Merrry Christmas

Perfect gift idea!

'E' Factor

Noun
exhaustion

- Supreme tiredness; having exhausted
energy.

It's nice to have some days off to recuperate now.

Oh Christmas Tree...

Have you got yours yet?

Have a Maury Christmas

Because it's true.....

'Baby Jesus Syndrome'

It's been so long since I got on here.
Better later then not all, I suppose.
Christmas is just weeks away. The
warm cozy feeling is hitting most
people now. It's kind of funny how
we need designated holidays to
actually strive to become a better
individual. Must be the whole baby
Jesus thing going around. Maybe
it could be diagnosed as a syndrome;
"Baby Jesus Syndrome". Effecting the
main coronary arteries, as well as the
stomach. Maybe they're come out with
a manditory shot for all new borns!
Alright thats enough of that rambling.

The tree lighting is this weekend at
the homestead. Pretty exciting stuff.
Maybe we'll set fire to some logs too.
Not the ones that float in the toilet,
fortunetely. Although I'm sure you
could just say you're saving trees or
some environmental excuse such as
that. "All the cool kids are doing it"
just wouldn't cut it.

Some pretty promising films are
on the prowl now. A couple I've
yet to see. A lot I'm quite anxious
to see in the coming weeks and
months. Plus the fact that some of
the past good ones are being
released on DVD. So they must be
added to the collection. Which by
the way is pretty hefty, I must say.

Seeing as this blog is nothing but and
experimentally including much madness.
I expect this entrant will be deserving of
the over all theme.

So I depart from this, with a catchy phrase
that I think will be and has been becoming
infamous as of late....
"Why so serious ?"

MSH with the CON

The new job has started. It's pretty much the same deal as the last. Just a lot more interesting and, well better. It was kind of daunting when I was thinking about it. As I said before, its the same sort of deal but the kicker is its on a bigger scale on some aspects. Such as the building and the amount of people I work with. That lasted a couple minutes anyways. Its a great help to be able to step back and say, "wait a minute, i've been through this already, i've done all this before". So it was quickly packed away. The only struggle is the commute, but I'm sure once I get into a groove it'll be fine. I've already set up a plan so it's just a matter of adapting and overcoming.

HOLY CAPED CRUSADER!

Wewt

Woohoo! Got the job.

Now the fun begins.

I'm watching you bitches...

Tuesday's Gone with the Wind

"Beware the fury of a patient man."
- John Dryden

No more speeding, Charlie Brown

So here in Ontario (thats in Canada) we have recently been experiencing a lot of fatalities due to impaired drivers and speeders. Basically people I have no idea how they got their license to drive a motor vehicle in the first place. Ah yes, the joys of corrupted systems. The saying, "Money talks" comes to mind. None the less, the Ontario government has come up with some new laws or "legislation" if you will, to combat these fuckers. Keep in mind the vehicles can be seized for 7days and fines of $2,000 can be given. I personally, have no problem with these new laws but cannot help but laugh at the last bulleted section of the legislation. It for some reason urges me to watch films such as, "Good Fellas" and "The Godfather".

Under the new legislation vehicles can be seized
and fines handed out when drivers:

• Drive 50 km/h or more over the speed limit
• Race and/or stunt drive
• Drive with someone in the trunk

Forgettaboutit

None the less, laws of this calibre will still not stop these 'mamalukes' from using their cars like RC racers at the circus. Maybe I should invest in a helicopter....

Woohoo Weekend

What if you don't BBQ?

Busted

Culture jamming is the act of transforming mass media to produce
commentary about itself, using the original medium's communication method. It is
a form of public activism which is
generally in opposition to commercialism, and the
vectors of corporate image. The
aim of culture jamming is to create a contrast between corporate or mass media
images and the realities or perceived negative side of the corporation or media.
This is done symbolically, with the "detournement" of pop
iconography.
Culture jamming is based on the idea that advertising is little more than propaganda for
established interests, and that there is a lack of an available means for
alternative expression in industrialized nations. Proponents see culture jamming
as a resistance movement to
the hegemony of popular culture, based
on the ideas of "guerrilla communication".
Culture jamming's intent differs from that of artistic
appropriation (which is done for art's sake) and vandalism (where
destruction or defacement is the primary goal), although its results are not
always so easily distinguishable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_jamming

You guys should really check out the magazine, "Adbusters". It's a Canadian magazine but I'm sure you can find some of its content(which is based on culture jamming) on google or the smart way; by going to their website.[ http://www.adbusters.org/home/] Some of the 'busted' ads they've manipulated give for a couple chuckles. The ads are very creative and are great topic starters(for those with more than nothing to say).

Que?

So where is this parking lot ?

Truth is for the truthful dummy

One of the most salient features of our culture is that there is so much
bullshit.

- Professor Harry Frankfurt

This guy wrote a book on bullshitters and liars called "On Bullshit". He makes the distinction between them by stating; liars are dangerous in that, liars at least have some bit of concern for the truth (hiding it). As for the Bullshitters, they aren't concerned for what the truth may be; they're interested in entertaining the listener.

http://press.princeton.edu/titles/7929.html

I think most people of this world should read this and have a self realization.

*a side note, does it not sound like most of the dialogue from politicians, they're either lieing or bullshitting(can you tell elections are on in my area?).

I'd rather die..
....well not really(liar).

Out of the Shadows!

So I goto the mail box, sift through the advertisements, coupon booklets, and not to mention bills(thankfully none with my name on it). Then one with the heading in the top left corner, "Ministry of the Attorney General". All of us know what that means; the dreaded Jury Duty.

For some reason I have a feeling this isn't going to be anything like the Pauly Shore movie.

In unrelated news! "GREAT SCOTT!!", they're planning on reviving the DeLorean!

Hopefully, the Flux Capasitor will come standard.

300 Spartans

So the day and time that I had been so anxiously awaiting for, finally came. The anticipation I had for this film was incredible. I hadn't been this excited to see a film since...well truthfully, I can't even remember. So I graciously buy the ticket and step quickly towards the theater. Number 10 to be exact. As time winds down to the show time, I keep thinking to myself that I hope I haven't built this movie up too much to be horribly let down in the end. I couldn't have been so wrong.

The movie starts as a soldier telling a story about a Spartan who is to be 'King Leonidas'. Which also plays hand in hand with an introduction to the customs of the people of Sparta. It tells us about such things as how they, believe it or not, "choose" their newborns, how these boys become warriors, how they are constantly being trained and tested throughout their life. So that they can ultimately be the best soldiers the world has ever known. The story of Leonidas' childhood climaxes at a pivotal point in which Leonidas is faced with his last test where his is put up against a giant black wolf, with what looked to be fire in his eyes . For the record was completely bad ass. Not to give too much away he returns to Sparta victorious and takes his place as King of Sparta. It was an action packed introduction/crash course in the history of Spartans, which gave you a great background on who the Spartans were and what they stood for. And so the story begins...

I must say this movie immediately grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the end. It's literally a roller coaster ride that you wish would keep going. Aside from that, I was in complete and utter awe of the visuals in the movie. After watching a behind the scenes look of the movie on SPIKETV, I believe it was the director who has said that "anything beyond 200 feet was all CGI". Well you really had to look twice. The backgrounds and environments are beautifully done. If not flawless. The colours of the movie just add so much atmosphere to the movie I thought. The browns, crimsons, grey tones just added so much to the movie. In ways that I just can't explain. The only word for it all visually is 'beautiful'.
Now to get to the real fun stuff. The fight scenes. One word, "Amazing". Quick cuts to fast paced to slow motion movements of death and carnage. Sounds like it would leave you dizzy. For lack a better word. Well it doesn't. The scenes are so well done. Giving you the feeling that you are just as much apart of them as the Spartans and their enemies. The camera angles are right in the thick of the battle. Death, blood, gore all around you. You are in this war whether you like it or not. And I'm very sure you're liking it.
With all that aside, the story tells you about these men's devotion to their country, to freedom, to their king and most of all, to each other. I actually came to thinking about our own war in Iraq and Afghanistan. About the men and women over there fighting for quite similar values and having very little backing politically and otherwise at home.
So to try and sum up my thoughts of this movie, I was not let down in the least. I had a great time seeing this film, enjoyed every minute of it. I recommend it to all those with a pulse and those without.

Nights of the Very Alive Remakes

"They're coming to get you Barbara!"

Yes they are and there is nothing you can do about it. As any cold blooded movie goer knows, the past couple years have been the "Age of Remakes". For the sake of readability, I'll change this to the "Age of Revival", it doesn't seem so 'fau pas'.
So the age of revival is upon us. Most of us who are faithful to our mistress, the film industry, know the movies and for those who haven't expanded their horizons probably have no idea the movie is a remake. At least until they hear it from the people below them who are telling them to stop kicking their fucking chairs.
So what do we think of these 'revivals' ? Well from discussions, debates, rants, etc. The overall thoughts are not so good. Why ? Well other than the obvious reason of the movie being a big piece of paper bagged, flaming dog shit. It's possibly because those of us who are fans of the original film are scared. Yes, scared. The fact that someone has taken something that we either love, respect, think is the holy grail, etc. and made it their own; is change. We all hate change. It takes us away from our comfort zone. So some of us rebel against it. Whether it be because of our thick skulls, rock hard beliefs and just plain old stubbornness. We have to accept that directors, writers and producers are reviving our classics and bringing them to the youths of today. Some people may be saying there is no 'originality' anymore. Maybe so. But is there much left to be original with, without taking SOMETHING from another film that may have inspired or may have been a favourite? Probably not. We go with what works. These classics worked. And STILL work in their original forms. So why not spruce them up with technology and some new talent?
Personally, I have no problem with these 'revivals' . The good ones anyways. But I do admit full heartedly that there have been some horribly fucking done 'revivals' that are probably not worth the name they bare. Nonetheless we are left to hope for something spectacular. Something true to the original, without destroying it. In my eyes, I have an incredible amount of sympathy goes out to the directors, writers who have to put these things together. The pressures and stresses they must feel is probably ridiculous.
So with that, Will I go see a 'Revival'? Probably. Will I enjoy it? Possibly. Will I use a couple bad 'revivals' to denounce other upcoming films of the same nature? I sure as hell will try not to.
Should you all adopt my commandments? Fuck yes.

The Rider

This past Friday I joined many anxious fans at the viewing of "Ghost Rider". Which stared Nicolas Cage as 'Johnny Blaze' and 'Ghost Rider'. Also, the ever so voluptuous, Eva Mendez as 'Roxanne Simpson' who is Johnny Blaze's love interest in movie. The movie was also graced by the timeless, Peter Fonda as 'Mephistopheles', which is basically a fancy word they had used for the character, who is Satan. So as the movie begins, we all know what to expect. The 20 - 30 minutes of bombarding commercials for upcoming movies or sponsors. In this case specifically I was not bothered by it so much because they had shown very good movies which quite honestly had me salivating when all was said and done.

Alright with all the introductions aside and taken care of. It's safe to say the movie begins. It began pretty intensely with an intense orchestral piece, coupled with a road which looked to be leading to hell due to the fact that everything was on fire around it. It gave you the perspective of what the Ghost Rider might see while on a ride to hell; Burning up asphalt and only lead by a faintly lit headlight and some hellfire and brimstone. As the beginning credits zip by, I am already thinking to myself, "Wow, this is going to be a pretty kick ass movie" and I hadn't even seen any actors or heard any commentary whatsoever. Definitely a good way to start off watching a movie, especially one that stars Nicholas Cage. So it starts off with setting up the back story as to Johnny Blaze's childhood with his father. They work for a circus as motorcycle stunt artists. Their relationship with each other being a disconnected one because of his father not knowing how to tell his son that he has lung cancer. So it goes on introducing Eva Mendez's character who is Blaze's love interest as a child and as an adult. So Johnny finds out that his father has lung cancer and makes the deal with the devil to cure the cancer, not knowing that it wouldn't save him from injury. So his father dies and Johnny runs away from the show and setting up his own stunt show, which leads him to his adulthood. Now I don't want to get too much into the rest of the movie, as to not spoil it for anyone who wants to watch it. The effects of the rider and the transformation that Nicholas Cage makes as his becomes the rider for the first time is pretty well done. The Ghost Rider character melded very well into the real environment and didn't look out of place at all, well for a flaming skeleton in leather it did very well interacting with the other characters. There was something that I believe should be noted. That is the way they showed Ghost Riders emotions. Seeing as there isn't much movement that a skull can make realistically without making it look like something out of "A Nightmare Before Christmas' ", 'Jack Skellington'. They decided on making the flames change colour to blue and become more subdued for sad moments or they become much more intense and vibrant for more aggressive and anger toned moments.

I must also mention Eva Mendez's character. They had this woman wearing low cut blouses(i had to look up what a blouse was just for this entry!) throughout practically the whole movie. Her whole wardrobe consisted of basically completely tight fitted clothing and bras that lifted her assets to the heavens in due fashion. Nonetheless her acting was well initiated as well.
So all in all my thoughts on the movie are that it was very well put together. It had its comedic moments as well as the fast paced, heart pounding action that every comic-to-big screen movie deserves and needs. Plus there was plenty of fire.

PLUG PLUG PLUG

I am here to tell you all that you should definitely check out my friend's blog. The link is on the right hand side, under the heading, "Things you should definitely check out". I will also be posting web sites that I have been checking out and feel need some looking at.

So anyways, here's a little about the blog straight from his page...

The life of a typical 20 year old male living in a suburb who dreams of one day winning American Idle.... More specifically, I am interested in commerical and residental development in moderately sized towns, its impact on life and social interactions with technology in general. What does that have to do with American Idle? Read to find out!

It's very interesting and sure to get your brain working. It's good exercise after looking at this one.
So until next time.

"Keep fit and have fun".