posted by admin on Jan 30
In the past month I’ve finally started watching some of the French New Wave gangster films and now my Netflix Queue (is it me or does ‘Queue’ an extra ‘ue’ in it?) is filled with them. My favorites (so far) are Rififi and Bob Le Flambeur. The later considered the seminal heist movie with elements of the original and the new Ocean’s 11. For a while it was even banned in France because police felt the heist was too realistic and would inspire theft.
Music wise, I’m getting back into The Kinks. I’ve always loved Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, partially because the title is weird as shit. Now I’m listening to Arthur or the decline and fall of The British Empire, also weird as shit. The song writing astounds me, satirical but whimsical. I’d place The Kinks on par with The Beatles, The Stones and The Who for the British Invasion. I also love their song “A Well Respected Man” off the Juno soundtrack.
Daft Punk’s Alive 2007 is one of the best live albums ever. Don’t think, just go listen to it.
You bunny hating bastards!
posted by admin on Jan 26
How God-Damn creepy is Heath Ledger’s performance in The Dark Night going to be now that he’s dead?
Whenever a young celebrity dies it really gives me perspective on how fucked up being famous must be. For every word beyond the standard obituary your death receives from the media that is an extra person that wanted something from you in life.
If you walk into the grocery store and buy a Pepsi someone will go home and tell all their friends, “Oh my God! He buys Pepsi and not Coke! Isn’t that weird?” You’re a walking brand that people either want to emulate or destroy.
I once had the chance to meet Mike Piazza. The Dodger’s were in Atlanta for the weekend and my family drove down to watch the games. One night we went to Benihana’s for dinner and sitting a couple tables over were Mike Piazza, Eric Karros and some relief pitcher from the Dodger’s. However, also sitting at the table were several gorgeous women dressed up like it was prom night. I declined to go meet my, then, favorite baseball player. Mike Piazza was not some guy that traveled city to city sleeping with whatever attractive groupie found her way to his room and that’s they way I wanted him to stay. I refused to admit to myself that he existed off the baseball field as a person. But that’s okay, I was 12.
I can’t imagine how cynical people will continue to become about fame unless they change this attitude. People have individual hopes, dreams and talents that probably do NOT reflect your own.
So what if Tiger Wood’s doesn’t take on social issues, he’s also never been charged with rape. Go fuck yourself, Jim Brown.
posted by admin on Jan 24
EDIT: DON’t FUCKIN’ LISTEN TO ME
Has there ever been a great player that turned it off as much as The Diesel? In a league notorious for only playing hard when it mattered Shaq epitomized the players of his era. This meant when Shaq was tired, Shaq rested on or off the court. Which leads me to my new sports gambling rule. In the NBA, find the two teams that played the night before that are playing each other and bet on the UNDER. Seriously, this is the laziest league (or they play too many games). Everyone plays like shit if they’re the least bit tired. I feel safe publishing this here and not screwing up lines on games since no one reads this. During the week you won’t find many of these games but on the weekend when the NBA packs games into the schedules to up attendance the schedule is full of them!
posted by admin on Jan 22
I love Sierra Nevada and I mean that in every sense of the word. If my junk was not so fearsome and mighty I would have sex with a bottle of Celebration Ale. Their seasonal’s have always been hands down the best of the season. Summer is fantastic, Anniversary is excellent and Celebration, well, you can see above what I think of Celebration Ale.
For the first time ever they’ve released a spring seasonal. ESB, for Early Spring Beer as opposed to the normal Extra Special/Strong Bitter. It differs greatly from their typical offerings. Significantly less hops suits the season well but it’s missing the Sierra feel without them. I haven’t tried many Spring seasonal’s, and for my money Sierra’s is still one of the best, it just pales in comparison too their previous efforts. Maybe as the weather warms it’ll grow on me, it feels perfect for sports on a Sunday afternoon in the spring with the windows open and a warm breeze blowing through. Alternatively, they may change the recipe as the bottle glaringly displays ‘2008′ on the label. Definitely recommended but maybe wait for warmer weather and stick to something darker for now.
Also, if you ever see Double Dog from Flying Dog please buy me some. It is delicious!
posted by admin on Jan 9
The Clash’s “Bankrobber” is hands down the best song about a pacifist father who enjoys life as a thief. I know it’s controversial but there I said it.
“Once” is a sublimely beautiful movie. I realize how pretentious that sounds but it’s the first film I’ve seen (aside from maybe Daft Punk’s “Interstella”) that feels like you are watching an album. The soundtrack would be an excellent stand alone album but the characters make the audience part of the song writing process and each song feels intensely personal. The movie has three perfect moments, I won’t spoil them, that will touch even the most cynical viewer. I really wish I had caught it in theatre because that’s how they shot it. The film still looks great but you lose some of the intimacy the big screen provides.
“Juno” is also phenomenal but it’s getting enough press already. I didn’t think it would be possible but it may beat out “Knocked Up” for the year’s best comedy.
Also, the title to this post is a complete lie.
