Crapbag

–Mike Crapbag?

–No, just Crapbag.

The day has finally arrived.  Saturday, July 19, Christine and I will be in Madison, WI to hear His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama speak.  We leave for Chicago tonight (Friday the 18th) to spend the long weekend with my parents, coming home on Monday.  I don’t know if I’m more excited about seeing/hearing the Dalai Lama or that my parents get to spend some quality time with Ethan on Saturday while we are gone, as he is almost 2 years old, and they’ve never had to babysit him.  We’ve always been around.  At the same, I’m kind of nervous and hoping that he behaves for them.  I think he will.  He’s usually pretty good at adapting.  Especially when he realizes that mom and dad aren’t there and he’ll depend on my parents to get him what he needs.  Like any other kid, I’m sure there will be crying, but I’m hoping he does the cute things that Christine and I love so much and has a few good laughs with them.  Besides, he needs to learn to cut the cord at some point.  The drive from Cleveland to Chicago (and back again) is not the most fun thing in the world - depending on the little guy’s mood.  At the same time, Christine and I get to talk about whatever, and, even after 500 years, I still enjoy that immensely.  We always have a great time when we see my parents, too, so I’m also looking forward to that and being able to relax in Chicago on Sunday.  Should be a great weekend.

The “2nd” half of the baseball season starts tonight with the Indians all but eliminated.  That’s okay.  You know, people often lose the fact that these professional sports are just entertainment - like watching a movie.  No reason to get all bent out of shape about it (I will be the first to admit that I lose sight of that sometimes).  I think the second half can be fun because there are no expectations on the Indians anymore this year, and they may experiment with different things and allow young guys to play to see what they can do, and those teams can often be the most fun to watch - because they are kids with passion.  Especially if watching on tv or listening to the radio, if it’s not a good game that you’re watching or listening to, then turn it off.  No big deal.  It humours me that all these people call in about conspiracy theories with the owners and whatever.  First and foremost, for the owners, it is a business, and they are trying to make a profit off it.  Being able to do things for the city and the fans are nice, but, if they’re not making any money, then it doesn’t really matter.  Congrats to Cliff Lee, though, for starting the All Star game and pitching two great innings and to Grady Sizemore for scoring the tying run that eventually allowed the American League to win it.

The newest (and last on Bravo) season of Project Runway has begun, so television time is picking up with that show being on at 9pm Wednesday, followed by Shear Genius at 10pm.  Although I’m still leaving it on cuz there’s nothing else to watch, it’s filling the hole left by Gordon Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares on BBC America.  It’s still on, but I’m seeing episodes for the second and third time now, so it’s not holding my interest as long.  I haven’t been able to catch Fear Itself (NBC) yet, which is the Network “Masters of Horror” show (which Showtime dropped right after I subscribed - bastards), and I’ve heard (Christine saw) that Scare Tactics is on USA (kind of like a Horror Candid Camera or Punk’d), which I can’t wait to see.

Today is my company’s “picnic”, which happens during work hours, and there is no early release or anything - just some free food and usually a small trinket given away.  I think they usually have veggie burgers, so I’m going to get a quick, free bite to eat.  It is nice that there are enough vegetarians now that options are starting to pop up when little events like this happen so that all can enjoy.  We’ll see what’s down there.  I should go down early in case there aren’t any choices (or the veggie burgers look bad) cuz I’d need to grab lunch somewhere.  Speaking of being vegetarian - I tried “silken” tofu for the first time - well, tried to cook it.  It smelled like cat piss as I was cooking it, so I just dumped it.  I think I’ll stick with the regular Trader Joes stuff.  Also, Christine and I keep flip-flopping on Scallops.  We ate them.  Then, we decided not to.  Now, we’ll eat them on occasion but will not actually buy them to make at home or anything.  Could all change next month.  UPDATE:  Picnic was not very Vegetarian friendly (or else, I just missed the vegetarian friendly table).  Didn’t want a heavy pasta lunch on a 90 degree day, so I passed on the food.  Thanks for the mug, though.

–Congrats again to Linda y Dante.  We’ll get together very soon.

The Straight Poop

• Christine was flipping the channels on Sunday and landed on the deplorable Fox News channel.  They were doing a story about how boys were wearing their hair long now.  Hey, great job, Fox News.  Did you pull this story from 1969?  Is there really so little to report about?
• HBO has been showing George Carlin marathons, which is great as he has always been one of my favourites.  Listening to some of his stand-up during these marathons, it really hit me what a great entertainer he was.  I mean, not only was the guy fucking hilarious, but he said some amazing, true shit at the same time.  Really gets you thinking.  I don’t know if there will ever be another George Carlin.  His wit and wisdom will be missed.
• We also came across Revenge of the Nerds IV - where Booger gets married.  I believe this was a made-for-tv movie on Fox.  Anyway, it was horrid yet we couldn’t change the channel.  How did they get so many of the original cast members to stick around for a fourth film?  I was shocked when I looked at imdb to find that many of these cast members that we were shocked to see have actually been a part of the entire series.  What, no Anthony Edwards?
• Starting to enjoy some nice walks around downtown Cleveland during my lunch hour again.  I used to always take the same route over and over and am mixing it up now, seeing if I can discover anything worth finding.
• Hoping Linda y Dante had (or are having) a great time in Puerto Rico.
• Fingers are crossed for the Bordens with lots of well-wishes headed that way.
• Also wonder what it’s like having to deal with the summer heat in Atlanta - probably have no right to complain in Cleveland…

Top Five Films - Number One

Bubba Ho-Tep

The film was written and directed by Don Coscarelli, who is probably best known for his Phantasm films.  It is based off a story by Joe R. Lansdale (I suggest checking out as much of his work as you can).  It stars the legendary Mr. Bruce Campbell and Mr. Ossie Davis (RIP).

The setting is a nursing home in Texas.  Two of the residents are Elvis Presley (played by Bruce Campbell) and John F. Kennedy (played by Ossie Davis).  At least, they think they’re these people.  You decide if they are a little demented or speaking the truth.  They come together to battle a soul-sucking mummy, who is terrorizing the nursing home.  Did I lose you?  Hope not. 

It is a low budget film, and the gritty feel works perfectly.  Bruce’s Elvis and Ossie’s JFK are believable.  I think the movie plays so that you think JFK is a little off his rocker but that Elvis is the real thing, but I like to believe them both.  It’s a great “buddy” film.  It’s a feel good film in that these old-timers are able to tap into their youths once more.  Lots of dark humour.  As ridiculous as the plot may sound, this really is a well-made film with a wonderful story, and everyone does such a great job with it.  You really care about these characters and what happens to them.

Some of the things I’ve loved about this film is that I do a quick explanation of the premise.  I usually get some weird look in response.  Let the person borrow the DVD (by the way, there’s a great commentary track of Bruce Campbell as the real Elvis which is hysterical).  People are usually shocked how good the film is.

My other favorite story is going to see this film on Christmas Eve maybe…I can’t recall now, but it was like a blizzard outside.  Christine and I decided to see it.  Called movie phone.  Said there was a 9:00 showing.  Drive from the west to east side of Cleveland to see it.  WHen we finally get there, we are told that the 7:00 showing was the last one and that the film is headed to Youngstown after that showing.  Eventually, the film made it to The Neon in Dayton, Ohio, and Christine and I drove 3 1/2 hours to see it (because I just had to see this film in a theatre). It was more than worth the drive.

Some of the great scenes from the film are Elvis (using his walker) and JFK (in his wheelchair) in their uniforms going into battle against the mummy…going down that hallway with the heroic music playing behind them.  When Haff (an Elvis impersonator) meets the real Elvis (both played by Bruce).  JFK’s conspiracy theories.  The Lone Ranger guy.  The Kleptomaniac lady who steals the glasses off the woman in the iron lung.  The bug fight.  The hieroglyphic subtitles when the mummy speaks.  So many wonderful scenes. 

Obviously, driving 3 1/2 hours to see the film, I was hoping it would be good.  I was shocked at just how good the film ended up being, and it seems to just get better and better with each viewing.  I highly recommend this to all, even though I know the film probably isn’t for everyone.

What do you think, sirs?

Top Five Films - Number Two

Sorry - I know all three of you have been devastated that this is late in coming (due to being busy - I was unable to post thursday or friday).  Anyway, the list continues….

High Fidelity

A film with that many Top Five lists throughout the script has to be in your Top Five films, then, right?  Is there a finer actor (or, at least, someone who picks better projects to work on) than John Cusack?  I believe the film came out shortly after Grosse Pointe Blank and a little before Being John Malkovich.  Those two films have been Top Five contenders for a long time.

Story has Cusack’s Rob - a record store owner in Chicago (transplanted from Nick Hornby’s London setting) - recollecting his Top Five break-ups, wondering what is so wrong about him that makes him so easy to dump.  Along with the general thread, there is tremendous music being played throughout, some wonderful conversation (especially for the music geek), and some great scenes.  My one contention (from the music geek side) is when Dick is talking about Green Day’s influences, and he and Anna immediately say The Clash before breaking out the Stiff Little Fingers.  Green Day is obviously a carbon-copy of the Ramones, but I digress.

The film has two wonderful scenes (a lot more than that - but these are the highlights for me).  The first is a discussion about the word “yet” and what it really means.  To illustrate the point, there is a lengthy discussion regarding Evil Dead II - any film referencing the Evil Dead already gets points.  The second scene is when the guy Rob’s latest ex-girlfriend is seeing comes into the store, and Rob imagines a response to him, with Dick (his shy, timid employee) smashing the new boyfriend across the face with a phone - that whole scene is uproarious.

This film also introduced the Beta Band to me and “After the Rain.”  It made me like Lisa Bonet’s great acoustic rendition of a Peter Fuckin’ Frampton song.  It also was my introduction to “You’re Gonna Miss Me” by the 13th Floor Elevators (which has become one of my favs).  The talks about making a mixed tape are just spot-on. 

The thing about this film that also has it at #2 in my list (aside from the fact that it is really faithful to the book of the same name) is that it makes me want to write.  Whenever the closing credits role, I just want to open the laptop or find a notebook and start writing.  For me, that is powerful.  It also makes me want to sit in a room listening to records…

Aside from the great performance by John Cusack, there is a great supporting cast around him - including Jack Black, Lisa Bonet, Joan Cusack, and Iben Hjejle.  Enough cannot be said about the performances given by Tim Robbins and Todd Louiso - who both make the most out of their roles.

Tomorrow (hopefully) - 7/1/08.  My #1.  What-a-Who-Now?

Top Five Films - Number Three

Kundun

Beautifully told story of the life of His Holiness, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, who is the leader of Tibet, although he has been exiled from Tibet since he was eighteen.  This movie takes us from the discovery of who he is until the exhile.

Of course, I’m a big fan of His Holiness (Christine and I will be seeing him speak in Wisconsin in July).  And, I know this movie is slanted towards Buddhism.  There may have been things going on that are swept under the rug, although, from what I’ve been able to find, true events were portrayed.  If some others were left out, well…that’s another story.

The look of the film is astonishing.  I think the acting, writing, direction are all executed well.  I had never seen Tibet and don’t think too much of the classic structures are still standing, but it’s wonderful to see what it may have looked like.  An insight into some of the Tibetan Buddhist culture is a great thing to see.

Some people attack the film for deifying the Dalai Lama and not showing his “human” side too much.  Some people attack the film, saying it shows Tibet as a Shangri-La, while it really wasn’t (I didn’t really get that from the film - as most of the Tibetan scenes are in the monastery).  Regardless, you can only cram so much into a two hour movie, and I’m sure it was difficult enough to isolate the story as they did without adding in any other intrigues.

It is still a very moving film (the scene of the Dalai Lama’s dream of being surrounded by a sea of dead monks is just breath-taking).  The Dalai Lama’s sad trek to India leaves an impact.  Just a wonderful film about a truly inspiring person.

Tomorrow - Number Two on my Top Five List

Top Five Films - Number Four

The Devil’s Rejects

Sequel to Rob Zombie’s first film effort, the uneven House of 1,000 Corpses, follows the Firefly family as they are on the run after the police invade their home, uncovering the gruesome murders they have carried out.

Unlike Corpses, this film is straight-forward, dirty filmmaking right out of the 1970s.  It is a harsh and brilliantly made film.  The bad guys are mean and detestable.  The good guys are even more so.  Sympathy is really only deserved for the poor victims who get caught up in the middle, especially the very likable Banjo and Sullivan gang (You know, Johnny Cash shook my hand once).

A lot of dark humour throughout the film, and, knowing that it is only a film, you can’t help but start to like the Firefly gang as well.  They are a joy to watch.  True, if these were real people, I’d stay clear of them if possible, but they make for fun characters to watch, and it’s interesting to see the family dynamic of this psychotic crew.

The pacing of the film, script, direction, acting - it all comes together perfectly.  It’s fun to see Bill “Otis” Moseley in other roles because he looks and acts nothing like his character in this film, making his transformation all the more impressive.  Rob Zombie took an amazing leap from his first film (which played to me like a collection of music videos, rather than a coherent film) to his second.  I’m glad he was able to take these characters (drop the fun but a little out of place Dr Satan) and make such a great film out of them.  Not that Corpses was all bad.  There was a lot in that film I liked, and it showed the promise that Zombie might be able to deliver.  Rejects delivered beyond my wildest dreams, though.  Whereas Corpses was definitely steeped in fantasy elements, Rejects was very “real” in its presentation, making it much more effective.

Also, I have to respect any film that ended up making me a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird.”  The final scene of the film is one of the greatest scenes that I have ever seen, and it has “Free Bird” playing over it.  With that association, I actually bought the song on iTunes and have to listen to it every once in awhile, thinking of the scene as it plays.  Never really cared for the song much up until then.  I love those scenes that can put a strong hold on the viewer, and, to me, it was the ultimate pay off in a perfect movie.

Wednesday:  Can’t wait to go to Wisconsin.

 

Top Five Films - Number Five

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

For the longest time, this is the film I would cite as my favourite film.  It has dropped down to fifth, as I started thinking about everything, and it had to battle with Edward Scissorhands to do so.  I think the drop has more to do with my age than anything.

When this film came out, I was absolutely amazed and would buy little Nightmare Before Christmas figures and whatever I could afford at Suncoast.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t as aware of “collecting” or the possible financial gains involved - especially with this film because it wasn’t a huuuuuuge hit.  Probably could’ve made lots of cash if I had been able to purchase more.

Anyway, this is a wonderful stop-motion animated piece about what happens when Halloween takes over Christmas.  The animation is wonderful.  The story and music are fantastic.  A lot of dark humour yet still fun for the kids.  I never got around to viewing the 3D version when that was re-released a couple years ago, but I always make sure to throw in the DVD at least once between Halloween and Christmas and then here and there throughout the year.

I haven’t read any theories about the film or the intent (in most cases - it’s just to entertain and then the critics and stuff and go ahead and try to find meaning in it), but I always saw this film as a call to separate the holidays.  To be honest, Halloween is the only holiday that I actually enjoy, and Martin Luther King, Jr Day (is it really even considered a holiday anymore?) is probably the only holiday that we have that really means something special.  With Christmas being promoted earlier and earlier every year, it’s a reminder that there are other holidays out there.  Maybe I’m just bitter that Christmas overshadows Halloween more and more each year.

The film itself was three years in the making (if I’m remembering correctly), and the time and dedication that it took shows.  The fluidity of the character’s movement - I mean, you’re not going to be fooled into thinking that the characters are real, but it looks great.  It’s loads of fun to see Halloween’s take on the Christmas holiday - to show that, what works for one person, may not work for another.  A severed head may be great for Halloween but doesn’t work too well as a Christmas present.

The DVD itself also contains a short called Vincent, which is one of the greatest shorts I’ve ever seen and another fun short film called Frankenweenie (I thought I heard this might be remade into a full-length feature). 

If my iPod wasn’t stuck, I’d start listening to the soundtrack right now, as just writing this little piece has “This is Halloween” running through my brain.  If for some reason you’ve never checked out this film, I’d highly suggest doing so - it’s a true treat for the eyes and ears.

Next up - Film #4.  It will take a bigger net to catch this Firefly.

Top Five Films - Honourable Mentions (Horror)

I have a big love of horror films, and, while doing my Honourable Mentions for my all time favourite Top 5 films, I started putting in some horror films and realized the list could go on forever, so I decided to break horror out in its own list.

• Bad Taste - Pre-Rings Peter Jackson.  You knew he was destined for greatness after this film.  Brains.  Aliens.  Chunky Bits.  Derek.  Robert.  A masterpiece.
• Re-Animator - Jeffrey Combs has played some of the greatest characters - and Herbert West is among the best (I think there are a couple more sequels in the works - one with William H. Macy set to star).  Based on Herbert West - Re-animator by HP Lovecraft.
• Halloween - Have to do some of the standard fare.  I’m still amazed at the use of shadow in this film.  Still a great film.  Rob Zombie’s remake wasn’t bad either.  Also a big fan of Halloween:  H20.
• Wes Craven’s New Nightmare - The 7th “Elm Street” film has probably been the best, right up there with the crazy original.  This film combines fact and fiction to make a bizarre entry into the Elm Street mythology.
• Hills Have Eyes - Keeping on the Wes Craven page, the 1977 version is a masterpiece.  Something about the films of the 70s - the heyday of horror.
• Texas Chainsaw Massacre - Took my baby away from me.  The 1974 version just gets scarier.  The re-make was all right.
• The Exorcist - Not much to say.  Just a beautifully made movie.
• Night of the Living Dead - Although the film can seem like it moves at a dead crawl in certain areas, it is so intense.
• Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday - Number 9, I think.  Great storyline (kind of reminiscent of Wes Craven’s SHOCKER) and some good actors.  Fun movie.
• Shocker - May as well put this in.  This was my favourite film when it came out.  Heavy Metal soundtrack was a favourite at that time of my life.  This was Wes Craven’s attempt to create another “Elm Street” but with more control over the franchise.
• Basket Case - What’s in the basket?  Oh - it’s just my brother.
• Evil Dead Trilogy - No sense putting them individually.  Sam Raimi at his best.  Interesting to watch the progression.  EVIL DEAD is more of a rollercoaster ride with some humour thrown in.  EVIL DEAD II continues the ride with a little more blatant humour.  ARMY OF DARKNESS has a little horror and lots more humour.  How do you decide?  You don’t.  Just watch all three movies.
• Hellraiser - Clive Barker’s cinematic career gets put on the map.  Still effective now.  Wonder what the remake is going to be like (more like the book?), since I think, aside from fashion, that the film holds up.
• Nightbreed - Another Clive Barker film.  I heard that if he could re-cut this movie that it could be a lot better, and it was already one of my favourites.  A film where monsters are the good guys and humans are the bad ones.  This was my favourite for a long time.  The novella (CABAL) that it’s based off is excellent.
• Exorcist III - Another great book (LEGION) that this is based off of.  Filming had some problems and the ending exorcism would’ve been best left on the cutting room floor (studio should have listened to William Peter Blatty).  Still, very effective and elevated (in my opinion) Brad Dourif to one of the best actors.
• Bride of Chucky/Seed of Chucky - Speaking of Brad Dourif (voice of Chucky).  These films are unbelievably good, really elevated the franchise.  SEED took that reality/fiction approach like NEW NIGHTMARE, and it really worked.
• Blair Witch Project - It’s been on cable a lot again lately, and I’ve been catching it here and there.  I forgot what a good film this was.
• Puppetmaster III: Toulon’s Revenge - World War 2-era film where the puppets first had to be a little devious.  Re-animator-like in many instances.  Very high quality, especially for a Full Moon feature.
• Return of the Living Dead - BRAAAAAAAIIIIINNNNSSSSSS!!!!!
• Killer Nerd - Local favourite.  Toby Radloff is great.  Growing up, my friends and I tried the techniques, but Slick Dick’s School of Cool just never seemed to work.
• Toxic Avenger - The original was so good.  This film even started an in-joke with my parents while driving, assigning points to different people that you could hit.
• Freddy vs. Jason - Gonna go ahead and list this.  Just a fun movie.  Two horror icons together.
• Ginger Snaps - Canadian lycanthropic film about a young girl blossoming into womanhood.  Haven’t seen the sequels, but this film was very well done.
• Subspecies - My favourite Vampire film.  The sequels were watchable, but this film, especially at the age when it came out, just stuck with me, although I never liked the lead woman in the film (glad she was recast for the sequels).  Anders Hove’s Radu is still one of the coolest screen vampires.  A FULL MOON classic.
• Brain Damage - From the makers of BASKET CASE.  The creature singing Elmer’s Tune is just a classic scene.
• Attack of the Killer Tomatoes - I’ll end this list here.  I was debating between putting it on the regular list and in the horror list, and I decided to put it here.  The premise is really a horror parody, so I think it fits.  The ultimate B-Movie (Return of the Killer Tomatoes was one of George Clooney’s first films).  My friend and I searched forever for a copy of “Puberty Love” to no avail.

Lots more I’m sure, but I’ll stop here.

6/23 - #5 in my Top 5 list of Favourite Films.  A holiday classic.

Top Five Films - Honourable Mentions

I had mentioned I was going to do some music lists of my favourite songs.  I was thinking about movies the other day and decided to do film as my first venture into making my favourites list, since I actually have a clear cut Top 5.  My plan is that next Monday (June 23), I will start revealing the list, writing something about each film - starting with the film that comes in at number 5 and working my way until the big reveal next Friday as to my favourite film.

Aside from my Top 5, there are so many films I wanted to mention because there are certain aspects that I love, and I didn’t want to leave them off, even though they didn’t crack the Top 5.  I first started writing down the films, and the list was getting huge (then again, with over 100 years to choose from, that’s to be expected).  As I was writing it out, though, I thought - should I only include movies that I was seriously considering for my Top 5?  Or, movies I know are not necessarily Top 5 material but that I really want to mention anyway? 

The plan:  Today I am listing out movies that have been in my Top 5 throughout the years and have dropped out or have been on the cusp, even if they’ve never broken through.  Tomorrow, I will be limiting it to the Horror genre because, as I started listing them, there were way too many I wanted to list, so I decided to take those out and give them their own entry.

Hope you enjoy this list. 

• Edward Scissorhands - A Top 5 mainstay for awhile but has been edged out recently.  This one almost made it, as I was hedging back and forth between this film and another.  Tim Burton’s best live action film.  When I think of the greatest scenes in film history, two from this movie stand out to me - Wynona Ryder dancing in the ice shavings and Wynona Ryder asking Johnny Depp to hold her.  As he is about to, Johnny sees the scissors and sadly says that he can’t.  Alan Arkin is also wonderful in this film.
• Being John Malkovich - Another movie that was in my Top 5 forever but was recently displaced when I started to think about my truly favourite films.  I don’t fully understand what’s going on at all times in the movie, but it’s funny as hell, creative, and very well executed.
• Little Miss Sunshine - Alan Arkin and the horn have me rolling every time.  The family’s dance sequence is another wonderful scene.
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Jim Carrey is best when he’s not making all the faces and being all slap-sticky (in my opinion).  He has a great performance, along with Kate Winslet.
• Heavenly Creatures - Speaking of Kate Winslet, this was another film that always vied for a spot in my Top 5.  I haven’t seen it for awhile, as I only had a VHS copy, which took a shit.  This film also demonstrated that Peter jackson could make a “serious”-ly good film.
• Grosse Pointe Blank - Another Top 5-er for a little bit that always rears its head.  Dark.  Humourous.  One of the films that shows that John Cusack may be the best American actor ever.
• Mindwalk - Thanks for bringing this one home, Christine.  If I’m flipping through the stations and find this playing, my flipping ceases.  Great conversation caught on film.
• Fletch - Chevy Chase at his best.  Been quoting this film for years. 
• Godzilla vs. Destroyah - Another film that has been on the cusp of breaking into the Top 5 from time to time.  A film doesn’t usually drive me to tears, but they nearly escaped my eyes at the end of this film.  The perfect Big G movie.
• Gremlins - Absolutely loved it (and the sequel).  Probably would never crack my Top 5, but it’s a film I always think about when coming up with a list and often watch.  I’m thinking this may be Ethan’s introduction to horror when he’s a little older.
• The Goonies - I can’t wait to share this adventure with Ethan.  Five or six years ago, we were able to see this on the big screen again.  Another film that is in its yearly rotation…I think we’re about due for it.  I picture this as the perfect rainy afternoon movie.  Like Gremlins, I don’t think it will ever crack the Top 5, but it’s always hovering.
• Office Space - Funny film, had its moments.  Then, I started to work in an office.  Fuckin’ hilarious.  I almost died when I heard a fellow employee ask “PC Load Letter?  What does that mean?”
• Cabin Boy - “Get a Life” set at sea.  Imaginative mythical creatures.  Chris Elliot is probably the funniest man alive.
• Accepted - Will probably not crack my Top 5, but, coming up with lists at this exact time, this is a film I can’t get enough of.  Was never a Lewis Black fan, necessarily, but he is a riot in this movie.
• Fever Pitch - Take out the Red Sox and insert the Indians.  Yep.  That’s what Christine has to live with.
• The Empire Strikes Back - Growing up with Star Wars and being a nerd, I mean one of the films was bound to break the Top 5 every so often.  This is it.  The scenes on Hoth and Dagobah.  When Lando leads the “good guys” into the room where Vader is waiting - Chewbacca yells, a shot is fired and deflected.  That whole scene is another that always stands out to me when thinking about the best scenes of all time.
• Lord of the Rings:  Return of the King - Sticking in pretty much the same genre.  Peter Jackson really stepped up.  This film was in the Top 5 for awhile.  I think it dropped out because I don’t have the time to watch the complete film in order to keep it “fresh” in my mind.  For me, this film went by a lot quicker than many 90 minutes movies.
• Groundhog Day - Like the movie itself, it gets put on repeat at different times during the year.  Christine’s favorite.  Maybe my mom’s least favorite.  Bill Murray’s best role?  Not sure - Rushmore, Broken Flowers, Lost in Translation rank pretty high, as does…
• Ed Wood - This is another film that saw its way in and out of my Top 5.  I know some of the story is probably fictionalized, but, what a crazy time that had to be to be a part of that crew.
• The Bridge - Documentary about suicides on the Golden Gate Bridge.  Disturbing, as you realize these are real people ending their lives but very intriguing as well.
• How to Draw a Bunny - My introduction to performace artist Ray Johnson.  Glad I was able to snatch this one when Hollywood Video went out of business.  Is he crazy?  A genius?  You decide.
• Storefront Hitchcock - Nice, intimate performance by Robyn Hitchcock, just behind a storefront.
• Stop Making Sense - Like Storefront Hitchcock, this was directed by Johnathan Demme - showing a great performance by The Talking Heads.
• End of the Century - A great, honest look into the life of the Ramones.  The only piece that was a little disappointing was the quick pace from 1980 - Present.  But, you can only pack so much into a film.

That’s good.  I could probably go on.  Tomorrow:  Horror Honourable Mentions.  Feel free to discuss.

Top Chef Finale

The Top Chef finale was last night, and I thought it was a pretty good summary of the season as a whole.

Stephanie was not always sure of her choices but was a very strong competitor the whole way through and proved herself once again in the finale.

Lisa, once again, was not the worst chef of the night because a chef, who is a lot more talented than her, had a bad night.  In my opinion (and, I know, I haven’t tasted the food or anything and wouldn’t taste the majority of the food, being a vegetarian), Lisa seemed to get by each week because a chef who appeared to have more talent didn’t do as well on a given challenge.  I mean, you can’t be in the bottom as often as she was and be one of the best chefs there.  You might have an off-night or whatever, but she was on the bottom consistently.  Aside from that, she was unpleasant to watch on tv.

Richard, at least, continued to show his innovation and playfulness, although, from the sounds of it, he seemed to be thinking too much about “cute” names for his meal and the technique involved to make them and forgot the secret ingredient - taste.  His performance also allowed for the chance that Lisa might get named Top Chef, which may have turned us off to the show completely if that happened.

On the other hand, it would have been fun to see Lisa be named Top Chef.  There’s the usual celebration and congratulations - some of the “packed and gone” chefs coming out.  I think it would’ve been funny to have Lisa win and see the reaction of everyone else…most probably with a “What the FUCK?” expression on their faces.  What would’ve happened?  “C’mon, guys.  We’re going to reshoot this.  Act like you’re happy for her.”

Finally, wouldn’t a Top Chef be someone who is constantly turning out a good meal.  It seems strange that a person’s fate on the show would hinge on one meal.  I know in Project Runway they have the tag of “one day you’re in - one day you’re out” or however they say it.  Fashion may be that way.  Is it the same with food?  If I receive seven good dishes and then the eighth is not so good, I’ll still come back for a ninth.  Sometimes, while watching the show, it sounds like they take past meals and future ability into consideration when making their decisions.  Others, it sounds like they are grading this meal only.  Maybe they do whatever suits their needs.  I don’t know.

With Stephanie winning, though, it will bring us back on board for season 5.  In the meantime, there are a whole lot of Kitchen Nightmares to get watching.