Trace

Yes, I do not particularly care for the format.

That said, I also think that the writing and acting were fairly dreadful--- cliche and mannered, respectively. The direction was ok, standard stuff with the occasional above-average execution of a sight gag.

Lynch's preferred style/movement is Abstract Expressionism. It's how I would describe both his paintings and his films.

There are some really great essays on his work, some about specific films, others about the man, and still others about "everything Lynchian." For anyone who has watched a Lynch film and wondered what was going on (which is pretty much everyone who has watched a Lynch film) I strongly suggest seeking out some supplemental reading.

David Foster Wallace wrote a particularly interesting essay while on the set of Lost Highway, which focuses on that film but also on Lynch and his movies in general (and sheds some light on possible interpretations throughout). The essay is titled "David Lynch Keeps His Head" and was originally published in Premiere (a film industry magazine) in 1996, and was reprinted in A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again, Essays and Arguments (a book collecting various articles/essays that were originally published in various periodicals).

Wallace is a big fan of Lynch's work, and this comes through in his writing, but it doesn't diminish the quality or veracity of his arguments and opinions. Check it out, I bet it's available online somewhere.

Also, for specific focus on Mulholland Drive, including many possible answers/interpretations, Salon.com did a fantastic piece a few years ago. Enjoy!

I watched the first episode of The IT Crowd and half of the second episode before I had to turn it off. What a steaming pile of shit.

It was exactly the kind of sitcom that Extras lampoons in their second season.

I hate sitcoms in general, so this had little chance of winning me over.

Similarly, I rate Curb Your Enthusiasm higher than Seinfeld.

The Shins

Wincing the Night Away

Pure bliss.

Sea Wolf

Get To the River Before It Runs Too Low

From Alex Church (of Irving) comes more Indie Pop goodness.

Although the image of the Joker is really blurry (due to the glass) I think he looks really cool.

I wonder what part Anthony Michael Hall is playing?

HBO's new series, premeiring June 17, Flight of the Conchords.

The first episode is available here.

It's about 2 Kiwi musicians trying to make it in NY, and the first episode is great.

Jemaine Clement (the one with the glasses) also stars in the film Eagle vs. Shark, which looks pretty funny, sort of a New Zealand version of Napolean Dynamite.

Totally agree.

But then, I've been meaning to give it a second reading.

I've read that Nolan was so impressed with Raimi's inclusion of dance numbers in Spider-Man 3 that he's thinking of doing the same.

Yup, Roger Zelazny. I don't think he died before he finished it, but he did take a long break in between the first 5 books and the last 5 books. The series does indeed draw on many different mythologies, as well as contain allusions to several famous literary works/styles (Shakespeare, for one). However, it's mostly just a fun sword & sorcery tale with some themes on reality and the multiverse. The second 5 books aren't as good as the first 5 though, and really, the best book of the 10 is the first one. Nevertheless, it's worth checking out.

Just looked at his Wiki entry; he died before finishing an Amber-related short story cycle. The series of novels was finished well in advance of his death.

(Obviously) start with Nine Princes in Amber and see if you like it. If you think it's "just alright" then the series probably isn't for you, but if you think it's "above average" or "pretty good" then keep going. Personally, I thought the first 5 books were great, but found the second 5 merely okay.

Anyone ever give the Amber Chronicles series a try?

The first few books are really fun, especially the first, Nine Princes in Amber.

A little late, but humorous nonetheless:

What a shit FA Cup final, and what a bullshit UEFA CL final.

Neither Chelsea nor Man U decided to show, except for Drogba and Lampard, and even then only for one play.

The UEFA final was utter toss. Pippo definitely "hand balled" that thing into the goal, so the first goal shouldn't have counted, making it 1-1 at the end of regulation. Had the linesman not fucked up that call, perhaps we would've been treated to some cracking overtime play and maybe even a chance at shootout redemption for AC Milan. Beautiful goal the second time around for the Pipster, though.

Bring on the MLS!

I kind of like it.

Plus, I trust Nolan and his costume/sfx crew to pull it off. In general, I like the style they've been going with--- less cartoony and more gritty/realistic (for a superhero film anyway).

Mother, Come Home by Paul Hornschemier

One of the most poignant, somber, moving comics I have ever read. The book chronicles how a father and son deal with the death of the family's mother, and it nearly moved me to tears. Which is saying something seeing as how I never cry due to fictional works.

Highest possible recommendation.

Christian, knowing the kind of tpb/gn you like, you should absolutely check this comic out.

10/10

....and the hidden message "see you in December."

Black Book

Pacing issues aside, it's a great film. Highly entertaining, with some fantastic acting all around. Probably could've done without the 2 epilogues, 3 codas, and 4th act.

The sfx look awesome, as does the brunette. ;)

Nonetheless, I still have low expectations for anything with Michael Bay's name on it.

As mentioned in the lyrics thread:

Random Rules by Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips, originally done by Silver Jews.

Also on the Wareham-tip: Sweet Child O' Mine by Luna, originally done by (you guessed it) GnR.

I just hope they were practising safe sex although I don't which one of these two French adverts (NSFW) would be most appropriate.

 

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1vl1r_pu...my-boy-lollipop

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1o434_ai...assez-longtemps

 

and one for the ladies too

 

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1o47l_ai...assez-longtemps

:o

Wow, those just might deserve their own thread. I mean, we could sit here all day and discuss the stereotypes put forth in each one, especially the last one. When the girl goes to get a condom for her new black boyfriend and she assumes he'd need one from the "XL" machine I started rolling my eyes. When he shook his head "no" I thought the creators had come to their senses. Then he pulled out an "XXXL" condom. *shakes head*

You are so wrong Trace.

 

That's just painfully stupid.

Seriously, WTF were those clowns thinking? That video is more unintentionally homoerotic than a 300/Spartacus double-billing.

Holy shit was that finale awesome!

Like so many other shows that are winding down around this time, The Shield turned in one of the best episodes they've ever done.

Excellent writing.

The U.S. version of The Office

At first I didn't think much of this show, the first season actually uses the plots from the British version and does them in a less-funny manner. By the second season they start injecting their own storylines, but the show still seems like a retread. The third season however, is brill on toast. Absolutely hilarious. Once the Stamford branch is introduced things get unbelievably funny. I'm only 14 episodes in, but I feel safe in saying that this is one of the funniest shows I've ever seen, and it may have actually surpassed its predecessor (which might be unfair considering the UK version only had 2 seasons).

Anyway, I highly recommend checking the show out. You don't necessarily need to watch the first 2 seasons (especially if you're familiar with the UK version), but it helps. The third season (which is the current season) is amazing.

Baby vs. Cobra----- no joke.