October was but the music still lives on. Holding on to the present I traveled to the past and immersed myself in a pool filled with Soul music. Everything makes sense now. Enjoy these bangers and future classixxx and remember to spread the love.

Click on pic for download.

TRACKLISTING:

The Tiger Colors pictures has now been taken. First song expected to come in mid-feburary.

This is a seriously tough year, it’s been a very good year for music. I think I’ve complied most of my shortlist:

Tempa T, Next Hype?
Chew Lips, Salt Air (Plastician Remix)?
Emalkay, When I look at You?
Duck Sauce, Anyway?
SMD, Cruel Intentions (Joker Remix)?
Nero, Act Like You Know?
Tempa T, Boy Off Da Thing?
Skream, Burning Up?
Benga, Buzzin?
MJ Cole, Sincere (Nero Remix)?
Skunk Anansie, I Can Dream (Rusko Remix)
Nneka, Heartbeat?
Tinchy Stryder & Fuda Guy, Toddla2?
Dizzee Rascal, Dirty Cash?
Dizzee Rascal, Bonkers?
Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix)?
Jay-Z, Empire State of Mind?
Bashy, Who want’s to be a millionaire?
Newham Generals, Head Get Mangled?
Ghetts, Don’t Phone Me?
Wiley, Take That?

Have you got any thoughts?

I stubled upon Thomas Bangalter’s music by accident but since that day I fell in love with it.

So here is a Best Of from the french record label Roulé which as you all know Bangalter created himself.

Enjoy!

Album Artist: Thomas Bangalter
Release: Unofficial (last track was released in 2005)
Genre: French House

Tracklisting:

1. Call on Me[Fine Touch Mix]
2. Call on Me
3.  Colossus
4.  Falling in Love
5.  First
6.  Graceland
7.  Happy go Lucky
8.  Honeymoon
9.  New New York
10.  Outrun
11.  Rock Shock
12.  Roulè Boulè
13.  So Much  Love To Give[Duprè Pump Mix]
14.  So Much  Love To Give
15.  Together
16.  Turbo
17.  Unplugged
18. Untitled
19. Ventura/Into the Tunnel
20. Vertigo

http://rapidshare.com/files/312310477/theworldisdaft_-_Best_Of_Roul__.zip

A bientôt 37 ans, et après 22 ans de carrière, Vanessa Paradis sort son premier Best of composé de 31 chansons. La carrière de cette artiste complète commence en 1987 avec un premier tube “Joe le taxi” ” Je dois tout à cette chanson”, se rappelle-t-elle. En 22 ans, elle sortira en tout cinq album tous plus différents les uns que les autres, tous possédant ce côté simple et personnel. Dans son deuxième album, elle collabore avec Serge Gainsbourg (1990) qui déclarait « C’est une fleur qui n’a pas encore éclos.” Avec son troisième album elle décide de chanter en anglais et s’installe à New York, ce qui lui apportera une notoriété internationale. “Cet album-ci (1992) représente une étape très importante pour moi, professionnellement et personnellement” affirme-t-elle. Lorsque son quatrième album sort, elle est déjà marié à Johnny Depp et l’heureuse maman d’une petite Lily Rose. La chanteuse qui tient à respecter sa vie privée affirme cependant « Il y a une contradiction dans ma façon de protéger ma vie privée… J’aurais pu inventer une fiction, mais ç’aurait été trop dur de ne pas immortaliser sur un disque cette vie magnifique. Je n’ai rien voulu me refuser. » En 2008, son dernier album a obtenu le prix de l’album chansons/variétés aux Victoires de la musique. Pas de doute que ce best of est très attendu par les français.

Source: www.lexpress.fr //                      www.parismatch.fr

Der zweite Tag der Forschungswerkstatt diente der Vertiefung einer Auswahl am ersten Tag gesammelter Themen. Ich hab mich der Arbeitsgruppe Reifegradmodelle angeschlossen um herauszufinden, wie ein Modell beschaffen sein muss um Organisational Competence in Project Management messbar zu machen.

Die erste gemeinsame Erkenntnis war, dass die bestehenden Reifegradmodelle Projektmanagement entweder nur streifen (CMMI) oder an sich nicht besonders überzeugen (OPM3). Keines der bekannten Modelle betrachtet Projektmanagement mit der umgebenden Organisationen unter ausreichender Berücksichtigung von Themen wie Kultur, Strategie, Rollen, Wissensmanagement etc.

Im ersten Schritt war so bestätigt, dass die bestehenden Modelle die Erfolgsfaktoren für Projekte und Projektmanagement in Organisationen nur unzureichend berücksichtigen und ein neues Modell Sinn macht. Ein neues Modell sollte im Gegensatz zu vielen bestehenden Modellen unbedingt eine theoretische Basis aufweisen und hinsichtlich seiner Komplexität begrenzt sein. Wir sind zum Schluss gekommen, dass man nur eine beschränkte Anzahl von Aspekten zu betrachten braucht, da viele andere daraus automatisch folgen.

Diese Gedanken stellen nur einen Bruchteil der Ergebnisse der Arbeitsgruppe dar. Wie geht es nun weiter?

Mir hat die Forschungswerktstatt bewiesen, dass die GPM in der Lage und Willens ist, sich der Weiterentwicklung des Projektmanagements zu widmen und dazu geeignete Leute um sich zu scharen. Ich werde auf Basis der Dokumentation der Forschungswerkstatt einige Themen im Blog aufgreifen und zur Diskussion stellen. Etwas zeitversetzt wird es auch wieder einen Tagungsband der GPM zur Forschungswerkstatt geben, in der die Ergebnisse aufgearbeitet werden.

Was die Zukunft bringt, weiss ich auch noch nicht. Fest steht jedenfalls, dass im Bereich Organisationskompetenz im Zusammenspiel mit Projektmanagement ein neues Feld darauf wartet, systematisch erschlossen zu werden. Reifegradmodelle sind nur ein Aspekt des Themas, auch hier besteht Handlungsbedarf.

Zentraler Angriffspunkt für jede Art von Umsetzung des Thema ist die Unterstützung des Top-Managements von Organisationen. Dafür muss letztlich ein überzeugender business case geschaffen werden, basierend auf einem soliden theoretischen Fundament.

The Rasmus lanzó “Best of 2001-2009”, una compilación de  todos sus  éxitos de los últimos cuatro álbumes, incluyendo su impresionante tema “In The Shadows” que  vendió millones de copias alrededor del mundo, además   incluye la mayoría de sus sencillos y muchas más  algunas sorpresas.

Han lanzado siete álbumes y han vendido más de 3 millones alrededor del mundo.

The Rasmus son la banda de rock más grande de Finlandia y están celebrando su 15 aniversario este año.

El nuevo sencillo que se desprende de este BEST OF es, “October & April”, un dueto entre el cantante de la banda NIGHTWISH   “Anette Olzon”.

 BEST OF…NOVIEMBRE 2009

YA A LA VENTA!!!!!!

Es ist im Kasten!

Das wohl beste Tony Hawk´s Underground 2 Video ist nun auf Youtube.

Stunden kostete es mich. Immer und immer wieder musste ich die Passagen probieren, bis die Trickfolge meinen hohen Ansprüchen genügte. Das Ergebnis kann sich aber sehen lassen! Darkslides, Fingerflips, 360 Hardflips, Double Front Foot Impossibles,…dieses Video besitzt alles! Zusammengepackt in 90 Sekunden demonstriert es die hohe Kunst des Skateboardens am PC.  Unterlegt mit einem Ohrwurm schlechthin wird es eure Sinne verwöhnen:

Nun fühle ich mich leer. Ich habe quasi alles erreicht, die besten Stellen gefunden und mit waghalsigen Kombos gekrönt. Und nun?? Soweit ich das sehe, ist kein neues “Tony Hawk´s” für den PC in Sicht. Lediglich für die XBOX gibt es neue Ableger. Was soll man dazu sagen? – Traurig, einfach traurig.

Bleibt tapfer.

zolch

Not quite sure who decided but it is quite a selection of great commercials.  Better grab a cup of coffee though because there are a lot of them.  Here’s one to wet your appetite.

[watch commercials]

Comcast never stops making things faster as demonstrated in this commercial about a rabbit with jet turbine engines attached.

Link to review

With the Guitar Hero franchise going strong, not everyone wanted to keep hold of every copy of GH they own, so what better way to relive those classics than with a Greatest Hits featuring the best tracks from the previous Guitar Hero’s?

The game features songs from 1, 2 and 3 predominantly and has some from 80’s and one from Aerosmith, the majority of the best ones were picked by the public through polls on Activision’s websites, so lets hope you all picked wisely!

Am vazut statusul ala cu pauza si portia de ras la infobot si am intrat sa vad despre ce este vorba… E vorba de un blog cu tot felul de chestii amuzante. Aici am gasit un clip cu cele mai tari filmulete de pe youtube in 4 minute… Unele sunt uluitoare altele sunt hilare… Merita vazut )

Enjoy

Heute begann die inzwischen dritte Forschungswerkstatt der GPM, diesmal in Berlin zum Thema Organisational Competence in Project Management (OCiPM). Die Teilnehmer sind handverlesen und hochrangig und so habe ich diverse Koryphäen des Projektmanagements kennenlernen dürfen. Das Thema selbst zielt auf einen weißen Fleck auf der Karte des Projektmanagements. Sie werden selbst in Projekten erlebt haben, dass gutes Projektmanagement alleine nicht notwendigerweise zu einem erfolgreichen Projekt führt. Der Kontext eines Projekts im Sinne der umgebenden Organisation, ihrer Strategie, ihrer Kultur u.v.m. ist im Allgemeinen vorgegeben. Wenn man umgekehrt die Frage stellt, wie diese Umgebung beschaffen sein muss, wie man ihren Reifegrad misst und welche Erfolgsfaktoren gegeben sein müssen, wird das Eis dünn. Meist hört man etwas vom klaren Projektauftrag, einem geeigneten Sponsor etc.

Ziel der Forschungswerkstatt ist es Impulse zu setzen, herauszufinden wozu geforscht werden muss und welche Themen die GPM aufgreifen sollte. Die Impulsreferate und die World Café Sessions von Forschern, Soziologen, Trainern, Coaches und Entscheidern aus der Wirtschaft hat für spannende und vielfältige Diskussionen gesorgt, bei denen man effektive interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit live erleben konnte.

Hier einige Punkte des ersten Tages, die ich besonders spannend fand. In den nächsten Tagen werde ich mich einzelnen Themen detaillierter widmen:

• Das Top-Management infizieren
  Die Etablierung von Projektmanagement über die “Kulturinsel” der Projektmanagement-Parallelorganisation hinaus in Unternehmen erfordert die Unterstützung des Top-Managements. Nur wie gewinnt man diese? Wie “infiziert” man diese Personen? Dies kann nur über eine Nutzenbetrachtung in der Sprache des Top-Managements erfolgen, am Besten außerhalb der eigenen Organisation. Die Unterstützung des Top-Managements für Projektmanagement ist ein akutes Problem, dessen allgemeine Lösung noch relativ weit entfernt ist.

• Zielsysteme ändern
  Der effektive Einsatz von Projektmanagement wird häufig an Abteilungsgrenzen auf die Probe gestellt. Wie sorgt man beispielsweise dafür, dass im Vertrieb die Bedürfnisse eines zukünftigen Projekts berücksichtigt werden? Hier ist ein Umdenken in den Werte- und Zielsystemen vieler Abteilungen einer Organisation notwendig. Der “alte Stil” führt nicht unbedingt zu gesteigerter Wettbewerbsfähigkeit. Ein Umdenken und eine engere Zusammenarbeit der Fachabteilungen in Projekten dagegen führt zu klaren Wettbewerbsvorteilen.

• Führungskräfte ausbilden
  Um dieses Potential zu heben ist es unabdingbar, dass Führungskräfte “besser” ausgebildet werden. Linienorganisationen tun sich schwer in der Zusammenarbeit mit Projektorganisationen und beide wiederum in der Zusammenarbeit mit dem Top-Management. Die Ausbildung der Manager, und strenggenommen auch vieler anderer Rollen wie z.B. wieder im Vertrieb, sollte in Zukunft einen Überblick über Projektmanagement umfassen, um den Blick für die Bedürfnisse der Zusammenarbeit zu schärfen. Das klassische Gegeneinanderarbeiten und Schützen der eigenen Pfründe wird auch weiterhin einen Teil des Potentials von Organisationen lähmen.
  Ein konkreter Bedarf ist das Training von Sponsoren, um diese in die Lage zu versetzen, die an sie gestellten Anforderungen zur Sicherstellung von Projekterfolgen zu erfüllen.

Ein gutes Bild wurde in einem der Impulsreferate beschrieben: Die vernetzte Inselrepublik (PM-Organisation) mit stabilen Verbindungen zum Festland (Linienorganisation) auf dem Weg zur projektkompetenten Organisation. Dieses Bild impliziert eine Einmaligkeit, die aus der Erfahrung einer Organisationsentwicklerin von Siemens unvollständig ist. Letztlich ist ein kontinuierlicher Weiterentwicklungsprozess von Organisationen notwendig.

Dies waren einige Impressionen vom ersten Tag. Nun geht es zum Networking und morgen in Arbeitsgruppen. Vom morgigen Tag werde ich voraussichtlich etwas später berichten, da der Zeitplan randvoll ist.

Und an dieser Stelle mein Dank für die Einladung zur Forschungswerkstatt! Um meiner Werbepolicy gerecht zu werden: Es gab keine Vorteile für den Autor bis auf den freundlicherweise von der GPM für das Tippen dieses Artikels spontan in einer Pause bereitgestellten Laptop.

The Vs have come to celebrate five years of blogging excellence.

Five years ago…

• I didn’t have any children in elementary school.
• I’d never heard of a place called Cowan, Indiana.
• The idea of adopting internationally was still a pipe dream.
• I was convinced that I was going to be involved in planting a church in Evansville.
• I was wrapping up my first semester of seminary and probably questioning my sanity as I studied for OTI and Elementary Greek.
• We were still adjusting back to life in Tennessee’s fair eastern mountains.
• We were active members of Sonlife Community Church.
• Mike Davis was the coach of the Hoosiers.
• I had never seen a computer catch fire.

My, how things have changed over the past five years. And I think it’s safe to say the nature of Life in the Fishbowl has changed considerably since I dipped my toes in the blogging pond and tested the waters with these two posts five years ago.

I’m thinking about compiling a list of my favorite posts from the past five years. Any suggestions? If you do share one, please include a link (if possible).

Fünf Alben in 15 Jahren und der Erfolg der schottisch-irischen Band „Snow Patrol“ ist nicht mehr aufzuhalten. Der kommerzielle Durchbruch ließ zwar lange auf sich warten, aber mit dem Hit „Chasing Cars“ konnte sich die fünfköpfige Band dauerhaft in die Charts katapultieren. Pünktlich zur romantischen Weihnachtzeit brachten sie diesen Monat nun ihr erstes „Best Of“-Album mit dem Titel „Up to now“ raus!

© Universal

Die Alternative Rock-Band hat 30 Songs auf 2 CDs gepackt, wobei auch Neues und Unveröffentlichtes geboten wird. Gary Lightbody, der Leadsänger der Band äußert sich zum neuen Album wie folgt: “It’s a portrait of us as a band, warts and all. We’ve climbed a hill and now we’re looking back and taking in the view for a bit. It’s nice to show people that we didn’t just arrive overnight.” Eins der drei brandneuen Songs die auf der “Up to now”-CD zu finden sind ist „Just say yes“ – die neue Single.

Hier ist die genaue Trackliste des neuen Longplayers von „Snow Patrol“:

CD1

1. Chocolate
2. Chasing Cars
3. Crack The Shutters
4. Set The Fire To The Third Bar
5. Crazy In Love
6. Just Say Yes
7. Batten Down The Hatch
8. You’re All I Have
9. Hands Open
10. Cartwheels
11. The Planets Bend Between Us (2009 Version)
12. Ask Me How I Am
13. On-Off
14. Making Enemies
15. Run (Live at the Union Chapel)

CD2

1. Take Back the City
2. Shut Your Eyes
3. An Olive Grove Facing The Sea (2009 Version)
4. Run
5. Give Me Strength
6. Signal Fire
7. Spitting Games
8. Open Your Eyes
9. Dark Roman Wine
10. Fifteen Minutes Old
11. You Are My Joy
12. Golden Floor
13. Starfighter Pilot
14. PPP
15. Chasing Cars (Live at the Union Chapel)

Leider sind die Poprocker in diesem Jahr nur noch in Großbritannien und Irland live unterwegs, aber sie werden im nächsten Jahr bestimmt auf große Europatour gehen und auch in Österreich wieder einmal vorbeischauen. Beim diesjährigen Donauinselfest haben sie die Menge zum Toben gebracht und so werden sie uns sicher bald wieder die Ehre erweisen!

The latest can to be kicked around the jazz blogosphere (and beyond) is what records make the cut as the best of the decade.

As much as we enjoy the opportunity to reminisce about our first seven-plus years in business, and the 135 recordings we promoted for our clients in that span, we’re not quite ready to dip a toe in that nearly bottomless pool just yet.

But, we’re more than happy to shine a light on the recordings we promoted for our clients in 2009 (in order of their release).

Hopefully at least a few of these will end up on your year’s best list or at least your list for Santa.

David S. Ware
Shakti (AUM Fidelity)

Gerald Cleaver/William Parker/Craig Taborn
Farmers By Nature (AUM Fidelity)

The Ayn Inserto Jazz Orchestra
Muse (Creative Nation Music)

Garrison Fewell
Variable Density Sound Orchestra (Creative Nation Music)

Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society
Infernal Machines (New Amsterdam Records)

Michael Musillami Trio + 3
From Seeds (Playscape Recordings)

The Fully Celebrated
Drunk On The Blood Of The Holy Ones (AUM Fidelity)

John Hébert
Byzantine Monkey (Firehouse 12 Records)

Carl Maguire’s Floriculture
Sided Silver Solid (Firehouse 12 Records)

Joe Morris/Petr Cancura/Luther Gray
Wildlife (AUM Fidelity)

KLANG
Tea Music (Allos Documents)

Taylor Ho Bynum & SpiderMonkey Strings
Madeleine Dreams (Firehouse 12 Records)

Fay Victor Ensemble
The FreeSong Suite (Greene Avenue Music)

Fonda/Stevens Group
Memphis (Playscape Recordings)

Harris Eisenstadt
Canada Day (Clean Feed)

Darius Jones Trio
Man’ish Boy (AUM Fidelity)

Joe Morris Quartet
Today On Earth (AUM Fidelity)

Jessica Pavone
Songs Of Synastry And Solitude (Tzadik)

Bill Dixon
Tapestries For Small Orchestra (Firehouse 12 Records)

Vanessa Paradis finally claims her rightful place in the canon of recorded French Music with her first ever Greatest Hits Collection. Considering she’s been a recording artist for the last twenty years, this was a long time coming. Along the way, she gets to thank Alain Souchon, Jane Birkin, Mathieu Chedid, Serge Gainsbourg, Albin de la Simone, Franck Monnet and Franck Langolff for their indispensable contribution to her amazing catalog, most of which find their way onto this 2-CD set.

To understand Vanessa Paradis’ effect on the world of French music, one must travel back to the very beginning, in 1987 when ‘Joe Le Taxi’ came out and transfixed the world. Unfairly for her, that song is perhaps all she is known for in various parts of the world. Which is why her decision to release this 2 Disc Set of her best and least known track is a wise decision, one that will perhaps finally set to rest doubts about her immense contribution to the world of French music.

Any follower of Paradis’ musical output will know that her studio albums are few and far between, and that she barely has any recognizable singles that have ’stood the test of time’ with the mainstream commercial audience. My personal choice for her best album is 1990’s “Variations sur le meme t’aime”, recorded for her by Serge Gainsbourg, which of all her recordings is both the ‘oldest sounding’ as well as timeless setpieces.

Her return to form in the 2000s with her albums “Bliss” and “Divinidylle” were welcomed, only because of the sheer artistry contained within – for once Vanessa was getting more adventurous and recording songs with different producers. My own opinion is that her work has improved greatly since her involvement with both Mathieu Chedid and Franck Monnet, both of whom are stellar recording artists in their own right.

This double-disc, when first announced, didn’t set very well with many long term followers of Paradis’ music. Most clearly, it did away with some of the more emphatically essential songs of her catalog – prime amongst these being “Au Charme Non Plus”, “L’Amour a Deux”, and “Amour Jamais” from 1990’s “Variations Sur Le Meme T’aime”. Also missing are “L’eau et la vin”, “St Germain” and “L’air du temps” from 2000’s stunning “Bliss” album. And of course, the fact that they didn’t include “Chet Baker” and “Irresistiblemen” from “Divindylle” is just unbelievable – the latter especially was the song Vanessa used to open all her 2008 concerts and has since become a staple.

The reasoning behind this 2 disc set is this – Disc 1 works as a ‘Greatest Hits’ compilation, collecting all of her ‘best’ singles onto one disc (since shes been recording for 23 years, there are bound to be omissions). Disc 2 works as a “Rarities, Acoustic, and B-Sides” Compilation. This had the potential to be stunning, but instead comprises of a very weird and bizarre songlist. For example, Paradis won new legions of fans over when she serenaded Jeanne Moreau with her own masterful rendition of “Les Tourbillons de la vie”, and she even recorded a classy studio version for the out of print “Mes Chansons Enfances”. That song, often considered a mainstay of her concerts, is sorely missing.

The Second Disc also does away with most of her great collaborative work and instead gives us acoustic versions of “Marilyn and John”, and inserts “When I Say” (a weak song from ‘Bliss’) into the mix. While ‘Atomik Circus’ remains an underrated French science fiction film, they’ve chosen to disregards its hit single ‘Ma Petroleuse’ (a moderate hit for Paradis), and pick “Concia” instead. Now listen, all of these songs are beautiful, but if you have a once in a lifetime chance to put together a B-side compilation for Vanessa Paradis, at least they could have put some thought into it.

On the bright side, Disc 2 does include those rare “Edition Noel” tracks that were released for “Divinidylle”. These are “I Wouldn’t Dare” and “Abracadabra”, and the much publicized “I Love Paris” is here as well. While the first set is notably devoid of duets, the second gives us some great songs. First up is the thrilling song with M (Mathieu Chedid). Bless this man for every entering Paradis’ musical sphere, as he knows what to do with her even when she is lost. “Johnny Jane”, always an oddity even on French TV, was a fun, nostalgic duet between Vanessa and Jane Birkin – a sweet, cloying track that sounds rather out of place in this environment.

Thankfully, we have the little known “Les Filles Electriques”, her duet with Alain Souchon, to balance things out. One of the most underrated album tracks from 1987’s “M&J” album was “Scarabee”, a lush piece that sounded almost Beatlesque in patches. This has now been given the ‘acoustic’ treatment and sounds even better than before. I like that the album ends with the hugely unknown “Varvara Pavlovna” (this was originally the B-Side to the LP of “Joe le Taxi” in 1987 and is now officially out of print!), so its great to have this rarity remastered and officially available after almost 22 years.

As any of my acquaintances within the French music world would know, I have long held that the greatest French song ever written would have to be ‘Pourtant’, from Vanessa’s ‘Bliss’ album. This was written by the amazing Franck Monnet (another underrated singer/songwriter who has four beautiful albums out: ‘Playa’, ‘Les Embellies’, ‘Au Grand Jour’, and 2007’s ‘Malidor’), and the visual imagery is stark and revealing. The very fact that they included this song (and made it Track 2!) is testament to the fact that some things were done right on this one.

Vanessa Paradis’ musical output may not be comparable to lets say Jane Birkin, Julien Clerc, or Serge Gainsbourg, but at the very least she has carved out a wonderful niche for herself in the world of French music. Any Paradis enthusiast should pick this one up, and if you haven’t heard her music yet, this is indeed the best place to start. Get this, and then get the remainder of her studio albums.

Five Stars.

CD1

1. Il y a
2. Pourtant
3. Marilyn &John
4. Dis-lui toi que je t’aime
5. Joe le taxi
6. Maxou
7. Sunday Mondays
8. Tandem
9. Natural high
10. Commando
11. Be my baby
12. Divine idylle
13. Dès que j’te vois
14. Just as long as you are there
15. Que fait la vie
16. LIncendie

CD2

1. Marilyn &John (version acoustique)
2. Dans mon café
3. La Déclaration d’amour (duo avec -M-)
4. Jackadi
5. I love Paris
6. Emmenez-moi (live)
7. La Ballade de Johnny Jane (duo avec Jane Birkin)
8. When I say
9. Concia chachacha
10. St Germain
11. This will be our year (live)
12. Les Filles électriques (duo avec Alain Souchon)
13. Made in Asia
14. Abracadabra
15. I wouldn’t dare
16. Scarabée (version acoustique)
17. Varvara Pavlovna

Sometimes there are movies that because of high expectations, don’t quite live up to the hype, therefore people and critics shrug it off as a failure. There are also some movies that people just pan or shrug off based on it’s cast or premise. Although there are some occassions where I’ve had such thoughts, I like to give every movie a chance. There are times when I regret it but there are times when there is a true gem that most people just don’t care for without even seeing it, or they just don’t like it for the reasons I’ve mentioned.

My list is compiled of movies that “failed” due to high expectations as well as those that most think are truly horrible. I love all of these movies and I don’t feel ashamed for doing so.

Here are my top 10 most underrated movies of the decade.

10. Australia

Baz Luhrman | 2008

I guess that after the greatness of Moulin Rouge! there were high expectations for Lurhrman’s next project (mine were definitely like that). When it was announced that he would do an epic romance, I guess people thought that he was going to try to bring back the sub-genre, when in fact it was just an homage to those movies. Most people didn’t see it as the latter, which is why they hated it. However, there were a few of us who saw it for what it was and we loved it. The romance is great, the cinematography is amazing, the score fits the story, and the performances are great. Yes, the script had problems, but they can be easily forgiven thanks to the rest of the production.

9. The Fall

Tarsem | 2008

This movie originally played in the Toronto International Film Festival in 2006 and it was panned, with most critics calling it an inferior copy of anther festival darling from that year, Pan’s Labyrinth. Two year later, it was released independently to bad reviews. There were a few critics like Roger Ebert who actually saw it for what it was, a visual treat supported by a small story. It is a gorgeous movie filled with  remarkable images and featuring great performances by Lee Pace and Catinka Untaru. It may not have a very deep and thought provoking story, but the story confined with the magnificent production makes for a great experience.

8. Across the Universe

Julie Taymor | 2007

Most people who dislike this mostly complain about how “misused” the songs by The Beatles were, about how little story there is to support those historic lyrics. I guess their love for the songs did not allow them to see the beautiful production, the great direction, the great performances, the good arrangements of the songs. They missed out on all the fun.

7. Knowing

Alex Proyas | 2009

Nicolas Cage had not had a good decade. For every Lord of War ,The Weatherman, and Adaptation there are two National Treasures, one Next, one Bangkok Dangerous, one Ghost Rider, and one The Wicker Man. So I guess that when this came out the presence of Cage made most people dismiss it as another one of his attempts to become an action star so late in his career. However, the movie is not just Nicolas Cage. It was directed by one of the most interesting directors out there, the script, despite it’s huge flaws, had some interesting ideas that Proyas takes the most advatage of, and it also features Cage’s best performances since 2005 when he had both Lord of War and The Weatherman

6. Memoirs of a Geisha

Rob Marshall | 2005

The book on which this is based is amazing, so there is no way that the movie was going to live up to it. Despite that, I believe Rob Marshall did a great job in translating the story visually into the screen it is one of the best produced movies of the decade. Yes, the script is rather bad, but the behind-the-scenes people and the actors rise above the material. Should you expect a fast-paced movie? No, you should expect a slow-burning experience and take everything in to enjoy the great ending.

5. The Life Aquatic With Steve Zizzou

Wes Anderson | 2004

It may not be Wes Anderson’s best, but I’d say that it is his most interesting, visually, and it has some really funny moments, as well as plenty of heart felt ones. Plus, it sports Bill Murray’s best post-Lost in Translation performance, Angelica Houston, Owen Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Cate Blanchett, and a song by Sigur Ros. What more can you ask for?

4. Monster-in-Law

Robert Luketic | 2005

Does it have the most original story? No. Is It well written and directed? No. So why do I think it is underrated? Well, it is because of the actresses. Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez have great chemistry together, and that alone makes almost every joke work. Plus, there is the always-reliable Wanda Sykes and the always reliable assistant ready with a one liner for every situation.

3. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Garth Jennings | 2005

Based on the books by Douglas Adams, I think the movies does a great job of translating the humor, which is not the humor that most people are used to. I does not have jokes that give you belly laughs, but the kind of humor that makes you go, “that’s funny.” Martin Freeman, Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel, and Sam Rockwell are perfectly cast and make everything work.

2. Speed Racer

The Wachowskis | 2008

“It looks like a videogame and it has no story” was the biggest complaint I heard about this movie. This was never supposed to be the next Matrix, it was supposed to be a movie for the whole family to enjoy. And that was what we got. It has a simple good vs. evil, family always sticks together story, combined with great, groundbreaking visual effects, and good performances to boot.

1. The Fountain

Darren Aronofsky | 2005

I guess the main reason why most people don’t like it is because of it’s non-linear narrative. I loved it from the first time I saw it, and has only gotten better with repeat viewings. Hugh Jackman gives what is his best performance to date, and Rachel Weiz is also quite good. Some parts are off-putting and you do wonder what part is actually happening, but that is only part of the beauty of it. This is definitely one of the best movies of the decade.

There are my 10 most underrated movies of the decade. Feel free to offer your opinion in the comments section.

this time from Library Journal.  in introducing their titles, the reviewers explain:

So many books, so many best books lists. What makes ours special, and how do we make our choices? It’s an especially interesting question in light of the controversy stirred by PW’s top-ten, all-male list. For the record, about a third of the authors on our main list are women—and a bunch of titles are by and/or about people of color. Are we consciously striving for a balanced list? In fact, it’s more complicated than that.

When LJ’s book review editors sit down with our best books candidates, we’re obviously looking for the strongest writing on key topics—books that will last. But we aren’t just thinking in terms of Big Books: we’ve found that unimpeachably big books are often unimpeachably dull. So we look for a little edginess, a little risk that sets a book apart and makes us sit up and see things anew even when the narrative isn’t perfect.

new to LJ’s list of genre bests is the inclusion of “Street Lit” as a category.  other genres are “Mystery,” “SF & Fantasy,” “Romance,” “Christian Fiction,” and “Thrillers.”  missing from the “Romance” list is Sherry Thomas’ “Not Quite a Husband” which Lorraine and I (veteran romance readers) both thought highly of and received a very positive LJ review.  and i don’t agree with including Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ “What I Did for Love,” which, while enjoyable, did not bring any originality to the contemporary romance field.  ahhh, the subjective nature of “Best of” lists.

what are your best books of 2009?

posting by marin

Sleeping til 7.30 p.m today, got me thinking of this D.A.D song my dad used to play for me when I was little.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXIR2AH9zng

Watch the best 2000s voted TV Commercials (Non-Super Bowl) on the Internet. Some of these commercials are really cool. Just visit this link of AdweekMedia and enjoy.

You can also visit this for the whole show: