Brock Skywalker

Wicked Pickett · 26 January 06

For those of us too young to remember Pickett in his wicked ‘60s prime, he has been reduced to a couple of songs, doomed to the hell known as open-stage or wedding-band music. How many times have we heard Mustang Sally slaughtered at a blues jam or In the Midnight Hour performed by an “old fashioned band of married men” in cheap suits?

The original records, unlike their satanic offspring, offer awe-inspiring power. Pickett sang like Judgment Day was right around the corner, and for a black man, gettin’ down with his badself in the American South in the 1960s, it often was. Further to that cause, Pickett was a man who did nothing quietly.

He was reportedly quick-tempered and was said to wave a gun around if provoked. He drank and caroused like a rock star and, though he never fully beat his demons, the man was never anything less than authentic. He insisted when recording that everything be captured live in the studio, and that includes everyone’s mistakes. Even his final recording in 1999 (It’s Harder Now) contains a brief sleeve note from Pickett that reads: “All the music herein was performed by actual musicians, in real time, without click tricks.”

Pickett died last week at age 64.
Rest in peace, Wicked Pickett. You deserve the rest.

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I had always heard... · 25 January 06

I never knew why this movie was liked so feverishly by a select demographic of males. Now I get it.

Watch the trailer for – Top Gun 2: Brokeback Squadron

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Off to S.O.I.L. myself · 20 January 06

E and I are getting in Spanky and heading for the throbbing metropolis known as Calgary, late this chilly winter’s afternoon. We are currently looking out the window, hoping the snow either stops or tapers off… at least a little. The powers that be keep Highway 2 (I refuse to call it by any misappropriated sovereign’s name) pretty clean and clear but it is still no fun to drive in the dark, and the cold, and the snow.

The reason for our southern bound journey is that our buddy Peter is putting on a show/play at the Big Secret Theatre as part of the High Performance Rodeo. The show is called “Peter Moller’s – The Shrine of Impossible Love”. I have been in possession of the S.O.I.L. album since July and have enjoyed it more than thoroughly. Now it is time to see it live. The cast features a number of good friends and great acquaintances of mine so it should be a good long night that last well into the morning. Which is exactly what I need. It has been one of those weeks hasn’t it?

If you are in or near Calgary go check it out!

• More info on the show

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Cools games for '06 · 6 January 06

LEGEND OF ZELDA: TWILIGHT PRINCESS
From: Nintendo
For: GameCube
When: Sometime in 2006

Why it’s cool: “Zelda” was the hottest game at last year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). People waited in line more than four hours for a shot at playing a five-minute demo of the game. Anticipation only grew after its original 2005 ship date was pushed into 2006, and the game is expected to be the best game ever made for the GameCube.

KINGDOM HEARTS II
From: Square-Enix
For: PlayStation 2
When: Second quarter 2006

Why it’s cool: The original game was the result of an unlikely collaboration between Square-Enix and Disney Interactive. It featured traditional role-playing action against a backdrop of scenes from many of Disney’s animated films. This sequel promises more of the same. Crowds went crazy when a trailer was shown at E3 that showed one of the new playable levels would be based on “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” and would feature Johnny Depp’s character from that film, Capt. Jack Sparrow. Look for even more surprise levels when the game is released.

FORMULA 1
From: Liverpool Studios
For: PlayStation 3
When: Summer 2006

Why it’s cool: This game was on Sony’s preview reel of the PS3 at the E3 show and it wowed the crowd. The graphics (if the previews are to be believed) are going to offer the most realistic-looking racing game ever made. Gamers who aren’t racecar fans already are clamoring to get their hands on “Formula 1” because of the realistic feel, both visually and acoustically.

GUNDAM WORLD
From: Bundai
For: Playstation 3
When: Spring 2006

Why it’s cool: “Gundam World” was on Sony’s highlight reel at E3 and could be one of the first games to come out for the new system. The robots look menacing and the graphics are so clear you can see the spent shells flying out of the guns. Fans of the original probably won’t be disappointed with the PS3 version and new fans may pick up the game because of the stylish look.

Bliss
From: Don and Suzzane
For: PC
When: Now

Why it’s cool: Just go here and read for yourself. Woo woo, hubba hubba and yowza!

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A man's reach · 6 January 06

Canadian poet, Irving Layton, died on Wednesday (age 93) from Alzheimer’s in an old-folks home, a rather inappropriate way for a poet such as him to die. A long, empty death contradicts the fervour that commanded the rest of his life, and spilled into his work.

Irving will be remembered not as much for his poetry as he will be for his… um, self-regard. He once said: “I am a genius who has written poems that will survive the best of Shakespeare, Wordsworth and Keats.” Even though this self-appraisal turned out to be false, it should not distract us from our admiration of man who could utter such words… especially in Canada.

Layton was much better at convincing himself (and a few others) of his abilities than he was at writing poetry, but don’t disregard the boldness of his convictions. 1950s Canada seriously needed somebody to say that a Canadian could be a great writer… even if he did so by claiming that he was that great Canadian writer. Like the old saying goes: a man’s reach should always exceed his grasp. Layton lived and believed in his life and his work in this way, and therefore left a legacy that is much more vital than his poetry ever could have achieved.

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The Slump · 3 January 06

The Top 10 Films of 2005 worldwide are:

1. Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith
2. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
3. War of the Worlds
4. Madagascar
5. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
6. Mr. & Mrs. Smith
7. Batman Begins
8. Hitch
9. Fantastic Four
10. Wedding Crashers

Even in a year officially known in Hollywood as The Slump (total sales in 2005 hit about $10.1 billion compared to $10.7 billion in 2004) how could these movies be the top? Apparently the people are getting sick of watching the crap that Hollywood churns out… but the crap still wins. I guess with the sheer volume of crap that is made, how could the crap not win?

Sigh…

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Making lists · 22 December 05

I saw this on Rocketboom this morning and thought it was pretty cool. A list of lists for people who like lists.

www.fimoculous.com/year-review-2005.cfm

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Arrested developmentally · 16 November 05

I have been wanting to say something about the ridiculous Intelligent Design debate that is going on in the USA for a while now. I have also been despairing over the imminent cancellation of my favourite (of the 3 I watch) TV show, Arrested Development. Well, this morning I found an article that ties those two subjects together brilliantly! From Seth Frelich, television columnist for Pajiba, who lives in Washington DC, USA.

Excerpt:

Now, I blame a lot of things on the middle of this nation of ours. The current piss-poor political climate of this country. The rising trend to deem “Intelligent Design” a science. The popularity of country music. But none of these make me truly despise the Middle as much as this latest turn of events.

See, the thing about “Arrested Development” is that there’s no laugh track to tell the monkeys what’s funny. You know what monkeys are, right Middle America? They’re those things that humans evolved from (fact!). The show rewards careful and repeat viewers with running gags (like little blue handprints that would periodically show up on set pieces last season) and hilarious payoffs after multi-episode buildups…

Good stuff! And even more good stuff if you read the whole article.
   *language warning!

Update – Further developments as reported by Variety

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Greece! · 15 November 05

It is 171 days, 12 hours, 27 minutes and 19 seconds until we fly our pasty Albertan butts to beautiful historic Athens, Greece. That means we had better get planning (so far all we have booked is our flights). Anyone have any suggestions? Places we should hit, places we should miss, places we absolutely must see or we will have missed something beyond description or comprehension? Any help is appreciated, folks.
Thanks!

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Shop-yawn · 9 November 05

We went to see Steve Martin’s movie Shopgirl last night. I think I can review/sum it up in… 20 words.

Here I go:
Calire Danes, cute. Jason Schwartzman, what are you doing? Steve Martin, made of wood. Bridgette Wilson, married to Pete Sampras?

Don’t pay full price. Rent it… or better yet, read the book.

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