Films You Should Have Seen #3

It's time again for me to enlighten some of you who have missed out on some  fantastic cinematic gems for whatever reason, on their virtues and why you should stop whatever you are doing and watch it right now, (unless you are in the middle of coitus of course). 

Clerks
Year: 1994
Directed by: Kevin Smith
Starring: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Jay Mewes, Kevin Smith, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Lisa Spoonhauer, Walter Flanagan, Scott Mosier
IMDB Plot Summary:  Dante Hicks is a clerk at a local convenience store in New Jersey. On one particular Saturday morning, he gets called in on his day off. Once there, he must deal with multiple problems. The shutters outside won't open. His ex-girlfriend, whom he is still in love with, is getting married. His girlfriend, who bugs him about starting college, has revealed certain, uh...stuff about her past. His boss hasn't come in to take his place. He has a hockey game at 2 o'clock. Another ex has died, and today's the last day he can go to her wake. He must deal with customers that aren't so intelligent. His friend, Randal, a clerk at the video store next door, is even less dedicated to his job than Dante, and is always bothering Dante's customers. And the biggest problem of them all: HE'S NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE THERE TODAY!! Can Dante manage it all? (Written by MTRodaba2468)
Why it is worth watching: OK let me start by saying I am a huge fan of Kevin Smith, not just his work, most of which (with the exception of Cop Out) I like, but the man himself. I find him to be be extremely talented and funny and if you read any of his books, watch his Evening with... talks or listen to his podcasts you will know that his is an extremely candid individual, who though sometimes seeming crass verging on vulgar, still exudes a boyish charm.

Anyway this particular film is probably my favourite of all of his filmography. Possibly because when it came out I was also working in a service industry, (working weekends at as a telephonist at a taxi company, while at college and university), having to deal with dick customers (not all of them of course most of them were quite pleasant, though more then you would think). I was the right age to understand the ennui that the main protagonist Dante is going through, so it really spoke to me, as it did with a lot of people of then, and from what I've heard it still holds true for people watching it for the first time now. 

So reasons to watch this film. First of all the dialogue, it is funny, crude and extremely realistic. When watching this you can truly believe that the two main leads are just a couple of friends shooting the shit, to relieve the boredom of their day. Talking of the two leads the contrast in the characters is portrayed brilliantly by O'Halloran and Anderson (the latter of which had no acting experience before this). Loosely based on the relationship between Kevin Smith himself and his friend Bryan Johnson, (about whom I will be writing a bit more in my next post), Dante and Randal are a double act that can only be compared to (if stretched), that of Ferris and Cameroon in Ferris Bueller's Day Off or possibly R2-D2 and C3PO from well you know, Star Wars. Dante can be seen as a classic straight if slightly put upon man, Randal is far from the buffonish sidekick that makes up the tradional formula. He is smart, witty and really doesn't give a fuck. O'Halloran and Anderson bring a warm, casual chemistry to the roles that is a great central pillar to this film and it's sequel Clerks 2.

Filmed on money borrowed from credit cards, by a crew mainly made up of young film school graduates, (Smith having dropped out early to work on the script), and their friend, the look of the film may be criticised by some. I however feel that the look is perfect for this film. Once described as "the filmic equivalent of a garage band", it is pure Grunge. Which also translates into it's brilliant soundtrack, which features great early 90's musicians like Soul Asylum, Alice in Chains and Bad Religion amongst others.

I can not recommend this film highly enough and if you need any other reason here are three random things you will find in this film;

1. The best use of the number 37 ever
2. The laziest fight scene ever choreographed 
3. Accidental Necrophilia

Watch this film and then watch the brilliant documentary The Snowball Effect about the making of it.

Daydreaming For Adults

Hello all to lovely lovely lot. Just a short post this time I'm afraid. I know, I know you can't get enough of my awesomeness. However this month has been a bit hectic. Also I am about to embark on some adult activity soon. No not like that, keep your mind out of the gutter until I take you there.

Anyway the weather has been lovely here recently and it reminded me of a poem I wrote years ago, (yes I write poetry sometimes, I truly am extremely talented).

Ode To Cloud

As I lay and look up today

The sky a perfect blue

Watching the clouds above my head

The way I used to do

In the giddy days of youth

I did not have a care

I used to look up and imagine shapes

For hours I could stare

Playing out stories and adventures

With what the clouds sent my way

I remember much better times

As I lay and look up today

It helped remind me that even though we may grow up we should always make time for daydreaming, because where would we be without the daydreamers.

Disc Covering

Good day you lovely lovely lot. I know that there has been a huge hole in your life due to the absence of my words of wisdom. Well rejoice for I have returned to you and bring you a new blog.

Those of you how know me personally (let me start by congratulating you), will know that one of my many many interests is music. I have no talent for it myself, I do however have a great appreciation for it. From Beethoven to Nirvana and from Johnny Cash to Bjork, I have some what of an eclectic taste, though have a special place in my heart for 90's Grunge and Alternative Rock.

One way I have found to show my admiration for all the types of music I enjoy, is by everyday posting (on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter), a link to a piece of music from my past. (So far with a few breaks I am up to 570 songs posted).

A few days ago I posted a song which was a cover of a song I had previously posted. This was the first time it had happened, but I had no qualms about doing so, as both versions are in there own ways brilliant. However it did lead me think about other great songs which were good in the first place but were covered in a way to be different enough, to become classics in there own right. I came up with a list and then shortened it to a Top 5 which I am now going to present to you, (in absolutely no particular order). Beginning with the song that started me out on this chain of thought:

Song: Hurt
Original Artist: Nine Inch Nails (1995)
Covered By: Johnny Cash (2002)
This may be my favourite cover version of any song, and as much as I love the work of Nine Inch Nails and of Trent Reznor who wrote the song, I have to say that I may even like the cover slightly more then the original. There is just something haunting about Johnny Cash's voice, and the fact that he was a man who had faced his demons and was nearing the end of his life (he died less then a year after the release of the song), that gives something extra to his version


Song: Always on my Mind 
Original Artist: Elvis Presley (1972)
Covered By: Pet Shop Boys (1987)
OK so technically Elvis was not the original artist to record this song. It was originally written for a female artist Brenda Lee. It was however released in the same year by The King and I would say it is is more widely associated with him. Also yes there have been other covers of this song but I personally think that this is the best one, not only that it is my favourite song by the Pet Shop Boys. 


Song: Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Original Artist: Bob Dylan (1973)
Covered By: Guns N' Roses (1987)
I know this may be considered blasphemous by some, but again this may be another instance where I prefer the cover to the original. This is probably because it was the first version I heard and I was a huge fan of Guns N' Roses. The Bob Dylan version is a beautiful soulful lament though an I have come to appreciate it more as time has gone by.


Song: Creep
Original Artist: Radiohead (1992)
Covered By: Scala & Kolacny Brothers (2010)
The newest of all the covers on the list and also a cover of one of my favourite songs of all time. This is so different then all the other cover versions of this song, yet it seems to fit perfectly with the fantastic lyrics of Thom Yorke.


Song: Here Comes the Sun
Original Artist: The Beatles (1969)
Covered By: Nina Simone (1971)
OK after some slightly depressing songs lets finish on something a bit uplifting. The original was written by George Harrison once again showing what a great talent he was. Nina Simone added something absolutely wonderful to an already great song.

Anyway those are the 5 songs I picked for your listening pleasure. Let me know what you think, or if there is a cover song that you believe should replace one of the above.

More blogs to come.