Latest attempt to use site yields...
...victorious entry of this posting from the ground up, of course, but when comment attempted on previous Thrillhouse entry, comment window stalled. Refreshing comment window showed an initial comment window as if comment attempt never happened (reversion to last known good state or something?).
OS 10.4.7 Mac
Latest theory: version of relevant scripting language underneath "Post" button conflicts with version on some machine on at least one backbone on this side of city. Probably not an outdated filename request problem, since 404 recieved on at least one OS (XP) but not this particular one.
Sorry, I fail to see how anyone leaves even a 50-something Christie Brinkley for this 19 yr old ...
Sure she's cute. But on the other hand ... Christie f'n Brinkley!!!
that I have never laughed harder at a YouTube video in my life. Better than Shining, Must Love Jaws, and the rest. This one truly takes the cake, The Vader Sessions:
Words fail me ... it's worse than that Osmonds video ...
Right smack dab in the middle of the summer movie season comes a sweet and intimate film that will brighten the work week spent waiting for the next Friday special-effects blockbuster. Apparently there was a bit of a hassle finding a distirbutor for Little Miss Sunshine, but we should be grateful Fox Searchlight saw fit to pick it up. I'm not sure how the marketing roll-out for this film will go, as it could be considered either a small art house flick or a widely distributed public feature. It has the tone and sensibility of the former and the broad-based appeal of the latter. That is to say, this movie is for everyone.
As I usually find it pointless to outdo the quick summaries provided by other online sources, I'll let IMDB do the talking: "A family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus."
This movie is equal parts Napoleon Dynamite and The Royal Tenenbaums, which ought to bode poorly since I found the first to be vapid, shallow, brainless, and worst of all, unfunny, and the second to be unexeptional (I blame this partly on the fact that I came late to this particular Wes Anderson film and might have already become too accustomed to his style). The genre of "outcasts who bond together against the world" is nothing new (I just last month rewatched Harold and Maude, 1971) and it's been mined rather a lot lately, as in the cases of the two films I cited. But whereas I found no particularly likeable characters in either of those films - though I grant GG that Anjelica Huston was good, and I thought Gwyneth Paltrow was okay - this movie has at its center a truly sympathetic character in Olive, played by Abigail Breslin.
The titular and emotional star of this movie, Abigail accomplishes in a very unassuming way what Jon Heder never even got close to, and that which Luke Wilson was able only to approach: delivering a character who is sweet, charming, entirely believable, and strong enough to stitch together the seams of some mighty famous actors already: Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, Toni Collete, and Steve Carrell! There's not a moment in this film where she's overwhelmed by any of them, and there are scenes where she shines right in the middle of the entire group. It's truly an intrepid performance. I can count four scenes off the top of my head where she just stole my heart. I think the difference between her and other characters of this ilk is that she shamelessly wears her heart on her sleeve, is filled with an unjustified but ingratiating optimism (hence the play on the title), which is striking given the obvious and inevitable implied discomfort of her coming teen years. She's not so broadly drawn that you feel comfortable dismissing her because of hamfisted directorial manipulation and her surface awkwardness is not meant to be embraced in-and-of itself at the expense of her truly innate eccenticity. She has no jingoistic catchphrase and her distinct sartorial style, if there is one, is no more affectatious than that of any other impecunious child. The result is you have to conclude she is at least what the world ought to be, if it isn't, and it's the haughty disdain of others that gets in the way.
Greg Kinnear plays "the jerk you hate" who becomes "the guy you root for" and does so with a bit more skill than most. I think it's because he's played pompous before, and he knows well how to unfold it. Toni Collette takes a mostly nothing role and, while not dazzling, she does manage to keep it from devolving into zaniness, neuroses, or irritating nagging - something common in your more average studio comedy. Steve Carrell gives a very understated performance and I think I'm grateful that he did. Had he tried to do more with it, his character could have become obnoxious and ruined the tone of the movie. He is deft. Alan Arkin is given room to play with the salty old man bit, and he makes it entertaining without you losing respect for him. He also plays his scenes with Abigail with a sweetness that usually you refuse to accept from a vulgarian such as this.
Directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris appear to have an extensive background in music videos and I think it serves them well here. They understand the strength of letting the action speak for itself. Point the camera and shoot. When you have a cast of this caliber, it's important to let the actors feel their way around and not try to apply too much formula to them. The synthesis here is poetic.
The only reason I won't go into specifics about scenes I liked is that the movie has yet to have a general release and I don't want to set expectations too high, nor do I want to take out the surprises this film delivers in the way of sidestepping cliches. Yes, there are a few cliches... but then again.. too few to mention. I also don't believe in morally intimidating people into accepting a film about outcasts on MY terms. **ahem** I think that kind of posturing strips a movie of its own worth (if it in fact has any) and becomes simply a means to browbeat people into accepting an assertion about its superiority without providing a legitimate reason to do so. **cough*cough** I am simply here to state my affection for this movie, and its distinction in the genre. If you don't like it, the only judgement I will render unto you is very poor taste, but I won't go so far as to paint your heart black, even in jest. I don't take my nerd flicks that seriously.
It's been a while since I've posted one of these, so I thought I'd go all old-school ... retro even ... and do one of those "Grade" reviews just to see who gets ticked off first by the concept. So kick back and enjoy. As luck would have it, it takes a lot for me to get talked into a trip to Webster, TX to take in our dandy Websterian Rocky Horror troupe: Sadistic Pleasures. As even better luck would have it, Pete's performance as Dr. Frank was more than enough. Simply stated, there was no wrong that Pete could do in this role ... and he didn't disappoint. Despite various efforts. The rest of the show, however, brings me to this one regrettable recommendation ...
It's time for Jarimie to yank whatever license this cast has to the name "Sadistic Pleasures." I still give this cast enough credit to be a skosh over the level of the infamous T.H.E.M. experiment at River Oaks. But it's a close call at that ... the parallels are pretty strong. Read on to find out why.
Preshow (F---) - Worst ever ... and that takes a lot of doing. If it's to the point where the preshow must be more time consuming than a World Cup soccer match, it should at least be entertaining. I'm pretty sure there were days that Jarimie kept everyone in the theater till 4am at times ... but it was usually warranted by the entertainment value. Sometimes. Either way, I've forgiven him. Second rule ignored is this: when guys fail at swallowing a banana whole, move on; when hot chicks fail at swallowing a banana, they get a do-over. Many if looks warrant.
Dr. Frank - Mary Woronov/Abe Vigoda (A) - what need be said? The legend clearly arrived before Frank made his entrance. And for Pete's efforts, he gets a solid A. Not a Randy-esque A+++ ... just a solid, workmanlike A. The portrayal bears some parallels to The Amazing Randy due to the fact that when both played Frank, they didn't morph into character. Instead, they basically played themselves to the tune of Frank. It's also worth noting that the wig should be kept on hand by Pete since it makes for an improved overall product. The leather can be lost. Fishnets ... optional.
Brad - Erin (F) ... oddly, it's sorta like seeing a much younger, more inhibited Randy with this one. Maybe there's some longterm potential that can be molded and shaped. Just not Saturday night.
Janet- Ashley D. (A+) ... Clearly the high point of the evening. And not just as Janet, but also as a rather strong second-banana (so to speak) for the preshow. Just a shame there wasn't a solid first banana! Obviously, good looks go a long way in any performance and that base is impressively covered. But there's just enough thespiatic talent here that gets a character across as well. Well done, ma'am ... well done.
Riff - James (F) ... F, as in "forgotten."
Magenta - Patricia (F) ... F, as in "forgettable."
Columbia - Evan (F+) ... ok, so good looks help. But there's that other element that's a bit lacking. I think by the end of the show, I'd concluded that if Evan were switched out with Glitter, the entire performance would be light years better. I stand by that. A good Columbia requires a bit of personality be exuded.
Eddie - Robert (F) ... It's been suggested by others, with far more acting talent than I possess, that speaking/singing along with the movie aids the performance on the part of the actor/actress. I've counted numerous moments where it probably didn't matter to me simply sitting in the cheap seats. But there is something that comes out of a performance that you're ... ya know ... performing. As opposed to lip synching. On the whole, I tend to agree with that ... but in this role in particular, it's irrefutable. Doesn't matter if you have the singing chops of a ... well, me. Just belt out the tune and you're much more into the swing of things. Otherwise, you're battling Carlos for the worst performance of Eddie ever.
Rocky - Glitter (F) ... stretch marks and the blank stare brought about by a bag full of bad pot do not make this character more intriguing. Far from it. That is all.
Dr. Scott - Cowboy (F) ... This grade deserves to be much lower. I mean, I'm not sure how you can screw this up more. It says something when you've been outperformed by a wet floor sign. But I'm forgiving Cowboy on this score - that he's taught me that movies are truly bad for civilization. They bring about the worst fads. I mean, I thought it was cute when everyone wanted to immitate Molly Ringwald back in my day. I seriously did not mind that one bit. But with the advent of Brokeback Mountain, I could use a bit less in the way of gay cowboys roaming about. For that, Cowboy, I thank you for opening my eyes.
Crim - John A. (F) ... aka - Weekend at Bernie's, Part 4.
Trixie - Dustin (F) ... I may not have been paying attention, really. But then again, that's really a knock on this performance, isn't it?
Lights - B.B. (F) ... A.D.D. has truly ruined what little hope I previously had in the future.
Crew - Casey (F) ... I'm going to be nice and just leave this one uncommented.
So there ya go. Aim your ire appropriately.
Help wanted for challenging weekly position south of Beltway 8. Introverts need not apply. Responsibilities include herding packs towards a common goal, begging for money and annoying people for hours on end. Must have the following skills: be able to distinguish jailbait from legal, be able to keep your wangdoodle in your pants while in public, must be able to withstand many unique and offensive odors, have a very accurate gaydar and able to tell male from female from question mark. Patience is a must, as most of the people you will be dealing with are products of severly underfunded and mismanaged school systems. Established relationships with adult club owners are a plus, as we are often considered a training ground for these establishments. Must be more entertaining than a box of packing material, especially when given a microphone and the duty to warm up an audience. If your idea of entertaining is just shouting at the audience with no sense of timing, witty banter or even a coherent train of thought, please read another ad. The only shift available is on Saturday nights. Benefits may include any of the following: free leftover food, gratuitous nudity (both the kind you want to see and the kind that makes you want to poke out your eyes), the opportunity to be a father figure to many young people and the potential to be a "star". If interested, please reply with your resume and I will forward it to the appropriate party. Don't worry, you can't be any worse than the very hairy guy already doing the job.
Neil Young never sounded so good ...
Totie Fields > Gene Simmons ... who knew?
The first concert I kicked myself for missing ... Ratt & Twisted Sister at the Bronco Bowl in Dallas. Watching this only deepens the bruise from those kicks.
Consider this a tape-delayed liveblog of the Jen & Sam Acoustic Jamboree Friday Night. The Big Top is situated nicely enough that the VIP booth has access to a power outlet, which aids this a great deal. Anyways, I thought it'd be fun to capture some of the witty stage banter that goes on during anything Jen & Sam are involved in. Let's see who gets in more trouble for this ... me for posting it, or Jen & Sam for saying the following:
7:00 … promised start time … no Samifer
7:30 … same as above, only we're now around the usual Ringwald start time
7:45 … same as above
7:50 … finally!
7:52 … sound check, witty stage banter, less-than-witty stage banter. At long last - a song!!!
First set
First song – title I forget … I’m assuming it went flawlessly for now
Jen starts drinking … more sound check
Sam offers music lessons to Jen … futile
“You may love the Ringwalds, but WE don’t love the Ringwalds� ~ Jen
“What does this sound like?� {plays kazoo backward} ~ Jen
“It’ll be fine, just have a drink.� ~ Jen
Second set
Sam vamps with the mic while guitar being tuned
“Stop banging it into the mic, ya drunk.� ~ Sam (directed at Jen)
“Play some Skynard.� ~ random fan
“Oh, that’s original.� ~ Jen
(after a request for “Thriller�) “Sir, look, you see a singer, a kazoo, and an acoustic guitar … and you want to hear ‘Thriller’?�
“Get your own band.� ~ Jen
“Do I have to be up here for this one?� ~ Jen
“Yeah.� ~ Sam
“Oh.� ~ a very disappointed Jen
“… so you can suck and blow.� ~ Jen … seriously, it doesn’t matter WHAT context
“Are you all ready to hear some Johnny Cash? This is one I learned a long time ago when I played in an all-originals band, The Davenports.� ~ Sam
“I think I have an unusually loud snap (*snaps*)� ~ Jen
“Thank you … and f*ck you.� ~ Sam (directed at audience)
“I hate all of you.� ~ Jen (directed at ... possibly the world)
“Blue Skies� – Willie Nelson … Jen gives up about 30 seconds in.
“Well Jen, ya sure did f*ck us.� ~ Sam
So there ya go ... that's about typical of what you get from either the Ringwalds, Jen & Sam's Acoustic Jamboree, or merely Jen & Sam after a few drinks at the bar. Next Ringwald date is July 14th at the Continental Club. Come and see how much crap I get for posting some of this.