Good Luck in the New Year

"Sie hatte die langen Jahre der Knechtschaft und die kurzen Jahre der Freiheit ausgekostet und das Brot des Lebens aufgezehrt bis auf den letzten Brosamen."

Fear and Self Loathing

Frost Nixon is, according to my beliefs, an enjoyable movie. "Heavy" is how it may be characterized by most, however, I find it interesting to behold the self-loathing that the character of Nixon personifies. After having thrown the country into a most turbulent time, Nixon, in a state of constant denial, must come to terms with his actions while sitting across from a very cheeky, seemingly politically ignorant British talk show host. This provokes an odd cathartic notion aimed at the character of Nixon; something which may or may not be acceptable in American society, seeing as most political scandals are currently given the suffix -gate, of course modeled after Watergate. This film is well done. I feel as though the character of Frost may have been better, but this is counteracted by a surprising showing by Kevin Bacon, playing one of Nixon's key confidants. The cinematography is not anything special, although it certainly has its moments of goodness. In the end, I recommend this film. It may remind some of Der Untergang, a film which controversially stirred emotion for Hitler, yet Nixon is a more-so acceptable character to feel something for, than the previous.

A Manifestation of Western Ideals

Accompanied by a good group of good friends, all on vacation themselves in the States, I attended a viewing of the movie Slumdog Millionaire. This film, hailed by some a great piece of cinematic work, failed on many levels to impress me. In fact, it did quite the opposite, in that I was rather disappointed with having spent money on the film. This film lures one in, appearing oddly interesting and even captivating, only to dissolve into a cliched love story. The film does not do the locations, wherein it was filmed, justice. I was enticed by images of poor India and the thought of being given some sort of view into a world that it may be difficult for one as myself to view. However, one of the main plot points is that the main protagonist is a contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. So, perhaps, I should revise my previous statement pertaining to my being somewhat interested at first: I was not, rather I was doubtful, then only to be lied to (for about five minutes), in that this film might actually be worth-while. The skewed western story, shoved into an exotic setting, is by all means replaceable. This film is nothing special. The good guy gets what he wants and the what-could-have-been-valuable story is lost. As for how one is enticed: the cinematography is acceptable in certain parts and the thought that the story will not revert back to the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire point does an excellent job. This film is certainly not up to my standards. I resent the possibilities that could have been exploited therein, and find this as a rather often occurrence, especially with "hip" or "independent" films that are popular in the USA. Watch a better movie.

No Color (Art etc.)

As I had intended to meet a friend in Chicago, I arrived in the city early. He was not yet free from work as I entered the area, so I decided to visit an exhibit containing the works of a one Jackson Pollock. Here I met a most interesting character: I met here a very captivating art collector, by the name of Elaine. Elaine struck me as very proper and she complemented my viewing Pollock's work with clever incite. Yet, before long I was to meet my friend and college, a. s. April, to view his new favorite film Renaissance.


This film, though a sci-fi, animation type (see photo above for an example), was Orwellian in style. Thoughts of unstoppable political oppression entered my head during more than one scene. Daniel Craig provides his voice for the main protagonist. This film is rather interesting to behold. The style of animation lasts before one can acclimate to the blacks, whites, and grays. The has very little color and I requested that April turn on many lights after the film was finished in order to brighten my mood. The film was enjoyable. It is nothing that will change the image forever, yet on many levels the film stirred a certain sense of catharsis within me, something that is a rare occurrence. I am not entirely sure exactly the film did to provoke this within me, however, I am accepting thereof.

An Encounter

During a quick stop for coffee I met a young journalist, who hails from San Francisco. This young man, who goes only by "Schaeff", was my company in a chic coffee shop near the downtown of St. Louis. This "Schaeff" proposed to me a business of sorts, something that would provide money to each of us. I, however, was almost entirely uninterested, until I realized: the "Schaeff" was performing. This young person was performing for me and all those in that shop who watched. We talked briefly to those at the table next to us, performing further. I played along with this "Schaeff" and as well said I was from the costal town of San Francisco. It went well. I can only hope to meet more such performers during my travels. For now I move on, away from the "Schaeff" and onward to new encounters. Well played "Schaeff".

R.I.P or An Apology

I have been outside of Berlin for nearly six months now. I do not often digress from my casual observations pertaining to performance in theatre and cinema or elsewhere, yet here I must. On a recent drive I realized something that has been in front of me all of my life: industrialization. One would assume that such things would be very difficult not to notice, however my reliance upon materialism and that which is man-made has been masked by my family and peers having thrown themselves off of the skyscraper of capitalism, after the fall of the wall. I was so over-whelmed at the young age of 23 that I did not realize that man has killed nature. It makes me questions the validity of my position in this world. I suppose I haven't anything to lose, seeing as all of the work has already been finished. It still shocks me, that it has taken this long for me to truly realize the world around me. I all can do is apologize to the Sad-Eyed-Lady that is nature. You crawled from your lowlands only to be introduced to greed and irrationality. My sincerest apologies.

No Piece of Pi {3.14159265...}

After seeing this film, Pi, I wondered: how may we be driven to new lows, all for money or something we want. It is an impressive piece, this film. I enjoyed it, mostly in an existential way. It made me appreciate my sanity. With violent hallucinations, a large amount of symbolism, and captivating characters, I wish to see it once more, however, I am not sure if I can.

TWILIGHT: A STORY OF CULTURAL RELEVANCE

You may be familiar with the popular book series. There are four such books, but they are completely irrelevant. What you need to do is get seven dollars in your hand and go see the movie. Everything you learn in that theatre will help you in your pursuit after understanding that which is pop-culture. This is a task that is difficult to undertake, yet with this movie one can see how the age of the image leads culture into unseen allies, all filled with angst and confusion.

This film is 122 minutes of endless possibility. Beholding the horrid cinematography, listening to the awkwardly dramatic music, seeing the endless looks packed with angst, and digesting the droning dialog makes clear many a question about the path whereupon future generations will lead us. The angst and postmodern sense of the unknown are vital to the growth of those who are still in school: students and children of the new age have been for most of their lives exposed, unknowingly, to such forlorn situations and realities.

This movie changes lives and is the best thing to happen to this country since Blade Runner. This is one of those times in history when you have the ability to behold something that your grandchildren will talk about. Think about Sgt. Pepper’s or the fall of the Berlin wall. You cannot afford to miss this, trust me.

Isolation in Paradise

No one goes to the bars anymore. I perform for no one.