Watched this movie this week, thought it was really good and at least different from much of the Hollywood stuff that gets released. Especially liked the excellent acting performance by Paul Giamatti. Reminds me of the great job he did in American Splendor. I linked to the review at MovieGazette, which describes the movie pretty good.
Author: Eric
Basically I have too many interests. I like to read, play PC games (ESO and various builder / factory type games), watch movies, listen to music, and tweak PC's, browse the web and read news on Reddit and hang out on twitch and discord. My dayjob is Software Engineer!
USATODAY.com – Podcasting
Two articles on podcasting are now on the USA Today site:
USATODAY.com – Podcasting: It’s all over the dial
And
I usually listen to Adam Curry’s Daily Source Code and Reel Reviews. Sometimes Coverville and from time to time to the Dawn and Drew show. There is some good stuff out there, but only 24hrs a day to listen ;).
Dead at Etree
Listening to the new JGB releases (see previous post) renewed my interested in the Grateful Dead. It was quite a while since I listened to a few complete shows, but I did so over the weekend. Got some very nice stuff from etree.org. Especially check out the ‘Charlie Miller’ seeds, they’re excellent ! There’s also a wealth of shows available at archive.org, in lossless and mp3 format, ready for use on your Ipod ;).
Top Dylan Interpreter
Got two wonderful cd’s in the mail this week from the Jerry Garcia Store. After Midnight, recorded in 1980 and Jerry Garcia & Merl Saunders Band: Keystone Berkeley, September 1, 1974. Haven’t listened to them both in full length, but I picked some favorite tunes. Already had some Merl and Jerry on DAT tape, but this cd set sounds amazing. Especially considering this stuff is now over 30 years old. And this set even comes with a cool Keystone Napkin !
Robert Hunter writes in the liner notes of the JGB’s After Midnight that Jerry Garcia is probably the Top Dylan Interpreter. And I most certainly agree. Just listen to Going Going Gone with the haunting organ of Merl Saunders and I don’t think anyone can disagree. For some reason Jerry’s voice match the Dylan songs perfectly. After Midnight has a wonderfull Simple Twist Of Fate and Heaven’s door.
Just realised it’ll be ten years ago in august, Jerry died. Now that’s sad :(.
Paul Weller Studio 150
This new album by Paul Weller is named after the studio it was recorded in. In this interview over at the Rolling Stone site he explains he always wanted to do an album filled with covers, and this is it. It turned out pretty good, some songs stay closer to the originals than others. For example Close to me (of Carpenters fame) is very different from the original, where Wishing on a star is more close to the original, though somewhat more modern. Some songs stand out for me though, like Black Is The Color, which is a tradional according to this site, very touching, especially when you’re in an emotional mood ;). Neil Young’s birds, which is pretty much the same as the original, added some nice background vocals, suits Weller’s vocals really well. Always liked Gordon Lightfoot’s Early Morning Rain, especially Elvis rendition and even Dylan’s version on Self Portrait (yeah I know, sue me), but this one is done with a lotta love for the song, sung from the heart. Actually that goes for all the songs on this album. Speaking of Dylan, All Allong The Watchtower is excellent as well, a refreshing arrangement. This album is definately a keeper !
The Terminal
This week I watched this movie, and thought it was very nice. It’s about an immigrant who gets stranded at JFK, because there is a civil war going on in his home country and he can’t get a new valid passport. Just like in Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks plays a very easy to like character. From the first scenes on, you love the guy and you only wish him the best ;). Though he acts a little ‘too stupid’ at first, but I guess we just have to assume that’s because he doesn’t understand the language, and has no clue what is going on. Needless to say Catherina Zeta Jones looks lovely and the support cast is really good too, like Chi McBride (Boston Public). Like all ‘feel good’ movies this one ends happily though with a twist. It even gets a 7.0 at IMDB. Go and rent/ buy it if you can.
Reel Reviews
Ever since I got a U2 special edition Ipod in december, I have been checking out various podcasts and was seriously questioning what all the hoopla was about. I do like the slashdot podcast, but it’s not much different than browsing the slashdot site. The Reel Review podcast really adds to the site’s content. It’s like a really good radio show, though with one big difference, YOU decide when you want to listen to it. It features reviews of classic (and not so classic) movies. So in case you’re interested in that kinda thing make sure to check it. The new edition has a review on Wim Wender’s Paris Texas, which made me want to order the DVD right away ;). Shows you how much love for movies goes into this podcast. Really looking forward to the Apocalypse Now cinephile series.
Finding Neverland
When I noticed that this movie was available, being a big Johnny Depp fan, I had to get it right away. Already read some good reviews and it’s rated a whopping 8.3 at IMDB ! And I must say, even though the expectations were high it certainly didn’t disappoint me. Depp does a very fine acting job, even uses a mild, though believable scottish accent. Kate Winslet is fine as well, and even Dustin Hoffman has a small part.
The movie is about the author of Peter Pan, around the time he wrote that play. His previous play had flopped and his marriage was going bad. Then he met the widow (Winslet) in the park with her children. They become closer and closer, and being a big kid himself (I am sure just about every man has heard that at least once in his life) he gets along very well with the children. I won’t tell you the rest, just watch it for yourself, but it’s not all happy (luckily). The 25 empty seats was a very nice touch, it certainly surprised me :). Go and see it when you can. One of the best ones of 2004. And it’ll definately be one of the best DVD releases of 2005.