It might have been funny about 3 years ago when I first heard it, but seriously, once Old Navy starts using it in their TV commercials it's no longer okay to use in normal everyday conversation, attempting to get a laugh.
And btw...why does Hanukah get an extra share in said "consolidated holiday word"? I'm pretty sure that "kah" wasn't there originally, either it's just a case of one person accidentally saying it that way and spreading or perhaps the Jews DO own the media! ha ha
Well, I only have to endure the word for a few more days, thankfully. But please, for my sake, stop saying it. Just stick to the PC term "Happy Holidays", or say "Merry Christmas" 'cause that's what I'm celebratin'.
Peace
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Monday, December 19, 2005
Back to the grindstone...
It's both comforting and slightly disturbing when you can take a 2 week vacation from work and come back only find everything is exactly the same as when you left it. I don't know why I expected any change, 'cause usually if there's ever any change in the office I'm the one to blame. But I discovered today something worse than going 3 years without a REAL vacation, it's that first day BACK from vacation. It's so hard to work today, I wanna be outside, I wanna take the train to the beach, I wanna drive down to Fort Point or have some chowder at the wharf. Well, at least I get 3 extra days off next week for Christmas and New Years, maybe I'll satisfy my fix enough then to last me until my next vacation.
I wish I could say that my vacation was totally relaxing, but honestly it wasn't. Despite any goals I might have set to get some rest and do nothing for 2 weeks, "life" always seemed to step in and give me something new to deal with each day. I guess I should be thankful for the "Jon Time" that I was allotted, but I really needed more than I was able to squander out of those 2 weeks. There's no doubt I'll be a little reserved and detached for the next few days as I put some finishing touches on some of the projects that I should have finished, but it's something that must be done.
Tonight's my last final, no big whoop, just gotta show my portfolio in my drawing class. Should go well, I got kinda lazy towards the end of the semester and my teacher noticed, but I still got enough work done so hopefully I'll get at least a B in the class...as if a grade in an Art class really matters anyway.
OK, I'm going to try and work now. Don't wish me luck, I don't need the distraction.
I wish I could say that my vacation was totally relaxing, but honestly it wasn't. Despite any goals I might have set to get some rest and do nothing for 2 weeks, "life" always seemed to step in and give me something new to deal with each day. I guess I should be thankful for the "Jon Time" that I was allotted, but I really needed more than I was able to squander out of those 2 weeks. There's no doubt I'll be a little reserved and detached for the next few days as I put some finishing touches on some of the projects that I should have finished, but it's something that must be done.
Tonight's my last final, no big whoop, just gotta show my portfolio in my drawing class. Should go well, I got kinda lazy towards the end of the semester and my teacher noticed, but I still got enough work done so hopefully I'll get at least a B in the class...as if a grade in an Art class really matters anyway.
OK, I'm going to try and work now. Don't wish me luck, I don't need the distraction.
Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Dear creepy Scientologist...
I'm not "stressed", I'm not "looking pretty dark there" and I've never "contemplated suicide" like you have, although I'll admit you really should have spared us. So stop trying to work an angle with me thinking your Jedi scientologist mind tricks are actually going to work. Good luck with your self-indulgent, science fictionitive, anti-depressant reliance life. Your repulsed acquaintance, Jon B.
Need some background on the matter? I was sitting in the hallway at school waiting for my Art class teacher to show up when this bearded, middle aged, tapered jeans wearing dude walked past me saying "You look really stressed! Yep, lookin' pretty dark there." I thought, who the hell is this guy? Then a couple minutes later I was still sitting in the same spot when he came out of his classroom and said "Yeah...you know, I contemplated suicide once, but decided it wasn't worth it." To which I replied, "Ha ha, well, I'm not quite there yet buddy, but death is overrated anyway." He looked at me, puzzled and probably without a way to approach me for a Scientologist "stress clearing". Which leads me to wonder, why do child molesters start fake churches?
Need some background on the matter? I was sitting in the hallway at school waiting for my Art class teacher to show up when this bearded, middle aged, tapered jeans wearing dude walked past me saying "You look really stressed! Yep, lookin' pretty dark there." I thought, who the hell is this guy? Then a couple minutes later I was still sitting in the same spot when he came out of his classroom and said "Yeah...you know, I contemplated suicide once, but decided it wasn't worth it." To which I replied, "Ha ha, well, I'm not quite there yet buddy, but death is overrated anyway." He looked at me, puzzled and probably without a way to approach me for a Scientologist "stress clearing". Which leads me to wonder, why do child molesters start fake churches?
Monday, November 21, 2005
Fat girls sure can dance...but should they?
Saturday night I went to one of best concerts I've ever been to. NINE INCH NAILS at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.
We had OK seats, 2nd row in the upper reserve with a nice complete view of the stage. Binocs would have been nice to have, but we really weren't THAT far away. We got there about a half hour late so we missed the first group "Autolux", but that's OK, we saw them a couple years ago and they sucked. Then Queens of the Stone Age came on. They were OK, they played a good mix of their older stuff with a few songs from their latest album. "Burn the Witch" was the highlight of their set.
Then it came time for Mr. Reznor and NIN. I have this to say, Trent Reznor is as big a rock god now as he's ever been. With an elaborate yet simplistic stage design, a translucent projection screen that drops down in front and possibly the best lighting design I've seen in a while his performance was nothing less than amazing. I just awed at how much energy is in his voice and how he's able to maintain that vocal strength throughout the show.
The entrancing "Right Beside You in Time" and Joy Division's "Dead Souls" were the most surprising songs to hear in the set. There were a couple songs that I didn't recognize and supposedly he's been playing songs from his future second part to "With Teeth", so it's possible that either those songs were new or I just need to educate myself better in the NIN catalog. But may I just say that "Head Like a Hole" is probably the best song to end a show with, it really brought everything to a climactic and satisfying close as we bid farewell to Trent and NIN until next time.
My only complaint about the show, which finally explains the title of this "blog", is since we were in the second row, that means that there was a row of people in front of us, obviously. And wouldn't know it, there were about 4 chubby girls in black t-shirts and wearing thick black eyeliner who just couldn't resist the temptation to get up and dance along with the music. After about the second song from NIN, we couldn't take it anymore and moved one section over to where for some reason the entire front row was empty. So we sat, put our feet up and enjoyed the show comfortably, which I think is the best and most effective way to take in a NIN show. The dancing chubbers reminded me of an old SNL sketch where they were at a Phil Collins concert and this one fat and drunk chick kept dancing while all the adult contemporaries were sitting and trying to enjoy the show. Now, don't get me wrong, I love seeing people dance at concerts, just don't stand right in people's line of sight to the stage. For example, I could see across the arena a pair of girls dancing (quite provocatively, might I ad) in an entry way. And it looked cool because the light behind them created a sexy kind of silhouette, like an opening sequence from a Bond film. So please, girls, fat, average or thin as a toothpick, please dance in more open areas where you're not going to annoy people.
After the concert we went to Mel's with our friends Ben & Leila who just happened to run into us at the BART station afterwards. A word to the wise, never go to a Mel's Diner at 2am...apparently that's when the start doing things like serving wilted/brown green salads, waffles with green onions mixed in the batter and nearly rare burgers even though you requested it to be well-done.
We had OK seats, 2nd row in the upper reserve with a nice complete view of the stage. Binocs would have been nice to have, but we really weren't THAT far away. We got there about a half hour late so we missed the first group "Autolux", but that's OK, we saw them a couple years ago and they sucked. Then Queens of the Stone Age came on. They were OK, they played a good mix of their older stuff with a few songs from their latest album. "Burn the Witch" was the highlight of their set.
Then it came time for Mr. Reznor and NIN. I have this to say, Trent Reznor is as big a rock god now as he's ever been. With an elaborate yet simplistic stage design, a translucent projection screen that drops down in front and possibly the best lighting design I've seen in a while his performance was nothing less than amazing. I just awed at how much energy is in his voice and how he's able to maintain that vocal strength throughout the show.
The entrancing "Right Beside You in Time" and Joy Division's "Dead Souls" were the most surprising songs to hear in the set. There were a couple songs that I didn't recognize and supposedly he's been playing songs from his future second part to "With Teeth", so it's possible that either those songs were new or I just need to educate myself better in the NIN catalog. But may I just say that "Head Like a Hole" is probably the best song to end a show with, it really brought everything to a climactic and satisfying close as we bid farewell to Trent and NIN until next time.
My only complaint about the show, which finally explains the title of this "blog", is since we were in the second row, that means that there was a row of people in front of us, obviously. And wouldn't know it, there were about 4 chubby girls in black t-shirts and wearing thick black eyeliner who just couldn't resist the temptation to get up and dance along with the music. After about the second song from NIN, we couldn't take it anymore and moved one section over to where for some reason the entire front row was empty. So we sat, put our feet up and enjoyed the show comfortably, which I think is the best and most effective way to take in a NIN show. The dancing chubbers reminded me of an old SNL sketch where they were at a Phil Collins concert and this one fat and drunk chick kept dancing while all the adult contemporaries were sitting and trying to enjoy the show. Now, don't get me wrong, I love seeing people dance at concerts, just don't stand right in people's line of sight to the stage. For example, I could see across the arena a pair of girls dancing (quite provocatively, might I ad) in an entry way. And it looked cool because the light behind them created a sexy kind of silhouette, like an opening sequence from a Bond film. So please, girls, fat, average or thin as a toothpick, please dance in more open areas where you're not going to annoy people.
After the concert we went to Mel's with our friends Ben & Leila who just happened to run into us at the BART station afterwards. A word to the wise, never go to a Mel's Diner at 2am...apparently that's when the start doing things like serving wilted/brown green salads, waffles with green onions mixed in the batter and nearly rare burgers even though you requested it to be well-done.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
I write the best surveys...
1. What’s your deep psychological or sociological reason for even starting this survey?
It's just a little temporary escapism from my job.
2. If you were to purposefully piss somebody off, who would it be and how would you do it?
That one dude in my editing class, I'd take his cell phone and throw it on the ground then stomp on it, busting it to pieces
3. Is an open fly sexy?
It's more of a preview really
4. “The Thong” Sanitary or Unsanitary?
If your curious, look in that girl's laundry basket...yeah, an article of clothing really can't get any dirtier.
5. In your opinion, is President George W. Bush from Texas or Connecticut?
He has land in Texas, but I maintain that he's from Conn.
6. Why don’t you clean your room?
'Cause it's really not THAT messy
7. What are your skills?
Origami skills, knife and hatchet throwing skills, 22 calibre rifle skills, drawing skills, writing skills, filmmaking skills, macking skills
8. What Thanksgiving food item do you NOT like?
My mom made candied yams using Peeps instead of real marshmallows...it was horrific
9. What’s public transportation’s biggest annoyance?
The stinky homeless people who sneak in through the back door and populate the rear of the bus.
10. What’s the best thing about riding a bike?
It's excercise as you're sitting plus the scenery is great, what can be better?
11. Was Paris Hilton ever “hot”?
Not really, before I knew who she was I thought she was some greasy Eurotrash.
12. What horror flick scares you the most?
"Poltergeist" freaked me out the most as a kid, yet I watched it all the time.
13. Are you closer to your mother or father, and why?
I spend more time with my Mom, we have the same taste in a lot of things. But my personality is a lot like my dad's.
14. What childhood TV actor or character would you most like to meet in person?
Mark Summers, Double Dare was the shiznit
15. How do you get rid of your nose hair?
I detach the razor from it's handle then stroke the inside of my nostrils...it works really well
16. Somebody totally eats it on the sidewalk, do you help him/her? (Honest answer please)
If I'm within his/her vicinity, yeah. Vicinity meaning about 30 yards
17. Nestling under a shady tree or basking in the noonday sun?
I enjoy nice cool grass more than anything, so yeah, shady tree please
18. When a bird craps on someone else, do you tell them?
I probably should, but I always assume that maybe they already know and I don't want to remind them.
19. When candy gets stuck in your teeth, do you painstakingly pick it out or just wait for it to dissolve away?
Just wait it out, it'll go away
20. What recreational drug needs a big time comeback?
LSD, so much good music came out of it. I think it would be a cure for a lot of the crap that's coming out nowadays.
21. How much time should pass from when you get his/her number before you call him/her?
The next day, late afternoon or evening I'd say.
22. What is it you love that you could also possibly make a career out of?
Filmmaking
23. Do you ever find Bugs Bunny attractive when he dresses up like a girl bunny?
No, but I used to wish that Jessica Rabbit would really exist
24. What are your means of turning a light switch ON or OFF when your hands are wet?
It's all in the elbow
25. What distinguishing body marks are you most self conscious of, and why?
The scar on my cheek I guess...it wasn't there when I was born
26. What’s your definition of “Emo”?
I refrain from defining, I just know that I like it sometimes and hate it other times.
27. What celebrity do you have dreams of punching out?
I actually had a dream that I punched James Woods square in the nose, he seems like a cool guy, he's just really good at playing the jerk in the films he'sin.
28. Which tastes better, toe nails or inner cheek skin?
Inner cheek skin...mmmmm
29. What is Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” really about?
I think it's about the innocense and excitement of newfound love. Quentin Tarantino's definition is always entertaining though.
30. What if he/she DOES like you?
I'd be flattered
31. What’s your best move?
Being Jon and not going totally over the top or lying to impress someone.
32. What’s REALLY goin’ on?
Couldn't tell ya, why don't you ask Stephen Hawking or somebody smarter.
It's just a little temporary escapism from my job.
2. If you were to purposefully piss somebody off, who would it be and how would you do it?
That one dude in my editing class, I'd take his cell phone and throw it on the ground then stomp on it, busting it to pieces
3. Is an open fly sexy?
It's more of a preview really
4. “The Thong” Sanitary or Unsanitary?
If your curious, look in that girl's laundry basket...yeah, an article of clothing really can't get any dirtier.
5. In your opinion, is President George W. Bush from Texas or Connecticut?
He has land in Texas, but I maintain that he's from Conn.
6. Why don’t you clean your room?
'Cause it's really not THAT messy
7. What are your skills?
Origami skills, knife and hatchet throwing skills, 22 calibre rifle skills, drawing skills, writing skills, filmmaking skills, macking skills
8. What Thanksgiving food item do you NOT like?
My mom made candied yams using Peeps instead of real marshmallows...it was horrific
9. What’s public transportation’s biggest annoyance?
The stinky homeless people who sneak in through the back door and populate the rear of the bus.
10. What’s the best thing about riding a bike?
It's excercise as you're sitting plus the scenery is great, what can be better?
11. Was Paris Hilton ever “hot”?
Not really, before I knew who she was I thought she was some greasy Eurotrash.
12. What horror flick scares you the most?
"Poltergeist" freaked me out the most as a kid, yet I watched it all the time.
13. Are you closer to your mother or father, and why?
I spend more time with my Mom, we have the same taste in a lot of things. But my personality is a lot like my dad's.
14. What childhood TV actor or character would you most like to meet in person?
Mark Summers, Double Dare was the shiznit
15. How do you get rid of your nose hair?
I detach the razor from it's handle then stroke the inside of my nostrils...it works really well
16. Somebody totally eats it on the sidewalk, do you help him/her? (Honest answer please)
If I'm within his/her vicinity, yeah. Vicinity meaning about 30 yards
17. Nestling under a shady tree or basking in the noonday sun?
I enjoy nice cool grass more than anything, so yeah, shady tree please
18. When a bird craps on someone else, do you tell them?
I probably should, but I always assume that maybe they already know and I don't want to remind them.
19. When candy gets stuck in your teeth, do you painstakingly pick it out or just wait for it to dissolve away?
Just wait it out, it'll go away
20. What recreational drug needs a big time comeback?
LSD, so much good music came out of it. I think it would be a cure for a lot of the crap that's coming out nowadays.
21. How much time should pass from when you get his/her number before you call him/her?
The next day, late afternoon or evening I'd say.
22. What is it you love that you could also possibly make a career out of?
Filmmaking
23. Do you ever find Bugs Bunny attractive when he dresses up like a girl bunny?
No, but I used to wish that Jessica Rabbit would really exist
24. What are your means of turning a light switch ON or OFF when your hands are wet?
It's all in the elbow
25. What distinguishing body marks are you most self conscious of, and why?
The scar on my cheek I guess...it wasn't there when I was born
26. What’s your definition of “Emo”?
I refrain from defining, I just know that I like it sometimes and hate it other times.
27. What celebrity do you have dreams of punching out?
I actually had a dream that I punched James Woods square in the nose, he seems like a cool guy, he's just really good at playing the jerk in the films he'sin.
28. Which tastes better, toe nails or inner cheek skin?
Inner cheek skin...mmmmm
29. What is Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” really about?
I think it's about the innocense and excitement of newfound love. Quentin Tarantino's definition is always entertaining though.
30. What if he/she DOES like you?
I'd be flattered
31. What’s your best move?
Being Jon and not going totally over the top or lying to impress someone.
32. What’s REALLY goin’ on?
Couldn't tell ya, why don't you ask Stephen Hawking or somebody smarter.
I don't know what happened...
...it's all a repressed memory that's going to surface at an ill-opportune moment
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
My top 10 favorite films of all time...
After reading my friend's list, I figured I'd make my own as well. Not worried about what others might think and not concerned with the fact that some more pretentious film buffs will find my selections cliche, I mainly aimed for films that have in one way or another inspired me to be a filmmaker and have also entertained me without end.
And of course this list excludes the Star Wars films and all but one Terry Gilliam film, as it just wouldn't be fair.
So here it is, my top 10 and the reasons why they made the cut...
10. Fellini's "8 1/2" & "La Strada"
I know, I've just started and I'm already cheating by trying to squeeze two films in one slot, but I honestly could not decide which of these films I enjoyed the most. "8 1/2" is perhaps Fellini's most personal film and his most surreal with beautiful cinematography, symbolism and dream sequences to give us just a little peek into the man's brain. "La Strada" is perhaps the best "road movie" ever, a traveling sideshow performer Zampano and his newly acquired assistant Gelsomina (Fellini's wife Giulietta Masina) venture across the wide plains of Itay. These two films opened my eyes to foreign cinema, and most importantly to the world of Federico Fellini.
Favorite Scene: (8 1/2) The cocktail party with the psychic and the "Cabaret-esque" MC "Asa Nisi Masa!"
(La Strada) Everytime Gelsomina is dressed is a clown.
9. "Raging Bull" by Martin Scorsese
Flawless performances by the dynamic duo DeNiro and Pesci, a boxing match has never been approached in a more effective manner and the b&w cinematography is without flaw. Not to mention the writing is excellent and it's a story of failure and regret that's all too common in society. Scorsese's best film in my opinion.
Favorite Scene: Any of the boxing matches with the great cross dissolves between the fight, flash bulbs, bells and round card girls. Stunning and memorable.
8. "Metropolis" by Fritz Lang
Lang, a true pioneer in filmmaking, really set the standard with this film. It's probably the most impressive silent film ever created and is the root influence to possibly every sci fi film that has followed in its wake. Be sure to check out the new restored version which has the original music.
Favorite Scene: "The Seven Deadly Sins" dance performance as hundreds of men pant and writhe with lust for her.
7. "Vertigo" by Alfred Hitchcock
Hitchcock's masterpiece they say and I believe it's his personal favorite of the films he's made. Based in San Francisco, this psychological mystery, drama and thriller sums up everything that Hitchcock was about. Obsession, dementia, love, lust, death, deception, it's got it all. Jimmy Stewart is great as a retired cop hired by an old friend to tail his wife who he suspects of either going insane or under the influence of a deceased relative...and the plot thickens.
Favorite Scene: Madeline jumping into the SF Bay
6. "Edward Scissorhands" by Tim Burton
It's a suburban fairytale with Johnny Depp as a pale young man with cutting utensils for hands. How could you not love this film.
Favorite Scene: Winona Ryder dancing in the falling snow from Edward's ice sculpture shavings.
5. "Dr. Strangelove: Or how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb" by Stanley Kubrick
Dark comedy at its best, this film was made in the heat of the cold war and is just as funny then as it is now. Sellers should have won an Oscar for his role as both the President of the US, a British Private soldier and as the enigmatic Dr. Strangelove.
Favorite Scene: Dr. Strangelove's final monologue
4. "Citizen Kane" by Orson Welles
Yes, yes, we all know that Citizen Kane is a beautiful film and uses nearly every photographic technique in the book. But what's amazing is that every technique it uses is extremely effective and couldn't have been shown differently. It is also one of the first great battles between filmmakers and executives, brought on by W.R. Hearst who was under the belief that the film was about him. This is THE film that should be seen by all. And don't forget, Welles has directed a good number of beautiful films that should all be seen as well.
Favorite Scene: When Charles Foster Kane first arrives at the Inquirer.
3. "Dead Poets Society" by Peter Weir
There have been countless "boarding school films" that have tried to replicate without success what this film is. A group of intelligent yet uninspired students at a preparatory school receive a new English instructor (Robin Williams) who opens their eyes to a whole new world and broadens their tunnel vision to consider other options and to pursue their passions.
Favorite Scene: Robin Williams places his hands over Ethan Hawke's eyes as Ethan describes in poetic detail a picture that hangs on the classroom wall.
2. "Miller's Crossing" by the Coen Bros.
Every shot is a work of art, every line necessary to the story, every character is quirky and interesting making for a movie experience that is entertaining while also at times a bit disturbing and at other times emotionally gripping. Great cinematography by Barry Sonnenfeld in his last film with the Coen's and possibly my favorite score by Coen collaborator Carter Burwell.
Favorite Scene: Gabriel Byrne taking John Torturro out to the middle of the forest to kill him.
1. "Brazil" by Terry Gilliam
For me to go into everything that I love about this film would require a 1000 word essay, at least. Needless to say it made me want to be a filmmaker and also made me fall in love with the wide angle lens. Be sure to get the Criterion Collection "Director's Cut".
Favorite Scene: When we first meet Harry Tuttle
And of course this list excludes the Star Wars films and all but one Terry Gilliam film, as it just wouldn't be fair.
So here it is, my top 10 and the reasons why they made the cut...
10. Fellini's "8 1/2" & "La Strada"
I know, I've just started and I'm already cheating by trying to squeeze two films in one slot, but I honestly could not decide which of these films I enjoyed the most. "8 1/2" is perhaps Fellini's most personal film and his most surreal with beautiful cinematography, symbolism and dream sequences to give us just a little peek into the man's brain. "La Strada" is perhaps the best "road movie" ever, a traveling sideshow performer Zampano and his newly acquired assistant Gelsomina (Fellini's wife Giulietta Masina) venture across the wide plains of Itay. These two films opened my eyes to foreign cinema, and most importantly to the world of Federico Fellini.
Favorite Scene: (8 1/2) The cocktail party with the psychic and the "Cabaret-esque" MC "Asa Nisi Masa!"
(La Strada) Everytime Gelsomina is dressed is a clown.
9. "Raging Bull" by Martin Scorsese
Flawless performances by the dynamic duo DeNiro and Pesci, a boxing match has never been approached in a more effective manner and the b&w cinematography is without flaw. Not to mention the writing is excellent and it's a story of failure and regret that's all too common in society. Scorsese's best film in my opinion.
Favorite Scene: Any of the boxing matches with the great cross dissolves between the fight, flash bulbs, bells and round card girls. Stunning and memorable.
8. "Metropolis" by Fritz Lang
Lang, a true pioneer in filmmaking, really set the standard with this film. It's probably the most impressive silent film ever created and is the root influence to possibly every sci fi film that has followed in its wake. Be sure to check out the new restored version which has the original music.
Favorite Scene: "The Seven Deadly Sins" dance performance as hundreds of men pant and writhe with lust for her.
7. "Vertigo" by Alfred Hitchcock
Hitchcock's masterpiece they say and I believe it's his personal favorite of the films he's made. Based in San Francisco, this psychological mystery, drama and thriller sums up everything that Hitchcock was about. Obsession, dementia, love, lust, death, deception, it's got it all. Jimmy Stewart is great as a retired cop hired by an old friend to tail his wife who he suspects of either going insane or under the influence of a deceased relative...and the plot thickens.
Favorite Scene: Madeline jumping into the SF Bay
6. "Edward Scissorhands" by Tim Burton
It's a suburban fairytale with Johnny Depp as a pale young man with cutting utensils for hands. How could you not love this film.
Favorite Scene: Winona Ryder dancing in the falling snow from Edward's ice sculpture shavings.
5. "Dr. Strangelove: Or how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb" by Stanley Kubrick
Dark comedy at its best, this film was made in the heat of the cold war and is just as funny then as it is now. Sellers should have won an Oscar for his role as both the President of the US, a British Private soldier and as the enigmatic Dr. Strangelove.
Favorite Scene: Dr. Strangelove's final monologue
4. "Citizen Kane" by Orson Welles
Yes, yes, we all know that Citizen Kane is a beautiful film and uses nearly every photographic technique in the book. But what's amazing is that every technique it uses is extremely effective and couldn't have been shown differently. It is also one of the first great battles between filmmakers and executives, brought on by W.R. Hearst who was under the belief that the film was about him. This is THE film that should be seen by all. And don't forget, Welles has directed a good number of beautiful films that should all be seen as well.
Favorite Scene: When Charles Foster Kane first arrives at the Inquirer.
3. "Dead Poets Society" by Peter Weir
There have been countless "boarding school films" that have tried to replicate without success what this film is. A group of intelligent yet uninspired students at a preparatory school receive a new English instructor (Robin Williams) who opens their eyes to a whole new world and broadens their tunnel vision to consider other options and to pursue their passions.
Favorite Scene: Robin Williams places his hands over Ethan Hawke's eyes as Ethan describes in poetic detail a picture that hangs on the classroom wall.
2. "Miller's Crossing" by the Coen Bros.
Every shot is a work of art, every line necessary to the story, every character is quirky and interesting making for a movie experience that is entertaining while also at times a bit disturbing and at other times emotionally gripping. Great cinematography by Barry Sonnenfeld in his last film with the Coen's and possibly my favorite score by Coen collaborator Carter Burwell.
Favorite Scene: Gabriel Byrne taking John Torturro out to the middle of the forest to kill him.
1. "Brazil" by Terry Gilliam
For me to go into everything that I love about this film would require a 1000 word essay, at least. Needless to say it made me want to be a filmmaker and also made me fall in love with the wide angle lens. Be sure to get the Criterion Collection "Director's Cut".
Favorite Scene: When we first meet Harry Tuttle
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