i'm in the mood, the rhythm is right

Music and movies are two very separate and wonderful things, and as is often the case when two wonderful things collide, adding the right music to the right moment in the right movie can be explosively great. Disney is a master of this, but I've covered that. Here are a few of my favourite examples (of the non-animated kind):

A Clockwork Orange and Beethoven's 9th Symphony
This is really the perfect example of what I'm talking about. Beethoven's music deeply permeates this film, which I just adore. Beethoven is one of the only classical composers I listen to and it's because his work is so deliciously dramatic. Alex really says it best (in my favourite quote from a book ever): "Oh, bliss, bliss and heaven - oh, it was gorgeousness and gorgeousity made flesh. It was like a bird of rarest-spun heaven metal or like silvery wine flowing in a spaceship, gravity all nonsense now."
It's easy to associate the piece with A Clockwork Orange, but the movie doesn't own it. The song is so rich and complex that it cannot be "stolen" that easily.


Harold and Maude and Cat Steven's "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out"
A gorgeously simplistic song that sums up the theme of the film, and gives it an inspiring finish.

Dazed and Confused and any rock song from the 70's with "ride" in the title
Once you've seen the movie, have you ever heard "Slow Ride", "Lowrider" or "Free Ride" without instantly flashing back to the oh-so-joyous memories of watching Dazed and Confused? Yes? Then you just haven't seen it enough times.
It also has the distinguishing feature of making KISS almost enjoyable.


The Big Lebowski and First Edition's "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)"
First of all, it's weird that Kenny Rogers was in a pseudo-psychedelic band to begin with. But this song is awesome and conveys such vivid images of the Dude's badass dance skills that it's almost impossible to listen to without enjoying.


Almost Famous and Elton John's "Tiny Dancer"
There is no song that's transformed by a movie quite like "Tiny Dancer". I'll admit that I'm not a huge Elton John fan, but after watching the absolutely fantastic tourbus sing-along, it sends chills down my spine.
As well, Led Zeppelin's "Misty Mountain Hop" gives immediate images of plane-boarding and rock-star life.
Like Dazed and Confused, every song on the soundtrack becomes amazing because it reminds you of what a great movie you saw it with.

all these strange relationships really get me down, i see nothing wrong in spreading myself around

I don't usually do tags, unless they're interesting, and this one is! I was tagged by Daughters of Dawn Vintage, who run a cool blog and an awesome vintage store, right out of the spectacular city of Vancouver.

The Rules Are...
1. Go to the 4th folder in your computer where you store your pictures.
2. Pick the 4th picture in that folder.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 people to do the same!

Well....yeah.

This is Harold, from Harold and Maude, faking another suicide. You're welcome!
I usually don't do the "tag other blogs" because it feels so clique-y, but I can see how these "memes" (is that what they're called?) reach a sort of dead end if I don't. So I will tag four randomly-chosen commenters from my last post, using an intricate system too complex to detail. Libby, Keith, Jill and Mimi...I choose you! A thousand apologies if you've already been chosen.

And, the results are in from my poll as to who of my Top 10 you find sexiest, and it was a tie! With a whopping four votes each, the joint crown goes to...

Mick Jagger and Steven Hyde!
I would make some kind of threesome joke, but considering the fact that Mick likely would be very up for it, and Hyde would be beyond appalled, the pairing was too sensitive.
You know, a lot of you expressed your approval for the list, so I'm forced to concede that I have fantastic taste in men. However, there's the odd sort of "what?"-kind-of-guy that I'm attracted to as well, and I feel they need similar recognition.
So without further ado, my "Seriously? You're Into That?" Sexy List:

1. Real from I Love Money and I Love New York
I don't know what it is. I don't think we even get these shows in Canada, I only saw them when I was in the States, but I'm all about the Real. A wikipedia search tells me that he had another reality show. Now, I really don't find the type of guy who goes on a reality show attractive, but something about his long hair, carefully groomed facial hair and short stature - I mean, okay, I have no idea what it is, the man is simply sexy.

2. Rudy from Fat Albert
Okay...I know he's supposed be like 10, but let's face it, he looks very mature for his age, he's got that Jackson 5 thing going, he looks at least 14!
Sigh...I'm just really digging myself deeper, aren't I?

3. C.C. DeVille from (God help us) Poison
This is a longstanding crush of mysterious origins.

4. The Dude from The Big Lebowski
It's not just his chill demeanor and hatred for the Eagles...I actually find him to be a very handsome man. You know, maybe without the jelly shoes...

5. Earl from My Name is Earl

Redneck is my least favourite type of guy, but something about Earl is beautiful. Maybe its his Almost Famous roots (played by Jason Lee, who was Jeff Bebe), or his heart of gold - who knows? The vein that seems to run through all these crushes is that they come from the dark side of my brain, seem to stem from nothing and involve moustaches.

6. Jughead from Archie Comics
Perpetual munchies, half-closed eyes, extremely laid-back...are you seeing a theme here, cuz I sure am!

7. Slater from Dazed and Confused
See above.
(Ed: Let's not get it twisted - Randall "Pink" Floyd is the true sex god of the movie, and definitely the one I'm most attracted to. This list is more about unconventional guys I find attractive!)
8. Richard Dawson from Hogan's Heroes and Family Feud
Okay, I don't actually know if this is considered weird - the man is debonair! Suavity personified..

9. Harold from Harold and Maude
Dark, mysterious, and capable of astonishingly entertaining facial expressions.

10. Lil Wayne

I don't even know how to justify this one.

take it easy, baby, take it as it comes

What my past couple weeks has felt like, in pictures:

"im letting you have shotgun. but cuz its cuz only cuz im goin inside"

I had a very successful weekend, movie-wise. Basically, any weekend where I get to see Dazed and Confused is automatically fantastic and amazing and worthy of celebration.I just can't say enough good things about that movie. Hilarious, great acting, great plot, good soundtrack (though no Led Zeppelin, as I'd anticipated from the title)

Then, of course, since I'd seen such a great, happy, fun movie, I just had to watch a disturbing, intense movie.
Cue Hard Candy.

More than a little scarring, but still good.

Sorry for the lazy-ass post. I'll try to dream up something good (and, Miss Mary-Kate, this is your cue to be photographed with dark hair again)

"martha washington was a hip, hip lady"

Just when I'm in the midst of a fierce bought of writer's block, Rolling Stone releases their yearbook issue, providing me with at least an entry, however uninspired it may be.
As is custom, I still haven't received the previous issue (featuring Snoop), the joys of being a Canadian subscriber to an American magazine.
A week til Christmas Eve...

Song of the post: "Bell Bottom Blues" by Derek & the Dominoes

Movie du jour: Dazed and Confused

Inspiration hits! I saw Dazed and Confused last night. I was babysitting and I was really in the mood to hear the song "Dazed and Confused" by Led Zeppelin, and I figured the film would probably have it in it. It didn't, but I don't care. It was so good.

Plus there's a couple attractive (to me) gentleman. Rory Cochrane (I don't know their character's names), the perpetually-stoned genius.

and Jason London, the principled nice guy.

Great, great movie. I definitely recommend it.

Bonus: See a young Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich and Matthew McCoughnahey (oh Jesus, I can't spell his name...yikes, that's a bit of a mess)