Friday, August 22, 2008
weekly radio reminder...
Today's Mesmerization Eclipse (3 to 5 pm on WZBC 90.3 FM) will be the last show for a few weeks. A wedding and a ridiculous sports vacation will be tying up my next few Fridays. And hell, after that the fall schedule will be in effect, so no idea if I'll even still have a show, much less one on Fridays.
Today's Mesmerization Eclipse (3 to 5 pm on WZBC 90.3 FM) will be the last show for a few weeks. A wedding and a ridiculous sports vacation will be tying up my next few Fridays. And hell, after that the fall schedule will be in effect, so no idea if I'll even still have a show, much less one on Fridays.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY OJ / COKE BREF / EXCALIBRAH
Today is that guy's day. Wish him well. After 31 years on the force he deserves a little bit of recognition.
Today is that guy's day. Wish him well. After 31 years on the force he deserves a little bit of recognition.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
one thing in the Dig this week...
... a review of the first trade paperback collection of the surprisingly good comic book The Umbrella Academy, by Gabriel (Casanova) Ba and Gerard (My Chemical Romance) Way.
... a review of the first trade paperback collection of the surprisingly good comic book The Umbrella Academy, by Gabriel (Casanova) Ba and Gerard (My Chemical Romance) Way.
these funny movies I have seen
Quick notes on some movies I've seen lately.
1.Step Brothers: Maybe a step down from Talladega Nights and Anchorman. Maybe. It's still great, no question, but swear words aren't always inherently funny, and there are a ton more of them in this movie than in those two. Most of the vulgarity was unnecessary, and felt like lazy safety nets during improvisation, or something. Other than that, though, the movie is hilarious, and if you liked those two mentioned above I'm sure you'll like this one. The world would be a better place if Ferrell, Reilly, and Adam McKay had a new movie out every two years.
2. Pineapple Express: I need to see this again, to better evaluate whether it really is the second-best movie I've seen this summer. It's definitely the funniest. It's also maybe David Gordon Green's best movie. Yeah, okay, we're hard-core fans of Seth Rogen and most things related to Freaks and Geeks, but that doesn't mean I'm overrating this one. Like the best of the so-called "Apatow movies", PE has more heart and character than most mainstream comedies. Rogen is funny as usual, but pretty thoroughly eclipsed by James Franco, who does his best acting since that James Dean movie, despite it being the least dramatic role he's taken since then. One reason these movies are better than most similar comedies is because they put more effort into developing the supporting characters. They're usually more fleshed out and humanized than your typical best friend / co-worker roles, are rarely cliches or stereotypes, and that remains true with Pineapple Express's three primary supporting characters, played by Danny McBride, Kevin Corrigan, and Craig Robinson (two notable Apatow-related exception: Romany Malco's sex-crazed black man in 40 Year Old Virgin, and pretty much every supporting character in Forgetting Sarah Marshall). All three are pretty damn great, but especially McBride, as Franco's blissfully idiotic drug-dealer. Anyway, I'm rambling here. The movie's an intentional homage to / parody of '80's-style action-comedies, and they maintain the balance pretty favorably on the comedic side, until a climactic showdown that maybe veers too far into Steven Seagal territory. That's probably my biggest complaint, that by the end the film became a little too faithful with its genre conventions. The final scene, though, makes up for it, and is the most purely enjoyable bit of film I've seen this year. Oh, still won't disavow folks of any notions of misogyny, though.
3. Tropic Thunder: A pretty funny movie undermined by two things: 1. being released so hot on the heels of the two movies above; and 2. having almost all its funniest parts spoiled by the trailers. Between the teaser trailer, the full-length one that's been running for months, tv commecials, and the redband trailer that ran before PE, I'd already seen all the best parts of Tropic Thunder. And the Tom Cruise scenes, which they pointedly haven't shown in advertisements, were still so hyped up by the press that I almost felt kind of disappointed by 'em. Downey's the best thing about the movie, but, surprisingly for a cast with Steve Coogan and Jack Black and Matthew McConaughey, Jay Baruchel gives probably the second most enjoyable performace, as the only level-headed, competent actor in the cast. Danny McBride is also funny, again, but totally might be a one-trick dude. Anyway, it's funny, and worth seeing, but not a great movie.
Quick notes on some movies I've seen lately.
1.Step Brothers: Maybe a step down from Talladega Nights and Anchorman. Maybe. It's still great, no question, but swear words aren't always inherently funny, and there are a ton more of them in this movie than in those two. Most of the vulgarity was unnecessary, and felt like lazy safety nets during improvisation, or something. Other than that, though, the movie is hilarious, and if you liked those two mentioned above I'm sure you'll like this one. The world would be a better place if Ferrell, Reilly, and Adam McKay had a new movie out every two years.
2. Pineapple Express: I need to see this again, to better evaluate whether it really is the second-best movie I've seen this summer. It's definitely the funniest. It's also maybe David Gordon Green's best movie. Yeah, okay, we're hard-core fans of Seth Rogen and most things related to Freaks and Geeks, but that doesn't mean I'm overrating this one. Like the best of the so-called "Apatow movies", PE has more heart and character than most mainstream comedies. Rogen is funny as usual, but pretty thoroughly eclipsed by James Franco, who does his best acting since that James Dean movie, despite it being the least dramatic role he's taken since then. One reason these movies are better than most similar comedies is because they put more effort into developing the supporting characters. They're usually more fleshed out and humanized than your typical best friend / co-worker roles, are rarely cliches or stereotypes, and that remains true with Pineapple Express's three primary supporting characters, played by Danny McBride, Kevin Corrigan, and Craig Robinson (two notable Apatow-related exception: Romany Malco's sex-crazed black man in 40 Year Old Virgin, and pretty much every supporting character in Forgetting Sarah Marshall). All three are pretty damn great, but especially McBride, as Franco's blissfully idiotic drug-dealer. Anyway, I'm rambling here. The movie's an intentional homage to / parody of '80's-style action-comedies, and they maintain the balance pretty favorably on the comedic side, until a climactic showdown that maybe veers too far into Steven Seagal territory. That's probably my biggest complaint, that by the end the film became a little too faithful with its genre conventions. The final scene, though, makes up for it, and is the most purely enjoyable bit of film I've seen this year. Oh, still won't disavow folks of any notions of misogyny, though.
3. Tropic Thunder: A pretty funny movie undermined by two things: 1. being released so hot on the heels of the two movies above; and 2. having almost all its funniest parts spoiled by the trailers. Between the teaser trailer, the full-length one that's been running for months, tv commecials, and the redband trailer that ran before PE, I'd already seen all the best parts of Tropic Thunder. And the Tom Cruise scenes, which they pointedly haven't shown in advertisements, were still so hyped up by the press that I almost felt kind of disappointed by 'em. Downey's the best thing about the movie, but, surprisingly for a cast with Steve Coogan and Jack Black and Matthew McConaughey, Jay Baruchel gives probably the second most enjoyable performace, as the only level-headed, competent actor in the cast. Danny McBride is also funny, again, but totally might be a one-trick dude. Anyway, it's funny, and worth seeing, but not a great movie.
Friday, August 15, 2008
radio shit
Yes, Mesmerization Eclipse is on WZBC 90.3 FM from 3 to 5 pm this afternoon. Forgot to mention this last week, but it's still happening. Yes!
Also, here's last week's playlist. Ran long, from 3 to 6. Good times.
Captain Beyond “Distant Sun” from Sufficiently Breathless
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks “Real Emotional Trash” from Real Emotional Trash
Ofo the Black Company “Eniaro” from Nigeria Rock Special Compilation
Vivian Girls “Damaged” from woodsist 7"
Skip Spence “Grey / Afro” from Oar
Guided by Voices “Club Molluska” from same place the fly got smashed
Leper Print “Dead Flowers” from s/t 7"
Deep Purple “Spacetruckin'” from In Concert 1970-1972
Oneida “Cold Rain & Snow” from Heads Ain't Ready 7"
Home Blitz “Thin Ice” from The World's Lousy With Ideas Vol 1 7" comp
Harmonia “Veteranissimo” from Live 1974
Oakley Hall “Volume Rambler” from Second Guessing
Lesbian Afternoon “Three Owls Teahaus” from Tree Owls Teahaus b/w Pass the Joint 7"
Psychedelic Horseshit “All Together Now” from Summertime Suicide 7"
Monoshock “Separate Beds” from Walk to the Fire
Naked on The Vague “Lonely Boys” from Blood Pressure Sessions
Univers Zero “Malaise” from Univers Zero
Orphans & Vandals “Mysterious Skin” mp3
Les Rallizes Denudes “Enter the Mirror” from le 12 mars 1977 a Tachikawa
Nice Face “Thing In My Head” from Thing in My Head b/w Hidden Automatic 7"
Avarus “Horuksen Oikean Silman Mysteerikoulu” from Ruskeatimantti
Yes, Mesmerization Eclipse is on WZBC 90.3 FM from 3 to 5 pm this afternoon. Forgot to mention this last week, but it's still happening. Yes!
Also, here's last week's playlist. Ran long, from 3 to 6. Good times.
Captain Beyond “Distant Sun” from Sufficiently Breathless
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks “Real Emotional Trash” from Real Emotional Trash
Ofo the Black Company “Eniaro” from Nigeria Rock Special Compilation
Vivian Girls “Damaged” from woodsist 7"
Skip Spence “Grey / Afro” from Oar
Guided by Voices “Club Molluska” from same place the fly got smashed
Leper Print “Dead Flowers” from s/t 7"
Deep Purple “Spacetruckin'” from In Concert 1970-1972
Oneida “Cold Rain & Snow” from Heads Ain't Ready 7"
Home Blitz “Thin Ice” from The World's Lousy With Ideas Vol 1 7" comp
Harmonia “Veteranissimo” from Live 1974
Oakley Hall “Volume Rambler” from Second Guessing
Lesbian Afternoon “Three Owls Teahaus” from Tree Owls Teahaus b/w Pass the Joint 7"
Psychedelic Horseshit “All Together Now” from Summertime Suicide 7"
Monoshock “Separate Beds” from Walk to the Fire
Naked on The Vague “Lonely Boys” from Blood Pressure Sessions
Univers Zero “Malaise” from Univers Zero
Orphans & Vandals “Mysterious Skin” mp3
Les Rallizes Denudes “Enter the Mirror” from le 12 mars 1977 a Tachikawa
Nice Face “Thing In My Head” from Thing in My Head b/w Hidden Automatic 7"
Avarus “Horuksen Oikean Silman Mysteerikoulu” from Ruskeatimantti
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
How the fuck can you eat this much??
Phelps' diet - which involves ingesting 4,000 calories every time he sits down for a meal - resembles that of a reckless overeater rather than an Olympian. Phelps lends a new spin to the phrase "Breakfast of Champions" by starting off his day by eating three fried-egg sandwiches loaded with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, fried onions and mayonnaise. He follows that up with two cups of coffee, a five-egg omelet, a bowl of grits, three slices of French toast topped with powdered sugar and three chocolate-chip pancakes.
From the New York post:
At lunch, Phelps gobbles up a pound of enriched pasta and two large ham and cheese sandwiches slathered with mayo on white bread - capping off the meal by chugging about 1,000 calories worth of energy drinks.
For dinner, Phelps really loads up on the carbs - what he needs to give him plenty of energy for his five-hours-a-day, six-days-a-week regimen - with a pound of pasta and an entire pizza. He washes all that down with another 1,000 calories worth of energy drinks.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Daft Punk is playin on my DVD player
Just saw the Daft Punk move Electroma....pretty amazing stuff. No dialogue, none of their music, just robots drivin' and walking through the desert. Like a weird combination of Gus Van Sant's Gerry, the fucked up end part of 2001 and an Aphex Twin video.
Thumbs waaay up, but some folks might find it a bit boring. It's pretty slow, but has sick cinematography and a wicked 1987 Ferrari 412. The music is excellent as well...choice cuts from Todd Rundgren, Brian Eno, Sebastian Tellier and Curt Mayfield
Has anyone else seen this yet? I think it just came out on DVD
Thursday, August 07, 2008
exciting show
Deerhunter, Times New Viking, and the Vivian Girls are all playing the Paradise in Boston on November 11th. That's kind of amazing.
Deerhunter, Times New Viking, and the Vivian Girls are all playing the Paradise in Boston on November 11th. That's kind of amazing.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
more stuff written by me
A few things in the Flagpole this week: the second Singularity column, covering that Jay Reatard / Deerhunter split and singles from Zola Jesus, Sic Alps, and Pink Reason; and a review of the kinda boring new Beck cd.
A few things in the Flagpole this week: the second Singularity column, covering that Jay Reatard / Deerhunter split and singles from Zola Jesus, Sic Alps, and Pink Reason; and a review of the kinda boring new Beck cd.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Let's fuckin jam it...
So tomorrow's my first day on the air. Had to do a little training sesh today to get ready. I'm gonna be doing the Flashback Lunch at noon, central time, so east coasters listen in a 1:00. Call up and request shit and I'll put it on the air. The show's kinda like the old 99X Retroplex and as a point of reference, today we played stuff like Husker Du, Replacements, Descendents and Bowie. And yes Dark, we can play "Grey Cell Green" if you want (again). The number is 512-836-5769. It's an all request show, so let get to work bitches.
I'm permanently posting the station info on the right, so you wont forget.
So tomorrow's my first day on the air. Had to do a little training sesh today to get ready. I'm gonna be doing the Flashback Lunch at noon, central time, so east coasters listen in a 1:00. Call up and request shit and I'll put it on the air. The show's kinda like the old 99X Retroplex and as a point of reference, today we played stuff like Husker Du, Replacements, Descendents and Bowie. And yes Dark, we can play "Grey Cell Green" if you want (again). The number is 512-836-5769. It's an all request show, so let get to work bitches.
I'm permanently posting the station info on the right, so you wont forget.
still flyin's new website
have we linked to this yet? if not, here's the new Still Flyin' website. Bobby Beers done designed it. It is a hypertextual brunch.
have we linked to this yet? if not, here's the new Still Flyin' website. Bobby Beers done designed it. It is a hypertextual brunch.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Friday, August 01, 2008
delayed reaction: the Mark Teixeira trade
Given the circumstances, this wasn't a bad trade. Casey Kotchman is a solid offensive player, an above-average defender, and will be under Braves control through 2011. First base has always been a position of flux for Atlanta, but with Kotchman it'll be as stable as it's been since the days of McGriff. Stephen Marek could make an impact in the bullpen next season, and has the potential to be the consistent closer they've lacked since Smoltz was relieving. So the Braves took the two draft picks they would've gotten when Tex signed with New York or Boston or wherever, and turned them into two promising young(-ish) players that could fill out what have historically been the team's most troubled positions. So, honestly, rationally, not a bad trade. So why do I feel so disappointed? Because I was hoping for a potential ace like Nick Adenhart or Max Scherzer? Or a young 1B with the potential to be like, well, Mark Teixeira, and not just Mark Grace? Or because when I look at the series of deals that lead to this one, LaRoche to the Pirates for Lillibridge/Gonzalez, and then the monster that landed Teixeira, I feel like the Braves are a worse team, overall? I was cautiously accepting of the Tex trade, thinking that it would be worth it if they made the playoffs or were able to resign him. Now, though, it's obvious it was a mistake. And that initially mistake makes it hard to be happy with this latest trade.
Given the circumstances, this wasn't a bad trade. Casey Kotchman is a solid offensive player, an above-average defender, and will be under Braves control through 2011. First base has always been a position of flux for Atlanta, but with Kotchman it'll be as stable as it's been since the days of McGriff. Stephen Marek could make an impact in the bullpen next season, and has the potential to be the consistent closer they've lacked since Smoltz was relieving. So the Braves took the two draft picks they would've gotten when Tex signed with New York or Boston or wherever, and turned them into two promising young(-ish) players that could fill out what have historically been the team's most troubled positions. So, honestly, rationally, not a bad trade. So why do I feel so disappointed? Because I was hoping for a potential ace like Nick Adenhart or Max Scherzer? Or a young 1B with the potential to be like, well, Mark Teixeira, and not just Mark Grace? Or because when I look at the series of deals that lead to this one, LaRoche to the Pirates for Lillibridge/Gonzalez, and then the monster that landed Teixeira, I feel like the Braves are a worse team, overall? I was cautiously accepting of the Tex trade, thinking that it would be worth it if they made the playoffs or were able to resign him. Now, though, it's obvious it was a mistake. And that initially mistake makes it hard to be happy with this latest trade.
new Watchmen posters
It's both awesome and maybe ridiculous how faithful Zack Snyder is trying to be with this film. They've released new character posters that are almost exact recreations of a series of ads that ran in DC comics back in the mid-'80's. It's like Snyder is beating us over the head with all these tiny details, hoping to allay any fears fans of the comic might have.
Here are a couple of comparisons. First, Ozymandias:
and here's Dr. Manhattan (sorry if blue digital butts aren't SFW):
So yeah, at this point I'm pretty confident Snyder will at least nail the look of the movie. But how will it feel? I've never really seen any of these actors at work, other than Billy Crudup and Kelley Leak (oh, and Malin Akerman in Brothers Solomon), and more than most comic book movies this one will need good performances. There's still a lot of room for failure on this one, and although I'm pretty sure I'll be seeing it now (something I couldn't have said just a month ago), I'm still not expecting a lot.
It's both awesome and maybe ridiculous how faithful Zack Snyder is trying to be with this film. They've released new character posters that are almost exact recreations of a series of ads that ran in DC comics back in the mid-'80's. It's like Snyder is beating us over the head with all these tiny details, hoping to allay any fears fans of the comic might have.
Here are a couple of comparisons. First, Ozymandias:
and here's Dr. Manhattan (sorry if blue digital butts aren't SFW):
So yeah, at this point I'm pretty confident Snyder will at least nail the look of the movie. But how will it feel? I've never really seen any of these actors at work, other than Billy Crudup and Kelley Leak (oh, and Malin Akerman in Brothers Solomon), and more than most comic book movies this one will need good performances. There's still a lot of room for failure on this one, and although I'm pretty sure I'll be seeing it now (something I couldn't have said just a month ago), I'm still not expecting a lot.
