Episode 204: Shout-outs, Pet Story, New Favorite, What’s Up With That – My Fake Baby, Fuck offs and You rules, Top Ten Movies of the 1970s.
Music: “The Hucklebuck,” performed by Sierra Rein, Lee Rocker, and Frank Sinatra.
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I’m not sure if I saw the same documentary you did, because it was a couple of years ago, I think, but that “My fake baby” show is one of the creepiest and saddest things I ever saw. Psychological referrals for all! At least with “Hoarders” they do actually send the professional assistance in. I remember the story of Harry, and I kept thinking, there might be a reason why your daughter moved all the way to New Zealand.
Question — is there any part of Oktoberfest that is remotely family friendly? Is there like a “Sunday Afternoon for the kiddies”? I think NTCNTC might like the music, but I’m a bit concerned about the moonshine…
No, no, no. There is zero reason to watch Godfather 3 when watching the combo film. Al Pacino had already won the “Al Pacino award” (my version of the Mel Gibson award) and it’s removed enough in time and theme that it really doesn’t relate to the other films. To me, Godfather 3 is one of those movies that should never have been made, kind of like any sequel to Gone With The Wind. You’re not supposed to know what happens after Michael is sitting at the lakeside, just like you’re not supposed to know what happens after Rhett walks out the door. There are only two options left in both (either Michael redeems himself or else he just goes on being an amoral bastard/Rhett and Scarlett get back together or they don’t), and they’re both kind of lame and anticlimactic.
I just went on to IMDB to look at my ranked movies to find what would have been my top ten: The two Godfathers, Star Wars, Life of Brian, Blazing Saddles, The Sting, The Muppet Movie, Young Frankenstein, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Dog Day Afternoon, Close Encounters, All the President’s Men. (it’s more than 10, but I couldn’t get 10 with my 9- and 10- star movies, so I tossed in the 8-stars; If I had to strike two, I think Close Encounters would definitely drop off — not sure I can pick between Dog Day Afternoon and All the President’s Men). I’m sure there are tons I’m forgetting, but these are films I had rated on IMDB.
One thing I noted is that it took me a heck of a lot of page clicks to get to 10 70’s movies. It looks like the 90s and 40s would have gotten to 10 first, although for the 90s it’s probably because that’s when I was on IMDB the most and thus would rate more as I go. I did note one 8-star movie that I have zero recollection of having seen or even heard of, and it had Renee Zellwegger in it (The Whole Wide World). I think someone got on my account in the middle of the night or something. I did have to go back on there and re-rate a few. The distance of time made a few go up and down. Like I had “O Brother” with an 8. Really? What was I thinking?
To squash the nasty rumor you two started, no, your movie lists are not boring. I love them and want to hear the other decades. It’s the one thing I can play along with since I’m a complete and utter failure at music lyrics. I can’t sing Happy Birthday without the score in front of me. I’m the guy who sings ‘Hold me closer Tony Danza’ but think I’m doing the actual lyrics because I remember everything sideways and backwards.
It’s a good idea to have Hucklebug Foreign Exchanges between us. We’ll ship ourselves around to each other’s houses. Any Hucklebug devotee is welcome to visit me. I’ll even feed them some honest southern BBQ and a good Hot Dog. There might be some Pinto beans and corn bread in the deal too. Nothing like Southern Comfort food to make you a happy camper. If Bet comes by I’ll give her some Mr. Stripy on a BLT that will knock her for a loop.
Both your movie lists were excellent. Great movies all. Here is my list:
Catch 22
A Clockwork Orange
Tokyo Story
Amarcord
Chinatown
The Man Who Would Be King – Barry Lyndon -Farewell, My Lovely (Three Way Tie).
Network
A Bridge too Far
Watership Down
Circle of Iron
Everyone is welcome to visit my blog for the complete list including runners-up. It’s here: http://itsanoirworld.blogspot.com/2010/10/my-top-movies-of-1970s.html
Moonshine will drive you crazy as a hoot owl. I think it might have something to do with lead poisoning. Most moonshiners don’t have high quality stainless steel vats to run off liquor. They use old welding bottles or propane tanks that have high lead content. You have to be pretty trusting to drink shine from someone you don’t know. Over the years samples have been tested and it all had extremely high lead content. Some of it near poisonous levels. You learn this stuff the hard way growing up around shine like I did.
Can I be the voice of dissension regarding The Godfather Part III? I don’t think it’s a bad movie, in fact it weaves in some interesting ideas for the time in which it is set (the late 70s): Sonny’s illegitimate son Vincent, the Vatican bank, and the fate of Pope John Paul I (I was gone in 33 days!). The writing isn’t great, and of course the less said about Sophia’s acting, the better. But I like it fine. Think of it think way: we were nearly subjected to The Godfather Part IV, with G2-esque parallel storylines involving Sonny’s rise in the Corleone family (to have been cast as a young Santino: Leo DiCaprio) and Vincent (Andy Garcia, of course) leading the family into the 80s and ending up as John Gotti.
Actually, I wouldn’t mind seeing that one, either.
I’m glad to see you finally presented your 70s film lists. I had a TON of movies I had to consider, since I think it’s still the richest decade for great films (I know Stennie disagrees, but she’s, you know, wrong). My top 10:
The Godfather (and yes, they are two separate movies)
Monty Python And The Holy Grail (I’m with Stennie regarding the flip-flopping between this and Brian, and I fully agree with her reasons for picking that one, but in the end I just want a movie to entertain me, and by providing laffs as often and effectively as it does, I’ll always go with Holy Grail)
American Graffiti
Taxi Driver
Young Frankenstein
The Godfather Part II
Harold And Maude
The Conversation
Celine And Julie Go Boating
The Phantom Of Liberty
Honorable mentions: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, The Last Picture Show, Walkabout, The Long Goodbye, Monty Python And The Life Of Brian, The Passenger, Harlan County USA, Annie Hall, That Obscure Object Of Desire, Animal House, Rock ‘n Roll High School, Superman: The Movie, Aguirre: The Wrath of God, Scenes From A Marriage, The Sting, Two English Girls, Vengeance Is Mine
Moonshine? Really?
See, this is where I’m completely ignorant/a Northerner. It seems old-fashioned, since Prohibition got repealed about 75 years ago, and cheap-as-hell liquor is readily available. After a quick Google search about what goes into the making of it, I think I’d stick with good old safe crystal meth.
Regarding 70s films: the lack of Star Wars bothers me not, considering the original experience has been bastardized and resold to us every decade since. Next year, the original three films are coming out in 3D. Cause that’s necessary.
Good lists in all. Kudos to Young Frankenstein and Kramer v Kramer love. The scene in the latter where Dustin Hoffman literally runs his child to the emergency room is a nightmarish scene for a parent to watch, and sticks with me to this day.
Some others you may consider (hope I’m not duplicating you or anyone else above): Alien, Badlands, The Bad News Bears (best baseball movie ever), Being There, The Conformist, Dawn of the Dead, Days of Heaven, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, Badlands, Heaven Can Wait, The Honeymoon Killers, Killer of Sheep, Le Circle Rouge, M*A*S*H, Manhattan, Mean Streets, Nashville, Night Moves, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Parallax View.
I think Duke is actually counting the 1972 U.S. release of Ozu’s Tokyo Story, originally made in the early 1950s. I wonder if there are other older foreign classics that would fit in this category.
Patrick is right. Tokyo Story was made in the 1950’s but didn’t get wide release here until the 1970’s. That was the first time I’d seen it so I counted it as a 1970’s movie. That may disqualify it depending on how you look at things. To me, it was a new release so I looked at it that way.
Oh, and thanks for continually reminding me why I hate tv. (There’s gotta be somebody other than me.)
I like how my little “thepeeeeete” thing evolved this week.
Sten, I barely knew who Katy Perry was before she was on with Elmo.
Hang gliding is AWESOME. SO jealous, Sten! I’ve done it a few times but only down in the Outer Banks off North Carolina. I got to fly by myself, but it looks like you got to fly waaaay higher than 20-30 feet I’ve flown.
Unsnap with Bet on the Beck thing. He’s just trying to spread his message–just like anyone else, Nazi or not. Half of Twitter is guilty of the same thing.
I’m not really mad about it, but Star Wars is influential across multiple disciplines well beyond cinema. Our world (sadly) would not be the same if Star Wars had never come out. Not just scifi geeks, but Hollywood, marketing, merchandising, and even culturally. How many other movies are referenced by a Vice President endorsing torture? But kudos for acknowledging the omission. And that does suck that no one took you to see it. I remember being bitter about not being able to see it opening night. When did I see it? The night after opening night. I was a spoiled brat.
Was “3 Days of the Condor” 70s? That was pretty prescient (and awesome).
Maybe I don’t quite understand your criteria.
I did add Catch-22 to the queueueueueeueueueueueu along with Rollerball. I’m surprised I haven’t seen Rollerball yet.
Actually, Bet–I think “Empire Strikes Back” is like “Godfather 2” in that the sequel is better than the first. And has Al Pacino (or Francis Ford Coppola) won the Harrison Ford award? I seriously think you guys should give that thing out monthly. Also, I’m glad Mike owns my butt–we totally snap on Godfather 3–Godfather 3 is fine–it just looks like shit next to Godfathers 1 & 2.
“Deer Hunter” is incredible, Bet. Total snappage there.
I’m thinking about naming something called “Dear Hunter” about a vegetarian who is in love with some one who likes to eat fresh venison.
OK, maybe that’s not a good idea.
Wasn’t “Close Encounters” in the 1970s? You mentioned “Jaws” so I’m good. I’m with Patrick on Alien–can’t believe I didn’t think of it until I read his comment. Same with One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, though I think The Parallax View is kinda overrated.
Great conversation, though, ladies!! Interesting!! No peeing pants, though.
I could talk about movies all day.
And Mike, I’d hate TV, too, you know, if I watched it.
Is it too late to suggest a topic? I can’t come up with a lyrics quiz, but I would love to hear youz guys’ / y’all’s opinions on REMAKES. Namely, let’s say the five best and the five most shameless cash-cow/bad/unnecessary examples.
This seems especially relevant and timely, given that Bet’s favorite ’70s (and possibly all-time) movie, The In-Laws, was recently remade, apparently without much justification or success.
Also, a quick question for Bet: doesn’t your abiding and oft-expressed love for My Name is Earl vicariously obligate you to include, or at least acknowledge, the cultural touchstone that is Smokey and the Bandit?
Apparently, I really like Badlands, since I mentioned it twice.
I know who Katy Perry is. She’s the one who looks like Zooey Deschanel. Come to think of it, they’re never seen together, like Clark Kent and Superman. I wonder which one fights crime.
So if you’re up for another lyrics quiz, here’s an idea: each of you can suggest the topics for your own quizzes, and I’ll make a 10 song quiz for each of you. I’ll also e-mail the other person your songs, so you can have the answers instantaneously. Some possible ideas for your quizzes:
Top ten (or top 40) songs of _____ (a year of your choosing)
#1 songs of _____ (pick a decade, or any span of time)
Bubblegum songs of the 60s/70s
Punk rock/New wave songs of the 70s/80s
Male/female duets
Big Band era songs
Song titles featuring male/female names
Songs by __________ (an artist of your)
And that’s just a sampling. You can go nuts with your own topic, just remember that (a) there should be a big enough pool from which to choose 10 decent selections, and (2) it’ll be your quiz, so you don’t wanna roam too far away from your own expertise. Also, “songs from my own CD mixes” probably wouldn’t be a great idea. I’ll also opt to leave showtunes to the experts, Siskita and Krizza.
What you think?
Holy Crap..I don’t have anything interesting to say…this week has been a (not THE) week from Hell around here…so I am woefully behind in my listening, but I felt I needed to balance the hormone level of the comments. I don’t know why. I like the guys’ comments, they are interesting…just felt like giving Lily some sister support.
ps Hug a gay teen this week…and not in a creepy way. You may just be the love they need that day.
Stennie – Motown Quiz
====
1
You pick me up when I’m down
And when we go out, pretty baby, you shake up the whole town
2
My mother once told me something, and every word is true
Don’t waste your time on a fella who doesn’t love you
3
Although she may be cute, she’s just a substitute
Because you’re the permanent one
4
But if you leave me a hundred times
A hundred times I’ll take you back
5
After I had known you for what seems like a long, long time
I wanted, wanted to ask you would you please, please be mine
6
Now don’t your conscience kinda bother you
How can you watch me cry after all I’ve done for you
Now hold on a minute!
7
The others were untrue
But when it came to you
I’d spend my whole life with you
8
‘Cause so badly I want to go outside
But everyone knows that a man ain’t supposed to cry
9
He calls me on the phone, about three times a day
Now my heart is listening to what he has to say
10
I walk in shadows searching for light
Cold and alone, no comfort in sight
Bet – Top 40 Songs of 1974
====
1
So baby, don’t expect to see me with no double martini
In any high-brow society news
2
Yes, it’s been quite a summer
Rent-a-cars and westbound trains
And now you’re off on vacation
Something you tried to explain
3
Turning home, running free as the wind
Stretching my stride, wanna hold you again
4
Mosquitos started buzzin’ ’bout this time of year
I’m goin’ round back, said she’d meet me there
5
And you play the part, okay
Nobody knows you like I do
6
Suffering was the only thing made me feel I was alive
Thought that’s just how much it cost to survive in this world
7
You’re a real fine lady
Well, your walk’s a little shady
Step on the strip on time
That’s money you’re bound to find, yeah
8
Searchin’ through the fragments of my dream-shattered sleep
I wonder if the years have closed her mind
9
You know that I was born for a night like this
Warmed by a stolen kiss
10
Headed for city lights
Climbed the ladder up to fortune and fame
Just to pick up on and illustrate what ThePete said about the cultural significance of Star Wars beyond the box office: A few weeks ago, the local Museum of Life and Science had a day of photo ops with roving Star Wars characters. It was, in a word, awesome. Not least because the man-cub has gone a little Star Wars crazy of late. Since he just turned six, and isn’t quite ready to see the movies, we have this little ritual where every time we get in the car, I tell him a “Star Wars story” (basically an edited excerpt/anecdote from the first three films. He especially loves hearing anything having to do with R2-D2 and how he “outwits the bad guys.” We also work him (the man-cub) into the narrative. So him getting to see and touch the “real” R2 was actually a bigger deal than Santa Claus. And I alternated between tearing up over the sentiment of it and grinning like a jackass at crossing light sabres with various Jedis and getting Force-choked by Lord Vader himself. At one point, I thought, “Y’know, Lucas made a lot of bone-head moves, but you gotta give the guy credit for coming up with this. It’s pretty amazing.”
As for Stennie’s omission, I wasn’t really upset; I thought you both had excellent lists, Though I do appreciate the disclaimer and the hand-wringing. If anything, I’m still chapped over the omission of The Empire Strikes Back and The Right Stuff from anybody’s ’80s list, but I’ll get over it.
I had planned a whole big, epic comment on my ’70s list and how it was informed by my time as a projectionist (at age 11) at the State Theater in Oregon City. Maybe that’s better saved for when you have me on as a guest…;^) I am happy to report that my list, without prompting, included Alien, Young Frankenstein, Breaking Away, Jaws, the Godfathers, Rollerball, Life of Brian, and, of course, Star Wars. A few that I think deserve notice, that I haven’t seen mentioned, would be: Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, The Goodbye Girl, Harold and Maude, Enter the Dragon, Take the Money and Run, and Sorcerer (William Friedkin’s remake of the French film “The Wages of Fear.”