Tuesday, July 07, 2009

I'm Bringing Eggs and Milkshakes

So this fourth of July I went camping with some friends, which I haven't done for awhile. Luckily didn't get too sun burnt and no lost limbs from camp fires or fireworks. I took some videos while I was there and thought I'd post them up.

This first video is one of the many fireworks we had picked up in Indiana on our way. I recommend Lightning Fireworks in Portage, IN if you can find it. Looks shabby on the outside but pyro heaven on the inside.

Fireworks from Eric Munn on Vimeo.



The next are some higher-end sparklers. They're called Morning Glories and rather than one single type of flare, it changes after five seconds.

Sparklers from Eric Munn on Vimeo.



My friend Travis kind of planned the whole thing and he was in a band called Second Frost. I say "was" because he's now moving to Michigan and the band is staying in Chicago. The whole band also came out to camp and played at a local bar called The Red Rooster. You're seeing video of their last performance...treasure it.

Second Frost and Friends from Eric Munn on Vimeo.



And finally, the placemats at The Red Rooster were this odd mix of fun and local advertising. It was a hand drawn map of Muskegon, MI with local business (I'm guessing one's that paid more got bigger placement...I'm looking at you Ford dealership) but you also had to find 20 hidden roosters. I tried to capture it with this video.

The Red Rooster Map from Eric Munn on Vimeo.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Bocce Ball on Easter

Below are two videos I took on Easter. Some friends of mine had some brunch and then some games of bocce ball. First video is view from the thrower, second if view from the jack.





Blue team won!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

So True



This also should get rid of the annoying Star Trek quote

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Thoughts On a Possible Newspaper Bailout

Thought this was a great quote from Radley Balko of Reason:

Speaking as an investigative journalist, I find the idea of a “national endowment for investigative journalism” fairly preposterous. And doling out the money according to circulation figures relies on the badly mistaken assumption that the best reporting is done by the publications with the most readers. Something also tells me that when the government starts funding investigative journalism, investigative journalists will be reluctant to go after the government. And government watchdog is the primary responsibility of a free press.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Amazing Ad

This ad is for the new Philips TV and is worth the two minute watch. Now I want to buy this TV and watch it in it's full HD glory.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Dancing Fool

Someone found a video of me as a kid

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Now I Know Why I Don't Have A Job

I'm not a big enough a-hole.

Um, What the Hell?!


????? from David OReilly on Vimeo.

Nerd Alert!

I turned myself into a Romulan. Thank science I'm engaged or my chances with a female would be close to zero.

Create Your Own

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

I Like Square Butts...

There are so many things wrong and so many things right in this ad.

Man I Miss Him

How George Carlin handles a heckler

Monday, April 06, 2009

Like a Boss

Maybe not the funniest thing in the world, but it still made me giggle.

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Infuriating



So apparently carrying lots of cash is grounds for detainment at an airport. I also found it infuriating that one TSA agent says, "He's acting like a child" How is asking whether or not a question is something he needs to legally answer childlike?

'MERICA!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Do Saved By the Bell next!

I actually dig this



Via BWE

Cat Sh!t One

Can anyone explain to me what the hell is going on here?



Via I Watch Stuff

Brotally

A video some friends of mine created.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

The Tip

That's the drive Andrea and I will be taking this weekend. It's the farthest north we've ever been in the "big mitten". Let's hope they have electricity up there.

This Blows My Mind



And I thought Babe was a good sheep herder

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Just When You Thought Waffles Couldn't Be Any Cooler...

















Mmmm...qwerty

Influential Albums #1: Green Day - Dookie

This is going to be the first in a series I'm going to blog about. A friend of mine had recently posted on Facebook some albums that she truly loved. I thought this was a great idea and wanted to share my list with the world and hear your thoughts.

The first album I'll be talking about is Dookie by Green Day.
























It wasn't a question what album was going to be #1 on my list. This was the first album I owned and I listened to it non-stop for about three months. I was in 7th grade and around the age of 12 or 13. I first picked up the album after attending some welcome party for the middle school I was going to. Someone played Basket Case and I now know what the young girls screaming their heads off when hearing Twist and Shout by The Beatles. I'm not putting Green Day at their level, but I will say this was the first time I had heard music this fast, loud, and youthful. I grew up, like most kids, listening to the music of my parents. For better or worse, my parents are quite young so I was listening to at the oldest Elton John music, but more like Celine Dion and Journey. Basket Case was a song that just knocked me off my feet. I couldn't stop bobbing my head up and down and after it finished I asked the DJ (some 8th grader) who that was. He showed me the CD and not only was the cover funny/cool the back has a picture of Ernie rocking out in a mosh pit. That next weekend I took money I had been saving up and bought a Sony CD player and my first album.

This album opened up my world and began my addiction to music. It not only got me to start listening to music that was completely different than what my parents liked, but also had me wanting to know what else was out there. I became addicted to some alternative radio station out of Lansing called Buzz 95 (how great is that name?). My CD player also had a tape recorder and I would sit and listen to the radio and record any song that had my head banging.

This was also an album that combined a mixture of humor into it's lyrics. I wasn't old enough to appreciate deep meaning in songs, so funny songs about drugs, sex, and violence worked for me as I was a young kid that didn't understand any of that stuff anyway. This got me looking into punk music, classic rock, and even rap.

Burnout - Great intro song that has a fast beat, great drums and a fun chorus "I'm not growing up, I'm just burning down"

Having a Blast - A song that when listened to now I see is scary and all about someone taking over a situation and not letting anyone out alive. At the time it was just fun.

Chump - Great opening line "I don't know you but I think I hate you"

Longview - One of my favorites. A song in which I listened more to the music than the lyrics. It builds from a soft bass riff into this great rock song. Also one of the first songs I heard the word shit.

Welcome to Paradise - A classic. One of the big hits off this album and an easy song to sing along to.

Pulling Teeth - A fun/weird song about a guy who's had the crap beat out of him but sings in a happy way.

Basket Case - The song that started it all. Sing a long everyone!

She - The silent hit from this album. I feel everyone knows this song (maybe b/c it was right after the #1 hit) but I never heard it on the radio.

Sassafrass Roots - The one song on the album that just isn't memorable. It's not a bad song, but isn't original and seems too much like others on the album.

When I Come Around - Once I purchased the album, this became my favorite song. Basket Case drew me in, but this was the song I listened to over and over. Great vocals and awesome riff that is just catchy.

Coming Clean - "17 and strung out on confusion" Another song with a great into. I usually stopped listening after 20 seconds though.

Emenius Sleepus - Tied with Sassafrass Roots as a song that just got lost in the memory.

In the End - This is the short punk song that I really dig sometimes. Barely over a minute long but fast paced and fun.

F.O.D. - Anyone who owned this album should know all the words to this song. Great build up and the first song with acoustic on Dookie.

All By Myself (secret song) - Funny, stupid, just what I like.


Tuesday, March 17, 2009

In Honor of St. Patrick's Day

I do not condone drinking yourself stupid on this holiday, but just found this a very cool pic that usually only appears on this day.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

A Day at the Zoo

So I'm finally dumping videos I had on my new Flip video player. These are from a day in January when Andrea and I went and visited the Lincoln Park Zoo just to get out of the house.





The Night Chicago Dyed

Here's some video of the 2009 dying of the Chicago River. This first is just a shot of all the people there who came to watch. If you can spot the drunk person you win!



This next video explains how they actually dye the river. Two angry anti-EPA people come out in their speed boats and dump orange, yes ORANGE, dye into the Chicago River and because of all the toxins or something (I'm not a dye scientist) it appears Ecto Cooler green.



This is about five minutes later and you'll see that the river now glows in the dark.

Friday, February 27, 2009

New Comedy Podcast For Your Listening Pleasure

So I've been working on a comedy podcast with some friends of mine. The first show we started thinking of we titled So There I Was. The show takes stories sent in by listeners and we then improvise that day in their life, thus making it much funnier. While recording that show we were having so much fun just joking with each other we decided to record that and named it The Extended Cut. Check out both of these shows at FunForMost.com and let us know what you think.

Opening Weekend #40

This week Garrett and I discuss whether Street Fighter the movie has anything to do with the video game and whether the Jonas Brothers or Hanson would win in a fight. Check it out!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Famous Friends

So my evil twin close friend Greg was chatting with me one day and I mentioned how bored I was at work. He then sent me a word file that was a list of 99 internet videos/memes that everyone should have seen by now. "Boredom cured!" was his response. I thought it was great. The next day he created a website that lists these same items. It has since been mentioned by Funny or Die, Veronica Belmont, Time, and soon the Chicago Tribune. What a pimp.

My favorite? Grape Stomp

Monday, February 23, 2009

The Crisis of Credit



Make sure to watch Part 2 as well

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Goodbye Old Friends



I just found out today that two of my family's pets were put down. One is the above Willow. My parents got him when I was just heading off to college so I only saw him on trips back home. He was a crazy, lovable dog that never wanted anything more than to be pet and played with. Although he licked you like crazy, you could never be mad at him.

The other I didn't have a photo of, but their cat Lucy also passed. She had to be 18 years old, so it wasn't so much a surprise but still difficult. She was a simple cat that would purr almost instantly.

I'll miss them both.

Sunday, February 08, 2009

"Fix You" from Young @ Heart

Just watched this documentary and found this the most moving piece of the film and possibly one of my favorite scenes in a movie.

AdSense At Work


Facebook must think I need some money and that I believe those are their real hands.

Sunday, February 01, 2009

My Top 49 Songs of 2008

So I know we're one month into 2009 already, but I wanted to wait until I held my annual End of the Year Power Hour Countdown before posting this. Why 49? Well I didn't want to repeat any artist twice and I'm not including any mash-ups, and I could only come up with 49. I'm sure I'm missing one that should make this list so let me know and we'll make Adrian Monk happy with a nice, round 50.

Most songs are through imeem and you may have to sign up to listen (it's free, don't worry). The others I either found on YouTube or just linked to the album on Amazon so you could hear the sample. So here they are:

49. The Dirt Whispered - Rise Against

48. Gettin Up - Q-Tip

47. More Bad Times - The Presidents of the United States of America

46. Machine Gun - Portishead

45. Everyone Nose - N.E.R.D.

44. Re-Up Intro - The Clipse

43. Forever - Chris Brown

42. Cappuccino - The Knux

41. ILL Vacation - The Mighty Underdogs

40. War on Machines - Blitzken Trapper

39. Peace Sign / Index Down - Gym Class Heroes

38. Love Lockdown - Kanye West

37. Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes - Fall Out Boy

36. You Are the Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne

35. Love Like This - Natasha Beningfeld

34. I'm Innocent - Murs

33. Say Hey (I Love You) - Michael Franti & Spearhead

32. Spaceman - The Killers

31. I Gotcha - Killer Mike

30. Money - The Game

29. What Up Man - The Cool Kids

28. American Boy - Estelle

27. Lonely People - B.O.B.

26. On the Edge of a Cliff - The Streets

25. Let's Take a Walk - Raphael Saadiq

24. The Lightning Strike - Snow Patrol

23. Gilt Complex - Sons & Daughters

22. Consoler of the Lonely - The Raconteurs

21. Do the Panic - Phantom Planet

20. After Hours - Living Legends

19. Wait for Me - Jamie Lidell

18. Robots - Flight of the Conchords

17. Grounds for Divorce - Elbow

16. Today's Your Day (Wachagonedu?) - Fatlip

15. Green Light - John Legend

14. Take Off Your Sunglasses - Ezra Furman & The Harpoons

13. Universal Mind Control - Common

12. Blindsided - Bon Iver

11. Hiroshima (B B B Benny Hit His Head) - Ben Folds

10. Death and All His Friends - Coldplay

9. The Re-Arranger - Mates of State

8. Bleed It Out - Linkin Park

7. Let the Beat Build - Lil Wayne

6. Down to Earth - Peter Gabriel

5. Sleepyhead - Passion Pit

4. Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon

3. Hometown - Adele

2. Guarantees - Atmosphere

1. Bixby Canyon Bridge - Death Cab For Cutie

Friday, January 30, 2009

Now that's a super bowl



I may have to hold a party just to have an excuse to create the above.

via Holy Taco

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Monday, January 26, 2009

Most Anticipated of 2009

While I'm on this movie kick, I thought I'd mention some films coming out this year of the Ox.

10. The Wolfman
Benicio del Toro may play a great Che, but based on the picture above he may become the new Hannibal Lecter.

9. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

This was the only picture I could find online. I was a huge fan of this story as a kid and look forward to seeing what they'll do to it for a film. It's about a town that doesn't have groceries, their food comes from the weather. It rains pancakes, snows mashed potatoes, and foggy pea soup. Two big problems, one it's computer animated. I wished it could've been live action. Imagine seeing actual food falling from the skies. The other problem is based on this photo I'm seeing nothing about food and that doesn't make me too happy.

8. The Brothers Bloom

I was a very big fan of Brick and look forward to seeing what this director can do with a story about some con men that may have gotten themselves into something deeper than they think.

7. I Love You, Man

Jason Segal was great in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and I really look forward to him teaming up with Paul Rudd in a film about a guy getting married who has no guy friends and needs a best man.

6. Inglorious Bastards
Quentin Tarantino's lastest film involves the Nazis somehow and Brad Pitt. I'm a fan of all his movies, yes even Jackie Brown, and look forward to see what he does with a film not set in the 1970s.

5. Public Enemies
Not only was I able to watch this being filmed in Chicago, just a few blocks north of where I live, it also stars Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. Oh and it's Directed by Michael Mann. So it's pretty much Heat in the the 1920s. Yeah, sounds amazing.

4. Where the Wild Things AreA classic children's story, made using live action, directed by Spike Jonze, and scripted by Dave Eggers. Excuse me while I wipe the tears from my face and the urine from my pants.

3. Terminator SalvationSay what you will, but Terminator 3 stunk and I didn't want anymore Skynet robots to be in a film However, after seeing the trailer and my boy Christian Bale as the lead, I'm very pumped.

2. Star TrekJJ Abrams not only recreated TV with Lost, he also brought the Mission Impossible series back to life with MI:3. I can't wait to see what he does with one of the most loved series alive.

1. X-Men Origins: Wolverine

No pictures/posters for this film yet, but the trailer is online. X-Men 3 stunk, I'm sorry, it stunk. And that really upset me. The first two were so great I was hoping they released one every year. Well instead, they're going to delve into each charater's past and they're staring with the bread and butter, Wolverine. Not only does Hugh Jackman return, but Liev Schrieber stars as his brother (also known as The Beast) and we have a guest appearance by Gambit.

Oscar Buzz

Seeing as I do a podcast about films, my Netflix queue is almost 500 movies deep, and every time I see my friends I'm asking what the last movie they saw was, I've been getting a lot of questions on my thoughts of the Oscar nominations. So here they are, each of the "major" categories.

Actor in a Leading Role
Richard Jenkins - The Visitor
I'm excited about this one as Mr. Jenkins has always been someone I appreciate in films as a character actor and for him to receive such high kudos is great.

Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
I've yet to see this film but have read that he put a lot of time into this film. I think it's a little handicapped in his favor as he also played this part in the stage production.

Sean Penn - Milk
I felt he was robbed the year he played in I Am Sam and not glad he won for Mystic River. Although I haven't seen the film, I've heard he's amazing.

Brad Pitt - Curious Case of Benjamin Button
This one surprised me and I'm not too happy about it. Of all the actors in this film, he was my least fave. No mannerisms, too simple, almost a blank slate. Not sure how that warrants good acting.

Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler
This is the one I'm rooting for. I've yet to see this film but for all the praise it's receiving and to see the return of Mickey Rourke makes me happy.

Missing: Clint Eastwood and Colin Farrell

Actor in a Supporting Role
Josh Brolin - Milk
Haven't read enough about him in this film so I'll be surprised if he wins.

Robert Downey Jr - Tropic Thunder
I think this is the academy's response to people saying year after year that comedies get screwed at the Oscars. No chance he'll win, but glad to see him nominated.

Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Another film I've yet to see but have been told is amazing and well acted by all.

Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
The runaway favorite and, I hope, winner. After just re-watching this in IMAX, I'm amazed at how I completely forget it's Heath Ledger and can only see him as The Joker.

Michael Shannon - Revolutionary Road
Another film I really want to see, but have yet to, and a role that I've been reading/hearing about as one of the best.

Missing: Eddie Marsan from Happy-Go-Lucky. You'll never look at your rearview mirrors the same again.

Actress In a Leading Role
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
I hate to keep typing this, but another film I've yet to see. From what I've read an amazing performance that I could see taking home the statue.

Angelina Jolie - The Changeling
After not enjoying Mystic River, Clint Eastwood's prior film, I didn't have an interest in this. I've heard Ms. Jolie is amazing, but not strong enough to take the win.

Melissa Leo - Frozen River
Much like Mr. Jenkins for The Visitor, this is a role that I'm glad to see nominated. As this film was only released to 3 theaters I don't think I would've had a chance to see it but have heard nothing but rave reviews. She's the Cinderella story.

Meryl Streep - Doubt
If Meryl Streep is nominated for an Oscar, wait, she's always nominated. She's just that good.

Kate Winslet - The Reader
Looking forward to seeing this film and glad to see Ricky Jervais predicted it right on Extras by saying that she would have to do a holocaust film to be nominated.

Missing: Sally Hawkins from Happy-Go-Lucky. A role that you'll either love or hate, but won't forget.

Actress in a Supporting Role
Amy Adams - Doubt
I love that she's becoming more and more respected, but I don't think she'll win this one.

Penelope Cruz - Vicky Christina Barcelona
From what I've been reading, she's apparently the clear winner. Didn't see the film so can't say much.

Viola Davis - Doubt
Also from what I've been reading, she should be the winner but her time on screen is so minimal it might not win many votes.

Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
I loved her in Hustle and Flow and thought she did a good job in Button, but not sure if she can win it.

Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler
How far we've come since My Cousin Vinny. Having not seen the film, I can't really comment but I don't see her name coming up much.

Missing: Mila Kunis in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Say what you will, but I found her charming and beautiful in this role.

Best Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Great film but not ground breaking enough to merit the win IMO.

Frost/Nixon
I'm surprised with the so-so reviews how well this is doing, but I don't think it'll win.

Milk
From what I've read, just a beautiful film that I could see winning.

The Reader
Haven't heard much about this except for the acting, so no reaction from me.

Slumdog Millionaire
Another film that everyone and their brother is talking about. Easily could take it all, but there may just be a surprise this year.

Missing: Wall-E. Although it chose to go with Animated Feature (gauranteeing an Oscar) this film was so great it should've been nominated here. Also, The Dark Knight. Based on reviews alone, this has to be better than Frost/Nixon. I don't recall seeing scars on our former president.

Other thoughts:
Chistopher Nolan should've been nominated for best director and The Dark Knight should've been nominated for best original screenplay.

I hope Man on Wire wins best documentary and is a must-watch.

Friday, January 09, 2009

Opening Weekend #32

This week Garrett and I discuss the problems of marriage. Whether if you're ready for kids, if your best friend has their wedding on the same day, and if your evil twin that died in the womb wants to take over your body. I think those are related. Check it out!

Opening Weekend

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Traveler IQ Challenge


My highest is around $195,000. How good are you?

Thursday, January 01, 2009

My Top Ten Films of 2008

As another year comes to an end, and every other website on the planet is having their "Best Of..." lists, I thought I would join in as well. Becasue, as everyone knows, bloggers think their opinions matter more than everyone else's. So feel free to comment and let me know if there are some obvious omissions.

10. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, and Lee Pace have some fun at a lingerie showing in old timey England.

9. Be Kind Rewind

Sweded films have become a new obsession of mine and I hope to do a Fight Club version myself.

8. Happy-Go-Lucky

This movie will make you think "Man, I wish I was as happy as her" or "She is so goddman annoying!" Either way, it leads to a good post-movie conversation. Oh, and you'll never think of your car's mirrors the same again.

7. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Never heard of Russell Brand prior to this and he has the best line in the film. Also, any film that can make me think Mila Kunis is a good actress has done something right.

6. Man on Wire

A film about the twin towers that doesn't even mention 9/11 but can still cause me to get teary eyed is just plain beautiful.

5. Ghost Town

Ricky Gervais proves that not only is he a great lead for films, he also can play a lovable character. And extra kudos for taking The Sixth Sense and actually making it funny.

4. Iron Man

I thought Robert Downey Jr was a badass back when he was doing Elton John music videos, this just confirmed it for the rest of the world. Also, an actual decent love story is brewing here.

3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

A great story of one man's life that is also shown with amazing visuals. You'll question whether you're living the life you wanted to as well as your sexuality when you see Brad Pitt with his shirt off 17 times.

2. Wall-E

After Ratatouille I was nervous Pixar had lost me, but they came roaring back with an amazing film that had me in awe for the first 20 minutes, laughing after that, and then wiping tears from my face in the end. +10 extra points for a great song by Peter Gabriel

1. The Dark Knight

Call me a fan boy or claim I have bias for living in Chicago and my response will be "Why so serious?" Having watched it in IMAX and being blown away by the visuals, the opening bank robbery is one of the best heists in a long while and the many scenes with the Joker are just excellent.

Films that didn't make the list that I also saw:
Pineapple Express - Not that funny except when Danny McBride is on screen, which is very little
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Why were there CGI gophers? WHY?!
Definitely, Maybe - I thought with a great cast would come a great movie. I was definitely wrong, maybe.
Flash of Genius - Not bad, just predictable. Greg Kinnear plays these roles well.