Movie Review: A Home at the End of the World

I just read an article about Colin Farrell, just this very morning. It talks about how he is sueing an ex who is threatening to sell a sex tape that the two had made in private many moons ago. That wild man Colin! Who knew he could even make porn!

I bring this up because it is a piece of the overall puzzling movie that is A Home at the End of the World. Seriously.

It's the dramatic story about the redefinition of family in the seventies and the eighties. In it, a young man named Bobby (played by Colin Farrell), orphaned as a teen, who befriends Jonathan (played by Dallas Roberts). As the two grow, Jonathan steps out of the closet and moves to the East Villiage. Bobby, listless, follows and complicates things for Jonathan's plans. This being twenty years ago, of course, Jonathan must contract an HIV infection and Bobby, being ever so hippie-like, must be open about sex. It's an interesting premise that technically should work.

Based on a book by the same name and recreated by the author Michael Cunningham--this shows that books and screenplays are very, very different mediums. I've not read the book, but that doesn't mean much in a critical review. Here, the movie's topic is smart enough, but not very exciting. There is zero conflict, really, and what there is always resolved in a minute or two. They complain about not having money *poof* in two pages they open a cafe. An older brother character talks about being taken away and *poof* he dies in the next minute and a half. I don't doubt Cunningham's ability to write. I was VERY impressed with his creation of the film/book The Hours. But I think the success there led him to this movie. And he obviously doesn't have the skills of a dramaturge. If he did, he would have noticed that this should not have been a film.

But it's not for lack of trying. The cast works with what it can, given so little to do. I forgot the Jonathan character, so important to the plot, kept disappearing from view/given such little screen time. And Sean Penn's wife, the excellent Robin Wright Penn, is given so little to do, she practically screams for the short times she finds herself on camera. No literal screaming, mind you, but a busting out of a personality that wants to do something, anything, then be crapped on by this sad song.

So why did I bring up the porno thing at the beginning of this article then? It shows something about the lead. Colin Farrell does a excellent job as Bobby. But the only reason why I say that is because I know Mr. Farrell from the articles written about him. He's something of a powerhouse, given to hard partying and delicious anti-celebrity behavior that has the tabliods watching his very Irish personality. So to see him in a role that is so extremely sullen and withdrawn is to see the change--and be impressed. But therein lies the problem with his performance. Had I not know of him prior, I would of thought his acting as placid, if not bored. I would have not realized what kind of a stretch this really is for him.

So a droll script but excellent acting leads to a movie that really doesn't add up to much. It just sorta sits there and makes you say, "well, that's nice, is the mac and cheese ready?" Surely, the single people watching might have something to talk about at the coffee house, but I have found that the movie just isn't big enough for that.

If there is something to talk about, it's that Mr. Farrell does deserve a bit of fame. No, not for his filming his love making, tho I'm sure that might be impressive too, but that he is an extremely capable performer, regardless of his personality offscreen. With that, you can watch a leading man emerge in the next few years. I look forward to what he might do next.

Continued: Books and Literature

9. The Fallen Angels by Micheal Saharra. I was exposed to this text by accident. My uncle, who went to seminary in Gettysburg, bought this for me when he went to get some paperwork from the college. We drove out and as he ran through the streets of this famed city, I started asking questions. He realized we had major time before heading back to my grandparents that summer after the eighth grade and so we hoped on a tour bus of this town. But it wasn't enough. Soon the questions became more complex. Why did they send the men, in full face of guns, across an open field? Why did they need to have control of this place called 'Devil's Den?' He realized, after years of attending college in the area, he didn't have all the answers. So he grabbed this book, a text he had read and said, try this. I was glued to the pages. After a while, he had me keep a notepad nearby, so I could list ALL of the people involved--my brain may have been able to grasp the concepts, but not totally--and I learned that history was just as good as reality, when it comes to the story department.

8. Immortal Poems edited by Oscar Williams: We've all had a teacher, that one who made the world for us, right? For me, it was my 12th grade, AP British Literature teacher. He was our theatre teacher, but this was the one English course he worked on, and you could tell. He was so excited everyday, he once blurted out, "my goal is make you either love Shakespeare or love poetry." A loft goal, but his excitement only added to my previous interest (Ian Fleming's Bond was already in my repetoire, as were Paddington and CS Lewis). His coup de grace was when I invited him to my own graduation party (I invited most of my senior year's teachers) and he was the only one who showed up. And this book was his gift. I took it with me to college the following year and when I needed it, I would read and use it to inspire journal entries. And I still use the book when I need it.

7. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams: Look everyone, a play! I knew I wanted to include a play on this list, and this was the first one that came to mind. From there, it was easy--I had written a biography of the playwright in my junior year in college for my American Literature course. He has written better plays, but this was the one, I felt that lept off the page, that I could envision in my mind's eye more then the others. He was exact in his detail. Frankly, I think he was in love with Stanley Kowlowski. And it showed! The playwright, hung up on his own homosexuality, was creating characters to fill his personal voids. But he was conflicted, and those characters destroy each other. A theatrical piece that is an amazing read.

6. Night Shift by Stephen King: Let's just say, my writing when it comes to creating a novel sucks; but because of this author, my short stories shine right through. I know, a bit of boasting on my part but the only thing I have confidence in is writing. Not to say my writing is any good, but I enjoy the act in and of itself. And I love to write short stories. I knew my soul twin would be on this list, somewhere. But what book? Pet Semetary is probably my favorite book of his, but I don't believe it played to his strengths like this title did. After reading this, I was encouraged to write. A collection of his magazine submissions, it varies as much as our personalities, and with that, it worthy of mention. I can only wish to create like he does.

5. Autumn Lightening by Dave Lowry: I stumbled across this title in a used bookstore and I've not been the same since. A story of an American learning martial arts hit me on two levels. First, it drew me in--I love martial arts. I was engaged from the start. But the message became stronger as I saw a theme that the tale of every martialist goes through, that for the quest for knowledge of something. We are responsible, we seek the teachers in our life. I ran into an old student who told me, 'your stupid school taught me nothing.' Having read this book, I realized, it was because 'you were not ready to learn, I guess.' (I offered to have him return to the school and teach what we had missed and he gawked--see what I mean?) Such is the profundity of this text. As a teacher, as a learner, I was marked.

4. Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger: I had long thought that "The Catcher in the Rye" would have ended up on this list, but when I couldn't find enough copies to use in my own classroom, I stumbled across this title. I sat down and read it over the weekend (9 short stories) and found this work was actually BETTER. Surely, the swear words due to return and there are weird moments that had me questioning the author's sanity, but isn't that what reading Salinger is about? This is his far better works, more direct in their publication. And yes, at least for me, more inspiring in their short story form.

3. Writing Down the Bones/the Wild Life by Natalie Goldberg: A writing text by a Jewish Buddist author. I found this book when I was student teaching. I found that I had nothing to do, literally, in that small apartment above the infirmary at the Deaf school where I was doing my practicuum. I kept a journal, because I didn't have a television or a kitchen. It was awful. After a while, with zero friends and a semester to go, I found this book in the self help section of a New Age bookstore. It had journal ideas. But it also had ways of self development. Like killing the critic in my head, meditation through writing, and feeling good about the act of creating. I still read it today. I can see a copy of it from where I sit. And I cannot thank her enough. If only I could write full time.

2. The Tao of Inner Peace by Diane Dreher: I asked my friend to think of another text than the Bible for his list. I should have said the same for myself, relating to this book. Surely, this has, in a way, become like a Bible for me. It takes the works of Lao Tzu's poetry-the workings of Tao--and gives you suggestions on how to apply them into your life. It was like an instruction booklet for a religious text. One of the problems I've always had of the Bible is that it's too open, too many opportunities to self-interpret the meanings. So people tend to lean on 'the professionals' or the church, as it were, to tell them what it means. They rarely read it themselves--which is very dangerous, when you think about it. This book lets the READER make the decisions on what is important within the poetry. And saved my life several times. I still look to this book in times of troubles.

1. The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule: How can not mention this book? I read it, all 300+ pages in two hours. It was reviting and since I read it, I've not been able to put down the world of nonfiction writing. It's the true crime tale of a cop/reporter who's friend, Ted Bundy, may or may not be a serial killer. She reports items from her standpoint, and never really gives in to the wisdom that he was doing said horrid deeds. I worked like a horror/thriller and I couldn't put it down. Why is it at the top of the list? Because she had become what I inspire to be. Not a serial killer, you dolts, but an author, using experience to create a tale so reveting, you'd read it in one night.

HONORABLE MENTION: As I reviewed my notes this morning, I realized I missed one text, so there really was 20 titles. The book, which should have been listed today was the two parter "Mouse Tales and Mouse Tales II by David Koening" They are horribly written, not a single name is given to protect the witnesses, tales about the goings-on in Disneyland. Surely, they are the secrets the company doesn't want us to find out, and they do come off as a bit tantalizing and yellow. But the author is having sheer joy over his topic, a Disney fan not unlike myself, and you can tell, even tho he's reporting the bad, it's because he wants to know everything about our favorite place. This is a fanbook, through and through. And I keep rereading it everytime I find myself in California or Florida. Ya know, just to give myself and my friends to talk about while waiting on line for Space Mountain for four hours.

Peace.

Another Listing: Books and Literature

Again, my colleague and I have elected to do a listing of our top something-or-other, in this case, literature. I feel the need to explain these books are not the best books in the world. On the contary, these are books that explain US. Like the movie listing prior to this post, it's merely the books we have read and loved, regardless of the quality found in them. Me, a critic, saying 'regardless of quality.' Start laughing.

But really, there is no denying the power of cheap music, as the saying goes from Noel Coward. Look at this way. The television show COPS, is, without a doubt, some of the worst television there is. But it's been on the air since I was in high school. What does that mean? It means that sometimes, good and quality doesn't go hand-in-hand. That being said, here's 19 books that some how made a mark on little-ole-me...(I only brainstormed 19, so no, you didn't count incorrectly)

19: Shakespeare. Okay, I'm cheating, he's an author not a book. But having read him and finding I'm still reading him says something. I kept him high on the list, because I figured everyone would mention his name. Plus there's that British thing. I'll explain later. But he's the dude. All sex and violence. Want to woo someone? Quote this guy.

18: The Idiot's Guide to ___________/___________ for Dummies. They say you never stop learning. Well, in this world of deadlines, government requirements and nasty customers, that's sorely open for debate. Then came these books. Highly comprehensive (almost to a fault! Sometimes there's little explaination beyond listing of facts), these books have kept me informed on so many things. It started with my general curiousity about the American Civil War, lead to Eastern Philosophy and kinda flew from there. I love these books, sometimes reading ones I've no intention of using! I knew I had to list it here.

17: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing/Superfudge. I know, I'm listing two books, but let's think about it, they are the same book, really. I read these titles in SECOND GRADE and I learned more then improving my reading. That books can deal with heavy topic issues alone, when no one was around. That you can love an author and their style and want to read more of it; that action can be internal on the part of the characters and, well, sometimes, you will find yourself laughing out loud when you read. My mother started a tradition when I was boy that still lives on today--I could read for 30 minutes if I wanted to stay up late. I still do that today. And here's the reasons why. (see also #13)

16: A Perfect Storm. I know, they made a decent title for a movie from this, but, well, as the saying goes, the book was better. Made to sound like an action novel, I read this in about 8 hours. I was glued to the pages, forgoing eating while I passed pages. This, like COPS, was bad writing, but presented in such a way, I kept turning those pages, kinda like rubbernecking an accident as it happened. This also links to my love of nonfiction. I've always picked nonfiction over fiction and it still bothers me--I'm a freegin English teacher!

15: Abnormal Psychology textbook. I was rummaging through a book bin in college when I came across this particular title. It was in the dollar bin, a broken cover. But I sat on the floor outside of the bookstore and started reading about all these wonderful items. Yes, I said wonderful. You see, I was in the midst of a creative writing course, and I noted a penchant for writing short, creepy stories. What a boon! Here was a listing of bad behaviors, any of which could become a tale of grotesque and abraesque! I grabbed it and it's still on my shelves today, ya know, in case I need some inspiration for why Johnny axed Malinda slowly.

14: Unoffical Guides. My love for nonfiction continues. I usually buy new copies of these texts every year for Disneyland and Disney World. They don't accept advertisments or pictures, so I find their blunt honesty refreshing. It makes me want to go more not less; even tho they are so critical. I use them whereever I travel. I just used New York City's with great success--how else did I understand that blasted subway!

13: Paddington Bear. I should have known that my most favorite class in history would have been my British Literature course! My uncle, an elementary school teacher growing up, gave me 3 of this series around the same time as SuperFudge by Judy Blume. I read them all, my mom passed the word and by Christmas time, all 22 books were in my possession. Not particularly deep books like Judy's, these books were British samples of life and I loved comparing them to American lingo and existences. I still can't see marmalade and not think of this little bear and his adventures. A great way to start reading.

12: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. More Brit Lit. That freegin little island over there has produced some of the best wordsmiths I've ever encountered. Here, again, having picked up the book from my big brother (the mentor program. My older brother would not have done something so noble) after watching the movie together one Sunday night, I was hooked. I rediscovered the book after taking that Brit Lit course and my teacher taught me about allegory. Suddenly, the book took on a deeper significance, just as Mr. Lewis had hoped. And yes, I am totally stoked about the movie opening for Christmas.

11: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. A travel murder book? True Crime? Nonfiction? This little mixing of genres is surprisingly well written, even the complexity of the storyline. It starts off as a travelouge, one of those on-the-spot journalist thingies, where the author rents an appartment and sees the town, giving advice. But when one person he meets kills another, and we're talking, like page 150 here, the book suddenly takes a whole new direction, using the locale we have been exposed to. It's facinating to see the genesis of story. Wisely, too, the author leaves his name out of the work, but keeps the whole thing in first person, so we begin to feel that the tale is happening to us. It gives the story further weight. And I couldn't put it down. From literary rumor, I hear he has, finally, finished a second tale, about Los Angeles. I'm curious to read it to see if it this book was a fluke, there really is talent there or that he's just rehashing to pay for his kids' college.

10. the Sano Ichiro series. Starting with Shinju and still going strong after seven books, I discovered Sano-san after reading the New York Times Book Review on an airplane many moons ago. The critic totally panned the book, but after reading the description, I knew I would like it. It, too, is mixture of genres. It's historical fiction meets mystery meets martial arts. Is that not me or what? The characters are predictable, the politics are a bit melodramatic, and for sheer fun, this is what I read. I can't put them down, sorta like drinking beer or smoking a cigarette. You know it's doing nothing for you, but it's such fun! Plus, I get a brief examination of Japanese culture in the 18th century. It's about a samurai who works for the Emperor as a detective. He's amazingly progressive, looking at dead bodies (a no-no for practitioners of Shinto) for clues, waging war against people supporting the shogun. Facinating to a fault. And the only series I wait eagerly for the next book. (the books' titles are Shinju, Bundori, the Way of the Traitor, The Black Lotus, the Perfumed Sleeve, The Samurai's Wife and the Dragon King's Palace)

Alright, I got you this far. I'll finish up the next nine tomorrow or Monday. Take care and keep reading!

Movie Review: Saved!

I had a sad falling-out with my own church about two years ago. I was pretty much a regular church goer prior to that. Seriously. Stop laughing. I've always labeled myself as 'spritual.' I was brought up in a multi-faith home, so I was not only into God, but also I knew the concept of religious tolerance better than most. It was truly a boon when I went to a Lutheran college.

Yes, I went to a Christian college.

What happened?

Well, after coming out, I did ALOT of reading and slowly reconciled what I believed with who I am. It actually strengthed my links to religion and gave me more hope then ever before. I could ignore the inane, uninformed banter of churches as they politically maneuvered to get in the White House. I could turn another cheek when churches did not practice what they preached. But when someone in my congregation said to me, "can't you celebrate Christ?"

I was crestfallen. My own church, an MCC, had pushed me away. Understand, this was a minister who said this. She was noticing I didn't dance in the aisles like so many others; I didn't sing as loud as the others, I guess, and it bothered her. For so long, I felt I was okay in the church, had fixed the previous problems and now the church was alienating me again.

It was with this, I came to the Christian movie, Saved! I guess, in my own way, I was hoping that it was a critical picture of the church that had pushed me away. But it wasn't. Well, not totally. It's the story of the usual "churchie," named Hillary Fae (played, quite well by Mandy Moore. Who knew she actually could do something in the acting department!), who embodies everything that Christian churches do but shouldn't. She alienates those who don't fit her image of Godly-ness, she plays politics and lies when it suits her.

Against her are the usual church rejects. A Jewish girl between the parochial school and juvie hall; the wheelchair bound older brother, the pregnant teen make the core--and what the church rallies against to gain votes and cash. The film dramatizes their conflict as all search for respect versus Hillary and her minions.

This is a good movie. But that's about it. It's not the critical piece I had hoped for, but it does have some symbolic characters showing agreeing with what I believe. That church followers tend to be elitist. But it never becomes scathing, as if afraid that the church would picket the movie should it cut too close to the bone. Surely, it mentions the usual church assumptions--the by sheer right of being a Christian, certain entitlements are permitted. For example, one girl believes if she has sex with her possible gay boyfriend, God will restore her virginity and his straightness; Hillary believes that by converting the Jewish girl, her place will be ensured in both heaven and the school.

Sounds most church goers I've sadly encountered.

But the movie just mentions these issues. It doesn't critize them or pull them out. Nor does it go the other way, showing that Christian belief systems might be right.

With that, the movie, really goes no where. It's not a particularly funny piece, unless, of coruse, you've gone to a Christian college, I suppose; it just sorta sits there. In the end, everything works out, but nothing really changes. The rejects stay oucasts, the diehards stay diehards.

I don't know, but I wanted something more, maybe, 'biting?' A movie to tackle these issues, instead of plodding along nicely to make sure no toes get stepped on. Surely, I'll rate this as middle of the road.

Movie Review: War of the Worlds

Okay, lemme start with telling you about this book I'm in the process of reading. I know, I know, it may seem I'm all over the map with this one-but hear me out. See, I'm reading this book called the New Work of Dogs and it talks about how, in this ever-changing society, the responsibility of dogs has changed. And it doesn't mean, like, they have to change babies or things like that. It means, as society becomes more individually oriented and the definition of a family unit changes, the role of the dog takes on a different, if not more important part of our lives. There's nothing wrong with this and trust me, I'm abbreviating the concepts here to make a point.

In the book, the author, Katz, uses psychoanalytical theory of attachment and bonding to prove his points and supports his own thesis (the crux of the book, that dogs have different meanings in our lives) with quotes from Psychology Today, New England Journal of Medicine and Marriage and Family.

The creepy bit? I'm not a psychologist, but almost all of his examples of application, I recognize and can see either in myself in relation with my pup or with family members. I remember one family member, having survived a particularly brutal divorce, having a complete meltdown when her dog, the creature that helped her through the toughest experience in her life for that point, died. All of these theories, however complicated, made sense to me in their basic principles.

I mention all this because I'm going to use it to bash Tom Cruise. I'm glad he made a movie like War of the Worlds because, literally and metaphorically, he has found himself in the midst of a war. A war, like the the Bay of Pigs, that doesn't have a whole lot of hope.

No, really, I'm glad he made the movie. I, like most predators, have been looking for a reason to lamblast the schmuck for years. And I wanted to say thank you to him for giving me the opportunity to do so.

First off, we all pretty much know he is the biggest star around. But as I watched his recent antics, I began to realize that it was a show, both on and off screen. I lost some respect for him with sueing someone for calling him queer. I lost more when he had the word 'gay' exorcised from the movie Interview with a Vampire. Didn't see Brad Pitt flinch, just him.

But then there are those moments he brought me back into his respect. Like when he was nailed with water walking the red carpet at his London premiere. Deftly, he didn't get upset, he managed it like a true pro.

He then sank in the interview with Lauer on Today; his bizarre rants with Oprah and his strange marriage with Katie Holmes. And then, the coup de grace, his major fuck up--dissing psychology as a pseudoscience.

I know what you are thinking--when am I going to start talking about the movie? I hate to tell you this, dear reader, but I believe the cult of celebrity is part of the movie going experience, frankly. They go hand in hand, since the Golden Age. Just hang in there and see where I'm coming from.

Back to the Tom Cruise thing. His acting is strong, very much so. I still flinch at the Days of Thunder choice, but hey, I figured it a fluke. As of late, he's been playing the press like a fiddle. Why? Did he know the movie was bad already and knew he had to balance the crap with some talked about moments on television?

Like the psychological comments he made about Brooke Shields. Him. Saying it's a pseudoscience, and that he's read about it. I have too. The book I just mentioned. But I noticed it's profuse applications in my own life and others. How could he read about psychology and think it's not a help for those with need?

Unless, of course, he's a misguided idiot.

Thank you, thank you, Mr. Cruise, for finally giving me a reason to diss you.

The way I figure it, the only things he can make comment on would be acting. I've heard nothing else about his background, other then this penchant for calling the press mere moments after a life passage. Other then that, he needs to shut up and talk about his movies. See--if I become famous, I think I have the right to make comment about teaching as well as writing, Disney, acting and yes, education. I've worked with or in these fields. I like to think that I have the background in them.

And we all can make comments about politics.

The only background he had with psychology is that he needs to see a mental health professional, badly. If he had 'read about these things' he'd see, even from a cheap, small trade paperback like the New Work of Dogs that psychology does make sense on so many levels.

He uses his own church as the reason for this. Now let's step back for a moment and think about the relationship a church has with any science, shall we?

His using the church to prove a science wrong is becoming something of a joke these days. The church saying homosexuality is curable; the church saying creation is a theory. Ha!

Tom, your crediblity just got a bit smaller.

The movie? Man, oh man, his spotlight just got dimmer. Why on Earth did this remake happen? It's as if Mr. Cruise said, "crap, Steve? I gotta make a hit, I really do." And poof this was the result. A star vechile (or vanity project) if ever there was one.

First off, Cruise is something of an action hero. His characters and acting styles lend himself to punching bad guys. A family guy who reacts to a world gone haywire around him? Give that to someone more reflective. Where's Johnny Depp? Where's any European actor?

That failing permeats the feeling of the film. He just sorta stands around alot and looks like Tom Cruise with mud on his face. He starts out strong enough. But this leads to the second (or third, if you count Mr. Cruise's freaky outbursts in public) problem with this title. It's written weird. Not bad, but weird.

It has a terrific opener but even then, it has these gimmers of bad choices that show up more readily in the latter part of the film. For example, he loves his kids, right? That's why, when the aliens attack, he stands there. He doesn't go running to make sure his tykes are okay, he just stands there. Perhaps shock, but it just doesn't work with what was already established. This happens several times in the movie. He doesn't do anything. Repeatedly.

Other loopholes? How does a city, with water mains (they burst when the machines arrive after centuries underground major locales) and sewer systems not touch any of the martian robot tanks buried underground? Koepp, who I'm surprised wrote something this bad (must have been pressured by Tom), has done well before...like Jurassic Park. He even establishes Tom as hating his wife and his need for space--and then has the character spend the entire movie getting his kids back to her.

Huh?

And her location? She's at her mother's in Boston. And, from the looks of it, is perfectly intact, which is surprising with the alien tanks moving on the horizon. There are only a few branches here and there. Looks like it does around here after a hailstorm.

So, I guess the message here is that when aliens attack, move to Boston.

Dakota Fanning? Considering this is the first real movie I've seen in her in, I'm guessing, like this movie, she starts strong but then basically screams for an hour. She's ten folks. Can't expect more I guess.

I'm just surprised, really, that Speilberg, normally very good with kids in his pics, would just have her do that. But he seems totally uncomfortable to make the picture ( more pressure from Cruise?). When the movie slows down a bit, giving time to try to do something with the characters, he just sorta sits there. We have Tom and Dakota on a couch. The music surges and we're supposed to feel.....something. But I felt I needed more coffee to stay awake.

The only good I can see from this movie is the title. Really. And even that was stolen from a far superior book and 50's movie. See, the war mentioned in the title isn't the one between martians and humans. It's between Hollywood, with it's psycho superstar and tired director, and an apathetic audience (ANOTHER remake? Did originality die with election of Republicans? Oh wait, I guess the republicans wanted this nation to be a thrown back to more boring times...well, they have their results).

And Mr. Cruise? Lie low. Seriously. Or come out. Do an art film.

Segment 1.5: Top Titles

SOmeone was nice to point out that numbers 19 and 20 were missing. I'm not sure why I didn't post them. Probably a test. So here they are!

20. The Seven Samurai (drama/martial arts)--I've long believed that movies can do 2 things--be a specticle or teach. This movie taught me that isn't all. Movies can be an ascetic, as well. For so long, I had studied European films and American films. This was my first glimpse into the concept that art reflects life. I'd never been to Asia; I've no idea what Japan is truly like. And along comes this movie, and I watch it, and the world is so wholly different from my own, I cannot take my eyes away from the screen. The story is strong, but realistic in it's unfolding (yes, it's very long). The images are not in your face, but amazingly subtle. I mean, in one part, the director had fans blowing the reeds behind the actors, first one way, then the other. Why? Does it matter? He felt it should be that way. That is, by far, more concern an American would put on the screen. And I loved it. What an education.

19. The Secret of Roan Inish (children)--I stumbled upon this movie from a chat I had with a dear friend about my wish to do more with my Irish heritage. She recommended this tale. It starts smartly enough (tho I doubt kids could sit still until the good parts in the end) and I felt, like the Seven Samurai, that I was transported to different world with different rules I'd not been informed over. There are people telling stories and telling stories and telling stories. But then the film cuts to flashbacks that go further and further down the pike and the overall arc is visible. And I found myself totally hooked.

Segment 2: Top Titles

11. Civil War (documentary)-I learned the second segment of film with this series of films. As I arrived to college, I still believed strongly in the spectcle of movies--loud, brash and with lots of pyrotechnics. But as this was aired on PBS (but I heard about it from the Telluride Film Festival), I realized that power to educate and enlighten is also one of the principles of film. It doesn't have to be made solely for entertainment. The depth of these movies captured me and I was hooked on documentaries.

10. Adventures of Baron Munchausen (comedy)--I experienced this title in our then, one art house in Denver, furthering my love of art movies. I had been following the tale in the newspapers and rags and expected to see crap on the screen. Instead, I found a story that believed in some of my own core values-that the power to dream is by far more important than the power to do. Yeah, it was a crappy title in the end, but because of this singular focused theme, I had to watch it again and again. And yes, the power to dream is the most important.

9. Addams Family Values (comedy)--Remember what I said about dark comedy? Well, here's the darkest of the them, disguised as popular culture. And that's what I loved about it. Pulp Fiction and other dark comedies alienate, it's inherent in their nature. Dark comedy is making fun of the most inappropiate titles. But this movie picked items from the nation's concerns and mocked them (art reflecting life?), openly. I mean, the right wing soars about the importance of moral values--this movie showed them in a new different light. Let's look at this way. The right thinks that the straight family unit is the only important thing in America today. The Addams family is just that, only with axes and nooses and bad flooring. They have straight sex at the drop of a hat, they are so in love with one another. Is that what the right meant? No--hence, delicious sarcasm. And to wit, they had an ace cast of individuals to pull it off.

8. Children of a Lesser God (drama)--If ever there was a movie that inspired me to do something, this would be it. I don't know why, but I was learning ASL when this movie came out and when I saw it, I could not only understand the signing in the picture, I could understand the complications of the characters better then my hearing friends. I knew I could do what James Leeds was doing on screen--as a profession. And now I teach.
7. Clerks (comedy)--More dark comedy. I mean a comedy made in a convience store? Where every single line is quotable? It emphasized the beauty of writing in it's own way (because it wasn't the acting, that's for sure!) and I can't help thinking this was the kind of movie I would most likely end up making.

6. Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (adventure)--this film tagged my Disney streak, if it wasn't a Disney movie. Again, the dream of the director was right up there on the screen and you know me and dreams. Plus, remember my love for the old movies? Well, this was retelling of those serials...you could practically see where the commericals would break in.

5. Birdcage (comedy)--The era between the years of the summer of 93 to the spring of 95 are something of a blur. I was, you see, in some kind of a marriage. I say some kind, due to the fact that I believed I was in deeply in love and the person I was with felt that they were deeply connected to my pocket. So we lived, hand to mouth, a deliciously abusive relationship where he stole and I let him. We didn’t go see a whole lot of movies. Why? I wasn’t allowed. Oh, sure, I could go, but I either had to go by myself (while he sat on the couch and did drugs) or I could pay for him and all of his friends (where he sat in the bathroom or the car and did drugs). This is the only movie that I saw that during that time period to make it to this list. It was the only time I had a smidgen of happiness during that dark time. And, what’s more, now that I’m married in a real relationship, the couple here has a new meaning on partnership. It’s dang funny too-quotable to the extreme.

4. Silence of the Lambs (horror/thriller)--I watched this again last night and I'm still picking up details. This film was a first for me in many ways. I used to joke that I wanted to make the first horror movie to win Best Picture. This movie did. Secondly, I had read the book long before the movie and still liked it. Thirdly, this was my second movie review--and I had to watch it at 2 am to get it to the presses by morning. Let's just say that I didn't have a problem with staying up all night--I was frightened out of my wits. It did what it was supposed to do--scared me. And I've been respectful ever since.

3. Cinema Paradiso (drama)--a metamovie for movielovers. I think there is a more of a plot, for people who don't love movies, but I didn't pay attention to it. But here was a movie, not unlike this list, that shows how, for many people, movies are the soundtrack to our lives. I can tell you where I saw this one and at what age (the summer between my junior and senior years of college; the Mayan theatre in downtown Denver; with Linda and Dauria) and that's just the point. Movies are part of our culture to the point where they cannot be separated. Knowing that, we all can name movies that hit us at specific times. THis movie is about a young boy's journey through life and the movies that coincided with him to the end. It's amazing.

2. Cyrano De Beregac (drama)--Ahh, romance. I can't deny I'm a romantic. I may have a bevy of horror and dark comedy, but they are much higher on this list. But the top two, you see, aren't what you'd expect. It's the issue of love that really gets me going, I guess. Here is a tale I watched after just coming out of the closet. I felt hideous and small, not unlike Cyrano. I felt, just like him, that I would never find the love of my dreams, so I should stick to doing the other things that make me feel better. But alas, Cyrano truly is loved and just never could open his eyes to it. I'm writing this with the assumation you know this oft-repeated story. I watched it again with a class and I was surprised at the power of this lush production, with a portrayal of the leads by some of the best leads ever.

1.Casablanca (drama)--Must I say more? I watch it whenever I feel really good or really bad. What does that mean? But this story really hits me a place that I cannot explain. Is it the romance? The well written banter? No matter, quality is quality and you can't help but notice. It's long and boring, if you've never experienced romance, but the theme of true love will go on is undenable. Enjoy.

Segment one: Top titles

I know, I know, folks, I got sick, then took a class and I've just been wiped out. But I've been slowing creating this list for those interested--here's the first segment. Hopefully, you'll enjoy it until I can finish it.


18. James Bond flicks (action/adventure)--Yes, I lumped them all into one. Because, if you think about the Bond formula, it’s merely repeated. But I discovered Bond two ways. One, my babysitter was a total sixties child. Not only did she teach me all the words to the Beatles; she made me watch Bond flicks on afternoon television. I didn’t think anything of it until I got to high school and took a Brit Lit class. Falling in love with poetry (should have known I was gay then!), Shakespeare and then Brit works, I did an indie study of Ian Fleming’s texts. I figured I had seen the movies, why not see if they correlate. They do and don’t, btw, but I don’t need to go into detail here. But I did, however, fall for Britain, and most of all, for Mr. Bond, James Bond, and his movies.

17. Night of the Living Dead (horror) --As I review this list of my faves, I’m realizing there isn’t a lot of horror movies. I some how thought there would be more. I guess I enjoy the feeling of being scared more then the movies themselves. But here is one movie, first encountered after work during the summer at my video store job, that made me NOT sleep. Bringing home old black and white movies was the norm, having seen all the new releases, and my mom and I would indulge in a late night flicka watch. But this night, she had gone to bed and I was all alone. And I was really, really scared. The symbolism of the picture, a microcosm of life attacked from a mystery force, gave the picture a huge weight, even if it was made with a seemingly shoestring budget. The zombie movie, a subgenre for years, started right here.

16. Westside Story (musical)-Every Sunday, for four hours in high school, I worked at a video store, just like Quentin Tarintino. Only our rentals, due to the large farm community, had a special deal--you rent on Saturday, you don’t have to return them until Monday. The public ate that deal up. And we would have to clean the whole store on Sundays. So I’d pick out movies that had a huge rewatch-ability, so I could do my chores and not keep stopping to catch up on the movies. I usually did a StarWars title of some sort and a musical, something I could sing along with. But after a few weeks, I realized, this was the one I played the most. I had hated the play we did at my local high school, which I did lights for (and did have a cast of really cute dudes), but I think I really hated it because I kept comparing it to this tasty morsel of a movie.

15. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (mystery/animation)--is there any movie that captures the weirdness in my head better then this title? I mean, I like to think I have a severe dark quality (I tend towards Halloween, reading mysteries and true crime and love horror movies) and a lite, contradictory style (does the word Disney mean anything? Heck, they even have their own list!). Such yin/yang sensibilities show up right here in this movie. On one hand, you have a zany cartoon character, and on the other hand, he’s wanted for homicide! How more screwed up is that!

14. North By Northwest (thriller)--Undergraduate college was some of the best experiences of my life. I remember my mom’s best friend saying, “it’s so much more than just the books.” I learned who I was and what I wanted in four short years. But I also spent the entire time smiling through it all. I wish I could go back. But, alas, reality is the here and now. I mean, I have to pay for everything myself these days. Back then, I paid for everything by being a staff projectionist. And yes, one of the things I learned about myself was that I loved art films and cinema. One of the things I got to show movies for was film appreciation class. The teacher did a retrospective for a month on good old Alfred Hitchcock and I was glued to the lecture, even if I wasn’t taking the class. I learned volumes (and realized I knew more then the average joe-movie-goer!). So I knew I had to name a movie from this era that I am more than willing to watch again and again and really shows what I love about Hitch’s movies. Pay this one a visit and make sure you take no breaks--this one is a long-ass chase scene and is best experienced in one take.

13. Beetle juice (comedy) Ha! I may not have a lot of horror here on my list, but I do notice something else I do have. Dark comedies galore. I guess it’s something inside, the ability to laugh at the inappropriate--again playing on my yin/yang brain. I saw this with someone I had a huge crush on, and promptly forgot he was there, I was giggling so much. Then I realized, I was the only one laughing. And I didn’t care. I have always believed that the absurdity of horror movies is, in and of itself, humorous. I mean, scary dudes running around in a mask killing sex starved teens? Not something you see in the news, so it shouldn’t be something we’re afraid of. So we should be laughing. Like we do here. I also like the concept of heaven/hell being something of a business and a bad one at that.

12. Kill Bill vols 1 & 2 (martial arts)--Ha! Speaking of dark comedies. If you’ve been reading this list, you’ll see my mention of watching old black and white movies from the video store I worked at as a teen. Well, I also found the wonderful world of Hong Kong action cinema. I watched them all. Twice, I think. And how nice of Quentin to go ahead and combine all their best aspects in one watchable title. I’m surprised these two movies (really one) did so well, because their clichés of old martial arts movies were so profound, that I doubt that anyone could have picked them up. And the comedy was severe, but again, no one was laughing. But this stuff kicks butt--the only real reason to watch the first half and then, after starting to like “the Bride” you really want to see her succeed, so you watch the second half. Total cool, man, total.