Those Hunger Now Kids Made a Movie!

I went to see Slumdog Millionaire this afternoon. The movie deals with a variety of subjects, life in poverty riddled India, destiny, redemption, all framed by a televised episode of the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Think Quiz Show with a splash of City of God and a lot of heart.

The film centers on three homeless orphans living in the slums of Bombay (now Mumbai) who grow up throughout the course of the film. The seamless way the back story ties into the game show is just one of the many great things about the movie.

The film has an epic scope that can be agonizingly intimate, broad sweeping shots of sprawling shanty towns and garbage juxtaposed with a microscopic view of the harsh realities facing the abandoned and orphaned children of the world.

There has been some grumbling in the critical community over the film's R rating, and while I would consider the range of emotional tension the viewer experiences to be something for mature audiences, I don't think it deserves the limitations that an R rating puts on a film. The Dark Knight was rated PG-13 as was Quantum of Solace, both which had much more violence than this film.

The film is wrought with emotional tension, and no, I did not use the expression "wrought with emotional tension" just because I wanted to sound like a movie critic. Okay, maybe I did. But trust me, the movie is oozing with, uh...pathos.

Allow me to digress for a moment, one poster for the film has a blurb that says "A Soaring Hymn To Life". Big issue movies like Babel, Crash, The Cider House Rules, or Little Children need to be described with hyperbolic language to manipulate viewer's preconceptions. This movie doesn't need any of that, critic's quotes should be simpler, like "Excellent" or "Exceeded Expectations" or "*****". If I were to contribute a blurb it would read "Epically Intimate".

Back to Slumdog, the movie is subtitled, sort of, the subtitles aren't done in the traditional style and half the movie is in English. I only mention this because I wonder what the Academy will do with it when awards season comes around, the critical praise for this film has been so overwhelmingly positive I can't imagine it not being nominated. The only question remains whether it be Best Picture or Best Foreign Language Film.

The production, cinematography, and music all combine in the best possible way, which is to say that they draw the viewer into the story while still standing out as being fresh without being distracting, confusing, or overdone (Michael Bay, Tony Scott take notice).

The bottom line is this is meaty bit of escapism you can breathlessly enjoy in the moment and dissect at length later, something that doesn't happen very often at the movies.

Impending Doom?

I'm sure everybody remembers the writer's strike this year, how we were subjected to a slew of empty-headed reality shows in place of the usual drama or sitcom, forced to abandon our televisions for the outdoors or God forbid, actual human contact. Those were dark days for Americankind.

It would seem that - although the writer's strike gutted the industry of material, jobs, and opportunities and the promises made at the resolution have all been unmet - the Actor's Guild is considering a strike.

Which, despite the ease of replacing a face as opposed to a brain, will probably have a similar effect on the industry, mainly a vacuum of entertainment.

The biggest effect of the last strike has been the pushback of a lot of fall film releases, which have been moved to fill the empty slots of the next summer season. This leaves us with a lot of indie movies having a shot at making a buck this fall.

But back to the Film Actor's Guild (error in nomenclature intentional). This is a bad idea, actor's are the most over-payed element in film making. I thought the writer's strike was morally justifiable at least, writer's have always gotten screwed when it came to passing out the pie. Actor's are the ones hogging the big slices they wouldn't be able to get their hands on if it weren't for good writing, direction, production, lighting, etc. Granted there are exceptions, you could shoot Daniel Day-Lewis with a home video camera at dusk without any lighting and get an Oscar worthy performance. But there's only a handful of Daniel Day-Lewis'. Most actors are mediocre at best and all of them are payed much more than the true creators.

Still, if absurdity wins the day, they will go on strike, making cinematic or televised entertainment even more irrelevant in the post dial-up internet age. And that future only involves lower pay for everyone all around.

My wife asked me to write about the strike, so I wrote about it. Really, I'm returning to a medium of entertainment I have neglected, where there is no industry of interdependent parts that have to democratically cooperate in order to produce something of merit, I'm talking about the book of course.

What would happen if there was an author's strike? It's an absurd concept, and that is just another reason books are better.

Wonderful Winter...

The cinematic drought of fall has ended. No more horror remakes, unfunny comedies, or cliched romances. The time has come once again for the silver screen to be bombarded with "Oscar Contenders" or if you prefer straight talk, "Movies that don't rot your brain". Here's some trailers that have me itching for December...

The Wrestler - Directed by Darren Aranofsky
Release: 12-17

Gran Torino - Directed by Clint Eastwood
Release: 12-17

Slumdog Millionaire - Directed by Danny Boyle
Release: 11-12
Valkyrie - Directed by Brian Singer
Release: 12-26

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Directed by David Fincher
Release: 12-25

Early Oscar picks? Best Picture nods for the first three, with actor nominations for Mickey Rourke and Clint Eastwood. Now go see some good movies!

Click Player 8, Click Play, Enjoy Nerdy Poetry...

SNL This Weekend...

SNL has gone through it's own Reformation, the proverbial 95 theses have been stamped on the proverbial screen and they all say the same thing, "We don't suck anymore". Now I'm gonna go listen to some JT.

The Something of Boris...

What is my fascination with ellipses? I don't know, but maybe that's part of why I loved Casino Royale.

James Bond movies have always been mediocre entertainment. But, with the previously mentioned entry (number 21) the bar has been raised. Bond displayed genuine emotions. He fell in love. He abhorred his job. He was gadgetless, punless, and as a direct result, anything but brainless.

Those who complain that the next film needs to return to the Bond we know, have forgotten everything they said about the Bond we know, mainly that he needed to stop visiting the big screen altogether. The paradigm has shifted permanently, unlike previous attempts at rebooting the series, the changes here go deeper than just adding a touch of realism by eliminating the more fantastic elements of the franchise.

Bond has become something akin to Jason Bourne no doubt. But to be fair, he was something akin to Jason Bourne thirty years before Jason Bourne ever existed. Bond's character in the novels never had a helicopter that unfolded out of a suitcase (or several suitcases to be technically correct), a jetpack, or any type of laser emitting wristwatch.

The Bond of the books is just what we're seeing now, detached and cold, showing moments of humanity in dire situations and rarely getting laid.

Is it refreshing? For most people probably not, but as a reader of Bond first, I'd have to say the new direction has me completely satisfied.

The sequel to Casino Royale, granted, has a crummy title. Search for The Something of Boris on youtube to find a pretty funny alternate opening song, critiquing the incomprehensibility of Quantum of Solace, I was unable to find a funny song about the difficulties of long words like "incomprehensibility" or "critiquing" maybe someone can research that for me?

Sorry, that paragraph said nothing. The new 007 flick is flawed, but the flaws are technical and fortunately, unable to sink the rest of the movie. The action set pieces here are ruined by poor editing (by poor I mean confusing, Michael Bay style cutting from shot to shot).

However, a few smaller action segments stand out if you really need the action, and the opera house scene is probably one of the best Bond moments in the entirety of this long-running franchise's bloated catalog. I read somebody calling it "Kubrickian" to which I instantly thought, shut up, but it turns out I'd have to agree. That scene validates the price of admission by itself. Unfortunately the action sequence immediately following can't maintain the same impression and the moment fades. But would great moments stand out if they were surrounded by equally great moments?

The filmmaker's throw in an excellent homage to Bond's cinematic history at the start of the final act, another great moment feeling smothered by another weak action sequence.

The strength of this film that outweighs all other detractions is Daniel Craig. Is he cold? Yes, but if you forget to watch the scenes where he's not, you'll miss out on the fact that he's still human, and not a caricature like his past incarnations. Is he indestructible? Somewhat, but he takes a beating and seems to just be trying to survive, granted with more success than logic would usually permit.

Craig is an actor of higher caliber than anyone who preceded him (with the possible exception of Connery, though his scripts never asked of him what Paul Haggis is asking of Craig) and he does everything perfectly. There were a few scenes in Casino Royale where he seemed awkward, he's nearly perfect this time around.

The bottom line is The Whatsit of Something is better entertainment than anything brought to the big screen since The Dark Knight. Despite the director's inability to present jaw-dropping action sequences, Daniel Craig's performance and several great moments make this film much more good than bad. Quantum of Solace is a rough, but a rough with many gems encrusted in it.

This Letter is to Inform You...

My acceptance letter from UT hasn't actually arrived, but through the wonder of the digisphere I already know I've been accepted, don't ask how, the digisphere made me promise not to tell you.

So...now what? I get to study philosophy at the number five school of philosophy in the nation, live in Austin, go to the Texas equivalent of Central Park whenever I want, get involved with a real local live music scene, live in Austin, meet new people, live in Austin, buy records whenever I feel like it (or at least be close enough to gaze at them fondly if I can't afford them), live in Austin, etc.

It's exciting, but of course, carries a lot of weight with it. Like Dr. Jim says, we need to be prayed up. I think my prayer for me and mine would be that this would be an instrument of positive change and growth through success rather than failure, as I'm the sort to learn from either; I've done enough of the former, I'd like to try the latter.

Look What I Found!

...On the internet.

Greetings from Lake Highlands Church of Awesome...

I've been wanting to talk about my church for a while, and figured now was a good time (talking about religion is the best way to wash the bad taste of politics out of your mouth right?).

Our pastor, Dr. Jim Reynolds, has been talking for the past few weeks about being the church outside of the church building. He's trying to combat the idea that worship is something that starts on Sunday morning and ends at noon. Here's an excerpt from his sermon "Marketplace Ministry"

I found his comments about the fundamental issue in life being life and death instead of good and evil to be refreshing, especially coming from an older minister. It's comforting to hear such honest talk about the problems of the church and to hear them coming from the pulpit.

Lake Highlands has been described as unique by a lot of people who go there, and I would have to agree. There's very little disconnect between what is taught and what is practiced by the body.

It's exciting going on Sunday, because you really don't know what's going to take place, we have the standard liturgy of announcements, songs, sermon, closing prayer. However the lineup usually gets interrupted and changed in some way from week to week. We might have a discussion on corporate fasting, drama from the youth, extended prayer for someone sick. All this adds up to an atmosphere of vibrant community starkly opposed to wrote, traditional, autonomous "worship".

Here's another bit from Jim's sermon.

I think one of the worst things we've done as Christians in the past hundred years is to make an idol out of self-righteousness. Sin is either conquered effortlessly or hidden in a closet so it appears to have been effortlessly conquered. As a result we've become terrified of sin, we're so afraid we'll catch it we've become all about not watching R-rated movies, not going to clubs, not drinking liquor/beer/wine, not talking to morally suspect people. How does the secular world identify us? By what we aren't.

It's a relief to be in a place that is focused on becoming what I should be instead of telling me how to stop being what I shouldn't.

Another things is that while Lake Highlands has a pretty loud, fully fleshed out worship band, you have a hard time hearing them over the congregation.

Which is awesome.

Some of Us are Dying in a Vacuum...

...and the rest don't want to share any oxygen.

It's been a strange week, starting with nervous anticipation that turned to disquieted satisfaction ever evolving still through frustration, anger, dismay, sadness, hope, relief, and finally outright joy.

But to get perspective I'm listening to Sea Change while writing this.

(you should try listening to the album for at least four hours straight sometime)

I don't know everything, I probably don't even know enough for it to be worth your while to read this collection of essays, ramblings, and rants.

But I think it's better to be aware of that, than to know whatever it is I don't know. That much knowledge changes you, and not in a way I want to be changed.

The quest for truth is a strange quest to embark upon in an age that shouts at the top of it's collective lungs "THERE IS NO TRUTH."

I think the reason there is such rampant denial of something so obvious is simple.

The truth is just about the worst thing to know,
if knowing is where it stops for you.

Why? Probably because truth inherently moves people, and the truth-knowers who sit still, in denial, are killing themselves, and their knowledge does nothing but kill everything around them.

To be motivated by something false, or marginally incorrect even, and to respond to it without reservation, is a much better life to my mind, then to deny the motivations of perfected knowledge.

Who needs truth? When everyone who claims to have it is so messed up, it doesn't look very appealing, especially when everyone who doesn't is getting by just fine.

Compartmentalization of life is probably the subtlest form of suicide there is.

If you can isolate the relevance of something from anything you're already doing it.

The tragedy here is that we all need truth, direction propelled from false motivation can kill you a lot quicker, the other way, by virtue of being slower, is much more nasty and potentially devastating.

I'm reminded of Samuel L. Jackson towards the end of Pulp Fiction, he seems to be almost pleading with Tim Roth's character,

"I'm trying to be the shepherd"

For me to have peace of mind, the solution isn't to deny my inclination towards being a shepherd, I can only try to learn more about tending sheep.

Reason for Tears...

We've all heard the accounts of people who watched the election results crying tears of joy over Obama's landslide victory. While I was excited, I didn't feel anywhere near that level of an emotional response, but today, after talking with an older black co-worker I started to realize what was going on underneath the surface of this historic election. Here's some of what he said...

"When I saw that Obama won, I cried like a baby, now you've got to understand, I didn't read about the civil rights movement in some history book, I only went to an integrated school my last year of high school. I remember a time when I couldn't drink out of a water fountain if I wanted to. But now I know, cuz I can see, there's no difference between black or white. If you want to do something, it doesn't matter who you are, now I know that it's true."

I understand now how hard it is for anyone who hasn't been on the recieving end of social injustice, bigotry, or outright hatred to really empathize with the emotions felt by a lot of people Tuesday night. I'd like to thank Roy for helping me understand the significance of this week.

Monthly Mixtape

November: No Time For Love

It's been a wild month, I got a new boss, internet at the house, and earlier this week, a new President. Music has kinda taken a back seat for a bit, hence the delayed rollout and title of the November Mixtape. Anyway, without further ado...

1. Lust Child - Iggy Pop & The Supremes

Seeing as how this is a blog, I guess a mashup is a little overdo. This is probably my favorite.

2. Hang Me Out To Dry - Cold War Kids

File this one under "This band released an atrocious album this month, lets remember when they didn't suck."

3. Use Somebody - Kings of Leon

The Kings barely avoided earning the same blurb as the previously mentioned band, but Only by the Night has more than a handful of good tunes, this being one of the best.

4. From Which I Came - Eels

The Eels are one of those bands that you just have to listen to while reading, so I use them a lot, this is the first track off of Blinking Lights and Other Revelations the best 20+ track album I've ever heard.

5. We've Been Had - The Walkmen

A song I really identify with, both lyrically and, well pianically.

6. Family Tree - TV on the Radio

Finally, a new release I can unequivocally (spelling that was feat in and of itself) endorse. Dear Science is another great album from TVOTR.

Editor's Note: I really don't like those abbreviations of band names, movies, or books

7. Transatlanticism - Death Cab for Cutie

Best Death Cab song ever. In honor of a friend on facebook.

8. Whitechocolatespaceegg - Liz Phair

Yeah, she has gone way too mainstream now, but there was a time when Liz Phair didn't pose semi-naked behind a guitar for an album cover (the cover of the album this song was taken from is a cool homage to Emmylou Harris).

9. I'm Just a Country Boy - Don Williams

Long before Weezer helped start the trend of emotional self-indulgence there was Don Williams, who wrote about emotional angst, but with substance. There is reason behind the forlornness of his music, which is more than you can say for must of the overwrought whining that passes for indie rock nowadays.

10. Come Back - Josh Rouse

Our church has a talent show at our Christmas party, we're going to be covering this song for it. Probably my favorite Josh Rouse song. Off his album 1972.

My Grandpa is in this awesome new movie...

I recommend you watch this full screen.

What Does it Mean?

It's a shame this didn't occur to me before I voted, as it is without a doubt, in my mind, the best reason to vote for Obama.

Barack Obama, as the first black President, has an opportunity to be hands down the most influential role model on a demographic that is in desperate need of a good example, namely young black men.

I didn't think there could ever be a voice that could shout louder than the blaring beats and philosophy of bitches and money that permeates hip-hop culture, but the quiet, firm voice of Obama has a shot.

Just one more audacious hope I guess.

Electioneering

Before I begin this discussion, I'd like to say a few things, I believe abortion is the termination of an unborn child's life, but that belief does not exist in a vacuum. The Gospel is a pillar of my identity, and it states pretty plainly that sin is a part of a fallen world, that grace abounds to overcome it, and that as Christians we are to be the imperfect example of Christ's grace to the world. You may have to refer back to this statement while reading along.

The question I've answered for myself (as I've already voted) and which I've continuously considered throughout this entire campaign, is as follows...

What changed between the last time I voted and now, and is my decision to vote for a Democratic candidate a denial of my faith, a sidestepping of it, or a response to newly felt convictions?

In the last election I voted for George W. Bush, I did so mainly because of the moral issue of abortion. I believed that because the Democratic party supported a woman's right to choose over protecting the life of an unborn child I could not vote for a Democratic candidate. I cast my vote for Bush in an action I look back on as being done with almost total disinterest. I think when we make choices, though they may line up with a stock morality, lacking a passion and regeneration of the heart, we're slowly killing our faith.

I didn't want to re-elect Bush, but I didn't know anything about John Kerry, and when you don't know anything about someone, you'll believe anything someone you agree with says about them.
I don't know if I should have voted for Kerry or not, I'd have been in a better position to complain about Bush in the ensuing years.

Fast forward four years, and I'm hearing about this upstart young candidate Barack Obama. His rhetoric about the economy, the last eight years, the war, and a need for personal responsibility in the American individual and the American family all resonated strongly with me.

Was I sucked in by his charisma and slick speech making? Not really, I didn't hear him speak until the Democratic National Convention, everything I learned about him I read online.

As I became more and more interested in him, and the idea of voting for him (early on I was hoping for Rudy Gulianni to win the Republican nomination) I ran into the same issue that pushed me towards Bush in 2004.

Abortion is a sensitive issue, one that, while I line up with the pro-lifers, the way this belief has been brought out of the monastery and into the marketplace has always saddened me.

Christians in America, especially ones who vocalize to the media, seem more like the Pharisees of the early church days than the disciples of Jesus.

Some things I read early on that Obama had said: That He could not support the banning of abortion for religious reasons, as it would conflict with the separation of church and state, that abortion is a moral issue and a choice that no one wants to make, that the family needs to be the primary influence on any decision surrounding abortion instead of the courts.

I believe that you cannot legislate morality and change the hearts of men and women. I believe the instrument of change to impact abortion is the reclamation of the family. That starts with a call to responsibility and accountability, a call that Obama was making.

Book of...FACE!

Yeah, I got one, go add me as your friend, unless, you know, you don't want to. But please, keep that to yourself, I've got a delicate enough ego as it is.

Anyway, I'm working on a piece right now, which is so lengthy it deserves to be called a piece, instead of a post.

Have a post of the piece, it's delicious...

"...It started out with a conversation with my mom about how she could not vote Democrat because of the abortion issue, which got me thinking, how could I?"

That's how the piece, which will be posted posthaste in order to promote peace and prosperity in this land of political parity and parody, gets the ball rolling.

Or should I have said pie rolling? If only to keep the plethora of p-words in play?

I'm sorry, you're getting annoyed while I amuse myself, like some old lady blathering on and on about a kitten and a ball of string, or what some bird did when it visited her feeder.

Anyway, I'm working on it, such a thing can either be balanced and thought provoking, like an Oliver Stone movie, or hastily thrown together and irrelevantly preachy, like an Oliver Stone movie.

It may roll out in segments, or I may just projectile vomit the whole mess at once.