For the Bible Tells Me So

I think everyone in this country should be forced to watch For the Bible Tells Me So. Even if it doesn't change anyone's opinion or open anyone's mind, at least they'd have to sit there and listen to these very human, very normal, very emotionally complex stories about love, family, understanding, and acceptance. They'd have the chance to witness the real impact homosexuality has on individuals and families in a country that still doesn't truly understand what it means to be homosexual -- in a country where the Bible is used (misused) selectively and inaccurately to exclude and judge. Maybe they'd be able to understand how flawed our human interpretation of the Bible is, how much we still don't know about its context, its intent. Maybe they'd see that the energy so many people expend denouncing and denigrating homosexuals might be better spent educating themselves and learning a little grace and tolerance.

I know I keep harping on this subject, and I normally don't like to be so serious and single-minded, but films like this really need to be promoted and recommended. The filmmakers did a beautiful job presenting such incendiary material without resorting to angry, liberal polemic. The film was clear-eyed, rational, and passionate without coming across as preachy. I was moved to tears several times -- with compassion and with outrage -- and was disappointed when I realized it was over. I wish more people would give this subject the consideration that it deserves.

I think it's a real problem that religion seems to shut down dialogue about important subjects in this country; that people can invoke "the word of God" and think that it's the end of the discussion. This film proves that we should be doing the opposite -- that we should be examining what the Bible really says about homosexuality and reconciling that with what we know about the subject in today's society. I think most Christians -- most people -- would be surprised by what they learn when they take a hard look at the actual verses and their historical context. It's not as black and white as some people would have you believe.

Jerry Falwell and Jimmy Swaggart and their ilk are committed to a message of hate, intolerance, and exclusion. They think they can bully people into submission by promoting fear, distrust, and closed-mindedness. The people behind For the Bible Tells Me So are committed to promoting clarity and understanding, hope and healing. You tell me: who's doing a better job of upholding the tenets of Christianity?

Sigourney Weaver takes on Prop 8

I love Sigourney Weaver's take on Prop 8 (via AfterElton).

"I think it’s unconstitutional to even have a referendum like that! People labor under this idea that homosexuality is a “lifestyle”. And the founding fathers were much too wise to try to legislate who loves whom. Homosexuality has been part of our history for thousands of years, and everyone has an equal right to pursue happiness in this country. It’s right there in black and white, and there are no exceptions. To even put this on the referendum, I can’t believe that that’s legal. To me, it’s a human rights issue.

"Gay marriage...is a very stabilizing force in society for those who want it — not everyone wants it. But the people who do, give them what they want. It seems insane to me to say to people who want it, you can’t have this nurturing thing. It’s the cruelest thing. People who voted for it really didn’t understand what they were voting for. I really think it’s misinformation."

Sigourney is starring in an upcoming Lifetime movie called Prayers for Bobby, which airs later this month.

The definitive "Why Portland Is awesome" post

Yes, I've already listed a bunch of reasons why I love Portland. I've posted pictures, related anecdotes, and generally rhapsodized about the place. Maybe I was exaggerating a bit -- after all, Portland is not perfect, and it has its drawbacks just like any place. But the way I felt there was no exaggeration. I felt home. The city is tailor-made for me. And ever since I've been back, I've felt a little homesick. So in the spirit of the holiday season, I feel compelled to post an exhaustive Compendium of Awesome, starring the fine city of Portland, Oregon.

Warning: reading this post may cause a sudden, burning desire to pack up and move to Portland immediately.

For the word nerd
For the foodie
For the music lover
For the nature enthusiast
For the film & TV buff
For the eco-conscious
For the artist
For the daytripper
For the conscious consumer

For the word nerd:
--Portland holds an annual literary festival called Wordstock. The book fair hosts readings, signings, and panels, and other events include a poetry slam competition, a live radio variety program, and an evening event called the Text Ball (with prizes for the most grammatically correct costume!).
--Powell's City of Books is the largest independent bookstore in the U.S. and covers an entire city block. It's open 365 days a year and holds over four million new, used, rare, and out of print books. You could spend a week in there and still find stuff to do.
--Beloved children's lit author Beverly Cleary is from Portland, and there's a Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden in the city where children can play. On the opposite end of the literary spectrum, author Chuck Palahniuk is also from Portland.
--Dark Horse Comics, the largest independent comics producer in this country, is housed in Portland and has an amazing library of titles, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Star Wars, Sin City, Hellboy, Aliens, and Predator.
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For the foodie:
--As I've mentioned before, James Beard, father of American gastronomy and author of 20 books, grew up in Portland. The prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards, held every May, honor the best chefs, restaurants, cookbook authors, and journalists (among others) in the country.
--Tillamook cheese probably wouldn't be around today without cows and equipment from Portland. The town of Tillamook is about an hour and a half away from Portland (one of many potential day trips from the city).
--Stumptown Coffee is an amazing independent coffee chain in Portland that buys and roasts its own coffee. The owner travels all over the world and forms relationships with coffee producers; he's even formed a non-profit that supports Rwandan coffee cooperatives. Stumptown offers Fair Trade Certified and organic coffees and takes pride in its sustainable business practices, both at home and abroad. I've ordered Stumptown coffee from their website, and it was freshly roasted and delicious.
--Portland boasts some of the best farm to table restaurants in the country. One example is The Farm Cafe, which uses locally grown produce and locally produced wines and spirits to create its constantly changing menu. The upside? Your food is fresher and more tasty, and you don't have to feel guilty about supporting evil corporate agribusiness.
--The abundance of wineries, breweries, brewpubs, and microdistilleries. There are even "brew and view" movie theaters that serve local microbrews and food that you can enjoy during the show. Oh, and Oregon Wine Country is about 25 miles from Portland. And there are at least 5 major beer festivals every year. There are more breweries in Portland (around 30) than in any other city in the country.
--Portland Farmers Markets are open April through December and provide a direct link between farmers and consumers. Portland (well, the entire Pacific Northwest) grows the most beautiful, fresh produce year-round, including some of the best berries in the world. Walking around Portland, you can find tons of wild blackberries that are safe to eat. We even found the most amazing apples growing wild on a tree in a residential neighborhood, free for the taking.
--Voodoo Doughnut and Wedding Chapel. The freshest, weirdest doughnuts you'll ever eat. Try a Maple Bacon Bar for starters and then check out their vegan selection to feel a bit more virtuous.
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For the music lover:
--Bands and musicians from Portland include The Decemberists, The Shins, Modest Mouse, The Dandy Warhols, Sleater-Kinney, Elliott Smith, Stephen Malkmus (of Pavement fame), M. Ward, The Kingsmen ("Louie, Louie"), Everclear (Art Alexakis), Spoon (Britt Daniel), Courtney Love, and Death Cab for Cutie (Chris Walla).
--Local music venue The Doug Fir Lounge is comfortable and stylish and has an attached restaurant and bar. We saw 3 bands for $5 there on our first night in Portland. They had free drinking water at the bar! And it was non-smoking, so you could actually breathe in there.
--The Oregon Symphony hosts outdoor concerts on the waterfront; the Oregon Zoo hosts a summer concert series.
--There's an annual Portland Jazz Festival.
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For the nature enthusiast:
--What isn't there for the nature enthusiast? You have mountains, old-growth forests, rivers, gorges... Portland even lies on top of an extinct lava field (the Boring Lava Field, which makes me laugh). There are great trails and hikes, and even in the middle of the city, you can find gorgeous wooded parks.
--Portland is known as the City of Roses; there are rose festivals a couple times a year and a huge test garden that holds over 550 varieties of roses. It's been in continuous operation since 1917.
--Portland boasts the most authentic Japanese garden in North America and the largest classical Chinese garden in the country.
--You can take an ecotour from Portland to the coast, stopping at scenic spots along the way, to go whale watching. A full-day whale watching trip won't even set you back a hundred bucks. Portland is also home to bald eagles and peregrine falcons; sightings of both are common.
--The Columbia River Scenic Highway takes you past magnificent landmarks like Multnomah Falls (look at it frozen!) and the Columbia River Gorge, not to mention stunning scenic overlooks and lush forests. It also features the greatest rest stop ever, Vista House, which is only 15 miles east of Portland.
--Even though it rains half the time, Portland has one of the most temperate climates in the United States. It has a narrow range of temperatures year-round, which means that summers aren't too hot and winters aren't too cold. When it does rain, it's not always the dreary, heavy rain that we experience in Dallas; it's often light, misty rain, and it comes and goes throughout the day. Plus, without all the rain, it wouldn't be so green!
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For the film & TV buff:
--Matt Groening (The Simpsons, Futurama) is from Portland.
--Directors Gus Van Sant (Milk, Good Will Hunting), Todd Haynes (I'm Not There, Far From Heaven), and Todd Field (Little Children, In the Bedroom) are also from Portland. So are actors Clark Gable, William Hurt, Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica), and Lindsay Wagner (Bionic Woman).
--Mel Blanc (Bugs Bunny!) is from Portland.
--The movie Into the Wild was filmed in Portland.
--The city holds numerous film festivals every year and has a renowned film school.
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For the eco-conscious:
--Portland is often called the greenest city in the United States. City planners have been thinking green for over three decades and have established strict land-use policies and urban growth boundaries. There are hundreds of protected natural areas around the city and tough anti-sprawl ordinances. Sustainability is more than just a buzzword; it's actively practiced. Renewable energy, green buildings, effective mass transit...these all make Portland one of the most ecologically friendly cities in the world.
--Bicycling is not only safe in suburbia; urban cycling is typical, thanks to Portland's bike-friendly accommodations. It's often rated one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world, with over 260 miles of bike lanes and paths.
--Portland was the first city in the U.S. to make and enact a formal plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
--Freecycling thrives in Portland; it's a nonprofit movement that allows people to give away their unwanted items instead of throwing them away. It's completely free and legal, can save you money and time, and best of all, it keeps unnecessary waste out of landfills.
--Portland has 92,000 acres of green space, including the country's largest wooded city park (Forest Park, with over 70 miles of trails) and the world's smallest city park (Mill Ends Park, which is two feet across and was originally supposed to house a utility pole).
--Zipcar is available in Portland; the service allows you to reserve a car (including ZAP electric cars) by the hour or the day. Cars are parked all around the city; once you reserve one by phone or online, you just walk up to it, hold your ZipCard up to the windshield to unlock the doors, and drive away! They're located in 13 cities, from San Francisco to Boston to New York to Vancouver, and you can use your card in any of those cities if you're a member. ZipCar pays for gas and insurance, too.
--In addition to bicycling and public transit accommodations, the city is very pedestrian friendly, with compact square blocks and an easy to navigate grid that relies on natural boundaries to divide the city in a logical way. It's so easy to get around there; after a few days, I felt like a native.
--Benson Bubblers, the water fountains dotting the city landscape, reduce reliance on bottled water for many urban dwellers. There are 52 total fountains throughout the city.
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For the artist:
--In addition to a number of art museums, Portland boasts two monthly art walks: First Thursdays in the Pearl District, and Last Thursdays in the Alberta neighborhood. Galleries and shops keep their doors open late and serve appetizers and wine.
--For homemade, hand-crafted gifts, there's no greater place in Portland than the Saturday market (which is actually open on Sundays, too). Artisans and international food vendors descend on downtown every weekend from March to December to sell their wares, which include fine art, photography, candles, clothing, home accessories, woodwork and metalwork, pottery, ceramics, and even pet products.
--Parks, squares, and fountains around the city are enhanced by public works of art, including sculptures and murals. The bronze sculpture Portlandia is one of the city's most famous.
--Portland is a photographer's dream, mixing natural beauty with eclectic city landscapes at almost every turn.
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For the daytripper:
--Portland is 70 miles from the Pacific Ocean and about an hour from Mt. Hood. Cannon Beach is an hour and a half drive from the city. So is Tillamook (mmm, cheese).
--Timberline Lodge, where The Shining was filmed, is about an hour and a half from Portland.
--The desert of Warm Springs is a two-hour drive; so is the city of Eugene.
--Mount Saint Helens is just under two hours from Portland.
--Seattle is just over three hours away; Vancouver about five.
--The Amtrak Cultural Cascades route connects Eugene, Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Vancouver.
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For the conscious consumer:
--Portland does have a 9% income tax, but that's offset by its lack of a sales tax. Plus, it's deductible on your federal tax return. Car registration fees are much lower than they are here in Texas, and you only pay them once every two years.
--Cost of living is slightly higher than it is in Dallas (about 5-7% higher), but it's still one of the most affordable cities on the west coast.
--Public transit is free downtown (it's called Fareless Square). That includes buses, streetcars, and light rail. The light rail system extends all the way out to the airport; the fare from the airport to the heart of downtown is only $2.30.
--You can see second-run movies at the "brew and view" movie theaters for $3.
--Most places have free wifi.
--The outdoor summer symphony events are free.
--Some breweries, like Widmer, offer free tours of their facilities.
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I wasn't kidding when I said exhaustive! I'm very passionate on the subject, as you can see. :) Also, I like having all these lists on one page so I can visit it when Dallas is pissing me off. Like today, with the inexplicable return to 75-degree temperatures in the middle of December.

Viva Portland!

Entertainment overdose

Argh, I wish I could shake this constant fatigue! It seems I'm only capable of lying around watching movies or reading when I'm not at work. That Netflix instant viewing option is dangerous, I tell you. Since Friday, I've watched Bull Durham (which is still funny and charming 20 years after it was made), Becoming Jane (historical inaccuracy be damned, I found myself totally engrossed by the love story), and sex, lies, and videotape (I swear, I never found James Spader sexy before Secretary, but now? Oh my god. It's that cold, impassive, vaguely reptilian face of his). I also watched Kung Fu Panda and True Romance yesterday, both of which I absolutely loved.

Yeah, it's been a lazy few weeks.

I started reading The Age of Innocence a few days ago -- its brilliance stands in stark contrast to the majority of so-called "literature" written today. I'm taking it slow, trying to savor the language and absorb the sharp social critique and stinging wit, and so far, it's been an absolute joy. I'd only read Wharton's The House of Mirth before, so this is a treat. Surprisingly relevant to modern society, too.

Speaking of brilliant works of fiction: ABC, how could you give up on a show as joyful, colorful, and witty as Pushing Daisies? It's a beautiful, romantic, clever, silly, magical, whimsical love letter to language, and it makes me smile until my face hurts every single week. And after January (barring a miracle), I won't get to bask in it anymore. Yet Private Practice lives on to bore and annoy? There is no justice.

Ok, I've prattled on long enough. I'll leave you with some songs I'm digging right now:

"Time to Pretend" (MGMT)

"Sex on Fire" (Kings of Leon)

"You Are the Best Thing" (Ray LaMontagne)


"The Chain" (Ingrid Michaelson)


"So They Say" (from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog)

Nightmares

Thank you, EW.com. The Hugga Bunch wasn't even on my radar until today, and now I'm going to have lifelong nightmares.



Oh, god, it's so horrifying!

Movie haikus

Haikus based on movies I've seen recently:

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
Suck it, Brian Kuh.
And you too, Billy Mitchell.
Steve Wiebe is king!

The Dark Knight
Posthumous Oscar?
Absolutely merited.
I got teary-eyed.

WALL*E
Sweet AND nutritious.
Pixar employs geniuses,
unlike some (Disney).

Funny Games

I can't in good conscience recommend that anyone see this movie...but I'm kind of glad I did. Quick plot recap: a family arrives at their summer home and are visited by two pleasant, well-mannered young men asking to borrow some eggs. Soon, the visit becomes uncomfortable, and then downright terrifying as the visitors take the family hostage and play a series of sadistic games with them.

These two polite psychos are among the scariest villains I've seen on screen, never losing their cool as they humiliate and torture their victims. Every sick act of violence and sadism is treated so casually, so cavalierly, that the assailants and their prey seem to be in two different films altogether. At one point, one of the guys goes to get a snack as the other plays a game to determine which family member he'll kill next. They act alternately wounded and bemused when the family refuses to cooperate with their "games" or tries to escape. They even break the fourth wall to address the audience and invite them to participate in the action.

I'm still not entirely sure what I think about the movie. On one hand, it was extremely well done -- the acting was fantastic, and Haneke ratcheted up the tension and horror so expertly that I found myself holding my breath for what felt like half the movie. It's not at all predictable; in fact, it twists every horror-movie convention into something unexpected. There's almost no music, which makes the experience of watching the film even more horrifying. Oh, and all the violence takes place off screen, so the screams and other reactions of the characters are your only indication of what's happening.

On the other hand, what exactly is the point? Simply to provoke? Haneke says that he's mocking American cinema's lust for violence, how we're so desensitized to brutality on film that we don't even flinch at the vilest depictions of torture, humiliation, and death. We're a voyeuristic society; I'll accept that. But I didn't leave this film feeling like I'd learned a valuable moral lesson. I just felt scared and sick. It didn't open my eyes to anything revelatory about the nature of entertainment. I'll still see -- and enjoy -- violent movies. I like to be scared; it's part of human nature to seek out taboos. I know how to differentiate between fiction and reality. I appreciate that Haneke is making me think about these things, but ultimately, Funny Games, for me, was just a really unsettling, disturbing horror movie.

I see what Haneke's trying to say, though -- look at all the crime procedurals and forensic shows on TV today, not to mention the glut of "torture porn" and other violent films cluttering theaters. They're predictable; we know how they're going to end for the most part. We feel safe watching these stories because we've come to expect a certain payoff (bad guys lose, good guys win) without having to correlate what we're seeing to real life. It's escapism, and it helps us ignore the real tragedies that are happening every day, where the good guys don't always win. Haneke says his intent is to manipulate, to make the audience aware that they are being manipulated. That's why he has his characters address the camera, why he actually rewinds the film at one point to change what you've just seen, why he flouts the conventions of horror movies by (spoiler!) killing the dog and the kid first. He wants to unsettle, and he most definitely succeeds.

I'm pretty sure that I ended up liking the film, though I didn't enjoy it at all. I think Haneke does succeed somewhat in delivering a slap in the face; it made me think, which is more than most horror movies can claim. I just don't think that the film has as much significance as he'd like to believe.

Starting Out in the Evening

What a lovely, perfect movie. I fell deeper in love with it minute by minute, and the more I thought about it afterward, the more it resonated with me. The acting is fantastic, especially the performances by Frank Langella and Lili Taylor (though Lauren Ambrose and Adrian Lester are wonderful as well). The characters are complex and well-shaded, and the parallels between the two main stories are subtle, yet well drawn. It's heartbreaking, but simultaneously uplifting -- just a quiet, sad, intimate story that makes you think long after its conclusion.

The plot concerns an aging, frail novelist named Leonard Schiller whose works have slowly faded into obscurity over the years (in fact, they're mostly out of print). An ambitious, eager grad student named Heather, whose personal investment in Schiller's works has developed into something like infatuation, has decided to write her master's thesis on his novels, with the intent of reviving interest in his literary achievements. Meanwhile, Schiller's adult daughter struggles with her desire for children as she nears middle age and re-embarks on a relationship with a former lover who doesn't share her dreams.

What follows is a profound meditation on self-worth, happiness, hope, the indignities of age, the decline of the literary age, the nature of love, and the meaning of freedom. The characters' struggles are beautifully rendered and, most importantly, realistic. I particularly liked the honest portrayal of romantic relationships, which proved that love is not all you need. Love is a wonderful thing, but true compatibility is what really matters -- finding someone who's fundamentally right for you. I also really enjoyed the exploration of selfishness versus self-abdication, and that middle road of selflessness that you can occupy without giving up your sense of self. Kudos to Adrian Lester and Lili Taylor for fleshing out such an essential story.

Starting Over also highlighted the sad scarcity of literature in a world of instantaneous, mindless entertainment. There's such a small market for literary fiction these days; it seems like celebrity tell-alls and self-help books are the only books that sell. I love this movie for making literature feel essential again. It made me feel that thrill of discovery that great novels spark in me.

I wish more movies would strive for such emotional honesty and effortless storytelling. I'm all for mindless entertainment (Iron Man, for instance, which was hugely enjoyable), but there's something to be said for a film that sparks philosophical debates and also feels like having a warm, intimate conversation with a friend over hot cocoa.

P.S. I Love You

I finally watched P.S. I Love You last night, and as I predicted back in December, I cried like a big baby when I wasn't rolling my eyes. Gerard Butler was perfect, Jeffrey Dean Morgan was hot (and nude!), and Hilary Swank was...mostly annoying, actually. But the movie itself was pretty charming in a sappy, unrealistic kind of way. I did like that the main character (spoiler!) didn't end up with Harry Connick, Jr.'s stupid character - that was a nice surprise in a mostly formulaic film. Ooh, and James Marsters was in it! I've been rewatching Season 5 of Angel, so it was strange to hear his normal American accent in the movie.

The music and scenery were pretty great, too - I especially liked "Fairytale of New York" and "Galway Girl." And I'm still dying to take a long trip to Ireland and drink Guinness every single day. One of these years, I'll make it there.

"Fairytale of New York" (picks up around 1:30)

"Galway Girl"

I need a second opinion: have I gone crazy, or does Jeffrey Dean Morgan look exactly like Javier Bardem?

Best of 2007: Entertainment edition

It's year-end review time! Of course, we're already two days into 2008, but I see no harm in revisiting my favorites one last time. And who knows, you may find some new favorites in these jumbled lists.

Favorite new movies I saw in 2007, in order of release date:

• Pan's Labyrinth**
• Zodiac
• 300
• Grindhouse
• Waitress
• Knocked Up
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Interview
• The Simpsons Movie
• No Reservations
• Stardust
• Superbad
• Into the Wild
• Juno
• Enchanted
• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

**technically released 12/29/2006, but I saw it January '07

Favorite TV shows I discovered in 2007, both new and old:

• Pushing Daisies
• Gossip Girl
• How I Met Your Mother (discovered during Season 2)
  
• Battlestar Galactica (caught up on all 3 seasons this year!)
  
• Freaks and Geeks (finishing up the last 3 episodes!)
  
• Weeds
  

Favorite movies not released in 2007 that I saw this year:

• Little Children
• Half Nelson
• Casanova
• The Holiday
• Children of Men
• United 93
• An Inconvenient Truth
• Kinsey
• Rosemary's Baby
• Billy Elliot
• The Departed
• The Descent
• The Illusionist
• The Prestige

Favorite books read in 2007:

• Franny and Zooey, by J.D. Salinger
• The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen
• Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer
• Harry Potter 1-7, by J.K. Rowling

Favorite music discovered in 2007:

• OK Go, Oh No
• Georgie James, Places
• The Fratellis, Costello Music
• MIKA, Life in Cartoon Motion
• Arctic Monkeys, Favourite Worst Nightmare and Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
• Feist, The Reminder and Let It Die
• Ingrid Michaelson, Girls and Boys
• Silverchair, Young Modern

Songs I was obsessed with in 2007:

• “Fireflies” by Rhett Miller and Rachael Yamagata
• “Let It Rain” by OK Go
• “Places” by Georgie James
• “Your Ex-Lover is Dead” by Stars
• “Yours to Keep” by Teddybears
• "Girl's Not Grey" by AFI
  
• “Henrietta” by The Fratellis
• “Grace Kelly” by MIKA
• “Breathe Me” by Sia
• “Fluorescent Adolescent” by Arctic Monkeys
• “1234” by Feist
• "Cake Parade" by Georgie James
• “2000 Miles” by The Pretenders
• “You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” by Aimee Mann
• “I Don't Feel Like Dancin'” by Scissor Sisters
• “Die Alone” by Ingrid Michaelson
• "Miss Murder" by AFI
• "All These Things That I've Done" by The Killers
• "Chariots Rise" by Lizzie West
• "Nothing Better" by The Postal Service
• "The Hat" by Ingrid Michaelson
• "Crash the Party" by OK Go
• 3/4 of Led Zeppelin's entire oeuvre, as always

Favorite local restaurants discovered in 2007:

• Afrah
• Asian Mint
• Coal Vines
• Greenz
• India Palace
• Noodle Wave Fresh Thai
• Queen of Sheba
• Red's Patio Grill
• Roti Grill
• Tandoor Grill
• Tony's Cafe
• Twisted Root Burger Co.
• Udipi Cafe
• Zander's House
• Zorba's

Favorite local bars/hangouts discovered in 2007:

• The Tipp (Tipperary Inn)
• Fusion Cafe
• Beckley Brewhouse
• The Fillmore Pub

Favorite local event in 2007, hands-down:

• Friday, July 6: Led Zeppelin tribute concert at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens

I'm sure I'll come back and add to this list, since it gave me the warm fuzzies remembering the joy all these things brought me, but this is all I can manage for now!

Movies I want to see

2007 is almost over...how did that happen so quickly? Anyway, now that my Christmas shopping is done and I have one day of work left (hooray!), I'm free to ponder my entertainment options for the remaining 10 days of 2007. And there are so many movies I want to see right now. Check it:


Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (trailer)
Release date: December 21, 2007
Johnny Depp. Helena Bonham Carter. Tim Burton. Singing. Lots and lots of blood. What's not to love? Plus, looks like Johnny's dusting off his Captain Jack accent. I can't wait to see how this turned out! I'm pretty much guaranteed to love anything Tim Burton puts out there.
Update: saw it! loved it!

Enchanted (trailer)
Release date: November 21, 2007
Can't believe I haven't seen this one yet. As an old-school Disney devotee since pretty much birth, I'm probably going to love this movie. Unless they totally fuck it up somehow, which is entirely possible. The reviews have been mostly positive, though, so I'm not too concerned. I love Amy Adams (she was the only thing I really liked about Junebug. And does anyone remember her as Jim's Season 1 girlfriend on The Office?), so I'm glad she's getting more exposure.
Update: saw it! It was everything I wanted it to be. :) Sweet, funny enough, and entertaining.

Atonement (trailer)
Release date: December 7, 2007
I haven't read the book this is based on (by Ian McEwan, if you're interested), but everything I've seen on it has captured my interest. It's set in 1930s Britain, spanning over 70 years, and the story is powerful enough to make a potentially brilliant film. The previews make this look gorgeous, provocative, devastating. It stars Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, and screen legends Vanessa Redgrave and Brenda Blethyn, and it's directed by Joe Wright, who directed the latest Pride and Prejudice (also with Keira Knightley). I had some issues with that adaptation, but the movie was well-directed and gorgeously shot. I have high, high hopes for Atonement.
Update: What a gorgeous, gorgeous film. It dragged a bit in the middle, but it's such a great story, and the visuals are absolutely stunning.

The Amateurs (trailer)
Release date: December 7, 2007
About a small town that decides to make an amateur porn film. The cast has me dying to see this. Just take a look at these names: Jeff Bridges, Tim Blake Nelson, William Fichtner!!, Ted Danson, Patrick Fugit!, Lauren Graham!!!, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Steven Weber, and Judy Greer! Plus Isaiah Washington, Joe Pantoliano, and Brad Garrett. How could this not be awesome?
Update: Looks like this is getting the direct-to-DVD treatment now, for some reason. Guess I'll have to see it via Netflix! Update #2: Saw it, and it wasn't the greatest, but it was cute and had some pretty funny bits. Glad I saw it for free (online, even -- didn't even have to wait for the DVD)!

PS I Love You (trailer)
Release date: December 21, 2007
I need one predictable, frothy romcom this time every year. Plus - Gerard Butler! Ok, ok...yes, this will probably be terrible, and I'll regret wasting my time. The concept is pretty ridiculous (he tells her how to live...after he's dead!), and the moments that are supposed to be funny in the trailer are the kind of "hilarious" romcom humor that no one actually laughs at, ever. But Gerry Butler! With an Irish accent! And it'll make this giant sap cry and cry. So I gotta go and roll my eyes through the tears. It's my thing.
Update: Damn movie got to me despite my best efforts to resist. I'm such a girl. But Hilary Swank's character was really annoying, so I had to focus on the pretty, pretty boys. Woe is me.

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (trailer)
Release date: December 21, 2007
I'm still a little unsure of this one, but it's co-written and exec produced by Judd Apatow, and it stars John C. Reilly and Jenna Fischer, both really likable and talented actors who've been a part of some of my favorite movies/TV shows (Reilly's role in Magnolia is devastating, and he was hilarious in both Boogie Nights and Talladega Nights, and Jenna Fischer is not only accessible-pretty and a great actress, she genuinely seems like she'd be an awesome person to hang out with in real life). But! The first time I saw the trailer for this, it left me cold for some reason. I'll still see it, though - a Johnny Cash/Walk the Line parody seems right up my alley, and I have faith in all involved.
Update: not very funny after all; gotta learn to trust my instincts. A few silly, enjoyable scenes punctuated the lameness.

There Will Be Blood (trailer)
Release date: December 26, 2007
Speaking of Paul Thomas Anderson, this is his first movie in theaters since 2002's Punch-Drunk Love, and it looks...interesting. Sparse, yet violent. Dark. Complex. Daniel Day-Lewis can always be counted on for a compelling, nuanced performance, and Paul Dano (the mute-by-choice son in Little Miss Sunshine) is a really promising performer.
Update: Like most PTA films, I found this fascinating and impressive, but in a detached, almost clinical way. It did run a little too long, in my opinion. But there's no denying the brilliance of Daniel Day-Lewis; he's just breathtakingly good. I'd like to see this again to get my head around it a little more.

The Savages (trailer)
Release date: November 28, 2007
Another movie with intelligent, even virtuosic actors in lead roles - Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman. I think this one will be depressing, but funny and acerbic enough to be worth seeing. Tamara Jenkins, the writer/director, did Slums of Beverly Hills before this, so she knows how to craft a funny-sad dysfunctional-family film.
Update: Depressing, but very well done. I can see why Laura Linney was nominated for an Oscar. PSH was wonderful, too, as usual.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (trailer)
Release date: November 30, 2007
I can't wait to see this one. It's the incredible true story of French Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who is paralyzed after a stroke, leaving only his left eye able to move. He then uses that eye to BLINK OUT his MEMOIR. Yeah. And here I am sleeping until noon every Saturday and sitting on my couch all day, whining about how nothing exciting ever happens to me. Wow.
Update: A very moving, but commendably human story. The guy isn't a saint, just a human being, so the movie isn't sappy or rote, just...complex and emotionally stirring. I liked it.

No Country for Old Men (trailer)
Release date: November 9, 2007
From everything I've read, this is the best film the Coen Bros. have made since Fargo. Violence, drugs, Javier Bardem's "I'm a Little Lad" haircut...I'm definitely intrigued. It looks tightly paced, actually scary, and really well acted. I need to go soon, though, because it's only playing at one theater right now.
Update: Wow. What an excellent movie -- the buildup of tension was almost unbearable, and the film was lean and precise. Bardem's portrayal of the killer was truly, truly frightening.

I'm Not There (trailer)
Release date: November 21, 2007
I've tried to get into Bob Dylan, really I have. I just don't dig his music, not really. A couple of songs, sure, but on the whole? Ehh. But a film with six Dylans, from Richard Gere to Christian Bale to Cate Blanchett? Oh, sign me up. Todd Haynes, you had me at Cate. Dude.
Update: Cate was fab, but I was ambivalent about the film itself. Interesting concept, but it failed to hold my interest throughout. Could be my Dylan aversion, however.

Lust, Caution (trailer)
Release date: September 28, 2007
Not in theaters anymore, but despite mixed reviews, I'll definitely see this film. Political intrigue+sex=hot. Ang Lee knows his shit, that's for damn sure (Sense and Sensibility? Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? Brokeback Mountain?). And it's a Focus Features film! I LOVE Focus Features! Atonement's another one. Seriously, check out their roster. They have serious mojo going on.
Update: Hot, indeed. That's all I'm gonna say.

Southland Tales (trailer)
Release date: November 14, 2007
Another one that's left theaters by now, and it got mostly terrible reviews, but the reviews only made me want to see it more. Richard Kelly is either a genius or a kookoopants (both?), but at least he puts ideas out there, makes you think (I'm still alternately confounded and blown away by Donnie Darko). And his movies have stellar, if odd casts. Sarah Michelle Gellar (yay, Buffy!) is in this one, which is reason enough to seek it out. But seriously, a freaking crazy cast in Southland Tales. Where else can you find Wallace Shawn in the same movie as Bai Ling and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson? Kookoo Town, that's where!
Update: I regret wasting my time on this junk. The movie was interminable, the script laughable, and the plot incomprehensible. I hated (almost) every minute.

What movies do you want to see?

Go see Juno. Immediately.

Occasionally, I get passes for free movie screenings at one of our local arthouse cinemas, and most of the time I jump all over that action, because...um, free! I'm easy that way. Usually, the movies are worth exactly what I paid to get in. Every once in a while, though, a movie is so fabulous that I have to tell everyone I know to see it. Immediately. Juno is that movie. And you should see it. Immediately.

If you're still mourning the cancellation of Arrested Development, loved Thank You For Smoking, or have a big old crush on Jennifer Garner...well, you've probably already seen this movie, and you know what I'm talking about. But if you still need convincing, it's as funny and sweet as any Judd Apatow film, the dialogue is sarcastic, witty, and hilarious, and the acting is fantastic - especially Ellen Page as the title character. The movie manages to completely reinvigorate the tired "teenage pregnancy" genre - it never gets even slightly preachy, the characters are fleshed out and believable, and the resolution is not 100% predictable or cheesy. The sweetness is earned, too, unlike your standard romcom. Nothing about the movie is obvious or forced or clichéd.

Ok, I don't want to do the movie a disservice by trying to describe it more, but trust me: if you're a fan of sharp writing and great acting, you're going to want to see this movie.