The Movie That Made the Bond

To coincide with Daniel Craig's most recent release, I'd like to recommend an often overlooked feature of his called "Layer Cake". This is the movie that I feel really showed that he was ready for the Bond role. A middle man of the drug trade gets mixed up in some crazy shit, as they are prone to do, and Craig finds his way through the craziness. Almost. Watch it.

Spoiler Alert: Batman Dies.

And I for one pray to god it's true. I could pretend I came up with it, but it was Cracked (read the article). As a huge Batman fan who was appalled when DC killed off Bruce Wayne (admittedly only temporarily, and then they did a huge reset that erased it anyway), I can't believe I'm rooting for this one, as in, "I want this to happen. REALLY BAD!" That's why this poster is so awesome.

As if it wasn't enough that Nolan had the balls to kill Bruce Wayne, one of the greatest, most storied characters of the modern era, and one of only a few alter egos in the DC universe who hasn't died over the years ("Who the f@$% is 'Dick Grayson?'" "LA LA LA LA CAN'T HEAR YOU LA LA LA LA!"), but he also has the balls to brag about it before its even released. And you know what? If it all turns out to be true, it's still gonna blow my freaking mind. It's gotten to the point that if he doesn't kill Bruce, I might be disappointed with the new outing.

So, Here's to the death of Bruce, and to the rise of Batman!

All I Want For Christmas...

Is [a] BATMAN [snuggie]!!!

GO BILL! GO BILL!

Just one of the many reasons I love this guy.

If you haven't taken my advice yet, I hope this persuades you to check out "Freaks and Geeks."

Terriers.

Todays pick shouldn't consume too much of your time. It's just another excellent TV show cut down before its prime. Terriers follow Hank (Donal Logue), an ex-cop and ex-drunk, and his criminal turned partner/friend Britt (Michael Raymond-James), as two scrappy PI's (hence the title). 

"When Hanks old friend is found dead he vows to solve the crime, and in the process uncovers a conspiracy that threatens the whole town."-the most clichéd sentence ever penned er... typed.

What the show lacks in length it makes up for in pure excellence. It was easily the best new show of the season and one of if not the best shows on at the time (bear in mind that was only on from september to december of 2010, and things like Breaking Bad [aka THE BEST] and Mad Men aired at different times of the year.) Despite how great it was, a flawed ad campaign caused extrememly low ratings (can't fault FX for cancelling it bad) that didn't improve and the series ended after 13 episodes, but boy are they great.
It just arrived on Netflix, and for those of you looking to wade through the b-list material, make sure to check it out.

Louie. Louie.

Louie. Just watch it. FX. It's so good it's got this cat clapping with 1 paw. TWICE.

What more do you want from me?

In all seriousness though this show is great, and just one in the growing list of awesome FX pick ups.

Louis CK stars as himself (his standup is pretty great too), in his depressing vision of the world. It's really the little things that make this show great. Like Ducklings.

One adorable Duckling.

B-Movie Double Feature.

Today's picks are two of my favorite B-Movies of all time. The first is the Warriors.

Stranded all the way across New York city from their turf, the indian themed "Warriors" have to battle their way back to Coney Island, coming across dozens of ridiculous gangs, such as my personal favorite "The Orphans" who have it out for them (the reasons for which I won't spoil here). CAN YOU DIG IT? (will make more sense later...)


The second is a movie from Spider-Man director Sam Raimi (don't worry he didn't do the 3rd one) starring B-star Bruce Campbell, as Ash, fighter of, "The Evil Dead" a kitschy zombie movie. It and it's sequel are awesome. Need proof? He attaches a chainsaw to his arm to better destroy the evil that lurks in the woods

Oh Yeah.

Couldn't Help the Awesome.

Holy Batman, Batman!

Finally new stuff. CONES.

The first post in quite a while is a piece on the trailer craze. It's awesome, and ridiculous, but mostly awesome. An outdoor food court, usually good food, and quite a few cuisine choices equal a happy eater.
Recommendation 1- Mighty Cone, on the 1600 block of S. Congress. The cones are a bit ridiculous (I would prefer a better food transporter like say a plate or just a regular wrap). Homemade batter, deliciously fried chicken and [scream] avocado. Then add coleslaw and special sauce (standard special sauce fare). Its all a bit rich when it comes together as a buddy pointed out, but thats what you get when a four star restaurant makes a grease truck. OH YEAH; the place is owned by renowned restaurant "Hudson's on the Bend," if you needed a little more credibility.

photo courtesy of the boss-man

Sorry if the picture throws you off.


posts will hopefully become more regular, so if you like what you see check back for more soon.

Party Down. Watch It.

Under appreciated show on a network no one has = canceled early.

We only got two seasons from this Rob Thomas show (creator of equally great Veronica Mars), about downtrodden actors that join a catering company, but during that time we got to know a fantastic ensemble cast of Adam Scott (Parks and Recreations), Ken Marino (Children's Hospital), Martin Starr (Freaks and Geeks), Jane Lynch (Glee), and even Megan Mullaly (Will and Grace)

Everyone left to other projects after season two, but there is a potential movie in the works.

Titular Post.

This speaks for itself- http://www.threadless.com/submission/207123/The_Dark_Bite

Modern Noir: Brick.

For all those Joseph Gordon-Levitt Fans out there. It's pretty awesome. and sometimes a little hard to follow.

Bonus Pick.

I felt like sharing another one. The Judd Apatow cult classic Freaks and Geeks (with too many famous people to count, just look it up yourself).

Lindsay Weir (bottom left), is going through an identity crisis, and she doesn't really know where to go socially. She falls in with the Freak group (left). Her little brother Sam, is just starting high school and getting used to being the bottom of the social ladder, with his friends Bill and Neal.
It starts off fairly slowly, but by the second or third episode it's off to the races. A particularly funny instance is the Halloween episode where Bill (he's the tallest geek) dresses up as the Bionic Woman. He just doesn't understand why everyone gives him weird looks. He has great lines in this sequence ("I'm not a little girl, I'm a bionic woman" and "Guys, lets go, my bra is starting to chafe")

Week in Entertainment.

I feel like doing one of those video store clerk picks. I'll probably be doing this once a week; I watch a lot of movies/TV. This week it's Bored to Death (with Jason Schwartzman, Zach Galifianakis, and Ted Danson.

Bored, is about writer Jonathan Ames (Schwartzman), who after going through a break-up starts moonlighting as a detective to find a little direction in his life (or maybe just a distraction from his miserable existence). Galifianakis is his best friend, and is the type of person you'd expect from the actor. Ted Danson is his "sober" Newspaper boss that calls on Ames for random whims. It's fun if you like Schwartzman, but it can be a little overly philosophical and too smart for it's own good at times. So basically fun, but a tad intellectual. Not for everyone, but give it a shot. on HBO (currently on 3rd season) and DVD (2 seasons)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

For those of you who have escaped the media frenzy that is the girl with the dragon tattoo (because of either an intense hatred of books, or not wanting to read subtitles, which are oddly similar reasons), David Fincher, director of Fight Club is directing an american remake. Probably toned down for our politically correct audiences, Fincher's visually striking directorial style, should suit the movie quite well, not to mention his experience with serial killers (Se7en and Zodiac). From the trailer it seems to be very similar to the original, save for a better leading man in Daniel Craig, who is much more suited to play the womanizing truth seeker Mikael Blomkvist. Check it out.

If Batman Were a Foodie.

This would be the batphone.

One of my favorite shirts, it's useful in multiple situations. It's also awesome. I just want the phone.

Franklin Barbecue.

Not having the chance to visit Texas BBQ legend Snow's, i can't say anything is the best*, but it sure was the best damn BBQ I've ever had. The Ribs are a simple dry rub job, but incredibly succulent. The sausage is a little fluffy and properly spiced. The pulled pork is cut more like chopped beef and among the most tender meats i've ever had the pleasure of eating. The coup de grace though is the Brisket.

It's moist beyond belief, and is easily separated by the plastic utensils (the fact that that is all they have is a little boastful), not to mention the fatty burnt ends which are best described as liquid brisket. So rich, with a beautiful char, it melts in your mouth like some meaty butter from god. And while we are on the subject of god, the owners are some of the nicest people you could ever meet, which is especially helpful when you consider they often have a 2+ hour wait. I got there at an hour before the place opened and i still wasn't the first in line. Having stood in line for 2.5 hours before, I can say with out a doubt that it is worth it, but only for those who take their food seriously (which if you are reading this you probably do). I suggest going with friends to help pass the time though.

Franklin is open every day except monday from 11 to sold out (which usually occurs before 11, so get there early; around 9:30-10, or go after 12:30, but you may only get scraps), at 900 E. 11th Austin TX.

*Having been multiple times and talking with people in line who have been, they swear Franklin is better.

Essential Batman.

Batman: Year One, Frank Miller.
The Dark Knight Returns, Frank Miller.
The Killing Joke, Alan Moore.*
The Long Halloween & Dark Victory, Jeph Loeb.
Hush.




*Note it is supposed to be a one off fictional story within the universe (a dream within a dream). It's been incorporated into the mythos, but that was not Moore's intention. Just don't blame him for Oracle.