It's "BALLS IN THE AIR" not "HAIR" my bad.
-Pat
Monday, January 26, 2009
Notes on American Tabloid
Didn't wanna watch Che by myself. Got drunk at a friend's instead. I promise to see it soon!
---
Just started James Ellroy's American Tabloid. Ellroy's most famous book is probably L.A. Confidential which was made into a fantastically entertaining genre film-one of the best cop/noir films ever made. But where Confidential played at the redemption of its characters by pulling themselves out of the immoral muck they descended into Tabloid's protagonist know there's no way out. With Confidential's characters redeeming themselves there's the idea that bad (and I mean this in the most simplified way, and it is not at all a judgement of the work by simplifying the work's manifestation of evil) can be stopped, love does conquer all (not to demean the novel or the film-they're both amazing and highly recommended), and the tidal wave of corruption must eventually roll back. The political, social and financial machinations (and the novel truly does chug away like an industrial engine) that exist in Tabloid are simply unstoppable. All one can do is jump aboard a speeding train and hold on, or live in blissful ignorance, in the words of Henry Hill "taking the subway to work and pledging allegiance to 'Good Government' bullshit" or in Matrix terms, take the blue pill or the red. The players' names may change but the motives, positions and actions taken remain the same. Life so-called grinds on in this novel with its characters playing their so-called dramas out on a level, but barren playing field devoid of right and wrong.
If I've turned you off let it be known that I'm only 150 pages or so into a nearly 600-page book. These are the conclusions I've drawn. The perhaps, unfounded judgements I've made. If I've hooked you, go find the book A.S.A.P. because its wonderful in a sort of globe-trotting Chinatown kind of way. I'm looking forward to seeing where it turns and if Ellroy can pull off his numerous subplots. Here's to hoping he does!
'Til next time,
-Pat
P.S. To better sum up the last sentence I'd like to quote a certain song from Arrested Development-"How hard can you do?! WITH ALL THESE BALLS IN THE HAIR!" (that's for Liz and Colleen)
---
Just started James Ellroy's American Tabloid. Ellroy's most famous book is probably L.A. Confidential which was made into a fantastically entertaining genre film-one of the best cop/noir films ever made. But where Confidential played at the redemption of its characters by pulling themselves out of the immoral muck they descended into Tabloid's protagonist know there's no way out. With Confidential's characters redeeming themselves there's the idea that bad (and I mean this in the most simplified way, and it is not at all a judgement of the work by simplifying the work's manifestation of evil) can be stopped, love does conquer all (not to demean the novel or the film-they're both amazing and highly recommended), and the tidal wave of corruption must eventually roll back. The political, social and financial machinations (and the novel truly does chug away like an industrial engine) that exist in Tabloid are simply unstoppable. All one can do is jump aboard a speeding train and hold on, or live in blissful ignorance, in the words of Henry Hill "taking the subway to work and pledging allegiance to 'Good Government' bullshit" or in Matrix terms, take the blue pill or the red. The players' names may change but the motives, positions and actions taken remain the same. Life so-called grinds on in this novel with its characters playing their so-called dramas out on a level, but barren playing field devoid of right and wrong.
If I've turned you off let it be known that I'm only 150 pages or so into a nearly 600-page book. These are the conclusions I've drawn. The perhaps, unfounded judgements I've made. If I've hooked you, go find the book A.S.A.P. because its wonderful in a sort of globe-trotting Chinatown kind of way. I'm looking forward to seeing where it turns and if Ellroy can pull off his numerous subplots. Here's to hoping he does!
'Til next time,
-Pat
P.S. To better sum up the last sentence I'd like to quote a certain song from Arrested Development-"How hard can you do?! WITH ALL THESE BALLS IN THE HAIR!" (that's for Liz and Colleen)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Notes on Jean-Pierre Jeunet and his work.
Was just rewatching Amelie and A Very Long Engagement the other day and it got me to thinking about their Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet one of my favorites...
I love Jeunet's movies because they're so alive! And so injected with his loves and obsessions-interesting people and faces, food and its preparation, gadgets, sight gags, old wives tales, verbal puns, etc. They're so welcoming like somebody putting their arm around your shoulder like "Let me tell you a story!" and then there's a "whoosh" sound and off you go! They're so personal but so welcoming. His movies aren't movies or films, they are an event! And that is rare. So if you haven't seen either one, check them out. And don't forget City of Lost Children and Delicatessen his first two films...you can skip Alien Ressurection as far as I'm concerned...well maybe it's been a while .
I love Jeunet's movies because they're so alive! And so injected with his loves and obsessions-interesting people and faces, food and its preparation, gadgets, sight gags, old wives tales, verbal puns, etc. They're so welcoming like somebody putting their arm around your shoulder like "Let me tell you a story!" and then there's a "whoosh" sound and off you go! They're so personal but so welcoming. His movies aren't movies or films, they are an event! And that is rare. So if you haven't seen either one, check them out. And don't forget City of Lost Children and Delicatessen his first two films...you can skip Alien Ressurection as far as I'm concerned...well maybe it's been a while .
Thoughts before I see "Che"
Checked out this great documentary on Fidel Castro made by Oliver Stone in '03 called "Comandante!" Somebody posted it on youtube just search "Comandante Fidel Castro Oliver Stone" and it should come up-it's in 12 parts. Anyway, that and the release of Soderbergh's Che this week got me thinking on the man who I'm going to be devoting 4 hours and 18 minutes of my time to this coming saturday. As disgusting and ignorant as the commercialization of Che Guevara is (http://http://photos.mg.co.za/original/0.60352500%201191848988.jpg), and that it goes completely against everything the guy stood for-fought for-cared about-and died for, I can't help but think that it keeps him someway in the public's dialogue. The fact that he is just such a polarizing figure nearly fourty-two years after his death (and what do the newsmakers and the powers-that-be do with polarizing figures? Especially ones that die? SELL THEM BACK TO US!) I think is really interesting. I mean, let's face it I would've never learned about the Sandinistas or our shady dealings abroad if it wasn't for the Clash's Sandinista! and especially the song "Washington Bullets." Or Stephen Biko without Peter Gabriel. Or...the list goes on. And in a way that probably neither he nor his disciples could have possibly realized he has become what he perhaps set out to be...not a man, not so much a glorified leader, but a theory, an idea. And sometimes ideas are just as difficult to pare down and simplify as people.
I could be totally wrong here, but that's what's on my mind.
Hopefully I won't be lazy and set down a proper review of the film.
I could be totally wrong here, but that's what's on my mind.
Hopefully I won't be lazy and set down a proper review of the film.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Cuba @ 50
CUBA AT 50:
A few days ago celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Cuban Revolution and I had a few questions. Why is Cuba an enemy? Is it simply because they're a communist government? A communist government on our doorstep? I'm confused-why do we do business with China, but placed trade embargos on Cuba. Nixon of all people talked to China. The most PARANOID man to ever live in the oval office. We import tons of their products (try to find 10 things you own that aren't made in China) AND THEIR MONEY (they'll gladly take our debt). Which is why I'm a bit confused about why we don't talk to Cuba. Are they not profitable enough for us? They're no giant and hardly considered a threat. Hell, we even have relations with Vietnam.
It's a bit of a ramble but it's been on my mind...
A few days ago celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Cuban Revolution and I had a few questions. Why is Cuba an enemy? Is it simply because they're a communist government? A communist government on our doorstep? I'm confused-why do we do business with China, but placed trade embargos on Cuba. Nixon of all people talked to China. The most PARANOID man to ever live in the oval office. We import tons of their products (try to find 10 things you own that aren't made in China) AND THEIR MONEY (they'll gladly take our debt). Which is why I'm a bit confused about why we don't talk to Cuba. Are they not profitable enough for us? They're no giant and hardly considered a threat. Hell, we even have relations with Vietnam.
It's a bit of a ramble but it's been on my mind...
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