Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Labyrinth

Per Russ' morning Facebook post, "Labyrinth" was released 25 years ago today.
And it got me thinking about writing a review.  I've done a couple reviews here before, and feel like today would be a good day for one.  But then I realized reviews are boring.  So instead I'm just gonna write about my experiences with the movie it's self.
Growing up a huge Muppet-head I devoured everything that Jim Henson and company was involved in.  Went to see The Muppet Movie opening weekend in 1979, had Muppet shirts, dolls, records...  Everything.  Love that Frank Oz was Yoda.  And when The Dark Crystal came out begged my mom to take me.  For the record it came out in 1982.  I was seven.  And not ready for it.
But I loved it.  Every second of it.
So I bet you think I saw Labyrinth the day it came out, right?
Nope.
I missed it completely in the theaters.
1986 I was eleven years old.  Puberty was setting in, and I was a total dork.  I still had a subscription in Muppet Magazine.  And Jennifer Connelley was on the cover with the Muppets.  And I was ready to check it out.  It looked cool, and Bowie's music was a fixture in my house.  What was not to see here!

But life got in the way.  And the movie also tanked in theaters.  It was out of the big theaters and into the .99 cent theater and gone before I even knew it.
Then, like so many other people, I rented it a year later.  I remember watching it with my brother and mom the summer of 1987, on a rainy day on the couch.
I liked it.  I didn't love it.  But I liked it.
Of course the puppetry and puppets and effects were amazing.  Of course Bowie's songs were great.  Of course Jennifer Connelly was easy on my 12 year old eyes.
And as a Henson junkie I was happy to see it wasn't just more Muppets.  

And then I went on with my life.
Six years later in the late fall of 1993 (I was 18) I decided to pick up a VHS copy of the movie, to add to my Henson collection.  I watched it that Friday night with my dad and brother.  As always my dad fell asleep, hahaha...  My brother and I got into it though.  Maybe it was nostalgia for being a kid.  Which I'm sure is how it got a cult following to start.  Maybe it was I finally got all the dirty jokes and perversion hidden in the flick.  I don't know.  But I loved it that time.
It was the last movie I watched with my brother.  He passed a week or two later.  I don't know if it's a coincidence or not, but the last move we went to see in the theater was "The Muppet Christmas Carol" in December 1992
I bought the soundtrack a few weeks later and it went into heavy rotation whenever I was drawing or writing.
Over the years it's hit DVD three times, three different versions (different extras) and I've owned two of them.  When it first came to DVD I ate it up.  Watching it every month or so.  Analyzing the set design, the Froud designed puppets, the lighting, and so on…
It wasn't Jim Henson's masterpiece (that would be The Dark Crystal) but he was onto something.  It's too bad that four years after 1986 he would be gone.
I don't watch it very often anymore, but still own it.  I think the last time I watched it was last fall, and before that maybe two years earlier.  I did find a copy of the soundtrack on vinyl last year and added it to the collection though.  The last time I did watch it I loved it still, but saw all the huge flaws.  But in the end, it's a fun movie.  And I think Jim Henson was just trying to make people have fun with art.

I'm gonna go play that record now!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Monday Song - Not My Slave

With sadness in my heart and joy in my mind 
I thought about the ghost that we left behind. 
With everyone around telling us what to do 
With deafening sound whisper "I love you." 
The fire in your eyes-- may it never go out. 
The sweetness of your tears make it feel like night. 
I see no escape from the roles we always play 
What do we have to prove on this judgement day 

You're missing the whole point-- you're not my little pet 
Don't throw away your life-- The games not over yet 
I do not own your soul--don't want you in a cage 
I only want your heart to find a special place 

You're mine now But you're not my sister 
You're mine now But you're not my slave 
You're mine But you're not my child 
You're mine now But you're not my slave 
You're mine now But you're not my slave 

With sadness in my heart and clounds in my head 
I thought about us both and the lives we led. 
The pages on a book and pictures on a screen 
We shape ourselves like clay from someone else's dream. 
One second you are cast just like stones at my feet 
But I am not a king please don't worship me. 
With everyone around telling us what to do 
With deafening sound whisper "I love you." 

You're missing the whole point-- you're not my little pet 
Don't throw away your life-- The games not over yet 
I do not own your soul--don't want you in a cage 
I only want your heart to find a special place 

You're mine now But you're not my sister 
You're mine now But you're not my slave 
You're mine But you're not my child 
You're mine now But you're not my slave 
Oingo Boingo

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

SADNESS

Check out Elmwood's blog for the sadness...

Well, it's not all sad.  I'll miss you two!!!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Monday Song - My Shit's Fucked Up

Well, I went to the doctor 
I said, "I'm feeling kind of rough" 
He said, "I'll break it to you, son 
Your shit's fucked up." 
I said, "my shit's fucked up?" 
Well, I don't see how--" 
He said, "The shit that used to work-- 
It won't work now." 

I had a dream 
Ah, shucks, oh, well 
Now it's all fucked up 
It's shot to hell 

Yeah, my shit's fucked up 
It has to happen to the best of us 
The rich folks suffer like the rest of us 
It'll happen to you 

That amazing grace 
Sort of passed you by 
You wake up every day 
And you start to cry 
Yeah, you want to die 
But you just can't quit 
Let me break it on down: 
It's the fucked up shit
Warren Zevon

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Ladie's Nite is Tonite!

Now it's the women's turn to show us what you've got!
We did the All Male Revue in April, which featured art from men... Now it's time to show those guys up!
Ladies, girls, women it's your time to take over Paris In Plantsville with your art!

LADIES NITE!

The opening reception will be on June 18th from 7:00PM to 11:00 PM, that's tonite!!!!

I hope to see some friends there!!!

*20% of ALL profits made will be donated to Breast Cancer Research*

Monday, June 13, 2011

Monday Song - Good For You

It brings me peace
When you're asleep
Alone together in a moment that lasts forever
And when you smile
It brings me peace
It's like everything I ever wanted
And I want so bad to be good for you
I could be good for you
I think I'd be good for you
Yes I think I'd be good for you
Just like orange juice
Or a walk around the lake
Like putting to good use
Something you thought was fake
And the afterlife
Who really cares?
This one's good enough just as long as you're there
And I want so bad to be good for you
I could be good for you
I think I'd be good for you
Yes I could be good for you
And what is sacred
This I know
It's just me and you
On a train moving slow
To heaven
It's just like my momma
She used to say
When I told her that everything's okay
She'd just say "Good for you
That's so good for you
That's good for you
I think it'd be good for you"
Yeah I think I'd be good for you
I could be good for you
I could be good for you
I think I could....
(Soul Asylum)

Friday, June 10, 2011

I Need That Record! I really do!

Music is so important to me, and how I work.  When I'm making puppet, or writing, or drawing, I always have music going.  In the car, when I'm in bed, whatever, there is music.
Some people come home from work and watch TV.  Not me.  I come home and turn on the turntable, the iPod, or a CD...
Right now I'm drinking my morning coffee with Cee-Lo, I know you wish you were here hanging with me enjoying my awesome coffee and Cee-Lo saying "Fuck You", hahaha...

I spent most of my 20's working in music shops of some sort.  My love of music got me there.
My first music shop job was in 1996 at Strawberries (RIP), then I went on to Media Play (RIP), and then Record Express (RIP), and my time in music shops ended in 2004 when I left Borders (Living On The Edge or RIP).  So when I first heard about "I Need That Record!" I was jazzed to see it.  And I have, and it's awesome.

I didn't know much about what stores would be featured so when the whole movie starts at the last remaining Record Express in Middletown (RIP) I got all nostalgic about my time at the Record Express shops in West Hartford Center and East Hartford.  Then I remembered those shops were both dumps and didn't feel so bad, hahaha...  But it is sad to see most people are losing the local small shop to get all the weird cool stuff along with the biggest hits.
Recently Books and Music in Plainville CT closed it's doors.  Which was even sadder for me since we filmed some of "Josh and Todd" there.

This Saturday nite at Paris In Plantsville I'll be hosting our Monthly Film Screening and we'll be showing "I Need That Record!" and the director, Brandon Toller, is set to attend and do a Q&A after.  I'm really excited to share the film with people, so I hope if you're in CT you come out!
And I can bribe you to come!  Anyone who comes and makes a donation of 5 bucks or more will be entered into a raffle to win a bag full of music!  Over a dozen CDs of independent and national music (even some Marvin Gaye!) and a few LPs!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Down with O.P.P. (Other Peoples Puppets)

These sock skits crack me up every time...

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Wanna Learn To Make A Puppet?

I will be having three day workshop in July at Paris In Plantsville!
Learn how to make a Muppet/Henson style moving mouth puppet like Steve the Vampire!
All the materials and tools are included in the registration fee, and space is limited, so it's first come first serve.
At the end of the workshop you'll have a completed puppet, and you get to keep the pattern and tools and leftover material for future use!
The dates are July 11, 18, and 25 2011 (all Mondays) from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
The total cost is $150.00, a $50.00 deposit* holds your spot in the workshop and the rest is due the first day.
To sign up or for more information contact the instructor (that's me!) at jon@elmwoodproductions.com or stop by Paris In Plantsville
* The deposit is non-refundable, but if you have to cancel we'll put it toward a future workshop if you sign up for one!

Paris In Plantsville
15 West Main Street
Plantsville CT 06479