The Monday Corner 12/20/2010

If you're still looking for a last minute gift idea, allow me to make a recommendation: A picture of a zebra. For you see, no matter how disappointed they are, they'll never point it out to you. No "oh, well it's not exactly what I wanted." or "oh yeah, thanks, goody." Instead you get a simple "oh, a photo of a zebra." Sure the tone in their voice may seem like disappointment, but there's no objective application of personal need. They're merely observing what the item is. Which I think is a win-win scenario!

For your Consideration:
Never give up on your dreams. If you can remember them.

Film Forager serves up a double dish of True Grit 1969 and 2010 reviews, with a side of eye patches. Mmmm, just like Christmas dinner.

The Film Experience Blog brings us an interesting piece on the Oscars. Michael C is ready to call out oscar voters who pander their film ratings in favor of TV rating, and potentially ignoring 'better' films.

Castor from Anomalous Material wants to know what movies made you cry. For me, it's always been Batman and Robin. To be honest, it's hard for me to stop laughing well beyond the point where my tear ducts cease to produce water.

This actually falls out of the scope I generally apply to these things, but I forgot to link to it last week. So I'm making amends. Bob Turnbull of Eternal Sunshine of the Logical Mind has been getting into the movie montage swing. His latest one - "Any Colour You Like" is absolutely beautiful. Check it out!

Film Intel introduced a new series this week: Fight Club. Where two films face off based on a series of fun, most likely arbitrary, issues. Round One: Santa's Slay vs. Rare Exports.

Poll Update:
Tron may not have brought in the release numbers they would have liked. However I got the voting numbers I can only dream of.

Results:
1. 10 votes: Better concept than film (here's where I fall in. Great idea, muddled plot)
2. 8 votes: A good time (I think there's a lot of overlap with one and two but that's the way it goes)
3. 6 votes: Haven't seen the original tron (planning on seeing it anytime soon?)
4. (tie) 3 votes: An all time great (glad you love it) & One of the worst I've seen (polar opposite day?)
6. 0 votes: A mediocre film at best (I suppose a lot of you fell into the #1 category)

NEW POLL: This week we finally see the Coen Brothers remake of True Grit (and something about Christmas coming is in there somewhere). What I want to know is simple: Eye Patch or no Eye Patch? Make your claim!

Odd One Out Poster Challenge:
Not nearly as many submissions this week. Is it lots of vacationing or perhaps disinterest? Comment and let me know here then. However, we had one real standout victor. When I saw Beiber mentioned I thought to myself "oh no! you never go Beiber!" But with a quick spin, he won my heart and this week's win.

ALEX J. CAVANAUGH

#3
Not only is it not in the sci-fi/horror/fantasy genre... And features a sub-par actor... But he's the only one striking a Justin Bieber pose. And anything resembling Bieber is just wrong!

It takes skills to pay the bills. Or so I've been told. However, I do know that if you go with a double negative in Beiber + Kutcher, you're going to win. If only he would have snuck in a mention of those dreadful camera commercials.

Score of the Week:
Nino Rota is awesome. His score for The Godfather is awesome. Listen and enjoy. Oh, and if it's not too much to ask for - sneak it in the next time you enter the dining room for Christmas dinner.