Postcards From Oblivion

No movie has ever made me long for my old mixed tapes like High Fidelity. Remember making mixed tapes? Cassette tapes? Those black (sometimes clear) plastic things that fit into the palm of your hand and held every musical message you ever wanted to share with a person of the opposite sex? Humor an old bat if you don’t, m’kay? Let me keep on living the dream.

We made myriad mixed tapes for ourselves and friends, but the ones for or about those whom we adored were special. Simply hearing one of those songs can trigger a flood of memories you thought had disappeared with your favorite pair of acid-washed jeans.

I also think most of us can relate to the concept of mentally rifling through relationships past trying to ascertain what went wrong or, as was often the case in my life, what the hell was I thinking?

Some mixes we simply compiled by taping songs off our portable radio, complete with extraneous noise. When we moved up to a more sophisticated boombox or all-in-one stereo system, we could tape directly from the radio and only have the voice of the deejay to contend with as he chattered needlessly over the intro of our favorite flavor of the week. Not that I ever did that during my radio days. *ahem*

[Sidebar: I still have a flavor of the week. I play it ad nauseam; often to the chagrin of my family. My most recent two are this one by Gavin DeGraw and this one by  Dr. Dre featuring Eminem and Skylar Grey (Disclaimer within a sidebar: I really like the song because I think Skylar Gray has a heavenly voice, but I'll admit that the story line of this one grabbed my attention. I soon discovered this version someone made that only contains Skylar's chorus. It's the angelic voice minus the f-bombs and anger.)]

High Fidelity was a wonderful homage to the mixed tape. It was also my introduction to Jack Black, who is an absolute riot in this movie. Oh, and did I mention it stars John Cusack? So I don’t need to say anything else, right?

What do you get when you take one ridiculously funny Will Ferrell character, add a dash of the delightful Christina Applegate and sprinkle with bits of Steve Carrell, Paul Rudd, and David Koechner? I’ll tell you what you get. Belly laughs.

If you haven’t met Ron Burgundy yet, get acquainted so you can be among the masses who welcome him back when the sequel hits the big screen (no dates released as of yet):

Seen any good comedies lately?

Is it me, or does Netflix online have a different selection than the onscreen menu you get when you’re selecting a video through your TV? I don’t find all that many movies to watch when I look on the TV, but online I do.

[Ranty Sidebar: Did you ever notice when you search for a song on YouTube on one computer you get completely different results on another? I'll get exactly what I'm looking for on the laptop or main computer, but when I look for just about any song on YouTube from my iTouch, I get everything BUT what I'm seeking. I've read about how Big Brother Google knows what you're searching for on each computer in your house and tailors results to that info, but brothuh, please. I want to be able to locate mah songs on mah iTouch, too!]

Aaaaanyhoo, I found Until September on Netflix today amongst the slim pickings offered via Netflix on the TV. It stars a lovely French man with electric blue eyes and an American woman that looked vaguely familiar. I thought maybe it was Margo Kidder.

Then my good friend IMDB informed me that the spunky woman in this film (named Mo Alexander, btw. Mo? Seriously? Even his accent didn’t make that sound sexy) stranded in Paris was played by Karen Allen.

*crickets*

Ah! I scanned her film career and realized I recognized her from Raiders of the Lost Ark. After giving my forehead a good smacking, I then ogled some pictures of Harrison Ford read some more about the Frenchie in the film, because he was so much fun to watch. And by fun to watch I mean vavavoom! {insert pervy old man French laugh here} So, she got to press flesh with Harrison and the Frenchie.

Clearly, I’ve chosen the wrong career.

It definitely contained some 80′s cheese (hauh hunh, zee Brie cheese!), but at least it didn’t have a super duper cheesy fight scene accompanied by triple decker cheesy music. It also bothered me that this guy was married, but beggars can’t be choosers. And by beggars, I mean hopeless romantics who are suckers for a French accent and piercing blue eyes.

Embedding was disabled on this one, but if you don’t mind some spoilers you can go here to see the trailer. Or you could just gaze into his eyes below:

Spring Break is officially over according to the big yellow bus that swallowed up my children and lumbered off down the street this morning. I’m hoping the bulk of their learning takes place in the classroom this week rather than the bus.

More on Spring Break soon (see how I subliminally got you to come back another day?). Since it’s Movie Monday, I have a video tale about an encounter Schmoopy and I had with a scary monster with a curly tail (shocking video re-enactment).

First, be warned that this movie contains marshmallows. Millions of wee white pillows dotting the landscape that make you want to throw yourself upon them and devour them all at once.  Big, fluffy, undulating puffs of sugary goodness that beckon you to exit the theatre immediately in search of said toothsome treats. I never knew marshmallows could be so delectable looking. Particularly in animated form. I’m sure they were a metaphor for all that is evil and tempting in the world.

And, yet, there I was dropping coat and purse wherever they may land when we returned home. Running in what felt like slow motion to the pantry closet to claw my way to greet my beloved marshmallows. Yes, they were a bit stale, but much like their colorful Easter cousins, they’re sometimes better that way.

Mmmm. Peeps.

And marshmallows.

Ahem. On to the movie. Yes, there was a plot and everything.

And marshmallows. *smacks self in forehead*

I loved that the film adaptation of this Dr. Suess book had a message that begged for a call to action:

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

In other words, quit taking natural resources for granted and be kind to the earth. Take a good look at the consequences your actions have on the environment. Respect our resources.

Be that person who cares a whole awful lot.

[Sidebar: As I sat munching overcooked popcorn wishing it were a sweet marshmallowy treat, I was a bit saddened that it takes a movie like this to inform the boorish inhabitants of earth that we are beating the holy hell out of it. On a daily basis. Would the people who pour tons of chemicals on their lawns five times a season recognize their actions in the face of the glowing green boy? I hoped so but was doubtful.]

I figure anything we can do to spark an interest in conservation in the little minds gazing upon the screen is a step in the right direction. As we walked to the car and made our way home, the kids and I had a serious talk about the meaning of the movie.

I’m hoping there was similar dialogue in other cars and homes after seeing  The Lorax, too.

And of course, marshmallows for all.

Marshmallow Kitteh sez, "Stop right there! These iz mine!"

Here’s the trailer:

[Pre-post sidebar] Tomorrow I’m doing a giveaway from one of my favorite catalog companies, and I’m sooooo excited! Please be sure to come back tomorrow!]

[Post-pre-post sidebar] I wish there were a way for me to make the word “favorite” in the previous sidebar all sparkly, but if there is, I don’t have the technical skillz to make that happen. So please just imagine that’s happening right now. Thanks.]

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I’ll admit I didn’t have great expectations for this movie. I saw the trailers and thought it might be okay as a rental. It’s always a plus when you have low expectations for a film and it’s funnier than you hoped, isn’t it? That was the case with Horrible Bosses.

The cast was great–I love Jason Bateman in just about anything. To me, he’s the master of subtle humor. If you’re a fan of Arrested Development, you’ll be pleased to know there’s a reference to that show for a bonus giggle. You may know Charlie Day from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which I really wanted to like but could never really get behind. His high-pitched, screamy delivery made just about everything he said funneh.

After enjoying Jason Sudeikis for years on SNL, it was great to finally see him in a feature-length film.  He was fun to watch, and he complemented the other two-thirds of the comedy trio quite nicely.

As for the bosses, I don’t know how Jennifer Aniston kept a straight face committing countless acts of gross sexual harassment. Kevin Spacey played a dreadful corporate kingpin that derived great pleasure from having his employees right where he wants them (which, in Jason’s character’s case is with his tender bits in a proverbial vice). It was great fun to see the handsome Colin Farrell play a balding creep with ill-fitting trousers. That’s really throwing yourself into the role.

This movie reminded me a little bit of Office Space. I suppose it might have been the camaraderie of the three put-up0n employees that seemed similar. You found yourself rooting for the underdogs. It also gave me far more laughs than I’d expected, so it got bonus points for that.

Here’s the trailer in case you haven’t seen it (but expect better things in the movie!):

Oh, and thanks, YouTube, for selecting the most obscene freeze frame for this post. Now everyone will think I’m recommending some R-rated flick. Also, remind me to clear the kids out of the room when I open mah blog.