The Movies of 2010, Part XXXII
79. Grey Gardens (1975) - The Maysles Brothers famous documentary about an eccentric old woman and her daughter, the aunt and cousin of Jackie Kennedy, who live together in squalor in a run-down mansion in the Hamptons. This is a terrible comparison to make, but I could best describe it as a sort of precursor to reality TV. It must have been shocking as hell at the time. How could two intelligent, talented, educated people so well-connected in high society fall apart so completely?
Since then, more stories have come out about hoarders and other people somehow ill-equipped to deal with the basics of life. It's not that startling any more, just sad. I've wanted to see this movie ever since I first heard of it, but once I started watching it I couldn't figure out why I was watching it. It felt invasive, despite the obvious full cooperation of the subjects. It made me uneasy.
It's a landmark film, but if you're someone who feels their life is falling apart or out of control in some way, or someone who feels their glory days are long gone, I wouldn't recommend it.
80. MST3K: Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (1964) - There's a fan group that's been screening old MST3K episodes at the Turf Club once a month, this was the December offering. After all the crap which happened to me recently, my car dying and my basement flooding and blah blah blah, I needed this. Some of the hardest laughing I've done in a while.
81 A Shot In The Dark (1964) - The second Inspector Clouseau comedy, and one of my all-time favorites. Trapped in the house during the recent snowstorm, I loaded this up on Netflix Instant View, and grinned ear to ear. Then, a few days later, Blake Edwards dies. Kind of freaky.
Also, I like Elke Sommer. A lot.
Since then, more stories have come out about hoarders and other people somehow ill-equipped to deal with the basics of life. It's not that startling any more, just sad. I've wanted to see this movie ever since I first heard of it, but once I started watching it I couldn't figure out why I was watching it. It felt invasive, despite the obvious full cooperation of the subjects. It made me uneasy.
It's a landmark film, but if you're someone who feels their life is falling apart or out of control in some way, or someone who feels their glory days are long gone, I wouldn't recommend it.
80. MST3K: Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (1964) - There's a fan group that's been screening old MST3K episodes at the Turf Club once a month, this was the December offering. After all the crap which happened to me recently, my car dying and my basement flooding and blah blah blah, I needed this. Some of the hardest laughing I've done in a while.
81 A Shot In The Dark (1964) - The second Inspector Clouseau comedy, and one of my all-time favorites. Trapped in the house during the recent snowstorm, I loaded this up on Netflix Instant View, and grinned ear to ear. Then, a few days later, Blake Edwards dies. Kind of freaky.
Also, I like Elke Sommer. A lot.