I'm going to make this a monthly thing. A list keeping of the movies I watched that month.
Eastern Promises
I am a fan of Cronenberg so I might be biased. But I thought this was tense, interesting, and really well made. Viggo Mortensen is always impressive, I have a soft spot for Vincent Cassel, and while Naomi Watts didn't really get to flex any actorly might in this, she was still well used. Some have complained that it's a "standard mob movie", and there is some truth to that. But I also think it has some really unflinching moments that other directors would have shied away from and other actors would not have been able to pull off.
Dark Floors
This is also known as "The Lordi Motion Picture". And that's what this is. A movie by Lordi, mostly Mr. Lordi, the head costume designer/singer/songwriter for the band. Don't know Lordi? You're not alone! And they're a little hard to describe for Americans. Think GWAR and add a lot more "dragons and demons and epic fantasy battles" kind of themes in their music. Less visceral gore and mayhem.... more dark angels coming to save the princess kind of stuff. They're from Finland.
The movie was far better than it had any right to be given that it was conceived and produced by a Finnish "hard rock" band with song titles like "Give Your Life For Rock and Roll" and "Don't Let My Mother Know". It was honestly creepy and unique, even if it didn't make a whole heck of a lot of sense when all was said and done.
Catfish
The distributors or the makers really screwed themselves with the trailer that they released, which looked like another "reality horror" vehicle. But thankfully that wasn't what this was at all. It's best to approach this movie like you would a documentary. You're just here to learn about these events, about these people. Most of the sour grapes I've seen about this movie come down to deceptive advertising and the torture porn kiddies who thought they were getting another splatter fest being let down by something that actually wanted them to, ya know, think about stuff or care about things. For me, this was a great movie. And I know for a lot of people I know online and in meat space it will hit some of the same chords.
Blood Simple
FINALLY saw this early Cohen Bros. movie. Now I'm down to just not having seen two for their movies (Intolerable Cruelty and their remake of The Lady Killers which I have zero interest in ever seeing). It's interesting to see them early on. It's definitely their "vibe" but feels incomplete or not fully formed yet. You definitely see a lot of their later work in its infancy here. And it's awesome seeing Frances McDormand in her screen debut. Overall it's a really interesting, slow, and satisfying movie.
Megamind
Way better than I thought it would be. Pretty darned entertaining and not too WILL FERREL SAYS STUFF FUNNY HAHAHAHAHA. Not much to say about it really. It's about 10 million times better than Despicable Me, which I kind of disliked.
Paranormal Activity 2
Still pretty crappy, but miles better than the first one. Because I don't automatically hate the main character(s). In the first movie I just couldn't wait for the douchebag boyfriend to die or for the main chick to walk out, get posessed and kill him, beat him to death with his camera... anything... something. Nearly unwatchable and really hokey/not scary.
But this one at least does a better job of dealing with the tension, pacing things out, and the casting was a heck of a lot better :)
Rifftrax: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Love Rifftrax. Go buy some of their stuff.
Winter's Bone
Amazing movie. I don't have much to say about it except that I guess it wasn't "big" enough to get the attention of the Oscar voters. I was really hoping any one of the women involved in the major components of production would have won. Instead Melissa "I'm a whore, pick me, pick me!" actually won for her role. Good for her. I hope it's the last I ever see of her.
What? Too Cranky?
Winter's Bone is again, a quiet, interesting, compassionate look at a completely disenfranchised group of people who have had to build up their own rules in order to survive. The strong female lead doesn't feel fake or too plucky to have been raised this way. She just has this quiet strength about her which reads and entirely real to me. Which makes the whole movie really compelling.
The Skeptic
Almost feels like a made-for-tv movie. It's not great, but it was entertaining. Ghosty/spooky stuff.
Date Night
I don't know why it took me forever to see this. I think I was on Carrell overload or something. It was nice to have both a male and female lead who are great with their timing as opposed to having just one obvious straight man that the other played off of. It really adjusted the dynamic in a way that made them seem a littler more like real people. It was also less overall goofy than I expected. Not a howlingly funny kind of movie - but definitely pretty good.
Don't Torture a Duckling
Early Giallo from Fulci in a style that he isn't really known for. Fulci is the director known for gore, eye trauma, gallons of blood, horrific deaths, truly nightmarish plots and settings. But here he made a very restrained drama/mystery. Parts of which play like a procedural cop show more than anything else.
It was incredibly interesting to see this direction known predominantly for sensationalism delivery a really tense movie about suspicion, superstition, the conclusions people in small towns draw about each other, and all the things you *don't* know about your neighbors.
So that was my movie month. Lots of show-based stuff in between. I'd like to keep up this level of movie watching or increase it in March. All depends on amount of work and how mushy my brain is after 16+ hours of it.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Skepticism makes me sad
The world is upsetting to me. Because it has fundamentally changed my basic nature.
Let's go through the time line that brought me to that realization this afternoon.
Still waking up with my first cup of coffee (it's been rough sleeping lately), I was scrolling through Facebook and found this link to a plea for donations/assistance.
It's a horrendous story. A man walking through Brooklyn gets harassed and then attacked and wakes up with a literally broken face. And he has no health insurance. But the donation page doesn't offer any of that information - that's what I got off of someone saying they knew him, one of the people posting this link around Facebook, often on the pages of prominent/well known Drag personalities who are likely to have a lot of fans.
In reading the page, my gut reaction was "how much cash do I have in my account right now?" My gut reaction with "help". Then, just to get more information about what happened I looked up the name. Nothing but a Friendster profile that hasn't been updated since 2006. So I tried some news searches - surely there would be at least one little blogger blurb about a really violent gay bashing in hipster-land Williamsburg in February. Surely. Right? Nope. Nothing.
Then I realize that there's no actual information about the assault, what happened, background. Anything. There's no police report as far as I can tell. There's no information at all about this happening. And suddenly - I realize I'm building this case for this all being a scam to prey on the good natures of these Facebook queens and their fans. Who want to help and who feel awful for this person. I realize that my instincts drove me to double check, to verify - like calling back the bank who just called me and asked for my account information. Like checking phishing sites to determine the veracity of an email from PayPal I just got. Like a million other scam-reflexes I've developed in my time on earth.
And now I'm just sad. Sad and frustrated that it's become only natural to second guess when someone needs something. That my gut reaction says that this is cooked up by someone taking advantage of a lot of people for really shitty reasons and that there is unlikely to be a Barie Shortell in a hospital bed in pain who needs my monetary help. And if there is - that need is going unmet. Because what? Because it doesn't add up? Because it feels sketchy? Because I've come to learn when someone taking advantage of generous natures looks like?
I don't hope this happened to this man. But I do hope that if it really did happen, that this is a cobbled together, poorly explained effort from his friends, in desperation, to help him. For the sake of everyone who is being sent this link and donating. Preying on the better natures of humanity is far far worse than preying on their weakness and hate. Because trust and compassion are extremely precious non-renewable resources. Once they're gone they're just ... gone.
I'm going to keep searching for something about this. Get proven wrong, and donate to help this man. At least that's what I hope will happen.
Until then, I'm just sad that my skepticism is so easily triggered.
Let's go through the time line that brought me to that realization this afternoon.
Still waking up with my first cup of coffee (it's been rough sleeping lately), I was scrolling through Facebook and found this link to a plea for donations/assistance.
It's a horrendous story. A man walking through Brooklyn gets harassed and then attacked and wakes up with a literally broken face. And he has no health insurance. But the donation page doesn't offer any of that information - that's what I got off of someone saying they knew him, one of the people posting this link around Facebook, often on the pages of prominent/well known Drag personalities who are likely to have a lot of fans.
In reading the page, my gut reaction was "how much cash do I have in my account right now?" My gut reaction with "help". Then, just to get more information about what happened I looked up the name. Nothing but a Friendster profile that hasn't been updated since 2006. So I tried some news searches - surely there would be at least one little blogger blurb about a really violent gay bashing in hipster-land Williamsburg in February. Surely. Right? Nope. Nothing.
Then I realize that there's no actual information about the assault, what happened, background. Anything. There's no police report as far as I can tell. There's no information at all about this happening. And suddenly - I realize I'm building this case for this all being a scam to prey on the good natures of these Facebook queens and their fans. Who want to help and who feel awful for this person. I realize that my instincts drove me to double check, to verify - like calling back the bank who just called me and asked for my account information. Like checking phishing sites to determine the veracity of an email from PayPal I just got. Like a million other scam-reflexes I've developed in my time on earth.
And now I'm just sad. Sad and frustrated that it's become only natural to second guess when someone needs something. That my gut reaction says that this is cooked up by someone taking advantage of a lot of people for really shitty reasons and that there is unlikely to be a Barie Shortell in a hospital bed in pain who needs my monetary help. And if there is - that need is going unmet. Because what? Because it doesn't add up? Because it feels sketchy? Because I've come to learn when someone taking advantage of generous natures looks like?
I don't hope this happened to this man. But I do hope that if it really did happen, that this is a cobbled together, poorly explained effort from his friends, in desperation, to help him. For the sake of everyone who is being sent this link and donating. Preying on the better natures of humanity is far far worse than preying on their weakness and hate. Because trust and compassion are extremely precious non-renewable resources. Once they're gone they're just ... gone.
I'm going to keep searching for something about this. Get proven wrong, and donate to help this man. At least that's what I hope will happen.
Until then, I'm just sad that my skepticism is so easily triggered.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Not Resolutions.... Goals
I have some goals in mind for this year and I'd like to put them down somewhere. I know Alicia will try to encourage and keep me honest and I also feel like, somehow just by making it "a real thing" it helps encourage me.
I'll add to this list as things change or evolve and I'll come back and mark things off as they happen (if it's that kind of goal). These are all in no particular order except the order in which I thought of them. Hierarchy is for LOSERS - (or people who are simply far more mentally organized than I am).
1. Totally and completely quit smoking instead of this lame fits and starts crap.
2. Actually pick up my bass and stop being scared of it.
3. Play more games of the board variety.
4. Buy and use a sewing machine
5. Make the things I think of more often than not. Okay... even once in awhile.
6. Exercise daily - even if that's 15 minutes of a kinect game. It's something.
7. Body maintenance is its own reward. Eye doctor, dentist, etc. - they need to be visited.
8. Pick colors, pick accessories, paint paint paint.
9. Finish the bathroom by March 31st.
10. Decorate the skeleton for EVERY holiday. All of them. No excuses.
11. - in that vein... make a stove pipe hat for President's Day on Monday. You have all weekend. Make it happen.
12. RECORD THE MOVIES YOU WATCH. You watch so many movies and you never remember what you've seen. Just WRITE IT DOWN.
and uh ... more as I think of them. Yeah. Or others.
I'll add to this list as things change or evolve and I'll come back and mark things off as they happen (if it's that kind of goal). These are all in no particular order except the order in which I thought of them. Hierarchy is for LOSERS - (or people who are simply far more mentally organized than I am).
1. Totally and completely quit smoking instead of this lame fits and starts crap.
2. Actually pick up my bass and stop being scared of it.
3. Play more games of the board variety.
4. Buy and use a sewing machine
5. Make the things I think of more often than not. Okay... even once in awhile.
6. Exercise daily - even if that's 15 minutes of a kinect game. It's something.
7. Body maintenance is its own reward. Eye doctor, dentist, etc. - they need to be visited.
8. Pick colors, pick accessories, paint paint paint.
9. Finish the bathroom by March 31st.
10. Decorate the skeleton for EVERY holiday. All of them. No excuses.
11. - in that vein... make a stove pipe hat for President's Day on Monday. You have all weekend. Make it happen.
12. RECORD THE MOVIES YOU WATCH. You watch so many movies and you never remember what you've seen. Just WRITE IT DOWN.
and uh ... more as I think of them. Yeah. Or others.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
So what's that name about?
"The Laughing One" is an alternate name I use online sometimes when my "usual" names or desired names are taken. For instance, someone took "Plate O Shrimp" on Blogger, posted 5 pieces of gibberish, some repeatedly, and then peaced on it sometime in 2003. And "Plate Of Shrimp" just doesn't really work for that reference (the reference in question) so ANOTHER NAME IT IS.
A few years ago, my husband, Karl, and I went to see Episode 2. The theater was packed and we got in a little late. We ended up sitting in the very first row off to one side of the theater next to an entire Indian family. Grandparents, parents, kids of varying ages - the whole family. And for most of the movie I held in my sneers and rolled my eyes away from them. But when the movie gets to the "rolling around in the grass and saying ridiculous things to each other because this is what George Lucas thinks love looks like" part - I just lost it. I spent the next 20 minutes nearly choking myself trying to keep the quavering, soul wracking laughter in. The Indian family noticed. I noticed that they noticed. Shame could not stop the laughing.
When the movie was over, I headed to the overcrowded bathroom and waited in line. And of course, who was in front of me but the matriarch of the Indian family. For awhile she didn't notice. But just before a stall opened up for her she happened to glance back at me and she recognized the asshole who ruined her family movie night. She admonished me with one finger wagging by saying "You're the laughing one." I nodded at her. Yes, that was me. She shook her head, sucked her teeth, and made the most haughty and dignified entrance into a public restroom stall that has ever been witnessed.
And I was The Laughing One. And I still am. And I probably always will be.
I decided to cave in and create a blog because, while I've used online outlets for writing for years in varying degrees and with various levels of attention, I have never really put much care into it. I've also come to realize that, though I have an amazing husband, wonderful critters, and some great friends who I just love to pieces, I often employ a kind of deferred path to fulfillment and the detours are just getting longer and longer. I love creating, nurturing, serving, and empowering the people around me. It really does fill some spot for me. And while I don't think the fulfillment is diminishing, maybe the spot it needs to fill is growing.
Recently I've decided to just get the house into shape to sell. Which means painting and projects and finally tackling all the "some day" items on my mental lists. I know those accomplishments, small though they may be to some, are incredibly satisfying for me.
And maybe this is my way of being accountable to myself and rewarding myself.We'll see. No promises for what this will turn into.
A few years ago, my husband, Karl, and I went to see Episode 2. The theater was packed and we got in a little late. We ended up sitting in the very first row off to one side of the theater next to an entire Indian family. Grandparents, parents, kids of varying ages - the whole family. And for most of the movie I held in my sneers and rolled my eyes away from them. But when the movie gets to the "rolling around in the grass and saying ridiculous things to each other because this is what George Lucas thinks love looks like" part - I just lost it. I spent the next 20 minutes nearly choking myself trying to keep the quavering, soul wracking laughter in. The Indian family noticed. I noticed that they noticed. Shame could not stop the laughing.
When the movie was over, I headed to the overcrowded bathroom and waited in line. And of course, who was in front of me but the matriarch of the Indian family. For awhile she didn't notice. But just before a stall opened up for her she happened to glance back at me and she recognized the asshole who ruined her family movie night. She admonished me with one finger wagging by saying "You're the laughing one." I nodded at her. Yes, that was me. She shook her head, sucked her teeth, and made the most haughty and dignified entrance into a public restroom stall that has ever been witnessed.
And I was The Laughing One. And I still am. And I probably always will be.
I decided to cave in and create a blog because, while I've used online outlets for writing for years in varying degrees and with various levels of attention, I have never really put much care into it. I've also come to realize that, though I have an amazing husband, wonderful critters, and some great friends who I just love to pieces, I often employ a kind of deferred path to fulfillment and the detours are just getting longer and longer. I love creating, nurturing, serving, and empowering the people around me. It really does fill some spot for me. And while I don't think the fulfillment is diminishing, maybe the spot it needs to fill is growing.
Recently I've decided to just get the house into shape to sell. Which means painting and projects and finally tackling all the "some day" items on my mental lists. I know those accomplishments, small though they may be to some, are incredibly satisfying for me.
And maybe this is my way of being accountable to myself and rewarding myself.We'll see. No promises for what this will turn into.
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