tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67722356796290493162024-03-13T09:37:59.852-06:00SquonkA-tumbling and a-bumbling he will goSquonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.comBlogger417125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-65976433078664543422010-05-17T21:21:00.003-06:002010-05-17T21:24:21.977-06:00I'm MovingWell, I've been blogging here at Blogger for a few years, sometimes with more frequency than others. Lately I haven't been so good, sorry.<br /><br />Anyhow, I've started a blog for work through Wordpress, and since I'm enjoying working with it better, I've decided to switch my personal blog over to Wordpress.<br /><br />You can now find me at www.squonkblog.wordpress.comSquonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-14660635580106347782010-03-07T11:52:00.001-07:002010-03-07T11:53:35.022-07:00Oscars Live Blog<iframe src="http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=6ae951dc36/height=550/width=470" scrolling="no" height="550px" width="470px" frameBorder ="0" allowTransparency="true" ><a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=6ae951dc36" >82nd Anual Academy Awards</a></iframe>Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-24460332887580176992010-02-15T22:45:00.004-07:002010-02-15T23:03:55.725-07:00Cartoon a Day: Hockey Homicide<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438713611459360354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxbqNuKqoZVn7WzaqNMQDCC7-4WVFuWhiMr80w9Hks10KgSZ9KEbpmncMFlVy-84zVi-iPuB1NQ_ud67ut3S26W4iIKfrIGlFfV3UKEeDP8PpD83TO2ucValL1XQOFAeqWsGzg7o7TZY/s200/hockey+homicide+1.PNG" /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037784/">Hockey Homicide</a><br />1945<br />Directed by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0455741/">Jack Kinney</a><br />Available on: Walt Disney Treasures - The Complete Goofy<br /><br />Well folks, life got crazy, so "Cartoon a Day" didn't happen for quite a while. But with the Winter Olympics going on, I just couldn't resist doing a review of a great cartoon that celebrates a great winter sport...the Goofy short, "Hockey Homicide." In my opinion, this may be the best of Goofy's staring vehicles.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGp-a0qkJnYi1fPPk1pNsmMUXfFZJ8yQYXpF9IdUoCuICd7wQsq0p3n5IAjiJI_oTGUGTNGVYLsP-uvvUFfqkYpvAxad91MSLpDoV6WqGAyR1kI_zxBOYBCuwcuOj_J-kWQ2itLOzczo/s1600-h/hockey+homicide+2.PNG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438714547768969346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGp-a0qkJnYi1fPPk1pNsmMUXfFZJ8yQYXpF9IdUoCuICd7wQsq0p3n5IAjiJI_oTGUGTNGVYLsP-uvvUFfqkYpvAxad91MSLpDoV6WqGAyR1kI_zxBOYBCuwcuOj_J-kWQ2itLOzczo/s400/hockey+homicide+2.PNG" /></a> Like many of the other Goofy sports cartoons, every character in this short is a variation on Goofy. This time it's presented as coverage of a hockey match with <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0915845/">Doodles Weaver</a> (of Spike Jones' City Slickers) as the voice of the play by play announcer. His fast-paced commentary alone makes this funnier than your average Disney short, but there's so much more to love here.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAnf4z_i7jGlZD-HYW1ifl76A-G-Z-N2KxLMlABHt273fdA1h6vHDyw6tXhM4LfdfpumZipKgYRC1UDLlLePi2FqUPhxXthHI88Hg5Ssx1XXzo9tndoBZXRV4jCDGx3KRen1G8TZZ6mM/s1600-h/hockey+homicide+3.PNG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438714557690724066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAnf4z_i7jGlZD-HYW1ifl76A-G-Z-N2KxLMlABHt273fdA1h6vHDyw6tXhM4LfdfpumZipKgYRC1UDLlLePi2FqUPhxXthHI88Hg5Ssx1XXzo9tndoBZXRV4jCDGx3KRen1G8TZZ6mM/s400/hockey+homicide+3.PNG" /></a> As usual, the animation is masterfully done. The artistry is really where the Disney animation studio set itself apart from the others, but here you also have a level of comedy not often seen from the mouse house. The comic pacing is more like a Warner Brothers short.</p><p>Through it all you can see that while the makers of this short poked fun at some of the odd aspects of the sport (the fights and such), that they also had a true appreciation for the sport. That kind of appreciation is often what makes for the best kind of comedy. So during a break in the games from Vancouver, be sure to check out this animated winter sports classic!<br /><br /></p>Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-33951067878606996982010-02-15T22:05:00.002-07:002010-02-15T22:22:09.877-07:00Our Olympics - Snowboard CrossThe next round of our Mario & Sonic Winter Olympics continued tonight with our chosen sport matching up with what was on TV...Snowboard Cross.<br /><br />In this event, the players shake the Wii-mote to begin and then turn it move their snowboarder around the curves. On the jumps, you need to move the Wii-mote up and then try to do tricks while in the air. This gives and extra speed burst when landing.<br /><br />Once again we each raced twice. This time around the gold went to...Luigi with a time of 1:11.740. Mom's Mii grabbed the silver with a time of 1:16.444. Shadow got the Bronze with a score of 1:17.062.<br /><br />So far on the medal count...Shadow (Timothy) has one of each. Daisy (Samantha) has three bronze medals. Mom's Mii (Mom) has two silvers. And Luigi (Dad) has two Golds.Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-86250968077113811552010-02-14T19:29:00.006-07:002010-02-14T20:27:01.501-07:00Our Olympics with Mario & Sonic<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9ifn4791xWdaRxSoKbEa3srXMdaz-BGPVcfDwgCuu-QED4fjlmesi_lRUeqEQOcpVQj4zH1lQI5GFBN0UpfwQf9Aa8b7-Sbj14N5n8-nU1cYbBK2SiQ8Zot70LEJKPqItpIuK_puwSY/s1600-h/mario+and+sonic.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 148px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438293415889732514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9ifn4791xWdaRxSoKbEa3srXMdaz-BGPVcfDwgCuu-QED4fjlmesi_lRUeqEQOcpVQj4zH1lQI5GFBN0UpfwQf9Aa8b7-Sbj14N5n8-nU1cYbBK2SiQ8Zot70LEJKPqItpIuK_puwSY/s200/mario+and+sonic.png" /></a> My family has been having a lot of fun with the Olympics. One thing that really helped my kids to be excited about the games was the fact that we got the video game "Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games" for Christmas. This is an "official" video game for the Vancouver games, so it uses the official logos and the actual names of the venues for the events. So going into the games, my kids already new about Cypress Mountain and such. Not to mention the fact that they have more of a knowledge of the events. So bravo to the Olympic committee and Nintendo for working together on this! If they goal was to raise the level of excitement about the games...it certainly worked in my household.<br /><br />We decided that our family would have our own games by way of the Wii. Each member of the family has chosen a character and we will be competing in the various events. We are going to try and update the world through the blog and by the end will see who the Olympic champ of this house is. Timothy is playing as Shadow, Samantha is playing as Daisy, Mom is playing as her Mii character, and Dad (me) is playing as Luigi. Yesterday we began by competing in two events. First was the Skeleton.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSDkWugBNcjn1VOwStjO9etoTaknSj4rI8ihkZOt6SpReUl3YP2JrjP0i61XqezU3o_G3CHFJX0kJPHSpcB66bB2gws5xnwffB9qrzvcKY-G7qwhfpPO6rADdHnBce3QhRMwAVFTYfq8/s1600-h/IMG_5560.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438298382969738210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSDkWugBNcjn1VOwStjO9etoTaknSj4rI8ihkZOt6SpReUl3YP2JrjP0i61XqezU3o_G3CHFJX0kJPHSpcB66bB2gws5xnwffB9qrzvcKY-G7qwhfpPO6rADdHnBce3QhRMwAVFTYfq8/s400/IMG_5560.JPG" /></a><br /><p>The players shake the Wii-mote to start, push a button to hop onto the sled and then turn the Wii-mote side to side, trying to stay in the center yellow arrows to get the best speed. We did two runs each and used each persons best score to determine the rankings. In the end, Luigi had the best time, 1:10.287, to get the Gold. Shadow nabbed the Silver with a time of 1:13.557, and Daisy grabbed the Bronze with a time of 1:15.792.</p><p>Event 2 was figure skating. This is the part of this game that amazes me. I mean when I was a kid we were playing Space Invaders, now we actually have video game figure skating! We all did our routines to "Swan Lake" for this round (we may do more figure skating to other songs later). For figure skating you need to watch the prompts on the screen and move the Wii-mote up, down or spin it at just the right moment. Additional points are awarded for extra turns that you do throughout the routine. Sounds weird? Just check out Timothy's technique...he's a bit extreme but you get the idea.</p><p><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BeCjp3UR8vo&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BeCjp3UR8vo&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />The results were very different this time around. The top score was an amazing 98.900, giving the Gold to...Shadow! After a rough first round score, Mom's Mii came in a close second with a score of 98.200. Daisy grabbed the Bronze with a score of 89.400.<br /><br />So after the first two events: Shadow has 1 Gold, 1 silver...Daisy has 2 Bronze...Mom's Mii has 1 Silver...and Luigi has 1 Gold. Stay tuned for more...not on the networks of NBC.</p>Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-54113972395487726922010-02-13T17:45:00.003-07:002010-02-13T17:49:58.682-07:00Costumes by Austin Powers<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=olympics" target="_blank" iid="'7905824"><img border="0" alt="Opening Ceremony" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/6/f/a/7/Opening_Ceremony_d0c7.jpg?adImageId=10253123&imageId=7905824" width="380" height="220" /></a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br />My family enjoyed watching the opening ceremony for the Olympics last night. My wife made a unique observation as the athletes marched in. Maybe she's the only one, but she thought the ladies carrying the country signs (in English and French, yay Canada) looked like they had gotten their outfits from the set of an Austin Powers movie. Groovy!Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-18100485365106245162010-02-13T16:28:00.004-07:002010-02-13T17:35:14.468-07:00I Love You Canada!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=canada" target="_blank" iid="'7907433"><img border="0" alt="Opening Ceremony - Vancouver Olympics 2010" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/4/d/4/c/Opening_Ceremony_ba11.jpg?adImageId=10250949&imageId=7907433" width="380" height="253" /></a></div><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br />I love my country. I'm a proud American, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. But...watching the opening ceremonies for the Vancouver Olympics last night, I was reminded of the great appreciation I have for our friendly neighbors to the north. I have many Canadian friends and they are wonderful ambassadors of their great land. There are so many similarities between our countries, but so many things that make them unique as well. Here are a few things I love about Canada!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zwDvF0NtgdU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zwDvF0NtgdU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><strong>- O Canada</strong><br /><br />I'm not Canadian, I've never been Canadian, but darn their national anthem makes you want to be Canadian. I love "The Star Spangled Banner," but this song just oozes with national pride. "God keep our land glorious and free, O Canada we stand on guard for thee." Shivers!<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=shania" target="_blank" iid="'1545597"><img border="0" alt="The Tonight Show with Jay Leno - Shania Twain" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/a/f/d/d/The_Tonight_Show_0ca8.jpg?adImageId=10252876&imageId=1545597" width="237" height="354" /></a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br /><strong>- Canadian Music</strong><br /><br />There's an awful lot of great musical talent that comes from Canada! Rush, Barenaked Ladies, Alanis Morisette, Diana Krall, and Shania Twain, just to name a few.<br /><br /><strong>- Z (Zed)</strong><br /><br />Oh come on, am I the only one who thinks it cute when talking to an Canadian and they call the letter Z "Zed?"<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NuFLon26nMw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NuFLon26nMw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><strong>- Tim Horton's</strong><br /><br />If Canada has a plot for world domination, I guarantee it somehow involves Tim Horton's. From what my Canadian friends tell me, Horton was a hockey player who's become much better known for his chain of donut and coffee shops. They are all over the place! Like how Starbucks is in the US. Slowly, "Timmy's" are popping up stateside and I can't wait until they make it to Colorado. They're donuts are goooooood!<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=kids" target="_blank" iid="'1303663"><img border="0" alt="2008 Canada's Walk of Fame" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/0/1/9/6/2008_Canadas_Walk_fad1.jpg?adImageId=10252891&imageId=1303663" width="380" height="242" /></a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br /><strong>- Canadian Comedy</strong><br /><br />Somewhere between American sketch comedy and British sketch comedy are a bunch of really funny Canadians. SCTV, The Kids in the Hall, The Frantics, and The Red Green Show are just a few examples of the unique Canadian sense of humour (look I used the "U" in humor)<br /><br /><strong>- Gravy on French Fries</strong><br /><br />When I visited Winnipeg last summer I was caught off guard when ordering a burger and fries. "Do you want gravy," I was asked. "Gravy for what," I replied. "Your fries," was the answer. Hmm, well why not? I gave it a try. It was yummy. Now, Poutine on the other hand (french fries covered in gravy and cheese curds) doesn't sound that tasty to me...but I'll dip my fries in gravy any day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2_hBpAIEyBnjjM7As0iggW99F7D79Z34yll5D_Dn01sNyWy_KWeale-lfzEhYOERllVIItJ1A7qNKxCnuO5pf0oYo6az-x5ak1Z0qRI4ui2Pg8NMMhHCgdYNWpKPrIw4P1juVBpwygU/s1600-h/ketchup+chips.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437886307758282722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2_hBpAIEyBnjjM7As0iggW99F7D79Z34yll5D_Dn01sNyWy_KWeale-lfzEhYOERllVIItJ1A7qNKxCnuO5pf0oYo6az-x5ak1Z0qRI4ui2Pg8NMMhHCgdYNWpKPrIw4P1juVBpwygU/s400/ketchup+chips.png" /></a><br /><strong>- Ketchup Flavored Potato Chips</strong><br /><br />Do you really need an explanation on this one?<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=canadians&iid=7905407" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="CANADA-VANCOUVER-WINTER OLYMPICS-OPENING" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/4/c/8/4/CANADAVANCOUVERWINTER_OLYMPICSOPENING_48bc.jpg?adImageId=10252416&imageId=7905407" width="380" height="250" /></a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br /><strong>- Canadians really are nice people!</strong><br /><br />I always say one of my favorite places to visit here in the US is Lafayette, Louisiana. The reason is that everyone is so nice. They all call me sir! Well those folks (Cajuns) are descended from Canadians. It has been my experience that Canadians really are very polite and pleasant folks be around.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BQbQGn_rqTw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BQbQGn_rqTw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />So here's to the world's longest peaceful border! Yay Canada...Eh!Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-64678787103344004892010-02-13T08:50:00.005-07:002010-02-13T09:19:54.877-07:00We are the World...Again<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAAHdFpu7g3PF4mpsvjKlAVG5Viq6It4VWJVMz2t-v1Cq2lJyv-9kGhGMZD2uS-8X2tubyx5SWEOnkBHak6mMpha8Se-st5AMS3wkGc_rP3lnNeV93sv33xBu0Sn86bxK47utCpHRZjI/s1600-h/We+are+the+World.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 204px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437756471251129074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAAHdFpu7g3PF4mpsvjKlAVG5Viq6It4VWJVMz2t-v1Cq2lJyv-9kGhGMZD2uS-8X2tubyx5SWEOnkBHak6mMpha8Se-st5AMS3wkGc_rP3lnNeV93sv33xBu0Sn86bxK47utCpHRZjI/s400/We+are+the+World.png" /></a> Last night as were gearing up for the start of the olympics, NBC aired a portion of a music video for a new version of the 80's stars feeling good about themselves song "We are the World." This one is to help with the relief effort in Haiti. I guess I had heard about it a week or so ago but hadn't paid real close attention to the story. Just like how 20+ years ago when stars like Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Rogers, and so on got together to sing on one single...this time we have the likes of Miley Cyrus, The Black Eyed Peas and Celine Dion. And once again, they are all under the direction of Quincy Jones. Both versions of the song represent interesting moments in pop culture history and no matter what you think of the celebrities involved, it is a good thing they're doing.<br /><br />I remember the album cover of the original "We are the World" which featured a group photo of the stars involved and an alphabetical listing of their names beneath. What always stuck out in my mind is that the first name on that alphabetical list was someone we don't think of as a singer...Dan Aykroyd!?!? Now Aykroyd had done some singing as a part of the Blues Brothers, but I always kind of wondered how Aykroyd ended up among all the chart toppers who gathered to record that song.<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Glny4jSciVI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Glny4jSciVI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />As I'm watching the video for the new song last night, I noticed a few more famous faces carrying on the "huh?" tradition of Dan Aykroyd singing on the original. I was surprised to see "the dude" himself, Jeff Bridges, among the crowd. Even more surprising was seeing that musical hit-machine Vince Vaughn (that's sarcasm campers). No disrespect to these two, I mean bravo for helping...but it's still a bit of a "huh" moment.Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-45977778107367893432010-02-03T21:49:00.006-07:002010-02-03T22:55:21.828-07:00Early Oscar Predictions<a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=oscars&iid=7783790" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/5/1/2/0/Anne_Hathaway_and_53c3.JPG?adImageId=9886861&imageId=7783790" width="380" height="250" border="0" alt="Anne Hathaway and Tom Sherak announce nominations for 82nd Academy Awards in Beverly Hills"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br /><br />The Oscar nominees were announced yesterday. Once again I'm having a bit of a contest at my office to see who can pick the most winners. Things are a bit different this year with ten nominees in the Best Picture category, so it'll be a bit harder to pick the winner. Still, here are my early predictions, still subject to change as we see how the wind blows over the next few weeks.<br /><br /><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=oscars&iid=7785978" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/0/e/a/a/Jeff_Bridges_nominated_8e5d.JPG?adImageId=9886649&imageId=7785978" width="380" height="250" border="0" alt="Jeff Bridges nominated for best actor for 82nd Academy Awards in Beverly Hills"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br /><br />Best Actor<br /><br />Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart<br />George Clooney - Up in the Air<br />Colin Firth - A Single Man<br />Morgan Freeman - Invictus<br />Jeremy Renner - The Hurt Locker<br /><br />There's no huge stand-out here. I think Freeman having won in the supporting actor category in the past makes him a long shot, Firth's movie isn't as well known, and Clooney...well, I don't know. I'm sure the performance is great but remember back when it seemed like every other movie out had Gene Hackman in it? Clooney has taken over in that department, some folks are a bit tired of him. I think it comes down to Bridges and Renner. Since Bridges has been nominated four times in the past and never won, I think the little gold man is his this year. Having just won a Golden Globe doesn't hurt either.<br /><br /><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=oscars&iid=7784546" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/f/4/1/7/Sandra_Bullock_nominated_1e03.JPG?adImageId=9886761&imageId=7784546" width="380" height="204" border="0" alt="Sandra Bullock nominated for best actress for 82nd Academy Awards in Beverly Hills"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br /><br />Best Actress<br /><br />Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side<br />Helen Mirren - The Last Station<br />Carey Mulligan - An Education<br />Gabourey Sidibe - Precious<br />Meryl Streep - Julie and Julia<br /><br />Sidibe has an outside chance since the Academy often awards great performances by actresses in their first movie (Marlee Matlin, Jennifer Hudson). However, I think the battle is between Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock. Streep can never be counted out, but I think the award goes to Bullock.<br /><br /><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=oscars&iid=7788913" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/3/4/1/b/Christopher_Plummer_nominated_c758.JPG?adImageId=9886805&imageId=7788913" width="380" height="456" border="0" alt="Christopher Plummer nominated for best supporting actor for 82nd Academy Awards in Beverly Hills"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br /><br />Best Supporting Actor<br /><br />Matt Damon - Invictus<br />Woody Harrelson - The Messenger<br />Christopher Plummer - The Last Station<br />Stanley Tucci - The Lovely Bones<br />Christoph Waltz - Inglorious Basterds<br /><br />Here you have another two man battle. This one between the person many think SHOULD win, and the one who probably WILL win. Who should win? I think most would say Waltz as the main baddie of Quentin Tarrantino's latest. However, in Plummer you have a 50-year veteran of the film industry who has never been nominated before. The Academy would be honoring his whole career with a win this year. My pick would be Plummer.<br /><br /><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=oscars&iid=7787866" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/c/7/e/d/MoNique_nominated_for_f1e0.JPG?adImageId=9886842&imageId=7787866" width="380" height="207" border="0" alt="Mo'Nique nominated for best supporting actress for 82nd Academy Awards in Beverly Hills"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br /><br />Best Supporting Actress<br /><br />Penelope Cruz - Nine<br />Vera Farminga - Up in the Air<br />Maggie Gyllenhaal - Crazy Heart<br />Anna Kendrick - Up in the Air<br />Mo'Nique - Precious<br /><br />Nothing's for sure, but this may be the easiest one to pick. It's never good to have two actresses nominated in the same category for the same movie. So Farminga and Kendrick cancel each other out. Gyllenhaal doesn't seem to have the buzz the others do so she's a long shot. Cruz has won this award recently, and besides, "Nine" has not exactly been greeted with rave reviews. Mo'Nique gets it not just by process of elimination, but from what I understand, her performance is truly one of the best of the year.<br /><br /><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=oscars&iid=7789230" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/9/2/0/c/James_Cameron_nominated_7354.JPG?adImageId=9886854&imageId=7789230" width="380" height="570" border="0" alt="James Cameron nominated for best director for 82nd Academy Awards in Beverly Hills"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br /><br />Best Director<br /><br />James Cameron - Avatar<br />Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker<br />Quentin Tarantino - Inglorious Basterds<br />Lee Daniels - Precious<br />Jason Reitman - Up in the Air<br /><br />Did you know Cameron and Bigelow were once husband and wife? Well they'll be battling it out again, as it would appear they are the front runners. This award is so closely tied to the Best Picture award (get there in a minute), right now it's hard to say how things will go. But I think, even if another film goes away with the top prize, Cameron's innovation on "Avatar" will lead him to his 2nd directing Oscar.<br /><br /><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=oscars&iid=7783789" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/2/9/7/4/Avatar_nominated_for_e823.JPG?adImageId=9886976&imageId=7783789" width="380" height="253" border="0" alt="Avatar nominated for best picture for 82nd Academy Awards in Beverly Hills"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br /><br />Best Picture<br /><br />Avatar<br />The Blind Side<br />District 9<br />An Education<br />The Hurt Locker<br />Inglorious Basterds<br />Precious<br />A Serious Man<br />Up<br />Up in the Air<br /><br />No lie, with 10 films instead of 5 it's harder to pick...and could lead to an upset. I think there are 3 films that have the best chance. "Avatar" dominated the technical categories and is a true movie milestone..."The Hurt Locker" has had almost unanimous critical praise and since it's about the Iraq war some voter may feel they are making a statement by placing their vote with it...and the safe choice for voters "Up in the Air." Anything could happen, but I think enough voters are still amazed enough with "Avatar" to lead it to the win.<br /><br />I'll probably change my mind on some of this...the awards are March 7.Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-74617972567205420732010-02-02T17:47:00.004-07:002010-02-02T18:00:00.032-07:00Groundhog Day!Happy Groundhog day woodchuck-chuckers! I've always loved this strange little holiday and it always bring back special memories of when I was first dating my future wife. See, many people love the movie "Groundhog Day," but a lot of folks don't realize it wasn't filmed in Punxatwaney, Pennsylvania. It was filmed in Woodstock, IL...my wife's hometown. The first time I traveled to Woodstock to meet her parents was during the production of the movie. The town had images of groundhogs everywhere. My future in-laws even got their picture taken with Bill Murray and later realized there was no film in the camera. Ahh, the days of film.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xkW_ZkMtmlQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xkW_ZkMtmlQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Today Woodstock even has their own Groundhog Day celebration and is gradually memorializing different locations where filming happened around the town square. You can visit "The Bum's Alley," "Ned's Corner," and even see a plaque on the sidewalk where the puddle was that says "Bill Murray Stepped Here."<br /><br />My favorite character in "Groundhog Day" is Ned Ryerson played by the one and only Stephen Tobolowsky. This gives me a perfect chance to mention my new favorite podcast, <a href="http://www.slashfilm.com/category/features/slashfilmcast/the-tobolowsky-files/">"The Tobolowsky Files.</a>" It's pretty much just Stephen Tobolowsky telling stories, and he's a great storyteller.Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-86057414677361676382009-12-10T22:00:00.003-07:002009-12-10T22:25:41.017-07:00Guilty Pleasure 10: Young Einstein<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRQwa9DnkI8Yf1vxAkDUGJ22Q9iUmla6qLRee-7mMmDkRmtWPhnaBRJJKOGmdXAu_p-kfUqB_-5Nmj8w146zrPTKtT3g6vLUi0osOozKkPjyrwi4yThDYNS3TkUQbpTWLC3Z6QZw4LZU/s1600-h/young+einstein+i.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413839361071482834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 223px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRQwa9DnkI8Yf1vxAkDUGJ22Q9iUmla6qLRee-7mMmDkRmtWPhnaBRJJKOGmdXAu_p-kfUqB_-5Nmj8w146zrPTKtT3g6vLUi0osOozKkPjyrwi4yThDYNS3TkUQbpTWLC3Z6QZw4LZU/s400/young+einstein+i.jpg" border="0" /></a>The summer of 1989 was an incredible year for the movies. Among the films out that year were "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," "Ghostbusters II," "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," and "When Harry Met Sally." But one studio in particular had a plan for how to rule the summer. That was Warner Brothers. They would dominate the first half of the summer with a little film called "Batman," and that they did. As for the second half of the summer, they looked to an Australian known as Yahoo Serious.</div><div></div><div></div><div><br />Well, "Young Einstein" didn't exactly set the sort of records the caped crusader did, though it was a moderate success. It is certainly one of the oddest offerings from a major studio during that historic summer.</div><div></div><div><br />Yahoo Serious, who was apparently possessed by the same demon of hair care that has long tormented the poor soul known as Carrot Top, plays a fictionalized (to say the least) version of Albert Einstein. Through the course of the film Einstein invents a formula for splitting beer atoms, creates rock n roll and designs the first surf board.</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413839367940784882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 223px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcL9f1oRZptV6Xi96MIbfKYQptHm7MJiIw8J7Zn3r8YSpXYtV5rg1gcCR_3SbH8SlGFm5kHIXQqPZyYlWl6rOiQ9l0Npu7Gnmz12v0czxXAs-oKABhHgsB7Ot1yzY0lEjTmfLbOLRN380/s400/young+einstein+ii.jpg" border="0" />There's nothing really laugh-out-loud funny about the movie, but it's hard not to like. In many ways, the exaggerated behavior of most of the cast, not to mention the physical humor, points to some influence from the days of silent comedies. The level of humor is nowhere near what Chaplin or Keaton could pull off, but it brings a certain innocence that just brings a smile to my face.<br /><br />I guess the world wasn't completely ready for Yahoo Serious. He's only made a few other films to date and none have had as big a release as this one did. In the years that have passed he's tried some other activities, though, like suing Yahoo for stealing his name. I'll give you one guess how that one turned out.<br /><div></div>Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-38533818169013287772009-11-15T18:52:00.004-07:002009-11-15T19:43:03.660-07:00Guilty Pleasure 9: The Legend of Billie Jean<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SqnBFxCOuB-CbIQCN5wW1bOkzSbMJdYplO1eX75P2YtqmdcpDji1p5XmBbRurPFn02oIy3-ct-OqTXb-GIBDF_EWCyJBD84vWpmYUckztNAHKqLSij_3QpW7FOl2Tq2keW3MMDpSWoI/s1600-h/billie+jean+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404513692571990370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 224px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SqnBFxCOuB-CbIQCN5wW1bOkzSbMJdYplO1eX75P2YtqmdcpDji1p5XmBbRurPFn02oIy3-ct-OqTXb-GIBDF_EWCyJBD84vWpmYUckztNAHKqLSij_3QpW7FOl2Tq2keW3MMDpSWoI/s400/billie+jean+1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Summer 1986 was when cable TV first came to Wheaton, IL. So the movies that we watched endlessly on cable that summer were the films out in theaters the previous summer...including one of 1985's big bombs, "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089470/">The Legend of Billie Jean</a>." It's a movie that many people seem to want to forget. According to Wikipedia, it's original VHS video release shortly after the film's brief theatrical run is the only home video release the film has ever had. It has yet to appear on DVD. However, through the magic of Netflix and their "view instantly" feature, Billie Jean can be experienced via the internet. It is definitely one of my guilty pleasures.</div><br /><div></div><div>It stars <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000644/">Helen Slater</a> (who has already made an appearance in my list of "guilty pleasures" thanks to her role as Supergirl) as a girl who ends up accidentally becoming the most wanted criminal in Corpus Christi, TX. It all starts when her brother, played by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000225/">Christian Slater</a> (no relation to Helen), gets in a fight with some local jerks which results in his prized scooter being trashed. When Billie Jean tries to collect the money for the repairs from the boy's father...well, he has other things on his mind when it comes to Bille Jean. Long story short, he gets accidentally shot and Billie Jean, her brother, and some friends take it on the lam. Eventually, Billie Jean ends up becoming a sort of celebrity criminal with the public gladly cheering her on.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404522908231094194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 224px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlxmSIOyXQiLt0_zsXJNmRPZb1IIuKVETUzN84zKTlsVgpcNbJ-EQ84QOlMO7ct46g5j9mrzfxbMFuqpyPjAVXgYZo9i2vnfmwXFeKTGyLqOkvehF5POYoSvL6m3YIvUcl1RRUAzvlxE/s400/billie+jean+2.jpg" border="0" />The story is really pretty silly. These "criminals" hang out in a distinct looking vehicle, in wide open spaces, yet nobody seems to be able to find them. The movie is just plain unbelievable, right down to both Slater's overdoing the Texas twang. The worst part of the movie is the character played by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0810379/">Yeardley Smith</a>, the future voice of Lisa Simpson. She was 21 years old at the time of the film's release, but is playing a part that seems to have been written for an 11 year old.<br /><br /><div></div><div>So what makes the film likable? Well, for one, just like with "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088206/">Supergirl</a>," Ms. Slater is just irresistible to watch...especially for a 15 year old boy, as I was when I first saw the film. Adolescent hormones aside, and despite the accent issues, she really can draw you into a film. And of course, when you're a teenager, a film about a bunch of your peers taking matters into their own hands has a certain appeal. It's the same reason why a movie like "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099785/">Home Alone</a>" or the Our Gang shorts have such an appeal with younger kids. It's that built in desire to stick it to the man.</div><br /><div></div><div>So Billie Jean, it's good to see you pop up on Netflix, it's about time. After all..."fair is fair." (That's a famous quote from the movie...see how I worked that in there...because...see it's...never mind). </div>Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-41326194929153716612009-11-12T20:21:00.004-07:002009-11-12T20:31:56.813-07:00Cartoon a Day: Betty Boop's Halloween Party<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJj0XA5q-1qNWY1qgSC3aw0aMkemVVsfJ9m__I8-VVmCamH4RevzlRN-K39jfHpSG9-nYBhPWPm8TwPnVLjgeW12uOvGTK9cGQe4-lqNY4xOHaAk4Gdl-P450n-mpdtXbVmdilJQMIAko/s1600-h/boop+halloween.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403423849176595650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 147px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJj0XA5q-1qNWY1qgSC3aw0aMkemVVsfJ9m__I8-VVmCamH4RevzlRN-K39jfHpSG9-nYBhPWPm8TwPnVLjgeW12uOvGTK9cGQe4-lqNY4xOHaAk4Gdl-P450n-mpdtXbVmdilJQMIAko/s200/boop+halloween.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023800/">Betty Boop's Halloween Party<br /></a>1933<br />Directed by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0281487/">Dave Fleischer</a><br />Available on: YouTube<br /><br />Maybe I should call this "Cartoon a Month." Oh well, a few weeks late here is a Halloween cartoon staring the one and only Betty Boop! Thanks to YouTube and the fact that Betty Boop resides in the public domain these days, here is the cartoon in it's entirety.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QUp_yg_-QG8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QUp_yg_-QG8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Betty ends up being somewhat of a minor character in this one, but once again she offers a great example of why the Fleischer Studio stood apart from the other animation studios. You just didn't see these kind of gags in other toons. A favorite in this one is where the gorilla runs through the wall...of course he leaves a gorilla-shaped hole, but to have the hole move across the wall and go out the door is just icing on the cake!<br /><br />On a side note, I wish I had known about Betty's method for hollowing out a pumpkin two weeks ago. I'll have to try that next year.Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-67354017767718634532009-10-15T20:26:00.003-06:002009-10-15T21:46:17.434-06:00Guilty Pleasure 8: Dune<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393033632059877074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 135px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtDlL0z0_jsYs23yiEODFqq8aM8Dty4ft1HUPhHpnMje-UbPxTrWy43IaW1_8RcK_ED8fu7Ky9kto49t64jCPjr1Io_LUuq2aL_gGHaLLBhTmOnfxfW-RTgl1fUw7n7hEVB_Mtj9QoqM/s320/Dune+4.jpg" border="0" />When "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087182/">Dune</a>" was released at Christmas 1984 I avoided it like the plague. It looked creepy... and it had that new rating, PG-13. I wasn't sure what to make of that. The film was not well received when it was released, in fact Siskel & Ebert declared it the worst film of 1984 on one of their end of the year episodes. I finally checked the film out as an adult, while I agree the film has some major problems, I keep finding myself returning for another look every year or so.<br /><br /><div><div>The film is based on <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0378541/">Frank Herbert's</a> 1965 sci-fi novel. The book is challenging to say the least. It's a complicated mix of sci-fi, religion and politics that leaves many readers scratching their heads while just as many others cheer it's greatness.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393033617878112130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 137px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHajwsUnzmHyRnXTmlDwmWwv4kspGHZEvC2t9Wu8j1yf0u8yoLJH6ZDab3W3Gu5nMzIXiAdGoqS8UrfExMD-_Tom8_wnp_gmPg0D82gKOfyEtjNdVLvJAMd-GgOeEO6e7BJrPg0aUx_0g/s320/Dune+2.jpg" border="0" />In the director's chair was <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000186/">David Lynch</a>. Yes that David Lynch, the man behind such strange creations as "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090756/">Blue Velvet</a>," and the TV series "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098936/">Twin Peaks</a>." But "Dune" was only his third film, following his bizarre debut "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074486/">Eraserhead</a>" and the more mainstream "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080678/">The Elephant Man</a>." It was certainly his most ambitious project to date. Lynch took on writing the screenplay as well, anyone who has read the book knows that many would prefer the Chinese water torture over such an assignment. Much of the screenplay works well, while other parts, especially the overuse of our being able to hear the characters thoughts, do not.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393033620725384530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 157px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoVf6jGzAG7C6NqAjkw5DaA5BxLF_tkmxKdGZgmlBc95m1-EhxI_RhEXEFkGsuekdjtyxfDJg2A5P_5imoROLGyp2DdSp96oYNQGDBvoezK4BE_fv2kS6Jry7Oy40HCRHpQPZcPlEShM/s320/Dune+3.jpg" border="0" />My suspicions in 1984 were true, the film is is creepy. Imagine that, a creepy David Lynch film (that's sarcasm by the way). In fact, Lynch takes the creepiest elements of Herbert's book and cranks the creep-factor up to 11. For example, the book's main villain, Barron Harkonnen is one of the most vicious and vile villains I've ever encountered in print. In the film he's much worse, played by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0573299/">Kenneth McMillan</a> as a cackling, slobbering mad man covered in disgusting sores.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393033613702835714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 138px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjyq2cZ1OCXUqI_mzOFn5vNp7RTC9x2T2AsNtQ4jLOZWGyHMzjpi3CqnjI4xqIyogvs7-vhTJFWQsH9NBNLIbVNs0hwjEr7Eg6_373wVpaKU2UdNtdFUzRWCr-vOEWGvu3xY9dpLHjhY/s320/Dune+1.jpg" border="0" />Certain elements of the film do work really well. I love the opening of the movie in which <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000515/">Virginia Madsen</a> as Princess Irulan gives us the back story. It echoes the tone of the book in which each chapter begins with a quote from one of Irulan's many writings on the events depicted. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001492/">Kyle MacLachlin</a> (a Lynch favorite in his first film) is well cast as Paul Atreides, as is future Law & Order girl <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001860/">Alicia Witt</a> as the scariest 8 year old in the universe, Alia. Best of all is the unique costumes and set design which contribute to setting a distinct tone for each of the three "houses" that figure prominently in the story.<br /><br /><div>Several different versions of the film have popped up over the years. An "extended edition" clocks in at 40 minutes longer than the theatrical cut and thoroughly complicates the already complicated story. Lynch disowned this version of the film which lists "Alan Smithee" as it's director and "Judas Booth" as screenwriter. For that matter, Lynch has pretty much disowned the theatrical version as well. He rarely speaks of the movie and according to Wikipedia he is quoted as having said that he "probably shouldn't have done that picture."<br /><br />"Dune" is intriguing but flawed and is certainly far from being the worst film of 1984.</div></div>Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-43095509307147287692009-09-17T21:24:00.007-06:002009-09-17T22:23:37.907-06:00Cartoon a Day: Buckaroo Bugs<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036676/usercomments"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382655632688050386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 155px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPNPDrRtgfrADHYf5THvqkCyfUQG1aRBj5GkTrWgdxx1fEUn6nqNi2MC3U2fujZct0onQsoL-r6orl25l8ACYerIJWveLPbsOpqzR5qRo5Q6LBFCbsYhJ3De0AnutoWmR-JUiN3hEBnM/s200/buckaroo+1.jpg" border="0" />Buckaroo Bugs </a><br />1944<br />Directed by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0163332/">Robert Clampett<br /></a>Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol 5<br /><br />There is no mistaking a Bob Clampett cartoon. Everything is taken to the extreme, and "Buckaroo Bugs" is no exception. In this short, Bugs Bunny is cast as the Masked Marauder who has been stealing carrots from an old west town. To catch him, the locals call in Red Hot Ryder, who could be considered an early version of Yosemite Sam. So, Bugs Bunny is actually the villain.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382656070364171458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 236px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY5JQMWAlMk1xLxzXy8SE8Y0dx0UNk8BQkheRKhQOBpO5LlLDw8qtoutt14STT2CDxA0RWcLBOI8MgYpGa5-Xhw9G17LqN0JG8hep-QHLBiCI-mOViZY1davEqjz-0P0G9IAiZ4SDpM8/s320/buckaroo+2.jpg" border="0" />DVD's are great for viewing Clampett cartoons. Being able to freeze frame the images can give you a real appreciation for the various poses used in the animation. This is perhaps best demonstrated in Red Hot Ryder's horse. He's a minor character in the cartoon, but from an animation standpoint he's the highlight. The character combines modern elements along with qualities of a rubber band like character right out of the early days of animation. This one sequence where Red Hot Ryder and the horse jump off the edge of the Grand Canyon is evidence enough. When the horse realizes what he's done, he actually turns back through himself to turn around. It's brilliant animation!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382656776929191090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 243px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6N2KI1wjY-_wZDMD9wmyB4l6kWv9m-8VDvXo0CvBKv5dfrzBUyNWKswykv-lVJ2PzjcW2vJW1mQ5nIXlIcFw-hSWE6rs8GidgaDlcSdr2CrYapWgxsDPTHekUqzc89QfqOoKBQ5O0MA/s320/buckaroo+3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382656785133390994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qPcqxzMVPBICnJQC9X88fKNOpCijTaVxnBGOD7WzBkanhhy6i8hwYRgJ3tCuKTm1iLw5zinxyrEJIo6AggJNQXS-wQZijxHT3oMLZKnl3ZjDMzlEH_QEXEgdCKJcJTHeHfoIkvZD65c/s320/buckaroo+4.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382656789116838914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlmfRKMhwte5Us4eidACyWV4aPLya8Wyszkrw7PySadk5fWW79cE_nEpZOjr98AwLDHE0-Urybo3AopCpD417Lf3a-hXwNWgOEkKnclBihS639c7kR2-KhyrhlqG4Bmz0rQMhtVBpBxk/s320/buckaroo+5.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382656792967325042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDhFrnlE6gxpdqcpPqaNsNqDHjhI7eQputQgRa-EWYHw3Wii3urFqJLfcJFtPbKCRqqRs-vd45X-QnqCFNt5ockxGavXWomEwZ8GZu9z5tEa_l_qySJ21Nrf8tn7D3UBjM5MXKzwnFKM/s320/buckaroo+6.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382656800816057650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1NM-XzazavnQ7QVwC7UUNU1Nng3a9EBziPQanzPYhF7ZEqRcwXbtNNLbnZKoNkSC_v1b4SOEz4gl3ZUb0VXygBuo3ZCGmYzKuQPSHAjT6_KJgY0IQdLVOtfz9qTTBtSbM7i10l71bhc/s320/buckaroo+7.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382657288315803426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCSc7hpseph95MfR2bHYsZh1bg6SXVmTG2tWRoXZsfI94fq7jLR6YOIBHT4V3U29ZfrrZ6e-qHv0whQxWhWgPW3VLoY4-Y2EMTWArRbe4_TGMTQX0OcYUKxMDlbOTYhstksTwpcYzzxg/s320/buckaroo+8.jpg" border="0" />Animation at it's best when it explores the limits of what the art form is capable of. This cartoon is a great example of that.Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-69508666983651678602009-09-15T22:37:00.004-06:002009-09-15T22:51:33.532-06:00Cartoon a Day: El Terrible Toreador<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0020484/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381919982272077874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUN9mTnB-hqWIbxeNutbV_YpxXWP14VMr-l_C7I_4AgMlleUh3xRjRrJQ122T8GtEVrGTphdmv3xkwguibg-2rPRltJ9P9rK6SCShvlqFCD34GiioPKwOshQUC7JLCXfHzYE7PV_YhNk/s200/toreador+1.jpg" border="0" />El Terrible Toreador</a><br />1929<br />Directed by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000370/">Walt Disney</a><br />Available on: Walt Disney Treasures - More Silly Symphonies<br /><br />Many of the early Silly Symphonies cartoons used different cultures as the inspiration for many of the visuals. Not all of these depictions are what we would now consider politically correct, so they are often regulated to the "from the vault" sections of the Walt Disney Treasures releases. "El Terrible Toreador," however, I think was sent to the vault section because the characters drink beer.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381922794347850210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 246px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqGdcY4vxRjFk5KLqf1yygEIXr6pqcLOsc3B516Caz_XxhAQ_PSkYKaVoRR-4pGPgT58XBbmrTOM7rlCsc7Z0qJRAUTLgwbyqNJH6ULre7ievbBPIvWiLMwSlh8noKut5MZVEO0U5kZ8/s320/toreador+2.jpg" border="0" />Like most Silly Symphonies, there is not much story here. The gags are pretty simple, though you can see a progression taking place here as the sight gags are not repeated over and over as they are in many early cartoons. A few gags seem quite imaginative for this time period, especially when we think the bull and the toreador are fighting but when the smoke clears we see that they are playing patty cake.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381922800112258722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 247px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkNCfRNbvfZR9g0XKKv3cXc8QGyr3OQek8sDCWcKK_L1hhFUsTC1dZ1eNx9wBIsNdXESq-z5FmymwbeBMsKBppBH3q58rhFNdn_b8wxWdFIHgTcVtVKfOjJpKMfMNTDp3Jj3fsiySeYs/s320/toreador+3.jpg" border="0" />The bullfight arena is a classic setting for golden age cartoons. Almost every major character has been a toreador at some point, so it is interesting to see what is probably one of the earliest examples of a bullfight cartoon.Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-70487216394803171502009-09-14T22:30:00.005-06:002009-09-14T22:53:43.320-06:00Cartoon a Day: Mouse in Manhattan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMi5suviiI1Shh-i3wPbf9Gis9dAEd3yZ65HjV40by2Oectv0ZL-AVpUiXrD6Zx4YTuEkKcpdbrzOCVbFf7qwEOCTQ-62xJo4TnNhAS8G-RtMVtQax4J778XsmP7kgQo8Pe9Pq-fLeZDw/s1600-h/mouse+in+manhattan+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381548419403615522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMi5suviiI1Shh-i3wPbf9Gis9dAEd3yZ65HjV40by2Oectv0ZL-AVpUiXrD6Zx4YTuEkKcpdbrzOCVbFf7qwEOCTQ-62xJo4TnNhAS8G-RtMVtQax4J778XsmP7kgQo8Pe9Pq-fLeZDw/s200/mouse+in+manhattan+1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037929/">Mouse in Manhatan</a><br />1945<br />Directed by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0360253/">William Hanna</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0053484/">Joseph Barbera</a><br />Available on: Tom and Jerry Spotlight Collection Vol. 2<br /><br />"Mouse in Manhattan" is not your typical Tom and Jerry film. First of all, Tom pretty much just makes a cameo. This one is all about Jerry. He decides he's had enough of country life and decides to head off to the big city. Now you'd think some city alley cat just fills in for Tom for the rest of the picture. While some cats do come in to play briefly, this is not a chase film. This film is mainly about the city as seen through Jerry's eyes.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381551733525605922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XcX2K4Le-_WL5QgTohVuyqptLw_USHdCyK-0NlsCPcsrRoiQmkcNNWl2hbseVXoq1XzFIJJGYlxofpS9ltuaqXrw2w1W7oJB6KwIvIU_FiaGfRMVZI4raMUHD9YuLJd-bh9scK4X974/s320/mouse+in+manhattan+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381551736629199922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicp7ek-yeo82swHlzAIRX95wQhFRUFh2E47rCu55Xluc2IPDZe1xMGZyIwn4vo58_jx0tqAno8h5dA7BXPvD9RacnqIH5zA72Es_TOlNvsoC_IcYzTdTU8llw9e7K-TTRISljkZ9HX2To/s320/mouse+in+manhattan+3.jpg" border="0" />This scenario leads to some absolutely beautiful background art. Several New York City landmarks are portrayed in some very rich and detailed paintings. There are plenty of good gags, but most of the fun of this cartoon just comes in watching Jerry taking the city in.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381551747332506434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdvtwJFz6AT4MscZNUx1IZ1VS6u7sxWUAOVegf3i74B5Aqcl-a1Y0rmxEbycr759e5c-6jjZ13Oq5s0jKXb_NiYx531YpX3Y48RionSp9BZzxPJ1P77lL4gTTZGkkXC1oKmJLDc6VLI8/s320/mouse+in+manhattan+5.jpg" border="0" />It's interesting to note some of the differences in Jerry's appearance in this short. Tom and Jerry have gone through many design changes over the years. In this film, Jerry's nose seems to be a bit more round and bulbous and his whiskers seem longer. He also wears a somewhat dumb expression much of the time, which is not your typical Jerry look.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381551738756957906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsE__exgMJwVOYmXKoH37HJcgbF6H7LgcA7Nw0eIwAO6FPtPeJwkLXF8vtb_crQOfPfeKHlC3mKcDMkwi0vFg7dMUZJS9MFqnzVLY3SZMfGydyhCUoSNjThSMs9nsCQMryhJM46C-lvE/s320/mouse+in+manhattan+4.jpg" border="0" />I'm not sure if this film still runs on TV or not. There are a few moments that would keep it off the Cartoon Network rotation, including a blackface gag and one bizarre moment when it could be interpreted that Jerry is looking up the skirts of some of the ladies of New York. Still this is a great cartoon. Oh and I almost forgot to mention the wonderful music! It is obviously inspired by Gershwin (perfect for the New York setting) and compliments the on screen action beat per beat.Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-4794048917208695892009-09-10T21:35:00.005-06:002009-09-10T21:56:39.419-06:00Cartoon a Day: Mexican Boarders<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DseuKj0GnL8y2zSsBbTodDAduYoC9JlyajXDooQyr127QM4ThERwota55r0T_aU-f37ED3SF1u0VbHoRppEwBVPcCvGSuXD3GtTH3l8eKQdkSZG89g7YG8eWjCk2BwpjCLPOV5LHuKs/s1600-h/mexican+boarders+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380048645295017026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DseuKj0GnL8y2zSsBbTodDAduYoC9JlyajXDooQyr127QM4ThERwota55r0T_aU-f37ED3SF1u0VbHoRppEwBVPcCvGSuXD3GtTH3l8eKQdkSZG89g7YG8eWjCk2BwpjCLPOV5LHuKs/s200/mexican+boarders+1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056235/">Mexican Boarders</a><br />1962<br />Directed by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0293989/">Friz Freleng</a> & <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0695462/">Hawley Pratt</a><br />Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 4<br /><br />We've talked before about how Speedy Gonzalez cartoons were left off the Cartoon Network rotation for years, a casualty of political correctness run wild. Yet, it eventually came out that Mexicans didn't see the character as negative, but saw him as a national hero. I sometimes wonder if the true controversial character in the world of Speedy Gonzalez is one who appeared only twice...one of those times is today's cartoon. Tonight we experience the one and only Slowpoke Rodriguez.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380052981258132274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbD4pjbAE7UlnwMhE6l_wbzewXhpwIOq8A3EVM_aWnLOxVNMgSgdHyIXcQeRYSGlLH_Nu0GerpcD3ihx3cY0TCfToLgLOzNa4rBkKGOJIHCkVlMlTBXLWtNFYTKfMAT7Gmv3yv1l4kNOk/s320/mexican+boarders+2.jpg" border="0" />In this cartoon, Sylvester has barely any energy left to chase the fastest mouse in all Mexico. But when Speedy's cousin Slowpoke comes for a visit, the putty tat is re-energized. Both Speedy and Sylvester are soon overshadowed by the scene stealing Slowpoke.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380052990399063650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLPjmBN_Du7VGY0d9nbfm4YwvHeqZDK0luzvPuivRwpwyTe5PJlkK2A1oikX537Lxs1OSUo1loo2XMA4ar0ijqifyTdhvv98bue78xpCPN3QXDCZbY0wyIVTznESMuHMMf92m4Xg5GyU/s320/mexican+boarders+3.jpg" border="0" />This cartoon came close to the end of the golden era of cartoons, yet this is a strong cartoon. Slowpoke is a hilarious character, it's a shame he was only used twice. Some might see him as a Mexican stereotype, but really he's simply the opposite of the leading man...a classic comedic situation. Like the slow wolf from some Droopy cartoons, I love the way Slowpoke moves and minimal amount of animation used to bring him to life.Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-17634374868965890202009-09-09T22:00:00.005-06:002009-09-09T22:25:20.163-06:00Cartoon a Day: Slingshot 6 7/8<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGZWqDXsF5EVdX3t05muShYbGBgvSm6CIoQcYCzj6wX7JSg0Ut3FsdFyBW7yJoipF7pznSmiXP70nNaBr0XXZef3-wRJYWcDN4Nfk1cgky437YH4nSrmEBBQgNkUk9p-c97cnqgYSAVo/s1600-h/slingshot+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379684392610052962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGZWqDXsF5EVdX3t05muShYbGBgvSm6CIoQcYCzj6wX7JSg0Ut3FsdFyBW7yJoipF7pznSmiXP70nNaBr0XXZef3-wRJYWcDN4Nfk1cgky437YH4nSrmEBBQgNkUk9p-c97cnqgYSAVo/s200/slingshot+1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0142854/fullcredits">Slingshot 6 7/8</a><br />1951<br />Directed by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0487237/">Walter Lantz</a><br />Available on: The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection<br /><br />It's been awhile since we've done a Woody Woodpecker short. This particular one has a few interesting things to note. First there is not dialogue in the movie except for Woody's signature laugh. Second is that there is no director credited for the film. There is the usual "A Walter Lantz Cartune" credit screen. While Wikipedia credits Lantz for directing (based on his own claim), the Internet Movie Database does not. It's hard to know what to believe.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379688739988809346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJumndrGJHNTx3XaHob-uBAXmFYiUQPRkaIS3HGB16VEM9u8eY0HO99csMcKbYsN0lZQfkBSUthG6ywS7PKHlwQBggXU-n-0eCxT3WQGyH0jtTqF51i5oHCAZhG0_G24DkRMUndU9CC8/s320/slingshot+2.jpg" border="0" />In this short, Woody is in the old west and ends up participating in a shooting contest. The competitors can choose their weapons, so Woody uses a slingshot while his top rival, Buzz Buzzard as an Indian, uses a bow and arrow.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379688744299830850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXftzzUGtbZkTD_GS_hYoWc5LQ7B_Ty_atSiBc6XTkrcd0KE0otMazFBB9JcPu9GtT3Ae-N3qwKGUwuZDQQKMlFauCwB4Phj9a73fPWCmtMWq3yn8Sw1xSc-t-QS-2qW49f0h7FRcE3o/s320/slingshot+3.jpg" border="0" />There's nothing wrong with a silent cartoon comedy, but the animation has to really excel. While this short has some good moments, mostly early in the film, many sequences are lacking that extra punch that is needed. Had Buzz and Woody been given some <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000813/">Tex Avery</a> style reaction shots this could've been a much more memorable film.Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-91984508358101159122009-09-03T22:29:00.004-06:002009-09-03T22:46:33.213-06:00Cartoon a Day: Blackboard Jumble<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpte-Qd6Dx97ojtdB9889S7nfDTnQoJpHXVIHOnW5sQftlEAutS63F5N-xGq21IfxFalwoS_KaMEcjNJ6551Qyp6FiYHeYq3FNOf6dYnJox3ekf-_MfGsi2hPOkx87Hkuz0x-5ddwC_QA/s1600-h/blackboard+jumble+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377464943702017282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 84px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpte-Qd6Dx97ojtdB9889S7nfDTnQoJpHXVIHOnW5sQftlEAutS63F5N-xGq21IfxFalwoS_KaMEcjNJ6551Qyp6FiYHeYq3FNOf6dYnJox3ekf-_MfGsi2hPOkx87Hkuz0x-5ddwC_QA/s200/blackboard+jumble+1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050198/">Blackboard Jumble </a><br />1957<br />Directed by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0481499/">Michael Lah<br /></a>Available on: Tex Avery's Droopy - The Complete Theatrical Collection<br /><br />Droopy is one of my favorite classic animated characters. So it's really strange that I never saw this cartoon until today. It was not a part of the rotation of Droopy shorts that aired on Chicago television as I was growing up. The only reason I can see for it being pulled from TV is one gag involving a confederate flag. But now, thanks to DVD, not only can we see this short but we can also experience it in it's widescreen form.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377467547842837842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioP6iXxuWtSmSjXCZSekKsKsI7ljtscQ3AdvC2n8oi06MgIr7mC45wIdZ0f-QX1gVfXBmkNW453qbu5QOswUssOCInNFmoB4O6AzG9j6fVj-aLCH3CGkjpVthzV4773AI-tVUPn9aA0cE/s320/blackboard+jumble+2.jpg" border="0" />This Droopy short actually does not feature Droopy. Rather there are three kid versions of Droopy who terrorize a small schoolhouse. The Wolf, voice by the brilliant <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0124889/">Daws Butler</a>, is recruited to be their latest teacher.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377467558385096786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6sCY8J9vyUUAWNJ8GPkoN3o5m2EtraoAKkBfCdILdLhRsn1CPPT1sLJ8TO8nkKPjXZCGq3t0C3oM-tJgXGuw9Fk_BuVZLO9dcTZXUIvgEShvja3F9kOCUwjgnPWfrZr7-U4iY8yDVK0/s320/blackboard+jumble+3.jpg" border="0" />The voice and animation of the slow-moving, whistling wolf are a perfect combination. I love his strange posture when he walks. The feet lead as the rest of the body seems to move much slower behind. The wolf is the real star of the short. Even though this is not directed by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000813/">Tex Avery</a>, his influence is still there. Some would say too much so as several gags are lifted straight out of Avery's "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046423/">The Three Little Pups</a>," which also features Butler's Wolf character. But even with recycled gags, it's still laugh-out-loud funnySquonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-88061688821602120932009-09-02T21:43:00.005-06:002009-09-02T22:07:37.469-06:00Cartoon a Day: To Beep or Not to Beep<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057586/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377083186874890690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQDqKRGS_L_gWXaMWZ37yx10lpRUyUzxW_zVBpkfUcN_wtshrcUAm4I4g3pqBt0lG4vQFdez64nkprnEtfdqXPVTHPL4MKH6dI-gmMBTEirLJ89s7WX21hgr7i7uy55_cIMb78lp4lds/s200/to+beep+or+not+to+beep+1.jpg" border="0" />To Beep or Not to Beep</a><br />1963<br />Directed by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005062/">Chuck Jones</a> & <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0633637/">Maurice Noble</a><br />Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 3<br /><br />Today's cartoon is a late entry in the Road Runner series. The plot is the same as any other film in this series...Coyote chases Road Runner...but the film have a very different feel than earlier films in the series.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377087169050409762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEt-xIV9IHrP01NvnwTBiR7l9I8tY4RFq_bwiasukUMNTMDpymCLwAS7QI1U5l7ZDMC7j3eBHFE9L2QJoWVC6JAS19ClckSOnh4G3wec9XsGh44Ea6_YkCdcSKQ3vrLi3Crw6pqFOlak/s320/to+beep+or+not+to+beep+2.jpg" border="0" />Many of the early Road Runner shorts depend on a series of very short gags. As the series progressed, director Chuck Jones started to go for longer gags. Whereas many Road Runner gags would last a few seconds at longest, some of the gags in this film last several minutes. And it is with mixed results.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377087172288654946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfkylrBMoW-YorLyCcgVr8at1cZ_jvnavfzh0FgIGHbwq2LBHcQ4MT7Ton1uNcxs-C5EhfHf92Oe0t_dlsBxFir8B6TnU0o64QhyphenhyphenM6UYzQ4DA66Wc7wKXkNFSPZjxwZs6RQ81s8R8wEM/s320/to+beep+or+not+to+beep+3.jpg" border="0" />One gage which involves a giant spring seems way too labored and just doesn't flow well. On the other hand, the catapult sequence is skillfully paced and plays more like a series of short gags with a big payoff at the end.<br /><br />The early Road Runner films are stronger but this is a worthy entry in the series. It is actually the final Road Runner short directed by it's creator, Chuck Jones.Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-11280917112041453922009-09-01T22:04:00.005-06:002009-09-01T22:20:43.761-06:00Cartoon a Day: My Favorite Duck<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPt4X49jg4KCTG9nt_oae75vmNFu1mHrnYFgUUJMxzexd4OxtU1fZMc7r3o4T58jHeoFTJKFTdB0ycEy4RzYow5GtvRdWT1RB7r9wPmAQ_yC-yywbmw5m4qZJXfqLNKEPFO-V0mFjIEc/s1600-h/my+favorite+duck+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376716252785266642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPt4X49jg4KCTG9nt_oae75vmNFu1mHrnYFgUUJMxzexd4OxtU1fZMc7r3o4T58jHeoFTJKFTdB0ycEy4RzYow5GtvRdWT1RB7r9wPmAQ_yC-yywbmw5m4qZJXfqLNKEPFO-V0mFjIEc/s200/my+favorite+duck+1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035101/">My Favorite Duck</a><br />1942<br />Directed by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005062/">Chuck Jones</a><br />Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 6<br /><br />Well it's been a crazy summer. There's been a lot of travel and internet problems at home that has made doing "Cartoon a Day" tough. Plus, the fact that I just got lazy. But with it being September 1, here we go again.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376719131053617410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnef8NxUim3-sa69kiRVfNK7yCUeH4yC2fgLCz1_m9IGLgwV4WXf-DJoJJ27hmn3sqPnzI_pCgo_1dG-HoYNxFx6DKZgNAWIOxpXk0tXoMVgMQ4Xueoivq9K0EJfcV2kfNGxq0qGpp_s/s320/my+favorite+duck+2.jpg" border="0" />"My Favorite Duck" is the first cartoon to team director Chuck Jones and writer <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0540789/">Michael Maltese</a>. That team would produce some of the greatest cartoons of all time. In this short, Porky Pig is on a camping trip where he is annoyed by Daffy Duck who continues to point out that it is not duck season so you can't harm a duck in any way.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376719143775979298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qGjlXuXgPcAPwjYSEbAYU4RQgqwACUCEMDBM_iyj7gNag0zygCXIqwX6mQmLgb5x9I97KvlOMEQcPLx6cTLdDppyDqQpa-i0Piu5WhOW3r9gOc4wcfHvvMH0yHk6u-A_WgHqD3V6Wq8/s320/my+favorite+duck+3.jpg" border="0" />Not all of the gags work, but some are classics. The fishing sequence in which Porky ends up floating on the wrong side of the water is very original as is the ending where the film breaks and Daffy has to describe the end of the film to the audience.<br /><br />From an animation standpoint, the highlight of the film is some of the unique angles used. There is an obsession with low camera angles here like what you might expect to see in a student film. In this film it works well, especially in the final moments of the film when Daffy's plan has backfired on him.Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-34368328891871901392009-08-02T18:33:00.003-06:002009-08-02T18:43:18.017-06:00Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #17<strong>17. Jolene - Dolly Parton</strong><br /><br /><object height="40" width="250"><param name="movie" value="http://listen.grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf"><param name="wmode" value="window"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&widgetID=12321562&style=metal&p=0"><br /> <embed src="http://listen.grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="250" height="40" flashvars="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&widgetID=12321562&style=metal&p=0" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="window"></embed></object><br /><br />Waaaaaay back when we looked at Chely Wright's song "Jezebel" (#39) I mentioned that another country lady, Dolly Parton would be putting in an appearance. Well here she is with her classic "Jolene." Whereas Wright's song is about a woman telling a competitor that if she steals her man she's gonna get it, this one is a woman begging Jolene not to steal her man away. Those are some great vocals at work there and some mean guitar work as well.Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-76546361466395859652009-08-02T18:17:00.002-06:002009-08-02T18:25:41.895-06:00Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #18<strong>18. Cecilia - Simon & Garfunkel</strong><br /><br /><object width="250" height="40"> <param name="movie" value="http://listen.grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf"></param> <param name="wmode" value="window"></param> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&widgetID=12320294&style=metal&p=0"></param> <embed src="http://listen.grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="250" height="40" flashvars="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&widgetID=12320294&style=metal&p=0" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="window"></embed></object><br /><br />Probably one of the most upbeat songs about being dumped. The unique rhythm, which was supposedly achieved by Paul and Arty slapping their legs while someone else banged on a piano bench, points to the African influence Simon would explore on later albums like "Graceland."Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6772235679629049316.post-65113782032165014942009-07-31T11:35:00.005-06:002009-07-31T12:03:54.491-06:00Lessons Learned at the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxRmc3d18F9hqj_P8YGbMTgbtCRvi-_SBsmPdCzKB1ou9wuykt74nTVhVBv1lXU5-ZvSd879W4KBDIisXrM76qhCgfL4ZR2CkU4XnVerwTi4Fxet6i5ARExZ8_TPkV2SydD2sTmTJuEQ/s1600-h/IMG_4562.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364679786592132450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxRmc3d18F9hqj_P8YGbMTgbtCRvi-_SBsmPdCzKB1ou9wuykt74nTVhVBv1lXU5-ZvSd879W4KBDIisXrM76qhCgfL4ZR2CkU4XnVerwTi4Fxet6i5ARExZ8_TPkV2SydD2sTmTJuEQ/s320/IMG_4562.JPG" border="0" /></a> I'm in Cleveland for a Puppet Ministry Summerfest. Since I had a little extra time this morning I decided to visit the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. It was pretty cool, though there were some disappointments...No photo rule!?!?? How un-rock n roll can you get?<br /><br />The museum houses a lot of classic instruments and memorabilia such as costumes and stage props. One of the things that was interesting to note about so many of the outfits that rock legends wore in concerts, in videos, and on album covers is that they really don't look all that impressive up close. You can see the flaws. You can see that they're made out of the same junk your wardrobe from Wal-Mart is made of.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364682233317187234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEZrHXmksEkJPuvzjklC6p9XIelFsjzr-EJqwwSIgIHmrGhGvIjUBd2qWZkKRyoQmaKlKKNOSISUPUfuyxZWHucgLV5xaerzYdhnzzm_IZJ2dM50J9d7IkgdjLXE7bHqain_IQE5apns/s320/IMG_4566.JPG" border="0" />The Hot Dog you see above hangs in the loby of the Hall of Fame (which is the only area where photos are allowed), it was used in concert by the band Phish. When you look at it from above you can see inside the bun and I noticed that it's made out of some of the same materials I've seen many a puppet prop made out of.</p><p>This all got me thinking that we always hear that those of us in children's ministry and puppet ministry can't compete with what the entertainment industry puts out. Why even try, right? Wrong!! Guess what, they work with the same materials we do. Same scrap fabrics, same goofy looking sequins, same spray paint, same chicken wire. The only difference is that folks like Beyonce and Prince are nuts enough to pay millions for it. </p>Squonkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09721920217292782275noreply@blogger.com0