The Breakers have allowed fewer shots on goal than any other team at 4.58 per game…Boston has now been outscored in the 1st half by a margin of 13-6…Amy Rodriguez has seen only 15 minutes of action over the Breakers’ last four matches.
Sure would be nice to see A-Rod get back into gear. (I dream.)
Phillies won last night … hope they’re back on track. Meanwhile, Mo (aka, “Sir Hits A Lot” – your Rays are killing us! ;>)
How wonderful that Bill was able to get those two reporters freed! (And I’m just wondering a wee bit, this morning, how Hillary feels in some small corner of herself, as big dog Bill strolls triumphantly across the world stage again). She probably doesn’t have the same core, competitive issues that I do. Yeah, probably not.
And I am convinced that if we just massaged Kim Jong Il’s ego more regularly, we could probably get pretty much what we wanted from him.
Congrats to the Breakers on the WPS All Star team (and thanks for the link, ski!). Now … just win on Sunday and all will be good!
And here’s Paul Krugman on why we need to be angrier at Wall Street than we already are. I am endlessly flabbergasted at the nitpicking we engage in (as a society) around somthing like “welfare fraud” while tolerating the looting of our coffers by people who already have millions. Corporate welfare – yes. Having an actual safety net for those who need it – no f—ing way! America, Land of the Shamelessly … Nay Proudly … Cognitively Dissonant.
Beautiful Monday morning here, as JPE heads back up to Deer Island (safe travels) and August moves into its first work week. It’s so nice to feel the warmth and the non-soggy air. Hopefully a harbinger of things to come. I could feel myself moving into a more hopeful frame of mind as the early morning clouds dissipated and the colors took on a vibrancy we haven’t seen a lot of (to date).
So what’s happening in the world? I like the continuing unfolding of the Gates-Crowley saga … and it seems entirely appropriate that there would need to be more time for the two of them to talk. Would that more folks could get their heads around what Gates so aptly pointed out to reporters yesterday:
He said he wants to produce a documentary from both the perspective of police and people who have been victims of racial profiling so “Americans can understand that you can have two equally valid perceptions of the same event.”
Equally valid … that can be a tough one for me to swallow, but I think I really need to look at it.
In Sarah Palin news (I know, I know, JPE – you hate this) … the blog The Immoral Minority has posted a story intimating that Sarah is looking to divorce Todd. Based on info from an unnamed source, the post has netted threats of a libel suit … and yet, there are enough details to make one wonder. Alaska Report is also posting this news and the story is cited on The Huffington Report. I guess you could say that I am spreading rumors, since I’ve not verified any of this (nor would I begin to know how to). Here I am, even citing The National Enquirer. (See what happens when you leave town, JPE?)
I’m gonna get outside and into that sun … before this degenerates any further. TTFN.
Seriously. Did you know that most Republicans think that Obama wasn’t born in the US? I honestly don’t know what to do with that little factoid – it seems so beyond the pale. Less than half of our GOP brethren are on board with reality. It makes me feel a little paranoid, truth be told. I am sure that I have co-workers (and not just one or two) who believe that he is not a citizen. Has it always been this way, or are we, as a nation, sailing further and further away from the solid shores of sanity?
Underscoring the ongoing, key role of race/racism in America – and the shrill and bizarre ways that the right is attempting to exploit white fears, I read a great op ed piece this morning by Frank Rich about the beer summit and the illusion that America is post-anything when it comes to race/racism. Love what he says about Obama’s “stupid” comment:
I’ll return to the larger picture, but before the battle of Cambridge fades entirely, let’s note that the only crime Obama committed at his news conference was honesty (always impolitic in Washington). He conceded he did not know “all the facts” and so wisely resisted passing judgment on “what role race played” in the incident. He said, accurately, that “separate and apart from this incident” there is “a long history” of “African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcing disproportionately.” And, yes, the police did act “stupidly in arresting” — not to mention shackling — “somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home.” If Obama had really wanted to go for the jugular, he might have added that the police may have overstepped the law as well.
We just can’t tolerate that sort of honesty, it seems. Any serious discussion of complexities of racism (or of class, for that matter) quickly devolves into name calling and questions about Obama’s birthplace. It is too weird for words. Indeed, thank god Obama didn’t pick some micro brew for the “summit” or we’d all be talking about that! We latch onto small details and buzzwords, and hang all manner of assumptions and opinions on those things. (I guess I do the same … but not without some measure of angst … but it’s just so hard for me to resist the low-hanging fruit …)
Rachel Maddow visited the Tonight Show recently (here’s Boltgirl’s post about it) and briefly discussed the intricacies of the healthcare debate. Turns out Obama is trying to kill old people. Thanks, GOP – one of the key issues of our lifetimes and you are discussing it like a bunch of taunting four-year olds.
Speaking of four-year-olds, I see that Sarah Palin is back in the news despite the fact that she has “gone dark” in the days since her odd farewell address. While she’s silent, her surrogates are slamming the press for reporting rumors of a Todd/Sarah split. Hmmmm, ya gotta wonder. I’ve signed up for Sarah’s Twitter feed so I can keep up with the latest developments … assuming this is the real Sarah P. Sure does sound like her, ya gotta admit (and Twitter seems like the perfect venue for her … 140 characters about covers it).
On the sporting front … sigh. Big sigh. The Phillies were shut out by the Giants – but the Red Sox won! Worse news – the Breakers were shut out by Hope Solo and the Athletica (1-0) … BUT FC Gold Pride beat the Freedom 3-2! What that means is that the Athletica have clinched 2nd place … while 3rd and 4th place remain in play – with the Breakers, the Freedom, and Sky Blue FC all still in the hunt.
One of the glaring, ongoing questions for the Breakers is, what is happening with A-Rod? I don’t even see her name in the box score anymore. Found one post that shares some possible ideas about what’s up … and I do have to say that Tony’s decision-making has led me to question his judgment this season. Maybe A-Rod hasn’t had the best attitude (I have no idea) but for goodness sake … she’s young and talented. Can’t you be more creative, Tony? Pia seems able to deal with her. (And where’s Colleen Hacker when we need her?!)
On a happier note – and I need to head out to do the shopping, so I’m nearly done – here’s an inspiring piece from The Mercury News about Sissi and her life playing soccer, coaching, and parenting in the US.
Sissi, known to soccer fans from Brazil to the Bay Area as one of the greatest female players ever, used to lounge at home after a grueling day of coaching and playing.
Those days are long gone.
Since 2006, she and partner Jennifer O’Neal have welcomed a stream of foster children into their split-level tract home in Concord, becoming one of the 456 families volunteering with the Contra Costa County adoptions department.
“Soccer gave me everything,” said Sissi, a midfielder with the FC Gold Pride who at 42 is the oldest player in the Women’s Professional Soccer league. “I have a chance to help these kids. They changed my life.”
As Sissi returned home recently from practice, some of those changes presented themselves as soon as she opened the door. Two-year-old Baby M marched forward with outstretched arms and an impish smile on her face. A little later her half-brother Michael, 3½, emerged with plastic blocks just as bedtime approached — ensuring a standoff would ensue.
Once the children went down, Sissi seemed momentarily at peace, reflecting on her life.
Her social consciousness spawned from a hardscrabble childhood in northeastern Brazil, in a house without running water. It was there in the town of Esplanada that Sisleide do Amor Lima would have to overcome deeply entrenched machismo stereotypes to play the sport she loved in the land of Pele.
When discouraged even by her own family, the child cutoff the heads of dolls and booted them around like soccer balls.
It’s nice to see that brightness back in the eastern sky this morning after a terribly wet, rainy day yesterday. We thought it couldn’t keep raining the way it had … oh well. Let’s see what August holds. (I keep trying to imagine what this weather pattern would have been like had it started in December … kinda scary thought.)
On the sporting news front the Red Sox won a close one last night and Big Papi hit his second home run in as many days. Cliff Lee pitched a complete game and got two hits for the Phillies … AND got them back on the winning track. (I am liking this trade a lot so far!) Charlie Manual was his usual loquacious self …
“Pitched pretty good, didn’t he? Very good,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “In his first time out with us he gives us nine innings and that’s real good.”
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. has sent flowers to the woman who made the now-famous 911 call – a gesture that appears to extend the energy initiated by the ‘beer talk.’ Maybe we really can be less shrill and more civil and conciliatory, eh? It will drive some folks mad … but that’s okay. Not to say that the issues raised here aren’t serious and disturbing – but if we can’t talk about them, we can’t do much to address them. I think this is a very interesting and hopeful evolution … certainly something that Dubya would have been incapable of, back in the day. (And ain’t it lovely to be able to say “back in the day” with reference to Dubya?)
In a random leap (0n my part), here’s Boltgirl on Jill Sobule (with some great links, too). I saw Jill open for Madeleine Peyroux some years ago and have listened to her with great enjoyment ever since. Thanks, Boltgirl – I’ll check out the free downloads, too!
Curious about Pokey Chatman? (Alice, I know you are!) Well, mark your calendare for Saturday, August 8, when she’ll be interviewed on the Women’s Sports Talk Show … 4PM EST … oh yeah! (And to keep in the loop, you can follow WSTR on Twitter.)
Coaching heads continue to roll, as the Liberty have fired Patty Coyle – their head coach. I’ll see if I can find out why. Ann Donovan is stepping in to finish out the season. (Hope she has more staying power than Kelly Lindsey did for Sky Blue FC.) WSTR needs to get an interview with Kelly … SOON! ;>)
Speaking of soccer … Three post-season spots are still up for grabs. Follow all of the action this weekend: Sat. 8/1 6pm ET / 3pm PT
FC Gold Pride vs. Washington Freedom,
Match Tracker, FC Gold Pride Twitter, Freedom Twitter
I’m gonna see if I can get the webcast hooked up to stream through our TV tonight. Go BREAKERS! Still no Alex tonight – but you can do it!
Oh, and on more wee bit of info (for women’s soccer aficionados) – you can watch the W-League Championship live on Fox Soccer Channel, August 7 at 7:30 pm ET. Be there!
What’s up with Sky Blue FC, anyway? The sudden resignation of Kelly Lindsey as coach … along with her assistant … just seems weird on the face of it. Weird and mean-spirited, as the players are still in the running for a play-off spot, with two games remaining in the regular season.
Lindsey, who took over with the team in last place, guided Sky Blue to a 5-3-3 record and into playoff contention. But despite the turnaround, Hofstetter said Lindsey, who was close with Sawyers, would likely not have been the coach next season, which may have accelerated her decision.
“Might have accelerated her decision …” yes – but unless they were waterboarding her in the clubhouse, this seems like an extremely classless move. I’d love to know more of the back story … and where Ian Sawyers was in this nasty mix. And Julie Foudy? Whats up with this, eh?
Feel sorry for Sky Blue FC … and am rooting for them to beat out the Freedom (NOT the Breakers) for the final play-off spot. That would be awesome!
Christie Rampone … who, on the other hand, might serve as a nice model for quiet classiness … has agreed to step in as player-coach for the remainder of the season. You go girl!
In other news … Tony continues to rip the refs. Maybe he’s right, but …
Lou Dobbs’ ratings are suffering (right on) while the birthers continue their strange, empty and hateful quest. Here’s the truth … not that facts could ever dissuade someone who’s already moved over into delusional territory.
Phinally, the Phillies are in great shape for a repeat, doncha think? Cliff Lee will get his phirst start phor the Phillies tonight against the Giants. Meanwhile, I don’t know whether Ben Francisco will also be playing – but he’s the other new addition – and it seems like San Francisco would be a good spot to get his phirst Phillies game under his belt!
Alex Scott was red carded in the 5th minute and the Breakers played heroically for 88 minutes … but fell to the Freedom 1-0 … and fell in the standings to 4th place. With two games remaining, this is getting WAY too interesting for my taste.
Wambach scored the winning goal for the home team … and Kelly Smith nearly had the equalizer late in the match, but Erin McLeod tipped it over the crossbar for the corner. Next up, the Athletica on 8/1 – and then the Sol at home on 8/9. Alex … keep those cleats down from here on out, okay?
And in the last bit about the Breakers right now – here’s a nice article about two Breakers – Jennie Nobis and Christine Latham – and their life with the Rosses in Newton Centre! (Hey ski – any thought to building an addition for next season?)
In other news, ChristopherCornblog sent along this nice piece from Kathleen Parker of the Post – commenting on the beer drinking that will be happening at the White House today. Maybe we can take it down a few notches?
We weren’t there. We’re not mind readers.
But we all can see how this happened — and how fragile is the thread that connects us. How delicately we must tread. Even Obama, who initially said the police “acted stupidly,” has learned just how much words matter. His invitation to share a beer at the White House with Crowley and Gates is revolutionary and potentially healing, a peace pipe for modern times.
When future archaeologists excavate our history, they will doubtless marvel at the symbolism of that simple gesture. Black, white and something in between, elites and working class, American dreamers all — sipping suds and talking no trash.
The Phillies got Lee without giving up the three players the Blue Jays had demanded in a deal for Halladay — Happ, Double-A Reading right-hander Kyle Drabek and Class A Clearwater outfielder Dominic Brown. Happ is a legitimate NL Rookie of the Year candidate, and Drabek and Brown are the organization’s top pitching and player prospects, respectively. The Phillies also didn’t give up Triple-A outfielder Michael Taylor, whom Baseball America considers a top 25 prospect. “We were looking to add, not to subtract,” Amaro said. “Clearly, Happ is very important to us right now. He’s winning games for us at the Major League level. He has pitched as well as anybody in our rotation. And we have him under control for many years. As far as Drabek, he is just a prospect, but we believe he’s going to be a very good Major League pitcher barring any injuries.”
Nicely done!
On the WNBA front, as I try to get a handle on “stuff” I noticed that the Monarchs seem to be floundering. Why, I wonder? No idea … but in noodling around I came across a bunch of Kara Lawson factoids. She’s a great one, IMHO … interesting woman and excellent athlete. Here’s what they say about her on the site, FWIW:
* Full name is Kara Marie Lawson
* Married Damien Barling on April 12, 2008
* Daughter of William and Kathleen Lawson, and is the middle child; her two sisters are Susan and Mary Catherine
* Inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2006
* Member of the Kings broadcasting team for the past three seasons working as an analyst for the Kings House Party Live warm-up show, as well as the Kings half-time and wrap-up shows
* In late 2006, expanded her role with ESPN as a sideline reporter for the NBA while continuing her role with ESPN as a studio analyst for the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship as well as the regular season
* Worked for ESPN as a color analyst during the 2004 and 2005 NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament and also was a member of the broadcast team for the 2004 and 2005 WNBA Draft
* In 2003, one of seven recipients of the prestigious Torchbearer Award given by the University of Tennessee
* Is very active in community service and has received numerous awards for her efforts
* Also active in Race for the Cure and various activities of the American Cancer Society
* Plays piano
* Named the 1999 Naismith High School Player of the Year as a senior
* Also in 1999, was an All-America selection with USA TODAY, Parade and the WBCA
* Earned MVP honors at the Virginia and WBCA All-Star games
* Was named the 1998 and 1999 Gatorade Player of the Year for Virginia
* Entered kindergarten reading at the fourth grade level
* Was a standout youth football player as a running back and a linebacker for the Fairfax County Football League, leading her team in three categories: rushing, scoring and interceptions.
Meanwhile – what’s up with Stacey Dales – her former commentating partner on ESPN? Not so much, it would appear, since leaving ESPN and retiring from the WNBA. I wonder where we’ll see her again. Loved her commentary … and apparently there are plenty of others who have, as well. (And who the hell is Erin Andrews? Clearly I am out of SOME loops!)
Sadly, the Eagles long time defensive coordinator Jim Johnson has died, at 68, of bone cancer. Universally lauded as a brilliant defensive mind, he’ll be sorely missed.
The Breakers can clinch a play-off spot with a win tonight against the Freedom.
Alas, the First Lady did not make an appearance Monday, nor the Obama daughters, Malia and Sasha, whom the President said, “have never known a time when women couldn’t play professional sports,” to accentuate the WNBA’s positive influence on young women.
One member of the First Family did make an appearance during the tour – Bo, the family’s Portuguese water dog. “The little dog was cute. We saw him more than anybody else,” Ford said. “He sat down right in front of us.”
The White House likely has never been home to a bigger basketball fan than President Obama, but, understandably, not a great deal of time can be committed to honorary ceremonies. For most of the players, a handshake and a congratulatory word before the ceremony were the extent of their interaction with the President.
Yet, as many Americans on the Obama campaign trail could attest, it is remarkable how he can make you feel in that moment. He is direct, courteous, and absolutely sincere. “He’s got the two pumps down pat,” McWilliams said, “but he also doesn’t release until he’s done talking to you.”
“Very firm,” added Ford, who presented him with a basketball signed by the entire team. “Very good eye contact, too.”
“That’s why he’s the leader of the free world,” McWilliams said.
… and I’m off, having chosen not to dignify the recent and ongoing rants of the likes of Lou Dobbs and Glenn Beck with any comments.
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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