I watched her, black felt-tip pen in hand, writing the words SUGAR COMES FROM HER ARTERIES on my marble floor.
"Sit back down," I say.
"I try but I can't and I want to so bad."
November 16, 2011
November 13, 2011
Film #3: High Art (1998, US)
I have been watching a lot of gay and lesbian movies, but that's what happens when I start clicking on suggested titles in Netflix's instant queue. Whether the reason is the excuse I just gave or a blossoming subconscious desire to be with the same sex, it doesn't change the fact that I can't stop thinking about High Art (also directed by a woman!).
I've had it in my queue for a while now, but every time I glanced its way the cover made me think of Gina Gershon in Bound. I was hesititant to watch it, not because I think Bound is a bad movie, but because I didn't care to see another version of the same thing, which happens so often in the US of A.
When I finally sat down to watch it, I was surprised to find Ally Sheedy in it, although it's fairly obvious now looking at the cover.
Not only do we get an amazing Ally Sheedy (who was so very amazing in this) playing Lucy Berliner, the talented photographer of the film who is addicted to heroin and is...that's right, you guessed it...a lesbian, but we also get the always-captivating Patricia Clarkson who plays Greta, Lucy's lesbian lover. Radha Mitchell, who I had never seen until this film, plays Syd, who, upon entering Lucy's world, is forever changed. From the acting to the lighting to the script and the cinematography, this film is a solid piece of art.
Said by Syd right before making love to Lucy, "This is really intense." I had to agree. Intense in its honesty. Intense in its allure. Intense in its simplicity. And although it's been a few weeks since I saw this, I'm still mesmerized by the quality of the film, the essence of the story, and the feelings I got from the breathtaking visual aesthetics.
I've had it in my queue for a while now, but every time I glanced its way the cover made me think of Gina Gershon in Bound. I was hesititant to watch it, not because I think Bound is a bad movie, but because I didn't care to see another version of the same thing, which happens so often in the US of A.
When I finally sat down to watch it, I was surprised to find Ally Sheedy in it, although it's fairly obvious now looking at the cover.
Not only do we get an amazing Ally Sheedy (who was so very amazing in this) playing Lucy Berliner, the talented photographer of the film who is addicted to heroin and is...that's right, you guessed it...a lesbian, but we also get the always-captivating Patricia Clarkson who plays Greta, Lucy's lesbian lover. Radha Mitchell, who I had never seen until this film, plays Syd, who, upon entering Lucy's world, is forever changed. From the acting to the lighting to the script and the cinematography, this film is a solid piece of art.
Said by Syd right before making love to Lucy, "This is really intense." I had to agree. Intense in its honesty. Intense in its allure. Intense in its simplicity. And although it's been a few weeks since I saw this, I'm still mesmerized by the quality of the film, the essence of the story, and the feelings I got from the breathtaking visual aesthetics.
November 6, 2011
Film #2: Plan B (2009, Argentina)
I used to think homosexuality was gross. To narrow it down to specifics, I used to think man-on-man sex was repulsive, unnatural, and ugly. But that's because my introduction to gay sex was from a complimentary DVD that came with my roommate's online order of "personal" supplies. With a bag of popcorn, she and I watched as two muscular men slammed each other in the assholes until a pool of blood formed on the ground. I'm so not kidding here.
Luckily, ten years later with many gay friends and experiences myself, I realize I had only witnessed a low-grade, bad acted porno, and that it was not like all man-on-man sexual encounters to be classless and dirty.
Point? If you ever want to feel what it's like to go through the confusion of falling for the same sex when you didn't intend to, Plan B might be worth a view. This movie made me feel awkward with the characters, as well as made me laugh out loud on a few occasions. Even more so, I found that being a witness to two young, Spanish-speaking men, who danced around the prospect of being intimate with one another, was a mild turn-on. It even had me questioning my outdated beliefs of who I can and cannot love, which to me, is a good thing.
Film #1: Fish Tank (2009, UK)
About a year ago I started to take notice of a very interesting correlation: every movie that I really liked was directed by a woman. Fish Tank, directed by Andrea Arnold, is one of them.
After browsing Netflix as I so often do, I was intrigued more by the movie's cover than I was the title, but nevertheless the short synopsis seemed interesting and I added it to my instant queue. Last night I finally clicked on play and came to enjoy all two hours of it. That's right, two hours.
I've never been one for foreign films, but that's changing fast. Filmed in London, England, Fish Tank is unforgiving in its realism. I suppose this could be why:
"Mainly it's just real life around me that inspires me. I see someone on the bus, and I want to write about them." -Arnold
The acting is stellar, not only from first-timer to the big screen Katie Jarvis, but from the entire supporting cast as well. Jarvis plays Mia, a troubled 15 year-old with a lovable face and vulgar mouth. I still can't put my finger on what it was about her, but I was compelled to follow her every move.
Maybe it's because Arnold found the same captivating quality in her as she witnessed real-life Jarvis arguing with her boyfriend at a train station in London. Maybe it's because Arnold, pertaining to her aforementioned quote, was inspiried by Jarvis for the script. Whatever it is, it works.
Fish Tank is dark and realistic but never melodramatic or far-reaching. I was empathetic toward Mia, who a lot of the time faced the results of unfortunate circumstance. Many people will be able to relate to this film, as it's not only realistic, but also real life for those who have grown up in a broken home, in an unhealthy family environment, and have had to learn about life on their own. This film received 16 award wins and 22 nominations, and now I know why...it's 120 minutes that I don't regret giving up.
After browsing Netflix as I so often do, I was intrigued more by the movie's cover than I was the title, but nevertheless the short synopsis seemed interesting and I added it to my instant queue. Last night I finally clicked on play and came to enjoy all two hours of it. That's right, two hours.
I've never been one for foreign films, but that's changing fast. Filmed in London, England, Fish Tank is unforgiving in its realism. I suppose this could be why:
"Mainly it's just real life around me that inspires me. I see someone on the bus, and I want to write about them." -Arnold
The acting is stellar, not only from first-timer to the big screen Katie Jarvis, but from the entire supporting cast as well. Jarvis plays Mia, a troubled 15 year-old with a lovable face and vulgar mouth. I still can't put my finger on what it was about her, but I was compelled to follow her every move.
Maybe it's because Arnold found the same captivating quality in her as she witnessed real-life Jarvis arguing with her boyfriend at a train station in London. Maybe it's because Arnold, pertaining to her aforementioned quote, was inspiried by Jarvis for the script. Whatever it is, it works.
Fish Tank is dark and realistic but never melodramatic or far-reaching. I was empathetic toward Mia, who a lot of the time faced the results of unfortunate circumstance. Many people will be able to relate to this film, as it's not only realistic, but also real life for those who have grown up in a broken home, in an unhealthy family environment, and have had to learn about life on their own. This film received 16 award wins and 22 nominations, and now I know why...it's 120 minutes that I don't regret giving up.
December 18, 2009
Dead Man's Bones
If the name Dead Man's Bones isn't ringing any bells for you, then it is time you hopped on the musical bandwagon. You will not only be glad you did, but you will also be thoroughly surprised, as this musical act and incredible talent belongs to Canadian actor Ryan Gosling. Yes, of The Notebook fame, but I prefer to remember him from such films as Lars & the Real Girl, Half Nelson, and a smaller role in Remember the Titans.
Gosling, who is classically trained on the piano, combines powerful piano sounds with his enchanting, melodic voice to create the phenomena that is Dead Man's Bones. Throw in a drummer, some occasional bass, other whimsical sounds, and frequent help from a choir of children, and you'll find something that is completely ethereal; so ethereal it's haunting. Let's take to their myspace page for what they have listed as their influences:
"disney haunted mansion, doo wop and 60s girl groups"
Have a listen by visiting their myspace page or website. See them on tour, as I've heard it's magical. And I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that when my time comes, it will be.
Pave the way, David Slade...
Why is it so surprising what a quality eye for visual aesthetics director David Slade has? Especially with his two gorgeously executed films, Hard Candy and 30 Days of Night, I should be shrugging it off as just another obvious talent. But the thing is, he is so good at still photography that it excites me for all and any future work of his. He surely is, to me, a fresh new face in film directing today. Something I feel we always need in the watered-down crap that is passed off as films in modern Hollywood. And in case you missed my disappointed rant on the new Twilight film, let me just demonstrate with an excerpt that helps to explain exactly what I think of Slade:
"And the only thing that keeps me hoping for a better Twilight Saga future is the up and coming director David Slade. His only two films, Hard Candy and 30 Days of Night scream amazing auteur ability, and his dedication and absolute artistic ability in everything that is visual (see his twitter page for amazing candid still photos) secure a place for him in film history…and hopefully Twilight fans around the globe."
Yeah, my appreciation for Slade is THAT serious. So here is a preview of his ability.
December 17, 2009
A flowery refuge...
I may sound contrived, but I really despise living in Los Angeles. Sure, I was born and raised here, but in all honesty, it's no place I want to stay. I've been itching to Kerouac it outta here for some time, but the low-to-no funds thing kinda makes it difficult, if not impossible. So I stick around, but I dream of laying in fields of swaying tall grass and picking daisies from an entire field of flowers in Idaho or somewhere just as rural. Regardless, I always find myself picking random street-side flowers and making my own small bouquets to let dry and leave around the house in random objects. This is the epitome of what I've always imagined...
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