Thanks TCM, Metropolis might be the best movie I’ve ever seen.

November 21, 2010 William Carbone

Originally posted November 9, 2010

Original 1927 Metropolis theatrical release poster

The 1927 silent German film Metropolis had me spellbound the other night while watching a screening on the Turner Classic movie channel. Directed by maybe the best film director ever, Fritz Lang, almost every other scene in the movie is so well composed they could be used as framed pictures or paintings.

Although Metropolis is first and foremost a political film, it’s also a prelude to all the horror movies of the 40s-60s. Frankenstein would have been frightened by some of the scenes in Metropolis. Dracula’s blood would run cold. There is a scene with The Angel of Death holding the razor sharp sickle that could be the scariest clip of all time. Don’t believe me, see for yourself. The Sci-Fi aspect of the movie is so cutting-edge prophetic that there’s a scene showing two guys using (what would later become) a video-phone type interface system in a two-way, face-to-face, live conversation; This is in 1927, before talking movies were mainstream.

I’m posting this so I won’t ever forget it.

“Metropolis is a 1927 German expressionist film in the science-fiction genre directed by Fritz Lang. Produced in Germany during a stable period of the Weimar Republic, Metropolis is set in a futuristic urban dystopia and makes use of this context to explore the social crisis between workers and owners in capitalism. The film was produced in the Babelsberg Studios by Universum Film A.G. (UFA). The most expensive silent film ever made, it cost approximately 5 million Reichsmark.”[] read more from WIKI

“The film is set in the massive, sprawling futuristic mega-city Metropolis, whose society is divided into two classes: one of planners and management, who live high above the Earth in luxurious skyscrapers; and one of workers, who live and toil underground. The city was founded, built, and is run by the autocratic Joh Fredersen.”

“Like all the other sons of the managers of Metropolis, Fredersen’s son Freder lives a life of luxury in the theatres and stadiums of the skyscraper buildings. One day, as he is playing in the Eternal Gardens, he notices that a beautiful girl has appeared with many children of the workers. She is quickly shooed away, but Freder becomes infatuated with her and follows her down to the workers’ underworld. There, he experiences firsthand the horrors of the workers’ life, and is horrified and disgusted when he sees an enormous machine, known as the M-Machine, violently explode and kill dozens of workers. In the smoke, Freder envisions the M-Machine as Moloch, a monstrous deity to which the hapless workers are sacrificed.
Disgusted, Freder returns to the New Tower of Babel, a massive skyscraper owned by his father. There, he confronts his father and starts crying about the accident at the M-Machine, but Fredersen is more annoyed about hearing about the accident from his son and not from his clerk Josephat. Grot, foreman of the Heart Machine, informs him of papers resembling plans or maps, which have been found in the dead workers’ pockets. Again, because he had not heard the news from Josephat first, Fredersen fires him, and also charges his spy, a slim man, to keep an eye on his son.” read more from WIKI

Rediscovery
“On July 1, 2008, film experts in Berlin announced that a 16 mm reduction negative of the original premiere cut of the film, including almost all the lost scenes, had been discovered in the archives of the Museo del Cine (film museum) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The find was authenticated by film experts working for Die Zeit. Passed around since 1928 from film distributor to private collector to an art foundation, the Metropolis copy arrived at the Museo del Cine, where it stayed undiscovered in their archives. After hearing an anecdote by the cinema club manager — who years before had been surprised by the length when this copy was screened — the museum’s curator and the director of the film department of the Museum of Latin American Art reviewed the film and discovered the missing scenes. The print was in poor condition and required considerable restoration before it was re-premiered in February 2010.”[] readmore from WIKI

If there is a down-side it would be that there are some very long scenes in the last third of the movie.

I’m going to throw out a few phrases here just for the hell of it: THIS IS THE MOTHERLOAD; THIS IS THE GENESIS OF HORROR FILMS; THIS IS THE GENESIS OF SCIENCE FICTION FILMS; This film is the original pattern from which many motion pictures were cut. -carbone

A Google search turned up these photos from the movie.

Metropolis on IMDB
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Las Vegas Information, Miscellaneous

There will be a FULL BLUE MOON – November 21, 2010 at 9:29 A.M

November 19, 2010 William Carbone Leave a comment

The moon will be 100% full November 21, 2010 at 9:29 A.M. Las Vegas time.

The following very fine information is from EarthSky.Org

“Yes. Today’s November full moon is a Blue Moon. It isn’t blue in color. It’s only blue in name – at least, by one definition. Tonight’s moon is the third of four full moons in a season. So many will call it a Blue Moon.”

“There is a more modern definition of Blue Moon. It’s the idea that a Blue Moon is a second full moon in a calendar month. The next Blue Moon to fit this description will come on August 31, 2012. Is one definition better or more true than the other? The great thing about folklore is that it’s whatever the folk say it is. So we all get to decide.” read more…

Back to EarthSky.Org’s pages:
“Today’s Blue Moon definition comes from old editions of the Maine Farmer’s Almanac. Here are the facts. Generally, there are only three full moons in any one season. Three in summer, three in autumn … you get the idea. By season, we mean the period of time between a solstice and an equinox or vice versa, but of course there’s nothing official about that definition of a season either. But we digress.”

“In 2010, four full moons fall in between the September equinox and the December solstice. The third of the season’s four full moons may be called a Blue Moon, according to the old Maine Farmer’s Almanac definition.”

“So today’s full moon is a Blue Moon. It’s the third of the season’s four full moons. Almanac makers like to give each full moon a name, depending on where the full moon falls relative to the year’s two equinoxes and two solstices. But when a single season presents four full moons, the extra full moon throws a monkey wrench into the otherwise ordered nomenclature of full moons. It is easier for almanac makers to call the third – rather than the fourth – full moon a Blue Moon.”

According to American folklore, the name for this full moon is: November: Hunter’s Moon, Frosty Moon, or Beaver Moon

Thank you, EarthSky.Org.

This is from The Old Farmer’s Almanac:
“Historically, the Native Americans who lived in the area that is now the northern and eastern United States kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to the recurring full Moons.”

“Each full Moon name was applied to the entire month in which it occurred. These names, and some variations, were used by the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior.”

The name given for this month’s moon is: Full Beaver Moon – “For both the colonists and the Algonquin tribes, this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. This full Moon was also called the Frost Moon.”

Here are some links for Elvis Presley’s mega hit record from the 50s, “BLUE MOON.”
“Blue Moon” is a classic popular song. It was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934, and has become a standard ballad.” more from wiki…

“Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart were contracted to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in May 1933. They were soon commissioned to write the songs for Hollywood Party, a film that was to star many of the studio’s top artists. Richard Rodgers later recalled “One of our ideas was to include a scene in which Jean Harlow is shown as an innocent young girl saying – or rather singing – her prayers. How the sequence fitted into the movie I haven’t the foggiest notion, but the purpose was to express Harlow’s overwhelming ambition to become a movie star (‘Oh Lord, if you’re not busy up there,/I ask for help with a prayer/So please don’t give me the air…’).” The song was not even recorded and MGM Song #225 “Prayer (Oh Lord, make me a movie star)” dated June 14, 1933, was registered for copyright as an unpublished work on July 10, 1933.[]” read more…

Read the lyrics to Blue Moon on MP3Lyrics.Org

YouTube video from Jackiej61too

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Miscellaneous

Honoring Those Who Served

November 11, 2010 William Carbone

CALLME!

Bald Eagle with American Flag

Honoring Those Who Served

“November 11 is Veterans Day, a time to honor those who have served the nation. The Department of Veterans Affairs will be holding events across the country to recognize the efforts of our brave men and women. Join Secretary Shinseki in saying “Thank you” to our Veterans” – connect with the US Department of Veterans Affairs

The eagle photo is from www.freestockphotos.biz/

Las Vegas Food, Las Vegas Information

Battista’s Hole In The Wall Italian Restaurant

November 3, 2010 William Carbone Leave a comment

Battista’s Hole In The Wall Italian Restaurant
4041 Audrie St.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 732-1424

One of my favorite Italian restaurants in Las Vegas “Battista’s Hole in the Wall” is old-school Italian, serving good food for over 30 years.

Behind the Flamingo Hilton, just across the street from Bally’s, Battista’s is a freestanding restaurant with a warm, old-world ambiance that welcomes the visitor with a blanket of security from cold Las Vegas. Of course we’re not talking about the temperature here.

With several prix-fixe menu choices, one can settle in for a night of Old Vegas dining. And yes – accordingly – there is a strolling accordionist.

ALL DINNERS INCLUDE
Minestrone Soup or Italian Salad, Garlic Bread, Pasta Side & Homemade Cappuccino.

FREE HOUSE WINE INCLUDED
Red or White

Pasta Dishes
1. Ravioli (Cheese)
2. Lasagna
3. Manicotti (Cheese)
4. Canelloni (Meat)
5. Eggplant Parmegiana
6. Fettuccine Seafood Sauce
Any one of the above for $22.95

Spaghetti or Ziti
with choice of one sauce
7. Sausage Cacciatore
8. Meatballs (2)
9. Meat Sauce
10.Pomodoro
Any one of the above for $20.95

10 oz. Boneless Breast of Chicken
11. Chicken Rio
12. Chicken Parmegiana
13. Chicken Cacciatore
14. Steak Pizzaiola
15. Linguini Chopped Clams
16. Chicken Alfredo
Any one of the above $26.90

White Veal
16. Veal Piccante
17. Veal Marsala
18. Veal Parmegiana
Any one of the above $29.95

19. Steak Caruso
20. Shrimp – Garlic-Butter or Marinara
21. Fresh Fish of the Day
Any one of the above $31.95

22. Battista Style Cioppino
23. Filet Mignon (10 oz.)
24. New York (12 oz.)
Any one of the above $37.95

Side Orders of Italian Sausage or Meatballs $8.50

Minimum charge of $10.00 per person

For the menu, directions, reservations, photos and more visit Battista’s Official Website.

There is a parking lot in front of the restaurant.

Visit the LasVegasBuffetClub.Com’s page for Battista’s
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Miscellaneous

Full Moon October 22, 2010

October 20, 2010 William Carbone

Yet another Full Moon October 22, 2010 at 9:38 P.M. Las Vegas time.

FULL MOON NAMES from The Old Farmer’s Almanac
Historically, the Native Americans who lived in the area that is now the northern and eastern United States kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to the recurring full Moons.

Each full Moon name was applied to the entire month in which it occurred. These names, and some variations, were used by the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior.

This is the month when the leaves are falling and the game is fattened. Now is the time for hunting and laying in a store of provisions for the long winter ahead. October’s Moon is also known as the Travel Moon and the Dying Moon.

The following information and photos are from Western Washington University:

BACK EAST
In the Algonquin (Northeast to Great Lakes) language the name for the October full moon is: “pepewarr” or “white frost on grass.”

OUT WEST
In the Lakota (Northern Plains) language the name for the October full moon is: “canwape kasna wi” or “moon when the wind shakes off leaves.”

Interesting factoids:
Can the Moon change your luck? According to Moon folklore, in many cases it brings good luck. But not always! Read on . . .
It’s Lucky to . . .
It is lucky to see the first sliver of a new Moon “clear of the brush,” or unencumbered by foliage.
It is lucky to own a rabbit’s foot, especially if the rabbit was killed in a cemetery by a cross-eyed person at the dark of the Moon.
It is lucky to hold a moonstone in your mouth at the full Moon; it will reveal the future.
It is lucky to have a full Moon on the “Moon day” (Monday).
It is lucky to expose your newborn to the waxing Moon. It will give the baby strength.
It is lucky to move into a new house during the new Moon; prosperity will increase as the Moon waxes.
It’s Unlucky to . . .read more from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Full Moon names/information from The Old Farmer’s Almanac
Full Moon names from WWU
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California Information, Las Vegas Information

Hoover Dam bypass bridge gets warm welcome at dedication

October 15, 2010 William Carbone Leave a comment

By Kyle Hansen, LasVegasSun
Published Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010 | 2:11 p.m.
Updated Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010 | 4:14 p.m.

The dedication ceremony Thursday of the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge brought together states and cultures.

The bridge is the centerpiece of the Hoover Dam bypass, joining Nevada and Arizona with a quicker and safer route for U.S. 93 between Las Vegas and Phoenix.

The dedication featured both states, with an honor guard from Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, the national anthem sung by students from Kingman, Ariz., and politicians from both states praising the structure.

The event also incorporated representatives of the native people who once lived on the land and used the Colorado River where the dam and bridge now stand. A spiritual leader from the Southern Paiute Tribe in Nevada offered a blessing and members of tribes from Nevada and Arizona took turns dancing on the new bridge.

The project was a group effort under the direction of the Federal Highway Administration along with the Arizona Department of Transportation; the Nevada Department of Transportation; the Bureau of Reclamation, which oversees the Hoover Dam; the National Park Service, which runs the Lake Mead National Recreation Area; and the Western Area Power Administration, which runs the power transmission lines that go to the dam.

“The bridge shows what we can achieve when we set aside individual agendas and work toward a partnership,” said Victor Mendez, the federal highway administrator. “I hope that serves as a model for the future.”

Work on the $240 million bypass project began in 2003. The bridge itself cost $114 million and is 1,900-feet long. It includes the longest concrete arch in the Western Hemisphere and is believed to be the second-highest bridge in the nation, at 890 feet above the Colorado River. Read more from The LasVegasSun.Com…

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Las Vegas Information

Figuratively Speaking: A Survey of the Human Form at The Bellagio Hotel’s Gallery of Fine Art

October 14, 2010 General Post Leave a comment

Roy Lichtenstein, Untitled (From The New York Collection For Stockholm Series)

Two color silkscreen, edition 231 of 300, 12 x 9 inches, Collection Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, gift of Mr. Robert Rauschenberg, New York, Estate of Roy Lichtenstein

Figuratively Speaking: A Survey of the Human Form. On view through January 2011.
Renoir, Picasso, Hockney, Lichtenstein, Viola

Located at the heart of the elegant Bellagio Hotel and Casino, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (BGFA) is Las Vegas’ premier exhibition space – where great art goes on vacation. BGFA is committed to presenting intimate exhibitions featuring works by some of the world’s most compelling artists. BGFA exhibitions are organized in partnership with museums and foundations from around the world.

This engaging survey features more than 40 paintings, photographs and sculpture along with video installations by 29 artists whose traditional and contemporary perspectives on figurative art helped to define the genre in the late 19th, 20th and early 21st centuries.

Featuring works of art from MGM Resorts International’s own Fine Art Collection, including some by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso, Edgar Degas and Fernand Leger, Figuratively Speaking also presents some of the best figurative works from the permanent collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.

General Admission: $15
Nevada residents: $12
Seniors 65 and older: $12
Students, Teachers, Military: $10
*Children ages 12 and under are complimentary

Ticket Information
Tickets available by calling
877.957.9777 or
702.693.7871 or

Visit Bellagio’s Official Website for more information
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California Information, Entertainment, Movies

AL PACINO TO STAR IN FILM AS PRODUCER PHIL SPECTOR

October 9, 2010 William Carbone Leave a comment

The Associated Press, October 8, 2010
NEW YORK (AP) — HBO says Al Pacino is set to star as legendary record producer Phil Spector in a TV film to be written and directed by David Mamet (MAM’-eht).
The film will tell the story of Spector, who long ago recorded such acts as the Beatles, Cher and the Ramones. Now, at age 70, he’s serving a prison sentence of 19 years to life for murder. He was convicted for the 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson.

The 70-year-old Pacino starred in the HBO film “You Don’t Know Jack” earlier this year as Jack Kevorkian, who served time in prison for assisting in the suicide of a terminally ill man.

The as-yet-untitled Spector film is in the early stages of development, HBO said. The project was first reported by The New York Times.

The Phil Spector story-ending is a terrible tragedy for all concerned.

Colorado Information

SWIGZ.COM Pro Racing Electric Superbike

October 8, 2010 William Carbone

Several members of the SWIGZ.Com Pro Racing Electrical Superbike Team (from left), Crew Chief Jimmy Summers, Chip Yates, Engineer Ben Ingram, Engineer Matt Schweitzer with the Electric Super Bike — Several members of the SWIGZ.Com Pro Racing Electrical Superbike Team with the Electric Super Bike.
From left, Crew Chief Jimmy Summers, Chip Yates, Engineer Ben Ingram, Engineer Matt Schweitzer

The SWIGZ.COM Electric Superbike is the most powerful AND most technically advanced roadracing machine being built in the world – and the only one with a real KERS system!

Come see us at The Battery Show, October 5-7 San Jose Convention Center. We will be unveiling our full bike and KERS system and will have the World Supersport bike there, videos, free SWIGZ bottles! Booth 2600 in the middle of the show floor!

THE WORLD’S MOST TECHNICALLY ADVANCED ELECTRIC SUPERBIKE TO BE UNVEILED AT THE SAN JOSE BATTERY SHOW IN OCTOBER

Chip Yates, the American bike racer and engineering guru, is to officially debut his awesome electric superbike at The Battery Show, which takes place at the San Jose Convention Center, California on October 5th to 7th, 2010.

The superbike, which will compete in next year’s FIM ePower and TTXGP Championships for electric motorcycles, has pushed the boundaries of electric vehicle engineering to new heights. Although a pure race bike, major OEMs and the wider EV industry are eager to see the bike in detail to fully understand some of the cutting edge technology that Yates and his Swigz.com Pro Racing team have developed. Having created the bike in complete secrecy, with 194 horsepower and 295 ft/lbs of torque, the motorcycle is easily the most powerful electric superbike in the world and represents a seismic advancement in any previously seen technology.

Yates says of the project: “Developing a bike such as this is a major undertaking and we have had to push the boundaries of what the industry has so far been able to achieve. Unlike a car, a bike cannot simply take numerous high capacity batteries on board to improve performance and range, so we have had to harness highly advanced technology, including a bespoke KERS System (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), to make the bike what it is. The EV industry is looking at this bike with interest, and is increasingly looking to us for consultancy on other EV projects.”

Although images of the bike have been issued in advance of the show, the team will unveil details of its highly secretive KERS system at the show, shortly after certain protective patents have been registered.

James Reader, the show’s founder, says: “It’s an absolute privilege to have Chip and his team at the show. Showcasing this kind of ground-breaking technology is exactly what the show is all about, and the presence of the bike will be an enormous bonus to the attending press and visitors”.

Visitors can visit the Swigz.com Pro Racing team at booth 2600, and the Chip Yates himself will be on hand to greet people and explain the technology and highlight the challenges and his team of aerospace and race engineers have overcome during the development process.

For more information or to register for a press pass, please visit: http://www.thebatteryshow.com/press_reg.php

The Electric Super Bike is powered by a UQM motor. UQM, A.K.A. Unique Mobility is based in Longmont, Colorado. Denver’s downtown mall shuttle-buses are powered by UQM motors. UQM’s website is www.uqm.com.

SWIGZ.COM Pro Racing
26895 Aliso Creek Road
Suite B37
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
racing@swigz.com

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