...(based on the last post, and the fact that I didn't post anything yesterday), last night consisted of Simpsons viewing to my heart's content.

It had been a long while since I'd seen either the Gummy Venus de Milo episode ("Homer Bad Man") or the Stonecutters one ("Homer the Great"), but both were as witty and entertaining as I remember them. In some instances, they were even funnier, now that I get more of the references. Since these episodes were aired during the 94-95 season, I was 13-14 when I first watched them, so some of the references and jokes went over my head. Some still do.

All of which raises an interesting point that reoccurred to me as I watched the episodes last night: The Simpsons have actually made me smarter. Well, not smarter per se, but rather more knowledgeable about American culture, history, and pop culture. Watching the show religiously through my pre-teen and teenage years, I was exposed to many important names, events, ideas, etc that were either parodied or mentioned in the show. Some of the references were straight-forward enough for a 13-year old to connect the dots and understand; other times, if I couldn't figure out the reference, I would consult an encyclopedia or the internet (now there are obsessive fan sites that I visit right away to learn about the references I've missed). And since they were presented in an entertaining medium (a cartoon sitcom), these newly-discovered facts stuck with me. For instance, I distinctly remember being able to answer random questions in high school Academic Olympics competitions because of things I'd gleaned from watching The Simpsons.

So during those junior high and high school years, the show was often a starting point for acquiring new information, and in some cases, a source of bite-sized history or pop culture lessons. Not to mention a source of countless quotes and jokes to swap with friends who'd also seen the show (though many kids in Beatty didn't watch the show, so it wasn't until college that my reservoir of Simpsons knowledge would really be of any use). A pretty solid two-for-one deal, if you ask me.

OK, enough fanboy raving from me. Needless to say, Season 6 is a welcome addition to my DVD collection.

I just got back from a movie marathon at Loews on 34th Street. One of my favorite activities last summer was movie-hopping at this very Loews with my friend Lindsay--sometimes we'd only watch one movie, but often times we'd stick around for another one afterwards. Recently I got all nostalgic about this activity, and decided to have another movie-hopping day, even though I don't have anyone to join me this time 'round. Since I got to leave work early today, I figured it was a good day to do it.

So I saw three movies today from 4:25 - 10:00. I'd tell you the names...but I want to make this a little interesting (emphasis on little). Let's see if you can guess what three movies I saw by the reactions I had to each:

Movie #1: I thoroughly enjoyed it. And though I thought I'd know the storyline pretty well from everything I've seen/heard already, I was pleasantly surprised with the way it ended.

Movie #2: I enjoyed it for what it was, though (surprisingly enough) parts of it hit a little close to home for me. Overall, it was rather predictable, but it was what I expected, and that was fine by me. Oh, and I really enjoyed some of the cameo appearances.

Movie #3: I thought it was OK. I came into it a bit skeptical, only to be won over about half-way through the film, only to feel completely confused and let down by the ending.

Watching The Big Lebowski tonight with Thom, I realized that Brandt (the Big Lebowski's assistant, played impeccibly by Philip Seymour Hoffman) is the perfect embodiment of a particular co-worker of mine. No joke--the similarities between these two are scary.

Go see Murderball. It is absolutely incredible.

I watched it last night in a fairly unpacked theater in Chelsea, and I can't wait to see it again. It is such a great documentary--it has a powerful, uplifting storyline; some great storytelling, cinematography, and editing; great action sequences; and characters that are interesting, provocative, and ultimately endearing.

I don't want to get into any of the details, lest I spoil the film for you. Let me just say this: when I watched Super Size Me last summer, I was inspired to eat better and also to take on "the man" (in the movie's case, Ronald McDonald, but from my vantage point, "the man" was something much more insidious than multinational fast food chains). After watching Murderball last night, I was inspired to live, no matter where the circumstances of my life may lead me.

It sounds corny when I say it like that, but trust me; that's the clear and powerful lesson behind this film.

Well, that, and the fact that quadriplegics can lead very active sex lives. Just in case you were wondering.

OK, no more spoilers...just go see it for yourself if you get a chance!

Two things that I'd like to catch this weekend:

The documentary Murderball, which was a big hit at Sundance, starts playing in limited release in New York (and LA, I believe) today, and I am looking forward to seeing it. It chronicles the sport known affectionately as "Murderball," a rugby-on-wheels game for quadraplegics. Entertainment Weekly dubbed the film's main character--Mark Zupan, the brash, in-your-face, goatee'd and tattoo'd captain of the American Murderball team--as "this summer's surprise action hero." It's supposed to destroy all the viewers' notions and stereotypes of wheelchair-bound people in showing this intense (insane?) sport and its equally-intense/insane players.

Plus, with the Canadian Murderball team as the bad guys, how can you go wrong?

Next up, the presentation of Richard III at Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, which actually closes this weekend, so I really want to catch it while I still can (though they're scheduling another show, Taming of the Shrew, to begin in a few weeks). Those who've lived in NYC during the summer know that one of the more popular summer events in the City is Shakespeare in the Park, an extremely popular presentation of the Bard's work at Delacorte Theater in Central Park that features some well-known actors. Shakespeare in the Parking Lot is similar, except that it's presented in a parking lot in the Lower East Side, the actors are all unknowns, and it has more of a cult/alternative following than its older, more mainstream cousin.

These shows couldn't come at a better time; I'm in need of some serious distractions this weekend.*

I just read through AFI's Top 100 Movie Quotes, and then, seeing as how that didn't take long, I read through the ballot of 400 nominated quotes from which the 100 were chosen.

And now, because I have had so little to write about this week, here are some of my thoughts:

- The failure to even nominate a quote from The Big Lebowski is, perhaps, one of the greatest atrocities in the history of mankind (oops, sorry...I suddenly went into Dickie Durbin mode there with that bit of hyperbole...except, in this case, my slip-up isn't going to be used as propoganda by our enemies...OK, enough! I'd been meaning to get that off my chest. *Political rant over*).

Back to Lebowski...I realize it's probably not "mainstream" enough for the AFI's liking (though, oddly enough, other Coen Bros. films made the list), so I've gone ahead and chosen the quotes from the movie that should've been nominated, and hopefully will be the next time a movie quote list makes the rounds. They are:

- The Dude: "It [the rug] really tied the room together, man."

- Walter: "That's right, Dude...they peed on your ****in' rug."

- Walter: "Smokey, this is not 'Nam, this is bowling. There are rules."

- Walter: "Three thousand years of beautiful tradition, from Moses to Sandy Koufax, you're [blasphemy deleted] right I'm living in the ****in' past!"

Actually, pretty much anything that Walter (John Goodman) says should be considered one of the top 100 movie quotes of all time. Anyway, moving on...

- Another glaring omission from the Top 100 was something, anything, from Patton, specifically, any line from the opening monologue. They nominated a great quote from that bit--"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor, dumb bastard die for his country"--but it should've made the Top 100. Easily.

- How the crap did Jerry Maguire end up with two quotes in the Top 100, while the original Star Wars trilogy only scored one? Call me crazy, but I think "I am your father" is much more a part of the American lexicon than "You had me at hello."

- Speaking of the "You had me at hello" line, a number of the quotes in this list were from films that I've never seen (yes, I've never seen Jerry Maguire...please don't make fun of me), but thanks to my obsessive viewing of The Simpsons (and subsequent dissecting of all the references contained therein), I have been able to cobble together some knowledge of what those lines mean, what films they were in, and a basic context for each quote, all without seeing the actual movies. I'd venture a guess that 1/4 of the quotes on the list have been parodied on The Simpsons.

More proof that The Simpsons is really a televised Cliff Notes on American pop culture.

- "Rosebud" was only #17? And "Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown" landed a pathetic #74?!? What gives? Who's in charge of this conspiracy?

- I'd keep going, but I've basically run out of observations and complaints for now. And, I have some work to do.

What are some of your favorite movie quotes?

I know, I know...it's been a whopping four days since I last updated. I've been on a vacation of sorts, and have spent much of the last week playing tour guide.

At any rate, I've now seen Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith twice, and as you could probably guess (based on historical evidence)...I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.

Now, I will fully admit that it has a number of cringe-worthy moments. I'd even go as far as to say that it's not an incredibly well-done movie. I'll probably devote time in a later post to discuss the positives and negatives about the film, but in the meantime, I have to say that I quite enjoyed seeing it.

Why? Well, when it comes right down to it, I guess you can say that it's that storyline--a storyline that so closely mirrors the meta-story of the fall and redemption of humanity--that keeps bringing me back. It's the emotional connection I've developed with the characters--and even the Star Wars universe in general--that seems so familiar, drawing me in time and again.

And, as I was telling Thom today before we saw it, I'm just a sucker for a cool light saber duel, which this movie provided in spades.

So, while I can understand and even agree with much of the criticism leveled at Lucas' handling of the final chapter in his saga, I still say in all honesty that Revenge of the Sith both entertained me and moved me. And, in the end, that's all this average American moviegoer really wants from his movie-going experiences.

More to come. It's time to meet up with Crystal and Sarah, who spent the day doing "retail therapy."

Last night (Friday night) I joined my friend Donald, his wife Nanette, and some of their other friends for Movie Night at their apartment a few blocks away in Woodside.

The movie? The Taking of Pelham One Two Three; a classic caper flick from 1974 that takes place in the Greatest City in the World (yes, NYC). Four moustached men hijack the 6 Train--which is still fairly recognizeable as such 30 years later--and hold it ransom until the City of New York can cough up a million clams. I don't believe I'd ever seen the film before, and that saddens me to no end.

Besides the great, suspenseful plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout, there are many other reasons to check this film out: the amazing 'staches (the hijackers' thick black 'staches make them look really really sketchy and dangerous); the dialogue that's chock-full of classic Nooyawhk-twahk, making me wish I'd lived in NYC in the 70's, back when "53rd Street" was still pronounced, "fit'y-toid street;" and finally, some great performances by younger incarnations of Walter Matthau, Hector Elizondo, Earl Hindman (you know...Wilson from Home Improvement, which I didn't catch until after consulting imdb.com), and Jerry Stiller (whose performance in this film is brilliant...and clearly the inspiration for one of the bit characters in The Simpsons--the balding guy with the black 'stache who said, "No, I'm quite low-brow!" in one episode).

Watching Pehlam One Two Three inspired me to come up with a sizable list of New York movies, and start working my way through them. Any suggestions?

I stand by my earlier comments about the Simpsons, and how I really have little faith in the show these days.

BUT, that doesn't make me any less jealous that Helen got to go to the 350th Episode celebration at the Fox studios. Check out her post on the festivities--she's got some great photos.

AND, on top of all that, she was given a Homer Simpson gumball machine!

As Napoleon might say...

Here now are two articles on The Simpsons's latest milestone--the 350th episode, broadcast this week.

First, an article from the New York Times (registration req'd) quotes creator Matt Groening saying that the show has "almost reached its halfway point, which means another seventeen years" on the air. The second article, from the Hollywood Reporter, is more of a generalized look at the longevity of television shows and how The Simpsons currently fits into that pantheon.

The NYT article makes mention of the "ferocious fans [who] suggest that [the show] ran out of gas some time ago," which I would guess is in reference to me and many many other fans of the show who think it took a nosedive after 1999. I blame Mike Scully, who became the Executive Producer that year--the show truly has never been the same since. And despite what's written in the Times article--which seems to present only the point-of-view of Groening, Brooks et al--the show is not nearly as funny or intelligent as it used to be. I can barely sit through an episode these days without cringing.

I'm not sure what planet Matt Groening is currently residing on these days, but surely it's not planet Earth if he thinks The Simpsons should be able to keep on keeping on for another 17 years. Maybe he was being sarcastic.

Now, to end this Simpsons-related post on a happy note...we turn, once again, to Ralph Wiggum:

Ralph Wiggum: "Uhh, Miss Hoover? There's a dog in the vent."
Mrs. Hoover: "Ralph, remember that time you said Snagglepuss was outside?"
Ralph: "He was going to the bathroom."