He has a radio program on WXOU out of Oakland University
Wild At Heart
Feeling a bit better compared to earlier in the week. Got some sleep and watched the second season of Tru Calling and the first season of Dollhouse for a full Eliza Dushku fix who has got to be one of my favorite babes ever since she played Faith on Buffy. Anyway, just a few things to talk about, esp for fans of my radio show on Saturday mornings from 8-10AM. People listening to my show will hear an interview with the English Beat's Dave Wakeling talking about politics and a little about music. Also, interview moments from Walt Dohrn who plays Rumpelstiltskin in the newest Shrek adventure, "Shrek Forever After". I will also be giving away a pair of tickets to see the movie "Human Centipede" playing at the midnight showing at Royal Oak Main Art Theatre. The movie tells the story of a crazed doctor who surgically joins three victims together, mouth to anus, to form a human centipede-like bioform. So it should be a good show so tune in 8-10AM on WXOU 88.3FM or online at www.wxou.org.
Also in the realm of movies is the opening weekend for "Iron Man 2" which sees that Tony Stark has revealed his identity as Iron Man and is resisting calls by the United States Government to hand over the technology. Meanwhile, over in Russia, Ivan Vanko has also duplicated the technology and built weapons of his own, creating new challenges for Stark esp when he joins forcs with Stark's nemesis Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell). The sequel has uppped the ante and improved on the one thing that disappointed me about the first film. Here we have a better villain in Vanko who when in armor is an amalgamation of Iron Man villains Blacklash and the Crimson Dynamo. We also have a massive fight between Iron Man and War Machine (Rhodes now being played by Don Cheadle who while being a great actor doesn't quite seem the type but is functional enough) and an army of battle suits designed by Vanko. Tony also has help from SHIELD with appearances by Nick Fury and secret agent Black Widow (played surprisingly well by Scarlett Johansson). Comic book junkies like myself should love the multiple plotlines and increased action as well as the back story on Tony's father (shades of Walt Disney). There are a few moments I wanted to shake my head at but overall the movie goes full force with lots of excitement and a good story. Better than the first and once again showing super-heroes can make good films if given the chance. When all is said and done, it is the wonderful performance of Robert Downey Jr as Stark that makes the movie shine in what is the perfect actor for the role. My grade is an A.
"Exit Through The Gift Shop: A Banksy Film" is a documentary film about street artists. Sound boring? It might at first glance but this film quickly becomes a fascinating piece about a little documented art form. The film began as the obsession of Thierry Guetta, a French immigrant in Los Angeles, who is an obsessive videographer who took his camera with him everywhere. He became fascinated by street art and spent years not only filming the art and its creators but taking part in the process of making the art. After filming the best of the best, he is missing only one artist, Banksy whose artworks are often satirical pieces of art on topics such as politics, culture, and ethics. His street art, which combines graffiti writing with a distinctive stencilling technique has been admired by other street artists and the public. A chance encounter puts Bansky and Guetta together for a number of projects when Bansky tries to get Guetta to finally make the film about street art he has been working on. The twist in the tale comes when Banksy turns into the film-maker, while Guetta decides to become an artist himself, under the name Mr Brainwash. The film takes a strong look at the line between art and the artist as we are given images of Guetta as a man who is fueled by obsession to an extreme we can only dream of. The film becomes super fascinating as we wonder what fate will bring along next and presents a must see film experience. One of the weirdest documentaries as the filmmaker becomes the subject of his own film. Lots of laughs and interesting situations even for the most jaded art critic. Not sure it's art but it is fun. My grade is a A.
Have a good weekend and stay dry.