Just discovered that Mankiewitz was one of the founders of the progressive media outlet The Young Turks. It makes me appreciate him a little more, and occasionally he'll tell a personal story that has a little "gee whiz" glimmer to it. But other than that, I agree with all the other comments here that he sounds smarmy…

Thanks to the Oscar nod, TCM's showing this FRIDAY, MARCH 3 @ 03:45 PM. Alas, I can only imagine how the crappy transfer that they have will be, but I'm still looking forward to it.

Slumming Sam Neill or GTFO!

"How do I act so well? What I do is I pretend to be the person I'm portraying in the film or play."

I've heard that. I'm not saying it's true, but some people are saying it.

Watched the first half last night. Sort of OK, but it's reminding me of something I dislike in a lot of mainstream comedies, which is a kind of lazy pacing and pointless reaction inserts. Is there something in a contract somewhere that says even if she's not part of a comedy scene, we still need to cut to Kristen…

Ain't no Sam Neill like batshit crazy Sam Neill, 'cause batshit crazy Sam Neill don't stop.

My spouse realllly enjoys saying this. It's adorable.

Also Pi Day, 3/14, would be perfect!

In America, Rump roasts you*!

1. Constantly confusing Rosamund Pike and Miranda Otto. Rosamund Pike is the one who sounds born to play a shieldmaiden of Rohan, but actually was in all the things I used to think Miranda Otto was in (namely Die Another Day, Gone Girl, The World's End). Glad I finally figured that out to give Rosamund her due.

It's tiny trains all the way down.

Having only about 20 dvds, which are mainly oddball things, I have only bought one: Fishing with John. Later someone gave me Night on Earth, which was nice.

Here's a repost of last year's Buzzfeed article on the 2 all-American fake versions of the Zombies kicking around the US in 1969. One group was put together in Texas, and two guys in it would later form ZZ Top. http://bzfd.it/2ksZyZF

How do you not take almost 1 of everything?

Well, yeah. You're describing adopting a different, borrowed, stereotyped set of words and phrases in response to someone's skin color.

Apply your lustful mind-phrases equally to all objects of desire and you're covered. Otherwise you're both othering and objectifying. Them's the breaks, Cap'n, but awareness is a good step.

*sniff* We'll miss you Joey B!

Do your kids like flying? Porco Rosso Do your kids like swimming or fish? Ponyo I haven't seen Kiki's Delivery Service, but I understand it's also on the lighter side, so maybe if your kids like Harry Potter.

Yes, as is the recurring shot of a single model home surrounded by undeveloped wasteland.