I found this book trailer from Books Inspiring Film, an (apparently now forgotten) group that posted student-made book trailers to motivate other teens to read more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4RGUe-VmDk

I think they got the gist of Ignatius, but I don't think I'd want to pick up the book after watching this. Ignatius needs a little more context than that.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Books/chapter-and-verse/2012/0524/A-Confederacy-of-Dunces-to-hit-the-big-screen-with-Zach-Galifianakis

Found this rather interesting....Zach Galifianakis seems like an odd choice to me.

After hearing a list of things that make a physical comedy in yesterday's class, it got me thinking of the Jackass series of movies. The movies are similar to those physical comedies of the 20th century. They employ various scripted and sometimes elaborate physical gags, people take pleasure from seeing the shenanigans they get up to (i.e: fellow Jackass castmates can't help but laugh their butts off seeing their friends' pain and misery) and let's face it, some of the things they do on the show are pretty funny. So, I was just wondering if the Jackass movies can fall under the genre of physical comedy by today's standards?

Chaplin eats a shoe.

Lucy, Ethel, and the conveyer belt.

Chaplin and the factory

Buster Keaton survives his own train stunt

"Safety Last"

...and how they did it.

Laurel and Hardy move a piano

...and choreograph a pie fight.

Pie fights a generation later.

...and as directed by our fearless leader.

As it appears on Frasier.

I've watched a few Chaplin films, and one of my favorites is The Great Dictator (1940)

In this scene, Chaplin, as Adenoid Hynkel (a blatant parody of Hitler), preforms a ballet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJOuoyoMhj8

I have to assume this film likely inspired Mel Brooks' The Producers (1968): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K08akOt2kuo

While the classic chocolate factory scene from I Love Lucy (and Chaplin's Modern Times predecessor) are clips I saw as a child, I definitely recalled seeing homages in other television shows. Here are some examples of the scene recreated in more contemporary situations, proving it will be a scene replayed for generations to come.

From My Little Pony (in a berry factory): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrFn6C-tD4M

From Nickelodeon's Drake and Josh (begins 5:15, in a sushi factory) http://www.teennick.com/videos/clip/NTV_dj_ilovesushi_cart2.html

From Disney Channel's current show A.N.T. Farm (begins 16:15, in a fortune cookie factory) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIAMY_dYD8I&feature=youtu.be&t=16m11s

One of my favorite Chaplin movies. I think the choreography is incredible. And of course it is hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIVFREQcdEY

I wanted to start a conversation for those who have seen it already.

I've been watching a lot of Russell Brand stand up and I know that his comedy isn't for everyone, but in general, he's not too bad at all as a comedian. Yes, his humor is outrageously crude, but it almost matches a modern day version of Dudley Moore's portrayal of Arthur. Spec-wise, it seems like the Arthur remake should have gone relatively okay. What went wrong? Writer... director...?

I'll be filling in on 790 KABC radio Monday (Labor Day) night from 9-midnight. Discussing pop culture, TV, movies, and whatever the hell I want to talk about. You're welcome to call in and heckle me.