Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Bloggin from The Terrace
Hey Stags
If anyone is interested in playing hooky today, I'm at the Terrace and it is fucking gorgeous.
If anyone is interested in playing hooky today, I'm at the Terrace and it is fucking gorgeous.
The Devil Came on Horseback (2007)
"It is as though history gave us another chance to redeem ourselves for our failure in Rwanda, and we're failing yet again."
If Hotel Rwanda upset you, I think you should definitely see this movie. The Devil Came on Horseback follows the story of Capt. Brian Steidle, a retired marine that took a job by the African Union to monitor a cease-fire between the Arab Sudanese government and African rebels. As his mission progressed, he became an eye witness to the developing genocide.
The movie was excellent. It does more than document the acts of genocide in Darfur. It follows Capt. Steidle's journey from all-American, gun loving marine, to reluctant a witness, to an activist.
This definitely ranks up with the best documentaries I've seen and I would recommend it with Town-like aggressiveness to anyone. I gave it a 5/5 on Netflix.
If Hotel Rwanda upset you, I think you should definitely see this movie. The Devil Came on Horseback follows the story of Capt. Brian Steidle, a retired marine that took a job by the African Union to monitor a cease-fire between the Arab Sudanese government and African rebels. As his mission progressed, he became an eye witness to the developing genocide.
The movie was excellent. It does more than document the acts of genocide in Darfur. It follows Capt. Steidle's journey from all-American, gun loving marine, to reluctant a witness, to an activist.
This definitely ranks up with the best documentaries I've seen and I would recommend it with Town-like aggressiveness to anyone. I gave it a 5/5 on Netflix.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
HCC: Inappropriate Bathroom Etiquette
So I've decided to start a new series. I call it Hulk's Complaint Corner.
In this first edition, I'd like to talk about something that has alway pissed me off and that I've had recent experience with.
So I was taking a crap in HCW, 3rd Floor. I thought there wouldn't be anyone around, so it would be pleasant. While I was on my porcelain thrown, an unpleasant individual walked in and sat down in the stall next to mine.
This sort of behavior irritates me to no end. Obviously, if there is already someone in a stall, you should choose a different bathroom to take care of your business in. Any decent person would immediately vacate the premises, or at least pretend to urinate and then leave. Yet this person sat down and began what can only be described as something very unpleasant. With no alternative, I put my iPod on and finished my business to the lovely music of The Pogues. My experience, however, was ruined.
I know many of you have experience with this sort of uncomfortableness, so I implore you to share perspectives and tactics.
Yours in brotherhood,
teh hulkxors
In this first edition, I'd like to talk about something that has alway pissed me off and that I've had recent experience with.
So I was taking a crap in HCW, 3rd Floor. I thought there wouldn't be anyone around, so it would be pleasant. While I was on my porcelain thrown, an unpleasant individual walked in and sat down in the stall next to mine.
This sort of behavior irritates me to no end. Obviously, if there is already someone in a stall, you should choose a different bathroom to take care of your business in. Any decent person would immediately vacate the premises, or at least pretend to urinate and then leave. Yet this person sat down and began what can only be described as something very unpleasant. With no alternative, I put my iPod on and finished my business to the lovely music of The Pogues. My experience, however, was ruined.
I know many of you have experience with this sort of uncomfortableness, so I implore you to share perspectives and tactics.
Yours in brotherhood,
teh hulkxors
Monday, April 28, 2008
Pisscam Chronicles: The Phone that wasn't Waterproof
The object was simple enough. To create a working database was clearly the first step, a step which would necessarily be small. A baby step. A step.
We worked with what we had-- what God gave us. Just two men and a public toilet. After weeks of home perfecting the angles, capturing ourselves at our best and worst, the project was finally ready for phase 2.
The camera nestled into the top-left corner of the urinal, protected from the flush, the eye, but in plain sight of the dingaling. Data collection proceeded in a steady, forceful, sweet and stinky stream. We would pretend to look at the same paintings all day, the ones in plain sight of the bathroom door. "For an art project," we told the custodian.
When we counted the bathroom was empty, we'd force ourselves to stay calm until inside, where we would review the new data and splash around in celebration.
"For Science!" We said. For science.
We worked with what we had-- what God gave us. Just two men and a public toilet. After weeks of home perfecting the angles, capturing ourselves at our best and worst, the project was finally ready for phase 2.
The camera nestled into the top-left corner of the urinal, protected from the flush, the eye, but in plain sight of the dingaling. Data collection proceeded in a steady, forceful, sweet and stinky stream. We would pretend to look at the same paintings all day, the ones in plain sight of the bathroom door. "For an art project," we told the custodian.
When we counted the bathroom was empty, we'd force ourselves to stay calm until inside, where we would review the new data and splash around in celebration.
"For Science!" We said. For science.
Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion (2003)
Cry of the Snow Lion is a historical documentary that was created as a result of a trip to Tibet for mountaineering. It encompasses the history, the culture, and the political and economic tensions between Tibetans and the Chinese Government.
I was particularly interested in this documentary after seeing the rally last weekend on the square. For those of you that weren't there, proponents of a free Tibet were protesting the Beijing Olympics and there was a smaller counter-rally advocating for the Olympics. After returning home from the Farmer's Market, I realized that I don't know much about the Free Tibet movement. This documentary changed that very much.
The film was able to hold my interest, despite being a longer documentary (100 min). It seemed to have a logical organization that presented material in a way that was easy to pick, especially the history and the culture of the Tibetans. It was also very moving, like most genocide based films, but it wasn't preachy or biased in an annoying way (think of Outfoxed or Fahrenheit 9/11). Of course the documentary has an agenda, but you don't get the feeling that there is a selection bias (they don't purposefully leave out information to further their argument).
Overall, I enjoyed the documentary and learned a lot. I gave it a 4/5 on Netflix and would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about Tibet-China relations.
I was particularly interested in this documentary after seeing the rally last weekend on the square. For those of you that weren't there, proponents of a free Tibet were protesting the Beijing Olympics and there was a smaller counter-rally advocating for the Olympics. After returning home from the Farmer's Market, I realized that I don't know much about the Free Tibet movement. This documentary changed that very much.
The film was able to hold my interest, despite being a longer documentary (100 min). It seemed to have a logical organization that presented material in a way that was easy to pick, especially the history and the culture of the Tibetans. It was also very moving, like most genocide based films, but it wasn't preachy or biased in an annoying way (think of Outfoxed or Fahrenheit 9/11). Of course the documentary has an agenda, but you don't get the feeling that there is a selection bias (they don't purposefully leave out information to further their argument).
Overall, I enjoyed the documentary and learned a lot. I gave it a 4/5 on Netflix and would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about Tibet-China relations.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Death in the Family
Breaking news from: madison.com.
What does this mean for Mickey's Dairy Bar? Immediately, it won't be open Tuesday. Long term? We'll keep you posted, loyal eaters. I would personally like to say that, while I never met Hank, I have a great deal of respect for him.
Reese, Henry G.
MADISON
Henry G. Reese, age 82, died on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at HospiceCare in Fitchburg. He was born on May 31, 1925, to Ward and Artie (Snyder) Reese in Spring Green. Henry graduated with a bachelors of science in business from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and attended UW Law School for two years. Henry was an Army combat veteran during World War II, where he participated in all of the Pacific campaigns. He progressed to his life long ambition, working for his uncle, Van Reese, at Mickey's Dairy Bar until his recent illness. Henry was an avid hunter and fisherman, with a love of the outdoors, and a word-smith as well. Henry is survived by his sisters, June Hoff and Barbara Reese; 13 nieces and nephews; and a myriad of great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters and brother, Gayle Mayer, Eugene Reese I, and Donna Jennings. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, with a visitation from 8 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow in the Spring Green Cemetery at 1 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, 630 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53703.
Henry was a respected brother, uncle, and great uncle, and will be greatly missed by all.
Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434 www.cressfuneralservice.com
What does this mean for Mickey's Dairy Bar? Immediately, it won't be open Tuesday. Long term? We'll keep you posted, loyal eaters. I would personally like to say that, while I never met Hank, I have a great deal of respect for him.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser (1989)
So this is the first documentary that I'm reviewing that I didn't watch instantly online. It's been in my queue for a while, and I finally got it this weekend.
I'm a huge fan of Thelonious Monk. He's one of those guys that I look up to for their individualism, like an Ayn Rand character, or Hugh Laurie. I'm not a jazz-guru, although I listen to a fair amount, but I've been in love with Thelonious Monk since middle school when I used to listen to Monk's Dream when I went to bed.
The documentary was great because it helped me put a face to the sound. The best part, in my opinion, was that it included a ton of old footage of Monk in concert, in recording, and traveling. If you're looking for a ton of information about him, this probably isn't the best documentary. I was surprised by the lack of narration and the unorganized nature of the film. Frankly, I enjoyed this because in place of narration, there was a lot of footage of Monk being Monk and a lot of great songs in the background.
I gave it a 4/5 on Netflix, but I wouldn't recommend it to someone that isn't interested in Monk.
I'm a huge fan of Thelonious Monk. He's one of those guys that I look up to for their individualism, like an Ayn Rand character, or Hugh Laurie. I'm not a jazz-guru, although I listen to a fair amount, but I've been in love with Thelonious Monk since middle school when I used to listen to Monk's Dream when I went to bed.
The documentary was great because it helped me put a face to the sound. The best part, in my opinion, was that it included a ton of old footage of Monk in concert, in recording, and traveling. If you're looking for a ton of information about him, this probably isn't the best documentary. I was surprised by the lack of narration and the unorganized nature of the film. Frankly, I enjoyed this because in place of narration, there was a lot of footage of Monk being Monk and a lot of great songs in the background.
I gave it a 4/5 on Netflix, but I wouldn't recommend it to someone that isn't interested in Monk.
Classic Town
Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 10:13 am
To: j.patrick, grebutron
From: town
Subject: some reading material
Wow I don't know what happened last night. I woke up in my bed fully clothed. Sorry, god i must of got drunk quick. Some reading material . . . yo your addressed changed huh j.
http://www.progressive.org/mag_mc041608b
Was Owen Wilson the key to the Wes Anderson phenomenon? Yes.
http://www.slate.com/id/2123292/
From the great show Real Time (no matter how arrogant Maher is: My boy . . .
The Future of Food (2004)
This documentary explores genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their impact of food, agriculture, and law.
Although I was aware of GMOs and the arguments against having them in food, I was unaware of the legal aspects of GMOs. Apparently, living things were not able to be patented; however, with the advent of GMOs, companies have been able to patent plants/seeds that have been genetically modified. While this is interesting in itself, I think some of the legal consequences that have resulted are even more shocking. One of the examples used in the film is of a farmer who, through no fault of his own, ended up with a GMO crop in his field (they think seeds may have blown off a truck into his field). The GMO cross-breeded with his own seed and when the company that owned the patent found out, they sued. The government found that, regardless of how the GMO seed arrived in his field, the farmer had violated the patent rights of the corporation (Monsanto, I think). Also, any plant that was crossed with the GMO seed was also the property of the corporation.
The documentary also followed the corporate-government relations in respect to regulation of GMOs and labeling in the supermarkets. Apparently, in the EU, all GMOs must be labeled, but GMOs are in a ton of food in the U.S. without anyone knowing.
While the documentary was a typical social documentary, it took a different approach to GMOs (mainly, legal/political) that I found interesting. However, the documentary was slow moving at times and a little one sided. I gave it a 3/5 on Netflix.
Although I was aware of GMOs and the arguments against having them in food, I was unaware of the legal aspects of GMOs. Apparently, living things were not able to be patented; however, with the advent of GMOs, companies have been able to patent plants/seeds that have been genetically modified. While this is interesting in itself, I think some of the legal consequences that have resulted are even more shocking. One of the examples used in the film is of a farmer who, through no fault of his own, ended up with a GMO crop in his field (they think seeds may have blown off a truck into his field). The GMO cross-breeded with his own seed and when the company that owned the patent found out, they sued. The government found that, regardless of how the GMO seed arrived in his field, the farmer had violated the patent rights of the corporation (Monsanto, I think). Also, any plant that was crossed with the GMO seed was also the property of the corporation.
The documentary also followed the corporate-government relations in respect to regulation of GMOs and labeling in the supermarkets. Apparently, in the EU, all GMOs must be labeled, but GMOs are in a ton of food in the U.S. without anyone knowing.
While the documentary was a typical social documentary, it took a different approach to GMOs (mainly, legal/political) that I found interesting. However, the documentary was slow moving at times and a little one sided. I gave it a 3/5 on Netflix.
Friday, April 25, 2008
MK = Hero, Fucking Bad Ass
1) Brothers... "hey you're too puffy" --> switch jackets. No prob getting in. "You FUCKING RACIST!"
2) break glass, moose nuts
3) dart to taxi, outside vintage
4) "hey, you know you're beautiful, you deserve to get in." --> moose nuts
5) more to come... way more to come...
2) break glass, moose nuts
3) dart to taxi, outside vintage
4) "hey, you know you're beautiful, you deserve to get in." --> moose nuts
5) more to come... way more to come...
The End of an Era?
Moose Nuts, Goat Cunt - it doesn't matter what you call it, we've all enjoyed many a drunken night there. In a town where decent bars can be hard to find, Moose Nuts offered a safe zone, void of pretension. It was a beacon of hope in a sea of chads, hipsters, skanks, and phoneys.
We had some massive nights...
We were there from the beginning. We played darts there; we broke darts there. We hammered nails into logs there. We've taken upside-down shots on the wooden rack there. We've danced there. We can spot the owner most nights and we can get drinks at a reasonable speed. We showed up at eleven to beat the midnight rush. We drank, we laughed, and we came together in that hot, soft light.
Moose Nuts was our bar.
The times, they are a-changin'...
All members of the party last night, I think, would agree that Moose Nuts has lost some of its initial charm. Polos with product and skanked out sluts in spikes have invaded our once beloved bar. Twats trying to pass us in line. Twelve year olds passing back fakes.
What has happened to our haven? Has it really changed that much?
Or could it be, that we have changed?
We had some massive nights...
We were there from the beginning. We played darts there; we broke darts there. We hammered nails into logs there. We've taken upside-down shots on the wooden rack there. We've danced there. We can spot the owner most nights and we can get drinks at a reasonable speed. We showed up at eleven to beat the midnight rush. We drank, we laughed, and we came together in that hot, soft light.
Moose Nuts was our bar.
The times, they are a-changin'...
All members of the party last night, I think, would agree that Moose Nuts has lost some of its initial charm. Polos with product and skanked out sluts in spikes have invaded our once beloved bar. Twats trying to pass us in line. Twelve year olds passing back fakes.
What has happened to our haven? Has it really changed that much?
Or could it be, that we have changed?
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Poll 2
Anyone interested in creating an LLC, perhaps to deal with stock purchases, as a way to expense our drinking as a business expense?
Poll
When I get coffee to go, I always take a lid that is at least one down in the stack. I often rifle through the stack of lids to get one near the middle. I don't like the idea of having someone else touch my lid.
Anyone else do this?
Anyone else do this?
A-Bar... at CAE
so it's like 3am and i'm at Computer Aided Engineering (its open 24hours, so i can use it after teh braryxors closes) cranking out some thesis shit that's due tomorrow.
All of the sudden, a group of dudes and girls walk in chanting a-bar at cae! i notice that one of the members happens to be jared.
i get the story: jared was working on a group project that is due tomorrow. they had hoped to have it done by 7pm, when that didn't happen, they hoped for midnight. when midnight came around, they decided to go to the bars and get drunk. at the close of bar, the group brought back several women for an a-bar at cae, which the women apparently mistook for a frat. when said women realized that not only is cae not a frat, but it also has no alcohol, they left. the group then resumed work.
your faithful reporter of all things awesome,
j.patrick
All of the sudden, a group of dudes and girls walk in chanting a-bar at cae! i notice that one of the members happens to be jared.
i get the story: jared was working on a group project that is due tomorrow. they had hoped to have it done by 7pm, when that didn't happen, they hoped for midnight. when midnight came around, they decided to go to the bars and get drunk. at the close of bar, the group brought back several women for an a-bar at cae, which the women apparently mistook for a frat. when said women realized that not only is cae not a frat, but it also has no alcohol, they left. the group then resumed work.
your faithful reporter of all things awesome,
j.patrick
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Design MMoCA
Don't forget that Design MMoCA is this weekend. Tickets are $15 for the whole weekend. More info available here, if you're interested.
My life partner and I will be attending, let me know if you're planning on going.
My life partner and I will be attending, let me know if you're planning on going.
Forgiving Dr. Mengele (2006)
This documentary follows a Holocaust survivor's healing process. I didn't really understand that healing would be the focus of the movie when I set out to watch it, but it was interesting nonetheless. Dr. Mengele was a Nazi doctor at Auschwitz that preformed experiments on twins at the death camp.
The history of Dr. Mengele was what initially drew me to the documentary. The historical aspect probably takes up 1/4 or 1/3 of the movie. The rest of the movie examines how Eva Kor has lived, following the experiments that were preformed on her at Auschwitz. Kor is not your typical Holocaust survivor and it was interesting to see the tension between her and the other "Mengele Twins."
The documentary was interesting, but I don't think it was particularly moving for a Holocaust survivor story. It was also somewhat slow moving and boring at times. However it approaches the Holocaust in a unique way (forgiveness, healing, etc.). I gave it a 2/5 on Netflix, but I'm sure others would have rated it higher.
The history of Dr. Mengele was what initially drew me to the documentary. The historical aspect probably takes up 1/4 or 1/3 of the movie. The rest of the movie examines how Eva Kor has lived, following the experiments that were preformed on her at Auschwitz. Kor is not your typical Holocaust survivor and it was interesting to see the tension between her and the other "Mengele Twins."
The documentary was interesting, but I don't think it was particularly moving for a Holocaust survivor story. It was also somewhat slow moving and boring at times. However it approaches the Holocaust in a unique way (forgiveness, healing, etc.). I gave it a 2/5 on Netflix, but I'm sure others would have rated it higher.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
This guy is fucking everywhere
The original Matt K, here.
And yes, that's dj shadow in the background.
The Business of Being Born
I chose to watch The Business of Being Born (2007) because my life partner had recently seen it and had mixed feelings about it, so I decided to give it a shot. Normally I don't like "social documentaries" that beat you over the head with whatever it is that they think you should believe, but for the sake of this experiment, I'll watch em all.
BoBB, as I like to call it, examines the "industrialization" of giving birth. They argue that hospitals are good places to have babies if drugs, surgery, etc. are needed, but not in "normal" birthing situations. To that I say, meh. I suppose that may be true, but so what? Answer: some hippy crap about the birth no longer belonging to the mother and other granola arguments.
Anyway, the film was not made for men. Part of their argument was how much more enjoyable/intimate home birthing is. In order to make this point, they showed a number of home births, including that of Ricky Lake. My question is this, if you're trying to promote home births, why would you show Ricky Lake giving birth?? The one thing I really liked about the movie is that the investigator was pregnant and attempted a live birth. However, since the baby was breach, she had to go to the hospital. It was nice of them to show the counterarguments.
Overall, I didn't much care for it. It is a pretty standard social documentary, but it didn't really convince me that home births are that much better. I gave it a 2/5 on Netflix, but I would definitely recommend it to someone considering having a baby. I would also recommend fast-forwarding through Ricky Lake, naked in a bath tub.
BoBB, as I like to call it, examines the "industrialization" of giving birth. They argue that hospitals are good places to have babies if drugs, surgery, etc. are needed, but not in "normal" birthing situations. To that I say, meh. I suppose that may be true, but so what? Answer: some hippy crap about the birth no longer belonging to the mother and other granola arguments.
Anyway, the film was not made for men. Part of their argument was how much more enjoyable/intimate home birthing is. In order to make this point, they showed a number of home births, including that of Ricky Lake. My question is this, if you're trying to promote home births, why would you show Ricky Lake giving birth?? The one thing I really liked about the movie is that the investigator was pregnant and attempted a live birth. However, since the baby was breach, she had to go to the hospital. It was nice of them to show the counterarguments.
Overall, I didn't much care for it. It is a pretty standard social documentary, but it didn't really convince me that home births are that much better. I gave it a 2/5 on Netflix, but I would definitely recommend it to someone considering having a baby. I would also recommend fast-forwarding through Ricky Lake, naked in a bath tub.
Billy Bragg and Wilco: Man in the Sand
Man in the Sand (2001) follows the life and music of Woody Guthrie and the creation of the Mermaid Avenue albums, a joint creation between Billy Bragg and Wilco. I really liked the albums and I feel massively let down by the documentary.
Although it was a great subject, I think it was a terrible idea to let Guthrie's daughter (Nora) be involved. She gave incredibly biased answers and frankly, I just don't like her. She has an annoying voice and narrated the whole movie. Billy Bragg was interesting and seemed really invested in the project, but Jeff Tweedy of Wilco came off as a bit of a twat.
I would have enjoyed the documentary if it was just about Guthrie's life or just about the creation of the album, but there wasn't enough time for both. They played a couple tracks from the album and showed parts of the creative process, but I would have liked to hear more about why Bragg chose any particular song out of the tons of options. Also, Nora Guthrie should not have been allowed to participate.
I gave it a 3/5 on Netflix, but only because I loved the albums. Had Mermaid Avenue sucked, the movie would have gotten a 2/5.
Although it was a great subject, I think it was a terrible idea to let Guthrie's daughter (Nora) be involved. She gave incredibly biased answers and frankly, I just don't like her. She has an annoying voice and narrated the whole movie. Billy Bragg was interesting and seemed really invested in the project, but Jeff Tweedy of Wilco came off as a bit of a twat.
I would have enjoyed the documentary if it was just about Guthrie's life or just about the creation of the album, but there wasn't enough time for both. They played a couple tracks from the album and showed parts of the creative process, but I would have liked to hear more about why Bragg chose any particular song out of the tons of options. Also, Nora Guthrie should not have been allowed to participate.
I gave it a 3/5 on Netflix, but only because I loved the albums. Had Mermaid Avenue sucked, the movie would have gotten a 2/5.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Gone With The Wind
I saw Gone With The Wind last night and I'm not sure I've quite recovered. To sum the film up, it is four hours of depression. I've always considered myself nostaligic to a fault... but I've got nothing on this movie.
Consider the scene. Beautiful girls and youthsome young men dance at decadent Southern Balls, eat barbeque and flirt with each other. They live by a unique code of honor, a Southern Chivalry, and are a proud people. Flash forward. The Civil War starts, the Yankee kills everyone, beautiful Tara gets burned, Sherman destroys everything, the carpetbaggers move in, slaves get freed, and chivalry dies.
The worst part is, throughout the movie, you can't help loving the beautfiul Katie Scarlett O'Hara, but she's such a priss that you also hate her. I think the lesson to take away from this movie is that happiness only exists in our memories of the past and Northerners destroyed the south.
I gave it a 5/5 on Netflix, because I'm going to be unhappy for months remembering it, but then after a while, I'll remember it fondly, not unlike the rest of my existence.
Consider the scene. Beautiful girls and youthsome young men dance at decadent Southern Balls, eat barbeque and flirt with each other. They live by a unique code of honor, a Southern Chivalry, and are a proud people. Flash forward. The Civil War starts, the Yankee kills everyone, beautiful Tara gets burned, Sherman destroys everything, the carpetbaggers move in, slaves get freed, and chivalry dies.
The worst part is, throughout the movie, you can't help loving the beautfiul Katie Scarlett O'Hara, but she's such a priss that you also hate her. I think the lesson to take away from this movie is that happiness only exists in our memories of the past and Northerners destroyed the south.
I gave it a 5/5 on Netflix, because I'm going to be unhappy for months remembering it, but then after a while, I'll remember it fondly, not unlike the rest of my existence.
King of Kong
Question: Look at me, what do you think my initials were? If you can't see it, you're not looking hard enough.
Answer: F.A.G.
Billy Mitchell is the huge douche that happens to have the current high score to the arcade version of Donkey Kong... at least, if you're willing to believe Twin Galaxies and after this movie, I doubt you would.
I saw The King of Kong (2007) based on a recommendation and it was certainly worth my time. The documentary follows the history of the contested Donkey Kong high score, from the time little Billy Mitchell first made the record (in the 1980s) to when Steve Wiebe broke it (multiple times in this movie).
If you knew nothing about the context of this movie, you might think that it's a mockumentary. Oh if only.
Walter Day, the "official scorekeeper" of Twin Galaxies, is a nut. The documentary features a few clips of him singing and playing the guitar. Also, he's in to transcendental meditation. He sweats Billy Mitchell hard and made him "Videogamer of the Century" an interesting title, considering video games had only been around for about a quarter of a century during the 20th century and the 21st century is far from over. Oh well, what do you expect from a nut that thinks he can reach enlightenment by closing his eyes and jumping around a room with a bunch of pillows? However, after further research I found the official TG Statement on KoK and frankly, I think Day may have a point.
Steve Wiebe is the hero of the movie, and possibly the only gamer featured that deserves to live. Also, he's he only one I noticed that was married and had kids.
To see the rest of the ridiculous characters, pick up the movie. I gave it a 5/5 on Netflix.
But just for fun... here's an interview with Mr. Awesome (Roy Shildt, videogamer):
Lolxors.
Answer: F.A.G.
Billy Mitchell is the huge douche that happens to have the current high score to the arcade version of Donkey Kong... at least, if you're willing to believe Twin Galaxies and after this movie, I doubt you would.
I saw The King of Kong (2007) based on a recommendation and it was certainly worth my time. The documentary follows the history of the contested Donkey Kong high score, from the time little Billy Mitchell first made the record (in the 1980s) to when Steve Wiebe broke it (multiple times in this movie).
If you knew nothing about the context of this movie, you might think that it's a mockumentary. Oh if only.
Billy Mitchell had one big record back in the day, and has been riding on that one victory for the past 20 years. He looks like some sort of salesman (indeed, he sells hot sauce with his parents) and has a skanky looking wife. He is promoted by Twin Galaxies and uses his connections with them to maintain his high scores. After his record got p0wn3d by Steve Wiebe (who was forced by TG to break the record in public, thousands of miles from home), Mitchell submitted a shady-as-hell video that was immediately accepted by TG. His wife has never seen him compete in public.
Walter Day, the "official scorekeeper" of Twin Galaxies, is a nut. The documentary features a few clips of him singing and playing the guitar. Also, he's in to transcendental meditation. He sweats Billy Mitchell hard and made him "Videogamer of the Century" an interesting title, considering video games had only been around for about a quarter of a century during the 20th century and the 21st century is far from over. Oh well, what do you expect from a nut that thinks he can reach enlightenment by closing his eyes and jumping around a room with a bunch of pillows? However, after further research I found the official TG Statement on KoK and frankly, I think Day may have a point.
Steve Wiebe is the hero of the movie, and possibly the only gamer featured that deserves to live. Also, he's he only one I noticed that was married and had kids.
To see the rest of the ridiculous characters, pick up the movie. I gave it a 5/5 on Netflix.
But just for fun... here's an interview with Mr. Awesome (Roy Shildt, videogamer):
Lolxors.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Wisconsin Death Trip
This is the spookiest documentary I think I've ever seen. Wisconsin Death Trip (2001) details multiple bizarre incidents that occurred in and around Black River Falls, WI around the turn of the 20th century. There were a number of murders, suicides, and insanities around that time that were apparently related as some sort of mass hysteria.
The movie is fucking creepy. In and of themselves, the events are unnerving, but their presentation makes it even worse. During the film, any time someone was admitted to Mendota, a different narrator would whisper the notes written by the admitting physician. There were some crazy montages that went from chopping off chicken heads to hanging bodies to a woman throwing rocks through windows. To make it worse, the historical reenactments were shot in black and white and like those old-timey pictures... no one smiled and they all looked half-dead.
While somewhat interesting, the documentary did not attempt to tie any of the actions together. The movie was, on the whole, very disjointed. It seemed like a series of short stories in a novel with little connecting them together, except fucking creepiness. Also, the film would flash forward a couple times to present day Black River Falls and I'm really not sure what the purpose was. Finally, my morbid fascination almost always went unfulfilled because most of the incidents were not sufficiently explained. For example "[Shot of abandoned, rundown house with woman walking in shadows] One winter night, opera singer Pauline l'Allemand slipped out of Mendota and made her way to Chicago. Some years later, her name surfaced on a lawsuit. She complained of being disturbed by the sound of odd and distressing voices which she presumed to be the rehearsal of a ventriloquist act... [Change shots to man sitting in window, smoking] it turned out that she was right." WTF!? What is the point of any of this little anecdote, other than to give me the hiebie-jiebies.
I gave it a 2/5 on Netflix because I don't really know what to make of it, but it has me sufficiently nervous to walk home tonight.
The movie is fucking creepy. In and of themselves, the events are unnerving, but their presentation makes it even worse. During the film, any time someone was admitted to Mendota, a different narrator would whisper the notes written by the admitting physician. There were some crazy montages that went from chopping off chicken heads to hanging bodies to a woman throwing rocks through windows. To make it worse, the historical reenactments were shot in black and white and like those old-timey pictures... no one smiled and they all looked half-dead.
While somewhat interesting, the documentary did not attempt to tie any of the actions together. The movie was, on the whole, very disjointed. It seemed like a series of short stories in a novel with little connecting them together, except fucking creepiness. Also, the film would flash forward a couple times to present day Black River Falls and I'm really not sure what the purpose was. Finally, my morbid fascination almost always went unfulfilled because most of the incidents were not sufficiently explained. For example "[Shot of abandoned, rundown house with woman walking in shadows] One winter night, opera singer Pauline l'Allemand slipped out of Mendota and made her way to Chicago. Some years later, her name surfaced on a lawsuit. She complained of being disturbed by the sound of odd and distressing voices which she presumed to be the rehearsal of a ventriloquist act... [Change shots to man sitting in window, smoking] it turned out that she was right." WTF!? What is the point of any of this little anecdote, other than to give me the hiebie-jiebies.
I gave it a 2/5 on Netflix because I don't really know what to make of it, but it has me sufficiently nervous to walk home tonight.
Super Size Me
I finally saw Super Size Me (2004) and much like the man who shares the blogs name, I too found myself craving some McDonalds following the film. Also, I learned that fat girls live in Texas. Don't mess with fat chicks.
Although the documentary is definitely , I think it was done in a better way than many other "social documentaries." While it was certainly arguing that fast food is dangerous, it provided evidence and didn't get annoyingly preachy. It also didn't resort to rhetorical arguments or try to state subjective opinions as facts as much as many other documentaries I've seen have done. The worst criticism the movie can face is that the small sample size (n=1) leaves the documentary unscientific. However, it didn't suffer from the selection bias that a documentary like "Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism" had.
In all, it was definitely worth watching while doing some thesis research. I gave it 4/5 on Netflix because I think it was a better than average documentary and an interesting/unique approach for the genre.
Although the documentary is definitely , I think it was done in a better way than many other "social documentaries." While it was certainly arguing that fast food is dangerous, it provided evidence and didn't get annoyingly preachy. It also didn't resort to rhetorical arguments or try to state subjective opinions as facts as much as many other documentaries I've seen have done. The worst criticism the movie can face is that the small sample size (n=1) leaves the documentary unscientific. However, it didn't suffer from the selection bias that a documentary like "Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism" had.
In all, it was definitely worth watching while doing some thesis research. I gave it 4/5 on Netflix because I think it was a better than average documentary and an interesting/unique approach for the genre.
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