Archive for the ‘Wednesday Media Mix’ Category
Wednesday Media Mix, 6.10.09
Posted on Jun 10, 2009 02:10:28 PM
[Listen] What are some of your favorite film soundtracks?
[Watch] Did you see the TONY awards? Had you seen any Broadway shows over the past year (or shows that began on Broadway but traveled to other cities)?
[Read] In what ways has technology hindered your reading/writing styles, and in what ways has it enhanced them?
My answers:
1) Across the Universe, Rules of Attraction, Donnie Darko, City of Angels, Underworld, Lost Highway
2) No, I was having a blast at the NINJA concert at the time the awards were showing! I did get to see some shows in the past year: Billy Elliot, Spring Awakening, Waiting for Godot, and God of Carnage.
3) I tend to not pay close attention to my spelling when typing, since I assume a spellchecker is there to the rescue. I feel like my vocabulary has expanded by being able to quickly look at a thesaurus in a word processor or go to a quick dictionary like onelook.com. I probably read faster now since I scan so much online.
Wednesday Media Mix, 6.2.09
Posted on Jun 3, 2009 01:56:48 AM
[Listen] Are there any musical artists whose music style you love, but have a hard time tolerating the vocals? What are some examples?
[Watch] Are there any cartoon series from your youth that you’ve revisited as an adult? If so, which ones?
[Read] What’s your favorite collection of short stories?
My answers:
1) As much as I love Bjork, sometimes her voice makes me cringe. Other examples: Rush, Smashing Pumpkins, Tom Waits, Cranes. All have really cool music but voices I can’t take in large doses.
2) Can’t think of any, but I’d love to see how my perspective on The Smurfs has changed as an adult.
3) Angel on the Roof by Russell Banks or The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien.
Wednesday Media Mix, 5.27.09
Posted on May 27, 2009 11:55:28 AM
Today’s questions will appeal to animal lovers.
[Listen] See how many songs you can name off the top of your head that have an animal in the title.
[Watch] What’s the most moving animal-human relationship you can think of that you’ve seen in a movie?
[Read] Who is your favorite animal-based character in a book?
My answers:
1) Wild Horses, Cat’s in the Cradle, Horses, Horse and I, Hound Dog, March of the Pigs, Piggy, Lullaby for Liquid Pig, Diamond Dogs, Cat Scratch Fever, The Dolphin’s Cry
2) I watched I Am Legend last night, so that’s the one pressing in my mind right now!
3) Dewey the Cat
Wednesday Media Mix, 5.20.09
Posted on May 20, 2009 01:30:15 PM
[Listen] Do you tend to go through genre phases–maybe listen to nothing but blues for a month, and then nothing but industrial the next? If so, what phases have you gone through lately?
[Watch] At what age did you see your very first horror movie? Do you remember what the movie was?
[Read] Name one pet peeve you have with writing styles.
My answers:
1) Yes, I go through phases where I tend to favor a genre over another, though I usually don’t single one out. In the past week I’ve been listening to mostly mellower indie stuff (Tindersticks, Cat Power, Antony & The Johnsons, etc.). And other times I’m all about industrial or modern rock darkwave. And other weeks I’m all about Bjork, which is kinda a genre in itself!
2) I was about 9 or so when I saw The Shining, and I think that was my first horror movie. I’m actually going on a horror binge right now and renting all the 80s-90s horror flicks I never caught when I was younger.
3) When writers try way too hard to sound poetic, especially when describing things like the sky. A pink sky tells me everything I need to know about the atmosphere. You can even through in metaphors of cotton candy, vaginas, or sherbet. But leave it at that and don’t write a mini-essay on the layered hues of the evening.
Wednesday Media Mix, 5.13.09
Posted on May 13, 2009 04:49:58 PM
Ack, I keep forgetting when it’s Wednesday! Mental schedule has been way off this month. Anyway, on to the media mix:
Listen: Do you ever listen to audio books, and if so, what are advantages to listening to them over reading physical books?
Watch: Apparently many hardcore Star Trek fans are actually put off by the recent movie–because it’s so good. They feel like giving it a broad appeal is devaluing it by taking it out of their niche. Do you think that’s silly, or do you see where they’re coming from? Have you ever felt that way about something that was once in your subculture but is no longer considered a “sub” culture?
Read: Any authors you’ve been wanting to check out, but still haven’t come around to it?
My answers:
1) I haven’t listened to any audio books yet, mostly because I feel like I’d have a hard time focusing on them. I can listen to podcasts because the material comes in smaller snippets and you don’t have to wait for tension to build, etc. I also assume that I’m going to be irritated by the voiceovers in audio books. I can see how disliking the voice would totally ruin the experience for me. But maybe someday I’ll give it a shot.
2) I would never be pissy because something I like gained broad appeal because it’s GOOD or it improved in some way–only if it gained broad appeal because it became more superficial or simple in order to draw in wider audiences. I’m never quick to tag something as a “sell-out.” Recently I was annoyed when I heard an underground arist I liked being played in the grocery store, but then I couldn’t think of any good reasons why she SHOULDN’T be played at the grocery store.
3) Carlton Mellick III, and it seems he’s only available on Amazon. I’m starting a website on surrealism so I’m also looking to read just about any writer who has books relating to surrealism or magical realism.
Wednesday Media Mix, 4.29.09
Posted on Apr 29, 2009 12:29:10 PM
[Listen] Do you have an “angry” playlist, or songs/artists you can relate to when you’re in a fury? If so, what are some examples?
[Watch] Think about ads you’ve seen for current/upcoming shows shows and movies–either through TV, billboards, social media, or even direct mail. Based on marketing, which items are you most likely to watch? Are there any you’re turned off to already?
[Read] Any books you’ve started multiple times but just can’t get through?
My answers:
1) Currently Angelspit is a good angry/aggressive artist for me. Staind also has some great angsty lyrics. I think “Aenema” by Tool is the ultimate pissed-off-at-the-world song.
2) True Blood has some really creative and fun marketing, so that’s what drew me into the show originally. This season I was really excited about Krod Mandoon based on previews. In general I tend to be turned off by comedy previews where the “funniest” parts of the movie, which you assume they’re showing in the preview, don’t even deliver.
3) Master and the Margarita, On the Road, and House of Leaves, just to name a few. These are books I think I’ll really like if I can just get through the tedious intro chapters. Sometimes I don’t have enough patience with books.
Wednesday Media Mix, 4.15.09
Posted on Apr 15, 2009 11:32:32 AM
[Listen] Think back…way back. What was the very first song you liked to listened to on repeat?
[Watch] I watched Synecdoche, New York last night, and although it was fascinating, I had a really hard time distinguishing what was real and what was imaginary (which is why I’d like to watch it again). What’s your favorite movie in which the lines of reality are blurred?
[Read] Do you trade books with friends/family, or hold onto everything?
My answers:
1) “Rush, Rush” by Paula Abdul. I even had my own ballet dance for it.
2) Either Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind (Charlie Kaufman’s other mind trip!) or Fight Club.
3) Mostly just my mom, who I see 2-3 times/year. Although most of what I read is too weird for her, hehe.
Wednesday Media Mix, 4.8.09
Posted on Apr 8, 2009 04:59:30 PM
[Listen] Think of your current favorite musical artist. What’s their best song and their worst song, in your opinion? Best and worst album?
[Watch] What does the term “dramedy” mean to you?
[Read] Do you read comics or graphic novels? If so, what are your favs?
My answers:
1) NIN has been my classic fav for a few years now. Best song: “Gave Up.” Worst song: “Purest Feeling” (although it’s still gotta be the coolest high school-like saxaphone song recorded). Best album: Downward Spiral. Worst album: Fixed (a remix of an EP that didn’t really add anything to the glorious EP Broken).
2) A show that’s still considered a drama but that has lots of comic relief. Dennis Leary calls Rescue Me a dramedy, so shows that fall under that vibe.
3) I think I’d really be into graphic novels if I explored them more. So far I love the Sandman series and would probably get attached to similar stuff.
Wednesday Media Mix, 4.1.09
Posted on Apr 1, 2009 02:11:00 PM
[Listen] If you listen to podcasts, what are you current favorites?
[Watch] What decade to most of your favorite movies come from? You can even narrow this down by year if appropriate.
[Read] What’s the most depressing book you’ve read? The most uplifting? And if you want, explain why.
My answers:
1) Oh yes, bunches. Some favs include America’s Debate Radio, The Dave Glover Show, Ring of Fire, This American Life, Stuff You Should Know, and the “Quick and Dirty Tips” series.
2) Most of my fav movies came out between 2000-2005. That was a rockin timeframe for just about every kind of art.
3) Most depressing: “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison (so many heartbreaking scenes that are described in vivid detail). Most uplifting: “Lamb” by Christopher Moore (for its giggles and borderline blasphemy).
Wednesday Media Mix, 3.25.09
Posted on Mar 25, 2009 11:49:28 AM
[Listen] What song have you listened to the most in the past month? Does it an any way reflect the current state of your life, or is it a song you just happen to like a lot?
[Watch] Do you feel like you always root for the right people in movies/TV?
[Read] Do you prefer to read fiction with very clear good guys/bad guys, or is it better if the line is blurred?
My answers:
1) “Sinking” by The Cure. It’s appealed to me a lot the past week because I’ve been making some rough decisions …and the tension in the song compliments that mental strain really well.
2) I usually don’t ROOT for a villian, but I find that in a lot of scenarios, especially romances, I never want the people to get together who I’m “supposed” to want to hook up. Hollywood tries really hard to get you to support relationships that in reality would turn out shitty.
3) In my opinion good fiction = blurred lines and bad fiction = simple lines. Part of being multi-dimensional and genuine is showing the ugly side to everyone.