We described it was a “poor man’s ‘Office Space’” or “an indie ‘Office Space’” and frankly I liked the movie. Also, I guess yellow Post-It notes equal an office, because that visual cue is used on both DVD covers of these two movies. Anyhow, I think Haiku Tunnel had a little more meaning to it and fewer pieces dumbed down humor than Office Space. It’s got some hard-to-pinpoint rough edges that always seem to show up in Sundance films (and are more obvious in the comedies, for some reason), but none were too distracting.
Just to get this out of the way, there’s an awesome scene in the outtakes on the DVD of this 50-something guy wearing headphones doing some manic rocking out. Does anyone know the name of that outtake? It is hilarious. Seriously. That outtake showcases the movies impeccable soundtrack and genuinely funny comedy.
I think the movie is off the beaten path, giving us a comedy with decidedly unattractive stars who force you to think about what’s going on onscreen rather than their idealization of a 20-something in the office world. That being the second time I’ve used the “number-something” expression in this review, I have decided it’s time to cut this review down. One last thing: I recommend this movie for more winter weather and not summer weather - it has to do with the energy of it. Enjoy it while it’s cold!
Tom’s Diner - Do do do do do do do do … you know that song? Really addicting hook? It’s actually a 1990 remix of an earlier song. The story is one where illegal usage turns out well: the artists who remixed it illegally, sold it to the recording company, who then distributed it. This makes sense, and would never happen today (consider DJ Danger Mouse and his hugely successful mash of Jay-Z and the Beatles’ albums …)
The Blind Watchmaker - I need to read this book. As an adament believer that God and evolution easily coexist, I am intrigued by how I could help others to at least understand (not necessarily agree with) my view.
Part of a customer review reads:”If one doesn’t believe in the power of natural selection after reading this book, then that person is not rational.”
First thought: says Mykala on Friday night: “If there were a piece of pie in front of me right now, I’d eat it.” In a similar vein, Markoe picked up on a word I accidentally invented: “spamished.” Meaning “to be famished,” it is likely to catch on in many a social circle.
Second thought: when I am drifting off to sleep at night, my imagination becomes particularly fertile. That about-to-sleep state is when I have come up with many inventions, three designs for this website, the name “tumbledry,” and a particularly tricky solution to a multivariable calculus problem. That said, it comes as no surprise that my imagination lately has been conjuring up a particularly vivid image of a guardian angel. Not your insubstantial white feathery floaty guardian angel so popular with the media nowadays. No sir, I am talking the ultra old-school, Israelite style, tough-as-nails seraphim that used to kick some unholy tail around before kicking unholy tail around fell out of style. In fact, I can give you a rather good idea of the angel: Gabriel in the movie Constantine. You know, huge wings, incomparable strength, on and on.
Third thought: I was walking back to Cretin as a wedding reception at the Binz was wrapping up. At the far end of the parking lot the sound of a revving engine and some new tires spinning against the tar drifted through the balmy air. Someone was driving a manual, and someone knew what they exactly what they were doing. Moments later, a 2005 “performance white” Mustang convertible, dragging some wonderful noise-maker cans tied to the back and piloted by a clean shaven young man in a tuxedo floated by, its occupants riding at a straospheric level of happiness you only see in a bride and groom. Could that really be me someday? The future is such a fuzzy thing. At this age I guess you just can’t help but think about it.
I made up this silly joke, and because this is my blog where I can do pointless things like post silly jokes I made up on the blog that is my own, here it is:
He was selling shoes left and right.
Adds new meaning to the phrase “short and sweet.” I love it! I’m going to work it into conversations where, while it may/probably/will not be funny, at least it will break the ice and everyone will say “hey that Alex kid isn’t too bad, we guess.”
Bring out shadows - I frequently expose skies, but get dark dark silhouettes. This is sometimes good, but sometimes not. So, this page outlines a great tool to bring out shadow detail (“The Shadow/Highlight tool in Photoshop CS”). Digital photography, ahoy!
