30.12.10
20.12.10
Worst Movie of 2010
Sylvester Stallone has earned himself his second straight 'Worst Movie of the Year' award from yourstruly.
I haven't seen a movie as dumb as The Expendables since last year's Rambo.
Stunning. Breathtaking.
I feel genuinely wronged.
Vow: to never again knowingly watch a macho-movie directed by Sylvester Stallone.
Congrats Sly.
I haven't seen a movie as dumb as The Expendables since last year's Rambo.
Stunning. Breathtaking.
I feel genuinely wronged.
Vow: to never again knowingly watch a macho-movie directed by Sylvester Stallone.
Congrats Sly.
19.12.10
strong odors 10 best albums
The genius behind StrongOdors has done more than any other mortal to propel me into the world of music that is also art. If I have good taste in music, I have it because he has helped to craft my taste buds.
His picks are all (as far as I know) excellent selections. Where I differ from him, I do so with humility. Where I am yet uninformed, I anticipate satisfaction.
(...with the exception of stuff by Weezer!)
Strong Odors: 10 Best Albums 2010.
Also, you could peruse his 'music' tag with benefit.
His picks are all (as far as I know) excellent selections. Where I differ from him, I do so with humility. Where I am yet uninformed, I anticipate satisfaction.
(...with the exception of stuff by Weezer!)
Strong Odors: 10 Best Albums 2010.
Also, you could peruse his 'music' tag with benefit.
17.12.10
This quote was just too good to leave where it sat. Thanks to whomever Luke is.
Quote: 'the most impressive people.'
Quote: 'the most impressive people.'
16.12.10
15.12.10
Jar's "The Shelter" $5 at Amazon: Jars of Clay presents the Shelter.
Made it up high on my best of list.
There are a couple other good albums in this month's $5 specials. Check it.
Made it up high on my best of list.
There are a couple other good albums in this month's $5 specials. Check it.
14.12.10
Helpful aggregation
largeheartedboy has provided us a one-stop shop for book and music end-of-year lists. Hooray! Who doesn't love lists?
More lists is more better.
Best Books Lists.
Best Music Lists.
More lists is more better.
Best Books Lists.
Best Music Lists.
12.12.10
favorite eggnog?
excluding homemade. favorite store-bought eggnog?
Seriously, I need some suggestions...soon!
Seriously, I need some suggestions...soon!
10.12.10
2010 Favorite Albums
1. The Age of Adz, Sufjan Stevens. A masterpiece. I couldn't say it better than the Odoriferous One did: Age of Adz on Strong Odors.
2. Hello Hurricane, Switchfoot Okay, released Nov 10, 2009. So what. That's practically 2010. A strong, diverse, thoughtful, impeccably produced album. Sonically and lyrically disturbing in a way that I couldn't be long away from.
3. The Suburbs, Arcade Fire. The most accessible AF album to date and the most theologically profound. Beautiful and poignant. Strong Odor's assessment.
*Note: the above albums constituted well over 50% of what I listened to this year. I tried to make it a point to listen to music more in 2010, but what I listened to ended up being those three albums. Unfortunately the rest of the list, while offering good listening experiences--all tremendous albums--do not come anywhere near the kind of artistry demonstrated in the above three.
4. Jars of Clay Presents: The Shelter, Jars of Clay. I love Jars. Always have. Always will. A much stronger album than "The Long Fall..." On par with "Who We Are Instead" and "The Eleventh Hour" if not quite attaining to "Much Afraid."
5. A Thousand Suns, Linkin Park. LP's getting mauled in the reviews for this. Here's my theory: despite a greater concentration of profanity than 'usual' for LP, this album also contains the highest concentration of the Gospel than any of their previous outings. Indeed, it has more honest, unflinching biblical truth than many 'Christian' albums I've come across.
6. The Medicine, John Mark McMillan. John Mark has one of the best production ears I've come across in a song writer. Each song is a work of art and contemplative experience in ways that are as rare as they must be. He works too hard (or not hard enough) on some of his lyrics, but that's really okay.
*Note: at this point the listening drops off severely. I've listened to the following albums less together than any of the previous three individually.
7. Women and Country, Jakob Dylan. Honestly, we're getting into the listened to very little categories. JD is easy on the ears with the occasional turn of phrase that stops you dead.
8. Raising Up the Dead, Caedmon's Call. Heralded as a return to the CC we all fell in love with back when we fell in love with everything "Raising Up" certainly tries to resurrect its former self. The folk sounds are back as are the obtuse lyrics (I mean that in a good way). Only extended listening will determine if this will be the next great album hidden beneath ultra-conservative college dorm mattresses.
9. Junky Star, Ryan Bingham. Good folk country. Every song sounds...similar. Not a holistic album in the sense that some of the above are, but good for a batch of recordings that scratch where and when you "niche" (he he!). Sometimes, living in the land of plaids and never-quitting can-do pick ups, even I can't resist laying down some old time he-haw. When I must, I reach for Ryan Bingham. He's a little cooler.
Honorable Mention: All Day, Girl Talk. Probably the most creative thing I've heard in years.
Hopeful for, Magnetic North, Aqualung.
2. Hello Hurricane, Switchfoot Okay, released Nov 10, 2009. So what. That's practically 2010. A strong, diverse, thoughtful, impeccably produced album. Sonically and lyrically disturbing in a way that I couldn't be long away from.
3. The Suburbs, Arcade Fire. The most accessible AF album to date and the most theologically profound. Beautiful and poignant. Strong Odor's assessment.
*Note: the above albums constituted well over 50% of what I listened to this year. I tried to make it a point to listen to music more in 2010, but what I listened to ended up being those three albums. Unfortunately the rest of the list, while offering good listening experiences--all tremendous albums--do not come anywhere near the kind of artistry demonstrated in the above three.
4. Jars of Clay Presents: The Shelter, Jars of Clay. I love Jars. Always have. Always will. A much stronger album than "The Long Fall..." On par with "Who We Are Instead" and "The Eleventh Hour" if not quite attaining to "Much Afraid."
5. A Thousand Suns, Linkin Park. LP's getting mauled in the reviews for this. Here's my theory: despite a greater concentration of profanity than 'usual' for LP, this album also contains the highest concentration of the Gospel than any of their previous outings. Indeed, it has more honest, unflinching biblical truth than many 'Christian' albums I've come across.
6. The Medicine, John Mark McMillan. John Mark has one of the best production ears I've come across in a song writer. Each song is a work of art and contemplative experience in ways that are as rare as they must be. He works too hard (or not hard enough) on some of his lyrics, but that's really okay.
*Note: at this point the listening drops off severely. I've listened to the following albums less together than any of the previous three individually.
7. Women and Country, Jakob Dylan. Honestly, we're getting into the listened to very little categories. JD is easy on the ears with the occasional turn of phrase that stops you dead.
8. Raising Up the Dead, Caedmon's Call. Heralded as a return to the CC we all fell in love with back when we fell in love with everything "Raising Up" certainly tries to resurrect its former self. The folk sounds are back as are the obtuse lyrics (I mean that in a good way). Only extended listening will determine if this will be the next great album hidden beneath ultra-conservative college dorm mattresses.
9. Junky Star, Ryan Bingham. Good folk country. Every song sounds...similar. Not a holistic album in the sense that some of the above are, but good for a batch of recordings that scratch where and when you "niche" (he he!). Sometimes, living in the land of plaids and never-quitting can-do pick ups, even I can't resist laying down some old time he-haw. When I must, I reach for Ryan Bingham. He's a little cooler.
Honorable Mention: All Day, Girl Talk. Probably the most creative thing I've heard in years.
Hopeful for, Magnetic North, Aqualung.
8.12.10
'Unstoppable' review
'Unstoppable' is a train-movie.
These sorts of movies are metaphors. Trains as fate, time, disease, the political process--processes far larger than we are gone out of control endangering many people. And it's up to us to stop it all.
This was a particularly enjoyable version of this kind of movie, thanks in large part to its likable leads. Having lived in PA for a few years, I think they nailed their characters.
PA is this enigmatic state, part pre-apocalyptic beauty, part dystopia. But it is filled with guys just like the leads in 'Unstoppable.' Regular 'joes' who are terrible at relationships, frustrated with life, caught in the gears of a capitalist wasteland and a socialist nightmare. But they're regular guys who will lay down their lives for you with very little provocation. They can be bitter and mean and juvenile. But show them danger, a so-called ethical dilemma, and watch out. They're in it.
I can't think of a single PA man I knew who didn't wear a Superman suit under their 20 year-old jeans and free t-shirt. From wealthy businessmen to jobless ex-cons: you need help? You got it.
'Unstoppable' was a powerful testament to guts and hard-knocks. Intense movie.
Rotten Tomatoes gives it an 86%.
Reviewed at Plugged in Online.
Note*I appreciate the service Plugged-in Online offers families, but seriously, I've never read a review that didn't focus on the most peripheral 'objectionable element.' It can be silly. A classic example of what results from a culture of Pharisaical-fear-mongering-commie-hunting: everything is "not officially recommended," everything is "be careful." Okay. Be careful.
and Be careful you don't strain the gnat and swallow the camel.
These sorts of movies are metaphors. Trains as fate, time, disease, the political process--processes far larger than we are gone out of control endangering many people. And it's up to us to stop it all.
This was a particularly enjoyable version of this kind of movie, thanks in large part to its likable leads. Having lived in PA for a few years, I think they nailed their characters.
PA is this enigmatic state, part pre-apocalyptic beauty, part dystopia. But it is filled with guys just like the leads in 'Unstoppable.' Regular 'joes' who are terrible at relationships, frustrated with life, caught in the gears of a capitalist wasteland and a socialist nightmare. But they're regular guys who will lay down their lives for you with very little provocation. They can be bitter and mean and juvenile. But show them danger, a so-called ethical dilemma, and watch out. They're in it.
I can't think of a single PA man I knew who didn't wear a Superman suit under their 20 year-old jeans and free t-shirt. From wealthy businessmen to jobless ex-cons: you need help? You got it.
'Unstoppable' was a powerful testament to guts and hard-knocks. Intense movie.
Rotten Tomatoes gives it an 86%.
Reviewed at Plugged in Online.
Note*I appreciate the service Plugged-in Online offers families, but seriously, I've never read a review that didn't focus on the most peripheral 'objectionable element.' It can be silly. A classic example of what results from a culture of Pharisaical-fear-mongering-commie-hunting: everything is "not officially recommended," everything is "be careful." Okay. Be careful.
and Be careful you don't strain the gnat and swallow the camel.
7.12.10
Book Review: 'Pirate Latitudes' by Michael Crichton
Michael Crichton was my favorite modern author. He was a brilliant person as well as a phenomenal writer. He succeeded in numerous fields in addition to fiction.
"Pirate Latitudes" was discovered after his death. Crichton did not apparently think it was ready for publication. Indeed, no where near ready.
In short, the book is a flop--for Crichton, a flop. It's not bad, but it's not good either. It is undoubtedly the worst Crichton book I have read. It's formulaic and straight, which Crichton's novels never were.
"Pirate Latitudes" can only be read with pleasure by a die hard Crichton junky (I consider myself one). And yet, honestly, it's not a very good novel.
Some of my favorite Critchton novels include: The Great Train Robbery, Eaters of the Dead, The Andromeda Strain, Congo, Sphere, and The Jurassic Park series.
Mid-level novels include: Next, Prey, Timeline, The Terminal Man, and Airframe.
Poor outings include: Pirate Latitudes and State of Fear.
Unread: Disclosure and Rising Sun.
"Pirate Latitudes" was discovered after his death. Crichton did not apparently think it was ready for publication. Indeed, no where near ready.
In short, the book is a flop--for Crichton, a flop. It's not bad, but it's not good either. It is undoubtedly the worst Crichton book I have read. It's formulaic and straight, which Crichton's novels never were.
"Pirate Latitudes" can only be read with pleasure by a die hard Crichton junky (I consider myself one). And yet, honestly, it's not a very good novel.
Some of my favorite Critchton novels include: The Great Train Robbery, Eaters of the Dead, The Andromeda Strain, Congo, Sphere, and The Jurassic Park series.
Mid-level novels include: Next, Prey, Timeline, The Terminal Man, and Airframe.
Poor outings include: Pirate Latitudes and State of Fear.
Unread: Disclosure and Rising Sun.
What I'm Listening To
Mickey Mouse Operation, Little People.
Outstanding. Chill. Good reading/studying/thinking music.
Outstanding. Chill. Good reading/studying/thinking music.
6.12.10
"Hello Hurricane" only $3.99
Amazon special. Get it while it's hot. One of my favorite albums of the year. Fantastic album; amazing price: Hello Hurricane, Switchfoot, at Amazon.mp3.
5.12.10
Sci-fi Recommendation
I am into the second book of the Safehold series by David Weber. So far the books have been well written with an interesting premise and story. In addition they have been far cleaner than any comparable sci-fi I have ever encountered (and most fiction). A little violent at times, but that, for the most part, can't be helped.
David Weber's homepage.
Wikipedia entry of Safehold titles.
David Weber's homepage.
Wikipedia entry of Safehold titles.
4.12.10
Holiday Strife
Here are some good words from the good people over at CCEF.
Walking in Peace Amid Holiday Strife.
Walking in Peace Amid Holiday Strife.
3.12.10
DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL BIG!!!
This comic is applicable to any situation in which a dramatic couple or triangle diverts the majority of our time and energy away from productive life.
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