Sunday, March 09, 2008

the corpses have been cursed and the futurists called in

They're laughing at us in Saskatchewan right now.

They last thing I need right now is one less hour. I either need to get more sleep or get rid of that damned comfy couch. Inevitably within 10 minutes of reclining into it, I am struggling to prop my eyelids open.

Last night we watched the German film, The Lives of Others, and let me tell you, it is really hard to read subtitles through closed eyelids. My German is not that good, so I missed a lot of the developments. I did get the distinct impression, though, that the Stasi were a pretty nasty bunch.

Thanks to everyone who played along with the movie quote meme earlier this week. Many of you were pretty impressive with your quotation-ciphering abilities, and for those quotes that escaped detection, here is the completed list:

1. It’s their place, Mac. They have a right to make of it what they can. Besides, you can’t eat scenery! - Local Hero
2. I’m being postmodern, before it’s fashionable. - 24 Hour Party People (Allison)

3. As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he was talking about. - Shaun of the Dead (Karen)
4. It's not who invented the gun, man. It's who pulls the trigger. - The Edukators (John Mutford)

5. There's two ways to look at it: Billy wants the models and limousines, while I'm happy with hookers and taxicabs. - Hard Core Logo

6. What do you mean there's no government? There's always a government, they're in a bunker or a plane somewhere! - 28 Days Later (John Mutford)

7. See, to me, England was nothing more then a big fucking American state like North Dakota or Canada. - SLC Punk

8. Many girls want to be carnal with me... because I'm such a premium dancer! - Everything is Illuminated (John Mutford)

9. Oh, I just think I'm gonna barf... Well, that passed. Now I'm hungry again. - Fargo (Jim Dandy)

10. And the tiny hairs on your arm, you know when they stand up? That's them. When they get mad... it gets cold. - The Sixth Sense (Steffi)

11. He is not Judge Judy and Executioner! - Hot Fuzz (John Mutford)

12. Some hate the English. I don't. They're just wankers. We, on the other hand, are COLONIZED by wankers. Can't even find a decent culture to be colonized BY. - Trainspotting (Dr M)

13. Every time Catherine would turn on the microwave, I'd piss my pants and forget who I was for about half an hour. - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Allison)

14. The backwards way can’t be better, because the backwards way is wrong. - Wilby Wonderful

15. Some kind of instinct. Memory, of what they used to do. This was an important place in their lives. - Dawn of the Dead (Jim Dandy)

Special prize is going out to John Mutford for the most correct answers. Well played, John, start checking your mailbox in a couple of weeks.

Not only do I need that stolen hour back, I need a Tardis or something to go back here and adjust my best-of list. If I had been on the ball and had bought The National's new album, Boxer, back in the year when it was actually new, it would definitely have ranked in my top seven. Once I start listening to it, I just can't stop. It's that good. Here's a taste of something that you can't hear on their myspace:

Brainy - The National
Have a fabulous Sunday everyone, except for you lucky bastards in Saskatchewan, you can choke on all your exra time.


Allison said...

I hate to say I told you...but I told you The National was aces. ;) I'm glad you're getting into them now though. I love that each time I listen to the album I find a new favourite song. Its becoming one of my favourite albums, not just of the year, but entirely. I can't wait to see what they do next!

Stephanie said...

I keep hearing about this album but I have yet to hear it... I'm listening to your sample right now and it's quite wonderful

I think maybe today might warrant a trip to the music store

Barbara Bruederlin said...

I bow to your superior musical tastes, Al. That'll learn me to listen to you from now one! Boxer is just a superb album and one that I would want along on a desert island.

It's pretty great, isn't it, Stephanie, and the whole album is just a gem. Definitely worth a trip to the store.

mellowlee said...

Ug! I want that hour back too damnit! Work is totally sucking today. That movie meme is so much fun, but I think I must like movies not a lot of other people like or something. Ah well, I shall leave it up for a week before I reveal my answers :O)

Hope you get in a nice cozy Sunday nap Barb! Just don't let the couch eat you...they have a way of doing that.

Barbara Bruederlin said...

Not to worry,Mel,I never sit on the couch before 9:00 pm, so it cannot devour me before I am ready to settle in for the evening. You had some tough movie quotes! I can't wait to find out what the sourced were.

Gifted Typist said...

I watched Twister Chasers through closed eyes on Friday ... you missed more than I did. Give Lives of Others another chance when you're more awake. It's fantastic.

Jas Bhambra said...

I am not ready for the time change just as yet!!! Boooohoooo. :(

Barbara Bruederlin said...

What I saw of it was really good, Gifted, certainly worth a second watch, with open eyes this time.

It's going to take me another 3 months to change the clock in my car, as usual, Jas.

Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein said...

I was swoll up with pride to get the measly one I got.

Urban Blonde said...

The Lives of Others, one of my absolutely favourite movies of last year. Well worth a re-watch when you are more awake! ;)

I find the yellow subtitles much easier on the eyes. You'll find them on the Spanish and South American films.


Barbara Bruederlin said...

It wasn't a measly one, Dr M, it was a huge one!

We've been watching a lot of German films around here lately, Urban Blondie, and we were pretty please that we didn't have to schlep down to Casablanca Video to get this one.

justacoolcat said...

I kind of like catching albums a year late.

Sometimes we have to be ready for them and if you would have found it sooner just think who may have suffered? Like those poor Decemberists.

Anonymous said...

I tried watching that film but for some reason could not engage. I thought perhaps to give it another go in future but now, I don't know...

Anonymous said...

...Oh, the older I get the harder it is to adjust to the time change, a week at least!

Barbara Bruederlin said...

Good point, JustA. And lord knows those poor Decemberists have suffered enough. But yes, sometimes it doesn't hurt for all the hype to die down a bit.

It engaged me less than some other films recently, Leazwell, but I still think I would like to try watching it while awake.
I'm still suffering from the time change.

John Mutford said...

Cool, I didn't realize there'd prizes! In my defense for the ones I missed, I haven't seen them yet-- though Wilby Wonderful just arrived through Zip.

Barbara Bruederlin said...

The prize idea was a last minute addition, John. Nothing special, just the stuff I promised you a few weeks ago.
I hope you enjoy Wilby Wonderful, so many great performances in that.

668 aka neighbour of the beast said...

i just saw hard core logo, i totally would have gotten that!

Barbara Bruederlin said...

I know you totally would have, 668. Hard Core Logo is pretty memorable.