Happy Saturday morning … as the clouds roll in, bringing some much needed rain to these parts. I went for a run yesterday after work and jogging by the fire house, noticed the sign saying that the fire danger was “extreme.” (Breathed a small sigh of relief that I wasn’t lounging by the chiminea, endangering the neighborhood without realizing!)
So Obama and Chavez shook hands … and Obama is going to talk to Raul Castro … and the right just gets crazier and crazier. They have nothing to go on but fumes and vapors, as any substance that might have once existed in the GOP has succumbed to narrow hatefulness.
But you know what I think? This is truly nefarious on Obama’s part – but I think it may be behind his recent activities. He is trying to kill off the GOP, starting with Dick Cheney, by taking actions that will make them apoplectic. Here’s a sample (from a 2006 episode of The Daily Show) of what can happen to Cheney when upset … or exposed to dissent. This has got to be inducing an allergic reaction in the Dick that’s beyond anything in recent memory. Oh, how I relish the images that come to mind!
The Breakers and the Freedom clash today down in DC (7PM ET). No TV- but the WPS Matchtracker will have it. Here’s Christina Mann’s Week 4 Preview. I’m wishing we could see the Sol vs. FC Gold Pride on TV – those are two fun teams to watch! But first up- the Breakers. Let’s not be the first team that Abby scores on, okay?
For the nostalgic among us, Beulah’s report on the Freedom-Red Star’s game last week is posted …and good as usual. Hope she makes it to the Breakers-Freedom match-up and writes about it! And also from Christina Mann, here’s a profile of some of the new names and faces that are already coming to the fore in WPS play … part of what we love about this league! Then there’s Angela Tavares (Goal.com) on the Undisputable Passion Found in the Women’s Game. Nicely done!
HollyCornblog probably won’t like this post … but here goes.
First we have an interview with Pia, who talks about the USWNT and her take on the WPS – tough to hear in parts, but interesting. Looking for someone to step into Kate’s spot … among other things. (Sounds pretty tepid about Milbrett there at the end – would love to know the inside scoop on that story)!
Erin McLeod has signed with the Freedom … good news for the DC franchise, as Scurry has been looking so shaky. (Glad the Breakers get a chance to take one away from the Freedom before she arrives!)
Regarding March Madness, our Men’s bracket winner … Mo … has started off the trash talking for next year with this prediction …”Next year I will either go perfect in one of the brackets or win both of them.”
Alice, you will need to convey this to Mike when you see him. Meanwhile, I will begin plotting my own comeback! 😉
Thanks to Patti for adding to my enjoyment of the Obama’s new puppy by pointing out that his name is probably actually Bobama. (Jon Stewart came to the same conclusion … great minds!)
And also thanks to Patti for sharing this wonderful rendition of Graceland by Alison Krauss …
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SycHTL66U8g
Finally, I was totally remiss in virtually ignoring the WNBA Draft (call it March Madness burnout). Surprised to see that Renee Montgomery didn’t go first … and frankly surprised to see Coleman go as early as she did … and VERY pleased to see that Kia Vaughn was picked up by her hometown NY Liberty. Hoping to see her really come into her own in the WNBA. Season opener is June 7th!
Goal.com named the Breakers’ Kelly Smith their Player of the Week for this past week in the newly-minted WPS season – a nice (and well-deserved) honor.
“I have to admit, as a long-time Kelly Smith fan, I’m almost inclined to put her name in every week. Though she is nearly always good, she was superlative this week for the Boston Breakers” Goal.com chief editor Andrea Canales said. “It’s no surprise that Smith became, last week, the first player to earn goals in both the WUSA and WPS. She has hit the ground running in the new league.”
She is a joy to watch – and as a long-time Breakers fan, I couldn’t be happier to have her on the pitch for Boston! Here’s Todd Civin’sprofile of Kelly – a part of his “These Are The Boston Breakers” series.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDm0FTCHalg
Oh … and last night I had the distinct pleasure of Tweeting Kelly to congratulate her. Amazing world we live in, eh?
I’m not up on the Idol phenomenon at all … but this? I love it!
Then this from Sarah Palin – who’s kind of the opposite of Susan Boyle, if you think about it. But anyway – there’s this wee comment of hers that has been bugging me since I read it the other day – her pit-bull-with-lipstick attack on Levi what’s-his-name and his family:
“We’re disappointed that Johnston and his family, in a quest for fame, attention, and fortune, are engaging in flat-out lies, gross exaggeration, and even distortion of their relationship.”
Come on, Sarah – he’s a frigging 18-year old. And anyway – this thing that you accuse him of? Wasn’t that pretty much what you were doing from July through November of last year? Gross exaggeration? Distortion? In a quest for … ??? Get off your high horse – quiet down. (Seen any Russians lately, Sarah?)
In other Palin family troubles, the half sister of Palin’s husband Todd was accused of breaking into the same Wasilla, Alaska, house twice to steal money, the Associated Press reports. Diana Palin, 35, was charged with felony burglary and misdemeanor criminal trespass and theft stemming from two break-ins this week.
Not once, but twice – and with her four year old daughter in tow. Palin family values.
Oh yes, and happy that the Right Wing is putting its energy into Tea Parties – and clearly inviting all the mad hatters!
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNQUA0bI5b0
Happy that the sun is shining and the week is looking lovely …
Happy.
“Well,” said Pooh, “what I like best,” and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called. ~A.A. Milne
This is my “depressed stance.” When you’re depressed, it makes a lot of difference how you stand. The worst thing you can do is straighten up and hold your head high because then you’ll start to feel better. If you’re going to get any joy out of being depressed, you’ve got to stand like this. ~Charlie Brown
Joy is a flower that blooms when you do. ~Author Unknown
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. ~Mahatma Gandhi
Kelly Smith is apparently writing a weekly column for The Daily Mail about her WPS soccer experiences. Here’s an excerpt from last week’s piece:
There’s so much to learn because everything is so new and we don’t really know each other’s playing styles or strengths and weaknesses at the moment. I’m playing in a slightly different system here too, so it’s all about getting used to how everyone plays.
It’s been a bit crazy the last two weeks just trying to understand everyone’s roles in the team, but it’s definitely a good learning experience.
The same goes for preparing for the opposition. For the first match, we only had what Tony DiCicco, the coach, knew about certain players he’s worked with or seen in the past and then trying to guess what system they would play. At least for Saint Louis we’ve watched footage of their opening match.
Our home debut puts me up against Hope Solo, who I played with at the Philadelphia Charge in the WUSA league before that stopped in 2003. We’ve not been in touch recently, so it will be good to see her and catch up with her after the game. She’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world, so it won’t be easy getting ball past her.
The game is a lot stronger since WUSA. The tempo is much quicker and the individual players are a lot better than before. Having the top internationals raises the standard but the U.S. players that have come through college or the try-outs are of a very high standard as well. The product on the field is at a higher level than before.
We’re so lucky to have her with the Breakers, IMHO. Looking forward to a spring/summer of watching her play … and now reading her articles, too!
Our seats were amazing (thanks, again, De) … close enough for me to speak briefly with A-Rod and ascertain that those rumors about Madonna are absolutely false!
Random thoughts about the game:
Great to see Breakers Captain Lil score her first goal of the 2009 season in the 87th minute off a very pretty assist from Kelly Smith (who scored the Breakers first goal of this game- and her second of the young season last night).
Kelly Smith is amazing – tons of flair and toughness. She and the Athletica defender who was marking her were joined at the hip – and not very happy with one another through much of the game. The level of competition out there was INTENSE.
Angela Hucles had a much steadier outing that last week’s. The Breakers were moving the ball through the midfield more and more as the game went on. She had one gorgeous long ball in the first half that really caught the Athletica on their heels … I can’t remember who fielded it – Kelly Schmedes, maybe?
Speaking of Schmedes, it’s a nice touch that the program includes a pronunciation guide …
Alex Scott was great fun to watch in this game, and you can tell that she’s played a lot of minutes with Kelly Smith. As she and A-Rod get more familiar with one another, watch out.
Luckinbill wasn’t really tested, but did what she needed to when she needed to. Hope Solo had the more difficult shots to deal with – and came up big a couple of times to keep the score from being even more lop-sided.
The defense had some moments of looking very disorganized … still … but luckily, no damage done.
The other two games of the day – Sky Blue vs. Gold Pride and Red Stars vs Freedom both ended in 1-1 ties – with Lindsay Tarpley scoring her second goal of the season for the Red Stars. (We’ve got the Red Stars-Freedom matchup on the DVR … looking forward to that and maybe some exercise on the bike at the same time!) I’ll keep my eyes peeled and let you know if there’s a Beulah write up for the Freedom.
Finally, some highlights from the Red Stars-Freedom game …
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzdhI2x9p1A
Scurry, sadly, continues to not impress.
Meanwhile – to get ready for next week’s Pride vs. Sol match-up, here’s a nice video of the two teams scrimmaging earlier this year …
It’s Breakers Game Day. Freezing, and quite possibly wet – but hey, we’re hardy folk right?
Before embarking on this new chapter in Breakers’ history – a pause to remember good times past. Maren? Dagney? We miss you!
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR1o23nYr18
No sound with this video – but that kinda makes it all the more resonant, doesn’t it? Love the video commentary from Faster Ones …
Check out that beautiful goal my Mary Frances Monroe around 0:49, Angela Hucles DDT on Jackie Little at 1:06, Mia Hamm roughing up the untouchable Maren Meinert at 1:08, and the amazing typo at 1:15. Karina LeBlanc for the Breakers! Dagny Mellgren! Bettina Weigmann! Stephanie Mugneret-Beghe!
Boston Breakers V. 2 have much to live up to. Here’s to watching them kick it all off at home this coming Saturday, and hoping memories like these are soon to be in the making.
So anyway – the Athletica are in town and both teams in this match-up need a win. Boston got rolling with some nice attacking mojo last week, so I’m hoping to see them really test Hope Solo … while at the same time getting their defense a tad more organized. (We were lamenting the loss of Kate – first to the Red Stars and then to pregnancy. Wonder if she’ll come back. One of my most vivid memories of WWC 2003 was of watching Kate’s laser focus on an attacker who had the ball in the corner of the field at Foxboro and was contemplating a move toward goal. Kate dispossessed her … but it was the focus that was amazing – like there was absolutely nothing else in the universe but Kate, the ball, and that other player … we’ll call her Dagney for drama’s sake.)
Meanwhile, in other action around the league, FC Gold Pride (with Tiffany Weimer) face off against Sky Blue FC here on the cold, grey East Coast. This game has a TON of offensive fire power going at it at both ends. I expect we’ll see a high score, unless the goalies are playing out-of-their-minds well. (And who is the goalie for Sky Blue, anyway? Jenni Branam, maybe? They’ve got three keepers on the roster … seems a tad excessive … or like they just haven’t settled on a starter yet.)
When old people travel, it’s for relief
from a life that they know too well,
not routine but the very long slope
of disbelief in routine, the unbearable
lightness of brushing teeth that aren’t all
there, the weakened voice calling out
for the waiter who doesn’t turn;
the drink that once was neither here
nor there is now a singular act of worship.
The sun that rises every day says
I don’t care to the torments of love
and hate that once pushed one back
and forth on the blood’s red wagon.
All dogs have become beautiful
in the way they look at cats and wonder
what to do. Breakfast is an event
and bird flu only a joke of fear the world
keeps playing. On the morning walk
the horizon is ours when we wish.
We know that death is a miracle for everyone
or so the gods say in a whisper of rain
in the immense garden we couldn’t quite trace.
Licorice Pizza: I'm starting anew here and have now been, twice, to Vax and Snax at Red River. These are Thursday night movies for vaccinated and masked folks, and you can get POPCORN! But I digress...Licorice Pizza was a sweet, coming-of-age in The Valley in the Seventies sort of movie that managed to include waterbeds and Jon Peters and two new stars -- Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman (son of Philip Seymour Hoffman).
If Beale Street Could Talk: Quiet, beautiful, heartfelt, devastating. America wears many masks. This movie strips a few of them away. It shines a light on quite a lot of ugliness. As well, it illuminates dignity and resilience in the face of a system built on the abuse of privilege and power. A perfect movie to see on the eve of what is hopefully Donald Trump's last SOTU.
Shoplifters: A beautifully honest, quiet movie that is at once uplifting and devastating. Universal questions are raised and left open for pondering. What is a family? How do people survive in our world today? And how do we judge their choices?
Green Book: Very enjoyable movie and yet deeply flawed. The white guy comes across as the hero in ways that are typical for the American movie industry, and comfortably misleading in terms of the realities of our culture. Especially in the current socio/political atmosphere, can't we do better than this?
On the Basis of Sex: We applauded, we cried, we felt so glad that RBG was as prescient as she was. And I felt personally glad that her love of opera clearly predates her connection with Scalia. What an inspiring woman -- and a good movie about her early years as a student, professor, and attorney.
The Favourite: Did I say that being a queen was no fun? This definitely seems to have carried forward to Queen Anne's reign. Strong performances again, and more belly laughs than you'd think. And right along with it, grief, emptiness, ambition, and gouty excess.
Mary Queen of Scots: Being a queen was no fun in the 16th century. Excellent, complex performances in this one. I found Elizabeth especially compelling. Very unclear who actually wins out in this one.
Another Year: Loved this one! It's about a couple, and their friends, and their lives – painful in spots, and wonderfully everyday and enriching, to my mind. Great performances – and who knew there was so much wine being drunk in England!?
Tiny Furniture: A young woman (aka Lena Dunham) comes home after graduating from college and tries to find herself – or not. A character study that I found humorous and touching – and sometimes a little disturbing and/or self-indulgent. It's definitely a privilege to have the leisure to "find oneself." After this..."Girls."
Rabbit Hole: Painful/powerful movie about loss and grieving. Hard to watch but well worth the effort, with a strong cast and an especially on the mark performance by Nicole Kidman. I continue to be glad to see that she is clearly outstripping Tom Cruise as an artist. You go girl!
The Kids Are Alright: Very enjoyable movie with great performances and an excellent cast. Two kids whose moms are lesbians decide they want to find out something about their "father" – and everything moves on from that point.
The King's Speech: Warm, funny, inspiring – and apparently a bit of a rewrite of history, to boot! Colin Firth puts out an amazing performance – and was well rewarded for it. Everyone else is great too, and if you're one of the few people left who hasn't seen it, it's definitely worth a look!
Black Swan: This is a disturbing movie that I really loved – and in case you haven't noticed, I do have a tendency to like disturbing movies. What's real and what isn't? You be the judge. Also, be on the lookout for Winona Ryder – you'll never recognize her!
Blue Valentine: A couple in trouble – how they started and how they got to where they are. A good movie with excellent performances that left me wondering, especially in Michelle Williams' case, whether she was thinking about what's his name (her partner who died suddenly – the guy who starred in Broke Back Mountain – for some reason I can't remember his name – oh yeah, Heath Ledger).
Shutter Island: A dark period piece that has the creepy feel of the 1950s (creepy to me at any rate) and has stayed with me more than I would've thought. A movie with surprises – definitely worth a look.
Cyrus: I don't remember this one so well, but have a vague recollection of walking out of the theater feeling not so enthralled. I believe it's supposed to be funny – but as you can tell it didn't really make an impression.
I Am Love: Really beautiful, sumptuous movie that made me hungry, just watching it. A keeper!
The Girl Who Played with Fire: The second in the three part series involving the girl with the dragon tattoo, this movie was much harder to watch than the first, as Salander's triumph isn't quite so clear at the end. Painful, painful, painful.
Scott Pilgrim Versus the World: I loved this comic book take on young love. Went to the movie on a whim and came away very happy to have seen it! Quite a few laugh out loud moments – and touching, as well.
Going the Distance: A very lightweight romcom that kinda left me feeling like I had just spent an hour and a half reading People magazine. In other words, pretty much a waste of time.
Never Let Me Go: Wow! This was an amazing, stark, and moving movie about kids who are basically raised to become organ donors. Very much worth seeing.
The Town: Ben Affleck's movie about bank robbers. It's okay. Not great, but okay. It does make me curious about Charlestown – will have to go there one day.
You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger: A Woody Allen movie that I honestly don't remember very well. It's pretty much about adults behaving badly – something that Woody knows a little something about.
The Social Network: The movie about Facebook. I found it very interesting and well done, and was especially fascinated/disturbed by the window on the incredible privilege and elitism still thriving at undergrad Harvard.
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest: Number three in the Dragon trilogy. I found this, in many ways, the weakest of the three movies – although that's not to say that it was weak. Perhaps my enjoyment was affected by the fact that I hadn't read the book. Anyway, it's a great trilogy and I was sorry to see it come to an end.
Fair Game: The movie about the Valerie Plame affair. One of the things that I found most interesting was how it uncovered my own biases, as she was clearly a very serious and talented agent, but because of her blonde haired beauty, I pretty much assumed that she was a lightweight in real life. I appreciated, also, the depiction of her husband as a bit of a media hound, which was how he seemed to me at the time. And of course, there are the despicable characters of the Bush administration. Glad they were on display in all their glory!
City Island: This was a fine, if predictable, movie about a family in which everyone has a secret and is telling lies. I mostly loved it because it gave me a glimpse of where my friend CB lives!
Winter's Bone: Wow! Unrelenting, stark, and ultimately uplifting – at least to my mind. This is a painful movie about life when you're the daughter of someone who runs a meth lab. Winter's Bone is a perfect title. J-Law is amazing!
Please Give: Quirky, sweet, slice-of-life movie. I loved the low-key character development and good humor of it all. Enjoyable, with a great cast and few false notes.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo: Tho' parts of the book were missing, this was an excellent rendition of an excellent book. Not for the faint of heart, tho'! Lisbeth Salander is an Emma Peel for the 21st Century (watch for more from Noomi Rapace - I will be)!
Me and Orson Welles: Or was it Orson Welles and me? (If Orson had anything to do with the title, I'm guessing the latter.) I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, even as it reminded me of why the world of the theatre holds absolutely no appeal for yours truly! Nice to see Claire Danes back ... still have to finish watching Temple Grandin, too!
Crazy Heart: I left this movie thinking ... "Eh?" but it has stayed with me. Jeff Bridges does give a wonderful performance. The amount of smoking and drinking was nauseating - as I guess it was supposed to be - all in an understated, Jeff Bridges sort of a way.
A Single Man: One of the best movies of the year in my book. Haunting, beautifully acted and filmed ... marred only by an unnecessarily heavy-handed ending, IMHO. That was the only flaw in an otherwise brilliant bit of artistry. Colin Firth was perfect, and this was an amazing writing/directing debut for Tom Ford! See it!!!
Young Victoria: I am eternally grateful to have not been born the heir to a throne. Life was confusing enough! This was an enjoyable, tear-jerker of a movie that left me wanting to know more about the details. Perhaps a bio for Bookeaters?
Precious: Wow, wow, wow. Two weeks in a row - another amazing movie at Red River. This is a challenging and important movie ... about life in America ... every single day ... everywhere.
The Messenger: Wow, wow, wow. This is one of the best movies I have seen in quite some time. Its focus is on two men who notifiy NOK (next of kin) when a soldier dies. It is a raw, wrenching, unflinching and uplifting journey - not to be missed. Seriously
Damned United: This was a study in soccer, ambition, and friendship. For soccer buffs who actually know the players (I'm a late-comer to the game) the movie would be that much better. I loved it, though - and recommend it highly.
A Serious Man: The Book of Job envisioned by the Coen brothers evoked the early sixties and suburbia with humor, pathos ... and a slightly nauseating quality that tells me they pretty much hit the nail on the head. As one of the goyim, I am sure there were hundreds of nuances that were lost on me ... but I loved it (nausea aside) nonetheless!
Cold Souls: The premise of this movie is deeply strange, yet it is presented in an entirely believable way. It's by turns very moving and then hilarious (in ways that, in retrospect, are hard to capture/explain). The ending leaves a puzzled feeling - but that's not really bothersome. In many ways, puzzled is the appropriate way to walk out of the theater after "Cold Souls." Check it out!
Adam: Nicely done! Not a movie that will stay with you for a long time, but I liked it. The father (Peter Gallagher) seemed a tad overdone -and unnecessarily so. Unmemorable soundtrack - but since I mention it, does that make it memorable? Now I'm starting to feel like Steven Wright - not necessarily a bad thing!
Taking Woodstock: Even going in with low expectations, this offering from Ang Lee just wasn't good. Vilma was a high point in an otherwise shoddy effort. Harsh, eh? And watch out, world - it's only 6:30 AM!
Julie and Julia: I was not as bothered by Julie as some reviewers were - maybe because I liked seeing a blogger hit the big time. Meryl Streep was amazing as Julia .. and this is definitely not a movie to see on an empty stomach! Never have I enjoyed watching people eat as much as I did watching this flick!
500 Days of Summer: I think I wasn't supposed to, but I loved it. Engaging characters and script, great soundtrack. Not as quirky and lovable as "Away We Go" - but not far behind, either.
Whatever Works: People either like or hate this latest offering from Woody Allen. I must admit that it's a little weird to see this May-December relationship on-screen, feeling so creeped out by Woody's real-life choices. But I'd say he pulls it off. There are some really great lines throughout the movie, and while not entirely believable, I didn't mind being along for the ride. A pleasant diversion for sure.
Goodbye, Solo: Interesting movie that basically contrasts life energy and death energy, IMHO. Solo is the epitome of resilience - love him! Meanwhile William seems bent on being miserable, for reasons that the movie leaves mysterious. I didn't find him very a likable or compelling character - but Solo makes up for it.
Moon: I hesitate to write this one up, as I was tired when I saw it - and missed portions. But form my bleary vantage point, this seemed an intriguing movie set on the moon and exploring themes of identity, isolation, etc. It was not my usual fare - and I wasn't up to snuff - but at least had the wherewithall to be able tell that it was quality work!
Cheri: I liked this a lot better than Easy Virtue - maybe because I went into it having already seen EV and had my expectations lowered. Michelle Pfeiffer and Kathy Bates are fun to watch as always - and I liked Rupert Friend in the title role. It all got a little too serious at the end - a tone-shift that didn't quite fit with the bulk of the movie. Still - a pleasant diversion on a rainy July evening!
Away We Go: This was an excellent movie in every regard. Great dialogue and plot line, endearing cast/characters, heartwarming/funny story that avoids tipping over into overly-sweet territory ... and great soundtrack, to boot! See it, if you haven't already.
Easy Virtue: Not my cup of tea - but I suspect it would have helped, going in, to know that this was a movie based on a Noel Coward play. The characters felt stilted and unbelievable to me, as it was - and I couldn't muster much concern for what became of them. All things considered, I'd rather have been in Philadelphia!
Sugar: Sugar is a baseball flick that is sweetly and realistically done - and definitely like no Hollywood film on the subject. The characters are real and the life is hard - and the film depicts it all in a matter-of-fact way that brings the realities home more surely than something more "dramatic" ever could. Two thumbs up on this one!
Sunshine Cleaning: Director Christine Jeffs has a winner in this tale about the hard times and resiliency of the Lorkowski family. Amy Adams, Emily Blunt and Alan Arkin shine in this movie about a bio-hazard clean-up company. Yes, that's correct. And the movie had the potential to cross the line into sappiness several times but demurred. For that I am eternally thankful. (Okay, eternally may be a little over the top.) Darn good flick, though - check it out.
Milk: Sean Penn deserves an Oscar for his amazing portrayal of Harvey Milk. It actually didn't even feel like a portrayal - more a channeling. Such a loss - that yet another creative and energetic and good leader, was senselessly murdered all those years ago. Fear, hatred and guns - why don't we remove at least the last ingredient in the tragic mix?
Doubt: Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman are amazing, and Viola Davis is a heartbreaking revelation in this battle royale. I was left with less doubt at the end than some of my compatriots ... but that took nothing away from the experience. Meryl Streep deserves an Oscar, IMHO ... and I definitely want her on my side, always!
Slumdog Millionaire: Just a great movie, start to finish. Magical,epic, and a nail-biter (even though you know what's going to happen ... pretty much. The dancing at the end did my heart good - and having M.I.A. in the soundtrack didn't hurt, either!
The Secret Life of Bees: Or was it The Secret Lives of Bees? Anyway, whatever - I want Queen Latifah to be my mother!!! (What was Bill Clinton thinking, throwing her under the bus all those years ago?) The movie was entertaining but not a home run by any means. Too predictable ... but Alicia Keys was wonderfully cranky-verging-on-scary and the Queen was queenly and the honey looked delicious and it was nice hearing India Arie in the soundtrack!
Happy Go Lucky: I think I was supposed to like this more than I did. Perhaps it suffered by being seen pretty much on the heels of Rachel. I found Poppy to be a sometimes intriguing and sometimes annoying character. The relentless joking and "upbeatness" felt distancing and unnecessary. I didn't hate this movie by any means - but something was missing for me.
Rachel Getting Married: Jonathan Demme and an amazing script and cast just blew me away with this effort. The characters are fascinating and complicated and most every interaction in the film left me engaged and wanting to know more! Debra Winger was stupendous - although it's been so long since I've seen her that I kept trying to find the bull-riding Urban Cowboy persona within the steely, distant mother of this wedding movie. (She's not there.) Margot at the Wedding was very good - but Rachel puts her in her place. I highly recommend this to everyone!
Religulous: Bill Maher skewers the rampant "illogic" of religion in this free-wheeling film. His wit is right on target and as barbed as you'd expect. I found myself squirming every once in awhile. I don't mind you picking on the Pope, Bill ... but same as with Michael Moore ... sometimes when you set up "common folks" to look like fools, I cringe. Still, Religulous is worth a look for sure. The best point Bill makes? That conservatives of a religulous bent are about finding answers - while liberals are about asking questions. I can go with that!
Roman de gare: This was an intriguing, surprising, suspenseful, funny, quirky movie that I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters and plot lines are deftly developed. You should definitely check it out if you get the chance!
Young at Heart: YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS MOVIE! It's a documentary about a choral group of octogenarians in Northampton, MA. Very inspiring ... definitely something to check out!
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day: Enjoyable, light fare with a stellar performance by my favorite police chief, Frances McDormand!
The Visitor: Now this was an excellent movie ... from start to finish. It was similar to Smart People in that it had an academic as the main character. However, all similarities ended pretty much right there. In this warm, funny, and wrenching movie, the characters are well and subtly developed, the plot is (unfortunately) believable ... and there are no false notes. I would urge you to see it - you won't be sorry!
Smart People: Looks like we're getting back on track with our Tuesday night movie schedule ... for the time being. Smart People was enjoyable but left me unenthralled. (It probably didn't help that we ran into a totally enthralled movie-goer on the way in who was seeing it for the second time. High expectations may have killed this one for me.) Overall, I found the characters exaggerated and mildly unlikeable ... the dialogue stilted and self-conscious, perhaps just the way smart people talk. But then the lessons about loosening up and being less self-absorbed weren't exactly ground-breaking. Overall, it wasn't a wasted evening ... but not a movie I'll be putting at the top of my list, either.
4 luni, 3 saptamani si 2 zile (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days): Winner of the Palm D'Or at Cannes, this film by Romania's Cristian Mungiu certainly deserves the accolades it receives. It's a realistic and emotionally unflinching story of a woman who helps her friend obtain an illegal abortion in 1987 Romania. The story is harrowing, the acting wonderful, and the cinematography amazing. This film makes Juno look like Disney pablum!
Taxi to the Dark Side: This was a harrowing and eye-opening look at what our country has become under the leadership of Bush/Cheney after 9/11. The "road taken" has definitely been a trip to the dark side. Disgusting and important to see ... as we make our way back toward the light!
Michael Clayton: What an excellent movie! Engaging, engrossing, well-acted. Tilda Swinton certainly deserved an award for her protrayal of what I have to think must be the secret, inner life of Condi Rice.
Persepolis: This animated memoir is an engaging, heartbreaking, uplifting, realistic look at life in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Go see it! It humanizes what our current regime so consistently tries to dehumanize. An important movie, Persepolis is based on the book by Marjane Satrapi.
Margot at the Wedding: Dark, funny, tough to watch and very well acted.
I'm Not There: Bob Dylan's not my favorite, but this was a fascinating movie to watch (albeit long) and since he wasn't there, I couldn't very well feel annoyed by him. Cate Blanchette was just amazing - and I loved the surreal, Fellini-esque feel of the Richard Gere parts.
Atonement: Lush, compelling, painful - I especially loved Vanessa Redgrave's starkly powerful 5 minutes - and the Fellini-esque (can you tell I love Fellini?) flavor of the scenes of the evacuating troops on the beach - complete with ferris wheels - somehow depicting the disorienting horror of war in ways that blood and gore never could. Great movie!
Juno: Well, I went to see it. I totally agree with my friends who found the clinic scene extremely misleading, off-base, and gratuitously negative in its depiction of the women's health movement and its workers. In an otherwise nice movie, this was a thoughtless lapse ... and I was sad to see so many women in Juno's age group in the theater (one of them actually pregnant) ... who'll be coming away with a false impression that could so seriously affect their lives!
The Savages: Wow, what a good movie! Philip Seymour Hoffman has had an amazing run this year between this, "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead," and that other movie with Tom Hanks ... the name of which is escaping me at the moment ... Charlie Somebody's War. Anyway - he and Laura Linney are just wonderful as siblings dealing with their aging/ailing father. Painful and real ... and set in gritty, wintry Buffalo ... in perfect contrast to Sun City. (The latter looks like a setting that would do David Lynch proud.) Check it out if you haven't seen it!
JordanCornblog 