Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Monday, November 2, 2009
Fun with Voicemail
Rather weird wrong number voicemail that I got at work. I don't think would talk to either of my grandmothers this way:
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Michael v. Prince
Along with the rest of the universe I have been revisiting Michael Jackson’s music this weekend. Whenever I listen to Michael Jackson I end up listening to some Prince too (although listening to Prince doesn’t usually spur me to listen to MJ).
The two are very clearly linked in my memories of growing up in the 80s in Alaska, where all culture came out of the radio or the coaxial cable. Both were androgynous black men with a ridiculous about of talent. Both were hailed as geniuses. Both had a unique fashion sense. Both made me want to dance. Both eventually lost the plot and went rich man crazy in their own unique way. One was the ‘King of Pop and the other guy was just named Prince (that was his real name!). Michael was omnipresent and everyone appreciated him from my grandparents to 5 year-olds like me. I even had a sliver glove I liked to wear and try as I might I could never moonwalk. While Prince was a more dangerous and naughty character and listening to a Prince song made me feel like I was gaining a window into a forbidden adult world like looking at dirty magazines; not something that was safe to imitate without welcoming a visit from the dreaded wooden spoon.
As kid it preferred the pop of MJ, while in college I reveled in exploring every crevice of Prince’s back catalog. But where do they stand in my mind now? It’s not an easy answer the size of Prince’s catalog (at least 9 great albums plus a lot of interesting gems elsewhere) dwarfs that of MJ (a mere 3 and half great albums). But an entire catalog comparison isn’t really a fair; maybe Michael’s small catalog packs more punch?
So I decided to pick and rank my top11 favorite MJ and Prince songs and have them fight to the death. Why 11? Well I just couldn’t make a choice on those last few songs! Too much good stuff on both sides! Not surprisingly all of the 80’s with a few 70’s tracks thrown in; nothing from the 90’s or beyond. Rules: no ties, artist who wins is declared subjectively better in my mind only and nowhere else, and the song and the song alone can be considered- having a cool video or working really well in the context of the album isn’t allowed to be considered. Now let’s get this started:
11. ‘Baby Be Mine’ v. ‘Starfish and Coffee’
Alright, so we are starting off with the hidden gem of Thriller against Prince’s sweetest song. The fact that fantastic song like ‘Baby Be Mine’ wasn’t a single and seven other songs on Thriller were is kind of amazing. If some unknown artist had released it instead, it would be part of the 80s retro canon. I love the straightforward lyric and driving poppy funk. Although I don’t really buy that MJ is going really wants her “you stay with me until the morning sun”. ‘Starfish and Coffee’ is probably the song that made me realize I need to really explore Prince’s catalog. I think I first heard it on a mix tape some dude named Kevin sent my friend Misty (not a crush tape, just a here’s some cool shit tape). It’s catchy as hell and I love the combination of a sweet school yard tale and psychedelic imagery. And the hook of the song is embarrassingly catchy. I remember listening to this song on my walkman while shelving books in the bowels of Suzzallo Library and being caught by my boss singing the chorus out loud and not even attempting to explain myself. Prince also did a really adorable performance of the song on the forgotten Muppets Tonight show in the late 90s that is worth checking out.
Verdict: ‘Starfish and Coffee’ – unique, strange, and catchy- that’s Prince personified, well minus the sex.
Score: MJ 0 – Prince 1
More coming soon… (honest!)
The two are very clearly linked in my memories of growing up in the 80s in Alaska, where all culture came out of the radio or the coaxial cable. Both were androgynous black men with a ridiculous about of talent. Both were hailed as geniuses. Both had a unique fashion sense. Both made me want to dance. Both eventually lost the plot and went rich man crazy in their own unique way. One was the ‘King of Pop and the other guy was just named Prince (that was his real name!). Michael was omnipresent and everyone appreciated him from my grandparents to 5 year-olds like me. I even had a sliver glove I liked to wear and try as I might I could never moonwalk. While Prince was a more dangerous and naughty character and listening to a Prince song made me feel like I was gaining a window into a forbidden adult world like looking at dirty magazines; not something that was safe to imitate without welcoming a visit from the dreaded wooden spoon.
As kid it preferred the pop of MJ, while in college I reveled in exploring every crevice of Prince’s back catalog. But where do they stand in my mind now? It’s not an easy answer the size of Prince’s catalog (at least 9 great albums plus a lot of interesting gems elsewhere) dwarfs that of MJ (a mere 3 and half great albums). But an entire catalog comparison isn’t really a fair; maybe Michael’s small catalog packs more punch?
So I decided to pick and rank my top11 favorite MJ and Prince songs and have them fight to the death. Why 11? Well I just couldn’t make a choice on those last few songs! Too much good stuff on both sides! Not surprisingly all of the 80’s with a few 70’s tracks thrown in; nothing from the 90’s or beyond. Rules: no ties, artist who wins is declared subjectively better in my mind only and nowhere else, and the song and the song alone can be considered- having a cool video or working really well in the context of the album isn’t allowed to be considered. Now let’s get this started:
11. ‘Baby Be Mine’ v. ‘Starfish and Coffee’
Alright, so we are starting off with the hidden gem of Thriller against Prince’s sweetest song. The fact that fantastic song like ‘Baby Be Mine’ wasn’t a single and seven other songs on Thriller were is kind of amazing. If some unknown artist had released it instead, it would be part of the 80s retro canon. I love the straightforward lyric and driving poppy funk. Although I don’t really buy that MJ is going really wants her “you stay with me until the morning sun”. ‘Starfish and Coffee’ is probably the song that made me realize I need to really explore Prince’s catalog. I think I first heard it on a mix tape some dude named Kevin sent my friend Misty (not a crush tape, just a here’s some cool shit tape). It’s catchy as hell and I love the combination of a sweet school yard tale and psychedelic imagery. And the hook of the song is embarrassingly catchy. I remember listening to this song on my walkman while shelving books in the bowels of Suzzallo Library and being caught by my boss singing the chorus out loud and not even attempting to explain myself. Prince also did a really adorable performance of the song on the forgotten Muppets Tonight show in the late 90s that is worth checking out.
Verdict: ‘Starfish and Coffee’ – unique, strange, and catchy- that’s Prince personified, well minus the sex.
Score: MJ 0 – Prince 1
More coming soon… (honest!)
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Boring Awards
Watching the Oscars always a big event for me. I love to watch all the nominees and usually get together with friends to watch. This year I thought the Oscars were on a week later than they ended up being so i spent much of last week seeing a bunch of nominated films I had neglected. In the space of a week I watched Doubt, Benjamin Button, The Reader, Bolt, Wendy and Lucy, Frozen River, and Revolutionary Road. It was a bit of marathon but by sunday i was ready.
Unfortunately, the Oscars this ear were pretty unexciting. There were some cute moments like The Reader dance number, Ben Stiller as River Phoenix, and Slumdog kids; but overall there was little memorable and little drama in the proceedings. The only mild upset was Sean Penn beating Mickey Rourke and that was only barely surprising. Hugh Jackman was serviceable but seemed to disappear for the majority of the show. And the less said about the star chamber of former winners the better.
Here's my take on the winners and nominees:
Best Picture
Slumdog Millionaire - Best movie of the bunch, but i realy doubt if i'll rember this movie in 5 years.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Overlong and i never bough the love story. i prefered old man Brad Pitt to pretty Brad Pitt.
Frost/Nixon Really enjoyed this but its appeal is very narrow. I can't imagine liking this much unless you have areal interest in Watergate.
Milk - Quality biopic but the documentary the Times of Harvey Milk is much better.
The Reader Shouldn't even be on the list. Kate Winslet is great here but the movie is just OK at best.
Best Director
Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionare: looks like Morrissey's older brother. Very happy he won. Loved him since Shallow Grave.
David Fincher - Benjamin Button was almost an anti-Fincher film. I loved Zodiac that movie should have gotten all the love instead.
Stephen Daldry - The Reader is this really the same guy that did Billy Elliot?
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon Nicely done. Opie is still showing growth as a director.
Gus Van Sant - Milk This seemed like a flick by a lesser director. Luckily his other 2008 film, Paranoid Park, was incredible.
Best Actor
Sean Penn - Milk: Penn was really great here but this win seemed more about the politics than the performance.
Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler I loved this movie, Mickey was great. We should all thank the heavens that Nic Cage backed out of the project.
Richard Jenkins – The Visitor Now this is the guy that should have won. Maybe my favorite film of the year.
Frank Langella – Frost/Nixon Langella is always incredible should have been nominated last year for Starting Out in the Evening. I can't believe this guy played Skeletor.
Brad Pitt – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button shouldn't be on this list. He was great in Burn After Reading Though.
Best Actress
Kate Winslet – The Reader She was great here but this was supporting role. She should have won for Revolutionary Road instead. That movie totally got hosed because its a bit of a downer but its sticks with more than almost any of the Nominated films.
Anne Hathaway – Rachel Getting Married Still haven't scene this!
Angelina Jolie – Changeling Underated film. Angelina was really showing her chops here and not doing the movie star thing.
Melissa Leo – Frozen River - Just excellent. Loved her since Homicide.
Meryl Streep – Doubt Best nominated performance. She so ridiculously talented that you forget how great she is when given challenging roles.
Best Supporting Actor
Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight totally deserved to win plus this was his only chance to make up for begin robbed for Brokeback.
Josh Brolin – Milk I liked him Better in W.
Robert Downey, Jr. – Tropic Thunder Yay for comedy!
Philip Seymour Hoffman – Doubt i loved this movie. never saw the play but i loved how it ended. Hoffman was great here sympathetic and hateful all at once.
Michael Shannon – Revolutionary Road Either this or the Visitor were may favorite film of the year. This guy only has two scenes and almost steals the film. just awesome.
Best Supporting Actress
Penélope Cruz – Vicky Cristina Barcelona: Totally deserved to win. Excellent Woody allen picture too. Best Woody flick this decade.
Amy Adams – Doubt She was a real surprise here. She's far more talented than someone like Reese Witherspoon.
Viola Davis – Doubt One intense scene. She was fantasic, I think id only seen her in Soderbergh's Solaris before.
Taraji P. Henson – Benjamin Button I have to ask, why the P? Was there another Taraji Henso in SAG? She was good but didn't do much.
Marisa Tomei – The Wrestler Excellent performance. Might have won here if she didn't already have an Oscar. My only complaint is that she looked to good to be the old bag that no one wants a lap dance from.
Sadly nothing exciting happened in any of the other categories. Hopefully next years show will be more eventful!
Unfortunately, the Oscars this ear were pretty unexciting. There were some cute moments like The Reader dance number, Ben Stiller as River Phoenix, and Slumdog kids; but overall there was little memorable and little drama in the proceedings. The only mild upset was Sean Penn beating Mickey Rourke and that was only barely surprising. Hugh Jackman was serviceable but seemed to disappear for the majority of the show. And the less said about the star chamber of former winners the better.
Here's my take on the winners and nominees:
Best Picture
Slumdog Millionaire - Best movie of the bunch, but i realy doubt if i'll rember this movie in 5 years.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Overlong and i never bough the love story. i prefered old man Brad Pitt to pretty Brad Pitt.
Frost/Nixon Really enjoyed this but its appeal is very narrow. I can't imagine liking this much unless you have areal interest in Watergate.
Milk - Quality biopic but the documentary the Times of Harvey Milk is much better.
The Reader Shouldn't even be on the list. Kate Winslet is great here but the movie is just OK at best.
Best Director
Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionare: looks like Morrissey's older brother. Very happy he won. Loved him since Shallow Grave.
David Fincher - Benjamin Button was almost an anti-Fincher film. I loved Zodiac that movie should have gotten all the love instead.
Stephen Daldry - The Reader is this really the same guy that did Billy Elliot?
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon Nicely done. Opie is still showing growth as a director.
Gus Van Sant - Milk This seemed like a flick by a lesser director. Luckily his other 2008 film, Paranoid Park, was incredible.
Best Actor
Sean Penn - Milk: Penn was really great here but this win seemed more about the politics than the performance.
Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler I loved this movie, Mickey was great. We should all thank the heavens that Nic Cage backed out of the project.
Richard Jenkins – The Visitor Now this is the guy that should have won. Maybe my favorite film of the year.
Frank Langella – Frost/Nixon Langella is always incredible should have been nominated last year for Starting Out in the Evening. I can't believe this guy played Skeletor.
Brad Pitt – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button shouldn't be on this list. He was great in Burn After Reading Though.
Best Actress
Kate Winslet – The Reader She was great here but this was supporting role. She should have won for Revolutionary Road instead. That movie totally got hosed because its a bit of a downer but its sticks with more than almost any of the Nominated films.
Anne Hathaway – Rachel Getting Married Still haven't scene this!
Angelina Jolie – Changeling Underated film. Angelina was really showing her chops here and not doing the movie star thing.
Melissa Leo – Frozen River - Just excellent. Loved her since Homicide.
Meryl Streep – Doubt Best nominated performance. She so ridiculously talented that you forget how great she is when given challenging roles.
Best Supporting Actor
Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight totally deserved to win plus this was his only chance to make up for begin robbed for Brokeback.
Josh Brolin – Milk I liked him Better in W.
Robert Downey, Jr. – Tropic Thunder Yay for comedy!
Philip Seymour Hoffman – Doubt i loved this movie. never saw the play but i loved how it ended. Hoffman was great here sympathetic and hateful all at once.
Michael Shannon – Revolutionary Road Either this or the Visitor were may favorite film of the year. This guy only has two scenes and almost steals the film. just awesome.
Best Supporting Actress
Penélope Cruz – Vicky Cristina Barcelona: Totally deserved to win. Excellent Woody allen picture too. Best Woody flick this decade.
Amy Adams – Doubt She was a real surprise here. She's far more talented than someone like Reese Witherspoon.
Viola Davis – Doubt One intense scene. She was fantasic, I think id only seen her in Soderbergh's Solaris before.
Taraji P. Henson – Benjamin Button I have to ask, why the P? Was there another Taraji Henso in SAG? She was good but didn't do much.
Marisa Tomei – The Wrestler Excellent performance. Might have won here if she didn't already have an Oscar. My only complaint is that she looked to good to be the old bag that no one wants a lap dance from.
Sadly nothing exciting happened in any of the other categories. Hopefully next years show will be more eventful!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Old Blog is Dead! Long live the New Blog!
I decided Successlessness had run its course. So here i have a new blog. Not sure what this will come to be but it will be fun finding out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
