This is really more from the past month and a half (okay, really two months), but nobody is obsessively following this blog to know the difference. At least, I hope that isn't the case! We both have better things to do. At the bottom of this list is a musical gift.
Kotch (1971)
Rating: 10/10. I am a crochety person who likes overly sweet things. Sue me! This is the type of film you might watch after a really horrible, sucky day in late July. The basic plot finds a way to lift the spirits. Grandpa Kotcher's character may resonate with those of you in society being left by the wayside, or worse, being actively put away.
Ebert wasn't too big of a fan of this flick. I'm not a big fan of his review style.
The Decline of Western Civilization I & II (1981 and 1988)
Rating: 9/10 for the first, a rough 8.5/10 for the second. The only reason the first doc gets a 9 is because the site I was using to watch both films put them in the wrong order (meaning Part I would play Part II, and Part II would play I). It made for a confusing viewing. An interesting portrayal of the American punk scene in the late 70's and early 80's; it almost seems alien to the incarnation of the movement today. Onto part II... I've got no love for some of the staged scenes. What was Spheeris thinking? The hair rockers were already entertaining enough! Speaking of hair rockers, I was expecting some more thrash or black metal representation than what was given. Y'know, since it was called 'The Metal Years'. Where are the other kinds of metal? Oh well. Glam bands really seemed to rule on the Sunset Strip. Megadeth and Lemmy tried to balance the score... barely. Still, very enlightening as to how much of a hold glam had on its devoted disciples. Check out a young Ricky Rachtman being the tool that he is!
Repo Man (1984)
Rating: 9/10. I lost the damned notes I wrote for this film. From what I recall, very trippy punk flick that involves Big Gov, aliens, and high speed chases. 70's X-Files? Close enough. An open mind and plenty of pause time is crucial for this one.
Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
Rating: 8.5/10. Madonna received some heavy airplay on my dad's console when I was a little kid, so this was a fun watch. It's a zippy little story with Susanna Arquette basically becoming pre-fame Madonna for a while, with all the trouble her new identity brings. I didn't much care for the romance, so I knocked off half a point.
House Party (1990)
Rating: 8/10. If you need haircut inspiration, look no further! Kid has the follicular chops to easily beat out Eraserhead. This is a fun musical comedy with a solid soundtrack for house and hip-hop enjoyers. I fear that is all I really have to say about this film. Works best with a viewing time of 4:00 AM and a glass of warm water.
Parents (1989)
Rating: 9/10. Want a movie that can be solely defined as surreal? Here you go. I don't want to say too much about this film in case anyone hasn't seen it, but I will say certain horrors of childhood are touched upon very well in this. I may have felt a little sick while watching.
Beat Street (1984)
Rating: a weak 7/10 plot wise, but in terms of historical value? It receives a 10. You like hip-hop and can tolerate a slightly dragging story (much like Kotch)? Watch it! Enjoy New York City before pervasive gentrification? Then it's a gem. I would describe it as a pretty quiet film, despite how loud the music can get at times. That might be because of the winter setting. A young Rae Dawn Chong steals the show in this.
The Order (2024)
Rating: 7/10. Out of place on this list, isn't it? Blame it on David Koresh. Tight, well paced, hits all the right beats, yadda yadda yadda. Somehow, it still fell flat! Most of the characters felt wooden and very much unlike the real people they were supposed to be portraying. I might make a list of films I find handle historical extremism well some other time. This kind of missed the mark.
I hope you had the wisdom to skip all of that. It may have not been Hamilton length, but I think I might be gaining upon Lin Manuel. Now, enjoy some Inti Illimani and take in the good weather.
Remember that film list? Good. Now forget about it (because I sure have). Pretend it never even existed! Instead, listen to Courage by National Velvet, a Toronto rock band that should've been way more popular than they were.
Am I the biggest fan of rap or country? Not quite (simply because I need to expand my knowledge. There's so much to listen to). Do I want to throw people who say '(c)rap' or aggressively hate on all country into a wood chipper? Yes!
Whenever someone asks me if I'm happy with what I'm pursuing educationally/career-wise, I just tell them the truth: fuck no! This often gets a lot of confused and disapproving stares. It's probably also one of the reasons I'm practically friendless (I don't blame them. Everything's too negative these days). Thing is, if they'd just let me finish my sentence, they'd get to know I would like to become a farmer and fulfil a quiet existence with my grandmother in the old country. And now, here's 10 good songs from this past week. Enjoy!
Sour Girl - Stone Temple Pilots
2. Little Joe - Soundgarden
3. Wa Habibi - Fairuz
4. Min Hamaitzar - Kol Salonika
5. Motorbreath (demo) - Metallica
6. Spoonful - Howlin' Wolf
7. Averti tra le braccia - Luigi Tenco
8. Only - Anthrax
If I could see them play here live with Public Enemy, I'd die happy.
Although music (and this goddamned script) is the only thing keeping me going right now, I feel like if I listen to another record my eardrums will burst. It's very odd. Maybe I should take a page out of my mom's book and stop listening all together for a few months to see if I feel any different.
Anyways, here's a low quality photo of Hasford and the mythical Snuffies, along with this cover of a Wicked Witch tune. It pairs well with Return From The Stars by Stanislaw Lem.
There's always that one band that you've wanted to see in concert, but never got the chance. Maybe they never visit your city, or maybe you're always busy, or maybe they're Nirvana. Whatever the reason, it sucks. Regardless, if you could make your dream lineup (because you are super, duper rich), who would you put on there?
Ugly people do NOT exist! Even in my most hateful hours, I have never truly seen someone I thought was bad looking. The only thing that matters are your actions in this world.
*MOST attractive men in your opinion. And women too.
Thank you for the ask, anon!
This may be the hardest question I've been asked all day, possibly even all year (lol). There are leagues of people I think are beautiful (evidenced by a joke note I kept of all those I found easy on the eyes). But attractive? Tough.
If you asked me this three years ago I would've said Matthew Modine, no question. As of right now though, he is not included on that list. The following ten are though:
Jerry Cantrell. But mainly as Nona Weisbaum because that pink suit is something special.
Prince.
Jürgen Prochnow.
Harlan Ellison is begrudgingly included on this list, because I DO think he was handsome. Very hard to admit to though.
Ted Kaczynski. Don't mention the mugshot.
Barbra Streisand
Gillian Anderson
Ofra Haza!!!
Octavia St. Laurent.
Sherilyn Fenn
It took a lot to even cobble this list together. I hope it shall suffice.
Anon almost certainly doesn't gaf about mine but I felt inclined to join so here goes (not in order):
Men: Jon Erik Hexum, Prime Rock Hudson, Pre accident Montgomery Clift, Prime Marlon Brando, Vasiliy Stepanov, Haruma Miura, River Phoenix, Brandon Lee, Syd Barrett, Richey Edwards, Jim Morrison, Brandon Lee, JFK Jr, Devon Bostick, Guy Madison, Robert Taylor, Jason Lewis and same read solely as Lestat. (Three of them have been discovered by looksmaxxers recently which hurts my soul deeply)
Also Jules Bianchi and Ayrton Senna. So handsome to me. Both.
Women: Tina Aumont, prime Kylie Minogue, Ofra Haza, Michelle Trachtenberg, Brittany Murphy, Margaux Hemingway, Gia Carangi, Louise Brooks, Madhubala, Ewa Aulin, Alice White, Ruslana Korshunova, Natalia Vodianova, Ava Gardner, Francine Everett, Greta Garbo, Tallulah Bankhead, Kay Francis, Song Hye Kyo, and Tilly Losch.
It's obligatory for me to say Rock Hudson is the most beautiful man in the world (tradition atp). Truth be told I'd say it's Jon Erik Hexum, though (Idgaf I was here before those gay looksmaxxers. Years before). I've seen his face so many times in motion too and I'm always in absolute awe.
Anon should gaf, since you always say the truth. Very, very solid list. The inclusion of Richey Edwards, Robert Taylor and Tallulah Bankhead is something that my pea brain should've thought of... but it didn't.
Rock Hudson, for those who are too lazy to Google him:
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