Favorite Scene Friday: Vampire’s Kiss – Because Nicolas Cage is a Joke

This week’s installment of Favorite Scene Friday features yet another stunning, yet blasphemous, performance by none other than the joke that is:  Nicolas Cage.  Why such a harsh beginning to what very well could be a glorious weekend, you ask?  Well . . .

Maybe it’s because we share the same moniker.

Maybe it’s because I fancy myself logical and somewhat sane.

Maybe it’s because he keeps finding work in Hollywood.

Or maybe it’s just because Nicolas Cage is a goddamned talentless farce. 

Yeah, I’m gonna stick with that last one.  As I was flipping through channels last night, I came across IFC and they were showing Vampire’s Kiss, in particular the scene below.  I’ve never actually seen Vampire’s Kiss and I’m fairly certain I never will, unless I’m looking for a B-Movie that’s trying really, really hard.  I should admit that IMDb has it listed as “comedy, fantasy, horror” but I don’t know.  I’m a bit skeptical on the comedy part as I’ve seen the same type of reaction throughout too many Nic Cage films, most of which are not comedies, or at least not meant to be.  I’m utterly dumbfounded when I hear/see people discussing how “good” the latest Nicolas Cage movie is.  I don’t get it.  Even back in 1997 when I sat in the movie theater taking in the hodgepodge of stupid that materialized as Con Air I couldn’t take Cage seriously.  I’ve got a southern accent that I’m not very proud of, but listening to him talk was like sticking rotten eggs in my ear canals.  Pointless and stinky.  My brothers and many others sure liked it though, and now they’re still pumping money into theater chains for the latest “I … said … put … the … bunny … back … in … the … box,” type of lingo. 

I often hope and pray that said people are just doing it to get a good, solid laugh, but who knows.  Every dog has his day, hell I kinda like 8MM and I love the Coen Bros so Raising Arizona is an obvious plus in my book, but someone needs to keep Nic behind the camera from now.  Let him produce the cheese that he's used to giving instead of screaming it at us.  "NOT THE BEES! NOT THE BEES!"  Not the cheese.  I'm sure my efforts here will be ignored by those who know what they're doing in Hollywood, but I've enjoyed the rant anyway.  Here's to you, Nic, just keep punching ‘em out there, you weird, goofy ass bastard.  Happy Friday Everyone!  And be sure to laugh.

Music Video Monday: Light Up The Week With The Lumineers’ Ho Hey!

This week’s installment of Music Video Monday comes to you courtesy of The Lumineers.  Their debut album, The Lumineers, released a few weeks ago and it is, simply put, amazing.  I read from their website that they started out in New York, but found their sound out west in Denver, Colorado.  A compelling sound it is too.  I have no doubt that they will soon explode onto the scene.  Singer/guitarist Wesley Schultz melts your ears with his Dylan-esque howl and Ritter-esque lyrics.  I’ve been listening to these guys on repeat ever since I picked up their album.  I was proud to stumble upon them and I’m excited to bring them to you as well.  I’ll be sure to keep my eyes and ears open for any tour dates hitting the Southeast and if you hear of any, please shoot them my way. 

Today’s video is, I believe, their first official video.  It’s a great song and if you like it, as I’m sure you will, you can check out a better one here.  It was a good Monday for me and I hope it was for you too.  Enjoy the rest of the week and remember to love someone along the way.  Ho.  Hey.

Favorite Scene Friday! Submarine: No. You Don’t Know Me. You Don’t Know Me At All.

You’ll have to excuse me on this beautiful FSF for I have the Arctic Monkeys on the brain. Tomorrow is Record Store Day and I’ve been mentally preparing all week for an important mission. Unfortunately, I can’t go into detail because you could be my competition and truly if I tell you, I would be required to kill you (that's not really a threat). If all goes as planned, hopefully I’ll accomplish said mission and report back to you with great news and pictures to prove it. Well to be honest, it’ll basically be great news for me, but you can live vicariously through me if you want to. Anyways to the scene.

Technically today’s selection isn’t a scene; I guess you could say it’s a collection of scenes accompanied by the voice of Mr. Alex Turner. On a side note, the soundtrack, written and performed by Turner, is a perfect marriage between music and film. The scenes come from the underrated 2010 film Submarine. Written by Richard Ayoade and Joe Dunthorne, directed by Ayoade and starring Craig Roberts, it’s a story about Oliver Tate (Roberts) and his quest to lose his virginity as well as his effort to end the relationship between his mother and the cheesy next door neighbor. By the way if you haven’t seen the film and want some insight, I suggest you check out Robert’s review from July 2011. http://www.totheescapehatch.com/2011/07/escape-by-bringing-your-own-birthday.html

I hope you enjoy your Friday, the scenes and the song! Wish me luck.