Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Amazing Commercials

So I have an appreciation for well done commercials. They can often be even more entertaining than the show you're watching. These are a few of my favorites.

Singin in the Rain

Photos for an Imperfect World

Imposssible Field


Angry Chicken

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Portraits









Cheating the Mrs.
















This is the film that I made while I was in Prague durring the summer of 2004 with Corey Eisenstein and Ashley Beecher. The quality of this post is not as good as the original, but at least it is now viewable. So enjoy and let me know what you think. Follow the link below.


Cheating the Mrs.

Monday, November 14, 2005

About Joe

About Joe
By James Riviere

I have known Captain Pickard since the first day of College. Being his roomate freshman year and now senior year, and best friends in between, I can confidently say you all should take my words seriously, as it was written in stone.

Joe is.... See, the thing is that Joe is not easily described. His personality is not the type to be to put in a box. Fuck boxes. But in the limited space I have, I will attempt the impossible.

Albert Einstein once said: "Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence."
Joe loves life and all it posesses, yet hates, and I man HATES, stupid shit. Lesson #1: Dont say stupid shit around Joe, because its stupid and he doesnt tolerate stupid people.

Albert also said: "You can never solve a problem on the level on which it was created." Joe doesn't see the world as we do, nor should he. Lesson #2: Don't be up in his grill about realism and accepting shit as is. You know why? Because shit aint that simple to Joe. Get out of here with your simplistic pee-brains!

Anatole France said: "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." Joe aint afriad to dream. Lesson #3: All you sucker mc's who sit and dream and never act about how the world should be and surmise to the notion of how things "have to be done," you too...get out of Joe's biznass. This boy is gonna dream. And when all you suck-a-ducks are asking "why?" Joe will look you dead in the eye and say, "why not?!"

So next time you wake up from a bizarre dream, or all of a sudden see the world in absurdities, or have an idea that goes against all rational thought, DON'T repress it like you usually do...drop Joe a line. For all you other 9-5 biatches looking for picket-fences and 3 kids with a shit dog named Rocko, peacie weiss, you ain't ready for Joe...trick ass hoe.

Sunday, November 06, 2005

Review of The Weather Man

The Weather Man: A-

I left this film confused and content, a bizarre combination that must mean that it was a success. Nicholas Cage delivers a stunning performance, similar to his role in Adaptation, as a pathetic loser weather man trying to find meaning in his life. I can attribute the majority of the success of this film to the screenwriting which is cleverly crafted and insightful. Cage's narration is side-splittingly funny at times, revealing his fears and shortcomings. The dialogue mixes perfectly with the obscure, offbeat plot to create a depressing yet comical slice of David Spritz's (Cage) life. We follow him as he is confronted by not-so-adoring fans, hit in the head with fast food, and see him as he struggles to gain the love of his family who sees him as a failure. I found myself ultimately relating to Spritz, despite how pathetic he was, because he was real and his failings and self-questioning nature were real. At times he made me laugh and at others he frustrated me to no end, but this is what a good character does and I appreciated that. Gore Verbinski scored big with me on this one. I would say more, but I don't want to ruin it for anyone.

Saturday, November 05, 2005

Review of Jarhead

Jarhead: B

This was a higly entertaining film with superb acting. Though set in the Gulf War, this film is a commentay on the current war in the Middle East, and a poignant one. This film just shows how history repeates itself and how what we do has little impact on the world. In the style of Full Metal Jacket, this film follows one soldier, played flawlessly by Jake Gyllenhaal, through boot camp and off to war, where he struggles to keep his sanity and find meaning in his life. The film succeeds in the way that Vietnam war films succeed in that it presents a group of people who are confused and scared striving to fight off boredom while keeping their sanity. The images in this film are striking and brilliantly composed. This film, though, is really nothing new. It is very well done, but really covers no new ground. On the other hand, you will leave the theater with a head full of thoughts. It was enjoyable, and often comical, but there is no need to rush out and see it right away. I say wait for DVD to be welcomed into "the suck".

Friday, November 04, 2005

Japan Pictures









So I spent a semester abroad in Japan, as many of you know, and I figured that it would be worthwhile to post some of the best pictures I took while I was there.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Returnee Photo Contest Winner


This is the image a took in Japan that was chosen as one of the winners of the Abroad Returnee Photo Contest.