LodgerThon - The Lodger "Dream" 24 Hour Movie Marathon

Hey, if Harry can have his own Movie Marathon, why can't I? My birthday's coming up in January. Of course, this one might take place at my house. Anyone wanna come? I wouldn't start mine at 12 noon either; Mine would probably start around 12 midnight. No reason to get up early on your birthday, is there?

Glen or Glenda - This is the true Ed Wood bad movie classic. A furious 50's exploitation film on transvestitism that has to be seen to be believed. My #1 Cheesy Choice ("Guilty Pleasure") of all time. I actually own it on video.

Oh Brother Where For Art Thou? - If Harry can get the new P.T. Anderson flick, why can't I get the new Coen Brothers' film? I don't know what it's about and I don't want to know. I don't know when it's going to be released but I cannot wait to see it. If it's by the Coens, I'm in.

Lynch's "The Grandmother" - Awesome early David Lynch short. A spark of the genius that was yet to come and still continues to amaze us.

The Breakfast Club - Another "Cheesy Choice." Yes, I know it's pretty stereotypical and pretentious and dated. That's exactly why I love it. John Hughes' essay on late 70's teen angst (that came out in 1984) still resonates will brillance today. This should be required viewing in all high schools in the USA.

The Doom Generation - Gregg Araki is the greatest filmmaker of the 90's and the greatest gay director ever. This film is his masterpiece. The best film of the 90's bar none. A hedonist's manifesto on film.

La Couquille at la Clergyman (The Seashell and the Clergyman) - Germaine DuLac's classic 1928 silent avant gaurd film has never been equaled. Rarely seen, the film will blow you away with it's powerful yet enigmatic imagery.

Querelle - Fassbinder's last film is also his worst. Having to endure this will surely put blood in your mouth. It's, simply put, horrid and grating. My pick for the absolute worst film of all time

The 7 Seconds - Russ Meyers only "legit" film is a ragtag sexploitation flick of unbelievable charm. The title refers to a supposed banned book which is seven chapters long, each chapter represents one second in a person's brain as they are having an orgasm (I think it was a man's brain, can't remember). When a killer/rapist is found to possess the book, the author and all modern morality is called into a courtroom drama of the most delicious ridiculousness.

R.E.M.'s video - "It's the End of the World As We Know It and I Feel Fine" - A great song and a great video. This one inspired an entire script I wrote called "Keokuk." The only thing I love more than delapidated houses is... well, you figure it out.

Zabriske Point - Antonioni's 70's trash is one of the worst films ever made. Full of pretentious and bored students, bored lovemaking, bored characters and boring dialogue. It also has lots of shots of a tiny airplane flying in a vast sky. At least there's several explosions at the very end (representing the breakdown of American society, I guess) to make one able to endure the film.

Times Square - I want the soundtrack on CD. I want the film on DVD. Robert Stigwood (the guy behind the Beegees and the "Sgt Pepper's" movie) made a wonderful film about new wave culture in New York circa 1980. I haven't seen it for ages. It's one of my favorite films of all time. Tim Curry as a golden throated radio DJ. Trinia Alverez and Robin Johnson as two teenage girls living on the street and falling in love. And tons upon tons of the greatest music of all time. Including the original song, "Your Daughter is One."

Tetsuo: The Iron Man - A great short out of Japan (or Hong Kong or somewhere) that out Lynchs Lynch.

You Are Not Alone - Hey, it's set in a Danish boy's school so you can understand what appeals to me about it. Seriously, though, a more joyous and wonderful ode to a boy's first love (with another boy, of course) cannot be found on the planet. The "climax" of the film is pure 70'. A rare gem. And a great film.

Day of the Locust - The second most disturbing film I've ever seen, second only to "Happiness." John Schlesinger's take on the cult novel is repulsive and beautiful. Like a horrible car accident, you will not be able to look away. I still can't tell whether it's pure cinematic genius or the most distasteful film I've ever had to endure.

Pearl Jam's video - "Jeremy" - The best video of all time.

Lodger's "1 in 13" - You made it this far. Now you have to watch my horrible, 30 minute enduence test of a short video/film that I shot in 1993 or 1994 (it's all a blur now) but did not edit together until 1999. If you can watch this, you can watch anything.

The Elephant Man - Why not wrap up the night with the best film ever made? This is sheer cinematic marvel. Not only a favorite by one of my most admored directors, but also, in my opinion, the best film of all time. This is the film that made me want to be a filmmaker. This is a film that never fails to touch me deeply. It's beautiful and poetic and sweet and wondrous.

As the last film ends and we all gather to collect our t-shirt, checking our watches to see that (probably) over 24 hours has passed, we all agree to head off into the night and go get drinks at Casino el Camino. A cute young guy walks up to me and starts chatting me up about my short film and when our eyes meet, sparks fly. We walk off hand in hand with the group to the bar. Now that's my idea of a great birthday!

(And thanks Harry, as always, for being a true inspiration to me!)