Not Coming to a Theater Near You
What do you think she meant when she said “a huge black monster with giant claws”?
What do you think she meant when she said “a huge black monster with giant claws”?
From what I can tell, the concept behind Fishing with John is as follows: musician John Lurie goes fishing in some unassailably exotic location with one of his celebrity friends. A cameraman films the excursion. The resultant footage is edited down to a thirty-minute episode, which is subsequently embellished by narration that totally recontextualizes everything that happens. In one episode, John and Willem Dafoe perish in a snowstorm in Maine. In another, John and Dennis Hopper go hunting for the giant squid in Thailand’s noticeably shallow riverbeds.
What makes this so eminently watchable is its total absurdity. Fishing with John was unfortunately short-lived (six half-hour episodes), but never routine or predictable. And despite the stature of the cast – all belong to the early-Nineties’ indie film or music scene – John Lurie remains the main attraction here. I remain unconvinced that he knows anything about fishing.
by Rumsey Taylor | Source: The Criterion Collection DVD
27 Jan 2009 7:22 PM | Comments (1)
“Fishing with John” is the greatest obscure classic no one has seen. It is a kind of psychosatire on fishing shows. The best line in the whole thing: Dennis Hopper, in Thailand, says “Hey, let’s go talk those hippies.” John replies “I hate hippies.” He says that to Dennis Hopper. The soundtrack is also great, and Spongebob Squarepants uses a few seconds of the show in “Playing Hooky,” which gave the cartoon instant street cred in my book. Worth the purchase on Criterion. And if you are unfamiliar with John Lurie’s music, check out The Lounge Lizards. Your life will gain a new soundtrack.
Johnny
14 February 2009
7:29 AM