Snakes on an R-rated Plane!

The producers of Snakes on a Plane are smart people. From a Hollywood Reporter article (warning: adult language to follow!):

...the studio decided to create new scenes that would take the movie from PG-13 into R-rated territory.

The second round of filming also came about because of intense and growing fan interest in the movie, which was directed by David R. Ellis and is not scheduled to be released until Aug. 18.

[snip]

...Chris Rohan of Bethesda, Md., created an elaborate, R-rated audio trailer that lovingly mocks the title and movie. "It's a genius title," Rohan said. "It's so stupid it's great. It invites satire, but it's something you just love. It's something I can't explain. You either get it or you don't."

The audio bit uses a Jackson sound-alike shouting, "I want these motherfucking snakes off the motherfucking plane!" Soon, the growing legion of fans added their voices as they demanded that that phrase also appear in the movie.

Apparently, the studio got the hint. When Ellis assembled Jackson and others for the recent shoot, the filmmakers added more gore, more death, more nudity, more snakes and more death scenes. And they shot a scene where Jackson does utter the line that fans have demanded.

Those involved with the film said the reshoots weren't prompted by fans but rather by the existing footage that already was a hairline into R territory. Within the studio, the thinking was, "We're already going to get an R, why not go all the way?" But the filmmakers do concede that the Jackson line will be in the movie for the sake of the fans.

Oh, GREAT

I saw this article on the Houston Chronicle's site this morning. The headline was "Priest who worked in Houston faces child porn charges." Of course I had to read the story out of morbid curiosity so I know whether it's about one of the two or three ultra-creepy priests I knew as a teenager. Not that way, ew. But there was this one in particular who used to sleazily flirt with the women in our church choir, including me. And I was 15 at the time. Ick. Anyway, this article wasn't about him, which is good. What's giving me the creeps is the guy worked as a degree auditor at my alma mater, the University of St. Thomas, during and after my senior year. I realize his proximity to places I've been is irrelevant, and I'm glad the Church has labeled child porn "intrinsically evil", but this whole thing is just so, so awful. This guy isn't accused of molesting any kids himself, but he is accused of having kiddie porn on his computer. So parents, if you feel compelled to take your kids to church (any denomination, not just Catholic), make sure they never, ever leave your sight.

Weekend trip

Last night I got back from my weekend trip to the thunderstorm-beset Dallas/Ft. Worth area, where I visited Meredith and her family. I had a good time, despite Saturday night's crippling headache and the fact that much of the drive there and back qualified as a near-death experience.

We went to try out for a new VH-1 game show called The World Series of Pop Culture, but the non-disclosure agreement we had to sign prevents me from telling much about it. We took a written test and did well; in fact, our team was the only one from our sitting that passed. There's more to being selected for the show than just merit, apparently, as we still weren't selected to go to the next round. We were relatively sedate and acted like adults, which was probably the death knell for our team. Maybe if we'd been all coked up we'd be VH-1 material! We still had fun, which is what's important.

Sunday before I left, we went to Razzoo's for lunch. I'd never been there before, but Razzoo's is a Texas-based chain of cajun-themed restaurants. It's similar to a Joe's Crab Shack, only without your waitstaff not bringing you a refill because they're too busy singing and dancing. Eating spicy food in cold and wet weather is always good, and I'm tempted to hit the Razzoo's down the road from my office for another helping of Rat Toes, which are battered, fried jalapenos stuffed with shrimp and crab. Spicy and delicious. Yum!

Cakes on a plate

Found this photo at the appropriate LiveJournal community. I want to serve this at my next party.