(no subject)
So not much to really report on here... It's been mostly status quo around here. Movie watching... Hanging out... that's about it...
I have nothing to add, really. Nothing extraordinary is happening. Atticus will be 1 on Wednesday (woot).
Less than two months till moving out. Then reality and Lord knows what that will bring. Some options appear to be rising and not exactly what I was originally anticipating. Is a move elsewhere in the world in my plan? I don't know... Seriously its a great opportunity on some levels...but I don't know if I could hack it financially. We shall see. NYC? God. It's such a bizarre time, really. And where can I go with Atticus? Too much allergy trouble at home. I think a firm plan for the near future and then I'll figure out what's what after that. Been watching a lot of movies lately (I mean, seriously, a lot).
Anyway, capsulated comments on a select few for those of you bored enough to read on...
Being There (1979) ***1/2 D: Hal Ashby. A sly comedy-drama about a simple-minded governor whose only knowledge of life comes from the television. Peter Sellers gives what is his most poignant performance as the gardener, who on the death of the owner of his house, is forced out into the real world where Chance (his name, read into it) accidentally stumbles into the life of a dying political player and his wife (Oscar-winner Melvyn Douglas & Shirley MacLaine) and has an unlikely but amusing effect on the couple, the president and eventually the entire nation. (Everyone sees his reticence and simplistic gardening explanations as profound genius). Needs to be seen for it to be fully appreciated. Ignore the closing credits as they will destroy the beautiful mood of the film's final scene.
Bullets Over Broadway (1994) ***1/2 D: Woody Allen. A hilarious dark comedy about a young pretentious (and seemingly mediocre) playwright (John Cusack) who gets his play produced on Broadway...financed by a mobster who insists that his talentless girlfriend (Jennifer Tilly brilliantly channeling Lina Lamont) get a lead. Chazz Palminteri plays the bodyguard with a flair for theatrical writing; Mary Louise Parker, Harvey Fierstein, Tracey Ullmann, Jim Broadbent and Rob Reiner are also in the cast. However, it is Dianne Wiest who steals the film as a boozed-up, obnoxious diva in an atypical performance that won her a deserved Academy Award.
City of God (2002) **** D: Fernando Meirelles. Possibly the most numbing film I've seen in years. A stark, poetic look at violence in the slums outside Rio de Janeiro in which lawlessness runs rampant. Stark violence, unsettling scenes and characters combine to create a powerful and affecting film that will stay with you. Words cannot fully describe the impact. I just recommend that you all see it if you haven't already.
Coming Home (1978) ***1/2 D: Hal Ashby. What may well be "The Best Years of Our Lives" for the Vietnam era. The story is essentially a political and romantic comment on the situation of returning veterans from Vietnam, particularly those who are severely injured or disabled from combat. Jane Fonda stars as a Marine wife who decides to volunteer at a local VA after her stern husband (Bruce Dern) is deployed. At the hospital, Fonda meets up with an old high school acquaintance (Jon Voight), an angry, embittered quadraplegic. An unlikely but touching relationship blossoms between the two. She discovers that she has an independence and inherent social awareness. He finds relief from his anger. Compelling and touching, the film is tastefully done and delivers a powerful message that still has relevance.
Out of Africa (1985) *** D: Sydney Pollack. With this, I have now seen every Oscar-winning Best Picture since 1927's 'Wings'. This one clearly fits into the middle column of 'eh'. It's a good film, don't get me wrong. But this historical romantic drama about the romance between Karen Blixen and Denys Hatton starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford goes on far longer than it should (161 minutes of Streep is borderline overkill). Good performances, beautiful cinematography and striking visuals, but lagging in parts, particularly in the first hour. The latter half of the film is infinitely more engaging and satisfying.
The Party (1968) ***1/2 D: Blake Edwards. Peter Sellers plays an Indian film extra in Hollywood (casting that would no doubt create chaos today) in a masterful slapstick comedy that continues to get funnier as it progresses. The film extra has ruined the expensive one-time shot of the latest epic and a call goes through to the studio head for a pink slip. In taking down the name, the executive accidentally writes it on an exclusive party invitation list, to which Sellers shows up and delivers on his trademark physical comedy. Border-line absurdist and experimental, it is highly entertaining.
Topkapi (1964) **** D: Jules Dassin. Before Ocean's 11, 12, Mission Impossible and the later Bond films there was this clever caper about a group of high profile thieves who want to steal the legendary Topkapi emerald dagger from the museum in Istanbul. Greek film star Melina Mercouri stars as a sultry self-proclaimed nymphomaniac oozing sex appeal while masterminding the heist. Maximilian Schell is her lover who organizes and executes the event. Peter Ustinov won his second Oscar as the small-time con man who inadvertently gets caught up in their scheme. Highly entertaining, consistenly amusing (and funny), as well as genuinely suspenseful, the film was the direct inspiration for the "Mission: Impossible" TV series. And the famous scene from the movie with Tom Cruise hanging upside down? Yeah, they stole that from this movie. Intentionally - they even refer to it. It's dated, but still a really good time. Plus it's got an infectious score.
But what am I? Leonard Maltin?
Good night folks.
PS. Criticism is not and never will be a life goal so no one better mention it.
I have nothing to add, really. Nothing extraordinary is happening. Atticus will be 1 on Wednesday (woot).
Less than two months till moving out. Then reality and Lord knows what that will bring. Some options appear to be rising and not exactly what I was originally anticipating. Is a move elsewhere in the world in my plan? I don't know... Seriously its a great opportunity on some levels...but I don't know if I could hack it financially. We shall see. NYC? God. It's such a bizarre time, really. And where can I go with Atticus? Too much allergy trouble at home. I think a firm plan for the near future and then I'll figure out what's what after that. Been watching a lot of movies lately (I mean, seriously, a lot).
Anyway, capsulated comments on a select few for those of you bored enough to read on...
Being There (1979) ***1/2 D: Hal Ashby. A sly comedy-drama about a simple-minded governor whose only knowledge of life comes from the television. Peter Sellers gives what is his most poignant performance as the gardener, who on the death of the owner of his house, is forced out into the real world where Chance (his name, read into it) accidentally stumbles into the life of a dying political player and his wife (Oscar-winner Melvyn Douglas & Shirley MacLaine) and has an unlikely but amusing effect on the couple, the president and eventually the entire nation. (Everyone sees his reticence and simplistic gardening explanations as profound genius). Needs to be seen for it to be fully appreciated. Ignore the closing credits as they will destroy the beautiful mood of the film's final scene.
Bullets Over Broadway (1994) ***1/2 D: Woody Allen. A hilarious dark comedy about a young pretentious (and seemingly mediocre) playwright (John Cusack) who gets his play produced on Broadway...financed by a mobster who insists that his talentless girlfriend (Jennifer Tilly brilliantly channeling Lina Lamont) get a lead. Chazz Palminteri plays the bodyguard with a flair for theatrical writing; Mary Louise Parker, Harvey Fierstein, Tracey Ullmann, Jim Broadbent and Rob Reiner are also in the cast. However, it is Dianne Wiest who steals the film as a boozed-up, obnoxious diva in an atypical performance that won her a deserved Academy Award.
City of God (2002) **** D: Fernando Meirelles. Possibly the most numbing film I've seen in years. A stark, poetic look at violence in the slums outside Rio de Janeiro in which lawlessness runs rampant. Stark violence, unsettling scenes and characters combine to create a powerful and affecting film that will stay with you. Words cannot fully describe the impact. I just recommend that you all see it if you haven't already.
Coming Home (1978) ***1/2 D: Hal Ashby. What may well be "The Best Years of Our Lives" for the Vietnam era. The story is essentially a political and romantic comment on the situation of returning veterans from Vietnam, particularly those who are severely injured or disabled from combat. Jane Fonda stars as a Marine wife who decides to volunteer at a local VA after her stern husband (Bruce Dern) is deployed. At the hospital, Fonda meets up with an old high school acquaintance (Jon Voight), an angry, embittered quadraplegic. An unlikely but touching relationship blossoms between the two. She discovers that she has an independence and inherent social awareness. He finds relief from his anger. Compelling and touching, the film is tastefully done and delivers a powerful message that still has relevance.
Out of Africa (1985) *** D: Sydney Pollack. With this, I have now seen every Oscar-winning Best Picture since 1927's 'Wings'. This one clearly fits into the middle column of 'eh'. It's a good film, don't get me wrong. But this historical romantic drama about the romance between Karen Blixen and Denys Hatton starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford goes on far longer than it should (161 minutes of Streep is borderline overkill). Good performances, beautiful cinematography and striking visuals, but lagging in parts, particularly in the first hour. The latter half of the film is infinitely more engaging and satisfying.
The Party (1968) ***1/2 D: Blake Edwards. Peter Sellers plays an Indian film extra in Hollywood (casting that would no doubt create chaos today) in a masterful slapstick comedy that continues to get funnier as it progresses. The film extra has ruined the expensive one-time shot of the latest epic and a call goes through to the studio head for a pink slip. In taking down the name, the executive accidentally writes it on an exclusive party invitation list, to which Sellers shows up and delivers on his trademark physical comedy. Border-line absurdist and experimental, it is highly entertaining.
Topkapi (1964) **** D: Jules Dassin. Before Ocean's 11, 12, Mission Impossible and the later Bond films there was this clever caper about a group of high profile thieves who want to steal the legendary Topkapi emerald dagger from the museum in Istanbul. Greek film star Melina Mercouri stars as a sultry self-proclaimed nymphomaniac oozing sex appeal while masterminding the heist. Maximilian Schell is her lover who organizes and executes the event. Peter Ustinov won his second Oscar as the small-time con man who inadvertently gets caught up in their scheme. Highly entertaining, consistenly amusing (and funny), as well as genuinely suspenseful, the film was the direct inspiration for the "Mission: Impossible" TV series. And the famous scene from the movie with Tom Cruise hanging upside down? Yeah, they stole that from this movie. Intentionally - they even refer to it. It's dated, but still a really good time. Plus it's got an infectious score.
But what am I? Leonard Maltin?
Good night folks.
PS. Criticism is not and never will be a life goal so no one better mention it.