June 18, 2011
Hooch as metaphor
At my amazing wife's incredible suggestion, we watched "Turner and Hooch" the other night just after another bout with various moving pains. It's been high stress lately.
But it turns out that "Turner and Hooch" is all about a man moving from a small town to the big city. That, plus moving boxes, plus mastiff, (minus Tom Hanks "tighty blackies) and I felt kindred with the flick.
It also taught me where all those classic movie montages go to get a clip of a wet dog shaking off.
Speaking of dogs, my final two stories for the paper were the culmination of a few weeks of kicking a really ridiculous story down the street before finally completing it as my swan dog song.
First, there's "A beagle named buddy," a story that came on the heels of a database workshop I attended in Washington D.C. It seemed like a good way to get some practice playing around with data. And it's about as fun as it gets reporting a small town feature. The people I called were bewildered and happy. As part of the dog package, I also wrote this feature: "Behind the doggles," which has been shared 132 times via Facebook (that's a lot for our little operation). It tells the story of a Harley-riding dog named Harley.
Otherwise, in the time since Chase left the paper, it's been mostly courts and breaking news at the paper -- a full-circle sort of thing, recalling to mind my early days with the paper. My most recent work is all here.
Next, it's off to Nashville to find a place to live.
Labels: dog, journalism, movies
by Tony at 11:29 PM |
7 Comments:
Haven't seen the movie, but am looking forward to watching it after seeing this ridiculous clip.
Also, I think I'm way behind the times when it comes to the word "hooch." I only recently discovered its use in popular vernacular as a term that can be used for beer. Thanks to The Ledger's beer and restaurant critic for that.
Again, great dog stories. A good way to step out the door of a paper where you made a tremendous impact.
I loved this movie when I was a kid. My parents wouldn't let me watch the sex scene(s?). Unfortunately it's not on Netflix instant, but I will surely be watching it sometime soon. Thanks for the reminder.
Also, this is a great post, and I enjoyed both those stories, the ledes, the little details. I look forward to reading your stories in Nashville.
PS: Anytime I here "Turner and Hooch" I think of the stupid Carnac the Magnificent routine from Johnny Carson where Carson, dressed up ridiculously in robe and turban, discerns the correct answer to a question hidden inside an envelope. i/e:
"Turner and Hooch" . . . opens envelope . . . "What's the most inappropriate thing you can do to a girl in church?"
I don't think there's a sex scene in this film. Just Hanks in his underwear, A LOT. But that's not sex.
I must be misremembering. Huh.
What was Turner thinking? Being in his"tighty blackies" in the YARD?
I remember a carwash scene in this movie. Is there a carwash scene?
Vanessa and I watched "Barton Fink" last night. Didn't find a lot in common.
Not sure that there's a car wash scene ...
"Barton Fink" is really strange. I just saw something recently that reminded me of that, but I can't recall what it was. Something with heavy hotel/motel emphasis.
Post a Comment
<< Home