Straw Dogs

For years now, I have wanted to see the Original Straw Dogs (1971). For one reason or another, I just never got around to it. This is due in most part to Netflix not having it; a travesty! Anyway, I am a fan of horror. And not just a fan of a certain aspect of horror; I love it all. From the Slasher flix of the 70's and 80's, to the "torture porn" (I hate that term) of late; I embrace it all. Above it all, however, I am a fan of that true horror; the horror that is the deprivation that mankind is capable of. My DVD library is overflowing with early exploitation films, as well as a healthy dose of foreign films in the make of Irreversible and I Stand Alone (Gaspar Noe' is by far one of my favorite directors). Seeing as the original Straw Dogs is supposedly of this mold, you can understand my fervent desire to see it. Low and behold I was presented with a perfect opportunity to view this controversial film (banned in the United Kingdom). This would not be a viewing of the original however; instead, it would be Rob Lurie's remake of said film. I must admit; I am and have always been against remakes of great/ground breaking films. Having said that, I am so lucky to have not already seen the original, for if I had, I would not have had the pleasure of not only sitting through this film, but actually enjoying every moment of it!

Pan Am

One peaceful day while bored on a long flight I decided to flip through a passengers’ cast-off issue of Cosmo. Therein nestled between the makeup and fall fashion ads was an advertisement for the new CBS show Pan Am. Chipper flight attendants in their adorably silly hats stared at me from the page in front of the retro blue logo. I was squatting unladylike in the galley of a regional jet in slightly wrinkled clothes, a bit sweaty and covered in bruises, and with my curly hair sporting unruly fuzzy patches from hitting my head on the overhead bins. The last thing I wanted to see was a show about the ‘good old days‘. I hear about them enough from older passengers. Though flight crews from that time left such an impression that I take it as a compliment when passengers tell me I remind them of the flight attendants of ye olde days of aviation. While watching Pan Am I was struck by how close the show resembled what my imagination conjures up when told these fairy tales. The show is a blend of accurate small details and the barely believable; like looking into a moving Pan Am advertisement.