Perfect for a Boards of Canada video, I've imagined the children who are at the Oracle's house in The Matrix playing with the Tangible Sequencer in these youtube videos:

Sadly, it seems that director Bob Clark & his son died today in a Santa Monica car crash.
You can read the AP obituary here.

Clark may have reached mainstream fame as the director of A Christmas Story but he'll forever live in the hearts of Video Maniacs everywhere as the filmmaker behind Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things, Black Christmas, and Porky's.  He will be sorely missed!

Finally!!! Twin Peaks Season 2 is now available. It just came out this week. It has been over 5 years since Season 1 came out on DVD! Like many of you, I sold my vhs box set years ago in anticipation of the release of this show on DVD. I am so excited I now get to revisit my favorite show and watch it all from the beginning. David Lynch is a genius and was really able to show the world just how brilliant he was with this amazing ground breaking television show.  Season 2 originally aired in the 1990/1991 season. While the 1st season only had 8 episodes, season 2 had a full season of episodes with 22. This was the year it was nominated for some Soap Opera Digest Awards.

Sheryl Lee was nominated for best death scene as Maddie Ferguson. And I have to agree...she was amazing. She was brilliant in her second role in the series as Laura Palmer's strangely almost identical nerdy cousin. Kyle Maclachlan and Piper Laurie were both nominated for outstanding acting. The show was nominated for outstanding Prime Time Show. It won no Soap Opera Digest Awards but did walk away with a couple Golden Globes. Amazingly the Soap Opera Digest Awards still happen. However last year was the first year it was not televised and it went straight to magazine. Not a good sign for the future of the awards show.

I seriously have watched Twin Peaks a lot. It aired on Bravo many nights for many years late night. Most of those nights I was watching it. If you are a fan of any of the serialized TV shows such as Lost or Prison Break and have never watched this show...you seriously need to do so right now. This was the best thing ever on television. I have yet to see anything come close. The cast was also one of the best. Unfortunately it seems to be somewhat of a curse for its cast. Nobody on the show has ever done anything near as good since this show went off the air -- besides maybe Kyle Maclachlan's role in Showgirls and Lara Flynn Boyle's in Happiness. Most of the cast has been mainly seen in small TV roles or Lifetime movies of the week.

Season 1 might be everyone's favorite, but Season 2 remains my favorite. Unfortunately Season 1 is currently out of print, but hopefully you already own it.  I am sure it will be released again soon along with the pilot episode, though. Season 1 ended with the mill burning down and Agent Cooper getting shot, so Season 2 opens where it left off. Some of the highlights of the season are...Shelly takes care of a comatose Leo, Cooper's ex partner Windom Earle escapes from the insane asylum to Twin Peaks, Sheryl Lee is brilliant as Maddy (Laura Palmer's cousin), Leeland goes crazy (brilliantly), Lucy deals with her kid and its paternity, Heather Graham stars as Norma's sister Annie, David Duchovny as a Transexual!!, Nadine gets amnesia and thinks she is 18 again, and we get to see more of Bob. And of course...we find out who killed Laura Palmer! Many guest stars on this season including Robin Lively from Teen Witch!, a brilliant movie. Did you know that witchcraft is the fastest growing belief system in the U.S.?  But seriously, the season belongs to Kenneth Welsh who stars as Windom Earle. He is one of the most terrifying characters on television. Like most of the cast, he has continued to work consistently but in nothing worth talking about, although I think he was Hal Holbrook's son in the recent horrible remake of The Fog. However, my favorite scene is for sure when James sings to Donna and Maddy.  Brilliant!!! James may have been one of the most boring characters on the show but he was my favorite!

The extras on the DVD are not amazing, but you really don't need anything more than the episodes. The episodes are so great you don't need to worry about anything else. The DVD includes all 22 episodes. Behind the Scenes with Kyle, Madchen, Sherilyn, and David Duchovny!!! It also included the Log Lady introductions. Just thinking about this show brings all the memories back. I might need to call in sick for a couple days just to watch the whole thing all at once. It is a great TV show to be sick and watch. Brilliant!!!



Did I already tell you this show is brilliant!? Seriously it is the most brilliant thing to ever exist! I love it so much  and you should too! It is brilliant!  You need to go get Season 2 right now and watch it all!

There aren't so many actual rock n roll bands right now in San Francisco, and taking in the energy and attitude of the Dilettantes made me remember why I like good ol' rock n roll so much in the first place.
The band is centered around Mr Joel Gion, formerly of the Brian Jonestown Massacre. In case you missed the fantastic documentary Dig, which came out a couple of years ago, chronicling the band's years-long troubles with labels and the law (not to mention rival band the Dandy Warhols),  Joel's a tambourine player. If you did happen to see the flick, you'll easily remember Joel. He's the one who dumps a drink down his pants. You know, that guy. He's also the best tambourine player you'll ever see. The guy has the magic touch, no joke! He is the tambourine player, of course, in the Dilettantes, but he has taken his natural charisma up a notch now and is also a Lou Reed-esque vocalist. His stage presence is something to behold, full of appropriate and highly enjoyable rock n roll posturing and skill.

The two guitarists, Jefferson Parker and Brock Galland, also trade off singing different songs to great effect.  Jefferson's soloing skills are amazing-- remember when American indie bands had crazy epic guitar solos with effects peddles and feedback? I sure do. This guy's got it down. 

The bassist, Nick Marcantonio, and drummer, KC Kozak, hold down the rhythm of the group, making the music the most dance-able rock you've probably heard in a while. 

Straight up rock n roll, dudes. That's what I'm talking about. You should check them out, should they come to your town. Here's their myspace link:  http://www.myspace.com/thedilettantes

Look out for their full length album in August, 101 Tambourines!!

Lady Terminator = Nasy Hunter = Highly Recommended

Available on dvd from Mondo Macabro



Reposting the newest communique from my local heroes, The So Bad It's Good Film Festival:
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Now April is here!

Come out to the Vista this month to check out Lady Terminator!

LADY TERMINATOR
Vista Theater
4473 Sunset Drive
Los Angeles 90027
Friday April the 27th at MIDNIGHT
Admission $10 - Cash only

This enjoyable 'Terminator' rip-off is about a young anthropologist who becomes possessed and goes on a sexual killing spree. If the bad dubbing and stolen 'Terminator' moments don't grab you, why don't you check out the trailer on our myspace page. I dare you...