A true great passes on.
And he died of emphysema, that's a terrible way to go.
That's all I got. I had something for today about how miserable it is to dig out of the snow, but I think my complaining about my lungs burning would seem a bit ludicrous right now.
Besides, I was about half through with the job when my neighbor came over with his plow. Thanks, Darren!!!
23 January 2005
19 January 2005
Things I'm enjoying...
1) Countdown with Keith Olbermann (MSNBC, nightly) - I've always enjoyed Olbermann, very much during the SportsCenter years with Dan Patrick (a dynasty never to be touched). This is an interesting, entertaining look at some bullet-point daily stories. It's not as entertaining as The Daily Show (I watch both), but they have an interesting voice, not as liberally biased as some outlets, and not Fox News (gag).
2) The soundtrack to The Incredibles (Michael Giacchino) - fun, mod, swinging, jazzy - whatever you want to call it. Great music to have in the background during the day.
3) Dancer in the Dark DVD - OK, maybe this isn't to be "enjoyed", but I watched it again the other day (maybe my fourth or fifth time through) and it's just a knockout of a film. It slowly involves you in the lives of the characters, then kicks the plot and the music in. And Bjork gives an amazing performance. Also lots of fun to see the extras on the DVD to see all the work that goes into creating a Dogma 95 movie musical.
2) The soundtrack to The Incredibles (Michael Giacchino) - fun, mod, swinging, jazzy - whatever you want to call it. Great music to have in the background during the day.
3) Dancer in the Dark DVD - OK, maybe this isn't to be "enjoyed", but I watched it again the other day (maybe my fourth or fifth time through) and it's just a knockout of a film. It slowly involves you in the lives of the characters, then kicks the plot and the music in. And Bjork gives an amazing performance. Also lots of fun to see the extras on the DVD to see all the work that goes into creating a Dogma 95 movie musical.
Too long between entries
Has it really been 18 days since last I touched base with you, my loyal reader(s)?
I apologize for the delay, but truthfully, not a blessed thing has happened in the interim.
My mother and brother turned a year older, I've watched far too many tsunami home videos (it's like a snuff disaster film), and I've been a little under the weather.
That's about the extent of it.
Here's something, though. Not that it's about me, but...
I was in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar some years ago, and the guy who played Jesus was on American Idol last night. It appears he was in a rock band in NYC, and went to audition in DC. They made something of a bit out of him and his band last night, and we got to see some of the worst aspects of reality television. We got the "Band Rehearsal Footage", which one could determine was actually filmed by a Fox crew some time after the audition, when Ryan Seacrest visited Constantine (the guy who played Jesus). Constantine then told his bandmates he's accepted an invitation to Hollywood to go on the show. So... how then did he explain the presence of a camera crew to his bandmates? Also, it was a lot of fun to see Constantine impersonate a human being. It's something he's not extremely good at. He's a bit of an egomaniac, and he can't really disguise it too well. So that's always fun to watch. So I'll keep watching. Stupid television. Stupid Brian...
I apologize for the delay, but truthfully, not a blessed thing has happened in the interim.
My mother and brother turned a year older, I've watched far too many tsunami home videos (it's like a snuff disaster film), and I've been a little under the weather.
That's about the extent of it.
Here's something, though. Not that it's about me, but...
I was in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar some years ago, and the guy who played Jesus was on American Idol last night. It appears he was in a rock band in NYC, and went to audition in DC. They made something of a bit out of him and his band last night, and we got to see some of the worst aspects of reality television. We got the "Band Rehearsal Footage", which one could determine was actually filmed by a Fox crew some time after the audition, when Ryan Seacrest visited Constantine (the guy who played Jesus). Constantine then told his bandmates he's accepted an invitation to Hollywood to go on the show. So... how then did he explain the presence of a camera crew to his bandmates? Also, it was a lot of fun to see Constantine impersonate a human being. It's something he's not extremely good at. He's a bit of an egomaniac, and he can't really disguise it too well. So that's always fun to watch. So I'll keep watching. Stupid television. Stupid Brian...
01 January 2005
The Life Aquatic
Saw this with my friend KK the other night, and WOW.
Bill Murray probably won't be nominated for his performance (because the movie isn't REALLY great), but his performance is mesmerizing. He commands every moment of the film, and his journey (if you buy into the somewhat quirky Wes Anderson world) is truly poignant. He never relies on any cheap gag or "Bill Murray-ism" - it's all very real for him, and thus, for the viewer. KK turned to me as the credits rolled and said, "That was an amazing performance". It was all you could really say.
The movie, while pretty charming and interesting, doesn't really know what it's supposed to be. Anjelica Huston is (as always) excellent, and the Portugese, acoustic covers of Bowie standards are superb. The first moment of each one you sort of groove to the music, then you strain to figure out which Bowie song it is, then you just enjoy the moment.
Anderson is really an interesting director (and writer, for that matter). He has such an obvious affection for the older films that told leisurely-paced stories about the regular lives of extraordinary people. He's also very familiar with modern camera moves and techniques. It's interesting to see where (and how) he forgoes the easier modern route for the more labor-intensive, old-fashioned methods. There are some shots that are obviously CG, but even there they have a sort-of hand crafted feel to them. It's a fun style to watch, and The Life Aquatic includes a couple of really incredible cinematic shots and moments where you just knew Anderson was having a blast.
If you liked Rushmore or Bottle Rocket, I'd completely recommend The Life Aquatic. (If your really liked The Royal Tennenbaums, I'm guessing you've already seen The Life Aquatic) I'd confidently recommend it to pretty much any of my friends. It's not for people who thought National Treasure was good, but who has conversations about film with those people?
Bill Murray probably won't be nominated for his performance (because the movie isn't REALLY great), but his performance is mesmerizing. He commands every moment of the film, and his journey (if you buy into the somewhat quirky Wes Anderson world) is truly poignant. He never relies on any cheap gag or "Bill Murray-ism" - it's all very real for him, and thus, for the viewer. KK turned to me as the credits rolled and said, "That was an amazing performance". It was all you could really say.
The movie, while pretty charming and interesting, doesn't really know what it's supposed to be. Anjelica Huston is (as always) excellent, and the Portugese, acoustic covers of Bowie standards are superb. The first moment of each one you sort of groove to the music, then you strain to figure out which Bowie song it is, then you just enjoy the moment.
Anderson is really an interesting director (and writer, for that matter). He has such an obvious affection for the older films that told leisurely-paced stories about the regular lives of extraordinary people. He's also very familiar with modern camera moves and techniques. It's interesting to see where (and how) he forgoes the easier modern route for the more labor-intensive, old-fashioned methods. There are some shots that are obviously CG, but even there they have a sort-of hand crafted feel to them. It's a fun style to watch, and The Life Aquatic includes a couple of really incredible cinematic shots and moments where you just knew Anderson was having a blast.
If you liked Rushmore or Bottle Rocket, I'd completely recommend The Life Aquatic. (If your really liked The Royal Tennenbaums, I'm guessing you've already seen The Life Aquatic) I'd confidently recommend it to pretty much any of my friends. It's not for people who thought National Treasure was good, but who has conversations about film with those people?
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