From: owner-fegmaniax-digest@smoe.org (fegmaniax-digest) To: fegmaniax-digest@smoe.org Subject: fegmaniax-digest V8 #189 Reply-To: fegmaniax@smoe.org Sender: owner-fegmaniax-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-fegmaniax-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk fegmaniax-digest Monday, May 24 1999 Volume 08 : Number 189 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: Not so quick movie review [S Dwarf ] Re: Not so quick movie review [Aaron Mandel ] Re: Not so quick movie review [S Dwarf ] Re: Not so quick movie review [Miles Goosens ] Re: Fegs say the darndest things [lj lindhurst ] Re: Fegs say the darndest things [The Great Quail ] Re: Fegs say the darndest things [Christopher Gross ] Terrastock III ["Ghost Surfer" ] Re: fifty-one fegs on the northern line.... [Ethyl Ketone ] Re: fifty-one fegs on the northern line.... ["Capitalism Blows" ] Je to "Slitr-Kinni" nebo "Slejtr-Kinni"? [Christopher Gross ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 23 May 1999 16:53:11 -0700 (PDT) From: S Dwarf Subject: Re: Not so quick movie review Natalie Jacobs wrote: > I was forced to wait in line for a 12:15am showing > of that Lucas flick everyone's talking about. (Note > to self: do not go to see popular movie > on Saturday night.) It was about what I expected - > gorgeous visuals, kinda dumb in the story department, > but all in all it was great to just turn off my brain > and be five years old again. There was so much to > look at, and so much that I missed, that I'll > probably end up seeing it again just so I can take it > all in. > > Cool stuff - the CGI characters (very expressive and > imaginatively conceived, with great voices), the > extraordinarily bad-ass martial arts guy who played > Darth Maul (incredibly quick on his feet), the > glorious cityscapes, the way all the CGI robots and > things were sort of battle-scarred with paint > chipping off, and of course the Queen's eye-popping > costumes. And all the cool actors like Sam Jackson > and Ewan (swoon) McGregor, who didn't get to do much > but were nice to see anyway. [warning: three spoilers in this paragraph] too bad ewan was trying to hard to do his alec guinness imitation than in just acting (not a original thought, i know). and that jackson did nothing except sit next to yoda. he had, what, two lines? nothing against liam neeson, but i sorta wished they had switched parts (even though that would have led to including one of the great scifi film cliches). hopefully, jackson will be in the next couple doing more. and i thought natalie portman was pretty good, even though i feel like a yutz for taking to long (namely till she starts talking to anikin) for figuring out that her handmaiden was the decoy. and, though since i remembered the emperor's name from the first three (i am not that kind of geek! i swear! i just remember it!) i like the ironic arc of what is going to happen with senator palpatine, and how it's being set up, even though i know what will happen. > Lame stuff - plot holes you could drive a truck > through, loose ends dangling everywhere, silly > dialogue, the occasional continuity glitch (out > of place in a carefully-made movie like this), that > goddamn kid that I wanted to smack (he's just a bad > actor, I'm afraid - not as bad as I expected but > still pretty weak), and a plot that pretty much > duplicated every other Star Wars movie, so there > wasn't much tension. Oh well. jar jar binks and his species made me miss the subtleties of the ewoks :^. the weird accents the traders were using annoyed the hell out of me. the kid wasn't great, but i didn't think he was that terrible. they just should have had annikin be 11 instead of 8 (and mebbe just have this kid be uncle owen, wandering around, being a pest). and they needed to have whoever played annikin be short-tempered, or something annoying, just so it would seem more plausible for him to be seduced by the dark side; this kid is playing him as too flat-out good natured. i'm not saying make him unlikeable, or even a bad kid, but troubled in some way that makes his eventual fall from grace reasonable. the loose ends are to be expected, since really it's just the first 2.5 or so hours of what is going to be a 7 or so hour movie, released in three chunks over six years. and the "parallels" between annikin and obi-wan's lives here and luke's in the first (last?) three are _way_ too forced. but ultimately (and too its credit), it's just a candy movie; it's exactly what it's trying to be, and faulting it for NOT being citizen kane or mean streets or something else more "important" is missing the point. _____________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Free instant messaging and more at http://messenger.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 May 1999 21:57:04 -0400 (EDT) From: Aaron Mandel Subject: Re: Not so quick movie review On Sun, 23 May 1999, S Dwarf wrote: > [warning: spoilers ahead] let me throw in some space... > and they needed to have whoever played annikin be short-tempered, or > something annoying, just so it would seem more plausible for him to be > seduced by the dark side; this kid is playing him as too flat-out good > natured. i'm not saying make him unlikeable, or even a bad kid, but > troubled in some way that makes his eventual fall from grace > reasonable. i thought it was good that they *didn't* do that. it was made clear that the anger and fear every person has is enough to potentially turn them to the dark side if they are not trained to completely eliminate it. and the kid is 8 -- people change a lot with time. they could have gotten a little more cheap irony out of foreshadowing anakin's future in his behavior, and they didn't. thank goodness for tiny subtleties. > but ultimately (and too its credit), it's just a candy movie; it's > exactly what it's trying to be, and faulting it for NOT being citizen > kane or mean streets or something else more "important" is missing the > point. that's a false dichotomy, though. there's such a thing as a well-done fluffy movie, and this wasn't really it. fart jokes? racism? random irrelevant jesus imagery? these are the tools of a hack who wants to push any buttons the viewers might have. a ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 May 1999 19:18:21 -0700 (PDT) From: S Dwarf Subject: Re: Not so quick movie review Aaron Mandel wrote: > On Sun, 23 May 1999, S Dwarf wrote: > > [warning: spoilers ahead] > > let me throw in some space... > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and they needed to have whoever played annikin be > short-tempered, or > > something annoying, just so it would seem more > plausible for him to be > > seduced by the dark side; this kid is playing him > as too flat-out good > > natured. i'm not saying make him unlikeable, or > even a bad kid, but > > troubled in some way that makes his eventual fall > from grace > > reasonable. > > i thought it was good that they *didn't* do that. it > was made clear that > the anger and fear every person has is enough to > potentially turn them to > the dark side if they are not trained to completely > eliminate it. and the > kid is 8 -- people change a lot with time. they > could have gotten a little > more cheap irony out of foreshadowing anakin's > future in his behavior, and > they didn't. thank goodness for tiny subtleties. but they made him _too_ sweet and good natured. as if they are trying to make his turn to the dark side too poignant at the end. it's the typical hollywood child demom-angel thing (a relative of the hollywood madonna-whore thing). annikin wasn't written as a real child; he was written as jesus. > > but ultimately (and too its credit), it's just a > candy movie; it's > > exactly what it's trying to be, and faulting it > for NOT being citizen > > kane or mean streets or something else more > "important" is missing the > > point. > > that's a false dichotomy, though. there's such a > thing as a well-done fluffy movie, and this wasn't > really it. fart jokes? racism? random irrelevant > jesus imagery? these are the tools of a hack who > wants to push any buttons the viewers might have. well, i wouldn't have called it good. it was okay. it was a bit better than jedi, not in the same league as the first two. and considering the overall quality of fluffy adventure films of the past decade or so has been declining greatly, it probably looks better because of that too. definitely needed less jesus (and probably buddha, etc) imagery; lucas protests too much when he says he isn't trying to rewrite religious text (even if it's subconscious). and i complained already about the peculiarly mandarin accents of the trade delegates (or whatever they were). but every movie needs a couple good fart jokes. god knows they'd've helped Saving Private Ryan.... _____________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Free instant messaging and more at http://messenger.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 May 1999 22:05:31 -0500 From: Miles Goosens Subject: Re: Not so quick movie review At 09:57 PM 5/23/99 -0400, Aaron Mandel wrote: >On Sun, 23 May 1999, S Dwarf wrote: >> but ultimately (and too its credit), it's just a candy movie; it's >> exactly what it's trying to be, and faulting it for NOT being citizen >> kane or mean streets or something else more "important" is missing the >> point. > >that's a false dichotomy, though. there's such a thing as a well-done >fluffy movie, and this wasn't really it. fart jokes? racism? random >irrelevant jesus imagery? these are the tools of a hack who wants to push >any buttons the viewers might have. In addition, Lucas' constant self-aggrandizing and posturing over the 22 years since STAR WARS more than open the field to judging the film by a high set of standards. While Lucas has acknowledged his debt to the serial and the western, his constant dead-serious talk of "myth" and hero archetypes and their importance in his work certainly don't smack of a man who thinks he's making a "candy movie." And if, like me, you sat through the intro film to last year's Smithsonian's STAR WARS exhibit, in which Lucas himself unsubtly presents himself as a peer of Kurosawa -- not just "influenced by" or "in the tradition of" but clearly as an equal -- then he damn well better deliver a SEVEN SAMURAI or RAN or else be prepared to face the consequences. later, Miles ====================================================== Miles Goosens R. Stevie Moore website http://www.rsteviemoore.com My personal website http://www.mindspring.com/~outdoorminer/miles "JAWS was never my scene, and I don't like STAR WARS." - Queen, "Bicycle Race" ====================================================== ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 May 1999 22:13:46 -0500 From: Miles Goosens Subject: Re: A note from the quail-bird And where's all the notes that should be pouring in congratulating TGQ for getting the chance to live a dream? This news kicks ass! Hooray for Quail! consider this my libyrinth application, ;-) Miles ====================================================== Miles Goosens R. Stevie Moore website http://www.rsteviemoore.com My personal website http://www.mindspring.com/~outdoorminer/miles "JAWS was never my scene, and I don't like STAR WARS." - Queen, "Bicycle Race" ====================================================== ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 16:01:45 +1200 From: digja611@student.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Subject: Re: fegmaniax-digest V8 #186 >*for Natalie's benefit - Twose & Cairns put on 153 runs for the 5th wicket >to help the Black Caps beat the Aussies at the World Cup last night. erk. That should have read, of course, "for Danielle's benefit". Unless of course Natalie has a surprising interest in the 50-over form of the noble sport of cricket... also of interest, an all NZ super-12 final, with the Highlanders hosting the Crusaders at the house of pain next Sunday. Gotagotago! >> So does that mean we should start calling John, Paul, George, and Ringo >> the Baytles? >> >> Joel >> >Well, Australia & New Zealand already sort of do... 8-) hmmm. I resemble that remark! (except that I still have vaguely clipped English tones hiding within my Newzild somewhere.). In Sydney they'd say Booytuws, BTW. James James Dignan___________________________________ You talk to me Deptmt of Psychology, Otago University As if from a distance ya zhivu v' 50 Norfolk Street And I reply. . . . . . . . . . Dunedin, New Zealand with impressions chosen from another time steam megaphone (03) 455-7807 (Brian Eno - "By this River") ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 00:59:12 -0600 From: amadain Subject: Re: fegmaniax-digest V8 #186 >hmmm. I resemble that remark! (except that I still have vaguely clipped >English tones hiding within my Newzild somewhere.). In Sydney they'd say >Booytuws, BTW. Around my house, we often say BEE-AT-UL. As in, when one of us wants to get the other's attention, we'll say "pssssttt.....Hey! Bee-AT-ul!". Sometimes if I know it's him I answer the phone with "hello, this is Ringo Starr the Beatle fab gear". This has mainly to do with having seen "Help" too many times, and nothing whatsoever to do with accents. Love on ya, Susan ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 10:43:29 -0400 From: lj lindhurst Subject: Re: Fegs say the darndest things >>Bayard assures me that I'll just love Quail and lj. So >>I guess I'll be really tired after they leave. I wonder if >>they're bringing that Allen (who the hell is Allen) guy too. > >Yep, you'll love lj and TGQ! And I damn well hope they plan some beer >drinking East-Baying fun. >E-mail me off list you guys and lets make plans to get together while you >are here. Othe Ebay/City/Nbay/Sbay fegs - lets plan yet another fegfest >when they get here! Or is it happenning at your place again Sharkboy??? Gosh, thanks for all the praise...really...all I did was fix Carrie up with some Redrum... So Mr. Gloster, are you having a party???? Really???? Should I bring my surfboard??? We are seeing an opera on Saturday the 26th, but otherwise the weekend is pretty much free. back to BORING work on a BORING day! Think I'll put in an application at The Libyrinth, too... lj p.s., I don't think he'll mind me mentioning this: TGQ is trying to think of a more "corporate-sounding" name for The Libyrinth-- I'm sure yous-here-guys could come up with some GREAT suggestions! ("Literature-- Caught Redhanded!" was my first choice, but what do I know?) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LJ Lindhurst White Rabbit Graphic Design http://www.w-rabbit.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Hey Mikey, whatever happened to the fucking Duke of Earl?" --Randy Newman ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 99 11:40:58 -0400 From: The Great Quail Subject: Re: Fegs say the darndest things LJ "Old Navy Board Shorts RULE" Lindhurst writes, >p.s., I don't think he'll mind me mentioning this: TGQ is trying to think >of a more "corporate-sounding" name for The Libyrinth-- I'm sure >yous-here-guys could come up with some GREAT suggestions! ("Literature-- >Caught Redhanded!" was my first choice, but what do I know?) Not entirely accurate -- the Libyrinth as a Web site will stay "The Libyrinth." I have been charged instead for coming up with a name for the newly formed company that will "run" the Libyrinth. It needs to be more descriptive than "The Libyrinth," but something more jazzy than "Literary Concepts, Inc." which is the tentative name I was given to work with. I want something that gives the flavor of literature, postmodernism, and/or modern music; possibly something involving or connected to libraries, labyrinths, workshops, etc . . . . I am stymied! Maybe I'll just call the company White Rabbit? Or GlosterVision? Oh, wait - -- what about Eb-Tek? - --Quail ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Great Quail, Keeper of the Libyrinth: http://www.rpg.net/quail/libyrinth "Countlessness of livestories have netherfallen by this plage, flick as flowflakes, litters from aloft, like a waast wizzard all of whirlworlds. Now are all tombed to the mound, isges to isges, erde from erde . . . (Stoop) if you are abcedminded, to this claybook, what curious of signs (please stoop) in this allaphbed! Can you rede (since We and Thou had it out already) its world? . . . Speak to us of Emailia!" --James Joyce, Finnegans Wake ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 11:50:26 -0400 (EDT) From: Christopher Gross Subject: Re: Fegs say the darndest things On Mon, 24 May 1999, lj lindhurst wrote: > p.s., I don't think he'll mind me mentioning this: TGQ is trying to think > of a more "corporate-sounding" name for The Libyrinth-- I'm sure > yous-here-guys could come up with some GREAT suggestions! Does he want it to fit in with the other corporate sites? If so, it should be either "LibyRinth" or "thelibyrinth.com." >("Literature-- > Caught Redhanded!" was my first choice, but what do I know?) How about "There just stupid books!"? That was a cool subject line I saw on rec.arts.books a few months back. (Like most great subject lines, it was posted from a WebTV account.) I think it would make a fine name for a pomo lit site. The Quail might also try mining Skinny Puppy lyrics for ideas: . - --Darth Dog np: coworker talking on the phone, in Wolof or Diola (I'm not sure which). "Am I the only one in this office who doesn't spend all day on the phone?" he wondered, as he finished writing another email. ______________________________________________________________________ Christopher Gross On the Internet, nobody knows I'm a dog. chrisg@gwu.edu ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 12:48:59 -0400 (EDT) From: Ken Sabatini Subject: Re: Indie, schmindie Natalie: >I have a very loose definition of "rocking out." To me, it means playing >with passion and sincerity. By that definition, I do believe every band >has a responsibility to rock out. And, in my opinion, Pavement do not >rock out. I'm not here to change your opinion, but you should listen to Slanted and Enchanted or even Wowee Zowee, where Pavement plays with much heart and enthusiasm. Now if its the smart-aleck or non-sequitor lyrics that you react to, then that's another story. But this would put chunks of Robyn's catalogue (esp. Soft Boys) in jeapordy of not rocking out. >>The frequent equating of "indie rock" to "ironic" reflects a very >>narrow conception of the category. >Well, technically speaking, "indie rock" is any music that's recorded on >an independent label. But in common usage it's also a sound or style >which not all independent music has. I equate that style with "ironic," >among other things. Yipes. I think you must have only a handful of bands in mind with this description. These idiosyncratic definitions ("rocking out" and "indie rock") make communication a bit difficult, don't you think? :) Whichever, Ken ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 10:31:10 PDT From: "Ghost Surfer" Subject: Terrastock III For more info on the upcoming Terrastock III festival in London go to... http://www.dreamyrecords.demon.co.uk/events.html it'll give you all the info you need. Also check out the rest of the Dreamy stuff, it's pretty good.. - ----------------************************************************------------ "There are times when i can't think about the future, when all my days seem so dark and life seems cruel" - Mojave 3 & "Make a moment last forever, gaze across the ocean to the sun" - Unknown !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 10:46:14 -0700 From: Ethyl Ketone Subject: Re: fifty-one fegs on the northern line.... At 9.40 PM -0700 5/22/99, Bayard wrote: >> heh heh heh...you were warned, fella. But nobody believes it till one of >> their own testicles freezes off and shatters on the cold cement floor. > >not to worry, i had a ball. and oh, those garlic fries!!! Hey, that's why it's the only park in the league selling Giants stocking caps in the crowd in July! And tofu dogs, don't forget the tofu dogs!! "Questions are a burden for others. Answers are a prison for oneself." **************************************************************************** M.E.Ketone/C.Galbraith meketone@ix.netcom.com carrieg@blueplanetsoftware.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 10:56:18 -0700 From: Ethyl Ketone Subject: Re: A note from the quail-bird Call this note an official CONGRATULATIONS for the Quail!!! And aren't you lucky! Now you get to deal with investors... ;-) This is my oficial application to Great Crimes of 20th Century Literature, or the Slothrop Papers, whichever... BCingU, - - carrie "Questions are a burden for others. Answers are a prison for oneself." **************************************************************************** M.E.Ketone/C.Galbraith meketone@ix.netcom.com carrieg@blueplanetsoftware.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 10:53:56 PDT From: "Capitalism Blows" Subject: Re: fifty-one fegs on the northern line.... camden yards sells kosher hot dogs! no shit! _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 14:28:19 -0400 (EDT) From: Christopher Gross Subject: Re: fifty-one fegs on the northern line.... On Mon, 24 May 1999, Capitalism Blows wrote: > camden yards sells kosher hot dogs! no shit! Actually, being hot dogs, they probably do have shit in them, mixed in with the noses, tendons, and other slaughterhouse floor-sweepings. As far as I know kosher hot dogs are no different in this respect. - --Chris (who BTW is not a vegetarian) np: Gotta Let This Hen Out! ______________________________________________________________________ Christopher Gross On the Internet, nobody knows I'm a dog. chrisg@gwu.edu ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 21:05:35 +0100 (BST) From: Michael R Godwin Subject: Re: Robyn question (fwd) > >The chorus is: > >I know I know..You Belong to somebody new > >But tonight you belong to me > >Although Although We're Apart > >You're a part of my heart > >And Tonight You belong to Me.... On Sun, 23 May 1999, Eb wrote: > NOT original to the film. The song is "Tonight You Belong To Me," a > guileless '50s hit by Patience & Prudence, two young girls who quickly > vanished off the planet. My father has the single, somewhere.... > > I'm not aware of this song having any connection to Robyn Hitchcock. I'm sure you are correct about the Patience and Prudence song. However, there is a verse of '52 Stations' by RH which goes (controversially): "There's no use pretending we're apart Everywhere I go, you're in my heart One night, I hit her in the car park Left her in the car park and I just went away" I wonder if this is the source of the confusion. - - Mike Godwin PS It's not too late to get your tickets for all-talking all-singing all-dancing revue 'A Budgerigar Called Spartacus'. One more performance is booked for 3rd June at the Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, price 6.50 (pounds, that is) - concessions 5.00. Phone +44 1225 448844 for reservations! ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 16:29:17 -0400 (EDT) From: Christopher Gross Subject: Je to "Slitr-Kinni" nebo "Slejtr-Kinni"? Sorry, but I haven't had the opportunity to write in Czech for quite some time.... Anyway, I just want to remind DC folks that Sleater-Kinney is going to be at the Black Cat this Thursday, May 27. I'll be there, and I believe Darth Catron will be too. Anyone else? (According to the City Paper, the show is sold out; so if you don't already have a ticket, you'll have to answer that question with a sad "no.") - --Chris ______________________________________________________________________ Christopher Gross On the Internet, nobody knows I'm a dog. chrisg@gwu.edu ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 16:45:07 -0400 (EDT) From: Christopher Gross Subject: DC shows pt. II: Gong and Porcupine Tree! Either I just found out about this, or (more likely) it's been well publicized and I'm just going senile.... Apparently Gong and Porcupine Tree will be playing in Wheaton, MD this Wednesday, May 26! (Yes, the day before the Sleater-Kinney show.) The show is at Phantasmagoria, a club/record store located at 11319 Elkin St. in Wheaton; check or call 301/949-8886 for directions. It's an easy walk from the Wheaton Metro station. Tickets are, er, $18; but Phantasmagoria is a nice, intimate (small) venue, so you'll get plenty of up-close prog action for your money. Doors at 7 pm, show at 8. Hope to see you there! - --Chris (or, as an Ethiopian staff member keeps calling me, Christ) ______________________________________________________________________ Christopher Gross On the Internet, nobody knows I'm a dog. chrisg@gwu.edu ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 01:48:36 -0400 (EDT) From: Aaron Mandel Subject: Re: Not so quick movie review On Sun, 23 May 1999, Miles Goosens wrote: > And if, like me, you sat through the intro film to last year's > Smithsonian's STAR WARS exhibit, in which Lucas himself unsubtly > presents himself as a peer of Kurosawa -- not just "influenced by" or > "in the tradition of" but clearly as an equal -- then he damn well > better deliver a SEVEN SAMURAI or RAN or else be prepared to face the > consequences. the consequences in this case being backbreaking financial success and burdensome worldwide superstardom. but i agree. if, as so many of my friends say, the movie shouldn't be judged against the hype, then why did Lucas encourage the hype? even better is "you're unfairly romanticizing the old movies". meaning that the first trilogy was this bad and i'm more of a fool for not noticing than they are for noticing and liking it better than i did anyway? one touch i'm still undecided on, though -- the title. it, together with the last shot of the film, serves as a reminder that the movie actually wasn't about what it seemed to be about. it's a diversion, a manipulation. not bad, and clearly too complex for the guy who wrote to the Boston Globe today excoriating the Star Wars franchise for being pro-fascist, pro-military propaganda. a ------------------------------ End of fegmaniax-digest V8 #189 *******************************