Yo sinners... he did it

Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!

- Rocky Balboa (2006)
Is Stallone a good writer or what?

I FINALLY got to see Rocky Balboa. They are finally showing it in Kangarooland (yeah, almost 2 months later after they released it everywhere else), and maaaan, it was worth the wait. I just loved it. I'll say it in a few words: Stallone is an amazing writer. Really. 30 years have passed since the first Rocky, and he still knows perfectly what each of the original characters would say in any situation. The characters have grown, they're older, but still, they're as alive as the first time you saw them. They're old friends you didn't know how much you missed until you saw them again.
Yeah, it doesn't make any sense. I know, I'm ranting, in the middle of the night, about a hero, a made up character, that is just so frackin inspiring that I just have to write something about him. About how I met him again after so many years, and how he inspired me, one more time.

Everyone thought Rocky was going to be a flop. That he was crazy, but as Marie tells Rocky, It doesn't matter how this looks to other people. If this is something you gotta do, then you do it. Fighters fight.

Stallone did it. And not just he pulled it off, but he ended Rocky's story on a high note. For that Mr. Stallone, I salute you. Thanks for giving us a hero, one last time.

Crazy for Trucks

And talking about guitarists, I was completly hipnotized by Derek Trucks, currently touring with Clapton. Yup, he was on the list of the 100 greatests guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone magazine in 2003 (being the youngest of the list btw), and now he made the cover, along with John Mayer and John Frusciante, in The New Guitar Gods article. The guy works magic using his glass slide. Check the guys jamming together here.

Got me on my knees!

You see that person in the picture playing the guitar? Well, that non other than Eric Clapton!!!! Mr. Marshmallow and I went to his concert last week. The guy, and all of his band are just amazing. The best moment? Layla, of course. Sorry, can't help it. Anyway, hail Mr. Clapton!!

All hail the big red cheese!

How wickedly cool was this comic? Shazam! - The Monster Society of Evil by Bone creator Jeff Smith is exactly what the character deserves. Since everyone and their imaginary friend has already written about how good this comic was, that and the missus hasn't read it yet, I will refrain from spoiling this issue. But do yourselves a favor and read it... The artwork is light and fantastic, while feeling magical as well as just a little bit creepy, not too much though, just enough to make it really enjoyable. I'm babling I know... :)

So if Warner Bros does decide to get off it's butt and actually make a Shazam movie, this is the comic that they should be looking at, not, the really, terrible, awful, and so far, not fun at all, Trials of Shazam, which, I hope, disapears from the face of the earth as soon as it is finished, and we get someone like oh, say... Kurt Busiek to retcon the whole thing away.

So, to summarize:
Shazam! - The Monster Society of Evil : AWESOME
Trials of Shazam: AWFUL

p.s. I promise to fix the blog soon :)

Nothing's going to change my world (8)

Nothing like the promise of a good movie to make you keep believing in tomorrow. Check the trailer for Across the Universe, with Evan Rachel Wood, John Sturgess, Eddie Izzard and even Bono (which is probably less than a minute in the movie, but what the hell)

Imagine Moulin Rouge in the Vietnam War era. That with a dose of fantasy a la Big Fish. I guess. Okay, I have no idea what to compare it to, just watch the trailer!
I have the feeling this will become one of those very special movies in my life... We'll see.

Thoughts of a confused Ms. Mysterious

Nah, today I'm not in a dramatic mood. I've had my share of depressions this week. It's beautiful rainy, Friday, and I was reading this interview made to Roger Waters, Pink Floyd's main writer from 1965 till 1985, when he left the band. Anyway, the guy gave a concert a couple of weeks ago, and reading his interview I came across this:

“Maybe it’s because when I was 29 (...) I realised that I wasn’t in some kind of rehearsal for a life that was going to start at a point in the future. I suddenly got that it had already started, that we only have one shot..."

I don't know, I guess it just hit right on the spot. The thoughts I've been dealing with, the rage, the fear, the sadness, the frustration. That phrase defines it all. I've always felt as if life hadn't started yet. I felt that I had all the time in the world. Time to chose my path, time to learn new things, time to succeed. And suddenly I realized, after 29 years that that's not the case. I was still deciding what I wanted to be when I grow up, and I realized I'm all grown up now. And I wonder, have I lost that ONE shot to do something with my life?

I've been struggling with myself, with the world, trying to decide if I should keep on believing in second chances, in fresh new starts. If I should think that dreams come true no matter how old you are... That you can always make up for your past mistakes. And reality has been pulling me down. I haven't lost faith completely, but I'm close. Some days are better than others I suppose. Today is one of those days that I just allow myself not to think. Just for the weekend, I hide in my make believe, perfect little world where I'm immortal, where time doesn't exists... There's nothing to haunt me there, not until reality catches up with me, on Sunday night.

What's killing me all the time is that phrase, that phrase that I can never get out of my mind, that just echoes from the depths of my brain, that will haunt me 'till I die;

There's nothing worst than wasted talent.

(From DeNiro's A Bronx Tale)

And to realize, that whatever talent I have, or had, has been wasted, it just destroys me. Over and over and over again.

So, is there hope for everyone? No matter their age? No matter their past mistakes? Can you truly start from scratch and become someone different? Better? Will you be able to do it? Will the world give you a chance?

Anyway, I guess today was a good day to rant about this. I just had to take it off my chest.
Have a good weekend my dear sinners, wherever and whoever you are...

Mischief managed!

It's official, my dear sinners: Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows, will out on July 21, 2007. Yup, this is the seventh and last book EVER from the HP saga... That's 'till J.K. decides to get even richer by allowing other authors to keep on writing books about Harry Potter, just like they did with the Star Wars saga. Hehehe.
How I'd wish to be in London by the time the book gets out... So, if you're living there and you're not inviting me... Cruciatus!!
Damn you damn you! Nah, just kidding. Who would want to listen to J.K. Rowling read some chapters of her book, or to watch witches and wizards in line outside the bookstores, or even ride the Hogwarts Express? Not me!
*sob*