Toby-O Forever

JUST WATCH THIS:
(click picture)

With Tom Waits going back on tour I thought I would take a trip down memory lane and do a short post about the first album that I purchased from this amazing artist:

Tom Waits - SMALL CHANGE

Here is a quick review from the All Music Guide:
“The fourth release in Tom Waits’ series of skid row travelogues, Small Change proves to be the archetypal album of his ’70s work. A jazz trio comprising tenor sax player Lew Tabackin, bassist Jim Hughart, and drummer Shelly Manne, plus an occasional string section, back Waits and his piano on songs steeped in whiskey and atmosphere in which he alternately sings in his broken-beaned drunk’s voice (now deeper and overtly influenced by Louis Armstrong) and recites jazzy poetry. It’s as if Waits were determined to combine the Humphrey Bogart and Dooley Wilson characters from Casablanca with a dash of On the Road’s Dean Moriarty to illuminate a dark world of bars and all-night diners. Of course, he’d been in that world before, but in songs like “The Piano Has Been Drinking” and “Bad Liver and a Broken Heart,” Waits gives it its clearest expression.”

I remember when I picked this up (the first time). I was driving through New Orleans and decided to take a stroll through Tower Records (RIP). Tom had just won a grammy for the album Bone Machine and I went in looking for it. Tower was sold out of that one, but the guy behind the counter pointed me in the direction of Small Change… The rest is history! I since then have purchased every single album by Tom Waits and I love them all.

Here’s a list:
Closing Time • The Heart of Saturday Night • Nighthawks at the Diner • Small Change • Foreign Affairs • Blue Valentine • Heartattack and Vine • One from the Heart • The Early Years, Volume One • The Early Years, Volume Two • Swordfishtrombones • Rain Dogs • Franks Wild Years • Big Time • Night on Earth • Bone Machine • The Black Rider • Mule Variations • Blood Money • Alice • Real Gone • Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards

Hell Yes! Tom Waits is going back on tour… I MUST SEE HIM!!!

…And I have a fever and a cough!

This week’s DVD pick is one that I haven’t actually seen yet (only because my crappy theater didn’t bring it to town). I’M NOT THERE is a film by TODD HAYNES. It is an examination into the “many lives” of BOB DYLAN. Dylan, as a singer-songwriter and as a person, constantly re-invents himself. This film (from what I understand) attempts to portray the many sides of an artist whose personality and art is always in flux. It stars: Cate Blanchett, Ben Wishaw, Christian Bale, Richard Gere, Marcus Carl Franklin and Heath Ledger all as… Bob Dylan!
I have always been a big Dylan fan. I’M NOT THERE seems like it would be an interesting glimpse into the man, the legend and the artist.
Here is the trailer:

I saw IRON MAN over the weekend and to sum it up simply… IT WAS FANTASTIC!!!

Like everyone else, I had my doubts that the director, Jon Favreau, could pull it off.
When Robert Downey Jr. was announced as Tony Stark… I began to get excited.
When the first teaser trailers hit the web… I WAS ECSTATIC!!

Needless to say, I went into the theater expecting a lot and the film did not disappoint.  This is Marvel Comics’ first attempt at producing their own property for film (something the needed to do a long time ago).  And because of that hands-on control… The film sticks to what we all grew up loving about Tony Stark and his alter-ego of Iron Man.  This is a smart movie that does not short-change the intelligence of the source material.  The film has a perfect cast, snappy dialogue, impressive special effects and a good dose of social commentary all wrapped together in a powerhouse package of popcorn munchin’ greatness! 

8/10

The summer blockbuster season is officially here!   

First Second Books (they publish graphic novels) grew tired of May being all about “flowers and springtime and small cute animals growing up”. So they decided to “inject May with some dark, broody, gloomy, sarcastic things — namely, vampires”.
So… May is hereby:

I figured that I would take this opportunity to pass along my favorites of all things VAMPIRE!
(Click on pictures for more info)

Favorite Vampire Movie:

Favorite Vampire Comic Series:

Favorite Vampire Novel:

Favorite Vampire TV Show:

What’s your favorites???

Tomorrow is the day.
Iron Man hits theatres. And with it… A new franchise will be born!
If you are unfamiliar with the character of Tony Stark or his alter-ego…
Maybe it’s time you brush-up on the greatness that is… IRON MAN!!!
(Click On The Picture)

I felt bad as my wife watched on from the couch as I played the greatness that is:

(I just beat the 2nd boss)
So I decided to go trade in a Nintendo DS game that she had just completed …

(Which, by the way, she says is fantastic!)
I took it to the glorified pawn-shop that is GameStop and proceeded to pick up a title that both her and I could play together…
(when she is looking a bit lonely as I turn-base-battle-beasties)!
I picked up this:

I have heard lots of great things about the title.
You battle your way through ALL SIX MOVIES… How bad can it really be?
And, let’s face it, there aren’t many titles that 2 people can sit side-by-side and play through together.
(And don’t worry… I still have Lost Odyssey and will continue to “Battle-On”!)