Beltmann

Fixed it for ya.

That's what she said.

The term "all studio recordings" implies recordings beyond the albums, right? Should we expect them to include material like, say, "Just a Kid"?

Finally got around to seeing A Mighty Heart. I've been beating the drum for Michael Winterbottom for many years, but while he's consistently one of the most interesting--and important--filmmakers alive, he still hasn't hit a home run. A Mighty Heart is like every other Winterbottom film: Visually aggressive, overflowing with ideas and anger, and in desperate need of a quality editor. Jolie's awesome, but the movie isn't fully shaped; in particular, the midsection grows redundant.

I was planning to make a trip for a sneak preview of Sweeney Todd tonight, but today's mountain of snow and sleet, which is still piling up with no end in sight, makes it unlikely. Bummer.

Under normal circumstances, Stacy and I would be there fo' sure. But the dates couldn't be worse--we have super big domestic plans that week.

I just started listening, so I don't have specific feedback other than it sounds very promising! I'll try to offer more later on...

) ) ) ) ) V I B E S ( ( ( ( (

I used to love that song.

It seems like I've always known he was there, but did I notice upon first viewing? Frankly, I don't remember... that was 1995, dude.

Me too. Love that movie.

Yeah, but only in jest.

Cage would have been a superstar in the silent era.

No kidding... I say, the toy companies ought to put as much lead into their products as they damn well please. And E. coli is just another spice, if you ask me.

Cage's performance is really the only good thing about that movie--but that's definitely enough to justify it.

My favorite is the '51 A Christmas Carol--hence my holiday avatar--but from this list I would pick A Christmas Story.

I've always felt a little indifferent towards The Weakerthans, but I finally picked up Reunion Tour over the weekend, and I can't stop listening to it. I think I might love it.

In the December 7 issue of Entertainment Weekly, Stephen King lists his favorite albums of the year. Sky Blue Sky comes in at #2. He says, "No audio tricks and/or experimentation this time, only a set of gorgeously simple tunes and class-A writing. Jeff Tweedy has never been sweeter, more controlled, or in better voice. Not a bad cut on the album. Even the cover art's beautiful." He also lists his top 18 tracks of the year. Number One? "Either Way."

There aren't too many comic-book movies that I've enjoyed more than Hellboy. The tone was, well, just perfect.

Yes, I noticed that. And I think the fact that Pat Garrett also underwent a major identity change--outlaw to lawman--connects to the overall theme here.

You know, even though I find them (parts 1-2 especially) to be masterfully made, I have to concede that they aren't even on the radar of my personal favorites. I could probably name 200 movies that, subjectively speaking, mean far more to me.

That does not describe the Death Proof that I saw... but it does sort of describe Planet Terror, except in that one even the kills grew tiresome.

Take the Money and Run was on TCM earlier tonight. I hadn't seen it for probably 15 years, and had forgotten most of the best jokes. Laughed out loud more than once.