R.I.P - Harvey Korman

Just Scene: Cloverfield

Loved it.

Places I Should Go: The Formosa Cafe'

I know if I lived in L.A., going here would be a cliche. A tourist trap. A relic of the past. Well, all of those things appeal to me. Every classic Hollywood star went there. From John Wayne to Marilyn Monroe to Ava Gardner to Lana Turner to James Dean was there. Sometimes quite often. Right across from Paramount's lot, it was a watering hole to the stars. The vibe must be incredible. L.A. Confidential filmed the "A hooker cut to look like Lana Turner is still a hooker" scene at The Formosa. It's a shrine. And it should be. I may be nostalgic, but I would love to have a scotch and soda on the same stool that Monty Clift did.

Just Scene: Bad Company

I didn't want to like this film. After Bonnie and Clyde, period pieces from this era tend to look fraudulent (with the exception of Paper Moon). This does also. But it really sucks you in and has some unexpected power-house scenes. Brokeback Mountain may reference it a tad bit. The ending blew me away in a kind of Straw Dogs way.

Just Scene: The Landlord

Great film. Midnight Cowboy+Putney Swope+The Graduate=The Landlord
Hal Ashby's first film tackles emerging 70's Black Power and class relations with grace and style from a instinctively white point of view. Beau Bridges is charming and Lee Grant garnished an Oscar nomination. Not the most unexpected ending but incredibly edited montage-love sequences of 1970 NYC. Oh, and how about that poster? Couldn't get away with that today. Sill love Midnight Cowboy's 1969 NYC better.

Just Scene: I Walked With A Zombie

Amazing visual moral drama based on Jane Eyre.

R.I.P. Merv

And Now They're Dead: Deborah Kerr

Orson's Oscar Up For Grabs

Someday Real Estate: Bryan's Boathouse

Someday Real Estate: Creepy Gallo's Cool House

Joel Siegel confuses me

He does this...
...and this.

And looks hot while doing both. Huh.