You Can't Kiss a Movie

Let's take a walk on the bridge

2009-06-16T01:10:00.004-04:00

(i would like to walk the brooklyn bridge one day).

working on a lot of teach for america things lately. even though there's still so much i have to do still, before sunday. and walking around. and going to parks when it's not raining. watching. laughing. laying.

i've been taking a lot of pictures of myself lately. it's like i just discovered photo booth all over again on this little laptop of mine. fascinating, right?

today i watched a lady pray on the train.
going over a light green shiny rosary in her purse on her lap, her lips moving slightly.

it took so long to move from bead to bead. prayer to prayer.

don't forget poems ever, okay?

as usual we're having ourselves one hell of a time - patty griffin

It's about the Star Trek movie, really, but it speaks to more than that, you know?

2009-06-08T21:22:00.003-04:00

"This one frame, perfectly rendered, is itself a work of art, and it is but a moment in a movie composed of hundred of thousand of other single frames. These frames, put together, sped in front of a light 24 times per second, have the power to move people, to make them feel excited, happy, sad, angry.

If you don’t believe in movies, in the incredible transformative and communicative powers of film, then I just have no idea what to say to you. I believe in movies."

((quote from the amazing blog of katie west))

Birds, Employees Only

2009-06-04T23:46:00.005-04:00

That's the door to the spice rack.

Those are mineral deposits.

This is supposed to be a movie blog, but I haven't watched any movies recently.

But!

I think Saturday I'll be seeing The Hangover as part of a birthday celebration, however. It looks hilarious. I love Zach Galifianakis. Did anyone read that NY Times Magazine article about him? If not, here. Take a good look. Learn something. No, it's really just an entertaining piece of journalism, kids. I'm only halfway through it, but whatever. I'm going to finish.

Mostly, I've been running around. Reading. Writing for Teach for America. There's so much prep work, I'm just getting started really. Now that everything's unpacked and settled, I can probably put that off a little more before I really start to do it in earnest. Ha. I should do it soon, for real.

But this weekend is BIRTHDAY WEEKEND for Crystal. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CRYSTAL BURRITT. hip hip hip!

Hello Again

2009-06-04T11:18:00.002-04:00

Hello. This is me, in the morning. In Brooklyn.

I am not showering before we walk to the store. I am going to wear my glasses, and probably some clothes I wore yesterday. I am going to wear flip flops.

Later, I will hope it won't rain, again, when we are walking to the F train.

Today, I will cook delicious food and read and write. And hopefully listen to some music.

I haven't listened to music in a long while.

I haven't posted to this blog for some time, either. Welcome back, welcome back.

This isn't about movies.

This is about today.

Alright. What we circulate? Lookin' for a man who has recently drunk milk?

2009-02-27T15:05:00.003-05:00

Crystal and I finished watching No Country for Old Men last night (I have seen it before, I think I've talked about it previously in this blog, but she hadn't yet. I wanted to watch Garden State after ranting and raving about it in my last post, but I couldn't find my copy of the movie. I was PISSED to say the least) after starting it the night before last. We often watch movies in bits. Why? Because we are tired, tired things. I remember the days I used to stay up til 4 or 5 in the morning. Ah, foolishness. Now I go to bed at midnight. Have to get me some REST, y'all.

Well, that was an odd tangent.

No Country for Old Men really is one of the most perfect movies I can imagine there being on this world. It's so well shot (odd side note - the Coen brothers are obsessed with feet), the color palette is fantastic (dusty desert tones throughout the movie), the acting is brilliant, there's subtle humor, and it's so incredibly suspenseful. It’s also one of the few suspense movies I’ve seen that actively subverts its own genre and typically storyline, which I think is brilliant.

I remember going to see this at the Spectrum with Schuyler when it first came out, and for some reason, I thought the movie was much longer than it actually is (it runs 122 mins, but seems much shorter than that), and so I ran to the bathroom without thinking I would miss anything. When I came back, I asked if I had missed anything important, and Schuyler laughed. He said, “Yeah, actually, I think you missed the most important scene out of the entire movie.” So I made him go see it with me, again, before the Spectrum stopped showing it, and he was right. I had skipped out on the entire scene between Ed Tom and Ellis, the man with all the cats – and it’s one of my favorite scenes in the entire film.

I remember being shocked by how honestly and unapologetically violent this film was – and how much I appreciated it, despite how tough it was to sit through, at times. Even now, there are scenes during which I avert my eyes and that turn my stomach.

If you haven’t seen it, you should. It definitely earned every Oscar it won last year. Cheers to a good movie!

30th Blog Post! Can you handle it?

2009-02-25T11:58:00.002-05:00

Yes. You can.

So, what better way to celebrate a 30th blog post than to reflect upon the creation of said blog? I can't think of a better way.

I often feel really pretentious talking about movies with other people - sort of a reason why I started this blog. So I could yip yap all snobby, without sounding like a total prick in real life all the time.

Obviously, I really love movies. Otherwise I wouldn't have this blog. Really, though. Movies are just ... so oddly important in my life. I constantly compare things to movies I have seen, characters, quotes, etc.

I feel the way about movies I imagine some people feel about paintings, or sculpture, or music, or sports, or something that is dear to them.

Something about film - the way it sounds, looks, is set up and shot, the colors, the acting - it is an art. And I'm not talking about arty movies (I hate when movies try to be too artistic - I felt that way about You, Me, and Everyone I Know, I'm talking about otherwise "regular" movies that you see advertisements for, etc., etc.

I don't exactly remember when this love for movies began. I remember beginning to seriously watch film in high school, and enjoying it. I had a list of classics I wanted to tackle (and sadly never got around to many of them), and would always rent movies and go to the theater. I think, maybe, that Garden State inspired me to love film, and taught me to pay attention to visual styles and camera shots in particular.

I don't care what anyone says about Garden State, I absolutely love that movie. There are shots in that movie I will never forget, and that are deeply, truly beautiful: when Natalie Portman's character dances in the mansion in front of the fireplace (those colors are amazing); when Zach Braff is in the bathroom looking at himself in the mirror, and his shirt blends in with the walls so that you can really only see his face; the scene where Zach Braff and Natalie Portman are burying her hamster and her body is framed with a gate or a fence so that it makes it look as though she has something like wings.

I thought the characters were amazingly drawn, and I felt for each one. As someone who has struggled with serious depression for the majority of my adult life, and medicated for a better part of it, I could absolutely relate to Zach Braff's character, and felt like it was the first movie I had seen that really, truly spoke to me and mirrored my life in a profound way.

So, perhaps that is the movie that started all of this. I spent a lot of time in my early college years not really paying attention to movies, then had a resurgence in my love for film.

And now, obviously, here I am, chatting and writing about movies to anyone who will listen and engage in conversation. I watch a movie, and I am in love. There are some movies that are so close to perfect it makes me ache with appreciation.

And I am glad you are out there, reading about this nonsense.

So. There's that.

Look, it's all fun and games around this place anymore

2009-02-24T16:14:00.004-05:00

* Pick 20 of your favorite movies.
* Go to IMDB.com and find a quote from each movie.
* Post them here for everyone to guess.
* Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
* NO cheating

1) Oh, big deal, a clerk? You, what, you file things? You better be keeping a file on the hearts you break. That's all that counts in the end. You'll be having bills to pay in the world to come. You and your friend, the Whore of Babylon. Sorry, wrong room.

~~2) Thug life.~~

3) Give me the blood, Lord, and let me get away!

4) - I don't see anything I don't like about you.
- But you will! But you will, and I'll get bored with you and feel trapped, because that's what happens with me.

5) - Where do you want me to put it?
- Anywhere not in your pocket. Where it'll get mixed in with the others and become just a coin. Which it is.

6) Drainage! Drainage, Eli, you boy. Drained dry. I'm so sorry. Here, if you have a milkshake, and I have a milkshake, and I have a straw. There it is, that's a straw, you see? You watching?. And my straw reaches acroooooooss the room, and starts to drink your milkshake... I... drink... your... milkshake!

7) This is your one opportunity to do something that no one has ever done before and that no one will copy throughout human existence. And if nothing else, you will be remembered as the one guy who ever did this. This one thing.

8) It's like you got yesterday, today and tomorrow, all in the same room. There's no telling what can happen.

9) 'Cause it's just not cool to be a Nazi anymore, baby.

10) - Then that Cobain pussy had to come around & ruin it all.
- Like theres something wrong, why not just have a good time?
- I'll tell you somethin', I hate the fuckin' 90's.

11) Most men, they'll tell you a story straight through. It won't be complicated, but it won't be interesting either.

12) I'm Bill Murray, you're everybody else.

~~13) Tonight I'll show you how dreams are prepared,............. love, friendships, relationships. All those ships.~~

14) - I was thinking how nothing lasts, and what a shame that is.
- Some things last.

15) I'm a man who discovered the wheel and built the Eiffel Tower out of metal and brawn. That's what kind of man I am. You're just a woman with a small brain. With a brain a third the size of us. It's science.

16) When I was a little kid, I kinda had this problem. And it's not even that big of a deal, something like 8 percent of kids do it. For some reason, I don't know why. I would just kinda... sit around all day... and draw pictures of dicks.

17) Now I wanna dance, I wanna win. I want that trophy, so dance good.

18) - And you can't get around the fact that if I go down to the laundry room in my building at midnight enough times, I might get my ass raped.
- Don't do your laundry at midnight.
- Fuck that! I wanna do my laundry whenever the fuck I wanna do my laundry.

19) - What'd you bring her here for?
- One, I had no choice, two, I may have suffered a slight concussion and three, she is mentally imbalanced to a spectacular degree.
- I can hear you!

20) Give me the child. Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City to take back the child that you have stolen. For my will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom is as great...

Stupid Slumdog

2009-02-23T10:42:00.002-05:00

Oh, hey.

Were you disappointed in the Academy Awards?

Because I was.

Admittedly, I didn't see most of the ceremony - I caught the last hour, snuggled up on the couch. I am really so very disappointed that little prick Sean Penn won for Milk over Mickey Rourke. Come on. Did you see that man? He is awesome.

And from Schenectady! My favorite new fact.

I want to see his interview with Barbara Walters. He fascinates me lately.

And Slumdog Millionaire is a ridiculous waste of a movie. Oh, blow me, Danny Boyle. I can't believe you won for best director. Are you serious??

I want to watch No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood again, and remember the glory of last year's Oscars. And Garden State, but that's just because I want to watch it. I'm going to post more about that movie in the next few days. So prepare yourselves, little dumplings.

What do you know

2009-02-22T17:05:00.003-05:00

There are only but a few more hours to vote in my Oscar poll.

A precious few hours.

WILL YOU BE RIGHT OR WRONG?

Vote and see, why don't you?

And for your reading pleasure ... here is the full quote the title of my blog is derived from:

"I don't think you should feel about a movie. You should feel about a woman. You can't kiss a movie." - Jean-Luc Godard

I happen to disagree with him. But I think it makes a fine, fine title. Mmm-hmm.

Um ...

2009-02-20T11:02:00.004-05:00

I've been thinking quite a bit about The Wrestler and other movies the past couple days, especially with the Oscars coming up on Sunday and all that nonsense.

After reading a few reviews of The Wrestler this morning (I stay away from reviews til I've seen movies, or at least have written about them on here, these days) I noticed authors repeating the same sort of sentiment over and over.

Something along the lines of, "this is a film about the decline of someone who was once on top of their game, even if that game was something only morons and kids young enough to believe in fakery could like."

Like I said in my previous post about this movie, I have never been, nor will I ever be a fan of wrestling. I think it's stupid.

But I think that it's a little easy to dismiss something like wrestling because it's "fake."

They write it like it's a revelation, and us readers and people in the audience are supposed to say, "Oh, really? Thanks, movie reviewer. Up until your brilliant analysis for The Worcester Telegram and Gazette I was not aware that wrestling was fake! All my love for this magnificent display of athletic prowess has died now that you have let this gigantic cat out of the bag."

Why should wrestling catch any more shit than anything else? I think that The Wrestler does a good job portraying the reality of the sport, and how the people involved believe in it as entertainment, how they love the reality of its fakery.

Which is exactly why it's so intriguing there was a movie - something equally as fake - made about this.

Really, "fake" just is a synonym for "illusion." And I love illusion. You can make a ball disappear under a cup? You have my attention. Because I can't do that. I can't do slight of hand. I can't make a rabbit appear out of a hat.

Do I believe it's happening? No.

I know the snake-lady isn't half-snake, half-woman. But I love that for a second, I believe she is. I love that I can buy into that display.

I love it because I know it's not happening. Because there's an honesty in the illusion. No one ever claims that it's real. They claim the reality behind the illusion, the reality of their love for the art of illusion. But never that what is being seen is all that's going on.

And that's not fake. That's more honest than so many people I know in life.

Perhaps that's why I loved this movie. Perhaps that's why I love magic shows and sideshows and circus freaks. Because they're unabashedly true to themselves. And they will never pretend to be something they're not.

Honest people, people that are themselves and do not care what other people think, people that can see when others are being dramatic and nonsensical for the sake of it, people that have quirks and claim them - those are the people I love. People that may seem like characters, but who are entertaining and witty and real, without trying to be any of those things.

The last paragraph may seem like it does not fit the rest. But it does. It does.

What a weird long rant about this, eh?

SO MANY THINGS TODAY

2009-02-18T19:12:00.003-05:00

Look, I made a poll. For the most interesting categories in the Oscars. In lieu of an Oscar party. So vote. Most of the categories actually kind of suck. And I could give a shit about who wins for Best Actress in a Leading Role (I didn't see any of the movies, but whatever).

Anyway. VOTE!

Slumdog Millionaire

2009-02-18T18:16:00.003-05:00

I have to admit, I did not go see this in the theater. I watched it online instead, because I've been deathly sick for two days now, and when I would wake up from my fever-induced delirium I would watch this.

You know, I'm trying to get in as many movies as possible before Sunday.

But honestly ... I really don't understand what all the hype is over this movie. Will someone explain it to me? Kate? Please?

It's not that I didn't like it. It was okay. I just was expecting something much more, I suppose. I didn't particularly like the directing (Danny Boyle), and nothing about the cinematography was impressive to me (however, I did watch this on my computer, so that might have something to do with it). The acting was mediocre. The storyline was a bit of a let down. I wasn't really invested in any of the characters, even to the point where I didn't care if Jamal won or was cheating or whatever.

So ... I just don't understand why this this nominated for 10 Oscars. Really.

Many of the flashbacks that showed Jamal and Salim in the slums as children struck me as incredibly similar to the movie City of God, which was about Brazilian slums and corruption and hustling and gangsters. City of God was an amazing film, and I felt like Slumdog Millionaire was trying to be like that movie, in many ways, but it ultimately failed.

The only thing I particularly liked about the movie was the colored subtitles. It added a nice aesthetic dimension.

And the Bollywood ending was a little much, for me. Really? Dancing in the train station? No thanks. A little heavy-handed.

But ... that's about it.

The Wrestler

2009-02-15T12:28:00.003-05:00

Oh my god. Oh my god.

I fucking loved this movie.

I was excited to see it - mostly because of Mickey Rourke (I really loved him in Sin City) and Marisa Tomei (holy shit, do I think she's hot) and the director, Darren Aronofsky (nobody really liked The Fountain, but I did! Assholes. And Requiem for a Dream is a fantastic movie).

I didn't really know the premise of the movie (except for that it was about some sort of aged wrestler), and I didn't really have any expectations. That always seems to work out in my favor.

I honestly think that this movie was as close to perfect as a movie could be. The last time I felt that way about a movie was when I saw No Country for Old Men, which was (and still is) amazing.

The way that the movie was shot was great: this time, a hand-cam worked out in regards to the cinematography, because it subtly reflected (without being too heavy-handed) the instability of Randy "The Ram's" life; the colors were faded and consistent (outside of the bright colors of the ring) and the film looked gritty, which again subtly reflected major themes of the film.

The acting was pitch perfect. Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei conveyed so much, both about their characters and about the relationship with each other, with oftentimes minimal dialogue. Rourke, especially, conveyed so much about his character and his feelings through his face and his body language (primarily through his face), which was perfect for his character. The characters were complex, and I was invested and felt for each one, and genuinely liked Micky Rourke's character and Marisa Tomei's. It was pretty much the opposite of Revolutionary Road in that regard, even though I think the two films do share a lot of similar themes.

The dialogue was real, and oftentimes funny - well, I always find myself laughing at things that no one else in the audience is laughing at, but there was a deli counter scene that was particularly funny and light-hearted, and if you can't laugh at that, you should probably just kill yourself.

The movie was also suspenseful (well, that doesn't seem like the right word - but it definitely had some moments where I wasn't sure what was going to happen), and there was surprisingly a lot of scenes that were hard to watch and stomach. But that shouldn't deter anyone from wanting to see the movie - I definitely want to see it again.

And for anyone who likes wrestling, I would imagine that this movie would be fantastic. I have never, nor will I ever, even remotely care about wrestling. But it was neat to see a movie that is about a sport that is, in many ways, staged, bringing about ideas of authenticity and movie-making and such.

I really hope Mickey Rourke wins the Oscar for Best Actor. Sean Penn will probably win it for Milk, because he is a piece of shit and I hate him. I haven't seen Milk, but I want to, and I think that it will probably be an Oscar favorite this year. Oh, the gays.

The end credits, with Bruce Springsteen's song, "One Trick Pony," was also a perfect song for the ending of the film. And that's coming from someone who hates Bruce Springsteen. But I do like that song, quite a bit.

QUITE A BIT.

Marisa Tomei should win for her role as well for Best Supporting Actress. She really did an amazing job.

And.

Have I mentioned her hotness?

Go see this movie, seriously.

Holla at your Queen

2009-02-13T12:31:00.002-05:00

I've already established that I am in love with Cate Blanchett.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age has been out for a while now, but I had wanted to see it. Because I feel like I should like period movies, and I adore Ms. Blanchett.

But I don't like period movies. I always forget. Oops!

It was well done. She was fantastic, as was Clive Owen. Geoffrey Rush was in it, and he's not half bad either.

But beyond her being on stage, and me enjoying that, I just can't get into it. I don't know what it is. The costumes are nice, but I'm not impressed by that sort of thing. The set is nice, too, but not overly so. I'm terrible at remembering names of characters, and of important dates, which are always important with period movies, it seems.

Honestly, I didn't even finish the movie. I couldn't get through it. It was just ... boring.

BUT, I'm sure that this movie was amazing, if you like this sort of thing. I gave it a go, and discovered (once again) that it's not mine at all. Even if Cate Blanchett and Clive Owen are in it.

And here's a fun fact: Mary, Queen of Scots was portrayed in this movie. And we all know that she was executed. But did you know the following? (from imdb.com, so take it with a grain of salt):

The execution of Mary Stuart (Mary, Queen of Scots) is shown in the film with a single, swift ax stroke.

Historically, it was far worse, actually taking at least two strokes - the first hitting Mary in the back of the head (reportedly prompting her to cry out, "Sweet Jesus") and the second severing all of her neck save some sinew, which the executioner then cut through by using the ax as a saw. Some reports say the execution in fact required a third stroke as well.

This has absolutely nothing to do with movies.

2009-02-12T11:44:00.002-05:00

BUT I have become slightly obsessed with this story, after Crystal pointed it out to me last night.

Have you heard about Nadya Suleman? and her having octuplets?

Yeah, that's not that big of a deal. But she already has six kids under the age of 8 years old.

14 kids. Under 8.

Oh, and she lives at home with her parents still, in a 3-bedroom apartment. And she's single.

She was recently interviewed on NBC (parts of which are on YouTube), and people keep reporting on this in blogs and news websites and such.

Her mother was interviewed recently, which you can read at ABC News here.

Her mom's pretty pissed, and I don't blame her. Nadya's living at home, with 6 kids already, and about to bring 8 more in? She doesn't have a job, and her mother says she doesn't contribute to bills - even food bills. On the interview for NBC, she said she wasn't going to go on Federal Assistance of any kind, because she doesn't want "help."

I think someone should tell Nadya that A) you can't really raise kids (even one) without some kind of help and B) living at home for free with your mom takes care of the kids is help, even though it's a slightly different kind than what the government might give you.

Some feminist blog recently wrote about this whole baby/crazy mom debacle, which you can read here. She argues that Nadya should be able to do whatever she wants, since she's happy. And that the evil media is painting this picture out to be biased and decidedly not-feminist, because it stresses the fact that she's doing this alone, and without a husband or boyfriend to aid her in the struggle of raising and providing for her dozens of children.

Honestly, I don't think that birthing should be any more regulated and controlled than it already is, and I don't think the kids should be taken away from Nadya or anything.

But I do think that the media has a very justified point in highlighting a major point in this story: Nadya Suleman's delusional thinking that she can raise these 14 kids by herself. With no one else. I don't care if that someone is a man, or a woman, or three men and two women. Sure, the media takes a heterosexist spin on it all, but the fact of the matter remains that what Nadya Suleman thinks she can do is foolish and ridiculous, and may ultimately be harmful.

Maybe she thinks that she can be the best mommy in the whole wide world, but I think that's bullshit. I don't think she can she do it alone, not one bit. She already doesn't do it alone, but burdens her parents with her own life and children - something they obviously don't really care for.

I don't think this is (or has to be) about women's bodies being criticized and controlled - I think it's about trying to understand the motivations of motherhood, which are so often (in my opinion) selfish, desperate, and misplaced.

I don't know. What do you think?

oh, saucy TILDA!

2009-02-11T11:45:00.003-05:00

I'm obsessing a little bit over Tilda Swinton lately, I realize that. Whatever.

Apparently, she enjoys an open relationship with her partner. You can read the story here.

INTERESTING, NO?!

I can't do that kind of shit. Tried it once. Bad idea.

That's all I really have for you all. Gossipy shit about some actress I love.

This blog has gone downhill since the start of the semester. I will do my best to resurrect it!

Maybe.

Revolutionary Road

2009-02-04T22:02:00.004-05:00

Oh my god can you even handle it. Another post TODAY. You are just so lucky.

Crystal and I just got back from seeing Revolutionary Road. I've written about it here before - the trailers looked amazing. Like Kate and I discussed on here earlier, and like she said, every time I saw the trailers I wanted to see this movie more and more. I was absorbed by the seemingly morbid decay of the two main characters and their love for one another.

But, after seeing the movie, I wasn't that impressed. Initially, I hated it. I wanted to walk out. BUT I stuck it through. And I was glad I did, if only for the fact that I got to see how the movie ended.

I could really relate to the movie, and its major themes: being brave enough to live the life you want to live and not just "getting by"; feeling as though you are meant to accomplish important things in your life; movement v. stasis; the importance of honesty. Crystal and I were talking about these, and she said that she was surprised at these themes, that she didn't think most people could or would relate to them. I agree, especially with how they are explored in the film, though I appreciated and felt deep connections to these themes.

I just couldn't really relate to the characters. Perhaps that's being a bit too harsh. The two main characters (Frank and April, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, respectively) weren't that likable. And it didn't really seem like they were meant to be unlikable.

Frank came across as if he was supposed to be an everyman, and April seemed as though she was supposed to represented the majority of dissatisfied housewives in the 1950's. But I really didn't care about either of them. And in a movie where the majority of the plotline revolves around the disintegration of these two characters and their relationship with one another, that sort of disconnect is detrimental to the film.

And honestly, I was a little disappointed with the acting. Leonardo DiCaprio seemed like he was doing Jack Nicholson for a better part of the film, especially in the beginning, and Kate Winslet seemed a little too dramatic. However, Crystal suggested that she thinks this was purposeful - that Frank was supposed to be overly dramatic, and played like a fake, as was April's role. I can get behind that. I do agree. It just seemed a little too heavy-handed for me. I'm not a big fan of movies where I can tell that it's been adapted from a novel, or short story, or a play. And the dialogue seemed very much like it was taken from the pages of a novel (which it was).

There was nothing too striking about the way this film was shot. The best scene in the movie, in my opinion, was a scene where the camera was focused on April during another character's monologue. This character was completely out of focus, in the background, standing above April in a shadowy doorway. That was brilliant. The shaky hand-cam shots during the emotional climax of the movie I could have definitely done without.

All in all, I wouldn't see this movie again. But I am glad I saw it. The trailer was much better (in my opinion), but I would recommend people seeing this - because though I think that its main themes are such that not many people will feel connected and invested in them, I think that there are elements of the movie and characters that will resonate with people, perhaps more than it resonated with me.

If I were doing a rating by stars (which I don't, but let's pretend) it would get 2 out of 5.

AND THAT'S THAT.

HAVE YOU MISSED THIS?

2009-02-04T14:16:00.007-05:00

Have you missed my postings? Yes?

GOOD.

I will share with you something that I have missed:

The X-Files.

Whatever, I'm a dork. I was a much bigger dork when I used to watch this show religiously.

And obviously the show is not a movie (even though they recently came out with another movie that I did/do want to see), but I used to think that the show was well done. I mean, back when I was in 6^th and 7^th grade. I haven’t watched any episodes since then, probably. I remember running around with my best friend, Christine, playing The X-Files. I think I was Mulder.

Anyway. I started thinking about the show again today, and immediately the above image of Mulder in his office popped up in my head, and I thought about what that says for the integrity of the show. For them to have made a solid character, with such a strongly associated image, is telling of a job well done. Especially when I can remember that/make that association after all these years - I have a shit memory.

And I mean, come on. I'm hard pressed to think of a woman who is hotter than Dana Scully.

Seriously.

Oh, the weekend. Glorious.

2009-01-23T16:08:00.004-05:00

I cannot WAIT to leave this office. Eight hours isn't a lot to work, and this job is amazing, but I feel cooped up and anxious and almost breathless with the I-need-to-get-out-of-here feeling.

I really want to get out there and see movies this weekend (particularly Slumdog Millionaire and The Wrestler) but I will probably end up staying in and watching some old favorites. Feels like it might be that kind of weekend, especially since I'm trying to save up some serious money.

This is terribly short. But that's all I got for now, hear me?

Oscar Nominees

2009-01-22T10:52:00.003-05:00

I haven't posted in a while, with the new semester and all. BUT today the Nominees for the 2009 Oscars were announced. You can check it out here.

Cate Blanchett not being nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role is probably the worst omission from the list.

I still have to check out many a movie before the actual Oscar date. Uh oh.

There's a lot to be said for reasons why The Dark Knight wasn't nominated for Best Picture. I'm not too upset about it, but I think it would have been nice to have included it - not just because of Heath Ledger, but because it really was an extraordinary action/comic book film. It had so much substance, which is often lacking in so many other movies in its category. The acting, directing, and cinematography were all fantastic. But does it deserve to be included in the Best Picture category of the Oscars? I could argue both ways. It was included in Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography. And I am very okay with that.

I expected to see The Wrestler included a little more, but other movies seemed to have trumped it. I'm really excited to see that. MICKEY ROURKE, HOLLA BACK.

All you get for now, kidlets.

P.S.: It's Matt's birthday! Yay! Hopefully it's also his last.

Be Kind Rewind

2009-01-18T14:27:00.002-05:00

Last night, we rented Be Kind Rewind and Pineapple Express. Like I said in my last post, we had both already seen the latter, and it was fun to see it again. I thought it was a very surprising comedy, and genuinely funny in a way that was refreshing.

But I have been wanting to see Be Kind Rewind, and Kate reminded me of it in a comment, so we watched that first.

It really was such a good movie. I love Michel Gondry. He is a brilliant man, and it shows in the film. His use of inventive camera angles, film and lighting tricks, and his aversion to computer-generated special effects make his films a visual treat. A TREAT.

The film itself was wonderful - it evoked positive, inspirational emotions in a way I haven't felt a movie evoke in a while.

The best part, for me, was that I felt that it was a film about how movies should make people feel (and about the way going to the theater should make people feel). Movies and theater-going should be something that takes you out of yourself, fills you up with happiness, community, wonderment, inspiration. It should be about the minor (or major, depending on the movie) dramatic suspension of disbelief, the temporary experience of the fantastic, the very enjoyment of the moment: in what one is both hearing and seeing.

It was a film about the love of movies, and the experiences people should have with the cinema. You can tell Michel Gondry (who wrote and directed this film) is in love with his work, and with movies in general, and that this was his type of love letter.

BRAVO

And fuck. I love Mos Def. Seriously.

yes you should be.

2009-01-17T16:58:00.002-05:00

As I've already written in a previous post, there are a ton of movies out I really want to see (naturally, it being Oscar season and all). But I don't much feel like going to movies today. Don't get me wrong - there's something fantastic and exhilarating about going to the movies, for me. The anticipation, the sound, the screen, the darkness, the little bits of chatter - I have had some fantastic experiences in theaters (get your mind out of the gutter) while watching movies, and it's always a pleasure to actually be able to see a film in the format in which it was intended to be shown.

Despite all of that, I think I'm just going to stay in on this Saturday night, curl up on the couch and cuddle under fleecy blankets while watching movies and drinking beer. Not quite sure yet what we'll end up renting or watching, but I'm excited all the same.

There isn't much out that has been recently released that I want to see (the exception being Pineapple Express - I do want to see that again. That movie was hilarious. More on that later, perhaps, depending on the picks of the night), so maybe we'll just pick out something older. There's quite a few things I want to see, that I never got the chance to.

I'll let you know what we end up watching. AREN'T YOU EXCITED!?

meet me in montauk

2009-01-13T14:03:00.003-05:00

Oh my. I was on a hiatus for three days. Quite the weekend, folks.

I have a bit of a headache today, so not so much tappery on the keyboard. I'll be brief.

I'm keen on dialogue within film. For the obvious reasons, sure. But I equally love the way things are spoken and heard, especially from character to character. With movies I love, there are always a few quotes that replay in my mind. Sometimes for days afterward, sometimes for weeks, sometimes for years, depending on how much I connect with the film.

One of my favorite movies is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. More about that in a later post, perhaps. Let's just focus for a moment. The dialogue in this movie is amazing, and coupled with the visual elements ... it's beyond. It's beyond.

I adore this line, delivered by Joel:
"I could die right now, Clem. I'm just... happy. I've never felt that before. I'm just exactly where I want to be."

I'm sure I speak for a lot of people when I say I adore that line. It could potentially be a terrible line, if it were overacted. But Jim Carrey does such a magnificent job with the delivery of that line (and all the dialogue) that you can't help but believe him, absolutely.

Another one of my favorite scenes is when Joel and Clementine are running through their memories, and they happen across a good one. They're both in bed, and the lighting is bright, with crisp white sheets tenting their bodies, and they're just enjoying each other. And she's remembering something sad, and he's comforting her, but they're both telling the truth, and it's just a perfect reflection of a relationship.

Clementine: Joely?
Joel: Yeah Tangerine?
Clementine: Am I ugly?
Joel: Uh-uh.
Clementine: When I was a kid, I thought I was. I can't believe I'm crying already. Sometimes I think people don't understand how lonely it is to be a kid, like you don't matter. So, I'm eight, and I have these toys, these dolls. My favorite is this ugly girl doll who I call Clementine, and I keep yelling at her, "You can't be ugly! Be pretty!" It's weird, like if I can transform her, I would magically change, too.
Joel: [kisses Clementine] You're pretty.
Clementine: Joely, don't ever leave me.
Joel: You're pretty... you're pretty... pretty...

It's something, when a movie resonates with you. Partly magic, partly romantic, partly real. Always, we're looking for little reflections of ourselves. And when we find them ... they're something like comfort.

And I guess what I mean to write is, ... yes. I am just exactly where I want to be.

movies i would very much like to see

2009-01-09T12:09:00.005-05:00

in no particular order:

Gran Torino (Clint Eastwood's head shape has changed dramatically. what the fuck?)

Synecdoche, New York (love love love Charlie Kaufman)

Doubt (again, with the Philip Seymour Hoffman!)

The Reader (i like Kate Winslet quite a bit)

Milk (even though i cannot STAND Sean Penn, I like Harvey Milk. have you ever read the short story by Leslea Newman, titled "A Letter to Harvey Milk"? Here's a link to an excerpt. This story makes me cry every time.)

Slumdog Millionaire (this movie got a lot more hype than I expected)

The Wrestler (um, Marisa Tomei is fucking hot. and I really like Darren Aronofsky)

Revolutionary Road (looks like the continuation of The Titanic's storyline ... like, if Jack had lived and he and Rose got married ... but Kate Winslet looks like she gives an amazing performance in this)

Last Chance Harvey (ok, this looks a little maudlin, but I really love Emma Thompson)

come on, he looks like a capybara

2009-01-08T11:18:00.004-05:00

currently, i'm drinking tea, working on my syllabus, at this job that really isn't even like a job yet (hey, the semester hasn't started, i swear i'm not slacking).

but ENOUGH about me - you're here for this movie nonsense. right??

i keep talking about movies and actors i love. maybe it's time to talk about a movie or actor i hate.

walking out on movies in the theater is a commonplace occurrence for me. i'm not ashamed to get up and never come back - why waste those two hours sitting somewhere i don't want to be?

generally, i can tell by the opening credits whether or not i'm going to like a movie (opening credits are HUGE in my book - they frame the movie, and set the tone for what the audience is going to see. they're very, very important.) ... i mean, i've turned off movies because of terrible opening credit sequences. but, i'm also a little insane.

so ... right now it's easier to think about an actor i hate, rather than a movie.

i cannot stand Richard Gere. really. the only thing i have ever liked him in was I'm Not There, and he played such a small, mostly silent role that it was fine.

something about him just irritates the shit out of me. and i don't think he's that good of an actor. he seems to consistently play the same character in every movie i've ever seen him in.

and anyone that thinks he's even remotely attractive is revolting.

Angels in America and some plugs for some folks

2009-01-07T10:03:00.004-05:00

this is probably one of the only movies i could watch over and over again, ceaselessly. it was originally a play by Tony Kushner, adapted into a mini-series for HBO (so technically, not really a movie), and the adaption is not always the best, visually. and there are definitely parts where you can tell it's a play, from the dialogue.

but something about it ... i absolutely love. i love combinations of magic and realism, of fantastical happenings and watching stories you feel you've also encountered in your life, in some way.

i try to make everyone i know watch it (sorry, Kate). i understand the whole HIV/AIDS focus, coupled with Angels and other surreal happenings aren't everyone's bag. but there's more to it than that. it's a story about progress, movement, the pain of being alive but the beauty in it, as well. about how nothing good is ever easy, but it's the hardships we endure that make this whole mess worth it.

i'm making Crystal watch it now (and have been for the past couple weeks ... it's long! we watch it in chunks) and she likes it. success! we haven't finished it, yet, so i guess the success is pending, but ... i am optimistic.

and, if you like the show Weeds, the two main characters are in Angels in America (Mary Louise-Parker and Justin Kirk), and they're even more dynamic in this. and Al Pacino (as Roy Cohn), Patrick Wilson, and one of my favorite actors, Jeffrey Wright. and Meryl Streep. but i don't care for her. but a lot of people do, and maybe you're one of them.

in one of her character's words:

"An angel is a belief, with wings, and arms that can carry you. It's not to be afraid of, and if it can't hold you up, seek for something new."

i am your neighbor and a liar

2009-01-06T11:22:00.004-05:00

The Science of Sleep is absolutely, one of my favorite movies. i love Michel Gondry. this film is creepy and lovely and hauntingly sweet. surreal but totally realistic.

this is perhaps one of my favorite quotes from a movie, ever:

Stéphanie: Why me?
Stephane: Because everyone else is boring. And because you're different.

((so true))

this is long

2009-01-05T09:20:00.003-05:00

Sometimes, I teach college classes. When I can. This past fall, I taught an Introduction to Feminist Theory course. It was great. I make my own syllabi, so the students really have to endure my own interests in some of the course material.

This past fall, I did a section on theorizing violence, because, well ... I love studying violence. Especially visually. Especially in film. So, I chose to show the film Hard Candy in class.

Patrick Wilson and pre-Juno Ellen Page play the two main (well, only, really) characters in this movie. It's a fantastic, suspenseful thriller. It actually touched a lot on the theories my class had been discussing throughout the course of the semester, and it brought up a lot of interesting questions on retributive violence, vigilante justice, and gender roles.

BUT, this is all a digression, really.

I was talking about this movie recently with a couple who had attempted to watch it. The man couldn't get through it - there's a rather intense scene (that I won't get into right now, for the sake of avoiding "spoilers" and because that scene is a whole other discussion I'd like to have at a later date ... maybe tomorrow) that made him stop watching.

Naturally, I made fun of him, but I asked him what he thought of the rest of the movie. He wasn't that impressed, it seemed, so I kept trying to find out more. "What about the colors," I asked. "Didn't you think the movie was beautiful?"

Again, he wasn't impressed. He said it wasn't anything special.

Now, maybe it was the screen he was watching on (television sets, especially older ones, are funny with their colors sometimes), or maybe he just doesn't give a shit about the color of a movie. I told him the color palette of this movie was one of the best I've ever seen - and he said he didn't really know what I was talking about, but I didn't want to go on and on about it, because it seems snobby in a friendly conversation about movies. But I'll go on and and on about it, here.

Cause that's what this is for.

SO! The color palette of this movie is incredible. Most of this movie takes place in one location, a house, and the rooms of the house evoke different feelings depending on the color. Action takes place primarily in sets that have more rich colors, colors that lend themselves to movement.

This is the first, and only film I've seen, to credit their digital colorist (Jean Clement-Soret, also the digital colorist for Snatch) in the opening credits. Digital coloring is a different process than the way most films are made, and the technique really comes through in this movie. The colors match the mood of the characters. When Hayley gets angry, the colors are more dark, intense, often with red or deep undertones. When things are more calm, it's reflected in the lighting and the coloring of the scene.

I watched the commentary to the movie, and the extras, and apparently a lot was also done with density shifts, in regard to the coloring of the movie. They would light the scenes differently, so that in production, Clement-Soret could manipulate the light to bring out hightlights, contrasts, and colors in different ways. So, despite often dark lighting in scenes, you can make out the facial expressions and the very faces of the characters themselves, where this wouldn't be possible in other movies. This use of density shifts, lighting, and digital coloring is the first of its kind in a movie.

So. As someone who always pays attention to the coloring of a movie, I was delighted by the use of color in this movie. Though it's subtle, and not many people would even give a shit about the fact that a digital colorist is mentioned in the opening credits, it's (seemingly) small things like this that ensures a movie is both aesthetically pleasing and riveting enough to keep watching. As with anything, it's not only about what's being said, or read, or watched - it's about the little things that go unnoticed, whether it's the quiet between the lines, outside of a camera frame, or beyond the characters.

not tilde! ~ tilda ~

2009-01-03T12:51:00.004-05:00

For a while, I didn't like Tilda Swinton.

Only due to the fact that she won the Academy Award for Best Actress (for her role in Michael Clayton) over Cate Blanchett's portrayal of Jude (well ... Bob Dylan) in I'm Not There. I never saw Michael Clayton, so I guess I can't really speak about her role in that, but I was so taken with Cate Blanchett, as I normally am, that I was pissed she didn't win. It really was a remarkable job. And damn. Hot. But, more on that movie on another day.

After seeing Swinton in two films recently, I can say I do like her. She's interesting.

Her role in Burn After Reading was fierce, but not over-the-top like it could have been, and beautifully acted. As was her performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (which I don't need to go on about any more, even though I could ... especially after seeing it again last night).

She has a presence that is elegant and unpossessing in a way I imagine early movie stars were.

Maybe I should see Michael Clayton, after all.

well, happy new year

2009-01-02T16:39:00.003-05:00

i've been thinking quite a bit about throwing an oscar night shindig. it's always fun to watch, and i have never thrown a themed party, but i've always wanted to have one - i just never had a television before. and now, i have two. or, there are two in my apartment.

and having just gotten Amy Sedaris' I Like You entertaining book as a present, i am extra motivated. maybe she'll even hear about it and come. (i want to be her friend like you have no idea).

so. i'm brainstorming:

people can dress like their favorite movie character! (entirely optional, you won't catch me in a get-up).

there will be ballots to fill out with each of the categories - whoever guesses the most winners gets prizes!

oscar-themed drinking games! (every time someone's acceptance speech goes on too long, drink! every time the camera lands on jack nicholson, drink!)

got any good ideas? let me know. i'm open to all suggestions. i want this to be a swingin' party.

PERHAPS YOU WILL BE INVITED.

cause being a nazi's just not cool anymore, baby

2008-12-30T15:45:00.004-05:00

my favorite movie is Half Nelson, with Ryan Gosling. i've never seen anything else with him in it, but he was phenomenal in this movie. and Shareeka Epps provided one of the best performances i've seen a young actor give.

have you seen this movie? if not, make it your number one priority in life. i'm serious.

nothing really happens in the film, which delights me. it's such a perfect reflection of real life. there's no real climax, there's no real resolution, but there is a tiny glimmer of hope tinged by the knowledge that, realistically, there may be no hope at all. it's bittersweet and slightly awkward and brilliant.

normally, i'm not a big fan of tight closeups or shaky hand-held camera work (which seems to be a stamp of independent film in the past few years), but both of these techniques work wonderfully in this movie. perhaps it's because this movie is really about two characters, and portrays a tight glimpse into both of their lives - even though it really doesn't reveal all that much about them, their pasts, and their futures. just enough.

this is the kind of movie that seems like it was born from a short story - it's sparse in dialogue and in action, but not enough so that it becomes boring.

broken social scene, one of my favorite bands, provides the score. and it's pitch perfect. i couldn't imagine any other music in place of the songs chosen for many of the scenes.

maybe most importantly, this movie raises questions of addiction and of a quiet longing to be somebody you could envision yourself being, but aren't quite there yet. of blurry lines and grey areas we all live through. there's so much emotion in this movie, but it's all beneath the surface.

i think of this movie often. it reminds me of so much; of just getting by. of places i've been and visited, of people in my life. of lonliness and being on the brink of something much larger than yourself and of quiet love, though by no means is this a conventional love story (which is also refreshing).

and this isn't an independent movie that hits you over the head with the fact that it is, in fact, a low budget independent movie. the whole thing is subtle. which i'm pretty sure Philip Seymour Hoffman would appreciate.

the curious case of benjamin button

2008-12-29T15:28:00.000-05:00

i really love David Fincher (director of Se7en and Fight Club, and his cinematographer, Claudio Miranda, who worked on the same films. and Cate Blanchett is perhaps my favorite actress, ever. really. i can't think of any character of hers i wasn't impressed with. her character of Jude in I'm Not There still gives me chills. but that's another story, entirely.

and i really do like Brad Pitt. he was fantastic in Babel and Fight Club ... and sometimes I think he is overrated, but not for his acting. just because he's one of those A-list stars who is guaranteed to draw a crowd. and while i am also a fan of his handsome good looks, i can't say that's why i go see the movies he's in.

i have been wanting to see this movie since i saw the trailer a few months ago and was stunned. it looked gorgeous.

and it was.

though it's nothing like the short story (from which the screenplay was adapted, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald) other than the basic storyline of a man being born around age 80 and getting younger and younger, it bears the same title.

it was everything i wanted it to be.

anybody that talks to me about movies knows i am big on the colors of the film. it's use of color was outstanding - the color palette was comprised of rich and dark tones, with just the right tones of brightness when the characters and story line called for it. coloring of a film is so important. it sets the mood, visually, and acts like a silent character that you barely notice, but makes you continue to want to watch the movie. that's why cinematographers are brilliant, beyond the actual framing of the physical shot.

ANYWAY.

it was subtly magical, sad, happy, hopeful and true. fantastical but utterly believable.

it floored me.

so few movies really do this to me, and from the opening scenes to the last it was almost too much for me. but it was riveting. i mean, i saw this movie on Saturday, and here it is Monday, and i'm still thinking about it. that might be due to the fact that i have this week off, and am sitting home reading and planning a syllabus for next semester, so i have copious amounts of time on my hand, but (more importantly) it's because of how powerful this movie really was.

i want to see it again. and again.

so, you should go. it's definitely worth it, trust me. and let me know what you think.

so

2008-12-29T13:15:00.001-05:00

hello. new to blog world, but i will give this a go.

this thing here is going to be dedicated to film. mostly my thoughts on it. sometimes other people's thoughts, too.

for starters:

i just read an amazing, in-depth article in the New York Times Magazine about Philip Seymour Hoffman. you should check it out. it's quite lengthy, but trust me, it's worth it. he's one of the most amazing actors of our time, and he talks at length about some of his more recent performances (Doubt, Synecdoche, New York), as well as his work in theater.

here's a quote that really resonated with me:

"In this film, he keeps the action going, and the people don’t ever behave against their true nature.

That’s what I look for in my work: when a writer can deftly describe the human experience in a way that you didn’t think could even be put into words.

That doesn’t happen often, but it gives me something to play inside. Too much of the time our culture fears subtlety. They really want to make sure you get it. And when subtlety is lost, I get upset."