general update and movie chat
I am way behind on reading others' journals, but I will post a little here.
Have been away for work-- Albuquerque-- have a few pics I want to post soon. Also just started dog training with my new dog Rufus, so more coming about that. Let's just say though that exercising Rufus and placating his emotionally retarded self (not a put-down, just a fact: you'd be emotionally retarded too if you were neglected, left outside, stray, etc. during your formative years when you should have been cuddled, played with, and exercised) at this point takes a lot of time and energy. If you do it, you are rewarded with a sweet, cuddly boy. If you don't, you get a whiner who may crawl up you, bruising and scratching you up to get your attention.
I happen to have seen the two movies that are getting the most Oscar buzz lately. No Country for Old Men was an edge-of-your-seat ride, beautifully written and filmed and acted. As
aimster202 pointed out, however, Javier Bardem's character didn't seem human at all, but more like a machine, and that seemed to take away from the power of the movie a little, or maybe from our sense that there was any sense to all the senseless goings on. (I think the senselessness was a large part of the point though--the ending drives this home. I loved watching Josh Brolin and esp. Tommy Lee Jones--TLJ is so fascinating just to look at, and he had the best lines.)
There Will Be Blood--I figured since I'm way into "Deadwood," I would like this film. It was really good and Daniel Day Lewis deserves the attention he's getting. But it did feel a little long to me. let me think about this. (We had great Ethiopian food afterward though!)
Recently watched Southern Comfort on Netflix, starred Robert Eads.
That seemed a little long too, but worth it. What intense admiration I have for the people profiled, especially Robert Eads. I really admire his ability to have fun, to love, and not lose his formidable wisdom in times more difficult than I have yet had to endure. I think that Kate Davis's decisions about how to go about this film were great--tell the stories, do not be too overtly political; that'll come out plain as day as the stories get told. I was shocked that I was shocked to hear of the health "care" debacles that occurred.
Crotch grabbing--it's all in good fun.
Lola Cola's page.
Another Lola page. i love how she has the drink in hand.
Also watched Double Indemnity. I realize that this film is the model for many noirish things that followed it, but its raciness seems tame by today's standards, there do not seem to be that many plot strands, and it's funny to watch for the "code"-controlled things in the film-- you never see lips when the two main characters kiss, there is no suggestion that they had sex, etc. Apparently it took 6-8 years to get the film into a form that the censors would allow. Edward G. Robinson stands out, and Fred Mac Murray was a cutie when he was young.
Have been away for work-- Albuquerque-- have a few pics I want to post soon. Also just started dog training with my new dog Rufus, so more coming about that. Let's just say though that exercising Rufus and placating his emotionally retarded self (not a put-down, just a fact: you'd be emotionally retarded too if you were neglected, left outside, stray, etc. during your formative years when you should have been cuddled, played with, and exercised) at this point takes a lot of time and energy. If you do it, you are rewarded with a sweet, cuddly boy. If you don't, you get a whiner who may crawl up you, bruising and scratching you up to get your attention.
I happen to have seen the two movies that are getting the most Oscar buzz lately. No Country for Old Men was an edge-of-your-seat ride, beautifully written and filmed and acted. As
aimster202 pointed out, however, Javier Bardem's character didn't seem human at all, but more like a machine, and that seemed to take away from the power of the movie a little, or maybe from our sense that there was any sense to all the senseless goings on. (I think the senselessness was a large part of the point though--the ending drives this home. I loved watching Josh Brolin and esp. Tommy Lee Jones--TLJ is so fascinating just to look at, and he had the best lines.)
There Will Be Blood--I figured since I'm way into "Deadwood," I would like this film. It was really good and Daniel Day Lewis deserves the attention he's getting. But it did feel a little long to me. let me think about this. (We had great Ethiopian food afterward though!)
Recently watched Southern Comfort on Netflix, starred Robert Eads.
That seemed a little long too, but worth it. What intense admiration I have for the people profiled, especially Robert Eads. I really admire his ability to have fun, to love, and not lose his formidable wisdom in times more difficult than I have yet had to endure. I think that Kate Davis's decisions about how to go about this film were great--tell the stories, do not be too overtly political; that'll come out plain as day as the stories get told. I was shocked that I was shocked to hear of the health "care" debacles that occurred.
Crotch grabbing--it's all in good fun.
Lola Cola's page.
Another Lola page. i love how she has the drink in hand.
Also watched Double Indemnity. I realize that this film is the model for many noirish things that followed it, but its raciness seems tame by today's standards, there do not seem to be that many plot strands, and it's funny to watch for the "code"-controlled things in the film-- you never see lips when the two main characters kiss, there is no suggestion that they had sex, etc. Apparently it took 6-8 years to get the film into a form that the censors would allow. Edward G. Robinson stands out, and Fred Mac Murray was a cutie when he was young.