You are currently browsing the monthly archive for June, 2008.
If Larry Norman showed the world that Christians could have long hippie hair and play rock and roll? The Resurrection Band proved they could rock hard. Unlike many Christian rock acts that first appeared in the late 70s and eventually became rock and rollers*, the Resurrection Band started playing hard rock.
Dr. Cornelius from Prince Caspian.
That kind of sums up the movie the Gauntlet…which Eastwood made between Dirty Harry films. It is entertaining in a rather silly way. Eastwood directed and starred in the film with the only two other names I recognized being Sondra Locke and Pat Hingle. Everyone plays it straight, but Locke is really over the top. Her character is a Las Vegas prostitute who is being brought in to testify against a mob boss. Eastwood is the cop asked to bring her to Arizona.
ROAD TRIP MOVIE!!!!! That’s what it all amounts to. Locke’s prostitute Gus is actually in severe danger…the mob has a running bet that she will die before reaching the courthouse that people are betting on like a horse race. Now, it is not nearly as broad of an attempt at comedy as other films Eastwood has been in. You are supposed to thrill at the action and worry about the danger. Craziness ensues as it starts to become clear that the mob has friends in high places and the film becomes a paranoid thriller.
There were things that I found troublesome, such as Ben’s (Eastwood) willingness to slap Gus (Locke) around. I say uncomfortable, because I am not entirely unsure that this was quite intentional on Eastwood’s part. After all, his character Ben Locksley is supposed to be a loser cop who sees himself as better than he really is. So, it may be that we in the audience are supposed to see this as a flaw. And Locke’s Gus is pretty capable at causing physical harm to Ben. There is also an uncomfortable seen where Gus pretty much encourages some men to rape her to distract them from Ben. And yet, by the end, the two are supposed to be in love. This is probably the least convincing aspect of the story-though I guess it sets us up for stuff like Speed and the Gauntlet even has a bus! It moves much slower though.
I do find it interesting that most of the police in the film fall into three categories. Dumb and insensitive idiots, corrupt, decent men doing their job. Ben really is in the third category. He makes it clear from the onset he is an officer of the law, so he obeys orders without question. We also see a cop question why the corrupt officials are asking them to take out a fellow officer, indicating discomfort with the plan-but a willingness to follow through.
The camera work is a bit messy, there are sequences filmed so tightly, it is hard to figure out what is happening. And the ending is like a western-one that makes no sense. The story is pretty by the books, the characters are pretty text book. But this will likely entertain most Eastwood fans who like his “grizzled cop” persona. But it is not as solid and entertaining as the original Dirty Harry, which help define the cop thriller for decades. I appreciated seeing an earlier directing effort from Eastwood, and his directing skills showed great improvement by Pale Rider, and the Outlaw Josey Wales (which came out just a year before) was a film that showed more promise. I would put this in the area of Eastwood’s 1971 film Play Misty For Me (interestingly, both Play Misty For Me and the Gauntlent rely heavily on Jazz soundtracks-more effectively for Misty than the Gauntlet). Check out the posters, by the way, that make it look like the film is a post apocalyptic actioner.
Last weekend Bill asked the following:
I haven’t been around in awhile, so if this is a question you’ve already answered, I apologize. But what are your goals for your art? Are you a hobbyist, or do you aspire to ultimately go pro? Just curious.
I don’t know that I really have ever said much about my artistic goals. And while they include world domination, they are not solely limited to that. I’ve loved to draw since I was a small tadpole. Eventually, I will post some of the crude artwork attempted by a future half of me, pre-egg future sperm. But suffice to say…I never lost the love of drawing all these years. As a child, the dream was to draw comic books.
I loved comics as a kid. The art especially drew me in. My favorite artist in grade school was probably John Byrne. And throughout grade school, junior high and high school I drew comic book ideas and kept trying to get better. But after high school, everything felt to far away. And so I started to try and be more practical.
So, as time went by, I started to set the dream aside as unrealistic, as many people are prone to do with their dreams. But I still find myself loving the storytelling medium in general. Comics especially…so I started a couple years ago to wipe the dust off of the dream. I am currently working on a specific idea to start pitching. Putting together a game plan. So, the answer to Bill’s question is that while I draw for fun, the hopeful goal is to enter the world of comics. So, you know…I can learn to hate drawing and stop getting pleasure from doing it.
Man…only Pixar could have the problem where references to “mixed reviews” means the gamut is “it’s a decent film, but not their best” and “It’s totally the most awesome movie ever!”
Friend (and film critic) Peter Chattaway points to some of the mixed reviews. But this is so unique to Pixar. Their films are pretty much only judged against each other, and their lowest rating on Rotten Tomatoes is 75% fresh (for Cars-admittedly, my least favorite Pixar film). Other than that, all their movies have a 91% fresh rating or higher. Only for Pixar would people suggest 75% positive ratings is some kind of major failure. But I think this was Pixar’s “fault”. They have set such a high standard and expectation that people eagerly anticipate their films-and sometimes so much so that there is no way for the film to meet the expectations of the viewers. Pixar has pretty much made only quality films of varying degrees, even my least favorites (which are the previously mentioned Cars and Bug’s Life) are still watchable more than once.
The Pixar crew proves that you can make timeless, artistic and heartfelt films with computer animation, rather than just soulless, plastic pop culture referencing product(okay, in light of current questions regarding the marketing of Wall-E, I can see where people might chuckle at my comment). For all the paranoid fears about computers ruining movies? Pixar shows us what a wonderful tool they can be. They put love and sweat into their works. When I listen to these guys talk-not once have I ever seen evidence of their people just going through the motions with any of their films. Each one had die hard dedication. And they have yet to cause me to think they are sitting back, resting on the Pixar name and just coasting. As much care was put into Ratatouille as was put into the first Toy Story.
Personally, I look forward to Wall-E, but I try and keep me expectations low and reasonable. But Pixar’s name still always gives me hope.
Next week will see a return of the “Christian Music That Doesn’t Suck” series.
George Carlin has died. Love him or hate him, he helped change the face of comedy. Even though he got to be a bit to bitter for my tastes towards the end, I am sorry to see him go.
I watched the 1968 Clint Eastwood/Richard Burt WWII action flick Where Eagles Dare this weekend.
Bullets from guns fired by Americans or the British in WWII were capable of blowing up combat ready vehicles.
Nazis were worse shots than Imperial Stormtroopers.
The Nazi’s were easily duped.
Two men could take on hundreds of Nazis and only get shot once. If you are wearing a Nazi uniform? Nazis were incapable of recognizing British and American accents.
Blowing up cable cars will not damage the cables they are on in the least.
Mary Magdalene helped fight the Nazis. And she was a total babe doing it.
King Miraz of Narnia (from Prince Caspian)and…uh…some spiky haired guy.
One group is claiming iPhones are sexist. Apparently they are harder to use if you have long fingernails. Technically, that is not sexist. It’s long-nailist. See, plenty of women do not have fingernails long enough to be a problem, it does not discriminate against women… if it discriminates at all, it discriminates against anyone with long enough nails.
Thought the Robocop franchise has been laid to rest? Well, fear not law abiding citizens. MGM is working on a REMAKE!!!
You know what I think of this news?
If you like movies, you probably were impacted by the work of Stan Winston. Aliens, Jurassic Park, Terminator, Galaxy Quest, Manimal…he’s been at the forefront of fantasy effects. The guy got to create monsters and mythical creatures and space aliens…he made creations that looked real. Without his work on the Jurassic Park films, those dinosaurs would never have appeared to be so alive.
Winston and his team were the masters, standing with all the great effects crews. And today, his era ends. Apparently, he’s been battling multiple myeloma (a form of blood cancer) for seven years. He’s been active pretty much the entire time, so that got by me. He’s been a pretty big part of my movie loving youth. And the idea that he has passed…well, it feels like a bit of magic died as well.
My condolences to the family and friends of Sam Winston….he’ll be missed.
I gotta ask…is this really a front page news story? It was sandwiched between a presidential poll and a news story asking about who black conservatives are likely to vote for. It’s unfortunate…but is it really in the league of the Iowa floods?
In other major news…Gavin Rossdale and Gwen Stefani plan to paint their nursery black and raise their kid as a goth or something.
When it comes to political news, no one touched Russert. In a world of bombastic personalities, he took a truly different route. He treated everyone as an equal, never showing favoritism. 
He knew politics, and seemed to be a walking encyclopedia of political history. He was calm in his questions, avoided attacks and simply discussed the facts. Whatever his personal biases, he never let those rule. I feel it is not overstating things to say that in a world far to full of Bill O’Reillys and Keith Olbermanns, of Chris Mattews and Glenn Becks-where loudness, aggression and humiliation are the rules of the game? Russert was refreshing, and one of the few people that made me feel like I learned something when watching his show.
58 is far to young, and my sympathy goes to his friends and family. Thanks, Tim Russert…this political season will be all that tougher to watch without your presence. May God welcome you with the open arms you deserved.
The Old Wizard from Dawn Treader…
I am not sure about the accuracy…but that is what I pictured in my head as I read it.
The secret job I wish I could have?
The guy who picks songs for soundtracks. There are movies that need specially orchestrated music. Empire Strikes Back would have felt awkward if Queen’s Another One Bites the Dust played during the Bespin escape scene.
But frankly, in plenty of movies, musical tracks by bands and singers can be effective. The Lost Boy’s soundtrack is highly memorable. High Fidelity would have felt all wrong with a symphony.
While watching Juno, I found my brain wondering with the soundtrack…the same has happened with Wes Anderson films…I found myself thinking about how often I think in “soundtracks”. When I toy with a story idea, one of the things I start to do is start putting together song collections to help with setting the mood of writing the story. I’ll say I am quite confident I could assemble some pretty kick ass sound tracks. So if directors want to challenge that…feel free to e-mail me. I won’t hold my breath, of course…I like breathing.
Routinely, Canadian friends will point out to me stuff that happens there in relation to hate crimes, free speech issues, religion and so on. I just recently found out about this case. Now, the headline is absurd. It claims the Priest was ordered to renounce his faith. Well, if you read the article, you find that is not remotely the case at all… although the article’s author, Peter Vere, makes a “noble effort” to prove it really is:
In essence, the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal is ordering to the minister to renounce his Christian faith, since his opposition to homosexuality is based upon the Judeo-Christian Bible.
This is not the case. He was ordered to write a letter of apology and pay a fine. But that is not nearly as dramatic of a headline. The actual story is the Priest wrote a letter to the editor denouncing homosexuality. An “Activist” was offended and submitted a complaint to the Human Rights Tribunal. They decided the letter was not criminal but did require he pay $5,000 for “damages and suffering for the “activist”.
These things amaze me. It probably does not come as a shock that I consider free speech pretty important. And the speech I want protected most? The speech that offends and angers me. I want people I disagree with vehemently o be able to express their ideas without fear of government reprisal. The idea of the government fining people thousands dollars for damages gives me chills. I have been greatly offended by things I have read. I can’t say they damaged me in a way that I deserve $5,000. If a letter or blog offends you? Write a response. Grow up. Take it like a person. Don’t run to the government to dole out punishment.
The thing that gets me is how many people want free speech for themselves, but do not want the courtesy to be extended to people they disagree with. If you oppose gay marriage, I think you should be allowed to say that without fear of the Government knocking on the door. People are free to dispute your words. But the idea of forcing dissenting views out of the public arena, just because I don’t like or agree with them is distasteful to me…
While I think the article is absurdly over dramatic, at the same time, I find the idea of a person turning someone into a tribunal, merely because they disagree or are offended by that person’s words as morally appalling as the offensive speech. It’s only a few steps between “them” being the offender in trouble and “us” becoming the offender in trouble…and tribunals and attempts to stifle “offensive” opinions just make it that much easier to become a police state…
So, just a few minutes ago, news folk hero Mika Brzezinski said something a bit…well…impolite. I call her a folk hero because she garnered a lot of applause (especially from folks on the left, but certainly not just that side) last year when she refused to read a story about Paris Hilton. And people went on and on to denounce her male co-anchors as sexist due to how they derided her. Now anyone who actually watches Morning Joe, Mika is actually prone to giving just as many unprovoked jibes at her co-hosts as they are to her. It was not an actual situation of boys ganging up on a girl-even though it gave the appearance it was. But Brzezinski often comes across as condescending and seems prone to scolding people for “being mean.” Today in her news segment she announced a new iPhone and called all the people who bought the original iPhone stupid. Is it bright to accuse your audience of being stupid? Besides…that’s mean, Mika.
But not he is losing his touch as a philosophizer. (Also known as “one of those posts that might get me in trouble”)
Recently, Bob stated:
”Well, you know right now America is in a state of upheaval. Poverty is demoralizing. You can’t expect people to have the virtue of purity when they are poor.”
What the hell? People, before you jump to a defense, bear in mind how condescending this statement is. See, them poor people? They are incapable of being good and decent. If you are poor, it is unreasonable to expect you to have any moral compass. After all, how are supposed to understand this phrase, “virtue of purity”? Do we really think he is referring to hygiene?
The fact is, being poor is not an excuse to toss ethics and morality. Yes, poverty is often demoralizing, especially in a nation that has had as much privilege as the United States. But poor people are pretty damn capable of being loving and decent people. And while helping the poor is important, and working to fight the oppression of the poor is a must? I mean, if the most prominent reason for a lack of “the virtue of purity” is merely poverty…why are the rich not the most moral and virtuous people in America (we do remember Enron and Ken Lay…right?!)? Virtue and morality actually have nothing to do with money.
You either make virtuous and moral choices or you don’t. And the world is full of desperately poor people who do not resort to criminal behavior. And if we can’t expect it of poor people? We are in serious danger…because there are more poor people on the planet than rich or even middle class. So I sure hope the poor are capable of making good and right choices. Otherwise, we have to give up hope.
So, I am sorry, Mr. Dylan…I can very well expect poor people to not cast virtue aside. It’s completely reasonable, logical and possible for me to expect the poor to share the “virtue of purity”. Money, or the lack thereof? Not an excuse to be “impure”. Desperation is not an excuse. And in the end, it’s an absolute insult to those who are poor to suggest they are just not capable of being moral and virtuous and “pure”.
Secondly, regarding Barack Obama… Dylan said:
”He’s redefining what a politician is, so we’ll have to see how things play out.”
Listen, I get annoyed with the Obama bashing. But let’s not overstate things. Obama hasn’t done much different than any other politician. He is giving nice speeches, but he’s back tracked and “nuanced” his history just as much as every politician before him. Truth be told, Obama reminds me a lot of George Bush circa 2000. He talks a big show about changing the face of politics, and change in general. He talks about abandoning partisan politics. I wish I could get excited about the man, but to be honest, the only thing that stands out from other politicians is that we have seen our first viable candidate who isn’t a white guy. I am glad to see we finally got to that point. I am glad to see it happening in my life time.
But as for being so totally different from other politicians? I have not seen proof of that yet.
Since I have been reading the Narnia series, I thought I would theme Sketch Fridays for awhile with characters from the books. I started with Reepicheap. My first attempt looked like a raccoon.
Will Wolfgang Peterson ever make a movie that takes place in the desert?
(Troy doesn’t count-it has an ocean in it)
Christianity Today gave a higher rating to the Sex and the City movie (3 out of four stars) than it did the Prince Caspian movie (2 and a half out of four stars).
Clearly…they are villains. Evil. In Satan’s erotic thrall. In the devil’s bosom, if you will. See?
I did not know Evangeline Lily was a missionary.
Here is my second disc…the ‘B’ side…
The numerical gaps are soundbites from movies/TV.
2.I Want a Warning-Idlewild
I just wanted another action packed beginning.
3.Light To Follow-Polyphonic Spree
I like to think of these guys as a more melodic and mainstream Danielson. I was definitely going for more “alternative” to this disc.
4.But Your So Beautiful-Future Bible Heroes
It’s a very space aged love song. I really like it.
5.Deft Left Hand-Babyshambles
Pete Doughty is a messed up guy…but he makes some great music.
6.Kundalini Express-Love and Rockets
I just really enjoy the driving synths and general feeling of motion the song conveys.
7.Work It Out-Undercover
One of my favorite Undercover tacks. It just doesn’t let up. Kind of a funk feel underlying it.
9.Could’ve Gone Mad-Poe
Every alternative theme disc needs the angry alt girl singer.
10.Like A Luminous Girl-Mike Doughty
I loved him in Soul Coughing, I have enjoyed him pretty much as much in the solo career he has carved out. There isn’t many other singers who quite have his vocal styling, so I always recognize his work…in a good way.
11.Radio, Radio-Elvis Costello
Burn those bridges, Elvis.
12.Push (These Walls Down)-4.4.1.
I really like this melancholy track from this band.
13.Softness Goodness-Starflyer 59
After the mellowness of the prior track, I was not totally ready to leave that, so I chose this heavier track that still have a mellow and sad vibe.
15.Takin’ On Water-Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson? Heck yeah. New country I cannot deal with…but old school country (Nelson, Cash, Buck Owens, Patsy Cline)? I am all over that. Still, this is more rock and roll to me than country.
16.(Crazy For You But) Not That Crazy-The Magnetic Fields
I just really like the goofiness of this track.
17.Wino Of The Red Is Stained-L.S.U.
The song doesn’t really make a lot of sense out of the context of the album (about a cult that infiltrates a California Church) but I like the very…punch of the song.
18.So It Goes-Nick Lowe
I like the bounce of the chorus in this song. It’s pretty much the only reason I chose it.
20.Jesus Is On the Mainline-Cush
Cush has had a variety of sounds…this is an outtake. I kind of wonder what the album this might have gone with might have sounded like. It feels like Love & Rockets meets Souxsie & the Banshees.
21.I Should Be Allowed to Think-They Might Be Giants
I just wanted a catchy TMBG track that wasn’t from Flood.
23.Memory Lane-Daniel Amos
Yeah…this song screams 80’s. Daniel Amos was very influenced by the new wave music when they put out this song in the early 80’s. But I always liked this track, and it was rare for it’s time…challenging the standard workings of “ministry” and “testimonies”.
24.Gonna Never Have to Die-Guided By Voices
This is about as close as GBV gets to pop.
25.Last Stop: This Town-Eels
I just feel you can’t go wrong with including the Eels on a mix. Though I am sure someone will disagree. 
A really harsh storm came through over the weekend. Large hail, severe winds, torrential rains. It was a mess. It knocked out the power in my neighborhood for a couple hours. Here is an exerpt from my diary* at the time:
The power is out. It was a pretty bad storm, as I watch the mist rising off the now dead streets, I find myself wondering what it all means. Will the power ever return? If not, that TV sure is a waste of time and money. Not as big a waste as the electric plug in generator. I would watch the news…but I can’t turn on the TV. And the cable is out.
Is the world at an end? I mean, there are few logical reasons that I can think of for the power to be off for more than a minute. Maybe the zombies are taking over. This is pretty plausible, as I do see some people ambling down the sidewalks rather aimlessly. Looking for human flesh to devour, no doubt. Maybe Jesus came back and all the energy workers were raptured into heaven. Or maybe…the machines have taken over. By golly, that has to be it. The machines are rebelling! And their first step is to deprive us of any and all outside connections and power. It all makes sense now. The power conveniently goes out during a severe storm, so no one really notices until it’s to late. I think I see one of their vile war machines rolling down the street through the mist now! have to run out to warn people! This is it! The end has come, at the hand of our own creations! It’s a cruel irony! It…oh…hey…the power is back on. I think I will cook a Hot Pocket and check my e-mail. Crisis averted, people.
*I don’t have a diary, but lets pretend I do for the sake of this post.
So, I participated in Lefty’s Mixed Bag project Bag & Tag. I will start with my selection. Because I was late in sending mine out, I created a bonus disc.
Trouble In Mind
Disc 1:
1.Just a line I like from an episode of Angel…all about living as things should be, so the world can see what it can be.
2.Stop the Rock-Apollo 440
I just wanted to start the disc off with something energetic. It’s forgettable but catchy.
3.This Is Not the End-The Bravery
I like the Bravery’s 80’s style. Yeah…I like 80’s music.
4.A Love That’s Stronger Than Our Fear-Derek Webb
An upbeat track, it’s hopeful, and I like that. Kind of a poppy number, with folksy protest style lyrics about love without fear.
5.Morning Sun-Echo & the Bunnymen
I always liked the more haunted works of the Bunnymen. But this is more hopeful and almost upbeat, but still mellow.
6.Nothing-Gary Jules
This begins a musical experiment in flow. I started with this gentle folk tune by the guy most well known for that mellow cover of Tears For Fear’s Mad World(the one used in that Gears of War ad).
7.Free Until They Cut Me Down-Iron & Wine
I moved then to this folksy/bluesy number. It’s an odd track to me, because it seems upbeat, yet mellow at the exact same time.
8.Crazy Mixed Up World-Little Walter
Leading to some outright old time blues. I love to jump and shout…
9.Frenzy-Screamin’ Jay Hopkins
Is Hawkins blues? Or just insanity set to music?
10.Trouble In Mind-Lightnin’ Hopkins
The title track…this is just old fashioned blues. One of those songs that seems to epitomize what you expect a blues song to sound like.
11.Death Letter-Johnny Farmer/Organized Noize
This is the next “transition”. I like how the song mixes blues with a digital beat.
12.None Shall Pass-Aesop Rock
I really enjoy the quirkiness of the beat of this one. I also just really like the delivery.
13.Illusions-The Pharcyde
I discovered these guys on one of the first Mix Bags I was a part of. I chose this song for two reasons, I like the musical riff, very evocative of the 80’s. The other reason is tied to the next song. This is a song critical of artists who pretend to be one thing, but are another when the cameras are off them. I am not entirely sure if it is decrying “thug” culture in hip hop or merely those that pretend to be thugs.
14.Bamboozled-L.A. Symphony
Here is a song that goes a step beyond the Pharcyde track and pretty much laments all the sex, materialism and violence that seems to permeate the more popular hip hop scene. I thought it was a nice companion piece to Illusions.
15.Halo-Hieroglyphics
I just like this track. Experiment ends.
16.In the Time of My Ruin-Frank Black
Frank has had a pretty solid career since the end of the Pixies. No, not world wide fame…but I have found most of his CDs interesting offerings. This just had a nice vibe.
17.If Not For You-Derek Webb & Sandra McCracken
Cover of a Dylan song. I prefer the George Harrison cover to the original, but this is a damn nice cover.
18.Long Forgotten Fairy Tale-the Magnetic Fields
Chosen because I dug the 80’s synthesizer vibe.
19.Mansion In the Sky-Brian Jonestown Massacre
I like this downhome country/folk track. I am not sure if it is sincere or mocking…but I still dig it.
20.The Plot That Weaves-Brothers Martin
Ronnie Martin is Joy Electric, an electronic act. his brother Jason fronts Starflyer 59, a shoegazer act. For the first time since their years as Dancehouse Children, they perform together, blending their styles.
21.Be Still-The Alarm
The song sounds a lot like late 80’s U2. But I still like the optimism of the track.
22.Love Is the Protest-Jars of Clay
Not unlike Derek Webb, the band is starting to get interested in a bit of the social Gospel. I like this track, the idea of love as protest works for me. I wanted to end on an upbeat and hopeful note.
23. Robots-Flight of the Conchords
Like I said…I wanted to end on an upbeat note. What is more upbeat than a song about how Robots kill humanity and rule the world?
Tomorrow, Disc 2…
What is peeking out the window?
The Right Wing Politicos who slammed Obama for not quitting his church will now be critical of him for quitting his church.
