It’s gotta be Ravens-Eagles – obviously. The universe has spoken!
Yesterday the dogs brought home a big, wild turkey carcass. Willie did the heavy lifting, I’m sure – and Ruby probably took over once he had it out of the woods and at her feet. (I am very happy to report that I was blithely working away at my desk in Concord, unaware of the carnage in Canterbury.)
By all reports it was pretty disgusting, with feathers scattered about, and frozen turkey flesh, and Willie puking up piles of virtually unrecognizable “stuff,” and the carcass needing to be gathered and gotten into bags (and away from our sweet, domesticated canine companions). I am guessing that “kisses” from those critters won’t be real welcome any time soon!
Anyway – one housemate, who shall remain anonymous, was quite enamored of the feathers, as she sadly bagged the carcas last night.
… which explains the scene in the kitchen this morning … which also explains why I have not had breakfast yet!
There’s quite a bit on the soccer news front, as you may have guessed from the headline this morning. The WPS has held its combines on the East and West coasts, and is gearing up for its draft on Friday, January 16th. (That’s this Friday, folks!) Here’s some nice video from the West Coast combine last month. Both snippets capture the anticipation, pressure, and exhilaration of the event nicely!
Pia has called 25 players back to camp, among them, Abby Wambach! They’ll be in camp from January 20th to February 4th hope they get to watch the Inauguration!). Next up, The Algarve. March 4-11. (Wouldn’t it be cool if some part of that were televised …for a change?) Let’s keep our eyes out – you never know. In a piece of good news for her, but not-so-good-news for the USWNT/Red Stars, I read that Kate Markgraf won’t be suiting up in the near future, as she’s pregnant with her second child.
But back to WPS … where things are hopping! The Draft on Friday, January 16 is a multi-round draft for any eligible player who has filled out and submitted the Prospective Player Form. Players not attending the combines as well as combine participants can be drafted. The selection order for the 2009 WPS Draft was determined via lottery with the following results: Continue reading →
You’ll need ’em after reading the piece that appeared in Salon yesterday – an overview and accounting of the damage wrought by Bush et al in their years in DC. It begins:
After a couple of presidential terms, mismanagement in every area of policy — foreign, domestic, even extraterrestrial — starts to add up. When George W. Bush entered the White House in January 2001, he inherited peace and prosperity. The military, the Constitution and New Orleans were intact and the country had a budget surplus of $128 billion. Now he’s about to dash out the door, leaving a large, unpaid bill for his successors to pay.
What sort of punishment suffices? Maybe we should have a contest. Yeah … read the piece, then be creative and submit your suggestions. (Or don’t read the piece and just send in your ideas.) I’ll compile a list for a future post. (I’d offer a prize, but it just got too ugly the last time.) No prizes. No winners. No losers (except Bush, of course). Let’s just compile a nice list.
In other news, Florida won. For those who were into it, I’m sure it was an interesting game. Me, I’m pretty much with Boltgirl (but without the ice cream and beer).
And I’ve been thinking more about bad habits and healthy choices. I’m wondering why I tend to approach choices as if they are work. I react as if choices were burdens somehow. Where does that come from?
Sunday School comes to mind … the burden of “being good” that so many of us shouldered from a very young age. Am I approaching most of my choices with a nagging, nattering “should” on my shoulder? I suspect so.
Unconsciously, I tend to leave myself out of the equation and reduce choices to some kind of argument between “should” and “shouldn’t” – “good” and “evil” – Jesus and Beelzebub. It’s kind of exhausting … and very unsatisfying for yours truly, who pretty much never gets her say.
So what if I were to add myself back in? Making choices might actually be fun and empowering. What a thought!? Indeed, I’ll have to ponder that some more. 😉
Sorry ’bout that. I’m running late and still have to scrape the ice off the car!
How have you been doing on your New Year’s Resolutions? (Nasty question, eh? A real conversation stopper.)
I’ve been doing semi-quasi. Have gotten on the stationery bike the past couple of nights, and am beginning to see the possibility of developing a new habit.
Saying that, I think a light bulb just went off. This may be a trap that I fall into every year. I start thinking that a healthy choice is becoming a habit … and I ease up. (Of course, after two days, it would be totally silly to think I had developed a habit … but it’s the concept I’m going for … not rationality here!)
As soon as I put something self nurturing or health promoting out of the realm of choice and into the realm of habit, I may as well kiss it good-bye. The fact is, if it is good for me, it is pretty much always going to be a choice.
Rule of thumb: Habits are usually (always?) not good for us. They are things we fall into, like eating ice cream and drinking beer and watching football. (Not those three all at once… even habits have some standards!)
Anyway – randomness seems to be reigning this morning, but I actually think I understand myself a wee bit better. Not bad, for this hour, and this late in the week.
Oh, and speaking of football … who do you like tonight? I think OU gets my vote … speaking pretty randomly.
So how’s tricks this snowy morning? Nearly everything in Central NH looks to be closed … except work, of course. Off I go shortly.
But first a few tidbits, starting with Celine Dion. Yup, Celine. My friend Sheryl has promised to root for the Eagles if I post a video clip of Celine singing with a 16-year old phenom from the Philippines named Charice Pempengco. I have to admit that Celine is very gracious to share the stage with this young woman who pretty much blows her right out of the water. Amazing voice. It’s not exactly my cup of tea – but definitely impressive – give a listen:
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_R_3xa5hoQ
And here is Ellen describing Charice Pempengco’s visit to her show:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WGcfwc9v6c
There’s lots of other Charice stuff on You Tube – if you care to explore.
Boltgirl made a comment on yesterday’s post and included a link about Roland Burris and his political ambitions – and a particularly ugly way that he appears to have played hem out back in the ’90’s. Nothing new under the sun, I guess. But I do now have a new rule-of-thumb for the blog … whenever I mention Celine Dion I must (on pain of excruciating and possibly life-threatening cognitive dissonance) also mention Boltgirl. That will help keep things in balance. (Thought about including Princess Sparkle Pony, too … but that would be too Celine-like by half. No counter-balance there.)
US Soccer offers a retrospective in the year past … nice stuff re. Pia (who you’ll recall was NOT the secret word):
A mark of a great coach is putting players in the position to succeed. On that point, U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage certainly excelled. It can be argued that almost every regular starter on the U.S. team had, if not her best year in a National Team uniform, then certainly one of her best. Sundhage brought a new ball-possession attacking style to the U.S. team, which took a while to adapt to the change, but when it did, produced soccer that was at times as entertaining as it was successful.
Peace out – gotta go scrape the car and head to town!
Oops – Ann’s jaw has apparently come unwired, as I see her name all over the blogosphere this morning. I won’t be linking to any of the stories or writing about her. To give her more attention and airspace than this is just silly and way more aggravation than anyone needs on a Tuesday morning. Here’s to a Coulter-less New Year!
In more meaningful news, I see that Al Franken has been declared the winner in Minnesota. Good news, although it looks like he won’t be seated until certified.
And Blago’s pick? Roland Burris is heading to DC but appears unlikely to be seated. I tend to side with those who assert that, as despicable as Rod B may be, this appointment is legal and should be okayed by the Senate. The Dem’s fears of the “appearance” of impropriety are no doubt real – as the GOP will leap at anything to make some points. BUT Burris seems to be a decent appointee and I’d like to see the Dems focus on realities rather than appearances these days. (Maybe even shift the discourse a wee bit.)
Although it sounds like the Illinois Secretary of State may provide an out: “While Blagojevich has signed formal appointments papers, Jesse White, the Illinois secretary of state, has not, and Senate rules require that signature.” The machinations are endless … and endlessly interesting, eh?
And how about Gregoire for Commerce? New Mexico gets their Gov back … and Washington loses theirs?
Barack Obama has added a “Neighborhood Ball” to the inaugural festivities … I like that a lot. Particularly like the feeling that it is not a PR ploy but has something to do with core values. Imagine that.
Finally, on Fox news this past Sunday, Bush, Sr. spoke about a possible Jeb run.
In case you hadn’t heard … yup … the Eagles were declared the winners up in Minnesota yesterday … kinda like Al Franken, except there won’t be any lawsuits to follow (so far as we know). Next up? They might be Giants. And the Giants have to be bummed, as the birds are “the wild card team that no one wants to face.” Remember the Steelers? Last year’s Giants? Wild—card—teams. Yup. But enough with the football already – I can hear Alice getting restive in Concord.
I read on The Time Finder this AM a post about a great Google tool – Google Notebooks – that sounds like just the thing for bloggers, students, anyone who’s doing research and writing on line. I am going to aim to incorporate it into my repertoire for 2009. Check out the post – it has links to the tool and an example of how it works. Great stuff!
I don’t know about you, but I feel better today, just knowing that Barack is back in DC. Not that I begrudge him his vacation, but things were feeling a tad rudderless while he was working out and relaxing in Hawaii. Pretty amazing, when you think about it. He ain’t even President yet, and his presence is extremely reassuring.
The girls are starting school today … I can imagine the scene, the nervous energy, the clothes being chosen, the questions to Mom and Dad, as they get ready to head off. Meanwhile, Obama has a full agenda, including the replacement of Bill Richardson who stepped down over the weekend. He was never someone who impressed me a whole lot – certainly not in the debates. And what was with that beard? Anyway, it sounds like he maybe coulda, shoulda been a tad more forthcoming … to be continued.
Over at the RNC they are still trying to pick a chair and the word is that everybody is out-of-sorts. Not only did the Bushies ruin the country – they pretty much left the GOP in a shambles as all those rabid factions fight over who’s to blame for the party’s downturn. It’s surreal and satisfying to watch all that nasty energy – the stuff that used to be aimed at liberals and homosexuals and women and pagans – all turned inward.
What a world! The Eagles in the play-off’s, Obama in DC, and the GOP chasing its tail!
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!
… which explains the scene in the kitchen this morning … which also explains why I have not had breakfast yet!
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