I'll leave you with the last thing Sam and Rhiannon saw that night -- only fitting.
Monday 25 February 2013
Post-script
Thank you to everyone who shared this journey with me. I had a great time posting Sam's words along with some anecdotes some of you may not have known. Thanks especially to Asher for commenting on Facebook about Sam, which led me to writing this blog. Thanks also to Terri for sending me four years' worth of reviews. And thanks, too, to Amanda and tracking group for those fabulous emails.
I'll leave you with the last thing Sam and Rhiannon saw that night -- only fitting.
I'll leave you with the last thing Sam and Rhiannon saw that night -- only fitting.
Sunday 24 February 2013
Annual Academy Awards Day!
SAM'S FINAL MOVIE RECOMMENDATION, WRITTEN TO ME (AND TO FRANK) ON NOVEMBER 10, 2007
Of the four movies my company is releasing this fall, this is by far the best. And the best movie I've seen so far this year.
It's written and directed by the Coen brothers, based on a Cormac McCarthy novel. It's a suspense masterpiece, and yes, filled with violence.
Also happens to be one of the best-reviewed movies of the year.
Of the four movies my company is releasing this fall, this is by far the best. And the best movie I've seen so far this year.
It's written and directed by the Coen brothers, based on a Cormac McCarthy novel. It's a suspense masterpiece, and yes, filled with violence.
Also happens to be one of the best-reviewed movies of the year.
Hope you see it.
AND IT WON OSCARS FOR BEST PICTURE AND DIRECTOR IN 2008 (along with best adapted screenplay and best supporting actor).
Mom's note: I got the poster and read the book -- I have never seen this movie although I have the DVD...I just can't do it.
As a result of the power of this movie, it received numerous awards, among them the National Board of Review Award for best ensemble. Scott Rudin dedicated this award to Sam and invited our family to the event. He has graciously allowed me to reprint the part of his acceptance speech related to Sam:
Tragically, we lost one of our family - our office family - on December 8th of last year, when our colleague and friend Sam Cassel was killed by a drunk driver at the age of 28. Sam had been with our company for five years. That’s a long time when you’re 28.
Sam joined us as a fantastic kid, and at the time of his death he was becoming a fantastic man. He was a faux-cynic and a true believer. He was finding his own voice. Sam was a movie maniac of ceaseless devotion, a deeply intelligent, passionately committed member of our nuclear family, and a resolutely optimistic believer in the possibility both of good things happening, and of merit being rewarded.
He loved Cormac’s book, and he loved the movie Joel and Ethan made of it. He loved being a part of it, and we loved him and we miss him. Sam’s family is with us here tonight, and so in his honor and in his memory I want to dedicate this award to NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN to Sam Cassel.
Saturday 23 February 2013
Day #1 - February 23
SAM'S BITTERSWEET MUSINGS ON THE YEAR HE DIDN'T SEND OUT HIS MOVIE REVIEWS...
A funny thing happened last year. I was finishing off my top ten list of movies for the year 2002. For those of you first receiving this: since 1998, I have done a list every year on the eve of the announcement of the Academy Award nominations. For me, it’s fun to write. For others, it may be fun to read, though you new readers should not count on such pleasure. Think of it more as a high school reunion: some fun times, but mostly an informational/slightly dull experience. Okay, hopefully I’ve lowered expectations enough.
Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, I was finished the list actually. I had typed it into an e-mail and was in the process of adding all of the required e-mails of those who tolerate the list as something of an oddity, joke, or exemplification of Sam being a movie geek (yes, I just used ‘exemplification’ instead of ‘example’, sue me, I’m learned). But then. My computer crashed and the list and all those witty barbs were lost (BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE was #1 by the way). And not having the energy to rewrite the whole damn thing, I decided to give up. But here’s where the funny thing comes in. Friends I had lost touch with e-mailed me quite worried. They had not received my year-end list. They wondered whether I was mad at them. Or perhaps that I had forgotten them. Or even pondered if I was still alive. So I came to a realization. This list had become bigger than an exercise. It had become a standard of communication for friends forgotten in Pennsylvania, Illinois, or wherever they now live (remember, they’re forgotten). My list was a reassurance. A post-holiday coma treasure, if you will. Of course, knowing this new importance associated with my list made me rewrite the thing, right?
Nope.
Mom's note: Can't say much...quietly shedding a tear for my talented son.
A funny thing happened last year. I was finishing off my top ten list of movies for the year 2002. For those of you first receiving this: since 1998, I have done a list every year on the eve of the announcement of the Academy Award nominations. For me, it’s fun to write. For others, it may be fun to read, though you new readers should not count on such pleasure. Think of it more as a high school reunion: some fun times, but mostly an informational/slightly dull experience. Okay, hopefully I’ve lowered expectations enough.
Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, I was finished the list actually. I had typed it into an e-mail and was in the process of adding all of the required e-mails of those who tolerate the list as something of an oddity, joke, or exemplification of Sam being a movie geek (yes, I just used ‘exemplification’ instead of ‘example’, sue me, I’m learned). But then. My computer crashed and the list and all those witty barbs were lost (BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE was #1 by the way). And not having the energy to rewrite the whole damn thing, I decided to give up. But here’s where the funny thing comes in. Friends I had lost touch with e-mailed me quite worried. They had not received my year-end list. They wondered whether I was mad at them. Or perhaps that I had forgotten them. Or even pondered if I was still alive. So I came to a realization. This list had become bigger than an exercise. It had become a standard of communication for friends forgotten in Pennsylvania, Illinois, or wherever they now live (remember, they’re forgotten). My list was a reassurance. A post-holiday coma treasure, if you will. Of course, knowing this new importance associated with my list made me rewrite the thing, right?
Nope.
Mom's note: Can't say much...quietly shedding a tear for my talented son.
Friday 22 February 2013
Day #2 - February 22
MORE FUN STUFF FROM THE TRACKING GROUP
SS: I went to The Kingdom premiere last night and felt the need to share the following observations:
-The movie isn't good
-Jeremy Piven essentially plays Ari Gold, but in Saudi Arabia
-Jennifer Garner is very pretty in person
-Premieres are awkward (especially when you need to pretend you likes the film)
Happy Tuesday....
SAM: Hilarious. Especially the "premieres are awkward" part. Nothing worse than having to pretend that you were moved by Cinderella Man or that you laughed uproariously at Fun with Dick and Jane.
In other news, I hate everyone.
SM: You can't hate everyone, because I hate everyone. There just isn't enough room. Hey, maybe that should be the name of our "group."
I HATE EVERYONE. Or is that too negative?
SAM: Perhaps the hating of everyone would cancel each other out and therefore we'd have a positive result.
Or is that an imaginary number? And who the fuck was I talking to about imaginary numbers last week? And why?
Mom's note: I love these email conversations -- Sam and his friends are so sharp and funny. I'm so glad that we keep in touch with the tracking group people.
SS: I went to The Kingdom premiere last night and felt the need to share the following observations:
-The movie isn't good
-Jeremy Piven essentially plays Ari Gold, but in Saudi Arabia
-Jennifer Garner is very pretty in person
-Premieres are awkward (especially when you need to pretend you likes the film)
SAM: Hilarious. Especially the "premieres are awkward" part. Nothing worse than having to pretend that you were moved by Cinderella Man or that you laughed uproariously at Fun with Dick and Jane.
In other news, I hate everyone.
SM: You can't hate everyone, because I hate everyone. There just isn't enough room. Hey, maybe that should be the name of our "group."
I HATE EVERYONE. Or is that too negative?
SAM: Perhaps the hating of everyone would cancel each other out and therefore we'd have a positive result.
Or is that an imaginary number? And who the fuck was I talking to about imaginary numbers last week? And why?
Mom's note: I love these email conversations -- Sam and his friends are so sharp and funny. I'm so glad that we keep in touch with the tracking group people.
Thursday 21 February 2013
Day #3 - February 21
THE PREFACE TO SAM'S LAST YEAR OF REVIEWS (2006 ) AND ONE OF HIS TWO BEST MOVIES FOR THIS YEAR
I normally do this year-end wrap-up right before the Academy Award nominations are announced so as to not be biased by those films that receive too much credit or none at all. So this article arrives much later than normal. The easy reason that it took me so long to do this list was that I didn't want to write it until I saw both DREAMGIRLS and LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA. I ultimately saw neither, making this the first year in probably ten that I haven't seen all five Best Picture nominees.
Why was it so difficult to finally write this article? I've been doing a wrap-up for ten years now. Some years are better than others. This year was the worst year for movies. At least for me. Only two movies this year deserved four stars. The other movies on my top ten list this year are either of the three-and-a-half or three star variety.
The question then is…have I lost interest in movies or have movies gotten worse? I sincerely hope that it's the latter but I'm fearful that it's the former. Has the sheer volume of movies I've seen over
the years destroyed my overall appreciation for the current crop of films? Is this merely a function of getting older? Honestly, I don't think I'm the only who thinks movies, I mean the "good movies", have dropped severely in quality. Where are the Insiders, the L.A. Confidentials, the Incredibles, the Rushmores, the Truman Shows? None of them arrived this year, right? Am I crazy or what? Or is it that movie studios either make movies for morons (e.g. NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM) or finance pretentious pap that features interesting filmmaking but are simply duds (e.g. BABEL)? It says something that the single most fulfilling entertainment I found this year was in the long-ignored TV series THE WIRE.
Anyways, only two movies blew me away this year. And as you will see, they're not exactly crowd-pleasers. Onto the list:
One of the movies that blew Sam away....
UNITED 93 – "I can't pull! I can't!"
I will never see this movie again. But there is no other movie this year that affected me more. Now, some would call it exploitation, I don't. This movie made me remember that even though 9/11 was a
severely tragic event, it started from the actions of only a few people. It made me reflect on the events that have transpired since. Made me angry about the Iraq war. And made me frustrated that all the good will that came from this event was wasted by a guy who wasn't even elected. Soapbox speech over. I also saw this movie with someone who almost puked on my lap, so there was an extra dose of suspense during my viewing experience.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: The final push to re-take the plane.
MORAL TO THE STORY: The actions of so few can affect so many. And don't depend on Sledge Hammer to fly your hijacked plane out of trouble (anyone else catch that strange casting choice?).
Mom's note: Maybe I dreamed it, but I remember Sam talking about this movie and saying that it was one of those movies where, even though you knew how it ended, you kept hoping that the good guys would save the day and the plane would land safely. Maybe it was when he tried to talk me into watching it. I did watch it eventually, but I didn't watch it until maybe 2010...
And the Sledge Hammer reference -- another Cassel family obsession. We have the DVDs, and guess who gave them to Bob?!
I normally do this year-end wrap-up right before the Academy Award nominations are announced so as to not be biased by those films that receive too much credit or none at all. So this article arrives much later than normal. The easy reason that it took me so long to do this list was that I didn't want to write it until I saw both DREAMGIRLS and LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA. I ultimately saw neither, making this the first year in probably ten that I haven't seen all five Best Picture nominees.
Why was it so difficult to finally write this article? I've been doing a wrap-up for ten years now. Some years are better than others. This year was the worst year for movies. At least for me. Only two movies this year deserved four stars. The other movies on my top ten list this year are either of the three-and-a-half or three star variety.
The question then is…have I lost interest in movies or have movies gotten worse? I sincerely hope that it's the latter but I'm fearful that it's the former. Has the sheer volume of movies I've seen over
the years destroyed my overall appreciation for the current crop of films? Is this merely a function of getting older? Honestly, I don't think I'm the only who thinks movies, I mean the "good movies", have dropped severely in quality. Where are the Insiders, the L.A. Confidentials, the Incredibles, the Rushmores, the Truman Shows? None of them arrived this year, right? Am I crazy or what? Or is it that movie studios either make movies for morons (e.g. NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM) or finance pretentious pap that features interesting filmmaking but are simply duds (e.g. BABEL)? It says something that the single most fulfilling entertainment I found this year was in the long-ignored TV series THE WIRE.
Anyways, only two movies blew me away this year. And as you will see, they're not exactly crowd-pleasers. Onto the list:
One of the movies that blew Sam away....
UNITED 93 – "I can't pull! I can't!"
I will never see this movie again. But there is no other movie this year that affected me more. Now, some would call it exploitation, I don't. This movie made me remember that even though 9/11 was a
severely tragic event, it started from the actions of only a few people. It made me reflect on the events that have transpired since. Made me angry about the Iraq war. And made me frustrated that all the good will that came from this event was wasted by a guy who wasn't even elected. Soapbox speech over. I also saw this movie with someone who almost puked on my lap, so there was an extra dose of suspense during my viewing experience.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: The final push to re-take the plane.
MORAL TO THE STORY: The actions of so few can affect so many. And don't depend on Sledge Hammer to fly your hijacked plane out of trouble (anyone else catch that strange casting choice?).
Mom's note: Maybe I dreamed it, but I remember Sam talking about this movie and saying that it was one of those movies where, even though you knew how it ended, you kept hoping that the good guys would save the day and the plane would land safely. Maybe it was when he tried to talk me into watching it. I did watch it eventually, but I didn't watch it until maybe 2010...
And the Sledge Hammer reference -- another Cassel family obsession. We have the DVDs, and guess who gave them to Bob?!
Wednesday 20 February 2013
Day #4 - February 20
SAM ON "COOL HOLLYWOOD" THINGS HE'S DONE (IN RESPONSE TO A 2005 EMAIL FROM ME)
As for "cool Hollywood" things that I've done that I don't really care about anymore (it's called L.A. Blasé): I went to the CONSTANTINE premiere and I also went to the MILLION DOLLAR BABY post-Academy Awards party. The Oscar party was kind of lame because none of the winners were there. Of course, I was told later that I left 10 minutes after Clint Eastwood had shown up, but didn't actually see him. I guess I can say that I was at the same Oscar party at the same time as Clint Eastwood, even if I was unaware of it. I know this sounds exciting, but the price of giving up my life for these things rings hollow. I'd rather be a film critic.
Mom's note: Sam was always complaining about his work load and lack of time for a real life -- I know it was hard for him to have one day during the week for himself. He worked at least 10 hours/day during the week, took Saturday off, and spent Sunday reading, summarizing, and notating scripts. He would talk about how he should have become an accountant or something, but we all knew that he really loved films and would put up with a lot to be in the film business.
As for "cool Hollywood" things that I've done that I don't really care about anymore (it's called L.A. Blasé): I went to the CONSTANTINE premiere and I also went to the MILLION DOLLAR BABY post-Academy Awards party. The Oscar party was kind of lame because none of the winners were there. Of course, I was told later that I left 10 minutes after Clint Eastwood had shown up, but didn't actually see him. I guess I can say that I was at the same Oscar party at the same time as Clint Eastwood, even if I was unaware of it. I know this sounds exciting, but the price of giving up my life for these things rings hollow. I'd rather be a film critic.
Mom's note: Sam was always complaining about his work load and lack of time for a real life -- I know it was hard for him to have one day during the week for himself. He worked at least 10 hours/day during the week, took Saturday off, and spent Sunday reading, summarizing, and notating scripts. He would talk about how he should have become an accountant or something, but we all knew that he really loved films and would put up with a lot to be in the film business.
Tuesday 19 February 2013
Day # 5 - February 19
SAM "APOLOGIZING" FOR LIKING A DISNEY/PIXAR PICTURE
THE INCREDIBLES – "NO CAPES!"
Some people are Disney whores. For most of them, it's a high school thing. They just looove to go the Disney Store and/or DisneyWorld. I don't disparage these whores; it's their way to hold onto their
childhood. I am not a Disney whore. I was not first in line to see HERCULES or MULAN or even ALADDIN. Nor am I a Pixar whore. FINDING NEMO didn't really do it for me. THE INCREDIBLES did. It was the only movie this year in which I laughed, cried, and felt afraid. It
was the only movie where after I saw it, I had to tell everyone I knew to see it. It was a big popcorn movie that didn't treat its audience like they were morons. Awe and wonder, great storytelling, and
thoroughly enjoyable characters.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: When Violet finally masters her talent to create force fields.
Mom's note: Yet another movie that I probably wouldn't have watched if not for Sam's recommendation. And he did take me to that Disney place in Orange County that's like a town version of a Disney store! And did I mention that he worked in the original Animation building on the lot at Disney Studios in Burbank? Methinks he protested too much...
THE INCREDIBLES – "NO CAPES!"
Some people are Disney whores. For most of them, it's a high school thing. They just looove to go the Disney Store and/or DisneyWorld. I don't disparage these whores; it's their way to hold onto their
childhood. I am not a Disney whore. I was not first in line to see HERCULES or MULAN or even ALADDIN. Nor am I a Pixar whore. FINDING NEMO didn't really do it for me. THE INCREDIBLES did. It was the only movie this year in which I laughed, cried, and felt afraid. It
was the only movie where after I saw it, I had to tell everyone I knew to see it. It was a big popcorn movie that didn't treat its audience like they were morons. Awe and wonder, great storytelling, and
thoroughly enjoyable characters.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: When Violet finally masters her talent to create force fields.
Mom's note: Yet another movie that I probably wouldn't have watched if not for Sam's recommendation. And he did take me to that Disney place in Orange County that's like a town version of a Disney store! And did I mention that he worked in the original Animation building on the lot at Disney Studios in Burbank? Methinks he protested too much...
Monday 18 February 2013
Day #6 - February 18
SAM ON ANOTHER MOVIE FROM HIS PRODUCTION COMPANY
THE QUEEN – "Move over, Cabbage."
I've already written quite a bit about this movie (see:
http://www.cincity2000.com/
But to recap, it's not just the performances that make this a really good film. It's also the notion that western society at large today requires their leaders to be showy and emotional when tragedy strikes.
Weeping, heartfelt speeches seemingly are more important than policy or judgment. I wish I had something funny to say about the matter.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: The opening credits when the Queen poses for her portrait.
MORAL TO THE STORY: Go against your instincts, sell out, and the public will forgive you.
Mom's note: I came home from a performance of STEPPING OUT on August 31, 1997, in which I played a British woman who was learning how to tap dance, and when I turned on the TV, I heard the news about Princess Diana. I spent the entire weekend glued to the TV set, watching events unfold related to the tragedy. This movie so perfectly captures my memories of that time by cutting from the actors playing the parts to real footage of that weekend and more. I got Sam to send me this poster, and it hung in my classroom for a year (until I got a True Grit poster, I think!!). It still hangs in a colleague's room.
THE QUEEN – "Move over, Cabbage."
I've already written quite a bit about this movie (see:
http://www.cincity2000.com/
But to recap, it's not just the performances that make this a really good film. It's also the notion that western society at large today requires their leaders to be showy and emotional when tragedy strikes.
Weeping, heartfelt speeches seemingly are more important than policy or judgment. I wish I had something funny to say about the matter.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: The opening credits when the Queen poses for her portrait.
MORAL TO THE STORY: Go against your instincts, sell out, and the public will forgive you.
 |
| My last role - August 1997 - I was in about a play per year from 1980-1997. |
Sunday 17 February 2013
Day #7 - February 17
MORE RANDOM SAM REVIEWS FROM 2005
Only a week left until the Oscars are announced!
RED EYE – This movie had the worst trailer I've ever seen (the rest of the screen wipes to black as we hone in on Cillian Murphy's eye which turns red!), which lowered my expectations for the movie and thus I quite enjoyed it. Also, while at the urinal after seeing this movie, I overheard two strangers talk about how they really liked the movie to each other. If you know urinal etiquette, you don't talk to strangers. These guys really started breaking it down. And they weren't gay. I have no idea why I brought this up either.
Mom's note: Surprised Sam didn't say anything about Rachel McAdams, the new it girl, at least for weepy Nicholas Sparks movies. I have taken a red eye or two, and the movie trailer is kind of what happens to my eyes by the end of the flight....
REVENGE OF THE SITH – It says a lot about a movie when the only effective part of the movie involves characters from a movie that was released almost thirty years ago. That said, me likey.
Mom's note: Sam loved the first three episodes of STAR WARS; the second three, not as much. But boy was he mad at me when he found out that I gave Frank's Star Wars toys to the Salvation Army - mind you, he NEVER wanted to play with them when he had the chance, and this was years later! So when the Transformers people created a transformer Millennium Falcon (the toy Sam was most upset about my giving away), I bought it for him -- in 2005. He promptly displayed it, UNOPENED, in his office. We brought it back with us in 2007, and just last month, Steve Bassman's nephew, who is as obsessed with Star Wars as Sam was, got it as a Christmas present. Steve's mom had put out a call via Facebook for a vintage Falcon; I told her I had a transformer; we met for dinner; and the rest is history. Only fitting that it should go to a family member of one of Sam's good high school and college friends.
SIN CITY – I hate Robert Rodriguez. But when you have seven dudes castrated over the course of a movie and one of the dudes is completely yellow, you get a thumbs up in my book.
Mom's note: just had to include this one so that I could channel Sam and say ---- About this one, I got nothing...
Only a week left until the Oscars are announced!
RED EYE – This movie had the worst trailer I've ever seen (the rest of the screen wipes to black as we hone in on Cillian Murphy's eye which turns red!), which lowered my expectations for the movie and thus I quite enjoyed it. Also, while at the urinal after seeing this movie, I overheard two strangers talk about how they really liked the movie to each other. If you know urinal etiquette, you don't talk to strangers. These guys really started breaking it down. And they weren't gay. I have no idea why I brought this up either.
REVENGE OF THE SITH – It says a lot about a movie when the only effective part of the movie involves characters from a movie that was released almost thirty years ago. That said, me likey.
SIN CITY – I hate Robert Rodriguez. But when you have seven dudes castrated over the course of a movie and one of the dudes is completely yellow, you get a thumbs up in my book.
Mom's note: just had to include this one so that I could channel Sam and say ---- About this one, I got nothing...
Saturday 16 February 2013
Day #8 - February 16
SAM RECOMMENDING A MOVIE TO HIS BROTHER FRANK (from Sam's emails on his computer)
Considering Chris asked me if I'd seen the Ice Storm over winter break, I figured I'd help with any future renting choices...
I hope you have watched THE SEA INSIDE at home with its panoramic, operatic grace... One of the more humanist movies I've seen in some time. I like to think that our family was an informal member of the (German) free-thinking society, the world that Kurt Vonnegut inhabits. Don't believe in religion, just behave kindly to your neighbor and expect the same in return, i.e. humanist. Anyways, the idea of seeing the protagonist of this movie "visiting the beach" in your TV room is something to behold...you won't be disappointed.
Yes, I'm watching it on my 19" screen and still moved to tears.
AND NOW HIS REVIEW OF THAT SAME MOVIE
THE SEA INSIDE – "A life without freedom is not a life."
Now, this is a euthanasia movie (Sam rubs his hands together). Oh yeah! What if I were to tell you that this was the most escapist movie I saw all year? And that most of it takes place in one room?
With a man who can only move his head? And it's in Spanish? What if I were to tell you that Alejandro Amenabar has now become the most exciting young director for me to watch (sorry, Mr. Shyamalan)? He's only 32 and he directs (and writes) with this much maturity? Bless
him and Mr. Bardem. Can't wait for the next one from both. I guess I can now be considered an Amenabar/Bardem whore. Too bad there isn't a theme park.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: It's a tie…when Ramon (Javier Bardem) visits Julia (Belen Rueda) on the beach…and…when Julia suffers a stroke and all Ramon can do is yell her name.
Mom's note: Another movie that I haven't seen because it just sounded too depressing...I know it's ultimately uplifting, but sometimes I get lost before I manage to reach the uplifting part. But I do love that Javier Bardem, especially when I got to see him in the flesh at the awards ceremony in New York that honored No Country for Old Men (among other movies of 2007).
Considering Chris asked me if I'd seen the Ice Storm over winter break, I figured I'd help with any future renting choices...
I hope you have watched THE SEA INSIDE at home with its panoramic, operatic grace... One of the more humanist movies I've seen in some time. I like to think that our family was an informal member of the (German) free-thinking society, the world that Kurt Vonnegut inhabits. Don't believe in religion, just behave kindly to your neighbor and expect the same in return, i.e. humanist. Anyways, the idea of seeing the protagonist of this movie "visiting the beach" in your TV room is something to behold...you won't be disappointed.
Yes, I'm watching it on my 19" screen and still moved to tears.
AND NOW HIS REVIEW OF THAT SAME MOVIE
THE SEA INSIDE – "A life without freedom is not a life."
Now, this is a euthanasia movie (Sam rubs his hands together). Oh yeah! What if I were to tell you that this was the most escapist movie I saw all year? And that most of it takes place in one room?
With a man who can only move his head? And it's in Spanish? What if I were to tell you that Alejandro Amenabar has now become the most exciting young director for me to watch (sorry, Mr. Shyamalan)? He's only 32 and he directs (and writes) with this much maturity? Bless
him and Mr. Bardem. Can't wait for the next one from both. I guess I can now be considered an Amenabar/Bardem whore. Too bad there isn't a theme park.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: It's a tie…when Ramon (Javier Bardem) visits Julia (Belen Rueda) on the beach…and…when Julia suffers a stroke and all Ramon can do is yell her name.
Thursday 14 February 2013
Day #9 - February 15
SAM ON A TOTAL CHARACTER PIECE...
LOST IN TRANSLATION – "Lip them?"
I’m a Bill Murray fan, but I find that he mugs a little too much in some of his movies, whether with a smirk or a hammy delivery of a line. In this movie, he is not only perfectly cast but also there is absolutely no mugging, no reminder that this is Bill Murray we are watching. But at the same time it is Bill Murray we’re watching. What I’ve said probably makes no sense. Detractors of this movie say that nothing really happens. What I have to say to that is that sometimes it’s not what happens, it’s simply being with these characters that makes the journey enjoyable.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: The last goodbye.
Mom's note: I'm not a big Bill Murray fan, but I also enjoyed this movie. It got so much press that I expected to hate it, but I didn't. This is one of those movies that made Sam shed a tear...
LOST IN TRANSLATION – "Lip them?"
I’m a Bill Murray fan, but I find that he mugs a little too much in some of his movies, whether with a smirk or a hammy delivery of a line. In this movie, he is not only perfectly cast but also there is absolutely no mugging, no reminder that this is Bill Murray we are watching. But at the same time it is Bill Murray we’re watching. What I’ve said probably makes no sense. Detractors of this movie say that nothing really happens. What I have to say to that is that sometimes it’s not what happens, it’s simply being with these characters that makes the journey enjoyable.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: The last goodbye.
Mom's note: I'm not a big Bill Murray fan, but I also enjoyed this movie. It got so much press that I expected to hate it, but I didn't. This is one of those movies that made Sam shed a tear...
Day #10 - February 14
OPINIONATED SAM AND KEIRA KNIGHTLEY
Sam actually liked the first Pirates of the Caribbean and Pride and Prejudice, but he had no kind words for poor Keira...
BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM – Bag of Bones plays soccer.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN – Johnny Depp is the best thing about this movie. I know a lot of people lust for Keira Knightley, but I just don’t see it. If Peter Sarsgaard is Quiet Rage then Keira Knightley is Bag of Bones. Without charisma. Like her co-star Orlando Bloom.
LOVE ACTUALLY – This was like a greatest hits album for all of the British romantic comedies of the past ten years. It also promoted the wonderful theme of the-only-way-to-get-a-man-to-
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST – About 45 minutes of this
is bearable, but most of it is not. Johnny Depp does his gay Keith Richards thing again, but even more story is devoted to those two pieces of wood – Bag o' Bones and Orlando Bloom.
PRIDE & PREJUDICE – Bag of Bones plays Elizabeth Bennet. But who was the older sister? Is she the blonde Rachel Weisz? This movie is one of the best directed of the year. For serious.
Back to Valentine's Day: Sam was the ONLY one of my Cassel boys (including my husband) who was a total romantic. The first time I realized this about him occurred when he was trying to find a romantic gift for the first love of his life, and HE ASKED ME FOR ADVICE. A mother's dream. I had seen this really cool book called GRIFFIN AND SABINE, which was an unusual epistolary book, called by a reader "equal parts romantic, impressionistic, and surrealistic." He bought it; she loved it. Score for Mom. Sam was the only one who ever bought gifts for his significant others on Valentine's Day, and he always put a lot of thought into those presents... ♥
Wednesday 13 February 2013
Day #11 - February 13
SAM'S COMMENTS ABOUT A MOVIE THAT NEEDS NO SOUNDTRACK...
THE NEW WORLD – Unimportant, in fact turn off the dialogue track.
Though a difficult movie to get into initially, I plead with all of
you to see it in the movie theatres. It's simply one of the most
beautiful movies I've seen in some time. Imagine that you lived in a
world full of trees, grass, and sunlight and that's all you knew. Now
imagine that strange men come and, among doing some bad things, decide
to take you to their home. And you discover a world that you never
saw. A world where the trees are sculpted, the grass is cut to a
half-inch, and buildings have been built higher than you can imagine.
Since the movie mostly takes place in America, you get accustomed to
the natural world. And when Pocahontas gets off that ship, you see
the Old World truly through her eyes—it's the New World to her. It
sneaks up on you, but it's very effective and astounding.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: Pocahontas steps off the boat and sees the Old
World, which is new to her. (I know I'm repeating myself, but it's a
great scene.)
MORAL TO THE STORY: Don't have relations with a white man (or
specifically Colin Farrell) or you will die.
Mom's note: Wow, this one blew right by me -- perhaps I'll have to check to see if it's on Netflix Instant Stream -- not a big Colin Farrell fan although I did like him in IN BRUGES, but maybe it was because Bob and I visited Bruges right around the time the movie came out...
THE NEW WORLD – Unimportant, in fact turn off the dialogue track.
Though a difficult movie to get into initially, I plead with all of
you to see it in the movie theatres. It's simply one of the most
beautiful movies I've seen in some time. Imagine that you lived in a
world full of trees, grass, and sunlight and that's all you knew. Now
imagine that strange men come and, among doing some bad things, decide
to take you to their home. And you discover a world that you never
saw. A world where the trees are sculpted, the grass is cut to a
half-inch, and buildings have been built higher than you can imagine.
Since the movie mostly takes place in America, you get accustomed to
the natural world. And when Pocahontas gets off that ship, you see
the Old World truly through her eyes—it's the New World to her. It
sneaks up on you, but it's very effective and astounding.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: Pocahontas steps off the boat and sees the Old
World, which is new to her. (I know I'm repeating myself, but it's a
great scene.)
MORAL TO THE STORY: Don't have relations with a white man (or
specifically Colin Farrell) or you will die.
Tuesday 12 February 2013
Day #12 - February 12
HERE'S SOME MORE GEMS FROM SAM'S SHORT REVIEWS OF MOVIES THAT HE "REALLY LIKED"
CAPOTE – Have nothing really pithy to say here. Good movie, not
great. Still a frickin' biopic. I love that Catherine Keener got
nominated for an Oscar for doing basically nothing in this movie.
(I'm not trying to pick on her, I just like to.)
THE CONSTANT GARDENER – Loses steam when it's revealed that Rachel
Weisz is not a lying, cheating whore. Oh yeah, everyone dies in this
one too.
CONSTANTINE – Some good action sequences. And a wet Rachel Weisz.
Not in that way. Also, glad to see that Peter Stormare is showing up
in movies again.
THE FAMILY STONE – How many mid-range actors can you fit into a
movie? Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, Luke Wilson, Rachel
McAdams, Claire Danes. Diane Keaton offsets Craig T. Nelson (COACH!).
So, five.
Mom's note: I think Sam had a little thing for Miss Rachel Weisz...wonder what he'd think if he knew that she'd married James Bond!
And why did he feel the need to pick on the lovely Catherine Keener? Some things we'll never know...
CAPOTE – Have nothing really pithy to say here. Good movie, not
great. Still a frickin' biopic. I love that Catherine Keener got
nominated for an Oscar for doing basically nothing in this movie.
(I'm not trying to pick on her, I just like to.)
THE CONSTANT GARDENER – Loses steam when it's revealed that Rachel
Weisz is not a lying, cheating whore. Oh yeah, everyone dies in this
one too.
CONSTANTINE – Some good action sequences. And a wet Rachel Weisz.
Not in that way. Also, glad to see that Peter Stormare is showing up
in movies again.
THE FAMILY STONE – How many mid-range actors can you fit into a
movie? Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, Luke Wilson, Rachel
McAdams, Claire Danes. Diane Keaton offsets Craig T. Nelson (COACH!).
So, five.
And why did he feel the need to pick on the lovely Catherine Keener? Some things we'll never know...
Monday 11 February 2013
Day #13 - February 11
SAM ON A MOVIE DETAILING AN ODD BUT FASCINATING GUY, HARVEY PEKAR
AMERICAN SPLENDOR – "You might as well know right off the bat, I had a vasectomy."
That’s the line that Harvey (Paul Giamatti) says when he first meets Joyce (Hope Davis), a woman Harvey will wind up marrying. And it perfectly sums up the tone of this movie. A movie which works because it perfectly encapsulates the idea that extraordinary things can be taken from an ordinary, if not miserable, life.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: The explanation of REVENGE OF THE NERDS.
Mom's note: What a splendid little movie this was. Even though I'm not a fan of Paul Giamatti, I couldn't have pictured anyone else playing this part. AND -- I GOT TO GO TO THE PREMIERE WITH SAM!!!! It was a little premiere, but it was a premiere nonetheless: I still have the HBO wristlet I had to wear to get into the theater. I remember shedding a tear as the last scene rolled, a scene that included the real people whose story had just been told so well. There was an after-party, but Sam didn't want to go, so we went instead to -- IN-N-OUT BURGER!! It was my first time. There we were, all dressed up for the premiere, waiting with a motley collection of folks for some awesome burgers. It was such an LA/Sammy evening, one that I'll never forget.
AMERICAN SPLENDOR – "You might as well know right off the bat, I had a vasectomy."
That’s the line that Harvey (Paul Giamatti) says when he first meets Joyce (Hope Davis), a woman Harvey will wind up marrying. And it perfectly sums up the tone of this movie. A movie which works because it perfectly encapsulates the idea that extraordinary things can be taken from an ordinary, if not miserable, life.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: The explanation of REVENGE OF THE NERDS.
Mom's note: What a splendid little movie this was. Even though I'm not a fan of Paul Giamatti, I couldn't have pictured anyone else playing this part. AND -- I GOT TO GO TO THE PREMIERE WITH SAM!!!! It was a little premiere, but it was a premiere nonetheless: I still have the HBO wristlet I had to wear to get into the theater. I remember shedding a tear as the last scene rolled, a scene that included the real people whose story had just been told so well. There was an after-party, but Sam didn't want to go, so we went instead to -- IN-N-OUT BURGER!! It was my first time. There we were, all dressed up for the premiere, waiting with a motley collection of folks for some awesome burgers. It was such an LA/Sammy evening, one that I'll never forget.
 |
| The premiere wristlet - hanging next to my chalkboard at school |
 |
| Oh, yeah. |
Sunday 10 February 2013
Day #14 - February 10
SAM ON A POPULAR MOVIE PRODUCED BY HIS COMPANY
SCHOOL OF ROCK – "Your children have touched me. And I believe I have touched them as well."
Some might say that I’m biased because I work for the company that produced this movie. For those who say that, I say, rent this movie when it comes out, and see if you don’t enjoy it. Sure, it’s formulaic. So what? If it works, it works. And this one works. Oh by the way. Works.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: When Dewey first puts together all the instruments for the song "Touch Me" by The Doors.
Mom's note: Sam would be the first to admit that a movie produced by his company wasn't the best on the market, but when he loved a movie he worked on, he pretty much shouted it from the rooftops. He worked on this movie, and it was overseen by one of the higher-ups who actually had the last word in hiring him. So I thought you'd like to know Sam's version of his hiring.
He heard through the Northwestern network that this production company was hiring, so he was able to arrange an interview. After making it through the first round with the woman he would be working for, he was brought back in for a second interview with the man who would make the hiring decision in the LA office. The question he was asked: What movie from the previous year NOT made by this production company did Sam think SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE by the company? His response: FAR FROM HEAVEN, a movie set in the 1950s about a married, closeted (what other kind was there in the 50s?) gay man. His future boss then brought in the woman who had originally interviewed him and asked if they had previously discussed this particular movie in the first interview. When she answered no, he told Sam that he loved that movie and agreed with Sam -- and hired him on the spot. Sam called me that day -- he was so excited, and at the moment he didn't even know how much they were going to pay him. He just knew that he was on his way to realizing his dream...
SCHOOL OF ROCK – "Your children have touched me. And I believe I have touched them as well."
Some might say that I’m biased because I work for the company that produced this movie. For those who say that, I say, rent this movie when it comes out, and see if you don’t enjoy it. Sure, it’s formulaic. So what? If it works, it works. And this one works. Oh by the way. Works.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: When Dewey first puts together all the instruments for the song "Touch Me" by The Doors.
Mom's note: Sam would be the first to admit that a movie produced by his company wasn't the best on the market, but when he loved a movie he worked on, he pretty much shouted it from the rooftops. He worked on this movie, and it was overseen by one of the higher-ups who actually had the last word in hiring him. So I thought you'd like to know Sam's version of his hiring.
He heard through the Northwestern network that this production company was hiring, so he was able to arrange an interview. After making it through the first round with the woman he would be working for, he was brought back in for a second interview with the man who would make the hiring decision in the LA office. The question he was asked: What movie from the previous year NOT made by this production company did Sam think SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE by the company? His response: FAR FROM HEAVEN, a movie set in the 1950s about a married, closeted (what other kind was there in the 50s?) gay man. His future boss then brought in the woman who had originally interviewed him and asked if they had previously discussed this particular movie in the first interview. When she answered no, he told Sam that he loved that movie and agreed with Sam -- and hired him on the spot. Sam called me that day -- he was so excited, and at the moment he didn't even know how much they were going to pay him. He just knew that he was on his way to realizing his dream...
 |
| And it had that redheaded beauty Julianne Moore in it... |
Saturday 9 February 2013
Day #15 - February 9
SAM ON A TOUCHING MOVIE ABOUT AN IRISH FAMILY LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE 1980s
IN AMERICA – "Say goodbye to Frankie, Dad."
This was the year of the onion. No, not the humor newspaper. The chopping of the onion. I shed more tears this year than any other year I can recall (other than that period from age 9 to 11 where I would cry at the drop of the hat about anything, which is not really a year, but a couple of years). So, in the year of the movies that made me cry this movie made me cry the hardest. Granted, that does not qualify a movie to be good. I mean, TITANIC got me to sniffle a tad. The difference with this movie was that everything was earned. The acting, the writing, the direction. It added up. It’s not a perfect movie, but it came pretty close. Not to name drop or sound cool, but I went to the U.S. premiere of this movie, and even those emotionless, heartless people who seem to make up a good portion of the film industry were noticeably sniffling. The power of this movie is that it made assholes cry. An asshole crying is a sight to see indeed. On par with the sun setting over the Pacific.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: So many to choose from, but I’ll go with the carnival/tennis ball scene.
Mom's note: This was from the year of Sam's crying at the movies, 2003. Yesterday's entry (Whale Rider) was #8 on this list; this movie was his #1 for that year. Last night I was talking to a friend whom I haven't seen in a while, and she told me that this blog is reminding her of movies that (1) she missed the first time around and plans to see or that (2) she wants to see again. Me, too. This one was a heartbreaker but ultimately so fulfilling - and it's based on Jim Sheridan's true life experience.
IN AMERICA – "Say goodbye to Frankie, Dad."
This was the year of the onion. No, not the humor newspaper. The chopping of the onion. I shed more tears this year than any other year I can recall (other than that period from age 9 to 11 where I would cry at the drop of the hat about anything, which is not really a year, but a couple of years). So, in the year of the movies that made me cry this movie made me cry the hardest. Granted, that does not qualify a movie to be good. I mean, TITANIC got me to sniffle a tad. The difference with this movie was that everything was earned. The acting, the writing, the direction. It added up. It’s not a perfect movie, but it came pretty close. Not to name drop or sound cool, but I went to the U.S. premiere of this movie, and even those emotionless, heartless people who seem to make up a good portion of the film industry were noticeably sniffling. The power of this movie is that it made assholes cry. An asshole crying is a sight to see indeed. On par with the sun setting over the Pacific.
SCENE TO REMEMBER: So many to choose from, but I’ll go with the carnival/tennis ball scene.
Mom's note: This was from the year of Sam's crying at the movies, 2003. Yesterday's entry (Whale Rider) was #8 on this list; this movie was his #1 for that year. Last night I was talking to a friend whom I haven't seen in a while, and she told me that this blog is reminding her of movies that (1) she missed the first time around and plans to see or that (2) she wants to see again. Me, too. This one was a heartbreaker but ultimately so fulfilling - and it's based on Jim Sheridan's true life experience.
Friday 8 February 2013
Day #16 - February 8
SAM ON A MOVIE ABOUT FEMALE EMPOWERMENT -- JUST ONE OF THE REASONS I MISS HIM SO MUCH...
WHALE RIDER – I apologize to this movie for not having a quote.
My mother, an English teacher, wants to add this movie to her students’ curriculum. That’s all I need to say. There are a couple of scenes in this movie where I was all out bawling. It sort of upset the theatre management. They almost kicked me out, but at the last minute, finally relented. Because they started bawling too. By the way, of these top 8 movies, I have cried at seven of them. Guess which one I didn’t cry at…
SCENE TO REMEMBER: When Pai gives her speech at school.
Mom's note: I visited Sam annually in August, but he could only take one day off, so I would spend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with him and then fly home on Monday. The year this movie came out, I had booked a flight later in the day on Monday, so to kill some time I went to see this movie by myself in the Westside Pavilion movie theater (which was right across the street from Sam's duplex). And I sobbed and sobbed -- didn't know until this review came out the next year that Sam had had the same experience, although they didn't threaten to kick me out of the theater. Might have been because there were maybe 2 other people there....
WHALE RIDER – I apologize to this movie for not having a quote.
My mother, an English teacher, wants to add this movie to her students’ curriculum. That’s all I need to say. There are a couple of scenes in this movie where I was all out bawling. It sort of upset the theatre management. They almost kicked me out, but at the last minute, finally relented. Because they started bawling too. By the way, of these top 8 movies, I have cried at seven of them. Guess which one I didn’t cry at…
SCENE TO REMEMBER: When Pai gives her speech at school.
Mom's note: I visited Sam annually in August, but he could only take one day off, so I would spend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with him and then fly home on Monday. The year this movie came out, I had booked a flight later in the day on Monday, so to kill some time I went to see this movie by myself in the Westside Pavilion movie theater (which was right across the street from Sam's duplex). And I sobbed and sobbed -- didn't know until this review came out the next year that Sam had had the same experience, although they didn't threaten to kick me out of the theater. Might have been because there were maybe 2 other people there....
Thursday 7 February 2013
Day #17 - February 7
SAM ON A MILITARY MOVIE THAT HE REALLY...UM...DESPISED.
JARHEAD – I wonder whether veterans who have seen their best friends
die in foxholes appreciate a movie about a bunch of kids (my
generation) complaining about not seeing any action. That's what this
movie is. Here's another reason to hate this movie: "Fundamentally,
Jarhead disobeys all the laws of American movies, and not just the
political laws of American movies right now which demand on some level
to tell us which side they're on. In Europe, there's a sense this
film comes from the tradition of absurdist war movies about the
futility of conflict. It has more in common with Beckett, Sartre and
Banuel than it does with Oliver Stone. In America, they assumed I was
trying to make an Oliver Stone movie and that I'd failed." – Sam
Mendes. Um, Sam. You made a movie about a bunch of whiny brats. Oh
and by the way, Americans love DR. STRANGELOVE, MASH, and CATCH-22.
All absurdist military fare and not about whiny brats. I hate Oliver
Stone, but I hate your movie more. Asshole.
Mom's note: I didn't like Sam Mendes much either after he cheated on the lovely Kate Winslet -- and I haven't seen Skyfall yet.
JARHEAD – I wonder whether veterans who have seen their best friends
die in foxholes appreciate a movie about a bunch of kids (my
generation) complaining about not seeing any action. That's what this
movie is. Here's another reason to hate this movie: "Fundamentally,
Jarhead disobeys all the laws of American movies, and not just the
political laws of American movies right now which demand on some level
to tell us which side they're on. In Europe, there's a sense this
film comes from the tradition of absurdist war movies about the
futility of conflict. It has more in common with Beckett, Sartre and
Banuel than it does with Oliver Stone. In America, they assumed I was
trying to make an Oliver Stone movie and that I'd failed." – Sam
Mendes. Um, Sam. You made a movie about a bunch of whiny brats. Oh
and by the way, Americans love DR. STRANGELOVE, MASH, and CATCH-22.
All absurdist military fare and not about whiny brats. I hate Oliver
Stone, but I hate your movie more. Asshole.
Mom's note: I didn't like Sam Mendes much either after he cheated on the lovely Kate Winslet -- and I haven't seen Skyfall yet.
Wednesday 6 February 2013
Day #18 - February 6
Today's entry is under the heading of movies that Sam "really liked" -- with some quintessential "Sam" commentary...
BAD EDUCATION – Like Hitchcock's VERTIGO, but, y'know, super gay.
BOURNE SUPREMACY – Great action sequences, unfortunately, I was bored
by the story once we hit the one-hour mark. Just some bad writing.
CONTROL ROOM – Not the strongest documentary, but effective in getting
across the message that we can't trust anyone to deliver truth to us.
HOTEL RWANDA – Ever see a PG-13 movie about genocide? Yeah, not as
powerful. Cheadle's great though.
IN GOOD COMPANY – Almost there. Almost! Tantalizing close to
something really special. Just had an awful ending. I mean, awful.
Mom's note: Never a doubt about Sam's opinion on movies....
BAD EDUCATION – Like Hitchcock's VERTIGO, but, y'know, super gay.
BOURNE SUPREMACY – Great action sequences, unfortunately, I was bored
by the story once we hit the one-hour mark. Just some bad writing.
CONTROL ROOM – Not the strongest documentary, but effective in getting
across the message that we can't trust anyone to deliver truth to us.
HOTEL RWANDA – Ever see a PG-13 movie about genocide? Yeah, not as
powerful. Cheadle's great though.
IN GOOD COMPANY – Almost there. Almost! Tantalizing close to
something really special. Just had an awful ending. I mean, awful.
Mom's note: Never a doubt about Sam's opinion on movies....
Tuesday 5 February 2013
Day #19 - February 5
SAM RESPONDING TO A MOMMY NAG ABOUT HIS MOVIE REVIEW LIST
I'm writing my list...just kind of tired. I went to a Spirit Awards party Thursday night. Zach Braff tried to pick up my date by grabbing her and trying to pinch her butt. She rebuffed him, but he just moved to another group of girls to do the same thing. They responded better. Not a good show for an alum. [Zach Braff went to Northwestern]
I really liked Half Nelson. I think if I hadn't seen The Wire though, I wouldn't have liked it as much. That show covers that world so well that I felt I could understand the characters better in Half Nelson.
Mom's note: Sam was totally OBSESSED with The Wire. He made us watch the first few episodes and even left Season 1 at home with us (and if you know how anal he was about his DVD collection, you'll understand what a big deal that was!!). And so we became totally obsessed as well -- to this day. My favorite comment about the series came from a teacher friend of mine who watched only the best that TV had to offer and was quite vocal about it: "If you have HBO and you're not watching The Wire, you're just foolish." Oh, and if you have read any of the Jo Nesbo novels (The Snowman, Phantom), there are any number of references to Baltimore and The Wire....
I'm writing my list...just kind of tired. I went to a Spirit Awards party Thursday night. Zach Braff tried to pick up my date by grabbing her and trying to pinch her butt. She rebuffed him, but he just moved to another group of girls to do the same thing. They responded better. Not a good show for an alum. [Zach Braff went to Northwestern]
I really liked Half Nelson. I think if I hadn't seen The Wire though, I wouldn't have liked it as much. That show covers that world so well that I felt I could understand the characters better in Half Nelson.
Mom's note: Sam was totally OBSESSED with The Wire. He made us watch the first few episodes and even left Season 1 at home with us (and if you know how anal he was about his DVD collection, you'll understand what a big deal that was!!). And so we became totally obsessed as well -- to this day. My favorite comment about the series came from a teacher friend of mine who watched only the best that TV had to offer and was quite vocal about it: "If you have HBO and you're not watching The Wire, you're just foolish." Oh, and if you have read any of the Jo Nesbo novels (The Snowman, Phantom), there are any number of references to Baltimore and The Wire....
Monday 4 February 2013
Day #20 - February 4
SAM ON LES MIZ AND HIS NEMESIS ON THE INTERNET (Milam's comment about 4 drunk LA girls walking down the street singing songs from Les Miserables inspired this post)
SS (in response to an "obscure " -- not so obscure any more -- answer Sam had given to her [a fellow tracking member] via email): Sam, what is (2-4-6-0-1!!!)? Morse code?
SAM: Jean Valjean's prisoner number. In the musical for Les Miserables, he screams it out right after asking the question "Who am I?"
Oh yes, I am quite lame.
Btw, attached is an image of what people first think of when they see my name in print. Happily, he's not on studio system...yet.
Mom's note: Sam would have thrown a fit if he had seen the title of this post "SAM ON LES MIZ..." -- he hated it when people shortened titles: "Mom, it's 'Les MisERABLES,' not 'Les Miz'!" "It's 'Phantom of the Opera,' not just 'Phantom'!"
SS (in response to an "obscure " -- not so obscure any more -- answer Sam had given to her [a fellow tracking member] via email): Sam, what is (2-4-6-0-1!!!)? Morse code?
SAM: Jean Valjean's prisoner number. In the musical for Les Miserables, he screams it out right after asking the question "Who am I?"
Oh yes, I am quite lame.
Btw, attached is an image of what people first think of when they see my name in print. Happily, he's not on studio system...yet.
Mom's note: Sam would have thrown a fit if he had seen the title of this post "SAM ON LES MIZ..." -- he hated it when people shortened titles: "Mom, it's 'Les MisERABLES,' not 'Les Miz'!" "It's 'Phantom of the Opera,' not just 'Phantom'!"
Sunday 3 February 2013
Day #21 - February 3
SAM ON FALLEN IDOLS (FROM THE TRACKING GROUP EMAILS)
SAM: I don't like Gaghan (Stephen Gaghan, writer and director of SYRIANA; writer of TRAFFIC).
Especially after SYRIANA. That movie felt like the cool kids read a magazine article and decided to make a movie.
SM: Exactly. I like him even less when I saw him in the coffee bean on the Lot last week and he had one of those big LL Bean canvas bags with his initials monogrammed in them. I mean really? Who does he think he is?
SAM: Hahaha...
At one of those screenwriting panels, I once got Aaron Sorkin to sign a copy of the first five scripts of the West Wing for my mother, and while signing, he complimented Stephen Gaghan, sitting next to him, on the realism of the free-basing scenes in Traffic. My innocence took a hit there. Thanks, Aaron!
That's all I got.
SAM: I don't like Gaghan (Stephen Gaghan, writer and director of SYRIANA; writer of TRAFFIC).
Especially after SYRIANA. That movie felt like the cool kids read a magazine article and decided to make a movie.
SM: Exactly. I like him even less when I saw him in the coffee bean on the Lot last week and he had one of those big LL Bean canvas bags with his initials monogrammed in them. I mean really? Who does he think he is?
SAM: Hahaha...
At one of those screenwriting panels, I once got Aaron Sorkin to sign a copy of the first five scripts of the West Wing for my mother, and while signing, he complimented Stephen Gaghan, sitting next to him, on the realism of the free-basing scenes in Traffic. My innocence took a hit there. Thanks, Aaron!
That's all I got.
 |
| Even though he's a "fallen idol," it's still pretty cool to have an autographed book from Aaron Sorkin... |
Saturday 2 February 2013
Day #22 - February 2
SAM AND TEAM AMERICA: PART TWO (AND THE DOCUMENT WAS 21 PAGES, NOT 40...)
I actually found the document referred to yesterday, so I thought it might be interesting to share Sam's comments to another executive in his production company along with a list of the movies he had to watch. Each one of the movie titles is followed by at least a paragraph detailing specific sex scenes in the movie. Wow.
Below is a detailed list of movies with graphic sex scenes from features released from 2000-2004, including scene descriptions. The descriptions in ITALICS are from Screen It!, an internet watchdog site for parents that provides information on the content of the film that is unsuitable for children. The descriptions in BOLD are from Mr. Skin.com, the authoritative (albeit, more informal) online celebrity sex database. Mr. Skin is a frequent guest on Howard Stern. The movies with the question mark have no entry of either website, but might contain graphic sex scenes.
In some cases, where the sex is not explicit, we have included scenes that are highly suggestive. We hope you enjoy.
AND THE LIST...
COMEDIES
24 Hour Party People (2003)
40 Days and 40 Nights (2002)
Alfie (2004)
American Pie (1999)
American Pie 2 (2001)
American Wedding (2003)
Amy's O (2002)
Bad Santa (2003)
Cecil B. Demented (2000)
Chuck & Buck (2000)
Club Dread (2004)
Eurotrip (2004)
The Girl Next Door (2004)
Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
Human Nature (2002)
Love Actually (2003)
National Lampoon's Dorm Daze (2003)
Not Another Teen Movie (2001)
One Night at McCool's (2001)
The Rules of Attraction (2002)
Saving Silverman (2001)
Scary Movie (2000)
Scary Movie 2 (2002)
Soul Plane (2004)
Van Wilder (2002)
Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
What Planet are You from? (2000)
The Whole Nine Yards (2000)
OTHER (no dates from me - got tired of typing them...!!)
21 Grams
8 Mile
American Beauty
American Psycho
Auto Focus
Before Night Falls
Boys Don't Cry
Cold Mountain
The Cooler
Dancing at the Blue Iguana
Dawn of the Dead
Demonlover
Dirty Pretty Things
The Door in the Floor
Eyes Wide Shut
Femme Fatale
The Fluffer
Frida
Full Frontal
Garage Days
The Good Girl
Heaven
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
A Home at the End of the World
House of Sand and Fog
Igby Goes Down
In the Cut
Intermission
Jesus' Son
Killing Me Softly
The Life of David Gale
Lilya 4-ever
Love and Basketball
Monster
Monster's Ball
The Mother
Mulholland Drive
One Hour Photo
Original Sin
Party Monster
Piano Teacher
Quills
Reindeer Games
Requiem for a Dream
Secretary
Sexy Beast
Spider
Storytelling
Swimming Pool
Swordfish
Sylvia
Thirteen
Touch of Pink
Unfaithful
Waking the Dead
Wonderland
XX/XY
I actually found the document referred to yesterday, so I thought it might be interesting to share Sam's comments to another executive in his production company along with a list of the movies he had to watch. Each one of the movie titles is followed by at least a paragraph detailing specific sex scenes in the movie. Wow.
Below is a detailed list of movies with graphic sex scenes from features released from 2000-2004, including scene descriptions. The descriptions in ITALICS are from Screen It!, an internet watchdog site for parents that provides information on the content of the film that is unsuitable for children. The descriptions in BOLD are from Mr. Skin.com, the authoritative (albeit, more informal) online celebrity sex database. Mr. Skin is a frequent guest on Howard Stern. The movies with the question mark have no entry of either website, but might contain graphic sex scenes.
In some cases, where the sex is not explicit, we have included scenes that are highly suggestive. We hope you enjoy.
AND THE LIST...
COMEDIES
24 Hour Party People (2003)
40 Days and 40 Nights (2002)
Alfie (2004)
American Pie (1999)
American Pie 2 (2001)
American Wedding (2003)
Amy's O (2002)
Bad Santa (2003)
Cecil B. Demented (2000)
Chuck & Buck (2000)
Club Dread (2004)
Eurotrip (2004)
The Girl Next Door (2004)
Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
Human Nature (2002)
Love Actually (2003)
National Lampoon's Dorm Daze (2003)
Not Another Teen Movie (2001)
One Night at McCool's (2001)
The Rules of Attraction (2002)
Saving Silverman (2001)
Scary Movie (2000)
Scary Movie 2 (2002)
Soul Plane (2004)
Van Wilder (2002)
Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
What Planet are You from? (2000)
The Whole Nine Yards (2000)
OTHER (no dates from me - got tired of typing them...!!)
21 Grams
8 Mile
American Beauty
American Psycho
Auto Focus
Before Night Falls
Boys Don't Cry
Cold Mountain
The Cooler
Dancing at the Blue Iguana
Dawn of the Dead
Demonlover
Dirty Pretty Things
The Door in the Floor
Eyes Wide Shut
Femme Fatale
The Fluffer
Frida
Full Frontal
Garage Days
The Good Girl
Heaven
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
A Home at the End of the World
House of Sand and Fog
Igby Goes Down
In the Cut
Intermission
Jesus' Son
Killing Me Softly
The Life of David Gale
Lilya 4-ever
Love and Basketball
Monster
Monster's Ball
The Mother
Mulholland Drive
One Hour Photo
Original Sin
Party Monster
Piano Teacher
Quills
Reindeer Games
Requiem for a Dream
Secretary
Sexy Beast
Spider
Storytelling
Swimming Pool
Swordfish
Sylvia
Thirteen
Touch of Pink
Unfaithful
Waking the Dead
Wonderland
XX/XY
Friday 1 February 2013
Day #23 - February 1
SAM ON A MOVIE ABOUT WHICH HE WROTE A 40-PAGE DOCUMENT TO OBTAIN AN R RATING
TEAM AMERICA – It's worth noting that I had to research sex scenes for
this movie to get its R rating. There's nothing quite like watching
celebrities bopping on each other's navels! [This was on the list of movies that he liked]
Mom's note: Sam and a few other Rudin employees spent hours in research (as Sam mentions) to make sure that this movie got an R rating -- I have the 40-page document to prove it. And this was the only place I could find the wording for the original R-rating -- check out the cast & credits section of this review from Roger Ebert -- the wording is Sam's because he kept saying, "But they're PUPPETS!"
"Team America: World Police," with its puppet cast, sneers at both sides of the war on terrorism.
Roger Ebert / October 15, 2004
"What are you rebelling against, Johnny?"
"Whaddya got?"
--Marlon Brando in "The Wild One"
If this dialogue is not inscribed over the doors of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, it should be. Their "Team America: World Police" is an equal opportunity offender, and waves of unease will flow over first one segment of their audience, and then another. Like a cocky teenager who's had a couple of drinks before the party, they don't have a plan for who they want to offend,
TEAM AMERICA – It's worth noting that I had to research sex scenes for
this movie to get its R rating. There's nothing quite like watching
celebrities bopping on each other's navels! [This was on the list of movies that he liked]
Mom's note: Sam and a few other Rudin employees spent hours in research (as Sam mentions) to make sure that this movie got an R rating -- I have the 40-page document to prove it. And this was the only place I could find the wording for the original R-rating -- check out the cast & credits section of this review from Roger Ebert -- the wording is Sam's because he kept saying, "But they're PUPPETS!"
"Team America: World Police," with its puppet cast, sneers at both sides of the war on terrorism.
Team America: World Police
Roger Ebert / October 15, 2004
Cast & Credits
Featuring the voices of Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Kristen Miller and Daran NorrisParamount Pictures presents a film directed by Trey Parker. Written by Parker, Matt Stone and Pam Brady. Running time: 98 minutes. Rated R (for graphic, crude and sexual humor, violent images and strong language, all involving puppets). |
"What are you rebelling against, Johnny?"
"Whaddya got?"
--Marlon Brando in "The Wild One"
If this dialogue is not inscribed over the doors of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, it should be. Their "Team America: World Police" is an equal opportunity offender, and waves of unease will flow over first one segment of their audience, and then another. Like a cocky teenager who's had a couple of drinks before the party, they don't have a plan for who they want to offend,
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