Sunday, August 9, 2009.

I am no longer enjoying doing this blog.

I liked that it helped me discover a lot of new music. However, most of the music is DIY stuff made by pro-ams and rating that sort of stuff is contrary to why I started this blog.

I started this to sift through the immense amount of commercial entertainment media content and find the few that are worthwhile in the slag heap. It ended up with me rating a bunch of crappy movies. The purpose of this blog ended up being much too broad and it became a chore to maintain.

Although I am getting a fair amount of hits, I do feel that there is all that much depth of interest. I would rather post about subjects that a few others are genuinely interested in than subjects that a bunch of people have passing interest.

It was fun while for a while, good practice and I learned a lot.

I might in the future start a more focused music blog. However, there are already a bunch of great music blogs that I subscribe to so there really is no need.

Currently, I am still very much enjoying my craft beer blog: http://ciceronito.wordpress.com

I have also become disenchanted with my socio-economic blog ( http://prfx.wordpress.com ) but for the reason that socio-economic practice and policy is literally insane and conducting rational discourse about insanity is crazy.

I have a personal blog ( http://papaloveszaky.wordpress.com ) that is fulfilling and enjoyable to post. It does not have mass appeal but is personally meaningful.

And I have a random blog that I use as an outlet for casual posting: http://randommax.wordpress.com , there I will probably post some of the very select stuff that I used to post here. Like films, books, comics or whatever that I am super into.

Anyways, so long from Sifter X. I will keep this blog online but no longer post to it.

-Maxwell

This 2008 novel is a hoot and a holler. The protagonist, Marco, is a dangerous man on a prison ship who returns to America after an economic and political collapse. He seeks out the talented individuals that made up his former crew, the Slick Six, and tries to reunite the group with a new purpose.

This is an incredibly creative novel. Slattery paints a vividly vibrant yet unrecognizable America. It is part pulp, part political and part apocalyptic burner, is the best I can put it. While reading I got the distinct impression that the author is big into the Buring Man lifestyle or, at least, perspective. Not the straight up hedonistic part (although probably) but more the intellectual and creative hedonism. I dunno, that is what I got and I mean that (mostly) complementary.

Anyways, this was a fun trip well worth reading.

Content rating: 8.5/10

Style rating: 10/10

I recently took my son to this 2009 film, twice. It was actually a quite enjoyable film for both of us. It begins incredibly cute and sweet but soon turns tragic. There is a depth and emotive quality that rivals serious live-action films. That is very rare for an animated American film.

We saw it in once in 3D and once regular. The 3D was not as impressive as Monsters vs Aliens but still was a fun experience.

Overall, this is one of the best animated American children’s films in a long time. Endearing characters and the aforementioned depth make this film stand out and make it as enjoyable for an adult as I assume it is for children. Plus, balloons are awesome. Great film.

Content rating: 7/10

Style rating: 9/10

Content rating: 2/10

Style rating: 3/10

This 2009 film stars Val Kilmer and 50 Cent as cops in New Orleans in a cops vs gangsters vs feds vs dirty cops vs dirty feds shoot ‘em up that takes place in the chaos following Katrina.

It is not that good. Worse than the super mediocre “Street Kings.” Mindless police and gangster action flicks are pretty much a sure thing. Dudes are going to Netflix them or watch it on PPV and it does not need a ridiculous budget to produce, just some cars and prop guns; so it will make money. Plus, every now and then an actor gets an award for playing the hardbroiled cop, like Denzel and Ethan Hawke for “Training Day;” so big name actors will do it. These type of flicks are to Hollywood what Westerns were 40 years ago: a can’t lose.

Anyways, this film was a mindless action flick that is between bad and mediocre. The highlight was the sets and location shots. Oh, and the super cliche thunder and lightning at the dramatic betrayal. I liked that.

Content rating: 3.5/10

Style rating: 5/10

This 2009 mix has been getting posted on a lot of music blogs lately and for good reason. It is 38 minutes of heavy, neurotic dubshizz at a stony tempo. Plus, some recognizable flows dropped every here an thur.

Definately bumpy, heady music that is kind of hardcase chill music. I’m definately gonna check out dude’s other mixes now.

Content rating: 7.5/10

Style rating: 8.5/10