Archive for March, 2007
Outlaw Song, not the Bon Jovi one.
Mar 21st
I’m in a songwriting group with Matt Knoles, Andy White and Dan Hislop. I challenged the group to write an outlaw song. We ended up with some pretty good tunes. Below, you can play or download my song, “Brave When I Went”. Try not to cry on your keyboard.
Wish List
Mar 20th
300
Mar 19th
If I heard that hundreds of thousands of freaks were on their way to destroy all my people and stuff, I’m not sure that I would choose to ask 300 of my friends in naught but their fruit slings and red capes to join me in battle. Then again, I’m not a Spartan king.
Apparently, a Spartan king DID do something like that. This is the context of Frank Miller’s graphic novel 300, brought to the big screen by Zack Snyder. It’s the tale of King Leonidas, a courageous warrior king and also, apparently, nucking futs because them ain’t good odds. But what do I know of war and bravery? I’m afraid to go to the movies by myself. Fortunately, I had Kevin Grose, Roger and DJ Paladino to help me through the scary parts. We had a lovely dinner at Taffy’s afterward to discuss the nuances of decapitation and how much blood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck like a war crazy Spartan juggernaut. As you have probably heard, this film is quite violent. I recall Conan The Barbarian being more violent. Of course, I was only 11 when that came out and the Governator was still just little ol’ movie actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
I misspoke earlier when I referred to the wearing of fruit slings because, according to historians, these guys did battle sans le pants, trouser-free, arse naked. It makes sense, Speedo’s weren’t invented until Nineteen Fourteen and leather Speedo’s weren’t invented until, like, Nineteen Gay-ty Two.
Another historical inaccuracy, the 300 weren’t alone. They were joined by 700 or so Athenians in the Battle of Thermopylae. So, I guess that answers a question posed to me years ago by Greek scholar, Tim Freet, “Εάν η Περσία επρόκειτο να επιτεθεί σε Sparta από το οπίσθιο τμήμα, η Ελλάδα θα βοηθούσε;”
I didn’t hate 300, but you just might if you aren’t used to hyper-violent video games and graphic imagery including some pre-battle king on queen sexy time. Kevin covered my eyes.
Your Pizza VP?
Mar 14th
Pizza Hut is running a contest on YouTube to find the Honorary VP of Pizza. Could it be me?
Stay tuned to see if I make the finals.
Also, check out my buddy David Malloy in his submission!
Moovin’ on UP!
Mar 8th
YAY! ChrisMundell.com has moved to SRI Hosting! I followed CM.com’s Uncle Greg Lawler over to the best host in all the land. Big thanks go out to Matt and David at SRI!
Now you know who to blame for all this fastitude and stability! Matt and David are my George and Weezy!
The Namesake
Mar 7th
The Namesake wasn’t the first movie I’ve seen since my best friend, Matt, passed away, but it was the first Cinema Society screening. The last screening we went to was Hollywoodland and it was tough on us both (and not just because of the movie). Matt, physically, and me, emotionally. This was our thing and he’s gone. So, it was with a heavy heart that I pressed on to see a movie before opening day. Someone has to, people! These movies don’t watch themselves! Big thanks to Roger for the screening.
The Namesake, based on the novel of the same name, is about the Ganguli family. No, nerds, not Jar Jar Binks’ people, a Bengali family who’s mom and dad (Ashima & Ashoke) move to America from India. The kids are born in the States and a major theme here is the tension between the two cultures in one family. The son’s name (Gogol) is the focus of much of his angst. His father named him after a favorite author. He changes it and it symbolizes his denial of his parents ways.
I could relate to this film on many levels. While my parents aren’t from India, my dad is 32/256ths American Indian. See? Same diff! And I changed my name too! I was born Hopi Aumal Mundell. Round about 3rd grade I decided I wanted a “normal” name. I chose Chris. My mom was, like, “OK” and my dad was, like, gone.
Although the film covers many years, director, Mira Nair, always keeps things moving and it never feels too long. She took the story back and forth between NYC and Calcutta which did much to show the duality (BIG WORD!!! You’re lucky I didn’t use bifurcation) of this family’s life. They never quite belonged where they happened to be.
This film felt authentic and never goofy or over the top. It was NOT My Big Fat Monsoon Wedding, thank Vishnu.
The cast was incredible. Kal Penn, no relation to the writing instrument or the Sean, was great as Gogol. Irfan Khan was my favorite as the father, Ashoke, and Tabu, was so compelling as the mother, Ashima, that I want her to be MY mom and quietly disapprove of MY choices! Even the bit parts were outstanding! Like Stuart Rudin as Crazy Wino. I mean, just look at a sampling of his body of work…
The Sopranos …. Jabberer
Fortunes (2005) …. Streetmen
Sex and the City …. Man
The Accident (2001) …. Homeless Man
Little Nicky (2000) …. Bushelter Bum
Daybreak (1993) (TV) …. Wino
What About Bob? (1991) …. Crazy Man in New York Street
Rooftops (1989) …. Wino
Sticky Fingers (1988) …. Hippie
Stuart really made the role his own just like the guy that played the priest, Krishna Dikshit who’s name roughly translates Chris PeepeePoopoo. He should really consider changing his name like Gogol and I did. How about Hopi Dikshit?
The point is that names have meanings. For instance, my dad chose Hopi because the Hopi tribe is peaceful, Frank means “One who buys me Taco Bell”, I believe. And I’m pretty sure Kevin is Gaelic for “Flush twice”. Sometimes we choose nicknames to make things easier. I’ll try to keep that in mind when I call tech support and hear the nice Indian man say “Hello, my name is Keith. How can I help you today?”
I did NOT hate this movie! Go see it!
Your Bla
- Matt Baer
- Andy
- k
- k
- Cool Breeze
- Knarf the Dove
- Leanne
- kendall