Music Monday: Rock Operas

I love music. I love music far more then most of my friends realize though there are some who do know how much I love to listen to music and the way in which good music affects me. One of the types of music I love is that of a concept album or in some cases a rock opera. Now I realize that there are some people who would contend that the whole idea of a rock opera is just silly and that most if not all rock operas are shite. I disagree and I am here to shed some light on the rock operas or concept albums that are my favorites of the genre.



One of my favorite all time albums is from 1972 and David Bowies "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars". This is an album that has no weak songs on it. I think every song could have been a top single. True David Bowie is a freak but he was an incredibly talented freak and when people get all worked up about Lady Gaga I just think take a look at Ziggy Stardust and you will see and hear something truly amazing. This album is in my top 10 of all time albums regardless of genre.



OMG!!!! I love this band The Decembrists and this album "The Hazards of Love" so much. I can't say enough about how amazing this concept album is.
How could you ever pass up such an amazing story and an album that is filled with mind blowing music. If you need to hear the whole thing please let me know and I will do what I can to get you a copy.



I could go on and on about both The Who and "Quadrophenia" the album that basically blew the mind of a young high school lad. This album and film probably affected me more then anything in my life until "Fight Club" came along. This is another album that is in my top 10 regardless of genre. I do not believe that there is a weak song on this one either. I also feel that this album in it's entirety is far better album then The Who's Tommy.



Willie Nelson and The Red Headed Stranger pretty much speak for themselves. This is an album that is perfect for grabbing a pipeful of longbottom leaf leaning back and closing your eyes and giving this a listen.

And finally, for my buddy Shane I need to give him the genius that is Genesis and a track from The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. I know Shane is a big, big fan of Genesis.




Well there you have it folks. Those are some of what I feel are the best Rock Operas or concept albums ever. I am sure there are others out there but these are the ones that I enjoy. (I purposely left out Pink Floyd and The Wall)

Wait! Wait! Wait! I couldn't just leave without giving you a taste of The Avett Brothers (pronounce it how you want) and their concept album "Mignonette" about some English Sailors and how they eat a shipmate.

Film Friday

Today is Film Friday and as most of you know. I do not like remakes. But since I woke up a little early I was stumbling around my Netflix account and I noticed the remake of "Bad News Bears". On most other days this would have made my hackles rise but for some reason. The idea intrigued me. I love the original but what made this stand out for me was that the remake was made by Richard Linklater, who also directed "Dazed and Confused" and "School of Rock", two of the films that I most enjoy and enjoy rewatching. So I thought I would give this one a shot.

Just for comparisons sake and for those of you that haven't seen either of these here are the trailers for both the original and the remake.



Okay I am just going to post the trailer for the remake as I am unable to find the original trailer anywhere. I am a little sad that the internet failed me. I had just assumed that the original trailer would be on YouTube. I mean, everything else seems to be. What is even stranger to me is that the original seems to be available on YouTube in 10 different parts. So I just do not get it.

But back to the matter at hand. I am not sure if it is nostalgia speaking or what. But, I really enjoyed it. It wasn't great there was something about it. The way that the director used music and film effects along with Billy Bob Thorton as Buttermaker made me laugh and smile quite a bit. I realize that what I am doing is not giving you guys a sterling review or anything like that. But I think that is the nature of Netflix. I pay so little each month for basically an unlimited amount of movies that my standards have dropped a bit. I do not think that is a bad thing and when I do see a movie in a theater I do expect a little more. As one of my friends reminded me a couple of weeks ago I have started reviewing movies based more on the amount I paid to watch it as opposed to the quality inherent in the film making.

I think I enjoy this better then how I used to be when I would sniff and look down my nose at whatever film I was watching. Or God forbid what mainstream popular culture is watching. Maybe I am just getting old.

Thoughtful Thursday

Well here we are another week gone by and we are back to thoughtful Thursday. I woke up in my bad this morning facing the totally opposite direction I was facing when I laid down. That is to say when I got into be my head was facing the door and my feet were facing the window. When I awoke my feet were facing the door and my head was facing the window and I moved some of my pillows to put myself in that position. I do not know what was going on last night. I do not recall any crazy dreams. But I can not think of a time in the past where I have done such a thing. It was odd to say the least.

That has basically been the highlight of my week as far as excitement goes. My friend C has a brother named S and S has been in town and he wanted to go get Whiffie Pies for lunch yesterday and that was pretty awesome. He also contended that the idea of a Rock Opera is a crappy idea and they are all bad. So I am going to address that later. I will most likely devote a post explaining just how wrong he is. The dogs of war have been unleashed!!



YES!! Who can not listen to the mighty epicness that "Manowar" puts out and not be fired up. "BRING ME MY MEAD!!! Tis past time for me to slay the dragon" *makes devil horns with hand and bangs head*

Oh also as seems to be the norm I received none of the jobs that I have applied for. As usual I did not get even an interview. wheee!! I am awesome.

Dr Kat Wednesday

"So last week one of Dr Kat's readers asked "why do men have nipples?" Dr Kat does not know nor does Dr Kat care why men have nipples. That question sounds like the kind of question a pervert would ask. If you are a pervert you are more then welcome to visit Dr Ferret. But, Dr Ferret has not been in the office since that trip to Las Vegas. Though he does keep checking his voice messages. Not, that Dr Kat cares. If you ask Dr Kat there is no point in even saving any office space for Dr Ferret. It isn't like Dr Ferret ever does any actual work when he is in office."

"Ummmm, perhaps he is in trouble and needs our assistance, Dr Kat!!"

"Shut up Lionel!! Dr Kat not pay you for advice!! Dr Kat let you be intern so you can bring Dr Kat coffee!! Dr Kat not even particularly like you."


"Now leave Dr Kat alone. Dr Kat need to think."

Television Tuesday (Mutual of Omaha)

I overslept this morning so Television Tuesday is on a one day hiatus. So watch this nature video instead. "Honey Badge does what he wants." There is some profanity. You have been warned.

Music Monday June 13

It is Music Monday and I really enjoyed last weeks excursion down the blue grass highway. I hope that people are enjoying the musical themes each week as opposed to the countdowns that I was doing before. I imagine that I will return to the countdowns at some point and just kind of flip back and forth between the two. I think that this week we are going to be checking out some bands and some songs from the fifties. I know a lot of people consider that era the beginning of rock and roll. So lets get it started with a little something like this.



This was originally a Little Richard song and was covered by Buddy Holly in 1957. It is pretty typical of this era of music. Often what was popular on the charts were white artists singing covers of songs done by black artists. It was a hard time for black artists to get radio play.



"The Girl Can't Help It" is a classic Little Richard song. It was also the title song of the Jayne Mansfield movie of the same name in 1956. Here is the trailer.



Boy that looked like a quality film and so subtle. They just don't make them like that anymore. I noticed Gene Vincent in the trailer. Let's give him a little listen.



Gene Vincent is pretty much the father of rockabilly. I really love his sound.



ummmm Bop!! The Big Bopper and Chantilly Lace. This is a classic little number but seems a little creepy to me. That might just be my modern messed up sensibilities.

Lest you think that all of the music in the fifties was rock and roll. It seems that Frank Sinatra was also popular as well. He had an album called "Songs for Young Lovers" that peaked at number 3 on the US charts in 1954.



"My Funny Valentine" has been covered by lots of different artists. But his version is probably still the best one out there.

Another artist popular during this time was Doris Day with her most successful being "Que Sera Sera" in 1956



That really is a nice melodic song. But lets wrap up Music Monday with something that was a little more rocking. I am also glad to say that I made it through this without playing any Elvis. While he has his place. I think he is overplayed.



Nothing like a little Lord Rockingham's XI to get your toes a tapping. You got to love the quirky stuff that came out of Britain in the fifties.

There you go. I hope everyone has a good Monday.

Film Friday

It is Friday once again. Time to talk about film in one way or another. I know I have mentioned this before but I am going to do it again. If you live in Salem, then you can not go wrong by attending a movie at Cinebarre on Tuesday nights. The movies are always first run and they are always $5 on Tuesdays. There is no better deal in town. You do not even have to eat. The food they have is good though.

I went to see Bridesmaids on Tuesday and while at first glance you might think that this film is a chick flick. But it is far more then that. The advertising is a little off for this film that is for sure. Because judging from the trailers it is being marketed as a chick flick but that is not the case. It is a pretty intelligent movie.

It is not a perfect movie. There are not any perfect movies. Well, other then "Fight Club". That is a perfect movie. Bridesmaids totally deserves it's R rating that is for sure. It is not a kids movie. But in the words of Zach Galifianakis when little kids come up and tell him that they loved The Hangover I and II "You have bad parents."

This is not a movie for kids. I think that any adult male or female who has been involved in a wedding is going to enjoy this movie. It really seems to highlight the amount of crazy that can go on as the wedding date gets closer and closer. I would love to hear from some women though who have seen this film. It feels pretty true to life to me but I wonder if that is actually the case.

So give yourself a treat and go to the movies next Tuesday night. Just pick a show and go. But you might want to go a little early because they get kind of busy.

Thursday

Not a bad Thursday morning. The sun is out and I am listening to my piano mix on my music player. I have it filled with Elton John, Billy Joel and Ben Folds and sometimes Ben Folds and his Five. What I like to call the Holy Trinity of the Piano. I would totally go see that concert.

I had a tasty breakfast but I was missing bacon. I love bacon but I never think to actually buy it when I am at the store. So I am usually in a state of constant bacon missing. The only time I get it is when I go out to breakfast and that has not been very often lately. That will probably be the first thing I do when I get a job. I will treat myself to a nice big breakfast with bacon.

Speaking of getting a job. I have an application in with the State of Oregon for a Social Media Coordinator 1 position. The job listing asked questions about my knowledge of Dreamweaver, blogging, Twitter and Facebook. These are all things that I am familiar with. I have taken a few web design classes and Dreamweaver is a primary tool for that. As for the others I blog and use Facebook everyday and I read Twitter but I do not tweet much. So fingers crossed. This is the first time in a long time that I have seen a job posting that my qualifications actually matched up with.

I had an interesting conversation yesterday with two very, very, smart ladies that I know about art vs cheesecake or (when does female empowerment just become so much more titillation?) I hope to write more on that at a later date because there responses were very interesting to me and I felt like it was a little eye opening for me. One of my questions that I didn't get to ask was does it matter if the website of the photographer is run by a women? Are women exempt from objectifying other women or should everyone be held to the same standard does that even matter and if someone wants to shake their tail feather all over the internets should we even care?

That is about it for today. Just some random thoughts ping-ponging around inside the old bean.

Dr Kat Day

Well, well, well. I see it is Wednesday and you all have decided to return for another dose of Dr Katz's wisdom. Dr Kat does not mind. That is why he was put on this earth after all. Without Dr Kat then the world would be a much simpler place. As it is Dr Kat is well aware that he is fighting a losing battle but he does not mind. Dr Kat just hopes that some of you will actually listen to the drops of wisdom that he is dropping like wine on your parched intellect. Like wine!!

What is that? Oh, a butterfly!! Dr Kat is bored. By now. Make an appointment with my assistant.

Television Tuesday

I was going to beat a dead horse this morning and rant and rave for a while about television and television shows in general and how the ratings model was old and out of date and that modern television needed to recognize the importance of cable and internet as well as DVD sales when it comes time to decide if a show is considered a success or not. Though success may not be the right word the correct word might be profitable or not because that seems to be what it really comes down to.

But then I decided that I just was not going to drag all of that old stuff back out. I have said that kind of thing before and I really do not care to rehash it.

So have a good day folks and enjoy the misty weather.

Music Monday (Bluegrass)

I pretty much like all kinds of music. I am able to find something that I enjoy out of most styles and one of the styles that I get a real kick out of listening to is Bluegrass. Most people consider Bluegrass to be a sub-genre of country music and I suppose if you have to categorize it that is as good of a category as any. I was first introduced to this kind if music in the film "O Brother. Where Art Thou?". This is a great film and the music is great as well. (That is a story for a Friday.) Also there have popped up some Bluegrass style covers of some popular songs so I thought I would highlight some of those today as well as some traditional Bluegrass. I hope you have a good Music Monday.

Lets get things started with some traditional Bluegrass.



A lot of the early Bluegrass songs are very spiritual in nature. I find that very interesting as well. Because I would much prefer listening to this older style of "christian" music then today's contemporary Christian music.



The Johnson Mountain Boys telling you to get down on your knees and pray. Lest you think that the songs are all religious here is a song about that good ole mountain dew. It may not have the same taste as the "Mt Dew" that I had as a child.




Let us move this journey into the realm of some more progressive bluegrass. Progressive bluegrass expands the sonic palette of bluegrass either by adding elements of jazz, folk, country, and rock, or by amplifying the instruments. Much to the chagrin of many of the traditionalists. But I really enjoy some of it.



I like Alison Krauss and her version of "Every Time You Say Goodbye"



"Keep on the Sunny Side" was in "Oh Brother Where Art Thou". It is truly one of my favorite songs. I just really enjoy it. I do not think of it a really any more progressive then anything else. This next one is for sure a little more progressive. It might be almost too progressive for me.



It seems that even the progressive Bluegrass artists like to throw out some gospel tunes as well.



I do not know how you could not tap your toe to this kind of music. I am dancing in my chair right now. Well as it is this is going to take awhile for some people to load so lets wrap this up with some Bluegrass covers that I find amusing.



This is the best of both worlds for me. Back when Gun N' Roses was the best band in the world and Bluegrassin it up. I really need some of that good ol' mt dew to drink along with this.



Who doesn't like kissing a girl. Happy Monday everybody.

Film Friday

So I went to see "The Hangover II" this week. Now for me it was not really a choice. I love Zach Galifianakis and I really enjoyed the first film. That being said I am not sure that I will be on board for the third. But I am not here to talk about the problems with sequels. I have rattled on about that before.

I wanted to talk about the music in the movie. I am always amazed when I see a film and the music that they chose for it is so effective. I do not know if I am just more affected by it then others but most of the time I just love a good music montage. I know most people feel like it is lazy directing to use one but there are times that it can work so effectively and often with songs that you wouldn't think would even work in the movie that they are being used in. I am also a big fan of music parody as well. That is if they are done intelligently with some cleverness. But in films when the music is correctly tied with the scene it can be breathtaking and tear jerking. Here are some of my favorites in no particular order of preference.



I love when this cuts into the slow motion. One of the few films that I actually like Gwenneth Paltrow in.



This just makes me hurt. I really think Wes Anderson is a genius when it comes to his use of music in film. "The Royal Tenenbaums is amazing because of that.



Back before Jack Black became a caricature of himself. I love "High Fidelity"



The visuals are just amazing in this one. The movie goes on a little long but there are some amazing scenes in it.



Amazing, amazing scene. Not much I can say about how effective this is.



So many great scenes set to music in "Almost Famous". I think this maybe Camron Crowes best film.



This scene makes me want to love Kate Hudson. It just works.

There are many, many scenes that I could have shown you. I may have to do this again. You guys have a good weekend and see a movie.

Thoughtful Thursday

Trying to get the cobwebs out of my brain and get woken up this morning. It appears that the sun is out this morning and that always makes for a nice start to the day. I have the window open and I can hear the birds chirping. I am waiting for my special hummingbird to make his or her appearance. How can you tell the difference between a male or female hummingbird?

I do not know. I looked but was unable to find the answer. Oh, I am sure it is out there. I am just to lazy to look for it right now.

I really enjoyed the feedback I received about last Thursdays thoughts I had about President Obama and the nature of politics in general. It really highlighted for me how different we all are when it comes to what we think is the best way to run the country. The more I think about it the more it really feels like a thankless job to me. I suppose it is possible that if something miraculous were to happen and the job rates were to soar to 100% and the deficit would be completely wiped out that a president could have an approval rating of 100%. But I am sure that despite all of that there would be people who would be unhappy and it wouldn't matter to them that everyone was working or that the USA was not in debt to China anymore. They would just find some other, vastly important, reason to be upset.

I think Carl said it best in the comments when he said that "...but I live and participate in an imperfect system." I think that is really key and something I need to remember. The system is never going to be perfect. There is no perfect system. There never will be. The best we can hope for is a system that seems to function most of the time. When I look around the world at other countries and their governments I see very few that I would like to emulate.

To be completely honest since I lean toward the Socialist, and I know that is enough to make a lot of your heads explode, I like how things are done in Sweden. Things just seem to work there. I am sure that there are a myriad of reasons why they are wrong and why that model of government would not work here in America. But, that is not my point. My point is that I like what they do there. There are people who like what we do in America and I am sure there are people who actually like living in Cuba or even Haiti for that matter or the old style Soviet Union or the new style Russia. Though for the life of me I am not sure why anyone would have liked living in the Soviet Union. I can understand being stuck there. But the way that people were treated who lived there it must have just been miserable.


I sidetracked myself. What I am trying to say is that one of the neat things about America is that we are able to freely debate these kind of things and do not have to worry about these thoughts being censored or being put on some kind of list for having a conversation and that is a pretty cool thing. So lets agree to disagree and ROCK IT OUT FOR THE USA!!!! USA, USA, USA!!!!!

Dr Kat

Well, it looks like Lance has finally settled down for the night. I had the hardest time getting him to take his medicine. He doesn't seem to believe in the science that I Dr Kat represents. He keeps saying that psychiatry is so much twaddle and only followed by ninnies. Those are my words not his I am sure you all realize that he just does not have the vocabulary to speak with any kind of intelligence on this subject. Oh he likes to pretend that he does but we all know that when uses these fancy words he is spending most of his time looking them up in the dictionary. It is a wonder that his blog is not written in finger paints.

I really appreciate you people reading his blog it makes Lance think that he is having some kind of impact in the world. But, lets face it we are dealing with an obviously deeply disturbed individual with a tenuous grasp on reality at best. But I really do not want to limit my wisdom and insights to just Lance. It is obvious to me from my conversations with him that most of his friends need almost as much help as he does. I do not know what the problem is with you people but you really need to get yourselves together.

But, never fear Dr Kat is here to fix all of you. All I need you to do is lie back on my couch and tell me what is bothering you. I have some inkblots you could look at and then perhaps we could do a little free association. You all seem to think that the world revolves around you so I am sure just having someone who at least feigns interest while you prattle on is going to make you think that your problems are all solved.

Oh...uhuh...I see....How does that make you feel? Well that is all Dr Kat has time for for today. Oh I know. Yes it was probably very life changing. I will see you next week for some hypno-therapy. It is best if you wear some loose comfortable clothing.

It is also best if you do not question the methods of Dr Kat.

Any ladies that would like to schedule an appointment for sometime on Dr Kat's therapy couch feel free to email Dr Kat at drkat.therapist@gmail.com

Television Tuesday (Justified)

So, over the holiday weekend I finished up the second season of a little television show called "Justified". This show is the story of a United States Federal Marshal by the name of Raylan Givens. The character of Givens comes from the mind of Elmore Leonard and has appeared in a couple of novels "Pronto" and "Riding the Rap" and a short story called "Fire in the Hole". I have not read any of these particular stories but the other Leonard novels I have read in the past have always been interesting. The man knows how to tell a crime story or detective novel. I will write more about him in another post.

The show is set in Lexington, Kentucky and around the town of Harlan. I can only imagine that the town of Harlan is not as bad in real life as it is in the show. Though you never can tell with hillbilly folk. The basic premise of the show is a pretty simple one. There are crimes and criminals in and around the Lexington area and Raylan Givens does what he can to stop those crimes. Now, sometimes the measures that he takes are a little bit outside the lines of the law. When the show first started Raylan was being sent back to Lexington because of a shooting in Miami that may have been a little over exuberant.

I think what makes the show even better for me is that Raylan grew up in Kentucky in Harlan and most of the people who are still in the area are actually criminals including his estranged father and several people that he grew up with. His ex-wife is also there and so that adds some relationship drama. But, not so much that it takes away from the gun play because there is lots and lots of gun play. Raylan is played by Timothy Olyphant and if you have ever seen the HBO show "Deadwood" you know exactly how good he is at gun play and smoldering sensuality. He brings something for the ladies and the fellas. If you haven't seen "Deadwood" and you like westerns and good television get yourself a copy of the series and watch it. But it does have some rough language. So that is something to be ready for it is not a family show.

Back to "Justified". I think what makes this show work for me is that while it is set in modern times it is also much like the classic westerns that I grew up with. There are bad people and sometimes it takes a person willing to work outside the lines of the law to stop those bad people. That is a gross over simplification of the show but the willingness of the Raylan to step over the line when there is something important at stake is something that has a long historical tradition in books and film. I also like the he isn't a John Wayne hero. I enjoy John Wayne movies and I enjoy that archetype but I like it when my hero maybe drinks a little to much and is perhaps a poor fist fighter. The is the case for sure with Raylan. He just is not a fighter. Oh he can get his pistol out and fire it on target but when it comes to a fist fight you better get someone else to do that job.

So if you are looking for something fun to watch that has some action and some decent storytelling and some good dialogue this is a show for you. I believe season 1 is out on DVD and Netflix will have it for sure. Check it out. I do not think you will be disappointed.

Memorial Day Music Monday

Songs for Memorial Day



Classic song



Wow. I am not sure if I have really felt or heard this song before.



Can not forget WWII.




Civil war.

I know I complain but I am happy about living here and I am well aware of the freedoms that this allows me. So take a moment and be thankful today.

Friday

gargle, bargle. It is Friday.

I love grilled cheese sandwiches.

Why are the things that taste so good so bad for me? I love you bacon, cheese, fries.

I know that I will feel horrible the morning after. I still want to drink this to excess.

The best breakfast ever. I am pretty sure my heart would stop beating halfway through this. I want to eat it anyway.

I love Deviled Eggs. There is one other egg dish that I love even more though.

Oh yes. A hard boiled egg. Wrapped in sausage. Battered. Fried. Taste Bud Heaven.

"You just shut up Dr Kat and let Lance enjoy his alone time." "Shut up!!!!""We have discussed this before. You are not a dietitian and we both know that Freud was a hack. I do not care that you are half Jungian."

Thursday Thoughts

I realize that I am supposed to be writing something today. But so far nothing is springing to mind. I am not feeling inspired by my disgust with a television show or an actor. There does not appear to be a film coming out soon that I have not already highlighted in some form or the other.

I am actually bored of writing about politics. While I firmly believe that we need to vote and that we need to stay informed. It really is feeling to me like what is going on in politics is just more of the same old same old. The hard core believers on the right or the left continue to get worked up about different bills and potential laws and meanwhile nothing really changes. We have had a "liberal" Democrat as President now since Jan 20th 2009. The way gun and ammunition sales spiked after he won you would have that that the world was coming to an end. Well it is 2011 and we still seem to be cranking along.

During his inaugural speech President Obama said this"

"It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America."

Really? Has that happened? Honestly? Has change come to America? Things do not look all that different to me. Oh wait, wait, Osama bin Laden is dead!! So I suppose that makes up for the last two years of business as usual in Washington. I think more and more that it doesn't matter in America who the President is. The people who have most if not all of the power are the people in Congress. I know that I made the same argument when Bush was in office and I really feel like after seeing these last two years of lots of noise and people getting so angry that it just doesn't seem to matter.

My life has not changed politically at all. I have conservative friends worried about things. I have liberal friends worried about things. But, nothing is that different. We are still in armed conflicts around the world, people still need jobs, and lots and lots of people get sick and die who probably could be saved if they had access to some kind of affordable medical care. These are things that have been the same in America for the last 5 Presidents or longer. All that has changed is the political party that the people can complain about and that most of the time feels like a change in name only.

So there you go. A little taste of cynical Lance today. I think I am getting a cold and that maybe what is causing all of the angst.

"Awwww thanks Dr Kat but I do not think I need a prescription for Valium". Lance said as he lay back on the couch. "Do I look like a housewife from the sixties?"

Webfind Wednesday

I have a little bit of a sore throat today or at least I woke up with one so I am just going to give you some stuff I have found around the internets that I find amusing or interesting.

That is a picture from one of my favorite movies.

Not a favorite but a movie I like and one of my favorite scenes in it.

I believe there is an Owl outside my house right now. I am hearing what sounds like the sounds that an Owl makes. Coincidence? I think not.

That is going to do it for me. I am enjoying listening to the rain fall. I know I am going to miss it when the summer gets here. Does anyone have a television show that they think I should watch or write about? Please let me know.

Tuesday

I spent the day with my parents. So this is all you are getting. I really need to convince them to get the internet it would make things a lot easier for me.

Music Monday (Disco Edition)

Today on Music Monday, it is going to be a Disco edition. So put on your tight pants and your shiny shirt and lets get on that Disco train to Boogie Town.

Our first stop is Walter Murphy with "A Fifth of Beethoven" lets all get down!!!



Can you dig the crazy two handed keyboard action. You got to love it. Our next stop? Well who doesn't like a little Hot Chocolate with "You Sexy Thing"...



mmm,mmm,mmm, so tasty. Who doesn't believe in miracles. Okay lets keep this train a rolling with a little Silver Convention and "Fly Robin Fly"...



Oh yes!! Keep on reaching for that sky. Follow those dreams kids. The train is still moving and lets keep those feet moving as well. Come on and "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty" with KC and the Sunshine Band...



Ahhhh yes!! Can you feel that booty shaking? I know I can. Who wants to ring my bell? Anita Ward wants to know. "Ring My Bell"...



oooh Baby my head is still spinning. Lets slow it down with a little The Commodores and "Three Times a Lady"...



Well I know your a lady but I have to ask. Well "Do you think I'm sexy?" Rod Stewart and I need to know...



Ohh baby thank you. I know you do. Lets end this train ride with a classic from the brothers Gibb. The Bee Gees because we are "Staying Alive"...





I will catch you on the flip side. Keep it real.

Film Friday

So I went to see "Thor" on Tuesday night for the $5 showings at Cinebarre. I would highly recommend seeing all of your films there on Tuesday nights. Not only is every show $5 they also serve some tasty food and the onscreen presentation is always top notch as well. They show first run movies and other then it not being stadium seating I have never had a bad experience there. Also paying just $5 for a movie makes it a lot more tolerable for me and I am for sure more forgiving in my reviews of them.

Which brings me to my topic at hand. I went to see Thor and I enjoyed it but I am not sure if I was enjoying it because I had only paid $5 or if it was actually a good quality movie. I have mentioned before that I like Kenneth Branagh as a director and he did a fine job in this as he always does. There were some absolutely beautiful shots of space and some amazing CGI work as well. So both his directing and the cinematographer did excellent work. But the script. Oh, the script. When I checked the credits I noticed that the writing credits for the movie had 8 names on it. That is right you heard me. EIGHT NAMES!! IT TOOK EIGHT PEOPLE TO TELL THIS STORY!!! I am incredulous. This is a 115 minute movie. I suppose I should be glad that it was over 90 minutes but I mean seriously eight people. These elite eight are as follows Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, and Don Payne with a screenplay credit. Then J. Michael Straczynski and Mark Protosevich with a story credit followed up by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby with a Comic Book credit. Now I am not sure how much of these peoples work even made it to the screen or even if this film was based on a graphic novel or was some sort of movie stand alone story. (I know who is who in the comic book world so please do not give me comments citing the importance of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.)

I just think it odd that any film needs to have this many screen writers. It has kind of been an unwritten rule for me that if a film has a lot of screenwriters it is usually not a good film. But that is a discussion best left for another time.

This is a picture of Thor in one of the Marvel Comics

This is a picture of Thor from the movie.

As you can see they used the comic as a guideline for the costume which is pretty cool. I really did like the visuals of the movie but there were times that the dialogue really seemed awkward to me and a little forced. I thought there were some really good actors in the film and a good if not great director so the flaws really had to be with the script itself. That being said it seemed to rise above it script limitations and when Thor left Asgard and came to earth it really took off for me. Do not get me wrong. I enjoyed some of the stuff in Asgard but what went on when he came to earth was just far more interesting to me.

So I think if I had paid full price for this film it would only get 2 out of 4 for me. But seeing it for so cheap makes it be a 3 and a half easy. It is just a plain fun movie. You might not enjoy it as much if you are not a comic nerd but if you are it is a fun time. I say take next Tuesday and check it out.

Animal Farm

Getting going a little late today folks I went to Costco with my parents so I am only now getting started. I hope you like pictures of cute animals because that is what you are getting today.

I love sea otters

The taste of a banana trumps all inter-species rivalries.

I too hate everything but I love how this little dog looks.

I unashamedly love Ferrets

So does this dog.


I hope you enjoyed the animal pics today.

Zookeeper

So what you just watched was a the newest preview for the new Kevin James film "Zookeeper". I am not sure what has me more upset. The fact that crap like this is even being made or that I was amused a few times during the preview. I am just so mad right now. I am starting to feel like my level of elitism that I have nurtured for years and years is now fading. I CAN'T ALLOW THAT!!

If we encourage this kind of film making then society is really going to destroy itself. I guess maybe we get what we deserve then. Because this is just the kind of film that keeps all of us stupid. Do not go see this movie. Steal this movie. Seed it all over but do not pay your money to go see this film. Do not encourage these films to continue to be made.

Tuesday

Today is Tuesday and I appear to have run out of coffee. I need to remedy that. So good day to you.

Music Monday

Sorry about Friday folks. When Blogger hiccuped in the morning I didn't get to writing and then I just never got back on so I failed in my quest to keep the streak alive. So today begins a new quest.

Since it is Monday lets get it started with the top 5 songs in no particular order of effectiveness that make Lance cry at least 60% of the time or more whenever he listens to them.

No 5.



Not much to say about this song. Those who know, they already know why this song is a little kick in the guts for me. It is worse because it really is a lovely song and I am not a fan of the new modern country.

No 4.



I first heard this song on the "Shrek" soundtrack and really enjoyed it then. I have heard many versions but this one just works so well for me. I am not sure if it is her voice or the other singers but it is just a great version.

No 3.



As usual a great song from Ben Folds but I am pretty sure that he isn't singing this about me. He is probably singing it about you guys.

No 4.



This band!! I just. It feels like every song is just so good. I know that some people feel like it is hipster music but I think it is far better and deeper then that.

No 5.



Not much to say about this one. He took away from Tent Reznor and made it his own. I love this version so much.

Big Bang Theory Redux

So I am just finishing up season 3 of Big Bang Theory and as I mentioned earlier I am going to be revisiting the show. I am still a little skeptical as to the premise of the show. But I can see why people enjoy it. That isn't to say that I think it is a quality show. Because I do not.

I still feel that while the interactions of the characters have changed with the introduction of the female characters. The show is still a pretty typical sitcom. There are no real surprises. You could see that Leonard was going to wreck his relationship with Penny. So when it happened it was not a surprise or particularly sad. It just happened. I think part of the problem is that I do not find Leonard a particularly likable character. He hurts the show for me.

I think that the show works for me when I have it playing in the background and am reading a book or playing a video game. It doesn't need my full attention. It just rumbles along and every now and then I get a chuckle or perhaps an awwwww moment. There might be a nerd specific guest star to gain a little media attention. "Oh look!! There is Stan Lee." But there is nothing greater involved with it. There is no deeper meaning there is no overall story arc that is being told. That is fine. There doesn't need to be a far greater concept in everything. But in my honest opinion that is what I like. I like there to be something deeper to what I watch. It can be a horribly made and acted show and if there is some sort of deeper mystery at the core of it I will watch it.

What I find most upsetting is that the shows that I like most. Those shows get canceled far earlier then the shows that I don't like.That just means that I like things that the rest of the world is just not cool enough to really appreciate. Yep. That has got to be it. My tastes are just to refined for the tastes of the common man.

I always knew that I was special. I have always had a taste for things of higher quality am really able to get the most out of the most subtle of flavors and of entertainments. I just generally operate at a higher level then the common peoples around me. It is hard I must admit that I am so much better then you my readers but that is the sad truth.

Now, I do not expect this realization to change things between us. I still imagine that you will come to me for enlightenment and honestly who else would you go to. The wisdom I impart is far greater then anything you are going to get anywhere else. So feel free to donate to the landrewc Wisdom Fund so that the insights can continue.

Have a good day and be well.

Wednesday

Well another Wednesday, another thanks but no thanks email as I continue to look for work. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

One Last Blonde

I forgot about one last blond that I like. Though this video could possibly be unsafe for work at least lyrically so put on those headphones and rock it out.



Thanks for the reminder Sherry.

Totally Television Tuesday

I wanted to write about television shows or something today but I also do not want to get into a rut and always write about the same stuff. I am torn because I am not feeling particularly inspired today and I hate to just throw up a bunch of YouTube videos because while I may enjoy it I am not sure that everyone else does. So what to do, what to do?




"Sister Golden Hair"? She knows who she is ;)

Top 10 Blond entertainment persons (Based on Lance's own secret recipe)

1.

I have always love No Doubt but I also love her solo work as well. I think part of it is her perceived confidence and style.

2.

I didn't really become aware of Kristen Bell until I saw "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" but recently I watched "Veronica Mars" (which I really enjoyed). I think she is a good actress and seems to be pretty active when it comes to helping others. I think that is a good thing.

3.

Not much can be said about the iconic Debbie Harry. She was and is a classic that transcended the music industry and a real ground breaker for the women of today.

4.

January Jones is a very attractive women but I think she really shines as Betty Draper. I am so looking forward to the next season of "MadMen"

I am stopping at 4. I have grown bored.

Music Monday May 9th

Today is the day after Mothers Day lets find some songs about mothers. These are not in an order of preference they are just in order of whatever I felt like looking for.



That is one of my favorite Rolling Stones songs. I think it really highlights the suburban ennui that can come to dominate the existence of peoples lives. I also like the tune.



A little Mr T with treat your mother right. "Treat Your Mother Right" T speaks the truth!!!



That was some classic punk right there. I like your Mom!!!



One of my favorite Pink Floyd songs of all time and one that always blows my mind just a little bit.



A young boy getting some advice from his mother. This is a great song and full of good advice.



I am not a huge Paul Simon song but I really do enjoy this one. It just has a nice sound and it flows.

Well that is it for today. I hope people had a nice day yesterday with or without their Mothers.

Choose Life?

"Choose Life.(Seems pretty simple) Choose a job.(I am looking) Choose a career.(I have no idea what a career means) Choose a family.(I feel like I am doing pretty good there) Choose a fucking big television,(Have one) choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers.(Have some) Choose good health, low cholesterol, and dental insurance.(None of the above) Choose fixed interest mortgage repayments.(Gone now) Choose a starter home.(Gone as well) Choose your friends.(Done) Choose leisurewear and matching luggage.(I like the idea) Choose a three-piece suit on hire purchase in a range of fucking fabrics.(Nope) Choose DIY and wondering who the fuck you are on Sunday morning.(Pretty much every Sunday) Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing, spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing fucking junk food into your mouth.(Try to not but it happens) Choose rotting away at the end of it all, pissing your last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, fucked up brats you spawned to replace yourselves.(No kids, will die with my cats) Choose your future.(No idea) Choose life… But why would I want to do a thing like that?(Who decides what life is best) I chose not to choose life.(There was a time) I chose somethin’ else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you’ve got heroin?"(Not heroin, maybe books and video games, a little booze)

Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh (Modified by Lance)






Who doesn't need an escape now and then from the mundane?

Television Thursday

I just finished season 1 of "The Big Bang Theory". I am still not sure if I enjoy it or not. The show will be entering its 5th season next year and has won a few different awards and has been nominated for several as well. I have always been of the opinion that winning awards does not always mean quality and I think that I feel the same way about the show. To be sure there are some very funny bits here and there and I really enjoy the nod to popular nerd culture. But I am not sure if on a consistent basis this actually holds up.

For those of you that are unfamiliar with the show the basic premise is this taken from their IMDB page

"Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper are both brilliant physicists working at Cal Tech in Pasadena, California. They are colleagues, best friends and roommates, although in all capacities their relationship is always tested primarily by Sheldon's regimented and non-conventional ways. They are also friends with their Cal Tech colleagues, mechanical engineer Howard Wolowitz and astrophysicist Rajesh Koothrappali. The foursome spend their time working on their individual work projects, playing video games, watching science fiction movies or reading comic books. As they are self-professed nerds, all have little or no luck with "popular" women. When Penny, a pretty woman and an aspiring actress originally from Omaha, moves into the apartment next to Leonard and Sheldon's, Leonard has another aspiration in life, namely to get Penny to be his girlfriend."

The creator of the show is a man named Chuck Lorre who has been mostly responsible for the majority of bad sitcoms on CBS right now. Though he did have a hand in "Roseanne" but that was never a show that I liked all that much. I found her loudness tiresome and not amusing in the least. But his biggest crime is that he created "Two and a Half Men" and in doing gave Charlie Sheen a career resurgence that has since allowed for the epic meltdown we all got the pleasure of experiencing earlier this year. I feel that for this crime alone Chuck Lorre should be flogged and hung from the town clock tower but I digress.

The concepts behind "The Big Bang Theory" (TBBT) are pretty basic and the show is filmed the same way that all sitcoms are filmed. As far as technique goes it could be "Laverne & Shirley" or "My Two Dads" there is nothing groundbreaking about what is going on behind the camera in each episode. The has some slight foreshadowing but the only kind of continuing story arc was the will they or won't they of Penny and Leonard. Believe me they are not Sam and Diane as much as Chuck Lorre would like us to believe they are. The interplay and the pining of Leonard towards Penny is interesting and believable. Who hasn't pined after someone who is out of their league. I realize that we are supposed to accept some fantastic things when watching a television show. But there is no way on Gods green earth that this woman

Is going to date this man

I really think that over the course of the first season Leonard has been releasing some form of gas into Pennys apartment and this is making her more malleable to his advances. There is no other reasonable explanation for them even getting involved. I have an incredible personality and I am good, good friends with many woman who are far out of my league and there is no way that it will be any different. This show does a disservice to poor lonely nerds everywhere (Who, lets be honest, have no where near the amazing personality that I do) in making them think that they could ever date a smoking hot babe like Penny. It is never going to happen. LET THE DREAM DIE NERDS!!!! LET IT DIE!!!

The show is also filmed in front of a live studio audience and I am just not a big fan of that. I do not like being told when to laugh based on the reactions of the audience of the laugh track that is being played. It isn't a horrible show but it isn't an amazing show either. I think that is why it is a success. It thrives in it mediocrity. The audience doesn't have to think. They do not have to feel. They can sit in their stupefied state. They are allowed to just float along without any effort on their part.

So that being said. I do find it something that I can just stare at and listen to while I do other things and let it just wash over me. So if that is what you are looking for then "The Big Bang Theory" is the show for you.

Wretched Wednesday

aaaagh!! Moan, complain. whine. Insert snarky remark here. Take something out of context. Complain about it. Make fun of someone. Feel better about myself. Find something else to complain about.

I got nothing today folks.

T is for Tuesday

Today is Tuesday, Tuesday!! It is the day before hump day and the day after the dreaded Monday. I think it is really kind of an unsung day. We are not at the middle of the week and it isn't the first day of the week so most of us have recovered from the weekends festivities and the Monday hangover has subsided. I bet more actual work gets done on a Tuesday then on any other day of the week. Now, granted, I have no real data to back up that claim. But when have I ever let something like that stop me? That is right I never have. My gut is telling me that Tuesday is the most productive work day of the week and I am sticking with my gut. I am so confident of this in fact that I am not going to bother even looking up evidence to back up my claim. I know I don't need to.

T is also for Thor because the premier of the new movie is in three days. I normally would not really care about yet another comic being made into a movie but what interests me is that this film is being directed by Kenneth Branagh. I realize that some may disagree but I think having Branagh as a director gives real weight to this movie. I know that is has been a while since he has directed anything but I absolutely love what he did with Henry V. I also really liked his version of Frankenstein, So, with that being said, I have reservations because I have no idea what the story is like or anything like that for the film but I like the director and I am looking forward to seeing what it looks like and how it translates to the screen.



Have a good day folks. I hope you are enjoying the ride and remember rich or poor, powerful or weak, it is all the same. None of us are getting out of here alive. So lets just enjoy the journey okay.

Music Monday May 2nd

I like to listen to music. I realize I have talked about that before but I was thinking about guitar solos that I have enjoyed and I thought I would share some of those solos with you. You want to hear them? Here they go.


WAIT!! WAIT!! Change of plans. I am going with songs named after women. Some of these will be women I know some will not and there is no personal order of preference involved. I may do songs with guys names next week I am not sure. But if your name isn't here it is probably because no one has used it in a song title not because I dislike you or anything like that. The world doesn't revolve around you so get over it.



Jessica by the Allman Brothers is an absolute classic and has some amazing guitar playing by Dickie Betts I believe. One of my favorite songs to close my eyes and just zone out to. I like the piano as well.



Beth by Kiss is a hard rock classic. It is a little hair metal but it actually is a pretty good song.



This is a song I have never heard before I thought I had seen the Woodstock DVD. I really like it.



Ahh yes the smooth, smooth, country sounds of the Pure Prairie League.



Another clip from Woodstock but this is the 99 version a little Alison by Elvis Costello. This is another song that I really like but I like most of the music by Mr. Costello



I admit I like some pretty sappy music but I am not going to be ashamed of it. I like this song. Aubrey by Bread.



I love, love, love Iggy Pop. This song works for me in so many ways and it has the lovely Kate Pierson and that is always a plus.



Brandy!!! You know your a fine girl. What a nice song about sailors who are in love with the local bartender.

I would be remiss if I did not close this out some classic heavy metal. So here we go with a little King Diamond from 1987 "Abigail" I am pretty sure that most of you are not even going to like this. I DO NOT CARE!!! \m/ \m/



I tried to find the a modern song that had the name of a girl in the tile and the only one I could find in Billboards Top 100 list was Akon and the song Angel. It is an example of the horrible autotuning that is going in todays music. Here you go.



Meh



Thus ends your Music Monday for May 2nd 2011

It's Friday, Friday

I apologize for that title. The title isn't really the problem it is the absolutely horrible song that I lifted the title from. Now, normally in a situation like this I would give you a link or perhaps show you the video from the song but if I do that then I am just encouraging more of the same and I am not going to be part of the problem. Now I realize that my stand may just be a drop in the ocean of terrible that exists out there but at some point a person has to stand up and say enough is enough!!

But enough of that. It seems that lately people around the world have been taking to the internets and putting together two things that previously had not existed together. In particular case someone put together clips from the television show "Community" with the music from the trailer for the Indie-mumblecore-romcom film (500)days of summer but changed the title to (500)days of Britta. I love the show "Community" you all should watch it. Thursday nights at 8 or watch it on Hulu!!!! JUST WATCH IT!!! But first watch this.



Wow!! That link just took me down a rabbit hole of YouTube videos that people have put together from different shows and movies with different songs. Talk about some pretty cool stuff but then I am a sucker for that kind of thing. I love a good pairing of song and video it can have such a good impact if done well.



If that last clip didn't leave with a grin and perhaps a little dance down the hallway then you are dead inside.



Even better one because it combines one of my favorite songs from the 80's with clips from some of my favorite movies. Love it!!! *snap and circle*


Okay I am done with that for awhile. There was some real crap in there as well but I am impressed with some of the creativity that was shown by some of the creators. I hope today's video clips amused you and perhaps put a little spring in your step. Have a Sunshine Day folks!!!

Thursday

I have returned from the coast and in a surprising twist it was a little nicer over there then it was here. While there were a few drops of rain it wasn't until we crossed back into the valley that we got hit by actual rain. Now onto the matter at hand. How was my food at the Tidal Raves?

Well first off the view from the restaurant is truly a good if not great one. I am not how I have never eaten at the place since I basically grew up going to that area as a child on a pretty regular basis.

I had a very tasty cup of clam chowder along with the two piece halibut fish and chips. Now I love chowder and I have to say that the chowder was easily in my top 5 all time chowders. Let me remind you that my top 5 of anything is really a shifting list and at anytime any particular thing could be number 1. So it was very, very good chowder and this is where the problem comes into for me.

I think that I enjoyed the chowder so much that I was unable to really enjoy the fish and chips because it wasn't the chowder. After I finished the chowder and started the fish I almost immediately wished that I had just ordered a bowl of chowder. The fish wasn't bad. But I just wanted more chowder. So I will probably return and just order a bowl of chowder and perhaps a tasty desert because it looked like they might have some good ones.

Now my mother ordered the crab salad and it looked amazing but when she had me try it the crab was really salty. So I am not sure what that was about. I have never had crab salad so I am not sure how it is supposed to taste but it seemed very salty to me and was to salty for her to eat so that was a little disappointing. My father had the same thing I did and he was happy.

Not that it matters because I have seen this man put mayonnaise on top of chocolate cake. Yes you read that right. My brother and I were just stunned. I have been known to eat some goofy concoctions but really dad. Why? Just why?

So, my final opinion of the restaurant. I liked it. I liked the chowder best of all. It had a very nice atmosphere and I could see how it would be a nice place to take a date to. I will be back. I believe that my mother will go back but she will not be ordering the crab salad. My father will eat whatever is thrown in front of him.

So thanks Erin and your blog funny little duck for helping me to discover a new place to eat.

Beach Wednesday

I am going to the beach with my parents today. I am not sure what the weather will be like there but I do not really care either. I find it enjoyable at the Oregon Coast regardless of rain or shine. We are going to eat at a restaurant in Depoe Bay that I learned about from reading my friend Erin's blog. It is called funny little duck. Go their and read it. She really gives some good restaurant and often has some neat pictures and something interesting to read or to listen to.

So on her recommendation I am going to try out Tidal Raves. I hope I am not disappointed because if I am I am going complain long and loud about it.

Entering a Contest!!

I entered a writing contest yesterday and you can do. It was pretty interesting as contests and completely free to do. I also found the concept rather fascinating and I have linked my title to the contest page. You have until April 30th until it closes.

There is really only one rule for this contest and that is that the story that you enter must be no longer then 25 words. That is it. A title and then a story and it can't be more then 25 words. I really found the process kind of amazing and looking at peoples different entries I was impressed by their cleverness.

Vampires Kiss

As Vlad sank his sparkling fangs into her neck, she couldn't help but wonder if perhaps "Twilight" had been a lie.

There I just entered it again. Why don't you give it a try.

Hair Metal Monday

Sometimes I get inspired by things and right now I am inspired to give you some hair metal videos. Have a good Saturday and keep on rockin!!!



Yes!! The epic metal piano has always been a favorite of mine. Just lean back in your chair and let it wash over you.



I do not really think of AC/DC as hair metal but this song rocks so here it is. THUNDER!!!



That is right!!! Pour some of that sugar on me!!! Let it rain!!!



You know that I can't pass up a little Queensryche. "I Don't Believe in Love"




Who wants a tasty piece of cherry pie!!! AWWWWWWWWWWW YEAH!!!



Ooooh time for a tasty rebuttal to Queensryche this band does believe in love and they are a modern version of the hair metal I love so much.



Want to hear a little secret? This is one of my favorite songs of this era of music.

I hope you enjoyed your little trip down the rock and roll memory lane.

Film Friday April 22nd, 2011

Well what is going on in the world of film this week. I believe there are some remakes in the pipeline. (Big surprise there) One of these is a remake of the Arnold Schwarzenegger classic "Total Recall" . Now the original movie was loosely based on a Phillip K Dick short story called
"We Can Remember It for You Wholesale". But near as I can tell this new version that I believe will be starring Bryan Cranston and Colin Farrell. Is going to be nothing like either the original source material or the first film. In fact I do not think that it will even be set on Mars. Of course the short story was not set on Mars either.

There is going to be an American remake of the crazy Japanese film "Battle Royale" and I have to admit I am a little intrigued by this. I believe that there is no screenwriter or directer presently attached to it but I would love to see the people that were involved with "Kick Ass" take a swing at it. Please enjoy the trailer below.



So you can see why I might be intrigued by the potential for an American version of this film. Though most likely the studio will cast a bunch stars and then be afraid to fully commit to the carnage and that will just be total failure. But I can hope.

They are presently shooting the remake for "Conan the Barbarian" which I am not in favor of at all. This one is going back to the source writing for inspiration but if you have read the source material then you know that it doesn't really matter and that the original was actually pretty true to the source material.



It isn't that the original is some great piece of film making. I am just tired of remakes. At minimum there are thousands of books out there that could be made into films. Or what about original stories that writers come up with on their own, What ever happened to creativity in Hollywood? I know that part of the problem is that often people will go see crap and that is how a film like "Avatar" gets made. It was not original in any way shape or form yet people loved it. Well people are dumb.

I think that if you are looking for a new sword and sorcery type film then you would not go wrong to be looking at the Edgar Rice Burroughs books the Barsoom series whose main character was John Carter, Warlord of Mars.....Well ask and you shall receive Lance. I had know idea this was happening but at some point in 2012 it looks like there is going to be a film coming out called "John Carter of Mars" and Willem Dafoe is going to be involved in it. The director is Andrew Stanton who directed "WALL-E" and "Finding Nemo" and "A Bug's Life".

WOW!! I JUST WOW!! I am actually getting kind of excited about this news. It is a Pixar film but I think it is going to be live action. I feel like there is so much potential here and I am actually very excited about this. I am feeling hopeful about movies for the first time in a long time. But I am also aware that my tastes differ from others. I am just shocked I somehow missed this.

More news here. John Carter I am Lord of the Rings level excited about this.