flahute

‘Cross Reality, a new VeloNews.com video series, will follow two pro cyclocross racers through their season – VeloNews

This cyclocross season, filmmaker Andy Frothingham will be following two professional racers through their seasons, checking in with them at events around the country and at their homes in Colorado between races. The first episode is presented here today.

The featured riders are Amy Dombroski of the Richard Sachs team and Jonathan Baker of the Hudz-Subaru Cycling Team.

Dombroski is a multi-time national champion in the U23 category and an emerging powerhouse in the elite ranks.

Baker has raced at an elite level for several years, competing nationally and in Europe.

Andy Frothingham, a student at Boulder’s Fairview High School, is the son of VeloNews web editor Steve Frothingham.

This is some pretty awesome stuff … I have a DVD of a film (entitled Little Belgium) that Andy made a couple seasons ago at the ripe old age of 14, so he definitely deserves a good solid plug. I’m linking to the first episode directly (without permission, I might add), just as a teaser, but for all future episodes, y’all should head on over to VeloNews.com to watch them where they are intended to be viewed.

And then head over to the Richard Sachs ‘Cross Reference to read musings from the man himself as the season begins to ramp up.

… I’ve never seen so much penis on screen outside of a porno flick; and I’ve got a whole new understanding of blue balls.

Who’s watching the Watchmen? I did this evening.

Good movie; a bit more disjointed than I remember the graphic novel being, but it’s been several years since I last read it. Did pick up the hardcover version of the book a couple days ago, so will have to go back and re-read the whole thing to see just how faithful to the book the movie was.

As far as enjoyment of the film, I think I may have enjoyed V for Vendetta a little more … but Watchmen was still a pretty damned good movie.

Sita Sings the Copyright Blues

Boing Boing, Roger Ebert, and the Tribeca Film Festival all love Nina Paley’s brilliant cartoon, which links heartbreak, the Ramayana, and 1920s jazz. Copyright law, though? That’s another story. Find out why.

First things first. Sita Sings the Blues is a completely unique animated feature, mixing up personal pain, heartbreak, the boop-boop-a-doop jazz vocals of Annette Hanshaw, and the epic Indian poem the Ramayana. A painstakingly-animated passion project for director Nina Paley, Sita is the sum of five years of work and a touching story that showcases a disarmingly bright talent. It is safe to say that there is nothing quite like Sita playing at the multiplex. (It is also a film that some people obsess over—a coworker saw it at last year’s Festival and proceeded to preach the gospel of Sita anytime somebody mentioned anything almost related to it.)

So, for a film that’s won lots of awards and honors—including the Gotham Awards’ Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You—and that has played scores of festivals, including the Berlinale (where it won a Silver Bear) and the Tribeca Film Festival, why can’t the average moviegoer see it?

The answer, of course, is quite complicated for a tiny handmade indie film made by a “scrapster,” to quote Paley. And that’s where things get interesting. Media luminaries like Boing Boing, Roger Ebert, and the New York Times have written extensively about the modern absurdity of Paley’s plight, and what it reveals for artists, copyright, and the work that they want to make.

Read the rest of the article

Not only is this a great little animated film, currently streaming at Thirteen.org, but it will shortly be available for free download and distribution.

• Boing Boing
• Roger Ebert’s blog at the Chicago Sun Times
• New York Times Review

Go read the reviews and the articles about Ms. Paley’s plight; then watch the film. The go check out the film’s website and Ms. Paley’s blog to get the latest news … and perhaps donate a little cash to the cause while you’re there as well.

If I can become a tenth as good as these guys, then I will consider my ski “career” a success.

Go out and rent or buy this movie. Then watch it over and over and over for inspiration. Then go ski. And then watch it again. Then ski some more. Ski lots more. Then watch it yet again. And keep skiing.

Great movie … rent it … watch it … then go buy some music, if you don’t already own it.

Description from Netflix:

Six actors portray six personas of music legend Bob Dylan in scenes depicting various stages in the musician’s life. Chronicling Dylan’s rise from unknown folksinger to international icon, the film reveals how he reinvented himself many times. Todd Haynes directs this stylized portrait, the first biography approved by the singer-songwriter. Marcus Carl Franklin, Ben Whishaw, Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, Richard Gere and Cate Blanchett (in an Oscar-nominated role) star.

Incredible. Highly recommended.