CALLING DESIGNERS

AWESOME PEOPLE DOING AWESOME THINGS

http://eugensakhnenko.com/atlas/2010/07/lisa-martin-steve-ferrara-well-and-good/

BREAKING DOWN BONNAROO 2010

It is not the summer of 69. The flower power generation is long gone and in its place decades later come hybrid yuppies, high rises and lots of debt. 2010 is a time when North America is slowly coming out of the recession that hit because a small amount of people were extremely greedy and mega douche bags. Born of that recession has come the realization that money doesn’t mean happiness and family does really matter. The social and moral makeup of North America is leaning from right to centre, with a focus on reclaiming our souls. We all know work is important and being accountable is now not only mandatory but essential to sustaining our communities. In addition to that, we are looking for a new center. Trying to find a place in our hearts, minds and souls where we can connect with each other living in the same moral field. We are looking for it in many ways; our consumer decisions, our environmental impact, sharing our wealth and most importantly, our music. Music is the soundtrack of our lives, often mirroring current shifts in lifestyle and points of view and sometimes creating awareness about issues with a fresh perspective. This connection with music couldn’t be more apparent right now with artists such as Interpol, Rise Against, MIA and even Shakira standing up for what they believe in. Of all the worldwide festivals that holistically encapsulate that DIY shift from music to mosh pit, Bonnaroo hits a homerun. The following is an attempt to describe the woven tapestry in which include colors of Woodstock, Glastonbury, Lollapolloza, DEMF and a topped off with a little local mall.

Myself, and four others arrive at Nashville airport ready to rock out, put some beads on and get down with nature. Some nights I will be camping, and a few at a hotel. We are equipped with tents, sleeping bags, baby wipes and lots of sun screen. After getting our rental car, we plot out our first stop; Third Man Studio Jack White’s studio and store. As we approach the studio we realize it’s in an industrial/ghetto part of town minutes away from where the Country Music Festival is taking place. We pass the Scott Mission and what appeared to be the local hangout for every local bum in the hood. Arriving at the shop early we park only to be pulled from our spot because Conan O’Brien’s people will be arriving soon. Well, fine then. We circle the hood to find a spot. Once in the shop, we are met with limited edition LP’s, custom Meg and Jack cameras, 14” singles from Karen Elson, The Dead Wather and other acts on Third Man records. We stare, we shop, we buy, and we leave. I am now the owner of a 14” single and the cutest Raconteurs baby T for a friend.

Jumping on the highway from Nashville to Manchester, the excitement is palpable. We have our afternoon itinerary set, including The XX and Miike Snow and talk about how quickly our tent will be up. As we approach the exit we realize it’s closed. State Troopers and the dedicated Bonnaroo radio station instruct us to drive 20 exits ahead. As we drive further along, it becomes clear there is a massive car line on the other side of the highway. We make peace with sitting in a line for a few hours; how long could it really take? It could and DID take eight hours. By hour seven we had entered into a deep meditative state, keeping us from leaping from the car in a fit of rage towards the entrance. At one point each of us got out, went to the bathroom, got some food and trotted back to the car knowing we could probably go to the local Cineplex and catch a flick, returning to find the car a few feet ahead.

Once we get on-site, it’s a gong show. I am supposed to pick up my ticket, which ends up at a hotel media check in at the Holiday Inn. Over 55,000 people were checked that day, most of them camping, RV’s, Minivans and Cars navigated through the 700 acres to find a home for the next four days. Rather than attempt to persuade someone to let me in, I romance a production manager who golf carts me to a staff shuttle that takes me to the hotel, where I get my ticket and a cab back to my hotel. Thursday is a wash. Friday is a new day.

Relatively well rested, I make my way to Bonnaroo. Walking onto the grounds,

I realize how massive the festival is. In addition to the 700 acres of owned land, other surrounding property owners lease their land for the event, making the total space well over 800 acres. The Tennessee sun beats down on me as I approach my friend’s camp site. I walk past showers and washrooms, water stations and hundreds of vendors selling more glass pipes than I have ever seen. Next to the camp site is a beautiful table housing musical instruments. Guitars, mandolins and drums are laid out for all to use. No connecting wires or security tags. If someone wanted to walk away with an instrument, they could. When the festival was over, all instruments laid peacefully on the table.

When you arrive at Bonnaroo, there is no way to realize how many things are going on, how far things are and how dirty you are going to get. From my suede designer flip flops to my friend’s virgin white sun dress, there will be some casualties over the weekend. We begin the 15 minute walk into the centre passing official and non-official vendors selling food, sundries, drug paraphernalia and of course water. If there is anything I can advocate at Bonnaroo is buy a mister and drink gallons of water each day. Upon arrival at the gates, we get searched, cleared and sent our way to the first act of the day; The National. After referring to our guidebook we determine they are performing at the Which stage. Get this, these are the OFFICIAL names of the stages; Which, This, That, The Other and What. If people aren’t confused enough already, they send you on a verbal sparring match with your buds figuring out where Tori Amos will be…

Question: What stage is Tori at?

Asnwer: She’s at What stage.

Question: She’s at WHAT stage?

Answer: I already told you, What stage.

Statement: Either I am really stoned, or this place is insane.

I fall in love with the National during their performance, with a lively lead singer jumping off the stage to perform as he navigates the crowd. Post performance we walk through Centreroo where we find food vendors, volleyball nets, slip and slides and an actual post office. Knowing that stopping too long will ensure we get sucked into the vortex, we keep focused and head over to watch Conan O’Brien. The comedy and adjacent satellite viewing tent offer a great way to break up the day and keep cool for a few hours in the air conditioning. Everyone laughs, cheers and gets a surprise treat with an appearance from Triumph the Insult Dog. We enter back into Centreroo to find more awesomeness. I pop into the Silent Auction tent and bid on a picture of Alison from the Dead Weather and some tickets for Bonnaroo 2011, losing both bids within hours. Outside the auction, we can see The Garnier Fructis Hair washing tent, the FUZE/Twix barn and a fantastical water fountain located in the heart of Bonnaroo.

Approaching sensory overload, I take a seat and spent a few minutes observing my fellow festival goers. Through my oversized sun glasses and hat I see hundreds of people; some walking, some eating, and many participating in a water party under the fountain. None of us knew what kind of people came to Bonnaroo, but assumed it would have a folk feel. In a way we were right, but the variety of festivals it took its cue from extended into each individual festival goer as well. I zeroed in on a group of four people. Three girls sat in a circle eating, what was later confirmed as a sausage waffle combination. Each girl wore Abercrombie and Fitch tanks, denim shirts and large Camelback backpacks. The guys were equally as prepped out with pastel button downs, pop collars and khaki shorts. I watched as they laughed and went on like they were in a bubble nestled deep in their minds. Continuing on I spot a man wandering alone wearing a full length floral print skirt with a drawstring. He is looking at the grass as though it is speaking to him with great importance. His head is shaved bald and beard moist with the Tennessee humidity. Within minutes he seems to forget what he was doing and wanders into the Odwalla music tent for a shot of fruit nutrition and indie band entertainment. Next we have an older couple who I speak to for a few minutes. They are from Michigan and drove up in their RV. They paid $1,500 for a VIP package that included their ticket, separate entrance and exit, served dinner and an RV space. They double fist their beers and talk about the last few Bonnaroos. Living childless, they travel a lot and take vacation from their lives as a carpenter and teacher. I am beginning to see a theme as I continue to scan the crowd; there is NO theme. There are so many people from so many places in the world from both a physical and social perspective. I decided to get back into the mix and make my way side stage for Tori Amos.

Later in the evening we are ready for the first headliner; Kings of Leon. Setting our blanket down amongst the other concert goers, we are ready for something special and special it was. I have never seen such grand stage production. From the hundreds of headlights setting the backstage to the 200 foot tall stage, it takes time to realize how big everything really is. We take in the KOL hits, drink the Malt liquor and watch as girls dressed as fairies and men dressed in one piece lime green body suits float by. It is as much a people watching festival as it is a musical experience. Post KOL, we roll to The Black Keys. After the auditory assault of the main stage, our ears can’t adjust to the small stage and we retreat for the evening. Walking back to our respective homes for the evening, we pass people dancing, giving light shows and lying side by side with their friends in a meditative fetal position. And so we sleep.

Day three and still so much remains to see and do. Getting back into Centreoo, we hit the Canon photo experience where we print our pictures onto postcard paper and send off to our loved ones. We eat more of the amazing food, drink from the free water fountains and head over to the main stage for Dead Weather. Yet again, we listen with amazement as the sound seems to get better and better. Alison from Dead Weather goes toe to toe with Jack White and if I were judging, it would be a draw. Your body fills up with the festival spirit and although not political or social in nature, the tone of the afternoon allows you to project The Dead Weathers words within your own world:

Let's go walk to the border

Let's go walk along the inch

Let's go when no one can see us

And find the difference between us

Each listener can personalize based on their own challenge, struggle or place they are in life. After a few hours of projecting, we head back to the tents to reconvene. It’s getting dark and as I continue to observe, I notice more “dark” characters looming about. The guys you see at the back of the bars that don’t quite belong. They may have bought a hemp shirt and some Vibram sandals, but something just doesn’t feel right. They are the ones the State Troopers are here for and I feel confident they are watching every step they take. Once we attempt to wash our hands, feet and face for the 100^th time we make our way back for the main attraction: JAY-Z. Because they don’t sell vodka on-site, I stop at a local vendor for some homemade Vodka Lemonade for my walk. As they pour we make small talk and my friend asks them where they live. “We live here “ they reply. After letting that response marinate for a few seconds, I say “on one of the local farms?” To which they reply “No, we live here and travel around some during the year”. Did she just tell me the land Bonnaroo is on it a yearly commune? I have emailed the promoters for answers and am waiting to hear back.

Back at the main stage, we are ready. Pre show I throw the frisbee around for a while and talk to the locals about how the festival is so profitable, it actually affects State Tax, insane! It’s dark, warm and tens of thousands of people wait patiently. Two massive screens that flank the stage start a countdown from 10 minutes. By minute six, it’s a sight to see with all heads forward ready for the 10 second countdown. 10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1..bang. Massive direct spotlights shoot down onto Jay-Z’s back as he swaggers (I don’t think the man is capable of anything else) across the stage to start the show. From the 100 foot by 80 feet digital screens rotating imagery of the NY skyline to the thousands of lighters dancing across the crowds, people are transfixed. Irony abounds as the majority white audience is transfixed listening to one of the most influential black musician talk about Barack in office and his times of selling crack in the hood while deep in the southern states. But here was this community that seemed to transcend color, culture and personal views. It was like when I was in alternative school. We had thugs, gays, rockers and ravers all living in relative peace. It was the collective union we felt having been rejected by “normal” society that gave us the sympathy and apathy for one another. I felt that as Jay-Z sang the hell out of 99Problems.

Following Jay-Z we headed to see DeadMau5 for some, in my opinion, horrible house music. Two of the closest stages played dance music well into the morning. The problem; they were so close, they competed. After days of walking, dancing, watering and discovering I was ready to collapse, so I did.

Waking at 8AM, we headed into Centreoo to grab our last breakfast. As we crossed the rainbow shaped entrance all we could see were hundreds and hundreds of water bottles. I looked at my friend and said “I guess the cleaning crew got pretty high last night and forgot a few things”. After eating a pretty decent spinach omelet, we started to make our way back to camp to pack up. Turning the corner past the post office we were blown away. Almost EVERY water bottle was gone? Did we just eat an omelet spiked with ACID? No, we had just witnessed what a community clean up program with benefits can do. To the left of us was a 20X20 booth with dozens of items; backpacks, shampoo, food, chairs, sleeping bags. Beside each item was a number. 50 for a t-shirt, 20 for hair gel, etc. We approached a guy behind a computer to inquire and he gave us the skinny. “For every bottle you bring to the station, they give you one point towards an item. Items range from 50 points to 1000.” We sat there almost in amazement for the next two minutes. Sometimes it is that simple. Do something good and someone will do something good for you. It was a beautiful last moment to a memorable festival. There was nowhere else in the world I wanted to be.

I SHOULD HAVE BEEN A TEENAGER IN THE 80'S

The music was sooo much better...So melodramatic and touchy feely. Now it's back en vogue and I can live the life of a tortured 80's teenager. With nothing to complain about other than my Apathy for everything...Enter Villa Nah

http://www.spokeagency.com/daily/2010/05/25/the-new-hot-is-villah-nah/

The Back-up Plan= William S. Burroughs, LSD, Marianne Faithfull and Brion Gysin

I decide to watch The Back-up Plan last night. Wanting a more intimate screening experience, I hit rainbow cinemas knowing it's usually me, a gay couple and some random senior citizens in the theatre at Rainbow. I rip my stub, grab a seat and spend a few hours getting lost in one of the most formulaic and of course entertaining scripts of the year. I will say the storyline of a single woman concisely deciding to have a baby alone is very progressive. In most instances where a mother is single in a movie, the husband either left, was killed or died of a terminal disease. A single professional woman deciding to have a baby on her own is something relatively new. As a woman, I have no desire to raise a child on my own, but the option of freedom to choose is an amazing thing to marvel at. The Back-up Plan concludes and I leave feeling temporarily satisfied. The storyline wrapped up with a little bow and my mind is tricked into believing everyone is happy, safe and couples don't fight, they talk!

For some reason the satisfaction was short lived leaving me in need of something a little more substantial to get me to sleep. Luckily, I have FLicKeR. A documentary about The dream machine invented by Brion Gysin. The actual documentary is pretty lame, but the subject matter throws me back into my teens when Jack Kerouac came with me everywhere and Charles Bukowski taught me everything I needed to know about WOMEN. The doc is about The Dream Machine; a stroboscopic flicker device that produces visual stimuli. Artist Brion Gysin and William Burroughs' "systems adviser" Ian Sommerville created the dream machine after reading William Grey Walter's book, The Living Brain. A Dreamachine is "viewed" with the eyes closed: the pulsating light stimulates the optical nerve and alters the brain's electrical oscillations. The "viewer" experiences increasingly bright, complex patterns of color behind their closed eyelids. The patterns become shapes and symbols, swirling around, until the "viewer" feels surrounded by colors. It is claimed that viewing a Dreamachine allows one to enter a hypnagogic state.

Firstly, I will be ordering a dream machine STAT. I can't believe through all my "teenage" experimentation I never heard about this magical machine. Brion thought that the dream machine's ability could replace LSD, Peyote and other mind altering drugs that cause a distorted experience of the senses, emotions, memories, time and awareness. Instead of taking a hit, you set up the dream machine, turn the lights off and let it spin. I think that I am so curious about the dream machine right now because as you get older you get further and further away from a desire to go outside your comfort zone. You can't use a weekend for mind expanding drug use; there is laundry to be done. Who is going to mow the lawn, pick up the dry cleaning or return the Eddie Murphy stand-up DVD? There is no time for mind exploration; I need to worry about keeping my job. I don't discredit the need to keep life moving, but I think there can be a fine balance met and something like the dream machine may help.

There are many levels of consciousness. We feel them at different points, sometimes not even realizing it. During an intense yoga session; when your whole body is still and not a thought is left in your ever moving brain. When you come off a run and you feel like your body is shaking and your thoughts are as light as a cloud. When you are on your third scotch and your frame of mind has shifted ever so slightly. These are all different types and/or levels of consciousness. The neurological levels are; conscious, confused, delirious, somnolent, obtunded, stuporous and comatose. Then the hierarchy levels of human consciousness consist of; shame, guilt, apathy, grief, fear, desire, anger, pride, courage, neutrality, willingness, acceptance, reason, love, joy, peace, enlightenment. The Shaman (intermediaries or messengers between the human world and the spirit worlds are said to treat ailments/illness by mending the soul) believe in seven levels of consciousness which are; personal, mankind, amphibious, spherical, crystal, light and lastly sound.

All of the above mentioned levels of consciousness can be attained in different ways. The easiest way has always been drugs such as; Marijuana, hashish, LSD, Extasy, cocaine, and Peyote to name a few. Meditation, yoga and other natural practices can supposedly take you to a higher level of consciousness, although I have never had the pleasure. That being said, I think it is possible. If the dream machine can help me in the natural pursuit of exploring my mind, growing as a person and experimenting with the beauty of light and perception of thoughts; I am in.

In truth the ability to do so is a somewhat frivolous pursuit. A personal quest that will become less and less a priority once I subject myself to long term copulation with a man and god forbid bare a child. But that is not now, that is the future. A future I don't know yet. Until then, I will buy my dream machine and set my sights on crystal consciousness. I could shoot for light, but I want to manage my expectations. I get disappointed enough in my day to day life, I'm going to keep it easy breezy on the heightened state of awareness front.—

REVIEWS- CLICK IT

http://www.spokeagency.com/daily/?p=973&preview=true

CHECK IT///

http://www.spokeagency.com/daily/2010/04/17/the-magic-the-mystery-the-junos/

AWESOME MUSIC OVERLOAD

There are too many awesome sites out there now to access new music...Here is one of them:

http://hypem.com/#/popular

ART FORM MENTIONS

MOVIES Boondock Saints 11: All Saints Day

For all of you who know the Cult Classic, Boondock Saints, you know that it was a TALLLLLL order for there to be a worthy follow up. I was very skeptical going into All Saints Day knowing how awesome the first one was. The layered story line, the killer editing, the kick ass soundtrack and the charisma both leads shared all came together to give viewers a film that still holds a room today. All Saints Day was yet another killer piece of entertainment that wove the original story through the new adventures with great ease. I had fun, laughed and got surprised at more than one turn. The addition of a third sidekick was a welcome surprise, adding a new element of hyper humor that complimented the boys. All Saints Day is worth seeing and maybe, just maybe becoming part of the permanent collection.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1300851/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmDhSNssaOI

DARK SHIT

I remember when I first decided I was going to get a tattoo. I was 16 and had so idea how painful and intense it would actually be..So what do I do? I decide I want an HRGieger piece on my back. Super intricate creepy piece that would probably have looked like a sketchy mess afterwards...I go buy the book, cut out the piece, then bring it into the shop. I immediately got the look " are you insane" from the artist. So I decided to play it safe and throw a celtic piece on to pay some respect to the fam and keep it simple. My love of Gieger remained and recently I found out there is a bar in his hometown with all his work. Take a look. If there was ever a reason to hit the swiss alps, this is one of them...

http://www.hrgiger.com/barmuseum.htm

A FOND FAREWELL TO THE CFC

After four splendid years I will be leaving the CFC on March 5th. From my first years in marketing to my time in development, I have been invigorated and challenged every step of the way.

I have accepted a role as Director of Brand Strategy for SPOKE AGENCY, a digital creative agency formed to produce experience-driven campaigns for brands in the lifestyle, retail and entertainment sectors..

Below is my new contact information and Mark Fellion’s contact information. Mark has been promoted to Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Events. For all CFC event matters, Mark is the main point of contact.

Have a great day.

Rachel Noonan
Director of Brand Strategy
www.spokeagency.com
rachel.noonan@spokeagency.com
32 Britain Street, Suite 400
Toronto, Ontario M5A 1R6
416-999-6454

Mark Fellion
Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Events
www.cfccreates.com
mfellion@cfccreates.com
2489 Bayview Avenue
Toronto Ontario M4L 1A8
Canada
416-445-1446X285

Canadian MOVIES can't stand on their own feet....

Over the last few years there has been substantial government cuts to arts funding in Canada. Organizations, artists and companies have has to downsize, adjust and seek other forms of funding to continue creating or else they may cease to exist.

This situation should encourage people to think about why they are being funded and if it actually supports their objective. It's a slippery slope with non-profit arts orgs as, traditionally, their objective has been to generate engaging content, foster the creative process and help grow domestic talent in Canada. For-profit orgs, which have a business model built on subsidies, are in danger of crumbling if funding is pulled and this is truly concerning and lacks good business sense. It causes me to wonder who within the arts community has been affected and who stands to be affected if Canada cuts ALL arts funding. Being in content (Film, TV and New Media), I started thinking of commercially successful TV shows,films etc. I found this list with some highlights:

CRAZY
Jean-Marc Vallée

TRAILER PARK BOYS
Mike Clattenburg

BON COP/BAD COP
Erik Canuel

EASTERN PROMISES
David Chronenberg

LES 3 P'TITS COCHONS
Patrick Huard

VIDEODROME
David Cronenberg

THE SWEET HEREAFTER
Adam Egoyan

WATER
Deepa Mehta

LAST NIGHT
Don McKella

I'VE HEARD THE MERMAIDS SINGING
Patricia Rozema

TALES FROM THE GIMLI HOSPITAL
Guy Maddin

Mon Oncle Antoine
Claude Jutra

AWAY FROM HER
Sarah Polley

KISSED
Lynne Stopkewich

THE DECLINE OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE
Denys Arcand

BARBARIAN INVASIONS
Barbarian Invasions (2003)

ONE of The problem with the Canadian System.

JUNO
Jason Reitman
Although it was written and directed by a Canadian, filmed in Vancouver and two of it's main cast members were Canadian, JUNO was funded by an American production company, which means that it is classified as an American Film. WHAAATT?

PORKY'S
Bob Clark
Although it was written and directed by an American and was filmed in Miami, Florida, Porky's was funded by a Canadian production company, which means that it is classified as a Canadian film. So NONE of the talent came from Canada, but the money did so it's Canadian. Boooo...

Does anyone see the obvious above? Most Canadian OR American would NOT recognize the names above. And two of the them that we do, are backwards in their thinking...It is basically saying the most important part of the equation is money...Well, that has really been a great success to us up until now, hasn't it...We can't take American money and call something Canadian in any way..So we can't leverage the largest entertainment superpower to help promote our little country..Promote it and there by bringing it into the masses forefront and increasing overall awareness that will help producers get more money to make more stories and content that people will hopefully go see because they recognize the names, faces, etc. This is not brain surgery people...Gosh...If I was to research ALL the films above I bet @ least 45% of the financing is government..Which means if the gov stops giving all art funding, Canada (English Canada) will just stop making movies? Really? We need to look at the rules of engagement and find a way to strike a balance between the artistic process and generating revenue so we can build a robust industry that can stand on its own two legs...Next, I will look at Canadian Music...Which ACTUALLY makes a lot of money and is an amazing export we are all proud of..Is there a fundamental difference between how we engage the music business process against the Film or TV process? Thoughts? Will throw more down later.

2009 WAS A TEST OF OUR RESOLVE

Bonjour,

Today is my Birthday. This day 31 years ago my mother did her thing and now I am here. I have passed the quarter life mark and am poised to take on my 30's with a little more perspective than I thought I would. It made me think back. Its what birthday's do. Birthday's give us time for pause and reflection. And so I have been doing so. It is weird. Although there are 31 years to reflect on, it is the last year that has been so intense that I can't shake it. I think the reason is that it's not only my life that has been traumatic and insane, but many of the people who make up my life. If I put together a chart of the increase of occurrences of things like deaths, job losses, pregnancies, marriages, divorces, moves, lifestyle changes, surgeries, career changes, cutting habits, picking up habits, falling in love, falling out of love, and so on, I am certain there would be a significant increase from previous years. As I took a mental snap shot, I started to think of specific people and how they have all dealt with the unplanned shakeups in their lives. Each person had a unique way of dealing. One person took trips they had put off for years. One person decided to just breath and relax. One person decided to change career paths. One person decided Canada was no longer for them. As I continued to mentally article my friends I realized almost everyone has dealt with some pretty intense stuff over the last year. Stuff that can sometimes break a person. Break their strength and resolve. But it didn't. As we walk into 2010, they are still pushing, still growing and still optimistic about the days ahead. I document these things because I know I will have moments in 2010 when I think I have had enough. Been pushed aside enough. Been told no enough. And I will need something to renew my resolve and remind me that someone else somewhere is dealing with things far worse than me. And so I will use this post...every once in a while when things get bad and out of focus I will come back and be reminded I need to suck it up and love who I have, what I have and where I am going.

HOLIDAYS = FRIENDS, MUSIC, MOVIES AND ONE TV SERIES

Ok, I have just eaten one truffle, half a french mint chocolate bar, 1/3 of a quiche and a salad..I am jacked and am going to list some movie and music that is/are worth checking out. I managed to really enjoy my holidays and balance friends, family and enlightenment with relative ease. Luckily I can say any holiday tears I shed were not a result of repressed anger bubbling up from mass alcohol consumption and complete loss of emotional control, but from some pretty amazing journeys I went on courtesy of some new, returning and prolific artists. Ok, highlights of 2009 Holiday funtimes:

MUSIC

NIN @ V-FEST
Ok, this one has nothing do to with the holidays, but was one of the most notable performances of 2009 in Toronto. It was seamless, powerful and honest. The band was so on point and so committed, they got a standing ovation and posted it on the NIN website. http://beta.media.nin.com/gallery/index?g_type=token&g_val=2124&g_sort=newest&g_tag=&g_media=video&page=1

PHOENIX
A friend brought me to a show this spring and I am happy my first Phoenix experience came from the stage. They are a true live performance band, and that's rare nowadays. Go buy their album.

30 SECONDS TO MARS (THIS IS WAR)
Don't judge. There is an epic quality to most of the tracks. They make a major effort to build solid songs that come from somewhere and end up in another place. They use their fans for some of the choir bits and I have Stranger in a Strange land on my shuffle. I imagine myself climbing up Victoria Peak in Hong Kong where I once gave myself the worst shin splints of my life.

BRYN CHRISTOPHER (THE QUEST)
I have had this album for over a year, but it is so good, I need to mention it each year for the rest of my life.



MOVIES

500 DAYS SUMMER
Beautiful on all accounts. It is well written, well acted, beautifully created by the Director, DOP, Cinematographer, etc. Love is a series of emotions that are interconnected. You can't have the sky without the sea. 500 days is a fav.

NINE
Pretty to look at. Pretty to listen to. Pretty to watch. It's a series of scenes that come together to tell a story about a man. A tortured man who can't keep his hands to himself and physically cripples himself with his deceit and lying. The final scene is worth watching the whole movie. My only problem with the movie is I really don't care about the male character played by Daniel Day-Lewis. He can breathe air into a bag and it will entertain, but the soul of this character is bare and the contribution he makes to the world sort of neutralizes his

THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR.PARNASSUS
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a fantastical morality tale, set in the present day. It tells the story of Dr Parnassus and his extraordinary 'Imaginarium', a travelling show where members of the audience get an irresistible opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom. Heath Ledger passed away during the filming of Dr.Parnassus, so the movie got a little over hyped. It was good and was other worldly, but it's not a complete film. It's a small, tiny, little look into the window of the minds and imaginations of Terry Gilliam and Charles McKeown. Worth watching and will have a lasting effect.

SHERLOCK HOLMES
Whataver...That's pretty much all I have to say. They should have donated the money that it took to make the movie to youth shelters around the world or donated it to the makers of the COVE. Waste of my time and truly a waste of time for some amazing actors.

THE NARROWS
So the Bush family is good for something and that something is Sophie Bush. She's a pretty good actress..Very surprised. Kevin Zegers plays a 19 year old Brooklyn boy who is torn between two worlds; life of crime in Brooklyn and the high art world of NYU when his photography portfolio wins him a partial scholarship. Bush is the love interest, Vincent D'Onofrio plays Zegers dad and does a good job. A nice surprise.

EXTRACT
Disappointing and weak use of talent like Kristen Wig and Jason Bateman. There were a few funny scenes and may be worth a watch on a Sunday afternoon when nothing else is on. Don't spend time looking for it.

ALL ABOUT STEVE (Don't judge me)
Sandra Bullock is a neurotic crossword puzzle engineer. Bradley Cooper (The new hot thing...Why I ask) is a cameraman who goes on a blind date with her and within five minutes runs for his life. So what does any intelligent , sophisticated woman do; run after him. It's a lame movie with some funny parts. Katy Mixon is a highlight of this film and many others such as Four Christmases and Eastbound & Down. http://www.imdb.com/media/rm352163072/nm1737500. Check her out!

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS (Yet again, Don't judge me)
Wow, so there was nothing else in the theater I hadn't seen and felt like punishing myself...And punish myself I did! Sarah Jessica Parker yet again plays a New Yorker, but this time an uppity neurotic one A la Family Stone. Hugh Grant plays a lawyer who gets caught up in himself and forgets to pay attention to his wife. They get separated, then witness a crime and get placed in the witness relocation program and what ensues is an exercise in patience for the viewer. I really wish I had those two hours of my life back, but I don't so please don't make the same mistake I did!

THE COVE
Using state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renown dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health.

AVATAR
Ok, so it was amazing and it was industry changing and it really truly is a film that puts all the other animated/live auction films to shame..My friend Randall said " It is something I have never seen or experienced and you only say that about films a few times in your life. The story was even good. It was very topical and at the same time spoke to the century long battles that have raged over land and power. The more things change, the more they stay the same. A truly timeless story set against some of the most advanced cinema and GC ever created in the world. I am not going to illiterate and go on with any attempt at further describing AVATAR. I would embarrass myself and do the movie no justice. Just go see it and remember it's 3D...Takes time for your eyes to adjust.

BROTHERS
Boring. Good acting. Boring. Good cinematography. Boring.

SINGLE MAN
Beautiful. A visual symphony. A Beautiful and poetic story that marries harmoniously with the aesthetic and tone of the film. Please go see it.

INVICTUS
A Disney version of a time in history when Nelson Mandela, in his first term as the South African President, initiates a unique venture to unite the apartheid-torn land: enlist the national rugby team on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Matt Damon is pretty with his blond highlights and Morgan Freedman does what he does, acts the shit out of things. The story moves as if we are watching Evan Almighty; light and fluffy. There is no grit, no dirt. I could actually visualize the talent wranglers behind the screen waiting with towels and water bottles for the "acting" rugby players so they can get the "set dirt" off their face as soon as the director yells cut. There is ONE thing that is worth watching this movie for. Through all the Hollywood shine that is Invictus, you get a small picture of a man who defied all odds and truly exemplified a person who can forgive and extend empathy with a whole heart. He sacrificed his personal life for his country. We can only aspire to be a 1 10th of the man Mandela is.

THE LIFE BEFORE HER EYES
A waste of Evan Rachel Wood and Uma Thurman's talent. It was an interesting spin and story, but nothing about the film left a permanent impression. If it is in your hands and free, watch it. Otherwise, keep scanning the shelves.


TELEVISION

WONDERFALLS
An awesome series about an over educated Brown graduate who chooses to live in a trailer park and work in a Niagara Falls souvenir shop rather than get a "respectable job" and live in the lap of luxury in her parents house. It is smart, funny and so sadly only got one season. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361256/