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Thursday, December 28, 2006
So, saw 'The Holiday' again...
12/28/2006 12:58:00 AM and you wouldn't believe (or would you) who hated it, and thought my favorite couple, shouldn't have ended up together. That's right, Maggie the apparently anti-happyness (I know its not spelled with a y, I'm just taking a cue from "The Pursuit...") rooter at romantic comedies, thought Jack Black and Kate Winslet would have been better off as friends. Hmm, sound oddly familiar for me to be outraged about such a silly opinion? Well then, you might have forgotten the time Kayla, Katie, Maggie, and I saw "The Prince and Me" in theaters, adn Maggie announced afterwards, that she felt Julia Stiles character should've ditched the prince and love of her life in favor of becoming a doctor. I'm not even gonna get into the whole argument of good you can do in the world as a queen vs. doctor, but I get the feeling some of that resentment still lays low beneath the surface. So I shouldn't have been surprised that Maggie would hate this movie. Perhaps even subconsciously I knew she would, and wanted to find out her reaction to it. Regardless, after my second viewing I feel my initial reactions still stand. I have to say though, I did skim below to see what I wrote about it the first time, and found this: So apparently I had forgotten that it was an easy love it or hate it kinda film, so it definitely makes sense for peeps to dislike it....but I don't :) It was cute and fluffy and did it's job, which is to be cute and fluffy and make craptons of money from girls who want to go see a cute and fluffy romance, and get a sense of escapism since there is no such relationship in real life, and rack in the money for big studios, so they can afford to fund movies that are about the art and craftsmanship of good films. I think that's what I think of as a difference when I think about "movies" and "films"...there's something about quality, but also, purpose or intent, and this one does fills it's just fine. Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Well, the purpose has now exceeded the cause.
12/26/2006 12:20:00 AM BAGHDAD, Iraq - The U.S. military death toll in Iraq has reached 2,974, one more than the number of deaths in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, according to an Associated Press count on Tuesday. Doesn't that just make you wanna punch someone in the throat. (And I happen to be referring to a specific someone.) Tuesday, December 19, 2006
And my faith in the romantic comedy returns.
12/19/2006 07:45:00 AM I haven't seen many good chick flicks for a while, and either they started looking worse, so I stopped going to watch them, or for some reason I got disinterested in that particular genre of film, losing whatever cliche warm gooey qualities they tend to have. To this fortunate re-discovery of how good they can be, I credit two films I've seen recently. I also credit 3 amazing performances by women. The Holiday Imagine Me & You The first of which belonging to Kate Winslet in the Holiday. It's impossible for me to not gush about her in that movie. I mean, I'm sure its hard for people to not gush about her in a lot of her movies, because she's a great actress, but I'd never seen her in this style of character, and she was amazing as a romantic lead in a chick flick. Which almost sounds degrading in a way, for an oscar nominated actress, but believe me when you see her in this film you'll love it. She's just so damn cute in the movie. It was also her first ever performance in a Romantic/Comedy, and I think she was brilliant.  Also too damn cute is Mr. Jack Black. He's so adorable and sweet in this. Very charming. Seriously, these two and their half of the story (including the old man, who also was working some major cuteage) are the best part of the movie. The other half, being that of Cameron Diaz and Jude Law, which sounds like it would've been the super-pairing of the film, given their both power players in this genre, but at this point we've all seen and know exactly how Cameron would play this part, and does, and Jude Law is only slight more interesting than some of his other roles where he plays a slutty-whimpy-manwhore who can't control his philandering (or nanny-bagging in real-life), because in this film he starts out as a slutty-whimpy-manwhore, but then another side of him is revealed, which I won't spoil, cause it just makes his character more cute. That's not to say their movie wouldn't be as good, it was still great, but there was something more fresh about Winslet and Black as a pair.  But I felt like this could have been two completely seperate movies, and when we came out of the theater I still felt like I could have watched another hour of each story. But the shiniest star was most definitely Winslet, who they seemed to show more of in the film than others, though they definitely didn't focus on her relationship with Jack Black half as much as the Diaz/Law storyline. Still she was so good that her performance will be what people rememeber walking out. As Sam and I were walking out I was telling her how impressed I was with Winselt in the film, and she was my favorite part, when in another group of girls that we walk past, one girl is gushing to her friends that "Kate Winslet is AMAZING in this movie!!". So my initial reaction felt justified. I also felt like when I was watching it, it must've been how people used to feel watching old Hollywood actresses up on the big screen, when they just knew there was something powerful and enchanting about these women. You know the Katherine Hepburns and Ginger Roger's of the day, who just captured this magic, this spark, up there. Of course that also might be referencing the old man (who plays an old Hollywood director, so that might have been one reason I was thinking of those comparisons while watching). But the other thing I loved was how much 'cinema' was incorporated into the film. Kate Winslet had the old man director, getting her to watch all these old movies, and Jack Black's character writes/composes scores for films, and Cameron Diaz's character is a trailer editor while Jude Law is just the outcast as a book editor. How Lame. I love when movies do that though, and it becomes almost autobiographical in those moments. Some of my favorite films are those who exlpore or examine filmmaking and its magic with people within the films themselves. Cinema Paradiso is an amazing amazing film that is all about falling in love with movies, and one of my all-time favorites. The other thing I think was funny was that on the way home I decided it was almost like a Love Actually...without actually being at all the same...which didn't make sense to Sam, but when we got home I was looking at reviews of the film on IMDB and interestingly enough one critic made the same comparison. Kate's character also has a little of that Bridget Jones quality if you know what I mean. I don't know if the director is British or not, which might cause similarities between the British humor of Bridget Jones' Diary, and Love Actually, but I do know that she's a woman, and she wrote and directed the film by herself, which makes me want to give her a high five. It's a hard thing to do, even these days, to convince a studio in a man-driven industry, to let a woman take a script she's written and without tacking on a screenwriter or someone else, and let her direct the picture herself, if still pretty rare. Of course this particular woman, Nancy Meyers also at this point has had some pretty successful films under her belt (Somethings Gotta Give, What Women Want). I don't want to go into much detail about the movie because it was good enough that people should just go watch it themselves and judge whether they love it or hate it. I just know that I haven't seen a chick flick that good for a while. Which also might've influenced the intitial reaction I had to the movie since I haven't actually watched that many chick flicks for a while...but it does seem like some pretty shite blockbuster mainstream films have been out these past couple years, doesn't it? Oh, and one of the BESTEST parts? Guess who was the musical director? HANS ZIMMER!!!! Maggie and Kayla should know that any film that Hans Zimmer scores is automatically gonna be amazing (hello Thelma & Louise, A League of Their Own, Lion King 1 1/2 ?) Anyways, the other movie I watched, that was a great refreshing love story, was last night (though this film's not recent, hell I rented it from the bowling alley) called "Imagine Me & You".  I was just bored and browsing the racks and saw a dvd with Piper Perabo on the cover (whom I loved in everything else she's ever done. (yes even in Rocky & Bullwinkle)  and she appeared earlier this year with a brief appearance as Mr. McHotty Hugh Jackman's wife in the Prestige another highly recommended film I loved.  Though I'm sure most people remember her from Cheaper by the Dozen as big sis dating Ashton Kutcher (lucky biatch), or as "Jersey" from you know that one little film that everyone loved in Junior High, Coyote Ugly:  --oh! speaking of other films, while we were in the theater for The Holiday, previews came on for a film that looks great with Piper Perabo, Many Moore, Diane Keaton and hello luv, LAUREN GRAHAM!! "Because I Said So"..keep an eye out...because I said so)  So anyways, I had to pick this one up, because it was film I'd never heard of before, though it was released in 2005, and you'd assume would've picked up buzz being dubbed as the female Brokeback Mountain or something. Which by the way, I think I liked less than this film. Maybe its cause I'm a girl, so I'm biased, but I definitely think girls are more romantic than guys anyways, so girls falling in love is just cuter than two dudes--who in that movie, didn't even have that great of a love story, it was mostly about lustful scenes, which are left out of this movie, not for the sake of exluding them but rather because this is a lighter film, and a comedy as well, so I think the level of intimacy is appropriately proportionate to the film as the comedy. It truly is a great love story, and the whole way trough the film you're just rooting for these two characters and you don't really realize until the movie's ended...wow, that was about two girls. Because it does an amazing job of making everyone completely oblivious to that fact, it's just this love story where as this woman Rachel is walking down the isle she has one of those 'love at first sight' moments, and it just so happens to be with a woman. All of the characters in the film make you fall in love with them instantly (seriously everyone from the little sister to the slutty-manwhore best friend--not played by Jude Law) which is interesting, because you like all the characters so much and are so wrapped up in the romantic leads, that you don't even care that Lena Headey's character (Headey who is an awesome actress resmebld Kiera Knightley at some points, imo) is breaking up Perabo's marriage to her adorable husband of a perfect man (Matthew Goode), who you also love --like all the characters, as I mentioned above. Or at least I didn't, as much as I loved him. Someone else who's married might have more issues with the ethics/morals related to that.  Regardless, there were a lot of things I really liked about this film. One, which is obvious as soon as it starts is that this movie is set (and filmed--two thumbs up) IN LONDON!!! There was some wonderul cinematography, especially for this location. It was great to see all these different gorgeous panaramic shots of the city I loved and left (it was good while it lasted, I'm no city slut). Plus this also meant that the entire cast had accents!! Yay! Piper Perabo was the only obvious American that I spotted, but her accent was beyond perfect. One of the best impersonations I've ever seen in a film. Is it sad that I was paying that much attention to it? It was great though, halfway through I completely forgot that she was speaking unnaturally. Another thing I loved (and why this is incomparable to Brokeback) is that this film isn't a gay movie. It really is just a love story, one that just as easily could have swapped out the dude, for another chick, and when you're watching it, it doesn't feel like a gay movie (though the genre is starting to develope as a genre itself, and is getting a hold on a certain tone and look). I really can't say enough good things about the cast, Piper Perabo and Lena Headey had undeniable chemistry (of course they've also worked on another film together before and probably became friends).  Also, I love that it was inevitable that sometime...eventually...in some romantic comedy, during a montage scene or something, a couple would be shown falling in love...not doing other cheesy things like riding the ferris wheel..or bowling...but playing DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION! How amazing is that, hahahaha. I loved it! Also, I liked that in this chick flick, its the BOY who tears up and makes me bawl. But he's just so damn cute. And cry I did. Also a pleasant suprise was seeing "Niles" from Buffy, playing a completely wacked out Dad/Husband and being quote "as worthless as a fart in a jam jar" lmao. Oh how the British make me laugh. Such odd humor and phrases (another example, "Sweet shit in a bucket! What's wrong with you?") It was just a very charming movie. And for another "Love Actually" tie in, interesting thing I just saw, on this movie's IMDB page, under recommendations, you know the "if you like this movie you'll also like this one ____", they list "Love Actually". I like it.
Hahaha!
12/19/2006 12:00:00 AM Ohhh Texans, you make me laugh. Apparently, SMU was chosen as the location for the "George W. Bush" library (as nearly all presidents get one somewhere) and the school and students are protesting it. (btw, SMU also happens to be Laura Bush's alma mater--and unrelatedly is also where Graham Colton attended college before dropping out to become the hottie rockstar-at least in my mind-that he is) Protest at SMU Targets Bush Library The likelihood that the George W. Bush presidential library will be located at SMU has not been welcome news for at least one segment of the university community. A letter, dated December 16, from "Faculty, Administrators, & Staff" of the Perkins School of Theology to R. Gerald Turner, president of the Board of Trustees, is now circulating not only on the SMU campus but also among a wider academic community, urging the board to "reconsider and to rescind SMU's pursuit of the presidential library." Texas Monthly has obtained a copy of this letter, which, as you might expect, focuses heavily on objections to Bush's policies: "We count ourselves among those who would regret to see SMU enshrine attitudes and actions widely deemed as ethically egregious: degradation of habeas corpus, outright denial of global warming, flagrant disregard for international treaties, alienation of long-term U.S. allies, environmental predation, shameful disrespect for gay persons and their rights, a pre-emptive war based on false and misleading premises, and a host of other erosions of respect for the global human community and for this good Earth on which our flourishing depends." "[T]hese violations are antithetical to the teaching, scholarship, and ethical thinking that best represents Southern Methodist University."
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Friday, December 08, 2006
12/08/2006 11:09:00 AM WHEN SOUTH AFRICA LEADS THE WAY  In 1986, South Africa and the United States stood on opposite ends of the spectrum when it came to granting equal rights to all human beings. South Africa's constitution discriminated against its majority black citizens and Nelson Mandela was still imprisoned. In contrast, the United States was one of many countries calling for the end of apartheid in South Africa. Twenty years later, South Africa and the U.S. find themselves on opposite ends of the spectrum again. Only this time, South Africa has just voted to legalize same-sex marriages. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6147010.stm) Meanwhile, the United States is leading the movement to ban gays and lesbians from marrying, while our President favors amending the Constitution to make such a deprivation of civil rights permanent. Mind-blowing.
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Saturday, December 02, 2006
The Tide Is High
12/02/2006 01:21:00 AM and in a matter of minutes or hours, my day had ended on a much happier note. Whilst waiting for my computer to heal, I knew I had a few hours of nothing to do, while chillin in the library, and I found this cool site where I could watch full episodes of tv shows online (no downloads necessary, which is always a bonus when your at a school computer and can't download anyways). So I decided to check out the NBC hit "Heroes" which I've heard is supposed to be one of the best new shows on television. And considering I don't really get to watch television these days, I thought I needed to catch up on the scale of exactly what that meant. Oh how the critics were right. The show is fantastic. I love it. Stylistically its relatively groundbreaking, with more quality and effects on par of la cinema, and the characters are all extremely interesting and complex, not to mention the storyline is great, and rather than be like other hit shows recently known for their exuisite storylines(say Desperate Housewives or Lost) this show actually doesn't play with the suspense tool that's oh so common (and commonly abused) with television series these days. Which is exciting cause you know that if you're getting to see great stuff right away each episode, they can only have greater things in store that they're banking on to bring you back each week. Anyways, so 7 hours later, my computer looks decent, and I decide I have to stop watching episodes (I'm about halfway caught up through the season so far) and go meet Abby soon. I went to help her with her audio project and do some voiceover work (my first time ever) for a cartoon. The cartoon is a recognizeable one, and one I feared I would only add unholy layers of suckiness too rather than doing it any justice. Which I kinda did but in a funny way. Though I'll warn you now, I don't make a pretty Daffy Duck, and if you expect me to try, you better have some pepperments or otherwise slobber inducing candy for me to suck on. We went in at 9:00, and I just got home (1:30am) and am exhausted, not to mention I have to be up in a few hours to go do a video shoot on location that I volunteered for (stupid me) but it was alot of fun. I was really glad to get to hang out with Abby even if we were working. It's been a while. I don't think I realized how much I haven't been around her or made the effort to see her with how busy things have been lately. So I kinda feel bad about that, because I do miss her and think I may have taken her for granted a little as a roomate. But tommorrow we may be watching some Harry Potter and doing some consuming of the hot chocolate. Who knows, she'll probably be baking something as well. I actually think I talked her out of making blueberry muffins tonight. How sad is that? I love blueberry muffins. Anyways, for have my entire day turn out nothing like I had imagined, at the end of the day (or beginning of a new one) I feel satisfied. Now I just have to go to sleep and start all over again.
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Friday, December 01, 2006
Oy!
12/01/2006 11:37:00 AM Ve... So I finally got my wish, and St. Louis has been submersed in a blanket of snow (FINALLY!!!!). It's true. There is actually snow sitting on the ground. That never happens here. The ground is so warm that it starts melting as soon as it drifts downward, and at most if anything, sometimes a 'slush' of sorts will accumulate. But no, the day after it was a lovely 78 degrees outside, our rain turns to snow, and the ground begins freezing over (okay so the ice part isnt so cool for all the peeps traveling on the interstates), and the trees are frosted over, and the kids in the dorms are outside trying to sled down the gully in cardboard boxes. Everything seems fantastic, and just as Steph would like them to be, si? No. I did indeed get my snowstorm, however, Mrs. Weather decided that it was more of a barter, than a gift. Because when the snowstorm took out the power the other night, my computer was in the middle of a virus scan (I had been cleaning up my machine all week, making sure it was up to tip top shape) and so when the power went out it tripped something, the computer switched to battery, and amidst all the freaking out, the scan stops in the middle and BAM! There it is. I'm talking about the blue screen of death people. I'll admit. I panicked. I jumped out of my comfy chair where I was lounging watching an episode of Reba, sipping my hot chocolate at 4 in the afternoon. What else is better to do when school is cancelled? Then this morning I go in to work, thinking I'll do some work on my computer there to make sure everything is okay, and check with my boss to see if there's any safety proceedures I should follow first in a situation like mine. Only I get to work, to find out that there are only two Help Desk assistants chillin by the phones (which are sure to be dead today) playin' some solitaire. Apparently no one else was coming into work. Like, nobody. They told me they thought they were the only two who had to still come in, so I get online and IM my boss Kristi (who was in the comfort of her own home) and she tells me to go home. Great. I walk over to the tech labs in Sverdrup across the freezing campus hoping that I will not fall down with my already damaged computer in my arms and bust something else (previous damaged ankles included). The building is locked. Not only is the school closed its apparently on lockdown or something. This is insane. Even the library (who claims to be open 24/7 is down). Luckily I was able to get into the Cyber Cafe where I'm guessing some peeps where this morning before the official call was made to close campus, and they kept letting people in. For them I give thanks. Now, after suffocating without touching a computer for over 20 hours I am able to check my e-mail, and also begin to do a little work on my computer. After some brief researching this morning I found some safety checks to run, which I am now performing, and so far things are looking okay. I'm not gonna say great, cause I'm only in the beginning stages, and lets face it..when the blue screen of death comes on and tells you its beginning to dump all physical memory on your computer, I don't think anyone would feel safe. My concern really isnt for any content on my computer as that's all saved on my external hard drive, its just mainly the loss of 'access' that I'm fearing. Although I have to admit being less dependendent on having a machine in my own room would not necessarily be a bad thing. But wish me luck, and hopefully all will be repaired. Especially any hips that may be broken by the elderly stepping outside their homes today.
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