The Goy's Teeth

I was really entranced by A Serious Man when I first watched it earlier this year. I have been meaning to do a whole post on it and talk about how it tied in with Karen Armstrong's "The Case For God", which I happened to be reading at the time I saw the film, but that little essay will have to wait.

In the meantime, let me share the centerpiece of the film: The "Goy's Teeth" scene. It's as good as any scene the Coen brothers have ever done, and perhaps their finest. The choice of Hendrix as the background music, the writing and the performances of the actors are all spot on. Props especially go to character actor George Wyner, who has been doing supporting roles in Film and Television for forever, and when given such a prime role in a Coen Brothers movie just completely nails it.

(Only one YouTube user has posted the scene, but they have disabled embedding for whatever reason. Here's the link to it)

The proof, here, is in the last line. When I did the "100 Movies" clipshow, some of the best compliments I got were those that recognized and appreciated how I left the full pause in before the "These go to eleven" line in Spinal Tap. The pause is crucial in making the line work, and it's inclusion in the clipshow wouldn't have been nearly as effective if I just cut straight to the line. Similarly, the pause Wyner takes between the first two words and the last two in that last line, combined with the subtlest of facial expressions, should have netted the man some sort of award.

I laugh out loud every time I watch it, and my hat is off to Mr. Wyner for his stellar work.

Lois Scott would have told you what to do with your Tea Party.

Politicians do not need to be pop culture savvy. It helps, of course, if they can occasionally quip to let people know that kick back and watch some TV and a movie now and then, but it's not a requirement.

When pop culture merges with important moments in history, however, and that history pertains to your home state, then the expectations rise significantly. So when Rand Paul, who is the Republican Senate candidate for Kentucky, is asked what Harlan County is famous for, this is far from the best possible response:

"I don't know," he says in an elusive accent that's not quite southern and not quite not-southern. The town of Hazard is nearby, he notes: "It's famous for, like, The Dukes of Hazzard."

The Dukes of Hazzard?!?!

Rand (I can call you Rand, right?), I'm not from Kentucky and even I know what Harlan County is famous for. I would expect that any self-respecting politician from that area who aspires to represent that state in the Senate would know about the history of Harlan County, and it has zip to do with Bo or Luke Duke.

Of course, Rand has previously indicated he doesn't give two shits about Unions, so maybe it's a case of willful ignorance.

Fake bullets and stuff (part deux)

That's how Butch and Sundance should have gone out: In a blaze of rose petals (via Neatorama):

"Coca-Cola: In Bottles"

Metafilter pointed me to this, which is a collection of color photographs dating from 1939 to 1943 that feature rural America. The set is stunning, and I urge everyone to click the second link and have a gander. As it is, I had a difficult time picking one to showcase here. I ended up choosing one of a Washington D.C. street corner that doesn't even exist anymore. History, ladies and gentlemen. History.

Just keep smiling

Stressful day. Need Trololo.

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