John Carter

Well, I went to see John Carter last night and I thought it was great! A fun and thrilling adventure on Barsoom. The critics panned the movie and Disney says they will lose $200 million by March 31st...what the hell happened. We were 4 people in the theater for a 9:30PM show. All the while, people were lining up for the Hunger Games!!!

I feel the same way about John Carter as I did for Conan The Barbarian. Classic adventure stories that flopped at the movies for whatever reason. Star Wars had many flaws but it was a smash success. So what is Conan, John Carter and Green Lantern had flaws as well, at least it gave us the most important thing that a movie can give us...escapism!!!

If my words convince at least 1 person to go see any of the 3 movies just mentioned, then I will feel great. I had great fun watching them and will now look into reading the Barsoom series to compare the movie version of John Carter to the pulp fiction version.

Van Halen - Update

Well, a couple of months have gone by and I must say that the Tattoo song does sound good. From the Another Kind of Truth CD, I also like Stay Frosty. I have not heard much else but it might be good.

Ultimate Fantasy Rock Band - Drummers

Here is the final list for the drummers:

97) Jeff Beck/Whitesnake - Ansley Dunbar

96) REO Speedwagon - Alan Gratzer

95) Chicago - Danny Seraphine

94) Thin Lizzy - Brian Downey

93) Cinderella - Fred Coury

92) Bob Seger - Charlie Allen Martin

91) Kansas - Phil Ehart

90) Derek & the Dominos - Jim Gordon

89) Joe Satriani - Jeff Campitelli

88) Jethro Tull - Clive Bunker

87) Queensryche - Scott Rockenfield

86) Joe Satriani/David Lee Roth - Greg Bissonette

85) Santana - Dennis Chambers

84) Creedence Clearwater Revival - Doug Clifford

83) Beck/Vanilla Fudge/Ted Nugent - Carmine Appice

82) Journey - Dean Castronovo

81) Jeff Beck/Judas Priest/Toto/The Who - Simon Phillips

80) Sonic Youth - Steve Shelley

79) King Crimson - Mike Giles

78) Santana - Mike Shrieve

77) Talking Heads - Chris Franz

76) Incubus - Jose Pasillas

75) Living Colour - William Calhoun

74) Alice in Chains - Sean Kinney

73) Cheap Trick - Bun E Carlos

72) Frank Zappa - Chad Wackerman

71) Black Sabbath - Vinnie Appice

70) Slayer - Paul Bostaph

69) King Crimson - Pat Mastelotto

68) KISS - Peter Criss

67) Steely Dan - Steve Gadd

66) The Who/Oasis - Zak Starkey

65) The Clash - Topper Headon

64) Muse - Dominic Howard

63) Husker Du - Grant Hart

62) 311 - Chad Sexton

61) ZZ Top - Frank Beard

60) Grateful Dead - Mickey Hart

59) Santana - Chester Thompson

58) Yes - Alan White

57) Primus - Tim Alexander

56) Dixie Dregs/Winger - Rod Morgenstein

55) Journey - Steve Smith

54) Judas Priest - Scott Travis

53) Frank Zappa/Jeff Beck/Missing Persons - Terry Bozzio

52) Radiohead - Phil Selway

51) A Perfect Circle - Josh Freese

50) Green Day - Tre Cool

49) Whitesnake/Ozzy Osborne - Tommy Aldridge

48) E Street Band - Max Weinberg

47) The Doors - John Densmore

46) Primus - Brian Mantia

45) Ozzy - Randy Castillo

44) Fleetwood Mac - Mick Fleetwood

43) Faith No More/Ozzy - Mike Bordin

42) AC/DC/Asia/Uriah Heep - Chris Slade

41) System of a Down - John Dolmayan

40) Slayer/Apocalyptica - Dave Lombardo

39) Pat Travers/Iron Maiden - Nicko McBrain

38) Black Sabbath - Bill Ward

37) The Rolling Stones - Charlie Watts

36) The Cult/Guns N' Roses/Velvet Revolver - Matt Sorum

35) U2 - Larry Mullen Jr.

34) Jane’s Addiction - Stephen Perkins

33) Rainbow/Emerson/Jeff Beck/Whitesnake - Cozy Powell

32) Rage Against The Machine - Brad Wilk

31) Pearl Jam - Dave Abbruzzese

30) Red Hot Chili Peppers/Pearl Jam - Jack Irons

29) Aerosmith - Joey Kramer

28) Jimi Hendrix Experience - Mitch Mitchell

27) Soundgarden - Matt Cameron

26) Motley Crue - Tommy Lee

25) The Beatles - Ringo Starr

24) Yes -Bill Bruford

23) Dream Theater - Mike Portnoy

22) Deep Purple - Ian Paice

21) Foo Fighters - Taylor Hawkins

20) Guns & Roses - Steven Adler

19) Red Hot Chili Peppers - Chad Smith

18) Blink 182 - Travis Barker

17) Emerson, Lake, & Palmer - Carl Palmer

16) Queen - Roger Taylor

15) Def Leppard - Rick Allen

14) Tool - Danny Carey

13) Mastodon - Brann Dailor

12) Pink Floyd - Nick Mason

11) Dave Matthews Band - Carter Beauford

10) Cream - Ginger Baker

9) Smashing Pumpkins - Jimmy Chamberlain

8) Van Halen - Alex Van Halen

7) Nirvana/Queens Of The Stoneage - Dave Grohl

6) The Police - Stewart Copeland

5) Genesis - Phil Collins

4) Metallica - Lars Ulrich

3) The Who - Keith Moon

2) Led Zeppelin - John Bonham

1) Rush - Neil Peart

While Neil Peart rightly deserves top spot, my heart goes to John Bonham. Listen to the 20 minutes version of Moby Dick from the How The West Was Won 3-CD box set and you will be convinced.

Ultimate Fantasy Rock Band - Guitarists

CHOM 97.7 FM, the only classic rock radio station in Montreal recently finished building the ultimate fantasy rock band. I will post the results of each one as well as comment on the top 5 selected members in each category.

97) Blue Öyster Cult - Donald “Buck” Dharma Roeser

96) Kansas - Steve Morse

95) Crosby Stills & Nash - Stephen Stills

94) Chicago - Terry Kath

93) Cheap Trick - Rick Nielsen

92) David Bowie - Mick Ronson

91) Jethro Tull - Martin Barre

90) Deep Purple - Tommy Bolin

89) Supertramp - Carl Verheyen

88) Fleetwood Mac - Lindsay Buckingham

87) Colin James

86) Creedence Clearwater - John Fogerty

85) Dinosaur Jr. - J Mascis

84) Mountain - Leslie West

83) Journey - Neal Schon

82) David Lee Roth - Steve Vai

81) The Band - Robbie Robertson

80) Fleetwood Mac - Peter Green

79) The Byrds - Clarence White

78) Sonic Youth - Lee Ranaldo

77) Whitesnake - John Sykes

76) Steely Dan - Eliot Randall

75) Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Randy Bachman

74) Ten Years After - Alvin Lee

73) Alice in Chains - Jerry Cantrell

72) Tom Petty/The Heartbreakers - Mike Campbell

71) Steve Miller Band - Steve Miller

70) The Byrds - Roger McGuinn

69) Yes - Steve Howe

68) Styx - Tommy Shaw

67) Yes - Trevor Rabin

66) Smashing Pumpkins - Billy Corgan

65) Lou Reed

64) The Smiths - Johnny Marr

63) Radiohead - Jonny Greenwood

62) Grateful Dead - Jerry Garcia

61) R.E.M. - Peter Buck

60) The Ramones - Johnny Ramone

59) The Rolling Stones - Mick Taylor

58) Thin Lizzy - Scott Gorham & Brian Robertson

57) The Sex Pistols - Steve Jones

56) Allman Brothers - Dickey Betts

55) Jane’s Addiction - Dave Navarro

54) Aerosmith - Joe Perry

53) Soundgarden - Kim Thayil

52) The Clash - Mick Jones

51) Sonic Youth - Thurston Moore

50) The Eagles - Joe Walsh

49) Mahogany Rush - Frank Marino

48) KISS - Ace Frehley

47) Frank Zappa

46) Bruce Springsteen

45) Allman Brothers - Dickey Betts

44) King Crimson - Robert Fripp

43) Peter Frampton

42) The Kinks - Dave Davies

41) The Doors - Robby Krieger

40) John Lennon

39) The Police - Andy Summers

38) Muse - Matt Bellamy

37) ZZ Top - Billy Gibbons

36) Allman Brothers - Duane Allman

35) Genesis - Steve Hackett

34) Jeff Healey

33) Red Hot Chili Peppers - John Frusciante

32) Lynyrd Skynyrd - Gary Rossington

31) Neil Young

30) Prince

29) Nirvana - Kurt Cobain

28) Metallica - James Hetfield

27) Megadeath - Dave Mustaine

26) The Beatles - George Harrison

25) The Rolling Stones - Keith Richards

24) The White Stripes - Jack White

23) Aerosmith - Joe Perry

22) Rage Against the Machine - Tom Morello

21) Bon Jovi - Richie Sambora

20) Black Sabbath - Tony Iommi

19) Deep Purple - Ritchie Blackmore

18) Alice Cooper - Joe Satriani

17) Dire Straights - Mark Knopfler

16) The Who - Pete Townshend

15) Jeff Beck

14) U2 - The Edge

13) Ozzy Osbourne - Randy Rhoades

12) Rush - Alex Lifeson

11) AC/DC - Angus Young

10) Metallica - Kirk Hammett

9) Queen - Brian May

8) Santana - Carlos Santana

7) Stevie Ray Vaughan

6) Pink Floyd - David Gilmour

5) Guns N Roses - Slash

4) Van Halen - Eddie Van Halen

3) Derek & the Dominoes - Eric Clapton

2) Jimi Hendrix

1) Led Zeppelin - Jimmy Page

While I agree with the Top 5 choices, my first pick would be Jimi Hendrix. The theatrics, the style, the power of Jimi...what else can you say.

Movie Review: Bridesmaids

Last night, my wife and I watched Bridesmaids on TV. Everyone had spoke highly of the movie since its release and we really enjoyed it. Some of the scenes were absolutely hysterical (especially the bridal shop scene). It did remind me of what happens when friends get older and when our lives adapt to new experiences like marriage and the consequences to the non-married people. Having kids also does this.

4 years later...

Today is the 4th anniversary of the death of E. Gary Gygax, the co-creator of the Dungeons and Dragons game. How time flies... We weren't able to get a game going this year to celebrate his achievements but his awesomeness is with us gaming geeks.

Van Halen's Tattoo

I heard the new single from Van Halen, Tattoo, today with the new/old lineup of Eddie, Alex, David and Wolfgang. It's not bad but it isn't the blockbuster song that the album 1984 produced so many of (Hot For Teacher being my favorite).

Several callers to the radio station were not impressed. This brings to mind what influence Michael Anthony brought to Van Halen's songwriting process vs. the relative inexeperience of Wolfgang Van Halen.

Let's wait and see what the whole album brings to the table. If Tattoo is the best song...it won't be pretty!

They don't make these like they used too...

If you are getting tired with buying stuff that last no longer than the common cold, please read this...

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/good-news/world-oldest-light-bulb-still-burning-bright-110-174107117.html

How to stay broke for life...

I found this article on Yahoo today. It is a reprint of an article found on http://www.goldengirlfinance.ca/.

You have no savings or investments - and you haven't even thought about retirement! But hey, you have a new car, a beautiful new house and enough power suits to last you until you're 100 years old. Plus, if you still have plenty of available credit, who cares about the bottom line when life is this good?

It's a good question, and one that many people aren't forced to consider — until it's too late. Check out the top ways you can keep the charade going and stay broke! Yes, BROKE! If you're lucky, you'll die before anyone notices...

1) Finance everything

Live for the now. If you can get a loan or buy something on credit, do it. This should be easy; after all, your salary isn't nearly big enough to cover all your "needs."

2) Pay the minimum — on everything

Take a look at your credit card statement. It should tell you how long it will take you to pay off the balance if you make the minimum payment. Shoot for a time frame that's longer than you can ever imagine living. That should do it. Now go have fun!

3) Spend it all

Financial advisors tend to recommend that you "save up" for things you want. That's impractical if you want things right now — now isn't it?!

4) Buy a huge house

Why have a smaller house, when you can afford the 40-year mortgage payments on a bigger one? If you're lucky, the market will rise, giving you some extra equity to spend!

5) Buy a new car

Car models don't change much year to year, but you can't put a price on that new car smell. Ideally, you should be sporting a new ride every two or three years and financing it (of course!) for the longest term possible. If you do this for long enough, you may end up owing more than your car is even worth. That's okay — you'll look great doing it!

6) Take a vacation

Pull out your credit card and go somewhere nice. There's nothing better than getting away from it all, and you totally deserve it! After all, you want to be able to brag about this for years to come.

7) Buy more toys

A great car is important, but what you really want to shoot for is a motor home pulling a truck, pulling a trailer with two ATVs inside (and possibly a boat, too). Then you'll know you've arrived — and you can arrive on any terrain you want.

8) Pay more when you can

Rather than worrying about saving a dollar here and there, just do what is most convenient. Coupons, shopping around and waiting for things to go on sale is such a pain — and why bother for only a few dollars? After all, time is money!

9) Shop every day

Treat yourself whenever you get the chance. After all, nothing feels better than coming home with something new at the end of a hard day. If you can't find a use for what you've bought, you can always add it to your gift closet. You do have a gift closet, right?

10) Eat out

Treat yourself to dinner out at least a few times a week. It's convenient, it's relaxing and your time is worth something - even if you wouldn't have spent it working.

You earned it?

That feeling of being on top is something only money can buy. Don't miss out. Money is made to be spent. After all, you earned it...right?

(Okay, wrong! This is where common sense finally kicks in. If there's anything that feels amazing, it's knowing you have money in the bank. The ultimate luxury is not a new car, designer wardrobe or scarlet-soled shoes; it's savings pure and simple. Don't you know that excessive spending went out of style with shoulder pads, teased bangs and Dynasty?)

Jim Henson's Birthday

Today would have been Jim Henson's 75th birthday. I was very saddened by his passing in 1990 because the Muppets meant so much to me as a child and even now as an adult. It is a great tribute to his memory that the Muppets still live on and that a new movie is coming on in November. Looking forward to it.

Artwork Project 1

I finally got the chance to install Ubuntu Studio this weekend on an old computer. It contains LOTS of software to do audio, video and graphics projects. I added the program MyPaint to it and gave it a try last night. MyPaint is an open-source clone of Corel Painter, ArtRage and other art packages.

I also used the Wacom Bamboo tablet that my wife gave me as a present 2.5 years ago. It was a blast to try it all out. It felt really natural to be drawing with the stylus while concentrating on the computer monitor.

Below is a drawing inspired by the Caribbean islands that my family have visited on various vacations. I used digital pastels to create the image with some layering effects such as opacity.

I hope you like it...

To boldly go...

Well, this past weekend was the 45th anniversary of The Original Series of Star Trek. What a ride it has been. Nobody could have predicted the impact or popularity of a little sci-fi show back then but I thank the impact it has had on my life.

Kudos to Gene, Bill, Leonard and all the rest of the group for what they did back then and ever since.

Live Long and Prosper!

My Top 5 Superhero Movies

I saw Green Lantern this week and the reviews were mostly bad. I liked it. It is not my favorite superhero movie nor is it the best but as long as you have fun watching it, that's what matters.

My top 5 all time is this (listed chronologically):

• Superman with Christopher Reeve
• Batman with Michael Keaton
• Batman Begins with Christian Bale
• Iron Man with Robert Downey Jr.
• The Dark Knight with Christian Bale

These movies were well written, well directed and had a great cast. Obvious things to have a great movie. Thor and Green Lantern (the 2011 movies) have been lauded by fans as awful, crappy, unworthy films. GET A LIFE!!! These movies aren't Gone With The Wind or The Godfather. They are over the top characters that exemplify aspects of the human condition (Thor is arrogant and Green Lantern must overcome fear).

Green Lantern

The reviews were bad for the most part but I liked it. It is NOT as good as many other superhero movies but it was still a fun movie to watch. The special effects were cool and hopefully, the 3D version added to the fun.

The crappy reviews and the way the movie was lauded by the press do not detract from learning about Green Lantern, a 2nd tier superhero. While not as well known as Batman, Superman and Spider-man, he is still part of the DC mythos and Ryan Reynolds did a good job of playing a selfish, brash thrill seeker who realizes that his greatest ability (Hal Jordan's) is to be able to overcome fear and use his willpower in a way that the Green Lantern Corps has never seen.

The Hangover Part 2

This afternoon, I dropped by the movie theater and watched The Hangover Part 2. A great funny movie!!! What made both movies great to me is the depth of the mystery about what happened that crazy night and the cast of characters.

I was puzzled as to the choice for the cameo. I won't spoil it for anyone but I was left puzzled. I laughed of course all the way through.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

On Tuesday night, I got the chance to see the new Jack Sparrow adventure. I have not seen the 3rd installment but the 4th one is very good. Johnny Depp is a great actor and has the best role. He nails a complex funny character with such ease. The supporting cast is very good as well.

On Wikipedia, the synopsis makes it sound like a sequel to the 4th movie. I felt (without seeing the 3rd one) that is felt like a prequel. I will try to see watch the entire trilogy this summer and formulate a better theory.

All in all, a great summer movie!

A passage from Children of Dune

I finished reading Frank Herbert's Children of Dune last week. It was a very good book and the last 100 pages were pretty intense.

Each chapter begins with a passage from a character. Here is one that is SOOOOOOOOO relevant to our 21st century world:

Good government never depends upon laws, but upon the personal qualities of those who govern. The machinery of government is always subordinate to the will of those who administer the machinery. The most important element of government, therefore, is the method of choosing leaders.

--Law and Governance
The Spacing Guild Manual

X-Men: First Class

I saw X-Men: First Class last night with my wife. We have enjoyed watching the previous 4 movies and we looking forward to this one. We thought it was GREAT!!! The dynamic between Charles and Erik was so well done. The story was great and there were 2 fun cameos as well. The only bad thing I can say is that there is no secret scene at the end of the credits.

Check it out!

The Social Network

My wife and I watched The Social Network on TV on Sunday night. It was a very interesting movie. I know it won some awards a few months back. The story of the creation of Facebook and its creators was very enlightening. I don't know how accurate the characters are to the real people, but if so, Mark Zuckerberg and Sean Parker are 2 of the biggest assholes in the world or at least they were.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who has heard of Facebook.

Red

I got the chance to see Bruce Willis in Red on Saturday night. I was really surprised by how good this action-comedy was. The characters were great. The plot was intriguing and overall it had a great 2 hours watching it. I have to say that I have enjoyed watching pretty much everything Bruce has done over the last 30 years. Hope he continues for a long time.