With all the sexiness of a lower case L, here are the best moments of this hate-spewing scourge, She makes me sad to be a women and thank God I am not a Republican.
A Film by Thomas Haemmerli, 2007
After their mother’s death, two Swiss brothers, upon entering her apartment, found out she had become a hoarder. They documented the process of excavating a lifetime of stuff after a family member dies:
"Amidst the chaos of their dead mother’s apartment, two brothers irreverently piece together their family history. It’s a strange but unique saga involving baronesses and counts; stolen lovers and Nazi officers; lawsuits and counter lawsuits and lots and lots of cats. Compelling and darkly hilarious.”
Full documentary here, Seven Dumpsters and a Corpse
This one is dedicated to El Sloganero and my brother.
Incredibly intelligent Harry Andrews lead an interesting life but, when he retired at 65, he started a building project that would be his legacy. As dementia phased in, his dreams took flight! He spent decades building (nearly single handedly) a massive 16th Century Medieval castle on 1.5 acres outside of Cincinnati, OH. Hauling water in pails from the river and making bricks in milk cartons.
The truly impressive Loveland Castle (Chateau Laroche) and Harry Andrews received a lot of attention over the years from the news and locals. The castle served a greater purpose though... Harry retreated into a more simple time, rejecting the modern world, and founded the Knights of the Golden Trail. Something like Boy Scouts, they did camping, and they emulated the ideals of noble knight of yore.
“What about those Knights, the young men for whom Harry built the castle and to whom it was willed when he died? "Nothing that God ever made on the earth is more awe inspiring and heart warming than the sight of a noble youth just budding into manhood," Harry wrote. "Any man of high ideals who wishes to help save civilization is invited to become a member of the Knights of the Golden Trail."
The Knights still maintain the castle today and welcome tourists. I stopped by on a road trip (took these pictures below).
To learn more about this architect, leader, visionary and possible dirty old man, (including how he cheated death once, but ultimately died of an infection from when he lit his pants on fire on the castle roof while burning trash). Click here! Or here!
Hostel (2005): I know, I know. I’m not usually very fond of torture movies but I thought the concepts were great. Premise: there is a place where you can pay to torture/kill a stranger for entertainment. The movie is full of bursts of slasher movie gore, but after squirming and wincing through the first half of the movie at the monsters who murder for blood lust… by the end of the movie you are yelling for blood and equally brutal payback.
Hostel: Part 2 (2007): In the first movie, most of the victims were male. The sequel tackles the even more terrifying female victim perspective, but pays off in an epic feminist hero conclusion. Also the “customers” and business side of murder are explored.
Both were very scary. However unpopular, I kinda like this director’s movies because the does a fun 1980's combination of teens and disgustingly gory special effects, comedy and horror. On a snootier level: the Hostels movies are about the price of life and blatantly exposes the viewer's own guilt for being entertained by violence and terror.
The famous Big Edie and Little Edie Beale were wealthy society girls turned delusional hermits. Cousins of Jackie O, all the family girls always married prominent and wealthy. After Big Edie’s divorce, the mother and daughter lived exclusively in their East Hampton estate, Grey Gardens. The two of them, with very little money, didn’t leave and allowed the mansion to deteriorate to a crumbling, hoarders den with 300 cats and raccoons in the attic. When the Health Dept. threatened to tear it down, Jackie and her sister bailed them out and repaired the home.
The classic documentary Grey Gardens (1975, Albert and David Maysles) is the delicious voyeur’s peep into the bizarre world of the Beales. Although it had only been a few years since the refurbishment, the movie shows Grey Gardens is well on its way back to its former state.
Apparently they are making a movie for 2008 about Grey Gardens, Drew Barrymore stars as Little Edie.
"My mother doesn't believe in kitty litter. She prefers boxes and paper. And she's the cat lover. So you can imagine how I suffer." - Little Edie
"Jackie was twelve years younger than I, and although I was never jealous of her, I never liked her. You know what Jackie wanted? She wanted the house. Yes darling, that's the truth, and she did everything she could to get it. Then Jackie sent her sister Lee, who I've always been absolutely terrified of- I think she's a big criminal. Lee and her boyfriend came around and started to tear the house down with axes. Don't go near any of these people for God's sake, they're all insane!" - Little Edie
"Of course the house isn't perfectly normal. The house has to be done over. You know how hard it is to get plumbers in the autumn." - Little Edie
You think it would look sexier with the bra underneath? I think it would. - Little Edie
Hermits! People who live in seclusion from society. Mental illness? Political Statement? There are probably many reasons one becomes a hermit but... as an occupation?
