Movie Review - The Descendants

I'm baffled as to why critics are deeming this the best film of the year.

It blew. Far and wide.

I'm a genuine Clooney fan. The only movie I haven't seen of his yet is "The American" and I will soon. Why? Because I need to wipe my memory of the steaming pile of shit that was "The Descendants."

To sum it up:

Tragic accident. Coma. Indifference. Cheating. Clooney attempting to run in Docksiders. Anger. Confrontation. Sadness. Death. Ice Cream. Credits.

The movie was so damn boring. Clooney's character felt very one-dimensional, which many reviews are touting the opposite. This movie TRIED very hard to be "real" but in my opinion it fell extremely short of that.

It was also extremely depressing. So much so, that I got into a funk that lasted for hours. And yeah, that's on me, but I would've been fine and dandy had I need seen that stupid movie.

Am I letting my mood cloud my judgement, my review? Nope. I really went into this with an open mind.

The only thing that saved the movie for me was watching Clooney reach a level of acting I hadn't seen from him before - he cried.

I liked that. I know he has range as an actor. Now, for me, he has depth.

I wouldn't even spend a Red Box $1 on this.

I cannot recommend this movie.

Consider yourself warned.

Movie Review - Melancholia

Melancholia is, by far, my favorite Von Trier film. And, by far, one of my favorite films of the year.

I'm a "light" fan of Kirsten Dunst, meaning I enjoy her acting but will not rush to see her in a film. There has to be more than just KiKi to get me excited.

After this film, I've changed my tune towards her acting. She was superb. Portraying a character who suffers from mental illness and has a major depressive episode is something she does deftly. There is no victim or hero in her character - she is who she is, and it's clearly evident in her portrayal. What I most loved about her in this film is how seamlessly she transitioned between scenes & showing the audience her feelings - she made a connection with the audience (me) that I search for from main characters in most films and am usually let down.

Supportive characters Kiefer Sutherland, Stellan Skarsgard, Alexander Skarsgard, John Hurt and Charlotte Rampling all give very good performances - they are woven into the story perfectly, and however short their face-time, they are definitive to the story. No fodder at all - very rich, tasty treats that pop up throughout.

Charlotte Gainsbourg as Kirsten's sister, did a fine job of playing a sister dealing with a broken family, while trying to keep her own afloat. If anyone is a victim here, it's her, by all counts - of herself, mostly. While Kirsten is the main play, Charlotte could be considered a second main - the film is broken down into two parts, "Justine" which is Kirsten's character, and "Claire", which is Charlotte's character.

The cinematography is breathtaking - I know this sounds corny but if there is a better word for how lush this entire movie feels, give it to me and I'll gladly use it. The opening scenes, however "artsy" you may categorize them, are like melted warm butter for your eyes. The music that permeates the film is fitting, like a warm onesy for the adult movie-goer. It's a combination that is intoxicating.

I gush. I know. But I truly liked this film.

It was filmed in Sweden, primarily at Tjolöholm Castle, which is on my list of places on earth I must visit. It's like a dream. Really. It is.

The plot is this - Kirsten's character getting married, and at the same time a planet called Melancholia "might" be hurtling towards a collision with earth. Angst, and more angst, horseback riding, marriage strife, meals on the terrace, a potential deadly world event, a couple baths, and the end. If you want more deets, go here.

I'm not going to spoil this for you by giving away the very surprising ending. What I will say is that this movie is a journey. It is spying inside the mind of mental illness. It is spying inside of failed and flawed marriages. It is peeking behind the curtain of a filmmaker's dreamscape. And I'm so glad that Von Trier decided to share this with us.

It is also a disaster film, but maybe not in the true meaning of the word.

Check it out.

My neighborhood park

I've always enjoyed living near a city park, whether it's Forest Park, Francis or Tower Grove.

Last weekend I took Ollie over to TGP for a walk, and there was hardly anyone there. I guess everyone was recuperating from the World Series festivities and Halloween stuff. The quiet of the park, along with the beautiful fall colors of the leaves, inspired me to take a few pics.

I have to add that using apps like Instagram and Hipstamatic can turn a boring photo into something that looks professional.

Yeah, Oliver decided to drive home. His paws just reach the pedals.

Why I Love Fall - Redux

10. Baseball - I am a new fan to this very complex sport, and now that we're in the running for the Series, well, I'm hooked.

9. Cooler weather - I am at my best during this time of year. The smell of wet leaves, the chill in the air, damp mornings and evenings on the back porch. I dig it. I really do.

8. Football - specifically, college. Go Bison, go Tigers, go Jayhawks. Nuff said.

7. Oktoberfest - I love a month that is dedicated to celebrating beer. My favorite at the moment would be Lips Of Faith Fleur by New Belgium from Ft. Collins.

6. Halloween - everything about this holiday makes me smile. The candy. The costumes. The decorations. My family has a long-standing tradition (this marks our 20th anniversary) where we get together, deep fry everything (fries, shrimp, etc.), hand out candy, watch scary movies and play cards. It's a blast, and I look forward to it every year.

5. Wineries - I love me a little long-stemmed culture on a hillside with my homeys.

4. Foliage - Missouri has phenomenal changing of the leaves. The colors are unlike anything I've ever seen. I guess growing up in North Dakota, where there are 4 trees and you have maybe 21 minutes between summer and winter will do that to a girl.

3. NBA - I think basketball players are incredible athletes. Constant movement, multitasking, speedplay. Astounding.

2. Bad horror movies - I recently reviewed the Human Centipede. I would consider this to be a bad horror movie. Bad in a good way. Others would include Motel Hell, I Spit On Your Grave, Basket Case and the Texas Chainsaw Massacre II. Actual bad horror movies would be Albino Farm, Alligator X, and any of the Saw movies.

1. Good horror movies - nothing beats a good horror movie this time of year. My favorites include Halloween, Devil's Rejects, The Shining, Grindhouse, The Exorcist, Inside, 30 Days of Night, Let The Right One In.

Movie Review - 50/50

I saw the movie "50/50" this weekend.

Overall, a very good flick. It didn't over-dramatize - I felt it stayed well within the "believable" when it came to the character's reactions as well as the kind of interactions that family, friends, and care-givers might have when dealing with cancer. Tough stuff, touching and real.

It had it's funny moments (how can it not, with Seth Rogan at the helm?) but it wasn't a comedy by any means. It's a drama, and I went through many napkins trying to mop up the tears and snot, especially towards the end. Be warned - it's sad. It's somewhat depressing. And it stays with you longer than you want it to after leaving the theater.

I am a solid fan of Seth Rogan. I am also a fan of the more bit-players in this movie - Angelica Huston, Anna Kendrick and Bryce Dallas Howard. But this movie made me more of a fan of Joseph Gordon-Levitt than I was before. I still haven't gotten through "Inception" (doubt I ever will at this point), but JGL gives a really strong performance in most movies I've seen him in, 50/50 being no exception.

**SPOILER**

One of the scenes I liked the best was when the cancer doc was doing dictation in front of JGL, rattling off the diagnosis with the huge, scary medical terminology while the patient sits there, smiling, waiting for the doc to greet him. Then the doc, after being interrupted by JGL, tells him he has cancer, what kind it is, and then JGL walks over to the window, and the docs voice starts to fade and white noise is amped up. From what I understand, it's pretty common for someone who's just been told that they have cancer to not hear much of the rest of the conversation.

**END OF SPOILER**

This is a good movie. It's a renter, for sure. Not really one to see at the theater, unless you just can't wait.

Monday reflections...or substandard rambling. You pick.

1. So the SJP movie bombed this weekend. Did anyone really think it was going to be a hit? If so, umm, get out much? Sorry, but she jumped the shark after SITC. Move on.

2. I have decided I'm not a fan of HUGE crowds unless I have an assigned seat and can leave when I want to. This is why I will not be going to events such as the Balloon Glow, Live on the Levee, or Race for the Cure ever again. I will show my support in other ways.

3. I am still staying away from Indian food. The nightmare from last week still haunts me. I'm sure you really wanted to know this, but whatev. It's my life.

4. I'm pretty sure the universe is trying to tell me a few things. And I have decided to just go with the flow and see what happens with the first one, use my best judgement on the second, and make a doctor's appointment for the third. Trust, wisdom and karma will show me the way.

5. My dog is a creature of habit, and when I interrupt these habits it backfires on me in kinda gross ways. I need to adhere to our routines more, because he deserves the best life ever.

6. I cancelled my Netflix account. I am not going to play into their oh-so-obvious corporate greed and won't be a partner to their oh-so-obvious business lunacy. Hello again, Redbox...

7. I have a new favorite band today, and they are The Big Pink. The song is Dominos. It makes me want to wear all black, don my Doc Martens, and dance in a mysterious, shoe-gazing way.



8. I recently discovered a song I really, really like, which is from a band I really, really can't stand. Not sure how I missed this gem by Jimmy Eat World, but I am glad I found it now.

5 Forks Up

I ate at India Palace for the first time last night.

I've lived here for 21 years and have resisted going because it's in a crumbly, old hotel near the airport. Which isn't appetizing to me in the least.

Even the elevator smelled skanky on the ride up, which almost made me regret my decision.

Once there, we were seated and the amazingness began.

Great view of tiny, blue airport lights.

White tablecloths.

Turbaned waiters.

And then the meal.

It was the most delicious Indian food I've ever eaten.

But wait.....

*TMI ALERT*

Five minutes after leaving the restaurant, I was praying I made it home.

Yup.

Not sure if it was a specific spice, or the special naan, but my gut was not in check. It was rebelling in a big way.

I seriously considered pulling over to a fast food joint on the way. I was mapping out my route, thinking about what was down the road in case I needed to make a pit stop.

I made it home. Barely.

It wasn't pretty.

Needless to say, while I enjoyed the meal, the entire experience has put me off of Indian food until further notice.