What I Am Sick Of
I am sick of hearing about The Osbournes. I do not have cable. I've never seen an episode. I'm sick of The Osbournes being on the cover of every magazine we receive (okay, Ozzy has not yet graced Atlantic Monthly...yet). I'm sick of events on the episodes being relayed to me, usually in faux British accents. I'm sick of people shouting "SHARON!!!" like a crazed British Fred Flintstone.
The good thing about The Osbournes is people have finally shut up about Lord of the Rings, at least until December. But there's just a month until the incessant Star Wars jabber heats up again. Oh joy.
Friday, April 19, 2002
If you have a chance to see the re-release of 2001: A Space Odyssey that is quietly -- very quietly -- making the rounds, by all means do so.
And then you’ll never have to see it again.
I mean, no matter how big or hi-def your TV is, it won’t hold up as well as in a theatre. And you’re not likely to get that chance again any time soon, seeing as how Warner fumbled this re-release. Of course, you may have already decided that you hate this film from watching on video or TCM or whatever. And that’s fine. It is overlong and self-indulgent. Yes, you could probably read Arthur C. Clarke’s Childhood’s End twice in the time of a single screening and get the same message. But it’s still worth seeing and hating on a big screen. So shut up and eat your vegetables.
I was also surprised to see, or to be reminded, that 2001 is rated G, this from the man whose next film was A Clockwork Orange. Suprising in terms of content -- in the opening Dawn of Man sequence, an ape gets beaten to death with a bone (I’m sure many a term paper has been written on how the the first gift of the Monolith is to teach us how to kill more efficiently), and just because most G-rated films are clearly aimed at a kiddie audience. I think The Straight Story and The Rookie are the only exceptions in the last 10 years, maybe more.
And then you’ll never have to see it again.
I mean, no matter how big or hi-def your TV is, it won’t hold up as well as in a theatre. And you’re not likely to get that chance again any time soon, seeing as how Warner fumbled this re-release. Of course, you may have already decided that you hate this film from watching on video or TCM or whatever. And that’s fine. It is overlong and self-indulgent. Yes, you could probably read Arthur C. Clarke’s Childhood’s End twice in the time of a single screening and get the same message. But it’s still worth seeing and hating on a big screen. So shut up and eat your vegetables.
I was also surprised to see, or to be reminded, that 2001 is rated G, this from the man whose next film was A Clockwork Orange. Suprising in terms of content -- in the opening Dawn of Man sequence, an ape gets beaten to death with a bone (I’m sure many a term paper has been written on how the the first gift of the Monolith is to teach us how to kill more efficiently), and just because most G-rated films are clearly aimed at a kiddie audience. I think The Straight Story and The Rookie are the only exceptions in the last 10 years, maybe more.
Tuesday, April 16, 2002
Yesterday (as I write, Monday is still “yesterday” for another 10 minutes) was Patriot’s Day, and as Kirsti and I work for a company whose HQ is in Copley Square, site of the Boston Marathon finish line, we had the day off. It was also tax day, so I suppose it was appropriate that we spend the day...shopping. Kirsti wanted to make another run to IKEA. We were just there the weekend before, but that was with Mom and Donna, and we looked rather silly cramming four people and their assorted housewares into a Prizm.
So we, or rather, Kirsti, got some small stuff and six--count’em, six--tall-ass CD shelves. I took this opportunity to go to Gameworks for a couple of hours, and I had the place almost all to myself. There’s this game, Police 911, that senses your motions so that when you crouch or duck, your character does the same. Tres cool, but hell on your thighs. After playing for about 15 minutes, I had trouble going up or down stairs for a little bit, and I’m still feeling it in my legs. So I figure I need to get one of these. I’d use it more than the NordicTrak, that’s for damn sure. But I can just see it now: “Broke his arm curling...blew out a knee playing video games.”
Speaking of arcades, Pinball Pete’s in Ann Arbor is one of the best I’ve been to. They don’t have Police 911 or my other current fave, The Grid, but they do have a great selection of vintage stuff: Tron! Track & Field *and* HyperSport! And best of all, a sit-down Spy Hunter! They just need Cobra Command to be,well, my dream rec room, circa 1985.
So we, or rather, Kirsti, got some small stuff and six--count’em, six--tall-ass CD shelves. I took this opportunity to go to Gameworks for a couple of hours, and I had the place almost all to myself. There’s this game, Police 911, that senses your motions so that when you crouch or duck, your character does the same. Tres cool, but hell on your thighs. After playing for about 15 minutes, I had trouble going up or down stairs for a little bit, and I’m still feeling it in my legs. So I figure I need to get one of these. I’d use it more than the NordicTrak, that’s for damn sure. But I can just see it now: “Broke his arm curling...blew out a knee playing video games.”
Speaking of arcades, Pinball Pete’s in Ann Arbor is one of the best I’ve been to. They don’t have Police 911 or my other current fave, The Grid, but they do have a great selection of vintage stuff: Tron! Track & Field *and* HyperSport! And best of all, a sit-down Spy Hunter! They just need Cobra Command to be,well, my dream rec room, circa 1985.
I just got back from a test screening of a new film. My friends and I liked it very much, and felt it was pretty much the way it needed to be, particularly the ending which, from the questions on the questionnaire, had been a problem earlier on. In the interest of honoring the secrecy agreement I signed: This is the followup to an acclaimed director’s big hit. It stars a couple of household names, one of whom is playing a much different role than this person has led us to expect. I think this film will do quite well.
But I didn’t spend two freakin’ weeks at the movies. I’ve spent most of that preparing for TRASHionals, entertaining houseguests for a weekend, preparing for said visit, and doing taxes. TRASHionals went well, apparently. Not many complaints about questions (yet), and despite some delays things seemed to run well (and overall, we finished five minutes ahead of time, including a lengthy award ceremony). I was dubbed protest czar, apparently due to having missed a meeting. I was asked about three questions, one of which we ended up going to the Web right there to adjudicate (we were correct). We/I also overruled the other two, which turned out to be the right calls: “Payless Shoes” or Payless Shoe Store” are not acceptable equivalents to “Payless ShoeSource,” and “BMG” is an arm of Bertelsmann AG (the answer sought), but is not an equivalent answer based on what was already read.
Took a side trip to Casino Windsor Friday night with some of the BU folks past and present. Lot of skanks there. The minimum age is 19, but I swear there were some trashy-looking 14-year-olds working the casino floor. But anyway, I ended up losing (to the casino, not the skanks) US$64. That was enough to make me skip a chance to recoup at the MGM in Detroit.
But I didn’t spend two freakin’ weeks at the movies. I’ve spent most of that preparing for TRASHionals, entertaining houseguests for a weekend, preparing for said visit, and doing taxes. TRASHionals went well, apparently. Not many complaints about questions (yet), and despite some delays things seemed to run well (and overall, we finished five minutes ahead of time, including a lengthy award ceremony). I was dubbed protest czar, apparently due to having missed a meeting. I was asked about three questions, one of which we ended up going to the Web right there to adjudicate (we were correct). We/I also overruled the other two, which turned out to be the right calls: “Payless Shoes” or Payless Shoe Store” are not acceptable equivalents to “Payless ShoeSource,” and “BMG” is an arm of Bertelsmann AG (the answer sought), but is not an equivalent answer based on what was already read.
Took a side trip to Casino Windsor Friday night with some of the BU folks past and present. Lot of skanks there. The minimum age is 19, but I swear there were some trashy-looking 14-year-olds working the casino floor. But anyway, I ended up losing (to the casino, not the skanks) US$64. That was enough to make me skip a chance to recoup at the MGM in Detroit.
Monday, April 1, 2002
Greg Sorenson Controls A Very Very Tiny Universe, Albeit Briefly
Mwahahahaaa...I was the phantom Stanford voter. Initially I voted about five times after Mark announced his poll. Once I saw someone was trying to sway voting toward Texas, I stuffed the box with enough votes to give the Tree a modest edge. Then once I saw Matt, currently a Bay Area resident, deny being the voter, I went all out. If you hit the "vote" button multiple times in a certain rhythm just as the host was being contacted, it would tally multiple votes. So it was a quick matter to register a few hundred new votes in just a minute or two without having to go back to the voting page after each vote.
My reasons? Mostly to foment intrigue among five or so people. But also, Stanford was the least objectionable of the teams that made Mark's cut. Being a Yankee, UNC and Kentucky are out. As a Minnesotan (but not a Gopher fan by any means) I couldn't back Iowa, and am surprised Mark would even consider a team that produced Acie Earl. I dislike orange (never mind that I frequently wear a ratty Flyers sweater I picked up for $5), so Texas is out. Which left Arizona and Stanford, and I chose solely on the basis of the Tree alone. Personally I would have chosen Maryland, for no good reason, certainly for no reason having to do with ACF. Probably because the Terrapins are a mascot as equally ridiculous as "Terriers."
Mwahahahaaa...I was the phantom Stanford voter. Initially I voted about five times after Mark announced his poll. Once I saw someone was trying to sway voting toward Texas, I stuffed the box with enough votes to give the Tree a modest edge. Then once I saw Matt, currently a Bay Area resident, deny being the voter, I went all out. If you hit the "vote" button multiple times in a certain rhythm just as the host was being contacted, it would tally multiple votes. So it was a quick matter to register a few hundred new votes in just a minute or two without having to go back to the voting page after each vote.
My reasons? Mostly to foment intrigue among five or so people. But also, Stanford was the least objectionable of the teams that made Mark's cut. Being a Yankee, UNC and Kentucky are out. As a Minnesotan (but not a Gopher fan by any means) I couldn't back Iowa, and am surprised Mark would even consider a team that produced Acie Earl. I dislike orange (never mind that I frequently wear a ratty Flyers sweater I picked up for $5), so Texas is out. Which left Arizona and Stanford, and I chose solely on the basis of the Tree alone. Personally I would have chosen Maryland, for no good reason, certainly for no reason having to do with ACF. Probably because the Terrapins are a mascot as equally ridiculous as "Terriers."
Wednesday, March 27, 2002
Bunch of stuff
Several things going on.
Arm -- feeling better all the time, still hurts when I try to put weight on or behind it. But due to my running around in a light jacket over short sleeves because it was easier with the splint, I seem to have a slight cold.
New office -- On Monday I began working at the new office at 909 Davis St. It’s nice, still full of that New Building Smell. The cubes are bigger, but have lower walls and are more open, and offer no way to situate your computer without your back to the aisle. Bleah. But the chairs, on the other hand, kick ass, and it seems quieter, at least in my area. I’m now sitting with the people I actually work with, instead of occupying the first available cube.
Oscars -- With the exception of the unfunny, useless Whoopi Goldberg, I thought they were the most entertaining I can remember. I’ve been clamoring for more clips for years, and they finally delivered. Yes it was long, but for the right reasons, for once. This was finally the show for viewers who really love movies; who spend more time watching IFC or TCM than E!; who explore outside the "New Release" aisle at the video store. Of course, since people bitch about it running “over” (which is a load of horse pucky -- let’s not broadcast overtime/extra innings in sporting events either) and its ratings were low by Oscar standards, I’m sure next year’s will revert to the usual crap. I finished well out of the money in the work pool, getting particularly hosed on Randy Newman and both Documentary awards.
Hitting the road -- We’re off to Minnesota tomorrow evening for a long weekend. I haven’t been up there since Thanksgiving, and try to visit around Dean’s birthday, which we missed last weekend due to a wedding.
Several things going on.
Arm -- feeling better all the time, still hurts when I try to put weight on or behind it. But due to my running around in a light jacket over short sleeves because it was easier with the splint, I seem to have a slight cold.
New office -- On Monday I began working at the new office at 909 Davis St. It’s nice, still full of that New Building Smell. The cubes are bigger, but have lower walls and are more open, and offer no way to situate your computer without your back to the aisle. Bleah. But the chairs, on the other hand, kick ass, and it seems quieter, at least in my area. I’m now sitting with the people I actually work with, instead of occupying the first available cube.
Oscars -- With the exception of the unfunny, useless Whoopi Goldberg, I thought they were the most entertaining I can remember. I’ve been clamoring for more clips for years, and they finally delivered. Yes it was long, but for the right reasons, for once. This was finally the show for viewers who really love movies; who spend more time watching IFC or TCM than E!; who explore outside the "New Release" aisle at the video store. Of course, since people bitch about it running “over” (which is a load of horse pucky -- let’s not broadcast overtime/extra innings in sporting events either) and its ratings were low by Oscar standards, I’m sure next year’s will revert to the usual crap. I finished well out of the money in the work pool, getting particularly hosed on Randy Newman and both Documentary awards.
Hitting the road -- We’re off to Minnesota tomorrow evening for a long weekend. I haven’t been up there since Thanksgiving, and try to visit around Dean’s birthday, which we missed last weekend due to a wedding.
Friday, March 22, 2002
Unbound
Went to the bone doctor yesterday, and I'm out of the splint. The break is not severe enough to warrant immobilization, so I get to work on bringing my elbow/arm muscles back to normal, with a followup visit in 4 weeks. The sling is still prescribed now and then. I suppose I'm getting movement back, though it's hard to tell.
As an aside, this doctor's wife curls at a different club.
In other news, we packed up today for the move to the new office building. This will increase my commute by a whopping 25 percent - 5 blocks as opposed to four. Waaah!
Oscar Rundown
Best Picture
I've only seen LOTR and Moulin Rouge. While I'd vote for LOTR out of the nominees, I'd rather not see it win, if only because overdiscussion of the film(s) has reminded me why I ditched the D&D world upon leaving junior high.
MY VOTE: LOTR
WILL WIN: A Beautiful Mind
Best actor: have seen none of the performances.
MYVOTE: Denzel, for no good reason
WILL WIN: Denzel, for no good reason
Best Actress: seen only Zellweger and Kidman's performances. Kidman was nothing special in Moulin Rouge.
MY VOTE: Zellweger. Maybe because Z is close to W, for the snubbed Naomi
Watts.
Will WIN: Spacek
Supporting Actor: Saw only Ian McKellen.
MY VOTE: McKellen, perhaps a makeup vote for past performances.
WILL WIN: Jim Broadbent
Supporting Actress: Saw none of these.
MY VOTE: Jennifer Connelly, as a makeup for her fabulous work in The Rocketeer. Oh, and Requiem for a Dream.
WILL WIN: Connelly, for the same reasons.
Director: Saw LOTR and Mulholland Drive.
MY VOTE: as much as I like Peter Jackson, Lynch deserves something.
WILL WIN: Ron Howard.
ANIMATED FEATURE: Saw Shrek. It's got my vote, and will probably win.
Cinematography: Hey, did better here -- Saw everything but Black Hawk Down.
MY VOTE: The Man Who Wasn't There. Too hard to tell in the others what's real and what's digital.
WILL WIN: Probably LOTR.
Editing: Saw LOTR, Memento, Moulin Rouge
MY VOTE: Moulin Rouge. Never mind "Truth, Beauty, and most of all Love" (or even music), Editing was what this film was about.
WILL WIN: Moulin Rouge or Memento.
Makeup: didn't see A Beautiful Mind.
MY VOTE: LOTR.
WILL WIN: LOTR.
Score: missed Monsters Inc. and A Beautiful Mind. I don't remember a thing about the music in AI, but considering I remember being bombarded by Harry
Potter's score all too well, perhaps that's a good thing.
MY VOTE: LOTR.
WILL WIN: A Beautiful Mind. people eat up James Horner. Not sure why.
Song: Everyone nominated can just go away.
MY VOTE: Enya, because I heard the song and it made no impression on me,
good or bad.
WILL WIN: Paul McCartney.
Short films: I saw none of these, but I have a friend who saw them all at a special screening, and his faves were STUBBLE TROUBLE (animated) and THE
ACCOUNTANT (live-action).
Sound: Whatever.
MY VOTE: LOTR. Moulin Rouge was the most audibly unmemorable musical I can recall.
WILL WIN: LOTR.
Sound Effects Editing: Just give it to Gary Rydstrom and crew for MONSTER'S INC.
Visual Effects:
MY VOTE and WILL WIN: LOTR. This film could have been a horrific cheesefest, had these folks not been perfect.
Original Screenplay: Saw Amelie, Memento
MY VOTE: Amelie
WILL WIN: Memento. Biggest indie buzz.
Adapted Screenplay:
MY VOTE: Ghost World. LOTR got it right after years of various attempts. But I have to go with the comic-book adaptation here.
WILL WIN: LOTR, as a consolation prize for losing Best Picture to A Beautiful Mind.
Documentary Feature: Seen none of them.
MY VOTE: probably Murder on a Sunday Morning.
WILL WIN: Promises, it having the requisite Israeli theme.
Doc Short: seen none.
MY VOTE and WILL WIN: the magic-8-ball says Artists and Orphans.
Went to the bone doctor yesterday, and I'm out of the splint. The break is not severe enough to warrant immobilization, so I get to work on bringing my elbow/arm muscles back to normal, with a followup visit in 4 weeks. The sling is still prescribed now and then. I suppose I'm getting movement back, though it's hard to tell.
As an aside, this doctor's wife curls at a different club.
In other news, we packed up today for the move to the new office building. This will increase my commute by a whopping 25 percent - 5 blocks as opposed to four. Waaah!
Oscar Rundown
Best Picture
I've only seen LOTR and Moulin Rouge. While I'd vote for LOTR out of the nominees, I'd rather not see it win, if only because overdiscussion of the film(s) has reminded me why I ditched the D&D world upon leaving junior high.
MY VOTE: LOTR
WILL WIN: A Beautiful Mind
Best actor: have seen none of the performances.
MYVOTE: Denzel, for no good reason
WILL WIN: Denzel, for no good reason
Best Actress: seen only Zellweger and Kidman's performances. Kidman was nothing special in Moulin Rouge.
MY VOTE: Zellweger. Maybe because Z is close to W, for the snubbed Naomi
Watts.
Will WIN: Spacek
Supporting Actor: Saw only Ian McKellen.
MY VOTE: McKellen, perhaps a makeup vote for past performances.
WILL WIN: Jim Broadbent
Supporting Actress: Saw none of these.
MY VOTE: Jennifer Connelly, as a makeup for her fabulous work in The Rocketeer. Oh, and Requiem for a Dream.
WILL WIN: Connelly, for the same reasons.
Director: Saw LOTR and Mulholland Drive.
MY VOTE: as much as I like Peter Jackson, Lynch deserves something.
WILL WIN: Ron Howard.
ANIMATED FEATURE: Saw Shrek. It's got my vote, and will probably win.
Cinematography: Hey, did better here -- Saw everything but Black Hawk Down.
MY VOTE: The Man Who Wasn't There. Too hard to tell in the others what's real and what's digital.
WILL WIN: Probably LOTR.
Editing: Saw LOTR, Memento, Moulin Rouge
MY VOTE: Moulin Rouge. Never mind "Truth, Beauty, and most of all Love" (or even music), Editing was what this film was about.
WILL WIN: Moulin Rouge or Memento.
Makeup: didn't see A Beautiful Mind.
MY VOTE: LOTR.
WILL WIN: LOTR.
Score: missed Monsters Inc. and A Beautiful Mind. I don't remember a thing about the music in AI, but considering I remember being bombarded by Harry
Potter's score all too well, perhaps that's a good thing.
MY VOTE: LOTR.
WILL WIN: A Beautiful Mind. people eat up James Horner. Not sure why.
Song: Everyone nominated can just go away.
MY VOTE: Enya, because I heard the song and it made no impression on me,
good or bad.
WILL WIN: Paul McCartney.
Short films: I saw none of these, but I have a friend who saw them all at a special screening, and his faves were STUBBLE TROUBLE (animated) and THE
ACCOUNTANT (live-action).
Sound: Whatever.
MY VOTE: LOTR. Moulin Rouge was the most audibly unmemorable musical I can recall.
WILL WIN: LOTR.
Sound Effects Editing: Just give it to Gary Rydstrom and crew for MONSTER'S INC.
Visual Effects:
MY VOTE and WILL WIN: LOTR. This film could have been a horrific cheesefest, had these folks not been perfect.
Original Screenplay: Saw Amelie, Memento
MY VOTE: Amelie
WILL WIN: Memento. Biggest indie buzz.
Adapted Screenplay:
MY VOTE: Ghost World. LOTR got it right after years of various attempts. But I have to go with the comic-book adaptation here.
WILL WIN: LOTR, as a consolation prize for losing Best Picture to A Beautiful Mind.
Documentary Feature: Seen none of them.
MY VOTE: probably Murder on a Sunday Morning.
WILL WIN: Promises, it having the requisite Israeli theme.
Doc Short: seen none.
MY VOTE and WILL WIN: the magic-8-ball says Artists and Orphans.
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