No, your eyes don’t deceive you – the Phillies beat the Reds 22-1 last night.
And no, your eyes don’t deceive you … it’s raining.
On the Sarah Palin front, here’s a great piece from Mudflats about how thin-skinned overreactions on the part of the Palin faithful keep the wires ablaze with Palin controversy. Is this their aim? Ya gotta wonder.
Here’s an example, featuring Shannyn Moore …
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG7GsVn4N0Q
And here’s Shannyn’s blog … good stuff from Alaska … you betcha (with apologies to JPE).
Wow – another sunny day – although having just walked down the driveway with Willie, I can say that it doesn’t feel like a July morning. Something more like September. (I immediately traded my shorts for sweats when I got back to the house!) Found myself feeling nostalgic for the beginning of school.
It was a beautiful weekend, though- and I’m proud to say that I went for two runs … and a wonderful kayak paddle yesterday – replete with blue herons, painted and snapping turtles, and three young otters frolicking as only otters can!
The Phillies swept the Mets … and the Red Sox won yesterday, finally taking one from the Mariners. Sarah Palin has been quiet … and with the exception of the Breakers’ loss, it’s been pretty wonderful all around. Now, on to the week!
But first, speaking of wonderful … happy b-day PB!!
Yes, the sunis actually out and mot a cloud to be seen. HOORAY!
And yes, the Breakers lost 1-0 to FC Sky Blue yesterday on the strength of a Heather O’Reilly corner kick that bent into the Breakers’ net in the 6th minute. Sounds like there were other good chances for both teams, but that early score held through the end of the match.
I’m heading up to the BHS track shortly to continue Friday’s good start on a summer workout routine. Might go kayaking later, time allowing. It’s hard to know what to do under the bright light of this summer sun – so many options!
The news on the Sarah Palin front continues to be mixed. Here’s a list of the ethics complaints that have been filed against her … and I’m following Mudflats more closely these days – for the latest from the State that you can see Russia from! It’s just a great, progressive blog – even when SP ain’t the focus. For example – this quote posted yesterday in celebration of the 4th – from William O. Douglas:
“As nightfall does not come all at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such a twilight that we all must be aware of change in the air—however slight—lest we become unwilling victims of the darkness.”
Indeed.
And as for the whole Sarah thang … maybe another shoe will drop in the coming week. I am thinking that, as the dust settles, it’ll become clearer and clearer that Todd is the one actually pulling the strings (like in any good “Christian” household). Sarah may be the point guard (what a bizarre analogy THAT was), but he’s the coach.
In the meantime, between Sarah and Michael Jackson … and now, sadly, Steve McNair … Mark Sanford continues to luck out.
I’m not talking about Venus and Serena – although, come to think of it, that would be fun as they prepare to meet in the Wimbledon Women’s Final.
But no – I’m talking about Michelle and Sarah … two women who couldn’t possibly be more different.
Unless you’ve been off hiking the Appalachian Trail, you’re well aware of Sarah’s big announcement. She called a hasty news conference to let us all know, yesterday, in a rambling and uninformative speech, that she is stepping down as Alaska’s chief executive.
There’s lots of speculation on line as to why she’s doing it. It certainly would free up her time to prepare for a presidential bid in 2012. (And by prepare, I mean something like go to college, look at some maps, or read some books — but I don’t think that’s what she’s likely to be thinking.)
There’s also speculation that she’s just quitting … and also about new and bigger scandals that are about to break — and I must admit that I like that idea. Anything that would actually put this divisive individual’s ambitions onto the trash heap of history would be most welcome. Here’s a great quote from Shannyn Moore, whose article is linked just above:
I have said Sarah Palin’s political ambition combined with her intellect is like putting a jet engine on a golf cart; lots of horse power and no steering capabilities. Today she proved it.
Lots of commentary out there – from a cavalcade of pundits on Politico – to Nate Silver on FiveThirtyEight. And then of course there’s the full text of her speech, for anyone with the time/energy/patience and diagnostic chops to wade through it. (If you do read it … or watch these Top Ten Videos of the Palin Experience … just keep thinking about this person being in a position to represent YOU on the world stage.)
I also must admit that, depending on my mood, I can feel it either elated or empathetic about the dilemma and divisiveness that she brings to the GOP. If she really is going to be getting more active on the national stage, then the bitter fragmentation, polarization, and right-wing radicalization of the Republican Party will continue — and they will be increasingly marginalized. That’s overall good for the Democrats — but it also means that the flames of shrill and narrow minded bigotry will continue to receive lots of oxygen in this country. Sad.
Anyway, in contrast to this loudmouthed, hypocritical, narcissistic and shallow woman, we have our very own first lady, Michelle Obama. Far more qualified to be President than the soon to be former governor, Michelle prefers to put her values into action quietly and without fanfare. I love what she is doing with the bully pulpit she has been given, and follow her activities with much more interest than I ever have ANY first lady’s. Her outreach to the DC community is so admirable — and so antithetical to anything that would ever even occur to Ms. God Family and Country Palin.
It’ll be interesting to see what they media ferrets out about Sarah in the coming days, weeks, months. Like Michael Jackson, she reflects things about our culture that, in so many ways, I would rather not see or admit to. With Michael I feel like it was our narrow view of what is physically acceptable and beautiful (i.e., whiteness). With Sarah it is our bigotry and our mistrust of intelligence/intellectualism. We had the same thing with Dubya, and look where it got us?! Can we at least learn from recent experience?
I sure hope so!
Meanwhile, in happier news today, we’ve got Wimbledon. We’ve also got the Breakers playing Sky-Blue FC and looking for another win. Match time is 4PM ET.
The sun is out this morning in New Hampshire, and it’s looking good for a pretty darn dry Fourth of July.
Hey, that rhymes! Here’s to fireworks and happy times!
It’s surprisingly grey and foggy this morning as NH enters the 3rd day of July. I have come to believe that we are all being given the opportunity to experience what it feels like to live in England … or Seattle. It’s an adjustment … but once made, I’m sure it will be fine.
Meanwhile, I haven’t got much to say. I read a post on The Time Finder earlier, about keeping your routine fresh … liked it. Maybe being mindful will add some color to the greyness.
Phillies lost – actually were swept by the Braves. Good of them to get the losses out of the way now, rather than later in the year (that’s how I’m framing this for myself).
What else? I’m thinking about getting in a run up at the track today … wouldn’t that be a feat? You go girl!
Today would have been my mother’s 84th birthday – a milestone that would be unimaginable to you, had you known her. It certainly is to me. Ann Evans Murphy – born July 2, 1925 … Ann Murphy Cornog – died January 19, 1975. For anyone Googling that name … she was not what she appeared. I learned from her to hate hypocrisy – both because she hated it and because she was one of its more adept and crazy-making practitioners. Mark Sanford’s got nothin’ on Ann Cornog!
She died at age 49, a woman of beauty, creativity, intelligence, wit, and gargantuan destructiveness. The effects of her life are like glass shards after an explosion. Embedded in the skin … you want to get them out so that they don’t work their way into your bloodstream and eventually, lethally, to your heart.
She had her pain, and her story, too – we were pretty much indoctrinated in their intricacies from birth. Big, noisy victim, though. That’s pretty much what it boiled down to. Had she lived to be 84 … well … let’s just say JordanCornblog would be a significantly less coherent blog than it is.
So, while the rains continue to fall here, I remember … celebrating the places where I have learned to be different from her … and working to see clearly what I have assimilated and still carry. It’s a journey, that’s for sure!
Oh … and did you see that the Red Stars beat the Freedom last night? Good work Stars – nice to see you turn things back in a winning direction. It was the first ever come-from-behind WPS victory, with the Stars scoring twice in the second half to negate an Abby Wambach tally in the first.
Who’d a thunk? I woke up at about 4:30 this morning to the sound of teeming rain – and wondered how our young plants are keeping themselves from sliding down the hill. Really. As the light returns, I see that everything looks pretty much intact out there – albeit waterlogged.
Not so intact are the egos of the Red Sox this morning, I’m thinking, as they blew a 10-1 lead and lost to the Orioles. A nightmarish ending appropriate for Poe’s old stomping grounds. The Phillies also lost – in a see-saw battle with the Braves that went to 10 innings. This is worrisome – as these are the sorts of games that they were winning last year. Lots of time left, though.
Saw a great movie last night at Red River – “Away We Go.” Review to follow this evening … but Alice … it’s Alexi Murdoch … remember?
On the political front, Al Franken can finally be seated … and the Dems are out of excuses. Ready to Cowboy up, folks?
Oh, and Mark Sanford? Turns out there were other “lines crossed.” Interesting, how daintily he talks about his “indiscretions” and such – how different the landscape of adultery and sin and all seems to look to him now.
“If you’re a married guy at the end of the day you shouldn’t be dancing with somebody else. So anyway, without wandering into that field we’ll just say that I let my guard down in all senses of the word without ever crossing the line that I crossed with this situation.”
He let his guard down? Oh right … because evil (as in women?) is out there stalking the righteous (as in people like the guv) at every turn. Let your guard down and they’ll get ya. Poor guy. He let his guard down a lot, I’m thinking. And now he doesn’t think he should resign or anything … nah … he should have a chance to repent, rectify things … you know … all the stuff he’d never allow a Democrat to do. That would be wrong – immoral. What a self-righteous prick. Perhaps if he changes parties, I will actually believe that he has repented. Anything less is just self-serving hypocrisy IMHO. ;>)
On to soccer – a far more uplifting subject this morning. The Red Stars host the Freedom tonight … and try to stop their tailspin. The match will be available via webcast.
We learn that Mark Sanford was gripped by the power of darkness … too bad he didn’t have the charity to see that when he was self-righteously blasting Clinton and calling on him to resign back in the ’90’s. Hopefully, if he continues his political career, he’ll learn a little humility … and not just the spray on kind. right, Mark?
Meanwhile, while commemorating Stonewall at the White House, Obama is counseling patience. I actually have no problem with that. Whenever the changes come (and I think they will) the culture-at-large will only have evolved further and be more ready for ’em. I don’t think he’s just placating … but then, I am naive.
Did I mention that it’s grey/damp/raining here? Why is God punishing NH for Mark Sanford’s trysting with the darkness? That’s what I want to know!
Oh, and speaking of darkness … Cheney is talking again … shouldn’t he be working on his memoirs or something? Dick, Dick, Dick … get a life.
This piece by Mike Ragogna, picked up from Huffington Post, gives a good overview of MJ’s trajectory and our complicity in his demise, IMHO. Soon I’ll let this go, I promise. But first – here’s one of the more poignant videos I’ve come upon – a young Michael on Sesame Street, singing with Roberta Flack on the Free to Be series …
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSNwxeY09bE
You were just fine the way you were, Michael, all those years ago. I am just fine the way I am.
Thoughts for a Sunday morning, as the June clouds envelop the treetops and raindrops gather, ready to pour, at the grey horizon.
We are the only light faces in a sea of mahogany,
tobacco, almond, and this is not the only way
we are different. We’ve come in late, the choir
already singing, swaying to the music, moving
in the spirit. When I was down, Lord, when
I was down, Jesus lifted me. And, for a few minutes,
we are raised up, out of our own skepticism
and doubts, rising on the swell of their voices.
The singers sit, and we pass the peace, wrapped
in thick arms, ample bosoms, and I start to think
maybe God is a woman of color, and that She loves
us, in spite of our pale selves, so far away
from who we should really be. Parishioners
give testimonials, a deacon speaks of his sister,
who’s “gone home,” and I realize he doesn’t mean
back to Georgia, but that she’s passed over. I float
on this sweet certainty, of a return not to the bland
confection of wispy clouds and angels in nightshirts,
but to childhood’s kitchen, a dew-drenched June
morning, roses tumbling by the back porch.
The preacher mounts the lectern, tells us he’s been
up since four working at his other job, the one
that pays the bills, and he delivers a sermon
that lightens the heart, unencumbered by dogma
and theology. For the benediction, we all join hands,
visitors and strangers enfolded in the whole,
like raisins in sweet batter. We step through the door
into the stunning sunshine, and our hearts
lift out of our chests, tiny birds flying off to light
in the redbuds, to sing and sing and sing.
The VCCA Fellows Visit the Holiness Baptist Church, Amherst, Virginia
We are the only light faces in a sea of mahogany,
tobacco, almond, and this is not the only way
we are different. We’ve come in late, the choir
already singing, swaying to the music, moving
in the spirit. When I was down, Lord, when
I was down, Jesus lifted me. And, for a few minutes,
we are raised up, out of our own skepticism
and doubts, rising on the swell of their voices.
The singers sit, and we pass the peace, wrapped
in thick arms, ample bosoms, and I start to think
maybe God is a woman of color, and that She loves
us, in spite of our pale selves, so far away
from who we should really be. Parishioners
give testimonials, a deacon speaks of his sister,
who’s “gone home,” and I realize he doesn’t mean
back to Georgia, but that she’s passed over. I float
on this sweet certainty, of a return not to the bland
confection of wispy clouds and angels in nightshirts,
but to childhood’s kitchen, a dew-drenched June
morning, roses tumbling by the back porch.
The preacher mounts the lectern, tells us he’s been
up since four working at his other job, the one
that pays the bills, and he delivers a sermon
that lightens the heart, unencumbered by dogma
and theology. For the benediction, we all join hands,
visitors and strangers enfolded in the whole,
like raisins in sweet batter. We step through the door
into the stunning sunshine, and our hearts
lift out of our chests, tiny birds flying off to light
in the redbuds, to sing and sing and sing.
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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