Monday, May 22, 2006

Misc. STUFF for your enjoyment

Columbia Business School's Dean Glenn Hubbard sings about wanting Alan Greenspan's job that went instead to New Fed Chair Ben Bernanke.

Pretty amusing Police spoof, the "CBS" referred to, obviously Columbia Business School.



Beatles Nostalgia: Perhaps brought about by the news of the McCartney/Mills split.

Sadly fitting video of Paul McCartney rehearsing "For No One" (Revolver). A little amusing (his ab lib horn section) and a little sad. It has always been one of my favorites from Revolver, standing on equal ground with Eleanor Rigby, yeah I like the depressing ones, what can I say.



Ah... And McCartney on the Chris Farley show... Hilarious. Long live Farley.



The inspiration for one of Today's most popular indie bands... a spoof band and a stripper served up in the Magical Mystery tour? Make note of John and George oggling the stripper from the front row. I especially like the melted appearance of Lennon, appearing as though overwhelmed. I just read a book memoir on the Beatles by Tony Bramwell, who was a childhood friend of George & Paul, an employee of Epstein and a roadie that essentially assumed management responsibilities. He mentioned the filming of The Magical Mystery tour, (which I should really rent some time). And how Paul was pissed because the BBC wanted this entire bit cut because of the ta-tas. Of course Paul made light of it by editing in the large "Censored" box that appears when she faces front. This is definitely a weird little piece, check it out.



Netflix: my Movie Reviews

Last night I watched my latest Netflix installments. I got Carnal Knowledge, which is a cult classic starring Jack Nicholson, Art Garfunkle, and Candace Bergeron (a.k.a. Murphy Brown). The movie enters with a black screen, Nicholson & Garfunkle's youthful voices are heard discussing girls, sex and love. In a rather poignant and fore-shadowing moment, Nicholson asks Garfunkle, "If you had to choose, what would you prefer, to be loved, or to be in love?" Nicholson decides that he would ultimately prefer to be in love. The movie starts with Garfunkle courting Bergeron's character. Garfunkle is timid, shy, lacking confidence, and places to much emphasis on what others think. Garfunkle and Bergeron hit it off because she is able to talk to him and he doesn't feel threatened by her intelligence. Of course Garfunkle doesn't have any spark, fun, or imagination in his entire being. When Nicholson learns that Garfunkle (If only I remembered the names of the actual parts they played...)has been advancing bases with Bergeron, he is jealous because he immediately feels he is the better man. Nicholson & Bergeron ultimately have an affair, resulting in a love triangle. Bergeron appears to have perhaps only chemistry for Nicholson, but to his (and our) surprise, he falls for her. Neither Candace nor Jack want to break the news to Art. Nicholson, in an example of his selfish streak, thinks it is her responsibility. When she has difficulty, he misinterprets this as disregard for him. For Bergeron the difficulty seems to be not wanting to hurt or lose Art as a friend. Impatient, and feeling unimportant Jack breaks it off. In his mind he feared she would drop him anyway. Both characters are heartbroken.

This sets up the rest of the movie which briefly chronicles, and eludes to tens of dozens of women who Jack uses and disposes of before they have a chance to hurt him. For the most part Nicholson holds his relationships to cheap meaningless flings.

Art & Jack stay in touch, Art, never learns that his best friend cheated with his wife to be (or he never lets on). Nicholson's sex addiction is depicted as emotionally self destructive. His disease is contagious and serves as a negative influence over Art later in his life. Later in the movie Jack once again has a long term relationship, however his girlfriend is plagued with a passive nature and psychological flaws that erode his love and respect for her. He is loved, but does not reciprocate, & he feels guilty & miserable. Ultimately he returns to his vices, after being guilted into a loveless marriage.

This movie was well acted. I felt Nicholson appeared older than the college student he acted as in the early stages, but the acting & shifts in maturity and poise was spot on. Garfunkle was surprisingly good, and perfect for his nerdy, sensitive role. Garfunkle is fairly tall to my knowledge, however his persona is small, and the average sized Nicholson towers over him with his charisma and charm. Bergeron perhaps initiated being type cast as a highly intelligent woman who was a little too tightly wound for her own health.

My other film was (heh-heh) Foxy Brown. Yes, mindless fun, and the inspiration to countless Quentin Tarrentino moments. It was exactly what I thought and wanted it to be. It was campy, it had funky 70s music, scantily clad babes, bad karate sequences, a lesbian bar brawl, what more could one ask for in a film? Very much the so bad its good type of film. Pam Grier, who would later star in "Jackie Brown" plays the role of "Foxy". Reportedly she made next to nothing for the film which has become a cult classic over the years.

I don't know what's in my Queue next... Anticipation.....




You Have A Type B+ Personality



You're a pro at going with the flow

You love to kick back and take in everything life has to offer

A total joy to be around, people crave your stability.



While you're totally laid back, you can have bouts of hyperactivity.

Get into a project you love, and you won't stop until it's done

You're passionate - just selective about your passions

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