Godspeed, Major Briggs

We were just talking about Don Davis on Saturday, and today I'm sorry to report that he's no longer with us.

We will remember him for countless roles, but perhaps none as memorable as Garland Briggs, the Air Force Major who could speak eloquently on all topics before slapping a cigarette out of his son Bobby's mouth. He alone could go toe to toe with Cooper when it came to seemingly outlandish behavior that somehow made sense.

Of the residents of Twin Peaks, there was something majestic and yet appropriately bizarre about the good major.

Wanted: Dead or Alive?

We caught a sneak preview of WANTED tonight. It's a rousing action film from the Russian director of Night Watch and Day Watch. If you're familiar with those films, you'll have an idea as to the sorts of visual magic he creates. You'll forget that you're witnessing cold blooded murders at the hands of assassins because it's so darn pretty how he pulls it off. That in and of itself makes the film worth watching - although I'm pleased to report that there's more to it than that.
Drawbacks? I found myself reciting lines from Star Wars at key points through the film - which you wouldn't expect based on the trailer - but that's just me. And there were a few plot points (not the over-the-top action set pieces) that seemed a little too convenient for the storyline. Minor issues aside, it's a fun roller coaster ride - John Bob says check it out.

Night Watch and Day Watch are scheduled for release on BluRay in the next few months, so if you missed those, we'll set up a time for you to see them on the big screen.

The Slaughtered Prisoner

As one who prefers entertainment that generates a reaction as opposed to something quickly dismissed, I have to say that The Prisoner was certainly a success in that regard. To say that the final two episodes touched a nerve with the Wednesday night crowd would be an understatement. I'm not sure what sort of resolution folks were expecting, but certainly not what Patrick McGoohan delivered.

I still feel that the one-two punch of Once Upon a Time and Fall Out are a fitting conclusion to what remains a very challenging program for viewers. Perhaps this is in part due to the fact that I was originally introduced to the show when the television landscape had never seen anything like it.

Shows such as Twin Peaks, which still ranks for me as the greatest television program of all time, owe a debt to The Prisoner, just as so many contemporary shows are here today due to the ground broken by David Lynch and Mark Frost.

Sure, measured against today's television spectrum, The Prisoner is almost quaint. That said, I don't think you'll find a more thought provoking show provided that you're willing to engage it.

Who is number one?

You are, number six.

Brilliant.

Raiders of the Lost Ark - The Serial?

Redundant? Perhaps... but still worth checking out.

Psychotronix Rocks

We had a great time at the Psychotronix Film Festival last night.

The show started around 7pm, and proceeded with a variety of 16mm oddities. I've included some YouTube videos to give you a taste of the types of things we saw.

We had seen some before, but were otherwise unfamiliar with scopitones



Vonna had a flashback and was able to sing along with the theme song to Milton the Monster:



There was a great video on manners featuring 'Chalky':





There were timely inclusions, such as an episode of the 60s Hulk cartoon:



There was a great office safety training video, which I wish I could find - here are two examples that covers some of the same ground:





There were drawings for lots of appropriately schlocky merchandise, from DVDs that would appeal to the likes of us present at the festival to strange toys (like Space Mucus). Vonna won a CD called It Came From Thrillville, with music and trailer audio from a number of classic sci-fi films.

Mr. Lobo of Cinema Insomnia was in attendance, as was Ernie Fosselius - creator of Hardware Wars, so I was able to pick up a set of Hardware Wars trading cards that I had foolishly passed up at Wondercon earlier this year.


It was after 12:30am by the time we got home, but it was worth it. Thanks to Bob and Ari for inviting us!

We'll keep you posted when the next Psychotronix festival gets scheduled this fall.

Mark your calendars!

Our summer schedule has undergone one last adjustment. To review, this coming Wednesday (6/25) we wrap The Prisoner with the final two episodes of that show, Once Upon a Time and Fall Out.

The following two Wednesdays (7/2 & 7/9) will focus on the short-lived comedy ACTION starring Jay Mohr.

We'll be closed the following two weeks while Stan and I attend the Star Wars Celebration in Japan.

Upon our return, we'll celebrate the 30th anniversary of Stephen King's magnum opus with a four-week screening (7/30-8/20) of the miniseries based on The Stand. In addition to each weekly chapter (which less commercials only runs about 1.5 hours) we'll supplement those nights with an appropriate short subject.


Finally, starting August 27th, we'll launch into another overlooked gem - Shaun Cassidy written and Sam Raimi produced American Gothic. I think folks will have fun with this quirky show about good versus evil in a small town. Particularly after watching the epic struggle between good and evil in a much larger scale in The Stand.


Great programming aside, each and every Wednesday we have been treated to a variety of gourmet meals courtesy of Vonna. Even if you're uninterested in what we're watching, attendees will confirm the food is not to be missed!

We hope you'll consider joining us for our weekly Wednesday night screenings.

The Abridged Prisoner

40 years after it's debut, I still find The Prisoner to be one of the most important and challenging television series of all time. That said, the show does have its highs and lows, and I thought I would recommend an abridged viewing of the show for those of you intrigued by the concept, but not convinced you want to commit to the full 17 hours the show offered. I do not feel that these seven episodes are the only good episodes - far from it - however I do think they represent the best of the best. Starting with the first and finishing with the final two episodes are mandatory (albeit excellent choices) - the four in the middle are the absolute cream of the crop.

Arrival
After resigning from an unspecified job, our protagonist is gassed while packing for a trip, to wake up in a mysterious Village, where there are no names - only numbers.

The Chimes of Big Ben
Working with another villager, Number 6 plans an escape from the Village.

The Schizoid Man
The masters of the Village attempt to break Number 6 by making him believe he's really Number 12, in the Village to drive Number 6 mad.

Many Happy Returns
When Number 6 awakens to an empty Village, he takes to the sea to find his way home.

Hammer Into Anvil
After another villager is driven to suicide from her interrogation, Number 6 turns the tables on Number 2.

Once Upon a Time
Fall Out
That would be telling...