May 19, 2003
Lovers
New Releases to Brighten Your
Monday
28 Days Later (DVD) - What an absolutely timely release, a nation shut down by a virus epidemic admittedly more Resident Evil than SARS in China but still life imitating art imitating life, absolutely packed with extras just go buy it I can't say too much as I'd spoil the film.
28 Days Later (DVD) - What an absolutely timely release, a nation shut down by a virus epidemic admittedly more Resident Evil than SARS in China but still life imitating art imitating life, absolutely packed with extras just go buy it I can't say too much as I'd spoil the film.
April 02, 2003
Comedy
Americas Finest Make With the
Funny
Three of my favourites:
"President Bush has said that he does not need approval from the UN to wage war, and I'm thinking, well, hell, he didn't need the approval of the American voters to become president, either." —David Letterman
"We have it. The smoking gun. The evidence. The potential weapon of mass destruction we have been looking for as our pretext of invading Iraq. There's just one problem — it's in North Korea." —Jon Stewart
"President Bush said this Iraq situation looks like 'the rerun of a bad movie.' Well sure, there's a Bush in the White House, the economy's going to hell, we're going to war over oil. I've seen this movie, haven't I?" —Jay Leno
Late-Night Jokes About War With Iraq
Three of my favourites:
"President Bush has said that he does not need approval from the UN to wage war, and I'm thinking, well, hell, he didn't need the approval of the American voters to become president, either." —David Letterman
"We have it. The smoking gun. The evidence. The potential weapon of mass destruction we have been looking for as our pretext of invading Iraq. There's just one problem — it's in North Korea." —Jon Stewart
"President Bush said this Iraq situation looks like 'the rerun of a bad movie.' Well sure, there's a Bush in the White House, the economy's going to hell, we're going to war over oil. I've seen this movie, haven't I?" —Jay Leno
Late-Night Jokes About War With Iraq
February 20, 2003
Sinister
Sinister Has a New Face and His Name is Sy
Seldom do I watch a film and actually get the physical response of tightening of the gut because of the sheer magnitude of tension, the last film to do this was Deterrence an extremely pin point accurate political thriller of the current geo political situation tension was most likely increased because it was shown on the wrong side of midnight.
One Hour Photo is comprised of Sy (Robin Williams) a film developer and photo counter clerk in a generic superstore modelled on Wal-Mart. Over the past twelve years Sy has been developing pictures for the Yorkin family in that time he has developed what can only be deemed an obsession, from there the story unfolds. The cinematography and William's performance steal the show, the usually energetic and wild Williams essentially get all the life drain from his character through the use of pastel coloured clothing and bleached hair accentuated by the art direction where every other character is in vibrant and bold colours increased even more by backgrounds and scenery which are a Technicolor feast for the eyes. The art direction alone is enough to watch this movie but William's portrayal is equally impressive, you'll never take another photo to be developed again.
Seldom do I watch a film and actually get the physical response of tightening of the gut because of the sheer magnitude of tension, the last film to do this was Deterrence an extremely pin point accurate political thriller of the current geo political situation tension was most likely increased because it was shown on the wrong side of midnight.
One Hour Photo is comprised of Sy (Robin Williams) a film developer and photo counter clerk in a generic superstore modelled on Wal-Mart. Over the past twelve years Sy has been developing pictures for the Yorkin family in that time he has developed what can only be deemed an obsession, from there the story unfolds. The cinematography and William's performance steal the show, the usually energetic and wild Williams essentially get all the life drain from his character through the use of pastel coloured clothing and bleached hair accentuated by the art direction where every other character is in vibrant and bold colours increased even more by backgrounds and scenery which are a Technicolor feast for the eyes. The art direction alone is enough to watch this movie but William's portrayal is equally impressive, you'll never take another photo to be developed again.
February 07, 2003
Commentary
DVD Audio Commentary That is Actually
Interesting (Slow News Day)
When DVD first came out I was more than a little sceptical of its validity as a new medium, but the purchasing of a new computer that conveniently came with a build in DVD player plagued my curiosity. Once I found a way to make it multi region (DVD Genie) my road to replacing my favourite movies on VHS and expansion of my film collection solely on DVD had begun. I could easily yack on about the various picture and audio advantages as well as the numerous extras but I'd bore myself let alone anyone who actually visits here. The biggest surprise for me where the extras are concerned is that I actually enjoy listening to my preferred directors, writers and actors watching the film they made and commenting on it, it isn't the most exciting when viewed on paper but trust me on occasion it can be fascinating. In no particular order are my faves so far...
Chopper - Mark 'Chopper' Read - The person who the film was based upon gives his slant and opinion on the movie including some incredibly funny and brutal stories, the only thing you should really know about Mark Read is that he got a fellow inmate to cut off his ears and he's killed approximately 19 people and never served one murder sentance.
From Dusk Till Dawn - Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino - Certain aspects of these two make them seemingly inseparable but other elements of their personalities couldn't be further apart. Tarantino is this intense fast talking speed freak who sounds like Blur from the Transformers movie and Rodriguez a soft spoken Latino who sounds so relaxed he is horizontal but both have an encyclopaedic knowledge of movies. It sounds silly about two guys talking but they do literally grab you by the throat and make you listen right up to the end of the credits.
Natural Born Killers (Directors Cut) - Oliver Stone - The art movie for the masses which is generally hated by many, especially the media probably because they are the target for a lot of it. If you had any doubts to the greatness and intelligence of Oliver Stone just listen to his commentary on this film as well as describing the filming techniques he explains much of the symbolism throughout the film, essentially the Bonnie and Clyde for the 90's Mickey and Mallory purposely blur the lines between good and evil leaving you feeling like a stunned Rabbit about to get smooshed by a hick in a pickup named Clevis.
Where are the female directors?
When DVD first came out I was more than a little sceptical of its validity as a new medium, but the purchasing of a new computer that conveniently came with a build in DVD player plagued my curiosity. Once I found a way to make it multi region (DVD Genie) my road to replacing my favourite movies on VHS and expansion of my film collection solely on DVD had begun. I could easily yack on about the various picture and audio advantages as well as the numerous extras but I'd bore myself let alone anyone who actually visits here. The biggest surprise for me where the extras are concerned is that I actually enjoy listening to my preferred directors, writers and actors watching the film they made and commenting on it, it isn't the most exciting when viewed on paper but trust me on occasion it can be fascinating. In no particular order are my faves so far...
Chopper - Mark 'Chopper' Read - The person who the film was based upon gives his slant and opinion on the movie including some incredibly funny and brutal stories, the only thing you should really know about Mark Read is that he got a fellow inmate to cut off his ears and he's killed approximately 19 people and never served one murder sentance.
From Dusk Till Dawn - Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino - Certain aspects of these two make them seemingly inseparable but other elements of their personalities couldn't be further apart. Tarantino is this intense fast talking speed freak who sounds like Blur from the Transformers movie and Rodriguez a soft spoken Latino who sounds so relaxed he is horizontal but both have an encyclopaedic knowledge of movies. It sounds silly about two guys talking but they do literally grab you by the throat and make you listen right up to the end of the credits.
Natural Born Killers (Directors Cut) - Oliver Stone - The art movie for the masses which is generally hated by many, especially the media probably because they are the target for a lot of it. If you had any doubts to the greatness and intelligence of Oliver Stone just listen to his commentary on this film as well as describing the filming techniques he explains much of the symbolism throughout the film, essentially the Bonnie and Clyde for the 90's Mickey and Mallory purposely blur the lines between good and evil leaving you feeling like a stunned Rabbit about to get smooshed by a hick in a pickup named Clevis.
Where are the female directors?
January 18, 2003
Television
Both Sexes Get a Beating
A veritable AlterNet orgasm, two slightly contrasting articles focusing on basically the same subject of sexual representation in the media, specifically males in American sitcoms and one of the most deceitful programs since 'Who wants to marry a millionaire?' (which I think was also on Fox).
While never being the first to defend my end of the species, there is a somewhat disturbing regularity of idiotic male leads generally hapless, ignorant, pathetic individuals. It isn't this representation that I find unsettling it is the growing acceptance of what can be deemed idiotic behaviour which triggers a revulsion whenever I bear witness to it. The world biggest perpetrator of this image is Homer Simpson who is idolised by millions, and often cloned by lifeless fathers to give them a sense of being 'I'm not lazy, drunk, homophobic, child abusing, racist, militant, I'm Homer Simpson'. The acceptability of stupidity, this portrayal of men probably causes more backlash because it is closer to the truth than most will admit, but what do I know? I never had a strong male influence so maybe I'm just bitter.
Male Bashing on TV
Taking the old fairy tale of Cinderella take twenty women and one man, the male of the piece takes the role of Prince Charming claiming to have a wealth around $50 million. Here in lies the catch the man is actually a builder on a $19 thousand a year, he has been trained in the ways of the upper classes etiquette, pastimes and knowledge. The very premise is morally bankrupt the corner the 'winner' will be put into a position of 'are you a conniving, opportunistic woman or a sweet, understanding girl who immediately forgives a giant lie and public humiliation?' Either way the winner is fucked.
Fox's Fractured Fairy Tale
Never before could my opinion of the media have been put into better words:
"the media make themselves into the vehicle of the moral condemnation of terrorism and of the exploitation fear for political ends, but simultaneously, in the most complete ambiguity, they propagate the brutal charm of the terrorist act, they themselves are terrorists, insofar as the themselves march to the tune of seduction" - Jean Baudrillard 'Simulacra and Simulation'
A veritable AlterNet orgasm, two slightly contrasting articles focusing on basically the same subject of sexual representation in the media, specifically males in American sitcoms and one of the most deceitful programs since 'Who wants to marry a millionaire?' (which I think was also on Fox).
While never being the first to defend my end of the species, there is a somewhat disturbing regularity of idiotic male leads generally hapless, ignorant, pathetic individuals. It isn't this representation that I find unsettling it is the growing acceptance of what can be deemed idiotic behaviour which triggers a revulsion whenever I bear witness to it. The world biggest perpetrator of this image is Homer Simpson who is idolised by millions, and often cloned by lifeless fathers to give them a sense of being 'I'm not lazy, drunk, homophobic, child abusing, racist, militant, I'm Homer Simpson'. The acceptability of stupidity, this portrayal of men probably causes more backlash because it is closer to the truth than most will admit, but what do I know? I never had a strong male influence so maybe I'm just bitter.
Male Bashing on TV
Taking the old fairy tale of Cinderella take twenty women and one man, the male of the piece takes the role of Prince Charming claiming to have a wealth around $50 million. Here in lies the catch the man is actually a builder on a $19 thousand a year, he has been trained in the ways of the upper classes etiquette, pastimes and knowledge. The very premise is morally bankrupt the corner the 'winner' will be put into a position of 'are you a conniving, opportunistic woman or a sweet, understanding girl who immediately forgives a giant lie and public humiliation?' Either way the winner is fucked.
Fox's Fractured Fairy Tale
Never before could my opinion of the media have been put into better words:
"the media make themselves into the vehicle of the moral condemnation of terrorism and of the exploitation fear for political ends, but simultaneously, in the most complete ambiguity, they propagate the brutal charm of the terrorist act, they themselves are terrorists, insofar as the themselves march to the tune of seduction" - Jean Baudrillard 'Simulacra and Simulation'