Ep. 45 - Tabitha, Thwip, Kubaki

Episode 45 is here! It's got a guest!!!!

DOWNLOOOOOOAD!!!

We discuss!:

Dash can't stop talking about Nicolas Cage!

James is excited for Spider-Man!

Tabitha!

Kabuki Bukkake!

Food of the Episode:

Songs discussed:

Chin Music by Future of the Left (Dash's choice)

Slam by Pendulum (James' choice)

Music:

"Journey [Aphex Twin Care Mix]" by The Gentle People

"Suprise Hotel" by Fool's Gold

"Heroes [Aphex Twin Mix] by Phillip Glass

"Go Power at Christmas Time" by James Brown

Extras:

DEWEY'S MIDNIGHT MADNESS!!!

E-mail: wearefriendspodcast@gmail.com

-Your Friends!

Merry Holidays.

-Dash

Winter

Here in New Jersey, we recently had a small blizzard and the snow hasn't melted just yet. It's also Christmas Eve, and I got to thinking about this time of year, and what stuff reminds me of it. Lots of us have things we attach to winter, memories, books, food. Here's a few things for me that go really well with winter.

Blankets by Craig Thompson


Blankets is an autobiographical graphic novel that revolves around the author's life at two points, when he was in middle school and when he was nearing the end of high school. He writes/draws about his relationships with his family, specifically his brother and also of his first love. Almost all of the book takes place in winter, which makes curling up with this book in December yourself even more satisfying. It's a coming-of-age/love story, but it also delves into the idea of faith, specifically of a Christian sort. It's a sad, yet warm book and you should buy it.

Die Hard

The ultimate Christmas action movie. John McClane is an NYC cop in LA and now some goddamned terrorists have taken Nakatomi Plaza, the building his wife is in. He's gotta walk over broken glass in his bare feet, deal with incompetant cops on the outside, all the while trying to save his marriage. Here's the (fucking) short version:



At the Heart of Winter by Immortal

This is THE black metal band. They may not have created the genre, they may not be the best within the genre, but Immortal defines black metal. Grim, frostbitten, tr00 and kvlt, these guys love telling you about ice, snow and other cold things while wearing corpse paint and shin guards. When you listen to this album, you better put on a coat! Here's my favorite song of it:



Go sledding!

-James

Now playing: Pig Destroyer - Alexandria

6 Docs

All this goddamned podcast/blog seems to talk about is goddamned movies. David Lynch this, John Carpenter that, JEEZ! Well, let's not upset the status quo, in this joint post, we will be telling you lovely people about six of our favorite documentaries. Three will be from Dash, and three will be from James. Now these aren't necessarily our all time favorites (though they might be OOOOOHH), just ones we love a lot, enjoy:

James - Man on Wire

This is the story of one man (Philippe Petit) who in 1974 walked between the Twin Towers in New York City on a high-wire. This movie plays out like a heist or a thriller, with reenactments, riveting interviews and footage from the "crime". This had me on the edge of my seat and it totally deserved the academy award it won.



James - Word Wars

The story of four "professional" Scrabble players doing the circuit of Scrabble tournaments. All four are weird in different ways and all four want to win. This documentary is a bunch of fun and one of those movies that I pick out when I've got a few friends over who want to have a good time. Everyone picks who they want to win the big championship and gets to see all four players at their quirkiest.



James - The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)

I saw this at the IFC Theater in NYC with the co-directors present for Q & A. They are Ellen Kuras (a well-known cinematographer) and Thavisouk Phrasavath. This documentary was filmed for over 23 years, detailing the life and struggle of one Laotian family from the time of the Vietnam war to the (nearly) present. Not only does this movie show the horrors of war, it also presents a story that is embedded in America's history: of immigrants trying to make it in the US.

Dash - Burden of Dreams

The story of Werner Herzog trying to make his film Fitzcarraldo. While making the film of a man moving a ship over a hill, Herzog attempts to actualize the event. In the process, everything goes wrong and actor/crazy-person Klaus Kinski does nothing to help it.

Dash - Instrument

Over eleven years of footage was shot of the band Fugazi. Some amazing concert footage and wonderful moments of fun and sincerity with all members of the band.

Dash - The Comedians of Comedy

Laugh until the very concept of laughing becomes foreign and you start laughing at the ridiculousness of laughing. The film is a great concert taping, but if you want the reeeeeal shit, find the six-part television series. TONS of great footage of what it's like to bring this type of comedy to other parts of North America.

-Your Friends!

CREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEM MAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNN.

-Dash

PROTEST PROTEST

So, a few weeks ago, former guest Mike "Awesome" and I went to a counter-protest. The Westboro Baptist Church, a congregation of a few hundred that are most related, decided to do a small "tour" of the North East and protest things they do not particularly like. Stuff like same-sex marriage, not believing in God and being Jewish. Now, I believe every person has the right to protest whatever they like, but these guys...well, take a look at their placards:


They're not exactly tactful in their expression. So anyway, we were going to the Rutgers campus, where the Church was having their protest, and join a counter-protest. Awesome made a sign and brought it with him, of which you can see here:


His sign is pretty ridiculous, but it's part of a growing trend of protest signs that are humorous. Also, there are some signs that are completely serious, but some of us might find them hilarious anyway. I found a great article on Buzzfeed about "The 50 Best Protest Signs of 2009". Here's a few to start you off:




-James

Now playing: The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble - Caravan!

Ep. 44 - Chopping Cart, Radio, Chip Music

'Dis...'dis is an episode...FULL OF FUN!!

Downlooooooooooooooooooad.

We discuss:

Dash's father breaks the internet!

James is moving!

Working at a horror market!

The mighty WFMU!

Food of the episode:

Songs discussed:

As the City Burned We Trembled, for We Saw the Makings of Its Undoing in Our Own Hearts by The Ascent of Everest (James' choice)

Smashed Pennies by Paul F. Tompkins (Dash's choice)

Music:

Time to Find Me [AFX Fast Mix] - Seefeel

Scissor - Liars

Raising the Titanic [Big Drum Mix] - Gavin Bryars

Jungle Boogie - Kool & the Gang

Extra stuff:

THE GOOD GUYS RADIO SHOW.

AV Club interview with directors of Before The Light Takes Us.

E-mail US wearefriendspodcast@gmail.com

-Your Friends!

Rare like Mr. Clean with hair.

Alright, I know this is like, the eighth time I've posted a Fireman post, but I am SO stoked for the Weezy documentary.

"This is going to be [this generations] 'CRUMB'."

-Dash

Michael Shannon

Two days ago, before I went off to work, I look at my email I had an invitation to a private premiere at the IFC Center on Friday! Oooh boy lucky me, well, I am a member of the IFC Center (Auteur level MMMMMM). But what was the premiere of? The film My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? which is a film both Dash and I have been looking forward to for a while. It's directed by Werner Herzog, produced by David Lynch and stars Michael Shannon, Chloë Sevigny, Willem Dafoe and even Udo Kier! This is exciting! Also, the invitation said that Herzog, Dafoe and Shannon were all going to be attending! OH MY GOD. Here's the trailer:



After I RSVP'd, I got another email stating that I was on the standby list because too many people had RSVP'd. Meaning I probably was not going to be able to go. :[

AH WELL. Anyway, the main lead in this movie is Michael Shannon. A person who I consider to be my favorite living actor. He hasn't been acting as long as say DeNiro, Spacey, Freeman or whomever else, but he has the ability and the skill to have a body of work that could possibly outshine them all.



Shannon has a manner about him that makes him distinctive in the movies he's in. You notice how he's unique, he's not a character actor like Mike Myers or Jim Carrey. However, he's not really with the other side either, you know, the actors who always seem to be playing a version of themselves like Christopher Walken or Al Pacino. He's in the middle, able to meld into any role, but still retain the aspects of himself that make him stand out.

I first noticed Shannon in the movie Bug, a surrealist movie based on a play (that he was in) about a woman who befriends a man (Shannon) and they both go sort of crazy. His performance was very off-putting and I became curious about this guy.

Then I saw the movie Shotgun Stories, here's the trailer:



This movie absolutely blew me away. I really really REALLY recommend all of you find it and watch it. Shannon is the lead in this and to say he has a presence is a great understatement. He barely raises his voice or changes his expression, yet it all shines through.

The movie that led to a lot of people noticing Michael Shannon and his skill was Sam Mendes' film Revolutionary Road. He played a mentally ill son whose mother was a neighbor to Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, who played the lead couple. His performance was riveting and led him to an academy award nomination.



So every last one of you needs to check out this guy. Here's a list to get you started:

1. Shotgun Stories
2. Bug
3. Revolutionary Road
4. The Woodsman
5. Before the Devil knows You're Dead
5. The Missing Person

-James

Now playing: Okkervil River - Red

Idea Fairy.

Here's what REEEEEEEEEEally happens:



-Your Friends

BAMRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrr.

Maria Bamford is a wonderful comedian. She did something awesome this month and decided to offer a comedy special for free on her website. Check it out. I was asked recently if I liked female comedians...I do. Here is a list you should check out (these are specifically female comedians, there are plenty of other funny ladies out there though, like mother fuckin' JANE LYNCH):

Maria Bamford

Jen Kirkman

Morgan Murphy

Garfunkel & Oates

Tig Notaro

Mary Lynn Rajskub

-Dash

"Friends"

I think that maybe we don't stress enough what our podcast is about. It's about a lot of things, food, movies, buttz, cats, beards, all sorts of fun stuff. But at its core, it's about friendship. Not only between Dash and myself, but being friends with you people out there too (if you;d like us to be your friends). We're like Andrew W.K., only not as joyful or as clothed in white. Anyhow, here's a video that sums up what being friends is all about much better than I can.



-James

Now playing: Cult of Luna - Dim