Random-but-hilarious book of the day-Bigfoot: I Not Dead

Just a random quick note tonight: I was chillin' in my room on my computer listening to some tunes earlier when one of my roommates came to me with a book in his hand, saying "You've gotta check this out, you'll like it." Handing me what looked like a picture book from the elementary years, I quickly thought "alright?".

Taking the book off his hands, I instantly laughed at the hideous artwork, yet liking it...feeling sorry for the person who appears to have no skill in drawing at all...then shifting through the pages, my perspective turned to think, whoever drew this book is a genius.

Examining it more, I realized that it was both written and illustrated by the same author, a Toronto writer/illustrator named Graham Roumieu. Written from Bigfoot's perspective, it is an obscenely ridiculous 96-page book about Bigfoot's return from exile in the woods, to share his insanely disturbing and comical wisdom with everyone else. It depicts him as a troubled celebrity, with a series of very short stories and notes that Bigfoot has written to share with us about everything from wantan violence, his highly opinionated and biased views, the darkside of being famous, insulting children, pooing everywhere and blood galore.
Appearing just like a children's picture book at first , you will quickly find that this hardcover, fully-coloured book openly depicts every unforgettable disgusting, disturbing, violent, comical, and insane moment of Bigfoot's life...and realize that it is genuinely brilliant. Read this!

The Cranberries-November 20, 2009.

So last night I went to go see The Cranberries reunion show at The Queen Elizabeth Theatre (for their first show in Toronto in 7 years) with my good friend Anna...oh, and thanks for the tix Anna! What a great show. In all my different tastes in music and styles, I've always seemed to have an admiration for The Cranberries, and more specifically Dolores O'Riordan. She can definitely sing, and her voice is amazing...especially wailing out ZOMBIEEEE, which sounds awesome live. A very talented song writer, especially in the world of all the pop princess shit. She's actually completely free from the manufactured world of the pop singers and groups, and it's great to see The Cranberries perform, and you know it's even better when you see Dolores' veins in her neck exploding out as she's rocking out with the rest of her bandmates...especially not short of a week since Britney was booed off stage in Australia for lip-synching, something that even her most loyal fans were disgusted at. Dolores sings about the history of Northern Ireland and the violence taking place, Britney sings about utter cheese, and is literally forced to do so from the pop world.

I won't go on and on about The Cranberries show, but if you ever have a chance to see them, do it...and much respect to Dolores.

My Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2009

Ok so lets get right to it: 2009 looks to be an awesome year for movies. It seems almost years ago that I'd be at the flicks once a week at least, checking out everything that looked even the slightest bit interesting or entertaining, but recently (or more so within the past two years) I've completely neglected to whole movie-going experience, something that seems so wrong to me. What are the reasons behind this? Has it just been the fact that I've become distant from escaping into a movie for a couple of hours? Or is it because the quality of flicks coming out of Hollywood has been utter shite for the past few years? Don't get me wrong, there have definitely been some killer, ass -kicking movies that have come out, but some have ultimitely let me down in the end (how do some of these guys actually think what they have spent millions of dollars on its GOOD?) For every ten (maybe even ten is a stretch) or twenty movies that come out, maybe MAYBE 3 of them are actually awesome, quality stuff.



Anyway, I'll stop my lectures about the recent state of the film industry (a topic that myself and many others could get into for hours, and who the hell wants to do that?) and change this to a more positive side.



Finally, there are some films coming out that have completely sank their claws into me, turned me around, a punched me in the face, and have made me get excited about the whole experience once again-and I couldnt be thrilled (or dare I say, nerdier at the moment).



Anyway, without further ado, I give you my Top 10 most anticipated movies of 2009:







Number ONE:



WATCHMEN



Watchmen is a film based on one of the best (if not THE best) and most influential graphic novels of all time (and is even on a few Top 100 Novels lists), and was a project that was in development for 20 years. Many directors and producers have tried to get it off the ground and made for the screen, but it has often failed or been overlooked and called "unfilmable" and for those who have read it, it is easy to understand this. It is complex, dark, brutal and nostalgic, and let's face it...looks absolutely gorgeous (thanks to the overly-stylish Zack Snyder calling the shots). For those of you who don't know where the hell it came from, or why there is SO much hype behind it, you really owe it to your self to pick up a copy and read it before you see it...hell, I'll even let you borrow mine. By the time this blog has been posted, the film is already out, and man...it doesn't disappoint. It's number one, and with good reason.




Check it: http://www.watchmenmovie.com/










Number TWO:


TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN

Ok so let's face it...the first Transformers movie is not actually THAT good. The characters (human characters that is) SUCK. Sam? Who gives a shit?Annoying teens that outsmart the American Goverment? Who gives a shit? Megan Fox? oh wait...DAMN. Anyway, Transformers, in my opionion, should have been nothing but balls-to-the-wall Trans-fucking-formers. Autobots vs. Deceptacons, fighting to the death, like the old cartoon we grew up with. Who cares about the puny humans...it should be nothing but robots vs robots. But, on that note, we're now familiar with the characters that have been given to us, so let's move on: Revenge of the Fallen looks insane. I know there is only a short glimpse of everything in the early previews, but damn...do you understand how big this movie will be? Cant wait...more Transformers this time, more battles, more effects, more Optimus Prime, more Megan Fox...awesome.

Check it: http://www.transformersmovie.com/






Number THREE:



PUBLIC ENEMIES



A Hollywood film based on the famous bank robber John Dillinger? With Johnny Depp? Count me in. Not to mention Bale as the dude trying to bring him down. Learned about this guy in school, always sounded cool...and now theres a freakin movie coming out...plus: Tommy Guns, Trench Coats and shoot-outs galore. And all coming for the guy who made HEAT? 'Nuff said...


Check it: www.apple.com/trailers/universal/publicenemies/







Number FOUR:

TERMINATOR: SALVATION

Terminator 2 is by far one of the best movies of all time. It is the ULTIMATE action movie, and I don't think that I, or anyone else, knows ANYONE that doesn't like it. Then came Terminator 3 (why?) and it's an embarassment to the word Terminator. This year, we get Terminator: Salavation, the fourth installment, and apparently a "rebirth" to the franchise, with promises that this it will not disappoint...and so far, holy shit it looks good.

At the start of T2, we are given an awesome opening sequence of the future, where the humans fight the machines, surrounded by skulls and destruction everywhere, and are introduced to the grown-up John Connor, Soldier and Leader of the Resistance, before we back-track to (what was then) the present. As a kid watching these movies, and loving them, I always wanted to see what else happened in the opening sequence, and how the humans continued to fight the machines. Well, here we go...we get to see it in Salvation.


Check it: movies.yahoo.com/feature/terminator-salvation.html?showVideo=1







Number FIVE:

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS


Quentin Tarantino's new film is going to be a war film...that alone means it's going to be awesome-and most likely bloody, bloody violent.



Check it: www.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/inglouriousbasterds/












Number SIX:

FANBOYS


Set in 1998, it follows a group of Star Wars geeks on a quest to break into George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch and watch Episode 1 before it's released to the world. Sounds like something I was plotting way back in 1999 with some buddies, and for the same reasons. Can't wait to check this one out.



Check it: www.fanboys-themovie.com/#/home-page














Number SEVEN:

UP

It's safe to say that pretty much anything Pixar puts out is quality. Wall E was outstanding, Nemo, The Incredibles, etc...Up is going to be no different. Always original and unique, their work is satisfying for kids and adults...and i love the animation.



Check it: www.apple.com/trailers/disney/up/















Number EIGHT:

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE

Wolvie! One of the best, (and one of my favourite superhero origins when I was growing up) is the story of how Wolverine came to be. It's awesome! I'm just hoping that they stick true to the story in the comics. Weapon X, Silver Fox, and even Gambit are in the flick. Looks awesome, and totally bad ass. Can't wait for this one!



Check it: www.x-menorigins.com/








Number NINE:

Star Trek

Let's get one thing sorted out first-I've never been a fan of Star Trek, and definitely, in no way what-so-ever, have ever been a "Trekkie", but I DID think the Next Generation was good. However, the new one coming out in the summer looks pretty damn good, and crafted by J.J. Abrams too-so I think we can sit back and be blown away. Watch the freakin' trailer!

Check it: www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/startrek/













Number TEN:

G.I.JOE



Oh my god they're finally making a live-action G.I. JOE movie, and look how sick Snake Eyes looks! Now when you watch the trailer for this, it definitly looks a bit corny, and I have a feeling it will be-but still, it sparks my attention and anticipation...I just hope it's as good as the original animated G.I. Joe movie of the 80's that we've all seen. Either way, it's gonna be cool seeing what they do. I hope Cobra Commander and Destro are both in it....I mean, they pretty much have to be right?


Enter G.I. Joe theme music.....





Check it:www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/gijoeriseofcobra/






Well that's it folks...not a bad list if I do say so. I realilze that pretty much all of these movies coming out are the typical huge Hollywood blockbusters, and that there will obviously be better, more sophisticated films that are released and often over-looked...but a good chunk of this list are spawned right from my memories of growing up, playing with G.I. Joes, reading X-Men and Wolvie comics, and getting lost in all of them for hours and hours and hours- and let's face it: isn't that what movies are for?




feel free to comment.



ciao

Attack of the Intro

Introduction: Introductions Suck

Well I'm already off to a bad start...been meaning to do this at the beginning of the new year. That passed. Then thought it would be great to start on my birthday. That passed. Then realized: January has passed-so, here we go...starting my own blog in February 2009.

Welcome to my blog: Burrill's Dojo

Yes I know what you're thinking, weak title...but is it? A Dojo is a place where comrades and combatants practice and train, to share and feed off each other's different styles and arts (be it mainly martial arts...duh), so, I decided to create this so that I can have a place to share and express what's going on in my crazy mind.

First off, I never expected to create a blog, because I've always considered them to be nerdy, useless, meaningless ways to just blab about things that are only important to that person...oh shit, I guess that's what I'm doing. Oh well, Nerds Rejoice...I'm now a "blogger". So in addition to that...

Secondly (I wasn't meaning to outline my guidelines haha) I am welcoming any comments-both positive or negative-and feedback is welcome...remember the whole "sharing" styles/opinions a la dojo?

So apart from all of that, I just really wanted a place where I can keep a bit of a journal, write about pretty much anything and everything, feelings I have and thoughts-of-the-moments, and if the occasional person wants to read about me and what it's like to spend a day in my life, then that's cool by me. I might even say that I'm doing this so I can keep being creative and write in my spare time to keep my brain from rotting during the mundane routines at the office all day (only a matter of time until I bring that place down from the inside...). There will be some blogs that are funny, some that are useless (probably most) and some that are probably offensive.

For the actual introduction, I don't really think I need to list much-those of you who know me already, they know what I'm all about. Those who don't, I'm not really sure if they will ever be reading this. Anyway, I've got to write a short version, a sort of Coles Notes about my life. So, my name's Matthew, but I think there are only two people that call me by my full first name. I'm 26 years old, (recently turned, in January) and I am currently living in the city of Toronto, in Ontario, Canada. I'm living with 3 other roommates, all friends from school that I have grown up with. When I graduated from Uni I told myself I would never live with roommates again, but when push comes to shove, here I am, living with roommates...but we have an amazing house, and I think we have already established our identity in our hood...Victor Crew in da house. Sidenote: Looking outside of my window right now, it's a freakin' blizzard out.

My interests are Music, Live Music, Movies, Comics, Photography, Drawing, Street Art, Girls, Video Games, Live Art, Soccer, Snowboarding, Japanese Girls, YouTube, Internet, England, Guitar, Eating, Animation, Sleeping, Sushi, Hockey, Thai Food, Friends, Pubs, Travel, News, Culture, Sex!, Chess, Adidas, Japan, Models, The World Cup, Best Friends, LD, Family, Old Chicago Bulls, Oakland A's, Toronto Maple Leafs, Thailand, Manchester United.(taken right off of my crackbook page)

-chances are pretty much everything on this blog will have something to do with any one of the above mentioned interests-just a heads up.

I realize that this is the first entry to the blog, and is such tad weak in terms of content, so alas, I promise things will heat up and become a lot more interesting...or maybe I really am just that boring? -it is what it is, love it or hate it.

as Sean Bateman would say: Rock and roll. Deal with it.

talk to you soon kids.