Archive for the 'Entertainment' Category

I recently stumbled upon an excellent article explaining why the “black bars” still show up for some movies, even on high-definition televisions. Not being the owner of a high-def TV, I had always wondered what really happened in these cases. Now I finally understand what’s going on, and that one shouldn’t panic when the bars continue to show up.

Best 5 second video ever (thanks Dustin)!

I’ve been meaning to discuss The Totally Rad Show for some time now, and I’m just now getting around to it. For those unfamiliar with the show, TRS describes itself as the “summer blockbuster of geek news shows.” Alex Albrecht (from DiggNation), Jeff Cannata, and Dan Trachtenberg all host the show, and they talk about movies, video games, television, comics, and more. One of the great stylistic elements of the show is that it is shot entirely in front of a green screen. Throughout the show, as the guys bring up various topics, related images appear behind them. The effect is subtle, but it really adds to the overall presentation.

TRS is currently on its 12th episode as of this writing, and I have followed it since episode 1. The content of the show is entertaining, and I’ve been introduced to several really great things based on their discussions. If you’re a geek, or you like video games, movies, and more, be sure to check it out. If nothing else, it’s a great thing to listen to at work.

Having been born and raised in The South (the southern United States for any international readers), I’m a fan of NASCAR. In fact, it’s the only sport that I follow regularly. I know that the sport doesn’t appeal to many people, but I have enjoyed it greatly since I was little. There are a few things I’ve had on my mind recently about the sport, so I’ll present them here.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and DEI
I’m not an Earnhardt fan (I prefer the Hendrick Motorsports stables of Gordon and Johnson), but I think it’s great that Junior is leaving DEI. His step-mother Teresa really screwed Junior by refusing to give him a controlling share in his dad’s business. So Junior has decided to turn the tables on his step-mom and walk away from the team. Once he leaves, DEI will no longer have any “star” drivers. I predict that DEI will die out in another season or two as a result.

Leadership
I hate Mike Helton. Under his dictatorial leadership, NASCAR has lost several historic tracks, including Rockingham speedway. It has seen idiotic rules changes, such as no driving below the yellow line on certain tracks and no finishing under caution (attempting a green-white-checker finish instead). And it has become increasingly contradictory, throwing debris cautions in some cases and not others. Being family controlled is such a shame; the sport needs a commission like most other sports, made up of people who don’t solely profit on the direction of the sport.

The Car of Tomorrow
NASCAR introduced the “car of tomorrow” this year in an attempt to level the playing field for all drivers. So far, only Hendrick Motorsports seems to have figured out the new package (something I’m not complaining about). But it seems more like a move towards the IROC style of racing, where everyone drives the exact same car. There is less room today for teams to tweak the car itself, which is a shame. NASCAR is clearly losing its roots, but that’s apparently what they want.

I’ve recently been listening to some music by The Mamas & The Papas, and it got me thinking. Cass Elliot, one of “The Mamas,” was rather heavy-set to say the least. Would a person like this make it in today’s music scene? I’m inclined to say “no” since so much of music today is visual. As I see it, Cass just doesn’t have “the look” to compete in today’s market.

She’s not alone. Roy Orbison is another candidate in my list of performers least likely to make it. Anyone who’s listened to any of Roy’s work can’t deny that he has an incredible voice. But he’s certainly nothing to look at. He would most likely be overlooked if he started today. Who knows how much great music we’re missing out on because the artists aren’t the Ken’s and Barbie’s that producers want them to be?

Ever have the experience where something that you were sure was right turned out to be wrong? Last night, while browsing the web for some new jazz fusion albums, I happened to read the Mahavishnu Orchestra article over at Wikipedia (MO is one of my favorite jazz fusion groups). I have always assumed that Jean-Luc Ponty was the violin player in the classic line-up of the Mahavishnu Orchestra (the line-up that I prefer; the later incarnation of MO isn’t nearly as good, in my opinion). This assumption led me to buy a number of Mr. Ponty’s albums, all of which I thoroughly enjoy.

It turns out, however, that Jerry Goodman was the violinist in the original line-up! Jean-Luc was the violinist in the later line-up (ironically, the one that I dislike). All this time I’ve been mistakenly attributing the awesome musicianship in the group’s first albums to Jean-Luc Ponty (that being said, Jean-Luc is an awesome musician). Needless to say, my mind was blown at how wrong I was. I’m really surprised that I have lived under this illusion for so long.

Several videos of the band are on YouTube, strangely enough (the original line-up was only together for a few years in the 1970s). The audio in the videos isn’t the greatest, but it’s definitely cool to see the guys in action (Billy Cobham on drums is phenomenal). Here are a few links for your enjoyment:

• You Know You Know
• One Word (one of my personal favorites)
• Resolution

I’m not much of a sports fan, and I know very little about sports in general. But one thing that I do know for certain is that the NCAA tournament is one of the biggest jokes in the entire universe. How can a team that performed as poorly as Duke did this season make it in, while a comparable NC State team, who knocked off number 2 and 3 seeds in the ACC tournament, be relegated to the NIT? The answer to that question has to be the word money, though I’m not quite sure of the particulars.

Regardless of all that, Duke lost in the first round. How awesome is that? And NC State won their first round game. Perhaps there is a little justice in the sports world after all…