Ruminations, Musings and Other Stuff…

Whether you like his books, plays, paintings or movies, Clive Barker is somewhat of a force to be reckoned with.  Primarily affixed with the horror genre, Barker’s created some of the most arresting visuals ever in cinema, canvas, novels and short stories. And while all have sometimes been hit or miss, they have always been memorable in some way or another.

That said he’s had a big influence on me since I read “Books of Blood” in college and definitely since I saw “Hellraiser” in high-school (dear god did that movie keep me up at night… I loved it!).

I know, I read book after the movie, so sue me .

As far as cinema is concerned, his movies (mostly of which he’s written and NOT directed) have always ranged from mediocre (the “Hellraiser” series beyond part two, and even that wasn’t that great) to somewhat inspired (it gets knocked a bit, but I’ve always loved “Nightbreed”) yet, they’ve always been memorable.  And, like his written prose and his art, his movies always leave a bit of a scar on you and it’s for that, that Clive Barker will always receive my respect.  He is the king of creatively dark and disturbing visuals and to this day, a lot of his work inspires me.

Which brings me to this latest debacle in the film industry.  Well documented at the site bloody-disgusting.com, the latest film adaptation of his short story “The Midnight Meat Train”, has received the oddest film treatment from a major film studio to date.  Frankly, I haven’t seen a release like this in for, well… ever.  What happened is that the film was picked up by LionsGate (whores to the SAW franchise, and who can blame ‘em), a studio that has done VERY well for itself as of late, and, after viewing it, they decided to release it straight to the racks of a Blockbuster near you.  But then the fan-base (god-bless the interwebs) revolted and they decided to do a severely limited theatrical release… to the cheap seat theaters that barely dot the landscape of our great nation!

The aforementioned fan base then screamed an even louder “WTF”!!

And the real shame?

I may be wrong, (PLEASE, please, correct me if I am) but I believe it’s the “American debut” of a director that should be very dear to every horror fan’s heart:  the Japanese maestro of the epic and zany film “Versus”, Ryuhei Kitamura.

Based on his past exploits alone, this guy is clearly talented and after being fortunate enough to catch TMNMT at a “cheap seat” theater near me ( Carmike Blue Ridge 14 Cinema, 600 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC, 27606 (919)828800) I can safely say that he really needs to be given a better/fairer shake at films in the US.

Is it the “Citizen Kane” of horror?

Hell no!

But it is some inspired film making and some of it is definitely polished and memorable enough to stick with you well after the credits roll.  Which is well worth the usual arm and a leg you’d pay at the megaplex (Mel and I, embarrassingly, paid almost 20 bucks to see “Ironman” this summer) much less the buck or, in my case, buck fifty I spent to see TMNMT.  Yes, near the end it does kind of go into “um… what?!”-ville, but if you’re a fan of Clive Barker’s cannon of works you’ll know that that, for most part, rings true to life.

With Barker, it’s often not about about the destination, it’s the f-ed up trip getting there.

So… what’s the point?

Well, if you love the horror genre, or you even “sorta” love it, you should make the trip out to see “The Midnight Meat Train” at a dollar theatre near you.  It’ll totally be worth your time!  If anything it’s worth it, to see a talented film maker (Kitamura) and a good film adaptation of a Clive Barker short story.

Do your part and if it’s near you, go and see it!  Give the finger to the corporate film industry in America, and show them that these films deserve so much better!

At least better than this….

We sat in a silence that comforted.
The sounds of paper touched,
falling silently…
My fingers dance,
across the only means at my disposal.

Beats float to my ears,
while wine floats to our heads.
There’s a happiness here
that’s absent from “home”.
Our kids sleep, as peace floats in.

Try as we may.
What we return to,
sometimes isn’t enough.
Sometimes home, even in its brevity…
is someplace different entirely.

And even as I stare at you…
day’s sun waning
I know that the distance was worth it.
That this quietude
as foreign as it is…

For now… is home.

—————-
Now playing: The Beta Band - Dry The Rain
posted with FoxyTunes

So I was sitting at work with my good friend Peter (check out his paintings, he’s amazing!) and we were talking about the election and what not when I suddenly remembered back in 2000, another election year, I had been working at a wonderful “mom and pop” ISP (Internet Service Provider) who’s employees were a key demographic of interest for the election (20 somethings in the tech sector).  That attracted NPR’s “All Things Considered…”  a show that I listen to pretty much every day now on my way to and from work.  The primary at the time was just about to occur in NH so the show came to our offices and asked us a bunch of questions about the candidates and the primary in general.

What got recorded was not only during an interesting time in my life (I did a lot of “growing” during those years), but it also captured a pretty interesting ideal amongst my generation.

Well, Pete became obsessed with the fact that I was on the radio back then and instantly dove into NPR’s archives and actually came up with original recording from eight years ago!  It was wonderful to hear some old friends voices again and though you can find the same audio from their site, I actually captured the audio via some black magic programs I’ve collected in my travels.

You’ll hear me at the beginning of the interview and a bit near the end.   I think I sound like a lunatic, certifiable, but it’s always fun to see (or in this case hear) a version of yourself from a time long gone.  It makes me cringe and smile all that same time.

Here it is below.  Have a listen!

 

 January 31 2000 All things Considered Election Coverage... [8:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I was talking to a few folks recently that are incredibly important in my life and I suddenly realized that no one knows what I actually do for a living. Mel does of course, but that’s it apparently. Well that’s not entirely true, everyone knows I work in IT, but “Information Technology” is literally a gigantic field nowadays.

Many facets, many flavors.

Well I’m here to set the record straight. I’m lifting the veil. I’m letting everyone in. I’m tired of the guessing, and I’m tired of the re-explaining when I enter social situations.

So, without further ado I’ll try to explain what I do with at least 9 hours of my day, 5 days a week, without your eyes glazing over.

Ok… So I’m a hired killer. I’m no Leon (ala’ “The Professional”), I mostly take care of small fish. You know, that old high school nemesis or that jerk that stole your cab while on vacation… nobodies basically. They’re folks that no one will miss really. They’re those people that have transcended society and view themselves as better than everyone else, but are still nameless and for the most part invisible. The IT part is just a cover, well, it does help when looking at weapon blueprints, but I digress.

Did I mention I also tend to kid…. I kid a lot in fact (just ask Mel).

Truth is, I build web pages. No, really, I do.

I work for a pretty big “nonprofit” that handles pretty massive clinical trials. Aside from trying to save the world, these trials have tried real hard to reach everyone on the planet and as the years have gone by, a web presence has helped a good deal in they’re cause. I delve mostly in CMS-based sites (Content Management Systems) and my main function has been to help our designer’s ideas come to life in your browser. The sites that I change and manipulate have helped folks in South Africa, collaborate and share ideas with folks in my backyard here in NC (not to mention everywhere else the internet can reach)! It’s a bit of a trip really! To bridge that gap between folks and make the ability to share files, content and ideas that much easier.

It’s kind of what we all should be about I think. And by “we”, I mean the human race.

Over the years I’ve learned that I all at once hate what web-based technologies have become. I despise how computers have at once torn us apart sociologically, but on the complete flipside have also brought us together better than we have ever been in our long history. I’ve seen the depravity we’ve reached through our digital lives, but have also realized, in the right capacity, the profound good we’ve also achieved.

That latter part I love.

So, in my small way, I make the world a better place I guess.

But remember, I also tend to kid…