She hums it, I sing it

Decending the illuminated staircase in this Showcase Showdown of a blog is me, good old Roberto. Perhaps the weaker part of the convergences duo; you might say the Milli to Vanilli, the Robin to Batman. An example of this is my suggestions for topics to write about on this here blog, one which was my experiences of 'women crying'. Tiffany never did get back to me about that, so it's perhaps something for you all to look forward to in the future (!)
Nevermind that though, as this past week I found myself watching National Treasure on television, starring... Nicolas Cage. Yet, the next day, with no way of her knowing that I watched Nicolas Cage in action the previous day, Tiffany writes about... Nicolas Cage. One might call that a 'convergence' (although no guarantees). That's how we roll.

Now, I think she was pretty harsh to criticise Nicolas Cage in the film in question. He was okay it in- but, really, he could have only been 'okay', as though-out the film he was constantly being overshadowed by the incredible real life historical facts I understand the film was based upon. It was true, in case you didn't know; The Declaration of Independence does indeed have a secret message on the back of it- 'it' being the treatment for the film National Treasure.
Having also put on the back there the treatments for Weekend at Bernie's and Look Who's Talking, the founding fathers of America were early fans of the high concept comedy, and the guys served as early inspiration for the movie industry-based TV show Entourage.

Is that the truth? It all probably might not be, but I can concretely reveal to you now that I have had first-hand experience that Nat Treas could have been entirely based on fact. I was lucky enough to visit Philadelphia a couple of years ago and I, like Nicolas Cage, saw the shadow cast by the top spire of Independence Hall- in the shape of a giant 'X'.
Now in the film, this signifies to Nicolas Cage the location of a special pair of glasses that enable him to read the intricate design on the back of the Declaration (the Look Who's Talking treatment). I was unaware of this phenomena having never seen Natl Treas before then, but never-the-less I did notice that this particular 'convergence' could carry some sort of significance. Only moments later I did work out what the significance meant; as the giant 'X' appeared in shadow over the front doors of the Liberty Bell Centre, it appeared to deliver some sort of mysterious sign- a lot like the 'X' motif in Howard Hawks's Scarface. The sign was there purely to warn people not to go in to what could be the most uninteresting exhibition probably in the history of the world. There's a bell. And it's got a crack in it 'cos it's old. Oh, and that thing it was famous for, the ringing out the victory over the British? Yeah, well..., that never happened. It was different bell. Jeffo might have leant up against this bell here, perhaps on a hot day to mop his brow as he was hot and a bit flustered. At some point. Maybe.

So, as I said, the weaker part of the 'convergences' duo. I've rambled on, and it also appears trampled on an item of great historical significance and haven't really said anything remotely related to the previous post.
What I will say though is that I too care and consider perhaps too much for the particular actors Tiffany mentions. I'm not lying to you when I say that lot of the time I wish I was George Clooney, particularly his character of Dr Doug Ross in the hit TV show ER. I admire the way he was a 'real cool guy' in the show and always knew what to say- which is the polar opposite to me, a quivering wreck of a man, who gives off more then just a suggestion that because his arms and legs are so far away from his brain, there must often occur some sort of 'time delay' in ordering them to do things. To counteract this, I have recently bought some sunglasses that I am very proud of as they are similar to the ones Roger Thornhill wore and so hopefully projecting some coolness onto me when I wear them (for all the non film buffs, Roger Thornhill is Cary Grant's character in North By Northwest... there you go, dear!). Now, Nicolas Cage's humanitarian-esque approach to filmmaking can be explained by probably the thing that has had most baring on his career- cocaine. He's the Chevy Chase of the nineties. Leaving Las Vegas and Face/off were some of his best (?) performances, and looking at the research I have conducted, this era coincides with various peaks and troughs in the street value of power powder, sending him out of his mind but turning him into the wide-eyed, maniacal energyball he is in those films. Now that Ghost Rider grossed all that money, his addiction is probably under control and explains his more languid performances in front of the camera these days... hence Nat Treas. Finally, I have great affinity also for Mel Gibson (like a medal of honour, I constantly remind Tiffany I have seen What Women Want around-about 5 times and it's not because of Helen Hunt). Conversely, I happen to like Mel Gibson upto and including his mental, off-his-face rant; well, at least until the 'sugertits' section of it. Anything surrounding that I fully don't condone. But sugertits? Come on- it's the petname all women love! (despite the five times, it appears the message of What Women Want is yet to sink in). As much as Tiffany urges you to look at the most excellent miniature ponies link previously, I urge you as much to watch this video and fully understand my riff on Mel Gibs, for this is perhaps the greatest wet t-shirt scene ("do ya'd like a shot at the world title?") ever to be committed -definitely to YouTube, probably to celluloid. Specifically the moment at 2.42; the way he growls "NO" is hilarious. That is acting.