My friends travel blog

Check it out y'all, my friend has a new travel blog.  I'll be posting my own travel writings from my last trip at some point, but until then, check this out:


http://travelwithabackpack.blogspot.com/

Update

Hey all back from Europe, movies I've watched most recently:

Red Cliff (International Version)--****
Two For the Road--****
Red State--***
The Last Exorcism--***(ending was a bit much)
Paranormal Activity 2--***(not as good as the first)
Cherry--***(never heard of this before, fairly good)
Man With the Movie Camera--*****(Absolutely brilliant, anyone who loves film owes it to themselves to see this)

If It's Tuesday It Must Be Belgium--****
Mugabe and the White African-****(great doc)
Harvey--*****
Imitation of Life(1959)--***(not as good as the one from 1934)
Last Night--**
Double Indemnity--*****
Hunger--****
Charade--****
13 Assassins--****
Forget Me Not--**(The ending ruined it for me, would have gotten 3 to 4 stars without the contrivance)
Good Dick--***
Heartburn--***
The Killing--*****(Wow)
Poetry--****
Stone of Destiny--**
Lost In America--****

Train to Budapest from Munich(2007)

Blue shirt against black train seat
-reading paper in German
  helped figure out the mechanism
to no avail.

Without speaking, mute,
  point and turn,
          dipping a foot in
   the water,
Testing, feeling spongy,
                     soaking.

Still maneuvering the black seat,
  & blue, green, and white
         sit idly by.

Wah-cha-cha
  Wah-cha-cha, moves out
again.

Blonde, Brunette, Balding
--types standing by.
Cigarettes smoking,
   coffee steaming,
work has never looked
            so blessed.

Sunflowers cover the magazine's
   being held by hangers.

Earphones in, patiently
     aside an ashtray,
Bag over right shoulder
  opened to pass the
               time.

Lake or river passing by.
Green/Gray at the bottom
   of the valley, in the distance,
climbing up the hills
          with my eyes--
Coming to a speckle
           of white houses
                 orange roof.

Stone, and pastel,
           matte--
Clouds covering the countryside,
Overcasting the villages
    of so many,
minutiae, ants along
              the dirt mountain.

Cemeteries skirting the
        edges and chasing the
               pink to the walls--

The next house
     and so forth.
Lines of living dwellings
  separated
by the vastness that can be.....farms?
    or maybe just grazing land?

Snow in the distance
  spotting the ground--
with trees poking through
  like hair on the neck.

Crooked, cut-down, leaning
                  towards
                    the sun, and lack
                                  there-of.

Cabin surrounded by the shade,
  hidden to the passer-by.

Queer to see such history painted,
  with satellite dishes.
Modern amenities to make
  you feel more at home--
distance me from actual belonging.

Crawling by glass roof, must be
  greenhouses, tennis courts, and
        futbol field.

Red clay matching the pigment of the stones
       sheltering the majority--
          with chimney's one and all.

White rooms, closets,
  floors wet, dungy.

First stop, Salzburg station, trains across
   3 tracks look as tho they're red double
buses, with a green, army green car,
   right next to the window, flashes
of drafts, and worse times.  War times.

Times are now, with oil filling our gullets.
Oil makes the world go round', the world go round'
  the world go round'.

Cleaner air reserved
  for pure of heart, or soul,
     who cares?
                          Actually.



                

Update

Recent viewings:

Stolen Kisses-Good times
Source Code-Love Duncan Jones, good sci-fi
The Lincoln Lawyer-not as good as the book
Sucker Punch-that's how I felt
The Eagle-Surprised I liked it
Faster-Quick and easy viewing
Limitless-Who da' thunk it, not too shabby
Take Me Home Tonight-or don't
You Again-Ugh
Wild Target-check it out
Fish Out of Water-highly recommended
Tangled-Wow, unexpected goodness
A Summer in Genoa-nice, melancholy film, beautiful film
I Love you Phillip Morris-see it
Jack Goes Boating-Uncomfortable, the point?
The House of the Devil-Good 21st century 80's horror
Skyline-Blech
Paris-good not great
Harry Brown-very good
Secretariat-hmmm I wonder what happens
Gigantic-odd
In the city of Sylvia-Brilliant
Resident Evil: Afterlife-can I get this hour and a half back?
Killers-one funny scene
Howl-Pretty good
Valhalla Rising-I liked it, you may not
Bronson-Tour de force
Takers-I don't remember this
Amarcord-of course, brilliant

Looking back

We are shackled by our technologies.
An addiction most unbecoming.

At what point does experience outweigh
   our feelings?

Folded, softly upon itself, now
   It's time to be, here.

Fully aware of this moment,
   and the moments to come.

Rain beats down, 100% chance
   that I'll later need a respite.

Nothing scripted, yet, what?
   Hopes?  of something different?
But enabled to embrace the largest
   difference, It's better,
     and as it should be.

Buzzing, and creeping by,
   at 60 miles an hour.
Slowing to an ending of
  foot on pavement long been
   trampled by
    countless others.

Still new to this moment,
    this experience, it
WILL exist as just it is when
    you first meet a feeling.

Bridges crossed, and paths
  travailed.
Intersecting the lives of others,
   flipped upside down to show my world,
on its end, and theirs immediately upstanding.

Random pints of luxurious lager,
   soaking my
    throat one moment,
     to be in an empty
        alleyway the next.

Early morning rise to
  be left wandering/wondering
   yet again.

Thinking of these things that
   aren't here, shouldn't be,
    couldn't, can't.

Endless streets filled with strangers
  that feel like friends.

Waiting becomes the way of the day.
Without apprehension,
   that's reserved
  for the repetition of
    continuous daily routines.

Tom Jones is telling me I'm crazy.
I'm killing Tom Jones with my mind.
While simultaneously lip-syncing to Tom Jones.

From "Vagabonding" by Rolf Potts

Was reading today, and found this excerpt, speaks for itself.



..."For some reason, we(Americans) see long-term travel to faraway lands as a recurring dream or an exotic temptation, but not something that applies to the here and now.  Instead--out of our insane duty to fear, fashion, and monthly payments on things we don't really need--we quarantine our travels to short, frenzied bursts.  In this way, as we throw our wealth at an abstract notion called 'lifestyle,' travel becomes just another accessory--a smooth-edged, encapsulated experience that we purchase the same way we buy clothing and furniture...--no combination of one-week or ten-day vacations will truly take you away from the life you lead at home.
   "Ultimately, this shotgun wedding of time and money has a way of keeping us in a holding pattern.  The more we associate experience with cash value, the more we think that money is what we need to live.  And the more we associate money with life, the more we convince ourselves that we're too poor to buy our freedom.  With this kind of mind-set, it's no wonder so many Americans think extended overseas travel is the exclusive realm of students, counterculture dropouts, and the idle rich.
   "In reality, long-term travel has nothing to do with demographics--age, ideology, income--and everything to do with personal outlook.  Long-term travel isn't about being a college student; it's an act of common sense within society.  Long-term travel doesn't require a massive "bundle of cash"; it requires only that we walk through the world in a more deliberate way."

Recent films

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hollows: part 2

Well made, great ending to a decade long journey.  I'd really like to watch part 1 and part 2 back to back, but until then, Azkaban is still my favorite film in the series, but the last two together could take its place. 

Grade: A-

Captain America: The First Avenger

Good old-fashioned fun, Joe Johnston has crafted a well-made, rip-roaring time at the movies.  Loved it, third favorite film of the year so far.  See it, really got me excited for The Avengers next year.

Grade-A

Jon Favreau Interviews Spielberg, Howard, and Grazer

Cowboys and Aliens Interviews

more

and more

and even more

and the last

Transformers 3 Dark of the Moon

I wasn't going to see it, but I'd read some pretty good things about it.  That the 3D was the best since Avatar, that Michael Bay may have made his best movie yet.  Well, the latter is true, but that's really not saying much.  The movie is waaaaaaay too long, and the plot lacks any type of coherence.  This movie will make gobs of money, especially in middle America(don't mean to offend).  The action is pretty good, and for once you could kind of tell what was going on with ample amounts of slow-mo.  I say skip it, but if you do see it, you might have fun anyway.  Unintentionally funny sometimes, will help you pass the 2 and half hour running time.

D+

SUPER 8

A-

Oh what fun!

Recent viewings

Recent movies I've seen, with a few thoughts.

Bridesmaids--B-
I found this pretty funny.  I think it unravels a bit towards the end,  but a nice summer breeze of a movie.

X-Men: First Class--B+
I'm going to have to go back and watch the first two X-Men, but as of right now, I think this is my favorite of the franchise.

Midnight In Paris--A
Completely speaks to my sensibilities, loved it.  It's dissection of nostalgia has a whimsy that's intelligent and funny.  I'm going to see it again.

Super 8 will be next, at some point, not sure when.

http://cf.drafthouse.com/she_texted_we_kicked_her_out2.html

Double Feature

Here's a double feature for anyone that wants two dramatically different films, and yet, kind of have a lot in common.  One is a documentary, the other a silly, loud, video game of a movie.

Transcendent Man--B+

Gamer--D-

Update

Movies I've watched recently (some I hadn't seen, revisiting others):

Thor-good(see in 2D)
Somewhere- pretty good
The Way Back- see
No Strings Attached- see w/reservations
Rabbit Hole- pretty good
Roman Holiday- must see
Summertime- must see
Unstoppable-good action
Morning glory-see w/reservations
Conviction-skip
It's Kind of a Funny Story- kind of funny
Indescretion of an American Wife-skip
Metropolis Restored- must see of course
Ip Man- good martial arts if faulty history
The Sorcerer's Apprentice-watch Fantasia instead
Gotcha!- 80's cheese w/ a slice of WTF
The Passion of Joan of Arc- must see/pretty brilliant
Diabolique-Fantastic, must see
Sherlock Jr.-brisk fun, silent entertainment, gotta see
Love in the Afternoon-who knew Gary Cooper was so bad? See Roman Holiday instead
M. Hulot's Holiday-must see
Mon Oncle- must see not as much as above or Playtime
La Strada- so good, so great
Shoot the Piano Player- slow burner, must see
The 400 Blows- must must must see
Breathless- left me..., well, you get it
Gilda- Comme ci, comme ca
The Lady from Shanghai- see for the climax
Enter the Void- true cinema
Managment-or how stalking worked for me
The Bounty Hunter- Ugh
The Third Man- watch it again and again

Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench

I really wanted to love this film.  It's beautifully shot in black and white, and the musical numbers shine.  It's that rare mumblecore that I actually haven't cringed to get through, but as with most of them, there is really no story/plot surrounding this wannabe Demy.  The characters go absolutely nowhere except to a different city.  I did somewhat like it, and it does have its charms, but it never completely gelled for me.  That being said this gets my highest rating of any mumblecore yet.....C+

Cafe Hail

Interrupted by a fast approaching storm,
Hail coming down the size of beads from
   a Mardi Gras necklace--

--fake candelabras on the walls of this
   brown cafe-still adds a bit of character,           
   most wouldn't look too closely just puff
   their cigs-and drink their bitter espresso's.

Peering through the looking glass
   above the bar
      I catch a glimpse of an older man,
          60ish, in a gray blazer w/black
              turtle neck.
I imagine this man in his prime
      sitting with a moleskin-
        poetry on his mind, and discussing
 the latest artist who has just hit the scene--
arguing his point that he has the technique, but
          not enough talent to go beyond the gallery
                where he had his show.
While picking up bits of other conversations
         that he'll write down once he's alone.
Putting his spin on the actual happenings--
Assuming the beauty of the language--rather than
   the ugliness actually portrayed.

But here, back to the now, his white beard
   probably smells of musk, and the lunch of beer
     he just had.

He speaks with a very deep tone, the
       Viennese Barry White?

I feel like I know this man from some other life,
     in some other time,
         perhaps we were best friends, or lovers,
           or I could have been his goat that he had to kill,
            to eat, to survive.  Which is why I don't
             make eye contact with him now,
               something inside me recognizes what he did, even
              though he had to, I'm not ready to forgive.

Old-timey radio sits on the shelf, you know the kind,
       with that antique radio grill cloth across the speakers. 
Dials made of black wood, its frame a faux rosewood.
Beside it is a modern stereo--so gaudy in its metallic
     plastic, and orange digital tuner,
         and buttons everywhere.

The clash of old and new--
   radio to radio-
   man to man.

Hanna

"Hanna"

Good but not great.  Wanted it to be better than it was.  Fault lies in the script.  Done--C+

Rick Steves' Travel

So I'm taking another long trip to Europe, and I'm again reading the trusty Rick Steves' Guidebooks.  I'm sure most people know who he is, seen his show on PBS, or heard his radio shows, but many people who have heard of him, have not read his books.  His philosophy on travel is a good one, and something all Americans should take heed of.  I'm going to post a couple excerpts from his book, and hope you enjoy.


From Rick Steves' Ireland:

"Traveling as a Temporary Local"
   
  "We travel all the way to Europe to enjoy differences--to become temporary locals.  You'll experience frustrations. Certain truths that we find 'God-given' or 'self-evident,' such as cold beer, ice in drinks, bottomless cups of coffee, hot showers, and bigger being better, are suddenly not so true.  One of the benefits of travel is the eye-opening realization that there are logical, civil, and even better alternatives.
     'The Irish generally like Americans.  But if there is a negative aspect to their image of us, it's that we are loud, aggressive, impolite, rich, superficially friendly, and a bit naive.
     'While the Irish look bemusedly at some of our Yankee excesses--and worriedly at others--they nearly always afford us individual travelers all the warmth we deserve.  Judging from all the happy feedback I receive from travelers who have used this book, it's safe to assume you'll enjoy a great, affordable vacation-
with the finesse of an independent, experienced traveler."


From Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door:

"Back Door Travel Philosophy"

     "Travel is intensified living--maximum thrills per minute and one of the last great sources of legal adventure.  Travel is freedom.  It's recess, and we need it.
     'Experiencing the real Europe requires catching it by surprise, going casual...'Through the Back Door.'
     'Affording travel is a matter of priorities.  (Make do with the old car.) you can travel--simply, safely, and comfortably--anywhere in Europe for $120 a day plus transportation costs.  In many ways, spending more money only builds a thicker wall between you and what you came to see.  Europe is a cultural carnival, and, time after time, you'll find that its best acts are free and the best seats are the cheap ones.
     'A tight budget forces you to travel close to the ground, meeting and communicating with the people, not relying on service with a purchased smile.  Never sacrifice sleep, nutrition, safety, or cleanliness in the name of budget.  Simply enjoy the local-style alternatives to expensive hotels and restaurants.
     'Connecting with people carbonates your experience.  Extroverts have more fun.  If your trip is low on magic moments, kick yourself and make things happen.  If you don't enjoy a place, maybe you don't know enough about it.  Seek the truth.  Recognize tourist traps.  Give a culture the benefit of your open mind.  See things as different but not better or worse.  Any culture has much to share.
     'Of course, travel, like the world, is a series of hills and valleys.  Be fanatically positive and militantly optimistic.  If something's not to your liking, change your liking.
     'Travel can make you a happier American, as well as a citizen of the world.  Our Earth is home to six and a half billion equally important people.  It's humbling to travel and find that people don't have the 'American Dream'--they have their own dreams.  Europeans like us, but, with all due respect, they wouldn't trade passports.
     'Thoughtful travel engages us with the world.  In tough economic times, it reminds us what is truly important.  By broadening perspectives, travel teaches new ways to measure quality of life.
     'Globe-trotting destroys ethnocentricity, helping us understand and appreciate different cultures.  Rather than fear  the diversity on this planet, celebrate it.  Among your most prized souvenirs will be the strands of different cultures you choose to knit into your own character.  The world is a cultural yarn shop, and Back Door travelers are weaving the ultimate tapestry.  Join in!"


Every time I've traveled I've taken these words of advice.  Even though I've read this a million times, it always hits home, at least for me.  162 days and counting.  Can't wait to join in.

Metro Sketch

This building of white surrounded by flags
Orange, lime-green vest, black pants w/ red stripe,
Navy blue hat w/ badge upon her head.
Standing watch over this structure that inhabits ghosts
   of dancer's past. 

Asian, alive, one after the other, coming to this rest stop
On a tour of the blue/green globe.

Waiting for the modern carriage,
Young and old make cliques of age.
Standing with their full bags,
 of all types, carrying what is most important to them.
Off white, one strap, black and gray, double strap back pack,
and here a simple person w/ only her jacket of gray and blue,
   hugging it to her chest, like it brings her comfort, like a child
      and her blanky.

Business suits of drab grays and browns and blacks.
Tourists with their, easy to move around, shorts and
   walking clothes, w/ sneakers that cost so much that they  
        Probably don't know they could have saved/helped 20 children
           in need w/ the money spent on comfort.

Phones open, to pass time.
Magazines read so no eye contact needs to be made.
Books open, looking down, then up, then down again,
  Probably will have to read the page again for understanding
    When they get back home.

Golden galoshes held in hand, w/ sandals of pink upon her feet.
  Prepared for rain, or just prepared.

Black hands hold the pole, held so tight the knuckles turn white,
Fuchsia pullover, w/ white strap from a brazier peeking out,
  in front of me, hair conditioned to the point of dryness,
   hairspray flecks the ends of her brownish, red hair.
    Looks back to see me staring, I avert my gaze in guilt,
       but shouldn't, but do.

Mouth agape black sock cap over dreads,
Yellow short sleeve, with silver long pants,
  down to below the hips, eyes slowly close.

Headphones and Ipods, drowning out the communal noise,
  so inside ourselves, shutting off the sound to the outside
   world, our world.  The one we live in, and hurt in,
and experience, and on and on, every part of us,
   is part of it, and yet we close it down,
Oh to be you with yourself as company.

Dirty blonde wants some shut-eye, lays her head against the
  grimy window, hair up, on top of head, looking peaceful
    amongst the melee of speakers announcing "Next Stop,"
      and children speaking in tongues of their homeland,
       professional males sneaking glances at the dirty blonde young woman,
          who could be their daughter.

Smiles, smirks, frowns, disdainful faces, sleepy, tired, concerned, concentrating,
 Each living within their minds.
Is the girl with the short sleeve, blue top, and dark blue jeans, reading a book,
  studying, thinking of me beside her? 
Is the woman with the green pullover having at least one thought
  of the child sitting across from her?
Are any of us observing our surroundings?
  Soaking it in, and creating/stereotyping our neighbors,
   or are we all contemplating death, and how we get there,
    or what's for lunch, did I make that call?
I hope it's all of that,  yet none of that.
And oh so much more than that.

THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU

"The Adjustment Bureau"

This movie is for those who love Science Fiction,  romantic comedies, and philosphical ideas with a side of religion.  I was so very surprised by this film.  First time director George Nolfi is able to weave many ideas and genres into his script, an adaptation of a Philip K. Dick short story, into a completely satisfying movie-going experience.  The humor is what really put me over the edge for this film.  It's funny, genuinely, a trait in a lot of films nowadays, that is forgotten. 

Matt Damon and Emily Blunt have such an easy rapport with each other that makes you root for them the whole time. They really are fantastic together on screen.  I'm a sucker for a good romance, and above all else, that's what this is.  The science fiction part is where I think some people might have a problem suspending disbelief.  I almost never have a problem with that, and this time wasn't any different for me.  What is amazing to me is the simple way the film's S/F conceits come across, and that's it's filmed in creative ways, that never pulled me out of the story like most of the CGI in other movies do. 

"The Adjustment Bureau" brings up a lot of questions on predestination, free will, and the like.  It had me thinking the whole time watching, as well as after the final reel.  This is great entertainment, full of romance, comedy,  some action, and all the time asking the audience to think along side it. Which I find very rare in most  films released. 

I do have to say the ending was a little flat.  After  I had put so much emotion into watching this film, I just wanted, oh I don't know, a little "more." 

Grade: B+

Until next time readers!  Don't forget to not use your cell phones when going to the movie theatre.  After 30 minutes of seeing a bright screen, on the front row, I started to think that a floating cell phone was part of the movie. (For reals people, if you can't turn off your cell phone for a couple of hours, in public, then don't leave your house, or just go hang out with the person that is so important that you spent 11 dollars to see a movie only to have to text with the jackass the whole time) Oh, and when you kick the seat in front of you throughout the entire movie someone will turn around and give you a dirty look, I on the other hand  will give you the finger.

OSCAR PICKS 2011

I'll put a # next to what I think WILL win, and a * next to what I think SHOULD win.


Best Motion Picture of the Year
*Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The Kids are All Right
#The King's Speech
The Social Network
127 Hours
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter's Bone

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Annette Bening (The Kids are All Right)
Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)
Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone)
#*Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Javier Bardem (Biutiful)
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)
#Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
*James Franco (127 Hours)
Jeff Bridges (True Grit)

Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
#*Christian Bale (The Fighter)
John Hawkes (Winter's Bone)
Jeremy Renner (The Town)
Mark Ruffalo (The Kids are All Right)
Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech)

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Amy Adams (The Fighter)
Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech)
Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
#*Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)
Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom)

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
How to Train Your Dragon
The Illusionist
#*Toy Story 3

Best Documentary Short Subject
Killing in the Name
#*Poster Girl
Strangers No More
Sun Come Up
The Warriors of Qiugang

Best Short Film (Animated)
*Day & Night Teddy Newton
#The Gruffalo Jakob Schuh and Max Lang
Let's Pollute Geefwee Boedoe
The Lost Thing Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann
Madagascar, carnet de voyage (Madagascar, a Journey Diary) Bastien Dubois

Best Short Film (Live Action)
The Confession Tanel Toom
The Crush Michael Creagh
God of Love Luke Matheny
Na Wewe Ivan Goldschmidt
#*Wish 143 Ian Barnes and Samantha Waite

Achievement in Art Direction
#Alice in Wonderland
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Inception
*The King's Speech
True Grit

Achievement in Cinematography
*Black Swan (Matthew Libatique)
Inception (Wally Pfister)
The King's Speech (Danny Cohen)
The Social Network (Jeff Cronenweth)
#True Grit (Roger Deakins)

Achievement in Costume Design
#Alice in Wonderland (Colleen Atwood)
*I Am Love (Antonella Cannarozzi)
The King's Speech (Jenny Beaven)
The Tempest (Sandy Powell)
True Grit (Mary Zophres)

Achievement in Directing
*Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan)
David O. Russell (The Fighter)
Tom Hooper (The King's Speech)
#David Fincher (The Social Network)
Joel and Ethan Coen (True Grit)

Best Documentary Feature
*Exit through the Gift Shop Banksy, director (Paranoid Pictures)
Gasland Josh Fox, director (Gasland Productions, LLC)
#Inside Job Charles Ferguson, director (Representational Pictures)
Restrepo Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger, directors (Outpost Films)
Waste Land Lucy Walker, director (Almega Projects)

Achievement in Makeup
Barney's Version
The Way Back
#*The Wolfman

Achievement in Film Editing
*Black Swan (Andrew Weisblum)
The Fighter (Pamela Martin)
The King's Speech (Tariq Anwar)
127 Hours (Jon Harris)
#The Social Network (Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall)

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
#Biutiful (Mexico)
Dogtooth (Greece)
In a Better World (Denmark)
*Incendies (Canada)
Hors la Loi (Algeria)
(note: "I Am Love" should have been nominated and should've won, IMHO)

Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score)
How to Train Your Dragon (John Powell)
Inception (Hans Zimmer)
The King's Speech (Alexandre Desplat)
127 Hours (A.R. Rahman)
#*The Social Network (Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross)

Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)
"Coming Home" from Country Strong Music and Lyric by Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey
"I See the Light" from Tangled Music and Lyric by Alan Menken Lyric by Glenn Slater
"If I Rise" from 127 Hours Music by A.R. Rahman Lyric by Dido and Rollo Armstrong
#*"We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3 Music and Lyric by Randy Newman

Achievement in Sound Editing
#*Inception
Toy Story 3
TRON: Legacy
True Grit
Unstoppable

Achievement in Sound Mixing
#*Inception
The King's Speech
Salt
The Social Network
True Grit

Achievement in Visual Effects
Alice in Wonderland
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Hereafter
#*Inception
Iron Man 2

Adapted Screenplay
127 Hours (Simon Beaufoy and Danny Boyle)
#*The Social Network (Aaron Sorkin)
Toy Story 3 (Michael Arndt, story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich)
True Grit (Joel Coen and Ethan Coen)
Winter's Bone (Debra Granik and Anne Rossellini)

Original Screenplay
Another Year (Mike Leigh)
The Fighter (Paul Attanasio, Lewis Colich, Eric Johnson, Scott Silverand Paul Tamasy)
*Inception (Christopher Nolan)
The Kids are All Right (Stuart Blumberg and Lisa Cholodenko)
#The King's Speech (David Seidler)

SIXTEEN CANDLES!!!!!

So just found out that AMC is showing "Sixteen Candles" on Sunday.  It's my Birthday on Saturday, and I just might go and celebrate 25 years of the John Hughes's classic.  Anyone want to come with?

3 POEMS

So this'll be a first for me.  I'm going to share some poetry with you, Filmland readers.  Over the years I've only let a few people see things I've written, so this is scary and new. And without further delay, here we go:

                                     
                                
                                              Written Life

                                      The novel, the writing of life,
                          Speaks in first-person.
                          The characters that help you along,
                          Write the chapters.

                          Theirs is a novel too, and I,
                          But a small character.
                          You see, we all have our own,                      
                          Books to write.

                          Don't forget that sometimes,
                          A character will be written-out,
                         Only to be filled with another,
                         One that will help write the next.

                         If we, by we, I mean me, could float
                         Above, and inside the head of many,
                         O' what wonders would be seen?
                         Would I find we're all the same?

                         That we are one of many, transcends,
                          Reveals the abundant layers of pages.
                                            


                                                     To Judge

                      Listening to judgements by others.
             When the bird tweets, is it a song of judgement
                       Passed?
             Should one create/make their own, when told?
                       Or pass it only from your physical moment of
                            introduction on?

             I'd like to follow the latter, for peace.
             Within me I will find the way I'll
                       look and see.
             Nothing is "forbidden" you, or shouldn't, by
                       a friend.
             Lest the judgement be turned back around
                       on them.
                                     

                                                                  My Box

         Explaining, or attempting to , my envisaged
            world,
     Takes patience, and timing of those exact beliefs.
          Through empathy and sympathy
                     a symphony of acceptance--
         
           Will finally be formed by that
             mountain of discarded intolerance--

                              Fear



That's all folks! Until next time

Friday Night Lights

I know I'm late to the party, but "Friday Night Lights" never seemed to be something I'd really enjoy watching.  I was very wrong.  Thanks to Netflix streaming for having this great show.  If you haven't been able to catch it on any of the stations its played on over the years(NBC, DirectTV, ABCFamily, and NBC again), try and watch it.  I think you'll like it.

MOVIE REVIEW

"Blue Valentine"--AI finally got a chance to see this film, which I'd been wanting to see since I'd heard about it.  It's a unique film.  It's a history of everything within this one relationship, yet also a sobering, in-depth look at what could be a history of many relationship's.  Life happens, we all know that.  When first meeting someone, life becomes rose-tinted. Time passes, and life happens.  I took a lot of things from this film, identifying of course, with Dean(Ryan Gosling).  The idea of a Prince Charming, is a disservice to men, as well as women.  There's no such thing, and as life happens, it will tell you this.  There are too many societal pressures upon a relationship that are antequated, and are due an update.  Oh, on some levels, we've come out of the middle ages, but I think there is something so ingrained in us, that we're soon taken back, no matter what.  "What does it mean to be a man?"  A line uttered with such frustration and confusion, by someone, who thinks that love is enough.  Life happens.  This is a portrait of a relationship, the beginning and the end, at the same time.  The performances and direction put you there in that moment.  And if you've had similar experiences, those memories will surface, and in my opinon, that's a good thing.  So, the destruction of Oz. What is Oz anyway? Just a fictional emerald city where all your problems are solved.  Life happens. 

Until next time, dear movie-goers!  Life is happening right now!

MOVIE REVIEW

"Kisses"--Grade A

A little film.  A giant journey.  2 kids about 11, bad family lives, live next door to each other outside of Dublin, Ireland.  Starting in wonderfully gritty Black and White.  A fitting backdrop for the bleak existence these children endure.  Introduced to Dylan(Shane Curry), playing a handheld video game trying to block out the toaster rage of his violent father being thrown outside to "play", and we then meet  Kylie (Kelly O'Neill), so sweetly telling a story about the "Sack Man" that kills children. Kylie being called inside because her uncle is there, and the dread plays across her face, and we know something has probably occurred between her and her uncle.  Dylan's mom returns home, he  goes inside, listens to his parents argue, his father hits his mother, and Dylan intervenes. 

And that's the beginning of what turns into a whimsical, scary, cute, realistic, journey of two kids escaping, at least for a night, their home life.  Once they are starting out of their "kip", color starts to seep into the frame, and we see these morose, cynical kids, come to life.  Their little escape, this fabulous journey we get to take with them, is steeped in truth, yet is bound by magic.  As their journey ends, we go back to black and white, but I believe they'll be able to bring that color back to each others lives any time they need or want to now.  That's something, more than something, that's hope.  And we all need a little of that. 

The performances by these new actors is nothing short of spectacular.  Especially Kelly O'Neill, who I hope, is able to act far into the future, she is truly transcendent. I can't wait to see what  Writer/Director Lance Daly has in store for us next. 

Until next time movie watchers!  Remember to breathe.

Movie Review

"World's Greatest Dad"(2009)--B+

I had no intention of writing up a review for this movie, but it just kind of snuck up on me, and I wanted to share it.  Bobcat Goldthwaite has a made a dark dark, almost subversive film, that really has a lot to say about the way we  idealize death in our society.  It holds a mirror to our hypocrisy, using someone's life as a blank canvas, creating someone completely different, from the brush strokes that had already been painted for that life.  This isn't a movie for everyone.  What movie is?  But if you're looking to think, and be entertained (in a weird/funny way), then check it out.  This movie sat on my queue for quite a while.  I'm so glad I got around to it.

Til next time Filmland readers!  Smiling is half the battle.

Flipped

"Flipped"--B+

What an enjoyable little film from Rob Reiner.   It's a shame that a movie with such heart, hasn't been seen by a lot of people.  I say put it on your queue, or rent it, or stream it, or however you watch movies nowadays, just see it.  It'll put a smile on your face. Go ahead do it.  What are you waiting for?

Until next time folks


Coming soon----"Kisses" review

Top Ten of 2010

So, full disclosure, of the 615 films released in 2010, I've only seen 87 of them.  So my top ten is from those 87, of course.  You may say this discounts me from being able to do a thourough list.  I'd agree with you. ;)So here it is:

10) The King's Speech:  My biggest props go to Tom Hooper, while I loved your HBO miniseries, "John Adams", I didn't think that I would see "The King's Speech" as anything other than a film that would have been great for TV(which isn't a bad thing).  I was completely drawn into this film with its beautiful cinematography, impeccable acting, a fab script, and an incredible director, with a special mention for the editing(especially the speech scene).

9) The Ghost Writer:  Say what you will about Roman Polanski's morals and legal woe's, he can still direct!  I was happily surprised by this film, Ewan McGregor takes the viewer along with him on his noir-ish journey.

8)  True Grit:  The Coen Brothers do it again.  I loved this film, but felt a little emotionally removed from it.  The performances were great all around.  Stand out for me was Matt Damon.  I'd really like to see the Coen Brothers take on Science Fiction, or Fantasy.  I think they would have a genuine chance of creating something new, and special.

7)  Inception:  Christopher Nolan is the man.  Glad someone out there realizes audiences aren't stupid.  We like to think along with our popcorn flicks.

6)  Cairo Time:  You're all like, What?  Yeah, little seen film, but right up my alley.  It never goes where you think it will.  Every corner, has something new, and you won't be dissapointed.  I already wanted to go to Egypt, this makes me want to just a little bit more.

5) The Fighter:  If Christian Bale doesn't win a boat load of awards, then something is seriously wrong.  For an actor to have been so good in the past, and then pull this spectacular performance from his soul, well it makes me giddy.  Wish Michael Keaton would have had this career trajectory after "Batman."  David O. Russell made this oft-told "boxing" movie, his own, and made us care.

4)  The Social Network:  So, as you all saw from my earlier post, I had to watch this a second time.  And I'm so glad I did.  I don't rewatch films that often, when I do it's because I love them.  David Fincher has really outdone himself here.  Aaron Sorkin's script is flawless.  Only complaint I have, as I've heard this described as "Citizen Kane" by way of John Hughes, is that John Hughes would have probably pushed for an R rating.  Small thing, but well, just my opinion.

3)  127 Hours:  James Franco, this is your year.  Danny Boyle, I prefer this to your "Slumdog Millionaire".  I was enthralled the whole time, "on the edge of my seat" as they say.

2)  I Am Love:  I was thrown for a loop when I watched this film.  It so methodically builds these characters from, a fly on the wall perspective, until you feel a part of this wonderful/screwed up family.  The fact that Tilda Swinton learned Italian WITH a Russian accent for this film is astounding.  But above and beyond the language, is a performance of sheer brilliance.  I could watch this film just for the visuals, and come away extremely fulfilled.

1)  Black Swan:  You all saw this coming right?  What can I say?  I found this movie to be, to me, emotinally resonant, in a way that films so rarely are.  I dreamt about this film, I discussed it, I thought about it, and then I dreamt about it again.  Natalie Portman is radiant, and gives a perfomance that will be remembered for years to come.  Mark my words, this film is destined to be a classic, and talked about as a "masterpiece." 

I know big words right?  Especially when everyone is talking about "The Social Network" as being the best thing since "Citizen Kane."  I can see it, and it's probably true.  "Black Swan" just spoke to me on so many levels.

That's all folks.  I hope you enjoyed this little list.  My wish is that it introduces you to at least one film you wouldn't have checked out before now.

Until next time, dear readers.  Have fun, and do everything with a smile.