From "Classic Film: Recommendations," posted February 1998
(This was a long page in and of itself. These are a couple of selected titles pulled from the full list - which I should probably revisit someday.
The Adventures of Captain Marvel
There's no historical significance to this film, save that it is one of the (if not the) finest movie serials ever produced. Its influence on film is long felt, and is easily seen in such films as Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Phantom. It's based on the comic book, and is in some ways better than any comic, or any film based on a comic. Yes, I do include the recent Batman series in that statement... There are two ways to view this film. If you've never seen it before, and can stand to do so, I recommend viewing it in its original format: one episode at a time, preferably one episode a week. The serial ran for 15 chapters, each about 15 minutes long. It is the benchmark in serial production, and is one of the few serials available that is enjoyable from start to finish. So many serials were so poorly and hastily made that they just fall flat after the first few chapters.
The Lodger
The Lodger is Hitchcock's version of the legend of Jack the Ripper, based on the play Who is He?, which was based on Mrs Belloc Lowndes' book The Lodger. Hitchcock himself, in the book Hitchcock by François Truffaut, called this "...the first true Hitchcock movie." It is one of his finest films, but good quality copies are hard to find these days. To those obsessed with such matters (aren't we all?), this is the first film in which Hitchcock can be seen in a cameo. The practice was started when for this film Hitchcock needed extra bodies for a particular scene, or as Hitchcock put it, "it was strictly utilitarian." Later on, the practice became a gag and a superstition. This film is certainly one of Hitchcock's best, because he is unable to utilise sound as he would for, say, Dial 'M' for Murder. One scene required the reaction shots of a person downstairs to the pacing of a man upstairs. Sound (or, more accurately, the lack thereof) wouldn't allow Hitchcock to simply keep the camera on the person reacting, so he had a plate glass floor built, so that the motion of the man pacing, the shaking of the chandelier, and the reaction of the person downstairs could all be seen in one scene without major cuts. Simple necessity was not just the mother of invention here, but the mother of genius.
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From "Music," January 1998 (Posted Review)
Genesis, Calling All Stations (1997, Atlantic Records)
While I will freely admit to liking the Phil Collins era of Genesis (well, maybe not all the time...), I must say that, like Mario Lemieux following the radiation therapy, the band lost a step when Peter Gabriel left. Peter was not only the songwriting heart of the group (consider Peter's solo works in comparison to post-PG Genesis recordings), but his vocal style lent a sort of rough, unpolished quality to the group. The same quality is heard in the recordings of Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. That quality gives the listener the feeling that they are not listening to a studio recording, but perhaps sitting in a smoke filled club, just a few feet from the band, feeling almost a part of the song. Well, when Phil Collins left, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford had the obvious two choices: Quit, or continue. They chose to continue. They also made an intelligent choice along with that one. They decided to hire a new singer, Ray Wilson. Wilson is a One-Hundred-Eighty degree turn from the Collins era, and brings to the group the sound that left with Peter. Wilson, to coin a phrase, is no Peter Gabriel, but his vocal chops are close enough that this disc sounds like a combination of the best of Genesis from past releases.
The musical talent of Rutherford and Banks, combined with the long lost vocal quality, has returned the band to the closest it can get to its roots without bringing Peter back. And since that will never happen, the next best thing has been done. This disc is very good, and is pure evidence of the epithet "addition by subtraction."
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From "Books: Recommendations," posted January 1998
(This was another long page. This is a select title pulled from the full list - yet another that I should probably revisit someday.)
Françoise Truffaut, Hitchcock
Quite simply, this is one of the finest books about film available. The format is a simple series of interviews conducted by Françoise Truffaut with Alfred Hitchcock over several years. The book is fascinating, revealing and depressing all at the same time. I say depressing because my favourite Hitchcock film, Dial 'M' for Murder is described by Hitchcock as simply a contractual obligation film. Oh well... The text is full of photographs, most analyzing particular shots. Truffaut, an accomplished and brilliant filmmaker in his own right, is perfect in the role of interviewer, asking Hitchcock all the right questions, from film mechanics to the one we all want answered: "Why all the cameos?" There is only one problem in the text: When discussing Suspicion, Hitchcock erroneously states that "James Stewart would never play a killer." At the time of the interview, he had indeed... Although I leave it to you to find the film in question...
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Favourite Films Revisited (Posted February 2002, the first reworking of my list...)
(There was an alphabetical listing, but to reproduce it here makes this selection too long...)
Film is a great passion of mine. It must be, otherwise I would not have spent an entire summer watching only one film close to 200 times! When I am pinned to a wall with the ubiquitous "What's your favourite movie?" I cannot answer honestly. Most often I am allowed a few choices, but even then it's a pain to pare the list down. Sure, this started as a top ten... Then twenty. It's nearing 100 now, and as I keep watching movies, the list grows, with only the very seldom drop. I used to list these in order of release, my amateur historian background forcing me to analyze them in groups of historical significance. This made sense for a time, as the films on the list had similar themes, many of which were based on historical events, contents and feelings. The best example of this would be the films following the depression and entering WW2, such as the Thin Man and The Philadelphia Story, two films subtly centered around consumptive excess in a time when the average person's idea of excess was a night out to the movies. As the list grew, other themes came into play. Such as the fact that every favourtes list needs at least one entry that cannot be rationally explained. I'm sure you will have little trouble finding mine. However, with a list nearing 100, grouping is (pardon the expression) a good thing. So, rather than go with historical significance or vague thematic elements, I'm going to go with more rational groupings. At least I hope they make more sense. I'm looking forward to any emails I get questioning my sanity.
FUN RIDES AND GUILTY PLEASURES
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai; The Adventures of Captain Marvel; The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle; Army of Darkness; BASEketball; Darkman; Driven; Dr Dolittle 1 & 2; Ferris Beuler's Day Off; Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back; Men in Black; The Mummy; The Mummy Returns; Office Space; On Her Majesty's Secret Service; Orgazmo; The Rocketeer; The Shadow; Three Amigos; X-Men
These are not Citizen Kane or Schindler's List - most are generally considered to be crap. However, every list needs some films that defy reason. Driven, for example, is absolute crap, but it's the closest thing to a decent open wheel racing film these days. Okay, it's the only one in years... Rocky and Bullwinkle is actually very good if you have at all any good memories of the original show - the film's stars and creators obviously did, enduring bad puns and to-be-added-later-digitally costars to create a simple, fun film. Army, Buckaroo Banzai, MIB, The Mummy films, the Rocketeer, the Shadow and X-Men are great examples of well made action comedies that entertain on more than one level. The Mummy films are the brainchild of Stephen Sommers and show how much influence Indiana Jones can have - thankfully in a good way. They also owe a great deal to the serials of the thirties and forties, the best of which is arguably Captain Marvel. Office Space should be required for anyone who's worked in a cubicle. OHMSS isn't the best Bond film, but I have two words for you: Diana Rigg. BASEketball, Ferris, Orgazmo and Three Amigos are better than they should be, and even work in some really good satire with the silliness. Jay and Silent Bob is probably the purest film here: it's Kevin Smith having fun. We should all be so lucky.
PERFECT
American Beauty; Citizen Kane; A Clockwork Orange; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Glory; The Hunt for Red October; Manhunter; The Philadelphia Story; Some Like it Hot; Star Wars: A New Hope; Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back; The Thin Man; The Thomas Crown Affair (Brosnan); The Usual Suspects; Young Frankenstein
These films are the perfect package: great story, acting, editing, dialogue, cinematography, direction, music. Some are better than others, sure, but they are all examples of when everything goes right. One side note on those films based on novels. Red October is the only book by Clancy worth reading, and both film and text are fantastic. The same for Clockwork Orange and the Thin Man - yet the film and text are vastly different. All three are not only favourite films they are favourite books. Actually, Sommer's Mummy films could go here too...
CLASSICS... WITH GOOD REASON
After the Thin Man; All Quiet on the Western Front; Arsenic and Old Lace; The Best Years of Our Lives; Breakfast at Tiffany's; The Cabinet of Dr Caligari; Charade; The Day the Earth Stood Still; Dr Strangelove; Goldfinger; Harvey; His Girl Friday; Inherit the Wind; Libeled Lady; The Lodger; The Lost Weekend; Love Crazy; The Manchurian Candidate; Mister Roberts; Nosferatu; Rope; Spartacus; Sunset Boulevard; Twelve Angry Men; The Wrong Man
Classic can be argued and defined in so many ways... And yet each of these can be included. Most are classics bacause they embody all a particular genre could and should be (Day the Earth Stood Still for Sci Fi, His Girl Friday for Noir Comedy, Spartacus for the Epic, etc). Some are classics because of one individual (Rope, The Lodger and The Wrong Man are pure Hitchcock, Caligari is Fritz Lang, and Arsenic and Charade are pure Cary Grant). Others are simply the result of getting together a brilliant cast and letting them do their work (Best Years, Strangelove, Harvey, Angry Men, and Inherit the Wind). There has yet to be a horror film that can truly rival Nosferatu.
"MODERN CLASSICS"
Akira; Blazing Saddles; Chasing Amy; Circus; Courage Under Fire; Dogma; Fight Club; A Fish Called Wanda; Gods and Monsters; Hellraiser; High and Low; The King of Masks; Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Movie; Schindler's List; Shadow of the Vampire; This is Spinal Tap
Okay... "Modern Classic" is even more sketchy than "Classic" but it's better than the ubiquitous "best of the rest" or "last but not least." Some of these are odd in their own way. Circus is derivative of Pulp Fiction and a number of other pseudo-noir crap films made in the past 15 years, but it succeeds due to strong (and surprising) performances from John Hannah, Famke Janssen and (my favourite) Eddie Izzard. Hellraiser is a very disturbing and bloody horror film that has tremeandous style AND substance. MST3K is the best example of satirical commentary in film today, presenting some very funny lines, but also showing a bit of our film history and how self referential we are when it comes to film. Chasing Amy is probably Kevin Smith's best film, and offers a great look at the comics world and relationships. King of Masks is a touching and beautiful story set in 19th century China and is highly recommended. Shadow of the Vamire answers a great "what if...?" regarding the making of Nosferatu, and also features Eddie Izzard. Spinal Tap, Wanda and Saddles are gut bustingly brilliant comedies. Fight Club... Well... Just needs to be seen. Twice. Unless you have a weak stomach. Or love clam chowder.
Oh Yeah... I forgot one. The film I watched more than 200 times one summer?
It was Dial M For Murder.
Ask me why sometime...
...When you have a few hours to piss away. ;-)
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From April 2003:
SO... HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR STUDENT LOANS?
Well known (make you own joke) Dutch madam Elene Vis has opened a school for prostitutes to help them improve their... Profits. Imagine the sheepskin with THAT graduation.
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From My April 2003 review of the remake of Manhunter, Red Dragon (directed by Brett Ratner):
Manhunter is a taut thriller that I heartily recommend. Red Dragon is a nearly-lifeless paint by numbers film that lends nothing new to the Lecter character, nor does it add anything to the other characters, most of whom are only seen in this story. I can only really recommend Dragon if you have absolutely no interest in Manhunter and want to see how Harris started the saga. However, it should be noted that Lecter was a marginal character in the novel Red Dragon, and was intended as such for Silence of the Lambs, but the character became more important as the novel Lambs grew. Hannibal was a book Harris did not want to write, knowing that Hollywood couldn't wait for the story. In fact, he wrote the novel to be so over the top in hopes that it would compel MGM to not make the film adaptation. From this one can assume that even Harris did not want his character to be so prevalent. I realize that it sounds like a broken record by now, but all of this points back to Brett Ratner, who I must say does come across as a somewhat likeable young man in the commentaries for this and Rush Hour, but he does not have the talent to justify this cast. And I have to wonder if Universal knew this from the start.
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From My May 2003 piece about Charlie Waters (Michael Vick should read this):
I still remember that moment where Charlie invited me into the club as his guest. He was under no obligation to do such a thing, which makes it all the more amazing. I was a fan, and he wanted to treat me well. But more importantly, I believe that his actions were based more upon the idea that I was simply a person, and that I deserved a certain amount of kindness and respect. That lesson is greater than any lesson a hero can teach, and Charlie taught it without saying anything. His actions spoke far louder than his words that day, and everyday.
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From My May 2003 piece about director Kevin Smith:
In 2000, Smith oversaw the production of an animated series based upon Clerks, optioned by ABC. Hopes were high for Clerks: the Animated Series, which ABC even advertised during the Super Bowl. However, the network decided they didn't want to support the show after several run-ins with Smith and the creative team. The show followed Dante and Randal in several sit-com-esque adventures, with that Kevin Smith take. One episode involved Dante rescuing a group of young children from a "Temple of Doom" situation simply to finish the Little League World Series, which Dante's team wins solely based upon the fact that the Indian children are all malnourished due to their torture. The show also slapped the face of conventional television by having the ubiquitous "clip show" be the second show ever. The creators also rejected the convention that animated shows have no visual constraints, setting one whole episode at the counter of the Quick Stop while people run in and out of the store describing everything happening outside. The show was aired only twice, but the six produced episodes were released on DVD in 2001. The show is very fresh, maintains Smith's humor, and, upon reflection, is on par with The Simpsons. The show was re-discovered upon DVD release and there are plans for a Clerks animated movie.
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From My June 2003 appreciation of Katharine Hepburn:
Hepburn was a woman of remarkable beauty, the type of beauty that relies more on spirit than appearance. Her inner fire was always on display, thanks to her brilliant, expressive eyes. Her spirit came through at wonderful times, such as when she returned to Broadway, and stopped a performance mid-scene to berate an audience member for disturbing the play with flash photography. She could be quite imposing and intimidating, but at the same time was just as nurturing and caring. Such was the Hepburn mystique.
Hepburn was not at all someone to be reckoned with, but at the same time was definitely someone to be confided to. She was a strong woman at a time when women were still defining their place following the advent of women's suffrage, and the "heels and pearls" days of the Fifties when characters like June Cleaver were the norm. Hepburn, who garnered more attention for wearing slacks than Dietrich did for wearing tuxedos, was not looking to be a trendsetter. She was merely being herself, and damned anybody to try and tell her to do differently.
Some have said that Hepburn was not a great actress, just great at selecting roles that fit her. I find that hard to believe. The true test of an actor's skill is not so much as how they perform within a role, but whether or not the viewer simply stops seeing the actor and only sees the character. Very few can actually perform such a feat. Hepburn was certainly one of those people, and if that is partly by her own design in selecting roles, then it only proves just how intelligent and savvy she really was.
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From September 2003: I post answers to that ubiquitous email questionairre in hopes of not getting them anymore. (Note: it didn't work.):
1. IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE?
Solid, level ground. Swamps are notoriously bad for letting homes sink.
2. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING?
The.
3. WHAT'S THE LAST CD THAT YOU BOUGHT?
As I am still very much alive, I won't know what my last CD will be, sorry.
4. WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?
Kids are reading.
5. WHERE'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?
No, seriously - kids are reading.
6. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE MASSAGED?
How many times do I have to tell you that kids are reading this?
7. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE?
My frypan. It doubles as a weapon.
8. WHAT MAKES YOU REALLY ANGRY?
Crass commercialism and opportunism at the expense of the health, safety and well being of people.
9. IF YOU COULD PLAY ANY INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The triangle. Tricky damned thing mocks me every time.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?
Any color not in a migraine aura.
11. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SPORTS CAR OR SUV?
Whichever one I can fit in without becoming an origami project.
12. DO YOU BELIEVE IN AFTERLIFE?
Only beforedeath.
13. FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK?
Green Eggs and Ham.
14. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE TYPES OF BOOKS?
Anything well written enough to keep me reading.
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
Hockey, Football, Formula One.
16. WHAT'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE HOUSEHOLD CHORE?
Cleaning when company is coming.
17. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The ability to turn wine into water - just to mess with people.
18. IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT IS IT AND WHERE?
A small Frenchman; on an isolated island.
19. CAN YOU JUGGLE?
Only schedules.
20. THE ONE PERSON FROM YOUR PAST YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK AND TALK TO AND WHY?
Charlie Waters.
21. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE DAY? AND WHY?
January 13, 1998. I know why.
22. WHAT IS IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR?
You wouldn't recognize him anyway...
23. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SUSHI OR HAMBURGER?
Raw tunaburgers - that way I don't have to choose.
The last two questions were about who would or would not respond to the email. Kind of moot since no-one is getting this as an email...
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From October 2003: Recalling a bizarre night during a conference attended in Houston:
In the hall next door was a wedding reception.
With loud stereo speakers.
You get where this is going.
I was sitting at a table near the back wall, right next to the wedding reception. Several times it was difficult to hear the speakers for the music behind us. What made it worse was the amazingly bad DJ, whom I can only assume had a limited CD budget. "Odd" or "Eclectic" would be best replaced by "Screwy" and "F'ing Weird" when describing the musical mix.
I have a musical background, and I am pretty good at picking out a song from a few notes, so I was having to stifle laughter at times when one song was followed by something so completely wrong, in terms of style and audience. Just because two songs can be danced to, it is not inherent that they can be played back to back.
You do not, for example, follow Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog with Gettin' Jiggy Wit' It.
I bring this up not just for the rather idiosyncratic playlist, but the inadvertent timing of it all. An old female friend was receiving a lifetime achievement award, and at the point of her introduction, next door blared Brick House.
And, at what point will people get a clue and tell the DJ that one of the last songs played before the bride and groom go off to their honeymoon suite to consummate their marriage should not be the Rolling Stones' Satisfaction? I am fairly secure in my ability to make my wife happy, but even I would have performance anxiety if this was what I had heard just before night's end.
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From March 2004: My comments on what finally stopped Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ:
Well, The Passion of the Christ was finally toppled from its place at the top of the box office earnings charts... By the remake of Dawn of the Dead. A Zombie film. When they said that Jesus' death would be followed by a great resurrection, maybe they just weren't clear enough about the hows and whys of the particular resurrection. Oh well, Mel Gibson can always correct it in the sequel: Passion of the Christ 2: St. Peter Strikes Back.
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From April 2004: My rant about "Celebrity Chef" Sandra Lee, which spread fairly far on the web...
Let’s start with the fact that this Mexican Fiesta includes a dish from Sweden and a dish from Italy. That is the first issue I have here. It didn’t even phase Lee that two of her dishes were based on other continents.
Those Flan? Oy. Evaporated milk, condensed milk, eggs, honey, and cream cheese in a blender, then baked until they jiggle slightly in the center, about 45 minutes. They came out a little overdone, and I couldn’t get the image of the two different canned milk products out of my head. Alton Brown’s recipe for flan is milk, 1/2 and 1/2, vanilla, eggs, sugar. Sounds good. Lee’s just looked, well, odd.
Fiesta Fondue. Should you ever decide to make this, simply leave a note for your family, kiss the kids, pack a few outfits, and go to the nearest insane asylum, and settle down for a long winter’s nap. The first ingredient is cheese soup. From a can. Then jarred salsa, milk, and pre-shredded cheese. She then stirred all of this in her expensive non-stick pot with a wire whisk for a few minutes. At this point, my stomach was trying to find an easy exit from my body. One of the dippers she suggested? Jicama! Go out of your way to find and cut Jicama into sticks, but by lord... Don't forget the cheese soup!
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From September 2004: An observation about something I received in the mail:
I found a flyer for a Northern Virginia Italian restaurant, Edgardo's Trattoria. There isn't anything special here, really. What struck me is that the flyer included the restaurant's motto, stating that Edgardo's was the "Must See Restaurant." The flyer, of course, was the delivery menu.
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From September 2004: On the death of filmmaker Russ Meyer:
BIG BREAST FETISHIST FILMMAKER RUSS MEYER DIES
I don’t have anything to say about Russ Meyer, really. I just wanted to share a giggle I had when I tried to envision how the pallbearers would support his casket. It's all part of my goal to keep y'all abreast of things. One thing is for sure - Meyer certainly left us with some indellible mammaries.
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From October 2004: Migraine Musing:
What if the whole Christian ethos was off one generation, and we were supposed to worship Jesus' son? Probably wouldn't have worked, anyway. See, he probably would have been "Harry, the plumber" (to go along with his dad's carpentry business), and we'd be searching for the Holy Pail.
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From November 2004: My take on Baseball's return to DC:
The DC baseball team announced their name recently. They will be known as the (sitting down?) Washington Nationals. Wow. Stirring. What’s worse? They’re already advocating a diminutive of the name: The Nats. Yep – there’s a license plate out there that says “Go Nats!” You know, one poor fan with a mild speech impediment, and it takes on a whole new meaning. So what they need to do is have an exhibition game with the University of South Carolina baseball team. Where else could you get 50,000 fans screaming “Go Nats!” “Go Cocks!” and NOT have the FCC involved?
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From August 2005: Recounting Sam's birth:
Several people told me prior to July 10 that one of the more amazing experiences in my life would be witnessing the actual birth process. Not so much.
First, not having a uterus kind of gets me off the hook for much of the work. Let’s be honest: men get the fun part of the job, wait nine or so months, and then get to pass out cigars. Women get to feel the joy of having life grow inside of them, slowly and magically, until that wondrous moment when they suddenly have to pass a frozen turkey through a drinking straw.
I’m actually amazed that most of the babies in this country have as their first words not “mama” or “dada,” but “epidural.” Some women get to miss this painful pleasure entirely, instead experiencing the joys and rapture of anesthesia and fairly major surgery in the form of a cesarean section.
My wife and I opted for a C-section when early scans showed our little girl to be tracking much larger than the average baby. Since my wife was concerned about giving birth to such a large baby, I was going to allow her to make the ultimate decision. Again, I have no uterus, so it was not my decision to make. I just wanted my little girl delivered safely. (FedEx is missing opportunities here, I think.)
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