Den här helgen har jag väl inget spännande att berätta direkt, har bara varit hemma och slappat, städat, tvättat och glott på film. Ser fram emot en ny arbetsvecka, trivs sååå bra på jobbet!

Äntligen kom jag ihåg att köpa nya tofflor, de jag hade hemma hade hål där fram, gick nog sönder för 2 veckor sen. Nu blev det nya fina från Indiska, underbara för frusna fötter! Efter att ha handlat mat idag inför kommande vecka så slank jag alltså in på Indiska och köpte dem. Blev också ett par trevliga filmer hemköpta.

Nya tofflorna från Indiska

De nyinköpta filmerna: The Mexican och Hell Ride.

Ya hablé sobre esta cinta en artículos anteriores, estaba realmente ansioso por echarle un vistazo, no se, pintaba de puta madre, Tarantino, Carradine, Madsen,  Harleys, 1%, mujeres explosivas hambrientas de sexo y drogas, violencia…

La dirige Larry Bishop, el tío conocido entre mi grupo de amigos como: “El señor eres más inútil que un culo en el codo”,  hijo del actor Joey Bishop y también actor, dirigió “Encantado de Matarte” una película que a mi personalmente me gusta bastante, al enterarme de este proyecto de Bishop y habiendo visto anteriormente su opera prima, pensé que podía ser una muy buena experiencia cinematográfica… me equivoque.

SINOPSIS: Narra la historia de Pistolero, The Gent y Comanche, quienes comenzarán una caza contra los 666ers, un grupo de motoristas rivales que han asesinado a Cherokee Kisum, la novia de Pistolero.

Bueno, eso sería a grandes rasgos la sinopsis, pero solo a grandes rasgos. No se muy bien como empezar a hablar de la película, quizás, empecemos por una pregunta: ¿Por qué Quentin solo produce mierdas de segunda? Hagamos una retrospectiva, veamos que basuras ha producido el señor Tarantino. Tenemos por un lado las terribles secuelas de “Abierto hasta el amanecer”, que en cierto modo estaba casi obligado a producir.  Luego tenemos “Tú asesina, que nosotras limpiamos la sangre” (nombre más propio del gordo Almodóvar) cortometraje que convirtió en largo y seamos sensatos, no le salió demasiado bien. Y por último  la saga de “Hostel”, que en fin, solo tenéis que buscar mi opinión en el blog. Ha producido más pero yo hablo de las películas de segunda que por alguna extraña razón a él le parecen acojonantes. Hell Ride me parecía un proyecto de lo más ambicioso y daba mi voto de confianza a Tarantino y a su equipo, bueno, en realidad a su equipo no, Michael Steinberg y Shana Stein solo han producido y dirigido mierdas, pero no se, se trataba de una cinta con un ambiente “grindy” de los que me gustan (como ya sabéis soy un enamorado del cine de los 70).

Bueno pues cuando la película empieza, parece que vas a ver una opera “híperviolenta” de moteros genial, pero se convierte en una hora y dieciocho minutos de diálogos completamente absurdos, personajes que van y vienen sin sentido, un Larry Bishop que realmente se pone las botas fornicando con todas las muchachitas pervertidas que salen en la cinta, quizás aprovechando su posición de director y productor, actores de segunda mal aprovechados… en fin, lo que normalmente se llama una puta mierda.

Hablemos de los actores: Larry Bishop, es un tipo que no tiene demasiadas dotes interpretativas, no es malo, pero muy pesado interpretando, de hecho me da la sensación que creó a su personaje, Pistolero, sin demasiadas pretensiones artísticas para que no flojeé su interpretación, que por otra parte acaba siendo nefasta. Este hombre empezó formando pareja cómica con Rob Reiner, actor, escritor, productor y director de películas bastante míticas y que conforman un núcleo contracultural de cierta generación, pelis como: la friki “This is Spinal Tap”, la increíble “La princesa prometida”, el referente humorístico “Cuando Harry encontró a Sally”, la entrañable “Cuenta conmigo” o la inquietante “Misery”… pero Larry pasó completamente desapercibido basando su carrera interpretativa en apariciones estelares en series de los 70 o ya en los noventa, en producciones para la televisión.

Dennis Hopper interpreta a Eddie Zero. No me parece mal que intenten dar una oportunidad a Hopper, porque desde que salió en “Super Mario Bros” interpretando al villano Rey Koopa, no levanta cabeza el hombre. No está mal, pero tampoco esta bien que le dejen interpretar un papel sin explicarle siquiera que hace en la película, porque me da esa sensación, el anciano Hopper se pasea por la película sin pena ni gloria y  dando la impresión que no sabe que hace ahí… Al igual que Carradine, que sinceramente me parece una pena que esa sea una de sus últimas películas, por lo menos no será recordado por interpretar a The Deuce, por que ni siquiera me acuerdo yo, su aparición es como un trozo de pollo enganchado a los dientes, molesto.

No me alargaré mucho más, Vinnie Jones me parece un actor bastante carismático pero limitado a los papeles que hasta ahora está haciendo en cine, no me parece mal y de hecho me gusta, pero hubiera estado de puta madre que en “Hell Ride” por lo menos te den una explicación sensata de quien coño es y porque se encarga de matar a diestro y siniestro a todo el santo mundo. Sigamos con Eric Balfour, un chaval que es de lo mejor de la peli y que espero que haga más trabajos porque realmente tiene potencial, pero precisamente ese es su problema en “Hell Ride”, Bishop no es un buen director de actores y no ha sabido aprovechar a Balfour.  Pasemos a Madsen, a mí Michael Madsen me parece un actor genial, es malo, sin llegar a la altura de Ben Afleck, pero queda la hostia de bien en las pelis que sale y el tipo quiere hacerlo lo mejor posible y se nota que se esfuerza, a destacar en “Hell Ride” su voz (la vi en versión original), más ronca si cabe que en el resto de producciones. Por último hablaremos de Leonor Varela, que interpreta a Nada… sus apariciones en la cinta se basan en follar o intentar follar a Bishop, soltando parrafadas bastante extrañas e incoherentes, y en comportamientos descabellados y que se salen completamente de tono.

La banda sonora se compone de canciones sacadas de otras pelis de motoristas interpretadas por el rey de las bandas sonoras de pelis de motoristas, Davie Allen & the Arrows, siendo aun así bastante regular, destaca la maravillosa “Maggot Brain” de Funkadelic.

Bueno, que voy a acabar que me estoy liando, cuando terminas de ver “Hell Ride” piensas en que coño has visto, si ha merecido la pena perder tiempo en verla y te sorprende bastante porque te das cuenta como te han vendido la moto con trailers cañeros firmados por Tarantino. “Hell Ride” es una visión de las pelis “grindhouse” de motoristas, como hizo Tarantino en “Death Proof” con las pelis “grindhouse” de coches, o Rodriguez con las de zombies,  pero siendo muy, muy poco efectiva, con la narrativa típica de esta clase de películas pero sin transportarte en ningún momento a una sala de cine sucia, ni a ese mundo de violencia “pulp” desmedida, un fracaso por parte de Bishop y de Tarantino.

Lo mejor de la cinta, sin duda, el cartel...

Se me olvidó comentar que a veces resulta patetico como cabalgan en sus motos, parece que el único que sabe montar es Madsen.

Impresionante la moto de Madsen

Hopper volviendo al geriátrico después del rodaje.

Nie wierze, że ktoś dziś (w czasach Tarantino i Rodrigueza), nie wie co to Grindhouse, bądź nie obiło mu się to o uszy. Zamieszcze jednak małe wyjaśnienie, w razie wizyty filmowych ignorantów. 

Terminem “grindhouse” określano kina specjalizujące się w projekcjach niskobudżetowych produkcji klasy B, głównie tzw. exploitation movies . Częstą praktyką, w tego typu kinach, było wyświetlanie dwóch-trzech filmów oddzielonych trailerami kolejnych obrazów zdominowanych przez sex (sexploitation), nazistów (naziploitation) bądź Afroamerykanów (blaxploitation),  a wszystko podane w pięknym wulgarnym, krwawym i przede wszystkim kiczowatym stylu. Tego typu kina zniknęły całkowicie w latach 90. pod wpływem silnego rozwoju rynku kaset video.

Hołd oddany grindhouse’owi przez Tarantino i Rodrigueza (w wiadomej podwójnej produkcji) spowodował powrót tej stylistyki do łask. Rok później pojawił się chociażby wyprodukowany przez Tarantino kiepski biker movie Larry Bishop’a “Hell Ride” (w głownych rolach m.in. Vinnie Jones i Michael Madsen):

Pojawiają się zapowiedzi kolejnych B-class movies. Sam Tarantino i spółka nie chcą poprzestać wyłącznie na “Grindhouse”: Rodriguez bierze się za “Machete” (w obsadzie dodatkowo: Robert DeNiro, Jonah Hill, Steven Seagal, Michelle Rodriguez, Tom Savini i Lindsay Lohan), Eli Roth za “Thanksgiving“, a Quentin podobno chce zrobić remake “Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!“.

Poza wspomnianymi produkacjami, zapowiada się prawdziwy wysyp filmów exploitation. Wśród nich napewno należy wymienić wznowienie gatunku blaxploitation, czyli ogromnie wyczekiwany przez redakcje EWTO (okej, napewno przeze mnie) “Black Dynamite” wyreżyserowany i zagrany przez Michael Jai White’a:

Jest też inspirowany m.in. wspomnianym “Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” film “Bitch Slap“ o hordzie morderczych panienek (w obsadzie Zoe Bell, czyli pani kaskader z “Death Proof”):

Na trzeci ogień idzie “Run! Bitch! Run!”, czyli gwałt, uczennica szkoły katolickiej i zemsta. Reklamowe hasło mówi samo za siebie: This time payback really is a bitch !

Na sam koniec dwa bonusy: kolaż starych plakatów i trailer “Wrestlera“, który zainspirował mnie do napisania tego posta.

Cuando Fortuna gira su ruleta es imposible escapar de sus designios por mucho empeño que uno ponga. Y es que sólo así se explica que el destino haya querido colocar al ‘macarra’ Quentin Jerome Tarantino en lo más alto de Hollywood con un cine abiertamente violento y rompedor.

Su primera señal divina llegó con la elección de su nombre de pila, fruto de la devoción que sus padres sentían por uno de los personajes de la serie ambientada en el oeste La ley del revólver. Dos años más tarde aterrizaría en el multicultural South Bay (Los Ángeles) donde recibiría numerosas influencias culturales entre las que no podía faltar el cine, convirtiéndose así en su gran devoción. Es por ello que su primer trabajo no fue otro que el de empleado de un videoclub, Video Archives, el cual transformó a su gusto para hacer de el su propia universidad. Tras numerosos intentos frustrados consiguió que una productora le abalase para rodar, en tan solo un mes, la premiada Reservoir Dogs que le daría cobertura para continuar su carrera.

Durante su estancia en Video Archives, Tarantino visionó miles de cintas de kung fu, western, gore y, cómo no, serie B. Todas ellas fueron la base de su concepto como director, primando el espectáculo y la diversión antes que las formas o el mensaje social. Su búsqueda se centra en conseguir que el espectador nunca se sienta cómodo, obligarle a pensar, a sufrir con escenas grotescas o asfixiantes y hacerle reír a carcajadas. Para ello se basa en un uso del tiempo alterado, la presencia de ultraviolencia, en marcas de la casa como su fetichismo por los pies, su propia participación en el reparto, bandas sonoras inolvidables o planos con actores en constante movimiento. Y es en esto último donde reside su magia ya que sus cintas no destacan por grandes historias, sino por los mejores personajes. El mayor ejemplo de ello es su ópera prima: la historia de un atraco en el que en ningún momento conocemos el robo, el botín o el nombre real de los protagonistas sino que sólo presenciamos el conjunto de traiciones y artimañas que se traen entre ellos.

Todos estos recursos son herencia de las ‘b movies’ de los 70 y 80 en las que las condiciones primarias de rodaje y el tono desenfadado dieron origen a verdaderas obras de arte. Es por ello que su aportación al sector es continua tanto en la producción como realización de cintas del género, así como sus constantes guiños. Su gran homenaje es la película Grindhouse que cuenta con una primera parte basada en el mundo zombie y una segunda como recordatorio de los numerosos asesinos en serie del cine, además de varios ‘fake-trailers’ entre los que destacan Machete y Werewolf Women of the SS que sí que tendrán sus propios largometrajes. En cuanto a la producción, A Band Apart dedica gran parte de su trabajo a cintas de bajo presupuesto como la reciente Hell Ride.

Con cada chorro descontrolado de sangre o comentario subido de tono Quentin Tarantino manda un mensaje de agradecimiento al género que más alegrías y diversión le ha proporcionado. Por ello, cada vez que esto ocurre, el mundo de la serie B se arrodilla ante Fortuna y le pide que, por favor, no mueva su ruleta ni un ápice de donde está.

Då var man tillbaka i verkligheten. Fredagen tillbringades såväl på jobbet som på Piteå Dansar och Ler. Lyckad fredag med andra ord. Om inte ryggen hade gjort sig påmind runt 00-tiden hade det varit perfekt, men en hög trottoar och en onykter Anders blev ingen lyckad kombination. “Knak” sa det och sen var det sittläge för mitt lag.

Förfesten gick av stapeln på den beryktade “Ytan” där ett trubadurtält fanns att tillgå för såväl lokala som inte lika lokala talanger. Att det regnade gjorde egentligen inte så mycket. Lite svalkande sådär.

En av de som spelade var Sanna Lund (Lyssna via hennes MySpace HÄR) och var riktigt bra. Det krävs tämligen mycket mod och djärvhet att framför en publik som intensivt jobbar för att dricka sig tillbaka till apstadiet spela egna låtar. Personligen lyssnar jag hellre på sådant än ytterligare en trubadur-version av Dylans Knocking on Heavens Door.

*****

Jag filmade en lustig person i skimrande Cowboyhatt under Pitebornas egen nationalhymn, Euskefeurats Det är hit man kommer när man kommer hem. Den intensiteten gick inte av för hackor, och när jag kommer tillbaka till Umeå och min överföringskabel till mobilen ska ni själva få bedöma klippet.

*****

En kommentar som ofta utropades (läs: skreks) mot trubadurtältet var “Men spela nåt bra!” Vad är det för kommentar egentligen?

*****

Jag har sagt det förr och jag säger det igen. Jag tror inte Piteå Dansar och Ler existerar i sin nuvarande form om fem år. Någonting måste hända. Expandera eller minimera.

*****

Tyvärr började regnet öka i styrka just under Veronica Maggios spelning, men det lilla vi hörde var lika bra som jag hoppades.

*****

Gårdagen tillbringades i sitt/liggläge i sällskap av Hell Ride, TV-serier och avslutningsvis Doom (filmen med The Rock).

*****

Nu ska jag ut och fota lite insekter.

Bueno, he recopilado en un post los trailers mas interesantes de lo que el señor Tarantino nos tiene preparado.

Inglorious Basterds (Malditos bastardos) I

Inglorious Basterds (Malditos Bastardos) II Mucho mas brutal este trailer.

Por último pero no menos espectacular, el proyecto que está por estrenar producido por Tarantino y dirigido por Larry Bishop, HELL RIDE. Me muero por verla, más incluso que a los bastardos, es la jodida peli de mis sueños, es justo la pelicula que yo haría, es…en fin…

Había dicho que por último, pero va a ser que no, me falta Sukiyaki Western Django, el remake a lo japones de una de mis pelis favoritas del spaghetti western, Django. El remake está dirigido por el grande Miike, y está tardando un huevo en llegar a españa, si no ha llegado ya y no se me ha pasado…claro… Tarantino aqui solo actua, hace un papel de un narrador o algo así, creo…

Bueno, pues a esperar estas pelis con estusiasmo, ya sea mediante mula o derivados o a que puedas verla en los cines…como hacen los seres humanos más pateticos…como yo…

Butt Rider Award

Before the final rider had packed up the saddlebags and rumbled out of Hells Canyon a couple weeks ago the local press were reporting on the arrests and accident stats.

Fortunately there were no fatalities, but several riders were severely injured and a few have a long recovery ahead of them.  I hope for the best!

As background, there were about 5,000 riders who converged on the surrounding area of Baker City.  I’ve already reported how there were widespread thunderstorms with heavy rain alternated with sunshine throughout the weekend.  There were two rally-related arrests which resulted from an intoxicated rider trying to move his motorcycle from the street lineup and crashed into 3 other motorcycles.  Yeah, that would aggravate me too!  George Twardus (Portland) was arrested for drunk driving.  Compounding that situation was one of his new friends from Baker City who decided to sneak off with the motorcycle and was arrested for unlawful use of a motorcycle and tampering with evidence. According to the reports police showed significant restraint as the riding group with Mr. Tawardus were acting out and expressing their freedom of speech.  I have dedicated a “Butt Rider” award to them!  In addition, there were a couple of other local residents arrested over the weekend for fighting outside a bar, but it was described by Police Chief Lohner as just part of a typical Saturday night in Baker City, and had nothing to do with the rally.

Baker City had 13 calls related to the rally, including eight motorcycle crashes.  The weather likely contributed to some of the motorcycle crashes, but rider skills certainly had a part too.  Four of the injured were flown out either by helicopter or plane.  In addition, there were a couple of motorcycle accidents reported in the Richland area including the hit and run accident with Rick Meigs which I reported on previously.  It turns out that this year’s rally was comparable to the number of accidents in 2007, but much worse than 2008.

And speaking of “Butt Rider” awards… as a visitor to eastern Oregon, I have a couple observations to pass along:

1. Uninvited Guests — If a group of 4-6 riders are clearly in a group together then other riders not part of that group shouldn’t cut in to ride as if you’ve found your long lost riding buddies.  Often without warning we saw people dart/cut into our group vs. go on around – even with plenty of passing space.  Sure some riders were looking to pass and wanted to make sure there was clearance, but others cut in and behaved as if they planned to join the group?!  I know the skills of our riding group, but I wouldn’t know if the “cutter” has been riding motorcycles for 30 years, or 13 minutes — who knows and that concerns me.  I’m more than okay in sharing the roadways, but there was some stupidity being displayed and on several occasions we were forced to brake heavy to make way.
2. Secret Motorcycle Wave — To me it is amazing to see folks waving or trying to wave at all the fellow riders when there is a big rally in an area.  And I’m not talking about the two-finger flip or the helmet nod, but the left hand high in the air “Hi Mom, I’m so excited to be out here and one of the gang” type waves!  Great way to avoid accidents on wet S-curves with 100’s of participants on the road.  Not!
3. Hunting Season – is it me or is it you?  It must have been the time of year as I observed several riders (namely Idaho plates) displaying holstered firearms for all to see.  Sure, Oregon has a rich hunting heritage, but packing “heat” at a motorcycle rally should not be encouraged and certainly does nothing to promote conversation or relationship building.  I’m not anti-gun and own firearms like many of you.  I treat all firearms as if they are loaded and these guys were twitchy.  I don’t know these characters or what the potential target was and felt as though I should put on a blaze orange vest so as to not be confused with any live animal!

I’m of the viewpoint that a motorcycle rally has a couple of purposes beyond vendor booths and the camaraderie of enjoying wind in your face with friends  I’m sure there are others, but one is to raise awareness with the general public, that they are sharing the roadways with motorcycles.  Another might be to promote motorcycle safe riding practices and that as a large loosely aligned group of motorcycle enthusiasts, we can and are well behaved.  Some more than others I suppose…

All Rights Reserved © Northwest Harley Blog

For some there are not many things that get better than a scenic motorcycle ride with the added enjoyment of pulling off the tarmac to overnight under the stars.

I received several emails in regards to my outdoor experience during a recent trip to the Hells Canyon Rally.  I’m talking camping here and getting back to nature.  Touring motorcycles offer a lot in the way of storage because you’ll need a good tent, a better sleeping bag, an air-mat and a “butt buddy” i.e. chair!  But before you embark on that next camping trip you’ll have to decide what is or isn’t important to take because space is always a premium.

As I noted in the Hells Canyon post I went down the path of piece parting over a few years to fulfill the requirements of camping.   But, I came across an all-in-one system that looks like a good alternative for those looking for a one-stop complete package.  Made by Napier, it’s called the Sportz X-Treme PAC. It’s a complete camping package designed with everything you need (except air-mat) for a “comfortable” stay in the outdoors. A very compact 3 season package which includes tent, full rain fly, 2 stools, 2 sleeping bags and a carrying bag which can be easily attached to a motorcycle.  For about $250.00 it features a 7.5’ x 6.5’ tent which sleeps two people; a full tape seamed rain fly with side extensions; 2 heavy duty stools and 2 mummy sleeping bags. All of the items pack into the carrying bag.  They also make a one-person version which will save you $100.00 when you heed the call of the open road and nature.  The product has been shipping more than 3 years and there are a number of product reviews and blogs that have covered the usage.  You’ll be hard pressed to find anything other than positive ratings.

Another bit of advice from your motor-camper extraordinaire… before entering your portable nylon estate I suggest having a plan.  Are you taking all your stuff and storing it in the tent or just the items you’ll need for the morning.  For example storing your helmet in the tent will avoid moisture and critters accumulating.

Photo courtesy of Napier.

All Rights Reserved © Northwest Harley Blog

C&D Drive In

It was so easy to wake up this morning in LaGrande.

In the tent the night before inbetween the trains, the rain, the camp “traffic”, and general mummy bag discomfort I didn’t get a lot of sleep.  A couple times in the morning I just sat there in the tent, staring at the wall, not wanting to jump into the day, but today it was different.  Sure I obtained a very small taste of what those early pioneers had gone through to travel across this land, dealing with the weather and the harsh landscape, but today it was a shower followed with coffee in the motel lobby – sweet!

It wasn’t as cold this morning, but the rain followed us.  Over coffee we obtained guidance from the weather channel and called up some web sites on the iPhone.  It was dismal everywhere with large sections of intense rain.  We all agreed that riding most of day in rain was just not going to sit well so, we took our time departing with a Grand Slam breakfast at Denny’s.  Then with a gorge head wind in our face we drove toward the sunset for the most direct route back to Portland.

By the time we arrived in Boardman the rain had stopped and the sun was making it quite humid.  We pulled off exit 164 at the C&D Drive In, on I-84 and gassed up.  The posse wasn’t hungry and passed on the famous blackberry milkshakes, Walla Walla sweet onion rings and famous BOZO Burgers.  It’s odd that the drive-in is linked to an espresso bar and pizza place, but little has changed since it opened in the 1950s.  We stored our rain gear and rode on to Hood River where we stopped for a late lunch.

Big Horse Brew Pub

Riding in the warm sunshine felt good after a couple days of riding in off/on rain.  In Hood River it was downright warm with temp gauge registering 80 degrees.  We decided to take in the Big Horse Brew Pub.  We were a group of thirsty visitors and made the steep climb up the steps to this brewpub and restaurant.  It overlooks most of Hood River and makes for a good non-participation windsurfing view point. Inside there are billiards and micro-brewed beverages of choice that are made in the building’s stone cellar. Lunch and service was excellent.   Thanks Holly!  We made our way down the stairs and headed to Portland.

All in all, the rally was a lot of fun.  The people/hosts in Baker City are terrific! The ride over and back as well as the rides and time in the canyons was incredible.  I certainly plan to return.  I’m on the fence about a re-do of camping and having now done it means I’ve worked it out of my system.  I’ll likely make plans earlier in the year to score a motel and then do more rides out of Baker City toward John Day and into Idaho.  Thus avoiding the larger crowds on the Hells Canyon byway and hopefully the rain too!  If you’ve yet to experience the Hells Canyon Rally I suggest you add it to  your list of to do’s.

Hells Canyon Rally Wrap Up – Day 1 HERE and Day 2 HERE.

All Rights Reserved © Northwest Harley Blog

After what seemed like an endless night of chatting voices and the occasional AC/DC rocking through the school ground all was quiet and I settled into the two-man tent and mummy style sleeping bag.  With the rain showers and 45 degree temperatures everything was slimed with dew even with a rain fly.

I know my way around the outdoors, but I’m in no way a boy scout or survivalist camper.  Motorcycle camping is much more comparable to bicycle camping than car camping due to the limited storage capacity.  Often the same equipment as backpackers is used because of lighter weights and compact dimensions associated with the backpacking equipment.  I had one saddle bag allocated to tent, rain fly, mat, sleeping bag, torso air-mat, mini-chair and compression pillow.  The magic is called stuff sacks!

My plan was to be just comfortable enough and since I had previously purchased most of the items for other activities it wouldn’t be expensive to pull together this camping gig. I wasn’t traversing Mt. Everest, or hiking the 3 Sisters Trail and food/stove/cookware were left at home because in my simple world… coffee and food was picked up along the way. Because in the Northwest it tends to rain, a good tent is important. A sleeping bag that is comfortable below freezing is important too. However, the mummy bag was like a restraint.  I kept thinking would a sleeping bag that weighs 2 pounds vs. 3 really have mattered?  No!  Space was the key and I could have fit a square bag.  The old school Therm-a-rest air pad provided some comfort, but not nearly as cushy as the oversized Outdoor Research thick air mats.  The good news is that in today’s compression sack world everything is about twice as small as a few years ago.

Rick Meigs Accident

Note to Steve and the HCMR planners… make sure next year there is coffee in the high school gym.  They could have paid for 3 teachers salary had they set up a coffee stand even with 3-day old donuts from Safeway!  Nothing worse than a karaoke hangover and no coffee for miles!  Okay enough on the camping adventure.

We broke camp, re-packed the bikes (interestingly after everything gets wet it doesn’t compress as well – go figure!) and headed toward the McCafe’ and official event booths at the Best Western.  Our plan was a casual ride on the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway and overnight in LaGrande.  The ride follows Hwy 86 a national designated scenic byway. The route circles the Wallowa Mountains by way of Halfway and Joseph then north through the small towns of Enterprise, Lostine, and Wallowa.  There were thousands of curves and plenty of motorcycle traffic.

Hells Canyon Lookout

Between Hole-in-the-Wall-Slide and Richland there were two motorcycle accidents within a quarter mile of each other.  Neither of them related, but both made everyone take a moment of pause.  The first was a lady that failed to negotiate a curve and rode off the road and down into the ditch.  Not life threatening, but she was taken away by ambulance.  The second and much more serious was Rick Meigs getting clipped by a vehicle that “crossed the center line.”  It was a hit and run. He was taken by ambulance to Baker City where they performed emergency surgery to stabilize him then he was flown by Life Flight to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise Idaho, where he is now, in critical condition. I don’t know Rick and researched this accident on the web after coming up on the scene.  Nonetheless, send your prayers and/or follow updates on his progress HERE.

"Posse" at Hells Canyon Lookout

Beyond Halfway, the road becomes a paved Forest Service stretch as it climbs over a pass toward Joseph. This road has a lot of switchbacks and ‘over-the-cliff’ moments so you’ll want to be most alert through the area.  We took a break at the Hells Canyon Overlook, but was unable to pick out the Seven Devils on the horizon due to the approaching rain storm.  Within 15 minutes there was solid rain so, we moved on and continue toward Joseph in full rain gear.  It was wet and slow going in the canyons.  The big corner preceding Joseph is one of those turns you typically never forget as The Wallowas come into view behind Joseph like a movie scene out of the Swiss Alps.  We stopped for lunch and to dry out a bit.  After Joseph there is a great stretch of motorcycle road through the Wallowa Valley and the mountain towns of Enterprise, Lostine, and Wallowa. We finish the loop on I-84 in La Grande, Or., as the Historic Baker City bars were no longer calling our name.  Neither were the tents!  We checked into a motel and proceeded directly to the hot tub to warm up.

Hells Canyon Rally Wrap Up – Day 1 HERE and Day 3 HERE.

All Rights Reserved © Northwest Harley Blog

The Hells Canyon Wilderness is an area located on the Idaho/Oregon border. Created in 1975, the Wilderness is managed by both the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service.  It has some of the most spectacular views of the Snake River as it winds its way through Hells Canyon, one of the deepest gorges on the planet.

The gateway is Baker City which is also home of the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally (HCMR).  In its 10th year our posse decided to take in the rally, but more importantly try out motorcycle camping.  Not because the economy is in the tank and we’re saving $$, but more from an increasing desire to try sleeping under the stars and having fond memories from younger years of multi-night backpacking trips.   A lot has been written on motorcycle camping from wiser men and outdoor enthusiasts who can provide all the secrets of camping so I won’t even try.  For me it all boils down to a good tent, air mat and sleeping bag.  More coverage on this in Day 2 wrap up.

It was a cool morning departure and after we concluded an obligatory breakfast at Elmer’s (Delta Park) we set out leaving the city encampment and natives of Portland for the Lewis and Clark highway.  We joined Washington State Hwy14 (SR14), which has sweeping views across the Columbia River.  The highway runs approximately 180 miles from the I-5 junction in Vancouver, to a junction with Interstate 82 and U.S. Route 395 in the east and just across the state line from Umatilla, Or.  After Camus, Wa. SR 14 is a two-lane highway which runs along steep bluffs nearly a thousand feet high through the Columbia Gorge.  The frequent high winds were absent this day providing us a nice ride.

We pulled over at Cape Horn then again at Beacon Rock to take in the scenic view.  In the town of Lyle the dreary weather and forest scenery gave way to sunshine and arid grasslands in a fairly rapid transition.  We stopped at the Maryhill, Wa., Stonehenge, a monument to the World War I dead of Klickitat County.  There were 4 dams on the Columbia River along our journey east. Bonneville Dam which is closest to Portland.  The Dalles Dam, the John Day Dam and furthest up the river which we saw signs, but not the dam was McNary Dam near the Tri-Cities of Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick.

We stopped at Plymouth Tavern mid-day in Plymouth, Wa., unfortunately it was jammin’ with a 40 minute wait for burgers so, we rode on and grabbed some “Great American Food” at A&W near the Umatilla Army Chemical Depot.  The Depot began storing chemical weapons between 1962 and 1969, ending up with about 12% of the Nation’s chemical weapons. You can see the earth-covered bunkers… “gofer mounds” for miles.  From 1990 to 1994 the facility reorganized in prep for closure and shipped all conventional ammunition and supplies to other installations leaving only the chemical weapons.  Disposal facilities were built for destroying the VX, Mustard and Sarin laced weapons via incineration technology.  Destruction of the chemicals has been in progress and is expected to be completed this year.

We skirted thunder showers all afternoon, but about the time we arrived in Pendleton, Or., the blue-black rain clouds intermixed with lightning meant the slight chance of getting wet was now turning into a done deal.  One of the cool things about riding a motorcycle is that you can smell everything around you and as storms approach you get a strong whiff when things are about to change as the sky starts to spit and then open’s up like a fire hose reminding you that going to “hell” is part of the journey.  The rain was spotty with the occasional “gully washer” through the Wallowa-Whitman Mountains and stopped completely by the time we passed through North Powder.

We arrived at the Baker City high school and started unloading the tent-city base camp.  Fortunately we were able to get everything set up before another thunder shower bombarded and drenched the football field.  It ended within a half-hour, but managed to test the waterproof-ness of all the tents and made for some interesting mud-dawg motorcycle entry/exits!  Santiago’s canopy saved the day!! We headed to the El Erradero Mexican restaurant where the food was authentic, margarita’s were tasty and the service was fabulous.  We walked down to Main Street and took in some of the vendor booths then made our way over to the Geiser Grand Hotel for some additional entertainment.  We ended the downtown revelry in a karaoke place which I don’t recall the name, but it was across from the Geiser Grand and the building was called Main Event.  A quirky place with the typical oddity of locals mixed with visitors.  Eventually we stretch our legs and meandered back to the base camp to enjoy our nylon equipment and cold weather camping techniques…

Hells Canyon Rally Wrap Up – Day 2 HERE.

All Rights Reserved © Northwest Harley Blog

Laufzeit: 84 Minuten – Land: USA – Altersfreigabe: Ab 18 !

Kernige Typen, staubiger Wüstensand und knatternde Bikes – das ist die Welt von Pistolero (Larry Bishop) und seinen Jungs. Gemeinsam touren sie durch ödes Wüstenland, um hier und da Halt in der ein oder anderen erfrischendes Oase zu machen – hauptsächlich, um sich mit “Babes” und Alkohol zu versorgen. Denn sie alle leben für die “3 B’s”: Bikes, Bier und Bräute. Und dann gibt es da noch das klitzekleine Wörtchen Loyalität, welches im Zuge von “Hell Ride” eine ganz und gar große Bedeutung bekommt. Denn eines Tages flammt eine schon lange Jahre andauernder Fehde mit dem Deuce (David Carradine) und seiner Gang, den 666‘ers, erneut auf. Der “zweite Chef” der Bande ist der grimmige Billy Wings (Vinnie Jones); er spielt eine wichtige Rolle – denn auch er war im Jahr 1976 in ein grausames Verbrechen involviert. Dann hätten wir da noch Commanche (Eric Balfour) – den Jungspund der Gruppe unter Pistolero, auf den anscheinend noch die ein oder andere (grausame) Wahrheit wartet…

Was haben die Ereignisse von 1976 mit Commanche’s Geschichte zu tun… ?

Wohlan – hier handelt es sich wieder einmal um einen der Filme, in welchem der Name Tarantino auftaucht. Und diesmal fungiert selbiger als executive producer – er leiht also nicht nur seinen Namen (schrecklich, aber schon vorgekommen), sondern war auch tatsächlich in die Produktion involviert. Und, als alter Fan von Quentin habe ich den Film natürlich mit großer Spannung auf mich wirken lassen. Glücklicherweise ist der fast schon typische Tarantino-Stil wieder schnell erkennbar: so sind es beispielsweise diese markanten Szenen, in denen wir die Protagonisten sehen (oftmals  in leichter Zeitlupe), während im Hintergrund diese leicht mexikanisch angehauchte Gitarrenmusik läuft. Da “passiert” dann in dem Sinne zwar nicht allzu viel, doch man weiss sofort: hey, das ist doch… genau, ein irgendwo bekannter (und angenehmer) Stil. Beziehungsweise ist es natürlich vor allem der von Larry Bishop, der hier als Regisseur fungiert und ein “alter Hase” im Schauspielgeschäft ist. Oder nehmen wir die kurzen Szenenbilder, mit welchen die wichtigsten Charaktere des Films vorgestellt werden – das sieht einfach nur nett aus, und ist stimmig. Nach dem für mich sehr enttäuschenden Film Sukiyaki Western Django von Takashi Miike (wo Tarantino als Darsteller dabei war) haben wir nun also wieder einen Film, der besonders auf eines setzt: enorm markante Charaktere.

Immer gut gestylt… und bereit für neue Biker-Taten… !

Denn genau die sind es, die den Film interessanter machen. Und zwar als ein positiver Aspekt, neben dem kompletten technischen Part sowie den Darstellerleistungen. Denn handwerklich gibt es am Film wirklich fast nichts auszusetzen – Optik, Schnitt und Szenenwahl sind absolut perfekt realisiert, und gehen stimmig-staubig ineinander über. Einzig und allein eine Drogentrip-Szene zur Mitte des Films hat mich einiges an Nerven gekostet – hier wäre etwas weniger vielleicht mehr gewesen, zumal diese längere Szene so gar nicht in den Kontext des Films passt. Neben den bereits von sich aus interessanten Charakteren (interessant, da jeder eine unterschiedliche Motivation für das “Wüstenleben” hat), sind es die guten (nicht sehr guten !) Darstellerleistungen, die dem Film Leben einhauchen. Zugegeben: da wäre noch mehr dringewesen, teilweise wirkten die Darsteller doch leicht unterfordert (warum, dazu gleich mehr). Besonders Larry Bishop (ja, nicht nur Regisseur des Films !) hat mich überzeugt – und zwar nicht nur aufgrund seinen überaus stimmigen, kernigen Aussehens und seinem teilweise irren Blick. Nein, man nimmt ihm die Rolle als “Boss” der Bande durchaus ab – ein Mensch mal skrupellos, mal sexbessesen (nun ja, desöfteren); mal (hauptsächlich…?) ehrenhaft, da er ein bestimmtes Vermächtnis bewahrt…

So werden uns die markantesten Charaktere des Filsm vorgestellt…

Doch halt; ich muss etwas einlenken – und ersteinmal sagen: genug des Lobes… ! Denn auch die (leider zahlreichen) Schwächen des Films sind wirklich unübersehbar. Nicht dass ich die IMDB als Maßstab nehmen würde, doch auch dort gibt es einige lesenswerte (Kurz-)Meinungen zum Film; mit entsprechenden Niedrigwertungen. Gut, ganz so gravierend sehe ich es nicht – aber vielleicht kurz die Punkte, die mir aufgefallen sind. Zu allererst wäre da selbstverständlich das merkliche schwache Skript. Irgendwie wirkt die ganze Geschichte leicht motivationslos; und wird nur durch die enorm stylische Aufmachung “gerettet”. Es wurden einfach zu wenige Ideen eingebracht, im Grunde ist die hier präsentierte Story gar keine – beziehungsweise lässt sich so in jedem x-beliebigen anderen Film (vgl. “Roadmovies) wiederfinden. Da ist (leider !) absolut nichts besonderes dran ! Aufgrund dessen bleiben auch besondere Wendungen oder Twists aus – dass der ein oder andere dann mal die Seiten wechselt, ist nun wirklich nicht genug im Sinne einer ausgefeilten Dramaturgie.

Treu, geldgierig, intrigant… oder doch alles auf einmal… ?

Doch es gibt da noch mehr. Und zwar ist dies ohne Zweifel der übertrieben hohe Anteil an Gewalt und Sexdarstellungen. Gut, ich bin nicht der übertrieben zimperliche Typ – keinesfalls ! Aber man muss schon unterscheiden ob solche Dinge als (mehr oder minder “nette”) Dreingabe dienen, oder ob sich ein Film wirklich daran hochzieht. Besonders gravierend: durch den übertriebenen Fokus auf eben diese beiden Dinge wirken die Charaktere enorm reduziert – sie haben eben NUR die “3 B’s” im Kopf, und das muss reichen. Mir persönlich ist das aber weitaus zu stumpfsinnig. Deshalb auch das Stichwort “Unterforderung” hinsichtlich der Schauspieler – wir alle wissen, dass die meisten dieser dsurchaus talentierten Riege hier viel mehr können. Dann aber müsste das Drehbuch etwas ausgefeilter sein… sodass die Charaktere merklich mehr Tiefe bekommen. Die Rolle des “verlorenen Sohnes” beispielsweise hätte man noch weiter ausbauen müssen – so haben wir tatsächlich “nur” einen relativ kurzen Racheakt (und auch keinen Blick in die Kiste, insider) – dies enttäuschte mich etwas.

Wie verfahren wir jetzt mit unserem Erzfeind, was meinst du… ?

Schlussendlich: ein Film, der wohl ausschließlich für Fans geeignet ist. Für welche Fans… ? Nun, eventuell die, die die Werke Tarantinos im allgemeinen mögen. Oder, die ohnehin auf die Biker-Thematik stehen. Denn in der Hinsicht ist der Film durchaus annehmbar – doch geht er nicht über Genre-Grenzen hinaus. Zu verkraften sind weiterhin eine enorme Fäkalsprache, eine übertriebene “coolness” der Charaktere, viel Sex und Gewalt. Alles in allem eine klare Patt-Situation – ich möchte exakt 5.0 von 10 Punkten vergeben. Denn ein abgrundtief schlechter Film (siehe IMDB) ist dies mit Sicherheit nicht. Nur eben viel zu ambitioniert und etwas ideenlos. Schade, aber immerhin. Klar dem Machwerk “Sukiyaki Western Django” vorzuziehen. Nicht zu viel erwarten !

Alles Gute auch für die Zukunft…

Eigentlich hat das nichts mit Musik zu tun, aber da David Carradine zu meinen Lieblingsschauspielern gehört, möchte ich unsere Leser kurz über sein unerwartetes Ableben informieren. Carradine wurde in seinem Appartment in Thailand tot aufgefunden. Ob es sich um Mord oder Selbstmord handelt ist noch unklar. Carradine wurde durch die Serie Kung Fu bekannt, neben Auftritten in diversen TV Serien (Charmed) war er auch in allerlei Filmen zu sehen. Durch den Film Kill Bill wurde er 2003 einem jüngeren Publikum bekannt. Er wirkte in über 200 Produktionen mit, darunter auch Genrehighlights wie Hell Ride oder Richard III.

For the folks who live in Oregon it seems like 3 seasons of: almost winter, winter, still winter as we wait on the final and 4th season – road construction! 

Now that ‘road construction’ is upon us and warmer weather is getting repeatable it’s time for the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally.  It all happens June 12-15 in historic Baker City, OR and this year marks the 10th anniversary of the rally. The rally is open to all bikes and bikers.

On Friday (12th) the Plymouth Tavern, in Plymouth Washington is the Official Lunch stop for the rally.  Being at the east end of SR-14 it is a good location for riders vectoring in from all points northwest.   Jason, the owner, will be serving up specials for HCMR riders and you can check out HERE for more info.    Riders coming from the East may want to consider High Desert H-D in Meridian, ID. as a meet up location.  

A couple of key points to pass along from the organizers after you get settled in Baker City, be sure and stop by the HCMR booth at the Sunridge Ride Center.  They have new Official clothing, registration and info that you can’t get anywhere else.  Additional vendors are located at Ride Center and Downtown, they will be open Friday, Saturday pretty much all day and Sunday till noon.   There are a number of watering holes:  These would include Sonny’s Bar & Grill at the Sunridge,  Golden Crown on Campbell St, Stockman’s Bar, Brew-In-Stein, Barley Brown’s Brew Pub, Main Event, Geiser Saloon all on Main Street or the Idle Hour on Broadway.  Friday night most riders will want to take the Shuttle (you’ll need your wristband from the registration packet for this) to the Baker High School where hundreds of bikers will be camped.  Eric, co-founder of the rally, will be showing classic motorcycle movies in the campground after dark.

Don’t forget that Saturday is about the RIDES.  With the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, The Devil’s Tail, The Ghost Town – Gold Rush Loop or Strawberry Mountain on the riding agenda there is no time to waste.

If you’re not going to this rally you’ll miss some great rides and fun time!

Photo courtesy Google and Pine Valley Lodge.

All Rights Reserved © Northwest Harley Blog

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota (AFP) – Vinnie Jones, Hollywood tough guy and star of the Vinnie Jones Wake Up Call smiled and mouthed “thank you” to a jury that found him not guilty Friday of assault charges.

Jones was arrested for punching Juan Trevino-Barrera shortly after the man’s friend smashed Jones over the head with a beer mug during a brawl over a game of pool in the small city of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

He told the jury that he was “driven by fear” and acting in self-defense when he saw Barrera approach him as he made his way to the bathroom to wash the blood off his face.

“My nose was hanging off. You could have put a quarter in it,” he testified.

Security video shows Jones punched Barrera, 24, three times before Barrera threw him to the ground.

Barrera, who also has a civil suit against Jones for damages and lost wages, acknowledged in court Thursday that he sold his story to a tabloid and stood to get more money if Jones was convicted.

He was also recently convicted on drug charges.

“We came here today and told the truth, and the people of Sioux Falls saw through that. They saw through Barrera and his antics,” Jones said after the verdict was read.

“I stood up for myself that night and I stood up for myself today,” Jones said.

“And justice has prevailed.”

After the verdict was read, Jones met with jurors outside the courtroom, thanked them and signed autographs. At least one autograph read, “Be good. Vinnie Jones.”

One juror said she felt Barrera’s story changed too much between what he told police, the tabloids and the jury.

“He back-pedaled a lot, and contradicted himself a lot,” Kim Westendorf told AFP.

After a football career in which he developed a brutal “hard man” reputation, Jones debuted as an actor in “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.” His other film credits include “Snatch” and “Gone in Sixty Seconds.”

When asked if he would like to return to South Dakota, Jones said, “Hopefully, if the wife lets me. Maybe straight to the lodge this time.”

Vinnie Jones

What if the Russians attacked the U.S.? What if Rob Schneider was our last hope? What if he was naked? Looks like Rob Schneider is back in his spoof mode with this epic and explicit trailer that looks to be a failing homage to the 80s classic Red Dawn. Naked Dawn stars Rob Schneider, Mena Suvari Vinnie Jones and is directed by Jake Szymanski.

You can see more of Vinnie Jones by downloading his iphone application from the iTunes app store HERE

If you would like to get Vinnie Jones updates, you can also join the Facebook Group HERE

BEST FILM
Revolutionary Road
BEST FOREIGN FILM
A Girl Cut In Two
BEST DIRECTOR
Sam Mendes (Revolutionary Road)
BEST ACTOR
Leonardo DiCaprio (Revolutionary Road)
BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married)
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Martin McDonagh (In Bruges)
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road)
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Roger Deakins (Revolutioanry Road)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Rosemarie Dewitt (Rachel Getting Married)
BEST LOW-BUDGET FILM
In Search Of A Midnight Kiss
BEST DEBUT DIRECTING EFFORT
Martin McDonagh (In Bruges)
BEST SOPHOMORE DIRECTING EFFORT
John Patrick Shanley (Doubt)
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Jenny Lumet (Rachel Getting Married)
BEST DEBUT PERFORMANCE
Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire)
BEST ENSEMBLE CAST
Synecdoche, New York
BEST OVERALL YEAR
Anne Hathaway
BEST MAKEUP
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Australia
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Man On Wire
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
James Newton Howard & Hans Zimmer (The Dark Knight)
BEST EDITING
Tim Squyres (Rachel Getting Married)
BEST ART DIRECTION
Revolutionary Road
BEST COMEDY
Pineapple Express
BEST ANIMATED/FAMILY FILM
Marley & Me
BEST HORROR/SCI-FI FILM
Mother Of Tears
BEST EFFECTS
The Dark Knight
BEST SEQUEL
The Dark Knight
MOST SURPRISING FILM
Marley & Me
MOST UNDERRATED FILM
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE
James Franco (Pineapple Express)
BEST SONG
“The Wrestler” by Bruce Springsteen (The Wrestler)
BEST SOUNDTRACK
In Search Of A Midnight Kiss
MOST DISAPPOINTING FILM
Stop-Loss
MOST DISAPPOINTING PERFORMANCE
Robert DeNiro/Al Pacino <TIE> (Righteous Kill)
MOST OVERRATED FILM
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
WORST FILM
Righteous Kill

Payback from Apex designs is the iPhone’s answer to the GTA series. It’s a sandbox style game where you play a wannabe British gangster rising up through the ranks of the criminal underworld. To get there you must punch, shoot, kill, steal, and speed your way through 6 chapters, which in turn will take you on a journey through three cities each with various illegal activities.

In freedom city (hmm sounds like liberty city!) you’ll meet a cockney gangster who thinks he’s Vinnie Jones. He issues missions to you from payphones. You’ll be taking out cops, picking up packages, dropping off gang members, stealing ice-cream trucks and ram raiding shops… to name but a few. Completing missions successfully will earn you enough money to unlock later levels and chapters.

Players of Payback can learn a thing or two about being a cockney gangster by downloading the Vinnie Jones Wake Up Call. This is a new app on the Apps store from Branded Research. Featured, are 27 new videos to choose from which include “It’s Been Emotional” and “Desert Eagle .50″ from the hit movie Snatch. From the movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels you can choose from video wake up calls like “Use Language Like That” and “I think the word you’re looking for, gentleman, is thank you.” Also included in the 27 are new videos of Vinnie jarring you out of your slumbers with one liners like “Oi, You! get Out of Bed!”

Graphically, Payback looks pretty good, and a definite step up from the GBA version of Payback. The viewpoint for the game is top-down 3D, similar in style to GTA 1 and 2, using a flat texture for street level, with buildings and other objects stretching up towards you. It works well, particularly in motion, adding to the feeling of a real, tangible living world. Unfortunately, there is some slowdown during explosions and when many objects on screen at once, but it’s not a huge factor.