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What is Magnificent Bastard digging now?

Being a CyberMonkey ain't all about hating. But not everything we like needs a long article. This is a running list of stuff I'm digging on now. It will change from time to time, some stuff getting moved on, new stuff being added . . . when I feel like it!

We now have an Offical trailer for the ATHF movie, which also now has a name:

Aqua Teen Hunger Force colon Movie Film for Theaters

You can find a clip from the movie lower down in this section, here's the trailer.




I was fortunate enough to get an early listen to the material (CyberMonkey privilege - it's good to be MagnificentBastard, I tell ya!) and it's so very cool. Dave's songs are once again both beautiful and thought provoking, and the musicianship is fucking awesome. Lots of Dave's friends dropped in to play and sing on this one, and Dave has some uber-talented friends. You'd proibably know some of the names, but I'm not a name dropper. It's all about the music, baby, and these cats are ALL about the music. The album rocks, and there are at least two songs on it that should become classics. Which two? Listen to the album . . . do I have to do EVERYTHING for you?

Everythings finished except the manufacturing, so you should have a shot at picking it up very very soon, and if you're nice, I might even be persuaded to tell ya when it drops. Better yet, those of you who live anywhere close to Austin can pick one up at the release party - check David's website for details.

We'll have an interview with David soon, and maybe we'll get him to tell us the one about the blind giraffe . . .

I've loved this show since the premiere, and then I watched the entire series again today (it's a 15 minute show, it didn't take that long). In my own less-than-humble opinion, this is one of the best cartons on television today, and it's the most rocking show ever. The guys ability to parody the metal scene and celebrate it at the same time - such a fine line to walk, and they walk it so very well.

And the music is awesome. I downloaded the songs and listen to them all the time! Who cares about Gorillaz, this is the best animated band of all time. And they actually have REAL endorsement deals!

Can't wait for the inevitable DVD/CD . . . and another season of Dethklok continuing their quest to "make all things metal. Blacker than the blackest black . . . times infinity!"

What the heck, here's the first half of the first episode - check it out . . . you get the theme song and just a taste of the Duncan Hills coffee jingle . . .



I guess technically I'm not digging it yet, since it isn't out yet, but I'm excited about it. What the hell is it? It's a movie that is currently in post-production. The best way I can describe it is Office Space meets Shaun of the Dead.
It's based on a short film entitled The Netherbeast of Berm-Tech Industries, Inc. (2004), which is not easy to find, although you can watch it on the NetherBeast website, but be warned, it costs $1.99 to watch it, and once you leave the web site, you can't watch it again unless you pay again (not cool). I will say that it's an amazing short, and it really makes me excited about the feature. In fact, the short made me more interested than the actual trailer did.
The feature will star Darrell Hammond, Judd Nelson, Dave Foley, Robert Wagner, and (I am so pumped about this) Jason Mewes. I don't think they have a release date yet, filming was completed in September, and I would guess it won't come out until sometime in 2007 . . . just more to look forward to, I guess.

The trailer can be seen right here:


This guy does a brilliant version of Bohemian Rhapsody as a medley of 25 singers. Very imrpessive, especially on a few of them. Willie Nelson? Easy. Neil Young? Easy. Denis DeYoung from Styx? I'm impressed! Beck? Could be easy, but he does it brilliant! Check it out, I think you'll dig it too.



I saw this short film at Fantastic Fest in September, and thought it was funny and a little weird. It's been on my mind since then, and I watched it again a few weeks ago. It also has a subtle message in it, I think, about racism and xenophobia.
It's originally from a short story/one act play by Terry Bisson, and I tracked the original down and read it. The film sticks fairly close to the original, but on the whole I think they left out some of the best material. The story actually makes a stronger comment about isolation from differences leading to an ultimate loneliness, and to my mind even speaks a little about mankind's insistence on understanding the universe on our own terms, always refusing to acknowledge that their may be something we can't or don't understand.
Check the film out here, and then, if you're interested, look up a copy of the orginal story (same name). Hey, I can't do everything for ya!



This is a great short film by a friend of the CyberMonkeyDeathSquad, Mike Stoddard, over at EmergentNorm Productions. It's a dark comedy about an aging porn actress reflecting back on a lost love.
Warning: This is NOT work-friendly!!!
Now that you've been warned: Watch Stag

One of my favorite singer/songwriters. In the interest of fairness, I haven't reviewed him here because he is also a friend of the CMDS, but that doesn't mean I can't tell you how much I like him. David has a truly unique voice, and I don't mean his vocal skills (although he does have a purty voice). Lyrically, he reminds me a little of Townes Van Zandt, but only in the sense that his lyrics flow so smoothly with the song, each word perfectly fitting into both the narrative AND the rythmic flow. I've known lots of guys who can write a song, but Dave breathes life into a song.
He also has a new album coming out soon. Ask nicely and I'll tell you when it hits. David's website has a streaming media feature, you can listen to album cuts, radio performances, and even a few live cuts (check out the live cuts, he really shines when he's on stage). Check it out at DavidNewbould.com, and don't even think about leaving his site until you hear "See You On The Other Side", especially the live cut from Antones (I think it's track 9).

And here's his famous music video:


I picked up The Addams Family: Volume 1 this week, and started watching it over the weekend. I hadn't seen it in at least 20 years, and let me tell you, I was surprised. I remembered liking the show, but I didn't remember how good it was. In many ways, it's superior to most every situation comedy in the last 20 years. The basic plotlines of each episode are fairly simple, and the writers actually focus more on the characters and family relationships. And I defy you to find a more loving family anywhere, anytime. Morticia and Gomez truly adore each other, with a passion rarely seen in prime time. The children are well behaved, and clearly love their parents, who give them an unconditional love and acceptance, even when Pugsly upsets them by dressing outrageously (Boy Scout uniform) and playing with disgusting animals (a puppy). Even more - the Addams' treat their neighbors, and every one they meet, with courtesy and respect, accepting them even as they disagree with their lifestyles. In a way, the Addams are truly the model family. The Cleavers were barbarians in their snobbery (they always looked down their noses at Rutherfords - arrogant suburbanite scum.
The performances are also classic; John Astin and Caroline Jones give performances that should have won awards, and Caroline was definitely one of my first crushes (is that why I'm still attracted to Goth chicks?).
And I bet you didn't know - Gomez and Morticia were the first married couple on television with an acknowledged sex-life.

The first clip from the Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie is now online at AdultSwim. There isn't much to it, it will probably leave more questions than it answers, but it's awesome to see it.