All Manner of Plugs: Issue 1 (8.19.2010)
a weekly recommendations email
Written by J.S. Lewis
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INTRODUCTION
You may have noticed by now that I occasionally send e-mails your way with movie news, YouTube links, and all manner of endorsements (plugs). I've always had a desire to be a source of news and information to a variety of people. My family will recall when I made the Boulter Banner, a neighborhood newspaper in which only a few issues saw the light of day. Later, things became slightly more official when I was a writer and editor for my high school newspaper. After graduation I had two e-mail series documenting my adventures (first in Alaska and second in Taiwan). Today begins another periodical: All Manner of Plugs (AllMoP).
This isn't about the life of J.S. Lewis (though I am the author and this electronic publication will appropriately always smell like me). This is about random items I'd like to share and make aware. Simple as that. Do with it what you will. Perhaps you'll treat it like a newspaper and read only the parts that pique your interest or lay it on the floor to suit your puppy's needs (the latter is not recommended if you are reading this electronically, which you probably are). There is no guarantee that everything herein will interest you, but I can ensure that everything herein does interest me. For this first issue I've only included a few sections, in the future you will be treated to more and more.
Today also marks the commencement of a new blog of mine: All Manner of Posts. This was no accident. In fact, this e-mail series and that blog go hand in hand. Check it out!
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MVOTW*
*MVOTW = Music Video of the Week. I heart film. I heart music. Whoever married the two with the creation of music videos deserves a place in every Hall of Fame. Someday I will learn the history of the music video and share my thoughts on it. In the mean time I will endorse a different music video each week.
Kid606 is an electronic musician AKA techno DJ. This is not a song you'd likely hearing pounding the insides of a club, but more like one you'd come across in the modern art section of the Smithsonian. This video channels the awe that I feel from watching Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey." And... are those mini-monoliths? Regardless, it is slow and aesthetic. Take a break, watch this video, and remember sometimes.
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GAMERAIN*
*This section highlights a select few raindrops that have fallen into the lives of gamers (video games that is).
"Bioshock: Infinite" is in the works and this teaser trailer looks absolutely amazing. This is the third in the innovative first-person shooter series from Irrational Games. Confession: I haven't played the first two games (other than spending some time with a demo for the original - which I loved). Luckily (perhaps unluckily for some) this next installment won't be out until 2012, so I have plenty of time to catch up with the series. Even if you are not into video games I highly recommend checking this out; it works just fine as a short CGI film.
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THE FILM TOME REPORT*
*This segment is brought to you by my Film Tome. The Film Tome Report is a quick look onto the cinematic horizon (what is approaching), occasionally a reminder of where we are (what is already here), and possibly a look in the rearview mirror (what has passed us by). Expect something film-related each issue because I am so biased.
If you have ever seen "Les triplettes de Belleville (The Triplets of Belleville)," you remember. One time when I was watching it my cousin came in the room, after observing just a few minutes he revealed it was one of the weirdest things he has ever seen. "Les triplettes de Belleville" is one of the most refreshing animated films of the last decade to not come from a studio called Pixar or Ghibli. Writer and director Sylvain Chomet has been on my radar ever since. I've been waiting with bated breath for his next feature film (his genius segment in "Paris, je t'aime (Paris, I Love You)" was hardly enough to quench my thirst) and it is finally coming! I am delighted to share news of "L'illusionniste (The Illusionist)," see the stunning trailer for yourself. It's already been released across the pond, but there's no word when North America will get our eyes on it. I highly doubt a wide theatrical release in the States, so chances are you'll have to see it on a DVD (as it was with "Triplets"). You can count on me to let you know when and how.
Bryson (and perhaps the rest of you) may find the following of some interest. There is a new doc among us entitled "I Am Comic," directed by Jordan Brady. It claims to be "an ode to the art & occupational hazards of stand-up comedy." The film features the personalities of Jeff Foxworthy, Lewis Black, Brian Regan, and many others. Here's the trailer. This might be another one you'll only get to see at home.
The recent reign of James Francis Cameron isn't over yet. Apparently 2.7 billion dollars wasn't quite enough for "Avatar" to make back. It will be returningto select 3D and IMAX 3D theaters on August 27th for another run, this time with the words "Special Edition" attached. What makes it special? 9 more minutes. All those diagnosed with a case of the "Avatar blues" are already pre-ordering their tickets.
My final bit of film-related news is a rather sad bit. "At The Movies" just aired their final episode last weekend. Never heard of it? It used to be called "Siskel and Ebert and The Movies," and then later "At the Movies with Ebert and Roeper," and then after so many hosts swaps it just became known as "At The Movies," ending with Michael Phillips and A.O. Scott in the iconic chairs. I knew this end was coming. Back in March of this year Disney announced that the show would be "airing its last original broadcast the weekend of August 14, 2010." Why? Said Disney, "from a business perspective it became clear this weekly, half-hour, broadcast syndication series was no longer sustainable." The Holly Reporter commented, "Online reviews and aggregator like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic have made finding knowledgeable opinions [on] movies easier than ever for fans, yet have also evolved the consumption of criticism is such a way that made the half-hour review show seem dated." Ironically, most of the time I would watch "At The Movies" was via their online website. You can check out their last episode here, featuring reviews of the latest movie and a sentimental look back at the show's history. Look forward to a more detailed post regarding this issue on my Film Tome soon!
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IN CLOSING
There you have it, All Manner of Plugs: Issue 1. Now that you've had it, what do you think? If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by allmops@gmail.com.
If you wish to be removed from AllMoP's send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. I'm fine with it being forwarded to others, but if these others desire to receive AllMoP on a weekly basis, I'll be more than happy to include them on my send-list. Those of you receiving this on the first send are my initial consumer. I have to begin somewhere and so I thank you (I'm quite aware that you didn't even sign up for this). You are either my close family and/or close friend, I figured I could count on you. Until next week, have a lovely time and thanks for plugging in!
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