Archive for February, 2006

In Memoriam: Darren McGavin, 1922-2006

Published
by
Finley
on February 25, 2006
in General
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Many of you know of my love for the movie A Christmas Story. Every year, no matter what, part of my Christmas tradition includes watching the movie at some point during the day. Part of my love for the movie revolves around the character of The Old Man, played by Darren McGavin. As Ralphie’s father, he became one of the iconic film characters that everyone remembers.

Mr. McGavin, however, had a much longer career than just that movie. In a career spanning over 60 years, he performed on countless stages and film sets as well as a run as Kolchak, the Night Stalker.

Mr. McGavin died this morning, sadly. His death may be overshadowed by numerous news items- including the death of a comedic legend, Don Knotts. It has not, and will not, be forgotten.

God speed, sir. And thank you.

The Worlds Fastest Indian

Published
by
pylorns
on February 25, 2006
in General
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If you haven’t had a chance to catch this under rated movie, check it out. It stars Anthony Hopkins as Burt Munro, a New Zealander who breaks the world speed record on a motorcycle under 1000cc’s.

Uhm… Which Side Do I Root For On This One?

Published
by
Finley
on February 15, 2006
in Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

So, Paris HIlton is getting harassed by PETA.

See it turns out that the animal rights group is up in arms over Paris Hilton wearing fur. Personally I’m more upset that I even know Paris Hilton’s NAME, given that she’s famous solely for being famous- well, that and for getting the high hard one from her boyfriend in a sex video. She’s a vapid, clueless idiot who got lucky in the genepool lottery and thus thinks that this is her ticket to stardom. Combine that with the fact that she has the sex appeal of air and the personality of the same, and you come up with a clueless waste of carbon and oxygen.

So in case you’re wondering, I’m not a fan.

However, I have major issues with PETA as well. I have long thought that any really good goals PETA might have had at one time have been lost to the ridiculous public stances they’ve taken over the years. Look, I’m all for not hurting an animal if it isn’t necessary. However, I am also of the belief that almost any animal species out there is lessor to the human race. I’m cool with hunting (although I don’t hunt- not because of any belief or anything but that it tends to be boring as hell), and if finding a cure for cancer means that Bugs and Mickey have to take one for the team then so be it. Plus, I’m pretty certain that if I come across either a lion or a bear in nature then I’m pretty much the next item on the buffet for them.

Hence, I’m in a quandary. Who exactly do I root for in something like this?

Then again, maybe I go with the words of the noted philosopher Chick Magee: “In a game of losers, there are no winners.”

Out.

Happy Single Awareness Day

Published
by
pylorns
on February 14, 2006
in Uncategorized
. 1 Comment

If there ever was a day that made you more aware that you were single, V-Day is the day. Anyway hope you happy couples have a good day today, spending lots of money on crap beause if you don’t your significant other will brain you incessently for not sending something so she could be just like all her co-workers and recieve flowers at work….

oh wait, i’m not bitter…

Hope yours is a good one.

And Now…This Week’s Way To Tell Your Political Leader or Hero Is a Complete Idiot.

Published
by
Finley
on February 5, 2006
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

If your political leader/hero decides that comparing George Bush to Hitler is not only a good idea, but something that should be done in public, that that person is a complete fucking idiot.

Y’know, if Hugo Chavez wants to get any kind of traction in the geopolitical theater he needs to start taking some Zoloft or something. Then again, maybe he could instead use a history lesson or two.

It’s stuff like this that makes the conspiratorialist in me wonder if Hugo Chavez is only still in power because anything and everything he says not only makes hmself look like a complete fucknut, but also makes our own president look like a complete poiitical genius in comparison.

If that doesn’t convince you that this guy is a total loser, consider that media whore/ “political activist” Cindy Sheehan says she wants to meet with him. (As an aside, is there ANY cause Cindy Sheehan won’t glom onto and make it about her? You can’t seriously tell me it’s about her son anymore. She lost that claim when she decided to run for the Senate, if not long before then.) That pretty much should say it all.

Out.

Walk the Line

Published
by
pylorns
on February 3, 2006
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

Went and saw Walk the Line last night with fellow blogger. Not a bad movie at all ringing in at a little over 2 hours. I think it is deserving of the Oscar nominations, much like Ray was last year. Hopefully it’ll win the majority of the categories it was nominated for and Backdoor mountain won’t win any. Cross your fingers folks.

Oscars?

Published
by
pylorns
on February 1, 2006
in Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

Well some of you may have been privy to the nominations, some of you not. But its not suprising the ones that were nominated.

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Philip Seymour Hoffman - CAPOTE
Terrence Howard - HUSTLE & FLOW
Heath Ledger - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
Joaquin Phoenix - WALK THE LINE
David Strathairn - GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
George Clooney - SYRIANA
Matt Dillon - CRASH
Paul Giamatti - CINDERELLA MAN
Jake Gyllenhaal - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
William Hurt - A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Judi Dench - MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS
Felicity Huffman - TRANSAMERICA
Keira Knightley - PRIDE & PREJUDICE
Charlize Theron - NORTH COUNTRY

ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
BATMAN BEGINS
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
THE NEW WORLD

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MUNICH
Reese Witherspoon - WALK THE LINE

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES
(ORIGINAL SCORE)
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
MUNICH
PRIDE & PREJUDICE

And of course the coveted best picture….

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MUNICH

What’s not suprising is that Backdoor Mountain (er did I say that?) Brokeback Mountain was nominated for many of these. WHY?

Lets see, the majority of hollywood types that are artsy are gay maybe? Oh wait, Jewish and Gay, sorry. So lets talk about this movie. We have the American ICON of a cowboy, defined so much by a man who is synomous with cowboy and western movies - John Wayne. We have the spaghetti westerns with Clint Eastwood, (music by Ennio Morricones) also very iconic. We have Robert Duvall from Lonesome Dove… the list goes on.

Now, let’s fuck it all up and show the ICON of American culture a cowboy image that has been defined by great men and then let these two cowboys ass rape each other on the big screen and show them holding hands in really nice scenery in Oregon - which it was actually filmed in Canada. What a shitty year in movies.

I can only hope that Crash wins for best picture because it certainly earns it for portraying an image of current society across racial boundries. And cross your fingers for Paul Giamatti for Best Supporting Actor, lord knows he deserves an award, especially after he got stiffed last year for the Sideways thing.

Click the extended entry for some other thoughts..

Continue reading ‘Oscars?’