Vermyndax’s Lair

I feel like I can always count on episodes of Lost that are centered on Jin and Sun to bring tears to my eyes. There’s a subtle, consistent thread that exists about these two; they are figures of traditional tragedy, especially tonight.

Okie, that’s all I’ll say plot-wise, because I know some of you may have DVR’d it. I’ll try to express this without giving it away.

The story of Jin and Sun has an inherent overtone of tragedy. Sun’s secrets have always made the story quite tense and Jin’s undying devotion to his wife just makes it all the worse. It’s sad to see them struggle with their lives and relationship.

In many ways I feel like this couple is also an homage to Asian cinema. I have yet to run across a truly happy Asian film. Most Asian cinema is just really, really damn sad. If you want a feeling of complete despair, I challenge you to check out Farewell, My Concubine or Raise the Red Lantern (MGM World Films). Don’t get me wrong, this is good, hard stuff, but it’s really tragic.

I didn’t really understand them to be an homage to Asian cinema until I pointed out tonight that every Jin/Sun story in Lost is quite tragic, leading up to what will surely be quite a tragic end to their plot thread. My wife simply smiled and summed it up, “They’re Asian.”

Wink wink, nod… yes, they’re Asian, and it’s entertainment, so by design, I expect their story to have a terribly tragic ending I’m sure. I’ll applaud all the way to the Kleenex box.

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This morning I was informed that the podcast roundtable was posted. I participated in this roundtable last week. Our discussion went on for a good hour and twenty minutes or so, but Jeff managed to whittle it all down to 23 minutes. I’m not sure how he managed that, but I’m looking forward to hearing it.

Just in case you’re curious, hit the podcast here. In case you’re wondering, it’s an Oscars roundup. If you have no interest in the Oscars, at least you were warned

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So I finally get to sit and watch what amounts to the last half of the Oscars. It seems like I didn’t miss much. I was trying to watch it live on the net, but my son was forcing me to play Super Mario Party 8 on the Wii while he ate dinner (a regular ritual around here).

Now I’ve picked it up and started watching. I really thought Ellen Page was going to win for Juno, even though I have yet to see it.

I’ll just keep updating this post as the show moves on, so keep hitting refresh. I dunno why my feed won’t update when I update the post, but I sure don’t feel like hacking around to figure it out right now.

Update: okie, well, there wasn’t much in the way of updating to do because my spawn of Hell 3-year-old won’t give me enough time to focus on anything but the missing tires on his Lego ambulance.

It seems that No Country for Old Men winning for Best Director and Best Picture is a bit of an upset. I saw this film and while it’s a fantastic (and unusual) film, I’m not sure I agree that it was Best Picture material. I suppose I need to see it again. I will own it, I know this much - it’s a Coen Brothers film after all. But the first impression of this film left me quite uncomfortable. Of course, one could argue that it means the film was effective. You’d probably be right.

But I think that most people expected There Will Be Blood to win. I suppose I’m a little surprised myself. Frances McDormand looked all worlds of happy in the audience, so I’m sure one of the Coens will be getting laid tonight for sure. Good on ‘em.

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OH. My. GOD.

That’s the best adrenaline rush I’ve had in a LONG time.

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IT’S CLOVERFIELD DAY!

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Because I have tickets to Cloverfield for 9:40pm on January 18th, 2008, the precise night the movie is supposed to take place. I am cool. Phear me. Oh, did I mention I bought them for a DLP theatre in a major city?

I am so cool.

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So on my last night here in Virginia/D.C., I decided to have some solitude and enjoy the Coen Brothers’ latest flick, No Country for Old Men. I had very, very high expectations for this film. By and large they were fulfilled, except for the ending. I’m not sure I could go with the ending - it was disappointing. I suppose I need to study it a little to get it back. The rest of the movie was really gripping. The slow foreboding that pulses through the entire movie is just absolutely nerve-racking.

Just… that ending. Maybe I should read the book.

Like I have that kind of time.

In the morning, I have to drive in to Baltimore. It’s about an hour drive with no traffic according to Google, so I’ll be starting out at around 8am. My plane leaves at 1:50pm. Why so early, you might ask? Well, because the car rental place says that just in case of TSA lockdown, you need to turn your car in two hours before you should be at the airport, which makes it about 4 hours ahead of time in my book. Gah. Okie, so I may not make 8am, but we’ll see.

At least I’ll pack tonight.

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http://www.technologyreview.com/printer_friendly_article.aspx?id=19845

Via Boing Boing. 

This is an absolutely brilliant article by John Hockenberry about network news and how they are just not innovating with the rest of the world, especially in terms to new media.You owe it to yourself to read this, especially if you’re into new media.

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For those of you who don’t know this already - someone out there has taken oodles of time and $7,000 to build a near-life-size model of an X-wing fighter, complete with class-M rocket engines.

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/magazine/15-12/st_xwing

Video of the flight is here:

…now for those conspiracy theorists out there, here’s the REAL reason the X-wing crashed:

I vote for the second one in terms of truth.

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So, Cloverfield really is the name. I just can’t wait for Cloverfield. JJ is the new Spielberg. Already, the film thrillseekers in my family are making plans to descend upon our new theatre (Monaco Pictures) and soak up Cloverfield on January 18th. I will be there, even if I have to take time off from work.

I cannot fathom waiting a day longer, yet I must.

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