Movie Commentaries

Hello all.

My sincerest apologies for not keeping up with my commentaries as diligently as I want to, but these past few months have been quite powerful. I've just not taken the time to write about the films as much as I've been watching them. As you can see from my Recent Movies of Note column, I've not been slacking in watching films. Here is a brief catch-up blog so at least you'll have a little idea of what I think of these films.

• Confessions of a Dangerous Mind - Please see this blog entry posted earlier today. Yes, it was that good.
• Rear Window - I see why this is a classic. Hitchcock was/is a master. Script, production design, cinematography, pacing, soundtrack - everything is top-notch. If you want to see a master at work, see this film.
• Ocean's Eleven - My current obsession. Stephen Soderberg made more than a box-office hit. This film will no doubt stand the test of time as being a classic Hollywood film. It is wall-to-wall entertainment, from the first frame to the last. If you enjoy heist movies, this film is for you. If you like romance, this film is for you. If you like comedies, this film is for you. If you like summer blockbusters, this film is for you. If you like suspense, this film is for you, too. Perhaps this is the best way to describe my feelings about this film: I've watched it nearly every night for the past few weeks & I can't wait to watch it again. (For those of you who know, consider this my new Midnight Run.)
• Ocean's Twelve - Stunningly good for a sequel. A must-see if you enjoyed Ocean's Eleven.
• The Big Lebowski - The Dude. I'm not a big Cohn Brothers fan, but I did enjoy it. A lot of tongue-in-cheek stuff, and I was particularly thrilled by their attempt at satirizing Tarantino. I don't know if anyone else caught that, but it's there. I'm happy to cite my examples to prove my case.
• Dead Man Walking - Thank God again for DVDs and NetFlix. The first time I watched this film, I fell asleep & it was lost on me. Seeing it again as research for marketing Love Lived on Death Row, it is one of my favorites that I've seen this year. Tim Robbins' direction of a difficult subject ably tells the humanity of the story, rather than the gratuitous details or heavy-hitting political agenda. Susan Sarandon steps up to the plate and hits it out of the park. It is probably my favorite of her performances. And, Sean Penn is perfection. That man's performances will never cease to amaze me. Bottom line: if you don't mind the subject matter (death row inmate fighting for his life, a Catholic nun befriending him in his last days), I strongly recommend it.
• Pride and Prejudice (2005) - I enjoyed this film much more than I would've expected. I'm not a big Jane Austen fan, even though I enjoyed Ang Lee's/Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensability. The subject matter - getting a man - isn't one of my favorites so I can't say I would've seen this film if it weren't for a friend of mine insisting I see it. While he still loves it more than I ever will, I did appreciate the performances, the script, and the production value. My favorite moment of the film was seeing Keira Knightly match the talents of Dame Judi Dench and Donald Sutherland. If you like historical epics, this is an excellent production.

Until next year...

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

I remember hearing about this film when it was released in 2002, but I was in no position to pay any attention to it. Thankfully we have DVDs and NetFlix. With these, I'm able to play catch-up.

The film is the adaptation of the unauthorized autobiography by Chuck Barris. Chuck Barris was a major influence on television in its infancy, including the creation of The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game, and The Gong Show. However, this film is not your traditional bio-pic. It is one part documentary, one part action-adventure, one part drama, one part suspense, and one part comedy. Like a good cocktail, what makes this so delicious is not the parts but how they are mixed together. Charlie Kaufman wrote the script (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) from Barris' book, and it is sublime. The performances by Sam Gladwell, Julia Roberts, and Drew Barrymore are fantastic. But it is Clooney's direction that kicks the whole thing into overdrive.

I have now seen two of his directorials, and he is unquestionably in my top-5 favorite directors. His cinematic eye delights with unexpected angles and colors, while his emotional sensability favors subtle statements that are potent but not offensive. As I reflected on this film during my wake-up time this morning, I realized what I love about Clooney's films. Many films have overtones, undertones, or subtexts, but Clooney's art has through-texts. His commentary isn't under or over the subject matter. It permeates through the subject matter. He is direct, but unoffensive. Unlike many communicators, he doesn't share his commentary for your approval or acceptance. He communicates because it is how he sees the world. It just is. It has a life and breath of its own. To me, that is refreshing.

Rating
5 of 5 stars

Recommend?
Absolutely. It is a film that hits on many levels since it is a wonderful mixture of 5 types of storytelling. Production design is delicious. Performances are engaging. The humor is appropriate. Please note, it has adult themes and images, that while are not gratuitous, they are included. If suspense and human drama are your cup of tea, enjoy it. It is worth the time.

New Year's Eve 2009

What a glorious day this is. It is fabulously wintry outside, complete with mid-30 temperatures and rainy drizzle. It is a beautiful day!!

Reflections are inevitable on a day like today, both December 31st and wintry weather, so here goes. Here are some reflections on the Year of Our Lord 2009.

• God is awesome.
• I'm so blessed. God's got my back even when I don't believe it.
• I love my church, the building and the congregation.
• I'm in my second year of Lay Ministry!! In May, I'll be receiving my certificate!
• God is still a God of miracles.
• I sang with an orchestra as a soloist this Christmas. See? MIRACLE.
• I found a recipe for a breakfast shake that is an answer to prayer. It actually gets me out of bed in the morning! Yep, Dad, that's right. I get out of bed early so I can make this shake. See? MIRACLE.
• Six years ago, I packed up my life and continued the transition out to North Carolina. I packed my life into boxes, and I took a chance at a new life. Since then, I've been blessed more than I could've imagined. My friends are tried-and-true, and I have a love network that leaves me in awe.
• What a blast 2010 is going to be!!!

The above may seem over-the-top, but it's the truth. I've had the pleasure of spending quality time with my family in May, June, September, October, and November. I've sung in church more than I could've dreamed, and I'm earning money doing it!! I love where I live, and while I don't know where God will take me, I love where I am right now. For a woman who has been chasing her tail for years, I'm thinking this is a miracle! I'm learning to take it easier without becoming slothful or complacent. In fact, I'm so inspired by this year's events, that I'm back on track. I'm developing a 5-year plan for the first time in years. More on that as it develops.

So I wish all of you contentment, beauty, and light, and I hope your heart's desires manifest in their perfect time.

Have a happy and safe New Year's celebration!