Mazblog

Sarah, Matt, Allen, and I got around to seeing the new film by Tarsem, “The Fall,” last Saturday. It definitely deserves a post. The story takes place in a hospital in LA in the 1930s, and centers around a stunt-double who’s broken his legs and who tells an epic story to an adorable foreign girl with a broken arm (I believe she’s from eastern Europe). The story and their lives begin to interweave, and the whole film has this amazing, surreal, dreamlike feel to it. I thought the plot was great, with one goofy hiccup in the way the conflict with the villain is resolved (our audience laughed). There are great motifs of redemption to be found, and I love the way the film interpreted the way dreams and reality can blur together (reminded me a lot of Michel Gondry).

If you’ve ever seen “The Cell,” you’ll immediately recognize Tarsem’s cinematographic style. It’s simply a beautifully shot movie; easily up there with “Amelie.” The opening sequence looks more like a slideshow of moving photography by Ansel Adams than a movie.

It’s rare that I watch a pilot episode of a new show on television. In fact, it’s rare that I watch TV at all; I much prefer downloading videos off of iTunes or getting the season DVDs (I’ve actually never seen an episode of “Lost” on TV). Justin and Allen persuaded me to check out “Pushing Daises,” though, which is one of ABC’s new shows this season, and I was absolutely blown away.

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I’ve just discovered the best show ever! It only ran for 6 episodes on the BBC back in 2004, but it’s this hilarious spoof of 1980s sci-fi / horror shows, sort of like Quantum Leap or Dr. Who. It’s intentionally low-fi, with awful acting and writing, but in a brilliant way.

You can watch the first episode online over at the Sci-Fi channel’s Web site, and I found the second episode on YouTube, too. Sci-Fi is apparently airing all the episodes late at night on Sundays, too. So check it out and thank me later!

UPDATE: Just found episodes 4, 5, and 6 on Google Video!
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6

I got to see Yellowcard on Monday with Gieve, Jacob, and Josh over at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz. Dang, did we have a great time. The Catalyst is a very cool little dive with a lot of character and history. Not a very big venue, either. The opening bands were Reeve Oliver (they weren’t so hot live, but they sound good recorded), and Acceptance (not bad, but their set went too long). Yellowcard did a great set, played for like an hour and a half, and did the best flippin’ job I’ve yet seen of getting the crowd really pumped up. Being there reminded me of my childhood days in mosh pits and at the Warped Tour.

I also saw “Walk the Line” on Wednesday, and really liked it. It’s got some obvious similarities to “Ray,” but it’s definitely its own film. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon both do a fantastic job, the music is great (I couldn’t believe how well both of the actors sang), and the story is involving and interesting. Definitely Oscar nominee material.

Spent a greater part of yesterday and today working on some art for a women’s retreat brochure. It’s been really fun to get back into drawing lately.

Almost done reading The Kite Runner, and I absolutely recommend it.

I’ve been listening almost obsessively to Cartel’s “Chroma.” Very catchy pop rock.

Has anyone seen “Good night and good luck” yet? It looks good.

Halloween weekend was fun. Marc’s birthday party was on Friday, then there was the high school / college group party at our place on Saturday, and that was nuts. I’ve never seen so many people in our house before. Thanks to everyone that made that possible! Haha! A really good magician performed for us, too; he’s a graduate from Berean as I understand. Sunday was Marc’s baptism, which was awesome, and then a whole ton of Mafia. Halloween itself was pretty dull for me. Supposed to help out with a middle school party at the church office, but no one showed up, which was actually a relief for all of us I think.

Working on getting a new freelance client down in socal, and sending off more job apps, this time to a design firm in Seattle, World Vision, and Pepperdine. Pray for me!