Random graffiti of the day:
I saw this right off Gardner St., the street that runs parallel to Comm Ave. near Shaw’s, in Allston. It was on the wall behind the T-Mobile store.
Some neighborhoods have gang-related graffiti, others have large artwork. My neighborhood has film criticism. Hmmmmm …
Just a short note to mark the passing of Anthony Minghella, who wrote and directed one of my all-time favorite movies, The Talented Mr. Ripley. Minghella also directed The English Patient and Cold Mountain, among other films, but for me, Ripley will stand as his greatest achievement. This film, alternately a thriller and a sad meditation on identity, always affects me when I see it. Matt Damon gives his best performance to date, and Minghella filmed it all beautifully, creating a virtual postcard of Italy that makes me long to visit. The ending is particularly well shot and edited nicely, and the score throughout is one of my favorites. If you’ve never seen Ripley, now is as good a time as any to rent or buy it. Do it as a tribute to Anthony Minghella, who will surely be missed.
Big, Important Discovery of the Day:
The really good cover of Don Henley’s “The Heart of the Matter” in the new Sex & the City trailer is not, as I suspected, by the movie’s costar, Jennifer Hudson, but by India.Arie.
Moral of the Story:
A well-placed cover of a great song in the trailer of a movie I was iffy about will make said movie a must-see. And, iTunes just made another sale.
Second-biggest Important Discovery of the Day:
All six of the laundry machines in my building — not just the two new ones — now cost $1.75 per load.
Moral of the Story:
I have more than one reason to be happy I’m moving and will have laundry in my apartment.
Third-biggest Important Discovery of the Day:
Buying a condo can be very stressful, especially the day before you have to sign the Purchase & Sale, hand over a big check, and decide on a mortgage lender.
Moral of the Story:
A week ago I told Todd I found the whole condo-buying process fun. Todd responded by saying, “If you’re having fun, then you’re not doing it right.” Wise words. But I choose to heed the even wiser words of that old adage, “Anything worth having is worth working for.” And I know it’s all going to be worth it a month from now.
As an idealistic but still naive college freshman, I signed up for a class called “The Sixties” my first semester at Brandeis. The professor, Jerry Cohen, captivated me with stories of protests and social upheaval, and explained how the youth movement tried to transform the nation. And, he told us about how Brandeis itself was a hotbed of activity, and how graduates like Abbie Hoffman were central to the activism of the decade. This course excited me like no other course would, and it started my college education on an inspiring foot.
More than 15 years later, the lessons of Jerry Cohen have come back to life with the movie Chicago 10, a documentary about the infamous trial of the Chicago Seven — folks like Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden, and Bobby Seale — who were put on trial for conspiracy, inciting to riot, and other charges related to violent protests that took place in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic National Convention. (The title comes from a quote by Rubin, who said, “Anyone who calls us the Chicago Seven is a racist. Because you’re discrediting Bobby Seale. You can call us the Chicago Eight, but really we’re the Chicago Ten, because our two lawyers went down with us.”) Director Brett Morgen mixes archival footage with computer-generated cartoons and a modern-day soundtrack to illustrate the trial and the convention week events. As historical documents go, it’s pretty cool to actually see a lot of the older footage and see how folks protested the Vietnam War. It’s also fun to see Hoffman in action; he comes across here as more of an agitator than a political activist, since he seems to delight more in getting a rise out of people than making actual change. The trial itself was a bit of a farce, since few of the defendants took the proceedings seriously. Judge Julius Hoffman (no relation to Abbie) was basically a crotchety old man who looked down on the defendants and made his disdain for them clear. And the fact that they all basically got off only emphasizes how silly the whole thing was.
Morgen uses the actual court transcripts as the script for the cartoon segments (with folks like Nick Nolte, Hank Azaria, and Mark Ruffalo providing the voices), and to be honest, these are some of the weaker segments in the film. The animation isn’t terribly impressive, and the back and forth with Judge Hoffman gets sort of old. On the good side, songs like the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” are used to good effect to amp up the protest footage. I generally liked seeing these events I had in my head actually playing out in front of me. And it’s nice that there’s no present-day analysis from anyone, because what’s happening basically speaks for itself. But that said, the film is missing some degree of insight, and some extra degree of engagement that prevented me from being completely impressed. So I’m giving Chicago 10 a B.
(2007 Releases)
Click on the link for my review:
1. ALPHA DOG
4. FACTORY GIRL
5. BREACH
6. ZODIAC
8. THE HOAX
9. THE LOOKOUT
10. FRACTURE
12. SING NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE
13. SPIDER-MAN 3
14. WAITRESS
15. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END
16. KNOCKED UP
17. ONCE
18. SURF’S UP
19. OCEAN’S THIRTEEN
20. RATATOUILLE
21. PARIS JE T’AIME
22. EVAN ALMIGHTY
23. A MIGHTY HEART
25. SUPERBAD
26. HAIRSPRAY (x2)
29. TALK TO ME
31. 3:10 TO YUMA
32. INTO THE WILD
34. THE KINGDOM
36. MICHAEL CLAYTON
38. THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES …
39. RENDITION
40. GONE BABY GONE
42. DAN IN REAL LIFE
43. LIONS FOR LAMBS
44. FRED CLAUS
45. BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD
47. ENCHANTED
48. I’M NOT THERE
49. BEE MOVIE
50. JUNO
53. I AM LEGEND
54. WALK HARD
55. SWEENEY TODD
56. THE SAVAGES
What can I say about this year’s Oscars? It was the best, most enjoyable show in quite some time. The winners were spread out across a few films (even The Bourne Ultimatum won three), and most of the winners spoke very well. Of course, I was very happy about Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova winning Best Song for “Falling Slowly,” the song from Once (and I loved what Glen and Marketa had to say — and that Marketa got a second chance to speak), and I liked that There Will Be Blood won not only for Best Actor but also for Best Cinematography. I liked the “surprise” of Tilda Swinton winning Best Supporting Actress for Michael Clayton too; that category could have gone any one of four ways, with all four deserving of the award. But really, my favorite part of the show was not Jennifer Garner (surprise!) or even Keri Russell but Jon Stewart, who simply rocked as the host. He had so many great lines, he had a lot of confidence, he was hip and cool, and he just did a really nice job. I loved when he came back from a commercial break and was playing Wii Tennis. (Here’s a link to the text of his very funny monologue.) The show felt like it moved very quickly, even if it did last about 3:17, and I just had a great time watching. I even enjoyed the montages — especially the Bee one (me! me! me!). Props to Jonah Hill and Seth Rogen for their presenting. And on the subject of Jen Garner, no one knows what was up with that Gary Busey ambush, but here’s how he defended himself. So, another year over. Now onto a new year of movies.
Dear Cat,
Just thought I’d write to say I hold you personally accountable for the fact that Jennifer Garner and I are not together right now.
As you know, Ms. Garner holds a special place in my heart — despite her already having a husband and a child — and when I heard the news that she would be filming a movie, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, not just in Boston but right on South Street in front of Les Zygomates, a short walk from our office, you knew what a big deal this was for me.
At last, this would be my chance to meet the former Ms. Sydney Bristow in person and profess my love to her.
You agreed to walk with me at lunchtime today to check out the set, and that was very nice of you to keep me company. And how exciting was it when we got there and we could just walk around and see it all — the lights, the cameras, the New York City cabs, and even better, the fake snow and Christmas decorations. (It was Christmas, Cat! My favorite time of year! How perfect!!)
Suffice it to say, I was giddy. Jen was nowhere to be seen, but she would be out soon, and I would see her acting right there a few feet in front of me. How cool is that??!
All the fates were aligning; it was actually going to happen. Jen would see me from across the street, watching her, smiling my adorable smile, and she’d be too distracted to even look at her costar, the shirtless wonder himself, Matthew McConaughey.
She’d stop filming, would walk right over to me, we’d introduce ourselves, I’d say something witty and charming (of course), she’d smile and laugh, all the other bystanders would wonder who this random guy in the crowd was, but they’d be so overcome with emotion watching us and our love blossom that they’d burst into spontaneous applause, and, well, the rest (including Ben Affleck) would be history. We would go off and live happily ever after, in Newton.
I was thisclose to making my dream a reality. Oh man, it was actually going to happen …
… And then you asked me to leave, and you denied Jennifer and me a love that would have inspired others. A love that was fated in the stars. A love that was destined for greatness.
Why did we have to leave?? Were you really too cold standing there on the sidewalk? Was the production assistant really that rude to you when she asked us to move over?
I was hungry too, but some things are more important than lunch. I missed my chance at true happiness.
You broke my heart, Cat. And now, Jennifer Garner and I will never be together. I hold you responsible for this tragedy. 😉
Sincerely,
Martin
Back in the day, I fancied myself an amateur filmmaker.
I made these really bad films where I played all the parts — for example, He’s a Wonderful Salesman, a cross between Death of a Salesman and It’s a Wonderful Life, where Willy Loman is shown (by an angel named Mar-T) what life would be like if he was never born.
Of course, my sister helped, and I’ll always remember her immortal line, “I feel a breeze.”
Anyway, I thought of those movies while watching Be Kind Rewind, the new movie from the mind of Michel Gondry, the director of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
It’s a truly strange and random movie about two guys in Passaic, New Jersey: one, played by Mos Def, who works at a video store, and another, played by Jack Black, who hangs around the store.
One day, Black’s character is magnetized (don’t ask) and he accidentally erases all the tapes at the video store. So the two decide to recreate the movies in their own amateurish way, starting with Ghostbusters and Rush Hour 2.
And these remakes — the “Sweded” versions — become so insanely popular that they have to make others — including When We Were Kings, 2001, King Kong, and Lord of the Rings.
Yes, the remakes are absurd, and the making-ofs are very amusing.
The whole film has the look of a low budget, amateur production, making it all seem very authentic.
Black and Mos Def throw themselves into their roles, and keep the tone silly. Danny Glover and Mia Farrow, of all people, fill out the cast, giving it a little “weight” and substance.
It’s probably safe to say you’ve never seen a movie quite like Be Kind Rewind, and it’s not exactly great, but it has some really inspired moments and scenes that make it worth recommending. You’ll likely never look at Ghostbusters or Boyz n the Hood the same way again.
So, I’m giving Be Kind Rewind a B.
First, the good news about Vantage Point: despite what you may think, the trailer doesn’t give away the entire plot.
So that’s a nice surprise.
And also, there is about 20 minutes of a good movie here.
The problem is that the film’s main gimmick of watching a presidential assassination from multiple points of view grows really tiresome really fast. Just when the film starts to pick up momentum and you want to see what will happen next, you’re rewinded back to the same starting point only to watch the same scene unfold again.
And again.
And it’s not like every replaying adds a new layer to the story. Rather, you just meet someone else who was there.
This isn’t Rashomon.
When, at about an hour into the movie, the story begins again and then keeps on going, that’s when the action really kicks into gear and it gets pretty exciting, especially during a fast-paced car chase through the streets of Salamanca, Spain.
But there’s some lame dialogue, and the impressive cast of actors (including Forest Whitaker, William Hurt, Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, and Sigourney Weaver) is pretty much left high and dry. Weaver in particular gets introduced first and then basically disappears.
Wish I could recommend this movie; I actually liked the trailer and had high hopes. Alas, it’s another waste of 90 minutes.
I give Vantage Pointa C-.
After the rain stopped, Monday was a really nice day.
Teflon-coated pots are excellent. One of the best inventions ever.
I wish I had given Gossip Girl more of a chance and hadn’t given up on it after the first episode.
We’re negotiating, and I should have a decision on the apartment on Tuesday. I’m now feeling more 65-35 as far as excitement and nervousness go.
Ben & Jerry’s Crème Brûlée ice cream is so so so good.
I’m rooting for a There Will Be Blood Best Picture upset on Sunday.
There’s something about seeing baseball players practicing down in Florida, smiling, happy, with the sun shining, that makes everything all right.
Are you on Facebook? Why not? Sign on and let’s be friends.
Days off would be more enjoyable if there was something good on TV in the morning. At least on Saturdays there’s three hours of repeats of 90210 and two of The O.C.
Which is the more annoying instrument to listen to: violin or the flute?
I don’t think there’s any movie in theaters right now that I haven’t seen that I want to see.
My early American Idol favorites are Amanda Overmyer, a.k.a.: the rocker nurse, and Michael Johns. Kristy Lee Cook is cute, but she won’t get past the top 8. And David Archuleta is overrated. And anyone who sings “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” will never win, much less make it to the top 12.
Sometimes when scrolling through the names and numbers in my cell phone I’ll come across Bubby and I’ll be tempted to call. I wish I could.
Next week, March 1 to be exact, marks the 11th anniversary of the day I moved to Boston. Still the best decision I’ve ever made.
I own way way way too many books, CDs, and DVDs.
Can’t believe I still haven’t finished The Year of Living Biblically.
Kupels went and raised their prices, and in so doing went from being a great deal to a total rip-off.
When I move, I think I’m going to hire a cleaning person to come regularly.
Some movies I can watch over and over and never get tired of them. The Shawshank Redemption is one of them.
Long weekends are great … until you have to go back to work the next morning.
Martin's Musings 
