9/11

Hey everyone.  I had actually started a post called 'O How The Hatred Floweth' which was about Iowa's rivalry with Iowa State.  But after watching the coverage for 9/11, I felt that it was inappropriate because we're all Americans and an insignificant and superficial football game can't change that we are united on this day.

I promise not to post my 9/11 experience every year, but seeing as this is the 10th anniversary, I feel that I need it. 

It was just after my 16th birthday.  Our first block of the day was marching band, and since we used blocks (instead of periods) the choir came out to the marching band field for the last 45 minutes.  One of the guys in my section told us that a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Centers.  At first I thought it was something like the airplane that had crashed into the ski lifts in Italy back in 1998, which to my recollection was the first time I had ever heard of a plane going down.

I went out for the rest of the block with this feeling that nothing but an accident had occurred.  I had gone to New York many times before 2001.  My mom had frequent business trips there.  If I could take a guess how many times a year she went, I would go with something like 30ish.  She was there a lot.  When I was 11, she took me to the top of the WTC... I believe it was the north building.  But, we went to the top on September 11, 1996.  The picture of me across the NYC skyline sits in a frame, and it's an eerie feeling knowing that I'm here but no one will be able to take a shot from that spot ever again.

So anyway, I came back into the school building to see, live, the second plane go into the south tower.  Thinking back to it now, I don't know what I thought or felt then.  Confused?  I was just so confused who would want to do this.  Watching the wide shot of the towers... they looked small on TV, and the thought that humans were in there was hard to even compute.

It wasn't until the south tower collapsed that I remembered that my mom was leaving from Chicago to go to NYC that day.  I started to panic a little and called him.  To my surprise she picked up the phone and I told her that I thought she was going to New York.  She said that she was supposed to, but the trip had been canceled early that morning.  This is my only physical connection to the disaster.  But emotionally, I was a wreck.  In school we were supposed to go to class, which most did, but I sat in the band room and cried.

It was heart wrenching to watch people jump from 100+ floors in desperation.  For me, those are the images seared into my memory... people who had families - husbands, wives, children... taking a chance that they may survive a 1,000+ ft. drop to the ground.  Some holding hands as they went.

As the days unfolded and more was learned about the events surrounding the attacks, it was amazing the kind of patriotism that followed.  My family sent supplies and gifts off to the troops ready to attack in the Middle East (to this day, I'm not really sure who is "the good guys" and "the bad guys).  The school had an extra blood drive, and throughout the rest of the year, the attacks and patriotism were mentioned in speeches and classrooms.  So to me, if Al-Qaeda's objective was to strike fear and topple our country into disarray, I was say that they made a severe miscalculation because I don't think a sense of national unity had been harnessed like that since World War II.

Today after I was coming home from my soccer game, I noticed just how beautiful it was outside.  A nice, comfortable 81 degrees... slight breeze, and a clear blue sky.  As I drove past the changing corn fields, I felt like this is what New York must have been like that day.  Beautiful, without a care in the world.  When I got home, I realized how lucky and blessed I am to have my family.  And you should be too.

So, here is my weekly blog.

The Royal Tenenbaums

I'm pretty terrible, and I didn't go to this movie in class.  But since I had seen it a while ago, I bought Netfix (the free trial) to find that Tenenbaums was definitely not available for screening.  The public library had it also checked out.  The school library keeps all the movies we watch on reserve and can't be checked out.  So, I advertise through status on Facebook if anyone had a copy that I could borrow for the night.  But instead of waiting for a reply, I just go ahead and rent it on iTunes... to find out that 2 people in town own the movie.

But the movie itself was as awesome as it was the first time.  I never really noticed how symmetrical almost every shot is.  Then when action is taking place on one side of the screen it becomes very noticeable.  One scene that comes to mind is when Royal is telling Etheline that he's dieing.  But, there's just too much to love in this movie for me to really explain it here :)

On The Waterfront

Holy freakin' WOW is this movie good.  I mean, I've seen Marlon Brando as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, as Vito Corleone in The Godfather and (giggle) Jor-El in Superman... but nothing compares even close to Terry Malloy in On The Waterfront.  He just.... just... *swoon*... is awesome.  That and I'm a big fan of North by Northwest and had no idea that this was Eva Marie Saint's first movie.  She did an amazing job as well.  Definitely deserved the Academy for Supporting Actress that year.

Fun fact (according to my TA):  Elia Kazan was close to being black listed for making this film.  It had some communist sentiments in it... and of course this movie was made during the McCarthy era.  So, he apparently ratted out some of his workers or whoever, and got off the list.

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

Ohhhh what to say about this movie.  If you're reading this, you probably already know all about this one.  But, here is my short one pager I wrote.

After Harrison Ford’s iconic role in the first two of the Star Wars Trilogy (1977 and 1980), he starred in the action packed blockbuster Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).  This time teaming up with George Lucas, serving as producer, and Steven Spielberg, who had recently finished acclaimed movies Jaws (1975), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and Blues Brothers (1980).  With all these elements within one movie, it’s easy to see that the adventures of Indiana Jones are a sure moneymaker.  

To me, I feel like the movie was marketed, according to the formulas given in class, as “It’s like Han Solo going treasure hunting.”  It’s almost like the ultimate man’s-man’s movie, without the sex.  The movie poster has everything revolving around Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford).  The other characters flank him on either side, and even the Ark helps frame him.  As for Ford himself, he is standing in an authoritative stance, shirt open, cracking a whip, all with a swashbuckler grin on his face.  Not to mention that his satchel points down to his crotch.  This is probably gearing toward a younger audience.  Contrary to another Indiana Jones poster in which Ford is directly stern faced toward the spectator and little scenes from the movie are miniaturized on the bottom.  This is probably aiming toward the Classical Hollywood audience.

As for the movie itself, the first 10 minutes tell us all about Indiana Jones in a very action packed way.  We learn that he is an adventurer who knows the sound of a gun being cocked.  We also know that he must go to hidden temples a lot since he knows a lot of the mechanics of booby traps.  Lastly, we find out that another explorer who ends up taking much of his bounty constantly stalks him.  Audiences also like stories that they have heard of in “the real world” (which is why I think comic book movies are making a big hit now), which is why the movie is probably called “the Lost Ark”.  Most people would probably think of Noah’s Ark, but probably some have heard of the Ark of the Covenant from the Bible.  I think that this maybe helped play into the high conceptness of the movie.

However, I think what does it for me is Marion, even though the movie isn’t marketed toward her.  She has a strong intelligent and fiery female presence that was starting to explicitly come out in movies during this time.  

Extra movies for the week:

I didn't have work on Monday for Labor Day, so I finished watching Howl's Moving Castle on Wednesday.  

Million Dollar Baby

I had borrowed this from my aunt back in June and still hadn't watched it.  So on Friday I felt like it was time.  And wow, did Hilary Swank really deserve the Best Actress Academy that year.  She did an outstanding job.  I had also seen Flags of Our Fathers by Clint Eastwood but felt that the tone and feel of Million Dollar Baby was more personable.  I think the lighting he used was well used.  One that I liked was the low key lighting when he was thinking about taking Swank as a student.  Even though I thought I was going to cry more in the movie, I think if I didn't know what was going to happen, I probably would have.  

One thing that just rings true to me in the movie is when Swank buys the house for her mother and the mother just FREAKS OUT!!  It's so true and how ungrateful some people can be.  And really how lazy some people can be too.  Uck... get a job.  

Flight 93

Even though I can get over emotional about movies, I decided to give the A&E movie a try.  Yeah I cried.  The movie was directed by Peter Markle.  Even though he's not some huge director there are aesthetic parts of the film that I really appreciated.  One was the use of semi-long takes.  It really helped with the intensity of the movie.  Another was the use of canted angles.... really helped with the disorientation of the passengers.  I don't think I need to go into too much detail of the movie since I think a lot of us know what happened on United Flight 93.  If you don't... it one of the most heroic acts ever.  A quote I used on FB today is:

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. -Elmer Davis

Go Hawks!

Well everyone, just like most undergrads here at the U, I am totally stoked for the football season!  We won our first game against Tennessee Tech and we have our instate rivals this weekend - Iowa State (boo, hiss).  I plan to post a picture of my weekly posters I make for work, but I will have to put the Tennessee Tech one in the next post.

As for school this is what we watched:

Children of Men

I'm sure most of us have seen it already.  However, what is fun to do is compare a director's work across genres.  In this case, Alfonso Cuarón likes the one shot with intricate choreography.  In Children of Men there is a lengthy shot of Clive Owen running through the refugee camp and dodging bullets - probably the best known and most obvious one in the movie.  In Prisoner of Azkaban this takes place while Harry is walking out of the Dursley's and encounters Sirius for the first time (spoiler alert!!)  Something that I also like is the personal qualities Cuarón brings to movies such as Y Tu Mama Tambien and Children of Men... both of which have the qualities to make the audience uncomfortable.  Even though Luisa is having sex with some pretty young (and borderline legal) boys, Julio and Tenoch, the audience still received a certain comfort through Luisa's story and the story of Mexico surrounding the trio's road trip.  As for Children of Men, the uncomfortable level shoots SKY HIGH through the story's dystopia.  And while we're dreading living in a world that can no longer conceive children, there is a sense of hope that Kee will reach the Human Project in time to save the human race (at the end the sound of children laughing can be heard.... which is up for interpretation).

SO ANYWAY, seeing as Children of Men is a loaded movie in itself, I hope that the world will never end up like it does in the movie.

The Third Man

I'm pretty sure that I have half myself to blame but I blame the other half on the room we're stuck in to watch our Wednesday night feature.  But, I designed a great ballroom gown during this movie.  I actually really tried to get into at least the first 3 rows, but got stuck in the 5th.  Yeah that sounds pretty terrible, but I did catch some of the movie.

The Third Man is a great film noir which is known for its excellent work in cinematography.  For those of you who don't really know the difference between a producer, a cinematographer, a graffer, a best boy, a grip and all the millions of other jobs that scroll past during the credits.... I don't exactly know what a lot of them do either, but what I do know is that it is (more or less) a cinematographer's job to filter in one ear what the director's (or writer's) vision and mood of a scene is and out the other is creating the scene through lighting, camera angles, the foresight for special effects and all that jazz.  And what a Director of Photography does.... well I'm pretty sure he's the cinematographer's boss.  Ya know, I could just go Wikipedia all this and just straight out tell you, but I'm blogging about my learning process and here you have it.

So, The Third Man.... very fun and suspenseful film noir about a man (Orson Welles) who faked his death and hid about post WWII Vienna.  Well the girl causes the problems because the man is in love with her, but he faked his own death because he gave some wrong vaccines to some children... which is sad.  Anyway, as for learning about cinematography through this movie, I caught an abnormal amount of canted (or Dutch) angles, which is when the camera is tilted a little to create a confused feel.  .... and extreme high and lows.... well sue me for drawing because I can't see the film in this blasted room we have to sit in!!

Lastly, since I have to write a one page reflection on every movie we watch for my Contemporary Cinema class I'll just repost it here...

Mean Streets

The movie Mean Streets (1973), directed by Martin Scorsese, takes place in the streets of Little Italy in New York City.  It tells the story of Charlie (Harvey Keitel) and his friend Johnny Boy (Robert De Niro) as they try to work up the ranks of the Mafia.  Charlie, known for his straight antics and debt collecting, ends up trapped by his commitment to Johnny, who owes money to multiple people.  Adding to Charlie’s anxiety is his love for Johnny’s cousin Teresa who has been ostracized due to her condition with epilepsy.

According to this weeks article, “The Sacraments of Genre: Coppola, DePalma, Scorsese”, Leo Braudy claims Scorsese as “the director who most thematizes his own authority even while he explores the final and perhaps most pervasive aspect of the intersection of Catholicism” especially within the “structure of sainthood”[25].  While I think that being a saint includes acts of selflessness and martyrdom for a justifiable cause (like Charlie’s love for his friends), Braudy says the saint in Mean Streets is Johnny due to his “self-sufficient isolation from the normal world”[25].

Braudy continues with Scoreses’ conscience authority over his work by saying “[he] considers the formal self-questioning of his own authority and complicity to be part of the story he tells” [26].  I feel that this is Scoreses’ way of asserting his authority and artistry into a movie by dramatically altering a story.  As Braudy points out that he is the gunman in the back seat of Michael’s car that shoots down Johnny and in essence ruins Charlie’s chances of hiding what is precious to him (Johnny and Teresa) and moving up the ranks of the Mafia.  For someone who is thought of as the creative mastermind behind a work, it’s interesting that a creator should kill his creation.  

So, on top of my required viewings of the week, I caught a few extracurriculars.  

The Big Lebowski

F-in' hilarious.  I never know Jeff Bridges could be so funny.  Dude, Dude, Dude... if you haven't seen this, it's great.  .... I really don't want to put anything in here to ruin the movie for you, but please... please go see it!!

probably one of my favorite scenes!!

Howl's Moving Castle

Just beautiful.  It's a beautiful story and it's beautifully animated.  There is a part where Sophie cries in agony and I couldn't help but cry with her... which made me take a step back (at work) and wonder how a very obvious animated movie could make me feel like that.  Which then made me wonder why any movie makes me feel the way I do since it's just moving images on a screen... which made me wonder why the heck I'm theorizing about this in the first place.  But I digress... The story itself, at least to me, is about the value of love over hate.  and you should just watch it.  

Metropolis

I went on a little Anime binge this week.  I think this one also has a great underlining story.  That if emotional humans depends on emotionless robots (or technology), we will end up with an emotionless world that sees itself better of that way.  This will sound ironic or hypocritical or what have you, but humans don't need to replace themselves with technology.... says the girl writing a blog on the internet.  But seeing robots function independently from humans is a little nerve racking to me... think HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey.  But beggers can't be choosers and I think Metropolis is a good movie that depicts this conflict.  

That and Fitz Lang used the Japanese novel of the same name for his silent movie Metropolis.  :)

   

well, that's about it for me.  I'm currently in the middle of watching Castle season 2 even though I've already seen it.  and I still want Castle and Beckett to have babies, but at something like season 10.   

 

Long Time No See!!

it's 1:30am... just waiting for the sudafed to kick in...

Sheesh!  School has really got me busy this last week!  I am taking 3 classes, all to do with cinema.

1)  Intro to Film Analysis - don't let the title fool you.  I thought it sounded like a breeze but within this last week I've learned a lot!  And it's no wonder the class is worth 4 credits!  Two movie screenings a week is a lot for me.  By Thursday I kind of feel movied out due to the effort of seriously analyzing movies you've only seen once or not at all.

2)  Contemporary Cinema - I think this class (at least according to the syllabus) sounds interesting.  It deals with movies after the decline of the studio system and classical Hollywood.  However, I kind of wish I were with the other TA that teaches the class (I had him last semester) because the one I have now just seems like he hates his life in class.  On the plus side, he's hot. 

3)  Modes of Film and Video Production - aahhhhh, my bread and butter for the semester.  The introduction production class that will be my gateway to other production classes her at the University.  I am so incredibly stoked for this class, it's not even funny.  The second day of class we were asked to write a 1-2 page personal statement on why we are taking the class.  After a lengthy 1.75 pages of my background in film (which isn't much), I said "I'm not taking this class to pass time or actually earn a physical degree since I already have one, but I'm taking this class because I hope one day making movies will be my livlihood." 

I think I'm going to color code the titles of the films just so I don't have to constantly specify which movie goes with which class.  This will be Intro to Film Analysis and this will be Contemporary Cinema.  So the movies we watched last week:


Citizen Kane
Considering that I hadn't seen the movie since I was like 12 years old, watching it again now made me respect the movie a little bit more.  I remember watching AFI present its top 100 Films in 1998 and it named Citizen Kane as the best movie of all time.  So, I went to the movie store and rented it.  Looking back, I don't know what I was expecting.  But what I did feel at the time was disappointment that an angry black and white film would be the best movie.  Even watching it again with a critical eye, I'm not sure it's the best American movie ever.  The things that the movie generally gets noted for is the technical procedures Orsen Welles uses throughout the film, which theorist David Bordwell (a University of Iowa Alum!) argues was already being used in Hollywood at the time (i.e.: showing the ceiling in shots, ... that's all I can think of off the top of my head). 

This is one of my favorite shots and really shows the use of deep focus.

The Grand Illusion/La Grande Illusion
I may or may not be a little in love with Jean Gabin.  I had seen clips from the movie before and happened to look up the Wikipedia page before coming to class.  And good thing.  I knew that the movie was being shown in a different screening room.  I was a little late, but made it right before the TA pushed play and took a seat a little toward the back.  Big mistake.  I soon realized that the room was not in stadium seating and unless you had a pretty nice people window, you could not read the subtitles 4th row and back.  So (instead of moving, because that would make way too much sense), I drew dinosaurs talking about how the room was not a good room to watch a foreign movie and read subtitles. 

So I'm sure my reputation as a responsible film student is tarnished to you!  BUT WAIT!!  If you call now you get to know that I actually checked out the movie from the public library and (plan on) watching it tomorrow... during another screening, but I've already seen Children of Men a few times.  So, bah!

Since I didn't see much of the film at the time, I happened to catch a nice one shot after the French men had started singing the national anthem during their play performance.  It was very nicely done :)



The Wild Bunch
Holy wow, kids tourturing bugs!  Aside from the amount of violence (which was considered a lot back then but probably pretty mild now) and sex in the movie, I am just not a big fan of Westerns.  I don't know what it is.  I think it may be the slow natured pace of the movie, but even with this one with constant action I felt like 'snore...'  Although, I have to admit that I was pretty antsy through the 2.5 hour movie on Thursday because it was by birthday.  Anyway, I guess overall, I'm happy I saw it.  It really showed a clear definition between Classical Hollywood and I guess what would be known as Contemporary Hollywood (or the aesthetics of what we know of Hollywood today). 

Reading this Sam Peckinpah article tonight also helped me realize just how crazy mean (yet depressingly true) kids can be!  At the beginning of the movie, a group of young children are torturing some scorpions with red ants and eventually set them all on fire.  After the opening scene gunfight, some little boys are make believe shooting at another little boy and pushing him to the ground.  While one of the Bunch's members is being dragged behind a car, some children are riding him through the streets and poking him with sticks.  But I understand what Peckinpah was trying to convey... anger, violence and sadism are just kind of a characteristic we are all born with.  Heck... that's probably why we like watching people get rocked on the football field or watch NASCAR to see a crash (even though I don't watch NASCAR... ever). 

For some reason the blood didn't look that real in the movie :p

So that's all for my weekly screenings. I will try to post by the end of the week about the movies watched in class.

PS - I also happened to squeez in Big Trouble in Little China. I'm pretty sure I hadn't seen that movie in 18-20 years. It's just fun to see all the campy effects and a young Kurt Russell and Kim Cattrall. :D

Oh and Watchmen... which to me.. 7am is too early to watch a movie like Watchmen without knowing what you're getting into :)  I may also be in love with Patrick Wilson... because it took me a little bit to figure out that he was Raoul in Joel Schumacher's The Phantom of the Opera.  That and Malin Akerman is hot... which made Wilson and Akerman's love scenes especially steamy!

Captain America

Ok... vent time:  what parent pays $7.50 (matinee) for 4 bratty kids to sit through a movie?  Who is that enjoyable for?  Is that just some sick joke on everyone else in the theater?  And yes, I freaked out on these kids in the middle of the movie.  It was epic.  Probably more than the movie.

So Captain America directed by Joe Johnson... (sigh).  I didn't really have any or much expectations for the movie.  I don't follow comics except for when they're made into movies... then I'll get on Wikipedia and look up characters and their stories and see how well the movie did in comparison.  So not really knowing anything about Capt. America the story itself is pretty interesting.  Of course, this is from a person that doesn't know the characters or their stories and so the movie story is the only story I know.  So, please, if you know more about the story of Capt. America tell me how the movie did.

As for the flow... I thought it was mediocre to bad.  There was just too much jammed into one movie.  I'm not even sure if it were longer, it would still do the movie justice (it was a little over 2 hours).  I think the most intriguing part of the whole thing ended up being the development of Rogers, his journey to becoming the hero Capt. America and his romance with Agent Carter.  The whole supernatural thing with Red Skull Man (lol, the guys name really is Red Skull) and the blue cube deal was a little wacky and kind of messed with the story.  I think even if Red Skull had some nukes or something it would've been a better story instead of keeping us wondering "well what the hell does this blue cube do anyway?"  unless it is used sometime again later in canon or movies.

As a not-so-into-comics person, I enjoyed knowing that Howard Stark is Tony Stark's father.  That connection was pretty sweet.  I was almost expecting somewhere to find out that Agent Carter is actually Tony's mother.  Could be since she didn't get to finish her life knowing Capt. America.  So that was fun.

And finally, I really love Stanley Tucci.  I mean, he's just a lovable looking guy.  :)  And all I want Hugo Weaving to say is "Mr. Anderson............" and put on elf ears. 

In the movie's defense, I thought the use of color was well done.  I liked the use of the sepia "old" look used every so often.  Call me nostalgic if you will.  Cinematography was done well in some parts.  I think my favorite shot was when the bridge is separating Red Skull and Capt. America while the factory was blowing up. 

And I think Chris Evans is HHHOOOTTT .... er, good looking.  and Hayley Atwell is really pretty.  So, here's to good looking people everywhere!

ps - side note:  since I'm a big fan of The Tudors... it was fun to see Natalie Dormer be someone else besides Anne Boleyn. 

Holy Cannoli!!

It's been a long time since I've written a post!!  Sheesh!!  I know that all of my adoring fans have been ANXIOUSLY awaiting to hear from me!  (.......... crickets)

So what have I been doing.  I actually need to go back and look at my last post just to see what the last movie I watched was.

BRB.

Mk, Videodrom and Wall-E.

So since Tuesday I have written my paper on Vertigo.  After the 50th time it's still an awesome movie.  I like how the more I watch it, the more things I catch.  For example:  Hitchcock distinctly focuses on Kim Novak's profile and then the message is made clear why the profile was so important.  (When she's sitting in the green light and says "It's because I remind you of her.")

Then on Friday, I ended up working 13 hours and watched a plethora of movies!  And by plethora I mean 5.  I finished watching Bell, Book, and Candle with Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak.  Just go to the end of this post to find out what it's about.

I then moved on to 2001: A Space Odyssey.  I had actually received this movie when I was 13 years old and watched it once and thought it was the most messed up movie.  However, watching it again 12 years later, I am amazed at the camera tricks Kubrick used, especially the revolving space station/shuttle thing.  I'm not sure, and I haven't looked this up (even though I'm sure it's simple to find), but I'm pretty sure N'Sync used the same tricks to film the music video to Bye Bye Bye.  Ohhhh I miss JT with the highlights (not).  I am also pretty sure Fred Astair used the same effect in Royal Wedding.

yup.

Actually before I watched 2001, I watched The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Heath Ledger's last movie).  Talk about weird movies.  At first I couldn't understand why Ledger's character kept changing in the imaginarium while no one else did... but then it made sense after I read Wikipedia.  He had died during production.  So anyway, the movie kind of messes with your perception a little.  It starts out with a sort of turn of the century traveling show and you think "oh, it's a period movie" but then you see other modern day things like the Eye of London and cars and modern magazines and then you think "What kind of weirdos willingly travel around like this?!"  It's like watching a Salvador Dali painting come to life and move. 

So other than the weird psyche of the movie, it was more alluring to watch Ledger knowing that this was his last film.  I felt the whole time I watched the little things he did.  His mannerisms, his gazes, what he touches and how he does it... etc.  It was actually kind of amazing what I felt watching him... especially knowing that this film came pretty much after Batman.  I had a little talk with my mom about young artists who died young (this started after seeing the cover of People magazine with Amy Winehouse on it).  It got me thinking about things like, "What if someone like Orson Welles or Audrey Hepburn had died young?"  Or I guess for younger people today, "What if Tom Hanks or Johnny Depp died 15-20 years ago?"

OTHER than Heath Ledger, I thought that Christopher Plummer did an AMAZING job.  I just felt so bad for him the whole time.  I kept thinking "Awww.... poor Captain Von Trapp."  What can you do?  However, it makes me want to see The Beginners even more now.  (To do list.)

Ok so... Doctor Parnassus and 2001.  Which reminds me... what the heck does the last part of 2001 mean?!?!  I've read different theories but I just want someone to say "Here it is."

Then I took out The Boondock Saints.  I know... watching the super artsy-fartsy ones on Friday.
(For time continuity sake, what's written above was done on Tuesday... it's not Friday... a week after watching Boondocks.)
I had watched the movie when I first came to college (7 years ago) because it was the "it" thing to do.  Pretty much, if you hadn't seen Boondock Saints or Supertroops you were a freak (as well as not being Liberal and a Cubs fan).  So anyway, watching it again made me convinced that I would totally to do what they do if I could get away from it... I know, that sounds a little psycho and demonic... but c'mon, after watching Oceans 11 you didn't think about robbing a bank?

I want these tattoos on my hands

After finishing Boondocks, I moved back into my Kim Novak collection and started watching Middle of the Night... which was fitting because by the time I started it, it was 1am.  It's just basically about an old man and a young woman who fall in love and in the 1950's that's not cool with anyone.  So this and and yada yada... you get the point... she's hot.  

Mk... so moving on to Tuesday.  Checking out my movies for the day at the library, the clerk (who looked a little punkish like to me) commented, "Getting into the deep stuff eh?  I dig it..."  Anyway, not only did I work a long ass day, but I watched a pretty weird ass (but beautiful!) movie.  I decided to take a stab at Raise the Red Lantern, which is a Chinese movie from 1991 (got nominated for Best Foreign Film).  It has that super simple but awesome cinematography quality to it.  All the pictures and shots were beautiful.  The storyline is a little crazy and spooky... but I guess you'll get that when you have 4 turn of the century concubines and a servant girl fighting over the Master.

Apparently, also, the movie, which was adapted from a book, is also a ballet.  I'm sure it would be beautiful to see.

Going on my Asian kick, I also got Seven Samurai!!!!!!!  I know, the film makers mecca.  I had seen the movie in my very last ever history class before I graduated and didn't pay much attention to the movie.  All I could think about was getting at least a B in the class and getting the hell out of Dodge.  So what would I care if some farmers need some samurai to save their village?!

Watching it again with a critical eye was really fun the second time around.  The use of slow motion, the angles and the panning action shots are pretty cool.  Also for a black and white, the use of the lighting was definitely noticeable.  I liked finding the conscious choices Kurosawa used in his direction.  It was just a lot of fun.  Especially when I constantly have people asking me if my A/C works in my parking booth... I really hate that question.

I really love this scene.  I wish I could find a better picture of it though.

Ohhhh, I just love Kikuchiyo.  He's so well written.  

I had also checked out The Aviator (I know Tron won the poll, but it's unavailable at the library :/).  I was interested in watching it after Raise the Red Lantern but the disk kept skipping in my player.  You bet the library will be hearing about this one!!!! :p

So tonight I watched Good Will Hunting.  Another that I had seen before but didn't really invest myself into it.  I'm pretty sure every time Robin Williams spoke I cried.  A well deserved Oscar win for him.  I also felt that Matt Damon should have gotten Best Actor, but I have never seen As Good As It Gets (which Jack Nicholson won the award that year).  If I haven't said it before, I am in love with Matt Damon.  I also thought Minne Driver was cute as hell in the movie.  And, even though I should try to limit my judgments when watching movies, I couldn't really buy Ben Affleck's performance... probably due to the other crappy performances from movies coming after Good Will Hunting. 

yup, you bet I cried at this scene

And so after I finished crying to the patrons coming through my line, I moved onto Bridge over the River Kwai.  I just love that, even though he doesn't really look like Obi-Wan Kenobi, you can tell it's Alec Guinness because of his speech.  I love the old hard-ass English man role!  But the American, William Holden, (so far) makes the Americans look like a bunch of pussies.  However, I can't cast any stones, seeing as I've never escaped from an enemy prison camp and ran through a jungle.  But compared to other Americans in other war movies.... I guess David Lean was just trying to make it more realistic, which in truth, I'm sure anyone who survives a war doesn't do it with marked grace.  

SO that's what I've been doing for this past week!  Phew!!  

PS - thanks to whoever voted that I would only make the Women's National Soccer Team if the whole league died out!  :D  

Thanks for reading! 

Theory Paper

As said in the post above, here is my theory paper for your ... scrutiny :)

Believe me, I know there are many things wrong with this (ex: my title assumes that my TA knows who Hitchcock is (snicker).  While I'm more than 1000000% sure I know she knows who Hitchcock is, it's not right to assume.  It makes an ass out of u and me :p)  I also started to get pretty exasperated at the end, so apologies Kaja Silverman, Alfred Hitchcock, Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak :/

Women in Hitchcock’s Vertigo

            Throughout the history of film, the role of woman seemed to be well defined on the screen.  She is demure yet complex, quaint yet common, and always beautiful.  Until recently, women had not broken this mold, and even today the breakage is questionable.  Kaja Silverman’s essay Sutures [Excerpts] tells about the idea of the suture theory and how the method is used to immerse the audience.  However, Silverman explores the idea of the use of women as a catalyst for the suture.  This idea is exemplified in Alfred Hitchcock’s movie Vertigo (1958).  With its two main female characters, played by Kim Novak and Barbara Bel Geddes, Vertigo took the extra step of not only using beautiful women to satisfy the viewers but to explicitly make women a spectacle. 

            Silverman’s article begins with the ideas of the shot/reverse shot and how the sequence is used to suture the audience.  Later, she argues that this same method is used to highlight the male gaze to a woman.  “Classic cinema abounds in shot/reverse shot formations in which men look at women.” [1]  Within Vertigo the first time John “Scottie” Ferguson (Jimmy Stewart) sees Madeleine Elster (Kim Novak) the shot/reverse shot it used, and even toward the end of the scene the shots are used quickly.  Aside from the shot, the way Novak is introduced to the audience is in itself a sort of show.  Among a red room, with patrons in neutral colors, Novak is dressed in an emerald gown and her blond hair signifies that she is the woman the audience is to advert their gaze. 

            The same concept is contradicted in an earlier scene between Scotty and Midge (Barbara Bel Geddes).  The beginning of their dialogue is void of any shot/reverse shot, meaning that Midge is not the focus of the audience’s or Scottie’s gaze.  In fact, in the middle of one of Scottie’s lines, the focus is not on him, but on the picture that Midge is drawing, implying that neither of their attention is really on one another so the audience is left feeling disengaged from the conversation at that moment.  Another incident that detracts Midge from the gaze is a point that Scottie criticizes Midge for being motherly, in which the first close-up reveals Geddes’ homely look – horn rimmed glasses, conservative sweater, simple hair and unflattering camera angle in which we have only seen Midge midpoint and upward. 

            While an audience can gawk at a woman throughout a whole movie, Silverman, as does her contemporary Laura Mulvey, explains that the arousal the woman may cause needs to be “neutralized” and that there are two ways to do this.  The first “involves an interrogation calculated to establish either the female subject’s guilt or her illness.”[2]  In Vertigo the main storyline is Madeleine being possessed by a troubled spirit.  Through this the audience no longer views Novak as a sensual figure, but is focused on her actions that would lead us to believe that she is in fact possessed.  Hitchcock does this deliberately through his choice of shots:  the bouquet of flowers and the style of hair are that in the portrait of Carlotta Valdes (Joanne Genthon).  The zoom-in on both objects is highlighted to the audience that something is not right about this woman. 

            The second “negotiates her erotic overinvestment”[3] which leads to an interruption within the narrative.  The only distinct scene from Vertigo is when Scottie brings Madeleine back to his apartment and we see that she is probably naked (or half naked) in his bed.  Although this is not a complete diversion from the narrative, it raises erotic questions within the viewer.  Such as, “Did Scottie undress her himself?” which he probably did since she is passed out at the introduction of the scene.  “Did he marvel at her?  Or did he carry out his job professionally?”  All these questions lead to something that Silverman refers to as the “dis-placement of the viewer”[4].  While we wonder all these things, we forget that she is unclothed in a stranger’s bed for a reason – to carry on a story. 

            Between these two “problems”, Silverman suggests that both are vital in understanding the locus of women especially since the “[erotic overinvestment] contains the potential to subvert the [guilt or illness].”[5]  The next scene is such an example.  When Madeleine enters the room to join Scottie she is in only a red silk robe and is accompanied by tonal, sultry music.  Taking a seat on the floor next to the fire, Scottie interrogates her about falling into the San Francisco Bay and other activities throughout the day.  Even though the shadow of uneasiness and supernatural is present, the chosen angles and shots of nearly all close-ups of Novak accentuate her beauty to the point that she almost mesmerizes her audience.

            After getting over these two dilemmas, the characters on the screen must establish who holds the power.  Silverman says, “The power relations which are inscribed into classic cinema through its scopic regime are by no means as stable as is the regime itself… [T]he identification of the female subject with specularity and the male subject with vision does not necessarily assure the later a dominant position.”[6] However, true to classic cinema, the male gaze dominates throughout Vertigo.  The concept of the power of the male gaze is used before the sighted in the last paragraph.  Right as Madeleine appears in the doorframe of Scottie’s bedroom, the camera shows Scottie from a low-angle shot (giving the feeling of power) and giving a longing gaze in her direction, definitely not from Madeleine’s point of view.  The camera then switches to Madeleine, with the feeling of apprehensiveness and exposure in the red robe, from Scottie’s exact point of view.

            In the end, Silverman claims that “writing a narrative by means of which [the woman] is defined.”[7]  Which to Silverman, who uses the works of Mulvey, “the woman is made to confess by a male character.”  Nothing is more explicit to this example than Scottie’s craze and need to transform Judy back into Madeleine.  Hitchcock even plays with this idea of confession when Judy sits in silhouette form in her apartment aptly stating that she reminds Scottie of “her”, while her profile is a reflection of the shots back in Scottie’s apartment.  Over time, Scottie becomes manically obsessed with the type of clothes Judy should wear, what color her hair should be and how it should be worn.  When the time comes that Judy put together the full package for Scottie, Hitchcock creates a green haze across the camera as if she is coming out of a dream and confessing that she is the woman he has been laboring over. 

            Even as Vertigo is considered one of the greatest American movies, it can be difficult to realize the role of women in the film.  Acclaimed movie critic Roger Ebert has even stated, “Every Hitchcock woman was humiliated.”[8]  So while the role of woman seemed to be well defined in Vertigo, she actually remains undefined and common.  In an idealistic world, the women, especially Kim Novak, harnessed the power of the suture through her beauty and wit.  However, it is through the gaze of the man, Jimmy Stewart, which defines the woman and her role.

---

[1] Silverman, Kaja.  Excerpts from chapter 5 The Subject of Semiotics (New York: Oxford University Press, 1983).  230.

[2] Silverman, 230.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Silverman, 230.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Silverman, 233.

[7] Silverman, 234.

[8] Ebert, Roger.  Vertigo (1958).  rogerebert.com, October 13, 1996.  Web.  July 29, 2011.  <http://www.rogerebert.com/>

Opposite Sides

I feel like I've been on the emotional movie roller coaster today.  Here's something else you should know about me... I am not a particularly big fan of horror movies.  No siree.  And guess what we watched in class today.  Yup.

However, Videodrome isn't your typical slasher horror movie... it's something called a body horror... and I have yet to look up what that exactly means because I'm too scared to click on the link in Wikipedia.  But, I guess if you want to watched a odd 80's horror movie, I guess this would be a good one to watch. 

OK.  So, when I got home I decided to watch Wall-E.  Man do I love that movie.  As many times as I've seen it, it still amazes me that the animators can create emotion in a traditionally emotionless robot but at the end make Wall-E plain and emotionless before he changes back.  Sorry, spoiler, but I figure the movie's been out long enough. 

I also need to do my paper due on Friday... but I am, again notoriously, a procrastinator.  I can't get myself to do something until it's right up to the last minute.  Huff... anyway, so this was an incredibly short one!  Thanks!

I finally watched...

Requiem for a Dream.

Wow does that movie make me never want to shoot up heroine... or really anything... ever.  Someone once said to me, "Really, Darren Aronofsky can't make a bad movie."  I'm starting to believe it.  Because Requiem for a Dream (RFAD) was beautifully messed up.  It's also kind of jarring to see Jennifer Connelly play a part like that.  I mean growing up watching her in The Labyrinth, and seeing beautiful movies like The Rocketeer and A Beautiful Mind you're just kind of like "WHAT THE HELL!!" 

So anyway... I love the use of the short and quick shots which really help with the pace of the characters minds.  The use of sound is amazing.  Not to mention the different lenses that were used throughout... I don't know many directors who can use a fisheye lens as effectively as Aronofsky in this movie. 

Then aside from Aronofsky, a friend of mine said ".... sexy like Jared Leto in RFAD..."  Which before this movie I didn't think Jared Leto was sexy at all... but my mind has been changed.  Not to mention how AWESOME Ellen Burstyn was in this.  Just watch the movie and you'll understand.

To get over this wacky movie, I rented out "The Kim Novak Collection" and watched Pal Joey... a very meh movie musical with Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayward, and, of course, Kim Novak.  And now you're probably wondering "Why Kim Novak?"  Well, because I more or less fell in love with her in Vertigo and it keeps the Woman's World Cup alive (because she looks like Hope Solo to me)... please refer down a few posts. 

I pretty much skipped through most of the movie to get to the parts with Novak in it.  And I have to say, after seeing her in Vertigo it was kind of goofy watching her in Pal Joey.  But overall, it was happy and go-lucky which is what I was looking for.  I'm currently in the middle of Bell, Book and Candle which is sort of like Bewitched ... but with Kim Novak and Jimmy Stewart :p  So that's pretty much all for now. 

Film Theory

... is kicking my ass.  I really do get that it's important and helps us understand how cinema is used and all... but GAH!  Sometimes I don't understand how people think like that.  We just got done thinking about how the set up of a theater helps us convey what's on the screen.  "Why do we willingly sit there and watch horror movies?"  .... because we want to?  I would that if you paid a $7-$9 ticket you would want to! (sigh)

So anyway, since HP, I've sat down and watched a few other movies.

I watched Ridley Scott's Robin Hood recorded from Starz or something.  My niece said she didn't like it and so I was a little weary going into the movie.  However, like I've said before, I am in love with Ridley Scott and so I thought of that while I watched.  It's hard to understand at first that the story is supposed to be before Robin Hood became an outlaw and living in Sherwood Forest.  But once you get over that initial hump, then everything makes sense and I could enjoy the movie more.

I wasn't a huge fan of Cate Blanchett before this movie (although I have a deep respect of her acting abilities after watching Elizabeth) but after I LOVE her.  I think she's great.  I think it was also because there was a different side of her from Elizabeth and Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Chrystal Skull (blech).  There was a strong but vulnerability to Maid Marian and I really liked what she brought to the character.  That and I don't think I've ever really noticed how gorgeous she is!  So, kudos you Cate Blanchett.

Then aside from Cate, I've always been in love with Russel Crowe since The Gladiator (Ridley Scott!) and A Beautiful Mind.  So yay :)

The same night I ended Robin Hood, Treasure and I decided to start watching Burlesque.  Seriously... it's a bad movie.  If you have seen any of the following:  Coyote Ugly, Chicago, and/or Moulin Rouge you've seen Burlesque.  And actually, I have a lot of respect for Christina Aguilera as an artist, but this movie just ruined it for me.  The only redeeming qualities it has for me is Kristen Bell (I am a big Veronica Mars fan) and Cher.  Other than that... blah.  And it hurts to know that Xtina's character came from Iowa :(  I didn't even finish the movie because it was that predictable.

... there's not even a picture online I like enough to post here.

So at work I watched North by Northwest by none other than the wonderful Alfred Hitchcock.  And if you say that he's not one of the most profound directors of our time I WILL FIGHT YOU.  I hadn't watched a Cary Grant film in a while and the movie reminded me how much I love him.  The acting is so crisp and witty that watching him being chased around it just fun instead of a thrill.

Again, Eva Marie Saint the whole time reminded me of a girl I knew from college.  I think Mr. Hitchcock just has a knack for casting girls that mess with my head.  Or was he doing that for everyone ... hmmmmm.  j/k, probably not.  I hadn't paid as close attention to Hitchcock movies was I am now viewing them over again (I had a collection of his movies on VHS growing up) and between North by Northwest and Vertigo both main women are aged 26.  Coincidence? 

I also love how the twist of the move isn't the climax.  It's like OOH she's a double agent!  But that's not the end!  I dunno... it's just great.  Not to mention the graphics to the opening credits are awesome.

My niece informed me that in this scene part of Saint's lines had been flubbed out.  However, I must have grabbed the copy that had put the lines back in.  :/

Then while I was away this last weekend, I started to watch West Side Story... but by the middle of the movie I was having an online argument with my niece (the fake kind that you spam someone's Facebook wall with).  All I could think about though was that Maria's voice wasn't Natalie Wood's.  She actually doesn't have a great voice at all... not even good.  Go watch the movie Gypsy with her in it. 

Also today in Film Theory, we are talking about the roll of the woman within movies.  First we watched Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story... as told with Barbie dolls.  Wow that movie is just... cool in an awkward way.  It's just weird watching Barbie chug down ipecac syrup and Ex-Lax.  That and my TA informed us that the director (Todd Haynes) had started shaving away at Barbie to make her! skinnier!

Then we watched a short movie called Illusions directed by Julie Dash in 1982 although the movie takes place probably in the early 1940's since the war was going on.  First, it was about a black woman who had used her singing abilities to dub over a white woman's singing voice (very a la Singin' In The Rain).  She later admits that the other studios had never paid her before National Studios, where a woman exec. forces her boss to pay the black woman.  It it later revealed that this woman exec. is actually a black woman also and that her life within the movie business is an illusion.

Lastly we watched a movie called Removed which is some old porn movies but the woman had been scratched and colored out.  So we are left with the man... and all the other props surrounding a porn.  So yeah... I've now officially watched a porn in class.  And extremely awkward to watch when you're the only girl in the class.

Other than that... I just keep chuggin' away at Dr. Who and rewatching episodes of Castle.

As far as my half marathon training is going... it's been so hot here in Iowa this last week.  I've been going out and kicking my soccer ball around but it's been so hot that I haven't really made an effort to go to the gym.  I really need to tomorrow.

Lastly, a shout out to the US Woman's Soccer Team!  You still make your country proud!

Harry Potter 2.0

Yup... I went to see HP for a second time.

Just some small things that I noticed.  Please be advised that this whole next post will be from the movie and if you haven't seen it, these may spoil it a little for you :)


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~



Alright then.

1)  When Hermione, Harry and Ron are escaping from Gringotts, I really enjoyed David Yates little homage to Star Wars: A New Hope.  The part when the guards have found the trio and are shooting their spells at them.  Hermione is on one side of the aisle while Ron and Harry are at the other.  They are yelling at one another for an escape plan and it is Hermione who basically says "Someone has to save our skins!" and shoots out the gate to hop onto the dragon.  So yay... Star Wars...

2)  Ok, I understand that Snape was in love with Lilly Potter and to the effect that his patronus changed to a doe because of that.  But when Harry says "My mother's patronus was a doe, wasn't it?"  and asks why Snape's would be too... all Dumbledore can say is "It's not so curious when you think about it."  What's that mean?  Does it mean something deeper than "well duh, Snape was in love with your mother..."?  (huff)... Sometimes I feel like Dumbledore has a little Jesus in him... just can't give a straight answer...

3)  Did anyone else feel like the story was going to slip the rug under us during the Pensive scene and it's like "SUPRISE!!! Snape's really your father!"

4)  What exactly is the purpose of the Resurrection Stone... other than you can talk to dead people?  The purpose is to bring those who are dead back to life.  So, did the stone keep Harry alive when he died?  And if that's so, how does it work since he dropped it before he marched onto Voldemort.

5)  I really wish Harry took the Elder Wand and give ol' Voldemort a good Avada Kadarva!  As Treasure said after watching the movie "You never know where those flakes went to!!"

6)  and to reiterate what a friend of my asked about the disappearance of Huffelpuff:

7)  Please don't take your kids to the movie's if they're not ready.  It's a big waste of time and money for you and the people around you..... (kids in front of me kept looking at me during the movie).

That is all!  Will just edit this post if I think of more things.

** EDIT **

1)  To me, I would like to think that since love is the divine factor that kept Harry Potter alive as a baby, that Snape's continuing love of Lily also protected Harry.  Thoughts!?

Harry Potter

For those of us who grew up with Harry Potter, it's sad to see him go.  I can honestly say that my childhood was magical because of J.K. Rowling. 

I promise not to give out spoilers (which include those in the book) without proper notification.

In all, this movie was probably the best.  The best balance between action, drama and comedy (blech!).  I don't think I've cried that much in a movie since I saw ... well I can't remember what the last movie made me cry that much.  Titanic maybe?  I mean... to the point that I was sniffling.  Wait... it was Disney's Meet the Robinsons.  Really great movie.

Anyway, I just want to go through what we saw a previews.  I just think it's absolutely HILARIOUS that big named directors have decided to make children/young adult/think Lassie movies for this coming Christmas season.  Steven Spielberg is making War Horse.  Not something I would typically associate Spielberg.  And then Martin Scorsese has made Hugo.... really super bright rich colors about a boy and roboty thing.  However, within the previews was a small trailer for The Dark Knight Rises.  Will be making a trip to the theater for that one.  As well as Cowboys and Aliens.

SO... without going into too much detail, I just want to say CAN WE PLEASE cut the silly little comedic impromptus (imprompti?)!?  I swear, this is just a curse of the whole series... a nice dramatic and heartfelt scene and moment but then we have a little one liner, or a silly cut to an over the top expression.

Maybe it was because I went to the midnight showing so I'm watching the movie with people who will giggle, laugh, cry and clap at every thing David Yates wants.  He's probably thinking in his head the whole time "Let's just shoot this little snide because the Potties will love it!!"  (grumble grumble)  Well thanks for breaking the Suture Theory for me everyone!  I couldn't properly suture myself into the movie!!

So yes, Treasure and I dressed up to go... which is the first time I and he have ever done that.  We got to the theater at 9 and were FAR from the beginning of the line.  In fact, we were told the 1st people in line had been out there since 5am.  But man, did we see some cool costumes.  My favorite was 2 girls dressed as the golden snitch.

I will forever think that Emma Watson will be a class act and I hope she is happy with her life after Harry Potter.  I mean, same for everyone else in the cast, but I just have a soft spot for her :)  I think she is every girl's hero, and she is a great one to follow.  I hope none of them burn out and life on only as "that one kid who played (fill in the blank)".

I wish I could post the final shot of the 3 of them at the end of the movie... but no one has pirated that onto Google images :/

So for now, Mischief Managed.


And back to the movie...

SPOILERS

Does anyone else think that the adult versions of Harry, Hermione and Ron seemed weird?  To the point you almost wishes they just found some other actors?  To me I think they were also digitally edited a little.  I mean, they all did see a little bit older.... but not 19.  Maybe Ron, but definitely not Hermione.

Does anyone else wonder "Why the hell would they introduce a time turner in the 3rd book and never use it again?!"  That one just runs through my mind all the time.

Wow was Snape's death brutal.  I think it's almost worse with the thudding leaving the imagination to imagine the actual death.  Damn.

I still can't take Molly Weasley seriously when she said "Not my daughter, bitch."  It's just so out of character for me.  I don't know.  Not my favorite line.  I also though Bellatrix deserved a better or more glorified death... just because she's done all these awful things that we deserved a worse death to me.  I mean we watched her torture Hermione!

**EDIT** I also feel that Hermione's small stunt as Bellatrix Lestrange did justice to Helena Bonham Carter as an actress.   I think Carter did an excellent job mimicking Watson's little movements.  One in particular I noticed was when Hermione says "Good Day" right as the group entered the ally.  The way an exasperated Hermione would throw her eyes into the ceiling in frustration was done well by Carter.

Finally... HARRY AND HERMIONE SHOULD'VE ENDED UP TOGETHER!!!  It's all in the books until J.K. explicit says Ron and Hermione are together.  NO NO NO!!  But what is remains and that's how she wanted it.

I feel like there's a weird void.  I can't believe it's over.  Although, Treasure did say that he heard a rumor that J.K. has thought about writing more books from the HP series.  We'll see!

Vertigo

Ok, seriously this one will be short.

We watched Vertigo today.  I was late coming in because I wanted to watch the end of the US Woman's game... which ended up being totally unnecessary since they beat France pretty bad.  It was nice to see Alex Morgan score.  I would've been happy to see anyone score, but it was just nice to see someone who doesn't score very often score.

I came into the movie right as Jimmy Stewart was hanging off the building and his partner falls of the edge and dies.  Aside that this all has to do with our readings by Christian Metz and the psychology of a film... da da da... what I couldn't get out of my head is HOW freakin' much Kim Novak and Hope Solo looked alike to me.  The whole movie.  Right after coming late to class to watch the game.  I'm thinking to myself "That's right Hope Solo.  Just a big wave comes crashing in while you and Jimmy Stewart share that first kiss."

But, you can decide for yourself what you think:

 

I know Hope is a brunette now, but still.  I think they look pretty gosh darn similar!

Anyway, that's all for now :)  Told you it'd be short!  

PS - anyone else think Megan Rapinoe should just start the game on Sunday?

Short One

After much thought on District 9 and not watching a single more minute of it, I came realize:  If I, or we as an audience, feel so bad for these non human (very distinctly non human) creatures, how are we supposed to feel when these sorts of conditions and treatments are aimed at humans.

I (notoriously) started 1941 by Steven Spielberg made in 1979.  I had actually known the theme song because of a John Williams CD I had bought a while back.  I was surprised to find that it's actually a comedy.  I don't usually associate comedies with Spielberg, but it's actually really funny.  Especially when he tips his hat at his own movie Jaws.

Anyway, where I was going with this is that Motor Sergeant Frank Tree (played by Dan Akroyd) says throughout the movie, "What I can't abide by is Americans fighting Americans!"  I think the same could be said for the whole human race.  Which is a little silly and naive considering (what I believe) the world has never had a total and complete peace anywhere at one time.  Maybe back in the stone ages or Atlantis or something, but from what I can remember from my (incredibly prestigious (ha!) and relevant) bachelors in History... I really don't think there is just one era of peace. 

(I can hear Treasure watching choral pieces downstairs... yuck...)

Then aside from starting 1941, I finished The Quiet American.  Wow... on so many levels.  Wow that no matter how hard Brendan Fraser tried to be serious all I could think about is him and Alicia Silverstone in Blast From The Past... as well as George of the Jungle... and Encino Man.  So taking him seriously was a little bit of a challenge for me.  And wow to how dark and broody the movie ended up being.  I get that the movie opens with a murder so the rest of the movie is therefore followed in that tone, but C'MON the movie is also about fighting for love and all the mushy stuff.  But I guess that since it takes place in Vietnam, we Americans just think of it as a (metaphorically) dark, gloomy, yet tropical place. 

But I will admit, that I enjoy watching Fraser in With Honors.  

Today I also started watching Season 1 of Dr. Who.  Not Season 1 from the 60's... the one from 2005.  After 3 episodes in I can see the allure.  It has a pretty good storyline, and it keeps you wanting to know more information about The Doctor and where they go next for their adventure.  But what I can't get over (and I'm sorry I may sound shallow here) is how trampy the girl looks.  Maybe that's her character and how the producers/directors/whoever want her to look.  All I can think is, if it weren't for her sweet British accent ... blah.  I don't know if it's her dirty blond hair... or her dark thick eyebrows... or her big teeth... But I think the more I watch it, the more my opinion will change.

Side note:  I'm still reeling from the US Woman's soccer game yesterday!  How AWESOME was that!?

More things you should know about me:  I was an avid soccer player growing up.  I played competitively since I was 10, all through high school (till my senior year), then played intramurals in college.  I also spent 3 summers in Europe playing with other girls around the country.  Mk...

But wow... not only does Hope Solo have the best name in the world, but she's the more AWESOME goal keeper in the world.  How bogus was that PK call during the game?!?!  Who else thinks Marta looks dirty?  And who else had the privilege to see Megan Rapinoe's Wikipedia page say her official name is "Megan Anna "Brazilian Killer" Rapinoe"?!

SO take that you stupid Australian* Ref!!  And your pansy AR's too!

If we had lost I would've gone on about how "At least our team is pretty!!!  Neener neener neener!!"  



*I actually love Australian people.  I have a couple friends from Perth and Melbourne.  I also think the little penguins on the north side of the island are incredibly cute and I think it's incredibly brave the people putting the effort toward saving the giant sea turtles and their babies on the beaches being born.