I don’t often review movie’s I’ve seen in a theater – mainly because I hardly go to a theater anymore. There aren’t many movies I care to see on a big screen while sitting crowded in a tiny chair with a lot of inconsiderate douche-nozzles (that’s right Mr/Mrs I-have-to-text/tweet/talk-on-cell-phone-at-all-times, I’m talking about you). I prefer to wait until DVD where I can watch them at home where the only annoying jackass talking through it will be me.
Cut to yesterday at Clowe’s Memorial Hall at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana at around 8:00. There I was crammed into a tiny damn seat in a room with no air circulation (this is a larger problem when there is a lot of body mass in a room, and I mean a lot of people.) preparing to watch Red State, the newest movie from my favorite writer/director, Kevin Smith.
Familiar with his work? Throw all of those notions the hell out the window because Red State in vastly different from anything he has ever done. First off, it is a horror movie. I agree with this classification while others online bicker about it. True, there is no real hero, or slasher, or definitive victory but it is still unsettling, uncomfortable, and down right terrifying.
Horror purists my decry this film and demand it be put into some lame category like “psychological thriller” or some such B.S. They look for the typical and the cliché when it comes to “real horror movies.” What they fail to realize is that in Red State the conventional aspects of horror movies have been turned on their head, and in some cases shot in the face. Let’s run down the list of what a horror movie should include: Sex crazed teens (check), creepy family of psychopaths (check) – everything else is just variation on that. Without spoiling the movie, because I do NOT want to do that, here is what is different about the flick.
First, there is no clear cut hero. Usually when you watch a horror movie (especially lately) you can pick out who will live and who will die within the first 10 minutes, maybe less. Forget all that nonsense. Second, there is no music telling you what is going to happen. No score in the background at all. That makes for one unsettling 90 minutes. Music cues tell us when to relax and when to tense up for a scare. None of that either.
Lastly, the movie allows the audience to form multiple opinions on characters. One second a character is deplorable, the next somewhat likeable, and so on. People are like that. We constantly have to assess our impressions of people we meet. Someone that we might click with at first may eventually become the bane of our existence. So, the characters are realistic in that way.
The ending I loved. It might not set well with others, but remember this is Kevin Smith. What the ending does is changes the focus from one character to another, thereby showing how insignificant that other character really was / is.
I’m going to stop now before me inadvertently spoil something. If you want spoilers, you can find them all over the internet, but not here. Instead go see the movie when it hits theaters in October.
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Last Quote: Easy A
Today's Quote: "I fear God. You better believe I fear God."
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Not a typical teen movie
I have a list of movie’s I’d like to review; I just never get around to them. I fully intended on writing about Machete, but another movie came along that I enjoyed so much, that I just had to share it.
What movie is this that could make me scratch the plans to talk about a movie that is right up my alley? You’ll be shocked when I say that this movie is not full of gratuitous nudity, gore, absurd death scenes, and gallons of CGI blood.
Easy A is that movie.
Wait! Don’t run away yet! I promise this is worth it.
When I first saw trailers for this flick I was intrigued because it is obviously a modern twist of Nathanial Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. They put it right there in the open – look at the title. Most of us remember having to read that in high school (some of us had to read it AGAIN in college) and who can forget the awful adaptation starring Demi Moore? So, my love of classic literature commanded that I watch this one.
On the surface it is just another teen movie focusing on high school drama and gossip. Where it differs from other teen movies of late is that this movie is smart. Emma Stone is a convincing wallflower of a girl (Olive) who wants nothing more than to skate through four years of torture unnoticed. Like all of us, she does fantasize about being the focus of attention, but she never really wants it. Then, the spotlight of the entire school is on her due to one lie leading to another lie that then spreads around school. Soon, she’s the school slut and the target of a laughable group of religious students.
Here is where the character wins me over. She embraces the gossip and decides to give them something to talk about. She embroiders large red “A”s on a new wardrobe consisting of provocative, lowcut tops. In typical teen movie fashion, things spiral out of her control and she longs to be the unknown she once was.
Blah blah blah, right? Wrong. I said this was a smart movie didn’t I? Here is where it shows it. The movie has no pretense of being anything more than it is. The writers were not above even mentioning this fact. Olive does this via her narration with witty segment titles that summarize what is going to happen. How many classic books have chapter titles the do that very thing? I’ve lost count. She lists movies that depict high school life falsely, and pines about how she wises they were true. They are all John Hughes films!
Here is a movie that is obviously following in the footsteps of Hughes and they make sure to point it out, complete with clips. Of course, the major punch line is at the end when all of those scenes are combined. I won’t go into too much detail but it involves a boom box (sort of), a lawnmower, and throwing a fist in the air (Judd Nelson did it before those Jersey Shore douches and their fist pumping shit).
All the while, the movie whips a little message at you. Just beneath the sarcasm, cynicism, angst, innuendo, and humor is some truth. Kids gossip. About anything. All the time. That aspect of the movie reminded me more of “Much Ado About Nothing”. Shakespeare and Hawthorne in one movie? Awesome in my book. This was the most enjoyable teen movie I’ve seen in a long time (going back to Can’t Hardly Wait and American Pie.) Hit it up on Netflix, Redbox, Blockbuster, or wherever you get movies and watch this one!
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Last Quote: A Team
Today’s Quote: “We've had nine classes together since Kindergarten... ten if you count Religion of Other Cultures, which you didn't because you called it science fiction and refused to go.”
What movie is this that could make me scratch the plans to talk about a movie that is right up my alley? You’ll be shocked when I say that this movie is not full of gratuitous nudity, gore, absurd death scenes, and gallons of CGI blood.
Easy A is that movie.
Wait! Don’t run away yet! I promise this is worth it.
When I first saw trailers for this flick I was intrigued because it is obviously a modern twist of Nathanial Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. They put it right there in the open – look at the title. Most of us remember having to read that in high school (some of us had to read it AGAIN in college) and who can forget the awful adaptation starring Demi Moore? So, my love of classic literature commanded that I watch this one.
On the surface it is just another teen movie focusing on high school drama and gossip. Where it differs from other teen movies of late is that this movie is smart. Emma Stone is a convincing wallflower of a girl (Olive) who wants nothing more than to skate through four years of torture unnoticed. Like all of us, she does fantasize about being the focus of attention, but she never really wants it. Then, the spotlight of the entire school is on her due to one lie leading to another lie that then spreads around school. Soon, she’s the school slut and the target of a laughable group of religious students.
Here is where the character wins me over. She embraces the gossip and decides to give them something to talk about. She embroiders large red “A”s on a new wardrobe consisting of provocative, lowcut tops. In typical teen movie fashion, things spiral out of her control and she longs to be the unknown she once was.
Blah blah blah, right? Wrong. I said this was a smart movie didn’t I? Here is where it shows it. The movie has no pretense of being anything more than it is. The writers were not above even mentioning this fact. Olive does this via her narration with witty segment titles that summarize what is going to happen. How many classic books have chapter titles the do that very thing? I’ve lost count. She lists movies that depict high school life falsely, and pines about how she wises they were true. They are all John Hughes films!
Here is a movie that is obviously following in the footsteps of Hughes and they make sure to point it out, complete with clips. Of course, the major punch line is at the end when all of those scenes are combined. I won’t go into too much detail but it involves a boom box (sort of), a lawnmower, and throwing a fist in the air (Judd Nelson did it before those Jersey Shore douches and their fist pumping shit).
All the while, the movie whips a little message at you. Just beneath the sarcasm, cynicism, angst, innuendo, and humor is some truth. Kids gossip. About anything. All the time. That aspect of the movie reminded me more of “Much Ado About Nothing”. Shakespeare and Hawthorne in one movie? Awesome in my book. This was the most enjoyable teen movie I’ve seen in a long time (going back to Can’t Hardly Wait and American Pie.) Hit it up on Netflix, Redbox, Blockbuster, or wherever you get movies and watch this one!
----
Last Quote: A Team
Today’s Quote: “We've had nine classes together since Kindergarten... ten if you count Religion of Other Cultures, which you didn't because you called it science fiction and refused to go.”
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
A-Team
What child of the 80s is unfamiliar with the A-Team? Not a one, I hope. Mr. T was an ever-present character throughout my childhood what with cartoons, toys, movie appearances, tv shows, etc… When I first heard of an A-Team movie I was skeptical. Would they try to make it a serious movie (that didn’t work for Miami Vice) or go over-the-top with campiness (like, say, Starsky and Hutch). The entire fate of this film rested with that small decision. Thankfully the writers found some middle ground that made the movie entertaining and enjoyable. The nostalgia factor didn’t hurt either.
First thing people will notice is the cast. Liam Neeson and Bradley Cooper are two big names in movies. Neeson is always a draw and (I believe) can nail any performance. Cooper is more of a draw now they he was probably five years ago (thank you Hangover). These two carry the movie.
Supporting them is Sharlto Copley (District 9) as Howling Mad Murdoch, and Quinton Jackson as B.A. Murdoch is utterly insane and adds enough levity to the movie to keep people in stitches. Jackson (in my not-so-humble opinion) was dead on as B.A., Mohawk and all.
Like any remake the writers updated the story to today’s world and political climate. Instead of Vietnam, the war is in Iraq. The story is pretty much the back story of how this team of war heroes were disgraced, discharged, framed, and arrested. While those of us who watched the show remember them being a “guns for hire” team that helped people, there is none of that in the movie. Instead it focuses on Hannibal’s plans to clear their names and get reinstated in the army.
I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, so I’ll stop now. One cool thing they did was end the movie with the opening sequence and voice over from the original show. Do they plan a sequel? I hope so!
Don’t expect a great movie that will leave your brain hurting, this isn’t Inception. A-Team is just a good bit of mindless fun full of explosions and plot twists. Give it a chance, you might be surprised.
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Last Quote: Scott Pilgrim vs the World
Today's Quote: "I believe that no matter how random things may appear, there's still a plan. "
First thing people will notice is the cast. Liam Neeson and Bradley Cooper are two big names in movies. Neeson is always a draw and (I believe) can nail any performance. Cooper is more of a draw now they he was probably five years ago (thank you Hangover). These two carry the movie.
Supporting them is Sharlto Copley (District 9) as Howling Mad Murdoch, and Quinton Jackson as B.A. Murdoch is utterly insane and adds enough levity to the movie to keep people in stitches. Jackson (in my not-so-humble opinion) was dead on as B.A., Mohawk and all.
Like any remake the writers updated the story to today’s world and political climate. Instead of Vietnam, the war is in Iraq. The story is pretty much the back story of how this team of war heroes were disgraced, discharged, framed, and arrested. While those of us who watched the show remember them being a “guns for hire” team that helped people, there is none of that in the movie. Instead it focuses on Hannibal’s plans to clear their names and get reinstated in the army.
I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, so I’ll stop now. One cool thing they did was end the movie with the opening sequence and voice over from the original show. Do they plan a sequel? I hope so!
Don’t expect a great movie that will leave your brain hurting, this isn’t Inception. A-Team is just a good bit of mindless fun full of explosions and plot twists. Give it a chance, you might be surprised.
---
Last Quote: Scott Pilgrim vs the World
Today's Quote: "I believe that no matter how random things may appear, there's still a plan. "
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Scott Pilgrim
Pardon me if I'm a little behind in my movie watching. I can only watch what Netflix sends me. For the most part, nothing really interesting has come across my queue lately. What does stand out was Scott Pilgrim vs the World. Usually I have a nice bit of background on the movie, but not this time. I know it is based on a series of graphic novels, but I haven't read them. Some might think that is a travesty, but it allows me to watch the movie as a movie (unlike Jonah Hex, which was nothing like the comics and therefore awful in my eyes).
So our hero, Scott, is a bit of a loser. Ok, he is a total loser. He is in a funk after a horrible, heartbreaking breakup and in his rebound phase starts dating a 17 year old, Asian school girl. Keep your minds out of the gutter! He is content to play video games, go to the library, and hang out at the music store with his uniform wearing piece of jail bait (although, this takes place in Canada. What is the age of consent in the Great White North?) until he sees a purple-haired delivery girl that starts skating her way into his dreams and heart. Typical story, really. The setup is completely traditional in that Scott continues to date the school girl while perusing Ramona (girl of the funky hair color). Anyone else predict this blowing up in his face?
So the story is typical of teenage romantic comedies, but what I enjoyed was that he had to face all of her evil exes (not ex-boyfriends as she points out numerous times. There is a girl in the mix too. Hot? I think so). In this world of indie music and melodrama exist mystical powers and an actual round table of villains set on ruining Ramona's love life. The movie is peppered with video game references, graphics, and HUDs. That alone made me like the movie. Even the Universal opening graphic was done in 8-bit beauty. Some movies are made for a certain audience, and this one does not hide that. So, if you are not a video game nerd,or music snob this movie will probably not appeal to you.
Performance wise, it was average. Michael Cera was basically playing the same character he has in every movie thus far. The evil exes are over the top (as they should be)and cheesy. The two best performances, in my mind, go to Kieran Culkin (the only one still working, right?)as Scott's man-whore Gay roommate. Next, goes to Ramona Flowers played by Mary Elizabeth Ward (she was in Live Free or Die Hard, and Deathproof). She is a cute hipster trying to escape her past, and while she plays aloof we can see the damage in her eyes.
Final Analysis: Fun movie. Watch it!
Last Quote: Rocky Horror Picture Show
Today's Quote: "When I'm around you, I kind of feel like I'm on drugs. Not that I do drugs. Unless you do drugs, in which case I do them all the time. "
So our hero, Scott, is a bit of a loser. Ok, he is a total loser. He is in a funk after a horrible, heartbreaking breakup and in his rebound phase starts dating a 17 year old, Asian school girl. Keep your minds out of the gutter! He is content to play video games, go to the library, and hang out at the music store with his uniform wearing piece of jail bait (although, this takes place in Canada. What is the age of consent in the Great White North?) until he sees a purple-haired delivery girl that starts skating her way into his dreams and heart. Typical story, really. The setup is completely traditional in that Scott continues to date the school girl while perusing Ramona (girl of the funky hair color). Anyone else predict this blowing up in his face?
So the story is typical of teenage romantic comedies, but what I enjoyed was that he had to face all of her evil exes (not ex-boyfriends as she points out numerous times. There is a girl in the mix too. Hot? I think so). In this world of indie music and melodrama exist mystical powers and an actual round table of villains set on ruining Ramona's love life. The movie is peppered with video game references, graphics, and HUDs. That alone made me like the movie. Even the Universal opening graphic was done in 8-bit beauty. Some movies are made for a certain audience, and this one does not hide that. So, if you are not a video game nerd,or music snob this movie will probably not appeal to you.
Performance wise, it was average. Michael Cera was basically playing the same character he has in every movie thus far. The evil exes are over the top (as they should be)and cheesy. The two best performances, in my mind, go to Kieran Culkin (the only one still working, right?)as Scott's man-whore Gay roommate. Next, goes to Ramona Flowers played by Mary Elizabeth Ward (she was in Live Free or Die Hard, and Deathproof). She is a cute hipster trying to escape her past, and while she plays aloof we can see the damage in her eyes.
Final Analysis: Fun movie. Watch it!
Last Quote: Rocky Horror Picture Show
Today's Quote: "When I'm around you, I kind of feel like I'm on drugs. Not that I do drugs. Unless you do drugs, in which case I do them all the time. "
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Happy Halloween
I don't have anything to review at the moment, anything to blather on and on about. Instead I wish all of the goblins and ghouls out there a Happy Halloween. To celebrate, here are some of my favorite Halloween related songs (in no particular order).
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Last Quote: Shoot the Hero
Today's Quote: "Well, you got a flat? How 'bout that!"
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Last Quote: Shoot the Hero
Today's Quote: "Well, you got a flat? How 'bout that!"
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Shoot the Hero
I recently received a movie via Netflix that I had zero expectations from. With that in mind, forgive if I oversell this movie for more than it is, afterall it’s really easy to exceed low expectations.
Shoot The Hero is a quirky action-comedy starring Jason Mewes. Right there, you know why I watched it. Also appearing are Danny Trejo, Fred Williamson, and Katie Morgan. Not a cast one usually sees headlining a movie, but they were enjoyable none-the-less.
The plot is a little convoluted at first, especially when the point of view shifts from Mewes to The Smith Brothers. One has to wonder if the Smith Brothers are any relation to Kevin. They debate comic books, quote movies, and one of them is a little on the heavy side. Probably just a coincidence. I’ll try to sum up the movie without spoiling the one entertaining aspect of the movie.
Nate (played by Jay) takes his overbearing girlfriend, Kate, to a jewelry store to pick out engagement rings. While they drive there, she bitches about being blindfolded and that he’d best not be taking her to another comic book movie. This relationship sounds great, right? The jewelry store is closed when they arrive, cue more snide remarks from the girlfriend. Nate begs his way into the store and they look at rings. Enter robbers. A group of masked thieves enter with guns and rob the place. The lovebirds hide behind a counter and the girl does not stop bitching. There are two disputes going on in the room and they are cut together in alternating shots. As the argument between the couple heats up and nears its end, the other dispute peaks into a violent shoot off that leaves all but two of the thieves alive. The robbery was planned by Franklin in an attempt to take down Crazy Joe (a mob boss who is apparently crazy, and named Joe) but the group he assembled were in Joe’s pocket. They turn on him. When the shoot out is over Nate and his girl try to leave. Nate encourages the guy to shoot his bitchy would-be fiancée. This ends with Nate beating the lone robber to a pulp and stealing the bag of diamonds and cash. They ride off into the sunset.
Enter The Smith Bros. Two slackers who do nothing but bicker more than Nate and his girlfriend. They end up in a mercenary training camp (led by Shaft himself). This scene seems way out of place. In fact I found myself asking what the hell these two losers have to do with anything so far. Just hold tight, it all makes some sense later on. When they escape the mercs they hitch a ride with none other than Nate and Kate, his now fiancée (on their way to Vegas to get married)
Here is where the plots intertwine in a very Tarantino-esque twist (guns, blood and death are a must here). The end of the movie is decided by a game of paper, rock, scissors. That is all I’ll say so I don’t spoil anything for those who might watch it.
While this is not a movie I would buy and rewatch, it was a very entertaining schlocky film that required little thought. If you want a popcorn movie to sit back and enjoy – rent this one. It’s worth at least one viewing.
Last Quote: The Mighty Boosh – “The Priest and the Beast”
Today’s Quote: “Let’s do our laundry.”
Shoot The Hero is a quirky action-comedy starring Jason Mewes. Right there, you know why I watched it. Also appearing are Danny Trejo, Fred Williamson, and Katie Morgan. Not a cast one usually sees headlining a movie, but they were enjoyable none-the-less.
The plot is a little convoluted at first, especially when the point of view shifts from Mewes to The Smith Brothers. One has to wonder if the Smith Brothers are any relation to Kevin. They debate comic books, quote movies, and one of them is a little on the heavy side. Probably just a coincidence. I’ll try to sum up the movie without spoiling the one entertaining aspect of the movie.
Nate (played by Jay) takes his overbearing girlfriend, Kate, to a jewelry store to pick out engagement rings. While they drive there, she bitches about being blindfolded and that he’d best not be taking her to another comic book movie. This relationship sounds great, right? The jewelry store is closed when they arrive, cue more snide remarks from the girlfriend. Nate begs his way into the store and they look at rings. Enter robbers. A group of masked thieves enter with guns and rob the place. The lovebirds hide behind a counter and the girl does not stop bitching. There are two disputes going on in the room and they are cut together in alternating shots. As the argument between the couple heats up and nears its end, the other dispute peaks into a violent shoot off that leaves all but two of the thieves alive. The robbery was planned by Franklin in an attempt to take down Crazy Joe (a mob boss who is apparently crazy, and named Joe) but the group he assembled were in Joe’s pocket. They turn on him. When the shoot out is over Nate and his girl try to leave. Nate encourages the guy to shoot his bitchy would-be fiancée. This ends with Nate beating the lone robber to a pulp and stealing the bag of diamonds and cash. They ride off into the sunset.
Enter The Smith Bros. Two slackers who do nothing but bicker more than Nate and his girlfriend. They end up in a mercenary training camp (led by Shaft himself). This scene seems way out of place. In fact I found myself asking what the hell these two losers have to do with anything so far. Just hold tight, it all makes some sense later on. When they escape the mercs they hitch a ride with none other than Nate and Kate, his now fiancée (on their way to Vegas to get married)
Here is where the plots intertwine in a very Tarantino-esque twist (guns, blood and death are a must here). The end of the movie is decided by a game of paper, rock, scissors. That is all I’ll say so I don’t spoil anything for those who might watch it.
While this is not a movie I would buy and rewatch, it was a very entertaining schlocky film that required little thought. If you want a popcorn movie to sit back and enjoy – rent this one. It’s worth at least one viewing.
Last Quote: The Mighty Boosh – “The Priest and the Beast”
Today’s Quote: “Let’s do our laundry.”
Monday, October 18, 2010
Guitar Heaven
Is everything that Santana touches guaranteed to turn to gold? It seems since the release of Supernatural (the album with the song “Smooth” featuring Rob Thomas) that Santana has found a new niche in the music industry, one that keeps him relevant to radio listeners young and old. People who enjoyed Santana’s music in the 70s are now listening to the new music featuring artists from the current generation. This is not a bad thing. In fact, it provides a bridge for parents and children (or grandparents and grandchildren) to reach common ground. Maybe that was the plan when the Angels told Carlos to release Supernatural.
Enough of that album, let’s look at the recent release – Guitar Heaven. This is a different CD from his past few releases in that it contains nothing but covers. I know what you are thinking: Santana covering other artists songs? Why would he need to do that? Well, he doesn’t need to do that. Let’s make that clear right off the start. Carlos Santana NEEDS to do nothing. He chose to release an album of covers, and for that we should be thankful. Face it, that man can make a guitar sing.
What intrigued me was the track listing. There are covers of Cream, AC/DC, Deep Purple, The Beatles, and The Doors (to name a few). These bands are vastly different than the sound one usually associates with Santana. So it stands to reason that these are not going to be merely covers of great songs, but more of a re-imagining of great songs.
Not only is there a wide cross-section of music, but the vocalists are varied as well. Chris Cornell, India Arie, Joe Cocker, Johnny Lang, Gavin Rossdale, and Rob Thomas (naturally), Hell even Yo-yo Ma is on this album. The most interesting song (and I say interesting in a neutral way because I’m not sure if it is good or bad) is Back in Black with vocals from Nas. That’s right, a rap cover of AC/DC with Santana on guitar. The only thing missing would be a hidden track with The Bongo Brothers Rudi van Disarzio and Spider Dijon.
If you didn’t get the previous Mighty Boosh reference, don’t feel too bad. Not many will.
Last Quote: Airplane
Today’s Quote: “This is all like Woodstock all over again. The idea is you play, and then you scram; but oh, no, you wouldn't listen, would you? You wanted to hang around, didn't you? And then we got loped into tidying up! You, me and Carlos Santana; hoovering for six weeks!”
Enough of that album, let’s look at the recent release – Guitar Heaven. This is a different CD from his past few releases in that it contains nothing but covers. I know what you are thinking: Santana covering other artists songs? Why would he need to do that? Well, he doesn’t need to do that. Let’s make that clear right off the start. Carlos Santana NEEDS to do nothing. He chose to release an album of covers, and for that we should be thankful. Face it, that man can make a guitar sing.
What intrigued me was the track listing. There are covers of Cream, AC/DC, Deep Purple, The Beatles, and The Doors (to name a few). These bands are vastly different than the sound one usually associates with Santana. So it stands to reason that these are not going to be merely covers of great songs, but more of a re-imagining of great songs.
Not only is there a wide cross-section of music, but the vocalists are varied as well. Chris Cornell, India Arie, Joe Cocker, Johnny Lang, Gavin Rossdale, and Rob Thomas (naturally), Hell even Yo-yo Ma is on this album. The most interesting song (and I say interesting in a neutral way because I’m not sure if it is good or bad) is Back in Black with vocals from Nas. That’s right, a rap cover of AC/DC with Santana on guitar. The only thing missing would be a hidden track with The Bongo Brothers Rudi van Disarzio and Spider Dijon.
If you didn’t get the previous Mighty Boosh reference, don’t feel too bad. Not many will.
Last Quote: Airplane
Today’s Quote: “This is all like Woodstock all over again. The idea is you play, and then you scram; but oh, no, you wouldn't listen, would you? You wanted to hang around, didn't you? And then we got loped into tidying up! You, me and Carlos Santana; hoovering for six weeks!”
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