One of my favorite, and one of the highest acclaimed, coming-of-age movies ever made was a little Scottish film called Gregory's Girl, by filmmaker Bill Forsyth. Made in 1981, it followed the life of wimpy 16-year-old Gregory, as he tries to impress the girl who has just joined the football (soccer) team. The film still has a strong cult following. … Read More
Google Music Beta: A First Impression
It's not often that I get into the "beta" door — usually I don't try. But I asked for, and received, and "invite" to use Google Music Beta, the new streaming music service by Google. This is the newest development in the music industry. In the OLD days, you would have to buy the music in some tangible form (LP, … Read More
MTV Awards
I didn't watch the MTV Awards last night (I haven't watched them in well over a decade), but I'll bet even money that some girl kissed another girl, or a guy kissed a guy, or there was some sort of sexual touching going on which is all the buzz this morning.
As CGI Gets Better, We Get Creeped Out
Hmmmm: A theory called the "uncanny valley" says we tend to feel attracted to inanimate objects with human traits, the way a teddy bear or a rag doll seems cute. Our affection grows as an object looks more human. But if it looks too human, we suddenly become repulsed. Instead of seeing what's similar, we notice the flaws — and … Read More
Rebecca Black Goes Up Several Notches In My Book
Poking fun at herself, and not a bad little actress: Friday Lyrics Analyzed with Rebecca Black from Rebecca Black Rebecca Black's Greatest Hits from Rebecca Black Which Seat Should I Take? w/ Rebecca Black from Rebecca Black Sunday Comes Afterwards Starring Rebecca Black from Rebecca Black
Quote Of The Day
The apparent frivolity of "Friday" is only its most cunning aspect, a bubble-gum Trojan horse containing a radical text throwing itself against the gears of a death-bound society. And in Ms. Black’s voice we hear the full cry of a revolutionary age, Benghazi echoing across Orange County, the ancient wail of all who have ever wanted more. — blogger Dana … Read More
Blame MST3K For “The Female Bieber”
Her name is Rebecca Black, and she rose to instant Internet fame last weekend with this video…. And what propelled this video to go viral? MST3K's Mike Nelson is given credit/blame… thanks to this tweet. Thanks, Mike. Not!
The Death Of TV As We Know It
You have to ask yourself: since Netflix streams primetime television shows direct to the consumer, why can't original series be distributed that way? Seems Netflix had the same thought – Netflix To Enter Original Programming With Mega Deal For David Fincher-Kevin Spacey Series. Video streaming juggernaut Netflix is becoming an original programming player. In what is probably the biggest gamble in … Read More
On Modern Art
Having recently been to the MOMA, I recently came to the conclusion that modern art is bosh. And it has been bosh since, well, Andy Warhol. No, maybe even before Warhol. Well, if I had been paying better attention at MOMA, I could tell you when modern art became bosh. But it was within the past 50 or so years. With … Read More
A Middle Age Man (Me) Reacts To The New Britney Spears Video
Oh, my. An asteroid heading toward Earth. This can't be good. Whew. Apparently the asteroid was merely providing power for this video. They started shooting this video before the backup dancers were dressed. How embarrassing for them. One would have thought that Britney could afford a larger stage. Britney in a wedding dress is defying gravity on the set … Read More
Bieber Gets All Political
From his Rolling Stone interview: On sex before marriage: “I don't think you should have sex with anyone unless you love them.I think you should just wait for the person you're…in love with.” On health care: “Canada's the best country in the world. We go to the doctor and we don't need to worry about paying him, but here, your … Read More
“Secret” Coca-Cola Recipe
The recipe:Fluid extract of Coca: 3 drams USPCitric acid: 3 ozCaffeine: 1 ozSugar: 30 (unclear quantity)Water: 2.5 galLime juice: 2 pints, 1 quartVanilla: 1 ozCaramel: 1.5 oz or more for color The secret 7X flavor (use 2 oz of flavor to 5 gals syrup):Alcohol: 8 ozOrange oil: 20 dropsLemon oil: 30 dropsNutmeg oil: 10 dropsCoriander: 5 dropsNeroli: 10 dropsCinnamon: 10 … Read More
My 2010 Oscar Predictions
BEST PICTURE The King's Speech Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Colin Firth The King's Speech ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Christian Bale The Fighter ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Natalie Portman Black Swan ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Hailee Steinfeld True Grit ANIMATED FEATURE FILM Toy Story 3 Lee Unkrich ART DIRECTION Inception … Read More
Man With The Golden Voice
Yeah, yeah. Homeless man has a good radio voice, and in a matter of days, becomes celebrity. Blah blah blah. Warm feel good story. Oh, here are his mug shots, America. They're from his many arrests and convictions for theft, robbery, escape, forgery, and drug possession. No, but seriously. I hope he can keep it on the straight and low this … Read More