Step aside, Peter Jackson

...There's a new Aussie in town, and his name is Baz Luhrman.

Perhaps best known for his glitzy rendition of "Moulin Rouge," Luhrman's most recent work, "Australia," has single-handedly re-written what an "epic" film should be.

I don't even know where to begin with "Australia." Even summarizing the film is a tad daunting, simply because the film's narrative is so long and meandering. That being said, this hardly feels like a three-hour movie. Luhrman's sharp style of directing, when paired with the classic elements of westerns and similar pictures of grand proportions, proves perfect. 

While many are quick to label "Australia" as one of those love it or hate it movies, it is nearly impossible to deny that it is a fine example of what a three-hour epic movie ought to be. Luhrman has not only one-upped fellow Australian director Peter Jackson (who has no less than 4 such "epics" to his name) in this department, but he has simply blown him out of the water. The film is built in distinct pieces that are tied together by recurring themes and motifs, a practice that seems missing from most of Jackson's 3+ hour films.

To put it simply, this film is Luhrman's crowning achievement and one of the best films of the new millennium. See this movie while it's in theaters, you'll thank yourself later. 

Bottom line: 5/5 and a sure-fire contender for Best Picture at the '09 Oscars.

PS: I also saw "Role Models" this weekend. Not a whole lot to be said about that movie, other than it's completely unrealistic and I couldn't possibly care less. Check your brain at the door and go see it. 

3.5/5

much respect,

josh

Happy Thanksgiving

In lieu of a real post, I'll just repost something that's been going around on facebook. It's cool, I can do this; it's Thanksgiving. Hope everyone has a great holiday!!
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This is what the cool kids are doing these days...

Here's what to do:
1. Put your iTunes on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds! And the artist!
4. Tag some friends
5. Anyone tagged has to do the same, because fun pointlessness spreads like a virus.

YAY fun.

If someone says, “Is this okay?” You say?
Television Rules the Nation- Daft Punk

How Would You Describe Yourself?
Burnin'- Daft Punk (lolz hardly)

What Do You Like in a Boy/Girl?
Pulsewidth- Aphex Twin (sounds dirty :)

What is Your Life's Purpose?
Farewell- Boris (how cryptic)

What is Your Motto?
Kids with Guns- Gorillaz

What Do Your Friends Think of You?
Raw- Scanners (harsh)

What Do You Think of Your Parents?
Go-Go Gadget Gospel- Gnarls Barkely (huh?)

What Do You Often Find Yourself Thinking About?
There's Always Someone Cooler than You- Ben Folds

What is 2+2?
November has Come- Gorillaz

What Do You Think of Your Best Friend?
Code Monkey- Some guy

What Do You Think of the Person You Like?
Hell Yes- Beck (lol nice work, iPod.)

What Is Your Life Story?
Cringe- Alkaline Trio (how emo)

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Let There Be Light- Justice

What do you think of when you see the person you like?
Let Down- Radiohead (the exact opposite, actually)

What will you dance to at your wedding?
Cult of Personality- In Living Color (oh God, no)

What will they play at your funeral?
I against I- Mos Def feat. Massive Attack (I'd be OK with this, actually)

What is your hobby/interest?
Shakin' All Over- Rose Hill Drive (I'm actually a crack addict)

What is your biggest fear?
96 Quite Bitter Beings- CKY (not that far off)

What is your biggest secret?
Testify- Rage Against the Machine (I think my iPod missed the point of the question)

What do you think of your friends?
Pretty Fly for a White Guy- Offspring (My friends are quite fly)

What will you post this as?
See You Soon- Coldplay ( :) )

much respect,
josh

Syn-a-whattie?

I went to see "Synecdoche, New York" last night down at the Fleur Cinema in Des Moines. For those of you who may not know, it is the directorial debut of acclaimed writer Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine, Adaptation, Being John Malkovich) and it couldn't have been stranger. Many would argue that Kaufman has completely fallen into self obsession with this latest effort, a rambling portrayal of a struggling playwright's final fifty years of life (yes, fifty. The movie takes place over a time span anywhere between 35-50 years). While it's hard to negate that argument, it is also hard to deny the legitimacy of the film itself, even if it is complicated in the way it establishes it's point. While it's hardly Kaufman's best work, fans of indie movies (and Phillip Seymour Hoffman) should check this one out while it's still in theaters, if nothing else than for the purpose of arguing about it's ambiguous meaning. I personally give it a B-, but most critic's have liked it a bit more than I.

much respect,

josh

This is cool.

These pictures are awesome. Even better, I don't think any of them (maybe one) are photoshopped in any way.

much respect
josh

PS: I realized that my last post had a few typographical errors. I went back and fixed 'em. Sorry if I offended any logophiles :)

Bad business model

Even though I voted for him, I knew there would eventually be an issue where I would completely disagree with Barack Obama. Luckily, I don't think this is all that divisive of an issue, but it is a vitally important one. I'm talking, of course, about the incessant whining coming from General Motors who now want congress to give them $25 billion dollars to help them stay afloat. Most Democrats (Obama included) support the bailout. Most Republicans (and a surprisingly low number of Democrats) don't support it. I identify with the latter.

GM has been teetering on bankruptcy for years and they've had this coming. They've had this coming and there isn't a person in the whole damn company who didn't know this. GM's financial woes are far from new and that hasn't stopped them (until very, very recently) from sparing no expense from developing gas-guzzling SUVs that nobody wants drive to beyond-extravagant presentations. All of the sudden, GM is realizing that their awful excuse for a major American business might actually be brought down by their shoddy practices. I'm not saying that the economic downturn isn't affecting GM, it is. I'm saying that maybe if GM hadn't hemmorraged money for the last 10 years, they wouldn't be in this position. They wouldn't even be close.

So for once, Democrats, let a business learn their lesson. We have other automobile suppliers, many of them with American ties (i.e. Toyota) to help our economy. Let GM suffer the downfall they've had coming for so long and let it be a lesson to every other corrupt business in America that the taxpayers don't exist to clean up their mess.

much respect,
josh

PS: On an unrelated note, I was informed that an old friend from high school died yesterday from an accidental drug overdose. This comes as particularly shocking, especially since he really had a lot going for him as of last year. I was only acquainted with him, and I can only imagine the pain his family and close friends are going through. I'm not going to go on an anti-drug tirade or anything, but his untimely passing has struck me as a reminder that few things are constant and we should really be thankful for the things that are. RIP, Ryan.

Overthinker...

I have this bad habit, it's been getting a lot worse as of lately, of over-thinking the most minor, insignificant things. I've always been one of the awkward, self-conscious types, but it really only comes through after I've made a slip-up or mistake of some sort. 

It's not the mistake itself that makes me feel so self conscious, rather it's the concept of what people may think of me. I just have a terrible habit of taking any minor slip I make and elevating it to the grandest of all proportions in my head. I may say something that was a tad bit too harsh or do something that comes off as a wee bit too stupid and end up fearing that whoever witnessed the event will suddenly feel compelled to end all contact with me. 

The last few days have been great to me, I've gotten a chance to do so much in such a short period of time, all while spending time getting to know people that I genuinely love to be around. Yet at the same moment, I feel nervous that I have made a mistake around them and don't know it yet. If I haven't yet, will I? When will I do it? And will it ('it' meaning the mistake or its possible consequences) really be as bad as my mind makes it out to be?

much respect,

josh

ps: On a COMPLETELY unrelated note, I've got a ticket for the Purdue v. Iowa game tomorrow at Kinnick Stadium. If you want it, send me an email (agentj28@aol.com).

A much needed explanation...

As many of you may know, I've always been a tad bit critical of the "To Write Love on Her Arms" anti-suicide movement. Today is actually the movement's anti-suicide holiday, for those of you who may not know. The basis of the group is the (rather novelized) story of a guy's effort to prevent a girl's suicide. Don't get me wrong, I fully support any effort to stem the suicide epidemic anywhere in the world, but I feel that certain aspects (particularly some of the followers) of the TWLOHA movement cheapens it a bit.

I won't deny that it spreads awareness, but excuse me if I feel that it only does so on a superficial level. I see bands wear the t-shirts and people walking around with 'love' literally written on their arms and I have to ask myself why people are doing this. I understand that many have had their lives affected first hand by those who have committed suicide, which is a horrible tragedy, but I feel that more can be done to raise awareness than simply wearing a shirt or scribbling on one's arm. To put it simply, I (no longer) have any problem with TWLOHA, but I just wish that its less-informed supporters would take more than a superficial interest in the far from superficial matter of suicide. 

I've poked fun at the movement itself at times, and for that, I am really and truly sorry. Having had a chance to ruminate on my thoughts, that's a rather childish stand for me to take, especially on a matter that is so serious. While I am still upset by the superficiality of some TWLOHA supporters, I fully support the movement itself and have a great deal of admiration for its goals. Also, to any serious TWLOHA supporters who I may have pissed off, at any point, I apologize whole-heartedly for my actions.

TWLOHA Official Website

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) Website

I encourage everyone to take a moment and visit these websites. Suicide is a serious matter and education as to its apparent causes (as well as methods of prevention) is the best tool we have to combat it.

much respect,

josh

Partially blocked writer

So I'm not really feeling that creative writing I was talking about... I guess I just can't really get in to that story I was working on, my heart just isn't there at this point. It could certainly be worse (I could be having writer's block). I think I'll just take some time to brainstorm and work on a better, more sound idea when it comes to me.

In other news, I got a chance to see Jim Cramer tape his show "Mad Money" on the UI campus today. Earlier today, I even got the chance to aid in a student interview with him for SVP (I held the boom mic). Cramer's a really nice guy, shorter than I imagined. Really down to earth and passionate about helping people. Really one of the nicest people I've had the opportunity to meet. He also taped a really a great show. I'm on TV for a few fleeting moments, as the camera pans over the crowd (I'm last row on the floor, in the back, right by the middle aisle). It was a great show, and it'll be reaired at 11pm EST (about five minutes from now) on CNBC tonight. Watch it, if you can.

much respect,

josh

Remember, remember, the 5th of November...

I just happened to see "V for Vendetta" for the first time last night. I must say, it was positively awesome. If you are one of the few who have not seen it, I recommend checking it out when you get the chance. Although it may not be the truest adaptation of the book, it is really a beautiful film inside and out. Natalie Portman's acting is superb and Hugo Weaving gives one of the best voice acting jobs I've ever heard in any movie.

I may be taking a brief hiatus from frequent posts to work on some creative writing, but rest assured I won't stop posting altogether. Also, should anything come of this creative writing, you'll see it here first.

much respect,

josh

Wow.

it's great to be home.

Good for them.

While I won't deny that they have their fair share of sore losers, I have to commend the McCain campaign and their supporters in the wake of Mr. Obama's victory. A great deal of Republicans and McCain supporters, including the head of Iowa College Republicans Greg Baker, have expressed maturity and willingness to give Barack a chance. Baker also expressed in a letter to the editor of the Daily Iowan the need to reach across the aisle and put aside political differences. Regardless of political affiliations, it's time that we stand together as a country and find a way to put a stop to our economic crisis, among other things. Either way, let's put aside our political differences, if only for a few months, after this long build-up to the election. 

The one thing I still do wonder about (and I say this as an Obama supporter), is whether Democrats would have displayed the same level of maturity the Republicans have displayed if McCain had won the election. I hate to bring down my own party, but I have serious doubts that we would see that behavior.

Lastly, I don't know if any of you happened to be watching CNN for your election night coverage, but they unveiled the greatest invention in television history: the hologram. And since it's election night, who do they interview? Will.i.am of the Black-Eyed Peas, of course. I mean, duh, it's a no-brainer. 

much respect,

josh

A big step.

I think this is appropriate to play today...

much respect,

josh

I voted this morning...

did you?

The atmosphere is absolutely electric everywhere on campus right now. It's really neat being able to see this first hand. I'm also really excited to be a part of a media project tonight (I legally can't tell you what it is until tomorrow), but I can honestly say it's going to be huge.

No matter who you support (unless it's McCain), go out and vote today! In the words of a wise philosopher by the name of Sir Nike once said, "Just Do It."

viva la revolution,

josh

A few things....

Firstly, sorry for not posting sooner. I've been busy the past few days and the blog kind of takes a back seat to some other things....

Secondly, I'm still hoping to get a position as a production assistant on the CNBC taping of "Mad Money" when it comes to campus as part of the show's "Back To School" tour. If you aren't familiar with Jim Cramer, look him up on YouTube sometime to get a taste for the type of show Mad Money is.

Thirdly, I'm writing this post from a coffee shop that I frequent here on campus that happens to sit next to a small playground. Not five minutes earlier did a little kid just run up to the window and start smacking the hell out of it, apparently just for fun. God, I sometimes miss those days, especially now with the stresses of college life. Not that I'm complaining (with responsibility comes power, in the words of Peter Parker), but there's something to be said for naïvety.

Fourthly, a shameless plug. November is "No Shave November." There is no special cause. There is no real reason. Don't ask questions, odds are there isn't a damn person who can answer them. Don't shave, now until November 30th.

Fifthly, another shameless plug (or anti-plug). Don't vote for McCain-Palin tomorrow. Vote for Obama, Barr, Ron Paul, or Mickey Mouse, but for the love of all that is holy, don't vote for McCain. But seriously, by all means, go out and vote.