I was fairly/unfairly lambasted on Monday night’s show because I confessed to hating DVD commentaries. I never use them to watch movies. It’s true - I haven’t watched a DVD commentary in years. I’m sure I’ve missed out on a ton of film enlightenment, and as I slowly drift off toward the light in my manse in the Hamptons at 95 years old, I’ll feel a great void in my life. But - and I’m talking to all of you - you’re not going to guilt or bully me into watching them. If I haven’t seen the movie before, I certainly don’t want the director to talk over dialogue and distract me. If I have seen the movie, I don’t want the director to talk over dialogue and distract me.
Now, hush up and let me get back to watching I Love Money.
On Monday's show, we talked about the annoying (and cost-cutting) habit of studios that print two-sided DVDs. You have to be extra-careful when handling the discs, it's hard to tell which side goes down in your DVD player - it's just an overall pain.
I was listening to the audio book of Chuck Palahniuk's HAUNTED today at work. A good way to boost your adrenaline since Palahniuk's verbcentric, visceral, blood on your face writing style is infinitely more exciting than scanning the business section of the Oreogonian for proper names. In one chapter, he describes something called "Spirit of the Stairway." It's the moment when you find the answer but it's too late. Like when you're at a party and someone insults you. When you think of a comeback, you're already out the door, standing on the stairs like a jerk. Palahniuk may have eloquently deconstructed this moment, but the best narrative example of this belongs to Mr. George Constanza. As he stuffs his face with shrimp on the SEINFELD episode entitled "The Comeback" a co-worker jokes to George: "The Ocean called, they're running out of shrimp." Hours later, after the meeting is long over, George finally comes up with that priceless comeback: "Well, the Jerk Store called, they're running out of you." Spirit of the stairway indeed.
I too am afflicted with this "Spirit of the Jerk Store" as I like to call it. There were catchy one liners and mini insights I wanted to incorporate into this week's show. Sadly, I thought of them in the bathroom and on the train ride after, not before. But luckily the IT gods invented the blog!
Thanks to all who listened to our debut as disjointed on-air voices. Or should I say thank to both of you. I keed I keed. It was a true pleasure and a thrill to finally put my theater training to use with a live show. It was a blast.
Anywho, the NIXON: ELECTION YEAR EDITION is a behemoth. It's a three and half hour directors cut with two commentaries, plus special features that are nearly wall-to-wall discussion and deconstruction. I can say that I empathize with Oliver Stone. There was simply not enough time for him to address everything he wanted to address in the original cut of NIXON. Also, there was simply not enough time for me to address everything I wanted to address in the five minute segment last night. Luckily some IT geek invented the blog, which serves as my own personal typographical "deleted scenes."
Rory & Erin take a look at new releases of the week including "AKA Tommy Chong," "Chicago 10," "The Nightmare Before Christmas (Special Edition)" and "Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden."
In "Geek picks," our resident geeks ruminate on the merits of Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd," "The Exonerated" and much more.
It all starts at 7pm (Central) LIVE on fearlessradio.com. Call in with your questions at 312-224-8273
Hey fellow Geeks,