A searing indictment of all that is wrong with the Academy Awards and most other award presentations... and a further burning immolation of self-repugnance at the fact I'll probably watch.
After a two-day distraction to keep media outlets and the public sufficiently distracted from the Throne Speech and the Budget, the Tories plans to change the national anthem to make it gender-neutral have apparently evaporated. How transparent can media manipulation be. Any news outlet that printed the anthem change as anything but a distraction should be ashamed.
I, however, have not given up on the dream and have constructed a new national anthem to keep everyone happy. To hear my process and the result, you'll have to listen.
via nfb.ca
Another great gift via the nfb.ca website.
I've never been a huge fan of Leonard Cohen, but the stylish 45 year old look at one of Canada's most popular poets and performers was too cool to pass up. Beyond its examination of Cohen, it really gives viewers a sense of place and time in such a way that is esssential, and unfortunately often unique, to some of the great National Film Board content creators that we still enjoy today.
While I would never expect any to sit back and watch all 45 minutes, it is entertaining and engaging. And now you know where to find it.
I cannot express how pissed off I am that the Canadian Speech from the Throne (kinda like the US State of the Union) lofted up a "distraction of the week" about changing the words to the anthem in order to deflect the shitty state we're in... and the media's biting!
But wait! I can express how pissed off I am... have a listen!
EDIT: Apologies for the Preponderance of Popping Ps. I was apParently more Pissed off that usual.
I am trying for a revival of listening to entire CDs, albums, cassettes, 8 tracks.
Screw the 99 cent download! Bring back the concept album. Bring back the open canvas. Listen to the evolution of an idea, not just a vulgar snippet.
Instead of typing and typing paragraphs of information about why I love my favourite 10 albums of all-time, I decided to record my love letter to the art that inspired me for the past few decades. Hope you find something you like or, even better, something you might like.
Okay - I'm not (or wasn't) a fan of Savage Garden. I never liked Janet Jackson. Queen was cool and I dug their stuff. Simon and Garfunkel, as mellow as they were, knew how to craft a song.... Whether I liked the March 1st, number one songs of the last 80 years, and as insipid as some of the lyrical evolution was, things have really taken a turn in the last decade.
I've generally considered number one songs to be an indicator of the lowest common denominator of a culture's understanding and comprehension. That the lowest common denominator of 1970 was probably close to the peak of our culture today is telling. How far have we been dumbed down in 40 years? I thought "Tonight's gonna be a good night" was the most repetitive inane tune I'd have to hear for the next decade, and then the Peas outdid themselves. Bring back Aqua; I'd rather be in a Barbie World.
2010 - Black-Eyed Peas - Imma Be
Rich baby quick quick imma imma imma be
The shit baby check me out be
Imma be, imma be
On top, never stop (be be)
Imma be, imma be - imma imma imma be
Imma be, fcukin her
Imma imma imma be - imma be be be imma imma be
2000 - Savage Garden - I Knew I Loved You
Maybe it's intuition
But some things you just don't question
Like in your eyes
I see my future in an instant
and there it goes
1990 - Janet Jackson - Escapade
My mind's tired, I've worked so hard all
Worked so hard all week
I just got paid, we've got it made
Ready to go
I promise you, I'll show you such a good time
1980 - Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love
I gotta be cool relax, get hip
Get on my tracks
Take a back seat, hitch-hike
And take a long ride on my motor bike
Until I'm ready
Crazy little thing called love
1970 - Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water
Sail on Silver Girl,
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
1960 - Percy Faith - Theme From A Summer Place
There's a summer place
Where it may rain or storm
Yet I'm safe and warm
For within that summer place
Your arms reach out to me
And my heart is free from all care
1950 - Red Foley - Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy
Have you ever passed the corner of Fourth and Grand
Where a little ball of rhythm has a shoeshine stand?
People gather 'round and they clap their hands,
He's a great big bundle of joy--
He pops a boogie woogie rag,
The Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy.
1940 - Glen Miller - In The Mood
First I held him lightly and we started to dance
Then I held him tightly what a dreamy romance
And I said "Hey, baby, it's a quarter to three
There's a mess of moonlight, won't-cha share it with me"
"Well" he answered "Baby, don't-cha know that it's rude
To keep my two lips waitin' when they're in the mood"
1930 - Harry Richman - Puttin' On The Ritz
Have you seen the well-to-do
Up and down Park Avenue
On that famous thoroughfare
With their noses in the air
High hats and arrowed collars
Wide spats and fifteen dollars
Spending every dime
For a wonderful time
There's no such thing as a clean sweep.
Sometimes you have to take a nose hit and then give it some ice.
If you can't hack it, get your rocks off some other way.
When asking for a double, always expect you'll get some ice with it.
If you're asking for bumper and end up getting a biter, she may slap you.
When you decide to hurry hard, always make sure you have enough ice to finish with.
If you decide to draw too much instead of taking her out, you may face an end prematurely.
When asked if you have the hammer, don't brag. Just ask if they have the stones.
To hit and roll simultaneously probably ensures a very chill evening.
If you've been accused of a hog line violation, immediately erase all of the web bestiality bookmarks from your browser.
When asking your Skip for a raise, give a second before leading her/him to come around.
via vimeo.com
Ever wonder what a killer avocado would look like...
Easily one of the coolest cartoons I've seen in recent years on the web. I sincerely want to come home after a night of a few wobbly pops and put this on the big screen. Really cool animation done with TVPaint. Love the style and the pacing, and especially love the absurdist ending.
I don't post many Vimeo finds, but this one's worth it!
On the Olympics, daytime television schadenfreude, Krinkles the F'ed Up Clown, printing a spleen and a satirical condemnation of ACTA.