We Are Moving!

Yes, we're moving. Actually, on Tuesday, May 26, WTF will go quiet and I will begin blogging in a new location with a new name: Wrath66.com.

With the new, more focused direction being taken here, I felt it was a good time to rethink the venue. So, I found a more robust platform (Squarespace, for the curious) that gave me the freedom to craft a more substantial space with a bit more character. I've moved the last three posts over to the new venue, but other than that, it will be a completely fresh start.

There are definitely some significant changes, but I'm hoping that you'll immediately find it welcoming and quickly find it familiar.

Whether you've been following by RSS or email, you'll need to resubscribe (and I sincerely hope you do) but you won't be getting duplicate emails as this is likely the last post here for the foreseeable future.

My deepest thanks for you attention, comments, and support of WTF. I hope you make the move to Wrath66

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A couple of notes:

For those few who may be unaware: The title of this post is a line uttered by Billy Ray (Eddie Murphy) in the train scene. It's not in the trailer.

I neglected to import the comments with the last three posts into the new space. Totally bummed me out. But I'm not going back and reformatting the posts. So, my apologies to those who'd commented on the last three posts. The input is greatly appreciated and I hope people continue to share their thoughts at the new space.

Thanks again,
Chris

The Forever War

As a bit of a sci-fi head, I'm embarrassed to admit that I was completely unaware of Joe Haldeman's 1974 human/alien war masterpiece, The Forever War. It only came to my attention when Hol an I stopped in to a Border's (may have been a B&N, I can never tell them apart) and there was a big stack of them on one of the front tables. I had a faint recollection of reading about the upcoming Ridley Scott adaptation, but that was it. I picked it up thinking it was new only to realize it had 35 years of accolades heaped upon it.

With detached, spare language, Haldeman creates a cold, (largely) empty universe in which humans having finally come in contact with an alien species, the inscrutable Taurans, jump through space – and most compellingly time – in an effort to eradicate them.

If like me, you're a sci-fi fan that may have missed this one, do yourself a favor and pick it up. It's fantastic.

"This Time It's Personal."

Swine '09: The Sickening is just a lame retro-rehashing remake of the 1976 original – Swine Flu: Bicentenni-Ill.

Take the Shot!

What appears to be an epic, single 2:19 long take of a frozen moment during a Dark Knight-inspired heist gone bad.

Created by Stink Digital for Philips' new "cinema proportion" HDTVs. You can see them – as well as the film in HD – here.

It's Over.

Actually, it's just begun.

Otanjou-bi Omedetou Gozaimasu! To Me.

We spent today in and around Roppongi Hills. An area of Tokyo I first became aware of years ago through it's graphic identity – a brilliant typographic system developed by British designer/typographer, Jonathan Barnbrook .

Like each day before it, today was a long day packed from one end to the other with blog-worthy stuff. Today also shares the problem of the last few in there's been either no time or I'm too tired at the end to craft a post that would do justice to the day. So, here are the three highlights among highlights.


The astounding show, The Messengers, by French artist Annette Messager at the Mori Art Museum on the 52nd floor of the Mori Tower. A show we missed at the Pompidou by a couple of weeks on our honeymoon.


The Tokyo City View on the top of Mori Tower. Absolutely spectacular views of the whole of Tokyo. You get one view from my iPhone.



Dinner at Gonpachi in Nishi-Azabu, just West of Roppongi Hills. (Gonpachi served as the inspiration for the set in the Crazy 88s fight scene in Kill Bill: Vol. 1.)

Oh, I almost forgot. At lunch Hol – for the first time ever – surprised me by asking for the smoking section and we ended up sitting in what was basically the coat room with another (smoking) couple. Seriously. It was absurdly hilarious. I can barely stop laughing as I write this. It was truly absurd and slightly surreal. This view just gives you the "hilarity" of Hol getting smoked out in the "hotboxed " coatroom – but behind me is a coatrack and to my right is a closet. Maybe you had to be there.

The Wisdom of Deep Throat

This one, of course. Not this one. As the infamous "man in the shadows" famously told Woodward in All the President's Men, "follow the money".

It turns out he may be right. Though not necessarily in the sense he intended. I just read an interesting article on the predictive accuracy of betting markets. Evidently, prediction markets have been all but infallible in forecasting the outcomes of a number of elections both in the US and Europe – often in contradiction to the polls. Intrade seems to be the online prediction market leader and, for what it's worth, currently shows Obama with a very healthy lead.

Notes:

1. Please, do not let the election market's current state keep you from voting. It ain't over 'til it's over.

2. I briefly toyed with the idea of headlining this post, "Obama? You Bet!". You're welcome.

Truth Is Stranger Than (Meta) Fiction

J.C.V.D., the upcoming French film already generating some critical buzz gives Van Damme the Malkovich with strong potential for a Travolta.

Here he comes...

Control Issues

Control, is the Anton Corbijn directed biopic about Ian Curtis the tormented lead singer of massively influential late-70's post-punk band Joy Division who committed suicide at 23. It's been called the "the somber B-side to (24 Hour Party People)"

Since I'm a fan of everything mentioned above – save suicide at 23 – I'm eagerly looking forward to it's U.S. release. Corbijn's eye is unfailing and the music was an integral part of the soundtrack to an angsty youth.

Should be fun for the whole family!

[See also: Love Will Freak Us]

On Consumerism, Identity and Being "Mates"

There's an interesting post from the best-of-craigslist, Through Being Cool. In it the author explores what it means for boys/men to be "mates" (Aus, UK vs. "friends", US), and ultimately questions the impact an identity developed through consumerism affects the way in which we 'boys' bond.
[Via The Morning News]

Based solely on the trailer, This Is England (now in limited release in the U.S.) looks like a fantastic case-in-point of the very issues the author discusses in the above article.

This Just In: Knocked Up – Hilarious.

Hol and I just got back from seeing Knocked Up. Funny, funny shite. While not literally, it is effectively a sequel to The 40 Year Old Virgin, and it's basically the same group (*cough-carellcameo-cough*) working the same smart, hysterical ensemble action. Writer/Director Apatow and his tight ensemble cast repeatedly yanked big, unstoppable, Ls-O-L from me. Wait until you've seen it then go check out the outtakes on the site. [You've got to register to enter the 18+ 'restricted area' on the left. Enter your name as it appears on your driver's license. – Ed.] Mr. Apatow and company have more hilarity than one movie can handle!

Slicing Up Eyeballs (and Eardrums): 05.01.07

A weekly (Tuesdays) list of what I'm doing with my eyes and ears (and thumbs?). It is by no means a comprehensive list – just of the moment. If something strikes me between Tuesdays I'll update here – so check back throughout the week.

And be sure to check the Tuesday Track Player over there on the right left for the week's featured cut.

Magazines:
Finally found time to devour the lastest iss (May 2007, 15.05) of Wired. Pick up a copy to check the annual Rave Awards honorees – 22 “innovators, instigators, and inventors” – it's an interesting group covering the spectrum, from pop-culture to politics, and technology to design.

Books:
Still in the midst of re-reading Snow Crash. Every page reveals a different piece of very prescient visionary thinking from Mr. Stephenson. [See also SUEB(AED) 04.17.07. – Ed.]

I've got a backlog of stuff I'm looking forward to though. Here's what's on top of the stack:

• After Dark, the latest from prolific Japanese author Haruki Murakami. I haven't read any of his previous work but am looking forward to seeing what the hype is all about. [Technically not ‘on top of the stack’ as it's pub date is 05.08. But I have pre-ordered it. – Ed.]
• A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, Ishmael Beah. Saw him on The Daily Show and the soft-spoken, exceedingly polite gentleman talking with Jon Stewart was hard to reconcile with the drug-fueled, AK-47 toting child that is said to inhabit this memoir.
• Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die..., Chip & Dan Heath. Gotta stay on top of my game. So, occasionally you gotta read one of the ‘hot’ books-of-the-moment. Though by the time I get to it, the moment may have passed. We'll see.

If anyone's read any of these and has some thoughts, let me know.

Movies:
I got nothin'.

Music:
Another album I've come late to. A Weekend in the City, Bloc Party's latest. Their first, Silent Alarm, is right up there with Arctic Monkey's debut as one of my favorites of the past couple of years. But, for some reason, I wasn't ready to dive in on this one. Anyway, my brother, Diego, gave it the ‘go ahead’ about a month ago and so I finally picked it up – but I didn't start spinning it. Then, on Monday I'm driving in to work and Hunting for Witches comes on Left of Center (Sirius) – but I don't realize what I'm hearing – and I think to myself, “This sh*t is fookin' hot!” and I look at the display to find – it's BP. And that's why Hunting for Witches is this week's Tuesday Track.

TV:
Heroes, Sopranos, Entourage, The Office, 30 Rock. That's all I can tell you.

Video Games:
Again, I got nothin'. I'm as disappointed as you are. You can still game after you're married, right? Right?

Slicing Up Eyeballs (and Eardrums): 04.24.07

UPDATED! 04.27.07
UPDATED! 04.26.07

A weekly (Tuesdays) list of what I'm doing with my eyes and ears (and thumbs?). It is by no means a comprehensive list – just of the moment. If something strikes me between Tuesdays I'll update here – so check back.

Also, I've added a music player (top right) from blogmusik.net that I'll use to feature one track metioned in each week's Music section of SUEB(AED). [Now played in Snap Shots from link. – Ed.]

I'll try to make this quick:

Magazines:
• So, I finish reading an article on the 'New Doucheoisie' (who knew?) in the latest Details (May, 07), Have You Become "That Guy"? (the short answer – probably), and I flip back to the front to see who authored it and... Surprise! It's Simon Dumenco! (See previous post: Everybody has one.) Apparently he's 'The Media Guy' and 'the douchy guy'. In the article he proposes the unfortunately titled theory of "trickle down douchenomics".

"When you think about it, douchey entitlement has surely been aided and abetted by economic forces bigger than all of us–the real-estate bubble and the latest dot-com boom–creating grassroots-level douchebags everywhere."

Worth reading if only to confirm what you already know – that you may in fact be a douchebag.

And on a related note.

• Also trying to find time to devour the latest iss of Fast Company. I'll update if something strikes me.

Books:
• Wanted to get this off my chest. Then We Came To The End is not as good as the reviews would have you believe. Not even close. It sounded like it was going to be right in my wheelhouse, right up the middle, get in bed with DFWallace, Franzen, Eggers, et al. I even work in the damn industry that provides the setting. But unless I really missed something – somebody sold the King Emperor some new clothes.

Movies:
• Hope this gets wider release before we leave for Paris.

Music:
• ADDED: Last year's Best British Band Ever!, The Arctic Monkeys have come back strong with a new long-player, Favourite Worst Nightmare, that only strengthens their case. I wore out my MP3s of WPSIA,TWIN and I'm certain I will destroy this album as well. I love these guys!

• ADDED: Bassnectar – Underground Communications [Album]: A long player of sticky, breaky, bassy, electric production goodness executed consistently and damn well. If you want just a taste, get the Yo Remix EP first. Avail at the iTS. Watch the Bomb The Blocks vid.

• Sirius Radio. I don't know much about the merger/no merger but I'm lovin' my Sirius more everyday. I came for Howard (I know, I know), but stayed for the awesome channel variety. First Wave takes me back to the late 80's/early 90's, Chill rocks a great mix of downtempo electronic and alt cuts. And my new favorite Left of Center has been turning me on to some great new/slightly used alt/college stuff. Like:

• SUEB(AED) Player Pick: Wolf Parade – You Are a Runner and I Am My Father's Son. I realize I slept on this for 2 years. Whatever. If you dig Pixies/Modest Mouse/with just a hint of Bauhaus. You'll dig this cut. Check it out.

• CocoRosie – Rainbowwarrior. Just heard this on the way to work this morning and haven't been able to get it out of my head. DL it for free (and I'm pretty sure legally) here. Then let me know if you can get it out of yours.

• Mux Mool – Lost and Found. This is one that I'm not sure I heard on Sirius – I don't know where I heard this cut first. But I do know that the moment I heard it I fell in love with. (And I would marry it – if I were a fundamentalist Mormon) It's an elegant little piece of vaguely melacholy electronica – bittersweet. It's available from the iTS on a nice compilation of similar works, The Rorschach Suite.

TV:
• Sanjaya's gone.

• Heroes is back. Great episode. If this is a guilty pleasure, so be it. It's like a cheesy old school '70s comic book come to life.

• The new seasons of the Sopranos and Entourage are everything I'd expected and hoped they would be. I'm surprised to find that I don't think I'll miss Sopranos when it's gone and I hope Entourage sticks around for a while.

Video Games:
• Still haven't gotten around to DLing the new/old Halo Blastacular maps. Can't wait to check 'em out.

Slicing Up Eyeballs (and Eardrums): 04.17.07

NEW FEATURE!
More of a list than a feature really. A weekly list of what I'm doing with my eyes and ears (and thumbs?). It is by no means a comprehensive list – just of the moment. It's also probably worth noting that with few exceptions this isn't where I'll post web-based content that I'm consuming. We'll see how it evolves. Here goes:

Magazines:
• Wired. Apr.2007. Recommended: The See-Through CEO.
• Rolling Stone. Issue 1024, April 19, 2007 Recommended: Matt Taibbi's piece, Cheney's Nemesis. Taibbi continues to wow me. There's no replacement for HST nor is there a substitute for PJO'R but like those two giants Taibbi's got giant balls and he knows how to use 'em. (The Pen x Matt Taibbi's Giant Balls > The Sword)

Books:
• Re-reading Snow Crash. Neal Stephenson's seminal 1992 'cyberpunk' novel. Muhfuhkuh was prescient!
• The Road. Cormac McCarthy. I'm a big fan of McCarthy. I think I've read everything he's written. Got this in hardcover the day it was released but in light of Oprah's recent endorsement wanted to post to strongly suggest to those that might be put off by said endorsement that they should read it. You should read it and be afraid. Seriously. A compelling and mesmerizing, brutally dystopian nightmare.

Movies:
• As a sort of prelude to our Paris honeymoon, Hol and I went to see Avenue Montaingne on a whim. A sweet, appetite-whetting confection.
• On the completely opposite end of the cinematic spectrum, I finally watched Children of Men. Not unlike The Road in many respects. This is another powerful, gripping dystopic vision.

Music:
• LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver. Can't wait to sing North American Scum at the top of my lung [sic] when we're in Paris: "I hate the feeling when you're looking at me that way – cause we're North Americans!".
• The Good, The Bad and The Queen's eponymous release is still in heavy rotation. A case could be made that it could have been a Gorillaz album. But what's in a name? It's still another gem from the prolific Damon Albarn. Herculean is the cut I can't get out of my head.
• The lastest from Kings of Leon – Because of the Times. Their debut will never be anything less than 'momentous' for me – influenced by the 'awe of discovery' I felt when I first heard them. But, this, their third album, only adds to the dilema should one be forced to choose a favorite.

TV:
• It's Tuesday! Sanjaya must go!
• The Office and 30 Rock. If you're not – do.

Video Games:
I'm not playing anything at the moment. After finishing the phenomenal Gears of War, I had a brief dalliance with whatever the last Tomb Raider was (it's that unmemorable) but am currently biding my time waiting for the deluge of greatness that is coming. Check back next week for more on this topic.