The Obligatory "Desert Island" Scenario...

DINER!

or maybe Satantango, because I still haven't seen it.

well certainly nothing with subtitles on that little screen!

anyway, something with really, really hot women in it. lots of them.

Good point. Give me anything with Angelina Jolie.

Whichever disc of Mr. Show season three that has the most episodes on it.

oh crap, i was going to put in my original post that spank flicks are not allowed. but hell, let's push this argument to the barebones limit--maybe this is pretty valid.

does this mean, when pushed to define what cinema truly means to us, if we had to sum it up as one value, it would be that it can deliver us portable sexual fullfillment? if that's true, then the argument about solitary viewing over collective experience takes on a whole new dynamic.

and let's change this around a bit. let's say, for some truly bizarre reason, that you had a full-sized theater on the island, not the little screen. how would this change you decision?

oh yeah, i should probably post my pick. shouldn't be a surprise, but i'd take a copy of jem cohen's "lost book found". godard's weekend would be a close second, but i feel closer to humanity and civilization in all its forms by watching this film. it's a constant reminder of how beautiful it is to be a living, breathing, thinking human being fighting to make sense of the chaos of existence.

It's not about appreciating fine cinema or what cinema means, it's about keeping yourself occupied for eternity.

Mulholland Dr. - riddles to go over and over, "hot girl-on-girl action," beautiful + a good cry to the Silencio scene on occasion.

Coming To America.

Jay - I've been wanting to see Lost Book Found for ages. Is it available in any form?

My choice -- sheesh -- impossible. First thing that springs to mind - tie between Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Rivette's Out 1.

milo--you've got something going with the "mullholland drive" pick--appeals to the highest and basest male human needs: hot girl-on-girl action & avant garde sensibilities. i like it.

Buddah--you can get a copy from the Video Data Bank (www.vdb.org) for $30.00. Let them know you want it for personal use only (they charge you more for institutional and screening purposes). It may seem pricey, but it's well, well worth it.

Castaway

i was going to laugh about "castaway," but i guess it's a pretty smart choice. nothing better to keep your spirits up on a deserted island than a movie about a dude who gets off the island.

The mere thought of my remaining days being spent with a Tom Hanks movie --- I'd sooner throw myself to the sharks.

< high-pitched loco voice > Oh I'd want something that would transport me to other worlds, so I'd take Sans soleil.

Buddha, it could be worse--imagine "forrest gump" for the remainder of your existence...

So, what's my favorite movie for repeated viewings? This Is Spinal Tap, easy. Beyond the Valley of the Dolls comes in second, for including almost every genre and having an amazing soundtrack - and from the onanistic perspective, it rates, too. I've always wanted to memorize that final moralistic monologue ("YOU must decide what your life will be..."), because it might come in handy one day, who knows.

So there's just me on a desert island and a DVD player?
No other characters, no dialogue, no special effects (left aside a basketball named Wilson and some branches), just plain boring me allover, every second of the day: this movie would be a cracker!