Wallace and Gromit: Full Length Film - I will have to see this movie. Wallace and Gromit are my heroes.
“There are lots of these little guys in “Curse of the Were-Rabbit” — they’re a design motif as well as being characters in their own right. And perhaps the loveliest thing about seeing them, and every other character here, on the big screen is the way their smooth Plasticine surfaces often show the visible fingerprints of the people who have touched them.”
Burnout 3: Takedown - Whatdda video game. I have to play this, and soon - it’s like a demolition derby on a road course.
La Grolla - Our next date? Classic Italian: “In a grand old setting that is both opulent and cozy, friends clink glasses over delicious food like the Capesante “spider”: scallops wrapped in angel hair pasta … “
Flying Spaghetti Monsterism - One of the most creative commentaries on America’s current “intelligent design in school” issue.
It asks an important question: if the government endorses multiple creation viewpoints, where does it stop? Why can’t Flying Spaghetti Monsterism receive equal billing as Evangelical Christianity?
I like how FSM does the unexpected by dodging the details of the issue, and forcing us to look at a more global, pragmatic picture of the situation.
Professor Ulrich is a smart man - he knows his theology, and he has lectures about complex inter-religion relationships prefabricated in his head. He used the word “pantheon” the other day (this past Monday), and I realized that I simply must document it as a great word.
Pantheon.
It’s not that it’s particularly useful, or perfect for describing something I have been thinking … no, it is just a word anybody can incorporate into their vocabularly and sound more sophisticated; depending on your audience, it could have the opposite effect and alienate everyone you are talking to. Use at your own risk. Feel free to add your own favorite words.
Author: Madeleine L’Engle - I loved A Wrinkle in Time - maybe I’ll read one of her adult books sometime.
Trains and sewing machines! Lordy this was a good concert. My First Time at the Ascot Room the past Friday at the Quest, and certainly that room did not disappoint, except for the morons who were talking. They were really annoying and should have stopped talking. Seriously, they had an entire lounge area to yell about pointless things but they chose the back of the Ascot Room. Ridiculous. Anyhow. I was expecting Imogen Heap to have the delicate voice of Dido (who, from the cuts I have heard, sounds horrible live), but Ms. Heap (can I call her that?) is anything but weak live. Her voice is smooth as silk, effortlessly running up and down her catchy melodies, and dropping down from high notes with a signature and distinctive sound.
Mix this with Heap’s masterful blending of her soulful voice and on stage electronics, and there is musical magic in the air. Mykala bought a vinyl cut of her most recent record, and the thing is beautiful: a frosty semi-transparent material makes up the record instead of the usual black: I’ll have to post pictures. Plus, the music on it is really great (of course). This concert was part of the Hotel Cafe Tour, and I have to admit that all of the artists that performed from the tour on Friday night were very unique and good.
What a refreshing romp off the radio dial and away from the RIAA’s greedy money grubbing greediness.
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 …)
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