American or Italian Movie?
Yesterday I watched this indie film called "American Movie", a mockumentary similar to "this is Spinal Tap" about a bunch of losers trying to make a movie. It was really really good, especially for an independent film.
"Last night, man, I was so drunk, I was calling Morocco, man. Trying to get to the Hotel Hilton at Tangiers in Casablanca, man. That's pathetic, man. Is that what you wanna do with your life? Suck down peppermint schnapps and try to call Morocco at 2:00 in the morning? That's senseless. But that's what happens, man. "
"Mark Borchardt: Do you think this is a little bit cathartic for you?
Friend/Musician: Uh, very cathartic, Mark.
Mark Borchardt: Do you know what cathartic means?
Friend/Musician: No. "
"'Your AT&T Universal Card has arrived"? Oh God, Kick-fucking-ass, I got a Master Card. I don't believe it, man. Life is kinda cool sometimes. "
Tonight I watched Life is Beautiful, an italian film with Roberto Benigni that won a bunch of Oscars. It's obvious why, too. It's a great film, funny, but sad.
The premise is, there's this amazingly funny and witty guy, and he has to use his wits to keep his son alive in a Nazi Death Camp. He basically convinces his son that it's all a big game. It's amazingly well thought-out and accomplished.
Joseph: "No Jews or Dogs Allowed." Why do all the shops say, "No Jews Allowed"?
Guido: Oh, that. "Not Allowed" signs are the latest trend! The other day, I was in a shop with my Chinese friend and his pet kangaroo, but their sign said, "No Chinese or Kangaroos Allowed," and I said to my friend, "Well, what can I do? They don't allow Chinese or kangaroos."
Joseph: Why doesn't our shop have a "Not Allowed" sign?
Guido: Well, tomorrow, we'll put one up. We won't let in anything we don't like. Why don't you like?
Joseph: Spiders.
Guido: Good I don't like Visigoths. Tomorrow, we'll get sign: "No Spiders or Visigoths Allowed."
"Guido: [pretending to translate for the Appelfuhrer] The game starts now. You have to score one thousand points. If you do that, you take home a tank with a big gun. Each day we will announce the scores from that loudspeaker. The one who has the fewest points will have to wear a sign that says "Jackass" on his back. We play the part of the big mean guys who yell a lot. There are three ways to lose points. One, turning into a big crybaby. Two, telling us you want to see your mommy. Three, saying you're hungry and want something to eat. I lost 40 points yesterday becasue I was too hungry, and ate a jam sandwhich. Apricot Jam. I wanted strawberry. And don't ask for any lollipops, because we won't give you any. We eat them all. I ate 20 yesterday. What a tummyache. But they were good. I have to go now, because I'm playing hide-and-seek, and I don't wanna get found."
"Joseph: I didn't like the train.
Guido: [to his son] Me, neither. We'll take the bus back, okay?
Guido: [to the Nazis] Did you hear that? We're taking the bus back! "
I'd reccomend either of them highly. And if anyone's looking for a really long book series to get into, and wants good quality fantasy, read the "Song of Ice and Fire" books, by George R.R. Martin.
The first is called "A Game of Thrones" It's immense and complicated, but well worth spending the time to read.
If anyone reads it, or has read it, comment.
"Last night, man, I was so drunk, I was calling Morocco, man. Trying to get to the Hotel Hilton at Tangiers in Casablanca, man. That's pathetic, man. Is that what you wanna do with your life? Suck down peppermint schnapps and try to call Morocco at 2:00 in the morning? That's senseless. But that's what happens, man. "
"Mark Borchardt: Do you think this is a little bit cathartic for you?
Friend/Musician: Uh, very cathartic, Mark.
Mark Borchardt: Do you know what cathartic means?
Friend/Musician: No. "
"'Your AT&T Universal Card has arrived"? Oh God, Kick-fucking-ass, I got a Master Card. I don't believe it, man. Life is kinda cool sometimes. "
Tonight I watched Life is Beautiful, an italian film with Roberto Benigni that won a bunch of Oscars. It's obvious why, too. It's a great film, funny, but sad.
The premise is, there's this amazingly funny and witty guy, and he has to use his wits to keep his son alive in a Nazi Death Camp. He basically convinces his son that it's all a big game. It's amazingly well thought-out and accomplished.
Joseph: "No Jews or Dogs Allowed." Why do all the shops say, "No Jews Allowed"?
Guido: Oh, that. "Not Allowed" signs are the latest trend! The other day, I was in a shop with my Chinese friend and his pet kangaroo, but their sign said, "No Chinese or Kangaroos Allowed," and I said to my friend, "Well, what can I do? They don't allow Chinese or kangaroos."
Joseph: Why doesn't our shop have a "Not Allowed" sign?
Guido: Well, tomorrow, we'll put one up. We won't let in anything we don't like. Why don't you like?
Joseph: Spiders.
Guido: Good I don't like Visigoths. Tomorrow, we'll get sign: "No Spiders or Visigoths Allowed."
"Guido: [pretending to translate for the Appelfuhrer] The game starts now. You have to score one thousand points. If you do that, you take home a tank with a big gun. Each day we will announce the scores from that loudspeaker. The one who has the fewest points will have to wear a sign that says "Jackass" on his back. We play the part of the big mean guys who yell a lot. There are three ways to lose points. One, turning into a big crybaby. Two, telling us you want to see your mommy. Three, saying you're hungry and want something to eat. I lost 40 points yesterday becasue I was too hungry, and ate a jam sandwhich. Apricot Jam. I wanted strawberry. And don't ask for any lollipops, because we won't give you any. We eat them all. I ate 20 yesterday. What a tummyache. But they were good. I have to go now, because I'm playing hide-and-seek, and I don't wanna get found."
"Joseph: I didn't like the train.
Guido: [to his son] Me, neither. We'll take the bus back, okay?
Guido: [to the Nazis] Did you hear that? We're taking the bus back! "
I'd reccomend either of them highly. And if anyone's looking for a really long book series to get into, and wants good quality fantasy, read the "Song of Ice and Fire" books, by George R.R. Martin.
The first is called "A Game of Thrones" It's immense and complicated, but well worth spending the time to read.
If anyone reads it, or has read it, comment.