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Tag Archives: Rachel McAdams
Audition (Japan, 1999) [IMDB: 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes: 81%, My Rating: 8.0]
'Audition' launched the Japanese high-brow horror genre along with the more widely viewed 'Ringu'. 'Audition' is a more layered and complex venture than Ringu. Watching 'Audition' is akin to peeling onions. Painful to watch for the sheer tragedy that unfolds, 'Audition' is that rare thriller-horror movie which slowly grows on you. A widower holds a fake casting call to find his next life partner. The enigmatic lady who catches his attention is the lady of his dreams. The dreams soon turn to nightmares as the master director takes you on a ride well worth the build-up. Watch 'Audition' if you have the courage to sit through silent horror.
American Animals [IMDB: 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes: 85%, My Rating: 7.5]
Based on a true story of a bungled art heist, 'American Animals' tells the story of a few millennials who repeatedly fail to see the lines they are willing to blur to achieve instant wealth. Interspersed with interviews of the real life characters, the movie plays out more as a dark comedy than a thriller. With the foregone conclusion of the denouement, the movie is a stark portrayal of how much naivety and indecision went into a plan notable more for the lack of a coherent plan. What is baffling about the crime itself is that the perpetrators did not meet the standard definition of criminals. One of them came from a stable family, another was good at academics and a third one was almost a serial entrepreneur. The distrust in the team is evident as they recollect past events in which their narratives are full of contradictions. American Animals is a character study of millennials for whom the idea of what is right or wrong is more grey than black or white.
Hereditary [IMDB: 7.5, Rotten Tomatoes: 89%, My Rating: 7.5]
From writer-director Ari Aster comes a tale of a family discovering unpleasant secrets with the added tension of an unfolding horror show. The talented and underappreciated Toni Collette mourns death in her family and learns more about death itself as we progress in this instant horror classic. The clues are there from the first frame itself. I don't want to spoil the fun by revealing more. Go watch it.
Game Night [IMDB: 7.0, Rotten Tomatoes: 83%, My Rating:6.0 ]
Rachel McAdams and Jason Bateman star as a star-crossed couple who land up in situations they never bargained for. A motley group of characters ranging from a spooky neighbour to a high flying brother keep the action going in this mad caper. McAdams and Bateman who meet at a game night and marry, continue their proud tradition of hosting game nights. It is during one of those nights that things go berserk. What follows is a sequence of events which is mildly amusing. The best part of the movie is the end sequence with some side jabs to even Harvard University. Recommended if you have the time to spend on movies which require minimum amount of your grey cells to function.
Set It Up [IMDB: 6.5, Rotten Tomatoes: 90%, My Rating: 7.0 ]
The thing about this Netflix flick is that if you have low expectations, you are in for a surprise. Smartly written and directed with panache, 'Set it Up' is a mini revival of the romantic comedy genre which was more or less on life support. Romantic comedy as a genre has been conveniently given the short shrift by the big Hollywood studios in the last decade or so. In 'Set it Up', two overworked office slaves plot to make their bosses fall in love with the express intention of lessening their own workload. The best thing about the movie is that it never bores you and that is a big achievement when it is a romantic comedy. Watch it if you like movies as smooth as Teflon.
Chappaquiddick [IMDB: 6.5, Rotten Tomatoes: 80%, My Rating: 7.5]
The Kennedy family was the original first family of the US till the Clintons and Bushs turned up. The senior Kennedy was the first head of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Besides the obvious fame of John and Robert Kennedy, the Kennedys have had a hand in many pies from founding the Special Olympics to creating the California Museum. The enigmatic yet respected figure in the family was the only surviving male child of the senior Kennedy. Ted Kennedy had to live a life of expectations and the burden of his other brothers' popularity. Ted also had an infamous criminal event which besmirched his reputation and put an end to any hopes of reaching the highest office in the nation. 'Chappaquiddick' is a faithful and contentious retelling of the events that cast a long shadow on the legacy of Ted Kennedy. The movie is engrossing for the material it handles and does not hold back any punches on the culpability of Ted Kennedy. Ted Kennedy swings between the courage of his convictions and the urgency of self-preservation in this crisp thriller.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society [IMDB: 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes: 82%, My Rating: 7.0 ]
First things first. The best thing about the movie is the title. It is almost irresistible not to watch a movie with such a title. The novelty of the title wears off once you are told of the origin story. The movie is mostly passable stuff from the director who brought us a mini classic like 'Four Weddings And A Funeral'. Intrigued by the correspondence she receives; a fledgling author decides to take a trip to Guernsey. There she gets embroiled in the mysterious case of a missing woman. As she tries to unravel the secrets of the island, she not only discovers the truth but also herself. Though the movie is largely watchable, I have this sneaky feeling that the novel which formed the source material must be better.
Little Pink House [IMDB: 6.5, Rotten Tomatoes: 74%, My Rating: 6.5]
The bone of contention in this movie is the question of whether the government has the right to take away your land for passing it to other private parties. Based on litigation which went all the way to the Supreme Court of USA, this movie is a faithful and unfortunately tepid retelling of an event which caused much consternation in the general populace. The movie has an unfocused approach where it plays out well neither as a drama nor as a courtroom thriller. At the centre is an unwilling protagonist who is only willing to test the water but not take the plunge into the heart of the issue. (Spoilers Ahead) Since there is hardly any scope for celebrating a case which was lost in the court but won outside of it through attrition, the demand is on the viewer to see the bigger picture.
Adrift [IMDB: 6.6, Rotten Tomatoes: 73%, My Rating: 6.5 ]
Produced by Shailene Woodley who also plays the lead, 'Adrift' tells the true story of a lady who was lost at sea for weeks and had to gather her wits to survive. 'Adrift' is mostly off target when it shows the sights of the sea and the despair of the sailor. The oxygen supply to the movie is provided by the scenes of flashback that come with comforting frequency in a movie told in the flashback – flash forward format. The flashback scenes make the movie endearing and build the much-needed emotional element to the movie. This could have been a better movie if it had a better director, a better music director and a better editor.
Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind [IMDB: 8.0, Rotten Tomatoes: 97%, My Rating: 7.5 ]
A peek inside the life of Robin Williams. The man behind the jovial characters he played on screen.
Eagerly waiting for: 'Fahrenheit 11/9'
Did you know: George Clooney was the highest earning actor in the world last year but most of his income came from his 'Casamigos Tequila' business.
Tagged Aaron Kandell, Andrew Logan, Ann Dowd, Ari Aster, Baltasar Kormákur, Barry Keoghan, Bart Layton, Catherine Keener, Claire Scanlon, Colin Cunningham, Courtney Balaker, Ed Helms, Eihi Shiina, Evan Peters, Gabriel Byrne, Glen Powell, Jason Bateman, Jason Clarke, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Jeffrey Thomas, Jessica Brown Findlay, John Curran, John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein, Kate Mara, Katie Silberman, Kyle Chandler, Lucy Liu, Marina Zenovich, Mark Perez, Michiel Huisman, Mike Newell, Milly Shapiro, Rachel McAdams, Robert Altman, Robin Williams, Ryo Ishibashi, Sam Claflin, Shailene Woodley, Steve Allen, Takashi Miike, Taylor Allen, Tetsu Sawaki, Tom Courtenay, Toni Collette, Zoey Deutch
January 10, 2016 by Rohit Jagadeesan
Assassination (South Korea, 2015) [IMDB: 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes: 87%, My Rating: 7.5]
Set in 1933 in Korea when Korea was under Japanese occupation, the movie captures the attempt to assassinate a top Japanese Commander by a committed bunch of nationalists. Lavishly mounted and slickly edited to airbrush the inconsistencies in the plot, this action-drama provides enough entertainment to keep you on the edge of your seat for a large part of the movie. The movie feels like an epic and the director should be commended for stretching every cent of the $16 million budget. Definitely worth a watch.
Spotlight (2015) [IMDB: 8.4, Rotten Tomatoes:97%, My Rating:8.5 ]
Featuring the best ensemble cast assembled in 2015, this early Oscar favorite tells the true story of the Boston Globe expose of the widespread abuse of children by the clergy in Catholic churches. The 2002 story was an act of journalistic courage. The movie is an ode to the good old ways of investigative journalism and a gentle reminder of the power of a newspaper to do good. The movie underplays the heroes of the story. There are no trumpets here, no soaring background score, and no singular acts of courage. It is about a group of men and women using their best abilities to do what they do best. They are ordinary folks who have concerns of their own and are appalled by the state of affairs. 'Spotlight' is a subdued movie and will now be the gold standard for any movie on journalism.
The Big Short (2015) [IMDB: 8.1, Rotten Tomatoes:90, My Rating:8.0 ]
Coming from author Michael Lewis and producer Brad Pitt who collaborated for the much admired 'Moneyball', this film is about a set of defiant individuals who saw what others refused to see and gained from it. 'The Big Short' follows the lives of a few men who bet on the bursting of the housing bubble that culminated in the financial meltdown of 2008. With a cast that was only bettered by the 'Spotlight' team in 2015, the film deftly manoeuvres through the series of events which involve some heavy financial jargon. The film comes up with a new way to explain the jargon. The Hollywood studios must be commended for betting their money on what is a difficult topic to make a film on and the American audiences must be equally complimented for their reception to such movies. Steve Carell and Christian Bale put in commanding performances in what is certainly one of the best movies of the year.
Steve Jobs (2015) [IMDB: 7.5, Rotten Tomatoes:85%, My Rating:7.5 ]
Michael Fassbender gives his career best performance in this biopic of Steve Jobs directed by Academy Award winner Danny Boyle based on Academy Award winner AAron Sorkin's screenplay. The film is episodic and features the behind the scenes story of Steve Jobs before every major product launch in his life. Since the movie focuses on the personal life of Steve Jobs, a viewer without much knowledge of the business aspect of his life will find it a bit difficult to understand the subject matter. The movie's greatest failure is that it demands familiarity with the Apple maestro. To the credit of the movie it must be said that it shows a personal side of Jobs that the media seldom covered before his death. Though the film is an entertaining one and an artistic success, its commercial failure may point to the fatigue of the audiences due to too many Jobs films releasing in s short span of time.
Beasts of No Nation (2015) [IMDB: 7.1, Rotten Tomatoes:93%, My Rating:8.0]
The first thing that struck me while watching this gem of a film, is the familiarity with the geography. Later I discovered that the film was shot in Ghana but the film is set in a unnamed country and tells the story of child soldier Agu who loses his family and ends up being part of a ragtag militia of rebels. Idris Elba puts in his best performance as the leader of the decrepit but highly committed group. It is interesting to note that he never picks up the gun himself even when leading ambushes. Abraham Attah carries the weight of the movie on his tiny shoulders with a towering performance. The greater acclaim deservedly should go to producer-director-cinematographer-writer Cary Joji Fukunaga for creating an engaging and spellbinding movie of the highest quality.
Slow West (2015) [IMDB: 7.0, Rotten Tomatoes:92%, My Rating:7.5 ]
'Slow West' is the hidden marvel of 2015. It is a movie which resurrects the Western but is not a film that should be put in compartments. Jay travels from Scotland to seek his Rose in the wild West of USA in late 19th century. Meanwhile Rose is wanted for murder and a group of bounty hunters are after her life. Charming in its unique way and telling a story which can truly be called original, 'Slow West' gradually becomes an unforgettable movie. The movie also uses clever tricks in narration. The movie is also an unflattering look at life in the lawless terrain. One of the best movies of the year.
The Good Dinosaur (2015) [IMDB: 7.0, Rotten Tomatoes:76, My Rating: 7.0]
This movie was plagued by numerous script revisions and disagreements between the creators that even the director was changed midway through the project. It also comes hot on the heels of the success of the classic 'Inside Out'. Add to that the Pixar label. The weight of expectations crushes an otherwise decent flick worth a watch. The movie is set in a world in which dinosaurs are not extinct and run families which (strangely) look like human families. The weak dinosaur in the family gets his chance to 'grow up' when he is separated from the family. During this time he meets and befriends a human child, and embarks on a multitude of adventures. The excellent animation is no match for a movie which could be called 'Finding the Way Home'. I believe that the movie itself would have been better if the protagonist was a child but then it would be called 'Baby's Day Out'.
No Escape (2015) [IMDB: 6.8, Rotten Tomatoes:46%, My Rating:6.0 ]
Owen Wilson stars as the patriarch of an American family in an unnamed Southeast Asian country facing the ire of violent mobs protesting against the company for which Wilson works. Providing some good thrills and yet never shying away from stereotyping, the film is good enough to deserve a single viewing.
Adi Kapyare Kootamani (Malayalam, 2015) [IMDB: 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes:Not yet rated, My Rating:7.5 ]
This rib tickling comedy works on an entirely Indian premise where a girl who enters a boys hostel needs to be escorted out without the knowledge of the hostelers. With winning performances from all involved, this movie which is made on a shoe string budget laughs its way into the hearts of viewers.
Two Countries (Malayalam, 2015) [IMDB: 6.9, Rotten Tomatoes: Not yet rated, My Rating:7.0 ]
Coming from a team which has only made hits together, the movie tells the story of a happy go lucky man who marries an Indian-Canadian. Peppered with humorous scenes, the film is a laugh riot. Yet another proof that the finest comedy in the country is produced in Malayalam.
Charlie [IMDB: 7.6, Rotten Tomatoes:Not yet rated, My Rating:6.0 ]
A girl moves into a rickety flat where she discovers the possessions of the former tenant. Intrigued by what she sees, she sets out to find the man behind the story. What she and the audience discover forms the crux of a story that is cloyingly sweet and preachy in parts. Neither boring nor great.
Next Goal Wins [IMDB: 7.0, Rotten Tomatoes:100%, My Rating:8.5 ]
The soccer team of American Samoa holds the record for the worst defeat in international soccer (a 31-0 drubbing at the the hands of Australia). Their goalkeeper gets nightmares in his sleep. In fact, American Samoa could never score a goal in an international match. Then everything changes. A true story of ecstasy, heartbreak and redemption. Must see.
Eagerly waiting for: 'Macbeth' with Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard.
Did you know: 'Jurassic World' was the highest grossing film in USA in 2015.
Tagged Aaron Sorkin, Abraham Attah, Adam McKay, Aparna Gopinath, Ben Mendelsohn, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Christian Bale, Danny Boyle, Dhyan Sreenivasan, Dileep, Dong-hoon Choi, Drew Dowdle, Dulquer Salmaan, Emmanuel Affadzi, Frances McDormand, Isha Talwar, Jaiyah Saelua, Jeffrey Wright, Ji-hyun Jun, John Erick Dowdle, John Maclean, John Varghese, Josh Singer, Jung-jae Lee, Jung-woo Ha, Kate Winslet, Ki-Cheol Lee, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Lake Bell, Maleah Nipay-Padilla, Mamta Mohandas, Mark Ruffalo, Martin Prakkat, Michael Fassbender, Michael Keaton, Mike Brett, Mukesh, Namitha Pramod, Nicky Salapu, Owen Wilson, Parvathy, Peter Sohn, Pierce Brosnan, Rachel McAdams, Ricky Adelayitor, Ryan Gosling, Seth Rogen, Shafi, Steve Carell, Steve Jamison, Thomas Rongen, Tom McCarthy
February 8, 2014 by Rohit Jagadeesan
Il Postino: The Postman (Italy, 1994) [IMDB:7.8, Rotten Tomatoes: 94%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-wrM1ptyHM
I was looking for some inspiration to pen the blog this week after a truly hectic schedule. What else could be a better movie to kick start this edition than this Italian classic about a poorly educated man who is inspired by Pablo Neruda's poetry to finally convey his love to the woman he has always loved. The legendary poet from Chile moves into an Italian island and the protagonist who is a postman gets to deliver mail to Neruda. In the process, he befriends Neruda who aids him through his poetry and helps the postman to speak up to the village beauty he has always admired, from a distance. A blend of romance, music and poetry, this film shows the endless possibilities of literature. Shot elegantly, the movie sets the right tone and is one of the really unique pieces in movie making. Two thumbs up.
A Royal Affair (Denmark, 2012) [ IMDB"7.6, Rotten Tomatoes: 89%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGXNQu3fpP8
'A Royal Affair' is a movie which unfortunately released in the same year as 'Amour', thus sealing its fate as the close loser to the latter at all the major awards in the Foreign Language category in 2012. On its own, the film is a rather engaging one and has been shot with the grandeur it deserves. The heart of the story is about an ordinary man who stretches the limits of imagination and customs to do good for the common man in an era when the buck stopped at the king's door. A queen married to an insane king falls in love with a physician who has progressive ideals. The film is based on a true story concerning the Danish monarchy. As one critic noted, falling in love can change the world or at least the fate of a nation. Must watch.
August: Osage County (2013) [ IMDB: 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes: 72%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hd_uO72h1s
I was looking forward to this movie because the play on which it is based was very successful and it is not every other day that Mery Streep and Julia Roberts share screen space. The film though turned out to be close to a dud but is salvaged by the acting prowess of the thespians on screen. A family tragedy leads to the reunion of a few strong willed and opinionated women in a family in Oklahoma. Fireworks on screen should have ideally followed the setting but the film struggles to even ignite a spark. The movie fails to explore cinema as a medium and is constrained by the feel of a play which it is not able to shake off. An average effort.
About Time (2013) [ IMDB: 7.9, Rotten Tomatoes: 89%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7A810duHvw
The running joke about this movie is that Rachel McAdams falls in love in movies only with people who can time travel. Here, the man in her life is an ordinary guy who thinks about making his life better as opposed to changing the world when he discovers that the ability to time travel runs in the family. He tries to replay moments in his life he cares for, until they reach perfection. Though the film requires suspension of disbelief, you are willing to play along as it involves the extraordinary love story of an ordinary man. I like romantic movies with good production values, decent acting, good lines and soft music. I liked this one.
The Family (2013) [ IMDB: 6.4, Rotten Tomatoes: 29%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwZNypYmPFE
Robert De Niro is the head of an Italian mob clan who hides out in France with his family under a witness protection programme. The family wrecks havoc in the local community with their trigger happy violent ways. Though I warmed up to the premise of the movie, it got too hot to handle with its unnecessary violence as it progressed. What could have been a comedy soon turned into a ultra violent movie. Catch it on TV when you have nothing else to do.
Philip Seymour Hoffman Retrospective
There are some deaths which make you feel that they are so unfair. At 46 years Hoffman was not even near the peak of his acting abilities. He had so much to offer. Though it is a cliche to say this, it can be said without any exaggeration that his death is an irreplaceable loss. My tribute to the one of the greatest actors of his generation.
Capote (2005) [ IMDB: 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes: 90%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjvBYqp8b6U
Quite possibly Hoffman's best performance which also got him the Oscar. Hoffman is Truman Capote. Even Capote himself would have been less authentic if he had acted. Oozes class.
Synecdoche, New York (2008) [ IMDB: 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes: 70%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIizh6nYnTU
A movie on existentialism. Not everyone's cup of tea. Hoffman is so good in it that I have watched some scenes many times over in awe of how he pulls them off.
The Master (2012) [ IMDB:7.1, Rotten Tomatoes: 85%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ1O1vb9AUU
It is a competition between Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix in the acting department. Both of them are winners. The story does not even matter.
How to Die in Oregon (2011) [ IMDB: 8.2, Rotten Tomatoes: 100%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F-525sCzhE
Two decades ago Oregon became the first US state to legalize physician assisted suicide. The documentary follows the lives of a few terminally ill people as they grapple with the question in light of the new law. Heartbreaking.
Eagerly Waiting for: 'Non-Stop' because Liam Neeson is the new angry middle aged man.
Did you know: Walt Disney refused to allow Alfred Hitchcock to film at Disneyland in the early 1960s because he had made "that disgusting movie Psycho."
Tagged Alicia Vikander, Bill Nighy, Bodil Steensen-Leth, Dermot Mulroney, Dianna Agron, Domhnall Gleeson, John Wells, Julia Roberts, Luc Besson, Mads Mikkelsen, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Massimo Troisi, Meryl Streep, Michael Radford, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Nikolaj Arcel, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Philippe Noiret, Rachel McAdams, Richard Curtis, Robert De Niro
July 13, 2013 by Rohit Jagadeesan
Movies: Non- English
California Dreamin' (Romania, 2007) [IMDB: 7.6, Rotten Tomatoes: 89%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75NoNVMkQwU
What happens when a NATO train with US soldiers is stopped in a small town in Romania because it does not have the transit documents? In times when the Bolivian President is not given a safe flight home, this film is also a reminder that even Romania can poke USA if it really wants to. This is the story told by Director Cristian Nemescu in one of those movies which is as farcical as it is serious. Stranded in a small town with corrupt local officials, the soldiers get to see a slice of the daily lives of the people of Romania. The acting is natural and believable. We are not talking of a masterpiece here but a normal entertaining movie. The film could have been sharper but the young director died immediately after the completion of the film.
Halfaouine : Boy of the Terraces (Tunisia, 1990) [IMDB: 6.9, Rotten Tomatoes: 61%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N8OzaWW24g
Get a glimpse of Arab culture and life in this Tunisian movie which is a coming off age story. An adolescent boy and his curiosities are presented with poise by the director without losing the sensuality of it all. The film never gets voyeuristic and moves at a pleasant pace. The story is universal but the setting and the characters make it special. The acting is so effortless that you may feel that you are not watching a movie but a slice of life in Tunisia. Recommended for the viewer who is open to knowing new cultures and lifestyles.
Hollywood Retrospective
Say Anything… (1989) [IMDB: 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes: 98%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFV7FnbhBRY
John Cusack may mean many things to many people but when I hear that name the first image that comes to my mind is the iconic scene of him holding up the stereo to play it outside his sweetheart's house in the finely written romance 'Say Anything'. This movie will never make it to the list of greatest movies ever made but this one will stay with you if you can pay attention to the good dialogues and scenes it has. Also, when the lady being wooed is Ione Syke, it does not hurt to look at the screen. In case you want to see more of her 'The Rachel Papers' is highly recommended in spite of it being a flawed movie. If you ever watch 'The Rachel Papers', check out the scene when the taxi leaves just as a kiss is going to happen. That is one of my favourite romantic scenes on screen. Coming back to 'Say Anything', just watch it with your boyfriend/girlfriend on a lazy afternoon.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) [IMDB: 8.4, Rotten Tomatoes: 93%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GiLxkDK8sI
Once in a while you watch a movie that just blows you away. With me the real world experience in such cases involves changing my posture from lying down in the bed/sofa to jumping up and grabbing the chair because it hits me that the movie deserves my full attention. 'Eternal Sunshine…' is one such movie. The movie wants to tell three things. Firstly, when lovers start out they look perfect to each other but then it is difficult to sustain the same passion unless you are willing to put that extra effort. Secondly, some people are made for each other and nothing can stop that. Thirdly, just as joy is part of life so is pain. Now, the real genius of the writer Charlie Kaufman (I am a huge fan) is how he makes a story to fit these ideas neatly into them and tell it without you realizing that you are being told the exact same things in a wonderful way. More than anything, I marvel at the ability of someone to think, conceptualize and finally put pen to paper on such an original screenplay which deservedly won the Oscar. It is interesting that in a film with Jim Carrey it is Kate Winslet who looks the odd character. The performances are alright, the direction is above average but the screenplay is awesome. While watching this masterpiece, try to think like a writer.
Out of Africa (1985) [IMDB: 7.0, Rotten Tomatoes: 83%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gYlSGUTthw
A fiercely independent woman who would not be tied down by anything or to anybody meets her match in Africa. The people in question happen to be Meryl Streep and Robert Redford in this old world romance directed by Sydney Pollack. Visually stunning, tragic and emotionally draining. In the middle of all the excitement that the movie generates there is that feeling of impending doom. Based on a true story.
To the Wonder (2012) [IMDB: 6.3, Rotten Tomatoes: 48%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTAzcTZTY1g
Terrence Malick's effort after 'Tree of Life' is a dud. Ben Affleck, Javier Bardem, Rachel McAdams or Olga Kurylenko cannot save this film from doom. The dialogues are minimal and the movie tries to look high end art house cinema without much success. Still, I can watch this movie more than once just for the visual experience it gives. It is one of the most beautifully shot films I have seen in recent times. The locations are simply breathtaking but in the end all that comes to nothing for the lack of a story.
Ishkq in Paris (India, 2013) [IMDB: 3.3, Rotten Tomatoes: 33%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqwSWLjChSs
Why I watched this movie? I don't know. How I felt when I watching it? I certainly know. I should have known better. When Preity Zinta was giving interviews saying she was confident about the movie because it has a good story, I should have read between the lines. The first half of the film is 'Before Sunrise' copied scene by scene. The second half? Don't even bother. Somebody please tell Zinta that she is no more the bubbly girl of 'Dil Se'. I don't know whether I was hallucinating but the male lead had kohl lined eyes throughout. Spooky. Also, trash.
The Watch (2012) [IMDB: 5.7, Rotten Tomatoes: 41%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNvzuscCzVA
Heard about too many cooks spoiling the broth? The case is not exactly that here because there is no broth to begin with. Four men defend their neighborhood against alien invasion. Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill are so bad in the film that the aliens' acting looks better. Still, if you have an IQ in single digits you may enjoy it but such people are harder to find on earth than aliens.
Hoop Dreams (1994) [IMDB:8.0, Rotten Tomatoes: 98%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph2Y-epihlk
Two boys whose only way out of crime and poverty is basketball, try to make their dreams come true. Uplifting.
Eagerly waiting for: 'Blue Jasmine' because I eagerly await every movie from Woody Allen. After covering Barcelona, London, Paris and Rome in the last few films, he is now back to San Francisco.
Did you know: There are more than 40,000 movie screens in the USA.
Tagged Asfour Stah, Ben Affleck, Ben Stiller, Boy of the Terraces, California Dreamin', Cameron Crowe, Charlie Kaufman, Cristian Nemescu, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Férid Boughedir, Hoop Dreams, Internet Movie Database, Ione Skye, Ishkq in Paris, Jim Carrey, John Cusack, Jonah Hill, Kate Winslet, Meryl Streep, Michel Gondry, Nesfarsit, Olga Kurylenko, Out of Africa, Preity Zinta, Rachel McAdams, Robert Redford, Rotten Tomatoes, Say Anything, Sydney Pollack, Terrence Malick, The Watch, To the Wonder, Vince Vaughn
June 22, 2013 by Rohit Jagadeesan
Let the Right One In (Sweden, 2008) [IMDB: 8.0/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 98%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICp4g9p_rgo
I am not sure whether this is a horror film or a thriller and I am not too bothered by which genre it belongs to because it keeps you on the edge of your seat without you even knowing it. Credited with reviving the left for dead (no pun intended) vampire movie genre, this is a movie which will redefine your cinematic sensibilities. A young boy falls in love with a girl who happens to be a vampire. The girl returns the love by taking care of the people who bully the boy. The boy also helps her with occasional supply of blood which quenches her thirst. An odd love story where you will root for a vampire. Classy. Still not convinced? Watch the swimming pool scene.
Spirited Away (Japan, 2001) [IMDB: 8.6/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 97%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6az9wGfeSgM
Animation is imagination on the big screen. 'Spirited Away' takes you on a journey like no other and shows the world that some of the best work in animation happens outside Hollywood. A girl and her wonderland. That is pretty much what the movie is about but they made it into an animation classic they swept the awards at places like the Berlin International Film Festival, Sundance and ultimately at the Oscars where it beat Ice Age to deservedly land the nod for the Best Animation Picture. Along the way it found fans like James Cameron. To date, it remains one of the best animation movies ever made. There must be some reason when it is the first animation picture I chose to write about in my blog.
Pather Panchali (India, 1955) [IMDB: 8.0/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 97%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWMTCuYcWPU
Legend has it that when the movie was screened for the first time for European audiences, some critics walked out midway through the movie. Nearly 60 years later, the reputation of the movie as a timeless classic has increased with every passing year. With a haunting background score by Pandit Ravishankar, the movie remains a masterful study of people. The mundane life of a peasant family in rural Bengal comes to life in a motion picture which flows like a river with hardly a moment to pause. It is sad that not many in India have seen the movie in recent times. Essential viewing.
Reds (1981) [IMDB: 7.3/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 94%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjjRDJ039FI
Warren Beatty had staked his reputation and much more on this classic which took a long time to make but when he finally made it, it became the best picture on the communist movement in USA. For a country which sees the devil in the word 'socialism', it is also a reminder that there was indeed a communist movement in the country. Spanning a long and critical period in world history, the film takes you to locations around the world along with its protagonist. The story is based on real events. There is a good love story running parallel to the theme and I think the movie has the best performance of Diane Keaton. One of the most poignant scenes I have seen on screen is the climax of the film when Diane Keaton goes to get some water and sees a child. The movie makes you wonder about the glorious possibilities of history.
Unforgiven (1992) [IMDB: 8.3/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 97%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDAXGILEdro
The last great Western. Men are called upon to avenge the dishonouring of women. Well, if life were were so simple, we would not have Westerns. Clint Eastwood's return to greatness is marked by this revenge drama which like most of the movies of Eastwood in the last two decades deals with the idea of justice. When law fails, it is left to the outlaws to make the world a better place. This, like last week's 'Road to Perdition' is my kind of movie. Strong screenplay, great dialogues, nuanced performances and a great story to tell. Clint Eastwood plus Morgan Freeman is the formula for magic on screen. Throw in Gene Hackman and you get some twisted magic. Must see.
A better Life (2011) [IMDB: 7.1/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 84%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaLSBdL-zCY
An illegal immigrant anchors his dreams for his son on owning his own business without getting caught by the law. The performances are really good, especially the one by the lead actor Demian Bichir who leads a life of quite dignity. His restraint in the car park scene is in stark contrast to the reaction of his son. The movie is effective in showing the distressed lives of illegal immigrants in the USA. It is a one time watch. I had this nagging feeling that the movie is an advertisement for Obama administration's immigration policies. Well you see, the child can stay on.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (India, 2013) [IMDB: 6.6/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 62%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbp2XUSeUNE
Since it is produced by Karan Johar, I had very low expectations from the film and for this reason I could sit through it. It does have some good dialogues in the second half. It was not bad as it was expected to be, but it did try hard. For starters, Karan Johar thinks that the nerd girl to cool babe transformation is achievable by replacing spectacles with contact lenses. From Preity Zinta in Kal Ho Naa Ho to Deepika Padukone in this flick, his heroines fervently believe in this formula. In fact, Deepika goes one better. She transforms herself like Kajol in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. To be sure, boys and girls cannot be friends. They have to fall in love too. Oh, I almost forgot. Everything is resolved at destination weddings where the radical girl has an arranged marriage. To complete the cliches, there is the dumb beauty too. Just for the record, Hamdard Rooh Afza is any day better than the Pepsi Ranbir Kapoor endorses. If you have forgotten the Indian movie formula and want to revise it, watch the film.
Morning Glory (2010) [IMDB: 6.4/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 55%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9lWUqraDoU
This movie is also way too predictable. It has some nice touches though. Rachel McAdams is a producer of a television show running on life support. She gets two veterans to come on board as hosts and together they try to make things better while fighting each other. Strictly for weekend viewing when you have nothing much to do.
Passion Play (2010) [IMDB: 4.3/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 17%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy36HZhspyw
Megan Fox as an angel with wings, waiting to be rescued by Mickey Rourke. What were the writers smoking? Right up there in the list of worst movies to have come out in the last 5 years, the movie has no reason for its existence. For those thinking, what happened to Rourke after 'The Wrestler', this movie is a reminder that it is not for nothing that he has a bad boy reputation. Watch at you own risk.
The Invisible War (2012) [IMDB: 7.4/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 100%]
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECOqpv45tIo
The story that was swept under the carpet far too many times finally becomes public. The documentary exposes the lopsided policies of the US Government against women in the military while telling the story of sexual abuse in US armed forces. Hard hitting. Must watch.
Eagerly Waiting For: 'The Wolf of Wall Street' because Scorsese and DiCaprio together make great movies.
Did you know: 'Midnight in Paris' was Woody Allen's biggest box office success.
Tagged A better life, Ayan Mukherji, Bill Murray, Clint Eastwood, Deepika Padukone, Demian Bichir, Diane Keaton, Gene Hackman, Harrison Ford, Kalki Koechlin, Karan Johar, Låt den rätte komma in, Let the Right One In, Megan Fox, Mickey Rourke, Morgan Freeman, Morning Glory, Passion Play, Pather Panchali, Rachel McAdams, Ranbir Kapoor, Reds, Satyajit Ray, Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi, Spirited Away, The Invisible War, Unforgiven, Warren Beatty, Yeh Jawaani hai deewani


text:
Microdon aeneus är en tvåvingeart som beskrevs av Keiser 1952. Microdon aeneus ingår i släktet myrblomflugor, och familjen blomflugor. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Myrblomflugor
aeneus

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


ALANIS MORISSETTE lyrics : "Are You Still Mad ?"
are you still mad I kicked you out of bed?
are you still mad I gave you ultimatums?
my forty year old male friends?
are you still mad I had an emotional affair?
who I wanted you to be?
are you still mad I didn't trust your intentions?
are you still mad that I flirted wildly?
are you still mad I had a tendency to mother you?
are you still mad that I had one foot out of the door?
are you still mad I wore the pants most of the time?
are you still mad that I threw in the towel?
are you still mad that I gave up long before you did?
ALANIS MORISSETTE lyrics are property and copyright of their owners. "Are You Still Mad ?" lyrics are provided for educational purposes only.


text:
Jury Fails To Reach Verdict In Ryan Giggs Assault Trial | Football News
A UK judge on Wednesday discharged the 11-person jury in the domestic violence case against former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs, after it failed to reach a verdict despite days of deliberations. Judge Hilary Manley dismissed the jury of seven women and four men, which had been given the option of delivering a majority verdict, after determining there was no "realistic prospect" of a decision following almost 23 hours of consideration. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which oversees prosecutions in England and Wales, were given a week to decide whether to retry the case following the four-week trial at Manchester Crown Court.
"I have permitted the prosecution a short period of time to consider their position," Manley told Giggs shortly after discharging the jurors, adding "more will be clear in a week's time".
The CPS must consider the public interest of a retrial of the 48-year-old former footballer, who until recently served as coach of the Wales national team, which would take place next year and possibly as far off as June.
Giggs, who remains released on bail and is not required to attend the next court hearing on September 7, did not comment as he left court in central Manchester.
He had denied controlling and coercive behaviour against his former girlfriend Kate Greville as well as assaulting her and her younger sister.
If found guilty, the three counts could lead to a five-year jail term.
Prosecutors alleged that the ex-star headbutted Greville in the face as she tried to end their relationship, and had subjected her to a "litany of abuse, both physical and psychological".
– 'Far from perfect' –
Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was among those to give evidence in the case, which also saw Giggs take the stand and admit to being unfaithful in all his past romantic relationships but deny ever being violent.
His lawyer insisted the former winger "used no unlawful violence", while conceding that his behaviour "on a moral level was far from perfect".
Giggs resigned as the Wales manager in June, after being on leave since his arrest.
He said he did not want "continued interest around this case" to affect the team as it prepares for this year's World Cup in Qatar.
Giggs exploded onto the scene as a teenager in the mid-1990s. He ended his career at Old Trafford as the most-decorated player in English football history.
As a player, he made a club-record 963 appearances over 23 years for Manchester United, winning 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies.
He began his coaching career at Old Trafford, taking temporary charge at the end of the 2013-14 season after David Moyes was sacked. Giggs then worked as an assistant to Louis van Gaal for two years.
Giggs was appointed Wales boss in January 2018 and helped them secure qualification for Euro 2020, their first major tournament appearance since the 1958 World Cup.
He missed the chance to lead them to last year's European Championships after being placed on leave by the Welsh FA since November 2020.
He finally resigned from that role in June after Wales qualified for the World Cup under the stewardship of his former assistant Rob Page.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tagged in football ndtv sports, manchester united, ryan giggs, uefa champions league
PrevBarcelona Striker Aubameyang's Jaw Injured In Home Robbery | Football News
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Alan Cumyn was born in 1960 in Ottawa, Ontario. He earned a B.A. in English and history from Queen's University and an M.A. in creative writing and English literature from the University of Windsor in 1984. Cumyn lives in Ottawa with his wife, author Suzanne Evans.


The "Tower Bridge lift" website is showing the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force training ship Kashima (TV3508) as due Sunday 31st @ 1300 and sailing Wednesday @ 14.30.
Kashima along with two destroyers, Asagiri & Setoyuki are on a training cruise around the world and have been showing on the "Seawaves" website (not working at the moment) as due at either Brest, France or Portsmouth, UK this weekend. No mention of them on the QHM Portsmouth website so was wondering if all three are coming to London, the other two berthing elsewhere?
ASAGIRI and SETOYUKI arrived Brest Naval Base this morning.


text:
Q: java.lang.NullPointerException AllSuggestionsActivity.onTextChanged (AllSuggestionsActivity.this.adapter.getFilter().filter(cs);) I am getting an error (java.lang.NullPointerException) when I execute the code for the ListView with EditText for filtering at the line
AllSuggestionsActivity.this.adapter.getFilter().filter(cs);
kindly help.
public class AllSuggestionsActivity extends ListActivity {

    EditText inputSearch;
    ListView lstList;

    // Progress Dialog
    private ProgressDialog pDialog;

    ArrayAdapter<String> adapter = null;

    // Creating JSON Parser object
    JSONParser jParser = new JSONParser();

    ArrayList<HashMap<String, String>> suggestionsList;

    // url to get all suggestions list
    private static String url_all_suggestions = "http://10.0.2.2/JKUAT-M-SUGGESTION-BOX/get_all_suggestions.php";

    // JSON Node names
    private static final String TAG_SUCCESS = "success";
    private static final String TAG_SUGGESTIONS = "suggestions";
    private static final String TAG_SID = "sid";
    private static final String TAG_SUBJECT = "subject";

    // suggestions JSONArray
    JSONArray suggestions = null;

    @Override
    public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.all_suggestions);

        inputSearch = (EditText) findViewById(R.id.inputSearch);
        lstList = (ListView) findViewById(android.R.id.list);

        // Hashmap for ListView
        suggestionsList = new ArrayList<HashMap<String, String>>();

        // Loading suggestions in Background Thread
        new LoadAllSuggestions().execute();

        // Get listview
        ListView lv = getListView();

        /**
         * Enabling Search Filter
         * */
        inputSearch.addTextChangedListener(new TextWatcher() {

            @Override
            public void onTextChanged(CharSequence cs, int arg1, int arg2, int arg3) {
                // When user changed the Text
                AllSuggestionsActivity.this.adapter.getFilter().filter(cs);
            }

            @Override
            public void beforeTextChanged(CharSequence arg0, int arg1, int arg2,
                    int arg3) {
                // TODO Auto-generated method stub

            }

            @Override
            public void afterTextChanged(Editable arg0) {
                // TODO Auto-generated method stub
            }
        });

        // on seleting single suggestion
        // launching Edit Suggestion Screen
        lv.setOnItemClickListener(new OnItemClickListener() {

            @Override
            public void onItemClick(AdapterView<?> parent, View view,
                    int position, long id) {
                // getting values from selected ListItem
                String sid = ((TextView) view.findViewById(R.id.sid)).getText()
                        .toString();

                // Starting new intent
                Intent in = new Intent(getApplicationContext(),
                        EditSuggestionActivity.class);
                // sending sid to next activity
                in.putExtra(TAG_SID, sid);

                // starting new activity and expecting some response back
                startActivityForResult(in, 100);
            }
        });

    }

    // Response from Edit Suggestion Activity
    @Override
    protected void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent data) {
        super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, data);
        // if result code 100
        if (resultCode == 100) {
            // if result code 100 is received
            // means user edited/deleted suggestion
            // reload this screen again
            Intent intent = getIntent();
            finish();
            startActivity(intent);
        }

    }

    /**
     * Background Async Task to Load all suggestion by making HTTP Request
     * */
    class LoadAllSuggestions extends AsyncTask<String, String, String> {

        /**
         * Before starting background thread Show Progress Dialog
         * */
        @Override
        protected void onPreExecute() {
            super.onPreExecute();
            pDialog = new ProgressDialog(AllSuggestionsActivity.this);
            pDialog.setMessage("Loading all suggestions. Please wait.......");
            pDialog.setIndeterminate(false);
            pDialog.setCancelable(false);
            pDialog.show();
        }

        /**
         * getting All suggestions from url
         * */
        @Override
        protected String doInBackground(String... args) {
            // Building Parameters
            List<NameValuePair> params = new ArrayList<NameValuePair>();
            // getting JSON string from URL
            JSONObject json = jParser.makeHttpRequest(url_all_suggestions,
                    "GET", params);

            // Check your log cat for JSON reponse
            Log.d("All Suggestions: ", json.toString());

            try {
                // Checking for SUCCESS TAG
                int success = json.getInt(TAG_SUCCESS);

                if (success == 1) {
                    // suggestions found
                    // Getting Array of Suggestions
                    suggestions = json.getJSONArray(TAG_SUGGESTIONS);

                    // looping through All Suggestions
                    for (int i = 0; i < suggestions.length(); i++) {
                        JSONObject c = suggestions.getJSONObject(i);

                        // Storing each json item in variable
                        String id = c.getString(TAG_SID);
                        String subject = c.getString(TAG_SUBJECT);

                        // creating new HashMap
                        HashMap<String, String> map = new HashMap<String, String>();

                        // adding each child node to HashMap key => value
                        map.put(TAG_SID, id);
                        map.put(TAG_SUBJECT, subject);

                        // adding HashList to ArrayList
                        suggestionsList.add(map);
                    }
                } else {
                    // no suggestions found
                    Intent i = new Intent(getApplicationContext(),
                            MainScreenActivity.class);
                    // Closing all previous activities
                    i.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP);
                    startActivity(i);
                }
            } catch (JSONException e) {
                e.printStackTrace();
            }

            return null;
        }

        /**
         * After completing background task Dismiss the progress dialog
         * **/
        @Override
        protected void onPostExecute(String file_url) {
            // dismiss the dialog after getting all suggestions
            pDialog.dismiss();
            // updating UI from Background Thread
            runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
                @Override
                public void run() {
                    /**
                     * Updating parsed JSON data into ListView
                     * */
                    ListAdapter adapter = new SimpleAdapter(
                            AllSuggestionsActivity.this, suggestionsList,
                            R.layout.list_item, new String[] { TAG_SID,
                                    TAG_SUBJECT }, new int[] { R.id.sid,
                                    R.id.subject });
                    // updating listview
                    setListAdapter(adapter);
                }
            });
        }
    }
}

xml code for the listview:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<ScrollView
    xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="fill_parent"
    android:fillViewport="true">

    <LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
        android:layout_width="fill_parent"
        android:layout_height="fill_parent"
        android:orientation="vertical">

    <EditText
        android:id="@+id/inputSearch"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:layout_marginTop="5dp"
        android:ems="10"
        android:maxLines="1"
        android:hint="Search" >
        <requestFocus />
    </EditText>-->

        <!-- Main ListView
             Always give id value as list(@android:id/list)
        -->
        <ListView
            android:id="@android:id/list"
            android:layout_width="fill_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"/>

    </LinearLayout>

    enter code here

</ScrollView>

A: You've initialized your adapter to null & never re-initialized it with real values.  So when the line executes AllSuggestionsActivity.this.adapter.getFilter().filter(cs) the part in bold is where the NullPointerException is being thrown.
ArrayAdapter<String> adapter = null;

Also, it looks like your adapter depends on some JSON data, if thats the case & your trying to have filter options for that data, you could set the text watcher for your edit text in onPostExecute() after your adapter has the data ready.
Finally, you should get rid of runOnUiThread in your onPostExecute().  The onPostExecute() runs on the main UI thread by default so there is no need for runOnUiThread to be there.

A: Kindly find solution to the error:
public class AllSuggestionsActivity extends ListActivity {

SimpleAdapter adapter;

EditText inputSearch;

// Progress Dialog
private ProgressDialog pDialog;

// Creating JSON Parser object
JSONParser jParser = new JSONParser();

ArrayList<HashMap<String, String>> suggestionsList;

// url to get all suggestions list
private static String url_all_suggestions = "http://10.0.2.2/JKUAT-M-SUGGESTION-BOX/get_all_suggestions.php";

// JSON Node names
private static final String TAG_SUCCESS = "success";
private static final String TAG_SUGGESTIONS = "suggestions";
private static final String TAG_SID = "sid";
private static final String TAG_SUBJECT = "subject";

// suggestions JSONArray
JSONArray suggestions = null;

@Override
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    setContentView(R.layout.all_suggestions);

    // Hashmap for ListView
    suggestionsList = new ArrayList<HashMap<String, String>>();

    // Loading suggestions in Background Thread
    new LoadAllSuggestions().execute();

    // Get listview
    ListView lv = getListView();

    // on seleting single suggestion
    // launching Edit Suggestion Screen
    lv.setOnItemClickListener(new OnItemClickListener() {

        @Override
        public void onItemClick(AdapterView<?> parent, View view,
                int position, long id) {
            // getting values from selected ListItem
            String sid = ((TextView) view.findViewById(R.id.sid)).getText()
                    .toString();

            // Starting new intent
            Intent in = new Intent(getApplicationContext(),
                    EditSuggestionActivity.class);
            // sending sid to next activity
            in.putExtra(TAG_SID, sid);

            // starting new activity and expecting some response back
            startActivityForResult(in, 100);
        }
    });

}

// Response from Edit Suggestion Activity
@Override
protected void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent data) {
    super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, data);
    // if result code 100
    if (resultCode == 100) {
        // if result code 100 is received
        // means user edited/deleted suggestion
        // reload this screen again
        Intent intent = getIntent();
        finish();
        startActivity(intent);
    }

}

/**
 * Background Async Task to Load all suggestion by making HTTP Request
 * */
class LoadAllSuggestions extends AsyncTask<String, String, String> {

    /**
     * Before starting background thread Show Progress Dialog
     * */
    @Override
    protected void onPreExecute() {
        super.onPreExecute();
        pDialog = new ProgressDialog(AllSuggestionsActivity.this);
        pDialog.setMessage("Loading all suggestions. Please wait.......");
        pDialog.setIndeterminate(false);
        pDialog.setCancelable(false);
        pDialog.show();
    }

    /**
     * getting All suggestions from url
     * */
    @Override
    protected String doInBackground(String... args) {
        // Building Parameters
        List<NameValuePair> params = new ArrayList<NameValuePair>();
        // getting JSON string from URL
        JSONObject json = jParser.makeHttpRequest(url_all_suggestions,
                "GET", params);

        // Check your log cat for JSON reponse
        Log.d("All Suggestions: ", json.toString());

        try {
            // Checking for SUCCESS TAG
            int success = json.getInt(TAG_SUCCESS);

            if (success == 1) {
                // suggestions found
                // Getting Array of Suggestions
                suggestions = json.getJSONArray(TAG_SUGGESTIONS);

                // looping through All Suggestions
                for (int i = 0; i < suggestions.length(); i++) {
                    JSONObject c = suggestions.getJSONObject(i);

                    // Storing each json item in variable
                    String id = c.getString(TAG_SID);
                    String subject = c.getString(TAG_SUBJECT);

                    // creating new HashMap
                    HashMap<String, String> map = new HashMap<String, String>();

                    // adding each child node to HashMap key => value
                    map.put(TAG_SID, id);
                    map.put(TAG_SUBJECT, subject);

                    // adding HashList to ArrayList
                    suggestionsList.add(map);
                }
            } else {
                // no suggestions found
                Intent i = new Intent(getApplicationContext(),
                        MainScreenActivity.class);
                // Closing all previous activities
                i.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP);
                startActivity(i);
            }
        } catch (JSONException e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
        }

        return null;
    }

    /**
     * After completing background task Dismiss the progress dialog
     * **/
    @Override
    protected void onPostExecute(String file_url) {
        // dismiss the dialog after getting all suggestions
        pDialog.dismiss();
        // updating UI from Background Thread
        runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
            @Override
            public void run() {
                /**
                 * Updating parsed JSON data into ListView
                 * */

                adapter = new SimpleAdapter(
                        AllSuggestionsActivity.this, suggestionsList,
                        R.layout.list_item, new String[] { TAG_SID,
                                TAG_SUBJECT }, new int[] { R.id.sid,
                                R.id.subject });
                // updating listview
                setListAdapter(adapter);

                /**
                 * Enabling Search Filter
                 * */
                inputSearch = (EditText) findViewById(R.id.inputSearch);

                inputSearch.addTextChangedListener(new TextWatcher() {

                    @Override
                    public void onTextChanged(CharSequence cs, int arg1, int arg2, int arg3) {
                        // When user changed the Text
                        AllSuggestionsActivity.this.adapter.getFilter().filter(cs);
                    }

                    @Override
                    public void beforeTextChanged(CharSequence arg0, int arg1, int arg2,
                            int arg3) {
                        // TODO Auto-generated method stub

                    }

                    @Override
                    public void afterTextChanged(Editable arg0) {
                        // TODO Auto-generated method stub
                    }
                });
            }
        });
    }
}

}
xml file remains intact

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


This lovely hotel is centrally located, providing guests with a perfect starting point to explore the area. The fair grounds and the airport can be reached in a few minutes by tram and the central station is also within walking distance of the property. The 33 modern rooms are equipped with everything needed to spend a comfortable stay. En-suite bathrooms and cable-TV are standard features in all accommodation units. Guests will enjoy the hospitable atmosphere that only a family-run hotel can provide. The reception is opened 24 hours and there is a parking garage available to those arriving by their personal vehicles.


Giantware is a simple static website designed and developed by Technoduce info solutions Pvt Ltd. Understanding your customer's online behaviour, we focus on providing user-friendly as well as SEO friendly website. We see to that, the website is mobile responsive/friendly, simple navigation, fast loading time, readable content and much more. Thinking to develop a user-friendly website for your business? Contact us.


text:
Steve Price grills federal MP..
Steve Price grills federal MP over energy price promise
Craig Kellyenergy prices
Steve Price is keeping up the fight on behalf of listeners, grilling a federal MP on the government's power bills promises.
Scott Morrison won the election on the back of a guarantee that energy prices will come down.
But listeners have been flooding the openline saying that's just not happening, after a concerning report about older Australians who can't afford to turn their heaters on this winter.
'I'm freezing!': The heartbreaking call that personifies Australia's energy crisis
Federal MP Craig Kelly trotted out the party line, saying people need to ring around and ask for a better deal.
But Steve Price says that's just not good enough.
"So you're not going to bring it down, you're going to make all the consumers ring around to get their own discount," says Steve.
The Member for Hughes admits, "There's a lot of work we [the government] need to do in this space."
"You are absolutely right Steve, this has to be the number one priority of this term of government."
"The government's got to fix this," says Steve.
Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor told Macquarie Radio on Monday that prices are so high at the moment states are limiting gas exploration projects.
But energy expert Bruce Robertson, from the Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, says that's a "lie".
"Australia has tripled its production on the east coast in recent years and we are swimming in gas.
"This puts a lie to what the energy minister is saying."
He tells Steve Price Australians are paying 70 per cent more than we should be for gas.
"Gas prices in Australia are way, way, way above international parity prices and this means that gas… is simply uneconomic in this country.
"This is just price gouging, on a massive scale, by these gas cartels that control both the wholesale market and the retail market."
New cap could save you hundreds of dollars off your power bills, starting today


Welcome to the Bully Vaccine Home Vaccination Toolkit. This toolkit is designed as an in depth learning experience that will help you and your child develop a strategy to deal effectively with their bullying situation.
Document the bullying so that you can better understand what exactly is happening. This is a critical step in developing an action plan.
Understand why the bully is bullying so that you can more effectively address the root cause of the problem.
Plan a strategy so that you and your child can tackle the problem and get it stopped for good.
Additionally, this program will provide you and your child hints and tips on how to approach some of the more common problems children face when dealing with bullying.
Cost: pay what you can afford. Suggested $10 – available at our partner site The Bully Vaccine Project. It contains 2 1/2 hours of training videos, workbooks and worksheets that will help you and your child create a comprehensive strategy to deal effectively with the bullies and get them to stop.
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Marvin introduces a new line of windows and doors designed to complement any modern home.
Less is more with this innovative casement window, introduced this year along with several other unique doors and windows in Marvin's Contemporary Studio collection. Flush frames with simple square profiles blend perfectly with modern interior and exterior surfaces, and slender sashes leave room for more expansive panes of glass. A new matte black hardware option further accentuates the window's details.


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Poe Theatre on the Air
Never Bet the Devil Your Head, Part One
By The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre • Oct 2, 2020
Toby Dammit was a man of questionable moral fiber. Coming home from a pub one night, he learns the consequences of a life of excess, and his trademark saying gets put to the ultimate test. Part One in a two-part adaptation of one of Poe's few comedic stories.
Podcast Central
WYPR Podcast
Poe Theatre On The Air - Edgar Allan, Part Two
By The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre • Sep 2, 2020
In this second episode of our guest production "Edgar Allan" by The Coldharts, Edgar and his nemesis have the first meeting of their secret society. Edgar reveals a terrible secret, and immediately regrets his decision. Mallard and company return in October!
Poe Theatre On The Air - Edgar Allan, Part One
By The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre • Aug 3, 2020
We take a brief holiday from Dr. Mallard and his patients with this very special two-part guest production of "Edgar Allan," from The Coldharts. This new musical is a reimagining of Poe's childhood days, combined with an adaptation of his short story "William Wilson." Mallard and company return in October!
Poe Theatre On The Air - Eldorado
By The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre • Jul 2, 2020
A man, found wandering in the desert, tells a harrowing tale of his failed efforts to find the fabled City of Gold with his eccentric partner. But what is the secret he can't bear to admit?
Adapted from Poe's well-known poem.
Poe Theatre On The Air - The Premature Burial
By THE NATIONAL EDGAR ALLAN POE THEATRE • Jun 2, 2020
Of the many fears that plague humankind, claustrophobia and the unrelenting terror of being entombed alive may be the worst. In this episode, The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre on the Air recounts one woman's fate – and provides an unsettling look at Dr. Mallard's more cruel side.
Poe Theatre On The Air - The Raven
By THE NATIONAL EDGAR ALLAN POE THEATRE • May 1, 2020
Wear your headphones as we play with high and low frequencies and ASMR tricks to make you uncomfortable. Poe's famous poem about love, lost hope, obsession and tragedy gets a dramatic retelling and an extra-unsettling listening experience.
Chris Frantz (Talking Heads)
By Matt Byars and Lee Gardner • Sep 24, 2020
Drummer Chris Frantz provided the rhythms for two seminal groups, Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club, a career he discusses in his memoir, Remain in Love. In this episode, he discusses how Jimmy Dean, the Beatles, and James Brown shaped his life.


Fabric : Banarasi Jacquard Silk.
Blouse Fabric : Art Silk.
Work : Weaving & Embroidery.
Wash Care : Dry Clean.
Flaunt Your Rich And Elegant Taste Wearing This Silk based Saree In Grey Color Paired With Dark Grey Colored Blouse. Its Saree Has Weave All Over With Embroidered Blouse.


Just as the world is getting more social, the web is also getting more multi-dimensional. If you're only presenting your content in text media, you're going to miss out on a lot of viral opportunities. Infographics are all the rage and are perfect for pinning to Pinterest. YouTube is the fastest growing search engine only second to the mother ship, Google.
Then there's podcasting which allows you to gain access to iTunes' massive user base. Audio also allows you to get your content into the hands (and ears) of people who don't have time to read blogs, but enjoy having an audiobook to learn from when they're on the go.
Infographics are an awesome way to package interesting facts and information about a specific topic in a way that's fun to read. In plain text, people probably wouldn't actually take the time to read about a lot of facts. But in a fun infographic format, it can really go viral.
Use them in your blog to drive home a point. For example, I've included an infographic about SEO so that if I was writing a blog post about ways to improve the SEO of your WordPress blog, the infographic would help the reader visualize the points I was making.
Probably the most popular program to create infographics from scratch is Adobe Illustrator but that's a pretty pricey program. You can find some good PLR infographics out there on various subjects or you can use a site like Piktochart where they give you a template and then an editing screen to create your own in just minutes. You can get started for free with a few basic templates and if you really want to turn out some cool graphics, you can pay to get the Pro version with over 80 templates.
There are so many ways to make videos these days. The camera in the latest iPhones is as good as most camcorders. Screencast videos are perfect for demonstrating or teaching something on your computer. Even PowerPoint slide presentations can easily be converted to a video using PowerPoint 2010.
YouTube continues to add cool features for editing your videos right in your YouTube account. You can add annotations and clickable links to other YouTube videos. Just recently they started rolling out the ability to pick your own video splash image. You know, that's the frame of the video that shows up when you embed your video — usually a frame with your mouth wide open.
I have discovered a cool video tool called Video Scribe. You may have seen some of these floating around. Now you can do it yourself. Try out the free trial — don't blame me if you get hooked!
I'm just starting to get into doing podcasts which are simply mp3 recordings that are coded to go into an RSS feed. The most popular podcast feeds are located in iTunes. So how do you code your mp3's for iTunes? One way is to make your recordings through a service like Blog Talk Radio. Another way is with a plugin like Blubrry PowerPress.
When I start learning a new skill, I look around for a great expert. When it comes to podcasting, you couldn't find a better teacher than Kelly McCausey of Solosmarts. She was a true pioneer in this format and her Smart Podcasting Skills audio series covers everything you need to know.
You are addressing a big topic Christine and you're right! It's smart to spread your expertise via multiple formats.
I turn to YouTube anytime I'm searching for something visual/how to in regards to web tools – wouldn't it be a shame if YOUR expertise wasn't found there?
You gotta be everywhere you can!
This is very well said Christine! As I learned about the different ways of how people learn, I figured that each learning strategy should be taken into consideration. Some people are visual learners; thus the need for infographics. Some are auditory learners; thus the need for podcasts. And some are kinesthetic learners; this is where the videos seep in. According to these differences, we will be able to cater to the needs of the people.
Well I agree that the use of graphics and other visual or auditory media on your articles will attract more readership, but sometimes I am afraid that I might intimidate or overwhelm readers should I incorporate numerous media type in one article. They could sometimes distract the readers from the actual article if not used correctly.
Though I agree with infograhics and youtube, as they can help a lot. But I haven't really used iTunes as such.
Personally, I believe it's ideal to use one or two media type at a time so as not to scare away readers that are actually more into texts… Sometimes it's just too hard to cater to all kinds of readers — you can't really know who to prioritize first.
John — Totally agree. In fact this post is way too overloaded with media but I needed to illustrate the various kinds. I'm thinking the podcast would be used as a more in-depth discussion of the topic. In other words, the post would be short and sweet and if you wanted more, you could listen or download the audio.
I am in for any free podcast available for iTunes. The paid ones are a little out of my bounds right now. My Google account seems to be not configured properly for my iTunes Store, which is at the moment locked to my sibling's account. Shame. That explains why I haven't tried iTunes based on my previous comment.


Spirit Walk: Walk of the Spirits and Shadow Mirror Paperback – January 31, Richie Tankersley Cusick is the author of numerous horror novels, including The House Next Door, April Fools, The Unseen series and several Buffy the Vampire Slayer books. I loved both books of the. Shadow Mirror has ratings and 73 reviews. Regina said: i LOVE this series and this was a good solid sequel.I loved this second book in the series. Shadow Mirror has ratings and 73 reviews. Ally said: Unsettling isn't what I'll call this book. Boring, dull, and dry are better words for describing.
Unsettling. There's no better word to describe Miranda Barnes's ability to hear the cries of the dead, feel the wind move her hair when they run by, and - dare she. Buy a cheap copy of Shadow Mirror book by Richie Tankersley Cusick. Unsettling. There's no better word to describe Miranda Barnes's ability to hear the cries of. 18 Mar The Paperback of the Shadow Mirror by Richie Tankersley Cusick at Barnes & Noble. FREE Shipping on $25 or more!.
ISBN Title: SHADOW MIRROR By Richie Tankersley Cusick Mint Condition. Author: Cusick, Richie Tankersley Record Label: Speak. Book is . 3 Jun This sequel to Walk of the Spirits () brings Miranda into another ghostly adventure. Spirit Walk: Walk of the Spirits and Shadow Mirror Includes Sample of 1st Book of The Unseen Series by Cusick, Richie Tankersley and a great selection of. iwkhealthmgtcollege.com: Shadow mirror (): Richie Tankersley Cusick : Livres. Richie Tankersley Cusick was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on April Fools Day. Being an only child, she Shadow Mirror - Unsettling. There's no better.
All about Spirit Walk: Walk of the Spirits and Shadow Mirror by Richie Tankersley Cusick. LibraryThing is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. 31 Jan Buy the Paperback Book Spirit Walk by Richie Tankersley Cusick at iwkhealthmgtcollege.com, Canada's largest bookstore. + Get Free Shipping on books over. Richie Tankersley Cusick is an American author. She has written more than 25 novels since (); The Unseen: Blood Brothers (); The Unseen: Sin and Salvation (); Walk of the Spirits (April ); Shadow Mirror (March ). Shop our inventory for Shadow Mirror by Richie Tankersley Cusick with fast free shipping on every used book we have in stock!.


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Karol Drzewiecki (ur. 1 listopada 1995 w Gorzowie Wielkopolskim) – polski tenisista, medalista mistrzostw Polski.

Kariera tenisowa
Od 2012 roku występuje w turniejach rangi ITF. W 2018 roku wygrał pierwszy turniej rangi ATP Challenger Tour w Szczecinie, gdzie, występując z dziką kartą, w parze ze Słowakiem Filipem Poláškiem pokonali w finale debel Guido Andreozzi–Guillermo Durán.

W rankingu gry pojedynczej najwyżej był na 820. miejscu (3 grudnia 2018), a w klasyfikacji gry podwójnej na 131. pozycji (7 listopada 2022).

Zwycięstwa w turniejach rangi ATP Challenger Tour w grze podwójnej

Przypisy

Bibliografia

Polscy tenisiści
Ludzie urodzeni w Gorzowie Wielkopolskim
Urodzeni w 1995
Ludzie sportu związani z Gorzowem Wielkopolskim


This visualization shows Aqua/AIRS simulated volumetric cloud data for September 13, 1999. The data was created using the Finite Volume Community Climate Model (FVCCM). Temperature and cloud data sets were match rendered for cross dissolves in post production. This visualization was created as a part of the Aqua prelaunch package.
Video slate image reads, "AIRS Simulated Volumetric Clouds (Aqua Prelaunch) zoom in, no gradient".


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Men's Swimming Recruiting / Pennsylvania / Monaca, PA / Central Valley High School
Central Valley High School Mens Swimming Recruiting
Address: 160 Baker Rd Ext Monaca PA , 15061
Primary Phone:(724) 775-4300
Find NCSA Athletes by Name :
Find NCSA Mens Swimming Athletes at Central Valley High School by Name: Select an athleteMatthew Kuzmich
Are you Mens Swimming student-athlete at Central Valley High School? for colleges now.
Top NCSA Athletes at Central Valley High School
Sara Weigel
Women's Soccer - Attacking Midfielder
Landon Alexander
Football - Running Back
Noah Yerdon
Dakari Bradford
Talon Mihalinac
Baseball - RHP
Rashawn Reid
Football - Cornerback
Daquan Bradford
Keith Kesler
Beaver Falls High School, Aliquippa Senior High School, Hopewell High School, Rochester High School, Center Area Senior High School, Western Beaver High School, San Silvestre High School, Beaver Area Academic Charter School, Beaver Area Senior High School, Beaver Falls Area Senior High School, Blackhawk High School, Freedom Area Senior High School, Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School, Hopewell Senior High School, Ambridge Area High School, Beaver County Ctc, New Brighton Area High School, Quaker Valley High School, Quigley Catholic High School, North Hills Christian School, Rochester Area High School, Western Beaver County Junior/Senior High School, Sylvania Hill Christian Academy, Bethel Christian School, Beaver County Christian School -Upper
Go to… Beaver Falls High School Aliquippa Senior High School Hopewell High School Rochester High School Center Area Senior High School Western Beaver High School San Silvestre High School Beaver Area Academic Charter School Beaver Area Senior High School Beaver Falls Area Senior High School Blackhawk High School Freedom Area Senior High School Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School Hopewell Senior High School Ambridge Area High School Beaver County Ctc New Brighton Area High School Quaker Valley High School Quigley Catholic High School North Hills Christian School Rochester Area High School Western Beaver County Junior/Senior High School Sylvania Hill Christian Academy Bethel Christian School Beaver County Christian School -Upper
Sports at Central Valley High School
Baseball, Football, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Ice Hockey, Men's Soccer, Men's Swimming, Men's Track, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming, Women's Track, Women's Volleyball
Go to… Baseball Football Men's Basketball Men's Golf Men's Ice Hockey Men's Soccer Men's Swimming Men's Track Softball Women's Basketball Women's Golf Women's Soccer Women's Swimming Women's Track Women's Volleyball


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Q: How to implement an active endpoint and passive STS with in one STS? I have been struggling to find out how can I implement Active STS and Passive STS with in one STS.
Well the requirement is that I need to allow the applications to have their own login pages but they should get authentication through Custom STS that I have created. And if they use their own login page I will have to add their application using the WS-Trust relationship between their login page and my active endpoint of sts so that they pass the credentials to the webservice and get the SAML token?
Please any help will be appreciated on how to create a single STS with both passive and active  functionalities.


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RETURN TO THE CLASSICS: THE TROGGS TAPES
Always good to revisit the standards every now and then - after all, there could be youngsters out there new to the world of strange recordings, and veterans should stay in touch with their roots, no?
"Wild thing, you make my heart sing," sang The Troggs on their big '60s hit, but nothing was as wild as a bootleg recording of them swearing at each other during their attempt to record another hit. Rudderless without a producer, they bicker endlessly, as anxiety and frustration mount to the point where one can't believe they ever managed to record anything, much less a hit. Unfortunately for the British combo, this has become one of their best known recordings. It's even featured on their box-set collection "Archeology."
Apart from inspiring a scene in the film "Spinal Tap," it also became the basis for a sketch on the famous American comedy show, "Saturday Night Live." Set during medieval times, the sketch was based on an almost word-for-word transcription of the Troggs tapes, with "flogging" substituted for the Trogg's favorite swear word. Paul Schaffer (now David Letterman's bandleader) accidentally said "fucking" once instead of "flogging", and, as "SNL" is taped live, it went out uncensored to America's living rooms. As Schaffer later said, "It was sort of historic."
"The Troggs Tapes"
Posted by Mr Fab at Friday, July 29, 2005 7 comments:
CRAZY RUSSIAN CASSETTE JOCKEY
Hey, DJ Artem calls himself the crazy Russian - I'm not being judgemental. But it is a little kooky to custom-rig a dj setup using, not turntables and records, but cassette tapes, as can be seen here on his website crazyrussian.com. Which, technically, makes him a CJ ("Cassette Jockey") and not a dj. Because dj stands for "disk jockey." And he doesn't jockey disks. So he should, er, you know. Anyway...He also features a mix made on these decks called "Love, Sex, Music," which is quite funky although, as he says, "I apologize for curvature in the first mix - it because Donna Summer strongly groaned."
If that site's too slow, try HERE.
Posted by Mr Fab at Thursday, July 28, 2005 No comments:
NOT ANOTHER GERMAN COUNTRY BAND DOING ROCK COVERS?!?
They're growing like weeds, everywhere you go. Soon, they'll be on every corner. Records shops will divided into "Rock," "Jazz," "Classical," "Hip-Hop," and "German Country Bands Doing Rock Covers." Yep, just like Boss Hoss, here's another one: The Twang. They do a durned fine imitation of authentic hillbilly yodelin', guitar-pickin' country music as they remake songs originally done by fellers like The Ramones, Radiohead, Motorhead, (what, no Murray Head?), Brittany Spears, The Gorillaz ("Clint Eastwood," natch) and, just to really confuse you, the half-forgotten disco hit "Born To Be Alive," originally done by the almost-entirely forgotten Patrick Hernandez. Like Boss Hoss, their albums are not available on American Amazon.com, dag-nabbit, so until them city-slicker record-company types here in Amurrica sign 'em we'll have to make do with lengthy excerpts of tunes like
"Blitzkreig Bop" and
"Creep"
Like they say in Texas: "Jetzt reiten Sie wieder: The Twang, die Country-Desperados des besseren Geschmacks!"
Posted by Mr Fab at Wednesday, July 27, 2005 2 comments:
KIDS LOVE FRANZ FERDINAND
Strange: Since 2001, Razor and Tie Records have been releasing a series of albums called "Kidz Bop," featuring children singing contemporary pop hits. The "adult" lyrical content of some of the rap and rock tunes they sing has generated plenty of one-star reviews on Amazon from upset parents, but the fact that they're up to Volume 8 means that someone's buying these enjoyable slices of pop perversions.
Stranger: They cover indie-rockers Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out."
Strangest: An adult male is singing along with the kids. Kinda creepy, like a grown-up playing with children in a sandbox.
Kidz Bop "Take Me Out"
(Thanks to Madena, and Stereogum.)
Posted by Mr Fab at Monday, July 25, 2005 3 comments:
OH, THIS IS SO WRONG...
...but I can't help myself. A twisted Floridian named Cy gh (that's how he spells it) has taken two of today's greatest musical atrocities, David Hasselhoff (the new William Shatner) and rapper 50 Cent (who, let's face it, will never be confused with Chuck D), and created a fun, funny bit of phony Caribbean nonsense. Perfect for your next pool party, barbecue, or drive-by.
David Hasselhoff "Do the Limbo Dance" + 50 Cent "Candy Shop " = "Do the Candy"
Left-click here, if you dare...
[UPDATE] He's added a b-side, "Pingu's In Da Club." Some of you may recall that I posted a rap song by the Hoff concerning, er, penguins, and it's now been mashed with Fiddy. I'm scared.
Posted by Mr Fab at Friday, July 22, 2005 No comments:
TOYDEATH
"Formed in 1995 Sydney band Toydeath use children's electronic toys to create music you have never heard before! That's right we only use toys! We have collected an arsenal of toys to make any kindergarten green with envy. You will hear talking Barbie Dolls, Speak and Spells, Rock Guitars, Sax-a-booms, Toy Telephones and lots of other fantastic Toys! Toydeath have also collected toys from their international tours and use Chinese, Dutch, German and Japanese language toys in our set. Each toy has been "Circuit Bent" so it can be amplified and many of the toys have electronic additions to turn them into wild and unique instruments. We also assume toy-like characters with colourful costumes as part of our stage show. On stage you will see GiJoe, L'Booby, Nursey and Trailer Trash Barbie!"
This album's not available in the US, so until I figure out how to get a copy, here's some creepy/funny/clever excerpts from their website:
"The Girl From Ipanema" - Jobim's classic bossa nova gets the rinky-dinky Casio treatment; guest vocals from a talking doll
"Froggy" - an electro-noise original. Ribbit.
Posted by Mr Fab at Thursday, July 21, 2005 5 comments:
Labels: Toys
THE GANGSTA RAP OF PHILIP GLASS
I can see using some instrumental music from contemporary composer Philip Glass in one or two mash-ups with some rap vocals, but a whole album? Leave it to Boston's mighty mighty DJBC, whose full-length collection of various rappers rhyming over Phil's tunes, "Glassbreaks," debuts online today for your downloading pleasure.
The Beastie Boys, Q-Tip, The Fugees, and Dizzee Rascal are among the MCs who might be shocked to hear themselves accompanied by dignified modern classical music from albums like "Glassworks" and the monumental opera "Einstein On The Beach." But Glass's chugging rhythms are a snug fit with the head-bobbing hip-hop beatz so expertly crafted here, and, after all, Glass has delved into the profane world of pop himself - the debut album by Polyrock, an early-80s band he was involved with, is one of my fave new-wave obscurities.
UPDATE 11/08: Now available here.
EVER ONWARD WITH IBM
Hey! Are you an employee of IBM, making or selling computers and other business machines, in the 1950s? Well, then, straighten your tie, adjust your horn-rimmed glasses, and sing along:
"Ever Onward"
Here's the lyrics, to this, and many other fine IBM anthems, like this one, to the tune of "Jingle Bells":
"IBM, Happy men, smiling all the way/Oh what fun it is to sell our products night and day.
IBM, Watson men, partners of T. J./In his service to mankind-that's why we are so gay"
Not that there's anything wrong with it!
Posted by Mr Fab at Tuesday, July 19, 2005 2 comments:
MC POTBELLY
MC Potbelly is, in his words, "...a 42-year-old, white, male insurance agent from Marin County, California," an upper-middle to upper-class enclave about as far from "the 'hood" as you can get. His main influences? "The Sugar Hill Gang, Merle Haggard, and Bob Seger." His music production is as crude as his pimped-out lyrics, which he delivers in a thin, nasal, utterly-white sing-song, following no rhyme scheme known to man. Evidently, there was a full-length (well, 27 minutes) album released, but all that's available now are the two short songs on his Soundclick site:
"Horizontal"
"Potbelly's Rap"
I would kill to hear the whole album. Yo, 'belly! Hit us wit all yr jointz, g!
(thanks to Premium Blend)
HURRA TORPEDO'S INDUSTRIAL SOFT-ROCK
Music Video For Maniacs: one guy plays guitar/sings Bonnie Tyler's '80s shlock-rock hit "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" while two other people jump around like mental patients, percussively pounding on things like washing machines, for some good, noisy fun. Could be a whole new genre of music: Industrial MOR? EZ-Noise?
Kind reader DDay tells us that they're a Norwegian band called Hurra Torpedo:
"Total Eclipse Of The Heart"
Reminds me of a classic Brian Eno quote: when he was visiting here in Los Angeles, he noticed ads for a local radio station promising "Continous Soft Hits." Quothe Eno, "Sounds like some obscure form of Chinese torture."
FUNK CRUEL
The most brutally raw music I've heard in ages is exploding from the ghettos of Rio De Janiero. Unlike most cities, where the rich are up in the hills, Rio's well-off are down on Ipanema and Copacabana Beaches, and the slum-dwellers have the great ocean views, and dance to a style so new, it doesn't have a definite name yet. Call it "baile funk," "funk do morro" ("of the hill,") or "carioca funk," it's all Miami-bass style hip-hop, hoarsley shouted (not really rapped) Portuguese, odd samples, and startlingly primitive production - this stuff isn't low-fi as an indie-rock pose, it really is garage-produced, sounding like vintage '80s floppy-disk samplers and eight (four?)-track recorders finally made it down to the favelas (slums). A lot of it sounds hissy, some tunes are over in less then a minute-and-a-half, songs abruptly cut off, and no-one sounds like they have any music training. Doesn't get any more punk then that, does it? Probably best enjoyed late at night, loud, while drunk.
Two collections were recently released in the States, "Rio Baile Funk: Favela Booty Beats," and "Slum Dunk Presents: Funk Carioca," but mostly this stuff is so far below the radar it's not even underground yet. The crucial Funky Do Morro website has been collecting recordings with names like "Funk Cruel" and "Funk Neurotica" by many often-anonymous baile funk artists:
"Sao Carlos" 1:27 of fun, from the collection "As Melhores do La"
"Funk Neurotica - track 10" throws in a bit of the Italian standard, the Tarantela. I don't know why.
"Rua Lucia Tabajara" This could make those "world-music" types who think all Brasilian music is 40-year-old Jobim-a-nova run screaming out of their Starbucks.
Tantan from Brasil provides us this link:
"Here's a video footage from a "baile funk" party in Rio de Janeiro. There's even a competition of the best bootie dancer of the night. And the prize is... yup, a book. hehehe"
Labels: ethnic/exotic, pranksta rap
ARTHUR ONE MAN BAND
To describe veteran street-performer Arthur Nakane simply as a one-man-band hardly does him justice. But it will have to do, until someone can a come up with a better name for a performer who sits behind a wagon constructed of PVC pipes holding keyboards, percussion, amplifier, foot-operated drum machine and bass pedals (also made of PVC pipes), while wearing a harmonica holder around his neck and playing a guitar with sticks bolted and clamped to the guitar's neck. While playing guitar in the conventional style, he jabs at the keyboard with these sticks, playing simple keyboard melodies, and hits cymbals. With his right hand, he'll grab, say, a tambourine and shake it as he strums the guitar. All while singing in a thick Japanese accent. Using electronics skills I can't begin to comprehend (he teaches electronics by day), Nakane records his own voice while singing and, again using foot controls, plays it back, harmonizing with himself - a live overdubbing method.
I first discovered Nakane years ago in Santa Monica's outdoor mall, the Third Street Promenade, and, quite unexpectedly, I ran into him last week performing on the Santa Monica Pier, still playing for tips. A hand-made cardboard sign announced he had performed on Jimmie Kimmels's NBC-TV show in February. He's also opened for punk bands, appeared on radio and TV, and was the subject of a short documentary that played the Sundance Film Festival called "Secret Asian Man."
That film got it's name from Nakane's remake of the oldie "Secret Agent Man." When he sings it, not only does he change it to "Secret Asian Man," complete with verses sung in Japanese, but he pulls back his eyes, like when kids make those slanty-eyed Asian stereotype faces!
"Secret Agent Man" - from his CD, featuring treatments of "Band On The Run," "La Bamba" (in severely shaky Spanish), and the definitive "Achy Breaky Heart" - a feast of grungy guitar and English/Japanese lyrics (Hmm, I don't remember Billy Ray Mullett rhyming "sake" with "Nagasaki"...) Order it from arthuronemanband.com, the most minimalistic website ever. Or, as I did, buy a copy from the man himself, should you run into him on Santa Monica Beach. Recorded live, no overdubs, no edits. As Arthur told me, pointing to his equipment, "I am master of this..."
Labels: One-Man Band, Outsider
HOMOPHONIA
Yesterday's "Defenders of Marriage" tune reminded me of comedian Eugene Mirman's reverse-prank calls - instead of calling his victims, they call him:
"Starting in late December I began to get phone calls from what I thought was a phone company (United American Technologies) trying to get me to switch from my phone company to a Christian one that didn¹t support gay marriage and pornography...It turns out that they are from a non-profit that works with United American Technologies and calls people on their behalf. UAT then donates money to them...You can also read this article from the New York Sun for more information."
Mirman's reactions are priceless when he is told such mind-boggling lunacy as which phone companies support child pornography. The hillbillies he's dealing with have no idea they're being goofed on, of course. Classic.
"Anti-Gay Phone Company I"
"Anti-Gay Phone Company II"
While we're at it, check out Mirman's "Marvelous Crooning Child." Almost as simultaneously funny and scary as the phone calls. "White Rabbit" is particuarly sick.
Labels: covers, spoken word
ROY ZIMMERMAN: AMERICAN
Desperate times call for desperate satire.
Today's events in London are further proof that the monsters might be winning. But the good guys won't go down without a fight, and singer/songwriters like Roy Zimmerman (not to be confused with that other folk-singing Zimmerman) skewers man's evils with a wit not seen since the heyday of Tom Lehrer. Armed with a guitar, a bag of catchy tunes, and lyrics that are, to quote one of his songs titles, "Pumping Irony," Zimmerman hilariously pledges to defend America from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Usually domestic.
Dr Demento fans may recall his old group, The Foremen, whose satirical folk songs like "Firing The Surgeon General" preceded "A Mighty Wind" by years.
His website updated the sounds page recently. Just in time:
"Chicken Hawk" lampoons, and lambasts, the prominent Americans who demand war, but, of course, dodged the Vietnam draft. The same types who will now be using London as an excuse for more fighting. And he names names.
"Defenders of Marriage" "Defending the institution against people who want to get married..."
"America" As good (and as funny) a definition of this country as any I've ever heard. It's even patriotic, in an honest, non-nationalistic way - a great song.
Labels: political
THE NUTLEY BRASS
The name The Nutley Brass conjures up images of a traditional British brass band, uniformed members trotting out all the old songs for the old folks at the park. But in fact, this "band" is the project of busy New York guitarist/soundtrack composer Sam Elwitt. He certainly does capture a '50s/'60s sound, though, even as he remakes decidedly non-old-fashioned punk favorites. "The Ramones Songbook As Played By Nutley Brass" was a brilliant update of the kinds of E-Z-cover albums so popular in days gone by, like "The Liverpool Strings Play Songs Made Popular By Herman's Hermits" or "The New Christie Minstrels Sing Motown." But real Muzak rarely had so much style - note the "Chopsticks" interlude in:
"I Wanna Be Sedated"
The Nutley Brass have a brand new one out, "Fiend Club Lounge," dedicated to the music of pioneer shock-rockers The Misfits. Although it's only just been released, it's already offending the dopey goth kids reviewing it on Amazon who don't get the joke and think that it's an actual release by The Misfits. "What happened to them?! This sounds like elevator music!" Ha!
Click on this to listen to a snippet of The Nutley Brass performing "Die Die My Darling," a The Misfits classic from the days when Glen Danzig was lead howler:
"Die Die My Darling"
The alteration of RCA/Victor's "Living Stereo" logo is a nice touch, no?
JOHN WAYNE'S DRUNK
It's cowboy actor/super-patriot John Wayne, here speaking to a stunned crowd of Jay-Cees (Junior Chamber of Commerce) kids during the Vietnam War, completely drunk off his ass. God Bless America!
John Wayne drunk.
As "The Duke" himself would say, it's re-goddam-diculous.
Posted by Mr Fab at Sunday, July 03, 2005 8 comments:
Labels: celebrities


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