Jon Favreau Interviews Spielberg, Howard, and Grazer

Cowboys and Aliens Interviews

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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.