This is a timely discussion for me - recently I finally broke down and got an HDTV, and noticed HBO on-demand was posting episodes in HD, so I thought I would just see how the pilot looked on the new TV. It looked great, and so did the next episode, and so on - I'm just about up to the end of season two. I watched it…

Couldn't help noticing that Mr. VanDerWerff chose not to mention Myst or its sequels. Seems the mere mention of that game can set off a flame war. The top 100 list that Todd links to includes most of the series and Riven at #5.

Agreed that this could at times be difficult and frustrating, but the same aspect of the game made it come alive pulled me in like no other that I can remember. The stylistic use of rotoscoped animation worked perfectly in the Orient Express-like world. Nice to see it get some love and attention here - from what I…

The participants in the talent contest seems to be another aspect that changes depending on which version you are watching - we have the 1990 copy on VHS and I know it doesn't match up with my memory of the original airing on HBO - I'll have to check out that YouTube link.

I had a different take. Part of me didn't want to like Pollack - he does come off as smarmy and shmaltzy at times. Yet his Christopher Walken bit talking to his cat made me laugh out loud. I did notice that Pollack's podcast was only briefly mentioned - I used to listen to it if they had an interesting guest, but not…

Thanks - and kudos to your profile pic! I was a huge Genesis fan in high school. Revisit their early stuff now and then.

Also the way Santa looked in this freaked me out as a kid - still does. The pic at the top illustrates this - he looks like he has 3 noses and those black beady eyes - I don't want this guy in my house.

Just watched a VHS copy I have with my 9 yr old. On my copy - Kermit is in the intro as the narrator, but never re-appears - I've seen other versions (like on Netflix) with him cut completely out since this is not owned by Disney. My VHS copy has other little bits cut out as well that I remember from the original HBO…

I remember being entranced by the Will Vinton 'Trilogy' that was shown on HBO in the early 80's - Martin the Cobbler, Rip Van Winkle, and The Little Prince.

Assuming the protagonist is being truthful, I think "we just can't find the sound" refers to being in the studio and working on a recording (because KISS were such studio perfectionists, ya know).

I can see how grunge swept away power ballad hair metal, but do you really think it had an adverse affect on power pop such as MS? At the time it didn't seem that out of place, just a different kind of "alternative." You may be right - perhaps my perception is clouded by admiring his music. At the time I just thought…

Uncle Green was on Atlantic for 'Book of Bad Thoughts' - a CD that was high on my queue for ripping to the iPod. I agree with you about them being an example of a good band playing for a long time, then getting chewed up and spit out by a major. I read they did a few recordings under a different name - 3 lb. Thrill -…

Both Richard Lloyd and Quine were on 'Girlfriend' - helps give Sweet's catchy tunes a healthy edge.

Saw Matthew Sweet at a club in Buffalo soon after Girlfriend was released - he played well enough, but did not engage the audience at all - just kept announcing the next song as "Freebird." It was a bit odd, maybe just had an off night. He seems amiable in the interview.  Anyhow the music was great, got to see Robert…

Luis Guzman: "I'm just sayin' don't worship the people leaving Greendale. Worship the people that are HERE. Worship this place! It changes people's lives. Look, I loved my time here - I got laid like crazy - and that's way before Boogie Nights too. Look… this is a special school… you don't deserve to be here."
Given…

Thanks for pointing this out. This line could also be considered another reference to Synecdoche, NY - the character Caden was often saying "I think I know how it ends" - referring to his play, or possibly his life… or the end of time…

Actually I'm betting there would normally have been a lot more, but the recap didn't get posted until about 4am EST. (not a complaint)

Yes! The wig Chang was wearing also reminded me of the wig Caden and Ellen (Dianne Wiest) wears. Now I need to watch this movie again, but it's one of those films that benefits from multiple views anyway.

I don't think that many people saw Synecdoche, NY, and those that did were polar in their reaction to it. The music as Dean was left lonely and depressed was lifted right out of the film, but I'm guessing this direct reference didn't connect with too many viewers. This has me curious about what other references or…

I watched this sequence multiple times from here and the "consider yourself formally condemned. BAM!" (drops the mic, arms outstretched like a battling rapper) through Leslie's rebuttal "we got the freakin' moon!" Great stuff.