The State of Hollywood

Quick review of some of this years Oscar contenders:

Atonement - a chick flick and kinda too long, but a story that haunts you
No Country for Old Men - I was disappointed by the end, but there were some great performances and the infamous weapon is like another character
Charlie Wilson's War - a humorous (apparently true) story of a congressman who fights Russians in Afghanistan. The meaning of our success and failures there are poignant.
Eastern Promises - Viggo Mortensen is naked! But with good reason. It's an incredible scene in a disturbing and disturbingly good movie.

I'm hoping to see 'Juno', 'Sweeny Todd' and maybe 'There Will be Blood' this week and I'll pass judgment on those if I do.

I also saw 'Citizen Kane' on Saturday. In a weekend of arguably the best movies of the year, it held its own. But when you go into a movie thinking it's going to be the best movie of all time (according to AFI) you're bound to be disappointed. Also, I'd already heard about Rosebud, which I guess was the point...? I did think it was shot in some really fascinating ways and I loved seeing the young Joesph Cotton. Not exactly a waste of two hours.

By the way- if you don't trust me and you're trying to figure out if you're going to like 'Juno' or 'Atonement' or some other recent release, visit my friends site, http://www.movie-recipes.com/, to get a "taste" of what the flick is about.

And finally...
Heath Ledger: you were a cutie and I'll miss you. I will mourn you in the theater during the next Batman movie (you look awesome in that). I will not watch 'A Knight's Tale' because I'm pretty sure we both know that was a mistake.
Everyone else in the world: it's not the end of the world. It's not even the end of Hollywood, much as we might like. Isn't Britney hitting on Paris or something? Shouldn't you be talking about that soon?

More people have read your shirt than my blog

I've had several blog-related discussions in the past week. A couple of people informed me that they're reading my blog or have asked for the URL so they can (Hey HyperWife! Safe trip home, Mr. Darcy!). I don't know if blogs are back "in" or what, but I think that brings my readership to five!

I also had a discussion with a friend, let's call him Viddy, about how lame and silly and self-absorbed blogs are. The truth is, I agree with him and I'm constantly trying not to be excessively lame (I'm trying now- read my older posts at your own peril) or self-absorbed (recent "year-of-me" posts not withstanding).

But if you're here it's probably because you know me and you're (at least mildly) interested in keeping up with what I have to share. I apologize now and forever more for lame and self-absorbed posts (yeah, yeah- this is one) and I'll try to be more interesting.

Recent News: works sucks, I'm trying to learn to say "no" to people (don't see '27 Dresses' in the theater), I'm currently starving on Weight Watchers, thinking about taking up painting as a hobby and would like to kill some reindeer (long story, not really planning to hunt animals).

The Island at the Center of the World

Once upon a time I bought a book in my favorite little bookstore in Manhattan (The Strand, a few blocks away from Union Square). The book was about the history of the earliest settling of Manhattan, by the Dutch. I agreed to let my brother read it first and therefore have only just finished it, nine and a half months later...
The early part of the book was a little slow. It detailed the very early history of the settlement (including the eventual city of Albany and several NYC boroughs) so it took awhile for me to get into the book. But as the city filled in and more of the names became recognizable the book became much more rewarding.

The Dutch were very open people and a century before English settlers were fighting for fundamental freedoms, the Dutch were giving many of them- most importantly, freedom of religion and a welcoming attitude to foreigners. This early legacy helped to create an attitude that lead millions of immigrants through Ellis Island, but also helped to form our earliest declarations of freedom.


I know I'm going on a bit- I apologize. The point is, there was a section in one of the last chapters that mentioned 9/11 and did a great job of driving home the point that the heart of this small town lay within a mile or two from where the towers fell. New York, or the New Netherlands as they were known then, was able to build a settlement free from religious persecution (almost) and open to all types of people. More than 300 years later that land was attacked by people who still didn't get, or couldn't accept the fundamental principles that formed New York. They weren't attacked for their ideals in 1661 (the English took over for the trade routes) but they were in 2001.

I'm going to NY in a few weeks and I'm hoping to go to Ellis Island and perhaps the NY City History Museum (yes, there is one). I'll give you a review if it's any good. Going to see 'Wicked' too- can't wait!

My $.02

I'm not kidding myself that any of you really care how I feel about politics but I think I might enjoy re-reading this on, say, the first Tuesday in November. Or next January after the re-count.

McCain - a morally righteous man with whom, I'm sorry to say, I disagree on a number of important issues.
Obama - too soon to tell. I'm worried about his experience but everything I hear is good. Need to learn more about where he stands on the issues.
Edwards - uninspired twerp who seems to feel entitled to the presidency.
Huckabee - C-R-A-Z-Y. Can't do that religion.
Romney - ditto
Clinton - I'm glad a woman can compete; it's about time. I'm not going to vote for her if she's not going to represent my interests (haven't investigated her record), but for last time, she is not going to nuke Korea because she's on her period!
Guliani - is he still competing? I thought he was getting married again. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

I'm also bummed about the writer's strike. Colbert and Stewart are back but they can't say anything. The WGA and the ATMP-whatever need to work their shit out 'cause their denying us all superior political satire just when we need it most!

The Year of Me

So what came to me when I was writing my last blog entry - the idea of 'the year of me' - I think it's a great idea and I'm really embracing it.

I went out and got my nails done and went shopping on New Years day. I left work early (only 30 minutes but it's the principal of the thing) and went to a movie on the 2nd. Didn't do anything super special today, but I can neither afford the cost nor the indulgence of goofing off EVERY day.

I haven't worked on this plan a lot but I think the main goal is just to think about myself and what I want. There are times when I do things I really hate because I don't want the confrontation or because I just feel like I should. I've tried very hard for many years to think about things from others point-of-view. This year, while I don't want to ignore that other POV, I do think I should stop and at least weigh-in what I want. I'll try to find some examples and let you know how it's going.

Go ahead and try out the 'year of me' for yourself. Let me know how it goes if you do. Have a very happy new year!