You've never seen Let It Be. That is because the movie failed at its indented goal and once The Beatles saw the final cut, they refused to allow it to be sold. To see it today, you have to find yourself a good torrent and if you like The Beatles, I suggest you do just that.
In the wake of the death of their manager Brian Epstein, The Beatles were without direction. The delicate balance of egos- especially Paul and John's- was kept in check by Brian, but with him gone, Paul- in an ill-fated attempt to bring the band back together- he suggested that the band film themselves composing, practicing and then live-recording an entire album from scratch.
Having been influenced by the brilliant and simple work of The Band in their album Music from the Big Pink, the boys were excited at the prospect of getting back to the basics. No crazy studio effects, no overdubs, no backwards guitars: just four guys and a few microphones. The Beatles knew they could swing it with any band in history and Let It Be was their chance to prove it- most of all to themselves.
Sadly, the film did not show how a band comes together to create an album. Instead, it showed how a band breaks up. Sitting in the cold soundstage, Let It Be shows the group frustrated and angry with each other, getting into serious verbal arguments. However, the film does have one redeeming feature: the rooftop concert.
The sequence that unfolded is one of the most iconic in rock and roll. We've all seen bands hop onto a rooftop or an awning and play their hearts out: The Beatles started this trend and it will forever belong to them. Though they didn't know it at the time- it would be the last time the band ever performed in front of an audience. Knowing this today, it is an emotional scene to watch, seeing John and Paul enjoying each others company for perhaps the last time.
If you have not seen this film I urge you to watch. You'll laugh, you'll sing, and most of all you'll smile. Despite the fact that the band was broken up later that year, it is clear when you watch them rocking their hearts out on that rooftop that they truly are the greatest band in history.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
A little story about The Moon...
My pal Jonah posed a simple question a few months ago:
"Need some ideas: what is a disaster that could happen and involves Wisconsin cheese?"
This was my suggestion:
"Alternate history where Apollo 11 lands on the moon only to discover it is indeed made of cheese, wisconsin cheese- but how did they get it up there?"
So... in honor of Neil Armstrong, without further ado, I present: The Eagle Has Cheddar
From the diary of Neil Armstrong:
We landed on the Sea of Tranquility at approximately 20:17. The mood inside the Lunar Module was joyous, with me and Buzz shaking hands in celebration of the occasion. After preparing the cabin and dressing in our space suits, we prepared to embark on the greatest extra-vehicular activity in this history of humanity.
When I climbed out of the Lunar Module and began descending down the ladder I realized that the surface was all too different from what the scientists had told us to expect. By the time I reached the bottom of the ladder, my strangest thoughts and greatest fears were confirmed: the surface of the moon appeared to be made of cheddar cheese!
I radioed Houston to describe to them what I was seeing. I told them that it was very squishy and porous when you get up close to it. I still had yet to step off the landing pads for the Lunar Module, but seeing no other option, I stepped off. I thought that the words I had planned to say would come out of my mouth, but instead I could only manage to say "That is one small step for a man... wow that cheese is bouncy!"
The surface was indeed made of porous cheese, but despite its bouncy and squishy nature, it was more than solid enough to walk on, and the Lunar Module didn't appear to be depressed to deep in the surface. I proceeded with the first task on the mission checklist: to pick up a sample of lunar rock so that if something were to go wrong in the rest of the EVA, we would at least have that. I quickly found a solid chunk of cheese and picked it up with the NASA grabber. Upon closer inspection I could see lettering on the cheese, it read "Made in Wisconsin."
I could not believe my eyes, and I immediately called out the discovery to Buzz in the lander. I told him that the cheese was from Wisconsin! He replied in disbelief that it could not be possible, but 20 minutes later when he emerged from the Lunar Module he saw it for himself. Wisconsin Cheese, gray in color but definitely cheese in nature and consistency littered the surface, it was the surface!
We radioed Houston to tell them that we could confirm that the Moon was made of cheese. The silence that proceeded was deeply frightening to us. Nearly 45 seconds passed before we received a reply: "We know. We've always known. The Moon was built by the government of Wisconsin in 1922."
Dear lord.
-- 21 July 1969
"Need some ideas: what is a disaster that could happen and involves Wisconsin cheese?"
This was my suggestion:
"Alternate history where Apollo 11 lands on the moon only to discover it is indeed made of cheese, wisconsin cheese- but how did they get it up there?"
So... in honor of Neil Armstrong, without further ado, I present: The Eagle Has Cheddar
From the diary of Neil Armstrong:
We landed on the Sea of Tranquility at approximately 20:17. The mood inside the Lunar Module was joyous, with me and Buzz shaking hands in celebration of the occasion. After preparing the cabin and dressing in our space suits, we prepared to embark on the greatest extra-vehicular activity in this history of humanity.
When I climbed out of the Lunar Module and began descending down the ladder I realized that the surface was all too different from what the scientists had told us to expect. By the time I reached the bottom of the ladder, my strangest thoughts and greatest fears were confirmed: the surface of the moon appeared to be made of cheddar cheese!
I radioed Houston to describe to them what I was seeing. I told them that it was very squishy and porous when you get up close to it. I still had yet to step off the landing pads for the Lunar Module, but seeing no other option, I stepped off. I thought that the words I had planned to say would come out of my mouth, but instead I could only manage to say "That is one small step for a man... wow that cheese is bouncy!"
The surface was indeed made of porous cheese, but despite its bouncy and squishy nature, it was more than solid enough to walk on, and the Lunar Module didn't appear to be depressed to deep in the surface. I proceeded with the first task on the mission checklist: to pick up a sample of lunar rock so that if something were to go wrong in the rest of the EVA, we would at least have that. I quickly found a solid chunk of cheese and picked it up with the NASA grabber. Upon closer inspection I could see lettering on the cheese, it read "Made in Wisconsin."
I could not believe my eyes, and I immediately called out the discovery to Buzz in the lander. I told him that the cheese was from Wisconsin! He replied in disbelief that it could not be possible, but 20 minutes later when he emerged from the Lunar Module he saw it for himself. Wisconsin Cheese, gray in color but definitely cheese in nature and consistency littered the surface, it was the surface!
We radioed Houston to tell them that we could confirm that the Moon was made of cheese. The silence that proceeded was deeply frightening to us. Nearly 45 seconds passed before we received a reply: "We know. We've always known. The Moon was built by the government of Wisconsin in 1922."
Dear lord.
-- 21 July 1969
Saturday, August 25, 2012
RIP Neil Armstrong
Our universe lost a great man today. Neil Armstrong taught us that the very home we have come to know is only the shore of the cosmic ocean. His small step on Earth's celestial dance partner proved that we children of the stars are indeed unlimited beings, capable of any achievement we set our minds to.
When John F. Kennedy brashly challenged us to send a man to the Moon and return him safely to earth, many were not even sure it was possible. Robert Goddard dreamed it, Kennedy threw down the gauntlet and Neil Armstrong achieved it. He landed a rocket in reverse in 1/6th Earth's gravity, flying a ship so delicate that a few pebbles whizzing through could tear it apart.
Always an intensely private man, unlike his LMP Buzz Aldrin, Armstrong remained vocal about only one thing: the fall of NASA. Despite his reluctant fame, he was a staunch believer in the power of inspiration and dreaded seeing NASA's greatness float away in a breeze of politics and budget cuts. Perhaps his death will cause our leaders to reexamine the future of the space agency, and the technological innovation and human inspiration it provided to millions.
I think its best to close with the words of Neil's family:
"For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request: Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."
When John F. Kennedy brashly challenged us to send a man to the Moon and return him safely to earth, many were not even sure it was possible. Robert Goddard dreamed it, Kennedy threw down the gauntlet and Neil Armstrong achieved it. He landed a rocket in reverse in 1/6th Earth's gravity, flying a ship so delicate that a few pebbles whizzing through could tear it apart.
Always an intensely private man, unlike his LMP Buzz Aldrin, Armstrong remained vocal about only one thing: the fall of NASA. Despite his reluctant fame, he was a staunch believer in the power of inspiration and dreaded seeing NASA's greatness float away in a breeze of politics and budget cuts. Perhaps his death will cause our leaders to reexamine the future of the space agency, and the technological innovation and human inspiration it provided to millions.
I think its best to close with the words of Neil's family:
"For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request: Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."
Friday, August 24, 2012
To the lonely swinger...
I don't know what you were doing out there all by yourself, but it looked like a scene out of a sequel to Juno. You sat alone on the swing set as the sun gently came to rest below the horizon behind you. The sunglasses on your face reflected the passers by and the headphones in your ears ensured the world was pushed away. I wasn't the only one who noticed you, lonely swinger, but I was the only one who tried to say hello.
You claimed all was well but I still don't believe you. You said you just felt like swinging... but who says that? The last time I went to the swings by myself was in my back yard, and I was still wearing baby shoes. Lonely swinger, you can swing but you can't hide. Whatever it was that was troubling you that day, I certainly hope you resolved it because the world needs less people trapped behind headphone and sunglasses. The human connection is what separates us from the rest of the animals- I beg anyone reading this to not take it for granted, because it's all we have.
You claimed all was well but I still don't believe you. You said you just felt like swinging... but who says that? The last time I went to the swings by myself was in my back yard, and I was still wearing baby shoes. Lonely swinger, you can swing but you can't hide. Whatever it was that was troubling you that day, I certainly hope you resolved it because the world needs less people trapped behind headphone and sunglasses. The human connection is what separates us from the rest of the animals- I beg anyone reading this to not take it for granted, because it's all we have.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Reddit Challenge #28
Reddit user zygote_harlot submits: Grandma brushes her teeth with LSD-laced tooth paste before taking her cat to the vet.
Norma Needham had never before felt the urge to count each step she took from her house to the veterinarian's office just a few blocks away. Today was different. The 76 year old pensioner left her house and proceeded to count each step from the door; calling out each number at the top of her lungs, she elicited stares from passers by. On the way to the vet for her cat Snuggles' six-month check up, Norma held the feline tightly in her arms, putting the cat in a position that you could tell by its expression it did not like.
Not. One. Bit.
As Norma reached- and then called out- step number 136, she froze in place, letting the world pass by around her. Thoughts began racing through the old woman's head. Why was she there? Why was 136 important? 136... She liked that number, so she said it ten or twelve times in a row, appreciating each mention as if being told 'i love you' by a passionate bed-fellow.
What was the fluffy thing in her hands? Was that 136? She loved 136. If Snuggles could have spoken he would have told her he was not 136- but Snuggles was only a cat and he had no choice but to remained in the pensioner's steely grip.
Still standing motionless, Norma realized that something was different about today. Like every other day she had dressed in the morning, brushed her teeth, waited for an hour for a call from her grandchildren- which never came- and then proceeded out of the house to go on with her day's plans. Today she knew she was going to the vet but things felt different. 136 felt different. Perhaps it was the new toothpaste she tried.
The funny man with the dreadlocks at CVS told her it was the best toothpaste on the market, "guaranteed to whiten her day" he had said. The tube said 'CoLSDgate' but Norma didn't know or care what it meant- to her the recommendation from the lovely man with the strange hair was all she needed, for Norma was the trusting type.
136. 136. 136.
Norma decided the day was lovely, the colors were lovely, Snuggles36 was lovely. She kissed the cat on its head then wondered to herself again why she had not left the spot she was in? Did the spot love her like she loved it? Did the spot love Snuggles36?
Norma appeared in the veterinarian's office.
Having no recollection of how she got there, Norma began to wonder if Snuggles was okay. He was shaking in her arms, which were still gripped tightly around his body. She loosened her grip and Snuggles jumped out of her hands with lightning quickness. The cat- who had been unable to breathe fully for the last two hours- ran as fast as it could in circles around the office before passing out from exhaustion.
Luckily, Norma was at the veterinarian's office.
Norma Needham had never before felt the urge to count each step she took from her house to the veterinarian's office just a few blocks away. Today was different. The 76 year old pensioner left her house and proceeded to count each step from the door; calling out each number at the top of her lungs, she elicited stares from passers by. On the way to the vet for her cat Snuggles' six-month check up, Norma held the feline tightly in her arms, putting the cat in a position that you could tell by its expression it did not like.
Not. One. Bit.
As Norma reached- and then called out- step number 136, she froze in place, letting the world pass by around her. Thoughts began racing through the old woman's head. Why was she there? Why was 136 important? 136... She liked that number, so she said it ten or twelve times in a row, appreciating each mention as if being told 'i love you' by a passionate bed-fellow.
What was the fluffy thing in her hands? Was that 136? She loved 136. If Snuggles could have spoken he would have told her he was not 136- but Snuggles was only a cat and he had no choice but to remained in the pensioner's steely grip.
Still standing motionless, Norma realized that something was different about today. Like every other day she had dressed in the morning, brushed her teeth, waited for an hour for a call from her grandchildren- which never came- and then proceeded out of the house to go on with her day's plans. Today she knew she was going to the vet but things felt different. 136 felt different. Perhaps it was the new toothpaste she tried.
The funny man with the dreadlocks at CVS told her it was the best toothpaste on the market, "guaranteed to whiten her day" he had said. The tube said 'CoLSDgate' but Norma didn't know or care what it meant- to her the recommendation from the lovely man with the strange hair was all she needed, for Norma was the trusting type.
136. 136. 136.
Norma decided the day was lovely, the colors were lovely, Snuggles36 was lovely. She kissed the cat on its head then wondered to herself again why she had not left the spot she was in? Did the spot love her like she loved it? Did the spot love Snuggles36?
Norma appeared in the veterinarian's office.
Having no recollection of how she got there, Norma began to wonder if Snuggles was okay. He was shaking in her arms, which were still gripped tightly around his body. She loosened her grip and Snuggles jumped out of her hands with lightning quickness. The cat- who had been unable to breathe fully for the last two hours- ran as fast as it could in circles around the office before passing out from exhaustion.
Luckily, Norma was at the veterinarian's office.
Monday, August 20, 2012
A quick review of Senna.
This is a quick review of one of my favorite documentaries about one of my favorite athletes: racing driver Ayrton Senna (1960-1994)
The sensation of the wind blowing over your helmet at 200 miles per hour on a straightaway and the feeling of five times the earth’s gravity pushing against you in a corner must be simply mind boggling; for Ayrton Senna this dangerous dance with destiny was the norm- he balanced life and death on a razor’s edge every day.
I know what you’re thinking right now: “I could give a hoot about racing; it’s all just tarmac, turns and testosterone!” Well if you’re not fan, do not fear! Senna’s story is so visceral, so powerful and so moving that it will bring even the most racing-ignorant viewer through a whirlwind of emotions. Even for someone who flat-out hates racing, the end of this tale of triumph and tragedy will bring you to tears.
‘Senna’ is presents the gripping tale of one of Formula One's most spectacular drivers. Ayrton Senna raced in Formula One for 10 years, winning three world championships prior to his tragic death at the Imola Circuit in Italy. The greats of yesterday and today- even Michael Schumacher- respect and admire Senna, considering him to be the greatest driver to ever live.
Directed by Asif Kapadia, the film tells Ayrton's story from his early years in go-karts all the way through to the day of his death in 1994. Using archival racing footage, interviews with relatives, friends and fellow drivers, plus past interviews with Senna himself, Kapadia is able to bring the man back to life. From his bitter rivalry with legendary French driver Alain Prost to to his devout Christianity and immense capacity for compassion and charity, Kapadia leaves it all on the screen and lets you be the judge. The re-edits of some of Formula One's most famous races turn them into even more dramatic- and easier to swallow- events than when they originally occurred. Make no mistake: this one will have you hanging on like you’re in the car with Senna for the entire 105 minutes.
Senna is available on Netflix Instant.
For a taste of what you can expect from Senna, check out this tribute to Ayrton's life done by BBC's Top Gear.
The sensation of the wind blowing over your helmet at 200 miles per hour on a straightaway and the feeling of five times the earth’s gravity pushing against you in a corner must be simply mind boggling; for Ayrton Senna this dangerous dance with destiny was the norm- he balanced life and death on a razor’s edge every day.
I know what you’re thinking right now: “I could give a hoot about racing; it’s all just tarmac, turns and testosterone!” Well if you’re not fan, do not fear! Senna’s story is so visceral, so powerful and so moving that it will bring even the most racing-ignorant viewer through a whirlwind of emotions. Even for someone who flat-out hates racing, the end of this tale of triumph and tragedy will bring you to tears.
‘Senna’ is presents the gripping tale of one of Formula One's most spectacular drivers. Ayrton Senna raced in Formula One for 10 years, winning three world championships prior to his tragic death at the Imola Circuit in Italy. The greats of yesterday and today- even Michael Schumacher- respect and admire Senna, considering him to be the greatest driver to ever live.
Directed by Asif Kapadia, the film tells Ayrton's story from his early years in go-karts all the way through to the day of his death in 1994. Using archival racing footage, interviews with relatives, friends and fellow drivers, plus past interviews with Senna himself, Kapadia is able to bring the man back to life. From his bitter rivalry with legendary French driver Alain Prost to to his devout Christianity and immense capacity for compassion and charity, Kapadia leaves it all on the screen and lets you be the judge. The re-edits of some of Formula One's most famous races turn them into even more dramatic- and easier to swallow- events than when they originally occurred. Make no mistake: this one will have you hanging on like you’re in the car with Senna for the entire 105 minutes.
Senna is available on Netflix Instant.
For a taste of what you can expect from Senna, check out this tribute to Ayrton's life done by BBC's Top Gear.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Reddit Challenge #27
Reddit user SeeDeez submits: Fictitious rapper Rhyme-asaurus Sex. Picture Tracy Morgan for this role.
Famed rapper Rhyme-asaurus Sex and his wife, Jersey Shore star Nicole Elizabeth "Snooki" Polizzi announced the birth of their first child today. The baby, a boy who Mr. Rex and Ms. Polizzi have affectionately named 'Paycheck Dolla-Bill' was born of a surrogate mother at New York's Mount Sinai Medical Center at approximately 2:35 AM last night.
Snooki, who was unable to attend the birth due to a contractual obligation to appear at the famous Marquee Nightclub in Chelsea appeared in front of cameras at 2:45 after taking a taxi to the hospital. "I could not be happier about this news" Snooki said, holding her newborn child in one hand "and I think I speak for my husband and myself when I say... WHAT? WHAT?" Ms. Polizzi then proceeded to raise the baby up in her hands in a 'raise the roof' motion before being quickly escorted back inside by hospital staff.
Aproxamately one hour later, Ryme-asaurus Sex arrived in his trademark reptile scale covered Escalade and gave a brief statement to reporters before entering the hospital. "This is the greatest day of my life" the rap star boldly exclaimed "in the car on the way here, I beat my high score on Donkey Kong!" Mr. Sex then proceeded to remove a Gameboy from his pocket before continuing "but I still can't figure out how they made such a tiny gorilla in the first place!"
Famed rapper Rhyme-asaurus Sex and his wife, Jersey Shore star Nicole Elizabeth "Snooki" Polizzi announced the birth of their first child today. The baby, a boy who Mr. Rex and Ms. Polizzi have affectionately named 'Paycheck Dolla-Bill' was born of a surrogate mother at New York's Mount Sinai Medical Center at approximately 2:35 AM last night.
Snooki, who was unable to attend the birth due to a contractual obligation to appear at the famous Marquee Nightclub in Chelsea appeared in front of cameras at 2:45 after taking a taxi to the hospital. "I could not be happier about this news" Snooki said, holding her newborn child in one hand "and I think I speak for my husband and myself when I say... WHAT? WHAT?" Ms. Polizzi then proceeded to raise the baby up in her hands in a 'raise the roof' motion before being quickly escorted back inside by hospital staff.
Aproxamately one hour later, Ryme-asaurus Sex arrived in his trademark reptile scale covered Escalade and gave a brief statement to reporters before entering the hospital. "This is the greatest day of my life" the rap star boldly exclaimed "in the car on the way here, I beat my high score on Donkey Kong!" Mr. Sex then proceeded to remove a Gameboy from his pocket before continuing "but I still can't figure out how they made such a tiny gorilla in the first place!"
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