Hitchcock Revisited

A few months ago Vanity Fair (a magazine that I neither subscribe to nor read) ran a series of staged photographs inspired by famous scenes from Alfred Hitchcock films. Some of these are really cool, some of them are so-so, but it is certainly worth a look-see. Link

TV first, Theater later

Peter said recently in a response to the questions "is this film worth seeing in the theater or should we wait for DVD?", if a movie is worth seeing, it's worth seeing in a theater.

So Peter, I've got a question. Mark Cuban, the billionaire / media-mogul / IU Alum is planning on showing movies produced by his company Magnolia Pictures on TV before they are released in the theater.

His hope is that they will do better at the box office because of this rather than worse (as would be expected: "why pay $10 if I can watch it for free?").

What's your opinion, does this make sense or not?

(read the full Wired.com article | here)

The Movies

One of the things I enjoy about being alive, being an America, and living in Bloomington is the drive-in movies. Now, I know that the drive-in isn't really the best place to "experience" movies (or films) the way they were meant to be enjoyed, that is, on an iPod. Nevertheless, drive-in movies are a lot of fun for multiple reasons. First, you drive, park, open the trunk, pull out your lawn chairs and watch a movie or two in the great outdoors (in other words, you can smoke while watching). Second, at many drive-ins (though, regrettably not the one in Bloomington) you pay by car, not by person. Thus, an entire car-full can often watch a movie (or two) for what? $10!!! And third, something I've already mentioned twice. You often get to see TWO movies in a row, for one low price! So the sound's not great and the picture is harder to see but hey, it's good-ol' American fun.

So if you happen to be in Bloomington today, and you happen to read this. Meet me at the drive-in, tonight's double feature: Wall-e & Edward Norton in The Incredible Hulk.

What Happen?

Somebody set up us the bomb...



Have a great weekend, and Happy Birthday Matt!

Music and Pics

Okay, some of you have submitted requests for songs. Currently I like Elisabeth's song the best (though, it does have the most bad language --- maybe you should pick another song again Jill).



Peter, I finally got your real choice up. Jon, David, Stephen William and Jesse still can pick a song (and Pop, Jess, Michal, Jude, Ashley, Aravis, and Emily too).

If you pick something generally obscure (like Nate did), please send me the MP3 too.

Also, pictures are accepted too so if you have some you would like to see in the banner, send those to me via email.

This Just In...

Paramount has decided to make a movie adaptation of the wildly popular Iron Man trailer.

Homeschool Family

Well, this really shouldn't offend anyone (since the Crum's are no longer a homeschool family). Actually, it could be a lot more scathing (Michal wants to rewrite the lyrics)... enjoy!



PS. If you watch this and respond by saying something like, "really funny, but not all homeschoolers are like that" it means you probably are.

The Pats

What was it that made the Superbowl so satisfying this year? Maybe it was how annoyingly cocky the patriots are and how great it was to see them get beaten. I think the game would have been good if the Giants had dominated and just slaughtered the Patriots, but the fact that they went ahead with 35 seconds to go... that was heart-stoppingly amazing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no Giants fan. I like Manning, but really only because of his older brother. What I was watching for was anyone to beat the Patriots (and also watching for a good half-time show). What I got was one of the most exciting football games of the season.

So were any of you dissapointed? Did anyone actually want Pretty Boy and the Pats to win?



....sucks to be you!

Johnny Come Lately

Not having a TV or regular contact with the outside world means that I usually find out about things late. I get all excited about something, like Flight of the Conchords, and want to tell everyone, and then find out that everyone already knows.

So if you already know about this, sorry... but if you haven't it's gonna be freakin' sweet! Supposedly Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson are teaming up to make... TinTin!!!



There was an article about this back in May on the BBC site, but no word yet on when the movies will be out. So, does this mean that Peter Jackson won't be directing The Hobbit? I don't know.

Wouldn't it be sweet?...

Now I know many of you remember this one, Wings of Fury! Hours and hours of time has been spent by the brothers Crum dive-bombing the Japanese in this World War II classic, routing machine gun nests and obliterating their bunkers. I still have the 'ping' ringing in my ears from my machine gun fire hitting a running man trying to re-enter a sandbag fortified machine gun position.

Now, I know what you're all saying, "thanks a lot Ben, bring up all these great memories and then make my current gaming experience suffer because of the nostalgia for the best game ever" Well, if you do say such a thing, have no fear, I wouldn't leave you hanging like that. There are still three ways for you to play this game:

One - Own an Apple IIc and the original floppy.
Two - Download this file (sorry Thomas, this only works on PCs). Users Guide here.
Three - Play the online Flash version here.

Enjoy

A Post for Matt

You'll like it or hate it:


and



I'm guessing you've already heard the Michael Bublé version, but just in case you hadn't.

Ninja Parade

Peter, this is for you. I just found it on the Onion and thought I would share:



NOTE: I do not, by posting this video, endorse all the videos on the Onion, just this one!

A Short Story

by Benjamin Crum

The doorbell rang.
"I'll get" said Harry as he rose slowly from his arm chair.

A fire crackled and danced on the hearth. A Bach concerto floated wistfully in the air from some unknown recess upstairs. It was one of those crisp early-winter days when you don't want to roll out of bed.

A short, stout man was on the doorstep. "G'day" he said in a quick, yet kind sort of way. "Might I 'ave an moment of your time?"

Harry rolled his eyes and let out a sigh. Oh how he wished he could simply vanish at times like these. Or better yet, how he wished he could make others vanish, make them just go away.

"Sorry" he said, trying to think of a really good excuse, "I, uh, that is..." Nothing came to mind. Perhaps it was the cold air on his face mixed with the warm, beckoning fire at his back, Harry could think of nothing to say.

"It'll take but an moment" the man reassured. Harry hadn't noticed the man inching his way closer and closer. The man was nearly standing on Harry's slippered feet. In times past Harry would have been on his guard. In his quick-witted youth he would have been able to sense, to smell the very grave danger he was in. He would have reacted in a flash, perhaps even a blinding flash. But now, middle aged and lazy, his mind was preoccupied with the life of routines, chores, work, and mortgage payments. Where once he thought of his next great adventure, now he only thought of his next TV-dinner or the next season of Lost.

Harry fell to the floor. He hadn't even had time to hear the shot. It all happened so fast and as he looked down on himself, seeing the short man step over him, he thought "so this is it, this is the end of my tale... this is the end of Mr. Harry Potter?" His eyes closed, and all was dark, cold and dark.



I have never read more than one chapter of a Harry Potter book. I thought, though, that you fans may want some closure. I hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

The First Record (Red Album)

The First Record of the Red Album from The Beatles.

For those of you wondering, Papa asked me to remove his posts.

How Much Can We Get?

I have always enjoyed having lots of brothers (sometimes not specifically, but at least the general concept). Now, having seen this site, I wish you had all been girls; we could have gotten rich!

You must read the testimonials... priceless.

Well, to be honest I wouldn't think this was so funny except that it is suposedly fake. If it is real, then it's the worst thing I have ever seen.



One last thing. I love how the sun's rays look like laser-beams splitting this couples' heads in two! Real nuevo-punk.

[thanks for the link Kim]

Music Television

MTV was introduced the year I was born, but not having cable made it a channel we never watched. The first music video I remember seeing was Michael Jackson's Thriller which is also arguably the first modern music video. Music and television seem to go together, though I often wish that I hadn't seen a music video because it sticks in my head and I watched it over and over erery time I hear the song. MTV has changed, from what I can tell they don't actually play music anymore. That's why I think this new show (in the UK?) is such a good idea.

Live From Abbey Road will feature three artists or bands each night and each band will play three songs. No audience, no host introducing them, simply music with interviews between. And it looks like they have a great lineup too.

Josh Groban for mom, Muse for Matt, Ray LaMontagne for me, Iron Maiden for Edwardo, and so much more (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Matthews, Paul Simon). You can check out some videos on the web site (under "Footage").

Double Dog Dare

As some of the more nerdy members of the family may know, the new Harry Potter book comes out this Saturday (for those who didn't know, the movies are actually books too!).

Anyhow, here's the dare (and this is open to family members and non-members alike): stand in line at Border's or any other bookstore hosting a "Potter Party" on Friday night and as soon as you get your hands on the book, flip to the end read the last page and exclaim aloud (very loud) "HOLY CRAP... he _______ (insert "lives" or "dies")" and then begin reading the last line out loud! If you do this (and I do dare you) I will give you $10. That's right, ten bucks from the BC!

Chances are you can find some other people to match my $10, you could even end up getting a "free" copy of the ridiculously long book.

So who's in?



PS. You get another dollar if you post the ending on this blog before the book gets released on the West coast!

Just What I Always Wanted

I Love Donuts.
A long time ago I told Mom that I wanted to have the van when I grew up (the old red van we got in St. Louis), build a donut machine (out of wood) and sell "van-made" donuts out of the back of the van. I would still like to do this one day, that's how much I love donuts.

Well, maybe I don't need to figure out how to build that Wooden Donut Machine anymore, here is a spiffy medal donut robot that would do the trick.



Thanks to: Derick at LiveJournal

On Top

I noticed that Ben recently posted his "ilike" score, so I thought it fitting to follow suit. They tell me that only two other people have achieved the rank of "Music Ninja", T-Bone Burnett and Quincy Jones. I guess that's not bad company to keep.