Die, Monster, Die! - An excellent movie, and a very good (though loose) Lovecraft interpretation.
Timeline - AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL!
Surprise 1 (A Boy and His Dog) - I was in and out during this movie, but mostly in. It was good, albeit not the best movie in the marathon setting.
Fire Maidens From Outer Space
Universal Soldier - I was fast asleep the whole movie. I am told this was a good move.
Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams - Insultingly bad. Everyone involved from actors to special effects artists to writers to art directors totally phones it in.
Mouse on the Moon - Fucking hilarious stuff.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure - I enjoy this.
Star Trek Nemesis - :p
Just about to hit surprise 2. I quiver with anticipation.
Surprise 2 (Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan) - MUCH better than Nemesis, like, by miles. We knew this, tho.
Paprika - A trippy anime that was actually quite good. Very strange, but appropriately so.
Here’s what we have. It’s a little… disappointing. Themes seem to be time travel and dreams.
Jumper (2008) - The tradition of starting marathon with a crappy, yet recent, opener holds. This is a movie about time travel, religious persecution, and being an utter dick. Hayden Christenson is really showing his "depth" here. *insert brooding here*
Die, Monster, Die! (1965) - Now, that's more like it! Based loosely on The Color Out of Space by H.P. fucking Lovecraft and starring Boris Karlov… I think I'm in heaven.
Timeline (2003) - Time Travel movie#2. This movie involves, I shit you not, a 3-d fax machine. Other than the presence of Billy Connolly, wholly unremarkable.
Surprise I (1.5 hours)
Fire Maidens from Outer Space (1956) - So bad it was featured on MST3k. Apparently there are hot women on Jupiter who want to do you. Who knew?
Universal Soldier (1992)Jeanne-Claude Van Damme is a Vietnam war soldier who is killed, frozen, and turned into a super soldier. Think RoboCop meets Demolition Man. Loosely time travel based because of the freezing. Also… whatever.
Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams (2002) - The last time they showed this (which was pretty recently – what the fuck, guys?) I was serving a shift at concessions.. because despite the presence of Steve Buscemi, I didn't want to see it. I still don't. Island+strange mutant creatures = makes Island of Dr. Moreau a possibility for a surprise. I'd be okay with that. In fact, I wish they would show it instead. Can we do that, please?
The Mouse on the Moon (1963) - A sequel to The Mouse that Roared, this one is a political satire touching on the ridiculousness of foreign policy. Also baths. Should be a good time.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) – I won't presume to describe this one. If you haven't seen it, you are a bad person. Hey, more time travel
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) - Meh. I can't get worked up about this… I just don't have it in me. Why not Star Trek 4? That would be time travel AND whales!
Surprise II (2 hours)
Paprika (2006) - A dream-like anime about dreams. Looking forward to this one.
The World, The Flesh and The Devil (1959) - While Harry Bellefonte (yes, the Day-O one) is trapped in a cave-in, the world destroys itself. There's just one white chick left alive in the world… and one white dude... racial tension ensues.
A Scanner Darkly (2006) - More dream-like stuff here in the form of hallucinations. Based on a Phillip K. Dick novel, which puts Blade Runner in contention for a surprise. Whoo!
Iron Man (2008) - Strange pick here, given the other movies, but Marathon usually ends with a GOOD recent movie. Would have preferred the Dark Knight… but beggars can't be choosers.
As for the surprises, here are some thoughts.
Last year, they were supposed to show the original Night of the Living Dead. There's a possibility of showing it this year, especially with the racial tension found in The World, the Flesh, and the Devil. It's 1.5 hours, so it fits nicely into the first slot. Along the same lines, but also fitting into the time-travel aspect is Planet of the Apes. Neither are bad choices.
I mentioned Blade Runner above, it's right about at 2 hours, so it would wedge nicely into the II slot. They also haven't shown it for AGES!
I notice a lack of anything from earlier than 1956 – which strikes me as odd. I would wager at least one of the surprises is from the early 50s, 30s or 40s. Possibilities include Island of Lost Souls, the original The Thing, and I guess everything else from that era.
There's also the very real possibility of showing all three BTTF movies.
What do you think?
Yes, yes I know. I've been a terrible person. I guess this is what happens when you:
1) Have a job where you actually do things and are not clinically depressed and
2) Are living with someone you actually enjoy doing things with, instead of both of you plopping down in front of your respective computers until it's time for bed.
Things are, in a word, fantastic. People have been asking for pics and details, and both are forthcoming. Once I get the laptop up and running again (there was an incident involving hot chocolate), I'll try to be on more often.
2) Gen Con was awesome. I won the MVP award for my character in NASCRAG. This means I have won that award three out of the five times I've played. More later, plus pictures.
3) Rob and I went with our friends Peter, Olivia, and Emily to an Oktoberfest microbrew contest. I voted for Rock Bottom not only because I am biased, but because it was really the best.
4) Jeff and Becky moved into a hugegantic house. They have lots of heavy furniture.
I'm sure there's more. Um, I guess I'll actually try to write later.
After the loss of my beloved Nerds Blizzard, things at the DQ haven't always been the same. However, today I was treated by a Cotton Candy blizzard... with real chunks of hardened cotton candy. It wasn't quite as good, but it was a step in the right direction.
After the first two rounds (Piraat and Chimay White, if you must know), the waitress came up to me and said something along the lines of:
Waitress: So he didn't want to be creepy or anything, but there's a guy who would like to buy you a beer because you look like Tina Fey. He thought you were her at first, realized you weren't, thought that was great and wanted to buy you a beer.
Me: Really?
Waitress: Yep.
Me: Um... okay. Tell him thanks!
That in itself is interesting, but a little while later in the men's room this conversation happened between Rob and the guy (I didn't think men talked in the men's room... huh)
Guy: Hey, you're the cat who rolled in with Tina Fey.
Rob: I guess I am.
Guy: I hope you don't mind, but I had to buy her a drink
Rob: No, I don't mind. She appreciated it very much. Thank you.
Guy: No problem. And Good pull, brother. Good pull.
Rob: Thanks?
Horray for free beer! Thanks, guy... on both counts!
- 18:34 @diregyrfalcon No phone for me. On IM / twitter for the comm #
The Phantom (1996): [IMDB: 4.8/10]
I really can't describe to you how big of a piece of crap this movie was. I also can't explain how utterly hilarious it was because of that.
First of all, If the acting in this movie were any worse, I would have thought it was a porno. There were terrible special effects, random unnecessary explosions, and mind-achingly trite dialog. At any rate, I can only assume The Phantom is a big fan of the Hot Topic, what with the skull motif and all.
Admittedlly, I have the hots for Catherine Zeta Jones, which was perhaps the only redeeming part of the movie, apart from the general hilarity of making fun of it. Which, really, when you've got a man in a purple body suit riding around the jungle on a white horse, how could you not?
The Shadow (1994) [IMDB: 5.5/10]
When you hear the names Tim Curry, Ian McKellen, Jonathan Winters, and even James Hong, you expect something special. When you hear the name Alec Baldwin, you also expect something special, but in a much different way. At any rate, this movie delivers much more of the latter than the former.
Now, I do enjoy camp in movies as much as the next guy (and I do mean guy.. let's face it, this is not a chick flick), but sometimes it goes a little too far. My favorite moment was the little "E=MC2" written on the scientists' blackboard. You see, that's how you know they are doing science.
The Rocketeer (1991) [IMDB: 6.0/10]
The best movie of the night... which admittedly isn't saying a ton. I actually enjoy this movie quite a bit more than it deserves. I mean, it's worth three things.
First, The propaganda film that explained the Nazi's master plan...
1) Create jet packs
2) ?
3) Defeat America
Second, Jennifer Connelly pre-breast reduction.
Next time, I'm going to insist on Indiana Jones and Sky Captain
Work: Work is going really well. I love my kids, and we're really starting to bond. I'm so much happier than I was in my last 6 months at the GLSC.
Play: Rob and I are still doing karaoke every Thursday. Drop me a line if you want to join us sometime. The more the merrier.
We also went to Cedar Point at the end of June. I got to ride the Maverick for the first time. It was tons of fun.
I went to Origins by myself, though I met up with Nevin and Jeff Bellinger when I got there. It was fun! I'll prolly write more details later.
Justin and I went for an awesome hike
The 4th of July Picnic was fun
Life: Rob and I are doing awesome. We've met each other's families now, and there was no physical or mental damage. At least that I can tell so far. I am, of course, dealing with my own emotional turmoil in the meantime... but I'm really happy and excited. More so than I have been in a very, very long time.
Can someone explain to me how the non-noted rapping bits work? I do a pretty awesome Sabotage, if I do say so myself... and I sucked butt at it. No idea why. Am I not loud enough?
Seven sucks. Tell it I hate it.
I like David Bowie, but we suck at Suffragette City.
HALF WAY THROUGH! 10:48pm
Up yours, Aerosmith.
We both got 69% on Timmy and the Lords of the Underworld, but we eventually made it through. After something like 10 tries. We lost most of our fans in the process.
We're doing okay. 4 starred a lot of songs. We're on 45 of 58 at 12:30
Number 51 of 58 was Green Grass and High Tides forever. At 1:30 in the morning and 5 tries, it was just too much. We gave up like losers.
More as we go.
1) Lightning actually hit a lightpost. I was so disappointed when it didn't explode into sparks as the movies have promised me.
2) Tons and tons of cloud to cloud lightning.
3) Some asshole almost cause a really, really bad accident.
Poll #1199025 Movies vs. beer
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All
Have I had more beers or seen more movies?
View Answers
You've had a TON more beers than you've seen movies
0 (0.0%)
You've had slightly more beers than you've seen movies 1 (12.5%)
they're probably pretty close 1 (12.5%)
You've seen slightly more movies than you've had beers 2 (25.0%)
You've seen a TON more movies than you've had beers 4 (50.0%)
It's okay, though, because 1) I got some free time to clean and 2) Rob and I decided to hold a mini movie-marathon.
This weekend, we watched:
I Heart Huckabees (2004) [IMDB 6.9/10]: A philosophical romp on existentialism, nihilism, and bad poetry. It's the sort of movie that gets both lambasted for being "too high-brow" and lauded for being "smart" by people who don't really get it and fear looking stupid by not liking it. The real fun lies in the middle ground - it's a really fun flick that toys a great deal with philosophy.
Time Bandits (1981) [IMDB 6.9/10]: One of my favorite films. A wonderfully quixotic exploration of imagination, innocence, and dreaming. This movie forms the "young boy" portion of Gilliam's trillogy of imagination (the other two being Brazil and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.
The Fountain (2006) [IMDB 7.5/10]: This was visually stunning and emotionally brutal... two things that always slam me in the chest, knock me over, and cause me to weep uncontrollably. Absolutely beautiful.
House on Haunted Hill (1959) [IMDB 6.9/10]: I do so love me some William Castle. This flick inspired Hitchcock to do Psycho, and it's the king daddy of low-budget horror flicks.
>Barton Fink (1991) [IMDB 7.7/10]: Apparently the title sequence on the DVD gives away the ending of this movie. I have no idea why they did that, but there you have it. At any rate, this tells the tale of a social realist's inability to grasp the common man, writer's block, and the importance of LISTENING when someone talks to you. Really, folks. It's more important than you think.
The Wizard of Speed and Time (1989) [IMDB 6.1/10]: This remains my favorite movie ever. It is a testament to creativity, and reminds us that there are filmmakers everywhere struggling against the corporate machine that is Hollywood. Stuffed with feel-good subliminal messages, this gem always makes me grin. Sugar Daddies, if you're looking to get me a fucking terrific present, look no further.
Gold Rush (1925) [IMDB 8.2/10]: First of all, the DVD pissed us the hell off. Apparently in the 40s Chaplin re-released this film with sound - rather with Chaplin talking over the film. The REAL version of the movie... i.e. the ACTUAL MOVIE was a "Special Feature"
!??!?!
What?
Fuck!
That aside, after we managed to find the right version (and, ironically, get the sound going), we settled down for a classic shoe-eating, bread roll dancing, house-teetering flick.
Also, Rachel is apparently 14 now. WTF, time?
Edited, because apparently Nevin wants the link to point somewhere. Geez, Nevin... demanding much?
Leah and I singing "I Touch Myself" - which was, according to the boys "Really Hot."
Rob and Dave knocking "(I Wanna Be) 500 Miles" out of the freaking park.
Rob and I doing "I Got You Babe" with some gender-switching action.
Apparently my 'What's Up" sounds just like the radio, according to drunken bar guys.
Any time Rob impression sings anything is A#1 quality.
Bill doing "When I'm Sixty-four" always makes me smile.
The guy who runs the karaoke telling us we make his night.
Drunken bar guy asking me to sing "Love Shack" with him, and agreeing when I gave him the stipulation of "Only if you sing the girl parts"
I've managed to have a pretty good spread of songs. There's only a few that I've done more than once. Some, of course, have been much better than others. "Under Pressure" was... not good. "Love in an Elevator" was... also not good. "Jeremy", on the other hand, was freaking excellent.
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