Project Paradox » Entertainment in Review

Tin Man: Like the Wizard of Oz… Only Better

Stephen — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 11:30:01 +0000

I remember watching the original Wizard of Oz movie as a child. Even though it was almost half a century old by the first time I watched it, the story was still enjoyable for its imagination. Like any true classic, it’s timeless, able to appeal to audiences even decades after its first release.

I found Tin Man, a TV mini-series based on the original Wizard of Oz, to be a welcome update to the Wizard of Oz genre. Some purists would probably disagree, but I felt that it added depth to the original storyline. It retains many of the original elements of the story while expanding on them in unique and imaginative ways, bringing the O.Z. alive.

In case you haven’t had a chance to see it, I won’t go into the details of the story. My only minor criticism was Zooey Deschannel’s acting. I’m not sure if it was intended as part of DG’s character, but she didn’t seem to portray emotion very well. Other than that, everything was above par, at least as far as TV movies go.

If you haven’t had a chance to see it yet, I suggest you check out the official Tin Man website for the next showing. Even if you miss it once, Tin Man’s the sort of series that they’re bound to be rerun over and over again.

Saliva – Ladies and Gentlemen

Stephen — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:30:24 +0000

Ladies and gentlemen, America’s culture of rampant consumerism has an official theme song. No, I don’t think that’s the song’s original intent, but that’s definitely how it’s being used. Seriously, I first heard it the other day on a PS3 commercial. Sorry, Sony; no matter what music you use, I’m still not shelling out $400 for a console.

Other than that minor quibble (and perhaps the fact that the video features emaciated women beating each other to a bloody pulp), this song absolutely rocks. It’ll definitely be finding its way onto my work out mix.

Ladies and Gentlemen by Saliva

Ladies and gentlemen please
Would you bring your attention to me?
For a feast for your eyes to see
An explosion of catastrophe

Like nothing youâ€™ve ever seen before
Watch closely as I open this door
Your jaws will be on the floor
After this youâ€™ll be begging for more

Welcome to the show
Please come inside
Ladies and gentlemen

Whoa
Do you want it?
Whoa
Do you need it?
Whoa
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Ladies and gentlemen good evening
Youâ€™ve seen that seeing is believing
Your ears and your eyes will be bleeding
Please check to see if youâ€™re still breathing

Hold tight cause the show is not over
If you will please move in closer
You’re about to be bowled over
By the wonders youâ€™re about to behold here

Welcome to the show (welcome to the show)
Please come inside
Ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it

Welcome to the show
We’re glad you came along
Please come inside
Ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Foo Fighters – The Pretender

Stephen — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:30:39 +0000

Whenever I watch the Pretender video, I can’t help but think, “Tough crowd.” It’s not just a great song, but a beautiful piece of artistry as well. The song flows between mellow and intense, adding emphasis to the internal conflict alluded by the lyrics and the symbolism. It reminds me of Freud’s id and superego, with the authoritarians/riot cops trying to keep the instinct/band in check. But who is the true self, and who is the pretender?

The Pretender by Foo Fighters

Keep you in the dark
You know they all pretend
Keep you in the dark
And so it all began

Send in your skeletons
Sing as their bones go marching in…again
The need you buried deep
The secrets that you keep are at the ready
Are you ready?
I’m finished making sense
Done pleading ignorance
That whole…defense

Spinning infinity, boy
The wheel is spinning me
It’s never-ending, never-ending
Same old story

What if I say I’m not like the others?
What if I say I’m not just another one of your plays
You’re the pretender
What if I say I will never surrender?

What if I say I’m not like the others?
What if I say I’m not just another one of your plays
You’re the pretender
What if I say that I’ll never surrender?

In time our soul untold
I’m just another soul for sale… oh, well
The page is out of print
We are not permanent
We’re temporary, temporary
Same old story

What if I say I’m not like the others?
What if I say I’m not just another one of your plays
You’re the pretender
What if I say that I’ll never surrender?

What if I say I’m not like the others?
What if I say I’m not just another one of your plays
You’re the pretender
What if I say I will never surrender?

I’m the voice inside your head
You refuse to hear
I’m the face that you have to face
Mirrored in your stare
I’m what’s left, I’m what’s right
I’m the enemy
I’m the hand that will take you down
Bring you to your knees

So who are you?
Yeah, who are you?
Yeah, who are you?
Yeah, who are you?

Keep you in the dark
You know they all pretend

What if I say I’m not like the others?
What if I say I’m not just another one of your plays
You’re the pretender
What if I say that I’ll never surrender?

What if I say I’m not like the others?
(Keep you in the dark)
What if I say I’m not just another one of your plays
(You know they all… pretend)
You’re the pretender
What if I say I will never surrender?

So who are you?
Yeah, who are you?
Yeah, who are you?

Jack Johnson – Upside Down

Stephen — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 11:30:12 +0000

For the most part, I find children’s programming to be insufferable. Watch a few episodes of Barney or Dora the Explorer and you’ll understand what I mean. The mindlessly repetitive music, while no doubt entertaining for my three-year-old son, grates on my sanity.

There are exceptions, though. My son’s very fond of Curious George, for example, and I was surprised to discover that the music for the movie was actually quite enjoyable. It’s hardly mainstream, but I found the opening song, Upside Down by Jack Johnson, to be a pleasant departure from the standard intolerability of children’s music. Now, if only kids’ shows would follow the same, “Make it bearable for adults, too,” approach…

Upside Down by Jack Johnson

Who’s to say
What’s impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
And as the surface breaks reflections fade
But in some ways they remain the same
And as my mind begins to spread its wings
There’s no stopping curiosity

I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I’ll find the things they say just can’t be found
I’ll share this love I find with everyone
We’ll sing and dance to Mother Nature’s songs
I don’t want this feeling to go away

Who’s to say
I can’t do everything
Well I can try
And as I roll along I begin to find
Things aren’t always just what they seem

I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I’ll find the things they say just can’t be found
I’ll share this love I find with everyone
We’ll sing and dance to Mother Nature’s songs
This world keeps spinning and there’s no time to waste
Well it all keeps spinning spinning round and round and

Upside down
Who’s to say what’s impossible and can’t be found
I don’t want this feeling to go away

Please don’t go away
Please don’t go away
Please don’t go away
Is this how it’s supposed to be
Is this how it’s supposed to be

Kanye West – Stronger

Stephen — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:30:11 +0000

I’ll come right out and say it; I don’t like Kanye West. I couldn’t stand Gold Digger. I thought the whole “George Bush hates black people” stunt was ridiculous. And while I’m not religious, I found the comparison between himself and Jesus Christ to be more than a little arrogant.

Nevertheless, I do like Stronger. It’s got a vibe that makes it great for working out. That’s not to say I’m expecting much else out of Kanye, but at least he made one halfway decent song.

Kanye West – Stronger

Work it harder make it better,
do it faster makes us stronger,
more than ever, hour after
hour work is never over

Th-th-that that don’t kill me
Can only make me stronger
I need you to hurry up now
Cause I can’t wait much longer
I know I got to be right now
Cause I can’t get much wronger
Man I been waitin’ all night now
That’s how long I’ve been on ya

I need ya right now
I need ya right now

Let’s get lost tonight
You could be my black Kate Moss tonight
Play secretary, I’m the boss tonight.
And you don’t give a f**k what they all say, right?
Awesome, the Christian in Christian Dior
Damn they don’t make ‘em like this anymore
I ask, cause I’m not sure
Do anybody make real shit anymore?
Bow in the presence of greatness
Cause right now thou has forsaken us
You should be honored by my lateness
That I would even show up to this fake shit
So go ahead go nuts, go ape shit
Especially in my pastel, all my bape shit
Act like you can’t tell who made this
New gospel homey take six, and take this, haters

N-n-now th-that that don’t kill me
Can only make me stronger
I need you to hurry up now
Cause I can’t wait much longer
I know I got to be right now
Cause I can’t get much wronger
Man I been waitin’ all night now
That’s how long I’ve been on ya

I need ya right now
I need ya right now

I don’t know if you got a man or not
If you made plans or not

If God put me in your plans or not
I’m trippin’, this drink got me sayin’ alot
But I know that God put you in front of me
So how the hell could you front on me
There’s a thousand yous
And only one of me
I’m trippin’, I’m caught up in the moment right?
‘Cause it’s Louis Vuitton Don night
So we goin’ do everything that Kan like
Heard they’d do anything for a Klondike
Well I’d do anything for a blonde dyke
And she’ll do anything for the limelight
And we’ll do anything when the time’s right
Uh, baby you’re makin’ it
Harder, better, faster, stronger

Th-that that don’t kill me
Can only make me stronger
I need you to hurry up now
Cause I can’t wait much longer
I know I got to be right now
Cause I can’t get much wronger
Man I been waitin’ all night now
That’s how long I’ve been on ya

I need ya right now
I need ya right now

You know how long I’ve been on ya?
Since prince was on Apollonia
Since OJ had Isotoners
Don’t act like I never told ya
Uh, baby you’re makin’ it

Harder, better, faster, stronger

I need ya right now
I need ya right now
I need ya right now
I need ya right now

Absent Element – Man of Constant Sorrow

Stephen — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 11:30:13 +0000

You know that song from “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Well, here’s a band that liked it so much, they decided to rock it up a notch. The result is actually a lot cooler than you might expect.

Of course, that’s not the real story here. The real story is that two of the members of Absent Element are my coworkers. That’s right; I literally sit feet from Ryan on a daily basis, and Mark came on board at our company not too long ago. Who cares about Chris Daughtry? Everyone should bask in my vicarious fame.

Absent Element – Man of Constant Sorrow

I am a man of constant sorrow
I have seen trouble all my days
I bid farewell to old Kentucky
The state where I was born and raised

For six long years I’ve been in trouble
No pleasure here on earth I’ve found
For in this world I’m bound to travel
I have no friends to help me now

You may bury me in some deep valley
For many years where I may lay
Then you may learn to love another
While I am sleeping in my grave

Maybe your friends think I’m just a stranger
My face you’ll never see no more
But there is one promise that is given
I’ll meet you on God’s golden shore

Bear Grylls vs. Les Stroud

Stephen — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 11:30:11 +0000

If you’ve never caught Man vs. Wild or Survivorman, they’re both basically the same. The guy on each show has to survive in some type of harsh wilderness for a few days with little or no resources. In this simulated survival experience, they have to gather food, avoid natural hazards and predators, and often try to make their way back to civilization. They’re both interesting and informative programs that give the viewer a decent picture of what it would be like to be stuck in the wild.

Watching these two shows, though, I can’t help but wonder which of the two hosts is the better survivor? Seriously, if you had to put money on either of them doing better than the other in any given survival situation, which would it be?

Bear Grylls…?

Okay, if the situation involves difficult terrain, Bear’s my top choice. I’ve often joked with my wife that his show ought to be called “Watch Bear Climb” instead of “Man vs. Wild.” The guy seems to go out of his way to find obstacles. In one episode, he even climbed up a ravine of smooth stone by bracing against both sides!

Another impressive thing about Bear is his ability to create shelters. In the rainforest episode, he throws together a lean-to in a few hours that looks like it would take anyone else a day to make. He’s definitely got the advantage here, considering Les’ igloo debacle. In situations where natural shelter is unavailable, Bears also gets my vote.

On the other hand, I have my doubts about Bear’s judgment. In one episode, he warns the viewer never go jump into arctic water since it could easily kill you, then proceeds to do so. Granted, he was doing it for educational purposes, and he’s definitely got guts, but he’s just too much of a thrill-seeker. If a situation was too challenging to resist, I think he might put his life in jeopardy.

…or Les Stroud?

Bear has a camera crew. Granted, they’re supposedly not allowed to help him, but he’s never actually alone, and they’d no doubt be prepared to help if he were in real peril. Les, on the other hand, is his own camera crew. He has to carry more weight as he travels and he’s truly alone when he’s out in the wilderness. If the survival situation requires a lot of mental and physical endurance, then, Les is my top choice.

Another impressive quality of Les is his ability to fashion survival tools from junk. I’ve seen him throw together spears, fishing hooks, traps, and an assortment of other useful things quite literally out of trash. In fact, he’s quite fond of tearing apart his vehicle for materials. He should really author the book, “101 uses for a car seat cover.” Clearly, if there are man-made materials around, Les would come out on top.

For this same reason, though, I think Les has a major shortcoming. All too often, he goes out into the wilderness with a random assortment of things on hand. Bear, on the other hand, rarely has more than his bowie knife. Don’t get me wrong; it’s great to see all the different uses you can find for seemingly worthless items, and certainly more realistic, but I can’t help but think Les relies upon them too much. As you get further away from human habitation, then, I think Les loses his advantage.

Obviously, both men are very skilled survival experts. Still, each has his own unique strengths and weaknesses. What do you think?

{democracy:2}

Korn – Evolution

Stephen — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 11:30:37 +0000

Evolution is a fact. To those who take offense at the idea that we evolved from primates, get over it. You have 99.4% of your genes in common with a chimpanzee. It is an irrefutable, scientific fact. If you don’t believe me, this Korn video does a very good job of highlighting the similarities. If, after you’ve seen it, you still don’t think you’re related to monkies, I suggest you seek professional help. Be sure to mention the word “denial.” That should get you the treatment you need.

Evolution by Korn

I’m digging with my fingertips,
I’m gripping at the ground I stand upon.
I’m searching for fragile bones.
(Evolution)

I’m never gonna be refined;
keep trying but I won’t assimilate.
Sure, we have come far in time…
(Watch the bough break)

And I’m sorry I don’t believe,
by the evidence that I see,
that there’s any hope left for me…
It’s evolution!
Just evolution!

And I, I do not dare deny
the basic beast inside;
it’s right here,
it’s controlling my mind!
And why do I deserve to die?
I’m dominated by
this animal that’s locked up inside!

Close up to get a real good view,
I’m betting that the species will survive.
Hold tight, I’m getting inside you…
(Evolution)

And when we’re gonna find these bones,
they’re gonna want to keep them in a jar.
The number one virus,
caused by procreation.

And the planet may go astray;
in a million years they’ll say:
“Those mother fuckers were all deranged!”
It’s evolution!
Just evolution!

And I, I do not dare deny
the basic beast inside;
it’s right here,
it’s controlling my mind!
And why do I deserve to die?
I’m dominated by
this animal that’s locked up inside!

Take a look around… (take a look around…)
Nothing much has changed!
Take a look around… (take a look around…)
Nothing much has changed!
Take a look around!
Take a look around!
Take a look around!
Nothing much has changed!
Take a look around!
Take a look around!
Nothing much has changed!
Take a look around!
Take a look around!
Nothing much has changed!
Take a look around!

I, I do not dare deny
the basic beast inside;
it’s right here,
it’s controlling my mind!
And why do I deserve to die?
I’m dominated by
this animal that’s locked up inside

Why? (why…)
Why do I deserve to die? (do i deserve to die)
(Why? Why?)

Fallen TV Series

Stephen — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:30:14 +0000

I remember seeing the first installment of Fallen some time last year. It wasn’t earth shattering, but it was okay. I also remember being disappointed that they wouldn’t finish the series until some months later. If anyone’s got an answer for that one, please let me know, because it still doesn’t make any sense to me from a marketing standpoint. Needless to say, I enjoyed the show, puzzled over its timing, and promptly forgot about it until very recently.

The final installments have just aired and I find myself unable to feel strongly about the show as a whole. It was good, but not great. The story was better suited for a full show than a mini series. Pretty much everything else was sub-par, including the acting, the dialogue, and the action. All in all, I’d give it maybe two stars, two-and-a-half tops.

That being said, I don’t see it becoming the cult hit that it seemed designed to be. The early episode airing seemed like a stunt to build interest. How much of a fan base can you build, though, when the series is barely better than an average TV show? Frankly, I’ll be surprised if the series goes anywhere after this. I expect it will be little more than a Sunday evening cable movie from here on out.

Pan’s Labyrinth

Stephen — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:45:35 +0000

I’m a big fan of fantasy, so I couldn’t help but be intrigued when I saw the trailer for Pan’s Labyrinth. Satyrs and faeries and weird-looking monsters with eyes in their hands? Sounds great! I’m in. Unfortunately, the movie trailers and even the box itself make one glaring omission that would almost certainly turn most people off to the movie, namely the fact that it’s in Spanish.

Now, I’m not generally one to mind reading subtitles; I do it all the time when I watch anime videos online. The fact that this wasn’t mentioned, however, is unforgivable. It’s like selling someone a car and only mentioning that it’s a standard transmission as they’re pulling out of the parking lot.

Despite this misrepresentation, Pan’s Labyrinth was fantastic. It had a great storyline and lots of interesting characters. After we got over our initial subtitle shock, my wife and I were pleased that we had given it a chance. In the end, it delivered everything that the misleading trailers promised.

Keep in mind, however, that Pan’s Labyrinth is not for children. Did you happen to notice that “R” rating on the side of the box? Trust me, it’s there for a good reason. This movie is a darker kind of fantasy, with lots of disturbing content and vivid depictions of violence. So, unless you want your kids to have nightmares, be sure to put them to bed before you watch it.