surprise of the year

When I first heard that there is going to be a movie about 9/11, thoughts that ran through my head were “oh god, not any based on a true event Hollywoodized/Americanized melodrama!” and “WTF, here we go, studios trying to capitalize on another tragic event.” If you don’t already know, I think that most Hollywood movies are crap and I HATE melodramas! Well, after hearing and reading more than a dozen terrific reviews on United 93, I finally caved in and went to see the movie last night.

I don’t know where to start with this review... well, let me just say that it is one of the most powerful films I have even seen. Maybe because I had such a strong memory of 9/11 and the film made me revisit that particular day. I remember it was during my break in either my first or second week at U of T. I was walking around and saw images of smoke coming out of the World Trade Center on TVs in the display windows of various electronic stores along Yonge Street. I went into the Futureshop near Yonge and Dundas seeing crowds of people gathered around the huge plasma televisions. I also remember that everything was shutting down; all the stores were closing in Eaton Centre fearing that there might be an attack in the core of downtown Toronto. Everything was crazy that day!

Anyways, back to United 93. What I loved about the film is the style. The movie seems like it was in real time; it follows three main storylines: the flight control centres, the military headquarters, and flight United 93. (very 24-ish, but without the split screens) We don’t know any more information than anyone in the film does; it shows that the people in the flight centres, the military headquarters, etc. found out what happened the same way all of us did – thought CNN. I like how it never tries to dramatize or recreate the crashes. The film is also very documentary-like, I felt like I was witnessing some of the scenes first hand. Another key feature is that it never tries to make us connect with any of the characters: there is no character development, and we were given very little to no background information of the passengers on United 93. It reminded me a lot of Gus Van Sant’s Elephant, another masterpiece!

I have never felt so terrible in a movie before United 93. My eyes were watery for more than half of the film and I had goose bumps through the entire movie. I felt helpless for the victims as the movie shown that no one on ground level really knew what to do. I also felt helpless as the military desperately tries to reach the President... my friends and I all have the image of Bush looking oblivious while reading in front of a group of children in our heads. Yes, this film might just be another manufactured movie script, with questionable dialogues and questionable depictions; however, with all the conspiracy theories aside, the event is real and very unforgettable to many, especially those around my age. United 93 does not try to patronize America, nor tries to pinpoint any blame or creates any hero or enemy; it just simply shows you how the events unfolded during September 11, 2001. I don’t know what else to say about the film except GO SEE IT!... it will definitely be a memorable movie going experience.

By now, you must either be annoyed or exhausted from reading. Sorry for this overly lengthy post, but the film is far too important to be described in anything less.

i heart pacman and tetris

I meant to post this a while back but the link got lost among the millions of bookmarks in have in my favorites folder. This is to all you video game nerds who are also into visual art. If that is you, you will no doubt enjoy this great post from a blog called Productdose. You can view all the pieces from the exhibition here. My personal favorite is "Megalost" by Thomas Han! Ok, I must go get really to go out now... enjoy those great 8 Bit pieces, nerds!

good weather for airstrikes

I recently downloaded the new Sigur Rós video for "Sæglópur". It is yet another stunning cinema-like music video; seriously, I have yet seen a bad video by Sigur Rós. They are all magnificently shot. There is certainly a sense of triumph and heroic feel to some of the videos while some convey social commentaries. I guess each video would fall under my [wicked-cool video] category. Ultimately, "Viðrar vel til loftárása" is my favorite for being the most emotionally charged while "Glósóli" comes in second because I have never seen a more fitting video for a song in my life! I have put of a link to five videos. They are all big file, high quality videos. If you know/have more Sigur Rós video, please tell me. Enjoy.

Viðrar vel til loftárása .mov file [super-wicked-cool video]
Untitled #1 .mov file [super-wicked-cool video]
Hoppípolla .mov file
Glósóli .mpeg file [super-wicked-cool video]
Sæglópur .mpeg file

visit the offcial Sigur Rós website here

rule #1: suing our fans is destructive and hypocritical

this is great, Canadian musicians fight back against record labels!

hold back the wind, hold back the rain, i want to live to see good weather

Go to Missuri Skies to see some of the most gorgeous photographs of natural effects in the sky. There are great pictures of sunset/sunrise, aurora, comets and my absolute favorite The Rainbow at Elam Bend gallery. I just wished that some of the pictures were bigger. Enjoy.

i sold your car for the shoes that i gave you

I found Björk’s live cover of "Gloomy Sunday" about a month ago and I actually just played it for the first time last night. So, why did I wait so long to play this song? Well, for those of you who are not familiar with the horrible origin of "Gloomy Sunday", let me share with all of you what my Anthropology of Popular Culture professor told me. The song was originally written by a Hungarian (don’t know his/her name), and according to my professor, something like hundreds or thousands of people committed suicide after hearing the song. There you go. I have never heard the Hungarian version of the song, although I’ve been very curious ever seen hearing the background story from my professor, but don’t know if I’ll ever get the courage to actually listen to it.

Gloomy Sunday (live)
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On a more cheerful note, it is that time of the year to pop in Our Endless Numbered Days. It is one of the most gorgeous records ever and in my opinion, it is the perfect music to play on a sunny day. Seriously, on the next sunny day, like today, go walk around downtown, in a park, wherever... put on a track like "Naked As We Came" on your ipod, and it will take you to a dreamlike space, worries free... you will most likely feel lethargic, but in a very wonderful way! In other words, it is like getting high, but without the illegal substances.

Naked As We Came [wicked-cool song]
Teeth In The Grass
Fever Dream
Passing Afternoon

Upward Over The Mountain from The Creek Drank The Cradle [wicked-cool song]
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buy Our Endless Numbered Days here

if i leave before you, darling, don't you waste me in the ground

From The Stranger by Albert Camus:
"A man had left a Czech village to seek his fortune. Twenty-five years later, and now rich, he had returned with a wife and a child. His mother was running a hotel with his sister in the village where he’s been born. In order to surprise them, he had left his wife and child at another hotel and gone to see his mother, who didn’t recognize him when he walked in. As a joke he’d had the idea of taking a room. He had shown off his money. During the night his mother and his sister had beater him to death with a hammer in order to rob him and had thrown his body in the river. The next morning the wife had come to the hotel and, without knowing it, gave away the traveler’s identity. The mother hanged herself. The sister threw herself down a well."

I read The Stranger over five years ago, however, for some strange reason, this passage reoccurs in my head every so often.

I feel like crap right now... partly due to Habs losing in overtime, but most likely due to sitting under the sun for more than three hours in front of Hart House... possible sunstroke? But it wasn’t even hot at all! ...I don’t really know. I am beyond exhausted and I must go to bed now.

saved by adult swim

Your favorite after school show Saved By the Bell is back in production! Click here to read the article.

ScarJo + song = WTF??!

This morning, I went to visit Pitchfork, anticipating them to bash another artist/album that I love. I scrolled down to the track reviews section, saw a photo of ScarJo, thought it was probably a review of a song featured in her latest film. But wait... no... it is a track review on a new Scarlett Johansson cover song!!!!!!!! WTF!!!!!!! So, for the past 30 mins, I have been trying to find that song, however, no luck so far (insert sad face here). Nevertheless, I did managed to find some information on the ScarJo track and the album it is on.

The album is called Unexpected Dreams: Songs from the Stars (phew!)

This is the product description on Amazon.com:
"A sparkling array of top film and television stars come together to sing delightful new versions of favorite contemporary night, love, and dream-themed musical selections, all accompanied by members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Sweetly sung by celebrities including Scarlet Johansson, Ewan McGregor, John Stamos, Jennifer Garner, Victor Garber, and more, the album benefits "Music Matters," the L.A. Phil's renowned educational programs and initiatives."

(by this time, I have vomited all over my keyboard!!)

I will post the ScarJo song up as soon as I get my hands on it... stay tuned. (contact me if you have the track, I will love you forever!)

this is where it ends

As I wait for the second overtime period to start between the Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings, let me introduce you to another new band I’ve been listening to. I downloaded Apocalypse In Increments by Ryan's Hope after reading a very positive review (4.5 out of 5) from PunkNew.org (a site with very trustworthy reviews). After just a few listens, I immediately fell in love with the record. I have now heard the album for about 10 cycles and it only gets stronger with each listen! I haven’t heard such an impressive skate-punk album since the release of Millencolin’s Pennybridge Pioneers six long years ago. Apocalypse In Increments is loud, fast, and aggressive. There are countless memorable riffs along with extremely catchy lyrics. Everything just falls perfectly... another solid album to add to my 2006 list. Anyways, I have to get back to hockey now, if you want a more in-depth review, go to read it at PunkNews.org, otherwise, here are a couple of songs for your enjoyment!

Sounds like: The Movielife's This Time Next Year and early Millencolin

My Motivation: Your Demise
Exorcism [wicked-cool song]
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as you can see, I added a new feature: [wicked-cool song] simply means that I highly recommend the song... so you must download it! right now!

buy Apocalypse In Increments here