Link of the Day [5.13.08]

broderic on May 13, 2008

I like riding my bike for recreation. I am sure I would love riding my bike for transportation. If only we can be serious about our transportation infrastructure, then maybe we can create a country with choices for moving about. I’m not advocating for bikes, but for a practical and sensible approach to our future needs.

The Streets Blog discusses “livable streets.” It’s a good resource to read for ideas about sensible uses of our streets for a better living.

http://www.streetsblog.org/

Vertigo

broderic on May 13, 2008

Marge and I caught the latest Hitchcock film at the Charles, Vertigo. After sitting in traffic and getting to the theatre just in time, we settle in for a really great film.

Jimmy Stewart’s character’s obsession is one of the loneliness and sad realizations in film. Novak’s Madeliene/Judy should’ve gotten out of there when she had the chance. She should’ve forgotten all about Scotty.

My reaction to the film was very different from the one I had when I saw it on DVD. I think that in private, at home, I was able to connect with Scotty’s obsession. It was more intimate and immediate. At the theatre, that feeling of obsession out in public was replaced with apprehension and I connected more with Judy. It is like I was acutely aware of my obsessiveness, and I was embarrassed by it so I chose to be appalled for my self like Judy was for Scotty’s choices. I don’t need her to wear a grey suit.

5 of 5 stars.

Quote of the Day [5.12.08]

broderic on May 12, 2008

Republicans Vote Against Moms; No Word Yet on Puppies, Kittens

Title to a Dana Milbank article in The Washington Post
Friday, May 9, 2008

Link of the Day [5.12.08]

broderic on May 12, 2008

I took an animation class while in film school. I liked it plenty.

I use to read CartoonBrew daily just because it seemed to be connected with the industry. I like their stance on dearth of hand drawn animation in the US.

If you love animation, then you can do no wrong than by visiting today’s link.

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/

Speed Racer

broderic on May 12, 2008

The Wachowski’s Speed Racer is certainly ambitious. With it’s candy coated visuals and cgi backdrops, it makes for an entertaining experience. Yet, it fails because of the use of cgi, because the meager plot couldn’t hide behind the pretty lights, the film relied on the flash rather than the story. And that is what’s so frustrating about this movie, the flashy visuals were good, but the tale was weak especially in the exposition of the fiendish Royalton. It was boring.

Until the races started up. I loved it. They looked like skaters doing ollie shove-its and 360 kick flips. This was the first time I felt like I had to play the video game. If it was about bashing other cars, it would be awesome like Mario Cart.

Christina Ricci is dangerous. Her Trixie enters and you know that the sugar coated affair has changed to something slightly off-kilter. John Goodman looking old, but serviceable as Pops. Sprittle was annoying, but needed to provide some comic relief for the children in the audience to laugh. Emile Hirsch is once again a blank 2d character like the animated version of speed racer.

The story did pick up until the racing. The early part was boring. In fact, I still don’t get the fiendish Royalton’s machinations because my eyes glazed over and I checked out for a bit.

It’s not as bad as the reviews its getting, but it needs some work. This is the first movie that seems to have been expressly made for high definition DVDs. I couldn’t help but think that hd DVD should’ve been its original release format.

3 of 5 stars.

Mom's Day

broderic on May 11, 2008


Mom Portraite
Originally uploaded by browsermetrics.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in the world. May your children return the love you give them a thousand fold.

This one’s for my mom. She’s the greatest.

Are you an alien?

broderic on May 10, 2008

This screencap was sitting on my desktop. It was interesting enough that I wanted to share it with you. She’s annoyed.