81st Oscars.
I was teaching, off at a Catholic Retreat center (ugh) so I couldn't sit and watch the telecast - thank God for DVRs! I got to see a bit with rabbit ears, but finally finished it this morning.
One word. Hugh-hag. I was over the moon to see him used to his full ability. Unlike the Tony's, he didn't make the point that people expect Wolverine and he's all song and dance. I think his talents spoke for themselves and the industry was pleasantly surprised. I loved the look and feel, production was scaled back yet elegant and beautiful. Loved seeing the back stage wall, lots of flat screens hung - I thought the telecast montages were seamless, I just wonder how they played out for the actual audience.
And to think, I passed up the job of PM at the Kodak. Was I crazy or what? Actually, that was a really bad time, which is why I passed it up... All the Oscar nights I would have been a part of, wow.
Friday, February 27, 2009
gasp...choking here!
no. 29 Choke
While watching this, I kept saying to myself, "Man, I've got to go back and re-read this. What am I missing? Did I just blow through this read? What is my problem!" I'm a huge Chuck Palahniuk fan and have read almost everything he's written...
Overall, the movie's pretty good. It's not going to get my Grade A stamp, but I enjoyed it. The cast was phenomenal. Sam Rockell brings it every time. Angelica Houston? OMG she is still so gorgeous, can you believe how good she looked as the younger Ida? Check out her legs in those jeans! Kelly MacDonald is a favorite of mine, hook, line and sinker after she pulled off a west Texas accent in No Country, especially when you hear her native baroge (does that apply to only the Irish or Scottish, too?). Brad Henke pulls off the lovable and innocent Denny. The soundtrack was fab!
Who can forget the High Lord Charlie? Which brings me into patting Clark Gregg on the back. As usual, I love my Bonus Features and Choke delivered. The piece with Clark and Palahniuk was great. Immediately after watching this movie with Maggie, we talked about adaptation, how and when you come to the understanding that adaptation can never mean literal interpretation of the page (unless you're watching The DaVinci Code). That's exactly the conversation between the two, how Palahniuk wanted to be surprised by the expression of Clark, that there is no impact for the adapter unless they find a way into it on their own.
What I particularly liked about this discussion was why High Lord Charlie became more than just a super minor character - he was the foil to Victor, gave us the chance to see black and white. The center of the story being the fact that people are transformed not by being loved but by the act of loving.
While watching this, I kept saying to myself, "Man, I've got to go back and re-read this. What am I missing? Did I just blow through this read? What is my problem!" I'm a huge Chuck Palahniuk fan and have read almost everything he's written...
Overall, the movie's pretty good. It's not going to get my Grade A stamp, but I enjoyed it. The cast was phenomenal. Sam Rockell brings it every time. Angelica Houston? OMG she is still so gorgeous, can you believe how good she looked as the younger Ida? Check out her legs in those jeans! Kelly MacDonald is a favorite of mine, hook, line and sinker after she pulled off a west Texas accent in No Country, especially when you hear her native baroge (does that apply to only the Irish or Scottish, too?). Brad Henke pulls off the lovable and innocent Denny. The soundtrack was fab!
Who can forget the High Lord Charlie? Which brings me into patting Clark Gregg on the back. As usual, I love my Bonus Features and Choke delivered. The piece with Clark and Palahniuk was great. Immediately after watching this movie with Maggie, we talked about adaptation, how and when you come to the understanding that adaptation can never mean literal interpretation of the page (unless you're watching The DaVinci Code). That's exactly the conversation between the two, how Palahniuk wanted to be surprised by the expression of Clark, that there is no impact for the adapter unless they find a way into it on their own.
What I particularly liked about this discussion was why High Lord Charlie became more than just a super minor character - he was the foil to Victor, gave us the chance to see black and white. The center of the story being the fact that people are transformed not by being loved but by the act of loving.
big WHOA
Ep 6, Big Love
BIG WHOA. Not only does the family nearly unravel itself with secrets, poor Bill has lost his way. The show first caught me when I was visiting friends and there was a Season One marathon. I know that the show and the acting speaks for itself, but what got me was the amazing music chosen to play over the credits. Always fantastic, great songs.
This week, with the explosion of Sarah's miscarriage, there was no music to accompany the credits. The act, the reaction, the consequence, all were big enough on their own, giving us a closing note would be negating the overwhelming emotion we're feeling as the audience. Anything short of silence would rob, cheat us of the bomb that is dropped on the clan.
WHOA. Oh, I failed to mention that they are finally going back to the Margie/Ben storyline. That is not over, no matter how motherly and forceful she told Ben it was over. Can't wait to see how and when it is brought up again.
BIG WHOA. Not only does the family nearly unravel itself with secrets, poor Bill has lost his way. The show first caught me when I was visiting friends and there was a Season One marathon. I know that the show and the acting speaks for itself, but what got me was the amazing music chosen to play over the credits. Always fantastic, great songs.
This week, with the explosion of Sarah's miscarriage, there was no music to accompany the credits. The act, the reaction, the consequence, all were big enough on their own, giving us a closing note would be negating the overwhelming emotion we're feeling as the audience. Anything short of silence would rob, cheat us of the bomb that is dropped on the clan.
WHOA. Oh, I failed to mention that they are finally going back to the Margie/Ben storyline. That is not over, no matter how motherly and forceful she told Ben it was over. Can't wait to see how and when it is brought up again.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
LOST ep 7: Jeremy Bentham
I'm tired, this is what I got out, I'll come back in tomorrow night.
The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham is book ended in exposition – what about the rest of the plane?? Appears Frank managed to “land this bird” safely on Hydra Island. Caesar and Ilana have taken charge and falling in line, don’t trust one another. Hiding a sawed off from a marshall is never a good thing! Caesar goes through files, finding a DI map of the island, which I can’t make out along with what really looks like Faraday’s drawing of Space-Time, Real Time, Imaginary Time and Events…must look at old screen caps. If I take the EW pic into play, I’m going to say that there is a chance that maybe Sun didn’t make it in the big jump and she’s the woman that took off in the outrigger with Frank, taking the passenger manifest. There’s a third “redshirt” mentioned, Roxanne?
Wormholes – our friendly neighborhood physicist Michio Kaku states (in terms of LOST) that with enough exotic matter, one can travel back to any point in time, that the Orchid was the entrance to a wormhole, making Tunisia it’s exit point. Does that mean that there is exotic matter in that place as well, but not all variables exist in order to “open” a wormhole?
John – is he a man of destiny or always just the puppet? For the answers we are given, I really believe we may never know this until the very end.
Widmore – he claims to have been the leader of the others. First says Benjamin fooled him into leaving, then claims to have been exiled. His people protected the island for more than three decades. Apparently, he’s never seen John since that day when he was 17 – in 1954. He’s been stalking the “exit” in Tunisia.
Locke/Widmore Alliance? I’m not sure that Locke completely buys into the fact that Widmore is the good guy “a boat of killers and C4…doesn’t exactly scream trust.” But, I think he’s looking at the ends to a mean, much like his namesake, Jeremy Bentham (you’re parents had a sense of humor, so why can’t I?) Or is it the other way around? Widmore can supply him with everything he needs to get to the O6 +/-, the trust part can be figured out.
Abaddon: take you where ever you want to go, protect you from whomever intends to do you harm. His claim is that he helps “people get to where they need to go.” Calls Locke – you better “step up your game or we’re all in serious trouble.”
Everyone Loves Locke. There is something about Locke, what he knows, who he is, that both Ben and Widmore are willing to go to such lengths. Both Ben and Widmore gush with their moral support to Locke and attempt to keep him on their side. They parrot one another. “I needed Linus removed so it could be your turn. The Island needs you, John, it has for a long time.” “You ARE special.” “(I moved the island) so that he could never find it again, to keep him away so you could lead.” “He is extremely dangerous!” “John, you have no idea how important you are!” “Ben pulls no stops on this end…
I kinda called it last week. I really wanted to believe that John would do it on his own steam, but no, Ben did it. I truly believe that Ben did not show up with the intent to kill Locke, rather enlist. He needed to make sure that Locke was on his side. He killed Abaddon as a gesture, claiming that it was a matter of time until Widmore got what he needed and Abaddon would have killed him. “he waited for you to show up and get him back to the island.” He goes on and on, sounds like a love sick tween, gushing over John. It all goes back to John wanting to feel loved, protected, supported. Whoever can supply the most will win his allegiance. Unfortunately, in his desire to be wanted, Ben pulled the plug, ha!
Everyone Hates Locke. This is the overwhelming thing I’ve gotta share. Locke keeps stating that he or they need the others, he pleads. What kills me are the overwhelming themes were from his interaction with O6 +/-. Even Abaddon doesn’t hold back, asking after three years of the world thinking he’s dead, isn’t there “someone happy to see you?”
Sayid is really looking for redemption, repenting three fold for the blood on his hands for Ben, speaking of his manipulation.
“Who’s manipulating you, John?”
“Why do you really need to go back? Is it just because you have no place to go?”
Walt isn’t surprised to see Locke, he’s been the man of honor in his special dreams of late. The little oracle has gotten taller, but he tries to warn Locke that when he gets back on the island (suit), people all around are going to want to hurt him. He acts like he is expecting Locke to ask him something – like he knows he needs to go back. Locke does the right thing, just wanting to check in on him.
Hurley is watercoloring today, the Sphinx construction? Hints about earlier inhabitants of the island? Hurley’s moral compass is doing circles over Abaddon – “he’s evil! You should not be trusting that guy!” Locke says he needs him to come back.
“I’m not going any where with you. Get out of here!”
Kate really lays it on the line.
“What you ever been in love? I’ve been thinking about how desperate you were to stay on that island. I realized it was all because you didn’t love anybody.”
Locke tries to share, but it’s thrown in his face.
“I love someone once…it didn’t work out…I was angry…obsessed.”
“Look how far you’ve come.”
Jack throws the book at him. We know that D&C flipped the last two eps, and there was a question of whether or not it was about the damn shoes. I think it was about Jack. About what Jack says to Locke, about Jack’s fear that he did push Locke over the edge. Jack spat at him as if he was his father, as if this was the last horrible, despicable chance he had to tell his dad off. Foxy totally pulled off the “I’m fucked off my ass on pain killers” dead look. I don’t think I could do it, I’d have to come to work fucked off my ass, literally. He fights destiny with probability.
“Have you ever stopped to think that these delusions that you’re special aren’t real? That maybe there is nothing important about you at all. Maybe you are just a lonely old man that crashed on an island. That’s it.”
This all boils down to his suicide – it’s not because Richard said he must die.
“There is no helping me. I’m a failure. I couldn’t get any of them. I couldn’t get a single one of them to come back with me. I can’t lead anyone.”
Does John get to Jack? Just as he gets up and says good bye, John throws the ball a little too close to Jack’s head, “Your father says hello.” “He didn’t look dead to me.” John isn’t good at asking for help, he tries and fails miserably…or does he? I think Jack has already been flying on his own at this point – so this visit probably wasn’t the catalyst for his weekend benders, just one tool in Ben’s box.
The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham is book ended in exposition – what about the rest of the plane?? Appears Frank managed to “land this bird” safely on Hydra Island. Caesar and Ilana have taken charge and falling in line, don’t trust one another. Hiding a sawed off from a marshall is never a good thing! Caesar goes through files, finding a DI map of the island, which I can’t make out along with what really looks like Faraday’s drawing of Space-Time, Real Time, Imaginary Time and Events…must look at old screen caps. If I take the EW pic into play, I’m going to say that there is a chance that maybe Sun didn’t make it in the big jump and she’s the woman that took off in the outrigger with Frank, taking the passenger manifest. There’s a third “redshirt” mentioned, Roxanne?
Wormholes – our friendly neighborhood physicist Michio Kaku states (in terms of LOST) that with enough exotic matter, one can travel back to any point in time, that the Orchid was the entrance to a wormhole, making Tunisia it’s exit point. Does that mean that there is exotic matter in that place as well, but not all variables exist in order to “open” a wormhole?
John – is he a man of destiny or always just the puppet? For the answers we are given, I really believe we may never know this until the very end.
Widmore – he claims to have been the leader of the others. First says Benjamin fooled him into leaving, then claims to have been exiled. His people protected the island for more than three decades. Apparently, he’s never seen John since that day when he was 17 – in 1954. He’s been stalking the “exit” in Tunisia.
Locke/Widmore Alliance? I’m not sure that Locke completely buys into the fact that Widmore is the good guy “a boat of killers and C4…doesn’t exactly scream trust.” But, I think he’s looking at the ends to a mean, much like his namesake, Jeremy Bentham (you’re parents had a sense of humor, so why can’t I?) Or is it the other way around? Widmore can supply him with everything he needs to get to the O6 +/-, the trust part can be figured out.
Abaddon: take you where ever you want to go, protect you from whomever intends to do you harm. His claim is that he helps “people get to where they need to go.” Calls Locke – you better “step up your game or we’re all in serious trouble.”
Everyone Loves Locke. There is something about Locke, what he knows, who he is, that both Ben and Widmore are willing to go to such lengths. Both Ben and Widmore gush with their moral support to Locke and attempt to keep him on their side. They parrot one another. “I needed Linus removed so it could be your turn. The Island needs you, John, it has for a long time.” “You ARE special.” “(I moved the island) so that he could never find it again, to keep him away so you could lead.” “He is extremely dangerous!” “John, you have no idea how important you are!” “Ben pulls no stops on this end…
I kinda called it last week. I really wanted to believe that John would do it on his own steam, but no, Ben did it. I truly believe that Ben did not show up with the intent to kill Locke, rather enlist. He needed to make sure that Locke was on his side. He killed Abaddon as a gesture, claiming that it was a matter of time until Widmore got what he needed and Abaddon would have killed him. “he waited for you to show up and get him back to the island.” He goes on and on, sounds like a love sick tween, gushing over John. It all goes back to John wanting to feel loved, protected, supported. Whoever can supply the most will win his allegiance. Unfortunately, in his desire to be wanted, Ben pulled the plug, ha!
Everyone Hates Locke. This is the overwhelming thing I’ve gotta share. Locke keeps stating that he or they need the others, he pleads. What kills me are the overwhelming themes were from his interaction with O6 +/-. Even Abaddon doesn’t hold back, asking after three years of the world thinking he’s dead, isn’t there “someone happy to see you?”
Sayid is really looking for redemption, repenting three fold for the blood on his hands for Ben, speaking of his manipulation.
“Who’s manipulating you, John?”
“Why do you really need to go back? Is it just because you have no place to go?”
Walt isn’t surprised to see Locke, he’s been the man of honor in his special dreams of late. The little oracle has gotten taller, but he tries to warn Locke that when he gets back on the island (suit), people all around are going to want to hurt him. He acts like he is expecting Locke to ask him something – like he knows he needs to go back. Locke does the right thing, just wanting to check in on him.
Hurley is watercoloring today, the Sphinx construction? Hints about earlier inhabitants of the island? Hurley’s moral compass is doing circles over Abaddon – “he’s evil! You should not be trusting that guy!” Locke says he needs him to come back.
“I’m not going any where with you. Get out of here!”
Kate really lays it on the line.
“What you ever been in love? I’ve been thinking about how desperate you were to stay on that island. I realized it was all because you didn’t love anybody.”
Locke tries to share, but it’s thrown in his face.
“I love someone once…it didn’t work out…I was angry…obsessed.”
“Look how far you’ve come.”
Jack throws the book at him. We know that D&C flipped the last two eps, and there was a question of whether or not it was about the damn shoes. I think it was about Jack. About what Jack says to Locke, about Jack’s fear that he did push Locke over the edge. Jack spat at him as if he was his father, as if this was the last horrible, despicable chance he had to tell his dad off. Foxy totally pulled off the “I’m fucked off my ass on pain killers” dead look. I don’t think I could do it, I’d have to come to work fucked off my ass, literally. He fights destiny with probability.
“Have you ever stopped to think that these delusions that you’re special aren’t real? That maybe there is nothing important about you at all. Maybe you are just a lonely old man that crashed on an island. That’s it.”
This all boils down to his suicide – it’s not because Richard said he must die.
“There is no helping me. I’m a failure. I couldn’t get any of them. I couldn’t get a single one of them to come back with me. I can’t lead anyone.”
Does John get to Jack? Just as he gets up and says good bye, John throws the ball a little too close to Jack’s head, “Your father says hello.” “He didn’t look dead to me.” John isn’t good at asking for help, he tries and fails miserably…or does he? I think Jack has already been flying on his own at this point – so this visit probably wasn’t the catalyst for his weekend benders, just one tool in Ben’s box.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
LOST ep 6: 316
Again, WHOA! This is the episode where the writers "left science behind."
1. two words, LAMP POST. Thanks to our science lesson from Ms. Hawking, we know all about different hot pockets of EMG, but the only one important to the DI had a frozen donkey wheel installed (convenient when you're just sick and need to go someplace/time new.) A brilliant scientist came up with the equations to find the highest probability of how to find the island - windows of time - and where it was going to be. If you find a window, find a path (Ajira 316), recreate the circumstances, whoosh, JUMP! Thank goodness they all went, all that predictability would have gone...out the window, ha!
2. Desmond, poor Desmond. He's done with the island...yeah right. What I'm really concerned about is whether or not Penny was the promise to an old friend or the loose end that needed tying up. Either way, Ben looked worse for the wear (which I think they played well in the exchange of glances when Ben sees Sayid. At least you think there could be a chance Sayid did it. Then again, why else would he be using a pay phone at the Long Beach Marina?
3. Sooner or later, we're all convinced. Ben was praying (or was it preying) and lit a candle - probably for mommy dearest. As I saw the painting of Thomas the Apostle, I was so glad Ben explained the story to Jack so I didn't have to blame my own poor bible study skills. When Jesus wanted to turn to Judea, even knowing he might be murdered, Thomas told the other apostles that they should return as well, so that they may suffer the same fate and die with him. Although, they lived and upon Jesus' resurrection, Thomas wouldn't believe it, needed to touch his wounds to be convinced, to believe. I guess that would almost make Thomas the first agnostic, eh? Which brings about signs of another...
4. Resurrection. John took his own life to complete the cycle. Jack didn't believe his story, although, after tying on Daddy's dress shoes, I think he's wrapped his head around it, at least enough to know he's got to get baaaaaack!
5. Oh, I can't do the shoes justice! I literally screamed at the tv when Jack pulled Grandad's red checked shirt off the newly polished wing tip. Poor Christian has had to suffer at the hands of the worst dressed list because Jack wouldn't, couldn't, didn't care enough to get him some off brand loafer.
6. Proxies. Proxys? I think we saw more than one. Jack is scanning the crowd looking for them. John = Christian. Frank = Greg Grunberg (Deja vu all the way, dude! We're not in Guam, Toto.) I'm not going to argue that the whole passenger list was a proxy - they found a way to hit the window - they went back, the plane was saved. I think the chic who was the whore on Rome is the Marshall, since she escorted Sayid through security and sitting with him on the plane. Is Kate preggers? Was getting Jack in the sack before they left her "window"? The cute middle-eastern kid, he's been in a bunch of things, but I can't figure out who he's supposed to be filling in for...maybe Ana Lucia. She met Jack in the bar, said I'm sorry about your dad, hence, my condolences. Hurley just looked so sad, afraid to get on the plane. Leave it to our moral compass to buy the 78 open seats to save lives...and carry a guitar on board to honor his best friend ;( Ben, well, Ben is just Ben, but what and who is he recreating? An alive Locke? Yeah, he's on board, but he's dead and accounted for.
7. Ridiculous. Yeah, I know I said Jack kinda wrapped his head around it, but he can't. He has to make a leap of faith, which he really hasn't. I mean, he's making a gesture. I think Jack feels he's got to do something, he's been trying to do it for months. In fact, he got the right idea, flying over and over. He feels compelled to do something, he can't live with this anxiety, and now, the possible guilt over Locke's suicide. I don't think he got on the plane as a leap of faith, but with a good idea (and when I mean good idea, I'm winking at religion. I don't believe anyone will ever get "GOD" right, but alot of people have good ideas.)
8. RIP. Where ever you are, you're laughing your ass off that I'm actually doing this, something crazier than even you were. Jack thinks he's heard Locke's last words. His "suicide" note, it made my heart break, even though we all know he's coming back to life, which makes it all that more ironic, but it does put the blame back on Jack. Then again, there's the whole, "I feel like John needs me to read it," spin. Ben said it wasn't Jack's fault (semantics?)
9. Normalcy. Loved the gesture of the last morning - orange juice, two glasses, oh, do you still take milk and two sugars? No booze, no pills, no bullshit. Just Jack and Kate having their last normal morning...and Jack's lack of emotions saved by the bell. Man, that trick has got to get old on this show at some point.
10. Surprise? Somehow, Jack seems really surprised that Hurley and Sayid made it, since they weren't at the Lamp Post for the big reveal. "They bought tickets." :) It makes me wonder, that since he's not completely caught up, does he realise that Locke will be resurrected? I don't think he does simply by the fear prior to and the guilt upon reading, "I wish you had believed me."
11. Pawns...in a game. Des poses, Jack questions. Kate has one of the many good lines, "We're on the same plane, Jack. It doesn't make us together."
12. Who gets the good line when Sawyer isn't in the script?
"How can you read?!"
"My mother taught me."
13. Speaking of Ben, he doesn't get off the hook tonight. Interesting 36 hours for him. He genuinely looks hurt when he's called on whether or not he really knew about the Lamp Post...and a little school girl crushy/jealous about Jack's study group. I'm not sure we've really seen Ben scared, yeah, there was when he was Henry and Sayid was kicking his ass, then when Jacob freaked out, when he was turning the FDW...but he looked shitless at the marina. Ben has a great way of using semantics in his favor. "You said Locke didn't visit you." "He didn't, I went to see him." Now that we've seen next week's teaser, Ben fibs when he says that he didn't know Locke committed suicide. We see Ben kneeling down in front of a Locke with a noose in his hands, ready to buy it. Then again, maybe Locke didn't, maybe Ben pulled the chair out at the last minute.
14. As much as I'd like to give Ben the credit, Locke did it on his own, he accepted his duty, it's not his destiny, the guy isn't dead. His timeline just has a kink in it. There is much more for John Locke to do on the island.
15. Aaron? Ji Yeon? I'm not worried about the Korean, grammy's got her and Sun doesn't seem too worried herself. Maybe Kate got to Claire's mum before she left LA and gave her Aaron. Jack may have stuck his foot in his mouth, but I believe Kate opened the door. Does being raised by your grandmother count as not being raised by another? If another Grammy is the answer, why is Kate so insistent about Jack never asking her about Aaron? It's as if the answer is so horrible, she can't bear to repeat it. Not sure where I sit on this.
16. I can't wait to find out how Jin gets a job with the DI.
Of note:
Kate to Jack on the shoes: "Why hold on to something that makes you feel sad?"
Hurley's comic book: Y: The Last Man. The only man to survive the mysterious simultaneous death of every male mammal on Earth. In the series, on July 17, 2002, something (referred to as a plague) simultaneously kills every mammal possessing a Y chromosome - including embryos, fertilized eggs, and even sperm. The only exceptions appear to be Yorick Brown, a young amateur escape artist, and his Capuchin monkey Ampersand. Yorick in particular is a source of one-liners. Gee, think this has something to do with the fertility problem on the island? Maybe Sawyer has the magic wand?
Hurley's wearing a sleep mask. How cute can you get? Also, it plays into him not wanting to hear or see, like when he tells Charlie to beat it?
9/23/54 US Army OP264 Top Secret...
Grandad liked the freckles. He might love me! Bunnies? Magic Shows? Misdirection, anyone?
1. two words, LAMP POST. Thanks to our science lesson from Ms. Hawking, we know all about different hot pockets of EMG, but the only one important to the DI had a frozen donkey wheel installed (convenient when you're just sick and need to go someplace/time new.) A brilliant scientist came up with the equations to find the highest probability of how to find the island - windows of time - and where it was going to be. If you find a window, find a path (Ajira 316), recreate the circumstances, whoosh, JUMP! Thank goodness they all went, all that predictability would have gone...out the window, ha!
2. Desmond, poor Desmond. He's done with the island...yeah right. What I'm really concerned about is whether or not Penny was the promise to an old friend or the loose end that needed tying up. Either way, Ben looked worse for the wear (which I think they played well in the exchange of glances when Ben sees Sayid. At least you think there could be a chance Sayid did it. Then again, why else would he be using a pay phone at the Long Beach Marina?
3. Sooner or later, we're all convinced. Ben was praying (or was it preying) and lit a candle - probably for mommy dearest. As I saw the painting of Thomas the Apostle, I was so glad Ben explained the story to Jack so I didn't have to blame my own poor bible study skills. When Jesus wanted to turn to Judea, even knowing he might be murdered, Thomas told the other apostles that they should return as well, so that they may suffer the same fate and die with him. Although, they lived and upon Jesus' resurrection, Thomas wouldn't believe it, needed to touch his wounds to be convinced, to believe. I guess that would almost make Thomas the first agnostic, eh? Which brings about signs of another...
4. Resurrection. John took his own life to complete the cycle. Jack didn't believe his story, although, after tying on Daddy's dress shoes, I think he's wrapped his head around it, at least enough to know he's got to get baaaaaack!
5. Oh, I can't do the shoes justice! I literally screamed at the tv when Jack pulled Grandad's red checked shirt off the newly polished wing tip. Poor Christian has had to suffer at the hands of the worst dressed list because Jack wouldn't, couldn't, didn't care enough to get him some off brand loafer.
6. Proxies. Proxys? I think we saw more than one. Jack is scanning the crowd looking for them. John = Christian. Frank = Greg Grunberg (Deja vu all the way, dude! We're not in Guam, Toto.) I'm not going to argue that the whole passenger list was a proxy - they found a way to hit the window - they went back, the plane was saved. I think the chic who was the whore on Rome is the Marshall, since she escorted Sayid through security and sitting with him on the plane. Is Kate preggers? Was getting Jack in the sack before they left her "window"? The cute middle-eastern kid, he's been in a bunch of things, but I can't figure out who he's supposed to be filling in for...maybe Ana Lucia. She met Jack in the bar, said I'm sorry about your dad, hence, my condolences. Hurley just looked so sad, afraid to get on the plane. Leave it to our moral compass to buy the 78 open seats to save lives...and carry a guitar on board to honor his best friend ;( Ben, well, Ben is just Ben, but what and who is he recreating? An alive Locke? Yeah, he's on board, but he's dead and accounted for.
7. Ridiculous. Yeah, I know I said Jack kinda wrapped his head around it, but he can't. He has to make a leap of faith, which he really hasn't. I mean, he's making a gesture. I think Jack feels he's got to do something, he's been trying to do it for months. In fact, he got the right idea, flying over and over. He feels compelled to do something, he can't live with this anxiety, and now, the possible guilt over Locke's suicide. I don't think he got on the plane as a leap of faith, but with a good idea (and when I mean good idea, I'm winking at religion. I don't believe anyone will ever get "GOD" right, but alot of people have good ideas.)
8. RIP. Where ever you are, you're laughing your ass off that I'm actually doing this, something crazier than even you were. Jack thinks he's heard Locke's last words. His "suicide" note, it made my heart break, even though we all know he's coming back to life, which makes it all that more ironic, but it does put the blame back on Jack. Then again, there's the whole, "I feel like John needs me to read it," spin. Ben said it wasn't Jack's fault (semantics?)
9. Normalcy. Loved the gesture of the last morning - orange juice, two glasses, oh, do you still take milk and two sugars? No booze, no pills, no bullshit. Just Jack and Kate having their last normal morning...and Jack's lack of emotions saved by the bell. Man, that trick has got to get old on this show at some point.
10. Surprise? Somehow, Jack seems really surprised that Hurley and Sayid made it, since they weren't at the Lamp Post for the big reveal. "They bought tickets." :) It makes me wonder, that since he's not completely caught up, does he realise that Locke will be resurrected? I don't think he does simply by the fear prior to and the guilt upon reading, "I wish you had believed me."
11. Pawns...in a game. Des poses, Jack questions. Kate has one of the many good lines, "We're on the same plane, Jack. It doesn't make us together."
12. Who gets the good line when Sawyer isn't in the script?
"How can you read?!"
"My mother taught me."
13. Speaking of Ben, he doesn't get off the hook tonight. Interesting 36 hours for him. He genuinely looks hurt when he's called on whether or not he really knew about the Lamp Post...and a little school girl crushy/jealous about Jack's study group. I'm not sure we've really seen Ben scared, yeah, there was when he was Henry and Sayid was kicking his ass, then when Jacob freaked out, when he was turning the FDW...but he looked shitless at the marina. Ben has a great way of using semantics in his favor. "You said Locke didn't visit you." "He didn't, I went to see him." Now that we've seen next week's teaser, Ben fibs when he says that he didn't know Locke committed suicide. We see Ben kneeling down in front of a Locke with a noose in his hands, ready to buy it. Then again, maybe Locke didn't, maybe Ben pulled the chair out at the last minute.
14. As much as I'd like to give Ben the credit, Locke did it on his own, he accepted his duty, it's not his destiny, the guy isn't dead. His timeline just has a kink in it. There is much more for John Locke to do on the island.
15. Aaron? Ji Yeon? I'm not worried about the Korean, grammy's got her and Sun doesn't seem too worried herself. Maybe Kate got to Claire's mum before she left LA and gave her Aaron. Jack may have stuck his foot in his mouth, but I believe Kate opened the door. Does being raised by your grandmother count as not being raised by another? If another Grammy is the answer, why is Kate so insistent about Jack never asking her about Aaron? It's as if the answer is so horrible, she can't bear to repeat it. Not sure where I sit on this.
16. I can't wait to find out how Jin gets a job with the DI.
Of note:
Kate to Jack on the shoes: "Why hold on to something that makes you feel sad?"
Hurley's comic book: Y: The Last Man. The only man to survive the mysterious simultaneous death of every male mammal on Earth. In the series, on July 17, 2002, something (referred to as a plague) simultaneously kills every mammal possessing a Y chromosome - including embryos, fertilized eggs, and even sperm. The only exceptions appear to be Yorick Brown, a young amateur escape artist, and his Capuchin monkey Ampersand. Yorick in particular is a source of one-liners. Gee, think this has something to do with the fertility problem on the island? Maybe Sawyer has the magic wand?
Hurley's wearing a sleep mask. How cute can you get? Also, it plays into him not wanting to hear or see, like when he tells Charlie to beat it?
9/23/54 US Army OP264 Top Secret...
Grandad liked the freckles. He might love me! Bunnies? Magic Shows? Misdirection, anyone?
Monday, February 16, 2009
i drink your milkshake!
no. 28 There Will Be Blood
It's just as good the third time around, hell, almost better. I can't find what I wrote about it the first/second viewing, which totally bums me out. I'm not the most articulate lately and Paul Thomas Anderson deserves nothing but the best my pie hole can spout. My first viewing, wow, I was so overwhelmed with Daniel Day Lewis' performance - and mostly, the prominence of the score.
Jonny Greenwood makes his foray into big film not with ease and grace, but with the sheer power that only a rock god could. Mostly, there are only geeks out there who would grant him that title, but what he does with this score is nothing short of genius. All strings and percussion (the piano being their offspring). He got totally robbed by the Academy - I believe the story is that he used, and gave credit to, a small piece that wasn't original. Because of that, he didn't get a nod for original score. Anyone who's seen this film, even for those who pay no attention to the score, are completely beaten over the head with the mood it creates. Maybe it's better to say that it nearly paints a picture of Plainview's sanity. Unsettling, unnerved, unhinged. To say that the score pushes you to the edge of your seat, makes you sit upright, pulls your head back and pries your eyelids open; there is no way you can sleep through this film. Jonny makes sure of that. Thank god everyone else on the planet nominated or handed him an award.
Greed is an easy theme to pick out, but it's interestingly built up. In "plainspeak", Plainview is like a racehorse, he sees nothing but what's ahead, a finish line to dash toward at breakneck speed. Every move he makes is planted in order to see the black gush. With HW, his son, at his side like a watchdog, Plainview is controlled, reigned in. He may drink himself into a un-wakeable stupor, but he really does care about his son, and I believe he knows that his son is the only thing to ground him in a world he hates, a world he spits on, a world he can't stomach that he's a part of. I don't think his misanthropic nature is based on a hatred of what the world is or portrays, he plainly hates the world. He reminds me of the conversation between Alfred and Bruce Wayne in the Dark Knight. If I wasn't so tired, I'd pull down the dvd for the exact quote, but it has to do with the nature of hatred, "some men just want to see the world burn." When HW's accident literally pulls him off his watch, Plainview grits his teeth to the world, his hackles never relax, it's not that he won't, it's that he can't back down. His moral compass is gone, the floodgates have been opened and he can never go back. (HW literally IS a moral compass, pointing directly to a lie that Plainview so readily gobbles up, knowing he needs someone to guide him, this new side he reveals.) To me, his greed is camouflaged by his hatred, and I guess in reverse. Some may see him as a greedy bastard, but the overwhelming agenda is his hatred of man, his desire to have so much money that he never has to see or interact with anyone, ever, including at the end, his son.
The beatings that Plainview and Eli put to one another, literally, in plain view of the world, ouch. Bitch slaps so brutal, honest, soul baring. It's not just the physical, it's one calling the other out, taunting. It's one thing to give an ultimatum and have someone "say" something. It's another when its something completely true, the more the person says it, if it's possible, the more true it becomes. They are so ugly to one another. Too easy to say greed and faith, two sides of a coin. No way, faith can be greed, we've seen it all too often. Eli embodies the false prophet. What I find most interesting is how both surrender to their disgust in themselves. I can't seem to say that correctly. In repeating the ugliness of their truth, the more it is repeated, the more they give into it's truth, the more the truth envelopes them, the truth stands on it's own, beside the man, living, breathing, bleeding. They have no choice in acknowledging it's reality, the ugliness of the conscious decision they have made, the truth standing before them. It's really actually beautiful...
This post could be ten pages long and I really must go to bed. I'm not going to do the film justice, yet alone the amazing cast. Paul Dano is a really pussy: he's pathetic, weak as all hell, wears his "faith" like a dark cloak, then again, it's about as transparent as can be. Daniel Day Lewis inhabits a character like no other. From his split ends to untrimmed toe nails, it is in his walk, his painfully earned gait. He's almost like Pan (in stature), half man half goat, you expect to see cloven hooves poking through his boots - it gets visibly worse as HW pulls away. It's not a big part, but Ciaran Hinds also acts part moral compass to Plainview. I really wish he had more storytime, he's such a gifted actor.
It's just as good the third time around, hell, almost better. I can't find what I wrote about it the first/second viewing, which totally bums me out. I'm not the most articulate lately and Paul Thomas Anderson deserves nothing but the best my pie hole can spout. My first viewing, wow, I was so overwhelmed with Daniel Day Lewis' performance - and mostly, the prominence of the score.
Jonny Greenwood makes his foray into big film not with ease and grace, but with the sheer power that only a rock god could. Mostly, there are only geeks out there who would grant him that title, but what he does with this score is nothing short of genius. All strings and percussion (the piano being their offspring). He got totally robbed by the Academy - I believe the story is that he used, and gave credit to, a small piece that wasn't original. Because of that, he didn't get a nod for original score. Anyone who's seen this film, even for those who pay no attention to the score, are completely beaten over the head with the mood it creates. Maybe it's better to say that it nearly paints a picture of Plainview's sanity. Unsettling, unnerved, unhinged. To say that the score pushes you to the edge of your seat, makes you sit upright, pulls your head back and pries your eyelids open; there is no way you can sleep through this film. Jonny makes sure of that. Thank god everyone else on the planet nominated or handed him an award.
Greed is an easy theme to pick out, but it's interestingly built up. In "plainspeak", Plainview is like a racehorse, he sees nothing but what's ahead, a finish line to dash toward at breakneck speed. Every move he makes is planted in order to see the black gush. With HW, his son, at his side like a watchdog, Plainview is controlled, reigned in. He may drink himself into a un-wakeable stupor, but he really does care about his son, and I believe he knows that his son is the only thing to ground him in a world he hates, a world he spits on, a world he can't stomach that he's a part of. I don't think his misanthropic nature is based on a hatred of what the world is or portrays, he plainly hates the world. He reminds me of the conversation between Alfred and Bruce Wayne in the Dark Knight. If I wasn't so tired, I'd pull down the dvd for the exact quote, but it has to do with the nature of hatred, "some men just want to see the world burn." When HW's accident literally pulls him off his watch, Plainview grits his teeth to the world, his hackles never relax, it's not that he won't, it's that he can't back down. His moral compass is gone, the floodgates have been opened and he can never go back. (HW literally IS a moral compass, pointing directly to a lie that Plainview so readily gobbles up, knowing he needs someone to guide him, this new side he reveals.) To me, his greed is camouflaged by his hatred, and I guess in reverse. Some may see him as a greedy bastard, but the overwhelming agenda is his hatred of man, his desire to have so much money that he never has to see or interact with anyone, ever, including at the end, his son.
The beatings that Plainview and Eli put to one another, literally, in plain view of the world, ouch. Bitch slaps so brutal, honest, soul baring. It's not just the physical, it's one calling the other out, taunting. It's one thing to give an ultimatum and have someone "say" something. It's another when its something completely true, the more the person says it, if it's possible, the more true it becomes. They are so ugly to one another. Too easy to say greed and faith, two sides of a coin. No way, faith can be greed, we've seen it all too often. Eli embodies the false prophet. What I find most interesting is how both surrender to their disgust in themselves. I can't seem to say that correctly. In repeating the ugliness of their truth, the more it is repeated, the more they give into it's truth, the more the truth envelopes them, the truth stands on it's own, beside the man, living, breathing, bleeding. They have no choice in acknowledging it's reality, the ugliness of the conscious decision they have made, the truth standing before them. It's really actually beautiful...
This post could be ten pages long and I really must go to bed. I'm not going to do the film justice, yet alone the amazing cast. Paul Dano is a really pussy: he's pathetic, weak as all hell, wears his "faith" like a dark cloak, then again, it's about as transparent as can be. Daniel Day Lewis inhabits a character like no other. From his split ends to untrimmed toe nails, it is in his walk, his painfully earned gait. He's almost like Pan (in stature), half man half goat, you expect to see cloven hooves poking through his boots - it gets visibly worse as HW pulls away. It's not a big part, but Ciaran Hinds also acts part moral compass to Plainview. I really wish he had more storytime, he's such a gifted actor.
eastbound!!!!!
I've been waiting for Danny McBride's HBO show Eastbound & Down...and out! Dude, it is soooooo good. He knocks white trash out the park, well, he's a pitcher, so I can't say he strikes it out...oh the dilemma for a good analogy. Brother. And that - I really hope that John Hawkes character isn't a shell of a pussy. He's such a great character actor, I know he's got a relationship with HBO and all, but I will be terribly disappointed if he doesn't show up, ya know? He's all cleaned up, looking way too normal. That guy just reeks abnormal, so I don't know where they're going with him ;*(
All in all, the season opener scored for me, I've got season tickets, first base. woo woo!
All in all, the season opener scored for me, I've got season tickets, first base. woo woo!
Friday, February 13, 2009
welcome to the dollhouse
Joss Whedon's new show on Fox - Dollhouse. I was so excited when I first heard about the show...then kinda let down when I heard that there was a "reboot" before it had even aired.
The show has promise, with a mythos that will carry it through Eliza Dushku's personality changes. The cast has the strangest names - but I assume it comes with the very strong facial features and cultural slants. Pilots are rarely so striking that you're absolutely sold, but I'll definitely watch it. Not every pilot can be like LOST. I'm just really bummed that I fell so behind on Fringe. I'd catch up online, but it's still so damn cold outside, my office is like a fridge. I may just have to wait for the spring thaw or the DVD release, which ever is warmer!
Until then, my DVR will dig Friday nights at the Dollhouse. On a side note, Olivia Williams looks like she's gotten some work done - her face does not look naturally aged, which is a shame. I think that she probably wore her years well. I'll have to check out some photos..
The show has promise, with a mythos that will carry it through Eliza Dushku's personality changes. The cast has the strangest names - but I assume it comes with the very strong facial features and cultural slants. Pilots are rarely so striking that you're absolutely sold, but I'll definitely watch it. Not every pilot can be like LOST. I'm just really bummed that I fell so behind on Fringe. I'd catch up online, but it's still so damn cold outside, my office is like a fridge. I may just have to wait for the spring thaw or the DVD release, which ever is warmer!
Until then, my DVR will dig Friday nights at the Dollhouse. On a side note, Olivia Williams looks like she's gotten some work done - her face does not look naturally aged, which is a shame. I think that she probably wore her years well. I'll have to check out some photos..
dutchess!
no.27 The Dutchess
Skinny little Ms. Knightley manages to get period pieces off and into bed quicker than I could possibly conceive. Granted, I dig her period pieces, it's kinda her bag. Although, I really liked The Jacket, and she pulled off the indignant Domino. Atonement is my favorite Ian McEwan novel and it was poured most beautifully onto the screen. Maybe this is more about Keira's body of work (ahem) then this film in particular...
All in all, this is great eye candy, in a girly way. The costumes are awe inspiring. Hair and Makeup? Do die for. In fact, I may have to re-watch for some new pink and girly mirror inspiration. Even Ralph Fiennes isn't so bad to look at (I'm a sucker for The English Patient - I can't not watch it if it's on cable. Thank goodness it's been out of rotation; my will power was really vacant for too long.) Who am I kidding? I'm one of his biggest fans, I watch every one of his films. I believe I can find my rant about him en In Bruges somewhere (he was the silliest villain, I loved him!) Actually, Dominic Cooper was the nice thing to look at, since they didn't show any of Keira's skin, how unlikely!
Sadly enough, I had an On Demand voucher - I was looking forward to the extras.
Skinny little Ms. Knightley manages to get period pieces off and into bed quicker than I could possibly conceive. Granted, I dig her period pieces, it's kinda her bag. Although, I really liked The Jacket, and she pulled off the indignant Domino. Atonement is my favorite Ian McEwan novel and it was poured most beautifully onto the screen. Maybe this is more about Keira's body of work (ahem) then this film in particular...
All in all, this is great eye candy, in a girly way. The costumes are awe inspiring. Hair and Makeup? Do die for. In fact, I may have to re-watch for some new pink and girly mirror inspiration. Even Ralph Fiennes isn't so bad to look at (I'm a sucker for The English Patient - I can't not watch it if it's on cable. Thank goodness it's been out of rotation; my will power was really vacant for too long.) Who am I kidding? I'm one of his biggest fans, I watch every one of his films. I believe I can find my rant about him en In Bruges somewhere (he was the silliest villain, I loved him!) Actually, Dominic Cooper was the nice thing to look at, since they didn't show any of Keira's skin, how unlikely!
Sadly enough, I had an On Demand voucher - I was looking forward to the extras.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
LOST ep 5 death!!!
LOST Episode 5 - this place is death
WOW! WOW! WOW! I'll leave the best for last. My notes really make no sense, now that I've read them, but I'll come back, clean em up, use them again.
Danielle's team helped us with a few answers.
Smoke Monster - it's a security system for...the Temple: Ancient stone building, hieroglyphics carved on facade. Oh, Montand loses his arm to the monster, but is not killed.
Danielle - island wants her alive, she has a mission. We've known that she killed her team because they were sick. It appears that she believes they are not real, she thinks that the smoke monster has "replaced" them. She lowers her gun as Robert talks her out of killing him, only to have him pull the trigger - which misfires - giving her the chance to kill him. She believes Jin is the carrier of the sickness and tries to kill him...JUMP! (BTW, we see the infamous music box.)
Charlotte helps with alot... The island starts to SUPER JUMP (even Sawyer caught the fever,) she's dying, jumping through her timeline, everything from marrying an American to chocolate before dinner. She ultimately reveals to Daniel she grew up on the island...her mom took her to England, she never saw her dad again. In fact, it appears that all the sudden, she remembers Daniel - as a crazy man who scared her, told her she needed to leave the island and never come back...or she'd die. Somehow, she knows that the FDW will be found in the well, if the Orchid isn't "there." This place is death!!!
Now we know Daniel's impetus - he will find a way to travel back to DI so that he can save Charlotte's life. Will it work? Can he change the events? We know Desmond is special - he does show up in LA looking for mommy dearest - running into Eloise, Ben, et al.
Jin: he acts as the audience, asking questions for us. He and Locke go back and forth with promises. First, Locke promises that he will bring Sun back. Then, Jin makes Locke promise that he will not bring Sun or "my baby" back, his ring being the proof that he is dead...Locke kept his promise, didn't go to see Sun, however, the ring is turned against Jin, Ben uses it as proof he's alive, to get Sun on board.
Poor Ben. He moves people around like pawns on a chess board, supposedly protecting them. He's got everyone lined up - his lawyer will get Hurley out. Unfortunately, his best laid plans...Kate storms off with Aaron. Sayid threatens both Ben and Jack's lives if they meet again. He even looks shocked, well very surprised when Desmond shows up looking for Daniel's mum. Seems as if some, not all, might get the process started...
Jack apologizes to Sun, we know its not to save Ben's life, does he really mean it? This could be the first time he's actually spoken to Sun.
The best for last.
Locke is to become a sacrifice that the island demands. HE was supposed to move the island, not let Ben to do it. Compound fracture and all, he does push the FDW, accepts all that is happening is his fault and assumes his destiny.
Christian, in a red shirt, meets Locke at the bottom of the well (or down the rabbit hole.) Is he speaking for Jacob? Is he Jacob? Too much debate about dead and un-dead on the island, their corporeal bodies used by the island, etc. There's the whole resurrection thing - father, son, holy ghost? "Say hello to my son."
All in all, I think Locke needs someone to tell him that he can do something on his own, that he is strong enough. Someone to believe in him. Someone to tell him that he can stand on his own (well, really, Christian says he won't help him up.) So often, it's great to have a visual - the FDW slipping back and forth, flashing. Locke is right, it's a simple fix.
WOW! WOW! WOW! I'll leave the best for last. My notes really make no sense, now that I've read them, but I'll come back, clean em up, use them again.
Danielle's team helped us with a few answers.
Smoke Monster - it's a security system for...the Temple: Ancient stone building, hieroglyphics carved on facade. Oh, Montand loses his arm to the monster, but is not killed.
Danielle - island wants her alive, she has a mission. We've known that she killed her team because they were sick. It appears that she believes they are not real, she thinks that the smoke monster has "replaced" them. She lowers her gun as Robert talks her out of killing him, only to have him pull the trigger - which misfires - giving her the chance to kill him. She believes Jin is the carrier of the sickness and tries to kill him...JUMP! (BTW, we see the infamous music box.)
Charlotte helps with alot... The island starts to SUPER JUMP (even Sawyer caught the fever,) she's dying, jumping through her timeline, everything from marrying an American to chocolate before dinner. She ultimately reveals to Daniel she grew up on the island...her mom took her to England, she never saw her dad again. In fact, it appears that all the sudden, she remembers Daniel - as a crazy man who scared her, told her she needed to leave the island and never come back...or she'd die. Somehow, she knows that the FDW will be found in the well, if the Orchid isn't "there." This place is death!!!
Now we know Daniel's impetus - he will find a way to travel back to DI so that he can save Charlotte's life. Will it work? Can he change the events? We know Desmond is special - he does show up in LA looking for mommy dearest - running into Eloise, Ben, et al.
Jin: he acts as the audience, asking questions for us. He and Locke go back and forth with promises. First, Locke promises that he will bring Sun back. Then, Jin makes Locke promise that he will not bring Sun or "my baby" back, his ring being the proof that he is dead...Locke kept his promise, didn't go to see Sun, however, the ring is turned against Jin, Ben uses it as proof he's alive, to get Sun on board.
Poor Ben. He moves people around like pawns on a chess board, supposedly protecting them. He's got everyone lined up - his lawyer will get Hurley out. Unfortunately, his best laid plans...Kate storms off with Aaron. Sayid threatens both Ben and Jack's lives if they meet again. He even looks shocked, well very surprised when Desmond shows up looking for Daniel's mum. Seems as if some, not all, might get the process started...
Jack apologizes to Sun, we know its not to save Ben's life, does he really mean it? This could be the first time he's actually spoken to Sun.
The best for last.
Locke is to become a sacrifice that the island demands. HE was supposed to move the island, not let Ben to do it. Compound fracture and all, he does push the FDW, accepts all that is happening is his fault and assumes his destiny.
Christian, in a red shirt, meets Locke at the bottom of the well (or down the rabbit hole.) Is he speaking for Jacob? Is he Jacob? Too much debate about dead and un-dead on the island, their corporeal bodies used by the island, etc. There's the whole resurrection thing - father, son, holy ghost? "Say hello to my son."
All in all, I think Locke needs someone to tell him that he can do something on his own, that he is strong enough. Someone to believe in him. Someone to tell him that he can stand on his own (well, really, Christian says he won't help him up.) So often, it's great to have a visual - the FDW slipping back and forth, flashing. Locke is right, it's a simple fix.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
EW LOST photos
To those of you who wanted to view these - I'm fairly certain they are screen caps and not fun promo photos. I'm sparing you the Lily and Fox spread, although, I thought they looked pretty natural and fun in their chuckies and frye boots. Fox actually looks really good...and he's tightened up, I don't think he's had work done, I think he's really been working out ;)
Thanks to EW for the photos. Please ignore my ramblings!
swimming in xpn
I haven't been posting about music...I've been swimming in XPN, literally. I'm so freaked out by the stories of two friends losing their Maxtors, that I've kept it unplugged unless I really need to access it. That means when I'm jumping in the shower, sitting here doing work, I don't want to wait for my drive to register - it's easier to listen to the regular XPN stream..and lately, the Y Rock stream. Yeah, for someone in the industry, it's pathetic that I'm not listening to anything terribly interesting, but I get the great content from an amazing station. I don't need to buy a full album unless I'm sold on an artist, and I get such a cross section that keeps me interested.
Viva public radio! (Screw Coldplay, they're gonna win every category!)
Make your pledge and listen here!
Viva public radio! (Screw Coldplay, they're gonna win every category!)
Make your pledge and listen here!
titus!
no 26. Titus
I've been a Netflix member since 2004 and I'm sure Titus has been in my queue since then. I've wanted to see the Julie Taymor version forever. Imagine my surprise when it actually showed up in my mailbox! Problem is, I didn't know Titus, I mean, I know the premise, but have never read or seen a production. When it comes to modern or overly stylized versions of Shakespeare, I really think it's important to know the material or you just get lost. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened. I was so wrapped up in making sense of her stylistic choices, started taking notes - it ended up being that I couldn't enjoy it. An amazing cast, production, you name it. I'll have to come back and re-watch this another time when I'm not distracted and can enjoy it.
I've been a Netflix member since 2004 and I'm sure Titus has been in my queue since then. I've wanted to see the Julie Taymor version forever. Imagine my surprise when it actually showed up in my mailbox! Problem is, I didn't know Titus, I mean, I know the premise, but have never read or seen a production. When it comes to modern or overly stylized versions of Shakespeare, I really think it's important to know the material or you just get lost. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened. I was so wrapped up in making sense of her stylistic choices, started taking notes - it ended up being that I couldn't enjoy it. An amazing cast, production, you name it. I'll have to come back and re-watch this another time when I'm not distracted and can enjoy it.
a new yorker in so.central
As if I don't have a million things to read and watch, I decided that I would try a year of The New Yorker. Maybe my money would have been better spent on McSweeney's, but hell, I'll try anything at least once. I had never picked up a copy before and am totally surprised. It's nice to read about the theatre I'm missing living in so.central, the culture I'm desperately lacking. I just never imagined that I'd read a ten page article about an economist in Iran! I stopped getting news mags years ago, since I added a nearly full cable package I don't watch the news as much as I should, and although I'm online what seems like all dammed day, I'm not running to cnn.com. I got it for what I had hoped were interesting story telling - we'll see how I feel in another month. I have a feeling that I'm going to have to fly through EW in order to finish it in the bathroom over the course of a week!
bros. grimm
no 25. The Brothers Grimm
After I first saw this years ago, I picked up the B&N collection of Grimm stories. With all the insane footnotes, it's amazing how cleaned up the versions were! These were really vivid horror stories in their time! I guess precautionary tales, so to speak, of the rough world and the time. Germanic folklore is so dark...and grim.
The interesting thing about Grimm is that Ledger and Damon went against casting. Gilliam met with both, with the intent of casting them the other way around. It was Ledger and Damon who made him see it differently, and what I think makes the film so much the better for it. Ledger plays Jakob so childlike, cute, skiddish, yet honest and caring. He's brilliant...and makes me continually realise what we lost with his passing. I've seen everyone of his films multiple times and it breaks my heart that I will never see him in a new piece. Yeah, we'll see what Gilliam does with Parnassus.
Not the greatest flick, some people feel its like walking through mud, but the heart is there. I'm sure that so much more could have been done with this project, but I'm content with what I got.
After I first saw this years ago, I picked up the B&N collection of Grimm stories. With all the insane footnotes, it's amazing how cleaned up the versions were! These were really vivid horror stories in their time! I guess precautionary tales, so to speak, of the rough world and the time. Germanic folklore is so dark...and grim.
The interesting thing about Grimm is that Ledger and Damon went against casting. Gilliam met with both, with the intent of casting them the other way around. It was Ledger and Damon who made him see it differently, and what I think makes the film so much the better for it. Ledger plays Jakob so childlike, cute, skiddish, yet honest and caring. He's brilliant...and makes me continually realise what we lost with his passing. I've seen everyone of his films multiple times and it breaks my heart that I will never see him in a new piece. Yeah, we'll see what Gilliam does with Parnassus.
Not the greatest flick, some people feel its like walking through mud, but the heart is there. I'm sure that so much more could have been done with this project, but I'm content with what I got.
princess bride
no. 24 The Princess Bride
I've found myself choosing films, books, etc. lately that are just so damned serious. Picking things apart from such a serious point of view. Yes, I am a serious person, underneath the whole "Don't take yourself so seriously!" shell. Despite my laugh-as-much-as-you-can life, I'm feeling really uptight, can't relax on the couch. Problem solved, I made myself watch some fun movies, although I had a hard time choosing.
No matter how many times I watch the Princess Bride, no matter how many lines I deliver, beat for beat, it never gets old. A little tear in my eye at the end when the grandfather replies, "As you wish."
Classic storytelling, lots of sarcasm, irony, excellent acting in a modest fairytale. It just never gets old.
I've found myself choosing films, books, etc. lately that are just so damned serious. Picking things apart from such a serious point of view. Yes, I am a serious person, underneath the whole "Don't take yourself so seriously!" shell. Despite my laugh-as-much-as-you-can life, I'm feeling really uptight, can't relax on the couch. Problem solved, I made myself watch some fun movies, although I had a hard time choosing.
No matter how many times I watch the Princess Bride, no matter how many lines I deliver, beat for beat, it never gets old. A little tear in my eye at the end when the grandfather replies, "As you wish."
Classic storytelling, lots of sarcasm, irony, excellent acting in a modest fairytale. It just never gets old.
converstions with (other) women
no. 23 Conversations With Other Women.
I'm not even going to bother looking up more info on this film...plainly, I loved it! I wish it wasn't on cable, I had the DVD because I'd love to hear more about the split screen/perspective it was shot in, the decision, etc, but right now, I just want to love it. Yeah, strangely enough, I'm going to be happy not digging deeper for answers, go figure.
I tuned in for Aaron Eckhart, I really like him. On the other hand, I really dislike Helena Bonham Carter - I mean her. She's a great actress, I've enjoyed her performance in nearly every piece, but there's something about her that I dislike. Maybe I was sympathetic to her in this because of her look, she's in a pink dress, her hair is lighter, dunno.
I loved the play between memories of the past up against the recollection, the correction, the mistakes made. The duality in both characters, the surprises, perception vs. truth, all played out so well. I don't know why I didn't a. know about this film, b. hadn't seen it yet. It's definitely deserves multiple viewings, I'm sure I'll take something new away.
All in all, this broke my heart. Although, the (Other) part in the title confuses me. Plus, I secretly wished for the two perspectives to become one at some point. The hopeless romantic in me, I guess...
I'm not even going to bother looking up more info on this film...plainly, I loved it! I wish it wasn't on cable, I had the DVD because I'd love to hear more about the split screen/perspective it was shot in, the decision, etc, but right now, I just want to love it. Yeah, strangely enough, I'm going to be happy not digging deeper for answers, go figure.
I tuned in for Aaron Eckhart, I really like him. On the other hand, I really dislike Helena Bonham Carter - I mean her. She's a great actress, I've enjoyed her performance in nearly every piece, but there's something about her that I dislike. Maybe I was sympathetic to her in this because of her look, she's in a pink dress, her hair is lighter, dunno.
I loved the play between memories of the past up against the recollection, the correction, the mistakes made. The duality in both characters, the surprises, perception vs. truth, all played out so well. I don't know why I didn't a. know about this film, b. hadn't seen it yet. It's definitely deserves multiple viewings, I'm sure I'll take something new away.
All in all, this broke my heart. Although, the (Other) part in the title confuses me. Plus, I secretly wished for the two perspectives to become one at some point. The hopeless romantic in me, I guess...
Thursday, February 5, 2009
who cares what you lost in the fire!
no. 22 Things We Lost In The Fire
Again, great showing by Benicio. I'm not sure I've ever seen something from him I didn't like. He played the character as sympathetic, but not pathetic. I'm still not sure what the motivation was moving into the garage - Audrey, Halle, is such a fucking cunt. Yes, you know me, I said it. Selfish. She's asked him to move in for purely selfish reasons. Her husband wouldn't give up on Jerry, she's trying to keep her husband alive and this is the one thing that he would do no matter what, be loyal to Jerry. She plays with him, it's cruel, her character is easy to hate. She pushes him back over the edge, even though she helps clean him up, send him to rehab, I couldn't like her. Even at the end. It didn't really make me feel (other than that little wink*wink started between her and Duchovny before he died), except for the kids. The writers were able to convey the connection between the kids and Jerry without being hokey, syrupy, Lifetime movie-ish.
Halle can act, although I thought this was so-so.
I really hated the music - it helped to push the narrative, the pain of loss, but it was so Lifetime and melodramatic. ugh.
I just looked at imdb and wiki, but neither mentioned Oprah. I'm sure if I look, this had her stamp of approval...
Again, great showing by Benicio. I'm not sure I've ever seen something from him I didn't like. He played the character as sympathetic, but not pathetic. I'm still not sure what the motivation was moving into the garage - Audrey, Halle, is such a fucking cunt. Yes, you know me, I said it. Selfish. She's asked him to move in for purely selfish reasons. Her husband wouldn't give up on Jerry, she's trying to keep her husband alive and this is the one thing that he would do no matter what, be loyal to Jerry. She plays with him, it's cruel, her character is easy to hate. She pushes him back over the edge, even though she helps clean him up, send him to rehab, I couldn't like her. Even at the end. It didn't really make me feel (other than that little wink*wink started between her and Duchovny before he died), except for the kids. The writers were able to convey the connection between the kids and Jerry without being hokey, syrupy, Lifetime movie-ish.
Halle can act, although I thought this was so-so.
I really hated the music - it helped to push the narrative, the pain of loss, but it was so Lifetime and melodramatic. ugh.
I just looked at imdb and wiki, but neither mentioned Oprah. I'm sure if I look, this had her stamp of approval...
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
LOST ep 4 the little prince
Oh my fucking god!!! I don't even know where to start with tonight's episode! Although I felt like we didn't make any progression, maybe we did. I can't really process it all, the episode was nothing I expected, so let's look at my notes and see if that helps.
The Little Prince - although I'm SURE it's a homage to the book, the episode was about Aaron, not Danielle.
in 2004, on Penny's boat:
Kate - wow, it's her idea to say Aaron's her son. "I can't lose him, too."
J - "Sawyer's not dead." Kate - "But he's gone."
Kate - "I have also been with you." awww
Off the Island:
Sun - wow, she's got surveillance photos of Ben and Jack, and a gun delivered under the chocolates. She puts Aaron in the car, heads to Long Beach with the intent to kill Ben. In the teaser for next week, we know she pulls the gun. (and Ben's got a surprise for her!!) BUT, she played the great scape goat to...
BEN - who's still pulling all the strings. The lawyer, Claire's mum's lawyer, is Ben's lawyer, leading Kate straight to him with a carrot on a string. Dan (from My So Called Life) is going to get Hurley out of the hoosegow.
Kate - doesn't surprise us in the fact that she's gone back to running, stalking the bad guy, etc.
Sayid - dude, the mf was out. Three Special Ks, 42 hours. We know he is truly worried about keeping Hurley safe.
Jack - suspended on possible possession and substance abuse! Go figure, he's getting dealt what Daddy should have. He still has to fix things, like Claire's mum, which he totally fucks up. "I can fix this, Kate. Aaron is my family, too."
42 Panorama Crest - Kate's address, found in Sayid's attacker's pants. Go Team Ben.
Long Beach Marina, Slip 23. Way to use the numbers.
I loved the whole - Jack brings Kate. Kate sees Ben...and Sayid, then freaks. Jack says he's with me, here to help everyone we left behind. Then Kate gets the carrot, which Ben shrugs with a what-did-you-expect eye roll. Cue, Sun & Aaron! The dead guy's in the van, they just need to pull the crazy guy out of the hole.
On the Island:
Temporal sickness? Daniel says that the nose bleeds are neurological, that the internal clock is being thrown off by the jumps, really bad jet lag, although he doesn't know why it's only Charlotte. "Thank god. [it's not happening to all of us]"...but it is! Next Miles, then Juliette. Daniel tells Miles that he thinks it has something to do with exposure and time on the island. Miles says he's never been to the island before two weeks ago. OF COURSE Daniel asks, "Are you sure?" ha!
Locke - he believes that since the jumps started with the FDW at the Orchid, he thinks that if he replicates Ben's actions, he can stop it. I love the line - "I have to make them come back even if it kills me." He knows that's what its going to take, I just love how he delivered the line to Sawyer, almost Ben like, not really.
Sawyer really wants to know what Ben's going to say to bring Kate back because she was pretty excited about leaving.
We witness our first vision of the past!!! Locke knows WHEN they are because of the light from the hatch. Daniel knows what's up, but he follows Locke's lead. Sawyer sees Claire giving birth...and jumped before he could say anything! Locke and Sawyer kinda talk about it, as much as Sawyer ever talks. It shows so much about their character and intention. Sawyer asks Locke something about why he didn't go back to tell himself that it was just a light...to save yourself a world of pain. Locke "No, I need that pain to get where I am now."
I know the Joopers will already have gone and watched that scene, but I'm curious if there is a whisper. I don't think so, it was only Sawyer looking on and the poor guy was doing all he could to not spill over and cry. Juliette tries to get him to talk about it, ask what it was like seeing Kate again. "I was close enough to touch her - I could have talked to her." "Why not?" "What's done is done." Man, my heart really bleeds for Sawyer. He really does love Kate, maybe the first time he really, truly has. I must give her credit, Juliette can be really nice.
Ajira Airlines - this has been flirted with. We know there's an Ajira water bottle in the outrigger on the beach, which the gang steals...to be ensued once they jump into the storm...and get shot out. Juliette can shoot a rifle, what can't she do?
Lots of good lines, but Sawyer, always, has the best.
#1 "Time travel's a bitch."
#2 (upon being shot at and then jumping) "Thank you lord!"
#3 (upon jumping into a storm) "I take that back!"
Oh yeah, can't forget about Danielle's team, in a rubber raft, pulling JIN to safety as he's face down on a piece of driftwood. Great to see the reveal of a young girl in a brown sweater pull off her rain coat and she's preggers! I swear I saw a violin case in that raft. My french is horrible, I can't wait to see what the dialogue translates to...
The Little Prince - although I'm SURE it's a homage to the book, the episode was about Aaron, not Danielle.
in 2004, on Penny's boat:
Kate - wow, it's her idea to say Aaron's her son. "I can't lose him, too."
J - "Sawyer's not dead." Kate - "But he's gone."
Kate - "I have also been with you." awww
Off the Island:
Sun - wow, she's got surveillance photos of Ben and Jack, and a gun delivered under the chocolates. She puts Aaron in the car, heads to Long Beach with the intent to kill Ben. In the teaser for next week, we know she pulls the gun. (and Ben's got a surprise for her!!) BUT, she played the great scape goat to...
BEN - who's still pulling all the strings. The lawyer, Claire's mum's lawyer, is Ben's lawyer, leading Kate straight to him with a carrot on a string. Dan (from My So Called Life) is going to get Hurley out of the hoosegow.
Kate - doesn't surprise us in the fact that she's gone back to running, stalking the bad guy, etc.
Sayid - dude, the mf was out. Three Special Ks, 42 hours. We know he is truly worried about keeping Hurley safe.
Jack - suspended on possible possession and substance abuse! Go figure, he's getting dealt what Daddy should have. He still has to fix things, like Claire's mum, which he totally fucks up. "I can fix this, Kate. Aaron is my family, too."
42 Panorama Crest - Kate's address, found in Sayid's attacker's pants. Go Team Ben.
Long Beach Marina, Slip 23. Way to use the numbers.
I loved the whole - Jack brings Kate. Kate sees Ben...and Sayid, then freaks. Jack says he's with me, here to help everyone we left behind. Then Kate gets the carrot, which Ben shrugs with a what-did-you-expect eye roll. Cue, Sun & Aaron! The dead guy's in the van, they just need to pull the crazy guy out of the hole.
On the Island:
Temporal sickness? Daniel says that the nose bleeds are neurological, that the internal clock is being thrown off by the jumps, really bad jet lag, although he doesn't know why it's only Charlotte. "Thank god. [it's not happening to all of us]"...but it is! Next Miles, then Juliette. Daniel tells Miles that he thinks it has something to do with exposure and time on the island. Miles says he's never been to the island before two weeks ago. OF COURSE Daniel asks, "Are you sure?" ha!
Locke - he believes that since the jumps started with the FDW at the Orchid, he thinks that if he replicates Ben's actions, he can stop it. I love the line - "I have to make them come back even if it kills me." He knows that's what its going to take, I just love how he delivered the line to Sawyer, almost Ben like, not really.
Sawyer really wants to know what Ben's going to say to bring Kate back because she was pretty excited about leaving.
We witness our first vision of the past!!! Locke knows WHEN they are because of the light from the hatch. Daniel knows what's up, but he follows Locke's lead. Sawyer sees Claire giving birth...and jumped before he could say anything! Locke and Sawyer kinda talk about it, as much as Sawyer ever talks. It shows so much about their character and intention. Sawyer asks Locke something about why he didn't go back to tell himself that it was just a light...to save yourself a world of pain. Locke "No, I need that pain to get where I am now."
I know the Joopers will already have gone and watched that scene, but I'm curious if there is a whisper. I don't think so, it was only Sawyer looking on and the poor guy was doing all he could to not spill over and cry. Juliette tries to get him to talk about it, ask what it was like seeing Kate again. "I was close enough to touch her - I could have talked to her." "Why not?" "What's done is done." Man, my heart really bleeds for Sawyer. He really does love Kate, maybe the first time he really, truly has. I must give her credit, Juliette can be really nice.
Ajira Airlines - this has been flirted with. We know there's an Ajira water bottle in the outrigger on the beach, which the gang steals...to be ensued once they jump into the storm...and get shot out. Juliette can shoot a rifle, what can't she do?
Lots of good lines, but Sawyer, always, has the best.
#1 "Time travel's a bitch."
#2 (upon being shot at and then jumping) "Thank you lord!"
#3 (upon jumping into a storm) "I take that back!"
Oh yeah, can't forget about Danielle's team, in a rubber raft, pulling JIN to safety as he's face down on a piece of driftwood. Great to see the reveal of a young girl in a brown sweater pull off her rain coat and she's preggers! I swear I saw a violin case in that raft. My french is horrible, I can't wait to see what the dialogue translates to...
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