edited by Jonathan Doyle

Mafioso (The Criterion Collection, 3.18.2008) Nino Badalamenti is a supervisor in a car manufacturing plant who hasn't taken a vacation in over two years. On his way out the door to visit his beloved childhood hometown of Sicily -- with his blonde wife and daughters -- Nino is handed a package by his boss and asked to deliver it to a powerful and influential Sicilian gangster named Don Vincenzo. Once in Sicily, Nino has a hoot seeing friends and family, but his wife has trouble fitting in and is unfairly dismissed as a snob by Nino's family. Even more worrisome, Nino finds himself entangled in an intricate web of secret mafioso dealings and is eventually sent on an unexpectedly... elaborate errand. (continued)

Upcoming

July 2

Hancock

July 3

The Whackness

July 4

Diminished Capacity

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson

Holding Trevor

Kabluey

We are Together

July 9

Full Battle Rattle

July 11

A Man Named Pearl

August

Eight Miles High

Garden Party

Harold

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Meet Dave

Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired

The Stone Angel

July 18

A Very British Gangster

Before I Forget

The Dark Knight

The Doorman

Felon

Lou Reed's Berlin

Transsiberian

July 22

Two Tickets to Paradise

July 23

Boy A

I-Phone sitdown

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The waiting-in-line-at-the-Grove-to-pick-up- an-I-Phone-on-opening-day story turned out to be a dud. Not that many bodies, no shoving or pushing or raucousness of any kind, nobody shouting "open the doors!" Just 70 or 80 nice people sitting on the curb and on fold-up chairs, waiting patiently under the hot early-morning sun and...you know, quietly shooting the shit or reading or checking e-mails on their I-Books or soon-to-be-yesterday's-news handhelds

the genius of the crowd; window display; curb-sitters; black comfort shoes

A couple of TV news guys and two or three Apple flunkies were standing around outside the door. I was doing the same and asking myself, "Why did I come here?" It was nothing....a big zero.

The first I-Phone hounds arrived last night but were told to leave by Grove security. The second wave arrived at 5 a.m. but were also told to leave. A uniformed security guy told me the line was permitted to form at 6:30 pm. At first people weren't permitted to unfold and sit on their lawn chairs...but then Grove security backed off and said "okay." Grove security also passed out free loaner umbrellas and bottles of Smart water to any "waiter" than wanted either one.

Dahl and "You Kill Me"<< previous | next >>"Lions for Lambs" trailer

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on June 29, 2007 at 10:37 AM

comment #1

Geoff says ...

Well I'm going to check out Die Hard there. At least people are saying it's a so ridiculous it's kind of fun flick instead of just plain crap.

Posted by Geoff at June 29, 2007 11:19 AM

comment #2

Geoff says ...

Or is it just plain crap but kind of fun anyways? I no longer know how to categorize this popcorn, leave your brain at the door stuff anymore. I guess you just have to see it and forget about it. Don't stress about trying to articulate too much. Be a Zombie, but have fun.....hopefully.

Posted by Geoff at June 29, 2007 11:23 AM

comment #3

christian says ...

people waiting in line for a phone! ha ha!

Posted by christian at June 29, 2007 11:26 AM

comment #4

Josh Massey says ...

I would make fun of them, but I waited in line for an hour last night to see Transformers. The iPhone could explode in my hand and I'd probably still like it more.

Posted by Josh Massey at June 29, 2007 11:30 AM

comment #5

Kristopher Tapley says ...

80 people lined up to buy a phone is still pathetic.

Posted by Kristopher Tapley at June 29, 2007 11:33 AM

comment #6

rgmax99 says ...

I went into LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD fully expecting to loathe it. Instead, I'm looking forward to seeing it again. The action set-pieces are completely ridiculous, but they're still a blast in a thrill ride kind of way. Willis drips charisma, and the action is not edited in a frantic, shaky style a'la Michael Bay and THE BOURNE SUPREMACY -- you can actually follow the inane stunts.

Unlike stale, incoherent SFX-stuffed junk like POTC and SPIDERMAN 3, LFODH is nothing but good old fashioned Hollywood junk food. It's easily the best sequel of the DIE HARD set.

Posted by rgmax99 at June 29, 2007 11:40 AM

comment #7

chicbn872 says ...

Actually Jeff, when I read you were just going down to check out the iPhone buying scene, I wondered "Why is he going to that?"

Wait...I'm at work...I would rather go to check that out too.

Posted by chicbn872 at June 29, 2007 11:57 AM

comment #8

Mr. Muckle says ...

Hell, with an iPhone Jeff could manage this site while riding his motorcycle. But you should go ahead and pick up a MacBook Pro while you're there, JW. Give the Gateway to someone sitting in line (ha ha, as if anyone there would want it).

Posted by Mr. Muckle at June 29, 2007 12:08 PM

comment #9

Wrecktum says ...

These are people willing to buy a phone for $500 a pop. Of course there wasn't mass rioting.

It's not like a close out sale at Sears or after the holidays or something. These are rich people buying expensive electronics, for crissake.

Posted by Wrecktum at June 29, 2007 12:20 PM

comment #10

George Prager says ...

There will be riots after people realize that they bought something that doesn't add anything to their lives. I predict mass suicides.

Posted by George Prager at June 29, 2007 12:24 PM

comment #11

The Winchester says ...

I like how the ad for Sicko is featured in the reflection of the window display. Kinda nice, and oddly fitting.

Posted by The Winchester at June 29, 2007 12:34 PM

comment #12

Bocephus says ...

The vibe probably would have been better if security wasn't such dicks. I waited overnight for my wii and it was a blast, everyone was curled up in their sleeping bags and someone was passing a flask around. Good times!

And I believe "check your brain at the door" means to bring lots of booze. Even better, inhale some freon from the theatre's AC system.

Posted by Bocephus at June 29, 2007 01:11 PM

comment #13

cjKennedy says ...

Fucking iTards

Posted by cjKennedy at June 29, 2007 01:15 PM

comment #14

Jay T. says ...

Two funny things have come out of this iPhone phenomenon...

1. People waiting in line to pay for a phone.
2. Other people being so upset by these people.

Posted by Jay T. at June 29, 2007 01:39 PM

comment #15

George Prager says ...

Three funny things have come out of this iPhone phenomenon...

1. People waiting in line to pay for a phone.
2. Other people being so upset by these people.
3. Jay T thinking it's funny

Posted by George Prager at June 29, 2007 01:47 PM

comment #16

cjKennedy says ...

Four funny... oh nevermind.

Posted by cjKennedy at June 29, 2007 01:54 PM

comment #17

Bocephus says ...

remember when people used to wait in line for payphones?

Posted by Bocephus at June 29, 2007 01:57 PM

comment #18

MPNeeb says ...

Wow, a restraint of interest for what's essentially a $700 cel phone that everyone will dump in 18 months when a better and cheaper model comes out.

Shocking.

Posted by MPNeeb at June 29, 2007 02:06 PM

comment #19

George Prager says ...

Remember the early episodes of the X-Files when Fox is running around looking for payphones to use. Seems like a million years ago.

Posted by George Prager at June 29, 2007 02:06 PM

comment #20

christian says ...

actually i think the best phone joke was in SUPERMAN -- no more booths!

Posted by christian at June 29, 2007 02:22 PM

comment #21

Edward says ...

I hate cell phones. I don't need or want someone to be in touch with me at anytime of the day or night. If it's important they can leave a voice message.

Posted by Edward at June 29, 2007 04:03 PM

comment #22

lazarus says ...

I understand your resistance to the new technologies, Edward. And it's nice that your grandchildren set up your computer so you could use the Internets instead of spending all your free time golfing.

Posted by lazarus at June 29, 2007 04:19 PM

comment #23

christian says ...

oh, you are a loser cos you don't have a cell phone edward!
me 2 then. please leave a message after the tone.

Posted by christian at June 29, 2007 08:15 PM

comment #24

MAGGA says ...

My cellphone was broken this weekend, and I felt completely out of touch witht the world, as if my legs were broken or something, and the same thing happens when I am without the internet. Or my iPod. Which is pathetic. So kudos to those who do not even need one!

Posted by MAGGA at June 30, 2007 02:40 AM

comment #25

christian says ...

and that's why tech geeks are fucked if we have a real emergency. scientists have already noted addiction issues with cell phone users, another reason i ain't got one. i'll stick to my 8 track.

Posted by christian at June 30, 2007 11:19 AM

comment #26

david says ...

Hollywood Elsewhere

Upcoming

I-Phone sitdown

Geoff says ...

Geoff says ...

christian says ...

Josh Massey says ...

Kristopher Tapley says ...

rgmax99 says ...

chicbn872 says ...

Mr. Muckle says ...

Wrecktum says ...

George Prager says ...

The Winchester says ...

Bocephus says ...

cjKennedy says ...

Jay T. says ...

George Prager says ...

cjKennedy says ...

Bocephus says ...

MPNeeb says ...

George Prager says ...

christian says ...

Edward says ...

lazarus says ...

christian says ...

MAGGA says ...

christian says ...

david says ...