Hucklebug, Episode 129: RIP Eartha Kitt, shout-outs, movies (Bet: Beowulf, Wall-E, Leatherheads; Stennie: It’s a Wonderful Life, Cluny Brown, Who Killed the Electric Car?), Best & Worst movies we saw in 2008, lowlights & highlights of the week, lowlights & highlights of 2008, fuck-offs & you-rules, Fuck-offs and You-Rules of 2008, Hucklebug resolutions/goals/whatever for 2009. Goodbye, 2008, we won’t miss you. Happy New Year, all!
Music: “The Hucklebuck,” performed by (respectively): The Birdies, Mac Curtis, Cab Calloway, Tielman Brothers, Frank Sinatra.
Happy New Year! I’m glad you got your gifts. They are not identical—Bet’s intrigued me as it was a musical Fact or Crap. Have fun! And congratulations on the Christmas bonus, Stennie.
The thing with Leatherheads (the ONE movie I saw in the theater this year—naturally I abandoned my very small child in a heartbeat for that one) is that I can say that I didn’t HATE Renee Zellwegger in that one. It was a nice break from 24/7 boy. As it was my only movie, it is my best and worst for the year. It was no “Oh Brother”, but that one had Holly Hunter (second only to Sally Field on my ‘oh God no, not her’ list) and it was still good. It’s just that Renee is nowhere near as pretty, smart, or witty as she seems to think she is. And it’s George. I’m not doing so well, as I never got around to Burn Before Reading, but now that it’s out on DVD I can in theory get it at the video store.
While I understand that most people want to see 2008 go away, I’m not entirely in that camp. I finally got a roommate this year, and I think I’m going to keep him. I do have a hope for 2009, though, which is to get about double the sleep I did in 2008. I do play to boost the economy in the next year by buying a car and buying and selling a condo. This week has proven to me that I really, really, really need my own bedroom. The roomie is great, but he needs his own space.
Hmm. Let’s get a strategy to get you in the top 100 in 2009. Maybe if we rename Boo and Buster “Adolf Hitler” and “Saddam Husayn” and then try to get a cake done….
Hey gals,
maybe make your workout goals a subject of the hucklebug? Or would that be too girly/disgustingly annoying? I’m on the same mindset for 2009, might buy a workout cycle for use at home during the cold…any weekly reminders from my friends is a good idea!
Cheers,
Si
To answer Mr. Middlebrow’s question, I run a classic film list which Heidi joined many years ago. Her participation has decreased over the last two years or so, and I’ve done my best to harrass her into returning for a more featured role. I somehow discovered the show in my repeated attempts to conjole her into being a more active member. That’s as clear as I can recall. Now, for the untrue bit: I do remember that she was extremely evangelical on the subject of The Hucklebug, and there was funny kool-aid, painful initiations, and a young Powers Boothe involved in my conversion to the Hucklebug way of life. She even forced me to watch THE APARTMENT for days on end which prompted a temporary stay in the booby hatch.
In actuality, I live in Akron, Ohio which is about 20/30 minutes from Cleveland. I travel a lot and I go to New York on average twice a month to see films and attend the theatre. I also spend some time in London each year. I have a younger sister. We’re a very small family which is why I’m bad with names because I’m not used to a lot of people. I’m the first person in my family to receive a Bachelor of Arts or higher although my sister recently returned to university. I have a BA, MA, and a J.D. which I earned in 2006. My job does not require a lot of in office time so I have the leisure to see films and I see about six films a week. If I’m in New York or London, I will usually see three to four a day. I don’t remember a time when filmgoing was not an integral part of my life.
My musical education is not as varied as most the listeners to the show. I don’t get half the references but I do google and listen to the Mp3s. My mother was and still is a disco afficionado and I have lost count of how many times I’ve heard “If I can’t Have You” and “Last Dance.” My exposure to country music extends only to Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Juice Newton, Eddie Rabbit, and Alabama because my mother had a crush on Randy Owens so I had to listen to them. I couldn’t name one Alabama song, but I could pick Owens out of a line-up.
I thankfully have no children since I would most likely drown them if I did. I’m not married. That’s about it.
Yep, I’ve seen that Beowulf version. It was rotoscoped which gave it an other-worldly look I sort of liked. The style seemed suitable for a fairy tale. Overall I agree with Bet though. It wasn’t my favorite. There was a much better version done in 2005 from Iceland. I have a copy if you want to see it.
Here’s some interesting facts about Bluegrass music. Did you know it got it’s name from Bill Monroe’s band “The Blue Grass Boys”? Bill was from Kentucky, hence bluegrass. He made it popular but didn’t invent it. It’s origins come from Irish and Scottish jigs when those people settled in the Appalachias. It’s presented in the form of a Round, where each instrument takes center stage playing the theme in turn. How the theme is played is totally improvised (like jazz) and considered some of the most technically demanding music on earth. Bet, did you mean flatpicking when you said clawhammer? There are only 2 main picking styles I’m aware of – Flatpicking and 3 finger Scruggs style. Good bluegrass is some awesome stuff.
At least you two ladies had some best movies this year. All mine sucked except for Wall-E and documentaries. I love Wall-E though! He’s the most original character I’ve seen in years.
Good podcast! Here’s wishing you and the other Hucklebuggers a great 2009.
Oh MarlaMarlaMarla, don’t be embarrassed! The show was extra delightful with you on it.
I was an Elvis fan in high school – since the moment I heard Every Day I Write the Book.
Movies: I’m in Stennie’s league! I got up to 112.
I saw Beowulf. There are a lot of stories surrounding him and Grendel, and I just assumed this was one of them. I also didn’t know, or understand why, the movie was animated. I didn’t like it much, but I think I gave it a star for the idea of making a movie about Beowulf.
I saw Wall-e yesterday and really enjoyed it. It is a must-see.
Thank you for sparing me the Jenga!
Ah, crap. I had a whole comment typed out and everything got lost after “submit.” I’ll try to remember everything I said.
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Actually, I was thinking the ugliness = Here Comes The Sun controversy, and children = Bet.
WRT the clawhammer technique, that’s mainly for strumming, correct? I understand it to be the hand in a fixed claw-like position picking and strumming on alternating beats. If it’s what I think it is, Steve Martin does this well. And I believe it’s pretty close to how Paul McCartney played Rocky Raccoon, or at least it’s how I play it.
(I had a great description of the differences between country music, mountain music, rockabilly, and hillbilly, but it’s just too much to remember.)
I only saw one first-time five-star flick this year, Jean Renoir’s The River. I didn’t see many 2008 films, but the best was definitely WALL-E. I do have to disagree with Bet on something, though. I definitely think it appeals to kids, in much the same way that the old WB cartoons appealed to us as kids. At least I hope the kids would be into it.
Akron had their own album! http://www.discogs.com/release/1102077
Thanks for your words of support Michelle…I’m doing a lot better.
a “friend” sent me a video of some skinny chick playing the Kazoo from her crotch in response to my plea for Kazoo lessons…
That’s not happening.
BTW, Hazel is still no where to be found. I heard a great story from my/our friend Teri, who told me that Wally, her old cat, brought a friend home to live. The cat is a younger, female version of himself. Perhaps he is getting ready to replace himself. I am hoping Hazel has moved in with a friend too. That’s what I’m telling the kids when they get sad that she might no longer be alive.
In the meantime, Spanky and the Prodigal Daughter have adopted a black/siamese mix 6 week old kitten which has been appropriately named JetPack. He does not walk or run. He zooms.
For the Glossary, can you please clearly make the distinction between Mr. M, Mr Middlebrow and the Deep Fat Friar. maybe you can glossary all of your listeners and how they came to be???
See ya in Ashland!!!
Thanks for the year-end shoutout. Hope everyone’s holidays were pleasant and stress-free.
Kudos to Michelle (Dishy) and Marlamarlamarla on your guest spots. Always good to hear a third point of view.
I watched 177 last year, a new record for me. Not as impressive as others, but I’ve got a family and infanticide is not really an option. Many more 2008 releases than I normally would watch, because I’m participating in the Muriel Awards this year, as is friend-of-the-podcast Dennis Cozzalio. You can check out the previous years at http://opal-films.com/ and watch for the 2008 Awards in early February. Forget the Oscars, a Muriel lasts forever.
Akron’s also the Rubber Capital of the World and home of DEVO. Quite respectable.
Don’t know if weight loss is also a goal for the new year, but I’d totally be up for a Hucklebug Biggest Loser challenge, if others were up to it. Did one with friends about a year ago, and really found it helpful to keep myself honest. Give everyone a deadline, throw some money in the middle, weigh in weekly and let the one with biggest weight loss percentage take all! Doesn’t have to be money involved, but I find that always motivates me… Or perhaps the winner gets a Hucklemug, bought by the other participants?
Okay, let’s start off the Hucklebug glossary here. Please define “hinky”. Got a rough idea, but I’m hoping for clarity. Is it similar to “squirrelly”?
Happy New Year to you both!!
Ervin loved Wall-E – I still haven’t see it yet.
I hate that when the new year come’s around I feel obligated to put the “eat healthier & get some exercise” on the list – and yet it is there on the list, as always.
did my comment get lost or are you procrastinating? I sent it yesterday../
it was brilliant.
What Marla did there with that second post—that’s hinky. See also “The Fugitive,” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106977/quotes, where one of TLJ’s underlings comments on something as being “hinky” (i.e., not right, off kilter, outta whack) and Tommy Lee chides him for using words that “have no meaning.” (Didn’t you guys do a bit on this already, or did I dream it?)
In other news…
I’m wasn’t sure if Crystal was flirting or calling me out over a perceived slight. Ah, well, potato/potahto
I equivocated on the gender question in case she (or he) had at some earlier occasion, told the assembled Hucklebuggers that, from now on, he (or she) wanted you all to call him (or her) “Crystal.” I’m just sensitive that way. I don’t need an seminar in Sexuality Law to know that it’s every man’s right to have babies if he wants them, even if he hasn’t got a womb, which is nobody’s fault, not even the Romans’.
With that mystery solved, I now want to know how I use my JD to get a job that allows me to watch six movies per week and attend the theatre in London now and again. Where one assumes the vendors offer ocelot spleens and wrens’ livers for your afternoon snacking pleasure. Get ‘em while they’re hot; they’re lovely! Like Crystal!
I think the HB handbook/glossary should have a chart or a graph showing your most/least favorite stars—Nicholas Cage and Ashton Kutcher at one end and the Brutally Hot Toshiro Mifune and Marcello Mastroianni at the other.
My favorite uncle parlayed a JD into being a sales rep for JC Penney Men’s shirts, and later sold things such as mattresses (can you say “sleep country”) and the good shit that cleans up the bad shit that gas stations produce.
Now he is selling software to medical practitioners who are trying to follow HIPAA laws.
It’s all about closing the deal my friend….
It was such a great idea to name one song per musical category. It’s been so much to discover new music.
Diet tips: don’t diet. Just make incremental changes like buying smaller plates (to confuse your eyes that you’re getting a big meal), go for less fat over full fat or no fat; whole wheat over enriched or white breads; frozen fruit smoothies over milkshakes/iced lattes; dark chocolate over milk chocolate; agave or honey over sugar or sugar substitutes. If you make smaller changes, you won’t feel deprived because when you feel deprived, you’re eventually going to snap, and it’s not going to be pretty.
I enjoyed HISTORY BOYS and ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, but I know people who dislike both of them. I tend to like films where attractive British men do weird and wonderful things. I agree with Bet: Renee Z. is one big cinematic black hole. She sucks the energy out of every picture. LEATHEHEADS could have been a better film if her role had been recast. I can’t imagine any man wanting her let alone two.
Mr. Middlebrow, my JD did not help me land my job. It was my connection to one of the administrators that got me the job. My advice is to go to every conference, party, get-together that your law school has because knowing the right people is truly more important than the JD. I would also look into insurance companies who are constantly on the lookout for law students because they make excellent underwriters. If you minored in statistics or English this will also help you.
Hey folks, it’s Krizzer! Guess what, Andy-Man got me an iPod for Christmas, so now I can get caught up on my Hucklebugs! I love listening to the ‘Bug in my car. But I have to agree with….who was it? Venice? Dishy? (Can’t remember). Wish I could comment from my iPod. To be honest, I’m only on episode 127 but I wanted to get a comment in before next week’s episode. Stennie – my new favorite saying is from episode 127: “his stupid douchey hair.” By the way, I will always have a soft spot for Sham-Wow, since I first saw the ad with you and Michelle #2 in Vegas…
Akron is also where Dr. Chumley and I are going to go for two weeks, lie in hammocks, sip cold beer, and have two beautiful women pat our hands and repeat, “Poor, poor thing.”
I’m so behind!
I’m catching up!
Thanks for the new year shoutout!
Oh yeah: I like Jenga.