Conan O'Brien. Judd Apatow. 69 minutes.
One of the better interviews I've seen that examines modern comedy.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
It Could Have Been Worse...
While some people are fearing the fact that Disney bought Lucas Films, you have to admit it could have been much worse.
What if George Lucas had bought Disney? What kind of carnage could he have inflicted on those films?
Here's 10 changes I think could have happened:
1) During a light sabre battle on dirigible in "Up," Carl Fredericksen gives up his life to Muntz so Russell, the Boy Scout, can gain spiritual strength and ultimately win the fight
2) Cinderella's Castle at Disney World replaced with half-finished Death Star
3) Jar Jar Binks cameo in "Finding Nemo 2"
4) Three prequels of the "High School Musical" series will be made, needlessly showing us how these teens became the annoying singers they are
5) In the new movie, The Lone Ranger survives an immense dynamite explosion by hiding in a crate that is blown a mile away
6) Bambi's mom shoots first!
7) All Disney child actors will train under the tutelage of maestro Jake Lloyd (this, however, may already be in place)
8) Enhanced explosions in "Fantasia!"
9) Planned sequel to "Song of the South" will feature stereotypical character voices and an extended opening scroll explaining the socio-economic landscape of the time period
10) In the sequel, we will find "The Lady" and "The Tramp" are actually brother and sister, giving the "spaghetti kiss" in the original movie a weird vibe during re-viewings
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Three Inspirational Videos
Over the course of today, I've seen three heartwarming and inspirational videos. Grab some tissues and give them a viewing. (Warning: watching all three in a row may have an adverse effect due to over-elation.)
The first was this - the rescue of a baby elephant from a watering hole in Kenya by people with Amboseli Trust for Elephants. Hard to watch at first, the end really pays off.
Not a big fan of Katy Perry but have to admire her doing this and how much it obviously meant to her. And Jodi DiPiazza is just... amazing.
And finally... all I'll say is watch this ENTIRE video. And think about the argument.
The first was this - the rescue of a baby elephant from a watering hole in Kenya by people with Amboseli Trust for Elephants. Hard to watch at first, the end really pays off.
Not a big fan of Katy Perry but have to admire her doing this and how much it obviously meant to her. And Jodi DiPiazza is just... amazing.
And finally... all I'll say is watch this ENTIRE video. And think about the argument.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Improv - The Basics (as taught by J.D. Walsh)
Hey there! Long time no blog!
I've been taking improv classes with Automatic Improv, a talented group of performers that work out of Relapse Theater in Atlanta. (My Level 3 class graduation show is tonight.) And I wanted to share these videos with everyone, not just my fellow students, for two reasons.
First, improv has been a lot of fun while learning to better myself. It teaches you to think on your feet, listen better and improve your public speaking skills. I've also met some incredible people through this last eight months. And any time you get the chance to surround yourself with interesting, hilarious, creative people in this life, you should do it.
Second, this video shows you the basics. In it, improviser/actor/writer/director J.D. Walsh works with high school kids learning improv techniques. It's a good introduction - or reminder for those of us studying - to the ideas behind the art form. The concepts are what you rely on as an improviser and they are, inevitably, ones will tend to forget occasionally.
No need to watch all 38 minutes of videos if you don't want - Walsh covers all of the basics in the first ten minutes. But it is interesting to see how he works with and develops these kids as new players.
BTW: I looked up J.D. Walsh because he created a great series on Hulu called Battleground. I can suggest watching it, especially if you like TV series like The West Wing or The Good Wife.
I've been taking improv classes with Automatic Improv, a talented group of performers that work out of Relapse Theater in Atlanta. (My Level 3 class graduation show is tonight.) And I wanted to share these videos with everyone, not just my fellow students, for two reasons.
First, improv has been a lot of fun while learning to better myself. It teaches you to think on your feet, listen better and improve your public speaking skills. I've also met some incredible people through this last eight months. And any time you get the chance to surround yourself with interesting, hilarious, creative people in this life, you should do it.
Second, this video shows you the basics. In it, improviser/actor/writer/director J.D. Walsh works with high school kids learning improv techniques. It's a good introduction - or reminder for those of us studying - to the ideas behind the art form. The concepts are what you rely on as an improviser and they are, inevitably, ones will tend to forget occasionally.
No need to watch all 38 minutes of videos if you don't want - Walsh covers all of the basics in the first ten minutes. But it is interesting to see how he works with and develops these kids as new players.
BTW: I looked up J.D. Walsh because he created a great series on Hulu called Battleground. I can suggest watching it, especially if you like TV series like The West Wing or The Good Wife.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Whatever Wednesday - Blow Your Mind Edition
I've always been fascinated by scientific principles and how they show the interconnectedness of life and matter. Here's some of my favorites.
Theoretical physicist Brian Cox now does a lot of TV work, trying to garner interest in the sciences and expanding people's understanding of how things work in this reality. I found this clip (from BBC's "A Night with the Stars") via the science and science fiction web site io9.
Theoretical physicist Brian Cox now does a lot of TV work, trying to garner interest in the sciences and expanding people's understanding of how things work in this reality. I found this clip (from BBC's "A Night with the Stars") via the science and science fiction web site io9.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Music Monday - Peter Gabriel, Genki Sudo and Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Get ready to dance and sing... it's another Music Monday!
My niece likes to play a game in the car called "Favorites." Someone choses a category and everyone says what their favorite is. Favorite song came up this week. This was my pick.
Genki Sudo was originally a talented and entertaining mixed martial artist. I became a fan, not only of his creative fighting style but because, at the end of each match he won, he would hold up a banner that read "We Are All One." The banner also had flags from scores of countries around the world.
After retiring, Sudo took to the world of music and dance, continuing his message of world peace. With a dance group he named after his first single, this is the first release, "World Order." (I particularly like the kids that show up toward the end.)
You couldn't have told me before seeing it but "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" is an incredibly good movie. It's about a transgender rock singer who is following her former lover, a hugely successful rock star, around the country to confront him about stealing songs she wrote. The music runs a gamut of styles. I can only say, if you haven't seen this, treat yourself to a night of good music and a moving story.
My niece likes to play a game in the car called "Favorites." Someone choses a category and everyone says what their favorite is. Favorite song came up this week. This was my pick.
Genki Sudo was originally a talented and entertaining mixed martial artist. I became a fan, not only of his creative fighting style but because, at the end of each match he won, he would hold up a banner that read "We Are All One." The banner also had flags from scores of countries around the world.
After retiring, Sudo took to the world of music and dance, continuing his message of world peace. With a dance group he named after his first single, this is the first release, "World Order." (I particularly like the kids that show up toward the end.)
You couldn't have told me before seeing it but "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" is an incredibly good movie. It's about a transgender rock singer who is following her former lover, a hugely successful rock star, around the country to confront him about stealing songs she wrote. The music runs a gamut of styles. I can only say, if you haven't seen this, treat yourself to a night of good music and a moving story.
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