What's the Deal With Phacoemulsification?

Everyone wants to know more about phacoemulsification. Here is a great video that explains this procedure to remove cataracts from the eye. If you do try this at home, make sure you have plenty of gauze, baked ham, and cherry Jello.

Don Coscarelli's Best and Most Unknown Film

Here begins a review of a film which is very difficult to find anywhere. As far as I know, it has never been released on dvd or vhs and has rarely been shown on television. Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu do not have it available for instant streaming. You can’t even watch it in 10 ten-minute segments on You Tube. The film of which I am speaking, or, in this case, writing, is “Jim, the World’s Greatest,” director Don Coscarelli’s first film. “Jim, the World’s Greatest” was made and, I guess, released somewhere in 1975. It states itself as a Universal release in the credits, however, I do not know if it ever was released in theaters. Since I did not know, I sent a Facebook message to Don Coscarelli. He responded and stated that it was released in a few test markets, but was never released in a wide release around the country. Coscarelli said that he thought there were several great performances in the film, especially that of Angus Scrimm (who is listed as Rory Guy in the opening credits). Coscarelli does not know of any future dvd release of the film. How about that for making it sound like I interviewed Don Coscarelli? I should have asked him more questions, but I did not want to take up too much of his time. Perhaps, though, if he would have known that the questions were for the internationally known and admired blog, “Epistemology Tonight,” he would have welcomed any further questions. Perhaps I will pursue it in the future. I agree with Mr. Coscarelli’s assessment that there were many excellent performances in “Jim, the World’s Greatest.” The film is about a high school student named Jim Nolan (Gregory Harrison)who has a younger brother named Kelly (Robbie Wolcott). If you recognize Gregory Harrison in the film, you will probably recognize him from the 1979-86 tv show, “Trapper John M.D,” on which he played Dr. Gonzo Gates, the doctor who lived, by choice, in a trailer in the hospital parking lot. You may also remember him as Logan on the very short-lived 1977 tv series, “Logan’s Run,” which was based on the 1976 film. You may even know him from the 1985 Australian film, “Razorback,” which has nothing to do with the University of Arkansas. Jim and Kelly live with their alcoholic father, played wonderfully by Angus Scrimm. You may know Scrimm as “The Tall Man” in the four “Phantasm” films. He never speaks in the Phantasm movies, except for his appearance in “Phantasm: Oblivion” (the 4th film), in which he plays two parts. He plays a character named Dr. Jebediah Morningside in “Phantasm: Oblivion” and has the opportunity to speak and deliver a fine performance in that film. During the course of events in “Jim, the World’s Greatest,” we learn that something has happened to turn the father from a great father to Jim to an abusive father towards Kelly. Not only is he physically abusive towards Kelly, but, as referred to before, he has become an alcoholic. It is rare in a film when one can feel sadness towards a character whom you should dislike. You get the sense that the father has undergone quite a bit of pain since the birth of Kelly and Scrimm’s performance is so wonderful, that you feel his sadness. This does not excuse his physical abuse of Kelly, of course, however, the character of the father is so well-written and well-performed, that the undertones of the character are clear and I felt sadness for him. Perhaps it is controversial or unpopular to say that I was moved by the character of an abusive alchoholic. So be it. I was moved. The performance of Robbie Wolcott as the younger brother, Kelly, was also very good. He did not play the character as a goofy little kid and it is to Coscarelli’s credit that he got the most out of the young actor. One of the many wonderful aspects of the film is the love between the two brothers portrayed in the film. Gregory Harrison does a great job of playing a young man who dislikes the father who used to be so loving towards him, but is now abusive towards Kelly. Jim loves his brother very much and is able to successfully juggle his school, job, and football team duties while, at the same time, has time for his little brother. Coscarelli would later write realistic familial relationships into the very good, “Kenny and Company” (which you can find on Netflix and I recommend) and even in the first “Phantasm” film. Yes, even the first “Phantasm” film. Gregory Harrison’s performance was a bit surprising in that all I had seen in were episodes of “Trapper John” and “Logan’s Run.” He is fine on those shows, however, while good and entertaining, these series rarely afforded anyone in the cast with moments that would highlight their acting abilities. Harrison proves to own superb acting skills. After watching this film, I wondered why him and many other actors in Hollywood, who after performing so well in one film, are never offered meatier roles. Most of the reason is typecasting, which is unfortunate. “Jim, the World’s Greatest” is a fantastic film about teenagers and high school/family life. If most films addressing these subjects were as deftly handled as this one, the teenager/high school drama genre would likely be more highly regarded. I do not mean to disparage the brilliance of films like “Screwballs,” “Joysticks,” or “Where the Boys Are ’84.” There is always a place in film history for these films, especially when dvd studios add commentary tracks to what, at that time, were considered to be throwaway T & A movies. Ok…..they are still considered to be throwaway T & A movies, however, they were made in the 80’s and some of the writers and directors of these films are now recorded talking about them on dvd. This is cool, even if some of those movies are lame. “Jim, the World’s Greatest” is a mature, very adult, but not in a dirty way, film. Anybody who sees it will likely be left feeling a variety of emotions upon finishing it. Since it is not available on dvd, if you have any interest in watching “Jim, the World’s Greatest,” perhaps I can meet you somewhere and I can perform for you a one-man show version of this film. My acting range is not terribly vast, however, I would be happy to make a go of it.

New Coming Attractions Blu-Ray on the Way!!

I have enjoyed the coming attraction compilation discs known as "42nd Street Forever." So far, there have been 5 dvd's released in this series. The last three "42nd Street Forever" discs have had fantastic commentary tracks from people knowledgeable about exploitation films of the 1970's and 1980's. On Tuesday, May 8, Synapse DVD will release "42nd Street Forever: the Blu-Ray Edition." I have confirmed via e-mail from a Synapse representative, that this set will feature some trailers from the first two "42nd Street Forever" discs plus some new ones that have not been on any of the previous

five discs. Even better, though, is the fact that this new disc contains a brand new commentary track which will span the entirety of the 225 minute running time!! That is fantastic news which makes the dork in me quite pleased. The commentary track will be conducted by, according to Synapse DVD's website, AVMANIACS.COM's Edwin Samuelson, FANGORIA Magazine's Michael Gingold and TEMPLE OF SCHLOCK's Chris Poggiali. These guys recorded the wonderful commentary tracks for volumes 3 and 4. This should be a very exciting disc which will provide plenty of enjoyment to exploitation movie dorks like myself. It only costs $18.99 on Amazon. Yay!

This would have been a fun double-feature to attend back in 1976. "Logan's Run" is one of my favorite science-fiction films and "Rollerball" is a good movie as well. "Rollerball" starred James Caan and the great, John Houseman. Seek out both of these.

Independent Film in the Mid-1990's: A Pockenstenton In-Focus, In-Depth Critical In-Focus Analysis

I have not yet gone to IMDB to read reviews for the 1995 Todd Solondz written and directed film, “Welcome to the Dollhouse.” Whenever I write a review of an older movie for my own amusement or the amusement and entertainment of whoever may be reading them, I like to have not read much or anything about said film before I write my own analysis. I do remember Siskel and Ebert praising Solondz’ film on an episode of their show back at that time. I also rented it when it came out on vhs back around 1996. I was not that impressed with “Welcome to the Dollhouse” back in 1996, however, like many films I have gone back and watched 15-20 years later, I am finding that my movie brain was not developed enough back then to appreciate some films I saw at the time. Other examples of this, what I am sure will soon be a stringently researched topic at universities across the country, phenomenon, are “Trust,” “The Sweet Hereafter,” and “Spanking the Monkey.” I did not dislike these films in the 90’s, I just felt so-so about them. Having seen all of these over the last year now, I have found that my brain is now better able to focus and take in what I am watching, whereas, in the past, I am sure that other things were on my mind, causing me not to be able to grasp what I was watching. At the same time, however, I can cite examples of films I loved back in the 90’s and, having seen them again recently, loved just as much now. Such films in this category include, “Oleanna,” “Fargo,” “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “The Music of Chance,” and “Death and the Maiden.”
The 1990’s was a fantastic decade for independent films, as any movie buff knows. Studios such as Miramax, Sony Pictures Classics, and New Line and their Fine Line division helped make this so. One such film from Sony Pictures Classics was the previously mentioned, “Welcome to the Dollhouse.” In this film, Heather Matarazzo plays Dawn Wiener, a nerdy-looking girl who is given the requisite hard time in school and who is obviously not the favorite child of her parents (Angela Pietropinto and Bill Buell). Dawn’s older brother, Mark (Matthew Faber), is an intelligent high school student who will likely be very successful in the computer industry, and her little sister, Missy (Daria Kalinina), loves ballet. Dawn’s nickname at her school is Wienerdog. She is not particularly ugly, however, as will happen in junior high, she has been the assigned object of ridicule in her school. The sad mob mentality that our society tends to adopt always begins in grade school.
Being in junior high, Dawn is beginning to discover her sexuality. She develops a crush on Steve Rodgers (Eric Mabius), the high schooler who her brother has asked to be in his garage band, which is brilliantly named, “The Quadratics.” Steve is a handsome young man and Dawn notices. At the same time, she is developing a crush on one of the junior high boys who torments her at school, a boy named Brandon McCarthy (Brendon Sexton III). Brandon is also developing a crush on Dawn, however, his crush manifests itself in a way that neither they, nor the audience is probably meant to understand. Many things that happen to us in life, especially in our younger years, defy explanation. It is made clear that Brandon is from “the wrong side of the tracks,” however, this seems too simple of an explanation. It is clear, though, that his idea of love and physicality needs adjustment.
As with most films I enjoy, I found all of the performances in “Welcome to the Dollhouse” to be fantastic, especially Matarazzo as Dawn, Sexton as Brandon, and Faber as Dawn’s brother. There are no false moments or artificial movie moments in this film. There are not stupid pratfalls wherein children throw food at each other and cause a teacher to make an ass out of him/herself. The adults in the film are shown to be normal people with their own issues because, as we all know, just because one is in his or her 30’s or 40’s does not mean that all has been figured out.
The films does focus on Dawn and fortunately for the viewer this is great as, as mentioned, Matarazzo’s performance is great. She does a wonderful job of conveying the sometimes never-ending confusion which most junior high aged kids endure. It does so deftly within the very good script written by the director of the film, Todd Solondz. This was his second film after the 1989 film, “Fear, Anxiety, and Depression,” which I have not seen. I must see “Happiness” soon! From everything I hear about it, it is the kind of movie I would love. I think it is one of those “It’s not for everyone” movies to which I tend to gravitate. I am glad that I rewatched “Welcome to the Dollhouse.” I recommend it highly to everyone. Netflix has it and it is still in print from Amazon and other fine dvd retailers. I am glad I walked back into the Dollhouse and felt Welcome. Yeah….just see the movie. It’s very good

All the Way With Sherman Hemsley

On June 6, 1976, you had several entertainment options if you lived in Dallas, Texas. You could have gone to the Cinema Theater on Cedar Springs and seen a film called, "Cream Rinse," starring John Holmes and Renee Bond. After the feature, an "All the Way Stage Show" was promised. This "All the Way Stage Show" is the most intriguing aspect of this ad. What could that have entailed? Oh, yes, the 70's!
Another entertainment option was going to see a performance of "The Odd Couple" starring Sherman Hemsley, tv's George Jefferson, at Granny's Dinner Playhouse. Perhaps, you could have gone to both. I am sure that "Cream Rinse" and the "All the Way Stage Show" started late at night. Remember that at the Cinema Theater, escorted ladies were admitted free.

Have a Seat

I have no recollection of this restaurant, however, it was down the street from where I grew up in Irving, Texas. Irvingites may know the 3425 Grande Bulevar location as either where the now closed Pancho's was or where the now closed Furr's Cafeteria was, across the street from Irving Mall.