Author: Chas.

Some Movie Distraction

Chas.2 Comments

Irreversible
Irreversible (2002, France)
Gaspar Noé’s revenge thriller, “Irreversible,” is like a kick in the head. The opening credits set the stage for the camera work of the movie … twisting, turning shots that never really make you feel like you are on “stable” ground. Yes, motion-sick people should beware. The plot works backward from the revenge to the attack to the lead into the evening. The two set pieces of violence in this movie are brutal (the fight at “Rectum” and the rape). Noé is ballsy. His camera doesn’t flinch at all. The rape sequence is almost reverent in the fact that the camera (after all the movement that precedes this scene) settles on the floor of the tunnel and doesn’t move. You witness the horrific rape full-on with no cut, no edits. And that sort of “in your face” film making is what makes “Irreversible” a must-see for movie fans.

Stop-Loss
Stop-Loss (2008, USA)
While not the greatest movie ever made, I really enjoyed “Stop-Loss.” The story is a little uneven in spots but overall it holds together. Ryan Phillippe does a pretty fine acting job as well (and he’s hot too!). I would recommend checking it out.

Some Movie Distraction

Deck Update

Chas.9 Comments

Yesterday saw me running around and trying to get ducks in a row for my insurance company only to find out that my deductible is stupidly high ($1,000). So, yeah … I would be $1000 out of pocket regardless.

The plan right now is to just repair the part that burnt and then paint everything the same color. As of right now there might not be a deck “raising” party but definitely a Deck Painting Party. Bring your brushes!!!

Deck Update

Don’t Play With Fire, Kids!

Chas.11 Comments

The 4th of July party went pretty well with lots of folks and burgers and some shimmery fountain fireworks and sparklers. Folks were gone by midnight. I cleaned up some and headed to bed.

Suddenly it’s 6:30 a.m. and there’s someone pounding on my front door. It’s my neighbor and she’s yelling that my back deck is on fire. I ran through the kitchen to look … and sure enough the deck was on fire. I freaked out and grabbed the water hose and started dousing the fire. After it was out, I called the fire department and they sent someone and the police came as well. Information was taken for official reports and I have to pick them up today as well as getting up with my insurance agent.

It is suspected that a spark from a sparkler landed under the deck and smoldered until it finally caught fire. I won’t ever really know for sure what started it. Thank God my neighbors were up early for their yard sale and saw the smoke.

July 5th Fire
July 5th Fire
July 5th Fire
It goes without saying that there will be no sparklers on the deck from now on.

Don’t Play With Fire, Kids!

Pre-Holiday Weekend

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Lordy. This three day holiday weekend couldn’t come any sooner. This seems to have been one of those weeks with anxiety issues and feelings of total inadequacies at work. But, tomorrow there will be lots of friends to distract me and over the weekend meetings with folks I haven’t seen in a long, long time.

In celebration of the holiday, here’s some loud and raucous British music …

Does It Offend You, Yeah?
Does It Offend You, Yeah? – With A Heavy Heart (I Regret To Inform You) [3.8 MB]

Pre-Holiday Weekend

Life Imitates Art

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And not in a good way either …

“Woman’s Baby Cut from Womb”
Police said a pregnant woman was killed after being stabbed multiple times in the chest and her nearly full-term baby was cut from her womb. A 23-year-old woman has been arrested …

Seems like I just watched a movie about this subject a few days ago. Franke gave the heads up about this because I have been trying to get her to watch “Inside.” It’s her kind of movie (said with tons of sarcasm).

Life Imitates Art

Horror Double Shot!

Chas.6 Comments

Inside (“À l’intérieur” 2007, France)
Inside
Inside
Recommended by Dave … I just had to check out “Inside,” a movie I hadn’t heard about until I read his blog.

Still grieving over her recently deceased husband, a pregnant woman becomes haunted (and hunted) by a mysterious woman.

Watching this movie made me feel like I had been hit in the stomach … really hard. The violence is brutal (probably even more brutal than “High Tension,” another excellent French horror film). By the time the movie hit its climax I was curled on the sofa in a ball like I was at the end of “Audition.” I would think that women would have a hard time with “Inside” as the whole plot revolves around a woman literally wanting to rip the baby out of another. Hell … I had a hard time with it and I’m a guy. “Inside” is dark, brutal and very (and I mean VERY) disturbing.

Black Sheep (2006, New Zealand)
Black Sheep
Black Sheep
“Black Sheep” is just straight up horror/comedy silliness!

An experiment in genetic engineering turns harmless sheep into blood-thirsty killers that terrorize a sprawling New Zealand farm.

Yes … Killer Sheep!!! I don’t think I really need to say anything more than that. Ya gotta love those wacky Kiwi’s. “Black Sheep” gets bonus points for having the super cute Nathan Meister (see above) as the hero.

Horror Double Shot!

WALL-E

Chas.3 Comments

Wall-E
It’s another slam dunk for Pixar. I loved it!

Of note is the actual set-up for the story. It’s a pretty damn bleak commentary on social, environmental and political issues.

Also of note is that the fella taking tickets must have liked me as I was able to snag one of the free Wall-E Wrist Watches they were giving out to kids. Whoot!!!
Wall-E Wrist Watch

WALL-E

Friday Hotness!!!

Chas.2 Comments

There is some hotness going around this Friday …

Check out the hotness of James McAvoy. He’s all buff and shirtless (!!!) in some movie called “Wanted” (it also has … ugh … Angelina Jolie in it). I might have to drop some cash and get a cheap thrill with this one.
James McAvoy

Check out the utter hotness of the 1976 Aladdin “Super Friends” metal lunchbox. eBay here I come ’cause I … Must! Have!
Super Friends Lunchbox

Friday Hotness!!!

Hitchcock Barbies: Some Thoughts

Chas.8 Comments

It will be interesting to see if any more Barbie Dolls based on Hitchcock films will show up in the future.

I was thinking about it last night and two more iconic Hitchcock blondes immediately came to mind as being ripe for Barbie treatment.

1. Kim Novak in “Vertigo”
Madeleine/Judy (played by Kim Novak) truly is the iconic Hitchcock blonde … cold, mysterious and beautiful. I make no bones about the fact that “Vertigo” is my favorite Hitchcock film … so a Barbie done up Vertigo-style would really make me wet myself.

A “Vertigo” Barbie would ideally come with two outfits (or at least have a second outfit that you could buy separately).

First would be the grey suit that Madeleine is wearing when the visits the Legion of Honor and ultimately jumps into San Francisco Bay. This outfit also figures into Judy’s transformation back into Madeleine towards the end of the film. The Barbie version would ideally come with the bouquet of flowers that Madeleine takes to the Legion and then drops into the bay before she jumps in.
Vertigo

Secondly would be the black and white ensemble that we see during Scotty and Madeleine’s trip to Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Here Madeleine has a flashback to her past life as Carlotta. This also leads into Madeleine and Scotty’s first kiss by the raging ocean. The outfit for this scene is spectacular with the high collared white coat, black gloves and flowing black scarf.
Vertigo

2. Grace Kelly in “Rear Window”
The introduction of Lisa Fremont (played by Grace Kelly) in “Rear Window” is my favorite in all of Hitchcock’s films. Kelly come into frame from out of the dark and leans directly into the camera. Fabulous! The scene continues revealing the stunning Edith Head designed evening gown Kelly has on. Of course, the Barbie version would have to include the gloves, pearl necklace, wrap and clutch bag.
Rear Window
Rear Window

And, for the record, I have already pre-ordered myself a “The Birds” Barbie Doll. Rockin’!!!

Hitchcock Barbies: Some Thoughts

I Want a Barbie Doll

Chas.3 Comments

More specifically, I want …

Er, no!

I must have this Barbie doll!!!

The Birds Barbie Doll
This Barbie is for “The Birds!” Actually, this Barbie from “The Birds” is for you! Celebrating Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film, this incredible collector’s doll features our heroine being attacked by a trio of fine feathered foes, just like in the movie. Will these plastic birds damage her delightful handbag or her carefully styled hair? We certainly hope not! Be sure to let Barbie into your home and pray that the birds don’t come in with her! Stands about 11-1/2 inches tall.
[via PJ]

I Want a Barbie Doll