Hello all,
I hope you each had a wonderful Thanksgiving and had plenty to eat. I remained thankful throughout the festivities because I don't ever want to take any of my blessings for granted.
We returned earlier today from Massachusetts and have finally gotten settled back in. We had a wonderful time, as we always do, because Jack & Donna and their clan make us feel like family; they accept us just as we are. I felt the most comfortable and at ease; I've never felt so relaxed there. These people are truly amazing and we always have such a great time.
I hope you had as much fun during your turkey day that Jim and I had.
Only thirty more shopping days till Christmas.
peace,
paul
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Thursday, November 22, 2007
movie minute
Rushing In: The new music filled movie called August Rush seems more like one of those late summer sleepers that you would actually see in August than one of the movies competing for attention in the crowded movie release weekends of November. That said, please take the time to see this movie.
The film starts out with Lyla Novacek (played by the ever radiant Keri Russell) finishing a concert at a NYC concert hall. She soon meets rocker Irishman Louis Connelly (played by pouty lipped Jonathan Rhys Meyers). Before you know it, they are spending the night on top of a rooftop and waking up the next morning with Lyla needing to run back to her old life. Of course it doesn't help that she has an overbearing and controlling father. I did keep wanting to say, "Grow up, you're an adult and can make your own decisions." But if that had happened, there wouldn't be two hours of drama and excitement.
Soon, Lyla discovers she is pregnant and when she has an accident, she is told her child dies. The scenes of Louis and Lyla are interspersed with those of orphan Evan Taylor (played wonderfully by Freddie Highmore, the talented actor who played Peter in Finding Neverland) who is convinced that if he can keep hearing and playing the music, he will find his parents.
Eventually, eleven years after giving birth, Lyla discovers that her child is still out there. She soon begins the quest to find him. She seeks the help of detective Richard Jeffries (a wasted Terrence Howard).
The film builds to the inevitable conclusion, however, the wonder and exhilaration of this movie is the theme of hearing music in everything. This is the gift of Evan, who with the help of the Wizard (creepily played by Robin Williams), comes up with the name of August Rush. August's gift is he can hear and play music, anywhere. August soon becomes a student of Juilliard and composes his own symphony, and when told that the school wants to have his symphony performed at a concert in Central Park, August is convinced he can reach his parents; we are too.
The movie borders on too cutesy at times and there's never a doubt as to what will happen but the music and the actors take this movie above mediocre. Another issue I had with this movie was Williams. I know he is versatile and can play crazy and quirky with the best of them but I think it's time for him to play "normal" for a change.
This is a feel good movie and Highmore carries the movie well. This young actor was denied an Academy Award nomination three years ago, and while he probably won't be nominated for this role, he proves that he has some real acting chops. He will have a long and rewarding career if he continues picking the right roles.
Between eating turkey sandwiches and shopping for the millionth Christmas gift, see this gem of a movie and leave the theater feeling good and hearing the music in the shuffling of the feet of people walking up the aisles.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 4
The film starts out with Lyla Novacek (played by the ever radiant Keri Russell) finishing a concert at a NYC concert hall. She soon meets rocker Irishman Louis Connelly (played by pouty lipped Jonathan Rhys Meyers). Before you know it, they are spending the night on top of a rooftop and waking up the next morning with Lyla needing to run back to her old life. Of course it doesn't help that she has an overbearing and controlling father. I did keep wanting to say, "Grow up, you're an adult and can make your own decisions." But if that had happened, there wouldn't be two hours of drama and excitement.
Soon, Lyla discovers she is pregnant and when she has an accident, she is told her child dies. The scenes of Louis and Lyla are interspersed with those of orphan Evan Taylor (played wonderfully by Freddie Highmore, the talented actor who played Peter in Finding Neverland) who is convinced that if he can keep hearing and playing the music, he will find his parents.
Eventually, eleven years after giving birth, Lyla discovers that her child is still out there. She soon begins the quest to find him. She seeks the help of detective Richard Jeffries (a wasted Terrence Howard).
The film builds to the inevitable conclusion, however, the wonder and exhilaration of this movie is the theme of hearing music in everything. This is the gift of Evan, who with the help of the Wizard (creepily played by Robin Williams), comes up with the name of August Rush. August's gift is he can hear and play music, anywhere. August soon becomes a student of Juilliard and composes his own symphony, and when told that the school wants to have his symphony performed at a concert in Central Park, August is convinced he can reach his parents; we are too.
The movie borders on too cutesy at times and there's never a doubt as to what will happen but the music and the actors take this movie above mediocre. Another issue I had with this movie was Williams. I know he is versatile and can play crazy and quirky with the best of them but I think it's time for him to play "normal" for a change.
This is a feel good movie and Highmore carries the movie well. This young actor was denied an Academy Award nomination three years ago, and while he probably won't be nominated for this role, he proves that he has some real acting chops. He will have a long and rewarding career if he continues picking the right roles.
Between eating turkey sandwiches and shopping for the millionth Christmas gift, see this gem of a movie and leave the theater feeling good and hearing the music in the shuffling of the feet of people walking up the aisles.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 4
Saturday, October 20, 2007
movie minute
Rousing Rendition: What if someone you loved....just disappeared? That's the tagline for the movie Rendition, director Gavin Hood's (Tsotsi) new political thriller. The film stars Reese Witherspoon as Isabella Fields El-Ibrahimi, a mother who is pregnant with her second child and whose Egyptian born, chemical engineering husband, Anwar (Omar Metwally) is suddenly abducted from an airport on his way back from South Africa to the US. This film gives a startling glimpse into extraordinary rendition, which is the detaining and transferrence of a suspected terrorist to a country in which torture is allowed. This movie should have come out almost two years ago when news of Abu Ghraib was still fresh in the minds of the American people.
At any rate, when Isabella discovers her husband has not arrived on the expected flight, she decides to figure out what happened. This leads her to an old friend and lover, Alan Smith (played by Peter Sarsgaard), an aide to a US senator. Once he discovers the scope of what's going on, he advises Isabella to consult a lawyer.
Rounding out the lead cast is CIA operative, Douglas Freeman (Jake Gyllenhaal) who sits in on the interrogation of Anwar. The film is told in episodic vignettes as we continue to glimpse each character and their story and how they are connected to the big picture. We are even treated to a bit of narrative trickery which does work but you must be paying attention.
Most of the cast is ho-hum; Witherspoon does her best but she's miscast. Gyllenhaal does most of his acting with his eyes and really shows his limited range. Alan Arkin, who plays a senator is fine and Sarsgaard is okay but they aren't the ones that stand out. There are two in this film; Abasi Fawal (played by Middle Eastern actor Yigal Naor), who leads the interrogation of Anwar and whose daughter may or may not be involved in one of the plots to assassinate him and the other is that perennial fav Meryl Streep who plays an anti-terrorism chief. Streep is cold and calculating and even though hers is a supporting role she sets each scene she's in on fire. I just wish her one scene with Witherspoon had been juicier; that would have been a bonus.
This film is horrifyingly realistic and, sadly, a bit too late for people to really care too much. See it because it matters but expect to be disappointed.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 2.75
At any rate, when Isabella discovers her husband has not arrived on the expected flight, she decides to figure out what happened. This leads her to an old friend and lover, Alan Smith (played by Peter Sarsgaard), an aide to a US senator. Once he discovers the scope of what's going on, he advises Isabella to consult a lawyer.
Rounding out the lead cast is CIA operative, Douglas Freeman (Jake Gyllenhaal) who sits in on the interrogation of Anwar. The film is told in episodic vignettes as we continue to glimpse each character and their story and how they are connected to the big picture. We are even treated to a bit of narrative trickery which does work but you must be paying attention.
Most of the cast is ho-hum; Witherspoon does her best but she's miscast. Gyllenhaal does most of his acting with his eyes and really shows his limited range. Alan Arkin, who plays a senator is fine and Sarsgaard is okay but they aren't the ones that stand out. There are two in this film; Abasi Fawal (played by Middle Eastern actor Yigal Naor), who leads the interrogation of Anwar and whose daughter may or may not be involved in one of the plots to assassinate him and the other is that perennial fav Meryl Streep who plays an anti-terrorism chief. Streep is cold and calculating and even though hers is a supporting role she sets each scene she's in on fire. I just wish her one scene with Witherspoon had been juicier; that would have been a bonus.
This film is horrifyingly realistic and, sadly, a bit too late for people to really care too much. See it because it matters but expect to be disappointed.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 2.75
movie minute
Universal Music: In director Julie Taymor's (Titus, Frida, Broadway's The Lion King) new film Across The Universe, we are offered a story of politics, war, and love all set to the music of the Beatles. Universe is not the story of the Beatles but their music compels the storyline along in a brisk, rollicking, and touching film.
Set in the 1960's leading up to and continuing through to the Vitenam War, Universe stars Jude (Jim Sturgess) and Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood), the star and continent crossed lovers who must endure the turmoil of the 60's in order to reach the peace of those strawberry fields.
The film starts out with the death of Lucy's paramour and Jude's arrival to America from England. When Jude befriends Max (Joe Anderson), Lucy's brother, Jude and Lucy meet and from there the rest is history set to music. Featuring 16 of the Beatles' classics, including, Strawberry Fields Forever, I Want To Hold Your Hand, and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, the songs tell the inner feelings and conflicts of the characters; they work and are perfectly in tune (pun intended) with what's going on around them and inside of them.
Taymor has captured the essence and funkiness of the 60's and the protests and the unrest of the country and the world and paints a colorful story and backdrop that is mesmerizing and compelling. This is by far the most ambitious movie of the year and even if you aren't a fan of the Beatles be prepared to be moved and tap your feet.
The film features mostly unknowns; the most famous of the starring cast is Wood who appeared in Thirteen, Running With Scissors and tv's Once And Again. Wood, in fact, is a standout and continues her rise to stardom. It's rumored she'll portray Anne Bronte in an upcoming film about the Bronte sisters and Alice in a movie about Lewis Carroll. Another thing that makes the film all the more wonderful is the cast does their own singing; this is more and more true these days with each musical film that is released. The days of dubbing appear to be over; thank goodness because the actual actor singing the actual song is so refreshing especially since a lot of real singers seem content to lip-synch.
This film wasn't one that I had planned on seeing but now I can't imagine not having seen it. Relive the days of the mushroom and bring your flower and enjoy a merry, musical movie.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 3.5
paul
Set in the 1960's leading up to and continuing through to the Vitenam War, Universe stars Jude (Jim Sturgess) and Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood), the star and continent crossed lovers who must endure the turmoil of the 60's in order to reach the peace of those strawberry fields.
The film starts out with the death of Lucy's paramour and Jude's arrival to America from England. When Jude befriends Max (Joe Anderson), Lucy's brother, Jude and Lucy meet and from there the rest is history set to music. Featuring 16 of the Beatles' classics, including, Strawberry Fields Forever, I Want To Hold Your Hand, and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, the songs tell the inner feelings and conflicts of the characters; they work and are perfectly in tune (pun intended) with what's going on around them and inside of them.
Taymor has captured the essence and funkiness of the 60's and the protests and the unrest of the country and the world and paints a colorful story and backdrop that is mesmerizing and compelling. This is by far the most ambitious movie of the year and even if you aren't a fan of the Beatles be prepared to be moved and tap your feet.
The film features mostly unknowns; the most famous of the starring cast is Wood who appeared in Thirteen, Running With Scissors and tv's Once And Again. Wood, in fact, is a standout and continues her rise to stardom. It's rumored she'll portray Anne Bronte in an upcoming film about the Bronte sisters and Alice in a movie about Lewis Carroll. Another thing that makes the film all the more wonderful is the cast does their own singing; this is more and more true these days with each musical film that is released. The days of dubbing appear to be over; thank goodness because the actual actor singing the actual song is so refreshing especially since a lot of real singers seem content to lip-synch.
This film wasn't one that I had planned on seeing but now I can't imagine not having seen it. Relive the days of the mushroom and bring your flower and enjoy a merry, musical movie.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 3.5
paul
Friday, October 12, 2007
on the radio-Oct. edition
There are two songs I think are really hot and just in time too as the weather is getting chillier.
Bubbly by Colbie Caillat and one by Timbaland. Normally I would say I'm sick of Timbaland because he is everywhere and has that annoyingly catchy song "The Way I Are." However, his song Apologize with Colorado pop band One Republic is catchy and, thankfully, not annoying.
paul
Bubbly by Colbie Caillat and one by Timbaland. Normally I would say I'm sick of Timbaland because he is everywhere and has that annoyingly catchy song "The Way I Are." However, his song Apologize with Colorado pop band One Republic is catchy and, thankfully, not annoying.
paul
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
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
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
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
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
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
****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
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
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
movie minute
Funeral Fun: What do you get when you mix together an uptight British family, a funeral, a shocking secret involving a midget and a drug that is most definitely not valium? You get this ridiculously funny movie about just how far people will go to protect the memory of the departed. Death At A Funeral (R) comes along as the summer blockbuster season putters to a close. The film starts out with an upsetting but surprisingly funny faux pas involving the wrong body being delivered for a funeral. Matthew Macfadyen (Mr. Darcy from the hit movie Pride & Prejudice) plays Daniel, the less successful and more stressed out son of the deceased. As Daniel's family gathers for the somber occasion, Daniel discovers something upsetting about his father and tries, at all costs, to stop the secret from getting out and making sure his father has the most dignified and moving funeral possible. The funeral is definitely moving; dignified is quite a different story.
This film features some very funny cast members. I must point out the standout performance of Alan Tudyk (Knocked Up) who plays Simon, the first person to be affected by the drug. Tudyk's performance is practically a movie unto itself; one that offers the elastic faced actor to offer up most of the movies hysterical moments. The film also features the usually quite arresting Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent) and while he does do his best in the role of Peter, the midget with money on his mind, he does seem out of his element and not just because of the different accents floating around him.
This film just gets more and more absurdly funny as it plows along toward the inevitable conclusion of the delivery of the eulogy; how it gets there is all the fun and one would have to be in a coma to not have at least a few guffaws. Just be warned there are a couple of gross out gags (thankfully those do not include upchucking, however, one does include something worse). The film's only weak point is the storyline between smitten and lurking Justin (played by Ewen Bremner) and Martha (played by Daisy Donovan).
Maven muppet director Frank Oz offers up an alternative to those blue over all the summer sequels; a late summer gem and hopefully a sleeper hit that the grown-up crowd will enjoy.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 3.75
paul
This film features some very funny cast members. I must point out the standout performance of Alan Tudyk (Knocked Up) who plays Simon, the first person to be affected by the drug. Tudyk's performance is practically a movie unto itself; one that offers the elastic faced actor to offer up most of the movies hysterical moments. The film also features the usually quite arresting Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent) and while he does do his best in the role of Peter, the midget with money on his mind, he does seem out of his element and not just because of the different accents floating around him.
This film just gets more and more absurdly funny as it plows along toward the inevitable conclusion of the delivery of the eulogy; how it gets there is all the fun and one would have to be in a coma to not have at least a few guffaws. Just be warned there are a couple of gross out gags (thankfully those do not include upchucking, however, one does include something worse). The film's only weak point is the storyline between smitten and lurking Justin (played by Ewen Bremner) and Martha (played by Daisy Donovan).
Maven muppet director Frank Oz offers up an alternative to those blue over all the summer sequels; a late summer gem and hopefully a sleeper hit that the grown-up crowd will enjoy.
Bags of popcorn (out of 5): 3.75
paul
Monday, August 27, 2007
Gonzo, Gonzo, Gone
Gonzogate is finally over. U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, whose tenure was marred by controversy over political firings and perjuring himself in front of Congress, finally offered his resignation today. This comes just a couple of weeks after Karl Rove (Bush's "Brain") stepped down and that was followed by the replacement of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Bye, Bye, Berto.
paul
Bye, Bye, Berto.
paul
Sunday, August 26, 2007
weekly post from August 24, 2007
Hello friends & loved ones,
Another week and one more day closer to September and fall. I won't remind you what comes after that. How is it that summer is near the end already? How is it possible that we are so close to starting a new decade? Where in the heck does the time go?
I don't know how your week went but my week was not the best one; in fact the whole second part of July and first part of August was not the best for me. I had something this past week and it wasn't pretty. Yes, I spent the better part of the week praying to the porcelain God. For me, it was the first time in 11 1/2 years. The last time that happened was February of 1996; shortly after my birthday. Although my birthday had nothing to do with me getting sick.
It got me thinking, though, just how many movies there are in which a character gets sick; and how many there are in which we as the viewer have to actually see it. I reviewed a movie on my blog last week in which the "sick" device was used multiple times. From now on I'm going to keep a running tally on my blog of movies I see in which a character gets sick and whether or not it happens off-screen or onscreen. I really think that when it comes to losing one's cookies, the less seen the better.
Until next week: Stay safe, stay happy, and STAY HEALTHY.
love,
paul
Another week and one more day closer to September and fall. I won't remind you what comes after that. How is it that summer is near the end already? How is it possible that we are so close to starting a new decade? Where in the heck does the time go?
I don't know how your week went but my week was not the best one; in fact the whole second part of July and first part of August was not the best for me. I had something this past week and it wasn't pretty. Yes, I spent the better part of the week praying to the porcelain God. For me, it was the first time in 11 1/2 years. The last time that happened was February of 1996; shortly after my birthday. Although my birthday had nothing to do with me getting sick.
It got me thinking, though, just how many movies there are in which a character gets sick; and how many there are in which we as the viewer have to actually see it. I reviewed a movie on my blog last week in which the "sick" device was used multiple times. From now on I'm going to keep a running tally on my blog of movies I see in which a character gets sick and whether or not it happens off-screen or onscreen. I really think that when it comes to losing one's cookies, the less seen the better.
Until next week: Stay safe, stay happy, and STAY HEALTHY.
love,
paul
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