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Movies, music and more interactionPosted by Steven Uhles on May 30, 2008 - 9:42 AM I do love it when people agree to play my reindeer games. Over the past few weeks, I have offered up opinions on albums I feel have been undervalued and movies I see as essential to cinematic literacy. While there was real pleasure in putting these pieces together -- I love to make a list -- the real idea was to allow readers a forum to talk to me, perhaps even with me, about music and movies. Fortunately, I was taken up on the offer. In response to my query for great underrated records, I discovered that there were a lot of fans of Dylan's New Morning album, which was on my list, and quite a few folk who believe Wilco hasn't gotten the righteous props deserved. Among the albums submitted -- Prince's Sign O' the Times , the first New York Dolls album, Cheap Trick's Next Position Please , the Led Zep epic Presence , the Byrd's country-rock classic Sweetheart of the Rodeo , Gil Scott Heron's influential The Revolution Will Not Be Televised and After the Snow by Modern English. The most popular -- and surprising -- pick was A.M. by college rock faves Wilco. It's hard to argue with, because that's a record I love as well. That was two weeks ago. On Sunday, I ran a list of Essential movies. These were not necessarily my favorites, but movies I feel every film fan should see to properly understand the art, history and entertainment joy that is cinema. As with the underrated bands, I asked readers to let me know what I might have left off. Among the popular choices -- Psycho , Young Frankenstein , The Graduate , Unforgiven , Taxi Driver , Showboat , Stagecoach , Forrest Gump and Blade Runner . Three of the more popular picks were Saving Private Ryan , Gone With the Wind and The Shawshank Redemption . At the risk of inciting a mini movie melee, I'll let you in on a little secret. I don't think any of those movies are particularly good. After the first 20 minutes (which are fantastic) Ryan becomes a fairly standard and sadly mundane war movie, nothing new under the Normandy sun. Shawshank continuously overplays its hand, bludgeoning the audience with life lessons when a more subtle approach would have been more effective. Gone With the Wind is a spectacle that never quite masks the so-so melodrama at its core. Now here's the thing. I have this spot, once a week where I'm allowed to spout. It has been great. But I really want to do more than merely offer my ideas. I'd like Pop Rocks to be a forum for discussion, a spot where one list can spawn many, where my opinions are just a starting point. I'm not exactly the lovey-dovey touchy-feely type, but I feel like the 10 minutes we spend together -- figuratively speaking -- might be more interesting if the conversation became a little less one-sided. Stay tuned. WWE to film new reality show in AugustaPosted by News Abuser on May 29, 2008 - 11:40 AM Officials with World Wrestling Entertainment are negotiating with local officials to film a reality show based on the drama and fisticuffs* involved with running local government.Calling all hockey broadcastersPosted by BillyByler on May 29, 2008 - 10:59 AM A quick lesson in Lynx radio history will reveal quite a trend. The position of Augusta Lynx radio broadcaster is apparently a virtual guarantee as a stepping stone to a life-long hockey broadcasting career.The future of music is in the pastPosted by tywebb on May 29, 2008 - 9:08 AM EST I will never understand why this was never a huge hit...Saving to SplurgePosted by SimpleDollar on May 29, 2008 - 8:50 AM Jenny has one big thing she loves to splurge on in her life - she likes to take long weekend trips about once every three months. Aside from this, Jenny is ultra-frugal. I think what Jenny is doing is brilliant and perfectly matches my definition of frugality. Businesses don’t want to be immigration policePosted by Damon Cline on May 25, 2008 - 6:20 PM What’s was the top concern of local small business owners attending last week’s National Federation of Independent Business?Augusta's going alfresco -- bring your own picnicPosted by Keith Claussen on May 23, 2008 - 8:27 AM This is the best time of year to be outdoors, so pull out the lawn chairs and old quilts, grab the kids and the bug spray, and enjoy some of our local and regional cultural riches. Trust and ObediencePosted by Rachel Balducci on May 23, 2008 - 5:58 AM My quick obedience saved our lives -- and that thought terrified me. Hearts Full of Gratitude, or A Cautionary TalePosted by Rachel Balducci on May 23, 2008 - 5:54 AM This one even has a disclaimer at the end.TidbitsPosted by Rachel Balducci on May 23, 2008 - 5:51 AM Elliott, to me: What can I do to get people to throw money at me?Me, to Augie: Take his foot out of your mouth. NOW. Augie, to no one in particular: I like jelly donuts. Ellliott, to the WORLD: Doesn't anyone KNOCK anymore? Charlie, to everyone: They won't let me do ANYTHING. I can't play basketball, throw the football, Ethan won't even let me wear his beard. Dreaming Big, Dinner EditionPosted by Rachel Balducci on May 23, 2008 - 5:50 AM "Elliott, would you like sauce on your pasta?" Should I post this on ebay?Posted by Rachel Balducci on May 23, 2008 - 5:47 AM In our home, everything is a weapon. A precious, precious weapon.How not to knock off the Power RangersPosted by tywebb on May 22, 2008 - 1:24 PM EST The Power Rangers dominated the teen scene for years (and apparently they're still on). Here's video of a knockoff that did not dominate.Lend a hand while you sleepPosted by cthrelkeld on May 22, 2008 - 1:13 PM Remember a few years ago when there were a number of projects utilizing the unused processing power of thousands of computers from around the world to conduct research or analyze huge amounts of data?Oil discovered at Municipal BuildingPosted by News Abuser on May 22, 2008 - 11:44 AM With fuel prices spiraling upwards, people are celebrating the discovery of a large oil deposit beneath the foundation of the Augusta Municipal Building. The Essential Personal Finance BookshelfPosted by SimpleDollar on May 21, 2008 - 1:49 PM Over the last two years, I’ve reviewed in detail more than a hundred (actually approaching two hundred) personal finance and personal productivity books on The Simple Dollar. Surely I had to be building up quite a library, right? Not quite. Movie Review: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal SkullPosted by The_Weasel on May 19, 2008 - 12:33 PM in funny | movie The Weasel has pieced together reviews of the movie, and gleaned information from movie trailers, online gossip and inside information to give you this review. IT‘S JUST LIKE ALL OF THE OTHER INDIANA JONES MOVIES.Downtown master plan meetings run smoothlyPosted by Damon Cline on May 18, 2008 - 5:25 PM The most clever television commercial I’ve seen lately is for an online job search company for upper-income professionals.Movie Review: Iron ManPosted by The_Weasel on May 16, 2008 - 11:16 PM in funny | movie Just what the world needs - another superhero. This time it's “Man in a gold-titanium alloy suit that's painted red because gold is too flashy” (aka “Iron Man”).Holding a Monthly Family Financial MeetingPosted by SimpleDollar on May 16, 2008 - 2:09 PM Prior to our financial meltdown, my wife and I simply never sat down and talked about our finances. Right after our meltdown, we talked about things almost every day.Photo-essayist perfected his images with darkroom artistryPosted by Keith Claussen on May 15, 2008 - 1:47 PM A. Aubrey Bodine’s photographs on display at the Morris Museum of Art are striking images for several reasons. Many of them evoke a particular place and time: the Baltimore area, notably in the 1940s. They also reflect a bygone era in photojournalism. Richmond County schools to suspend playoff sports participationPosted by News Abuser on May 15, 2008 - 1:45 PM Taking a page from the Paine College playbook, Richmond County school superintendent Dana Bedden announced that Richmond County school sports teams will not be traveling to future road playoff contests.Jokes on MePosted by Rachel Balducci on May 15, 2008 - 9:17 AM Library books: I know how to pick 'em!Still A Little BoyPosted by Rachel Balducci on May 14, 2008 - 1:16 PM Ethan took his first mega-big field trip yesterday, leaving before school started and getting home just before bedtime. It was a long, wonderful day that he had been looking forward to weeks in advance. PerspectivePosted by Rachel Balducci on May 13, 2008 - 7:49 PM When there is no underlying agenda or bitterness, talking about the pros and cons of our respective days can help us appreciate our spouse – and also our own situation. Scared.Posted by Rachel Balducci on May 13, 2008 - 7:47 PM With an attitude like this, I fear the presents they will give.Sad But TruePosted by Rachel Balducci on May 13, 2008 - 7:46 PM The bigger question is: can the uniform pants last a few more weeks?Ladies ManPosted by Rachel Balducci on May 13, 2008 - 7:44 PM This guy knows the way to a woman's heart.Robert Rauschenberg's Augusta connectionPosted by Keith Claussen on May 13, 2008 - 5:43 PM Robert Rauschenberg, who died Monday at age 82, was undeniably one of the great figures in American art. We are quite fortunate to have some of his work here in the collection of the Morris Museum of Art, and particularly fortunate to have a major work that is specific to our city.Parking Garage DudePosted by Annette Drowlette on May 13, 2008 - 1:37 PM ESTBrian Quick | Chapel Hill | Kristine Buls | music | N.C. | Rick Pukis This is my first High Definition video-3 of us in Chapel Hill, N.C. collaborated on this project and it was an intense week of multimedia.What I’m Doing With My Economic Stimulus CheckPosted by SimpleDollar on May 13, 2008 - 1:37 PM Over the last few weeks, several readers have written in asking me what I’m going to do with my economic stimulus check, perhaps in hopes that it would give them some idea as to what to do with it.Tell me when gas will hit $4 a gallonPosted by Bill Kirby on May 13, 2008 - 9:19 AM When gas hits $4 a gallon is anybody's guess ... what's yours. In Mom-oriumPosted by Scott Michaux on May 11, 2008 - 8:27 PM Dealing for the first time with a Mother's Day without a mother. Government: A blessing for the economyPosted by Damon Cline on May 11, 2008 - 6:11 PM Times like these (as in “so-so”) make me glad to live here. Although the recent economic downturn (no one is using the R-word yet) has business and industry in many parts of the nation pulling on the emergency brake, the Augusta-Aiken metro area has simply eased off on the gas pedal.Baseline to BaselinePosted by Brian Peck on May 07, 2008 - 12:27 PM Today I want to focus on a few topics including college baseball, the Hawks future, and of course some college football. So here goes... Big Week for the Dogs The University of Georgia Diamond Dogs emBARK on the biggest week of the year so far this season. With Georgia Tech on Wednesday night at home and then a trip to play second place Vanderbilt in Nashville this weekend, we will find out just how ready this team is to challenge for a championship. The Dogs can virtually clinch hosting a regional with a sweep of the week. If they play decent then they should sew up the eastern division championship. Hawks Future The future seems to be very bright for a young Hawks team that challenged the Celtics in their first round playoff loss to what had been described as the best team in the NBA this season. With Billy Knight "resigning" this morning, it will interesting to see what direction the new GM takes in regard to the talent on the team and especially coach Mike Woodson. I have not been a big fan of Woodsons in the past, but he has seemed to save his job by getting this team to the playoffs and with a great showing in those playoffs. Priority one is deciding whether or not to resign Josh Smith and Josh Childress. If they resign both then it would seem that Marvin Wiliams may be the odd man out. The Hawks need another big man so Al Horford can move back to his natural position of PF. A consistent outside shooter off the bench would also be a major piece to the puzzle. The future looks bright for years to come for the Hawks. College Football So, Tony Barnhart has picked UGA as his spring #1 team in the nation. WHO CARES. Its freakin May. Anything can happen over the summer and early in fall practice. I think we should wait at least until fall practice begins to start picking who will be the best of the best. Actually I would love it if they waited until about four weeks in to the season before they came out with the first polls. But its these preseason polls that have many people biased about which teams they think will be the best. I do believe UGA will have a very good team and hopefully a dream season. But it is way to early to tell. Taking a Deeper Look at Wants Versus NeedsPosted by SimpleDollar on May 06, 2008 - 1:23 PM I believe that many of the personal finance problems that people face are due to a confusion between wants and needs.Dominoes and Trick PoolPosted by tywebb on May 06, 2008 - 1:14 PM EST Anyone can do a trick pool shot on one table. But four tables? And with hundreds of dominoes?All-Star ballot includes former Augusta minor league starsPosted by Billy Byler on May 05, 2008 - 4:55 PM Eight former Augusta minor league ball players earned a spot on the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star ballot.So True.Posted by Rachel Balducci on May 04, 2008 - 7:42 PM Elliott: Henry is a big ball of joy! $4 a gallon for gas? They’re not even tryingPosted by Damon Cline on May 04, 2008 - 6:40 PM When I heard that Hurricane Katrina was going to damage refineries and offshore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, I quickly left work and filled the tank of my Bonneville in anticipation of a shortage that never came.Risking KindnessPosted by Rachel Balducci on May 02, 2008 - 5:25 AM As I have walked through this season of festivities and celebrations and stress, I’m recognizing the incredible need to risk kindness – to risk calling at a bad time instead of not calling at all. |
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