Monthly Man

Fallen - An animated short about a meteor

I thought this was a pretty good little short.


Fallen from Sascha Geddert on Vimeo.

via Laughing Squid - link

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

 It took me until it's last day in the dollar theaters to see it, but I finally did it!  And it was totally worth it.  Scott Pilgrim vs. the World was a special movie.  But it's definitely not for everyone.  If you grew up in the 90s with video games, then this is a movie for you.  If not, then I'm not so sure you'd like it.

It stars Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim, a 22 year old bass player who has some trouble with the ladies.  He meets the girl of his 22 year old dreams and finds out she has 7 evil ex-boyfriends (crap, I mean ex's) that Scott must "defeat" in order to have Ramona as his girlfriend.  It sounds silly, and it is sometimes; but mostly, it's too fast-paced to realize how silly it is.  This is due to Edgar Wright, the director.  (Also one of my favorites)  He has this style of making movies that are silly, but the editing creates a buffer for the audience.  It is so fast-paced and engaging that the audience doesn't really have time to notice the silliness before Wright can get you back into the minds of his lovable characters.  It is great!

This movie is many things, but most of all, it is fun.  So fun.  The video game graphics inserted into everyday life, the amazing, multi-faceted score, the cast's diversity, the 1960s Batman style, actually written out sound effects, and how time didn't matter to what anyone was saying.

It's a shame only a small fraction of the target market will get to enjoy this movie, because despite it's generational humor and attachment, it is still a fun movie.

A couple last things:

• Jason Schwartzman is awesome
• Michael Cera is officially stupid, even though he is pretty good in this movie - See here for further explanation
• Johnny Simmons is going to be a name you know in a few years.  He has quite the list of accomplishments already and I'm pretty sure he'll just get better.  (The Spirit, Jennifer's Body, Evan Almighty, etc.)
• Kieran Culkin is Macaulay Culkin's younger brother.  Much better actor.  
• I think someone at NBC had something to do with this movie because The Office's IT guy Nelson Franklin is in it, and Parks and Recreation's April, Aubrey Plaza, is in it.
• And Michael Cera probably helped out old Arrested Development girlfriend Ann get into this movie.  Wait, who?  Ann?  Her?  Really?
• It was nice to see Anna Kendrick outside of a Twilight movie, especially since she is by far the most talented person to come from those movies.
• The group that contributed to the music is daunting.  Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, Beck, Metric, Broken Social Scene, Cornelius, Dan the Automator, Kid Koala, and David Campbell are perticpiated.  

Rerun: What Google Thinks of My Birthday (Jan. 31, 2008)

I did this almost 3 years ago and I was wondering how different the images would be if I did it again.  So I went to Google Images and typed in my birthday (DDMMYY) and these are the top 5 images I got:

(For the original post - Link)

 

Here are 3 honorable mentions from out of the top 20 images that came up:

Icy Road Car Pinball -- MUST SEE

Rammstein vs. Cookie Monster

Rammstein vs. Cookie Monster - watch more funny videos

Marvel Costume Contest Winner 2010

Steampunk Iron Man

via Laughing Squid - link

Movie Tarts: November 2010

Here comes the holiday season, and with it comes all the movies that weren't quite ready for the summer movie season.

My Most Anticipated Movie this November is:  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, of course!  And this wasn't a clear forerunner for the most anticipated movie.  There are some particularly interesting movies this November. 

My Second Most Anticipated Movie this November is: 127 Hours

This movie looks intensely stressful! Which is weird because it's about a guy who is probably the opposite of stress.  Plus James Franco will really shine in this one.

Megamind - Well we know that Will Ferrell can make terrible movies, but I have a feeling this is not going to be one of them.  In an era of animation movies that are appealing to all ages, this one will fit right in.  But in a Will Ferrell kind of way.

Due Date - Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis.  And Jamie Fox. What a combo!  This is going to be so funny!

Morning Glory - This movie has a mix of actors with high caliber that will produce results.  Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, the underrated Rachel McAdams, and many others.

The Next Three Days - I'm not sure about this one yet, but with Russell Crowe and Liam Neeson and 30 Rock's Elizabeth Banks, it will definitely be worth seeing.

Love and Other Drugs - This one is directed by Edward Zwick so you know it'll be good.  But it's a romantic comedy by Edward Zwick! And it stars Jake Gyllenhaal (one of my favorites) and Anne Hathaway (everyone's favorite).

 The King's Speech - It has all the ingredients to be good, so I assume it will be. 

"Tighten Up" by The Black Keys

I like most of the songs by The Black Keys.  But just most.  (Thanks Kelly, I saw this on your facebook.)

Song Mash-Up #6

I thought this song looked like it was going to be terrible.  But it wasn't.  It was wonderful.  Here it is:  Nirvana and Michael Jackson singing "Smells Like Billy Jean."

Comics #103

Does Boise State Deserve to be in the National Championship Game?

I don't think so....

Missy the Cat -- A Funny Story

This is a funny story.  It looks boring and long, but it is neither.  You will laugh.

An exchange between a secretary (Shannon) and someone in the design department at her company (David)….

---

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster

Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.



This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks Shan.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,

That is shocking news. Luckily I was sitting down when I read your email and not half way up a ladder or tree. How are you holding up? I am surprised you managed to attend work at all what with thinking about Missy out there cold, frightened and alone... possibly lying on the side of the road, her back legs squashed by a vehicle, calling out "Shannon, where are you?"

Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster

yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,

I never said I don't like cats. Once, having been invited to a party, I went clothes shopping beforehand and bought a pair of expensive G-Star boots. They were two sizes too small but I wanted them so badly I figured I could just wear them without socks and cut my toenails very short. As the party was only a few blocks from my place, I decided to walk. After the first block, I lost all feeling in my feet. Arriving at the party, I stumbled into a guy named Steven, spilling Malibu & coke onto his white Wham 'Choose Life' t-shirt, and he punched me. An hour or so after the incident, Steven sat down in a chair already occupied by a cat. The surprised cat clawed and snarled causing Steven to leap out of the chair, slip on a rug and strike his forehead onto the corner of a speaker; resulting in a two inch open gash. In its shock, the cat also defecated, leaving Steven with a foul stain down the back of his beige cargo pants. I liked that cat.

Attached poster as requested.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,

It's a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,

Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don't come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I am willing to overlook this faux pas due to you no doubt being preoccupied with thoughts of Missy attempting to make her way home across busy intersections or being trapped in a drain as it slowly fills with water. I spent three days down a well once but that was just for fun.

I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say Lost.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww

Dear Shannon,

I don't have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend's cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter, I kept the cat in a closed cardboard box in the shed and forgot about it. If I wanted to feed something and clean faeces, I wouldn't have put my mother in that home after her stroke. A week later, when my friend came to collect his cat, I pretended that I was not home and mailed the box to him. Apparently I failed to put enough stamps on the package and he had to collect it from the post office and pay eighteen dollars. He still goes on about that sometimes, people need to learn to let go.

I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww

Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww

I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says "I haven't seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?" you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.

I knew someone who had a basset hound that had its hind legs removed after an accident and it had to walk around with one of those little buggies with wheels. If it had been my dog I would have asked for all its legs to be removed and replaced with wheels and had a remote control installed. I could charge neighbourhood kids for rides and enter it in races. If I did the same with a horse I could drive it to work. I would call it Steven.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Please just use the photo I gave you.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Fine. That will have to do.

Typography/Motion Graphic #6

I miss Mitch Hedberg.

Fat Girls Dancing

Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired

 

I just saw Marina Zenovich's documentary exploring the history and incidents surrounding the Roman Polanski case in 1977.  If you're a fan of film or film history you might enjoy this documentary; otherwise, I wouldn't waste my time on it.

It's very interesting and has lots of court room drama, but it lacked sustained attention-grabbing information.  The story of Roman Polanski's crimes and desertion are captivating, but only for so long.  Zenovich won an Emmy for the movie, so there is merit there, but to what extent?  I don't know.  I guess if you're a Polanski fan, or are a die-hard film fan (not like Die Hard, but just the cliche die-hard), or are really, really interested in film history, you would probably enjoy this one.  Either way, an opinion of Polanski is going to be established.

Song Mash-Up #5 - A mutt of a song

This edition of Song Mash-Up is of very low audio quality, but the mash-up is of an awesome quality.  I couldn't find another version with better audio quality.  Sorry.  It is a hybrid of Red Hot Chili Pepper's "Dani California" and Kayne West's "Touch the Sky," with a dash of The Avalanche's "Frontier psychiatrist."  So awesome!

Comics #102