If I Were President…
January 3, 2008 | Filed Under illustrated music | No Comments
So with the Iowa political caucuses scheduled for this evening, let’s take a moment to reflect on what’s going on. We have an interesting mix of a woman, a black, a Mormon, and other nefarious politico types all asking for one of the hardest, most under-appreciated jobs in the world. Who’s it going to be Iowa? Music: ”If I Was President” by Kelly Brock.
Best Films I Saw in 2007
January 2, 2008 | Filed Under illustrated music | No Comments
2007 was filled with so much of…well…waiting. Waiting for the music industry to finally figure it all out. Waiting for the DVD standard to be decided on - oh well - let’s just pass on HDDVD AND Blu-Ray. There was barely a budge out of the film attendance records in the US. All the standard movie franchise sequels…yawn! that we aren’t surprised. What is interesting is how many small inventive films are out there being made. My favorite films I saw this year (being a father of a 5 year old who hates sitters…we don’t get out much) are as follows:In no particularly order: 
- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - Poetic, astonishingly beautiful and inspiring. Schnabel is one of those guys who falls into that multi-hyphenate world reeking of confidence along with others like Saul Bass, Tibor Kalman, Rem Koolhaas, Philippe Starke, Brian Eno and Francis Ford Coppola. Now…”ooh be doo, I wanna be like you hoo hoo”.
- Ratatouille (Brad Bird is a genius) - Can I please score a Brad Bird short in 2008? I loved this film. As I am also a wanna be Food Network star and celebrity chef, I really enjoyed this film. But especially as it is basically about art and passion for your art. Ian Holm is especially good and scary.-
- I Am Legend - though it’s a little too reliant on spooky sound effects and jarring editing, the film is pretty entertaining. Man would I love that house on Washington Square South.
- RAN - Saw this for the first time this year on DVD. It’s Kurosawa’s epic telling of King Lear. Fantastic - and the score by Toru Takemitsu is perfect.
Films I wished I saw:
- No Country For Old Men - The Coens are some of my favorite filmmakers ever. Now if only I could score one of their films. Do you need some help Carter?
- 300 - looked pretty amazing - like a graphic novel come to life - it’s on my list
Let’s go on with a much greater year…welcome 2008.And for some reflective music on the passing of 2007… here’s fellow monk Tom Curiano’s “Italian Job”. Buon provecho!
Assistant murdered ex Ramones manager
November 9, 2007 | Filed Under illustrated music | No Comments
Natavia Lowery, Stein’s personal assistant “made statements implicating herself” in the death of Stein, who was found dead in her Upper East Side apartment on October 30.
According to a report in the New York Times, Lowery said Stein “just kept yelling at her”. She is being held in a Lower East Side police station, with charges pending.
Hmm. Wondered what would she do if she had a really bad hair day, or someone bumped into her on the line at the subway or…
Music: Suspect in Pieces by Matthew Puckett -ooh spooky!
Writers strike- heavy metal march
November 7, 2007 | Filed Under illustrated music | No Comments
Man…maybe we should have a strike more often…especially if the pizza comes with Eva…
Ahh unions. What would we be without them? Where some were calling unions an outdated idea for the digital age, how else would we get to turn off the TV and get back sprucing up that Facebook profile…
And where is that Film Composer’s Union already?
Some music for the picket line…
Alien Matrix by Michele Vanni.
Stephen Colbert for President 2008
October 29, 2007 | Filed Under illustrated music | No Comments
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Look out Georgia.
Stephen Colbert brought his fanciful presidential campaign to the campus of the University of South Carolina on Sunday, telling several hundred sign-waving fans that he’ll take care of the rival state to the south.
“I promise, if elected, I will crush the state of Georgia,” the 43-year-old actor-comedian said to the cheering crowd.
Music: Estrange by Ronaldo Petoral
Irish Prime Minister highest paid in the world
October 26, 2007 | Filed Under illustrated music | No Comments
DUBLIN, Ireland (AP) - Prime Minister Bertie Ahern gave himself a hefty pay increase Thursday, putting his salary higher than both President Bush and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Ahern, Ireland’s leader since 1997, will see his annual salary rise 14 percent to $444,000 _ more than Bush ($400,000), Brown ($387,000) and a host of other European leaders.
Music: Lauching the Currach by Doug Sparling.
FaceBook = Whole Lotta BankBook
October 25, 2007 | Filed Under illustrated music | No Comments
Music to count the $15 Billion valuation by…
Burn Baby Burn
October 24, 2007 | Filed Under illustrated music | No Comments
The world is burning in Southern California - ironically, home to some of the richest, most celebrated feeders of the media inferno.
Music to accompany wildfires.
Thus Spake - by Andrew Ingkavet
