Ironman

I went with the family over the weekend to see Ironman. Aside from a sometimes grating soundtrack, which is otherwise unimpressive, this film is a fun ride and terrific start to this season's slew of summer flicks. As I understand it, this is the first film that Marvel has had a more active role in producing. If Ironman is any indication, Marvel comic book properties may finally be in better hands --their own.

The movie follows war profiteer and tech-wiz Tony Stark as his life is flipped upside down after being taken hostage somewhere in the middle east and escaping with a hastily designed bionic suit. A couple iterations later and he's effectively perfected the suit, assuming the role of a superhero, but retaining all his snarky cynicism.

Hang around after the credits for a special guest appearance. (Or you can cheat and just watch it now)

I award Ironman 4 pope hats, of a possible 5:

Richard Wright "Black Boy"

I remember reading "Black Boy" by Richard Wright in 12th grade honors English and it made a real impression on me. Since then, my memories of the book have faded and I remembered only that it was my favorite school assigned book.

I've since picked up the 400 page autobiography of the author's early life and, while I've found it to be disappointing in some respects, I've definitely rediscovered its appeal. Here's a favorite selection:

"Granny was an ardent member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and I was compelled to make a pretense of worshiping her God, which was her exaction for my keep. The elders of her church expounded a gospel clogged with images of vast lakes of eternal fire, of seas vanishing, of valleys of dry bones, of the sun burning to ashes, of the moon turning to blood, of stars falling to earth, of a wooden staff being transformed into a serpent, of voices speaking out of clouds, of men walking upon water, of God riding whirlwinds, of water changing into wine, of the dead rising and living, of the blind seeing, of the lame walking; a salvation that teemed with fantastic beasts having multiple heads and horns and eyes and feet; sermons of statues possessing heads of gold, shoulders of silver, legs of brass, and feet of clay; a cosmic tale that began before time and ended with the clouds of the sky rolling away at the Second Coming of Christ; chronicles that concluded with the Armageddon; dramas thronged with all the billions of human beings who had ever lived or died as God judged the quick and the dead . . .

While listening to the vivid language of the sermons I was pulled toward emotional belief, but as soon as I went out of the church and saw the bright sunshine and felt the throbbing life of the people in the streets I knew that none of it was true and that nothing would happen."

Clinton vs Obama in Star Wars

So utterly brilliant.

Mario Kart Wii Friend Code

Add me, comment with your friend code, and I'll add you!

0387-9179-2785

plain old wii code: 1326 6970 5705 0615 name: SHAKE

Free Music

Rareware has graciously posted free mp3 files that make up the beautiful soundtrack to Kameo. View the individual tracks here.

If you're like me and adore medleys, here are three 20 minutes pieces that comprise the entire Kameo soundrack, as well as including never-before heard work.

I've only listened to the first medley so far, but I'm getting a very nice Shenmue meets The Lord of the Rings meets Danny Elfman vibe. How can you go wrong?

Kameo Medley 1

Kameo Medley 2

Kameo Medley 3

A Tiny Taste of "The Last Easy Summer"

      A brief, summer storm had carried loose sand down the steep road and left it to dry and bake in a pothole. Joel ran his finger through the sand, flicking cat droppings as his older brother reclined on their lawn’s still-cool grass. An easy, eastern breeze tickled the children’s hair. Ethan squinted an eye and spoke from the side of his mouth.
      “I’ll jump it. I don’t care.”
      Joel stared at the sand and drew lines into a curse word.
      “Yeah, and what if the Perv gets ya?” He dashed the brazen word with a swipe.
      “More exciting than this.” Ethan switched his squinting eye and sat up.
      “ ’Sides, I can outrun that fat bastard easy.”

I'd post more, but I'm kind of paranoid about sharing too much.