What A Day!

I took a day off of work, hoping to relax and instead found myself parked in front of the TV all day. First, it was the news of Farrah Fawcett’s death, then it was the news of Michael Jackson’s death.

Fawcett’s death was expected, as she had been ill with cancer for quite a while. I watched her recent documentary, and admired her courage in the face of what looked like such a hopeless situation. I also felt so badly for her longtime love, Ryan O’Neal. It’s hard watching someone you love slowly slip away.

Jackson’s death seemed expected and unexpected all at once. I hate to say it, but I didn’t think he was going to live to an old age. He was a great talent trapped in a harmful environment. He never got the help he needed for his mental and physical issues. It’s a shame he left this earth the way he did. If Michael Jackson had to leave us so soon, I wished it would’ve been in the manner of Ray Charles, and Johnny Cash. One last hit album, one last great video.

Pray for Fawcett’s family, and for Jackson’s family. Pray that Redmond and Ryan stay away from the drugs. Pray that Jackson’s 3 young children can have some peace, and one day go out in the world without having to hide behind silly masks.

The Art Of Trek XI

We really need a follow up to the wonderful The Art Of Star Trek. Until then, enjoy the work of James Clyne, conceptual illustrator for Trek XI. (source: Trek Web)

James Clyne’s Gallery

Another Star Trek Thought

I wish people would stop saying that the new STAR TREK movie wiped away the previous canon. No it didn’t. Nothing can ever erase TOS, TNG, DS9, VOY, and the previous movies from history. (Wait, I wish I could erase “Spock’s Brain,” “Turnabout Intruder,” ST V… oh never mind.) 

This is a different timeline, with a different history waiting to unfold.  I want to see what happens.

Star Trek Movie: Random Thoughts

Saw the Star Trek movie this weekend, and I really enjoyed it. Here’s a couple of things my little movie group talked about afterwards:

 

(slight spoilerish warnings)

- What’s worse than being bullied by a Human as a child? Being bullied by a Vulcan.

- Was that a robot cop? (The Iowa flashback with Kirk as a child.)

- The menus at the bar.  (When Kirk first met Uhura.)

- Outside of Enterprise: impressive. Inside of Enterprise: blinding white (too iMac-ish, and this is from someone who loves her Macs).

- Tyler Perry?!

- Dr. McCoy’s hypospray looks more painful than a needle.

- Unexpected romantic relationship (won’t say who but I bet it’s a fanfic writer’s dream come true.)

- Unexpected reversal of fortune for an entire planet.

- Spoooock! Is the new Kaaaahn!

- This ain’t your daddy’s (or momma’s) timeline.

80’s Music Videos

Click on the links, and enjoy some favorites from the 80’s. (Sorry, the site hosting the videos doesn’t allow embedding. A stupid rule, IMHO.)

 

Alexander O’Neal – Criticize

Al Jarreau – Moonlighting

Brenda K. Starr –  I Still Believe

Evelyn King – I’m In Love

Holding Back The Years – Simply Red

Don’t Ask Me Why – Eurythmics

 

Ah, the classics!

 This will go nicely with my copy of Jane Austen’s MAFIA! 

Amazing Automatons

 

It’s amazing that these mechanical dolls are capable of such complex tasks. They were created hundreds of years before computers, telephones, or the use of electric power.

Watchmen: Random Thoughts

- I never knew Nat King Cole could make for such effective beat-down music.

- LOVED the opening montage!

- It would take a two hour movie to just fully explore Rorschach’s character. 

- If you didn’t read the novel before seeing the movie, were you totally confused?

- Sometimes, I had a hard time hearing Dr. Manhattan and Adrian Veidt’s voices.

- The “woo-hoo” scene went on too long.

- Rorschach broke my heart.

- Did you find yourself asking who was really the villain in the end?

- I wonder what got left on the cutting room floor? (Hope they put it in the DVD.)

If I could sum up Watchmen in four words they would be: Enjoyable Cliffs Notes Version. I don’t mean this in a negative sense at all. I liked the whole visual style of the movie, and the actors were well-cast. Having read the graphic novel, however, I could see there was a lot of stuff missing. Some fans have issues about this, but I realize there was just no way to include it all. There’s so many interesting plots and sub-plots in the novel, you could take any one of them and make a stand-alone movie. 

Like Cliffs Notes, the Watchmen movie can serve as an introduction to the original. While you may not get a total understanding of the subject, it will hopefully encourage further exploration.

Watch the movie, enjoy it, then go get the original novel!

80’s Flashback Mix: Cardboard Classics

Break out the headbands and the cardboard, it’s time to dance.  

Welcome to the Old Skool Mix @ Mixtube. Org.

(The place may be lacking in graphics, but it gets the job done.)

Push (Based On The Novel By Sapphire)

While I am looking forward to the upcoming season of big-name blockbusters (Watchmen, Star Trek), I am also seeking out some of the smaller, independent films. I love big explosions and special effects, but they can’t substitute for great stories. One of the movies featured  at the Sundance Festival website has definitely caught my attention. Push: The Based on the Novel by Sapphire, has received some great reviews. It tells the story of Precious Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), a young girl who has everything in the world against her, yet is determined to move forward in life.  

No release date has been set for the movie yet, but I’ve added it to my list of must-sees.