A Century In Video - 1923

Probably one of the earliest (If not the earliest) examples of a "making of" featurette.

This short details some of the trials and tribulations of trying to film a feature film in Death Valley.

The film they were making was 1924 Erich Von Stroheim's movie Greed based on the book McTeague.

"The plot follows an honest dentist whose wife wins a lottery ticket, only to become obsessed with money. When her former lover betrays the dentist as a fraud, all of their lives are destroyed."
(From the Wikipedia entry)

Out of curiosity I also watched this bit from the end of the movie:



Now I have a few comments:

• Yellow?


• For crying out loud, cut the dead guy's hand off


• If the horse / mule is dead. So is the canary

Civic Election Suckiness

All I can say is thank god we at least got a couple of council members to counter the asshole votes of our big business mayor.



What's really sad is slightly less than 10,000 people voted in New West. Population of the city is 58,549.

But at least Vancouver got good results. Thank you people of Vancouver!

Vrooooooom, Screeeee!

I don't think anyone I know now (with the singular exception of the people in this video) has ever seen seen me drive.

After watching this you'll understand why.



Points to ponder:

1. Yes I was that skinny once. Also: bite me


2. We don't need to discuss the length of my shorts, or how high they go, ok? It was 1992 folks


3. As to me putting my feet down a few times. I had never driven a real motorized bicycle type devise before this, and I used to use my feet as brakes on my bicycle all the time. Luckily I would remember in time on the scooter and not grind my toes off.


4. Yes that is the Hubster making comments about me driving. Thanks dear!


5. This "drive" was done with no license, no helmet, and total disregard to what side of the road I should be on (The left btw, British law in this part of the Caribbean).


6. Anyone know how to turn me back into the 26 year old I was in this clip (but with better shorts)?

If you are wondering about the topography, video shot here. Looks like the road has been reconfigured some time in the last 16 years.

It's Been a Thrill(er)

[DianesDigitals's Photos]

Michael Crichton - 1942 - 2008

My first Michael Crichton experience was watching the movie Andromeda Strain on TV around 1973 or so. It scared the shit out of me. Especially the scene where a dead guy gets his wrist cut open, and only powdered blood comes out. Ewwwwwwwh!

[The Andromeda Strain (1971) TRAILER]


Fun fact: Crichton has a brief cameo as a doctor in the original. The director made him sit down because his height (6'9") was too distracting.

(IMHO the remake sucked several different types of suckiness.)
Since that first viewing I've enjoyed most of Crichton's books. I first read the book Andromeda Strain when I was about 13 and loved it.

Yes I know he didn't write serious literature, and he got criticized for some of the science. But he knew how to write a engrossing thriller.

Your fans will miss your work Michael.

Obama - Rama!

Thank you America. Let's hope it rubs off on Canada.

Too late for this year - but maybe, just maybe - next time.







"you'll still be my friend, right Stephen?"