Where I find new music: Part 10 - internet radio

I'm not certain how many people listen to internet radio, but please comment if you have a station to recommend or a track you've found thru internet radio.  I don't listen to internet radio very often, but on occasion, when I'm working I need some background music to work by.  Needless to say, the type of music in this situation needs to be more melodic, perhaps instrumental, but definitely not distracting or anything I have to concentrate on.  I use iTunes to "bookmark" or "favourite" stations I find and then browse / channel surf until the mix blends with my mood.

It's been a long time since I started writing this blog, so...unfortunately I can't remember all of the stations I've enjoyed (old bookmarks on an old work laptop I think), but the one that I can always remember is Groove Salad.  You can find it under the Ambient genre in iTunes radio and it's from SomaFM who have lots of other interesting genre and mood based stations.

I'm still struggling a little with what stations publish via a format that I can stream via iTunes rather then using their own web site or player, e.g. the progressive Radio Paradise and CBC radio 3 (now CBC music) stations.

Port Cunnington fall morning glory

Port Cunnington fall morning glory, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Movie reviews - September 2012

Looper (2012)
I'm not certain what it was, but it scared me. Perhaps it was the dark side of man, the uncertainty of the future, the power of love or the innocence of youth. Well, maybe it was the violence and power of guns. But for me, the late Friday night uptown audience was a distraction. Clapping for explosions ? Are you serious ? But I can see why it opened TIFF. I don't see how the Hollywood marketing fits. And that's the problem with time travel movies. There's always a loose end, and incongruity, an impossibility, a flaw. But after noodling the ending for a few days, it makes sense, I think. May need to see it again. KInd of Terminator meets Goodfellas with some surprisingly slower, more weighty emotions. Good plot and solid acting.


Source Code (2011)
Great premise with the expected mind bending sci-fi plot. I thought I'd written a more elegant review but either I lost it or it was in an alternate timeline ! I thought some of the capsule scenes were a little low budget, but the story held it all together. More wrinkles than my dress shirts in the dryer. Wrapped up nice and tidy.


50/50 (2011)
Rogan was predictably himself-funny; Kendrick was superb. Amazing how they could make a movie about cancer funny, but keep the seriousness of the disease intact.


Juno (2007)
Much funnier that I expected. Page lived up to the award hype, quirky and personal with some wonderful plot elements.


Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2012)
Extremely intense and incredibly emotional. Brings back many feelings from 9/11. Beautifully acted with heartfelt story telling. A little slow at times, painful moments, memorable characters and great adventures to remember, but ain't that life.


A Thousand Words (2012)
One healthy dose of Eddie Murphy, a tasteful dash of sentimentality and the pleasant aroma of a life lesson make for a tasty in flight movie distraction.


The Graduate (1967)
Yes, this is the first time I've even seen this classic. Superb, stylish filmmaking. Stelar performances set amongst the beautiful poetry of Simon and Garfunkel.


Marvel's The Avengers (2012)
Lots of super hero fire power action. If you can get into comic book mode you're In for a fun ride. Downy Jr. is the standout.

Movie reviews - February 2012

Beginners (2011)
Great acting, but moved too slowly for me.


The Gathering Storm (2002)
Perfect portrayal of a great man; an important part of historical storytelling, but showing the personal side of Churchill.


The Mechanic (2011)
Lots of predictable Statham action but with some interesting plot variables; entertaining.


Blue Valentine (2010)
Brilliant acting in a deeply moving piece of filmmaking. Beautifully sad.


Contagion (2011)
Superb cast bring this simple story together extremely well; very scary to see the ripple effect of a severe epidemic; quite believable. Some loose ends, but food for thought. But why did they have to have Law's teeth so obtuse, surely English dental care has improved in 2011 ? Highly recommended.


Friends With Benefits (2011)
Lots of laughs with Kunis perhaps getting the better lines than Timberlake. Straight up predictable rom-com; but Kunis was irresistible and I'm sure some lady viewers would appreciate Mr. Timberlake's charms


Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)
Really well put together. I'm no Gosling fan and I almost gave this a miss because of him - but he was fantastic, well cast with Carrel - best rom-com in a while.

Movie reviews - March 2012

Moneyball (2011)
 
Superb, a perfect story showing the true romance of baseball. Sorry to say I don't recall that special 2002 season, but isn't that what movies are for, to bring attention to special events from history, whether that be important historical events or simply the joy of sport. Perfect cast with Hill's Brand such a fascinating character and Pitt bringing Beane back office baseball to the forefront. Lovely track from the very talented Kerris Dorsey. Best movie of the year, tears in my eyes.

The Ides of March (2011)
 
Great plot with heavyweight star power that delivers a fabulous gritty, twisted political drama. Everyone can make a mistake, right ?

Super 8 (2011)
 
Really well done - scary, action packed with some decent human drama. Young actors were superb and added a Spielberg throw-back to ET feeling, but lots more edge and intensity in this sci-fi / horror movie.

Drive (2011)
 
Love the mood, music and cinematography. Unusual telling of edgy crime plot. Should it bug me that serious car focused movies, have characters not wearing seat belts ? Gosling lack of dialog doesn't detract from his star power, casting and acting were superb all around. Unconventional with lots to absorb yourself in.

Fair Game (2010)
 
Wow. And you thought you had a tough job. Embarrassed to say I (once again) i learned more about important historical events thru a film that the media. Maybe it's because a movie can focus on one element of a story - but does that endanger its integrity ? Who writes the history books these days, the winners or Hollywood ? Superb acting, fascinating story and very powerful drama.

Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing (2006)
 
Excellent. Politics and music - ok for Brit punks, but not US country singers ? Great inside view of a the biz - media, touring, recording. But also very personal story that pulls hard on the heart strings just like a good country song should.

Hugo review

Hugo (2011)

 

Loved it - the story, the characters, the sets and the setting (yep, I love the romance of old Paris). Baron Cohen and Kingsley were superb along with the young co-stars. Almost bought it on Bu-ray the day after.

Movie Reviews - May 2012

The Expendables (2010)
 
Just as you'd expect - brainless Stallone dialog; gratuitous violence. Lotsa explosions and some creative knife work. Some average comedic dialog, a few cameos and a predictable plot. But I liked it, entertaining - Stallone style.

Insidious (2011)
 
I kept waiting for something scary, but it never came, In fact the so called horor was almost comical. I'd heard this it was supposed to be pretty good - #FAIL. Worst movie I've seen in a while. Can't fathom the 6.8 and good reviews on IMDB.

The Hunger Games (2012)
 
Much better than I expected - I've read the book (and half was thru the second), but the movie is much more dramatic and emotional. I think Jennifer Lawrence does a fantastic job - I was impressed by her acting, but Woody of course stills every scene he's in. To comment on the appropriateness of the PG rating (after reviewing the formal Ontario classifications), the movie should definitely have a 14A rating because of the graphic violence and mature subject matter (note that it was given the appropriate, equivalent PG-13 classification in the US).

We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists review

We Are Legion: The Story Of The Hacktivists (2012)

 

Very interesting doc about Anonymous - the group of 1,000's of online members. Anonymous are mostly Gen Y online members that have developed from a somewhat nerdy subculture. Their actions range from naughty online mischief to civil disobedience, online sit-ins, hacking and a few that have crossed the line into illegal activities. The Anonymous subculture has been branded hacktivism and there is no doubt that they wield a powerful online power. Although the movie does a great job explaining the moral and ethical side of Anonymous, there is definitely a darker side (like the Lulzsec splinter group) to the movement. This darker side, sometimes ignited by agent provocateurs, is what I personally see as very dangerous - powerful online capabilities in the wrong hands could cause enormous damage effecting the public - sometimes seen as collateral damage in the infighting of Anonymous. We better hope that the democratic nature of Anonymous works towards the better good, but can global companies and organizations rely on hope for their security ? As for the moviemaking, I found the detailed content was flying by on occasion, so I felt I was missing important info, but trying to condense the complexities of the people structure of Anonymous, with its twisted history and technical terminology into a couple of hours is a tough job. Overall, very entertaining, eye-opening, educational and great fodder for post-movie discussion.

Movie reviews - July 2012

War Horse (2011)

 

Saw this one a few months ago...Epic storytelling that requires globs of suspension-of-disbelief. Well acted with wonderful, colorful characters throughout with lots of emotional weight. Who'd think you could care so much for a fictional horse in the war - Spielberg pulls it off. Superb entertainment.

The International (2009)

 

Saw this one a few months ago...Stylish, modern, relevant with some nice locales and action infused pace. But taking points off for plot gaps, complexities and and iffy ending. Chemistry between a couple of my faves worked for me. Best line in the movie "...there is a difference between truth and fiction - fiction has to make sense".

Robin Hood (2010)

 

Interesting story - not an alternate, but a prequel of sorts to the traditional tale. Lots of historic elements, authentically rendered with lots of baddies, damsels, chivalry and fighting for your country. A two-nighter, but thoroughly enjoyable.

The Descendants (2011)

 

Superb acting throughout (especially Woodley). Simply story, very well told. Doesn't hurt to have the setting in such a beautiful locale and wonderfully filmed. Clooney's attention to detail is top notch and keeps it real. Well deserved praise. A great quote "Give your kids enough money to do something, but not enough to do nothing".

Larry Crowne (2011)

 

Much better than expected. Great chemistry cooked up by Hanks and Roberts. All kinds of of fun and interesting micro stories and ideas. Really enjoyable if you're a Hanks and/or Roberts fan.

Mission: Impossible III (2006)

 

The usual dose of Cruise action was fun; exotic locations were a bonus; and Simon Pegg added lots of comic relief. Entertaining for a long flight home.

Movie reviews - August 2012

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Who needs Freddy Krueger when you've got a villan like Bane. Really liked the story telling and the grandiose doom plot with its commentary on modern world problems. I saw a few plot twists coming and there were some big gaps, but still loved the supercharged action, the colourful characters and the true comic book larger-than-life, suspension of belief of it all. Highly entertaining.


To Rome with Love (2012)
If you're a Woody fan, you'll love it. Obtuse, silly, rich, indirect, colourful, tasty, sexy...Lots of unvoiced ideas layered into the beautiful setting of Rome with an odd bunch of mismatched characters. Lots of fun, laughs and a few things to talk about over drinks afterwards.


It's Complicated (2009)
Streep and Baldwin were perfectly matched, but I I didn't buy into Martin's role until he got silly after smoking up. Fun and awkward at the same time, never quite sure where it's headed, but pretty entertaining.

Back door alley red lady

Back door alley red lady, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Back door alley red lady

Back door alley red lady, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Kozma

I was in Montreal for an ultimate tournament on the weekend.  Our playing fields were located at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, so there were a few patients hanging around, including one character wearing a Colorado Rapids hockey shirt with Kozma on the back.  I didn't recognize the name and a quick online search didn't find an NHL player called Kozma.

Watching baseball highlights this morning, and Pete Kozma from the St. Louis Cardinals is featured.

Counting sheep

Just starting a new Sci-fi titled The Android's Dream by John Scalzi. The title actually comes from a futuristic breed of sheep that some how becomes a part of the plot. There's mention of counting sheep.

A buddy just recommended a great Aussie funk band called Skunkhour. In their song Do You Like It there's also mention of counting sheep.

Oh and there was some other weird news story I glimpsed yesterday that reported on a winemaker using sheep to trim the leaves off his vines.

Lots of coincidences keep happening but missed posting them recently.

Wide angle Gotham corner

Wide angle Gotham corner, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.