Basterds are all around.

On my days off, I like my experiences to be free of the kind of stupidity that earmarks my work days. However, when I boarded the bus headed for the mall, I saw an old man complaining of chest pains. The bus driver wasn't moving. A number of people were on cell phones, either calling for help or telling friends what was happening. Before long, the EMTs arrived. offering to provide oxygen for the man and take him to the hospital. The old man kept saying he didn't need to go. A lot of people felt that it would be better for the man to go, as the rest of them needed to get to places. This went on for a good twenty minutes.

People started to leave, as it became clear that the man wasn't leaving. Those who stayed on started to jeer (I don't like being late for things - least of all, movies - so, naturally, I was upset); why was he wasting the time of angry passengers and trained professionals? Another bus pulled up to continue on the same route. A few stops up the way, the old man was walking just fine. He may have recovered, but the fact that he was so willing to put people through this for nothing still sticks in my craw. If I ever see him again, he's gonna need a fucking coroner instead of an EMT.

Fortunately, the day improved when I got to the mall (and on time; this other driver wasn't fucking around). I saw Inglourious Basterds. The titular 'Basterds' were but a small fragment of the overall narrative. Much of it was an engaging, Kill Bill-like (the similiarities are hard to miss) story bolstered by fine acting and a slight tongue-in-cheekiness. Despite what I said in the last post, this film didn't suffer a bit from the loss of an original score. In fact, I was quite tickled to recognize at least two pieces that Tarantino utilized for Kill Bill and the use of "Tiger Tank" from Lalo Schifrin's Kelly's Heroes was very welcome.

Following the movie (and following up on a tip at Toonzone) I headed for Hot Topic and found a pair of "Angry Beavers" t-shirts. While I'd still, after all these years, pay good money for an "Obey the Fist!" tee, this made for a nice surprise...that is, until, I found that the largest size for the "That Was Nuts!" tee wouldn't fit. Thankfully, the next largest size is available online. I'm not defeated yet.

"Nein, nein, nein, nein, nein, nein!"

Inglourious Basterds comes out today. I'd been dithering about seeing it for a while, but I've decided I'll definitely be seeing it. It might make for a fun popcorn movie.

A few days ago, I stumbled upon a parody of the first trailer. As a non-gamer (but someone familiar with the aspects), it made me smile:



I'd heard some time ago that Quentin Tarantino was rushing to get the film ready for Cannes. Doing so cost him an original score by Ennio Morricone. Part of me feels that QT should've accomodated the Maestro. I mean, how often does an opportunity like this present itself? As with Kill Bill, a number of film score pieces from films past will be used. For the feeling of a Morricone war theme, I'd have gone with this:



But that's just me.

"God help those who get caught in the tourist trap(s)."

Okay, where was this article three months ago? Don't get me wrong; I'd love to go back to Hollywood as a potential employee, but, as a first-time visitor, I wasn't nearly as impressed as I should've been.

And though I've never seen it, maybe I'll take their word on the Alamo. It doesn't even have a basement, for crying out loud!

John Hughes (1950-2009)

Really? As if losing the many talents that have passed this year wasn't enough...

To get it out of the way, his remakes were fairly pointless, he seemed a little too content to remake Home Alone in most of the projects that followed it* and the "Weird Science" TV series outstripped the movie in nearly every aspect.

Still, the man is responsible for some of the most beloved (and quotable) teen comedies of all time. Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Some Kind of Wonderful. And then, there are the more adult comedies on his resume: National Lampoon's Vacation, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (European Vacation doesn't count; the bulk of that was written by Robert Klane and, let's be honest, between Weekend at Bernie's, Walk Like a Man and Folks!, he's something of a hack). Who knows if he were to ever come from his self-imposed retirement. Leaving behind a body of work like this is still quite impressive. He will be missed.

* - I must admit to having a sneaking fondness for Baby's Day Out and Home Alone 3. Don't judge me.

"Can I come back at severely reduced pay?"

"You got it, mon! In fact, severely reduced pay all around!" (might want to scroll down a little)

I don't care if this was a publicity stunt or if it was a genuine battle. Katey Sagal is voicing Leela, John DiMaggio is voicing Bender and Billy West and Maurice LaMarche are voicing...virtually everyone else. In the end, that's all that matters.