Lindsayism.com

Welcome Office Fans!

Since this is apparently a high-traffic day or whatever, I'd like to draw attention to two awesome things:

1. A movie: The Devil and Daniel Johnston

I sang the praises of TDADJ about a month ago, but I really can't say enough about this funny, heartbreaking, brilliant documentary. Find out all about it here.

2. A book: The Sinner's Guide to the Evangelical Right

Robert Lanham (author of The Hipster Handbook) gives you everything you need to know about the powerful puppeteers brainwashing our most gullible citizens (ie, most of them), in his hilarious satirical guide. His website, Evangelicalright.com is a must-daily-read for me. (When I first found out about Ted Haggard, I knew Robert was somewhere (probably Williamsburg) doing the same dance of joy I was.)

"Together Forever. Or Else."

My post today on the Jane Music + Celebs Blog: Remember the movie 'Fear'? You should Netflix it.

"I just want to walk around and see what I can find"

Last spring, I watched the entire Up Series over a few weeks and wrote about it on the Jane Magazine blog. I'm still obsessed with this series of documentaries that follows an eclectic group of English children every seven years throughout their lives. The latest in the series, 49 up, has just opened in American theaters. You can watch the trailer and learn more about the films here.

I found this apt description in an online review of the series:

"It is our privilege...every seven years, to be given so intimate and respectful a window on the journeys of these dozen souls. And to be led in turn, inevitably, to examine our own lives, and to look at the lives of those around us with a longer view, a perspective that's something close to Divine."

That quote is from Christianity Today. (That's how transcendent this series of films is -- I agree with Christianity Today!)

Anyway, 49 Up is now playing:

In New York: at the IFC Center

In Los Angeles at Landmark Nuart Theatre

(Check local listings for other screenings.)

Drop Everything and See The Devil and Daniel Johnston. Really.

I don't really do 'reviews' of things this good. Things this good do not need reviews. Just take a moment right now and put The Devil and Daniel Johnston at the top of your Netflix queue. Or take out your little book and write "rent TDaDJ asap" in it. Or go to a store and buy it. If you're any kind of curious or interesting person this movie (and Daniel himself) will fascinate and obsess you. And I know that's an obnoxious thing to say - that's just how amazing this story is! (Read about Daniel and the movie here.)

ONE CAVEAT: You must watch the extras...but do not look at the extras menu until you're done watching the entire movie. I cannot stress this enough - when you get to the main menu just hit "play movie". When you're done, watch the extras.

Brilliant.

UPDATE: SEEEEE???

"I haven't seen it but I know what it is"

So I've known about the movie Diner, because everyone knows about the movie Diner, but until this weekend when a friend brought it over and forced me to watch it, I had no idea that Diner was actually one of the best movies ever! Why didn't anyone tell me???? It was made in 1982, yet it totally holds up! It directly influenced so many TV shows and movies (Seinfeld, particularly), yet it still feels fresh. After this weekend, I asked around and most of my friends haven't seen it.

My favorite scene features newlyweds Daniel Stern (Shrevie) and Ellen Barkin (Beth) arguing over Shrevie's record collection (Beth is holding a record that she had placed out of order alphabetically):

Shrevie: Ok, now ask me what's on the flip side.
Beth: Why?
Shrevie: Just, just ask me what's on the flip side, OK?
Beth: What is on the flip side?
Shrevie: Hey, Hey, Hey, 1958. Specialty Records.
[Beth nods blankly]
Shrevie: See? You don't ask me things like that, do you? No! You never ask me what's on the flip side.
Beth: No! Because I don't give a shit. Shrevie, who cares about what's on the flip side of the record?
Shrevie: I do! Every one of my records means something! The label, the producer, the year it was made. Who was copying whose style... who's expanding on that, don't you understand? When I listen to my records they take me back to certain points in my life, OK? Just don't touch my records, ever! You! The first time I met you? Modell's sister's high school graduation party, right? 1955. And Ain't That A Shame was playing when I walked into the door!

When this scene ended I jumped up to rewind it, for this character is the first known movie archetype of........

EVERY GUY I'VE EVER DATED!

(For the record, I would stand a better chance than Ellen Barkin of 'knowing what was on the flip side', metaphorically, but I've always thought the alphabetical stuff was over the top.)

Anyway, Netflix that shit, pronto!