Beltmann

Not faithfully. It seemed to me that Tarantino started from that place, but used it largely as a springboard for his own unique blend of ideas--in the end, Death Proof feels more like an adoring comment on the genre, infused with a lot of other influences (including Godard). The final scene (the beat-down) is finally less exploitative than a witty observation about how audiences respond to exploitation. Maybe I'm reading beyond T.'s intentions, but I think it's there, intended or not--and I think that stuff makes it a lot more interesting, and a lot more amusing, than Planet Terror, which w

Once I realized that Death Proof was not really trying to mimic a true grindhouse movie--unlike Planet Terror--I was able to enjoy its unique synthesis of genres. That makes it more of a Tarantino flick than a grindhouse flick, yes, but I'm not complaining. It might not be one of his best, but I still liked it a whole bunch.

My last name is not in the top 5000 (no surprise). But my wife's maiden name is 2072.

I loved that movie. I guess it deals with typical time-machine topics (paradoxes, identity, obligations, profiteering) but infuses them all with a surprising credibility and jerry-rigged poetry. (That storage locker, which becomes some kind of witty birthing chamber, is one of the great places in recent movies.) The spare, drab locations certainly work to the film

I haven't seen Manhunter in years. I should revisit that one.

I've seen the 1941 Wolf Man several times, and there's nothing sacred about it. I say, bring on Benicio Del Toro!

I haven't seen the first Election--apparently it's unnecessary to grasp this standalone sequel--but I have seen other Johnnie To films, and this solid gangster flick trumps them all, even 1999's The Mission. (And it's certainly in a different category than some of To's earlier, goofier successes, such as The Heroic Trio.) Despite the barbarous violence, the tone is one of resigned fortitude, and it's serious about suggesting how the machinery of commerce often depends upon controlled corruption.

It was okay... I liked the story and tone more than most Sandlers, and I felt its low blows were mostly harmless. (Most of the so-called "homophobia" really seemed to be jokes about the folly of stereotypes. As for Rob Schneider's nasty Asian routine, that's another matter...) Still, I can't imagine wanting to ever see it again.

I liked that too--although I admit I could have used a caption at times!

Awesome. My daughter isn't old enough for the movies yet, but obviously that's something I really look forward to.

Last year some of my students told me that there was a Facebook group dedicated to me. I didn't bother to check it out until recently--apparently, I am a "real-life Mr. Feeney." I guess I'm, uh, flattered, or something.

Yes, yes it does. Fortunately, most of the essential live shows are elsewhere--I like the Pabst best of all.

Opens here on Wednesday. I have mixed feelings about the Coens, but I still can't wait.

You've probably seen him in a bunch of things: Brendan Gleeson

I have nothing to add other than to say that I, too, cannot abide this song. I loathe it.

One of my college Brit Lit professors was obsessed with Seamus Heaney.

I keep watching these things and keep not enjoying them. This one has plenty of ripe ideas about the relationship between gender, power, and sex, so if you felt like unpacking it I'm sure you could locate some metaphorical richness--but I didn't feel like bothering.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRIANNE!

Not that funny? Really? I would argue that the "bizarre dichotomy" you describe was partially what fueled some surprisingly nimble comedy, and that what you call "pure drama" was actually closer to "pure deadpan" designed to simmer at very low heat. This season has definitely been lackluster, but this episode, to my mind at least, provided some of the richest, wittiest humor this show has ever achieved. As for Michael being a man-child, I have to ask: Are you insane? Have you ever seen this show before? His transformation into an unbelievable man-child was virtually the major story arc

I didn't know this! If I had known earlier I might have made a point to get there... Can't make it now, though--other stuff going on.

This arrived from Netflix today. Not sure how it got so high in the queue, but all right.

Ah! Last night we even took another look because we felt like we should know who it was... but neither of us remembered Mose! Nice. The deposition scenes were so filled with irony and layers, it was like watching an intricate card tower being built... that was some prime writing right there. Brilliant stuff. And the scene with Toby at lunch was the kind of awkward, painful humor that I love--I like it when I don't know exactly how to respond to a scene.

Yeah, I turned to my wife and said, "You know, she makes a good distinction."

What percentage of people working minimum-wage jobs are using that job to try to maintain a home and support a family? (Don't get me wrong, though--I'm sure a certain percentage falls into that category, and I fully support a raise in the minimum-wage. I just think we need to be honest in our arguments.)