Tattoo

As is evident to anyone who has seen me in a pair of shorts, I’m a fan of having ink embedded into my skin. Recently I was browsing around on Netflix and found the movie The Tattooist, and I had to check it out.

The brief synopsis describes it as: “After swiping an ancient Samoan tattoo tool from a Singapore trade show, American tattoo artist Jake Sawyer (Jason Behr) flies to New Zealand, where he meets up with the lovely Sina (Mia Blake) and discovers the local Samoan culture. But when his stolen tool ends up unleashing an evil avenging spirit, Sina is imperiled, and it’s up to Jake to save the day. This New Zealand horror extravaganza features gorgeous scenery of exotic locales.“

Part of me expected something with far less story and far more gore. I was very pleasantly surprised that there is quite a bit of story with very little gore. Though I must admit that the opening sequence has a scene that was a little too much to take. On the whole though, it’s a great film and one that will speak especially well to the inked.

Dif-tor heh smusma

While I enjoy a good movie, there are few that I actually get hyped about. Star Trek is one of those. While hitting the Baxter Avenue Filmworks for the special showings wasn’t exactly my thing, I did buy my for the Saturday Matinee on Thursday (and even opted for the second showing). It was also interesting to pick that time as I swear I was at the gay:30 showing.

Honestly, I know there will be a number of geeks at a sci-fi movie, but I think most of the guys there were couples. Now, I understand that there is a gay sci-fi crowd, but I didn’t think Louisville’s would be that big. Of course maybe my gaydar was extremely off — and if it was we’ll just have Scotty take a look. At any rate, I digress.

I enjoyed the movie, but I can understand why some people who are purists wouldn’t. It does set the Universe up to be a much different place.

Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Bruce Greenwood, Zoe Saldana, et al make-up a fine crew on the Federation Starship USS Enterprise, it’s Eric Bana and his band of Romulansthat interest me. Maybe it’s the facial tattoos, but these guys lead me to wonder and to speculate and to want more of their race portrayed. And to be honest, I don’t think the Romulans have ever been been well developed as a character race.

With this being a Hollywood film, I expect a sequel, and I imagine I won’t be disappointed, and I’ll be back in the theatre to watch, enjoy, and refuse to pay $3.00 for a bottle of Diet Coke – because I can’t abide fountain ones. Honestly if you look at the list of things I cannot abide, fountain Diet Coke is on the list.

Dark Knight in the Broad Daylight

I don’t recall ever going to see a blockbuster on the first weekend it opened. I typically wait for the crowds to die down. However, Friday evening I found myself on line purchasing a ticket to Dark Knight for Saturday. I discovered that during the wait for the movie to start, I could listen to music on my MP3 and text with friends — thereby avoiding the endless loop of commercials — as well as the loud crunching of popcorn.

Anyway, the SPFX were great, the movie had a story line beyond the typical comic book movie, and it kept me entertained for the entire time — meaning I didn’t sit in the theater trying to re-edit it. Yes, the movie was dark. It’s supposed to be. One confession: I can’t watch a Batman movie without thinking back to the 1960s television show where the fisticuffs were glossed over with Zap! Pow! or some other twentieth century update of the Greek demand for off stage violence. Honestly, in a couple of scenes, I expected them to show up.

I’m not sure I’d go see it again – it’s not a Marvel film after all, but I’m glad I got past my “first weekend prejudice.” The only down side is that after the film, I went into my favorite pub only to discover they were out of mead. While I found a beer I could enjoy it’s just not quite the same.

 

 

Gay Zombies

Honey, those Zombies were strong but no homosexual — not even a flesh eating, walking dead homosexual — can resist Judy Garland.

Creatures from the Pink Lagoon.

Like every red blooded American boy, I’ve seen my share of horror flicks. Some of the fondest memories of my teen years are from the Vogue and a showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. But it was recently that a pixel pal introduced me full on to the Zombie Genre of horror movie. Well, to be honest not all are horror movies. Fido certainly isn’t.

As exists with werewolves and vampires, there is a sub-genre of gay zombie flicks. Admittedly, there isn’t the undertone of sexual tension between the living and the walking dead, but it’s still pretty cool. When Darkness Falls plays on a true, urban legend (in the wild of rural America). It’s a nice little fright fest reminiscent of the Twilight Zone.

Creatures from the Pink Lagoon would be great on a hot summer’s night shown on the white wall of a drive-in theater. Of course, there’s nothing wrong if you’re curled up on the couch with a nice dirty martini (with anchovy stuffed olives) watching it. The plot revolves around a chemical plant’s toxins turning gay men from the rest stop into zombies, and it proves that even cheap cologne has it’s place. Just remember: “Nothing breaks the ice like watersports.”

Both movies are available from Netflix.

Razors, Whips, and Chains

I went to see the film version of Sweeney Todd this afternoon. It was nice and dark and filled with blood. I was one of the ones sitting and giggling through most of the movie — especially at the child and his love of the gin bottle. However, and some of you will understand better than others, it looked like the kind used for well drinks. I could be wrong. I want to make no unfounded accusations. I almost want to see it as a stage production just for the difference in reference.

For those who read regularly, the update on my nipple piercing…it didn’t happen. I thought about it, and I decided to use the bucks for a new tattoo — a whip curling up my right calf. I’ve made the appointment to start the work next Saturday. It will be in multiple sessions, so it will be like getting a couple of tatts for the price of one. I’ve wanted the whip for a while now. The shop is a custom only, and I just couldn’t find anything, so this afternoon, I found myself walking in and talking to the artist who inks me. He said he can do it without anything from me. That’s good. I’m looking forward to next weekend — 1600 Romeo. Let’s say I’m just a little pumped.

I’ve also walked far more than the 7,000 VLC suggested steps today. The trouble is that I didn’t have on my pedometer for any of it. It just didn’t hit my belt this morning as I left the apartment.

Holding Out for a Hero

The CDs from Musclecakes were waiting for me in my PO Box this afternoon. I’ve got them downloaded to my hard drive (and one in my Lyra). I can’t wait to take give it a go at the gym. I was almost inspired to head to the gym, but, um, no. One workout a day is enough. The best thing about an athletic trainer (and musician) making a workout track for you is that it is really good stuff to use for a work out. I gave him the ingredients for my chili mac. I doubt he’ll be impressed with anything that contains smart ground, dark chocolate, and organic whole wheat pasta. But then he is a Bright Blue Spot in Texas. BTW, I’m officially a Bright Blue Dot in the Blue Grass.

On Friday I went to Sesame Street only to discover that The World’s Greatest Bar Tender doesn’t work there any more. At least The Empress is still there. Having been encouraged so many times, I tried a Bombay Sapphire martini. I wasn’t impressed. Give me my Tanqueray Rangpur any day, and I’ll be a happy camper. I don’t know quite what that shot was the Newbie comped, but I wasn’t impressed with it.

I watched the first episode of Dante’s Cove last night. I’m hooked. Let’s just say that if Here! were offered in my area, I’d get cable. I think there is a way to watch it on-line, and it might be possible to get the channel on my phone. I know there are several TV options available for telephone viewing. I don’t know if I’m more amazed by the technology or my willingness to buy into it. Anyway, Cove is a combination of Dark Shadows, Sex in the City, live action The House of Morecock, and even a little Scooby Doo. Suffice to say that I couldn’t have done a better job. Well, okay I would have done a little better with bondage, but hey, that’s just me.

My Crush Continues…

Finally, I’ve seen Spider-man 3. It’s not a bad flick, but I would have ended it with him sitting on the steeple; it would have insured that people would come back for Spider-man 4. I also found his first visit to the jazz club to be a little bathetic, but that’s just me. I did find the black suit awesome if somewhat creepy. Yes, I was entertained for my money, and I had a nice, late lunch afterward. I also got the shorts and ties from the vintage shop.