April 28, 2007

Art Entries

Two fast character-based entries in an art contest held a while ago by Dragonfable. The Jungle Fury and the Doomcrawler. Naturally, I lost, but que sera.

Posted by Ravennacht at 02:52 PM

October 01, 2006

Open Letter - Kafi's Challenge (Hollywood Movies)

Dear Hollywood Moguls, Cheesy Actors, Sycophants, Wine Swilling Writers, and Money Chasing Couch Directors:

Given that falling weekly ratings, weak ticket sales and poor tie-in sales are not breaking through the smog fugued basal ganglia that you call a collective hive mentality... allow us to translate. YOUR AUDIENCE IS BORED.

Why you ask? Quite simply, you have failed to deliver anything that is mildly original to entertain us in movies or television.

Instead of striving to deliver anything that is new on the screen each season, you continue to cookie cut shows from the same vein, this isn't double-mint fun ala Wrigleys. Take for example the multitude of Law and Order spinoffs and CSI clones. How many versions of the same story type can we stomach. Have you not seen what happens when something is copied over and over... it fades to obscurity, oft damaging even the brilliance of the original. Sin no more... fling not the sacred cow original upon thy fires of greed for the sake of a few weak suckling calves you call spinoffs. We don't want to watch them.

Allow not your jealousy of a productive idea by a competitor to lead you down the lane of shameless replication. Again, you think we cannot notice when there is more than one nanny show or wife swap theme... but it just happens to be on a different channel? Come on now. Next time you even think of copying a theme from another network, do us all a favor and just slam your head into the refrigerator door repeatedly until you forget.

Finally, let us delve into the greatest sin of all. The perpetuation of remakes. If you are so desperate for a decent story, do not think that you can delve DEEP into the past to resurrect mild television and movies for a market that you believe never saw the original. How many POSEIDON ADVENTURE ripoffs can we handle... the boat flips over, people try to get out... not a great difference there. Some should never even be made (BEWITCHED). Use some common sense here... slamming a decent actress into a bad movie... still leaves you with a bad movie.

In closing, attempt to consider why cable has seen a rise in viewership, whilst network television continues to take the flume ride down the flusher... why so many people wait for movies to come out on DvD for rental rather than paying to see the theatrical release. Stretch the envelope on ideas, don't use something already done.

Signed,
Apathetic Viewers

Posted by Ravennacht at 10:17 PM

September 30, 2006

KMRL - Feel the Mojo

My newest addiction is listening to my friends' internet radio station - KMRL. There is a wide range of music that gets played by the DJs (80s, Death Metal, Euro Rock, A-to-Z), you name it, it will likely get played at some time on there. I find it most refreshing to hear songs and music that I have never been exposed to before. You can also hear talk radio sessions for the great debater in you. Feel like interacting with the shows? There is a chat room where the DJs log in while their show is on the air, as well as Forums to leave messages.

So if you are sitting in front of your computer and want to hear something other than your own playlist for a while, think about tuning in.

Posted by Ravennacht at 11:16 AM

October 02, 2005

Favourite Actors

* Danny Glover - Have loved watching Danny Glover since I first saw him in The Color Purple. He is equally excellent in drama and comedy. Favourites in: Silverado, The Color Purple, Lethal Weapon 1,2,3,4
* Johnny Depp - I grew up watching Johnny Depp on 21 Jump Street (yeah, who remembers that!). I love how Johnny appears in dark material, he's quite an exceptional actor. Favourites in: From Hell, Sleepy Hollow, Edward Scissorhands, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Pirates of the Caribbean
* Danny Kaye - Undoubtedly, my favourite comedian and all around entertainer, definitely worthwhile to check out his movies. Favourites: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The Inspector General, Hans Christian Anderson, The Court Jester
* Viggo Mortensen - slowly yet steadily building upon his career until he really broke into the heights with the trilogy of all movies. Cannot wait to see A History of Violence. Favourites: Lord of the Rings, 28 Days, Prophecy, G.I. Jane
* Denzel Washington - A superb actor, who I watched as a child in St. Elsewhere on late nights, then steadfastly watched on movie after movie. A leader amongst leading men. Favourites: Man on Fire, Antwone Fisher, Malcolm X,Fallen, The Pelican Brief, Glory
* Edward James Olmos - Superb from the start when I first saw him on Miami Vice (shudders to think that he actually watched that show now), he has continued to produce quality television and movies. Favourites: Battlestar Galactica, Stand and Deliver, Selena, 12 Angry Men.
* Sean Connery The elder statesman of the crowd, who couldn't watch the original James Bonds and not be hooked.
* Kevin Bacon - Come on now, who couldn't like an actor that has pretty much been in every freaking movie in existence.
* Harrison Ford - Probably amongst the greatest action heros around, dating back to Star Wars, Indiana Jones, up to the run of Clancy movies.

Posted by Ravennacht at 11:58 PM

September 20, 2005

Favourite Actresses

Stealing a page from Webkittyn Warbles book, a listing of a few of my favourite actresses:

* Jodie Foster - Absolutely love her to death (not enough to hunt down the late Ronald Reagan however). From her days as a child actress to her career as an adult actor and director (Little Man Tate was great)
* Rene Zelwegger - She has that golden era screen star aura. Plus she's versatile... hot and sexy for Jerry Maguire, every-day woman/cute and funny/clutzy in Bridget Jones' Diary with an accent to boot. Married to Kenny Chesney though... ick... hopes for a speedy annulment.
* Gillian Anderson - I admit it shamelessly, I have carried the torch for Gillian Anderson since the first X-files.
* Claudia Black - again with the actresses with accents. Absolutely love Claudia Black's range of characters, from Aeryn Sun in Farscape to Vala Maldoran in the new Stargate SG-1.
* Nicole Kidman - tall, quiet, serene, ravishing. Definitely old world movie star. My favourite was Far and Away (despite it having Tom Cruise in it).
* Sally Field - the master cryer, if you ever want a tear jerker, this woman will bring it out of you. Catch her in Sybil for her turn on multiple personalities (excellent stuff).
* Julia Roberts - I have loved Julia Roberts since Pretty Woman. Though she doesn't always seem to pick the best movies, she has several great ones in her career. My favourites being Pelican Brief and Erin Brokovich
* Meg Ryan - another woman I absolutely love to see in movies, even though they are rarely good. Favourite in City of Angels (I have her autograph from this, woot)
* Sandra Bullock - I can't say exactly why I like Sandra, perhaps its that cheeky humor of hers, or the comedies she has been in, but I just do. Favourites in A Time to Kill and 28 Days
* Kathy Bates - an excellent dramatic actress with great talent. Favourites: Misery and Dolores Claiborne
* Drew Barrymore - From E.T. to Charlie's Angels, Drew Barrymore is an all around perfect actress, with comedic and dramatic strengths. I enjoy every movie movie Drew has been in. She is the perfect example of a child growing up in fame, struggling with adversity, dependency and addiction, and reshaping her life as an adult. She's a great person. Favourite in Ever After
* Dakota Fanning - granted she is still just a child, but already Dakota has a body of work that surpasses most adult actors. I just hope she does not fall into the pitfalls that other child actors before her have suffered. Since I first noticed her in the Spielberg miniseries Taken, I have avidly enjoyed her performances. If you have EVER seen Man on Fire, you will know what I am talking about. Favourite in: I Am Sam; Man on Fire

Posted by Ravennacht at 02:14 PM