At the movies (and on TV) Sat, Feb 26, 2005
A movie that became a meme, and the 2005 Indie Spirit Awards, which should have birthed several memes.
20 years ago, we really thought it could never happen here. Now let's go to the movies (and the Indie Spirit Awards).
At the movies: Downfall
This movie didn't really work for me. It feels like an intellectual exercise, and I wonder if it's too generous towards the "good Germans." But it sure is an interesting artifact. I can't decide what's more disturbing. That the Germany of this movie, full of people indifferent to their regime's atrocities, willfully ignorant of the threats to their safety, and worshipful of this man so strange you forget he is respobsible for the freaking Holocaust, reminds me of the America today. Or that America turned this dire warning of a film into a meme five years after its release. Or that I still find that meme hilarious.
5:00 Independent Spirit Awards on IFC
I say this as a person who loves the Oscars: if tomorrow's 20-years-ago Oscars are more fun than this, I'll be shocked.
Samuel Jackson hosted! How they convinced him to do it, I'll never know. Jackson's big movie that year was The Incredibles, hardly an indie operation. But he is a superb host. He has jokes! He swears! He has a great sketch with John Waters. When introducing Primer, he briefly pretends that time travel is a pressing issue of our day, in a razor-sharp parody of awards show pablum. He also introduces each of the best feature nominees as his "personal favorite," a bit that gets funnier every time.
He also brings a clear love for Independent Film to the table. It was the 20th year for the Indie Spirits, so he marked the occasion with a recap of their history. It was informed and affectionate but not sentimental, the perfect combination. And because he's Samuel Jackson and he's a true nerd, he'll drop in a reference to cinematographer Toyomichi Kurita.
And that's not all! Patricia Clarkson and Philip Seymour Hoffman introduce a hilarious tribute to Indie Spirit losers. It was definitely created on someone's personal computer and it's awesome. The child actors of Mean Creek win the ensemble prize and a tiny Josh Peck gives the best speech of the night, filled with jokes (playing a bully is great, it means you get to cut the line at Starbucks) and sincere appreciation for his fellow cast members and the crew. And he closes by thanking their moms, for enduring bad catering and being their best friends. Awwwww!
All that, plus we get song-parody tributes to the big nominees! Jesse Bradford and Michelle Trachtenberg salute Primer! Megan Mullaly and the "Meganettes" boldly take on Maria Full of Grace (can't imagine that was anyone's first choice for this assignment), and every single Catalina Sandino Moreno reaction shot is gold. Best of all: Michael McKean, Annette O'Toole, and Jane Lynch salute Kinsey with a parody of The Assocation classic "Windy." Peter Saarsgard was uncomfortable but he was also grooving! Just watch it.
The biggest problem with this ceremony is that the Film Independent YouTube channel only uploaded part of it. Boooooo! I wanted to see Paul Giamatti's speech!
TiVo Status
The Masterpiece Theater miniseries The Lost Prince, a Frontline documentary, the TV movies Sucker Free City, Lackawanna Blues, School of Life, and Ladies Night, tw0 episodes of Miracle's Boys, and one episode each of King of the Hill, Monk, and Without a Trace. 17.5 hours total.
Music, 20 years ago
An indie song for the Indie Spirits. Also a song dark enough to resonate with Downfall.
