Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Hump Day Humor


Sometimes when you are angry with someone, it helps to sit down and think about the problem.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

dvd pick of the week

On the street where they live: There's a documentary that was released this week that asks the question "How well do you know your parents?" It also goes on to ask "How well would you like to know them?" These two questions are explored in the documentary 51 Birch Street which mostly takes place in the titular Long Island home.

Filmed, directed and narrated by only son Doug Block, the film starts out with Mina Block, the matriarch of the family and it starts out as a documentary about Doug's father, Mike. Soon, however, a family tragedy and the remarriage of Mike becomes the impetus for the film to focus mainly on Mina and the life that Doug and her two sisters knew nothing about.

Featuring candid and personal interviews with the family, including uncle Josh who offers up a music video of his song I Flunk Adultery, the film follows the 54 year marriage of Mike and Mina and reveals things that were well hidden from the Block children. The secrets are revealed in diaries that Mina kept for a number of years. It's really a poignant, revealing and thought provoking documentary that deserves to be watched.

As Doug works to come to terms with the new view of his mother, father and of his own life and marriage, he narrates one of the most profound statements in the film, "Is there just one person that's perfect for you?" He answers no. He goes on to comment, "It's not a matter of finding a perfect companion. I think it's a matter of making accommodations so that it works out for both of you." That's the crux of any relationship; both parties finding accommodations so that it survives.

The film has touched people literally all over the world and don't miss the extras on the dvd which include the I Flunk Adultery music video and also how the Block family react to the film and it's premiere.

Vomit scene: No

peace,

paul

Saturday, September 15, 2007

movie minute

One Tough Chick: What happens when the place you call home becomes a place of fear; paralyzing you in your tracks and questioning who you are and what you've become? That's the question that Jodie Foster sets out to answer in the new tough-chick thriller The Brave One (R). Directed by Neil Jordan (The Crying Game, Breakfast On Pluto) the film brings to light the vigilante that each of us has inside of us. If you've seen the trailer for the film you know just about everything that happens but what you don't know is how Foster pulls the film up from just a big screen made-for-tv-type movie. A woman suffers a brutal attack that kills her fiancee and makes her a stranger to herself. It lacks oomph in a number of places but Foster makes up for that with her ever changing expressions that paint a picture of precision of what she's feeling and thinking. She could go the entire movie with no dialogue and we'd still be able to follow her on her journey from city walker/radio personality Erica Bain to a gun-toting crime stopping renegade.

As the "victims" build up in the city that never sleeps, detective Mercer (Terrence Howard) begins to suspect Erica and begins investigating her. Mercer himself is haunted by the criminals that he can't put away and reveals himself as conflicted and vulnerable during an interview. Foster and Howard have terrific chemistry; not to take anything away from Howard but it's mostly Foster. She should give a master class on infusing a role, any role, with all she's got.

As the film follows Erica to the inevitable conclusion and as she sets out to get her dog back, the film debates the morality of Erica's actions and offers no real easy answers. As Erica becomes tortured more and more with each killing; each one a hole inside of her, we too become conflicted too. I've no doubt that there will be cheering as the film nears its journey and that is probably the scariest part of the whole film.

The Brave One might not get any award nominations; I'm not even sure if Foster will garner one, however, the film will make one think about right and wrong; good and evil; white and black and just how thin the lines between those things are.

Vomit scene: Yes. Visible: No. Scene occurs after the subway shooting when Foster's character enters the bathroom of the club.

Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 4

paul

Thursday, September 13, 2007

DVD of the week

Let them eat cold cake: If you're interested in seeing a quiet and well-acted drama and you really enjoyed the Julie Christie heartbreak film Away From Her (also out on DVD this week) then you'll think Snow Cake is good too. Not as good or well acted as Away but moving and impressive nonetheless. After a tragic accident occurs, taciturn and no-nonsense Alex Hughes (Alan Rickman) decides to meet the mother of the girl who died while riding in his car. It brings him face to face with an autistic woman who besides not wanting anyone in her kitchen does not do social. The woman, Linda Freeman, is played by Sigourney Weaver. Weaver and Rickman have got to be two of the most underrated actors in their 50's. It's also not the first time they've acted in a movie together; they were also in 1999's Galaxy Quest. If you like these two actors then you're in for a treat. It's refreshing to see Weaver as someone besides the "bitch" or Alex Ripley and to see Rickman as someone besides Professor Snape. Although having said that both had wildly diverse careers before their respective famous characters took off.

As Alex lingers in Linda's world to help with the funeral and, most importantly, the garbage, the two form a bond. The two open each other up little by little; Linda teaches Alex not to be so sad and Alex teaches Linda to share her kitchen and her home.

Carrie-Anne Moss (Trinity from the Matrix movies) plays a woman with whom Alex enters into an intimate relationship with. The real star, however, is only on screen for about 12 minutes; Canadian actress Emily Hampshire plays Vivienne Freeman. Mostly a tv actress, Hampshire imbues the young woman on her way to visit her mom with an energy and life that infects each character and inspires them to add life to their daily existence.

The plus of this movie is that it's not a downer; it's life affirming and charming. The tagline of the film is 'Sometimes stopping is the most important part of the journey.' This is one journey worth taking. Unfortunately there are no goodies in terms of extras on the DVD. Some outtakes of actors playing in the snow in Canada would have been COOL.

Vomit scene-Yes. Visible-Yes Scene occurs after the car crash.

Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 3.5

Rant of the week

Ok, well I haven't had one of these in a while but this one is long overdue. I'm sick of the tv and radio commercials from so called "normal, everyday" people urging us to contact our congressman to keep our troops in Iraq. These people claim with utmost certainty that should we pull out then America will be attacked again. Enough of the fear factor. That's what the current administration has been all about since 9/11. I've had enough fearmongering to last me a lifetime. SHUT UP, ALREADY!!!!! If I never hear another one of these commercials it won't be long enough.

peace,

paul

Radical Radio-September Edition

Well don't believe the people who say there's nothing good on the radio unless you have satellite. I do and I could never imagine going back to plain old radio but there are some really good songs being played right (in my humble opinion). Below are just a few.

****Dance Floor Anthem-Good Charlotte-To listen to the song one would think it's a positive song; and it is in a way. Listen to the lyrics and you'll find that it's about breaking up and how everyone does it at one point or another. The lyrics, "Don't be afraid to get down say, I don't wanna be in love, I don't wanna be in love" are cynical sounding but the song is way more toe-tapping fun than that Tubthumping song from the 90's.

Because Of You-Reba McEntire (w/Kelly Clarkson)-Yes, the original American Idol winner did cover this song first and now joins Reba on a countrified version of the ballad. It works well as a country song and Reba & Kelly both blend nicely. It's from Reba's highly anticipated (I'm the one anticipating) new CD called Duets which comes out next Tuesday. I'm still not a fan of the lyrics but the song still sounds great.

Stronger-Kanye West-The first single off Kanye's new CD features some silly lines, "you know how long I've been on ya? Since Prince was on Appolonia, since OJ had Isotoners" but the song is a toe-tapping good time. The song does of course feature a sample which is from Daft Punk's song Harder Better Faster Stronger.

You Are The One-Shiny Toy Guns-This song from the quartet from LA is reminiscent of some of the best alt songs from the 80's such as It's My Life from Talk Talk and Send Me An Angel by Real Life.

peace,

paul

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Sunday, September 02, 2007

weekly post from August 31, 2007

Hello my friends & loved ones,

I feel great!!!!!!! One of my favorite commercials growing up was the Frosted Flakes commercial in which Tony the Tiger ended the commercial saying, "They're GREAT!!!!!" Anyway, I just wanted to start the email off on a positive note.

***MOVIE SPOILER ALERT*** I watched the movie Perfect Stranger this past week with Halle Berry and Bruce Willis. Not a great film but a good performance by Berry; the film tried to be this clever thriller but fell flat and didn't work for me. At the end, however, when it is revealed that Berry, not Willis, was the culprit all along I thought, 'She's going to get away with murder, isn't she?' And sure enough she did. It's not the typical Hollywood movie in which the bad guy/girl gets their comeuppance at the end; it's more the kind of film one might watch with subtitles in which the good guys all die and the bad guy rides off into the sunset.

America is obsessed with the happy ending; we even have a meal that's happy. We want everything to work out in the end and everyone to be alright and safe and cozy at home. That's not a bad thing but it just doesn't happen like that. Life is messy and sometimes the innocent get executed while the guilty roam around sipping pina coladas on some island. I'm not saying that we should all be fearful of the next moment; instead I'm saying that we should all live life as if our own lives depended on it. Don't walk around in a cocoon; don't think that everything single thing is going to be alright; don't think that mess won't touch you. Enjoy yourself and those that you love. Surround yourself with goodness and positive thoughts. Don't let anyone bring you down (you may do that to yourself enough as it is). Treasure what you have and what you have to give. And remember next time you see the "happily ever after" movie you can smile as you are walking out of the theater but don't be fooled.

Until next time: Stay happy, stay healthy, and stay safe.

love,

paul

Our orange and white cat with a wad of paper in his mouth. His eyes will get wide with anticipation if we wad up a piece of paper and when it is thrown he will actually fetch it (ala a dog) as seen here. Then he'll bat it around and play with it till he tires of it.

Another pic of the ravens

Not a great photo but the black birds on the lawn there are actually ravens. They are a frequent staple near the bird feeders. No sighting of Edgar Allan Poe.....yet.