Hungry rats. 🐀 Cuz even they don't like the pretzels.

Apr 15, 2020

GUESS THE QUOTE

"People want leadership.
And in the absence of genuine leadership,
they will listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone."

Hi friends. Hope you're swell.

With all that's going on there might be the presumption that big companies, because of their inherent bigness, may be weathering this a bit more easily. But apparently Disney, arguably the most beloved of all the content blobs that are giant media companies, seems to be struggling not in spite of, but somewhat because of its bigness (see: expansion into cruises, emphasis of theme parks, no sports for ESPN etc.). If you're a "behind the scenes" kinda person, this is an interesting article from the NY Times about "the just stepped down in February as CEO" Bob Iger, and how he's kinda sorta stepping back into that role to help make sure Mickey doesn't fall flat on his ears.

To the question of the week: Does The Birds Hold Up?

Hmmm, I think I'll go with Fuck and Yes, Bob. Sorry, I just re... actually nope, not sorry. That movie deserves every four letter word I can muster. It's gorgeously shot - in my notes (yes, I took notes) I wrote "everything is so sumptuous." Maybe that's just watching something from another era, but I don't think so. The characters and how they're all just sliiiightly mysterious. The way there's an excellent preamble that sets an underlying story for the "real" story. Yeah, it's pretty incredible. And scary too. I mean, it's a movie about birds. Birds! And it's legitimately anxiety inducing? I mean screw off. Sure, some of the effects are bit hokey, but even that adds to its appeal. So yes, I'll say unequivocally that The Birds holds up (I know, welcome to the damn party). If you didn't watch it. I strongly suggest you watch it.

Btw, I've been catching most of these DIHU entries with friends via Zoom and it's been really quite easy / enjoyable. I'm considering making a cheesy little guide, but in the mean time, I have a tip if you choose to have a Zoom Movie Night or *ahem* a Zoovie Night, of your own with friends (btw, don't have any friends? Yes you do. Me... I'm your friend).

The tip is really just two words: the spacebar.

See, if you setup a Zoom call and leave the audio on so everyone can talk to each other, you'll all get feedback (bad). Instead, everybody mutes themselves, keeps the laptop close (I watch on tv with laptop near) so you can look at your friends from time to time (tee hee), and each person can hold the spacebar when they want to talk - it unmutes them - and everyone can hear their commentary (good!).

Give it a try and lemme know what you think.

Last few things:

- Amélie won this week's voting and it wasn't even close (Young Frankenstein was second)
- Who watched Trolls: World Tour (I did not)?
- The NY Times also published this Watch These 12 Underseen Indie Movies on Hulu list. Some good ones on there.
- Still asking for your suggestions for Does It Hold Up? so click the button below!

Cutoff? Go here, click "most recent edition."

AMÉLIE
(2001)

R / 2 hrs 1 mins
Miramax / RT: 88% (182 reviews)

You. Paris. An adorable French woman doing adorable French things. Pretty rad combo. At least it was in 2001. But this is 2020, and shit. has. gotten. weird. Do we still have the same openness and penchant to watch Audrey Tautou do her zany pixy"ness"? I'd like to think so, but!... we'll have to watch and see.

So. About actually watching it. I assumed (always a bad idea) it was at least available to rent. Turns out, not so much. You can watch Amélie for free (yay!), but you'll have to sign up for a Cinemax's 7 day free trial (grrrr), and then cancel - assuming you haven't been waiting until just this moment to get Cinemax that is. Sorry about that. I'll make sure all future options are at least available to rent (ideally streaming on a major platform).

Note: other options were - Young Frankenstein, Romancing the Stone, and The Truman Show.

GATTACA
(1997)

The movie that made you feel as if you actually knew shit about science, and also made you just feel. Plus, it had Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. How cool were there? Cooler than I'll ever be, that's for damn sure. So yeah, Gattaca was dope when it came out, but... does it hold up?

THE CROW
(1994)

Many of us know this as the movie that Brandon Lee (Bruce Lee's son) died filming, but we also remember it for being kinda good, right? I mean it certainly had all that goth grunge feelin of the time, but... does it hold up?

BODY HEAT
(1981)

The movie that apparently got all of America in a tizzy back in the early 80's. Idk, I was too young for that stuff at the time (but not now! suck it mom and dad!). Written and directed by Lawrence Kasdan who also wrote... The Empire Strikes Back?! Hey, he's a human, we're multifaceted. But anyway, this is apparently a movie with a lot of supposedly steamy sex scenes, but... do they hold up?

BULLITT
(1968)

All I know is there's a big car chase scene. But much like The Birds, there's gotta be more, right? Steve McQueen is a thing for a reason. But, is this the reason?

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