Rock Star alter egos are growing in numbers "You're forming a fake band -- that's what you do," says Sadri, calling the game "the best part of karaoke, adding in a drummer and guitars."
The Magpie Developer Jeff Atwood is one of the best programmer/writers around. I love reading his stuff, some I agree wholeheartedly with, other stuff we disagree, but this post is about a dead-on as they come. This idea has been floating in my head for a long time, but it is hard for me to conceptualize it in words, Atwood does a brilliant job at it. Must read for any developer.
Andy Olmsted's Last Blog Entry. (Warning: Pretty rough) No matter how you feel politically about the war, this reminds you that each number people throw around as statistics is a human life. This is extremely well written, and pretty rough on your soul towards the end, but something everyone should read. Its a shitty situation all around, but there is always a human face behind the statistics and I want to make sure I never forget that.
To preserve his body during the voyage home, the second-in-command stored Nelson's body in the ship's vat of rum and halted all liquor rations to the crew. Not a bad idea, but when the ship reached port, officials went to retrieve Nelson's body and found the vat dry.
Disregarding good taste (in every sense), the crew had been secretly drinking from it the entire way home. After that, naval rum was referred to as Nelson's Blood.
making vodka pills in 24 hours Recently, Chef Fabian was experimenting further with the Adria/Torreblanca technique of making 'vodka pills.' I use this word to describe the process of making liquid-filled candies by pouring flavored alcohol syrups into cornstarch and letting it set until a hard outer shell forms.
Strategy Letter VI - joelonsoftware.com As a programmer, thanks to plummeting memory prices, and CPU speeds doubling every year, you had a choice. You could spend six months rewriting your inner loops in Assembler, or take six months off to play drums in a rock and roll band, and in either case, your program would run faster. Assembler programmers don’t have groupies.
Entire Article is Dead On. A must read for anyone in the software biz.
So what is it? I know I am merely propagating rumor when I post this, but I really want to know what Origami is. Don't get me wrong. There are very few MS devices that I have ever owned. When I say MS device I specifically mean a device from some hardware manufacturer that runs on some O/S that MS developed. Here are basically the devices that I own and would directly see a downgrade in my work ability if I were not to have:
Laptop: Windows XP / Redhat Dual Boot. Could I live without the XP OS? No. I do some programming on my laptop but the majority is daily stuff and I don't use Redhat for that.
Cell Phone: Windows Mobile OS. Could I live without it? yes and I did for awhile. I had some nokia proprietary OS (and also Palm OS for awhile) for a long time on an older cell phone and I got by with it. Yes I enjoy the sync with my laptop outlook contacts/calendar, but ever since MSN started charging for their online sync tool (which was really a great program and shitty of them to start charging a monthly fee for) I have been lax with entering stuff on my cell phone.
Axim A3: I don't use this device barely at all anymore. I keep it around just incase someone asks me to program on it, I have a device to test on it.
iPod: Can't live without it, I have utilized it probably at least 1+ hours every single day since i bought it. Apple OS. It helps me get in 'the zone' when I program and I feel it is indispensable.
Nintendo DS: I love my DS. I don't usually carry it around except on the weekends (and for the wife's shopping trips). But I am excited about the new web browsing components for it, and I love being able to sit outside Victoria Secret while my wife shops and being able to challenged multiple Japanese kids to Mario Kart while she does her shopping. I have wrote about before how I think Google could take advantage of the DS, which I have commented on Matt Cutt's blog about [post seems to have been removed], and I still think that is coming somewhere down the line.
I have seen tablet PCs, and honestly if I did a lot more programming for different sources it would probably come in handy. Gates said it was the future at one point, and I honestly still agree with him. It just isn't really in the cards for me right now. I can use office apps on my laptop to take whatever specs I need. I usually still write everything down on a legal pad honestly.
So what is the origami going to entail? An all in one device? That is what my pocketpc (Axim A3 from above) was supposed to be, but as of now, that has kind of fallen to the wayside. Here is the video everyone is talking about: (NOTE the Halo being played on it). Is it a portable gaming machine? that has yet to be seen, all that I have read on multiple blogs say that gaming platform is a feature, but this is really trying to be the all in one feature. Scoble is not hyping it that much, but after reading his posts, I think that may be a marketing decision for it. I am honestly eager to see what it is, and what I can program on it. Will it be a note taker? I would love something not as expensive as a tablet PC for that. Will it be a small sleek (taken from Jobs grandoise PR style) piece of hardware that will multifunction for people like me? I hope so. Until we find out I am all ears. I will say that since we are so close to Vista launch that i hope it runs on Vista's graphical environ. Would be nice to be able to easily move Media Center stuff to a device to like that for travel, but I honestly don't see myself investing in one until it will do a lot more than the mobile OS.
I guess I will have to wait and see. Let the "non-hype" begin.
You are probably wondering what exactly this list is about. Well I am also. I really don't know the term for it (and there might not be a term for it). Basically I am tying to come up with a list of movies that I thought had a specific 'artistic vision, when it came to the character's environment and the movie's setting. It is really hard for me to describe what I mean because I don't want to get it confused with movies that do a good job at recreating a time period in history via the set and/or special fx (ie Gladiator, Braveheart, etc) or that do a good job at creating a "foreign environment" (ie Aliens, etc). When I say foreign environment I just mean the creation of an environment the way we think it will be at some time in the future. With Alien, it was the future and the space setting was something that conceptually could be a space station in the future. What I am trying to categorize are movies that created something with a fantastic vision, and with that vision the art direction was able to implement it into the movie in such a way that was extremely new and refreshing. When I say fantastic I mean it in this sense:
extravagantly fanciful in design, construction, appearance; "Gaudi's fantastic architecture"
So, now that I have completely confused anyone who is reading this into wondering what the hell I actually am using for criteria for this list, it might help for you to see the movies me and my wife determined belonged on the list and look at the environments that they were shown and maybe you will see what I mean. (And if there is a term for it please let me know).
Dark Crystal
Probably what got me started on this list was I was trying to find some information on the new Dark Crystal movie. I loved the first movie when I was little, and I don't know if there are many other movies that influenced the way I dreamt for such a long time. The concept creator (and person who came up with the actual costuming/puppets) came up with such a dark, torrmented creature when they came up with the Skesis.
I mean these were some pretty scary puppets, yet even as a kid I knew that they were the bad guys because of how visual unappealing they were. When you compare them to Geflings or the Uru, who have faces that are somewhat smooth and visually appealing, the Skesis look like raisin's with beaks. The kink in this theory comes from Augra who helps the two main Gelflings, but is still pretty fucking ugly.
Anyways, The settings of the whole movie are extremely dark and very "earth-toney" (Did I just make up a word?).
Anytime we see the Skesis they are surounded by an environment of jagged edges, and when we see the Gelflings, it is harmonious circles and smooth surfaces.
Certainly one of the coolest movies I watched as a kid, and probably at the core of it one of the most visually dark movies.
Labyrinth"Whose got the baby with the voodoo?"
Another kids movie that I probably wore down the vcr tape heads with my tv recorded version of the movie when I was little. I really don't even need to describe how visually stunning this movie was (and also how visually stunning Jennifer Connely is also [HOORAY for Requiem for a Dream!]) from the characters:
Hoggle:
Sir Didamus:
to the perfect casting of Bowie for Janeth. The MC Hammer-Escher-esque (made up word count: 2) stairwell scenes
and one of my favorite scenes of all times with the 2 talking door knobs, all had very dark distinct visuals.
Moulin Rouge:
I honestly did not think I would enjoy anything where Obi-wan would be singing like a musical. The first time I saw this we rented the DVD and let me tell you, this is most certainly one of the best movies to have ever been made. The story, the characters, and most importantly the visuals, really make this one of the greats in my opinion. While the previous two movies I discussed were elegantly dark, this movie takes to the other side of the spectrum when it comes to the use of color. Every color stands out very well (very much like Sin City) but yet the palate for the entire movie just fits together so well. The same green that you see in the absinthe is the same green you see later on in the movie, maybe only a slight variation in the shade. It really works well through the movie. The rich red of the red velvet curtain is the same red as Satine's dress, etc. Also, one thing I really liked about the artistic vision in this movie is the great use of the absence of color.
In certain scenes like when Satine sings about diamonds (and all the stuff her character ends up willing to give up in the end) the color is very muted and very dull like one would think someone who only cares about that kind of stuff is.
Great Movie. Hands down, just a great movie. And I HATE musicals.
Batman Returns
Yes I loved Batman Begins. I thought it was a great movie and visually stunning in its own right. I also think Bale was the best Batman hands down (I am sure my wife would agree also), but there is just something about Tim Burton's Batman Returns that I enjoyed so much. It seemed to me that out of all the Batman movies, Burton's Gotham was just the darkest and dreariest (yes this might also be the fact that at the time period in batman's life that this movie was supposed to be in was also quite
possibly the more dreariest time for Gotham).
I really enjoyed the way that Devito's Penguin character looked also for some reason in this movie.
Catwoman's costuming was done well, but I really think when it comes down to visuals that the penguin was just an extraordinarily abhorrent character.
The Cell
I am sure as some people read this they are like "Is he talking about that J-Lo movie?" and yes I am. The visuals in the ending scenes of this movie, and some of the most artistic scenes I have seen in ANY movie ever. And J-Lo is just totally smokin.
I don't want to give anything away but the final set of scenes is just so perfect and elegantly evil that I don't know how else to describe them. The characters and what they are wearing is extremely intense and almost makes you want to pause the DVD and say "Who the hell would think to wrap that man's nipple with that gauge of wire?" but the result of all these small minute details and the VIVID use of color is just awesome.
Vincent Denofrio's character's costumes are extremely cool and ,in the most complementary way I can suggest it, would have been some pretty cool G.I. Joe character figures.
Also I have to give props to Vince Vaughn and J-Lo in this movie, both did a great job with the acting, and I can honestly say that after Swingers it was very hard for me to see Vince Vaughn and not laugh, but he does a really good job of "serious" acting in this movie.
The Village
Since we are on the topic of color, I don't know if there has ever been another movie that I have seen that has used color in such a perfect way as the story telling in The Village. The Yellow of the cloaks, the distinction of the red marks on the door against the normal black/white/green grass environment of the village, all create this distinct visual environment for this movie.
Another thing which I could not find a picture of was the blue of Bryce Howard's Eyes (who ironically plays the blind character). Which is very interesting because there was not much blue in the movie, and really nothing as bright as her eyes, and her eyes (and their use/non use) play a very big part of the movie.
Ok so thats 6. I also had a few honerable mentions:
Sin City - Pretty East to See the artistic style, but it parallel the graphic novel very closely, so I don't know who to really give credit to, the movie or the graphic novel artist.
The Matrix - Mostly do to special fx, but the original Matrix had a very distinct look, specifically within the Matrix it's self.
Beetle Juice - Can you honestly say you expected to see 2 Michael Keaton movies on the list of my most artistic movies of all time??! Well Bettle Juice was in an opium induced class of its own. The visuals matched with pseudo-claymation was pretty suave.
Saving Private Ryan - We were thinking about including this movie, not specifically for the awesome scenes, but only for the way the movie was filmed. I think the persistent shaking and way the camera follows the characters like the camera is another person running behind them in battle was great, and really added to the film.
Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (both versions) - Really don't need to explain why that much. I really enjoyed Burton's version as much as I enjoyed the original. For some reason scenes Charlie's slanted house right on the threshold of the city really tell a lot about the story for me.
Young Guns II - It really didnt have anything amazing artistic about it, but any movie with Jack Bauer, Gil Grissom, Aragorn, Cameron Frye, Will Scarlet, Ralph from Lord of the Flies, and a character with a last name of Chavez y Chavez deserves to be on any list of any movies and any time. (10 points for anyone that makes all the connections).
So what do you think? Please post any other movies you think are in the same class as these (because of artistic style) in the comments. I am going to try to get a hold of a copy of mirror mask sometime this week; I have heard it is pretty wild. Anyone else got any other suggestions?
Brainstorm it:
I can't believe you put Batman Returns in here. All credibility evaporated right there. The original Batman was so much better. How could you take Devito over Nicholson? This is just crazy. I can't get over this.
What about The Running Man? It gets bonus points for somewhat accurately predicting the future. The over the top TV commercials in there (like fighting dogs for money) are not that far off from our current TV shows.
Also, Starship Troopers was great. It is vastly underrated, but an awesome movie. Great Satire.
I think it would be just as fun to do an anti-list for movies that failed spectacularly at this task. (Batman Returns would probably be on that list. Penguins with missiles strapped on their backs? Puh-lease.) The 5th Element also comes to mind.
You should definitely check out MirrorMask. I think you'll quickly add it to this list.
As for other movies I might add:
Probably any Shyamalan movie really. Since you already used The Village, I'll take Unbreakable. He uses color pretty well in that one to represent good vs. bad and the comic book feel of the framing is nice.
Dark City would make my list too. It's like the Batman movies, where you feel like it's an environment based on current day large cities, but you can't really place it in a specific time period. I also love the character design for The Strangers.
I'm going to go out on a limb for my last one and say Pitch Black. It's sorta got a color thing going on too, but I think it's the use of light and darkness that make it a visually interesting movie.
How about The Ring? Regardless of whether you thought it was scary or not (I did), I thought it had some pretty effective visuals. The dark mood of the film was done pretty well with the rainy atmosphere throughout most of the movie, and the cut scenes of random important objects such as the tree on the hill, and the sped-up frame speed added to the freakiness. Plus, that damn girl�
When I think of visually stunning movies a lot of these on you list come to mind. Here are a few I think you left out. American History X- going from black and white to color throughout the movie really brings a terrific screen play to life. While I am on the topic of movies that go from black and white to color I must list the only other Film I can think of that is like that The Wizard of Oz. This movie set the bar for films in alternate realities. Something is pretty impressive about a movie that was made almost 70 years ago that still is as visually stunning as this on is today . Very amazing what they did with the limited technology at the time. Another movie I would list is all three Lord of the Rings movies. Peter Jackson such a great job with those films and I am afraid he will never be given enough credit for making them.
Honorable Mention:
Terminator 1 and 2 James Cameron revolutionized the film industry as we know it with T2. Not bad for a truck driver that learned how to make movies by reading books at the public library.
Jurassic Park 1- I like to pretend The Lost World was never made so I am leaving it off.
LA Confidential � There is just something about the way this movie was shot that really sets if apart from other films.
Rocky IV- Just because that movie will be on any movie list I ever make!
Decent List, I agree with Justin above though Batman Returns sucks. Probably one of my least favorite Batmans.
I think LOTR: Return of the King should get a nod for artistic visuals. While a lot, nay most of it was CGI some of the shots were amazing, and the backdrop of New Zealand has put it on the top of my destinations I want to see in my lifetime. Awesome movie, great costumes and effects.
I stayed away from LOTR/Narnia/Harry Potter just because they were adaptations from books that were pretty visual already. The artists were great, but they generally recreated the images in the style of the author.
The game was inspired by Miyamoto's adventures in the hills of Kyoto as a young child. It was released in Japan as the first game for the Famicom Disk System add-on to the Famicom on February 21, 1986.
Happy 20th Birthday Link. I still remember the day I held Legend of Zelda in my hands for the first time. It was a 9 year olds introduction to RPGs that would continue to this very day (I just logged off EQ2).
Thank you Shigeru Miyamoto.
The Legend of Zelda - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brainstorm it:
Here here. I can still hear all the songs and sound effects of the original, and it takes me back to some extremely good childhood memories. I still remember the way I felt when I saw the opening title screen with the Triforce and waterfall for the first time.
I love that game and I still have it. Yeah I still have to the old NES and a bunch of games for it stored away. Of course now I have it for GameBoy and GameCube. But nothing is better than blowing into that cartridge right before sliding into the system just so you can get the damn thing to read.
Fantastic. Brokeback parodies have been springing up on the �net all over the place but most are kind of lousy. This one I liked and had never seen before.
Power of the Dark Crystal is a production of The Jim Henson Company in association with Orphanage Animation Studios. With a screenplay by Annette Duffy and David Odell, the film will be produced by Lisa Henson and Orphanage Animation Studios Chairman Scott Stewart. Executive Producers will be Brian Henson with Ralph Kamp and Louise Goodsill of Odyssey Entertainment.
Travis - The Boy With No Name Travis is back. I wouldn't say I hated 12 memories, it was meant to be very political, I just thought it went a little overboard and was somewhat preachy. Then when the greatest hits CD came out to be honest I was really hoping it didn't mean the end to one of my favorite brit bands. Boy With No Name is everything they were capable of. Supurb CD all the way through. Every song is brilliant. Big Chair is probably my favorite song and the opening to the CD on 3 Times is as good as it gets in music imho.
Pop! Why Bubbles are Great For The Economys (Gross) One of the better economic books I have read in while, where the author gets their premise across in a well written, clear and concise manner. Basically Gross believes that the infrastructure left over after economic bubbles, provides companies with the ability to move forward (maybe more than the original bubble did). Not a hard read, I would definitely suggest it for a day and the beach/lake.
Feist - The Reminder I CANNOT GET "I feel it all" OUT OF MY HEAD. Period. Great album, angelic voice.
Catan - Xbox Live Arcade I am hopelessly addicted to this board-turned-video game on the xbox360. I had never played the board game but had seen it being played in some comic shops growing up. Click the Pick and play the demo, it isn't the 360 interface, but same game.
Arctic Monkeys - Favorite Worse Nightmare No Sophomore slump here. Just as good (if not better) than Whatever they Say.
Beautiful Evidence (Tufte) Tufte reads like a text book, most people would say bleh, but the information about "information" that he can deliver is top notch. My first Tufte book was "A Visual Display To Quantitative Information" and it was extremely well done, albeit confusing at time. I think beautiful Evidence is a little easier of a read (I am still only half way through it) and a little easier for myself to understand the ideas he is presenting..
Fountains of Wayne - Traffic and Weather Fountains of Wayne are the Gods of pop music. If Welcome Interstate Managers was a collection of short stories in song form, then Traffic and Weather is an even better collection with more humor. I already feel like CNN has the hottest female anchors, imagining them throwing their lust around like the Title track to the CD makes it even better.
Game of Thrones (Martin) I started this book assuming it was going to be a high fantasy novel. Elfs, Dragons, Magic and the like. It isn't. It IS fantasy but more surrounding the politics and cunning of a few high ranking families. Incest, Murder, Intrigue, unscrupulous midgets. It has it all and more.
