Movie Small Talk: Forget Sylvester, It's All About Frank

Who needs a clear plot line, well written dialogue, or interesting characters when there is a movie starring the likes of John - Pre-Battlefield Earth - Travolta full on committing to the performance of silly choreography.

Wait. All of that sounds terrible!

Au contraire my friends. Written and directed by Sylvester Stallone (your ears just perked up a little more), Staying Alive, the sequel to the 1977 hit Saturday Night Fever, is the epitome of the "so bad it's good" category of cinema. Equally adored and crucified. 

Move over Gigli, this one reaches a whole other level in the spectator sport of bad movie appreciation.

Travolta is reprising his role as Tony Manero and apparently his "fever is still burning". That fire  has propelled him in to having a dream of performing on Broadway. Which, I think, happens about half way through the movie. I'm unsure since they never really say, and, hey, since when do musicals not have any singing? Just a thought for anyone hoping to do a real life revival of "Satan's Alley."

Normally in a dance centric movie, all the other details (acting, story, costumes) can be a mess, but at least the choreography will be top notch and exciting. In the case of Staying Alive, while it may be highly amusing to watch, this one could  win a Worst Choreography Of All Time award. Everything down to the karate chopping/wing flapping frolic around the stage is laughably insane.

Some people could argue that none of this flick is worth your time. However, what will never be up for debate is the lively soundtrack performed by none other than Frank Stallone. Yes indeed, brother to Sylvester.

"Far From Over" should be auto-programmed into all electronic devices for use as an alarm. Cue to me dancing out of my bed, every day at 6 am for the next century. This is happening. It's really not a good morning without Frank Stallone - a sentence I would never have thought was possible until this week.

You guys! The first 15-seconds of that video is how the movie opens! I get chills just watching Travolta's intense hair bobbing, shoulder thrusting action.

Looking for a reason to host a laugh-a-minute movie night that can quickly escalate into a dance party? Search for a copy of  Staying Alive as soon as possible or look up when it is playing next on Movieplex. Be sure to set a reminder a couple days in advance, like I did, so you won't be able to forget such a momentous occasion. Don't worry if you haven't seen the first movie in the, "Travolta just wants to dance" double feature. I haven't either and as far as I can tell, Staying Alive is a stand alone masterpiece.

One generous tip of a hat goes to How Did This Get Made for re-invigorating the attention for Travolta and the Stallone brothers. They needed it and so did we. (It's been said before - That podcast is required listening as a follow-up to this highly entertaining wreck of cinema.)

Until next time. 

Can We Talk? - Jane Fonda Edition

[Jane Fonda finding out that dancing isn't always footloose and fancy free.]

To my generation Jane Fonda was spoken of as the gal who made workout videos and starred in movies with Lohan and Lopez.  Some of us had heard that she was a huge star and an Academy Award winning actress, but we hadn't seen any of the flicks that proved it. After all, who would believe it after being exposed to Monster In Law and Georgia Rule, even if she does shine through the madness.

As I grew older and was pushed into watching more iconic flicks, Jane Fonda's face often popped up - my dad insisted we watch Julia and Nine To Five, and in high school I fell in love with her and Robert Redford bashing about NYC in Barefoot In The Park. Slowly but surely I was definitely getting this whole Jane Fonda "thing".

Adding to the appreciation is her recent role as the owner of Atlantic Cable News on The Newsroom. It doesn't happen as often as it should, but it is a highlight of any episode when she bursts on to screen with a dramatic Sorkin penned monologue.

Recently I was motivated to watch even more Fonda starring productions.

As one does sometimes after an exhausting 6 day work week, it was Saturday night and I was laying, tummy down, nearly face planting on the couch, caught between some sort of delirium and sleep.  I found myself wanting to mix it up after a couple marathon-ed episodes of Orange Is The New Black and turned on the regular old cable TV.

And what did I happen to stumble across? Something most would think was a snooze, but movie fans would appreciate - an AFI award ceremony. This one was specifically honoring Ms. Fonda.

I love anything involving actor career retrospectives. They are always enlightening for movie fans obsessed with the mediums history.  Fonda's filmography and personal life story does not disappoint.

During the show, one of Fonda's acting clips was for a 1969 film I had been dying to see since it was featured on my "Movie A Day" calendar over ten years ago. At the time I had no idea Jane Fonda was in it, all I thought after reading the plot was, "Dance Marathon! What a fun movie!" People who have seen this cinematic spectacle know just how comical that thought was.

Last weekend I watched the Academy Award nominated, They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, for the first time and it blew my mind. It is bonkers, but director Sydney Pollack created one intense and extraordinary film viewing experience that entirely changed how I look at the world. Don't you love when a movie unexpectedly has that effect?

Be prepared, we're getting serious.



Before knowing the complete terror this movie would tackle, my impression was rather la-di-da on the topic. In my mind, back in the day people happily participated in a dance marathon to support a charity. Everyone joyfully jitterbugged for a 24-hour stretch, went home a little sleepy, and definitely feeling the need to give those tired gams a rest.

While those happy sounding events did actually happen, there was also a dark side. During the 1930s and 40s, a marathon could last for 50 or even more days and took advantage of a dreary American culture during the depression. It was for sport and monetary gain - a side of America I was too naive to even dream up. It's the real life Hunger Games. How was this even possible?

They Shoot Horses, Don't They? is a vividly enthralling movie that follows the participants in one of these horrid (and completely fascinating) type of dance competitions.

In the first minute there is a total sense of dread as each of the characters grimly files in to sign up for the competition. They have the clothes on their back and maybe one other outfit, they are unemployed ( a lot of out of work actors), and were aimlessly wandering with really no better place to go. They had heard about the brutality involved, but with their sights on a $1,500 prize and hopes of casting agents spotting them in the crowd, the couples buckle down to do whatever it takes to win.

That mantra to be the last couple left on the dance floor takes many contestants (played by many known actors including Fonda, Bruce Dern, and the grandma from Parenthood (!), Bonnie Bedelia) to extreme desperation. Especially in the scenes that don't involve dancing, but instead, running. If standing up for most of the day without adequate sleep wasn't crazy enough, when the competition started to lag, they would be forced to compete in "the derby", which involved running around a track that was set up on the dance floor.

Crowds from the bleachers would go bananas, cheering their hearts out, totally choosing to ignore the utter pain the contestants are battling. With dark circles under their eyes and gaunt looking faces, they look more like they are stuck in an internment camp, but one that comes with a disco ball. Not all dancing is fun. The complete suffering exhibited in the actors faces during these long, high intensity scenes will fill you with terror. Truly unforgettable.

People who shake their finger at the "controversial" movies of today, need to take two minutes to watch any movie from the 1960s and 70s. That's the essence of edgy, and rather dark cinema. No one makes movies like this anymore. It's a shame - they were controversial to prove a point, get people talking, not to make a buck.

Nearly immediately after the endcredits began to roll, I got my research hat on, and couldn't believe that almost all the accounts found in the movie were true to life - dancers only had 10 minute breaks every hour, they often slept sitting up against their partner, and crowds bet on which couple they thought would win. Just like horses - get it? I thought so.

I had no idea a form of entertainment like this existed, even though it really doesn't delineate much from other parts of history. From gladiator battles, to public hangings, and now mocking people as they audition for reality shows - we as a humanity have always found entertainment in suffering and humiliation. Sad when you think of it that way, right? Okay, so maybe this will get me to stop hate watching I Wanna Marry Harry.

My entire life I had wanted to compete in a dance marathon.  I always had this dreamy, idyllic idea of swing dancing the night away, in some adorable polka dotted dress with red patent leather Mary Janes. I had sufficiently thought that through over the years, which was only intensified after the airing of a Girlmore Girls episode back in 2002.

Unbeknownst to me at the time, with a title like, "They Shoot Gilmore's, Don't They", the entire episode focused on Stars Hallow's annual dance marathon and was a giant tip of the hat to the classic flick. I quickly made this connection after finishing the movie and excitedly cheered on the genius. I mean, has any other TV show penned an elaborate episode based on a somewhat obscure vintage movie? Proving again that the creative writing from that gem will never get enough credit.

Even with The Gilmore's taking a comedic perspective on such a humanitarian nightmare, I now confess to finding less interest in participating in a dance marathon. I wonder why? On the other hand, my interest in researching the history of this topic has highly intensified. I already dug up a few 1930s articles from my local paper that detailed some of these types of events in town. I'm bewitched.

Setting out to discover more flicks starring that classy broad Jane Fonda lead me to unearthing the unknown history of our cultures obsession with entertainment. Something tells me that if I had chosen to watch On Golden Pond first, it wouldn't have had the same effect. I would probably be obsessed with living in a cabin and going fishing, or something.

Either way, I'm only more intrigued to check out the rest of Fonda's filmography. Well, maybe except Barbarella.

Weekly Buffet: Just Dance Edition

[It's a Vegas party, at a pool, on the roof.]

I danced all weekend - this is a phrase not often uttered from my mouth.  This time it's also no exaggeration. Starting Thursday night and into the early morning of Monday, this gal went from parading herself at a concert to flying straight down to Las Vegas.

At the end of the weekend my legs were dang tired as I boarded my plane after only a half hour cat nap. With stories to tell, a life without shut eye seems alright. Well, at least for a few days anyway.

Going from a crazy weekend right into a long work week has meant looking for anything that will help keep my eyes awake. Fun tunes and laughing through telling stories about my recent adventures has definitely helped.

From a raging concert to a funny lady who always dances and moves like no one is watching, this has been an entertaining week.

Iggy Azalea - "Fancy"

Ask me a week ago about "Fancy" and I would have ran screaming in the opposite direction. It was always on the radio, I didn't like the singers voice, and was just generally confuesed about it being so popular. Even the first night in Vegas I was getting irritated about how often it played, thinking, "oh great, this is the music of my entire weekend."

Then the next day, the bride to be (yes, I was at an outrageously fun bacherlorette party in Vegas) gathered us all around to watch a magical music video that paid homage to a film classic - Cher, Dionne, and their infamous plaid mini skirts have never been more perfectly recreated. Come to find out this was crafted by the hands of my irriatator - Ms. Azalea!

Truth is, I'm a hater no more - Oh boy am I obsessed with that music video! How has no one thought to do this before? The costumes are utterly perfection. The only thing that would make this better is if Paul Rudd had made a cameo.

I'm late to the party, so this video is probably way old news by now, but maybe one of you out there hadn't seen it. When it comes to anything related to Clueless, we all need to share the love to keep us all "rollin' with the homies". 

By the last night in Vegas, I literally jumped up and clapped when this song came on, happily playing the music video in my head. Proving Clueless really does make everything better.

Tammy

Melissa McCarthy. Susan Sarandan. Allison Janney.  Kathy Bates. Who doesn't love this combination of women? Really, you had me at Sarandon in a granny wig.

Nothing will talk me out of renting (yeah, I said rent, I do have some restrictions) this movie, even if it does currently have a stinky 28% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Don't care, talk to the hand. They have McCarthy's sweet moves in the trailer set to "Gangsta's Paradise" for crying out loud.

If you don't want to wait for the DVD, it is playing right now at a theater near you. 

Robyn

On Thursday, owning a mullet better than anyone ever has, Robyn strutted out on the stage at Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA and continued to bounce, spin, and dance for over an hour. The above video will give you a pretty good visual idea of the concert I attended.

I marveled from the crowd, enjoying the tunes, but highly impressed by her ability to exert endless amounts of high octane energy. There were also at least four costume changes.

If you want to see Robyn live don't make the same mistake that my friend and I did - if your instinct says to wear a fur coat to the show or perhaps a sparkly jump suit, don't question it, just do it.

Huge missed opportunity to not wear something ridiculous, since 3/4 of the crowd was dressed to the nines.


Dancing and what not might not be for you, but get out there and just enjoy these summer months. I've already kicked off July pretty strong, now I just have to keep it going.

Since we are on the topic of Robyn, I'll leave you with just one more thing that always cracks me up - the combination of a Robyn classic and my comedy man crush, Taran Killam.

Until next time. 

Can We Talk? - All About Steve Edition

When it comes to movies these days, I mostly just want to have a laugh. With this mindset, there seemed like no better time than to catch up on some critically panned disasters.

Chuckling through the How Did This Get Made? podcast canon was also a motivating factor. Those hosts have such a blast laughing about crazy flicks that it makes you want to stop everything just to watch a big Hollywood mess.

Let's go back in time - the year was 2010 and Sandra Bullock became the first actress to win both the Best Actress and "the Worst Actress" (aka a Razzie) in the same year. (Not for the same movie, but wouldn't that be great?)

While she seemed mighty proud accepting her best actress Oscar for The Blind Side, she seemed just as delighted strolling into the Razzies. Come on guys, we all know that's just Sandy being Sandy, and she's all classy like that.

When a movie is as notably bashed as All About Steve, you can definitely count me in. It had been prominently placed in the middle of my nearly 300 title long Netflix queue for going on four years.

Over the weekend I finally checked out the bad of Bullock's half good, partially terrible year.

Get ready to be obsessed with All About Steve - I didn't want it to end. For some it will be the cringe-worthy, sarcastic, ironic, kind of love. Others will bask in Bullock's solid comedic timing, and dare I say, the positive message that unrolls in the end. Who knew?

 Oh, don't get me wrong, it's also entirely insane.



For the first fifteen minutes of the movie, the commentary in your head will explode with questions like, "Why Sandra, why? Why are you a producer of this movie? Why are you the star of this movie? Why are you playing a character whose only apparent friend is a hamster?"

One single movie has never caused such a spiral of emotions. You cover your eyes in embarrassment one minute, let out an honest to god laugh the next second, audibly gasp at one of the many detestable male characters, and then you just want to give clueless stalker Mary Horowitz (Bullock's character) a hug and tell her she'll be okay. In all honestly, Mary is one of the nicest characters I've seen in a movie in years, so I actually feel bad referring to her that way. Mary, I'm sorry, we can still be best friends, and don't you dare burn those bright red boots.

Sweet characters aside, the actual story has holes larger than the one all those hearing impaired children fall into (Spoiler alert: that is a plot twist that ACTUALLY happens) - who knew you could drive from Texas to Colorado in an afternoon?  Movie magic or terrible writing?

At first it seemed implausible that this film found funding, but nearing the end it all became clear - it is really not as terrible as those Razzie judges claim.

This kind of wacky movie in the past has always been made starring dudes - All About Steve instantly reminded me of something Adam Sandler would have made in the 90s. Bullock decided that she too should have the chance to throw herself into a somewhat bizarre, yet completely physically demanding comedic role. She completely commits to this character AND she's funny even while spending nearly half the movie in a mine shaft (also entirely true). Worst actress caliber this is not.

Through all the madness, the plot veers and a theme missing from the typical bro comedy arises. The selling point to all involved, besides the zany comedy, had to be that at its heart, it's a movie celebrating being an individual. Shocked? I slowly realized that had been the whole point from the beginning, and I had to stop myself from standing up and initiating a slow clap.

The fact that this tale chose to cheer on an actual unique character, not just the typical "cutesy quirky" girl, makes me elated.Could this point have been written into a better script? Of course! For now I will triumph that this type of story was attempted at all. Next time, do it better.

Mary Horowtiz doesn't mind that IMDB users currently have this movie rated at 4.5 stars out of 10. She will just go back to being creative and building her Leprechaun shaped crossword puzzles, all while being herself. 

There is another surprising treat - the entire cast got together to film the commentary for the DVD. After this discovery, I turned around and watched the first 15 minutes again, thoroughly enjoying  Bullock and Bradley Cooper recalling insights into the filming process of this cinematic gem.

Just from the little bit of commentary I listened to it is obvious that the cast and director are proud of their production, it was just the rest of the country that didn't get their vision. They are right to some degree, but might be a little blind to some of the faults (See: children falling in a hole).

Someone has to stop me, because I  could talk about this movie all day. Go watch it now. I'm already anticipating a second viewing.


Was there ever a widely hated film that you ended up loving? I've experienced this many times (all those haters of The Village are still oh-so-wrong.)

Until next time.

On Second Thought...

[Stunned that I have a relevant, but not good, Sopranos photo from my own camera. Paparazzi, Paparazzi]

James Gandolfini - that guy scares me.

I don't want to be mean, I'm sure he's nice and all, but he just has that whole intimidation thing going on. This is why I have never watched his little show, The Sopranos.

Proving why 7th grade me was not a casting agent in 1999 and had no right to critical judgements based on a scary exterior, that demeanor which put me off is also what lead to Gandolfini's successful stint playing a mob dude for six seasons.

All my sense of detachment from that show was thrown for a loop today.

When a sophisticated voting body declares a show that I already referred to as "little", as the greatest television show ever written, I begin to question where my mind has been in the years since it became age appropriate - there could have been many weekends marathoning through this HBO hit.

Just because the Writer's Guild of America says that The Sopranos tops the list of the 101 Best Written television shows, doesn't mean it actually is, right? Actually, all likelihood points to yes - writing seems like it's their specialty.

Sure, Gandolfini scares me, and I have felt personally intimidated by several other cast members bombarding a local Olean, NY street fair (only Vincent Pastore was caught in a quick snapshot, as seen above), but shouldn't I have known their show was well written! Ball dropped.

I already have the mindset that solid storytelling is where brilliance begins, so the WGA endorsement has pushed me to put aside my preconceived notions in order to be depressed by swarms of people getting sent to swim with the fishes in New Jersey. But seriously, I will be giving it a chance.

The number two slot on the list also went over my head. Seinfeld wasn't a staple in my household and not even the WGA could convince me to get wrapped up in that right now.

It wasn't until I browsed to spot number seven that my eyes really lit up; anyone watching Mad Men can attest that it is the brilliantly written characters and mysteriously simple, yet enthralling plot which makes it unmatchable week after week.

Other favorites of mine that strived to make non-typical, thoughtful, mind bending, and wacky stories, like 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights, Breaking Bad, The X-Files, Arrested Development, and I Love Lucy, also placed in the Top 50.

Going through an epic list of 101 TV shows made me realize, I love TV, but there is still loads to catch up on, including (but not limited to); The Wire, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Deadwood and Battlestar Galactica.

Check out the full list here and start compiling your own list of new shows that will continue your addiction to well made television. While you're at it, give yourself a little praise for those that made the list which you already knew were excellent.

Listing: Let Me Back In

Modern technological advances may have made it possible for handy pocket sized devices to give us access to the internet night and day, but that doesn't mean we all have to like it.

Sure, the mobility comes in handy; as a news obsessive, it's lovely to be able to access the headlines from the AP News app at a single click away from my trusty iTunes all day. However, using it as your only source of computing? How do people do it?

I was without a laptop for over a month and it nearly killed me.

The time spent between the old and new devices could have been cut in half if I hadn't been so picky selecting the most extraordinary computer money [read: the amount I budgeted] could buy. Ah, the desperation of those seeking out the best deals.
 
Now the friendly click-clack as I press down on the individual smooth plastic keys feels especially warm and cuddly after the madness of attempting to write anything via a flat touch screen. Only once did I attempt to publish something to this blog, and frustrated with continually deleting HTML coding by accident, backed away slowly until UPS knocked on my door with a very special delivery.

It has been so long world wide web! Oh, the things to catch up on! To kick it all off fresh, it only seems appropriate to round up the previous week of exciting events and interests.

Just in time to celebrate the beginning to my 26th year here on Earth, the PNW was raging with sunshine (perfect for days reading outside), and summery releases on the big screen and on the music charts had me filled with excitement. Spring is here, but summer here we come.

"I Remember You" - Rilo Kiley

If you are in a band with a name that could be spun into a pun on the word archive, it is essential that you throw together an album filled with unreleased tracks.

Whether or not this was Rilo Kiley's inspiration behind putting together RKives, fans have been rejoicing the last couple weeks over getting a "new" album from the band that was thought to be defunct and never to be heard from again. Based on the quality of each of their albums spanning from 1999 to 2007, it's not surprising that there was just as many amazing tunes left on the cutting room floor.

As the songs are pulled from various recording sessions throughout the years, it's a treat that one album spans the entire band's history. With every song you can hear the band's progression.

I've had this album blasting on repeat in my room and in the car with the windows down for over a week now, and while the first track, "Let Me Back In", gives me the weepies, it's the dancey, dare I say adorable, "I Remember You", that is the albums most refreshing inclusion. Both songs were from the Under The Blacklight recording sessions, and it's a wonder how it was that these two gems didn't make the cut. Thankfully, they are now released for the world to enjoy.

Anyone still trying to hunt down the bands Initial Friend EP (that costs a pretty penny), will happily note that the album ends with a song back from where the band began.

An homage to a cinema masterpiece, The Frug, filled with hand claps and Jenny Lewis' sweet voice,  proves that they were always a talented bunch who forged their own sound. Lewis and Blake Senett just solidified themselves as master songwriters with each album as they grew a little older and wrote songs with increasing punch, beauty, and bravado.

Gatsby

"I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties there isn’t any privacy."

One of the novels most famous lines uttered by Jordan Baker (as played by Elizabeth Debicki), couldn't seem more true as the glorious specatacle of Jay Gatsby's infamous parties have been brought to life like never before.

When I read The Great Gatsby in high school, like many teenagers, the biggest impression this novel left on me (besides the tragic love story and those deep discussions we had about the symbolism of the green light and the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg), was the exciting idea of the roaring 20's and being at a Gatsby party.

If you ever wondered what this would have been like, head out to the movie theater this instant and see Baz Luhrmann's visually stunning interpretation explode on the screen.

Critics are already nagging, but I say if there was anyone meant to take on the challenge of filming one of the most adored novels in America, it is Luhrmann. He created Gatsby as big and glitzy as we all imagined, but done in a way that no one else could have ever dreamed. 

Oh, the sparkles, sequins, fringe, and endless furs - the shiny cars, expansive mansions, and the glittering lights of NYC - between the magnificent costumes and sets, anyone should admit to drooling over this movie for days.

As the story goes on, the visage of elegance fades, and it is simply enjoyable to find Leonardo DiCaprio in a role like Gatsby.  There's no espionage, mental facilities, or historically set courtroom scenes, just a guy who's (crazy) in love. Not since his under-appreciated performance in Revolutionary Road, have I been this excited to find Leo, impeccably dressed, on the giant screen in front of me.

There's no debating Leo's performance, but the use of modern music has had many up in arms. In my eyes it totally works.

Bringing in the twist of mixing Hip-Hop, pop, and old timey jazz makes this classic tale feel like it could be happening in any time period, even though the story is set in the 1920's. Indeed a timeless tale for the ages.

Although the soundtrack isn't perfect from start to finish, I could still easily post an entire page detailing that I have the haunting, "Young and Beautiful" on repeat, and how entertaining it was to hear "Izzo (H.O.V.A)", start playing as Nick and Gatsby drove into the city. It's fun and actually adds to the story - this is exactly a terrific soundtrack at work.

Maybe I'm sounding a little too glowy, as it's not without some issues (little story points left out here and there), but I guarantee that there is no other movie like Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby. Anyone looking for this kind of experience will be just as equally riveted.

Lester Bangs

Lester Bangs is the king of music reviews, so settling down to read a book of his accumulated essays is more than a treat for fans of 60s and 70s rock.

It may have been his profession, but music was also his life.

With every one of his electric words and expertly manic sentence his passion for bands and records transfers from the pages of the book and up into your pores. Man, I didn't give a crap about The Yardbirds before picking up this book, but the words of Bangs have made me a believer. 

Since none of us will ever get to bash around a record store with Lester by our side, this is the next best option - read, experience, enjoy, and leave with enough music recommendations for a lifetime.

This has been a non-stop week of finding new entertainment to obsess over! What about y'all?

Anything else I should add to my list for next week?

Well, until we meet again.

Back In Summer 2010...

("Ahhh it's soo fluffy I'm gonna die!")

Lets play a game of pretend where we can climb into a Delorean time machine. Okay, now lets go back to this past summer, I'll act like I am a genius, and talk about things when it was actually relevant.

The need for this blast to the past is because this week has been all about falling in love with things that I am ever so behind on.

First of all, I finally got around to purchasing Robyn's (Swedish dance hall queen) latest album Body Talk. Released this past June, I had heard incredible things, and had planned on adding it to my summer playlist. Then magically, I forgot all about it, until now.






Formally of "Show Me Love" fame (I know you remember that jam from '97), Robyn is now notorious for delivering one hell of a show. For the last many days, I've been groovin around to "Dance Hall Queen" and her Eurpean chart topping "Dancing On My Own". All the dance references in the song titles directly mean that it will be difficult to not find yourself bopping around your room to this CD. I want to see her live...now.






From the summer music that I missed out on to the summer movie front. Arriving in my mail yesterday was Despicable Me, which, even though I love anything animated, was a movie that I had zero interest in seeing.

I'm crazy, because I loved this more than any person should.

All that credit goes to those damn Minion things. Seriously, that clip had me loosing it for about fifteen minutes.  It's mostly the drag-esque costuming they used to "blend" in with society at the grocery store. That wig! That mustache!

Much like after I saw Wall-E and wished I had a little robot friend, I now want a Minion. I refuse to grow up.

I Hate Being Behind On Things

It makes me feel like a fraud when I only hear about amazing books once they have been turned into movies.

This happened once again today as I stumbled upon the engrossing and somewhat chilling trailer for Never Let Me Go.





What is happening? This makes me want to run out and read this book, now. Apparently, when the novel of the same name was released in 2005 it had quite the buzz. Time Magazine even placed it among their list of best novels EVER written. Well, only out of English novels from 1923-2005, but that still seems like a pretty big deal.

Don't, I warn you, once you see this beautifully mysterious trailer go and obsessively Google the book. You will then in turn, like I did, ruin the plot for yourself.

Great movie trailers just really do it for me. I could, and will write a whole post dedicated entirely to the art of the movie trailer.

By the way, I'm on the Carey Mulligan train right now which gets a plus for the movie, but then Keira Knightly kind of ruined it for me. Releasing in October of this year means that it will definitely be some bait for the Oscars, and probably both of these ladies.