The Prestige was everything a good movie should be. It had everything: thrills, suspense, mystery, heartbreak, humor and romance.
Much applause for Chistopher Nolan who really put together a fine film. I was also floored by the excellent cast and the stellar performances all around.
2006 has been a great year for movies, I’m curious what the holiday season will bring.
Apparently Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers, was a bit annoyed by Green Day’s 2005 DVD ‘Bullet In a Bible’. In particular the performance of American Idiot and how Billie Joe pumps the audience during it.
“I just thought it was really cheap,” he explained. “To go to a place like England or Germany and sing that song - those kids aren’t taking it the same way that he meant it. And he [Billie Joe Armstrong] knew it.”
After reading the article I tend to agree with him. There are parts of ‘Bullet In A Bible’ that kinda struck me as Green Day deliberately missing their own point and playing up anti-American hatred. That said, to get offended is kinda ridiculous if you ask me. What were they supposed to do, not play the song?
That said the phenomenon he’s referring to does bother me. While I was in Ireland in 2004 there were a ton of kids wearing ‘Not My President’ shirts with swastikas drawn on Bush’s forehead. I wore that shirt with pride as an American just as I sing along to American Idiot. With pride in my nation and what it stands for, in civil disagreement of my government’s policies. Not because I hate my nation, but because I love it. Somehow I don’t think those kids in Europe get that. In that sense I agree with Flowers and it scares me.
It’s just a shame it he’s saying it a year too late and for shamless self promotion:
The Killers frontman said he believed that his band’s new album ‘Sam’s Town’ is a much better representation of America.
“People need to see that, really, there are the nicest people in the world here!” he declared. “I don’t know if our album makes you realise that. But I hope it’s from a more positive place.”
(Via Punknews)
So I’ve decided I’m going to publish a book of my photography. I’m not entirely sure of the timetable for this but I plan to take as long as I need to get it done.
The book will be titled “Nothing Left” (you’ll understand eventually) and will be a study of communication in the modern world. Photographs focusing on nothing but signage and power lines. The two most common yet overlooked ways that the human race in the 21st century communicates.I often joke of my fascination with powerlines and signs but in truth they both amaze me. I plan to devote a lot of time and energy to this project over the next year. I’m also sure it will inevitably require travel. If I want to be taken serious as photographer I need to treat this seriously and I’m excited at the possibilities.Check out my work in progress on Flickr. There will be much added in the coming days / weeks.
I already put this on my del.ico.us but I figured it needed more attention because it was that damn good…. More rotoscoping and compositing! I’m sure you’re thrilled oh fictitious reader.
Special Effects house Buzz Imaging shows off how it made the effects used in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The clip showcases some incredible 3d modeling, rotoscoping and compositing work and makes it almost look easy. Don’t be fooled, this sort of thing takes days, weeks even months to get right. But it’s still incredible.
(Via Daring Fireball)
“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” - Thomas Paine, 1777
I just read this for the first time and felt I needed to share it. In today’s world Paine’s quote could be warped or distorted into justification for the war in Iraq. But his timing was the revolutionary era, place it with another famous quote often attributed to Ben Franklin and I believe you’ll understand the true tone of the time.
“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety”