Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Bitch Slap and other non-euphemisms

So, AmandaB and I were super excited to venture into Bitch Slap, a sundance film with a hilarious title that claimed to be an homage to B films of the past. And I suppose in some ways it was. But in more ways it was like watching a trashier version of Tarentino's Death Proof. With worse acting.

In the opening scene...a half naked hot chic with unnaturally large breasts breathes heavily on screen, dirty in the sand, (are we sure we're not talking a porn here... well, not so far from the truth as it turns out)... her lips parted... AmandaB and I in unison: "Is she orgasming?!?"

As it turns out, no. Camera pans to destruction about her. Flaming cars and trailers in the desert. Weapons and bodies strewn about. I mean, what's a girl to do?

The movie then flip flops through time, steadily working it's way further into the past where we get to meet Kevin Sorbo! (codename Phoenix) in dark sunglasses touting big guns. It's been decided that Kevin Sorbo is the most dragoniest dragon yet... except his time in the movie was limited and that remains (among many) a major flaw of the film. As we flip flop back and forth, the dialogue and story lines in the past gets better and better and the storylines in the present get more and more absurd. For example, the random water fight that goes on for no less than 5 minutes! To what end? I say libido. (See: Porn comment above.) Also, the random romantic interlude in the trailer (obviously before it's blown up). In the past? The book Slutty Bitches in Post Feminist America. A cameo with Lucy Lawless (read: Xena Warrior Princess) as a nun. Kevin Sorbo. The freaky, freaky motorcycle death seen that you have to see to believe. Who knew castration could be so gruesome?

All in all I'd say it took a good 15-20 minutes to get a hold on what was going on, besides T&A. But there was a whole lot of T&A.

(Go on Dead Acorn, Rejoice! Put it on your netflix queue. You know you want to.)

And so you know:




What does any of this have to do with dragons? Well, even dragons have to cover their eyes sometimes.

However, the accompanying Truffle fries from Boise Fry Company were delightful. Though perhaps not worth the $8 asking price.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

AWP, the nature documentary

Pan to a vertical forest, glass and rafters. Different pack animals congregate, traverse the hills, the escalators, elevators. I am a lone dragon here. To travel solitary means having the opportunity to observe others. I wander.In one level, tiny woodlands. Little pockets to hide. To meet others. To graze. On another, open views. You can see the sky. In another, dense forest. Creatures prowl, attack, bandy their products, shit on one another, in one another's territory, piss on their own territory, rub up against each other, mark trees and booths and other's bodies. "See this bear. I'm going home with this bear. It's my bear. Step off my bear." I try to tell them, though: "I didn't want to go home with your bear. I just liked your bear's poems and wanted to tell him." Girl bears spend a lot of time preening and a lot of time growling. Boy bears spend a lot of time rubbing their backs up against the girl bears, tongues lolling out, begging for relief.

"People won't mess with you. You look tough, scary," one gazelle tells me. "You're a dragon." I want to make friends and the animal kingdom shys away. When I dare approach them, they ruffle their feathers. "See. Look. I'm tough too. I'm scary. Look at my glorious mane. You don't scare me. I'll eat you alive." Or, "My feathers are so much prettier, more glorious than your measley scales, your spiney wings."

Some who know me don't remember me, or forget me, or pretend that I am scary or ugly even when they know better. Some, however, venture beyond. Some brave my sharp, sharp teeth. Some hold their hands out. I make temporary friends, little pockets of time, we graze together. I fly coops and drink at different ponds. I look for my own pack and cannot find one. Cannot hold on to the people I know as they travel with their own groups. Nobody seems to be able to hold on to a whole group for long but everyone seems happy prancing through the meadow, the sunlight shining on their backs, their faces gleaming in a wonderous daze, absorbing the bliss of this little eden in its fall.


Friday, April 2, 2010

Tim McGraw was Robbed, Bitches.

I am not sure why I called shotgun on the right/honor to write about The Blind Side, but I'm pretty certain that it has something to do with Tim McGraw. Before I begin, I should probably divulge my past relationship with Tim.

...So maybe I went to his concert one time. It wasn't my fault. My bff in high school was obsessed with him (I mean, she also went through a J-Lo phase, so this was no big deal), to the point where one Christmas I bought her a charcoal portrait of him from a mall kiosk.

You should probably also know that Tim McGraw has his own cologne. It's called McGraw.

He is also the singer of the song "Indian Outlaw." You should also probably listen to the song on YouTube. Here are three little verses:


You can find me in my wigwam
I'll be beatin' on my tom-tom
Pull out the pipe and smoke you some
Hey and pass it around


I can kill a deer or buffalo
With just my arrow and my hickory bow
>From a hundred yards don't you know
I do it all the time

They all gather 'round my teepee
Late at night tryin' to catch a peek at me
In nothin' but my buffalo briefs
I got 'em standin' in line

The other verses probably cover any other stereotypes you might think of.

ANYWAY, picture AmandaB, AmberN, and CMcGee settling into their dollar theater seats. Insert voice over of Sandra Bullock talking about football in a Southern accent. And then, there it is--Tim McGraw's name, on the screen. Tim McGraw is in The Blind Side! We all start laughing, and by all I mean the three of us and nobody else. From there on out, I knew I had nothing to fear.

I kept waiting for his appearance, with his mustachio and cowboy hat, and then I realized that I had been looking at him all along. He is Sandy's bitch (I mean husband) in the film. I CANT EVEN DEAL. I never thought I would be one for a cowboy hat, but he looks so much better with his cowboy hat on. On, Tim, ON! Every time Sandy and Tim had to act affectionate, I'm pretty sure I covered my eyes. It made me so uncomfortable. I can't even explain it. It was just weird.

The Blind Side was nominated for best picture. So, I guess I thought it would be good....and it appeared, on exiting the theater, that our fellow movie-goers were satisfied. It drives me bonkers, however, when "feel good" movies reduce people, situations, etc., to something that requires an insane amount of suspension of disbelief. It's so calculatingly sentimental. I feel like this guy's story is such a good story, but all the edges have been lopped off. And don't even get me started on the precocious little child with the teeth.

...maybe I don't get it because I've been trying to watch all of the other best picture nominees. I have a huge crush on District 9. I CRIED! Suck on that, The Blind Side. And after last night, District B13--an Oscar nom in my heart. Let us all take a moment to appreciate the joys of synchronized wall climbing, K2, and bromances.


Maybe it's because I just finished Season One of Dexter, or because I'm starting season two of Mad Men. Or because I just watched season four of It's Always Sunny. (Best spring break ever.) Apparently I like to watch programming full of terrible/conflicted people. You know what? I think this one is probably on me. I have been too hard on the Blind Side, and Tim McGraw especially. And so, I officially would like to start campaigning for Tim for next year's Oscar race. I had to choose between something called "Dirty Girl" and this http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1555064/ and I think the latter wins. (Though I would be equally uncomfortable with him being the love interest of G-Pal or the chick from Gossip Girl.)

Thesis defense on Monday! Steve Holt!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

The Bucket List

As the countdown begins to my permanent departure from Boise, two Dragons prepare to live out an epic flight of dragon fun! We do plan to document with pictures (that may or may not make it to the blog.)

This list was written on a napkin at the Boise Fry Company where I popped my BFC cherry with the purple curly fries. I will now carry the Bucket List in my wallet. We will add to this list as we come up with them.

ACTIVITIES

Karaoke + Fireball Whiskey Shots + Spice Girls "Two Become One": AmandaB will also dance on a pole.

Go to JC Penny & Youth Ranch to try silly outfits

Bowling

Laser Tag

RIDE SEGUES!!! (which may be cut for financial concerns, which makes me sad)

TRIPLE BLOW UP, on camera. (If you've had the experience of seeing me, AmandaB, or C Mcgee blow it up, you know what I'm talkin' 'bout.)

Long day with our pals at Harry's, like how we used to do, with the many PBR's.

Epic Drinking Night Part II (with C Mcgee! and Drunk Jenga!)

Shotgun a PBR (the last two may go together)

MOVIES

Bitch Slap
Hot Tub Time Machine
How to Train Your Dragon
Dragon Wars (the 3rd appearance)

FOOD
Boise Fry Company: Truffle fries & Bison Burger
Donnie Macs: Dollar PBR's and Spaghettios in a can!
Nancy's Cookie
Bosnian Express Gyros
Hawaiian Shaved Ice (which will hopefully return by the time I leave)
A night of coconut popsicles & a bottle of Barefoot's Pinot Grigio



You got it right. Our lives are better than other people's.