I feel like this could really be something (as long as it's nothing like Tree of Life), but I'm not sure. There's just something about seeing Christian Bale's face that makes me think things are going to turn out all right.
Happy (American) Thanksgiving!
Melting Toht Candle
Ummm, this is fantastic. And probably the world's best gift for anyone whose favourite movie was Raiders of the Lost Ark.
As it burns, it looks more and more like Gestapo agent Arnold Ernst Toht as his face melts off at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark (the first Indiana Jones movie), when the Nazis open the Ark of the Covenant and suffer the wrath of God. You can get this ($32) Melting Toht Candle from Firebox.
Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria
The Museum of the Moving Image is probably my favourite museum in New York. The main reason for that? It encourages interaction (ie. there are things you can touch and do there). And the exhibits are constantly changing, which I love. They had the tiny door from Being John Malkovich last year! And Walter White's undies!
The current Chuck Jones exhibit is even a great one to see.
Even their permanent collection's great. Some people may not consider it the classiest of museums, but its focus is on movies and television so my question to those people is, "You think you're better than getting to see Robin Williams' fat suit in Mrs. Doubtfire?"
Who wouldn't want to get a glimpse at the intricacies of The Elephant Man's head?
There's even a (classic) video game arcade area WHERE YOU CAN ACTUALLY PLAY THE GAMES. Why is this happening?! I feel like this place is a kid's version of what a museum should be.
And of course there are areas that detail the history of cameras, television, etc. but I tend to briskly walk through these rooms (partially 'cause I've already learned about all that stuff the first time I came to this museum and partially because I know where I need to go to get to the fun).
The best part of this place? This spot right here (below).
You can sit down here and make your own stop motion animation that you can email to yourself. It seems like it might be just for kids - but since there are no signs informing me of that silent assumption, I'm more than happy to plant myself here for at least twenty minutes to craft my masterpiece. It's way more fun than I'm letting on. Or wait, am I accurately emphasizing how fun it is? I feel like I might be.
There's also a sound booth station where you can go in and alter existing movies with your own voice. If that doesn't sound neat, I'm not accurately describing it - 'cause it's neat.
Anyway, I love this museum. I feel like it should be the gateway museum for when you're taking a kid to a museum for the first time. Actually, no! It'd be horrible to take a kid here for their first museum. It'll ruin them for all the others that exist in the world where you can't touch anything. Yeah, don't take them. Also, they tend to hog the animation table props whenever I'm there, so it's probably best to keep them at home.
Movie To Watch - Baghead
I saw this movie forever ago and I still think about it every so often. Other than really liking it, I like to encourage almost everyone I know to watch it. You can stream it over here, if you like. I absolutely loved it.
(Also, Happy Devil's Night!)
Tomorrowland
I will forever love teaser trailers. We don't need longer than a teaser for any movie, EVER. When will the world learn that?! I don't even know if I'll love this movie (or even like it), but doesn't this trailer make it look incredible? Or maybe it's George Clooney's voice? I don't know what it is, but I am all about this.
Men, Women & Children Trailer
I can't tell if this looks really good 'cause I'm often tricked by wordless trailers, I always think they look better than they actually are. But I don't know, I really feel like this could be something.
Sidenote: Happy Birthday to my beautiful, kind and original-as-hell nine year old niece, Layla. You make me happier than you'll ever realize and I'll love you forever, lady.
It's Finally October
AMC on 84th Street
Umm, LOOK AT THESE MOVIE THEATRE SEATS!
These are the newly renovated theatre seats at an AMC on the Upper West Side (on 84th Street). Is this a fucking joke? Can this be reality? How can this sort of unholy cinema kindness happen overnight? I don't know whose idea this was, but wow. I'm going here immediately and will report back on how it was. You can read about all the other renovations at the theatre here, if you want.
The Skeleton Twins Trailer
You should know I'm gonna be ALL UP IN THIS MOVIE. Can't wait. Love everyone in it. Comes out September 12th.