Thanks very much. What’s with you, GOP? You decry labor unions for trying to hold the line of wages. “Selfish, selfish,” you say. Meanwhile, the likes of these dudes continue to loot and pillage virtually unimpeded. Where are you, GOP? In their pockets, perhaps? Or maybe in a darker place entirely … no sun shining there.
Anyway, for more insight into the kinds of things that Goldman and the GOP would like to see happen, check out this post at The Smirking Chimp. It’s a list of 15-things the GOP would do if they could. And you thought 2012 sounded scary!!???
I read that Lindsay Lohan is mad at her dad … and am struck by how horrible it would have been, had my feelings and familial struggles been splashed all over the media at that age. (Of course, that doesn’t address the matter of her parents’ rantings and escapades. It’s all pretty over the top, any way you look at it. Why’d it capture my attention? Because I’m going for the low-hanging fruit this morning. Sorry!
So, speaking of low hanging fruit, there’s always Sarah P for a laugh. This time, it’s Obama’s alleged attack on god. Oh my god! (As it turns out, it ain’t Obama – it was Bush and the GOP Congress who made the change to our change that the ex-Guv is so righteously worked up about.)
And speaking of god … its appetite apparently whetted by its successful lobbying efforts against women and choice, the Catholic Church has now turned its eyes toward the gay rights movement. They are threatening to cut off services to the poor in DC if the city doesn’t nix a gay marriage law. Christianity continues to rampage like a ravening, Giant Forest Hog … and we all know what kind of mindless damage those beasts can do! Someone, stop it, please!
Violence in women’s sports has made the news, thanks to the recent YouTube exposé of unsportsmanlike play in a match between the University of New Mexico and BYU. And while it’s generally nice to read ANY press about women’s sports, this is some unwelcome attention.
In response to events, some are taking the opportunity to make bad jokes. Others are pausing to debate the direction of women’s sports. I like that. (And on the bad, bad, bad “jokes” front – someone should do a dissertation on the comments people write on YouTube videos – and what they reflect about our culture. Pretty disturbing stuff.)
Anyway – as for the direction of women’s sports – I was a big celebrator of Title IX back in the day. But having watched how things have evolved, I have to say it’s a mixed blessing. The biggest loss it has propogated so far, in my estimation, is the dearth of opportunities to be a three-sport athlete in school. It’s well-nigh impossible at most colleges – and is becoming unusual in many high schools, too. This is a big loss.
I see it as indicative of a trend in our culture to focus on outcomes. “Measurable outcomes” is the catch-phrase these days. Everybody is striving to put up numbers – be it in healthcare, education … sports. There are winners and losers. Success is what everybody wants, and it’s clear to everyone what it means. You’re hard pressed not to teach to the test … and certainly, you’re gonna coach to win … and play to win. There’s too much at stake.
Lost are “nuances” like what you can learn from sports … win or lose. Character-building? That’s for losers. Your coach’s job and your scholarship depend on how you perform. There’s money on the table and you are being measured.
This doesn’t excuse anything that happened on the pitch the other day … but man, are we ever on the wrong track!
Thumbs up to Claire McCaskill for having the courage to speak out about the Stupid(ak) Amendment and oppose adding it to the Senate Healthcare bill. Coming from a relatively conservative state, her backbone is that much more appreciated. Jean Shaheen, are you listening?
… the Phillies were about to send the World Series back to NY for Game 6 … and the Eagles hadn’t lost to the Cowboys … and the House hadn’t capitulated to the dastardly religious right and made “choice” an even less meaningful word than it already is … and many of us had never heard of Fort Hood … and oh, my, life was looking good. Nostalgia!
Here’s yesterday’s November sunset at the lake, courtesy of HollyCornblog. How different the light looks!
Today is Anne Sexton’s birthday. What a revelation she was to me … a little like Joan Crawford … who in turn was a little like a mother I knew once.
Ah, here’s to those mothers who could dazzle with their smiles, and whose egocentricity and entitlement (often spiced with expletives and violence) pretty much laid waste to the world around them.
Thankfully, some of those mothers, like Anne and Joan, had daughters who wrote books that shone bright lights on them … helping others to see more clearly, perhaps … and realize that what they experienced as “normal” just maybe wasn’t!
So, in honor of Anne Sexton’s birthday … and in honor of survival … and complexity … and of exploring as much as you can while you can … and maybe even sharing it so others can gain some perspective … here’s a snippet from “Flee on Your Donkey.”
It’s a passage that haunts me for reasons I don’t really get. Sometime, I’ll understand … but for now, I’ll just share it … ;>)
So the House passed its healthcare reform bill, while selling out women … with 64 Democrats, for reasons that pass understanding, vote with the GOP to effectively strip meaningful access to abortion from the bill. Disgusting. I am sick at heart about this last bit of inexcusable and incomprehensible pandering to the right. What the hell are the Dems so afraid of? Boltgirl has written eloquently on the subject … check it out.
Meanwhile, here’s a sample of the level of debate that the process involved … as a series of Republican lawmakers “object” meaninglessly and make it impossible for a series of Democratic Congresswomen to speak.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMdlcnK_MI4
The behavior is childish and obstructionist … and reflective of the desperation of a bankrupt party whose members see the writing on the wall (I think). That makes it all the more frustrating that those 64 Democrats would walk over to the dark side.
Okay, so enough about healthcare. I feel like the groundhog … poke my head up into the “real world” of politics and such, see my shadow, and retreat back to more manageable (and arguably more interesting) fare … like the A-Rod as Centaur story.
Just when I had started to think maybe he wasn’t as empty and ego-maniacal as I’ve generally surmised … I learn that he’s got not one but TWO portraits of himself as a centaur in his bedroom. The story comes complements of an ex. Even factoring in the likelihood that she has an ax to grind … it seems unlikely that it’s complete fabrication. Hell, even one Centaur-portrait is weird, don’t you agree? Kate Hudson … what the hell are you thinking?
Moving on, I am late in stating my sadness and frustration at the repeal of Maine’s Gay Marriage bill, having really thought the great State of Maine would turn the tide on that one … and the polls apparently did, too.
On the whole question, however, I think that we are taking the wrong tack entirely. There should be a push, in EVERY state, to make Civil Unions the government-sanctioned method for hooking up for life. Period.
The government has no business sanctioning or not sanctioning marriages. Let marriage be entirely the purview of religious organizations. Then the f–cking fundamentalist hoardes can deny marriages to whomever they hell they want to. That way the sanctity of the holy rite can be protected from all manner of despicable folks … and meanwhile, the government can offer equal rights and the pursuit of happiness as the Constitution demands, without upsetting the holy-rollers.
Why do we keep walking into this meaningless squabble with religious bigots? It’s a power struggle over a prize that we should just let them keep.
Marriage schmarriage. In fact, I really do think that government having anything at all to do with the word is an artifact of this country’s Judeo-Christian heritage and should be put down. Seriously. Civil unions for everyone – take the damn word out of our laws entirely.
Thanks, AMR, for sharing thie video below of the University of New Mexico’s Elizabeth Lambert demonstrating how NOT to play the game of soccer.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNmPybFK2_o
I am glad to see that New Mexico suspended this player, but even so, ya gotta think this kind of match play didn’t suddenly arise out of the blue. How does a player come to think that this is even remotely okay? She says … “This is in no way indicative of my character or the soccer player I am.”
I am sorry – and this is said with your best interests at heart, Liz – but you can’t behave like that and then walk away and say that it’s not indicative of your character.
It happened.
You did it.
It sure as hell indicates SOMETHING … and right now, I’d say it indicates something about your character.
What you do next also indicates something about your character.
It’d be really good for your character if you did some soul searching right about now.
… and one last tip of the hat to the Philllies on a great season. Here’s a nice post from Phillies Nation … “Proud to be a Phan.” Now I’ll put it away …
The news out of Fort Hood Texas is so bad, so sad, so disheartening and incomprehensible, that I don’t know what to say about it … except that I wish to god that we had the political will to institute meaningful gun control. And please, no bad jokes about psychiatrists and/or mental health. With the levels of rage, disenfranchisement, and hopelessness in this country, people need to be encouraged to seek out help … to defuse and deflect potential violent scenes like this one. Oh, and no backlash against our fellow Muslim/Arab citizens, okay? Could we have a more nuanced response than our right wing brethren usually treat us to? Could we muzzle the likes of Glenn, Rush, Sean and Bill? Ah, how refreshing the silence would be!
I’m adding a couple of important links today … and for those of you who’d like to see JordanCornblog function as your homepage, I’m open to other suggestions …;>)
What am I adding?
Foothills Physical Therapy … hands down the best collection of physical therapy professionals in Central New Hampshire … nah, in all of New England! How’s them apples? Check them out – not only are they excellent, they are FUN!
The New Hampshire Community Loan Fund … award-winning and innovative community economic development powerhouse that has had a direct, positive impact on countless NH citizens. And now, with ROC USA, they have taken their innovative model and their expertise national!
And then there’s the Concord Feminist Health Center … staunch … steadfast … key member of the healthcare community since the ’70’s … and holding to that word “feminist” through thick and thin. Did I say staunch? You betcha!!
JordanCornblog’s predictions proved slightly inaccurate, perhaps because the biking didn’t start soon enough in the series. Or perhaps because she didn’t wear her Utley shirt for those last two games … or the Phillies hat … or maybe the barometric pressure was all wrong (that was the problem the year the Eagles lost to the Pats in the Superbowl … I’m pretty sure).
It’s a big burden, keeping those guys on a winning path. Clearly, JordanCornblog wasn’t up to it. Not this year, anyway. Next year. Next year!
Had it not been for Matsui, the score would have been 3-1 … a Phillies win. JordanCornblog comforts herself with that thought.
In addition, there’s that whole payroll thing. And that $1.5 BILLION ballpark. JordanCornblog finds that kinda comforting as well – that it took millions to put away an upstart team with a fraction of the bucks taking the field! Of COURSE the Yankees won. Good grief.
On the positive side, between Boltgirl’s excellent modeling and these last two World Series games, JordanCornblog has gotten some exercise under her belt. That’s never a bad thing. Next year she’ll be in better shape … and ready to bike for the Phillies OR the Cubbies!
And DaddyCornblog? He’d have loved to have seen a Phillies repeat … but he has a much broader perspective on these things than we mere mortals do. Any words of wisdom, Dad?
One plus that he’d be sure to remind us of … more sleep. Now we can all get more sleep!
The short rest is gonna catch up with Andy Pettitte, as the Phillies bats will chase him out by the 3rd inning … and it’ll be an even more precipitous downhill slide for the Yankees from that point on.
Meanwhile a rested and highly motivated Pedro will pitch himself a shut-out … one for the ages. It’ll almost be a no-hitter, but Derek Jeter will ruin that scenario in the 8th with a single.
After that, no more hits and it’s on to Game 7.
Wow – did that ever feel great to write. (I’ll have to pedal hard to make it all true!)
Other news this sunny November morning?
Sadly, the Belmont girls’ soccer team lost a heartbreaker to Campbell in the second overtime yesterday. The final score was 1-0. Well done, BHS. Congrats, graduating seniors. The rest of you? Your high school soccer future is looking very bright!
PS One more bold prediction – a two-parter:
Ryan Howard shaves his beard and gets his mojo back!
Ryan Howard doesn’t shave his beard and gets his mojo back!
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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