I am a big movie fan and I have always respected Roger Ebert's opinions (He is about the only critic I regularly turn to, as he rarely tears apart or builds up a movie: just straight forward analysis that allows me to decide if a film is worth shelling out $10 to see). He has been battling cancer and I have missed his reviews. Well it seems he is on the mend and Time did a great article on him. I now not only value his opinion, I value his integrity and how he lives his life.
Check it out: Thumbs Up for Roger Ebert - TIME
Ian
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Summer Movies: Commando: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker
Dave Eggers is one of my favorite writers of my generation. This article about movies of his youth and the repercussions on a kid's world is right on target.
If you have not read Egger's "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius", put it on your summer reading list. It is an amazing book.
Ian
Summer Movies: Commando: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker
If you have not read Egger's "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius", put it on your summer reading list. It is an amazing book.
Ian
Summer Movies: Commando: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
The Return of the 'Scort
The first car I owned I purchased in 1997 during my first year of grad school. It was a 95 Ford Escort hatchback with a unnecessary spoiler (it shook whenever you went higher than 70) and had the most impressive turning radius. I loved that car. I always said I would have that car until the wheels fell of (it was paid for, after all).
In October, after buying new tires and a new muffler, the 'Scort needed new struts and I decided that the wheels coming off was inevitable, so I bit the bullet and traded it in for a newer car (an 06 Saturn Ion). I bought the car and was to return the next day with the 'Scort's title to sign it away to the dealership. You wouldn't believe how tough that actually was to do. I mean, this car and I had been through a lot together; grad school in Virginia, 3 years in North Carolina, and my move back to New England carrying my parents and 2 cats.
I still remember driving away from the dealership and looking at it for what I thought was the last time. I sometimes wondered what became of it. Most likely the junk yard. It's seatbelts were broken, the suspension was shot, and it had 120,000 miles on it. I think the stereo that I put in was the most valuable thing in it, and that would shut off for no reason.
So I can't tell you how surprised I was when I saw her today 5 blocks from my house. I was driving to the gym, when I saw a black Escort parked in front of a house. I had just assumed it was another black Escort when I saw a parking pass from the school that I work. I turned the car around (I had to do a "K Turn", as the Ion does not have an amazing turning radius) and pulled up next to my old escort. It was the same car; parking decals from my old place of employment in NC, a Roy Carpenter's beach decal and broken seatbelts. I was stunned.
After spending a few moments next to the 'Scort, I got back in the Ion (before someone called the cops on me; I looked very suspicious peering into this car!). It was then that a wave of guilt hit me. I had been too hasty to get rid of the 'Scort. It's wheels had some life in them after all. Here I thought she was dead all along, when she actually got off life support and is living the remainder of her days in someone else's care.
Let me take this opportunity to say to the 'Scort that I am very sorry that I wrote you off too soon. You were a very good car.
In October, after buying new tires and a new muffler, the 'Scort needed new struts and I decided that the wheels coming off was inevitable, so I bit the bullet and traded it in for a newer car (an 06 Saturn Ion). I bought the car and was to return the next day with the 'Scort's title to sign it away to the dealership. You wouldn't believe how tough that actually was to do. I mean, this car and I had been through a lot together; grad school in Virginia, 3 years in North Carolina, and my move back to New England carrying my parents and 2 cats.
I still remember driving away from the dealership and looking at it for what I thought was the last time. I sometimes wondered what became of it. Most likely the junk yard. It's seatbelts were broken, the suspension was shot, and it had 120,000 miles on it. I think the stereo that I put in was the most valuable thing in it, and that would shut off for no reason.
So I can't tell you how surprised I was when I saw her today 5 blocks from my house. I was driving to the gym, when I saw a black Escort parked in front of a house. I had just assumed it was another black Escort when I saw a parking pass from the school that I work. I turned the car around (I had to do a "K Turn", as the Ion does not have an amazing turning radius) and pulled up next to my old escort. It was the same car; parking decals from my old place of employment in NC, a Roy Carpenter's beach decal and broken seatbelts. I was stunned.
After spending a few moments next to the 'Scort, I got back in the Ion (before someone called the cops on me; I looked very suspicious peering into this car!). It was then that a wave of guilt hit me. I had been too hasty to get rid of the 'Scort. It's wheels had some life in them after all. Here I thought she was dead all along, when she actually got off life support and is living the remainder of her days in someone else's care.
Let me take this opportunity to say to the 'Scort that I am very sorry that I wrote you off too soon. You were a very good car.
Variety.com - Warner purrs for Thundercats
Yeah, Thundercats may be a movie. I am also excited to see the Transformer (even if it is directed by Michael Bay) I love that the cartoons of my youth are becoming the zeitgeist of movie productions. I also read He-Man is going to be made. Let's hope it is better than the Dolph Lundgren crap that came out in the 80s. Check out this link for a very funny top 15 cartoon theme songs. Pretty funny!
Variety.com - Warner purrs for Thundercats
Variety.com - Warner purrs for Thundercats
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Chris Thile and Nickel Creek
Madrid and I went and saw Chris Thile of Nickel Creek play at the Iron Horse on Sunday night. Thile is amazing! I love the mandolin and he is one of the most amazing players out there.
I do have to admit that I like his stuff with Nickel Creek much better. So in that spirit, my favorite Nickel Creek song (featuring Chris Thile on Mandolin). If you haven't given Nickel Creek a listen, you really should! (and if you have a chance to go see them live, do it as they are taking a indefinite hiatus at the end of the year!)
Friday, June 01, 2007
Experimental Film
Continuing on the theme of music, I saw They Might Be Giants a few weeks ago at the Iron Horse in Northamton, MA. I have been a fan of the band since Flood (one of my top 10 favorite albums). If you have a chance to see them live, do it! (They are performing a free show at Mohegan Sun Casino in July!)
They sing the theme song to Malcolm in the Middle and perform the theme to The Daily Show "Dog on Fire" (which I find to be a hysterical name for that piece of music!).
Here is the Homestar Runner video for "Experimental Film" by They Might Be Giants. This song is in heavy rotation on my iPod right now. Enjoy!
Nai
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