We Are The Angry Mob

Nowhere Boy

2009-11-02T14:53:55Z

Crossposted at hamburg_days:

A couple of days ago, the movie "Nowhere Boy" had it's premiere in London. While most of the Beatles-related movies focus on the Beatles starting in ~~Indra Club, Hamburg~~ Cavern Club, Liverpool, this movie tells the story of a teenage John Lennon and his struggles within a torn family, it is also the story of his mother's influence on him, which I find extremely interesting. Although you could argue about the cast (John Lennon with blue eyes, a tiny and skinny looking Paul McCartney who was actually a chubby cheek back then) the actors seem to successfully put the message of how Rock'n'Roll entered the world of those kids across. Cinema start is said to be 26nd of December in Great Britain, God only knows when it'll be shown in Germany...

INDEPENDENT Review:

www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/first-night-nowhere-boy-london-film-festival-1811705.html

Watch the trailer:

Happy Halloween (Samhain) to all of you!

2009-10-31T20:45:48Z

Yay, Pagan!Christmas! I'd like to post something that always sorta creeped me out, it's a poem:

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe (1845)

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more.'

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore -
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore -
Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
`'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door -
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; -
This it is, and nothing more,'

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
`Sir,' said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you' - here I opened wide the door; -
Darkness there, and nothing more.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `Lenore!'
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!'
Merely this and nothing more.

Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
`Surely,' said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore -
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; -
'Tis the wind and nothing more!'

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door -
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door -
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
`Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,' I said, `art sure no craven.
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore -
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'

Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning - little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door -
Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as `Nevermore.'

But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only,
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered -
Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before -
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.'
Then the bird said, `Nevermore.'

Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
`Doubtless,' said I, `what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore -
Till the dirges of his hope that melancholy burden bore
Of "Never-nevermore."'

But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore -
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking `Nevermore.'

This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!

Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
`Wretch,' I cried, `thy God hath lent thee - by these angels he has sent thee
Respite - respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'

`Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! -
Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted -
On this home by horror haunted - tell me truly, I implore -
Is there - is there balm in Gilead? - tell me - tell me, I implore!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'

`Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us - by that God we both adore -
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels named Lenore -
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels named Lenore?'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'

`Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!' I shrieked upstarting -
`Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken! - quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'

And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!

Beatles on TV! (2009)

2009-10-30T20:14:26Z

This is the first entry I crossposted on my new community hamburg_days, but I am actually only getting things started over there so I post it here as well:

Tune in!
Beatlemania on TV!

This coming Sunday, it’s well worth hurrying back from the corner shop to switch on the box at 11am, when the ZDF channel will present a 100 minute documentary about The Beatles in the “Kult am Sonntag” series. The film features rare archive footage – material from the Hamburg and Munich police, seldom seen interviews with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and some of the people they worked with or met along the way, such as George Martin, Klaus Voormann, Astrid Kirchherr and Achim Reichel. All accompanied, of course, by the hit songs of The Beatles.

Internationally acclaimed music documentary filmmaker and producer Rudi Dolezal has followed the trail of The Beatles with his team, tracing the unparalleled career and phenomenon of the band. Filmed on location in London, Liverpool, New York and Los Angeles in the places where Beatles history was made – and, of course, at BEATLEMANIA in Hamburg. Director and producer Rudi Dolezal: “The film does not follow a chronological narrative, instead it attempts to determine the role of The Beatles in pop history, looking to highlight the areas in which Germany or German people made an impact on The Beatles’ development.”

The documentary incorporates a world premiere – captivating studio scenes of Klaus Voormann’s collaboration with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr for his current solo album “The Sideman’s Journey”. Dolezal marked another milestone for European television by obtaining the first interview for European television with Pauline Sutcliffe, the sister of original Beatles member Stuart Sutcliffe.

The film’s roll call boasts the first manager of The Beatles, Allan Williams, the owner of the Cavern Club, Dave Jones, journalists and writers Brian Southall, Mat Snow, Paul Du Noyer, Roger Hill, Maik Brüggemeyer, Uwe Blaschke (Beatlemania), Ulf Krüger (author of “Beatles in Hamburg”) and Tobias Rapp, along with Klaus Voormann (who played for many years in John Lennon’s “Plastic Ono Band”), Astrid Kirchherr, Stuart Sutcliffe’s partner, whose Beatles photographs are a legend to this day, Ex-Star-Club-director Horst Fascher (author of “Let the good times roll!”), Sid Bernstein (who organized the momentous Beatles Shea Stadium concert), Ian Hart, who played John Lennon in the cult film “Backbeat” and film producer Kevin Loader (“Nowhere Boy”). Pete Best, the drummer who was “swapped” for Ringo Starr before The Beatles hit the big time, also makes an appearance.

So: set the alarm clock or – better still – set up the TV in the bedroom to watch the ZDF programme from the comfort of your own bed.

ZDF
Kult am Sonntag – The Beatles
Sunday, 01 November 2009 from 11:00am to 12:45

If anyone's interested I tape the whole thing and you can get a copy via good old post!

Motivations - Because Your Life Won't Get Funnier

2009-10-19T21:27:03Z

I just found these motivations that really made me laugh. WARNING: Clicking the link will make you realize that I have a dark, possibly mean humour. Sorry!

Oh fuck, this one is in German. It says: "Stereotypes - Sometimes they can be so true!"

*sigh* Since this will probably haunt me forever, I'll better give in right away. Yes, we do have Oktoberfest, and it's spreading like a disease, some people even celebrate it in Hamburg already. And I know you've got it as well, but since we serve beer in steins (because to Germans beer is not a beverage that can be served in a plastic cup) there's a major difference in the general atmosphere I guess. You have fun. Bavarians just get terribly pissed and grab your boobs.

...BUT THIS IS GERMANY!!!

2009-09-30T22:13:19Z

Guido Westerwelle, my favourite German politician, embarrasses my nation on his first press conference...

@ALL MY INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Happy Birthday and Schana Tova to Mr. Brian Epstein!

2009-09-19T19:30:42Z

He would be 75 this year. Rock Heaven together with John, my Dear!

A Happy New Year to all my Jewish f-listers!

HOME - Please watch it!

2009-06-28T20:50:22Z

This is the first time I'm posting a public entry, and I'm doing this because it is really important to me: Please watch this movie and tell others about it:

www.youtube.com/homeproject

There's no way I managed to embed the movie itself, they probably disabled that function. Go there and watch it! A whole lengthy movie supporting what I'm trying to say for nearly twenty years - thank you! Never thought this would come from a French :)

If you love the Beatles, you are going to freak out!

2009-06-20T08:28:24Z

This is hilarious! *thumbs up* on the guys who made this!

In Memoriam

2008-12-08T20:31:09Z

Dear Mr. President

2008-11-07T19:51:46Z

Dear Mr. President,

on Wednesday our biggest local (German) newspaper was entitled "Good morning, Mr. President - Please make the world a better place!" and I can only assent to this. Your speech in Berlin was magnificent, not that we haven't heard the "Berlin wall came down" - topic embedded in many speeches before, but no one actually captured the essential idea - which is no other than YES, WE CAN. No one believed in Ghandi leading India into independence through nonviolent protest, and no one believed in the reunification of Germany without a Cold War breaking out into a HOT one. You remind me of the spirit of both historical examples and I wish you steadfastness, faith and success. Please make me (as a European) like the American way again that your predecessor ruined.

Oh, and by the way: Would you kindly replace the ambassador of the United States in Berlin, William Robert Timken, because he doesn't speak ANY German - at all. Mr. Bush installed him in 2005, replacing Daniel Coats, who NEITHER spoke German - A big transnational DON'T.

I'm proud having witnessed this historical moment, especially since I didn't live to see the Beatles :)

Yours sincerely,

Matisse

THSNKS TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR THE RIGHT ONE!

...please tell me I'm having a nightmare

2008-11-04T20:54:42Z

...my radio station played an interview today, and John McCain honestly said that the "President" of Germany was Putin...first, we don't have a President, and second, it's not Putin. I mean, he meant Putin allright, but he said GERMANY!!! Aaarrrrrgh!

http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=jfealLrWLIY

Please all my f-list who go voting right now...don't mess it up. :/

matisse_ep @ 2008-01-23T15:06:00

2008-01-23T14:10:28Z

because I feel like it

2007-12-10T15:06:16Z

WTF - Dumbledore?!

2007-08-04T15:27:20Z

For all you Harry Potter-Fans out there who never liked Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore - this is probably why...

Sir Michael Gambon famously replaced the late Richard Harris in the role of Professor Albus Dumbledore in the magical Harry Potter movie series. Gambon’s successful acting career spans decades – and although he started out by treading the boards at the National Theatre, television and film work soon beckoned. With the fifth of JK Rowling’s epics, Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix, coming to the big screen shortly, the actor waxes lyrical about his time on set as well as his japes with Johnny Depp…

You’ve appeared in quite a few movies recently, Sir Michael…
I’m a theatre actor, but in the last 10 years people have given me parts in movies. I’ve taken them to get the money – and then I immediately forget what film it is. It’s all very nice, but it’s like water throwing over you. It’s all work to me.

Was it effortless to ease back into the role of Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore?
Well, I don’t have to play anyone really. I just stick on a beard and play me, so it’s no great feat. I never ease into a role – every part I play is just a variant of my own personality. I’m not really a character actor at all.

What makes Dumbledore the greatest wizard of all time?
I have no idea. I just say what the script tells me to say. I learn the lines and say them – I don’t have much sub-text. There’s no sub-text in Harry Potter really, it’s all magic. Anything can happen.

Do you get on with the child actors in the film?
Yes, I do. The kids are remarkable – and I’m not saying that because I’m in the bloody film. Daniel is so cool and with it and on the ball. He seems unfazed by anything. The great luck was to get that boy.

Do children approach you as Dumbledore in the street, or are you free once the fake beard is off?
Children don’t usually recognise me, although a kid came up to me the other day. I was in Cornwall, and he said, “Gandalf, can I have your autograph?” [Laughs] I said, “Piss off!”

Your Sleepy Hollow co-star Johnny Depp told us you are a bit of a joker…
Well, he can shout.

Can you tell us about one of your practical jokes?
On my first Potter film, the director and I shoved a fart machine in Harry Potter’s sleeping bag. He had his eye on one of the extra girls and asked, “Can she be in the next sleeping bag to me in this scene?” She was a beautiful girl playing a non-speaking part so we agreed. I had the controller, and as soon as he wakes up in the Great Hall, I pressed the button. It destroyed his credibility with her.

Did you get the idea to use a fart machine from Johnny Depp? He’s used them on sets before, hasn’t he?
Johnny’s constantly using fart machines – but this one wasn’t one of his. I bought this one.

Have you played any gags on Depp?
My best joke on Johnny Depp was when we were filming inside this stately home in England. It’s the only place where the Queen can ride her horse from Windsor without going on public roads.

What happened?
Well, the Queen came past one day – and everyone was gobsmacked. She obviously had her entourage, but next to her was a friend of mine called Henry Herbert. He was the 17th Earl Of Pembroke, and he’s also a film director. As they went past, I’m standing there with all the actors and Henry shouts, “Hello Mike.” So I reply: “Hello Henry, how are you mate?” The Queen waves like she was talking to me and on they went, but Johnny was speechless. He asked: “Do you know her?” And I said: “Yeah, she’s a mate of mine.”

And he believed that?
Well, he did because it was such serendipity. You couldn’t want for a better fake. I said to him, “I’m always nipping in her house for a cup of tea.”

I marked the lines that shocked me most with red letters - I think we all agree. :-/

matisse_ep @ 2007-03-11T11:48:00

2007-03-11T10:56:35Z

Now that I have your attention...It´s so horrible, at least six pages of friends-entries to read and no time, and even if I manage to read and comment on some, I won´t be hitting the internet before next weekend...so it´ll be the same again. Oh it´s so horrible. I need to get internet connection at home in Hamburg! Quickly! Why does it have to take two weeks?!

And why´s Jude Law so damn sexy?!

And rosumari, I need your adress in Japan in Latin Letters, please! It only shows in squares! :-(

Happy Birthday, Alan Rickman!

2007-02-21T11:50:40Z

Today, on the 21st of February, is Alan Rickman´s 61st birthday. He´s exactly as old as my Dad and I adore him about the same! Just with more drooling and swooning involved. o_0

My favourite Alan piccies:

I never wanted more to be a Greek statue.

*sigh*

Yay! for Potions! I never adored chemnistry more.

And my favourite icons (mainly made by so_severus):

Thanks to Alan´s parents for the sexiest man alive (alive!) and thanks to J.K. Rowling for the sexiest teacher ever invented. :-P

Do you like physics???

2007-02-19T10:32:50Z

I just swung by to urge you clicking http://www.cubicao.tk/. Although it will make you dizzy after a while, just hit it from time to time (which is cubic, you´ll understand after you clicked it) and find out the truth. Especially you who dislike Christianity for their ignorance will find the idea of cubic time quite pleasant for it proves God wrong when he claims that one full earth rotation is only one day.

It is too complicated for me to "summ up" what this website contains, I had to quote it all. Pitty that the creator seems to become angrier and angrier as he tries to prove his theory, but -apart from his genious though slightly megalomaniac mind- he seems to be right.

Friends only!

2007-02-09T10:13:25Z

Sorry to all of you who observed my Japan blog so eagerly (relatives, friends etc.) but from now on all following posts are friendslocked! You can imagine how embarrassing it is when you forget that all of your family can read your very private thoughts...@_@

For those who are interested, just friend me and I´ll friend you back! :-D