“Rocket Racer uses a jet-powered skateboard with gyroscopic stabilizers, and magnetic boots that keep him attached to the board. The skateboard also adheres to vertical and inverted surfaces. The board is cybernetically controlled via the Rocket Racer’s head-set.”
—I never realized how interesting Marvel Comic characters were, such as Brooklyn-born Rocket Racer.
June 2009
73 posts
“Today, things are at the other extreme. Everything is supposed to be invented, the guys never repeat anything at all and probably couldn’t. They don’t even write down their own tunes, they just make them up as they sit on the bandstand. It’s all right, I don’t question it. I know and hear what they are doing. But the validity remains to be seen -what comes, what is left, after you hear the melody and after you hear the solo. Unless you just want to hear the feeling, as they say.”
—Charles Mingus, “What Is a Jazz Composer”
“[Michael] Bay’s agents at CAA are working on the deal, after which he’ll head off on safari to scout locations, sources said.”
—
Helmer Bay eyeing Col’s ‘Africa’ trip - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety
For whatever reason, the notion of Michael Bay on a safari amuses me.
“You’ve seen them—on the covers of magazines, in music videos, in movies—and you have to wonder: “How did they get that perfect?” Yes, they’re supermodels, and their secret is out. They’re a really a coven of evil witches, plotting to take over the world—and they must be stopped! Who’s up for the job? A fashion photographer, a famous witch hunter, and a good witch. I feel better already.”
—Actual logline to a script optioned by MGM in 1997, according to Coming Attractions.
“And that was that, until a teaser trailer for Where the Wild Things Are was released in 2000 by Universal, previewed with screenings of The Grinch.”
—
Catch of the day: Where the Wild Things Are | Film | guardian.co.uk
Wait, what? Is there any truth to this?
A Wild Rumpus in the Hollywood Jungle - New York Times →
nytimes.com
Great article detailing the history of the Where the Wild Things Are film that I somehow only read now.
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Creeper Lagoon - “Sell You Short”
Creeper Lagoon are perhaps the closest thing we have to a Jonathan Fire*Eater 2.0 in terms of lore. Like JF*E, CL were hot off the buzz of independently released debut, signed to DreamWorks, burned through a million dollars given to them by the label, and wrangled that buzz into a DreamWorks LP that was a critically lukewarm commercial failure; however, unlike JF*E, CL probably didn’t have the talent to back the hype.
Though in CL’s instance: they were from San Francisco, not New York; they went through four different producers on their major-label debut, and during that time retreated for awhile to a barn somewhere in California where they attempted to “find inspiration,” which was actually just the band blowing a lot of their advance on shrooms and lazing away; and when they broke up, the ringleader opted to continue on with the band name and a new lineup.
This song is from 2006’s rather decent Long Dry Cold, which surprised everyone to find out that CL still existed.
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Randy Newman “I Love LA”
“As mentioned late last week, Brick-layer Rian Johnson was at the Magnolia last night for two Q&A’s — one after the 7:10 p.m. screening of his Brothers Bloom; and one before the 9:45 p.m. showing. The house was packed for both screenings, each filled with fans who knew every last detail of Johnson’s 2005 debut and asked thoughtful questions about the sophomore effort, well done.
And in attendance for the early screening was Johnson’s pal and recently moved-to-Frisco Shane Carruth, whose Primer, you’ll no doubt recall, picked up two significant prizes at Sundance in ‘04 and from whom we haven’t heard much of late. But till the wee small hours of this morning, Carruth laid out the details of his Grand Jury Prize-winner’s follow-up, about which, sadly, nothing can be said at this point. Alas, it will be worth the wait — however long that’ll be. Incidentally, Johnson points our direction to this Primer timeline — which is either five years too late or three years too early, depending upon how many times you’ve seen Carruth’s time-bender and tried to figure out what happens when and to whom and whyohwhy.” —
And in attendance for the early screening was Johnson’s pal and recently moved-to-Frisco Shane Carruth, whose Primer, you’ll no doubt recall, picked up two significant prizes at Sundance in ‘04 and from whom we haven’t heard much of late. But till the wee small hours of this morning, Carruth laid out the details of his Grand Jury Prize-winner’s follow-up, about which, sadly, nothing can be said at this point. Alas, it will be worth the wait — however long that’ll be. Incidentally, Johnson points our direction to this Primer timeline — which is either five years too late or three years too early, depending upon how many times you’ve seen Carruth’s time-bender and tried to figure out what happens when and to whom and whyohwhy.” —
Dallas - Unfair Park - Oh, There’s Sundance Winner Shane Carruth
lowindustrial’s talk of ADHD medication inspired to Google Blog Search “Shane Carruth,” which led me to stumble upon this awesome-ish news.
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“Bathroom Wall” by The Tokens.
One more song from Intercourse.
“Susan slept here/George Washington slept here/Everybody slept here”
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“Animal” by The Tokens.
What happens when the doo wop group behind “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” starts tripping acid. The record, Intercourse, kind of like The Four Seasons’ The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette, which I have previously spoken about on multiple instances, in that it is a straight-laced pop group attempting to deal with the psychedelic domination, but the album is far, far more unfettered.
Warner Bros. loved the album so much that they only printed up a couple hundred copies in accordance with their contract.
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May 2009
107 posts
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“Jay Carney, the vice president’s spokesman, wrote in an email that the caricature of Mr. Biden misses the mark as comedy, citing the vice president’s recent travel to Lebanon and the Balkans and domestic responsibilities that include overseeing the implementation of the $787 billion economic recovery plan. “Parody works best when it exploits a recognized truth about its subject,” he wrote. “Like everyone, and every public figure, the Vice President has his faults. But being lazy and a foreign policy neophyte are not among them.”
—Comics Kasper Hauser pen book sending up Obama’s PDA - WSJ.com
“In fairness, some of the more outrageous messages appear to be gags (let’s hope so). But others, unnervingly, are not.
Peter Serafinowicz, an actor, says there’s a perfectly good explanation for his tweet — “Went to the gym this morning. As I left, everyone said I was the best!” — an observation that earned him a spot on the site’s all-time-worst list. “At my local gym, most of the guys (losers) are jealous of me, as (I don’t wish to boast) I’m in great shape. I’m pretty sure that they call me names when I’m not around,” he wrote in an e-mail. So when his gym mates congratulated him for bench-pressing 180 lb., “I suppose I felt vindicated in some way and wanted to tell the world about it.” —
Peter Serafinowicz, an actor, says there’s a perfectly good explanation for his tweet — “Went to the gym this morning. As I left, everyone said I was the best!” — an observation that earned him a spot on the site’s all-time-worst list. “At my local gym, most of the guys (losers) are jealous of me, as (I don’t wish to boast) I’m in great shape. I’m pretty sure that they call me names when I’m not around,” he wrote in an e-mail. So when his gym mates congratulated him for bench-pressing 180 lb., “I suppose I felt vindicated in some way and wanted to tell the world about it.” —
Twitter’s Biggest Egos, Exposed - TIME
This is the best.
For those that don’t get it: Comedian Peter Serafinowicz was joking, which the Time writer couldn’t discern.
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“Are you the Cris Angel of Science? Are you a younger hipper version of Bill Nye the Science Guy? We are interested in you hosting a new science cable show. You must be credible, have a background in physics or chemistry.”
—Breakdown of the Day: “MAJOR CABLE NETWORK SEEKS YOUNG HIP SCIENCE EXPERT TO HOST A SCIENCE SHOW”
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Sly & The Family Stone Live @ KCRW on 05.25.09 →
kcrw.com
Yes, Sly Stone was one Morning Becomes Eclectic yesterday.
Do I really need to tell you this is essential listening?
Also, I agree with the first comment - Sly needs his own show.
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The June Gloom sets in a couple of days earlier than usual. It doesn’t make sense. It’s not going to make sense and you know for as liberal as everyone makes California out to be, it’s not really that liberal. Yes, the cities along the coast are rather liberal, but there’s a whole miserable stretch of land beyond the beaches and fancy cars filled with dirt, tumbleweeds and triple digit temperatures on the regular that’s just as conservative as they come.
That Golden State shine is fading away. Even the bears are embarrassed to be associated with California today.
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An attempt to import ecstasy inside a smiling Mr Potato Head toy has been foiled by Customs officers at the Sydney International Mail Centre.
Almost 300 grams of ecstasy was found when officers selected a parcel containing children’s toys for examination.
Upon opening the parcel, Customs officers were greeted with the smiling face of the popular children’s toy.
When a panel from Mr Potato Head’s back was removed, a quantity of MDMA (ecstasy) tablets was found in a small taped bag concealed in the cavity space.
” —Mr Potato Head is Mr Ecstasy Head - National - smh.com.au
“There was a benefit for Barack Obama on Martha’s Vineyard when he was running for the Senate. I didn’t really know who he was. He came over and said, “You’re responsible for me and my wife getting together.” Then he told me how they saw “Do the Right Thing” on their first date, and then went to Baskin-Robbins for ice cream and talked about it.”
—Spike Lee, in an LA Times piece about the 20th anniversary of ‘Do the Right Thing’
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“Millions of people like to hear Bob Geldof talk about causes as diverse as debt relief and the rights of fathers but it seems not so many, at least in Italy, are as keen to hear him sing.
The Irish rock musician and political activist beat a retreat back to London at the weekend after cancelling concerts in Milan and Rome because too few fans had bought tickets.
Only 45 people turned up on Friday at Milan’s Civic Arena for a performance by the 51-year-old singer and songwriter. The venue has a capacity of 12,000.
Geldof refused to go on stage once he realised the dismally small number of people waiting to hear him perform. Before taking a taxi back to his hotel to pack his bags, he stopped to placate those who had turned up by signing autographs and having his photograph taken.
“There aren’t the right conditions for a concert, it’s not our fault,” Geldof is reported to have told the small but angry crowd gathered outside.” —
The Irish rock musician and political activist beat a retreat back to London at the weekend after cancelling concerts in Milan and Rome because too few fans had bought tickets.
Only 45 people turned up on Friday at Milan’s Civic Arena for a performance by the 51-year-old singer and songwriter. The venue has a capacity of 12,000.
Geldof refused to go on stage once he realised the dismally small number of people waiting to hear him perform. Before taking a taxi back to his hotel to pack his bags, he stopped to placate those who had turned up by signing autographs and having his photograph taken.
“There aren’t the right conditions for a concert, it’s not our fault,” Geldof is reported to have told the small but angry crowd gathered outside.” —
Geldof cancels Italian tour after only 45 fans turn up for Milan gig | World news | The Guardian
Am I a bad person because I find this news story hilarious?
“We are currently amidst production of Space Chimps 2, a sequel to the successful first film, following the story of Comet the geeky unnoticed chimp who finally blasts off into outer space and explores the planet Malgor for himself.
Space Chimps 2 will arrive in theaters abroad and domestically on DVD in Spring 2010.” —
Space Chimps 2 will arrive in theaters abroad and domestically on DVD in Spring 2010.” —
This is going to be The Whole Ten Yards of animated films.
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“Crazy Rhythms” by The Feelies.
Good morning or afternoon or whatever.
