Here’s a super short blog post for you guys tonight, mainly because my allergies are really messing with my brain right now.
A friend of mine posted “Slow-motion Jello” on Facebook earlier, and it blew my mind. Seriously. It’s unbelievable.
Isn’t that freaking awesome? I can’t even… I don’t even know what to think!!
In addition to that craziness, I wanted to include the new Washed Out song that also blows my mind. The song is called “Eyes Be Closed” (off of his upcoming album Within And Without, available in July), and it is beautiful. The chillwave beat and the powerful melody works together in a wonderful symphony. At least it does in my head!
The Room, written, directed and starring Tommy Wiseau
So, I didn’t get to expand on this yesterday, but I wanted to feature something (now) near and dear to my heart.
This last Saturday I got to attend a “The Room” party, which went from being a Rocky Horror Picture Show-like movie experience to a drunken crazy-fest. And, strangely enough, this is exactly how The Room (2003) needs to be watched: with a little bit of lighthearted silliness.
The movie is a disaster, to say the least. It’s full of plot holes, soap-opera lines, and melodramatic acting… not to mention how creepy all of the characters are (I’m looking at you, Denny!!). But what makes it so great is how classically bad it is, much like the other midnight movies out there (RHPS and Snakes On A Plane are just two examples).
After I signed up to drink every time a football was on the scene – which is ridiculous because this comes in the most ridiculous times – it was clear that everyone at this party was going to be either drunk or close to it by the end of this film. Boy, was I right!
By all means, I want to say that this movie is no Oscar winner, but the movie is classic. Whenever the main characters enter a room, they say “Oh hi _____” before getting to the point; Johnny (played by the strange Tommy Wiseau, who also wrote and directed the film) bellows out poorly-accented lines (“YOU’RE TEARING ME AHHHPAAAHHHHT LEEESAAA!”) and drinks scotchka; Denny is apparently an 18-year old drug addict that has serious parental-deficiencies as he lays in bed with Lisa and Johnny while they’re trying to get it on (mind you, Johnny wanted to adopt Denny); then there’s Mark, who’s Johnny’s best friend (and this fact is stated NUMEROUS times throughout the film) and seems like a cool guy until, you know, he sleeps with Johnny’s fiancée…. it’s like scene after scene goes by, making less and less sense.
But overall the experience was a blast. Those of us at the party pelted the make-shift screen with plastic spoons (and sometimes knives and forks) everytime the pointless spoon painting showed up in a scene, and we all yelled “GO! GO! GO!” as we travelled along with the stock footage of the Golden Gate Bridge… there were tons more, but that’s something you should find out for yourself.
I highly recommend The Room because it is an experience in itself. It may be considered the worst movie ever made (probably after Troll 2 (1990)), but it sure is a hell of a lot of fun. Especially if you don’t take it seriously (please don’t. That’s a fate worse than death!)
Here’s a preview for you to get stoked about, and if you live in Oregon, Wiseau is showing the movie in Portland towards the end of May! ENJOY (and beware!)
And thanks to Bryan for inviting me to watch this insane film. SPOON!
I saw this Portland-based/made/themed movie pop up on my blog roll a few months back, and I really want to see it! Not only is Carrie Brownstein (aka that one girl from Sleater-Kinney and Portlandia) in it, but my lovely James Mercer (lead singer of the Shins) plays a character as well.
The movie is about four different, quirky people who are leading lives that go nowhere… they sort of embark on a mental trip into the unknown of their soul, searching for the meaning of life, while conversing with each other.
Here’s the preview, and I really hope I can see this movie in the future:
Sorry for the late post! I’ve been quite busy for these past few days, but I’m definitely going to find time to update more tomorrow!
Tonight, I watched Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007), which is one of those cheesy spoofs of Johnny Cash’s life… but this time with hilarious comedians (including John C. Riley, Jenna Fischer, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, and many others)!
Anyways, this song always cracks me up… but be forewarned: it’s quite dirty if you read between the lines!!!
The song I want to feature today is absolutely wonderful. I feel like it completely encompasses the theme I try to strive for this blog, and it’s such an uplifting song that I don’t think I can listen to it and not feel happy.
The Polyphonic Spree
The song is called “Light & Day/Reach For The Sun” by the now-21-member band The Polyphonic Spree. It has been featured on TV shows, commercials, movies, and elsewhere, and I do believe this song is designed to keep people optimistic about the world.
But before I put the song on here, I kind of want to rant. I became a Spree fan about four years ago (when their The Fragile Army came out), but I have heard of them since they were first a band back in 2000. But it wasn’t until now that I realized how beautiful these people are.
Tim DeLaughter was a member of another band called Tripping Daisies back in the 90s. When the band broke up after the unfortunate death of the guitarist (via drug overdose), Tim decided to create a new band with a few collaborating artists (a sort of response to this death). Thus, the Polyphonic Spree was born and is still going strong with over 20 members.
But why is this band so important? Their message is strong in every album: live life and see it in a beautiful light. Each song is well crafted with an insanely strong variety of instruments, and each message makes the band seem more and more peaceful. Maybe the white robes helped for a long time (they recently switched to military-looking uniforms with their last album), but this band stresses peace.
And I feel like they are one of the only peaceful bands out there. They teach people to love and enjoy life, is that so wrong?
I can never get enough of the Spree and their good message. It’s almost cry-worthy, it’s so beautiful. I’m definitely left speechless everytime I hear “Light & Day/Reach For The Sun.”
So if you ever feel down, depressed, hopeless and without light in this world, discover the Polyphonic Spree because they are one of the reasons why the world is such an amazing place.
Enjoy “Light & Day/Reach For The Sun” by the Polyphonic Spree.
Also, as a bonus, enjoy “Hold Me Now” by the Spree… I love this song (and video)
Today is the big day: THE ACADEMY AWARDS!! Every year I sit and watch the big award show and leave somewhat disappointed… but regardless it’s awesome to see what’s going on in the minds of old people deciding these winners!
Anyways, in honor of the award show, I want to feature a movie that didn’t get nominated!
Last night I watched the documentary Catfish (2010) and I walked out of it completely shocked. It was incredible!
The premise of the movie is as follows: Yaniv Schulman is a photographer, and one day he is contacted by a six-year-old girl who painted a beautiful version of one of his photos. He begins to become friends with this girl and her family, ending up in almost a long-distance relationship with the young girl’s sister. As new developments turn up (his new passion to talk to Megan, the sister), the documentary changes meaning.
But when things begin to seem a little off, the filmmakers begin to dig deep in the meaning of YouTube, Facebook, Google Maps, and texting to find the real truth about this family.
It’s not scary (like the preview tries to portray), in fact it’s actually really fascinating. But what made it so intriguing was the charm and tense feeling you get when watching it. I found myself both creeped out and completely enthralled. It’s amazing.
I warn you, though, it is really intense… the ending is slightly expected, but also really incredible.
Here’s the preview…. if you’re interested, be sure to check it out! I want everyone to see it.
Tonight I feel like I’m gonna pass out… so before I do so I wanted to share a really beautiful song by the lovely Aimee Mann.
The song was written for the movie Magnolia (1999), which if you haven’t seen it I HIGHLY recommend it, and it features the characters in the movie as they go about their strange lives (with Aimee Mann kind of creepin’ in the background).
Anyways, enjoy “Save Me” by Aimee Mann (and go rent Magnolia… It’s gorgeous)
I wanted to feature a beautiful song from one of my favorite movies of all time (aka The Baxter). The movie is a rom-com by indie comic genius Michael Showalter about the guy who gets left at the alter in all the perfect love-story movies… their called Baxters (or people who are old-fashioned… the ones who get hay fever and wear driving caps and like Mondays). The movie is incredibly adorable, and it always puts me in a great mood!
This song was written by El May, but in the movie Michelle Williams sings it as her character Cecile Mills. It’s really beautiful and I love the words.
I hope you enjoy “Hero” by El May and sung by Michelle Williams.
(here’s a preview for the movie… I hope everyone watches it because it’s wonderful and streaming on Netflix)
(and here’s a clip. I seriously want you guys to see this movie.)
PS I actually got to meet Michael Showalter 2 years ago, and I am pleased to say that he is one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met. Absolutely wonderful.
EDIT: Big gigantic thanks to @mshowalter for getting people to check out my site! See, I told you he’s great!
Anyways, I’ve got a few great posts coming up in the next few minutes so check em out!
I wanted to feature this video when it came out last week, but I unfortunately forgot… so here goes nothing!
“Moves” by The New Pornographers is their newest single off of their 2010 album Together (which is awesome, by the way… go check it out if you can).
The video for “Moves” is brilliant and clever and I wish it were real life. Mainly because all these actors and musicians in the same place at the same time would be glorious.
The video features celebs such as Donald Glover (Community), John Oliver (Daily Show), John Hodgeman (Mac Vs PC commercials), Ted Leo (of Ted Leo & The Pharmacists), Horatio Sanz (SNL), Wyatt Cenac (The Daily Show), Julie Klausner (Best Week Ever), Kevin Corrigan (Fringe and The Departed), Jon Wurster (Squidbillies), Paul Rudd (Role Models) and Bill Hader (SNL). All these are featured in a fake movie called “Moves: The Rise and Rise of the New Pornographers”… a dramatic tale of how the worlds most chillest indie band became big and bigger. It’s awesome.
Check out “Moves” by the New Pornographers, and see what I mean for yourself!
I’m tired and about to watch The Social Network (2010) with some people. So I wanted to feature a really neat song from the movie:
“In Motion” by kick-ass composer Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails fame) and Atticus Ross embodies all the insanity and chaos that The Social Network is all about. The quiet keyboards in the back just add a level of craziness that I cannot get enough of! It’s so awesome! I love this song and movie, so check it out!
Life As We Don't Know It 