Is this about Wes Anderson or a cool tune?

I was watching another Wes Anderson movie.  His movies are beautiful, artistic, smart and funny.  You can watch them over and over and amaze at the details.  The movie was Rushmore.  Not my favourite of his, that title belongs to The Fantastic Mr. Fox. Rushmore's soundtrack is filled with British Invasion Mod music.


Ooh La, La by Ronnie Lane was played over the credits.  Here's the video for the song:



It's called Ooh La La by Ronnie Lane.  The tune of his was included in Rushmore, because Ronnie Lane was part of the Mod scene in the 60s.  I did not know that until I viewed this documentary.  I'd heard the song before, but seemed like I was hearing it for the first time.  It's one of those 'perfect' songs.  I equate with Angel from Montgomery, Aint no sunshine, Dead Flowers.

The subject matter is not necessarily happy, but Ronnie Lane's smile is contagious, and he really enjoys his craft.  All the musicians in here are just groovin.  Music was cool back then.  And how cool is it to have a girl come in and do a can-can dance, beautiful. 

It's a simple, poetic tune.  The chorus is a brilliant turn of phrase.  The lyrics describe a dialogue between a grandfather and grandson, with the elder man warning the younger about the perils of relationships with women.  But really, it doesn't have to be about women, it could be about anything really.  We want to give advice to our children, so they can avoid the pains we went thru.  It hurts and makes you cringe when they have to learn on their own...just like you.

Ooh La La
(Ronnie Lane, Ron Wood)

Poor old Granddad
I laughed at all his words
I thought he was a bitter man
He spoke of women's ways

"They'll trap you, then they use you
Before you even know
For love is blind and you're far too kind
Don't ever let it show"

I wish that I knew what I know now
When I was younger.
I wish that I knew what I know now
When I was stronger.

The Can Can's such a pretty show
They'll steal your heart away
But backstage, back on earth again
The dressing rooms are grey

They come on strong and it ain't too long
Before they make you feel a man
But love is blind and you soon will find
You're just a boy again

When you want her lips, you get a cheek
Makes you wonder where you are
If you want some more and she's fast asleep
Then she's twinkling with the stars.

"Poor young grandson, there's nothing I can say
You'll have to learn, just like me
And that's the hardest way
Ooh la la"

I wish that I knew what I know now
When I was younger.
I wish that I knew what I know now
When I was stronger.

Moonrise Kingdom

Directed by	Wes Anderson
Produced by	Wes Anderson Jeremy Dawson Steven Rales Scott Rudin
Written by	Wes Anderson Roman Coppola
Starring	Bruce Willis Edward Norton Bill Murray Frances McDormand Tilda Swinton Jason Schwartzman Bob Balaban

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonrise_Kingdom
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1748122/
IMDB Rating: 7.8

Yet another fantastic Wes Anderson movie.  There is a love story.  But also, what if we lived in a world where a delinquent, instead of being punished and locked up, is finally understood, loved and accepted.  The attention to detail, the colours, it all draws you in.  It is a feast for the senses.  Pay attention to Sam's coonskin hat after the explosion.

As in the Fantastic Mr. Fox, Bill Murray also plays a lawyer in this movie.  Cussing right he does.  There's a scene where he's lying in bed, his eyes are blackened for some reason, and he looks just like his badger alter ego.

You will definitely want to stay for the music over the credits. 

Tesla Model S - Want

So I watched this documentary: Tesla Model S - Megafactories HD 720p Super Carros

The doc. is supposed to be about a <gravitas voice>Megafactory</gravitas voice> being refitted for Tesla.  It ends up being a 44 minute commercial for the newest Tesla electric car. It works, I want one.

This isn't your father's electric car.  Although built in a former GM plant, this car is cool, and somehow Elon Musk, the rock star CEO is allowed to proceed with his vision.  Tesla started out with the expensive (US$128,500) roadster.  Now, Tesla wants to leverage profits from its sedan.  Eventually, moving in to mass-producing affordable electric cars.

Although the doc is filled with typical Amercian docu-drama music, it does have good information.  

• The watermelon sized engine, sits in the back.  
• There is no transmission
• The battery pack is the car's chassis floor, and contains thousands of AA sized cells.
• Very roomy: no bulky engine, transmission, etc.
• Fast
• 400 + km range
• Clean, no emmissions!

Watch the doc.  Gives you hope for the future.  Hopefully these cars will be able to handle Canadian winters. 

The China Syndrome

Directed by	James Bridges
Produced by	Michael Douglas
Written by	Mike Gray T. S. Cook James Bridges
Starring	Jane Fonda Jack Lemmon Michael Douglas
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date(s)	March 16, 1979
Running time	122 minutes

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_China_Syndrome
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078966/
IMDB rating: 7.3


Its release has had a coincidental, yet tremendous influence in the way electricity is produced to this day.  It was released 12 days before the 3-mile island incident.  Needless to say, it fed the hysteria surrounding nuclear energy.

This film is 34 years old:

• Jane Fonda's character is forever hit on, in and out of the workplace.  It kind of reminded me of Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Men openly behave like pigs.   
• Michael Douglas was creepy even back then.  His hair rivals the leading lady's.
• Jane Fonda's answering machine is larger than a few of my outdated PCs.

It is on itself a good movie, and it managed to keep my interest for the entire 123 minutes.  It is worth watching.

pet peeve#133423: people that say 'nucular'