cinema > economy

So yes we all know that America’s economy is in the crapper right now, things are rough, insert other inappropriate cliches that pass over the severity of the subject…

And yes, I’m very concerned, but I’m still going to enjoy life how I know best, and one of those little treasures is through….you guessed it….the movies. So here’s a little web dump of various cinematic happenings that have gotten me quite excited:

First off – why not transition right into this:

Can we talk about how excited I am about Oliver Stone’s new film? Maybe you’ve heard of it… W. (Based on a true story ). I’m currently in Austin and it premiered here last night as part of the Austin Film Festival (no I didn’t get to attend). But the teaser one-sheeter is amazing! and just watch the trailer - I’m eagerly awaiting this delicious bit of tongue-in-cheek, even if I haven’t been a fan of Mr. Stone’s fare as of late.

oh I am...

 

If anyone saw Wristcutters or Everything is Illuminated then you’ve already had a slight taste of Eugene Hutz. Now you’ve got your chance once again in the upcoming film Filth and Wisdom, directed by the material girl herself, Madonna. I’ve read some preliminary reviews and my excitement for this film has not been squelched. If for nothing else I’m excited to have some more time experiencing the ridiculous antics, musical stylings and amazing mustachery of Eugene.

 

mustachery!

 

I had the chance to see his band, Gogol Bordello (who provides music to the soundtrack to this film, as they did for Wristcutters and EiI) this summer and let me tell you it is an experience I will not soon forget. I lift my paranoia/disdain of all things gypsy for this auditory explosion of hysteria. The film also seems to be quite aesthetically intriguing, I wonder how much Guy Ritchie’s influence had on this.

Inglourious Basterds (formerly Inglorious Bastards). 

Really I shouldn’t have to follow this up with anything. I love Tarantino. I love spaghetti westerns. I love people being obliterated on screen. The End.

 

YES.

 

But there’s more to be said, most notably about the cast:

Brad Pitt in a Tarantino film!? My dreams come true – as you may know from my post on the latest Coen film, I think Brad Pitt is one of the funniest people in the universe. He kills me. With Tarantino’s pen to guide him, I may be in heaven.

Roth squared. Yes, Tim Roth is no new face to a Tarantino flick, but I adore him so bring it on. In addition ELI ROTH. OMG just having this guy around to give his 2 cents on the gore in this film is brilliant- did you see Hostel ? Joining QT and E. Roth again should be great, but putting Roth IN THE FILM, I’m on the edge of my seat to see how this turns out.

Mike Meyers. I was just having the discussion about how Mike Meyers needs to get away from the crap of late (Why were there 3 Shreks?, and Lord help me if I ever have to sit through the Love Guru). This could be it, I at least have the highest hope for one of my favorite funny men (Remember So I Married an Axe Murderer?).

Plus Til Schweiger! (ok that one is just bc of my adoration for SLC Punk)

Sadly though there are 2 men no longer connected to the film that I was quite interested to see:

Simon Pegg. Yes, his latest flick (How to Lose Friends and Alienate People) left me a little disappointed in this dept., but I still keep hoping for one of my favorite Brits to finally get to dig his teeth into some smart sharp wit.

Adam Sandler. This one actually shocked me, I would’ve never have thought of him, but think of the different comedic directions all in one film – it’s fascinating. However, the filming conflicted with the new Apatow flick. Apatow over Tarantino? I wouldn’t make that call, no matter how much I adore Jason Segel and Seth Rogen. Of course I’ll still be in the theater for it….I mean how could I not want to see how Eric Bana will be inducted into Team Apatow.

 

Upcoming Guilty Pleasures:

Zach and Miri Make a Porno (I love Seth Rogen, I love Jay Mewes, I don’t care what you think)

Twilight (Okay so I have the same interests as 15-year-old girls, at least I have a drinking game for it)

Not going to see, but feel the need to comment on:

Fast and Furious: just when you thought 2 Fast 2 Furious was the worst film title ever written, the people who somehow think bringing Paul Walker, Vin Diesel and Jordana Brewster back for a 4th film (yes, there’s going to be a 4th), just give up and drop articles from their first film’s title. Seriously? (on so many levels).

This guy has more talent in one jazz hand…

…than I can ever aspire to.

Unfortunately there is no youtube link, so you’re going to have to click through.  But believe me-IT IS WORTH IT.

Two businesses I should’ve thought of / desperately want for RVA

Perhaps I should quit my job and take up selling food on the go….actually that’s complete bullshit – I adore my job.

but seriously, why did I not think of this:

A CUPCAKE TRUCK! WHERE YOU GET TO PICK YOUR OWN CAKE/ICING/TOPPINGS!!!!!

(thanks to confessions of a young married couple for the enlightment — check out their post on the truck)

and more importantly why isn’t there one here? or really – how can I steal this idea??? (I don’t even really want to steal it, I’d be sad if someone did that to me. Do you think they’d draw up a franchise agreement?)

Also another thing sold on the fly that we do not have…. that I’m totally jealous of:

http://www.fresherthanfreshsnowcones.blogspot.com/

GOURMET SNOCONES! and titled Fresher Than Fresh!!!!!!! BRILLIANT

(Thanks to Design Sponge for heads up on the Fresh, not to mention giving me hours upon hours of pleasure from reading / drooling / coveting over your coverage of amazing things )

Also Fresh: please note the mascot on their truck is officially now my desktop image

fresher than fresh, my new mantra

These two beauts further intensify my need to start my own side-biz-for-fun, I do have a couple good ideas-a-brewing though. (No making my own beer is not one…. although that is a tasty idea for when I have my own garage..hmmm!)

But Seriously Richmond, bring me these things. I’d much rather be excited about such things than just Pinkberry (which, don’t get me wrong, I’m totally excited about the possibility of its coming to RVA now that it has been bought by Starbucks.)

when did 1993 become fashionable?

hypercolor, holy ----!

Really…I just. dont. get it. “Fashion” over the last 2 or 3 years has snowballed into the oblivion. Now yeah I wear the occasional skinny jean, and I enjoy a good vest. But moderation people. And seriously, dayglo?

Lets look at me from 1993:

Now cute right? ooooh look at that 8 year old girl with her silly sunglasses that she got for selling 18,000 magazine subscriptions.

Now then there’s this:

WHY. WHY. WHYYYYYY do you want to look like you just stumbled off the set of Beverly Hills 90210 (note: the full name of the show is used, not just 90210 which would imply the simply named remake debuting this year)

American Apparel I partially blame you. Yes I know you didn’t come up with this trend, but shit if you haven’t made it worse and taken it to the extreme. Now I love your non-sweatshop promoting ways and you divinely soft t-shirts…..

But

WHAT

the

FUCK!

Paging on a Zach Morris phone, Paging on a Zach Morris phone. Hello? Oh hi, please make this stop.

sad coincidence: my desktop

I just noticed the horrendous connection between my desktop image: 

my desktop 9/15, beware of lycanthropes.

 and the dvd in my laptop:

a little bit closer now

Silver Bullet, Brotherhood of the Wolf.

What a ridiculous ridiculous example of happenstance.

I’d argue that French film and design by Frank Chimero are 2 totally legitimate interests (which they are), but then you’d remind me that I totally just read the Twilight books, and I’d tell you f’ off.

[author's note: I have many a strange interest but I do not have an obsession with werewolves contrary to results of this post]

Stop judging my subconscious already,  go check out Frank Chimero.

Co’Bros latest: my cheeks burn after watching.

So yes I saw the new Coen Brothers, Burn After Reading, opening night Friday- and I thought about titling this post  ”Holy Shit I love John Malkovich”. Alas – my cheeks very well burned from the sometimes too-loud laughing that this movie brought out.

Now this isn’t my new fave CoBros, but the characters and performances by the cast are top notch. Obviously this was to be the case as the Coen’s noted they wrote many of the roles specifically for the actors who portrayed them. As always Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Frances McDormand and the aforementioned Malkovich, are on point, and all are definitely comic geniuses in my book. Pitt and Clooney both are on my “why don’t you let these people be funny more often list” (see also: Don Cheadle, Matt Damon).

okay so maybe see: Ocean's franchise

 

Also very notable performances (and overall stature of acting) are JK Simmons and Richard Jenkins. Now I know what you’re thinking, who the f are these people? Well you should totally know them by name – I do (but is that really saying anything?) Simmons is J. Jonah Jameson from Spiderman, or my favorite, BR from Thank You For Smoking** (I know…he’s the dad from Juno – you’re boring). Jenkins is Nathaniel Fisher from Six Feet Under (and I often shout out Mr Fisher! when he appears on screen). Both are fairly minor roles in this stellar ensemble cast, but add a great deal of variety and humor none the less.

Now acting performances aside – the plot. So I’m hit or miss with all things Coen, so this is merely my opinion, I know some diehards may disagree (but who’s blogging sucker!?!). I thought the story itself was a little lacking, it was running in a million directions and it was definitely half way through the film before I was able to hit stride. Now this is one of those films (like many ensemble cast features) that starts out with a hurried and intense exposition of the characters and their state in life, followed by an inevitable collision of predicaments, situations and even space as the story progresses. In retrospect, the plot line makes more sense (now granted it’s not too complex, it just had some “flow” issues) and it will probably be better in a repeat viewing. Of course, there are a few moments of shock value that will trade places with this understanding come a second pass.  

Overall though I’m glad to see Ethan and Joel (I’m totally enough of an ass to call them by their first names ) return to their comedic core, which they nailed. These characters are all ridiculous but completely enjoyable in their aloofness and complete lack of contriteness. But don’t think No Country has completely left the system of Co’Bros, definitely expect a (albeit less serious) Tommy Lee Jones retrospective moral statement come the end of the film.

Just insert JK Simmons' face.

postscript:

** Now JK Simmons’ role in TYFS and then this film brought up an interesting thought for me during my credit role reflection: Where was William H. Macy? I couldn’t help but feel the Simmons’ role seemed like an obvious Macy placement, especially considering his and McDormand’s past with the Coen’s. However, as noted, I was v. pleased with Simmons, so no hate – just curious.

Psycho Killer, Qu’est-ce que c’est?

I feel completely comfortable stating the following because:

a) We supposedly have an exterminator visiting today (as if anything else my landlord has ever promised has come true)

and

b) As of September 27th, I will no longer reside in my current abode.

So, with that said,

There is a corpse currently smashed and shriveling up on my kitchen floor.

For the past few weeks, an infestation of waterbugs has taken to hiding under pots, pans, old mac & cheese boxes (don’t judge me) in my kitchen. What is a waterbug?

It is me pretending that we don't have cockroaches.

Whatever, they’re not that big. But when I turn on the kitchen light at night, they all come out of hiding and welcome me back to the apartment. They carry torches. So my (completely logical) mode of attack? Play a sweet game of smash-the-bugs. Because now that Coney Island’s Astroland is closed for good, it’s up to me for my own creepy entertainment. And since we can’t technically host a freak show in our living room, pounding bugs with a shoe or napkin (or any other unfortunate surface I use during mid-high pitched karate chop noises) seems like the next best thing.

Last night was my moment of glory. This giant (guys, it was AT LEAST a centimeter long, i swear) bug comes galloping, complete with saddle and bit, out of the trash can towards my feet. I think it was an attempt at a coup d’état- I could see his braveheart-esque face paint and hear his Scottish battle cry. Anywho, I did what any freedom loving American would do (I take my cues from Sarah Palin now) and stomped on the miniature terrorist. Was it wrong? Of course not.

And then I left him there. PAY YOUR RESPECTS, BUGS! I hope they form a line to look at the body, and then all decide in unison that leaving is the right thing to do. Because it is. At least until September 28th.

my life as cinema

So I was just walking down the street to pick up some chinese and I had one of those moments where I really felt like my life was part of a movie.

It’s right before a storm hits, but in that cool peaceful delicious way – not ominous and scary, and I’m walking along with ’stonian as cars and bikes pass. We run into a young couple and their dog Thomas and discuss how dogs should all have proper and stately human names. Then after procuring kung pao we pass a man and his son walking home from school – the boy, about 6 or 7, playing a tune on the harmonica.

Now let me tell you, this is what dreams are made of.

I don’t know if other people experience this phenomena very often, but I do and I wholeheartedly enjoy it every time, because in all honesty I wish my life were cinema. More often than not my complaint with life (in the big picture sense) is that I’ve been disillusioned my television and cinema to the point where real life is just sort of an upset. I feel that the majority of the weight of this burden of realism would be lifted if one cinematic element could occur in my life: non-diagetic sound. That is –  if my life had a soundtrack.

I don’t mean this in the “Third Eye Blind will always remind me of the summer of 1998 sense” but rather the idea that music would fade in and out of the background of my life in relation to the situation at hand. Pivotal moment would have epic music. I think this is why so many people enjoy donning their iPods. unfortunately Steve Jobs hasn’t figured out how to have my iPod magically configure playlists based on my moods and ever-changing scenery. But one must also figure that if everyone wore headphones all the time no one would ever interact. Therefore when on mass-transit I almost always give up my desire for the perfect melodic moment in favor of a chance meeting of an interesting individual.

I gues for now I must treasure those simple moments where I realize my life really is the stuff of which dreams films are made.

The Tao of the Cookie

So I was recently eating a black and white cookie for breakfast (I was peer-pressured), which always seems like such a delicious option, when I started experiencing B&W Regret.  This Regret has two parts.  One: a stomach ache, since that cookie could comfortably be split between four people.  Two: a toothache.  There is an insane amount of sugar in those things.  But my B&W Regret got me thinking…black and white cookies cause intense pleasure:

Yes, pleasure is Asians frolicking in the Swiss Alps.

 and pain:

This picture was in Google images under IBS!

 simultaneously.

And this two-faced onset of emotions reminded me of a ying-yang:

…which bears a striking resemblance to a black and white cookie:

…and we come full circle.

Dear Pottery Barn, F-You.

I hate that you thwart my desire to go against the grain of suburban mass produced design.

I hate that when I think about “going against the grain” the term “faux bois” is conjured in my mind.

I hate that when someone mentions the new paint colors that just came out I can immediately retort with “Jalepeno is my favorite by far”

And most of all I hate that you have all these wares that make me want legitimate versions of these items (that I will probably never find regardless of countless hours in antique shops, on craigslists, or scouring ebay) rather than your sterile recreations of vintage treasures.

**UPDATE** (9.19)

One of my favorite blogs in the universe (or would that be blogosphere) totally just featured “new at pottery barn” which 1. made me upset 2. then made me excited and then 3. made me frustrated bc my love cannot be denied

At least it made me feel better than they awesome design people who love vintage finds and handmade products also cannot avoid the love of PB

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2008/09/new-at-pottery-barn.html