Interview was obviously focused on Altman’s latest “A Prairie Home Companion.” My dad gave it a favorable review, and this interview was really interesting, so I may head out to see it this weekend. If I can find two hours that are all right next to each other.
Altman is such an old rogue.
Monthly Archives: June 2006
Wait, Wait…May 31st edition.
I am way behind on listening to these, aren’t I? Which means I can usually do really well on their quizzes since it’s such old news! Bonus! 🙂
Steven Cohen soccer expert was really cracking me up. Brits are nuts, aren’t they.
Also hilarious how the Iraqis love Lionel Richie. Hey, at least someone loves him!
Paste Culture Club (2/25 & 2/28/2006): Josh Ritter
I keep hearing about this guy, but there are so many Js with somewhat similar sounds that I can never remember which one I’m thinking of: Josh Rouse, Joe Purdy, Joseph Arthur, John Mayer, John Vanderslice, Josh Kelley, Jason Mraz, Josh Ritter, Josh Joplin, Joshua Radin…
I liked the songs they played. The PCC “dj” kinda cracks me up – he does not seem to have that much radio experience so the show has a very tentative feel to it.
I could do without the whole ‘I grew up religious/in a particular religion, but now I’ve gone off on my own path. Now I’m spiritual.’ I don’t know what point people really think they’re making me when they say shit like that, but the constant emphasis on how spiritual they are just makes me think they’re fucking crazy.
But, did like some of the music despite its biblical overtones.
As Richard Julian sings:
…and yet this river of doubt, this spout that I can’t turn off…
Cable: War of the Worlds.
Unlike another Tom Cruise movie I saw recently, this movie just was NOT good enough for me to forget it was him. In fact, this movie was a pretty bad piece of schlock, frankly. It was as if they made a remake of Independence Day…but left out all the good parts.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD:
I mean – come on… Alien invasion. Fine. The aliens come, and kill a bunch of people and wreck a bunch of cities. Fine, we were expecting that.
And then what happens? They. Just. Die. Say what? No, America doesn’t come up with a master plan to destroy them or figure out a weakness or IN ANY WAY do anything redeeming at all. Nobody tricks the aliens, or thwarts their master genocide plan. The fuckers just die. Because, you know, they weren’t “accustomed to our planet” the way we are. How fucking stupid is that.
Hellloooo in alien invasion movies, the whole point is the humans overcoming the aliens. Talk about a No Hope ending! Because clearly the next set of aliens just has to be accustomed to our planet and they’ll have no problem annihilating all of us.
Stupid.
Big Screen: Mission Impossible III.
Great line in this movie: Please don’t interrupt me when I’m asking a rhetorical question.
Also Amanda greatly enjoyed the use of “embolden.”
Now on to the show: Yes, Tom Cruise is a freakshow. But if you can just forget about that for the two hours you’re in the theater, this is just as fun as your average summer action flick and not much of a letdown unless you were dumb enough to go into the theater expecting “high art”.
The scenes in China really reminded me of Tomb Raider 2 (which is a good thing in my book, but probably not in yours).
Not a great flick. No WOWza moments. But for a summer action movie with some ass kicking fights, and some chase scenes, and some things blowing up, and some twists & turns = it was just fine.
The girl playing Cruise’s fiancee, Michelle Monaghan I think?, looks eerily like Katie Holmes in a couple scenes. Spooky, man. Billy Crudup and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers are showing up all kinds of places you wouldn’t expect them these days, aren’t they.
Big Screen: The DaVinci Code.
This may be the movie with the worst reviews since Ishtar. Sure, it’s clunky. But I’m pretty sure most of its faults are the faults of the book it’s from (from what I hear, it’s a pretty faithful reproduction, other than they simplified the mystery somewhat). I really didn’t think this was as bad as I was led to expect — I was entertained. I was shocked enough to yelp at one point. I wasn’t bored. I found some of Ron Howard’s “here’s where I REALLY make it REALLY obvious what he’s thinking right now” techniques were way more blatant than they needed to be – felt somewhat INSULTED by them. Apparently he was expecting a less intelligent audience. But he was, wasn’t he, because he was expecting the audience that loved the book…. Mua ha ha ha, really walked into that one, didn’t you, DaVinci fans?!? 🙂
Wasn’t a great movie. But was not the most horrific movie ever made, as perhaps the reviews have convinced you. I’ve seen worse.
Cable: Monster in Law.
What a terrible movie. Jane Fonda is pretty hilarious, but this is baaadly written. Jennifer Lopez and Michael Vartan have very little chemistry. I was totally into her little sundress over jeans look though (loath I am to admit it). But all in all, not a good movie in any way (not that I expected it to be).
Wait, Wait… May 21st edition.
Some really funny stuff to start off with about Bush’s perch (then changed to some other fish) claims. I’ve decided I don’t like the Kiri (Carrie?) whatever woman from Texas. She can be funny (she had a lot of good quips in this show) but I think she’s a Closet Conservative. Maybe the Republicans planted her on this show!! Also funny were Ray Blount’s “this is where a joke would go” comments. Elayne Boosler was the guest. Very entertaining and lots of little “back in the day” tidbits about Andy Kaufman, etc. This is really a fun “show,” thanks SuperEggplant for getting me hooked. 🙂
KEXP: Belle & Sebastian (4/14).
Very goofy band with many, many members, none of whom are named either Belle or Sebastian. I think for some unknown reason I was picturing them as the guy and girl who make up Everything But The Girl. Not sure why as I know I own one of their earlier albums (The Boy with the Arab Strap). Enjoyed the stuff they played here. Also enjoyed their cover of Badfinger’s “No Matter What.”