VOTD: ‘Let’s Go To The Movies With Patton Oswalt’
Plenty of comedians reference pop culture, but few are better at actually talking about pop culture thanPatton Oswalt. Whether he’staking George Lucas to taskorimagining a Star Wars / Marvel mega-crossover, his affection for all things geeky comes through loud and clear.
Now, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is taking advantage of his film knowledge with a new web series calledLet’s Go to the Movies with Patton Oswalt. In the first episode, he’s given the opportunity to screen any movie from the Academy Film Archive. He chooses to watch the 1961 noirBlast of Silencewith his friend, comedianKaren Kilgariff. Afterward, they head to the thematically appropriate Shaky Alibi cafe to discuss it.
Watch their delightful conversation after the jump.
For reference, here’s a trailer forBlast of Silence, which centers on a Cleveland hitman trying to complete an assignment in Manhattan during Christmastime.
Much has been made of AMPAS' attempts to court a younger audience by getting people like James Franco, Anne Hathaway, and Seth MacFarlane to host the Oscars. ButLet’s Go to the Movies with Patton Oswaltseems like a far more interesting way to appeal to budding cinephiles than a boob joke set to music.
A six-minute video isn’t really the place to go for in-depth analysis, especially when a good chunk of it is devoted to Oswalt fondly reminiscing about the New Beverly or cursingCleopatra. Still, it’s a pleasure to revisit the film “with” Oswalt and Kilgariff. If it gets people interested inBlast of Silencein particular or noir classics in general, all the better.
The video is part of AMPAS' new “Academy Originals” series. Other recently released videos focused onhow the blind enjoy moviesandthe creative process of Peeples director Tina Gordon Chism. Keep an eye onthe Academy’s YouTube channelfor more new installments.
