Archive for February, 2010
I Heart My Tuna Steak
Saturday, February 27th, 2010The Crazies vs. Shutter Island
Saturday, February 27th, 2010Okay, I may be one of the few people out there who would prefer to see The Crazies over Shutter Island… and here’s why…
Though I enjoy the majority of Scorsese’s films, this one seems to lack in comparison to his more notables. I dig a good super-natural, suspense flick, but based on the trailers and “hype” that has been built up, I just picture myself walking out of the theater disappointed. DiCaprio is a good actor, but not a great one (ie. I DO NOT buy his Massachusetts accent — sounds forced). But Scorsese loves him, and as a director, when you build a relationship with an actor who you feel can embody most characters accurately, you hesitate to think outside the box. I’m sure there are moments in Shutter Island that would genuinely entertain me, but if anything, I’ll probably wait to add this one to my Netflix queue.
I anticipate The Crazies being more up my alley. First off, I have enjoyed Timothy Olyphant’s work in previous films (thought he was excellent in Hitman). Secondly, any suspense/horror film that takes place in a “small, quiet town” (or any desolate area for that matter) will be more frightening. I suppose it’s the lack of authorities, places to hide, phones not working, inability to notify outside resources, etc. (think movies like 28 Days Later, 30 Days of Night, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre). The characters are forced to rely on “trusted” friends, yet at the same time, ALL of them are still in a position where it’s every man for themselves. Naturally, Shutter Island offers a similar scenario in this regard (DiCaprio and Ruffalo stuck on an island where the only “population” is that of the criminally insane), but for some reason, the environment and cinematography doesn’t offer the same creatively filmed/lower-budget scare tactics that I know and love. Naturally, there are exceptions to my “rule,” but I’m an organic snob when it comes to this stuff.
Album Review #1
Thursday, February 25th, 2010I will be doing several of these. Let’s get right to the 80’s hair metal…
TWISTED SISTER :: YOU CAN’T STOP ROCK ‘N’ ROLL (1983)
Say what you will about Dee Snider – but the guy gets rock ‘n’ roll. I had the pleasure of meeting Dee back in ’97 at The Chance, a small club in Poughkeepsie, NY. He was wearing tight black leather (as his cross-dressing days had come to an end), and his bleached blonde hair was partially dyed pink. Awesome. The show was technically part of a small Twisted Sister reunion tour, but they played under the name “Dee Snider and the SMF’s” (Sick MotherFu**ers).
Anyway, the only reason this album tops Stay Hungry is merely due to its 3-chord rock ‘n’ roll consistency. Stay Hungry featured some amazing singles, but YCSRnR is a nearly perfect rock ‘n’ roll album from start to finish. Each song just “feeds into” the next, and the listener is never caught off guard. Even the ballad “You’re Not Alone,” written about Dee’s wife, fits into the rest of the album. It doesn’t seem out of place, because the vocals are still of the vintage “Dee” style. He can sing softly, he can yell a chorus and stay in tune, and he mixes both seemingly without effort (which, in my opinion, is something a lot of vocalists are unable to achieve).
Notable tracks: The Kids are Back, Ride to Live (Live to Ride), We’re Gonna Make It
Me and The Man In Black
Thursday, February 25th, 2010Mr. Johnny Cash… with his hand on my shoulder. Circa ‘84 or ‘85.
An Oldie but a Goodie
Thursday, February 25th, 2010Oil Change in a Small Texas Town (February ‘09)
So my “change oil” light had been on for about 500 miles after I reached my destination in Pilot Point, TX. On Wednesday, I was losing hope in my search for a lube shop that would charge me less than $38.00. I ended up heading out to Nocona to take photos of old cars/junkyards/gas stations from the 40’s and 50’s, and on the way back, I stopped at a small auto shop in the town of Muenster. The owner of this shop apparently needed “advance notice,” so he sent me to his friend’s place on the other end of town (his friend had apparently just started the business, and moved into his auto garage only a week earlier). Oh, and “the other end of town” was about 3 miles down the road… if that.
I arrive at this garage, and introduce myself to the “friend” who was happy to help me out. I was apparently his first oil change. He asked what kind of oil I take… I told him 5W30. The only problem was, he didn’t have that grade on hand (which surprised me, considering it’s incredibly common). Also, I wanted to pay with a credit card, but their c.c. machine wasn’t going to be set up until later in the week… and I didn’t have a check or enough cash. I thanked him anyway and turned around to leave… but he quickly stopped me, explaining that he’d be happy to go to the store to pick up the required quarts of oil, AND he’d stop by the bank so I could use the ATM machine. The whole thing seemed a little odd to me, but I took him up on his offer.
For the next 15 minutes, I traveled with the mechanic to the bank, and then the auto-parts store… browsing around at all the car-related stuff I’d never buy on my own, as this man purchased my 5 quarts of oil and talked with some VERY friendly locals (guys who were obviously friends of his).
When we returned to his garage, he got in my car to pull it in, but was suddenly confused. I proceeded to explain how the “push button” ignition works, and how his foot needed to be on the break. It’s not like I have a fancy car or anything (2007 Nissan Altima), but not-so-surprisingly, the man had never seen anything like this before.
About 20 minutes later, the oil was changed, and the final damage was $35.00. Not a bargain by any stretch, but I was happy to give this gentleman my business… And then I realized the guy didn’t make a dime.
5 quarts of oil: $22.
Oil filter: $10.
Tax: $3.00.
Good old-fashioned southern hospitality: PRICELESS.