viva la cinema

What has happened to the film industry? Why is the landscape so bare and flat? By now you must know I am quite the film buff. I like to see the movies that are nominated for big awards, particularly the Golden Globes and, of course, the Oscars. I am that nerd that prints out a ballot, highlights the movies that I've seen, and list my predictions and my picks. I usually do pretty well on the major categories and kind of guess at the technical awards. Regardless, I have been following film in a meaningful way for about 12 years now. I have noticed a significant decline in the quality of the films being produced; not in a moral character kind of way in which many Christians ignorantly complain, but instead in the creative quality and overall excellence. I tend to care more about the "talent" part of film making, so I am basing my observance mostly on the performances of actors, directors, and writers. Let's go over the movies nominated for best picture drama and musical/comedy for the Golden Globes this year.

Avatar: I haven't seen it yet, but I don't get the hype. I appreciate that it is innovative in the way we do CGI... bla bla bla. Whatever. I can't get myself excited about going to see it because I don't see plot or performance when I see the trailer.

The Hurt Locker: Good, poignant. Worthy of a nom.

Inglorious Bastards: Interesting. Creative. Typical Quentin Tarintino.

Precious: Powerful, profound, sad. Worthy of a nom.

Up in the Air: Indulgent, predictable, and disappointing.

500 Days of Summer: Charming, delightful.

The Hangover: Bathroom humor at it's finest.

It's Complicated: The only thing notable in this movie is John Krasinski's comedic timing.

Julie and Julia: Lovely, smart with great performances. Worthy of a nom.

Nine: OK for a musical. Marion Cotillard was spectacular.

The sad thing is that the only movie I deem worthy of a win, Invictus, wasn't even nominated for a golden globe. And the rest of the landscape this year is painfully bleak. It is a sad sad day when you can only come up with 4 movies genuinely worthy of an Oscar nomination in 1 year. And here we are at the cusp of a new day when we will have 10 nominations. Pinning a medal on a pile of dung doesn't make it smell better. Why falsely celebrate terrible movies? I don't get it.

Let us compare to 1999 when American Beauty rightfully won for best picture. In that year the other 4 movies nominated were all also superb: The Cider House Rules, The Green Mile, The Insider, and The Sixth Sense. Not nominated that year were Girl, Interrupted; Fight Club, Boys Don't Cry, Magnolia, Being John Malchovich, Notting Hill, The Talented Mr. Ripely, The Matrix, Star Wars Episode I, and Angela's Ashes.

In the not nominated category I see 3 of my top 10 favorite movies of all time, and possibly my favorite chick-flick. I often have movies that I love dearly. I am not delusional enough to think that my quirky taste should reflect America's cinematic history, however, I believe we can do better. Girl, Interrupted challenged me and affected me deeply. I think Angelina's performance was spectacular, and it has a lot to do with why I am fascinated with her. Saying that, I do not think it should have been best picture that year or even nominated for that matter. It appealed to me, but did not meet my "best picture" criteria which is that a movie should be entertaining, inspiring, do well at the box office, and be technically/creatively executed flawlessly. I am not saying that all Oscar best pictures should post Titanic numbers. And I am certainly not saying that Avatar deserves best picture because it made money. I think a "best picture" should have all of those qualities. This year 500 Days of Summer was my favorite movie, but it shouldn't be nominated for best picture. This year best picture should go to Invictus simply because it is the only movie that meets all of my criteria.

How does this happen? What went wrong in Hollywood? Where are the movies that entertain, inspire, do well at the box office, and are executed flawlessly? Shouldn't all movies hold up to this standard? We should not have to endure having The Hangover as a Golden Globe winner, much less an Academy Award winner. Revolt! Hollywood: Make better movies, please!

Soundtrack: You Make My Dreams, Hall & Oats

An act of faith

Soundtrack: Already Gone, Kelly Clarkson

7-13-09

Last night I had this very vivid dream. In light of my prayer time I think the interpretation is pretty obvious. Something was wrong with my heart. It was hardening in places, but there was a doctor who could fix it, and I had a strong sense of assurance that this doctor was capable. Just before the operation the doctor had to go somewhere. Even though there was a back up doctor that I was told was good enough, I refused. And, I flung myself on the floor and yelled out that it wasn't fair. I chose to wait for the one I trusted would heal my heart rather than risk my life on the one that may or may not be able to fix my broken hard heart.

~ A journal entry I ran across when I was going to write in my journal today. I had forgotten about that dream, but I think it illustrates my perspective on love nicely. I stand by my desire for one day of the real deal at 80 rather than a lifetime of mediocre.

Soundtrack: I want you to be my love. Over the Rhine

EGR

There is this girl that used to know. She pushed all my buttons, and I consider that she is everything that I can't stand about America and the south*. People that fall into this category are indeed the only true group against which I am prejudice. She is a redneck that doesn't think she is. She has those tacky nails. She is greedy, she is passive aggressive, thinks that white people are superior, and she's just all around bratty. She is incapable of thinking for herself, and is not a believer until you ask her, and then she chooses to be with the "in crowd" which means Christian in the south. Her "faith" is impersonal and disingenuous, and it is repulsive to me. I cringed every moment that I had to be around her. I wanted to hit her. I am reduced to the most human and broken and disgusting parts of myself when I was around her. She made snide remarks about how much better she was than everyone, which I find terribly offensive. I tried to be grateful for every moment that I had to endure her. Nicole once told me about a youth worker that she labeled EGR, or "Extra Grace Required." I can only BEG for God's grace because I am incapable of loving this woman. She is my lesson in grace.

* Please note: I love both America, and the south, however there are things that are often considered American traits, and Southern traits that do not apply to me. These are embarrassing stereotypes given to these two groups. I grieve when people live up to the stereotype.

Soundtrack: She's Country, Jason Aldean.

*Note: I heart that song.

i've been thinking

I have been thinking about what the perfect couple is. I have had several friends get married recently or will get married soon, and that always makes me think about what I want in a relationship. I have decided that I think the best relationships are the ones where one person is really into something that the other person enjoys. That makes them the expert who gets to teach the other one all about their passion. For instance, I love good movies. I would love to marry someone that kinda likes good movies, but isn't as interested in all the nerdy details as I am. I look forward to days when I have picked out a great movie that we can both enjoy. There are a lot of things that I enjoy but that I don't think about doing on my own. This is one of the elements that makes a great friend. I have a friend that is really interested in fashion, and I have enjoyed her teaching me things about fashion. I have a friend with great taste in music, and because of him I appreciate music on a different level. My friend Laura is getting married, and during her bachelorette evening she asked the girls for advice. Most of them are married, and the advice turned to TV at one point. Now, I know this is a very small part of the bigger picture, but I think it applies. They were complaining about their husband's "shows" and talking about how much their husbands hate some of their shows. Why can't we watch TV together and take it as a learning experience. There is nothing on TV that should cause conflict in a marriage. Sit and ask why your partner enjoys that show. Sure, having compromise shows that you can both enjoy like The Office is a great strategy. However, I think it is more beneficial to learn to love what your partner loves. Finding a partner should expand your life. There are so many things that I would love to learn more about, but I know that I will never take the initiative to do them on my own. Do you know anyone that likes photography, hiking, camping, concerts, plays the guitar, sings, surfs, plays ultimate, can drive a stick shift, knows something about french cuisine or working out, loves to dance, water skis, plays golf, or any number of things. I would love to know more about all of that stuff, and I think having someone that can teach me about them would be great.

Soundtrack: Everybody, Ingrid Michaelson and Next Best Thing, Nikki & Rich and Show Me what I'm looking for, Carolina Liar