I don’t know what to say. Van Jones has been picked off … and Glenn Beck is maniacally happy, wherever he is. He is probably thinking that this indicates that he’s in some way right. He ain’t – but nothing would convince him of that anyway. So, we move on, I guess.
Reading about Van Jones this morning, I find that I agree with him on many things … but then, government probably isn’t the place for that kind of thinking.
It’s discouraging – it all is. I need to get dressed and go for a run … slough off the discouragement and start the day!
Before I head out, here’s the text of a letter to the editor that I just submitted to the Concord Monitor. It’s about the Obama school speech flap … and comments made by a local asshole … which I was pleased to see (via Boltgirl) sound creepily like comments made by a tea bagger in Arizona. Damn – why do the assholes get so much press?
Here’s the text of the letter:
I have the feeling that I am in an echo chamber. Last week you quoted Tom Keane of Bow sharing his views (not that I asked) about President Obama’s planned speech to the nations kids – encouraging them to work hard, stay in school, etc.
For some reason, Mr. Keane found this idea “creepy,” among other things. “The whole approach strikes me as Orwellian and creepy,” Keane wrote. “The thought of any president being beamed into a kindergarten classroom to speak directly to students without parents involved is at best troubling.”
In a piece published the same day in the Arizona Daily Star we read the comments of Trent Humphries who’s described as … “a 36-year-old computer consultant who counts himself among the Tea Party members …”
“If he were going to a school to speak, that would be a different issue, but to speak to all children in America without their parents present, I don’t know,” he said, describing it as “creepy” and saying parents should be included in conversations about staying in school.”
Kinda sounds like these dudes are reading off the same script, doesn’t it? I am particularly irked that Tom, as a selectman and school board member, would take air time to apparently couch right wing talking points as his own. I actually find it kinda creepy, Tom.
And please, Monitor staff, could we have a little less coverage of this divisive, destructive, fear-mongering, flap-creating drivel? It’s a tempest in a tea pot – nothing more.
In other news … Phillies (77-56) and Red Sox (78-57) both lost. Some day when I have enough time, I am going to plot out their respective seasons and see how often they are having parallel outcomes.
And on the pitch … root for England today as they go up against Netherlands for a chance to play in the final!
What is it with people? The flap about Obama speaking to students has me wondering if we, as a nation, can survive. It is so discouraging. I tried writing a letter to the editor about it … but there’s no arguing with delusion. There is no application of logic that will get through.
Need to let it go … because I am equally sure that those who would ban this president from speaking to school kids have no problem with the former VP endorsing torture. Fear fuels phantasmagorias of illogic and hatred. Is it a cacophony of a small number of very, very shrill and angry people? Or is this destructive and delusional hatred representative of a large component of the populace?
I actually think the din represents a smaller number of people than you’d think, given the decibels and the attention they get. If only some responsible Republicans would step forward and speak out, it would be a huge relief – but I don’t see that happening. Where are you guys? Where are the moderate Republicans? Are you going to let your party die at the hands of extremists?
Maybe more moderate Republicans need to jump ship. I don’t see a place for them in the shrinking tent that is the GOP.
So, anyway … for the sake of my sanity and my blood pressure, I am going to try to ignore the shrill fray fomented by the right wing and focus more on the good work being done slowly but surely by the judicial system … gradually closing in on the people who have ignored the Constitution and run roughshod over this country’s laws and reputation in recent years. Dickie, John, Alberto … maybe Dubya, too … get ready guys … you’re in for some fricking tough times … and there are few, if any, people more deserving. The system is working – even while the maelstrom of public opinion whirls and swirls on the airwaves and in the ether … full of sound and fury, and signifying pretty much nothing. The system plods along … and the noose tightens … so I am fervently hoping!
Then there’s this bit of near-sanity, as Al Franken talks down an angry hoard of teabaggers and actually has a discussion. Imagine! I suppose it is possible … though I’m not so sure that I could manage it.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCNs7Zpqo98
Red Sox and Phillies continue their parallel lives – both getting lambasted last night.
First off – apologies to HollyCornblog … who I offended by describing September as JBD’s birthday month. It is HollyCornblog’s birthday month, too … and that fact should be duly celebrated by everyone … most especially everyone who likes a nice hoppy beer from time to time!
Second … I am ecstatic to announce that I managed a second day of following-through on my commitment to go running after work. (No paparazzi, either … but I did notice more people on the streets, which makes me a little bit nervous.) ;>)
Third – the Red Sox won … and the Phillies won … and sounds like Pedro looked great.
Fourth – England moves on in the Euros with some great highlight material from Aluka! Sadly, France was eliminated by Netherlands in a game that went to PK’s.
Fifth … from Alice … an opera in Philly that sounds like it’s definitely worth checking out. The Gonzales Cantata has been “Maddowed” … and is really taking off! (Being Maddowed is like being “Oprahed” – although slightly less intense, I imagine.) You can follow the Cantata on Twitter, too … if you’re really, really savvy! ;>)
Yes – it’s a very special day today – Ms. JBD’s birthday. This day is best celebrated with some sort of outdoor activity and wrapped up with beer and barbecue … and lots of fresh veggies from the garden. On this day we focus on the moments, NOT on counting the years. We relax and enjoy … feel gratitude … and have some belly laughts, too. (Since most of us have to work today, we’ll hold off on the celebrating ’til Sunday!)
On the self congratulation front, I am happy to announce that I got myself out onto the streets of Concord for a run yesterday. The timing of that, as well as the route, shall remain a secret, as I am not yet ready to be hounded by the paparazzi. But boy does it feel good to follow through on a commitment to myself. Now for day 2!
Other stuff? The Red Sox and Phillies both lost. If I had the time, I would love to chart their wins and losses and see how many days they match up … it feels a little spooky to me.
And I’m happy to see that the Pats are pursuing AJ Feely. Maybe that means that Heather Mitts will stay with the Breakers. (That would be nice!)
The Stars beat the Lynx in OT yesterday, gaining ground in the WNBA play-off hunt. Anybody else find the WNBA site kinda frustrating? I have a hard time getting to the articles … but maybe it’s just me.
In baseball, the Sox (Red) and Phillies both won – with Cole Hamels pitching a 2-hit shut out for the Phils (over the Giants). Nice job showing up those Giants pitchers!
It’s day 2 of Dewd’s birthday month … let the party continue! (And quite aptly, we predict an England win on Ms. Dewd’s actual b-day!)
Apparently evidence has been uncovered that seems to indicate that Glenn Beck may have committed some dastardly crimes (truly disgusting) back in 1990. Check the disturbing (and mounting) evidence cited on the site.
While JordanCornblog is not in the business of fomenting gossip or rumors, it seems like this is something that Mr. Beck should step forward and disprove, if, indeed, it is untrue.
His silence, so far, would seem to indicate that he has something to hide.
And if he actually does have things to hide … and if these rumors are true, then he certainly should not be on the airwaves … and should, in fact, be in prison.
So, Mr. Beck … please, please, please prove to ALL of us that you didn’t commit rape and murder back in 1990.
Today would have been my parents’ 58th or 59th wedding anniversary … an interesting thought. Maybe scary, too.
RPE heads back to school this morning, and the rhythm of life shifts … and will settle again, after some adjusting. Hope it’s a great year!
England has made it through to the quarterfinals with a draw vs Sweden (good job)! They face Finland on Thursday … and will happily avoid Germany for the time being (good job, again)!
And as I head out the door, I am pleased to be able to confirm that Mike Huckabee is either crazy or incredibly disingenuous, or both. (Not that I actually doubted it … but his comments about Kennedy and “Obama-care” are just the same irresponsible drivel that we’ve come to expect from the desperate GOP.) Ridiculous.
It’s a bittersweet, end-of-summer day here in NH. The leaves are still (mostly) green but there’s a clarity and cleanness to the air that bespeaks September. Every once in awhile, the scent of woodsmoke wafts by. The crickets and cicadas are singing their heads off, and the sky sometimes seems awash in dragonflies.
I eye the woodpile. ChristopherCornblog has started mowing the edges of the fields in preparation for the Big Mowing. Every once in awhile I glimpse a yellow school bus motoring past the bottom of the driveway. And RPE’s belongings are in piles, ready to be packed up and taken back to college tomorrow morning.
End of August. Beginning of September. Time travels on. And for the Phantastic Phootball Phanatics, one of the things that means is that Fantasy Football starts soon. I noticed (checking the site) that the preview scores for our week one match-up’s are posted. That’s gonna mean more shifting around of players, I’m sure. My first game is against HollyCornblog … it’ll be ugly – guaranteed!
And hey, Doris .. are you keeping an eye on Brandon Marshall? (Didn’t know you were such a risk taker!)
We watched the first half of the WPS All Star game and taped the rest. I won’t post the final score here … but for those who want to take a peak, here’s the link.
Don’t you love the newest team member? She looks nice and cozy!
Now that the WPS season is over, it’s time to focus our soccer energy fully on the Women’s Euros – and rooting for England to come through today with a win over Sweden!
They don’t actually need the win to move on … but it sure would be nice. My sense is that they haven’t hit their stride yet. Now’s the time to start, ladies!
Okay – it’s day two of running. Haven’t gone yet but plan to. The challenges will be days 3, 4 and 5! Right now I am at the stage where I feel so good and so thankful that my body still works the way it is supposed to. Today will probably go well … and then, if true to form, I’ll start developing a wee bit of hubris. “This is great,” I’ll think! I start picturing myself running easily up and down the hills of Canterbury. Music from Rocky in the background. Yup, cocky.
Soon after that, I stop. (“No time right now,” I tell myself. “Tomorrow I’ll get out there.”) I comfort and placate myself with thoughts like that. Days, then weeks go by. And that’s, then, that!
Not this time, though. (This is another pretty typical thought … but it is within the realm of possibility that I could make it true!) Choices, JordanCornblog, choices.
So what else do we have for today? Well- the Phillies and Red Sox are out of sync .. Red Sox winning and Phillies losing (to the Braves) last night. Hey Phils … not too many losses to the Braves, okay? Dewd told me last night that some announcer was calling the Phillies the best team in baseball … would love to know who, so I can tweet him a thank you and congratulate him on his perspicacity!
Many/most of us here watched and cried our way through at least the eulogies for Teddy Kennedy yesterday. It was pretty amazing to think about what was thrust onto his shoulders with the deaths of his two brothers … the burdens of the political expectations … along with familial responsibilities. Certainly a flawed human being- but also a man, clearly, of compassion, great accomplishment, and gargantuan energies. Obama’s eulogy was beautiful- as was Teddy’s. Patrick seemed very wounded.
And each time the camera went to Bush’s face, I was so struck by the odd vacancy of his eyes – the smirkiness of his mouth – he really doesn’t seem all there to me. And maybe that is overly kind. Almost feel a touch of PTSD, as his face flashed across the screen. What a nightmare his time in office was!
Other “news” includes this great video sent to me by Alison … some Fire Island dudes doing a Miley Cyrus song … and I realize this may be an odd juxtaposition … but it actually seemed appropriate – sort of a palate-cleanser after mentioning Dubya!
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ezfk7s1NyY
In Euro action, France faces off against Norway today (in a game with implications for the next round) while Germany faces Iceland (in a game without same). Tomorrow England plays again (against Sweden) while Russia and Italy face off. These matches will decide the standings in the closely-contested Group C.
Here are the tournament standings as of this morning … and a bit of info from the site about how the teams qualify to move on …
The top two teams from each final tournament group progress to the quarter-finals along with the two best third-placed teams. If two or more teams are level on points they are split by, in order of precedence, (a) higher number of points obtained in the group matches played among the teams in question, (b) superior goal difference from the group matches played among the teams in question (c) higher number of goals scored in the matches between the teams in question, (d) superior goal difference from all matches played, (e) higher number of goals scored, (f) Fair Play ranking (final tournament only), (g) drawing of lots. It is also possible if two teams are dead level before they play each other in the last group game and draw for their position to be decided on penalties at the end of normal time. going into the final game and draw, they can be split.
Meanwhile, here are the WNBA standings as of last night. Indiana has clinched the Eastern Conference. Things are still in play out west, but Phoenix and Seattle have both clinched play-off berths as Seattle continues to be on a tear!
x-Clinched Playoff Berth | e-Clinched Eastern Conference | w-Clinched Western Conference | o-Eliminated from Playoffs contention
Oh, and last but not least, the WPS All Star game is today at 5:30 PM (ET) … on FSC. Pre-game show is at 5PM ET. The match will also be webcast (Alice) … hope you can get it on your porch this evening!
Somehow it seems appropriate that the funeral for Teddy Kennedy should be in the rain. Late summer rain. A grey day – sad and kind of empty-feeling. A pause. The end of a season. And much work, many beginnings ahead.
Speaking of work, I have a full plate of it for the weekend – so the rain is a relief in some ways. But first on the agenda, a trek to the BHS track to run with RPE. (Yours truly may … truly … sit in the car and read … unless the rain lets up, OR I suddenly become much more disciplined than I usually am!) I shall keep you posted.
As is usual for me about this time of year, my thoughts turn to getting organized, getting into shape … just generally straightening up and flying right. I have been struggling to figure out a time of day that will work for me – for exercising. Right now I’m thinking that my best bet may be to run in town, before I come home from work. It’ll provide a break – a sort of divider between work and home. Also, the terrain in town is significantly less hilly. The one drawback (I am embarrassed to say) is that I am embarrassed for people to see how out of shape I am.
Of course, in my imagination, everyone will be watching JordanCornblog run and thinking, derisively, “My, how she’s let herself go!” … “How silly she looks!” … that sort of thing. In my mind’s eye, people will be lining the streets, laughing and rolling their eyes as I puff and huff by.
Egocentric? You betcha!
So, yeah – I think I’m gonna commit to running after work … starting next week. And if I disappear from the blogosphere, you’ll know that I either died while running (another highly realistic worry of mine) or have not followed through and am too ashamed to admit it.
Other news? Phillies and Red Sox won … the playoff picture is taking shape in the WNBA … and in the Euros, England beat Russia 3-2 in a wild match that ended with what sounded like an incredible goal, from distance, by Kelly Smith. Keep it up, ladies!
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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