Tuesday, August 31, 2004
To Some Degree It's Really Lazy To Post Pics On Your Blog....But, Well, I'll At Least Include The Caption:
Oh great, a WMD in my hotel room....
Monday, August 30, 2004
Look For Jimmy Dean Crossiants In Your Grocers' Freezer Section...And While You're There, Buy Some
Kudos to Jimmy Dean (no, silly...not the hottie from those '60s movies) for making a great commercial. For some reason the 'southern person who has no inflection when on camera' always makes a great commercial.
Reno 911! employs the same technique for their 'fake' commercials. It's too funny.
Now, Jimmy Dean Sausage has used this technique to sell Crossiants. It's really funny....people with southern accents who can't act bluntly telling you that 'if you are what you eat, start calling yourself delicious' and other non-humorous and dryly delivered lines.
Bravo!
Reno 911! employs the same technique for their 'fake' commercials. It's too funny.
Now, Jimmy Dean Sausage has used this technique to sell Crossiants. It's really funny....people with southern accents who can't act bluntly telling you that 'if you are what you eat, start calling yourself delicious' and other non-humorous and dryly delivered lines.
Bravo!
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Add To It If You Want...
So I've started a new hobby:
I enjoy making lists...however when I try to, I can usually only come up with a max of 2 (two) things. Sigh.
So here is another one:
List of things to 'crash' (i.e. crashing a party, etc.)
1. Weddings......just show up for reception, get free food. Sure this is an easy first one, but you gotta make it interesting to have fun. Unless you just want food, congratulate the couple and make them guess who you are and how they know you.
2. Civil War re-enactments. Pretend you are a preacher, advocating that slavery is wrong, the South is fighting for the wrong cause, and that winning states' rights will actually take away many rights. Really bug the crap out of the 'actors.' (I saw this today—some weird guy was really into it and was bothering the Civil War re-enactors...it was hilarious) Make them realize that they should spend Saturdays with their kids rather than play-pretending they are in a war that happened long ago in which they lost.
3. Try your hardest to actually work your way into a Classic/Antique Car Show Parade or even just a regular City Christmas Parade. This works really well if you have just a mediocre car, like a hyundai or a geo. Personally, I think it would be best if as you drive by you just have a "....da hell?" look or possibly a "huhh...I should have turned left" look on your face. In this case, shrugging exaggeratedly is not nesseccary.
Okay, well that's all I got...maybe I can add to it.
I enjoy making lists...however when I try to, I can usually only come up with a max of 2 (two) things. Sigh.
So here is another one:
List of things to 'crash' (i.e. crashing a party, etc.)
1. Weddings......just show up for reception, get free food. Sure this is an easy first one, but you gotta make it interesting to have fun. Unless you just want food, congratulate the couple and make them guess who you are and how they know you.
2. Civil War re-enactments. Pretend you are a preacher, advocating that slavery is wrong, the South is fighting for the wrong cause, and that winning states' rights will actually take away many rights. Really bug the crap out of the 'actors.' (I saw this today—some weird guy was really into it and was bothering the Civil War re-enactors...it was hilarious) Make them realize that they should spend Saturdays with their kids rather than play-pretending they are in a war that happened long ago in which they lost.
3. Try your hardest to actually work your way into a Classic/Antique Car Show Parade or even just a regular City Christmas Parade. This works really well if you have just a mediocre car, like a hyundai or a geo. Personally, I think it would be best if as you drive by you just have a "....da hell?" look or possibly a "huhh...I should have turned left" look on your face. In this case, shrugging exaggeratedly is not nesseccary.
Okay, well that's all I got...maybe I can add to it.
Saturday, August 28, 2004
Kevin Murphy Is Cool....
just go here b/c if I actually paste the article that would mean you would be obliged to read it. And we all know you don't wanna take the time to do that.
Oh and in case you aren't cool, Kevin Murphy was the voice of Tom Servo (MST3K) since season 2. My favorite, btw.
Oh and in case you aren't cool, Kevin Murphy was the voice of Tom Servo (MST3K) since season 2. My favorite, btw.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
More Comfort That I'm Probably Not Gay #2
A Continuation....more profound I believe:
Good things
1) They won't cheat on you with other women.
2) They're easy to find.
3) They're usually into techno dance music. (That is a good thing, trust me. You ain't getting this guy near a dance hall for at least a while.)
4) They're not into Football.
5) They're scared of you.
6) They're scared of themselves.
7) They have odd hours.
8) They can fix your computer for free, and make it run better too.
9) They're into Monty Python, and other classic movies.
10) They write for Brass Knuckles Webzine.
Bad things
1) They may cheat on you with digital or animated women.
2) They're hard to get rid of.
3) They can't dance.
4) They're into Quake (Or Unreal Tournament, or Starcraft, or Diablo, or etc.)
5) They're scared of you.
6) They're scared of themselves.
7) You don't have odd hours.
8) They'll try to explain to you how to make your computer run better.
9) Their life is Monty Python, and other classic movies.
10) You end up in their articles they submit to Brass Knuckles Webzine.
.......the only thing is that this right wing news site is (I think) Brass Knuckles Webzine.....AND I don't play Quake or any of those games.....but I'm sure I do something that can take the place of football.
Good things
1) They won't cheat on you with other women.
2) They're easy to find.
3) They're usually into techno dance music. (That is a good thing, trust me. You ain't getting this guy near a dance hall for at least a while.)
4) They're not into Football.
5) They're scared of you.
6) They're scared of themselves.
7) They have odd hours.
8) They can fix your computer for free, and make it run better too.
9) They're into Monty Python, and other classic movies.
10) They write for Brass Knuckles Webzine.
Bad things
1) They may cheat on you with digital or animated women.
2) They're hard to get rid of.
3) They can't dance.
4) They're into Quake (Or Unreal Tournament, or Starcraft, or Diablo, or etc.)
5) They're scared of you.
6) They're scared of themselves.
7) You don't have odd hours.
8) They'll try to explain to you how to make your computer run better.
9) Their life is Monty Python, and other classic movies.
10) You end up in their articles they submit to Brass Knuckles Webzine.
.......the only thing is that this right wing news site is (I think) Brass Knuckles Webzine.....AND I don't play Quake or any of those games.....but I'm sure I do something that can take the place of football.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
More Comfort That I'm Probably Not Gay #1
Okay, unfortunately this came from 'rightwingnews.com' (I SWEAR that I was here b/c of a google search...I'm too young to be right-wing!) So, this is part 1 of 3 lists that I thought were interesting. I'm sorry for making you read this...you probably won't anyway.....but if you did you may discover that (I hate bragging) these things kind of 'fit' me....
How to land and keep the elusive geekfish
1) Make the first move. You'll die of boredom otherwise.
2) If they ask you out, they mean it. Oh, and don't be surprised if they know quite a few things about you already, like your favorite color, your class schedule, or your computer specifications.
3) You are correct. You do not exist when they are playing a game online.
4) Don't EVER accuse them of cheating on you.
5) They're easily embarrassed.
6) If you want some fun ::wink, wink::, kick their little behinds at their favorite video game.
7) Expect to know two versions of the person: The debonair online personality, and the social klutz of real life.
8) Computer programs can be sexy.
9) Encourage them to take care of themselves. That's right, make a big deal about how bad their room smells.
10) Pretend to understand when they go off about computer terms. The best way is to nod at key points, and glaze over. Don't tell them that you don't understand, because they will spend days, months, years, or eons trying to explain it to you.
11) Give them food. They are just like small animals, they keep coming back for food.
12) If they tune you out, or become glued to their monitors, it is perfectly acceptable to style their hair in weird and unusual ways. This includes, but is not limited to: flock of seagulls, braiding, and mowhawks.
13) Watch carefully for humor. From the socially inept, humor is usually so dry and delivered with so much sincerity, that it is virtually indistinguishable from when they are stating fact. Be careful though, you risk offending them when they were serious.
14) If they don't show up on time, they're either dead, or some new game/program came out, and they need to beat it before their friends. Assume the latter until proven otherwise.
15) Know the release dates of most major hardware and software releases. Avoid them when planning dates.
OK......so look for the next one tomorrow...
How to land and keep the elusive geekfish
1) Make the first move. You'll die of boredom otherwise.
2) If they ask you out, they mean it. Oh, and don't be surprised if they know quite a few things about you already, like your favorite color, your class schedule, or your computer specifications.
3) You are correct. You do not exist when they are playing a game online.
4) Don't EVER accuse them of cheating on you.
5) They're easily embarrassed.
6) If you want some fun ::wink, wink::, kick their little behinds at their favorite video game.
7) Expect to know two versions of the person: The debonair online personality, and the social klutz of real life.
8) Computer programs can be sexy.
9) Encourage them to take care of themselves. That's right, make a big deal about how bad their room smells.
10) Pretend to understand when they go off about computer terms. The best way is to nod at key points, and glaze over. Don't tell them that you don't understand, because they will spend days, months, years, or eons trying to explain it to you.
11) Give them food. They are just like small animals, they keep coming back for food.
12) If they tune you out, or become glued to their monitors, it is perfectly acceptable to style their hair in weird and unusual ways. This includes, but is not limited to: flock of seagulls, braiding, and mowhawks.
13) Watch carefully for humor. From the socially inept, humor is usually so dry and delivered with so much sincerity, that it is virtually indistinguishable from when they are stating fact. Be careful though, you risk offending them when they were serious.
14) If they don't show up on time, they're either dead, or some new game/program came out, and they need to beat it before their friends. Assume the latter until proven otherwise.
15) Know the release dates of most major hardware and software releases. Avoid them when planning dates.
OK......so look for the next one tomorrow...
Monday, August 23, 2004
Reasons To Be Alone....
1. No one to talk meaningless blather in my ear while I am watching TV.
2. More money for myself.
3. I can do things when I want to.
4. I can always make good jokes.
5. Pshh....who needs sex?
6. Never fighting over what movie to see.
7. Never fighting.
8. Morning breath is not a problem.
9. I like most food...and don't have to make myself try something new.
10. I can always listen to other people's problems while mine just float away with the wind.
11. I understand my sarcasm.
2. More money for myself.
3. I can do things when I want to.
4. I can always make good jokes.
5. Pshh....who needs sex?
6. Never fighting over what movie to see.
7. Never fighting.
8. Morning breath is not a problem.
9. I like most food...and don't have to make myself try something new.
10. I can always listen to other people's problems while mine just float away with the wind.
11. I understand my sarcasm.
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Down With This Sort Of Thing......Careful Now
Well, that's enough of that I suppose.
I guess things are on the up and up again. I'm not vomiting anymore, I have work piling up again after 2 weeks of not really editing anything, and I have signed off MSN for a long time.
I've been watching good old classic Looney Tunes and still think they are as funny today as they were every Saturday as I grew up.
So if I've pissed you off in any way...I'm sorry. And if I have, you probably don't read this anyway.....so tell your friends I'm sorry.
I spent 4am to about 8am Wednesday morning vomiting from a stomach virus. Because I was doing a diet thingy, I had nothing in my stomach but the innards of a Sonic Breakfast Burrito. However, that 'sausage' and 'egg' filling only lasted through the first session. The next 6 or 7 vomits consisted of ....well, a little spit and the upper end of my colon. I'm a very violent vomiter, and when you have nothing to upchuck, it HURTS LIKE BLOODY HELL!
It's late Thursday night and I still ache badly. I've had alot of sleep, but somehow it just isn't enough. My biggest problem is that I get too much into movies. That's probably why I don't watch that many, really. I mean, I can't just pop one in and go do other stuff. I have to —here's a thought— actually watch it! So it's kind of inconveinient when you only have about 1hr and 5 minutes to actually commit to a movie. That's why I just end up watching TV. That's also why I'm stopping MSN. Hopefully with that time I can either finish editing, or squeeze in a movie a night.
Well, good luck to all...
I guess things are on the up and up again. I'm not vomiting anymore, I have work piling up again after 2 weeks of not really editing anything, and I have signed off MSN for a long time.
I've been watching good old classic Looney Tunes and still think they are as funny today as they were every Saturday as I grew up.
So if I've pissed you off in any way...I'm sorry. And if I have, you probably don't read this anyway.....so tell your friends I'm sorry.
I spent 4am to about 8am Wednesday morning vomiting from a stomach virus. Because I was doing a diet thingy, I had nothing in my stomach but the innards of a Sonic Breakfast Burrito. However, that 'sausage' and 'egg' filling only lasted through the first session. The next 6 or 7 vomits consisted of ....well, a little spit and the upper end of my colon. I'm a very violent vomiter, and when you have nothing to upchuck, it HURTS LIKE BLOODY HELL!
It's late Thursday night and I still ache badly. I've had alot of sleep, but somehow it just isn't enough. My biggest problem is that I get too much into movies. That's probably why I don't watch that many, really. I mean, I can't just pop one in and go do other stuff. I have to —here's a thought— actually watch it! So it's kind of inconveinient when you only have about 1hr and 5 minutes to actually commit to a movie. That's why I just end up watching TV. That's also why I'm stopping MSN. Hopefully with that time I can either finish editing, or squeeze in a movie a night.
Well, good luck to all...
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Winds Change, Life Still Isn't Fun
Ok....so I think bad moods and personal revelations just kind of float around from one person to the other, much like an airborne illness. Either that, or other people's moods affect your moods. I guess both are true.
Either way, this must be the time of year when I remember how much I hate just being a person. It's just times when it seems like everyone else sucks, I can't do anything meaningful, and I'm just in yet another rut. Now, mind you I'm going to stay away from saying that I hate life...b/c I'll promptly be faced with something that may hint that it should be taken seriously. Instead i'll stick to the refrain that I hate being a human.
You know, as people we have to follow cultural rules, social norms, mind our manners, keep up appearances, and never mind the bollocks. But when all that stuff is just instinct, it would make things easier, and there would be no need for apologies.
So yeah, I guess I just hate me right now. I could use some alcohol, some pot, and some good movies. Oh, I heard '1979' on the radio as I was coming home from work, and that instantly put my mind at ease. So, music does help in these kind of situations. That, and Billy Corgan is still my hero. Well, hero that I will never meet...Andrew's my real hero.
Either way, this must be the time of year when I remember how much I hate just being a person. It's just times when it seems like everyone else sucks, I can't do anything meaningful, and I'm just in yet another rut. Now, mind you I'm going to stay away from saying that I hate life...b/c I'll promptly be faced with something that may hint that it should be taken seriously. Instead i'll stick to the refrain that I hate being a human.
You know, as people we have to follow cultural rules, social norms, mind our manners, keep up appearances, and never mind the bollocks. But when all that stuff is just instinct, it would make things easier, and there would be no need for apologies.
So yeah, I guess I just hate me right now. I could use some alcohol, some pot, and some good movies. Oh, I heard '1979' on the radio as I was coming home from work, and that instantly put my mind at ease. So, music does help in these kind of situations. That, and Billy Corgan is still my hero. Well, hero that I will never meet...Andrew's my real hero.
Friday, August 13, 2004
Adam Keeps Asking......Well NOW He Knows!
The identity of the first person to ever put bop in the shu-wop shu-wop is lost in the mists of time. It is safe to say that bop was added to the bop shu-wop shu-wop in neolithic time by primitive hunter gatherers, in some form or other. However, no records exist from this period, except the most primitive cave paintings, in which the bop shu-wop shu-wop is almost always faded beyond recognition. Until the development of commercially generated electricity, putting bop into the bop shu-wop shu-wop was very labour intensive, and thus very expensive. In 1913, famous Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla filed a patent for the process of bop insertion through an electromagnetic vortex. Thanks to Tesla, millions of people throughout the world nowadays enjoy cheap and plentiful bop within their bop shu-wop shu-wop. God bless America.
not by me, btw..... :)
not by me, btw..... :)
Not 50 Seconds Ago, I Just Had A "Me" Moment....
This is going to be hard to explain without demonstrating, so please bear with me.
I'm at work right now, and I had just walked over to check on the status of something I was recording. Well, there is a stapler on the desk, a rather large, older stapler.
For some unknown reason (and I promise you this really happened)I stuck my middle finger underneath the place where the staple comes out. I guess I was feeling those two little 'teeth' things...I dunno.
Well, something possessed the palm of that same hand to—in a grasping motion—clutch the top of the stapler and press down.
......I just stapled my own middle finger.
Oh, it hurts.
I'm at work right now, and I had just walked over to check on the status of something I was recording. Well, there is a stapler on the desk, a rather large, older stapler.
For some unknown reason (and I promise you this really happened)I stuck my middle finger underneath the place where the staple comes out. I guess I was feeling those two little 'teeth' things...I dunno.
Well, something possessed the palm of that same hand to—in a grasping motion—clutch the top of the stapler and press down.
......I just stapled my own middle finger.
Oh, it hurts.
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Prediction Time:
FUTURE PREDICTIONS
OK, as of August 12th, 2004, let me state now on the record my prediction:
The next major spoof movies will be about either:
1. Lord of the Rings/Harry Potter Fantasies,
2. Superheroes
Now, trust me when I say that I know of no actual feature in production right now. It was rumored however in 2002 that Scary Movie 3 would actually be a spoof of LOTR, Harry Potter, AND Star Wars....but we know that it ended up being another scary movie.
So with the success of the Scary Movies, I guess spoof movies are on the rise again. Shit. I mean come on, the late '90s had some of the WORST spoof movies ever. And they ALL starred Leslie Neilson.
OK, as of August 12th, 2004, let me state now on the record my prediction:
The next major spoof movies will be about either:
1. Lord of the Rings/Harry Potter Fantasies,
2. Superheroes
Now, trust me when I say that I know of no actual feature in production right now. It was rumored however in 2002 that Scary Movie 3 would actually be a spoof of LOTR, Harry Potter, AND Star Wars....but we know that it ended up being another scary movie.
So with the success of the Scary Movies, I guess spoof movies are on the rise again. Shit. I mean come on, the late '90s had some of the WORST spoof movies ever. And they ALL starred Leslie Neilson.
AvP
Ok, I will tell the truth right now: I was excited when I heard there was finally going to be an Alien vs. Predator movie. This is something that people have been dreaming of since the early '90s. I will also admit that I would like to see it out of curiosity (even though I most likely won't because I know it will suck). How do I know it will suck?
Think about it......
Alien was a movie that came out in the late '70s. Sure, it was good and lots of people liked it. It even started a sequel franchise that lasted to the late 90s. However, they are all bad.
Predator was a movie that came out in the '80s, and starred (!) Arnold Shwarzenneger and Jesse "The Brain" Ventura. It wasn't my personal favorite, but it can be considered a classic i guess. Predator 2:The Sequel wasn't good though. It starred...ummm...Danny Glover. Yep. (I remember one night in Jr. High/or High school I fell asleep with the tv on, and woke up during the night and WCBI channel 4 was playing the movie uncut and commercial free. Really freaked me out.)
So here's my point: The Alien vs. Predator movie is approximately 15 years TOO LATE! Now, I understand that with the overuse of CGI these days, it's the ideal time—for effects, but it's the wrong time for the idea. No kid these days readily knows anything about these movies, and only people pushing 30 remember well the AvP video games. Now hopefully the recent release of Predator and the earlier release of the Alien Quadrilolgy will spark an interest in younger minds...if not...this movie will bomb.
Think about it......
Alien was a movie that came out in the late '70s. Sure, it was good and lots of people liked it. It even started a sequel franchise that lasted to the late 90s. However, they are all bad.
Predator was a movie that came out in the '80s, and starred (!) Arnold Shwarzenneger and Jesse "The Brain" Ventura. It wasn't my personal favorite, but it can be considered a classic i guess. Predator 2:The Sequel wasn't good though. It starred...ummm...Danny Glover. Yep. (I remember one night in Jr. High/or High school I fell asleep with the tv on, and woke up during the night and WCBI channel 4 was playing the movie uncut and commercial free. Really freaked me out.)
So here's my point: The Alien vs. Predator movie is approximately 15 years TOO LATE! Now, I understand that with the overuse of CGI these days, it's the ideal time—for effects, but it's the wrong time for the idea. No kid these days readily knows anything about these movies, and only people pushing 30 remember well the AvP video games. Now hopefully the recent release of Predator and the earlier release of the Alien Quadrilolgy will spark an interest in younger minds...if not...this movie will bomb.
Sunday, August 8, 2004
Movie Review - "SuperSize ME"
So I had been hearing all the hype about this film, I even pre-ordered on DVD at DeepDiscountDVD.com because I wanted to see it. How glad I was when I found out it was actually playing in Tupelo!
Wow, first Fahrenheit 9/11, now SuperSize ME.....Tupelo may have a bit of class now. Well, unfortunately Natalie, Andrew, and I were the ONLY PEOPLE IN THE THEATER. Geez Louise people, documentaries are NOT something to be scared of. Just becuase you see one on PBS and it bores the crap out of you, doesn't mean they ALL suck.
Anyway.....you know the story: Man eats nothing but McD's for a month.....gets sick.....you see lots of fat people.....and hear Wesley Willis.
Great movie...and I start my diet this week.
Wow, first Fahrenheit 9/11, now SuperSize ME.....Tupelo may have a bit of class now. Well, unfortunately Natalie, Andrew, and I were the ONLY PEOPLE IN THE THEATER. Geez Louise people, documentaries are NOT something to be scared of. Just becuase you see one on PBS and it bores the crap out of you, doesn't mean they ALL suck.
Anyway.....you know the story: Man eats nothing but McD's for a month.....gets sick.....you see lots of fat people.....and hear Wesley Willis.
Great movie...and I start my diet this week.
Thursday, August 5, 2004
Tuesday, August 3, 2004
Movie Diary #3
Ok so day 3 of shooting went well...not smoothly, but well.
So our other actor Ryan didn't even get to be in it at all, and was replaced with Jordan, who is a really good actor. Well, Frankie's part was intended to be a guy, then was written for a gay guy, and ended up being played by a girl. Very well though, I'm very pleased. I decided that the next movie will indeed be ....good.... if I can actually get people who can act.
Matt seems to be making me say "GodDammit" quite alot.
God I hate ADD.
Ok, so besides a few pickup shots here and there, the only bulk left is the date scenes. I'll attempt to write a script, though I'm horrible at that, (I apologize in advance) however Matt will bug me about it, yet not even bother to read it. Fuck.
However, the scenes we did today that included Jordan I'm happy with (I have to be b/c she goes back to school Thursday—so we HAD to get them done. And Gay Ryan moved to Delta State today, so he was basically out of the picture anyway b/c Matt's work schedule has been moved.).
Oh and the bad news....I forgot my sunscreen. Gonna be hard to hide that when I show up to work.
Oh and .......PIGGLY WIGGLY IS JERKS. Dammit, Jennifer Ruth didn't help out, either.
So now, the 'grocery store scene' was originally planned to take place at Winn-Dixie...was moved to Piggly Wiggly...couldn't shoot that day, came back today.....got kicked off the lot....went to Winn-Dixie. And it looks like poo because of it. PIGGLY WIGGLY IS JERKS.
So that's it for "Nurd" shooting day #2 (oh, official title is back to Nurd):
1. Entire grocery store scene--dialogue anyway...may want a few pick up shots.
2. Scenes at Clifton's house before and after shower scene.
yep....all that took 7 hours. (though 2 of those hours had to be re-shot.)
So our other actor Ryan didn't even get to be in it at all, and was replaced with Jordan, who is a really good actor. Well, Frankie's part was intended to be a guy, then was written for a gay guy, and ended up being played by a girl. Very well though, I'm very pleased. I decided that the next movie will indeed be ....good.... if I can actually get people who can act.
Matt seems to be making me say "GodDammit" quite alot.
God I hate ADD.
Ok, so besides a few pickup shots here and there, the only bulk left is the date scenes. I'll attempt to write a script, though I'm horrible at that, (I apologize in advance) however Matt will bug me about it, yet not even bother to read it. Fuck.
However, the scenes we did today that included Jordan I'm happy with (I have to be b/c she goes back to school Thursday—so we HAD to get them done. And Gay Ryan moved to Delta State today, so he was basically out of the picture anyway b/c Matt's work schedule has been moved.).
Oh and the bad news....I forgot my sunscreen. Gonna be hard to hide that when I show up to work.
Oh and .......PIGGLY WIGGLY IS JERKS. Dammit, Jennifer Ruth didn't help out, either.
So now, the 'grocery store scene' was originally planned to take place at Winn-Dixie...was moved to Piggly Wiggly...couldn't shoot that day, came back today.....got kicked off the lot....went to Winn-Dixie. And it looks like poo because of it. PIGGLY WIGGLY IS JERKS.
So that's it for "Nurd" shooting day #2 (oh, official title is back to Nurd):
1. Entire grocery store scene--dialogue anyway...may want a few pick up shots.
2. Scenes at Clifton's house before and after shower scene.
yep....all that took 7 hours. (though 2 of those hours had to be re-shot.)
Monday, August 2, 2004
MST3K: Evolutions
No, it's not the new movie project. This is a quick analysis of the evolution of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and how the riffing of bad movies changed from plain comments to lists of references and involvement in the movies.
I now have the (actual first season) KTMA original season and the official Comedy Channel first season of the show, so compared to the final seasons on the Sci-Fi Channel I have full knowledge of the various stages of the show. First allow me to run over the list of characters and actors who played them on the show for reference. For the original season, Joel was the human, with his own created robots Servo, Crow, and Gypsy. (of course, Cambot was there from the beginning as well...but is the actual camera so there is no need to involve it.) Voicing Crow was (my personal favorite) Trace Beaulieu. Tom Servo was voiced by the young Josh Weinstein, and Joel Hodgson was of course the experimentee. After 2 seasons, Kevin Murphy (finally) replaced Josh as the voice of Servo, and during season 5 Mike Nelson took over as host of the show while Joel was jettisoned back home to earth. And finally when the Sci-Fi series of seasons began, Trace's Crow was replaced with the more ever-so-sarcastic Bill Corbett. And Servo, Crow and Mike dwelled in our hearts until Sci-Fi turned evil and gave them the boot.
The show first aired on a Minneapolis station—KTMA—and was extremely low budget. The host segments felt completely unreheasrsed and the riffing of the movies seemed almost totally improvised on the spot. It seems as though they maybe watched the movie one time before actually taping the riffing scenes. In fact, on some episodes the riffing was so sparse you couldn't help but watch the movie. On some episodes, some of the cast (mostly Crow) wouldn't even be there and once Joel riffed a movie all by himself. But still, if we didn't have this KTMA season, there would be nothing else to write right now.
As we moved to the official first season, aired on The Comedy Channel (Comedy Central's forefather, maybe?) We still had Joel, Trace as Crow, and Josh as Servo. However, Mike Nelson had been hired as writer (though not promoted to Head Writer yet), and the improvements in riffing was noticeable. However, it is my belief that the real downfall of this season was indeed Josh Weinstein. I'm so sorry Josh, I know that you would leave the show and go on to do great things (Like have a hand in Freaks & Geeks coming to life) but I really didn't enjoy your Servo. To me, Kevin Murphy would prove to be the best Servo. [as a side note, Servo's voice in the KTMA season began as a squeaky Kermit the Frog type voice, then Joel gave him a puberty upgrade and he got a Commercial Announcer voice. See episode #K06] Once Kevin took over, he would become the one actor to stay on the show the longest, and would help improve the comedy.
As Michael J. Nelson became head writer, and more writers were brought in to work on the show, it fast became a powerhouse of non-stop jokes and riffing. However, with more intelligent writing, the riffing became smarter, and a majority of jokes dealt with references that would make the most proficient expert of Pop Culture blush.
The major difference between the first riffings and later seasons is that in the beginning they would point out 'obvious' things, and just talk over the movie. Later, with the 'smart' writing, it would become references and making jokes without 'making jokes.' Basically, if you weren't aware of pop culture within the past 30 years, you wouldn't get the joke. But then again fart jokes would always be funny.
Then, during season 5 we had to bid farewell to Joel, yet warmly welcome Mike Nelson. Now the show had it's perfect cast and could do no wrong. Everything remained the same all through season 7 and the feature film. Then, season 8 saw light on the Sci-Fi Channel with a 'new' Crow—Bill Corbett. Bill's nasal Crow didn't do goofy voices and had more of a dry I-really-don't-like-the-world sarcasm tone. But, teamed with Mike and Kevin, he still worked. And besides, that's the only Crow I knew for a long while, so I accepted it. (I started watching during the Sci-Fi years)
So in 1989 in Minneapolis, if you were watching TV late one Saturday and saw 3 things 'watching' a movie and talking, you would think it a novelty and love it. Fast forward 10 years, and you would see the same on a basic cable network, only now smarter and unapologetic, you would ummm still love it.
I now have the (actual first season) KTMA original season and the official Comedy Channel first season of the show, so compared to the final seasons on the Sci-Fi Channel I have full knowledge of the various stages of the show. First allow me to run over the list of characters and actors who played them on the show for reference. For the original season, Joel was the human, with his own created robots Servo, Crow, and Gypsy. (of course, Cambot was there from the beginning as well...but is the actual camera so there is no need to involve it.) Voicing Crow was (my personal favorite) Trace Beaulieu. Tom Servo was voiced by the young Josh Weinstein, and Joel Hodgson was of course the experimentee. After 2 seasons, Kevin Murphy (finally) replaced Josh as the voice of Servo, and during season 5 Mike Nelson took over as host of the show while Joel was jettisoned back home to earth. And finally when the Sci-Fi series of seasons began, Trace's Crow was replaced with the more ever-so-sarcastic Bill Corbett. And Servo, Crow and Mike dwelled in our hearts until Sci-Fi turned evil and gave them the boot.
The show first aired on a Minneapolis station—KTMA—and was extremely low budget. The host segments felt completely unreheasrsed and the riffing of the movies seemed almost totally improvised on the spot. It seems as though they maybe watched the movie one time before actually taping the riffing scenes. In fact, on some episodes the riffing was so sparse you couldn't help but watch the movie. On some episodes, some of the cast (mostly Crow) wouldn't even be there and once Joel riffed a movie all by himself. But still, if we didn't have this KTMA season, there would be nothing else to write right now.
As we moved to the official first season, aired on The Comedy Channel (Comedy Central's forefather, maybe?) We still had Joel, Trace as Crow, and Josh as Servo. However, Mike Nelson had been hired as writer (though not promoted to Head Writer yet), and the improvements in riffing was noticeable. However, it is my belief that the real downfall of this season was indeed Josh Weinstein. I'm so sorry Josh, I know that you would leave the show and go on to do great things (Like have a hand in Freaks & Geeks coming to life) but I really didn't enjoy your Servo. To me, Kevin Murphy would prove to be the best Servo. [as a side note, Servo's voice in the KTMA season began as a squeaky Kermit the Frog type voice, then Joel gave him a puberty upgrade and he got a Commercial Announcer voice. See episode #K06] Once Kevin took over, he would become the one actor to stay on the show the longest, and would help improve the comedy.
As Michael J. Nelson became head writer, and more writers were brought in to work on the show, it fast became a powerhouse of non-stop jokes and riffing. However, with more intelligent writing, the riffing became smarter, and a majority of jokes dealt with references that would make the most proficient expert of Pop Culture blush.
The major difference between the first riffings and later seasons is that in the beginning they would point out 'obvious' things, and just talk over the movie. Later, with the 'smart' writing, it would become references and making jokes without 'making jokes.' Basically, if you weren't aware of pop culture within the past 30 years, you wouldn't get the joke. But then again fart jokes would always be funny.
Then, during season 5 we had to bid farewell to Joel, yet warmly welcome Mike Nelson. Now the show had it's perfect cast and could do no wrong. Everything remained the same all through season 7 and the feature film. Then, season 8 saw light on the Sci-Fi Channel with a 'new' Crow—Bill Corbett. Bill's nasal Crow didn't do goofy voices and had more of a dry I-really-don't-like-the-world sarcasm tone. But, teamed with Mike and Kevin, he still worked. And besides, that's the only Crow I knew for a long while, so I accepted it. (I started watching during the Sci-Fi years)
So in 1989 in Minneapolis, if you were watching TV late one Saturday and saw 3 things 'watching' a movie and talking, you would think it a novelty and love it. Fast forward 10 years, and you would see the same on a basic cable network, only now smarter and unapologetic, you would ummm still love it.
Sunday, August 1, 2004
Movie Review - "I, Robot"
Tonight's movie is appropriately titled "I, Robot", which takes it's name straight from an episode of Sealab 2021, which took it's name from a book by Isaac Asimov. The tagline for the movie is "How many one-liners can Will Smith throw in?"
The movie starts with Will Smith waking up to an alarm clock (after having a flashback dream that won't be explained until 1 hour and 15 minutes into the movie), while yawning "Aww Hell No!" We then get to see his butt in the shower......AGAIN....and we see that he has a really big scar on his shoulder. And hairy nipples. This movie is apparently set in the future because robots have every public service job available. And there are robots.
One robot gets all wacky and kills someone....and some more stuff happens. But more importantly than that, Will Smith is wearing some 2004 Chuck Taylor Converse All-Stars! And he says so proudly! Over and Over!
So the robots get mad at Will Smith and try to kill him, and he says "Aww Hell No!" a few more times, saves a kitty, and .....ummm saves the world. AGAIN.
So if you like Will Smith, and more importantly if you like Will Smith, go see "I, Robot." Or just wait 3 years for the sequel "Us, Robots" or possiblly "Me, Robot Too."
Movie Stats:
Predictablitiy: Wayyyy over the line
# Of Times Will Smith Says "Aww Hell No!": 52
Violence Against Robots: Body Parts EVERYWHERE! It's worse than Kill Bill.
CGI Effects: I couldn't even tell it wasn't not CGI.
The movie starts with Will Smith waking up to an alarm clock (after having a flashback dream that won't be explained until 1 hour and 15 minutes into the movie), while yawning "Aww Hell No!" We then get to see his butt in the shower......AGAIN....and we see that he has a really big scar on his shoulder. And hairy nipples. This movie is apparently set in the future because robots have every public service job available. And there are robots.
One robot gets all wacky and kills someone....and some more stuff happens. But more importantly than that, Will Smith is wearing some 2004 Chuck Taylor Converse All-Stars! And he says so proudly! Over and Over!
So the robots get mad at Will Smith and try to kill him, and he says "Aww Hell No!" a few more times, saves a kitty, and .....ummm saves the world. AGAIN.
So if you like Will Smith, and more importantly if you like Will Smith, go see "I, Robot." Or just wait 3 years for the sequel "Us, Robots" or possiblly "Me, Robot Too."
Movie Stats:
Predictablitiy: Wayyyy over the line
# Of Times Will Smith Says "Aww Hell No!": 52
Violence Against Robots: Body Parts EVERYWHERE! It's worse than Kill Bill.
CGI Effects: I couldn't even tell it wasn't not CGI.
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