RIP Billy Mays
What a crazy week this has been! I can't believe all of the bad news of these celebrity deaths. Who is next?
Entertainer | Professional Goofball | Content Creator and Host of the Infotainment #YouTube Series ⚡️ARISTOTLE | FULL THROTTLE⚡
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Billy Mays - End of Days?
As he travels off into the great big infomercial in the sky, we remember the master Pitchman himself, Billy Mays. As co-star of the hit reality TV show Pitchmen, the boisterously blaring Mays could really yell you... er.. I mean sell you on any product out there!
RIP Billy Mays
RIP Billy Mays
Thursday, June 25, 2009
RIP MJ
Michael Jackson 1958-2009
I have always admired Michael Jackson's discipline and originality. What made him unique was not just that he could sing and dance, it was that nobody else could do it quite like him. If I've learned anything in life it's that you need to be different. You need separate yourself from the pack when it comes to whatever you do... and make it look easy.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Ed McMahon | 1923-2009
Great guy that Ed McMahon. Always searching for stars, knocking on their door and surprising them with a giant check and constantly laughing at their bloopers and practical jokes. We'll miss you and with that I say HEY-OH!
Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland
FIRST LOOK!
It's hard to imagine anyone else besides Burton directing this movie, though I'd be very curious to see what David Lynch would have done with this Lewis Carroll classic. I'm sure it would have gone on way too long and not made any sense, but still would have been awesome for some reason...
It's hard to imagine anyone else besides Burton directing this movie, though I'd be very curious to see what David Lynch would have done with this Lewis Carroll classic. I'm sure it would have gone on way too long and not made any sense, but still would have been awesome for some reason...
Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.
Helena Bonham Carter as The Red Queen
Anne Hathaway as The White Queen
Mia Wasikowska as Alice
Tweedledee and Tweedledum
Monday, June 22, 2009
It Won't Rain All The Time...
So we're in a recession. We may even be in a depression. It's late June and here on Long Island it's rained for 22 days straight. It may sound pretty sucky but it's times like this that make me more motivated than ever. If only people were more like me. :) On second thought, I'd hate to be sitting behind me in a movie theater.
What I mean to say is that it has to get better from here. Am I right?
So what to do? Write a song, or make a painting, or write a blog. Reconnect with the people that matter in your life. Your family and your real friends are the ones who will support you through anything. Associate with those who crave joy and success rather than commiseration and chaos. Breathe the fresh air and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Be honest with yourself, and everyone around you. Be open to what the universe hands you. Be resourceful.
It's unfortunate what other people may do in desperation. It's been my experience lately that they often make things worse for themselves and everyone around them. Lift your friends up instead of dragging them down with you. If you are on your back laying on the ground, you can look up at the sky and know that there is infinite possibility right in front of you.
It's important to maintain the integrity of your character. You may be surprised at how fast people seem to change when faced with adversity. People will show their true colors, and a lot of the time, those colors suck.
People respect when you stay true to character. If you have no respect for yourself, nobody else will respect you either.
Though times are tough, and it may seem that there is no end to these dismal days, keep your chin up because it won't rain all the time.
What I mean to say is that it has to get better from here. Am I right?
So what to do? Write a song, or make a painting, or write a blog. Reconnect with the people that matter in your life. Your family and your real friends are the ones who will support you through anything. Associate with those who crave joy and success rather than commiseration and chaos. Breathe the fresh air and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Be honest with yourself, and everyone around you. Be open to what the universe hands you. Be resourceful.
It's unfortunate what other people may do in desperation. It's been my experience lately that they often make things worse for themselves and everyone around them. Lift your friends up instead of dragging them down with you. If you are on your back laying on the ground, you can look up at the sky and know that there is infinite possibility right in front of you.
It's important to maintain the integrity of your character. You may be surprised at how fast people seem to change when faced with adversity. People will show their true colors, and a lot of the time, those colors suck.
People respect when you stay true to character. If you have no respect for yourself, nobody else will respect you either.
Though times are tough, and it may seem that there is no end to these dismal days, keep your chin up because it won't rain all the time.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Summer Movies
I saw The Hangover last weekend. Finally an original movie in Hollywood! Expect to see sequels. I must admit I did not expect this movie to be as good as it is nor did I expect to laugh my ass off. I am currently assless on account of all the laughing I did at this movie.
This is probably going to be the best movie of the summer so save your 11 bucks for The Hangover. Transformers 2 looks like it's going to stink like an enormous steaming pile of dead fish on top of hot garbage. I only say this because like the mythical King MidASS, anything Michael Bay touches turns to poo. Transformers was like watching a 2 hour car commercial. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to offend the makers of car commercials here, because they tend to have more of a compelling story than this movie had...
I vow to never see Transformers 2... but don't hold me to that as I can easily get sucked into movie hype. I eventually caved and saw Terminator Salvation. The director, McG, has the directorial depth of a dinobot.
*** SPOILER ALERT! ***
When the CGI Arnold Schwarzenegger shows up as the T-800 toward tend of T4 it's kind of hokey. Yeah, it's nice to see that Arnold's image makes an appearance, but we're taken right out of the movie at this moment and reminded that this is really just an obligatory nod. Terminator Salvation lacked the vision and sheer logic of he first 2 movies. McG doesn't really tie this movie into the series in a crafty way.
In the remaining 2 sequels that are to come I think the writers should take it from me here. When the Resistance inevitably infiltrates Cyberdyne to send Kyle Reese and the Terminator back through time to protect his mother and his juvenile self, they should do it all in one mission. That is to say, don't make it so simple to break into the technologically superior enemy base and travel through time. Economize...
I say they should simply have Kyle Reese infiltrate cyberdine, help reprogram the T-800, then send himself back to 1984 (T1) and the T-800 Terminator back to 1991 (T2) all in one mission from the same point in the future... make sense? (Oh, and let's just forget about T-3 alltogether... please? can we? Okay if he must, just amend my plot proposal to include the third turd of a Terminator movie)
Just consolidate their mission, ya know? Make it actually seem like they only have one chance to get it right!
So just take it from me Hollywood, it would make so much more sense and be way more compelling.
This is probably going to be the best movie of the summer so save your 11 bucks for The Hangover. Transformers 2 looks like it's going to stink like an enormous steaming pile of dead fish on top of hot garbage. I only say this because like the mythical King MidASS, anything Michael Bay touches turns to poo. Transformers was like watching a 2 hour car commercial. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to offend the makers of car commercials here, because they tend to have more of a compelling story than this movie had...
I vow to never see Transformers 2... but don't hold me to that as I can easily get sucked into movie hype. I eventually caved and saw Terminator Salvation. The director, McG, has the directorial depth of a dinobot.
*** SPOILER ALERT! ***
When the CGI Arnold Schwarzenegger shows up as the T-800 toward tend of T4 it's kind of hokey. Yeah, it's nice to see that Arnold's image makes an appearance, but we're taken right out of the movie at this moment and reminded that this is really just an obligatory nod. Terminator Salvation lacked the vision and sheer logic of he first 2 movies. McG doesn't really tie this movie into the series in a crafty way.
In the remaining 2 sequels that are to come I think the writers should take it from me here. When the Resistance inevitably infiltrates Cyberdyne to send Kyle Reese and the Terminator back through time to protect his mother and his juvenile self, they should do it all in one mission. That is to say, don't make it so simple to break into the technologically superior enemy base and travel through time. Economize...
I say they should simply have Kyle Reese infiltrate cyberdine, help reprogram the T-800, then send himself back to 1984 (T1) and the T-800 Terminator back to 1991 (T2) all in one mission from the same point in the future... make sense? (Oh, and let's just forget about T-3 alltogether... please? can we? Okay if he must, just amend my plot proposal to include the third turd of a Terminator movie)
Just consolidate their mission, ya know? Make it actually seem like they only have one chance to get it right!
So just take it from me Hollywood, it would make so much more sense and be way more compelling.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Music and Business and the Music Business
Music comes naturally for me. It always has and presumably always will. Hand me damn near any instrument and within the span of 30 seconds I'll be serenading you with Mary Had A Little Lamb.
I have no problem with business. In fact, I excel at matters of fact and logic. The problem is that businesses are run by people and people generally are NOT GOVERNED BY LOGIC... Especially in the Music Business. This really gets under my skin, courses through my veins and makes my brain explode.
As a musician, I have vision which may or may not always be right, but it's [usually] a clear vision regardless. Business people tend not to see what is clearly good unless it
"falls out of the sky lands on their face and starts to wiggle." [-Dan Akroid] That is to say: bad business men.
My music is like a gorgeously delicious looking cake that sits unscathed in the middle of a room full of starving people at a gala event. Everyone is afraid to take the first piece but as soon as someone does, the entire cake is promptly devoured leaving absolutely nothing in its place.
I understand that this all may sound cliche, which leads me to my next point. Most people are cliche. They do what you expect of them. If you expect very little, that's what you'll get. I expect great things of others as I expect great things of myself. This is a tall order my friends.
There are few great people in this world, so when you find one, stick with them. I can't begin to tell you the value of honesty, trustworthiness and loyalty. These are unreachable ideals for some, but for others a no brainer. If you find these people in your business, you're a lucky bloke.
I have no problem with business. In fact, I excel at matters of fact and logic. The problem is that businesses are run by people and people generally are NOT GOVERNED BY LOGIC... Especially in the Music Business. This really gets under my skin, courses through my veins and makes my brain explode.
As a musician, I have vision which may or may not always be right, but it's [usually] a clear vision regardless. Business people tend not to see what is clearly good unless it
"falls out of the sky lands on their face and starts to wiggle." [-Dan Akroid] That is to say: bad business men.
My music is like a gorgeously delicious looking cake that sits unscathed in the middle of a room full of starving people at a gala event. Everyone is afraid to take the first piece but as soon as someone does, the entire cake is promptly devoured leaving absolutely nothing in its place.
I understand that this all may sound cliche, which leads me to my next point. Most people are cliche. They do what you expect of them. If you expect very little, that's what you'll get. I expect great things of others as I expect great things of myself. This is a tall order my friends.
There are few great people in this world, so when you find one, stick with them. I can't begin to tell you the value of honesty, trustworthiness and loyalty. These are unreachable ideals for some, but for others a no brainer. If you find these people in your business, you're a lucky bloke.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Palin Comparison
Recently David Letterman told a funny joke (albeit in poor taste) about Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol. The implication being that Bristol, who is an 18 year old mother, is therefore promiscuous and should stay away from philanderers like Governor Spitzer and Alex Rodriguez.
Ha-ha-ha!
Somehow Sarah Palin twisted the late night gapped tooth jab into an accusation that Letterman was joking about the statutory rape of her 14 year old daughter, Willow.
Wtf? Really?... SERIOUSLY?!?
This is obviously the cynicism of the Republican party in full effect. Sarah Palin is either dumber than we all thought or she's hoping that we're all dumber than she is.
I would have understood if she had just said "Letterman is a loser and his jokes are not funny," but to try and convince people that he's some sort of sexual predator is more ludicrous than the time she tried to define the Bush Doctrine.
Letterman has since apologized, but I think we all deserve an apology from John McCain for choosing her as his running mate and making us all aware of the heat seeking missile of embarrassment known as Sarah Palin.
Ha-ha-ha!
Somehow Sarah Palin twisted the late night gapped tooth jab into an accusation that Letterman was joking about the statutory rape of her 14 year old daughter, Willow.
Wtf? Really?... SERIOUSLY?!?
This is obviously the cynicism of the Republican party in full effect. Sarah Palin is either dumber than we all thought or she's hoping that we're all dumber than she is.
I would have understood if she had just said "Letterman is a loser and his jokes are not funny," but to try and convince people that he's some sort of sexual predator is more ludicrous than the time she tried to define the Bush Doctrine.
Letterman has since apologized, but I think we all deserve an apology from John McCain for choosing her as his running mate and making us all aware of the heat seeking missile of embarrassment known as Sarah Palin.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Remake, Adaptation or Sequel
Ever get the feeling that every single movie that comes out these days is completely unoriginal? It's because people aren't willing to go see something new! I once spoke to a guy who edits theatrical trailers and he said that focus groups respond better to previews that show every major plot point of the movie. He also said people won't go to see a movie if they don't know that it has a happy ending before hand. This is why a movie trailer is generally 5 minutes less than its corresponding theatrical release.
Where's the originality? I'm someone who is very proud of my individuality and what I consider to be originality... But the entertainment industry is teeming with lemmings who are incapable of recognizing unique genius when they see it. Hollywood is always hedging its bets.
Let's take a look at some of the major movies that are coming out this summer...
1. Wolverine (Sequel to a Comic Book Adaptation)
2. Star Trek (Remake and Sequel)
3. Angels and Demons (Adaptation and Sequel)
4. Terminator Salvation (Sequel)
5. Night at the Museum 2 (Sequel)
6. Land of the Lost (Adaptation of a TV show)
7. Transformers 2 (Sequel to an Adaptation of a Cartoon based on a Toy)
8. Ice Age 3 (Sequel)
9. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (Adaptation of a Book and a Sequel)
10. G.I. Joe (Adaptation of a Cartoon)
If an original movie is able to make it, expect there to be umpteen sequels. You can also expect to see other movies with the exact same premise. For example, last year Adam Sandler came out with Bedtime Stories - (A family comedy about a hotel handyman whose life changes when the lavish bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew start to magically come true.) Not to be outdone this summer we have to endure Eddie Murphy's "Imagine That."
Where's the originality? I'm someone who is very proud of my individuality and what I consider to be originality... But the entertainment industry is teeming with lemmings who are incapable of recognizing unique genius when they see it. Hollywood is always hedging its bets.
Let's take a look at some of the major movies that are coming out this summer...
1. Wolverine (Sequel to a Comic Book Adaptation)
2. Star Trek (Remake and Sequel)
3. Angels and Demons (Adaptation and Sequel)
4. Terminator Salvation (Sequel)
5. Night at the Museum 2 (Sequel)
6. Land of the Lost (Adaptation of a TV show)
7. Transformers 2 (Sequel to an Adaptation of a Cartoon based on a Toy)
8. Ice Age 3 (Sequel)
9. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (Adaptation of a Book and a Sequel)
10. G.I. Joe (Adaptation of a Cartoon)
If an original movie is able to make it, expect there to be umpteen sequels. You can also expect to see other movies with the exact same premise. For example, last year Adam Sandler came out with Bedtime Stories - (A family comedy about a hotel handyman whose life changes when the lavish bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew start to magically come true.) Not to be outdone this summer we have to endure Eddie Murphy's "Imagine That."
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Caine came and went...
(RIP Caine)
Carradine was best known for his roles as Caine in Kung Fu, and the bad ass Bill in the Kill Bill movies. He'll now be best known for he liked to do in Bangkok hotel rooms.
What completely blows my mind is not the fact that he was found dead in a Bankok hotel room with his hands bound behind his back while wearing a wig, high heels and stockings... it's the fact that David Carradine was the older paternal half-brother of Robert Carradine of Revenge of the Nerds fame!
Who knew????
iPhone, uPhone, we all Phone for iPhone.
(iPhone has everything AND the kitchen sink...)
The new iPhone just came out and it's getting harder and harder to resist! I'd love to get one but Verizon refuses to carry the iPhone. Rumor has it, Verizon wants more control over the software, and wouldn't allow application downloads. WTF?
Monday, June 8, 2009
A Nosebleed gets a nosebleed...
I feel bad for Brett Michaels even though he is a great big frothing douche bag. It doesn't mean he deserves a whack on the head like the one he got at the Tony Awards last night. I heard he broke his nose... oofah! Poor guy.
I can't stand the hysterical histrionic display that is the Tony Awards. Obviously I am biased because of my extreme aversion to any sort of spontaneous eruption of singing coupled with dancing. This show is hours and hours of people just telling each other what seems like a bunch of inside jokes, because I just don't get it.
Perhaps the curtain should have dropped on the heads of anyone watching this stuff...
Friday, June 5, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Open Sesame
Just got booked to do a taping for Sesame Street! How cool is that?!! I am looking forward to hanging out with Muppets. It's been a life long dream!
Children and Muppets are so much less complicated and a lot more pure than most of the adults I've had to deal with in this life.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Conan the King
Finally, the Tonight Show is watchable once more! After suffering 17 years of Jay Leno's whiny voiced ass kissing douchbaggery - we are now graced with a new, far superior host.
The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien premiered last night and overall I'd say it was a pretty good first show... not the greatest, but way more entertaining than Jay Leno ever was.
I'm looking forward to watching and seeing Conan crush.
Andy Richter has returned after leaving Late Night several years ago, now in a new role as announcer and smiley sycophantic sidekick. They obviously have an excellent creative comic chemistry that translates well on television.
I'm looking forward to watching and seeing Conan crush.
Good Luck Conan!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Bruno and Eminem at the MTV Movie Awards
Hands down the best moment of the show...
(Real or What's the Deal?)
(Real or What's the Deal?)
Sacha Baron Cohen as Bruno, came down from the rafters to land with his ass in Eminem's face at the MTV movie awards. I tend to think that Eminem would have had a much more violent reaction were he not expecting this.
Then again, Eminem and his enterage stormed out of the venue looking quite disturbed. I couldn't stop laughing!
Then again, Eminem and his enterage stormed out of the venue looking quite disturbed. I couldn't stop laughing!
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