Hope springs eternal...
October 28, 2009
October 22, 2009
The Wolf Suit
I'm a little nervous...this weekend I'm going to go see Spike Jonze's adaptation of Maurice Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are. Really, I've been waiting to see this movie for what seems like a billion years but I'm still worried. Its not that I don't think I'm going to love it...I think it goes without saying that I will. Rather, my fear centers around the dreadful notion that potentially, some piece of the book's magic will die with the closing credits. Even if its a small piece, I'd still consider that a big loss. This book means a lot to me...I mean to the point that I, at age thirty-something (Timothy Busfield suck it!), take it out every once in awhile and read it...just to remind me of the magic and mystery of childhood (sap/yuck/barf). I won't go into further details of my deep-seated obsession other than to say that yes, I've had a tattoo of Max on my left arm since I turned 18 and I occasionally have to fight off the urge to add one of the Wild Things to my other arm. There you have it, I'm incurable. Despite my anxiety, I'm hopeful that the Jonze/Eggers version will only supplement my lifelong enjoyment of the story and not suffocate it. God, I hope so...there's no way I can't go see it, right?
Oh well, I've posted some music that's helping me ease my anxiety.
May the Rumpus be always at your back,
October 21, 2009
October 14, 2009
October 07, 2009
October 06, 2009
Lars and the Dead Girl
I've got a lot of respect for Ryan Gosling. For the uninitiated, the Canadian-born actor has played leading roles in a few fan/critically-acclaimed films, each with its own distinct genre. In a relatively brief movie career, the guy has shown a breadth of skill matched only by today's most-talented actors (e.g., DiCaprio, Depp, Day-Lewis, any D, really) From his role in the unanimous lady-favorite "The Notebook", to the darkly amazing "Half Nelson", to the offbeat and endearing "Lars and the Real Girl", Gosling has taken calculated risks with each assignment and nailed it each time.
As if that's not enough, today marks the digital release of Gosling's music project, Dead Man's Bones. The eponymous album was created through collaboration between Gosling, his friend Zach Shields, and the Silverlake Conservatory of Music Children's Choir.
When I first heard about this project awhile back I thought, "Damn, that's too bad. I liked Gosling, now he's going to eff it all up by going all Eddie Murphy on us." I mean, even a pretty talented Scarlett Johansson couldn't even really pull it off and She & Him's Zooey Deschanel wasn't exactly a leading lady prior to that album's success...so, in short, I was not optimistic. However, after hearing a couple of songs of this album, I can say, without hesitation, this is the real deal. It's got a sort-of Halloween-theme, which is well-timed with its October release, and it hovers somewhere between Arcade Fire, Tom Waits and Bon Iver in its musical elicitation. I declare that this album will be a critical favorite despite Ryan Gosling's success as an actor, certainly not because of it given the uber-cynicality of the great indie nation. Seriously, it's that good. Have a listen to some of the tunes here. For an immediate grab, listen to "My Body's a Zombie...", "Pa Pa Power", "Lose Your Soul", and/or "Name in Stone". Damn, its good to be a Gosling.
May the Zombies be always at your back,
October 02, 2009
The Great Escape
Today, the IOC will hopefully announce that my current home, Chicago, will host the 2016 Summer Olympics. I mean with both of the Obama's in Copenhagen, plus Oprah and a variety of American who's who, the games must be a lock, right? I for one, am hopeful. Although the chances that I'll still be a Chicago resident in 7 years is slim, I still love this town and hope that it gets a chance to show off its good to the whole world like Megan Fox on awards night.
Similar to my adoration of Ms. Fox, my love for the Windy City is deep and gut-wrenching. Still, I occasionally get fed up with the "hustling" and the "bustling" within its urban ecosystem. At times, my mind ventures into fantasy-land and I envision a life where I'm living the simple life...
May the hustle be always at your back,
September 30, 2009
September 28, 2009
Alrighty, Buster!
I've been watching a lot of Arrested Development lately. I know what you're thinking...that I'm sort of a johnny-come-lately to AD...I can't help it, I'm a classic pleasure delayer when it comes to stuff like this. Anywho, there's so many incredible characters on this show that its hard to single-one out but, goddamn, if Buster Bluth isn't one of the most side-splittingly hilarious characters ever? For your enjoyment I've found this Buster soundboard and a few choice cuts.
May Lucille be always at your back,
September 25, 2009
Sharing is caring
I guess I'm the blogging equivalent to the strange uncle who comes around every once in awhile and brings unexpected, if not awkward gifts. Well, ol' unky Gustfunnel made some bad decisions that affected some bad men, so he needs to stay with Mommy and Daddy for awhile. He'll be sleeping in your room.
Let's see...what has happened since the last time we sat down together:
- The economy went Cousteau and was last seen entering the Marianas Trench
- A majority of Americans elected a Black President while the rest ate shit and died
- The Iranian people gave us all a lesson in courage
- Michael Jackson's alien spirit was called back to Mars
- The summer came (sort of) and went in Chicago
- Other stuff too
Well, this time I'm sincere (I think) about trying to be a more regular contributor. As a token of my appreciation for your undying loyalty, I've embedded some music for you.
May the wind be always at your back,
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