Coming up! The last episode of the first half of the fourth season of our favorite vampire's show (well, in fact every other one sucks, because even though Buffy had something, part of that something was to suck big time!) has, for the first time this season, got me very excited and anxious to see the next episode and, of course, the denouement of this spellbinding season.
The first great thing that a lot of fans would appreciate is that the characters have returned to their real Bon Temps familiarity. No more over exaggerated southern accents, no more drastic changes of personality, and no more lame jokes! True Blood is back with the old same awesomeness of previous seasons. Even Eric Northman stopped acting like a semi-retarded nerd (emphasized by the continuos shots showing his lazyright arm -anybody noticed this?) to play an overdramatic repented Viking adolescent who gets, as a prize for his sacrifice at rendering such degradating roles, what it looks by his side a hot dwarf-size Sookie!
Sorry for the spoiler, but anyone following the series could not consider as a spoiler such an episode, especially in a post that, believe me, could be full of them. Everything happens in this chapter and there is no way back. The rollercoaster has reached the peak! Enjoy the ride!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World... Continue?
First of all, this is not a review! This movie has been out even in DVD format since the end of last year. This is just a reflection on the movie, and on its critique.
Tonight, I saw Scott Pilgrim vs. the World for the second time, and I had to think for a while why do I like this movie, why when the credits start rolling I find myself with a silly smile in my face.
Let's see, in order to like this film you must a) have played old video games in arcades. Not just any video game, but those involving martial arts, especially the multilevel ones from the beginning of the 80s. b) You must like comics, you don't have to be a savvy comic reader, in fact, the first time I saw Scott Pilgrim, I had never heard about the graphic novel before. c) As a follow up to this last point, not knowing the Scott Pilgrim comic will help to not having a preconceived idea that interfered with the director's vision.d) Most likely you should be familiar with the work of Michael Cera, who I think is a great actor in the roles he plays, which are very much alike his own persona I believe. Cera is definitely an actor who has embraced "typecasting". Despite how the "real" Scott may be and behave in the graphic novel, Cera delivers a character that may have been perfect if he wouldn't have had those fighting superpowers. Cera in fighting scenes was very hard to believe even within Pilgrim's fantasy world. However, isn't that a feature of many video games? A rather unlikely superhero kicking ass everywhere and every way. d) Finally, one must be ready to agree that a movie concept well delivered can make up for a simple and far-from-profound script.
If you have or agree with at least two of these premises, you are a serious candidate to like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
The absolutely best thing about this film, in my modest opinion, is Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) direction. The British helmer offers us, once again, a new concept for a combination of traditional genres. In this case, comedy and action, before comedy and horror (Shaun of the Dead), or comedy and police action (Hot Fuzz). The comic and video game forms fusion with film to create a never-seen before cinematic experience. It is, no doubt, a film for a young audience. There is no way a person over 50, who has ever read a comic, or played a video game, can give a explanation to the abrupt breaking of time and space sequences, or the coins spurting out of defeated "evil exes". Nevertheless, this film should be understand for what it is, not for what one wants it to be.
This film has its own audience, people who will love it, people who would appreciate the novelty, people who would not understand a thing about it, and people who would hate it. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. What I don't understand is a bad review of a film critic. I understand a review of a bad critic, who will put his or her own personal opinion into words without understanding the universe surrounding the product.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World... Continue?
I would say yes, please, insert coin!
Tonight, I saw Scott Pilgrim vs. the World for the second time, and I had to think for a while why do I like this movie, why when the credits start rolling I find myself with a silly smile in my face.
Let's see, in order to like this film you must a) have played old video games in arcades. Not just any video game, but those involving martial arts, especially the multilevel ones from the beginning of the 80s. b) You must like comics, you don't have to be a savvy comic reader, in fact, the first time I saw Scott Pilgrim, I had never heard about the graphic novel before. c) As a follow up to this last point, not knowing the Scott Pilgrim comic will help to not having a preconceived idea that interfered with the director's vision.d) Most likely you should be familiar with the work of Michael Cera, who I think is a great actor in the roles he plays, which are very much alike his own persona I believe. Cera is definitely an actor who has embraced "typecasting". Despite how the "real" Scott may be and behave in the graphic novel, Cera delivers a character that may have been perfect if he wouldn't have had those fighting superpowers. Cera in fighting scenes was very hard to believe even within Pilgrim's fantasy world. However, isn't that a feature of many video games? A rather unlikely superhero kicking ass everywhere and every way. d) Finally, one must be ready to agree that a movie concept well delivered can make up for a simple and far-from-profound script.
If you have or agree with at least two of these premises, you are a serious candidate to like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
The absolutely best thing about this film, in my modest opinion, is Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) direction. The British helmer offers us, once again, a new concept for a combination of traditional genres. In this case, comedy and action, before comedy and horror (Shaun of the Dead), or comedy and police action (Hot Fuzz). The comic and video game forms fusion with film to create a never-seen before cinematic experience. It is, no doubt, a film for a young audience. There is no way a person over 50, who has ever read a comic, or played a video game, can give a explanation to the abrupt breaking of time and space sequences, or the coins spurting out of defeated "evil exes". Nevertheless, this film should be understand for what it is, not for what one wants it to be.
This film has its own audience, people who will love it, people who would appreciate the novelty, people who would not understand a thing about it, and people who would hate it. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. What I don't understand is a bad review of a film critic. I understand a review of a bad critic, who will put his or her own personal opinion into words without understanding the universe surrounding the product.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World... Continue?
I would say yes, please, insert coin!
The President did not have the balls...
to invoke the 14th amendment, the so called constitutional option in order to raise the debt ceiling. One has to wonder if Republicans would have already done it, or if the President is just exhausting all options before doing it. We'll know by Tuesday at the latest!
Question: what do you think about the President position in this issue?
Question: what do you think about the President position in this issue?
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Did you know about Black Sabbath?
Any horror film aficionado has heard abot the 1964 classic Black Sabbath. It is where the British Band led by Mr. Ozzy Osbourne in the 70s got it's name from, and likely a strong influence in the band's change of style from hard rock-blues to the first steps into heavy metal. Appart from that, what I did not know is that the original title of this film was not Black Sabbath, but I tre volti della paura (The three faces of fear). In fact, it was released in Italy a year before, and it opened the American market for Mario Bava, who later directed other horror classics as Diabolik, or Twitch of the Death Nerve, considered to be a main influence in the classic slasher film Friday the 13th.
Another striking thing about this film is something, unfortunately, not that uncommon in American releases of European films of those times. The "narrative of The Telephone" (the second of the three stories featured in this film) "was radically transformed from it's version in I tre volti della paura, eliminating all references to Rosie and Mary's previous lesbian relationship and transforming Frank, the vengeful pimp and prison escapee, into a ghost who continues to haunt Rosie on the telephone after she has seemingly stabbed him to death."(1)
(1) Heffernan, Kevin. Ghouls, Gimmicks, and Gold. Duke University Press, Durham, 2004. 146-7.
Another striking thing about this film is something, unfortunately, not that uncommon in American releases of European films of those times. The "narrative of The Telephone" (the second of the three stories featured in this film) "was radically transformed from it's version in I tre volti della paura, eliminating all references to Rosie and Mary's previous lesbian relationship and transforming Frank, the vengeful pimp and prison escapee, into a ghost who continues to haunt Rosie on the telephone after she has seemingly stabbed him to death."(1)
(1) Heffernan, Kevin. Ghouls, Gimmicks, and Gold. Duke University Press, Durham, 2004. 146-7.
Did you know...? A series begins!
Today, I'm starting a series of posts that will appear periodically in this blog about things that may not be new for you, but they were for me. I hope some of you guys share the same fascination for the new discovered facts, or if you already knew about them, and want to share something else related to the topic, let me know!
The first entry will be about horror films, more exactly about the 1964 release Black Sabbath.
The first entry will be about horror films, more exactly about the 1964 release Black Sabbath.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Borders is going out of business
It is always sad for me when a book store closes. It doesn't matter if it is a dusty old one in a run down part of the city, or the giant Borders. The degree of sadness is obviously not the same, but this time there is something special in it. I lived for a year almost right next door to the first Borders store in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I've been to that store with my wife, and many of my best friends. I bought great books in that store, and now it won't be there no more for me to stop by if I ever go back to Ann Arbor. The sadness that accompanies this closing is greater in this economic state. Thousands of workers are going to be unemployed in a society as ours, in which you are on yourself if that happens to you, no unemployment benefits, no medical help, nothing for the most of them. In any case, Borders is closing and there's nothing we can do about it except for hoping that all those employees would find another job as soon as possible.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Uruguay beats Paraguay 3-0 to win Forlan's Cup. Long live Forlan!
That's it, Uruguay won Forlan's Cup! Diego Forlán, the 32 year old striker from Atlético de Madrid, brought home another Copa America for his family. Folán's maternal grandfather won 2 as a coach (1959-1967), and Forlán's father, won it also in '67 with his father in law as coach. That means that 4 out of the record 15 Copa America conquered by the charruas, as the Uruguayan squad is known for, had the family history engraved in them.
Forlán is not dead, as many Atleticos depicted him last season. If he wants to end up his career as the star he has proven to be, Forlán must leave Atletico, a former renowned team that, once again, let down its fans last season. Fans that were hoping more than a seventh position in La Liga, for a team that was the 3rd richest, and that counted in its roster with players like Kun Aguero, J.A. Reyes, De Gea, or Forlán himself. The history repeats and Atletico de Madrid's horrible management reveals the true face of a team's caricature.
Diego Forlan scored twice today, he did not score before in the tournament. He played his game and reappeared when he needed to, and, most importantly, when he was needed, as stars are supposed to do. Will Forlan go back to his graveyard or will any smart team make an economic effort and take him out of that deadthly hole Atletico has turned out to be in the last two decades?
Forlán is not dead, as many Atleticos depicted him last season. If he wants to end up his career as the star he has proven to be, Forlán must leave Atletico, a former renowned team that, once again, let down its fans last season. Fans that were hoping more than a seventh position in La Liga, for a team that was the 3rd richest, and that counted in its roster with players like Kun Aguero, J.A. Reyes, De Gea, or Forlán himself. The history repeats and Atletico de Madrid's horrible management reveals the true face of a team's caricature.
Diego Forlan scored twice today, he did not score before in the tournament. He played his game and reappeared when he needed to, and, most importantly, when he was needed, as stars are supposed to do. Will Forlan go back to his graveyard or will any smart team make an economic effort and take him out of that deadthly hole Atletico has turned out to be in the last two decades?
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Norway's tragedy
One of the questions out of the thousands that a tragedy like this makes me wonders, is as interesting and striking as sad and infuriating: why all this crazy people that commit this kind os atrocities are always sympathizers of extreme-right ideologies?
That alone should let anybody who still has a minimum of intelligence and sanity in his or her mind be repulsed by the mere thought that any extreme-right wing ideology or any other ideology akin to it has anything good in it.
All extremisms are insane, but why is the right wing extremist the more insane of the two in terms of individuals? Is that what right wings ideology degenerates into?
That alone should let anybody who still has a minimum of intelligence and sanity in his or her mind be repulsed by the mere thought that any extreme-right wing ideology or any other ideology akin to it has anything good in it.
All extremisms are insane, but why is the right wing extremist the more insane of the two in terms of individuals? Is that what right wings ideology degenerates into?
Friday, July 22, 2011
John Boehner is done negotiating with the president
Mr. Obama says that he doesn't understand why the speaker of the House did not accept his plan and broke all conversations with him. I truly believe the president is lying. Here is what probably happened:
Mr. Obama: John, please, you should really read and understand our proposal.
Mr. Boehner: I don't want to!
Mr. Obama: (raising his voice) John, come on, think for yourself, be a man!
Mr. Boehner: Buaaa, buaaa, I'm done negotiating with you Barack!
Mr. Obama: John, please, you should really read and understand our proposal.
Mr. Boehner: I don't want to!
Mr. Obama: (raising his voice) John, come on, think for yourself, be a man!
Mr. Boehner: Buaaa, buaaa, I'm done negotiating with you Barack!
The Block, a new restaurant in Webster Groves. A review.
When you enter The Block and get seated in one of the tables right next to their spacious windows overlooking Lockwood Avenue, you have the impression of being in the Food Network channel version of a anteroom preceding the work space of a rich butcher. I have to say that I found the decoration original, and in agreement with the concept that the owners seem to have for the place: from the butcher to your table.
Having no idea if that's the owner intention or not, I followed my instinct and order the butcher's cut of the night from local grass fed beef that tonight was none other than rib eye. As a starter, my wife and I shared a salad called The Block, of course. The salad came with a more than generous portion of blue cheese, and garnished with croutons and bacon. Very refreshing in a extremely humid and torrid evening as we had tonight. As the rib eye goes, I have no complains whatsoever, cook to perfection, medium rare, the steak was full of juicy flavor. It came over The Block steak sauce and with garlic fries. The fries I could live without them, but the sauce is definitely among the best sauces on the sweet side that I have ever tried on a steak. (Note: I hate sweet sauces on meats, so for me to say this, it actually mean a lot). I chose a Pinot Noir to go with it, and even though it was not the best of the Pinot Noir (it was the cheapest too), it played a perfect companion to my steak. My choice was a solid A.
My wife went for the Missouri trout. After her selection, the waitress told us that it was her favorite dish, even though she didn't like fish in general. That assertion always makes me suspicious, but it turn out that the trout tasted fresh, and was well cooked. Not a lot of flavor though, but this is not necessarily a bad thing for a river fish. She also ordered a fancy cocktail, whose name I don't remember. It was something with blackberries, rum and vodka, but I may be completely off on the last two ingredients. It is just what I remember tasting. The cocktail was good, but tiny and overpriced: $9, which may be a regular price for a cocktail in a restaurant like this, however the drink could be down in one gulp if you were really thirsty.
Desert was delicious, peach pie with cinnamon ice cream, a classic that made homage to this label. And believe me, you can make a classic taste like obsolete if you don't know what you are doing.
In short, this restaurant left a good taste on our mouths, and we will be going back! So far, I do recommend The Block without hesitation.
Service: 4/5
Food: 4.25/5
Price: 3/5
Price/quality: 4.5/5
Total: 3.93/5
Having no idea if that's the owner intention or not, I followed my instinct and order the butcher's cut of the night from local grass fed beef that tonight was none other than rib eye. As a starter, my wife and I shared a salad called The Block, of course. The salad came with a more than generous portion of blue cheese, and garnished with croutons and bacon. Very refreshing in a extremely humid and torrid evening as we had tonight. As the rib eye goes, I have no complains whatsoever, cook to perfection, medium rare, the steak was full of juicy flavor. It came over The Block steak sauce and with garlic fries. The fries I could live without them, but the sauce is definitely among the best sauces on the sweet side that I have ever tried on a steak. (Note: I hate sweet sauces on meats, so for me to say this, it actually mean a lot). I chose a Pinot Noir to go with it, and even though it was not the best of the Pinot Noir (it was the cheapest too), it played a perfect companion to my steak. My choice was a solid A.
My wife went for the Missouri trout. After her selection, the waitress told us that it was her favorite dish, even though she didn't like fish in general. That assertion always makes me suspicious, but it turn out that the trout tasted fresh, and was well cooked. Not a lot of flavor though, but this is not necessarily a bad thing for a river fish. She also ordered a fancy cocktail, whose name I don't remember. It was something with blackberries, rum and vodka, but I may be completely off on the last two ingredients. It is just what I remember tasting. The cocktail was good, but tiny and overpriced: $9, which may be a regular price for a cocktail in a restaurant like this, however the drink could be down in one gulp if you were really thirsty.
Desert was delicious, peach pie with cinnamon ice cream, a classic that made homage to this label. And believe me, you can make a classic taste like obsolete if you don't know what you are doing.
In short, this restaurant left a good taste on our mouths, and we will be going back! So far, I do recommend The Block without hesitation.
Service: 4/5
Food: 4.25/5
Price: 3/5
Price/quality: 4.5/5
Total: 3.93/5
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Sobran Causas
Here is the hardcore band that I was talking about yesterday. The band in question is settled in Seville, Spain. In the last few years, I have not seen or listened to a hardcore band that sounds as fresh and powerful as this. Right now, they are in the process of recording their first LP, which I am sure is not going to disappoint anybody. Here are a couple of videos for you:
If you want to know more about Sobran Causas click here. This link will take you to their webpage, where you can read about the band, its members, listen and download some of their music, look at pics from the band, etc...
Enjoy...
If you want to know more about Sobran Causas click here. This link will take you to their webpage, where you can read about the band, its members, listen and download some of their music, look at pics from the band, etc...
Enjoy...
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
So yes, what?
Maybe, I should talk about myself in my first post, but really, why? Who cares? If you are reading this, probably you don't have (at least right now) anything better to do than to find out what is waiting for you in the next few lines, or if you are a special case and are considering following this blog (and then I'm really impressed and honored), what is waiting for you in the next few days.
What you are going to find in this blog is whatever it comes to my mind one given day. I will make my duty to write something every day, like any other blogger wannabe. However, I have a good reason to do this, but I will write about this some other day.
This blog will be about nothing and everything. It does not mean to be controversial and opinionated, but I bet it will be (yes, I'm sorry, another one). I promise though, that I won't kill myself to make it like that. I will write about what interests me, so you will follow only if you are interested in it too. I know that I'm not saying anything new, but I don't want to waste your time, there are too many good things to read in this world to spend your time in something that you don't really like.
I am a literature professor. I always tell my students that when they are reading a novel for pleasure, they must quit reading it if by the time they have reached a quarter of it, they are not really into it. We don't have that much time in life to read what others think it is a breathtaking work of art. I will write more extensively about this in the future.
In any case, welcome my friend to this humble blog, which will delight you tomorrow discovering for you a hardcore rock band that will be a sensation some day. Right now, they are recording their first album...
Maybe tomorrow you can decide if you like this blog or not!
What you are going to find in this blog is whatever it comes to my mind one given day. I will make my duty to write something every day, like any other blogger wannabe. However, I have a good reason to do this, but I will write about this some other day.
This blog will be about nothing and everything. It does not mean to be controversial and opinionated, but I bet it will be (yes, I'm sorry, another one). I promise though, that I won't kill myself to make it like that. I will write about what interests me, so you will follow only if you are interested in it too. I know that I'm not saying anything new, but I don't want to waste your time, there are too many good things to read in this world to spend your time in something that you don't really like.
I am a literature professor. I always tell my students that when they are reading a novel for pleasure, they must quit reading it if by the time they have reached a quarter of it, they are not really into it. We don't have that much time in life to read what others think it is a breathtaking work of art. I will write more extensively about this in the future.
In any case, welcome my friend to this humble blog, which will delight you tomorrow discovering for you a hardcore rock band that will be a sensation some day. Right now, they are recording their first album...
Maybe tomorrow you can decide if you like this blog or not!
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