I walked out the theatre an hour ago and was shocked when I hopped on IMDB and saw the overwhelming negative feedback. A lot of the comments I've read have said this is too much of a departure from the original Bond movies with no hint of the originals: no gadgets, flat villain, and a plot that has nothing to do with "world intrigue and that all it amounts to is a collection of over-the-top action scenes and that Bond himself is a flat character... Anyone sharing this opinion is so very very wrong

my defense of Quantum of Solace as one of the better Bonds to date...

Criticism: Too much action
Defense: Look at every other Bond movie ever made. They're all filled with car chases, boat chases, helicopter chases, laser gun fights in space, runaway ski lifts, and skiing off a mountain only to be saved by a parachute. Every single bond movie is fueled by action and this one is no difference except that modern day special effects, cameras, and state of the art theatres have given us the most realistic actions sequences imaginable (with the exception of the CGI used when Bond and the double agent crashed through the ceiling, that looked a little choppy).

Criticism: No gadgets
Defense: I agree and disagree. There aren't very many gadgets resembling the classical era of James Bond but we do have Bond utilizing modern day technology and technology of the near future. Examples of this was his ability to track a cell phone signal using his own phone and the touch-screen desk/display used at MI6. I mean lets face it, in the older Bond movies, James really only used one or two of the gadgets Q gave him. All that's absent in Quantum is a cheesy scene where a Q-like character leads him through a laboratory testing ridiculous and comical gadgets like a leg-cast/rocket launcher. The gadgets in Quantum are realistic, practical, and are just extensions of technology already available to the public.

Criticism: Plot that lacks world intrigue
Defense: Were people watching the same movie I was? What's more exciting than a top-secret agency that has moles everywhere from major companies in the private sector from spies infiltrating government agencies at all levels including an advisor to the British Prime Minister. The same agency is also doing business with the CIA and organizes a coup against the Bolivian government. They were doing a similar thing with in Africa in Casino Royale. If you paid attention to the type of people identified as being part of the secret organization (probably SMERSH or SPECTRE) you'd realize some of them have to do with the world's sources of energy... The vastness of this plot is incredible and I cannot believe some people failed to recognize this. Look at classic Bond films. Man with the Golden Gun: assassin with a personal grudge against Bond. Goldfinger: Dude wants to steal all the Gold in fort knox. Live and Let Die: Gangster wants to monopolize the heroine trade. What's not to love about Quantum's plot? Its very real and in some degree is playing out in reality right now and has happened throughout history in varying degrees multiple times at least when it comes to the lines of good and bad being blurred in pursuit of overthrowing a government. (Cuba, Iraq, Israel) Not to mention the overarching plot between Casino Royale and Quantum with creepy secret organization pulling strings around the world.

Criticism: Flat "thuggish" Bond
Defense: WTF?! In now way shape or form was Craig's portrayal flat. Jesus, look at Roger Moore's Bond (my personal favorite) he was a flat as could be. The only time he portrayed any sort of emotion besides snide cockiness was when he visited his ex-wife's grave in the beginning of For Your Eyes Only. There was nothing dynamic about Connery or Moore even though they're considered some of the best Bonds. Dalton, Craig, and Lazenby all showed depth of character and were dynamic characters in the sense that they changed as the plot developed. Connery's Bond in Dr. No is the exact same Bond as Diamonds are Forever. In Quantum you can see pain behind Craig's eyes and he's effected emotionally from the actions of the previous film, which is something that has never been a substantial plot point in classical Bond films. Read Ian Flemming's books and look at the character he created: he had depth, emotion, and was vulnerable inside and out... just like Craig's bond. The only reason he appeared "thuggish" is because he was relentless in his pursuit in trying to make sense of losing Vespa in Casino Royale. Quantum kicked it up a notch when M's safety was compromised and Bond added that to his list of wrongs to avenge.

Quantum of Solace may not have been the best Bond film. I would need some time to place it amongst the rest but as for now I can confidently say it was better than Casino Royale and certainly undeserving of the negative comments against it.

My only criticism was the absence of the traditional gun-barrel shot as a segue into the opening credits...and Jack White should have sang the song he wrote. Alicia Keys was alright but I think Jack White's scratchy rusty-as-nails voice would have meshed better with the nature of the song and theme of the movie.

But this is just my opinion...

So I'm not at all happy with the person I'm turning into.

I Saw 'Zack and Miri Make a Porno' last night and was hit hard by something and at the time couldn't quite place my finger on what it was. While driving home I started thinking about the movie and was able to focus on the emotions that it brought out of me. I used to be a big fan of Kevin Smith's movies and considered his screenplays a major source of inspiration when it came to my sense of humor and general outlook on things. I can remember imagining what it would be like to deliver the "I love you" speech from 'Chasing Amy' as one example. To me his movies were dick and fart jokes at a superficial level but were so much more at their core. His movies had heart and soul.

Clerks: Dante is having issues with accepting his current girlfriend because the opportunity to date an old crush presents itself to him. His girlfriend is a motivator, rational, and a good influence but to him she represents settling for the more stable and realistic plan B while his old crush was that dream he never fulfilled.

Chasing Amy: Holden falls in love with a lesbian and makes her into a sort of soul mate. Despite the seemingly impossibility of a relationship forming she ends up falling in love with him but he's unable to control his jealousy when he learns about her somewhat promiscuous past sex life and ends up ruining any chance of a relationship they had and thus spends the rest of his life "chasing amy."

Dogma: Bethany is struggling with her faith and is forced to confront it head on when she's entrusted with a mission from God.

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back: It's all about friendship (i'm reaching with this one)

Yeah there are comedies these days that compare to some degree: 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked up are great examples.

Anyway

I went to college and a lot of great stuff happened. I'm satisfied with my experience thus far but feel as if I'm turning into someone I'm not a fan of (no I don't have a particular person in mind). [ I'm having a really hard time figuring out how to say this or convey my feelings...I've typed, deleted and retyped a paragraph several times so I'm just gonna say 'fuck it' and move on]

so fuck it. Nutshell: I feel like I've lost heart and soul that I once had as a result of "growing up"

so what does Zack and Miri and Kevin Smith movies have to do with this?

Back in high school I was dramatic, a bit flighty, and thought I was way more important than I actually was. Not to mention my level of emoness one can easily read about firsthand but scrolling back a few years on this livejournal. But god damn it, that's who I was and I was happy with myself. Life was simple and interesting. I had time in my hands to think about everything, form an opinion of my own, and write it down. I was bitchy about most things but at least it had soul and passion. All I do now, for class at least, is read someone else's opinion, analyze it, and write about it. I feel like all that's been required out of me for the last three and a half years is paraphrasing other people. I haven't created anything original. And it's my own fucking fault.

so again, what the hell does Zack, Miri, and Kevin Smith have to do with any of this?

It was the first Kevin Smith dick and fart comedy with heart and soul that I've seen since high school. The jokes, the story, the soundtrack all evoked these incredibe and nostalgic emotions from inside of me. I could remember sitting at my parents' computer downloading Soul Asylum and Smashing Pumpkins songs on Napster; the older, illegal and superior free Napster. I'd listen to that music and more and update my livejournal with bitchy emo feelings and opinions on music, movies, books, and life. The movie was incredible. It was like being sucked back into my old self and watching it with those eyes and that heart.

For those of you that have seen the movie, it was THE sex scene that did it for me. I haven't cried watching a movie in a long time. It had to be before Sophomore year of college at the first least. No, I didn't cry at this part but I was choked up. But most importantly, it was the song playing through the whole scene that really did it for me. I sounded like everything I used to listen to way back in the day, mainly Soul Asylum and Smashing Pumpkins.

It made me feel like the first time I read "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."

For the first time in a very long time I felt infinite.

I doubt anyone else is reading as far into 'Zack and Miri Make a Porno' as I am but whatever, this is personal for me. It was like catching the scent of an old girlfriend's perfume randomly on the street or hearing a song that you remember listening to on prom night. I was reminded about the person I used to be and it felt incredible.

I really don't have a great way to end this post. I apologize if anyone was hoping for me to outline a new philosophy on life. I haven't figured much of a plan of action. I guess I'm going to start being more conscious my self concept. It's all going to start with this livejournal. I'm going to update it more frequently. It used to be a part of my life and lately I've almost completely forgotten it.

I think one of my biggest problems in the last few years is that I've stopped using this livejournal. As a result I have had a lot of feelings, opinions, and thoughts that were never able to have been formulated into an actual conclusion and just dissipated like piss in a pool.

My mind has dulled lately and I can't let that happen

Indiana Jones 4 was a piece of crap. Terrible terrible movie. Leave it to George Lucas to ruin yet another trilogy. I'll give a more in depth review of why you should avoid this travesty at all costs if you consider yourself a real Indiana Jones fan...


ironically enough, the part of the movie I thought I'd hate, Shia, ended up being one of the more enjoyable.

So for those of you that don't know, I was in Florida a couple weeks ago for my brother's wedding. He got married in Fort Lauderdale and then we hopped on a cruise ship that took us from there, to the Bahamas, to Key West, and then back to Fort Lauderdale. Well while we were in Key West my sister and I got our pictures taken with this man.





Well I was cruising around Thesmokinggun.com which is a website that collect celebrity mugshots amongst other things and I stumbled upon an article regarding that same dude.

"MARCH 7--A Key West street performer known as "Gold Man" was busted this week on a warrant charging him with selling crack cocaine to an undercover officer. Daryl Brooks, 45, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, in full costume, and booked into the Monroe County Sheriff's Office lockup on the felony drug rap. As seen in the below photo, Brooks did not have the chance to remove his face paint before posing for his mug shot. Before Key West police stuffed Brooks in a squad car, they took a photo of him in his outfit, which you can find here. According to an incident report, as Brooks sat in the police vehicle, he allegedly confessed to a cop: "It wasn't even mine, I sold it for a friend. I needed the money so I could take a day off from my day job as the Gold Man." Brooks added, needlessly, "You know when I get high, I do some stupid stuff." Brooks is being held in the Monroe County jail in lieu of $35,000 bail. (3 pages)"










Crazy stuff. Silly me, I thought he was asking me to play a game of billiards when he asked me if i wanted an eight-ball.

After listening to it just about once a day for the last year or so I have decided, after much deliberation, that Purple Rain is the greatest song ever written. The body of Prince's guitar was most likely constructed from the left over timbers of Noah's Ark and its strings were forged by melting down Exacalibur. The lyrics to this masterpiece were etched on the back of the tablets containing Moses' Ten Commandments. It's a fucking great jam. If I knew I was going to die in exactly eight minutes and forty-one seconds I would use that time to listen to Purple Rain one last time before I went to heaven where it most likely plays continuously on God's sound-system for eternity (ironically Hell has a similar setup except instead of Purple Rain its Raspberry Beret and Batdance).

yup, still here

Most people reading this know that I have some very strong feelings about Green Day and most of them are negative. Most of my hatred is directed toward their album 'American Idiot' one of the worst albums in the history of music. Am I making a blanket statement? Yes I am but whatever, because that entire album is a blanket statement. But I digress...

anyways

A friend of mine was trying to convince me to give 'American Idiot; another chance. He showed me a clips of their concert dvd 'Bullet in a Bible' to show me how "amazing" they were live. He pointed out how jacked they got the crowd with their opener, the title track from 'American Idiot.' As I was watching the concert and noticed the very strong crowd reaction, I realized while also reading the liner notes that the concert was filmed in the Milton Keynes National Bowl in England. At first this may not seem like a big deal but gimme a chance to explain why this truly shows why the band sucks.

Everyone is familiar enough with the song 'American Idiot' so I won't get too into the details. It's mainly a criticism of the way in which America handled the 9/11 attacks. It pays special attention to the fear and parannoia perpetuated by the media. What upsets me is that Green Day chose to record their concert in England in front of a group of youths that do not understand the song as the way it is meant to be understood. The song was written as a critique of the American way of life and a way to better our society. Teenagers in England probably don't see them same message and read into 'American Idiot' as a song about idiodic Americans, hence their extreme enthusiasm by yelling out "dont wanna be an american idiot." They don't understand the song the way Americans do.

Green day knew what they were doing and chose to film their concert in England because they knew they were going to get the reaction. The same goes for Live8 performance in Germany. I'm not saying they are traitors. Most of my famous musicians are well-known writers of protest songs. However, what I am saying is that Green Day's method of using a non-American audience to extract a protest feel from a song meant for an American audience is cheap and misleading. It's like playing poker with a stacked deck.

I have had countless discussions with friends over what the defintion of "selling out" is...this is it.

go fuck yourself Green Day.

Yesterday morning, singer and actor Robert Goulet passed away while awaiting a lung transplant. His rise to stardom was in 1960 with portrayal of Lancelot in the musical Camelot. He enjoyed a healthy career of other musica roles and tv guest spots on shows like Boy Meets World, The Simpsons, and in the television show and movie Recess as Mikey's singing voice. One top of numerous Grammys and Tonys, Goulet won something else: our hearts. He enjoyed taking drives out into the country to enjoy nature, Goulet! And was quite the match in any staring contest

Robert Goulet
1933-2007
"it's a rap"

the Bright Eyes concert was fantastic! It was at the state theatre in kalamazoo. i went with kim, my brother's fiance. our tickets were pretty good. row i and a little to the right if you're looking at the stage.

This guy named Andrew Bird opened up. I had never heard of him before but he was amazing. It was just him onstage with a violin and guitar. He would lay down a violin track and record it then play along with the recording. eventually he'd be jamming with his guitar on top of a few different violin tracks. I bought one of his albums off Itunes but it's nowhere near as good as he was live. but...he blew me away.

anyway, onto the main attraction

Bright Eyes put on a really good show. It was my first time seeing them and Kim's 7th or 8th. She said it was more of a harder sounding show because there weren't any female vocals. at any rate...

I figured he would have only played mostly stuff off the new album but there was a really good mix of songs. He only played a couple songs off Cassadaga like 'four winds' and 'If the breakman turns my way.' he played a lot of stuff off lifted. i went nuts and got chills when he started playing 'poison oak.' he played 'hit the switch' and 'arc of time' from digital ash. 'another traveling song' was a hightlight of the show.

ANYWAY!

the concert was not the best part of the night....

after the show we were waiting outside of the state theatre for a friend of mine to pick us up. he got lost so we called a cab. we were sitting on a bench about a block away from the theatre when out of the corner of my eye I saw Connor walking down the sidewalk with some other guys from the band. as they walked by us I yelled out "hey connor, good show" and he turned around, looked at me, smiled, and said "thank you" IT WAS GREAT!

so there was this mob of 30something emo kids following behind so Kim and I hopped into the crowd. I was walking armslength away right behind Connor. It was crazy. So they went into this place called The Union which is a bar/restaurant in K-zoo. a bunch of people weren't sure if it was 21 and over or not but I just walked inside and grabbed a table. Kim and I saw Connor sitting at the bar so we went up and Kim talked to him for a little bit and I introduced myself. It was the coolest thing.

eventually the crowd realized they could go in so the band got mobbed and went out another door. i knew that The Union was connected to another bar so I told a couple people where they were probably going. we stayed where we were and talked to the stage manager for a little bit and I talked to the guitar player for a little bit about Bob Dylan.

I have to let you guys know though that I was nowhere near as "chill" or "cool" as i'm making myself sound. I acted like a bashful 17 year old girl who was in love with Connor Oberst. All I could say to him was "good show" and "i'm matthew, it's really nice to meet you."

my brother came from him hotel to pick us up but it was TERRIBLE timing. The stage manager recognized Kim from other shows and asked her if we wanted to come back to The Union and hang out. My brother's a pretty conservative guy and wouldn't have been too happy if we ditched him to go back and drink with the band. it was cool though, at least I got to meet him.

Without a doubt, the best concert experience I've had. It was really funny watching Kim who knew everyone's name, even the guitar tech. the night couldn't have gone any better.

"good show"
"thank you"

:- /

I've been reading up on one of the newest animated Disney movies "The Princess and the Frog." It will be Disney animation studio's first 2D animted film since "Home on the Range" and will be the first time a Disney movie will feature a black princess. It is a retelling of the fairytale set in 1920s Jazz Age New Orleans.

I'm upset about a few minor things with the controversey spreading from this movie.

Originally the main characters name was 'Maddy' and her occupation was as a chamber maid. Well, people got all up in arms and didn't like how she was given a stereotypical nickname so it was changed to 'Tiana.' Big friggin' deal if her name was 'Maddy.' The Arab community didn't get upset when they called Aladin 'Prince Ali.' What's wrong with 'Maddy'? It would have been a common name of the time period for a young black girl. Oy Vey

and!

People were very upset that she was a chamber maid. They said that it was being racist because the white Disney princesses had rich lifestyles. What the fuck are they talking about? The most popular Disney princess, Cinderella, was stepped all over by her step family and was the maid of the household until she was whisked away by Prince Charming.

Everyone's gotta be walking on eggshells because it's a black princess and change her name and occupation, but it's okay to put a wealthy white plantation landowner and his southern belle of a daughter in the movie. No problems there. Why? Because it's an accurate depiction of the time period just like how they should have kept the story the way it was.

for the love of god, it's a disney movie. Lay off.

Just because I don't support the war doesn't mean I don't support the troops. Understand the fucking difference you narrow-minded fox news channel watching conservative moron. Why don't you stop suckling on Bill O'Reilly's teat and start thinking for yourself?



oh! and...




it's good to be back livejournal

Go now and download the new single from Smashing Pumpkins called 'Tarantula'

it's friggin' amazing! I cannot wait for a new album

i dont have time for a real update but one is coming shortly.

oh, and the new Paul McCartney single 'Ever Present Past' is pretty good too.

So me and my friend Anthony bought tickets to go see My Chemical Romance and Muse in Columbus Ohio on Tuesday. We've been pretty excited for a while.

We drive five hours down to Columbus only to find out that it has been postponed as a result of the bands and crew getting food poisoning. fuck

we were at a loss of what to do. we made frantic calls to friends seeing if they knew anybody that went to Ohio State for us to stay with. Eventually, one of our franternity brothers new some girl he hooked up with once who happened to go to Ohio State. She offered to let us sleep on her floor but we thought it would be awkward so we hesitated to accept. We could have also driven home to Troy, which was closer than Kalamazoo, and stayed with my parents for the night. Another catch as the fact that at the time the only money we had between us was my $15 which was just enough gas money to get us home. He was broke with an empty bank account and I don't have debit cards. Without a National City in sight and also it being midnight, we pretty much had zero cash.

The money situation was solved when we saw a closed National City. If we stayed the night, we could go to the bank in the morning. We decided to stay the night because I didn't want to spend the money it would take to buy gas to drive to troy, drive back to columbs, and then back to Kalamazoo.

However, our friend could no longer get in touch with that girl he knew. By this time it was well after midnight. We went to Sonic Burger to ease our nerves. Sonic is some good eatin'

Well, I came up with the idea to cruise around OSU to find a place to stay for the night. I was perfectly comfortable with just sleeping in our car or sleeping in this park in downtown Columbus but he was very against the idea.

The only affordable place to park were these meters in downtown but we only had enough change for 2 hours so we had to walk and find a place that would give us change. We walked 2 miles through the outskirts of downtown (the scary and grimey area outside of downtown). It was an incredibly scary experience. After my spring break trip to Seattle and Vancouver I figured I would feel comfortable with walking around creepy areas in big cities but I wasn't prepared for the group of large men on a street corner yelling at each other about $9 where one guy kept screaming he was about to pull out his gun.

We found a place that would give us change which was right near campus. The problem was, we had to turn around and walk the two miles back to the car to feed the meter. As we walked back, it started pouring rain. So here I am in sandles, a t-shirt, and jeans that are soaking wet. I figured we were seeing a concert so I didn't bother to bring a jacket or a change of clothes.

We make it to the car and make the walk back to campus. We decided to stay in their library. We slept in a study room. My friend tried to sleep at a table but I said fuck it and sprawled out on the floor to sleep.

We woke up and made our way over to National City to get some money. We spent most of our day in Barnes and Noble on their comfy chairs.

Side story, I bought the new Chuck Palahniuk book, 'Rant' which is incredibly good so far. He's back to form after his last two terrible books.

Anyway, we call the venue and they say that the show is going on as planned.

But by the time we make it to the arena, they tell us the show has been postponed yet another day.

Fuck me sideways

I'm so pissed off by the whole thing that I'm a little sick of typing out the story. So I think I'm gonna stop.

I saw Spiderman 3 at midnight. It was good but not great. I liked number 2 better. I think I'm the only person who never liked Venom as a villain. Venom was sweet in the fight scenes though but I just don't dig his storyline.

but!

I did see an awesome trailer before Spiderman 3. Did anyone else see the trailer for 'Across the Universe'? I was completely blown away by the trailer. From what I can gather, it looks like a modern day 'Hair', 'Tommy', or' Sgt Peppers'. I can't wait.

here's the trailer




I have also gotten wind of a new concert film by U2 that will be in theatres this fall!!!!!! It's called 'U2 3D' and as you can imagine, it's going to be in 3D. I am incredibly excited to see this on the big screen. I hope it's just as amazing and profound as 'Rattle and Hum' was.




New bands for ya'll to check out. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, Test You Reflex, and Emarosa.

I bought the best ringtone ever today. Everyone reading this should call me so I can listen to it. It's "Dancing on the Ceiling" and I can't help but dance everytime I hear it.

I've started writing a little bit here and there. I'm enjoying it.

Orientation training starts monday. HOLY COW!

LOST was amazing this week. Incredibly intense. Next weeks episode looks like it'll blow my mind. Such a great show and I'm glad a lot of my fellow orientation student leaders are into it.

hmmmmm....I think I had more to say but my mind is blank right now. OH! check out the movie 'American Splendor'. I enjoyed it. It's with Paul Giamatti. real good stuff. He has this new movie coming out during the holiday season with Vince Vaughn called 'Fred Claus' and you all should check it out. Paul Giamatti plays Santa and Vince Vaughn plays his older dead-beat brother who moves in with him. It looks original and entertaining.

adios everyone. I'll give you a more profound post when I'm in in the mood for deep thought.

I wanted to give you all a little teaser of the amazing journal post that's going to come within a day or two...

at this moment, I am writing to you from a computer in Ohio State's library at 2:30 in the morning. I am soaking wet. I have less than $10 in my pocket, no credit card, and no ATM card. My phone is almost dead. My feet and my head hurt. This library is the only place that offers a 24 hour roof over my head.

Well, I wish you all the best and hope to one day see you again.


btw, Sonic Burger is amazing

I was at the park today and saw this guy sitting down. I tweaked the time of year a litle bit but I wrote this down on the back of a Jimmy John's bag when I looked at him.





At the edge of a pond so still it reflected the landscape surrounding it and was only interrupted when a breeze would tip toe across the surface or by a family of ducks that frequented during this time of day, sits a man on a bench; his only accessory being a paper bag of stale bread crumbs.
His shoes are so worn by time and travel, they no longer squeak as he curls his toes. The soles are mute as he goes on his midday walks around the block instead of the clapping they used to make. Perhaps it’s the worn leather, but maybe because his step has lost its purpose.
The man’s age and frailty is visible when he wars his overcoat, once filled with broad and confident shoulders and pushed out by a proud chest. The coat new drapes over the shell of a small man and flaps at the slightest breeze because the withered frame it protects from the elements offers no support.
His face is long and narrow. The skin of his cheeks is just as weathered as the leather of his shoes. His wrinkles are like dried creeks flowing from the corners of his eyes and curl around to his lips. The pull taut whenever he smiles and the creeks fill with water when a tear escapes from his eyes; the former does not happen very much anymore. The wrinkles droop and sag lower with each passing autumn.
One can almost hear a creaking when stiff fingers wrap themselves around a bread crumb. He rips a piece of bread in half and tosses it onto the water. His only companions, or rather brief acquaintances are the ducks. They beat their legs underneath the skin of the water. A duck darts his head toward the crumb, snatches it with his beak, and tosses his head back as he swallows it. The rest scuttle over toward the man who tosses another piece into the water.
The man reaches into his bag and lets out a sigh when all he feels at the bottom is paper and no bread. He crumples the bag up into a ball and stuffs it into the deep pocket of his overcoat. He braces himself against the bench with his hands and stands up. His face twists itself into a grimace. He waits a moment standing against the bench long enough to let the pain ebb away from his joints.
He quickly turns his head to face the sounds of wings flapping. All at once a flock of ducks rise into the air and hover a bit before they fly off towards the distance.
The nip in the air, a bit colder than usual, tells the birds that winter is approaching. The man looks off into the distance and the permanent frown in his face sags deeper. He sits back down onto his bench and waits. There he waits as he has done season after season for his own winter to come. The time where the nip in the air, colder than usual raises the hairs on the back of his neck and lets him know it’s time to leave for one last season.

i'm done