… yes Belmont … er, for the first round, anyway! What an upset that would be, huh? The big dance gets underway today for the men and on Saturday for the women. Check out the new “March Madness” page here on JordanCornblog, where you see how things are lining up in our pool.
Meanwhile, on the “no easy answers” front, I read this morning that flourescent, energy-saving bulbs pose risks that have heretofore been less-than-common-knowledge. Mercury is the issue – and it’s quite sobering to read the contaminating potential of even a tiny bit. I’d enourage everyone to keep an eye open for more info on this front.
In Oman, Cheney is talking Iran and nukes again … and going fishing (safer than hunting, I guess). Meanwhile, his lackey’s approval ratings have dropped 40 points since the start of the Iraq War. Where, oh where, were all those disapprovers five years ago?!
And finally, for what was (for me) a helpful perspective on the Bear, Stearns debacle, check out Nomi Prins piece from Mother Jones … reprinted in ComonDreams.
In the slim moments left before March Madness seizes us all, there’s a bit of news from US Soccer. Head coach Pia Sundhage has named the 26 players she’s inviting to training camp in preparation for the CONCACAF qualifiers next month. I was interested to note that she’s invited 4 keepers to the camp: Hope Solo, Nicole Barnhart, Kristin Luckinbill, and Briana Scurry. Looks like she’s still thinking about her options there. As usual, there’s much discussion of the players and their prospects on BigSoccer, where March Madness is merely a sub-forum somewhere.
First, with apologies to T.S. Eliot, I must disagree with his assertion that APRIL is the cruellest month. Here in NH, March takes the cake. Second, with thanks to Ernest Hebert, I have to say that it wasn’t until I read his wonderful book, The Dogs of March that I realized just how cruel the month could be.
The phrase “dogs of March” in his book refers to the packs of otherwise sane, domesticated dogs that gather and roam the woods and fields of NH in March, traversing the barren landscape and running down the weakened, starving, and snow-slowed deer. By March, many in the deer herds are hanging by a thread, waiting for some green sprouts to shoot up after the long, long winter. Quite a few will die of starvation before those shoots appear – especially if, like this year, the snows are still piled deep as of March 19th.
The quality of the March snow is different, too. The melt is beginning and often there is a hard crust across the surface, as the day’s melt will freeze over at night. This leaves the dogs of March with a nice, smooth track to race along … while the deer, with their greater heft and tiny hooves, break through the crust and into the deep snow with each step. In their already-weakened condition, they are quickly exhausted and then easily run down by the ravening packs of dogs.
After much debate we decided to start feeding the deer here. We’d had four that were regular visitors to our birdfeeder where they foraged for seed – three females and a youngster. So we started putting corn up on the hill behind our house a little more than a week ago. It took several days for the deer to find it, but as of this past Monday we had the original four, plus two other new visitors, browsing and nibbling.
Meanwhile Willie, our sweet-tempered lab, has apparently found a deer carcas somewhere way back in the deeper woods behind our house. He disappears several times a day, if we don’t keep an eye on him, and proudly returns with a deer-part. It’s an offering … a gift. The other day he came back with what appeared to be a liver, and later a foreleg. He’ll deposit it proudly at the door, or at the feet of anyone who happens to be outside. He’s a retriever, after all! But it’s March and he’s had blood in his mouth. I notice that his hackles seem to rise more quickly these days, and his growl sounds more gutteral. A dog in March is different .. even Willie, it seems.
So it’s a cruel, cruel month here, as we trudge up the hill with our corn … in our small way trying to help the deer herd through these final, tough days. Meanwhile, Willie does his canine work with the deer who couldn’t make it through March to April. We bag his “offerings” with sadness and with a renewed sense of the power of nature – something easily missed while hanging out indoors massaging NCAA basketball brackets, watching American Idol, or planning for spring planting … and waiting for April.
I was listening to NPR yesterday afternoon and heard a piece (which I can’t find at the moment) about the ongoing debate re. whether or not students should be allowed to carry concealed weapons on college campuses. Can you imagine anything more hare-brained? I feel like the gun-lobby and others of like mind have simply gone off the deep end.
What we need are fewer guns, not more. This would clearly make campuses much less safe … just imagine the frat parties of your past, and add in a few scattered 45’s! Or how about that messy dorm room you remember so fondly? Add a Glock to that half-open sock drawer.
How’s it make you feel? Safe as hell, right?
I’m sure that the same geniuses who brought us the Iraq War, Homeland Security, tortured torture rationales, sleazy mortgage practices, and now the Bear Stearns bailout … think this is a good idea. How’s that for fair warning?
On a saner note, March Madness continues, with the women’s brackets up, as of last night. I was surprised to see both LSU and Stanford land #2 seeds, although with its tough schedule, Maryland certainly can make an argument for snagging a #1. What a bummer that Rutgers and UConn are #1 and #2 in the Greensboro bracket! As Kara Lawson noted on ESPN last night, it seems unfortunate that two teams from the same conference, who’ve already played twice this year, will have to duke 😉 it out to emerge from their group and make the Final Four.
I’m a little late getting on board with JordanCornblog this morning, as I’ve been wrestling with my Excel Bracket Sheet since the wee hours. All set now! We’re ready to roll with the men’s bracket … and just waiting to get the Women’s teams set and then off we go!
I’ve not thought about writing anything this morning, though. Here, instead, is a resume that was e-mailed to me by a friend this morning. I thought it was pretty interesting and spot-on. Some might argue that the facts aren’t all 100% correct and should be carefully checked before publicizing them. But heck … someone should have said that before Colin Powell went to the UN, too! Here you go …
RESUME
GEORGE W. BUSH
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20520
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Law Enforcement:
I was arrested in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 1976 for driving under the influence of alcohol. I pled guilty, paid a fine, and had my driver’s license suspended for 30 days. My Texas driving record has been “lost” and is not available.
Military:
I joined the Texas Air National Guard and went AWOL. I refused to take a drug test or answer any questions about my drug use. By joining the Texas Air National Guard, I was able to avoid combat duty in Vietnam.
College:
I graduated from Yale University with a low C average. I was a cheerleader.
PAST WORK EXPERIENCE
I ran for U.S. Congress and lost.
I began my career in the oil business in Midland,Texas in 1975. I bought an oil company, but couldn’t find any oil in Texas. The company went bankrupt shortly after I sold all my stock.
I bought the Texas Rangers baseball team in a sweetheart deal that took land using taxpayer money.
With the help of my father and our friends in the oil industry (including Enron CEO Ken Lay), I was elected governor of Texas.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS GOVERNOR OF TEXAS
I changed Texas pollution laws to favor power and oil companies, making Texas the most polluted state in the Union. During my tenure, Houston replaced Los Angeles as the most smog-ridden city in America.
I cut taxes and bankrupted the Texas treasury to the tune of billions in borrowed money.
I set the record for the most executions by any governor in American history.
With the help of my brother, the governor of Florida , and my father’s appointments to the Supreme Court, I became President of the United States, after losing by over 500,000 votes.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PRESIDENT:
I am the first President in U.S. history to enter office with a criminal record.
I invaded and occupied two countries at a continuing cost of over one billion dollars per week.
I spent the U.S. surplus and effectively bankrupted the U.S. Treasury.
I shattered the record for the largest annual deficit in U.S. history.
I set an economic record for most private bankruptcies filed in any 12-month period.
I set the all-time record for most foreclosures in a 12-month period.
I set the all-time record for the biggest drop in the history of the U.S. stock market.
In my first year in office, over 2 million Americans lost their jobs and that trend continues.
I’m proud that the members of my cabinet are the richest of any administration in U.S. history. My “poorest millionaire, ” Condoleezza Rice, has a Chevron oil tanker named after her.
I set the record for most campaign fund-raising trips by a U.S. President.
I am the all- time U.S and world record -holder for receiving the most corporate campaign donations.
My largest lifetime campaign contributor, and one of my best friends, Kenneth Lay, presided over the largest corporate bankruptcy fraud in U.S. history, Enron.
My political party used Enron private jets and corporate attorneys to assure my success with the U.S. Supreme Court during my election decision.
I have protected my friends at Enron and Halliburton against investigation or prosecution. More time and money was spent investigating the Monica Lewinsky affair than has been spent investigating one of the biggest corporate rip-offs in history.
I presided over the biggest energy crisis in U.S. history and refused to intervene when corruption involving the oil industry was revealed.
I presided over the highest gasoline prices in U.S. history.
I changed the U.S. policy to allow convicted criminals to be awarded government contracts.
I appointed more convicted criminals to my administration than any President in U.S. history.
I created the Ministry of Homeland Security, the largest bureaucracy in the history of the United States Government.
I’ve broken more international treaties than any President in U.S. history.
I am the first President in U.S. history to have the United Nations remove the U.S. from the Human Rights Commission.
I withdrew the U.S. from the World Court of Law.
I refused to allow inspector’s access to U.S. “prisoners of war” detainees and thereby have refused to abide by the Geneva Convention.
I am the first President in history to refuse United Nations election inspectors (during the 2002 US election).
I set the record for fewest numbers of press conferences of any President since the advent of television.
I set the all-time record for most days on vacation in any one-year period. After taking off the entire month of August, I presided over the worst security failure in U.S. history.
I garnered the most sympathy ever for the U.S. after the World Trade Center attacks and less than a year later made the U.S. the most hated country in the world, the largest failure of diplomacy in world history.
I have set the all-time record for most people worldwide to simultaneously protest me in public venues (15 million people), shattering the record for protests against any person in the history of mankind.
I am the first President in U.S. history to order an unprovoked, pre-emptive attack and the military occupation of a sovereign nation. I did so against the will of the United Nations, the majority of U.S. Citizens and the world community.
I have cut health care benefits for war veterans and support a cut in duty benefits for active duty troops and their families in wartime.
In my State of the Union Address, I lied about our reasons for attacking Iraq and then blamed the lies on our British friends.
I am the first President in history to have a majority of Europeans (71%) view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and security.
I am supporting development of a nuclear “Tactical Bunker Buster,” a WMD.
I have so far failed to fulfill my pledge to bring Osama Bin Laden to justice.
RECORDS AND REFERENCES:
All records of my tenure as governor of Texas are now in my father’s library, sealed and unavailable for public view.
All records of SEC investigations into my insider trading and my bankrupt companies are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view.
All records or minutes from meetings that I, or my Vice-President, attended regarding public energy policy are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public review.
I specified that my sealed documents will not be available for 50 years.
Am I right? Palm Sunday this week and Easter next week? And right smack dab in the middle, on March 19th, the 5th anniversary of the start of the United States’ elective war against Iraq? Sweet, Dubya, sweet. John McCain sings, “Hosannah.” Republicans sing, “Hosannah.” I sing, “Impeach, impeach, impeach!”
Meanwhile, Obama posted (on Friday) his response to the Reverand Jeremiah Wright flap on the Huffington Post. And you know what? I think we need to chill and get things into proportion here. A sermon delivered by a Chicago pastor has everyone all in an uproar, and yet the lies told by our President and his Administration have us kinda, sorta somnolent. Good god, y’all! (And I don’t mean y’all as in YOU … definitely mean it as in US!) For those of US who are into music, here are the Top 40 lies told to US by our fearless leaders.
And as a small aside … whle I have tried to maintain a scrap of respect for Colin Powell through all this, I’ve lost it entirely after hearing (in “Taxi to the Dark Side“) the comment he apparently made after the “facts” he brought to the UN were proved false. He said that that day was the “most embarrassing day” of his life.
Barack Obama’s pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr., has left his campaign because remarks he has made were “inflammatory.” Geraldine Ferraro has stepped down from her position in Hillary Clinton’s campaign because remarks she has made were “inflammatory.” Meanwhile, that George W. Bush labels huge swathes of the world as “evil” is NOT seen as a problem by far too many.
The common thread running through all of this is that it seems our tolerance for discussion of issues in anything other than a black-and-white, cartoonish way is very limited, indeed. Racism and sexism are real … but as a culture we can’t seem to even begin to address their complexities. Instead we get all riled and victimy, pointing fingers and shouting “foul.”
It would be so nice if our leaders could talk with civility and depth about matters that tear at the fabric of our culture. It would be nice, too, if the press and pundits could. And it would be nicer, still, if we, the public, displayed an appetite for informed and intelligent debate. I don’t see it happening … not now. As the Democrats wrestle for power in an increasingly ugly internecine struggle, the likes of Olbermann, Matthews and Russert fan the flames and go for ratings and “news” at the cost of real content.
So forgive me, if I return, with March Madness on the horizen, to musings about Pokey Chatman’s journey … and Pat Summitt’s raccoon episode, and Rutgers’ challenges going into the Big Dance … and other such matters (about which civil debate seems more possible).
Phew! What a week … eh? I continue with vestiges of the sniffles … and am desperately trying to get myself healthy before March Madness begins (and sleep is severely shortened by basketball and bracketology).
I was all set to get myself to bed early last night but then somehow ended up searching the web, first for USWNT Algarve pictures and then for an unexpurgated version of Jimmy Kimmel’s answer to Sarah Silverman’s “I’m F**king Matt Damon” video. No luck on that front, but here’s Jimmy’s (expurgated) all-star response!
First thing this morning I checked my usual stuff on the computer. I often check my JordanCornblog stats. Today I noticed that the top search words bringing folks my way recently have had to do with Wff ‘n Proof. Must be a tournament or something happening … and it looks like it may be in California. Based on he search strings and where the hits are coming from, that’s my best guess. And I have to say that I am sorry to disappoint anyone who hits JordanCornblog looking for actual, meaningful informaton about the game and finds only personal recollections of a frustrating, youthful experience with logic … in the context of a highly illogical family! Hope the tournament (or whatever) is going well … and if anyone wants to share some info, I’m all ears!
After checking stats, I moved on and found this heartwarming article from the NY Times about Barack Obama’s mother. She certainly sounds like an interesting and independent woman. I haven’t read his bio(s) yet … but probably should, soon, huh? Is he the real deal? This piece (thanks CB) by Gail Collins reflects on the Spitzer debacle and awakens my ingrained concern that, perhaps as I fear, nothing is actually, ever, as it appears (with the possible exception of John McCain’s wife).
Okay, that was really nasty and unworthy of JordanCornblog, I know! As you can see, this is what happens in the interstices between sporting events and primaries and such. Left to my own devices, there’s no telling how quickly and how far things can veer into the absurd! (We encountered a middle school principle of comparable, weird, rigidity some years ago. I believe he has moved on and is now a superintendent somewhere.)
Please note, while JordanCornblog may veer off in odd directions when left rudderless, we are assiduously avoiding that story out of Kansas about the woman and the toilet.
Late Tuesday night, in a bit of a cold-induced daze, I downloaded what looked like a cool Bracket Tool for March Madness. BAD idea! Next thing I knew I was getting pop-up after pop-up warning me of spyware on my computer. The pop-up’s took me right to a website where I was helpfully offered a free scan. Luckily I was too tired to pursue this avenue on Tuesday night and just went to bed bummed about my impulsive click of the download button!
Next morning I found my way to Enigma Software, which offered a free scan. The scan discovered LOTS of destructive stuff BUT, when I clicked the removal tool I was told that I’d need to purchase and download their SpyHunter program to get rid of the spyware. Before purchasing and downloading … I thankfully did a little more research and realized that I had stumbled upon a scam that offered some rogue software that would further infect my computer. What a topsy-turvey mess! It wasn’t until I was well into this thicket of deception that I started writing down the names of some of the entities and software programs (like Enigma Software and SpyHunter). I wish I’d written more .. because of course now that I’m back on the solid ground of the non-rogue world, I can’t get back to many of the screens that were popping up, offering to “help” with my problem.
I finally found my way back to Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware program (something we have at work), downloaded their free verson, ran the scan, and removed the “stuff” that I had gunked everything up with. No more pop-up’s … hopefully no more spyware. What an odyssey, though! I lost a good 3-4 hours … wandering in a netherworld of malware and trojan horses and guys who looked a lot like Elliot Spitzer … all due to that impulsive click!
But on to the Algarve – where good news abounds!
For most, the good news is that the USWNT defeated Denmark yesterday 2-1 to win the championship. (For CB, the good news is that the Algarve Cup is OVER!) In the third place match, Norway defeated Germany 2-0. Here’s Gayle Bryan’s blog – where I am particularly glad to read about the improvement she noted, just over the course of the Algarve. She’s also posted pictures of the US v. Norway game, and will be following up with others shortly.
The USSF write-up of the match is here. As Lori Chalupney said, on getting used to a new tactical system of play under Pia Sundhage: “Starting a new system, the more games we play, the more comfortable we get. We’re facing different challenges and learning how to figure them out as the game goes on, so each game that we play we just get a little more confident.” Read more post-game quotes here.
As for the other Algarve results, I note that Poland played Ireland to a 2-2 tie and then won on PK’s in the 11th place match! Portugal and China went to PK’s and China took the 9th place match. Iceland beat Finland 3-0, winning 7th. Sweden beat Italy by the same score (3-0) and took 5th. As noted earlier, Norway defeated Germany 2-0 and won the 3rd place match, and the USWNT took first with a 2-1 win over Denmark.
Wanna know what HollyCornblog has been up to since she left NH more than a month ago? She and her husband (CharlieHopbrew) have been very busy embarking on their new beer-brewing adventure!
Read on, as HollyCornblog herself describes what’s involved … or some part of what’s involved … in this whole beer-brewing process!
“Here is the carboy with the hops that we dry hopped ready to get racked (moved) to the bottling bucket.”
“Here is where it was flowing into the bottling bucket.” (I know, that is kind of weird looking – in a hospitalish-sort-of-a-way. I’ll try not to think about it. Let’s just move along, okay?!)
Holly Cornblog continues, “I didn’t get any pictures of us actually bottling because we were both pretty busy, but here are all our bottles capped and a glass of flat beer in the front.” Flat beer? Oh yeah – there’s some sugar (whose name escapes me) that goes into each bottle to create the carbonation. HollyCornblog tells me that you have to be careful with that measurement, or you can get exploding beer bottles (a terrible waste).
“We ended up with 25 assorted size bottles, one 12 ounce, one 32 ounce, and the rest around 22 ounces. We are storing them now in the basement because it is better at this stage for them to be in a cool dark place.”
Okay, HollyCornblog and CharlieHopbrew, keep those bottles in a cool dark place … and let me know when you’re ready to start testing ’em!
Finally, here’s a picture of the late MurphyCornblog-Hopbrew, overseeing the evolving process that is underway at the Cornblog-Hopbrew domicile. “We made our first one gallon (six-pack) of beer batch this afternoon. Here it is in its little glass container. Isn’t it cute? In two weeks we’ll move it over to another gallon container and dry hop it, and then we’ll start a new gallon batch with a different hop.”
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!
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