WTF???? Ohio has some lame-ass, groundhog knock-off named Buckeye Chuck. (In case you're wondering, Phil has a better track record: 80% to 60% over the last ten years.) Sorry, just had to vent. First the state names their cities from other cities across the country, then they go and steal a beloved PA icon. I apologize to my loyal OH readers but really! Get creative and get your own stuff!!!! :-) I now expect said readers to respond with all the wonderful stuff OH did not steal, like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Columbus's COSI (both of which ROCK!).
Okay, moving on.
Film: There Will Be Blood
Saw it Tuesday and loved it. Daniel Day-Lewis is a shoe-in for Best Actor but I'm not sure the film or Paul Thomas Anderson will win. The film was gorgeously shot, though. The imagery will stick with you. And, as per usual, Anderson's score fits brilliantly with the film. If you don't know much about it, the film follows the exploits of turn-of-the-century oilman Daniel Plainview (Day-Lewis) and his son, H. W. Really, though, the film is about one man's ever-increasing paranoia and insanity. The ending will really wow you with jaw-dropping shock. Oh, it isn't quite as graphically violent as I expected it to be, which is a good thing. That said, there were a couple of moments where even I closed my eyes. Brother Eli is played with gusto by Paul Dano. In case you're wondering, he was the silent brother from Little Miss Sunshine. By the way, my big question to all you who've seen the film, is, are they twins or is Eli schizophrenic?
Book: The Woman in White
Wilkie Collins's nineteenth-century gothic tale of a ghostly woman, an evil Count and Baronet, and two innocent sisters had me glued to the chaise all week reading. It's a biggie (600 pages) but well worth it if you're in the mood for a classic gothic tale of deception and vice. Collins really does an amazing job of describing the helplessness of aristocratic women during the nineteenth century in England. You just want to reach into the book and strangle Count Vosco!!!! Still now I am seething in my hatred of him. This book is not for the weak at heart. By that I mean, if you don't like nineteenth-century literary books, this probably isn't for you. However, if you want to stray back in time, pick up the book and prepare to be drawn in.
Television: Pushing Daisies
Use this time to prepare for reruns of the fall's best show. I know I liked Reaper at the beginning of the season, but it lost me a few episodes later. Pushing Daisies, however, kept my interest throughout the fall months. I now mourn my sad, dreary, American-Idol audition, Wednesday nights. The premise is simple: Ned the Pie Maker can bring people back to life with a touch. He then must touch them again within 60 seconds or they live and another life in the area is gone. When his childhood sweetheart, Chuck, is killed, he brings her back to life but cannot bear to kill her again. They now live together but can never touch. (Saranwrap allows them to kiss and it's one of the sweetest moments in the series to date.) The plot seems sweet and sticky, but the addition of Chi McBride as Ned's droll partner (the two use Ned's ability to solve murders and collect rewards) and Kristin Chenowith as Ned's waitress who madly loves him gives the show a well-rounded cast and some necessary irony. I love this show for its honest, straight-forward goodness. That's something we can all enjoy in the world and something American Idol just cannot replace.
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Great, great, great call on There Will Be Blood. Paul Dano deserves some serious props for his portrayal of Eli, but its been overshadowed by Lewis' AMAZING work. I didn't even recognize it was Paul Dano until a few days later when someone mentioned it and I had a minor conniption. I was always taught that solid acting comes from the ability to lose oneself in a role and then bring an audience along for the ride. I think both Lewis and Dano pull this off.
I would also love to talk about the final scene, but alas that would be too much of a spoiler.
Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead composed the score (is there anything those guys can't do?) and all of the reviews I have read say it stands up on its own. I think I will pick it up next time find myself in a pretentious art house record store.
I love how subtle this film is, it proves that Hollywood is capable of making movies for more than just 14 year old boys. That makes the schitzo or twins choice a tough one. One that may have to wait for when I buy the DVD. Okay, for the sake of arguement or discussion I will say twins.
In several instances in the film Eli seems to subtly admit that he is 'acting' as part of his ministry. If this is the case I am persuaded to believe that he cannot be truly crazy.
Also, how about the many ways in which this is a "timely" period piece.
I am so happy that Wild Hogs made you laugh out loud. I told you it was hilarious :)
Wild Hogs made me crack up too. My favorite part in Signs, however, is when Joaquin Phoenix is watching TV in the closet and they show the alien footage from South America and he starts talking to the TV and tells the little children to run away.
I am definitely going to have to download the soundtrack to TWBB. And this is definitely a "timely" period piece. There will little moments that kept reminding you that the film relates to modern day. (My favorite: "We're brothers from different mothers." Haha!) I agree that Dano will be overshadowed by Day-Lewis. It's a shame but that's the way it goes when anyone else is in a movie with Day-Lewis. I think Dano is now on my "to watch" list with Shia LaBoueuf. Dano has played such opposing characters and played them brilliantly. He is definitely in for a strong career.
Valerie, I love that scene with Phoenix! I could really relate to that movie in light of 9/11. I remember sitting at home in MD with my roommates watching the news footage over and over. There were times when we yelled at the tv too.
I love the Money Pit!!! Even now, when it comes on cable, I can quote along with many lines. Clearly I've seen it way too many times. "Here lies Walter Fielding. He bought a house, and it killed him" "Paint, don't tickle." So many good ones!
I've been watching Pushing Daisies since it came on, and I like it and certainly admire it, but I just can't quite get into it. It's similar to Tim Burton movies, which I usually can't quite get into either. But you're right, Chi McBride and Kristen Chenowith are the best things about it.
But if you like Pushing Daisies, there is a new show after Lost called "Eli Stone" that is similar to it in some ways. Also, if you haven't ever watched it, rent "Wonderfalls," a short-lived (but complete) show that features the lead guy from Pushing Daisies and has similar qualities as well. Plus, it was created by a Buffy alum!
Please, let me know what you think of the soundtrack. I could have it now but I am an old fashioned CD buying type of guy. Seriously, what can't Radiohead (or in this case its individual members) do? Next time my car breaks down or I see a kitten stuck in a tree I am calling Radiohead!
Buckeye Chuck makes me sad.
The scene were Tom Hanks is stuck in the floor singing the "fee-fi-fo-fum" song always makes me laugh. In fact, I am smiling just thinking about it. Plus, I love Alexander Gutonov's over-the-top maestro.
I was sad that Radiohead did not get an Oscar nom for the TWBB soundtrack. Apparently - according to EW anyway - there was too much outside music to constitute and original soundtrack. For shame.
"Walter-walter-bo-balter, banana-fana-fo falter, be by bo balter....WAL-TER. Let's try...BRAAAD!"
Yeah, that's a great scene for quotes. "Awhile ago I thought the Care Bears were here!"
For some of us The Money Pit is a sad documentary about humankind's struggle against the universe and its law of entrophy. I think some nhilistic French director should shoot a remake of it in gritty black and white.
What I am trying to say is that movie was funny before I bought an old house. Now it just makes my back hurt.
You know, every time I come across another "red neck" fix in my house I think the same thing, Matt. :-) Perhaps that is why I still find the film funny; except now it's funny because I can relate.
I can relate. My house isn't old--about 40 years. I bought it from an old couple who had owned it for most of those 40 years. Every "improvement" they made over that time period, such as adding on a den, porch, and a laundry room, was done in the cheapest way possible. As a result, my den didn't have any heat when I bought it, the replacement windows don't fit correctly, and every room they added has terrible insulation.
They also told me that the basement "never flooded in 30 years" even though the house is built over an old stream area. Within the first year, it flooded constantly--the worst being a good 8 inches of water! (I have scary photos.) It turned out that a new sump pump was needed and all my gutters had to be replaced. Since then, it hasn't flooded once. So it's total BS that it never flooded for them!
I think anyone who's bought a house can relate to the Money Pit. Maybe if we all had a little peeing-boy fountain, our own house problems wouldn't seem so bad!
Our house is 112 years old. I think that it became indignant when it was refered to as a "perfect starter home" as if there was anything left to be started at that point. IKt was also a rental for the last 20 years and the landlords really didn't care about anything. So I think it is safe to say that we all feel each other's pain.
That's why in my gritty B&W French nhilistic Money Pit the final shot should be of a hammer slowly slipping out of Tom Hanks' character's cold dead hand.
I never liked the ending of the Money Pit. (Well, except for the part with Tom Hanks' father buying a house from the same old couple!) It was not even remotely realistic that the two of them could afford all the repairs to that huge house. How did they do that?! And the getting-back-together so quickly seems highly unlikely. But whatever, it's a comedy.
But Shelley Long's horrible '80s wedding gown makes me cringe every time!
I like the French nihilist ending idea! Of course, then it wouldn't be an '80s comedy though. :-)
I agree about the ending, Matt! I think a house could easily kill you. I'm not saying that I regret my choice to buy a house - cause I'm very happy to be a homeowner - but I was perfectly happy renting. There is something to be said about calling a landlord to deal with a problem. (This is said after waiting two weeks to have my pipes snaked because the plumber was, well, a plumber.)
Sorry folks! I don't think I've ever seen the Money Pit.
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