Okay. I saw The Others yesterday. It was a film that people I liked and respected have been telling me to see for quite a while, and I finally got around to it. Now, the first thing I should address is the "Big Twist" at the end, wasn't that much of a surprise. It doesn't help that the stupid cover box announces that the film has a twist, so I was watching and postulating thirty possible endings within the first ten minutes. It seems to me that "Big Twist" movies are rapidly becoming a genre - Sixth Sense, Unbreakable etc. Like those films, if you're watching carefully, you'll figure it out. Unlike those films - and I'm sure I'll take heat for this - it doesn't matter because the film is so well made.
Unlike the Sixth Sense, which frankly I didn't care for, The Others gives no sense of let down once the plot twist is revealed. It's a neat little piece of plotting, but it doesn't undermine the 1 1/2 hours the viewer has invested in the film and the characters. In SS, when we learn Bruce Willis is a ghost (though if you were fooled, you weren't watching) it's almost like "Why why do I care about this guy now? So what if his wife's cheating? on him" Sixth Sense also ends on a relative upbeat - Willis going to the other side. In the Others there's no sense of going anywhere - despite the fervent spiritual beliefs of some characters, there doesn't seem to be an "other" side. I thought this aspect of the film was brillant. No cliches, no pat answers, no white light, just uncertainty.

Greetings form 80s limbo. The Magic of Henson, the Genius of Lucas, the Androgony of Bowie. That's right, folks, tonight's feature is none other than Labyrinth (1986) - yet another film that was some sort of lynch pin of my wife and brother-in-law's childhood, which I think is a pile of crap. Here's the weird part, though- I'm a huge Muppet fan. If they were watching the Muppet Movie, I'd be right there beside them, but Labyrinth is so mindnumbingly pointless that it's hard to appreciate the pupptry. So, while they watch, I'll sit up here and complain about their taste. I thik it's reached a point that no matter what film of their childhood they bring home, I'm not going to watch it.
On a brighter note, I've been re-watching Out of Sight. This was the film that I really noticed Steven Sodenbergh's genius for story and visual filmmaking. Sex Lies and Videotape was an interesting small budget project, but visually it wasn't much to write home about. In OOS Sodenbergh knows right where to put the camera and which visual tricks will work (slo-mo, freeze frame). What I especially like about this film is what Sodenbergh was praised so highly for with Traffic, his use of an ensemble cast. Sure, with Traffic he had some higher profile people, but OOS is driven byt he secondary charcters. From Glen the pothead without a thought in the world, to Snoop, to Buddy, there's not one false or uninteresting or forgetable secondary actor. Each one adds something to the story, each one stands out.
Well, about a hour and fifteen mintues until Labyrinth's done.

Okay. Lots of movie stuff to write about tonight. I saw or finished three films yesterday (while preping for class). First, I finished Tampopo. I wasn't sure if I'd seen this film or not. About half way through I decided that I had probabaly seen it on Bravo one night back in Ontarion and didn't pay that much attention. While the film has a certain charm, I was left feeling dissatisifed. Were I sum this film up in a single word, that word would have to be disjointed. Too much time was spent following stories that had nothing to do with the main plot. It gave the impression of a less amusing Monty Pythonesque, sketch-based film. While some of these side stories provide the majority of humour, they drag the film down by diverting attention from Tampopo and her noodle shop.
Saw Neil LaBrute's Possession in the theatre. Being a huge fan of the novel, I had my reservations about going to see this film. The novel is a huge, multi-charactered work that is as much abouit literature and writing as it is about anything else. Whatever the filmmakers would do with the material would have to omit this. What's left is a rather intersting little film, though Labrute is able to allude to a multi-genric work through the use of voiced over letters. My one complaint is the decision to change the lead charcater from a native Brit academic to an American academicx working in Britain. The switch in national identity isn't so bad (actually the actor impressed me), but so much is made of his being an "American" that it's distracting. Anytime Roland does anything sponteneous the other characters, who are all British, make some crack about the stupidity or rashness of all Americans. It's a cheap joke that might have worked once or twice, but is beaten like the proverbial dead horse.
FInally, I saw Traffic, which, I must admit, I really liked. I've been a huge Soderbergh ever since Out of Sight. While I found Erin Brokovitch manipulativ and heavy handed, Soderbergh's films are usually top rate. While I liked the movement between storylines, some storylines didn't holdup as well as others. As enjoyable as it was to see the kid from That's 70s SHow freebasing, I found his storyline, and that of Michael Douglas's daughter, to be tettering on the cliched - rich kid takes the drugs, life falls to crap. For my money the real stand out performance is Don Cheadle and Luis Guzman, despite all the critical praise heaped on Benicio del Toro. I could have watched a two plus hour film of Cheadle and Guzman talking in the van - the dialogue about the patch was hilarious!!!

Survey time!

1. WHAT'S THE STORY BEHIND YOUR ‘BLOG NAME?

My world's not very exciting.

2. NAME FIVE OF YOUR FAVORITE PIG-OUT FOODS.


1. Nachos.
2. Carrots and hummous.
3. Honey garlic wings.
4. Chocolate
5. Fries and gravy.


3. HAVE YOU EVER HAD A MAKEOVER?


Sha-right!

4. NAME ALL MEMBERS OF THE BEATLES.


1. George
2. Paul
3. Ringo (the un-talented Beatle)
4. John
5. Stuart Stutcliffe (sp?)
6. Pete Best
7. Apu

5. WHAT'S THE LONGEST TIME YOU'VE STAYED OUT OF THE COUNTRY/WHERE?

Couple of weeks. Went to Florida with a friend.

6. ONE THING YOU'RE GRATEFUL FOR, TODAY.

That today's almost over.

7. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY?

Being on stage. I loved that.

8. WHAT IS THE MOST INSANE THING YOU'VE DONE FOR/TO YOUR CRUSH THAT HE/SHE MIGHT NOT/MIGHT KNOW ABOUT?

Ummm, told her. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

9. DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM WEDDING.

One where I do minimal work but reap the benefits... oh wiat, that was my wedding.

10. WOULD YOU EVER JOIN TEMPTATION ISLAND?

As what?

11. NAME THREE [3] TEACHERS YOU LIKED IN HIGH SCHOOL/ELEMENTARY.

Mr. Kuzurko - great drama teacher; intorduced me to Blackadder, for which I'm eternally grateful
Mr. Pape - let me read Lady Chatterly's Lover as an OAC Enlgish assignment - wicked man
Mr. Olynyk or Mr. Butler - turned me on to lots of things I probably wouldn't have read

12. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE? WHAT IS IT?

I forget.

13. MY FIRST HEARTBREAK HAPPENED WHEN I WAS... [CARE TO SHARE THE STORY?]

... in the sandbox. Know what? I can't even remember. I'm sure it sucked at the time, but there've been much worse since.

14. THE SCHOOL PICTURE YOU BURIED IN YOUR BOTTOM DRAWER?

Me and my friends mostly naked on stage.

15. DO YOU HAVE ANY WEIRD PREFERENCES? WHAT ARE THEY?

I don't think so. I guess I like foreign films better than American "blockbusters" Most people find that weird. I also like Mexican wrestling.

16. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX?

Can I rephrase that: What is one thing you will understand about the opposite sex?

Nothing.


17. NAME ONE TV CHARACTER YOU'D MOST WANT TO BE.

People on tv get away with smart-alec comments that I always get blasted for. I'd like to be someone allowed to be sarcastic.

18. LAST BOOK READ?

Still trying to finish Great Expectations. Read the Canterbury Tales for class - does that count?

19. IF YOU WERE FAMOUS, AND WERE TO BE A GUEST ON A TALK SHOW, WHOSE SHOW WOULD YOU CHOOSE? WHY?

Tom Synder's old show, cause I'm going to look good no mater what I say or wear.

20. GIVE YOURSELF A PORN STAR NAME.

Under no circumstances!

21. DO YOU HAVE ANY WEIRD SLEEPING HABITS?

Like covers but kick them off. Hug my pillow (it doesn't have elbows!)

22. WHAT DO/DID YOU PLAN TO DO THIS SUMMER?

Wanted to finish my novel and at least one screenplay. Didn't

23. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG RIGHT NOW?

"A Little Less Conversation"

24. WRITE A LINE FROM ANY SONG.

I want to be good, is that not enough


25. DO YOU KNOW AT LEAST ONE DISNEY SONG BY HEART? WHICH ONE?

I know FAR too many - including some pretty obscure ones.

26. DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM HOUSE.

Room that's strictly home theatre and an office for me - don't care about the rest

27. YOUR TYPICAL SLEEPWEAR:

Pj bottoms or boxers and a Tshirt


28. WHAT'S IN YOUR BAG?

Books, lots of books


29. WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET?


Some ID. A credit card. A bank card. Notes to myself

30. HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR WALLET RIGHT NOW?

$0

31. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PAIR OF SHOES?

My 8 hole Doc Materns.

32. IF YOU COULD'VE GONE TO YOUR SENIOR PROM IN A DIFFERENT OUTFIT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I wore a black tux and looked cool. Why change that?

33. HOW WAS YOUR SENIOR PROM?

Long. And my friends and date ditched me. Long story.

34. TELL US ABOUT ANY OF YOUR BIRTHDAYS.

They happen on May 23.

35. WOULD YOU RATHER BE A HOBBIT, AN ELF OR A DWARF?

I'd rather be me.

36. WHAT ARE THE FIRST FIVE THINGS YOU WOULD SPLURGE ON IF YOU WERE A BILLIONAIRE?


1.Goodbye student loans.
2.Movies. Lots of them and the biggest television I can find.
3. A house to put the television in
4. A party for my friends and semi-friends.
5. Start a business with aportion of the profits going to various chairties and shelters.


37. WHAT IS YOUR DAILY BEFORE-GOING-TO-BED RITUAL?

I watch movies, debate whether I want a snack, drink some water, brush teeth, have snack, brush teeth again, read, watch tv, putz around for another half hour doing one or more the afore mentioned activites... fall asleep

38. WHAT IS THE WEIRDEST/FUNNIEST NICKNAME ANYONE HAS EVER CALLED YOU?

Shakespeare.

39. NAME THREE [3] OF YOUR FAVORITE CARTOON CHARACTERS.

Space Ghost, Homer, Eeyore.

More adventures in 80s limbo with my wife and her brother. They returned form the video store with The Dark Crystal. While I'll admit, I had a fondness for this film when I was younger, time has not been kind to Henson's film. As much as I might want to recapture my former feelings, I can't ignore the drawbacks and shortcomings of the film. First, the hero is of the Luke Skywalker, whiny, wimpy, and not all that bright school of heroism. I don't like it in Star Wars (anymore) and I don't like it here. I can't stand films where the main character, the person supposedly chosen for greatness by some ancient prophecy, stands around, looking at the walls while his opportunity to get the job done slowly slips away. Case on point: at the end of the film,Jen (who named this guy?) is alone in the crystal room with the shard of crytsal in his hand. all he has to do is insert the piece and his job's done. Does he? Of course not. he stands around, gawking while all the bad guys come in. Pathetic. When he finally does spring into action, he drops the shard on the ground. Loser!!!
When I'm alone, I've been watching Henri-George Clouzot's Wages of Fear, an amazingly tense 50s film. Two trucks, loaded with nitro-glyciren, have to travel the rough roads of South America without blowing up. Clouzot might be the only serious contender to Hitchcock's title, Master of Suspense. With his amazing les Diabolques (which Hitch tried to purchase the rights to) and this film, you can see the same marks of genius. Like Hitch, Clouzot lets his story build to suspense. It starts slowly, unemployed foreigners in a small South American town. After yet another accident at the oil drilling site, an American foreman hires four of these unemployed men to drive explosives from one destination to another. Once the two trucks are underway, the tension really begins.

Ever just have one of those days? I was watching Renoir's *Rules of the Game*, which I haven't seen in years. And I'm loving it. Christine had declared her love for Andre and was on the balcony with Octave. Andre and Christine's husband were discussing the situation after their fistfight. And then the tape goes blue. It seems that when I taped the film from my friend's laserdisc, I forgot to include the last side. Arghhhhhh.
Apart from the serious let down, what I saw was one of the more enjoyable film experiences of the past few months. Much better than the Goonies collector edition DVD marthon that ran at my house last week. I am someone who geniunely enjoys commentary tracks, but the track on Goonies - with Dick Donner and most of the child-actors - is horrible. Stories that sound intersting but are cut off, questions about plot (come on people, learn the plot!!!) and Corey Feldman incessant yelling- can't that guy speak with an indoor voice. I can only assume that years of heroin abuse has effected his hearing as it once effected his sense of fashion (anyone else remember the Michael Jackson clone Feldman was in the 80s?).

A Monday Mission four days late...

1. Where were you and what was happening in your life the moment when you first became aware of what was happening at the World Trade Center in New York City last September 11th? What was the first thing you did when you heard the news?

Well, I was in class when it happened. I saw that the University had set up TVs around campus, but didn't stop to watch. It wasn't until I got home around noon that I realized what happened.

2. When those truly responsible for the attack are apprehended, what do you think would be the most fitting form of justice?

Hard question because how can we truly know who was responsible. The hijackers are dead, obviously, but what about any and all supporters? Is it even conceivable to imagine getting EVERYONE? If caught however, trial in an international court is the only possible way.

3. This will probably be much like when our parents respond to "Where were you when JFK was shot?"- an event never forgotten by those who were there. But how do you think the history books should present the 9-11 attacks? Should it be included for all future generations? How can we truly convey the shock, the outrage, the emotions and pain of that day to the children of our children?

Yes, it's history so it should be included, but I didn't think we can convey the full extent of the trauma. Younger people can't fathom what the death of JFK meant, just as people born after 9 11 won't be able to.

4. No one in that building, in the Pentagon, or on the planes (other than the terrorists) knew that 9-11 would be their last day to be alive. For me, it brought home the reality that I could be gone at anytime, without any warning. Now, I really want each day to have some value. Did the events of 9-11 bring about a change in the way you live your life?

I could say something like "it made me more appreciative of life" but that's not really true. It did for a little while but soon the routine returned as it always does. I don't think it changed my life all that much.

5. Several who loved to fly in planes will not step foot in one anymore. Many parents are more protective of their children. A year later, do you find yourself feeling more secure than back then? Or is it just a matter of time before something else happens?

I guess I never really thought we were that secure to begin with.

6. The best way for me to honor the those impacted by the attack will be to refrain from any media that day. No papers, no radio and especially no television. Others will light candles, and others will attend special services. What, if anything, will you do to personally reflect on the tragedy?

I don't know...

7. One of the visuals that touched me the most were the walls and walls full of hand made "Missing" posters. What image will you always have in your mind when you recall the events of 9-11?

The stories my mother told me about working at Ground Zero and the tireless efforts of the workers.

BONUS: Who's gonna come around when you break?

Who's gonna drive you home?

Comment question of the week: What's your favorite hand gesture?

I'm a big fan of the pisan chin-wav-off, but I think the bird will always have a special place in my heart

Nothing about film today, just more survey stuff...

1. What is your biggest pet peeve?

First year students who won't get out of the way...

2. What irritating habits do you have?

Cracking my knuckles.

3. Have you tried to change the irritating habits or just let them be?

Tried to convince myself and others that cracking knouckles is an art form.

4. What grosses you out more than anything else? Why?

Snot... other people's. Do you really need to be told why?

5. What one thing can you never see yourself doing that other people do?

giving a crap about American Idol or Survivor. I'm sorry. I have a life to live here.

Okay, I started this thing to write about film, but all I seem to do is answer surveys that no one cares about the answers to. So I suppose I should get around to the whole movie thing. I watched the Lady Eve last night (after my wife and her brother finished the Goonies - I was never a big fan of the Goonies). It still astounds me how Preston Sturges is able to come up with the most insane, hilarious introductions for his characters. In my opinion there is nothing funnier than Eugene Pallette coming down the stairs singing "For Tonight We'll Merry, Merry Be" in that wonderful foghorn voice of his.
Sturges also manages to make a lot out of a relatively simple plot. There's not much to the Lady Eve - boy meets girl, boy leaves girl, girl tricks boy, girl gets boy. The genius of the film lies in the dialogue, the supporting players (always toprate in a Sturges flm) and the performance Sturges is able to get from Henry Fonda.

Monday Mission from www.promoguy.net
1. What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you on a date?
Nothing more than the usual humilating events that make up my life.

2. Do you eat your veggies?
Depends on the veggie.

3. Most people are comfortable going to the bathroom in front of at least one person. Has anyone ever used the restroom in front of you that you wish wouldn't have? What happened and how bad was it?

Goodness, no. That's awful.

4. Have you ever had a bad online transaction? You know, the item wasn't what you thought it would be, you got totally ripped-off, no refunds, it just plain sucked? What's the story there?

No.

5. Ever have a current love find any old love letters (or similar item) you kept that probably should have been thrown away? How did that turn out?

I don't think so. She's probably read stuff written to me in yearbooks. If she thinks of it at all she likely finds it amusing.

6. A secretary at work was telling me about a trip she took to Mardi Gras. She showed off her beaded necklaces and proudly said she "earned' each and every one of them (for those not familiar with this tradition, ladies walking up Burbon St. in New Orleans will flash people who are upon the balconies, in return the guys will throw them worthless plastic necklaces). I was shocked, I had no idea this quiet gal had a wild side. Was there ever a time when you did something totally outrageous because you knew no one would know who you were, or maybe didn't care even if they did?

I performed at my high school Christmas show with three friends wearing trench coats, shoes and nothing else! And yes, there is a video.

7. Hey, what happened to you last night? I waited forever!

Sorry, I feel asleep.