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I was going to write about the Oscars but....
I got really busy and now it's seriously old news.
But, just for the hell of it.
Favorite moments:
Javier Bardem's win (even though it wasn't surprising) - his speech to his mother.
Marion Cotilliard winning for La Vie En Rose. People were all upset - but that's because none of them saw the movie. She was great. And not just because the makeup people were able to make her look like Edith Piaf.
When "Falling Slowly" from Once won for best song. That was probably one of my favorite movies of last year. So fantastic. And I thought it was great when they brought the woman from the movie (I'm not even going to try to spell her name) back on to give her speech.
I was at an Oscar viewing partying, and we all clapped when she was brought back on.
That's all, just had to get it off my chest.
Heath Ledger's death has left me unsettled.
I was at work today, talking to a co-worker about Bran Renfro. She didn't hear that he died last week until yesterday. I was reading an article online about how he has a son living in Japan. As soon as our conversation ended, literally, I got an email from a friend saying that Heath Ledger died. My immediate reaction was "no way." I thought perhaps my friend was looking at the same picture of Brad Renfro that I was and mistook him for Heath Ledger. I wrote her and attempted to corrected her. Curiosity piqued, I Googled Heath. Nothing popped up at the top. Then I clicked the news tab and was presented with a long list of links saying "Actor Heath Ledger, dead at 28."
I couldn't believe it was true.
I loved him in "The Patriot" and his performance in "Monster's Ball," however brief, makes me cry every time. I wasn't thrilled with Brokeback Mountain - I wanted so much more from the movie, and I also thought Jake Gyllenhaal's accent wasn't that great. I did see Heath in "I'm Not There" and I enjoyed it. Though, sitting here thinking about it, I think he was a great actor (it's funny to write "was") - what I am experiencing is not a fan girl reaction, because he wasn't someone who was ever really in my mind. But when I read the news, I just couldn't believe it.
I immediately IMed everyone who was online on my buddy list practically. Why was it so hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that some guy died? I mean, yes, he was an actor, but he was a human like you and me. I thought about it for an hour, until personal problems of my own began to dominate my thoughts.
When I made it home in the evening and turned on the news, his death was the top story, after the storm we're experiencing. I felt sad again. Sad for him, sad for his daughter - who is now without a father, sad for Michelle Williams, Heath's family, and anyone else who was close to him. Maybe part of the surprise is because he wasn't out, going crazy, in and out of court, or beating people up. I'm sure no one really saw this coming for this guy at this point in his life.
No one really knows yet what exactly happened. The autopsy hasn't happened yet. Could have been suicide. Could have been an 'accidental overdose.' I heard Harvey Levin of TMZ say he had pneumonia at the time of death. Regardless of the outcome, it just made me get to thinking about the lives we live behind closed doors. To the world, he seemed fine. But if it was suicide or drug addiction, clearly he wasn't fine. Did anyone have the slightest idea? I could spend my nights drinking away the hours, ruining my liver, and not a soul would know. I could be shooting heroin, eating sticks of butter, running in circles while naked. I could have a live in lover, a stipper pole in the center of the room...or anything. And no one would know - even the people who know me best. Who we are when we are alone could be drastically different from who we are when we are around others.
I still can't put my finger on why this particular death has been bothering me so. But clearly it's bothered me enough to write a long post about it.
Useful information for the young folk
Sex ed saves lives. ;-)
NSFW, btw.
It's been a while
It's been a while since I've been so excited about the options at the movie theater on a particular weekend or short period of time.
I only saw a couple of movies over the summer- Once, LaVie En Rose, 2Days in Paris, and Paris Je Taime, the TV Set, and Hairspray. That seems like a lot, but for a 3 month period of films that you are supposedly going to want to run out and see - only ONE film I saw was a "major" picture. The rest were all indie flick (which is just fine by me).
I was thinking that I want to see a movie or two this weekend and my options are plentiful.
There are are more movies I want to see this weekend than in that whole summer period.
I am excited to see that 3:10 to Yuma is still playing. What else what else?
Enchanted
American Gangster
I'm Not There (Todd Haynes I think is one of my favorite directors. what a guy!)
Love in the Time of Cholera (even though the reviews have been less than great and I haven't read the book yet)
Margo at the Wedding
Michael Clayton
Lions for Lambs (maybe)
Across the Universe
And two movies I halfheartedly want to see, meaning I probably won't - August Rush and This Christmas.
A bit more movies than I can afford to see in one weekend, but I like having the option. For weeks and weeks there was nothing out that I wanted to see. It'll be nice to get back to the movies again. Now, I did see No Country for Old Men with a friend a couple weeks ago - but I went not knowing what it was about AT ALL. It wasn't a bad film - it was actually pretty good, but not something I would have woken up from a nap for and seen at 11 at night had I known the content.
What's going on with summer movies?
As I drive around L.A., land of a million billboards, I see tons of movies being advertised and many of them have 7.4.07 listed as the opening date. But then, when I turn on the television, the movies are opening on the 3rd. Which one is it? Not that I will see any of those movies, and especially during the opening week, but you never know.
So, what's going on? I've seen this with at least two or three movies.
Just ranting.
I was chillin' on a Sunday afternoon
Well, I have to say, I had a really nice Sunday! Good from start to finish.
On Saturday night, after a good dance party (see previous post) I set my alarm for 6:30 AM. Yes, 6:30 AM. I knew I wanted to wash my car before the sun came out (it causes major streaking), but I also thought that if I felt up for it, I'd go to the Rose Bowl Flea Market.
Well, when I woke up, it was a lot brighter than it should have been. That's because it was actually 7:50 and I discovered that my alarm was set for 6:30 PM. So, in my jammies and a sweatshirt I hurriedly hopped in my car and went to wash it. I knew if I didn't do it, it'd be another week and my car was looking just plain sad. I mean, if it's old and making a funny sound, it can at least be clean!
So, I washed my car (which I actually enjoy when I get around to it) and then returned home to pass sometime before heading out to Studio City for brunch at Good Neighbors. It was a perfectly lovely brunch with a cool person. I don't do brunch often, so that was also kind of nice.
After that, I went to Amoeba Music, which is my favorite place to shop for music (and movies too, sometimes). I intended to buy a couple of things - and I did - but I also bought a few more.
The goods:
The Very Best of Dusty Springfield - Dusty Springfield (duh)
Year Zero - Nine Inch Nails
Dave Chappelle's Block Party soundtrack
Trailer Park - Beth Orton
Slow Motion Addict - Carina Round
Too Young to Fight It - Young Love
The Sun and the Moon - The Bravery
This is What Radio Should Sound Like - Various Artists
The first two are the ones I intended to buy. I debated picking up Sam's Town by the Killers but put it back down. I also decided I wasn't quite ready for the new Tori Amos.
I will talk about my music purchases in depth in a later post. For now, I move on.
I proceeded to Pasadena to meet a friend to see Once. Oh. Wow. What a good movie! It was charming, funny, had good music...and yes, I cried a little. Well, maybe I shouldn't call it crying. A few involuntary tears made their way out of my eyes. My friend and I had a early dinner at San Sai, where I had my least favorable experience with them. The first time I had their food, it was from the Westwood location. The second time it was Glendale. It was fine today, but didn't taste as great, so maybe something was wrong with my tastebuds. We stopped at Interact, a store that sells computer games, used movies and TV series. The only thing I usually get there is TV series because the prices are FANTASTIC, so in comparison, I don't find the movie prices to be as great (example - I bought a season of a tv show for two dollars more than the price of one movie).
The goods:
Saved By the Bell - Seasons 1 & Two
Weeds - Season 1 (mixed feelings, but whatever. If I end up opposed to the show for some reason, I'll just sell it)
Hard Candy
Little Children (soooo good).
I worked with a client for a couple of hours after that and then came home, to where my landlord has just acquired a jacuzzi, which I will be using (I have never been in one!), imported Dusty and NIN into my iTunes, played on Facebook, and clearly, updated my blog!
It was a lovely day from start to finish. Totally stress free. If every Sunday was this pleasant - wow! I can't even imagine. My shoulders and back would probably be a lot less tense, let me tell ya!
Bring it on, Monday!
Please Go
If you live in the Los Angeles area and you see this post today (yeah, right) - go to this. I regret missing my chance to see this film. And I also regret that this email didn't come to me until last night - some notice!! They are really good at telling me 3 or 4 days ahead about Dinner & a Movie W/ Anchorman....
Invisible children
A charity event to benefit the dying children of Uganda, Africa.
Wednesday, July 13th 2005 |
 |
Screening “Invisible Children†@ 8pm
www.invisiblechildren.com<br />
DJ Jason Stewart in the lounge @ 9:30pm
Live music:
Temporary Housing, DCD, Christian Macchio, …balance, Hi-Def
Drink specials compliments of cin[e]space
100% of the proceeds go to “Invisible Childrenâ€
Doors open @ 7:30pm.
$5.00 minimum donation before 8:00pm ($10 after)
RSVPs – 661.284.2523
CineSpace
6356 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA
323.817.FILM |
Short Crappy Reviews: Mr & Mrs. Smith and Batman Begins
I went to see Mr & Mrs. Smith last Friday. Yes, on opening day. Mostly I went on opening day because it was one of the only days I didn't have myself booked with other things (side note, I leave for PA in two days. YAY!!). So, went to see Mr. & Mrs. Smith. I think Brad Pitt is a good actor...I don't know if I'd say great, as I haven't seen him in too many films. I love Angelina Jolie...I mean, how can you not? I told my friend the other day "she's talented...but she's also walking sex." It's true - and you know it!!! So, I went, wanting good things out of these two talented people. I didn't have high expectations - I knew better than that. I think my low expectations allowed me to not criticize everything and just sit back and watch the movie. It was actually kind of fun, and I did laugh several times. All that matters is that when I left I didnt think "I want my money back."
I went to see Batman Begins yesterday. Mmmhmm, again, on opening day. I went with two huge Batman fans...but I sense they are fans in different ways. Anyway, I really went because I love Christian Bale (Hello people! Little Women and Velvet Goldmine?). Not that he isn't a star, but I don't think you'd call him a "big" star...now after this huge mainstream flick, he'll probably get more publicity, which is kind of a bummer, cause it's kind of nice to not see trashy, sordid headlines about someone in Hollywood. Anyway, Christian Bale was great as Bruce Wayne - no complaints there. He was very good. Him as Batman is a completely different story - what was up with his voice? One of my Batman-loving friends got really pissed at the fact that B-man kind of glides/flies ("he doesnt fly!! Batman doesnt fly!!") and hated the costume. I've hated all of the costumes, so I wasn't expecting to like this one. There's a huge car chase scene (come on, that's no spoiler...the car is featured in the trailers - you have to know there's some kind of chase) - that's where the movie really truly went south for me. It had a redeeming moment shortly after that, but the movie kind of fell flat for me toward the end. And really, I just wanted to smack Katie Holmes in the face most of the time, and I really wanted to make out with Dr. Crane. Mmmm, yummy...
I'm not typically into the big budget action-type flicks like these movies...and especially not on opening day. But it was kind of fun to just go and watch silly movies with friends.
My Movie Reviews Suck: Crash
Last night, I finally got the opportunity to see Crash. I've been intending to see it since it came out, but you know, sometimes life gets in the way of uber important things - like going to the movies! But anyway, I went last night with a friend...and just....wow, amazing, I love it.
Setup-wise, it's along the vein of other favorites of mine - 13 Conversations About One Thing, Magnolia, and others that slip my mind at the moment (cut me some slack, I got home late and I woke up early). The plot centers around this car crash and all of the people it involves. It's set in Los Angeles (yay! I get all giddy about movies set in L.A....not Hollywood shiny L.A., but the real L.A. - Training Day for example), and as such, I think it reflects how diverse L.A. is. I mean, you can seriously watch stuff that is set in L.A. and see very little diversity if any at all. At first I thought The L Word was diverse, but now it just makes me think that every woman in L.A. is a lesbian - which I know isn't true because I live here). Ok, back on track....
Asians, Latinos, Blacks, Whites, Persians - they all play roles in this film and I think everyone involved did such a great job on this film. I don't really want to go into plot details because it's kind of fun to see how everything unfolds for yourself.
Yeah, so just go see it.
Cast: Don Cheadle, Sandra Bullock, Brendan Frasier, Jennifer Esposito, Matt Dillon, Lorenz Tate, Ludakris, Thandie Newton, Ryan Phillippe, Terrance Howard, blah blah blah....
This was awesome
I've been having a crappy week so I haven't been posting in the way I intended. This story is old news now, and I'm sure most of you have heard it already, but I didn't post on it when it was new news - it still amuses me, so why not?
As many of you may or may not know, before the Oscars are given out, the Razzies are - "awards" for the worst movies of the year. Halle Berry won for "Catwoman" and the reason I think it was awesome was that she showed up at the ceremony and gave an acceptance speech. She said a lot of things that made me laugh, and this article from the BBC is the one with the best coverage I've read, aside from the original one I read (I can't remember where that one was):
The article from BBC (scroll down to 'Good Loser')
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