Mandolin Man

Chris Thile, Tim Russell, Sue Scott, Fred Newman, and Rich Dworsky with the "Mandolin Man" script from A Prairie Home Companion.

How Google rates your website

It's widely believed that Google search results are produced entirely by computer algorithms—in large part because Google would like this to be widely believed. But in fact a little-known group of home-worker humans plays a large part in the Google process.

Yes, folks, it's people—not pigeons—after all. Read the whole story here.

First posted:  3 December 2012

The Hero's Journey - Supercut

An illustration of the Joseph Campbell theory of The Hero's Journey.

The Gunfighter

In the tradition of classic westerns, a narrator sets up the story of a lone gunslinger who walks into a saloon. However, the people in this saloon can hear the narrator and the narrator may just be a little bit bloodthirsty.

12 Best Long Takes in Film History

There's no greater statement of a director's prowess than a long shot in a single take. And these are twelve of the most masterful.

"Red Hot Riding Hood"

Betty Grable

Red Hot Riding Hood

Red Hot Riding Hood is an animated cartoon short, directed by Tex Avery and released on May 8, 1943 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. In 1994 it was voted #7 of The 50 Greatest Cartoons of all time by members of the animation field, making it the highest ranked MGM cartoon on the list. 

Made in the middle of WWII, Red Hot Riding Hood was the cartoon embodiment of the GIs’ favorite pinup, Betty Grable. Despite her flashy costume and vamping, Red speaks in the cultured voice of Katharine Hepburn, and the manic Wolf in the suave tones of Charles Boyer.

Aspects of the cartoon were borrowed for later movies, notably Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988) and The Mask (1994).

The Mask

Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Here is a cut-down version of the original. (Best I could do. Sorry.)

First posted:3 December 2012

Spielberg's Ten Rules for Success

Steven Spielberg and his Top Ten Rules for Success.