Macgirl's Media Pick of the Week: Wild Soundtrack

I guess I'm still stuck in the dreamy-world Spike Jonze created in his new movie, Where the Wild Things Are.  Because I can't help loving the soundtrack, and the feelings it evokes.  Karen O and the Kids made the perfect soundtrack to an arguably-instant classic of a film.  

Where the Wild Things Are Motion Picture Soundtrack mimics the highs and lows of the movie, and lends a dreamy, magical air to the film, and by extension, to your life.  Walking around listening to this music on your iPod allows you to form a bubble around yourself, and makes even the most mundane things around you seem to wink and sparkle. 

This may be a sappy review, but it's an emotion-filled soundtrack, one that I am happy to use as my own.

Macgirl's Media pick of the Week - U2 360!

The stage, pre-showThis week I'm giving a shout-out to a concert.  The current U2 stadium tour, U2 360, is a fantastic spectacle and a great example of using technology for art.  First, the obvious-the music was good.  If you are even remotely interested in U2, you will enjoy the playlist.  The amplification in the area we visited (the soon-to-be defunct Giants Stadium) was great; they sounded wonderful, and the instruments were highlighted without being over-blown.

The stage was a huge spidery-looking structure at the far end of the stadium.  It is supported on 4 legs, and open all around.  I was surprised that it was not in the center of the stadium, being the 360 tour, but it was still fairly accessible for everyone in the stadium.  The technicians and directors did an amazing job, effectively creating a high-quality concert video on the fly, using another part of the set- a huge circular/conical screen hovering above the band.  Some of the best moments of the show were captured on this huge screen.  The production of the show seen on the screen was fast-paced and entertaining.  The constant switching and careful coordination was really impressive; I was envious of the talented video crew in the production booth.  They also incorporated color and lights throughout the show, on par with some of the most dazzling Disney shows I've seen. 

mid-show, taken with iPhone

If you go, be sure to take note of the massive coordinated effort behind the scenes to make it all work.  It will make you appreciate the show all the more.

If you can't make it, re-live some of their greatest hits on iTunes: U2 The Best of 1980-1990

I had a chance to make a panorama before the show, using an iPhone 3GS with the app "Pano".  It worked very well, considering the size of the venue and the camera quality of the phone:

Macgirl's Media pick of the Week - Naked

Audiobooks, depending on who you ask, are either a god-send or the end of civilization as we know it.  I take a stance somewhere in the middle.  There is a time and place for audiobooks, and there are instances when they can be quite enjoyable.  A funny book can be even better when read by a great humorist.  One such talent is NPR contributor David Sedaris. His wry, sarcastic tone is often self-effacing.  His voice is much as I imagined in my head first reading his books.  He adds authenticity and reality to the strange experiences and even stranger people in his life.

Enter my pick of the week: Naked by David Sedaris

Although not his latest book, this is by far my favorite.  Add in the opportunity to hear Sedaris himself reading the prose, and you have a hit.  Just try not to laugh too loud on the morning train.

Wednesday Website of the Week - RiffTrax

So I'm a sci-fi nerd, and I can't get enough of the old sci-fi movies...even the bad ones.  Enter my 20 year devotion to all things Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K to those in the know).  The focus of the show (which included skits and a cute intro and outro) had funny people talking over cheesy "B" movies, and much hilarity ensued.

So some of the gang from that great show have a different venture now, called RiffTrax.  My favorite comedian of the MST3K days, Mike Nelson, teamed up with Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy and others, to make bad movies funny again.  Its pretty easy to use RiffTrax- you rent or Netflix a DVD they have a RiffTrax for, and simply play them in sync.  Or, you can download full movies with the tracks layered over.  They sell DVDs as well. 

If you are nostalgic for some good old-fashioned MST3K, this is a close runner up to the original, and it may even be better.

Macgirl Media Pick of the Week - A bit of Fresh Air

I spend a lot of time on the train each day, and along with reading, I spend hours each week listening to my iPod.  One of my favorites is the NPR podcast Fresh Air with Terry Gross.  A daily podcast focused on current events and interviews on a range of topics.

Every episode is unique and interesting.  Although Terry Gross can sometimes ask the obvious questions that annoy, for the most part she is an excellent interviewer who is blessed with interviewing some of the most talented and intelligent people in the world.  From leaders to writers, actors to artists, athletes and educators... all are represented in a supportive and intriguing environment.  I particularly enjoyed the rebroadcast last week of an interview Terry had with ledgendary Les Paul, who recently passed away.  Give it a listen, it is a full and rich hour of humanity.