May 28, 2007
New Album Review: Chronophobia by Insert
Insert is my friend and co-blogger's band, but I assure you I approach this review with no bias. Also, I think it is vital to mention that I am reviewing this album with the same scale of any music review. Chronophobia begins with a keyboard intro that simultaneously sets the tone and perfectly leads into the next song. But the disc is not always perfect. Insert, for the most part, have a refreshing original sound containing a great combination of elements. Said elements include heavy drumming, old school guitar shredding, and a violin, which adds a folksy sound instead of blending in with the other instruments (see: Yellowcard). Remember when I said mostly a refreshing sound? Insert occasionally drifts into a familiar hard rock sound. That is a real shame considering they seem to be a creative group with adequate capabilities. However, it is something that can improved upon in the future. There are no real bad songs here, some average, some good, a couple very good and a couple great tracks. When listening to a teen local band's music, I always bear in mind the lack of production quality and the not completely developed talents within. However, with this album, I was surprised to find myself unable to stop listening to it. Favouring Insert tracks over my regular major artists when casually listening to music. Insert has shown that they may be a band that has a long way to go, but they are well on their way. The album is a major accomplishment. At first glance, a 3 star rating may seem a bit average but I have dozens of albums released by major label artists that would score less. The definition of chronophobia may be the fear of time, but the only time listeners have to fear is how long until album number two.
Free Song Of The Week
So, here we are again. This week I am offering a song from Parker's band "Insert" titled "Endless". They released their first album last week ("Chronophobia") and i thought it was appropriate to have the free song coincide with said release. If you like the song and are interested in the band, visit their site (link on the sidebar) or leave a comment. Thanks!
Endless by Insert
postscript: i will be reviewing Chronophobia this week...
Endless by Insert
postscript: i will be reviewing Chronophobia this week...
May 27, 2007
Parker's Post #2
Hello again. I offer you, the reader, this lighter and possibly more amusing post to counteract the more serious and vaguely disturbing post presented by Adam and Joss Whedon below, which I will refuse to comment on as it is far to heavy a subject for me to get into in my classically short posts. Nyhah. Moving on; I have come to the conclusion in the last 10 minutes that attic bedrooms lead to an increased level of fitness. Bear with me as I expand on my genius thesis. Due the nature of attic bedrooms, computers have a difficult time receiving wireless internet signals. This in turn leads to me having to set my laptop up in the middle of the floor in my room, in order to access the internet and explore the vast realm that is cyber space. Unfortunately, this lack of a chair and desk leads to uncomfortable seating options. Now you may believe in your naive way, that that would be comfortable, however you would be as wrong as a naked fat man at a nude beach. After the many hours I spend on the computer, sitting cross legged is quite painful and leads to equally painfull pins and needles, which in turn lead to hopping, cursing, banging my head on my low ceiling, blacking out, and waking up in the middle of a park with my pancreas missing (fortunately that only happened once), and now due to my fluctuating blood sugar levels I find it even harder to sit and blog. My lack of insulin aside, this uncomfortable seating means I change positions often and frequently take strech breaks. This stretching has led to an increased level of flexibility, so much in fact that I can now blast out a bridge and touch my toes (with straight legs I might add!) In short, I'm so flexible now I could bang your mother and she'd say, "Damn, that Parker boy is really flexible." And I be all like, "You know it baby."
Well that's that I suppose. Expect more soon, but I figure it's best to give people time before reading more of my posts to prevent people from getting lost within the paradoxial free confines of my twisted mind.
Until then,
Peace
Well that's that I suppose. Expect more soon, but I figure it's best to give people time before reading more of my posts to prevent people from getting lost within the paradoxial free confines of my twisted mind.
Until then,
Peace
May 24, 2007
Everytime I Close My Eyes
I just got back from seeing The Arcade Fire concert at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby. Over the years I have seen many bands play live and I have reviewed each. This performance was only the third out of roughly 30, to achieve a 5 star rating. Deer Lake Park is also my favourite venue ever now and I will make an extra effort to check out shows there. The concert was incredible, if you ever have a chance to see Arcade Fire live, take it.
May 23, 2007
Women = Men
I completely believe in equal rights for all people. I find it crazy that people can believe a woman's life is any less valuable than a Man's. It's a ridiculous notion that should never even have to be discussed, but in this world, it does. I'm not a great speaker or writer and shy away from talking about such large issues as I never can present my ideas as clearly as they are in my mind. But, thankfully, I can use someone else's words to describe my feelings. Today I found a blog-like entry by my hero Joss Whedon on his fan site, Whedonesque. It may be on of the best pieces I have read on this topic. It's very moving but also very angry. I'll stop rambling...Here it is:
Let's Watch A Girl Get Beaten To Death.
This is not my blog, but I don’t have a blog, or a space, and I’d like to be heard for a bit. Last month seventeen year old Dua Khalil was pulled into a crowd of young men, some of them (the instigators) family, who then kicked and stoned her to death. This is an example of the breath-taking oxymoron “honor killing”, in which a family member (almost always female) is murdered for some religious or ethical transgression. Dua Khalil, who was of the Yazidi faith, had been seen in the company of a Sunni Muslim, and possibly suspected of having married him or converted. That she was torturously murdered for this is not, in fact, a particularly uncommon story. But now you can watch the action up close on CNN. Because as the girl was on the ground trying to get up, her face nothing but red, the few in the group of more than twenty men who were not busy kicking her and hurling stones at her were filming the event with their camera-phones.There were security officers standing outside the area doing nothing, but the footage of the murder was taken – by more than one phone – from the front row. Which means whoever shot it did so not to record the horror of the event, but to commemorate it. To share it. Because it was cool. I could start a rant about the level to which we have become desensitized to violence, about the evils of the voyeuristic digital world in which everything is shown and everything is game, but honestly, it’s been said. And I certainly have no jingoistic cultural agenda. I like to think that in America this would be considered unbearably appalling, that Kitty Genovese is still remembered, that we are more evolved. But coincidentally, right before I stumbled on this vid I watched the trailer for “Captivity”.A few of you may know that I took public exception to the billboard campaign for this film, which showed a concise narrative of the kidnapping, torture and murder of a sexy young woman. I wanted to see if the film was perhaps more substantial (especially given the fact that it was directed by “The Killing Fields” Roland Joffe) than the exploitive ad campaign had painted it. The trailer resembles nothing so much as the CNN story on Dua Khalil. Pretty much all you learn is that Elisha Cuthbert is beautiful, then kidnapped, inventively, repeatedly and horrifically tortured, and that the first thing she screams is “I’m sorry”.“I’m sorry.”What is wrong with women?I mean wrong. Physically. Spiritually. Something unnatural, something destructive, something that needs to be corrected.How did more than half the people in the world come out incorrectly? I have spent a good part of my life trying to do that math, and I’m no closer to a viable equation. And I have yet to find a culture that doesn’t buy into it. Women’s inferiority – in fact, their malevolence -- is as ingrained in American popular culture as it is anywhere they’re sporting burkhas. I find it in movies, I hear it in the jokes of colleagues, I see it plastered on billboards, and not just the ones for horror movies. Women are weak. Women are manipulative. Women are somehow morally unfinished. (Objectification: another tangential rant avoided.) And the logical extension of this line of thinking is that women are, at the very least, expendable.I try to think how we got here. The theory I developed in college (shared by many I’m sure) is one I have yet to beat: Womb Envy. Biology: women are generally smaller and weaker than men. But they’re also much tougher. Put simply, men are strong enough to overpower a woman and propagate. Women are tough enough to have and nurture children, with or without the aid of a man. Oh, and they’ve also got the equipment to do that, to be part of the life cycle, to create and bond in a way no man ever really will. Somewhere a long time ago a bunch of men got together and said, “If all we do is hunt and gather, let’s make hunting and gathering the awesomest achievement, and let’s make childbirth kinda weak and shameful.” It’s a rather silly simplification, but I believe on a mass, unconscious level, it’s entirely true. How else to explain the fact that cultures who would die to eradicate each other have always agreed on one issue? That every popular religion puts restrictions on women’s behavior that are practically untenable? That the act of being a free, attractive, self-assertive woman is punishable by torture and death? In the case of this upcoming torture-porn, fictional. In the case of Dua Khalil, mundanely, unthinkably real. And both available for your viewing pleasure.It’s safe to say that I’ve snapped. That something broke, like one of those robots you can conquer with a logical conundrum. All my life I’ve looked at this faulty equation, trying to understand, and I’ve shorted out. I don’t pretend to be a great guy; I know really really well about objectification, trust me. And I’m not for a second going down the “women are saints” route – that just leads to more stone-throwing (and occasional Joan-burning). I just think there is the staggering imbalance in the world that we all just take for granted. If we were all told the sky was evil, or at best a little embarrassing, and we ought not look at it, wouldn’t that tradition eventually fall apart? (I was going to use ‘trees’ as my example, but at the rate we’re getting rid of them I’m pretty sure we really do think they’re evil. See how all rants become one?)Now those of you who frequent this site are, in my wildly biased opinion, fairly evolved. You may hear nothing new here. You may be way ahead of me. But I can’t contain my despair, for Dua Khalil, for humanity, for the world we’re shaping. Those of you who have followed the link I set up know that it doesn’t bring you to a video of a murder. It brings you to a place of sanity, of people who have never stopped asking the question of what is wrong with this world and have set about trying to change the answer. Because it’s no longer enough to be a decent person. It’s no longer enough to shake our heads and make concerned grimaces at the news. True enlightened activism is the only thing that can save humanity from itself. I’ve always had a bent towards apocalyptic fiction, and I’m beginning to understand why. I look and I see the earth in flames. Her face was nothing but red.All I ask is this: Do something. Try something. Speaking out, showing up, writing a letter, a check, a strongly worded e-mail. Pick a cause – there are few unworthy ones. And nudge yourself past the brink of tacit support to action. Once a month, once a year, or just once. If you can’t think of what to do, there is this handy link. Even just learning enough about a subject so you can speak against an opponent eloquently makes you an unusual personage. Start with that. Any one of you would have cried out, would have intervened, had you been in that crowd in Bashiqa. Well thanks to digital technology, you’re all in it now.I have never had any faith in humanity. But I will give us props on this: if we can evolve, invent and theorize our way into the technologically magical, culturally diverse and artistically magnificent race we are and still get people to buy the idiotic idea that half of us are inferior, we’re pretty amazing. Let our next sleight of hand be to make that myth disappear. The sky isn’t evil. Try looking up.
by Joss Whedon
Let's Watch A Girl Get Beaten To Death.
This is not my blog, but I don’t have a blog, or a space, and I’d like to be heard for a bit. Last month seventeen year old Dua Khalil was pulled into a crowd of young men, some of them (the instigators) family, who then kicked and stoned her to death. This is an example of the breath-taking oxymoron “honor killing”, in which a family member (almost always female) is murdered for some religious or ethical transgression. Dua Khalil, who was of the Yazidi faith, had been seen in the company of a Sunni Muslim, and possibly suspected of having married him or converted. That she was torturously murdered for this is not, in fact, a particularly uncommon story. But now you can watch the action up close on CNN. Because as the girl was on the ground trying to get up, her face nothing but red, the few in the group of more than twenty men who were not busy kicking her and hurling stones at her were filming the event with their camera-phones.There were security officers standing outside the area doing nothing, but the footage of the murder was taken – by more than one phone – from the front row. Which means whoever shot it did so not to record the horror of the event, but to commemorate it. To share it. Because it was cool. I could start a rant about the level to which we have become desensitized to violence, about the evils of the voyeuristic digital world in which everything is shown and everything is game, but honestly, it’s been said. And I certainly have no jingoistic cultural agenda. I like to think that in America this would be considered unbearably appalling, that Kitty Genovese is still remembered, that we are more evolved. But coincidentally, right before I stumbled on this vid I watched the trailer for “Captivity”.A few of you may know that I took public exception to the billboard campaign for this film, which showed a concise narrative of the kidnapping, torture and murder of a sexy young woman. I wanted to see if the film was perhaps more substantial (especially given the fact that it was directed by “The Killing Fields” Roland Joffe) than the exploitive ad campaign had painted it. The trailer resembles nothing so much as the CNN story on Dua Khalil. Pretty much all you learn is that Elisha Cuthbert is beautiful, then kidnapped, inventively, repeatedly and horrifically tortured, and that the first thing she screams is “I’m sorry”.“I’m sorry.”What is wrong with women?I mean wrong. Physically. Spiritually. Something unnatural, something destructive, something that needs to be corrected.How did more than half the people in the world come out incorrectly? I have spent a good part of my life trying to do that math, and I’m no closer to a viable equation. And I have yet to find a culture that doesn’t buy into it. Women’s inferiority – in fact, their malevolence -- is as ingrained in American popular culture as it is anywhere they’re sporting burkhas. I find it in movies, I hear it in the jokes of colleagues, I see it plastered on billboards, and not just the ones for horror movies. Women are weak. Women are manipulative. Women are somehow morally unfinished. (Objectification: another tangential rant avoided.) And the logical extension of this line of thinking is that women are, at the very least, expendable.I try to think how we got here. The theory I developed in college (shared by many I’m sure) is one I have yet to beat: Womb Envy. Biology: women are generally smaller and weaker than men. But they’re also much tougher. Put simply, men are strong enough to overpower a woman and propagate. Women are tough enough to have and nurture children, with or without the aid of a man. Oh, and they’ve also got the equipment to do that, to be part of the life cycle, to create and bond in a way no man ever really will. Somewhere a long time ago a bunch of men got together and said, “If all we do is hunt and gather, let’s make hunting and gathering the awesomest achievement, and let’s make childbirth kinda weak and shameful.” It’s a rather silly simplification, but I believe on a mass, unconscious level, it’s entirely true. How else to explain the fact that cultures who would die to eradicate each other have always agreed on one issue? That every popular religion puts restrictions on women’s behavior that are practically untenable? That the act of being a free, attractive, self-assertive woman is punishable by torture and death? In the case of this upcoming torture-porn, fictional. In the case of Dua Khalil, mundanely, unthinkably real. And both available for your viewing pleasure.It’s safe to say that I’ve snapped. That something broke, like one of those robots you can conquer with a logical conundrum. All my life I’ve looked at this faulty equation, trying to understand, and I’ve shorted out. I don’t pretend to be a great guy; I know really really well about objectification, trust me. And I’m not for a second going down the “women are saints” route – that just leads to more stone-throwing (and occasional Joan-burning). I just think there is the staggering imbalance in the world that we all just take for granted. If we were all told the sky was evil, or at best a little embarrassing, and we ought not look at it, wouldn’t that tradition eventually fall apart? (I was going to use ‘trees’ as my example, but at the rate we’re getting rid of them I’m pretty sure we really do think they’re evil. See how all rants become one?)Now those of you who frequent this site are, in my wildly biased opinion, fairly evolved. You may hear nothing new here. You may be way ahead of me. But I can’t contain my despair, for Dua Khalil, for humanity, for the world we’re shaping. Those of you who have followed the link I set up know that it doesn’t bring you to a video of a murder. It brings you to a place of sanity, of people who have never stopped asking the question of what is wrong with this world and have set about trying to change the answer. Because it’s no longer enough to be a decent person. It’s no longer enough to shake our heads and make concerned grimaces at the news. True enlightened activism is the only thing that can save humanity from itself. I’ve always had a bent towards apocalyptic fiction, and I’m beginning to understand why. I look and I see the earth in flames. Her face was nothing but red.All I ask is this: Do something. Try something. Speaking out, showing up, writing a letter, a check, a strongly worded e-mail. Pick a cause – there are few unworthy ones. And nudge yourself past the brink of tacit support to action. Once a month, once a year, or just once. If you can’t think of what to do, there is this handy link. Even just learning enough about a subject so you can speak against an opponent eloquently makes you an unusual personage. Start with that. Any one of you would have cried out, would have intervened, had you been in that crowd in Bashiqa. Well thanks to digital technology, you’re all in it now.I have never had any faith in humanity. But I will give us props on this: if we can evolve, invent and theorize our way into the technologically magical, culturally diverse and artistically magnificent race we are and still get people to buy the idiotic idea that half of us are inferior, we’re pretty amazing. Let our next sleight of hand be to make that myth disappear. The sky isn’t evil. Try looking up.
by Joss Whedon
New Album Review: Sky Blue Sky by Wilco
Wilco is a great band, they play an interesting brand of rock and roll. Their best album, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" remains one of my favourites. Even after they changed their lineup a little they released another great album, "A Ghost Is Born". This sets the standards pretty high for "Sky Blue Sky" and the enjoyment level of this album suffers because of it. It lacks something their last two releases didn't. Perhaps having long tracks (7 to 15 minute songs are absent here). Maybe it's the lack of strange sound effects or even, as surprised as I am to say this, it's because there is no clear-cut poppy radio friendly song. Whether its all, one or none of these things, there is something missing, but that doesn't keep it from being a solid addition to a music collection. I went song by song, and individually, I have no complaints. Each song ranges from good to very good, no skipable tracks but no masterpieces either (something their past CDs had). Overall, this is a pretty good album that seems to have the potential to continue growing on me. Any fan of rock and roll should probably check out Wilco and "Sky Blue Sky" is not a bad place to start.
May 22, 2007
Parker's Post #1
Sorry about that Adam, my fault entirely. Far be it from me to post infrequently on this blog. However, Yes, I am Back from the wanderings that I partook in mine own mind, and while there was a space of a month in between my previous post and this one, rest assured they will only get more frequent. Unless I die. Which would be unfortunate. However, because I just learned today that I did not make it into Cap college I suddenly will have much more spare time in the upcoming year (read: no life) so perhaps I shall dedicate my life to the bronze, in commemoration to all it has given me in return.
In any case I must be off, but I just wanted to make sure people know I haven't forgotten about this fabulous posting network I belong to. On a quick side note; the new Insertalbum comes out on Friday the 25th, and the CD will be released at a show at the North Shore Alliance church, the cost is $7 dollars entrance plus $10 for a CD. For more info on go to www.insertband.ca.
peace
In any case I must be off, but I just wanted to make sure people know I haven't forgotten about this fabulous posting network I belong to. On a quick side note; the new Insert
peace
May 21, 2007
Free Song Of The Week
Sorry about the lack of posts recently, I'll tell Parker to pick up the slack as it is his fault and his fault alone. In the meantime here is the free song of the week!!! Because I am reviewing Wilco's new album later this week, here is an amazing song of theirs, "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart"
The song is located on the sidebar
The song is located on the sidebar
May 13, 2007
Free Song of the Week
This week the free song is the best track off of last year's best album, The Eraser by Thom Yorke.
There is an interesting article about it on Wikipedia you should check out.
The download for the song "Harrowdown Hill" is available on this site's sidebar. Enjoy.
There is an interesting article about it on Wikipedia you should check out.
The download for the song "Harrowdown Hill" is available on this site's sidebar. Enjoy.
Hot Fuzz
Hot Fuzz is a hilarious homage to action movies, made by Simon Pegg, David Wright and Nick Frost, the guys who brought you "Shaun of the Dead". Pegg plays the perfect big city cop in London who is unwillingly transferred to a small town in rural Britain. The town is Sanford, where everyone knows each other and there have been no murders in 20 years. Not long after the boredom of a crime free town sets in, a series of "accidents" occur. Pegg's character is the only one who believes it to be murder, and without any support except from his action cop movie fanatic partner, played by Frost, he tries to unravel the mystery. The film is extremely funny and much more clever then most of the gross out comedy trend films of recent years. The movie also manages to be expertly filmed, suspenseful and includes more satisfying action then in any of the huge CGI-happy franchises out there now. Also, like Shaun of the Dead, it has sincere characters that get you emotionally attached. Hot Fuzz is an absolute joy to watch, with dozens of solid laughs, terrific action sequences and even an excellent plot. In fact, I think it might be the greatest action comedy I have ever seen. At least, it is the best movie I have seen so far this year.
28 Weeks Later
28 Weeks Later is the sequel to 28 Days Later, one of my personal favourite movies ever. It's a brand new cast and crew for "Weeks", and they have big shoes to fill. The cinematography, the acting, the writing, the characters, the horror. They are many things that would need to be top notch to reach the quality of the first one. The characters and the actors that play them are great. The story is just as interesting and it's a very well written movie. The opening scene may be the best opening scene I have ever seen, but it goes downhill from there. The terror from that scene only makes a couple more appearances. The camera work is fantastic throughout but certain moments in the first few minutes are the best. The movie is not scary the whole time, but when it is scary it's very scary. The movie loses it's way a couple times, something 28 Days Later never did, but does get back on track. It is hard to compare this movie to it's predecessor because they are so different. Not a classic, but still a very good film. It is one of the better horror movies I can think of, with riveting drama and the emotional pull that the first one had. Overall, this is probably going to be the best horror movie of the year.
May 10, 2007
Comics This Week
Reviews for comics released May 9th, 2007...
DMZ #19 (Vertigo)
Written by Brian Wood, art by Riccardo Burchielli and Nathan Fox
There is no shortage of great war stories out there, in every medium, be it in book, film or comic. However, none manages to put things in perspective like in DMZ. Especially in the current arc, DMZ shows how people are able to commit the horrors we hear about. It makes you think how different people are when armed and frequently facing the possibility of death. This isn't the best war story, but it is a very good one, and I recommend it to anyone, not just comic book fans. On a random note, if you love war stories go out and buy "The Other Side" graphic novel, also published by Vertigo Comics.
Written by Matthew Sturges and Bill Willingham, art by Tony Akins
I have been dissing Jack of Fables for a while now. I've called it stupid, pointless, boring comic, but I liked it when it started out. It was funny. But when a book made primarily for laughs gets less funny then it kinda loses it's appeal. However, it gets funny again this issue whilst adding a strong ending to a terrible arc. It redeems itself quite well and sets itself up for better stories in the future. I am gonna give Jack of Fables a chance based on the potential this issue shows. If it keeps it up, I'll keep buying it, but another arc like this one and I'm done with it.
DMZ #19 (Vertigo)
Written by Brian Wood, art by Riccardo Burchielli and Nathan Fox
There is no shortage of great war stories out there, in every medium, be it in book, film or comic. However, none manages to put things in perspective like in DMZ. Especially in the current arc, DMZ shows how people are able to commit the horrors we hear about. It makes you think how different people are when armed and frequently facing the possibility of death. This isn't the best war story, but it is a very good one, and I recommend it to anyone, not just comic book fans. On a random note, if you love war stories go out and buy "The Other Side" graphic novel, also published by Vertigo Comics.
Written by Matthew Sturges and Bill Willingham, art by Tony Akins
I have been dissing Jack of Fables for a while now. I've called it stupid, pointless, boring comic, but I liked it when it started out. It was funny. But when a book made primarily for laughs gets less funny then it kinda loses it's appeal. However, it gets funny again this issue whilst adding a strong ending to a terrible arc. It redeems itself quite well and sets itself up for better stories in the future. I am gonna give Jack of Fables a chance based on the potential this issue shows. If it keeps it up, I'll keep buying it, but another arc like this one and I'm done with it.
Y: The Last Man (Vertigo)
Written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Pia Guerra
Y: The Last Man is one of the best comics I have ever read. It has gotten weaker in its last quarter (it's ending at 60 issues), but is still an incredible series. Vaughan, however, has made one of the most memorable issues with #56. A joy to read from start to finish, complete with a twist, laughs, suspense, and tears, this issue reminded me that this may be the best complete series ever. I do not care who you are, whether you read comics or not....GO OUT AND BUY Y: THE LAST MAN, NOW!!!!!!!!! I find it hard to believe anyone could not love this series if they tried it, ANYONE. The issues are collected in trade paperbacks, a total of 10 volumes (9 out right now). You can find them at any comic book store, online (http://www.amazon.ca/) or you can order them through major book stores (Chapters, Indigo). BUY IT.
Written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Pia Guerra
Y: The Last Man is one of the best comics I have ever read. It has gotten weaker in its last quarter (it's ending at 60 issues), but is still an incredible series. Vaughan, however, has made one of the most memorable issues with #56. A joy to read from start to finish, complete with a twist, laughs, suspense, and tears, this issue reminded me that this may be the best complete series ever. I do not care who you are, whether you read comics or not....GO OUT AND BUY Y: THE LAST MAN, NOW!!!!!!!!! I find it hard to believe anyone could not love this series if they tried it, ANYONE. The issues are collected in trade paperbacks, a total of 10 volumes (9 out right now). You can find them at any comic book store, online (http://www.amazon.ca/) or you can order them through major book stores (Chapters, Indigo). BUY IT.
Next Week: I can't remember...
NHL Round 3
Well I did an amazingly poor job picking the second round but I'm gonna keep this going...
West
Ducks Vs. Wings, I'll take the Ducks in 7
East
Sens Vs. Sabres, Buffalo in 7
West
Ducks Vs. Wings, I'll take the Ducks in 7
East
Sens Vs. Sabres, Buffalo in 7
The Drummer
I see he has already welcomed himself, but nonetheless I would like everyone (all 5 of you!) to welcome Colin Parker as a co-author on this blog. *pausing for applause*
Now, calling him co-author makes him sound equally as important as myself, so I will take this opportunity to remind you he is not. Parker rarely posted on his own blog, so I thought it made sense to bring him on to mine to post random crap and maybe some second opinions on my reviews (but mine count for more). You may know him as the super famous drummer from the super famous band "Insert". If not, check this out: www.insertband.ca
Let me know if he sucks and I'll fire him.
Now, calling him co-author makes him sound equally as important as myself, so I will take this opportunity to remind you he is not. Parker rarely posted on his own blog, so I thought it made sense to bring him on to mine to post random crap and maybe some second opinions on my reviews (but mine count for more). You may know him as the super famous drummer from the super famous band "Insert". If not, check this out: www.insertband.ca
Let me know if he sucks and I'll fire him.
May 09, 2007
Welcoming Myself
Just wanted to let everyone know (ie. Cara) that I shall now be co-posting on this blog. This opens up many new opportunities for this blog such as...two people writing. In any case look forward too, or don't, more posts from me in the future.
peace
peace
May 08, 2007
Free Song of the Week
Free!!! Yay!!!
Ha. Ha. !!!!!!
Here is a random song that I love titled True Love Will Find You In The End. For information on the artist, search Daniel Johnston on Wikipedia.
As always the song link is located on the left sidebar.
!
Ha. Ha. !!!!!!
Here is a random song that I love titled True Love Will Find You In The End. For information on the artist, search Daniel Johnston on Wikipedia.
As always the song link is located on the left sidebar.
!
May 04, 2007
Spiderman 3
Spiderman was a terrific film. It came at a time when most comic book/superhero movies were never that great. Of course, in recent years that has changed with solid films such as Batman Begins and X-Men 2. There are a couple reasons that the first Spiderman movie worked. One was Sam Raimi's direction. Previous to the Spiderman franchise, I knew some of Raimi's work, the alright Darkman movie, and the excellent Evil Dead trilogy (in fact the star of the Evil Dead films, Bruce Campbell has a cameo in each film). Raimi got Spiderman right, but more importantly, he got Peter Parker right. He realized that a masked superhero fighting evil is not a film. But the man behind the mask is what is truly interesting. Also, Raimi never took it way too seriously, he understood he was making what some may call silly movies. Raimi displayed this with frequent jokes and light content, which did a lot to add to the believability. If Spiderman was put in a true to life environment, he would look stupid, so the New York in the films is really a comic book version of itself. The other reason Spiderman worked was because of the actors. Tobey Macguire, an actor I do not think too highly of, was actually perfect as Spiderman. Furthermore, Kirsten Dunst was great as Mary Jane, and James Franco was the right man to play Harry Osborn. What also added to the movie was the villain and the actor who played him, Willem Dafoe. A new standard was set for creating a villain that was comic book-y yet realistic, which is no easy task.
Spiderman 2 was much, much better. It improved in every area possible and told a more personal story about Peter Parker. From start to finish it was flawless and even had a better villain in Doc Ock. Spiderman 3 is a very good film, with some of the best moments in the series. But each villain lacks the realism of the previous Spiderman enemies. The scenes meant to be serious sometimes come off silly. In fact, the whole movie seems much more cartoonish. New coming players are Topher Grace (That 70's Show) as Eddie Brock/Venom and Bryce Dallas Howard (The Village, Lady in the Water) as Gwen Stacy. Grace is fine as Brock but once he gets all venomish he fails miserably. I even found myself suffering from secondary embarrassment with some of his line deliveries. Bryce Dallas Howard has a much smaller role than I expected and I was very disappointed, as I was hoping for her to shake up the story a little.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this movie. This is the funniest of the three movies easily. However, in the first two, the humour was complimentary, this time it is the highlight. It's all good and fun, but it should have taken a backseat to a great story. Another shortcoming is the predictable ending that fails to match the drama of the previous entries of Spiderman. The personal story about Parker is very interesting as well as satisfying. Like I said, Spiderman 3 is a very good movie, and as far as superhero movies in history, this one ranks pretty high. If this was what the first one was like, we all would have been satisfied. But since then, the bar keeps raising. And, unfortunately this is the third movie, and among all the great superhero films we have seen recently, Spiderman 3 is just average.
Spiderman 2 was much, much better. It improved in every area possible and told a more personal story about Peter Parker. From start to finish it was flawless and even had a better villain in Doc Ock. Spiderman 3 is a very good film, with some of the best moments in the series. But each villain lacks the realism of the previous Spiderman enemies. The scenes meant to be serious sometimes come off silly. In fact, the whole movie seems much more cartoonish. New coming players are Topher Grace (That 70's Show) as Eddie Brock/Venom and Bryce Dallas Howard (The Village, Lady in the Water) as Gwen Stacy. Grace is fine as Brock but once he gets all venomish he fails miserably. I even found myself suffering from secondary embarrassment with some of his line deliveries. Bryce Dallas Howard has a much smaller role than I expected and I was very disappointed, as I was hoping for her to shake up the story a little.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this movie. This is the funniest of the three movies easily. However, in the first two, the humour was complimentary, this time it is the highlight. It's all good and fun, but it should have taken a backseat to a great story. Another shortcoming is the predictable ending that fails to match the drama of the previous entries of Spiderman. The personal story about Parker is very interesting as well as satisfying. Like I said, Spiderman 3 is a very good movie, and as far as superhero movies in history, this one ranks pretty high. If this was what the first one was like, we all would have been satisfied. But since then, the bar keeps raising. And, unfortunately this is the third movie, and among all the great superhero films we have seen recently, Spiderman 3 is just average.
May 03, 2007
Comics This Week
Reviews for comics released May 2nd, 2007...
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season Eight #3 (Dark Horse)
Written by Joss Whedon, Art by Georges Jeanty
Last month's issue was fantastic and left off with a nice cliffhanger. Before #3 gets to continue where that one ended is a wacky dream sequence. It has a good laugh and is really interesting, and in this scene another old character returns. Having old side characters show up is really making this series feel like a true continuation of TV show. It makes it feel authentic. However, one thing I realized well reading was that you need not have seen any episodes of the show to enjoy the comic. I mean it helps but it is not neccesary, much like Serenity to Firefly (another Whedon's creations). The cliffhanger that comes with this one is far superior. It is an unbelievable surprise no fan could have predicted. It is as confusing as it is surprising but I'm sure that will be resolved next month, in the last issue of the first arc.
The Dark Tower: Gunslinger Born #4 *of 7* (Marvel)
Written by Peter David, Art by Jae Lee and Richard Isanove
The Dark Tower has been getting better and better, said trend continues here. This issue contains some of the best art and story thus far from what may be the best creative team of the year. Secrets are unravelling in the book's mystery and the plot is starting to move quickly. As a reader of the novels, I know what is going to happen and I actually think I enjoy it more because of that. Seeing some of my favourite parts of "Wizard and Glass" (book 4 in the novel series) come alive in beautiful cinematic art is a wonder. The narrative may be the best I have read outside of Frank Miller's Batman graphic novels. The script is also incredible, actually, everything about this book is. Also, it is one fo the few comics that can be read by a non-comicy person (loser) and they would love it. Apparently, there will be more mini-series done on The Dark Tower. If that is true and the same team stays together, I hope it will never end.
The Loners #2 (Marvel)
Written by C.B. Cebulski, Art by Karl Moline and Christina Strain
The first issue of The Loners was crap. I decided to give it one more shot to hook me in or I would drop the series. Well, this issue is a lot better. However it is quite simply not worth my money, so this will be my last review of the comic. The story focuses on ex-superhero Riccochet, the only character that is remotely interesting, as he suits up again for the greater good and screws up in the process. It has some action and a chuckle here or there, but there are dozens and dozens of better comics out there. Don't pick up The Loners.
Runaways #26 (Marvel)
Written by Joss Whedon, Art by Michael Ryan
Last month Joss Whedon's Runaways debut came out. Filling Brian K. Vaughan's shoes is not an easy thing to do, even for Him (I capitallized Him, tee hee). Joss did alright but it was not as good as most of Vaughan's work but I expected this issue to be a major improvement. And it was. I am gonna make quite the statement here....This is the funniest comic issue I have ever read. Runaways is sometimes deadly serious, but like Buffy the Vampire Slayer it can also be hilarious. Starting on page 3 I probably laughed out loud every page. Whedon manages to create two of the funniest parts using The Punisher and Kingpin. For those who do not know who those characters are, they are two of the most serious in the Marvel universe. One of my complaints last time was that Joss could not write Molly very well. This time he gives her all the best moments and executes them with perfection. My only complaint is that Joss Whedon will be leaving after four more issues.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season Eight #3 (Dark Horse)
Written by Joss Whedon, Art by Georges Jeanty
Last month's issue was fantastic and left off with a nice cliffhanger. Before #3 gets to continue where that one ended is a wacky dream sequence. It has a good laugh and is really interesting, and in this scene another old character returns. Having old side characters show up is really making this series feel like a true continuation of TV show. It makes it feel authentic. However, one thing I realized well reading was that you need not have seen any episodes of the show to enjoy the comic. I mean it helps but it is not neccesary, much like Serenity to Firefly (another Whedon's creations). The cliffhanger that comes with this one is far superior. It is an unbelievable surprise no fan could have predicted. It is as confusing as it is surprising but I'm sure that will be resolved next month, in the last issue of the first arc.
The Dark Tower: Gunslinger Born #4 *of 7* (Marvel)
Written by Peter David, Art by Jae Lee and Richard Isanove
The Dark Tower has been getting better and better, said trend continues here. This issue contains some of the best art and story thus far from what may be the best creative team of the year. Secrets are unravelling in the book's mystery and the plot is starting to move quickly. As a reader of the novels, I know what is going to happen and I actually think I enjoy it more because of that. Seeing some of my favourite parts of "Wizard and Glass" (book 4 in the novel series) come alive in beautiful cinematic art is a wonder. The narrative may be the best I have read outside of Frank Miller's Batman graphic novels. The script is also incredible, actually, everything about this book is. Also, it is one fo the few comics that can be read by a non-comicy person (loser) and they would love it. Apparently, there will be more mini-series done on The Dark Tower. If that is true and the same team stays together, I hope it will never end.
The Loners #2 (Marvel)
Written by C.B. Cebulski, Art by Karl Moline and Christina Strain
The first issue of The Loners was crap. I decided to give it one more shot to hook me in or I would drop the series. Well, this issue is a lot better. However it is quite simply not worth my money, so this will be my last review of the comic. The story focuses on ex-superhero Riccochet, the only character that is remotely interesting, as he suits up again for the greater good and screws up in the process. It has some action and a chuckle here or there, but there are dozens and dozens of better comics out there. Don't pick up The Loners.
Runaways #26 (Marvel)
Written by Joss Whedon, Art by Michael Ryan
Last month Joss Whedon's Runaways debut came out. Filling Brian K. Vaughan's shoes is not an easy thing to do, even for Him (I capitallized Him, tee hee). Joss did alright but it was not as good as most of Vaughan's work but I expected this issue to be a major improvement. And it was. I am gonna make quite the statement here....This is the funniest comic issue I have ever read. Runaways is sometimes deadly serious, but like Buffy the Vampire Slayer it can also be hilarious. Starting on page 3 I probably laughed out loud every page. Whedon manages to create two of the funniest parts using The Punisher and Kingpin. For those who do not know who those characters are, they are two of the most serious in the Marvel universe. One of my complaints last time was that Joss could not write Molly very well. This time he gives her all the best moments and executes them with perfection. My only complaint is that Joss Whedon will be leaving after four more issues.
Next week: DMZ, Jack of Fables, Y: The Last Man
May 01, 2007
New DVD Review: A Night At The Museum
Note: I was too lazy to review the special features but next time I review a DVD, I promise I will
A Night At The Museum was a big hit. It made lots of money and stayed at the top of the box office for weeks. For the most part it recieved positive reviews. Some people I know, including adults, saw it and told me it was pretty good. Thirty minutes into this movie, I wondered how any of these things were possible. At this point, I witnessed an agonizingly brutal movie. With no laughs in the first quarter of what was supposed to be a comedy, I was beginning to thinking ahead to the zero star review I would give it. However, not long after, there were a couple good jokes in a row. I began to warm up to the film. The comedy doesn't really get going until half way through. The two funniest things are probably Owen Wilson as a miniature cowboy and Mickey Rooney as an old security guard. The movie gets better every scene and ends up being a solid adventure comedy. It may start weak but for the most part, it finishes strongly. Overall, it is not the must-see comedy it was made out to be, but the good second half makes the terrible first half worth sitting through. There are worse ideas than spending A Night At The Museum.
A Night At The Museum was a big hit. It made lots of money and stayed at the top of the box office for weeks. For the most part it recieved positive reviews. Some people I know, including adults, saw it and told me it was pretty good. Thirty minutes into this movie, I wondered how any of these things were possible. At this point, I witnessed an agonizingly brutal movie. With no laughs in the first quarter of what was supposed to be a comedy, I was beginning to thinking ahead to the zero star review I would give it. However, not long after, there were a couple good jokes in a row. I began to warm up to the film. The comedy doesn't really get going until half way through. The two funniest things are probably Owen Wilson as a miniature cowboy and Mickey Rooney as an old security guard. The movie gets better every scene and ends up being a solid adventure comedy. It may start weak but for the most part, it finishes strongly. Overall, it is not the must-see comedy it was made out to be, but the good second half makes the terrible first half worth sitting through. There are worse ideas than spending A Night At The Museum.
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