Christmas on Mars

I don't like writing film reviews so I'm going to try to make sure this isn't one.

Saturday night I went to one of only three screenings of Christmas on Mars here in CT. All three were held at Real Art Ways in Hartford. Real Art Ways isn't your typical movie theatre. It is actually an art gallery that shows films in a small theatre. The films are small art house type films that don't see widespread distribution.

The film wasn't what I was expecting. Considering how uplifting The Flaming Lips music tends to be, I figured the film would be of a similar quality. I was wrong. It was hands down the most depressing and oddest Christmas film I've ever seen. Calling it a Christmas film is a stretch, aside from the fact that it takes place on Christmas Eve and features Wayne Coyne as an alien in a Santa costume there is nothing about the film that says Christmas. The acting varied from horrific to not bad. The score was excellent, as were the sets. The fact that much of the sets were built in Wayne's backyard is amazing. Most of the film was shot in black and white, and I think this was done as much for the aesthetics as it was to hide the fact that most of the sets were held together with masking tape. One thing that really caught me off guard was the number of vagina's in this film. It would have been over the top if they weren't the only redeeming quality of the film. A marching band of vagina headed musicians about to crush a baby is oddly comedic when seen in the context of this film. If you decide to watch this movie try to look for hidden vaginae. Some are more obvious than others.

I was considering buying the Christmas on Mars Deluxe Edition, but after seeing the film all of Wayne Coyne's Jim Jones-esqu selling personality couldn't win me over. The film was terrible. I'll probably pick up the DVD/ CD set just to get the soundtrack. I can't justify spending $40 for this even though it comes with so much cool stuff.

Free Dr. Pepper

Only until about 6pm tonight you can get a coupon for a free 20oz Dr. Pepper at www.drpepper.com/text . Enjoy it while you can, act fast. 

Random Photo

I like Fiat 500s, they look like fun like practical cars. I took pictures of a bunch of these original 500s while I was in Europe, but I think this is my favorite of the bunch. I took this one somewhere in Paris. Rumor has it that they are planning to sell an updated version of it at Maserati dealerships to compete against cars like the GTI and MINI Cooper. I hope it works out because the new one is almost as cool as the original, especially in Abarth trim.

Did it again.

Apathy got to me again last night. I failed in my attempt to go to the Stars on the Lid concert. I won’t exactly consider it a major failure; I don’t know any music by the band aside from what I’ve heard on YouTube. I’ve just been so tired lately. I did the math and I’ve been having 18-19 hour days 4-5 days a week for the last few weeks. I need to increase my sleep. I can’t enjoy leisure activities until I can enjoy some proper sleep. Hopefully I’ll get enough sleep to make it to a "Christmas On Mars" screening this weekend. As far as I know this is the only weekend where the film in playing in CT. I’ve been waiting for this movie for probably 5 years, so it’ll be great to see the final outcome. Wish me luck in not sleeping through the whole weekend. Next week will be a godsend, only one day of classes and one day (maybe) of work. I could have six day break next week.

Super Obama World

Talk about a great way to waste time. Its just like Super Mario Bros. but with Obama.

www.superobamaworld.com

False Start

Lets call that a false start. I really want to get on track and start writing more for this blog, but I’m always so busy these days. I’m trying to complete my senior seminar course, I’m looking for jobs both for now and for after I get my degree in May, I want to be more artistic (I’ve come back around to photography, and I want to try stencil art), and I’ve got stuff to take care of in my everyday life. I haven’t even had time for my favorite activity, seeing concerts. I skipped a Sigur Rós concert in September simply because I was too tired to go. About two weeks ago I skipped a Pelican concert that was only about 25 minutes away because, once again, I was too tired. Tonight Stars of the Lid in playing in the next town over, and I really want to go. I’m not usually into that sort of slow ambient type music, but I figure it will be something new to listen to. As it is Eluvium is just about the only ambient band I listen to. Either next week or the week after Boris is playing in Danbury CT, which is over an hour away, but it is a relatively nice drive so I may try to make it out there to see them. I don’t even have any of their music; I’ve just heard so much about them that I think seeing them would be an experience. It is what I did with MONO and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. I’ve heard from people I trust that they were good bands so I went to see them, and they became two of my favorite bands ever.

Its late as I’m writing this, after 2:30am, so I’m not going to attempt to squeeze anything more out of this blog tonight. The video I’ve attached is amazing. If you’ve seen it before I’m sure you’ll appreciate seeing it again, and if you haven’t seen it before prepare to be amazed. After you watch it you may want to go to the youtube page where it is hosted and read about how it was created it. It is really fascinating.

Glad thats over.

As you may have noticed it has been a long time since I posted, but I swear I have an excellent reason. I was kidnapped. Yup, the Chinese equivalent of the CIA didn't exactly care for my scathing review of their society so they took me black-ops style. I've been somewhere in the middle kingdom for the last 6 months.

Not Really.

I actually lost internet shortly after my last post. Then I when I got internet back, I went to Sweden. When I got back from Sweden I was busy with something or another, it was 5 months ago, I'm allowed to have forgotten. Since then I did some more traveling. Spent time in France for half of August. Then I came home and I've been busy with school since then. I'm in the middle of trying to write my senior thesis, so I'm busy almost every day. In fact I should be writing it right now, but I'm hoping this blog entry will help to clear my mind. I don't have anything to share with you, but why don't you check out this youtube clip. It's Craig Robinson, or as you probably know him Daryl from The Office. Last night he put on a free performance at my university and it was amazing. This guy is hysterical.