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1. I wear a size 13 shoe, which puts me on the cusp of available sizes. Some shoe-makers stop at 12, some stop at 13, so finding shoes is a crap shoot for me.

2. I never lock my car, and only roll the windows up if I think it will rain.

3. People who attempt to guess my ethnic mix are often perplexed. Am I white? Am I… something else? Turns out I’m 50% Sicilian, 25% Mexican, 12.5% Cheyenne Indian, and 12.5% Swedish. Now you know.

4. I think Coke is lots better then Pepsi. So is RC. Pepsi is too sweet.

5. I’ve never lost a game of one-on-one basketball

6. As a kid, I taught myself sleight of hand involving cards; prestidigitation, as it were. To this day I can still do some pretty neat card tricks, but I know that’s kind of dorky, so I tend to keep it to myself.

7. I collect vintage board games.

8. I consider myself responsible for Taco Bell returning the Enchirito™ to their menu.

9. My favorite animal is the monkey.

10. My favorite director is Preston Sturges. I’ve watched all his movies many times each, and can practically recite them as I watch, and yet I never tire of them.

Today’s Question: What 10 things do I want to know about you?

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Last week I was finally able to find the film Fancy Pants at the video store. It had been missing for years, and someone either FINALLY returned it, or the store bought a new copy. Either way, there it was, so I grabbed it. My mom showed it to me when I was a child and I liked it, but I couldn’t remember too much about it. I wondered if it would still appeal to me, for now as an adult (more or less), both main stars, Bob Hope or Lucille Ball, are hit or miss with me.

My fears were quickly placated– I was laughing from the get go, and throughout the entire film. Fizzy watched it with me, and she enjoyed it, too. I haven’t seen many, but for what it’s worth, this is my favorite of Bob Hope’s films. Anyone out there who, like me before watching this, doesn’t think of him as a great comedic actor, needs to see this film just to make SURE you don’t like him. He plays an American actor impersonating a British butler impersonating British royalty, and has many great scenes, including his retelling of an encounter he had where his military outfit found itself in a position of “3 against 1000.” Truly hilarious, in the rapid-paced, fast-talking, clever dialogue format that has nearly disappeared from films of the modern era.

If you find yourself enjoying Bob Hope in Fancy Pants, I only know of one other film he made that I found extremely enjoyable– Bachelor in Paradise. Funny stuff, man.

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Like most people, I enjoy watching movies. Unlike some, I especially enjoy films from the studio era of Hollywood. I definitely appreciate modern films as well, but there is something about the movies made in Hollywood prior to the mid-1960s or so that I find appealing. Part of the appeal lies in the black & white film, for it adds an additional layer of separation from reality to the film, but even the color films of that era are marvelous. They seem to have been purposely made to be less than realistic, in much the same way that reading a novel, while engrossing and enjoyable, is in no way mistakable for real-life. I appreciate that; the fades, the cuts, the edits, the dialogue, the cinematography– it all mixes into a larger-than-life, if not true-to-life, whole, and it draws me in as deeply as a modern film, can, albeit in an entirely different manner.

More than even realism, mainstream films today are built around the bottom line. Not that they weren’t always created to generate profit, but never to the exclusion of all else until recently. Since “Jaws,” it seems that with each passing year studios are concerned only with churning out films that will generate a massive opening weekend take at the box office, and then fade from sight in time for the next weekend’s offering. It’s not as important that a film be enjoyable as it is that it can be promoted in a manner that will attract large crowds to its premiere. Big stars, ample action, and a catchy soundtrack are more important than plot or dialogue. I have even noticed that in recent years coming attractions for films invariably include a list of the artists featured on the soundtrack– information unnecessary other than to generate extra revenue from a film.

I’ve been uninspired to write lately, as well as busy with family matters, but in some upcoming posts I’ll throw out some movies that I think are particularly wonderful. Some of them may not be available on DVD, but many are out in the VHS format and available for rental to any luddites still sporting a VCR. Hopefully some of my regular readers (if any are still with me after such an extended period of virtual inactivity) will be inspired to go out and rent a film you’d otherwise never have heard about, and possibly even enjoy it.

Today’s Question: Is there a pre-1950 film you particularly love?

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Last summer I watched Finding Nemo. I won’t spoil anything, so don’t worry about reading this review if you haven’t seen the movie yet. Maybe they find Nemo, maybe they don’t.

I must say, I walked into the theater with some hesitation, as the previews for the film struck me as less than exciting. I only opted to see the film after remembering that even thought Monsters, Inc. looked awful to me in previews, I loved it. So I gave Finding Nemo a chance. Sure enough, while I did not enjoy it quite as much as I did Monsters, Inc., I found Finding Nemo to be great fun. For what it’s worth, my favorite fish in the film is Dori.

If you’re not familiar with the film, I will give you a bit of the story, and again, I promise not to spoil anything. Nemo, the son of a clownfish named Marlin, is captured by a fisherman, and Marlin sets off to rescue him. Much hilarity ensues.

Oh, and don’t be fooled. Nemo is lost, then found, in the first few moments of the film. I feared the film had ended and stood to leave the theater, feeling more than a little ripped off I must say, but it turned to be mere foreshadowing, and the film continued.

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If one watches Casablanca hoping to see Star Wars, disappointment in Casablanca‘s lack of wookiees does not make it a bad film. I’ve heard and read considerable negative reactions to the two Matrix sequels, the latest of which came out a few days ago. I suspect those who wanted to see a rehash of the original were puzzled by the thought-provoking philosophical exposition of the themes running through all three films.

I absolutely loved The Matrix. It is not only among my favorite science fiction films, it is one of my favorite films, period. The second and third Matrix movies, in reality one long film, are nearly as good, albeit very different films from the original. Best of all, the directors don’t beat you over the head with anything; rather they pour out a lot of philosophy and plot, and are subtle with everything. But it all makes sense, and it all comes together into a coherent whole, which is remarkable considering the vast amount of detail and information that was poured into the film.

What I think makes Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions amazing, and possibly unique, is that for all the fantastic action and amazing visual effects, it is the only science fiction movie I’ve seen that deals with such staples of the genre as super-human strength, flying people, and knowing one’s future, in which everything is grounded in reality. Nothing in that film is illogical or impossible. Like all sci-fi films, it has its central conceit– in this case, that one can upload one’s mind into a computer. From that point on, it plays more like Franz Capra than George Lucas. Nearly every single moment, line, and action is necessary to further the plot, and every last aspect ties together in a logically impeccable manner. It requires intelligence, patience, and very deep thought on the part of the audience, but rewards them with a staggering and masterful work of logic.

I’d recommend that anyone who likes being made to think watch the two Matrix sequels. Even if you aren’t into such things, they are still worth seeing, for, to be honest, there is a lot of well-crafted action going on there too. Even if you can’t stand “thinking” movies, there should be enough to hold your interest.

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It’s very early Tuesday morning right now, which means technically we are well into a new week, but I feel like it’s Sunday night and I’m winding down from a weekend. Let’s call it a weekend-plus. Why did my weekend extend itself into Tuesday? Because Pessi came to visit. I’ll spare you the details and focus on a few highlights.

Saturday night our friend Gorman played his first DJ set in a proper night club. Before this point it had been all house parties and such, but you couldn’t tell by watching him that he was a virgin to a club set. He spun at Fuse on Broadway, and he did really well. Lots of us came out to show our support, not to mention dance to his tracks. Fizzy, Pessi, and I were joined by Sunny, MaiTaiBoy, MaiTaiGirl, Hair-Alex, Mallgirl, Kaveh, Bellybutton, and several others. Then most of us went to eat Korean food afterwards. That was after a pre-club dinner at Blake’s in Berkeley, with Q and her high school pal Teresa. Two dinners in one night? I’m for it!

Sunday I made pancakes for the three of us, and we watched lots of movies on television. We saw the last half of Die Hard, and some awful Mandy Moore movie called A Walk to Remember. Then the three of us went to Sunnyvale to Palace BBQ Buffet. I’d been raving about it to them for years about the all-you-can-eat Korean restaurant, and even if we’d had Korean food the night before we opted to have more. Though skeptical at first, both Fizzy and Pessi soon shared my sentiment of “mmmmm.” In fact, Pessi ate so much she barfed up a jellyfish on the way to the cinema, for rals. At said cinema we saw 28 Days Later. I can only describe it as an art-house zombie film, and tell you that it is worth watching.

Somehow after all that food, we decided to go to Denny’s at 1:00 am. We played Monopoly there until after 4; Pessi won. I held out for a long time, surprisingly since I had only the 3 red properties and the 2 utilities. After she bankrupted Fizzy, Pessi had EVERYTHING else and I knew I was doomed. We got back to Berkeley at close to 5:00 am, and still had the energy to toss a football around Bancroft Way for a while. Pessi made the best “catch” when she ducked and covered her head with her arms as the ball sailed past her.

Monday turned out to be more eating. In fact, looking back I realize that about all we did the entire time was eat. It was lunch at Barney’s on Piedmont, followed by a walk to Fenton’s for our afters. Local television variety show Evening Magazine was there to film a segment to be shown this coming Thursday (July 3rd) on channel 5 (KPIX). Who did they pick out of the entire restaurant to enjoy a free banana split and be interviewed for their show? Us! We’d already finished our sundaes, but tucked into the new one with reckless relish. Too much ice cream!

There was more eating later, and then Taco Bell just a few minutes ago, and THEN Happy Donuts. I think I’m ready to barf up a few jellyfish at this point myself. That makes me wonder…do you sense Today’s Question coming? Here it is: If you barfed right now, what would come out? That’s gross. Answer it!

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A while back I made an Amazon Listmania! list of films I feel should be on DVD but are not. I happened across it tonight, and I noticed that only Parker Posey’s Party Girl had made the big jump to DVD. The rest are still, sadly, only available in the VHS format. Here is the link to the list, in case you’d like to see it. You can read my witty comments about each movie.

Wasn’t that fun? Now that you’re back, let’s talk about DVDs for a moment. Why is it that when I go to shop for DVDs, I can find walls of crappy “cult” films, like that of our friend Dr. Zombie Butcher who capped off the list, but a dearth of quality classics? I understand it takes time to go through the process of bringing an older film out on DVD, but come on. Someone is taking the time to transfer all those horrible cult films. I refuse to believe they sell well. Quick show of hands: who here in blog-land buys such DVDs? See, I told you. Nary a paw was lifted.

To make matters worse, half the time a fine older film is released, it is taken out of print soon thereafter. I’ve spent many a pretty penny on eBay of late in an attempt to collect what few of their classic horror films Universal Studios deigned to release on DVD. Even so, I’m missing a handful. Ghost of Frankenstein, anyone? Doesn’t the fact that it routinely auctions for $60 to $100 give a not-so-subtle hint to the powers that be that there is in fact a demand for it, and similar films?

Today’s Question: What currently VHS-only film would you like to see released on DVD?

I want Mothra.

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Well, Pessi got moved. She is now back in Los Angeles, and Fizzy and I are without our social coordinator. Now it’s up to us to figure out how to have fun on a Friday night. The move went well. It was nice to meet the Fizzies, and they seemed genuinely happy to have me in their home. Fizzy, Pessi, and I spent much of the time playing Chinese Poker, a variation of poker that I’d have to explain in person if you don’t know it. It’s easy to learn, quick to play, fun, and addictive.

I visited my Aunt and Uncle while I was down south. I always marvel at their place; the absolute definition of neat, orderly, tasteful decor. Every square inch of that house is exactly as it should be, always. Aunt Mary is unparalleled in the universe when it comes to house-keeping. Meanwhile, my Uncle Jack, though nearing 80 (Egad!) is the most precise and talented carpenter I’ve ever known. He builds amazing things.

He also served in World War II, and for the first time he shared some tales with me. He was in Europe on D-Day plus 5, initially as an engineer setting up bridges and such as the troops moved, but was soon thrown into the infantry. He marched into Germany with the rest of the liberating Allied Forces. The stories he told, and the entire endeavor, were utterly unfathomable to my modern mind.

This is turning into one of those journal-style posts of which I disapprove. At least some of the other diary blogs I’ve read are filled with heartbreak and despair; I lack the angst I see in so many other posts. Is my life really that much peachier then everyone else’s? I’m certainly happy. My life seems to have all it needs at this point, and regardless, I enjoy the bad as much as the good. Time is short on this earth. Heck, some day I’ll probably wish I could go back and relive even the worst of times, as even those will be better then what’s coming. That was probably the most uplifting thought about pending death ever written. But it’s way true. When I’m 90 and having my heart attack or whatever, won’t I wish I was 20 and stubbing my toe or 25 and barfing sick or whatever. It’s that philosophy that helps me appreciate every second of life, even seconds spent in dentist’s chairs or smacking thumbs with hammers.

I should wrap up soon…don’t want to bore and alienate my readership (all three of you?). I’ve set a precedent of asking a question, a precedent I am questioning, by the way, and so I’ll come up with one. Ideally, the question would relate to the above blog, but bear with me. I’m still semi-new to this medium.

So then, I was talking earlier with Fizzy about something kinda’ fun. Today’s Question: Based on the types of characters they normally play, if a film was made of YOUR life, what actor/actress would play you? I call dibs on Cary Grant, though my reasoning is maybe a bit backward. When I was a child I spent an inordinate amount of time alone, or with my Mom, watching old films. Cary Grant was always my favorite, to the extent that when adults asked me “what do you want to be when you grow up, little man?” my response was always, “Cary Grant.”

As to whether or not I in fact grew into a modern-day incarnation of Mr. Grant I cannot say. If pressed, I’d go with “punk rock Cary Grant for the new century.” Or maybe I flatter myself, and I’m actually a hillbilly Ralph Bellamy?