The Adventures of Pepe

11 years ago my friend Paul Shanks and I created a little video series called The Adventures of Pepe. They made me laugh a lot. The tapes were lost for over a decade but my friend Travis found them in a warehouse in Birmingham, Alabama a few months ago.  He sent them over and now I’m glad to share Pepe with the world.

We only made three episodes because they took forever to make and some people thought we were being racist.  I thought we were just being funny. I hope you enjoy the humor.

Pepe Gets A Job. from Wallace Family on Vimeo.


Pepe Crosses The Street from Wallace Family on Vimeo.


Pepe Goes Fishing from Wallace Family on Vimeo.

Posted by Mark Wallace Posted in: Humor, Movies No Comments » February 2009

2007 Chip

With just a couple of weeks left in 2007 I decided I’d cast my last chip of 2007. So here goes…
 
I hereby chip Hot Fuzz! This is a spoof on cop buddy movies and I thought it was just stupid funny.  You may want to watch Bad Boys (I and II) and Point Break before watching this movie or the parody won’t make sense.  Throw in a few Lethal Weapon movies for added background research and you’re ready to sit down and enjoy Hot Fuzz.
 
I’m chipping this movie because it made me laugh a lot.  I also happen to be a big fan of both Bad Boys and Point Break. I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve watched both many times. Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves - it doesn’t get much better than that.  Hot Fuzz bashes these movies with reckless abandon.  In several scenes they even matched the camera moves (camera moving counter clockwise actors moving clockwise). They even topped themselves by throwing in a washed out ex James Bond into the mix (Timothy Dalton). And who doesn’t like a vague reference to Godzilla?  Yeah, they even worked that in during the big finale. As Strongbad would say in Teen Girl Squad, “Spiked!”
 
The other reason I really liked this movie is because it reminded me of my sisters May List books. I don’t want to spoil the movie (or the books) so you’ll just have to watch and read to see what I mean.
 
The last reason I chipped this movie; gratuitous profanity. Oh yeah, nothing is funnier than a bunch of unnecessary swearing. And they do it so well.  There is so much cussing in this movie that they even have a bonus feature that shows the non-cussing TV edits.  That’s almost worth the rental.  Speaking of extras make sure you watch them.  I finally know what to do with that annual birthday cake.

If you have no idea what a chip is: Click here for the full story.

Posted by Mark Wallace Posted in: Humor, Movies No Comments » December 2007

Blade Runner: The Final Cut

Blade Runner (Five-Disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition) will be released on December 18, 2007.  The new Blade Runner will be available in HD as well as standard definition.  For those of you who can’t wait you can rent the original from Unbox right now.

Posted by Mark Wallace Posted in: Movies No Comments » November 2007

NPR : DVDs of Early Films Show Nothing Was Taboo

Nosocial issue was taboo for early American movie screens, and a new collection of long-unseenfilms, cartoons and newsreels reflects the unrest of the early 1900s. The set —Treasures III: Social Issues in American Film — includes films on atheism, communism,the women’s suffrage movement and experimental marriage.

NPR: DVDs of Early Films Show Nothing Was Taboo.

Posted by admin Posted in: Movies No Comments » October 2007

Astonishing!

I heard this little bit of humor on What’dYa Know this weekend and just had to share.  For all of you who mock my musicand book reviews listen to this guy! JoeQueenan tells it like it is.File Attachment:review-insights.mp3 (13243 KB)

Posted by admin Posted in: Books, Humor, Movies, Music No Comments » January 2007

Jesus Camp

Jesus Camp, the documentary, looksfascinating to me and I can’t wait to see it.  As a son of a SouthernBaptist Preacher I had a very unique childhood.  I’m curious how the crewdocumented this camp and the culture around it.  Could they have possibly beenimpartial?  Could they adequately show this without making these families outto be nuts?  Are these families nuts?  I’ll give you my thoughts afterI see the movie.  Stay tuned…

Posted by admin Posted in: Movies No Comments » January 2007

December CD Club Notes…

I was invited to participate in a very cool little group we call the CD Club.�It’s 12 people from all over the world.  Each month a person will compile a CDand send it out to the rest of the group.  Then the members of the group writea review and we discuss the music.  Here are my thoughts on December’s songswho were chosen by my friend Dan.San Gan - Ambrosian Jr. Choir (John Williams)

Amazing! I love this track. Empire of The Sun is one of my favorite movies too. It should havewon the Oscar but the Last Emperor won instead. Moonstruck? What were they thinking?That’s a different discussion… For those who liked this track I highly recommendgiving a listen to Ennino Morricone, specifically The Mission soundtrack. I’m nota huge fan of John Williams (even though he’s a genius) but I really liked this trackand his score for Empire of The Sun. Great stuff!Zoot Suite Riote - Cherry Poppin DaddiesThis track is fun. For me swing is fun music, but it all starts to sound the samefor me. I think the best way to enjoy this music is to see it live. I like to seewhat the band does to make their music come alive. Dancers, costumes, the set, etc.I was able to see The Brian Setzer Orchestra a few years ago and it was an absoluteblast. But I don’t regularly listen to his music. For me it’s about the spectacle.This track is fun but probably won’t find it’s way to my favorites playlist.Soda Jerk - Buffalo TomI listened to this song over and over to see if I’d like it. Sometimes the best songsare like that for me. The first time I hear them I don’t generally like them, butthen they grow on me and I’m addicted. Not so much for this one though. I think thelyrics are amazing. It’s great poetry; ‘But could my eyelids/Cover what I did/Theshuttin of the door/And could these ceilings/Contain my feelings/Me down on the floor.”I just don’t like the timbre of the lead singer or the formulaic garage band sound.Shoe Box - Barenaked LadiesThis song just makes me want to yell at the narrator. I want to tell this guy he needsto grow up. I guess that’s what makes a song great. “Did somebody tell you/This is how it’s supposed to be?/Or did you just find it/And you don’t want any morefrom me?” Yeah, that’s right dude, she’s figured out you’re a jerk. This song takesa metaphor that’s a bit simple and makes it work.See the World - GomezThe guitar and shaker had me hooked right off the bat. Awesome vocals and almost perfectpercussion. I agree with Dan about the lyric, “It’s the things that are given, notwonAre the things that you want”. The lyrics of this song are great. Maybe this is themusical response to Shoe Box; “You’ve got a chance to put things right/So how’s itgoing to be?/Lay down your arms now/And put us beyond doubt.” To me this is a songfull of hope and possibility. Maybe this guy can pull it together. I hope so.Awa AwaI don’t know what these guys are saying, but it’s still pretty cool. I like the harmoniesand music. If you want a more soothing version of this type of music I’d highly recommendAdiemus by British composer Karl Jenkins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adiemus).This is the type of music I love to listen to when I need to relax.MekongA good song, but not one of my favorites on the CD. Maybe I’ve just heard this oneone too many times. The guitar is excellent, who’s on lead? He/She is amazing.Can’t Help Falling In Love - Lick the TinsIs this Irish Elvis? Wow, this is awesome. I love hearing something done in a completelynew and fresh way. Tons of fun! Bonus points for their name. I can’t help imaginingElvis doing Lord of the Dance to this song.Chasing Cars - Snow PatrolSnow Patrol is a band I have playing almost constantly on my MP3 player. These guysare in my top 10 list for sure. Great music, original sound, awesome lead singer.The lyrics these guys write are incredible. I can easily get lost in their music (anddo all the time). Bravo Snow Patrol.God Shuffled His Feet - Crash Test DummiesI love listening to the Crash Test Dummies, the lead singer is so original sounding.This song is no exception. I love the concept of hanging out with God on a lazy Sundaysipping some vino and asking questions. “Say God, what would happen if my eye gotpoked out? What’s the rule on that one?” I think it’s funny that that’s the questionthey came up with to ask God. But then again when people were asking Jesus questionsabout heaven they came up with some pretty lame questions too (”Do we have to paytaxes?”). I think his answer was a very subtle joke. Great song that could stir lotsof debate about prayer, God, divine revelation, predestination, etc. Good stuff! Ifyou want more of “what the heck was God thinking when he did that” kind of lyricsyou should definitely check out Rich Mullins, specifically The World As Best As IRemember It Vol I and II.Soviet Snow - Shona LaingI love good orchestration. This was definitely a 80’s song. Lots of ear candy. I alwayslove hearing a Fender Strat with the sensor switch pushed forward to give it thattreble sound. I’m also a fan of the drum machine and keyboard base. All that asideI really like what this song has to say. It’s a biting political, or perhaps social,statement. Maybe by understanding our enemies needs we can end the (cold) war. Ultimatelyit was economics that doomed the Soviet Union. I think these lyrics could easily applyto the Middle East today. To get an understanding of that world take a look at thebook Unembedded: http://www.unembedded.net/main.phpSaint Behind the Glass - Los LobosI immediately wanted some Chips and Salsa when this tune started playing. The leadsinger reminded me a bit of Emmylou Harris with his unique tremolo. After listeningto this song I had to have some more Los Lobos. I really enjoyed this track and lookforward to many more Los Lobos songs in the near future. What a great band.Will She Ever Fall in Love Again - Eliot MorrisI love the simple rhythm guitar and smooth vocals. Chris Thile on mandolin is exceptionalon this song. I did find the hard panning of some of the instruments a little distracting.It reminded me a little bit of the early “Hi Fi Stereophonic” albums I used to listento in the 70’s. I’d like to hear some of the mandolin in my right ear too, thank youvery much. But only Joe Chiccarelli, the engineer, is to blame for the nasty panning.The lyrics are wonderful and the band is wonderful together. They are almost as tightas Union Station, but I wouldn’t go that far.Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner - Warren ZevonWow, what can be said about this song? Good piano? My uncle was a machine gunner inWWII in SE Asia. I never met him, he died before I was born. My dad told me storiesabout him and the effects the war had on him. I wouldn’t wish that chaos on anyone.As for Roland it’s an obvious play on the old Washington Irving short story The Legendof Sleepy Hollow. I liked Irving’s version better. Although I like anything that triesto explain Patty Hearst’s crazy behavior.I thought that the name “Roland” may have been chosen as the name for the hero basedon The Dark Tower by Stephen King, but after looking at the dates it didn’t work out.But I did find some interesting bits of info on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_the_Headless_Thompson_GunnerOh, Babe, What Would You Say - Hurricane SmithA dreamy song. But one that I find forgettable. It just doesn’t stick with me. Butgood for background music.The Killing Moon (extended version) - Echo and the BunnymenAnother song that just didn’t do much for me. I’m not a big fan of the 70’s sound.99 Red Balloons - GoldfingerMy first thought, “oh no, not this song again.” But wait, this version is awesome!I love it. Driving guitar, cool new mix. Awesome singer. Once again a killer Fenderis cranked up to awesome. Then, BAM! Killer guitars, awesome percussion, heavy metalishsound. Yes! This song is awesome. Only a few bands can make screaming, head banging,all out guitar rock work. They do it perfectly. This song is on repeated play on myZen now. Just when you think it can’t get better they start screaming in German. Yeah,rock on.Vide Cor Meum - Patrick CassidyAaaah. Wow. Cassidy has created a song that reminds me a lot of Samuel Barber (onof my favorite composers). The choral arrangement is wonderful. I find it odd thatthis wonderful music was composed for a horror film. The lyrics for this song wereactually written by Dante. You can read more about Dante’s poem here: http://hannibal.hannotations.com/vide.html Thisis just fascinating. It makes the song beautiful, and in the light of Hannibal, verycreepy. I guess this is supposed to be Hannibal’s sonnet to Clarice.Fairytale of New York - Pogues with Kristy MacCollWhat crazy vocals. They are so original it’s great. Kristy MacColl’s part is equallyamazing. I love the (sad) story that this song tells. The music is cheerily depressing.These are two people who love to hate life and each other. This reminds me of thesong “On We Go/Drink To Me” by Nancy McCallion. You can hear that song here: http://www.nancymccallion.com/music-7.html

Posted by admin Posted in: Movies, Music No Comments » January 2007

First Chip of 2005

 

I’m casting my first chip of2005.  I’m throwing a chip for War Photographer.  I’ve watched this documentaryseveral times this year and it’s really influenced the way I think about taking pictures. It’s a documentary, and not one that’s easy to watch (sorry for that).  I thinkJames Natchwey has some legitimate things to say and I’ve adopted some of his credoas my own.

Cecil, Diane,and I have had endless conversations about this film.  I used the principlesof Nachtwey’s photography when I was inIndia this year.  Earlier this week I did a presentation to a photography clubusing the film as my framework.  So I’d have to say it’s chip worthy!

Clickhere to buy War Photographer

Click here to go to theWar Photographer website.

Also worth noting (though I’m not going to chip it because too many people are planningon seeing it anyway): Crash.  To date I think Crash is the best movie of 2005.
 
And for those who don’t know what a chip is clickhere.

Posted by admin Posted in: Movies No Comments » August 2005

COPPER SQUARE FILM SERIES FEATURES “BEST PICTURE” WINNER

If you missed the 2005 Phoenix Film Festival you can see the “Best Picture”winner for FREE as 101.5 The Zone presents the Phoenix Film FestivalCopper Square Film Series Friday, May 20 at 8PM. Checking Out, an audience favorite,is a slice of life comedy featuring an old Shakespearean actor who invites his threechildren to his suicide party. They quickly arrive, and for the first time, work togetherto prove to their father why life is worth living.

Live music by local band Ten Dollar Outfit kicks off the event at 7PM and followingthe film will the a “Question and Answer” session with Boyd, the hostof The Big Picture- the only movie show in town - Sunday mornings from 8AM - Noonon 101.5 The Zone.

The location of the Film Series has been moved to the Levine Machine Building, locatedin Downtown Phoenix, at 605 E Grant, 1 block south of Lincoln off 7th Street. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own chair and FREE parking is available on-site.For more information visit www.coppersquare.com orcall 602-254-8696.

Upcoming Films:
June 17, 2005
Champion - Winner of the “Best Documentary” Award at the 2005 PhoenixFilm Festival
Danny Trejo, you know the man. He has fierce tattoos, and frequently plays a thugin your favorite movies. Behind the ink and the wicked characters he plays on screenlies the story of a troubled childhood, which included drug addiction, armed robberyand extensive prison time. Champion offers an intimate, one of a kind view into thelife of Danny Trejo before he turned himself around and after.

Posted by admin Posted in: Movies No Comments » May 2005

Trilogy of good stuff

I try to read as much as possible.  I also like to watch a lot of good movies. In the past few months I’ve read some good books and seen some decent films,but three things seem to stick out and work together.  If you’re lookingfor something to open your mind I suggest taking on two good books and a movie.The first book I recommend is TheSmoke Jumper by Nicholas Evans.  The main character, Connor Ford, is a warphotographer from Montana.  The book is mainly set in Montana but has a few chaptersset in Africa and Bosnia.  After reading this book I decided I didn’t knowenough about African History, specifically Rwanda.After you finish TheSmoke Jumper I recommend you read WeWish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families by PhilipGourevitch.  The book will take you through the history of Rwanda and recountwhat happened their in 1994 when over 800,000 people died in just 100 days. You’ll swear, “Never Again.”After you’ve read both of these books I suggest you watch the Oscar nominateddocumentary WarPhotographer directed by Christian Frei.  This amazing documentary followsfamed photographer James Nachtwey ashe photographs poverty, war, and famine.  I’m convinced this is the personthat Nicholas Evans used as his inspiration for Connor Ford in Smoke Jumper. See more about War Photographer at themovie website.In 1985 James Nachtwey wrote about war and his decision to photograph war.  Hispoint is made very clearly when you see the documentary.  Here’s what hehad to say:

There has always been war. War is raging throughout the world at the present moment.And there is little reason to believe that war will cease to exist in the future.As man has become increasingly civilized, his means of destroying his fellow man havebecome ever more efficient, cruel and devastating.Is it possible to put an end to a form of human behavior which has existedthroughout history by means of photography? The proportions of that notionseem ridiculously out of balance. Yet, that very idea has motivated me. For me, the strength of photography lies in its ability to evoke a sense of humanity.If war is an attempt to negate humanity, then photography can be perceived as theopposite of war and if it is used well it can be a powerful ingredient in the antidoteto war.In a way, if an individual assumes the risk of placing himself in the middle ofa war in order to communicate to the rest of the world what is happening, heis trying to negotiate for peace. Perhaps that is the reason why those incharge of perpetuating a war do not like to have photographers around.It has occurred to me that if everyone could be there just once to see for themselveswhat white phosphorous does to the face of a child or what unspeakable pain is causedby the impact of a single bullet or how a jagged piece of shrapnel can rip someone’sleg off - if everyone could be there to see for themselves the fearand the grief, just one time, then they would understand that nothing is worthletting things get to the point where that happens to even one person, letalone thousands.But everyone cannot be there, and that is why photographers go there -to show them, to reach out and grab them and make them stop what they are doing andpay attention to what is going on - to create pictures powerful enough to overcomethe diluting effects of the mass media and shake people out of their indifference- to protest and by the strength of that protest to make others protest.The worst thing is to feel that as a photographer I am benefiting from someoneelse’s tragedy. This idea haunts me. It is something I have to reckon with every daybecause I know that if I ever allow genuine compassion to be overtaken by personalambition I will have sold my soul. The stakes are simply too high for me to believeotherwise.I attempt to become as totally responsible to the subject as I possibly can. Theact of being an outsider aiming a camera can be a violation of humanity. The onlyway I can justify my role is to have respect for the other person’s predicament. Theextend to which I do that is the extent to which I become accepted by the other, andto that extent I can accept myself.-James Nachtwey

Posted by admin Posted in: Books, History, Movies No Comments » May 2005

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