"Everything is illuminated by the light of the Past" -Jonathan Foer

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom always to tell the difference."
-Kurt Vonnegut

• 24Oct 09

  I turn 21 in 4 hours!!

  Probably already happened by the time most of you read this .
  
  Don't have terribly much to say as I am still horrendously hungover from last night and i need to hurry up and get ready for tonight.
  
  Suffice to say that my alcohol consumption last night was measure not in cups, but in completions of a more than 80 ounce drinking Vase.... my friends enjoy the destruction of my liver more than I do apparently
  
  Goodnight and good luck! (mostly to me..... i have a bad feeling about tomorrow morning already)
  • Posted Oct 24, 2009 5:49 pm PT
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• 18Aug 09

  Goodbye Colorado, Hello Movie Review: Gran Torino

  Sadly I am back. Partially sad because classes start up so soon, but mostly sad because Colorado was breathtakingly beautiful. Not to mention the trip itself was a rip-roaring good time. But enough of fond memories and scenic pictures, I feel like doing another movie review. For those of you keeping track, I just finished the Mini-Treatment (FINALLY) of my own script, so the next few months should be insane in terms of putting it all together. I'm also trying to get a short film script thrown out so that we can mess with camera techniques and all the fun little idiosyncrasies that will kill us during production.
  
  Here's the spoiler free review of Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino":
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  ***SPOILER***

  I loved this movie because i love Clint Eastwood and all the gritty, steely, manliness he stands for. That will immediately bias the score for many reviewers, but that does not mean that this is not a great film on its own. The Hmong culture is widely understated in American entertainment and it is refreshing to see Hmong actors in Hmong character roles. It was refreshing enough to forgive the mediocre performances (from COMPLETELY novice actors mind you). This film succeeds on the legs of believable, contemporary, and empathetic characters. I couldn't help but smile every time Walt's offensive, blatantly racist, remarks rolled off of either Sue or Thao's back. The screen writing is superb. Walt's "re-education" of Father Janovich and Walt's own struggles with forgiveness, penance, and the meaning of living are fantastically delivered. The climax is poetic and intelligent, not something expected from an Eastwood finish. It didn't hurt to see a nearly 80 year old man kick some butt either. Only Eastwood can deliver the archetypal "get off my lawn" crotchety old man line with a loaded M1 Garand in someone's face. Then again, if that's all you are looking for, this is also not the Clint Eastwood film to see. Otherwise, if you are ready for a solid story, an ending that won't baby you, characters that won't politically correct themselves, and language that won't placate you, get ready for a real treat.

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  My next review isn't written, so it's up in the air what I will write about. If there are any movies (theater release to classic) that you want to see reviewed, definitely let me know. I'm not saying that I've seen every movie ever made, but if I haven't, and it's a good pick, I will gladly rent/watch it. Some goodies I've seen recently that I could review are "Crash," "The Hurt Locker," and "The Pianist."
  • Posted Aug 18, 2009 12:42 pm PT
  • Category: Movies
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• 3Aug 09

  Movie Review: Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (spoiler free)

  Well first of all, Hello everyone who still remembers to visit my profile page (and those who remembered because i threw up a blog post). I understand it's been a while since we were last here and a lot has changed. Well I should say that I have changed a lot. That shouldn't be a terribly big surprise since its now been over 5 years at Gamespot. I've done a few gimmicks before in my blog posts, personal entries, random musings, but I think it's time to dedicate some space to my latest (and greatest) passion: Film.
  
  To be clear, I LOVE movies. I love scripts, I love cinematography, I love discussing great films, I love foreign films, I love animated films, I love Film Noir, and I watch A LOT of them.
  
  Actually right now I am writing a script of my own, and hoping to produce it with a friend of mine in the next few years. For those that can read between the lines, that means I am WAY over my head and idealistic.
  
  Anyway, I've been whoring Netflix out for a while and it takes a while to compose my thoughts properly (to their reviewing guidelines), so I figured I'd clone my reviews here. Enough dawdling, here's my (greatly abridged) spoiler free thoughts on Hayao Miyazaki's new Anime Feature Film, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (Gake no Ue no Ponyo).
  
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  ***SPOILER***

  Hayao Miyazaki never fails his audience. Again we are allowed to follow him through a world drenched in creativity and wonder. The background orchestration and Miyazaki's artistic prowess in the ocean's expression are only surpassed in warmth by the characters he creates. Ponyo, regardless of form, is endlessly heart-warming, while Sosuke and Lisa are the endearing rocks to the film; even misguided Fujimoto is empathetic in his quest. Somewhere between 'My Neighbor Totoro' and 'Spirited Away' in terms of pacing and style, 'Ponyo' is guaranteed to make you smile. The significance of inserting strong central female characters and applicable environmental statements into a G rated film should not be overlooked (though I'll forgive it if you're too entranced by the "warm fuzzy feeling" this movie imbues). I like 'Ponyo' for pulling me out of the drudge of my day to stop and smile for simple reasons. I really like 'Ponyo' for being a Hayao Miyazaki work. I love 'Ponyo' for being distinctly Japanese, geared towards children, and universally enjoyable in a visually striking package.

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  It should be noted that I watched the Subtitled Japanese version and that the English Dubbed version comes out in theatres Nationwide on August 14th!!!!! Check it out, I probably will just to see it on the big screen and to support Miyazaki. Cross your fingers for a Best Picture Oscar Nomination now that they are expanding the "shortlist" to 10.
  
  Feel free to use comments as an open forum. Next review will be of Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino.
  • Posted Aug 3, 2009 2:40 am PT
  • Category: Movies
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