Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking 2010 TV-PG 1st of 3 Episodes

Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking 2010 TV-PG ALIENS: 1st of 3 Episodes
Celebrated theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking takes viewers on a captivating guided tour of the universe, explaining its origins and mysteries using straightforward language and state-of-the-art computer animation.

Each episode being about 43 minutes long, the 1st of 3 covered Alien life in our universe & beyond, in a fairly simplified & straight forward way anyone can understand. Some viewers criticized this for being TOO simplified, however to reach the largest amount of people with a common interest, I believe they did an excellent job. The CGI graphics are phenomenal, immense amounts of information with extremely complex ideas are explained in layman's terms, making the grasp of astronomical amounts of info & content spoon fed easy to understand. Produced in such a way that the viewer is glued to the visuals, not aware of time passing. An amazing series I am looking for ward to exploring in full.

This episode explores all the options the human mind can conceive for alien life forms whether carbon based or nitrogen or gas based, goes into details of evolution and assumes a similar path for life elsewhere. But then it gets interesting in imagining life forms we CAN'T truly conceive of, except Hawking does so in credible ways with very realistic graphics of possible species.

The annoying bits:
* Hawking's voice is computerized, and the focus on his eyeball(s) was unnecessary, also an explanation about his condition might be warranted because I found myself distracted wondering about HIS story as well.
* The obvious made-for-TV feel because of the commercial breaks and continuous back and forth between the end commercial lead in back to the show; that needs to be edited out to end up with probably about 30-38 minutes of actual content.

That's it so far, definitely recommend viewing, and great for all ages! More to come as I finish the series over the next week (time off for filming, NYE & related nightly work).

Pearl Jam Twenty Documentary Review

Pearl Jam Twenty
You rated this movie: 4 stars of 5

An excellent production, one of the best rockumentaries ever filmed so far, with an amazing soundtrack & a logical order, fantastic close up & intimate shots of each band member & interviews. I've been a PJ fan but not rabid, maybe now I'll listen more actively & seek out more opportunities to get to know them. However this film did NOT do any in-depth coverage of the band members & their struggles & triumphs other than scratching the surface. The music & live footage made up for that lack for the most part, BUT an opportunity for something much greater has now been lost. As great a job as Crowe did I think someone else would have dug deeper & given us a more emotional sense of the individuals, and the band itself over time. The Danish concert victims were given less than 60 seconds in this film. PJ speaks of breaking up, then Crowe never follows up on that possibility & what changed. Early video very pixelated. Still, I'd buy this one, to watch repeatedly.

SRV and Double Trouble LIVE at El Mocambo FULL Concert!

Hour long FULL Concert LIVE at El Mocambo! Stevie ray Vaughan!


[FULL Screen HD--enlarge by clicking right lower corner of video screen; when done press escape key to come back to normal screen. Forgive this is smallest embed size available so it sticks out to right some.]

Lord of Illusions Movie review

Lord of Illusions

You rated this movie: 4 of 5 Stars

The Prestige was a better movie than this one but not nearly as gory or bloody, or horrific. I would have given this 5 stars but for the really cheesy part @ about 1:40:50 when the fabric comprising the walls of the pit to hell shudders with the impact of the actor falling against it. Otherwise, the script, production, dialogue, effects, acting, gore and more were all excellent. Definite cult classic potential here. Far from boring, but also not the scariest, nor the bloodiest although there are some scenes I had to look away a few seconds, I usually don't much like gore or suspense, so only a few seconds is nothing to keep me from watching again someday. The story itself is fantastic, for the amount of time given for the movie, it was fairly well developed, a few scenes could probably have been replaced with more character development, but then it would slow it down too much I'm sure. It's not at all confusing as one claimed. Very entertaining, worth the rental & I'm going to buy it.

Happy Accidents" Movie Review

Happy Accidents
You rated this movie: 5 of 5 stars

Original plot line, quirky characters brilliantly acted, fantastic production quality video & audio (streaming), credible dialogue in an incredible situation, which of course sets up the movie. I loved how this ended, kept me guessing right up to the end--does HE die, does SHE die, is he for real or a kook, was the therapist out to get him or was she for real too...everything comes together in the last 5-10 minutes, so if you skipped out early, you missed one of the best parts of the film and all that leads up to it is necessary. Those who claimed this was boring were expecting car chases & killings or something this never promised. It is NOT a scifi flick, nor a comedy, it's a romantic mystery, period. If that's not your thing, skip it. Having said that, I highly recommend seeing this ASAP, most will not be disappointed, as the high rating confirms a majority scared this highly. Probably not worth buying, but definitely worth renting & the time to watch it.

American: The Bill Hicks Story--Review

American: The Bill Hicks Story

You rated this movie: 5 of 5 stars

A great & intimate look at the man, his world, family, friends, upbringing, struggles & triumphs. I've seen his live material & this included some rare footage I'd never seen nor knew existed. I would have preferred more film of Bill, & the narrators rather than the animations, this could have been edited better to include more of his early comedy performances (& less about the other people's childhoods), there could have been more of Bill "in his own words" from the unused film his family & friends made of his early shows, but with so little of his work available, I'm happy to get this much. However, his family & friends now own & control the unreleased footage, & millions of fans want & deserve to see it ALL, including the Letterman show suppressed material. My biggest regret besides his death, is that there is so little original footage of his evolution as a comedian, over such a long career, there has to be more to see. Highly recommend this to fans & not-yet-fans alike.

Deep Thoughts from Mark Twain

Mark Twain: Words of Wisdom to Live By

1. If you’re going to talk about yourself all day every day, you’d better make clear why people should care

2. Don’t rob the dickens out of people, morally or financially. You could end up in someone’s autobiography, and they could say really not nice things about you!

3. Don’t proclaim your expertise. A real expert may hear you.

4. Cherish the people you care about while you can. Once they’re gone, all you can do is remember them.

5. Don’t make promises you can’t keep.

6. Don’t try to pretend you go “way back” with someone when you don’t. Twain often talks about people who would come up to him and say, “Oh, I went to school with you.” He would say (to himself, of course), “Uh, no you didn’t.” It just made the person look foolish in his eyes.

7. Be honest about your intentions.

8. Don’t be too trusting of people, especially if they want something.

9. Don’t assume that anyone but you has your best interest at heart (and make sure you really do have your best interests front and center. Otherwise you can really get taken for a ride).

10. If you challenge someone to a duel of any kind, be fully prepared to get shot
(in other words, if you can’t take it don’t dish it).

From the blog by Marjorie Clayman

Review: Faces in the Crowd

Faces in the Crowd
You rated this movie: 4 of 5 Stars
I thought that the acting was superb, don't get why others found it lacking, her fear was more real & credible, her reactions & expressions spot on, can't act better than Milla did here without being an actual victim. Yes, reminds me of Momento & has same intensity, psy thriller more than horror unless you count the close ups of sliced necks with their gore. I guessed the killer early on but only from knowing who to look for from previous experience with such movies, the story does NOT give away who it is at any time. While there were many questions left unanswered and a few plot holes, for the most part, this was an excellent script, actors were perfect for their roles & all did fantastic jobs. The mind games with different faces worked well to give the viewer a sense of how disorienting & fearful the condition can be--although if it has a biological base, why did it only happen after a trauma? I'd recommend watching it, but rent before buying to be sure you want this one first.

Review: Norm MacDonald: Me Doing Stand-Up

Norm MacDonald: Me Doing Stand-Up
You rated this movie: 5 of 5 Stars
Wow, glad I took a chance on this one, definitely near the level of Hicks & this is my 1st exposure to this comedian. His delivery & style is so endearing, people saying he stumbles around with his bits don't remember Columbo, or similar characters who intentionally use that style to disarm & humor others. I love his humble posing, his seeming to think things up on the spot rather than referring to a written set list. Without a doubt he KNEW his material, and delivered it in the perfect way, a very dry & ironic humor that reminds me of the best in Hicks, Stanhope, & early Carlin. I highly recommend this to anyone into comedy & into laughing at the darkest subjects. I'd even buy this one because one will want to see it more than once or even twice, not to mention sharing it with friends or at parties. A definite winner, and not a single swear if that's an issue for you (none of it bothers me, lol).

Review: The Poker House

The Poker House

You rated this movie: 5 of 5 stars

A gem in the heavy, gritty drama genre. By focusing more on character than circumstance, the film stands triumphantly in the oft-visited, oft-cliched premise of the difficult coming-of-age of 14 year-old Agnes, whose "Poker House" residence features regular parties with drugs, alcohol, prostitution, and the other usual suspects. It's not just a simple story of how a girl is able to save herself through one activity (basketball) or one savior (the classic outside intervener of indie film). It's much more reminiscent of Half Nelson, unabashedly showing much of the sheer brutality of the darker side of life while really drawing audiences into a character. The grittiest parts are indeed very difficult to watch, but therein lays much of the emotional punch of the film. Relative newcomer Jennifer Lawrence dominates the screen with a very impressive range. She is able to create a multi-faceted character, and the exploration of Agnes's life is one of the best, deepest character studies in recent memory. Lawrence's Agnes is at the same time strong and fragile, a protector and a victim, empowered and powerless. She is also the most complete strong female character since last year's 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days. Chloe Moretz is able to lighten up the mood periodically as one of Agnes's charming younger sisters, and Selma Blair and Bokeem Woodbine shine in their roles as Agnes's mother and her pimp.

Easily 5 stars, a difficult yet necessary & REAL depiction of life as it often it, not as we wish it to be, which means the end is always wrapped up in a pretty package, life goes on even after horrid events, people survive & move on, using their experiences to build character & strength. This movie is way under-rated. I was shocked at how good the acting was by everyone involved, didn't even recognize Selma Blair at all, and the pimp was despicable of course, as opposite the wonderful sisters as can be. I applaud Petty's courage in putting this out there and in telling the brutal truth, not sugar coating it or sacrificing any part of the story. Life is NOT fair, or pretty, or "normal" for most people, I'm tired of seeing movies that show a reality that's never existed. Dark as this is, there is a light at the end of the tunnel for these girls, that's all we can hope for in anyone's life. Towards the end I was concerned she'd kill herself, was wishing she'd killed the parent & pimp--no 2 people deserved it more, but she didn't sink to their level. Thanks for this film.

Fatdog & Southern Tendencies Live Show 12-9-2011

On Dec. 9, 2011 Fatdog & Southern Tendencies played LIVE from 9p to 1a at Panther Mountain House in Chestertown, NY. Free cover every Friday night with live entertainment, and my favorite place to get Buffalo Chicken Tenders done perfect! Casual dress, down to earth company & friendly people who LOVE to dance & party!



I had no idea what to expect from Fatdog & Southern Tendencies, having only heard a brief 90 second sample of a bluegrass festival performance, I was somewhat expecting a more country & western sound, but instead heard some of the best southern rock & blues classics covers done with an incredible dueling set of lead guitar players I'd ever seen. The drummer wore a headset microphone, something I'd not seen used in live performances on the local level before, and the lead singer Fatdog gave passionate renderings on vocals, while the bass guitarist plucked us all into a frenzy of deep pounding notes.



Dressed like they had just stopped in for a beer, a more local & down home band would be hard to find, but their sound is far above the average for any local band expectations. There were some lighting challenges we'll need to work on for their next show in late January, mostly needing front lit sources to get the best picture of the guys especially on the left side of the stage, apparently these guys are used to being HEARD and not seen! There were no videos of their performances so I filmed the show despite being very ill with a bad cold, having stitches in my mouth from oral surgery the day before, and having only 50 minutes of total battery time before I'd run out of video halfway through the show, and not once did I regret going once I got there & heard them start playing--all my worries & pain disappeared immediately.



Below are just a sample of the 13 total videos filmed during their performance. Please see the youtube video uploads link below for all of the song videos from the show. Visit the links to the band's web site & the P-House for more info on future shows or booking the band. Already we're planning to re-do the entire show at their next gig (when I'll have extra batteries for the new camcorder) in late January, so keep your calendar clear to come & help us dance & party the night away.



Also keep your calendars clear for January 13th, when several of the members of this band play at P-House as Cosmic Jackson, a premiere rock & roll band! This will be their first performance at the Panther Mountain Inn, see their link below, and visit the P-House web site for directions & any information you may need, including lodging & meals. Cover charge is always FREE with live entertainment every Friday, and live Karaoke on Thursdays with Lindsay.



Enjoy!



Gina Jordan [AKA gmj2012 on youtube & awolgina everywhere else ;-]



[All videos are filmed in 720p HD & may be watched FULL screen, by clicking in right lower corner of video screen]



We're An American Band:



Born To Be Wild cover song:



Cross Roads Blues:







[Clicking these links will open a new window--close the window to return here.]



View all the videos from the show at: View all the videos from the show at: http://www.youtube.com/user/gmj2012/videos



Visit the Band's Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/SouthernTendencies



Visit Panther Mountain Inn's Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001346932523



Visit Cosmic Jackson's Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/cosmicjackson; their show is scheduled for January 13, 2012 at P-House.



View Lodging, Dining & Event information for P-House at http://www.panthermountaininn.com



View all the videos from the show at: View all the videos from the show at: http://www.youtube.com/user/gmj2012/videos

Review: Lisa Lampanelli: Dirty Girl: No Protection

Lisa Lampanelli: Dirty Girl: No Protection
You rated this movie: 3 of 5 Stars
I love crude comedy & usually enjoy Lisa, and while this show was classic Lisa, it was also NOT one of her best. The material was rarely as funny as I've seen her do, though it's definitely shocking & rude, crude, socially unacceptable which I expected going in. Part of the show is recycled material which is always a drag, and part were 5th grader jokes anyone could have told. If not for her audience's participation & racial makeup, would she even have a show? While insult comedy is funny, most good comics mix it in with either new material or a full stand up show, it is rarely the WHOLE show. She's much funnier on the comedy roasts of celebrities than she is here. If you've never seen her before, you'd probably enjoy this, but if you HAVE seen her shows, skip this one & find a more recent one of newer stuff. Definitely not worth buying, rent instead.

Review: Final Cut, movie

Final Cut
You rated this movie: 4 of 5 Stars
Normally do not like British film of any kind, did not know going in that it was in any way British or probably would have passed it by. I'm glad I didn't read reviews 1st either, because it turned out to be a damned thought provoking movie, with some slow scenes since the entire film takes place in one location, one apt. in fact, like Breakfast Club, combined with reality TV that is REAL, used actors' real names for characters, & I did NOT see that twisted ending coming. Professional quality film, audio, scripting, acting & concept that worked well streaming, not sure what viewing problems others had, I watched on widescreen & had no problem--the effect is part of the "hidden camera" concept, duh, hello? Jude was definitely believable as mischievous film maker, all the characters seemed "real" & the only issue with credibility was that they would all stay to see the film through. Not that they had much choice in the end. Definitely recommend this whether rented or on cable, though I wouldn't buy it.

Review: Weathered Underground WORST Movie Ever!

The Weathered Underground
You rated this movie: 1 [WORST Movie Ever!]
ZERO stars, if possible MINUS zero. As others have said the FX are horrid, the production quality non-existent and no matter what story line you choose, there's never more than 15 minutes to ending. The choices I'd like to have made for the character were never offered, only the inane ones were offered. In fact, just about every choice had same ending. NOT 360 minutes even if all choices are explored, this might last 60 minutes max, so the length is a lie to begin with. One can only hope that a quality studio will produce this concept with professional video, story, audio & real drama in the choices & results. Do NOT waste your time, even if your cable goes out, you're flat on your back sick, there's nothing to read & no one to call, you would be better off staring at a blank wall than trying to view this. ANY thing is better than this film. Worst I've ever seen, there's got to be a record for such a shameful waste.

Review: Orny Adams Takes the Third

Orny Adams: Takes the Third
You rated this movie: 4
Definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to laugh, from age tween to oldsters & everything in between. While I prefer more raunchy comedy, this was funny despite it's cleanliness. Some of these reviewers are ridiculous, getting mad because comedy isn't PC, & if it was, they'd complain about that too. Orny is NOT a Lewis Black clone, nor does he use anger as his style or borrow from those who do. He has excellent timing, never yells or screams (as Kinison did), isn't bitter, instead he's very observant & some of his bits are very creative & new while others have been around awhile in one form or another. The point is how he delivers them, well done! As a woman, I didn't feel at all "bashed" & in fact Orny spent more time praising women than anything else. One thing that irked some is his constant watch for audience reactions & retelling a joke point if it got a good reaction (i.e., repeating fat & lazy). Hilarious otherwise.

Will Playmore Band 12-2-11

On Dec. 2, 2011 the Willie Playmore Band played at Panther Mountain Inn, Chestertown, NY 12817. From 9p-1a, the energy was fantastic. Guitar players actually walked out onto the dance floor & played while dancing with the audience. I hadn't seen a guitar player do that since the Festival Express video of Buddy Guy using a long guitar lead to play among the crowd.

On this night they also had a keyboard player who had not been present during my 1st taping of them back on 10-21-11, as well as new LED lights that despite being used in 5 previous shows, were still being learned & experimented with. The crowd was wild this night, many women up from Troy area were especially vocal & expressive, as you can no doubt hear on several of the videos. So many people were crowding the dance floor that filming became a real challenge, twisting this way & that to avoid being run over. On this night it was truly dancing room only.

The following videos can be played full screen, 720p HD. They are only formatted smaller here to fit within the blog screen. Only a few samples are shown here, please go to the youtube channel for all of the live videos at: http://www.youtube.com/user/gmj2012/videos


WPM performed an original song called Willie Got Lost, embedded below:




Another great song is Bad Company's Can't Get Enough of Your Love:





One of my old faves by the Rolling Stones, Honky Tonk Woman, was played by request for those Troy, NY women who were extremely vociferous in their requests, lol.





Only a few samples are shown here, please go to the youtube channel for all of the live videos at: http://www.youtube.com/user/gmj2012/videos


For information on future live performances at P-House, visit: Panther Mountain Inn.

For more information on the Willie Playmore Band, visit their website.

Role Models & Kids Today

Role Models & Kids Today


This really should be a blog entry & maybe I'll make it one after. I was talking to a woman on Friday night while filming that live music, and we were talking about how much things have changed in a few decades, especially for kids growing up now.

First, there are NO role models left. The President screwed the country, so he's not a good role model, he got away with lies, was a traitor in fact (Bush and Obama now too), so kids can't even say they want to grow up to be President anymore.

The sports figures? They're all either using drugs, steroids, are raping maids in hotels, screwing around on their wives, none are good role models anymore, and why would a kid want to collect these people's cards now?

The church, the pope? FUCK that! The priests are having sex with boys, the pope won't do anything about it, and the deacons & bishops are hypocrites who say do as we say not as we do. If a kid can't even trust his church or his priest, higher ups in the church, and the supposed intermediate between god & himself, who the fuck can a kid trust???

Local business leaders? In this corporate greed society? Where people no longer matter, only the almighty bottom dollar, to the point of having people in foreign countries both being manufacturers & tech support? His male family members are probably unemployed or working for shit pay & several jobs just to make ends meet, where's the successful role model in that?

Actors & actresses? Should we even pretend to go there? I can't think of many I'd want to BE, or emulate. Can you?

What does a kid growing up today learn from all of these people? To lie, cheat, steal, use drugs, rape, molest, harm & destroy to get one's way or to succeed, that a human has no worth to their boss or company, nor to their church leaders who are supposed to be the examples of living a godly life.

So don't blame the kids for being bad, they have no examples to go by. Blame YOURSELVES, for being so self-centered you never thought what your actions were teaching those to follow. Perhaps it's the media's fault for reporting the facts, rather than hiding them as they used to do decades ago? We all knew JFK was screwing Monroe, but rarely did it make the papers. We all know humans are imperfect, and no one can be a perfect role model all the time, yet no one even tries anymore.

I'm not being moralistic, nor hypocritical, I'm just stating what reality is today for most growing up, now & in recent past. I don't think we need a more religious society since that never worked even centuries ago. Our govt. & politicians often quote family values as a justification for laws & censorship, or prejudice against gays or whomever, when those same lawmakers are doing the very things they want to stop US from doing. "Hey let's make mandatory prison time laws for non-violent crimes like drug use & instead let murderers go free, then we will do drugs & never have to suffer the consequences because we are too superior to have the same rules apply to us. Let's deny gays the right to suffer marriage along with us, while in secret we go do bath house gay sex ourselves. Let's crack down on prescription drug abuse, while we abuse the same drugs ourselves".

Everything in fact these people do against us, is a projection of their own actions left uncontrolled and unpunished. Why do we allow this dichotomy? Where has the backbone of America gone? why aren't we fighting back tooth & claw? Just my thoughts on this rainy day...
Gina Jordan AKA awolgina
Copyright 12-7-2011 at 1:46 PM Mood: TruthseekingMusic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9yibUR5KNI&feature=related

Review: Female Misbehavior documentary

Female Misbehavior

You rated this movie: 3

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Pagalia was 21 minutes to skip; Sprinkle was 13 minutes to watch her transformation from Ellen to Annie especially; 11 minutes of the most boring self-absorbed and choppy edited crap with very little to do with lesbianism or bondage though those were the subjects, and horrible quality & editing made a 5 minute piece into 11; by far, the BEST part of the was the last subject, Max's FTM experiences, which were the bulk of this film thankfully. We're never told where on the path Max is currently--whether he's had the surgeries or not--but he looks, talks & definitely passes as fully male. I could swear he had an adam's apple, which might be a surgical addition or option though it's never discussed. The amount of radical body change required for a transsexual is fully explored & explained, as well as the effects of the male hormones. Max is a beautiful male inside & out. I wish this film had been 90+ minutes on Max alone. If I could, I'd rate Max's portion 5 stars, the rest zero, perhaps 2.5 stars for Sprinkle's 13 minute long demonstration. May some film maker take note & find Max for a follow-up film into the end result & Max's experiences since this film came out.

Review: The Resident

The Resident

You rated this movie: 4

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The acting & production qualities were excellent, both Swank & an especially dual personality creepy Morgan were perfect in their roles & portrayals of characters in this BUT the script & motivations were weak (as was the helpless female without a brain ending), the character building needed more meat, & the suspense could have been edgier. Morgan is amazingly talented to pull off a "schizoid" buddy one moment & creep the next. I wish they hadn't repeated the beginning from his view & had instead just built it in from the start. Kind of a clunky way to show the split in who he was vs. pretended to be. Swank's character wasn't given development worthy of her playing the role. There are some reminders of Sliver yet this is very different. One can see the influences of Hitcockian & other past suspense greats however obvious and the ending was uninspired. I'd still have watched it, but it's best saved for a rainy day when there's nothing else to watch on the tube.