O que seria da Internet sem as suas mentes ociosas? Pois bem, a última agora é um Mash Up que envolve dois clássicos do cinema, Scarface e Star Wars.

Uma heresia, pode pensar o grande fã dos clássicos do cinema. Mas até que ficou bem legal.

An excellent Star Wars / Scarface mashup.

I think I may paint the classic Scarface poster but with Han instead.

For as far as hip-hop production has come thanks to the likes of Kanye West, Timbaland, Dr. Dre, Just Blaze and the rest, I’m a firm believer that some of the best beats are the simplest. Give me a drum set, guitar, piano and some strings and I’ll give you a album chalk-full of quality. Well, not me personally, but you get the idea.

Off the top of my head, it’s producers like Ant and songs like “Thugz Mansion” by Nas and 2Pac or “My Block” by Scarface that can really strike a chord that nothing else can. Acoustic-type music is just fantastic, there’s something about stripped down songs that makes it more personal, which for certain songs makes them better. This is one of those songs.

Wale and Marsha Ambrosius killed this version of “Diary”, to the point where it should have been the version that made Attention Deficit.

This comes via Nah Right.

“Diary (Acoustic)” (feat. Marsha Ambrosius) – Wale ★★★★

After an afternoon of consecutive downers, the following exchange with my cousin made my day.

Unconventional families with atypical–or perhaps very Latino–rituals like a Scarface screening and complementing the usual Thanksgiving staples with pernil and rice FTW.

Brian De Palma: All’inizio pensavo di girare tutto il film a Miami, perchè la storia è ambientata li. Cercammo delle location in Florida e volevamo andare lì. Ma la comunità cubana si sentiva oltraggiata dal modo in cui la dipingevamo e ci cacciò via dalla città. Credo che la cosa più stupefacente di Al Pacino sia il suo volto. Quando si gira durante le prime riprese, si vuole fare in modo che il protagonista abbia un’entrata ad effetto. E la faccia, il personaggio, la camicia assurda che indossa, la cicatrice, il modo in cui si muove e parla. Vuoi colpire il pubblico con qualcosa che non ha mai visto. Era stato visto tutto al Tg, ma nessuno l’aveva mai visto in un film. Il modo in cui i Gangster cubani parlano e si muovono è perfettamente rappresentato in quel primo piano. Oliver ha scritto questa scena benissimo. Aveva paura che la cicatrice che si vedesse potesse sembrare finta, fosse troppo grande, troppo piccola. Così abbiamo fatto parecchie prove trucco fino a quando eravamo tutti soddisfatti.

Martin Bregman (produttore)

Eravamo convinti che questo film fosse finanziato da Castro, ma ovviamente non era vero. Castro non c’entrava niente.  Giravamo un film sui gangster. Giravamo un film teatrale. Un film teatrale artistico. Ma molte persone della comunità cubana, poche al dire il vero, erano convinte che volessimo danneggiare la loro reputazione collettiva. Ci furono molte minacce, e pensammo che sarebbe stato meglio spostare la produzione da Miami alla California. Gli eventi personali, le guerre, la lotta per la droga, le torture, il massacro della motosega, erano basati tutti su fatti reali. Completamente. Ci ha dato una grossa mano la procura americana laggiù. Ci hanno mostrato rapporti, le cassette, le vhs delle scene del crimine. Tutta la violenza del film ha avuto luogo veramente.

John A. Alonzo(direttore della fotografia) : Credo che a Brian piacciano le riprese dalla gru, le inquadrature a piombo, le angolazioni a volo d’uccello. Alcune cose in Scarface nacquero per necessità. Per esempio l’apertura di un campo lungo per profughi cubani sotto i ponti dell’autostrada. Se fossimo rimasti più alti, avreste capito che era Los Angeles e non Miami. Notate la presentazione, come se scendessimo dal cielo solo per venire a vedere, a dare un’occhiata a questa gente che è confinata. A Brian gli piace molto muovere la cinepresa, ma non lo fa in modo arbitrario. Non è semplicemente quella che chiamo ginnastica fotografica. Sposta le cineprese in un modo che è consono alla storia. Credo che le idee di Brian sull’apertura di Scarface fossero molto interessanti e abbastanza contro corrente, per capirci.. Invece di uscire una ripresa eseguita da una gru, per introdurre il personaggio, lo presenta attraverso il primo piano, seduto su una sedia, mentre la cinepresa gli gira intorno a 360°. Fece la sua interpretazione e ci furono 5/6 ciack.

Brian De Palma

Eravamo tutti vicini ed io pensavo che era tutto affascinante. In altre parole stavo presentando al pubblico quella faccia. Il copione era così buono che si percepiva subito la sua personalità. L’arroganza, il machismo latino di questo uomo che ha una cicatrice sul volto.

Al Pacino:Sapevo che il personaggio ci sapeva fare con il coltello, che aveva lottato con un coltello e la cicatrice era dovuta ad una di quelle zuffe. Pensavo che sarebbe stato bello, se avesse tagliato il sopracciglio. Durante la lotta aveva spostato la testa e così il taglio si era allungato in questa parte del volto. Così ne ho una qui e una qua. Mi piace che la cicatrice sia in posti diversi, perchè evoca l’impetuosità di questo tizio. Si cacciava sempre nei guai.

Oliver Stone (Sceneggiatore)

La scena della motosega era basata su un fatto reale. Frequentavo i dipartimenti di Miami, di Dade e quelli di Fort Lauderdale, che avevano un’altra versione della storia. Quei tre dipartimenti avevano parecchi casi di omicidio.

Brian De Palma : Oliver scrisse la scena ed io dovetti trovare il modo per girarla senza trasformarla in The texas Chain  saix massacre .

Al Pacino: E’ la tipica scena di De Palma. Mentre la stai girando ti accorgi che hai predisposto tutto con una forte comprensione visiva di quello che vuole fare, di come costruire il tutto. Lo trovo ammirevole. Ero in scena ed era come se già fosse tutto predisposto, pianificato. Per cui non è stato diffucile.

John A. Alonzo: Brian faceva muovere una gru gigante da un Motel verso Steven Bauer che flirtava con la ragazza con il costume. Poi tornava indietro e così facendo accresceva la tensione. Quella panoramica a schiaffo io la chiamo “punto di vista del regista”. Come un voyeur guarda dentro alla finestra e, non vedendo nulla, torna giù. Era questa la sensazione che mi dava. Dentro a quella stanza del Motel tutti quelli che incontro mi chiedono:” E’ terribile quando gli tagliano il braccio.” Rispondo sempre:”Non si vede niente.” Si capisce dalla reazione di Pacino e dalla sua reazione, ma non si vede niente. Per me è sintomo di un’ottima regia, il fatto che si abbia l’impressionedi aver visto qualcosa che in realtà non è stato mostrato.

Martin Bregman (produttore)

Quando uscì  Scarface, la scena della doccia fu condannata da quasi tutti quanti i principali critici del paese come una scena particolarmente violenta e disgustosa.Ma se la si osserva attentamente si nota che non mostriamo nulla. E’ il suono che rende l’dea. Il suono. l’espressione del volto e il sangue. Ma in quella scena non mostriamo altro. Non si vede niente. E’ l’immaginazione degli spettatori, il che significa che la regia è ottima. Probabilmente è una delle cose più interessanti che Brian abbia fatto.

Brian De Palma:In una ripresa di quel tipo ci sono oggetti di scena che si usano oppure no.Forse c’erano delle parti del corpo a penzoloni, e  se le abbiamo riprese, le abbiamo tagliate, o non le abbiamo filmate affatto. Ma l’intenzione era sempre di suggerire quello che accadeva. Si sentiva, non c’era bisogno di vedere nulla. Volevamo dipingere il mondo in cui vivono questi tizi, e una volta che inserisci una scena molto violenta all’inizio del film, non c’è bisogno di fare molto altro.

John A. Alonzo (direttore della fotografia) : Credevo che Brian avrebbe fornito dettagli precisi su come voleva fosse a fotografia, su cosa voleva lavorare. Disse solo: “John, voglio che tu mi dici solo delle belle inquadrature. A inserire la violenza ci penso io.”

Brian De Palma: il film intendeva scioccare. E’ un ambiente scioccante, e questi erano gangster come non se ne erano mai visti prima. Abbiamo girato delle inquadrature in cui F. Murray era appeso ad una gru. Ma lo stuntman Dick Ziker si è dovuto buttare da un elicottero con un cappio al collo. Non era mai successo prima. Ricordo che è stata una giornata carica di tensione. Un paio di cineprese riprendevano l’elicottero, poi spinsero lo stuntman fuori dall’apparecchio. Abbiamo fatto un montaggio incrociato con Murry che penzolava dalla gru. Volevo che i colori fossero moderni, accesi,acrilici, pastelli vibranti e non i soliti colori da film noir. Perchè il sud della Florida è così. Questi tizi si vestivano di bianco, non di nero. Scarfiotti ha creato uno stile fantastico per il film.. Era un genio.

John A. Alonzo : Il club baby lon di Scarface è un set straordinario preparato da Nando Scarfiotti. Prima che vedessi il set mi avvisò, o meglio, non mi avvisò, ma mi disse. ” Hai problemi con i specchi?” Risposi di no. Credevo ci fossero uno o due specchi. Quando entrai vidi 15 pannelli di specchi, tutti intorno alla stanza. E la ciliegina sulla torta fu Brian che disse: ” Mi piace girare con 2 oppure 3 cineprese!!”. Così fu ancora più strano, perchè dovevo far si che le cineprese non riflettessero sugli specchi ed evitare di riprendere le altre cineprese, e che gli specchi infranti dai proiettili non causassero riflessi accidentali. Star Parks e Ken Pepiet erano gli addetti agli effetti meccanici. Si occupavano delle esplosioni, della pirotecnica e cose simili. Avevano molto talento. Avevamo tutti paura che gli specchi che esplodevano così vicino a Pacino, volassero da tutte le parti. Non potevano essere di plastica, altrimenti non si sarebbero rotti. Dovevano essere cristalli in modo che potesse esserci l’implosione. Hanno fatto una cosa molto intelligente. Li hanno fatti implodere in modo da tenere le schegge lontane dal lato di Pacino.

Steven Bauer “Manny”

Poi andammo sul set. I set erano così. Ne leggevamo la descrizione sul copione da mesi, e improvvisamente eravamo lì. Li avevano costruiti sui set insonorizzati della Universal. Entrai e pensai:” Ora si che capisco dove sono.”

Al Pacino: Sin dall’inizio avevo pensato che lo humor fosse necessario per capire il personaggio, per poter anche ridere di lui. Altrimenti sarebbe stata una via a senso unico. E’ necessario trovare quelle particolarità, quei cambiamenti, quelle ironie che rendono il personaggio più intelligente. perchè non rimanga ad una sola dimensione. Altrimenti sarebbe sciocco e pesante..

Testimonianze tratte dal dvd SCARFACE

A few weeks ago, Cinematical ran a post entitled “Movies that everyone seems to love but you” and that got me thinking.  For years, I’ve had a grocery list of films that I just can’t get into, just don’t understand, or outright dislike.  I have been thinking of these films from time to time but thanks to the post, I (after talking with Rob and Pete) have a great reason to consolidate these films.

There is one common element in each of the films listed below that is a prime contributor making these films “not our cup of tea”, and that’s probably hype.  If people always say, “that film is awesome!!“, and have said so for years, you expect that, after seeing it, you’d have to find your socks as they, true to the phrase, have been “knocked off”.  Sadly none of these films accomplish said metaphorical action.

You can call us all dense for not appreciating the following films, but we at   G-S-T just don’t buy into the hype that makes other people (namely our friends) just love these films.  Lastly, we have tried, really, on repeat viewings to find the elements that make people just love these films, but to no avail.  We may be cinematically impaired to ‘great cinema’ but part of being a film fan is liking what you like and voicing about what you don’t.  So using this wonderful thing they call a blog, allow me to elaborate on our behalf, some films that we at  G-S-T truly hate…well hate is strong isn’t it?  How about films we just don’t get?  That better?  Thought so…

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Blade Runner – Number one on my list for years and I cause quite a stir whenever I bring up my dislike for this film.  I’ve written before that I think some parts are cool, it is visually gorgeous and that I can see how it was visionary when it was made but that’s as far as I’ll go with it.  Part of the movie’s missteps, (for us at least) it that everything you see is rather ambiguous.  Not sure who is telling the truth, what you’re seeing is real or what to expect in the next scene can get a little old as nothing seems to get resolved.  Part of the reason we dislike the story is that just when they start to get somewhere, and attempt a resolution to something resembling interest, the movie just ends.  That just pisses me off.  Again call me dense for wanting something wrapped up in a Hollywood bow, but why make something so apparently “Hollywood” then go for an indie or foreign feel.  We just don’t understand.

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Scarface – Now there’s two firm classes of fans that just love this film:  Wanna-be gangster rappers and high school kids.  Since we fall into neither category, that might explain the disconnect that we experience.  I know some people who still have posters in their garages, and while I don’t fault them I still shake my head at it.  We’ve never liked this movie but still continually feel we are missing something but don’t know what it is, and do not have a desire to endure another viewing to find out what it is.  If it is a cultural phenomenon, then why is it such a small class of people who like the movie?  Want a great Pacino/DePalma flick??  Try Calito’s Way…much better in all respects.  Though I’ve got to hand it to Tony Montana, how you can get a grown man to wear a Scarface t-shirt is beyond us.

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Donnie Darko – I think a resolution in this film is the most important non-element.  The only saving grace for this film (and I may be really alone on this) is the soundtrack, namely the Tears for Fear song “Head over Heels” but that’s just me.  For something with such a cool concept, interesting characters and something that could have been very impressive and expanded further, it just fell flat.  Now we’ve tried since college to get into this movie but we can’t.  Time travel, alternate realities and Patrick Swayze should have been waaay cooler…it just wasn’t.  Best thing to come out of the movie was the cover of “Mad World”.

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The Nightmare Before Christmas – Something about mixing Christmas with Halloween using a huge Tim Burton spoon just seems off putting.  To top it off, it was more of a musical than a motion picture and the songs were hit or miss.  While the visuals were incredible, we kept asking “what is the point here?”  It was a ballsy concept and there were some parts that were entertaining but overall this film was just kind of a mess.  Now to us, Tim Burton is an acquired taste and being fans we (oddly enough) don’t like all his films.  We love Batman but not Mars Attacks!.  We like Sleepy Hollow but not Big Fish.  Strangely, Nightmare is loved by people of all ages…just not us.  Also as big a hit as it is here, it is just HUGE in Japan.  Rob lives there now and he still doesn’t understand the appeal.  Well I guess there’s no accounting for taste and we just can’t buy into this film.

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Unforgiven – What I really am starting to see with more recent Eastwood films is a pattern.  It goes like this: the film is slow, very slow and sometimes, so slow you fall asleep then wonder how you’re still watching the same movie.  That can be said of other films that we actually do like very much (i.e. Dances With Wolves) but Clint’s ‘lil Oscar winner doesn’t do anything for us.  To be fair, his films really are great, and I love Million Dollar Baby (though it’s not what you would call a “feel good” movie) but I see Clint’s style constantly replicated in each succeeding film and think he got way better after this one.  Admittedly, this came out when the Western was as dead as it could be and tried to make a character film rather than a guns blazing film about cowboys. Freeman and Eastwood’s performances didn’t really inspire and it felt a little hollow for people who are supposed to be friends in real life.  This film started as nothing special, rolled along like a tumbleweed and then just kind of rolled out of sight without any resonance.  ”Unremarkable” is what I would have called it.

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Dis-Honorable Mention:

Sideways – Paul Giamatti is an amazing actor but this film’s wit (and point, really) just eluded all three of us…pity.  Trailer made it look so charming.

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Well film fans, what say you??  Did we stir up a hornet’s nest or hit a nerve with any of you??  Opinions are subjective, but do you think we’re out of line or truly just don’t get “great” cinema??  Love to hear your thoughts…

The Godfather (15) (Digitally remastered)

Fri  – Sun: 7.15pm

Thirst (18)

Breakfast at Tffany’s (PG)

In 1960’s New York, Holly (Audrey Hepburn) is a charming socialite who lives alone in her apartment. Maintaining a childlike innocence yet wearing the most perfect of designer clothes, she spends her time on expensive dates and at high-class parties. She escorts various wealthy men, yet fails to return their affections. Holly’s carefree independence is changed when she meets her neighbour, writer Paul (George Peppard). Just when Holly and Paul are developing a romance, Doc (Buddy Ebsen) appears on the scene, revealing the truth about Holly’s past.

Scarface (18) (Digitally remastered)

Scarface follows gangster Tony Montana (Al Pacino) who arrives in Miami as a refugee from Cuba. After killing a powerful Cuban figure, Montana and company gain the ability to leave their refugee camps and roam around the U.S. After unsuccessfully trying to make it legitimately in the country, Montana resorts to selling cocaine to dealers around the world. Tony’s rise is quick, but as he becomes more powerful, his enemies and his own paranoia begin to plague his empire.

I’m a little tight on time (and energy) today so I’m bringing you a quick Weekly Thursday Freebie this time. But that doesn’t make this offering weak in fact it’s a must DL for any hip-hop fan. As previously announced, producer extraordinaire Chops has dropped his 2nd out of 3 free mixtapes for download today. It’s a remix album of various artists and shouldn’t be slept on. It just goes to show Chops’ versatility behind the boards. This man’s got the golden touch. He can flip any style. There’s a lot of southern flavor in this one but I think you can find a little bit for everyone.

Tracklisting:

1. CHOPS remix Drake Kanye West Lil Wayne Eminem – Forever
2. CHOPS remix Eminem – Jimmy Crack Corn
3. CHOPS remix 50 Cent f Ne-Yo – Baby By Me
4. CHOPS remix Young Buck – Let Me In
5. CHOPS remix Akon f Styles P – Locked Up
6. CHOPS remix Jay-Z f Biggie – Brooklyns Finest
7. CHOPS remix Jay-Z – The Rulers Back
8. CHOPS remix Scarface – My Block
9. CHOPS remix SLAB f Bun B Paul Wall Z-Ro HAWK Mike D – Da Streets
10. CHOPS remix UGK – Belts To Match
11. CHOPS remix Devin The Dude – Anything
12. CHOPS remix Paul Wall – Sittin Sideways
13. CHOPS remix Birdman f Lil Wayne – Shine On
14. CHOPS remix Young Dro – Shoulder Lean
15. CHOPS remix D4L – Laffy Taffy
16. CHOPS remix Purple Ribbon All Stars f Big Boi – Kryptonite
17. CHOPS remix Outkast – Elevators

Link after the jump!

Get Best Remixes Vol. 2 HERE.

Lá venho eu trazendo mais um nome desconhecido pra vocês, né? Pois é, a figurinha da vez é Patrick Brown, um designer gráfico australiano de apenas 24 anos. Tem-se pouquíssima informação sobre ele na internet, o que é uma pena porque esse cara já devia estar com o trabalho dele bombando por aí.

Artista bastante conhecido no Deviant Art (popular comunidade virtual artística), Patrick é simples e direto descrevendo seus interesses em seu perfil no site: “estou aqui para me tornar um artista melhor, apreciar arte e mostrar o meu trabalho ao mundo. Então o Ogro faz a boa ação do dia e ajuda o digníssimo rapaz em sua empreitada, postando auqi na Caverna alguns de seus trabalhos.

Seu traço é inconfundível, moderno e ousado. As cores também são sempre muito bem trabalhadas. Toda a obra de Patrick Brown tem um caráter impactante e dinâmico. E o aspecto mais interessante de tudo é que os temas de suas ilustrações são sempre ícones da cultura pop, sejam de filmes, games ou quadrinhos. Entre os retratados temos Wolverine, o Exterminador, os personagens do game GTA, Coringa, Dexter, entre muitos outros.

So ich weis gar nicht ob sie es schon wussten, aber ich schau mir ja hin und wieder mal einen Film an!

Doch die Auswahl der Filme, die man sich in der heutigen Zeit anschauen kann, ist ja leider nicht mehr so überschaubar. Es gibt viel Filme, verdammt viele Filme und es werden bekanntlich immer mehr.

Ein Film, oder besser 2 Filme, die immer wieder auf Listen mit den besten Filmen aller Zeiten auftauchen sind, Scarface von 1932 (Howard Hawks) und Scarface von 1983 (Brain De Palma).

Um nicht lange um den Brei herum zu reden, sage ich es schnell, kurz, und knapp, Scarface mit Al Pacino aus dem Jahr 1983 ist scheiße.

Nun sollte wohl klar sein welchen der beiden Filme ich besser finde.
Nichts gegen Al Pacino, der aus dem Film wohl noch alles rausholt was man raus holen kann und auch nichts gegen die Idee, dass Thema eines aufstrebenden Mafia-Bosses, von den 30er in die 80er Jahre, zu holen, aber die Umsetzung ist doch wohl, im Vergleich zum Original echt scheiße geworden.

Als der Film ( S. v. 1983), mit der Thematik der Kubanischen Flüchtlingswelle anfing, habe ich echt noch gedacht, dass dieser Film eine komplett andere Handlung hat, doch die Parallelen zu der Version aus den 30er, die von Anfang an immer markanter werden, lassen nur noch den Schluss zu, es handelt sich nur um einen wirklich schlecht gemachten Remake!

Also wer Scarface sehen will und es noch nicht getan hat, der sollte sich unbedingt Howard Hawks Film anschauen. Wer jedoch mehr auf eine schlecht dargestellte Story abzielt und weniger Wert auf Handlung legt, aber statt dessen ein bisschen mehr von blutiger Action sehen will, der sollte sich die Version mit Al Pacino ansehen. Wer sich selbst ein Bild machen will, kann natürlich auch beide Filme anschauen, lohnenswert ist dies allemal und dazu, auch ein guter Zeitvertrieb für kalte dunkle Winterabende.

Peace and Love

Davy

That’s the sentiment today. Frickity, frick, frick. I would like to introduce myself:

Hello. I am a Fat Gal and I have gained weight.   o_O

What in the hell is going on? Is it my new work schedule. I am not exercising like I used to, so that could be it. I am mega-ass bloated. Woo-hoo. Let’s all cheer.

M-E-N-S-T-R-U-A-T-I-O-N! Go Menstruation! Woo Hoo!!!

I have been more “carb friendly” of late as well. Meaning, sure I will take that big ass blueberry bagel and smear it with cream cheese for an afternoon snack.

So, in my best Al Pacino voice, I looked at myself in the glow of my laptop screen and shouted “Say Hello To My Little Friend” and the machine gun sounds were those of me typing madly to get over to Weight Watchers, using my porky little fingers, to log in. I logged my current weight. I calculated my points. I added it to my freaking phone.

There is no freaking way my accountability is going to be all out of whack. Screw that.  Color me accountable. Start looking for my food diary here. I think that might be the best way. Menu plan. Post my journals here.

You are my accountability.

Getting lazy with the descriptions today, so I’ll just add them only if the flyer is lacking…

Monday, 11,9.09

Tuesday, 11.10.09

(Come see me get my cameo-on in the “Cherry Popper” video! At least I think so… Lyriqs 2 Go said my footage MAY or MAY NOT be used. LOL)

(Same block as Bob’s… no excuses!)

Wednesday, 11.11.09

Thursday, 11.12.09

Attention: NEW PARTY! 90’s jams all night…and the DJ lineup is STUPID! I’d follow these DJ’s anywhere…Did I mention it was free?

Sutra was one of the first spots I was introduced to while starting out in photography. Home to many a legendary night, where celebs mingle and party with us normal folk in a spirit of positivity and good times, it is easily one of my favorite places to party in NYC. Ariel and John always show me so much love, and it was the natural choice come time to celebrate my 30th birthday a few months ago. Come out as Sutra celebrates 5 years on the scene!

Friday, 11.13.09

I’ve only been to one Art Battles event, and it was epic… this time, four artists will be battling two on two. It will be Leif McIlwaine & Ben Angotti VS Andre Trenier & Marthalicia Matarrita.

While the painting is happening – there will also be a B-Boy vs. Tap battle on the dance floor.

Goodie Mob (especially my boo, Cee-Lo), Scarface AND Slick Rick? Nuff said…

Saturday, 11.14.09

(Lineup includes Hasan Salaam, Division X, Lady Che, YC the cynic, Marcel Cartier, Maximil of Regime Change, and many more!)

Sunday, 11.15.09

If you’re in Jersey or feel like taking that PATH train into Newark, check out this event on Sunday… Newark might be my new chill spot…

WORD

actuate [ak-choo-eyt] v. 1. to incite or move to action; impel; motivate: actuated by selfish motives 2. to put into action; start a process; turn on: to actuate a machine

BIRTHDAY

Benjamin Banneker (1731), Elijah P. Lovejoy (1802), Ed Wynn (1886), Hedy Lamarr (1914), Sargent Shriver (1915), Choi Hong Hi (1918), Spiro Agnew (1918), Dorothy Dandridge (1923), Carl Sagan (1934), Lou Ferrigno (1951), Sandra “Pepa” Denton (1964), Scarface (1970), David Duval (1971), Big Punisher (1971), Nick Lachey (1973), Joe C. (1974), Sisqó (1978)

STANDPOINT

Man. It’s been a while so I’ve got copious notes on shit I need to unleash on. Where to start?

In the spirit of getting myself readjusted to this blog at the proper rate, I’ll only offer this today.

A few weeks ago, comedian Louis CK went on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien and, in a little over four minutes, explained the root of what’s wrong with most everything.

Watch the video. Think to yourself, “Is he talking about me?”

If you think he may be describing you, the answer is probably, “Yes.”

If you think he is definitely not describing you, the answer is assuredly, “Yes.”

Now, I know it is just a guy sitting on a couch, venting in an attempt to entertain, but he’s summed it up, people. Whether you realize it or not.

The Age of Entitlement is most definitely upon us. It is evident in absolutely everything everyone of us thinks, says and does every minute of every day.

“Everything is so amazing and no one is happy.” True Story.

QUOTATION

You see, you spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball, and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around all the time. → Jim Bouton

TUNE

All of us, at one point or another in our lives, will come to a place that truly sucks. It’s inevitable. Some songs can lessen the pain, if you truly want it to. “Wash Away (Reprise)” by Joe Purdy has, from time to time, been one of those songs for me. Use it at your own discretion. And enjoy.

GALLIMAUFRY

→ For those of you on Facebook who are among the group graced enough to call themselves childless, you’ll probably get a kick out STFU, Parents. Most of you parents will probably like it, too. After all, not all of you are bat-shit crazy. But there are more than a few/dozen of you.

→ To the girl at the bar a few nights back who told me Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman was “awful,” I’m happy to report you’re wrong. Which I pretty much assumed was the case after your 15-minute tirade detailing the Elliott Smith-Ben Folds conspiracy I’m sure only exists in the recesses of the crazy-ass world in your head.  

→ Lastly, I’d like to thank all of you who’ve sent me emails, asking me to restart this blog. I really appreciate it. I sincerely missed doing it. Also, if this post appears clumsy, I promise you, I’ll get back in the swing of it. After the long break, it was difficult deciding what to include. I’ll work it out. Come back tomorrow for some more.

by Hydro033

Movies are always being misinterpreted. The reason for this is probably due to advertising. Everyone sees a trailer and assumes what the movie will be about. They never shake what they first originally thought and they miss the entire message when the film concludes. Sometimes movies are judged without even being watched. I myself am a culprit of this. I will not go see most chick flicks because I think they’re shitty right off the bat. According to most critics, they are, but no one should be so hasty to judge a film terrible or amazing by its trailer. Professionals can make anything look cool with a badass guitar riff and dramatic video editing. This brings me to one of the most misinterpreted movies of all time – Scarface.Scarface, the story of a man who went from nothing to everything to nothing again. A lot of people stop interpreting Scarface once he reaches the “everything” part. MTV Cribs has the best examples of this. So many rappers love the movie Scarface and sadly compare their lives to it, or even model their lives after it. The problem is their interpretation of the film. Tony Montana is a poor Cuban immigrant who goes from rags to riches. Rappers see their lives in such a way, but did they watch the rest of the film? It doesn’t end there. Tony Montana then becomes a greedy, paranoid, power-hungry maniac that ends up killing his best friend and his sister. He alienates anyone he ever loved out of fear of a power struggle and winds up completely alone. He’s still on top but he’s paranoid and alone. Ultimately, his life path leads to self-destruction. The rappers like to call it quits once he reaches the top. They miss the whole point of the film.

That’s just one good example. My one friend had a roommate that lived his life by Wedding Crashes. Yes, all those stupid rules about how to get laid – he lived by’em. Dumbass, the whole movie was about how their lives were pathetic. They were much happier once they sought out true love. Another example is my high school literature teacher’s perspective on Superbad. She said that a movie like Superbad is an immoral teen comedy about kids partying and getting drunk. Fool! The punchline of the movie was when the girl, that the fat kid was trying to impress with alcohol, admitted she wasn’t into that. My teacher didn’t even watch the movie.

What was Saw I about? Valuing life. It’s not about killing people in creative and gory ways, that was reserved for Saw II, III, IV, V, VI,…. however many the fuck there are now.

There are smart movies and there are dumb movies, either can be good films. Smart movies have a well written story that want to communicate a message, positive or negative, it doesn’t matter. Dumb movies are straight-forward. A lot of movies straddle the line, which means that some dumb movies are trying to be smart, but fail.

Keep this in mind the next time you watch a film. Watch the WHOLE THING and wait for the message at the end, if there is one. There usually is even in dumb movies, but they’re often less profound and often more predictable. Fuck.

When we hear of or see someone of another race, color, ethnic group, what is the first thought that comes to mind?

And where did those stereotypes come from?

The word current is described as that which is common, widespread or popular.  The common view of an Asian is no longer the irreverently bowing, physically smaller individual.  Today the Asian economies are second to none, China recently hosted what some have described as the finest Olympic Games, and Asians leads the world in mathematical sciences

There was a time when Latinos in America was viewed as Ricky Ricardo, or Scarface.  Today Latino’s are governors, mayors and supreme court justices. They are now known as God fearing, family oriented and hard working people.  And while there is still much work to do, they seem more than equal to the challenge.

A black man has ascended to the highest office in the land, yet he can’t seem to escape the current of racism, bigotry and hatred.

The current state of Black in America is that of abandoned mothers, imprisoned fathers, wayward son’s and hurt daughters.  And while we celebrate the Oprah’s, the Cosby’s and Johnson’s, these dilemmas are proof positive that no single individual can rise above the current condition of his or her people.

Currently, there is a new movie on tap, which is brought to life under the genius of Mr. Lee Daniels, supported by none other than the great Oprah Winfrey as well as Tyler Perry.  The movie, according to reviews, deals with the abuse of a young black woman, and the many trials of her young life.  While we must, forever thank the great Miss Winfrey for bringing these elements of black life to the consciousness of not just black people, but the world.  I couldn’t help but wonder do we ever get a second chance to make a first impression?  Most of the black women I know are strong, dignified, elegant, and dependable.  Strong women have held what remains of the black community together, they run our churches, schools and most homes.  And one can never underestimate the power behind the throne at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. When will their stories come to light? I couldn’t help but wonder, why I prefer the genius of Tyler Perry on display in movies like “Why did I get married”?

Then came the answer given by none other than Mr. Bill Cosby himself, black people are no longer unable to solve our own problems.  Black people need to take responsibility for our own destinies.  Black men need to be better fathers, black women better mothers, thereby producing betters children and families.  Self-improvement we are taught, is the basis of community development.

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan recently reminded readers in the Final Call newspaper that “We must depend on Allah (God) and ourselves”.  In all of our churches, we sing songs of salvation, redemption and resurrection.  The television is filled with wonderful preachers of the gospel, who speak of the same.

As a child, I enjoyed watching the television program called interestingly enough “Good Times”.  However as I got older I reflected that times never did get good for the Evans family.  Each and every time they seem to be making progress, there was another problem, which they just could not seem to overcome.

The movie “Color Purple”, made its star Whoopi Goldberg, synonymous with pain and heartache, for her brilliant portrayal of Miss Celie.  In the current climate that theme is once again revisited, sadly there are far too many cases where this is all together real.  For as the great Bob Marley once spoke “it’s a world that forces lifelong insecurities”, but as the song says we are the survivors.

The great rapper Jay-Z recently said it is now time for the “Death of Auto-Tunes.” A Black man is in the White House, a black man is arguably the greatest golfer of all time, and black players make up the majority of all major professional sports. Two black women rule professional tennis, blacks have helped to make cities like Atlanta, Chicago and Charlotte world-class destinations.

Our young and gifted are constantly being challenged to produce the kind of art that would uplift and transform the children of the world, as they are their recognized leaders.  Meanwhile, they continue to say they are simply reflecting the realities that confront them each and every day.

The poet Maya Angelou says “And still I rise”, because regardless of the tremendous obstacles that present themselves each and every day, we are encouraged to look beyond our current circumstances and see “the promised land”.

Sadly, the reality that is the movie “Precious” is far too real in the lives of too many young women and men in today’s world.  The idea of the abuse of any child should be heartrending to any human being.

However as we work to change the dress, behavior and attitude of the children, we must use every avenue to uplift and encourage.  We must continue to challenge and accept the challenges to change, for change we must.

While abuse is a part of the story, there is more to the story, and the moral of the story must be focused on transformation, and renewal. Not just for a people, but a world in crisis.

H-Town. I don’t have any urge to ever go there but for some reason I am obsessed with the rap scene. It’s not the usual stuff I listen to and it is in no way lyrically above the rest or even close to that but for some reason I’m in awe of the tracks that Houston artists put out. Whether it’s music about the hood, drugs, fly honies, rims, cash, or purple syrup I can’t help but give all my attention and leave my ears wide open. I think its the swagger that Houston artists have mixed with decent lyrics that keep them forever present in the rap game. I have been listening to H-Town rap since I was a kid and the Geto Boys were on and since then I have never felt that the scene fell off or was performing subpar as has been the case in the Bay and even NY. No matter how you feel about H-Town rap, as compared to other rap scenes and sub-genres, the music is great, the lyrics are catchy, the MCs tell the story well, and the tracks are consistent as hell. Much love H-Town.

The Come Up Crew Podcast Vol. 12: H-Town Tribute (Week of 11.02.09) – Click to Download

Tracklisting:

1. Lil Flip – Pass Da Swisha
2. Paul Wall – That Fire feat. Trina
3. Slim Thug – Wood Grain Wheel
4. Lil Keke – I’m A G feat. Birdman
5. Paul Wall – Sittin Sideways
6. Chamillionaire – Ridin
7. Yo Gotti – Gangsta Party feat. Bun B & 8Ball
8. Mike Jones – Like What I Got
9. Bun B – Damn I’m Cold feat. Lil Wayne
10. Compton’s Most Wanted – N 2 Deep feat. Scarface
11. Scarface – Guess Who’s Back feat. Jay-Z & Beanie Sigel
12. Slim Thug – Like A Boss
13. Slim Thug – Problem Wit Dat
14. Lil Troy – Wanna Be A Baller
15. Mike Jones – My 6-4
16. UGK – Stop-N-Go feat. Jazze Pha
17. Scarface – Fuck Faces feat. Devin The Dude, Too Short & Tela
18. Geto Boys – Gangsta (Put Me Down)
19. Lil Flip – Sunshine feat. Lea
20. Mike Jones – Flossin
21. Geto Boys – Mind Playin Tricks On Me

Read more:
NY Times
CBRAP

Bonus: Best hip hop video this decade?