Wiendish Fitch

Tarzan and His Mate (1934) Harry Holt, a character from the previous film (Tarzan the Ape Man) has ventured to the Mutia Escarpment once more, not just to take ivory from the elephant graveyard, but to lure Jane back to civilization because he still carries for the torch for her (for the record, THEY WERE NEVER A COUPLE). He's even recruited his scummy friend Martin to bring dresses and accessories to appeal to Jane's feminine vanity (it was the 1930s, just go with it), and while she enjoys trying a pretty dress on, her heart belongs to Tarzan and absolutely no one else (she basically says as much to Harry to his face). Tarzan is rather turned on by Jane in formal wear, and carries her off to their treetop home for... you know. Now, maybe I'm projecting, but I swear Tarzan looks dead at Harry's face when Jane tactfully makes her excuses, and when Tarzan picks her up, there looks to be a gleeful, vaguely triumphant bounce in his step as he makes his way to the treetops. It really feels as if Tarzan is conveying the message of "She likes me much better/She likes me much better!" Harry looks totally deflated, and knows he can't win against his rival. Again, I'm probably just projecting, but Harry gets no sympathy from me. Scheming to break up someone's relationship so you can steal them for yourself is just an objectively nasty thing to do, and you 100% deserve to have it blow up in your face.

I can't believe it took so long for this to occur to me, but when you think about it, isn't THAT SCENE... also kind of stupid? The lobby of a hotel is always right there in the front entrance, or at least in vicinity! It's also been established that Kevin and his family travel, he's been in hotels before, so why would he need directions to something that's literally right in his face as soon as he walks through the door?!

I'm fine whether or not TCM decides to show OJ Simpson in their "TCM Remembers" montage... but if they include him, I desperately it involves any of the slapstick violence from The Naked Gun movies.

Bolded mine. Michael's has become the same way. It is friggin' depressing.

Just a rant, I'm curious about y'all's two cents: Does anyone else think that in most work forces nowadays, no one wants to train anybody anymore? I have been working as a grocery clerk for 2 and a half years, and I was mortified about gaps in my knowledge... until I found out I'm not the only one. I have co-workers who have worked there longer, and they admitted that there are still tons of things they don't know. It is astonishing what they don't teach us, and most of us have just been muddling through for however long. I also find that if you want a non-retail job, you'd better have a bachelor's degree or license for something or rather. Mind you, I am absolutely not against degrees or licenses, but does one really need one to be, say, a receptionist? Not putting the profession down, it is harder and more important than people give it credit for, but no one wants to take the time to give proper, on the job training for it, so you have to jump through countless fiery hoops. Not everyone has the finances or the time to go back to college or study for a license (that, to be brutally frank, they don't really want), so good luck trying to get ahead in the job market.

Ha! That is brilliant! It's also clever how Sherman's dorkier side is still apparent, before the "Buddy Love" persona fully takes over. My personal favorite Nutty Professor moment is when Buddy exacts revenge on the insult comic who humiliated him back when he was Sherman. I confess it's become a more rewarding scene in recent years, because I've come to loathe Dave Chappelle.

Eh, Grimace doesn't seem capable. The Hamburglar, on the other hand, probably knows some people...

Remember how a few years ago, it was said the late Christopher Plummer would be special effect-ed in the other guy's place? That may or may not have been a joke, but now I wish they'd done it. If there's ever a blu ray release with those few seconds cut out, I will gladly pay full price for it. Go ahead and mock me, you think that's going to bother me now?

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is one my favorite Christmas movies, and I don't think I can ever watch it again, because of... you know. I'm sure that makes me a "triggered lib", and you know what? Screw it, I don't care. Mockery is the least of my problems right now.

I don't like the velvety top portion with the frilly, tulle-like skirt. It makes no sense. It looks like a lesser Etsy creation. I'm sure people had complaints about OG Snow White's pumps, but how are those goofy ballet slippers any better? I feel so vindicated that moderngurlz also doesn't like Rachel Zegler's SW hair.

A Little Princess is just a great story, easily Frances Hodgson Burnett's best, IMO.

Shirley Temple is certainly not everyone's cup of tea. I admit a lot of her performances are horribly dated and saccharine (though it feels unfair to place all the blame on her). I think I just mostly respect her for ending up so well-adjusted as an adult, because that level of fame when you're in the single digits would all but crush anyone else. But to give the late Ms. Temple her due, if I had to pick one performance that I think really displays her chops, it would be as Sara Crewe in 1939's The Little Princess. Yes, they change the ending from the book (to be fair, so did the excellent 1995 version), but I like that Temple genuinely goes through the emotional wringer. It turns out it is incredibly hard to stay brave and positive when you've lost everything and the world seems determined to break you. I also love the scene where Sara stands up to Miss Minchin. The "try it, bitch" look Temple gives Mary Nash when she threatens to slap her is perfection.

I'm sorry, but I HATE Rachel Zegler's hair in this. That horrible semi-Dutch bob parted in the middle is sooooooo unflattering. Say what you want about animated Snow White, but her hair was ON POINT: the soft, 1930s waves with the cute hair bow can't be improved upon.

I also hate Xander for the same reason I hate Ross and Rachel on Friends: I don't like people with "dog in the manger" attitudes. They all behaved like such appalling assholes when the person they liked (heavy emphasis on the past tense) was with someone else. Yeah, it sucks to like someone who doesn't reciprocate, or see your ex who you might still hold a torch for move one with another person... Get over it. No, seriously, get to adulting and suck it up. You struck out, they don't want to be with you, and no one is so special that they are owed a relationship. And I will bet dinner and a dessert that if Xander did wind up with Buffy, he would instantly grow bored with her, because wanting is more exciting than having.

I've brought up my revulsion at Xander's actions in "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" a few times to other people, and someone will inevitably "challenge" me with a question like "So all characters should be perfect? Characters should never make mistakes?" That would be a "no". Characters absolutely should make mistakes. Characters should absolutely have flaws. But let's always keep the following questions in mind: 1. Is said shitty action motivated? If so, then by what? 2. Does the character in question suffer consequences, feel remorse, try to repent, whatever? Plenty of characters I like have done questionable or even horrible things. The difference? They realize they've done something terrible, feel remorse, confess and repent, and are willing to endure whatever comes their way in order to make amends. Xander's motivations for the love spell? To rob Cordelia of her autonomy, brainwash her into loving him, and then dump her just so he could assuage his wounded man pride (um, then what, asshole?). The consequences? Xander is mobbed by hundreds of brainwashed girls (but not really physically hurt), Amy and Giles (not Xander) are the ones who undo the spell, and... Cordelia gets back with Xander and Buffy thanks him for not raping her while she was brainwashed. Willow is miffed, but gets over it by the next episode. WTF?!?! Think of all the things that would have gone a long way in redeeming Xander in this episode. He could have gone on an arduous quest to fetch any materials needed to break the spell. Maybe Druscilla could have shown up in a violent, jealous rage (remember, the spell affected her, too) ready to kill everyone, and Xander could have placed himself in harm's way to protect them. Xander could have-bare minimum!- begged Buffy, Cordelia, and Willow for forgiveness for the awful, awful thing he did to them and put them through. Instead, it's treated as no worse a crime than farting in an elevator. He doesn't even regret it years after the fact. God, I hate Joss Whedon so much.

Bolded mine. If anyone needs me, I'll be taking a shower. For the rest of my natural life.

Christmas came early for Spartan Girl!

My feelings toward The Sound of Music are the same I have about 1942's Random Harvest: Let the haters sneer. I love this movie and think it's wonderful. One is free to mock this movie until they're blue in the lips, but The Sound of Music was made with absolute love. The setting, the sets, the iconic shots, the visual storytelling, the acting, the songs, everything comes together gorgeously. Robert Wise has some mediocrities on his resume, but when he was good, he was incredible. Julie Andrews is enchanting, of course, but I confess I mostly watch for Christopher Plummer (RIP). He was so ding-dang dashing and handsome, and who could forget this scene?

Jake at least got off easy.

I am so glad this is now part of my life.

Boy howdy, a fairy godmother sure would be nice right about now...

I can't decide what my favorite Kacey Musgraves song is, but this one is definitely up there.

She very likely would have.

If I'm wrong and there is a Hell, I hope Bela is forced to perform grueling exercises, while being deprived food and water,* and constantly being screamed at for being fat and lazy. All day. Every day. For all eternity. *Yeah, you probably don't need food and water in the afterlife, let me have my comeuppance fantasy.

Bette Davis. That is all I will say.