I'm not a big Fellini fan, but "Amarcord" is one of my favorite movies. I am particularly fond of the entire section where the family takes the crazy uncle out to the country. I laughed 'til it hurt. The crazy uncle ends up in a tree, throwing rocks at everyone, yelling "I want a woman!" The sequence concludes with the father, who had previously gotten into trouble for playing "The Internationale", saying something like "We all go crazy sometimes."

Fellini was humorously commenting on Italy during the fascist years. Boy, as an American living through the past eight years I can relate, and laugh.

I can almost see it now:

Michael Cera as the brother (listens to a lot of Death Cab for Cutie)

Jason Swartzman as the roommate (I see lots of scarves and wingtip shoes)

Scarlett Johannson as the sister

Thora Birch as the emotionally scarred girl who works at the comic book store, and falls for the brother.

And Bill Murry as the brother and sister's archeologist Dad (who ends up sleeping with the Thora Birch character at the end).

Of course Owen Wilson will be cast as Bill Murry's rival in archeology, who eventually sleeps with the Scarlet Johannson character!

I was so happy to read about Gwen's book. "Night of the Hunter" was one of the first things I read on OS and convinced me to join and contribute.

OS has been so much fun and so rewarding. The smart, challenging people there keep me sharp. Thank you Salon. You guys are the best.

(Butt-kissing over. I now return to hating you all for not recognizing my brilliant, Nobel-prize worthy posts about the musical genius of Kenny Loggins and Meatloaf)

Seriously though, congrats all around.