One of my favorite movie lines (a second one from Casablanca) is Claude Rains as Renault, commenting on Rick's treatment of Natasha.
"Rick, how extravagant you are throwing away women like that, someday they may be scarce."
Willie Nelson's 4th of July Celebration
I went to see the most obscure (concert) movie, Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic. First of all, I have never been to Anthology Film Archives and I have no idea why. Its an NYC cultural institution. Secondly, this film brought back a flood of childhood memories of growing up in Texas in the 70's. It ocurred to me during the film that my parents were in their late 20s/early 30s during this time period. It felt very strange to sit in a dark theater in New York City watching this familiar time period unfold.
My parents used to take me, my brothers and cousins to the honky tonks and when it was bedtime, they'd put us down on a blanket in the corner, covering the sawdust floor. And we'd sleep. Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Charlie Pride or the local band blaring through the speakers. One parent would stay at a table near the blanket and the rest would be drinking, dancing, smoking --- honky tonkin' as they call it. (Note to all hypersensitive parents who think their child's enviroment must be endlessly controlled, I'm proud to say we all turned out normal.)
The nostalgia was so intense I felt if someone had opened a door and told me I could walk right back into that time period, I would've and it would've felt completely comfortable. My cousins, my aunt and uncle, my Oma and Opa, watching The Dukes of Hazzard, playing Nerf football with my cousin in the street....
It made me realize how (s)crappy everyone looked when "country was cool" but also what a musical genius Willie Nelson is. His career has gone on forever. Seeing him so young, back in the 70s, was fascinating. He's the same old musical icon, he just looks like my grandad now.
The Con Film Festival
I'm a big fan of the Film Forum. Not sure if I will have time to go, but this is an awesome theme for a Film Festival.
"The Con Film Festival" a two-week, twenty-one film series of prison movies, spotlighting cons, ex-cons, and other incarcerated outcasts, runs at Film Forum through Thursday, May 21.
Natalie Wood
I found a very sexy photo of the glamorous Natalie Wood.
Best Dressed - Oscars 2009
My favorite for best dressed last night was Tina Fey, who looked outstanding in a classy, yet simple dress that looked like a throwback to the 1940's. I could imagine Rita Hayworth wearing it.
Can you dig it?!?
The Warriors is a bad-ass film that makes the 1970's subway system look appealing in a gritty way that The Taking of the Pelham One, Two, Three loses out on. I can't believe it took me this long to see it.
The Warriors, the Baseball Furies, the Lizzies...
Quantum of Solace
My review of Quantum of Solace:
"Daniel Craig, mega f*cking hot - not enough gratuitous Daniel Craig nudity in this film."
The end.
Devastating
Devastatingly beautiful is what Paul Newman was....
