I'm Not Afraid
I checked out the film, "I'm Not Afraid" (Io non ho paura) last night.
Cinematically speaking, it's a very beautiful film with tons of Italian countryside scenery full of rich colors and crispness.
As far as the narrative goes, while there are two or three scary moments, this is film is primarily a suspense/thriller, and a good one at that.
Viewers beware: It's in Italian and has subtitles.
"I'm Not Scared" official site & trailer
McG's massive media consumption
I finished Monte Melnick's book, On the Road With the Ramones and thought it was great.
Monte was the Ramones tour manager throughout their entire career and sheds some insight on the interpersonal relationships (or lack thereof) between the Ramones.
Lots of good stories about life on the road, aiming for commerical success, Johnny's disciplinary attitudes versus Dee Dee's wild partying and more. A must-read for any Ramones fan.
I made it through the end of season two of Dead Like Me, which is my new favorite TV show.
It's so damn good, that I'm thinking of picking up the Dead Like Me season one DVD and enjoy it all over again.
Speaking of TV shows, I've watched most of the Greg the Bunny DVD.
While it's not rip-roaring funny, there are some good moments for sure.
I can see why this show failed on Fox. It's a show that would be more at home alongside some late-night, way-out programming on Adult Swim (although it's not a cartoon) or Comedy Central.
Dawn of the Dead exceeded my expectations.
It has everything I love in a zombie movie and things I didn't even know I loved, including a one-armed Asian zombie who can run about 35 mph, gratuitous scenes of cars and buses running over zombies and about 1,000 exploding zombie heads.
Hard to believe that the star of this film, Sarah Polley, is the same Sarah Polley who starred in the incredibly sad, but amazing film, My Life Without Me.
I watched Suspicious River the other night and have to agree that the film is disturbing. Had I known it was a grim tale of prostitution and rape, I might have skipped this.
Don't get me wrong, it's a decent film, but it's not a pick-me-up by any means. If you're looking for a film that will make you feel that your life isn't that bad, this is your movie.
I finished Monte Melnick's book, On the Road With the Ramones and thought it was great.
Monte was the Ramones tour manager throughout their entire career and sheds some insight on the interpersonal relationships (or lack thereof) between the Ramones.
Lots of good stories about life on the road, aiming for commerical success, Johnny's disciplinary attitudes versus Dee Dee's wild partying and more. A must-read for any Ramones fan.
I made it through the end of season two of Dead Like Me, which is my new favorite TV show.
It's so damn good, that I'm thinking of picking up the Dead Like Me season one DVD and enjoy it all over again.
Speaking of TV shows, I've watched most of the Greg the Bunny DVD.
While it's not rip-roaring funny, there are some good moments for sure.
I can see why this show failed on Fox. It's a show that would be more at home alongside some late-night, way-out programming on Adult Swim (although it's not a cartoon) or Comedy Central.
Dawn of the Dead exceeded my expectations.
It has everything I love in a zombie movie and things I didn't even know I loved, including a one-armed Asian zombie who can run about 35 mph, gratuitous scenes of cars and buses running over zombies and about 1,000 exploding zombie heads.
Hard to believe that the star of this film, Sarah Polley, is the same Sarah Polley who starred in the incredibly sad, but amazing film, My Life Without Me.
I watched Suspicious River the other night and have to agree that the film is disturbing. Had I known it was a grim tale of prostitution and rape, I might have skipped this.
Don't get me wrong, it's a decent film, but it's not a pick-me-up by any means. If you're looking for a film that will make you feel that your life isn't that bad, this is your movie.
John Peel Show, September 2, 2003
Here's John Peel's show from September 2, 2003 in its entirety.
MP3: John Peel Show, September 2, 2003 - (70.2 MB)
(right click, save as)
John Peel Tracklistings September 2, 2003
John Peel Show, September 2, 2003 tracklisting (.txt)
Miracle Chosuke - 'Loop (LP- The 7/8 Wonders of the World)' (Dim Mak)
Disciples RS - 'Roots Workout (10")' (Jah Tubby's)
The Blueskins - 'Girl' (Peel Session)
Gossip - 'Lesson Learned (LP- Movement)' (Kill Rock Stars)
The Jimmy Smith Trio - 'The Sermon (LP- Get Yourself' (MGM)
DJ Hazard - 'Rubber Chicken (EP- No More Games)' (True Playaz)
Willis - 'The Space Within (7")' (679)
Camera Obscura - 'Before You Cry (LP- Under Achievers Please Try Harder)' (Elefant)
The Coachwhips - 'Just One Time (LP- Get Yer Body Next Ta Mine)' (Narnack)
Tarli Digital - 'Mundey Patey Jann Geh (LP- Desi Nation)' (Stern's/ Earthworks)
The Blueskins - 'It Makes The Room Look Bigger (EP- Saucy Haulage Ballads)' (Probe Plus)
Cyde FX - 'Time Scape (12")' (Nu Electro)
The French - 'The Wu Tang Clan (LP- Local Information)' (Too Pure)
DJ C (feat Capleton) - 'Conscience A Heng Dem' (Mashit)
Army of Flying Robots - 'The Goths Brought Revels and I Felt Cheated (EP- Army of Flying Robots)' (The Audacious Art Experiment)
The Caretaker - 'I Saw Your Face In A Dream (LP- We'll All Go Riding On A Rainbow)' (V/Vm)
Wine Lord - 'Sex On A Stick (LP- Wine Lord)' (Bloat)
The Blueskins - 'The Stupid Ones' (Peel Session)
Polmo Polpo - 'Farewell (LP- Like Hearts Swelling)' (Constellation)
Freddy Fresh - 'I Can't Compete (7")' (Howlin')
The Thermals - 'Goddamn The Light (LP- More Parts Per Million)' (SubPop)
Digital - 'Gateman - Keaton Mix (12")' (Phantom Audio)
Lutan Fyah - 'Never Surrender My Faith (7")' (Jah Warrior)
The Original Surfaris - 'Failsafe (LP- Big Noise From Waimea!)' (Sundazed The Blueskins - 'No 23' (Peel Session)
Knifehandchop - '2 Sexxxy Booty (LP- Rockstopper)' (Tigerbeat6)
The Fall - 'Touch Sensitive (LP- Touch Sensitive)' (Castle Music)
Here's John Peel's show from September 2, 2003 in its entirety.
MP3: John Peel Show, September 2, 2003 - (70.2 MB)
(right click, save as)
John Peel Tracklistings September 2, 2003
John Peel Show, September 2, 2003 tracklisting (.txt)
Miracle Chosuke - 'Loop (LP- The 7/8 Wonders of the World)' (Dim Mak)
Disciples RS - 'Roots Workout (10")' (Jah Tubby's)
The Blueskins - 'Girl' (Peel Session)
Gossip - 'Lesson Learned (LP- Movement)' (Kill Rock Stars)
The Jimmy Smith Trio - 'The Sermon (LP- Get Yourself' (MGM)
DJ Hazard - 'Rubber Chicken (EP- No More Games)' (True Playaz)
Willis - 'The Space Within (7")' (679)
Camera Obscura - 'Before You Cry (LP- Under Achievers Please Try Harder)' (Elefant)
The Coachwhips - 'Just One Time (LP- Get Yer Body Next Ta Mine)' (Narnack)
Tarli Digital - 'Mundey Patey Jann Geh (LP- Desi Nation)' (Stern's/ Earthworks)
The Blueskins - 'It Makes The Room Look Bigger (EP- Saucy Haulage Ballads)' (Probe Plus)
Cyde FX - 'Time Scape (12")' (Nu Electro)
The French - 'The Wu Tang Clan (LP- Local Information)' (Too Pure)
DJ C (feat Capleton) - 'Conscience A Heng Dem' (Mashit)
Army of Flying Robots - 'The Goths Brought Revels and I Felt Cheated (EP- Army of Flying Robots)' (The Audacious Art Experiment)
The Caretaker - 'I Saw Your Face In A Dream (LP- We'll All Go Riding On A Rainbow)' (V/Vm)
Wine Lord - 'Sex On A Stick (LP- Wine Lord)' (Bloat)
The Blueskins - 'The Stupid Ones' (Peel Session)
Polmo Polpo - 'Farewell (LP- Like Hearts Swelling)' (Constellation)
Freddy Fresh - 'I Can't Compete (7")' (Howlin')
The Thermals - 'Goddamn The Light (LP- More Parts Per Million)' (SubPop)
Digital - 'Gateman - Keaton Mix (12")' (Phantom Audio)
Lutan Fyah - 'Never Surrender My Faith (7")' (Jah Warrior)
The Original Surfaris - 'Failsafe (LP- Big Noise From Waimea!)' (Sundazed The Blueskins - 'No 23' (Peel Session)
Knifehandchop - '2 Sexxxy Booty (LP- Rockstopper)' (Tigerbeat6)
The Fall - 'Touch Sensitive (LP- Touch Sensitive)' (Castle Music)
MP3: Ol' Dirty Bastard press conference UNCENSORED
Here is ODB's infamous press conference, which Howard Stern has played repeatedly throughout the years.
Here it is, finally uncensored! The gang talks over it a bit too much, but it's still pretty awesome.
MP3: Ol' Dirty Bastard - Press Conference - (2.4 MB)
Here is ODB's infamous press conference, which Howard Stern has played repeatedly throughout the years.
Here it is, finally uncensored! The gang talks over it a bit too much, but it's still pretty awesome.
MP3: Ol' Dirty Bastard - Press Conference - (2.4 MB)
20% off at Borders this weekend
I always try to buy from indie bookstores or direct from the publisher when possible.
That said, I always take advantage of Borders' coupons and this is the best one I've seen yet.
20% off almost everything in the store, plus 40% off all food and beverages.
I may just go and have lunch there this weekend and pick up a book.
Borders 20% off coupon
(Valid Friday Nov. 12, 2004 - Monday Nov. 15)
I always try to buy from indie bookstores or direct from the publisher when possible.
That said, I always take advantage of Borders' coupons and this is the best one I've seen yet.
20% off almost everything in the store, plus 40% off all food and beverages.
I may just go and have lunch there this weekend and pick up a book.
Borders 20% off coupon
(Valid Friday Nov. 12, 2004 - Monday Nov. 15)
John Peel radio shows surface
In the weeks following the death of legendary DJ John Peel, quite a few of his radio shows have turned up online in newsgroups and torrents.
Here's a show Peel did for the great VPRO (Netherlands) in 1986.
The John Peel Show - January 29, 1986
(click on uur 1 when you get to the page)
I have a bunch of Peel shows which I may post here, especially if anyone drops me a note of encouragement to do so.
In the weeks following the death of legendary DJ John Peel, quite a few of his radio shows have turned up online in newsgroups and torrents.
Here's a show Peel did for the great VPRO (Netherlands) in 1986.
The John Peel Show - January 29, 1986
(click on uur 1 when you get to the page)
I have a bunch of Peel shows which I may post here, especially if anyone drops me a note of encouragement to do so.
Blockbuster is a bomb
I signed up for a trial membership to Blockbuster's DVD-by-mail trial membership.
I make a point to patronize local video stores over corporate stores such as Blockbuster, but I wanted to take advantage of getting some free movies.
They e-mailed me a coupon for two free in-store rentals, so I went for the first time in years.
I have NOT been missing much. What I found were half-stocked shelves, a mixture of VHS boxes with faded covers, softcore sexy thrillers and a crapload of Shrek 2 DVDs. Not impressive.
Plus they've got the store littered with cheaply priced new and previously viewed DVDs, video games and crap candy and microwave popcorn.
I couldn't even find a DVD I wanted to rent - for free - so I just left, more certain than ever that I would be cancelling my free trial membership just before they charge my credit card.
I signed up for a trial membership to Blockbuster's DVD-by-mail trial membership.
I make a point to patronize local video stores over corporate stores such as Blockbuster, but I wanted to take advantage of getting some free movies.
They e-mailed me a coupon for two free in-store rentals, so I went for the first time in years.
I have NOT been missing much. What I found were half-stocked shelves, a mixture of VHS boxes with faded covers, softcore sexy thrillers and a crapload of Shrek 2 DVDs. Not impressive.
Plus they've got the store littered with cheaply priced new and previously viewed DVDs, video games and crap candy and microwave popcorn.
I couldn't even find a DVD I wanted to rent - for free - so I just left, more certain than ever that I would be cancelling my free trial membership just before they charge my credit card.
Request: Oxes on BBC Radio 1, November 3, 2004
Let me know if you can help me with a copy of the Oxes in session on BBC Radio 1.
It aired November 3, 2004 and was recorded for the John Peel show.
E-mail me at daveATdavemcgurganDOTcom. Thanks.
Let me know if you can help me with a copy of the Oxes in session on BBC Radio 1.
It aired November 3, 2004 and was recorded for the John Peel show.
E-mail me at daveATdavemcgurganDOTcom. Thanks.
McG's new blog at phillyBurbs.com
I have a new blog about pop culture at phillyburbs.com that launched today.
The blog will be updated daily and will muse on all things that go "pop" in our culture.
Read: McG's phillyBurbs pop culture blog
I have a new blog about pop culture at phillyburbs.com that launched today.
The blog will be updated daily and will muse on all things that go "pop" in our culture.
Read: McG's phillyBurbs pop culture blog
