Holy. Crap.

What. The. Hell. This video blows my mind on so many different levels, and I can't stop watching, for whatever messed up reason. First off, these guys look like a cross between some rejected anime characters and the robots from A.I. Secondly, you're thinking they're going to sound something like N'Sync or the three riders from the hell (aka the Jonas Brothers), but it ends up closer to a cast-off from a Boyz II Men album, circa 1995. Thirdly, the video looks like it cost something, so some inane record exec is actually pushing for a Boy Band comeback with these guys. Finally, why in all that is holy are the girls in the front row wearing headphones when they're ALREADY AT A CONCERT. Kind of defeats the whole point of going to the concert. But then again, if these geniuses are at a Varsity Fanclub show in the first place (if you notice, one of the guys is name Jayk. With a Y), it probably makes some sense.

Quote of the Day

Today's quote comes from Alessandro Piperno's sprawling novel, The Worst Intentions, recently translated from Italian and published by Europa Editions (to which I currently have a strange, crack-like addiction). The quote below describes Beppo Sonnino, a Jewish-Italian who bares a striking resemblance to Mr. Bernard L. Madoff:

"Bepy was an ingenious and shameless flatterer, what in English is called a confidence man: that was how he snared you. His fawning wasn't sugary; it had something intrinsically masculine about it - he was like the enzyme produced by an overexcited body. He came to believe in the compliment he was about to make. How many times, in the presence of famously ugly women, did Grandpa dissolve in reckless eulogies: "My dear, I've rarely seen you look so splendid." That bold, affectionate tribute lavished with such conviction by the Prince of flatterers was enough to transform the unfortunate woman- at least once in her poor, faded existence - into Greta Garbo."

Just flows so nicely.

These are real men, doing real things

Or so says Robb Webb, the sardonic, pithy, and often off-topic narrator, in the opening titles to the limited (and legendary) IFC series, Fishing with John. The pseudo-documentary, which first aired in 1991, included only six episodes. They follow actor/musician John Lurie (the titular character) and a rotating cadre of ‘celebrity’ friends (including Willem Dafoe, Tom Waits, and Matt Dillon, among others) as each duo attempts to reel in fish at various exotic locales across the globe. The glaring problem is that no one really knows the first thing about fishing. John Lurie, we quickly realize, is rightfully notable more for his acting (Down By Law, Stranger Than Paradise) and multi-layered jazz ensemble (the Lounge Lizards), than his sterling personality. What you’re left with is six, single lensed, twenty minute episodes, whose pace often feel glacial (which often isn't a bad thing).

Here’s a taste of some representative dialogue between Lurie and director Jim Jarmusch as they begin their shark fishing trek off the coast of Montauk:

Jarmusch: “Maybe someone else should drive.”

Lurie: “There's nobody here but you and me.”

Jarmusch: “I’ll drive.”

Lurie: “Do you want to drive?”

Jarmusch: “No.”

While most of the episodes play out along similar lines of dialogue, there’s something innately charming about watching what essentially comes down to brilliantly edited home videos. There’s camaraderie between Lurie and his guests to be sure, but it’s the fleeting glimpses of honesty, emotional nuances, and deadpan humor, which elevate the show to cult status. Occasionally, Lurie and his guests’ interactions become almost painful. It’s like watching that one quiet couple at a restaurant, who just stare down at their plates the entire dinner, not speaking a word. It’s uncomfortable, but revealingly so. And just when you think you’re getting bored, the narrator will interject with a little gem like:

“The fishermen wake up excited to be alive. They hope for good weather and good luck. Both fisherman are covered with sores and boners.”

This is after a one night stay at a Motel 6.

In the final, two-part episode, Lurie travels with Dennis Hopper to Thailand. The men are in search of the elusive giant squid, which according to our unreliable narrator, is actually the one hunting them. Over the course of several days the pair manages to secure passage on various decrepit tug-boats, and John saves Dennis from a life threatening food allergy mishap. The scenery is breathtaking, but neither fisherman seem to notice. They never catch a single fish, and we don’t get so much of glimpse of our giant squid.

Fishing, it seems, never really was the point.





[The DVD containting all six episodes is currently released on Criterion, and includes creator commentary. All six (each in three parts) have been uploaded on YouTube. ]