Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Random Musings of the Month - August 2011

Random Notes of the Month

Browser stats for August: Looks like IE is finally dying off.
Not much news to report on the blog front.  You wouldn't know it, but I've actually been absent for quite a bit this month, taking great advantage of Blogger's post scheduling feature so I can hang out in the sunshine.

I did however add a new navigational menu at the top of the blog a few weeks back, but it's still a work in progress, just need to find some time to tweak it a bit.  I've also got a few ideas for future post marathons that are kicking around in my head now that my spotlight on Hungary is starting to wind down, but I haven't decided exactly what direction to go just yet.

Below are a couple shots of my home theatre setup that I promised to take for Custard.  They are a little bit dark, but you get the idea.  The screen is homemade, measures 85" (216 cm) diagonally and is mounted on a false wall that covers up a bay window.  The HD projector is an Epson 6500UB and everything is controlled by a small PC running XBMC aka The best media player in existence.



Random Links of the Month

This month several posts from some new and some familiar faces caught my eye:

Congratulations to D4 on taking over as the top commenter.  Check out his fine blog D4 & Music for an eclectic mix of music picks, everything from classics to pop and the occasional obscure world music selection.  Essentially what I do with film, he does with songs.

blah blah blah gay and what indie nights have started an ambitious marathon collaboration, chronicling the history of film noir in their Tuesday night Noir-a-thon. Go and check out their dueling reviews and extensive list of films that will be covered.

Jack L. has been quiet since his move to Ireland, but he posted a fascinating list of the top 50 directors whose work he has yet to see.  There are quite a few names on there that I also need to become familiar with.

If you missed my guest post over at Custard's Front Room Cinema earlier this month, head over there and check out my profile of Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai for episode #8 of his FRC Icon World Tour feature.

Stevee of Cinematic Paradox had an epic series of posts as a countdown to her 16th birthday and also put up a great review for The Tree of Life.

My favorite new blog discovery in August was Never Too Early Movie Predictions, a very interesting concept blog that endeavors to predict the future Oscar winners for every category, often several years in advance.

Visit the revamped Lime Reviews to read Mette's rather amusing recap of this year's ISHQ and ACEBA European Bollywood awards. 

Big Thoughts From a Small Mind had a very entertaining series of posts on the ever popular genre of heist films, including their top 10 picks.

Surrender to the Void had an incredibly busy month, posting reviews of several films from David Cronenberg for the LAMB Director's Chair and covering almost the entire oeuvre of Gus Van Sant.

Cherokee of Feminising Film returned with a great post on Sally Potter's Orlando for her Female Director Season.  Adding another to a growing list of films I need to see.

Awesome Hong Kong film blog, A Hero Never Dies posted some clips and preview stills of Johnnie To's new film Life Without Principle.  Ahead of its premiere in a few days at the 68th Venice Film Festival.

Did I miss any cool articles or posts?  If so, feel free to share them in the comments below.

27 comments:

NeverTooEarlyMP said...

Thanks for including me as your favorite new blog discovery! 
I've been trying to find a way to explain my blog to folks, as well as not fall into the trap of thinking that I have to be like the other sites, and I think "concept blog" may be the perfect, well, "concept" for doing that.  Thanks again for the link!

Hoi-Ming Ng said...

Post scheduling is quite something though isn't it? (^_^)-b

Bonjour Tristesse said...

You are welcome.  I finally caught the trailer for Restless and I'm quite looking forward to seeing it.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks for reading :)

Bonjour Tristesse said...

It's incredibly handy, and also much easier to use now with the new updated blogger.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

You are welcome!

thevoid99 said...

Thanks for the link man!  I got one more Van Sant film review to release along with some related work.  Then once Restless arrives, I'll review that and the fourth part of the Auteurs series for Mr. Van Sant will be unveiled.

Electric Addict said...

I gotta try that scheduling feature out

CS said...

Thanks for the linkage.  Truly appreciate it.

Shutterbug said...

Thanks for the updates. There are a few blogs that you have mentioned that I will have to check out! :D

Bonjour Tristesse said...

No problem!  I find way too many blogs that do the exact same thing as everyone else so it's good to see one that is truly unique.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yeah thanks for your continued visits and comments.  There have been a few of my long time readers/commenters that I haven't heard from in awhile, hopefully they just took a summer break from blogging and will be back.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks for the compliments.  Its nowhere near as nice as the amazing setups like some people's I've seen, for instance some of those you can find at AVSforum, but I'm happy with it. 

d_4 said...

Scheduling posts is amazing isn't it? Lets you keep your flow.


Your home theater is beautiful. I can see how you so easily watch movies all the time now.

I guess I did take the top comments. Go me! I'm not quite sure how that happened since last I remembered I was a few down..

And damn, if there aren't some interesting blogs up there. Though the most intriguing for me is Never Too Early Movie Predictions. I wanna see how it'll go along.

FrontRoomCinema said...

WOW matey truly WOW.

I am glad I got to see it!! A very nice set up you have there my friend!! Puts my little cinema to shame. :-) I used to use PLEX on my mac as my main Media Centre but I needed something more WIFE friendly, I got fed up with the phone calls at work asking 'How do I watch a film?' Apple TV has done the trick, I know it isn't 1080p (yet, update is coming) but it is very easy to use and works well with my NAS drive and the back ups!!

Also thanks for the LINK matey, and thanks again for writing the post.

Nostra said...

Wow, nice setup and good to see the XBMC love. Running it myself as well on an Apple TV 2. Hope you enjoyed your time in the sun! :)

CastorTroy said...

Looks like a sweet home system!

A Hero never dies said...

Thanks for the link, really appreciate that! excellent looking setup too, I've dabbled with XBMC but I'm not disciplined enough to do it properly like you have. I'm really enjoying working my way through your recommended links too!

blahblahblahtoby said...

that is a fabulous space for viewing. im entirely jealous. although for our little space i think our tv may be too big as it is. a wall would just hurt our necks.

i very much appreciate the link. you have inspired at least two choices that i missed for the noirathon too so i should thank you again.

and you really do need to see ORLANDO. i've been lucky enough to have it screened in auditoriums for me twice and i've been amazed by it both times. it's almost certainly top of the list for my how amazing is Tilda Swinton post when i write it.

Joel Burman said...

Nice home cinema! 

Max Covill said...

I use XBMC to watch a lot of films on my PC. It makes life so much easier. That being said it looks like you've got yours all set up correctly. Color me jealous. 

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks!  It does take a bit of initial setup and tweaking to work right, but once that's done its a breeze to use.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks Joel!

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Well, my living space isn't all that big either, a one bedroom apartment.  I've just made certain sacrifices for this setup.

You are welcome for the link.  Hopefully it sent some traffic in your direction.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

You are welcome, and thank you!

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks Castor!

moviesandsongs365 said...

"Never Too Early Movie Predictions", will have to visit that site-you've sold me ( :

Talking of The Tree of Life, (which everybody seems to be reviewing) my write-up of Malick's epic will be up soon!

Orlando, now that's a weird yet captivating film, Tilda Swinton was never better IMHO

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