tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89523357425910495292024-03-14T00:21:13.835-05:00The Art of Throwing Stonesfinally, an outlet for my hilarityGraygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.comBlogger247125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-12210247656793171472011-04-18T12:51:00.001-05:002011-04-18T12:58:04.974-05:00My Cinematic Alphabet<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Last month, one of my favorite movie blogs, <a href="http://rupertpupkinspeaks.blogspot.com/2011/03/cinematic-alphabet.html">"Rupert Pupkin Speaks"</a>, created his list of the best movies A-Z. I thought this sounded like a lot of fun and a challenge, but I had no idea how difficult it would be. How do I choose just one movie per letter? I can barely come up with a response to the question, "What's your favorite movie?" (I used to say "Paper Moon" just to be a bit of s snob, but truth be told it's probably "Vivre sa Vie" or "Heavy". See! I can't even pick one in my own blog and I still sound like a snob!). To make it easier, I picked the first movie that came to mind or grabbed my attention. It's interesting how many of them are somewhat personal to me; either in content or by association with a particular memory or person.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, here goes:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A- All That Jazz</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82jTKqzy5yYTq5m3wt1e_zpnIE1yvqqMOl0xmyMvkcNSm-e0xRBtbNXXAo0LD8k3kVWN9E59Rm52KOCKZXNAl3TwPQWYd1hmlipYHhKpbVgjPqj9LWlWC7yer-2E4xwMjdv3COQOSL2U/s1600/AllThatJazz+end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82jTKqzy5yYTq5m3wt1e_zpnIE1yvqqMOl0xmyMvkcNSm-e0xRBtbNXXAo0LD8k3kVWN9E59Rm52KOCKZXNAl3TwPQWYd1hmlipYHhKpbVgjPqj9LWlWC7yer-2E4xwMjdv3COQOSL2U/s320/AllThatJazz+end.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">B- Bell, Book, and Candle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68E6sjSLdyx5mzX-LG6074RsOLGYl73zFRMW9MFncR7h00Si8jFO-1jeuOPOwIu9zeEkA9mpP2D4XKuDwCZ-4bYHl4ydZ-H8R2JNADIDnR3WemAy0spIpAnyPvXM_ER31rRUMvtVOr1E/s1600/bellbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68E6sjSLdyx5mzX-LG6074RsOLGYl73zFRMW9MFncR7h00Si8jFO-1jeuOPOwIu9zeEkA9mpP2D4XKuDwCZ-4bYHl4ydZ-H8R2JNADIDnR3WemAy0spIpAnyPvXM_ER31rRUMvtVOr1E/s320/bellbook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">C- Cafe au Lait</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRx9sXY0VhcINCKzxz3SY1XcgB7TxrhEAR5ZEh0h-W1YHxdrRfdR3esUXU6UiV7rU0m3YugTatNDYpwQPiQweXzfPLQU683swrMjArvARAcHUUnsbhNNwGt8K9VcbDLMM5U2rSnaELFgc/s1600/cafe+au+lait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRx9sXY0VhcINCKzxz3SY1XcgB7TxrhEAR5ZEh0h-W1YHxdrRfdR3esUXU6UiV7rU0m3YugTatNDYpwQPiQweXzfPLQU683swrMjArvARAcHUUnsbhNNwGt8K9VcbDLMM5U2rSnaELFgc/s1600/cafe+au+lait.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">D- Dr Zhivago</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQG18Gel6RWaLzflzS-ZaCN-L2ZPC665_TjEEX3xLkNOZvPRysUsY3-7B3eBFPFG8tUEUcRbckzS2TJe_H0cOgzdIawTM2bIUg7K6acJHVAZx61O0GZ3CPnLpeFKFg6xUn91WdtMSMcaw/s1600/dr+zhivago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQG18Gel6RWaLzflzS-ZaCN-L2ZPC665_TjEEX3xLkNOZvPRysUsY3-7B3eBFPFG8tUEUcRbckzS2TJe_H0cOgzdIawTM2bIUg7K6acJHVAZx61O0GZ3CPnLpeFKFg6xUn91WdtMSMcaw/s320/dr+zhivago.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">E- Edward Scissorhands</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHFT0cRg3XTZPzOutj3b7FxOL1lpHdcifPYYS4cGhMno44qN9G1_clYt7ttXuGlgj3Si2dmr-ksPjW8zeNyvPs8QrQCGBTZfxjEtDnrPBXMBaJm3bHbFqQpfMM8f2_g4hQbLNZn_UAyw/s1600/edscissorhands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHFT0cRg3XTZPzOutj3b7FxOL1lpHdcifPYYS4cGhMno44qN9G1_clYt7ttXuGlgj3Si2dmr-ksPjW8zeNyvPs8QrQCGBTZfxjEtDnrPBXMBaJm3bHbFqQpfMM8f2_g4hQbLNZn_UAyw/s320/edscissorhands.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">F- Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10JSbPa8KWYXswuBNQjtAN4u3l_MRuCsRmP2CWklDN4sX2d6iOB2er-aNpO-o423-G9-RMC_VXwHiABF6zK8QbF8ZckbEA-U8yjFAUY0tI80VOpUJEqUahdHnhHXlnF5aC1ObeYjlxYA/s1600/faster-pussycat-kill-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10JSbPa8KWYXswuBNQjtAN4u3l_MRuCsRmP2CWklDN4sX2d6iOB2er-aNpO-o423-G9-RMC_VXwHiABF6zK8QbF8ZckbEA-U8yjFAUY0tI80VOpUJEqUahdHnhHXlnF5aC1ObeYjlxYA/s320/faster-pussycat-kill-l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">G- Ginger Snaps</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2a7X-l0T57ye9OOcQd1uaoMr2WxOoFDw2ZFtOSQrua0LbuWq96Yt2mSAdcZbLvIY49QjzT2YYvXQmfMfoaBwS5hiCL0_iYvM0cAHIAasM9zh4EVa986vwnyp7k9Isd3AgLgIOEYYGIVY/s1600/ginger-snaps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2a7X-l0T57ye9OOcQd1uaoMr2WxOoFDw2ZFtOSQrua0LbuWq96Yt2mSAdcZbLvIY49QjzT2YYvXQmfMfoaBwS5hiCL0_iYvM0cAHIAasM9zh4EVa986vwnyp7k9Isd3AgLgIOEYYGIVY/s320/ginger-snaps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">H- Heavy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5p7ZjqHJIPSlm-gduK_rOg96KJ78-7FGKrHuIqbyyVUO3x4LsJrdqgvd5cXEWW_QovtLBCKxn5Rjuv-aEsSaHDrPVt4yg2r6Vl_8PBKd_yJgA2TpFO0opUfglXjdG2SWGccFKlIXOx4/s1600/heavy-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5p7ZjqHJIPSlm-gduK_rOg96KJ78-7FGKrHuIqbyyVUO3x4LsJrdqgvd5cXEWW_QovtLBCKxn5Rjuv-aEsSaHDrPVt4yg2r6Vl_8PBKd_yJgA2TpFO0opUfglXjdG2SWGccFKlIXOx4/s1600/heavy-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I- Immortal Beloved</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6Iu53vH3XqGK-TTeUuR1fZUXmclukBFu8FHBHabh_HUf6T3PfS7PfFG4JMP0FXlf8ftK25pncXHZLwuoeRSthAqFDAPnJzEdQilALgMTHipmimiLGfVxRVl4eXCnR_8fGxj54wfE-_U/s1600/immortalbeloved120309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6Iu53vH3XqGK-TTeUuR1fZUXmclukBFu8FHBHabh_HUf6T3PfS7PfFG4JMP0FXlf8ftK25pncXHZLwuoeRSthAqFDAPnJzEdQilALgMTHipmimiLGfVxRVl4eXCnR_8fGxj54wfE-_U/s320/immortalbeloved120309.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">J- Jason and the Argonauts</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpuvvKcM5mYQgNmNQQ8yOvWspHRv10GsbtVB7hOeUPNPi-LNGbj0xcf9SULXSdqr1zAKnu6eeRwgpvWaCy3tkEljkIdE6EDdbJhim2mhE_DAK-TfKgUgwb6CIeEUT8bzqzSX9sQhgkuc/s1600/jason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpuvvKcM5mYQgNmNQQ8yOvWspHRv10GsbtVB7hOeUPNPi-LNGbj0xcf9SULXSdqr1zAKnu6eeRwgpvWaCy3tkEljkIdE6EDdbJhim2mhE_DAK-TfKgUgwb6CIeEUT8bzqzSX9sQhgkuc/s320/jason.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">K- Killer Klowns from Outer Space</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyU3T9eMicxcT1O37g5WnhxitQWi2S9tffzGiz9l7e73PjOgMQzxxpPR5DQe9v43RVxKfOD3Odp_JAt03EiYJm5wFJ7H3NG8QUIlUdRfJOe8zjGaT9Lt_IOAvr7nPPIvrjfPi7Qs17zw/s1600/killer+klowns.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyU3T9eMicxcT1O37g5WnhxitQWi2S9tffzGiz9l7e73PjOgMQzxxpPR5DQe9v43RVxKfOD3Odp_JAt03EiYJm5wFJ7H3NG8QUIlUdRfJOe8zjGaT9Lt_IOAvr7nPPIvrjfPi7Qs17zw/s320/killer+klowns.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">L- Last Days of Disco</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFJUTuQiZT1f6nzJABtuB48pB5OA2FPuUEON5hB5QlWhaf7Oeexi4XE4L-ROvpOPkNPZHwg-cz-ks69w9o7GunO6n5yZd0OyiDyeKFvY_WDh2THFLyNlXhTxRiRqWQyxImr-7F2JijdA/s1600/last+days+of+disco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFJUTuQiZT1f6nzJABtuB48pB5OA2FPuUEON5hB5QlWhaf7Oeexi4XE4L-ROvpOPkNPZHwg-cz-ks69w9o7GunO6n5yZd0OyiDyeKFvY_WDh2THFLyNlXhTxRiRqWQyxImr-7F2JijdA/s320/last+days+of+disco.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">M- Mallrats</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmPINLHW7SGHdpqrMR_Zvv6NoMPb25nBFstm9l6INSpBLpxTSaXSsxEYYYtoF8ZykoxBZneVtKZJHfO4SvhpIK8JDSpmz-jLx2WOrCtvIMDexijsph-6XXQlIpsSQ00aDP34gzMNS4eI/s1600/mallrats-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmPINLHW7SGHdpqrMR_Zvv6NoMPb25nBFstm9l6INSpBLpxTSaXSsxEYYYtoF8ZykoxBZneVtKZJHfO4SvhpIK8JDSpmz-jLx2WOrCtvIMDexijsph-6XXQlIpsSQ00aDP34gzMNS4eI/s320/mallrats-25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">N- Night Watch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzjViMftMQ-Td3bp2g2lpiHh28Ry_2UzbPrx-RqMkYoRiKOZkPUKe4FUmjrajKarOQgcQ1_L6zrFFCqV9PZv1eWPxrX4bB4DG0l4FKlz9iRggtsB5PE932-JFskbJXCeyHUyUqEz8lFw/s1600/night+watch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzjViMftMQ-Td3bp2g2lpiHh28Ry_2UzbPrx-RqMkYoRiKOZkPUKe4FUmjrajKarOQgcQ1_L6zrFFCqV9PZv1eWPxrX4bB4DG0l4FKlz9iRggtsB5PE932-JFskbJXCeyHUyUqEz8lFw/s320/night+watch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">O- Orlando</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5Fjld_9VvmUQSwvjldVAamkM-MA9OBsVvGe2b7EHmarAZPHo5xgB-ykaWrOOWWJIDlCClvHNCxLaenj1Q9cHz8V0p4UYYsAq45vKIeEJJzZJ-wYiljzq-jMWpV_0hmHp6PCQpG_gbl0/s1600/orlando-movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5Fjld_9VvmUQSwvjldVAamkM-MA9OBsVvGe2b7EHmarAZPHo5xgB-ykaWrOOWWJIDlCClvHNCxLaenj1Q9cHz8V0p4UYYsAq45vKIeEJJzZJ-wYiljzq-jMWpV_0hmHp6PCQpG_gbl0/s320/orlando-movie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">P- Pulp Fiction</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNMArLcbamcqNWpxtYQNv3HCU4KtTgmNnyOc15YgsyK53fb8144hmWoWlWavH2jdqMkOp0oxwRdXkFptB30l5uTbLTY9T_oi9u_E-iWJtWL3zsTrIPEvruYOl6saX8H204gJowYOEd6s/s1600/Pulp-Fiction_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNMArLcbamcqNWpxtYQNv3HCU4KtTgmNnyOc15YgsyK53fb8144hmWoWlWavH2jdqMkOp0oxwRdXkFptB30l5uTbLTY9T_oi9u_E-iWJtWL3zsTrIPEvruYOl6saX8H204gJowYOEd6s/s320/Pulp-Fiction_l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Q- Quartermass and the Pit</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgP4Df2Ow-erxWaTL1YIdeQr-35mw6niQsYohAazv1MBORYIYinb0NJFqJxkNHRv1eUEX5HSRUMhk_MVmLG4k-5urkjULcNI3G7-9LbqrgYIv55W7BLgLXDHLNeYcO7i7BxFIBVshbmc/s1600/quartermass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgP4Df2Ow-erxWaTL1YIdeQr-35mw6niQsYohAazv1MBORYIYinb0NJFqJxkNHRv1eUEX5HSRUMhk_MVmLG4k-5urkjULcNI3G7-9LbqrgYIv55W7BLgLXDHLNeYcO7i7BxFIBVshbmc/s320/quartermass.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">R- The Red Violin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzfohfAaXlwFE_Ebd9Dzi-8BaZQBkyE6pmwjKkdzfgDpnedqab835DCZwpetsqNwTBsu1E1TPPxRk8UxHgoLt6taC8Hc7uINh37y_s6VngGaEnffcCLYUqv9USv7mgGKWmthaxzaqVvk/s1600/red+violin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzfohfAaXlwFE_Ebd9Dzi-8BaZQBkyE6pmwjKkdzfgDpnedqab835DCZwpetsqNwTBsu1E1TPPxRk8UxHgoLt6taC8Hc7uINh37y_s6VngGaEnffcCLYUqv9USv7mgGKWmthaxzaqVvk/s1600/red+violin.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">S- The Salton Sea</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGSG6GDO0dY0QuLyX3lPXYLXyj7lDtAPVdR0g4QGKByoJ8iGTEtzJbXXeLfEzPWImSMExeXfCUJTKJ0Ytnt1omPmOUX3rV7q4lQ9j93QmDnpbecYG_j1RxtG6nFoEIxiIuHQSJRr58Ts/s1600/salton+sea.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGSG6GDO0dY0QuLyX3lPXYLXyj7lDtAPVdR0g4QGKByoJ8iGTEtzJbXXeLfEzPWImSMExeXfCUJTKJ0Ytnt1omPmOUX3rV7q4lQ9j93QmDnpbecYG_j1RxtG6nFoEIxiIuHQSJRr58Ts/s320/salton+sea.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">T- Tank Girl</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimg8dIrbhiche_qs-oeH4K5tLoj_e7KcetACbaPTPPo6HN6dlNsH1EGLqXNXfntWWmTlq76q5NVAfrrKG0rkv0ZK7Uyp-3pfxOFyXhbORWA2h45DvMiMNc653OMUtLrEP2q_ve6ATPOEY/s1600/tank+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimg8dIrbhiche_qs-oeH4K5tLoj_e7KcetACbaPTPPo6HN6dlNsH1EGLqXNXfntWWmTlq76q5NVAfrrKG0rkv0ZK7Uyp-3pfxOFyXhbORWA2h45DvMiMNc653OMUtLrEP2q_ve6ATPOEY/s320/tank+girl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">U- Uncertainty</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskL8JrmmEqxrS3alnVDPPDNCVpVgxOWbn8lEcp80BvF2lSa0ZEsWzk8EQ5zZImjFrEMO7Eg00BL4XokelYpvT1M7zWZLmbEs3zcKW2WrWeeB-mozzLe9dogHBuJC1Uazrq62KtbLKnRc/s1600/uncertainty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskL8JrmmEqxrS3alnVDPPDNCVpVgxOWbn8lEcp80BvF2lSa0ZEsWzk8EQ5zZImjFrEMO7Eg00BL4XokelYpvT1M7zWZLmbEs3zcKW2WrWeeB-mozzLe9dogHBuJC1Uazrq62KtbLKnRc/s320/uncertainty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">V- Vivre sa Vie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBZOPB4bX_7-IWkZLH8qHW3G0QCadFtmiF93Qedot0gX5wlVJFPjVwJwl7em4mzcfLOjKJTG5abf8wavJWASdXsK_LYqdtYRL3qVxV3n1g9wblz3fwFdAThG6n9ljwfzRLtWfiKZTTOs/s1600/vivre+sa+vie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBZOPB4bX_7-IWkZLH8qHW3G0QCadFtmiF93Qedot0gX5wlVJFPjVwJwl7em4mzcfLOjKJTG5abf8wavJWASdXsK_LYqdtYRL3qVxV3n1g9wblz3fwFdAThG6n9ljwfzRLtWfiKZTTOs/s320/vivre+sa+vie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">W- What About Bob?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLOB6sezHOEEe1l81_dqnxs51wY2ajeeWitfMbT5wfZAzAiIcmS9NeF_FCrM-eGT7fITTosv_sfp4mwBjmYzP6F3ASC3Urp-ZId21zZyidpad3Boak2XGyw276VNFQLKkhRrfBGPOMds/s1600/what+about.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLOB6sezHOEEe1l81_dqnxs51wY2ajeeWitfMbT5wfZAzAiIcmS9NeF_FCrM-eGT7fITTosv_sfp4mwBjmYzP6F3ASC3Urp-ZId21zZyidpad3Boak2XGyw276VNFQLKkhRrfBGPOMds/s320/what+about.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">X- X: The Unheard Music</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7gQg-JRnl12LEn1R4cuQNMNd8ijfFIH6yXOFf1E03TszicUQbGtVMGky9qsen9TC_7wjlCX3nUlnQM4VDeGyrLq_sF4Fs9RU3Ke1aiSiL6JlbE5ULBBajHE2nPsFBRh6plbnh99ISXg/s1600/x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7gQg-JRnl12LEn1R4cuQNMNd8ijfFIH6yXOFf1E03TszicUQbGtVMGky9qsen9TC_7wjlCX3nUlnQM4VDeGyrLq_sF4Fs9RU3Ke1aiSiL6JlbE5ULBBajHE2nPsFBRh6plbnh99ISXg/s320/x.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Y- Yojimbo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpBDZ7i2kg6b1RpeRfwg_rfjbiA9Eb4PqPCNadttuM-3FEbvRjThUTSyUr9zfc7c_le8z8skMaEmi_haYWakc-27i61bMnWOGZNgvCz7e_KGJszYFjmtyeVeGMO7oVvbPMm_tailMKBw/s1600/yojimbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpBDZ7i2kg6b1RpeRfwg_rfjbiA9Eb4PqPCNadttuM-3FEbvRjThUTSyUr9zfc7c_le8z8skMaEmi_haYWakc-27i61bMnWOGZNgvCz7e_KGJszYFjmtyeVeGMO7oVvbPMm_tailMKBw/s320/yojimbo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Z- Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPpbEM_TgfYEgs7d-NHY0mEAgEr6ETjoucxMbmeIYTk6sR1L2PKgYg5rI-0FvRITMItgkV9fSEY8avyupwPWTQlu2WEYjOkgxUaQzCTMklOgD0qwnTPJnHGqYcV2KeeRWGegJFgoaNoY/s1600/z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPpbEM_TgfYEgs7d-NHY0mEAgEr6ETjoucxMbmeIYTk6sR1L2PKgYg5rI-0FvRITMItgkV9fSEY8avyupwPWTQlu2WEYjOkgxUaQzCTMklOgD0qwnTPJnHGqYcV2KeeRWGegJFgoaNoY/s1600/z.jpg" /></a></div>Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-38576074829334063362011-04-14T17:12:00.000-05:002011-04-14T17:12:34.698-05:00Red Light A-Go-GoDay 7- Amsterdam<br />
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My confusion over when our flight was leaving results in our dropping the car off at 9 AM for what I thought was an 11:45 flight. It's 1:45- oops! We can't check in until 10:45 so we wait and wait. Positive note: I get a bit of knitting done. Finally, Duty Free awaits! I can buy liquor but not cigarettes when travelling between EU countries. Cigarettes are around 9 euro or about $13 a pack. Not sure exactly what I was thinking bringing only a half pack with me. Actually, I know exactly what I was thinking- "Hey! I have to order my smokes duty free since they don't sell them in the US anymore, so why not just buy some there?" Stupid. Thankfully, not smoking in the car or room has really curbed my habit! I smoked less than 2 packs during that week. Success!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My Sister's Travel Tip: When checking bags, only check to your next destination if you have an extended layover. This saves your bag from getting ahead of you and being detained in your final city. There would be nothing worse than finding out your bag has been unclaimed and sent back to the country of origin. Talk about a bummer.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNHRD5IxJMQPd1Zer0bv-4oU9ux8moT9dc_h5m7VJahhD8yN6qkoZev19gv5omwQdu5cmQYrQK5MBJYHkBeHXR0FtZyx5qW8BA_BIQeBtzVOPb1HYsSwkqzxthZKuJTnkuN5ufmOGe7M/s1600/P1040681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNHRD5IxJMQPd1Zer0bv-4oU9ux8moT9dc_h5m7VJahhD8yN6qkoZev19gv5omwQdu5cmQYrQK5MBJYHkBeHXR0FtZyx5qW8BA_BIQeBtzVOPb1HYsSwkqzxthZKuJTnkuN5ufmOGe7M/s400/P1040681.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>It's a hop, skip, and a jump from Dublin to Amsterdam. Aer Lingus does not offer complementary beverages which was disappointing. What's a flight without my traditional ginger ale? I also don't need a customs voucher, thank you EU, but it makes me nervous. <br />
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I'm totally unprepared for Amsterdam. It's as if I forgot we were coming here. I didn't look up any maps, restaurants, things to see, or think of accommodation. Thankfully my sister did and booked us into a Christian hostel in the middle of the red light district. Ironic, no? I like the idea of a religious hostel. One assumes the people there will not sell you into torture porn or steal your toothbrush. Also, with an early 10 AM flight, I'm not interested in listening to people go at it like bunnies or stumble around after a visit to the "coffee" shops.<br />
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Our credit cards don't work at the kiosks for the train to Centraal Station. You need some kind of computer chip that our cards didn't have- more cash out of pocket.<br />
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Travel Tip #4: Take plenty of cash<br />
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Streets in Amsterdam are a welcome sight- street signs! The "idiot posts" as I've always called them, in the red light district all have "XXX" stamped on them. We learn later that the street our hostel is on is a good place to pick up trannies. Wonder what the Christian hostel thinks about that. Our room is nice and overlooks the courtyard. We have one roommate that we'll meet at the end of the night. She's from Canada and is leaving at a similar time as us the next day. She agrees to help us get to the airport on time since she brought an alarm clock. Travel Tip #5: Don't forget an alarm clock.<br />
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We head to Dam Square which houses the Royal Palace. Unfortunately, it's facade is under renovation. Before we lose the light completely we are able to take a few pictures of the monument there. It's amazing how many people are out and about on a Sunday and how many places are still open. We grab some french fries with roumalade sauce (tasted more like tartar sauce, but still good) and a falafel from a guy who looked like Liev Schrieber. So far, everything is cheaper in Holland than it was in Ireland. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG5sN6U0Q03tmOiec4IuQ2gjvExopZFnoM6IqD-AeczwxcDkA0SzjLWPcl8N6QXLJfJG9SqkiyoiDak-29nelW2ht36MBKbaougleQg85Kn98u7rF4CDuCkuOP0aKd1g63y0jHdeT-nM/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG5sN6U0Q03tmOiec4IuQ2gjvExopZFnoM6IqD-AeczwxcDkA0SzjLWPcl8N6QXLJfJG9SqkiyoiDak-29nelW2ht36MBKbaougleQg85Kn98u7rF4CDuCkuOP0aKd1g63y0jHdeT-nM/s400/4.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There has to be something to do on a Sunday night, and we find it shortly after finishing our dinner- The Museum of Sex. For only 4 euro it's also the cheapest thing we've done all vacation! I have to tell you, I was skeptical of going. Not because I'm a prude, but because I didn't know what to expect. Was it serious? A joke? Turns out it's a bit of both. It was a lot of fun and we took some hilarious pictures.</div><br />
It's still too early to turn in for the night so we hit up Cafe Cuba down the street from our hostel. It's dark and wooden and has an almost 50s underbelly vibe to it. Our bartender is adorable and we all take turns picking songs from the juke box. Oh, this juke box was amazing! Kind of like iTunes, you type in the song you want and create play lists. They had everything and we blast some Ludacris for our new friends. No sooner did I step out to the bathroom than my sister worked her magic and charmed some locals. We were instant friends, buy beers and playing stupid bar games. My sister is not a big drinker; in fact, this is the most she's drunk in her entire life combined (and we're talking a total of 9 drinks all week). I turn her on to Grolsch and before I know it she's downgraded from a pint to a half pint to a whisper (really cute 1/4 pint, more like a flight). She is boggled! [side note: my sister a bit schwasted is very amusing.] I kept saying, "You don't have to drink it. They're buying your more because you keep finishing it!"<br />
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By the time we get back to our room, it is stifling. The radiator will not turn off. We crack a window but it doesn't really help, even with the 30 degree air streaming in. We gain a 4th roommate who demands the window be shut. Ironically, this is the best my sister sleeps all trip. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Travel Tip #6: Ask about extra fees. Our hostel charged a 10 euro key deposit that would be returned on check out. Thank god I had a bit of cash. Also, bring your own lock and avoid having to buy one, even though they are relatively inexpensive. </div><br />
I really want to come back here when I have more time. There's a bus tour that takes you out to the tulip farms, and windmills, and wooden shoe factories. There's a cheese maker as well! A gondala tour of the canals would be fun as well. Best bet is to rent a bike and ride until you can't ride anymore. Drinking is cheaper here as well by almost half. Our whole tab for about 4 beers was 11 euro, our dinner was 8. <br />
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Next: HomeGraygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-776120792905745782011-04-14T15:27:00.000-05:002011-04-14T15:27:37.971-05:00Adieu to Ireland<em>The long delayed conclusion to my Ireland vacation:</em><br />
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Day 6- Cork<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96kla-N_qmtLu-yD360qR3x6Ll3bGYs_hDFGcGScLYP7KcGmOUh_q2zNIHU-9i4SixpdKF0_KYPnN8a1X5bXycZnLLMek_3JSj3hToS2HZGb7AfxnUqkTcoECONey1GgHsrRuxamPjhY/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96kla-N_qmtLu-yD360qR3x6Ll3bGYs_hDFGcGScLYP7KcGmOUh_q2zNIHU-9i4SixpdKF0_KYPnN8a1X5bXycZnLLMek_3JSj3hToS2HZGb7AfxnUqkTcoECONey1GgHsrRuxamPjhY/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So far, Cork is unimpressive. It's a very industrial city and lacking the "brightness" of Galway. We try to visit the Butter Museum but it doesn't open until 10 AM. Hmmm... Wait around half an hour or get a move on to Dublin? </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Our B&B suggested we stop at the <a href="http://www.cashel.ie/">Rock of Cashel</a>- an ancient castle and cathedral ruin. Once it was the seat of the ancient kings of Ireland. Now, this surprisingly well preserved ruin hosts tours most of the year. It's amazing to see. Cashel is a gem in the center of the country. We had a lovely lunch at Ladyswell along the main road and within walking distance of the ruin. I had the most delicious Mediterranean panini (with cole slaw of course) and my sister had the seafood chowder. I'm not sure how "chowdery" it was, but she said it was delicious. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The rest of the trip North was uneventful. One thing that struck me odd was the radio. Irish radio is horrid. I will never complain about the lack of selection here for as long as I live. We literally heard the same 6 songs all week long. A sampling of the songs sponsoring our vacation:</div><br />
- Enrique Iglesias "Tonight (I'm Loving You)- Of course, we sang the CD version "Tonight (I'm Fucking You) and this song has haunted me ever since we returned. I can't turn around without hearing it and when I do I must sing along. I even sang it for Suicide Karaoke. God, I love that song. Oh Enrique, when'd you get so dirty? It's even spawned a new verb "to iglesias", meaning to have sex. As in: You are totally getting iglesiased tonight.<br />
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- Jessie J "Money"- She hasn't really broken in the states yet, but I think her album is only just coming out. She was just in the last issue of <em>Entertainment Weekly</em> or <em>Vogue</em> or something and I saw her on Graham Norton not too long ago. I wasn't impressed, but now I feel I must inflict this song on everyone.<br />
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- Some techno/dance song that wanted to "take us higher off the ground". No idea.<br />
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- Bruno Marz "Grenade"- Sounds like the guy needs to get some self esteem.<br />
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- Adele "Rolling in the Deep"/"Someone Like You"- I fully admit to buying this album the other day. I can't escape it. She sounds amazing and I find her hilarious. Did you see her on "Chelsea Lately"? I tried to link to it, but my computer's acting up. Youtube it- trust me.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now in Dublin, we're hunting for our next B&B which is located on Dublin Bay. It's a bit far out of the city but my main concern was getting to the car rental and airport on time. Regardless, there's a bus stop right across the street so we can leave the car it took me FOREVER to parallel park on the busy road. Our original B&B had plumbing issues that were as yet unresolved, but he booked us into another one a few doors down. The Sea Breeze is run by the tiniest old lady I've ever seen. How does she get up the stairs? Who changes the linen? These are questions probably best not to ask. Our room did have an excellent view of the bay but the room itself may have been the worst so far. Not bad, so much as old and out dated in more of a Salvation Army sense than an antique one. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After the required nap, we take the bus (1.80 euro) to the city center, or close enough really. All I want at this point is Indian food. I've been craving it something fierce all week. Problem is, we left all maps etc. in the room. I also still cannot find my camera charger. What the heck fire happened to it?! Wandering the streets of Temple Bar, in the rain, there is a beacon ahead in the form of a human directional. He is pointing to Shan Indian restaurant. God bless you sir. Now, get me a samosa! It's after 8 PM but there is only a large party in the dining room. I get a bit nervous but soon others arrive. I guess this is the place to go late. </div><br />
It takes a while to get our food considering no one else is in the restaurant, but once it comes I don't really care. The samosa is flavorful and just a bit spicy. I have to Aloo Mutter (potatoes and peas) and my sister has the Saag Paneer (homemade cheese in spinach). I asked for mine spicy but that's not how it comes. Oh well... The assortment of chutney's is also very different from what I'm used to- slightly sweet lemon preserve, pickled onions, and something containing tamarind. Still, it was pretty good and just over 10 euros each.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We try for a pint at The Quay since we liked the one in Galway so much, but it is well over the legal limit of patrons. My stupid umbrella gets caught in several peoples jackets. It was also very expensive. We skedaddled back across the river to find someplace more cozy and closer to where we needed to pick up the bus home. Thankfully, the drizzle has finally let up. I can't remember the name of the bar we ended up at! It was fun with two levels. We almost went into this place next door called... Poets Corner? Poet Laureate? Something about literature. Before we know it though, it's time to catch the bus back before it stops running and start packing for Amsterdam. We're planning to leave our large bags at the airport, so stuffing all essentials into our carry on's is a chore. I'm starting to run low on funds.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I've eaten cole slaw at almost every meal in Ireland. People seem obsessed with it. Is this a new transport from abroad? I was even asked if I already knew I liked it before they would serve it to me. So cute. "Honey, I'm from Texas. We eat this by the bucket full!" For the most part, cole slaw here has a lot of mayonnaise. It was nice at first, I'm not used to real mayo, but eventually I just wanted to drain out much of it. A soft hand in cole slaw is often best I think. I've also lost count on the number of eggs I've eaten. Every breakfast and then on accident other times (stupid yummy quiche). If I never see another egg....</div><br />
Next: This is the end or Hello Amsterdam!Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-56172184677631291682011-03-26T16:33:00.000-05:002011-03-26T16:33:01.917-05:00Kiss it! Kiss it!Day Five- Blarney and Cork<br />
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**Another car game- There are no signs in Ireland. I guess people just know where to go. When you do see a sign, yell, "Reassuring sign!" and point out the window.**<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhxvC0mqg1MBMq24QktsKHCR8qaUylhdqgyRvNu9ia26KvGkWoCWRbIwZfhsorCWgxqn2qkLv8sa6ODhBD7eZdiA6t1vDLUO8sV-Q_929bbfYfmSsDOArlTOBnewVwJfsvUYmnQQfEKM/s1600/bit+of+ruin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhxvC0mqg1MBMq24QktsKHCR8qaUylhdqgyRvNu9ia26KvGkWoCWRbIwZfhsorCWgxqn2qkLv8sa6ODhBD7eZdiA6t1vDLUO8sV-Q_929bbfYfmSsDOArlTOBnewVwJfsvUYmnQQfEKM/s320/bit+of+ruin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's an early day and we're off toward Cork, or final city. County Clare has the best roads in all of Ireland. They are more frequently marked, paved, and have lines painted on them. Praise be Clare! On our way to Blarney Castle, we pass this bit of ruin on the side of the road. No sign, no anything until you park. It was beautiful.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We finally stopped to eat in a small town called Buttevant (tee hee) at Lyla's Kitchen on the main road. Good, full Irish vegetarian breakfast. I think I'm going to turn into an egg after all the ones I've eaten. Every morning, it's what's for breakfast. I never want to see another delicious egg for months! The bathroom is a venerable outhouse. You have to wind your way outside, it's kind of cool.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieBGTQSouRpl0Ww2e109FcXpB7EWpmgWWsrsetsWCY9vvFifYnVTsMQMfqE1FsMbZMCJdmsqMe69sjeSZ5-rrz77Z1rHhiq44nS7_ITuBNdnzTZg8IPAKtW8c93f3icqrc28apJgu198/s1600/blarney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieBGTQSouRpl0Ww2e109FcXpB7EWpmgWWsrsetsWCY9vvFifYnVTsMQMfqE1FsMbZMCJdmsqMe69sjeSZ5-rrz77Z1rHhiq44nS7_ITuBNdnzTZg8IPAKtW8c93f3icqrc28apJgu198/s320/blarney.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>The sun comes back out (we really lucked out for weather) when we reach Blarney. I don't think I knew what to expect, but I was surprised at how vast the grounds were. We have the most fun climbing all through the castle, up to the top to kiss the stone. I had been warned by multiple people not to actually kiss it, but I don't think I would have needed to be told. I just have to close my eyes and think of the tens of thousands of people that come through there, not to mention local trouble makers, to never want to physically touch the stone. It's amazing how far back you have to lean. Were it not for the guy holding on to me, I think hundreds would fall to their death annually. It was actually a bit scary!<br />
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</div>Our B&B in Cork City is located outside the downtown area, which is an island. <a href="http://www.kenthousecork.eu/">Kent House</a> turned out to be one of our larger rooms, but the view was of the train station. Who cares really? I'm not here to sit in my room. If it's clean, I'm happy. We take another nap, a reoccurring theme, then are off in search of dinner. Cork is largely industrial, though there is a college there and some nice shopping. The downtown area reminded us of the Santa Monica Promenade- mostly fashion chains and some fast food. No bars. Are we still in Ireland?! Once again we get lost trying to find our restaurant but thankfully it is still open when we get there.<br />
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<a href="http://www.quaycoop.com/Home.html">The Quay Co-op</a> was the other vegetarian restaurant on my list of musts. It was recommended by several people as well. Again, we are served a heaping plate of food and no way to take it back with us. Such a bummer. I had a spinach and cottage cheese quiche, coleslaw, and green salad. I tried this Elderflower soda and it was amazing! Slightly sweet with only a hint of the floral taste you might expect. I wish we sold it here in the states! Everything was super yummy.<br />
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We walked about a bit and tried to remember where we were told a couple bars were at. In keeping with our themes, we left our pocket map at the B&B. Giving up, we head back towards sleep and stop in at a pub along the way. It must be 8-2 male. Of course, all the big rugby matches are going on the same week we're there as well as horse racing, so the sports bars have been packed. We met a fiance at his bachelor party dressed as a leprechaun, poor thing. <br />
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All in all, Galway has been the best city so far. It's location is perfect to explore the whole west coast of Ireland and the night life can't be beat.Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-44391792846242957842011-03-26T15:50:00.000-05:002011-03-26T15:50:44.987-05:00Happy St. Patrick's DayDay Four- Cliffs of Moher and Every Body's Irish<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_H6EeE33gAPlYcQd8I3YIjcv294jStHoetCG3czO8GpCxQ-_ukiQr-oi0B4XTYIwSCe8ofR9AsilfCswpR311JCrnTURXnVPzdYtXb4sy7RfJbcmYdc6aGedezOhQVGQOz4itWJs7QIo/s1600/bunratty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_H6EeE33gAPlYcQd8I3YIjcv294jStHoetCG3czO8GpCxQ-_ukiQr-oi0B4XTYIwSCe8ofR9AsilfCswpR311JCrnTURXnVPzdYtXb4sy7RfJbcmYdc6aGedezOhQVGQOz4itWJs7QIo/s320/bunratty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">**This is Bunratty Castle, but you can't throw a rock without hitting a bit of castle or a bit of ruin. Another car game: Yelling out "Bit of castle!" or "Bit of ruin!" We also saw a bit of Castle with row houses built off of it. Must be easy giving directions: Just go to the bit of castle and count down 4 doors.**</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The sun is shining when we leave and we're hoping for another slightly warm day as we head south to the <a href="http://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/">Cliffs of Moher</a>. The roads from Galway through The Burren are tough to say the least. Most are barely wider than one American lane and the speed limits 100 km (about 70 mph). What drunkard came up with that? There is a lot of deep inhales and held breath as we pass cars barreling towards us. The drive is beautiful though. Even the seriously dangerous curves are no match for how we're feeling. At least most of these roads are paved, right?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3XigkmKSc9lvkToDl1e9n6NDCGhuDkpHfRjGsAz2XOcQIitCEfrHIqTW0Xrh8JItkCZ5-60ynpVR_54661gsK5xD4hQeehgvLHg6nrz5HxcgvW6ktQdU1k9V0sm-bxLUH2NqdEAy5tk/s1600/moher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3XigkmKSc9lvkToDl1e9n6NDCGhuDkpHfRjGsAz2XOcQIitCEfrHIqTW0Xrh8JItkCZ5-60ynpVR_54661gsK5xD4hQeehgvLHg6nrz5HxcgvW6ktQdU1k9V0sm-bxLUH2NqdEAy5tk/s320/moher.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's overcast once we get up the cliffs (214m or about 702 ft) and the wind is trying to push us off the edge. Still, it is a beautiful sight. You can see the passage of time in the striations of the cliff face. There is a bit of a museum attached, mostly talking about climate change and wildlife but it's interesting. The visitors center boasts it's Green initiatives which I full support. Our geek-dom highlight at the end is the ridge where parts of "The Princess Bride" were films. As you wish!!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_AJgJucNo17Gg2zM4BedqI0Z02S-5ZVAFwaaK2B9881v9CIXjIxY4lPFti787sIRYO6p_Ae4KL6YxKwxyrsZEwlwfohOdrhtpfiroBeOnlEnRRYVlPNhKOC-ggNDH79c4xcGLNJA51g/s1600/moher2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_AJgJucNo17Gg2zM4BedqI0Z02S-5ZVAFwaaK2B9881v9CIXjIxY4lPFti787sIRYO6p_Ae4KL6YxKwxyrsZEwlwfohOdrhtpfiroBeOnlEnRRYVlPNhKOC-ggNDH79c4xcGLNJA51g/s320/moher2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We get more interesting directions to the famous Dolman further into <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Burren">The Burren</a>. Here, an estimated 300 bodies (all ash- the Celts cremated) were found buried in the tomb. Now, it just hangs out and we took a lot of pictures. Heading back down the cliffs, the sun comes back out and it warms up a bit. We stop in Ballyvaughan at The Soda Parlor for lunch. Really yummy crepes and milkshakes. After a quick nap at home, we're off to celebrate the most famous Englishman in Ireland.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNo3zhAAm1mYavA1FeWoudAuOVche7x7y3qv1l0f0linqUU59UA3Z9pLcC9IfitJ0xC2-kKY5p1FK4ck6ZdgHfv7uxsODod2xt7y0YXs2dPa0pFP472kO1qPQZ5OsTre4cvZ3LlqivGc/s1600/dolmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNo3zhAAm1mYavA1FeWoudAuOVche7x7y3qv1l0f0linqUU59UA3Z9pLcC9IfitJ0xC2-kKY5p1FK4ck6ZdgHfv7uxsODod2xt7y0YXs2dPa0pFP472kO1qPQZ5OsTre4cvZ3LlqivGc/s320/dolmen.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There are people everywhere. If you live in a major city, it looks the same. College kids stumbling down the street, spilling beer on themselves and others. People taking their glass outside and dropping it, even though every bar offers plastic cups. It's loud and cold and fun. Our first stop was <a href="http://www.thekingshead.ie/">The King's Head</a>. On any other night I think it could have been a nice place to hang out, but tonight it was full of college kids and we're just a bit too old for that. We grab a slice of amazing pizza then head to <a href="http://www.frontdoorpub.com/">The Front Door </a>(also in the guidebook, FYI). Here was more our crowd. It was packed to the gills, but after grabbing a Smithwicks for me and a Bulmers for my sister, we found a smoking patio on the 2nd floor. New Yorkers will recognize this patio as nothing more than a pass through to another building, but it has been re-appropriated for use with the bar. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lesson I already knew but learned again from a drunk Irish girl: Guys are full of shite and lie.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE4srGIO_gpbJwhcy1rjojJAltGPEBnDXU3X0KJf8ZO3-vSuvNA0SG5gHgBrWYkA3Zgrd9YbDBBNq3dpEIOeV7hZHE5SjMAS2I08zsgpdOlZIZbhJj22w-reWBJQn0fei8fopHD-mXMo/s1600/st+pats.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE4srGIO_gpbJwhcy1rjojJAltGPEBnDXU3X0KJf8ZO3-vSuvNA0SG5gHgBrWYkA3Zgrd9YbDBBNq3dpEIOeV7hZHE5SjMAS2I08zsgpdOlZIZbhJj22w-reWBJQn0fei8fopHD-mXMo/s320/st+pats.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>For some reason, many people we've met along the way so far have thought we were Australian. They also commend us on waiting to visit until after Obama was elected, as our reception would not have been so nice. You're welcome America. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We meet some native Dublinites out showing their Canadian friend around and have some savage craic (sounds like crack- i.e. a really good time and good conversation). I totally want to bring this word back to the states. I love it!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sadly, we are back at the B&B and getting ready for bed at 11:45. This has already been a lot of driving, and we're back at it again tomorrow. I really loved Galway and would come back for a few more days again. We never got out to the Aran Islands, and there is some beautiful country side and attractions North of the city. I'll keep my fingers crossed I have the opportunity again.</div><br />
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</div>Next: Good Roads and Kissing the StoneGraygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-22229021444776957262011-03-26T15:10:00.001-05:002011-03-26T15:46:42.629-05:00Sheep!Day Three- Newgrange <br />
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**Everywhere we turn, there are sheep. It's become a game. We randomly yell out "Sheep!" or "Cow!" or "Baby Sheep!", as if we've never seen these animals before in our life. It's ridiculous and so much fun. **<br />
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Just North of Dublin is one of the oldest ancient relics still standing. Older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids. The tombs at <a href="http://www.newgrange.com/">Newgrange</a>, Knowth, and Dowth are something everyone should see before they die. Just the thought that Stone Age man made these amazing and precise astrological artifacts is mind blowing. Even more, the landscape is breathtaking. It should go without saying that we get lost. Let me back up a bit for a second.<br />
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There is a saying amongst my circle of friends as well as my family, "Never doubt me". I always speak the truth and only speak what I know to be the truth. Am I sometimes wrong? Sure, who isn't. But, 9 times out of 10 I'm right. So, even though the street we're on hasn't listed a sign in miles I am still right in thinking we're going the right way. Getting places is interesting with two opposing personalities, lets just leave it at that.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-lGLgCdd4W0R8WSBbrISUNeDSjL-FX6SWNzc_OXRAg6BsX5DYOTxcImClUYmUiWYFkFPLtktHiHkuDX_ZizLArAKiUDF_TY_UwYOkbwgd3wc_l4Wm-zoxSuMBFGHAikyo_slDWn55Hk/s1600/newgrange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-lGLgCdd4W0R8WSBbrISUNeDSjL-FX6SWNzc_OXRAg6BsX5DYOTxcImClUYmUiWYFkFPLtktHiHkuDX_ZizLArAKiUDF_TY_UwYOkbwgd3wc_l4Wm-zoxSuMBFGHAikyo_slDWn55Hk/s320/newgrange.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When we finally make it to Brú na Bóinne (the visitors center). Our tour guide is amazing. He has a very dry humor we found delightful. You climb 2m up into the tomb and he places us around like human tetris in the chamber. Once arranged, he tells us how during the Winter Solstice, at dawn; the sun hits the entrance to the tomb and illuminates the interior like fire. There is a demonstration, hence our tetris organizing, played out with a light bulb. I actually get goosebumps. I love this place. Have you ever just felt connected to something? Sometimes its something you never thought you would connect with. Maybe it's a piece of your heritage. Whatever it is, I hope it happens for each of you at least once. I didn't want to leave. My sister asked if she could lie down in the tomb to see out the keystone set above the door. If we weren't afraid to get dirty (not us!), sure. YEA!!! I believed him when he said our feet were now at level with our head outside, but when you lay down and see little heads bobbing past, through a corridor that your brain tells you you should not be able to see out of, it's amazing. I only wish we could have taken pictures.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwh8DfWc-u2mbvD4aTFh124yPZCRoD0-NEovpdqFAJ9wnfm1mwyYRdD6J-MUWaM2THT8i5jfQA6bsS7n7io06i0sA_8EC-FymKnf0O_jK8HdlWKe_oPMwTPOgHJgGZoaN2SrfceCaVE6w/s1600/newgrange2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwh8DfWc-u2mbvD4aTFh124yPZCRoD0-NEovpdqFAJ9wnfm1mwyYRdD6J-MUWaM2THT8i5jfQA6bsS7n7io06i0sA_8EC-FymKnf0O_jK8HdlWKe_oPMwTPOgHJgGZoaN2SrfceCaVE6w/s320/newgrange2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Ireland is not known for its motorways. There are a few, mostly from Dublin to Belfast, Dublin to Cork, and Dublin to nowhere. It's the last one we're on while trying to get to Galway. Unfortunately, it's partially closed and we get lost in Athelone. To make matters worse, we're hungry. Thanks to the fine folks at Leahy's Grocery in Navan we find our way around the construction. Truly lovely people, who invited us into their office to print and draw out better maps for us. Damn GPS! We are on the highlighted route! We come to find later, that Athelone is the apparent joke of the country- all those who live in the interior are "un-sound". this becomes a theme for the trip.<br />
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Finally get to Galway. We're staying in Salthill just outside the city center and near the water. The <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g551543-d481157-Reviews-Ard_Mhuire_Bed_and_Breakfast-Salthill_County_Galway_Western_Ireland.html">Ard Mhuire</a> B&B is to be our home base for two days and the room and proprietor are both lovely. Had it been warmer, we could have walked to the Bay. We head into "downtown" Salthill for dinner at <a href="http://www.galwaycitypubguide.com/all-pubs/oslo-bar.html">The Oslo</a>, a nice micro-brewery and restaurant along the Bay. I had the lentil burger with fries and their house ale- yummy! Afterward, we head into Galway to the bar district and stop at The Quays which I found out later is a bit famous and in all the guidebooks. You wouldn't know it going in though which was nice. What I mean to say is, it was busy but proportionately more local than tourist. We met some nice gentlemen from Sligo who told us all about the "un-sound" people of the interior and to avoid Limerick, aka Stab City. Coming from Murderville myself, I wasn't worried; but better safe than sorry. Once the live music started (7 nights a week), the place got really packed and we left to crash back at the B&B.<br />
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Tomorrow: Princess Bride and St. Pat'sGraygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-32407925036981940762011-03-26T14:26:00.000-05:002011-03-26T14:26:02.034-05:00Viva DublinDay Two- Dublin <br />
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Always take a Xanax on the plane if one is offered to you. Even if you think to yourself, "I'm really tired. Sleeping will be no problem!" You are wrong. So, we arrive in Dublin tired and hungry. The customs line moves quickly and I refrain from writing my nationality as "white" like a friend of mine did on about as little sleep. Instead, just thinking about it sends me into giggles.<br />
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When buying a package vacation deal, it's important to read the fine print and ask questions. Picking up our rental car was an experience. I expected to pay a bit more- I knew there was a local tax that was not included in the deal- but I had no idea how much more. As foreign drivers we had to buy supplemental insurance, of which there are two choices: You can purchase the accident insurance which is 1600 euro UP FRONT, refundable to you later; or you can pay 15 euro a day for full coverage against pretty much anything. I almost started crying. She gives us the daily rate at 12 euro and we have to take it. Grrr... We also decide to get the GPS since our maps are crap (more on that later as well) and the rental agent takes pity on us again and gives it to me for 4 euro instead of 10 a day. Double Grrr. Even better, it won't stay on it's mount so my sister has to hold it the whole time. Not helpful.<br />
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Driving on the left isn't so bad except it ended up taking me two days to get comfortable with my mirrors. I keep turning on the windshield whippers instead of my turn signal. Dublin roads weren't the worst we drove but they were far from the best. Street signs, if you're lucky enough to even have them, are located on the sides of buildings. Problem is, they were probably put up in the 20s and haven't been changed since. Most are impossible to read and the English names seem much smaller than the Irish. How do you find anything when the houses don't list numbers? Thank god for GPS and our B&B booklet giving us coordinates for each!<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We are WAY too early to check into our B&B so we head into the city. My sister wants to visit a couple museums and I'm all about the Guinness. More complications- parking. There are a bunch of car parks, but the prices vary so significantly its hard to know when you're getting a good deal or when you're being gouged. Frustrated and about to stab the GPS, I just pull into the next car park we find. I've already backed out of two of them and one was on a "street" so narrow, the guy loading beer into his bar started laughing at us. When we leave, the 6-hour fare was about 22 euro- GASP!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dublin is a maze unto itself. There doesn't appear to be any logical grid system or any system in place. Streets change name while still posting the original name. You can't do that! We get lost, a lot. Finally make it to Trinity College. Other than Guinness, all I wanted to do in Dublin was see the Book of Kells. The college is gorgeous and the book very interesting. It's amazing how detailed and old it is. Such beautiful artwork. Afterward, we head by Dublin Castle to the Chester Beatty Library. It houses some of the oldest books and art, and has been named one of Europe's Best Museums. Even better, it's free! The main exhibit was of the Shahnama, a 60,000 verse epic poem over 1000 years old! The art work is amazing and many of the stories can be traced forward to our own mythology and fairy tales. One in particular is just like Rapunzel. The Library also houses ancient religious works from around the world. Very interesting.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Checking our map (thanks Tourism Centre!), we decide to walk to the Guinness Storehouse. In true Dublin fashion, most of the signs have been blown or knocked off course so you're never quite sure you're going the right direction. We finally find it and have an amazing time. It is evident why it is the #1 tourist destination in Dublin. The Storehouse takes you on a 7 floor journey through the making and history of Guinness, ending in a free pint in the Gravity Bar with 360 degree views of Dublin. Amazing. The pint leaves me energized and ready to head for lunch!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen96aRU8cx8FEYJQZ5iPLdGgQ6C07fvhPAIzqbqkrWd7UKAY8hgqb_pJsjMg-LH3RdZ3aN5tER_2TY8_QNhyphenhyphenzsTj2jGDxqs-kXTL1yJj_bXS8_E0fJYOwqat70bfXJWcmrKLrFGYB1lc/s1600/view+at+guinness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen96aRU8cx8FEYJQZ5iPLdGgQ6C07fvhPAIzqbqkrWd7UKAY8hgqb_pJsjMg-LH3RdZ3aN5tER_2TY8_QNhyphenhyphenzsTj2jGDxqs-kXTL1yJj_bXS8_E0fJYOwqat70bfXJWcmrKLrFGYB1lc/s320/view+at+guinness.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Our must stop lunch location is <a href="http://www.cornucopia.ie/">Cornucopia</a>, a vegetarian restaurant in the heart of the city. The prices freaked me out a bit (everything looks normal until you factor in the exchange rate), but there was enough food for two meals- score! I had the grilled leek and polenta cake with garlic new potato salad (with hazelnuts! Genius!) and coleslaw. Of the many coleslaws I ate, I think this was my favorite. It might also be that it was my first and they are heavy on the mayo in Ireland. After a few days, all you want to see is some dry cabbage.<br />
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Finally, it's time to check into our B&B. <a href="http://www.muckrosshousedublin.com/">Muckross House</a> in Drumcondra is convenient to the city center and the airport. Our host was lovely and suggested some pubs around the corner for later. We passed out for a few hours, ate left overs, then headed in the direction of beer. Travel Tip #2: Do not tip waitstaff. They make a decent wage and it confuses them. Plus, then you're out of a few euro you could have used to buy another half pint. It's super cold at night here too. About 30 F in the day but the wind picks up at night. I'm thankful I packed both a long and short winter coat. We head back to the B&B and pass out again. Tomorrow is a long day of driving.<br />
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Next: Newgrange and GalwayGraygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-73995033483183632742011-03-26T12:24:00.001-05:002011-03-26T12:36:09.307-05:00Ireland or Bust!Day One- Travel<br />
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I don't understand some peoples aversion to Delta. The two times I've bee forced to fly them, either due to price or mechanical problems with my original airline, I've found it to be a rather pleasant experience. Sure, they moved my sister and I apart on the longest leg of our journey, but they also moved us back together. [side note: sitting by the emergency exit is the only way to travel internationally. Screw paying hundreds more for business or 1st class. If you're lucky, it's a free upgrade. Gotta love the leg room.]<br />
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The stewards on our first flight were clearly loving life. The humor displayed was much how I imagine Southwest believes theirs to be- delicate and funny but un-obtrusive. I wish I was thinking more clearly and wrote some of it down.<br />
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The Atlanta airport is a nice one with lots of options for eating. Our Dublin bound flight went smoothly. In fact, we arrived early before the runway was even open! I really appreciate the care given to us with special diets, i.e. vegetarian, vegan, kosher, gluten-free. But, I have to wonder at the logic of it sometimes. There is no distinction between vegetarian and vegan when ordering; which results in extra meals being packed when what was being served would have sufficed. The cheese tortellini option would have satisfied us just as well and we would have gotten a chocolate blondie. This is not to say our steamed veggies, orzo, and curry (??) sauce wasn't good, just that we could have shared. Truth be told, they probably did us a favor. Perhaps they could tell I was about to eat my weight in cole slaw soon. More on that later.<br />
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We did make out like gang busters on our breakfast though. No condiment free egg sandwich for us! I'll take the toasted bagel with butter and jam, banana, OJ, and granola any day!<br />
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Next: DublinGraygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-23874749592532308962011-02-10T10:49:00.000-06:002011-02-10T10:49:08.862-06:00Dear America-<br />
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On Sunday, Dallas (my hometown) hosted the Super Bowl. What should have been a happy and joyous affair turned into something altogether ugly and greedy. Didn't our visitors see the Troy Aikman commercial urging us to be better hosts and respectful? Is anyone else disturbed we needed a commercial to tell us that?<br />
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The week leading up to the game was a doozy. Mother Nature (or Jerry Jones depending on what circle you run in) attacked Dallas with the full force of her wintry nature. Ice and snow covered the ground and the complaints started. I didn't realize that as hosts of the Super Bowl we were also in control of the weather. I assure you, if Jones had his way he would have taken on the almighty himself to get the streets to clear. What our neighbors to the North need to realize and understand is that we don't get that kind of weather. We haven't had that level of winter since <strong>1997</strong>. We are a temperate climate with mild winters marred by a few days of ice and maybe snow a year. It gets cold here sure (we only have two temperatures- Hot as hell, and Cold as shit), so it's not that we're lazy or unprepared; it's that we rarely have to be. The number of snow plows and ice trucks currently in the DFW area are adequate for the weather we see normally. No city can prepare against every scenario, it's too expensive. Industrial salt/sand spreaders can cost upwards of 60K. How many should Texas own? Therefore, my dear Yankees, shut your gob and enjoy the snow. Trust me when I tell you we wish it weren't here either but c'est la vie!<br />
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Complaints were further issued when some fans found out they no longer had seats to the game. That is a bummer but is a lawsuit the answer? <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Fans-file-suit-against-NFL-and-Cowboys-over-Supe?urn=nfl-319085">Yahoo Sports</a> reported that a $5 million dollar lawsuit is being filed against the NFL, Dallas Cowboys, and Jerry Jones for misrepresentation, etc. I am sorry many fans lost seats. Over 2/3 of those in the temporary seating were moved to equal or better seats. The remaining 400 watched from a bar area, were given three times the cost of their ticket and a ticket to any future Super Bowl complete with air fare and hotel. Um... That sounds like great customer service to me and a good deal. It's a let down for sure but when does good sense equal into the equation? I understand that as Americans we are a "me, me" nation who believes that life is fair and we get whatever we want. Well, life isn't fair. I learned that before the age of 5, and as the Rolling Stones taught us "you can't always get what you want". Yes, Jones should never have over sold the venue and rushed the temporary seating. I'm sure the weather didn't help the fire marshal's inspection plans either. However, the NFL went above and beyond to correct this situation and make it up to the fans. I hope that in a months time they realize the money and gift of ANY future bowl is more than adequate compensation. Put your greed and anger away and stop listening to lawyers. If only this would go to trail, it would be one heck of a show.<br />
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In closing, the grass is always greener unless you visit Texas during a freak ice storm. Then, you probably should have stayed home.Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-91532256184885913292010-12-20T09:32:00.000-06:002010-12-20T09:32:46.995-06:00Blog Swap 2010It's time once again for <a href="http://www.20sb.net/">20sb</a> annual blog swap. You can check out my post <a href="http://lifeasmrsw2010.blogspot.com/2010/12/guest-blogger-today.html">here<here></a> and below is the post from our guest. Enjoy!<br />
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<span style="color: #bf9000;">I'm Char. I'm 22, and I got married about a month and a half ago. I'm a huge music and horror movie fanatic. My </span><a href="http://lifeasmrsw2010.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #bf9000;">blog</span></a><span style="color: #bf9000;"> started as a newlywed blog, but I revamped it and now it's just whatever pops into my head.</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">I finished <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1292690489_0" style="border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Shutter Island</span> earlier today. My mind has been blown. To me, it definitely lives up to the hype. On a side note, kudos to <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1292690489_1" style="border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Leonardo DiCaprio</span>. I'm not usually a big fan of his, but I was really impressed with his range in this movie. DiCaprio played a U.S. Marshall that gets sent to a <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1292690489_2">mental institution</span> to search for a missing patient. And then a whole bunch of creepy craziness ensues. Unfortunately, I can't really explain more without giving something away.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #bf9000;">All I'll say is you think you know how it's going to end, but you'd be wrong. The only thing I didn't like was how long it was. There's a crap-ton of exposition, but it is needed to progressive the story. If you want yet another reason to watch it, (spoiler) there's a brief appearance from Jackie Earl Haley. I'm a HUGE fan of is, and I definitely had a nerdgasm when I realized it was him. But anyways, I highly recommend Shutter Island to anyone that wants to see a thriller that actually isn't cheesy. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #bf9000;">And the next flick for me? <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1292690489_3" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Inception</span> :)</span>Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-12105325228912456882010-11-20T16:00:00.000-06:002010-11-20T16:00:10.403-06:00Happy Birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZCK1Qf819JEQPmbTfS2hmURLsiSL1rTUBFX4des7JjJRRhR1tGdLJ9koGxjqWuz6XfcklTcbXzGxhDNyK33f9JdE3amKEofWR4db12-XK8Gy4vIUUJjvvWI9nOPWbSfMk2YdSUHcvIY/s1600/me-red+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZCK1Qf819JEQPmbTfS2hmURLsiSL1rTUBFX4des7JjJRRhR1tGdLJ9koGxjqWuz6XfcklTcbXzGxhDNyK33f9JdE3amKEofWR4db12-XK8Gy4vIUUJjvvWI9nOPWbSfMk2YdSUHcvIY/s320/me-red+3.JPG" width="278" /></a></div>So my birthday is coming up and I've started celebrating early, as is my custom. We kicked off the week long celebration with a Dallas Star's hockey game. My friend got us amazing seats and we had a blast. It was also one of the best games I think I've ever seen. We started it off right, scoring twice in the 1st period, but then seemed to get a little lackadaisical in the 2nd. We came back to tie it 4-4 in the third and won in overtime! There were more fights in this game than any of the others I've been to combined. What could be better? Fighting and winning, it's what hockey's all about!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtKVW1jJoCtHo2MlXPITbHlQ5G86qieBYkZwB4hm_2Xn214sh0RJX1CpSSf1BjhErHew8Ky76cgo0hbvggqwH2n8Ylwvpza2I_NKu5YCl20xQC9IJzVMy1DV4VfhFFv4lAyuMv7t39EQ/s1600/OTTer+mania_stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtKVW1jJoCtHo2MlXPITbHlQ5G86qieBYkZwB4hm_2Xn214sh0RJX1CpSSf1BjhErHew8Ky76cgo0hbvggqwH2n8Ylwvpza2I_NKu5YCl20xQC9IJzVMy1DV4VfhFFv4lAyuMv7t39EQ/s320/OTTer+mania_stars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Friday, I took my same friends to the Yelp.com Secret Carnival. It was a lot of fun! Free food and drinks, lots of vendors and swag bags, and jugglers on stilts putting all kinds of things up their noses. Super fun! I can't wait for the next Elite event. You can follow my Yelp reviews <a href="http://graygrrrl.yelp.com/">here</a>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63jbvBMC3E329VxTnVSmZuan3IVS6r828Gu0uiofK7p7EFSc7gp9aq1fyaRnB7ikppGAEJGFpoE8Tt-bRRgWSPh79BmnrLndNtDbwPgjcoypGLCYXPw4z5SszPArx4tscVJI6xh884D0/s1600/ladies+at+Yelp+carnivale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63jbvBMC3E329VxTnVSmZuan3IVS6r828Gu0uiofK7p7EFSc7gp9aq1fyaRnB7ikppGAEJGFpoE8Tt-bRRgWSPh79BmnrLndNtDbwPgjcoypGLCYXPw4z5SszPArx4tscVJI6xh884D0/s320/ladies+at+Yelp+carnivale.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Tomorrow I'm having brunch with a bunch of friends, then dinner with my folks, followed by the big party blow out, and Thanksgiving. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. </div><br />
Hope you have a happy holiday!!Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-19105570206078210212010-11-14T15:11:00.001-06:002010-11-14T16:56:37.870-06:00It's Called Courtesy...Even if you can't spell it, you should use it.<br />
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Last night I had the priviledge of being my friends +1 to the Dandy Warhols. It totally took me back to high school and they played mostly older stuff so we were stoked! I was bummed today though when I couldn't find their CDs and realized they must be in the missing CD case that was sucked into some sort of abyss or the back of my closet.<br />
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The problem is, we are getting older. I don't just mean me, I mean everyone, all of us. We are all getting older. With age comes the list of complaints we have, especially regarding other people behaviour. Things are too loud or too quiet. You have to stand too long or sit too long. Everything is annoying. Unfortunately, we are correct in all of these assumptions. Case in point:<br />
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At the show last night, we were surrounded by a group of very young twenty-somethings. The couple to our left was, we assume, on their first date. They could not stop talking to each other the whole night! At one point, the guy turned to the girl and asked if he looked fat in his jeans. Seriously!? Who goes to a concert and chit chats? Do that in the back people! (mark it!) They were disrupting to everyone around us (except their equally dumb witted friends). Grr!! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFUWgahchYgNuioxpB7aatyRAYz8TWC1h9eBSxsRA8_UuaS7OCBKniBdlDCe_Uqv2u-yvBLiKotpvAvDHLV0fJtYxPBQpvXZkVPuI6kKRQALeN7skHQeUsvGWtUtl5NM_9j0bFR70M5k/s1600/hands+at+gigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFUWgahchYgNuioxpB7aatyRAYz8TWC1h9eBSxsRA8_UuaS7OCBKniBdlDCe_Uqv2u-yvBLiKotpvAvDHLV0fJtYxPBQpvXZkVPuI6kKRQALeN7skHQeUsvGWtUtl5NM_9j0bFR70M5k/s320/hands+at+gigs.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><br />
This lead me to think about the rules of conduct when out in public, say at a concert or movie. Courtesy is not a 4-letter word!<br />
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1. If you are not interested in what you are seeing, step away. If you don't like the band, go outside, move to the back of the auditorium. Get out of the way of those who do like the band. If you're at the movies, feel free to leave. If you cannot, then sit quietly and wait for the pain that is your life to end. DO NOT engage in loud or distracting conversation. <br />
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1b. At the movies, it is not appropriate to continually turn to your partner and ask "What's going on?" We also don't need your play by play of what action is happening on screen. We can see it too. Maybe, if you shut your mouth and watched the movie instead of talking to your buddy, you would know what was going on. Just a thought, try it.<br />
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2. If you are at the movies, leave your phone in your purse or pocket. I'm serious. You can text your buddy where to meet you after the movie. It takes all my strength not to grab your phone from you and throw it at the screen.<br />
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3. Dancing is fun and encouraged at concerts. You may notice a whole group towards the front of the stage bouncing up and down. Perhaps there is a circle pit forming and you want to run your little heart out while pounding into other music fans. Bravo! However, flailing your arms akimbo with no regard for those around you is not dancing, it's assault. This includes but is not limited to: feet, legs, arms, hands, and stinky dreadlocks. Please keep these inside the ride at all times.<br />
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4. A note to the exceedingly tall: Move it! Everyone likes to be up close and see the band, however you are blocking over a dozen eyes with your gangly form. Move to the side or the back and enjoy looking over all of our heads as we struggle to see around the person in front of us.<br />
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5. Be aware of your surroundings. This is a good one for general life use as well. I know you can see me. I've been standing behind you for over half an hour. Do you think I'm a spectre? Then why do you insist of walking right towards me like you plan to pass through my shoulder? There's a foot and a half gap on the other side of me. Head that way fool!<br />
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What else annoys the crap out of you when you're at a concert or the movies.Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-20344149375018896822010-11-07T17:18:00.000-06:002010-11-07T17:18:49.244-06:00Trivia Results!Here are the answers to my Halloween photo <a href="http://artofthrowingstones.blogspot.com/2010/10/happy-halloween-trivia-version.html">trivia</a>:<br />
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1. Blade<br />
2. Dead Snow (Dead Sno)<br />
3. Nosferatu<br />
4. Sleepy Hollow<br />
5. The Frighteners<br />
6. Tremors<br />
7. Watchmen<br />
8. Jurassic Park<br />
9. The Happening<br />
10. Silence of the Lambs<br />
11. Return of the Living Dead<br />
12. Grindhouse: Planet Terror<br />
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Thanks to everyone who sent me their guesses as well as those who came out to trivia! Don't forget to follow my new film and television blog at <a href="http://wwqtw.blogspot.com/">WWQTW?</a>.Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-60298256316255775382010-11-03T12:14:00.000-05:002010-11-03T12:14:27.612-05:00I'm moving, kindaAs you've probably noticed, this blog has gotten a bit entertainment heavy, which is a good thing, but not necessarily appropriate to this blog anymore. So, I've started a new blog which I will be updating more frequently. Based in part from my movie club, <a href="http://artofthrowingstones.blogspot.com/search/label/WWQTW">WWQTW?</a>, it will be a place for all my movie, TV, DVD, etc., reviews and thoughts. I hope you will all follow me there!<br />
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I will continue to post here although it may be less frequently. I have to accept that what I'm passionate about is movies and that's what I like to talk about and debate. Trying to come up with things to talk about with regularity about my life (so boring) and the world around me (less boring but I think others do it better) is exhausting. However I cannot give up this site completely. There are still things I want to say. At the very least, I came up with this title and idea almost a decade ago (though it took me longer to put it into practice) so it's impossible to give up.<br />
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Please join me at <a href="http://wwqtw.blogspot.com/">WWQTW?</a> I am in the process of transfering some of my favorite The Art of Throwing Stones posts at the moment and new content will be up today or tomorrow.<br />
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Thanks!<br />
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GraygrrrlGraygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-16490490631491330242010-11-01T15:13:00.000-05:002010-11-01T15:13:12.959-05:00AMC Wants to Eat Your Brains<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTkcnt6LjFc3vQtA77cVY0fH_yBMxgWGXVnuGC_7n9dYfIe4rPzUaJawJVijQn6D5MK6QqC5H6oQPLt75R_A1f-yH27piVCVhJCbXNthdoCfPMSh4Rps0NlVpiI5hWP9g6GIkAh5TSFU/s1600/AMC+The%2520Walking%2520Dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTkcnt6LjFc3vQtA77cVY0fH_yBMxgWGXVnuGC_7n9dYfIe4rPzUaJawJVijQn6D5MK6QqC5H6oQPLt75R_A1f-yH27piVCVhJCbXNthdoCfPMSh4Rps0NlVpiI5hWP9g6GIkAh5TSFU/s320/AMC+The%2520Walking%2520Dead.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Last night saw the premiere of Frank Darabont's ("The Shawshank Redemption", "The Mist") adaptation of Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charles Adland's comic book "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walking_Dead">The Walking Dead</a>". Leave it to AMC, the HBO of basic cable, to continue its streak of outstanding, envelope pushing original programming with a zombie series. While it may not shed any new light on the genre (and let's face it, not many have), what sets it apart from the films it clearly admires is the format and the style. The ability to gradually integrate the viewer into the landscape of a zombie infected America over several weeks allows us to discover not only the characters fully but their reaction to this new dystopia. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizP12LpkhVCXB3c6_Uq6reUu7jNZ0ghhLM-YtLK9wggoDanOC805dZO5E2uVSu372p3r3mm2BmFvSIGcWWrtFohF2HUYXGB9iMpLxMG8NC9nZ2JNz4xnhTOHowjPG9oyYrUvYKQX52LQc/s1600/AMC-walking+dead+1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizP12LpkhVCXB3c6_Uq6reUu7jNZ0ghhLM-YtLK9wggoDanOC805dZO5E2uVSu372p3r3mm2BmFvSIGcWWrtFohF2HUYXGB9iMpLxMG8NC9nZ2JNz4xnhTOHowjPG9oyYrUvYKQX52LQc/s320/AMC-walking+dead+1a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">[Mild Spoilers]</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Deputy Sherrif Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) wakes up in the hospital after suffering a serious gun shot wound to the chest (Hello, "28 Days Later"!). How long has he been there? Where is everyone? What the hell is going on?! having see the commercials, we know the basic answers to these questions already, but it's still gripping to watch him struggle to put all the pieces together. After escaping the hospital, Grimes meets up with a father and son team who fill him in on what's going on. If you get bitten or scratched, you get very sick resulting in a fever that ends your life. A little while later, you wake up and become a "walker". To paraphrase the father: I'm sure this all sounds crazy, but I've seen it. The episode ends with Grimes heading to Atlanta, the home of an apparent survivor camp and military operation, in hopes of rejoining his missing wife and son. What we find out only too late, is that Atlanta is no Mecca and his wife has taken up with his best friend and partner. Future dram anyone?</div><br />
[side note: Why is the "Z" word never mentioned in zombie movies? Are we to assume the characters live in another dimension that has never seen a Romero movie? Thank you "Zombieland" for not being afraid of the word.]<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU7ANNy5-uhyphenhyphenS-sW157J5ygH4JeEUPmJ_a3HDRNgbFQwZ8Q9UaIkQRT0pGsFg5f96MC1mCoVl9dYei4BwaXWHv8YysCme2ieCWHeaXyBcG6gRJsYd70a3SLLq5COZ9pite0Ckq_0W64A/s1600/AMC-walking+dead+1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU7ANNy5-uhyphenhyphenS-sW157J5ygH4JeEUPmJ_a3HDRNgbFQwZ8Q9UaIkQRT0pGsFg5f96MC1mCoVl9dYei4BwaXWHv8YysCme2ieCWHeaXyBcG6gRJsYd70a3SLLq5COZ9pite0Ckq_0W64A/s320/AMC-walking+dead+1b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Let's talk style for a bit, shall we? The opening scene is one of the best I've ever seen in television. David Tattersall's cinematography ("Star Wars I-III", "The Green Mile") is a character in and of itself. The camera spends equal time in medium and close up shots making us a part of the action, as it does in wide shots establishing mood. Couple that with Bear McCreary (winner for Best Name for a Composer or Any Dude For That Matter, "Battlestar Galactica", "Eureka") keeps the score soft and secondary, like TV's version of Philip Glass. It's presence is most often felt when it isn't there at all, and these eerily silent moments help foster the constant anticipatory feeling of the audience. I know we all wish we had our own theme music when we walk down the street but we don't, and neither do these characters. I can see how this slow and steady approach may throw off the ADD Generation but stick with it, trust me. It's going to be a slow burn that suddenly explodes.</div></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For the most part, the characters seem smart. They load up on guns and ammo, barricade themselves inside their shelters, and keep their wits about them. Mostly. I didn't see anyone stock piling food or water yet and the hunt for gasoline is a touch one. Hopefully these issues will be addressed more fully in upcoming episodes. I'm always surprised by characters that think the big city is a good place to be come the zombie apocalypse. Hasn't anyone read Max Brooks' zombie guide or does that not exist in this dimension either? Personally, I'm heading for the Booney's. A few undead hicks is nothing compared to the swarm one could expect to find in a city.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyRhf_QWhBWyS7fomOdbItg7ahjzXDHIz2aaZqrrJMYTX8jedrYfyAnYZPslfKoBb-EKtMutpWbq5xF3P5qEmigEuR2CFiKKHyX-N_orf1cDa0YG1IjDvyjCGurDuD8AiFNi2XgC_heY/s1600/AMC-walking+dead+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyRhf_QWhBWyS7fomOdbItg7ahjzXDHIz2aaZqrrJMYTX8jedrYfyAnYZPslfKoBb-EKtMutpWbq5xF3P5qEmigEuR2CFiKKHyX-N_orf1cDa0YG1IjDvyjCGurDuD8AiFNi2XgC_heY/s320/AMC-walking+dead+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Normally, I would also worry about the budget of this show and whether AMC has the stomach for it. there are a <em>lot</em> of extras in full make-up, deserted and demolished towns, etc. Certainly using lesser known actors helps keep costs down, but still. How much does each episode cost? Thankfully, this isn't network TV or even the aforementioned HBO and AMC seems smart about its original programming. Fingers crossed!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>I already cannot wait to see what happens next and am purposefully avoiding the comics so I can stay naive. When will he find his wife? How does he escape the huge mess he found himself in at the end of episode 1? Please tell me Michael Rooker is a series regular! Just the glimpse of him in the upcoming episode was enough to get me even more hot and bothered.Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-63681624888303207502010-10-31T17:01:00.002-05:002010-11-01T09:34:35.380-05:00Happy Halloween! (the trivia version)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wednesday I hosted a very special Halloween trivia game at the local bar. I love hosting trivia, but I don't seem to have any knowledge of what constitutes popular knowledge. I thought this game was flawless! Anyway, here are some stills from the two movie rounds. Identify the film from the picture. Make me proud blogger-verse! Answers tomorrow.</div> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKj2DcnwEIANj8oC8lkVv1uoOJGDFhZUH39yclGnQe_TAiRo05L3pF9Mln5WPKCMzpcssnXIPMashKY0CWA_c91vly6-14UsTtjo9xVO2AwXcvDMECoepUjpU3Oecsr_ox6ltbWOIf1Jc/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKj2DcnwEIANj8oC8lkVv1uoOJGDFhZUH39yclGnQe_TAiRo05L3pF9Mln5WPKCMzpcssnXIPMashKY0CWA_c91vly6-14UsTtjo9xVO2AwXcvDMECoepUjpU3Oecsr_ox6ltbWOIf1Jc/s1600/12.jpg" /></a></div>Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-42875766738786610642010-10-26T17:53:00.000-05:002010-10-26T17:53:29.738-05:00Under the Boardwalk<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If you have HBO or if, like me, you have a lovely friend with it who allows you to come over and stare at the TV for a couple hours; then I hope to god you are watching <a href="http://www.hbo.com/#/boardwalk-empire">"Boardwalk Empire". </a>Created by Martin Scorsese and Terrence Winter ("The Sopranos"), it's a sweeping epic about the birth of the American gangster and the struggle and sometimes luxury of Atlantic City at the dawn of Prohibition. Whatever you think you know about smuggling and gangsters, this show will school you. It's also nice to see the way "the other half" lived life then. We never see or hear about the average Joe or Jane just trying to make ends meat and succeed where their parents failed. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCB-ab6u7ad2pq3mHvxsOkXvu4Kmn4uZbPmW19tqgWSpMXJVe6eRK4UOpHDc1x2KHwM6roy88NRe4lhJbK2So0DtpFaqxYAawy3TtSjwwSvEeUGTmzHKbKODj5A7Vkps79eRabMaANSM/s1600/boardwalk+empire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCB-ab6u7ad2pq3mHvxsOkXvu4Kmn4uZbPmW19tqgWSpMXJVe6eRK4UOpHDc1x2KHwM6roy88NRe4lhJbK2So0DtpFaqxYAawy3TtSjwwSvEeUGTmzHKbKODj5A7Vkps79eRabMaANSM/s400/boardwalk+empire.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">At the heart of the show is <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000114/">Steve Buscemi's</a> "Nucky" Thompson, AC's greedy and nasty county treasurer. If it's illegal, he's got his thumb in it. As one of the characters said, "He doesn't just have his thumb in it, he's got his whole hand messy". It should come as no surprise that Buscemi lends a depth to Thompson that could not have been found on the page. He is at once vile, greedy, mean spirited, loving, caring, naive, dis-enchanted, and strong. His main concern is looking out for #1, and why shouldn't it be? In a town where anyone can get gotten to, it's important to limit your friendships and keep your eyes peeled.</div><br />
The antithesis to Nucky is <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0531808/">Kelly MacDonald's</a> Margaret Schroeder, an Irish immigrant married to a lush of a man and stuck raising 2 kids on pennies a day. She meets and forms a relationship with Thompson that is still not fully explained. What is it about "that Schroeder woman" that get all the men riled up?<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Great performances and writing abound. The cast of secondary characters reads like a who's who of Hollywood and independent cinema: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0788335/">Michael Shannon</a> ("Revolutionary Road") is the Prohibition Agent with as many secrets as the bad guys, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0836121/">Michael Stuhlbarg</a> ("A Serious Man") is an up and comer in the New York crime syndicate, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0209289/">Paz de la Huerta</a> is Nucky's main squeeze and former 2-bit dance hall girl, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0657760/">Aleksa Palladino</a> ("Find Me Guilty", "Manny & Lo") is Michael Pitt's common law wife (see rant below), <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0924154/">Shea Whigham</a> ("Tigerland", "Wristcutters: A Love Story") is Nucky's brother and chief of police (a job he hoped would get him more respect), <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1842344/">Vincent Piazza</a> ("Rescue Me" TV) is young Lucky Luciano before the name meant anything, and in a hopefully Emmy and Golden Globe winning performance is <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0334318/">Stephen Graham</a> ("Public Enemies") as Al Capone. He is scary to watch.</div><br />
I only hope HBO doesn't lose their stomach and realize just how much this might be costing them as they did with "Rome" and "Deadwood". Hopefully with producers like Scorsese, Winters, and Mark Wahlberg (yep, Marky Mark); they can hold out to tell an amazing story that needs telling.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What's made me a bit obsessed is <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0685856/">Michael Pitt</a> as Jimmy Darmody, a war vet and aspiring thug who was protected by Nucky until he went too far. Now, he's hanging out in Chicago with Capone (not a good idea) and getting himself further and further into a life of crime. He is simply mesmerizing and it reminded me of all the amazing performances he has turned in over what is already a full career at 29. A few of my favorites:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PL6y6D3rEKl__gdXyMlxClhl-C6e5bTWaC6i9LU1Tw48X0hSmPd1tVNK7zES79vRjlM6hmnuViCOENi8a5Y7d6CbICWf_EBXulwPBShLLcwHTQ3Uo-jsEKWK0Tbx-5uTjIJx02uy9GU/s1600/the+dreamers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PL6y6D3rEKl__gdXyMlxClhl-C6e5bTWaC6i9LU1Tw48X0hSmPd1tVNK7zES79vRjlM6hmnuViCOENi8a5Y7d6CbICWf_EBXulwPBShLLcwHTQ3Uo-jsEKWK0Tbx-5uTjIJx02uy9GU/s320/the+dreamers.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0309987/">The Dreamers</a> (2003)<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Bernardo Bertolucci's films always have a sense of realism to them as opposed to fantasy. The camera angles, the lighting, the sets. Even when the language is "classic", the feelings evoked are true to any you or I might feel in a lifetime. An American studying in Paris (Michael Pitt), meets and falls in love with a bohemian brother sister duo (Louis Garrel and Eva Green). The Dreamers doesn't set out to shock, if anything the casual attitude toward nudity and the taboo seem almost normal. I particularly love a scene where Matthew (Pitt) is embarrassed to change clothes in front of Theo (Garrel). It is the turning point to the movie: the naive American intrigued and embarrassed by the mature French. All too soon, the roles will reverse and the film will come full circle. In the "making of" doc, Bertolucci talks about bringing the modern to the past. Inter-cutting clips of the original film clips the trio were impersonating such as Godard's "Jules et Jim", as well as the news reels with shots of demonstrations showing the speakers who are now playing themselves in the movie is genius! This movie is NC-17 for full frontal male and female nudity. If that upsets you, don't rent (and buck up!). If you're not bothered, this is one to add to the queue. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_CUEW0xTbfJTP1N6l05EQ_3b__bbr-B3bVAdNtqEto6hyphenhyphen5Q_E4nV6xk9jMOqfyt3Rc-iPaeKCeRhYEA9nDYgb9sOfjkUO-_6ZNTunC0DX3dBZbFqSu8tz3sukwsvj1m5Lr7EIYC-Rw0/s1600/funnygames.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_CUEW0xTbfJTP1N6l05EQ_3b__bbr-B3bVAdNtqEto6hyphenhyphen5Q_E4nV6xk9jMOqfyt3Rc-iPaeKCeRhYEA9nDYgb9sOfjkUO-_6ZNTunC0DX3dBZbFqSu8tz3sukwsvj1m5Lr7EIYC-Rw0/s320/funnygames.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808279/">Funny Games</a> (2007)- Michael Haneke's English adaptation of his own film hit American audiences hard and left a lasting impression on those who saw the film. Whether you liked it or not, you were going to talk about it. While on vacation at their lake house, a young family (Tim Roth- always love, Naomi Watts- please keep doing stuff like this) and their sun are taken hostage by the young guests of their neighbor. Pitt and Brady Corbet (also amazing in Gregg Araki's "Mysterious Skin") are the young tormentors who want to play a game with the family- Can they survive until morning? Sadistic and horrifying, the young tormentors represent not only an American fear of strangers and reluctance towards kindness but a world fear. The original Austrian film is the same almost frame by frame. Why then did I love this remake when the shot for shot Gus Van Sant remake of "Psycho" had me calling for blood (pun definitely intended)? Because here Haneke has his say, making his film, his way, with the twist of making it more commercial for American audiences. The themes and technique of the film warrant a wider audience and I think he was smart to tackle it himself. Better the original writer and director than some punk from Hollywood. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Not for the faint of heart. Stephen King named it his 5th favorite film of the year, and regardless of how you feel about his books or movies; the man knows pop culture.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYNyfxteKVl04tgrqsBR1g8loLRqXc9iJijML_AGYLEGBwNhb7IYlAkAy9owTPPbWIq_ePn1sVaRC_-vC0PGUz-d6QKpBXlUsMxgroK9Gw413Yun1CDtC6WUJLLftbB3knJB8ktyq2N8/s1600/last_days_ver2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYNyfxteKVl04tgrqsBR1g8loLRqXc9iJijML_AGYLEGBwNhb7IYlAkAy9owTPPbWIq_ePn1sVaRC_-vC0PGUz-d6QKpBXlUsMxgroK9Gw413Yun1CDtC6WUJLLftbB3knJB8ktyq2N8/s320/last_days_ver2.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0403217/">Last Days</a> (2005)- I hated this movie. Seriously want to punch Gus Van Sant in the throat. His work has become a caricature of what it once was and the man who so brilliantly represented young adult hood is now middle aged and out of touch. It's that I can see the work that makes me angry; it is not longer effortless. Still, Pitts performance as Kurt Cobain in a fictionalized account of his final days is riveting. He commands the silence and offers a natural performance in a movie that wants desperately to be art. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa3jVJuHmRB4qfaIe_UrjFcxHEt756Y1xVX29jBxqsagG9wk-VgwQsFvBpX0aA7sr0Z1ZK23YLyEjlJQ7ugbpLIVtm9o2p8DDuP3sxoiWtzkyeRiOqtXJf7d8FuE4Sx9mXDNywyZ42yg/s1600/murder+by+numbers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa3jVJuHmRB4qfaIe_UrjFcxHEt756Y1xVX29jBxqsagG9wk-VgwQsFvBpX0aA7sr0Z1ZK23YLyEjlJQ7ugbpLIVtm9o2p8DDuP3sxoiWtzkyeRiOqtXJf7d8FuE4Sx9mXDNywyZ42yg/s320/murder+by+numbers.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0264935/">Murder by Numbers</a> (2002)- This was on TV the other day and I totally forgot how much I liked it despite the fact that I own it! Barbet Schroeder ("Single White Female", "Barfly") directs Sandra Bullock is a tough as nails detective who must match wits with a pair of genius, young psychopaths. Ryan Gossling (straight off his tour de force performance in "The Believer") is the mastermind behind the perfect crime who enlists Pitt as his sidekick. Another film about violence for violence sake, it reserves judgement for the audience to make. Any fan of "Law & Order", "CSI", or forensics will see the brilliance in the duos attempt at committing the perfect crime. Is it possible? What elements must be present to achieve it? Can a depressed detective and her new partner (Ben Chapman- Where has he been?) gather the evidence they need to arrest the wealthy kids thumbing their nose at authority?</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5MFiOdxTel3WZajY1-QlQcNbGzvqh_zmlGk-yBduktRtzU7YhCvIcAXHjvjRYK2mnvc8spWyO4lEiucSpgyB0nu7fhetbFuzdOdambuPn8QKCJW3COBvfpRfm7Za-VzUfRnJNufdi3g/s1600/hedwig_and_the_angry_inch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5MFiOdxTel3WZajY1-QlQcNbGzvqh_zmlGk-yBduktRtzU7YhCvIcAXHjvjRYK2mnvc8spWyO4lEiucSpgyB0nu7fhetbFuzdOdambuPn8QKCJW3COBvfpRfm7Za-VzUfRnJNufdi3g/s320/hedwig_and_the_angry_inch.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0248845/">Hedwig and the Angry Inch</a> (2001)- Hansel falls in love with American GI Luther and they want to get married. Problem is, gay marriage is not recognized in communist Germany so Hansel becomes Hedwig but the surgery is botched and she is left alone. Pitt stars as Tommy Gnosis, a quiet Christian teen, who befriends Hedwig and forms a band. Eventually he leaves her, as everyone does, to become a star in his own right with the songs he's stolen from Hedwig. I'm beginning to sense a pattern here. The songs are fun and if you get the chance to attend a midnight screening, I highly recommend it.</div>Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-10582518565881129562010-10-23T14:40:00.000-05:002010-10-23T14:40:51.547-05:00Fright Fest: The Final FrontierI freely admit, I am horrible with sub-dividing larger categories. On the other hand, I can't seem to stop trying. Ask me my favorite movie and I immediately want to divide the category. How can anyone pick just one? It's hard enough picking my favorite horror movie (as evident by this list). When I start separating, there are always a few left over that I can't decide where they fall. What the heck am I supposed to do then? Make a miscellaneous category I guess.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhASP4sLN6RcJqYhMlJfUK0redKoX11g4-sm_X7w3vGxNInmhhV_n4eM7JqqKJzQFPNUpaK23rf3kgAN0h7pKPQn-TSXzML7UgRZnYZ0WEgUqH-S3xWviJBvLb5g7NvD2qWRUDJbWeI-Y/s1600/night-of-the-comet-poster-NmX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhASP4sLN6RcJqYhMlJfUK0redKoX11g4-sm_X7w3vGxNInmhhV_n4eM7JqqKJzQFPNUpaK23rf3kgAN0h7pKPQn-TSXzML7UgRZnYZ0WEgUqH-S3xWviJBvLb5g7NvD2qWRUDJbWeI-Y/s320/night-of-the-comet-poster-NmX.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087799/">"Night of the Comet"</a> - After a comet passes the Earth disintegrating the population or turning them into zombies; it's up to a pair of Valley girls to stay alive and stay away from the scientists who want to discover why they're alive.<br />
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Oh man, this movie is both horrible and amazing. It's super 80s in all the best ways, but the tension in the film is real. I read a lot of reviews about this movie that made it sound like the filmmaker was purposefully making a mock-horror movie or farce. I don't think that's the case. I think it was meant to be serious, it kind of is, and not a big joke. It's hard to tell with movies from this time period though. I mean, someone though Leprechaun was going to be a good scary movie. Instead, it's hilarious. Now, they're aware and make comedies.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtC-G5o8M2TnFIxezeXOr35J37wLglfZH-90ceH_fPR_ClerVQIsfAk-2dDUinC2jsN-1N7-IMAjYlBVU5aozvRuw4jnITcigr4WkDAjtN2aw8rV4KOtks9Q2hDiGisuqnMZnKfQlYw0/s1600/blackcircleboys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtC-G5o8M2TnFIxezeXOr35J37wLglfZH-90ceH_fPR_ClerVQIsfAk-2dDUinC2jsN-1N7-IMAjYlBVU5aozvRuw4jnITcigr4WkDAjtN2aw8rV4KOtks9Q2hDiGisuqnMZnKfQlYw0/s320/blackcircleboys.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118730/">"Black Circle Boys"</a> - The new kid in school (Scott Bairstow) meets the wild Black Circle Boys lead by Eric Mabius. They're into the occult and drugs and all the other things outsiders in films are supposed to like. Soon, Bairstow realizes he's in over his head but, will the Boys let him walk away?</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Disclaimer #1: I rented this movie solely because Eric Mabius was in it and I heart him. Then, he kept popping up in movies and TV and I didn't know what to do with myself. This was the crazy goth rocker I loved in this movie! What the frak is he doing on "Ugly Betty". Anyway, Disclaimer #2: Donnie Wahlberg is in it and he will not annoy you. When did he start to think he was the next Marky Mark? Oh yea... </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I love these kinds of movies where teens get sucked into a life of the occult and devil worship. It's hilarious and I wonder where these kids went to school. Probably the same places that have huge school dances that cost thousands of dollars and big house parties with kegs and a bar but no parents or police. Maybe they break out into song or spontaneously choreographed dance number. I'm pretty sure these places only exist in movies and the Lifetime channel.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSJmTs70vMtPtvOOLUr6bKXLVvyz3AunStOkMu_7DRNKrnVGv2McTMZyR02ZnviAOk0ygFl1zgYmoE-VCNtayR07yQZdksEiDNUuNnjQ1eD0fzKmbdFl5P0fFD7I_BFjLuhmfXdUrWm4/s1600/the+witches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSJmTs70vMtPtvOOLUr6bKXLVvyz3AunStOkMu_7DRNKrnVGv2McTMZyR02ZnviAOk0ygFl1zgYmoE-VCNtayR07yQZdksEiDNUuNnjQ1eD0fzKmbdFl5P0fFD7I_BFjLuhmfXdUrWm4/s320/the+witches.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100944/">"The Witches"</a> - Nicolas Roeg ("The Man Who Fell to Earth"- rent it. Seriously) directs this adaptation of Roald Dahl's book. When a young boy goes on vacation with his grandmother, they never thought they would be sharing their hotel with a witches convention. To make matters worse, the Grand Witch (Anjelica Huston- divine) and her cronies hate children and want to turn them all into mice.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I saw this movie when it came out and fell in love. There's something about Dahl and his work that speaks to both children and adults. Perhaps it's that he doesn't talk down to children or white wash events. His books are often scary but they always end with a high moral center. Therefore, this movie is great for people my age who grew up with this movie to watch it again, those with kids, and even adults who have never seen it before. It is a bit dated, but eventually you won't even notice.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeND1zAzH6aMQkY5m8eoQDApHp2fcj3i-GYT0mfO4mD5fFac4mqNzxfJIvwKILbj-5lq1d7S8u8wJr3kBbswxBXeQcP7mItH_qAvWUtRVfTx1PBMNltMJRnKpWGs0K6waC9q_qxgPZfY/s1600/Plan_9_from_outer_space_comic_classic_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeND1zAzH6aMQkY5m8eoQDApHp2fcj3i-GYT0mfO4mD5fFac4mqNzxfJIvwKILbj-5lq1d7S8u8wJr3kBbswxBXeQcP7mItH_qAvWUtRVfTx1PBMNltMJRnKpWGs0K6waC9q_qxgPZfY/s320/Plan_9_from_outer_space_comic_classic_poster.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052077/">"Plan 9 From Outer Space"</a> - Ed Wood, Jr follows up "Glen or Glenda" [side note: I saw it on PBS once and had no idea what I stumbled upon. It was wonderful!] with this tale about a group of aliens who have burned through plans 1-8 of Earth takeover. That just leaves plan 9: turn humans into zombies and vampires.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Okay, so maybe this is the "worst movie of all time" or maybe it's genius. I can't decide. I saw this after I saw Tim Burton's "Ed Wood" so maybe I'm biased. You have to admire a man who kept pushing at his dream no matter how little he had or how hard they pushed him down. This is no award winner but it's not as bad as some may have you believe. I love it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyEz6ESMM0Vdqme-DmiLNwfM0rBQHOGHAdC4rdQ3MsggM_v5KbrOfbYXSPNMsB6CZjvVKasV09g6MgXTzD9SVGxSZJS5tjHEjqDCPB17OczVA-3BtMG6zGh9pH27L3GM5sSerck7ridQ/s1600/return+of+living+dead+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyEz6ESMM0Vdqme-DmiLNwfM0rBQHOGHAdC4rdQ3MsggM_v5KbrOfbYXSPNMsB6CZjvVKasV09g6MgXTzD9SVGxSZJS5tjHEjqDCPB17OczVA-3BtMG6zGh9pH27L3GM5sSerck7ridQ/s320/return+of+living+dead+3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107953/">"Return of the Living Dead III"</a> - When Julie is killed, her boyfriend Curt takes her body to his father's military lab and brings her back to life. Now the love birds are on the run from the military and a biker gang. How will their undead love survive?!</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Melinda Clarke ("The Vampire Diaries", "The OC") is Julie and I totally forgot that fact until I looked this movie up for this list. How funny! She gets all goth/punk pierced chick about half way through. I love seeing how people got their start. "Living Dead 3" is my favorite sequel to the original. It's hilarious and kind of forgets it's a zombie horror movie. Instead it plays like a love story with gore. Is there any better kind?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4BEPj_-uJdJUs4hcn_2YpeImQ8f4d7gQ-o2LhzoFoPh6Hy_d9rrigFm0D61LMsOcIAl4Yfv1VKYcDXGTVAj6VQ2fChCw-CpbC_e9lF8mux-riLXxmqgBUJfuj_EDT9AowpqsZYub-WY/s1600/Jaws-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4BEPj_-uJdJUs4hcn_2YpeImQ8f4d7gQ-o2LhzoFoPh6Hy_d9rrigFm0D61LMsOcIAl4Yfv1VKYcDXGTVAj6VQ2fChCw-CpbC_e9lF8mux-riLXxmqgBUJfuj_EDT9AowpqsZYub-WY/s320/Jaws-poster.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073195/">"Jaws"</a> - If you haven't seen this movie you should hit yourself in the face. A giant great white shark shows up off the coast of New England and begins to eat people. Bill Butler's cinematography and John Williams score are high points in an already amazing film.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I debated putting this movie on the list. I don't consider it a horror movie but everyone else seems to. I understand that when it came out it scared the bejeezus</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwwCbMpNAoyYir_D2m8TSXdJPJPcDc4fGqARM0OD4LWsQK8yYVhngvi-HiIKJVSIjxLYBezf04Jx2mQ0zg8i2Bx7Uvb0cJOYwan8z46Ly9qNrhOjr9i9qlPv1rU2_xQiJsjN13v5PAus/s1600/house_of_usher_poster_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwwCbMpNAoyYir_D2m8TSXdJPJPcDc4fGqARM0OD4LWsQK8yYVhngvi-HiIKJVSIjxLYBezf04Jx2mQ0zg8i2Bx7Uvb0cJOYwan8z46Ly9qNrhOjr9i9qlPv1rU2_xQiJsjN13v5PAus/s320/house_of_usher_poster_01.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053925/">"The House of Usher"</a> - I love Edgar Allan Poe. Who doesn't that ever considered themselves an outsider? Adapted from one of my favorite stories. When Philip arrives at Usher Manor to propose to Madeline, he discovers she is deathly ill and her brother not far behind her. Philip attempts to wait it out, until the Usher curse begins to lose control.</div><br />
Vincent Price is amazing (was there any doubt) as the eldest Usher, as is Myrna Fahey as his sister. I just love seeing him so young. Mark Damon (Philip) went on to act in several other horror films, but made a real name for himself as a producer with such works as "Das Boot", "Monster", and "The Lost Boys".<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9CVqfBBYSPqMHktTcj-OuZT-Lv-6UguGk9cWqGh9i6WQcIxM6i8cQj1AZoPr8anoN90-0lWO1N2hcOUXq3OYrhY83YUwAsQxeCMMEk3FHWEG7859bcIJ-QOm0dtiqqCcjUrppJOm_PI/s1600/ghost+hunters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9CVqfBBYSPqMHktTcj-OuZT-Lv-6UguGk9cWqGh9i6WQcIxM6i8cQj1AZoPr8anoN90-0lWO1N2hcOUXq3OYrhY83YUwAsQxeCMMEk3FHWEG7859bcIJ-QOm0dtiqqCcjUrppJOm_PI/s320/ghost+hunters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.syfy.com/ghosthunters/">"Ghost Hunters"</a> (TV) - By day, the founders of TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) are Roto Rooter plumbers but by night, they investigate claims of hauntings all across the Northeast and now the country. Available on DVD and on Syfy Wednesdays.</div><br />
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, you will enjoy this show about paranormal investigators. I also believe it to be the best reality based ghost show on TV today. The cast is personable and professional. It seems I've been talking about this show a lot recently. Several of my friends don't watch it because they either believe it will be scary (it certainly can be) or they think it a joke. The most important distinction between this show and it's copy cats is that they set out first to debunk, then to prove. It's always a bit sad when they have to tell a home owner that their house isn't haunted, they just need new plumbing or foundation. On the other hand, when they capture actual evidence of a haunting it's enough to give you goosebumps. Anytime they're at a lighthouse, you are sure to be in for a treat. At one location, a chair moved across the room on its own. At one of the they investigate, a shadow figure materializes out of the floor, runs towards camera, then disappears. I can't even go into what happens at the legendary Stanley Hotel (made famous in "The Shining"). Just trust me and watch it.Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-47598148707968602872010-10-21T17:37:00.000-05:002010-10-21T17:37:54.799-05:00Fright Fest: Now in Black & WhiteWhat makes something a classic? Does it have to be old? How old? Is is just insanely popular? What about cult classics then? I choose to define a classic movie as one that has stood the test of time (so, probably at least 10 years old), that I can watch over and over (no easy task), and that is popular with more people than just myself. What makes a classic for you?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnE1t3Lp5bhdFx7Boc2oth0aVO1dKbBVjoovU1yJJjW1k3y7mbmOp9fiQHXYUq96m1M8anLFcJTWJSqoUDaHTkKxhFOxqOYFSKT9HGuVcPNXdYLUkeszLMzBkO2TwtlBQNkoPCiQq1hQ/s1600/rosemarys+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnE1t3Lp5bhdFx7Boc2oth0aVO1dKbBVjoovU1yJJjW1k3y7mbmOp9fiQHXYUq96m1M8anLFcJTWJSqoUDaHTkKxhFOxqOYFSKT9HGuVcPNXdYLUkeszLMzBkO2TwtlBQNkoPCiQq1hQ/s320/rosemarys+baby.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063522/">"Rosemary's Baby"</a> - A young couple move into a new apartment (The Dakota, lucky bastards!) where they are surrounded by odd neighbors. Mia Farrow (Rosemary) begins to get paranoid (as women are want to do in a Polanski film) and it turns out she may very well have right to be.</div><br />
The big argument now is: Is there ever a time when a celebrities personal life will influence their professional? I'm sure there are people who won't watch a Polanski film because of who he is. That's their prerogative. Me, I'm not sure I care. It certainly doesn't mean the movie is suddenly going to be bad. Polanski is certainly one of the most prolific auteur's working in film today. So, does it matter? "Rosemary's Baby" is a well crafted movie and adaptation of Ira Levin's book. It's creepy and well shot and acted. It's a great film!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VTk4UJaoNpsQiYBcttzi1_8mFzUKFA20A1Jm-IFAJWDVGJoNKV2Vcn5BcTeSaKno4VUnGru2cz6C2uiH23-g6GVe1lPvTMqAmnAOmr8c4t60izz_tQEWW1Mn7Jjnf6mnYjkh2sDxcK0/s1600/them.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VTk4UJaoNpsQiYBcttzi1_8mFzUKFA20A1Jm-IFAJWDVGJoNKV2Vcn5BcTeSaKno4VUnGru2cz6C2uiH23-g6GVe1lPvTMqAmnAOmr8c4t60izz_tQEWW1Mn7Jjnf6mnYjkh2sDxcK0/s320/them.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047573/">"Them!"</a> - New Mexico was home to early atomic testing. They thought they had taken every precaution, but they forgot one thing- ants. Now 1,000 times their usual size, these man-eating ants threaten to take over the world. Can they be stopped?</div><br />
This has been one of my favorite movies since I was a kid. My Dad sat me down to watch it once when it came on TV and I was mesmerized. Growing up in Texas, I had a healthy fear of ants. Ants kill people here. At the very least, they can bite you a million time and you'll wish for death. The idea that these very same ants could become giant-sized and terrorize the city is terrifying!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCk2KWjLr3SJmOFsMITlVwvH9U6TpfPNhyb_8nfmJXkd4e6XXsssPbRWV07MYFYs8rRFexM6d-YteRqt_5XT3pogiBJLo8P-imLF-wab8345SqSjBnGt-jMcTrKfyklrRqCBUGjiyQrMY/s1600/five_million_years_to_earth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCk2KWjLr3SJmOFsMITlVwvH9U6TpfPNhyb_8nfmJXkd4e6XXsssPbRWV07MYFYs8rRFexM6d-YteRqt_5XT3pogiBJLo8P-imLF-wab8345SqSjBnGt-jMcTrKfyklrRqCBUGjiyQrMY/s320/five_million_years_to_earth.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062168/">"Five Million Years to Earth"</a> - When the crew working on expanding London's subway system uncover a secret room complete with alien spaceship, Professor Quartermass and his team to investigate. Where did the ship come from? What happened to the aliens? What of the prehistoric humanoid skeleton found with the wreckage? This movie will have you guessing to the end.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">AKA "Quartermass and the Pit", you have to be careful when looking for this movie that you get the 1967 film version and not one of the others made for TV. I stumbled across this movie one day on TV (god bless TCM and AMC). It's a great mix of what Hammer Film's was most famous for (slightly schlocky B-movies) and "legitimate" movie making. I heart Hammer and his American counterpart Roger Corman so much!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9D3JVBTjwyU4gsvm3-mGnoLZMKG1PMxLYxjbl7ufn-VQdogchBcjg51oyrIT2LY9YFQ4NOIjgQ8Q2KlX__c24MOSO6VnlztRMmXwypCRzP4Vs-y4BC-1v-bo-SYw6AAU4VLwPpLrGq8/s1600/exorcist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9D3JVBTjwyU4gsvm3-mGnoLZMKG1PMxLYxjbl7ufn-VQdogchBcjg51oyrIT2LY9YFQ4NOIjgQ8Q2KlX__c24MOSO6VnlztRMmXwypCRzP4Vs-y4BC-1v-bo-SYw6AAU4VLwPpLrGq8/s320/exorcist.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070047/">"The Exorcist"</a> - William Friedkin direct's Willaim Blatty's adaptation of his own work in this stunning film from 1973. Regan (Linda Blair) is your typical teenager until the day she becomes possessed by a demon. Her mother (the always stunning Ellen Burstyn) calls on the help of Father Merrin (equally amazing Max von Sydow) to perform the exorcism. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Duh. Of course "The Exorcist" is on my list. It's still scary, period. Don't watch it on TV. For the longest time that was the only way I had seen it and I didn't understand some of the controversy. Of course TBS isn't going to show Blair's painful masturbatory scene, or say the "C" word, or much of anything else interesting. I later wrote a paper about this movie for a film class in college. Any movie that can cause the audience to vomit, pass out, or have a heart attack (that may not have been the movie, just unlucky) is a-okay in my book. Love. LOVE!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08kVVP6BZwDFP5AIZK9zrvNNSrfUyF_HTpOAKc5WCutQlwdymm6qHh5CLG74q6H24eRltAPwo8hLUZtYwENo9xB4mTPfWeRn62UNPdFB40JJqmoEZTwDVgwJCJxor7FIUycqrvqh0cxM/s1600/poltergeist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08kVVP6BZwDFP5AIZK9zrvNNSrfUyF_HTpOAKc5WCutQlwdymm6qHh5CLG74q6H24eRltAPwo8hLUZtYwENo9xB4mTPfWeRn62UNPdFB40JJqmoEZTwDVgwJCJxor7FIUycqrvqh0cxM/s320/poltergeist.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084516/">"Poltergeist"</a> - Hip parents Craig T. Nelson and Jo Beth Williams move their clan into a brand new home in the subdivision Nelson helped design. Little do they know it's haunted and the ghosts only have one thing on their minds- Carol Anne, the youngest child. In come a group of paranormal investigators (and the wonderful Zelda Rubinstein) to try and get Carol Anne back once she has been sucked into another dimension.</div><br />
I've mentioned seeing many of these movies when I was a kid. I assure you I had good (yet awesome) parents, they just based their treatment of such things based on our maturity not our age. My mother's only concern was gratuitous violence (doesn't count war movies. Thanks "Glory"). Sex, drugs, rock and roll were all fine by her book. Made for some uncomfortable family movie nights, but I'm grateful for it now. Of course, she worked and had no idea what we watched during the day. Sorry mom! She certainly knew how much I loved this film and it was probably my favorite scary movie growing up. I used to quote it incessantly and still do. "Walk into the light children! All are welcome in the light!"<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"Poltergeist" is also famous for it's curse- 6 cast members have died since making this movie. Dominique Dunne (the sister) was strangled by a jealous boyfriend, Julian Beck (Kane in the 2nd film) died of cancer, Will Sampson (medicine man in the 2nd film) died of post-op kidney failure, and Heather O'Rourke (the star of the films) died from septic shock.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqYGS2pFmpo73x4fpekHWBloCKacbMfLaaZ0TqiiCQdnkvGRA2UcnIjhmp08QihnEpMl40boMrh54Qppa-WYXo1m_N-_GMU3TqshByY2c_k2SyQzp_YB7T33y_Jzt_zkbAMlJgeOBcx8/s1600/white+zombie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqYGS2pFmpo73x4fpekHWBloCKacbMfLaaZ0TqiiCQdnkvGRA2UcnIjhmp08QihnEpMl40boMrh54Qppa-WYXo1m_N-_GMU3TqshByY2c_k2SyQzp_YB7T33y_Jzt_zkbAMlJgeOBcx8/s320/white+zombie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023694/">"White Zombie"</a> - Though not as famous as the man who named his band after it, it is still famous for being the first zombie movie. Starring Bela Lugosi as an evil witch doctor who transforms a young woman into a zombie in order to lure her away from her boyfriend. Symbolism abounds in this classic Universal film.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'd heard of this movie but hadn't seen it until fairly recently when it was given to me at a company white elephant party. Anything with Lugosi is going to be good and Madge Bellamy (vegetarian Texan!!) was an "aging" silent movie star trying to get back into pictures. Not scary, but amazing to see how far the zombie genre has come. It's also a great movie to debate!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaRiNbLI8FPNlWxFTgkVu9s1jfwZOwG7r44dfixiw0IKCj0ZohVkAG5ptPCDV9zE7fxV227IpPeVOYq8mIMpXaHnP37YVDpugcaZm9JSNa0aCy3aXQ7tUxUMh4JnTzz0AHfDFv2qiw5s/s1600/innocents_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaRiNbLI8FPNlWxFTgkVu9s1jfwZOwG7r44dfixiw0IKCj0ZohVkAG5ptPCDV9zE7fxV227IpPeVOYq8mIMpXaHnP37YVDpugcaZm9JSNa0aCy3aXQ7tUxUMh4JnTzz0AHfDFv2qiw5s/s320/innocents_poster.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055018/">"The Innocents"</a> - A young governess (Deborah Kerr- "The King and I") becomes convinced the house she works at is haunted, and what's worse; the ghosts are after her two young charges.</div><br />
It drives me crazy. I saw this movie on TV when I was home sick once in junior high, though it was called "Turn of the Screw" (after the Henry James book it is based upon). When I went looking for it later this version was all I could find that look remotely like the movie I had seen. Of course, it had been many years and I remember the book much more than the movie. It is after all, my favorite book of all time. Anyway, it's a great ghost story and psychological story. More debating over the hysterical woman archetype is sure to result from repeat viewings.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtkAWkOyQjV1oxbk1Mwh_12DRnIIRQDhSxSnGXJI0pzpAGI-S9eOFSvLvxlLiNo5l-V2h7Vw1yG-3U1CN0vp64vsGdxjaMvqmFAbtugEoWvB3iJIOLtI92bjSA6o5XAD2TFwjbpotz8A/s1600/evil_dead_ii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtkAWkOyQjV1oxbk1Mwh_12DRnIIRQDhSxSnGXJI0pzpAGI-S9eOFSvLvxlLiNo5l-V2h7Vw1yG-3U1CN0vp64vsGdxjaMvqmFAbtugEoWvB3iJIOLtI92bjSA6o5XAD2TFwjbpotz8A/s320/evil_dead_ii.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092991/">"Evil Dead 2"</a> - Sam Raimi's remake of his own film 6 years later benefits from more money and slightly more experience. A group of friends head out to the woods to relax and do whatever it is young people do in a cabin; when they are attacked by demons. More funny than scary, it knows just how ridiculous it is and revels in it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>I don't care if this makes me unpopular, I liked #2 better than the original "Evil Dead". I mean come on! A tree rapes a woman for christ sake. How is that not creative and awesome? You should just watch the whole trilogy (includes "Evil Dead" and "Army of Darkness") and call it a day.<br />
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See Also: Bell, Book, and Candle; Psycho, Dracula (1931), Repulsion, any Hammer Studio's anthology, The Wasp Woman, Earth vs The Flying Saucer, Forbidden Planet, Nightmare on Elm Street, Last House on the Left, Halloween,Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-67259474364285958492010-10-19T18:05:00.000-05:002010-10-19T18:05:50.797-05:00Fright Fest: Cue Inappropriate Laughter<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Amidst the gore, violence, and screams of terror; it's nice to take a break an laugh a little. It's even better when you can laugh at something that resembles a horror movie already. There have certainly been times when I just didn't want to go to sleep after watching something scary or sick. Not that I was scared necessarily, though I am woman enough to say that could sometimes be the case, but because I know I'll sleep better after something a bit light hearted. So, what do you watch when you want to laugh your ass off during Halloween? </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1lWRG1A11CXUxd_l18hpsdPkX182VaA5Hz2ThmZKq9kVBGL86Z32EhujD8ifsKcQPyMAIN-4FYnaC71PDSC4zYv3dWAlOjpm0QhQZpuE9U3bVJvBnOG5TZMolNctM14PITUKSKQIr5Q/s1600/addams_family_ver1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1lWRG1A11CXUxd_l18hpsdPkX182VaA5Hz2ThmZKq9kVBGL86Z32EhujD8ifsKcQPyMAIN-4FYnaC71PDSC4zYv3dWAlOjpm0QhQZpuE9U3bVJvBnOG5TZMolNctM14PITUKSKQIr5Q/s320/addams_family_ver1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101272/">"The Addams Family"</a> - Based on Charles Addams beloved comic, a family of con artists try to grift the titular family into thinking their son is the long lost Uncle Fester. Little are they prepared for the level of weirdness that ensues. Favorite line: "Are your Girl Scout cookies made with real Girl Scouts?"</div><br />
I remember watching this movie in the front row when it came out. At the time, the front row was THE place to be. Man I was an idiot. Regardless, I grew up reading these comics and we had several of Addams' books around the house. My sister and I wanted to be Wednesday when we grew up, either her or Lydia Deetz. I'm sure everyone has seen this movie, but hasn't it been a long time? Don't you think it deserves another viewing?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh7z-6L8muyb2feBBAb4hmcZ18oLBhPS__uuLeKNL4KopFyRxjqGR04-EHPIiKGqcyKx6PZZ_SNbF7loI8XyBlG-UWbtfSBSAhEjMf_p7Y2poR8F1_60mg6viK6R_E_vSP0Ou9Tejsy8/s1600/innocent_blood_ver2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh7z-6L8muyb2feBBAb4hmcZ18oLBhPS__uuLeKNL4KopFyRxjqGR04-EHPIiKGqcyKx6PZZ_SNbF7loI8XyBlG-UWbtfSBSAhEjMf_p7Y2poR8F1_60mg6viK6R_E_vSP0Ou9Tejsy8/s320/innocent_blood_ver2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104511/">"Innocent Blood"</a> - Marie is a vampire trying to live her life when one of her meals gets her in trouble with the law. She teams up with the lead detective to track down her little accident and keep her secret safe.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What more do you need in a movie? Comedy, a bit of gore, boobs (for those of you who are fans), and John Landis. I've been a fan of Anne Parillaud since "Le Femme Nikita" and Anthony LaPaglia since "So, I Married an Axe Murderer". Also, when Landis does horror it is always so enjoyable. There's plenty of blood and ripped throats to go with all the great one-liners.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">[side note: Watch "So, I Married an Axe Murderer" again. Love! "Woman, whoa man. Whoa man. She was a thief, you gotta belief. She stole my heart and my cat"]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-2wkKsO6n088SjPOqb7ZEPlq3NmVBW6oNMJYkeMykIaNc_z3hXNoSVafR2t52MMh9xcPt-0Hdmn4Ux_EsB3D9R_NPrjN3SWV8inBctKafNCPkr4fxsJKax8PG1S6U_HF2rkmYCwExxk/s1600/serial_mom_ver2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-2wkKsO6n088SjPOqb7ZEPlq3NmVBW6oNMJYkeMykIaNc_z3hXNoSVafR2t52MMh9xcPt-0Hdmn4Ux_EsB3D9R_NPrjN3SWV8inBctKafNCPkr4fxsJKax8PG1S6U_HF2rkmYCwExxk/s320/serial_mom_ver2.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111127/">"Serial Mom"</a> - A typical suburban mom takes matters into her own hands in defense of her family. No slight is too small for her to wreck vengeance!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was about time for John Waters to take on the serial killer craze, and take it on he did. There's something deeply satisfying with watching Kathleen Turner stab some dope with a pair of shears. This is another movie about a woman standing up for her family and although savage violence may not always be the answer, it's refreshing to see a family that actually gets along and seems to like one another. I guess the family that kills together, stays together. Not for those who find Mr. Waters work crude or depraved of course. Of course, those types of people would not read my blog or be friends with me.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4m-nMS3cbQc-dDDe1HNoke5c5uNkil7bZ9D1_BPBqabXH5W6_7mL7k2vwgkqRyTJug-rX1_AImTmBdi3TsPUj4s4jHu12BJIYPZTOMDSFa7MJIaNOAd0s83bb3Zh4YUcOWLXBr3x3j6c/s1600/psycho-beach-party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4m-nMS3cbQc-dDDe1HNoke5c5uNkil7bZ9D1_BPBqabXH5W6_7mL7k2vwgkqRyTJug-rX1_AImTmBdi3TsPUj4s4jHu12BJIYPZTOMDSFa7MJIaNOAd0s83bb3Zh4YUcOWLXBr3x3j6c/s320/psycho-beach-party.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206226/">"Psycho Beach Party"</a> - "Six Feet Under" star Lauren Ambrose stars in this "Gidget" spoof. She's the first girl accepted into the Malibu surf club, but she has a problem. She has multiple personality disorder. When her friends start showing up dead, she worries she might have something to do with it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This movie is seriously, stupid fun. I used to love the Frankie Avalon/Annet Funicello movies and to see them re-imagined as a murder mystery party is pretty cool. There are a bunch of people in this film including Thomas Gibson, nicholas Brendon, Amy Adams, Kathleen Robertson (where has she been?), and Charles Busche (writer and famous cross dresser). </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxROBMKsV5I1goTMiWeysxVBcWpR-PPLNP6mC_yv9O-BQxeBXkfSoof8PPUCBQexR4E5pck5Zvf3sJpYvg82LGeTCe481uNX55MAEqcW8cwp8tAJ61xz7xWF97IOLuy7DFdRHwuCgYIU0/s1600/the+burbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxROBMKsV5I1goTMiWeysxVBcWpR-PPLNP6mC_yv9O-BQxeBXkfSoof8PPUCBQexR4E5pck5Zvf3sJpYvg82LGeTCe481uNX55MAEqcW8cwp8tAJ61xz7xWF97IOLuy7DFdRHwuCgYIU0/s320/the+burbs.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096734/">"The 'Burbs"</a> - Tom Hanks is convinced his new neighbors are some sort of satanic cult and sets out to investigate.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Director Joe Dante is one of the masters of B-horror, having directed "Piranha", "The Howling", "Amazon Women on the Moon", and "Gremlins". He also made one of my favorite comedy/Sci-fi movies "Innerspace". Here, he gets to show us what he's really made of with a film that purposefully thumbs its nose at his earlier work. Hanks, Bruce Dern, and Carrie Fisher are hilarious as some of the other neighbors, but it's the late Henry Gibson that really shines as the head of the Klopek clan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLtYszvYHCUaYV4e-h_ARJeuqX4gYTdZrxGGH7N9uGaHQbM3-rU4V_WDt4XxArETKhFOvqL54HnQIHVDzsLy5oIur-3oEToOjXwq1_o8uQ8c1Pk9OPkYjBVBiGoC33xa5C5hu2qaqL4Y/s1600/killer_klowns_poster2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLtYszvYHCUaYV4e-h_ARJeuqX4gYTdZrxGGH7N9uGaHQbM3-rU4V_WDt4XxArETKhFOvqL54HnQIHVDzsLy5oIur-3oEToOjXwq1_o8uQ8c1Pk9OPkYjBVBiGoC33xa5C5hu2qaqL4Y/s320/killer_klowns_poster2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095444/">"Killer Klowns From Outer Space"</a> - Possibly the greatest bad movie ever made! The plot is pretty self evident from the title: Killer clowns land on Earth and begin abducting people to take back to their big top space ship for food. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">How is this movie not shown at more midnight screenings? I love their little popcorn babies they shoot at their victims and the big cotton candy cocoons they wrap you in before sucking out your juices through huge bendy straws. Director Stephen Chiodo went on to a successful career in stop-motion animation and puppeteering in such films as "Elf", "Team America World Police", as well as creating the diorama's for "Dinner for Schmuck's" (which I haven't seen but heard they were the only good thing about that movie). Pretty impressive. This is a must see for all movie lovers.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpt7vpybKcoEpwNGaQHabvEzj_KGRPcr8e_82GFgzz3-CuTzIKDPTahIfPXW40HkveIEx7vXbbOpGj2_ExGLAD9jFgMemQ7dAfaSaq1mSRqLdxL9SMT0Q9DOfDSy2I3u_GKtDWxEPyF84/s1600/splatter_motel+hell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpt7vpybKcoEpwNGaQHabvEzj_KGRPcr8e_82GFgzz3-CuTzIKDPTahIfPXW40HkveIEx7vXbbOpGj2_ExGLAD9jFgMemQ7dAfaSaq1mSRqLdxL9SMT0Q9DOfDSy2I3u_GKtDWxEPyF84/s320/splatter_motel+hell.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0234786/">"Splatter Farm"</a> & <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081184/">"Motel Hell"</a> Double Feature- In "Splatter Farm", brothers visit their aunt at her farm only to discover what they're actually harvesting is human parts. In "Motel Hell", the manager kidnaps his guests, buries them in the ground to fatten them up, then serves them as his famous fritters. Very "Delicatessen"-esque.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Cheese galore in both pics! They're so silly yet you can't stop watching them. I caught "Motel" late one night on TV and it was so disturbing. Then I was disturbed that something so silly disturbed me. Maybe that's not the right word for it... It's like a Troma movie without the money. They know it's silly and they don't care.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilV6rKoskJWdU3gnGCvlh7vrd4S0R8VrIlZSnsLJmXI-1PAfPXLQTOrPf0L6RaBhfUnfC3xMAy71FX2H7r5IEj7DLGqBgTQm0ys3whkCmNuIjsALrXBGPp1j-c5lzke5ZfuCa3nt3RQuA/s1600/Jesus_Christ_Vampire_Hunter_copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilV6rKoskJWdU3gnGCvlh7vrd4S0R8VrIlZSnsLJmXI-1PAfPXLQTOrPf0L6RaBhfUnfC3xMAy71FX2H7r5IEj7DLGqBgTQm0ys3whkCmNuIjsALrXBGPp1j-c5lzke5ZfuCa3nt3RQuA/s320/Jesus_Christ_Vampire_Hunter_copy.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311361/">"Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter"</a> - I change my mind. This is the worst movie of all time that you have to see to believe. Jesus comes back to Earth to take down the vampire community with his amazing kung-fu skills and the help of Mary Magnum and nacho libre El Santos.</div><br />
I don't want to ruin this for anyone as it wasn't ruined for me. My friend called, told me the title, and that was all. I do suggest several drinks beforehand and during.<br />
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Finally, I just watched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1323605/">"Suck"</a> which I've been waiting to become available on Netflix ever since I saw a trailer for it on <a href="http://www.slashfilm.com/">/film</a>. I was worried for a bit when it first started, but then I laughed out loud several times and proclaim it Destined to be a Cult Classic!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz47brDO5q_7NbbyOZ9adLRBtloE82gCD61zeMIyllK66xpgCbwIJGpuvPQ6L7oxzzyVTjTSU3BCKSCAFuNvWczj4dMUnSKoICcaDJV85xRqmjgEveNh5LkdjBGEaCmmaIZn4_zNdyAao/s1600/suck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz47brDO5q_7NbbyOZ9adLRBtloE82gCD61zeMIyllK66xpgCbwIJGpuvPQ6L7oxzzyVTjTSU3BCKSCAFuNvWczj4dMUnSKoICcaDJV85xRqmjgEveNh5LkdjBGEaCmmaIZn4_zNdyAao/s320/suck.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Down on his luck Joey and his band (The Winners, "it's ironic") are languishing playing empty clubs and getting no hits to their website. When the only female member Jennifer (congrats Jessica Pare on "Mad Men". I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!) is bitten by a vampire, their popularity soars and so does the body count. Malcolm McDowell co-stars as vigilante vampire hunter Eddie Van Helsing.</div><br />
This movie is a who's who of guest stars. Everyone from Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, Henry Rollins, Moby (I didn't even recognize him), Dimitri Coats, and more turn up in this pic. The making of doc is mostly the above talking about music and why they were in this movie for 45 minutes. I would have liked a bit more behind the scenes and less interviews with the cameos.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What better couple than rock music and vampires? What's better is the movie is actually funny. It plays like how I imagine my friend's and I would act if we discovered one of us was a vampire. Jack of all trades Rob Stefaniuk looks like a somber Jamie Kennedy but thankfully without his tone. His songs are ironic and while not exactly rockin', are still pretty impressive. I kind of wish there were more singing. We get teased with it towards the beginning when Coats master vampire breaks into song while seducing Pare and I thought, "Hell yea! Another 'Rocky Horror!'" Instead the only other songs happened at the bands gigs. I think that was a bit of a missed opportunity.</div><br />
I am buying this movie immediately and hope I can figure out a way to screen it for my friends in my own Elvira style Midnight Movie Madness!Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-51123153100135455072010-10-18T17:36:00.000-05:002010-10-18T17:36:50.527-05:00Fright Fest: Parlez-vous horreur Psychologique?Yesterday I mentioned my fear of dolls when I was a child. I've out grown it (to some extent; adults with china dolls is odd) and upgraded to more reality based fears. The ghoul under the bed has been replaced by an intruder, dolls replaced with ghosts, and people as predator. The human condition and psyche scares me a hell of a lot more than Pinhead (though don't tell him that on the safe side). With adulthood also comes a deepening respect for films outside the English language. I always liked foreign films, I was raised in a household that believed that to be important, so I never had to overcome the hurdles that others find difficult to leap over. Reading subtitles is second nature to me and I could wax poetic about the films that get it right and those that get it wrong. I love the intimacy in foreign films, how they push boundaries and discuss complex and often controversial topics. I love how quiet they are.<br />
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So without further adieu, my list of the best foreign and psychological films for you this Halloween:<br />
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<strong><u>Foreign:</u></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuojEWTAxUpR4jVVThvAnaI-3n_uubg2ALue9IIQUjHgqzHKbIqaeUySvmIzNBStMaQceca25ZCG6BcGq8URGk2SVRuw-AJgL6NFiN6Qv8WjI-ztpooIvjmdTM3bdTizdR3q8S-K9_J4/s1600/pans_labyrinth_poster_3_38645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuojEWTAxUpR4jVVThvAnaI-3n_uubg2ALue9IIQUjHgqzHKbIqaeUySvmIzNBStMaQceca25ZCG6BcGq8URGk2SVRuw-AJgL6NFiN6Qv8WjI-ztpooIvjmdTM3bdTizdR3q8S-K9_J4/s320/pans_labyrinth_poster_3_38645.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457430/">"Pan's Labrynth"</a> - I swear, I had no idea how often some people would show up on this list! Guillermo del Toro is at it again with this deeply moving and disturbing film about a young girl living in war torn Spain with her mother and evil stepfather. While exploring her new home, she discovers a labyrinth and befriends the mysterious Pan. You'll never guess how this all plays out.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">True story: I have a bit of a problem with laughing at inopportune times at the movies, this being one of them. I saw this in a small packed theatre with a bunch of friends. I will admit to laughing out loud at one scene but that just seemed to make the guy behind me think this was acceptable behaviour. Every time he laughed, I got shushed! I swear I only did it once. That being said, this is the kind of movie people either love or hate. For me, it's a beautifully twisted fairy tale reminiscent of the ones my father told me as a child. Oddly enough, he hopes to never see it again as the ending bothered him. I can see why, but for the same reasons he hated it I loved it. To each his own.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLXIaROCAN-DwTb890ebtqr9os4UXnSpRWiOdL4TQAQwBjjsigeMq5tsU2BiJ-CEw13FI7oK5-9YI6zc07TTLK6vK_Z_PrLIn8gMncXc8plvLD5Le1u1V5iMf01062uqC0CqLrxPuWl4/s1600/mother+of+tears.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLXIaROCAN-DwTb890ebtqr9os4UXnSpRWiOdL4TQAQwBjjsigeMq5tsU2BiJ-CEw13FI7oK5-9YI6zc07TTLK6vK_Z_PrLIn8gMncXc8plvLD5Le1u1V5iMf01062uqC0CqLrxPuWl4/s320/mother+of+tears.bmp" width="224" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0804507/">"Mother of Tears"</a> - The final installment of Italian horror mastermind Dario Argento's Three Mothers trilogy ("Suspiria", "Inferno") ends when an American art student (Asia Argento, daughter) opens an ancient urn that unleashes the Mother of Tears, a powerful and vengeful witch, onto the people of Rome.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Argento makes some of the most interesting and confusing films I've ever seen. They're almost like a train wreck- I have no idea what's going on half the time but I can't look away. Maybe it has something to do with the awful dubbing that his films have when released in the US. I want subtitles people! Of course, how are you going to pass Asia as American when she couldn't lose her accent if you paid her (and they have) or threatened to feed her to a ravenous bear. Still, who cares? That's not what his movies are about. They're about the power of persuasion, mythology, the fragility of women, and blood, and guts, and boobs. If you are not already a fan of B-movies (don't tell me because then we can't be friends) or dubbed films, skip his body of work, educate yourself, learn to like it, then rent them. Otherwise, a great weekend could be spent with these tales of a mother's love that only an Italian could make.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QkOseGkRV0GRQTSYRs1E84wOOEYaRDq_ZwOzBS4FF_KqLnPPih5kfPBPD4GNz8Zn0arNHu-rQRs7HEM3-PZcu8occ6ROET1IBDNvsd0isvcuJvrvk9R9OMoNBeG9F5TlX43jHyYpzFU/s1600/night_day+watch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QkOseGkRV0GRQTSYRs1E84wOOEYaRDq_ZwOzBS4FF_KqLnPPih5kfPBPD4GNz8Zn0arNHu-rQRs7HEM3-PZcu8occ6ROET1IBDNvsd0isvcuJvrvk9R9OMoNBeG9F5TlX43jHyYpzFU/s320/night_day+watch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0403358/">"Night Watch"</a> & <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0409904/">"Day Watch"</a> <strong>Double Feature</strong>- The powers of good and evil try to win a war that's been waging for centuries. The Night Watch are a group of "Others" that patrol and monitor the Day Watch. One are light/good and the other dark/bad, however the lines between the two are often blurred even as alliances are not. Witches, vampires, shape shifters, psychics, ancient prophecies, oh my!</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Based on the popular book series by Sergei Lukyanenko and helmed by Timur Bekmambetov ("Wanted"), this duo are the highest grossing films in Russian history. That may not sound impressive to you, but one viewing and you will be converted. It's depressing actually, to see what can be done in a fledgling film community with a fraction of the dollars we typically spend on FX heavy films. Things I love: it's a great companion to the books (both films are based off the 1st book, "Night Watch"), the FX are amazing and crucial to the storytelling, the acting is great, both the subtitles and dubbing are done in house by Bekmambetov so you know they are top notch. I suggest watching the subtitled version first- the captions scroll across the screen, slide from top to bottom, and generally go where your eye needs to be. You never lose any of the action! What I don't like: Bekmambetov says "Wanted" tapped him out for ideas he would have used on the 3rd and final film ("Twilight Watch"), leaving a gaping hole in the hearts of fans. Get to it Timur!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGNFOHtLn9KUQ67HJ5eJfpatlorGQBPO-F_9vxzS0PhWp4X-rCSB5cs424LrpuGfuaDRnJAZ9cqfqN5xLrJ5LVYTKmtqTRjGuOjWbgKXIDle_SCwOQ8G1C4FsrI01eggSp6uhyh_ILM4/s1600/cold+prey_dead+sno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGNFOHtLn9KUQ67HJ5eJfpatlorGQBPO-F_9vxzS0PhWp4X-rCSB5cs424LrpuGfuaDRnJAZ9cqfqN5xLrJ5LVYTKmtqTRjGuOjWbgKXIDle_SCwOQ8G1C4FsrI01eggSp6uhyh_ILM4/s320/cold+prey_dead+sno.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808276/">"Cold Prey"</a> & <a href="http://artofthrowingstones.blogspot.com/2010/02/whats-up-netflix-week-in-review.html">"Dead Snow"</a> <strong>Double Feature</strong>- "Cold Prey" is a tight Norwegian thriller about a group of extreme sports enthusiasts/med students who get trapped in an abandoned hotel after one of them breaks their leg. "Dead Snow" is a both gory and often funny Norwegian film about a group of med students who get trapped in their cabin by ravenous Nazi zombies. Oh yea, you heard me right- Nazi zombies.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Clearly it is a bad idea to go off into the mountains for any reason in Norway. It is also clear that the country is enjoying a bit of Renaissance film wise with so many amazing and wonderful works being produced their recently. I really like the idea of these two movies together. "Prey" has a kind of "Texas Chainsaw Masacre" feel to it but with more blood and suspense. "Snow" starts as a typical kids lost in the woods (insert snow here) before going into traditional zombie territory. Somewhere into the 3rd act it becomes a comedy though and you laugh through the sickness. It also has two of the most disgusting scenes I've seen in recent history. All I'll say is: Outhouse and Face mask. Trust me, you want to see this. It doesn't hurt that both films are written well, acted well (i.e. straight), and the subtitles seem to be good as well. I'll need a Norwegian to help me with that one though. I cannot wait to see what else the country has in store for us in the future.</div><br />
[side note: Also rent the "Dead Snow" bonus disc. It is full of behind the scenes featurettes, making of's, and a great multi-part documentary of the cast and crew on their way to Sundance.]<br />
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<strong><u>Psychological:</u></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSCgO0MkPmtl563gaBzOJ3O-qCI4N7qEtUOoI27mzTz7LGWBSBmz0loEhIunNbJ385Ik0yg_s6DuI2RGZHqPUVh7PaTtfMKiQSd_NfqRwuwHWkB5NAIqJ_w5KTyDJsEbFTLuPmQMifb8/s1600/session_nine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSCgO0MkPmtl563gaBzOJ3O-qCI4N7qEtUOoI27mzTz7LGWBSBmz0loEhIunNbJ385Ik0yg_s6DuI2RGZHqPUVh7PaTtfMKiQSd_NfqRwuwHWkB5NAIqJ_w5KTyDJsEbFTLuPmQMifb8/s320/session_nine.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0261983/">"Session 9"</a> - A team of asbestos removers clean an abandoned psychiatric hospital, however the discovery of recorded patient sessions mixed with the generally eerie feeling of the hospital soon lead the crew to believe it's haunted. Or is it?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Prior to this film, Brad Anderson was known for light indie fare (see "Next Stop Wonderland"). Whatever was going through his mind when he came up with this, I wish would happen again. This is one of the creepiest movies without blood or FX I've ever seen. Like a really amazing episode of "Ghost Hunters" (screw you "Ghost Hunters: International"!). Peter Mullan ("Young Adam") and Josh Lucas ("Sweet Home Alabama") are especially brilliant. You won't even mind David Caruso, well maybe a little. A truly amazing ghost story.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9C4_ViRUSQ8OJSbSSQCnzd6dfhi4ODzlQKyX_mdusQcBvK4mYdxcLzVB6ca3aYdNi8GTNDXnl3bZnk5lkYNHnYKztHv62iP002PRWVhg1CFMwUDWtkK6IRUEUbsPcVbFarKRPaJn4FY4/s1600/pandorum-sexy-freaky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9C4_ViRUSQ8OJSbSSQCnzd6dfhi4ODzlQKyX_mdusQcBvK4mYdxcLzVB6ca3aYdNi8GTNDXnl3bZnk5lkYNHnYKztHv62iP002PRWVhg1CFMwUDWtkK6IRUEUbsPcVbFarKRPaJn4FY4/s320/pandorum-sexy-freaky.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1188729/">"Pandorum"</a> - Once again a space crew are awoken from hyper-sleep, this time with a major case of amnesia. As their memories return, they realize they may not be alone aboard the ship.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The trailers for this film were a bit vague and I loved it. Too often, nee all the time, we are given trailers that are not the teasers they're meant to be but the movie whittled down to 120 seconds. If I wanted to see everything in the trailer I wouldn't go to the movies, I'd read spoiler blogs. Tangent aside, this movie really surprised me. The twist at the end kind of pissed me off but the path that got us there was well made and full of surprise performances. Add to my "Can They Be In Everything" list: Ben Foster. I'm not ashamed to say I've been a fan since "Fast Forward" (and I was way to old to be a fan then and I am now!) and have followed his career, seeing as much as I can.</div><br />
<strong>"Moon"-</strong> see my previous review <a href="http://artofthrowingstones.blogspot.com/2010/03/whats-up-netflix_14.html">here</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIExehgqynass2iLuraUlioV4-pXDRiJvduWh8Pe61JusdNY9psLw236MztIbqDyZbdxML7hnO4omlKBOLZA-I-V8MTp-Xl5B1hix0F9dK7tpLOzgmoaXs2lDwIFeQXGeOkSEPcn86fQ/s1600/eden-lake-teaser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIExehgqynass2iLuraUlioV4-pXDRiJvduWh8Pe61JusdNY9psLw236MztIbqDyZbdxML7hnO4omlKBOLZA-I-V8MTp-Xl5B1hix0F9dK7tpLOzgmoaXs2lDwIFeQXGeOkSEPcn86fQ/s320/eden-lake-teaser.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1020530/">"Eden Lake"</a> - A young couple hope to get away from the hustle and bustle of London by going camping at a favorite lake. Things go from idyllic to devastating when a gang of teens starts to harass, stalk, and terrorize them.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Let me admit right off the bat that the only reason I rented this movie was because it starred Michael Fassbender ("Hunger", "Inglourious Basterds"), may new film obsession. I'm also a big fan of Kelly Reilly ("L'Auberge Espagnole", "Pride & Prejudice"). It sounded really hokey, and it is believe me, but it's also a great story about the evils of man and the power of love (gag). I also love when the woman is the voice of reason and the smarter one in the story. It's so rare I just eat it up. You will never guess how this ends, but it's devastating. That must be my new word of the day- devastating. I need a thesaurus.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEwvSHNvcXUjXjvD0cF6dYgsjNtWNTx-6MeBc2I_kH820ZrL8la4YRoYPGbwNoy-cBPnZll3WX-3Dep1JjOr8tNcBLOUM5bJpFpG1xvGY_cwRI4DsEAAjagpitfZQiuOIHCJzK-NYjpc/s1600/the-strangers-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEwvSHNvcXUjXjvD0cF6dYgsjNtWNTx-6MeBc2I_kH820ZrL8la4YRoYPGbwNoy-cBPnZll3WX-3Dep1JjOr8tNcBLOUM5bJpFpG1xvGY_cwRI4DsEAAjagpitfZQiuOIHCJzK-NYjpc/s320/the-strangers-poster.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0482606/">"The Strangers"</a> - Joseph Gordon-Levitt look-a-like Bryan Bertino wrote and directed this cautionary tale to suburbanites across the country. James and Kristen return home from a wedding to enjoy some peace and quiet when there's a knock on the door. A gang of masked psycho's decides to have a bit of fun at their expense.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I wanted to see this in the theatre because I am a big fan of Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman is a nice piece of eye candy, but I missed it. Turns out, this movie is much better to see at home, in the dark, preferably on a stormy night. That's how I saw it and everything the wind pushed at the door or threw an acorn at the window I jumped. It was super fun times had by all!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQsT4d-K5sgmXof-y4aGHVgtLy1px1gnS4iRKERsNStpvF3KEoPiWLE4T8BvpBuSb83Ew-aWY2smJ4va9LoolNe1_bi8t7vJwyXQEW0tWguBPq7JMPZJq2LmUnohZjoECDm01lrLvo-o/s1600/felicias_journey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQsT4d-K5sgmXof-y4aGHVgtLy1px1gnS4iRKERsNStpvF3KEoPiWLE4T8BvpBuSb83Ew-aWY2smJ4va9LoolNe1_bi8t7vJwyXQEW0tWguBPq7JMPZJq2LmUnohZjoECDm01lrLvo-o/s320/felicias_journey.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165773/">"Felicia's Journey"</a> - Bob Hoskin's stars as a lonely catering manager with a deadly weak spot for young ladies. When he meets Felicia, a pregnant young Irish girl, he may have met his match.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I also have a thing for Atom Egoyan. Maybe it's because he's Canadian, maybe because he introduced the world to Sarah Polley, I'm not sure. What I am sure about is this man knows how to make a gripping movie, whether it be the least exotic movie about exotic dancers since "Showgirls" ("Exotica"), about the aftermath of a deadly bus crash ("The Sweet Hearafter"- one of my favorite films), or this one about a serial killer; you will be mesmerized by the characters flaws and all. This isn't really a horror movie, so anyone looking for blood and guts should look elsewhere. However, it is an interesting portrait of a serial killer; the more lonely "American Psycho".</div>See Also: Funny Games, The Descent, Hard Candy, The Orphanage, Let the Right One In, Fists in the Pocket, 2046, Donnie Darko, My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done; Jacob's Ladder, The Number 23Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-77051136877940081842010-10-17T17:41:00.000-05:002010-10-17T17:41:22.671-05:00Fright Fest: Somethings at my windowWhat would a Halloween movie marathon be without things that go bump in the night? Monster's of all shapes and sizes have been terrifying us for decades. Personally, these are my favorite kinds of horror movies. Give me vampires, werewolves, satanic dolls, clowns, zombies, and the genetically altered any day!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0S8V-gC3RUg7mJErqhjkWt6_d9t7TqlcQznDRoWFDvjXVbKbwWZUNNvkpO0caDfYLulzAXCY6bNSFLqV_b7k4Rdaqbnri6792QkJ-DY0ve4BRaZ92r9QUvVvyspAtRT-X9sowap-W1Q/s1600/dog-soldiers-movie-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0S8V-gC3RUg7mJErqhjkWt6_d9t7TqlcQznDRoWFDvjXVbKbwWZUNNvkpO0caDfYLulzAXCY6bNSFLqV_b7k4Rdaqbnri6792QkJ-DY0ve4BRaZ92r9QUvVvyspAtRT-X9sowap-W1Q/s320/dog-soldiers-movie-poster.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280609/">"Dog Soldiers"</a> - Neil Marhsal ("The Descent", "Centurion") makes his directorial debut in this tale of werewolves deep in the Scottish Highlands. On a routine training mission, a group of soldiers (what's up Kevin McKidd!) discover the mangled corpses of another battalion. Soon they are being hunted by whatever killed their comrades, so they high jack a small cottage in the woods. </div><br />
A few years ago my Dad called me to talk about a movie he had seen. All he could remember was that it was Scottish, had werewolves, and was awesome. Cue a few months later and he's figured it out and bought this movie for me. Wow, was he right! Marshal has a tight script that kept me enthralled from beginning to end. The pacing is steady and the twist at the end seems to come out from left field (you may figure it out just before it's revealed, but nothing will be lost). I highlight this film as another reason CGI should be used only in extreme circumstances. The practical FX here are more terrifying and bloody because they are real. If you haven't seen this movie, queue it up immediately!<br />
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082010/">"An American Werewolf in London"</a> - see my review <a href="http://artofthrowingstones.blogspot.com/2010/08/wwqtw.html">here</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuHO0g8qyhArBBX8C8EVotqpkq9wbR6iZGEKZEQ7q8jwHn17T6EW_N0XTOM2SlOkkYH65avLyzpNFbyoErUibYnz6Zq7sqVjdqVrso2vrH1ukLUN3qD42fHRqknBNSuEVFdVkdnhBSiQ/s1600/gingersnaps_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuHO0g8qyhArBBX8C8EVotqpkq9wbR6iZGEKZEQ7q8jwHn17T6EW_N0XTOM2SlOkkYH65avLyzpNFbyoErUibYnz6Zq7sqVjdqVrso2vrH1ukLUN3qD42fHRqknBNSuEVFdVkdnhBSiQ/s320/gingersnaps_poster.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0210070/">"Ginger Snaps"</a> - Everyone knows being a teenager sucks, and we all know now how easy we actually had it back then. So, what would happen if you were attacked in the woods while staging your own death photography and discovered come next full moon you were going to turn furry? It would certainly put a crimp in your social calendar.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One thing I really miss about video stores is the ability to wonder the aisles for hours, looking for things you've never heard of, being attracted to cover art. Sure, we can do that on Netflix, kind of; but it's not the same. I discovered this movie in Blockbuster and probably would have scrolled right past it online. Oh Canada, I heart your eccentric ways. Is this a movie about pubescence? Is it about family and the power of sisterhood (that's my guess)? Or, is it simply a vicious werewolf film with a high body count and gallons of blood? Actually, can I change my guess? I think a major reason I loved this movie was because I could identify. I too was the weird goth/punk chick in school. I was the kid who wrote a paper about medical autopsy for English. I was the girl who's parents were called when she designed an ad in Economics using a dominatrix. Come on, sex sells! So, a story with two goth-y chicks trying to keep their sanity and talk to boys is right up my ally. Don't be frightened guys, there's plenty of blood, guts, and pot to keep you interested too. Another practical FX masterpiece.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKGb8hykK-PKQvZNYRbyW9F3H35S6eWYOYsG6cwqYpeueluVxIimMp7H5PuiDm41Cr4dWhCaUWuUgxGlEVz2-TBfpucQst5bwnOIE43Uh7UpUYCseaFMBeRvPceM5Mq9mR9O1f_pe-hc/s1600/near_dark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKGb8hykK-PKQvZNYRbyW9F3H35S6eWYOYsG6cwqYpeueluVxIimMp7H5PuiDm41Cr4dWhCaUWuUgxGlEVz2-TBfpucQst5bwnOIE43Uh7UpUYCseaFMBeRvPceM5Mq9mR9O1f_pe-hc/s320/near_dark.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093605/">"Near Dark"</a> - Before she became the first woman to win a directorial Oscar, Kathryn Bigelow helmed this ode to vampires and outsiders in 1987. Starring Adrian Pasdar (whatever happened to him?), Lance Henriksen (always a good sign), and Bill Paxton (good sign #2!). Pasdar gets seduced by this hot young thing into joining her gang but of course this is no typical band of misfits. They have a secret and a hungry thirst.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This movie is great for all the right reasons. It is atypically 80s and it's gory. There are some serious prosthetics going on here. It has been recently remastered and released on DVD so get crackin!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVg8OGy8JWT0X-nsyp_grOHYrsdV7bh5rTZx9ypsNVbp30kpHTg9ZlS2HmpOfDhTBMWxc3LDN1HmC7F4pqpZZCYfucGGJjkz_2921CdOc2lgMpTLNvncYNYcJZhJzPTMuVOeR57DqbwZE/s1600/slither.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVg8OGy8JWT0X-nsyp_grOHYrsdV7bh5rTZx9ypsNVbp30kpHTg9ZlS2HmpOfDhTBMWxc3LDN1HmC7F4pqpZZCYfucGGJjkz_2921CdOc2lgMpTLNvncYNYcJZhJzPTMuVOeR57DqbwZE/s320/slither.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0439815/">"Slither"</a> - Equal parts camp and disgusting FX, Slither turns the classic zombie picture on its head. Alien slugs infect a small town, turning the residents into ooey gooey zombies in this homage to B-horror by James Gunn (writer of "Dawn of the Dead" 2004).</div><br />
All I needed to know to see this movie was it starred Nathan Fillion and Michael Rooker. Sold! I literally fell out of my seat in the theatre laughing ("That looks like something that fell off my dick in the war"), then covered my eyes a moment later.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqkD-cuG__6jxxpWfRhANlSrC4TkuwR1y9dVlvBKWeaGeDcGxducPRvkhiIK0OcpU45aYizDcOJefUMrK7-jPkxv-QRrrFiOctVsomSyF4tcP9emfnd-uFLfMDazplM5gi97jB2buCEw/s1600/Puppet_Master_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqkD-cuG__6jxxpWfRhANlSrC4TkuwR1y9dVlvBKWeaGeDcGxducPRvkhiIK0OcpU45aYizDcOJefUMrK7-jPkxv-QRrrFiOctVsomSyF4tcP9emfnd-uFLfMDazplM5gi97jB2buCEw/s320/Puppet_Master_poster.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098143/">"Puppet Master"</a> - A psychotic puppeteer turns his life's work into demonic killers who end up stalking and killing a group of psychic's trapped in an old hotel. Original spawned a series (9 by last count) that are still produced today.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As a child, dolls freaked the shit out of me. Sure I had plenty of Barbie's, but I kept them locked up for fear they would come to life at night and exact their tiny plastic revenge on me. I made my sister turn her porcelain doll around at night so it wouldn't look at me. Is it any wonder that the Puppet Master series freaked me out? I love movies that take the seemingly innocent toys of our youth and turn them into killing machines. Throw in some "ancient Egyptian magic" and I'm there.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV2SFV_nWqhBsMddojlD30-3aHhb7Sm0j02AgBQE4A_ZyvIraZoxhAIpbXxoOPw2bcm5vTpVCWcL3jPTIu1dTCCXEhpozy90NZZLsZCn-oNTEVQDakzJLmSMWAn3Ib0al8-pzcG-xzy4/s1600/mimic-movie-poster1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV2SFV_nWqhBsMddojlD30-3aHhb7Sm0j02AgBQE4A_ZyvIraZoxhAIpbXxoOPw2bcm5vTpVCWcL3jPTIu1dTCCXEhpozy90NZZLsZCn-oNTEVQDakzJLmSMWAn3Ib0al8-pzcG-xzy4/s320/mimic-movie-poster1.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119675/">"Mimic"</a> - Sexy etymologist Mira Sorvino (the curse of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar strikes again!) accidentally creates a race of larger than life bugs that terrorize Manhattan. The great Guillermo del Toro directs in his English language debut based on a story by Donald A. Wollheim.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The aesthetic we've come to crave from del Toro gets its start here. Dark tunnels, wide shots, great lighting, and awesome FX are used to amp up what could have been a complete crapper of a movie. Much better than "The Relic" which came out at the same time in terms of style and horror factor. (I don't hate "The Relic", heck I own it and thought the book was great; but is it scary? Not hardly). PS- Jeremy Northam should be in more things.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rEOB8NEXqP0fTFCPSnmpxOTFUJ5AMPJVuZlYRorRyIx5hmKl5NdT56k0stIX5w8fiUfNE_DcQb4ZC49vP6RJRp11_XFCRzTdGukxFgpwCTEDNabYo0Uz6qrd6jiiWNJkwlV0sXrjh4c/s1600/alien_aliens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rEOB8NEXqP0fTFCPSnmpxOTFUJ5AMPJVuZlYRorRyIx5hmKl5NdT56k0stIX5w8fiUfNE_DcQb4ZC49vP6RJRp11_XFCRzTdGukxFgpwCTEDNabYo0Uz6qrd6jiiWNJkwlV0sXrjh4c/s320/alien_aliens.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078748/">"Alien"</a> & <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090605/">"Aliens"</a> <strong>Double Feature</strong>- Ridley Scott and James Cameron take us to the depths of the universe in two of the scariest movies ever made. I feel a little silly giving a synopsis of these classics but here goes: Sigourney Weaver, in her first leading role, stars as Ripley; an officer on a towing ship headed to Earth. Awoken from cryogenic sleep early to answer a distress call (when will people learn?), the crew find their ship taken over by angry bloodthirsty aliens of the nastiest kind. In "Aliens", Ripley finds she is the laughing stock of the intergalactic community over her account of what happened to her crew. All that changes when another crew goes missing and she leads a team of Marines (Bill Paxton again!!) in to investigate. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In a perfect world I would be the owner of the "Alien Quadrilogy": 9 discs of movies, making of features, and behind the scenes. Oh, to live in that world. Instead, I have a VHS copy of "Alien" with "Aliens" inside. Damned used book store! Not to worry, these movies have been on TV all month. I know it's sacrilegious to say, but I liked "Aliens" better. I can't remember when I first saw these movies, but it must have been on TV. My mother would NOT have approved of my seeing them so young, but I think I must have been 10 or 12. I promis this will be the last time I talk about practical FX (in this post), but CGI heavy movies don't hold up well over time. We can see that it's fake. I hate that flat shine everything seems to have. A huge 9 ft alien queen is a lot scarier.<br />
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[side note: There was a travelling movie FX show I saw at the Dallas Fair Grounds when I was a pre-teen. They had one of the adult aliens and the lifter rig (seriously, what is that? Someone help me out) that Ripley uses to push the alien out the air lock. There was also the werewolf head from "An American Werewolf in London" that grew hair, Norman Bates' mom, and more. I wish I could remember more about this exhibit. I want to see it again!]</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbKk_eUH3qrvRabF83OqmhI_CysZCyPI4Zg-p8b_Ss9k58SKpGHwSMKZIZnzfuHV6I06wnwcD5hZLDDzWQs4_LL-AoLPJXJXRiiXFP_vnNZrYIN88OqcQeDrn8GpfEdPwsKHcJ7Wu57A/s1600/Dawn%2520of%2520the%2520Dead%2520poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbKk_eUH3qrvRabF83OqmhI_CysZCyPI4Zg-p8b_Ss9k58SKpGHwSMKZIZnzfuHV6I06wnwcD5hZLDDzWQs4_LL-AoLPJXJXRiiXFP_vnNZrYIN88OqcQeDrn8GpfEdPwsKHcJ7Wu57A/s320/Dawn%2520of%2520the%2520Dead%2520poster.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363547/">"Dawn of the Dead"</a> - Zack Snyder ("300"- groan, "Watchmen"- yea!) pumps blood into Romero's legacy with his remake of the 1978 classic. Zombies are taking over the US and a group of survivors try to stick it out in a mall. Sounds great, except the zombies have a little shopping to do.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When I first heard they were remaking Romero's classic, I was disgusted. Then the cast list came out and I was intrigued (Sarah Polley? Really?). Finally, I saw a trailer and was sold. Romero may be the grandfather of zombie entertainment, but Snyder recognizes that and instead creates a solid update for the ADD generation. Here the zombies are faster (but just as dumb thank god), and the survivors are still idiots trapped in a shopping mall (how long before <em>you</em> hit up the sporting goods store?). Do you have your zombie escape plan in effect?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMulumOPb86s2UIaLQhiImS_IdJel4a5PkSLv7MMG9O5Yw7bHV4Gl363iLWnXGh8taqHDTs2pEmbbKJgIU8J7kvUSJZC0Ueo-O1zy3362tXP0acbJKh8sFT0M882esjwx1gv-L18J-7tQ/s1600/28_days_later_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMulumOPb86s2UIaLQhiImS_IdJel4a5PkSLv7MMG9O5Yw7bHV4Gl363iLWnXGh8taqHDTs2pEmbbKJgIU8J7kvUSJZC0Ueo-O1zy3362tXP0acbJKh8sFT0M882esjwx1gv-L18J-7tQ/s320/28_days_later_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289043/">"28 Days Later"</a> - A refreshing take on zombies, this one started by a PETA-esque troop who unleash a deadly virus into the world while trying to save monkeys from genetic testing. Cut to Cillian Murphy (can he be in everything too?) waking up in a hospital bed alone. The whole place is deserted and we (the audience) are now cast as fellow travellers as we troll the streets of London looking for survivors and answers. Later, an oasis has been found, but is it everything it claims to be?</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What can Danny Boyle not do? He's covered moral and ethical questions ("Shallow Grave"- really great), druggie culture ("Trainspotting"), fresh family fare ("Millions"), and won an Oscar for "Slumdog Millionaire". Seems only right that he should have his toe or hell his whole foot, in the horror/sci-fi arena. "28 Days Later" shifts the focus from a lone survivor to a group of nomads to the corrupt military, all the while making a paean to human nature verses human desire.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9lLOX3UtIfkXGT8YG7bEQFtMTM__i7Yj3rFWiRrDB5IlsgPMFDVcDJkBEMQOQZ_bT0wX8826pf9tBn1yz6FUowfKo5-gaWCH-w82EmNBZC9YQk_vK-Jh0SFFFYPurPbQZoCi1yWnFLA/s1600/hellraiser_poster.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9lLOX3UtIfkXGT8YG7bEQFtMTM__i7Yj3rFWiRrDB5IlsgPMFDVcDJkBEMQOQZ_bT0wX8826pf9tBn1yz6FUowfKo5-gaWCH-w82EmNBZC9YQk_vK-Jh0SFFFYPurPbQZoCi1yWnFLA/s320/hellraiser_poster.bmp" width="207" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093177/">"Hellraiser"</a> - I think we can all agree, Cliver Barker is a demented genius. I totally want to hang out with him. Here he directs his own work about an unfaithful wife haunted by her former lover (and her husbands brother) who has lost his corporeal body to the Cenobites who want him for their own twisted fun. A mysterious puzzle box is the key to unlocking Hell and bringing the Cenobites to Earth. Spawning a series (8 by last count) that should primarily be avoided, this first film holds up well with time and and is still disgusting and twisted. Sure to give nightmares to young ones, infirm, and adulterers.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Oh Pinhead... how I love your deadpan ways. When they replaced our beloved Cenobites in the 3rd installment they lost me. Is a guy with a boom box head that spits CDs supposed to be scary or funny? Either way you should avoid it. The torture scenes between Pinhead & co and their human victims are inspired. I don't mean that in a creepy you-should -call-the-cops way, but more in a hey-does-this-remind-you-of-"Saw"? kind of way. </div><br />
<em>See Also: Child's Play, Dolls, IT, The Howling, Wolfen, The Hunger, Piranha, The Blob, It's Alive, Pumpkinhead, Skinwalkers (it's so bad it's good), and Meet the Applegates (not a horror movie per se, but giant Amazonian bugs disguised as people is hilarious), </em>Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-53524055093993693282010-10-16T16:14:00.001-05:002010-10-17T17:24:06.905-05:00Fright Fest: It's all in the gory detailsWith a little over two weeks until Halloween, now is the time to move all those horror movies to the top of your queue. Every year I watch "Beetlejuice" and "The Worst Witch" in honor of the day. "Beetlejuice" is one of my favorite movies (and arguably one of Burton's best) that I watched so often I erased the tape. Oh yea, we're talking VHS. When I bought a new copy, I discovered it had been edited. WTF?! The horror! The entire brothel scene was deleted. Dear Disney: That is not cool! <br />
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When I was very little, HBO played "The Worst Witch" every day, every year in October. I finally found a copy online and am sad to say it has not held up. Fairuza Balk goes to an all girls school of witchcraft (a la Harry Potter), where she is the worst student. Throw in Charlotte Rae as the headmistress and Tim Curry (I just LOVED Rocky Horror at the time too) as the grand wizard, a bit of impromptu song and dance, and you have a big 80s mess. Oh well, it's now hilarious and I can't help but watch it. <br />
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Whether you need a fright, have little ones, or love a good psychological thriller, I don't discriminate! Over the next week, I will give you my picks for this Halloween:<br />
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For the Gore Hounds:<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8j0sIgSJbtxkGDfGLfMQwyj-0ztWAsBqokJo2utd-_cnLPIyn7Ohk7-rMqnXzMxRNhLx7JqG6scmieR9D0zTeOHYzhjjCwB111C9NnTkXJYiXaobjV7MaCsT8atMG16cQ6F2Gfkw4F7c/s1600/hostel+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8j0sIgSJbtxkGDfGLfMQwyj-0ztWAsBqokJo2utd-_cnLPIyn7Ohk7-rMqnXzMxRNhLx7JqG6scmieR9D0zTeOHYzhjjCwB111C9NnTkXJYiXaobjV7MaCsT8atMG16cQ6F2Gfkw4F7c/s320/hostel+II.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0498353/">"Hostel: Part II"-</a></strong> Eli Roth's gory sequel to his hit "Hostel", follows three girls studying abroad who decide to take a break in Prague. Poor Prague, it gets all the heat. They check into the same hostel and needless to say, chaos and death ensues. Roth sprinkles homages to some of horror's greats throughout (you can find out who and what in the bonus features), and plunges into what would entice another person to pay to kill. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sure I fell asleep during part 1, I really am going to try and watch it again I swear; but I really loved part II. Maybe it's because we get to see the clients and their motives for the first time. Maybe it's because this time it's a bunch of female co-ed's getting tortured and regaining control. Whatever the reason, it's gross and bloody and I like it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-MrYLxmiAcjehTYrRumrBsHwGoA8T5IWh_1fd7q_tQ0d2RHqEk_xn-jkRk9e2yh93DjjFR973Wnnp2rN0t15DkRUMu5VDZ5JXpGr7PvDH4UOlG4OyzIxEi7ZoxTDJLmV9ZmdzYNkSG4/s1600/event+horizon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-MrYLxmiAcjehTYrRumrBsHwGoA8T5IWh_1fd7q_tQ0d2RHqEk_xn-jkRk9e2yh93DjjFR973Wnnp2rN0t15DkRUMu5VDZ5JXpGr7PvDH4UOlG4OyzIxEi7ZoxTDJLmV9ZmdzYNkSG4/s320/event+horizon.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119081/"><strong>"Event Horizon"</strong>-</a> Laurence Fishburne leads a rescue mission into deep space to track an SOS signal. Once aboard, he and his crew realize something sinister has happened and they must get home if they are to escape the same fate. Of course, Sam Neill is there to muck it all up.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Baby bear!!! God I love scary space movies. I saw this in the theatre with my Dad and sister and fell in love. So scary! My sister may still have nightmares. It's everything you love about "Alien" except here the monster is the human mind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28d6iDURlQo-qppIARINDHY7ZlGVUluGo3aYuqeyBPKDc8fE4JB6UFfuxvvTfVzJTU3klAlDTGIZU7CMG5i6T9l93C6ilnhoVvn0eqXVAdilCr1LOZL_nJ8l4w2xPtpAXzdOnn1Pw7QE/s1600/ruins_ver3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28d6iDURlQo-qppIARINDHY7ZlGVUluGo3aYuqeyBPKDc8fE4JB6UFfuxvvTfVzJTU3klAlDTGIZU7CMG5i6T9l93C6ilnhoVvn0eqXVAdilCr1LOZL_nJ8l4w2xPtpAXzdOnn1Pw7QE/s320/ruins_ver3.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0963794/">"The Ruins"</a></strong>- Again some co-eds (this time in Mexico) get into a world of trouble when they hike out to a mysterious Aztec temple that happens to be cursed. Trapped atop the ziggurat, the kids are taunted by local tribesman and picked off one by one by an unforeseen force. Based on the book of the same name by Scott B. Smith.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Who knew plants could be so scary? Director Carter Smith crafts an elegant and edgy movie from a premise that is laughable at best. Still, good performances and special FX can save anything. I expected this movie to be more gory based on what I was told by friends, but either I have no concept of gore anymore (quite possible) or they don't (also possible). There are moments when this movie could have turned into more traditional "torture porn", but instead they reigned it in and played it cool. PS- I heart Jonathan Tucker & Jena Malone. Who would have ever cast them in a horror flick? Someone pat the casting director on the back, please.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOKT-ojMQAZdrpKT26T1JnmHwJJenJUqxl2mtI1aDBeCkYDmM5CqA1K62nI7Lg3psyLWCEnGRUs2zs4dGXt4I6DAnQWGVO1NbePW2WWcmQWnZ8bjZeiXmlkCkdUKgo5JN3aDn5ZirdLM/s1600/1000corpses_rejects.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOKT-ojMQAZdrpKT26T1JnmHwJJenJUqxl2mtI1aDBeCkYDmM5CqA1K62nI7Lg3psyLWCEnGRUs2zs4dGXt4I6DAnQWGVO1NbePW2WWcmQWnZ8bjZeiXmlkCkdUKgo5JN3aDn5ZirdLM/s320/1000corpses_rejects.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>"<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0251736/">House of 1,000 Corpses</a>"/"<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0395584/">The Devils Rejects</a>"</strong> Double Feature- Musician Rob Zombie translates his Universal Studios Funhouse into two truly enjoyable homages to 70s grindhouse horror. In "Corpses", more co-eds (I see a theme here) pull over to Captain Spauldings fried chicken shack and gas station to visit his museum of oddities. Next thing they know, they've blown a flat and are taken to the dilapidated Spaulding mansion to wait out the storm (think "Texas Chainsaw Masacre"). There's always a storm, old house, and weird tow truck in these kinds of movies. Who will survive? In "Rejects", the Spaulding clan are on the run from the law following a shoot out at their house. The movie has more of a Western feel and casts the villains as the protagonist. It is a mark to Zombie's brilliance that you find yourself rooting for the serial killer by the end of the film.</div><br />
Love. Love squared. I saw both in the theatre and remember being the only person impressed by "Corpses". If you grew up on these kinds of movies, you should too. With "Rejects", I went to an advanced screening and people got a lot more into it. It helps when you know what to expect I guess. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-sDvFqfEV96rDWRQ8AyEVKf-IzZBNoePKns9lXnAROw7WXI48Tt04RadesHMPjvOs6LqnB7CWmlSCLeAxGhvqmzdlkPn399EUaJl8ar4kM4DXOnqtMGJW4mFwKIX-HAdoKjaTM7YCOg/s1600/tales_from_the_crypt_presents_demon_knight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-sDvFqfEV96rDWRQ8AyEVKf-IzZBNoePKns9lXnAROw7WXI48Tt04RadesHMPjvOs6LqnB7CWmlSCLeAxGhvqmzdlkPn399EUaJl8ar4kM4DXOnqtMGJW4mFwKIX-HAdoKjaTM7YCOg/s320/tales_from_the_crypt_presents_demon_knight.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114608/">"Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight"</a></strong> - The Cryptkeeper's first movie (and only good one) is another Western-feeling film about a small town that unwittingly invites the Devil into their midst. At the old hotel, a wanderer stumbles in and soon after the Demon's appear. They're after a key, or a bottle really, that houses the blood of Christ. Oh yea, they went there. Billy Zane is the Collector, a demon/devil tasked with stealing this key and bringing it to Hell. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Let me tell you about my love for Billy Zane (bald Billy only please). He was probably the hottest Devil character until Viggo Mortenson in "The Prophecy". This movie is at times funny and gory, just like the TV series. There are some great actor's here to and hilarious one-liners. I was a bit torn whether to include this here or later in my Hilarious Horror post. I think the scene with the kid and the comic firmly places it here though. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ6EJAmIblPCgv9xvOIF8CVdt_Ro7GO7QCpiZCDHpEZn72JMzvCB1Ql2OSnaVWEw6O_v-vtWBjR56DWmF2s0NzpAa9R2SKgp4432qBDbMQ9qyiDhCrdZHaIRLSbZ_-yGUNb-aHIUx_3w/s1600/book_of_blood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ6EJAmIblPCgv9xvOIF8CVdt_Ro7GO7QCpiZCDHpEZn72JMzvCB1Ql2OSnaVWEw6O_v-vtWBjR56DWmF2s0NzpAa9R2SKgp4432qBDbMQ9qyiDhCrdZHaIRLSbZ_-yGUNb-aHIUx_3w/s320/book_of_blood.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><strong><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1169809/">"Book of Blood"</a></strong> - Based on a book by Clive Barker, "Blood" takes a page from "The Haunting" as we follow a paranormal expert and her team investigating a haunted house. Needless to say, the spirits are annoyed by this and start carving their story into the skin of one of the investigators.<br />
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Is this the best movie ever made? Not hardly. However, there is something mesmerizing about it. You have to leave your brain at the door, other wise you'll spend the who hour and a half yelling, "Just get the hell out of there idiot!" at the TV. There are some good gross outs and FX.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCOYX1ThXEZWOwx3pfMA3_096N1010ZGQWPlu5lnz4orwp4WukG_LaBkw60U671kKwoVTn5CgD-uZ-mMfeZYECafowdpz54FqVeq9FD8eaT-Mord2JmyHzTz_DzPbuSbB8flDsKWHFho/s1600/in-my-skin-movie-poster1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCOYX1ThXEZWOwx3pfMA3_096N1010ZGQWPlu5lnz4orwp4WukG_LaBkw60U671kKwoVTn5CgD-uZ-mMfeZYECafowdpz54FqVeq9FD8eaT-Mord2JmyHzTz_DzPbuSbB8flDsKWHFho/s320/in-my-skin-movie-poster1.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0337961/">"In My Skin"</a></strong> - After an accident, a woman develops body dysmorphic disorder and begins mutilating her body in more and more dangerous a fashion. In French.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I don't know how I got turned on to this movie, it must have been on a best weird list; but it's not at all what I expected. Thank god it's only 93 minutes. I don't know if I could ever watch it again as it is deeply disturbing yet relatable. That's the scary (and brilliant) part of the movie. You identify with her psyche and rationalization of what she is doing to herself. Again, I thought this was going to be more gory, but like a great psychological thriller; you don't need it to be. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qNVPKY_rNhSzAzchumAZpLZ5-wrv759nxODkGXKxGxpc1wWp5nzNFwQVO1umw0pOIxPXVvRl3q3i-sg1lnktJNOJX68vvx9_XzesLt2z_Q8Z8og4K3vhWzPZTGWpGopiiorDsyd-cJk/s1600/trick_r_treat_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qNVPKY_rNhSzAzchumAZpLZ5-wrv759nxODkGXKxGxpc1wWp5nzNFwQVO1umw0pOIxPXVvRl3q3i-sg1lnktJNOJX68vvx9_XzesLt2z_Q8Z8og4K3vhWzPZTGWpGopiiorDsyd-cJk/s320/trick_r_treat_poster.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><strong><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0862856/">"Trick 'r Treat"</a></strong> - A series of vignette's silently narrated by a child in a scary pumpkin costume, everyone tries to stay alive on Halloween night. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It took forever for this film to make it to your house, but don't be quick to judge. While that is usually a bad thing, the circumstances here were different. While not necessarily scary, there is a lot to be disturbed by in this movie. A lot of people, children included, are killed in creative and bloody ways. I particularly liked the stories with Anna Pacquin and the one centered on a young gang of misfits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffnA0jveWAVkY7RO0e1OR1B3Exho9PekfAVnO2pGFE9XiWlZbNIABrr8Ol399gCzBORSokf5mPmSCV37c9W2UgatP9Z3YBxUahSHifimlCbQYgEfSlAfzgK_oVPiE4iBBI_pAuSLmhX8/s1600/may+movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffnA0jveWAVkY7RO0e1OR1B3Exho9PekfAVnO2pGFE9XiWlZbNIABrr8Ol399gCzBORSokf5mPmSCV37c9W2UgatP9Z3YBxUahSHifimlCbQYgEfSlAfzgK_oVPiE4iBBI_pAuSLmhX8/s320/may+movie.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><strong><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303361/">"May"</a></strong> - In the vein of "Carrie", May has been bullied and misunderstood her whole life. She seeks solace and friendship in a toy doll and cannot maintain real human relationships. That doesn't stop her from trying though, with disastrous results. <br />
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I think I unfairly rated this movie (I gave it 3 stars) because I paid to see it in the theatre, promptly spilt wine on myself when I sat down, then saw it for rent at Blockbuster the next day. Ugh! Anyway, I remember a scene towards the end with Jeremy Sisto that totally creeped me out.<br />
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<strong>See Also:</strong> <em>Dead Alive, Saw 1-3, Cannibal (2006), Hatchet, Dahmer, High Tension, Jason X, Anatomy, Black Christmas, Blood Feast, Demons, Dead Girl, Cube, Suicide Club</em>Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-19993778450326903622010-10-16T11:44:00.000-05:002010-10-16T11:44:18.546-05:00My Guide To Being "In The Know", part 1For as long as I can remember, I've made the suggestion that everyone should work in the food service industry for a minimum two weeks at some point in their lives. Others disagree and think it should be for longer, that you should have to try and live off your wages; but that was never my point, not really. The point is, if everyone had to wait tables, bar tend, host, make burgers, etc; the world would be a better place. Maybe you would notice how your own behaviour towards these service professionals is not up to par. Perhaps you never knew the correct way to tip or how to come up with percentages. [side note: type "how to tip" into google and go to town! There are a million sites dedicated to teaching you the lost art of gratuity.]<br />
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Maybe you never tip a la "Reservoir Dogs". Maybe you under tip. Maybe you are frequently rude to your waiter. Maybe you never look them in the eye while ordering. Maybe you talk on the phone while ordering. Maybe you get snarky when they ask a question. Maybe you're ignorant. Maybe you're just rude.<br />
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I recently decided I needed a change in my professional life. Sure the security of a regular paycheck and medical insurance I never use (knock wood) is attractive, but it's also soul crushing. Imagine my excitement when I was asked to help out/fill in at my favorite local bar. Ecstatic may be the best word to describe it. It's been years since I worked in a restaurant and I've never worked the bar, but I felt like this was something I could do. So far, my biggest obstacles are reaching things on the top shelf way at the back (I've never felt so short before) and learning to say "let me think about it" before I inadvertently double or triple book myself. Of course, that has always been a problem. Regardless, I now have something I look forward to doing instead of dreading. I hope it continues.<br />
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Here are a few things I've learned in the short time I've been doing this:<br />
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* People have asked me how I get "hooked up" with things, be it movie tickets or free drinks. Well, I'm keeping my movie connections to myself but here's the secret to free drinks: Be nice. Be regular. Tip well. It's that simple. I go to the same bars not because I'm in a rut but because I'm taken care of there. I'm taken care of because I make friends. The best advice my Dad ever gave me was to "make friends with the three B's: Busers, Bouncers, and Bartenders". It's true!<br />
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* I will remember if you don't tip me. Popping a cap off your Budweiser isn't brain surgery but it is a service, so throw me a buck. You should tip a dollar a drink when paying cash or 15-20% on credit. If you really like the service and/or the bar give more. If you hate the service, give the minimum (see above). If you want to become a regular and get free drinks, give more.<br />
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* If you get your bill and notice it's lower than you anticipated, congratulations! You have been "hooked up". Tip accordingly. This means you should tip according to what your bill would be. I used to go to this really mellow bar downtown every Sunday. The bartender was really cool and would hang out with us chatting. No matter what I ordered, my bill was $5. Did I tip $2-$3? HELL NO! I tipped $10-$20, every time. No exceptions. It may seem like a lot, a $20 tip, but think about what your bill would have been. Trust me, you're probably still paying less.<br />
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* Don't walk your tab. It seems obvious but it happens all the time. We will remember you! This is not how a person who wants to be "in the know" acts. So, if this is a habit of yours, start a tab with your credit card. Tell a friend to remind you to close out. Do what it takes!<br />
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Finally, have fun and be kind!Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952335742591049529.post-39879661008085465522010-10-09T16:29:00.000-05:002010-10-09T16:29:24.811-05:00The Social Network**** 4.5 stars<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Wt76Efu-hrTib7T3fuwGP4JGWII3sTBm4R6Arci4aG2w6zENKLg9nCSKogYT0ojNdjh6bEQIn7FHxaSJlttTfKrDq7s2l1fAwbnig_Y1hrCtOlpQ0Ah57H19HOQxFmVNiWCc4wx7PIQ/s1600/Social-Network-Movie-Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Wt76Efu-hrTib7T3fuwGP4JGWII3sTBm4R6Arci4aG2w6zENKLg9nCSKogYT0ojNdjh6bEQIn7FHxaSJlttTfKrDq7s2l1fAwbnig_Y1hrCtOlpQ0Ah57H19HOQxFmVNiWCc4wx7PIQ/s320/Social-Network-Movie-Poster.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I spent my day off yesterday at the movies with my favorite movie buddy, word of the day Jennie. It was down to "Easy A" ("No comedy," was Jennie's only stipulation), so we went with "The Social Network" instead. In case you've been living under a rock:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>"<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1285016/">The Social Network</a>" is based on the novel "The Accidental Billionaires" by Ben Mezrich and directed by David Fincher. It follows the rise and subsequent lawsuits surrounding the founding of Facebook. Jesse Eisenberg (perennial nebish nerd) stars as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. He is later sued by fellow Harvard students (Armie Hammer pulling CGI double duty as Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, and Max Minghella) as well as his former best friend and CFO Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigU0isnqhGDu5zba0vUtVTgIcRrcCNEXAcWHgc1n_-6QfDqD-VtnNYDbqsUJkx6HUhWIKa7rC-tHzowSD2A8Yo7-IPs4qZYFMyYL-HNrNaZ1v3lYtjU_XwB6HmvtLJmHP3yxzV8BhazI/s1600/social-network-movie-review1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigU0isnqhGDu5zba0vUtVTgIcRrcCNEXAcWHgc1n_-6QfDqD-VtnNYDbqsUJkx6HUhWIKa7rC-tHzowSD2A8Yo7-IPs4qZYFMyYL-HNrNaZ1v3lYtjU_XwB6HmvtLJmHP3yxzV8BhazI/s320/social-network-movie-review1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Screen writer Aaron Sorkin ("The West Wing", "A Few Good Men") doesn't try to answer the question that plagues the movie- Who's idea was Facebook?- but instead focuses on what <em>can</em> be known and that is the instances leading up to and following the websites success. Instead of saying the film is inter cut with scenes from the multiple depositions Zuckerberg attended, I would say the depositions are inter cut with scenes from their life. From the dorm rooms at Harvard to the crewing down the Charles River to Silicon Valley to the crescendo that is Facebook gaining 1 million followers, we are there like a fly on the wall witnessing it all. Sorkin will not reveal all of his sources (though it has been well publicized that Natalie Portman, Harvard alum, met with me), only to say that they had details down to what kind of beer they were drinking at what time. That sounds pretty accurate. Still, he never demonizes any one party. Everyone seems to blame in some way for their part in the whole mess.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Eisenberg does a great job as the "asshole" Zuckerberg. I couldn't help but wonder, if this portrayal is in anyway accurate, why no one has raised the argument that he might not be an asshole but rather suffers from Asperger's. He is unable to control what comes out of his mouth, is unaware of how what is said effects others, and further more; doesn't seem to care. He doesn't care about money, but works hard to control and edge out those who helped him rise to billionaire status. His only real relationship was with Saverin whom he reportedly pushed out of the company. Infamous Sean Parker (creator of Napster and part owner of Facebook, here played by Justin Timberlake) comes across as money hungry and stupid. He has the genius to recognize good ideas and get them to the right people, but he can't organize his own life. Meanwhile, Saverin never quiet understands the demon that Facebook is becoming and gets left in the dust. Who is to blame? Does it even matter?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My personal demi-god Trent Reznor makes his big screen debut with a score that highlights and supports every scene without drawing attention to itself. You will immediately recognize his signature, but he is smart enough to know when and how it will work in the context of the film.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKareAoAOGUta23eJUWq7b22-9TCGymNUX3m-ag3ueO8FncnvUVr6hkZU53A-fb8wobmmFtnKo27MZfZC5is8p3TN9tvyipq9FY74F69gFLRflSzyOZHJUyEUslLOSpuat14rcPFfOWU/s1600/social-network-movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKareAoAOGUta23eJUWq7b22-9TCGymNUX3m-ag3ueO8FncnvUVr6hkZU53A-fb8wobmmFtnKo27MZfZC5is8p3TN9tvyipq9FY74F69gFLRflSzyOZHJUyEUslLOSpuat14rcPFfOWU/s320/social-network-movie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>The Oscar buzz is certainly worthy. Fincher delivers a well crafted film that is just enough outside what we would expect from him to make it refreshing without making his name above the line meaningless. Sorkin weaves fact, fiction, and humor into every scene. With his background in television it is no wonder he has an ear for dialog and it has never been more on display than in this work. Eisenberg may be left behind. The character is too similar to ones he's played before, though I don't fault him that: Know what you do well and do that. The only difference is in his likability. Either you do or you don't. Garfield has had a banner year so far, though I'm still concerned about him as the new Spiderman. I wish that movie would fall apart and he would be forced back into (somewhat) anonymity and carefully chosen "serious" work. Timberlake gets to show off his acting chops and I cannot wait to see what else he has in store for us. I would also recommend Reznor's score and Jeff Cronenweth's cinematography (he also shot "Fight Club" and several well known music videos).Graygrrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07423394839497455624noreply@blogger.com0