Stay my fist of death...

Blessed be the name of the Lord.


This was quoted by a poster on WMP prefaced with the question, "Am I the only one who hates Quentin Tarantino and his movies?"

"March 15, 2007 -- THE people who dole out ratings at the Motion Picture Assn. of America just might flip out when they see "Grindhouse," Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's tribute to the ultraviolent, nudity-drenched pictures that once screened 'round the clock in the grungy movie palaces of 42nd Street.

The Weinstein Company, which is releasing the picture April 6 through its Dimension Films arm, needs an R rating for the flick to get into mainstream theaters. But, "some of it is so graphic and outrageous for a major Hollywood studio, there's no question it's headed for an NC-17 without big cuts," says a Page Six operative, who got a sneak peek at the most over-the-top footage.

"Grindhouse" is actually two short movies - one directed by Tarantino, the other by Rodriguez - with an intermission between them. During the break, a series of fake trailers will be shown for such fictitious titles as "Werewolf Women of the SS," directed by Rob Zombie.

"In one scene, a cute, topless girl is roughly tied down on a table by evil female Nazi experimenters who begin draining her blood and, as she screams in agony, they brand her like livestock with a coal-hot steel swastika," our source said. "And every girl in the Nazi concentration camp is topless."

Another trailer, directed by Eli Roth, of "Hostel" fame, is called "Thanksgiving," in which a town's celebration of Turkey Day is interrupted by a mad slasher.

"There's a part where Jordan Ladd [daughter of Cheryl Ladd of 'Charlie's Angels'] is in a car with her boyfriend and giving him [oral sex] when she lovingly reaches to stroke his hair and discovers his neck is just a bloody stump - some maniac had just cut off his head while she was in the act."

Later, a frisky cheerleader climbs onto a trampoline and begins stripping naked as she jumps up and down until she does a split and her skirt blows up without panties underneath. "You get the full 'Britney Spears-getting-out-of-the-limo view,' " our source says. Another jolting scene shows a grossly obese man chewing on a baby.

How much of these moviegoers will end up seeing is anybody's guess. "Some cuts definitely will have to be made. There's no question," conceded one studio insider. A Dimension rep declined comment.--nypost.com"

And this was my responce:

You aren't alone with me either. It saddens me how horrible he is and how much the public follows him like SHEEP!!!

Brainless.

there is no excuse for what he does. I don't care if someone waves the tattered flag of artistic vision in my face, I'm prepared to burn it myself if this is what it stands for.

And yet the people support him blindly. It's like the mac users say about windows: "If you use windows, you're part of the problem." Tarantino wouldn't be anything without his adoring public, so let this be a lesson to you my fellow Americans:

The content of these movies rests on your shoulders. ...period.

Sometimes I just want to go be a hermit in the mountains (provided there's heat, AC, and running water of course Smile )

Seriously, why does the public shell out it's hard earned cash to have filmmakers urinate/defacate/sneeze/and (well you know), on celluloid, then have this refuse dumped on them? I'm at a loss for words.

Cornerstone new band showcase

As I'm going to cornerstone '07, I though I would check out their new band showcase on their website. This year they have mp3s up for each of the bands. I didn't count exactly how many there were but there were a lot. Of course, there are your garden variety of hopefuls who really don't know what they're doing (I know that's harsh, but it's true). A lot of them just suffer because of really poor recording quality, a matter of funds I'm afraid. A sad fact but it's reality. Otherwise, there are a number of artists who have submitted whom I have fallen in love with. Part of the mystique is the fact that they're unsigned artists (some not for long).I got so humbled hearing how much talent is floating around out there.

First off, realize that I'm taking this seriously as an artist myself (who would greatly appreciate the vote myself someday). There are three factors in how I'm voting. First, whether I like them or not (self explainitory). Second, whether they need the publicity (there are several who are amazing, but they really don't need this gig as they've already got an album etc.). Third, how much I would like to see them live. Juggling the three is tough as you will see if you make it over to listen to them.

Fortunately, you don't even have to go to cornerstone to vote, so I urge you (faithful readers haha) to take a gander at these artists and cast a vote. Otherwise, listen anyway as there a great number who I never would have heard of if I didn't see them here. I also am absolutely torn about who to vote for. Here's my list of the artists I am narrowed down to with a tentative top five. You can only vote for one! Arrrgh. Below also is a link to the site where you can hear the songs.

I've included links to the artist's myspace pages and encourage you to be their friends and encourage them.

The list (in order of their apearence on the page) with a *** by the ones that are in my opinion especially noteworthy candidates (given my criteria above) in my mind:


Oh, and there's a list to the side which will be updated occasionally until the contest is over. Woot!

Sent by Ravens

: These guys have a cool alternative, hard sound. They have a brain too, which is always a plus. Modern Day Mary is a really cool soft song.

All the tired Horses

: More subdued folkish group. Very mellow. This is one of many that would make great albums and/or imtimate live performances, but I would go to cornerstone just for them. The guy's voice fits pretty well.

Ag Silver

: These guys have such a good ultra-melodic sound. I find them absolutely amazing. The vocalist is also very talented. He fits very well.

DJ Slovack

: He's got an awesome groove. He's the only techno/house artist on the list. He is very talented. I'll be searching for his CD along with almost all of these artists.

Michael Gooden

: He's a very laid back melodic indie rocker. He's got some good songwriting in him.

Tim Serdynski

: Decent songwriter with a great voice. His first song is the main reason I like him.

Siloam

: These are a bunch of siblings who are all of high-school age. Frankly, I'm blown away by the 14 year old lead vocalist. Yeah the music itself is a little kiddy, but hey, they're kids. Mostly punk rock. Very surprising.

Ryanhood

: These guys are so much fun!! Superb guitar work and an air of artistic excellence that certainly sets them apart. They seem more classy if I may say so. KELLY RAE, you might like these guys as they remind me of Nickel Creek without the bluegrassy stuff.

***Since October

: These guys are pretty much my number one on the list so far. However, as much as I would like to see them live, I'm pretty sure that they'll make it without my vote, and honestly, they don't need the publicity from a show like this anyway. They're a hard driving rock with a very spiritual focus. Without a doubt they're going places very soon.

***Tifah

: Oh my, this group floors me. I'm pretty sure they'll get my vote this year, but I'm not voting until we get closer to the deadline as there are still bands being added every day.

Ryan Wilkins

:Wow!! Amazing music. So melodic with great lyrics. Americana/Rock that's more complex then it appears at first.

Sailor Sequence

:Ambient elctronic bliss. Again, not one I would see live, but it would be an amazing album. Very careful music if that makes sense. Very organic.

Controver Sea

: These guys have a nutty attitude that reminds me of ActionRaction very much so. Give them a nice recording and they're set to be a unique and...neat album.

The Tapes

: These guys are a slightly ambient rock group. Very unique sounds. Thoroughly engaging songwriting. All around almost perfect. There's not a single element about these guys that doesn't make sense. Delightfully weird.

***Big Rig

: A devestating hardcore band. These guys have some genuine musical ability in their repertoire. Their vocalist is one of the best I've heard in this genre in a while. If you don't beleive me just wait for the chorus in If I Can Move Mountains featuring David Bunton of The Showdown.

Jana Holland

: CRISSY HUMBURG, YOU WILL LIKE THIS ARTIST!! a minimalist accoustic singer/songwriter. I like her stuff a lot. She has such a beautiful old fashioned voice similar to Sarah Kelly and mellow Janis Joplin. Sounds like a quality 60s album. Very pretty and relaxing. Just so you know, the only place you can hear a full song--her best is at the cornerstone site.

Here's her page

***Luminate

: Beautiful music. Reminded me immediately of snow patrol (one of the primary influences). This is some of the most easily accessable groups on this list.

Disaster at Sea

: Absolutely phenominal experimental group. It's delightfully weird. The vocalist has quite the unique voice. He's never perfectly in tune with the band, but for some reason that adds to the appeal. Its jarring and engaging. It feels like some trippy hippy album out of the 60s. Very gritty too. I like it.

Nailpoint Payment

: They're your average rock band. What caught me onto these guys is their one song Freedom. It's a hit no mistake. The vocalist is also entertaining in a classic sense. The song feels almost bigger than the band itself, one of those songs that just took off and lost control beyond the scope of the artist. It's happened to me. Their other song isn't that good though.

The Silence Tree

: Decent contribution to the mix. Laid back rock that's very mellow (noticed a trend with me?). This group are a real band, not a chugga chugga CRAAAH RAAAA BLAAAAAAAHH!! monstrocity. This one feels more like soundtrack material. Very cool.

COG

: you gotta get past the crude recording quality to appreciate them. While the vocals don't feel all that original, but the band as a whole is actually quite good where it dosn't feel like they're trying to hard to be something they're not. They feel real if you know what i mean. Great instrumentation too, they just need a better recording and a nice producer.

***Dignan

:This is some of the most beautiful and rich music I've heard in a long time. Laid back songwriting coupled with perfect vocals and instrumentation. These guys are my number two vote so far.

Wesly Jensen

: Another mellow musician. His vocals are so unique yet familiar. The beautiful songs sound like perfect soundtrack selections.

And here is the link to the full list of contestants

My take on downloading music (might be updates later)

I did this in responce to a thread on WMP on illegal downloading. There might be updates here as the conversation progresses:

--I believe down loading music is wrong and selfish. As an artist myself, I find it sad that people don't take art seriously enough to ensure that artists receive the funds needed to continue. Music is a gift, not a right.

All moral philosophy aside, I don't like it from a consumer standpoint. I can't tell you how ridiculous it sounds to me when I ask my friends what music they like and they say "I don't know, all kinds of stuff." Well, what do you listen to? "Whatever's on my ipod." Hmm, what's on your ipod? "I don't know, I just download everything from other people's ipods and such." Really, how much do you have? "About four days worth. Huh huh." ........? I can't tell you how many copies of this conversation I've had with people.

I gain so much pride and satisfaction by showing others my rich and diverse CD collection. I can't have music without the inserts, it brings me further into the album experience. I'm sitting at school thinking, I'd really like to hear such and such a song right now. When I had an ipod, I'd pop it up and there it went. Instant gratification. After I got rid of it, I was back to the bliss of waiting and finally getting to hear the song after a hard days work and meditation.

I agree with the poster when he said "you can't always get what you want." That is so true. Why take life for granted? Despite the fact that I pay every solitary cent for my music, I still get over-saturated. I don't remeber lyrics anymore. When I figured that out, I was horrified!!! Knowing my music used to mean so much to me and now it's just stuff. This was multiplied by 100 when I had an ipod. Within days I was sick of all my music. Ugh, what an aweful feeling.

I'd venture to say it is an addiction. People who do this sound like squealing children to me. "I steal music because I want it!! EEEEEhhh!!!" The way I look at it, those who download illegally don't deserve to listen to music at all.

Then of course, there's the spiritual aspects. Scripture is clear and you can't argue with that unless you don't believe in scripture.

Again, as an artist, I find it saddening that someone out there would think of me as a source of entertainment and nothing more. Artists are so much more than that. They're my friends. Even if they don't know me, I know them, and when I pop their album in, I get to fellowship with them. I'm insulted that my listeners would take this art any less seriously then that.---

Blowing in the wind.

How many roads mus a man walks down?
Before you can call him man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.


Thank you Bob Dylan for these words which are simultaneously encouraging and infuriating. Pope John Paul II called him a prophet of sorts and he may be right. The pope also said that the answer is that there is one road...the road to christ. Can't argue there.

So yeah, there's like a road right? And I gotta be on the road. Well, which road is it? I'm on the road to christ without a doubt, but in truth, christ lies at the end of many roads. Which of those would he have me take? Morpheus says that there is a difference between knowing the path, and walking the path. Great. The character may have spoken truth here, but that leaves us nervous planners in an awkward position.

I guess what this means is that I need to add trust to my faith. Trust is hard in case you haven't noticed. I find that I function much better when I have a plan, even a general one.

The word says that God will grant us the desires of our hearts if we delight in him. But it also says that the heart is deceitful above all things: Jeremiah 17:

But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
hose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.
The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
I the LORD search the heart
and examine the mind,
to reward a man according to his conduct,
according to what his deeds deserve.

I see now how I am to find my way or road if you will. Trust works apparently. But in the middle there it says that our hearts are (in other translations) "desperately corrupt."

God will give us our desires, but what am I supposed to do when those desires are so improbable and far away? I've never had a lack of support from my family, but I've also had it drilled into me the importance of caution. Flying by the seat of your pants is not God's plan. I feel it's an ineffective way to live and wastes a lot of time. Through closeness and maturity, I have hope of knowing God's will for me, but that doesn't help me at the moment. (would you exactly call me mature?). But does'nt sitting around waiting for a part in the clouds waste time?

In truth, there is no end to how close you can be with the lord. So what line must be crossed before I and others can trust that I'm hearing from God? What's the line? Is there such a thing? I can trust God with everything, but that doesn't mean I must throw away my life needlessly.

I guess I just need to try every door, and through prayer, God will allow me through the ones he has in store for me.

To complicate things, I occasionally find myself in the frame of thought where I see the ripple effects that every action has on the universe. I feel that somehow, I and my deeds should be remembered by future generations, otherwise it wasn't worthwhile. Think about it though. I'm starting to think that the only thing that truely matters is the here and now. Your work and influence may last for generation, but who really cares? I am to please God, not man. Epitaphs are overrated.

I'm going to have to ponder this scripture for some time before I figure out what it actually means to me.