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 Tue, 3 Feb 2004 16:51:21 EST 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/2004/02/03/165121.php RenThis whole Janet Jackson Superbowl Exposure thing is just entirely too laughable.I don't think anyone's really offended that Ms Jackson's boob was shown, no, not at all. I think all the uproar about is is a direct result of the fact that there was not prior deals done for someone to make money on the stunt, save for maybe Justin and Janet themselves."I bet I could have ya nekkid by the end of this song!""How much?""A mill!""You're on!"And Janet was grinning because she only ended up flashing one boob instead of two or indeed, all of her well-built yet slightly saggy self.Which brings me onto my next point...You American folks invented Baywatch! For years you watched virile blonde and occasionally brunette bombshells with impossibly bouncy breasts running around in skimpy bathing suits, smothering drowning victims with those huge mounds! You wanna know why Janet's breast was so offensive to America?BECAUSE IT'S REAL! Oh my god! A women who is pushing 45 actually showed her breast on television! Oh my god! It's saggy! OH THE HORROR! Give that woman a boobjob for heaven's sake! And make sure we get paid for the advertising for that Beverley Hills cosmetic surgery!For a country that broadcasts live coverage of Iraq and various other areas being bombed and keeps repeating the footage of the planes hitting the towers every chance you get, movies that have nothing but people getting blown to bits and newpaper features with pictures depicting a guy and his kids riddled with hundreds of bullets, you're a bunch of bloody prudes!The whole thing just makes me laugh, and laugh, and laugh. Sports12335@blogcritics.org Tue, 3 Feb 2004 16:51:21 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/12/19/003712.php RenI'll confess, I'd heard of Rivertribe about a year ago, but it had been described as "Christian music" to me and well to be honest, my reaction to that was "Keep it the fuck away from me!" I don't like, nor ever will like what it termed Christian music. End of story.But the story began again a couple of weeks ago when I was at the local craft market with my mother (this is a monthly mother/daughter thing, not that you needed to know) and we were pouring through and over various sequin-encrusted, handmade baby booties and embroidered teatowels when the most amazing, serene and beautiful sound I ever heard started to play.I looked around, frantic, for the source of the sound and wasn't too surprised to see that in the usual "music spot" of the market, was a group of four men, one with a set of congo drums, another behind some big piece of sound-making shanannigans, another with a didgeridoo and another guy with a violin. I stood entranced as they played and filled the entire market with sound. A number of people stopped to listen, all mirroring the same ecstatic expression on my own face. Imagine my surprise when I saw the banner on the ground - Rivertribe. Once I'd picked my wayward jaw up off the ground I hazarded a wander over to the tent and listened for a little while longer before turning my cutest puppy eyes over to my mother and begging (quite pathetically) for the CD for Christmas. She did buy it for me and even gave it to me that day so I could listen to it (she was hoping it might inspire me to clean my house, go figure).The music itself is very ethereal and surreal as well as earthy and natural. Those familiar with Mike Oldfield (of Tubular Bells fame) would enjoy the the bringing together of different sounds to create a pleasing cacophony of rhythm, melody and music that Rivertribe brings to their music. It's Oldfield all over again, only an indigenous tribal sound created with everything from Irish pipes to the humble Aussie didgeridoo and natural sound which has made them quite famous in world music circles around the globe.(And in my opinion, this is not Christian music. They're using their God-given gifts and talents to create a meditative sound and harmony, but it's never what I have considered Christian music to be.)Oh, and they've got a Christmas CD out too which my mother bought - it's fabulous! Music11098@blogcritics.org Fri, 19 Dec 2003 00:37:12 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/10/30/160143.php RenThis was actually written last year, November 1st. This year, I am keeping the lights turned off and I am staying at the back of the house.Let's talk about Halloween.Halloween.We don't have Halloween in Australia. We know it's there. We know the date. We just don't do Halloween.For those Pagans amongst us, it's a lovely time (Samhaine or Beltaine, one of the two, I think it's Beltaine in the Southern Hemisphere, correct me if I'm wrong however) and is celebrated accordingly. There's nothing like lighting fires and dancing nude and getting a good root out in a quiet paddock.But the Americanised Trick or Treat Halloween just is not done in Australia, and if it is, it's done by a handful of begrudging people who have come to realise that the neighbourhood kids are too stupid and haven't realised the facts about Halloween yet.Australian Halloween consists of the old Simpson Halloween specials being run for about four hours and then a delightful replay of Disney's "Headless Horseman" on television. A couple shops might even do "Halloween Red-Spot Specials" or something.But... last night we had not one, not two, not three, but four groups of kids... err... well it was three groups of kids, I'm getting to the fourth in a minute... The first group was woeful. Three kids, two of those were "in costume" and by "in costume" I mean that they had monster masks on. That's it. One was the Frankenstein monster and the other was just an ugly ghouly dude. Sadly, I had to turn them away. They seemed to understand the predicament and wandered off to the next house.The second group was marginally better and a little older. One was dressed up as a fairy princess, and looked quite pretty with her little wings and tinsel halo and blonde, bouncey curls and glittery face. The other, obviously her older brother was Superman - red undies included. Again, I had to apologise and tell them that I didn't have any lollies or presents.And the brother responded: "You're not the only one on the street that's said that. You can't give us anything?"The nerve. I apologised again, a little tersely and they left. As I shut the door I was fairly certain I heard a grumble.The third group (a pair) was as bad as the first, a little older than the second (it was getting late at this point and I would expect most young kids are already home) - I'd put them at the 12-14 year-old mark - were in, and I kid you not, sheets with holes cut out out for eyes.They were floral sheets.Yes, my house was haunted by floral ghosts."Trick or treat!" They called out, proffering their little paper bags expectantly."Um... Well, how about a trick?" Says me. Ghost 1: "..." Ghost 2: "..." Me: "Well, trick me?" Ghost 1: "Um, we don't have any tricks..." Ghost 2: "You're supposed to give us lollies." Me: "Well see, there's the thing, I don't have any lollies to give you, so I thought you might have more fun playing a trick on me or something?" Ghost 1: "We want lollies." Me: "Ain't got none, sorry. Now if you have no tricks for me, I'll be shutting my door about now." Ghost 2: (as they are leaving) "Bitch. She's so fat, I bet her fridge is full of chocolate and Mars Bars and shit." Ghost 1: "Yeah..."This coming from two little poofter ghosts. I. dun. think. so. The door got slammed.The last group was the most fun. I am not kidding, at about 9.45pm as I am giving up for the night, there's a knockity-knock at the door.No really, they knockity-knocked.Anyway, I open the door, really tired and really not impressed that kids are out this late and knocking on my door. I called myself every kind of idiot for not doing what SK said and put a sign up on the door for any future T&Ts that said we didn't have any lollies and not to bother.Three young men. Men. Obviously very much older than twelve years of age. At my door.Man 1: "Heh. Trick or treat!! Heh." Great impression of Beavis. Me: "Aren't you a little old to be treating?"This question was answered with a bit of sniggering. I noted at that point that the blokes behind the one that spoke were swaying.Right.Drunk/stoned people on my doorstep at 9.45pm at night.Not on.Man 1: "So... yeah, are you gonna give us something?"Me: *sigh* "Yeah, hang on." At this point I locked the screen door to make sure they stayed out, then dashed into the bedroom and got Old Faithful - my sword (a replica-but-entirely-useable Crusader broadsword). I walked back to the door holding the sword behind my back Highlander style, not that they would have noticed anyway since they were all laughing and sniggering at each other.Man 2: "So whatcha gonna givus?" I smiled sweetly and suddenly swung the security door open, thereby knocking Man 1 off the doorstep and into the cactus and lavender bushes on the side of the porch - I didn't care about the damage, it's getting ripped out anyway - and held the tip of the sword groin-level with Man 2 who looked like he was just about to wet himself.Me: "I'm gonna give you your balls served on a platter if you don't leave right now."Needless to say, they left. Hurling obscenities, naturally, but they left.And I went to bed.And that, dear reader, was Ren's Halloween [2002]. Culture9663@blogcritics.org Thu, 30 Oct 2003 16:01:43 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/09/17/200423.php RenGreat movie. It's about time some harmless fun was put on the screen.And Captain Jack Sparrow can buck my swash any time he likes. I'd happily Jolly his Roger.Ahem. *grins* It's a slow morning and I'm in a silly mood.What is it about me and guys with bad eyeliner, I dunno. But Depp's performance was absolutely stellar. One thing though, I'd been told by many sources that he was a "gay pirate". If Captain Jack is what people perceive as gay, we're all in trouble and I'm never getting drunk again.I personally thought he was perpetually drunk and disarmingly charming, but not gay. Orlando Bloom... I still don't like him. He's too nerdy. Too elfin. Too... um. Well I just don't like him. And the day the man grows a decent facial expression is the day there's an airport for pigs.Mr Rush? Eh... He's Aussie and he's won a golden dildo. He's had my respect for a long time as one of the most adaptable actors out there and he took to this role like a fish to water... or a pirate to cursed gold, you decide.Keira Knightly was just like watching Natalie Portman again, only with an English accent. She's pretty good in the film as tough wannabee pirate chicks go, but Star Wars ruined her for me. Star Wars ruined Star Wars. George Lucas must be punished... Oops. Digressing. Did I mention that Depp was gorgeous? I'm not a Depp fan, really not. I couldn't stand him before this. He was tolerable in Sleepy Hollow but disgustingly bad inThe Ninth Gate.Having said that, he impressed me with his pirate performance. I thought he was awesome. Not quite cockny, not quite toff, the accent was spot-on pirate speak. I think he really did encompass what many people (girls?) would like pirates to be. Rude, crude, and utterly adorable with a dash of sex appeal thrown in. And his one-liners were terrific too.I'm going to be saying "Savvy?" for the next few months, methinks.And the CGI for the movie... I was rapt. The sudden shifting from live person to skeleton was astoundingly smooth. Movement was as great as it could possibly and very realistic. Even the monkey looked great.Good stuff. Very good. Four-and-a-bit stars. I thought the ending was a bit blah, but the boy's gotta get the girl, or the girl's gotta get the pirate. I'm not spoiling anything if you haven't seen the movie yet. Video8453@blogcritics.org Wed, 17 Sep 2003 20:04:23 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/09/15/013733.php RenI have long been of the opinion that Brian Froud is one of the most inspirational artists of the last oh, 50 years or so. Another man, sadly passed on a number of years ago, whom I think was inspirational (and still is to a certain degree) is Jim Henson. Together, twenty-odd years ago, both men started a magical endeavour that would become a cult classic to rival any modern-day children's fantasy film.And it has muppets!Yes, I am talking about The Dark Crystal. To anyone who hasn't seen the movie before, it will probably seem extremely primitive compared to today's hits of Toy Story, Finding Nemo and A Bug's Life. To those who were lucky enough to see it in the cinemas, it's a trip down memory lane into the way things used to be, when stop-motion animation and puppets were all we had and the only CGI available was very basic and the effects very cartoony.Via way of Froud's gorgeous conceptual art, Henson brought his story to life.Froud's art and the story of the Dark Crystal was published in a special volume that has just been re-released with new art and a special facsimilie copy of the original storyline created by Froud and Henson. I recently got my hands on a copy and for fans of the film, I promise that it's a truly delight to behold.There are descriptions set amongst beautiful sketches explaining every single detail featured in the film from the rule of trines to the Pod People. There are also pictures and bios of each of the Skeksis and Mystics. It's a book where much like Tolkien did with his world of Middle Earth (later to be brought to the screen by Peter Jackson's film adaptations), manages to get across the impression that this world once existed in reality and we poor and uninspired mortals missed out on being part of it. I was rivetted for hours simply looking at the glorious pictures on each page and reading the stories and description of each element that makes The Dark Crystal. Books8378@blogcritics.org Mon, 15 Sep 2003 01:37:33 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/07/29/192727.php RenI was emailed last night and asked to do a review of all the Froud books I had on my bookshelf and to be honest, I couldn't think of anything better to do. It also gives me something to post for Zuly's Book Club as well as BlogCritics.Brian Froud is well known in movie circles for his work in Jim Henson's stunning "muppet" piece, Labyrinth (staring the effervescent duel-colour-eyed David Bowie and a young and gorgeous Jennifer Connolly) and puppet design for The Dark Crystal where he met his lovely wife, Wendy. In literary circles however, he is probably most famous for his ground-breaking work with Alan Lee (who did concept design and much of the art in the Lord of the Rings movies directed by Peter Jackson) in what has become probably what has become the most cherished and referenced authority on fairy lore ever - Faeries. Published originally in 1978, Froud and Lee brought myth and legend to life with delightful sketches and watercolour paintings which ceaselessly defy the bounds of what we know and understand to be fairy (or faery). The style of the book is also unique, published in large format and much of the text is written by hand which compliments the illustrations and illuminations on each page.Froud and Lee have pulled many stories, legends and folklore from around the world, concentrating mostly on Celtic Lore (encompassing Welsh, Irish, Scots and English). The reader is taken through everything from benign mine knockers to the carnivorous water spirits. Faeries has recently been re-released in a special 25th anniversary edition featuring extra art and a forward by Froud and Lee, though if you have already got the original book you don't need the new one, there's only a couple new pages.In Good Fairies/Bad Fairies, we're taken through Froud's personal experiences with the fairies that have manifested themselves through his artwork. In the book he explains that he does not start to draw with a picture already in mind, but rather watches as a scribble turns to a figure and that figure to a painting practically all of it's own (which could be likened to ghost-writing). Regardless of how the art came to fruition, it is simply beautiful. I leaned more towards the bad fairy section rather than the good due to the bolder colours used and the expressions of the fairies themselves. They didn't seem so vague as the more benign good fairies and frankly, some of the fairies seemed too cute to be bad - but with all things fay, looks can be decieving.Then we come to the Lady Cottington books. We have Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book and Lady Cottington's Fairy Albumn. In the first is the diary and captured images of Lady Cottington whom we follow throughout her life as she slams her journal shut to preserve an image of the fairies. This results in comical impressions and artworks that range from cheeky to downright naughty. The second book continues the story and adds a twist as Lady Cottingtons younger sister finds and reads another journal and makes comments along with the notes and pictures left by the original Lady Cottington. To enjoy the book, you really need to read and view everything as it evolves (ie, don't skip pages).It's a delight to read for those who are children at heart - but not actually children. The style of the fairy art is more adult than what any children under the age of at least twelve should be looking at as most of the artwork depicts nudity, tasteful nudity but nudity all the same. Unfortunately many bookshops I've been to in the past have had the book in the children's section. While the artwork is beautiful - it's really not appropriate for the youngin's. Books7315@blogcritics.org Tue, 29 Jul 2003 19:27:27 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/07/06/222754.php RenXx3 / Xena Multiplied by Three could be used as an alternative title for this movie, for that's what it is. But there might be problems with the X-Men franchise, so I guess Full Throttle it is.And there's nothing like a wholesome T&A* movie with girls kicking butt to get one's blood going. Plenty of cheesey jokes, big bangs, cute bad guys and predictable storyline all around to keep the most inane of us entertained. And just in case you've not gotten the message that the movie is not a serious action film, this is your wake-up call. The concept of the movie follows that of the television series. Three lovely ladies getting themselves into improbable sitatuations to overcome apparent evil and preserve peace and justice for the rest of society (who of course, have no idea that this is going on).Having said all that, it's definitely a fun film. Girls will like it because the ladies kick butt and wear great clothes, and guys will like it because of the gratuitous T&A* action and lack of clothes actually worn. Lots of flesh to see and all of it very trim and pretty, even the boys.But you guys wanna know about the storyline, don't you?Basically what happens is that two very important rings which, when used in conjuction with each other, contain the data for the the American witness protection organisation - information that many of the city's gangs would pay much moolah to get their well-manicured, yet slightly bloodied hands on. The girls' job is to get the rings back and into the authorities hands before the information is sold off to the bad guys. Guess who is at the bottom of this evil plot? Nope, I'm not telling. You guess. Go on. Honestly, it's not hard. Along the way they meet gorgeous and famous ex-angel, Madison Lee (played by Demi Moore), that aught to be enough of a hint for you.On the girls themselves, Alex (Lucy Liu), Dylan (Drew Barrymore) and Natalie (Cameron Diaz) are still spectacularly dressed and look fresh and comfortable even in the most dire of situations. Natalie is still a clutz, Dylan is still attracted to bad guys and Alex is still cross-eyed.Demi Moore is stunning as the stereo-typical "fallen angel" and it's nearly impossible to believe that the woman has given birth to children with that body - and you get plenty of opportunity to look and judge for yourself since she prances around in bikinis and black lengerie for much of her time on screen. Very taut. Oh, and her ex-hubby (Bruce Willis) is in the film too. For all of about ninety seconds for the time it takes to board a plane and get killed. He does that exquisitely pained face of his really well.Pink makes a smallish acting debut as the ringleader of a closed and somewhat deadly motocross circuit, the Coal Bowl. She plays the female badass nicely, thanks for asking.John Cleese is his usual bumbling yet highly entertaining self as the English father of Alex and Matt Le Blanc does what he does well; playing the clueless, idiot boyfriend.Carry Fisher's in it too, but I'm not telling you as who. I didn't know until my other half actually told me after I'd seen the movie. It's a surprise, but not the first time she's played such a role.And for those Jackass fans amongst us, Chris "Partyboy" Pontius is in the film too. My sister and I got a kick out of that. [T&A = Tits and Ass] Video6757@blogcritics.org Sun, 6 Jul 2003 22:27:54 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/05/31/013704.php RenI thought it was about time that I'd baptise myself by finally putting up my first review for Blog Critics. Yay. Welcome me with open arms but be gentle with the scathing comments until I've grown a thicker skin.Anyway, review time.I had heard very little about Norma Khouri. However, when war broke out, her name suddenly became more prominent in literary circles here in Australia. Before I knew it, I was watching her on television during an interview and I was incensed to go and purchase her book, Forbidden Love.In the States, I do believe that the book is actually called Honor Lost: Love and Death in Modern-Day Jordan.I poured through it in a few short hours.I was riveted, stunned, shocked, appalled and amazed. I have never read anything as moving as this tale was. The blurb on the back alludes to the general happenings of the story but the author saw fit to also include tidbits of her knowledge and understanding of life for a Jordanian woman living under Muslim law. This extra information brought the story to life in a whole new light.The author writes the book as a gift to the memory of her friend, Dalia, a pretty Arabian Muslim woman from Amman, Jordan. Growing up together, Dalia and Norma had made a vow to never be separated, never to willingly go into the subservient life they knew waited for them.To avoid this, the girls opened a beauty salon with their fathers' permission and lived life relatively free, however things go awry when Dalia meets and falls in love with Michael, a Catholic man who is a major in the Royal Army. The story of Forbidden Love takes us through the months that Dalia manages to spend time with Michael alone under the guise of working in the beauty salon with Norma. For a Muslim woman, a relationship with a Catholic man (or any man it seems, for that matter, that is not of her father's or brother's choosing) is forbidden and punishable by death, otherwise known as 'honour killings', as is explained by Khouri in her book:.[From the Koran:]"Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property [for the support of women]. Good women are obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them and scourge them..."In the Arabic text, the past portion of this verse, 'scourge them', is often translated to mean 'kill them'. Arab men believe that this verse orders them to 'kill' any female relative who is not obedient, or who shows any sign of rebellious behaviour. This act is called an honour killing, or a crime of honour, because the men believe that they must kill the offending woman to protect their family's 'honourable' name and reputation.... in Arab culture, an entire family's reputation is tied to the reputations of its female members.It is the codified obsession with honour that drove Dalia's brother Mohammed to guard and watch [them] like a jailer. It is what would permit him, or any of our brothers or fathers, to, literally, drive a dagger into our hearts what they perceived as honour.The book is not a literary masterpiece, by any means. It's written very simply as an account of events through one person's eyes and it is an eye-opener to those who have very little understanding of Muslim culture and what it entails for women. The other thing to remember about the story is that it's written from the viewpoint of one very unhappy and traumatised woman. Not all Muslim women would feel the same way Khouri does. Not everyone would agree that her understanding of Muslim law is correct, and many would deny that these irrational (to us Westerners) killings happen at all. My advice is not to read the book for answers or explanations, read it instead, to understand the pain of a young woman who lost her best friend."Honour Lost" at Amazon.com Books5756@blogcritics.org Sat, 31 May 2003 01:37:04 EDT