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Moriarty's Rumblings From The Lab #15: Evil Genius Interviews The Cast and Director of AMERICAN BEAUTY + more.

a good read, as always by r_dimitri22	Sep 28th, 1999 11:43:19 AM
Thanks, Moriarty. The American Beauty interviews were very interesting and well written. I am currently hooked on The Fragile, but that Buckethead CD sounds interesting. I am looking forward to next week's discussion of the culture committee and any counteraction that you and Harry are hatching.
American Beauty by stvrick	Sep 28th, 1999 11:47:46 AM
Looking forward to seeing it soon.
American Beauty - SNL by smilin'jackruby	Sep 28th, 1999 12:39:39 PM
First of all, I hate to disagree with the previous fellow, but I really, really think "American Beauty" can't be praised enough. Though it is far and away the best movie I've seen this year, it's not my fave (that still goes to "Election" or "The Iron Giant"), the more praise that's heaped on the project, the more likely it is people will see it and studios will do the math about quality versus crap. So, I'm all for it. As for the SNL special, I know Eddie Murphy turned it down, but where the hell was Dana Carvey? The opening with Bill Murray had me in stitches thanking God that he was doing that and was one of the most welcome things I've ever seen on TV. Anybody know why Steve Martin didn't do more? I know he wasn't a cast member, but I, for one, wanted to see some spots. Oh, well. Wonderful show, though. Anxious to read your thoughts, Moriarity.
Off the subject. Did anyone catch the ad for Man on the Moon du by spike lee	Sep 28th, 1999 01:47:00 PM
It was a commercial in two parts with Andy Kaufman (Jim Carrey) doing the "Mighty Mouse" bit as the SNL audience watched. Forget the presents under the tree Christmas Day, lets go to the theater and unrap Man on the Moon and Magnolia...and then open the presents or take them back and keep the cash.
sarin rufus strikes again by MadBoy	Sep 28th, 1999 01:48:10 PM
Hey Sarin, is english your native language?? 'Cuz for someone who is criticising another's writing , you come off sounding like a pretentious 8 year old. I find it amazing that someone who is schooled in film, as you REPEATEDLY tell us you are (over and over and over), can come off sounding as uneducated as you do. I realize I jump on your back a lot (not like that. . . ), but sometimes, your ego seems to know no bounds. And I know I've asked this before, but why is it so hard to grasp that some people simply enjoy films that you don't?
Is it just me... by Loki Trickster	Sep 28th, 1999 03:35:44 PM
Is it just me, or does anyone miss Lane Myers? I mean, the guy could be an asshole, but at least he was a reasonably intelligent asshole...my my my...How quickly they fade away. I haven't seen much of quentin2, Lane, L'Auteur, cuthbert51 (I think that was it), or many of the others from last year...come on guys, where are you?! And while we're at it, where's Hallenbeck? Did he open up a major artery after suffering through "The Phantom Menace" or what? -Loki
praise for American Beauty and why it cannot stop by EwF	Sep 28th, 1999 03:36:41 PM
HeY HeY I don't know why I haven't written into AICN or Corona about this ... but anyhoos - I got the unbelievable chance to attend a (FREE!) screening of American Beauty hours before its big premiere here in Boston, 2 weeks back. Where the premiere promised Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening, we were promised "select members of the cast and crew." Of course, us being silly peion college students all expected the assistant of the assistant of the assistant makeup artist or something ... Well ... we're we in for a shock. Needless to say I hadn't heard much about the movie, let alone what it was about (more on this later) so I wasn't all the gungho about going. But I did. And I brought a little disposable camera just in case. The film BLEW me away. It's just amazing. I think that's what it is ... I can't express how much this movie totally rocks just cause ... I can't! My mind is totally incapable of saying exactly what it is that I feel! Mind you, I did have some problems with the subject material they touched on (Kevin Spacey and Mena Suvari ... I'm Christian - sue me.) Then the movie ended and everyone was just ... exhausted ... the theatre was dead-quiet. No one was capable of expressing anything ... until the applause began. But that ended soon enough ... coz we were a little excited at the prospects of meeting some lowly assistant who probably hadn't even seen the set of the movie ... Mind you, I'm sitting 3rd row near the aisle. There's a bit of commotion behind us and we look back. The "crew" has arrived. Everyone's trying to see who's there. I recognized Wes Bentley, Thora Birch and Mena Suvari and was impressed. I'm like :Geez - there are REAL actors and actresses here!: I keep on scanning but don't recognize anyone else ... just one guy leaning back real casual on the wall wearing a toucque, and gray sweatshirt ... no one special I said ... ... ... who knew Kevin Spacey liked the casual touch? At this point I am giddy as all sh&t. They all come down. The producers are here (God help me if I can recall their names), Sam Mendes was here, so was the man who played Ricky's father (with a full head of hair so I didn't even recognize him) but no Annette Bening ... BUT WHO CARES!!! I WAS 10 FEET AWAY FROM KEVIN SPACEY!!! The questions came ranging from the "spiritual content and its source" of the movie, to "Mr. Spacey? How does it feel to be the coolest man on Earth?." But my personal favourite: "Why haven't you advertised this amazing movie as heavily as other summer blockbusters normally do?" (NOTE: school had been in session for 1 week so to us, it was STILL summer). Sam Mendes answers, "You saw the movie. How could you possibly describe what happened in a 2 1/2 minute trailer? That's why we're here - YOU guys are the advertising. If you liked the movie, tell them to watch it." SO - here I am. GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!! 'Nuff said.
The Fragile Is The Best Album in Many Years... by Cyrus	Sep 28th, 1999 05:02:35 PM
I am obssessed with it and it grows and grows on you every listen. You should give it another chance Moriarty. If you are a NIN fan you should love it. It is definitely Trent's best work yet, and is my favorite album of all time.
John K - saviour of the universe! (cartoon type) by JJ McClure	Sep 28th, 1999 06:16:22 PM
I love John K. I want to be him when I grow up.
That Buckethead album by Bryan	Sep 28th, 1999 06:47:24 PM
If anybody's interested in getting a really good deal on that Buckethead album Moriarty talked about, the label's web site www.cyberoctave.com has a deal where you can get both the CD and Dave McKean's 16 page Buckethead comic book for only $10.98. I'm not sure how long the deal lasts, though.
Way too much dope by Veidt	Sep 28th, 1999 07:02:23 PM
American Beauty was great but Ricky definitely smoked way too much of his own product. When you get off on watching a plastic bag blow in the wind for fifteen minutes, it's time to lay off the weed.
Enjoy the NIN album... by Powerslave	Sep 28th, 1999 09:13:46 PM
because it could be the last one for a while: Quake 3 is coming out soon.
Man on the Moon trailer by All Thumbs	Sep 29th, 1999 12:04:29 AM
The Man in the Moon trailer was one of the best I've seen all year! My roommate and I were watching the SNL show and it came on. She liked the trailer because it made her do a double take because she thought they showed the Andy Kaufman clip again(hmm...), but says she won't go with me to see the movie because she can't stand Jim Carrey. I can respect her not liking Jim, but why would someone not go to a movie JUST because they hate an actor? That alone would have made me miss many movies I now love. Oh, well. Anyways, the SNL show was great and I wish the writing and comedy are going to be as good this season.
American beauty and Loki by bruce le	Sep 29th, 1999 12:24:14 AM
I can't stop describing how great a movie "American Beauty" is. I have already seen it twice before it came out and I will probably see it again and buy the video and buy the DVD and see it at the 25th anniversary reissue, etc... To those who haven't seen it, I say run to your multiplexes and prepare to be genuinely surprised. To those who have seen it, I only say spread the word if you liked it. Maybe it will send a message to Hollywood and we will get more intelligent movies in the future. ****Loki: I discovered this site in July of 98 at the same time that Talkback was created and I too miss Lane Myers and his dissertation-sized posts. But L'Auteur and Quentin2 are still there as well as a few other old timers I am sure. My favorite old timer was the guy who kept saying: "The geeks will inherit the Earth".
Censorship by Yossarian	Sep 29th, 1999 06:31:15 AM
John K.(I wish I could remember his last name, but it's been so long) came to my campus my freshman year and spoke about censorship and how there are people who already control what we watch. He played a R&S episode that was never shown about a little boy who is a big fan of R&S and his deranged father. The show was legitimately about child abuse, but the episode was never allowed to be shown because it was "too intense". I think "too close to the mark" is more like it. It was probably banned for being (gasp!) Thought Provoking.
LaneMyers and NIN by zolov	Sep 29th, 1999 06:34:36 AM
I miss LaneMyers, too. I disagreed with almost everything he ever said (especially on on political issues), but I always looked forward to reading his posts. Sometimes I would even skip straight to the TalkBacks. I have a couple new favorites nowadays, but they are nowhere near as interesting as my favorites of old. (Hey, remember that Annabelle Chong TalkBack? I had a different handle back then, by the way.) .....The NIN CD is awesome, and I didn't realize that until the fifth or sixth listen. I wish I could say more but I just looked at the clock. Work...
John Kricfalusi Special by MrMsty	Sep 29th, 1999 06:52:19 AM
Looks like it's going to be on again tonight (Wed 9/29) at 9PM & 1AM EST/PST, 8PM & 12AM CST, and 10PM & 2AM MST.
Nude Scene by stewdog	Sep 29th, 1999 06:53:52 AM
Anyone who's disappointed by the news that a famous actress did her own nude scene needs to have his head examined.
Shameless Promotion - FIGHT CLUB by The Interloper	Sep 29th, 1999 09:23:57 AM
Hi, If anyone is interested, my friends and I have created a brand new web page dedicated to Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club. I just got the page up and running yesterday and you will find it jampacked with info on the author as well as updates, pictures etc.. all pertaining to the upcoming film FIGHT CLUB. Sorry, Harry, that I had to resort to this, but I know of no other way (Yahoo, is taking too long) to get this web site seen. So if you're interested in some good reading and cool design, check it out at: http://members.aol.com/intrlo per9/PalahniukMain.htm and email me with yoru thoughts.
Wow... by SithPenguin	Sep 29th, 1999 10:30:24 AM
Buckethead, John K., and a tribute to LaneMeyers, it's every geeks fantasy come true! Personally I don't miss the self-promoting lying son-of-a-bitch but at least his posts could amuse me once in a while unlike certain ranters around here!
Ahhh...memories by Loki Trickster	Sep 29th, 1999 11:01:50 AM
Yes, I too remember the Annabel Chong chat...in fact I still have it saved. For anybody interested in it, just run a search for SEX: THE ANNABEL CHONG STORY...that was one of the best talkbacks ever. God, I feel like a geek, reminiscing about old talkbacks. Lane was definitely an asshole, but at least he was entertaining, and he seemed honest...unlike others who now seem to just want to piss people off. -Loki
Lane Myers and the spark of nostalgia by Thresh	Sep 29th, 1999 11:43:24 AM
I too, am missing Lane Myers, especially with the current crop of naysayers who prefer crap over content. At least Lane had constructive things to say, intertwined with his acidity. Sarin Rufus, to name names, is all about what he hates, how bad it was, what it needed, who sucks, why he rules, he doesn't even have room to take a breath, much less offer anything helpful. Sarin, if you hate all the reviews so much, and think everyone is so beneath you, do us all a favor, go to another goddamn site. Otherwise, step up and give us something we can use...
Underage nudity by stewdog	Sep 29th, 1999 12:24:16 PM
Okay, for the last time, underage nudity is NOT kiddie porn!!! The definition of pornography is something that has the primary intent of causing sexual arousal. Non-sexual nudity simply does not qualify. And I don't think that Thora's breasts change size from one scene to another. They're slightly above average throughout the movie.
Nudity and Equality in American Beauty by vorpalbuni	Sep 29th, 1999 12:43:14 PM
While I often cringe at films where the women bare their breasts and the men remain clothed, I truly respect Sam Mendes and the cast to even out the score on this film. Even though I don't especially lust over Kevin Spacey, his ass shot, and the ass shot of the luscious Wes Bentley, made up for the two pairs of underage breasts in the film. It's so nice to be a chick at the movies sometimes.
fuck! by zolov	Sep 29th, 1999 12:50:19 PM
Go read the Annabel Chong talkback and tell me what's missing... Harry, the way your whole banning thing works ought to be changed. Ah well. Back to work, I guess...
Thora's floppies by Flumberjums	Sep 29th, 1999 02:34:27 PM
They were magnificent as well as the other young ladies.' I was so happy to see a reality shot instead of a money shot, or the obvious absence of a money shot for cowardly reasons. This film was worth the $9.50 just for that. Flop 'em high, ladies! You're amazing!!
kkrankk says: Zolov's right. Something at AICN smells. by kkrankk	Sep 29th, 1999 03:33:38 PM
All of Lane's posts to the Annabel Chong documentary review have been deleted. I read all the other "Chong" posters and a lot of them made me laugh, but I'm disappointed by this site's Big Brother tactics. It's evident from the many responses that Lane's rants were typically lengthy, rambling and off-topic, but IMHO that's not a good enough reason to excise them. Come on, Harry, text doesn't take up that many kilobytes, and if posts are really too long and burdening the system, an administrator can remove words beginning with the last word of the last sentence until the post reaches it's maximum allowable length. I know it's Harry's site and he can do as he pleases and I know the talkbacks were set up for movie talk, not philosophical musings, but systematicly erasing all of someone's posts is Orwellian and I'm sad to see it here.
Lane and Old School TBers by Cyrus	Sep 29th, 1999 08:16:21 PM
I also miss Lane. He recently posted in The Messenger Talkback though as A.K.A. LaneMyers. I used to just enjoy the hell out of reading Talkback every night. In fact it was one of my favorite daily activities for a while. I tend to lurk alot more than I post though, but I might post more often now (Sorry, this is just fair warning)... But there used to be some great, indepth, and hilarious discussions going on... it seems to have started to go downhill since TPM for some reason, the old timers seemed to start leaving then, not sure why. Hopefully they'll come back though or some new cool people will start posting more. That Annabell Chong Talkback has to be the all time best... I almost coughed up a lung.
you by EcScramble	Sep 30th, 1999 05:04:01 AM
Hell yeah! When I heard Zorn for the first time many moons ago my mind was basically mangled. And now this guy is telling me that there is an even greater loonybin out there. I wonder what kind of movie would have a John Zorn soundtrack. Does anyone here know if he has scored one?
kkrankk by SithPenguin	Sep 30th, 1999 08:23:22 AM
Just to let you know that Lane was banished because of his posts regarding Harry and also because he reported seeing movies, gave reviews to Harry and it turned out that the guy was a lying bastard. Pretty much everything he said was a lie from the get go and a lot of his philosophical ramblings were taken from critical essays by other people. I agree his comments in the Annabel Chong TB were great but most of the time he was spouting other people's thoughts.
Funny by smilin'jackruby	Sep 30th, 1999 12:17:45 PM
It's funny to talk about earlier days on AICN. The site has gotten very "streamlined," something we knew was coming after the format change from repeated Harry photos to the current brown, cut-outs and navy incarnation. I didn't write for a long time because I've been doing a lot and now that I'm at my computer tons more (thank God for writing!) I've come back and the talkbacks are very, very different. There once was a sense of community, everybody was in it for one reason, to get out the word on the next great film that might go unnoticed or to see what's coming next to get that excitement going, something that's affected the way films are marketed these days as there's so much emphasis put on the opening weekend box office receipts. When I lived in Austin, things were different with AICN and in my life in regards to the independent film community. Now that I'm in my silly office here looking out over Wilshire, things are different. Hell, I miss when a single "Phantom Menace" rumor was what brought people back day after day after day. Maybe it's that post TPM letdown that's changed AICN. Who knows? But I'll still be seeing movies every week, tons of movies, reading lotsa scripts, seeing lotsa theater. Thank God for film and even if no one reads this rant, I feel a little better and can go into a meeting and tell him that Kate Jackson just ain't a draw.
kkrankk says: Hey, 2.35:1 by kkrankk	Sep 30th, 1999 04:51:00 PM
Thanks for the additional info on Lane's character; he was before my time here. Good witnessing.
Yossarian John K.'s last name is... by Cuppa Joe	Oct 4th, 1999 11:15:16 PM
John K.s name is Kricfalusi. Pronounced KRIS-FA-LOO-SEE. Hope that helps. And I wish I saw that episode you spoke of.
Cartoons Bloodsport Sex Therapy by J.R. Kerr	Oct 6th, 1999 02:16:19 AM
a devo regression to be sure. While I follow each point, stepping back seems to bring to focus a disturbing whole. Ozymandias watching all the TVs at once - you see the prophecy you have just made with this Moriarty? Gladiators, Arenas, Cartoon Caricatures, Mid-life crisis - sexual politics. America: Pride goeth before a ...
I'm already sick of this fucking movie by MangyK9	Oct 6th, 1999 10:52:27 AM
I saw "American Beauty," and it was good, but it still pales in comparison to the movies it most wants to be like "The Ice Storm" and (especially) "Happiness." "AB" is almost "Happiness" Lite, right down to the convenient Miller Lite product placement during a tense confrontation between Spacey and Benning. The acting is terrific, although Spacey's daughter in the movie is your typical eye-rolling sarcastic movie brat . . . YAWN! The last honest portrayal that I have seen of someone young is the performance of the son in (say it with me) "Happiness." All in all, "American Beauty" is a very good movie . . . especially if you've never seen "Happiness." God bless you, The MangyK9 http://jesse.cyfx.com

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Moriarty's Rumblings From The Lab #15: Evil Genius Interviews The Cast and Director of AMERICAN BEAUTY + more.

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