This is by far one of the scariest, I-can't-belive-this-guy-is-doing-this video I have ever seen.
Continue on for more info.
The trail is found in Spain. And it was part of a dam access trail. Rather than reading me ramble on about it, go here and read about it. It really is quite interesting.
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Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Classic Movie Monday: The Big Chill
Labels:
Classic Movie Monday,
Movie,
Review
Welcome to Classic Movie Monday. Every Monday, I watch a film at least 25 years old that I have never seen before. I will then write my comments on the film, telling you what I thought of it. This is an attempt to beef up my classic film knowledge as well as highlight some forgotten gems of Hollywood's heyday. So without further ado...
The Big Chill
Released: September 28, 1983
Directed by: Lawrence Kasdan
Starring: Kevin Kline, Glenn Close, Tom Berenger, Jeff Goldblum, & William Hurt
Plot in a Nutshell:
A group of college chums who have drifted apart over the years, come together again to attend a funeral of one of their friends.
What I thought:
What happens after a group of not-so-close-anymore friends are thrust back into the same house for a weekend? Drugs, hookups, and many conversations about the good ole days when we were young. The catalyst for these characters reuniting is a friend's suicide, which is never explained, nor does it need to be. The point of this movie is not about grieving or death, but rather what happens when the young grow old and find the world a bit harsher than they thought it would be.
The first thing that struck me about this film was the characters and how well they have been crafted. In a matter of scenes you know who everyone is. By simply showing them unpack a bag, you get an impression of each person. It is this minimalist character development that I found fascinating, and it ultimately drew me further into the story.
However, there isn't much of that story to be had. Much like what happens when you try to catch up with an old friend; you get just enough to know what has happened, but rarely do you get every detail since you last parted. That is what this movie feels like. The people in it make you feel that sense of connection, a sense of home, and the good times shared with friends. But it doesn't do much beyond that.
It meanders across every character, dipping in and out of their pasts and where they'd like to be going. Everything is intersting, but aside from tlking, their is no real action on their part. It is a bit frustrating when you get invested in characters and discover nothing is going to come of them, at least not in the 100 minutes you will be with them. But there are far more things to like than dislike in this flick.
One of the best things about the film is the music. Gathering together some great hits of the 60s, it incorporates incredibly well with the action onscreen as well as set a fantastic mood. "Joy to the World," "Heard it through the Grapevine," "My Girl," "Good Lovin'," and the list goes on and on. I have had the soundtrack on my iPod for years. My parents used to play it in the car and at home when i was a kid. I've listened to these songs over and over again. They fit into the film like a warm glove on a cold day.
I'm not disappointed, and I'm not elated. I find myself mildly satisfied. I enjoyed the film. It is a great example of how to do character right. But I don't think it is very strong in any aspect of explanation or purpose. But where else could it go? Sometimes an explanation is not needed. Simply to be, and to be with friends is enough. At its heart, it is a film about these relationships and how they impact each other.
Bottom Line:
A character-movie that serves them well. Getting bits and pieces of their torn stories, you are drawn into their lives, even if there isn't much of a plot.
B Sphere: Related Content
The Big ChillReleased: September 28, 1983
Directed by: Lawrence Kasdan
Starring: Kevin Kline, Glenn Close, Tom Berenger, Jeff Goldblum, & William Hurt
Plot in a Nutshell:
A group of college chums who have drifted apart over the years, come together again to attend a funeral of one of their friends.
What I thought:
What happens after a group of not-so-close-anymore friends are thrust back into the same house for a weekend? Drugs, hookups, and many conversations about the good ole days when we were young. The catalyst for these characters reuniting is a friend's suicide, which is never explained, nor does it need to be. The point of this movie is not about grieving or death, but rather what happens when the young grow old and find the world a bit harsher than they thought it would be.
The first thing that struck me about this film was the characters and how well they have been crafted. In a matter of scenes you know who everyone is. By simply showing them unpack a bag, you get an impression of each person. It is this minimalist character development that I found fascinating, and it ultimately drew me further into the story.
However, there isn't much of that story to be had. Much like what happens when you try to catch up with an old friend; you get just enough to know what has happened, but rarely do you get every detail since you last parted. That is what this movie feels like. The people in it make you feel that sense of connection, a sense of home, and the good times shared with friends. But it doesn't do much beyond that.It meanders across every character, dipping in and out of their pasts and where they'd like to be going. Everything is intersting, but aside from tlking, their is no real action on their part. It is a bit frustrating when you get invested in characters and discover nothing is going to come of them, at least not in the 100 minutes you will be with them. But there are far more things to like than dislike in this flick.
One of the best things about the film is the music. Gathering together some great hits of the 60s, it incorporates incredibly well with the action onscreen as well as set a fantastic mood. "Joy to the World," "Heard it through the Grapevine," "My Girl," "Good Lovin'," and the list goes on and on. I have had the soundtrack on my iPod for years. My parents used to play it in the car and at home when i was a kid. I've listened to these songs over and over again. They fit into the film like a warm glove on a cold day.
I'm not disappointed, and I'm not elated. I find myself mildly satisfied. I enjoyed the film. It is a great example of how to do character right. But I don't think it is very strong in any aspect of explanation or purpose. But where else could it go? Sometimes an explanation is not needed. Simply to be, and to be with friends is enough. At its heart, it is a film about these relationships and how they impact each other.Bottom Line:
A character-movie that serves them well. Getting bits and pieces of their torn stories, you are drawn into their lives, even if there isn't much of a plot.
B Sphere: Related Content
Monday, April 6, 2009
Classic Movie Monday: West Side Story
Labels:
Classic Movie Monday,
Movie,
Review
Welcome to Classic Movie Monday. Every Monday, I watch a film at least 25 years old that I have never seen before. I will then write my comments on the film, telling you what I thought of it. This is an attempt to beef up my classic film knowledge as well as highlight some forgotten gems of Hollywood's heyday. So without further ado...
West Side Story
Released: October 18, 1961
Directed by: Robert Wise & Jerome Robbins
Starring: Natalie Wood & Richard Beymer
Plot in a Nutshell:
The classic tale of Romeo and Juliet is retold in Broadway musical form with a New York slum setting.
What I thought:
I have decided that musicals based on Shakespeare aren't my thing. I tried to enjoy this flick, but I can't. Maybe it's my modern sensibilities of what makes a good musical, or it could simply be that I don't think hoodlums dancing and singing make for a good story. In either case I wasn't very thrilled with West Side Story.
I think the problem is that this is a carbon copy of the Broadway musical that preceded it. With few exceptions, the film feels like it was filmed as the play was performed on stage. The sets resemble a stage in nearly every scene. Very little was done to make it seem bigger or grander.
As you are aware, this is Romeo and Juliet with different clothes. The story doesn't deviate very much at all, The big exception here is the musical numbers and the setting. Like I said before, this seems like the musical was merely filmed and put on a movie screen. But that aside, I still don't find the numbers compelling, nor the acting credible. Frankly, It feels antiquated and tired.
Everything is done larger than life, slightly on the opposite side of normality. The characters are cutout stereotypes that jump and twirl around, propelling a tired, copied story. I didn't find it enjoyable at all. Sorry, I know it's a classic and has even won Oscars, but I just can't like it.
On the bright side of this, there are a couple of tunes that I found enjoyable. And if I am to take anything from this flick it would have to be that. But it also is a big problem for me. I simply can't buy the idea of a bunch of street thugs singing and dancing. They lose all credibility as anything dangerous or menacing the moment they start snapping their fingers in unison. The moment they start jumping and twirling in unison was the moment I lost interest. I have no problem with a good musical number, but to see these supposed "bad boys" zipping around as though they were floating on the clouds, it became something to laugh at
Oh, And Maria doesn't even die with her Tony as Juliet did to her Romeo. It becomes another reason why I don't like this adaptation of a classic story. Lame.
Bottom Line:
A story cut out of Shakespeare, starring cut-out characters, in front of Broadway cut out sets, at least some of the tunes were catchy. Meh.
C- Sphere: Related Content
West Side StoryReleased: October 18, 1961
Directed by: Robert Wise & Jerome Robbins
Starring: Natalie Wood & Richard Beymer
Plot in a Nutshell:
The classic tale of Romeo and Juliet is retold in Broadway musical form with a New York slum setting.
What I thought:
I have decided that musicals based on Shakespeare aren't my thing. I tried to enjoy this flick, but I can't. Maybe it's my modern sensibilities of what makes a good musical, or it could simply be that I don't think hoodlums dancing and singing make for a good story. In either case I wasn't very thrilled with West Side Story.
I think the problem is that this is a carbon copy of the Broadway musical that preceded it. With few exceptions, the film feels like it was filmed as the play was performed on stage. The sets resemble a stage in nearly every scene. Very little was done to make it seem bigger or grander.
As you are aware, this is Romeo and Juliet with different clothes. The story doesn't deviate very much at all, The big exception here is the musical numbers and the setting. Like I said before, this seems like the musical was merely filmed and put on a movie screen. But that aside, I still don't find the numbers compelling, nor the acting credible. Frankly, It feels antiquated and tired.Everything is done larger than life, slightly on the opposite side of normality. The characters are cutout stereotypes that jump and twirl around, propelling a tired, copied story. I didn't find it enjoyable at all. Sorry, I know it's a classic and has even won Oscars, but I just can't like it.
On the bright side of this, there are a couple of tunes that I found enjoyable. And if I am to take anything from this flick it would have to be that. But it also is a big problem for me. I simply can't buy the idea of a bunch of street thugs singing and dancing. They lose all credibility as anything dangerous or menacing the moment they start snapping their fingers in unison. The moment they start jumping and twirling in unison was the moment I lost interest. I have no problem with a good musical number, but to see these supposed "bad boys" zipping around as though they were floating on the clouds, it became something to laugh at
Oh, And Maria doesn't even die with her Tony as Juliet did to her Romeo. It becomes another reason why I don't like this adaptation of a classic story. Lame.Bottom Line:
A story cut out of Shakespeare, starring cut-out characters, in front of Broadway cut out sets, at least some of the tunes were catchy. Meh.
C- Sphere: Related Content
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Creepy Baby-wearing Outfit
Well if you didn't think yesterday's post was funny, I'm sorry. It is true that I am going to be a father... someday. But not today or tomorrow, and probably not within the next few years. And if I never have a kid, I'll at least have a dog or something, and I'll be a dog daddy or something. Point is, someday, yes. Today, no.
Now for something genuinely funny, and not April fool's ha-ha-gotcha-funny, or even spider art funny. If you don't laugh at this, or at the very least a mild chuckle, then I feel real pity for you...
I'm sorry, but that has got to be the silliest baby wearing cloth contraption I have ever seen. Yeah it may keep the little tyke warm, but at what cost? AT WHAT COST!?!?
Now if that's not funny enough, a website has posted a bunch of photoshopped variations on the above baby carrier. Continued after the break...
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Now for something genuinely funny, and not April fool's ha-ha-gotcha-funny, or even spider art funny. If you don't laugh at this, or at the very least a mild chuckle, then I feel real pity for you...
I'm sorry, but that has got to be the silliest baby wearing cloth contraption I have ever seen. Yeah it may keep the little tyke warm, but at what cost? AT WHAT COST!?!?Now if that's not funny enough, a website has posted a bunch of photoshopped variations on the above baby carrier. Continued after the break...
Sphere: Related Content
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Some exciting/terrifying news....
Labels:
Life
I'm going to be a Father!!!
I'm a little nervous about the prospects of fatherhood, yet I am looking forward to it with each passing hour. I think I've had a great example, and I can't wait to welcome the baby into my life.I couldn't be happier!! WOOHOO!!!
And I couldn't be more scared.
By the way...
April Fool's!
If this gets just one person, I will be happy. Muhaha. Sphere: Related Content
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