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Huff-Puff
Monaghan...I couldn't agree more with the very last line of what you wrote here. The problem with the baseball bashing scene was a perfect example. It borrowed from previous films, and didn't make it better. Now, in Pulp Fiction, he borrowed from a lot of movies for various scenes. But he made them better, and had his original Tarantino touches, which was nice. In Basterds, I didn't feel this was the case. I think Pitts accent was a tad ridiculous, but I think it was supposed to be (well, when he's attempting to speak Italian it was, anyway). My problem with a film like this is...it had the potential to be amazing. The way I felt Jackie Brown was. But imagine if Jackie Brown went from having a REAL story about a woman arrested for drugs, the FBI wanting her boss (samuel jackson), and her love interest with the bailbonds guy. Now, instead of having these characters talk like real people, he had a bunch of bizarre things, like an airplane coming in from Mexico that gets hijacked by a Nazi...and Jackie Brown has to drop her tray of drinks (she's a flight attendant), and kick butt like one of the women from Kill Bill. Well, the action movie fans that just love a good car chase, might love a scene like this. But it takes away from an interesting character that's already developed. An older woman, who doesn't have a lot going in her life, and faces possibly jail time, unless she rats out (and wears a wire), to nab her boss. QT has to realize that in film, often less is more.— September 30, 2009 4:21 p.m.
More Pig-Head Press
They should've played War Pigs, or Pigs by Pink Floyd. Lee, I'd love to hit one of your parties (and thanks for the kind words). Just give me the details when it's closer to the date). I met Seth at a party once. The dude really knows his music. If memory serves, we talked about PIL, X, The Clash, and a few other alternative bands, for over an hour. Ken, it does seem odd that SO MANY PEOPLE claim you misquote them. Now, I do understand there will be a few that weren't "misquoted," but didn't like the quote taken out of context. And taking a persons quote out of context, is almost just as bad as misquoting, because you're not getting the crux of what they are saying, but using it for the angle you wanted in the story. One example I can give you of this, involves this local, old Irish singer (forget his name at the moment). He plays all the pubs in town. He said you called him wanting to do a two page story on him for the Reader. Naturally, he was thrilled to death. You asked him a few questions about some local musician he didn't care for. And he said a few negative things about the guy. Now...you DID NOT MISQUOTE him. But what you did was...you pulled those quotes out, as the story you were REALLY writing, was about that other musician, and just wanted some negative quotes from him about that musician. And, had you just called him up and said that...he may not have talked to you. Or, his quotes might not have been as negative. Now, that being said...this guy told me this after many beers at midnight, at the Ould Sod. And I can't say that he wasn't lying to me. But it's one of many stories, I've heard time and time again, from local musicians, bouncers, bartenders, club owners, etc. And they can't all be wrong or just angry at something you wrote.— September 29, 2009 10:10 p.m.
94th Aero Squadron
Hey...it says at the top of this the cuisine is American. Isn't it French? Or "French American" or something like that? I've been here about 15 times. The food doesn't do much for me, but it's one of my stepdads favorite places. And the theme is cool. A few of my friends that are pilots like going there. I believe at the bar you can listen on headphones, as you watch the planes landing at the nearby Montogomery Field. I've always thought the food on their buffets (fathers day, or brunch), not to be as good as just ordering off the menu.— September 29, 2009 10:01 p.m.
Polanski Children Center -- Celebrity Idiots in the News
Pete, from what I remember about the case (from seeing the documentary last year), was that the judge had told him if he did 45 years in this mental institution, that would be it. They'd say he was sane, and he'd be released. Then he went to England (maybe it was Germany), and photos surfaced of him partying in nightclubs with women. And I believe he started up an affair with a 15-year-old. This got people so outraged by the deal the judge had going with him. So, the judge decided after this 45 days, that he'd sentence him to some time (which wasn't what he agreed with Polanski). So, Roman fled. Here's the problem with all of this. If this was truely the case, Polanski's lawyers should've said "Nothing to worry about. We'll appeal this, and the judge will be in so much trouble." You don't decide you don't like the sentence or how it's going to go down, so you'll flee the country. This is the same type of goofy logic people used about that woman living here that escaped the prison in Michigan in the early 70s. Sure, it was "just" a drug charge and the sentence was rather steep for such a crime (although it was heroin...and she was working for a big time drug dealer). But you don't escape from prison, or flee the country, because you don't like the sentence. Now, maybe Polanski shouldn't have to face the previous charges that he ALREADY pled guilty to. But, he should now pay the piper for his fleeing the country. And I've love to ask Debra Winger what she would think if her 13-year-old daughter was drugged and raped by a 40 year old man, what that sentence should be. Or, when these teachers sleep with kids, why they all get so up in arms over it. Should rules be different for brilliant filmmakers, then they are for teachers and regular folks?— September 29, 2009 9:58 p.m.
Moonraker
I remember loving Moonraker as a kid, when it came out. I suspect it didn't hold up as well. Jaws (Richard Kiel) was a great villian, but the love story was a tad corny. At least with Holly Goodhead, that's an actual name. I always thought "Pussy Galore" wasn't the least bit clever, since nobody would ever be named that.— September 29, 2009 9:52 p.m.
More Pig-Head Press
Ozzy has bitten the head off more animals than just that record rep meeting. One time I know of, someone threw a bat on stage. He thought it was a rubber bat. Until after he bit the head off and realized it was real. I believe there may have been one or two other animals. I know that's all off-topic, but just thought I'd throw it in.— September 29, 2009 4:44 p.m.
Roman Polanski...Be Grateful You Were Not Extradited To Poland!
Fish...out of curiosity, what would you say Polanski's punishment should be? I did a blog on this, but I don't think you commented: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/daily-crash…— September 29, 2009 4:37 p.m.
Polanski Children Center -- Celebrity Idiots in the News
Yeah, I heard about the testimony and what that girl said happen. It hardly sounds like it was consensual, not to mention...as you just said...EVEN IF IT WAS...that's exactly why they have statutory rape laws on the books. So an adult doesn't trick or coerce some 12-year-year "kid" into having a sexual relationship with them.— September 29, 2009 3:04 p.m.
Polanski Children Center -- Celebrity Idiots in the News
Ya know...I was thinking about it. And maybe Polanski has been thru enough. After all, he's had to spend the last 30 years in France!— September 29, 2009 11:03 a.m.
Vision Restored for the Blind
That so reminds me of the Saturday Night Live bit they did with Buck Henry in the 70s. All those kings with various inventions, and they ask him "King Douchebag...what is it you're working on?" And he tells them he'd rather not discuss it over dinner.— September 29, 2009 11:02 a.m.