Month: March 2018

Five Films Featuring…Bad Things Happening To Bunnies

It’s Easter, and I love all the junk that goes with Easter including all the adorable bunny themed everything. That said, for this week we’re doing Five Films Featuring…Bad Things Happening To Bunnies. Bunnies probably represent innocence or something, which might be why they’re so heartbreakingly mutilated in movies. 1. What’s Opera, Doc (HU DVD 12736, … Continue reading “Five Films Featuring…Bad Things Happening To Bunnies”

It’s Easter, and I love all the junk that goes with Easter including all the adorable bunny themed everything. That said, for this week we’re doing Five Films Featuring…Bad Things Happening To Bunnies.

Bunnies probably represent innocence or something, which might be why they’re so heartbreakingly mutilated in movies.

1. What’s Opera, Doc (HU DVD 12736, Disc 3)

There are apparently only three Looney Tunes shorts where Elmer Fudd defeats Bugs Bunny, and this is one of them. Straight up dies in the end. Except not. But still, it’s one of the greatest ones, and Elmer is actually sorry for shooting the rabbit he’s incessantly trying to kill.

2. The Lobster (HU DVD 13642)

Hard to explain the movie, but basically a bunny gets killed in this film for food. While I’m sure that happens to lots of rabbits in movies, this is the only one I can think of where humans also turn into animals if they fail to find their soulmates. This movie is too weird for me to find an actual picture of the rabbit…or basically any picture that makes sense. But I swear it’s there.

3. Watership Down (HU DVD 9336)

You knew it was going to be on here. This is the most screwed up “kids” movie ever. Rabbits suffer insanely in this film. And yet somehow the book is even darker.

4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (HU DVD 2143)

The Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog does bite it in the end, but not without a fight.

5. Fatal Attraction (HU DVD 2081)

Bunny boiler. Yup. That’s pretty bad.

Happy Friday!

Five Films Featuring…One Actor Playing Two Roles In The Same Frame…PART TWO!!!

Oh my gosh, this one was so popular that I’m actually going to do an update. Here, according to our staff, are yet MORE movies featuring one actor playing two roles in the same frame, though we’ll just have to trust our collective memory on this one, because I can’t find pictures for some: Scott … Continue reading “Five Films Featuring…One Actor Playing Two Roles In The Same Frame…PART TWO!!!”

Oh my gosh, this one was so popular that I’m actually going to do an update.

Here, according to our staff, are yet MORE movies featuring one actor playing two roles in the same frame, though we’ll just have to trust our collective memory on this one, because I can’t find pictures for some:

  • Scott Pilgrim saves the world – Michael Cera
  • Animal House – Tom Hulce (very briefly – The Devil/Angel confrontation)
  • Sherlock Jr. – Buster Keaton
  • Legend about the Kray Brothers – Tom Hardy
  • Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey
  • Dhoom 3
  • Adaptation – Nicolas Cage

And, the most requested movie we somehow don’t have: Last Action Hero.
Any more suggestions? I’m amusing myself with these until Counterpart returns.
As in, “Really Starz? You put a two week gap in a TWO PART EPISODE???”

Movies At Random: De-Lovely

Today’s random movie is De-Lovely (HU DVD 12337). Kind of mixed reviews according to Wikipedia, but hey, Kevin Kline is in it so how bad could it be. Also, Kevin Kline sings in it so it’s worth watching just for that. Here’s our summary: A musical portrait of American composer Cole Porter. The film imagines … Continue reading “Movies At Random: De-Lovely”

Today’s random movie is De-Lovely (HU DVD 12337). Kind of mixed reviews according to Wikipedia, but hey, Kevin Kline is in it so how bad could it be. Also, Kevin Kline sings in it so it’s worth watching just for that.

Here’s our summary:

A musical portrait of American composer Cole Porter. The film imagines Porter looking back on his life as a stage show, with past memories taking shape as numbers in an elaborate and elegant musical accompanied by his songs. His personal history is illustrated by these performances, especially the complicated relationship with his wife, wealthy socialite Linda Lee Porter, who is shown as being the main inspiration for his work despite his extramarital affairs.

And instead of the trailer, here’s the adorkable John Barrowman singing Night and Day:

Happy viewing!

Five Films Featuring…One Actor Playing Two Roles In The Same Frame

Certain members of the media services team are completely addicted to Counterpart, so for this week’s Five Films Featuring we’ve got…a single actor playing two roles in the same frame. 1. The Parent Trap (HU DVD 5305) Ummm…annoyingly, we only have the Lindsay Lohan version of this movie. BUT Natasha Richardson was one of my first … Continue reading “Five Films Featuring…One Actor Playing Two Roles In The Same Frame”

Certain members of the media services team are completely addicted to Counterpart, so for this week’s Five Films Featuring we’ve got…a single actor playing two roles in the same frame.

1. The Parent Trap (HU DVD 5305)

Ummm…annoyingly, we only have the Lindsay Lohan version of this movie. BUT Natasha Richardson was one of my first crushes, so I’ll let the general not awesomeness of this movie slide.

2. Dead Ringers (DVD 65)

Like the parent trap, but terrifying.

3. Being John Malkovich (HU DVD 91)

All the malkovich

4. Moon (HU DVD 7213)

Sam Rockwell and Sam Rockwell as Sam Rockwells on the Moon

5. Mary Poppins (HU DVD 7850)

The scene where her mirror is showing off. Gonna argue this one is in fact a different role, as mirrors are not ourselves…

And yes, honorable mention to Back to the Future, specifically Part II (HU DVD 7841):

Happy viewing! (Sparse commentary because I’m too busy reading reddit pages about Counterpart in preparation for the finale which has been moved to April 1st. HOW CRUEL IS THAT???)

Movies At Random: Sansho the Bailiff

Today’s random movie is Mizoguchi’s Sansho the Bailiff (HU DVD 5910). There are some super interesting essays on Criterion about this film, and I learned on Wikipedia that apparently Terrence Malick wrote a stage play based on the film! Here’s our summary: Based on a medieval Japanese folktale, this is a story of an aristocratic … Continue reading “Movies At Random: Sansho the Bailiff”

Today’s random movie is Mizoguchi’s Sansho the Bailiff (HU DVD 5910). There are some super interesting essays on Criterion about this film, and I learned on Wikipedia that apparently Terrence Malick wrote a stage play based on the film!

Here’s our summary:

Based on a medieval Japanese folktale, this is a story of an aristocratic family broken up by politics and slave traders has been considered Mizoguchi’s masterpiece. In feudal 11th century Japan, two noble children are sold into slavery to the tyrannical bailiff Sansho. Zushio grows up to accept the brutality of society, but his sister Anju adheres to humane principles, sacrificing herself so he can escape and find their mother, who had been sold into prostitution.

And here’s a teaser:

Happy viewing!

Five Films Featuring…the Bradbury Building

This week’s Five Films Featuring comes from Media/Tech teammate Kit Crawford! Take it away Kit! *** Watching movies is not just about what goes on with the characters on the screen, but can sometimes be just as enthralling with what goes on the in the background. Considering how much is CGI these days in film … Continue reading “Five Films Featuring…the Bradbury Building”

This week’s Five Films Featuring comes from Media/Tech teammate Kit Crawford! Take it away Kit!

***

Watching movies is not just about what goes on with the characters on the screen, but can sometimes be just as enthralling with what goes on the in the background. Considering how much is CGI these days in film it can be fascinating seeing slices of real life in older films. Whether it’s viewing 1980’s U St. in Mr. T’s early film D.C. Cab(1983),  watching Kevin Costner run from a non-existent Georgetown metro station in No Way Out (1987), or L.A.’s famous Randy’s Donuts that appears in numerous movies, including Iron Man 2 (2010) and Dope (2015). This week’s list pays homage to another ‘cinematic fetish location,’ the iconic Bradbury Building: an ordinary brick office building at 3rd and Broadway in downtown L.A.


1. M [1951 US remake] (Streaming Video)

2. Shockproof (DVD 7204)

3. The Artist (DVD 10193)


4. Marlowe (VHS 4877)

A VHS I know, but Bruce Lee kicks apart furniture in front of James Garner like a bad ass.


5. Blade Runner (DVD 1064)

Famously rendered as J.F. Sebastian’s decrepit apartment building and the climactic roof fight.

    Runner Ups: Disclosure (DVD 10714) relevant in today’s #metoo work culture, and (500) Days of Summer (DVD 8533) At the end when Joseph Gordon-Levitt goes in for a job interview.

    Movies At Random: Rice People

    Today’s film is Rithy Panh’s 1994 film Rice People (HU DVD 6120). According to Wikipedia, this film was the first Cambodian film submitted to the academy awards. Here’s our summary: In order to grow a successful rice crop, Poeuv and Om fight disease, snakes, and more. When Poeuv dies, Om must forge on to take … Continue reading “Movies At Random: Rice People”

    Today’s film is Rithy Panh’s 1994 film Rice People (HU DVD 6120). According to Wikipedia, this film was the first Cambodian film submitted to the academy awards.

    Here’s our summary:

    In order to grow a successful rice crop, Poeuv and Om fight disease, snakes, and more. When Poeuv dies, Om must forge on to take care of her seven daughters. The old world attitude that boys are assets and girls are burdens only adds to her troubles.

     No trailer for this one, but here’s the cover of the DVD:

    Happy viewing!

    Five Films Featuring…A Musical Number (but not in a musical)

    I personally love musicals, but I accept that the adorkability of, say, the ever under-appreciated Donald O’Connor is not every viewer’s cup of tea. Musical numbers make appearances in films for a variety of reasons, from romantic to ridiculous. Here are Five Films Featuring toe tapping ditties in films that are NOT musicals. 1. (500) … Continue reading “Five Films Featuring…A Musical Number (but not in a musical)”

    I personally love musicals, but I accept that the adorkability of, say, the ever under-appreciated Donald O’Connor is not every viewer’s cup of tea. Musical numbers make appearances in films for a variety of reasons, from romantic to ridiculous. Here are Five Films Featuring toe tapping ditties in films that are NOT musicals.

    1. (500) Days of Summer (HU DVD 8533)

    I think the musical number here might be attempting to say something about the rose colored glasses this character is wearing. Possibly. It’s too subtle to tell.

    2. History of the World, Part 1 (HU DVD 4108)

    This is how I prefer to learn history. The Animaniacs taught me the Nations of the World, Schoolhouse Rock taught me inane basic grammar I barely use, and this super-accurate representation of the inquisition taught me the value of topical phenylephrine in the Sephardic tradition.

    3. 10 Things I Hate About You (HU DVD 195)

    This film’s title is drawn from one of the greatest poems in the English language ever to be recited in a 1999 romantic comedy starring Julia Styles, the poem itself blooming from a love sown and nourished by this “night soil” cover of a truly fantastic Four Seasons song.

     

    4. Pretty In Pink (HU DVD 6848)

    I have thoughts about the “nice guy” gender politics in this movie, but my god, this is an epic lip-sync.

    5. Borat (HU DVD 2633)

    While it’s a stretch to call this a musical “number,” I feel like this scene really highlights the power of music to bring people together in a thoughtless, sonorous bliss. You can practically see Euterpe, muse of music, whispering in Borat’s ear and laying her gentle hand across those six strings, giving delight that transcends even nationality in a most divisive atmosphere. Art. True art.

    Honorable mention and bonus film this week is Forgetting Sarah Marshall (HU DVD 8701), specifically for this experiment in stream of consciousness songwriting:

    Happy viewing!