The is something square in the state of Denmark - and it’s called LEGO. This fantastic invention celebrates it’s 50th Birthday today. There must be billions of bricks and also billions of happy kids out there who grew up with this inspiring toy.

I also loved to play with LEGO - it was an universal toy - only limited by your imagination and your parents wallet. Most of all it inspired you to do something yourself and literally ‘built’ upon your imagination - and improve your dreams with your growing skills. It’s one of the few toys that grows with your understanding of the world and your own capabilities. You may start as a toddler with the huge bricks, because you are yet too unskilled to handle the smaller ones. Then you get into ‘normal’ mechanical LEGO - and later into electrical or even electronic LEGO.

Meet your giant LEGO overlord …

LEGO appeals stronger to boys than girls - but since LEGO introduced it’s small figures, themes and TV & movie merchandise it has a stronger social component - that its more for the little ladies.

Today I feel a bit that LEGO has lost it’s way a bit - because there is too much based on ‘themes‘ licensed from Movies and TV shows. There are too many ‘fixed’ or ‘limited’ parts that are no longer universally usable. Also programmable LEGO and now LEGO computer games are heading into a totally different direction. But the good old bricks are still there and won’t disappear any day.

One of the oldest and best known LEGO images.

I have one more complaint: LEGO is still bloody expensive. Buying a small city sets you back a fortune (like 149 Euros!!!). Very pricey for a few pieces of plastic - even for today’s high oil prices. So LEGO made itself a rich kids toys - because you only parents with a lot of money could afford big or more rare sets for their offspring.

Sooner or later LEGO’s copyright will diminish - and other companies are allowed to produce the bricks much cheaper and bring new ideas into the game.

One thing I also like to mention are Brickfilms or LEGO movies. There are many LEGO stop motion movies on YouTube and other sites.

Adult LEGO fans have produced an entire subculture of videos, nasty imagery and other crazy stuff for us grownups.

Is that a brick in your pants - or are you just happy to play with me?

Groups on Flickr show that LEGO has developed into a new symbolic language and tool to create scenes and messages that range from funny to absurd and totally extreme.

So LEGO has evolved into a cultural vehicle that allows adults to use them like hand puppets to tell their stories that are understood by the whole LEGO generation. Like Sesame Street or Star Trek LEGO has become a cultural icon and language that can be easily used and understood by almost everyone. These are our modern caveman drawings and stick figures. The LEGO figures are primitive and simple representations of ourselves - but extremely flexible and potent as actors.

LEGO as an universal image language for nasty social and political messages. A cultural icon to comment on other icons.

I am pretty sure that back in 1958 Ole Kirk Christiansen never expect such a global and cultural impact of his little bricks.

More? LEGO @ Wikipedia, Psycho Lego clip and Spiderman Lego clip

Fighting against a Gorilla was never my passion. I prefer killing aliens. Donkey Kong was actually the first video game that actually had something like a story ("You player rescue girlfriend!") - and it also introduced to us the great Mario.

This was the first game of the amazing Shigeru Miyamoto - who never had written a line of code or designed a video game before this one.

In the end the Gorilla might have eaten all your money, but Nintendo and Mario were the real winner.

More? Play Donkey online for free

Chinese woman wins Miss World contest in China. Anyone surprised? It’s almost as predictable as Putin’s landslide win in the Russian Election.

Miss Zilin looks nice - but there were MANY, MANY, MANY more better looking Ladies in that Miss World contest …

The older Max.

The younger one back in the good old days …

Well, it’s only for a very amusing TV spot. But at least they used the original actor (Matt Frewer).and setup. Great Homage to one of the greatest pop icons of the 80’s. Remember that cool song from Art of Noise with Max?

Once more thanks to Edosan for keeping me updated on my childhood heroes.

As a Kid I only knew Evel as a toy - it was not until my late thirties until I realized that he was a real person - and a madman as well.

He is certainly not the first person to make money by TRYING to do terrible stuff. I think Harry  Houdini is the first modern dare devil. But Evel pushed the media madness and marketing to new heights. Hence they toys. I see him as one of the forefathers of other acts like MTV’s Jackass or Dirty Sanchez.

He died age 69 - pretty old for someone who tried to kill himself every other week.

PS: I am sure this is the best time to sell your old Evel ware on eBay - you can make a fortune now!

PPS: Thanks to Edosan to informing me about this ad loss of another pop icon.

I still remember my utter surprise when I listened to this album for the very first time.  It was pure avantgarde at that time: minimalist electronic sounds and voice arrangements, intellectual lyrics and themes. A harsh contrast to the candy pop of the 80’s.

Also her performances (like in this song ‘O, Superman‘) were most amazing and unusual: video performance art, using computers on stage, special instruments and projections. Laurie Anderson certainly greatly influenced pop and was one of the rare creature ahead of her time.

More? Wikipedia and her official website

Johnny Depp has created one of the most memorable character here: the mad pirate Captain, with a twisted sense of honor and humor. I would love to see more movies with this irresistible character.

I think he has the potential to become a long lasting modern archetype, like Spock, Darth Vader or Goucho Marx.

More? the most excellent Wikipedia on Captain Jack - highly recommended

Usually I am not into reviewing single TV episodes - but last nights Boston Legal was outstanding. It concluded a story arc about Joseph Washington - who died in this episode.

The overall theme of this story arc was conviction and forgiveness. The not so fictional character of Joseph was an African-American accused of rape and murder in different cases. His murder trial ended with not guilty.

But he was sentenced as a sex offender although the rape was never proven. That alone sent him to prison and he was obliged to register as a sex offender. This was hard enough: you had to register as such in his local community, was forbidden to use public transport and even drive a car. Most of all: all the ‘good’ people of the once again not so fictional ‘Middletown’ wanted him to leave, harassed him and tried to kick him out of their nice community.

In this episode his sex offender case was reopened and the girl that accused him of being a rapist admitted she lied. Now his sex offender status was revoked, but still the good people of Middletown wanted him to leave.

Joseph Washington was found later in that episode murdered. Sad enough. But the real heartbreaking scene was, when his lawyer spoke before the people of Middletown in Church: "Let us pray for forgiveness and acceptance."

Would Jesus kill innocent men? Would Jesus kill even acquitted rapists or murderers?

This episode of Boston Legal asked some tough questions and attacked Americas addiction to locking away people, cutting legal deals instead of looking for the truth and never reintegrating offenders back into society. This is also true for many other countries as well …

Aging Rockstar rides a second round into young pussy land - to find once again the love of his life.

Isn’t it nice that some old rich rock farts get alls the pussy for nothing? Where is the proper Dire Straits song when you need it?

I am - also once again - amazed that such low flying social porn sells so well. But it’s also cheaply produced: some no-longer-important-person looking for a PR gig - and loads of young and fertile persons looking for some gold and fame to dig.

Maybe it’s just our regular DNA programming of spreading ourselves disguised as a very bad TV show?

Just recently watched my Twin Peaks collectors edition - and all I can say ‘YES!’. Hardly anything on since then can compare with it. I just love David Lynch’s work. But also so many of Twin Peaks are so memorable - like Albert Rosenfeld. He just rocks!

I am a great fan of Nick Parker’s work and all the Wallace & Gromit shorts - their last movie is simply brilliant: charming, wonderful humor, hardly any violence, hardly any sex at all (it’s a British movie - remember) and lovely characters. In essence really entertainment for the whole family.

And I have two new favorite characters: Phillip the bad guys dog and you rabbits. Couldn’t find any good pictures - sorry. So if you are looking for a great comedy watch the movie or rent the DVD. Highly recommended.

A great director, a great movie and an even greater historical figure behind this story. Ah, they don’t make movies like that anymore (and don’t you dare to recommend that ‘300′ violence porn to me).

More? YouTube - Trailer, Arena Fight scene and Battle scene.

A screwball comedy about supernerds meeting a stupid blonde. I shouldn’t like it, but I do. That is scary enough for a 40 year old non-virgin.

But even scarier is that I understand all the nerdy jokes and references. I am seriously contaminated by Nerd culture. I am sick.

More? Official Site, Wikipedia and TV.com site.

Seen any hero recently that impressed you by his wits instead of his muscles or bravery? It seems that most storytellers (or better say producers) prefer either the sexy hero, the mars warrior type or transformational squire (like Luke Skywalker).

There is also this weird sort of science hero (often found in scifi or geeky movies) who solve problems either by analyzing them to death (in typical star trek fashion) - but they usually lack any character or charisma.

Whatever happened to those men and women with a humble but superior attitude, who work thru deep shit with their wits and compassion?!

PS: Actually Gregory House from House MD is more or less modeled on Sherlock Holmes style of investigation. All these CSI series rely less on smart, but gimmickry and lucky moments. It’s more drama, less brains.

Currently all TV channels are flooded with singing and dancing contests. Looking for the next superstars all over the globe - and now the dance mania with Celebs.

The more I see these old photos from old music movies - the more I miss the grace and romance they portrait. I think we really lost something here - similar to old school ballroom dancing. Aggressively parading around on TV shows to win something or humping and jumping in modern clubs is simply not the same.

Gimme some back some glamour, style and most of all silent grace.

Click image for even more madness.

The final scene of Sunset Boulevard [watch it on YouTube] always sends shivers down my spine. Although this movie is already half a century old it’s still fantastic and has lost nothing of it’s impact, madness and magic [here is the old trailer]. Not many old Hollywood productions age so gracefully. Thank you Billy Wilder, William Holden and most of all Gloria Swanson.

William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Nancy Olson, Erich von Stroheim - who was a great director himself.

Gracious musicals and most of all dance movies have completely disappeared. No more Ginger & Fred shows. Nobody cares about singing and dancing in movies anymore. And Hip Hop movies and MTV video clips are not the same thing.

Two down. Sad but true. But they will live on - on DVD, computer games, chewing gums, t-shirts, action figures … what a great way to be remembered!

Want to watch something unusual? Apparently the book was very popular - the movie flopped a bit. I am just happy that Elija Wood is getting proper roles instead of being the eternal Hobbit. Trailer is here and I like the music a lot.

Behold the Power of the Princess Salome [make sure to read about her story before continuing]. Her innocence and tempting fertility drives the King and his Court mad. Her display of beauty, untamed sexuality and an almost childish mindset make her an explosive mixture.

While a Queen has to accept the limitations of power and responsibility - the Princess is allowed to play, tease and make mistakes. Since only her fertility mattered in the old days - nobody cared about her character, education or overall potential as a human being.

Be charming! Be fertile! Be tempting! But nothing else …

You find in almost all culture ritualized displays of female fertility (and male shows for courage etc.). It was and still is part of the ‘wedding porn’ of human culture. Picking the best DNA to breed with. The play between the young female and society is nothing else but a cow market at best and simple entertainment at worst.

The Princess shows off her wares for attention and maybe a good marriage deal. She doesn’t need any personality or any skills, just be fertile, healthy and mildly attractive - so society can project it’s desires and dirty thoughts onto you.

Hey, I used to be news …

Amanda Congdon and LonelyGirl belong to the new Cast of WebFems - who like Salome dance before the Kings behind the other side of the monitor. Give them a video stream or a blog - and they immediately attract hungry male eyeballs and curious girlies.

Dance Princess dance, maybe the Audience grants you a wish or some fame for actually doing nothing.

Uhhh, save me Knight of shining Armor … 

It seems like that anything young with breasts is able to create their own cult within minutes these days. Salome’s dance on speed with a million Kings watching.

Although most gurls (to use a web 1.0 expression) have hardly anything interesting to say or are hardly entertaining. It’s like New Orleans: flash your titts to get some simple beads [Mardi Gras].

It is called dicktionary for a reason …

My favorite piece of video mouseturbation is YouTube’s Hot for Words. She actually has something to say about words, but even without sounds she makes any healthy male hump their monitors.

She is Princess Salome with a Dictionary.

So is this the Future of Girl Power? Is this what’s left of Feminism in the Web 2.0 age? Playing Porn Princess Salome on YouTube, MySpace and all the other Mekkas for mouse clicks?

Where are the smart girly role models? An aggressive form of Sluttism seems to be the way to go. Celebs like Pamela Anderson and Paris Hilton all have ‘leaked’ their Vaginas to the net. Brittney Spears and her entourage of drunken blondes compete almost daily to show their pussies to anyone with a camera.

Is that the formula and message for modern girls: show your cunt and you become a real person?

Dear Salome - you have started a terrible trend.

Once again her charms and looks have been confirmed: the readers of the New Woman magazine voted her most beautiful woman of all time. A bit strange title, since many legendary beauties before her were not captured on movies and countless magazine covers. Cleopatra is rotating in her pyramid.

BBC News has a nice background article and readers comment about Audrey, her history and how her image was created. In the world of mass media there is no longer such a thing as ‘natural beauty’.

In modern mass media the number of positions and role models for black people is still very limited: you can dance, you can sing, you can be funny and you can fight. That’s about it. There are hardly any black characters out there with some depth or complexity.

At least blacks can play themselves these days - and no longer white guys in makeup. We still have to see more Hamlet or Sherlock Holmes in black characters - and less anger, music, sex play and violence …

According to Wikipedia and some other sources a Tron 2.0 movie is in the making. Since I am from the original generation Tron I find this rather disturbing! Hands of my childhood dreams. Hollywood has already made too many terrible sequels already.

I just recently watched Tron and it’s pretty boring and lame (storywise) - but the visuals were totally breathtaking back then. Today any cell phone has better 3d graphics, but 1982 it was a very different story …

Read the rest of this entry »

I am not a big Jazz fan - but believe me I have tried. But somehow it just doesn’t stick to my ears. Nevertheless there are many jazz songs I really love. ‘The Girl from Ipanema‘ from 1962 is one of them. This song is for me the essence of the 60’s James Bond Jetset lifestyle.

What’s it about Steve? Beat the Audience? Beat the perv? What Jerry Springer couldn’t show you?

Can it get anymore less important? Like the hairdresser of Paris Hiltons dog walker gets his own action movie?

via BBC News