Over and Over and Over Again
Human beings are creatures of habit. Even if we mark ourselves as the adventurous type, we don’t like to deviate too much from the everyday existence that we’ve carved out for ourselves. And we like to have the same sort of things over and over again. As a kid, my now 15 year old sister would watch the movie 101 Dalmatians until both her eyes and ears bled. She’d watch it maybe four times a day on a light day. Us siblings were so sickened by it, that we all have physical reactions to this day if we hear the movie, and we could probably quote the thing too.
As an adult, that really doesn’t change. And in the interest of nothing but self-indulgence, here’s a breakdown of the things I read, watch and listen to over and over again:
DVDs
Boogie Nights – “She’s a little whore, and a little piece of trash!”
There’s so much to love in this stylish and fantastic movie.
Glengarry Glen Ross – “All train compartments smell vaguely of shit. It gets so you don’t mind it. That’s the worst thing that I can confess. You know how long it took me to get there? A long time. When you die you’re going to regret the things you don’t do. You think you’re queer? I’m going to tell you something: we’re all queer. You think you’re a thief? So what? You get befuddled by a middle-class morality? Get shut of it. Shut it out. You cheated on your wife? You did it, live with it. You fuck little girls, so be it. There’s an absolute morality? Maybe. And then what? If you think there is, then be that thing. Bad people go to hell? I don’t think so. If you think that, act that way. A hell exists on earth? Yes. I won’t live in it. That’s me. You ever take a dump made you feel like you’d just slept for twelve hours?”
All movies (and plays) should have dialogue this good.
Ghost World – “Can we call you ‘Weird Al’?
This movie just kills me. Scarlett Johansen is gorgeous, every actor is pitch perfect, and the film has such a great tone: sad and funny all at once.
Books
Fight Club – “This is your life, and it’s ending one minute at a time.”
As nihilistic as this book is, I think it provides a measure of hope and control. There’s nothing stopping you from controlling your life but you. Get a grip and take charge.
House of Leaves
Still makes me wanna pee my pants in fear and strange head-trips.
From Hell
The only comic I wouldn’t mind recommending to my stuck up English major friends.
Music
Lost in Space – Aimee Mann
God. I think this is turning into my favorite album of all time. OK, maybe second favorite to the next item. How can you not love her voice and the longing in the lyrics though?
OK Computer – Radiohead
I know it inside and out, and always discover something new in the lyrics. Easily on the top five of best albums ever created.
O – Damien Rice
A (relative) newcomer to my list. Every song on this album makes me cry, and Damien (and Lisa’s) voice are so perfect that they’re almost unreal.
Led Zeppelin IV & Who’s Next – Led Zeppelin and The Who
Who can argue between these two albums? The essence of all of rock within 2 hours.
Runner Up: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot – Wilco
Genius. That is all.