Peter Boyle died this week. While he'll likely be remembered by a lot of people as Raymond's surly father in Everybody Loves Raymond, to me and many more, his comedic pinnacle came in the film Young Frankenstein, in the scene where he duets Putting On The Ritz with Gene Wilder onstage before the soon-to-be angry mob. Every time I see that scene in particular, it guarantees a laugh out of me.
Thanks for that, Peter.
Wednesday, December 13
PUUTTTINNN' AHNA RIIIIITTTZZZ!!
PUUTTTINNN' AHNA RIIIIITTTZZZ!!
Peter Boyle died this week. While he'll likely be remembered by a lot of people as Raymond's surly father in Everybody Loves Raymond, to me and many more, his comedic pinnacle came in the film Young Frankenstein, in the scene where he duets Putting On The Ritz with Gene Wilder onstage before the soon-to-be angry mob. Every time I see that scene in particular, it guarantees a laugh out of me.
Thanks for that, Peter.
The Long Awful Bus Ride Home
For some reason, the Charlottetown Transit system is using a smaller bus (less seats) for its busiest run, Confederation Centre to Charlottetown Mall. i don't know why they made the move, but I don't really like the newer (older?) smaller bus.
Anyway, last night, I got on the bus and immediately knew it was going to be unpleasant. A child wailing, in a stroller. I sit at the back of the bus and for the whole of the duration of the trip out to the mall, the child did not stop wailing.
Now, I am a person who can tolerate all kinds of children's crying if it seems to have a valid reason and purpose. Like if the child was obviously in some physical discomfort, I wouldn't begrudge the shrieking. This kid, though, seemed to be doing it to spite its mother. I say "its" because I honestly don't know if it was a boy or a girl. At first, the quality of the tortured screaming seemed to indicate to me that the child was, in fact, in pain. Soon, though, it became clear that the kid was in no pain and was only testing the mother. Upon this realization, my hate for the kid was totally on.
For a while, I sympathized for the mother. Poor, tortured mother unable to handle the emotional blackmail of the child. Soon, though, that sympathy turned to anger. Shame on you for not being able to handle the emotional blackmail of the child. Then I started wondering about the kid. It looked to be rather too big to be in a stroller. Also the kid didn't actually wail any discernible words. Just grunts and shrieks. That made me think maybe the kid was disabled in some way. I began to feel bad for the kid if this was the case. Soon, though, it became clear that the kid was not affected by any disability. Just a selfish, shrieking kid. With an ineffectual, infuriating mother.
The whole experience made me want to get home and hug my son, because I cannot recall him ever acting out in such a way in public. When I got home, I didn't hug him, though, since I pretty much put the whole ugly experience out of my head as soon as I got off the bus.
The Long Awful Bus Ride Home
For some reason, the Charlottetown Transit system is using a smaller bus (less seats) for its busiest run, Confederation Centre to Charlottetown Mall. i don't know why they made the move, but I don't really like the newer (older?) smaller bus.
Anyway, last night, I got on the bus and immediately knew it was going to be unpleasant. A child wailing, in a stroller. I sit at the back of the bus and for the whole of the duration of the trip out to the mall, the child did not stop wailing.
Now, I am a person who can tolerate all kinds of children's crying if it seems to have a valid reason and purpose. Like if the child was obviously in some physical discomfort, I wouldn't begrudge the shrieking. This kid, though, seemed to be doing it to spite its mother. I say "its" because I honestly don't know if it was a boy or a girl. At first, the quality of the tortured screaming seemed to indicate to me that the child was, in fact, in pain. Soon, though, it became clear that the kid was in no pain and was only testing the mother. Upon this realization, my hate for the kid was totally on.
For a while, I sympathized for the mother. Poor, tortured mother unable to handle the emotional blackmail of the child. Soon, though, that sympathy turned to anger. Shame on you for not being able to handle the emotional blackmail of the child. Then I started wondering about the kid. It looked to be rather too big to be in a stroller. Also the kid didn't actually wail any discernible words. Just grunts and shrieks. That made me think maybe the kid was disabled in some way. I began to feel bad for the kid if this was the case. Soon, though, it became clear that the kid was not affected by any disability. Just a selfish, shrieking kid. With an ineffectual, infuriating mother.
The whole experience made me want to get home and hug my son, because I cannot recall him ever acting out in such a way in public. When I got home, I didn't hug him, though, since I pretty much put the whole ugly experience out of my head as soon as I got off the bus.
Tuesday, December 12
Pauley Shore Gets Punched In The Desperate
So, there's a video out there showing Pauley Shore doing his routine in some deep south place. A guy in a cowboy hat comes up on stage and punches him. There are reports that the thing was staged. After looking at the video, which I'm not linking to, I would agree that it was staged.
If it was staged, well, how sad and desperate. If it wasn't staged, how sad and desperate that Pauley Shore is still doing standup.
powered by performancing firefox
Pauley Shore Gets Punched In The Desperate
So, there's a video out there showing Pauley Shore doing his routine in some deep south place. A guy in a cowboy hat comes up on stage and punches him. There are reports that the thing was staged. After looking at the video, which I'm not linking to, I would agree that it was staged.
If it was staged, well, how sad and desperate. If it wasn't staged, how sad and desperate that Pauley Shore is still doing standup.
powered by performancing firefox
Thursday, December 7
PDJ's M-F, U-E Holiday Midterm
Another one of those movie exam things that show up every so often on Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule.
What was the last movie you saw, either in a theater or on DVD, and why?
The last movie I saw was Marebito,a Japanese quasi-horror flick that I didn’t really enjoy. But I saw that on The Movie Network, which is neither a theatre or DVD. So, to answer the question, the last movie I saw, either in a theatre or on DVD, was in a theatre. It was Casino Royale. The why of it is pretty simple: New Bond movie, and new Bond Bond. Itdoesn’t ask if I enjoyed it, but I did, for the most part. Daniel Craigis a very good Bond.
2) Name the cinematographer whose work you most look forward to seeing, and an example of one of his/her finest achievements.
I am assuming this means a current cinematographer whose (new) work I
most look forward to seeing. I’m not really too much into anticipating
the latest from cinematographers, as they pretty much go by
unrecognized by me (but not unappreciated, as I enjoy
interesting/pretty cinematography in movies). However, that last
cinematographer that I remember taking note of was Conrad L. Hall for Road To Perdition.
I thought that was a beautifully shot film. Sadly, he died shortly
after finishing it, so I can’t look forward to new work from him.
Joe Don Baker.
4) Name a moment from a movie that made you gasp (in horror, surprise, revelation…)
The first one that always comes to mind is the grave scene from Carrie.
5) Your favorite movie about the movies.
Robert Altman’s The Player, I guess.
6) Your Favorite Fritz Lang movie.
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a Fritz Lang movie. And if I did, it didn’t register as a Fritz Lang movie.
I cannot recall.Or, I have not yet been adequately represented in a movie. In all honesty, I see a lot of me in Dexter, the character in the Showtime TVseries Dexter.
8) Carole Bouquet or Angela Molina?
Even after a trip to IMDB, both actresses remain mysteries to me. I'll have to go with Carole Bouquet, though, simply because I see where she was in For Your Eyes Only.
9) Name a movie that redeems the notion of nostalgia as something more than a bankable commodity.
Wow, that's one ofthose questions where you have to read it, like, a bunch of times even to begin to figure out what it means. Does this mean name a movie that conjures up nostalgic thoughts in you, but doesn't seem to be selling you the nostalgia? Name a movie which honestly evokes nostalgia, is that what it means?
Hmm? Does it have to be nostalgia for a period in my past, or can it be nostalgia for a period I didn't experience? I'll say Hope and Glory.
Does Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2 count? If so, I'll go with that. If not, I'm drawing a blank. I will not say OJ Simpson.
11) Favorite Hal Ashby movie.
Harold and Maude
12) Name the first double feature you’d program for opening night of your own revival theater.
The first feature would be Bonnie & Clyde, followed by Polyester.
13) What’s the name of your revival theater?
The Popcorn Box (even as I was typing it, I started to hate it. Then I began to really likeit. Now, I'm of mixed emotions about it)
14) Humphrey Bogart or Elliot Gould?
Elliot Gould
15) Favorite Robert Stevenson movie.
The Love Bug
16) Describe your favorite moment in a movie that is memorable because of its use of sound.
The animal sounds in Raging Bull when Jake LaMotta is boxing.
17) Pink Flamingoes-- yes or no?
Yes
18) Your favorite movie soundtrack score.
It's cliche, I suppose, but The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
19) Fay Wray or Naomi Watts?
Fay Wray, all the way.
20) Is there a movie that would make you question the judgment and/or taste of a film critic, blogger or friend if you found out they were an advocate of it?
Of course. Lots of movies. Too many to mention here. Anything starring Pauly Shore, for one.
21) Pick a new category for the Oscars and its first deserving winner.
Best ComicPerformance. Does it have to be from the last year? If so, hmm, not alot of comedies jumping out at me. Okay, so I can't think of anydeserving winners from this year, yet (although I'm sure there havebeen good comedic performances), but I do think it deserves to be acategory. Comedic acting needs to be given its props.
22) Favorite Paul Verhoeven movie.
In the same way that I suppose I could be forced to pick a favourite bout of diarrhea, I'd have to pick Showgirls.
23) What is it that you think movies do better than any other art form? Distort the realities of history.
24) Peter Ustinov or Albert Finney?
Albert Finney
25) Favorite movie studio logo, as it appears before a theatrical feature.
I do like the kid fishing off the D in Dreamworks
26) Name the single most important book about the movies for you personally.
Not much into books about the movies.
27) Name the movie that features the best twist ending. (Please note the use of any “spoilers” in your answer.)
Psycho. Only because the twist ending comes so early in the movie.
28) Favorite Francois Truffaut movie.
Am I bad for not knowing if I've ever seen a Truffaut movie?
29) Olivia Hussey or Claire Danes?
Olivia Hussey, please. By default.
30) Your most memorable celebrity encounter.
I have not had a memorable celebrity encounter.
31) When did you first realize that films were directed?
Probably Jaws, when I realized that somebody was responsible for causing me to be so on edge.
powered by performancing firefox
PDJ's M-F, U-E Holiday Midterm
Another one of those movie exam things that show up every so often on Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule.
What was the last movie you saw, either in a theater or on DVD, and why?
The last movie I saw was Marebito,a Japanese quasi-horror flick that I didn’t really enjoy. But I saw that on The Movie Network, which is neither a theatre or DVD. So, to answer the question, the last movie I saw, either in a theatre or on DVD, was in a theatre. It was Casino Royale. The why of it is pretty simple: New Bond movie, and new Bond Bond. Itdoesn’t ask if I enjoyed it, but I did, for the most part. Daniel Craigis a very good Bond.
2) Name the cinematographer whose work you most look forward to seeing, and an example of one of his/her finest achievements.
I am assuming this means a current cinematographer whose (new) work I
most look forward to seeing. I’m not really too much into anticipating
the latest from cinematographers, as they pretty much go by
unrecognized by me (but not unappreciated, as I enjoy
interesting/pretty cinematography in movies). However, that last
cinematographer that I remember taking note of was Conrad L. Hall for Road To Perdition.
I thought that was a beautifully shot film. Sadly, he died shortly
after finishing it, so I can’t look forward to new work from him.
Joe Don Baker.
4) Name a moment from a movie that made you gasp (in horror, surprise, revelation…)
The first one that always comes to mind is the grave scene from Carrie.
5) Your favorite movie about the movies.
Robert Altman’s The Player, I guess.
6) Your Favorite Fritz Lang movie.
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a Fritz Lang movie. And if I did, it didn’t register as a Fritz Lang movie.
I cannot recall.Or, I have not yet been adequately represented in a movie. In all honesty, I see a lot of me in Dexter, the character in the Showtime TVseries Dexter.
8) Carole Bouquet or Angela Molina?
Even after a trip to IMDB, both actresses remain mysteries to me. I'll have to go with Carole Bouquet, though, simply because I see where she was in For Your Eyes Only.
9) Name a movie that redeems the notion of nostalgia as something more than a bankable commodity.
Wow, that's one ofthose questions where you have to read it, like, a bunch of times even to begin to figure out what it means. Does this mean name a movie that conjures up nostalgic thoughts in you, but doesn't seem to be selling you the nostalgia? Name a movie which honestly evokes nostalgia, is that what it means?
Hmm? Does it have to be nostalgia for a period in my past, or can it be nostalgia for a period I didn't experience? I'll say Hope and Glory.
Does Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2 count? If so, I'll go with that. If not, I'm drawing a blank. I will not say OJ Simpson.
11) Favorite Hal Ashby movie.
Harold and Maude
12) Name the first double feature you’d program for opening night of your own revival theater.
The first feature would be Bonnie & Clyde, followed by Polyester.
13) What’s the name of your revival theater?
The Popcorn Box (even as I was typing it, I started to hate it. Then I began to really likeit. Now, I'm of mixed emotions about it)
14) Humphrey Bogart or Elliot Gould?
Elliot Gould
15) Favorite Robert Stevenson movie.
The Love Bug
16) Describe your favorite moment in a movie that is memorable because of its use of sound.
The animal sounds in Raging Bull when Jake LaMotta is boxing.
17) Pink Flamingoes-- yes or no?
Yes
18) Your favorite movie soundtrack score.
It's cliche, I suppose, but The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
19) Fay Wray or Naomi Watts?
Fay Wray, all the way.
20) Is there a movie that would make you question the judgment and/or taste of a film critic, blogger or friend if you found out they were an advocate of it?
Of course. Lots of movies. Too many to mention here. Anything starring Pauly Shore, for one.
21) Pick a new category for the Oscars and its first deserving winner.
Best ComicPerformance. Does it have to be from the last year? If so, hmm, not alot of comedies jumping out at me. Okay, so I can't think of anydeserving winners from this year, yet (although I'm sure there havebeen good comedic performances), but I do think it deserves to be acategory. Comedic acting needs to be given its props.
22) Favorite Paul Verhoeven movie.
In the same way that I suppose I could be forced to pick a favourite bout of diarrhea, I'd have to pick Showgirls.
23) What is it that you think movies do better than any other art form? Distort the realities of history.
24) Peter Ustinov or Albert Finney?
Albert Finney
25) Favorite movie studio logo, as it appears before a theatrical feature.
I do like the kid fishing off the D in Dreamworks
26) Name the single most important book about the movies for you personally.
Not much into books about the movies.
27) Name the movie that features the best twist ending. (Please note the use of any “spoilers” in your answer.)
Psycho. Only because the twist ending comes so early in the movie.
28) Favorite Francois Truffaut movie.
Am I bad for not knowing if I've ever seen a Truffaut movie?
29) Olivia Hussey or Claire Danes?
Olivia Hussey, please. By default.
30) Your most memorable celebrity encounter.
I have not had a memorable celebrity encounter.
31) When did you first realize that films were directed?
Probably Jaws, when I realized that somebody was responsible for causing me to be so on edge.
powered by performancing firefox
The Weekly NFL Picks Update
Well, the NFL season is firmly into its "if Team A wins three of their last four while Team B gets arrested in Mexico for indecent exposure, and as long Team C doesn't cannibalize itself in a plane crash in the Andes, Team D has a slight chance of securing a Wild Card Spot" period, and it's time to check in with my little NFL Picks contest.
Never before have I sucked more in making my picks each week. I am an abysmal 85-107, which is 44.3%. I could, theoretically, do better by flipping a coin.
Here are the current standings, with 4 regular season and all the playoff weeks/games still to come:
Graham the Conqueror is on top with the only 50%+ score: 99-93 (51.6%)
Next is the always near the top reverseflash with 92-100 (47.9%)
spragger2002 & Jim Simmonds are tied for third with 90-102 (46.9%)
RFTT1985 started out strong this season, but fell down the standings to 89-103 (46.3%)
Yours Truly, annekenstein, is at the bottom of the barrel, with a paltry 85-107 (44.3%)
And it's not just a couple of bad weeks which have done me in. Every week, I've sucked in my picks. Except, I think, two weeks ago when I got something like 9-6.
My Dolphins have had a remarkably frustrating season, too, by the way. A 1-6 start to the season doomed them to any realistic chance of making the playoffs. They're currently 5-7 and can only hope to play spoiler for others from here on out (even though they are not yet mathematically eliminated from playoff contention).
The Weekly NFL Picks Update
Well, the NFL season is firmly into its "if Team A wins three of their last four while Team B gets arrested in Mexico for indecent exposure, and as long Team C doesn't cannibalize itself in a plane crash in the Andes, Team D has a slight chance of securing a Wild Card Spot" period, and it's time to check in with my little NFL Picks contest.
Never before have I sucked more in making my picks each week. I am an abysmal 85-107, which is 44.3%. I could, theoretically, do better by flipping a coin.
Here are the current standings, with 4 regular season and all the playoff weeks/games still to come:
Graham the Conqueror is on top with the only 50%+ score: 99-93 (51.6%)
Next is the always near the top reverseflash with 92-100 (47.9%)
spragger2002 & Jim Simmonds are tied for third with 90-102 (46.9%)
RFTT1985 started out strong this season, but fell down the standings to 89-103 (46.3%)
Yours Truly, annekenstein, is at the bottom of the barrel, with a paltry 85-107 (44.3%)
And it's not just a couple of bad weeks which have done me in. Every week, I've sucked in my picks. Except, I think, two weeks ago when I got something like 9-6.
My Dolphins have had a remarkably frustrating season, too, by the way. A 1-6 start to the season doomed them to any realistic chance of making the playoffs. They're currently 5-7 and can only hope to play spoiler for others from here on out (even though they are not yet mathematically eliminated from playoff contention).
Tuesday, December 5
Santa Made Me Shit Bricks!!
Here is a great gallery of some pics of kids with Santa. Some of those Santa's would make me cry too.
Santa Made Me Shit Bricks!!
Here is a great gallery of some pics of kids with Santa. Some of those Santa's would make me cry too.
Saturday, November 25
Soundtrack To My Life's Movie
From DaveS comes this meme. Sorry for using the word "meme". But it's a good meme, I think.
"If Your Life Was a Movie What Would the Soundtrack Be"
The rules:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc.).
2. Put it on shuffle.
3. Press play.
4. For every question, type the song that's playing.
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button.
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool.
The rules:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc.).
2. Put it on shuffle.
3. Press play.
4. For every question, type the song that's playing.
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button.
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool.
Opening Credits:
A Day In The Life - The Beatles
A Day In The Life - The Beatles
Waking Up:
What My Woman Can't Do (Can't Be Done) - George Jones
First Day at School:
Squeeze Box - The Who
Falling In Love:
Annabelle - Gillian Welch
Fight Song:
Green Onions - Booker T. and the MG's
Breaking Up:
Dancing Queen - Abba
Prom:
She's Electric - Oasis
Life:
Snowin' On Raton - Townes Van Zandt
Mental Breakdown:
I'm Looking Through You - The Wallflowers (cover of The Beatles)
Driving:
Beat Surrender - The Jam
Flashback:
Boarded Up - XTC
Getting Back Together:
My Heart Cries For You - Ray Charles
Wedding:
Sex Drugs and Rock & Roll - Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Birth of Child:
Pink Cashmere - Prince
Final Battle:
It's Gonna Take An Airplane - The Destroyer
Death Scene:
Rise Above - Black Flag
Funeral Song:
Dark Side of the World - Marvin Gaye
Closing Credits:
Everything In Its Right Place - Radiohead
For the record, I skipped ahead once. Once, instead of a song, I got a podcast, so I didn't allow that to count.
Otherwise, a pretty cool soundtrack, if you ask me. All over the place. I am particularly happy with the Opening and Closing Credits choices. Also happy to have Black Flag playing for my death scene. Wonder where that'll be, and what the circumstances will be?
powered by performancing firefox
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)