Is it even summer yet? No, not according to the calendar, but graduation was Friday and to me the end of school is the beginning of summer. Let's not split hairs, let's get on with the story.

Last night was pretty much amazing. On Judgment Day, if it is determined that I lived a good life, then tonight's party was a small sample of what I have to look forward to.

My dad told us about a party given by a church member. I originally wasn't sure since crawfish were involved and that ain't my style. What is my style is watching short films, and that's what the night was really about. Interestingly enough, several years ago a friend told me about a party he attended in the Vanderbilt area where someone showed short films on an outdoor screen. Well, apparently he and my dad run in similar circles.



We did not eat, we had dinner before. Instead, we just enjoyed the film for the evening. It included WB shorts, commercials for toys, Schoolhouse Rock, film trailers, and other fun short films. I really enjoyed seeing the trailers for the Muppet Movie and commercials for toys that my parents never bought me!



Also neat was seeing the host's film library. It was in a temperature controlled shed in the backyard and included just so many films. Most interesting was Song of the South; you may know that Disney has never released this on video in the US and has no plans to do so. Never mind the fact that one of their most popular rides is based on it!

I hope to go again next year. It was a total blast.

Some tweets, starting backwards:

Well. Checking in on Mandy's dogs and then home. Hope I get an invite to that party again next year.
about 16 hours ago from txt
Back in business.
about 16 hours ago from txt
Getting chilly. Maybe time to go home now.
about 17 hours ago from txt
Projector broke again
about 17 hours ago from txt
This party is the most delightful time I've had in a while. Wish you were here! #fb
about 17 hours ago from txt
A reel of Alfred Hitchcock introductions?
about 17 hours ago from txt
WB cartoons!!
about 17 hours ago from txt
Muppet Movie trailer.
about 17 hours ago from txt
I bet i lose followers over all these tweets.
about 17 hours ago from txt
Country Time USA with Faron Youg.
about 17 hours ago from txt
Old toy commercials. This guy has quite a collection.
about 18 hours ago from txt
Schoolhouse rock now.
about 18 hours ago from txt
Ok it seems to be a series of trailers for rock movies. Janis, Jimi, the Who.
about 18 hours ago from txt
Magical mystery tour trailer on the outdoor screen.

Labels: good times, movies, summer

Not entirely, though. I am not lucky enough to live in an area served by the theatres that ran that special deal where you could watch all best picture nominees in one afternoon. Instead, I was on my own.

Saturday was Slumdog Millionaire. You know, I enjoyed it and it was defintely better than Benjamin Button but I didn't think it was good enough to win best picture. Still, I hadn't seen any of the other nominees so I couldn't judge.

I was distracted by Madhur Mittal when he showed up. he looked incredibly familiar but imdb showed NOTHING. Then it hit me--he looks like an Indian Justin Timberlake. Unfortunately I cannot find a decent picture with which to make a comparison.

It was a sweet story with an interesting device by which the story was told. Still, as much as I liked it I thought that the 2008 crop of films must not have been that great if this is the best film of the year.

So today I saw The Wrestler. Giiirrrrrrrl, that was a FILM. It was hardly a feel good happy time but it told a great story and told it quite well. I would like to see it again just to look for small details (there were a few that I noticed but I just couldn't keep looking for them because I would miss the great story on the way).

And interestingly enough there were times Mickey Rourke looks old and hideous, yet at times you can see the handsome young man he once was. It helped relate to the character...

Ooh! Visual aid!



I fully believe that the reason this movie is so successful is the reason many have stated before: that we have seen the evolution of Mickey Rourke and can relate to him being a once hot commodity who became a caricature and a punchline. In any case, it was a great performance.

Oh, and it bears mentioning that I have never seen a Jason Statham film and I hope to keep things that way.

Labels: movies

Years ago I read a nice novel called The Confessions of Max Tivoli. It's a sweet story about a man who is born with the body of an old man but the brain of an infant. As he grows older in years he grows younger in body. Does this sound familiar? It should, as it is also the premise of a short story written by F Scott Fitzgerald which has been recently made into a film called "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." I'm excited to see Benjamin Button but it makes me a little sad that this means there will likely not be a film version of Max Tivoli. I'm reserving judgement of either until I read/see Benjamin Button (since my reading queue is kind of long I will probably get to the film first), but I do highly recommend Max Tivoli. Your library probably has it. And right now you are the love of my life for reading this! My writing sucks these days.

Labels: books, movies

Please use the search box up there. thanks.

Say You're One of Them by Uwem Apkan. A friend of mine apparently doesn't like movies that make him feel bad. It's understandable on a certain level, but good art doesn't always leave you with a happy feeling. Case in point. A collection of short stories about troubles in Africa made even more poignant because they're told from the POV of children.

The Piano. Yes, it did take me this long to see it. And it was disturbing.

Elmer Gantry. I can't recommend this enough, especially at a time like this.

Labels: books, movies

Bonk is a lot of fun, and that's what you'd expect from Mary Roach. I was a big fan of Stiff, not such a fan of Spook. It's not nearly as salacious as you might expect. It's never dry but somewhat clinical.

Meanwhile, I finally finished watching the documentary Blind Spot: Hitler's Secretary. you know what? Not what I expected and in a bad way. I didn't expect a 90 minute interview (light on the questions) where she recounted the last days of Hitler, nor did I expect her humanization of Hitler. for once, seeing someone humanized wasn't welcome. Really, he was an atrocious person who did horrible things and I don't care how much he loved his job, or how kind he was to his staff. I don't need the blow by blow of the last days. He was murdering people while she worked for him. I realize that at the time some didn't know the extent of the torture and death in the camps, but at the same time Hitler was still vocal in his hatred of the Jewish people. I mean, it's not as if it was a quirk--his whole plan was to create a master race! You can't excuse that, and in my opinion she was just as complicit as those tried in Nuremburg.

Maybe I missed the point, though.

Labels: books, movies

If you haven't seen Lone Star then you're missing something for sure. Back in he college days this was one of our slacker movie night choices, mainly due to the presence of Matthew McConaughey. I don't want to spoil, but I want you to put this in your Netflix queue, DVR it, or even go to your local library and get a copy. In fact, I notice that it's on one of the Starz channels within the next couple of weeks.

Come back here and discuss it. What I want you to do is watch the entire film, then go back to the courthouse scene and notice how much they tell you about the rest of the movie. Again, not going to spoil here. There is so much to talk about! Like the significance of the name of Mercedes's restaurant.

Labels: film class, movies

If you're wondering how I get such random movies on my DVR it's because I tend to just surf the listings looking for interesting stuff. Sometimes I just get a yen to see a specific movie and search for it on the listings. With that said, let's soldier on and review some of the films I watched over the weekend.

• Jesus Camp. If this movie doesn't scare you, then you aren't paying attention. Let me state here for the record I am a Christian and do not begrudge anyone their choice of worship, so I'm not hating. What's scary is the ages of these kids, seeing them entranced. I don't doubt that kids are smart, but how much of it is freedom of choice and how much of it is scaring the children into submission? Are they soldiers for Christ because they want to share his love or because they're terrified of the consequences (seeing the children collapsing in tears during sermons calling for those who have fallen away from God are particularly disturbing)? It's an interesting study and will be even more interesting when I can watch it again since my Netflix copy was scratched terribly and skipped over several parts. I think it's completely appropriate to do a follow up every so often a la Apted. Ten years would do. Look to the bonus features for an interesting segment from a Ted Haggard sermon.


• Film Crew: Hollywood After Dark. And why not. It's some folks from MST3K (Mike, Kevin, and Bill) doing what they do best. It's a movie starring Rue McClanahan as a burlesque dancer (yes, she does mention the movie in her auto-bio, and after you read the section about this movie you'll scrutinize it for what Rue reveals, and you'll definitely be able to tell). So I should like this, right? I didn't. I don't know if it was the movie they watched or if it was their commentary, but I just wasn't that into it. I don't want to get in a Mike v Joel argument because it's silly, and remember that Mike was a head writer when Joel was the host. So maybe I'll like the other Film Crew offerings. This one not so much.


• Freaky Friday. When I told mom I watched it she asked which one. I said the good one, then had to state which good one (I think the remake is every bit as good as the original, and if you haters disagree you can suck it. It was back when Lohan still had promise.). Sure, I've seen this movie many times but have recently discovered Patsy Kelly through the magical network of TCM. If you can find it check out "There Goes My Heart." It isn't available on Netflix but if you really want to you can find a copy. It's a cute movie about an heiress who runs away, gets a job, falls in love, etc. Patsy Kelly plays the stranger who takes in the heiress in "There Goes My Heart"--well, she plays the friend quite often actually; I saw her playing best friend to Marion Davies in a bleh comedy. She's a brunette after all, and brunettes are always the best friend (no hate mail, that is a JOKE). She frequently pops up in TCM gems and displays a sassy, wisecracking comic style that makes me wonder why she isn't better known. What this all has to do with Freaky Friday is that she plays the frumpy, drunken housekeeper Mrs Schmauss. I've seen enough of her as an ingenue, now it was time to see her advanced in life. She doesn't disappoint.


• Modern Girls. Ok, this was one of those random movies I found by surfing listings. I mistook TMC for TCM and, in addition, love to see movies about 1980s LA nightlife. That's really all I can say. It was short. The dude from "Just One of the Guys" plays a dual role ("Where do you get off having tits?"). That's about it. Crazy costumes and hair. OH! Early on they play a tiny bit of "Dancin" by a then lesser known Chris Isaak and Silvertone. Pretty much the only highlight of the film.

Labels: movies

Last night Mom and I moseyed over to the Belcourt for the Grease Sing A Long.

Hey, remember in Ghostbusters 2 when they had to make the whole city of NY happy? Well, I imagine that the energy level was similar last night in the theatre. I realize this may sound ridiculous but there was so much good will in that room. Seriously.

When you break it down it's a bit ridiculous--high school kids in their thirties? A gay leading man (oh yes, I went there) wooing an Australian high school senior who looks like she's late picking the kids up from soccer practice? If you're going to consider these issues then you have to take into account that these kids break out into song. These are all old issues, we will skip past them.

Everyone was having a great time. Little girls were dressed up in poodle skirts and saddle oxfords. Men were singing as loud as women. Everyone applauded after each song and laughed when not necessarily appropriate.

I've never really seen Grease on the big screen. I saw it when it first came out in 1978 at the drive in (now defunct, of course) and on VHS and DVD since. On the big screen you notice the crow's feet a little more. And are Rizzo's freckles just makeup? she was older than me when she was in Grease. Also, you know in the beginning right before Summer Lovin' when Patty Simcox comes up to the Pink Ladies' table and sits on the apple core? I swear, I never noticed Pinky putting the apple down as Patty's sitting. Watch close. I wish I had a set up where I could post some screen caps.

Now we need a Grease 2 sing a long. We're going to bo-o-owl tonight!

Labels: movies

I haven't seen the 300. I don't intend to see the 300. Seriously. I like action movies as much as the next guy--ok, tht's not true. I probably like action movies slightly less than the next guy. Still, I like them just fine, but I'm not going to see the 300.

It's a fairly compelling story and it's also a great success story of a movie, plus it's because of them I can put 300 pictures on my myspace page.

Still, I just don't care.

One: I'm tired of seeing Mr Defined Chest Man with his angry face. I don't know who he is but the imdb tells me he's been in a lot of stuff I haven't seen. Hey, did you know there's a Beowulf and Grendel movie? anyway, he's in the absolutely dreadful "Reign of Fire" which I, sadly, did see the night it opened and I don't remember much beyond McConaughey, Bale, dragons, and a few ridiculous scenes. He plays The Phantom in the film version of, um, Phantom of the Opera, something else I haven't seen but I'll take this to mean he's a really good singer. I'm not making any comment on his talent, I'm just saying he's had quite a career yet I'm completely unfamiliar with the man. I'm doing my best to rectify that, I've read his mini-bio and he seems like an all around good guy. Now I won't think of him as the angry, chisled brute screaming lame catch phrases. Which brings me to

Two: "Tonight we dine in hell!" Now, really. It's rumored that this was an actual line uttered by the real life Leonidas, King of Abs. There is a line that can be drawn, people. It's one of the stupidest movie lines ever. I haven't seen the movie so I'll assume that it's a reference to how hard the battle's going to be, but to me it's just proof that any line said with enough force and emotion can be worked into a memorable, motivational phrase. I'm not a betting gal but I'd put my money on this here line making its way into vernacular of many a high school coach.

Labels: movies

Oh wow. Wow. I think this may be the most boring movie EVER. Remember, this is coming from a fan of documentaries AND Al Gore and someone sympathetic to the whole cause but damn.

It's like sitting through a lecture in one of those required college courses. Unlike college I can turn it off, but as a left leaning moderate I would probably feel immense guilt if I did so.

It doesn't make me want to run out and buy a Hummer and leave the lights on all day but it does make me wonder what the hell I'm missing that everyone else seems to see.

Labels: movies, politics

so I don't blog like I used to. so what, wanna fight about it? i'm not going to be one of these dorks who says "sorry I haven't updated but I have a LIFE you know!" because honestly, it's a combination of business and laziness, probably a 40/60 split.

• So, why are songs like "Winter Wonderland," "Jingle Bells," and "Frosty the Snowman" considered Christmas songs? Here in TN it doesn't seem to snow until after xmas (although there are exceptions of course) so they're more appropriate now than they were in November and December. But yes, we got a slight dusting of snow. PANIC! BUY BREAD AND MILK AND CIGARETTES! CLOSE ALL THE SCHOOLS (except the Davidson Co schools because the city kids? fuck em.)!


• Molly Ivins has passed away. Very sad. Y'know, even if your political leanings aren't to the left you have to acknowledge that Molly Ivins has an amazing style of writing. Definitely check out any of her books, you'll be laughing and thinking at the same time. To me, the most brilliant people make being a genius look so simple that anyone can do it--they can relate to the common man without alienating the intellectual set. Just go read her books. And I'll happily admit that Clinton is a smooth talkin, lyin philanderer if you'll admit that Bush is an inarticulate, lyin doofus.


• Joe Biden is an idiot. Yes, it's audio, just listen, you bastard. If you're too lazy then read the damn story.


• Music documentaries can be kind of boring if you aren't into the music featured in the film, one obvious exception being Dig! (about the Brian Jonestown Massacre), another being Gimme Shelter which I saw for the first time last night. I knew it had to do with the Rolling Stones and the lead up to Altamont, I also knew what happened at Altamont, but wasn't ready for that ending.


• As I stated my tax refund is going to buy some new skates. i've picked out a pair but want to see if I can buy locally. They're going to be totally bitchin. I also need kneepads. See, the other night I was able to practice falls without pulling muscles but I did hit the hard parts of the kneepads at a weird angle leaving me these crazy looking bruises. so watch this space.


• Let me give you a little history about my part of town, DA. Back on the very day the movers arrived at our house in 1990 the DA mall opened--only don't call it a mall! It's a CENTER. Not a mall. Ok, flash forward to 2007. The CENTER is now officially referred to as a MALL, almost everything has closed, most of the mall is offices, practice spaces for sports and dance, crappy art stores, discount outlets, and a few local businesses. To give you an idea of how sad the MALL is there isn't a single Limited, Inc store within the whole place. There was a big ole Old Navy there for a couple of years, but even it failed. so now, not five miles away, they're opening an OLD NAVY. Because the first one was so wildly successful.

Labels: movies, news, politics

I feel like a slacker with my lack of updates. it seems as though when I'm at home I'm doing something so I'm taking time out of my lunch break to talk to you. how lucky are you?

Saturday and Sunday nights I spent the evening reading. Which is to mean I met Steve at the Belcourt Theatre for a few films in their Janus series.

Saturday night was "Knife in the Water," or as I like to call it, "Male Camel Toe." it was very subtle but still quite good. It was an early Polanski film so it was in Polish with subtitles. Weird, though, that it seemed as though a lot of the dialogue wasn't subtitled.

Sunday was "Black Orpheus," or as I like to call it, "Brazillian Crazy Legs!" It was a retelling of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, and was quite good. The trip to Hades part was especially cool. In addition, the lack of activity in Saturday's movie was more than made up for in this one. To give you an idea it took place during Carnival, so tons of music, celebration, and sweating. I think you'd like it.

Last night I pulled my leg muscle again. I skidded and almost fell, and in the process pulled it and sat out for the rest of the night. Ugh. can i do this? seriously.

Labels: movies, roller derby

Right now in my fridge I'm chilling a blender full of chocolate peanut butter ice cream. In about a half hour I'll put it in the ice cream maker. No matter how good it is it is so not worth it. I may have burnt out the motor on my blender. It simply won't mix. YEs, I susupected it wouldn't, but I kind of thought the instructions wouldn't encourage using a blender to create the mix. The bastards.

In addition, the family and I went to see Night at the Museum. Did you know that two "THe STate" alumni were involved? Well, yes, and you can just look at imdb your own self to see who it was. I liked it just fine.

I had a second sewing lesson today. It actually involved sewing! Not a garment, just a scrap. Still, good times, right? Yesterday's lesson just involved reading a pattern, pinning, and cutting.

Labels: crafts, food, movies

So, in the past I've refered to this season as the I Love Jesus holidays. See, I think that Christmas has now officially become its own entity. Christmas season means traffic, spending tons of money, terrible songs, trees, lights, and feelings of inadequacy. I Love Jesus season is much shorter and involves togetherness, church, hymns, harmony, joy, and Jesus.

I had an arguement the other day about the song "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer." I hate it, it's a dumb song, and i was vocal about this. I was told it's no different from other holiday songs. Well, yeah it is. It's a bad song in any season. It's like comparing "My Humps" to "Can't Do A Thing."

If you're looking for a media escape I recommend the following:

Labels: books, movies

Tonight in class we watched a movie I can guarantee you've never seen: "Closet Land." So it's crazy and intense. I think I could write about it. Our other option is the Incredibles.

I'm thinking that since I've written two papers on Kane totally around 12 pages I could probably get a thesis out of the deal. Rock.

Labels: movies, school

I know the box to the left shows the author as David Bordwell. He wrote the foreword. Aside from a few essays in the final section the entirety is written by Ebert. so there.

Roger Ebert is fantastic. Most folks only know of him as the fat dude on Siskel and Ebert. Well, up yours. Firstly, he's lost a lot of weight (no, not in the Star Jones way. Ebert's weight loss was due to a bout with cancer.). Secondly, Siskel died several years ago and now the co-host is Richard Roeper. Finally, he's a film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times. If you're not familiar with his column i highly recommend you read.

A friend asked me for a non-fiction recommendation after finishing the Harry Potter series. I mentioned this book and he told me he wasn't into movies like I was and really couldn't read reviews of movies he'd not seen. Well, I said, I haven't seen many of the movies he reviews but never once felt as though this was a problem. Ebert has a way of writing about a movie that just makes sense. he's incredibly brilliant but writes in a way that's easy to read. To me, the smartest people make being smart look effortless and don't feel the need to talk over your head to prove intelligence.

I have loved Roger Ebert for years. He's got a healthy respect for cheesy movies and never comes off as a film snob. he does scene by scene analysis of movies at several venues and what I wouldn't give to attend one of these sessions involving "Citizen Kane." If you're looking for a late birthday/early christmas present that would be it. i suppose for the time being i'll have to settle for the commentary track on the DVD.

however, we will have to agree to disagree on "Crash."

Labels: books, movies

It's a warm day. Denny's outside. I've got heat (not that it matters today). God's in his heaven and all's right with the world.

Yesterday I decided to go through my DVRed movies and my Netflix films. Here's the run down:

1. Casino Royale. You may say, "But Leah, you can't get that from Netflix or DVR it! It's in theatres right now!" To which I'd reply "You ignorant ass. You think the movie in theatres right now is the only Casino Royale ever made? Now put on some fucking pants before I call the police." Yes, there are two Casino Royales listed on imdb.com. It seems as though there's another out there, a British TV version, but I can't find it listed on there.
   The one I watched yesterday is the 1967 version, a spoof. If you've seen the Austin Powers movies then you might enjoy this as the Austin Powers movies appear to be a spoof of this movie. Don't believe me? There's a swinging Bacharach/David soundtrack.
   And this is Peter Sellers as Evelyn Trimble/James Bond:
   
   That's right. Peter Sellers played Bond. So did David Niven.


2. Belle de Jour in which the lovely Catherine Deneuve plays Severine, the chaste wife of a doctor and a part time high class prostitute. I do love the French language very much, and I love subtitled French movies because I remember just enough to catch idiomatic phrases and tossed off, unsubtitled dialogue.
   And I want the her entire wardrobe. But I have issues with the ending.


3. Harvey. Such a sweet movie about faith, whimsy (the good kind), and alcoholism.

Labels: movies, pop culture