I saw this a few days ago and finally had time to go back and take a picture of it. I’m by no means a prude, and my first reaction was that it was funny…but now I dunno if it’s kinda unsettling-funny or funny-funny. Whatever the case, I wanted to share it with you.

Oh! And I have another one I want to show you, but I still need to take a picture of it. It’s the name of a new business in Fort Worth. Oh man, it’s one of those things I have to SHOW you. You know that whole “you just had to be there”-types of things? This is definitely a must-see. And it IS creepy, to me anyway…but also kinda hilarious. Again, it’s open to interpretation. I’ll let you be the judge

• All The Boys Love Mandy Lane- I remember seeing the trailer for this movie YEARS ago, on a trailer reel at work…then it never was released theatrically (at least not that I know of), THEN it never was released to Region 1 DVD. So, I figured I would never get to see it. Thank goodness for YouTube. Someone on YouTube uploaded the movie in its entirety, widescreen, in 6 parts. Since I can view YouTube via AppleTV, I FINALLY got to see it! It was worth the wait.

Synopsis: A group of high-schoolers invite Mandy Lane, a good girl who became quite hot over the summer, to a weekend party on a secluded ranch. While the festivities rage on, the number of revelers begins to drop quite mysteriously.

This is a slasher movie, first and foremost. It’s not as gory as some may be looking for, but it was alright by me. The film is shot beautifully, especially the desolate country home, where most of the action takes place. Someone has an eye for aesthetics and it shows; it raised the bar on the atypical slasher. The soundtrack was particularly good too! Also not your typical “buy the soundtrack too!”- kinda way.

At the risk of sounding like a slasher snob, I guessed the ending when I originally saw the trailer. But, then if you’ve seen as many slashers as I have, it’s not really rocket science. I did the same thing with the first Saw movie because I kept in mind the golden rule: no character is incidental. Regardless, I enjoyed the movie a lot, and though it wasn’t uber gory, there is one kill in particular that was wickedly brutal and totally something I’ve wondered why no slasher has ever done before. Even though I’m usually rooting for the protagonist, sometimes it’s fun when the antagonist reminds their victim who really has the upper hand. That’s all I’m sayin’. Also, I can’t help but love the first death. It’s probably sick, especially to those with a conscience, but I, personally LOVED it.

If you get a chance, take the time to check it out. However, if you’re one of those people that needs every little thing explained neatly away, then you might want to watch one of Gen Duh’s new remakes (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Don’T Be Afraid of the Dark, even The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and skip Mandy Lane. All in all, I’d add it to my DVD collection.

• Shark Night- I remember seeing the trailer for this one during the previews before some movie I saw in the theater. At the time, I thought to myself “pass.” And, as you know, once it hits RedBox, all bets are off, especially if I have a free rental code. This was the situation.

Synopsis: A weekend at a lake house in the Louisiana Gulf turns into a nightmare for seven vacationers as they are subjected to shark attacks.

One word describes this movie: Amateurish. The fact that a film with a major theatrical release, much less a 3D one, would have SyFy Channel-quality “special effects” is beyond me. Granted, the cast was good-looking enough, the premise and the CGI were atrocious. Surely, the mechanical shark effects have been upgraded since ’75′s Jaws. I mean, c’mon, people! I’m talking, B A D.

Here’s the one positive thing about this movie, this scene:

Ow! Yum! Yes, that was the one highlight (the chicks in teeny bikinis, if you’re straight). Overall, this one sank like a lead turd in a punchbowl. Don’t waste your time.

• Donner Pass- I saw this title in the RedBox and did a little recognisance online before renting it (or using my free rental code). It was one of the few times a review was right, and I was pleasantly surprised.

Synopsis: Donner Pass has a well-known and macabre history – the place where George Donner and his party got stuck in the winter of 1846 and were forced to resort to cannibalism to keep from starving. But what if it wasn’t just history?

After I read the premise, I wasn’t so sure. It smelled like a zombie meets cannibal crossover movie. I also thought that incorporating The Donner Party, in order to give the film some kind of “based in reality” cred, was a little iffy. Donner Pass pulled it off, without getting too bananas.

The film looks good. Though it’s low-budget, it doesn’t wreak of it. The effects are relatively good, some more than others. The story is what makes it though. Even though you pretty much get a feel for where it’s going, you’re never quite sure how it’s going to get there. First off, all the characters, save one or two, are completely disposable, so you don’t really care (at least I didn’t) when they get knocked off; it couldn’t happen soon enough. But then, when you get down to solving the mystery of it all, that’s when it gets interesting and, I think, quite original.

Overall, above average slasher flick with a surprisingly unique premise. I could easily see this one getting the franchise treatment. I’d add it to my DVD collection for the right price. Worth the rental.

• $1 Calendar
Comments: In the past I’ve had several calendars for the new year, but this year I didn’t get around to looking for one until recently. One of the nice things about waiting until after the new year begins, is that most places mark their calendars down REALLY cheap, just to get rid of them. And that’s where I come in. I made out like a bandit, and got a new candy-themed wall calendar for just $1 at Half Price Books, and another great trees-themed wall calendar for just $2 at Walgreen’s!
• Post-It Page Markers
Comments: I use these things ALL the time! I love them! In need of a new pack, I made the mistake of buying them at CVS for $3.25…only to find them at Dollar General for a friggin’ dollar! Oy! Never again, CVS, you bastards!
• Coke Rewards/Real Simple Magazine
Comments: If you drink Coke products, then you’ve probably seen the numbers/letters under the cap. Well, those codes translate into prizes, when you enter them in at the Coca-Cola website. Thanks to my hoarding skills and those of my friends (you know who you are ), I am now the proud owner of a new subscription to one of my favorite magazines: Real Simple. Yay (and thank you)!

• Metropolis [Soundtrack] © 1984
Comments: I fell in love with the soundtrack after seeing the Giorgio Moroder version of Metropolis on the big screen. Found this one in the clearance bin at Half Price Books! *squeal*
• Mocean Worker- Sho Nuff [Single] © 2011
• Lemongrass- Journey To A Star [Single] © 2004
Comments: This is one of my favorite types of songs: the ones that sample or use the voice of someone from yesteryear (in this case Alice Faye from the 1943 movie, The Gang’s All Here). LOVE LOVE LOVE!
• Cee Lo Green- Bright Lights Bigger City [Single] © 2010
• DJ Baba G.: Eso Es- Electric Lotus © 2002
• Röyksopp- Beautiful Day Without You [Single] © 2005
Comments: Oh boy, this has been my anthem for like the last 4 months.
• Pretty Lights- Finally Moving © 2006
• Alexander Metzger- Don’t Cry Intro (Butcher’s 80′s Beat Mix) [Single] © 2012
Comments: Omigosh, if you love movies as much as I do, you definitely need to check out this guy’s work. He reworks a lot of movie songs, themes, soundtracks. Heaven. (Look him up via iTunes for a broader (and most recent) selection of his works. YouTube is kinda limited.
• Irma Chill Out Cafe Volume Cinque: Cybophonia- Azona Pop (Baby Mammoth Remix) [Single] © 2007
• Sven Van Hees- Ocean Jive [Single] © 1999
• Cujo- Ol’ Bunkhouse © 1996
• Lemongrass- Body Building [Single] © 2009
• Flunk- Distortion [Single] © 2003
• Ibiza Lounge: Collective Sound Members- A Touch of Jazz [Single] © 2008
• Sutro- Affected [Single] © 2007
• M-Seven- Invisible [Single] © 2003
• Kaskade- In This Life (Cabin Crew Remix) [Single] © 2007
• Chris Zippel- Glacier (Vakuum SOunds Final Remix) [Single] © 2009
• Cicada- Falling Rockets (Moulinex Remix) [Single] © 2008
Comments: I am SO in love with this song. Even though it’s probably too repetitive for most, I could listen to it “again and again and again”. Love.
• JoJo Effect- Moods [Single] © 2006
• Gramatik- Skylight © 2011
• Da Groove Doctors- All We Need Is Love [Single] © 2008
• Shirley Horn- I Love You, Paris © 1994
• Anesthesia- The Unconscious © 2008
• Heights of Abraham- Sunyatta [Single] © 1995
• Reef Project- True Clown [Single] © 2010
• Nightmares On Wax- Les Nuits © 1999
• Louis Armstrong- Zat You Santa Claus? & Cool Yule [Singles] © 1953
Comments: I received a gift card to iTunes for Christmas, and these are just a few of the songs that I bought with it. These two songs in particular, are some of my all-time favorites. I love how spooky Zat You… sounds!
• Rosemary Clooney- Count Your Blessings [Single] © 1954
Comments: Heard Clooney’s version on the Sinatra station on SiriusXm and prefer it to Bing’s. Listened to it a lot this Christmas. Helped keep my spirits up.
• Top 40 Ultimate Chillout Classic Bar Grooves: Coldcut- Return To Margin (Afterlife Remix) [Single] © 2009

]]> http://kirkkitsch.com/2012/02/06/currently-listening-to-18/feed/ 0 kirkkitsch http://kirkkitsch.com/2012/02/03/when-diy-is-yuk/ http://kirkkitsch.com/2012/02/03/when-diy-is-yuk/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:00:33 +0000 kirkkitsch http://kirkkitsch.com/?p=5496 ]]> As I previously mentioned, I am enjoying Pinterest a lot lately. Not only for the great meal ideas, but also it appeases the image addict within me. In addition, I am also getting a kick out of a lot of the ‘clever’ ideas that people have come up with in regards to upcycling. “Upcycling” seems to be the new fad du jour, not unlike these people who think they discovered shopping frugally. Baby, I’ve been doing both for decades, sometimes out of necessity, most times as a creative outlet. So, though neither is necessarily news to me, I still get a kick out of some of the ideas I’ve never seen before. People can be amazingly clever and resourceful…sometimes. SOME times.

While looking through some of the craft/upcycling ideas both on Pinterest and online, I’d say it’s about 49/50: some ideas blow me away, some I’ve seen before in another guise and then there’s that 1% that makes me go “WTF?” This isn’t to say that some kind of imagination didn’t go into the “project” in question, but I have to question its practicality. I mean, I’m sure if I Swiffered under the couch long enough, I could fashion myself a Golden Girls wig out of dustbunnies, but why would I want to? You get where I’m coming from?

Which brings me to this project which I stumbled across whilst looking for things to post to Pinterest. It’s a “hat”…made out of old neckties (duh!). Um…y e a h. I suppose it’s clever in the sense that you have to know how to sew it all together, but quite honestly, who-the-hell would be caught dead in this thing? Seriously. It’s preposterous. Plain and simple. Maybe if you’re a model or perhaps if it were done in some color palette that was incredible…but even then, I think you’re pushing it. I’m almost tempted to post it to Pinterest to see how many robots repin it. It all reminds me of when I was 6 and I wrapped the top portion of my head in toilet paper and adorned it with foil stars. Of course, I thought I was Theda Bara by way of Twyla Tharp. I wasn’t. I looked like a mental case.

My point: Just because you can upcycle something, doesn’t mean you should. Keep the creativity within the realm of reality, folks. That’s all I’m saying.

Help! I’m A Prisoner In A Chinese Bakery by Alan King © 1965
Synopsis: Alan King once again unleashes his zip-gun tongue-in-cheek-humor and blasts away at every sacred cow from mother-in-law to Merry Christmas. Here’s a 100-proof belt of suburbia-on-the-rocks that will leave you loaded – with laughs.
Comments: I like Alan King. I remember seeing his books around the house, growing up, and remember thinking he was good-looking (he has a great mouth and eyes). And since reading Anyone Who Owns Their Own Home Deserves It, I’ve been a fan. In order to enjoy King’s humor, you have to keep in mind that most of it was written in the 60′s and may not be currently relevant. Judging from the few reviews I found on Amazon for this book, I think those people simply have a stick up their butt. There are all kinds of humor, and if you like “politically correct” humor, then King is not for you (especially considering this was written IN THE SIXTIES!). If you’re easily offended by stereotypes, bawdy language and/or references, then perhaps you’d be better off checking out the more family-friendly comedy of Jeff Allen. As for me, I’m a big boy and I can take it in the context and time period in which it was written.

Bugs Bunny In Something Fishy © 1955
Comments: I LOVE Bugs Bunny. The REAL one, you know, when he was still voiced by Mel Blanc? And before that weirdo stint in the 80′s, where they started turning the Looney Tunes cartoons into holiday specials, complete with godawful in-between fillers, which looked like they were drawn by Christy Brown. I also have fond memories of the Whitman Tell-A-Tale books. I have a special place on my bookshelf, just for them. For a mere 25¢ (an up), they usually had beautiful, colorful illustrations and were always a lot of fun to have around (I can smell animal crackers, just talking about them). This book is no exception. Beautifully illustrated, with bright, colorful imagery, I couldn’t pass this one up recently when I ran across it at the used book store. Plus, you know how much I love me some octopi! Cute!

Well, lucky for you, a guy blogging under the name Karswell has scanned and uploaded the book in its entirety, just for folks like you and me to enjoy! Feel free to visit his blog and see for yourself how great it is!

Rolling Stone.com – Don Cornelius, who created the long-running R&B and dance-music showcase Soul Train, was found dead in his home in Sherman Oaks, Calif., early this morning. He was 75. Law enforcement officials suspect suicide; the body was found with a gunshot wound to the head.

Trained as a journalist on WVON, an African-American talk radio station in his native Chicago, Cornelius conceived of Soul Train during the Civil Rights movement, noting there was no showcase for black music on national television. Soul Train debuted in 1971 and quickly became a popular stop for major acts such as James Brown, the O’Jays and Michael Jackson. Cornelius hosted the show from its inception until 1993; Soul Train ended its long run in its original form in 2006.

The show had a huge influence on popular culture and the pop charts. One of its themes, “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia),” became a hit record, and references to Cornelius and Soul Train have appeared in dozens of songs over the years. Cornelius famously closed each episode with the parting words, “We wish you love, peace and soul.”

One of my fondest memories is sitting on the couch at my great aunt’s house, watching Soul Train with my favorite cousin, Renee. She’d crack me up, making fun of some of the dances people would do, coming down the Soul Train Line. Most of it was groovy, but every once in a while, you’d get an overly-enthusiastic one.

I came home from work the other day and found a piece of mail in my mailbox that looked suspicious. It could’ve been a bill, but it LOOKED like it contained a check, so my second thought was that it was one of those loan gimmick things, where once you cash/sign the check, you’ve accepted the loan, with an APR of 30% or something nuts like that. Well, believe it or not, it turned out to be a refund check from Out! Puppy Pads! Yes! And it only took them a month and 2 weeks to get it out to me (I sent it out the week of Christmas…they’re headquarters are in Dallas, 20 minutes away). Woo hoo!

For those that didn’t know, I bought their brand of puppy pads back in November, during a brief stint of insanity, whilst at Wal-Mart. They were $3 cheaper than the ones I normally buy at PetSmart and were made locally. Needless to say, they did NOT work, so I took their “100% Leak-Proof Guarantee” and ran with it. I wasn’t about to kiss $12.72 goodbye.