I just like saying the loud funny words. What can I say.
Tags:
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Flaming Idiot: A Culture Kills Comic
Brought into this world through the midwife that is Strip Generator
I just like saying the loud funny words. What can I say.
I just like saying the loud funny words. What can I say.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Week 20: Pageant of the Transmundane
John Waters would probably love this week's winner... though not for the reason you are thinking.
This week, quite a few people sent in some rather good entries to consider, for which I am more than grateful, but alas, it was a blog that popped up through Blogmad which ultimately wowed me this week.
Now, while it is rare for an entire blog to win this award, it still isn't unprecedented, and I feel this week that both the scope and specificity of the winner makes it truly transmundane.
You see, the blog in question is about bags in trees. Pictures of bags in trees with maps to their location so others may see them. And of course, this is not even a worldwide phenomenon, but rather one that is confined to a single city, Baltimore. I mean, as a premise and in execution it is both so bizarre and yet lovingly crafted that I can't help but be impressed by the depth of this endeavor, especially since this blog has been in existence since March of this year. It is audacious and original, and therefore, it is a Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award winner.
Congratulations to everyone at Bags in Trees for their combined efforts to create something so memorable and unusual in the blogosphere.
The approximate coding is available here.
The rules of this little contest: Every week I will be selecting one blog post that I have seen from the vast reaches of the blogosphere to bestow with the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award for being one of the freakiest(in a funny way) things I've seen or read during a 7 day period. It doesn't necessarily have to have been written during the week, I just had to have encountered it. That means that if you find something interesting and repost it like a movie or whatever, if I saw it at your blog first, you get the prize. Of course, creating your own content is also a very good way to win.
Now, if you see a post that you think is worthy of this illustrious prize, just drop me a line at campybeaver@gmail.com and we'll see if we can't get your suggestion up and award-ready while giving you some credit and a link to your own blog.
This week, quite a few people sent in some rather good entries to consider, for which I am more than grateful, but alas, it was a blog that popped up through Blogmad which ultimately wowed me this week.
Now, while it is rare for an entire blog to win this award, it still isn't unprecedented, and I feel this week that both the scope and specificity of the winner makes it truly transmundane.
You see, the blog in question is about bags in trees. Pictures of bags in trees with maps to their location so others may see them. And of course, this is not even a worldwide phenomenon, but rather one that is confined to a single city, Baltimore. I mean, as a premise and in execution it is both so bizarre and yet lovingly crafted that I can't help but be impressed by the depth of this endeavor, especially since this blog has been in existence since March of this year. It is audacious and original, and therefore, it is a Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award winner.
Congratulations to everyone at Bags in Trees for their combined efforts to create something so memorable and unusual in the blogosphere.
The approximate coding is available here.
The rules of this little contest: Every week I will be selecting one blog post that I have seen from the vast reaches of the blogosphere to bestow with the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award for being one of the freakiest(in a funny way) things I've seen or read during a 7 day period. It doesn't necessarily have to have been written during the week, I just had to have encountered it. That means that if you find something interesting and repost it like a movie or whatever, if I saw it at your blog first, you get the prize. Of course, creating your own content is also a very good way to win.
Now, if you see a post that you think is worthy of this illustrious prize, just drop me a line at campybeaver@gmail.com and we'll see if we can't get your suggestion up and award-ready while giving you some credit and a link to your own blog.
Tags:
The Tenant in Room 115: Illustrated Movie Review Blog
This week I chose for my new tenant a blog that I think fits well with my pop cultural perspective: The Illustrated Movie Review Blog.
H.A. Calles started off slow with recreations of movie posters and characters with a very brief review. Mia from Pulp Fiction is a good example of this period of the blog.
A little later, the reviews started getting a little longer, as Resident Evil and Unforgiven demonstrate.
Then on July 4th, Calles made a decision which was to revolutionize his blog. He because posting his reviews in both English and Spanish, starting with the highly appropriate Once upon a Time in Mexico and reviewing other titles with interesting plots or characters as The Chronicles of Riddick, Nacho Libre and the Lake House.
There are a lot of illustrated reviews on this site, and I am only giving you a taste of the bounties that await you at the Illustrated Movie Review Blog... so why not check it out?
H.A. Calles started off slow with recreations of movie posters and characters with a very brief review. Mia from Pulp Fiction is a good example of this period of the blog.
A little later, the reviews started getting a little longer, as Resident Evil and Unforgiven demonstrate.
Then on July 4th, Calles made a decision which was to revolutionize his blog. He because posting his reviews in both English and Spanish, starting with the highly appropriate Once upon a Time in Mexico and reviewing other titles with interesting plots or characters as The Chronicles of Riddick, Nacho Libre and the Lake House.
There are a lot of illustrated reviews on this site, and I am only giving you a taste of the bounties that await you at the Illustrated Movie Review Blog... so why not check it out?
Tags:
Thursday, September 28, 2006
My Huh? moment for the day.
Rapper Foxy Brown's real name is Inga Marchand. I know it was probably common knowledge, but that was sort of a shocker to me.
If she performed R&B or in another genre of music other than hip hop... well, her real name is so much better than her pseudonym, because, let's face it, she certainly is no Pam Grier. To me, it seems to be a very unique name, and a shade more memorable as well, mainly because in my entire life, I've never met someone named Inga.
I am feeling so white and nerdy now for some reason.
If she performed R&B or in another genre of music other than hip hop... well, her real name is so much better than her pseudonym, because, let's face it, she certainly is no Pam Grier. To me, it seems to be a very unique name, and a shade more memorable as well, mainly because in my entire life, I've never met someone named Inga.
I am feeling so white and nerdy now for some reason.
Tags:
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Last Day for lilfunky1's blog
Visit my tenant lilfunky1 before it is too late. We don't want the Funky Bunch to show up here, because they usually bring someone else... and if he shows up, well, things won't be nice anymore.
Oh my god... Marky Mark has showed up and it is to late for me... run away before he tries to emote or recounts his bludgeoning of Planet of the Apes. RUN FOR YOUR LIVES FOR DEAR GOD... there is a safe haven here.
*If you thought this bit was bad... just remember, I had to wade into Marky Mark before this got rolling, so trust me, it was so much worse for me. I've seen things, horrible things that I will never forget.
Oh my god... Marky Mark has showed up and it is to late for me... run away before he tries to emote or recounts his bludgeoning of Planet of the Apes. RUN FOR YOUR LIVES FOR DEAR GOD... there is a safe haven here.
*If you thought this bit was bad... just remember, I had to wade into Marky Mark before this got rolling, so trust me, it was so much worse for me. I've seen things, horrible things that I will never forget.
Tags:
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Four comics/actors I would love to see more of
I remember back in the mid-90's when I started watching the Larry Sanders show on a regular basis, and it was there that I noticed both Sarah Silverman and Mary Lynn Rajskub, and somehow I knew they were going to both go on to some measure of fame. There was just a quality to both of their work that made me believe that I would be seeing them again over the coming decade, and lo and behold, that belief has come to fruition.
Over the past few years, there have been other performers who I've seen that I think will also get to the next level so to speak. Below are just a few of them:
I remember the first time I saw Maria Bamford do standup, and there was just something about her that really stood out. Whether is was her entertaining vocal characters, the quality of her material (at the time, her material was heavily about working as a temp, so there were many good jokes at her agency's and her temp placement officer), or her general demeanor between the characters, she seemed to bring it every time out. While she does some voice work, I think that she is capable of carrying a sitcom on her own... especially if it was odd or surreal a la Andy Richter Controls the Universe.
Ty Barnett was the runner-up on this season's Last Comic Standing, and as much as I enjoyed the comedy of Josh Blue, I think that Ty Barnett got robbed. He was solid week in and week out, and he brought new material every time he was out on stage. I could definitely see him going onto bigger and better things, whether it is being a correspondent on something like the Daily Show, hosting a talk show of his own or having a sitcom.
Todd Glass was a contestant on Last Comic Standing seasons 2 and 3, and his wicked sense of humor, along with his willingness to do a lot to get a laugh( I remember him falling at Jay Mohr's feet and pretending to weep when he was eliminated from LCS), in addition to his large repertoire of material to draw from make him a threat to steal a lot of scenes. I could see him playing the lead or large supporting role in a sitcom, most likely on a network like HBO or Comedy Central that will allow the performers to push the boundaries a little bit.
I first saw Jessica Makinson, she was playing the archetypal "Weeper" Eleanor on Spike TV's glorious faux reality show/Bachelor parody, Joe Schmo II, and she had the unenviable task of having to remain in character for almost the entire length of the show, as she was the actress chosen to share quarters with the female contestant who didn't know that all wasn't what it appeared. I've also seen her on a few episodes of Jimmy Kimmel Live, and some of her work on the American version of Trigger Happy TV, and she brings a certain lovably geeky energy to all the things she does. I was glad to hear that she is going to be in a new Comedy Central sitcom called Halfway Home about a group of criminals in a halfway house. Somehow I see her making it to the big screen within the next few years or carrying a sitcom on her own.
Only time will tell if I am right or not, but because I like their work so much, I hope I am. Though, if I predicted their paths right, perhaps a lot of other people will be happy as well.
Over the past few years, there have been other performers who I've seen that I think will also get to the next level so to speak. Below are just a few of them:
I remember the first time I saw Maria Bamford do standup, and there was just something about her that really stood out. Whether is was her entertaining vocal characters, the quality of her material (at the time, her material was heavily about working as a temp, so there were many good jokes at her agency's and her temp placement officer), or her general demeanor between the characters, she seemed to bring it every time out. While she does some voice work, I think that she is capable of carrying a sitcom on her own... especially if it was odd or surreal a la Andy Richter Controls the Universe.
Ty Barnett was the runner-up on this season's Last Comic Standing, and as much as I enjoyed the comedy of Josh Blue, I think that Ty Barnett got robbed. He was solid week in and week out, and he brought new material every time he was out on stage. I could definitely see him going onto bigger and better things, whether it is being a correspondent on something like the Daily Show, hosting a talk show of his own or having a sitcom. 
Todd Glass was a contestant on Last Comic Standing seasons 2 and 3, and his wicked sense of humor, along with his willingness to do a lot to get a laugh( I remember him falling at Jay Mohr's feet and pretending to weep when he was eliminated from LCS), in addition to his large repertoire of material to draw from make him a threat to steal a lot of scenes. I could see him playing the lead or large supporting role in a sitcom, most likely on a network like HBO or Comedy Central that will allow the performers to push the boundaries a little bit.
I first saw Jessica Makinson, she was playing the archetypal "Weeper" Eleanor on Spike TV's glorious faux reality show/Bachelor parody, Joe Schmo II, and she had the unenviable task of having to remain in character for almost the entire length of the show, as she was the actress chosen to share quarters with the female contestant who didn't know that all wasn't what it appeared. I've also seen her on a few episodes of Jimmy Kimmel Live, and some of her work on the American version of Trigger Happy TV, and she brings a certain lovably geeky energy to all the things she does. I was glad to hear that she is going to be in a new Comedy Central sitcom called Halfway Home about a group of criminals in a halfway house. Somehow I see her making it to the big screen within the next few years or carrying a sitcom on her own.Only time will tell if I am right or not, but because I like their work so much, I hope I am. Though, if I predicted their paths right, perhaps a lot of other people will be happy as well.
Tags:
Monday, September 25, 2006
Did he mean that the way it sounded?
Is Uwe Boll saying that he knowingly makes bad movies?
"See what happens when they take a blow to the head? They like my movies."- Uwe Boll after literally knocking out 5 of his ardent critics in a boxing matches, and having one of them soften their stance a little bit.
Hmmm... I guess you do need to have a head injury to like his movies after all.
"See what happens when they take a blow to the head? They like my movies."- Uwe Boll after literally knocking out 5 of his ardent critics in a boxing matches, and having one of them soften their stance a little bit.
Hmmm... I guess you do need to have a head injury to like his movies after all.
Tags:
An Animated Discussion of Musical Numbers
Ok, this is going to be one of those rare times when you hear me say something blasphemous, and something which seems to contradict my beliefs.
The Simpsons shouldn't sing. There I've said it.
When the characters start singing, I am sure there is a collective groan across an entire time zone. Perhaps it is because the songs that the writers of The Simpsons craft are sort of lame and corny, or the fact that really, the character voices (not the actors behind them) are really not meant for musicality. There are characters who CAN sing well, like Barney for instance, but they rarely use him in that capacity. And what is sad is, the direction of the show seems to be drawn towards more and more musical numbers and it just isn't working. I'm not saying that an occasional song is out of order, but for the most part, when a musical number breaks out, the entertainment value goes way down.
Compare that with Seth MacFarlane and gang who are adept at making a song work in the context of a show. Generally speaking, it seems like the people behind Family Guy and to a lesser extent American Dad actually spend the time and money to make sure that what they are putting up on the screen is worth the time. And the fact that Seth MacFarlane sings better in character than most of the people on the Simpsons cast also elevates those numbers. I remember a particularly inspired number, "Road to Rhode Island", which was a take off of those old Bing Crosby-Bob Hope movies where Seth MacFarlane sang a both parts of a duet as Brian and Stewie... and it sounded harmonic, Rarely if ever is a character whose voice doesn't lend itself to singing given a song, as I can't really think of any Chris Griffin musical numbers.
And looking at another animated show, while Matt Stone and Trey Parker aren't the best singers, they do manage to work a song in at just the right time and for the right effect, and their Oscar-nominated work in South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut is proof of that. I still have "Lemmywinks" stuck in my head after how many years. Of course, the fact that they performed in a band together probably doesn't hurt.
I just wish that the writers and producers of The Simpsons would realize what they are doing to the American public every time they foist a substandard musical number on us. They are hurting the people that love them, and that is never good.
The Simpsons shouldn't sing. There I've said it.
When the characters start singing, I am sure there is a collective groan across an entire time zone. Perhaps it is because the songs that the writers of The Simpsons craft are sort of lame and corny, or the fact that really, the character voices (not the actors behind them) are really not meant for musicality. There are characters who CAN sing well, like Barney for instance, but they rarely use him in that capacity. And what is sad is, the direction of the show seems to be drawn towards more and more musical numbers and it just isn't working. I'm not saying that an occasional song is out of order, but for the most part, when a musical number breaks out, the entertainment value goes way down.
Compare that with Seth MacFarlane and gang who are adept at making a song work in the context of a show. Generally speaking, it seems like the people behind Family Guy and to a lesser extent American Dad actually spend the time and money to make sure that what they are putting up on the screen is worth the time. And the fact that Seth MacFarlane sings better in character than most of the people on the Simpsons cast also elevates those numbers. I remember a particularly inspired number, "Road to Rhode Island", which was a take off of those old Bing Crosby-Bob Hope movies where Seth MacFarlane sang a both parts of a duet as Brian and Stewie... and it sounded harmonic, Rarely if ever is a character whose voice doesn't lend itself to singing given a song, as I can't really think of any Chris Griffin musical numbers.
And looking at another animated show, while Matt Stone and Trey Parker aren't the best singers, they do manage to work a song in at just the right time and for the right effect, and their Oscar-nominated work in South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut is proof of that. I still have "Lemmywinks" stuck in my head after how many years. Of course, the fact that they performed in a band together probably doesn't hurt.
I just wish that the writers and producers of The Simpsons would realize what they are doing to the American public every time they foist a substandard musical number on us. They are hurting the people that love them, and that is never good.
Tags:
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Conspiracy of Heinekens: A Culture Kills Comic
Created with the flashtastic goodness that is Strip Generator.
Milkin' the three panel setup for all its worth, as always!
Milkin' the three panel setup for all its worth, as always!
Tags:
Friday, September 22, 2006
Week 19: Pageant of the Transmundane
Now, I am not going to lie to you. This week's winner may make you feel a little queasy, and well, what I am giving you all is fair warning. That's all I can do really, because ever since I saw it... well, let's just say it really upped the ante. Do not eat or drink 30 minutes before or after reading this week's winner, because dear god.
You see, the proprietor of Thought Nuggets sent in some samples early in the contest, and well, one of the entries just sort of stuck with me, as I am sure the actual event stuck with(and to) the person involved.
To put it mildly, it is a bad sex story. Of course, this isn't a small papercut to your finger bad. No, this is bad way up on the scale. I mean horrific. Like "burning multicar accident in the middle of a snowstorm and in the trunk of one of burning wrecks is a nuclear bomb set to go off in 2 minutes" bad. Now, rereading that description, it does seem to be a particularly apt analogy for the whole situation. We probably all have an embarrassing story or three in our past, but I think this one takes the cake... and none of us would want that cake back after this story.
I'm scarred for life... but in a good way. It is an old yarn, but it was new to me as I would remember reading that story before. Therefore, in light of both my disgust and awe of that story, I award Thought Nuggets the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award.
Congratulations, and I see you vying for a few more in the future.
The relevant coding is available here.
The rules of this little contest: Every week I will be selecting one blog post that I have seen from the vast reaches of the blogosphere to bestow with the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award for being one of the freakiest(in a funny way) things I've seen or read during a 7 day period. It doesn't necessarily have to have been written during the week, I just had to have encountered it. That means that if you find something interesting and repost it like a movie or whatever, if I saw it at your blog first, you get the prize. Of course, creating your own content is also a very good way to win.
Now, if you see a post that you think is worthy of this illustrious prize, just drop me a line at campybeaver@gmail.com and we'll see if we can't get your suggestion up and award-ready while giving you some credit and a link to your own blog.
You see, the proprietor of Thought Nuggets sent in some samples early in the contest, and well, one of the entries just sort of stuck with me, as I am sure the actual event stuck with(and to) the person involved.
To put it mildly, it is a bad sex story. Of course, this isn't a small papercut to your finger bad. No, this is bad way up on the scale. I mean horrific. Like "burning multicar accident in the middle of a snowstorm and in the trunk of one of burning wrecks is a nuclear bomb set to go off in 2 minutes" bad. Now, rereading that description, it does seem to be a particularly apt analogy for the whole situation. We probably all have an embarrassing story or three in our past, but I think this one takes the cake... and none of us would want that cake back after this story.
I'm scarred for life... but in a good way. It is an old yarn, but it was new to me as I would remember reading that story before. Therefore, in light of both my disgust and awe of that story, I award Thought Nuggets the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award.
Congratulations, and I see you vying for a few more in the future.
The relevant coding is available here.
The rules of this little contest: Every week I will be selecting one blog post that I have seen from the vast reaches of the blogosphere to bestow with the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award for being one of the freakiest(in a funny way) things I've seen or read during a 7 day period. It doesn't necessarily have to have been written during the week, I just had to have encountered it. That means that if you find something interesting and repost it like a movie or whatever, if I saw it at your blog first, you get the prize. Of course, creating your own content is also a very good way to win.
Now, if you see a post that you think is worthy of this illustrious prize, just drop me a line at campybeaver@gmail.com and we'll see if we can't get your suggestion up and award-ready while giving you some credit and a link to your own blog.
Tags:
Now I Understand the appeal of Netflix
I went to the video store, and in one short visit, I understand why Blockbuster is under attack financially now by Netflix.
It isn't the prices, because that is a given... Blockbuster charges too much, and I can't produce any compelling evidence to counter that.
No, it is selection that I think is really killing Blockbuster in this fight.
You see, I went to my local store, and I left disappointed, as they didn't have any of the movies I wanted. I wasn't trying to rent the most obscure of the obscure independent movies either. I wanted 2 of the following:
Gettysburg
Gods and Generals: I've been playing Sid Meier's Gettysburg
Wargames
The Long Kiss Goodnight
All the President's Men(because All the King's Men is coming out at the theatre this weekend)
I mean, I can see them not carrying 1 or 2 of those titles, but not having All the President's Men? There is something seriously wrong with that. And this was a decent sized store too... it wasn't some little store wedged into a strip mall or the like. So after I came home, I decided to just check if Netflix had those titles... and everyone of them was available.
Then again, I guess Netflix doesn't have to carry 50 copies of the Edison Force or any other straight-to-dvd sequel to a movie that shouldn't have been made in the first place. But I think I would rather have selection than guaranteed rental of a few titles.
So, with that, I am looking into joining the Netflix community. Is there anything I should know from anyone currently using the service?
It isn't the prices, because that is a given... Blockbuster charges too much, and I can't produce any compelling evidence to counter that.
No, it is selection that I think is really killing Blockbuster in this fight.
You see, I went to my local store, and I left disappointed, as they didn't have any of the movies I wanted. I wasn't trying to rent the most obscure of the obscure independent movies either. I wanted 2 of the following:
Gettysburg
Gods and Generals: I've been playing Sid Meier's Gettysburg
Wargames
The Long Kiss Goodnight
All the President's Men(because All the King's Men is coming out at the theatre this weekend)
I mean, I can see them not carrying 1 or 2 of those titles, but not having All the President's Men? There is something seriously wrong with that. And this was a decent sized store too... it wasn't some little store wedged into a strip mall or the like. So after I came home, I decided to just check if Netflix had those titles... and everyone of them was available.
Then again, I guess Netflix doesn't have to carry 50 copies of the Edison Force or any other straight-to-dvd sequel to a movie that shouldn't have been made in the first place. But I think I would rather have selection than guaranteed rental of a few titles.
So, with that, I am looking into joining the Netflix community. Is there anything I should know from anyone currently using the service?
Tags:
Thursday, September 21, 2006
How my TV recommendations panned out
Before the season started, I mentioned three new shows that I was looking forward to: Shark, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and Smith(ah, the sibilance, and having seen them, I can now comment on them a little further.
Smith: It sort of makes me sad to say this but... well, the pilot was a little boring really. Despite the star power of Ray Liotta, Virginia Madsen and Amy Smart, this show didn't seem to get me going. Maybe it will get better, but I have a feeling I am going to be left disappointed... perhaps to the point of giving up.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: Since I already saw the show minus a few elements via Youtube, I knew what to expect. It is making a slow start, but from other dramas I've watched, I can see the elements for some quality entertainment, so I don't see myself migrating away from the show anytime soon.
Shark: Now this is a show that really got me. Good writing, good pacing, and good production values. It is fitting that the original CSI is Shark's lead in, given the fact that at no time did we see the crime scene of the major case being argued, which sort of worked well with Sebastian Stark's rules for winning in court revolve around perception and not evidence. It is a makes for a nice balance for the night. So far this seems like the horse to back this season, as it is starting off really strong.
So for those of you keeping score at home I rank the shows: 1) Shark 2) Studio 60 and at a distant 3rd Smith.
There are a few midseason series I am keeping my eye on as well, and I will probably write about them in the near future.
Smith: It sort of makes me sad to say this but... well, the pilot was a little boring really. Despite the star power of Ray Liotta, Virginia Madsen and Amy Smart, this show didn't seem to get me going. Maybe it will get better, but I have a feeling I am going to be left disappointed... perhaps to the point of giving up.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: Since I already saw the show minus a few elements via Youtube, I knew what to expect. It is making a slow start, but from other dramas I've watched, I can see the elements for some quality entertainment, so I don't see myself migrating away from the show anytime soon.
Shark: Now this is a show that really got me. Good writing, good pacing, and good production values. It is fitting that the original CSI is Shark's lead in, given the fact that at no time did we see the crime scene of the major case being argued, which sort of worked well with Sebastian Stark's rules for winning in court revolve around perception and not evidence. It is a makes for a nice balance for the night. So far this seems like the horse to back this season, as it is starting off really strong.
So for those of you keeping score at home I rank the shows: 1) Shark 2) Studio 60 and at a distant 3rd Smith.
There are a few midseason series I am keeping my eye on as well, and I will probably write about them in the near future.
Tags:
The Tenant in Room 114: lilfunky1's Blog
I usually pick a tenant I've seen before, but this week I made an exception for lilfunky1, who dazzled me with content about a subject I knew nothing about, which is unicycling.
Unicyclist bloggers don't pop up everyday, and it is certainly a unique hobby that I know nothing about. There are some Drugs for Unicycling and her thoughts about the legal status of segways when compared with bikes and unicycles and the tale of her friend who wanted to ride a unicycle for an AIDS event was also something I needed to read.
I was also reminded that working for a printer is frustrating.
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the obligatory Simpsons reference.
Then there are the Toronto area type posts, like those about the TTC Strike and the Lord of the Rings Musical, which were interesting reads.
So if you want to know a little bit more about unicycling or Toronto life, check it out.
Unicyclist bloggers don't pop up everyday, and it is certainly a unique hobby that I know nothing about. There are some Drugs for Unicycling and her thoughts about the legal status of segways when compared with bikes and unicycles and the tale of her friend who wanted to ride a unicycle for an AIDS event was also something I needed to read.
I was also reminded that working for a printer is frustrating.
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the obligatory Simpsons reference.
Then there are the Toronto area type posts, like those about the TTC Strike and the Lord of the Rings Musical, which were interesting reads.
So if you want to know a little bit more about unicycling or Toronto life, check it out.
Tags:
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
I know this is in bad taste: Horatio Sanz
I know it is in really bad taste to be happy about someone getting fired... but I can't help myself.
I am glad that Horatio Sanz got canned from SNL. He wasn't bringing the quality to the show that it really needed at the moment, and without some of his better foils, he didn't seem to be performing at his best. So I think this is a good move for both parties.
Of course, I am left wondering about what is next for him. I know that he, like some of his fellow cast members, was a member of the Upright Citizen's Brigade and the Second City, and so he may again pursue sketch comedy, but I can think of a better use of his talents.
Voice work. I know it isn't as glamorous as film or television acting, but his role on Disney's Fillmore was something that worked for him and he would probably do well in that kind of work, and if he decides to do that, I wish him the best.
But if he signs up for Boat Trip II... well, then we should be very afraid.
I am glad that Horatio Sanz got canned from SNL. He wasn't bringing the quality to the show that it really needed at the moment, and without some of his better foils, he didn't seem to be performing at his best. So I think this is a good move for both parties.
Of course, I am left wondering about what is next for him. I know that he, like some of his fellow cast members, was a member of the Upright Citizen's Brigade and the Second City, and so he may again pursue sketch comedy, but I can think of a better use of his talents.
Voice work. I know it isn't as glamorous as film or television acting, but his role on Disney's Fillmore was something that worked for him and he would probably do well in that kind of work, and if he decides to do that, I wish him the best.
But if he signs up for Boat Trip II... well, then we should be very afraid.
Tags:
The Betas can post again!
Huzzah! Blogger fixed it so us betas can post again with our ids. And we have the label box too, so we can categorize our posts without converting to layouts.
WOOHOO! Starting to get back out of the hole being a beta put me in.
WOOHOO! Starting to get back out of the hole being a beta put me in.
Tags:
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
My Blogmad credits....
are swirling down, down, down the figurative drain faster than I can fill the sink. EEK!
I put in 100 credits, and at the moment, I have less than 40 of those left. I am losing the battle. Is anyone else having this sort of problem?
Tags:
The Best Studio 60 moment so far
After having watched the pilot of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip over a month ago, I was still looking forward to seeing it again for one simple reason. Judd Hirsch's Wes Mandell having an on camera breakdown and telling it like it is.
Even though it is fictional, everything he says is true. I wanted to post the text today, but I couldn't find it, so you will have to make due with the video.
If you didn't watch it last night, Check out the speech before NBC cracks down and makes a certain video repository take it down. It is high class television
Even though it is fictional, everything he says is true. I wanted to post the text today, but I couldn't find it, so you will have to make due with the video.
If you didn't watch it last night, Check out the speech before NBC cracks down and makes a certain video repository take it down. It is high class television
Tags:
Monday, September 18, 2006
Classic Peanuts should have a companion
Every Sunday I read classic Peanuts and continue to admire how relevant and timeless the strip is. But it got me to thinking about other comic strips that could be just as good today as during their heyday.
There is only one other comic that I can think of that could still work day in and day out as a "classic" offering like the fine work of Mr. Schultz. Sure, the syndicates could probably get away with throwing old Garfields, Wizard of IDs and Beetle Baileys out there without many people suspecting, but that is because for the most part, they are bland and don't really speak to reader on any significant level. There is no spiritual or philosophical depth to those strips.
Now, I have a feeling that most of you are catching onto where I am heading with this, and have a good idea of which particular strip I am talking about. If you don't, I will spell it out: Calvin and Hobbes. Even though I have almost all the books for this strip, I still miss seeing it week in and week out, and it sort of saddens me that a whole generation of kids may be missing out on this wonderfully well-thought out strip.
I know that Bill Watterson grew tired of having to meet the deadlines and fight for the integrity of his work, and while I was saddened at the time that he decided to move on, in adulthood, I now understand his decision, and respect it. He knew that there was going to be a point where the comic was going to slide into a safe, comfortable mediocrity, or he was going to be pressured to make compromises he thought would ruin the strip. In retirement, he can now pursue his artistic whims with total freedom and probably just as importantly, with some privacy as well, and I can't begrudge him that.
After he retired, I also learned that he fought battles to have his strip run the way he wanted so that he would have the artistic freedom to try new things and experiment visually with his elements, and some of my favorite comics from the series are the result of this fight.
Watterson showed great admiration for Peanuts, and demonstrates his modesty when he wrote: "May there someday be a writer-artist-philosopher-humorist who can fill even a part of the void "Peanuts" leaves behind." Because at least in my eyes, Calvin and Hobbes was my generation's Peanuts, and even after over a decade away, I wish there was more. Or at least a reminder every day from an old, warm-hearted friend.
It was a magical world indeed.
There is only one other comic that I can think of that could still work day in and day out as a "classic" offering like the fine work of Mr. Schultz. Sure, the syndicates could probably get away with throwing old Garfields, Wizard of IDs and Beetle Baileys out there without many people suspecting, but that is because for the most part, they are bland and don't really speak to reader on any significant level. There is no spiritual or philosophical depth to those strips.
Now, I have a feeling that most of you are catching onto where I am heading with this, and have a good idea of which particular strip I am talking about. If you don't, I will spell it out: Calvin and Hobbes. Even though I have almost all the books for this strip, I still miss seeing it week in and week out, and it sort of saddens me that a whole generation of kids may be missing out on this wonderfully well-thought out strip.
I know that Bill Watterson grew tired of having to meet the deadlines and fight for the integrity of his work, and while I was saddened at the time that he decided to move on, in adulthood, I now understand his decision, and respect it. He knew that there was going to be a point where the comic was going to slide into a safe, comfortable mediocrity, or he was going to be pressured to make compromises he thought would ruin the strip. In retirement, he can now pursue his artistic whims with total freedom and probably just as importantly, with some privacy as well, and I can't begrudge him that.
After he retired, I also learned that he fought battles to have his strip run the way he wanted so that he would have the artistic freedom to try new things and experiment visually with his elements, and some of my favorite comics from the series are the result of this fight.
Watterson showed great admiration for Peanuts, and demonstrates his modesty when he wrote: "May there someday be a writer-artist-philosopher-humorist who can fill even a part of the void "Peanuts" leaves behind." Because at least in my eyes, Calvin and Hobbes was my generation's Peanuts, and even after over a decade away, I wish there was more. Or at least a reminder every day from an old, warm-hearted friend.
It was a magical world indeed.
Tags:
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Remembering the past through film: Arnhem
There is a maxim that people learn more from failure than from success... though you wouldn't know this by watching war movies.
Filmmakers generally don't like to make movies about losing a battle, even though in almost every other genre, having the heroes lose isn't such a taboo. This is especially ironic since the wars that are generally the subject of these movies have situations that lend themselves to the cliche of losing the battle but winning the war. It is also interesting to note that watching failure in a war movie is usually more compelling than achieving victory (if all other factors are equal mind you).
Now, you may be wondering what I am getting at with all this. Well, today is the 62nd anniversary of the commencement of Operation Market Garden, the nine-day offensive to try to seize the key bridges along a narrow front to allow the Allies to invade largely undefended Northern Germany in the fall of 1944, and I am reminded of one of the few movies I've seen that deals with a tactical and strategic failure on such a grand scale.
That movie is A Bridge Too Far.
Featuring a star-studded cast, including Anthony Hopkins, Sean Connery, James Caan, Elliot Gould, Gene Hackman, Michael Caine, Laurence Olivier and Maximilian Schell, the movie recounts the tale of Operation Market Garden from inception to disastrous conclusion. I don't know if it is 100% accurate, but it is just one of those movies that allows you to see how numerous factors working together can lead to defeat for even the most competent and powerful of military forces.
I am not going to recount the battle for you all, as the Wikipedia entry does a far better job than I could in this limited space, though I do find it interesting that the aim of the operation was to end the war by Christmas 1944, and as it happened, that time period happened to coincide with the Ardennes Offensive/Battle of the Bulge, which probably would not have happened if more conservative Allied operations had been performed instead of Market Garden.
I appreciate the fact that unlike a lot of other World War II movies, the German generals in A Bridge Too Far are portrayed in a more realistic light and not as interchangeable, foaming at the mouth Nazis. There were shades of grey, and each presented figure brings something to bear on the battle. Maximilian Schell's portrayal of General Bittrich in particular stands out in my mind.
It is also refreshing to watch a movie that was epic and sweeping before the age of CGI. Back in 1977, Richard Attenborough had to use real vehicles and skillful reproductions to recreate the fighting by both the isolated elements the Allied paratroopers at Arnhem (the bridge too far) and at various points along the single highway thrust towards that final objective across the Rhine. That attention to detail isn't lost on me, and I think more present-day filmmakers could learn a thing or two from that sort of dedication. The only thing I can't comment on really is Liv Ullman's and Laurence Olivier's command of Dutch or their accent while speaking it, as they are the only two actors in the movie that are burdened with the tricky task of speaking a language that isn't their native tongue.
I will note that the movie is almost 3 hours long, so A Bridge Too Far may be something you have to block out time to see, but it is well worth the investment. The casting, directorial vision of Attenborough and the script by William Goldman came together to create an excellent and realistic war movie. So, why not check it out?
Filmmakers generally don't like to make movies about losing a battle, even though in almost every other genre, having the heroes lose isn't such a taboo. This is especially ironic since the wars that are generally the subject of these movies have situations that lend themselves to the cliche of losing the battle but winning the war. It is also interesting to note that watching failure in a war movie is usually more compelling than achieving victory (if all other factors are equal mind you).
Now, you may be wondering what I am getting at with all this. Well, today is the 62nd anniversary of the commencement of Operation Market Garden, the nine-day offensive to try to seize the key bridges along a narrow front to allow the Allies to invade largely undefended Northern Germany in the fall of 1944, and I am reminded of one of the few movies I've seen that deals with a tactical and strategic failure on such a grand scale.
That movie is A Bridge Too Far.Featuring a star-studded cast, including Anthony Hopkins, Sean Connery, James Caan, Elliot Gould, Gene Hackman, Michael Caine, Laurence Olivier and Maximilian Schell, the movie recounts the tale of Operation Market Garden from inception to disastrous conclusion. I don't know if it is 100% accurate, but it is just one of those movies that allows you to see how numerous factors working together can lead to defeat for even the most competent and powerful of military forces.
I am not going to recount the battle for you all, as the Wikipedia entry does a far better job than I could in this limited space, though I do find it interesting that the aim of the operation was to end the war by Christmas 1944, and as it happened, that time period happened to coincide with the Ardennes Offensive/Battle of the Bulge, which probably would not have happened if more conservative Allied operations had been performed instead of Market Garden.
I appreciate the fact that unlike a lot of other World War II movies, the German generals in A Bridge Too Far are portrayed in a more realistic light and not as interchangeable, foaming at the mouth Nazis. There were shades of grey, and each presented figure brings something to bear on the battle. Maximilian Schell's portrayal of General Bittrich in particular stands out in my mind.
It is also refreshing to watch a movie that was epic and sweeping before the age of CGI. Back in 1977, Richard Attenborough had to use real vehicles and skillful reproductions to recreate the fighting by both the isolated elements the Allied paratroopers at Arnhem (the bridge too far) and at various points along the single highway thrust towards that final objective across the Rhine. That attention to detail isn't lost on me, and I think more present-day filmmakers could learn a thing or two from that sort of dedication. The only thing I can't comment on really is Liv Ullman's and Laurence Olivier's command of Dutch or their accent while speaking it, as they are the only two actors in the movie that are burdened with the tricky task of speaking a language that isn't their native tongue.
I will note that the movie is almost 3 hours long, so A Bridge Too Far may be something you have to block out time to see, but it is well worth the investment. The casting, directorial vision of Attenborough and the script by William Goldman came together to create an excellent and realistic war movie. So, why not check it out?
Tags:
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Tom Wouldn't Approve: A Culture Kills Comic
Created through the awe-inspiring work of the anarchists at Strip Generator.
Sometimes a character shape writes the punchline. And sometimes, an anonymous face is an anonymous face.
Sometimes a character shape writes the punchline. And sometimes, an anonymous face is an anonymous face.
Tags:
Friday, September 15, 2006
Week 18: Pageant of the Transmundane
This week the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Awards takes us down to Sharpsburg, Maryland. I don't know why the travel agency suggested this town, because it seems particularly gloomy this week for some reason, but I can't put my finger on it.
Anyway, in the spirit of brevity, I'll get right down to this historic moment, as we once again have a multiple award winner for it seems that someone did his utmost best to unintentionally win this honor.
I could say this week's winner is bizarre, outlandish and confusing... and the entry they wrote none too sane either. You have to take a gander at this to believe how weird it gets as this award's inaugural winner has won it once again, so at this time, Pointless Drivel is both the alpha and the omega of the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award. See the spectacle that Brad has created!
Here is a sample for the fearful:
Now we all know that Brad is utterly insane... but that's why we all read him, isn't it? Well, that and our secret suspicions that he he knows where Jimmy Hoffa is buried and much like the man formerly known as Deep Throat, perhaps amongst the pointless drivel that location will be revealed. I still have my bet on it being the Happiest Place on Earth... but we will just have to see, won't we?
So it is this academy of one's pleasure to present this clearly insane Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award to this week's worthy recipient.
Congratulations Brad. You may not be the first multiple winner, but you still occupy a prestigious place in infamy with another piece of yellow toonish hardware. Huzzah!
The relevant coding is available here.
The rules of this little contest: Every week I will be selecting one blog post that I have seen from the vast reaches of the blogosphere to bestow with the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award for being one of the freakiest(in a funny way) things I've seen or read during a 7 day period. It doesn't necessarily have to have been written during the week, I just had to have encountered it. That means that if you find something interesting and repost it like a movie or whatever, if I saw it at your blog first, you get the prize. Of course, creating your own content is also a very good way to win.
Now, if you see a post that you think is worthy of this illustrious prize, just drop me a line at campybeaver@gmail.com and we'll see if we can't get your suggestion up and award-ready while giving you some credit and a link to your own blog.
Anyway, in the spirit of brevity, I'll get right down to this historic moment, as we once again have a multiple award winner for it seems that someone did his utmost best to unintentionally win this honor.
I could say this week's winner is bizarre, outlandish and confusing... and the entry they wrote none too sane either. You have to take a gander at this to believe how weird it gets as this award's inaugural winner has won it once again, so at this time, Pointless Drivel is both the alpha and the omega of the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award. See the spectacle that Brad has created!
Here is a sample for the fearful:
Jessica Simpson, Silvia Plath, George Patton, Betty Boop, Oscar Meyer, I lost my virginity to that little guy with the top hat and monacle from the Monopoly game.
Now we all know that Brad is utterly insane... but that's why we all read him, isn't it? Well, that and our secret suspicions that he he knows where Jimmy Hoffa is buried and much like the man formerly known as Deep Throat, perhaps amongst the pointless drivel that location will be revealed. I still have my bet on it being the Happiest Place on Earth... but we will just have to see, won't we?
So it is this academy of one's pleasure to present this clearly insane Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award to this week's worthy recipient.
Congratulations Brad. You may not be the first multiple winner, but you still occupy a prestigious place in infamy with another piece of yellow toonish hardware. Huzzah!
The relevant coding is available here.
The rules of this little contest: Every week I will be selecting one blog post that I have seen from the vast reaches of the blogosphere to bestow with the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award for being one of the freakiest(in a funny way) things I've seen or read during a 7 day period. It doesn't necessarily have to have been written during the week, I just had to have encountered it. That means that if you find something interesting and repost it like a movie or whatever, if I saw it at your blog first, you get the prize. Of course, creating your own content is also a very good way to win.
Now, if you see a post that you think is worthy of this illustrious prize, just drop me a line at campybeaver@gmail.com and we'll see if we can't get your suggestion up and award-ready while giving you some credit and a link to your own blog.
Tags:
This Game Company practice has got to go!
I have a little pet peeve, and I am sorry some of you have to go along for the ride on this, but it has to be said: PC games that have the CD nag are starting to piss me off.
Now, this doesn't bother me when I know there is stuff on the CD that the game needs to run, like video files or whatever, because usually you have a choice when you install. That's FINE. And I understand having such a restriction on a 50 dollar product when it first comes out to try prevent some forms of theft, even though I don't like it and statistically it probably stops 1-2% of piracy if that.
But when a company is, I don't know, GIVING their games away in a box of cereal or in a magazine or is selling them as part of a larger set for about what the actual disc the game is on would cost to buy as a blank, well then, what is the point of forcing me to stick in a CD to prove that I own it when all the files needed to run it are on my hard drive... really.
I mean, these companies are giving away or selling these games deeply discounted for some future financial gain later because I may want to buy full price games from them after seeing the quality of work they produce, but showing me that you don't trust me with your free or heavily discounted software isn't winning my undying devotion. This is especially true of products that have been patched on the disc, because I know the company spent some time repackaging the product, so why didn't they add that little bit of code to make a full installation no-CD? I mean, I could be a bad boy and go look for help from the industry's sworn enemies, but I don't want to do that. I want the companies that made the games to meet me halfway on this and actually trust me, the consumer, for once.
I know it is merely an inconvenience and not a major issue, but it has always been something that just irked me.
Now, this doesn't bother me when I know there is stuff on the CD that the game needs to run, like video files or whatever, because usually you have a choice when you install. That's FINE. And I understand having such a restriction on a 50 dollar product when it first comes out to try prevent some forms of theft, even though I don't like it and statistically it probably stops 1-2% of piracy if that.
But when a company is, I don't know, GIVING their games away in a box of cereal or in a magazine or is selling them as part of a larger set for about what the actual disc the game is on would cost to buy as a blank, well then, what is the point of forcing me to stick in a CD to prove that I own it when all the files needed to run it are on my hard drive... really.
I mean, these companies are giving away or selling these games deeply discounted for some future financial gain later because I may want to buy full price games from them after seeing the quality of work they produce, but showing me that you don't trust me with your free or heavily discounted software isn't winning my undying devotion. This is especially true of products that have been patched on the disc, because I know the company spent some time repackaging the product, so why didn't they add that little bit of code to make a full installation no-CD? I mean, I could be a bad boy and go look for help from the industry's sworn enemies, but I don't want to do that. I want the companies that made the games to meet me halfway on this and actually trust me, the consumer, for once.
I know it is merely an inconvenience and not a major issue, but it has always been something that just irked me.
Tags:
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Spin: An Great Short Film
I love the fact that YouTube, like IFilm and AtomFilms before it, has provided a platform for short film that might not otherwise exist. So that's how I got to see this short film called Spin, and I have nothing but raves for it (no pun intended).
The film centers on the manipulation of time in a very specific and interesting way by employing an unusual instrument... a pair of turntables. Of course, when playing around with cause and effect, sometimes the outcome can be unpredictable, and the benevolent DJ needs a few tries to get things right.
I have always been fascinated by the nature of time and travelling through it, which may be one reason why I like this movie (and I will probably have a full-length article about time travel/manipulation movies sometime in the near future), but I also appreciate the fact that they crafted a great little story with no dialogue and a great premise that didn't feel stretched. The movie was just the right size for the story the filmmakers wanted to tell.
So when you have a chance to sit and watch something for 8 minutes, why don't you check out Spin?
This is my 200th post as well, the most posts I've ever had on a blog, and I did it all in about 5 months.
Tags:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)