42nd Street Records
Joaquin Phoenix Is Not Amused (And Matt’s Not Buying It)
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Last night on “The Late Show With David Letterman”, Joaquin Phoenix dropped by to supposedly talk about his role in the new James Gray film, Two Lovers. What followed was one of the more bizarre live interviews in the history of the famous talk show host’s career. Looking like Osama Bid Laden’s hipster brother, Joaquin preceeded to curse at Paul Shaffer, answer all of Letterman’s questions with cryptic, one-word responses, stick his gum under the host’s desk and forget co-star Gwyneth Paltrow’s name. It reached near Crispin Glover levels of weird. Check it out (commentary follows):
I’m not sold on crazy just yet. Does anyone else get a distinct Tony Clifton vibe off of this? Since his “retirement” announcement, a series of increasingly strange incidents have followed. First, there was the announcement that Joaquin was leaving act to pursue a career as a hip-hop artist. Then, it came out that actor buddy Casey Affleck would be filming Mr. Phoenix every step of the way, documenting the two time Academy Award nominee’s budding music career. Now — this interview has appeared and it almost feels like a gag.
Don’t get me wrong, if this is a true breakdown happening right before the public’s eyes, it wouldn’t be the first nor would it come as a surprise given Phoenix’s strange and traumatic past . Joaquin’s acting “process” has always been described by those who have collaborated with him as “intense”. The man immerses himself into the roles he takes and has known to even cross boundaries that involve physical pain (see Return to Paradise to fully gather what I am getting at). But, in interviews and while doing press, the man has also come across as charasmatic and warm; the polar opposite from the black clad and seemingly paranoid persona we are being shown now.
Devin Faraci over at CHUD.com has written a fantastic article delving into the bizarre shift in Phoenix’s behavior. (See Link on RIght Hand Side) There — Mr. Faraci gives a great insider’s perspective and hints at the rumours that I think might be true; that this is come elaborate ruse that both Mr. Phoenix and Mr. Affleck are putting on to examine the media’s coverage of celebrity in this country.
In any case, this is nothing short of fascinating. I hope that this latest round of weirdness is just that: a great big joke on the entire world. It would be such a shame to lose another promising Phoenix.
Tags: Chud.com, David Letterman, Devin Faraci, James Gray, Joaquin Phoenix, The Late Show, Two Lovers
Sarah’s 25 things, revised.
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So, I have fallen prey to the 25 things epidemic on Facebook and decided to cross waters and spread it here. Partially because I want the readers to get to know me as well as they will know Matt and partially because I would like this blog to get a comment from someone before I turn 40.
DISCLAIMER: Some of these are from my facebook, some are new. It depends how busy I get today.
Here it is. Sarah’s 25 things, 2.0.
1. There is nothing in the world I love the way I love coffee. And I don’t even feel bad about it, its truly my first love and I know I can always count on it to be there for me.
2. I have a tendency to speak in half-sentences. I start with something, my mind finishes the sentence and my mouth picks back up two topics later. Thus, people tend to think I’m suffering from a mental disorder or I’m just really stupid.
3. I honest-to-G-d believe I have a connection with the Steelers and can will them turnovers and downs. This said, I am taking offers from those willing to buy me a Holmes jersey. I prefer it to be fitted, thank you.
4. I have an extremely active imagination. Because of this, I cannot watch slasher films. I genuinely think these situations will happen and I will die at the top floor of my house in the hands of a 7 foot tall masked psychopath with a pickaxe.
5. I am 23 years old and have never completely watched Bambi, Beethoven, or Homeward Bound. When it comes to animal movies, animated or not, I have the emotional capacity of a 4 year old and break down sobbing uncontrollably when the animals gets hurt.
6. In my dream life, I would move to Kenya and work at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and help elephants my whole life. I can honestly think of nothing more soul-satisfying to me.
7. Tom Waits is my favorite musician of all time. Johnny Cash is #2.
8. I take more pride from being from Kentucky now more than ever. Moving away makes you realize just how nice (and cheap and friendly) home is.
9. I am married to my best friend and not a day goes by that I don’t get reminded how lucky we got when we found each other.
10. I am living proof that everything happens for a reason.
11. My favorite compliment I’ve ever received came from my dad. He told me a couple years ago that I am the perfect daughter for him. That still makes me cry.
12. I have an inexplicable need to watch crap TV. For reasons unknown, I am perfectly content watching TLC and the Food Network. I’ll even watch the Hills. I won’t buy anything they’re selling but I’ll watch their show.
13. The way people feel about God is the way I feel about music.
14. I secretly wish I was a musician. I want to sing like Jenny Lewis and play the banjo.
15. My favorite person in the whole world is my father. Pretty much everyone knows that.
16. I love farmers markets the way people love winning the lottery.
17. My favorite book is, and forever will be, Matilda. Roald Dahl is the reason I’m not a retard.
18. If I could do anything in the world, I would want to be independently wealthy and travel the world. I just want to see different cultures and help anyone I can and raise awareness for those forgotten.
19. I wish everything could be recycled.
20. I have never understood the point of being a cash only establishment. Not only does it makes your average ticket lower, people who don’t ever carry cash (read: me) won’t frequent your store and you will piss the unaware off. Just pay the damn fee. It pays for itself.
21. The thing I like most about myself is that while I can get caught up in mundane problems and want stupid things, I never forget how lucky I have it on so many levels. I know I am really truly a grateful person.
22. Adelaide makes me so happy. She is the world’s best greeter and her enthusiasm and affection are so adorable. She just wants to make you happy and let you know you are loved and noticed. She is like a four-legged therapy fix with the cutest little face.
23. I am physically unable to go into Walmart. While I can’t buy everything fair trade (I just don’t have the money to,) I at least have the decency to avoid the place that mistreats their employees and vendors, kills off mom-&-pops, falsely advertises to their customers and capitalizes off the misfortunates of millions. Eff Walmart.
24. I enjoy accounting more than anyone could understand. Its totally unlike me, but it has the same effect on me as a massage. This pleases Matt since he won’t give me massages and hates when I go to the spa.
25. My perfect day starts with waking up alarmless at 7a to a clean home, stepping on the scale and discovering I weigh 25 lbs less than I currently do, looking in the mirror to see that I am tan with flawless skin, taking the dog for a walk, getting coffee and a multigrain bagel with lox and tomato, going to the farmers market (all of this by walking instead of driving), having a lunch of lemon water, crusty bread with oil and herb rubbed salmon over organic greens, gardening, taking a nap in a hammock, giving myself a pedicure outside (obviously its a gorgeous day), eating a dinner of vegan tacos, dessert is a mini lemon poppyseed cake with a bowl of mixed berries, and taking a long stroll with my dog and husband. The day ends with a perfect cup of tea, some MSNBC, Top Chef/Project Runway/ Jon & Kate plus 8 (depending on the night) and going to sleep in my freshly laundered bed.
DISCLAIMER: This day is not even remotely possible.
WE DID IT!
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Though I almost had a heart attack during the final two minutes and our car broke down in Pittsburgh (the reason for no posts today until now), we won XLIII! What an amazing game. Hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did. The riots in Oakland we out of control and Matt was blackout drunk, screaming at people who were stealing sign posts. SIX RINGS BABY!
XLIII
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It’s finally here. I’m actually in Pittsburgh as I type this, staying with my brother, Casey, who is a student at Carnegie Mellon University. If they win…I’ll have pictures of the rioting and drunkenness that ensues. If they lose…well…they won’t Let’s just think positive. So…one last time before the big game…
HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!
Barack Obama is a Steelers Fan
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Today Barack Obama, while sitting in the Oval Office, said this about the Steelers…
“I am a longtime Steeler’s fan. Mr. Rooney, the owner, was just an extraordinary supporter during the campaign. I wish the best to the Cardinals. They’ve been long-suffering. It’s a great Cinderella story, but other than the Bears, the Steelers are probably the team that’s closest to my heart.”
Or so says Mark Silva of the Chicago Tribune.
BOO YA! 3 More days until XLIII…
Hey Guys…
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Stop playin'! Gimme my glove back!
…only 4 more days ’til XLIII!
I told you there’d be pictures…
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I’m pretty sure you can discern who is who.
Oh Yeah, BTW…
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…only 5 more days until Superbowl XLIII!!!
Here we go Steelers, here we go!
*cough cough*…Is this thing on?
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How you guys doin’ out there? This is Matt and Sarah and we’ll be your MCs for the duration of…uh…well…this blog?
The internet was once referred to as “The Great Equalizer” because it gave small entrepreneurs the same platform to do business as, say, the largest corporations in the world. How else could “Jim’s Snake Shop”, based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico get over 7,00 customers? Well — the same could be said (for better or for worse) of the internet’s ability to give anyone a voice that can be heard from New York to New Guinea. And this pair of eloped twits has decided to utilize this “Great Equalizer” to blather on about whatever is bothering them at any particular moment. And you, lucky reader, are just lucky enough to have stumbled upon the inaugural edition of said blatherings. The blog takes its title from the name of the hypothetical record shop that Sarah and I would like to open in 2012 (once we make the big move from Pennsylvania to Austin, Texas). So, without further ado, let us introduce ourselves…
My name is Matt and my main interests include screenwriting, Pro Football, horror, exploitation and cult films, vinyl shopping, great (and not so great) fiction, my lovely wife (who will introduce herself as soon as I decide to pass the mic), indie music, PBR (but I ain’t no hipster) and our lovely Westie pup, Adelaide (Sarah named her…not me). I attended school at Elon University in North Carolina and am currently wasting away as an Assistant Manager at Leslie’s Pools (I don’t even own a goddamn pool!). And now, here is my (much) better half, Sarah…
Weeeeee! Hullo, my name is Sarah. I’m a twenty-something vegan Leo with a penchant for vinyl (hence the aforementioned life change), art (and its cultural consequences), the color indigo, crap tv, and everything European (French and British specifically.) And apparently parentheses. I am married to the man you just met, he’s quite the charmer, and I’m the mom to Adelaide, the best greeter in the whole world who just happens to be an awfully cute Westie with a heart-shaped nose. I toil my days away at a speciality pharmaceutical company and my nights will now be spent blogging apparently. Matt and I decided we should be followers and jump up on this blogging sensation train. Y’know, cause it looks fun. And if Perez Hilton can be famous, goddamnit so can we.
So, what can you expect from us? Well, on my end, be prepared for incoherent ramblings, dissertations on things that probably mean way too much to me but whatever, and a bevy of other random-ass shit that seems reasonable enough to post online. Again, if people actually give a shit about some guy named Steve-O on TMZ, they can give a shit about how my dog ate a pen and turned blue. And be prepared for pictures. I’m a visual person. And here’s my shmoopykins again….
My ramblings will most likely be film and music based because these are the things that dominate my mindspace (though I am not one of those annoying people that Chuck Klosterman describes as knowing a ton about music but not a whole lot about anything else). There will be the occasional randomness thrown in because, let’s face it, screaming into the night can get you arrested but screaming into a computer can only get you hits.
To wrap…we’re not promising brilliance nor guaranteeing a lack of banality but, if you keep coming back, you’re more than likely entertained. So…onward!
