While recently channel surfing (not something I usually do with the exception of the 3 shows I watch religiously) and listening to the radio (also not something I usually do) I couldn't help but get the feeling that the big whigs in charge of programing and the mass media think that the consumers (yep, that's us!) are complete idiots.
I passed at least 3 shows about dancing that were basically the same, sitcoms about guys and girls getting into pretty much the same crazy predicaments, and reality shows that I don't even know what to say about. Is this the best they got, or do they just think that we'll just settle for shit? Oh... I guess we do settle for shit. But we only settle because we are so used to it. We're so used to low quality, mass marketing, and scarce choices.
Even worse than the TV was the radio and the songs I heard playing. It's obvious why people are quickly moving to satellite radio. Though we are used to the electronically enhanced and highly produced singles out today, I honestly think that if people were given more choices, just given the chance to listen to something that isn't the norm, it would catch on. The consumer might actually like something different, something with emotion, or something actually written by the artist if producers and record labels would be willing to take a chance... too bad all they care about is money! BUT It's happened before! It happens all the time. When a band like Modest Mouse gains popularity and is even played on TRL, there's hope for all underground bands out there. I mean really... Modest Mouse?... they aren't exactly what you think of as even remotely close to a main stream sounding band. They're what I think of when someone mentions a band you have to have an acquired ear to like, but more and more people heard them... and... they... they actually liked it!!!! Producers and heads of record labels need not scratch their heads in bewilderment; all they have to do is realize that people are more opened to new and different music than they think. We aren't stupid! Most of us just don't know what else is out there. Once people start to hear REAL good music, they'll realize "Oh, man, we have been listening to crap all this time!" Yes, popular music is damn catchy(obviously for a reason) and I thoroughly enjoy some of it myself. The worlds of pop and underground music can coincide, (unless you're a music snob an/or take yourself too seriously) and they have been for tons of people.
Call me crazy, but I still miss the good ole days (the good ole days that I never experienced) when an artist would just write their music, record it, say "Here it is!" and it's done! It's ready for radio without any restrictions or hired songwriters or digital modifications... and it's great! The artist actually had talent.
Basically, I just wish the public would stop giving money to support low quality things just because low quality is the most prevalent and sometimes the only option. If we stop buying trash, we will stop getting trash. We're not stupid, so let's show those big studios, labels, and networks and start demanding a much higher quality product! We have the money, so we have the power!
Si se puede!...?
I think we can all agree that the "Trapped in the Closet" thing that R Kelly did was one of the great low points in pop culture for so many reasons
ahahahhah who thought this was a good idea?
annnnd
here is a high point
hahaha i love him
It doesn't get any purer than this. I'm a maaayyynnnne!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Thank you for Planet Earth, God... and BBC!!
Planet Earth is an 11 part mini series filmed by the BBC and now (well, it was) frequently playing on the Discovery channel. Needless to say, this series is about Earth in all of its glory, and IT. IS. AMAZING. It's probably one of the most visually stunning things I have ever seen, and now that I own the set of DVDs, I can't stop watching them.
With state of the art high definition cameras and years worth of footage of the worlds most amazing animals, it really couldn't have been bad. Slow motion shots that stretch a shark attacking a seal from a few seconds in real time to a few minuets is really awe provoking. Though the slow and fast motion scenes(of flowers blooming and things that take a long time like that) are the most talked about and probably most stunning ones, every second of this series is worth watching. It really opens your eyes to the the cosmic power and majesty of nature, how beautiful and valuable the world we are destroying is, and just how good technology is getting.
Everyone should see at least some of this wonderful series!
With state of the art high definition cameras and years worth of footage of the worlds most amazing animals, it really couldn't have been bad. Slow motion shots that stretch a shark attacking a seal from a few seconds in real time to a few minuets is really awe provoking. Though the slow and fast motion scenes(of flowers blooming and things that take a long time like that) are the most talked about and probably most stunning ones, every second of this series is worth watching. It really opens your eyes to the the cosmic power and majesty of nature, how beautiful and valuable the world we are destroying is, and just how good technology is getting.
Everyone should see at least some of this wonderful series!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
The Oscars were great!
The Oscars were wonderful this year! I am actually happy with all of the winners!
Visually, the actors in their designer outfits and the formal nature of the ceremony portrays the glamor and glorifies the film industry as a serious and honorable one. It's the big event of the year for those involved in the industry, and it's the time of the year when the best are honored and the privileged former nominees and winners are present. The video montages and the host are to entertain and the high tech fancy stage decorations are to make everything aesthetically pleasing for the viewer, but the night is all about the winners; the actors, writers, directors, film makers, cinematographers, composers and everyone else that makes movies possible; everyone who makes movies extraordinary. The night is in honor of the greats who are voted the best in their field and get their few minuets of honored and coveted time behind that podium to thank whoever they want and bask in their glory. When looking back on award ceremonies, the memory in the forefront of people's minds is not how great the stage looked or the award presenters but the award winners, what they are wearing, and what they had to say. The Oscars, and all award shows, are meant to entertain the viewer who is watching for hours while more importantly honoring the honorees and making the night about them and their victory. Everyone likes to see people's reactions when they win big!
Fuck yeah Daniel Day-Lewis and Coen brothers!!!
Visually, the actors in their designer outfits and the formal nature of the ceremony portrays the glamor and glorifies the film industry as a serious and honorable one. It's the big event of the year for those involved in the industry, and it's the time of the year when the best are honored and the privileged former nominees and winners are present. The video montages and the host are to entertain and the high tech fancy stage decorations are to make everything aesthetically pleasing for the viewer, but the night is all about the winners; the actors, writers, directors, film makers, cinematographers, composers and everyone else that makes movies possible; everyone who makes movies extraordinary. The night is in honor of the greats who are voted the best in their field and get their few minuets of honored and coveted time behind that podium to thank whoever they want and bask in their glory. When looking back on award ceremonies, the memory in the forefront of people's minds is not how great the stage looked or the award presenters but the award winners, what they are wearing, and what they had to say. The Oscars, and all award shows, are meant to entertain the viewer who is watching for hours while more importantly honoring the honorees and making the night about them and their victory. Everyone likes to see people's reactions when they win big!
Fuck yeah Daniel Day-Lewis and Coen brothers!!!
Friday, February 8, 2008
"There Will Be Blood"
"There Will Be Blood" was INTENSE! It was so freaky!!! But considering who was involved in it, I wouldn't expect any less. Paul Thomas Anderson + Daniel-DayLewis = inevitable weirdness and awesomeness
The music really made the movie and accented all of the actions perfectly. It was so CREEPY and made me feel uncomfortable and suspenseful the whole movie. Without any actors speaking or knowing much about the movie, the music told the viewer all they would need to know. It said "this is going to be a scary/creepy ass movie." and it was right.
Daniel Day-Lewis scars me more than I thought possible. He freaks me out both as an actor and as a person. He was amazing in this movie and is well deserving of all best actor awards he should be nominated for. He played the extremely disturbed and evil character of Daniel wonderfully. What a freak.
Another wonderful performance was also given by Paul Dano who played Eli an evangelical nut job who should have never gotten on Daniel's bad side. A personal highlight in his performance was when he was was sucking on an old womans fingers to get the "devil" out of her arthritic hands and shouted "I WOULD FUCK THE DEVIL OUT OF YOU!" or something along those lines. He. went. crazy. when he was yelling at demons to "GET OUT!" of the church. Such a great job done by the "Little Miss Sunshine" boy.
The last line of the movie was so haunting and ambiguous to me! Just the way it was delivered and the music that fallowed it was delightfully disturbing!
With quotable lines that we were already reciting right after the movie on the way to the car like, "You're just a bastard in a basket!" and "I. drink. your. MILKSHAKE! I DRINK IT UP!" you really can't go wrong with this film.
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!! Don't watch this if you haven't seen the movie!
Best scene to reenacting to creep people out!
All I have to say is go see the movie, it's worth the money.
The music really made the movie and accented all of the actions perfectly. It was so CREEPY and made me feel uncomfortable and suspenseful the whole movie. Without any actors speaking or knowing much about the movie, the music told the viewer all they would need to know. It said "this is going to be a scary/creepy ass movie." and it was right.
Daniel Day-Lewis scars me more than I thought possible. He freaks me out both as an actor and as a person. He was amazing in this movie and is well deserving of all best actor awards he should be nominated for. He played the extremely disturbed and evil character of Daniel wonderfully. What a freak.
Another wonderful performance was also given by Paul Dano who played Eli an evangelical nut job who should have never gotten on Daniel's bad side. A personal highlight in his performance was when he was was sucking on an old womans fingers to get the "devil" out of her arthritic hands and shouted "I WOULD FUCK THE DEVIL OUT OF YOU!" or something along those lines. He. went. crazy. when he was yelling at demons to "GET OUT!" of the church. Such a great job done by the "Little Miss Sunshine" boy.
The last line of the movie was so haunting and ambiguous to me! Just the way it was delivered and the music that fallowed it was delightfully disturbing!
With quotable lines that we were already reciting right after the movie on the way to the car like, "You're just a bastard in a basket!" and "I. drink. your. MILKSHAKE! I DRINK IT UP!" you really can't go wrong with this film.
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!! Don't watch this if you haven't seen the movie!
Best scene to reenacting to creep people out!
All I have to say is go see the movie, it's worth the money.
"The Great Debaters"
I went into the movie theater expecting great things from "The Great Debaters" but came out of the movie wishing I would have just waited to rent it to save a few dollars. Maybe I was expecting too much. Though the true events the movie is based off of are amazingly inspirational, the movie was thing but.
The main problem I had with the movie was the little boy, James, who was supposed to be a loved character that kept the audience rooting for him. He was EXTREMELY irritating to me, and by the end of the movie I only imagined how good the last debate would have been had he not debated. Though the scene was meant to be touching and triumphant (as I'm sure it was for most viewers) I was thinking about how much I disliked the character and imagining the more skilled and powerful voice of Henry in my head. Henry was who I was rooting for. With James comes his family, which I also felt no emotional attachment to. I simply didn't care for James or his family. Words can't express my frustrations with James.
Wilson, though I understand his purpose in the movie, was hilarious to me and completely unnecessary. One liners like, "I am Wilson." had me and my friends laughing out loud. With every scene he was in, the more ridiculous (and almost creepy) I thought he was. Why?? Just why? Things like Wilson just made me realize how much I didn't like the movie.
Of course Denzel was great and in the movie. He still has that sex appeal after all these years as well. Both he and his character were strong and effective.
The plot, though slightly uplifting, was extremely predictable. I can't believe it was nominated for best motion picture at the Golden Globes. But, I still love Denzel and applaud him on his great job acting and directing the movie.
The main problem I had with the movie was the little boy, James, who was supposed to be a loved character that kept the audience rooting for him. He was EXTREMELY irritating to me, and by the end of the movie I only imagined how good the last debate would have been had he not debated. Though the scene was meant to be touching and triumphant (as I'm sure it was for most viewers) I was thinking about how much I disliked the character and imagining the more skilled and powerful voice of Henry in my head. Henry was who I was rooting for. With James comes his family, which I also felt no emotional attachment to. I simply didn't care for James or his family. Words can't express my frustrations with James.
Wilson, though I understand his purpose in the movie, was hilarious to me and completely unnecessary. One liners like, "I am Wilson." had me and my friends laughing out loud. With every scene he was in, the more ridiculous (and almost creepy) I thought he was. Why?? Just why? Things like Wilson just made me realize how much I didn't like the movie.
Of course Denzel was great and in the movie. He still has that sex appeal after all these years as well. Both he and his character were strong and effective.
The plot, though slightly uplifting, was extremely predictable. I can't believe it was nominated for best motion picture at the Golden Globes. But, I still love Denzel and applaud him on his great job acting and directing the movie.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
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