As a trip down memory lane, here's a link to an early video from D.J. Jazzy Jeff with Fresh Prince, a.k.a. Will Smith. Parents Just Don't Understand was a huge hit from He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper, a multi-platinum album released in 1988, a couple of years before Smith moved to TV with the highly successful Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990. You can definitely see the influence of the style of Smith's early music videos in the famous opening of the show.
It's funny listening to him rap, it doesn't even sound like him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wTbg-wg_zc
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Joker and Howard Beale
What do Heath Ledger and Peter Finch have in common? Well, aside from both being from Australia, they also both might be the only actors awarded an Oscar posthumously.
Peter Finch won his for the role of the deranged Howard Beale in MGM's 1977 film Network. The film was a searing indictment of television's complicity in locking society into bondage, blinkering people from seeing the madness arising as the elites consolidate their grip on power. Beale was a major network news anchorman, fired from his job who then promises to kill himself on-air. Driven by the unexpected ratings bonanza his antics attract, his network handlers allow Beale to rant on as a mad prophet of the airwaves, who most famously exhorted the American public to stick their heads out their windows and shout "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!".
Finch had a heart attack and died during the promotional run-up to the film's release. Heath Ledger, of course, died from an accidental overdose of Oxycodone and other prescription drugs in early 2008. He had recently competed filming the role of the Joker in the latest entry in the Batman franchise, The Dark Knight. And there is very strong Oscar buzz about his performance.
So, both from Australia, with Ledger's win they would both have posthumous Oscars... what else? Oh yes, their final roles would have been of madmen who simply held a mirror up to the insanity surrounding us, disguised as modern society.
Peter Finch won his for the role of the deranged Howard Beale in MGM's 1977 film Network. The film was a searing indictment of television's complicity in locking society into bondage, blinkering people from seeing the madness arising as the elites consolidate their grip on power. Beale was a major network news anchorman, fired from his job who then promises to kill himself on-air. Driven by the unexpected ratings bonanza his antics attract, his network handlers allow Beale to rant on as a mad prophet of the airwaves, who most famously exhorted the American public to stick their heads out their windows and shout "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!".
Finch had a heart attack and died during the promotional run-up to the film's release. Heath Ledger, of course, died from an accidental overdose of Oxycodone and other prescription drugs in early 2008. He had recently competed filming the role of the Joker in the latest entry in the Batman franchise, The Dark Knight. And there is very strong Oscar buzz about his performance.
So, both from Australia, with Ledger's win they would both have posthumous Oscars... what else? Oh yes, their final roles would have been of madmen who simply held a mirror up to the insanity surrounding us, disguised as modern society.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Game Over for Funland, famous Toronto Video Arcade Landmark
This is really a sad story, for me it's the final epitaph for arcade video gaming.
http://www.thestar.com/article/453843
There actually used to be three thriving arcades in that one block just north of Dundas and Yonge. Funland was the main hangout, and then FUN FUN FUN across the street, and little ways north of that The Pinball Spot which required you to bravely navigate a darkened stairwell to get to this basement arcade and its great selection of classic games and pinball.
If I really thought about it, I could probably fill a page with memories of Funland, but the one that sticks out most in my mind is actually mentioned in the article. I remember walking down one day and seeing a HUGE throng of people around a game, so big of a crowd that you couldn't actually get into the place without pushing through, and you couldn't get near to the game to see the screen. Thankfully management had installed a second monitor on top of the cabinet so you could see what was being played... the original laser game Dragon's Lair. I also remember being incensed that it cost a whole 50 cents to play! Seems like a bargain now.
Good old Funland. We'll have to head over to drop a last few quarters in there before they close at the end of the month.
read more | digg story
http://www.thestar.com/article/453843
There actually used to be three thriving arcades in that one block just north of Dundas and Yonge. Funland was the main hangout, and then FUN FUN FUN across the street, and little ways north of that The Pinball Spot which required you to bravely navigate a darkened stairwell to get to this basement arcade and its great selection of classic games and pinball.
If I really thought about it, I could probably fill a page with memories of Funland, but the one that sticks out most in my mind is actually mentioned in the article. I remember walking down one day and seeing a HUGE throng of people around a game, so big of a crowd that you couldn't actually get into the place without pushing through, and you couldn't get near to the game to see the screen. Thankfully management had installed a second monitor on top of the cabinet so you could see what was being played... the original laser game Dragon's Lair. I also remember being incensed that it cost a whole 50 cents to play! Seems like a bargain now.
Good old Funland. We'll have to head over to drop a last few quarters in there before they close at the end of the month.
read more | digg story
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