Run Fat Boy Run

I mentioned this in passing a couple of weeks ago, but I really, really, really enjoyed Simon Pegg's "Hot Fuzz". For starters, it was such a pitch-perfect, well-made comedy that trusted the audience's patience for the big payoff, but then it was made by and for people who grew up watching (and inordinately enjoying) mediocre action films from the '80s and the '90s.

I made my buddies watch it and they enjoyed (inordinately) as well. Anyway, this post is just to inform them (and anyone else, I guess) that I just got a copy of Simon Pegg's new movie, "Run Fat Boy Run". I haven't seen it yet, so I don't know if it's any good, and it's no guarantee since it wasn't directed by Pegg's usual cohort Edgar Wright, but by David Schwimmer. It does star the lovely Thandie Newton and the awesome Hank Azaria, but then again he was in "Along Came Polly" too.

Labels: movies

- posted by jaemark @ 4/27/2008 10:38:00 PM   4 comments

Whispers, "Hello, I miss you quite terribly"

Friday song of the moment: Hellogoodbye - Here (In Your Arms)

Labels: music

- posted by jaemark @ 4/25/2008 03:13:00 PM   0 comments

Maybe

It's not quite as awesome as the Baby Jordans commercial, but this new one is pretty good too:

Labels: basketball, michaeljordan, sports

- posted by jaemark @ 4/23/2008 02:19:00 PM   0 comments

It's the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)

I'm leaving my job soon.

I honestly don't know where I'll be transferring next yet.

I'll figure it out. I'll probably end up picking a company that has the prettiest HR girl.

I've spent the past month or so talking to friends about my decision, and I don't think I've been called an idiot by so many people.

But it's alright.

Anyway, buy me a couple of beers and I'll tell you the whole story. Karl and Markku and I will be watching Sugarfree and Sandwich at 70s Bistro tonight ;)

Labels: work

- posted by jaemark @ 4/20/2008 11:53:00 PM   5 comments

Second Season

Just listened to Simmons' podcast about the playoffs, and I'm giddy!!!

And if you're not, check out these videos. These gave me the chills:

Nash v. J-Kidd:



Superman v. CP3:



King James v. the Big Ticket:



Kobe v. Shaq:



UPDATE: According to Darren Rovell, the ads were made by the people who directed Little Miss Sunshine.

UPDATE 2: BTV opens the playoffs with a bang at 12:30am on Sunday with Cavs-Wiz followed by Suns-Spurs-- the two best matchups. And the second Suns-Spurs game will be on ESPN on Wednesday morning. Yay motherfuckers!

Labels: basketball, sports

- posted by jaemark @ 4/18/2008 01:54:00 PM   0 comments

I have the only key to your heart, I can stop you from falling apart

"Dan in Real Life" was a much better movie than it had any right to be. There was the harebrained plot and the presence of the wildly untalented Dane Cook. It wasn't quite as smart or funny as it needed to be.

But it was alright, mostly because of the chemistry between the leads, Steve Carrell and Juliette Binoche. There were no big laughs, but there were enough chuckles scattered across to make the experience of watching the film generally pleasant. And even Cook was well-cast in a role that turned his spectacular lack of charisma into a plus.

Anyway, the showstopper scene was a wildly contrived musical number featuring the brothers Cook and Carrell singing a love to the same girl (Binoche), who was Cook's girlfriend. What makes it work is the earnestness that Carrell puts into the number, betraying his heart in the process (in spite of the jackass singing beside him):



The song is a later work of Pete Townshend of The Who. It's a good enough pop song, if a bit saccharine. However, while trolling around YouTube, I chanced upon an absolute gem of a video of Pearl Jam performing the song in 1995. The band, particularly Eddie Vedder, were known for being huge fans of Townshend's work, and they show their love for their idol in the performance. Mike McCready's guitarwork was incendiary, and the electricity just raises the song up into another level.



And what about Vedder?! He just throws all of his weight behind the song and dares you not to get into it. And you fail, because he's Eddie fucking Vedder! He starts out strong, then takes it another level before slowing down a little, before releasing a primal scream, "YOU'RE SO LUCKY I'M AROUND!!!" Just, awesome.

(You're probably going to want this too.)

While we're on the topic, I chanced upon this old Rolling Stone feature on Pearl Jam, just before their self-titled second album. The article's author? The one and only Cameron Crowe, whose touch remained long after he fell in love with Penny Lane. It also came shortly after the band's cameo in "Singles" so Crowe got crazy access. It's a great read fifteen years after the fact, if you've ever been a fan of the band.

Labels: movies, music

- posted by jaemark @ 4/08/2008 10:25:00 PM   0 comments