Cyberspatialniche
Bryan & Patrick\’s Thoughts, Online Since 1999Final Fantasy VIII: Orchestral Soundtrackby Nobuo Uematsu
Posted on March 01, 2000
Though I am a HUGE fan of movie and television music, I am only recently beginning to appreciate video game music. This is due, in part, to the recent advances made in game console audio production. But with this version of Final Fantasy VIII’s soundtrack, an orchestration of the music has been written and beautifully performed, bringing out the subtle emotions that computer audio can still not quite produce.
Nobuo Uetmatsu is a Japanese composer of primarily console video game music. He has done all of the Final Fantasy’s, the most recent Zelda, and many others. His music attempts to convey both the modern and the timeless, and is influenced by composers from Bach all the way up to Williams. Listening to this music brings the listener back into the game, even if he’s not anywhere near a console. It reminds the listener of key moments in the story, often echoing the emotions that the listener experienced while in the game.
The only unfortunate circumstance surrounding this album is how to obtain it, for it is not produced domestically in the US. That means, to buy or even listen to it, you must purchase it from an on-line specialty store (www.gamemusiconline.com). It is a bit pricey, even for an import, but well worth the money.
The Diamond Ageby Neal Stephenson
Posted on March 01, 2000
Having recently finished Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash, I decided to continue in exploring this innovative author of cyber-punk science fiction. Where Snow Crash explored the ramifications of virtual, distributed reality and an overly franchised political landscape, The Diamond Age seeks to explore how nanotechnology will shape the ability of humanity to redefine society.
The basic premise is this – a poor, young girl comes into ownership of an interactive primer that changes her life in many ways. Stephenson follows in the tradition of Dickens and Gibson, weaving an interesting tale of technology and society and how the two interact. Set in a future where nations have been replaced by “philes” of similarly-minded people, The Diamond Age both challenges the reader to ponder technology’s implications and project himself into the moral situations faced by the characters. How far would you go to make your children’s future better? How much would you give up to see another go farther?
Stephenson stands out right now for realistically painting the effect of technology on society. What’s even scarier is how soon such technology might be commonplace, and how sweeping the changes to society might be. Read it with an open mind, and don’t let the style hold you back from this or other works.
Strangers with Candy
Posted on March 01, 2000I first heard about this show from my colleague in web-cams Eric of www.concretecam.com. Upong first viewing, I was slightly turned off by the seemingly stupid jokes about body parts, body functions, and other prepubescent humor. However, after seeing a few episodes, I realized the inner-charm and beauty of this show. Deep down, we all miss the after-school-specials that we used to watch after cartoons on Saturday. And now finally, many years later, a worthy post-modern successor has arrived – Strangers with Candy.
Strangers is the story of Geri, a 40ish year-old former “junkie whore” trying to go back and finish high school. As you can imagine, this ridiculous situation simply begs for the jokes about generation difference; but, in this case, those jokes are mostly ignored or underscored by other, far more humorous attempts. Instead of the obvious approach, Strangers concentrates on stringing together beautifully crafted lines about Geri’s sexual appetite (she “like[s] both the pole AND the hole”) and the odd and satirical interactions with her peers and teachers.
Through it all, Strangers with Candy is what more of situation comedies should rise to – cheap, satirical jabs at modern culture. I mean, there doesn’t always have to be a positive, politically correct moral to the story, does there? Take a hint, major networks – this is a truly hip comedy.
Pitch Black
Posted on March 01, 2000It’s EXTREMELY unusual to find a satisfying blend of science fiction and pop cinema these days, but Pitch Black is a film that could stand up in either category. Set around a classic crash-landing, survival plot, Pitch Black mixes elements of horror, suspense, and even moral redemption into 90 minutes of frenetic fun. From the beginning, this movie shocks you into it’s universe of morally challenged characters by an outstanding crash-landing sequence that stands alone in all sci-fi films. Once landed, the plot and universe only thickens with new dangers (both within and without) and new scenic wonders.
The use of color in this film is also remarkable as the director tries to accurately depict a desolate world with three suns of varying color. I can’t think of any other movie (including Star Wars) that convincingly depicts an alien world so well. This realism adds a sense of strangeness that amplifies the running fear of new dangers and situations ahead.
If there is any other film that Pitch Black could be compared with, it would have to be Ridley Scott’s masterpiece Alien. Since that films release in 1979, no other film has come close to realizing the terror or suspense that Scott yielded so aptly – except Pitch Black. Though still not quite up to the level of Ridley Scott, Pitch Black will both challenge and entertain you, and will leave you in fear of running out of light.
Way to Go, Smith! by Bob Smith
Posted on January 01, 2000
In his second book, Way to Go, Smith!, Bob Smith takes plain phenomenon and turns it into a wickedly funny recount of his life. Having no inhabitations, the book takes it winding tales of childhood to the up-hill climb of a stand-up comic to the downhill slopes of a relationship gone sour. Here you’ll meet Bob’s comically unsympathetic grandmother, who treats his carsickness by stuffing him between his brothers in the backseat – “Bob only throws up because he’s near a window and he can.” You’ll hear about his first teacher crush – “McGaffin was an odd mix of manly and fey; his five o’clock shadow could plunge a room into darkness and yet his handwriting was better than the samples offered in our textbooks.” And you’ll witness Bob’s first brush with fame – His reaction to health filmstrips made him the only boy in the fourth grade that could faint from the sitting position.
Bob Smith’s observations on life as a happily-adjusted gay man offered a refreshingly witty dose of nineties reality. Now, after breaking up with his longtime boyfriend, Tom, Bob takes us back to figure out where all the trouble began – his hilarious, hyper-normal (and hyper-strange) family life. Moving, ironic, and tinged with recognition, Bob’s new collection is at once bittersweet nostalgic fun and a testament to the unquestionable gifts on a highly original comic writer
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Posted on January 01, 2000Written by Patricia Highsmith, a master in dramatic crime thrillers, Ripley involves a twisted, though almost normal in appearance, antagonist. Highsmith had once and is still capturing the breathes of viewers as well as her readers. She is brilliant in the art of suspense, yet gifted with a mind of Hitchcock. The Talented Mr. Ripley plays on the subject of homosexuality and the extreme perils of class envy mixed with sexual panic.
Set in the late 50’s, The Talented Mr. Ripley combines fine jazz and divine tourist vistas, the pleasures of young men roughhousing and the beauty of young women sashaying through the streets to end up with a classy, subtle drama that incorporates all of the above. When good-natured Tom Ripley is asked by his classmate’s wealthy father to bring his son back from Italy, Tom agrees and travels to Rome to find Dickie. But when Tom gets a taste of the extravagant lifestyle Dickie and his expatriate girlfriend are leading, he vows to do anything to stay among the upper class, even if it means committing murder.
Extremely well acted, a flowing script and beautiful landscapes of Italy brings Ms. Highsmith’s novel to a new light. A light opening up to deep compassion for a killer and opening up his mind to revel in the horrors that can lurk deep in an unattended shadowed state.
Symphony and Metal by Michael Kamen
Posted on January 01, 2000
I’m not a big fan of metal; if you sat me down and gave me a choice between Megadeth and Barry Manilow, I’d still probably choose Manilow, though it would be a difficult choice. Having said that, I absolutely love Metallica’s new work with the San Diego Symphony under Michael Kamen. The juxtaposition between orchestra strings and rock strings produces an outstanding and unusual sonic effect that compliments and builds off each other in remarkable ways. The only thing that I would change would be the balance between the rock group and the orchestra. I feel that all too often, the direct-line rock group easily overpowers the mic’ed orchestra, not providing for a true interaction between the two “choirs” in each set. Overall, this works out for the best with Metallica’s powerhouse drums and guitars carrying much of the melodic and rhythmic content with the orchestra filling in the harmonic details. My favorite track has to be “One” followed closely by “Hero of the Day.” Crank it up!!
Code: the Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software by Charles Petzold
Posted on January 01, 2000
Have you ever sat and stared bewilderingly at a computer for doing something totally absurd? Furthermore, have you ever wondered how exactly computers do what they do, producing both the fantastic results and fantastic catastrophes of our computer-assisted living? This book is for you, scholastic background not required. Petzold, a programmer for Microsoft, breaks down the language of computers into byte-size chapters full of pictures and helpful examples to teach the reader all about code, the hidden language of computers. Though a lot of it is review for students of computer science, it is none-the-less a great review and tie-er of loose ends that our professors never quite got around to explain. Be warned, though…once you understand how computers work, you’ll never be the same again. In fact, you may even decide to change your profession…well, maybe not, but you’ll think about it at least once! 
Man on the Moon
Posted on January 01, 2000What’s so ironic to me is that this movie is getting almost the same reaction that Andy Kaufman got throughout his life…is this for real? Based on the reactions I’ve seen, for most people who’ve never heard of Andy Kaufman, this movie is relatively meaningless and unimpressive. For those of us who grew up watching Kaufman on television, however, Man on the Moon is something much more…the punchline to a joke many years in the making. When I first saw Andy wrestling women on television, I didn’t get it at all. I seriously thought, as many did at the time, that it was just a famous actor/comedian being eccentric and throwing his money around to pursue a hobby…in Andy’s case, wrestling women. However, now that I’ve seen the movie, I finally get the joke that Kaufman and his writing partner Bob Zmuda were inventing. What’s so crazy is that it’s the core idea that wrestling is based around today…that is, the blurred line between fantasy and reality, between entertainment and real-life.
And in the end, Andy’s death was the ultimate irony, for many people (friends included) swore that it was just another practical joke. But how could anyone blame them for thinking that, as Kaufman’s life existed in that grey zone between reality and self-invented fiction. So why then should his death be any different? Even so, Kaufman’s live was remarkable and uncannily portrayed by Jim Carrey in a role that should, though probably won’t win him an Oscar. And if anything can be taken from this movie, it’s that you should be yourself and follow your own dreams in spite of what the world tells you to do. Dare to be a iconoclast, challenge the authorities, and live your life in pursuit of your own happiness. The Man on the Moon exists only if you dream him there.
Joy – Holiday Collection by Jewel
Posted on December 01, 1999
Leave it to Jewel to put the yuletide back into Christmas. With her first Christmas album Joy – Holiday Collection Jewel has concocted an intriguing and at times beautifully inspired holiday album by leaping into the traditional songs arranging them cleverly to produce a soothing, contemporary style of holiday spirits. Taking arias from Bach’s masses to the hypnotic droning of A Little Town of Bethlehem to the Baptist take on Go Tell On the Mountain Medley, Jewels captures the heart of Christmas as it is celebrated by so many different people with as many different views. For instance, she sings the highly religious, traditional pieces Silent Night and Hark the Herald and two less biblical accounts like Hands and Faces of Love. Jewel’s sincere sentiment has an innocent attraction in a time of irony overload. Nonetheless, her stunning adaptation of Gloria inspired in part by Bach’s B-Minor Mass, two tracks later is as powerful and lovely a Christmas vocal performance as you will find anywhere.
Midnight Vultures by Beck
Posted on December 01, 1999
Alright, part of you really dug the music of James Brown, Prince, Wilson Pickett, George Clinton, among other deities of funk and groove. Even if you don’t want to admit it, you’ve all caught yourself getting funky while listening to the better product of the era of disco – funk. Beck Hansen’s (not related to the trio of pre-pubescent castratis) fourth album Midnight Vultures is an all-out homage to the greats of funk and early synth groove music. Having gone from the indie hit Mellow Gold to the Grammy-winning, overly-produced, sampled, and looped music on Odelay to the laid-back, down-home sounds of Mutations, Beck has come along way in a short time. And after being both critically and popularly recognized, Beck still continues to pump out new sounds and grooves that both recognize and transcend his past while paving the way towards a new and futuristic sound.
Start your tour of Midnight Vultures with “Sexx Laws” and continue all the way down to “Debra”, making sure to stop and listen carefully to “Niccotine & Gravy” and “Get Real Paid” for the amazing jewels of sound that they are. In “Niccotine…” Beck introduces us to three distinct lines that eventually jam together at the end for a fantastic layering effect. In “Get Real Paid” we find ourselves listening to almost nonsensical lyrics that reflect a slightly used and perverse nature of our consumer-driven reality, followed by some great old-school synth sounds straight out of some old Atari game!!
Listen to Midnight Vultures not for what it says but for how it says it. After you’ve digested the sound, then you can go back and try to draw out meaning from the juxtaposed and very postmodern lyrics. But, in either case, just listen and groove…
Dune: House Atreides by Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson
Posted on December 01, 1999
“The worm is the spice…the spice is the worm…he who controls the spice controls the universe!” It all began in the late 60’s when Frank Herbert released his ground-breaking scienc-fiction novel Dune encompassing ecology, sociology, philosophy, politics, and art all in one book. There would be five subsequent novels in the Dune series, along with a major-motion picture adaptation and several popular computer games.
Even after Frank Herbert died in the mid-80’s, Dune lives on through Frank’s son Brian Herbert. Under his direction, two major projects are now in the works to further explore the world of Arrakis. The first of these works is the novel that I am currently reading. Dune: House Atreides takes a look at the generation before the events of Dune, outlining the young lives of Leto Atreides, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, and other familiar characters. Dune: House Atreides will be followed up by two additional prequel novels; after that, a last novel will be added to conclude the Dune series based on extensive notes left by Frank Herbert.
Also in the works is a Sci-Fi Channel, miniseries rendition of the classic novel starring William Hurt as Duke Leto Atreides. This new mini-series has just begun production and will be aired in October 2000 on the Sci-Fi Channel. With so much new and renewed interest in Dune, perhaps it’s time you got caught up on things. Start with Dune: House Atriedes and work your way down the line. And don’t worry when you finish. By then, there should be plenty more coming out to read and watch.
Being John Malkovich
Posted on December 01, 1999I just don’t know what to say about this movie except that…wow….it’s just so different and wierd and wonderful!! The marketing hook for this movie asks “what would you do if you could control anybody for 15 minutes?,” but this movie’s soooooooo much more than that. Billed as a quirky, dark comedy about John Malkovich…you know, that actor that played what’s his name in that jewel heist film…anyway…, Being John Malkovich breaks out of comedy and into despair and emotional abuse, how people can control each other through various means, and about how puppets are the key to existence.
But seriously, this first theatrical stab at directing by music-video director Spike Jonze is wonderfully crafted. Jonze is definitely someone to watch, as his career expands and develops. The acting in this film by all stands out among typical Hollywood acting, but the most thrilling acting in this film comes from John Malkovich himself. Cast as himself, Malkovich is forced to act “normal” at times…just like he would act as if he weren’t acting…huh? But that’s only part of the role. There are numerous sequences where Malkovich is forced to act out strange dances, odd dips into surrealism, and even an alternate career involving puppetry. What a great movie!!!
See this film with a friend who you think might be into odd films. Then again, if even you do enjoy unusual cinema, Being John Malkovich defies even that label. To put any kind of label on this film would ruin the intent of the work, so let’s just drop this diatribe and go get in line for tickets, won’t you?
Loreena McKennit: Live in Paris and Toronto
Posted on November 01, 1999
I am absolutely head-over-heels in love with the sound of Celtic women singers!! From Enya, to Loreena, to Maire (pronounced Moya)…the entrancing sound of Irish folk and new age gets deep down in the depths of my soul and brings out something mystical, something spiritual in me. I discovered Loreena McKennitt a few years ago while exploring the sounds of Enya’s music. Loreena’s music, unlike Enya’s, is not overly layered and filtered with effects. Instead, Loreena finds a way to capture the Celtic sound by using conventional instruments like the folk harp, fiddle, piano, and (of course) her melodious alto voice.
You’ve probably heard a song from Loreena on the radio recently. She “broke into” the pop scene recently with a remixed version of her “Mummer’s Dance.” Though this remix did propel her out of relative obscurity for a brief instant, I was not totally satisfied with the final product. Even so, her most recent release captures the spirit of Loreena’s music in a live setting. The album contains songs from her last three CD’s and is well worth listening to as an introduction to her music. Be warned, though…this is a LIVE album that contains several goofs that her normal studio albums wouldn’t contain. So don’t be too harsh on her…
Whisper to the Wild Water by Maire Brennan
Posted on November 01, 1999
Whisper to the Wild Water is the fourth album from Enya’s younger sister Maire Brennan. This album, like her last one however, is a Christian-oriented album published by the UK division of Word Music. Usually, I get turned off by Christian music’s repetitive lyrics and derivative music, but with an artist like Maire, these problems are greatly lessened. Even though some could say that she’s just a “Christian-music alternative to Enya,” I would argue that you should judge Maire by her own style, which is QUITE different from her sister’s.
Fight Club
Posted on November 01, 1999
Fight Club is one of those movies that you either love or hate. This is, though, usually the sign of a great and thought-provoking movie, which Fight Club is several times over! But here are a few things you should know before viewing Fight Club.
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Do NOT take a female with you to this movie…this is a movie that should be viewed first by a group of men who have just consumed moderate to massive quantities of meat and caffeine. After your first viewing, you could then take a close female friend as long as she’s open to original movies (not a fan of say Three to Tango or Blue Streak).
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Don’t leave the theater during the movie…no matter what the circumstances. To fully enjoy this work, it must be viewed in a linear fashion from beginning to end without interruption.
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Immediately after the movie has finished, strike up a discussion about the themes, scenes, and deeper meanings that this movie contains. This might hurt a little at first if you aren’t used to doing it, but this pain should subside with time and some additional meat and caffeine.
In all seriousness, Fight Club forces us to ask some serious questions about our society and what it means to be alive. Some of these ideas are also found in last month’s movie American Beauty, but Fight Club discusses them with a dark satire and awesome visual style that puts it in a class by itself. Check it out…and don’t forget the meat!
Dogma
Posted on November 01, 1999
This was my first Kevin Smith film, believe it or not. As of yet, I have not seen Clerks, Mallrats, or Chasing Amy. I will, however, run out and check them out just as soon as I finish this review (and after BallBuster’s open after I have money…well fairly soon, anyway). Dogma is the kind of film that you watch not for who’s in it (though this movie’s got an all-star line-up); nor is it the kind of film that you watch for expensive visuals and high gloss cinematography. Rather, Dogma’s the kind of film you sit around and watch with a group of friends with a discussion to follow. Kevin Smith, having been reared on comic books like myself, is quite a competent director and storyteller (not to mention actor). Add to his credit the fact that he’s making money off of a cosmological romp through religious satire, and you’ve got quite a talent who’s sure to delight many more times in his life.
Having come from a religious education systems and still being a Christian, Dogma allowed me to step back and both laugh at and gain a new appreciation for my faith in God. To do both is quite a feat, and I’d like to publicly thank Kevin Smith for providing such a joy of a movie. I don’t care if you’re an atheist, pantheist, polytheist, monotheist, or even agnostic (shudder)…seeing Dogma will give you a new-found look at religion and faith that’s worth the $7.25.
Sleepy Hollow
Posted on November 01, 1999
I love Tim Burton. I love Johnny Depp. I love Christina Ricci. And I love Danny Elfman. But I don’t love Sleepy Hollow, and I can’t really figure out why. To say that the visuals in this movie are stunningly beautiful would be quite an understatement. But beyond that, everything else just doesn’t congeal into greatness. Instead, Sleepy Hollow simply eeks by as a horror/comedy/period film with good acting, directing, and score…and a HORRIBLE script!!! I mean, I’ve read the short story and I’ve seen the Disney film – both stand head and shoulders above this latest adaptation. It’s just that there’s too much going on within the plot and not enough time or direction to simplify and direct the viewer through it all gracefully.
I would have much rather seen a film concentrate on the two main characters – Ichabod and the Horseman. Instead of this, the movie throws out a small army of characters (all well acted, I might add) whose names and roles are quickly confused and forgotten. By the climax of the film, you really don’t care who makes it out and winds up winning.
I expect more out of the director of Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, and especially Ed Wood. I expect more out of the screen-writers of Seven and Shakespeare in Love. Out of it all, Sleepy Hollow translates into an above-average Hollywood effort, but an almost abysmal example of the work of Tim Burton, Danny Elfman, Johnny Depp, et al. Go rent Ed Wood instead…
The World Is Not Enough
Posted on November 01, 1999I won’t bore you with another pic, for I’m sure you’ll see the poster for this film countless times again. TWINE (The World Is Not Enough) is an average James Bond film in a time where such genre films are slowly dying away from popular acceptance. Perhaps it’s due to the deconstruction of this genre in the Austin Powers films that makes this latest Bond film look equally as ludicrous and humorous. Perhaps it’s simply the fact that our society no longer looks towards men who kill the bad guys and have sex with the hot women as heroes. No matter what the case, if you like James Bond, you’ll probably like TWINE.
And for all you Monty Python fans out there…guess who’s replacing Q??? None other than our favorite parrot-buying, cheese-shop visiting, silly walking Python John Cleese. For me, he was the highlight of the film. However, his presence was balanced out by the WORST actress known to film since before my time – Denise Richards. She may have a nice body and bare a slight resemblance to Tomb Raider Lara Croft, but otherwise…she’s a MORON!!! I mean, the entire theater cringed when she opened her mouth. Anyway, the villains in this film are great…much better than any in recent memory. Judi Dench (M) is great, as ever, portraying a powerful and assertive chief of the bureau. Etc etc etc…
If you like Bond, see this film (you will anyway). If you don’t like Bond, wait for it to come on free television and MST3K the HELL out of it. You’ll be glad you did…
Amen by the Paula Cole Band
Posted on October 01, 1999
The follow-up to Paula’s million selling album This Fire is the extraordinary new project, Amen. Despite pious introspections from Entertainment Weekly reviewer, Ken Tucker, this album blossoms offering turnabout sounds from this once annexed musician. Using her training to forgo her over played sound, Paula Cole develops her music to a style all her own. Changing her name to the Paul Cole Band exemplifies the importance of her musicians, unlike so many others who are forgotten and go unrecognized. Though her sound is moving more in an R&B, hip-hop sound structure, she continues to evolve the typical sound and mix in her own ingredients. The album centers around, surprisingly, the Christian religion, bringing in her personal views and thoughts. While keeping undertones of region down, she stresses the importance in believing in something or someone. The goose-bumpy joy I received from Paula’s gift of song-craftsmanship was once again displayed, and though most critics might over look this album as having a chance, I challenge their ability to grade music in the culture possessed with Brittany Spears and 98 degrees.
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