Definitely not one of my delights to speak about the parting of a dear soul. Mr. Mac was a consummate gentleman of whom I have been proud and honored to have called "da boss man". In fact, over PW, some one yelled, "Hi-yo!" I told my friends that I had never once heard him use one of his catchphrases, well, other than introducing someone :) We started talking about how much I enjoyed working for Mr. Mac and his family, how they became my family when I moved to Los Angeles. With all the "important" people around, he always managed to make me feel irreplaceable, fitting me into his various projects, his faith in me was never questioned. He would call me into his office about the most odd subjects, always looking to me for my opinion, maybe because he found I was always honest, even if it wasn't flattering, or maybe because we got such a kick out of one another, a respect that I've never felt with any other human being.
Today has been a long day of reflection, Mr. Mac gave me so much more than a paycheck, I never was able to quite express than over the years, the birthday and holiday cards. I don't regret, but I really wish that when I had moved back to LA that I would have gone over to the house more often, to visit with Amanda and be the big sister she needed, to laugh at Pammy's crazy notions, to thank Mr. Mac for the kindness and faith he gave to me. Had I not answered the call that day in 2000, I wouldn't have gotten my first gig on the road. Had I not called when I moved to LA, I wouldn't have worked in TV. I might never have met Tommy and the job I have today. He gave me Basia and Toni and Emily...and Scott.
I am thankful for many things in my life. I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of Ed's life, even if for a short time. He even called my Gram on her 80th bday, my Grandfather was in on the gag and recorded the entire call. She didn't believe it was him, told him that ANYONE could pull the "Here's Johnny" card. It wasn't until he started talking about me, her Granddaughter, what a lovely young woman and hard worker she was, that Gram bought into it and realized that it was Ed McMahon. A reporter even wrote about it in their little hometown paper.
He was a very kind and good soul, I know that he is in peace, smiling down upon his loved ones. He was not well for some time, which I knew was painful for him. He wanted to die on his feet, working, doing what he loved.
Thank you for not leaving any "scary" videos in your closet with the unmarked footage. Every day I went to the VCR with loaded arms, I got on my hands and knees and prayed I wouldn't turn on the tv and see something I really didn't want to ;)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
milk
no. 90 MILK
Sometimes films just get stuck in my queue, most times, I'm pleasantly surprised that I'm finally getting something after three years. Not MILK, I'm pissed that I wasn't impatient and had to watch it the week it came out. I'm pissed that I haven't watched it three times already this spring.
Gus Van Sant put together a beautiful mosaic. Dustin Lance Black wrote an amazing script. The cast, as a whole, was unbelievably talented. Sean Penn? Sean Penn? God, he's everything and then some. Pardon the comparison, but in Bull Durham, Crash tells Nuke that when he was a baby, the gods reached down and turned his right arm into a thunderbolt, but he's pissing away his Hall of Fame arm on the material and unimportant. Thank god that Sean Penn isn't pissing away his talents and sharing them with the likes of us poor, untalented fools.
Like Brokeback, this was NOT a gay film. I don't care what anyone says. This film screams HOPE. In 2009, right now, we need a little HOPE from Milk. This isn't the exact quotation from Milk, but an mosaic of several pieces for the film that works:
"Last week I got a phone call from Altoona, Pennsylvania and the voice was very young and the person said, 'thanks.' You gotta elect gay people so that the young child and the thousand upon thousands just like him will have hope for a better life, hope for a better tomorrow...
...it's not about personal gain and it's not about ego and it's not about power. It's about the us's out there not just the gays but the blacks and the asians and the seniors and the disabled, the us's. Without hope the us's give up and I know you can't live on hope alone, but without hope, life is not worth living. So you, and you, and you, you gotta give them hope. You gotta give them hope."
I've never been proud of my shitty little WASP town, I turned my back as quickly as I could. But I'll tell you, tears of pride rolled down my face, pride that some kid knew that someone out there was making a change, standing up for those who couldn't stand up on their own. It makes this kid from Altoona, Pennyslvania realize that she speaks out about her differences, about her disability to give HOPE to others, to give HOPE to parents, to give HOPE to lovers, to give HOPE to anyone who is afraid that they cannot be well. This will be my rallying cry, thank you.
Makes you wonder, how does a kid who grew up in a small minded town, one full of prejudice and bigotry just understand to love everyone, to accept them and celebrate them for their differences? It was never a conscious decision, I was made this way and yet my immediate family is not. Nature vs Nurture? LOL
Sometimes films just get stuck in my queue, most times, I'm pleasantly surprised that I'm finally getting something after three years. Not MILK, I'm pissed that I wasn't impatient and had to watch it the week it came out. I'm pissed that I haven't watched it three times already this spring.
Gus Van Sant put together a beautiful mosaic. Dustin Lance Black wrote an amazing script. The cast, as a whole, was unbelievably talented. Sean Penn? Sean Penn? God, he's everything and then some. Pardon the comparison, but in Bull Durham, Crash tells Nuke that when he was a baby, the gods reached down and turned his right arm into a thunderbolt, but he's pissing away his Hall of Fame arm on the material and unimportant. Thank god that Sean Penn isn't pissing away his talents and sharing them with the likes of us poor, untalented fools.
Like Brokeback, this was NOT a gay film. I don't care what anyone says. This film screams HOPE. In 2009, right now, we need a little HOPE from Milk. This isn't the exact quotation from Milk, but an mosaic of several pieces for the film that works:
"Last week I got a phone call from Altoona, Pennsylvania and the voice was very young and the person said, 'thanks.' You gotta elect gay people so that the young child and the thousand upon thousands just like him will have hope for a better life, hope for a better tomorrow...
...it's not about personal gain and it's not about ego and it's not about power. It's about the us's out there not just the gays but the blacks and the asians and the seniors and the disabled, the us's. Without hope the us's give up and I know you can't live on hope alone, but without hope, life is not worth living. So you, and you, and you, you gotta give them hope. You gotta give them hope."
I've never been proud of my shitty little WASP town, I turned my back as quickly as I could. But I'll tell you, tears of pride rolled down my face, pride that some kid knew that someone out there was making a change, standing up for those who couldn't stand up on their own. It makes this kid from Altoona, Pennyslvania realize that she speaks out about her differences, about her disability to give HOPE to others, to give HOPE to parents, to give HOPE to lovers, to give HOPE to anyone who is afraid that they cannot be well. This will be my rallying cry, thank you.
Makes you wonder, how does a kid who grew up in a small minded town, one full of prejudice and bigotry just understand to love everyone, to accept them and celebrate them for their differences? It was never a conscious decision, I was made this way and yet my immediate family is not. Nature vs Nurture? LOL
the prophecy
no.89 The Prophecy
There have been many a version of this story painted, written, filmed. All in all, we know that angels are jealous because man has been given a soul, we have been the chosen of his "creatures" even if we are careless with life and all that surrounds it. Personally, I enjoy a version of this story when it's a little more ironic, a tab bit sarcastic and not so dark and brooding. See Dogma, Good Omens, etc.
I did like the attempt to weave in an earthbound religion - the native american aspect made this a little more interesting. Christopher Walken was a great moody Gabriel with a literal interpretation of being the angel of death and vengeance. However, it's Christopher Walken.
Talking monkies, eh?
There have been many a version of this story painted, written, filmed. All in all, we know that angels are jealous because man has been given a soul, we have been the chosen of his "creatures" even if we are careless with life and all that surrounds it. Personally, I enjoy a version of this story when it's a little more ironic, a tab bit sarcastic and not so dark and brooding. See Dogma, Good Omens, etc.
I did like the attempt to weave in an earthbound religion - the native american aspect made this a little more interesting. Christopher Walken was a great moody Gabriel with a literal interpretation of being the angel of death and vengeance. However, it's Christopher Walken.
Talking monkies, eh?
grace is gone
no.88 Grace Is Gone
I really enjoyed John Cusack's left turn at Albuquerque. This is so not his fare and I loved him for it. The normally dapper, black suit, sunglasses as night wearing hot shit pulled off this schlub, a man who who was stripped of the one thing he truly wanted to be, who spends his mornings doing a fifth grade team shoutout to get motivated to move shovels. The pain, the confusion, it's all seen on his face as he tries to think of anything not to tell his girls. The pain is there when he tries to call off the fun. I know what if feels like to call that answering machine, I've done it before. I know this didn't get any acclaim, but I thoroughly enjoyed this sad but moving and heartbreaking journey.
I really enjoyed John Cusack's left turn at Albuquerque. This is so not his fare and I loved him for it. The normally dapper, black suit, sunglasses as night wearing hot shit pulled off this schlub, a man who who was stripped of the one thing he truly wanted to be, who spends his mornings doing a fifth grade team shoutout to get motivated to move shovels. The pain, the confusion, it's all seen on his face as he tries to think of anything not to tell his girls. The pain is there when he tries to call off the fun. I know what if feels like to call that answering machine, I've done it before. I know this didn't get any acclaim, but I thoroughly enjoyed this sad but moving and heartbreaking journey.
speed racer
no.87 Speed Racer
The best thing about watching a movie that got eaten up by nearly every reviewer? You walk in expecting the absolute worst; it can only get better! The Wachowski Bros got a bad rap on this. I can't imagine the work, the time. It wasn't that bad, I just think that American audiences don't get it. They may have watched the second American run of the cartoon, but they were already in college and stoned, so they didn't really get it and they took their kids to see it, hated it. Or, you could be like me, I was total Ren and Stimpy. I know the characters, so I wasn't attached to any of the normal trappings - they could have royally trashed the story line and I would have been fine to watch it (which is really rare for me to be that oblivious.) LOL
This was eye candy galore. If you can't do that, don't do this.
The best thing about watching a movie that got eaten up by nearly every reviewer? You walk in expecting the absolute worst; it can only get better! The Wachowski Bros got a bad rap on this. I can't imagine the work, the time. It wasn't that bad, I just think that American audiences don't get it. They may have watched the second American run of the cartoon, but they were already in college and stoned, so they didn't really get it and they took their kids to see it, hated it. Or, you could be like me, I was total Ren and Stimpy. I know the characters, so I wasn't attached to any of the normal trappings - they could have royally trashed the story line and I would have been fine to watch it (which is really rare for me to be that oblivious.) LOL
This was eye candy galore. If you can't do that, don't do this.
license to wed
no. 86 License to Wed
Yeah, I really did watch this. At least Robin Williams wasn't acting like he was an epileptic on meth. He reigned it in, wasn't too bad. The story was cute...why did I watch it? Oh yeah, it rained for a whole fucking week.
Yeah, I really did watch this. At least Robin Williams wasn't acting like he was an epileptic on meth. He reigned it in, wasn't too bad. The story was cute...why did I watch it? Oh yeah, it rained for a whole fucking week.
nanny? annie?
no. 85 The Nanny Diaries
I'm almost embarrassed to say that I read this in a bookless state. It was the summer, I had to put paper in my hands and I was staying with Wendy. This was her standard summer fare. No, I like me some Ulysses over the summer (it is sitting beside my old Palm with a dictionary card ready to start. I hope it will help with the really obscure references!)
Scarlett Johansson has done a wide array of films, she hasn't held back, she's done art, she's done Woody twice, fluffy fare. I gotta admire that she always seems to be working, she appears to be very smart (certainly makes sure that comes across in interviews) and she's married to ultra hottie Ryan Reynolds. Who the hell has time for all that? And the most amazing lips and tits this side of Canada?
Wasn't much to say about the film, obviously ;) Although, Laura Linney looked STUNNING. And I really did dig the whole museum theme...
I'm almost embarrassed to say that I read this in a bookless state. It was the summer, I had to put paper in my hands and I was staying with Wendy. This was her standard summer fare. No, I like me some Ulysses over the summer (it is sitting beside my old Palm with a dictionary card ready to start. I hope it will help with the really obscure references!)
Scarlett Johansson has done a wide array of films, she hasn't held back, she's done art, she's done Woody twice, fluffy fare. I gotta admire that she always seems to be working, she appears to be very smart (certainly makes sure that comes across in interviews) and she's married to ultra hottie Ryan Reynolds. Who the hell has time for all that? And the most amazing lips and tits this side of Canada?
Wasn't much to say about the film, obviously ;) Although, Laura Linney looked STUNNING. And I really did dig the whole museum theme...
nick and nora's
no.84 Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist
I get her. I was her. The koolest girl around, every band wants to be her friend. You never know if someone wants or likes you or what you can give them. It's no wonder she falls for (most literally!) for Michael Cera. He's honest, there's no pretense.
It was a cute film, a great showcase for some fun gigs in the city. I just can't imagine growing up and having the chance to know myself and music like that. Growing up in a little town is very different, VFW shows. I can't imagine having to go to work as Caroline everyday, I'm gonna have to check out her other films, see if she CAN act. Puking and acting like a drunk hussy is not easily done day in and out ;)
ps. the music is great!
I get her. I was her. The koolest girl around, every band wants to be her friend. You never know if someone wants or likes you or what you can give them. It's no wonder she falls for (most literally!) for Michael Cera. He's honest, there's no pretense.
It was a cute film, a great showcase for some fun gigs in the city. I just can't imagine growing up and having the chance to know myself and music like that. Growing up in a little town is very different, VFW shows. I can't imagine having to go to work as Caroline everyday, I'm gonna have to check out her other films, see if she CAN act. Puking and acting like a drunk hussy is not easily done day in and out ;)
ps. the music is great!
virgin suicides
no.83 The Virgin Suicides
This was suppoed to be such a huge film, daddy's little girl's debut. She's done much better, but this was a valiant start. Casting Kirsten Dunst was her saving grace...and her muse. When ARE they going to do another film together?
I loved the fact the neighbor boys ordered the same catalogues and their "travel photos" are adorable. Sad and beautiful.
This was suppoed to be such a huge film, daddy's little girl's debut. She's done much better, but this was a valiant start. Casting Kirsten Dunst was her saving grace...and her muse. When ARE they going to do another film together?
I loved the fact the neighbor boys ordered the same catalogues and their "travel photos" are adorable. Sad and beautiful.
ugh!
Holy Jesus, two weeks without a post? I think it will take me two weeks to catch up and I'll still be behind. Did I mention that it rained for a whole fucking week? I watched some serious shit and couldn't bear to sit in front of the computer and tap out anything about any of it.
The good news is that I got my a/c units in. Ahhhhhh, I love the smell of cold air. Seriously, stop, close your eyes, take a deep breath of 68 degrees shooting out of your window. Heaven. Pure heaven.
The good news is that I got my a/c units in. Ahhhhhh, I love the smell of cold air. Seriously, stop, close your eyes, take a deep breath of 68 degrees shooting out of your window. Heaven. Pure heaven.
Monday, June 8, 2009
foot fist
no. 82 The Foot Fist Way
Now I really get Eastbound and Down. Plagued by the Netflix option to put a title at the top of your queue...If I had seen this first, EBD might not have been so funny. I mean, I love it, the over the top-ness. It's really just an extension of Foot Fist - which is funny as hell in it's own right. Nothing spectacular, but glad that it gave us Jody Hill and Danny McBride.
Now I really get Eastbound and Down. Plagued by the Netflix option to put a title at the top of your queue...If I had seen this first, EBD might not have been so funny. I mean, I love it, the over the top-ness. It's really just an extension of Foot Fist - which is funny as hell in it's own right. Nothing spectacular, but glad that it gave us Jody Hill and Danny McBride.
live flesh
no. 81 Live Flesh
I wish I could remember what my first Pedro Almodovar movie was - maybe The Flower of My Secret at the Graduate Center Film Night? All I know is I have had a love affair with my favorite gay Spanish filmmaker ever since!
Surprisingly, this is the first non-English speaking film I've seen Javier Bardem in...and he has a manly voice in this! None of that girly loftiness we hear WAY too often. And talk about method! his wheelchair skills were mad! I can't imagine the time it too to prepare for this role. I had a hard time watching this - I really wanted to pay attention to how he delivered his lines, his expressions. Terribly difficult to do when reading subtitles ;*(
Not my favorite Almodovar film, but really dug it. Angela Molina was amazing.
Why Live Flesh? I'm certain we're loosing out in that translation!
I wish I could remember what my first Pedro Almodovar movie was - maybe The Flower of My Secret at the Graduate Center Film Night? All I know is I have had a love affair with my favorite gay Spanish filmmaker ever since!
Surprisingly, this is the first non-English speaking film I've seen Javier Bardem in...and he has a manly voice in this! None of that girly loftiness we hear WAY too often. And talk about method! his wheelchair skills were mad! I can't imagine the time it too to prepare for this role. I had a hard time watching this - I really wanted to pay attention to how he delivered his lines, his expressions. Terribly difficult to do when reading subtitles ;*(
Not my favorite Almodovar film, but really dug it. Angela Molina was amazing.
Why Live Flesh? I'm certain we're loosing out in that translation!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
the book thief
No? The Book Thief - Markus Zuzak (I haven't been reading nearly as much as I should, so numbering might be counter productive!)
This book beat every expectation. I wrote down a little list of book Neil Gaiman mentioned in an interview, but was a little wary because they were all YA. No fear! This was so masterfully created - I loved how it took place during the Holocaust, but that did not overwhelm or define.
Death, as a narrator, at first seemed like a bad choice, but was able to maintain a great objectivity and flavor. The book is surrounded, steeped, consumed by death, but you'd never really notice it.
I just wish that kiss could have come earlier. Best book I've read in ages!
This book beat every expectation. I wrote down a little list of book Neil Gaiman mentioned in an interview, but was a little wary because they were all YA. No fear! This was so masterfully created - I loved how it took place during the Holocaust, but that did not overwhelm or define.
Death, as a narrator, at first seemed like a bad choice, but was able to maintain a great objectivity and flavor. The book is surrounded, steeped, consumed by death, but you'd never really notice it.
I just wish that kiss could have come earlier. Best book I've read in ages!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
pg porn
http://www.spike.com/video/pg-porn-pg-porn/3041858
Yes, on the NF kick. I remember hearing about this on Spike last year, but forgot to bring my EW downstairs and watch. This is too good.
Yes, on the NF kick. I remember hearing about this on Spike last year, but forgot to bring my EW downstairs and watch. This is too good.
Friday, June 5, 2009
hedwig
no. 80 Hedwig and the Angry Inch
I cannot watch this without crying. Sobbing, actually.
Steven Trask's music is so beautiful - the pieces all stand well on their own and as a sum of their parts. He rocks, he smashes, he brings tears to my eyes. An old friend is an amazing musician and I have BEGGED him so many times to listen to the soundtrack, but he's such a stoic homophobe that he won't even do it in the name of music. (I love him to pieces, but I think it really is about his religion and not his own insecurities. Belief is great, but it can be so hindering.)
I mentioned last week that when I watched CTHD and HOFD, I didn't see a martial arts film, I saw a story about love. Yes, I am a unique individual, I believe in people, in their hearts, not their affectations. Love knows no boundaries. Love knows no gender. I've also said that I love a good story, no matter what the medium. You can pull a painful story from a statue, a photo, a poem. I always see the story, in items, in people. Hedwig believes that a soul mate exists for her, that she is not whole without he or she (technically, that's manifested in Tommy, but)... I think her story is truly about loving herself, her whole self, as she is.
I SOOO wanted to see this in it's original form when I was in school - when I moved to LA, I remember they started holding Rocky Horror-esque showings of the movie. I got Scott and Eddie to head to a midnight show, but it was sold out. Once they actually watched the film, I couldn't get them out the door ;(
Did I fail to mention how amazing John Cameron Mitchell is? gush.
I cannot watch this without crying. Sobbing, actually.
Steven Trask's music is so beautiful - the pieces all stand well on their own and as a sum of their parts. He rocks, he smashes, he brings tears to my eyes. An old friend is an amazing musician and I have BEGGED him so many times to listen to the soundtrack, but he's such a stoic homophobe that he won't even do it in the name of music. (I love him to pieces, but I think it really is about his religion and not his own insecurities. Belief is great, but it can be so hindering.)
I mentioned last week that when I watched CTHD and HOFD, I didn't see a martial arts film, I saw a story about love. Yes, I am a unique individual, I believe in people, in their hearts, not their affectations. Love knows no boundaries. Love knows no gender. I've also said that I love a good story, no matter what the medium. You can pull a painful story from a statue, a photo, a poem. I always see the story, in items, in people. Hedwig believes that a soul mate exists for her, that she is not whole without he or she (technically, that's manifested in Tommy, but)... I think her story is truly about loving herself, her whole self, as she is.
I SOOO wanted to see this in it's original form when I was in school - when I moved to LA, I remember they started holding Rocky Horror-esque showings of the movie. I got Scott and Eddie to head to a midnight show, but it was sold out. Once they actually watched the film, I couldn't get them out the door ;(
Did I fail to mention how amazing John Cameron Mitchell is? gush.
poor narnia
no. 80 Prince Caspian
Sometimes, I just watch things that are so not memorable...that it takes seeing them in the guide three weeks later to jog my memory.
I can see why Disney dumped the rest of Narnia. This fell very flat.
Sometimes, I just watch things that are so not memorable...that it takes seeing them in the guide three weeks later to jog my memory.
I can see why Disney dumped the rest of Narnia. This fell very flat.
waitress
no. 79 Waitress
Yes, I'm on a Nathan Fillion kick. I know it got a little indy cred, but I wasn't buying it. As a film, it stands on it's own legs. As a woman, I can't stand sappy stories like this. A sad woman, living in a sad little town, pregnant and trying to get out of her life. I guess you could look at the ending, see it as a statement of feminism, an optimistic outlook on how she took control and found meaning and happiness in her life, at least she was "happy enough." I never got the Keri Russell thing. I guess you had to fall in love with her on Felicity, which I had NO interest in ever watching. yuck, period.
I saw it as trite and a waste of staying up so late. Although, the little make out sessions tickled my fancy. No, I'm just kidding. That doesn't do much for me, too bad. I did, however, figure out why I'm attracted to said man. I believe it was a friend who was an art major who told me that the "beautiful" people, the famous folks that we are really attracted to typically have one thing in common: symmetry. Their faces are uncannily symmetric. I know that if I cover up one side of my face, I'm a different creature. I guess my goofy attraction is the opposite: he's so unbelievably un-symmetrical. You might even say that he might be unattractive if it were one side or the other, but the sum of the parts is very interesting. Then again, it might just be that he's really talented in playing guys that can ramble a mile a minute, sound intelligent and totally charming. Yeah, maybe we should scratch the whole symmetry thing :)
Yes, I'm on a Nathan Fillion kick. I know it got a little indy cred, but I wasn't buying it. As a film, it stands on it's own legs. As a woman, I can't stand sappy stories like this. A sad woman, living in a sad little town, pregnant and trying to get out of her life. I guess you could look at the ending, see it as a statement of feminism, an optimistic outlook on how she took control and found meaning and happiness in her life, at least she was "happy enough." I never got the Keri Russell thing. I guess you had to fall in love with her on Felicity, which I had NO interest in ever watching. yuck, period.
I saw it as trite and a waste of staying up so late. Although, the little make out sessions tickled my fancy. No, I'm just kidding. That doesn't do much for me, too bad. I did, however, figure out why I'm attracted to said man. I believe it was a friend who was an art major who told me that the "beautiful" people, the famous folks that we are really attracted to typically have one thing in common: symmetry. Their faces are uncannily symmetric. I know that if I cover up one side of my face, I'm a different creature. I guess my goofy attraction is the opposite: he's so unbelievably un-symmetrical. You might even say that he might be unattractive if it were one side or the other, but the sum of the parts is very interesting. Then again, it might just be that he's really talented in playing guys that can ramble a mile a minute, sound intelligent and totally charming. Yeah, maybe we should scratch the whole symmetry thing :)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
rain...
Yeah, it's been raining. I know my movie, book and music consumption levels have been waning as it's nice out and I'm making an effort to create some cash crops, literally, in my back yard. There's no other way I'd be able to have watched so much tv this week :) The DVR is full of crap, seriously, but stuff I want to get to sooner or later. The weekend isn't going to afford me that time with the good weather forcasted. Do you think that the smell of fish emulsion is going to bring the large rodents on with force? Will my girl pee ward them off?
rachel yamagata
Rachael Yamagata's Elephant...Teeth Sinking Into Heart is such a beautiful album. Problem is, I can never find the right mood in which to listen. Ya know what I mean? It's such a moody piece, I can't find the time. I've tried listening to it while I'm posting work crap of social networking sites. Ugh. The shower is a great way for me to "spend" time with an album. Nada. I do my best not to get into the mood which this album is best suited, hell, I take meds not to go there.
When and where will I find that space? Is it good enough for me to recognize the beauty of a thing and put it back on the shelf?
When and where will I find that space? Is it good enough for me to recognize the beauty of a thing and put it back on the shelf?
serenity
no. 78 Serenity
I make it a policy to only to post a movie if I've seen it from beginning to end. If I've got my hands on a DVD, I've got to watch the special features as they may inform me of something I may have missed and enlighten me on a reference that went over my head. In other words, I like to know what I'm talking about. Me? Go figure. I took this a step further. As I was trying to finish the last Firefly DVD, I was frustrated that it kept getting hung up. After cleaning it about three times, logic kicked in: only 11 of the 14 shot episodes were aired, all included on this Disc Four, along with the Special Features. This DVD looked like a piece of crap because it was the most requested of the quartet. Because of the hang ups, I went online to look for scripts so that I "wouldn't miss anything," again, go figure. In this, I found a great essay, which of course, I read before I would post.
In his review, Julian Sanchez waxes somewhat poetic on the concept of existentialist libertarianism of the film. While watching the last episode of the series, "Objects in Space," I felt the ghost of Sarte walking in the quiet corridors of the ship. However, the movie really does hit this head on. We know Mal, his discontent with how life has panned out, the fact that he's just looking to move on his (somewhat) merry way and not to be bothered with anything or by anyone around him. But overall the film does fit nicely into this box...
About the movie - overall, I did enjoy it. To quote the DVD extras, Serenity is the Cinderella story of cancelled tv shows. NO ONE ever gets to wrap their story up in a feature. I really thought Deadwood was gonna at least get a reprise as an made for HBO movie, but even they didn't pull through on their in house property. It's also tough for TV shows to make the leap to big screen (hello Chris Carter, did you really think you could do a second X-Files movie so long after it left the air??) How in the world do you establish characters who have a detailed backstory quickly enough to satisfy the one time viewer but not piss off the rabid fan? The storyline is good enough to stand on its own and follow through with some series mythos - what the hell IS River? (I know it was needed for the movie goer to get what happened to River, but the truth is that we had to learn that her neural cortex was stripped during an episode, Simon wasn't given this bonus when he literally lifted her out of her captor's grasp.)
What didn't I like? The series did such a great job of projecting the syncretism of the two cultures who stood after the dust settled. Not just visually, but verbally. It conveyed the pioneer spirit of the American Wild West with colorful metaphors unsavory to the FCC cloaked in Mandarin. I would assume they toned down on the vernacular previously used so that it didn't alienate a wider film audience. This is where I was terribly disappointed - it was one of my favorite things about the writing. I would have enjoyed the film SO much more with it's word play that made me pause, think and giggle.
You can only tackle so many loose ends. I think Book was a Operative or something similar. The Operative knows that he will not see the Eden he hopes to create, but believes in it's potential so fervently that he will do anything to enable it's creation. It's his belief that makes him who he is and what will lead to his (off screen but pretty self explaintory) death. I think Book may have stopped believing in that particular Eden and looked for something similar, hence his dying words to Mal to believe in something, no matter what that something is. Again, mythos conjecture on my part, but the script clearly led me there. Mal and Inara will continue their unrequited love story, where Kayleigh is finally getting something that doesn't require batteries. Simon and River understand and comprehend. Mal doesn't get his hope back, but he's won a battle, that's for sure. Zoe will always remain the Captain's First Mate.
Now I'm really kicking myself in the ass, wishing I would have gotten on this ship earlier. I really enjoy my Joop pals and am very glad I get to talk about the finer points of LOST with some pretty smart individuals.
I make it a policy to only to post a movie if I've seen it from beginning to end. If I've got my hands on a DVD, I've got to watch the special features as they may inform me of something I may have missed and enlighten me on a reference that went over my head. In other words, I like to know what I'm talking about. Me? Go figure. I took this a step further. As I was trying to finish the last Firefly DVD, I was frustrated that it kept getting hung up. After cleaning it about three times, logic kicked in: only 11 of the 14 shot episodes were aired, all included on this Disc Four, along with the Special Features. This DVD looked like a piece of crap because it was the most requested of the quartet. Because of the hang ups, I went online to look for scripts so that I "wouldn't miss anything," again, go figure. In this, I found a great essay, which of course, I read before I would post.
In his review, Julian Sanchez waxes somewhat poetic on the concept of existentialist libertarianism of the film. While watching the last episode of the series, "Objects in Space," I felt the ghost of Sarte walking in the quiet corridors of the ship. However, the movie really does hit this head on. We know Mal, his discontent with how life has panned out, the fact that he's just looking to move on his (somewhat) merry way and not to be bothered with anything or by anyone around him. But overall the film does fit nicely into this box...
About the movie - overall, I did enjoy it. To quote the DVD extras, Serenity is the Cinderella story of cancelled tv shows. NO ONE ever gets to wrap their story up in a feature. I really thought Deadwood was gonna at least get a reprise as an made for HBO movie, but even they didn't pull through on their in house property. It's also tough for TV shows to make the leap to big screen (hello Chris Carter, did you really think you could do a second X-Files movie so long after it left the air??) How in the world do you establish characters who have a detailed backstory quickly enough to satisfy the one time viewer but not piss off the rabid fan? The storyline is good enough to stand on its own and follow through with some series mythos - what the hell IS River? (I know it was needed for the movie goer to get what happened to River, but the truth is that we had to learn that her neural cortex was stripped during an episode, Simon wasn't given this bonus when he literally lifted her out of her captor's grasp.)
What didn't I like? The series did such a great job of projecting the syncretism of the two cultures who stood after the dust settled. Not just visually, but verbally. It conveyed the pioneer spirit of the American Wild West with colorful metaphors unsavory to the FCC cloaked in Mandarin. I would assume they toned down on the vernacular previously used so that it didn't alienate a wider film audience. This is where I was terribly disappointed - it was one of my favorite things about the writing. I would have enjoyed the film SO much more with it's word play that made me pause, think and giggle.
You can only tackle so many loose ends. I think Book was a Operative or something similar. The Operative knows that he will not see the Eden he hopes to create, but believes in it's potential so fervently that he will do anything to enable it's creation. It's his belief that makes him who he is and what will lead to his (off screen but pretty self explaintory) death. I think Book may have stopped believing in that particular Eden and looked for something similar, hence his dying words to Mal to believe in something, no matter what that something is. Again, mythos conjecture on my part, but the script clearly led me there. Mal and Inara will continue their unrequited love story, where Kayleigh is finally getting something that doesn't require batteries. Simon and River understand and comprehend. Mal doesn't get his hope back, but he's won a battle, that's for sure. Zoe will always remain the Captain's First Mate.
Now I'm really kicking myself in the ass, wishing I would have gotten on this ship earlier. I really enjoy my Joop pals and am very glad I get to talk about the finer points of LOST with some pretty smart individuals.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
firefly
Yes, I did just talk about the mating habits of fireflies...what a great segway into the Jossiverse.
I was living in a bus when Firefly originally aired, so anything that happened around showtime was a mystery to me. Although, I'm kinda glad I got to sit down and watch the entire series over the course of a week. There's no nail biting round these parts! It's a shame that it didn't survive, it was so utterly unique. Yeah, the whole space cowboy thing is far from new, but who's done it on tv, as a series? Nathan Fillion does a fine job showing off his Han Solo skills - we get 14 episodes of what Han may have been like before Leia. His questionable cargo, firefights. Although, Mal has already lost his war, lost his hope. Doesn't make him any less shiny! (man, I do like this boy! I was gushing about Castle when I was with DR and Payne in April and they thought I was being SOOO girly!)
Having been a rabid fan of Deadwood, reading HL Mencken's The American Language, I really could appreciate the craft in Firefly's writing. The mixture of what the world would be like if the States and China were the only one's left standing, it would actually feel a little bit like Tokyo, well, kinda :) Everything is so Americanized, with a panache of Chinese. It's like HBO lite. They can say shit, but if it's in Mandarin, woowoo! FCC kiss my ass!
Serenity, herself, is gorgeous. The ensemble cast was put together...by a old friend's ex. She really did a great job! We already know I'm keen on Nathan, but the cast felt like family. I loved Adam Baldwin as Jayne - his ability to continuously act like a child was refreshing :)
Now...off to watch the movie! Gotta love when you get a gem like this throw at you from your Netflix queue!
I was living in a bus when Firefly originally aired, so anything that happened around showtime was a mystery to me. Although, I'm kinda glad I got to sit down and watch the entire series over the course of a week. There's no nail biting round these parts! It's a shame that it didn't survive, it was so utterly unique. Yeah, the whole space cowboy thing is far from new, but who's done it on tv, as a series? Nathan Fillion does a fine job showing off his Han Solo skills - we get 14 episodes of what Han may have been like before Leia. His questionable cargo, firefights. Although, Mal has already lost his war, lost his hope. Doesn't make him any less shiny! (man, I do like this boy! I was gushing about Castle when I was with DR and Payne in April and they thought I was being SOOO girly!)
Having been a rabid fan of Deadwood, reading HL Mencken's The American Language, I really could appreciate the craft in Firefly's writing. The mixture of what the world would be like if the States and China were the only one's left standing, it would actually feel a little bit like Tokyo, well, kinda :) Everything is so Americanized, with a panache of Chinese. It's like HBO lite. They can say shit, but if it's in Mandarin, woowoo! FCC kiss my ass!
Serenity, herself, is gorgeous. The ensemble cast was put together...by a old friend's ex. She really did a great job! We already know I'm keen on Nathan, but the cast felt like family. I loved Adam Baldwin as Jayne - his ability to continuously act like a child was refreshing :)
Now...off to watch the movie! Gotta love when you get a gem like this throw at you from your Netflix queue!
green porno
I can't believe I didn't find this until just now. Isabella Rossellini is SO funny! Green Porno from Sundance is one of the most intelligent, informative, winking piece of Cliffy that I need in my cap! I can't wait to spend next weekend explaining the mating habits of fireflies to my friends!
The best is Season Two - Why Vagina. Can't find it on YouTube to link directly.
www.sundancechannel.com/greenporno
The best is Season Two - Why Vagina. Can't find it on YouTube to link directly.
www.sundancechannel.com/greenporno
house of flying daggers
no. 77 House of Flying Daggers
My LOST buddies have been picking a film a week to watch in lieu of the Wednesday night void. I have a feeling it's going to be a Asian summer, but I'm not complaining. I have a list of DVD titles that need to have the dust blown off and watched. Case in point, HOFD. So often, I own a DVD because I really love a movie, but since I've gotten the full monty in cable, they've been neglected. If I see they are running, I will tune in mid stream. The problem is that I'm not getting the whole story. There are all these classic movies that I remember key scenes word for word, but when you don't see the whole picture, the meaning is lost.
The Echo Game. I remember both times it is played, but until I sat through the whole movie today, I forgot that they played it against each other, that it wasn't a new game for Leo and Mei, that Leo chose this game to be her "out" and not to be arrested (which of course, wasn't the whole game plan!)
Yimou Zhang is a masterful storyteller, whether he's directing or not. Love at any cost? It didn't even hit me that this was a martial arts film, that fell into the background of a timeless Romeo and Juliet theme. Although this includes a little triangle, the lengths these characters go through in the name of love is clear and strong.
Andy Lau, Ziyi Zhang and Takeshi Kaneshiro are brilliant performers - not just actors, but skilled athletes to pull this off. There's something about a tear that falls directly from the middle of the eye onto a cheek that just gets me. When Andy Lau can do that and manage to kick someone's ass in the next scene, you know you got yourself an amazing piece of art.
My LOST buddies have been picking a film a week to watch in lieu of the Wednesday night void. I have a feeling it's going to be a Asian summer, but I'm not complaining. I have a list of DVD titles that need to have the dust blown off and watched. Case in point, HOFD. So often, I own a DVD because I really love a movie, but since I've gotten the full monty in cable, they've been neglected. If I see they are running, I will tune in mid stream. The problem is that I'm not getting the whole story. There are all these classic movies that I remember key scenes word for word, but when you don't see the whole picture, the meaning is lost.
The Echo Game. I remember both times it is played, but until I sat through the whole movie today, I forgot that they played it against each other, that it wasn't a new game for Leo and Mei, that Leo chose this game to be her "out" and not to be arrested (which of course, wasn't the whole game plan!)
Yimou Zhang is a masterful storyteller, whether he's directing or not. Love at any cost? It didn't even hit me that this was a martial arts film, that fell into the background of a timeless Romeo and Juliet theme. Although this includes a little triangle, the lengths these characters go through in the name of love is clear and strong.
Andy Lau, Ziyi Zhang and Takeshi Kaneshiro are brilliant performers - not just actors, but skilled athletes to pull this off. There's something about a tear that falls directly from the middle of the eye onto a cheek that just gets me. When Andy Lau can do that and manage to kick someone's ass in the next scene, you know you got yourself an amazing piece of art.
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