Wastin' Away Press features Keith Helinski's writings, ranging from short stories online to movie reviews over the years. Also features an assortment of Keith's interests. If you like what you see, check out Wastin' Away Press's official Facebook.
May 19, 2013
May 18, 2013
Inspiration for the \m/ project.
I play this album often when I rest/sleep. It’s not too heavy, but it’s not entirely mellow either (does have some rocky parts). What I absolutely love is the guitars/keyboards. Very soothing to the ears.
Also a great pick for road trips, when driving in the middle of the night (like say, down to Florida!)
May 18, 2013
5 Ways You Know You're Watching a Spielberg Movie
With 26 films over almost 40 years, Steven Spielberg has both stylistic and thematic tics that pop up again and again in his work. Here are five.
There’s actually more than five, but it’s a nice montage of classic Spielberg here.
May 18, 2013
Star Trek Into Darkness
A lot of critics compare this film (and the last Trek film) to a cover band. That’s a fair assessment. A few years ago, I saw a Genesis (a little ironic given the topic here) cover band called ‘The Musical Box.’ They sounded authentic for a cover band. Even the singer had the Peter Gabriel voice. Wasn’t exact or precise. And he certainly didn’t look like Gab. But he wore the same crazy outfits Gab used to wear back in the 70s, and was just as dramatic (even recited some of the same spiels in between the songs, the same way Gab did). Sure, there is really no need for the band to exist. But considering there will never be a Genesis reunion with Gab anytime soon, and he doesn’t play Genesis songs during his solo tours, it was really cool to see the band.
On the other hand, how many Elvis impersonators/Beatles cover bands are there in the world?!? I guess remakes/reboots can be labeled ‘cover bands.’ Some honor predecessors for a new generation to experience, while loving what they do. Others duplicate the exact sound/style without feeling (insert Omen/Psycho remake here).
Screw the haters. ‘Star Trek: Into Darkness’ is a fine film. It wasn’t offensive or mediocre to me. In fact, it was damn good, I might add! You see, what I find more offensive, making new films of a series, and then forcing the old films to blend with the new films (rather than the other way around, *ahem*GEORGELUCAS*AHEM!*)
I am surprised for the real nerds out there, these newer Trek films aren’t compared to a ‘Sliders’ episode, felt like one to me.
Because of the timeline issue from the last movie, J.J. (and crew) can reference any Trek lore that pleases them, and it’s never going to interfere with the older films/shows because they are of two different timelines/’verse. And let’s be honest, Trek was never perfect in continuity, anyhow. You can point out Kahn’s ethnicity in reboot, but what about the BIG loop hole between ‘Space Seed’ and ‘Wrath of Khan’ and Chekov that has been debated for YEARS, or the various looks of the Klingon’s between ‘Original Series’ and movies.
Yes, it would have been nice to see a more atmospheric/quiet/philosophical follow up to the ZOOM, BANG, BOOM, BLAST reboot. I think that would have been more ballsy than a, MORE OF THE SAME sequel. That was the beauty of all the Star Trek films (including the weaker ones), it all stretched in different directions without duplicating too much of each film’s success.
On the other hand, I enjoyed ‘Into Darkness’ a lot, the same way I enjoyed The Musical Box.
For those that complain, just remember that new KAHHHNNNNN won’t be Photoshopped onto old KAHHHHHHNNNN’s body for a DVD/Blu Ray release. Oops, spoiler alert…KAHHHHNNNNN, ‘the few outweigh the one,’ and Tribbles (oh my), all makes an appearance.
May 18, 2013
Sample of my \m/ project…
***
During those days, I was listening heavily to Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon. It is a proven fact that if a person is ever confused with life, and is in need of some answers, the 1973 classic album that everyone (and their mother) owns will feed your mind with the necessary path to follow.
As I was losing myself to the Floyd ‘verse all those times The Dark Side of the Moon entered my eardrums, the word, ‘Untitled,’ kept invading my head. It was the name us three kept referring to as ‘the’ band. ‘Our untitled band,’ we would say. ‘Untitled’ was also the original title to Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous, which was a movie I fell in love with. In fact, it came out roughly the same time period I was slaughtering Metallica song’s with Master! Master! Almost Famous is still inspiring to me to this day. The movie is the very essence of rock ‘n’ roll. I wish I grew up in that time period of the ’70s. The bands. The concerts. The music. Even the movies. What a fucking great era that was!
May 18, 2013
Inspiration for \m/
May 17, 2013
May 17, 2013
Universal Ice Breaker; by: Robert Gregg
In life, you don’t always pay attention or realize that you impact other people, whether positively or negatively, inspire/influence. I’ve had my share of people I’ve admired (or despised) over the years that’s shaped who I am now. Most of those people didn’t even noticed. Funny how we observe everyone around us, and weigh-in who we want/don’t want to be like.
During my Disney days, I’ve interacted with so many people from all over the world, and became friends with some of them (a good handful, I still keep in touch via social media). One in particular, Robert Gregg, wrote a short piece, and requested for me to post it on my blog. I’m honored, because I always try to encourage friends to write. It’s inspiring to know that I’ve inspired.
This piece is about the positive difference friends from the past (and present), that shaped Gregg’s life. He also goes in some detail about his favorite TV show, Gilmore Girls.
At the time I met Gregg, I was shamefully into Gilmore Girls. I used to get hassled from friends online about the show. I haven’t watched the show in years, but I still stand by my fondness for it: Gilmore Girls is solid entertainment. I enjoyed it for its satirical jabs at pop culture (and small towns). It’s always interesting to read/hear different viewpoints of the same product. Gregg sees Gilmore Girls on a much more inspirational platform. After reading this piece, makes me want to get out my old DVDs and watch the show again.
Well done, Gregg. And it’s an honor to be part of this piece.
I hope readers will enjoy this heartfelt little short the same way I did. :)
***
May 17, 2013
"Fame was not for the weak-minded. Being adored was dangerous."
— Ridley Pearson
May 17, 2013
"Ninth grade was an unfair time of life."
— Ridley Pearson
May 15, 2013
Let it be, it’s that simple to say
I remember writing this. I recall how I felt at the time. I can even picture the senior graduation commencement at the Palace (and the grad party days later). But god-dammit, I don’t remember my last day as a high school student ten years ago.
Ten years. I can’t fucking believe it! Has it been that long? Hmmm…it has! And ten years later, I will be even more flabbergasted. “Where did all the time go?” I will say! Funny how true cliches are in life.
Anyhow and anyways and anywho, I read this piece now and I scratch my head wondering how the hell I got a way with writing this. It’s long (close to 800 words), it’s very satirical, and the only thing missing is a middle finger illustration! I do have to give myself some credit though, I intentionally (or was it unintentional, I don’t remember) tied some of my older Vanguard pieces (the hallway/clubs/love/and homeroom articles) with this last piece I wrote for the Vanguard. Pretty damn slick, I must say!
As I mentioned last year in the Vanguard piece I wrote, I really don’t miss high school, at all (except maybe the simplicity of it). But I do miss the Vanguard atmosphere, writing the gazillion pieces I wrote for the paper, and even the cool cats that I worked with on staff. We got a way with a lot. Curious if the paper (and the students/staff) has the same edge now as it did ten years ago. Would be a shame if it didn’t.
***
May 15, 2013
May 15, 2013
May 15, 2013
"Ignoring the outrageous topic of this work of ”art”, Mr Helinski shows poor writing skills. This story lacks any sign of compassion or respect, Ms Meyer is a new writer, she did a fantastic job with the Twilight Saga. Hence the huge number of books sold worldwide, the overwhelming amount of tickets sold opening day, weekend, and throughout the run of each movie. Than there are the DVD ‘s, scores, soundtracks, jewellery, clothing, and much more merchandise. To bring the marvellous Stephen King into this is and absurd, Mr King has more respect for fellow writers. I wish Mr Helinski success in his attempt to become as writer. I hope he don’t have someone like himself to try to push him down. I found that most people that knows about Twilight either loves it or hates it, so why must these naysayers waste time on Twilight?"
—
S. Thompson; wonderfully written ‘RAISE YOUR GLASS’ review via Amazon
***
A LOL review I just had to reply to. :p
May 13, 2013
"It was kind of interesting, actually.
I liked how he mentioned bestiality and necrophilia- people often forget these two. :D at the same time, I kind of felt that the whole “I’ve never read a single page but trust me, it sucks” is kind of overdone. I dunno, maybe it’s because I actually like the books(but it ISN’T my favorite series and I’m not going to act offended, because I’m not. Plenty of people don’t like Twilight.). This isn’t really a parody, either. All in all, it was pretty okay, though. For all religious Twilight fans- don’t read this, you’ll only upset yourself."
I liked how he mentioned bestiality and necrophilia- people often forget these two. :D at the same time, I kind of felt that the whole “I’ve never read a single page but trust me, it sucks” is kind of overdone. I dunno, maybe it’s because I actually like the books(but it ISN’T my favorite series and I’m not going to act offended, because I’m not. Plenty of people don’t like Twilight.). This isn’t really a parody, either. All in all, it was pretty okay, though. For all religious Twilight fans- don’t read this, you’ll only upset yourself."
— lauren; ‘RAISE YOUR GLASS’ review via Amazon
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I love that fact that the theme got slower and darker from movie to movie.
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