James Spader tells a story of hanging out at the Kennedy household.
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Roger Ebert's Great Movies
When I was growing up "Siskel and Ebert"(the show as well as the critics) were very much in their heyday and I always found them fascinating. It seems to defy all logic that I did. I went to the movies maybe 2 or 3 times per year and there was a strict rule about only seeing movies rated G or PG. So why would a TV show where two guys discuss movies - movies that I hadn't seen and couldn't see - be interesting?
I'm not sure. I could analyze it but it's easier just to say I find movie discussion inherently interesting. Why did I love watching Bob Ross when I was never going to paint?
Roger Ebert came back to my consciousness again when I was going through the IMDB 250 list. I found some movies on the list to be absolutely unwatchable and devoid of anything worth celebrating. "How could people actually like this?", I'd wonder. But the IMDB 250 is a system of votes, not a person, you can't just ask unless you want to post that question on a forum and be dismissed as a "troll".
But I found Roger Ebert's "Great Movie" reviews online and they were the key. Even if I disagreed, even if I was absolutely unchangeable in my hatred for a particular movie, Roger Ebert usually had an essay that explained what people saw in a particular movie, what was unique about it, how it changed the history of film. Like "Siskel and Ebert", whether we agree or disagree, the discussion is still interesting.
Last May I decided to watch every movie in Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" collection and read every review. There are about 372 entries and slightly more movies in the list. There's an inexact correlation between essays and movies because one entry might be a trilogy, one essay might be about the classic Warner Bros. cartoons, one entry, "The Decalogue" is really 10 movies, and so forth. But it's around 372 and as of tonight I've finished watching every movie and reading every essay.
Now that the list is completed, I'll continue missing Roger Ebert's film reviews... and Siskel's for that matter. It's strange how they could be so successful and yet no one has come along to replace them. Perhaps the modern world is happy using review aggregators, just skip the opinion and arrive at a number. One of the knocks on film critics is that people simply don't like to be told what to watch and what not to watch. I think that misses the point. The child version of me certainly didn't see it that way watching "Siskel and Ebert" on television and I don't see it that way now.
The different reactions that movies elicit reveal the differences in the people watching them. A movie watched alone is fine but how much richer is a movie watched, discussed and contemplated with others. Yes, watch any movie you want to see and avoid any movie you don't want to see, but read the review of someone you respect, regardless. The purpose of a worthwhile review is not to tell you what to do. The purpose is simply start the conversation.
I'm not sure. I could analyze it but it's easier just to say I find movie discussion inherently interesting. Why did I love watching Bob Ross when I was never going to paint?
Roger Ebert came back to my consciousness again when I was going through the IMDB 250 list. I found some movies on the list to be absolutely unwatchable and devoid of anything worth celebrating. "How could people actually like this?", I'd wonder. But the IMDB 250 is a system of votes, not a person, you can't just ask unless you want to post that question on a forum and be dismissed as a "troll".
But I found Roger Ebert's "Great Movie" reviews online and they were the key. Even if I disagreed, even if I was absolutely unchangeable in my hatred for a particular movie, Roger Ebert usually had an essay that explained what people saw in a particular movie, what was unique about it, how it changed the history of film. Like "Siskel and Ebert", whether we agree or disagree, the discussion is still interesting.
Last May I decided to watch every movie in Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" collection and read every review. There are about 372 entries and slightly more movies in the list. There's an inexact correlation between essays and movies because one entry might be a trilogy, one essay might be about the classic Warner Bros. cartoons, one entry, "The Decalogue" is really 10 movies, and so forth. But it's around 372 and as of tonight I've finished watching every movie and reading every essay.
Now that the list is completed, I'll continue missing Roger Ebert's film reviews... and Siskel's for that matter. It's strange how they could be so successful and yet no one has come along to replace them. Perhaps the modern world is happy using review aggregators, just skip the opinion and arrive at a number. One of the knocks on film critics is that people simply don't like to be told what to watch and what not to watch. I think that misses the point. The child version of me certainly didn't see it that way watching "Siskel and Ebert" on television and I don't see it that way now.
The different reactions that movies elicit reveal the differences in the people watching them. A movie watched alone is fine but how much richer is a movie watched, discussed and contemplated with others. Yes, watch any movie you want to see and avoid any movie you don't want to see, but read the review of someone you respect, regardless. The purpose of a worthwhile review is not to tell you what to do. The purpose is simply start the conversation.
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Garry Shandling
If you're looking for a good Garry Shandling video, check out his episode of "Comedians in Cars getting Coffee".
Interesting that the name of the episode, released months ago, is named "It's Great That Garry Shandling Is Still Alive".
Interesting that the name of the episode, released months ago, is named "It's Great That Garry Shandling Is Still Alive".
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Post-Retirement David Letterman
Here's how naive I am... All those times Dave made those jokes about wearing a toupee, I thought he was just joking. I thought he just had bad hair so he made light of it by saying it was a toupee. It took me WAY too long to figure it all out.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Conan - Jordan Schlansky Product Review
Not a lot of product info in this one.
Ironically, Jordan gives more information about the Norelco Bodygroom 2038 in the video where Conan and Jordan attend couples' counseling.
Ironically, Jordan gives more information about the Norelco Bodygroom 2038 in the video where Conan and Jordan attend couples' counseling.
Tonight Show - Spit Takes and Space Rock
Each of these is like half a video so the two of them together warrant a post.
First up is the Point Pleasant Police Department sketch. Is there a more threadbare conceit for a comedy sketch anywhere? I don't know of one. But the "writer's strike" clip is a good wink to the audience that they know that we know.
Oh, hey look who it is, it's Coldplay! Life on Mars.
Today I learned that the piano player on the original Bowie version was none other than Rick Wakeman. Nice.
Apparently Coldplay once asked David Bowie if he would sing on one of their songs. Bowie turned them down saying the song wasn't very good.
First up is the Point Pleasant Police Department sketch. Is there a more threadbare conceit for a comedy sketch anywhere? I don't know of one. But the "writer's strike" clip is a good wink to the audience that they know that we know.
Oh, hey look who it is, it's Coldplay! Life on Mars.
Today I learned that the piano player on the original Bowie version was none other than Rick Wakeman. Nice.
Apparently Coldplay once asked David Bowie if he would sing on one of their songs. Bowie turned them down saying the song wasn't very good.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Conan - A Half Hour of Hannigan, the Traveling Salesman
Someone on youtube has compiled a full half hour of Hannigan, the Traveling Salesman sketches. Genius!
I hate to be "that guy" but this is when Conan had writers and cutting edge comedy. That Brian Stack could write so much dialogue with so many jokes is amazing. Just as amazing: he seemingly never stumbles in the lightning-fast delivery. I haven’t been this impressed since Bing Crosby starred in "The Country Girl". Der Bingle sure showed some acting chops in that timeless weeper.
I hate to be "that guy" but this is when Conan had writers and cutting edge comedy. That Brian Stack could write so much dialogue with so many jokes is amazing. Just as amazing: he seemingly never stumbles in the lightning-fast delivery. I haven’t been this impressed since Bing Crosby starred in "The Country Girl". Der Bingle sure showed some acting chops in that timeless weeper.
Friday, March 11, 2016
The 2016 Cardboard Classic
The Cardboard Classic, in case you don't know, is the annual event where people make elaborate sleds out of nothing more than cardboard and glue and then ride them down a ski slope.
For all the known annual events and "viral videos" there are - as connected, digitally, as the world seems to be - this event still seems to be a well kept secret.
For all the known annual events and "viral videos" there are - as connected, digitally, as the world seems to be - this event still seems to be a well kept secret.
Monday, March 7, 2016
Aaaand Neil Breen's Got a New One
A new one?? How does he do it?!
Here's the trailer for Neil Breen's new (I don't mind pre-emptively calling it a) masterpiece, "Pass-Thru"...
Neil, you had me at the thumbnail.
Red Letter Media has released a new highlight video where Rich Evans describes the plot of one of Neil Breen's previous films, "Double Down".
NSFW.
And while we're on the subject of Red Letter Media and Trailers. Here's Jay's review of the new "Ghostbusters" trailer. He has a unique and interesting take on what we should expect...
Here's the trailer for Neil Breen's new (I don't mind pre-emptively calling it a) masterpiece, "Pass-Thru"...
Neil, you had me at the thumbnail.
Red Letter Media has released a new highlight video where Rich Evans describes the plot of one of Neil Breen's previous films, "Double Down".
NSFW.
And while we're on the subject of Red Letter Media and Trailers. Here's Jay's review of the new "Ghostbusters" trailer. He has a unique and interesting take on what we should expect...
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Tonight Show - TGIF
As always, Friday night means TGIF on the Tonight Show.
Watch out for Urkel! That guy is always screwing things up!
Watch out for Urkel! That guy is always screwing things up!
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
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