New Reasons to Love THE STAR MACHINE

I keep finding new reasons to love the book THE STAR MACHINE by Jeanine Basinger. I'm not reading it cover to cover, just dipping in and leafing through, and each page falls open to a gem. For instance, remember when I told you that Bing Crosby was a precursor to Marlon Brando? And you thought I was crazy? Oh yes you did! You did, too! Well, Basinger does not mention Brando in this passage, but I believe she is picking up on the same "vibe" when she writes, "He [Bing Crosby] easily tosses off amusing asides as if they're ad libs, and these remarks often have a tinge of cruelty to them. There's meanness in Crosby, and audiences liked him for it. There are demons floating behind his cow eyes." Ah, there is no warmer feeling than having your crackpot theories marginally corroborated.

Barry B.

As we have mentioned here before, Barry B. has introduced me to a lot of my favorite cultural artifacts over the years. So pay heed as he weighs in on our current topic. I give you Barry B., to wit: "Hey, this question is always hard for me so I came up with three or four. I was thinking of movies that make me want to make a movie or really suck me in when I run across them on TV. A movie that always inspires me, which I could watch over and over (and have) is The Forbidden Zone by Richard Elfman. It's probably the closest thing to a live action cartoon I've ever seen. It does have bits of animation in it and is completely inspired by the Fleischers' cartoons which I love. The running time is awesome, around 75 or 80 minutes. I don't think there was any budget as the sets and backgrounds are mostly paper. First Danny Elfman score mixed in with Cab Calloway, etc. [pictured, Danny Elfman as a Calloway-inspired Devil in THE FORBIDDEN ZONE - ed.] On the other hand we have Once Upon a Time in the West which is incredible and I don't even really need to go on about but that made me think about how much I love The Good The Bad and The Ugly. This one is pretty out of left field but Good Bad and Ugly made me think of how much I love the original Dirty Harry. I have fond memories of watching that movie, I can't remember how many times, with my Granny when it aired on many Saturday nights on network television in the mid to late seventies. There's always West Side Story..." EDITOR'S NOTE: I was looking for a "link" to Barry B.'s mention of the Max Fleischer cartoons and discovered that the last time I "blogged" about Max Fleischer (see the "link" above) was EXACTLY ONE YEAR AGO TODAY. Also, I can personally attest to Barry B.'s love of WEST SIDE STORY, having viewed it with him at Atlanta's Fox Theatre one day when we were ditching work, several years ago. He, Caroline Young, and I used to be in a band that played a rudimentary version of the song "Cool" from WEST SIDE STORY.

Official Analysis of the Viewing Habits of Farmers and Doctors

I know you have been waiting to hear from the always engaging Dr. "M." on our current topic of concern. With no further ado, then, this "post" will seamlessly merge into the words of Dr. "M." like so: "Favorite movie may be REAR WINDOW? AMELIE as well. My favorite movies to watch shamelessly on Saturday mornings (not that you asked!): DIRTY DANCING, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, and SAY ANYTHING. I should be ashamed, but no one puts me in a corner. [The Farmer] does not have an answer at this time, but I suspect his answer may be THE BLUES BROTHERS or THIS IS SPINAL TAP. He and I are watching my (signed!) copy of HAIRSPRAY (the original) as I type. Pia Zadora--what a card! The advent calendar rules!!!!!!!!!!! Yours, M" EDITOR'S NOTES: The eleven exclamation points are Dr. "M.'s." Also, I think we would all like to learn of the circumstances under which she and the Farmer received a signed copy of HAIRSPRAY.

What They're Watching In the Delta

Boy, the responses to our "fave" movie project keep pouring in. I notice that now people have taken to listing several movies rather than one - the latter requirement one that the always succinct Phil Oppenheim had no trouble fulfilling: he did not even use words! I am equally fond of these longer lists. But my poor little fingers get so tired typing the titles into our Giant Repository of Film. I'm a brave and admirable man! Otherwise, these "posts" are just cut-and-paste, which I love. As you know, it's the heart of "blogging." Well, we've got some good viewing ideas today, and we'll start out with an email from Jamie Kornegay, part owner of the great store Turnrow Books in Greenwood, MS. Remember Turnrow this holiday season! Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Jamie: "My favorites are always war movies somehow, maybe because I killed men in a previous life. I always loved Apocalypse Now, which creates the best mood of any film I've seen, but a few years ago I got on a Serbo-Croatian kick (I recommend getting on one -- they made some of the best art of the 1990s because they were all tormented) and I watched a movie called Underground by director Emir Kusturica. I haven't seen a better movie since, and I still aspire to have my very own brass band follow me around and serenade. Seek this out, it's one of a kind. Then see me for more Serbo-recommendations."

"Blog" Movie Club 10

Here's part ten in our series of "fave" movies of "fave" people. This guy should know! He's Academy Award nominated director Mark Osborne, and here's what he has to say: "Geez. What a tough question... Just one? I guess I'd have to decide between THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (I was ten and it hit me like a ton of bricks - Yoda's still the closest thing I have to religion in my life...), RAISING ARIZONA (funniest movie ever made including the line: "...I don't know, they had Yodas and sh** on 'em!") or CITIZEN KANE (no Yoda reference, but I was blown away when I first saw this projected at Pratt--it cemented my desire to make films). But if I had to pick only one? HARDLY WORKING." Mark just might be pulling our leg with that last one. "Click" here to see why!

What Movies Do Musicians Like?

Our secret contact in the band Hubcap City has stepped up to join our "blog" movie club. He reports: "My favorite movie always changes. I'm always drawn to movies with good scores and soundtracks. Man With the Golden Arm is a movie I think about a lot. It's got a great score, plus Sinatra's a junkie! But it's not my favorite movie anymore. My favorite movie, as of the past week and a half, is Children of Paradise. I saw this for the first time over Thanksgiving. It's a three hour epic. It's also got a soundtrack filled with trumpet music. The Paris tavern scene has a band made up of trumpet, flute, and a guy who plays one big bass drum. So, that's my favorite movie for now: Children of Paradise." EDITOR'S NOTE: The Sinatra movie costars "blog" hero Arnold Stang - the first on our list so far to do so.

"Blog" Movie Club 8

To get into the spirit of things, I have listed a bunch of my own "fave" movies over on my "myspace" page. Thank you for your time and attention. Meanwhile, Sheri Joseph, our trusty Bird Correspondent (not to mention a crackerjack novelist when she's not out birdwatching), shares what she calls "a completely arbitrary and sentimental pick: HEATHERS." We thought she would pick one named FEATHERS! Because she likes birds! Ha ha ha! Over at the history professor's house, he digs THE THIRD MAN, while his wife says THE ENGLISH PATIENT (like Bissell when moody; see the first "link" in this "post," or "click" here to learn of her affection for Jerry Lewis) and Son of History Professor, who is just off to college, joins Tom Franklin in admiring APOCALYPSE NOW. They are a together family, baby!

The "Blog" Advent Calendar

As promised, and thanks to the ingenious Dr. "M.," here it is! The "Blog" Advent Calendar. Here is what I think an advent calendar is, though I am too tired to look it up right now: Every day you open a little door to reveal a picture. I believe the traditional advent calendar goes from Dec. 1 to Dec. 25. I'm not sure what the pictures usually are. Myrrh, probably. Stuff like that. But on the "blog," the "picture" might be anything! It might not even be a picture! It might be a song, or a video, or a web page, or some other crazy thing. Instead of opening a flap, as I understand is done on a real advent calendar, just "click" where I tell you for your special daily surprise. Think of all the fun you're going to have with the "Blog" Advent Calendar! Start by "clicking" here. What will it be?

Tom Bissell's Movies for Every Occasion

Part seven of our in-depth series. "I have a rotation of favorite movies, depending on my mood," says award-winning fiction writer, essayist, memoirist and world traveler Tom Bissell. "For when I'm depressed and want the vague reassurance of childhood that life will be somehow better at some later point, The Empire Strikes Back. When I want to feel brooding and doomed, The English Patient. When I want to feel like a (more or less) mature creator, The White Diamond [by "blog" "fave" Werner Herzog. Not to be confused with the similarly titled 2007 documentary on Kylie Minogue (!!) - ed.]. When I want to feel scared and sick, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre [not to be confused with Texas Chainsaw Massacre IV - ed.]. When I want to laugh, A Fish Called Wanda or The Life of Brian. And when I want to feel good (and it's a recent one), Hot Fuzz." We'll be back tomorrow with more "fave" movies of more "blog" "faves." What will the bird correspondent pick? Tune in tomorrow to find out! Meanwhile, get ready for a very special holiday feature of the "blog." (Pictured, Kylie Minogue.)

"Blog" Movie Club 6

Welcome to the sixth part of our continuing series on the favorite films of our special "blog" friends. "Click" here if you missed part five, which was not numbered. Laura Lippman: "Favorite FAVORITE is Citizen Kane, but that's so boring I'm going to say Miller's Crossing." Mark Childress: "The Wizard of Oz. Just watched this last week with a six-year-old seeing it for the first time, and was struck again how tightly constructed it is. Not a spare frame of film. Suspense, comedy, sentiment, magic, and Harold Arlen's songs: big-studio movie perfection in 101 minutes." McNeil: "I guess it would have to be between The Graduate and Out of the Past...Two movies which can't compete against each other because they are from such very different places - which I can't articulate until I finish my coffee...maybe."

True Bread Story

So there were only three pieces of bread left tonight. I said fine, I'd take my sandwich on one piece of bread. It wasn't bad. But I certainly came to realize that the Earl of Sandwich was really on to something with his whole "two slices of bread" thing. I was like, "Earl of Sandwich, you have GOT IT GOIN' ON!"

Phil's Favorite Movie

Phil Oppenheim provides a "link" to reveal his favorite movie.

"Blog" Movie Club 4

Wow! Our next batch of participants in the big survey are a talkative bunch. Good! First, noted film director Lynn Shelton (pictured) writes, "Are you kidding me? How on earth can someone have ONE favorite movie?!?! But if you're gonna FORCE me to come up with something...I just shifted my flixster movies around on facebook yesterday. [We have no idea what this means, either - ed.] For a couple of weeks the movie I had teetering at the top of the heap was 'My Name Is Ivan' (Andrei Tarkovsky); it is currently 'McCabe & Mrs. Miller' (Robert Altman). Take your pick." Well, Ms. Shelton, you know we will pick MCCABE & MRS. MILLER. Sometimes I think it is MY favorite movie, though I have had NIGHTMARE ALLEY listed here for so long that it is sort of carved in stone. Next up, the FBIL, who is partial to THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI. Quote: "I first saw this at a friend's house when I was in the fifth grade. Before seeing it, I was a typical ten-year-old boy who loved to play with his G.I Joes. I saw this movie, and for the first time it dawned on me that war is not cool. It was also my first exposure to two of my all time 'faves,' William Holden and David Lean." The FBIL then detours into an aside on The Weenie Whirl... FINALLY! "Speaking of unique hot dogs," he writes, "remember Frankenstuffs? They were weenies with cheese or chili on the inside. While I can't attest to the quality of the Weenie Whirl, I can for the Frankenstuff... They were nasty, man." Last but not least, the acclaimed short story writer, essayist and editor Jim Ruland casts a vote for "DJANGO (1966). In an alternate universe, Sergio Corbucci is king of the Spaghetti Western and Sergio Leone is the quirky hack who put washed up American actors in his films. Corbucci's Django has the best opening sequence in the Western genre." We haven't seen it, but we trust you, Jim!

In Case You Forgot

I'm just going to "post" these pictures again.

"Blog" Movie Club 3

More from the "Blog" Movie Club! Theresa's favorite movies are LAURA (as has been mentioned here before) and NIGHT OF THE HUNTER. My brother picks BRAZIL. Mary Warner, producer of Thacker Mountain Radio and runner of a defunct "blog" of her own, calls JULES ET JIM "the ultimate menage a trois," managing, in her email, to include the proper accent marks, which impresses us no end, each one pointing in a different direction. What a pro!

Did You See How I Did That? Did You?

Hey, did you see how I kind of set up the still from MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO as a wry mirror image of the still from MIDNIGHT COWBOY? Did you? Did you see how I did that, huh?

"Blog" Movie Club 2

The answers to our recent survey question are flooding in! Reports Karen Spears Zacharias: "THE GREAT GATSBY. I fell in love with both Mia Farrow and Robert Redford, and all things F. Scott Fitzgerald. BTW: I once got to hold his briefcase, briefly." James Whorton, Jr., cites THE CONVERSATION (our third mention of a Coppola movie in just two editions of the "Blog" Movie Club!), but says "it could at any moment be displaced by MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO." Speaking of children's movies, it might come as no surprise that the great food writer - and so much more! - John T. Edge loves WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (Gene Wilder version). He says, "I know all the words to the Oompa Loompa songs. And who wouldn't want to eat a candy toadstool and trip?" Speaking of knowing all the words to things, my sister's favorite movie is ON THE TOWN, the Gene Kelly/Frank Sinatra musical. Since about the age of ten (or earlier) my sister has been able - thanks to multiple viewings - to recite ALL the dialogue and sing every song (as I can confirm from repeated experience) and she still loves it just as much today. Speaking of multiple viewings, Kent Osborne has this to say about his own favorite, MIDNIGHT COWBOY: "I remember watching it five times in five days when I first saw it. It's amazing." See how I made each response kind of flow together like that? That took some doing! But the "blog" is always working for you, to make your "blog" reading experience relaxing and enjoyable. Hmm... I see that I already have three new responses waiting. Golly! I need to take a nap.

"Blog" Movie Club

All this talk of Jerry Lewis got me to wondering: What are the "fave" movies of our various "blog" participants? So I sent out a bunch of emails. The first two responses I've received really make me think! Antoine Wilson's favorite movie is THE JERK. And here's what Tom Franklin had to say: "While The Godfather and Apocalypse Now are usually one of My Top Two, Dumb & Dumber is ALWAYS there. Dumb & Dumber. I don't believe I need to go into more detail." First it is interesting that two novelists of surpassing darkness and violence put two such wild - might we say zany? - comedies at the top of their lists (although it must be said that there is some slashing humor in the work of both men). Secondly, it is heartening that by coincidence our first two films show such an obvious debt to the work of Jerry Lewis. Okay, bye!

Languishment of the Weenie Whirl

Still no comments on the Weenie Whirl. Astonishing.

The End

Here's the final bit of our recent Jerry Lewis saga. Mark Osborne emails to say, "Here's a totally crazy and weird thing -- this morning I heard a clip on NPR of John Waters recommending CRASH (not the classy message film) as one of his favorite films. You made a comparison between CRASH and Waters' PINK FLAMINGOS in your blog yesterday! What are the chances of that? Your blog is intimately connected to the zeitgeist once again..." Osborne goes on to clarify his position on Jerry Lewis: "I do enjoy the funny parts (like his pantomime/lip sync bit pretending the be the studio executive near the end of the Errand Boy), but sometimes there is a vast wasteland between these scraps of entertainment." Finally, Osborne claims to "love HARDLY WORKING." He seems sincere, or is he just trying to make us feel better? And he concludes with a vivid memory of another movie (like PINK FLAMINGOS and ARTISTS AND MODELS) that we watched together: Osborne, his brother Kent, Mr. Ward, and I heckling the Sandra Bullock vehicle WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING from the balcony of the magnificent El Capitan.