RANT: STEVE JOBS IS AN ASSHOLE/FUCK APPLE

I've been in the market for a new mobile phone and have been checking out the Android OS phones, but rumor has it that the iPhone in coming to Verizon (January 2011). I like the specs on the iPhone and that there are so many companies making 3rd party accessories (meaning more choice, cheaper prices), but I can't stand Apple's "walled garden" aka dictatorship mentality.


I find it pretty ironic that some the most lefty "free thinking" people I know have such an allegiance to Apple products, namely the iPhone. The company is against the freedom of speech and ideas. They must approve whatever program/app that is available in the app store, and only those apps approved can be put on the iPhone because they lock down their device (unless you choose to Jailbreak it). Apple has a policy against adult content applications. That is unless you're Playboy. For some reason an independent producer/app maker can't make an adult app, but if you're Playboy you'll be accepted by the app store. Fucking bullshit.


I don't need a new daddy Mr. Jobs. I'm an adult and will make my decision on what I would like to surround my life with, what I want to view, and what I want to put on my portable media products. Jobs even went on the record stating that "we do believe we have a moral responsibility to keep porn off the iPhone". Who the fuck do you think you are? It's not that I have some need to have porn on my phone, but I don't like someone telling me I can't do something, especially with a product that I buy. Apple also blocked a cartoonist's app due to a political cartoon because Apple said applications that ridicule public figures are not allowed. What the fuck? Fight the oppressor of information. Support Free Speech.


STEVE JOBS IS AN ASSHOLE. FUCK APPLE.


JAILBREAK YOUR IPHONE (OR BUY ANDROID?)

WHO CARES: THE DUANE PETERS STORY

A documentary (from 2005) with a shitload of skateboarding and a decent soundtrack. Tells the story Mr. Duane Peters, old school skateboard legend and punk rocker. This movie made me pine for my time as a member of the 4-wheel, 7-ply-maple militia. There's some pretty killer pool sessions that made me want to get a pool built and learn how to skate all over again...

The official(?) trailer:

THIS IS ENGLAND '86

This is England '86 is a sequel of sorts to the movie This is England, except instead of being a feature film, this one is made for TV as a 4 part mini-series. Currently airing on Channel 4 in the U.K., but will be available on DVD on October 11, 2010.

From the Channel 4 site:

It's 1986 - the year Chris de Burgh is at number one, Top Gun is filling the cinemas, VHS is trumping Betamax, the World Cup is raging in Mexico and over 3.4 million Brits are unemployed.

As Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) sits his last school exam, the realisation dawns that adulthood beckons and in mid-80s England he's going to have to find his own way in the world. Luckily life has dealt a surprise hand to his friends too and no one is quite where they thought they would be. Woody, Lol, Smell, Gadget, Milky - they are all looking for love, a laugh, a job and something that resembles a future.

This Is England '86 is a brand new drama coming to Channel 4 this September. It revisits the gang from the hit film This Is England three years on.

"When I finished This Is England I had a wealth of material and unused ideas that I felt very keen to take further audiences seemed to really respond to the characters we created and out of my long standing relationship with Film4 and Channel 4 the idea for a television serial developed. Not only did I want to take the story of the gang broader and deeper, I also saw in the experiences of the young in 1986 many resonances to now recession, lack of jobs, sense of the world at a turning point. Whereas the film told part of the story, the TV serial will tell the rest." - Shane Meadows, Director

DRINK RECIPE: 2 TONE (A Cultured Hooligan Exclusive)

The 2 Tone, a Cultured Hooligan exclusive. This is a quick and easy drink recipe that I created* when I had Guinness and Red Stripe in the fridge. Based on the classic Black and Tan.

What you'll need:

1 can of Guinness Draught (these also come in bottles now, but I prefer the can)

1 bottle of Red Stripe

1 Pint Glass

1 Spoon

Directions:

1. Grab the pint glass and hold it at about a 45 degree angle.

2. Pour the Red Stripe along the side of the glass about half way up.

3. Put the pint glass on the table, grab the spoon and hold it with back of the spoon facing up over the opening of the glass. Makes it easier if you have a black and tan spoon, but not necessary.

4. Slowly pour the Guinness over the spoon. Do it slowly and you'll see the Guinnes laying on top of the Red Stripe.

5. Let the Guinness settle, drink up, and enjoy.

6. When done repeat steps 1-5 with the remaining beer.

*No, I'm not so delusional that I think I was the first to come up with this. As I was doing this a quick Google search came up with the name Black and Red, but the 2 Tone is such a better name.

REVIEW: LA MISSION

Well, I wasn't disappointed. This was an enjoyable film (pronounced fil-em) that deals with the issue of a machismo father and his acceptance (or lack thereof) of his "best friend", his son, who is gay. Add to that a few lowrider cruising scenes, some obligatory "hood" elements, an OK 1970's influenced soundtrack, and it made for an overall pretty enjoyable movie. Keep in mind it's an independent film, and looks and acts like one and you'll be happy. One of the few movies that you can watch with your chick (or with your dude if you go that way). Check this previous post for the trailer and more info.

LA MISSION

A movie featuring low riders, tattoos, and struggle of a tough hood dad accepting his son. Enough of the stuff that I like mixed with an intriguing premise to make me check it out.

I'll follow up with a review. I really hope this doesn't turn out like when I was waiting for Deuces Wild to come out, and then regretted it when actually did.



From the official website http://www.lamissionthemovie.com/:

Growing up in the Mission district of San Francisco, Che Rivera (Benjamin Bratt) has always had to be tough to survive. Hes a powerful man respected throughout the Mission barrio for his masculinity and his strength, as well as for his hobby building beautiful lowrider cars. At the same time hes also a man feared for his street-tough ways and violent temper.

A reformed inmate and recovering alcoholic, Che has worked hard to redeem his life and do right by his pride and joy: his only son, Jes, whom he has raised on his own after the death of his wife. Ches path to redemption is tested, however, when he discovers Jes is gay. In a rage, Che violently beats Jes, disowning him. He loses his son and loses himself in the process. Isolated and alone, Che comes to realize that his patriarchal pride is meaningless to him, and to maintain his idea of masculinity, hes sacrificed the one thing that he cherishes most the love of his son.

To survive his neighborhood, Che has always lived with his fists. To survive as a complete man, hell have to embrace a side of himself hes never shown.

From writer/director Peter Bratt comes La MISSION, a 5 Stick Films, Inc. and TomKat Films production. Produced by Benjamin Bratt, Peter Bratt, and Alpita Patel and executive produced by Tom Steyer, Kat Taylor, and Dan Nelson, La MISSION stars Benjamin Bratt, Erika Alexander, Jeremy Ray Valdez, Jesse Borrego, and Talisa Soto Bratt. The supporting cast includes Kevin Michael Richardson, Patrick D. Shining-Elk, René A. Quiñonez, Ruben Gonzalez, and Max Rosenak.

The talented behind-the-scenes crew includes director of photography Hiro Narita, production designer Keith Neely, editor Stan Webb, costume designer Aggie Rodgers, composer Mark Kilian, and casting director Victoria Thomas.

LIVING THE LIFE

Came across this new book during my travels around the world (wide web). Thought you might be interested. Fits in with my fixation with the whole MC (Motorcycle Club) culture of the 60's and 70's that came over me after reading Hunter S. Thompson's Hells Angels. From watching every Gangland episode with biker gangs, watching Easy Rider (do yourself a favor and don't, I think it's one of those you had to be there during that time kind of thing for it to have any impact on you), watching Hell Rider (do yourself a favor and watch this instead of Easy Rider and you'll be much happier), to watching the male oriented soap opera featuring the boys of SAMCRO Sons of Anarchy (new season starts next month). Get the limited edition hardcover for $40 here.

From the Publisher:
180 Pages. 9" x 9", limited edition hardcover.

Classic images of bikers from the 70’s and earlier are a hit among today’s discriminating enthusiasts. And it’s not just a case of looking back through rose colored glasses to motorcycling’s past. Rather it is the natural consequence when popular culture celebrates cartoonish exaggerations, and shuns the genuine.

Doug Barber’s photos remind us of a time when the bikes, and the people that rode them were the real deal. Thankfully, Doug was there living it; not just as an observer from the outside. This collection of images combined with the words of Sorez the Scribe provides a unique glimpse into our culture’s past. For those that lived, partied and rode during that time it’s a memory book of sorts. For the new generation it represents the path less chosen, inspiration, and a history book of our two- wheeled forefathers.

Living the life, it’s good for your soul.