"let us taste thy morn and evening breath"

[eldritchhobbit]

* First of all, you can help st_crispins' son with his math class project by answering a one-question poll about your favorite color. He needs 100 responses, so please add your vote!

* Second, I am pleased with myself that I have seen fourteen of TechnoBlog's Fifteen Geek Movies to See Before You Die. (I still need to see Repo Man.) I would add others titles to the ranks, from Blade Runner and Invasion of the Body Snatchers to Free Enterprise and Galaxy Quest, but I certainly agree with many of the choices listed, the big exception being The Fifth Element. Which movies would you add to the list?

* Though I have lived in or around Nashville for some years now, most of my experience with city is bound up in Belmont University, Vanderbilt University, or organizations that first sprang up from them. One of the things I've enjoyed most about Nashville beyond these, however, is the historic Ryman Auditorium. I'm told it is second in the nation only to the Salt Lake Tabernacle, where the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs, in acoustic design. (I've had the good fortune to hear a concert at the Salt Lake Tabernacle, and I can say that while its acoustics are undeniably spectacular, it lacks the intimacy and warmth that I like about the Ryman.) I have seen some wonderful performers play the Ryman - Tori Amos (twice), Emmylou Harris, Sarah McLachlan, Rufus Wainright, Nanci Griffith, Iris DeMent, and Jeffrey Gaines come immediately to mind - and I have been hoping to attend one more concert there before we move. So I am doubly excited about seeing Loreena McKennitt, one of my very favorite artists, perform there tonight. It should be a fantastic show, and an ideal way for me to remember the Ryman.

* Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!


O thou with dewy locks, who lookest down
Thro' the clear windows of the morning, turn
Thine angel eyes upon our western isle,
Which in full choir hails thy approach, O Spring!

The hills tell each other, and the listening
Valleys hear; all our longing eyes are turned
Up to thy bright pavilions: issue forth,
And let thy holy feet visit our clime.

Come o'er the eastern hills, and let our winds
Kiss thy perfumed garments; let us taste
Thy morn and evening breath; scatter thy pearls
Upon our love-sick land that mourns for thee.

- William Blake, "To Spring," 1820

Comments

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

I have the same record as you on that list of 15, and need to see the same movie you do. So what don't you like about The Fifth Element? And I'd limit the list to one Star Trek movie (Khan) and one Gilliam movie 12 Monkeys. I would swap in Empire and Forbidden Planet, but I agree with you about Galaxy Quest. I looooooove that movie.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Hey there! :) I thought The Fifth Element was a classic example of what non-SF Hollywood thinks SF fans must like: a lot of loud, garish effects with little substance. I came away feeling insulted by the cliches and the shallowness of the film. When I teach SF to students, it often seems I must overcome their stereotypes about what SF really is, and I think films like The Fifth Element contribute to that negative perception. When I talk about Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as a great SF film, I encounter confusion, because it didn't have loud explosions, scantily-clad models, jabbering comedians, and effects-over-story like that film did.

I agree with you about Khan (nothing else comes close!), but I'd choose Brazil over 12 Monkeys (though I really like them both).

[arymetore.livejournal.com]

Alas, I have only seen 10 of those and only own 4... I need to consider the others... Though Office Space might be too much like work :P

Have fun at the concert tonight. Unfortunately, we won't make it as we're off to Atlanta for the Ren Faire.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Ah, Office Space is cathartic. My favorite scene involves a final act of revenge against a copier. :) I don't even like comedies, and yet I loved that one.

Thanks for the good words re: the concert. It was absolutely amazing. Her CDs don't do her justice (and I have and love all of them!). I hope you had a great time at the Ren Faire!

[otoselkie.livejournal.com]

I would agree about Blade Runner, and I think The Matrix is rather too mainstream (though this may be influenced by the fact that I thought The Matrix was really dumb). I would add Ghost In the Shell instead, which, while anime, is definitely a geek movie.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Ghost in the Shell is a superb choice! I'm glad I'm not the only one who was underwhelmed by The Matrix.

[agentxpndble.livejournal.com]

I still need to see Repo Man.

And I *friended* you?!? See Repo Man. Now.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

LOL! It's now on my Netflix queue, thanks to you. :)

[elicia8.livejournal.com]

I've seen all of them! And I'm very glad to see that Dark City is on there (I got a little panicky when I saw The Matrix near the top of the list, but his logic is good).

I would absolutely have to include THE ADVENTURES OF BUCKAROO BANZAI on that list. I mean, there are no bigger geeks than the Hong Kong Cavaliers. Really.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Yes! Dark City gave this list its credibility to me.

You are so right about Buckaroo Banzai! Great choice. That defined a generation (or several).

[witchcat07.livejournal.com]

Enjoy the concert. We, alas, will miss it, but we are trying to talk the Bobs into performing there. You would like them, they're kinda like Moosebutter.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thanks. The concert was absolutely breathtaking. She is incredibly intense live. Her CDs and concert videos just don't do her justice!

Now, thanks to you, I want to see the Bobs!

[witchcat07.livejournal.com]

And now, thanks to you, I want to see Loreena McKennit. ;~)

Though the Bobs have the advantage, their live videos do capture their delightful weirdness. I strongly recommend you check them out; a-cappella.com is my favourite source.

[sally_maria]

Have a wonderful time at the concert. Loreena McKennitt is one of my favourite singers, though I don't know if I'll ever get to see her live.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I must say, that was one of the very best concerts I've ever seen. I'm amazed at how pure and intense her voice is, and what a skilled musician she is. (At one point she played three different instruments over the course of only two songs.) Her CDs do not do her justice. After two encores and three standing ovations, she finally said goodnight, but I think the packed house would've stayed for another two and a half hours happily.

I got an early copy of her "Nights from the Alhambra" concert DVD, complete with a two-CD set of the live performance. Apparently this will be available for sale outside of her concert venues by summer. It's definitely worth getting!

[faramirgirl.livejournal.com]

I voted.

I like the song/poem (not sure which it is).

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thanks for voting! I'm so glad you liked the poem. :)

I don't see that many movies anymore so.........

[dracschick.livejournal.com]

I'd have to really think about that one. But, I did see Repo Man. Ah, it was OK but wouldn't make my list.

Re: I don't see that many movies anymore so.........

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Good to know re: Repo Man! Thanks so much.

[sittingduck1313.livejournal.com]

He's got to be kidding about Serenity. The TV series Firefly was one of the better SF offerings to show up on the boob tube. However, Serenity forgot that one of the biggests appeals of Firefly was it decidedly non-epic tone, as free trader SF is effectively non-existent outside written SF. In retrospect, it's not at all surprising that the movie critic of our local paper saw it as a cheap Star Wars knock-off. A better suggestion would be Knockin' on Heaven's Door, which shows how to transfer a non-epic SF TV series to the big screen and keep it non-epic.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I agree with you about Firefly's excellence as a series, but I must say that I think Serenity, with its admittedly different cinematic mission, really held its own. I'm not sure I can say anything that Orson Scott Card didn't say better about the film, but I would keep it on the list.

[travisprinzi.livejournal.com]

If you love shows at the Ryman, I highly recommend Andrew Peterson's "Behold the Lamb of God" show, which will be performed December 13 this year. It's done every year (I was there two years ago and hope to make it this year).

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

That sounds wonderful! Thanks for the recommendation. I will be moving next month, though, so I suspect I'll be catching my next concerts either in Hickory (where we're relocating) or in nearby Asheville or Charlotte.

[korg20000bc.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen Office Space or Repo Man but have all the others. I think The Princess Bride should be on there. Bubba-Hotep and (call me weird) Salute of the Jugger (Also called The Blood of Heores). What about Santa Claus conquers the martians?

Matthew

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

The Princess Bride is a classic - good call! I only recently saw (finally!) Bubba-Hotep, but I second that nomination, as well.

[rosamundeb.livejournal.com]

13 (missed Brazil and Repo Man). I like your suggestions... and The Princess Bride one - excellent.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Yes, The Princess Bride is a must. I highly recommend Brazil, as well. I'm now anxious to see about Repo Man.

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh! You got to see Loreena McKennitt??! I'm sure it was amazing! She's one of those artists that I found by happenstance, glancing through new (but used) CDs at that great used CD place on... oh, argh. Not quite two years away from Nashville and despite the 13 years there, I've forgotten the names of streets. Anyway, I saw this Celtic-looking CD and did something I never do— I bought it, knowing nothing about the artist. It was her, and I adore it. I hope and assume that the show was tremendous. The last show I went to was to see Hem, and they were quite good. I just don't see live music all that often, both because I'm cheap, lol, but also because of my hearing, which I treasure. :P

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

The concert was fantastic. I have every CD she's ever released, including the EPs and live albums, and I still wasn't prepared for her remarkable stage presence and the strength of her voice, or the sheer intensity of all of those musicians with their various world instruments (I believe she played at least four herself) all combining on stage. It was one of the best shows I've ever seen.

Incidentally, her "Nights from the Alhambra" concert DVD and double-CD will be out soon, and I highly recommend it. It captures the setlist from this concert tour, and it's a powerful lineup.

*huge hugs to you*

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

I have every CD she's ever released, including the EPs and live albums, and I still wasn't prepared for her remarkable stage presence and the strength of her voice, or the sheer intensity of all of those musicians with their various world instruments (I believe she played at least four herself) all combining on stage. It was one of the best shows I've ever seen.

That's so cool!!! I'll have to note that mix DVD/CD; I have an amazon gift certificate from my dad and stepmom, and in addition to getting DH and The Children of Hurin (which I'm almost debating; have you actually read it? I know I should get it just because I should, and Alan Lee illustrated it, but I might not rush...), I may just get this Loreena McKennitt set as a treat!

So glad that you enjoyed the concert. Thank you for the quick overview review!