Movies and Recipies

Just a quick little tidbit today. Over on Screened Alex Navarro is doing an insanely daring feat of human endurance, 30 Days of Hate, by watching 30 of the worst movies as rated by the viewers of Netflix Instant Streaming. The list of movies he has set up is noxious, disgusting, and just a whole lot of fun. I plan on viewing them as well, maybe not all but at least some, to get an idea of just how bad movies can be. Head on over to Screened and check out the list, Alex will be doing daily write ups of the movies and it is sure to be a blast.

Also, check out Smitten Kitchen because the recipies and photos on this site are above and beyond incredible.

Sharktopus!!!

Reading is Fun for Us

Recently I've been aghast at how horribly my amount of reading has decreased. There was a point where one to two books a month was normal and the pages turned in rapid succession. However, lately it has been tough to find time to get through even one book, the problem being that the book I've been stuck on is 800 pages long and I have no desire to go through more of it at the moment. So I decided to put it aside, since I have a decent enough memory to pick books up later on and remember all of the important details, and start reading a new book.

The book I started reading is the incredible Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem.
The story revolves around a low level thug with Tourette syndrome. There is a huge back story and Lethem does a great job of making you feel for the main character and his life/losses, mind you I am only 60 pages in so far. That is the part that astounds me the most, I am barely into this novel and I care for the protagonist and feel as though I have met him before. Lethem plays games with the English language and makes it dance unlike any author I have come across and it is much to the delight of the reader. Listening to the jumbled thoughts of Lionel, the protagonist makes it seem like authors nowadays take the easy way out when it comes to writing. Each sentence is a breath of fresh air to the mundane writing style that is descriptive story telling. Lionel describes each and every event in ways that don’t confine themselves to the norm and it makes reading his life so enjoyable. As I said I am only 60 or so pages in so I can’t really say too much about the story because all there has been is one plot point and a lot of back-story to make you feel for Lionel. I will definitely post again when I finish the book, hopefully in the next two weeks or so. As far as I can tell the book is going to be full of twists and great writing so go check it out if you’re looking for something new in the fiction world.

Speaking of books, the new Kindle 3 has officially launched and I fully plan on getting one. At a price point of $139 for the Wi-Fi only version or $189 for the Wi-Fi/3G version I can’t see why not to get it. Books instantly become cheaper, the device is sexy, you save room, it’s good for the environment, the list of pros goes on and on and on. Hopefully by late September or early October I’ll have my hands on my own Kindle 3 and I’ll be able to tell you about it from a student’s/avid reader’s perspective. Also, expect to see my post about the Vibram Five Fingers sometime in December, probably around Christmas. Cheers.

Boom Goes the Dynamite

Not much time to write anything today because of work and whatnot but why not check this out...BOOM!

Limbo

I'm going to keep this extremely brief, go play Limbo for the Xbox Live Arcade. It is hard to describe it all with the level of detail that you would get from experiencing this masterpiece.

Try Something New

Nowadays the drinks of choice to wake someone up or give them that extra kick are coffee and energy drinks. People are far from uneducated in today's society and everyone seems to know how terrible energy drinks are for you, they just seem to not care. The copious amounts of unneeded ingredients are pointless for the drink and terrible for the body. Coffee, on the other hand, is the tried and true drink that has been used for years and years. But what if there was a drink that gave you that much needed kick and was incredibly good for you as well? Green tea is slowly becoming more and more popular with the health conscious due to its combination of caffeine and antioxidants. However, there are so many forms of green tea that it is hard for people new to green tea to truly appreciate it all. Don't go ordering a cup of bagged green tea at your local diner and expecting something incredible. Good green tea is not hard to come by and it isn't too expensive either.

My suggestion is to check out Adagio Teas. This site has an enormous selection of teas in almost every conceivable type including; white, green, black, oolong, herbal, and chai. For now we'll focus on green tea though, I'll talk about the other teas later on. Adagio's green tea selection is a bit overwhelming if you are new to tea and the thing that throws people off completely is that all of their teas are loose. The site recently introduced bagged tea which is their gourmet loose tea in clear pyramid bags. This bagged form might be a bit easier for people to use and ease into loose tea so perhaps that is the way to go. Loose tea is absolutely amazing, especially after trying a mass created bagged tea. The flavor is always strong and fresh, the aroma is terrific, and the overall effect is just superior in every way. My recommendation is to order the green tea sampler and a tea strainer to get yourself started. The effects of fresh green tea are fantastic; the kick, the flavor, the increase in your metabolism, and the antioxidants. Green tea is not only a drink that can help you out when you need to pull an all nighter or work late it's a drink that can help you lose weight by increasing your metabolism and it can keep you from getting sick as well. Give it a try, its flavor may not be for everyone but if you enjoy it there is no reason to settled for bagged tea when sites like Adagio exist. I'll be sure to post more about the other forms of tea in the future but for now go do your body some good and get yourself some green tea!

Nosferatu

Nosferatu is a scary freaking movie. It's not pop out and make your heart race scary or blood and guts scary, it's psychologically scary. Yes Orlok aka Dracula aka Nosferatu is a creepy looking character and even for a movie made in the 1920's the makeup for the character is outstanding, but he isn't the only reason the movie works on so many levels.

Perhaps the most noticeable thing for people who know nothing about the movie is that it is both old and silent. Neither of these characteristics are degrading to the movies overall effect or quality in any way. The different filters used in the movie to depict night, day, and inside lighting all lend their own special touches to make the movie feel timeless. While watching this movie there were several times where it felt as though Nosferatu was made in 2010. The silent movie is a dying if not dead genre and after watching Nosferatu that is a sad thought indeed. The soundtrack to the movie is both sweeping and emotional. Since there is no dialog it is up to the movie and the physical acting of the actors to tell the story. Instead of a modern movie where characters discuss or express their feelings through subtle movements and facial expressions Nosferatu relies on exaggerated physical motions to explain the feelings and great music to set up each scene. This kind of film makes me yearn for a breath of originality to come back into films today, if only for a sense of nostalgia.

The story is surprisingly simple for a complex looking film. Dracula wants to buy a house, man goes to talk to Dracula, Dracula comes to the house and kills a whole lot of people. What makes it all so incredible is the sense of connection you get to characters like Ellen, the wife of Hutter. She wants nothing more than to see her dear husband again and in the end you feel a heartbreaking attachment to the woman. The crazed Knock creates sick and twisted moments that are almost as memorable as the famous scene of Orlok, Dracula, slowly coming up the stairs. The feeling of dread that Orlok instills in the townsfolk is almost palpable and the destruction he's caused when it's all over is terrifying.

Nosferatu is a movie that is absolutely horrifying if you think about it all when it's over. The movie laid the ground for hallmarks of Vampire fiction and is to this day an amazing achievement in film. It's a movie that sticks with you deep inside your head long after you watch it and for that it deserves immense credit.

Rain Rain

The rain is coming down pretty hard outside, that's right this is now a weather blog too! God, creation, the world, and horror movies are the heavy topics of today's post. Do not fret though today's discussion also involves Morgan Freeman so it's all good.

Recently on the Discovery Channel I watched one of the most interesting specials I've seen in a long time. The mini series is called Through the Wormhole and it covers topics such as aliens, dark matter, black holes, whether or not there is a creator, and other really cool topics. The whole series is narrated by Morgan Freeman, which is awesome, and feels more like a fun college class than a boring lecture. The first episode I saw was one that dealt with ideas about a creator of our world. I won't give too much away but there were some insanely radical ideas in this episode such as our world being a simulation and prophets having hallucinations. The whole series is very well done and feels much more refreshing than other specials I've seen on the Discovery Channel. If you're into space, things bigger than just you, or just in the mood for some deep talks about interesting topics go check it out.

Since its raining out I figured I would recommend a movie for the dark and dreary weather. Recently I've come to the realization that the majority of mainstream horror movies are just awful. There are few exceptions and it has become more of a gore-fest than anything else in present horror movies. So for today's rainy day feature go on Netflix, it's only $8.95 a month for 1 DVD at a time and instant streaming, and instant stream Nosferatu. To be honest I have never seen the movie either and plan on putting up a second post reviewing the movie after I watch it. But to set it up, it is a 1922 silent German horror film about Count Dracula that is said to be one of the scariest Dracula films around. If nothing else it's different from the stuff that is normally on so why not, right? Go check it out and let me know what you think, and check back later for my own thoughts on the movie.

Third Time is a Charm

You know things are going smoothly when you're able to post three times in three days, a good sign indeed. I'm going to keep today's post brief but I'd like to share some awesomely awesome things I've found on the internet recently.

First up are the incredibly strange looking but immensely interesting Vibram FiveFingers. These are basically barefoot active footwear. They can be used for just about any type of outdoor activity (check the site for specifics) and they will certainly be great ice breakers. The basic idea behind the funky footwear is that shoes stop people from experiencing the sensation of being barefoot and restrain the foot from reaching its peak condition. Vibram footwear are specially made to disperse the impact on the foot to grant the wearer with the sensation of walking barefoot but with the protection of a sole. I know a few people who have tested them out and say that the sensation is unlike anything else around and that FiveFingers do great things for leg muscles and posture. Since I am not 100% convince I decided to buy a pair of the men's KSO brand in the upcoming months and I'll be sure to test them out for a bit and give my verdict on the freaky looking things.

Technology is an amazing phenomenon, and something that has always seemed cool is when people use technology to bring together two eras from the past. In Silent Star Wars, a video on Youtube that blends together the greatness of Star Wars with the always fun silent movie. It's a fun three minute video that is definitely worth a look and more than warrants a full feature in my mind.

Speaking of movies Darren Aronofsky has a new movie coming out December 1st starring Natalie Portman called Black Swan. The movie is being labeled as a psychological thriller and tells the story of two dueling ballerinas in the cutthroat New York dance scene. Now I understand that the previous statement sounds like sarcasm but I assure you there was none intended. This movie looks incredible and Aronofsky, director of The Wrestler and Requiem for a Dream, is without a doubt one of my favorite directors. Seeing what he could do with The Wrestler and its gritty tale makes me unbelievably excited for Black Swan, a movie that looks like a complete 180 from The Wrestler. The movie explores the twisted and dark mind of Portman's character as she goes from being the top dancer to 2nd best. Only Aronofsky could make a movie about dancing so enticing and I guarantee you come December 1st I'll be at the theaters.

As always please email me at fisco316@gmail.com with any comments, questions, etc and comment on either the post itself or on my facebook, read it and tell your friends. Spread the love.

International Travels

It seemed like for the past two weeks I had been on a constant schedule without rest, but it was all in good fun. First me and the family drove on up to Niagara Falls in the great northern wilderness. What was supposed to be an eight hour drive took around twelve long and painful hours, nearly two of which were spent in a line of cars at the border. After that trip everyone just wanted food and sleep, luckily we ran into what was one of the coolest restaurants on the trip. The Copacabana, named after the borough in Rio not the song by Mr. Manilow, is a Brazilian Barbecue and it was delicious! Any sides you want are all on the buffet table and servers come around to tables with giant swords holding different kinds of meats. If your card if face up you get meat, if it's face down you don't...simple. I highly recommend that anyone with a carnivorous mindset should go look into Brazilian Barbecue restaurants, they are surprisingly plentiful on the island and in the city.
Of course there was more to the trip than a trip to a meat lovers paradise. Tourist attractions galore is what you will find in Niagara Falls but they all manage to be entertaining, and a little degrading. The Maid of the Mist and the Cave of the Winds are the two popular attractions that get people ridiculously close to the falls. After donning a poncho that's thinner than a garbage bag you take off on your lovely adventure. The Maid of the Mist is located on either the Canadian side or New York side of the falls but the Cave of the Winds is located only on the New York side. The Maid takes you on a wet boat ride where you get to see just how gigantic the falls truly are.
Being that close to the largest part of the falls is terrifying and awe inspiring all at once. The Cave of the Winds seems to be nothing more than a walk on a boardwalk that runs adjacent to the falls until you reach the Hurricane Deck. This piece of the boardwalk is no less than ten feet from the falls and the daring people who stand on it get drenched. Both are awesome little stops that allow you to see the falls in all their glory.
Besides being around the falls and taking pictures of the gorgeous views we went to a casino, drank, ate, and went on one of the most insane hikes I've experienced. Devil's Hole State Park is a park in Niagara Falls New York and it is home to a nearly 4 mile walk that involves steep and slippery steps, narrow edges running adjacent to a rapid river, and coyotes. The walk was a blast and without a guide of any kind you almost feel in danger at times, especially when a baby coyote is following you around. The steps that lead down to the trail are something out of a Tomb Raider game and the views of the river that run next to the trail are incredible.
After our Canadian excursion we headed home and in eight hours our vacation was over, well my family's was. The next day I spent five hours driving down to DC for some quality time with the lady. Just a tip for anyone driving long hours alone, bring along either a comedian's Cd or listen to talk radio because you'll start to go inane on the ride if you don't. DC is an incredible city, if you know your way around. Getting lost in the heat looking for easy to find landmarks that no cop thinks you need help finding can be rough but there are some awesome places to check out in Washington. I won't go crazy listing everything to do in DC but if you have the chance head down to Georgetown or Bethesda and checkout Georgetown Cupcake. These little miracles are $2.75 each and are some of the most incredible desserts you will ever have. Their red velvet cupcake tastes better than most restaurants red velvet cakes and the pb fudge cupcake is just ridiculous.
So after nearly two weeks of traveling I am home and all is well. Expect more posts, hopefully on a somewhat daily basis, and email me at fisco316@gmail.com if you have topics, comments, insights, complaints, whatever. You can comment on my facebook as well just keep it classy.

Disgusting America, College, Movies, and a picture of Drew Carey!

It is becoming widely apparent that America enjoys disgusting television. It is not the sort of disgusting that creeps you out like Fear Factor or makes you not want to go down the dark hall after watching Criminal Minds. No, it is the type of disgusting that puts a smile on our face as we watch a man devour 6 pounds of beef, tuna semen, 4 sticks of butter, and so many more tasty treats. Shows like Man vs Food, which I am guilty of watching plenty of, feed America's insane addiction to watching eating. Eating is a way to stay alive and keep the body at its best, instead we have turned it into an exhibition of grotesque proportions. Sure watching this man, Adam Richman, take on some insane challenges is entertaining but is that because we want to be eating this food or because in some sick way we are hoping something horrible happens? Many people watched Super Size Me hoping for Spurlock to vomit and when he did audiences were pleased. The appeal of these shows is a mystery because the majority of people who watch shows in which huge amounts of food are being served or eaten make comments on how disgusting it all is. Maybe it's the fact that achieving something like eating a 5 pound burrito is truly amazing, or maybe we secretly want these normal guys to overcome the odds, or maybe we just want to see them have a heart attack on television...who knows?

Just as a quick side note for anyone having nightmares of debt and crying whenever the words college textbooks comes up in conversation, checkout www.textbookrentals.com Yes this seems like a weird advertisement and yes the name of the site sounds too simple to be useful but it actually lists all of the websites that have the book you're looking for (including chegg, ecampus, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc) and it lists them in price order. Not to sound like an ad but it actually saved me nearly $150 and my friend over $250. It's a good site so give it a look when you have the time.

Speaking of college lets talk about Netflix. Instant streaming has become hugely popular and the instant stream library is quickly becoming home to some of the strangest and eclectic movies and television series imaginable. I'm just going to run through a few quick selections that you should check out for a good time. First of all in the television category they now have Hercules...that's right Kevin Sorbo as the demigod himself so stop what you're doing and go watch Mr. Sorbo "act" and "punch" and have a hairy chest, go on. Also they have a ton of awesome shows from overseas including the Queen's favorite car show Top Gear. Top Gear has some of the most incredible and hilarious car related challenges and as someone who knows absolutely nothing about cars I can honestly say it is accessible to anyone. Merlin, Doctor Who, Jekyl, Black Adder, they're all English and they're all fantastic. On the US side of television Netflix has just about any series you could ask for but do yourself a favor and go watch the 13 episodes of Firefly that are up for instant streaming. Firefly is a space western created by Joss Whedon, the guy what made Buffy and Angel, and it is outstanding. It is one of those shows that does so many things right that even when it does something wrong you make excuses for it to be right. Sadly only one season was made of Firefly so after you're done with it the only other bit of Firefly-esqe action you can get is the movie Whedon made called Serenity which is a nice two hour closure, also on instant streaming. Now as for movies there are a whole bunch but I'll mention two that are, in my mind, must sees. Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is the movie that every robbery comedy tries to be. The movie involves a then unknown cast including Jason Statham, Vinnie Jones, Jason Flemyng, and even Sting. The movie centers around a group of thieves and criminals who are in a big time debt and go to great lengths to pay it off. Director Guy Ritchie adds some fun moments with the gang that make the movie pop and the writing is top notch. Statham is exceedingly funny as the movie rushes forward and the twisting multi-sided story intertwines itself so well that it all makes perfect sense and gives the viewer a sense of knowing over the cast. Overall it is a fun ride that makes a huge impression with its witty dialog and great twists on common criminal movie situations.
Another great movie is the rough gem known as Brick. Starring a very young Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a teenage investigator looking into a murder of a has been love of his. Jocks, geeks, actors, druggies, and other typical high school clicks are well represented in this movie and each one is depicted as if from an incoming freshman's nervous mind. What makes Brick so amazing isn't the clicks or the acting or even the story. While all those elements are solid for a budget indie film what stands out is the incredible dialog. These are all high school students yet they all speak in 1950's cop talk. Each sentence is filled with gibberish that almost needs a second listen to understand what they're talking about. Brick is one of those movies that makes you think while it's on and when it's done. A story about a lost love, drugs, money, oh and Gordon-Levitt gets his ass kicked...a lot, Brick is a truly hidden gem among the tons of movies on Netflix so stop watching White Chicks and Epic Movie and go watch Brick.

As promised