Hmmm....

I think it's time to start posting again.

Favorite Moments in Film

Every year, I pick a favorite movie. I make many lists (usually for myself) each year from best to worst films, but I always manage to have just one favorite. The only year I can't hold this to be true is 2007. I will often tell people that my favorite that year was There Will Be Blood, but it's a lie, a goddamned lie. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is right up there with TWBB, no matter how much I try to like Paul Thomas Anderson more. I hate that no one saw this movie, I really do. It's fucking beautiful. Like, I would date it beautiful. I would also date the entire ensemble cast. Brad Pitt (given), Mary-Louise Parker (given), Jeremy Renner, Sam Rockwell, Garret Dillahunt, Paul Schneider, and of course Casey Affleck (those eyes...). Nothing I can write will describe how well they all play off of one another, losing themselves in their characters, each dark and secretive yet emotionally open.

The cinematography and actors are only background noise compared to the real star, the score. The music is what puts this movie over the edge for me. Nice Cave may be a scary evil man when he rocks out with his cock out, but fuck can he compose something of amazing beauty and depth. It's the only score I have in my car and workout playlists, it's just that good. I can't wait for his score to The Road later this year. Cave's little cameo in the movie is pretty inspired as well. I cannot say enough good things, but the last thing I will say is this is one of my favorite movie endings ever.



And, of course, the title scene of the freakin movie. (Spoiler: THE TITLE OF THE MOVIE)

Favorite Moments in Film

To quote a wise man's words, as spoken by Seth Rogen, "Every movie with Jews, we’re the ones getting killed. 'Munich' flips it on its ear. We’re capping motherfuckers.”

Munich is heartbreaking. And violent as fuck. Schindler's List was Spielberg being sad and mournful, but Munich is his revenge flick. It's a hell of an emotional and breathtaking ride, and it's sad that this film is so often overlooked when comparing The Beards works, especially with Eric Bana's outstanding performance. This film is perfectly crafted on every level, from the pacing to the editing to the acting. Each assassination and bombing sequence has it's own texture, while at the same time showing the toll they take on those who bear the burden of performing them. The opening gives a look at what might have transpired that one night in September when the terrorists took the Israeli athletes hostage, and I warn you, it is not easy to watch.

Favorite Moments in Film

There's a lot of great moments from the three Indiana Jones films (yeah, that's right, THREE). The opening to The Last Crusade is just plain awesome. It gives us the origin story for Indy (the hat!, the whip!), has River freaking Phoenix, and is overall a fantastic action sequence. Did anyone in Spielberg's camp watch this before the last piece of crap they put out? Anyone?



And you gotta love the Hitler gag:



And I couldn't find the original clip, but lego birds are just as good, if not better:

Favorite Moments in Film

Dear Mr. Hughes,

You lied to me about high school. It was worse than you said it would be, but you were right about pretty much everything else (especially road trips, teen angst, friends, weird science, romance, family, and beating the shit out of robbers with household objects). I'll miss you. You were the 80s.

Heart,
Me

P.S. Drillbit Taylor, wtf guy?

P.S.2 The music, so choice.

Some of the best:










And of course:

Favorite Moments in Film

When I was growing, there were many lessons that I was taught. The main three were: don't take candy from strangers, don't microwave metal objects, and never fuck a stranger in the ass. The repurcussions for the the first two were pretty clear (you'll be raped/killed, shit will blow up), but I was never sure about the third one. Until I saw the Big Lebowski. Walter Sobchak changed my life. This is what happens when you fuck a stranger in the ass.

Favorite Moments in Film

Like I said, I love Wes Anderson. And Bill Murray. And anything they do together. Jeff Goldblum getting shot? Bonus.




I also can't hear The Stooges "Search And Destroy" without thinking of this scene.