http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Wed, 12 Oct 2005 01:07:06 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/ Phillip WinnSunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding. Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/10/12/010706.php CasperTonight, we went to catch Flightplan. It's an okay thriller, so long as you don't think too hard about the plot. Or the actual details.Jodi Foster plays a woman whose husband has fallen to his death in Berlin. She and her daughter are flying the body home to Long Island NY on a trans-Atlantic flight. Both mom and daughter fall asleep, then Ms. Foster awakens after three hours. The daughter is missing.From there, the movie follows Foster as she tries to find her daughter without going so completely over the edge that she is immobilized for the duration of the flight. Foster has to try to win over skeptical members of the flight crew, the increasingly on edge passengers (wouldn't you be a wee bit upset if someone started to act out more and more each time while encased in a tube some thirty thousand feet above the ocean?) all while keeping her wits about her. Foster is up to the challenge and mostly pulls it off.The cinematography was interesting, if not a touch overwrought. The abundance of reflected imagery made it readily apparent that things are not what they seem, but I found that to be a bit much after a while.Watch time 52 minutes. If you've seen the film and/or want some spoilers, check out the extended comments. Video37797@blogcritics.org Wed, 12 Oct 2005 01:07:06 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/10/10/141521.php CasperLast night was Tim Burton's Corpse Bride. This was a great film, particularly in light of my personal life at this time (I'm getting hitched and stuff in a few months). So the idea of a wedding going humorously awry is quite appealing to me, given all the headaches of getting this thing planned. Filmed in a fashion similar to The Nightmare Before Christmas, the movie is shot in stop motion animation. The somewhat jerky movements give the overall feel an otherworldly tinge to it. However, I think the plot and story of Corpse Bride were more fully developed than Nightmare. Nightmare was clever and had a neat idea, but it could have and should have been more fleshed out than it was. Corpse Bride, on the other hand, possesses a robust story, allowing the side sections to be more inventive. I'd highly recommend this one for anyone looking for a good romp. No watch time. Video37702@blogcritics.org Mon, 10 Oct 2005 14:15:21 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/09/22/211229.php CasperTonight was a critic's pass to the showing of the soon to be coming film Serenity. Written and directed by Joss Whedon of Buffy and Angel fame, this movie picks up where the now defunct TV series left off.Serenity stars the same cast as the original TV show. It is an effective ensemble, and the film has very good visuals and special effects. But the main reason why I wanted to see this flick was Whedon's writing. Both Buffy and Angel were some of my favorite TV shows for a while, and they're almost wholly because of Whe-don's gift with a pen. I don't know if I would have picked the same cinematography (par-ticularly the scene where Mal (the captain) is giving a speech to the crew while backlit and is almost completely washed out. Or maybe I'm just missing the subtleties of the moment), but it works much more often than it doesn't.I have to wonder what someone who has never seen the show would think of this flick. I've watched a few of them here lately, but I was hardly a fan when it first came out. To-night's screening was basically comprised of 90% fan boys/girls; accordingly, they loved every little thing that happened. Since I'm not a novice on the subject, I got a lot of the subtext and story. I suspect that if I went to Serenity cold, I would have probably felt like I picked up a book at about the ninth chapter.All in all, I'd recommend this movie to anyone who wants a sci-fi flick with good tension and action while not minding thinking a wee bit. No watch time. Video36661@blogcritics.org Thu, 22 Sep 2005 21:12:29 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/02/14/180522.php CasperHave you ever been with someone who has uttered those fateful words "Really, I don't want anything for Valentine's Day/my birthday/Christmas/pick-your-favorite"? Only to have them get mad when you take them at their word? I know, this is all part of a game - he/she doesn't really mean they don't want anything; rather, they're hoping that you'll perform a Vulcan mind meld and be able to auto-magically determine what they actually do want, just without the whole telling you part. And I know it's supposed to be romantic that your partner will just know you that well that you'll be able to pick out the perfect gift from your soulmate connection.I had an epiphany over the weekend. I was working at a client site where a young kid in the shop was talking about his first girlfriend. They had been dating for about eight months. The topic of conversation was what the involved people were going to do with their partners for Valentine's Day. He said, "I'm not going to do anything; my girlfriend told me that she didn't want anything for Valentine's Day".After we all finished laughing and wiping the tears away from our faces, we explained to him the rules of the road. A suggestion was made to "go out and pick up some flowers and something small, then give it to her, saying 'I know that you said you didn't want anything, hon, but I just felt that someone like you needed a little something just for being special'".I, for one, am a bit tired of this routine. A few years ago, a woman that I was dating at the time told me that she didn't want anything for Valentine's Day. So, as we got ready for bed that night, she turned to me and said, "So, you really didn't get me anything for Valentine's Day?""Actually, no. I didn't," I responded. "Why ever not?" she asked of me, starting to get a little wound up (did I mention that we were starting to fight a lot during the preceding month?)."Because you told me that you didn't want anything. Apparently, I was foolish enough to think that you were telling me the truth. Had I known that you were lying to me, I would have chosen a different course of action." Things went downhill from there. I seem to recall saying "I just assumed that the same woman who tells me that she loves me every day wasn't particularly going to lie to me. Silly f-in' me." As a side note, we broke up about two or three months later for unrelated reasons.So, why do we do this? And I do mean we; I know men and women who say they don't want anything when they really do. Is it some kind of attempt at demureness and modesty? What's wrong with just being honest about what you want. Try it with me: "Honey, I love you. If you want to get me something for Valentine's Day, some flowers would be nice. Or some chocolates". Or even something like "If you want to get me something on Feb 14, that'd be swell." Heck, anything other than a blatant falsehood."I don't want anything for Valentine's Day." Then don't be surprised when you get exactly what you ask for.Except you, snookums. I got you flowers just for being special. Culture25514@blogcritics.org Mon, 14 Feb 2005 18:05:22 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/01/23/143430.php CasperOn Friday, I finally got to see a show I have been looking forwards to for quite some time. Ever since I saw Bona play for the first time, to be precise. Tonight was Richard Bona as a solo artist, not as a side man. I had some very high expectations for this show. In some ways, things were less than I expected; in other ways, even better. The show started to a Jaco tune (Liberty City) and then went through a highlight of tunes from all three of Bona's albums. While I didn't get the whole set list (I was too busy enjoying the show), here are some of the songs he played for the set I saw:KalabancoroDipitaMike Stern's I Know You/Dina Lam/Painting A Wish (medley)Ekwa MwatoTe MiseaEngingilayeTe DikaloOne MinuteI'm guessing about this set list; if you have corrections, please let me know.One of the things that I really love about Bona's playing is the emotion that all of the songs are infused with -- overflowing with it, truth be told. This joy was in abundance throughout the entire performance. I'm glad that I got the chance to catch Richard in a small venue; it's been a while since I've been to a show like this, and I forgotten how much fun it can be. Being that intimate with the artist allows for the audience and the performer to have very direct communication. And Bona is a consumate stage personality, interacting with the other musicians and the crowd with ease and aplomb. There was one aspect of Bona's show that somewhat disappointed me; namely, the instrumentation of the band on hand. The band consisted of a sax player (Aaron Heick), a keyboardist (Etienne Stadwijk), a drummer (I'm sorry; I didn't catch his name and that annoys me, because I'm pretty sure that I've met him before), a hand percussionist (Samuel Torres) and Bona on bass and vocals.. I do not mean to even slightly denigrate the performances of any musician on stage; but the version of Engingilaye that I'm used to hearing (on the CD, natch) is a heavily afro-Latin kind of song, with a full throated horn section. For whatever reason (and I'm quite sure there's a good one), the tune live was played with the keys player simulating the horn section. While good, not quite as good as the real thing. A quibble, though.After the set, the band was hanging out at the bar. I walked over to thank Richard for his show and we talked for a wee bit. Then, the strangest thing happened. Richard asked me my name, and I told him "Casper." He cocked his head to one side, looked at me funny and asked me if I had a website. Completely shocked that he would know something like that, I said that I did. He said that he remembered seeing the photos that I had taken at a Mike Stern show last year. You could have knocked me over with a feather. A nice and gracious way to end the show.No photos this time around, though. Sorry; I'll get some next time.To sum things up, though, this was one of the best jazz shows I've seen in quite some time. It was completely worth the six, seven hour drive to NYC to catch the set. The only thing I'll do differently next time is try to go up for a weekday show, when the band will have more time to stretch and flex and not have to worry about clearing the room for the next set. Music24584@blogcritics.org Sun, 23 Jan 2005 14:34:30 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/01/22/223156.php CasperI went to this movie expecting a "brain off" kind of experience. What I got instead was an openly insulting movie (and a very long 96 minutes at that). Elektra is a movie based (more or less) on a Marvel comic series of the same name. I won't bother boring you with anything silly like plot or character. Mostly because they are not to be found in this cinematic opus. Wooden acting, characters and writing that aspire to be one-dimensional, enough backplot for three or four movies and absolutely nothing to engage anyone. The only thing even vaguely worthwhile in the entire flick is Jennifer Garner. Aside from the eye candy aspects, she does her level best to overcome the dreck she was handed. To be honest, I'm not sure who owed what to whom, but hopefully all the bets have now been paid off.Watch time :23. And :56. And 1:19. Video24566@blogcritics.org Sat, 22 Jan 2005 22:31:56 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/01/11/003735.php CasperAnthony Wellington, bassist, teacher, all around good guy and friend, will be performing at this years BassQuake AfterShock this year. Occuring during the NAMM show in Anaheim, quite a few bassists will be there, including Norm Stockton as well as Drue Williams. I've been studying with Anthony for about a year and a half, two years now. I've even had the privilege of seeing him play live twice, but I have yet to see him step out in front and let it all hang out. While I won't have the opportunity to check out this show for myself (I'll be in DC that night), if you have the opening, it will be well worth your time to check him out.And congrats again, Anthony. Music24120@blogcritics.org Tue, 11 Jan 2005 00:37:35 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/12/30/100822.php CasperThe bestest gift went to my mother. My father, my brother and myself picked up a keyboard for her.See, there's a story here. My mother got her college degree in music education quite a few years ago. She went on to teach third and fourth grade for a few decades, retiring only last year.While I was growing up, we had a piano in the basement. Every so often, my mom would go downstairs and play it. Generally, only when she thought no one else was around. I'm not sure as to why when no one else was there; maybe she didn't feel comfortable playing around others, maybe it was just for herself, I really don't know. In any case, it was an occasional thing, but sometimes I would come home and hear her playing some Mozart or a Bach piece.About ten years ago, my folks got rid of the upright piano. It took up too much space, it was expensive to maintain it, the wood was starting to warp, etc. Ever since then, both my brother and I would say that she should get a keyboard, on the basis that if it was a big enough a part of her life to study it for four years in her youth, it's probably something that she might like to try again. Well, earlier this year, she made an offhand comment to my father about how it might be nice to have a keyboard. So, Dad asked Mike and I to pick one up for him. When we brought it out to her on Christmas, she was so surprised that she was completely speechless for a bit. After Mike walked her through some of the features of the keyboard, she started to play Moonlight Sonata -- from memory! There were a few wrong notes, but it was far better than I could have done. Later on, she was working through the accompaniment part of the keyboard's programming. Built into the machine out of the box is Norah Jones' Don't Know Why, complete with score and lyrics. It just happens to be the first tune in the song catalog. My mom picked up the tune and sight read the music (at about 90% accuracy) on the very first try, without having played piano for 10 years and not being all that familiar with the song.That's just simply impressive as all get out. Merry Christmas again, mom. Music23749@blogcritics.org Thu, 30 Dec 2004 10:08:22 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/10/13/222414.php CasperSeven signs that point towards a steaming pile of crappola:The discoverer pitches directly to the mediaThe discoverer says that a powerful establishment is trying to suppress his or her work.The scientific effect involved is always at the very limit of detection.Evidence for a discovery is anecdotal.The discoverer says a belief is credible because it has endured for centuries.The discoverer has worked in isolation.The discoverer must propose new laws of nature to explain an observation. Sci/Tech20962@blogcritics.org Wed, 13 Oct 2004 22:24:14 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/10/13/222137.php CasperYou've heard of a wingman, right? You know, the guy who goes after the not-so-hot girl so you can make a play for the hot one? Now there's wingwomen, ladies who'll hang around you so you'll seem more attractive other women.In the game of meeting women, it is understood that in most cases, it's the man who does all the work. Unfortunately, women have not made it any easier for men to approach them. As a result, men have learned to work together in order to increase their success rate. The solution to the male dilemma is the "Wing Man" pickup strategy, which usually has some level of success. But some women have learned to recognize the "pack" mentality and have developed reactive strategies to counteract the wingman's pickup mission. The guy's response to such female defenses is the Wingwoman. Its an amazing union that if properly applied has a 65% conversion rate. Surprised? Well you shouldn't be, and here's why the wingwoman approach is so effective: Domino Affect -- Women are attracted to men who have women around them more so then men who have other men around them.Limited Resources -- Women want what they can't have.Let The Games Begin -- Women are very jealous and love to compete with one another.Icebreakers -- Women tend to lower their defenses around men who have other women around them. Most women tend to see these men as having a seal of approval and being less hostile.Seems a little scummy to me. Gaming20961@blogcritics.org Wed, 13 Oct 2004 22:21:37 EDT