Post Stuff: Drunk History, Number 6?

A little gift from Hopkins via Twitter. I'm a huge fan of this series. Maybe I should do drunk critiques sooner or later?

Warning: There will be vomitus.

Great Drunks: McNulty

In honor of the return of Mark's copies of "The Wire" from Ithaca, I've decided to take the season on, all by myself, before I have to return the damn things this Friday. The show lacks the lyrical, artful finish of "Sopranos," yeah. But, my god, does David Simon have a gifted ear for dialogue. And it doesn't that his writing partners are mostly Ed Burns and Richard Price. Simon has a knack, and the observant writing is the high point of "The Wire." The writing enables everything to succeed.

But, most importantly, David Simon created one of the first great drunks of the 21st Century: Detective James, "Jimmy" McNulty of the Baltimore Police Department.

A talented, intuitive and mostly true grit kind of cop, McNulty is the rock of the series. When he's being a good cop, he's really damn good. But when he lets his drink out, he's an out of control mess. And yet, we watch, fascinated. Somehow, Dominic West's portrayal of McNulty and the show's naturalist style make him seem like something more than a cliched, drunken Irish cop who's bummed out about a divorce. Then again, I'm still in the Third season... but they did advertise his drunken-ness in Season 5. Oh well.

But, that's McNulty.

Ladies and gentlemen, his drunk:

Post Stuff: Mitch Miller May Have Drunk

While my dad was plowing through iTunes to find the right version of "White Christmas" to download for my mom, he re-discovered something. The musician's name was Mitch Miller, and my god, did this guy make some music!

In summation:

1. Mitch Miller had a 1960's musical program where he did not-too-fancy sing-a-longs — no high or low notes — of old standard music. In other words, manly renditions of songs about World War 2, Drinking, and, uh, umm ... other stuff I guess.

2. Dude had a great goatee.

3. I was introduced to these two — among many — great tunes.

4. Next time I drink, I want some fellas to sing-a-long with me.

5. No, really! Listen to these! Chug.

6. These just may qualify for my "great drunk" status.

The Frugal Theater: "Withnail and I"

Again. Someone offers you the chance to watch something on Criterion for free, the answer should be an ecstatic "YES."

Check out this ultimate cult classic of '60s Brits and one amazing alcoholic. Like seriously, freakin' drunk. You'll be screaming "SCRUBBERS" and drinking lighter fluid in no time. If this were set now, these two would be filthy college room-mates...

CLICK HERE to watch (http://crackle.com/c/Withnail_And_I).

CLICK HERE to read Ebert's nerdy "Great Movies" article (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20090325%2FREVIEWS08%2F903259987%2F1023).

Still not sold? Take a sip of this:

Post Stuff: Tattoo on the Cock.

Great Drunks: Oliver Reed

Oliver Reed was gifted actor and entertainer. With such films as "Women in Love," "The Devils," "Oliver!" and "Tommy," the man proved that he could command an audience's attention. Hell, my buddy Brent and I couldn't stop quoting Cronenberg's "The Brood" for months after we saw him in it. And that movie's rough! But it was Reed's personal life and public appearances that made him as popular as his acting. The man, was a fish. But a gifted fish nonetheless. Watch the video. You'll see.

Post Stuff: Cassavetes vs Television

Great Drunks: John Cassavetes

John Cassavetes was a godfather of American independent cinema. 'Nuff said. And, as evidenced by this off the cuff interview with man (and has his liver with psoriasis), the man was a true gem. Just watch this eight minute harangue with one of the greatest punchlines you'll ever hear. Think of him like me, drunk and passionate, talking about movies — moderately coherent, ongoing, oddly engaged. But I (to the best of my recollection) unfortunately, am not as agressive as he.