Harlan County U.S.A. [1976]
1. An elderly woman declares, “They can shoot me, but they can’t shoot the union out of me.”
2. With a straight face, a coal company attorney claims that black lung is no more common among miners than non-miners. Then, the sad irony of so many decent people fighting to prevent black lung … while chain-smoking.
3. A sign on the mineshaft elevator: “Occupancy 21 Persons.”
Some things change, some things don’t change.
Away From Her [2006]
1. She places the pot in the freezer. She realizes she’s done something odd, but she doesn’t realize why it’s odd.
2. “I think people are too demanding. People want to be in love every single day. What a liability.”
3. They dance together by the Christmas tree. “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young on the soundtrack.
The Towering Inferno [1974]
1. She carefully hands over the child before plunging to her death.
2. A movie with Fred Astaire that only shows him dancing for about 20 seconds.
3. “I don’t know. Maybe they just oughta leave it the way it is. Kind of a shrine to all the bullshit in the world.”
The River [1951]
1. For each bundle of jute a seashell is given, to be exchanged for payment.
2. She performs a celebratory wedding dance. Bending, swerving, bowing. The musicians play faster and faster.
3. “We go on as if nothing had happened!”
“No. We just go on.”
4 Nights of a Dreamer [1971]
1. His day’s work as a painter seems to consist of a squiggly black line and part of an orange blob.
2. He activates the tape recorder in his jacket. “Marthe! Marthe! Marthe! Marthe! Marthe!”
3. The Seine riverboat cruise has a Brazilian combo onboard playing groovy tunes.
Killer of Sheep [1979]
1. “You’re as tasteless as a carrot!”
2. Earth, Wind and Fire on the record player. The little girl props up her doll in front of her and sings along.
3. The older white woman puts her hand on Stan’s arm as she prepares to cash his check.
Die Hard [1988]
1. “He’s got his eye on you.”
“That’s okay–I have my eye on his executive washroom.”
2. Al details the ingredients in a Twinkie.
3. Michael Kamen’s score includes sleigh bells–wry nod to the Christmastime setting.
Bonus: carrying a gun on an airplane, smoking at the airport, reference to Yasser Arafat.
Adam’s Rib [1949]
1. Rube Goldberg chain reaction turns on the phonograph.
2. Kate warbles the theme song. Literally. Then Spence slaps her on the ass.
3. Marvin Kaplan (!) as the court stenographer.
White Dog [1982]
1. The street cleaner, driven by a black driver who’s been attacked, plows into a clothing store. Running over a black mannequin.
2. Burl Ives heaps food on his plate. “Sour cream! Love it!”
3. Teeth exposed, tongue extended.
