Does Anyone Care About "Toy Story 3"?

Actually, I'm finding I do. Moreso after watching this clip. My interest levels had been mild, but seeing this clip, my interest was piqued.

Toy Story 3

More Contenders for Best of 2009?

So here are some more nominations for "Best" Movie of 2009. Still 9 days to go to the end of the year, so we'll see what I see in that time.

Best 2009?-Cont.

Below are a bunch of films I'm putting up to try get a good list which I can then whittle down. Apparently no one else really cares. (Though I acknowledge Joel contributed Samson & Delilah).

Best 2009?-Cont.

Maybe this one will make the list, maybe not, but I think it's worth considering.


I think this was a 2008 release when I saw it, but it was only released this year in Australia, so I may as well include it in this potential list. Best 3D movie I've seen. Probably the only reason I'm considering it. Not sure if it would make the cut without the 3D aspect.


Who saw The Hangover? I did, twice. Maybe three times, I can't really remember. But I liked it enough to see it more than once. I'm trying to remember if there were any films that made me laugh as much as this one did.
Land Of The Lost had one of the funniest scenes of the year in it, but was a bit let down by other parts of it. Where as this was repeatedly funny, and only let down by one unfortunate joke, which still just makes me uncomfortable. Anyway, it's a contender still.

Big Daddy & Hit Girl

So if you've liked the look of Kick-Ass, here's a little something more to look at.

Tron Stuff

For bigger picture, clicke here.
For source, click here.

New Kick Ass Poster

If you want, you can view a really, really big version over at AICN.

Best Films of 2009?... Continued

About ten minutes later I remembered this came out as well,

Best Films of 2009?

I'd like to start the discussion about what have been the "best" films of the year. I put best in inverted commas because I realise that what I consider best is not actually a reflection of quality, so it's probably more accurate to say favourite films of the year. This list can't be considered final yet, as I'm anticipating "Where The Wild Things Are" to be in the list, but this is what springs to my mind of films I've really enjoyed this year.




Feel free to contribute your ideas in the comments section below, or continue the conversation at your own blog. I look forward to seeing what you think.

Clarence Vs. Fan

Iron Man 2 Poster

I hope this doesn't suck.

Let's Try This Again: The Expendables Trailer

Last time I had a link up to this, it was pretty much taken down by the end of the day. But thanks to Olli, we now know about this one over at dailymotion. Thanks Olli.
Expendables Trailer.
Don't forget to look at this when you get home Brad.

Street Art Favouries No. 4

This is cool.
I think this is the first one Brad sent me, and ever since I saw it, I've been wanting to do something similar around here. I keep looking for cool shadows, and trying to work out something to do with them.
But I never do, because I'm afraid of going to jail.

Bohemian Rhapsody, Muppet Style

The Muppets are one of the biggest influences on me I can think of, and I also like Queen, so this I love.


The Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody

Van Damne, The Eagle Path New Trailer

I love the spurt of blood from the head,


Eagle Path Trailer

Cartoon Jam

So there must be some charity thing called Children In Need over in the UK, and as part of a fundraising event, this little clip was put together. It's pretty cool. There were a couple of characters I didn't recognise, but most of them were familiar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8itR416KCw&feature=player_embedded

Latest Rambo Update

This news actually came out last week (see article here), but I've been kind of busy. Anyway, it seems that the Rambo fighting some genetically engineered beast story is now not a Rambo story, but still on the cards for Stallone as some other guy fighting a genetically engineered beast. And it sounds like maybe Rambo is going back to the story about some Mexico border town. Maybe The Expendables will be the test to see if we should maintain the present level of excitement.

"From Sly

Hi Craig,

This is from Sly to your followers:

To all the loyal SZoners out there,

I’m letting you know that Rambo has changed course and the story about hunting the man/beast will be done using another character in the lead. RAMBO himself will be heading over the border to a violent city where many young women have vanished

There will be blood.

Best,
Sly Stallone"

from Slyzone

Clarence Jumps A Hole

Gunshot Test

Dear Academy of Motion Pictures Arts And Sciences, for your Oscar consideration...

Kick-Ass Trialer

If you've been paying attention to my posts, you'll know that I'm excited by this. Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present my favourite movie of next year (probably).



Yes, I do want to play.

Collapse

This looks interesting.

For a more in depth look at the film, read the article at Hit/Fix.

Superfriends Live At Blackstar Coffee 7-11-09

Pretty much the same gig as Doova, but with better light and maybe less better sound. And different text.

Ong Bak 3

Now I know some of us were disappointed with Ong Bak 2, but if it had been called "Various Martial Arts Weapons Fights In Ancient Thailand" I think there would have been less disappointment. Certainly the appeal of Ong Bak was just seeing Tony Jaa be the weapon, but I still think there's some great stuff in Ong Bak 2, like the kid fighting the crocodile, or any of the fights really, it's just not what we were expecting.
But anyway, here comes Ong Bak 3. I'm not going to bother summarising, because the Twitch article is small enough to read for yourself. But I do like the idea of what I'm assuming is a metaphorical concept, being given physical form. The Muppets did it pretty successfully in The Muppet Movie where Kermit was discussing with himself whether he should go on after he's lead everyone out into the wilderness and everything has just fallen apart. One of my favourite parts. And it sounds like something similar is going on here, if I can draw conclusions from the poster art and movie description.
But with more punches.

Street Art Favouries No. 3

Cool Website For Video Clips

I don't have time to watch all these, but there's a site that claims to have the best 101 music videos. Well that's debatable, I don't see "Bitter Sleep" by the Superfriends up there, but there is some good stuff, and more than Nick has on his list. Check it out, if you want.

More Clarence

I'm really just putting these up for completionist's sake. Come back next week for more.

Have Some Fun AT Phun!

So this is just a website with some cool little games on it, only a couple of which I've done, but I've got it bookmarked so I can waste time later.
Go have some PHUN!


This picture actually has nothing to do with the above mentioned website, but I wanted a picture of someone having fun.

Long Term Movie Forecast

Three things I wanted to let you know about, because I'm excited about them, so think you should be too.
1. The team behind Ong Bak are making an english language film with Robin Shou, which you're right to be concerned about, but I think if Prachya Pinkaew is directing and Panna Rittikrai doing choreography, we can hope for another kick-ass movie. For report, visit Twitch.
2. Yuen Woo-Ping is also set to return to directing in China. You should recognise that name as the choreographer the Wachowski Bros used in the Matrix films, and has been working pretty solidly in Hollywood since then. But if you haven't seen his Hong Kong films, well I think you're missing out. The film is called True Legend and is based on some famous beggar martial artist. For full report visit Twitch again.
3. And finally, Neil Blomkamp has got a deal going to make a new sci-fi movie, which just make me giddy with joy, as District 9 was one of my favourite movies of the year, if not the favourite. Sounds like he's got it so the producers are hands off, so he's free to make his movie without interference, which gave us District 9 last time, so that works for me. For full report visit AICN.
So these are all a ways off, some may not even get made with the case of the Robin Shou one, but I'll wait with mild anticipation until then. Still, we still got plenty of great films coming up, like Where The Wild Things Are, The Expendables and Predators, so we'll try maintain some decorum and parcel out the excitement over time.

Original Art: Skater

This is a piece I did pretty much in one sitting on April 1st, 2009. I had some various gifts in mind for different people, but didn't have anything in mind for Brad, so decided to paint him a picture, and this is it. This felt like a breakthrough, as it pretty much turned out as I planned.


"Skater"
Acrylics on canvas board
12" x 16"

Halloween Treats, Happy Tree Friends on Youtube

Happy Tree Friends have a bunch of halloween videos up, of which I've only watched one or two, but you know, it's Happy Tree Friends, I'm sure they're all classic in the colloquial sense. Go here.

Updates On Movie Magics

The A-Team: So this picture has been released. My excitement levels are building. I really hope they make a kick-ass movie.


The Expendables: A report has come in over at AICN that Sylvester, Arnie and Bruce have done 6 hours of filming together. Awesome, it's actually happening. Can you imagine those 3 actually on the screen at the same time, and not even digitally put there together, but on the same set? Take that Rodriguez. Sounds like we'll get to see some photos soon too. I really, really hope this film doesn't suck.

Street Art Favourites: No. 2

Continuing our series of Street Art Favourites, I don't remember where this one appeared, but I don't think Brad sent it to me. Whichever, it was next alphabetically in my blog folder.
Is it Bansky? Looks like something he'd do.



Of course it's Bansky, I just realised you can see the end of his name.

"We Were Once A Fairytale"

You have to watch this. I don't really know Kanye West, and don't really care. But this collaboration with Spike Jonze has caught my attention big time. Really, stop what you're doing, and watch this video, "We Were Once A Fairytale"

Kanye West x Spike Jonze "We were once a fairytale" from The DKA Life on Vimeo.

If the embed doesn't work, or the link has been taken down, put it in Google and find it. I don't care if your girlfriend is in hospital, i don't care if people are coming round for dinner or bible study or whatever excuse you use, just watch it.
Or don't, maybe it's not your thing.

First Scene From Unfinished Movie, Alien Love!!!

This is part of the opening scene, or maybe a later scene, of a movie script I haven't written yet. I wanted to do a rom-com set in a world of alien espionage, much like every other script I've written.
I really did watch a lot of X-Files.
Thank-you To Fletch and Bhagsy for giving up their time to film this scene.



Does it need a score? Context?
Anyway, hope you liked it.

Superfriends Live Spectacular!!

The Superfriends playing all your favourites, (except "Mama's Fur"), at Doova benefit gig, Saturday 17th October, 2009. Pity the lighting wasn't so good, you can't really see my Day of the Dead facepaint, but maybe I'll put a picture up as well, so you get the full effect.

Nancy Allison-Levick, 13th Nov.1917-18th Oct. 2009

My Grandma died last night, or early this morning if you want to be technical. She'd been doing ok for an old lady, but had a stroke recently which I think was the beginning of the end, but I'm no doctor so don't quote me. Over the last few days we've kind of been expecting it, and last night she passed away a bit after 3 a.m. No distant train's rumble or taxi lights, just a phone call in the middle of the night. Dad had been staying with her over the last couple of nights, and I was hoping to get another visit in today, but that wasn't to be. I did get to visit her on Friday, and I told her about how I was organising a meeting with a friend of a friend who owns an art gallery to talk about my art and stuff. I know that made her happy. She always encouraged me in my art, and did some painting herself, mostly watercolours and abstracts, but she did some prints as well. If you've ever liked any of my art, you can thank her. I'll miss her.

Clarence First Date

More unpolished, unsophisticated, unfunny Clarence comedy for your "amusement".

Stencil Art: Lord Save Me

Did this one for last year's Doova.

The Expendables

or in case that doesn't work,
The Expendables.
Bet you can't wait to get home now, hey Brad?

Well, I hope you got in quick. It's gone now apparently. It wasn't the strongest looking film, but it did look fun. I particularly liked the Jet Li stuff in there, and overall it looked like a good fun violent film, like they used to make.

100th Post, Some Thought On The Nature Of God(s)

So we’d just finished a sermon series on Jonah at Sojourn, and while this wasn’t directly from the sermon, it did get me thinking about the nature of God versus the nature of other gods. Jonah’s complaint is that he knows God is a merciful God who will forgive if people repent, thus he doesn’t want to go to Ninevah. And he’s right, after he prophesises, the people repent and God changes his mind and doesn’t destroy the city. So that got me thinking about God’s nature, and if you compare it to the nature of gods that we’ve essentially made up, how they reflect who we are. I’m no expert in comparative religions, but it seems to me that the gods we as humans throughout time have worshiped are a capricious and somewhat cruel lot. It seems to me that the gods we create are based on what we would be like if we were all-powerful. There’s the saying that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. So I imagine that we as early people would see what humans were like when we get power, and just extrapolate from that to make our gods. I’m sure someone could maybe point to an example of a loving god, I mean, there’s Aphrodite for example, but for every Aphrodite you have an Apollo or Zeus etc., who aren’t displaying God’s merciful nature. Anyway, just some thoughts I had.

Toy Story 3 Trailer

I was kind of mildly excited by the news of Toy Story 3. The Toy Story movies are some of Pixar's best, and what I'd read about the story sounded interesting. But now having seen the trailer, I'm kind of feeling a little bit "who cares?" about the whole thing. I'll still go see it of course, they rarely make a dud, if ever, but still. Have a look for yourself if you want.

Weird.

or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHOPxVM6oIw&feature=player_embedded

Youtube Clip Of The Day: Taiwan's Armed Forces Are Giant Transforming Robots!

I'm trying to work out how to imbed this clip here, to save you going to youtube to watch it, because frankly I'm not sure it's worth your time going over, but I can't do it, so all I can do is imbed the link, and the rest is up to you.
But this is a recruitment ad for Taiwan's Military.

Street Art Favourites: No. 1

Hey there, I got a number of street art pictures in various places on my computer, mostly sent to me by Brad, but I thought I'd like to share them with you. The numbering system is not based on order of preference, but just the order of presentation. Stay tuned for more.


I actually know the name of this guy who did this, or more accurately, I've read an interview with him in Juxtapoz, but I can't remember it or be bothered getting up from my chair and trying to find it.

Nautilus House

Have you seen this house before? My cousin had a link up on his FB account and it looks pretty cool. I'm going to link to the architects webpage for you if you want to check it out. If you do, and you should, make sure you check out the video, it gives you a better sense of scale. Here, I'll just put up a link for you. You're so lazy.

Clarence

I was cleaning my room/going through old stuff when some pages fell out of a book. It was a comic strip I did I can't remember so long ago, and though it seems I didn't put much effort into the strips, I'm still going to put them up here for you to enjoy/ignore as you see fit.

Clarence On Tour Of The White House



You can click on the image to make it bigger, in case you didn't know.

More BBQ Pork & Wonton Noodle Soup Review

I went and saw "Accident" yesterday, but before doing that I decided to have some lunch, and so try another BBQ Pork & Wonton Noodle Soup. You’ll forgive me if I can’t remember the restaurant’s name, but as it’s unlikely you’ll go there, I’m not too fazed. But it’s the one right next to the cinema (to the left) if you’re over that way.
So, let’s get down to it. The pork portion was generous and tasty, but wasn’t a standout. It certainly wasn’t as tasty as the last No. 8 I had at Jackpot, but at the same time, it was certainly tastier than other times at Jackpot. The wonton’s were good, very meaty and yummy. A nice number, more than at Jackpot and better, but I don’t think they beat Golden BBQ. The noodle were plentiful, though I’m not sure they were thoroughly cooked, they felt a bit clumpy. Nice though, they tasted good. I didn’t really focus on the soup, it didn’t stand out like Golden BBQ’s, but it’s still nicer than Jackpot’s. Plenty of cabbage or whatever it is. I tried it to be fair, and it wasn’t bad, but that’s not why I get BBQ Pork & Wonton Noodle Soup.
Overall it was fine, but at that price point, $10.80, I’d like it to taste better. I’m also including a shot of some Honey BBQ Pork than Dan ordered. It was really good. Delicious.

Youtube Clip Of The Day: Festo Air-Jelly

Jared sent me this link a while ago, and since I don't have anything else much to talk about, I thought I'd share it with you. Check out the Air-Jelly and the Air-Ray as well. I think they're pretty cool.

Aaron Horkey, Meet Bon Iver

Aaron Horkey is an artist I first saw in Monster Children magazine, who does pretty nice work. He's got nice detailed style with somewhat sinister tones to nature themes, and birds, and stuff. Over at OMG Posters! they put up this tour poster for Bon Iver, so I thought I'd put it up for you to see as it might have cross-over appeal, as we all like Bon Iver, don't we? If not, we should, he's pretty good.

This Photo Got Me Excited

Who here remembers The A-Team? I know I do, it was one of my favourite shows growing up, even though if I were to watch it now, I imagine it would suck, it wouldn't have aged kindly. But there's a movie version in production (of course), which I was mildly excited about, but my excitement got kicked up a notch when I came across these photos. Especially this one. That's Sharlto Copely (District 9) as "Mad-Dog" Murdoch, probably my favourite character from the show, and they've got the look down right. The rest of the cast looks pretty good, and if you're interested, you go check out The A-Team for yourself.

New Dylan Christmas Album

So Bob has a new album coming out soon, an album of christmas songs, which I'm excited by. I love the idea. But in a nice little bit of extra news, he's giving all the royalties from the American market to some feeding-the-poor-and-hungry charity, which I can't just remember the name of at the moment. So the first batch of money goes to some Christmas program, but beyond that, all royalties in perpetuity of this album go to the charity. That's pretty sweet. For full report, go to Bob's website.

Some Sketch To Look At And Ponder, What's In This For Me?

"Fists"
Pens and Colour Pencil
3½” x 4¾”

Also, I think I'm safe from having to do prac. now, so am planning on doing a lot of artwork to see if I can make money from selling it.
Probably not this piece, but better stuff.

Same Old New Nightmare On Elm Street

I know I'm probably the only one of my friends who's excited about this, and even my excitement is somewhat curbed by the total waste of time most movies are these days, but still, there's something about Freddy Kreuger that's a little bit scary. He has a great iconography, something somewhat pedestrian, but also sinister, and that freakin' glove, it's awesome. But even in this trailer, when he's about to be burned and he rips of his jacket to reveal the infamous red and black sweater, well, it felt a little forced. That's just my opinion. I pretty much liked all the rest.
You can check out the trailer for yourself, if you like.

Something To Look At 2

I'm sitting at home bored, so decided to stick up another sketch for you to look at in case you're sitting at home bored as well.


"Jess"
Pen & Whiteboard Marker
3½" x 4¾"