All things baki
entertainment
Not Suitable for Children
4517 days
by brandan
in entertainment
I have a friend from college named Chewy…which is almost her legal name. But I shall call her Lynn from here on because she hates it.
So, Lynn is a filmmaker and she’s great at what she does. She sets big goals and knock them out. Her work is pretty amazing and she always takes on more than what you think might be possible, with an amazing result.
Lynn is taking on a new project and she needs your help. I write this, not by her request but because I think its awesome. This is a web series called “Not Suitable for Children“. Go to the link and check it out.
What do they need from you? All of your money, well maybe just a little. She has posted this project on kickstarter.com. What is that? Well, its a site where artists can list projects that they want to create and then people can back those projects with funding. You pledge to give X-amount. And if they reach their goal then you pay, if they don’t then no money is exchanged. They have to reach their goal to get any funding.
So, help out. They are looking to raise $4000 and are over half way there. They only have until December 31st, 2010 to raise the funds. This is a dream that her and several others have been working on for a while. Help someones dreams come true with just a few bucks. After you’ve donated, sit back while they complete the project. Then you can watch the end results air online and show everyone the project that you helped fund. How sweet, right? I know Lynn will get out a hilarious series that you’ll be proud of.
So, help out. Or else all of these people will have to get real jobs! And no one wants to see them in messy suits walking around your office.
The video below is for mature audiences!
The Social Network (did you need a dislike button?)
13573 days
by brandan
in entertainment
I recently saw, The Social Network and was really intrigued by a lot of things. First, I know I’m late to the party, but come on. It’s still out. Second, I really loved the movie. If that’s what you’re looking for then you can exit here. But I shall go on for the others…
I have heard a lot of hyper and over-hype about this movie. Rightly so, it is great. But for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet, don’t go in expecting the greatest movie of all time. It will probably set itself up to fail. Its just good and borderline unexplainable. Nothing blows your mind but the actors are perfect, the mood is eerily similar to Fight Club (thanks to the same director, David Fincher). The story was great. And everything lined up just right.
I think what might just blow your mind is to step back and remember what the topic is….facebook. I mean, the lawsuits and the drama, all surrounding this network of supposed friend. Its amazing.
Before getting into the bulk of the film, I want to say something quickly about David Fincher’s directing. The movie had a dark tone which was perfect. I thought he did wonderfully. There is one scene in the UK where the twins are competing in a race. This is the first and only seen with harsh cuts to the beat of the soundtrack. When I first saw it, I thought it seemed completely out of place. The more I think about it, it felt very David Fincher and changed the tone of the film. Thinking more, that scene was a huge catalyst for the rest of everything making everything make more sense and cause me to love David Fincher just a little bit more.
The actors were quite spectacular. The casting seemed just about right on. They not only looked like their real life characters but also acted like them. I have heard people say they don’t like Jesse Eisenberg because he plays that same Michael Cera character in everything. I agree, but give him a chance in The Social Network….he knocks it out of the park. Justin Timberlake plays Sean Parker, who is the creator of Napster and co-president of Facebook. He does really well with this. He supports just as well as anyone. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty amazing actor. (Have you ever seen Alpha Dog? Good movie and J-Timbo steals the show.) He just really impresses me every time I see him.
The story was good. Really good. I’ve read a lot about all of this long before the movie but this showed what I thought I knew in a whole different light. You love Mark Zuckerberg and want to fight for him but when you see the real him, you know you can’t. Your morals are too high. The story brings out the true relationships and feelings of these people that the media has already portrayed as geniuses. You almost get the sense that this Billion dollar corporation was a simple accident.
If you liked the movie, I suggest you delve more into the story. There is so much more that has been left out. A good place to start is a book called “The Accidental Billionaires” by Ben Mezrich. This is the story the the movie was based on. Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (Sports Night, A Few Good Men) turned it into the script you see on the big screen.
What a lot of people don’t realize after they watch the film is who they like. Who should you be rooting for when the dust settles?
***SPOILER ALERT***….sort of
Now these aren’t really spoilers but I don’t want to kill any experience for anyone. But the story was originally written because Eduardo Saverin tipped off Mezrich to write the book. Everything is considered fiction but when you really look at everything, Eduardo looks like the best of the bunch. He never really faulted except for being bad at business.
No matter how you analyze the book or the movie, it truly turns out to be a character assassination on Mark Zuckerberg. Not that his empire will even be effected, which it already has been financially positive for him. (I recently read that in January Zuckerberg was worth $2 Billion and now he is worth $6.9 Billion….thanks Eduardo.) But this was Eduardo’s way of letting the rest of the world know what happened and that you can use facebook, but you don’t have to like Mark Zuckerberg.
So, since I haven’t said it enough already, the movie was great. Expect to see some Oscars fly their way. Mark Zuckerberg says he will never watch the movie and Facebook has said that they hated it. That’s too bad because its a good one….one for the books.
Lady Parts Comedy (Where clothing is optional)
0586 days
by brandan
in entertainment
Miss me?
I’ve got a great, simple post for the world today. There is a sketch comedy troupe called Lady Parts (VERY EXPLICIT CONTENT). They formed in Chicago and have since taken their comedy to California to shoot some webisodes. They post videos online and do live shows, which is a lot to take on.
They recently won an online competition for best comedy group and got some money out of the deal. They saw that as their chance to shoot an entire season of shows and start posting weekly videos.
The group consists Justin Howard, Chelsie Jangord, Aaron Alonso, Donna Morley, Dane Lewandowski, Leslie Baird, Jeph Porter (writer/director/producer), and Corey Powers (director of photography).
Why do I care? Well, I know a few of them and quietly, while no one is around, I call a couple of them my friends. But mostly because they are a representation of that band you were in, in high school. This is how you get in. You played crappy 18 and up clubs and they post their videos on the Internet. The difference is that they are good and your metal band sucked. Like it really, really sucked. What were you thinking?
They need everyone’s support though. Not for money or even exposure (which both are nice) but they are looking for the same thing that I am looking for. They just need to know that people are watching and that you’re laughing. If you’re doing that then they’re happy and they keep posting.
If you are in Chicago tomorrow (Wednesday October 13, 2010), you should check out their big premier for their first episode of their first official series. Its at Gorilla Tango Theater (1919 N Milwaukee). It starts at 7 and goes until 9. It is first come, first served. And it is free if you buy a drink. So, go early!
If you’re not in Chicago, check out the show with the rest of the planet on Monday October 18. Tune in, make comments (if you can) and buy whatever the heck they’re selling. They need your eyeballs.
So, check out Lady Parts Comedy online, find them on facebook, youtube and follow them on twitter.
You can see their older videos on facebook if you have to play catch up. They are pretty hilarious.
New Fall TV lineup
7601 days
by brandan
in entertainment
I watched a bunch of shows last week. Some because I was excited to see them and some because I was just bored. I suppose I will just start at the top of the week and roll through what I’m watching. Some are new but I will touch on my old favorites and what they are doing to help/hurt their stock in my weekly viewing.
Although it will seem like I’m an avid TV watcher, I’m not. I record everything and play catch up. I will watch 3 episodes on a saturday just to keep up with programming. There are a few shows that I love to watch live. Those are pretty much all on Thursday. (weird.)
Beginning with a bang!
How I Met Your Mother (CBS Monday 8:00) – This is one of my favorites. I have always loved the show. If you don’t watch it, you should. The comedy isn’t the best but it never fails week in and week out. Plus, with Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Segel, it really is one of the strongest shows on TV. The problems? Well, the show keeps the lingering question alive, which is ‘how did Ted meet his kid’s mother’. At times in the past season it became annoying when you thought the story was moving along and then didn’t. I have definitely come to think Ted is a baby (and a bit of a psycho). The best episodes are all about Barney (NPH) and Marshall (Segel).
Rules of Engagement (CBS Monday 8:30) – I chuckled a little. Probably just because I still like David Spade. Maybe one for the parents but I like the classic sitcom attempt.
Two and a Half Men (CBS Monday 9:00) – What is everyone laughing at? I still don’t get it. Just the same simple jokes over and over again. This show is on my worst list. Please someone explain to me what we’re supposed to be laughing at. Or is it just “laugh whenever the laugh-track laughs”?
Mike and Molly (CBS Monday 9:30) – Wasn’t a fan. Just a bunch of fat jokes. Don’t get me wrong, I like fat jokes just as much as the next guy but that’s all the show is. Lots of subtext that the characters might just eat each other. Sad?
The Event (NBC Monday 9:00) – This was on Tuesday last week but will be Mondays for now on. Just a miserable show. There is a joke with TV and movies that when the story is boring, just shuffle up the scenes to confuse the audience. That’s what this show did. It goes backward in time then forward and all around. I was more confused than anything. Then (SPOILER ALERT!) to end the show, the plane just disappears! Watch “Lost” much? I get that the Lost story-lines were successful and it will be copied, but it was too obvious and too much of a stretch. “Questions will be answered”. Not if I don’t watch you piece of crap show. Be original. I won’t watching this, so if it turns out to be amazing, be sure to let me know.
NCIS (CBS Tuesday 8:00) – Just a guilty pleasure. My brother turned me on it. I tried watching LA and hated it. NCIS is the only cop/law show I watch. Not sure why I like it but I do. More like a “when I’m bored” show. I don’t really follow the whole storyline.
Parenthood (NBC Tuesday 10:00) – What a good show. Sophomore year for this show will tell me a lot. They have always done a nice wrap up at the end of each episode where everyone is happy and things get tied up in a little bow. Its a real drama so that can’t happen all through the second season. I love the show and will keep following but we will see after this year if it’s going somewhere.
Modern Family (ABC Wednesday 9:00) – Won Emmy’s for a reason. Watch this show. If you like comedy this is it. Just an amazing show and came out swinging this year. Good for them and you should be watching. You don’t have to catch up if you’ve never seen it. Just turn it on and enjoy.
My Generation (ABC Thursday 8:00) – Got really bored and turned it off. Can’t give you a firm one way or another but I didn’t care for it. Tell me if you liked it or if I should give it a real try.
Community (NBC Thursday 8:00) – Just an all around perfect show. One of my favorites in a long time. Joke after joke. The characters are completely multi-dimensional and the storylines are amazing. Every episode has a different feel and seems like a different genre. Just great. If you haven’t seen it, watch it from the beginning. You will not be let down.
30 Rock (NBC Thursday 8:30) – One of the best shows on TV. Now I don’t completely follow it. I will miss a few episodes here and there but I say one of the best because the show is written perfectly. Tina Fey jams joke after joke. She is amazingly talented. The show is really well done and It’s something every writer would aspire to have created. The show continues its dominance.
The Office (NBC Thursday 9:00) – This show has been letting me down for a while. My co-worker says that if they ended the show with Pam’s baby being born it would have been great. I agree. The comedy is flailing and now they are just reusing all the old storylines with different characters. Quite sad. Even worse, the mention Holly in the last episode of last season just to keep viewers who are done with the whole runaround. The show needs to end and soon if it wants to be remembered as funny.
Outsourced (NBC Thursday 9:30) – I was very happy with this pilot. I wasn’t completely sold but will definitely be giving it a chance. It’s just a great idea all in all. It’s basically a guy who is transferred to India to manage the people who are taking over the former American jobs. So, it’s him and a bunch of Indians who speak broken English. It’s full of funny racism. Who does’t like racism? Give it a try. It probably needs the support and I want to see a few more episodes before I decide.
Park and Recs (NBC Thursday ???) – I have read that this is coming back but have not seen any firm times. I don’t know if they are just waiting to see if Outsourced will work or not. I will keep you posted if you watch it.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX Thursday 10:00) – Best show on TV right now? Quite possibly. FX is pretty good at putting original content on. They are now on season 6 and the comedy is still strong. The first two episodes didn’t amass to all the hype but were still pretty good. This season should be a big one for them. They’re now pretty commercial and have the success that the first 5 seasons should have had. The show is vulgar and very dirty, in case you have never seen it. The whole story is a group of 4 friends who are the worst people to ever exist. They all only care about themselves. Plus they own a bar in Philly and one of the guys and the girl are the children of Danny Devito. That is a good show that keeps on giving.
The League (FX Thursday 10:30) – This is a sleeper show for me. I didn’t like the first season last year until the end. I stopped watching and then started back up. After giving it another chance it became amazing. I didn’t think it would last one season but this year seems to be even better than last year. Always Sunny should watch out.
The Simpsons (FOX Sunday 8:00) – Makes me sad to watch because of how lame and not funny it is. It used to be great but jokes do run dry. They are plagued with an SNL-like disease. This horse has been beaten into dust.
The Cleveland Show (FOX Sunday 8:30) – Just never funny. Never had been, never will be.
Family Guy (FOX Sunday 9:00) – Sort of funny. They ran an hour long episode that easily could have been 30-minutes. I don’t record it. I just wait for someone to tell me when there is a funny episode and watch it online. Just too hit or miss.
American Dad (FOX Sunday 9:30) – Really sad that the same three shows run back to back. Just bad ideas and sad that someone who is considered to be so funny (Seth McFarlane) probably isn’t. I don’t know if he wrote his own jokes for the Roast of The Hoff, but he was the worst part about it. Did you hear me? The worst part of a show with David Hasselhoff, wasn’t David Hasselhoff. This line-up, even if it’s doing well should be a big red flag that Fox sucks.
Shows I am waiting for are Parks and Recs and East Bound and Down (I don’t have HBO!). Can’t wait for them.
That’s a lot. I’d be willing to give some of them another chance if you guys tell me to. What did you watch. What did you like or hate? Spread some TV love and help me out so I’m not wasting my time!
LeWar 2 (Kunta Kinte v The Irishman)
1633 days
by brandan
in entertainment
Stay tuned to your twitter accounts because there is a new storm brewing.
In one corner, you’ve got LeVar Burton (@LeVarBurton) and in the other you’ve got Conan O’Brien (@ConanOBrien). The battle is a race for followers. Who shall prevail?
It all started with Conan poking fun that he doesn’t even have as many followers as LeVar. Then the Reading Rainbow fans chimed in and that’s pretty much how this snowball got rolling. Conan has recently tweeted:
“LeVar Burton wants to start a Twitter war with me. I don’t have time to
feud with anyonewho appeared in the Cameo “Word Up” video.”
Stay tuned to see where this ends up. Hopefully with LeVar Burton taking over the hosting duties on Conan’s new show on TBS. That would be “very funny”.
Tezo for Prezo
0636 days
by brandan
in entertainment
On our way back from Texas, we missed a flight and got stuck in the airport for a few extra hours. My brother fell asleep as soon as we got to the gate but I had to stay up to listen for our name.
While sitting there looking through my phone a guy sat next to me. He’s probably early twenties and makes a comment about twitter which is what I was looking at. We talked for a minute about “Uber twitter”. Which is my favorite twitter app for the Storm. But I digress.
He asked me what I was doing, where I was going and all the basics. He told me he was going to school for music promotions. I asked where and he told me Columbia College Chicago, which was the delightful school I graduated from. So, we talked more and he told me he was going home for a ‘business meeting’. He had to meet up with some people.
He told me about a guy he is promoting currently named Tezo. He’s a rapper out of Cleveland. We talked more and he told me that I should check him out. I typically play the polite card and say, “ya, sure, of course I will” and then I never do. But I was at work last week and got a little bored so I checked out his website Tezo for Prezo.
Now, I’m not huge on rap but I like some stuff, and this I liked. It’s a refreshing sound that you don’t typically hear out of underground rap. He has some good lyrics and the tracks are mixed super well. It’s quality and I thought I’d be listening to a bathroom recording.
I downloaded the mixtape and you can too by clicking here (there is some very strong language!). It’s really good. He actually sounds like a few different artists and there is some subtle sampling happening but its still his own product. From track to track it jumps a bit from hardcore to more R&B but start to end it works. Plus, if you like what you’re hearing, get on his site. For you Clevelanders, he’s playing in your backyard!
I just thought I’d share that with you guys. Let me know what you guys think about Tezo. I’ve got some more underground artists I’d like to share with you but only if you want to hear them. Let me know!
You can follow Tezo on Twitter and you can follow the man who told me about him, FamFamous on Twitter.
Kick-Ass Review … like, the movie
3646 days
by brandan
in entertainment
I recently saw Kick-Ass
The movie is set in a typical, everyday world and one boy who is always being pushed around feels the need to become a super hero. He stumbles into viral fame and it goes to his head a bit. He also runs into “real” superheros and finds that they actually know what they’re doing, not him.
Stuff happens. Just see it. I typically give better reviews but I really want to know what everyone thinks about it. Bryan (my brother) thought it was just okay.
I may have a problem though, because we did Redbox it. Let me explain…I went to a film school and a luxury there was that we always got to see movies before they were released in theaters. Like big movies. It was awesome. And we’d go see them and I’d always love them. My friends were typically very critical. My friend Dave told me, “You like all free movies, don’t you”? And I think I do.
So, Bryan got the redbox and the free movie came home, and again, I loved it.
Let me tell you why. Set in a typical big city, Kick-Ass plays with the comic book theme. There are tons of references and jokes. But it’s not comic-book-campy at all. It doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a realistic movie. Besides a few weapons.
If you’re watching it and you’re up in the air, wait until the end where Hit Girl has a game of shoot-em-up. Its quite awesome.
Plus, you’ll get to see Nicolas Cage (Big Daddy) in a silly batman look-alike costume and doing another terrible acting job. Although, I actually think he was supposed to be terrible. He’s so good at it.
Get it on Redbox and give it a watch. It plays by the Hollywood rules but pokes fun at itself. Or if you really trust me (and maybe you shouldn’t) you can buy it here
But you’ll need to see it. Why? Because I wish I was joking but “Kick-Ass 2: Balls to the Wall” comes out in 2012.
That was a pretty kick-ass review, huh?
Check out Half Day Today (video)
0652 days
by brandan
in entertainment
Oregon was a long way away growing up (if you’re my age). There was a great PC game called Oregon trail. Remember it? Well, I’m sure by now you’ve seen the movie trailer floating around online. I want you to watch that but more importantly, check out this comedy troupe.
First, the video…it’s hilarious. It has all the jokes you would hope and expect. Name your person something ridiculous, buy a little bit of food then just guns and ammo. Then go on the trail and kill thousands of buffalo and eat an equivalent of one. Get diphtheria and start all over again.
The production value makes you think it’s going to be a real feature film. I still think they should do it.
Check it out…
The comedy troupe is Half Day Today and you need to check out their site and videos. They are a group just doing what they love. They don’t have very much media but they’re working on it. These are the kinds of people you want making your viral videos. The last one I saw from them was “Wubble Down” which I’ll post at the bottom. Its great. It took them six months to get out their next featured video. I imagine because they have real grown-up jobs.
But check out their site and all their videos. Leave them some comments and show them you’re love. They can’t keep making videos without your support and all it takes is five minutes.
I honestly have no affiliation with them in any way. I just respect the practice. and with all that said …. wubble down ….
I had no idea N****** came in packs
0661 days
by brandan
in entertainment
Mel Gibson
My new found friend, Mel Gibson is the funniest. Have you heard his new stand-up? I’m sure by now we’ve all heard the rants and raves.
I’m actually quite tired of the tapes, even though I do like listening to a few select lines.
My question for everyone is, how did you not see this coming? The man slaughtered thousands of British soldiers. He’s a maniac. Just his face creeps me out.
My take on the whole ordeal is……good. Good and good riddance. After the whole ‘I hate Jews’ thing, everything just got pushed under the rug. And perhaps you’re not fond of a certain group of people, fine. But Jews! Ever heard of Hollywood? I’m sure Harvey Weinstein is German. “Those people” write your paychecks.
But not much anymore, right Mel? Since you’re off doing your own thing. You’re a high profile Director now, right? You can do anything you want. And the sad thing is, he can. Or at least he could. I just read that Leonardo DiCaprio, most famous for his role as Luke Brower in Growing Pains, is now thinking twice about working with Gibson. He’s going to just keep coasting until people like DiCaprio stand up to him.
Leonard DiCaprio and Kirk Cameron
Now all DiCaprio did was state that he was looking into possibly working with him in the future and now he’s not. He also said that he was unhappy with the tapes. I mean, how could those make you unhappy? (I giggle like a school girl when I hear them.) But actors standing up and refusing to work with this God-like man, would not only hurt his career but ruin everything he has created.
I’m mostly sad because there are people that still love him. People that think that since he made The Passion of the Christ, that he can do no wrong. If he hates Jews, I hate Jews. I mean, they did kill my Jesus, right? Yep, that’s the whole story. And if he tells me that
N****** walk around in packs and rape girls in short skirts, then yes they do.
The sad thing is that most actors don’t want to get wet in the whole process so they will just butt out. And after a year, when this has blown over he will ask Tom Cruise to join him and Tom will say, yes. Unless Mel attacks Scientology which could be the only logical thing to ever escape his loose lips.
But stay positive because he only has a few religions and races left that he hasn’t bashed. I feel like his ignorance and stupidity will eventually catch up to him and he’ll put down his own heritage. Which if I had to guess, is a direct line from Hitler. Rant on, my friend! It really, sadly makes my day.
When did Drake’s legs heal?
6662 days
by brandan
in entertainment
I’ve told this story a hundred times but though I should tell it once more. It’ll be on paper and final, so I can let it die. It’s neither very interesting or funny. If I haven’t lost you, here it goes…
I was working and some people were talking about this rapper. I went over to the computer and saw a picture of Drake, only I have no idea who Drake is. I yelled, “Hey! It’s Jimmy from Degrassi”. That doesn’t get me very many cool points around work., No one seemed to even know what I was talking about and had to show them a video of Jimmy rolling around in his wheel chair in Toronto. This all pretty much just shows how not cool I am.
I had to listen to this music. I’ve seen the guy act and now he’s singing. Same old stuff. But Drake is different. He’s no gangster. He’s African-Jewish-Canadian or something. That’s not ghetto.
But I listened to his stuff and he’s pretty phenominal. I know love everything he does. More interestingly, I now like Lil Wayne, which I didn’t care for too much before. He’s like this adorable thug whose just trying to spread the wealth.
The music is amazing and he had all that hype, yet never released a CD until recently. Can you believe that? The world knew his name before he was anyone. He only had some mix tapes that he created. He could end up being more famous before he became famous. Does that make any sense?
So listen to his stuff. I will post a link to his new CD, which you should definitely check out. His music videos are pretty sweet too. Ever seen the video for “best I ever had”? Pretty funny stuff. And if you’re a true fan, go buy all 60 seasons of Degrassi and come over so we can watch some of the old ones. Manny was crazy back then!
