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  • NBC DFW is Interested in Chase Whale

    We're Interested in Chase Whale

    In July of 2009, NBC DFW did a series on the most interesting people around the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We were proud to find that our very own Chase Whale was featured in this series. You can view the entire article in the NBC DFW Archives.

  • GATW now more mobile friendly than ever

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    Okay hip kiddies, we’ve made some changes behind the curtain here and our site is more mobile friendly than ever, so all you readers with your iPhones, Droids, or what have you, are in for a treat. When you view GordonAndtheWhale.com on your mobile browser, you will get a fast loading, streamlined version of the site that will have the news flying to your fingertips faster than ever.

    And if you’re wondering what that crazy graphic is above, keep on reading, I’ll explain it soon enough.

    (more…) “GATW now more mobile friendly than ever”

  • Pixelated Past…

    …in which I talk about some old photos and a very old camera.

    So, back when I was a teen living in Connecticut, I always dreamed of being a film maker. While I could never dream of getting a video camera with which to practice such a craft, I often lusted over the Fisher Price PXL2000 which was far more affordable. It was a child’s toy, and not very good, quality, but it would serve the purpose of learning how to film would satisfy my craving for moving pictures.

    Against all my begging and pleading, I never did get the so desired PXL2000, and to be honest, it’s probably for the best. The thing takes horrible video, is very picky about lighting, and is nearly impossible to work with. How do I know this? Years later, when I had my own disposable income, I purchased one on eBay and have actually taken some video with it. You can see some samples after the jump.

    (more…) “Pixelated Past…”

  • Movie Night this week – Righting a Wrong

    A few weeks (months?) back, we tried to show Blues Brothers for movie night,
    but attendance was bad and we decided to watch something else instead. This
    week, we’re going to try again and reunite the band. So this week at 7:45pm
    we’ll be watching Jake and Ellwood do their thing.

    For all the parent types, this movie is rated R. For more information, you
    may visit the following parents’ guide: http://bit.ly/1oaijb

  • Sorry for the Late Invite – Movie Night

    Okay, so I’ve been crazy busy for the last, what, three weeks? So I haven’t
    even given the movie for this week a second thought. This morning, though, I
    buckled down and finally picked one out. I had it narrowed down to a choice
    of two, and when I presented that selection to Heather, she requested that
    we watch the one that she hadn’t already seen. So without any further babble
    out of me, the movie of the week will be The Man With One Red Shoe (
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089543/). This is a fairly classic 80’s movie
    with a story not entirely dissimilar to Enemy of the State and other hapless
    spy movies, only it’s from a time when Tom Hanks was still playing comedic
    roles.

    With a running time of 92 minutes, we will attempt to start the show at
    7:58pm.

    And for those of you with impressionable youngins, here’s the parental
    guide: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089543/parentalguide

  • Theatrical Review: GAMER

    Rating: 8/10

    Writer/Director: Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor
    Cast: Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Logan Lerman, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, Amber Valletta
    Studio: Lionsgate

    Summer blockbusters, a genre unto themselves, rarely extend beyond the borders of a flat plot and big explosions into anything more thought-provoking. Yet, they entertain us in a popcorn-munching mindless daze. GAMER, brought to us by the dynamic duo behind such previous summer fare as CRANK and CRANK 2, manages to at least scratch beyond the high gloss surface and attempts to pass itself off as a bit of a social commentary. The premise is this: in a world of overpopulated prisons and an increasingly introverted, desensitized public, a new game is created in which players can safely sit at home controlling live humans in a mortally devastating internationally broadcast battle. Kable, played by Gerard Butler (300), is our star “icon” in this scenario, controlled by an appropriately cocky Logan Lerman (3:10 TO YUMA), on their way to record-breaking fame. The prize is Butler’s freedom from the game, but the closer he gets, the further out of reach the prize falls. That is, until a radical anti-game group appears on the scene to begin sabotaging the greatest media sensation the world has ever seen.

    (more…) “Theatrical Review: GAMER”

  • Movie Night – You’re Invited!

    Before my life gets even crazier and I forget to send this out, the movie
    this week will be the soul rocking Irish film about a band that just won’t
    give up. We’re watching The Commitments. My parents and my brother and his
    family will all be here as well, so floor seating will be the premium. We
    look forward to seeing you all here! We will start the movie as close to
    7:32 as possible, but you know how that works out.

    And for all of you who’s kids might think speaking “Irish” is cool. here’s
    the parental guide: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101605/parentalguide

  • Learning to be Terser…

    …in which I talk about my style of writing and share with you the insights of my creative process.

    Earlier this week, I posted my personal thoughts on Inglourious Basterds, an article which I greatly anticipated sharing. I was very proud of my process in preparing and writing the review, and was equally proud of the result. One thing I have learned in my writing, is that I frequently surprise myself. When I am writing, the process almost becomes more like reading as the story flows from me of its own accord. This does, however, lead to a lot of unexpected turns and discoveries that then must be focused and refined. As with most writing, it contained more than I had expected, and simultaneously still overlooked key points I intended to cover. The process of writing is a compromise with ones self to share that which needs to be shared without losing your reader, but not sacrificing your voice.

    (more…) “Learning to be Terser…”

  • Once Upon a Time in Nazi-Occupied France…

    …in which I talk about those Inglourious Basterds.

    Meet the Inglourious Basterds

    I am going to make the bold assumption up front that if you are reading this, you are at least familiar with the upcoming Quentin Tarantino movie Inglourious Basterds. Wednesday, I had the privilege of seeing Tarantino’s take on WWII. While it is from historically accurate, I can hardly concern myself with that because one thing I’ve come to expect from Tarantino is the importance of style and story. Everything else comes second. Why should the fiddly facts of human history be any different.

    (more…) “Once Upon a Time in Nazi-Occupied France…”

  • John Hughes Memorial Movie Night

    This Friday, we’re going to be watching Sixteen Candles as a memorial to the
    recently passed John Hughes. We’ll start at 7:57pm. Hope to see you there.

    For those with impressionable children, I can’t imagine anything offensive;
    but just in case, here’s the parent’s guide: http://tinyurl.com/kvvm5g

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