Blogosphere Multiplex: Dylan Meconis

We normally do the Interviews on Monday but that's a holiday, sillies. So enjoy this early "quirky" bird. Readers who followed me over to my guest posting gig @ Modern Fabulousity will remember I was breathless over some illustrations of the Battlestar Galactica cast as Simpsons characters. That witty fusion was brought to you by Dylan Meconis, an illustrator hailing from Oregon. You can read Dylan's blog, see her website, or visit the communal pants press sketchblog that she frequents.

Dylan is very talented and, as turns out, really fun to chat with. Here's the interview:


10 questions with Dylan Meconis

Nathaniel:How often do you go the movies?

Dylan: Two to three times a month, although since I've moved to Portland, I've been going more often. I live within shooting distance of three or four excellent old-time movie houses that show second-run and classic shows for a pittance, and serve pizza and microbrew beer. It's kind of hard to resist seeing Mary Poppins for three dollars, especially with an IPA and a three-cheese pizza backing it up.

Nathaniel: Dear Lord! If I wasn't so happy with Manhattan that'd be like an effective recruiting campaign for Oregon. I hear you just got back from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. What did you see and what is your favorite Shakespeare film adaptation?

Dylan: This year I only saw three plays. This time it was Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, Intimate Apparel (a contemporary play), and a really fun production of Two Gentlemen of Verona.

As for my favorite Shakespeare film - the one that has made the biggest impression on me is Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet. I went to see it as an 8th grader at the local arthouse theater in my Seattle neighborhood, and I came out with eyes the size of dinner plates. I just thought it was marvelous and vibrant and that Branagh wasn't afraid to be very bold in his directing choices - but he avoided any big gimmicks with the setting or staging.

Really I like all of Branagh's Shakespeare films - Henry V (the prologue, read by Derek Jacobi, striding through all the studio equipment...gah! Awesome!), Much Ado About Nothing, Othello...all very enjoyable. As for my least favorite, well, She's The Man was pretty horrifying.

Nathaniel: Which movie stars would you switch teams for?

Dylan: Ooh...tough one, since I've played both sides... However, let it be known that I would totally marry Alan Rickman and Catherine Zeta-Jones. At the same time. The ceremony would be lovely.

Nathaniel: Ha ha. love it. Though I must say I find the combo baffling. I'm reading on your blog about your kung fu injury... Goodness you're a girl of many talents. Which martial arts heavy films do you love?

Dylan: I've never been much for the martial arts genre, so I'm mostly lame and like the Kill Bill movies. I have to say that all the wire-fighting, super-fast kung fu stuff doesn't do it for me - I really prefer stage combat to have weight and consequence. Kill Bill was obviously fantasy, but at least I believed in the physical damage being inflicted. I think I'm the one person on earth who didn't like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Don't hate me.

Nathaniel: It's too late. No I kid. I can't hate you after reading that post you did on Tony Jay and his voicework on Hunchback of Notre Dame. I totally agree. I love pieces of that movie so much. What are you favorite films or characters from animated films?

Dylan: Oh, well, obviously Frollo from Hunchback, and for that matter, Phoebus and Clopin from that movie, as well. Such great character animation and voice acting! I was completely obsessed with that movie as a teenager, and I still adore it.

Probably my favorite animated film of all time is The Incredibles, though. It's just flawless. I could watch it on loop and never get sick of it. I also think Spirited Away is pretty amazing. The rest of Miyazaki is pretty and I enjoy it, but he's not very good at telling coherent stories, and Spirited Away is just abstract and dreamy enough that you don't mind so much. For classic Disney, you can't beat Sleeping Beauty ---gorgeous, with all of those painstakingly researched and handpainted backgrounds. And Maleficent, who's another magnificent cartoon villain.

As for things I can't really justify in any way, I really like the Korso character (voiced by Bill Pullman) from the inescapably mediocre Titan A.E. I have no idea why. Maybe it's an illness.

Nathaniel: I have just started looking at Bite Me!, your webcomic. I am a huge fan of vampires. Who are your favorite cinematic vampires and why do you think they never go away from pop culture? It's not like frankenstein is continually in vogue.

Dylan: I love vampire stuff too, but I also realize how ridiculous it all is. Which just adds to the fun, really. Favorite cinema vampires...well, that's easy enough. I'm not a Tom Cruise fanatic by any stretch of the imagination, but he was brilliantly cast as Lestat in the original Interview film. (Brad Pitt as Louis was a sad mistake; I hold that Johnny Depp would've been much more accurate casting.) Other than that, you have to give props to Christopher Lee's nine million Dracula appearances. And on the anime front, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust is still one of the most perfect vampire flicks ever. Still waiting for a decent female vampire role; Parker Posey in Blade 3 was at least funny.

As for eternal appeal (ha, ha), well, vampires are cool. They are sexy. They dress fashionably. They can be heroes OR bad guys. They can live forever, but die with extreme flare. There's just a lot of immediately enjoyable features to draw from, and you can pick and choose. Whereas Frankenstein's monster kind of, what? Lumbers, and throws small children into lakes, and groans with pathos? Only so much you can do, there.

Nathaniel: Hee. so true, though I have to say we part ways on Tom Cruise as Lestat. That movie hurts me. And not in the good way.

OK. last time I interviewed an illustrator I had to ask this and I will again. What's your feeling on movies about artists -- Girl with a Pearl Earring or artist biopics like Friday. Any general or specific feelings about the genre... hate? love?

Dylan: I can't say as I seek them out. I really enjoyed Frida, but in general, something bothers me about artistically interpreting an artistic interpreter. It seems a little bit like a snake eating its own tail. And, frankly, a lot of wildly famous artists are depressing, narcissistic jerks.

Frida I enjoyed in part because the artist herself was actually decent as a human being and a woman, despite all of the hardships life threw at her. Even when her art expressed pain, it was vibrant and joyous, and the film captured that. I adore Julie Taymor, who did such a wonderful job at turning the whole look of the film into a sort of living Kahlo painting in that way. Of course, now I look at Kahlo art and have a false impression that I "know" Frida Kahlo, which isn't true. I know an impression of her as presented by the people involved in that film. That bugs me.

Nathaniel: Interesting. But to some extent isn't that true with all biopics?

Dylan: Sure it is, but's it particularly extreme in the case of artists - art about art is kind of a dangerous feedback loop if not done very well.

Nathaniel: That "knowing" affect is true of our culture of celebrity, too. We feel like celebrities aren't complete strangers...which of course they are. If you could hang out with an actor, director, or a movie character who would it be?

Dylan: If I could hang out with an actor, I'd honestly be interested in somebody like Hugo Weaving, who's played a really wide variety of roles in everything from huge stupid American smash-up movies to Australian fringe theater. I sort of want to be him when I grow up, and it'd be neat to hear his war stories. For dead actors, Leslie Howard, who gave Bogart his big break.

For directors, I know the folks I admire, but they all strike me as being a bit intense and possibly unpleasant. Glen Keane is directing for Disney now, though, and he would be really fun to hang out with and talk animation. And movie characters...can I be a total dork and say David Thewlis's portrayal of Professor Lupin, from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban? Not to make out with him, just to chat quietly and roam about Hogwarts. That sounds nice.

Nathaniel: You are always welcome to be a total dork! Speaking of: Here's a geeky sophies choice for you: Arwen or Eowyn?

Dylan: Hell-oooooo, Eowyn! I have little use for a lady who can't be described as "feisty". Arwen is mostly good for weeping crystal tears and having somber visions shot through gauze, whereas I get the feeling Eowyn would be totally down for wacky roadtrips, boxing classes, and cuddle sessions in fleece pajamas in front of old Tracy/Hepburn flicks. Also, she would buy me a pony and I would ride it with her across the great plains of Gondor. That would be hella romantic.

Nathaniel: That's great. OK. Wrapping up now: They make a movie of your life. Who plays you? Who directs? What's the title? rating?

Dylan: Playing me: Since Winona Ryder can't really act and is in career hell, I'm going to have to go with Johnny Depp in yoga pants drag. It would be amazing. Really. I would trust no one else to portray me with such honesty. However, they will probably cast Natalie Portman: it could be worse.

Directing - well, me, of course. Unless I'm dead, in which case, Rian Johnson. My only stipulation to him would be the inclusion of the musical saw and the theremin in the score, and at least one original David Bowie song. The title: Heroine of the Hour: the Dylan Meconis Story Rating: Oh, let's go with a PG-13. Enough to make it edgy, without cutting into ticket sales. I want this in the art house AND the multiplex.

Thanks Nathaniel! I had fun.

Nathaniel: Thank you. And best wishes on a blooming illustration career.


Film Experience (for newbies):
Previous Interview w/ Martha of Cinematical * An Object of My Obsession -Moulin Rouge! * Far From Heaven vs. Brokeback -Whose side are you on? * She's a Bitch (@ the Movies) * The FB Awards -My Annual Prizes *

Tags: movies, Shakespeare, Frida, Hamlet, The Incredibles, Interview with the Vampire, cinema, Hugo Weaving, film, animation, celebrities, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Oregon, vampires, Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp

Blogosphere Multiplex: Dylan Meconis

We normally do the Interviews on Monday but that's a holiday, sillies. So enjoy this early "quirky" bird. Readers who followed me over to my guest posting gig @ Modern Fabulousity will remember I was breathless over some illustrations of the Battlestar Galactica cast as Simpsons characters. That witty fusion was brought to you by Dylan Meconis, an illustrator hailing from Oregon. You can read Dylan's blog, see her website, or visit the communal pants press sketchblog that she frequents.

Dylan is very talented and, as turns out, really fun to chat with. Here's the interview:


10 questions with Dylan Meconis

Nathaniel:How often do you go the movies?

Dylan: Two to three times a month, although since I've moved to Portland, I've been going more often. I live within shooting distance of three or four excellent old-time movie houses that show second-run and classic shows for a pittance, and serve pizza and microbrew beer. It's kind of hard to resist seeing Mary Poppins for three dollars, especially with an IPA and a three-cheese pizza backing it up.

Nathaniel: Dear Lord! If I wasn't so happy with Manhattan that'd be like an effective recruiting campaign for Oregon. I hear you just got back from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. What did you see and what is your favorite Shakespeare film adaptation?

Dylan: This year I only saw three plays. This time it was Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, Intimate Apparel (a contemporary play), and a really fun production of Two Gentlemen of Verona.

As for my favorite Shakespeare film - the one that has made the biggest impression on me is Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet. I went to see it as an 8th grader at the local arthouse theater in my Seattle neighborhood, and I came out with eyes the size of dinner plates. I just thought it was marvelous and vibrant and that Branagh wasn't afraid to be very bold in his directing choices - but he avoided any big gimmicks with the setting or staging.

Really I like all of Branagh's Shakespeare films - Henry V (the prologue, read by Derek Jacobi, striding through all the studio equipment...gah! Awesome!), Much Ado About Nothing, Othello...all very enjoyable. As for my least favorite, well, She's The Man was pretty horrifying.

Nathaniel: Which movie stars would you switch teams for?

Dylan: Ooh...tough one, since I've played both sides... However, let it be known that I would totally marry Alan Rickman and Catherine Zeta-Jones. At the same time. The ceremony would be lovely.

Nathaniel: Ha ha. love it. Though I must say I find the combo baffling. I'm reading on your blog about your kung fu injury... Goodness you're a girl of many talents. Which martial arts heavy films do you love?

Dylan: I've never been much for the martial arts genre, so I'm mostly lame and like the Kill Bill movies. I have to say that all the wire-fighting, super-fast kung fu stuff doesn't do it for me - I really prefer stage combat to have weight and consequence. Kill Bill was obviously fantasy, but at least I believed in the physical damage being inflicted. I think I'm the one person on earth who didn't like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Don't hate me.

Nathaniel: It's too late. No I kid. I can't hate you after reading that post you did on Tony Jay and his voicework on Hunchback of Notre Dame. I totally agree. I love pieces of that movie so much. What are you favorite films or characters from animated films?

Dylan: Oh, well, obviously Frollo from Hunchback, and for that matter, Phoebus and Clopin from that movie, as well. Such great character animation and voice acting! I was completely obsessed with that movie as a teenager, and I still adore it.

Probably my favorite animated film of all time is The Incredibles, though. It's just flawless. I could watch it on loop and never get sick of it. I also think Spirited Away is pretty amazing. The rest of Miyazaki is pretty and I enjoy it, but he's not very good at telling coherent stories, and Spirited Away is just abstract and dreamy enough that you don't mind so much. For classic Disney, you can't beat Sleeping Beauty ---gorgeous, with all of those painstakingly researched and handpainted backgrounds. And Maleficent, who's another magnificent cartoon villain.

As for things I can't really justify in any way, I really like the Korso character (voiced by Bill Pullman) from the inescapably mediocre Titan A.E. I have no idea why. Maybe it's an illness.

Nathaniel: I have just started looking at Bite Me!, your webcomic. I am a huge fan of vampires. Who are your favorite cinematic vampires and why do you think they never go away from pop culture? It's not like frankenstein is continually in vogue.

Dylan: I love vampire stuff too, but I also realize how ridiculous it all is. Which just adds to the fun, really. Favorite cinema vampires...well, that's easy enough. I'm not a Tom Cruise fanatic by any stretch of the imagination, but he was brilliantly cast as Lestat in the original Interview film. (Brad Pitt as Louis was a sad mistake; I hold that Johnny Depp would've been much more accurate casting.) Other than that, you have to give props to Christopher Lee's nine million Dracula appearances. And on the anime front, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust is still one of the most perfect vampire flicks ever. Still waiting for a decent female vampire role; Parker Posey in Blade 3 was at least funny.

As for eternal appeal (ha, ha), well, vampires are cool. They are sexy. They dress fashionably. They can be heroes OR bad guys. They can live forever, but die with extreme flare. There's just a lot of immediately enjoyable features to draw from, and you can pick and choose. Whereas Frankenstein's monster kind of, what? Lumbers, and throws small children into lakes, and groans with pathos? Only so much you can do, there.

Nathaniel: Hee. so true, though I have to say we part ways on Tom Cruise as Lestat. That movie hurts me. And not in the good way.

OK. last time I interviewed an illustrator I had to ask this and I will again. What's your feeling on movies about artists -- Girl with a Pearl Earring or artist biopics like Friday. Any general or specific feelings about the genre... hate? love?

Dylan: I can't say as I seek them out. I really enjoyed Frida, but in general, something bothers me about artistically interpreting an artistic interpreter. It seems a little bit like a snake eating its own tail. And, frankly, a lot of wildly famous artists are depressing, narcissistic jerks.

Frida I enjoyed in part because the artist herself was actually decent as a human being and a woman, despite all of the hardships life threw at her. Even when her art expressed pain, it was vibrant and joyous, and the film captured that. I adore Julie Taymor, who did such a wonderful job at turning the whole look of the film into a sort of living Kahlo painting in that way. Of course, now I look at Kahlo art and have a false impression that I "know" Frida Kahlo, which isn't true. I know an impression of her as presented by the people involved in that film. That bugs me.

Nathaniel: Interesting. But to some extent isn't that true with all biopics?

Dylan: Sure it is, but's it particularly extreme in the case of artists - art about art is kind of a dangerous feedback loop if not done very well.

Nathaniel: That "knowing" affect is true of our culture of celebrity, too. We feel like celebrities aren't complete strangers...which of course they are. If you could hang out with an actor, director, or a movie character who would it be?

Dylan: If I could hang out with an actor, I'd honestly be interested in somebody like Hugo Weaving, who's played a really wide variety of roles in everything from huge stupid American smash-up movies to Australian fringe theater. I sort of want to be him when I grow up, and it'd be neat to hear his war stories. For dead actors, Leslie Howard, who gave Bogart his big break.

For directors, I know the folks I admire, but they all strike me as being a bit intense and possibly unpleasant. Glen Keane is directing for Disney now, though, and he would be really fun to hang out with and talk animation. And movie characters...can I be a total dork and say David Thewlis's portrayal of Professor Lupin, from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban? Not to make out with him, just to chat quietly and roam about Hogwarts. That sounds nice.

Nathaniel: You are always welcome to be a total dork! Speaking of: Here's a geeky sophies choice for you: Arwen or Eowyn?

Dylan: Hell-oooooo, Eowyn! I have little use for a lady who can't be described as "feisty". Arwen is mostly good for weeping crystal tears and having somber visions shot through gauze, whereas I get the feeling Eowyn would be totally down for wacky roadtrips, boxing classes, and cuddle sessions in fleece pajamas in front of old Tracy/Hepburn flicks. Also, she would buy me a pony and I would ride it with her across the great plains of Gondor. That would be hella romantic.

Nathaniel: That's great. OK. Wrapping up now: They make a movie of your life. Who plays you? Who directs? What's the title? rating?

Dylan: Playing me: Since Winona Ryder can't really act and is in career hell, I'm going to have to go with Johnny Depp in yoga pants drag. It would be amazing. Really. I would trust no one else to portray me with such honesty. However, they will probably cast Natalie Portman: it could be worse.

Directing - well, me, of course. Unless I'm dead, in which case, Rian Johnson. My only stipulation to him would be the inclusion of the musical saw and the theremin in the score, and at least one original David Bowie song. The title: Heroine of the Hour: the Dylan Meconis Story Rating: Oh, let's go with a PG-13. Enough to make it edgy, without cutting into ticket sales. I want this in the art house AND the multiplex.

Thanks Nathaniel! I had fun.

Nathaniel: Thank you. And best wishes on a blooming illustration career.


Film Experience (for newbies):
Previous Interview w/ Martha of Cinematical * An Object of My Obsession -Moulin Rouge! * Far From Heaven vs. Brokeback -Whose side are you on? * She's a Bitch (@ the Movies) * The FB Awards -My Annual Prizes *

Tags: movies, Shakespeare, Frida, Hamlet, The Incredibles, Interview with the Vampire, cinema, Hugo Weaving, film, animation, celebrities, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Oregon, vampires, Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp

Reason #1,302 To Love Kate Winslet

For fans who love both the cinema and the live theater, there has been more than a little excitement about Julianne Moore's upcoming Broadway stint in The Vertical Hour. The play is from the esteemed writer David Hare (Plenty and the screenplay for The Hours) and will be directed by theater pro and Oscar winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Jarhead). Now we learn that we have Kate Winslet to blame for this upcoming delight. In the new issue of New York Magazine we read this delicious bit...

Moore had already passed on The Vertical Hour—although she found the play “brilliant,” she told Mendes that her filming schedule made it impossible to say yes. “And I thought, I shouldn’t have read it!” Moore groans at the memory. Then she bumped into Mendes’s wife, Kate Winslet, at the preschool the two actresses’ children attend, mentioned how disappointed she was, and Winslet fanned the project back to life.

Oh, the ways in which The Winslet continues to bless us all! We're definitely well into quadruple digits of reasons to love her.

Reason #1,302 To Love Kate Winslet

For fans who love both the cinema and the live theater, there has been more than a little excitement about Julianne Moore's upcoming Broadway stint in The Vertical Hour. The play is from the esteemed writer David Hare (Plenty and the screenplay for The Hours) and will be directed by theater pro and Oscar winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Jarhead). Now we learn that we have Kate Winslet to blame for this upcoming delight. In the new issue of New York Magazine we read this delicious bit...

Moore had already passed on The Vertical Hour—although she found the play “brilliant,” she told Mendes that her filming schedule made it impossible to say yes. “And I thought, I shouldn’t have read it!” Moore groans at the memory. Then she bumped into Mendes’s wife, Kate Winslet, at the preschool the two actresses’ children attend, mentioned how disappointed she was, and Winslet fanned the project back to life.

Oh, the ways in which The Winslet continues to bless us all! We're definitely well into quadruple digits of reasons to love her.

Pedro Watch #3

As promised --more Pedro Almodovar from around the web as the "Viva Pedro!" retrospective marches onward.

The Wit of the Staircase Beautiful! It's a look at Juan Gatti's evocative colorful film titles.
La Dolce Musto Michael Musto on Penelope Cruz' best 'Sophia Loren' in Volver
The Other Andrew He learned five things from Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Certifiably Creative pays tribute to Almodovar as an artistic influence.
Slant Blog Has Pedro lost his subversive edge?

and new Volver reviews from The Nick Shager Film Project and Where Did It All Go Right?

Previously on Pedro Watch Tags: Pedro Almodovar, movies, Spain, Volver, film

Pedro Watch #3

As promised --more Pedro Almodovar from around the web as the "Viva Pedro!" retrospective marches onward.

The Wit of the Staircase Beautiful! It's a look at Juan Gatti's evocative colorful film titles.
La Dolce Musto Michael Musto on Penelope Cruz' best 'Sophia Loren' in Volver
The Other Andrew He learned five things from Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Certifiably Creative pays tribute to Almodovar as an artistic influence.
Slant Blog Has Pedro lost his subversive edge?

and new Volver reviews from The Nick Shager Film Project and Where Did It All Go Right?

Previously on Pedro Watch Tags: Pedro Almodovar, movies, Spain, Volver, film

P.S. I Hate Her

There was no "Hump Day Hottie" yesterday. As I was casting about for a suitable humpee, my mind wandered to the fine beefcake of Gerard Butler since that pic of him from the upcoming 300, dressed undressed in full warrior drag, has been popping up repeatedly online. I hesitated for a moment (considering the wretchedness of The Phantom of the Opera) and in that moment I was lost. My traitorous mind jumped to my arch enemy, Hilary Swank!

She ruins everything.

My mind made the leap because Ms. Skank had recently signed to star opposite Mr. Butler in a film called P.S. I Love You. It's about a husband (Butler) who dies but leaves his wife (Swank) move-on-with-your-life grieving instructions. The premise sounds terribly sentimental but it is written by Richard Lagravenese. And I gotta tell you, that man can write. What's more, that man can write really memorable female characters (cases in point: The Fisher King, The Ref, The Bridges of Madison County, Living Out Loud). Not only is she starring in P.S.... she's also already finished work on LaGravenese' other new film, Freedom Writers. So now Hilary has herself (possibly) two new great roles for which she can be wildly overpraised when they arrive in theaters.

I'll never be rid of her.


So as I was trying to forget about this ubiquitous she-devil, she starts hitting the gossip circuit again, too. Seems she was cheating on Chad and has since been outed. Her sins continue to pile up: robbing better actresses of Oscars, breaching her husbands anonymity in recovery, and now fornication with her agent (!) --to quote Addams Family Values: "I'll kill myself... the help?" --When will this girl stop? She can run but she can't hide from the fiery pits of hell!

Now, if you'll excuse me. Gerard has just woken up from a sweaty Swank filled nightmare. I really need to be there to comfort him. What? Don't judge.

tags: Gerard Butler, movies, gossip,celebrities, Hilary Swank, Oscars, Academy Awards, 300

P.S. I Hate Her

There was no "Hump Day Hottie" yesterday. As I was casting about for a suitable humpee, my mind wandered to the fine beefcake of Gerard Butler since that pic of him from the upcoming 300, dressed undressed in full warrior drag, has been popping up repeatedly online. I hesitated for a moment (considering the wretchedness of The Phantom of the Opera) and in that moment I was lost. My traitorous mind jumped to my arch enemy, Hilary Swank!

She ruins everything.

My mind made the leap because Ms. Skank had recently signed to star opposite Mr. Butler in a film called P.S. I Love You. It's about a husband (Butler) who dies but leaves his wife (Swank) move-on-with-your-life grieving instructions. The premise sounds terribly sentimental but it is written by Richard Lagravenese. And I gotta tell you, that man can write. What's more, that man can write really memorable female characters (cases in point: The Fisher King, The Ref, The Bridges of Madison County, Living Out Loud). Not only is she starring in P.S.... she's also already finished work on LaGravenese' other new film, Freedom Writers. So now Hilary has herself (possibly) two new great roles for which she can be wildly overpraised when they arrive in theaters.

I'll never be rid of her.


So as I was trying to forget about this ubiquitous she-devil, she starts hitting the gossip circuit again, too. Seems she was cheating on Chad and has since been outed. Her sins continue to pile up: robbing better actresses of Oscars, breaching her husbands anonymity in recovery, and now fornication with her agent (!) --to quote Addams Family Values: "I'll kill myself... the help?" --When will this girl stop? She can run but she can't hide from the fiery pits of hell!

Now, if you'll excuse me. Gerard has just woken up from a sweaty Swank filled nightmare. I really need to be there to comfort him. What? Don't judge.

tags: Gerard Butler, movies, gossip,celebrities, Hilary Swank, Oscars, Academy Awards, 300

Irresisitible [sic]

This past weekend I was having a very lazy visit with a close friend of mine and we decided to stay in and watch movies. She proceeded to drive me to Blockbuster to make our selection. Now, I don't know about you but it's been ages since I set foot in a video store and it was jarring. I've been Netflixing it full tilt boogie since they 'opened.'

As we wandered good consumer-like through multiple aisles it became clear that I'd seen everything I intended to already. Suddenly I was staring at this movie I'd never heard of called Irresistible.

Right away I'm confused because the box features a woman that's like an ugly mall version of the legendary Susan Sarandon. ohmygod, it is Susan Sarandon. I hope someone was fired for approving that video cover. To add insult to Susan's injury, the packaging/marketing team spelled the films own name wrong on the back of the box "Irresisitible" (the emphasis is mine) --d'oh! I put the movie down quickly and bolted to another aisle, feeling the urge to shower.

As soon as I got back to a computer I had to wipe the fugly Sarandon doppelganger from my mind's eye by staring at this picture.


Ahhhhh. She's still got it. So I repeat: Some nameless person should be fired. And someone else --someone far more famous-- should pick her next project more carefully.

Irresisitible [sic]

This past weekend I was having a very lazy visit with a close friend of mine and we decided to stay in and watch movies. She proceeded to drive me to Blockbuster to make our selection. Now, I don't know about you but it's been ages since I set foot in a video store and it was jarring. I've been Netflixing it full tilt boogie since they 'opened.'

As we wandered good consumer-like through multiple aisles it became clear that I'd seen everything I intended to already. Suddenly I was staring at this movie I'd never heard of called Irresistible.

Right away I'm confused because the box features a woman that's like an ugly mall version of the legendary Susan Sarandon. ohmygod, it is Susan Sarandon. I hope someone was fired for approving that video cover. To add insult to Susan's injury, the packaging/marketing team spelled the films own name wrong on the back of the box "Irresisitible" (the emphasis is mine) --d'oh! I put the movie down quickly and bolted to another aisle, feeling the urge to shower.

As soon as I got back to a computer I had to wipe the fugly Sarandon doppelganger from my mind's eye by staring at this picture.


Ahhhhh. She's still got it. So I repeat: Some nameless person should be fired. And someone else --someone far more famous-- should pick her next project more carefully.

Lunchtime Poll

My friend Kristofer Robin has been sending me lunchtime polls by e-mail these past couple of weeks and I've found myself looking forward to them. So I thought I'd steal it from him, as he stole it from Heathers. It's so 1989.

Answer in the comments -No lurking!
"Which movie character (from any movie) would you have most liked to hang out with in High School?"

Lunchtime Poll

My friend Kristofer Robin has been sending me lunchtime polls by e-mail these past couple of weeks and I've found myself looking forward to them. So I thought I'd steal it from him, as he stole it from Heathers. It's so 1989.

Answer in the comments -No lurking!
"Which movie character (from any movie) would you have most liked to hang out with in High School?"

FB Awards Retroactive 1991

Yesterday I read that "Sarah Connor", a character near and dear to my heart from the first two excellent Terminator films, would be revived for a television series. Conceptually that might be a good idea for an old fashioned series --rather Incredible Hulkish if you stop to think on it: a violent misunderstood hero who is continually on the run from authorities.

So I thought this was as good a time as any to bring back the periodic retroactive awards. These are works in progress as they don't take place in real time like the annual Film Bitch Awards. Therefore they're fluid and subject to change unlike the traditional present tense awards which are set in stone (even if I wish to change them). You know Oscar sometimes regrets their decisions, too. We've already covered 82, 83, 85, 95, and 99.


So without further ado, some brief musings on the class of 1991. Thelma, Louise ("the one with the tighty hairdo"), Hannibal, Bugsy, Morticia, and the recently (at the time) ex-ed Mrs. Tom Cruise, Mimi Rogers.

Note to Katie Holmes: As soon as you divorce Tom Cruise you'll give an awesome performance. That's just what happens. At least it did for Mimi in 1991 & Nicole in 2001. Maybe you should shoot for 2011?

FB Awards Retroactive 1991

Yesterday I read that "Sarah Connor", a character near and dear to my heart from the first two excellent Terminator films, would be revived for a television series. Conceptually that might be a good idea for an old fashioned series --rather Incredible Hulkish if you stop to think on it: a violent misunderstood hero who is continually on the run from authorities.

So I thought this was as good a time as any to bring back the periodic retroactive awards. These are works in progress as they don't take place in real time like the annual Film Bitch Awards. Therefore they're fluid and subject to change unlike the traditional present tense awards which are set in stone (even if I wish to change them). You know Oscar sometimes regrets their decisions, too. We've already covered 82, 83, 85, 95, and 99.


So without further ado, some brief musings on the class of 1991. Thelma, Louise ("the one with the tighty hairdo"), Hannibal, Bugsy, Morticia, and the recently (at the time) ex-ed Mrs. Tom Cruise, Mimi Rogers.

Note to Katie Holmes: As soon as you divorce Tom Cruise you'll give an awesome performance. That's just what happens. At least it did for Mimi in 1991 & Nicole in 2001. Maybe you should shoot for 2011?

While You Were Linking

Whenever I am computerless for more than 24 hours, my internet addiction becomes undeniable. 48 hours without the internet is eery and agitating. I need help. Upon my return from Boston I had e-mails piled up and many blogs to catch up on. Herewith, a wee sampling of posts I enjoyed. Yes, I read too many blogs. Curse you bloglines!

Cinematheque examines the five best performances by an actress ever. Unsurprisingly Falconetti is the goddess on this mountaintop.
No Necked Monsters on the trailer for The Queen
Nick bids a tearful goodbye to six things. I'm ET "ouch" on this.
Brevity is Wit on Greg Kinnear. Not sure I agree but well stated.
Cinematical delivers happy casting news for Sweeney Todd.
And Your Little Blog, Too has a great idea for a gruesome Leopold & Loeb triple feature. I'm almost tempted to take him up on it.
Daily Greencine has a preview of New York Magazine's fall preview.
Fame Tracker also takes aims at the fall lineup. But in a less appetizing way.


Oh, one last thing. I bitch about the Oscars a lot, I do. But thank god I'm a film fanatic rather than a TV aficionado. At least the Oscars aren't the Emmys. If you missed the festivities (I usually do -zzzz) you can read fun recaps at both popbytes (I love how MK totally loses interest when his preferred candidate loses -it's so honest) or EW's popwatch (very thorough). There are probably a gazillian other blogs that offer recaps for you, too. But if the Emmys are a surefire cure for your insomnia, check out these two recaps which are a lot easier to take for those with limited attention spans. First "14" at Gallery of the Absurd finds a way to sum up her interest with one illustration. And Joe Reid at Low Resolution achieves Emmy watching perfection. In ten sentences you'll get just the right blend of disappointment, vitriol and humor.

While You Were Linking

Whenever I am computerless for more than 24 hours, my internet addiction becomes undeniable. 48 hours without the internet is eery and agitating. I need help. Upon my return from Boston I had e-mails piled up and many blogs to catch up on. Herewith, a wee sampling of posts I enjoyed. Yes, I read too many blogs. Curse you bloglines!

Cinematheque examines the five best performances by an actress ever. Unsurprisingly Falconetti is the goddess on this mountaintop.
No Necked Monsters on the trailer for The Queen
Nick bids a tearful goodbye to six things. I'm ET "ouch" on this.
Brevity is Wit on Greg Kinnear. Not sure I agree but well stated.
Cinematical delivers happy casting news for Sweeney Todd.
And Your Little Blog, Too has a great idea for a gruesome Leopold & Loeb triple feature. I'm almost tempted to take him up on it.
Daily Greencine has a preview of New York Magazine's fall preview.
Fame Tracker also takes aims at the fall lineup. But in a less appetizing way.


Oh, one last thing. I bitch about the Oscars a lot, I do. But thank god I'm a film fanatic rather than a TV aficionado. At least the Oscars aren't the Emmys. If you missed the festivities (I usually do -zzzz) you can read fun recaps at both popbytes (I love how MK totally loses interest when his preferred candidate loses -it's so honest) or EW's popwatch (very thorough). There are probably a gazillian other blogs that offer recaps for you, too. But if the Emmys are a surefire cure for your insomnia, check out these two recaps which are a lot easier to take for those with limited attention spans. First "14" at Gallery of the Absurd finds a way to sum up her interest with one illustration. And Joe Reid at Low Resolution achieves Emmy watching perfection. In ten sentences you'll get just the right blend of disappointment, vitriol and humor.

When Desktop Backgrounds Attack

This is the photo that currently serves as backdrop to my very cluttered desktop. (You can click on it to enlarge the rapture.) The Boyfriend came up to me the other night and said. "Who is that on your desktop?" So I'm all "Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. Duh Velvet Goldmine... Match Point... You know. " And he says "Oh yeah, him."

[pause]

"Do you think he's prettier than me?"

And, I gotta tell you readers, I think it was a trick question. Because he hasn't spoken to me since.

When Desktop Backgrounds Attack

This is the photo that currently serves as backdrop to my very cluttered desktop. (You can click on it to enlarge the rapture.) The Boyfriend came up to me the other night and said. "Who is that on your desktop?" So I'm all "Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. Duh Velvet Goldmine... Match Point... You know. " And he says "Oh yeah, him."

[pause]

"Do you think he's prettier than me?"

And, I gotta tell you readers, I think it was a trick question. Because he hasn't spoken to me since.

First Impression

I wanted to say a hearty welcome to any newcomers perusing the site. For a crash course in the particulars of the Film Experience madness, here's some semi-regular features to peruse: * Classic Movie of the Week (which is not weekly. shut up.) * A History Of... (someone or something) * Blogosphere Multiplex... (interviews w/ cool web folk) * Hump Day Hottie (for the carnally minded) * Oscar Chatter (yeah, there's lots of that)

Try a sampling of "greatest hits": Far From Heaven vs. Brokeback Mountain (a side by side showdown) * She's a Bitch (a video mix) * Pfeiffer Forever (a blog-a-thon with 36 participating websites) * Actors of the Aughts (a top 100 countdown)

Or just ignore me and explore. I talk too much.

First Impression

I wanted to say a hearty welcome to any newcomers perusing the site. For a crash course in the particulars of the Film Experience madness, here's some semi-regular features to peruse: * Classic Movie of the Week (which is not weekly. shut up.) * A History Of... (someone or something) * Blogosphere Multiplex... (interviews w/ cool web folk) * Hump Day Hottie (for the carnally minded) * Oscar Chatter (yeah, there's lots of that)

Try a sampling of "greatest hits": Far From Heaven vs. Brokeback Mountain (a side by side showdown) * She's a Bitch (a video mix) * Pfeiffer Forever (a blog-a-thon with 36 participating websites) * Actors of the Aughts (a top 100 countdown)

Or just ignore me and explore. I talk too much.

From Emmy to Oscar: "The Queen(s)"

One major award down. How many more to go? Helen Mirren fulfilled media expectations to win the Emmy Award for her performance as Queen Elizabeth I this past weekend. One month from now (Sept 29th) she arrives in theaters as yet another Queen Elizabeth (II this time) in a Miramax film called The Queen. They're keeping it simple, people.

Can the sexiest sexegenarian on the planet (give or take Charlotte Rampling) pull off a Liza Minelli and win both Emmy & Oscar for the same calendar year's worth of entertainments? She'll certainly have tough competition but Mirren has never been an easily intimidated actor.

The Queen, as you'll see to your left here, is being sold as a one woman show. Its Oscar fate rests entirely on how her performance is received. If she's genius, Oscar voters will undoubtedly give the whole movie a close look.

There is reason to be hopeful. Stephen Frears knows his way around grand actresses. He's previously directed Judi Dench, Annette Bening, Anjelica Huston, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Glenn Close to Oscar nominations in Mrs. Henderson Presents, The Grifters, and Dangerous Liaisons respectively. I love the latter two films in that list. I love them this much. You can't see my arms right now but trust me that they strain and stretch to equal the love. Those two films aside, and however uneven Frears filmography has been, he'll always be close to my heart for bringing My Beautiful Laundrette into the world. So I'm crossing my fingers that he and Mirren have concocted a brilliant duet here. We'll find out soon.

From Emmy to Oscar: "The Queen(s)"

One major award down. How many more to go? Helen Mirren fulfilled media expectations to win the Emmy Award for her performance as Queen Elizabeth I this past weekend. One month from now (Sept 29th) she arrives in theaters as yet another Queen Elizabeth (II this time) in a Miramax film called The Queen. They're keeping it simple, people.

Can the sexiest sexegenarian on the planet (give or take Charlotte Rampling) pull off a Liza Minelli and win both Emmy & Oscar for the same calendar year's worth of entertainments? She'll certainly have tough competition but Mirren has never been an easily intimidated actor.

The Queen, as you'll see to your left here, is being sold as a one woman show. Its Oscar fate rests entirely on how her performance is received. If she's genius, Oscar voters will undoubtedly give the whole movie a close look.

There is reason to be hopeful. Stephen Frears knows his way around grand actresses. He's previously directed Judi Dench, Annette Bening, Anjelica Huston, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Glenn Close to Oscar nominations in Mrs. Henderson Presents, The Grifters, and Dangerous Liaisons respectively. I love the latter two films in that list. I love them this much. You can't see my arms right now but trust me that they strain and stretch to equal the love. Those two films aside, and however uneven Frears filmography has been, he'll always be close to my heart for bringing My Beautiful Laundrette into the world. So I'm crossing my fingers that he and Mirren have concocted a brilliant duet here. We'll find out soon.

Verhoeven for the Gold ?

If or when one thinks of director Paul Verhoeven one thinks of either lurid sexuality (The 4th Man, Showgirls) or grotesque violence (Robocop, Starship Troopers) or perhaps one thinks of both at once (Basic Instinct). If you're a fan you think the sex and violence is in service (usually) to brilliant satire. But your mind probably doesn't race to Oscar, does it?

Nevertheless, that's where the Dutch provocateur could be headed. Seems that the Netherlands have selected his latest film Zwartboek (Black Book) to compete in Oscar's Foreign Language Film race. The IMDB description begins thusly:

Set during the end of WWII, Black Book is the story of a German Jewish girl who narrowly survives the war in Holland...

Every year in this particular race, Oscar's committee views about 50 films and chooses five as nominees. (see last year's entire competition here) Every year about 1/3rd of the 50something films submitted seem to be about World War II. I'm exaggerating but not by much.

Now, I can't really call myself a "fan" of Verhoeven's work but it'd be a shame (and par for the course) if it took him neutering his distinctly satiric NC-17 voice for a World War II drama for him to get any Oscar recognition.

The Film Experience foreign language Oscar pages for 2006 will be put up piecemeal during the next few weeks. If you have info or opinions on what your country should submit please share your thoughts with me. It's a big job for one person and this one person is highly appreciative of reader input. Speaking of... thanks to Ralph for this info.

Tags: foreign films, Netherlands, movies, Paul Verhoeven, Holland, Oscars, Academy Awards, cinema, Film, World War II

Verhoeven for the Gold ?

If or when one thinks of director Paul Verhoeven one thinks of either lurid sexuality (The 4th Man, Showgirls) or grotesque violence (Robocop, Starship Troopers) or perhaps one thinks of both at once (Basic Instinct). If you're a fan you think the sex and violence is in service (usually) to brilliant satire. But your mind probably doesn't race to Oscar, does it?

Nevertheless, that's where the Dutch provocateur could be headed. Seems that the Netherlands have selected his latest film Zwartboek (Black Book) to compete in Oscar's Foreign Language Film race. The IMDB description begins thusly:

Set during the end of WWII, Black Book is the story of a German Jewish girl who narrowly survives the war in Holland...

Every year in this particular race, Oscar's committee views about 50 films and chooses five as nominees. (see last year's entire competition here) Every year about 1/3rd of the 50something films submitted seem to be about World War II. I'm exaggerating but not by much.

Now, I can't really call myself a "fan" of Verhoeven's work but it'd be a shame (and par for the course) if it took him neutering his distinctly satiric NC-17 voice for a World War II drama for him to get any Oscar recognition.

The Film Experience foreign language Oscar pages for 2006 will be put up piecemeal during the next few weeks. If you have info or opinions on what your country should submit please share your thoughts with me. It's a big job for one person and this one person is highly appreciative of reader input. Speaking of... thanks to Ralph for this info.

Tags: foreign films, Netherlands, movies, Paul Verhoeven, Holland, Oscars, Academy Awards, cinema, Film, World War II

Say What? Brave One

I asked you to entertain us by adding dialogue or a caption to this pic of Jodie from her new thriller, The Brave One. Your winners are...

Vince...

and Rob...



Previously in Jodie Foster:
A History of... Jodie Foster everything you knew + things you never dreamed.
Performances Jan to April a short note on her Inside Man work.
Top 100 Actresses of the Aughts #65. Yeah, you heard me.