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.