Fri, 30 October 2009 
Category: The Daily 5 -- posted at: 12:00 PM Comments[0] |
Fri, 30 October 2009  This week we've got a great show for you as we bring in an old friend for a very entertaining interview. Matt Snedecor is our guest for about 2 hours, and in that time you'll hear about his many experiences as an audio engineer. We cover his progression from starting out at the Hit Factory in NYC to doing all the footsteps you'll ever hear in Skate 2. Along the way, you'll hear Lando be the mature interviewer and I will play the part of juvenile idiot. Enjoy! Opening Music: "Alive WIP v2" by George Carpenter Closing Music: "Born Under A Bad Sign" performed by The Great Oglee Moglee Blues Band Comments[4] |
Thu, 29 October 2009
Category: The Daily 5 -- posted at: 12:00 AM Comments[3] |
Wed, 28 October 2009  Boy, for someone who just wrote about not enjoying writing about movies, I'm sure contradicting myself quick. Last night I watched Ronin for what must be the 50th time, and like every other viewing it still strikes me how good a movie it is. I'm always amazed at how unknown this movie is to many people, and if I remember correctly when it came out it merely did ok at the box office. What a crime. What I like about Ronin, what makes the movie for me is how un-movie like it often seems. Now don't get me wrong, I've never been an intelligence operative or worked in special ops, but the movie sure seems real enough to me. Among the things that stand out, and one feature of the film often talked about, is the car chases. For one thing, they use real cars. No Minis, no Porsches, no James Bond supercars, just Audis and Mercedes, cars that have the muscle but don't scream 'Hey, I'm about to be involved in some shit here!' In addition, when the car chases occur, there are no huge explosions or insane jumps. To spotlight another smart choice, even the weapons used are used sparingly and without any amazing Rambo-style stunts. The characters themselves are shown to be fallible and vulnerable, as their plan doesn't work out perfectly on the first try and one of the principals gets shot. Beyond these authentic touches, at least to the layman, what the film refuses to do is pander to the audience. Not everything is explained, and the motives of characters are murky at best in most cases. To quote the film, though, 'there is something more.' I think one of the most appealing aspects of Ronin is the interjection of spirituality, for lack of a batter word, into a world often portrayed as flashy and empty. Take the last few James Bond movies, for example, where Bond is largely a brutish machine, showing moments of emotion but mostly relied on for fists and fury. Ronin takes a different path, with several scenes of discussion between Robert De Niro and Jean Reno on the nature of what they are doing, who they are doing it for and why. Even more critical, there are no real answers. Speaking of the two leads, what a team they make here. So often these spy movies try for the buddy angle, or the straight man and loose cannon combo, and in many cases both archetypes feel forced or just boring. Ronin, again, takes a different path. Sam and Vincent will clearly never be vacation buddies, but each instantly sees a kinship in the other that bonds the two. As the film goes on, there is a sense of professionalism that develops into something as close to friendship as these men can truly have. By the end, it is clear that the two have each others backs covered, and it makes complete sense. I could really go on about this movie for hours. I haven't even touched the subtly wonderful score, another I bought right after seeing the film. If you want to see a modern spy movie that asks you to think a little, take the time to watch Ronin. It really does deliver something special. Category: Blog Post -- posted at: 11:51 AM Comments[7] |
Wed, 28 October 2009 Highlander II Spacehunter Runaway The Prophecy The Shadow Time Walker Enjoy! Theme Music: "Came from the Deep" by Film Noir World Comments[1] |
Tue, 27 October 2009 I think I mentioned recently that I have removed the 'Last Saturday Movie Reviews' from the site. It's not that I don't have a lot of reviews already in the can, it was more that eventually I'd run out and there just aren't that many movies lately that I've felt the need to review. There are always exceptions, however, and recently I got a chance to see a really beautiful little movie called Moon. To give the briefest of summaries, it's a film about a near future where mankind mines the moon for energy. On the moon, a solitary operator keeps things going for 3 year stints before going back home to Earth. Sam Rockwell stars as Sam Bell, who is a mere 2 weeks from going back to his wife child and is beginning to feel the weight of his isolated stay so far. The story really picks up when Sam has an accident out on the surface, then finds himself back in the infirmary with no idea how he got there. I won't go into more detail so that you can experience the story on your own, but beyond the plot points is the real heart of the film. What this movie is really about is our existence as people, and what tethers you to our humanity. One of the great things the movie does is play with our conceptions of what makes a person. Good example of this GERTY, the A.I. that operates the base with Sam and is charged with his safety. In the extremely minimal cast of the film, GERTY gradually becomes another person, as much a character who we connect to as Sam. The amazing part of this is that GERTY is quite clearly NOT a person. He is designed as a throwback to the older 70's conception of a robot, big and blocky with hardly any ability to convey expression besides a simplistic LCD that shows a few smiley or frowny faces. Even as this very simplistic automaton we begin to regard him as another being in the space with Sam. Unlike, say, R2-D2, who has some quirky mannerisms that evoke a child but never seems anything BUT a robot, GERTY evolves into a true presence. As the film progresses, you'll start to sense real motive behind his actions, something that seems a simple accomplishment but really isn't for a non-human entity. Beyond GERTY, Sam Rockwell does an astounding job in a movie that really demands he act with himself most of the time. There are long periods of complete lack of interaction, like the movie Cast Away, where the actor must fill every inch of the frame with himself. We luck out in that Rockwell manages it very well, and portrays the struggle of man trying to keep his grip with true realism. None of this would work, in my view, without the stunningly sparse score provided by Clint Mansell. The music works with the film in laying out the vast emptiness of the moon, yet still manages to punctuate the often intense moments that come in Sam's story. I ordered the soundtrack almost immediately after the movie ended. In the end, this movie is very simple but deeply moving. It's a great examination of the human spirit, and for fans of films like 2001 or Logan's Run, it will provide a welcome break from the usually special effects heavy but thematically light sci-fi fare that has become the norm. Category: Blog Post -- posted at: 7:14 PM Comments[3] |
Mon, 26 October 2009 Man, there sure has been a lot in the news and on the web lately about companies profiting off of dead people and what the ethical implications are. All these talking heads and blog commenters have had their say, so why shouldn't I cast a couple of pennies in? To get an idea of what I'm talking about, here are a couple of recent articles on the subject, the first being about Kurt Cobain appearing in Guitar Hero 5 and another about a new DirecTV commercial utilizing footage of Chris Farley. There's been a lot of chatter about this in the last few months, and I'm consistently amazed by how many people find this to be some sort of desecration of the dead. Really. You think so? Let's start with the ideas of the uses themselves. I assume there must be some kind of legal release that needs to be granted here, you can't usually just employ a likeness for commercial use without someone giving the ok and getting paid. That being the normal route these things take (and both articles indicate that some type of use was indeed granted), it seems if simply using the likeness of these people was so disturbingly morbid that those in charge of them would simply have said "No." But here they are, so clearly someone inked something ok'ing it, so there goes that first argument. That out of the way, we get to the actual uses of the likenesses. The main complaint against Cobain's appearance in GH5 was that he could sing along with any song, so inevitably videos were made showing the dead singer bouncing around ridiculously came out. Yes, it's silly looking. Does this now pass as desecration? It's not as if at the end of the song you could trigger a bonus move where he blows his own head off! Then, I could see people being irritated. On the other hand, what a way to finish the tune! As for Farley, the grumbling seems more about the pure profit being targeted with his use. Once again, I fail to see the reason for the uproar. They left Farley unaltered, instead just having David Spade saying new lines about DirecTV. This is hardly Fred Astaire dancing with a vacuum, which I can somewhat see some people looking askew at. Even in that example, it's a stretch. In either case, this is not desecration of the dead. Please people, get the hell over it already. Category: Blog Post -- posted at: 9:38 PM Comments[0] |
Sun, 25 October 2009 I've often heard people lament the loss of 'survival skills.' It's a theme often explored, from the film Fight Club to the book Emergency! I can see the benefit of being able to 'rough it,' but I'll tell you right now: I'm not one of those people. I enjoy convenience. I like having technology that works. I don't need that gritty nature feel. This all stems from the weekend trip my wide and I just took to Point Arena, California. We stayed at the Coast Guard Historic Inn, a bed and breakfast about 500 feet from the Pacific Ocean. The Inn itself was run by a very nice couple who brought us fantastic breakfasts the two mornings we were there. They were welcoming, made dinner reservations for us and pointed us to some great sights. All in all, a great stay. That said. The boathouse we stayed in was very small. Some would call that cozy. The cellular service was non-existent. Some would call this a welcome break from the constant connectivity of the modern world. There was no TV. Some would no doubt love a break from the 'boob tube.' The boathouse was a landmark, so it had no fans, and minimal heat. Some might enjoy this more rustic setting. As the boathouse was largely unchanged from when it was built, insects were everywhere. Some could see this as being in touch with the natural world. All of those 'Some' statements, well none of those apply to me. Luckily I had 2 laptops with me, one to provide noise to sleep to and another to watch movies on. Even my wife, who loved the setting, agreed it was nice to WATCH something other than the ocean. Make no mistake, the ocean was beautiful. The other folks staying at the B&B were nice, and our dog loved being on a trip with us. We really did have some great moments there, and I'm not sorry we went at all. The problem is, and always will be, that these secluded getaways have so much baggage. Let me run down what I mean. We stopped in a coffee shop to get some hot chocolate for my wife, and the hippie yokels were so busy having a discussion about some local BS that we waited a good 10 minutes for them to tell us the hot chocolate machine was out. Great, thanks for that. Yet another reason you ain't ever gonna find me living in a small town. The drive there and back were experiences in hell on earth. The roads are windy, right near cliffs and sometimes so narrow I genuinely worried that we might have an accident. On top of that, my wife gets very carsick and the turns were not helpful. Anything you'd want to buy was more expensive, seeing as how the whole town is about 500 people. It's just north of being a pure tourist trap, but there's just not enough town to support that. Hey, don't get me wrong. If you're into that 'go see nature, be one with the land, rough it like they used to, who needs toilets that work' kinda thing, enjoy baby! But as for me, I'm happy being dependent on certain assumed variables. When the nuke hits, or the quake shakes, or whatever apocalyptic scenario you like lands, I'll guess I'll be cattle feed. Maybe, maybe not. I do watch all the Mad Max flicks quite regularly, so maybe some necessary survival skills are lying dormant. Perhaps one day I'll find out. Category: Blog Post -- posted at: 9:22 PM Comments[3] |
Fri, 23 October 2009 This week we start with Amanda Palmer's blog and her feelings on how artists need to be paid. Following that, a bit of fun with the bankruptcy of California and who to kill in government to get anything done. After that, hatred lawsuits and a moment of silence for my PS3. Finally, a fruitless hunt for an iPhone glove and spatial writing. Enjoy! Opening Music: "Alive WIP v2" by George Carpenter Closing Music: "Born Under A Bad Sign" performed by The Great Oglee Moglee Blues Band Comments[1] |
Wed, 21 October 2009 I've often been accused of being anti-authority, and just as often branded as someone who likes to argue just to argue. These are fair and valid points in some measure, but they are often made in a way that makes these traits sound bad. I disagree with this assessment, and in fact I would argue that any group or company NEEDS someone who wants to pick apart most ideas. I recently read this article which subscribes to this negative view of the naysayer. I say, Champion The Naysayer! As long as those individuals have a basis for their dissents, stoke those fires and make sure that you've got someone keeping people around awake and ready to defend their ideas and beliefs. Since when is it so bad to disagree? Are we so scared of the fragility of being incorrect that we have to deny any contradiction to our theories? Now don't misunderstand. I'm not saying that there's value in every disagreement, but I think that life shows us that having to fight for your belief (in a verbal sense) might actually make you refine it. And beyond that, what if the naysayer ends up denting your previously untarnished view? Is that bad, or is it good that someone has forced you to address a weakness in thought? If doing this show week after week has taught me anything, it's the importance of trying to base my views on the broadest spectrum possible. In that vein, it's a good thing to have that base shaken once in while, to have a nice seismic rumble now and again to make me evaluate why I feel the way I do. Nature abhors a vacuum, and what else could you call it when you are so settled into a line of thinking that you never stop to consider anything outside the walls you're comfortable with? Dissent is desirable. Feed it! Category: Blog Post -- posted at: 7:39 PM Comments[3] |
Wed, 21 October 2009  Welcome to Lando's third 'listener comment' show. In this edition, Lando talks about his experience being an American these days. Enjoy! Theme Music: "Welcome To Frankfurt" by Charlie Hunter Comments[3] |
Tue, 20 October 2009  I am not one of those people that would ever be accused of being a huge sports fan. I don't know stats, can't tell you every name of every member of the ball club, can't give you the last list of the last 10 managers of one of the greatest teams in baseball. Is that what is needed to be a fan? Is it not enough to try to follow as many games as possible, to root for the team in good times and bad, to be confident in the ability of the club to rebound every year? If it's not, I guess I'm not a fan. That said, if I'm not, I do a mean impression. I'm writing this during game 3 of the ALCS series, where the Yankees are ahead by 7 in the game itself and up by 2 in the series. Wait. Make that up by 9, and I couldn't be happier. True, I missed some games this year. Then again, I know diehards who give up on the team within a month of the season opening because the pitching isn't up to snuff. Still, there will be those who say I'm a 'fair-weather fan.' There are worse things. All I can tell you is that right now, I'm as hung up on seeing the next pitch as the season ticket holders who never miss a game. To me, that's what matters. Diehard or once a year, a fan's a fan. Be a fan of something, it can be rewarding once in a while. For example, when your team is stomping a bunch of dirtbags from Anaheim 10-1. Category: Blog Post -- posted at: 11:22 PM Comments[1] |
Mon, 19 October 2009 One of the many things I took away from Blogworld last week, alongside the fact that truly anyone can produce web content now, is that there is a new form of activism that is finally gaining real traction. I think many of us in the States had started to see this already with the Howard Dean campaign in 2004, but with the election of Obama and the deterioration of print media I think it is becoming more and more clear that the future of activism will be online. As much as Twitter is beginning to become overweight with hype, it does highlight how quickly a truly appealing movement can gain traction and produce results literally within days. Don Lemon of CNN spoke at one of the Blogworld keynotes, and during that session he asked all of us there to start including the tag #beatcancer in our Twitter updates. The idea was to build up exposure of the cause and set a Guinness world record in the process. Sure, not exactly the purest aim, but awareness is awareness. What makes the story a lot cooler is that a number of corporate and private entities picked up on this and started pledging money based on the response. In the end, what started out as a mostly benign publicity grab turned into some positive action. This is a powerful, tangible outcome from what can be a very frivolous. nonsensical medium. This was just one of many things I saw at Blogworld, as well as talking to people who are getting some important voices heard, that has convinced me that this forum is the future. New media, whatever facet of it you subscribe to, has the ability to cross all borders and reach all corners. Our biggest need now is access for all. Too many people still do not have access to these great avenues of expression and discussion, and some of those who remain silent may have the most relevant things to say. In my last Blogworld special, I talked about trying to do my part to address these access gaps. I don't have millions to dole out to areas with poor internet penetration, but I can keep our door open to people who have a worthy cause and want to promote it. That's what I can do. Like we've always said, do what you can do. It may actually matter. Category: Blog Post -- posted at: 5:08 PM Comments[0] |
Sat, 17 October 2009  Theme Music: "The Gold (Dubmatix Runnin' Remix)" by John Brown's Body Comments[4] |
Sat, 17 October 2009 Category: Blog Post -- posted at: 10:00 AM Comments[0] |
Sat, 17 October 2009 Comments[0] |
Fri, 16 October 2009 This week we start with Lando's sleep issues, then we chat a bit about difficulty of reading The Odyssey. That leads us to a small discussion of The Thing, and then a recent find by Lando of a great little sci-fi story called Gallagher's Ice. The ice gives way to some left field porn we each have found, and then back to literature for a little bit on the 70s sci-fi habit of keeping detail to a minimum. From there we jump through the purity of violence, offensive humor, and why forgetting history might not always be bad. Finally, we ponder whether true patriotism is dead in America. Enjoy! Opening Music: "Alive WIP v2" by George Carpenter Closing Music: "Born Under A Bad Sign" performed by The Great Oglee Moglee Blues Band Comments[2] |
Thu, 15 October 2009 Theme Music: "The Gold (Dubmatix Runnin' Remix)" by John Brown's Body Comments[0] |
Wed, 14 October 2009 Theme Music: "Came from the Deep" by Film Noir World Comments[5] |
Fri, 9 October 2009  It's show 150 baby! This week we start off with some amusing stories of booze and college life, then meander into a deliberation on the evolution of political beliefs for individuals. From there we ramble our way into a discussion on the nature of ideals, and more specifically on the increasingly outdated concept of masculinity. Enjoy! Opening Music: "Alive WIP v2" by George Carpenter Closing Music: "Born Under A Bad Sign" performed by The Great Oglee Moglee Blues Band Comments[4] |
Wed, 7 October 2009  And now for something that will pay off a bit in the future. I want to know what movies you guys would like to hear my commentary on. Think of a Director's Commentary feature from a DVD, except in this case I'm doing the commenting. I've got a plan for these requests, so I'm hoping you guys come up with some good picks. Get to it and give me some good titles to work on! Category: Blog Post -- posted at: 1:00 AM Comments[13] |
Wed, 7 October 2009  Welcome to Lando's second 'listener comment' show. In this round, Lando talks about his introduction to science fiction, from William Gibson to Rudy Rucker. It's literature through the prism of Lando! Theme Music: "Welcome To Frankfurt" by Charlie Hunter Comments[1] |
Fri, 2 October 2009 This week we had some technical snags but still turned out another rambling narrative on quite the range of topics. We start off talking wingtips, move smoothly into the evolution of budgetary responsibility and then have jarring detour into the hygiene habits of Chewbacca and his ilk. Talking Star Wars brings up my recent discovery (thanks to a fan comment) of the fanedit community. After my system crashes (and you'll hear it coming on my end) we pick back up with a recent study on how the brain has the ability to subvert free will. Finally, the subtle functionality of alien intimacy. Enjoy! Opening Music: "Alive WIP v2" by George Carpenter Closing Music: "Born Under A Bad Sign" performed by The Great Oglee Moglee Blues Band Comments[7] |
Wed, 30 September 2009 Theme Music: "Nature Of The Experiment" by Tokyo Police Club Comments[1] |
