U2’s “No Line On the Horizon” is streaming on the band’s Myspace page

(via Looking Closer)

Link to the album and instructions on how to access it here (don’t worry, you’re just three clicks away)

Right now I just have it playing in the background while I get some work done.  I’ve only made it through the first track, so I’m witholding any opinion right now.  There’s a few U2 singles that just don;t jive with me.  The pinnacle of their work, to me at least, rests in the sound of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking for” and “Where the Streets Have No Name.”  Two tracks down, and I have to admit, I’m not really feeling it. 

But I’m only half listening.  I’ll weigh in with a real opinion after I own the album.

What Not to Remake

A friend of mine posited a curious notion to me today.  If someone ever tried to remake Back to the Future, what car would they use for the time machine?  Can you imagine a Prius struggling to get up to 88mph?

Don’t think this idea is too far-fetched.  The turnaround between original and remake seems to be shortening (it’s just a breath if you consider the two Incredible Hulk films), so it shouldn’t be long before someone starts pilfering more of the 80s.  Think of it.  F/X.  Lethal Weapon.  Or, God forbid, the John Hughes library.

Where Have You Gone, George Lucas?

Can anymore be said about George Lucas?  A new documentary, The People vs. George Lucas, thinks there is.  Either that, or it’s a chance for fans and critical producers to unload a serious consignment of anger, frustration and confusion at a man whom many believe betrayed a generation of filmgoers. 

Assembling interviews with Skywalking author Dale Pollock, producer Gary Kurtz, actor David Prowse, as well as a wide assortment of fandom, the documentary film takes a critical gander at the creator of Star Wars, his mad push into merchandizing, his choppy career, and the poor reception of his prequel trilogy. 

The myth behind the maker makes for a story as compelling as his farm boy fairy tale.  Ask any three fans (…more)

Okay…

So I’ve been busy writing. I have a short editorial on George Lucas I want to try to get posted to Blogcritics by tomorrow. Two more grant assignments came down the pike, which will help pay the bills. The screener for THE WHOLE SHOOTIN MATCH finally arrived and I need to sit down and watch that.

So stuff’s on the way.

In other news, I ran across an interview with Bono (via Looking Closer) that reminded me just how far to the left he can tilt. I plugged John Williams into Pandora, and Gershwin came out (very cool).  And Christianity Today has a movie blog.

Later, homes.

Newsweek gets it, do you?

Newsweek says, “We’re all socialists now” (via The Point). 

Folks, socialism sucks.  Shout it from the rooftops.  Get up out of your chairs, go to your window, and say it with me.

A Little Update

Regular readers (all three of you that have followed me for five years and three blogs) know I go quiet for a couple weeks here and there, followed by a burst of activity.

Another grant assignment became available. One of the kids came down with all the symptoms of IBS without actually having IBS, and that made for a fun weekend. I’ve been picking away at an idea for a novel, and waiting for a review copy of The Whole Shootin’ Match to arrive in the mail.

Anyway, enough with the excuses. I’ll get back to posting soon. Promise.