Wiendish Fitch

Hey, anyone who gets my obscure 1940s film references is all right by me!

I agree. A million years ago, back on TWoP, someone had this to say about mean comedy: does the target have it coming? If the answer is yes, then I'll gladly laugh at their misery. If not, then it feels like Genovese syndrome, and I feel complicit somehow, even if it's only fictional. I can also expand on this point: does the bullied victim get their own back? Get revenge, triumph in some way, anything? Does someone stand up for them? Do the bullies get any kind of comeuppance? Showing my age, but I remember a brilliant episode of Tiny Toon Adventures where Babs subjects Shirley's bullying ballet classmates to a hilariously humiliating routine of slapstick violence during a recital. The mean girls suffer brutal indignities, but Shirley comes out on top, earning enthusiastic applause. Or, taking the more complex, adult route, is the victim actually sympathetic? Take Greg from Succession. I agree it's appalling and wrong how Tom abuses him... but it's only because Tom is taking his gross, petty insecurities out on a weaker man. That is horrid behavior, and I don't condone it one bit. On the other hand, Greg is assuredly not sympathetic; he's a grasping, weaselly little social climber. He doesn't get pushed around because he lacks confidence, he gets pushed around because he lacks character. That's a crucial difference, and it creates layers in the interactions between him and Tom. In fact, that's true with the majority of the characters, which is what I admired about the show. Yes, I made references to both Tiny Toons and Succession. That's just the kind of hairpin I am.

Bit of a tangent, but I hate the idea of "favorite son/daughters" in small towns* (is this a thing IRL? Because if so, that's awful). This is based less on "I think everyone is special" than "I think everyone matters". Rory Gilmore could not possibly have been the only good student with a promising future (*snort*) in Stars Hollow, and it's frankly unsettling that everyone cared so damn much about what she did or didn't do. Let me also remind everyone that, at this point, Rory is basically just some kid. There are real life small towns that advertise being the birth place of a notable figure... but those figures are notable. Rory is nobody, but they're treating her like the Second Coming despite her not even being alive that long, over-inflating her ego as a result. Even a science dumb-dumb like me knows what happens when you over-inflate a balloon; it inevitably pops, leaving behind a sad, wilted piece of nothing. Putting random kids on sky-high pedestals like that is not only setting them up for failure, but is unfair to other kids, whose hard work and talents matter, too. *And don't even get me started on the movie The Majestic.

That's what I'll start doing.

This is embarrassing, but I'm getting increasingly annoyed by this trend of communication (especially beloved by people who outrank me at work): Person: "Wiendish!" Me: "Yes?" Person: "Hi." Yeah, they never have anything to ask or tell me, and there's always that obnoxious, accompanying smirk, like "I just made you think I had something to tell you, but I didn't, and I successfully wasted your time, you stupid peon". It just strikes me as such a petty power move, and I hate how dumb it makes me look. I just need to be on my guard, I guess.

What a legend and talent Hinton Battle was. His Broadway resume was something else. My introduction to the great Mr. Battle was as Sweet in the Buffy the Vampire musical episode "Once More, With Feeling". True, I became disenchanted with Buffy ages ago, but who could ever be disenchanted with these moves??

Jewison was an incredibly gifted and versatile director. He made films that addressed social issues, but that still managed to be entertaining and so visually gorgeous and memorable. In the Heat of the Night and Fiddler on the Roof are two of my favorites of his.

That, and... [FREDRIK] She dotes on— [DESIREE] Your dimple [FREDRIK] My snoring [DESIREE] How dear [FREDRIK] The point is, she's really simple [DESIREE] Yes, that much seems clear

Will Arnett is actually pretty amusing in interviews when he's simply telling anecdotes, but when he's required to be funny in terms of acting? I think he tends to overdo it.

Not only do I intensely dislike Pitch Perfect (never watched the sequels, because why would I do that?), not only did I find it unfunny, tiresome, and stupid, but the cherry on top? I thought the Bellas' original routine was better.

Poor Kelly Carlin; it's bad enough people willfully misunderstand her dad or take his points out of context, but this is just gross.

I've long given up my naive pipe dream of ever being promoted to full time at my job; hell, I've asked to work a different shift and even that doesn't look like it will happen, so I'm continuing my search for a new job. It won't be easy, and I'm terrified that nothing will happen, but I have to give it a shot anyway. Cross fingers for me.

I'm convinced that's how they get you. That, and the portion on the application where you fill out the days and hours you want to work... and they're all "Fuck you, you'll work when we want you to!"

And The Court Jester! That movie is a delight, and even better? Johns's character Jean is on the side of good... and is more fun and interesting than Angela Lansbury's scheming princess.Take note, writers! The good guys don't have to be boring! Ms. Johns was one of a kind, and she will definitely be missed.

AGREED. I find it alternates between shrill and utterly boring. For the record, I love the "oh, fuuuuuuuuudge" moment (and Peter Billingsly does turn in a really good performance), but otherwise I just ignore it. I think Elf is... fine. That's it. I have to be in the mood to watch it, and honestly? I rarely am. Will Ferrell can be more than a bit much (and, oh, why must Zooey Deshchanel be in things?). I want to like Christmas Vacation, but I loathe Chevy Chase. Darn.

One of numerous reasons why I love 9 to 5 is because there is no End of Second Act/Beginning of Third Act tiff. The camaraderie between the ladies remains strong until the end. If there is enough conflict in the plot, there's no need to throw in more.

Because according to too many writers, all women actually hate each other, especially their friends. It's nothing but petty, backstabbing competition 24/7. Bride Wars makes me feel better about liking 1939's The Women which, yes, is definitely problematic in its portrayal of women's relationships with each other, but isn't nearly as grating and offensive (and, y'know, was released in the fucking 1930s).

Forrest Gump (caution, unmarked spoilers) Because it's such a quiet, background moment, I put it here instead of the "Hell Yeah!" section. After Jenny's death, Forrest buys the plot of land where Jenny's childhood home sits abandoned and, as he's eulogizing over her grave, we see her house being bulldozed to the ground. Forrest may or may not fully comprehend how truly traumatic Jenny's upbringing was, but we do, and it's strangely rewarding seeing that awful house of horrors being demolished. No, it doesn't change the past, but at least it's something, and I think Forrest correctly intuited that it was what Jenny would have wanted.

The only funny line I can remember is the one about the hot dogs. That’s it.

What annoys me is that I'm pretty sure Elf on the Shelf has its own expanded universe (or if it doesn't now, it will eventually). Must everything have an expanded universe and lore?! It's Elf on the Shelf, just let it be Elf on the Shelf!!! I'm too old to keep up with this crap!

Mostly appallingness, but if it's based on age, I remind myself of the "age-inappropriate" stuff I have, and that keeps me in check. Either way, people have the ability to keep their yappers shut and keep their judgmental comments to themselves. I don't like being told how to dress, and I would never dictate how others should dress. Now, I cheerfully confess that I judged the hell out of the late cult leader Gwen Shamblin Lara for wearing a poofy, strapless white wedding dress and body glitter when she married her parasitic new husband Joe Lara when she was 63. I realize that makes me a hypocrite, I own that much, but considering what an awful, awful person she was, I'm willing to wear that scarlet "H" (and it's hard finding colors that go with scarlet, believe you me!).

Look, I'm not perfect, I have an inner catty fashion cop, I think lots of people do. How do I deal with this? I make a note in my mental Burn Book, and then go about my day, because I know for a fact that other people judge my fashion sense, too, and I ain't changin' for no one.

I think the "too old for jeans" rule is absurd (I wonder if that pompous windbag George Will still has a problem with jeans?). And I've seen women of all ages highlight their hair, what's the problem? Shoulder length hair sounds fine for pretty much any age. Not everyone likes their hair super short (I like mine short, but that's just me). I know I have accessories and stuff that are "too young" for me, but I don't care. I'm a hard-working, law-abiding citizen who isn't hurting anyone, and life is too short. Why should kids have all the fun?