I came back to this post, because I’ve had it on my mind for a while now since the Bruce concert. You may never get around to a post on a page this old, but it still merits being said.

I remember reading this, a few months ago, and thinking you were right. “Mary’s Place” sucks when compared to “Rosalita”. The two songs try to do the same thing, but one is just so obviously inferior, so much older.

Here’s the thing-Bruce completely changed my mind at his concert. I was happier that they played “Rosalita” than at any other point in the show, but the fact is, “Mary’s Place” impressed the hell out of me. Bruce made that song phenomenal. And Bruce made the crowd make that song phenomenal.

I since went back and listened to them again. Turns out, the studio version of “Rosalita” also sucks. It’s too damn slow, its not exciting, it sounds like Bruce is in pain slowing it down for the studio. I never listen to it, I always play the version from his concert in London ‘75. That version is amazing, maybe my favorite-they get the crowd into it, they race back and forth–it IS the “Rosalita” everybody appreciates. But the song sucks on the studio version because it belongs live, on stage, with the crowd. I think “Mary’s Place” is really similar to “Rosalita” in that regard, but it’s only as old as the crowd and Bruce and the E-Street band. On August 24th, it seemed like all 3 elements were in their twenties.

Can Tom Cruise say the same? I don’t think so.

Game, Set, Match…Costner.

(With that settled, I’m sure Costner will now call up Cruise and say “Nice game, pretty boy.”)

Not to give Costner too much credit. Field of Dreams is also a favorite book, and one of the few books I like (along with, amazingly to me, the Lord of the Rings trilogy) that was enhanced in some ways when it was made into a movie.

And I understand you love Springsteen, but when you talk about love songs, how can you leave out “Al the Right Reasons”? It’s by the Jayhawks, for Ghod’s sake!

Major props for liking Zooey Deschanel. Best name ever and a cool person.

But what surprises me even more is the fact that I places a vote in the poll, and it came back TIED!! Exactly 50/50!! WOW…that’s all I have to say.

Now, while both men are equally bad, you have to give Costner at least some props. The guy has been in the two greatest baseball movies ever, and while he does have the on-screen personality of a piece of styrafoam, he at least comes off as genuine…even in Waterworld (which, like MEM in ‘Hood, ruined the promising career of Jeanne Tripplehorn).

Plus, if the way that he delivers the last line in Field of Dreams doesn’t melt your freaking heart…than there is no hope for you, my friend…

I met Wanda when she was employed behind the counter at route 60 Bob’s Big Boy Fried Chicken on the front seat, she’s sittin’ in my lap
We’re wipin’ our fingers on a Texaco roadmap
I remember Wanda up on scrap metal hill with them big brown eyes that make your heart stand still

Also, Peter O’Toole was even better in “Stunt Man” playing an egomaniacal movie director. Barbara Hershey fulfills the Ali McGraw Rule in this as well, but not Steve Railsback, who achieved that as Manson.

Wow! For the moment, the decision was all mine!

absolutely agree “My Favorite Year” is one of the greatest movies that hardly anyone has ever seen. You should do a column on that movie and what makes it so great. Great acting (Peter O’Toole, Joe Bologna, Bill Macy, Lainie Kazan to name a few). Great directing. Great screenplay.

“This is where Cy Benson draws the line!
King’s gotta be taught!
First came the word – and the word was FUNNY!”

“Cy, what’s that smell?
Oh, it’s the monologue.
I hate it, it’s not funny, it’s out!”

“Hey, babe. We’re not married to it.”

And people _absolutely_ say “have a catch.” You know, unless they’re Cruise-loving communists.