- Billy Bob Thornton, the new Joaquin Phoenix? A fascinating yet painfully awkward interview with Thornton and his band on CBC Radio just goes from bad to worse — although host Jian Ghomeshi does a good job of trying to keep the whole thing afloat. I understand Thornton’s desire to be taken seriously as a musician, not as just some dilettante actor who thinks he can play, but he just comes across as a confused (or rather, stoned) jackass here. “Would you say that to Tom Petty?” he barks at one point, angry that he’s been asked if he’s always had a lifelong love for music. But you know, yes, an interviewer would ask that of Petty. If Tom Petty decided to become a serious actor — beyond starring as “himself” in The Postman, say — it would be perfectly valid to ask him about his music career, and to wonder how that’s influenced his acting or if acting was something he’s always loved. It wouldn’t be insulting, the way Thornton seems to think Ghomeshi is being here.
- Gwenda Bond has an interesting discussion going on food in science fiction.
- So apparently some Amazon customers are protesting e-books over $9.99. I’m not so sure that’s a fair price for all e-titles, but I do think pricing is the main thing keeping people away from e-books. (More so for the readers than the books; I personally love my e-book reader, but they’re a several-hundred-dollar investment right now. That’s enough to give anyone pause, even before these tough economic times.)
- Oh great. Another re-imagining of The Wizard of Oz. I know it’s a well known and beloved classic, with some immediately recognizable archetypes at its core, but do we really need another new take on it?
- And this review of the new Legends of Zork game just makes me sad:
It’s honestly as though someone designed a micropayment system then awkwardly shoved a very crude game on top of it.
I have many fond memories of failing to complete the original Zork and its sequels as a boy.
At least Jian Ghomeshi is getting some much-needed media exposure. I really enjoy listening to him – he’s well-spoken and comes up with interesting things to say. I must admit, though…I was secretly amused at Thornton’s behaviour. What a nincompoop.
Hahahhaha! Billy Bob got whipped by a dude who used to be in Moxy Fruvous.
I will say this, though: Thornton’s band wasn’t half bad. What happens when they deign to bring the drums along and actually add words to the music, I don’t know.