Movies I Love -- Starship Troopers

Starship Troopers (Paul Verhoeven)

This is one of those rare action/sci-fi movies that actually is more intelligent than it appears. At first blush, Starship Troopers seems like a combo of 90210 and Aliens. Sure, it does offer not-so-bright, eye-candy heroes and heroines, but it offers them with a purpose. Verhoeven slyly presents a story with all the trappings of a slick actioner in order to comment and subvert all the usual expectations. It's as if he wanted to make the ultimate fascist propaganda film, then comment on the film he's making. If you walk away from the film thinking...that was a dumb pro-war film glorifying violence, then you totally missed the point.

He takes those standard themes and pushes them so far/so ridiculously over-the-top that it actually becomes an indictment. The heroes are so jingoistic as to become idiots. The monsters are so inhuman that they become actual bugs. The violence is so violent that it goes from shocking to hilarious. For those who loved Verhoeven's other forays into sci-fi (Robocop and Total Recall), Starship Troopers stands as his last great film.

Albums I love -- Feederz --Ever Feel Like Killing Your Boss?

Feederz -- Ever Feel Like Killing Your Boss? (1984)

San Francisco's Feederz made the Dead Kennedys look politically tame. Lead singer, Frank Discussion, and the rest of the band made you believe they were out to offend everyone and tear down the system in every way possible. The surprising thing is that with all these anarchistic leanings, Feederz still found a way to make music that was surprisingly catchy. They even had time to cover Olivia Newton John's Have You Never Been Mellow? Go figure. Other than the great songs, there is one other thing about this record that makes it great. The original vinyl version of Ever Feel Like Killing Your Boss had to be the most punk rock packaging ever. A simple black album with sandpaper on both sides....so as to destroy the rest of your record collection. Truly fantastic.

1984 (clip)

http://play.napster.com/track/19839933

Have You Never Been Mellow? (clip)

http://play.napster.com/track/19839928

My Favorite Movies -- John Carpenter's The Thing

This movie almost single-handedly made me a special-effects groupie during most of the 80's. Rob Bottin (along with Stan Winston) put more creative creature design on-screen in this flick than the last three Star Wars movies combined. Even more amazing is that it's all done with puppetry, animatronics, and just a bit of stop-motion. Anyone who has watched the dog transformation, the spider-head, or the jumping blood test scene can attest to the lasting power of these magical effects.

John Carpenter, rightfully acknowledged for his work on Halloween, could've just kept making slasher knock-offs, instead, he remakes a beloved sci-fi b-movie from the 50's. Surprisingly, The Thing was a box-office bomb. It was one of the few 80's horror/sci-fi flicks I didn't see in the theater. But, even when I saw it on horrible quality beta video tape... I knew I had found true greatness.

If for any reason you still haven't seen this movie... see it now! If you love it as much as I do... see it again. Such a great time. One of my top 20 favorite movies of all time.

My Favorite Movies -- Blade Runner

Blade Runner -- Ridley Scott

No matter which version you prefer (Ridley has famously tinkered with this movie at least 3 times), Blade Runner usually sits on most sci-fi fans top 10 list. The main Blade Runner,Deckard, played by Harrison Ford, is out to kill a band of rogue replicants. Replicants are genetically engineered "humans" that have a limited life-span and extraordinary strength. The lead Replicant, Roy Batty, played by Rutger Hauer, is out to find his creator and try to find a cure to his time-bomb life cycle.

Everything about this production is top-notch.

The cast is fantastic. Along with Ford and Hauer is Sean Young, Daryl Hannah, Edward James Olmos, M. Emmet Walsh...etc.

The visual effects are spectacular and bar-setting for all future-visions to come. Douglas Trumbull's visual effects work is really the un-sung star of this movie. Trumbull, who was also responsible for 2001 and Close Encounters, creates a future city-scape that is constantly dark and rainy. The enormous skyscrapers rise like pyramids, only seen by the rich or blade runners with flying cars. Most of the people live in perpetual night surrounded by a cultural hodge-podge of neon signs, abandoned buildings, and road-side vendors.
The story is complex and intriguing. Based on the Philip K. Dick story, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Blade Runner considers love, creation, and the nature of humanity itself. But, even in the shadow of these heavy themes, Blade runner also works as both a love story and a futuristic Film Noir.

The soundtrack by Vangelis is also perfect and helps set the mood... both dreamy and mysterious.

clips from the film set to Vangelis music...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uJrOVLEUBgw

There is so much goodness packed into Blade Runner that it's no wonder it was considered a moderate flop at the time of its release. After all, it was competing with popcorn movies like Star Wars for the American audience. But, time was kind to Blade Runner.

Shuffle 10 #3

1. Weezer -- Velouria (Pixies cover)


From a pixies cover album... this Weezer version of Velouria is solid...a combo of two great things... Weezer and Pixies. The rest of the album is mostly useless.


2. Daniel Johnston -- To Go Home


Daniel Johnston, for those of you who don't know, is a true original. He has serious psychological issues and has even spent some time committed to an asylum, but he has also produced a whole bunch of fantastic music. He can barely sing, can barely play any instruments, recorded most of his most well-known music on a self-made cassette recording system... yet his ability to tap into true, uncensored emotion is awe-inspiring. This song is no exception. The chorus is truly heartbreaking, beautiful, and raw. It is no wonder he has been covered by many more conventional acts.


3. Void -- War Hero

Early Washington D.C. hardcore from the Dischord record label (of Minor Threat fame). Void was the second side of a split lp, side one was Faith. Void is very psychotic...chaotic... all feedback and screaming, yet somehow more original that the usual speedcore of the early 80's.



4. The Bangles -- All About You

If the only thing you know of The Bangles is Walk Like An Egyptian, Manic Monday, and Eternal Flame.... you are sorely missing out. All Over The Place, the Bangles first full-length album, is a true classic pop album. Let me say this again... a classic pop album. It is musically solid, lyrically solid, and includes the talents of all four members of The Bangles.... all write and sing songs on this disk. All About You is a great song about a suspicious girl, her possibly cheating guy, and the lengths she will go to ....to find out the truth.


5. The Decemberists -- Eli, The Barrow Boy

The Decemberists are indie darlings, and rightly so. They have the ability to write intricate, ornate, and highly literate pop songs. Sure, some may hate the sound of the lead singers voice, some may find them lyrically obscure, but for those who like original indie/pop, The Decemberists are solid. All of their releases are good. Eli, The Barrow Boy is a beautiful little ditty. Advice... it never hurts to listen to The Decemberists with a dictionary nearby.



6. Sunny Day Real Estate -- Grendel

Not one of my favorite songs from the Diary album by Sunny Day Real Estate. This album has been hailed, along with Pinkerton, as the beginning of the Emo movement (shudder). Why those two great albums are burdened with such a foul designation is beyond me. Suffice it to say, if you haven't checked out Sunny Day Real Estate.... give it a spin. Also, solo work by lead singer Jeremy Enigk is also quite interesting.



7. Simon And Garfunkel --
The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

Although I prefer Bookends and Sounds of Silence over this album, there is lots of good stuff here as well. This may not be as serious, some would say pretentious, as other Simon and Garfunkel songs. Either way, Feelin' Groovy captures what makes some of us fans of Simon and Garfunkel: gorgeous harmonies, sparkling song structures, and downright nostalgia. I'm also a huge fan of The Graduate... so there's that.



8. Queens of the Stoneage -- Song For The Deaf

QOTSA are definitely at the top of the stoner-rock heap. I love the heaviness Dave Grohl added to this album. His skills are in full-effect on Song For The Deaf. It rocks, 'nuff said.


9. Prince -- 1999

Prince really raised the bar for funk/soul with this album and never looked back. He somehow took the experimental edge of funk, the musicianship of Hendrix, the dancing of James Brown, the sleaziness of Rick James and mixed it all together to make wildly popular songs. He even made a keyboard player wearing a surgeon's outfit look cool ... for a minute. Purple Rain just basically continued the pattern set here. Oh yeah, the song... you've all heard it.



10. Elliott Smith -- I Didn't Understand

This final song off of XO is arguably the most beautiful song Elliott Smith ever recorded... and that is saying something. It is nothing but layer upon layer of Elliott's vocals ... all combining to make the song. I really can't describe the effect... just spend 3 minutes of your life listening to it... you'll thank me later.

shuffle 10 #2

1. The Shins -- Girl Sailor

Though not as strong as the nearly-perfect Chutes To Narrow, Wincing the Night Away is a solid indie pop album. Most likely you've heard at least one Shins song by now, if not, you should. Lyrically intricate and musically accessible. Girl Sailor is a fairly middling Shins track, but displays many of the charms that make the Shins a great indie-pop band for the 00's.


2. The Descendents -- Sour Grapes

The Descendents are THE seminal pop-punk band. Before you listen to Weezer or Green Day you need to listen to The Descendents to hear where it all began. This is off their third album (maybe out of print now... but available on I-tunes). This is a standout track on this album... about the geeky punks anger/desire over an unattainable new wave girl. We can all relate, can't we? Check out the first Descendents album, Milo Goes To College, for a true punk-pop classic.


3. Everclear -- Santa Monica

I don't think I have to say much about this song... almost everyone has heard it. This is the song that put Everclear on the map in the post-grunge 90's music scene. It displays everything great, and not so great, about Everclear. Art pretty much sets the musical/lyrical pattern here that he repeats in nearly every Everclear song. But, this song still pretty much rocks when the guitars kick-in, halfway through.


4. Band of Horses -- No One's Gonna Love You

This song was the "hit" single of the second album, Cease to Begin. Band of Horses are dreamy indie rock... all echo and jangle and smooth high vocals. Oh, and lots of beards in Band of Horses. Anyway, this is a solid follow-up to their debut album, although nothing quite reaches the heights of the song Funeral.

5. Tori Amos -- 1,000 Oceans

From her To Venus and Back album, Tori Amos' 1000 Oceans is one of the most beautiful songs she's ever written...and that's saying something. It shows her at her best, simple and lyrical without some of the quirky vocal turns she is so fond of throwing into many of her songs. If you've always been a bit cold on Tori's style of music, maybe give this song a try... it's a keeper.


6. Death Cab For Cutie -- Transatlanticism

There's something both satisfying and sad about seeing the little indie band you loved from the early days make it to the big time. Both the song and the album Transatlaticism were instrumental in bringing Death Cab to the world stage. This song was featured to great effect in an episode of Six Feet Under. Sure, I miss seeing these guys for free at a local Seattle youth club, but they deserve all the success they can handle.


7. Elliott Smith - Figure 8

Like Death Cab, I used to see Elliott Smith play half-empty clubs in Seattle on Tuesday nights. Of course, two years later Good Will Hunting came out and Elliott found himself standing on an Oscar stage next to Celine Dion. Elliott was the picture of the tortured poet, all quiet and sad and beautifully broken. But, he wasn't playing a part and ultimately he bowed to his own demons, killing himself by stabbing himself in the heart. The song Figure 8 (a cover from Schoolhouse Rock) never made it onto the album of the same name.... but has resurfaced in the years since the album's release. It's sad and all too brief.... like Elliott's life.

8. Nirvana -- School

Been awhile since you've heard Bleach? Well, give it a spin. I love the raw energy of the early stuff by Nirvana. Kurt's guitar playing is always bordering on the unhinged and his vocals are just as raw as ever. School is a great, heavy riffing song that just begs for you to rock out!

9. Raconteurs -- Steady As She Goes

Love or hate Jack White, you have to admit, the guy can write a song. Anyway, I actually like this side-project more than White Stripes. Something about teaming up with Brendan Benson brings out the poppier side of Jack, which I prefer. This is a solid song.... and the most recognized from the album Broken Boy Soldier. However, my fave track off the album is Hands.

10. Conor Oberst -- Cape Canaveral

Solo album by frontman/songwriter from indie fave Bright Eyes. He supposedly wrote most of this album in Mexico and it shows... all dusty boots and drowsy afternoons. It's a great driving album.

I-pod 10

Well, I've lost interest in recent postings...so I thought I would let this become a bit more organic, for a bit. So, I'm going to post things more... as-they-happen. Today, and maybe in the future, I am going to post 10 songs as they come up shuffling on my Ipod. This will force me to discuss some things I might never otherwise discuss...

1. Yeah yeah yeah's -- Gold Lion

I love Karen O's crazy/manic vocal stylings. It's very much like old-school punk. Tuneful and spastic all at the same time. A great single from a great album.

2. Pearl Jam -- Glorified G

I'm not a huge fan of Pearl Jam, but of course some of their music has made its way onto my Ipod. This song from VS. is solid. Probably their most consistently good album, for my money.

3. The Presidents of the United States of America -- Tiki God

A song from their underappreciated second album. You might thing of PUSA as a novelty post-grunge band, but there is no denying their pop-song writing chops.

4. The Kingston Trio -- Tanga Tiki

What are they odds of two "tiki" titles songs in a row, not very high I would think. Anyway, if you've ever seen the movie A Mighty Wind, then you have an idea of the kind of stylings presented by the Kingston Trio. They were safe folk music...pre-Dylan, pre-hippy.

5. Cheap Trick -- Hello There

Most people have heard this song from their Live in Budokon album. This is the album version from the "In Color" album. Lately, Cheap Trick have been rediscovered by pop/rock lovers. They are solid songwriters and deserve a bit of love.

6. Bad Brains -- Banned in D.C.

Seminal reaggae/thrash punk rockers that helped forge the U.S. hardcore punk scene of the early 80's. Probably the most rocking all-black band of all times! The fact that they aren't in the rock and roll hall of fame is just more evidence that the greatest acts often go overlooked by the general public. Also, their frontman, HR, is psychotically charismatic. If you've never heard the Bad Brains... find Rock for Light or I Against I, right now!

7. System of a Down -- Attack

One of the only new-metal/rock acts of the last 10 years that really attracted my attention. System have a strange edge of bombast/operatic musicianship that I really love. They are definitely an acquired taste...but I like it.

8. Cary Brothers -- Blue Eyes (Garden State soundtrack)

An okay song from a pretty good soundtrack. My fave track from it is Iron and Wine's cover of a Postal Service song.

9. Dixie Chicks -- Easy Silence

Ok, I am not a coutry fan, but The Dixie Chicks are more than just a cutesy name or a gimmick...they have some real song-writing chops. (second use of "chops" in this post). I feel no need to defend them... they are good.

10. The Cardigans -- Starter

Gran Turismo is a fantastic album. It was mostly ignored and The Cardigans are mostly known as one-hit-wonders for they sugar-pop of "Love Fool." The icy/synth/guitar pop of Gran Turismo is wonderful.... check it out.