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lovemesomesurveys · 3 years ago

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How are you doing today? It’s only 1:56AM, but so far I’ve just ate a bowl of ramen and watched a couple YouTube videos. What was the best thing that happened to you today? My ramen was quite delicious, ha. Which cell phone network are you on? Verizon. Do you like the smell of cinnamon? Yesss. What was the last book you've read? I just finished, “The Secret She Kept” by Elle Gray and I’ve started, “Autumn’s Strike” by Mary Stone.

Are you hungry right now? No, I just finished eating. What was the last thing you've had to drink? Water. How often do you visit this website? I’m on Tumblr all the time. Do you like frogs? No. Are you afraid of dying? Yes. Do you like bananas? I love bananas. Do you like the show American Dad? Meh. It has its moments, but overall I’ll pass. I don’t ever watch it by my own choosing, I just catch it here and there because my family watches it. What TV show do you miss the most that's no longer on TV? Gilmore Girls, Degrassi, and True Blood come to mind first. Are you currently fighting with someone right now? No. Is your life full of drama? No. I have other stressful things I’m dealing with, but not of the drama variety. How long can you hold your breath underwater *shrug* Where's the last place you've been to out of state? When I went to Arizona to visit my grandparents about 6 years ago. Have you ever been kissed in the rain? No. What letter does your last name start with. -- What are you listening to right now? I’m watching Gilmore Girls. Have you ever had a pet that died? Yes. Would you rather use a trackpad or a mouse? Trackpad. Do you consider yourself politically intelligent? No, not at all. Have you ever done any volunteer work? Yeah, I’ve done a lot with Girl Scouts, school clubs, and class assignments. Do you like the Beatles? I like some songs. Is it night time where you're at right now? Yeah, it’s 2:08AM. Do you like steak? Nope. Do you eat healthy? No, I definitely don’t. How often do you work out? I don’t. What was the best gift you've ever received? I couldn’t possibly choose. Have you ever participated in a spelling bee? Nope. If you could have one wish right now, what would it be? Good health. Do you owe anyone an apology right now? I kind of do. Are you the jealous type of person? I can be, but it’s not something I feel much. Or at least haven’t felt in a long time. I feel envy more. Have you ever tried doing yoga? Nah. Do you like getting massages? I’ve never gotten one. Would you rather be too hot or too cold? Cold. Are you good at telling jokes? No, I’m pretty much the worst. I don’t tell many jokes. When was the last time you've attended a sleepover? Several years ago. Tell me one of your pet peeves. Eating sounds. Do you wear glasses? I do. Do you like to keep your nails painted? I haven’t painted my nails for the past few years. Have you ever had a pedicure? Nope. What is your favorite smell? I have several favorites. Do you like the TV show Full House? I do. Would you rather listen to country music or rap music? I like both. Are you a Duck Dynasty fan? Nope. Have you graduated high school yet? Uh, yeah, back in 2008. What kind of person were you in middle school? Quiet, shy, awkward. Nothing has changed. Do you have any major regrets in your life? I have a few. :/ Do you like pixie sticks? Eh. I did as a kid, but I don’t have much interest in them the older I get. Do you like French toast? Mmm, yes. Are you a fast typer? I am. Are you good at doing math in your head? Nope. Or at all. Have you ever played with Silly Putty? Yeah. Do you take in a lot of caffeine daily? I do. I love my caffeine. Do you like watching Football? Nope. Or an sport. What language do you wish you could speak? Spanish. Do you know a lot about history? No, I wouldn’t say that. If we could travel back in time, where would you travel to? Can I travel back to childhood? Would you ever consider joining the military? No. I couldn’t anyway, I’m physically disabled. Are you a cigarette smoker? No. Have you ever done something you didn't want to just to look cool? That’s kind of how it was when I used to drink and smoke. I wasn’t a big drinker or smoker, only did so socially, but still. I also did so on my own accord, I’m not blaming anyone, and I’m not going to say I hated all of it because I did have good times, but there was a big part of me that did so because I felt I had to. My friends liked to do it and I wanted to partake with them and not sit out on the sidelines by myself. It’s just that truth be told I think I would have rarely drank at all if it weren’t for that and likely would have never smoked. It had its fun moments, but I didn’t feel the need to partake all the time like they did. Do you like zombie movies? Nah. Have you seen The Hunger Games? Yep, all of ‘em. Do you have a favorite piece of clothing? All my graphic tees, t-shirt dresses, leggings, and lounge shorts. All my comfy clothes, basically. Do you own any Uggs? Nope. Are you wearing any rings on your fingers? No. Name a TV show that you absolutely can't stand. Most sitcoms today. Do you have any unusual talents? No. Or any kind of talent. Do you look like your age? *shrug* I’ve been told I look younger. Do you feel confident in a bathing suit? Nooo. Do you do a lot of online shopping? I do. Do you like the Harry Potter films? Yeah. Do you judge people based on their sexual orientation? No. I care about who a person is, their personality, and whether we vibe. Have you ever been told you had an accent? No. Have you ever ridden an elephant? Nope. Are you allergic to pollen? I do have seasonal allergies. Have you ever eaten sushi? Ew, yes. Not a fan. If so, do you like it? Nope. Are you a fan of anime? No. Would you rather play Xbox or Playstation? Playstation. Are you a big fan of seafood? I don’t like seafood at all. What kind of food are you craving right now? I’m good right now. Are you currently in a relationship? No. If not, are you happy being single? Yeah, it’s for the best. Do you like to go fishing? No. Are you a fast runner? I used to be. I don’t have the energy or strength anymore for that.

Have you ever worked at a fast food place? Nope. What's on your mind right now? Now I’m thinking about food cause of some of the previous questions. Are you texting anyone as you're taking this survey? No. Have you ever had a nasty rumor spread about you? No. Have you ever sent someone sexual pictures of yourself? No. Do you like who you are on the inside or the outside more? Neither. :/ Are you good at drawing? No, I have no artistic abilities. Do you know how to dance? Nope. What's your favorite reality TV show? Catfish, Teen Mom OG, Teen Mom 2, The Voice... Do you think Kim Kardashian deserves to be famous? I don’t care. Are you excited for Christmas this year? I’m always excited for Christmas. Do you celebrate Halloween? I mean, I put up some decor, watch scary movies, and partake in treats. I stopped dressing up and carving pumpkins a few years ago. Have you ever had a concussion? No. Do you pretend to be someone you're not? No. I certainly wouldn’t pretend to be... *gestures vaguely* this. Do you listen to heavy metal music? No. Were you sad when Michael Jackson died? I was just surprised. Do you have more upper or lower body strength? I barely have any strength anymore it feels like, but I used to have really great upper body strength. Have you ever been in a tanning bed? No, and never want to be. Do you like hot tubs? No. Do you know anyone who is battling cancer? No. Have you ever donated money to a charity? Yes. Do you get bored easily? More so nowadays. I didn’t used to. Have you ever peed your pants in public? Maybe as a little kid. Are you afraid of roller coasters? Yes, except for the Cars and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coasters at Disneyland. Are you good at doing tongue twisters? Not really. What was the last movie you've seen in theatres? Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Have you ever been to a drive-in movie? Yeah, a few times but it’s been a long time. I’ve been wanting to go to one, though. Are you good at doing fractions? Meh. I’m alright. Me and math don’t get along, but I could do some things somewhat. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas and Halloween. Do you prefer Apple or Android? Apple. Would you rather have a tablet or a computer? Computer. Do you like things that are touch screen? Yeah. What age did you have your first kiss at? 16. Do you regret losing your virginity to whoever you lost it to? I’m still a virgin. Do you have a good relationship with your mother? Yes. Do you like the color lime green? Sure. What are your plans for tomorrow? I don’t have any. Would you rather wear jeans or yoga pants? Yoga pants. Do you like your clothes to be baggy and comfortable or tight and revealing Baggy and comfy. Do you wish you could change something about your hair? Yeah, it’s really not a good look right now. I pretty much chopped it off a couple months ago for reasons and it’s in that awkward phase as it grows out. I want it to be longer and dyed red again because currently it’s all natural and I don’t like it. Have you ever gotten a makeover? Yeah. Do you get mad easily? No. but I get frustrated and irritable easily. Have you ever punched someone in the face? No. Do you think the minions from Despicable Me are cute? Ehh. Did you have a Gameboy as a child? I did. Would you rather have chocolate or gummy worms? Chocolate. I’m not a gummy fan. What are your favorite pizza toppings? Extra cheese, garlic, green onions, spinach, cilantro, crushed meatballs, and pesto. Have you ever auditioned for a talent competition? No. I don’t have any talent. Do you make good sandwiches? I think theyr’e better from a deli or when my mom makes them haha but sure. Would you rather get high or get drunk? High. Have you ever failed a drug test? Nope. Do you like the Silent Hill movies? I actually haven’t seen them. What is one thing you need to work on to make yourself a better person? I have a few things I need to work on.

#personal #text #survey #surveys

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joshmcclenney · 5 years ago

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Photo: “JOSH & IRA” - webseries

Day 444: “Memory Is A Wonderful Thing As Long As You Don’t Have To Deal With The Past.”

Date:

1-8-20

Mood:

Waltz

Actor:

Recorded voiceovers, doin sm’ore of that tomorrow also. Went to my audition today. It was print so easy peasy.. but. There was a shit load of people there. Meh. I just planted my feet and controlled the stuff that I could. And at that moment it was just my patience. So I took my time. Chatted with some people. Then next thing I knew I was up.. took some photos (it may sound silly but I feel I did really well) .. And got outta there. Not bad. Felt good.

Filmmaker:

It always throws me a bit when I have meetings, pre production, audition etc.. in the morning. Because that means my writing has to come in the later afternoon or even the night...

BUT!☝🏽🧐

Today was a day that felt good when I got back in to write. Honestly, I just slowed it down. And when I thought I was going too slow.. I slowed it again. And I tell ya. Writing Clay was fire. I removed the Clay animation, and looked at the story as plain and simple. No bells. No whistles. The whole writing sesh I felt like I was picking up yards toward the end zone 🏈

Some big. Some small. But getting my first downs (I hope I’m getting these football references correct 😜)

Me and the story are having a nice heart to heart right now. It needs to know what I want and I am listening to where it wants to go.. Today was a big win.

And damn. I look up and it seems I fixed that short film. By saying fixed I just put the person on the “other side of the world” 🌍 I think I’m gonna get my final draft of that by this week. Also I believe I have my cast for my first short film ready. People I can rely on and are talented. Great combo. But wanna slow down before I get ahead of myself.. take a breath and then. Shoot.

Final Thoughts:

Yesterday. Shit show.

Today. Tried to be a shit show and I said NOPE not 2 days in a row. I won’t allow myself to feel this. And I didn’t.

Look. Will I have more bad days? Sure.

BUT! ☝🏽🧐

...I sure as hell wasn't going to make today one of them.

I also realized today that I like people that aren’t completely “confident”. I like a little gruff in the stuff. Ya know. Insecure. Nervous, Unsure of what to say always, silly decision making, a couple of why did I do that moments... That’s the good stuff. I feel when you talk to a person that embraces that stuff rather that tries to fix it. It’s like both of you putting down your weapons of social war. And you stop trying to one up or side out or impress or put down one another.. It’s nice for the people that really do embrace it. I like it. That to me is truly being comfortable in your own skin... ok. Enough rambling. I’m rambling probably because I just watched Before Sunrise. The second installment in the Richie Linklater series.. yep. There were tears. I’m a sucker for a good love story. And this one is possibly the best. I’m glad I’m rewatching these films and others in my collection that brought me to this dance. But yeah. It was great. One more to go in this series. And the next one I’d only seen once. So I’m excited to see it again... Well that’s it for now. Catch you tomorrow.

Same bat time. Same bat channel.

🎶1966 Batman Series theme plays me out🎶

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tommyomalley · 6 years ago

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Carol Channing, 1921-2019

July 2005. My editor at the Austin American-Statesman, Michael Barnes, asked me, do you want to interview Carol Channing? And I was like, is Dolly Gallagher Levi a widow?

The reason for the interview was that my friend Stuart Moulton, artistic director of Austin Cabaret Theatre, was bringing Carol to Austin to perform at his company’s gala. The day before she arrived, Stuart called me and asked, “Do you want to pick Carol up from the airport tomorrow with me in a limo?” And I was like, do gentlemen prefer blondes?

That July, I got to spend an hour interviewing 84 year-old Carol Channing on the phone, another hour or so picking her up from the airport and walking her to her suite at the Stephen F. Austin hotel, and another hour or so watching her perform her cabaret act while seated about five feet away from Lady Bird Johnson, who was confined to a wheelchair and nonverbal at the time. In fact, when Carol sang “Hello, Dolly,” she came out into the audience, put Lady Bird’s face between her hands, and delivered the song directly to the First Lady.

These are among my happiest memories of living in Austin, a place I called home for more than 5 years. Today I’m feeling for the contributions Carol Channing made to our American theater in her 97 years.

Below is the article I wrote based on my interview. The Statesman’s archives are not easy to navigate, so I had to dig into my old word files to find this. I believe my editor took out all the references I made to pissing my pants when it went to print, but this is what 22 year-old me thought was appropriate to publish. And here are a few gems I didn’t put into the article, presumably because my frontal lobe was just coming into formation:

--on more than one occasion, Carol Channing fell from the stage into the orchestra pit & broke bones. Still, she never missed a performance.

--on the movie version of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes being cast with Marilyn Monroe instead of her as Lorelei, a role she created on Broadway: “It’s like taking your baby and kidnapping it... I just saw my friend Jane Russell last night in Santa Barbara, and I said to her, ‘I’m still so proud it took two of you to play my part in the movie.’”

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JULY 2005

Full disclosure (since that’s fashionable these days): By the time I was born, Carol Channing – who will perform her solo show “The First 80 Years Are the Hardest” at an Austin Cabaret Theatre benefit on July 26 – and Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi (DGL) had been acquainted for nearly twenty years. Truth is, my first introduction to the diamond-dusted diva was by voice alone (thanks to both the original “Hello, Dolly!” cast recording and “The Addams Family” animated series, in which she portrayed Granny). As a preteen, I admired Channing’s panache. Away from my Catholic mother’s view, I would lip-synch, “When a man with a timid tongue/ Meets a girl with a diffident air…” before an audience of suit jackets and dress shirts, hanging appropriately in the closet.

Channing is exactly the second person I’ve interviewed professionally. A sweet sophomore opportunity, I’m aware. In the time leading to our conversation, I was admittedly wracked with dread. This is, after all, a woman who refers to Al and Lynne (Lunt and Fontanne) like I refer to my roommate Lennie. No amount of preparation helped curb the urge to urinate when Harry Kullijian – Channing’s junior high school sweetheart who she recently married – called to start the interview.

“Carol, this is the Austin American… hold on. Austin American what?” Kullijian reconfirmed.

“Statesman. The Austin American-Statesman,” I replied, noting that I wouldn’t have to tell anyone if I actually wet myself. Before I could decided what to do, that voice – rich with the insight its 84 years allow – hit the receiver.

“Good morning, Aushtin American Shtateshman! With whom am I speaking?” Channing initiated, sounding more enthusiastic than she probably was. My inner musical queen begged me to respond, “Hello, Carol. Well hello, Carol.” But my outer professional, who values his job, decided instead to introduce myself and brief her on the interview format.

We began with requisite discussions about Austin – “I’ve performed there many, many times. They’re a great audience,” she volunteered – and Texas in general. Musing on distinctly Texan pronunciations, Channing said, “Lots of things are odd in Texas” (a sentiment this Yankee seconds). She also mentioned a party being thrown in her honor by Liz Carpenter, the Statesman reporter who went to Washington and became Lady Bird Johnson’s press secretary. Channing has maintained a bond with the Johnson family since she sang “Hello, Lyndon!” for the President’s 1964 reelection campaign. She reproduced the chorus over the phone, providing yet another assault on my already overactive bladder. Once talk of Texas grew tired, the conversation migrated 2,200 miles northeast.

I saw my first professional production – a pre-Broadway tryout of the Rosie O’Donnell “Grease” – at the Colonial Theatre in Boston. A half century earlier, Channing, having “(written) papers on communism, socialism and democracy at Bennington College in Vermont,” went to Boston for an audition to be Eve Arden’s understudy in the Danny Kaye musical, “Let’s Face It.” On the same stage that I would later hear O’Donnell warble “There Are Worse Thing I Could Do” – itself a singular theatrical event – Channing landed one of her first Broadway parts, a milestone she attributes to the fact she and Arden wore the same size. Almost thirty years later, when Channing left “Hello, Dolly” in Chicago to film “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (one of her only forays into movies, for which she received an Oscar nomination), the prolific producer David Merrick got Arden to fill in. Arden reportedly greeted the cast with the disclaimer, “The reason I got the part is because I fit into Ms. Channing’s costumes.”

As an understudy, Channing began her career shadowing other performers. Later, she made a name for herself mimicking them. Her popularity grew with a role in the Charles Gaynor review “Lend an Ear,” which featured choreography by her eventual “Dolly” director, Gower Champion. Marge Champion, who had seen Channing’s act, introduced the starlet to her husband at an audition. Of that fateful first meeting, Channing recounted, “Marge just said, ‘Do Getrude Lawrence. Do Ethel Waters.’ I did Ethel Merman and Bea Lillie… Well I got all the way through with 12 numbers and (Gower) said, ‘Do you have any more?’ And I didn’t, (so) he said, ‘Go back and start again.’”

Channing did, and, as a result, won a role that would catch the eye of the late showbiz caricaturist Al Hirschfeld. Hirschfeld sketched Channing in the show’s comic “Gladiola Girl” scene. “It did it for me,” she remembered. “I had no idea how funny the character was (until then).” The audiences and critics, on the other hand, had been noticing all along.

Channing’s status as a headlining star was solidified by her Lorelei Lee in 1949’s “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” Marilyn Monroe’s constipated “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” from the 1953 film will forever be linked to the role, thanks to the medium’s permanence. But to the discerning ear, only Channing’s gravelly refinement will ever do the song justice. About Monroe’s Lorelei, Channing said flatly, “It’s like taking your baby and kidnapping it.”

A stint replacing Rosalind Russell in “Wonderful Town” followed (postpartum poster person Brooke Shields played the same role recently). In 1951, Channing received her first Tony nomination for the flop, “The Vamp.” A second nomination came in 1961 for “The Showgirl,” a compilation of her nightclub acts. Three years later, Channing won a Tony for her immortal performance in “Hello, Dolly!” She toured DGL around the country on and off for more than thirty years. Amazingly, in more than 5,000 performances she never used an understudy. In 1964, Joanne Worley (pronounced like “worldly,” as Ms. Channing pointed out to me), was Carol’s stand-by. At the outset, Channing said to her, “Oh Joanne, you’ll never go on, but come along. You’re great company.”

Her work horse mentality sets Channing apart from every subsequent generation of actors. Asked about her perfect batting average, which she maintains to this day, the accidental legend offered a typically self-effacing response: “At the end of each show when I was sick, I either felt better or I was getting cured. I did it for selfish reasons.” With what she has given to generations of theatergoers, Channing’s claims of selfishness were difficult to process.

By the time our hour was up, I had gotten through all the important stuff. I was grateful for the opportunity to speak with one of the true greats, and more importantly, I was grateful for not soaking my shorts in the process.

#carol channing #austin american statesman #austin cabaret theatre #stuart moulton #interview

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lettherightfilmsin · 7 years ago

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Horror Streaming Guide: Shudder

I need to make an important point very clear to start this list: of all the streaming services we’re covering (for now), Shudder is by far and away the best at curating, and not just because it’s the only one I’d say does actual curating. Shudder doesn’t need this treatment the way most major streaming services do, because the whole point of its existence is celebrating horror movies in a way other services never will. So this page is less the collecting of all the noteworthy horror movies for easier browsing, and more… well, a piece of unpaid marketing for Shudder and a Shudder diary/watchlist for us.

This list is updated regularly. If you feel we’ve missed some worthwhile fare, let us know. We try not to venture too far beyond what we’ve seen for these lists. With Shudder, there’s a lot we haven’t seen, but suggestions will immediately jump to the top of the watchlist. Happy streaming, and check this link for our guides for other streaming services!

Oh, and if you just want a simple - yet still visual - list of worthwhile horror and thriller titles on Shudder, this Letterboxd list will do the trick.

Updated 10/20

Netflix, Hulu

Recent Arrivals // Top Ten // Made For Halloween // Classics Notable Directors // Prequels, Sequels, Series // Anthologies Exclusives and Originals // Icons // Nonmale Leads // Non-English Monsters, Beasties, and Werewolves // Witches and Vampires Aliens Encounters // Zombies // Ghosts, Demons, and Hellfire Beware of Human // Offspring // Fuck This House // A Good Cry Thrill Me // Slow Burn // Jokes! // Everything Feels Bad // Gross! // TV

Shudder adds enough content regularly that this won’t include everything.

Escape From Tomorrow (2013): “In a world of fake castles and anthropomorphic rodents, an epic battle begins when an unemployed father's sanity is challenged by a chance encounter with two underage girls on holiday.”

Evil Dead 2 (1987, USA), dir. by Sam Raimi: “The lone survivor of an onslaught of flesh-possessing spirits holes up in a cabin with a group of strangers while the demons continue their attack.”

Found Footage 3D (2017): “A group of filmmakers sets out to make the first 3D found footage horror movie, but find themselves IN a found footage horror movie when the evil entity from their film escapes into their behind-the-scenes footage.”

Inside No. 9 (2014, UK): “Anthology series which mixes dark humor with genres like crime, horror or drama. The show invites viewers into some very different No.9s, where the ordinary and mundane rub shoulders with the extraordinary and macabre.”

Missions (2017, France): “The first manned mission to Mars is now approaching the red planet. The crew includes top-flight scientists and a young female psychiatrist, responsible for their mental health. But just as they are about to land, something goes wrong.”

Mother (2009, S. Korea), dir. by Bong Joon-Ho: “A mother desperately searches for the killer who framed her son for a girl's horrific murder.”

Neil Gaiman’s Likely Stories (2016, UK): “Adaptations of the fantastical short stories written by author, Neil Gaiman.”

Seoul Station (2016): “Several groups of people try to survive a zombie pandemic that unleashes itself in downtown Seoul.”

Suburban Gothic (2015): “City-boy Raymond returns to his hometown and finds a vengeful ghost is terrorizing his house. Therefore, this man-child recruits Becca, a badass local bartender, to solve the mystery of the spirit threatening people's lives.”

Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, Dracula

No picking from the classics list here, although a few could arguably qualify. I also maybe cheated a bit.

Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon Coherence Dead Ringers Detention Murder Party Sightseers Splinter The Beyond The House of the Devil + The Innkeepers We Are Still Here

I must have internalized Shudder’s own 2016 Shudder Halloween playlist because I used the same image from the same movie in the header so I’ll cite my sources.

31 Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon Coherence Evil Dead 2 Fright Night Hellraiser + Hellbound: Hellraiser II House + House II Murder Party Night of the Living Dead The Beyond The Fog (1980) The House of the Devil The Innkeepers Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil We Are Still Here

Pre-2000, mostly.

Assault on Precinct 13 Audition Battle Royale Black Christmas Evil Dead 2 Fright Night Hellraiser + Hellbound: Hellraiser II House + House II Ju-On Let The Right One In Night of the Living Dead Nosferatu Phantasm: Remastered Repulsion Sleepaway Camp The Crazies (1973) The Fog (1980) The Host The Stuff The Wicker Man

I may be missing some worthy names, and I’ll fix that when I find out who.

Ben Wheatley: A Field In England, Sightseers Bong Joon-ho: Mother, The Host Clive Barker: Hellraiser, Nightbreed Dario Argento: The Cat o' Nine Tails Darren Aronofsky: Pi David Cronenberg: Dead Ringers, Shivers George A. Romero: Night of the Living Dead, The Crazies (1973) Guillermo del Toro: The Devil's Backbone Jeff Nichols: Take Shelter Jeremy Saulnier: Murder Party John Carpenter: Assault on Precinct 13 (1976), The Fog (1980) Kathryn Bigelow: The Weight of Water Kim Jee-woon: A Tale Of Two Sisters, I Saw The Devil, 3 Extremes II Kiyoshi Kurosawa: Penance, Pulse Lucio Fulci: A Cat In The Brain, The Beyond, The Black Cat, The House By The Cemetery, Zombie Mario Bava: Black Sunday, Black Sabbath, Five Dolls For An August Moon, Hatchet For The Honeymoon, Shock, The Evil Eye, The House of Exorcism Rob Zombie: 31 Roman Polanski: Repulsion Sam Raimi: Evil Dead 2 Takashi Miike: Audition Wes Craven: The Hills Have Eyes (1977)

This is so much better than the pickings on other services, I could cry. And I typed that sentence before they added an Evil Dead.

[REC], [REC]2, [REC]3 Battle Royale, Battle Royale II Evil Dead 2 Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II House, House II Ju-On Black Ghost White Ghost Monsters Night of the Living Dead Phantasm: Remastered, Phantasm III: Lord Of The Dead, Phantasm IV: Oblivion, Phantasm Ravager Sadako vs. Kayako The Hills Have Eyes 1-2 The Inheritance Trilogy V / H / S Universal Monsters: Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Wolfman, Dracula

*begrudgingly adds ABCs for a longer list.*

The ABCs of Death Tales From The Darkside V / H / S

There are many more that are likely worthy, and I clearly need to make more time for them.

31 Always Shine Found Footage 3D Lake Bodom Phantasm: Ravager Phantasm: Remastered Prevenge Sadako vs. Kayako We Go On

Style points and being Christopher Lee help a few unlikely entries make this list.

Audition Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon Evil Dead 2 Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II Ju-On Black Ghost White Ghost Nosferatu Phantasm: Remastered, Phantasm III: Lord Of The Dead, Phantasm IV: Oblivion, Phatasm Ravager Sadako Vs. Kayako The Black Cat The Wicker Man Universal Monsters: Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Wolfman, Dracula

Dudes are very tiring.

[REC] Always Shine Black Christmas Compliance Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II Lake Bodom Midnight Swim Prevenge Prevenge Repulsion Sightseers The House of the Devil The Innkeepers/i> We Need To Talk About Kevin

[REC], [REC]2, [REC]3 A Tale of Two Sisters Audition Battle Royale, Battle Royale II I Saw The Devil Ju-On Black Ghost White Ghost Let The Right One In Pulse Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale Sadako Vs. Kayako Seoul Station The Devil's Backbone The Man From Nowhere Timecrimes

Grabbers Monsters Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale Splinter Spring The Black Cat The Host Troll Hunter Universal Monsters: Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Wolfman, Dracula Willow Creek

Black Sunday Fright Night Let The Right One In Nosferatu Nosferatu, The Vampyr

A Field In England Black Death

Almost Human Grabbers Monsters Night of the Creeps The Stuff

[REC], [REC]2, [REC]3 Cooties Day of the Dead Night of the Creeps Night of the Living Dead Seoul Station The Battery The House By The Cemetary Zombie

They don’t specify sometimes. The line can be so blurry between malevolent ghost and dastardly demon.

Deathgasm Evil Dead 2 Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II Ju-On Black Ghost White Ghost Let Us Prey Nina Forever Pulse Sadako vs. Kayako Suburban Gothic The Beyond The Devil's Backbone The Fog (1980) The House By The Cemetary The House of the Devil The Innkeepers We Are Still Here We Go On

The most dangerous animal, serial killers, stalkers, bad parents, and more! Delightful.

31 Always Shine Angst Antiviral Assault on Precinct 13 Audition Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon Black Christmas Coherence Compliance Dead Ringers Frailty Grand Piano Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer I Saw The Devil Maniac (2012) Prevenge Sightseers The Alchemist's Cookbook The Hills Have Eyes 1-2 The Inheritance Trilogy The Sacrament The Weight of Water They Look Like People

The category also known as “Bad Seed.”

Battle Royale Cooties Cub Flowers in the Attic Prevenge Sleepaway Camp The Devil's Backbone We Need To Talk About Kevin

Whether it’s humans that can’t leave, ghosts that won’t leave, or budgets that can’t afford to leave, these selections spend most of their time housed in less-than-cozy domiciles.

Body Coherence Evil Dead 2 Frailty Fright Night Hellraiser House, House II Ju-On Black Ghost White Ghost Night of the Living Dead Repulsion The Alchemist's Cookbook The Beyond The Devil's Backbone The House By The Cemetery The House of the Devil The Innkeepers We Are Still Here

Sometimes it’s a less than good cry. Children and/or siblings are probably involved.

Always Shine Dead Ringers Frailty Let The Right One In Phantasm: Remastered Spring Take Shelter The Devil's Backbone The Host

You know, the genre that horror movies get nudged into once enough people like them.

Assault on Precinct 13 Black Death Frailty Grand Piano I Saw The Devil Lake Bodom Splinter The Host The Man From Nowhere We Are Still Here

These take some time, fair warning.

Always Shine Berberian Sound Studio Body Dead Ringers Let The Right One In Sightseers The Alchemist's Cookbook The House of the Devil The Innkeepers The Midnight Swim The Wicker Man They Look Like People We Need To Talk About Kevin

Category may also included structural shenanigans and meta elements.

Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon Blood Punch Cooties Deathgasm Detention Evil Dead 2 House Monsters Murder Party Night of the Creeps Nina Forever Repo! The Genetic Opera Sightseers Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil

And I need to lie down.

Compliance Dead Ringers Maniac (2012) Night of the Living Dead Repulsion Ritual We Need To Talk About Kevin

I, an allegedly smart human, have made dinner, turned on one of these, and though “oh god, what have I done” several times.

31 Antiviral Body Melt Contracted Dead Ringers Evil Dead 2 Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II Let Us Prey Maniac (2012) We Are Still Here

Aftermath Arthur Beyond The Walls Desenterrados Doll House Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible Horla Il Sonnambulo Inside No.9 Jordskott Let Me Out Neil Gaiman's Likely Stories Penance Rapt Tales From The Darkside The Kingdom The Valley

#Shudder #horror movies #streaming guide #watchlist #movies #film #horror

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justanothercinemaniac · 7 years ago

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Epic Movie (Re)Watch #178 - Madagascar

Spoilers Below

Have I seen it before: Yes

Did I like it then: Yes.

Do I remember it: Yes.

Did I see it in theaters: Yes.

Was it a movie I saw since August 22nd, 2009: No.

Format: DVD

1) I was not actually planning on watching this so soon for my recap. I only own the first one and was thinking of getting the sequels in the future so I could do the whole trilogy. BUT I am currently working at a youth summer drama camp which is putting on this production and the director asked me to watch this film for that. So I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone and do the Epic Movie (Re)Watch post for it simultaneously.

2) The dream is actually a nice way to start the film, primarily because it clearly illustrates Marty’s driving motivations for the first half of the film while also setting up some of its humor (mainly through the choral penguins flying away).

3) Ben Stiller as Alex.

Stiller’s performance as Alex the Lion makes what could have easily been an unlikable character lovable instead. He’s warm, excited, genuinely heartfelt. He does not condescend to his friends, he is never seen stabbing them in the back for the chance to be more famous, and Stiller just makes the character fun to watch.

4) The opening scene of the guests at the zoo - cutting between animals, establishing various characters - is a nice example of a model telling. We get a sense of what everyday zoo life is like for everyone, something which is juxtaposed against the shenanigans to come.

5) The Penguins.

The ultimate scene stealers of the show, the Penguins have become so popular they have their own short film, TV series, and even a feature length film. All you have to do is look to this film to understand why. There is a clear dynamic in the group formed with leader Skipper (voiced incredibly by director Todd McGrath), second hand Kowalski, wild card Rico and lovable Private; a chain of command which is fun to watch and see them operate. They are not nearly as competent as they believe but the fact that they are so confident in their buffoonery makes you A) actually believe they’re skilled spy like creatures, and B) enjoy watching them all the more.

6) You can file this one under jokes I didn’t get as a kid.

Melman [after Marty puts the thermometer Melman gave to him in his mouth]: “You know that was my first rectal thermometer.”

7) Chris Rock as Marty.

Rock breathes a lot of life into the protagonist zebra, making Marty kind and sincere. The enthusiasm he has for going to the wild is childlike and infectious. He’s funny when Marty needs to be funny but vulnerable/honest when also needed.

8) Jada Pinkett Smith as Gloria.

Gloria actually does not get to do as much as I remember (probably because her role increased with the sequels). That doesn’t mean Pinkett Smith isn’t good in the part. She breathes a lot of warmth and personality into the character. Her performance allows Gloria to stand out as much Marty and Alex despite the smaller amount of screen time comparatively speaking.

Marty: “I don’t even know if I’m black with white strips or white with black stripes.”

It was formerly believed that zebras were white animals with black stripes (because some zebras have white underbellies). However, evidence has shown that the animal’s background color is black and the white stripes and bellies are additions.

10) Alex and Marty signing “New York New York” early in the film is a nice showcase of their strong friendship. While at odds for most of the film, it is when this relationship shines through that the characters are at their most interesting.

11) David Schwimmer as Melman.

Schwimmer is able to play the neurotic character well while also making him subtlety different from Ross from “Friends”. There’s a bit of a difference in his voice; a little more of a gnawing neuroticism than an over the top comedic one (as he got to show off in the later seasons of “Friends”). While he was potentially type cast in the part, he is able to make Melman his own character wonderfully and a worthy addition to the quartet of zoosters.

12) Zoosters Breakout.

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Bolstered by what might be the best piece of score on the soundtrack by composer Hans Zimmer, the breakout and chasing down of Marty is one of the funnest parts of the film. A lot happens in not a lot of time and we are carried through the scene with wonderful humor, editing, music, and performances from the actors. It also features one of the best remembered gags in the film in "Bad Kitty”.

(GIF originally posted by @the-light-of-animation)

And one of my personal favorites as well.

Skipper: “We’ve been ratted out, boys.”

13) Man, everyone points out the drug jokes in The Good Dinosaur and Dumbo but let’s not forget about this:

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14) When the Phil the monkey is using “sign language” I don’t think it’s accurate (as someone who has been studying it for the past year), which is pretty annoying honestly. Either do it accurately or have him communicate in another way.

15) The beach scene has a lot of great gags in quick succession. Alex almost vaulting (?) Melman in the crotch, Gloria showing up looking a bit like a mermaid, Marty coming in on the dolphins, and of course…

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16) Oh Melman…

Melman [thinking the beach is the San Diego Zoo]: “Complete with fake rocks. Wow, that looks real!”

17) In the same way that “I’m A Believer” became the anthem for Shrek, “I Like To Move It” has been repurposed into the theme for the entire Madagascar series.

18) Sacha Baron Cohen as King Julien

Julien risks topping the penguins as the top scene stealer in the film. Originally a two minute bit part, after Sacha Baron Cohen auditioned the filmmakers expanded the role to best showcase his humor. Baron Cohen’s abilities as a character actor/mast of improv shines through in the part. There’s heart and humor in every bit of his dialogue, totally effecting and partially elevating the rest of the film.

19) Honestly this film is a bit weaker than I remember, mainly from a structural standpoint. They spend a lot of time bickering/freaking out on the beach about being the wild. While it leads to a lot of great gags, often times plot movement relates to physical movement and since the characters just stay put for a while so does the plot.

20) This is another joke I didn’t get as a kid.

21) See #21.

22) I mentioned before that I think this film is at its best when we’re treated to the relationship Alex and Marty have together.

Marty [to Alex, about the wild]: “Can you give it a chance? Just think about it. It isn’t really the fun side [of the island] without you.”

It’s nice seeing these moments between the pair, showing just how strong their friendship. They’re more than friends; they fight and forgive each other, they’re brothers.

23) Hmm…

Marty: “You know what Alex: I promise I’m going to find you a steak tomorrow if it kills me.”

24) I grew up in Wisconsin. I appreciate this.

Private [after the penguins observe cold, windy Antarctica]: “Well this sucks.”

25) I forgot this line was in the film. It made me laugh more than it should.

Julien [trying to dismiss Alex biting Marty’s butt]: “Come on Maurice, what is a simple bite on the button between friends. Here, give me a nibble.”

26) This is the moment where Gloria gets to shine as a strong, determined character.

Gloria [about what to do about Alex]: “Come on, we are New Yorkers right!? We’re tough! We’re gritty! We’re adaptable! And we are NOT going to lay down like a bunch of Melmans!”

27) I dig this joke.

28) Jeffrey Katzenberg admitted he was disappointed with the film’s final act. And it does kinda lose steam at the end (despite some great gags with the penguins and the Foosa), but there is still a nice bit of Alex and Marty’s relationship there. Alex’s conflict over what nature intends for him and what he hopes to be (a killer predator vs a friend to Marty, respectively) is compelling, and the way Marty is there for his friend even though Alex wants to eat him just speaks to the continued strength of their relationship.

29) This is a nice last joke to end the film on.

Private: “Skipper, don’t you think we should tell them that the boat’s out of gas?”

Skipper: “Nah. Just smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave.”

I enjoy Madagascar well enough. I think the third one is the best and its obviously not the best Dreamworks film of the 21st century (Shrek and How to Train Your Dragon vie for that spot in my opinion). But the characters are fun, there’s a lot of great humor (especially from the penguins and Julien), and it’s just a really enjoyable 90ish minutes. If you want to take part in the film, do so. You’ll probably enjoy it.

#Madagascar #Ben Stiller #Chris Rock #David Schwimmer #Jada Pinkett Smith #Sacha Baron Cohen #Epic Movie (Re)Watch #Dramatic Irony #The More You Know #The Twilight Zone #Planet of the Apes #Movie #Film #GIF

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hammondcast · 7 years ago

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Harry Shearer Interview With Jon Hammond

#WATCHMOVIE HERE: Harry Shearer Interview With Jon Hammond Jon's archive https://archive.org/details/HarryShearerInterviewWithJonHammond Youtube https://youtu.be/MByRDtzWZB4 Vimeo https://vimeo.com/231223997 Nashville Tennessee -- Harry Shearer Interview with Jon Hammond just before Harry accepted the American Eagle Award along with Crystal Gayle and Patti Smith from the US National Music Council during Summer NAMM Show - for broadcast on Jon Hammond Show on MNN TV Channel 1 in Manhattan - Harry's Wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Shearer "Harry Julius Shearer (born December 23, 1943) is an American actor, voice actor, comedian, writer, musician, author, radio host, director and producer. He is known for his long-running roles on The Simpsons, his work on Saturday Night Live, the comedy band Spinal Tap and his radio program Le Show. Born in Los Angeles, California, Shearer began his career as a child actor. From 1969 to 1976, Shearer was a member of The Credibility Gap, a radio comedy group. Following the breakup of the group, Shearer co-wrote the film Real Life with Albert Brooks and started writing for Martin Mull's television series Fernwood 2 Night. He was a cast member on Saturday Night Live on two occasions, between 1979–80, and 1984–85. Shearer co-created, co-wrote and co-starred in the 1984 film This Is Spinal Tap, a satirical rockumentary, which became a cult hit. In 1989, Shearer joined the cast of The Simpsons; he provides voices for numerous characters, including Mr. Burns, Waylon Smithers, Principal Skinner, Ned Flanders, Reverend Lovejoy, Kent Brockman, Dr. Hibbert and more. Shearer has appeared in several films, including A Mighty Wind and The Truman Show, has directed two, Teddy Bears' Picnic and The Big Uneasy, and has written three books. Since 1983, Shearer has been the host of the public radio comedy/music program Le Show, a hodgepodge of satirical news commentary, music, and sketch comedy. Shearer has won a Primetime Emmy Award, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the radio category, and has received several other Emmy and Grammy Award nominations. He has been married to singer-songwriter Judith Owen since 1993. He is currently "artist in residence" at Loyola University, New Orleans. Shearer was born December 23, 1943 in Los Angeles, the son of Dora Warren (née Kohn) (d. 2008), a bookkeeper, and Mack Shearer.[2] His parents were Jewish immigrants from Austria and Poland.[3][4] Starting when Shearer was four years old, he had a piano teacher whose daughter worked as a child actress. The piano teacher later decided to make a career change and become a children's agent, as she knew people in the business through her daughter's work. The teacher asked Shearer's parents for permission to take him to an audition. Several months later, she called Shearer's parents and told them that she had gotten Shearer an audition for the radio show The Jack Benny Program. Shearer received the role when he was seven years old.[5] He described Jack Benny as "very warm and approachable [...] He was a guy who dug the idea of other people on the show getting laughs, which sort of spoiled me for other people in comedy."[6] Shearer said in an interview that one person who "took him under his wing" and was one of his best friends during his early days in show business was voice actor Mel Blanc, who voiced many animated characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Barney Rubble.[7] Shearer made his film debut in the 1953 film Abbott and Costello Go to Mars, in which he only had a small part. Later that year, he made his first big film performance in The Robe.[6] Throughout his childhood and teenage years he worked in television, film, and radio.[6] In 1957, Shearer played the precursor to the Eddie Haskell character in the pilot episode of the television series Leave It to Beaver. After the filming, Shearer's parents said they did not want him to be a regular in a series. Instead they wanted him to just do occasional work so that he could have a normal childhood. Shearer and his parents made the decision not to accept the role in the series if it was picked up by a television network.[6] Shearer attended UCLA as a political science major in the early 1960s and decided to quit show business to become a "serious person".[5] However, he says this lasted approximately a month, and he joined the staff of the Daily Bruin, UCLA's school newspaper, during his first year.[5] and as editor of the college humor magazine (Satyr) including the June 1964 parody, Preyboy [8] He also worked as a newscaster at KRLA, a top 40 radio station in Pasadena, during this period. According to Shearer, after graduating, he had "a very serious agenda going on, and it was 'Stay Out of the Draft'."[5] He attended graduate school at Harvard University for one year and worked at the state legislature in Sacramento. In 1967 and 1968, he was a high school teacher, teaching English and social studies. He left teaching following "disagreements with the administration."[5] From 1969 to 1976, Shearer was a member of The Credibility Gap, a radio comedy group that included David Lander, Richard Beebe and Michael McKean.[9] The group consisted of "a bunch of newsmen" at KRLA 1110, "the number two station" in Los Angeles.[6] They wanted to do more than just straight news, so they hired comedians who were talented vocalists. Shearer heard about it from a friend so he brought over a tape to the station and nervously gave it to the receptionist. By the time he got home, there was a message on his answering machine asking, "Can you come to work tomorrow?"[6] The group's radio show was canceled in 1970 by KRLA and in 1971 by KPPC-FM, so they started performing in various clubs and concert venues.[5] While at KRLA, Shearer also interviewed Creedence Clearwater Revival for the Pop Chronicles music documentary.[10] In 1973, Shearer appeared as Jim Houseafire on How Time Flys, an album by The Firesign Theatre's David Ossman. The Credibility Gap broke up 1976 when Lander and McKean left to perform in the sitcom Laverne & Shirley.[5] Shearer started working with Albert Brooks, producing one of Brooks' albums and co-writing the film Real Life. Shearer also started writing for Martin Mull's television series Fernwood 2 Night.[5] In the mid-1970s, he started working with Rob Reiner on a pilot for ABC. The show, which starred Christopher Guest, Tom Leopold and McKean, was not picked up.[5] Career[edit] Saturday Night Live[edit] In August 1979, Shearer was hired as a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live, one of the first additions to the cast,[6] and an unofficial replacement for John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, who were both leaving the show.[11] Al Franken recommended Shearer to Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels.[12] Shearer describes his experience on the show as a "living hell" and "not a real pleasant place to work."[11] He did not get along well with the other writers and cast members and states that he was not included with the cast in the opening montage (although he was added to the montage for latter episodes of the 1979-80 season) and that Lorne Michaels had told the rest of the cast that he was just a writer.[13] Michaels left Saturday Night Live at the end of the fifth season, taking the entire cast with him.[14] Shearer told new executive producer Jean Doumanian that he was "not a fan of Lorne's" and offered to stay with the show if he was given the chance to overhaul the program and bring in experienced comedians, like Christopher Guest. However, Doumanian turned him down, so he decided to leave with the rest of the cast.[15] When I left, Dick [Ebersol] issued a press release, saying "creative differences." And the first person who called me for a comment on it read me that and I blurted out, "Yeah, I was creative and they were different." —Harry Shearer[16] In 1984, while promoting the film This Is Spinal Tap, Shearer, Christopher Guest and Michael McKean had a performance on Saturday Night Live. All three members were offered the chance to join to the show in the 1984–1985 season. Shearer accepted because he was treated well by the producers and he thought the backstage environment had improved[11] but later stated that he "didn't realize that guests are treated better than the regulars."[17] Guest also accepted the offer while McKean rejected it, although he would join the cast in 1994. Dick Ebersol, who replaced Lorne Michaels as the show's producer, said that Shearer was "a gifted performer but a pain in the butt. He's just so demanding on the preciseness of things and he's very, very hard on the working people. He's just a nightmare-to-deal-with person."[18] In January 1985, Shearer left the show for good,[11] partially because he felt he was not being used enough.[16] Martin Short said Shearer "wanted to be creative and Dick [Ebersol] wanted something else. [...] I think he felt his voice wasn't getting represented on the show. When he wouldn't get that chance, it made him very upset."[19] Spinal Tap[edit] Shearer co-created, co-wrote and co-starred in Rob Reiner's 1984 film This Is Spinal Tap.[6] Shearer, Reiner, Michael McKean and Christopher Guest received a deal to write a first draft of a screenplay for a company called Marble Arch. They decided that the film could not be written and instead filmed a 20-minute demo of what they wanted to do.[11] It was eventually greenlighted by Norman Lear and Jerry Perenchio at Embassy Pictures.[11] The film satirizes the wild personal behavior and musical pretensions of hard rock and heavy metal bands, as well as the hagiographic tendencies of rockumentaries of the time. The three core members of the band Spinal Tap—David St. Hubbins, Derek Smalls and Nigel Tufnel—were portrayed by McKean, Shearer and Guest respectively. The three actors play their musical instruments and speak with mock English accents throughout the film. There was no script, although there was a written breakdown of most of the scenes, and many of the lines were ad-libbed.[11] It was filmed in 25 days.[11] Shearer said in an interview that "The animating impulse was to do rock 'n' roll right. The four of us had been around rock 'n' roll and we were just amazed by how relentlessly the movies got it wrong. Because we were funny people it was going to be a funny film, but we wanted to get it right."[2] When they tried to sell it to various Hollywood studios, they were told that the film would not work. The group kept saying, "No, this is a story that's pretty familiar to people. We're not introducing them to anything they don't really know," so Shearer thought it would at least have some resonance with the public.[6] The film was only a modest success upon its initial release but found greater success, and a cult following, after its video release. In 2000, the film was ranked 29th on the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 comedy movies in American cinema[20] and it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".[21] Shearer, Guest and McKean have since worked on several projects as their Spinal Tap characters. They released three albums: This Is Spinal Tap (1984), Break Like the Wind (1992) and Back From The Dead (2009).[22] In 1992, Spinal Tap appeared in an episode of The Simpsons called "The Otto Show".[23] The band has played several concerts, including at Live Earth in London on July 7, 2007. In anticipation of the show, Rob Reiner directed a short film entitled Spinal Tap.[24] In 2009, the band released Back from the Dead to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the release of the film.[25] The album features re-recorded versions of songs featured in This Is Spinal Tap and its soundtrack, and five new songs.[26][27] The band performed a one date "world tour" at London's Wembley Arena on June 30, 2009. The Folksmen, a mock band featured in the film A Mighty Wind that is also made up of characters played by Shearer, McKean and Guest – was the opening act for the show.[28] The Simpsons[edit] Shearer is also known for his prolific work as a voice actor on The Simpsons. Matt Groening, the creator of the show, was a fan of Shearer's work, while Shearer was a fan of a column Groening used to write.[29] Shearer was asked if he wanted to be in the series, but he was initially reluctant because he thought the recording sessions would be too much trouble.[29] He felt voice acting was "not a lot of fun" because traditionally, voice actors record their parts separately.[7] He was told that the actors would record their lines together[7] and after three calls, executive producer James L. Brooks managed to convince Shearer to join the cast.[2] Shearer's first impression of The Simpsons was that it was funny. Shearer, who thought it was a "pretty cool" way to work, found it peculiar that the members of the cast were adamant about not being known to the public as the people behind the voices.[6] Shearer provides voices for Principal Skinner, Kent Brockman, Mr. Burns, Waylon Smithers, Ned Flanders, Reverend Lovejoy, Dr. Hibbert, Lenny Leonard, Otto Mann, Rainier Wolfcastle, Scratchy, Kang, Dr. Marvin Monroe, Judge Snyder and many others.[30] He has described all of his regular characters' voices as "easy to slip into. [...] I wouldn't do them if they weren't easy."[29] Shearer modeled Mr. Burns's voice on the two actors Lionel Barrymore and Ronald Reagan.[31] Shearer says that Burns is the most difficult character for him to voice because it is rough on his vocal cords and he often needs to drink tea and honey to soothe his voice.[32] He describes Burns as his favorite character, saying he "like[s] Mr. Burns because he is pure evil. A lot of evil people make the mistake of diluting it. Never adulterate your evil."[33] Shearer is also the voice of Burns' assistant Smithers, and is able to perform dialogue between the two characters in one take. In the episode "Bart's Inner Child", Harry Shearer said "wow" in the voice of Otto, which was then used when Otto was seen jumping on a trampoline.[34] Ned Flanders had been meant to be just a neighbor that Homer was jealous of, but because Shearer used "such a sweet voice" for him, Flanders was broadened to become a Christian and a sweet guy that someone would prefer to live next to over Homer.[35] Dr. Marvin Monroe's voice was based on psychiatrist David Viscott.[36] Monroe has been retired since the seventh season because voicing the character strained Shearer's throat.[37] In 2004, Shearer criticized what he perceived as the show's declining quality: "I rate the last three seasons as among the worst, so season four looks very good to me now."[38] Shearer has also been vocal about "The Principal and the Pauper" (season nine, 1997) one of the most controversial episodes of The Simpsons. Many fans and critics reacted negatively to the revelation that Principal Seymour Skinner, a recurring character since the first season, was an impostor. The episode has been criticized by both Shearer and Groening. In a 2001 interview, Shearer recalled that after reading the script, he told the writers, "That's so wrong. You're taking something that an audience has built eight years or nine years of investment in and just tossed it in the trash can for no good reason, for a story we've done before with other characters. It's so arbitrary and gratuitous, and it's disrespectful to the audience."[39] Due to scheduling and availability conflicts, Shearer decided not to participate in The Simpsons Ride, which opened in 2008, so none of his characters have vocal parts and many do not appear in the ride at all.[40] In a 2010 interview on The Howard Stern Show, Shearer alluded that the reason he was not part of the ride was because he would not be getting paid for it.[41] Until 1998, Shearer was paid $30,000 per episode. During a pay dispute in 1998, Fox threatened to replace the six main voice actors with new actors, going as far as preparing for casting of new voices.[42] The dispute, however, was resolved and Shearer received $125,000 per episode until 2004, when the voice actors demanded that they be paid $360,000 an episode.[42] The dispute was resolved a month later,[43] and Shearer's pay rose to $250,000 per episode.[44] After salary re-negotiations in 2008, the voice actors received $400,000 per episode.[45] Three years later, with Fox threatening to cancel the series unless production costs were cut, Shearer and the other cast members accepted a 30 percent pay cut, down to just over $300,000 per episode.[46] On May 13, 2015, Shearer announced he was leaving the show. After the other voice actors signed a contract for the same pay, Shearer refused, stating it was not enough. Al Jean made a statement from the producers saying "the show must go on," but did not elaborate on what might happen to the characters Shearer voiced.[47] On July 7, 2015, Shearer agreed to continue with the show, on the same terms as the other voice actors.[48] Le Show and radio work[edit] "Because I don't do stand-up, radio has always been my equivalent, a place to stay in connection with the public and force myself to write every week and come up with new characters. Plus it's a medium that – having grown up with it and putting myself to sleep with a radio under my pillow [as a kid] – I love. No matter what picture you want to create in the listener's mind, a few minutes of work gets it done." —Harry Shearer[49] Since 1983, Shearer has been the host of the public radio comedy/music program Le Show. The program is a hodgepodge of satirical news commentary, music, and sketch comedy that takes aim at the "mega morons of the mighty media".[50] It is carried on many National Public Radio and other public radio stations throughout the United States.[51] Since the merger of SIRIUS and XM satellite radio services the program is no longer available on either.[52] The show has also been made available as a podcast on iTunes[53] and by WWNO. On the weekly program Shearer alternates between DJing, reading and commenting on the news of the day after the manner of Mort Sahl, and performing original (mostly political) comedy sketches and songs. In 2008, Shearer released a music CD called Songs of the Bushmen, consisting of his satirical numbers about former President George W. Bush on Le Show.[2] Shearer says he criticizes both Republicans and Democrats equally, and also says that "the iron law of doing comedy about politics is you make fun of whoever is running the place"[54] and that "everyone else is just running around talking. They are the ones who are actually doing something, changing people's lives for better or for worse. Other people the media calls 'satirists' don't work that way."[55] Since encountering satellite news feeds when he worked on Saturday Night Live, Shearer has been fascinated with the contents of the video that does not air. Shearer refers to these clips as found objects. "I thought, wow, there is just an unending supply of this material, and it's wonderful and fascinating and funny and sometimes haunting – but it's always good," said Shearer.[56] He collects this material and uses it on Le Show[57][58] and on his website.[59] In 2008, he assembled video clips of newsmakers from this collection into an art installation titled "The Silent Echo Chamber" which was exhibited at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, Connecticut.[56] The exhibit was also displayed in 2009 at Institut Valencià d'Art Modern (IVAM) in Valencia, Spain[60][61] and in 2010 at the New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center.[62] In 2006 Shearer appeared with Brian Hayes in four episodes of the BBC Radio 4 sitcom Not Today, Thank You, playing Nostrils, a man so ugly he cannot stand to be in his own presence.[63] He was originally scheduled to appear in all six episodes but had to withdraw from recording two due to a problem with his work permit.[64] On June 19, 2008, it was announced that Shearer would receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the radio category.[65] The date of the ceremony where his star will be put in place has yet to be announced.[66] Further career[edit] Shearer performing in April 2009 In 2002, Shearer directed his first feature film Teddy Bears' Picnic, which he also wrote. The plot is based on Bohemian Grove, which hosts a three-week encampment of some of the most powerful men in the world. The film was not well received by critics. It garnered a 0% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with all 19 reviews being determined as negative[67] and received a rating of 32 out of 100 (signifying "generally negative reviews") on Metacritic from 10 reviews.[68] In 2003, he co-wrote J. Edgar! The Musical with Tom Leopold, which spoofed J. Edgar Hoover's relationship with Clyde Tolson.[69] It premiered at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado and starred Kelsey Grammer and John Goodman.[70] In 2003, Shearer, Guest and McKean starred in the folk music mockumentary A Mighty Wind, portraying a band called The Folksmen. The film was written by Guest and Eugene Levy, and directed by Guest.[6] Shearer had a major role in the Guest-directed parody of Oscar politicking For Your Consideration in 2006. He played Victor Allan Miller, a veteran actor who is convinced that he is going to be nominated for an Academy Award.[71] He also appeared as a news anchor in Godzilla with fellow The Simpsons cast members Hank Azaria and Nancy Cartwright.[72] His other film appearances include The Right Stuff, Portrait of a White Marriage, The Fisher King, The Truman Show, EdTV and Small Soldiers.[73] Shearer has also worked as a columnist for the Los Angeles Times Magazine, but decided that it "became such a waste of time to bother with it."[55] His columns have also been published in Slate and Newsweek.[74] Since May 2005 he has been a contributing blogger at The Huffington Post.[73] Shearer has written three books. Man Bites Town, published in 1993, is a collection of columns that he wrote for The Los Angeles Times between 1989 and 1992.[39] Published in 1999, It's the Stupidity, Stupid analyzed the hatred some people had for then-President Bill Clinton.[75] Shearer believes that Clinton became disliked because he had an affair with "the least powerful, least credentialed women cleared into his official compound."[39] His most recent book is Not Enough Indians, his first novel. Published in 2006, it is a comic novel about Native Americans and gambling.[73] Without the "pleasures of collaboration" and "spontaneity and improvisation which characterize his other projects", Not Enough Indians was a "struggle" for Shearer to write. He said that "the only fun thing about it was having written it. It was lonely, I had no deal for it and it took six years to do. It was a profoundly disturbing act of self-discipline."[2] Shearer has released five solo comedy albums: It Must Have Been Something I Said (1994), Dropping Anchors (2006), Songs Pointed and Pointless (2007), Songs of the Bushmen (2008) and Greed and Fear (2010).[76] His most recent CD, Greed and Fear is mainly about Wall Street economic issues, rather than politics like his previous albums. Shearer decided to make the album when he"started getting amused by the language of the economic meltdown – when 'toxic assets' suddenly became 'troubled assets,' going from something poisoning the system to just a bunch of delinquent youth with dirty faces that needed not removal from the system but just...understanding."[77] In May 2006, Shearer received an honorary doctorate from Goucher College.[78] #HarryShearer #ThisIsSpinalTap #JonHammond #Nashville #TVShow The Big Uneasy[edit] Shearer is the director of The Big Uneasy (2010), a documentary film about the impacts of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans. Narrated by actor John Goodman, the film describes levee failures and catastrophic flooding in the New Orleans metropolitan area, and includes extended interviews with former LSU professor Ivor Van Heerden, Robert Bea, an engineering professor at the University of California at Berkeley, and Maria Garzino, an engineer and contract specialist for the Los Angeles district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The film is critical of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its management of flood protection projects in Southern Louisiana.[79][80][81][82][83] Shearer draws on numerous technical experts to maintain that Hurricane Katrina's "...tragic floods creating widespread damage were caused by manmade errors in engineering and judgment."[84] Shearer's film currently has a 74% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on twenty-three reviews by approved critics.[83] Personal life[edit] Shearer married Penelope Nichols in 1974. They divorced in 1977. He has been married to singer-songwriter Judith Owen since 1993.[2] In 2005, the couple launched their own record label called Courgette Records.[85] Shearer has homes in Santa Monica, California, the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, and London. He first went to New Orleans in 1988 and has attended every edition of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival since.[86] Shearer often speaks and writes about the failure of the Federal levee system which flooded New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, belittling the coverage of it in the mainstream media[87] and criticizing the role of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.[88][89] Prior to the DVD release of his film, The Big Uneasy, Shearer would hold screenings of the film at different venues and take questions from audience members " Identifier HarryShearerInterviewWithJonHammond Scanner Internet Archive HTML5 Uploader 1.6.3 Language English Publication date 2017-08-26 Usage Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Topics Harry Shearer, Nashville, New Orleans, NAMM Show, This is Spinal Tap, Podcast, Jack Benny, The Simpsons, Rock Band, Jon Hammond, Cable Access TV, MNN TV, Channel 1, #HarryShearer #HammondOrgan #Rocker

#Harry Shearer #This is Spinal Tap #Nashville #HammondCast

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savetopnow · 7 years ago

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2018-03-26 13 TV now

Cord Cutters

Directv Now Beta and TLC Go

Steven Spielberg Doesn’t Think Netflix Movies Deserve Oscars

What does everyone think of Youtube TV?

How can I watch tonight's episode of '60 Minutes?'

Any services have 30 day free trial, I just need a month of tv and don’t wanna pay

Netflix Best Of

[REQUEST] What's a good series to binge watch when you're stuck at home with the flu?

[REQUEST] Vintage films, circa 1960s

[US] The Gift (2015) Newly relocated to California, a man bumps into a former classmate who seems friendly at first, but is soon revealed to be nursing a murderous grudge.

[US] Locked Up Abroad (2013) Experience the horrors and challenges of travelers imprisoned abroad in this gritty documentary series from National Geographic

Reddit Television

Barry - Series Premiere Discussion

Trust - Series Premiere Discussion

Into the Badlands Season 3 Trailer

The Intro to Band of Brothers - a Masterpiece

The SNL Digital Short "Jack Sparrow" (feat. Michael Bolton) — I found this song to be very catchy, and I also appreciate Bolton for his ability to take the piss out of himself

TV & Jelly

The Bachelor Week 5: Glitter

The Bachelor Week 4: I’ll be that voice of reason and voice of reality

The Bachelor: Week 3 WHY AM I DOING THIS

The Bachelor Week 2: My Patience Has Been Trialed

The Bachelor Week 1: Salt and Pepper

TV Guide

The Walking Dead: Is [Spoiler] Really Going to Die?

Claire Foy Responds to The Crown Pay Disparity

Deadpool Animated Series is DOA at FXX

Celebrities Support March for Our Lives

On My Block Creators Break Down That Shocking Finale

TV Is My Pacifier

Sunday on TV – 3/25/18

If We Controlled Your Remote… 3/25/18

This Week on TV – 3/25/18-3/31/18

Saturday on TV – 3/24/18

Friday on TV – 3/23/18

TV Line

Fear the Walking Dead Season 4 Trailer Introduces the New Characters and Reveals How Morgan 'Sticks It' to Nick

HBO's Barry Premiere: Grade It!

Timeless Boss Talks [Spoiler]'s Return and the 'Intense, Emotional' Fallout

Silicon Valley Season Premiere Recap: Mo' Employees, Mo' Problems (Plus, Did You Miss T.J. Miller?)

American Idol Recap: Season 16 Auditions Conclude With a Former Contestant's Dramatic Return

The TV Addict

The CW Teasers: An Exasperated Angel on SUPERNATURAL, a LEGENDS OF TOMORROW Finale and More

SUPERNATURAL & SCOOBY DOO Extended Preview: The Winchesters Solve a Different Kind of Mystery

CBS Announces Finale Dates for 2017-2018 Season

THE X-FILES Season Finale Recap: There’s No Justice

LIFE SENTENCE: The Cast Teases Stella and Sadie’s Friendship and the Introduction of Riley Smith

#tv

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sherifawadmeetingvenus · 3 years ago

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Tom Vogel: Dace Decklan: Private Eye

LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF DACE DECKLAN: PRIVATE EYE

Coming Back recently on Amazon Prime and Tubings.TV

Some actors have a character they portrayed on the screen whose shadow they live in most of their lives. For Sean Connery and Roger Moore it was James Bond, Boris Karloff had Frankenstein, Bela Lugosi had Dracula and mine is Dace Decklan: Private Eye.

Who the hell is Dace Decklan: Private Eye, you might ask?

It all started as a twinkle in the eye of film director Ivan Malekin. How he ever came up with the concept of melding Magnum P.I and James Bond I will never know. Then again maybe I should just ask him? I just realised I never did.

Back in 2010 Ivan and I knew each other as fellow film directors and we had helped each other out on our various projects. Ivan was embarking on his first feature film which was of course the aforementioned Dace Decklan: Private Eye. At the time I had also been dabbling in acting and was starting to take it more seriously. Ivan was holding auditions for his film and I asked to audition, just so I could practice my craft. This might have been the edge or downfall for me winning the part. Depends how you want to look at it. I was totally relaxed because I thought I would never get the part but, as fate would have it, Ivan offered it to me.

At the audition we had only been privy to a few of the pages. Ivan offered the role under the condition that I read the whole script first before I said yes. Which is, of course, something every actor should do before agreeing to act in a film. This seems like obvious advice but we’ll come back to this later in this article.

For those of you that have seen the film it is totally politically incorrect. Total satire that features incest, juvenile humour, pokes fun at religion and includes musical numbers. Our biggest gripe now that we look back at it is that we didn’t include any nudity, a staple of B-grade films. Then again, there was a wall filled with photos of penises and there were plenty of dildos.

The content that I just mentioned might have been enough for most actors to reject the role. Not me though, I like to think I am open-minded about most things. However, there was one line of dialogue in the script that held me back. I asked Ivan to remove it. Ivan stood behind his right to protect the integrity of his art, even though classifying Dace as art is a stretch.

We were at a standoff but obviously Ivan won because I ended up doing the film. I reasoned to myself that if Nicholas Cage could eat a real cockroach for his movie The Vampire’s Kiss then I could utter one sentence I felt uncomfortable with.

I won’t repeat the line in this article because it still makes me cringe to this day. Suffice to say it’s akin to the lines that James Gunn tweeted years ago which came back to bite him in the ass and he lost his Disney contract and was shunned by his peers for a short period of time. Then, of course, he was rehired because they missed the ton of money he had been making for them. Luckily I don’t have much of a career in the film industry, so when it does come back to bite me, which I’m sure it will at some stage, it won’t affect me in the least bit.

Talking about things that come back to bite you in the ass, it’s been ten years since we made Dace, and you may or may not be surprised that we had every intention of making a bad movie. There’s a market for movies that are so bad, they’re good. We thought our film was an obvious cash cow. I mean look at The Room made in 2003. Unfortunately we dropped the ball as many of our peers do, because as inexperienced filmmakers we knew nothing about distribution and promotion. So Dace became an underground film seen by very few until last year when it hit Amazon and Tubi TV and is having a resurgence all these years later.

How can you not have a laugh? A tale about an incompetent private eye trying to track down his missing comrade in the jungles of Rambosia and stop an evil plan for world domination fuelled by blue pills that cause permanent erections in men. Full of love and lust, animation and absurdity, blood and comic style violence.

I watched it recently on the streaming service Tubi and it still makes me cringe. I certainly would not want my kids seeing this. I was thinking of buying all the copies in existence but I don’t think I have enough bitcoin to cover it. But in all seriousness, I can see onscreen what a barrel of laughs we had making this film.

Well, some of us did anyway. Which brings me back to the importance of reading the script. Initially the missing comrade that Dace Decklan searches for was played by an actor named George. While we were recording one of the musical numbers in a sound studio he asked me during a break why his character was singing these lines that did not make sense to him. I explained, “It’s because you end up having sex with your daughter in the end scene.” He blinked and was insistent that was not the case. I asked him if he had read the script which he said he did. Of course, he would have known this detail if he really had read the script.

I told Ivan about this little exchange and I mentioned it would be funny if he called tomorrow and said he would not be doing the film. Which then became a reality the next day. Except it wasn’t funny. Scenes had been shot. Expensive scenes with guns, locations, and time spent. Scenes that could not be reshot.

At first Ivan was going to just replace George with another actor and offer no explanation in the film. Then a stroke of genius hit Ivan, which to be honest, when he first ran the idea past me I thought was one of the stupidest things I had heard. Until I saw it for the genius it was. Luckily, all the scenes set in the past with Rados had already been filmed with George so Ivan recast the present day Rados as a woman (played by Suzy Markovski) explaining the character had a sex change. He also put the new Rados in a wheelchair as Dace had broken Rados’ back in an early scene. The forced casting change actually made the film even crazier and better because of that fact.

So if you happen to ever watch the film and think it’s absurd, I hope you remember this article and realise behind the scenes was just as absurd.

I have digressed, somewhat. Ivan asked me this week if I could write an article to mark the ten year anniversary of Dace. It’s a head scratcher, just like the film. I don’t have any regrets on it except for that one piece of dialogue. I see the fun that was had on the shoot when I see our ugly mugs on the screen.

I fondly remember Ivan and I high as hell at the Burning Seed Festival where Dace was screening and watching it through new eyes. They were pretty big eyes. We realised that the film was better than we had realised and knew that it was going to catch on sooner or later.

It became later rather than sooner. But it’s amazing to think that Dace is finding a new audience after all these years. Especially in our politically correct, cancel culture, covid times. I’m amazed it’s gotten past the censors at both Tubi and Amazon. Watching the film now is like watching a time capsule. Would Ivan still be up for writing controversial dialogue like he did back then? In one scene Dace stabs his own eyes out with a hot poker because the leading lady undresses in front of him only for him to discover that her pubic hair is as long as a hipster's beard as she is a Christian so doesn’t have sex. Just one of the absurdities to witness if you watch the film.

Ivan and I talked about a sequel some years ago as it was suggested by mutual friends. We both agreed we had grown as people and as filmmakers and the juvenile story of Dace did not interest us anymore. Now with the resurgence of the film Ivan has started to entertain the possibility of the long threatened sequel Dace Decklan: A Tale of Two Titties.

All I can say is it will be fascinating to see if the interest in Dace continues to grow or if he fades into obscurity again. Will I continue to live in the shadow of Dace Decklan: Private Eye? All things considered, it doesn’t bother me if I do, but I still don’t want my kids to ever see the movie.

source https://www.sherifawad-filmcritic.com/2021/06/tom-vogel-dace-decklan-private-eye.html

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lefilmdujour · 5 years ago

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Another 500th movie celebration

My Tumblr just reached the 1000 movies mark, so I figured it’s time I write something about my last 2 and a half years of movie viewings and recommend 50 more movies out of the ones I’ve seen since the last 500th movie celebration.

Times have been strange in the last couple of years, and my movie habits have reflected it. There have been times when watching films was all I would do, but there have also been moments of complete disconnection from the medium. I went from watching several movies every day to spending months avoiding anything to do with sitting through a movie.

Part of it had to do with the space I share with my demons, but mostly there has been a change of pace. My laptop died, it took me months to get another one only to also die on me. On the other hand, an enormous chunk of my viewings have been in cinemas or squats, which is a very positive change but led me to watch more recent films in detriment of classics or ancient underappreciated gems. I also got my first TV in over a decade this month, and my very first Netflix account last week, so I may be exploring streaming a bit more, although so far I am not finding the experience at all satisfying. All pointless excuses since I went through 500+ movies in a little over two years, which is not bad at all.

It was hard to pick only 50 movies this time, and the list would have probably looked a little different if I did it tomorrow. Regardless, here are 50 movies I recommend, and why. Random order, all deserving of love and attention.

Ghost World (Terry Zwigoff) - This movie is unfairly ignored in the best comic book adaptation lists out there on the internet. The opening scene is memorable, the soundtrack is a lesson in early Blues, and the characters are quirky and well written.

Hate (Mathieu Kassovitz) - An absolute classic about the class system in France and its tendency to end up in riots. Beautiful shot and highly quotable. Saw it a few times, the last of them with a live score from Asian Dub Foundation. One of the greats.

Audition (Takashi Miike) - Whenever I’m asked about my favorite horror movie, I tend to fall back on this one. Audition is very slow, starting out soft but with an underlying tension that builds until the absolutely gut-wrenching finale that makes us question our own sanity. Brilliant subversion of the “hear, don’t see” rule, just the though of some of the sounds used in the most graphic scenes still send shivers down my spine.

Kedi (Ceyda Torun) - A Turkish documentary about street cats, what’s there not to like?

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (Park Chan-wook) - The third in the loosely-connected Vengeance trilogy by Park Chan-wook, and my favorite of the bunch, especially the Fade to Black and White edition, in which the movie very gradually loses color as the violence grows. A visual masterpiece.

Paterson (Jim Jarmusch) - The poetry of routine. Adam Driver is one hell of an actor.

Love Me If You Dare (Yann Samuell) - Two people that obviously love each other but are not mature enough to follow it through. Frustrating. Beautiful. Made me sob.

The Exterminating Angel (Luis Buñuel) - I am realizing that a good part of this list deals with frustration. A group of people finds themselves unable to leave a party for no apparent reason. Buñuel is a genious in surrealism, I have yet to watch most of his Mexican period.

The Mutants (Teresa Villaverde) - Kids on the run from themselves. Strong visuals, very moving interactions at times. A hard but very rewarding watch. Teresa Villaverde’s entire filmography also gets a seal of approval.

Bad Education (Pedro Almodóvar) - A movie about sexuality and problematic relationships, taken to unbelievable extremes.

The Death of Mr. Lazarescu (Cristi Puiu) - The adventures of Mr. Lazarescu as he struggles to find help for the sudden pain he feels and ends up being passed on from hospital to hospital. Felt very real. Sold as a comedy, but I found it terrifying.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (Yorgos Lanthimos) - A classic greek tragedy brought to the modern age. My favorite Lanthimos film, ranking slightly below Dogtooth. The deadpan acting and the unnerving sound serves as wonderful misdirection.

It’s Such a Beautiful Day (Don Hertzfeldt) - Three shorts stitched together to create a confusing, philosophical, absurd, funny and deep masterpiece. The animation skills of Don Hertzfeldt needs more recognition.

Amores Perros (Alejandro González Iñárritu) - A movie so good it didn’t even had an English name. Three tales of love, violence and loss, all linked by a dog.

Endless Poetry (Alejandro Jodorowsky) - Jodorowsky’s romanticized auto-biography, played by his own sons.Bohemian and poetic.

The Passion of Joan of Arc (Carl Theodor Dreyer) - Show this movie to someone who refuses to watch silent movies. The acting is so impactful and emotional, and the use of close ups was highly unusual for the time. A 90-plus years old masterpiece.

Everything is Illuminated (Liev Schreiber) - Sunflowers.

Dunkirk (Christopher Nolan) - I have a soft spot for war movies, as to remind myself how brutal people can be to their fellow man and how meaningless the concept of nations truly is. This movie in particular achieves greatness due to its usage of sound, the best I’ve heard in recent memory.

Vagabond (Agnès Varda) - Be careful of what you wish for yourself, you may end up frozen and miserable in a ditch (spoilers for literally the first few seconds of the film).

Stroszek (Werner Herzog) - I know Herzog mostly through his documentaries. His voice brings me the feeling of a deranged grandpa sharing stories of a reality tainted by dementia. I have yet to explore his fiction work in-depth, and this has been my starting point. Stroszek is bleak and desperate but humor still shines through it at times. Ian Curtis allegedly hung himself after watching it. Not sure if this story is real, but it once more feeds into the Herzog myth.

HyperNormalization (Adam Curtis) - Put together through found footage and newscasts, HyperNormalization is an unforgiving study on how we got to where we currently are. Fake becomes real. Trust is an abandoned concept. “They've undermined our confidence in the news that we are reading/And they make us fight each other with our faces buried deep inside our phones”, as AJJ sings in Normalization Blues. Which you should also check out.

Chicken with Plums (Marjane Satrapi & Vincent Paronnaud) - A man decides to die, so he goes to bed and waits. An apparent simple plot that uncovers a world of beauty and poetry, as life passes slowly through the man’s eyes.

The Florida Project (Sam Baker) - William Dafoe was born to play the role of a motel manager. He is so natural in his role that I think he would actually be great in that job. The rest of the movie is great too, but his performance is the highlight for me.

Lucky (John Carroll Lynch) - Speaking of great performances, Lucky is Harry Dean Stanton’s final movie and a great send off. IMDB describes it best: “The spiritual journey of a ninety-year-old atheist.“

Paris, Texas (Wim Wenders) - More Harry Dean Stanton. The desert plays a more than decorative role in this wonderful movie, representing the emptiness that comes from estrangement. A story about reunion and all that can come from it.

On Chesil Beach (Dominic Cooke) - I sometimes cry in movies, but this one shook me to the core. A play on expectations and reactions and their devastating impact on relationships. We all fuck up sometimes. Try not to fuck up like these characters did, not on that level, you will never be able to make up for it.

The Royal Tenenbaums (Wes Anderson) - An absolute classic. A movie about the concept of family.

No Country for Old Men (Coen Brothers) - Murder mysteries and bad haircuts.

Dawson City: Frozen Time (Bill Morrison) - I highly recommend this documentary for anyone who professes their love for cinema. The story of how hundreds of lost silent movies were preserved though sheer luck and human stupidity. Seeing these damaged frames coming back to life is truly magical.

Mandy (Panos Cosmatos) - Some films turn into cult experiences through the years, some selected few are already born that way. Mandy is a psychedelic freak-out and Nicholas Cage fits like a glove in its weirdness. If you didn’t catch it while in cinemas, you’re already missing out on the full experience. Mandy is filled with film grain, which adds to the hallucinogenic experience with its continuous movement, a feature that does not translate when transferred to a digital medium.

City of God (Fernando Meirelles & Kátia Lund) - A masterpiece of Brazilian cinema, very meaningful and relatable if you grew up in a similar environment. One of the most quotable films in my memory, something that gets lost in translation if you don’t speak Portuguese. My Tumblr is mostly pictures because I “só sei lê só as figura”.

Loro (Paolo Sorrentino) - On the topic of languages, I watched this Italian movie with Dutch subtitles, by mistake. It is actually an interesting exercise, watching something without fully grasping every word and letting your mind patch the pieces together to make a coherent narrative. Impressive cinematography, amazing script. I learned a lot about corruption, not everyone has a price. I also learned I can speak Italian now.

Roma (Alfonso Cuarón) - Beautiful shot, every frame of it can be turned into a picture. Roma is about the meaning of family, seen from the eyes of someone who will never be part of it. A lot of people considered this movie boring and pointless. These people probably have maids at home.

Bad Times at the El Royale (Drew Goddard) - Engaging heist movie, well developed characters, amazing soundtrack.

Melancholia (Lars von Trier) - The World is coming to an end and the date and time has been announced. How would you react to these news? Would it matter?

Climax (Gaspar Noé) - A very scary experience, equal parts trippy and evil like all Gaspar Noé’s movies. A dark ballet that that shocks and confuses the senses. Dante’s Inferno.

Fish Tank (Andrea Arnold) - A strong story about ambitions, neglect and survival. Katie Jarvis is very realistic in her performance, a little too much judging by her history after the movie.

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (Ana Lily Amirpour) - An Iranian feminist movie about vampirism and records. Watched it with live score from The Black Heart Rebellion for extra cool points.

Another Day of Life (Raul de la Fuente & Damian Nenow) - Based on Ryszard Kapuściński‘s autobiography, Another Day of Life consists of rotoscopic animation sprinkled with interviews. A look at the Cold War in the African continent, and an important watch for everyone, especially Portuguese and Angolan nationals.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Quentin Tarantino) - Rich in dialogues and paced very slowly until the insane climax, this is probably the best Tarantino film after Pulp Fiction. Filled to the brim with cinematic references, it’s a delight to all film nerds. Looking forward for an Bud Spencer/Terrence Hill film adaption with Leonardo Dicaprio and Brad Pitt after this.

The Beach Bum (Harmony Korine) - Google’s top voted tags: Boring. Mindless. Cringe-Worthy. Forgettable. Slow. Illogical. Looks like this movie didn’t resonate well with the audiences, but then again Harmony Korine’s stuff is not for the masses. I personally think this is one of his best movies, a true exercise on nihilism. The main character is lovable and detestable in equal parts, and every action is pointless. Such is life, the only meaning it has is attributed by yourself.

The Mirror (Andrei Tarkovsky) - A man reflects on his life. Memories tend to get fuzzy, conflicting and confusing. More like a poem than a narrative. A dreamy masterpiece.

The Spirit of the Beehive (Víctor Erice) - The most charming child of this list, she couldn’t memorize the names of the characters she interacted with so they were changed to the names of the actual actors. The innocence of childhood in dark times.

A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence (Roy Andersson) - A series of absurd vignettes connected by a pair of novelty items salesmen and their struggle to bring a smile to a grey World. Slow, but humorous and delightful. An unconventional and memorable ride.

Man Bites Dog (Rémy Belvaux, André Bonzel & Benoît Poelvoorde) - Fake documentary about a serial killer. Heavy, gruesome and hard to watch, despite the false sense of humor in some scenes.A glimpse at the darkness of human nature.

Tangerine (Sean Baker) - Shot with cell phones. A story about love, gender and friendship. Funny, sad, touching.

The Guilty (Gustav Möller) - Focused on a shift of an emergency dispatcher, the camera focuses only on his face and phone interactions with the callers.A very effective thriller, its setting leads us to create our own narratives just to subvert them at the most unexpected times.

Cold War (Paweł Pawlikowski) - Loosely inspired in Pawlikowski’s parents, Cold War is a beautiful love story set against impossible odds. Powerful and heartbreaking.

Parasite (Bong Joon-ho) - Poor family scams rich family. Rich family takes advantage of poor family. Everybody feeds off of everyone. Drama/Comedy/Thriller/Horror/Romance about control, delivered in a masterclass on cinematic rhythm. Best film of its year for me.

The Straight Story (David Lynch) - More than the fact that this movie is radically different than the remaining Lynch work, The Straight Story is a wonderful exercise in pacing and storytelling. Mr. Straight’s stories allow us to fill in the blanks with our imagination, and their impact in him is also felt in us. An underappreciated gem in its apparent simplicity.

Thank you very much for reading.

#yay me #Movie Recommendation

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savagegardenforever · 6 years ago

Text

MSN Chat transcript with Darren Hayes of Savage Garden

From

Savage Garden Offical Site

MSN Chat transcript with Darren Hayes of Savage Garden

Thursday, October 7, 1999

Digital Dish Diva says: Tonight we are very excited to welcome to MSN, Darren Hayes of Savage Garden. Darren's new CD "Affirmation" premieres next month

Digital Dish Diva says: Darren, welcome to MSN! Congratulations on your new single! It's fabulous! Well, there are a lot of fans here, so let's get started!

Darren Hayes says: I'm thrilled out of my brain to be here. I'm more excited than you are!

Digital Dish Diva says: Cosette says: I'd like to ask if the worldwide release of "Affirmation" will be enhanced or have an interview disk. Thanks!

Darren Hayes says: Cosette, It¹s only the Australian version that has CD Rom component and an extra track. In Japan there is a small component plus a bonus track, but it's different than Australia.

Digital Dish Diva says: heather3 says: Can you tell us the mood of "Affirmations"? I LOVE YOU!

Darren Hayes says: Heather, thank you, I love you too. "Affirmation" is beautifully sad. It is about relationships. It is very personal. It's an album about accepting that life presents you with struggles. Sometimes we fall down but we get back up again and we're stronger for it.

Digital Dish Diva says: BJ says: When is "Affirmation" coming out?

Darren Hayes says: BJ, November 9 in the U.S. and October 25 I think in the rest of the world. It's all on the website. I just make the art guys.

Digital Dish Diva says: mag4daz says: How do u feel like when you are on the stage and you see all these people in front of you who love you so much?

Darren Hayes says: mag4daz, you know the first time around I didn't open my eyes a lot and I was very shocked to see the support and the love. The last couple of years have amazing. It¹s been a bit tough personally but fan letters and support and interest on the Internet has been such a warm relief for me. I feel touched and honored and this time I'm making an effort to open my eyes and take it all in.

Digital Dish Diva says: violetfly says: When discussing the debut album, you said that you felt your sound would follow in the vein of "Carry on Dancing" and "Mine." Do you think "Affirmation" has done that?

Darren Hayes says: Violetfly, its very moody and its a bit deceptive because the first songs are quite poppy. I used to listen to the comments made on BBS about "I Knew I loved You" and many were concerned it was a boy band record but the reality is "I Knew I Loved You" is the only song that sounds like that. It¹s the only happy "up" naive love song that goes to a lot of dark places. If you liked "Mine" you'll love "Gunning Down Romance"

Digital Dish Diva says: TMD says: Hi Darren! What has been different in writing "Affirmation" than your first record?

Darren Hayes says: TMD, logistically Daniel and I were in two separate places. He'd send me disks and I'd record lyrics to instrumentals. It¹s a more personal record than the first one and we had more money and time to spend, which you can hear. It still sounds like Savage Garden with a sense of melancholy and atmospheric.

Digital Dish Diva says: Ashley says: On the new album, which song means the most to you personally?

Darren Hayes says: Ashley, that¹s a tough one, it's such a personal record. I'd say my favorite songs include "Affirmation," "I Don't Know You Anymore," and "The Lover After Me."

Digital Dish Diva says: Lil_Princess says: I loved the "Cherry Cola" song, how did you sing so fast?

Darren Hayes says: Lil_Princess, it¹s called studio technology and I learned the hard way when we went on tour for eight months. The key is lots of breathing. Do aerobics!

Digital Dish Diva says: daBomb says: When are you planning to do a tour of the States and Britain?

Darren Hayes says: daBomb: We won't be touring until summer 2000. We are just about to head out on an endless promotion run which takes us everywhere. We'll have a short break for Christmas. We plan to tour Australia in March and the rest of the world after.

Digital Dish Diva says: rainey says: What TV shows will you be appearing on?

Darren Hayes says: rainey, pretty much everyone you can imagine in America. We'll be on "MTV TRL" tomorrow and in November "Rosie," "The View," "CNN Live," "Top of the Pops" in the UK, "Hit Machine" in France, "Hey, Hey it's Saturday" You name it. We're booked on it.

Digital Dish Diva says: Ashley says: Do you read the bulletin board on your website? If so, some of the posts must be quite funny to you :o).

Darren Hayes says: Ashley, sometimes I read the bulletin boards. I have to be honest guys, it's kind of damaging to my self-esteem sometimes. I respect that it¹s your world and you should be able to say what you want to say but if you think you have a hair obsession. I¹ve been questioning my hair lately! The support on the website blows me away. I feel undeserving sometimes and can't wait to go out on tour and thank everyone personally.

Digital Dish Diva says: Ultravioletsky says: I can't wait to see SG on Rosie on Nov 11 can you tell us which song you're performing and if there will be an interview or not?

Darren Hayes says: Ultra, we will be performing "I Knew I Loved You" for Rosie and most likely we will have a small chat because we love her and she loves us. I've recorded a Christmas song for Rosie¹s album and there's a special with me, Celine Dion, NSYNC, and I think I¹m recording that soon. Its a record for charity and its going to help children everywhere o you should really check it out.

Digital Dish Diva says: This CD will be available in November from Sony.

Digital Dish Diva says: davids_lover says: How did you think of the name Savage Garden.

Darren Hayes says: davids lover, this is the oldest question. I think everybody knows. Anne Rice.

Digital Dish Diva says: sabraina_93021 says: What is the weirdest thing anyone has ever done to get closer to you or meet you? What was your reaction? I LOVE YOU!

Darren Hayes says: sabraina, I think everyone knows. It was the fan in Singapore who sprayed me in the face with a water pistol. That scared the hell out of me! I once had to sign the nipple of a transvestite. Does that count?

Digital Dish Diva says: Amandabug says: Darren, are you guys booked for "Saturday Night Live"?

Darren Hayes says: Amandabug, Nina, our stylist works for "SNL," and I'm obsessed with the show. So between the two of us I think that's going to happen pretty soon.

Digital Dish Diva says: Moon_owl says: Hey Darren! How long have you had your Darth Vader phone? I love it!

Darren Hayes says: Moon, Darth Vader was a present from my manager Larry last year. I've just bought my first home and I dusted off my phone from the attic and it takes pride and joy in my bedroom wing and yes it is a wing, folks!

Digital Dish Diva says: karyn says: What's the weirdest thing that has ever been thrown on stage?

Darren Hayes says: karyn, I would say the weirdest things are harmful things like empty bottles. You don't have to be Yoda to figure out a bottle hurts. Those chuppa chupps and those soft toys. Rather than spend money on soft animals or toys. If you want to make me happy, donate those to hospitals or throw a note on the stage telling me you've donated $1 charity and that would make me happier than any gift you could give me.

Digital Dish Diva says: Tangodess says: Hi, Darren how hard has it been leaving your family for months at a time. How do you survive?

Darren Hayes says: I adore my ex-wife and she will always be my soul mate but we're not married anymore. We talk on the phone every other day and we have Oola and Obi. We share joint custody of our cocker spaniels. I go to Brisbane more than you would know and I often fly my family out to see me. My sister just left and my brother and sister in law and new baby will be out in November.

Digital Dish Diva says: Sherry30 says: Darren have you gotten the chance to visit Skywalker Ranch?

Darren Hayes says: Sherry, I am constantly six degrees of separation from Madonna, Michael Jackson and Lucas. Let me explain. George Lucas is good friends with Walter, who produced our album. My trainer is Lucas's trainer and recently Lucas¹s daughter requested an audience with

Darren Hayes says: I saw the new "Star Wars" with Lucas, the first screening and I didn¹t want to overstay my welcome. I've been to the ranch a few times. Its about twenty minutes away, possibly why I moved to San Francisco and George, if you're listening, I do want to audition for the second film.

Digital Dish Diva says: Savagebabe_23 says: Darren how could you describe the new album to us in three words?

Darren Hayes says: Savagebabe, bittersweet, sad, beautiful.

Digital Dish Diva says: Utopia says: What is the voice in "I Want You" saying? Is it in Latin?

Darren Hayes says: Utopia it's in Latin and we have no idea. I suspect it was saying "Buy this record now"

Digital Dish Diva says: kitten says: What do you like to do in your spare time when you have any?

Darren Hayes says: kitten, simple things I love going to restaurants, just relaxing. I really enjoy fitness so I go to the gym a lot and I'm completely aware I don't look like Brad Pitt. Recently I've taken up hiking. I¹m also decorating my house. I've had fun buying furniture and making my own.

Digital Dish Diva says: TMD says: Hi Darren! What do you think about the new Star War movie? :)

Darren Hayes says: TMD, I loved it. I think like the first trilogy it will get better, but I'm definitely a Jar Jar Binks supporter and I do a mean impression.

Digital Dish Diva says: Wendolyn says: Do people recognize you often in public, Darren? =)

Darren Hayes says: Wendolyn, I think around the time of "Truly Madly Deeply" going to #1 in America. I got recognized a bit. I have no delusions about my level of celebrity. I'm not Michael Jackson.

Digital Dish Diva says: Anne says: Do you have an idol?

Darren Hayes says: Anne, Colby.

Digital Dish Diva says: TMD says: Hi Darren! Are you actively involved on the Internet?

Darren Hayes says: TMD: I used to be. Now I just use my laptop for checking email. I have this hell cool Mac Powerbook with cola colored keys. It rocks! Sometimes I lurk on the website. I don't go to MIRC anymore.

Digital Dish Diva says: hayesbabe says: Darren are you still vegetarian?

Darren Hayes says: hayesbabe, no I was a vegetarian for seven years. I stopped eating meat because my body needed a break. but during tour last year I got thin and weak and when I started this album a trainer suggested I start eating white meat again and I have to say, I feel a lot better for it.

Digital Dish Diva says: mariet says: Did you write your new video yourself?

Darren Hayes says: mariet: We worked in conjunction with the Director Kevin Bray, initially, I wanted it to be a romantic piece of film and we were looking at people like Kirsten Dunst to play the person on the train. It was loosely based on "Sliding Doors." I just love it actually.

Digital Dish Diva says: chowderhead says: Any advice for future artists and singers out there?

Darren Hayes says: chowderhead: I say this all the time. You have to ask if you really, really want it because if you do you have to eat, breathe, sleep your dream. It¹s very competitive and it¹s mostly opportunity. Like most things in life. The reality is different than the dream. It¹s exhaustive and I've definitely paid the price.

Digital Dish Diva says: Parisa says: What will you be doing on New Year's Eve?

Darren Hayes says: Parisa, we were playing in a live concert in Sydney until the cheapskates decided they couldn't afford to pay us what we're worth. I'll probably be at home with my family. I've never been into New Years Eve anyway. It¹s completely overrated. I also have a minor fear that it might all simultaneously explode.

Digital Dish Diva says: Azrielle says: Hello Darren, if you could pick one favorite character from the Vampire Chronicles, who would it be?

Darren Hayes says: Azrielle, Louis, definitely. Although I'm probably Lestat.

Digital Dish Diva says: ferretdreams says: Did he see Kirsten in "interview with a vampire"?

Darren Hayes says: I did but believe it or not I didn't make the connection until she was on the set. Until Kirsten asked me where we got the name of the band and I just said "Oh my God you wouldn't believe it!"

Digital Dish Diva says: So there was good karma?

Darren Hayes says: Yes, definitely and Kirsten and I really connection. She's the same sign as me.

She's a Taurus. Her favorite lyric was the same as mine- the angels dance around you. It turned out that she agrees with the same spirituality as I do. I was very, very nervous because I had to hold her hand and give her a kiss.

Digital Dish Diva says: Sparketet says: Hey, Darren what's you favorite cartoon from childhood and now?

Darren Hayes says: Sparketet from childhood it would be "G Force" which was an animated superhero show and "ScoobyDoo." Now it¹s "Ren and Stimpy."

Digital Dish Diva says: Mommy says: Do you actually write your own songs?

Darren Hayes says: Mommy: Daniel and I write everything

Digital Dish Diva says: blackjedi says: If you could choose, which video was the most fun to make?

Darren Hayes says: blackjedi, "The Animal Song" by far.

Digital Dish Diva says: SavageMelly says: How is Daniel doing? I haven't head much about him lately.

Darren Hayes says: Melly he's great. I have to thank everybody for being very understanding about the way he and I have shifted our roles slightly. The truth is, its always been like this. I'm more comfortable being a public figure. The two of us want to make music for you and this is our way of doing that.

Digital Dish Diva says: kristina says: I can't wait to see you on "TRL tomorrow." Will you be premiering "IKILY"?

Darren Hayes says: Kristina, I wish. No we're just rocking on out to say hello to you guys and play the video. It'll be the first time MTV plays it.

Digital Dish Diva says: aliendave says: Darren, are you into video games at all?

Darren Hayes says: aliendave: I have to confess I have really bad hand to eye coordination so I'm hideous at things like tennis and video games but I do own every "Star Wars" video game produced and yes, I'm shocking at them.

Digital Dish Diva says: Maya14 says: Hi Darren, My Name is Maya and I'm from Israel. I woke up at 15:00am just to chat with you. When are you gonna come to Israel? You have a lot of fans here, who are waiting for a concert. I can't wait for the new album!

Darren Hayes says: Maya, I would love to come to Israel for historical and religious reasons. There¹s so many places I haven't been to yet. I'd love to go to Africa, parts of Europe I haven't been to and the Middle East fascinates me. A lot of it doesn't depend on us. It¹s dollar and cents. Our last tour we spent a lot of money but we didn't care. We wanted to say thanks to all of our fans but be patient and thanks. We're pretty much coming everywhere in the next 12 months. We've never really visited Latin America and we'll spend some time there. I'm obsessed with Brazil. IT'S ALL ABOUT BRAZIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Digital Dish Diva says: Lianne says: What is your favorite Savage Garden song, and your favorite non-Savage Garden song?

Darren Hayes says: Lianne, my favorite Savage song would "Gunning Down Romance" and my favorite non-Savage song, gosh, that¹s a hard one. Probably "This Woman's Work" by Kate Bush.

Digital Dish Diva says: Girlegirl says: Hi Darren, I think you guys rock! What was the song "To the Moon and Back" all about?

Darren Hayes says: Girlegirl, it was about divorce, about a dear friend of mine who had a bad experience and blamed himself for his parents divorce, teenage angst. Everyone has felt unattractive and felt they didn't fit in. This person didn't give themselves credit.

Digital Dish Diva says: chicacherrycola2 says: Darren, do you miss living in Australia?

Darren Hayes says: chica: I don't really I just miss my family. I¹m 27 and I've always lived fairly close to my family and being out of the country has given me more privacy and its let me work myself out. I've enjoyed my time. I get lonely sometimes. I am so single and so happy about that. I was terrified to be single, I'd been in a relationship since I was 17 and never thought I could be alone, but it¹s not so bad.

Digital Dish Diva says: Clemgrrrl says: Hi Darren! What is your favorite city you've been in and why?

Darren Hayes says: Clemgrrrl: I think New York is definitely up there. but I love where I live at the moment, its a little town called...

Darren Hayes says: Ha! As if I'd tell.

Digital Dish Diva says: Ami-chan says: What is your favourite possession?

Darren Hayes says: Ami-chan: Wow, that¹s a really good question. I don't think there's a single object that I value that highly. My favorite things in life have been experience of love, family, and memories.

Digital Dish Diva says: Melena says: Darren who would be your dream woman?

Darren Hayes says: Melena, I had the dream woman. There is none higher.

Digital Dish Diva says: shesk says: How was the MTV FANatic experience?

Darren Hayes says: shesk, actually it was a little disappointing to be honest. Because it was so quick and you didn't really get a chance to really meet the person. I was happy that I had inspired someone and that¹s why we met that girl but I have to say we have a lot of sincere fans who aren't necessarily into us because they want to date us. They're into us because the music affects them. I've had our music played at funerals, played during chemotherapy when they lose the battle.

Digital Dish Diva says: slurpee_girl says: Darren, has fame changed the way your close friends and family see you?

Darren Hayes says: slurpee, sometimes. Fame has changed me too I'm sure. Sometimes I forget that my actions affect those around me like when I talk about my private life or using private experiences as inspirations for songs. I realize my family and friends experience that without asking for it and my family friends sometimes get a hard time. People expect them to be millionaires. Fame to me is a metaphor that God has used to teach me about myself. I think its an elaborate journey designed to give me life lessons and maybe for you to take control of your life and learn.

Digital Dish Diva says: Aussie Dream says: The songs you write are great!! Have you taken very many voice lessons? Your voice is fantastic!

Darren Hayes says: Aussie Dream, thank you very much. I never used to study voice at all. I was just a kid who used to sing in the bathroom. About half way through the tour last year I started having problems with my voice so I started seeing a voice coach and she's amazing. I think you can hear the difference. I have to tell you singing has an effect on me. I feel it in my body its' almost a religious experience. It's literally joy.

Digital Dish Diva says: Kelly2 says: Darren, To the Moon and Back was the only reason I didn't kill myself, I want to say thank you so much for such a beautiful song, and I adore you.

Darren Hayes says: Kelly, I have gotten so many letters and had conversations with young girls especially with regards to that song and that¹s why I do these chats. I used to do chats to get comfort and attention but now I understand that its an important job to give people 5 minutes of peace in a chaotic world and to let you know you're not alone. I feel the things you feel. I deal in them in different ways. "Crash and Burn" is a lullaby to myself and reassurance to you saying that everybody hits rock bottom and that¹s okay. That¹s what friends are for. You pick yourself and get going. We aren't designed to be happy 100% of the time and when you accept that you see highs and lows you put all together and you have memories.

Digital Dish Diva says: Sophie says: What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you ever imagine you would be this famous?

Darren Hayes says: Sophie, I wanted to be a pop star. I didn't think of being anything else, Perhaps C3P0.. I used to think I was Michael Jackson and everybody wanted to be famous. It stemmed from insecurities and the need to be loved.

Digital Dish Diva says: SallySG says: Hi Darren!! First of all I wanna thank you so much for doing this chat! What's the biggest misconception people have about you?

Darren Hayes says: Sally, that I'm really serious and that I'm a complete egomaniac constantly stealing the attention from Daniel. First of all I'm an absolute zany nut case most of the time always impersonating people, things, sometimes, plants and Daniel chooses to take a step backwards all the time. If I receive more attention its actually by default sometimes also, I think sometimes that Daniel and I have tension but we adore each other. He's seriously like my brother, I love him more than you all do. He¹s the most calming, insightful, intelligent person you'll ever meet.

Digital Dish Diva says: Lindsey says: Could we get a hint as to what "Two Beds and a Coffee Machine" is about?

Darren Hayes says: Lindsey it¹s actually a very serious song about domestic violence. Cover your ears if you don¹t want to hear this part. The lyric is describing a motel room with two beds and a coffee machine. I won't explain too much further because I want the story to unfold when you hear the song for the first time.

Digital Dish Diva says: mrs_daniel_jones says: I want to know what Savage Garden plans on doinglater in life, after you leave Savage Garden or whatever. What are your future plans in life?

Darren Hayes says: I want to be a Dad. I might do a solo record one day and I'm interested in studying more, psychology or maybe write a novel or screenplay. Mostly I'd like to be a Dad.

Digital Dish Diva says: CarlaM says: I have a question for Darren: Who name's the songs, you or Daniel?

Darren Hayes says: Carla, I write the lyrics so I write the names of the songs, Daniel is very generous in that he lets me put my tales all over his beautiful music.

Digital Dish Diva says: aliendave says: What would you name your son, and what would you name a daughter?

Darren Hayes says: dave, I don't think I'd want to tell the world. I don't know yet, I think you know when you look your child in the eyes for the first time. I think the last time I told someone a name, they named their dog that. Hint: Daniel called his dog Jackson.

Digital Dish Diva says: Garanwyn says: Will we be seeing you at the ARIA's?

Darren Hayes says: No, we'll be out of the country, unfortunately. But I think its time Australia had one without Savage Garden, even I¹m getting bored with their attendance.

Digital Dish Diva says: Wendolyn says: When you write a song, about how long does it take you? Is it very sudden - like you're inspired to suddenly create a song, or does it take a lot of thought?

Darren Hayes says: Both. Some songs are written in hours, sometimes weeks. I can tell you on this album, some of the songs were brewing for six months to a year and sometimes at the studio literally at the grand piano. It just depends.

Digital Dish Diva says: DayDreamer says: What does the title of this album mean to you?

Darren Hayes says: That it's all good. That life happens. I n the end everything is okay. It¹s about acceptance and forgiveness, taking responsibility, letting go.

Digital Dish Diva says: crichou says: What do you think about the fans on the Internet?

Darren Hayes says: crichou, I love them. I love them. I had a really tough year being out of the country and being alone and to come back from that time off to see the support you don't know how amazing that feel to have a complete stranger wish you love. You have the ability to pick me up and make me feel like the luckiest man in the world so I keep taking the challenge with music to take you places you don't know you want to go to yet.

Digital Dish Diva says: Darren, last question is from Trishabelle who says: Seeing that we are approaching the year 2000-what would you put in your time "capsule" as a keepsake from 1999?

Darren Hayes says: Wow, I'm very sentimental I don't know if I could pick one item, my credit card statements. I went on a plane trip from San Francisco to New York recently and I had to go over my spending for the last twelve months. Every meal, pair of socks, thumbtack they were all there. The good the bad the indifference. That pretty much summed up the whole year. It was scary because every meal every restaurant every skip of a heartbeat.

Digital Dish Diva says: Darren, I know I speak for your fans in here who say thank you so very much for being with us tonight. You are truly a delight. It was a pleasure spending tonight with you. We wish you the best of luck with your new CD "Affirmation: which will be released in November.

Darren Hayes says: I can't sum it up in one sentence but thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We love you. You make it all worthwhile. Please don't send presents. Spend the money on yourself or donate it to charity. Your sup

#darren hayes #savage garden #interview

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robertmcangusgroup · 7 years ago

Text

The Daily Thistle

The Daily Thistle – News From Scotland

Thursday 24th August 2017

"Madainn Mhath” …Fellow Scot, I hope the day brings joy to you…. A little bit of everything today in the news.. Golf, Wind, Sheep, a Drummer and Mary Queen of Scots.. so enjoy, Bella and I had a good walk this morning, as we do every morning, No Hermitage, No Ocean today, just a wonder through the back streets of Estepona our little town by the Mediterranean.. The council planted fresh flowers yesterday, bright yellow, red, orange and purple are some of the colours, it’s not so easy to determine the exact colours at 3:30am under sodium lights! But they look fantastic.. Well I think they do, Bella? Food!.....

BID TO SAVE HISTORIC SCOTTISH GOLF COURSE FROM BEING LOST TO SEA…. Golf bosses are backing efforts to save an historic course from being lost to the sea. The stunning Montrose Golf Links, Angus, on Scotland’s east coast, has already had to move its 2nd, 3rd and 6th holes and is being eroded at a rate of two metres a year. The chief executive of the PGA EuroPro Tour has now given his backing to efforts to save the course. The Montrose Medal course, which has regularly hosted the PGA EuroPro Tour’s Eagle Orchid Scottish Masters, risks losing a chunk of its holes if it can’t hold back ravaging tides. For more than 450 years golf has been played on the links of Montrose but changing seas and coastal erosion is threatening to destroy part of the course which can boast features laid down by Old Tom Morris. The links management committee is now looking at funding options to install £5 million worth of rock armour along seaside holes one, two and three. Failure to find a solution would mean a “massive realignment exercise” inland – amalgamating the existing championship and Broomfield courses into one.

FINAL TURBINE ARRIVES FOR SCOTLAND’S FLOATING WIND FARM…. The fifth and final turbine has arrived off the north-east coast of Scotland as developers press ahead with the world’s first full-scale floating wind farm. The first of the turbines set sail from Norway on its four-day voyage last month and all have now reached their destination at Buchan Deep, which lies 15 miles off the coast of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. Final installation at the 30 megawatt Hywind Scotland project is set to be completed in the coming weeks. The £210 million development is a partnership between Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable power company, and Norwegian energy giant Statoil. The completed project will provide 20,000 homes with electricity. 200 Voices: find out more about the people who have shaped Scotland Bader Al Lamki, executive director for clean energy at Masdar, said that Hywind Scotland “represents the next stage in the evolution of the offshore wind industry”. The milestone for the project comes after Peterhead Port Authority recently secured a major contract to harbour one of the world’s largest floating cranes for Vattenfall’s European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC), off Aberdeen Bay.

MOFFAT SHEEP RACES CANCELLED AFTER 80,000 SIGN PETITION…. An annual sheep racing event in Moffat has been cancelled over licensing issues. More than 80,000 people had signed a petition against the races that were due to be held tomorrow. Organisers said they had taken the decision with “deep regret”, claiming Dumfries and Galloway Council had insisted the animals be licensed in line with the Performing Animals Act 1925 which they were unwilling to do at short notice. The local authority said it had not prevented the event from going ahead and it had been the organisers’ choice to cancel. A petition was launched earlier this year to have the races scrapped on grounds of animal cruelty. A statement from the Moffat Promotions Group said it was “very disappointed” by the lack of support from the council. “The Moffat sheep races has become a firm fixture in the town’s calendar over the last five years and was a hugely successful fun day for all of the family,” it said. “Furthermore, no objections and certainly no requests to apply this ancient act had been made until very recently. “The council should have shown greater strength on this matter but instead created a situation where local organisers ended up backed into a corner which is hugely disappointing.” Animal rights campaigners succeeded in getting a similar event cancelled at a church fete in Cambridgeshire after gathering nearly 40,000 signatures. This time around more than 80,000 backed the online effort to stop the Scottish races taking place. John Robins, from the charity Animal Concern, welcomed the decision to cancel the Moffat event.

BELLE AND SEBASTIAN DRUMMER LEFT IN US CAR PARK FOR FOUR HOURS…. The drummer for Scottish band Belle and Sebastian was left by the group at a supermarket car park in the US in his pyjamas. Richard Colburn had to wait for four hours in a “desolate sport” after being forgotten by his band mates at a Walmart in the town of Dickinson on Tuesday in North Dakota. With Colburn still in the store the rest of the band, who are currently touring north America, made their way to a gig St Paul in Minneapolis having recently been performing in Missoula, Montana. The late-night stop meant that when the band returned to their bus they went to bed meaning they were unaware that Colburn was still in the store. It wasn’t until they were across state lines, having travelled around 500 miles, that there was a realisation the band was one short. After waiting for hours, Colburn opted to venture to a hotel and use his credit card to check in. Singer Stuart Murdoch told The Current, a Minneapolis radio show: “I was coming out the Walmart and he was coming into the Walmart and he was waving very happily in a good mood and that was the last time that we saw him. “He was probably thinking that someone was going to notice but the trouble is that everyone went to bed. He added: “There used to be a system, but because we all have mobile phones these days, everybody’s got a little bit blasé. “It used to be that you would leave a pass on the passenger seat for the last person and that’s how the driver knew. “Richard didn’t have his phone with him.” The band, who formed in 1996, then used social media to help get Colburn to the gig. Which he eventually he did.

BEARDED EXTRAS WANTED FOR MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS FILM…. A film production company is seeking Scottish actors with beard for a new film being shot in the Capital. The Holywood production on the life of Mary Queen of Scots is being filmed in and around Edinburgh next month, with the production company keen for extras and actors to apply. The Mary Queen of Scots film will star Margot Robbie as Elizabeth and Saoirse Ronan as Mary Stuart. Written by the producer of House of cards, Piece of Cake casting are now seeking bearded men to apply to work on days of filming. It is the second time in as many months that men with beards have been asked to audition for a role, with a Robert the Bruce film also appealing for bearded actors in a shoot in Glasgow. Casting agent Megan Wheatley told STV: “Some of the filming for Mary Queen of Scots is taking place around the Edinburgh area in September and we would love to involve local people as the film is about their history. “Ideally, we are after men, with long hair and beards a bonus.”

On that note I will say that I hope you have enjoyed the news from Scotland today,

Our look at Scotland today is of Loch Doon looking rather splendid, even if I say so......

A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Thursday 24th August 2017 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming Jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona…

All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in

Be safe out there…

Robert McAngus

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