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Showing posts with label Mrs. Fletch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mrs. Fletch. Show all posts

Aug 12, 2009

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...

Aug 4, 2009

Fletch's Favored Five: Things About Road House

I have had a fire lit under me.

First, I included the epic Patrick Swayze film Road House in a recent poll that asked "which films give you the most laughs?" Its inclusion was somewhat tongue-in-cheek, as it's not intended to be make the audience crack up. That said, it's an unequivocal comedy classic along the lines of Top Gun and any mid-80s to early 90s Jean Claude Van Damme film. It's one of the most rewatchable films of all time, which is surely helped in that category by the fact that TBS and/or TNT (and now AMC) apparently has it in their contract that it must be played at least once a week.

Then, when it received zero votes in said poll, Mrs. Fletch had the nerve to go and say this: "Note: Nobody picked Roadhouse. Now can we stop watching it on cable every time it comes on?" If you have a second, please go ahead and pull the knife out of my back for me. Thanks.

Brought on my that act of sedition, I immediately set up a new poll to gauge the cumulative opinion of Road House by the readers of Blog Cabins. But a) I'm not stopping there, and b) it's not winning that poll just yet, though I think the vote totals currently up (10-8) already validate my love for the flick. Since I'm the one with the blog and she's not, I'm taking advantage of that fact and presenting you with my five favorite things about the action-comedy classic. Mrs. Fletch, I pray that one day you will be enlightened enough to appreciate the glory of Road House.

5. This guy's hair. One ingredient of some of the better cheesy 80s movies was that the Big Boss Man had to have an Evil Henchmen that just happened to be some sort of pseudo-Bizarro Twin to the Good Guy. Road House is no different. I present to you Mr. Marshall R. Teague:
















4. Boot knife. 'Nuff said.



3. I can not tell a lie: boobs. Lots of 'em, led by the fake Loni Anderson, Ms. Julie Michaels


















2. Banquet Beer! Mijo!



1. Sure, it'd be easy to pick "the conglomerated efforts of one Patrick Wayne Swayze," what with the tai chi, mullet, "Pain don't hurt," self-stitching, Three Rules, and everything else, but I'm gonna go with Ben Gazarra, who just oozes slime with every word spoken. He's a Napoleonic villain, angry at the world because Kelly Lynch wouldn't stay with him. He employs prison rapists, "bleeders," and jovial fat guys who drive monster trucks. And he has a stuffed polar bear in his house, amongst other treasures. He also drives a Chrylser LeBaron, if I recall correctly. The only role that could possibly top this one is his role as Jackie Treehorn in Lebowski, but that one loses out, mostly due to its brevity. Brad Wesley for the win!

And then...

Dec 8, 2008

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Fletch!

I look forward to seeing approximately 80 more movies with you over the course of the next year. :)



And then...

May 9, 2007

(Mrs.) Fletch's Favored Five: Movies that Open Well

Guest column week continues today with the lovely, beautiful and talented Mrs. Fletch picking up some of my slack (she's good at that). I can't remember if she suggested it or I did, but her task was to write a "Fletch's Favored Five," a feature I have yet to establish all that much around here, but hopefully this post will help to that end. Let's see what she's come up with...

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Upon receiving the assignment of guest blogger, I was a bit overwhelmed… I’m not a writer, nor nearly the movie geek that Fletch is. Then I remembered, write about what you know. So the topic of today’s rant is about good…no…make that great design in opening movie credits. These are the (mostly) unsung graphic heroes who create the coolest movie credits, but are lucky to have their name listed in them, really tiny, at the end.


Mrs. Fletch’s Great 5 Movie Opening Credits


5. Casino Royale
by Pauline Hume

Fractal geometric patterns of flowing playing cards, lyrics sung by Chris Cornell is a nice bonus too.



4.5. Fight Club
by Custom Film Effects

These folks also did the fantastic effects for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.



4.25. One Hour Photo
by Imaginary Forces

A beautifully delicate treatment of flash bulbs and film — stark and antiseptic, just like the movie

(no link available)


4. Se7en
by Kyle Cooper

A scratchy, twisted glimpse into the mind of a serial killer.



3. Around the World in 80 Days
by Saul Bass

Simplicity at it’s best. Considered a master title designer, Saul Bass is one of few truly famous designers in this genre.

http://www.notcoming.com/saulbass/caps_around80days.php


2. Thank You for Smoking
by Shadow Play Studio

The credits are set up like old-style cigarette packs, complete with the little tax stamps. Very cool. Great music too.


http://shadowplaystudio.com/smoking.html


1. Catch Me if You Can
by Olivier Kuntzel and Florence Deygas

Nexus Productions must have cloned a modern-day Saul Bass.

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I guess I shouldn't be shocked that a graphic designer chose to honor other designers. Excellent choices all around, if you ask me - my only gripe is how far down Fight Club slipped, but that's just because that film is one of my favorites. The only film I've not seen on this list is Around the World in 80 Days, but I am familiar with Bass's work (it's awesome) - his movie posters are legendary, and check out some of the big-time logos he's responsible for ("I did not know that!" - Dana Carvey as Johnny Carson).

Thank you, my dear - great stuff. If you want to check out Mrs. Fletch's graphic work, just go here.
And then...