Cultureshark Cares: Is this really a good way to slice a potato?

This Thanksgiving, please, folks, safety first. Be careful when peeling potatoes. I say it's better to cut away from yourself, not towards yourself as in this scene from Arrest and Trial (1963):

From all of us to all of you...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Cultureshark Cares

Last week, a judge ruled in favor of Hulk Hogan in his continuing legal efforts to get Gawker and its properties to remove the sex tape footage it posted last year.

Gawker is defying the ruling so far, but this means if you have yet to see the Hulkster doing the wild thing, you ought to do it now in case the video is pulled.

Cultureshark Cares!

Cultureshark Cares: A Public Service Announcement

Months ago, when The Greatest Cable Channel Known to Mankind released its Summer Under the Stars Schedule, I rejoiced at the sight of August 5, John Garfield Day, because Turner Classic Movies had finally scheduled "The Breaking Point." This long-awaited--by me, for sure, but
I know others have been on the hunt for it as well--film is on tonight at 10:00 P.M. I'll be clearing my DVR and hoping there's not some kind of freak storm or something.

This 1950 adaptation of "To Have and Have Not" has a distinctive pedigree even beyond its critical acclaim. It stars Garfield, is directed by Michael Curtiz, and as the second adaptation of Hemingway's novel, makes an interesting comparison piece to the Humphrey Bogart/Bacall/Hawks classic "To Have and Have Not." Or so I hear--I've never seen it.

I've wanted to see it for years, and though I figured all those factors I mentioned above, PLUS the fact it's a Warner Brothers picture, made it a likely candidate for a screening on TCM. Well, I figured wrong, and I haven't seen "Breaking Point" listed in the 10 years or so I've had the channel. I've only read about legendary screenings of the film in the wee hours on outlets like
Cinemax, screenings likely made long before I was hip enough to know just how much I should have wanted to see it.

Over the years, I've avoided reading up too much on this one, saving myself for, you know, actually watching it. I just know it's good and that it's "darker." Well, just taking Walter Brennan out of the thing probably makes it at least 50% darker, so I don't know how much that tells
me. Maybe--not a deliberate SPOILER--everyone dies in an A-bomb blast at the end, followed immediately by a Billie Holiday song playing over the credits.

I never saw a definitive reason as to what kept the movie off TCM but let "To Have and Have Not" be a mainstay. Even "The Gun Runners," the later Don Siegel version of the same source material, has made an appearance or two, I'm pretty sure. It matters not now. Catch this rare one tonight!

Since I am feeling particularly caring today, I will alert readers in the Greater Metropolitan D.C. area that Penn State football preview magazines are appearing at Wegman's. I've already snapped up 3 of them. It's nice to see that the top program in the game is well represented throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, and at the best supermarket in the area, no less. Pick up your copies and get pumped up for some college football.

Public Service Announcement: The Friends of Eddie Coyle

This public service announcement is brought to you by Cultureshark. Cultureshark Cares.

If you've been waiting to get the recent Criterion Collection DVD of Peter Yates' 1973 "The Friends of Eddie Coyle" and it's been passed over in your Netflix queue, well, here's a heads-up. This morning, I returned my copy, one which I inexplicably kept for weeks before watching it. There is one copy back into the fold, Netflixers, and maybe one of you will get it by the end of the week.

This was my first time seeing this cult favorite crime flick, and it lived up to the hype. It's a lived-in movie with location shooting, unforced grittiness, and a general working-class atmosphere that helps create a memorable experience.

Oh, yeah, and then there's a fantastic performance by the original B-Mitch, Robert Mitchum. Damn, he's good in this, and I wish I could speak with some intelligence about that, but all I can think of right now is one particular scene in which he's awesome, but to describe it might spoil the movie for you.

The whole movie is low-key, but always in an organic way. I mean, I know it IS a self-conscious decision, but it never feels like it. Let's face it, being made in the 1970S isn't in itself to make a movie cool seventies-ish, if you know what I mean, but "Coyle" is the real deal.'

So, anyway, Netflixers, I have relinquished my copy. I wish Criterion had offered some more extras, but at least they did what Paramount did not/could not: put the movie out there. If it's been "Long Wait"'ed in your queue, look again this week.

This public service announcement has been a presentation of Cultureshark. Cultureshark Cares.

Cultureshark Cares: A Public Service Announcement

We at Cultureshark--well, I at Cultureshark--want to assure nervous readers that Cultureshark will be unaffected by the upcoming transition to digital TV.

Fear not, folks. You will still be able to receive Cultureshark via the Internet, satellite dish, over-the-air antennae, carrier pigeon, top-secret decoder ring, and magical incantation.

Cultureshark Cares: We are all Rays

Ladies and gentlemen, let me take time to address a serious issue. The World Series opens tonight, with the Tampa Bay Rays hosting the Philadelphia Phillies. Regardless of your normal baseball rooting interest, I hope you'll join me in supporting the Rays.

Just think how insufferable Philadelphia sports fans are. Now imagine them with a world championship to brag about.

For the good of baseball, for the good of sport, for the good of America, Tampa Bay must win this series. I ask you to pool your karmic energy to help this happen.

Remember that right now, we are ALL Tampa Bay Rays.

Cultureshark cares.

Cultureshark Cares

Because Cultureshark Cares, I want to let you folks know that at Amazon.com, the 50th Anniversary "Sgt. Bilko" show DVD set is on sale for 19.95. I get squat if you go buy it from there, so I'm not gonna bother linking to it, but go buy it anyway if you don't have it. It's a great show, the extras are cool, and if we get a nice big rush on this item, maybe Paramount will see the (green)light and produce the season sets this classic sitcom deserves.

But really, this is a great show at a fair price. Get 'em as Father's Day presents! Get 'em for yourself! You'll be glad you did.

This public service announcement has been brought to you by Cultureshark. Cultureshark Cares.