favorite movie #26: this is spinal tap

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #26 - This Is Spinal Tap (1984) - Rob Reiner learns how to turn it up to eleven in this silly, funny rockumentary about England's loudest band, Spinal Tap - David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer). "Stonehenge." Spontaneously combusting drummers. "Smell the Glove." Armadillos in their trousers. 🤘

Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest): The numbers all go to eleven. Look, rightacross the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and... 

Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner): Oh, I see. And most amps go up to ten? 

Nigel Tufnel: Exactly. 

Marty DiBergi: Does that mean it's louder? Is it any louder? 

Nigel Tufnel: Well, it's one louder, isn't it? It's not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where? 

Marty DiBergi: I don't know. 

Nigel Tufnel: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do? 

Marty DiBergi: Put it up to eleven. 

Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly. One louder. 

Marty DiBergi: Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder? 

Nigel Tufnel: [pause] These go to eleven. 

Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner): Oh, I see. And most amps go up to ten? 

Nigel Tufnel: Exactly. 

Marty DiBergi: Does that mean it's louder? Is it any louder? 

Nigel Tufnel: Well, it's one louder, isn't it? It's not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where? 

Marty DiBergi: I don't know. 

Nigel Tufnel: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do? 

Marty DiBergi: Put it up to eleven. 

Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly. One louder. 

Marty DiBergi: Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder? 

Nigel Tufnel: [pause] These go to eleven.

favorite movies #20: the big picture

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #20 - The Big Picture (1989) - Christopher Guest has made a name for himself (and given me tons of laughs) with great mockumentaries like Waiting for Guffman and Best In Show. But I think my favorite of his films may be this, his first one. Kevin Spacey is a talented(?) film grad who experiences the best and worst of Hollywood and his own ambitions. And it's funny as hell. Martin Short steals the movie with his amazing portrayal as agent Neil Sussman.

Neil Sussman (Martin Short): I don't know you. I don't know your work. But I think you are a genius. And I am never wrong about that. ... I'm very, very aware ... that you are seeing other agents. And I think it's good that you are. Finally, I mean it's healthy. But, this is the thing. If you decide to sign with me, you're gonna get more than an agent. You're gonna get three people. [Holds up four fingers] You're gonna get an agent, a mother, a father, a shoulder to cry on, someone who knows this business inside and out. And if anyone ever tries to cross you, I'll grab them by the balls and squeeze 'til they're dead.

11.11.11

Happy Veterans Day to all the men and women who serve and have served, and their families, as well. Many people in my family have served in many wars. Luckily, we actually have some photos of relatives and ancestors in their uniforms, going as far back as the Civil War. As proud as I am of them, I'm hoping for no more wars for future generations.

November 11 was also my parents' wedding anniversary. Here they are at their reception at the Gotham Hotel, NYC (which is no more.)

11.11.11 has also been declared Nigel Tufnel Day. You really shouldn't have to ask, but just in case:

Stonehenge!

Why do we find it so hard to believe that "ancient" people were able to build massive monuments, perform surgeries, etc., etc.? Do we really think that mankind has evolved so much, that we are so much smarter?

We eat better, live a little cleaner - maybe. But is the accuracy, invention, and innovation that is required to come up with computer chips and Velcro really all that different from what was accomplished by the folks who were able to precision-align Stonehenge or Abu Simbel?

I'd like to get back to Stonehenge. It's been the subject of a lot of new attention lately, as it appears to be even older than anyone originally thought. Evidence of settlements, and possible uses of the site are constantly being explored. Which again argues for the smarts of people, no matter what the century. But no one can come up with a definitive answer for how or why it was created. Sort of like the pyramids.

People like mysteries. As for the how of Stonehenge, probably the easy answer is that a lot of strong folks spent a lot of time pulling and pushing huge stones. But I guess that isn't a sexy enough answer. As for the why? You might as well ask why any human being does anything. Build cathedrals, pyramids, the Empire State Building - just reaching for the stars, baby.

p.s. Turn your volume up to 11 and enjoy the genius of Spinal Tap, Nigel Tufnel's eyeliner, and "Stonehenge"...