Poll results; new poll + A few words regarding Mrs. Fletch

You know, it's been a bad couple of weeks for Mrs. Fletch.

First, it was deemed that her car required a new air compressor (an absolute necessity in Phoenix's hellish climate). The cost of this versus the value of her car signaled to us that it was time for a new car. This was not all bad, however, as she is currently in love with her brand new roller skate (note: picture is not her actual car, just a representation of it).

But things were destined to get worse. The next setback, though, was brought on by her own poor decision making.

Yes, I'm sure by now you're aware that she dared to speak ill of Road House. This resulted in my setting up a bonus poll last time out to see what you, the dear, dear readers of Blog Cabins thought of the late-80s comedy/action classic.

You didn't let me down. Despite her best efforts to recruit an anti-Dalton federation of voters, you chose to "Put that motherflippin' remote down" when Road House popped up on your TV. Let me never speak poorly of you again.

It didn't stop there, though.

A few days after the bonus poll was set up, we went to see The Hurt Locker. In case you don't recall from earlier reviews where I might have mentioned it, Mrs. Fletch gets terrible motion sickness at the movies. Or in the car. Or on a plane. Basically, just about any time she or a screen in front of her is in motion (except, strangely, on a boat, where she's fine). Remember that Star Tours simulation/ride at Disneyland? Yeah, she hates the hell out of it.

I don't envy her. If there's not a tripod, she's not a fan, and it doesn't help that we see a lot of indie films, where handheld cameras are all the rage, likely due to budgetary reasons. Well, The Hurt Locker, in case you haven't heard, is a serious offender in the realm of shaky cam-ness. Like, almost Blair Witch-level.

It might be too late to help her, but she had asked that when I posted that review that I include a warning to other potentially motion-sensitive folks out there on the dangers of the Locker. I forgot to, but promised to make up for that transgression. I have a two-pronged strategy for this; first, I vow to include the Mrs. Fletch's Memorial Shaky Cam Rating to all reviews in the future. This public service rating will be delivered in a 0-5 Dramamine scale, with the shakiest, most vomit-inducing films (like Locker) getting a Five Dramamine rating with less guilty offenders (say, Transformers) receiving perhaps a Three Dramamine and conventional, non-handheld works (Frost/Nixon, perhaps) in the zero range.

(Note: the rating will not be intended as a recommended dosage; I'm not positive, but I think taking five Dramamine will probably make you an awfully unhappy camper, if not an eternally sleepy one.)

Secondly, I present to you the Top Five Worst Shaky Cam Offenders (that we've seen). Since she doesn't know about this post, I'm making educated guesses on where Mrs. Fletch would place them. Before you mention them, we have not seen either Quarantine or [REC], but I hear they're pretty brutal, too:

5. Rachel Getting Married
4. The Bourne Ultimatum
3. The Hurt Locker
2. Cloverfield*
1. The Blair Witch Project

* Mrs. Fletch would likely pop up and say that she had no problems with Cloverfield, as she was wise and took some Dramamine beforehand, so I'm basing its rating on its shaky cam-ness relative to the others on the list.

Oh, and in the other poll, 64% (!) of respondents said that they are the type that comes here and reads but never (or rarely) comments. I guess I should be surprised, then, that said respondents weren't too shy to vote.

Kidding. Comment or no, I appreciate you being here. I just appreciate the commenters a little bit more, since I know who they are and all, and am therefore able to know who I'm appreciating.

New poll is (belatedly) about John Hughes. I know, it's probably not terribly original right about now, but my curiosity must be satisfied. Having a hard time choosing and/or want to call out a top 3? Be my guest; after all, I'd love to vote for Uncle Buck, but I just can't. My Top 3 Hughes list looks like this:

3. The Breakfast Club
2. Uncle Buck (yeah, what of it?!)
1. Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Okay, this concludes the longest "poll results; new poll" post ever. Good day.

And then...

Fletch's Film Review: Rachel Getting Married

Was it live, or was it Memorex? That's what you might be asking yourself after seeing Rachel Getting Married, the latest from director Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia). After a slump of features, including The Manchurian Candidate and The Truth About Charlie, Demme has gone simple on us. Rachel is presented in verite form, almost documentary-like as it follows Kym (Anne Hathaway) as she leaves rehab to attend her sister's wedding in rural Connecticut.

There's plenty of drama and character development to be found but little plot. Over the course of two hours, we learn what sent Kym on her downward spiral and how it affected those around her, but the film is not interested in giving the audience any sort of closure or resolution. It says "here's this slice of life; take it or leave it."

As I write this, I still don't know what my rating will be - I'm torn completely. It's the kind of movie that's a pleasure to experience - a large, beautiful house, a lush wedding, eclectic music playing nonstop, and top-notch acting are all present. However, as I sat staring, I thought to myself, "It's not our freedom; it's this kind of movie that the terrorists hate us for." An odd thought, to be sure. But what else can be made of this film that's largely about nothing and centers on an upper-middle class white Connecticut family that, while they've surely gone through hard times, spend all their time being angry for what they don't have rather than celebrating what they do? Poor Kym was a druggie that did a terrible thing - get over it! This was made all the worse when I read a summary of the film and learned that this act of hers took place 10 years prior to the events in the film (it was somewhat unclear how long it had been while watching; I would have guessed three).

At times, though, Demme goes too simple on us. There's about a ten-minute stretch during the wedding's reception where you might wonder, "Am I still watching a film or am I watching someone's homemade wedding video?" There's literally no plot movement or dialogue as we watch what appears to be every guest getting their own dance sequence. Still, I can't complain too much - the music, though almost annoyingly nonstop (to the characters as well), is varied and terrific. the wedding is an Indian-themed affair featuring a white woman and a black man, and we get a taste of those and many other cultures. Though the film at times dips into "United Colors of Benetton" mode with its diversity, it was refreshing to see and a joy to experience nonetheless.

And about that lush wedding - I wonder if the irony struck the cast and crew that the film's wedding might have cost more in real life than it cost them to make the film?

Fletch's Film Rating:

"Darn tootin!"

And then...