Bell, Book, and Candle

I saw this somewhat absurd 1958 movie with Kim Novak and Jimmy Stewart yesterday where Kim Novak was a witch and Jimmy Stewart was a publisher. It was made a year after Vertigo, and it was no Vertigo. That said, Kim Novak was luminous, Jimmy Stewart was irresistable, and it had one of my favorite bits of dialogue ever.

Jimmy Stewart: You’re reading that?
Kim Novak: Oh, Magic in Mexico, yes. Are you interested in that sort of thing?
JS: Well not personally but professionally I’m a publisher.
. . .
KN: Did you publish that?
JS: No but I wish I had. Sort of like the Kinsey Report.
KN: Well I can’t think why. It’s completely phony.
JS: It is?
KN: I spent a year in Mexico. I’m sure they fed him a lot of fake tourist stuff, and he swallowed it whole.
JS: Well maybe they did that to Kinsey too.

I love that they're talking about the Kinsey Report and that they're questioning his methodology, much like several others did in a Gender Studies dinner last week. I love Kinsey. My favorite famous Hoosiers, in no particular order: Kurt Vonnegut, Eugene V. Debs, Alfred Kinsey, David Letterman, Johnny Cougar, Madame CJ Walker, Carole Lombard, Ernie Pyle, James Dean, Theodor Dreiser, and Birch Bayh.

Movies to Look for

Movies I'm excited about:

Get Smart: This was a favorite for my brother and me back in Nick at Nite days. Moreover, as Stale Popcorn pointed out, the casting is perfect. Steve Carrell as Max Smart, Anne Hathaway as Agent 99.

Knocked Up: I was actually a little disappointed with 40 Year Old Virgin (good but not the revelation I expected given Freaks and Geeks and all the hype), but I have my hopes way up again for Knocked Up. First, more F&G and Undeclared alums. Especially Ken. Second, the trailer is hilarious. Third, the girl's name is Alison. I think that's enough.

Sunshine/28 Weeks Later: Both of these have huge bomb-potential. Sunshine is getting mixed reviews from what I can tell. 28 Weeks Later doesn't have Danny Boyle at the helm anymore. But I can't help it. I really want to see both these sci-fi Brit, Danny Boyle-associated dramas. Give it up.

Harry Potter: Yes I did see this already, but it was not done. I loved it enough I am including it on the list.

Hot Fuzz: Shaun of the Dead was very funny. I've heard this is very funny from Mark Kermode. And if there's anyone I trust regarding British comedies, it's Mark Kermode. My friend T has also said it's good and between T and Kermode, that's a done deal.

image c/o Stale Popcorn.

Kurt Vonnegut

I'm late to join the blogging world in mourning the passing of Kurt Vonnegut. I was so sad to hear he had passed away. Vonnegut was always very personal to me since he was a Nap Town native who moved to Chicago. This also pushed my appreciation in odd directions. For example I've read Palm Sunday, but not Cat's Cradle. My favorite part of Slaughterhouse Five is where he makes fun of the University of Chicago's Committee on Social Thought. Odd, but still I love all his stuff and look foward to revisiting even the Indiana-less Mother Night and maybe finally picking up Cat's Cradle. We'll miss you KV.

Blog revival

Here's Stephan with his new Transformers gun. He's sticking up Jeremy at Rotofugi. Care of iccdp from the Rotofugi boards.

Bday update

I know I've been neglecting this blog when I'm posting an update about my February birthday. It's cold enough to be February here. Anyway, there's so many wonderful birthday presents I should post, but first and foremost, Stephan commissioned our favorite artist to make me a present. And here he is:

NEW COMPUTER

I have been neglecting the blog big time, but mostly due to a plethora of computer problems. But now. Now, I have a brand new, gleaming white new Mac. I'm slightly nauseuous about how much money I just spent, and feel a little guilty for ditching my poor silver non-functioning Gateway. Nonetheless, it was time and I'm so so so happy with the new little guy. Welcome new little guy!