From an email sent to SXSW volunteers:
“The SXSW Film Festival, Film Threat, Media Toolbox and Buffalo Billiards are hosting a free screening of the film “My Life With Morrissey” at Buffalo Billiards (201 E. 6th Street, Austin, TX) on Monday, June 2 at 9:00 p.m.
Directed by Andrew Overtoom (who works as an animation director on the hit Nickelodeon show “SpongeBob SquarePants”), “My Life With Morrissey” is a very dark and twisted comedy that chronicles the adventures of an off-kilter career girl whose life unravels when she meets her idol (British rock icon Morrissey) and sets off on a journey of obsessive self-delusion.”
More about the movie here and here.
May 30th, 2003
May 29th, 2003
It seems that Public Realm readers are more than just a delightfully tacky, yet unrefined bunch. They’re also serious disc golfers. I received several emails extolling the virtues of frisbees, baskets, and beer. I was so impressed with this stat board that I had to post it. These guys went way beyond listing their number of hole-in-ones, birdies, and bogeys. They even included the number throws that landed in da drink, and um, “turds” (?) …
May 29th, 2003
Disc Golf is kind of like Willie Nelson: it brings together rednecks, hippies, and everyone in between. Other than discs, you don’t really need any special equipment, although a six-pack of Bud or Tecate (cans please) is always a good idea.
I was introduced to the sport during my leisure-filled freshman year at Montana State University. There is a wonderful park in Bozeman, just beyond downtown, and adjacent to a cemetery. At the time, there were no baskets–just ribbons tied around trees and the object was to throw the frisbee between the ribbons. Everyone called the activity “folf,” instead of disc golf– a term I have not heard used since then. After returning to Lexington I recruited some friends to try to get a course going at Woodland. We tied ribbons around trees and played at night but the ribbons would be removed after a few days. With no place to play, I eventually lost interest in disc golf until moving to Austin. Austin must be the disc golf capital of the Southwest. There is Zilker and Pease Park in the central city. Bartholomew on the East Side. Veloway and Mary Searight down south. And supposedly there are some really good courses in some nearby small towns. Time to add one more course to the mix: Texas School for the Deaf.
I noticed a basket the other day while driving down South First at the bottom of the hill, just before Barton Springs Road. I spoke with an administrator this morning to find out the scoop. “Unfortunately, the course is not open to neighbors of the school yet,” she said. “After the beginning of the next school year we’ll probably open it up.” She said that a student activities director had been taking a group of kids to Zilker to play and they decided to look into their own course. “The group raised $2000 along with some donations.”
May 26th, 2003
You’ve seen the movie by now so no need for a spoiler disclaimer
Words that have been used to describe The Matrix Reloaded: “mediocre,” “boring,” “OK,” “decent.” Exactly what I wanted to hear. My hope was that hardcore fans were disappointed because the movie took a chance by downplaying the ultra-tech fight scenes and instead carried the “reality is fiction” premise to an unpredictable place. It turns out that the movie was dreadfully boring–because of the fight sequences. I felt like a kid watching a musical: Oh no, they’re going to start singing again!. But instead of “A Spoonful of Sugar,” we got a fistful of kung fu. And the medicine never quite went down.
Annoyance 1) Neo can fly. So if he is fighting a dozen Agent Smiths, for example, why doesn’t he just fly away? Why bother wasting all that time fighting? And here’s a guy who can hold up his hand and stop a thousand bullets from penetrating his human flesh. So what can kill him? With Superman it was kryptonite. We don’t know what Neo’s limits are. The fighting seems pointless. If bullets can’t stop Neo than it is probably unlikely that a karate chop will.
Annoyance 2) The pagan love rave. The scene was painful to watch. I almost felt embarrased. It was totally cheesy.
Annoyance 3) The mysticalkabbalahchristianeasternzennewageypscyhobabble. I’m sure Matrix fans, who have seen the movie several times, have decoded some of the more complex philosophical insights. I would have probably enjoyed the movie more if I worked harder at following the circular, mind-melting conversations. But I cared so little about any character, it wasn’t worth my time.
Sarah summed it up: The Matrix Reloaded is a titanium coated turd.
This is a really awkward time in America. I’m not really sure what the appropriate cinematic response to this era of paranoia n’ patriotism should be. Two directions appear to be “the machines are taking over” and “cars flipping over to the sounds of nu-metal (either in LA or Miami)”. Quieter movies are now considered indie fare. Take “About Schmidt,” “Punch-Drunk Love,” or “One Hour Photo.” All of these movies feature blockbuster Hollywood actors but because they’re a bit unusual they are relegated to indie status. Soon a movie like “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” or “Bend it Like Beckham” will be the new American avant-garde.
May 25th, 2003
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