Aftermath

The place has long since cleared out and I’ve had about four hours sleep now. All in all, I’m starting to feel human again. I think I’ve already said it, but the latter half of yesterday was very different than the previous year. I remember hitting a sour-stomached few hours of despair in ‘06 at four in the morning, but ’07 was smoothing fucking sailing all through the night. Better movies, the energy was just higher, and we had a lot of between-movie action (of the non-sexy time). Now, about the flicks:

On the Waterfront – My third or fourth time seeing it. Played decently, though we were all only semi-attentive. Until everyone pointed it out, I’d never realized how overblown the score was, which is the fault of Leonard Bernstein, the same guy who scored West Side Story. “You was my brother, Charley, you shoulda looked out for me a little bit, so I wouldn't have to take them dives for the short-end money. Furthermore: ba-ba ba, ba-ba ba-ba-ba, ba-ba ba-ba, MAMBO!”

Dirty Harry – Loved this movie! I mean, the character has been ripped off or spoofed a million times since (and adopted as such a conservative hero,) that I really expected nothing from this. But the criminals are just total black hats—murdering psychopaths, bank-robbers firing shotguns into the masses—and the police and legal system so ridiculously bureaucratic—“How many times do I have to say this, Callahan? That the video of Joe Crazyfuck murdering those nuns is inadmissible!”—that you’re just cheering Harry on with fists in the air by the end.

A Night at the Opera – This one never had a chance. The first three of four jokes in a row were just groaners, and it lost the lot of us before we were past the five minute mark. It was funny in parts that I caught, and it had won Cathy over entirely by the end, but I don’t think the Marx Brothers will make any victorious returns in future marathons. (Bill, I’ll have a pre-rental consultation next time).

Way of the Gun – Great segue, from thank-jebus-it’s-over at the end of the last movie, to holy-shit!-best-intro-ever! for this one. I’ve seen this flick six or seven times now, but for everyone else it was the first time, and it was nice to have people interested in it. I don’t know if it was loved, but it was well liked anyhow.

District 13­ – I’d say it’s a tie for best movie, between this and The Descent. I never would have given this movie a second thought, but while were watching the kick-ass street chase opening from Casino Royale a few weeks ago, Mark said, “District 13 is ninety minutes of this.” Guy was not lying. Later this week, we’ll all be enrolling in parkour lessons.

Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control – Sadly, I missed most of this one because it was the only part of the night where I was remotely attentive to our messenger account. Short, interesting, everyone seemed to like it. I think documentaries with remain a fixture in these marathons. (Next year: Grey Gardens.)

Forbidden Planet – Probably the second least enjoyed movie of the lot, although I wouldn’t say it was bad. It featured a nubile Leslie Neilson battling monsters of the id, but it was no Logan’s Run, if you know what I’m saying. For that matter, it was no Return to the Forbidden Planet either.

The Big Lebowski – You can’t count me among the ranks of the Lebowski cult yet, but I enjoyed this a lot the second time around (the first time—not so much.) I forgot how much it fetishized bowling. Not often laugh out loud funny, but smart, leave-you-thinking-about-it funny.

Oldboy – Wow fucking wow. I thought Isha had spoiled the most shocking bit when she’d told me there was a scene where a guy eats a live octopus, but that’s nothing. This movie was fantastic but totally excruciating. “I endure this for you, Dae-Su Oh!” *shudder*

The Descent – I haven’t been scared watching a movie in a while, but goddamn this one did it to me. Just the clausterphobia of the climbing, even before the fucking morlocks/C.H.U.D.s/naked mole-rats came along. Could not have come at a more perfect time in the night.

Road House – Hilarious. Mullet-licious, even. Sam Elliot rules. And I was also excited that The Texas Bronco Terry Funk was in this flick.

I Heart Huckabees – We totally lost Brad with this one (may just have spoiled the night for him, even), but I liked this a lot. And every time I watch it—just like every time I watch Waking Life—I feel like I’ve learned something remarkable, something that has changed me, like I’ve learned truths. This feeling lasts until about twenty minutes after the movie has ended, and then I instantly forget everything, even stuff I used to know before I watch the movie. Another well-timed selection for the night. No idea what’s going in this slot next year.

And that’s that. I’d like to thank Brad, Jorge, and Mrs. J especially for driving many an hour for this. Of course, thanks also to Isha, Mark, Cathy, and Tania. Oh, and Lucy. Sarah, thanks for making this work. This night is my baby, but we’d all be drinking tapwater and eating cheezies out of the couch cushions if it wasn’t for you.

Here's the self-portraits of the survivors, somewhere around five in the morning:

Sleepy now. Clips and more photos to come.