So little to say and so much time in which to say it.
Wait a minute...
Strike that, reverse it.
I got really excited about the advanced movie today. Got some pics from the gooney golf course (that is its actual name) and it gave me goosebumps. Well not actually, but I can see the movie now whereas before I was just writing about vague recollections of a really shitty golf course and the people who inhabit it. Now, the course is a character, and this course is the kind of course that for example if you were to say somebody has an unattractive face you would say their face has character like steve buscemi or wilem defoe (bless their nasty mugs). This course has got so much character, its hard to contain it all in one script. The rotting standees, the filthy putting green, the bathroom signs that read out of order instead of men/women. I don't think I even need an art director for this thing, this course is fucking perfect the way it is. It's trash of the highest calibre, and better yet its Delaware/Pennsylvania trash but we're going to swing more to the delaware side on this one. And that's what I want this movie to be about: all the dissappointment, bitterness, and anger that come from living in this state. I am not, however, trying to make the case that delaware is number one shit hole in the country, I know there are at least a baker's dozen worst places on the eastern seaboard alone. But I'm not from any of those places, and Delaware I feel, has its own kind of frustration associated with it that is unique to any other state, I haven't quite figured it out yet, but I'm working on it. And again it's a comedy (supposed to be one anyway) and things are exaggerated for comedic effect, its anger but funny anger. The kind of anger where you just thrash about for a few seconds and then immediately run out of gas and forget why you were so pissed. The kind of anger that displays itself at the most inopportune times, and above all things, it's about how sometimes you half to travel half way across the world...to find yourself. No wait, that was the amanda bynes movie, nevermind. But believe me, the script is nowhere near done, I need to do plenty o' drafts before I can start ripping into that beehive. I probably can't make it entirely about delaware, I'll probably have to broaden it to make it more accessible and maybe none of the points I want to make about delaware are valid. What do you guys think? Remember, it has to be funny above all things. FUNNY.
Saw Stay this aftenoon, kinda dissappointed by it. The script was written by David Benioff who wrote 25th hour and troy and a book of short stories that is fucking brilliant. This script however was so traditional and standard and it bummed me out more so than if it had been written by a hack because I know how powerful this guy's voice is and how captivating he can be. All in all it wasn't a terrible flick, it had an excess of ambition in what it wanted to do, something I can't really hold against it. But for me there was no investment, no emotional impact, it was all surface and camera trickery and in the words of D.A. "weird camera angles." At the end of the film when the final twist was revealed, I found myself wishing they had sculpted a better story out of a really neat concept (no spoilers here, this is the anti fan boy blogspot). Anyway, I thought afterwards that Benioff could have knocked this shit out of the park as a short story, if anyone wants to know the twist by the way, just sign on and IM ME. But oh well, i got a really funny movie friday night and a lame one today, what can you do.
That's it for now, i should go to bed because like manuel, I have a train to catch in 7 odd hours. Good night to you all.
"We don't want your forgiveness. We won't make excuses. We're not gonna blame you, even if you are an accessory... But we will not except your natural order. We didn't come for absolution, we didn't ask to be redeemed. But isn't how it is, every goddamn time... Your prayers are always answered, in the order they're received... "
p.s. if anyone can tell me what this here quote is from, I'll make sure you are in pizza face paradise.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Friday, October 21, 2005
nobody broke your heart. you broke your own cause you can't finish what you start.
I wish I had remembered this in time, but the website www.sweetadeline.net posted that this october 21st marks the second anniversary of elliott smith's death. It's a few hours late, but i just wanted to acknowledge it, it still bums me out.
I have nothing really to add, no profound statements to accurately sum up smiths music or the effect blah blah blah...
I'll let my main man Mr. E do that for me...
R.I.P. ELLIOTT:
EELS are very saddened to hear of their friend and neighbor Elliott Smith's death. E and Elliott had talked about doing something musical together but, sadly, never did. E: "Elliott was very encouraging to me about my songs and that meant a lot to me. He was a really sweet guy that wasn't equipped to deal with some of the cards that life dealt him. I'll always remember walking off stage one night after playing "It's A Motherfucker" and Elliott walking up behind me in the dark and patting me on the back. That's how I will remember him."
I have nothing really to add, no profound statements to accurately sum up smiths music or the effect blah blah blah...
I'll let my main man Mr. E do that for me...
R.I.P. ELLIOTT:
EELS are very saddened to hear of their friend and neighbor Elliott Smith's death. E and Elliott had talked about doing something musical together but, sadly, never did. E: "Elliott was very encouraging to me about my songs and that meant a lot to me. He was a really sweet guy that wasn't equipped to deal with some of the cards that life dealt him. I'll always remember walking off stage one night after playing "It's A Motherfucker" and Elliott walking up behind me in the dark and patting me on the back. That's how I will remember him."
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Oh that's right he's dead, and rather pungent.
I finally found some lyrics I felt like sharing with you all...
TEARS TO SHED
What does that wispy little brat have that you don’t have double
She can’t hold a candle to the beauty of your smile
How about a pulse
Overrated by a mile
Overvalued
Overblown
If he only knew the you that we know
And that silly little creature isn’t wearing his ring
And she doesn’t play piano
Or dance
Or sing
No she doesn’t compare
But she still breathes air
Who cares
Unimportant
Overrated
Overblown
If only he could see how special you can be
If he only knew the You that we know
If I touch a burning candle
I can feel no pain
If you cut me with a knife
It’s still the same
And I know her heart is beating
And I know that I am dead
But the pain here that I feel
Try and tell me it’s not real
And it seems that I still have a tear to shed
A sure redeeming feature from that little creature, is that she’s alive
Overrated
Overblown
Everybody knows that’s just a temporary state
Which is cured very quickly when we meet our fate
Who cares
Unimportant
Overrated
Overblown
If only he could see how special you can be
If he only knew the You that we know
If I touch a burning candle I can feel no pain
In the ice or in the sun it’s all the same
Yet I feel my heart is aching
Though it doesn’t beat, it’s breaking
And the pain here that I feel
Try and tell me it’s not real
I know that I am dead
But it seems that I still have some tears to shed
TEARS TO SHED
What does that wispy little brat have that you don’t have double
She can’t hold a candle to the beauty of your smile
How about a pulse
Overrated by a mile
Overvalued
Overblown
If he only knew the you that we know
And that silly little creature isn’t wearing his ring
And she doesn’t play piano
Or dance
Or sing
No she doesn’t compare
But she still breathes air
Who cares
Unimportant
Overrated
Overblown
If only he could see how special you can be
If he only knew the You that we know
If I touch a burning candle
I can feel no pain
If you cut me with a knife
It’s still the same
And I know her heart is beating
And I know that I am dead
But the pain here that I feel
Try and tell me it’s not real
And it seems that I still have a tear to shed
A sure redeeming feature from that little creature, is that she’s alive
Overrated
Overblown
Everybody knows that’s just a temporary state
Which is cured very quickly when we meet our fate
Who cares
Unimportant
Overrated
Overblown
If only he could see how special you can be
If he only knew the You that we know
If I touch a burning candle I can feel no pain
In the ice or in the sun it’s all the same
Yet I feel my heart is aching
Though it doesn’t beat, it’s breaking
And the pain here that I feel
Try and tell me it’s not real
I know that I am dead
But it seems that I still have some tears to shed
Thursday, October 13, 2005
We're the real splitters and no one is fucking with us.
Nothing to coherently tie all of these things together other than they are all awesomely outrageous...
-I've been listening to the jackson browne song "these days" every day for the past couple of weeks. I have become dependent upon it and it's not because I need to listen to it or anything, although it is a very comforting song. I just think it is one of the most perfect songs ever written, lyrically that is, there is not a wrong word or sentiment in the entire song. It has the simultaneous effect of being almost diary entry personal but at the same time universal in a way that all songs strive for but few can achieve. I was listening to mr. browne talk about these days and he said he wrote it when he was 16. What kind of 16 year old writes the line, "don't confront me with my failures, I have not forgotten them." Although he did say it was in a different form back then, but still the tone of the song couldn't have been any different. That baffles me, but I will probably continue to listen to it.
-I really need to see Episode III again, I know a unanimous eye roll is bound to happen as you guys read this, but I was watching the documentary about the original trilogy on dvd yesterday and I just go really nostalgic for it even though it happened only a few months ago. Maybe it's not that I want to see it again so much as I want to go back to that wednesday night midnight showing, I wish I could take myself back to a place where I haven't seen it yet and see it again with my friends for the first time. It is coming out on dvd in a few weeks and we will do the entire trilogy in one day I guarantee you that, I'll be sure to do an extensive post concerning that little hootenanny. There are so many moments I need to see on a screen again: anakin screaming in tortorous pain, uncle owen standing on the crest of the hill as the sun sets in the distance, vader's mask slowly lowering down to anakin's face, the look on yoda's face right before he and sidious end their dramatic confrontation via lightning, the list goes on and on. Maybe I just want to see count dooku snacking on some salt 'n vinegar potato chips again...
-Spike Lee's He Got Game is one of the most beautiful films ever made, if ever a film achieved the heights of visual poetry, I would rank this one up there with any of terence malick's films. The last line denzel's character says to ray allen is one of the best send offs and summation for a character of any movie I've ever seen. No matter how many times I've seen it, that moment always gets to me at the end. Plus its about basketball, I really wish I still played, I think I'm going to take advantage of the palladium gym and start shootin' hoops. I say that every year the more I think about it, I just need to get a routine going where I just shoot around every day. I'm not ready to play competitive games or anything, I just want the ball, the net, and the quiet. Then, I'll start kicking ass, it's such a beautiful sport, I really wish I hadn't let it go. (I'm making this sound over dramatic I was not ever a really die hard serious basketball player, but I did enjoy playing it a lot. And I do miss it.)
-This administration has had more indictments, subpeonas, and court hearings than any in recent history (if that's not true somebody correct me). It just seems like as of recently, everybody's getting their asses handed to them. Granted nothings happened yet but if public opinion is as judgmental now as it was of the Clinton years, hopefully this shit will never leave our minds. I just think its baffling that these guys (Frist, Rove, Scooter, and DeLay to name a few) could have all these allegations of wrong doing toppling down around them and there are still people in the press defending them. The best one I heard so far was that everybody knew of Valerie Plame's CIA identity and leaking it was not a crime as it were. Where's Ken Starr when you need him? Oh yeah, that's right he works for them, there is Fitzgerald but unlike Starr he doesn't seem to want to make the investigation about a second rate witch hunt and instead actually pursuing the various injustices and punishing those who committed them. We'll see how this all plays out, but the really bitter and angry side of me wishes I could stuff this down the red state's throats, I hate to cast such a general net of blame but, I had to get it out and maybe now we can find a more rationale explanation as to how these villains got elected twice. Where's Rage Against the Machine when you need them, they would probably have had ten more albums out if they stuck around. Zack come back.
-Also, what's with these stupid ass nicknames: Scooter? Brownie? Is Bush running a goddamn tree house brigade or something? It all fits into the fact that we have a president with the mind of a five year old running our country. That would explain an awful lot, but I think also most normal five year olds would do a better job than him.
That's it for now, I think.
Yeah...
Yeah definitely...
Yeah definitely, see ya.
"i'll take a dog's life
just layin' in the sun
i'll take a dog's life
'cause i don't care for this one"
-I've been listening to the jackson browne song "these days" every day for the past couple of weeks. I have become dependent upon it and it's not because I need to listen to it or anything, although it is a very comforting song. I just think it is one of the most perfect songs ever written, lyrically that is, there is not a wrong word or sentiment in the entire song. It has the simultaneous effect of being almost diary entry personal but at the same time universal in a way that all songs strive for but few can achieve. I was listening to mr. browne talk about these days and he said he wrote it when he was 16. What kind of 16 year old writes the line, "don't confront me with my failures, I have not forgotten them." Although he did say it was in a different form back then, but still the tone of the song couldn't have been any different. That baffles me, but I will probably continue to listen to it.
-I really need to see Episode III again, I know a unanimous eye roll is bound to happen as you guys read this, but I was watching the documentary about the original trilogy on dvd yesterday and I just go really nostalgic for it even though it happened only a few months ago. Maybe it's not that I want to see it again so much as I want to go back to that wednesday night midnight showing, I wish I could take myself back to a place where I haven't seen it yet and see it again with my friends for the first time. It is coming out on dvd in a few weeks and we will do the entire trilogy in one day I guarantee you that, I'll be sure to do an extensive post concerning that little hootenanny. There are so many moments I need to see on a screen again: anakin screaming in tortorous pain, uncle owen standing on the crest of the hill as the sun sets in the distance, vader's mask slowly lowering down to anakin's face, the look on yoda's face right before he and sidious end their dramatic confrontation via lightning, the list goes on and on. Maybe I just want to see count dooku snacking on some salt 'n vinegar potato chips again...
-Spike Lee's He Got Game is one of the most beautiful films ever made, if ever a film achieved the heights of visual poetry, I would rank this one up there with any of terence malick's films. The last line denzel's character says to ray allen is one of the best send offs and summation for a character of any movie I've ever seen. No matter how many times I've seen it, that moment always gets to me at the end. Plus its about basketball, I really wish I still played, I think I'm going to take advantage of the palladium gym and start shootin' hoops. I say that every year the more I think about it, I just need to get a routine going where I just shoot around every day. I'm not ready to play competitive games or anything, I just want the ball, the net, and the quiet. Then, I'll start kicking ass, it's such a beautiful sport, I really wish I hadn't let it go. (I'm making this sound over dramatic I was not ever a really die hard serious basketball player, but I did enjoy playing it a lot. And I do miss it.)
-This administration has had more indictments, subpeonas, and court hearings than any in recent history (if that's not true somebody correct me). It just seems like as of recently, everybody's getting their asses handed to them. Granted nothings happened yet but if public opinion is as judgmental now as it was of the Clinton years, hopefully this shit will never leave our minds. I just think its baffling that these guys (Frist, Rove, Scooter, and DeLay to name a few) could have all these allegations of wrong doing toppling down around them and there are still people in the press defending them. The best one I heard so far was that everybody knew of Valerie Plame's CIA identity and leaking it was not a crime as it were. Where's Ken Starr when you need him? Oh yeah, that's right he works for them, there is Fitzgerald but unlike Starr he doesn't seem to want to make the investigation about a second rate witch hunt and instead actually pursuing the various injustices and punishing those who committed them. We'll see how this all plays out, but the really bitter and angry side of me wishes I could stuff this down the red state's throats, I hate to cast such a general net of blame but, I had to get it out and maybe now we can find a more rationale explanation as to how these villains got elected twice. Where's Rage Against the Machine when you need them, they would probably have had ten more albums out if they stuck around. Zack come back.
-Also, what's with these stupid ass nicknames: Scooter? Brownie? Is Bush running a goddamn tree house brigade or something? It all fits into the fact that we have a president with the mind of a five year old running our country. That would explain an awful lot, but I think also most normal five year olds would do a better job than him.
That's it for now, I think.
Yeah...
Yeah definitely...
Yeah definitely, see ya.
"i'll take a dog's life
just layin' in the sun
i'll take a dog's life
'cause i don't care for this one"
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Gabe need help re:tuneskis
Yo Gabe, sorry I'm not calling you but I know how much you love to read this blog. You like reading it almost as much as I like writing it, so the reason I'm posting this is to ask for your help. Please give me detailed instructions as to how you play music on your blog whenever you open it. I know you did it with yours so just let me know, thanks.
-ethan
-ethan
But I want to debate this particle cube thing...
If you've read Nate's blog, and by this point I'm pretty sure you all have. You will know that he and I attended a speaking event hosted by Dr. Robert Thurman (he teaches at Bone's School). My interest was peaked when I read that the Dustin Hoffman character in I Heart Huckabees (or I Love Hucklebee's, as an anonymous film teacher put it) constantly espoused the theory of inifinity made popular by Dr. Thurman. In other words, the Bernard Jaffe character was sort of based on Thurman. The lecture was titled Buddhism the new enemy of the church, a title about which even Thurman was confused, he was just there to talk about buddhism straight up.
There was so much stuff in there last night, to try to distill it all down to a blog entry would be useless (and from a friendly critique given to me by Gezus, far too much reading) Although, not to get sidetracked here but didn't you, gabe, write an entire nba pre-season out look in your blog, those were kinda long right? Practice what you preach is all I'm saying. And...
Whoop that trick.
Anyway, one of the things that really interested me from last night's talk was this idea of the deconstruction of our identity. Thurman framed it as one of the noble truths of the Buddha, but I forget exactly which one it was. The idea being that we as human beings are absolute in our physical identities. I'm me, that's who I am, and you are you and so on. This kind of thinking however, allows us to partake in the notion that if that is indeed true, and we are so absolute in our one-ness, therefore, by definition, we must be the center of the universe. The problem comes when you think about what are the basic goals for human life, one of them is to be happy. And for a lot of people that happiness only comes by making those around you happy, or when the people you love are happy.
Thurman cited a more speciific example of two people in love, for when a relationship is kicking in high gear you and your partner think the other is the center of the universe, the most important person in the world. What happens next is doubt begins to creep in because of our concrete isolated identities, you begin to think well does he/she really love me the same way I love them. Because in order for you to satisfy your "others" sense of self worth and their own self centered universe, you must sacrifice your own and it is from this dogged pursuit of happiness that suffering is born. The Buddhist ideal is founded in the notion that there is no identity, you are you, but connected to everything that lives, breathes, and dies in this plane of existance. You may not be the center of the universe because you are the universe and therefore your happiness does not depend on a select few feeling a similar state of mind.
I feel like a lot of the time, we are motivated into the me oriented thinking involving own little universes and what not. So, it's actually almost soothing and comforting to think that everything and everyone around you all exist within the confines of infinity, which has no confines! It means the possibilites are endless and a wealth of knowledge about all things awaits you like items piled into a bottomless shopping cart on one of those televised shopping sprees nickelodeon used to show.
Sorry to ramble on, I'm sure I dumbed down whatever fascinating insights Dr. Thurman provided. But check out one of his books, re-watch I heart huckabees (I had to last night after the lecture because it made me giddy in remembering how comicallly alive and curious that film was in exploring the very ideas dr. thurman touched upon) I think it's pretty cool that a movie motivated me to pursuit the quest for more knowledge. Hopefully next time I won't need the movie...
Yoda: Careful you must be when sensing the future, Anakin. The fear of loss is a path to the dark side.
Anakin: I won't let these visions come true, Master Yoda.
Yoda: Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them, do not. Miss them, do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is.
Anakin: What must I do, Master Yoda?
Yoda: Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.
There was so much stuff in there last night, to try to distill it all down to a blog entry would be useless (and from a friendly critique given to me by Gezus, far too much reading) Although, not to get sidetracked here but didn't you, gabe, write an entire nba pre-season out look in your blog, those were kinda long right? Practice what you preach is all I'm saying. And...
Whoop that trick.
Anyway, one of the things that really interested me from last night's talk was this idea of the deconstruction of our identity. Thurman framed it as one of the noble truths of the Buddha, but I forget exactly which one it was. The idea being that we as human beings are absolute in our physical identities. I'm me, that's who I am, and you are you and so on. This kind of thinking however, allows us to partake in the notion that if that is indeed true, and we are so absolute in our one-ness, therefore, by definition, we must be the center of the universe. The problem comes when you think about what are the basic goals for human life, one of them is to be happy. And for a lot of people that happiness only comes by making those around you happy, or when the people you love are happy.
Thurman cited a more speciific example of two people in love, for when a relationship is kicking in high gear you and your partner think the other is the center of the universe, the most important person in the world. What happens next is doubt begins to creep in because of our concrete isolated identities, you begin to think well does he/she really love me the same way I love them. Because in order for you to satisfy your "others" sense of self worth and their own self centered universe, you must sacrifice your own and it is from this dogged pursuit of happiness that suffering is born. The Buddhist ideal is founded in the notion that there is no identity, you are you, but connected to everything that lives, breathes, and dies in this plane of existance. You may not be the center of the universe because you are the universe and therefore your happiness does not depend on a select few feeling a similar state of mind.
I feel like a lot of the time, we are motivated into the me oriented thinking involving own little universes and what not. So, it's actually almost soothing and comforting to think that everything and everyone around you all exist within the confines of infinity, which has no confines! It means the possibilites are endless and a wealth of knowledge about all things awaits you like items piled into a bottomless shopping cart on one of those televised shopping sprees nickelodeon used to show.
Sorry to ramble on, I'm sure I dumbed down whatever fascinating insights Dr. Thurman provided. But check out one of his books, re-watch I heart huckabees (I had to last night after the lecture because it made me giddy in remembering how comicallly alive and curious that film was in exploring the very ideas dr. thurman touched upon) I think it's pretty cool that a movie motivated me to pursuit the quest for more knowledge. Hopefully next time I won't need the movie...
Yoda: Careful you must be when sensing the future, Anakin. The fear of loss is a path to the dark side.
Anakin: I won't let these visions come true, Master Yoda.
Yoda: Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them, do not. Miss them, do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is.
Anakin: What must I do, Master Yoda?
Yoda: Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
To Say Something That Means Nothing to Anyone at All
In response to the recent slanderous attacks on my blog posting board, I would like to address the following issues
I am not nor have I ever been a douchebag.
The film in question that was quoted on the very same post board was in fact Changing Lanes.
Pleasantville is a fine film.
Explosions in the Sky is one of the best bands on the planet, I need to know where they are and when they are at any time of the day or night.
And as for the regularity of the posts, I say this in response...
EASE UP! BACK UP OFF ME! YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME!
Okay, now that that's out of the way, on with the post...
With Nate back in the city I've been able to catch up on some much needed to be seen flicka shows. Let's start from the top.
Capote was first on tuesday night and this was definitely one of the best films of the year. I'm a sucker for artists' inspiration stories finding neverland and shakespeare in love come to mind. With Capote, however, it's a completely different take and unlike any of the recent slew of bio pics I have seen crowding our cinemas. First of all, Phillip Seymour Hoffman owns every single inch of this movie. This is his first legitimate starring role (state and main is the closest I think he's ever come), he's always been a great team player by filling in key roles and never hogging the narrative thrust. With this film he is allowed to hog the spotlight a little bit, but he never does it for the sake of a starring role. He is so much the soul of this film that all the camera really needs to do is train itself on his face and all the crap they teach you in film school just pours out of him. Not to say that the director and writer were lazy in any sense of the word, the direction is paced and executed in such a way that you don't usually expect from a first time director (waiting...anyone?) (okay that's not really fair, I haven't seen waiting... but come on you were all thinking it). And the script offers some fascinating insights into the crime itself and the story of its creation as the "non fiction masterpiece of the century". This really is a film to see in a theatre listening to the moments of silence where the rest of the audience is just as enraptured as you are. At least as enraptured as I hope you are.
Thumbsucker, a delightful little romp about four horny high school buddies trying to score on the night of their high school prom, when inadequacy ensues, you can be sure the laughs will folllow. Bet you didn't see that one coming...
Actually Thumbsucker is pretty damn good as opposed to most movies made about teenagers. The key to this film I think is a reliance on non-answers and empty solutions, you just accept that that's all we got and get on with it. Also what I really liked about this film was the portrayal of the parents, in the performances and the writing. Usually in films like this we are used to the bumbling idiot parents who are so cluelessly dumb about what their kids are going through that they substitute any sort of parental concern for spouting out inane and dated hip hop catch phrases. They are merely cartoon versions of parents and it's a rare teenage film that presents parents with anything resembling human behavior. Thumbsucker is, luckily one of those films. The parents are fucked up but struggling to make things right, they don't understand their kids but they want them to be happy even when they have absolutely no idea how to do it to themselves. They have failed dreams themselves and moments when they thought everything they had accomplished was worthless. Thumbsucker has some really touching moments because of this and surprising in how rewarded we feel by the conclusion that everybody is fucked up. The cast is great, including, because I have to mention this in the face of all the nay-sayers, Keanu Reeves. He once again proves that given the right role he can be a really subtle and funny comedic actor. Anyone remember thomas haden church, a once has been joke who is now a golden boy because of sideways? It just takes the right role.
Paradise Now was last night (again thank you dev) and that was at the new york film festival, it doesn't open until the end of the month. I had some problems with the film mainly because it couldn't decide at the end of the day whether it was an issue oriented message film or a character driven drama about two men making an absolute choice when they haven't gotten it all figured out yet. My main issue was the lack of character with the two leads, they didn't possess any individual humanistic traits besides the need to breathe and eat that made them the least bit compelling. I had a hard time following them around because I wished they were more interesting to watch. I wished we were given compelling human beings rather than mouthpieces for ideological statements. With that in mind, what happens too often with message oriented movies is that they cease to exist as human drama and become simply an excuse to espouse a checklist of facts, ideas, and historical interpretations. This alone did not bother me, I applaud any filmmaker who tries to inject a political stance, as long as they don't sacrifice the drama because of it. That being said, Paradise Now, is worth seeing. It has a final shot that will stick with you long after you leave the theatre and it's a positive step in the right direction for future films like it.
Finally, the last was Good Night, and Good Luck. Really strong film and before I get into it let me just pause a moment to appreciate the talents of George Clooney...
I know, he was a tv actor on a remarkably successfull drama, and yes it took him a while to find roles suited for him (with the exception of from dusk till dawn which fit him like a speedo) But right now, I think he is on a roll, he directed this film, he's got Syriana coming out in november (which looks fucking amazing) and he's got another collaboration with Soderbergh out next year. Personally I think making out of sight back in 1998 was the best thing that could have happened to him, and kudos to soderbergh for taking a chance on him. Something I really admire about Clooney is that he cares, he said a few days ago that he wanted to make more politically oriented films like the paranoid thrillers of the 60's and 70's and that makes me happy to hear a hollywood star wants to make films that challenge popular opinion. That doesn't mean they are all going to be great, but they at least they are not complacent with the popular culture of today. They attempt to be subversive. Films like Good Night, and Good Luck want to engage us and not simply bore us to tears. Clooney wants to make films like this and the fact that he directed Good Night is an indication that he will put himself on the line to do so. He's like a non-psycho version of tom cruise, neither of them are "great" actors but when they are good, they are better than good. And most importantly, they work their asses off on every project they are involved with, and they care about the movies they make. I don't know, I was just thinking about what a steady and positive contribution George Clooney has made over the years and I'm glad he's doing it.
On to good night, and good luck. I know I've been saying this a lot but I really liked this film. Clooney shows a remarkable restraint and amazing improvement over his last film confessions of a dangerous mind, a film I liked but grew tiresome with because it was 8 billion different things at one time. Good night has none of that bullshit, it's a claustrophobic thriller only instead of submarines and gene hackmen it's white guys with glasses smoking cigarettes while duking it out on the air with stone cold killers like joe mccarthy. What I especially liked about the film was the fact that while their was definitely some mythologizing and hero worship going on (I think it's impossible to avoid such pratfalls myself) a lot of it was subdued by the fact that the cast went out of its way to paint these people as recognizably human. They joke, they make sarcastic comments, and they treat their cause not like a cause, but rather something that simply should be done. The CBS studios they inhabit are filmed like a Byzantine maze, always contorting itself into some new shape and direction, finding new areas for the actors to hide or be discovered. It's a dizzying effect, giving one the feeling of constant motion and a real time documentary feel as we watch this story unfold. I don't think I can say enough how masterfully this film is directed, but I'm having a Clooney induced love fest so maybe that's what that's all about. Fascinating film, David Strathairn is great and he is one of those actors like Frank langella (who is also in the film) that seems to float by from film to film and deliver strong work every time out but never really achieve the recognition they deserve. It's great that this month two films, one starring phillip seymour hoffman and this one with strathairn are giving two great performers the chance to be actors and not just character actors.
Okay, I think that's enough, I could go on about squid and the whale, but I've already talked about that. Check out a mid july post to get the skinny on that film, but in short I loved it and I think everybody and their mothers should go see it, together. Or mix and match what do I care. So I hope this blog entry was long enough, I hope you enjoy reading it....suckers.
"Don't say your sorry
Cause sorry means something is wrong"
p.s. I suck as a critic I know, but I've got to be better than Rex Reed right?
I am not nor have I ever been a douchebag.
The film in question that was quoted on the very same post board was in fact Changing Lanes.
Pleasantville is a fine film.
Explosions in the Sky is one of the best bands on the planet, I need to know where they are and when they are at any time of the day or night.
And as for the regularity of the posts, I say this in response...
EASE UP! BACK UP OFF ME! YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME!
Okay, now that that's out of the way, on with the post...
With Nate back in the city I've been able to catch up on some much needed to be seen flicka shows. Let's start from the top.
Capote was first on tuesday night and this was definitely one of the best films of the year. I'm a sucker for artists' inspiration stories finding neverland and shakespeare in love come to mind. With Capote, however, it's a completely different take and unlike any of the recent slew of bio pics I have seen crowding our cinemas. First of all, Phillip Seymour Hoffman owns every single inch of this movie. This is his first legitimate starring role (state and main is the closest I think he's ever come), he's always been a great team player by filling in key roles and never hogging the narrative thrust. With this film he is allowed to hog the spotlight a little bit, but he never does it for the sake of a starring role. He is so much the soul of this film that all the camera really needs to do is train itself on his face and all the crap they teach you in film school just pours out of him. Not to say that the director and writer were lazy in any sense of the word, the direction is paced and executed in such a way that you don't usually expect from a first time director (waiting...anyone?) (okay that's not really fair, I haven't seen waiting... but come on you were all thinking it). And the script offers some fascinating insights into the crime itself and the story of its creation as the "non fiction masterpiece of the century". This really is a film to see in a theatre listening to the moments of silence where the rest of the audience is just as enraptured as you are. At least as enraptured as I hope you are.
Thumbsucker, a delightful little romp about four horny high school buddies trying to score on the night of their high school prom, when inadequacy ensues, you can be sure the laughs will folllow. Bet you didn't see that one coming...
Actually Thumbsucker is pretty damn good as opposed to most movies made about teenagers. The key to this film I think is a reliance on non-answers and empty solutions, you just accept that that's all we got and get on with it. Also what I really liked about this film was the portrayal of the parents, in the performances and the writing. Usually in films like this we are used to the bumbling idiot parents who are so cluelessly dumb about what their kids are going through that they substitute any sort of parental concern for spouting out inane and dated hip hop catch phrases. They are merely cartoon versions of parents and it's a rare teenage film that presents parents with anything resembling human behavior. Thumbsucker is, luckily one of those films. The parents are fucked up but struggling to make things right, they don't understand their kids but they want them to be happy even when they have absolutely no idea how to do it to themselves. They have failed dreams themselves and moments when they thought everything they had accomplished was worthless. Thumbsucker has some really touching moments because of this and surprising in how rewarded we feel by the conclusion that everybody is fucked up. The cast is great, including, because I have to mention this in the face of all the nay-sayers, Keanu Reeves. He once again proves that given the right role he can be a really subtle and funny comedic actor. Anyone remember thomas haden church, a once has been joke who is now a golden boy because of sideways? It just takes the right role.
Paradise Now was last night (again thank you dev) and that was at the new york film festival, it doesn't open until the end of the month. I had some problems with the film mainly because it couldn't decide at the end of the day whether it was an issue oriented message film or a character driven drama about two men making an absolute choice when they haven't gotten it all figured out yet. My main issue was the lack of character with the two leads, they didn't possess any individual humanistic traits besides the need to breathe and eat that made them the least bit compelling. I had a hard time following them around because I wished they were more interesting to watch. I wished we were given compelling human beings rather than mouthpieces for ideological statements. With that in mind, what happens too often with message oriented movies is that they cease to exist as human drama and become simply an excuse to espouse a checklist of facts, ideas, and historical interpretations. This alone did not bother me, I applaud any filmmaker who tries to inject a political stance, as long as they don't sacrifice the drama because of it. That being said, Paradise Now, is worth seeing. It has a final shot that will stick with you long after you leave the theatre and it's a positive step in the right direction for future films like it.
Finally, the last was Good Night, and Good Luck. Really strong film and before I get into it let me just pause a moment to appreciate the talents of George Clooney...
I know, he was a tv actor on a remarkably successfull drama, and yes it took him a while to find roles suited for him (with the exception of from dusk till dawn which fit him like a speedo) But right now, I think he is on a roll, he directed this film, he's got Syriana coming out in november (which looks fucking amazing) and he's got another collaboration with Soderbergh out next year. Personally I think making out of sight back in 1998 was the best thing that could have happened to him, and kudos to soderbergh for taking a chance on him. Something I really admire about Clooney is that he cares, he said a few days ago that he wanted to make more politically oriented films like the paranoid thrillers of the 60's and 70's and that makes me happy to hear a hollywood star wants to make films that challenge popular opinion. That doesn't mean they are all going to be great, but they at least they are not complacent with the popular culture of today. They attempt to be subversive. Films like Good Night, and Good Luck want to engage us and not simply bore us to tears. Clooney wants to make films like this and the fact that he directed Good Night is an indication that he will put himself on the line to do so. He's like a non-psycho version of tom cruise, neither of them are "great" actors but when they are good, they are better than good. And most importantly, they work their asses off on every project they are involved with, and they care about the movies they make. I don't know, I was just thinking about what a steady and positive contribution George Clooney has made over the years and I'm glad he's doing it.
On to good night, and good luck. I know I've been saying this a lot but I really liked this film. Clooney shows a remarkable restraint and amazing improvement over his last film confessions of a dangerous mind, a film I liked but grew tiresome with because it was 8 billion different things at one time. Good night has none of that bullshit, it's a claustrophobic thriller only instead of submarines and gene hackmen it's white guys with glasses smoking cigarettes while duking it out on the air with stone cold killers like joe mccarthy. What I especially liked about the film was the fact that while their was definitely some mythologizing and hero worship going on (I think it's impossible to avoid such pratfalls myself) a lot of it was subdued by the fact that the cast went out of its way to paint these people as recognizably human. They joke, they make sarcastic comments, and they treat their cause not like a cause, but rather something that simply should be done. The CBS studios they inhabit are filmed like a Byzantine maze, always contorting itself into some new shape and direction, finding new areas for the actors to hide or be discovered. It's a dizzying effect, giving one the feeling of constant motion and a real time documentary feel as we watch this story unfold. I don't think I can say enough how masterfully this film is directed, but I'm having a Clooney induced love fest so maybe that's what that's all about. Fascinating film, David Strathairn is great and he is one of those actors like Frank langella (who is also in the film) that seems to float by from film to film and deliver strong work every time out but never really achieve the recognition they deserve. It's great that this month two films, one starring phillip seymour hoffman and this one with strathairn are giving two great performers the chance to be actors and not just character actors.
Okay, I think that's enough, I could go on about squid and the whale, but I've already talked about that. Check out a mid july post to get the skinny on that film, but in short I loved it and I think everybody and their mothers should go see it, together. Or mix and match what do I care. So I hope this blog entry was long enough, I hope you enjoy reading it....suckers.
"Don't say your sorry
Cause sorry means something is wrong"
p.s. I suck as a critic I know, but I've got to be better than Rex Reed right?
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Remember when we were kids, remember what we used to say to each other?
EXT. BENCH. DAY
Sammy and Terry sit on a bench near the bus stop. Terry's
backpack is by his side.
SAMMY
Do you need some cash for the bus?
TERRY
No, I got a few bucks... Aren't you
gonna be late for work?
SAMMY
Oh -- Yeah. That's OK.
(Pause)
Terry, I don't even know where you're
going.
TERRY
Oh, well, I didn't really have a
concrete plan yet. I have to go back
to Worcester and get my stuff...
SAMMY
Oh, are you gonna try to see that
girl?
TERRY
Well... Yeah... You know... Thought
maybe I'd try to show my face... Let
her brother have a crack at me...
SAMMY
What?
TERRY
No...
SAMMY
...I don't want anyone to have a
crack at you.
TERRY
I'm just kidding. I just thought...
Just thought I'd check up on her...
(Pause)
Anyway, after that, I don't really
know. I've been thinking about Alaska
a lot. I still got some friends out
there. I don't really know. Anyway,
I'll write you.
SAMMY
You will?
TERRY
Sure, Sammy. Of course I will. You
know that.
Pause.
SAMMY
What is gonna happen to you?
TERRY
Nothing too bad... But I gotta tell
you, I know things didn't work out
too well this time...
SAMMY
Well, Terry --
TERRY
...but it's always really good to
know that wherever I am, whatever
stupid shit I'm doing, you're back
at my home, rooting for me.
SAMMY
I do root for you.
She starts crying, and looks down.
TERRY
Come on, Sammy. Everything's gonna
be all right... Comparatively... And
I'll be back this way...
SAMMY
I feel like I'm never gonna see you
again...!
TERRY
Of course you will, Sammy. You never
have to worry about that.
SAMMY
Please don't go till you know where
you're going. Please...!
TERRY
I do know where I'm going. I'm going
to Worcester and I'm gonna try to
see that girl. And then depending on
what happens there, I thought I'd
try to see if there's any work for
me out West. And if there is, I'm
gonna head out there for the summer
and try to make some money. And if
there isn't, I'll figure something
else out. Maybe I'll stay around the
East. I don't know... I really liked
it in Alaska. It was really beautiful.
You just -- It made me feel good.
And before things got so messed up I
was doin' pretty well out there.
Seriously. But I couldn't stay here
long, Sammy: I don't want to live
here. But I'm gonna stay in touch.
And I'll be back. 'Cause I want to
see you and I want to see Rudy. I'll
come home for Christmas. How about
that? We'll have Christmas together.
(Pause)
Come on, Sammy. You can trust me...
Still looking down, Sammy shakes her head, tears leaking
down her cheeks.
TERRY
Come on, Sammy... Look at me... Look
at me...
She looks at him.
TERRY
Hey, Sammy... Remember when we were
kids, remember what we always used
to say to each other . . .?
(Pause)
Remember when we were kids?
SAMMY
Of course I do...!
She throws her arms around his neck. He pats her gently.
INT./EXT. BUS. DAY
The DOORS OPEN and Terry comes up the steps and into the
bus. Outside, Sammy watches him pay the driver and move
through the bus toward his seat. The BUS DOORS CLOSE.
EXT. BUS. CONTINUOUS
Sammy waves till the BUS DRIVES all the way down MAIN STREET,
turns a corner and is gone.
INT. BUS. CONTINUOUS
Terry, in his seat, turns forward and watches the view go
by. He smiles a little.
INT. SAMMY'S CAR (MOVING). DAY
The morning sunlight flickers through the windshield into
the car as Sammy drives along toward work. She passes the
TOWN HALL CLOCK and sees that it's 9:20.
She dries her damp cheek with a forearm and rolls down her
window to let the morning breeze blow through.
Squaring her shoulders a little, she drives through town at
a slow and easy pace.
Sammy and Terry sit on a bench near the bus stop. Terry's
backpack is by his side.
SAMMY
Do you need some cash for the bus?
TERRY
No, I got a few bucks... Aren't you
gonna be late for work?
SAMMY
Oh -- Yeah. That's OK.
(Pause)
Terry, I don't even know where you're
going.
TERRY
Oh, well, I didn't really have a
concrete plan yet. I have to go back
to Worcester and get my stuff...
SAMMY
Oh, are you gonna try to see that
girl?
TERRY
Well... Yeah... You know... Thought
maybe I'd try to show my face... Let
her brother have a crack at me...
SAMMY
What?
TERRY
No...
SAMMY
...I don't want anyone to have a
crack at you.
TERRY
I'm just kidding. I just thought...
Just thought I'd check up on her...
(Pause)
Anyway, after that, I don't really
know. I've been thinking about Alaska
a lot. I still got some friends out
there. I don't really know. Anyway,
I'll write you.
SAMMY
You will?
TERRY
Sure, Sammy. Of course I will. You
know that.
Pause.
SAMMY
What is gonna happen to you?
TERRY
Nothing too bad... But I gotta tell
you, I know things didn't work out
too well this time...
SAMMY
Well, Terry --
TERRY
...but it's always really good to
know that wherever I am, whatever
stupid shit I'm doing, you're back
at my home, rooting for me.
SAMMY
I do root for you.
She starts crying, and looks down.
TERRY
Come on, Sammy. Everything's gonna
be all right... Comparatively... And
I'll be back this way...
SAMMY
I feel like I'm never gonna see you
again...!
TERRY
Of course you will, Sammy. You never
have to worry about that.
SAMMY
Please don't go till you know where
you're going. Please...!
TERRY
I do know where I'm going. I'm going
to Worcester and I'm gonna try to
see that girl. And then depending on
what happens there, I thought I'd
try to see if there's any work for
me out West. And if there is, I'm
gonna head out there for the summer
and try to make some money. And if
there isn't, I'll figure something
else out. Maybe I'll stay around the
East. I don't know... I really liked
it in Alaska. It was really beautiful.
You just -- It made me feel good.
And before things got so messed up I
was doin' pretty well out there.
Seriously. But I couldn't stay here
long, Sammy: I don't want to live
here. But I'm gonna stay in touch.
And I'll be back. 'Cause I want to
see you and I want to see Rudy. I'll
come home for Christmas. How about
that? We'll have Christmas together.
(Pause)
Come on, Sammy. You can trust me...
Still looking down, Sammy shakes her head, tears leaking
down her cheeks.
TERRY
Come on, Sammy... Look at me... Look
at me...
She looks at him.
TERRY
Hey, Sammy... Remember when we were
kids, remember what we always used
to say to each other . . .?
(Pause)
Remember when we were kids?
SAMMY
Of course I do...!
She throws her arms around his neck. He pats her gently.
INT./EXT. BUS. DAY
The DOORS OPEN and Terry comes up the steps and into the
bus. Outside, Sammy watches him pay the driver and move
through the bus toward his seat. The BUS DOORS CLOSE.
EXT. BUS. CONTINUOUS
Sammy waves till the BUS DRIVES all the way down MAIN STREET,
turns a corner and is gone.
INT. BUS. CONTINUOUS
Terry, in his seat, turns forward and watches the view go
by. He smiles a little.
INT. SAMMY'S CAR (MOVING). DAY
The morning sunlight flickers through the windshield into
the car as Sammy drives along toward work. She passes the
TOWN HALL CLOCK and sees that it's 9:20.
She dries her damp cheek with a forearm and rolls down her
window to let the morning breeze blow through.
Squaring her shoulders a little, she drives through town at
a slow and easy pace.
The days are just packed...
I read a review of the complete calvin and hobbes collection that is about to be released.
I found this from a calvin and hobbes website, it's a poem from Scientific Progress Goes Boink!
It's not even worth the attempt to put into words the genius of those books. I just wish Watterson would give up his whole anti marketing and licensing stance (although that's probably what I most admire him for) and let me make the movie. Think about it, it could totally be a Robert Rodriguez/Frank Miller/Sin City collaboration. I would just take the dialogue word for word from the text and slap it up on screen. I wish I knew more about animation though, because doing this live action would just be stoopid. But assuming I am an animation wizard, he would be a co-director of course and I would absolutely not tamper with his vision and turn calvin and hobbes into some kind of racing stripes talking animal movie kids movie. It would be an important kids movie, but oh well, maybe someday. The books are still here, and they are just one of those things that will never go away for me, it's funny because they always make me nostalgic for when I read them the first time. Some of the images and words, I can pin point a pretty close approximation as to when and where I read them. Then I read them again, now, and I'm not nostalgic anymore, because I'm right back to those moments. I guess that's how nostalgia works though isn't it? Oh well, I'll take whatever I can get. And these books give a lot, because the more you know, the more you grow...
On window panes, the icy frost
Leaves feathered patterns, crissed & crossed,
But in our house the christmas tree
Is decorated festively
With tiny dots of colored light
That cozy up this winter night.
Christmas songs, familiar, slow,
Play softly on the radio.
Pops and isses from the fire
Whistle with the bells and choir.
My tiger is now fast asleep
On his back and dreaming deep.
When te fire makes him hot,
He turns to warm whatever's not.
Propped against him on the rug,
I give my friend a gentle hug.
Tomorrow's what I'm waiting for,
But I can wait a little more.
I found this from a calvin and hobbes website, it's a poem from Scientific Progress Goes Boink!
It's not even worth the attempt to put into words the genius of those books. I just wish Watterson would give up his whole anti marketing and licensing stance (although that's probably what I most admire him for) and let me make the movie. Think about it, it could totally be a Robert Rodriguez/Frank Miller/Sin City collaboration. I would just take the dialogue word for word from the text and slap it up on screen. I wish I knew more about animation though, because doing this live action would just be stoopid. But assuming I am an animation wizard, he would be a co-director of course and I would absolutely not tamper with his vision and turn calvin and hobbes into some kind of racing stripes talking animal movie kids movie. It would be an important kids movie, but oh well, maybe someday. The books are still here, and they are just one of those things that will never go away for me, it's funny because they always make me nostalgic for when I read them the first time. Some of the images and words, I can pin point a pretty close approximation as to when and where I read them. Then I read them again, now, and I'm not nostalgic anymore, because I'm right back to those moments. I guess that's how nostalgia works though isn't it? Oh well, I'll take whatever I can get. And these books give a lot, because the more you know, the more you grow...
On window panes, the icy frost
Leaves feathered patterns, crissed & crossed,
But in our house the christmas tree
Is decorated festively
With tiny dots of colored light
That cozy up this winter night.
Christmas songs, familiar, slow,
Play softly on the radio.
Pops and isses from the fire
Whistle with the bells and choir.
My tiger is now fast asleep
On his back and dreaming deep.
When te fire makes him hot,
He turns to warm whatever's not.
Propped against him on the rug,
I give my friend a gentle hug.
Tomorrow's what I'm waiting for,
But I can wait a little more.
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