Pineapple Express

While I was touring around the park today with Whoopi Goldberg, I passed a kid wearing a Bob Marley shirt with this image:
And it struck me that he and James Franco look very much alike. Except for the dreadlocks and the whole Jamaican thing...
It's the squinty eyes mostly, I think.

WALL-E at the Box Office

"Playing at approximately 4000 theaters across the United States and Canada, WALL-E has broken Finding Nemo's opening day record of $20.2 million dollars (2003) by raking in between $23.1 and $23.2 million at the "domestic" box office on Friday, handing Pixar its best opening day ever.

The film is now on its way to challenge Finding Nemo's opening weekend record of $70.4 million, which is, to date, Pixar's best opening weekend success." - The Pixar Blog

While I still prefer The Incredibles and Ratatouille, I've seen WALL-E twice in the past two days, and I expect the film to open very, very well. The technique of Pixar films improves by leaps and bounds with each film they create, and WALL-E is no exception. I'm sure you've seen the stills:


Is there anyone else that can do this? Dreamworks? Kung Fu Panda received a few reviews comparing its animation technique to that of Pixar's.... (Pixar Better Watch Their Back)

I'll respectfully disagree on that point, though, you know, I may be slightly biased. But even with Kung Fu Panda's valiant effort in animation, the heart, nuance and story in Pixar films are really just untouchable.

Roger Ebert says WALL-E "involves ideas, not simply mindless scenarios involving characters karate-kicking each other into high-angle shots. It involves a little work on the part of the audience, and a little thought, and might be especially stimulating to younger viewers."

What I am most enchanted with is the suggestive nature of WALL-E. The viewer is given the opportunity to take whatever societal commentary from the film that they see fit, or they can watch it as a character piece. Nothing is blatant or forced. The audience will become enveloped in the story and the ridiculously endearing characters, but must be active in piecing together the message of the film.

Holding Court in a Downstairs Bar

• Entertainment Casting
• Bartending at Cafe Tu Tu Tango
• Lucielle's
  
• Merchandising for Lucky Brand Jeans
• Marketing for Pixar
  

The Coldplay Bandwagon

As much as Coldplay has never really made the huge impression on me that everyone else seems to gush about, their new album is really something to behold. Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends was mostly recorded in churches throughout Spain and Latin America and the atmosphere of these old, sacred places has imbued this album with a richness you can truly feel.

I love the once-in-a-lifetime feeling that comes from a group juxtaposing exotic, unusual instruments with their familiar sound. It's what pushes music through the fuzz of all of the super-produced, overly manipulated songs on the radio. It weaves all the right threads together to create something recognizably epic. It's why I love The Decemberists, and it's certainly why I've been listening to the last five tracks of Viva La Vida for the last hour.

Strawberry Swing, track nine, is by far my favorite.
Congratulations Chris Martin, you have won me over.

(Also, your wife is weirdly attractive in Iron Man... it's totally the red hair.)

Grad Nites

When your school tells you to behave or Disneyland security will throw you in Disney Jail, they're serious. Just because it's Disneyland doesn't mean the Anaheim Police won't throw you around...

Also, Disneyland allows students to carry contraceptives in the forms of birth control pills and condoms -- watch out for The Haunted Mansion, it'll getcha' every time!