Time Of The Preacher.

After a number of false starts at a feature length film, it seems Garth Ennis' Preacher may have finally found a home on HBO. Apparently the U.S. network is putting together a series of one hour episodes based on the gritty, supernatural adventures of Jesse Custer.

Normally I'd shudder at the concept, but HBO has a stellar track record when it comes to episodic television productions and I think the character will get the treatment he deserves in their capable hands. In fact, having read the entire series of 75 issues I think the story would probably work better as a longer term small screen production. There are a lot of great side plots that would inevitably get dropped in the process of adapting it to a film.

I'm rather looking forward to this. Long live the Saint of Killers.

For those unfamiliar with the comic, there's some good info including issue reviews here.

Blasphemers!

My friends, today is a dark day indeed.

The always informative Cinema Blend has just brought to my attention a story which could be a signal that the end of times is nigh. One of my favourite books, one which has been adapted for the screen and despite the change in setting remained true to the source material and therefore is also a favourite of mine, is being given the broadway treatment. Say goodbye to your sanity, and hello to High Fidelity: The Musical.

I'll pause for a moment while you howl in pain and disbelief...

Feel better? Then let's move on.

I'll be the first to admit that musicals just don't appeal to me at all. But there's a major difference between a story originally written as a musical, and one that was adapted into a musical. The former I've been known to express tolerance for, even if it isn't my proverbial cup of tea. The latter, every time it has been attempted, is nothing more than a mistake of biblical proportions. Need proof? Look what the bastards did to the Evil Dead.

Now if you'll kindly excuse me, I think I'm going to be sick.

Cure For The Blahs Anyone?

Sorry for the lack of content this weekend folks. I've been in a horrible mood and as a result I've had a hard time taking an interest in anything. I'm doing my best to shake it but if the winters of years gone by are any indication, I'm in for a rough couple of months. If anyone has access to some home-spun remedy for the winter blues, I'd be eternally grateful if you shared it with me.

Maybe it's just because I miss my better half. I've never been good with distance relationships and even though she's not that far away, and the distance won't be an issue in a few months time, I'm still having a rough time with it. I'll see her again this coming weekend so here's hoping it shakes me out of this funk.

In the meantime I've got a useless but entertaining video to share.

Feelin' The Groove

There are few things that can bring a smile to my face the way re-discovering an album that's been collecting dust for a number of years can.

I had a hard time sleeping last night, so as I often do in such situations, I decided to toss on some tunes to soothe the savage beast known as insomnia. While browsing through the collection, I decided on a whim to go with Morcheeba's 1998 release Big Calm.

It's been quite some time since I played this one from beginning to end. I've picked out the occasional track or two to include on mixes for friends, but I'd completely forgotten the mellow charm this album possesses when enjoyed as a unified body of work. Plus, for reasons I've never been able to adequately explain, Skye Edwards' voice still makes me blush a little.

If you haven't yet had the priviledge, I highly recommend giving this album a go. It's at least worthy of a degree of respect for proving that the infamous "sophomore slump" is more of a guideline than a rule.

For Those About To Rock... Put Your Shirt Back On!

I am truly dumbstruck. I am in awe. Not a single one of my wildest adolescent fantasies could have spawned such a wonderous device as this one.

Australian CSIRO engineers have created an air guitar that actually works, fulfilling the dreams of talentless metal fans around the world.

It comes in the form of a shirt fitted with sensors which pick up the strumming and plucking motions of the wearer, as each arm bends to choose a chord or swings to brush the strings.

The shirt then sends the movement information across a wireless connection to a computer which generates the sound to match.

I can think of at least a dozen people that would gladly sacrifice an irrational number of paychecks to own one of these. If the ability to air guitar an audible song doesn't get you laid, I don't know what will.

The Nation Of Quebec Huh?

So our fearless leader Mr Harper has decided it would be a good idea to put forth a motion in Parliament declaring Quebec to be a "nation within a united Canada". Many thanks, Mr Harper, for opening up that can of worms again.

It's true that the topic of Quebec sovereignty hadn't just up and disappeared, but at least it had settled to a dull roar and that was something I think we all could have lived with. I am absolutely sick to death of this issue and the prospect of having to sit through yet another highly publicised political cock fight over a free and independant Quebec just makes my stomach turn. Especially since I plan on moving to that province this coming spring.

But for now, I'm not pissed off about the inevitable seperatist rhetoric. I'm pissed off that Harper assumed this was a move he had the authority to make. The man is nothing more than a stop-gap Prime Minister and he knows it. His party was not voted into power because a majority wanted them there, they were voted into power to send a message to a Liberal government drowning in scandal and corruption. A lesson the Democrats south of the border should take note of.

It seems little Stevie has gotten kinda big for his britches. Keep over-stepping those bounds big man. The more you do, the less likely you'll be sitting in that chair come the next election.

------------

UPDATE: The bullshit begins.

Spider-Man Director To Take On The Hobbit?

It seems that the rumor mill has been in overdrive today with talk that New Line has supposedly offered Spider-Man director Sam Raimi the chance to direct the upcoming adaptaion of The Hobbit. Now I've never been one to put much stock in such unsubstantiated reports, but I'm finding myself hoping that this one turns out to be true.

The story of The Hobbit had a much more light-hearted feel to it than it's successor The Lord of the Rings, and in my opinion Raimi would be the perfect man for the job. The real question in my mind is this: After investing so much time and effort in 3 blockbuster Spider-Man films, will he really want to jump straight into the director's chair for another major big-budget production?

If you ask me, the guy deserves a break. I'm keeping my fingers crossed nevertheless.