Happy Sunday, everyone! As the sun comes up over the trees, I’m watching the high clouds disperse and relishing the thought of mowing the lawn in a few hours. The grass is still tender and new, and the Indian paintbrush is dotting the lawn. I’ll mow around it, and Willie will lie in the grass and watch the proceedings, I’ve no doubt.
I’m working to be aware and appreciative of each moment of good quality life that he has. It’s all a gift — and makes me aware, too, that it’s really the exact same gift for each of us — were it possible to tolerate a daily awareness of our mortality.
After a quick scan of the news, I was interested to learn a few things that I hadn’t known before this morning. For example, did you know that we are in danger — dire danger — from paganism? Yup. According to Mike Huckabee and Newt Gingrich who are, thankfully, spreading the word, our God fearing nation is losing ground to the pagan hordes amongst us.
Not only that, but did you know that the American revolutionaries’ victory over the British back in the 18th century was a miracle from God exactly like the miracle of the 21st century defeat of gay marriage in California?
If God is willing to reach down and defeat gay marriage in California one has to wonder why he would allow it in so many other places — not to mention why he would allow the pagans to run amok and upset Mike and Newt and probably 10 or 15 other easily upset conservative politicians and pundits. I am pleased to see that the GOP continues to zero in on the heart of what ails us as a nation, refusing to be distracted by things like the economy, health care, various wars, etc.
As further evidence of God’s hand in history, and the role that Republicans and the Bush administration have played in furthering God’s will, we have the emerging/clarifying picture of Dick Cheney working his little buns off trying to assure that US operatives were able to continue torturing prisoners as was necessary to keep America safe. Apparently, as questions about the practice intensified, Cheney left his undisclosed location more and more frequently to assure that his agenda remained in place.
The news doesn’t really come as a shock — indeed, some close observers had already guessed that the then-veep was involved in the briefings. But it does add to the picture of Cheney embarking during the middle years of the Bush administration on a focused, stealthy campaign to make sure the US didn’t give up what he saw as its right to torture.
It is electrifying bizarre to think that presumably intelligent and savvy public figures like Newt Gingrich and Mike Huckabee actually believe that pagans are a greater danger to the soul of America than Dick Cheney and those of his ilk are. Are they delusional enough to truly believe what they are saying, or just coldly exploiting the political calculus?
I went for help on this question to a recent study that finds that conservatives, on the whole, tend to be a bit more “queasy” or easily disgusted (torture excepted, of course) than their liberal compatriots are.
In one of the new studies, Cornell University psychology professor David Pizarro and colleagues surveyed 181 U.S. adults from politically mixed swing states. They used a Disgust Sensitivity Scale (DSS), which offers various scenarios to assess disgust sensitivity, as well as a political ideology scale. They found a correlation between being more easily disgusted and political conservatism.
Then they surveyed 91 Cornell undergraduates with the DSS, as well as with questions about their positions on issues including gay marriage, abortion, gun control, labor unions, tax cuts and affirmative action. Participants who rated higher in disgust sensitivity were more likely to oppose gay marriage and abortion, issues that are related to notions of morality or purity.
Finally, turning to the saner world of soccer, here’s a nice article about Megan Rapinoe who’s come back from two ACL injuries and is now thriving with the Red Stars. Then we’ve got Knapp Notes, looking ahead at today’s WPS match ups.
Yesterday evening after various chores were completed, we took some time to consume burgers (thanks Dewd) and hang out quietly on the deck with Willie and Ruby. It’s amazing to spend time with Willie these days, as he seems very much himself — just much more easily tired. He has no idea about what is happening to him and is just in the moment, as usual. It feels like a lesson that I can’t quite get my head around. I look at him and wonder at the mysteries of life and death.
I feel like I need to make my peace with what is coming, or I won’t be able to appreciate what is here right now. Don’t want to be in denial. Don’t want to be in a constant state of panicked alertness. This will be a process!
In the meantime, let’s take a look at what’s happening in the world — or at least what captures JordanCornblog’s attention this morning … 😉
First off, who knew that Bush read books? In what seems like an ongoing effort to buff up his legacy — which is beyond tarnished — apparently Karl Rove wrote an op-ed about what Bush was reading while he was in the White House. Between reading and being on vacation, what is remarkable is the amount of damage he was able to do in the short time he was actually working. Thank God for books and brush cutting is all I can say!
I received my first set of documentaries from Ironweed — the DVD club I wrote about some days ago. One of the documentaries in particular caught my eye — Asparagus. Looking forward to checking it out. And speaking of asparagus, here’s a wonderful article from the Portland Press about college students heading to organic farms in Maine to work. It sounds like a wonderful lifestyle and learning experience — not to mention an opportunity to have work in these tough economic times.
On the WPS front I’m happy to report that the Breakers have a bye — as Kelly Smith needs to nurse an injury, A-Rod needs to get her confidence back, and the team just generally needs to get back on track. Hopefully a week off will help. Meanwhile the match-ups look interesting this week … with 3 Sunday contests – Athletica vs, FC Sky Blue, FC Gold Pride vs the Red Stars, and the Freedom and Sol facing off in LA for the TV game.
Meanwhile the Washington Freedom’s Sonia Bompastor has been named WPS player of the month. Congratulations to her, she’s great fun to watch!
Bompastor plays a critical role in the Freedom midfield. “Sonia brings in a European flare that is a great addition to our league. Her patience, scrappiness and creativity are qualities that have truly impressed me, but her love for the game is what makes her the player that she is today,” says Freedom defender Cat Whitehill of her teammate.
Here’s an interesting piece about attendance for the WPS — comparing it to stats for the old WUSA. Looks to me like WPS is on track and doing a little bit better than might have been anticipated, given the economy’s state.
Finally, for those who don’t get the Fox Soccer Channel — and have a fairly robust Internet connection — there’s good news. The soccer game will be streamed, live from Fox, on the WPS site. (Alice, take heed!)
Time to begin the day here — another precious day filled with moments to greet and appreciate. What are you doing today?
Friday took awhile to come this week, and I am beyond ready for it.
Need to recoup, regroup … and mow the grass!
And beyond that …
I’m hoping for some rain for the new plants that are dotting all of our various gardens – sending down all their tiny new rootlets into the soil – working to take hold – no small task.
And for Obama’s words in Cairo to take hold in hearts around the world so that new perspectives can be brought to bear on ancient impasses.
And for me to slow down and be present in my here and now.
And for Willie to remain mobile and comfortable for as long as his heart keeps beating.
We learned yesterday that our sweet 10 year old black lab, Willie has a “large mass” pressing on his heart. He is not in pain, but seems in swift decline. Each moment, each breath, so precious.
I haven’t the stomach for much of anything this morning.
Yesterday I became involved in a discussion on an alumni listserv that started out being about our classmate George “Marty” Zinkhan and evolved (or devolved) into a discussion about the nature of evil and the use of that word in discourse.
We found ourselves discussing it as a family (while watching “The Daily Show”) — and several people pointed out to me that I am not shy about using the word when linking it to Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Dubya, and others of that ilk.
When I use the term here, I am nearly always in a provocative and/or slightly aggressive mindset. It’s used with disgust, exasperation, and retaliatory energy. I tend to use the word more or less as a weapon — and generally against only those who use it themselves.
As I write this I realize that when I do it, it actually feels quite childish and unsatisfying to me — on the level of name-calling. If I step back and think about the word itself — and really think about what it means (or what I think it means) I am left wondering why I would ever use it at all. I can imagine applying it to particular acts, I suppose — but applying it to a person or entity is quite a bit more Biblical than my worldview sustains.
It’s a dismissive shortcut — that’s how it feels to me. I use it when I am being provocative and flip, and feeling angry.
When I use it, I recall my mother and shudder. How well I remember her railing against the Catholic Church and the way that they indoctrinated people — children especially. Meanwhile, her own children were being indoctrinated by her repetitive rants.
She called the Catholic Church evil for what it did to children. Do I call her evil?
I don’t. It doesn’t help me, either to understand her or myself. It feels more like swallowing what she spewed, and then regurgitating it.
I’m sure this will be continued, however — it’s certainly got me thinking, which is fun!
PS — The Phillies and Red Sox won last night, and there’s a WPS game this evening. I’m just saying…
I wander’d lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch’d in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay;
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee;
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed-and gazed-but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
And here’s the visual …
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15fK-urVNJ0
Those prone to motion sickness may want to avoid the video!
The murder of Doctor George Tiller is an abhorrent act of violence, and his family is in our thoughts and prayers at this tragic moment. Federal law enforcement is coordinating with local law enforcement officials in Kansas on the investigation of this crime, and I have directed the United States Marshals Service to offer protection to other appropriate people and facilities around the nation. The Department of Justice will work to bring the perpetrator of this crime to justice. As a precautionary measure, we will also take appropriate steps to help prevent any related acts of violence from occurring.
While supposedly decried by Operation Rescue (and their ilk), this needs to be recognized as a direct result of their hateful activities. Apparently they maintained a “Tiller Watch” on their website – links to which have mysteriously disappeared since yesterday’s murder. Here’s something that the alleged murderer (Scott Roeder) posted on Operation Rescue’s site back in 2007 … and one of their sick, sick, sick videos … which they touted as their “hot new video about Dr. Tiller” back in 2007. Sick.
Reading this vituperation illustrates how prayer, in the hands of right wing control freaks is pretty much like a handgun.
Thanks for your comment on yesterday’s post, Alice. I haven’t checked out the video Bill Moyers aired – Torturing Democracy – yet, but plan to. Meanwhile, for a never ending stream of despicable and delusional Dickishess there is always the Dick Cheney page on the Huffington Post. I glance at it occasionally in the hope that something bad will have happened to him.
But it’s Sunday — a day for, if not loftier thoughts, at least not the kind of bitterness that Cheney brings to mind. I’m gonna shift gears entirely, first, with the sad news that the Cavs were eliminated last night by the Magic. While a Lebron versus Kobe finals would have been fun, I can now happily root for the underdog Magic almost as if they were a Philly team! Speaking of Philly teams, the Phillies moved back into first place with a win (and a Mets loss). Sadly the Red Sox were unable to duplicate that feat and slipped a little further into second place with another loss to the Blue Jays yesterday.
On the WPS front the LA Sol won again, defeating the Athletica two to nothing. Come on guys somebody needs to beat the Sol so the Breakers can gain some ground! The Freedom play FC Gold Pride this afternoon before the Breakers tee it off against FC Sky-Blue for the 6 PM, televised game.
Last night I saw “Sugar” at the Red River Theatres in Concord. Excellent movie about (oversimplification) trying to make it in baseball — I highly recommend it. After the movie, its star Algenis Perez Soto answered questions from the audience. The star appeared to be much like the character he played — refreshingly grounded, open, and sincere — as well as quite talented. On a day when Susan Boyle came in second (to her relief, I have to think), it was nice to see another “unknown” get a chance.
What else?
I think I’m going to join the Ironweed Film Club — something that I stumbled upon while checking out the Air America site and looking at their blog roll. It looks a cool idea. They take independent films — sounds like quite often it’ll be a documentary — mix in a couple of related short films (also independent) and create a monthly DVD which then gets shipped to members. Seems like a great way to support independent film, and have a way of sharing these films that might be otherwise inaccessible (especially for us non-urban types), with friends and family.
Finally, I’d like to share the poem excerpt that appeared on The Writer’s Almanac this morning. “Song of Myself” was, I am convinced, a literary lifesaver for me when I was in high school. My first real extended experience of unabashed self regard and self nurturing — it was a fascinating revelation for someone who needed a bit of self regard right about then! I wonder how many others have stumbled upon “Song of Myself” in the nick of time — that surely was the case for me. Thanks Walt!
Song of Myself (excerpt)
by Walt Whitman
This is the meal equally set, this the meat for natural hunger,
It is for the wicked just the same as the righteous, I make
appointments with all,
I will not have a single person slighted or left away,
The kept-woman, sponger, thief, are hereby invited,
The heavy-lipp’d slave is invited, the venerealee is invited;
There shall be no difference between them and the rest.
This is the press of a bashful hand, this the float and odor of
hair,
This the touch of my lips to yours, this the murmur of yearning,
This the far-off depth and height reflecting my own face,
This the thoughtful merge of myself, and the outlet again.
Do you guess I have some intricate purpose?
Well I have, for the Fourth-month showers have, and the mica
on the side of a rock has.
Do you take it I would astonish?
Does the daylight astonish? does the early redstart twittering
through the woods?
Do I astonish more than they?
This hour I tell things in confidence,
I might not tell everybody, but I will tell you.
20
Who goes there? hankering, gross, mystical, nude;
How is it I extract strength from the beef I eat?
What is a man anyhow? what am I? what are you?
All I mark as my own you shall offset it with your own,
Else it were time lost listening to me.
I do not snivel that snivel the world over,
That months are vacuums and the ground but wallow and filth.
Whimpering and truckling fold with powders for invalids,
conformity goes to the fourth-remov’d,
I wear my hat as I please indoors or out.
Why should I pray? why should I venerate and be ceremonious?
Having pried through the strata, analyzed to a hair,
counsel’d with doctors and calculated close,
I find no sweeter fat than sticks to my own bones.
…
I exist as I am, that is enough,
If no other in the world be aware I sit content,
And if each and all be aware I sit content.
One world is aware and by far the largest to me, and that is
myself,
And whether I come to my own to-day or in ten thousand or
ten million years,
I can cheerfully take it now, or with equal cheerfulness I can
wait.
The activities of these dudes so speaks to the fruits of the kind of self-righteousness and repression that is so often the hallmark of Bible thumping fundamentalism. Of course, with Cheney, Rumsfeld et al. I don’t really think there’s an actual religious component to what they did. But you never know, maybe they’re crazier than I have even imagined.
The bottom line is that these acts are well documented, and the trail leading to the very top echelons of government also appears to be pretty much undeniable. They need to be unmasked. They need to be brought to justice — that’s the kind of humiliation they deserve.
I look at the photos of Phil Spector that have been on the Internet recently, as he’s been convicted and sentenced. The emptiness and fear on his face feels like a reflection of the souls of Cheney Rumsfeld Bush Rice. They all conspired. They all did it. They all should be brought to justice.
Rumsfeld should NOT get to walk around freely. Rice should NOT get to visit her alma mater and talk to students. Cheney should NOT get to have any audience other than prison guards. Bush showed NOT get to walk his dog and pick up his poop — or share a stage with Bill Clinton in Canada. (Bill, what the hell are you thinking?)
Okay — let’s move on to soccer before I lose all sense of decorum.
First, here’s Beulah’s write up of the US trouncing of Canada this past Monday. Sorry to be so late posting it!
Next, here’s the WPS preview for the weekend from goal.com. We begin today with the Sol versus Athletica — a game that I could easily see the Sol losing (which would be a nice boon for the Breakers). Next up will be the Freedom versus FC Gold Pride — and then in the televised game, the Breakers versus the Ian Sawyerless Sky-Blue. Of course I will be rooting for the Breakers, and I hesitate to say it because I don’t want to jinx them, but a part of me really does want to see Sky-Blue and Kelly Lindsey do well. The Red Stars get a bye this week, and can probably use one, as they’re coming off a bit of a rough patch.
I see that West Chester University is celebrating (on June 6) 50 years of women’s sports. I was hoping for lots of pictures and factoids on the net, but nothing’s been posted yet. If you go to this site you can check out the list of attendees — brings back a lot of memories as I see names like Vonnie Gros (where’s Marge Watson, I wonder – still ensconced at Ursinus?), Valerie Walchak (CB take note), Cathy Rush (Immaculata, of course – but a WC alum), etc. It still makes me sad to not see Beth Allen on that list — she should be there.
Well, there is big news on the WPS front with the firing of Ian Sawyers as the FC sky blue coach. Should be interesting to watch Sunday’s game as FC sky blue versus the Breakers is the match being televised on Fox soccer Channel at 6 PM.
I think I remember that Mr. Sawyers has had a reputation as a hothead. Didn’t he leave some college coaching stint in the midst of controversy? Stanford? I’m sure that Julie Foudy can hold her own with a strong-willed, temperamental, fiery dude — but isn’t she pregnant — or recently gave birth .. or something? I’ve gotta think it ain’t fun in the Foudy-Sawyers household this morning.
I’ve always been a fan of Julie but, based on little-to-no actual knowledge, always had a question or two about her taste in husbands. (Bothered me a bit that he had been her coach … I think starting back at a pretty young age … hmmm. Double checked and turns out she was 18 and he was 27 when they started seeing one another. He coached a rival club team … then was assistant coach when she went to Stanford – starting her sophomore year. Here’s a link to a 2001 SI article by Grant Wahl that does an excellent job of looking at the whole coach-player-romances gig.
Stay tuned — I’m sure there’s a lot more to this than meets the eye (especially given the fact that there’s just about nothing meeting the eye at the moment)!
I’ll do some digging as the day goes on, and will post other tidbits that catch my eye, too. I’m home from work and it’s raining — enough said!
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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