The Engleson Files

I remember being under the influence and watching this scene and totally freaking out! One of the great all-time space movies ever made.

Here is a fascinating documentary that highlights one of the lesser known space programs that was also around during the Cold War. One can only hope that history can be re-written in order to properly give credit to those who served. Check this out!

Now that we are officially in the duldrums here at school, I am going to try and jazz up life a little with a week long space theme on the Files. Today, what better way to start than with some classic Dr. Who - I mean, is there a better space theme out there?? It’s funky, it’s techno, it’s captivating and very spacey. Space people, space!

Just in case you are bored with life and desperately need something to fill your days with, look no further than the window in your living room in the early part of the evening - and to the glorious heavens above! Just watch here and let ol’ Jack Horkheimer fill you in with all the exciting events that are occurring right above you each and every night this coming November. Stars re-aligning, moons changing shape, comets flying by - its all here, folks! Watch, enjoy and try to let his damn music not scare the crap out you like it does to me! Remember folks, “keep looking up!”

As I have claimed before, I think Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou is an absolute genius in his craft; pretty much everything I have seen of his I have enjoyed thoroughly. Now, I wouldn’t say that I have a great affection for Chinese cinema as a whole but I have always had a great deal of respect for Zhang Yimou. Anyways, for many moons now I have been trying to find what many have claimed to be his greatest film To Live (as it loosely translates into English) and luckily Alice Ma was able to find me a copy with English subtitles (which has been the main problem!) So last night I was finally able to watch this movie and absolutely loved it! The story follows the life of one family as it travels through the end of the last dynasty, then through Mao’s rebellion, The Great Leap Forward and finally the Cultural Revolution. To say this is a sad story is an understatement, but is a fascinating insight into what actually happened during those times in Chinese history. Simply put, if you can get a copy of it give it a watch!!

Now, I realize I am way behind the times here but I have just finished watching the first five seasons of Entourage and enjoyed it thoroughly. I heard rumblings about this show earlier but for the most part knew nothing about it - this is the blessing and curse of living in China: great to not be involved in such a tv culture, bad when you miss a good one. The storyline is great, characters are well done (especially Ari Gold) and every season just got better and better. If you haven’t seen it I recommend that you do.

Alan Moore, the writer of the Watchmen, V for Vendetta, From Hell, Lost Girls and many more brilliant works of literature released a documentary film a few years back, to which I have just recently finished watching. Since becoming re-hooked onto comics, or graphic novels, I have become a huge fan of this man and his wonderful talents. This documentary showcases his very firm (and strange) beliefs as a person and an artist which was a fascinating insight into his work as a whole. He is an artist to the purist form and truly believes in his craft as doing something for the collective good of people and not just to be done as a means of simplistic entertainment - and there is no question I respect his talents and personality immensly. So, if you are not aware of this gentlemen and his body of work I strongly suggest you figure out a way to give him a read!

Last night Gramma Judy, Magnus and I went down to the IMAX Theatre and watched the 2009 version of Star Trek. First off, it was pretty cool to watch a movie such as this with great visuals on the big, big screen; and the movie itself I enjoyed a lot. While I certainly cannot call myself a huge Star Trek fan, the series was certainly a large part of my youth and I am familiar with the storyline - I mean, who can forget the Wrath of Khan! I came away from this movie very impressed with how well they casted all the new characters and also how well those people performed to the standards of the old, classic characters. It was great to hear the new McCoy and Scotty belt out a few of their old lines. It definitely seemed as though the creators of this new movie were fans of the old and wanted to maintain the standards that were already forged. Not too sure if Magnus got the bug like he did with Star Wars, his only comment through the movie was, “Why are they on the spaceship all day?” Oh well, I enjoyed it thoroughly and if you haven’t seen it I strongly recommend that you do.

Caught wind of this a few months ago from Mr. Brown but have only just recently explored the depths of what he was talking about: and that is the website to the National Film Board of Canada. On this site you can explore the many ranges of short films, animations and documentaries that have been produced over the years that explore our wonderful country of Canada. One thing Canada is not noted for is our film industry, but this definitely does not mean we do nothing of value. The NFB is totally underfunded and people always have (and continue to do) interesting and thoughtful projects that encapsulates all that is Canada - take some time and see what is out there…

Found this book at Munro’s Books on Government Street in Victoria, BC the other week and am really enjoying it. Basically this book takes a look at some of the crazy/seedy characters that currently roam the Middle Kingdom. This book is condensed into 16 vingettes/chapters that capture 16 unique characters. These characters range anywhere from punk musicians to prostitutes to organized thugs to a photographer who earns a living taking pictures of dead people. Their stories are quite interesting and detailed and I have enjoyed the author’s knowledge and respect of Chinese society. While I would not claim this book to be elevated literature, I do think it is a great little book that gives some wonderful insight into the new booming world of the New China - do, if you see it I strongly suggest you pick it up and give it a read.

I watched one of the funniest and most tear-jerking documentaries I have ever seen last night: Young @ Heart. This is the story of a unique choir where only senior citizens can participate. This group has been performing for quite sometime and this film documents the preparation of their 2007 performances. This group has sang around the world and achieves standing ovations everywhere they go - click on all the links to find out why! The members of the group are regular people who share a zest for life that is so contagious. The songs they choose come from a range of folk, rap, classical, rock and punk music - it is absolutely beautiful! I laughed, I cried, I sang out loud with Young @ Heart!!

As the artistic garbage of the 80’s continued to spiral down into the toilet I found that desperate choices had to be made in order to take control of my naive musical pallet. The syntho-crap that kept pouring out of the airwaves drove me crazy and, thankfully, (with the help of the Stinson brothers next door) I was introduced to punk music. Raw guitar, drums, bass and humorous themes is what intrigued me the most about the music and I was hooked immediately. One of the groups that captivated me from the first time I heard them was the two-man garage band out of Montreal called Deja Voodoo. I just thought their sound was so cool and I absolutely loved what their songs were about. The band is done now and it is almost impossible to find places that sell their records, which saddens me greatly. Every year when I come back to Victoria I go to the local music stores and ask but always come away empty handed. Oh well, nostalgia gets me through, but here is a teaser of their unique Voodooesque style!

Just finished reading Alan Moore’s From Hell and absolutely loved it! This is a book that brilliantly illustrates the events that took place during the time of Jack the Ripper and more or less discloses the truth about that time. This story is bleak, grotesque, explicit and painstakingly researched. At the end of the book there are 50 pages of appendix that detail every scene that is drawn and where that information came from - it is most impressive. Many people may still feel graphic novels are just for kids and are not really a legitimate form of literature but I feel this book blows that convention down. It’s a great read and suggest all to take a look!

Just got back from watching Pixar’s new animated movie Up, and man, was it fantastic! The story is beauty, the animation is stunning and the 3-D is an absolute blast! This is the type of movie you have to go and experience on the big screen because of the complete package the theater provides. I am not sure if it is just because I have kids and am getting older, but Pixar just seems to do everything right where the whole family can enjoy. Gramma Judy loved it, Kristin had a blast, Magnus had the 3D glasses on and Svea enjoyed it as well. So if you haven’t seen it yet, get down to your local theater today and watch it - you will be happy that you did!