This song has been stuck in my head all summer. I just cant get it out. Makes me want to go to the beach so bad.
Its by the band The Dirty Heads, and features Rome, the new singer/guitarist that Sublime got a few years ago. They've been around for a few years, but the CD that it is on, Any Port in a Storm is their first release. You should really check it out.Listen to it here
Monday, July 5, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Angry Men
You gotta love the classics. I have been wanting to see 12 Angry Men for some time now, and I am very glad that I finally have. I am sure I have said this before, but if I haven't, this wont be the only time. There is something that is hard to find in new film that was present in older ones. There is no name to it. No really identity to it. Its what separates Oscar winners from other films. Its just part of the film. I sure hope that it is never completely lost.
A courtroom drama 12 Angry Men is about the 12 jurors in a trial where an 18 year old boy is being charged for the murder of his father and what happens behind closed doors during the deliberations. Initially all but one of the 12 agree that he is guilty and the other, played by Henry Fonda, tries to convince the others on his logic.
Doesn't seem like there's too much to it does there? There doesn't have to be for a great film. All of the action happens in one room, so the story has to be really good to keep everyone interested, and boy does it do that. All of the cast does a wonderful job at what they do. Again, as I said with my review of rear Window not much can be said about the old classics, they just simply are classics.
I know that there are other and more modern adaptations of this story and I would like to see them, but I am hesitant to because of how films are currently. If I do though, you will surly read about it. Overall a great film. Defiantly a buy for the film buff. 4.5/5
A courtroom drama 12 Angry Men is about the 12 jurors in a trial where an 18 year old boy is being charged for the murder of his father and what happens behind closed doors during the deliberations. Initially all but one of the 12 agree that he is guilty and the other, played by Henry Fonda, tries to convince the others on his logic.
Doesn't seem like there's too much to it does there? There doesn't have to be for a great film. All of the action happens in one room, so the story has to be really good to keep everyone interested, and boy does it do that. All of the cast does a wonderful job at what they do. Again, as I said with my review of rear Window not much can be said about the old classics, they just simply are classics.
I know that there are other and more modern adaptations of this story and I would like to see them, but I am hesitant to because of how films are currently. If I do though, you will surly read about it. Overall a great film. Defiantly a buy for the film buff. 4.5/5
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
I'm just sitting here watching..... trains go by?
Trainspotting. Another drug movie from the 90's. Based off of a book. I have not read the book, so I cannot say how it compares to that. Fantastic* film.
If any of you know anything about this film, the next portion will be a review to you, so bare with me. Ewan McGregor plays a heroin addict living in Scotland with his friends, who also happen to be drug addicts. The film chronicles what goes on in each of the characters lives as they use these drugs. Enough on the plot for now.
I enjoyed everything about this film. the cinematography was very well done, it was weird enough to keep me interested, the direction was well done, and so on and so on. I really cant say much bad about this movie at all. Part of it that really stood out to me was the soundtrack to the film. Made up of songs by Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Joy Division, and many other artists and groups from that post-punk time period. The music fits perfectly and pulls everything together into a nice package. Another point that stands out to me is the performance that the actors gave. I do not know if any of the actors were drug users at the time that this was filmed, but they had me very convinced.
Again, a great film. If I had to compare it to anything I would say it is a "happy" Requiem for a Dream, that too is a solid flick. Overall, 4/5.
*Note - I use this term a lot and don't give all of the films that I use it for a fantastic score. Each film I see is its own experience, and if I feel the need to use that word I will. By no means am I trying to compare two movies that should not be compared by using the same words.
If any of you know anything about this film, the next portion will be a review to you, so bare with me. Ewan McGregor plays a heroin addict living in Scotland with his friends, who also happen to be drug addicts. The film chronicles what goes on in each of the characters lives as they use these drugs. Enough on the plot for now.
I enjoyed everything about this film. the cinematography was very well done, it was weird enough to keep me interested, the direction was well done, and so on and so on. I really cant say much bad about this movie at all. Part of it that really stood out to me was the soundtrack to the film. Made up of songs by Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Joy Division, and many other artists and groups from that post-punk time period. The music fits perfectly and pulls everything together into a nice package. Another point that stands out to me is the performance that the actors gave. I do not know if any of the actors were drug users at the time that this was filmed, but they had me very convinced.
Again, a great film. If I had to compare it to anything I would say it is a "happy" Requiem for a Dream, that too is a solid flick. Overall, 4/5.
*Note - I use this term a lot and don't give all of the films that I use it for a fantastic score. Each film I see is its own experience, and if I feel the need to use that word I will. By no means am I trying to compare two movies that should not be compared by using the same words.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Rear Window
In my eyes Hitchcock is really one of the best there is. So many current films are drawn off of his style and stories. Rear Window is only the third Hitchcock film I have seen all the way through (I just got in to his work within the last year) and he still amazes me.
Film was really something back in the day. Sure we have all of the visual effects that we do now like 3D and CGI films, but something that Hitchcock's films have that many of them do not today is a good story. A really good story. Now a days we just have modern tellings or re-adaptations of things that have been done in the past, just look at my last post for an example of that. Not to say that these new films are bad, its just that something has been lost in the mix and the translations. Many new films are still good but you can never beat the classics.
As I am sure all of you know, Rear Window is about a photographer who has broken his leg and has been people watching out of his back window of his apartment. Not to give away too much of the story to any of you who have not seen this gem, Jeff, the photographer starts to notice that things aren't all good in his little neighborhood.
Everything about this film is great in my eyes. The cinematography is full of great shots and the story is impeccable. As I am trying to think of other things to say about this film, it seems that words cannot measure up to the genius that was Hitchcock. I am eager to see more of his films and cannot wait for that to happen. 5/5 for this one.
Short review, but who needs to say much about Hitchcock?
Film was really something back in the day. Sure we have all of the visual effects that we do now like 3D and CGI films, but something that Hitchcock's films have that many of them do not today is a good story. A really good story. Now a days we just have modern tellings or re-adaptations of things that have been done in the past, just look at my last post for an example of that. Not to say that these new films are bad, its just that something has been lost in the mix and the translations. Many new films are still good but you can never beat the classics.
As I am sure all of you know, Rear Window is about a photographer who has broken his leg and has been people watching out of his back window of his apartment. Not to give away too much of the story to any of you who have not seen this gem, Jeff, the photographer starts to notice that things aren't all good in his little neighborhood.
Everything about this film is great in my eyes. The cinematography is full of great shots and the story is impeccable. As I am trying to think of other things to say about this film, it seems that words cannot measure up to the genius that was Hitchcock. I am eager to see more of his films and cannot wait for that to happen. 5/5 for this one.
Short review, but who needs to say much about Hitchcock?
Updates Updates Updates
Why hello all, bet you though I was done with this stupid thing.... Well too bad for you I am not!
But is has been well over a month since I have given you all a solid update on what it going on with me. In one of my most recent posts I had mentioned that I was going to be eating much healthier and exercising more this summer. Well I have been doing that. I have lost about 20 lbs (fluctuates on how much I eat in a day) and lost a few inches on the circumference of a few parts of my body. So that is really good, but I seem to have plateaued a little bit, as I am not really losing any more, but I am not gaining any more, so in the end it is all good.
So in other aspects of my life I have quite a large list of movies and books that I would like to see and read. Because of that I want to share what I read and see as I enjoy them, so I am going to start posting review of them. Take them as you will, but I do not work this summer, so I have a lot of free time on my hands, and this takes up time.
So the first movie I am going to write about is Malice in Wonderland. Malice is a modern retelling of the classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. As with all retellings of some are good and some are bad. Not quite sure how this one matches up. I have read the source material for this movie, and it stacks up decently. With all of the publicity that Alice is getting right now due to the new Tim Burton/Disney that came out earlier this year, different tellings were bound to happen, although this one came out in 2009, so I don't know whats up with that.
As far as everything goes this one had a very similar feeling to SyFy's Alice that came out last December but this one is way more trippy. The set direction/costumes/cinematography were interesting to say the least. Set in London's underworld with the cast being the lords and thugs in this world. The characters got a very interesting take on them... Alice is of course Alice, though older and American. The White Rabbit is a cab driver called Whitey who has a much larger part in this telling than in the others, The Red Queen is a gay crime boss who is male, the caterpillar is pretty much the same, but is a druggie, and lastly the Mad Hatter is the owner of a mobile brothel, who is female... all of this is interesting. In all reality, the characters felt very real to me, but they all had the same drive, instead of each having their own individual one.
All in all this it at least worth a watch if you are an Alice fan like me. I would never say it is the best version of Alice out there, but you can be the judge in that. Overall a generous 3/5.
Peace!
But is has been well over a month since I have given you all a solid update on what it going on with me. In one of my most recent posts I had mentioned that I was going to be eating much healthier and exercising more this summer. Well I have been doing that. I have lost about 20 lbs (fluctuates on how much I eat in a day) and lost a few inches on the circumference of a few parts of my body. So that is really good, but I seem to have plateaued a little bit, as I am not really losing any more, but I am not gaining any more, so in the end it is all good.
So in other aspects of my life I have quite a large list of movies and books that I would like to see and read. Because of that I want to share what I read and see as I enjoy them, so I am going to start posting review of them. Take them as you will, but I do not work this summer, so I have a lot of free time on my hands, and this takes up time.
So the first movie I am going to write about is Malice in Wonderland. Malice is a modern retelling of the classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. As with all retellings of some are good and some are bad. Not quite sure how this one matches up. I have read the source material for this movie, and it stacks up decently. With all of the publicity that Alice is getting right now due to the new Tim Burton/Disney that came out earlier this year, different tellings were bound to happen, although this one came out in 2009, so I don't know whats up with that.
As far as everything goes this one had a very similar feeling to SyFy's Alice that came out last December but this one is way more trippy. The set direction/costumes/cinematography were interesting to say the least. Set in London's underworld with the cast being the lords and thugs in this world. The characters got a very interesting take on them... Alice is of course Alice, though older and American. The White Rabbit is a cab driver called Whitey who has a much larger part in this telling than in the others, The Red Queen is a gay crime boss who is male, the caterpillar is pretty much the same, but is a druggie, and lastly the Mad Hatter is the owner of a mobile brothel, who is female... all of this is interesting. In all reality, the characters felt very real to me, but they all had the same drive, instead of each having their own individual one.
All in all this it at least worth a watch if you are an Alice fan like me. I would never say it is the best version of Alice out there, but you can be the judge in that. Overall a generous 3/5.
Peace!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Thoughts
For the greater part of my life my friends have been coming to me for relationship advise and 9 out of 10 times it works. Side note, I have never been in a relationship before. All I have ever had the joy of experiencing is unrequited loves with different girls over the years.
The most recent set of advice that I have had to give out is to two of my friends whom are dating. The girl in the relationship is going o be going off to college in the fall, and they are both worried about what will happen when that happens. So in all of my wisdom (that I have gained from time and How I Met Your Mother) and tell them that they shouldn't worry about it for now, and to just have fun. In other words, its future boy and future girl's problem, not theirs.
Anyways, it seems to have worked for the most part. One thing kind of bothers me though, and it always has. Where do I get the right in giving other people advise in areas I have no experience in? I mean, you go to a doctor to find out if there is anything medically wrong with you, do don't ask a carpenter that.
On that note, I have a long history of giving advice out to my friends and family. They say its because I am grounded, I think its because I don't know how it live. Because I give out such good advice and am so cautious, I have had to nicknames given to me: "the conscience" and "jimminy cricket". I am not particularly bothered by either of these nicknames, it just makes me wonder about what role I really should be playing in my life.
Lots of stuff has been going on. To me, and to everyone. I don't know what to think about now a day's. I feel like I'm not getting anywhere in the post anymore, so I think I'll end it here.
The most recent set of advice that I have had to give out is to two of my friends whom are dating. The girl in the relationship is going o be going off to college in the fall, and they are both worried about what will happen when that happens. So in all of my wisdom (that I have gained from time and How I Met Your Mother) and tell them that they shouldn't worry about it for now, and to just have fun. In other words, its future boy and future girl's problem, not theirs.
Anyways, it seems to have worked for the most part. One thing kind of bothers me though, and it always has. Where do I get the right in giving other people advise in areas I have no experience in? I mean, you go to a doctor to find out if there is anything medically wrong with you, do don't ask a carpenter that.
On that note, I have a long history of giving advice out to my friends and family. They say its because I am grounded, I think its because I don't know how it live. Because I give out such good advice and am so cautious, I have had to nicknames given to me: "the conscience" and "jimminy cricket". I am not particularly bothered by either of these nicknames, it just makes me wonder about what role I really should be playing in my life.
Lots of stuff has been going on. To me, and to everyone. I don't know what to think about now a day's. I feel like I'm not getting anywhere in the post anymore, so I think I'll end it here.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Its been a little while
So I really haven't been updating this blog that much as I have been updating my other blog, 365 Random Acts of Kindness, which has been going well.
In other news I got home for my summer break from college late last Friday evening, and have been spending the weekend hanging out with my friends who are home already, which has been a complete blast. Now that I have had some me time, it is time I do some work on me. Emotionally and spiritually I am in a good place. My other blog is tracking the good things I do for people, so that is all good, but physically I am lacking. Many of you know that I am healthy, but I could use some major improvements in my lifestyle. Do not take that as me admitting to me drinking too much or or activities like that, because I do not do that to extent. Everything in moderation, and I stick to that.
Last August my mother and I went on this heath food cleanse, where we ate extremely healthy for pretty much the whole month (21 days to be exact). Today, well in the morning, my mother and I will be doing this again. This program pretty much turns me into a vegan for 10 days and on the 11th day we introduce meat again in small portions. Last summer when I went on this I felt the best I ever had and lost about 20 lbs. After two semesters at college, that weight has come back to me.
In addition to eating better, a few friends of mine and I are purchasing passes to our city recreation center so we can work out as a group, as we all feel we could use improvement in that area. I am feeling really good about this. I think I am finally at the point in my life where I want to make a change to my lifestyle and stick to it. I have made my own work out plan and I am going to stick to it this summer. It is nothing extreme, and I do not expect to come out of the summer looking like a movie star, but I feel if I stay motivated and keep to my plans, I will become a much more svelte self, something I have talked about for a long time.
I am really looking forward to the changes that will be happening to me this summer. I can not wait to find out what is in store for me in all areas of my life.
In other news I got home for my summer break from college late last Friday evening, and have been spending the weekend hanging out with my friends who are home already, which has been a complete blast. Now that I have had some me time, it is time I do some work on me. Emotionally and spiritually I am in a good place. My other blog is tracking the good things I do for people, so that is all good, but physically I am lacking. Many of you know that I am healthy, but I could use some major improvements in my lifestyle. Do not take that as me admitting to me drinking too much or or activities like that, because I do not do that to extent. Everything in moderation, and I stick to that.
Last August my mother and I went on this heath food cleanse, where we ate extremely healthy for pretty much the whole month (21 days to be exact). Today, well in the morning, my mother and I will be doing this again. This program pretty much turns me into a vegan for 10 days and on the 11th day we introduce meat again in small portions. Last summer when I went on this I felt the best I ever had and lost about 20 lbs. After two semesters at college, that weight has come back to me.
In addition to eating better, a few friends of mine and I are purchasing passes to our city recreation center so we can work out as a group, as we all feel we could use improvement in that area. I am feeling really good about this. I think I am finally at the point in my life where I want to make a change to my lifestyle and stick to it. I have made my own work out plan and I am going to stick to it this summer. It is nothing extreme, and I do not expect to come out of the summer looking like a movie star, but I feel if I stay motivated and keep to my plans, I will become a much more svelte self, something I have talked about for a long time.
I am really looking forward to the changes that will be happening to me this summer. I can not wait to find out what is in store for me in all areas of my life.
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