This is true fun, putting yourself into the Simpsons universe! I did this back when the film was released in theaters, but now they have added some extra content as well as the ability to print out a custom DVD cover with your avatar.

I sifted this video, and it looks like it's going to get thrown in the personal queue as  it hasn't gotten any veiws. I have watched 4 or 5 times today and it still cracks me up.

More macro HD video lovin'.. This time drops of water on the clover in the backyard.

Music is Aphex Twin - Strotha Tynhe

Water Drops On Clover - Macro HD Video from youdiejoe on Vimeo.

Posted another Macro HD video on Vimeo. My son and I along with our friends were hiking behind the Old LA Zoo, and our beetle friend crossed our path. After getting the boys to let the beetle move along its merry way I was able to grab some video.  The music is Brian Eno - Always Returning

Darkling Beetle Takes A Stroll - Macro HD Video from youdiejoe on Vimeo.

Time has an article up on there website talking to the creators of "You Suck At Photoshop". Good read.

There are moments in your life you will always remember, your first kiss, your wedding day, the birth of your children, and the first time you watch "Slipstream". I had my first view last night at Cinefamily's The Most "HolyFuckingShit" Movie of 2007 screening.

A film written and directed by Anthony Hopkins, it's as if the film were the secret lovechild of Oliver Stone and David Lynch but was totally void of any of their fathers talents. Hopkins has worked with both directors and I got the feeling that while he was working on their films he was saying to himself "I could do what these blokes do with my hands tied behind my back". Only if someone had done him the favor of tying his hands behind his back, we and the cast of usually fine actors (Jeffrey Tambor, Christian Slater, John Turturro, Michael Clarke Duncan & Kevin McCarthy) wouldn't have been subjected to "Slipstream".  Hopkins will not "explain" his film, when interviewed at Sundance Film Festival were it screened all he would say is "I did it as a little joke.

Do yourself a favor, if you love really bad movies, find a copy and watch it.

 

I still laugh everytime I see or listen to this song. The love for Werid Al is strong. For the HD version you need to click thru to Vimeo

White & Nerdy from waymoby on Vimeo.

A film I worked on with friends Matthew Buzzell, Liz Massie and Lisa Molomot will air nationally on PBS next week April 1st. If you have the time please watch and also visit the PBS website and let them know if you liked it.

 

COMPAÑERAS profiles America’s first all-female mariachi band, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles. Founded in 1994, the band members shatter age-old stereotypes while expanding the popularity of mariachi music. In a culture and a musical tradition that has always been male-dominated, these women are true pioneers.

A new little segment for my blog "Stuff I Have Worked On" the complete opposite of the sift as it's TOTALLY SELF PROMOTION! 

"Tell Me Do You Miss Me" is one of several films I have worked on with my long time friend and collaborator Matthew Buzzell. Matthew and I went to college together (North Carolina School Of The Arts) as did Sean Eden (guitarist for Luna) back in the 80's. I did post production audio for this doc.

I love how well this film turned out. It gives you a realistic view of the ups and downs of the music biz from the view of a successful "working" rock band, as well as documenting their farewell tour.  Below, I have embed the Trailer and a couple of performances from the film on the YouTubes. If you dig it, you can pick up a copy here, or of course you could NetFlix it.

I have been in and out of the Sift for the past 3 months, with personal time needed and an intown move of homestead. But the dust is starting to settle and the new digs are coming together here in lovely downtown South Pasadena. I have a steady net connection, my office is up and running again, I've managed to knock 20 pounds off my frame. Life is getting good again.

When you live in a town where the weather is mild and 76 4/5 of the year, when real weather shows up its pretty cool.

Yesterday at around 4:00pm I noticed the sky taking on some seriously cool colors and hues we normally don't get here, as I was heading out the door to take Jack to peewee basketball pratice I grabbed my point and shoot camera. Here is what I got:

This is a 3 panel stitched together panorama (click the photo to get to the BIG version), it gives you the dynamic of the two climate zones bumping up on each other. This picture is facing due north looking towards Glendale, CA overlooking the 5 freeway and the LA River. The mountains to the distance are Mt. Disappointment and Mt. Wilson and over to the far left of the screen you can see some of the burnt out hills of Griffith Park. Weather! Supposed to see snow at low elivations (below 4000 feet) over the next couple of days...we shall see.

I was standing in line (queue) at Costco the other day... I looked up, and I saw this....I gawked and gawked and then I thought to pull out the trusty iPhone and snap a photo.

This a 25-30 year old adult male, ADULT (he had his kid with him, who seemed able to pull up his pants to a normal hip/waist height).... It was amazing watching him get stuff out of his pockets. He probably could have used an Augbesian (follow link for definition).

Folks, maybe I'm old, too old...but really, what? WHAT?!? WTF! 

ps. not to mention the backwards ball cap... ::rolls eyes::

All I had growing up for teen "dramaedy" was John Hughes films....sigh. SO at least in my 40's I can enjoy movies that I wish I could have seen in my youth. "Superbad" would have been a much better film for me in my teens than "Weird Science".

That said... I'm on my usual wintertime movie jag and this evening I watched Juno. It is some mighty good stuff. Go and see it, smart, funny, very touching without being schmaltz.

 

 

 

Some of my favorite character actors are included, J.K. Simmons, Allison Janney and Jason Bateman (not so much a character actor but still a favorite). Directed by Jason Reitman (son of Ivan) who's last film, Thank You for Smoking was another favorite.

 

Finally got into see "There Will Be Blood" last night. With only one theater in Los Angeles showing it, getting tickets to match you schedule was tough.

 

 

This film opens wide very soon. See it for many reason, some of which I will outline now:

• great story told well by Paul Thomas Anderson
• fine acting from Daniel Day-Lewis
• fantastic score by Jonny Greenwood
• Superb Cinematography by Robert Elswit

Too many fine points to get into the plot, but the gist of it is this: oil, people, church, money all mix as well as the first to water.

My son and I went down for our monthly visit and I took my camera along again. Here is some of what we saw. 

 

 

You can also check it out at Vimeo in HD, also you can download the source file there.