Quick Links: Camacho 4th of July Edition

Below are some thoughts, observations and links for your enjoyment before the Fourth of July Weekend.

BONUS POST: Remember the movie Pump Up The Volume with Christian Slater? Remember when he put that cool Beastie Boys track on and said "Now here's a song from my close personal buddies, the Beastie Boys...a song that was so controversial they couldn't put it on their first album." Well, click here to listen to The Scenario. Although not the best quality, it's still nice to find a jewel like this on the Internet.

After reading this link about early detection of Alzheimers, I thought to myself. If this test was sitting right in front of me, would I use it? I'm a constant worrier, so probably not.

If you like funky illustration, you'll like Mitch O'Connell's tattoo site!

Behold, the late, great Stan Winston and his 10 Greatest Creations. Personally, I would consider the special effects for The Thing as #1.

The only negative review of Pixar's WALL-E that I could find comes courtesy of comedian Michael Ian Black of Wet, Hot, American Summer, STELLA and THE STATE fame. Don't shoot me all you Pixar nerds, but I kind of agree with him.

One of my buddies sent me this picture of Stanley Kubrick on the set of his opus 2001: A Space Odyssey. Although I can't pinpoint exactly why, this photo is awesome.

I came across Tom Whalen's art while perusing SlashFilm.com. If you're intrigued, check out his website StrongStuff.net. His talent makes me jealous. And I usually don't get jealous over this type of stuff. Beautiful, beautiful artwork that I would be proud to hang on my wall. Or in my office. Or have sex with.

Want to try to capture the Loch Ness monster, but not so sure you want to travel to Scotland? Click here for an official Loch Ness webcam.

And finally, people have been posting this for a week or so now, but I thought Jerry Seinfeld's tribute to George Carlin in the The New York Times was outstanding. Well-written, tactful with a touch of humor, Seinfeld created a textbook example of how to write a eulogy: Tell a story. Make it personal. Make it funny. And end with a bang. I can only hope someone will write a eulogy this awesome for me.

An Essay of Eyes Wide Shut

On Friday, July 16, 1999, at approximately high noon, I was in the theater awaiting Stanley Kubrick's swan song, the sexual odyssey known as Eyes Wide Shut.

There were about five other people in the only Columbus theater to house the film. Having taken the day off of work, I was a bit shocked at the low-turnout to say the least.

After the movie, I was bemused and a bit exhausted. Yet exhilarated. It felt like I ran a marathon...with my eyes. It was a pure Kubrick film: Undefinable, Uncategorical and Uninhibited.

Then came the negative reviews. Then came Tom Cruise fans bashing the film. Then came the film's quick exit from the theaters and onto DVD oblivion.

However, after the initial viewing, I still can't get the images, the dialogue and overall mystique of Eyes Wide Shut out of my head. Even today, momentary images of the film shoot through my brain on almost a daily basis including:

A panty-clad Nicole Kidman discussing her sexual fantasy

The two hot models who want to take Cruise over the rainbow

The overdosed nude lady sprawled on a couch

Nick Nightengale and the password Fidelio

The invitation-only sex party

The masquerade mask on the pillow

The creepy piano score throughout the film

And many, many more

Eight years later, my feelings haven't changed about the film. I think Eyes Wide Shut is still a work of genius. I love the pacing. I love the cinematography. I love the tone. I love the sexual dirtiness of it all.

To be honest, there isn't too much about the film that I don't like made by, arguably, the best filmmaker that has ever lived.

So, imagine my surprise when I came across this in-depth essay on the film by Jamie Stuart on MovieNavigator.com.

If you're a fan of the movie, I would strongly recommend you read this. Stuart attempts to peel away the film to its bare bones and talks about why this remarkable, yet misunderstood, film was overlooked by a bevy of critics, film lovers and fans of Kubrick.

Whether you agree or disagree with Stuart's insight, it's a very interesting read nonetheless.