Otis Up All Night Theater

I just spent nearly three weeks on the graveyard shift. You’d really be surprised how dead the world becomes between midnight at 6am ET. People must really like this sleeping thing. By 2am, I’d usually found the end of the Internet and didn’t have much else to do but watch TV. Again, you’d be surprised how badly programmed TV is at 3am. I mean, how about a little consideration for the hotel clerks, Taco Bell drive thru workers, and security guards? If advertising is any indication, the only people who are awake at this time are men who would like bigger penises.

Fortunately, satellite TV had some halfway decent movie programming. So, here’s a list of what I watched while you were sleeping.

The Weatherman–Nicolas Cage flick that I really thought was going to be a comedy. It. Is. Not. Somehow I couldn’t stop thinking about my buddy Uncle Ted.

Deceiver–Tom Roth, Chris Penn, and Michael Rooker. I really like watching all three actors. The movie felt like it was inspired by Usual Suspects but never really got there.

The Untouchables–I’d watch it again right now (for the 97th time) to see Bobby DeNiro do the baseball speech.

Live From Baghdad –I’ll admit, I have both a Michael Keaton and Helena Bohham Carter fetish. Different reasons, of course. Because I was a TV guy for a long time (and always thought–before I got married and had a kid–that I’d end up in a war zone), I watch this movie for a little vicarious living. Of course, it’s fictionalized to a degree, but I like HBO films and this is no exception.

Singles–Another movie I’ve seen more times that I should’ve. If you’ve ever ever heard me use the phrase, “If you’re going to have the operation, have the operation,” this is where I picked it up.

Inside Deep Throat–Pretty good documentary on the making and fallout from the most famous porn film of all. Though it is rather different to the adult films you see on sites like https://www.dosexvideo.com/ these days, it is possibly the most groundbreaking porno of all time. Also, rather explicit. If you’ve never see Deep Throat, this documentary is a good excuse to watch The Scene. “Honey, it’s educational! It’s a documentary!”

The Omen–It’s a really bad day when you realize your son is the Antichrist. At least Damien was adopted.

Sleep With Me–Mid-90s Eric Stolz flick that I had actually never seen before. I thought the movie was terribly miscast, but was very happy to see Parkey Posey half naked.

I Like Killing Flies–This one, I really enjoyed. It was a low budget doc about a famous New York restaurant’s closing. The foul-mouthed owner is a cross between the Soup Nazi and an amalgam of your favorite social commentators. If you find the time, watch this one. It is poignant and funny.

Shadow of a Doubt–Old Hitchcock film that I surprisingly hadn’t seen before. While a little long, it was really enjoyable. Based on the relationship between a daydreaming girl and her uncle (who may or may not be a serial killer). Movie was just as funny as it was suspenseful.

Call Northside 777–Another old one. While completely inconceivable plot line, it’s the story of a journalist’s quest to get a good story and simultaneously prove a convicted killer innocent.

Vertigo–Classic Hitchcock.

Black Dahlia–Damn, how many damn movies are going to be made on this subject. Let it die. Only enjoyed this movie because I got to see sweet, sweet Scarlett.

Rank–A pretty good documentary on professional bull riding. Yeah, I didn’t think I’d enjoy it either, but I really did.

Friends of God–Alexandra Pelosi’s take on Evangelicals in America. About what you’d expect after her Journeys With George doc. Some really funny stuff with Ted Haggard talking about how Christians have the best sex.

Jarhead–I didn’t expect to enjoy this one as much as I did.

Die Hard–Yeah. Like every time it’s on.

Our Brand Is Crisis— The War Room re-set in Bolivia.

Swingers–You always double down on eleven.

Broadcast News–A movie my wife and I bonded over about a decade and a lifetime ago.

Serpico–Pacino, Pacino, Pacino. Tough to be a bad cop in a good town. Wait, that’s not right.

The Right Stuff–Can you believe I’d never actually seen this one before?

Labels: Film