It's That Time of Year, Again

Once again, I'll be doing the MS Walk this year, and I would love it if you would consider supporting me and this wonderful cause. Also, I've started a team this year for the first time, hoping to raise even more money through the help of others. I'd love it if you'd join me at the walk on Sunday April 6th at the Pasadena Rose Bowl!

I do the MS Walk every year because my Mom has had MS for a very long time, and I also have a number of friends who have MS and other friends whose parents have it. If I know this many people affected, you probably do too, even if you are unaware. Please help me fight this disease!

To contribute:
http://tinyurl.com/26pfdz

To Join my Team:
http://tinyurl.com/yq26pj

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

Tags: MS+Walk

And the Irving Goes to...

Purim is one of my favorite holidays. Most non-Jews have never heard of it, let alone know much about it. Though fans of Christopher Guest's movies may recognize it as the subject of the film-within-a-film Home for Purim that was part of For Your Consideration.

Suffice it to say that the holiday in some ways celebrates the hidden miracles in life, rather than the overt "in your face" miracles like splitting the sea, etc. So the holiday is full of frivolity, spoof plays, drinking, masks and costumes and the like.

In light of that, I'd like to draw your attention to THIS spoof video. I thought it was funny. If Juno won the Oscar, maybe Jewno should get the Irving?

Tags: movies, satire, comedy, Juno, Purim

Back to the Drive-In

Some of you long-time readers may remember this post I wrote a while back about drive-in movie theaters.

There is something special about the drive-in, and its intensely iconic Americana notes that brings up highly visceral and nostalgic memories for people. That post had a large number of comments on it, and my desire to write the post int he first place was sparked by the number of responses to a meme I started that were closely tied to drive-in movies.

And so, when I came across this recent Variety story, I decided it was worth passing along. Hopefully, it will lead to many more people heading to the drive-in, and creating more memories of their own!

Enjoy!

Tags: drive-in+movies

Celebrating Dude-a-palooza

On March 6th, 1998 a beloved film was sent into the world. In the intervening years, it has grown into a phenomenon. It just shows that if you will it, Dude, it is no dream!

Last week, its creators were recognized for a more recent effort of theirs. And proud we are of them all. But truth be told, as I've already mentioned, I didn't quite understand No Country For Old Men. It seems very Un-Dude. It's aggression will not stand.

Therefore, last night I looked back, and organized a soiree, in the parlance of our times. I celebrated with a small group of friends in my private residence, man, ten years to the day after the film's release, so we weren't out of our element. There were a lot of ins and outs and what-have-yous, but I made it work nonetheless.

Themed costumes were encouraged, but all we ended up with were three Dudes (pictured above, with me in the center), and my Lebowski Fest bowling shirt passed between a couple of my special lady friends. We drank Caucasians (white Russians) and oat sodas (beers), but alas I was unable to rustle up any sasparilla for those with the whole cowboy thing going on. Yes, I failed in even that most meager task assigned to me. I was not an Achiever!

We watched the flick, and listened to some good tunes. But don't worry -- there was no f@&*ing Eagles!

I know I should have told y'all about this in advance so you could organize your own gatherings. But I'm sure that if you watched it this coming weekend, it would be about the same thing. It don't matter to Jesus, and it shoudn't matter to us either!

The Dude Abides.

Tags: Big+Lebowski, The+Dude, Dude-a-palooza

It's About Time!

Some of you may remember this post in which I mentioned that we were sorely missing a golden opportunity with a Bob Marley biopic.

Well, finally it is happening (and perhaps twice)! But here's my question...

If the Scorsese version is "authorized," why would Rita be pushing a second one? Is she not the one who authorized it?

Regardless, I'd happily see both! Thank you film gods!

Tags: movies, biopics, Bob+Marley

Don't Quote Me on This...

Okay, fine, I'll play...

There is a new meme going around the Scribosphere, and since I am way behind on my blog reading, I didn't even know that David tagged me for this. And who knows, maybe others did as well.

I'm not going to repeat the "instructions," since most of you have seen this already. I'll just list my 15 movie quotes in no particular order, and you all can take your guesses. Some of these are very easy and obvious, but they are among my favorite movie quotes, so I included anyway. I assume a few of them will be more difficult. I also aimed for a few different kinds of films, and different eras.

Update: I'm adding some hints for the remaining few. Some will probably "give them away," but so be it!

Guess, away!

1. "And that was only one of the many occasions on which I met my death, an experience which I don't hesitate strongly to recommend." -- M.J.
2. "You're gonna need a bigger boat." -- David A.
3. "Why don't we go lay on the bed and I'll fill you in?" -- Tavis
(Second quote, same flick: "Hey! It's all ball bearings nowadays. Now you prepare that Fetzer valve with some 3-in-1 oil and some gauze pads. And I'm gonna need 'bout ten quarts of anti-freeze, preferably Prestone. No, no make that Quaker State.")
4. "Drink up, young man. It'll make the whole seduction part less repugnant." -- James
(Lead character and I share a first name.)
5. "Hello...? I forgot my mantra." -- David A.
6. "'Course I'm respectable. I'm old. Politicians, ugly buildings, and whores all get respectable if they last long enough." -- James
(One of my all time favorite movies. Film noir. LA. Followed by a horrendous sequel. The director has had some legal troubles in the States.)
7. "I'm talking about the gas chamber, and you haven't even asked me what this is about. You've got a big 'Guilty' sign around your neck." -- Joshua
8. "It will cost you sweat and tears, and perhaps... a little blood." -- Tavis
(Silent vampire flick. How many of those are there?!)
9. "Did you ever hear of 'The Seattle Seven?' That was me. And six other guys." -- Bill
10. "Oh wait... was she a great big fat person?" -- Josh
11. "Doctor said I need a backiotomy!" -- James
(The best weed comedy ever.)
12. "Now that's a real shame when folks be throwin' away a perfectly good white boy like that." -- Joshua
13. "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room." -- David A.
14. "You either surf or you fight!" -- M.J.
15. "[M]y father assured him that either his signature or his brains would be on the release.... That's a true story. That's my family... that's not me." -- Josh

I officially tag: YOU! (If you want to do it, and you haven't been tagged yet, and you feel the need to wait until you are tagged before you respond.)

Tags: screenwriting, Scribosphere, memes