I had to work all day Sunday again! It really sucks, our 'short' hours are from 10:00am to 8:00pm. I have to work a ten and a half hour shift, while my friends get to go out to the movies. (They saw the 'Planet of the Apes' movie.)
A more reasonable Sunday hours would be from 11:00am to 6:00pm, or even noon to six! That gives everyone plenty of time to get their 'emergency' shopping done (usually just returning junk they know they shouldn't have bought in the first place, but that's another rant altogether.) and I get to go out while the sun is still shining, maybe I'll even have time to have a little social life... one can dream.
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Now playing: Julie London - Blues in the Night
via FoxyTunes
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Captain America!
This is more like it!
After suffering through the atrocity that was Transformers, I needed something to rekindle my faith in movie makers.
This movie was that and more.
The plot, the pacing, the characterization, the effects, the acting! Every touchstone of a great film was hit! Usually, even in a film I like there are some small quibbles I have. (I like to complain!) But not this film, I enjoyed everything they did with this property.
I usually don't like 'origin' stories in movies of well known characters. Either we already know the origin or it doesn't matter to the story at hand how the main character came to be. We never needed a new origin story for James Bond or The Doctor every time they changed actors! But this one, much like the first Iron Man movie, tells the origin in a strong compelling way that doesn't leave the audience groaning through it thinking 'get on with it'!
But Captain America doesn't stop there. A compelling villain that actually seems threatening and an exciting series of missions that lead to an fantastic climactic confrontation! This movie delivers it all.
Even though just about anyone interested in the lore of Cap knows many of the touch-points of this story, the fate of Dr Erskine, the tragedy of Bucky, Cap's last mission, it all seemed fresh and exciting as when it was truly new.
The core of the movie, as with all good movies I think, is the characters. The writing and actors conspire to make us feel that these are real people and that the things they are struggling through matter.
If you couldn't tell; I really liked this movie and highly recommend it. It's not just a good superhero film, it's a good film in it's own right.
Here is a bit of Cap nostalgia!
After suffering through the atrocity that was Transformers, I needed something to rekindle my faith in movie makers.
This movie was that and more.
The plot, the pacing, the characterization, the effects, the acting! Every touchstone of a great film was hit! Usually, even in a film I like there are some small quibbles I have. (I like to complain!) But not this film, I enjoyed everything they did with this property.
I usually don't like 'origin' stories in movies of well known characters. Either we already know the origin or it doesn't matter to the story at hand how the main character came to be. We never needed a new origin story for James Bond or The Doctor every time they changed actors! But this one, much like the first Iron Man movie, tells the origin in a strong compelling way that doesn't leave the audience groaning through it thinking 'get on with it'!
But Captain America doesn't stop there. A compelling villain that actually seems threatening and an exciting series of missions that lead to an fantastic climactic confrontation! This movie delivers it all.
Even though just about anyone interested in the lore of Cap knows many of the touch-points of this story, the fate of Dr Erskine, the tragedy of Bucky, Cap's last mission, it all seemed fresh and exciting as when it was truly new.
The core of the movie, as with all good movies I think, is the characters. The writing and actors conspire to make us feel that these are real people and that the things they are struggling through matter.
If you couldn't tell; I really liked this movie and highly recommend it. It's not just a good superhero film, it's a good film in it's own right.
Here is a bit of Cap nostalgia!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Transformers: The Dark of My Butt!
I was recently dragged, kicking and screaming out to see this... thing. I agreed to go because I wouldn't have to pay for my own ticket, ensuring that Michael Bay wouldn't get any of my money.
Not a scene went by that I didn't throw up my hands and say "What the Hell was that?"
Why was a very badly CGI President used in an unnecessarily long pre-credit opening scene instead of just a quick quote from his speech?
Why did the Decepticons on the moon need a teleporter when they could just fly down?
Why when the girl (what was her name?) is given an expensive car in a world threatened by Decepticons and having Decepticon sensors everywhere did no one say "Hey, look, a Decepticon!?"
Why was the Asian guy from the Hangover movies in this film?
Why was he playing the same character he did in the Hangover movies?
Why was there a huge chase scene where the heroes had to get a key character back to a base that he had never left?
Why when Cybertron gets teleported right next to Earth didn't it's mere presence tear both planets apart?
Why was John Malkovich in this film?
Why was John Turturo in this film?
There are no answers...
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Now playing: The Tubes - Mr. Hate
via FoxyTunes
Not a scene went by that I didn't throw up my hands and say "What the Hell was that?"
Why was a very badly CGI President used in an unnecessarily long pre-credit opening scene instead of just a quick quote from his speech?
Why did the Decepticons on the moon need a teleporter when they could just fly down?
Why when the girl (what was her name?) is given an expensive car in a world threatened by Decepticons and having Decepticon sensors everywhere did no one say "Hey, look, a Decepticon!?"
Why was the Asian guy from the Hangover movies in this film?
Why was he playing the same character he did in the Hangover movies?
Why was there a huge chase scene where the heroes had to get a key character back to a base that he had never left?
Why when Cybertron gets teleported right next to Earth didn't it's mere presence tear both planets apart?
Why was John Malkovich in this film?
Why was John Turturo in this film?
There are no answers...
----------------
Now playing: The Tubes - Mr. Hate
via FoxyTunes
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Lemons is the New Cake
Cave Johnson is my hero.
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Now playing: Mike Morasky - portal2 want you gone
via FoxyTunes
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Now playing: Mike Morasky - portal2 want you gone
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
That was unexpected.
Yesterday a HUGE thunderstorm ripped through my area.
Trees were felled, power was out, there was talk of tornadoes.
The lights were out in my area for several hours, but there are still people without power now and they say it'll be late today before everything is back on.
Luckily my father got a home generator a couple of years ago after sitting in the dark for several days after a particularly nasty hurricane. So it was hardly even an inconvinience to us.
But my sympathies go out to all the people still waiting for their air-conditioning...
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Now playing: Origa - Rise
via FoxyTunes
Trees were felled, power was out, there was talk of tornadoes.
The lights were out in my area for several hours, but there are still people without power now and they say it'll be late today before everything is back on.
Luckily my father got a home generator a couple of years ago after sitting in the dark for several days after a particularly nasty hurricane. So it was hardly even an inconvinience to us.
But my sympathies go out to all the people still waiting for their air-conditioning...
----------------
Now playing: Origa - Rise
via FoxyTunes
Friday, May 20, 2011
It's been nice knowing you all.
Well it's the end of the world tomorrow, so I won't be seeing any of you again.
Actually it's just the rapture tomorrow, the end of the world (and universe) isn't until October 21st, so I guess I still have to go to work on Sunday.
Oh, well.
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Now playing: Metallica - Nothing Else Matters
via FoxyTunes
Actually it's just the rapture tomorrow, the end of the world (and universe) isn't until October 21st, so I guess I still have to go to work on Sunday.
Oh, well.
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Now playing: Metallica - Nothing Else Matters
via FoxyTunes
Saturday, May 7, 2011
THOR
We went and saw the latest superhero movie last night.
The general consensus is good, everyone seemed to enjoy nearly every aspect of the film.
Kenneth Branagh seems to have been able to shine directing a big action film and bring out the 'Shakesperian' drama of the characters.
To my thinking all the actors did an admirable job with their characters, everyone really seemed to live in their roles without too much mugging or self aware performances one fears in 'comic book' movies.
The story itself is quite good; bringing the main originating themes of the Thor title to life in the limited time allowed in a single feature. Fathers and sons! Sibling rivalry! Friendship and honor! Power paired with humility and responsibility! All vast themes well represented inside quite a good action story.
The production design and special effects are also worthy of mention. In a day when it is 'easy' to depict vast alien landscapes and larger than life action the vista of Asgard and combat with frost giants really come to life. There just isn't any part that you point to and think 'reality ends here' the CGI and practical effects meld very well with the live action parts.
Thumbs up all around.
----------------
Now playing: The Black Angels - Call To Arms
via FoxyTunes
The general consensus is good, everyone seemed to enjoy nearly every aspect of the film.
Kenneth Branagh seems to have been able to shine directing a big action film and bring out the 'Shakesperian' drama of the characters.
To my thinking all the actors did an admirable job with their characters, everyone really seemed to live in their roles without too much mugging or self aware performances one fears in 'comic book' movies.
The story itself is quite good; bringing the main originating themes of the Thor title to life in the limited time allowed in a single feature. Fathers and sons! Sibling rivalry! Friendship and honor! Power paired with humility and responsibility! All vast themes well represented inside quite a good action story.
The production design and special effects are also worthy of mention. In a day when it is 'easy' to depict vast alien landscapes and larger than life action the vista of Asgard and combat with frost giants really come to life. There just isn't any part that you point to and think 'reality ends here' the CGI and practical effects meld very well with the live action parts.
Thumbs up all around.
----------------
Now playing: The Black Angels - Call To Arms
via FoxyTunes
Friday, April 22, 2011
flat.
I have terrible luck driving.
It has to be luck, because it couldn't be MY fault.
Over the past year or so I've gotten several speeding tickets, the gas pedal connection broke, and I've just had a flat tire from running into a curb. Looking at that list it seems the only one I couldn't have avoided was the gas pedal, that just failed because it was it's time to go.
But I swear it wasn't my fault. It's all just bad luck.
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Now playing: Jonathan Coulton - I Crush Everything (Demo)
via FoxyTunes
It has to be luck, because it couldn't be MY fault.
Over the past year or so I've gotten several speeding tickets, the gas pedal connection broke, and I've just had a flat tire from running into a curb. Looking at that list it seems the only one I couldn't have avoided was the gas pedal, that just failed because it was it's time to go.
But I swear it wasn't my fault. It's all just bad luck.
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Now playing: Jonathan Coulton - I Crush Everything (Demo)
via FoxyTunes
Friday, April 15, 2011
Vision
Recently there has been some speculation on how I might spend my tax return money.
Well, unless I successfully get some or all of it back from my insurance provider, much of it will have gone toward a new pair of glasses!
And, for those of you who feel the need for more fodder with which to ridicule me, they have bi-focal lenses.
They are taking some getting used to.
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Now playing: Devo - Planet Earth
via FoxyTunes
Well, unless I successfully get some or all of it back from my insurance provider, much of it will have gone toward a new pair of glasses!
And, for those of you who feel the need for more fodder with which to ridicule me, they have bi-focal lenses.
They are taking some getting used to.
----------------
Now playing: Devo - Planet Earth
via FoxyTunes
Friday, April 8, 2011
Tax Season
Did you know it was tax season?
I finally did my taxes last week. This year, for the first time, I went to a storefront tax service. I usually do my taxes online. It turns out that I would probably be better off continuing that practice.
It cost me nearly one hundred and eighty dollars! Some of that was a processing fee for them to take all the other fees out of my refund. Most of it was because I had a single extra piece of paper other than my W-2 form. I understand that these are tax professionals and its a VERY seasonal business, but damn!
Next year I think I'll stick to e-file.
(I did get my refund today. I think I'll buy some more Girl Scout cookies.)
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Now playing: The Beatles - Taxman
via FoxyTunes
I finally did my taxes last week. This year, for the first time, I went to a storefront tax service. I usually do my taxes online. It turns out that I would probably be better off continuing that practice.
It cost me nearly one hundred and eighty dollars! Some of that was a processing fee for them to take all the other fees out of my refund. Most of it was because I had a single extra piece of paper other than my W-2 form. I understand that these are tax professionals and its a VERY seasonal business, but damn!
Next year I think I'll stick to e-file.
(I did get my refund today. I think I'll buy some more Girl Scout cookies.)
----------------
Now playing: The Beatles - Taxman
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Source Code
Saw a movie last night.
It was called 'Source Code'.
It was okay.
Fine, I'll elaborate a little.
Spoilers!
Scientists think they are projecting a mostly dead soldier into a quantum echo of a terrorist attack. They do this over and over again so that he can find the terrorist and prevent future attacks. He decides this is no way to live and convinces himself that he can save the victims. He succeeds because it turns out he's not being projected into an echo of the same event but into the same event in a series of alternate universes. Then he goes off to live his new life with a girl he met on the train.
Although I liked this film, there are two problems I find. How could a scientist who actually uses the words 'alternate reality' in the film not realize he is sending our hero to alternate realities? And how am I supposed to feel about our hero permanently erasing the guy he jumps into and living out his life?
Well, I did enjoy the film. Even though it turns out it's about emotional conection and freedom of choice and 'doing the right thing' instead of Action Man Fights Bad Guys! Why doesn't anybody make those kinds of films anymore?
----------------
Now playing: Dance of the Dream Man [Instrumental]
via FoxyTunes
It was called 'Source Code'.
It was okay.
Fine, I'll elaborate a little.
Spoilers!
Scientists think they are projecting a mostly dead soldier into a quantum echo of a terrorist attack. They do this over and over again so that he can find the terrorist and prevent future attacks. He decides this is no way to live and convinces himself that he can save the victims. He succeeds because it turns out he's not being projected into an echo of the same event but into the same event in a series of alternate universes. Then he goes off to live his new life with a girl he met on the train.
Although I liked this film, there are two problems I find. How could a scientist who actually uses the words 'alternate reality' in the film not realize he is sending our hero to alternate realities? And how am I supposed to feel about our hero permanently erasing the guy he jumps into and living out his life?
Well, I did enjoy the film. Even though it turns out it's about emotional conection and freedom of choice and 'doing the right thing' instead of Action Man Fights Bad Guys! Why doesn't anybody make those kinds of films anymore?
----------------
Now playing: Dance of the Dream Man [Instrumental]
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Dreams
I don't often remember my dreams. So it's particularly strange that I've remembered two over the last couple of nights.
1) I am at work trying to finish some very important task on our system, each time I try to log in to a position it locks up and reboots. For some reason I always move on to another position never checking back to see if any of the previous ones have finished their reboot. (in the dream this is normal) Meanwhile Leonard Nimoy is behind me talking to some of my co-workers and loudly impugning my ability to take out the trash. I proclaim that I take out the trash just fine.
Then it's time to wake up.
2) I am waiting in a gym with many other people, we are all military and are there to begin testing for some special forces type training. For some reason the first test is to run to the top of the bleachers without setting off a motion sensor hidden there. We never actually do this test. While we wait I amuse myself by sliding around on one foot without kicking off anything but by force of will. No one seems impressed. Then I step out of the room for a second and when I return everyone is eating. Then suddenly they are all outside running and I am left with the instructors. I privately talk to one of them and resign from the program as I'm getting out of the military in a few days...
Then it's time to wake up.
There is some pretty freaky stuff going on in my head. Anybody into dream interpretation?
----------------
Now playing: Trevor Jones - Dark City
via FoxyTunes
1) I am at work trying to finish some very important task on our system, each time I try to log in to a position it locks up and reboots. For some reason I always move on to another position never checking back to see if any of the previous ones have finished their reboot. (in the dream this is normal) Meanwhile Leonard Nimoy is behind me talking to some of my co-workers and loudly impugning my ability to take out the trash. I proclaim that I take out the trash just fine.
Then it's time to wake up.
2) I am waiting in a gym with many other people, we are all military and are there to begin testing for some special forces type training. For some reason the first test is to run to the top of the bleachers without setting off a motion sensor hidden there. We never actually do this test. While we wait I amuse myself by sliding around on one foot without kicking off anything but by force of will. No one seems impressed. Then I step out of the room for a second and when I return everyone is eating. Then suddenly they are all outside running and I am left with the instructors. I privately talk to one of them and resign from the program as I'm getting out of the military in a few days...
Then it's time to wake up.
There is some pretty freaky stuff going on in my head. Anybody into dream interpretation?
----------------
Now playing: Trevor Jones - Dark City
via FoxyTunes
Monday, April 4, 2011
Someone mentioned content?
It has been brought to my attention that the lack of content on this blog has become cause for concern.
Whatever.
Anyway, Copyright!
It's a complicated issue, but the original intent of copyright was to protect a creative person from having their work stolen, re-purposed, or diluted by the actions of others. Now we have corporations as the 'legal' originators of artwork. Be it movies, music, illustration, writing or whatever. I think this is wrong.
I'm all for business' being allowed to make a profit and if a creative person wishes to collaborate with such an organization so be it. But the idea that a work and derivations of it can be held by the organization, esentially in perpetuity, just doesn't sit well with me.
I think there should be a moaratorium on copyright in the neighborhood of the date of publication +50 years. That way the actual originator as well as any partners or distributors he chooses to collaborate with can make their profit but after that others can distribute the work without being labeled 'Pirate'!
I don't know if this would solve any problems, but it would make me feel better.
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Now playing: Garbage - Only Happy When It Rains
via FoxyTunes
Whatever.
Anyway, Copyright!
It's a complicated issue, but the original intent of copyright was to protect a creative person from having their work stolen, re-purposed, or diluted by the actions of others. Now we have corporations as the 'legal' originators of artwork. Be it movies, music, illustration, writing or whatever. I think this is wrong.
I'm all for business' being allowed to make a profit and if a creative person wishes to collaborate with such an organization so be it. But the idea that a work and derivations of it can be held by the organization, esentially in perpetuity, just doesn't sit well with me.
I think there should be a moaratorium on copyright in the neighborhood of the date of publication +50 years. That way the actual originator as well as any partners or distributors he chooses to collaborate with can make their profit but after that others can distribute the work without being labeled 'Pirate'!
I don't know if this would solve any problems, but it would make me feel better.
----------------
Now playing: Garbage - Only Happy When It Rains
via FoxyTunes
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