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A Video Review of "The Lathe of Heaven" (1980)
Copyright 2002 Glenn Walker
This production based on the Ursula K. LeGuin novel and starring Bruce Davison (Willard, Six Degrees of Separation, X-Men), Kevin Conway (Black Knight, The Funhouse) and Margaret Avery (The Return of Superfly, The Color Purple) was brought to the small screen in the early days of public television. It remains legendary as one of PBS' greatest dramatic accomplishments.
* SPOILER WARNING *
The story is that of George Orr (Davison), a man whose dreams come true. Whatever he dreams becomes reality. After a suicide attempt he comes under the capacity of Dr. Haber (Conway) who upon learning Orr's secret uses it to change the world.
However george's mind doesn't play fair. Haber tries to end racism, everyone turns gray. He wants to stop overpopulation, a plague kills six billion people. He tries for peace on earth, aliens attack the moon. In each case Haber gets a bigger nicer office and eventually his own dream institute.
A brilliant novel and a brilliant film. It is a great production considering the budget constrictions of PBS at the time. The unique synthesized score is also of note.
Definitely catch this if you can.
Posted by Unknown at Saturday, May 31, 2003
PROBABLY THE BEST GEEK MOVIE EVER MADE
A Video Review of "Free Enterprise"
This movie is so chockfull of geek cool if it had more cursing in it I would swear this was the work of the master Kevin Smith.
Free Enterprise is the story of a group of friends, who happen to be film geeks, comic geeks and Trekkies, approaching their mid-life crises. There also the added feature of William Shatner who apparently is making quite a career in films portraying himself. He's very good at that and I'm only being 50% sarcastic.
Amongst offering his standard get-a-life advice and getting help for his own woman problems Shatner wants to do a rap musical version of "Julius Caesar." Don't laugh. It's funny but it's true and it pays off. Wait for it. "No Tears for Caesar" by The Artist Formerly Known as Shatner is an experience that cannot be lived without.
The for the most part unknown cast also includes big name Eric McCormack whose role and performance here is so excellent and different from his work on "Will and Grace" that it's a shame he's been stereotyped there. Phil LaMarr is also in the film but as his geek work as the cartoon voices of superheroes Green Lantern and Static should cement it's no surprise he took the part. Big surprise here is the return to work of "Too Close for Comfort" star Deborah Van Walkenberg who's actually very good although decades older.
As I said this is a geek movie. It has references overflowing from its cleavage. I can't imagine any 'normal' person walking in from the street and even understanding this masterpiece. Only a geek would get everything from "Star Trek," Logan's Run and Basic Instinct to Fellini, scary 1980s new wave music and Mighty Isis action figures from Mego. It's a geek's paradise and it also has a good plot, good acting and is an altogether great movie. And only a geek could appreciate the wet dream-like fantasy of meeting a hot chick in a comics shop while fighting over a "Sandman" hardcover.
The only thing I didn't like – the threesome – seems like it was put in just to say Ha! Geeks do have a sex life, and a full one for that matter. This is bothersome. As the geeks who made the movie and the geeks they made it for well know, everybody has sex, whether everybody else knows it or not. This seems a bit too much to press the point. Regardless I hated all two minutes of the threesome. And for all you perves with your finger on the pause button, it's not even worth your time. It's a plot point.
Do not miss the end credits. Extra points to the geek who gets every reference. They are the best credits this side of Airplane! and in some cases funnier than the film itself which is hilarious – don't miss. I love this movie.
***** Must see
*** So you have eight dollars you want to throw away…
** Is Adam Sandler in this mess?
* A bullet would be quicker.
Posted by Unknown at Friday, May 30, 2003
HOT CHICKS IN HOT OUTFITS
A Film Review of "The Cell"
Virtual reality, cyberspace, inside the human mind, the imagination. In a sci-fi movie these are all excuses to get hot chicks in hot outfits. Mix in some hokey plot, a perverse serial killer and Jennifer Lopez, shake well and you have The Cell.
Jennifer Lopez plays a child psychologist who uses VR to enter the minds of her catatonic patients and help them. There's your set up and the excuse for million dollar (well spent) special effects.
The concept: Vincent D'onoffrio in one of his more disturbing roles is a serial killer who likes to kill his female victims by timed remote control drowning. He goes comatose with a victim still out there, J-Lo has to enter his mind to find the girl. Detective Vince Vaughn comes along for the ride.
There's your plot, much more difficult to explain than to understand. In the flick it flows much better. The VR scenes are both visually mind-blowing and disturbing. The evil mind of the serial killer contains such bizarre imagery if you aren't completely under the spell of suspension of disbelief you might start thinking what kind of nutjob would come up with this twisted stuff.
And of course, the best part, a hot chick in hot outfits. Thank you, Jennifer Lopez.
Posted by Unknown at Thursday, May 29, 2003
TOO TRUE TO BE REAL
A Video Review of "Ed Gein" also known as "In the Light of the Moon"
The real Ed Gein was quite a piece of work. In late 1957 he was convicted of necrophilia, cannibalism and of course murder. He was perhaps America's first famous serial killer. He was the inspiration for both Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and to a degree probably Tom Harris' Hannibal Lector. Who knows, he probably inspired other real serial killers as well.
The film Ed Gein opens and closes with real footage of the real man, his arrest, his neighbors and his home. In some ways this verification that it really happened is more startling than what appears at first to be just another horror movie.
Of course most of the movie is speculation because for the time Gein spent in a mental hospital until his death in 1984 he said little and, unlike predecessors like Charles Manson, never talked to the press. As far as based on truth this film suffers from the same disease as Oliver Stone's Nixon, no one was around to witness most of the scenes depicted.
Ed Gein is ably played by the creepy Steve Railsback who also coincidentally played Charles Manson in the TV mini-series "Helter Skelter." Gein's domineering mother is portrayed by horror veteran Carrie Snodgress (Silent Night, Deadly Night, The Fury).
It is slow at points but very involving. It is a matter knowing what's coming and not knowing what's coming, a kind of a twisted suspense as demented as the film's subject. There are some disturbing images recreated by prop folks as far as Gein's house, furnishings and ultimately Gein's hallucinations and the murder scenes themselves. The horror is more in the truth than on the screen.
See it at your own risk. Gein may be the inspiration for today's serial killers but he was also one of the worst as well as the first.
Posted by Unknown at Wednesday, May 28, 2003
THE LORD OF BULLSHIT
A Video Review of "The Kid Stays in the Picture"
Robert Evans is the stuff of Hollywood legend. Without him such classic films as The Godfather, Rosemary's Baby and Love Story would never have been made. He ran Paramount Studios. He has been involved with some of the world's most beautiful and famous (and not so beautiful and famous) women. The scandals of his life have been tragic and the talk of the town. He also created such dogs as Popeye and the remakes of The Saint and The Out-of-Towners. He is the inspiration for the Robert Vaughn character in S.O.B. and the Dustin Hoffman character in Wag the Dog. His personal exploits are mythic and his life has been immortalized in The Kid Stays in the Picture.
Unfortunately he is also the lord of bullshit. You can't believe a word that comes out of his mouth. It seems like maybe he was still using the cocaine that led to his downfall when he wrote the book this film was based on. We are always treated to Robert Evans' take, always his opinion, always his mix of myth and truth. The Robert Evans quote that opens the film states his philosophy on lying that it serves everyone differently. How true.
We start at the beginning following Evans' career from his discovery by Norma Shearer at a Beverly Hills swimming pool to star as her late husband Irving Thalberg in 1957's The Man with a Thousand Faces with James Cagney to his tragic downfall with the failure of The Cotton Club in 1984 surrounded by lurid cocaine and murder scandals regarding the death of filmmaker and drug dealer Roy Radin.
The details in between include his proving himself to Daryl Zanuck that he could play the bullfighter in The Sun Also Rises from which the documentary's title is taken; Zanuck's quote. We also see him get Mia Farrow and Frank Sinatra divorced to finish Rosemary's Baby, him bagging both Ali MacGraw and Love Story to save Paramount Studios, him battle endlessly with Francis Ford Coppola over The Godfather, the triumph of Chinatown and the failure of The Cotton Club.
The Kid Stays in the Picture is worth sitting through if only to hear Evans' humiliating voiceover imitation of Mia Farrow. A fun drinking game can be made of how many times he says, "How could I have been so fucking dumb?" Hmmph. Easily. Did I mention he was the lord of bullshit?
No matter what was really true or really false kudos have to be granted to directors Nanette Burstein and Brett Morgen because they have created a documentary so compelling you forget you're watching a documentary. The graphics, clips and fades are extraordinary, the likes of which we've never seen. Bravo for making a masterpiece out of lies.
For more of my movie reviews check out:
Comic Widows at
http://www.comicwidows.com
or the Internet Movie Database at
http://www.imdb.com
monsura2@yahoo.com
Posted by Unknown at Tuesday, May 27, 2003
NOT YOUR AVERAGE SIX-FOOT RABBIT
A Video Review of "Donnie Darko"
Jake Gyllenhaal is most often confused with Tobey Maguire. He was even up for the role of Spider-Man which Maguire ably snagged. He's done some eclectic films in the past from Bubble Boy to The Good Girl. Eclectic is where he parallels Maguire. Maguire's early film choices were quirky as well and this is why I believe big things are in store for Jake Gyllenhaal.
Jake plays the title role of a disturbed young man haunted by his delusions which started when a jet engine fell into his bedroom, no really. Also featured here are the always amazing Drew Barrymore as a put upon but well meaning English teacher and the interestingly cast Patrick Swayze as a motivational speaker whose psychobabble has infected a local school district. The science teacher Noah Wyle is as good here as he is as Dr. Carter on "ER." Capable but good.
Set in 1988 it has a wonderful 1980s new wave soundtrack. The principal standout is a quiet mellow version of Tears For Fears' "Mad World" at the end of the film. Powerful.
Donnie Darko is a tale of a disturbed young man who begins to follow the directions of a six-foot rabbit named 'Frank.' Now just back off before you begin to make any comparisons to the classic Jimmy Stewart film Harvey. This is a whole different animal. Frank gives young Donnie orders of a sociopathic nature getting him into more trouble than your usual high schooler.
This dark story descends from there into a spiraling vortex of delusion and science fiction. It keeps you guessing from one moment to the next as to what is really going on until the shock ending. Very disturbing, enthralling and must see.
Posted by Unknown at Monday, May 26, 2003
A Video Review of "Enough"
Enough. Haven't we had enough of this type of movie? I mean, we've seen this before, right? Husband beats wife, wife gets even. The Burning Bed and Sleeping with the Enemy did this before but Enough is a step up.
* Spoiler Warnings *
The movie is constructed well, the vignettes labeled with chapter titles in a way we don't see anymore in feature films (well outside of Kevin Smith, that is). It does well to disguise how episodic Enough really is. This is a good thing, turning your disadvantages into advantages.
For the first hour we are sailed through an almost never-ending catalog of places and characters but as I said we don't mind with the structure of this film. Like the villain of the piece, Enough is built like an action thriller even though it may or may not be.
The tough thing about a movie like this is you know going in that the husband is an asshole. It kind of takes all the suspense away. You can't even bring yourself to like the character even when he's the nicest sweetest thing you've ever seen. That said, Billy Campbell is properly evil as the abusive husband. He is as diabolic as any super-villain or world conqueror in a different genre of movie.
It doesn't matter what Jennifer Lopez is in or what she's doing, the camera loves her. Even here where we're led to believe she's 'not that attractive' it's a tough suspension of disbelief call. It's always nice to see Juliette Lewis in a part where she's not mental. She's rational, wrong-minded in some cases, but rational. Fred Ward is, well, he's always Fred Ward, and he's good for what little screen time he has.
The real surprise here is Noah Wyle of "ER" fame. He exudes that same Dr. John Carter charm we see every week and we get the impression that maybe he's a one note actor. He turns out to be as evil and manipulative as his buddy Billy Campbell. It's a great performance.
In the last twenty minutes or so after some belief-stretching Batman and James Bond-ian preparation and training J-Lo tries to get even with her husband. I have to stop at this point and wonder how much the writer, the director and even J-Lo wanted this to be a superhero movie. Hmmm…
Other than the obvious anti-domestic abuse and woman empowerment statements there's also another lesson being taught here. Money and power can get you anything. Between the evil Billy Campbell and the good Fred Ward money is able to buy technology, training, surveillance and even police. Scary but true.
Whatever this movie wants to be or pretends to be one thing stands true – it's good. Check it out. It's worth it.
Posted by Unknown at Sunday, May 25, 2003
LONGER DARKER BETTER
A Film Review of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"
This was a very fast movie or at least it seemed like it went by fast. This is a good thing. To me, one of the signs of a bad movie is when you start looking at your watch.
As opposed to the first installment Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, there seems to be quite a bit omitted from the book but it should also be noted that the first book is the shortest and they all get longer from there. I'm sure no one wants to see movies longer than three hours.
There's no set up for this one. If you've seen the first film you know what's up so here they just jump in and go for it. You know the players, you know the score, hold on for the ride.
The tone is darker and the story is more energetic. The flying car is exciting, the kids are settled into their roles and Voldemort is more menacing if not as horrific as in the first film. The special effects are top notch which again is no surprise. You can feel the spiders as they approach on the screen.
As stated before the child actors have grown into their parts. The viewers no longer think of them as the actors playing Harry, Ron and Hermione but actually as Harry, Ron and Hermione. Kenneth Branaugh is exactly as I imagined Gilderoy Lockhart to be. Richard Harris is Dumbledore, it's a shame he won't be in the next films.
Darker, yes, more exciting, yes, even more anticipation for the next one, yes. Bring it on. A year is too long to wait.
Previously published at Comic Widows
CHRIS KATTAN??!?
A Video Review of "House on Haunted Hill" (1999)
William Castle, the director of the original House on Haunted Hill was a marketing if not film genius. All of his movies were gimmicked. From special ghost glasses to insurance papers to nurses in the lobby to the granddaddy of them all – wiring seats for electric shock for The Tingler, he was the man. Sadly this remake of one of his lesser classics would have fared better with a gimmick or two.
It has a simple plot, very hard to wreck even in the context of a remake. Guests are invited to a haunted house and offered money if they can survive the night. The house then of course proceeds to wipe them all out in nasty but rating-sensitive ways.
The casting is interesting. Geoffrey Rush, Peter Gallagher, Famke Jansen and Taye Diggs all play one note characters which is especially bad for Rush who is capable of so much more. The casting of "Saturday Night Live" veteran Chris Kattan was very disturbing for me. Besides the point that I have never found any of his antics funny it was hard to take him seriously here when I could not erase images of his SNL 'monkey boy' act from my mind. And it's nice to see Lisa Loeb doing anything at all.
There are numerous nods in this flick to other William Castle masterpieces probably due to the fact his daughter co-produced the new version. Unlike that other haunted house remake The Haunting out the same year which turned out to more art film than horror film House on Haunted Hill is much more accessible, geared to a younger crowd and even has a sense of humor along with its original horror intent.
The new House on Haunted Hill isn't the original classic and it's not the best at what it does but it is definitely worth a look.
Office Killer
DILBERT FROM HELL
A Video Review of "Office Killer"
It's like an evil twin to Haiku Tunnel or Office Space in that it's just as hilarious as those films but in retrospect I think it's supposed to be a horror movie. Whatever. It actually works as both.
Carol Kane (Simka of "Taxi") plays Dorine, a mousy proofreader who has been downsized and then accidentally electrocutes the office computer guy (David Thornton who distractingly looks just like Jimmy Fallon's similar character from "Saturday Night Live"). Once she gets a taste of killing she proceeds to off the rest of the office staff.
When not absorbed in her work and job Dorine takes care of her ailing mother. Her performance here is disturbingly close to that of Bruce Davison's in the classic Willard or Scott Jacoby's in Bad Ronald. Carol Kane is highly underrated.
Molly Ringwold (always a pleasure to see she's still doing movies), Michael Imperioli (nice to see him outside "The Sopranos") and Jeanne Tripplehorn (Rene Russo's perennial stunt double) round out an impressive cast.
Now I'm sure anyone who works or has worked in Cubicle Hell is cheering Dorine on. Me too. It's a delicious road to murder and wish fulfillment. See it but try not to live it… unless you're sure you won't get caught.
Labels: bad ronald, carol kane, haiku tunnel, molly ringwold, office killer, office space, williard
THE REAL PHANTOM MENACE
A Film Review of "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace"
George Lucas doesn't need any money. He has more money than any of us paeans could spend in our entire lifetimes. He doesn't have ex-wives or gambling debts or any drug habits. So money is not a motivation. Why did he make this movie?
Other than the infamous Moulin Rouge (notably the absolute worst film ever made), this is the worst movie of the year 2001. This is a year rife with cheap productions, schlocky horror movies, teen sex comedies and stuffy independent films – all the crap that usually sucks – and this, the opening chapter of the most acclaimed sci-fi movie franchise of all time, takes the suck award by a light year.
That is not to say that all of Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace is all bad. There are bits that are impressive. The opening sequence is amazing and shows us what real Jedis can do as opposed to the self-taught like Luke Skywalker. Jedis should not be messed with – they are cool. With this fact checked at the start it's just sad that the flick goes downhill from here.
The matte paintings of the exotic locales are impressive as is the wonderful pod race both taking advantage of the financial miracle that is the CGI of Lucasfilm and Industrial Light and Magic. The problem is if I wanted this alone I could have bought a picture or a video game.
The cast is serviceable. No one shines but nor do they embarrass themselves. With the effort that Lucas supposedly put forth in the casting process one might think we'd get better actors or at least better performances from the actors we got. All involved are capable of much better though.
The major problem with a prequel is that your audience knows where you're going. There are no surprises. At that point it's the job of the director to create surprises… the problem here is that the surprises are pulled out of his ass. Star Wars was made in 1976 and supposedly George Lucas has had the concept since 1969. So why does Episode 1 feel like it was written over a drunken weekend last month? Lucas ignores continuity established in the Star Wars trilogy and even on occasion seems to make stuff up. Hello??
The story is see through from the beginning. Anyone who didn't know where this mess was going immediately probably also didn't know Amidala and Padme were the same person. Don't get me started on Annigan Skywalker. No father? So he's the messiah? Hmmm, so who do you think is going to win the pod race? The evil cheating racer or the messiah? Groan. And I never want to hear the word 'midichlorians' again!
And speaking of cheating, what Jedi voluntarily participates in lying, stealing and gambling? Aren't these supposed to be the good guys?? Why didn't Darth Vader recognize R2D2 and C3PO in the original movie? He did, after all, create C3PO. It all just makes my head hurt.
Alien voices. I have to wonder if Lucas is a closet racist when confronted with the alien voices. With such a creative mind and unlimited technology at his disposal why do the aliens sound like bad 1930s impressions of Fu Manchu and Steppin Fetchit?? What is that about?
I have come to the conclusion that the real 'phantom menace' here is George Lucas himself. He is too greedy for his own good in doing more Star Wars movies when no script exists superior enough to match what has gone before and has no respect for his fans. For some sick reason he has seen fit to sabotage his own creation.
All I know for sure is that if I ever run into George Lucas on the street, I'm going to punch him in the mouth and demand my eight bucks back.
THOSE WITH NO IMAGINATION WILL SUFFER
A Film Review of "The Matrix Reloaded"
Those incapable of the simple task of suspension of disbelief will hate the sequel to The Matrix and The Matrix itself as well for that matter. That also goes for those of you who fancy yourselves film fanatics –you know who you are. You know that Cool Hand Luke and The Day the Earth Stood Still are both allegories about Jesus, you know that Dinosaur is really The Ten Commandments and Barb Wire is really Casablanca. You write reviews while you're still watching the movie. You – you are not going to like anything about any of The Matrix Reloaded. My advice to you is to relax, watch the movie and enjoy the ride. You'll live longer and be happier.
It's also a middle part of a trilogy. The Matrix Reloaded is The Empire Strikes Back or Back to the Future Part 2 for a new generation. Don't expect a resolution this time around – it's to be concluded. If you get pissed off at these type of endings – be pre-warned.
This is a fun movie. It is an okay action flick and an okay sci-fi flick but what makes this movie is the style. Plot, acting and pacing aside The Matrix Reloaded is 80% style and that style is sooo cool. It succeeds in what it set out to do – just be cool.
The Matrix Reloaded is eye candy in a whole new universe of eye candy. As much as the original film raised the bar for special effects, the sequel doubles the ante. The action sequences will leave you breathless. Neo's fight against the multiple Agent Smiths in the park is what fight scenes in the Batman films should have been all along. The freeway chase scene that culminates in a fight atop a moving truck is so intense it's unlikely to be duplicated or improved any time soon. As I said, breathless.
It does what a sequel should. Bigger, better, more more more. We get more character development, we meet new characters and explore more of the established universe, we get more of what made the original good (in this case the action) but turned up a notch or two and we get explanation of what has happened so far and why. The Matrix Reloaded delivers all required and more. We see the city of Zion, the relationship between Trinity and Neo and we get an idea of Neo's powers as The One.
The sequel to The Matrix is not perfect however. The dialogue is stiff and slow at points. The acting sometimes is just as wooden. The clothes worn by the residents of Zion is strangely reminiscent of "Battlestar Galactica" or Logan's Run, it's a difficult comparison that distracts more than decorates. The council concept too reminds one of "Galactica" where it should perhaps bring to mind the Jedi Council of Star Wars. Regardless the bad is overwhelmed by the good in this film.
The Matrix Reloaded also did something for me that I respect from sequels. I hate superhero movies (no non-sequitor, folks, make no mistake this is a superhero movie) that spend half the movie setting up and telling the origin of the hero. Damn it, give me a ten second throwaway line of dialogue for an origin or set-up and then get to the action and the story. That's the way they did it in the good old days of the movie serials. Here's the hero, just accept it and get over it and get on with it.
The Matrix is a serial and the sequel picks up the action immediately, no explanations for the latecomers – get with the program (pun intended) and enjoy the ride. And what a ride it is. As Keanu Reeves in his former role as Theodore Logan Esq. might have said himself, "Whoa!"
SANDRA THE SLEEPING PILL
A Video Review of "28 Days"
Where the hell is this movie going? It's all over the damn place.
It starts out with a hilarious scene of a drunken Sandra Bullock (The Net, Miss Congeniality) doing a great Foster Brooks imitation and ruining her sister's wedding. I laughed so hard I almost wet my pants. This is followed up by her intro into rehab which she hates and takes it out on everyone including the audience. Now we hate her too.
At this point we are asked to have sympathy for this pathetic whiny bitch we have been made to hate. Nope, I assure you, that ain't gonna happen. Aw, she has to scrub toilets, I'm thinking that's not a bad enough punishment for what she's put me through for the last half-hour.
When the movie turns into a romance (?Yeah, where the hell is this piece of crap going?) later on, you really couldn't care less. I hate her. I hate this movie. I certainly am not going to root for her to get the guy of her dreams (Lord of the Rings' Viggo Mortenson) now.
After that, who knows and who cares. I've seen this mess three times and fallen asleep every time. That should tell you something. Run right out and buy this tape so you have it around for your next bout of insomnia. Warning, you will have to put up with at least an hour of this directionless drivel.
I can really only recommend this (other than as a sleeping pill) for the opening scene and Steve Buscemi who does his usual Steve Buscemi best. Otherwise, miss this.
The above previously published at Project: Popcorn
http://www.whitevioletpictures.com/popcorn
MIKE WHITE IS A GENIUS
A Film Review of The Good Girl
Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly says "A comedy of winning delicacy and heart." Andrew Johnston of Us Weekly says "A fantastic performance from Jennifer Anniston with range and depth." Peter Travers of Rolling Stone says "Sly, comic and touching." All I want to know is... WHAT MOVIE DID THEY SEE????
All I have to say is screenwriter Mike White is a genius. He managed to screw me out of eight dollars, get me into a theatre playing a Jennifer Anniston movie and make me sit there for 93 agonizing minutes. This is easily the worst movie I have seen this year. It almost makes Star Wars: Episode One: The Phantom Menace palatable. Ten minutes in I was screaming "Good God, will it ever end?!"
The multi-talented (Can you smell what the Rock is cooking? Yes! That's right, it's sarcasm!) Jennifer Anniston plays a white trash retail cashier who cheats on her no good pothead husband (John C. Reilly of Gangs of New York and The Perfect Storm) with a sociopathic young writer (Jake Gyllenhaal of Donnie Darko and the equally brilliant Bubble Boy) who also works with her.
Jennifer Anniston's idea of depth is staring off into space for moments at a time. Who said being married to Brad Pitt hasn't taught her anything about acting. I would say Jake Gyllenhaal was good if he didn't play the same character in every movie he's in. The one or two actual funny lines that Zooey Deschanel utters over the store loudspeakers are not worth the hell of sitting through this piece of crap but she has the charisma to maybe make something of herself.
Toward the end of this merciless marathon I prayed for someone to come out of the darkness with an axe a la Catherine Breillat's Fat Girl and kill them all. Probably the only good thing about this experience was that I didn't have to sit through previews of Blue Crush and Swimfan. Now, wait a minute... that might have been an improvement. Rating: *
Labels: good girl, Jake gyllenhaal, jennifer aniston, mike white, star wars, zooey deschanel
The Rookie (2002)
THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF THE G-RATED MOVIE
A Film Review of "The Rookie" (2002)
What was the last G-rated movie that wasn't Disney or animated? I'm thinking we have to go back to 1976 or 1977 with Grizzly Adams or Wilderness Family. Well, here we go again, but surprise, this was good – remarkably good. I'm no baseball fan and certainly no Dennis Quaid fan. I wouldn't want him to fall into a wood chipper like say Robin Williams or Billy Crystal but neither am I his cheerleader. He does admirably as Jim Morris, an excellent performance surrounded by excellent performances.
The old folks in the town, the kids on Quaid's baseball team and especially his wife, father and son are all played by wonderful supporting folk. The stand out however is Trevor Morgan who plays the young Jim Morris and was previously seen in The Sixth Sense and had a recurring role on "ER." This kid is going places.
This one is of course another based on a true story but untainted by the hand of Ron Howard so I think it's probably pretty accurate. It blends the triumph of Rocky with the magic of The Natural and a twist of Field of Dreams thrown in for good measure. It runs a bit long but you really don't feel it because it has a good flow. I'd see this one again, in all its good natured inoffensive G-rated glory.
Labels: baseball, dennis quaid, disney, jim morris, the rookie, trevor morgan
A Video Review of The Thing from Another World (1951)
Up until the crazed John Carpenter 1982 remake this sci-fi classic was known as The Thing. It was changed to its original full title to differentiate from its much different modern counterpart. That is to see there's nothing wrong with the John Carpenter version, it's just different. Comparing the two would be like comparing Humphrey Bogart's Desperate Hours with Mickey Rourke's. It will only make your head explode.
This original Thing based on the award-winning short story "Who Goes There?" by sci-fi writer John W. Campbell Jr. is as I said a classic. Credited as being directed by producer Howard Hawkes' assistant Christian Nyby it is generally believed to have really been directed by Hawkes. After all in the 1950s no real director would have anything to do with trash like science fiction. The skill of the direction is a dead giveaway.
A military base in the Arctic staffed with a cast that will become stereotype for sci-fi and horror soon enough is plagued by a giant killer carrot that lives on blood. Trust me, it's much cooler than it sounds. We have the military man, the scientist, the reporter, and the woman, covering all the bases. Kenneth Tobey, Douglas Spencer and Margaret Sheridan are excellent, as is James Arness in an early role as the title monster.
This movie is from a wonderful school of sci-fi horror films, like the original The Haunting and Curse of the Demon where the less you show the better. The thrust of this one isn't to jump out at you or gross you out it's the paranoia of who can you trust. The Thing could be anybody, could be anywhere, what happens next? Very Cold War, very cool.
And of course, always remember… "Watch the skies."
Labels: christian nyby, howard hawkes, james arness, john carpenter, remakes, the thing
ONLY FOR DREW
A Video Review of The Wedding Singer
This one has got so many things that should make me hate it. It's got karaoke, it's a sappy love story and most of all it's got Adam Sandler - the kiss of death. But, I do kinda like it, if only for Drew Barrymore.
I think I might actually even pay to see Ms. Barrymore read the phone book in a muumuu. Even though Adam Sandler is in this, it is better than the phone book muumuu thing.
I love 1980s music, not enough to listen to radio stations that program eighties music (sorry, there's only so many times a sane mind can hear "Hey Mickey" and "Safety Dance" in one day before going on a shooting spree) but I did grow up in the time so it holds a warm spot in my heart.
Sandler doesn't use any stupid voices or act mentally retarded and is tolerable as The Wedding Singer who falls for a waitress (the irrepressible Drew) about to get married. Everything works out for the best (duh) and we get a lovely cameo by Billy Idol (my god, that must be one hell of a painting he's got in his attic) who helps Sandler court Drew and a whole lot of eighties music. This soundtrack is like a K-Tel album from hell.
Christine Taylor (Marcia of The Brady Bunch) is sexy as ever and Steve Buscemi (as always) steals the movie by being the Steve Buscemi-est. And don't miss the old lady doing karaoke of "Rappers Delight." Get the DVD, corny as it sounds, the DVD has karaoke and it's funny.
Come for the music, stay for the Drew, you won't regret it.
Contact me here.
Labels: adam sandler, billy idol, christine taylor, drew barrymore, steve buscemi, the wedding singer
A Video Review of "Tarantula" (1955)
This sci-fi classic starring Hollywood great John Agar is about what all 1950s sci-fi flicks are about. Cold war scientists' experiment goes awry and mankind suffers. This time it's a giant tarantula terrorizing a southwest desert town. What sets this apart from other movies of its kind is its sound. The sound of the spider itself. This is the creepiest spookiest sound I have ever heard. I have no idea if spiders really sound like that but it still gives me chills. When this classic comes on late night TV and that sound starts – the lights come on.
Labels: tarantula john agar, youtube
Startup.Com
A Video Review of "Startup.Com"
From start to finish we watch Tom and Kaleil build their dotcom business govworks.com. It's an absorbing documentary about the rise and fall of the dotcom industry from the inside. We see high school best friends with a great idea climb the ladder of success and then fall apart as bitter rivals. It's a lot better than it sounds and wonderful 'character' study painted in reality TV colors. Between the subtleties of their multiple relationships to the intricacies of their business dealings we live vicariously through Tom and Kaleil. Don't miss.
Labels: startup.com
Special Report: Journey to Mars
WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN
A Review of "Special Report: Journey to Mars"
I looove stunts like this. I love Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" broadcast and have listened to numerous times. I even like the contemporary version NPR did using traffic reporters from a few years back.
When I ran a video store I took great delight in putting in a tape called Special Bulletin which was produced by NBC in the early 1980s. Special Bulletin told the story in nearly real time with real commercials interspersed of terrorists nuking Charleston, South Carolina. I thought it was a blast that we'd always get a handful of customers glued to the TV monitor thinking it was real.
So this is my kind of thing, that's why I loved Special Report: Journey to Mars as well. Structured like CNN broadcasts of recent wars and other events we are live witness to the first manned mars landing in the year 2005. Of course they play down the time frame in case someone comes in in the middle and get sucked in.
It's very easy to get sucked in. The drama is high as we find that the mission has been sabotaged by terrorists who want money spent on problems here on earth rather than the billions it took to get to Mars. The attack is both biological and technological as the mission's captain is struck down by an infection and the ship's navigation systems affected by a computer virus.
The effect of a real news broadcast is only ruined by the casting of Judge Reinhold and Alfre Woodard as journalists but otherwise it is an excellent illusion. I wish there were more shows like this. It runs on HBO from time to time. Catch it if you can.
Labels: orson welles, special bulletin, special report: journey to mars, war of the worlds
SCOOBY SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU?
RIGHT HERE ON THE BIG SCREEN…
A Film Review of Scooby-Doo
Being a comics fan there is a terror that I know only too well. It is the fear that a work from one genre (usually comics, but sometimes in this case a TV cartoon) will be brought to the big screen and altered in such a way to destroy it or make it unrecognizable. Ask any comics fan what they thought of Batman and Robin or Superman III and you might get some grasp of this terror. Hollywood hates comics and cartoons, that's just the way it is.
Scooby-Doo is the exception. Its opening scene is the cartoon series. It's as if the characters were lifted from Hanna-Barbera land and made flesh and blood – it is beautiful. And then the unthinkable happens. They evolve. The Scooby Gang grows up, they are changed by circumstances, they become three-dimensional. This is a win/win situation. The fans get the folks they've already fallen in love with and new movie people get real fleshed-out (pun intended) characters.
The story concerns the Mystery Inc. crew (Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and his CGI rendered talking pooch Scooby-Doo) reuniting to investigate a haunted theme park that seems to be brainwashing the youth of America. It pretty much could have been lifted right out of the cartoon and yet fits perfectly in the movie context. The cast is perfect especially Linda Cardellini as Velma when she trades in the bulky sweater for a low cut shirt.
There are lots of nods to the cartoon like references to Shaggy's possible drug use, Fred's strange fashion sense, Daphne always getting captured and Fred and Velma's questionable sexuality. All in all this was a lot of fun and really, what more can you ask of in a movie? Go see it, you'll enjoy it.
Labels: cartoon, comics to film, hanna-barbera, linda cardellini, scooby-doo
THE LATEST ABC MOVIE OF THE WEEK
A Video Review of The Glass House
Remember all those ABC movies of the week from the early to mid-1970s? You know, stuff like Trilogy of Terror and Don't Be Afraid of the Dark? Or how about all those cautionary tales with teens babysitting for psychos, nannies who steal families and young girls who hitchhike with serial rapists? Wow, the 1970s were great, weren't they? Sarcasm mode off.
The Glass House is a throwback to those movies of the week, but that's not a bad thing. It is the story of two children orphaned in a sudden car accident and taken in by old family friends. *Spoiler Warning* As it turns out the whole thing was a scam to get money. The new foster parents are as evil as any that might be found in an ABC movie of the week.
LeeLee Sobrieski is amazing here as she is in most flicks. The only problem I have with her is one that can't really be helped. She is such a dead ringer for Helen Hunt that it's distracting. I wonder if they're related? The brother is played by Trevor Morgan who did such a great job in The Rookie and The Sixth Sense.
The suspense is real and despite plot comparisons much more real than your average Lifetime Network flick or Afterschool Special. See it. An underrated thriller for all.
Labels: abc, afterschool special, don't be afraid of the dark, glass house, helen hunt, leelee sobrieski, lifetime, trevor morgan, trilogy of terror
A Video Review of Regarding Henry
Harrison Ford is one of the best living actors today. Everything he appears in bears a certain standard of quality and his skill as an actor is always top notch. Such is the case with Regarding Henry.
Unlike other actors in similar roles; Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man, Tom Hulce in Dominick and Eugene, Sean Penn in I Am Sam, Adam Sandler in all his films; there's an unwelcome urge to laugh at the mentally challenged. Here, with Harrison Ford, that doesn't happen. Here you can only marvel at his performance.
Ford stars as Henry Turner, an evil lawyer (is there any other kind?), who is shot in the head and goes into a coma. Upon awakening and rehabilitation he becomes a new man, a kinder, gentler and much better husband and father. We watch him confront his past and his sins and make a new start.
Annette Bening as Henry's wife and Mikki Allen as his daughter hand in equally excellent turns. Bill Nunn as Bradley the physical therapist gives the performance of his life and makes you wonder why we haven't seen the like since.
This is an excellent film that should not be missed.
Labels: adam sandler, annette bening, bill nunn, dominick and eugene, dustin hoffman, Harrison Ford, mikki allen, regarding henry, sean penn, tom hulce
THE WRONG COUPLE
A Video Review of Eyes Wide Shut
It is so sad that this Stanley Kubrick's last film. While his style is apparent throughout – the story, what there is of it, is pitiful.
I also feel like a voyeur watching Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman touching and loving each other so intimately. It's possible that I wouldn't feel this way had I not known they were married in real life. That fact lends a rather disturbing edge to the film.
Nicole gives such a stunning performance that it makes Moulin Rouge (the worst film ever made) seem like a step up. Husband Tom has never been so wooden and deadly dull. Two other actors might have made something better of this.
We also get to see so damned much of Cruise and Kidman (yeah, I'm complaining about nudity, I can't believe it but I am) that you get sick of it. It's like the kid who gets caught smoking and as punishment is forced to smoke an entire carton. I don't want to see Tom or Nicole nude ever again.
The film is also long, freakishly long. There are long sequences without music that make Meet Joe Black seem like a cartoon short. The silences are deafening in their length. These scenes might actually be part of Kubrick's secret plan to make us feel like we're eavesdropping, if so, it works only too well.
What this film has to say about relationships between men and women and trust and fidelity may be entirely viable but it's defeated by the choice of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in the lead roles.
Again, it is such a shame this is the master Stanley Kubrick's final film. And especially that he couldn't hire a composer who decided to practice the scales rather than write a score.
Labels: eyes wide shut, moulin rouge, nicole kidman, stanley kubrick, tom cruise
A Video Review of "Brother"
When it comes to Japanese gangster cinema Beat Takashi is The Man. As a director he is a masterful genius, as an actor he is invincible. He strides through this movie like Clint Eastwood through a 1960s Italian western – no one can touch him.
In Brother he comes to America and ruthlessly takes over territories and kills competition making friends and enemies as he goes along. This movie takes all the action of Hong Kong, all the attitude of gangsta rap, all the violence of American Mafia flicks and all the clever cool of the Britmob pics and mashes it together into a fine wine of cinema.
It's "Stranger in a Strange Land" meets Goodfellas. Very violent, visually exciting, excellent cool. See it.
Warning - the above trailer is very violent and may be inappropriate for most audiences. It's also very indicative of what you'll see in the flick itself.
Labels: beat takashi, brother, mob, violent
A Film Review of X2: X-Men United
Being the real comics geek that I am it's not hard to find things to like about the second X-Men film. What amazes me is how accessible it apparently is to non-comics folks.
Before the credits had run at the end of the film my wife spoke up to say she liked it – rare when it comes to comics-related stuff (she gets enough of that stuff from me). My friend Marni said she liked Nightcrawler so much she wanted to hug him. Two young girls behind us in the theatre discussed the original film before the previews started. One hadn't seen it so her friend described it to her. "It's so complicated, you don't understand what's going on, there's too many characters… but it was sooo cool. You just gotta see it!" They were suitably impressed afterwards as well.
My amazement comes from that none of these folks are comics people. X-Men somehow works in the mainstream against all odds. It is actually a good movie. Unlike the first film which was (hell, it had to be) a lot of set up and had to introduce a dozen or so characters plus the whole mutant concept and premise for the X-Men the sequel had room to move, to expand, to explore.
X2: X-Men United focuses on one storyline and a specific group of characters. It keeps it light and tight. Rather than being overwhelmed by too much information you can sit back and marvel at what you're seeing. This is much better than the original.
Magneto and Mystique are suitably evil and strictly out for themselves even as they work together with their sworn enemies the X-Men. The tales of Wolverine and Rogue continue to evolve as we get deeper focus on minor characters from the first film Iceman and Pyro. The movies, like the comic books, establish a soap opera like continuity that made the comics so successful.
Anyone who hasn't taken the dive and seen this movie or its predecessor I urge you to immediately. Don't be put off by the geek factor. Don't think you'll turn into a comics freak or worse yet a Trekkie. You'll just enjoy the flick like everyone else. It's accessible, it's entertaining and it's amazing.
Labels: bryan singer, comics to film, marni, marvel comics, nightcrawler, wolverine, x-men
My First Poetry Event
A LOT LESS PAINFUL THAN I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT
A Review of My First Poetry Event
I'm not a poetry guy. Yeah, I've written poetry, yeah, I've read it and yeah, I've got plentiful friends who do this stuff. But it's not me.
After numerous (far too many to count) invitations to poetry events and poetry slams I broke down and went. It was local, it was promoted on my writers group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/writercircle/) and it was being organized by good friend Linda of www.cavalcadeofpoetry.com. Blatant promotion mode off. Also having been ill and down and out for quite some time I wanted to see some good friends I had neglected for some time.
Poetry makes me think of two things: puppies and rainbows, and shock and politics. Knowing my darker inclinations one might guess which one I enjoy more. I was hoping it would more the latter than the former.
The venue, Port City Java in Deptford New Jersey, is quite nice in comparison to a lot of coffee shops I've been in. It has the familiar stuff; the coffee bar, the pastries, the tables and such. It also has a gift shop with candles and chocolate – and in the back where the event was to take place, a large open room adorned by the wonderful art of So Young whose oil and acrylic mastery of young ladies and flowers is amazing.
I arrived late and was greeted by dear friends; Sharona, Jim, Lisa and Linda, who coincidentally make up the local vocal center of Writer Circle. Checking out the rest of the folks there I was relieved to find no aging beatniks snapping their fingers. Cliched I know but it was a fear. These were normal people interested in sharing creativity – exactly the reason I was there.
Linda, Sharona and Jim all did wonderful readings as did a young man named Steve Paul who was truly amazing. I hope to see more of his work. Having had such a good time this past Sunday I believe I'll be attending on a weekly basis. It was a lot less painful than I thought it would be – it was actually very cool.
Labels: cavalcade of poetry, glenn walker, jim hyler, linda difeterici, port city java, sharona nelson, steve paul, writer circle
GREAT RETRO SCI-FI BUT…
A Video Review of Battlefield Earth
I hated this the first time I saw it. Now I like it a lot.
It's very retro – like the Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers movie serials of the 1930s. You have very clearly drawn lines of good and evil. You have a hero Johnny (Barry Pepper of The Green Mile, Saving Private Ryan) to root for and a villain Terl (John Travolta whose heart and soul went into this project) to hiss and boo.
It's great action but typical sci-fi cliché (not unlike the thousand-plus page book it's based on). Against all odds it is enjoyable. It smacks of old movie serial in the same way the original Star Wars trilogy does.
The reason I didn't like this film initially was probably all the backstage crap. Yes, it's based on the aforementioned book by L. Ron Hubbard and yes, it is chockful of Scientology philosophy and yes, most of the cast are Scientologists but. But you have to put that aside when you watch. It turns up the enjoyability factor quite a few notches if you do.
The cast is very convincing and the effects top notch. They even succeed in realizing the considerable size difference between the humans and their alien foes the Psychlos. Forrest Whitaker is particularly good.
John Travolta is over the top as the villainous Terl. It should be noted he had this project on tap for so long that at one point he was slated to play young Johnny, now he's too old.
Forget the Scientology angle and give this one another shot. It's very good.
Labels: barry pepper, battlefield earth, forrest whitaker, john travolta, l. ron hubbard, scientology, star wars
Armitage III
A Video Review of "Armitage III: The Polymatrix"
This is typical anime; cyberpunk, robots, chicks with big eyes and blood and guts. What sets Armitage III apart from the rest is the Americanization of the flick. It's not just dubbed, it's dubbed by star voices. Rather than the regular crew of folks who always dub these things this one has employed the celebrity vocal skills of Elizabeth Berkley (Showgirls and "Saved by the Bell") and Kiefer Sutherland (The Lost Boys and "24").
The problem with celebrity dubbing is that sometimes a voice is too familiar. Sutherland's character is black-haired so I had a problem associating the voice with the character with his voice. I had similar difficulties with Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within and Alec Baldwin.
The only thing that takes you out of the flick is the disproportion of the leads. Sutherland is portrayed very realistically while Berkley is your typical petite scantily clad anime babe with big eyes. It may be the style but it becomes most irritating after awhile.
The story involves a serial killer offing robot women on Mars with Sutherland and Berkley as the officers investigating. Even with the cyberpunk and ultraviolent anime trappings this has the distinct feel of an American buddy cop movie. Good story, great characters and involving story, all around a well done piece.
Labels: anime, armitage iii, cyberpunk, elizabeth berkley, kiefer sutherland
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1 - 20 of 25 albums
Life can sometimes seem like an infinity mirror of colors reflecting off of themselves, each tint deeply distinct in its own right, yet profoundly beautiful when viewed as a whole. This sentiment is thoughtfully expressed in KALEIDOSCOPE from composer Craig Morris and Navona Records. Morris's compositional strengths are far-reaching and dynamic, and aptly showcased here with orchestral and chamber works written in a variety of orchestrations. Sentiments of gentle reflections, care and acceptance, and love are echoed throughout this release, a cohesive collection of works written from powerful emotions that tie into the kaleidoscope that is the human experience.
Source Ground
On SOURCE GROUND, Hans Bakker's second full-length release on Navona Records, the composer once again probes music's ability to, as Leonard Bernstein said, "name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable." Rhythmically rigorous pieces for solo piano, organ works that fill every nook and cranny of the aural spectrum, powerful orchestral works, and pieces for the rare and haunting lame-sonore draw listeners towards a sense of infinite oneness connected by music.
Composer Michael Murray's album PASSAGES brings the words of iconic 19th and 20th century poets to life through stirring music for solo soprano and instruments. Murray has selected poetry from the likes of Robert Louis Stevenson, William Butler Yeats, William Wordsworth, John Keats, and Walt Whitman, with poems detailing childhood adventure, hope, and tragedy. Celebrated soprano Genevieve Fulks performs throughout; most of the music heard on the album was written specifically with her voice in mind. Murray's music has been lauded for its meticulously crafted yet ultimately approachable style. Through familiar themes and time-honored poetry, Murray invites listeners to engage with, and even be challenged by, this collection of thoughtful compositions.
A primeval forest, unaltered by man and teeming with natural greens and ancient oaks, and its power struggle between chaos and order is unearthed in OERBOS from composer Peter Greve. His third volume of all original compositions, the composer offers a wide variety of works for solo, chamber, choral, and orchestral performers, along with a riveting narrative of forest life in the album's titular symphonic poem. Join the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava as they guide you through a turbulent passage of music, beginning with a calm sunrise and ending with an ode to the unity of mankind and nature, a celebratory movement after a ravaging storm.
Sequoias
SEQUOIAS from composer Jeffrey Jacob and Navona Records is an ode to the entrancing qualities of the natural world, echoing through music an appreciation for its transcendental beauty and concern for the devastating impact of climate change. Inspired by what he calls "cathedral-like sentinels of nature," Symphony No. 6 meditates on the magnificence and grandeur of the tall trees towering in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. With other pieces inspired by the limitless reverberations conjured from the forest and the natural light that illuminates it, SEQUOIAS showcases the composer's creative ambition and commitment to the environment.
Window Panes
Navona presents WINDOW PANES, a cross section of works by compositional veteran Elizabeth R. Austin. The collection is the first to comprise a lifetime of the American's works into one album: and as the title insinuates, it is an album full of interwoven associations, subconscious reminiscences and intense melodic reflections, with decades of labor condensed into an hour of listening.
In 2016, composer and pianist Jeffrey Jacob conducted interviews with children of illegal immigrants, whose plight ended up inspiring the pianist's fifth symphony. Remarkably for a contemporary composition, the work is quite condensed timewise; nevertheless, it packs the whole gamut of human sentiment, with the movements titled I. Lagrimas [Tears], II. Fear; Grace, and III. Separation, Grief; Resolution, Triumph.
3 Rhapsodies
It is tempting to compare Matej Meštrović's compositional style to his great predecessors in the late-Romantic tradition. After all, much of the Croatian composer's style and techniques would be right at home in Rachmaninoff's concertos, Tchaikovsky's works, or Prokofiev's neoclassicism; and the name of the album's first work, Danube Rhapsody, naturally evokes associations with Smetana's similarly river-themed Vltava. Add to all of this that Meštrović, like most of his great musical ancestors, is a talented virtuoso pianist, and it's easy to see why 3 RHAPSODIES is bound to meet with enthusiasm.
Ineffable Tales
Composer/Performer John Alan Rose presents INEFFABLE TALES, an album of four of his ensemble compositions, recorded at Reduta Hall in Olomouc, Czech Republic. In addition to renowned soloists Jungwon Choi (cello), Moni Simeonov (violin), the recording features the composer's wife Sing Rose (soprano), and the composer himself (piano). The album also features the Moravian Philharmonic, under the direction of Miran Vaupotić.
Reawakening
Composer and pianist Jeffrey Jacob returns to Navona Records with REAWAKENING, a collection of varied works for orchestra and chamber ensembles. Jacob's lush, mystical style pervades the album, often blending his piano's sound with orchestral arrangements to create rich musical imagery, as in The Loch Before Sunrise and A Mirror Upon the Waters.
Dark Clouds in Life
A persistent goal of Mark John McEncroe is to create compositions that elicit an emotional response, as is echoed in the titles of his works. This is particularly true of the Australian composer's Navona debut DARK CLOUDS OF LIFE, a conceptual release focused on overcoming addiction and depression, challenges McEncroe has personally struggled with. His sessions in Ostrava, Czech Republic with the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra and pianist Helen Kennedy produced a cornerstone suite and three addendums that capture the essence of the record's stated purpose.
Sensations – Wind, Waves, Birds & Fire
Australian composer, music educator, and pianist Margaret Brandman presents her debut Navona release SENSATIONS, featuring several of her celebrated compositions, each one presenting a unique musical experience and sensation. The Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra skilfully performs the orchestral portion, opening with the joyful Love Brings Change (Adagio for Strings). Pianist Lucie Kaucká joins the orchestra for Lyric Fantasy, an emotional and accessible two-movement work with contrasting moods for piano and strings.
San José Chamber Orchestra: 25th Anniversary
Celebrating their 25th-anniversary concert season in 2016, the San José Chamber Orchestra conducted by Maestra Barbara Day Turner, presents a commemorative collection of contemporary works on Navona Records, showcasing the ensemble's commitment to new music as well as their stylistic versatility.
Paragonia
On his latest Navona Records release, PARAGONIA, composer Michael G. Cunningham explores ways in which the orchestra can interact with itself on several levels. Counter Currents presents contrary phrases and themes simultaneously stated while TransActions portrays dimensions of density, emphasizing orchestral blur and presenting gestures and passages that prompt interplay between the sections of the orchestra.
Navona Records' new installment of the FINE MUSIC series presents a deep cross-sectionof the label's wide-ranging and provocative 2013/2014 release slate, featuring performances by the Grammy-nominated New York Polyphony, Ensemble Dal Niente, cellist Chris Wild, Grammy-winning clarinetist Richard Stoltzman, the Apollo Chamber Players, and many more in works by Hindemith, DeGaetano, Hodkinson, Ramette, Stevens, Williams, Bakker, Rotolo, Vines, Sternfeld-Dunn, Brown, Tarlow, and others.
POLARITIES, an album of new presentations in classical music, expresses the emotions, feelings, and scenes associated with opposites. The works on the album, by four composers, range from a piece for wind ensemble and the Chinese gaohu, to a piano sonata, a chamber work, and works for orchestra.
DEDICATION, a compilation of newly recorded works by composer Howard Quilling, features two sonatas for violin and piano, a suite for saxophone and wind orchestra, and a trio for violin, cello, and piano.
Hailed as "convincing, emotional, passionate and vivid" (The Musical Review) and "destined to enter the ranks of the standard classical repertoire" (New York Times), Fredrick Kaufman resonates with worldwide audiences through impassioned and prolific compositions that go beyond mere interpretation. He thoroughly digests inspiration, internalizing and individualizing his ideas to create moving and impactful works that do more than simply relay a message. Kaufman's music captures feeling and emotion, reaching the listener with convincing sincerity.
Erik Lotichius, a composer unafraid of melody and accessibility, combines the sounds of traditional classics with those that took the 20th-century audiences by storm - in the composer's own words, his work presents "Bach, the Blues and the Beatles" in a spectacular, enthralling combination of genre and style.
Cascading into Reverie
French composer Yves Ramette's (1921-2012) music is marked by its ability to broadcast "messages of the heart," offering unflinching and distinguished representations of emotion and experience using traditional forms. A student of Honegger and contemporary of Boulez, among others, Ramette's works draw from the rhythmic and harmonic elements of mid-20th-century France.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Q: Do blockades in star wars make sense? So this is something I never understood in the franchise, is it in the original trilogy or the prequels. They are times where the heroes encounter blockades from enemy forces that are meant to prevent ships from leaving the planet's orbit. So far so good. But how can you blockade a whole planet?
You must at least have thousands of ships and there would be still thousand of square kilometers to pass through. And the heroes Always go through the one spot where enemies are waiting for them.
Here are good examples:
the escape from Naboo in Episode 1:

As you can see, there is plenty of space above and under the blockade, Also I dont believe they build an asteroid ring of ships here.
Here is the same thing in Hoth:

It is also worth noting, that the trade federation is not the empire and would not have that much resources to begin with.
So why is this a reasonable thing to do?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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text:
TGR Intelligence Report
A Citizen Intel Journal For Over A Decade
TGR Parent Site
Real CV19 Facts
Corruption, End Times, Genocide, Government, Health, Intel, Military, New World Order, World News, World War 3
The Operation Is Codenamed "Meat Machine" – We Will Throw In 30,000 Ukrainian Soldiers!
Su-34 dropped 2 tons of bombs on Ukrainian soldiers!
The founder of PMC "Wagner", Yevgeny Prigozhin, made a chilling statement about the fate of 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers and Foreign Legion forces fighting in Bakhmut, referring to a Russian operation codenamed "Meat Grinder". !
In particular, the founder of Wagner PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin spoke about the course of business in Bakhmut saying:
"Bahmut is a large, well-fortified area with roads, suburbs and water barriers. The Ukrainian army is well prepared and offers a worthy resistance.
Our task is not Bakhmut (the city) itself, but the destruction of the Ukrainian army and the reduction of its combat potential, which has an extremely positive effect on other regions, which is why this operation was named "Bakhmut Meat Grinder" .
In this regard, do not run ahead of events, if it happens – we will let you know, happiness loves silence."
It is worth mentioning that the Ukrainian reporter of TK BIKKA Victoria Khamaza, who works with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, talks about a "Hell in Bahamut" and heavy losses of the Ukrainian ED.
In particular, he spoke about 500 wounded Ukrainian soldiers and mercenaries in the battles for Artemovsk (Bakhmut) in recent days. If the injured are only 500 then the dead must be three times that, that is 1500!
"The flow of the injured to the hospital does not stop."
This information about the huge losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was confirmed by the well-known in Ukraine, Elena Galusko.
Indeed from the Bakhmut front there is chilling audio-visual material with dozens of corpses and hundreds of wounded in the trenches.
Video: Artillery of the 100th Donetsk Brigade destroys a Ukrainian phalanx
CONTINUED AT LINK:
Colonel McGregor: Game Over – Zelensky will cede territory and fall prey to Ukrainian nationalists
"Ukraine is on the verge of collapse"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's impasse will sooner or later lead him to either military defeat or serious concessions to Moscow, which will anger nationalists, Colonel McGregor, a former adviser to the Pentagon chief, said in an interview with Freedom.
According to him, Zelensky will strictly follow the instructions from the White House and the moment will come when he will be told that "the game is over" and that it is time to "come to terms with reality."
Negotiations will be necessary, and as a result, Kiev will inevitably have to make territorial concessions, McGregor said.
"There is an opinion that by accepting these terms, Zelensky will become a victim of radical nationalists.
I believe this is very likely. I can't know for sure, but that would be an obvious outcome," he said.
The colonel emphasized that Ukraine is on the verge of collapse.
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Oh the cold! Oh the Winter! Frosty nights and icy mornings. How ever will we make it through the season of snow? Why… with a big pot of stew to warm our stomachs and nourish our souls.
This recipe is frightfully simple, and can easily be adjusted. If you do not have carrots, or if you hate celery, that is entirely fine. Add ingredients you love, and use what you have in your fridge. However, it is best to stick to root, Winter and hearty vegetables. Think: squash, potatoes, cauliflower, kale, eggplant and turnip.
Grab a cutting board, a knife, a large bowl, and your slow cooker.
When cutting the vegetables, it is imperative that they be, 1. SMALL and 2. as close to the same size as possible. The larger the pieces, the longer the cooking time. If there is a variety of sizes, then the vegetables will cook at different speeds. Smaller pieces will be soft and soggy and larger pieces al dente.
So roll up your sleeves and start to chop! Cut all vegetables and place them in a large bowl.
Set the bowl to the side and pick up your strainer. Time to tackle the beans!
Open your can of beans and throw them in the strainer. Rinse and wash the beans, then put them directly into the slow cooker.
Measure one cup of vegetable broth and add it to the slow cooker, along with your spices and herbs. You can also buy a seasoning mix for stew if you prefer.
Add all chopped vegetables to the slow cooker and set the heat to high. With the lid over the pot, the veggies will simmer and cook slowly.
You can always set the heat to low and allow the stew to cook throughout the day. Some people choose this route so they can prepare the stew in the morning, let it cook while they work and come home to a finished meal. I would not recommend this method; all appliances plugged into the wall run the risk of short-circuiting and causing an electrical fire. You do not want to come home to a swarm of fire trucks and a damaged kitchen – or worse. You should never leave the kitchen when you cook, and you should never leave a slow cooker unattended. For this reason, I like to put my slow cooker on high while I am home so I can monitor the stew and cook it within 3 or 4 hours.
Periodically check the progress of your stew and taste test to ensure the flavours are to your liking. Cook time will vary depending on the type of vegetables you use, their size and the slow cooker itself. My recipe will take a minimum of 3 hours to cook, though you may need to allow the vegetables to simmer in the pot for a few hours longer to achieve a truly tender texture and savoury rich flavours that come from time.
When the stew is cooked to your liking, serve and enjoy. Bon appetite.
For more featured recipes, follow the links below.


On our design courses and in conversation with clients we are regularly asked about current interior design trends and what's in fashion. In an attempt to answer that question I've chosen my top three Interior Design and Colour Trends for 2017 YOUTUBE videos to share with you here. I hope you enjoy watching them.


text:
Sydney Ten Forty
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Stories & Poetry
Pam Ledden
09 Feb Pam Ledden
Posted at 05:32h in Stories & Poetry	by	geekygirl-jez 0 Comments
Older dykes recall the glory days of feminism. What attracted them to it and how it impacted on their lives.
Pam Ledden 1938 – 2004
I find that listening to others today, and the other five who've already spoken, is a very hard act to follow because I don't have a sense of my own life being so full of risk and courage.
Briefly, I was brought up a country girl. I was an only child. I feel that my early girlhood was a time of privilege and encouragement – the encouragement was mostly as a sporting heroine. Education in the 1950s, as with everybody else at that time, seems to have been a bit of a struggle. I really wanted to be an archaeologist, and of course ended up nursing.
What attracted me to feminism? It's one of those things for which I have a one-word answer – intensity. It's about a build up of experience and a kind of readiness. My first experience of anything political was the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in London in the 1960s. The first time I attended a demonstration I stood on the edge of the kerb shaking in my shoes wondering what on earth I was doing there. But it's there that my political education really began. And it began because the person that I was married to at that time was far ahead of me in terms of the way he interpreted the world, and his insights into notions of oppression and injustice were a real education for me. It was with his encouragement, that I finally went to University, although I don't think he quite envisaged where it was going to lead me.
There had been many other experiences along the way, one of which was Currumbeena, an alternative school we got involved with. The people I got embroiled with there threw me drew me away from a very conventional view of the world. These various experiences, especially Currumbeena, meant being with people who were continuing to question the world on lots of different levels.
And then to university in the late 60s. I was going to become a teacher, which was going to be my way of changing the world. But when I got to University I took one look at the Education Faculty and thought this is not going to change anybody's world. I was entirely seduced into history, in particular looking at the experience of women historically in Britain, America and Australia. When, coming to the end of my degree, I decided to do an Honours year I was told by the person who was Head of School at that time, I will name him, Professor Judge, (he was then married to a woman who was the president of the Right To Life Association) that there was not enough material to do an Honours degree on women. (laughter) Before he would give me permission to go ahead, I had to prove to him that there was material (laughter) so that meant scouring libraries and various repositories of information around Sydney and presenting it to him before I got permission to do it. In my Honours year, I was the only person whose thesis he reserved the right to mark. I had a very bad year. The writing was writ very clear that we were up against it.
The year before, four or five of us formed the Macquarie Women's Group, an informal women's studies course with sessions held every two weeks at lunchtime. We were amazed at the response we got to those discussions. Sometimes they started at lunchtime and finished around the bar at night.
How has Feminism impacted on my life? From that time on, everything I've done has informed and influenced my practices in my working life and my personal life. There's no section of my life that has been untouched by my feminism. I think that the notions of choice, difference, honouring people's experience and the general drive towards…I don't want to use the word 'equality' because I think that recognising the diversity of our lives and skills and wealth that we bring to our culture has been important.
The next question that was asked is: "What have been the positive aspects of being a feminist". I mean the lot really – it's always been high energy. It's always been a struggle and it's always been periods of absolute highs, enjoyment and closeness – everything that everybody else has talked about. But I think that personally the intensity has continued and I recognise that there is no way that I can separate myself from feminism and that it will continue to inform my practice and continue to be part of who I am.
Have there been any disappointments? Well, we haven't changed the world. It's still a bit slow. One of my greatest disappointments is the split between lesbian and heterosexual women somewhere back in the late 70's. I think that has been a rift in the movement that has depleted me, and possibly the energy of the movement as it is at the moment.
My issues now? In my working life, I can continue to behave in a way that sits comfortably with my feminism. In a sense I feel quite lucky that I'm working with TAFE (Technical and Further Education) because no matter how blunderingly, (laughs) no matter how systematically TAFE puts into practice its aims, they are certainly aims I am comfortable with. And TAFE is such a big organisation, the women in it find each other, recognise each other and support each other. That has been a very positive experience. It may be a male dominated life, we may be marginalised but we are out there talking to each other.
The other issue for me now is the journey of life. How it is going to be ageing? And what does feminism have to say about that process and the representation of ageing women in this culture?
What Lesbians Do in Books – From Radclyffe Hall to Sarah Waters
New titles for your reading or watching list – with an overlap between lesbian and feminist material
Happiness: The neuroscience, the social science, and what it means for us
The Internet, Social Media and Us: Risks and Rewards Dinner and Discussion for Older Lesbians 16 February 2019
In the mid-1990s a group shared their experiences at Ten Forty dinner and discussion evenings. Their stories were recorded on tape and now we've made them into a podcast.
If you have written a story, poem or academic article, or if you read something that you think we would like to read, email your contribution to contact.
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text:
May 25, 2002 - From the May, 2002 issue
Little Hoover Commission's Affordable Housing Report Details The Crisis & Local Government Reacts
After a 12-month review, the Little Hoover Commission this month released its long-awaited report on affordable housing in California. The report's conclusions reaffirm what we already know--California's poorest citizens are suffering the greatest from the state's growing housing shortage--and provides some creative solutions to deal with the problem. The following excerpt of "Rebuilding the Dream: Solving California's Affordable Housing Crisis" details the Commission's findings and recommendations in an attempt to help the Legislature and Governor resolve California's shortage of affordable housing.
Among the most basic of human needs is a place to call home. And nowhere in the United States is this need harder to satisfy than in California. The lack of affordable housing is so severe that it threatens the health and welfare of thousands of Californians, as well as the state's long-term prosperity.
As California's population has grown, housing production for most income levels has failed to keep pace. Escalating housing prices have put home ownership in many communities out of reach for middle income workers like teachers, firefighters and law enforcement officers.
But the impact of the State's housing shortage is felt most profoundly by low-income Californians who struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Among low-income renters, about two-thirds pay more than half of their income for housing and 91 percent pay more than the recommended 30 percent. Homelessness also is increasing, affecting approximately 361,000 Californians – more than 1 percent of the population.
For those with the lowest incomes, an adequate supply of affordable housing can mean the difference between having a safe place to sleep and being homeless, between paying the rent or having adequate food, clothing and health care. For many, the housing crisis is putting beyond reach the "American Dream" in its most humble terms of safe, stable and secure housing.
The Department of Housing and Community Development asserts that if current trends continue, California will build less than 60 percent of the new housing needed over the next 20 years.
A central tension in housing policy is created by California's strong tradition of local control and the statewide interest in an adequate supply of housing. Cities and counties adamantly defend their authority to make land use decisions. But the aggregate of those decisions increasingly fails to meet regional and statewide needs, particularly when it comes to housing.
Regional economies have evolved from cities and counties that in an earlier time functioned largely independent of one another. In the 21st century, economic viability and issues like transportation, air quality and housing transcend the boundaries of local governments.
Even where new housing is a priority, communities and regions must negotiate legitimate and inherent conflicts over social equity, environmental protections, inadequate infrastructure and fiscal responsibility. Californians have come to associate growth-particularly multifamily housing-with noise, traffic congestion, school overcrowding and other negative impacts on the quality of life. Affordable housing also competes with the desire for more open space, tax-rich retail development and other priorities.
Still, communities have more opportunities than they recognize or acknowledge. Communities can pursue partnerships to lower risks for developers, streamline review procedures and build community support for affordable housing. Without undermining Prop. 13, residents could approve a small surcharge for water and sewer fees to create a subsidy for low income housing.
Local control also means local responsibility. Laguna Beach, for example, has virtually no developable land left and some of the state's highest real estate values, yet finds ways to make land available for affordable housing. "There are obstacles," said the city's director of community development, "But where there's a will, there's a way."
The Commission also concluded that the State needs to seize every existing opportunity to encourage and help local governments make affordable housing happen. Every regulation, every requirement and every funding stream encourages local governments to act in certain ways. The challenge is to align those incentives with the development of affordable housing. Transportation funds, park bonds, housing bonds and all other funding streams with a nexus to urban development can be used as incentives. Communities that are meeting their performance goals should go to the front of the line. Communities that are unwilling to do their part should have a longer wait for limited funds. They also could lose discretion in how they spend existing funds, including redevelopment funds.
The State also should create new opportunities by helping communities to effectively and safely recycle brownfields for residential development. It can develop model zoning ordinances that encourage efficient and transit-oriented development and employ other strategies that will help local communities develop housing in ways that are economically, socially and environmentally responsible.
To overcome the barriers to the development of housing, the State needs a comprehensive public policy that does not dictate local land use decisions, but compels communities-with incentives, assistance, and sometimes penalties-to do their part in meeting the statewide need for housing.
The Commission has identified five important ways that state policies should be reformed to increase the supply of affordable housing:
1) The State should provide leadership and strengthen housing element law to make more land available for housing. It should refocus the law from planning for housing to ensuring that housing is built.
2) Public policies should be reformed to encourage greater use of urban "brownfields" for affordable housing, while enhancing the well-being, ensuring the health and safety, and encouraging the involvement of neighborhoods and residents.
3) The State should draw more investors into the market by accurately identifying and reducing the risks associated with affordable housing and identifying new sources of private capital.
4) Public subsidies-essential to providing low-income housing in an inflated market-should be consistent, reliable and efficiently allocated. Some infrastructure-related costs for affordable housing should be reduced, shifted to the State or shared by the larger community.
5) State housing programs should be coordinated to make access to subsidies easier, streamline monitoring requirements and provide technical assistance.
The State has struggled to define a relationship with local jurisdictions that respects "local control" over land use decisions, while ensuring that housing is available for a growing population. The State has nudged, cajoled, and encouraged local jurisdictions to do their part. Many have responded, but many have resisted. The housing element law alone provides little incentive to comply and no consequence for failure to perform.
The Commission believes that the statewide interest and the needs of communities can be met with leadership and reforms that provide meaningful incentives for affordable housing, reduce barriers and provide technical assistance to implement effective strategies.
Affordable Housing Findings/Recommendations
I. Finding: California does not have adequate state policies to ensure that local communities provide housing at all income levels, particularly for those at the lowest income levels.
Recommendation: To make sure its housing goals are met, the State should implement a comprehensive set of planning policies and fiscal incentives to ensure that local jurisdictions effectively plan for and actually produce affordable housing.
II. Finding: Urban brownfields are an undeveloped opportunity to make land available for affordable housing close to job centers, break the cycle of deterioration and enhance the well-being of surrounding neighborhoods.
Recommendation: California should seize the opportunity that urban brownfields present for increasing the supply of affordable housing by establishing policies and incentives that prioritize the reuse of these sites.
III. Finding: Diminished investment incentives, coupled with uncertainty and perceived risk, have quashed private investment in affordable housing-particularly multifamily housing.
Recommendation: The State should implement policies and promote practices to increase private investment in affordable housing.
IV. Finding: Public subsidies for affordable housing are inconsistent, unreliable and are not allocated in ways that provide the greatest value.
Recommendation: The State should identify permanent, dedicated sources of funding for the California Housing Trust Fund, promote local housing trust funds and enact policies to share infrastructure-related costs for affordable housing.
V. Finding: Developers of affordable housing must patch together funding from multiple and disparate sources, delaying development and increasing costs.
Recommendation:The State should enact policies and practices designed to facilitate easy access to affordable housing resources.


text:
Менавла, менавлий, menaulion, menavlion ( или μέναυλα), menaulon или menavlon (μέναυλον), монавла (μοναύλια, μοναύλα) — тяжёлое копьё длиной от 2.7 до 3.6 метров с толстым древком, используемое византийской пехотой с начала X века, против вражеской тяжёлой кавалерии. Для увеличения силы оружия при его изготовлении использовали цельные стволы дуба или кизила, также оно обладало длинным лезвием — 45-50 см.

Его использование засвидетельствовано императором Никифором II Фокой в трактате Praecepta Militaria, Никифором Ураном и Львом IV Мудрым в их руководствах — Taktika. Менаулион описан в трактате второй половины X столетия, известном как Sylloge Tacticorum или Неизданная тактика Льва. Воины, нёсшие menaulia (menaulatoi), были развернуты позади линии фронта и должны были выдвигаться вперёд против вражеской кавалерийской атаки. Они выстраивались в тонкую линию перед первой линией фронта. По другой версии, они выстраивались на флангах пехоты вместе с копьеносцами, для атаки на фланги атакующего врага. Они также развертывались в интервалах между тяжелой пехотой наряду с легкой. В лагерях они располагались в выходах.

В своем трактате «О церемониях» (De Ceremoniis), император Константин VII приказывает начать производство различных видов менавл.

Примечания

Ссылки
 Graeme Walker (November 1998). «Byzantine Infantry Formations». Varangian Voice no. 49.

Армия Византийской империи
Средневековое оружие
Холодное оружие по алфавиту
Копья

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text: LOCAL NEWS Fiordland's brand new New Life Church will host its first services this weekend. The corrugated iron-clad building at the corner of Blatch Road and Milford Road in Te Anau belies its high-spec interior which features state-of-the art audio and visual equipment that is coveted in modern-day worship. Pastor John Steffens has spent most days at the church during the past few weeks, overseeing contractors and pitching in with the fit-out. The church is made up of two How to play KAKURO Fill in the blank squares of the grid, using 1 to 9, without repeating any number in any run line. The lines must be filled in with numbers which add up to the total in the shaded box at the top or begin- ning of each line. A number in the bottom half of the shaded box gives a vertical total; in the top half, it's a horizontal total. New Life Church ready for service Pastor John Steffens taking a break from work in the new Fiordland New Life Church which opens this weekend. A café-style kitchen provides an informal social centre. Hi-tech audio and visual features will be run from a specially-designed control desk. adjoining buildings totalling about 400 square metres. It has been built on 1.2ha of land by a family trust that will lease it to the church. One wing houses a children's hall while the other has the church, a crèche area and a café-style entrance. Mr Steffens said it was hoped the wider community would make use of the building. When not in use for church services and events it would be available for hire. The first service will be held in the new church at 10am this Sunday, with another at 6pm. On June 20 a public open day would run from 9am until 6pm where anyone was welcome to come and take a look around the facilities, he said. 12 June, 2009 | Page 5 Fiordland Advocate Solution, Page 15


Out of area delivery and installation $100 plus $0.50 per mile.
Planter bowls look like cracked open "dragon eggs"
Mix and match bowls and pedestals.
Pick up at the Farm. Pedestal weight is 50 to 80 pounds depending on size and shape. Bowl weight is 20 to 30 pounds.
Windows are 1 inch thick fiber concrete to keep the weight down and reinforced with steel mesh for strength and security.
Pick up at the Farm. Weight varies greatly. The one pictured is four foot tall, two foot wide, five inches thick, and weighs around 100 pounds.
Our bottle works are made out of recycled wine and beverage glass bottles. Each little glass insert is closed off on each side to keep dirt, bugs, and dirt out. To make an insert, we cut the bottoms off of two bottles, attach the open ends together to make a sealed unit, and then we embed it in concrete. The concrete is an extra strong, fiber reinforced, crack-resistant mix that has over 5000 PSI compression strength.