her hot sister, whose name escapes me. Beautifully shot from the closest close-ups to the farthest far-aways, this one ranks top of my Tops list simply because when movie-going is this ethereal, you can't ever forget it.
2. Good Night, and Good Luck - I recently saw this masterpiece, and I knew exactly where it deserved to go on my Tops list for 2005. This brilliantly conceived drama manages to not only engage the audience in a well-paced plot, but it also manages to bring about a great message about the media's responsibility to its country. George Clooney uses tact and class to present this film, using beautiful black and white cinematography, and never using a sappy score to manipulate feelings. The moods, the emotions and the film in general are so genuine, because Clooney saves all of his musical cues (all of which as sung and played by the same jazz singer and her band) till after many of the most intense scenes. Brilliant portrayl of Edward R. Murrow by David Strathairn, with great performances by all of the supporting players, including Mr. Clooney. The films handling of McCarthyism should make it required viewing in all US History classes. But, even if you've graduated from high school, see this for the clear message it presents on the media. Amazing, amazing film, and one that is truly worthy of the number 2 spot here on my Tops list.
3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl will forever be my favorite children's author, and for good reason. His stories fit me like a glove, with his sly humor and the somewhat pessimistic resolutions. I loved the glorious colorful Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and I probably always will, but Tim Burton's much more accurate and engaging take on Dahl's most vibrant world takes the cake as the best adaptation of his books yet. Johnny Depp is perfect (yes, I said it), and every single line that shoots from his perfectly freaky (and toothy) mouth, is absolute genius. Freddie Highmore is great as Charlie, but still, this is Wonka's film (despite the title). I had such a splendid time watching this, that I just couldn't help myself. Giddy is a good word to describe my feelings after having seen this film. Yes, I said giddy...
4. Batman Begins - Batman reimagined makes a great meal. I loved every bleeding minute of this masterpiece, and it currently resides in the great trifecta of comic book films (Spider-man 2 and X-men 2 being its contemporaries). Christian Bale? Awesome...Morgan Freeman? Awesome...Michael Caine? Old, and awesome...Katie Holmes? I've seen better...In any case, solid solid solid acting on (almost) all counts, and the film's director deserves mucho kudos for simply crafting such a great world; Gotham never looked so decrepid, and yet so inviting...I cannot wait to take a ride in this universe again, especially if more Oscar winners get involved, cause frankly, they make a better movie.
5. King Kong - Perfectly executed old-school like spectacle. Reminiscent of the great films of Cecil B. DeMille, Victor Fleming, and David Lean, King Kong manages to capture that same sort of adventure story that has seemed to have all but disappeared in today's modern 100 minute "epics". Big and bombastic like The Ten Commandements and Gone with the Wind, "Kong" makes no apologizes for its lengthy run-time or its use of cheesy 30s dialogue...Instead, it pushes you slowly yet surely into a beautiful and unconvential love story, surrounded by swift moving (and simply breathtaking) action pieces that move the story along. The biggest surprise about King Kong is that it doesn't quite feel as long as it should, considering its length. Titanic certainly felt longer than this, as does Lawrence of Arabia, so many props must go to Peter Jackson for crafting such a well-paced film. Kong is a modern classic, one that won't be appreciated by as many as loved Gone with the Wind or even Titanic, but I loved it, nonetheless, and that's all that really matters...
6. Serenity - Yes, I know. It's not on the top of my list. Big deal. I had such a hard time deciding what was number 1, I feel as though these top 5 films are of equal importance. "Serenity" is by far the best sci-fi film of this year, and probably ever since Aliens, Whedon's 'verse is packed with fun characters, and engaging set pieces, combined with the best ending I've seen in years. Joss Whedon proved to me that the best writing takes risks, and doing what he did to the person he did it to (you don't want to be spoiled on this one) was one of the biggest (and best) shockers of the year, and frankly, it made the movie into a modern sci-fi classic/masterpiece. All in all, just a fun fun ride combined with one heck of an ending.
7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Another solid adaptation of the Harry Potter franchise, and certainly the best so far. Keep this up, and Potter will be one of the greatest film franchises in history. Mike Newell crafts a great British boarding school dramedy mixed with all the great magic and action we expect from Potter. The PG-13 rating certainly helped to finally create the right mood that Rowling has been placing in her books since Book 1, and that's to be commended. The kids are getting better and better as their respective characters, and they all shine in their own special ways (that Hermione is gonna be hawt...when she's 18)...All in all, I loved every single minute of it, and I couldn't care less that many tiny and boring moments were left out. The book was great, but it was way too long for a film, and I think it was handled perfectly.
8. Crash - This film is on my Tops list because of the sheer shock factor it creates. The film is extremely exaggerated, but it all serves a purpose. Emotions are always worn on the outside of the characters, and at first, its off-putting, because they come across as whiny and often overly-observant, but it helps to not nit-pick individual scenes, but to watch the entire film as a whole. Crash to me was like a Masters Thesis, put into film form. It explores hot-button issues, but can't really offer real answers to the questions we want answered. What is racisim, and how do we eliminate something that every single person on the planet is guilty of in some form or another? That's what the film asks of us. Every character has a prejudice, from the Whites to the Blacks to the Hispanics to the Persians...No one is safe, and no one group is glorified or demonized. Its a film that demands self-reflection, and its a film that will definitely spark a lively debate among friends.
9. War of the Worlds - The use of the word "war" in the title certainly isn't only a reference to H.G. Wells novel of the same name, but in fact a description of how you will feel while watching this movie. The first 30 minutes feels like you are in the middle of a suburban war film, chuck full of high body counts and shaky camera moves (but all done very PG-13 like, you know...). Steven Spielberg succeeded, despite a terribly weak and contrived ending, to cause every limb in my body to shake, and I was constanly on the edge of my seat. What's sad, however, are the blatant expositional scenes, and the terribly cliché character played by Tim Robbins, but they don't detract all too much from everything else that's going on.. and that basement cat-and-mouse scene is Spielberg at his crafty best. Best seen in theaters, this film is in my Tops simply because it really freaked me out.
10. New York Doll - I loved this film. Touching, tender, and riotously funny, it's probably one of my favorite documentaries of all time. The story is truly inspiring, and its subject is incredibly fascinating. What could have been another Behind the Music, turns into a great film about hope, faith, and forgiveness, as well as being a great history of one of the greatest punk bands of the 70s. I had little knowledge of the Dolls, or of Arthur "Killer" Kane before seeing this film, but that didn't change how I felt. Learning about this band that had it all, but gave it up due to ridiculous pursuits was extremely fascinating to watch, and to see what comes of their much hyped reunion in London is very very fun. I can't praise this film enough. Its really only on the bottom of this list because I'm just too lazy to move it up higher, but this film really touched me more than I expected it to. See it as soon as you can. It's worth it.
Honorable Mentions: Brokeback Mountain, Munich, Chronicles of Narnia, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Red Eye, Sin City, The Interpreter, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Star Wars: Episode III
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Still breathing...
I am, in fact, very much alive...Just too busy to post.
I'll try and be better later...
Hélas, hélas, les poètes disent...
ciao
parker
I'll try and be better later...
Hélas, hélas, les poètes disent...
ciao
parker
Sunday, October 16, 2005
You can't take the sky from me...
For those of you, unfamiliar with the science fiction world, I sympathize with you. I too am one who couldn't care less about the Friday night line-up on the Sci-Fi Channel, or even whether or not Han shot first...This world is visited by myself once in a great while, simply because the lack of great sci-fi has been a problem since Return of the Jedi opened in 1983. Not since Lucas's grand and marvelous trilogy has sci-fi varied much from what Star Wars managed to create, and, as we all know, copy-cats are usually terrible. While the prequels to Lucas' trilogy have made more money at the box office than some of them deserve, they have been the best that sci-fi's had to offer, in terms of brave new worlds, and universes not quite like our own.
Twenty-two long years after Lucas closed up his original trilogy, we are given something that truly stands out above the rest. If there was ever a film that managed to capture that glory and awe that drove so many people to the theaters in 1977, this one's it. This one that I speak of is of course that of Serenity.
I'm guessing that the majority of you have neither heard of Serenity nor care to experience it due to what some percieved to be "Catwoman meets Spaceballs." While this comparision continues to perplex me greatly, I do not blame you for your inquisitve looks. This film was poorly advertised. Here's why:
Back in 2002, Joss Whedon, famed genre writer of such TV shows as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" created what he hoped would be a western in space. While this idea wasn't all that original (Gene Roddenberry apparently pitched the original "Star Trek" as "Stagecoach in Space"), Joss intended to take that moniker a little bit more literally. He fashioned his world around the crew of a beat-up space freighter called Serenity, after the end of a great civil war between the great Alliance, and the Independents. This war, similar to that of our own Civil War was won by the Alliance, a parliamentary government that ruled the inner planets of a new-found solar system that humans have come to habitat, leaving the Independents (or "Browncoats") to occupy the outer planets, under the heavy and totalitarian rule of the Alliance. The ships crew was made up of 6 crew members: Captain Malcom "Mal" Reynolds, the leader of the crew, Zoe Washburn, the right-hand "wo"man of Mal, her husband, Hoban "Wash" Washburn, the ships pilot, the ships mechanic Kaylee, and the ships mercenary Jayne as well as 3 passengers: Shepard Book, a preacher of the Christian faith, Simon Tam, a doctor, his sister River Tam, a mysterious girl recently freed from "The Academy", a treacherous Alliance facility, and Inara, a "companion" (aka prostitute) and ambassador, who shuttles about the solar system, serviceing clients, and getting paid...And thus, "Firefly" was born.
Each person on the ship offers a unique perspective to the many situations that arise. The show was humorous and exciting, with great stories, but the stars of the show were the stars of the show; the great characterizations created by Whedon helped make each episode worth it, despite some stale storylines. The show managed to grab a small but loyal fanbase during its intial run on Fox, but Fox had little faith in it from the beginning. Firstly, they refused to air the two-hour pilot episode as the show's first episode, forcing Joss and Co. to create a secondary pilot, less rich in characterizations, and more on the action packed side (Fox was hot off the success of "24", and was seeking more of the same). Secondly, they aired the episodes shot out of order, for reasons that are still unknown to many. Thirdly, the shows were constantly being pre-empted due to baseball games, thus placing them in the wee hours of the night, or not at all. But still, despite this, critics and fans grew to love the show.
"Firefly" was canceled, 11 episodes into its run, with three unaired episodes plus the two-hour pilot still waiting to be seen. Joss grew upset, only because he'd never felt so close to a project, nor had he ever seen something come together and work so well in such a short period of time. He shopped the show around, being rejected by all, including the Sci-Fi Channel. But Joss wouldn't let go. The show was eventually released on DVD, and became an instant hit. Fans bought it for themselves, and for their friends and family. The DVDs managed to sell over 500,000 copies (and rising, to this day), something unheard of for a show of such humble origins. An exec at Universal took notice of the rabid fanbase. Herself, a fan of the show, took to show to her superiors, and thus, Serenity was born. Joss had his story back on track.
Production on the film went fine, and everything was going according to schedule, until the execs at Universal realized that the original April release date was too crowded, and that Serenity needed space to gain momentum. So, with the film mostly complete, Universal decided to try something different: They began advertising for preview screenings on fansites, in about 10 US cities. Within hours of this announcement, the screenings were sold-out. Fans gathered, and praised an unfinished version of the film. Again, Universal did another set of screenings, this time in more theaters...Again, it was a hit, selling out in minutes. Universal used this to their advantage. The trailers featured talk of a huge fanbase, of tons of buzz and barely even mentioned the plotline. The film was difficult to sell, granted, but even so...The ambiguous nature left many confused and uninterested...
Well, it's been 3 weeks now since Serenity was let loose on the public, and the reception has been mild at best. The film to this date has only managed to make $22 million. But, the point of my post is that this number should be higher. If all of you knew and understood how amazing and exciting Serenity is, you'd be out seeing it right now. You don't need to have seen even one episode of "Firefly" to appreciate the film. All the neccessary information is there for the taking. Serenity is an action movie at heart, with some great action scenes, loaded with humor, and with plenty of heart. I won't reveal the plot, simply because not knowing it will only make the experience more enjoyable. I promise you a rollicking good time. It's not anything like Spaceballs nor is it anywhere near Catwoman. The universe created is one that is unique yet familiar (no aliens in this one), and the characters are just so rich and deep, its very difficult not to love them.
Hear me out people. I wouldn't recommend you go and see crap. This one truly is special. If sci-fi's not your thing, oh well...This one may change your mind. If you're a die-hard sci-fi nut, yet think Serenity looks like a cheap imitation of "Cowboy Bebop" and Wing Commander, then you are so wrong.
The film is rapidly leaving theaters, and will lose even more next weekend (Oct. 21st), due to a crowded weekend. But, the DVD will be out soon (Dec. 2oth), and catching it there is just as awesome as catching it now. See it, enjoy it, and pass it on to a friend. This film needs to be seen! Usually we dread the thought of a sequel, but if this one makes enough, then a sequel we will get, and all those who've seen Serenity agree, this one begs for a sequel, and in only the best ways possible.
"Firefly" is the only sci-fi TV show I've ever loved. Serenity is the only film I've ever gotten behind to rally and convince people to go and see it. I had a marvelous time at each of the three times I saw it, and I know you will too. To paraphrase a friend, its magical movie experience. See it now, soon, or later, but see it nonetheless...
ciao
parker
Twenty-two long years after Lucas closed up his original trilogy, we are given something that truly stands out above the rest. If there was ever a film that managed to capture that glory and awe that drove so many people to the theaters in 1977, this one's it. This one that I speak of is of course that of Serenity.
I'm guessing that the majority of you have neither heard of Serenity nor care to experience it due to what some percieved to be "Catwoman meets Spaceballs." While this comparision continues to perplex me greatly, I do not blame you for your inquisitve looks. This film was poorly advertised. Here's why:
Back in 2002, Joss Whedon, famed genre writer of such TV shows as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" created what he hoped would be a western in space. While this idea wasn't all that original (Gene Roddenberry apparently pitched the original "Star Trek" as "Stagecoach in Space"), Joss intended to take that moniker a little bit more literally. He fashioned his world around the crew of a beat-up space freighter called Serenity, after the end of a great civil war between the great Alliance, and the Independents. This war, similar to that of our own Civil War was won by the Alliance, a parliamentary government that ruled the inner planets of a new-found solar system that humans have come to habitat, leaving the Independents (or "Browncoats") to occupy the outer planets, under the heavy and totalitarian rule of the Alliance. The ships crew was made up of 6 crew members: Captain Malcom "Mal" Reynolds, the leader of the crew, Zoe Washburn, the right-hand "wo"man of Mal, her husband, Hoban "Wash" Washburn, the ships pilot, the ships mechanic Kaylee, and the ships mercenary Jayne as well as 3 passengers: Shepard Book, a preacher of the Christian faith, Simon Tam, a doctor, his sister River Tam, a mysterious girl recently freed from "The Academy", a treacherous Alliance facility, and Inara, a "companion" (aka prostitute) and ambassador, who shuttles about the solar system, serviceing clients, and getting paid...And thus, "Firefly" was born.
Each person on the ship offers a unique perspective to the many situations that arise. The show was humorous and exciting, with great stories, but the stars of the show were the stars of the show; the great characterizations created by Whedon helped make each episode worth it, despite some stale storylines. The show managed to grab a small but loyal fanbase during its intial run on Fox, but Fox had little faith in it from the beginning. Firstly, they refused to air the two-hour pilot episode as the show's first episode, forcing Joss and Co. to create a secondary pilot, less rich in characterizations, and more on the action packed side (Fox was hot off the success of "24", and was seeking more of the same). Secondly, they aired the episodes shot out of order, for reasons that are still unknown to many. Thirdly, the shows were constantly being pre-empted due to baseball games, thus placing them in the wee hours of the night, or not at all. But still, despite this, critics and fans grew to love the show.
"Firefly" was canceled, 11 episodes into its run, with three unaired episodes plus the two-hour pilot still waiting to be seen. Joss grew upset, only because he'd never felt so close to a project, nor had he ever seen something come together and work so well in such a short period of time. He shopped the show around, being rejected by all, including the Sci-Fi Channel. But Joss wouldn't let go. The show was eventually released on DVD, and became an instant hit. Fans bought it for themselves, and for their friends and family. The DVDs managed to sell over 500,000 copies (and rising, to this day), something unheard of for a show of such humble origins. An exec at Universal took notice of the rabid fanbase. Herself, a fan of the show, took to show to her superiors, and thus, Serenity was born. Joss had his story back on track.
Production on the film went fine, and everything was going according to schedule, until the execs at Universal realized that the original April release date was too crowded, and that Serenity needed space to gain momentum. So, with the film mostly complete, Universal decided to try something different: They began advertising for preview screenings on fansites, in about 10 US cities. Within hours of this announcement, the screenings were sold-out. Fans gathered, and praised an unfinished version of the film. Again, Universal did another set of screenings, this time in more theaters...Again, it was a hit, selling out in minutes. Universal used this to their advantage. The trailers featured talk of a huge fanbase, of tons of buzz and barely even mentioned the plotline. The film was difficult to sell, granted, but even so...The ambiguous nature left many confused and uninterested...
Well, it's been 3 weeks now since Serenity was let loose on the public, and the reception has been mild at best. The film to this date has only managed to make $22 million. But, the point of my post is that this number should be higher. If all of you knew and understood how amazing and exciting Serenity is, you'd be out seeing it right now. You don't need to have seen even one episode of "Firefly" to appreciate the film. All the neccessary information is there for the taking. Serenity is an action movie at heart, with some great action scenes, loaded with humor, and with plenty of heart. I won't reveal the plot, simply because not knowing it will only make the experience more enjoyable. I promise you a rollicking good time. It's not anything like Spaceballs nor is it anywhere near Catwoman. The universe created is one that is unique yet familiar (no aliens in this one), and the characters are just so rich and deep, its very difficult not to love them.
Hear me out people. I wouldn't recommend you go and see crap. This one truly is special. If sci-fi's not your thing, oh well...This one may change your mind. If you're a die-hard sci-fi nut, yet think Serenity looks like a cheap imitation of "Cowboy Bebop" and Wing Commander, then you are so wrong.
The film is rapidly leaving theaters, and will lose even more next weekend (Oct. 21st), due to a crowded weekend. But, the DVD will be out soon (Dec. 2oth), and catching it there is just as awesome as catching it now. See it, enjoy it, and pass it on to a friend. This film needs to be seen! Usually we dread the thought of a sequel, but if this one makes enough, then a sequel we will get, and all those who've seen Serenity agree, this one begs for a sequel, and in only the best ways possible.
"Firefly" is the only sci-fi TV show I've ever loved. Serenity is the only film I've ever gotten behind to rally and convince people to go and see it. I had a marvelous time at each of the three times I saw it, and I know you will too. To paraphrase a friend, its magical movie experience. See it now, soon, or later, but see it nonetheless...
ciao
parker
Saturday, September 17, 2005
The crowd hushes as he mounts the box...
I know. I stated earlier that I didn't want this blog to become a soapbox of sorts. So, in order to justify this post, I will rephrase what I said: I do not want this blog to become a political soapbox...Okay, there.
So, let me tell you all about a little show that I love. First off, let us imagine the best movie you've ever seen.
Can you see it? Good.
Now, this movie probably has deep characters, a great story, and a plot that keeps you into the story throughout, right?
Now, lets mess with this image a bit...what if this beloved movie of yours just happened to be 24 hours long? What if, each and every week for 24 weeks, you had the enormous pleasure of revisiting these characters, deepening the story, and consistantly being entertained? You'd tune in, right?
Well, sadly, you aren't.
No one really is.
This show does in fact exist, and it needs love.
It needs you.
Sadly, this world is governed by how successful you are, and not how good you are on the inside. Television shows like this go ignored often, for various reasons, but that doesn't make them any less than what they truly are.
Take "Firefly", a brilliant show, from the same mastermind behind "Buffy, The Vampire Slayer", Joss Whedon. This show was axed by the good folks at Fox (who, as it so happens have managed to kill more quality shows than any other network...But, in a sense, I can forgive them, cause they did bring back Family Guy), all too early into it's splendid run. The ratings sucked. Fox had no faith in the show. It got ignored. It got cancelled. But, as some of you may know, the story doesn't end there for "Firefly", because come September 30th, "Firefly" gets resurrected, in the form of Serenity. Be sure to check that out.
Anyway, sub-soapbox aside, television is a much more difficult wasteland for quality television. Even if a great movie doesn't do well at the Box Office, it'll still get awards. The same does not ring true for TV. If the show fails in the ratings, it won't get any recognition.
Every so often, you get a hit show, that's also very good, like "Lost" or "Gilmore Girls", but those shows don't need support. This one does.
So, without any further adieu, I present to you one of the best TV shows to come along in a quite a long time, and the BEST show, that you're not watching:
Veronica Mars
The inquisitive looks do not surprise me. This show, hands down, garnered the most critical praise this past season, even more than "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost." And, like those two shows, the critics didn't get it wrong with "Veronica Mars." The show is dripping with genius, from the amazing, amazing writing, to the inpeccably acted characters, this show can't help but be great.
I mean, look at this snippet of dialogue from the show:
"You want to know how I lost my virginity? Yeah, so do I."
The show, on the outside, looks like every other teenage/high school show to grace our sets. Sure, I thought the same thing too. While I love a good juicy episode of "The O.C.", it took a lot for me to get into that show. It's easy to pass quick judgement on the show. In fact, its very easy, cause it airs on the UPN. Yes, the same network that brought us such classic entertainment as "The Parkers", "The Mullets", and "Jake 2.0." It's a shame, honestly, to see such brilliant entertainment be put on a network who's biggest hit is "America's Next Top Model." But, that shouldn't keep us from tuning in. Besides, both Roswell and Buffy made UPN their home after the WB got tired of them. But, those shows aren't enough to get an audience to an unwatched network.The show on the inside is a smart, funny, touching, thrilling story of teenage life and how its full of triumphs and tragedies. If anything, this show is an allegory for what we all go through. Just watch it, and you'll see what I mean.
"Veronica Mars" concerns a teenage girl, who in the past year of her life, has had to do a lot more growing up than any normal 17-year old should: Her best friend, and sister to her boyfriend, was brutally murdered. Her mother abandoned her and her father. She believes she was raped after waking up after being drugged, with her underwear off. Her father, the town sheriff, becomes the laughing stock of the town (Neptune, CA) in which she lives, after pinning the murder on the parents of the murdered girl, and with that, Veronica loses all the friends she once had. But, for most teenage shows, this would lead to just one angsty episode after another, but this is where "Veronica Mars" is unique: her father is a private investigator, and in a sense, so is she. She takes it upon herself, after her father closes her friend's murder case to find out the truth herself. She doesn't believe the man currently sitting on death row for her friend's death really did it, and she sets out to find out who did. Veronica doesn't let her angst drive her to whine and complain about how miserable her life is...She's taking control of it, and for sure, she speaks to millions of people who feel they're so picked on, but continue to believe that for the rest of their lifes. This story makes up the entire arc of season 1, but there's more to it. Veronica begins to gain a reputation around Neptune High, where she attends, for her knack at solving cases, from petty to big...So, that's the first season. Each episode is a new case for Veronica to solve, and each one is as compelling as the last. Each episode contains a bit of the puzzle in solving the mystery of her friend. The mystery is resolved in the season finale, and is quite a nail-biter.
But yeah, I've gone on long enough, I believe. I hope this little preview is enough to get you all to check it out starting Wednesday, September 28th, at 9/8c. Sadly, for all of you Losties, this may prove difficult, but remember, its for predicaments like this that TiVo was invented. Or, if you're cheap like me, make a FauxVo, with your VCR, a cable splitter, and and extra cable...Just attach one cable end to your TV to watch Lost or Veronica, and then record the other using the other cable. It should work.
Oh, and by the bye, The Complete First Season of "Veronica Mars" will be available on DVD October 11...Pre-order it here.
Anyway, I'll leave it at that. Don't miss this one. Don't let more great TV be thrown away because we just don't know where to find it. We're constantly saying there's nothing good on TV, but I just think we just don't know where to look.
ciao
parker
So, let me tell you all about a little show that I love. First off, let us imagine the best movie you've ever seen.
Can you see it? Good.
Now, this movie probably has deep characters, a great story, and a plot that keeps you into the story throughout, right?
Now, lets mess with this image a bit...what if this beloved movie of yours just happened to be 24 hours long? What if, each and every week for 24 weeks, you had the enormous pleasure of revisiting these characters, deepening the story, and consistantly being entertained? You'd tune in, right?
Well, sadly, you aren't.
No one really is.
This show does in fact exist, and it needs love.
It needs you.
Sadly, this world is governed by how successful you are, and not how good you are on the inside. Television shows like this go ignored often, for various reasons, but that doesn't make them any less than what they truly are.
Take "Firefly", a brilliant show, from the same mastermind behind "Buffy, The Vampire Slayer", Joss Whedon. This show was axed by the good folks at Fox (who, as it so happens have managed to kill more quality shows than any other network...But, in a sense, I can forgive them, cause they did bring back Family Guy), all too early into it's splendid run. The ratings sucked. Fox had no faith in the show. It got ignored. It got cancelled. But, as some of you may know, the story doesn't end there for "Firefly", because come September 30th, "Firefly" gets resurrected, in the form of Serenity. Be sure to check that out.
Anyway, sub-soapbox aside, television is a much more difficult wasteland for quality television. Even if a great movie doesn't do well at the Box Office, it'll still get awards. The same does not ring true for TV. If the show fails in the ratings, it won't get any recognition.
Every so often, you get a hit show, that's also very good, like "Lost" or "Gilmore Girls", but those shows don't need support. This one does.
So, without any further adieu, I present to you one of the best TV shows to come along in a quite a long time, and the BEST show, that you're not watching:
Veronica Mars
The inquisitive looks do not surprise me. This show, hands down, garnered the most critical praise this past season, even more than "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost." And, like those two shows, the critics didn't get it wrong with "Veronica Mars." The show is dripping with genius, from the amazing, amazing writing, to the inpeccably acted characters, this show can't help but be great.
I mean, look at this snippet of dialogue from the show:
"You want to know how I lost my virginity? Yeah, so do I."
The show, on the outside, looks like every other teenage/high school show to grace our sets. Sure, I thought the same thing too. While I love a good juicy episode of "The O.C.", it took a lot for me to get into that show. It's easy to pass quick judgement on the show. In fact, its very easy, cause it airs on the UPN. Yes, the same network that brought us such classic entertainment as "The Parkers", "The Mullets", and "Jake 2.0." It's a shame, honestly, to see such brilliant entertainment be put on a network who's biggest hit is "America's Next Top Model." But, that shouldn't keep us from tuning in. Besides, both Roswell and Buffy made UPN their home after the WB got tired of them. But, those shows aren't enough to get an audience to an unwatched network.The show on the inside is a smart, funny, touching, thrilling story of teenage life and how its full of triumphs and tragedies. If anything, this show is an allegory for what we all go through. Just watch it, and you'll see what I mean.
"Veronica Mars" concerns a teenage girl, who in the past year of her life, has had to do a lot more growing up than any normal 17-year old should: Her best friend, and sister to her boyfriend, was brutally murdered. Her mother abandoned her and her father. She believes she was raped after waking up after being drugged, with her underwear off. Her father, the town sheriff, becomes the laughing stock of the town (Neptune, CA) in which she lives, after pinning the murder on the parents of the murdered girl, and with that, Veronica loses all the friends she once had. But, for most teenage shows, this would lead to just one angsty episode after another, but this is where "Veronica Mars" is unique: her father is a private investigator, and in a sense, so is she. She takes it upon herself, after her father closes her friend's murder case to find out the truth herself. She doesn't believe the man currently sitting on death row for her friend's death really did it, and she sets out to find out who did. Veronica doesn't let her angst drive her to whine and complain about how miserable her life is...She's taking control of it, and for sure, she speaks to millions of people who feel they're so picked on, but continue to believe that for the rest of their lifes. This story makes up the entire arc of season 1, but there's more to it. Veronica begins to gain a reputation around Neptune High, where she attends, for her knack at solving cases, from petty to big...So, that's the first season. Each episode is a new case for Veronica to solve, and each one is as compelling as the last. Each episode contains a bit of the puzzle in solving the mystery of her friend. The mystery is resolved in the season finale, and is quite a nail-biter.
But yeah, I've gone on long enough, I believe. I hope this little preview is enough to get you all to check it out starting Wednesday, September 28th, at 9/8c. Sadly, for all of you Losties, this may prove difficult, but remember, its for predicaments like this that TiVo was invented. Or, if you're cheap like me, make a FauxVo, with your VCR, a cable splitter, and and extra cable...Just attach one cable end to your TV to watch Lost or Veronica, and then record the other using the other cable. It should work.
Oh, and by the bye, The Complete First Season of "Veronica Mars" will be available on DVD October 11...Pre-order it here.
Anyway, I'll leave it at that. Don't miss this one. Don't let more great TV be thrown away because we just don't know where to find it. We're constantly saying there's nothing good on TV, but I just think we just don't know where to look.
ciao
parker
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Wonder of Wonders...
It seemed, as of yesterday evening, that my life was on a downward spiral of bad luck and even worse misfortune. Well, the gods have smiled upon me this very afternoon, when I, being the idiot that I am, decided to look in my desk drawer, and low and behold, there it was, my shiny, Wal-mart printed key, complete with my apartment number on it. Now, I'm not saying it wasn't there before, but I certainly didn't see it. Last night, even, I managed to place my newly acquired ticket stub from Mr. and Mrs. Smith in this very same drawer, and I managed to miss the very item that I'd been frantically searching for all day long. I was stunned, and the only words that could come out of my mouth (quoting a certain Mr. Jeffrey Osborne) "Oh My Dumb." A seemingly fitting phrase, wouldn't you think?
In any case, I'm in much brighter spirits. I now plan to head out again to those cheap seats, and watch me a little Cinderella Man, cause frankly, I can! And, isn't that, my friends, the only reason to do anything?
So, rejoice for me. Rejoice with me, for I have found my own personal Holy Grail. *sigh*...Now, if I could just get a hang of this homework thing...
toodles!
parker
In any case, I'm in much brighter spirits. I now plan to head out again to those cheap seats, and watch me a little Cinderella Man, cause frankly, I can! And, isn't that, my friends, the only reason to do anything?
So, rejoice for me. Rejoice with me, for I have found my own personal Holy Grail. *sigh*...Now, if I could just get a hang of this homework thing...
toodles!
parker
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
A Time to Rant...
More often than not, rants aren't justified. They're usually written in the midst of a really bad situation, and the ranter feels that the rant will help his situation. However, sometimes, rants are justified, like when things really do suck, and they seem to want to keep sucking, and there's no hope whatsoever of the sucking ever to end. That is my story. My life sucks, at this point, and my life just wants to keep on sucking, and there seems to be no hope whatsoever of it ever ceasing to suck. Here's why:
Since the last time we met, I managed to, after much tribulation (more on that later, like, tomorrow, or something), move me and my stuff up to Undisclosed Location* to attend Undisclosed College**. Well, upon arriving at Undisclosed Location, I've come to find my living situation a lot less desireable than I'd hoped. I have never felt so weird in my life. Just being here, in this apartment, makes me feel like the worst person in the world, and I can't quite figure out why. I'm constantly being introduced to new people, whose names I instantly forget, and everything (yes, everything) that comes out of my mouth sounds like I'm fluent in Moron. Also, I've come to understand what the Pennsylvanian Dutch feel like, cause we have no TV. While, to some, this is no big deal, but to the Lost/VM/GG addict, this can be a very very very dire situation, indeed. And the worst part? I don't feel like my roommates even WANT a TV!!! I feel like, if I bring that "cursed" box into these holy walls, that I'll be eternally scorned. Condemnation doesn't look good on your transcript, I'll tell you what! So, all in all, this has proved a dire situation indeed. I need solace. I need release. I need TV. I feel trapped in my bedroom, ashamed to show my sinful head in the front room. I just feel terrible here. I don't feel good. Its a very bad feeling. Really, it is. And, on top of all of this, I've managed to lose my key to the apartment, so I'm stuck. I wanted to check out a movie tonight down at the local cheap seats theater, but noooooo! I'm not guaranteed to be let in cause everyone's asleep by 11:30!!! I can't live like this. Honestly, and this is saying a lot, I almost prefer my last roommates...Whoa, I know, but at least they left me alone, and I didn't feel like the Prince of Darkness around them (well, that's probably because they were doing worse things than I was). So, I pray, in the next couple of days, things begin to change for the better, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.
I miss Veronica...*sniff*
Okay, so in order to balance the obvious negativty in this post, I will proceed to introduce this weeks Song and Movie of the Week. Here we go!
Song of the Week (Aug. 29th, 2005)
Nickel Creek's Doubting Thomas
Okay, I'm a sucker for a song that contains Biblical allusions (I mean, who doesn't love Rufus Wainwright's Hallelujah?), and this song has one that moves throughout the song, and judging from the title of the song, I'm sure you can figure out which that is. The cryptic lyrics (a Nickel Creek staple) speak of a man who is doubting the things he's come to believe in. Now, I read this two different ways: One, is obviously religious, considering the allusions, and the other is love related. Combined with a simple and yet bittersweet melody (take a listen here), it creates musical magic, and it evokes strong emotions from me each and every time I listen. Here are the lyrics for your reading pleasure.
what will be left when i've drawn my last breath,
besides the folks i've met and the folks who know me,
will i discover a soul cleansing love,
or just the dirt above and below me,
i'm a doubting thomas,
i took a promise,
but i don't know what's safe,
oh me of little faith,
sometimes i pray for a slap in the face,
then i beg to be spared 'cause i'm a coward,
if there's a master of death i'll bet he's holding his breath,
as i show the blind and tell the deaf about his power,
i'm a doubting thomas,
i can't keep my promises,
'cause i don't know what's safe,
oh me of little faith
i'm a doubting thomas,
i can't keep my promises,
'cause i don't know what's safe,
oh me of little faith,
can i be used to help others find truth,
when i'm scared i'll find proof that its a lie,
can i be lead down a trail dropping
bread crumbs,
that prove i'm not ready to die,
please give me time to decipher the signs,
please forgive me for time that i've wasted,
i'm a doubting thomas,
i'll take your promise,
though i know nothin's safe,
oh me of little faith
Honorable Mention
Nickel Creek's Why Should The Fire Die?
This is the title track of their album, and it's one that has proven to never escape my head, which is why I'm giving it honorable mention. I love the idea behind it, and especially the line "Why should the fire die? My mom and dad kept theirs alive" I don't know. There's just something cool and evokative about that line. Neato torpedo.
Movie of the Week (Aug. 29th, 2005)
Doug Liman's Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Okay, so this is not quite in the same league as Spellbound but it is worth mentioning (and also cause it's officially the only movie I've seen this week, so it works). The film is very entertaining, with some expected turns and what not, but funny when it needs to be, and a bit touching at some parts. I was surprised at some moments, mostly because I did expect something a bit more formulaic. Enjoyable to the last frame, with some pretty cool action sequences. Angelina Jolie, despite being a certified nut job in real life, is an amazing specimen of a woman, no doubt about that. However, on a sad note, my heterosexual man-crush on Brad Pitt has officially come to an end. I no longer want to be him, like I used to, and I realized this sadly as I watched the movie, and remembered that he was with Angelina now, who despite being an amazing specimen of a woman, is a certified nut job in real life, and not with my beloved Rache..I mean, Jennifer Aniston. Anyway, all women aside, this movie entertained me, which is all it set out to do. See it if you have the chance. It's tons 'o fun! 7.9/10
Okay, that is all...Take care, my little ones, and enjoy your dreamless nights! I'm gonna watch Les Visiteurs! ;)
ciao
parker
*This is undisclosed for fear of offending those who have a great affinity for these various locales. I will repeatedly bash them in a loving, yet sarcastic manner, so keeping it unknown just helps me not feel so bad about what I say concerning it. Trust me on this, and if you don't believe me, just come here to visit, and you'll understand why I just prefer not to tell people where I am. It's just sad.
**Ditto to the above...
Since the last time we met, I managed to, after much tribulation (more on that later, like, tomorrow, or something), move me and my stuff up to Undisclosed Location* to attend Undisclosed College**. Well, upon arriving at Undisclosed Location, I've come to find my living situation a lot less desireable than I'd hoped. I have never felt so weird in my life. Just being here, in this apartment, makes me feel like the worst person in the world, and I can't quite figure out why. I'm constantly being introduced to new people, whose names I instantly forget, and everything (yes, everything) that comes out of my mouth sounds like I'm fluent in Moron. Also, I've come to understand what the Pennsylvanian Dutch feel like, cause we have no TV. While, to some, this is no big deal, but to the Lost/VM/GG addict, this can be a very very very dire situation, indeed. And the worst part? I don't feel like my roommates even WANT a TV!!! I feel like, if I bring that "cursed" box into these holy walls, that I'll be eternally scorned. Condemnation doesn't look good on your transcript, I'll tell you what! So, all in all, this has proved a dire situation indeed. I need solace. I need release. I need TV. I feel trapped in my bedroom, ashamed to show my sinful head in the front room. I just feel terrible here. I don't feel good. Its a very bad feeling. Really, it is. And, on top of all of this, I've managed to lose my key to the apartment, so I'm stuck. I wanted to check out a movie tonight down at the local cheap seats theater, but noooooo! I'm not guaranteed to be let in cause everyone's asleep by 11:30!!! I can't live like this. Honestly, and this is saying a lot, I almost prefer my last roommates...Whoa, I know, but at least they left me alone, and I didn't feel like the Prince of Darkness around them (well, that's probably because they were doing worse things than I was). So, I pray, in the next couple of days, things begin to change for the better, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.
I miss Veronica...*sniff*
Okay, so in order to balance the obvious negativty in this post, I will proceed to introduce this weeks Song and Movie of the Week. Here we go!
Song of the Week (Aug. 29th, 2005)
Nickel Creek's Doubting Thomas
Okay, I'm a sucker for a song that contains Biblical allusions (I mean, who doesn't love Rufus Wainwright's Hallelujah?), and this song has one that moves throughout the song, and judging from the title of the song, I'm sure you can figure out which that is. The cryptic lyrics (a Nickel Creek staple) speak of a man who is doubting the things he's come to believe in. Now, I read this two different ways: One, is obviously religious, considering the allusions, and the other is love related. Combined with a simple and yet bittersweet melody (take a listen here), it creates musical magic, and it evokes strong emotions from me each and every time I listen. Here are the lyrics for your reading pleasure.
what will be left when i've drawn my last breath,
besides the folks i've met and the folks who know me,
will i discover a soul cleansing love,
or just the dirt above and below me,
i'm a doubting thomas,
i took a promise,
but i don't know what's safe,
oh me of little faith,
sometimes i pray for a slap in the face,
then i beg to be spared 'cause i'm a coward,
if there's a master of death i'll bet he's holding his breath,
as i show the blind and tell the deaf about his power,
i'm a doubting thomas,
i can't keep my promises,
'cause i don't know what's safe,
oh me of little faith
i'm a doubting thomas,
i can't keep my promises,
'cause i don't know what's safe,
oh me of little faith,
can i be used to help others find truth,
when i'm scared i'll find proof that its a lie,
can i be lead down a trail dropping
bread crumbs,
that prove i'm not ready to die,
please give me time to decipher the signs,
please forgive me for time that i've wasted,
i'm a doubting thomas,
i'll take your promise,
though i know nothin's safe,
oh me of little faith
Honorable Mention
Nickel Creek's Why Should The Fire Die?
This is the title track of their album, and it's one that has proven to never escape my head, which is why I'm giving it honorable mention. I love the idea behind it, and especially the line "Why should the fire die? My mom and dad kept theirs alive" I don't know. There's just something cool and evokative about that line. Neato torpedo.
Movie of the Week (Aug. 29th, 2005)
Doug Liman's Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Okay, so this is not quite in the same league as Spellbound but it is worth mentioning (and also cause it's officially the only movie I've seen this week, so it works). The film is very entertaining, with some expected turns and what not, but funny when it needs to be, and a bit touching at some parts. I was surprised at some moments, mostly because I did expect something a bit more formulaic. Enjoyable to the last frame, with some pretty cool action sequences. Angelina Jolie, despite being a certified nut job in real life, is an amazing specimen of a woman, no doubt about that. However, on a sad note, my heterosexual man-crush on Brad Pitt has officially come to an end. I no longer want to be him, like I used to, and I realized this sadly as I watched the movie, and remembered that he was with Angelina now, who despite being an amazing specimen of a woman, is a certified nut job in real life, and not with my beloved Rache..I mean, Jennifer Aniston. Anyway, all women aside, this movie entertained me, which is all it set out to do. See it if you have the chance. It's tons 'o fun! 7.9/10
Okay, that is all...Take care, my little ones, and enjoy your dreamless nights! I'm gonna watch Les Visiteurs! ;)
ciao
parker
*This is undisclosed for fear of offending those who have a great affinity for these various locales. I will repeatedly bash them in a loving, yet sarcastic manner, so keeping it unknown just helps me not feel so bad about what I say concerning it. Trust me on this, and if you don't believe me, just come here to visit, and you'll understand why I just prefer not to tell people where I am. It's just sad.
**Ditto to the above...
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
CORKY!!!!!
All I have to say today is this...In this crazy world of ours, there are those who have seen Christopher Guest's ode to community theater, Waiting for Guffman, and there are those who have not. If you, sadly and pathetically, belong to the latter, your life has officially been declared meaningless, and you will not receive your monthly "Meaningful Life" check until you do.
Thank you.
The Management
*wink-wink*
parker
Thank you.
The Management
*wink-wink*
parker
Monday, August 22, 2005
Something new...
Hmmm...what to post...After yesterday's fantastic spree of posting, I just don't have much to say today...I managed to finish an interesting book, State of Fear by Michael Crichton. To explain the story, it would require me to go on and on...Anyway, the book has convinced me that most environmentalists are a bit on the extreme side, and the threat of global warming is a bunch of bull. That's all I'll say. I don't want this blog to become a soap-box, so I'll stand off, and just let you decide for yourselves. Fascinating book, for all groups.
Dang, our Padres are losing, to the Astros...I guess they're good this year, the Astros, but so are we...We just have some rough spots...We'll get there, though...Someday... *siiiigh*
Okay, that is all!!!
ciao
parker
Dang, our Padres are losing, to the Astros...I guess they're good this year, the Astros, but so are we...We just have some rough spots...We'll get there, though...Someday... *siiiigh*
Okay, that is all!!!
ciao
parker
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Bored, bored, bored...
As you can see, this if my 4th post today, which is mildly pathetic. Hence the title of this post, I'm bored. I needed some self-gratification, and this was the only way I could get it! Also, I didn't want to turn away friends who I've invited to see it once they saw the French post...Relax...English is well spoken here :D
Okay, so what do I have to offer this blog, besides random posts every 5 hours or so...
I know! How 'bout a Song of the Week?
Song(s) of the Week (Aug. 21, 2005):
Natasha Bedingfield's These Words
A friend of mine from France sent me this song over IM one day awhile back, and I didn't think much of it (mostly cause it didn't finish, so I never heard the whole song), but it's catchy melody stuck in my head. A week or so ago, I saw her on Jay Leno, singing this song, and I recognized it immediatly as the song that I'd heard a few months prior. Apparently she was big in Europe before debuting here. I really love this song, mainly because the chorus is catchy, and I love her voice. She reminds me a lot of Joss Stone, who I also love, but that's okay. The more the merrier, in my opinion...
Nickel Creek's When in Rome
This song rocks. As a long time Nickel Creek fan, this album is a welcome change for an already excellent band, and When in Rome stands out as the most intriguing of the songs from their newest album Why Should The Fire Die?. Love the beat they put in the back, and the lyrics are so cryptic. I love that. And, the fact that they hail from the greatest city in the West (San Diego, silly!) doesn't hurt...Honestly, if you haven't experienced them before, they truly are a cut above most accomplished rock bands...Even if they are bluegrass :D. Check it out here. Its only about 30 seconds of the song, but its still a good listen...They're available at iTunes for purchase (what isn't these days!?!) Check out their official site for more songs, and info on a great band that needs to be heard!!!!!
Oh, and I guess a Movie of the Week would also be appropriate...
Movie of the Week (Aug. 21, 2005)
Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound
I'd been dying to see this forever since a friend recommended it, and I must say, its one of Hitch's best films. I usually don't feel that many films from the 40s have much real tension in them, but Hitch manages to create odd yet palpable tension throughout this film, something that should be applauded. In an era of over-the-top acting and sometimes overly daunting scores, Hitch keeps things solid, with Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman doing excellent in their respective roles. While the movie is in glorious black and white (don't be fooled, ladies and gents! Your TV isn't not broken! Its supposed to be that way! And, get this...Sometimes, they used black and white OVER color!!! Imagine that!!! I mean, this was 1945! Color was well apart of American cinema at this point...), there is one flash of color towards the end, that I found rather fitting, and an interesting choice. I think some thought on the matter would further explain why Hitch used it, but that's for another post...Solid film, with a great mystery inside...9.3/10
That is all...
ciao
parker
Okay, so what do I have to offer this blog, besides random posts every 5 hours or so...
I know! How 'bout a Song of the Week?
Song(s) of the Week (Aug. 21, 2005):
Natasha Bedingfield's These Words
A friend of mine from France sent me this song over IM one day awhile back, and I didn't think much of it (mostly cause it didn't finish, so I never heard the whole song), but it's catchy melody stuck in my head. A week or so ago, I saw her on Jay Leno, singing this song, and I recognized it immediatly as the song that I'd heard a few months prior. Apparently she was big in Europe before debuting here. I really love this song, mainly because the chorus is catchy, and I love her voice. She reminds me a lot of Joss Stone, who I also love, but that's okay. The more the merrier, in my opinion...
Nickel Creek's When in Rome
This song rocks. As a long time Nickel Creek fan, this album is a welcome change for an already excellent band, and When in Rome stands out as the most intriguing of the songs from their newest album Why Should The Fire Die?. Love the beat they put in the back, and the lyrics are so cryptic. I love that. And, the fact that they hail from the greatest city in the West (San Diego, silly!) doesn't hurt...Honestly, if you haven't experienced them before, they truly are a cut above most accomplished rock bands...Even if they are bluegrass :D. Check it out here. Its only about 30 seconds of the song, but its still a good listen...They're available at iTunes for purchase (what isn't these days!?!) Check out their official site for more songs, and info on a great band that needs to be heard!!!!!
Oh, and I guess a Movie of the Week would also be appropriate...
Movie of the Week (Aug. 21, 2005)
Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound
I'd been dying to see this forever since a friend recommended it, and I must say, its one of Hitch's best films. I usually don't feel that many films from the 40s have much real tension in them, but Hitch manages to create odd yet palpable tension throughout this film, something that should be applauded. In an era of over-the-top acting and sometimes overly daunting scores, Hitch keeps things solid, with Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman doing excellent in their respective roles. While the movie is in glorious black and white (don't be fooled, ladies and gents! Your TV isn't not broken! Its supposed to be that way! And, get this...Sometimes, they used black and white OVER color!!! Imagine that!!! I mean, this was 1945! Color was well apart of American cinema at this point...), there is one flash of color towards the end, that I found rather fitting, and an interesting choice. I think some thought on the matter would further explain why Hitch used it, but that's for another post...Solid film, with a great mystery inside...9.3/10
That is all...
ciao
parker
Un peu de français...
J'ai décidé, ce matin, d'ecrire quelques "post" en français, pour tous les gens qui le parlent. Donc, voilà quoi! Je ne sais pas en ce moment de quoi j'en parlerai, mais je sais que je vais ecrire les choses que je ne veux pas que les anglophones comprennent. He he...Le pouvoir d'une langue secondaire! HA! C'est magnifique, non? Et de plus, puisque j'ai des ami(e)s français(es) (et tahitien(ne)!), il y aura des gens qui peuvent me comprendre! C'est bien...Pour tous les francophones qui sont en train de lire ce post, Salut! et, j'espère que mon francais ne fait pas de mal aux oreilles! :D
D'accord, a + mes ami(e)s!
ciao
parker
Ahem...About the above...I mean, below...
Hi!
Wow, last night was a blur. I believe, but am not quite sure, that I wrote the above post in a less than sane state, meaning, I'd just finished watching Her Majesty Mrs. Brown with the incomperable Dame Judi Dench, and I believe, but am not quite sure, that her presence in my mind altered my state, making me feel as if it was neccessary to write as if I was monologuing from a Henry James novel (oh wait, wasn't he American? Hmmm...Well, I have read Turn of the Screw...He does sound British...Ah ha! Wikipedia tells me he spent much of his life in England...There you go...). Let it be known and perfectly clear that I am not British, nor was I born in 1824 to wealth and privilage on the East side of London. In any case, while this post is almost entirely unneccessary, I seem to have caught the blogging bug, and just couldn't wait another second to write something completely pointless for no one to read but myself! Strange, how that is.
So yeah, ignore me, and my rantings. Yeah, but honestly! Just saying the name "Dame Judi Dench!" Doesn't that, in some strange way, make you feel noble and British? I mean, I can't help but say her name with my faux accent! It's insanity, I tell you!
Okay, that is all...Man, this was pointless...
ciao
parker
Wow, last night was a blur. I believe, but am not quite sure, that I wrote the above post in a less than sane state, meaning, I'd just finished watching Her Majesty Mrs. Brown with the incomperable Dame Judi Dench, and I believe, but am not quite sure, that her presence in my mind altered my state, making me feel as if it was neccessary to write as if I was monologuing from a Henry James novel (oh wait, wasn't he American? Hmmm...Well, I have read Turn of the Screw...He does sound British...Ah ha! Wikipedia tells me he spent much of his life in England...There you go...). Let it be known and perfectly clear that I am not British, nor was I born in 1824 to wealth and privilage on the East side of London. In any case, while this post is almost entirely unneccessary, I seem to have caught the blogging bug, and just couldn't wait another second to write something completely pointless for no one to read but myself! Strange, how that is.
So yeah, ignore me, and my rantings. Yeah, but honestly! Just saying the name "Dame Judi Dench!" Doesn't that, in some strange way, make you feel noble and British? I mean, I can't help but say her name with my faux accent! It's insanity, I tell you!
Okay, that is all...Man, this was pointless...
ciao
parker
A New Beginning Awaits...
This here blog, the first of its kind to be authored by yours truly, doth hereby commence this very night/day, the twenty-first of August, two-thousand and five. I haven't the slightest clue what I shall write, nor what I shall do with this blog, but, I intend for it to be a deep, personal, if not scandalous look at the life in which I lead. Granted, not much of interest has, or probably will happen, however, I am convinced that in order to give my life some meaning, I must document my triumphs, my tragedies, my follies and my foibles. I don't intend for many to read this. This is mostly done for selfish reasons alone, with the possibilty that I might share it with the masses in the near future. Until that day comes, I wish myself good day, and hope the best for my future.
In any case, enjoy my first posting. It may be the last, if I succumb my laziness, but I dare not think that to be the case.
Here's to the day, and let us all pray for a better tomorrow.
ciao
parker
In any case, enjoy my first posting. It may be the last, if I succumb my laziness, but I dare not think that to be the case.
Here's to the day, and let us all pray for a better tomorrow.
ciao
parker
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