Archive for January, 2007
this is gonna be a good one… »
Monday, January 8th, 2007
ok. so i don’t think it will. not that i want to sound pessimistic, but while ’06 was one of the worst years in regard to social and governmental and in my case financial regard, i just don’t see an upswing in the near future. though it’d take some time and i have nothing too pressing to fill my day tomorrow, but some revamp webplay, i won’t bore you with a year in review.
listening to NPR on the ride back to the cities and then watching a few awesome movies have spurred what some would call a depression recently. things aren’t the worst they could be though, which oddly enough makes it seem worse. knowing there’s still some downward spiral just adds something to look forward to, but only if you like myself get a kick out of mass destruction, greed, and decay.
the neocon movement centers on the public’s disinterest in government regulation and is fed incessently by corporate wallets that view regulation as a knock on profit margin. they’re winning we just came off an election where oil prices stalled and then fell the month before elections only to rise the day after. i’m sure the rule of supply and demand found november seventh to be an important day the war in iraq threatens to teeter over the line into perpetual. while the “liberal revolution” was heralded as a new course for america, the majorities are so slim it will likely only facilitate moderate to pathetic change. reality tv is filling cable because it’s not only the cheapest programming to produce, popular culture is soaking it up like rice soaks up water. the top ten percent of america holds seventy percent of the wealth. we were pivital in killing a hated dictator in a rushed fashion for 148 killings while leaving thousands of questions and killings in a cloud of speculation. we’re fighting a war in a country that hates us only slightly less than they hate each other. eleven percent of our oil will be dried up within the next decade. global warming is still being widely ignored by those in power and those with money because they see only instability in finding alternatives. even those who see a decline in polar bear populations are waiting a year to place them on the endangered list because it would mean putting “global warming” as a major cause. auto makers with the exception of probably toyota stall in their efforts to improve technologies that could not only help the environment but increase their profits and market share. i guess they still may be confused carlos mencia has a show. kids are spending more time on their computer than watching tv. good thing they spend all that time on their ass snacking on the newest creation from corporate obesity and end up dying sooner.bad thing [generally depending on the kid]
corporate responsibility has given us enron, addiction to oil, status as fattest nation ever, media addicted personalities, socially isolated populations, monetary values of self-confidence, luxury drugs, and the slow death of our planet. government has given us a laughable status globally, fear, lies, corruption, and insignificant political pressure on epic problems.
no where to turn and no one with the balls to build the road to change. none of this is short-term and none of it will change in the next 365 earthly rotations. unless consumers and the population as a whole decide change needs to happen it never will. until hummers are seen as the oil guzzling piles of shit they are, wealth isn’t measured in accounts, global warming is seen as a threat, corporations see the value in being socially responsible as well as profitable, government isn’t run by unaccountable think-tanks, and people realize their choices have national implications, nothing will change and we will speed ourselves down that spiral toward destruction. i guess i’ll just watch a shitton of movies, make a few dollars here and there while they’re still worth something, and try to have faith in the sheep. this is me stoked.
pursuit of happyness »
Sunday, January 7th, 2007
How do you tell the story of a man who went from nothing to millions without being absurd or going over the top or sounding preachy? You make a film like this.
I’m not usually one for disney-esque movies. I watch them, but I rarely end up enjoying them after it’s said and done. they’re preposterous in most cases and the rest are just too childish for me to regard them as top cinema. But I’m not a snob and, as most know, I’m not one to turn down watching a movie; especially one nominated for a globe. So I went and saw it, and here’s how it turned out.
The story is just what it needed to be and nothing more. Something i was surprised, but impressed by. Some may see this as unsatisfying, but i think any other snapshot into his life, or a longer timeline would have been akin to stabbing yourself in the leg << see talladega nights >>. It follows Gardner from poor to employed with a dip into homelessness that everyone’s seen clips off unless they’re chilling under various stone formations.
The acting is top shelf. I’m in favor of Smith in most cases and this one is close to the top of the list. His range is like I’ve never seen from him. I’m perpetually disappointed in child actors, but mini-Smith did well << granted his character wasn't very far for him to go >>. The secondary characters were typical instead of the typical robotic-anti-main-character-achieving that tends to fill your usual epic-rise-to-the-top style movies. They showed compassion and helped Gardner through his struggle to better himself.
Overall it doesn’t overplay the challenges he faced and could be very close to the reality of his situation so i have no major objections. Not the sort of film i usually give quality marks too, but Smith’s performance is so strong and the screenplay so smartly done i have to give it major credit.
****
children of men »
Sunday, January 7th, 2007
How in the hell??
Okay, with that off my chest, let’s get started. This film is epic. For a sci-fi film, it’s gritty and dark and deep. The story follows an ex-activist who becomes intermingled with a group trying to transport a pregnant woman to another group that will provide her and her child safety. There’s a catch. This pregnant girl is the first pregnancy on earth in eighteen years. The film graphically depicts what may happen if the world started falling apart one city at a time.
The plot is strong and simplistic. There are twists that jar you out of your comfort zone unexpectedly, reminding you of the dire situation these characters are in. There are small sequences of hilarity between dark and violent sequences. The pace is hectic, but the humor helps not only to relax, but intensifies the rest of the film. The interaction between characters and Faron’s long journey to get the girl to safety show the strength and flaws in humanity in equal proportion.
The acting is incredible. Owen always does well, but he carries this film as I haven’t seen before. Caine has a great character and makes the most of it. Ashitey does a great job playing Kee << yes, that's the pregnant girl's name. ah well, I guess Sexton and Cauron thought it had to be done >>.
The action sequences are powerful and realistic, but the real story is the long shots. And i mean long shots. The film starts out with Faron getting a cup of coffee. I’m not going to tell you what happens, but the shot as the camera follows him has to be close to a minute long. Other shots are longer and with much more going on. The action sequence in act three would have been amazing, but because it’s one continuous shot it’s absolutely stunning. The handheld long shot is used just enough as to not distract or hurt the film. I left the theatre in wonder at how they could have choreographed such congested action.
If you can’t see this one in the theatre check it out on dvd because you’ll want to have the best quality for your money. You may even be able to get the girl to watch this one out of sheer curiosity. When it comes to sci-fi, this is what war of the worlds could have been.
*****
The good shepherd »
Monday, January 1st, 2007
this movie is incredibly boring. it’s long and low on action. the color is desaturated and the mood is overwhelmingly somber. because of all this the movie is intense and brilliantly done. deniro’s attention to detail is incredible and damon’s portrayal of wilson is emotional in it’s lack of emotion. the dialogue is thoughtful and measured. the acting is strong and even jolie fills her role << even if she could have been replaced with a no-name without noticable detriment >>.
the film is what espionage should be like. the action-packed, bond-esque storyline is abandoned in favor of a subtle battle of power and influence. it follows wilson from his entry into the skulls through the early formation of the CIA. it shows the decomposition of his personal life as he fell deeper into the world he had created for himself. damon is completely subdued which adds magnitude to the sequences he flares with emotion.
characters intertwine and there are constant shifts in power. the struggle between wilson and his russian counterpart goes back and forth like stacks of chips in a heads-up poker game. this movie is a great example of how knowledge is power and how infiltration is a successful tool in many governmental workings.
****