FLIX!
Since I don't believe one should only review things they liked, I will review this.
This film was one long gladiator fight interrupted only occasionally by a tremor, and then the volcano erupted.
The End.
Grade: E
Friday, February 28, 2014
Saturday, February 15, 2014
The Patriarch
PAGES!
The Patriarch - The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy
David Nasaw
The Penguin Press 2012
There is something strangely compelling about the Kennedy family. And it all begins with the Patriarch of the family, Joseph P. Kennedy. Since I have read so much about this family in the past, I could not wait to read yet another account with a new emphasis. This one focused on the father Joe instead of the other family members.
David Nasaw was very thorough in his research and did something that many biographers cannot do. He did a complete research and wrote it out and yet made it a compelling read.
I think the single most interesting thing I learned from this book is that Joe Kennedy never took part in any form of boot-legging. By the time Prohibition happened he's already made the Lion's share of his fortune and had no need to dabble in anything nefarious. But the "Joe Kennedy was a boot-legger" mythology is so absorbed in the American back-story that it is difficult to adjust to, when one realizes that some of what we've always believed is myth.
That is not to say he did not have his own troubling personality problems. First of all, throughout his life he made money. Lots of it. He made it primarily in the Stock Market and in Hollywood. He was eventually asked to do some work for the Maritime Commission and he did such an excellent job, that later he was brought in as the very first head of what was being called the Security Exchange Commission. While there he tightened up loopholes and questionable practices that many deemed unethical. Ironically many of these questionable practices were the very thing Mr. Kennedy had exploited to make his fortune. But Mr. Kennedy was not crooked; not a gangster in a tuxedo. Throughout his life, although he was never afraid to frequent the same night clubs, or restaurants frequented by mobsters and other questionable characters, he never needed to interact with them. Whatever he needed he could get from others.
When Mr. Kennedy became a big player in the Roosevelt election campaign, he did it in the belief that there would be a big prize in it for him. He longed to be the Treasury Secretary. Instead he was given the Ambassadorship to England - a plush assignment to anyone's mind, but still one that Kennedy deemed beneath his level. As a war with Germany became more and more a possibility, Kennedy kept preaching appeasement, that it stay out of war at any cost, even if it meant giving the Nazis everything they wanted. He would officially declare it was for the good of Britain and that he could not bear the thought of young men dying in battle if a solution could be found to prevent it. But the reality is that deep in his psyche, maybe even unconsciously, he thought it was a threat to his fortune. He made it known many times that he thought a world war would cause a depression like the world had never seen and that money would be worthless. He could not bear the thought of his fortune, and the fortune he's acquired for his family (he had large trusts for each of his children) becoming non-existant.
But if ever anyone brought to life the old saying "money can't buy happiness", it was Joe Kennedy. Yes, he accumulated unbridled wealth. But along the way there seemed that the money brought with it a curse. First his oldest, and most beloved son, Joe Jr., in an attempt to be a war hero like his younger brother Jack [Jack Kennedy had done remarkable feats saving fellow crew members when his PT-109 was rammed], wanted some glory too. So he volunteered for an extremely dangerous mission and was killed during it. Next, one of his older daughters Kathleen was married in London, with her husband a month when he was sent to the front and he was killed three months later. Following that the oldest daughter Rosemary's doctors were given the go-ahead by Joe to do a lobotomy in order to make her less "slow." Instead the reverse happened and she became the next thing to a vegetable. Then Kathleen, nick-named "Kick", was killed in a plane crash.
And later still after John Kennedy had become President, he was assassinated. Then Ted's disastrous events at Chappiquidick. And finally Joe lived long enough to learn that Bobby too, had been assassinated. And curse seemingly continued. Grandchildren killed in skiing accidents, grandsons accused of rape, and most sadly of all John Kennedy Jr., his wife and sister-in-law perished in a plane crash.
Joseph Kennedy had suffered a stroke years before, but died in 1969, long before any of his grandchildren could get into trouble or be killed. He spent his last years in a wheelchair, with a gnarled up fist at the end of a useless hand, unable to speak. But still, what a life. What a life indeed.
David Nasaw was given access to everything he needed and free rein to do any research he needed to make this book as historically accurate as possible. And although it is nearly 800 pages, it was what it took to tell this story. Like I said, I happen to be intrigued by this family, but I believe anyone seriously interested in the history of 20th century America owes it to themselves to read this book. It is a beauty, and a thing of wonder. Thank you Mr. Nasaw, and thank you Mr. Kennedy.
Grade: A
The Patriarch - The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy
David Nasaw
The Penguin Press 2012
There is something strangely compelling about the Kennedy family. And it all begins with the Patriarch of the family, Joseph P. Kennedy. Since I have read so much about this family in the past, I could not wait to read yet another account with a new emphasis. This one focused on the father Joe instead of the other family members.
David Nasaw was very thorough in his research and did something that many biographers cannot do. He did a complete research and wrote it out and yet made it a compelling read.
I think the single most interesting thing I learned from this book is that Joe Kennedy never took part in any form of boot-legging. By the time Prohibition happened he's already made the Lion's share of his fortune and had no need to dabble in anything nefarious. But the "Joe Kennedy was a boot-legger" mythology is so absorbed in the American back-story that it is difficult to adjust to, when one realizes that some of what we've always believed is myth.
That is not to say he did not have his own troubling personality problems. First of all, throughout his life he made money. Lots of it. He made it primarily in the Stock Market and in Hollywood. He was eventually asked to do some work for the Maritime Commission and he did such an excellent job, that later he was brought in as the very first head of what was being called the Security Exchange Commission. While there he tightened up loopholes and questionable practices that many deemed unethical. Ironically many of these questionable practices were the very thing Mr. Kennedy had exploited to make his fortune. But Mr. Kennedy was not crooked; not a gangster in a tuxedo. Throughout his life, although he was never afraid to frequent the same night clubs, or restaurants frequented by mobsters and other questionable characters, he never needed to interact with them. Whatever he needed he could get from others.
When Mr. Kennedy became a big player in the Roosevelt election campaign, he did it in the belief that there would be a big prize in it for him. He longed to be the Treasury Secretary. Instead he was given the Ambassadorship to England - a plush assignment to anyone's mind, but still one that Kennedy deemed beneath his level. As a war with Germany became more and more a possibility, Kennedy kept preaching appeasement, that it stay out of war at any cost, even if it meant giving the Nazis everything they wanted. He would officially declare it was for the good of Britain and that he could not bear the thought of young men dying in battle if a solution could be found to prevent it. But the reality is that deep in his psyche, maybe even unconsciously, he thought it was a threat to his fortune. He made it known many times that he thought a world war would cause a depression like the world had never seen and that money would be worthless. He could not bear the thought of his fortune, and the fortune he's acquired for his family (he had large trusts for each of his children) becoming non-existant.
But if ever anyone brought to life the old saying "money can't buy happiness", it was Joe Kennedy. Yes, he accumulated unbridled wealth. But along the way there seemed that the money brought with it a curse. First his oldest, and most beloved son, Joe Jr., in an attempt to be a war hero like his younger brother Jack [Jack Kennedy had done remarkable feats saving fellow crew members when his PT-109 was rammed], wanted some glory too. So he volunteered for an extremely dangerous mission and was killed during it. Next, one of his older daughters Kathleen was married in London, with her husband a month when he was sent to the front and he was killed three months later. Following that the oldest daughter Rosemary's doctors were given the go-ahead by Joe to do a lobotomy in order to make her less "slow." Instead the reverse happened and she became the next thing to a vegetable. Then Kathleen, nick-named "Kick", was killed in a plane crash.
And later still after John Kennedy had become President, he was assassinated. Then Ted's disastrous events at Chappiquidick. And finally Joe lived long enough to learn that Bobby too, had been assassinated. And curse seemingly continued. Grandchildren killed in skiing accidents, grandsons accused of rape, and most sadly of all John Kennedy Jr., his wife and sister-in-law perished in a plane crash.
Joseph Kennedy had suffered a stroke years before, but died in 1969, long before any of his grandchildren could get into trouble or be killed. He spent his last years in a wheelchair, with a gnarled up fist at the end of a useless hand, unable to speak. But still, what a life. What a life indeed.
David Nasaw was given access to everything he needed and free rein to do any research he needed to make this book as historically accurate as possible. And although it is nearly 800 pages, it was what it took to tell this story. Like I said, I happen to be intrigued by this family, but I believe anyone seriously interested in the history of 20th century America owes it to themselves to read this book. It is a beauty, and a thing of wonder. Thank you Mr. Nasaw, and thank you Mr. Kennedy.
Grade: A
Friday, February 7, 2014
Frozen
Flix!
My wife saw this before I did and she was really impressed. She kept walking around, professing how doggone cute it was, and so when she suggested a few nights later that we go, I agreed.
Frozen is loosely adapted from the Hans Christian Anderson story "The Snow Queen." It involves the story of two sisters, one of which has extraordinary powers to freeze everything. Although her power is almost beyond her control. As she is crowned Queen of her country, she ends up sending her nation into a deep-freeze, an eternal winter, that keeps getting colder.
Her younger sister sets out on a journey to find her, and along the way enlists the help of a young man and his faithful sidekick reindeer. So off they go, but before they get there they meet a little snowman, who is a stitch and is a great comic element to the rest of the story. The younger sister is convinced that her Snow Queen sister can reverse what's happened in their town and make it summer again.
There is a lot of music in this film and the songs are all pretty wonderful. I kept thinking that if I had to vote on best song in a film for the Oscar, I wouldn't know which one to pick.
I haven't been to a Disney animated film in quite awhile, but I must say I did enjoy this. The cast was made up of virtual unknowns to us regular folks, although they are probably big stars on Broadway. Great vocals.
This is a wonderful film that had my wife tearing up at the end the first time she saw it. I liked it very much too. If I were to do a top ten movies of 2013, this would be in my top ten.
I recommend this film, and doggone it, it is cute. And fun. And my only regret about it is that Walt Disney didn't live to see this. He would have loved it and all the computer generated stuff. And if there were any justice he would have....he'd only be in his 80's now.....
Grade: B+
My wife saw this before I did and she was really impressed. She kept walking around, professing how doggone cute it was, and so when she suggested a few nights later that we go, I agreed.
Frozen is loosely adapted from the Hans Christian Anderson story "The Snow Queen." It involves the story of two sisters, one of which has extraordinary powers to freeze everything. Although her power is almost beyond her control. As she is crowned Queen of her country, she ends up sending her nation into a deep-freeze, an eternal winter, that keeps getting colder.
Her younger sister sets out on a journey to find her, and along the way enlists the help of a young man and his faithful sidekick reindeer. So off they go, but before they get there they meet a little snowman, who is a stitch and is a great comic element to the rest of the story. The younger sister is convinced that her Snow Queen sister can reverse what's happened in their town and make it summer again.
There is a lot of music in this film and the songs are all pretty wonderful. I kept thinking that if I had to vote on best song in a film for the Oscar, I wouldn't know which one to pick.
I haven't been to a Disney animated film in quite awhile, but I must say I did enjoy this. The cast was made up of virtual unknowns to us regular folks, although they are probably big stars on Broadway. Great vocals.
This is a wonderful film that had my wife tearing up at the end the first time she saw it. I liked it very much too. If I were to do a top ten movies of 2013, this would be in my top ten.
I recommend this film, and doggone it, it is cute. And fun. And my only regret about it is that Walt Disney didn't live to see this. He would have loved it and all the computer generated stuff. And if there were any justice he would have....he'd only be in his 80's now.....
Grade: B+
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Cheers!
Classic Tube!
There are certain sit-coms that will endure forever. "I Love Lucy". "The Andy Griffith Show". "The Honeymooners." And I hope we never forget "The Dick Van Dyke Show." But on anybody's top ten list, there better be the name "Cheers."
I just went through the entire series so that I could accurately do this review. This took me quite awhile - thanks Netflix - because there were 11 seasons of this wonderful show. And back then folks, a season consisted of about 26 episodes. At any rate it was a wonderful journey, and one I'm glad I made.
'Cheers' was a mythical bar that existed in Boston Mass., (inspired by the Bull and Finch) owned by a former Red Sox relief pitcher Sam Malone (Ted Danson), who was a recovering alcoholic and ironically owned the bar. In the pilot episode, a aspiring writer graduate student named Diane Chambers (Shelley Long) wanders in with her fiance, and he ultimately jilts her and leaves her stranded. She ends up being a bar maid at Cheers, much to the chagrin of the caustic bar maid Carla Tortelli/LaVec (Rhea Pearlman). The fun starts from there. There is a sexual tension between Sam and Diane that goes on for the first 2 or 3 seasons. Finally they are going together by the fourth season, and Diane stays with us through Season 5. The final episode of Season 5 is one of the finest single episodes of a sitcom ever.
Because Diane leaves, we are introduced to Rebecca (Kirstie Alley). Rebecca represents a corporation that purchased Cheers from Sam after his break-up with Diane. He had sold the bar and gone on a sail around the world. But now he's back and he ends up bar tending at Cheers.
Initially, Sam's fellow bartender is Coach. Coach (Nick Colasanto). Coach was lovable, but not the brightest bulb on the porch. After Season 3 he disappears, because sadly, Mr. Costalano had a heart attack and passed away. How did they deal with that? They talked about the fact that Coach passed away. I liked the fact that they didn't come up with a lame excuse for his absence. And then a new bartender comes on the scene....a Hanover, Indiana farm boy named Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson). Woody is a naive young man, but he adds to the merriment and fills in nicely for Coach.
Other regulars include postman Cliff Claven (John Ratzenberger), and Norm Peterson (George Wendt). Norm was the only character that appeared in every episode. Whenever he entered the whole place yelled "Norm!" and he also came back with a smart retort. Sam: "How are things, Norm?" Norm: "It's a dog-eat-dog world and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear." There was also Al (Al Rosen) Mr. Rosen passed away too in 1990. And then they made more use of Phil. Phil rarely had a line, but when he did it was funny. (As an aside, he was the real life father of Rhea Perlman). And then there was the terribly underutilized Paul (Paul Wilson). They started to use him more at the end, and a little is better than none. He was good. But sadly, I haven't seen him since.
Our journey with these characters is a wondrous journey indeed. We are taken through the ultimate love of the all-time great playboy Sam Malone, and how he tries to steal Diane from another regular, Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammar). Love almost prevails.
And then (in Season 6) we are introduced to Rebecca. She is a girl that is a social climber and one who wants to marry big money - a gold-digger - And her attempts to do that never fail to entertain. Ironically she in the last few episodes actually falls for and gets married to an ordinary plumber.
Along the way there are other characters that deserve mention. There was corporate head, Evan Drake (Tom Skerritt). Another big money guy that Rebecca tried to hook was Robin Colcord (Roger Rees). He came in and out of the show many times. Woody eventally gets a girlfriend, Kelly (Jackie Swanson) and in the final season they get married. Along the way Frasier also gets married, to a fellow psychiatrist, and cold fish Lilith Sternin (Bebe Neuwirth). In fact Ms. Neuwirth was considered a regular in a couple of the seasons and got star billing with the other primary characters. There was Kelly's father Mr. Walter Gaines (Richard Doyle), and Cliff's Mother (Frances Sterhagen). And I rightfully should mention the miserable John Allen Hill (Keene Curtis) who became the owner of Melville's Restaurant upstairs, and a pain in the neck to Sam downstairs. There was Dan Hedaya and Jean Kasem as Nick and Loretta Tortelli. ("The Tortellis" was the first spin off of Cheers). Nick was Carla's first husband. She takes another husband during the show - Eddie LeBec (Jay Thomas) a hockey player who ends up in the ice shows. Eddie eventually slips on the ice somewhere and dies. Another often talked about but never seen character was Norm's wife Vera. She was only physically in two episodes - first a Thanksgiving episode. During a food fight, a pie was thrown off stage and then Vera came on, her face completely hidden in pie. Interestingly enough, when Vera was seen in "Thanksgiving's Orphans", and later when we see her legs as she sits on the steps outside crying over losing a job, she was actually Bernadette Birket- George Wendt's real life wife).
Speaking of the episode "Thanksgiving's Orphans", it along with an episode called "Home is The Sailor" both originally aired in 1987, were named #7 and #45 respectively in TV Guides "100 Greatest Episodes of All Time" in 1997. In 2002 Cheers was named #18 in "TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time."
The journey through the bar known as "Cheers" is a wonderful one. It is humorous and witty, and yet there is a hint of "bittersweet". And bittersweet is a tone that goes on throughout. All of the things we hope for are never realized.
The end of Season 5 was very touching. The 3-part end of the series was too. I think it was because Cheers had become so much a part of our lives by then. It was sad to see them go. And as I watched the final episode, I felt a kind of loss. Like I was saying goodbye to many of my old friends. I miss those goofy folks......
And in a way they were saying goodbye too. Diane had returned and said goodbye, Lilith had returned and in a way said goodbye, and in particular, after Mr. Colasanto passed away, they took the giant picture of Geronimo that had been in his dressing room and placed it prominently in the bar. So that he would always sort of be there. In the final episode Sam goes over and spends a moment at it, adjusting it and unbeknownst to the viewer, saying a silent goodbye.
I loved this place, was always glad I came, and I long to go back - back where everybody knows my name.
GRADE: A+
There are certain sit-coms that will endure forever. "I Love Lucy". "The Andy Griffith Show". "The Honeymooners." And I hope we never forget "The Dick Van Dyke Show." But on anybody's top ten list, there better be the name "Cheers."
I just went through the entire series so that I could accurately do this review. This took me quite awhile - thanks Netflix - because there were 11 seasons of this wonderful show. And back then folks, a season consisted of about 26 episodes. At any rate it was a wonderful journey, and one I'm glad I made.
'Cheers' was a mythical bar that existed in Boston Mass., (inspired by the Bull and Finch) owned by a former Red Sox relief pitcher Sam Malone (Ted Danson), who was a recovering alcoholic and ironically owned the bar. In the pilot episode, a aspiring writer graduate student named Diane Chambers (Shelley Long) wanders in with her fiance, and he ultimately jilts her and leaves her stranded. She ends up being a bar maid at Cheers, much to the chagrin of the caustic bar maid Carla Tortelli/LaVec (Rhea Pearlman). The fun starts from there. There is a sexual tension between Sam and Diane that goes on for the first 2 or 3 seasons. Finally they are going together by the fourth season, and Diane stays with us through Season 5. The final episode of Season 5 is one of the finest single episodes of a sitcom ever.
Because Diane leaves, we are introduced to Rebecca (Kirstie Alley). Rebecca represents a corporation that purchased Cheers from Sam after his break-up with Diane. He had sold the bar and gone on a sail around the world. But now he's back and he ends up bar tending at Cheers.
Initially, Sam's fellow bartender is Coach. Coach (Nick Colasanto). Coach was lovable, but not the brightest bulb on the porch. After Season 3 he disappears, because sadly, Mr. Costalano had a heart attack and passed away. How did they deal with that? They talked about the fact that Coach passed away. I liked the fact that they didn't come up with a lame excuse for his absence. And then a new bartender comes on the scene....a Hanover, Indiana farm boy named Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson). Woody is a naive young man, but he adds to the merriment and fills in nicely for Coach.
Other regulars include postman Cliff Claven (John Ratzenberger), and Norm Peterson (George Wendt). Norm was the only character that appeared in every episode. Whenever he entered the whole place yelled "Norm!" and he also came back with a smart retort. Sam: "How are things, Norm?" Norm: "It's a dog-eat-dog world and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear." There was also Al (Al Rosen) Mr. Rosen passed away too in 1990. And then they made more use of Phil. Phil rarely had a line, but when he did it was funny. (As an aside, he was the real life father of Rhea Perlman). And then there was the terribly underutilized Paul (Paul Wilson). They started to use him more at the end, and a little is better than none. He was good. But sadly, I haven't seen him since.
Our journey with these characters is a wondrous journey indeed. We are taken through the ultimate love of the all-time great playboy Sam Malone, and how he tries to steal Diane from another regular, Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammar). Love almost prevails.
And then (in Season 6) we are introduced to Rebecca. She is a girl that is a social climber and one who wants to marry big money - a gold-digger - And her attempts to do that never fail to entertain. Ironically she in the last few episodes actually falls for and gets married to an ordinary plumber.
Along the way there are other characters that deserve mention. There was corporate head, Evan Drake (Tom Skerritt). Another big money guy that Rebecca tried to hook was Robin Colcord (Roger Rees). He came in and out of the show many times. Woody eventally gets a girlfriend, Kelly (Jackie Swanson) and in the final season they get married. Along the way Frasier also gets married, to a fellow psychiatrist, and cold fish Lilith Sternin (Bebe Neuwirth). In fact Ms. Neuwirth was considered a regular in a couple of the seasons and got star billing with the other primary characters. There was Kelly's father Mr. Walter Gaines (Richard Doyle), and Cliff's Mother (Frances Sterhagen). And I rightfully should mention the miserable John Allen Hill (Keene Curtis) who became the owner of Melville's Restaurant upstairs, and a pain in the neck to Sam downstairs. There was Dan Hedaya and Jean Kasem as Nick and Loretta Tortelli. ("The Tortellis" was the first spin off of Cheers). Nick was Carla's first husband. She takes another husband during the show - Eddie LeBec (Jay Thomas) a hockey player who ends up in the ice shows. Eddie eventually slips on the ice somewhere and dies. Another often talked about but never seen character was Norm's wife Vera. She was only physically in two episodes - first a Thanksgiving episode. During a food fight, a pie was thrown off stage and then Vera came on, her face completely hidden in pie. Interestingly enough, when Vera was seen in "Thanksgiving's Orphans", and later when we see her legs as she sits on the steps outside crying over losing a job, she was actually Bernadette Birket- George Wendt's real life wife).
Speaking of the episode "Thanksgiving's Orphans", it along with an episode called "Home is The Sailor" both originally aired in 1987, were named #7 and #45 respectively in TV Guides "100 Greatest Episodes of All Time" in 1997. In 2002 Cheers was named #18 in "TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time."
The journey through the bar known as "Cheers" is a wonderful one. It is humorous and witty, and yet there is a hint of "bittersweet". And bittersweet is a tone that goes on throughout. All of the things we hope for are never realized.
The end of Season 5 was very touching. The 3-part end of the series was too. I think it was because Cheers had become so much a part of our lives by then. It was sad to see them go. And as I watched the final episode, I felt a kind of loss. Like I was saying goodbye to many of my old friends. I miss those goofy folks......
And in a way they were saying goodbye too. Diane had returned and said goodbye, Lilith had returned and in a way said goodbye, and in particular, after Mr. Colasanto passed away, they took the giant picture of Geronimo that had been in his dressing room and placed it prominently in the bar. So that he would always sort of be there. In the final episode Sam goes over and spends a moment at it, adjusting it and unbeknownst to the viewer, saying a silent goodbye.
I loved this place, was always glad I came, and I long to go back - back where everybody knows my name.
GRADE: A+
Friday, January 10, 2014
HER
FLIX!
During the Christmas Holiday, my daughters were home from college. As young people do, they had to be on their phones nearly all the time. The older daughter cannot sit through a meal in a restaurant without going to her phone every 4 minutes. That's a lot, but when I say nearly all the time, my younger, Samantha, has to have hers in her hand every moment of everyday. If she lays it down it will be right in front of her. I timed her while they were home and the longest Sami ever went without referring to her phone was seven and a half minutes. In fact once in the car she dropped it down between the seats in my car, and went into total and complete junkie panic until I could stop the car and she could retrieve it via the back seat. It was 10 minutes of nothing for me, but living Hell for her. I reckon she spends, bare bones minimum 2 or so hours everyday with her face in her phone. After 10 and a half days, she's lost a day of her life.
I have seen people so busy texting about an event they were at, that for the most part they didn't actually see the event. My daughter Sam is not alone. Most kids and a majority of adults probably do the same thing. They spend an inordinate amount of time in their device while the most precious gift they'll ever get, their life, is spinning on by. So what if someone told a story about taking what's happening now to the next logical step? I think it would be this film, Her.
This film takes place in the not distant future. Theodore was a man in his own private crisis. His wife had recently left him and divorce was imminent. He goes through his day at work by dictating letters into software that write it for people who order them through "Beautiful Handwritten Letters.Com" and then walks home with an earpiece in his ear, verbally telling his hand held computer (in his pocket), to "check my email" and the then commands "delete" to what he doesn't want or lets it read the message to him if he's interested. At home at night he plays holographic video games that swear at him, and confront him.
And then one day, he passes by a display, and on a whim buys an operating system. It is "the first operating system to incorporate artificial intelligence." He goes home and as he is installing it, it asks him questions about himself, but cuts him off when he gets too "wordy". I think it's because that was getting too human, but that's unimportant.
He opts for a female voice and during the first conversation he asks her to tell him her name. She comes right back with "Samantha". (Of course this blows me away....reference my daughter in the first couple paragraphs.) He asks why Samantha and she says that she'd scanned 850,000 names in one eighth of a second and liked that one the best.
As time goes on, Theodore grows closer and closer to Samantha, and they share things as friends that peak his interest. So much so, that when he goes on a date with a beautiful actual real live gorgeous woman, and she asks, (paraphrasing here) "you're not just going to use me, and then never call again, are you?", Theodore hesitates, blowing that real life thing. But as time goes on, Samantha is his lover, his friend, his confidant, everything he ever wanted. And finally, he even lets people know that he has a girlfriend. He will drop in "she's nice, she's an operating system, she's funny...." This grows to the point that his friends actually wear ear-pieces and they all double date.
As they are meeting to sign divorce papers, there is a brief moment when he hopes his estranged wife won't sign, and she seems to hesitate, but then she signs. He's sad, but it's okay, he still has Samantha. He's glad that the complicated human thing is out of the way.
Theodore is friends with a couple down the hall, and during the course of events, they split and the wife also gets the operating system, and it becomes her very best friend. So this is beginning to go on with a lot of people.
Whenever Theodore is on the street, every person appears to be talking to themselves or looking into a device. If they aren't I assumed they were listening to their device. So Theo isn't an out of the ordinary guy.
Theodore goes on vacations with Samantha and is totally in love. And then, besides making a publishing deal for him without his knowledge, she introduces him to another "male" operating system. This is where things start to go awry. Without being a total spoiler, let's just say, even in cyberspace, love hurts. He asks, "Do you talk to other people?". She answers yes, 8,543." He asks, "Are you in love with any of them?" She replies, "Yes, 649." This breaks Theodore's heart and he begins his tailspin.
This is a powerful movie. It is a not-so-subtle look at today; it shows us how we act, and how we will act in the future. It is a perfect picture of today in a way, even of how we are all in this "alone together". But it extends it to the next level....to a very short time from now, when we abhor human interaction and where we will actually pay a company to write a personal letter to a loved one.
Joaquin Phoenix is absolutely incredible as always. I know he was upset about being robbed of the Oscar that was rightfully his for "Walk The Line", but I was with you pal. You owned it then, and you own it now. And an amazing part of this is that the voice of Samantha (Scarlett Johansen) wasn't dubbed in until after the movie was entirely shot. So Joaquin was playing off either nothing, or a grip reading the line. C'mon Academy, give it up. He is the man.
But the bigger picture is an intelligent look at a society gone crazy. I watched someone at a recent event so focused entirely on taking a picture every 7 seconds that he totally missed the event. He gave up real life for a look at what he might have seen. It was wondrous, right in front of him, but he gave that up for technology.
Her chickens out at the end, or lets say you can draw your own conclusions.
This is not on my list of Best Movies I Saw This Year for 2013, but since this is 2014, it will be next time.
This is one of those films I will be thinking about for a long, long time.
And you should too. Go see this.
Grade: A
Disclaimer: My wife saw this film and absolutely hated it, calling one of the most boring quiet films she's ever seen and was tempted to walk out. So there you go.
During the Christmas Holiday, my daughters were home from college. As young people do, they had to be on their phones nearly all the time. The older daughter cannot sit through a meal in a restaurant without going to her phone every 4 minutes. That's a lot, but when I say nearly all the time, my younger, Samantha, has to have hers in her hand every moment of everyday. If she lays it down it will be right in front of her. I timed her while they were home and the longest Sami ever went without referring to her phone was seven and a half minutes. In fact once in the car she dropped it down between the seats in my car, and went into total and complete junkie panic until I could stop the car and she could retrieve it via the back seat. It was 10 minutes of nothing for me, but living Hell for her. I reckon she spends, bare bones minimum 2 or so hours everyday with her face in her phone. After 10 and a half days, she's lost a day of her life.
I have seen people so busy texting about an event they were at, that for the most part they didn't actually see the event. My daughter Sam is not alone. Most kids and a majority of adults probably do the same thing. They spend an inordinate amount of time in their device while the most precious gift they'll ever get, their life, is spinning on by. So what if someone told a story about taking what's happening now to the next logical step? I think it would be this film, Her.
This film takes place in the not distant future. Theodore was a man in his own private crisis. His wife had recently left him and divorce was imminent. He goes through his day at work by dictating letters into software that write it for people who order them through "Beautiful Handwritten Letters.Com" and then walks home with an earpiece in his ear, verbally telling his hand held computer (in his pocket), to "check my email" and the then commands "delete" to what he doesn't want or lets it read the message to him if he's interested. At home at night he plays holographic video games that swear at him, and confront him.
And then one day, he passes by a display, and on a whim buys an operating system. It is "the first operating system to incorporate artificial intelligence." He goes home and as he is installing it, it asks him questions about himself, but cuts him off when he gets too "wordy". I think it's because that was getting too human, but that's unimportant.
He opts for a female voice and during the first conversation he asks her to tell him her name. She comes right back with "Samantha". (Of course this blows me away....reference my daughter in the first couple paragraphs.) He asks why Samantha and she says that she'd scanned 850,000 names in one eighth of a second and liked that one the best.
As time goes on, Theodore grows closer and closer to Samantha, and they share things as friends that peak his interest. So much so, that when he goes on a date with a beautiful actual real live gorgeous woman, and she asks, (paraphrasing here) "you're not just going to use me, and then never call again, are you?", Theodore hesitates, blowing that real life thing. But as time goes on, Samantha is his lover, his friend, his confidant, everything he ever wanted. And finally, he even lets people know that he has a girlfriend. He will drop in "she's nice, she's an operating system, she's funny...." This grows to the point that his friends actually wear ear-pieces and they all double date.
As they are meeting to sign divorce papers, there is a brief moment when he hopes his estranged wife won't sign, and she seems to hesitate, but then she signs. He's sad, but it's okay, he still has Samantha. He's glad that the complicated human thing is out of the way.
Theodore is friends with a couple down the hall, and during the course of events, they split and the wife also gets the operating system, and it becomes her very best friend. So this is beginning to go on with a lot of people.
Whenever Theodore is on the street, every person appears to be talking to themselves or looking into a device. If they aren't I assumed they were listening to their device. So Theo isn't an out of the ordinary guy.
Theodore goes on vacations with Samantha and is totally in love. And then, besides making a publishing deal for him without his knowledge, she introduces him to another "male" operating system. This is where things start to go awry. Without being a total spoiler, let's just say, even in cyberspace, love hurts. He asks, "Do you talk to other people?". She answers yes, 8,543." He asks, "Are you in love with any of them?" She replies, "Yes, 649." This breaks Theodore's heart and he begins his tailspin.
This is a powerful movie. It is a not-so-subtle look at today; it shows us how we act, and how we will act in the future. It is a perfect picture of today in a way, even of how we are all in this "alone together". But it extends it to the next level....to a very short time from now, when we abhor human interaction and where we will actually pay a company to write a personal letter to a loved one.
Joaquin Phoenix is absolutely incredible as always. I know he was upset about being robbed of the Oscar that was rightfully his for "Walk The Line", but I was with you pal. You owned it then, and you own it now. And an amazing part of this is that the voice of Samantha (Scarlett Johansen) wasn't dubbed in until after the movie was entirely shot. So Joaquin was playing off either nothing, or a grip reading the line. C'mon Academy, give it up. He is the man.
But the bigger picture is an intelligent look at a society gone crazy. I watched someone at a recent event so focused entirely on taking a picture every 7 seconds that he totally missed the event. He gave up real life for a look at what he might have seen. It was wondrous, right in front of him, but he gave that up for technology.
Her chickens out at the end, or lets say you can draw your own conclusions.
This is not on my list of Best Movies I Saw This Year for 2013, but since this is 2014, it will be next time.
This is one of those films I will be thinking about for a long, long time.
And you should too. Go see this.
Grade: A
Disclaimer: My wife saw this film and absolutely hated it, calling one of the most boring quiet films she's ever seen and was tempted to walk out. So there you go.
Monday, January 6, 2014
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
FLIX!
Ben Stiller directs and stars in this updated fine adaptation of a James Thurber short story.
Walter Mitty is one of those transparent men that seem to blend into the woodwork. He occupies an office space deep in the bowels of the Time-Life Building in New York, and he has an over-active imagination because he's never really done anything in life. He one of those little guys who goes to work and goes home, with a weekly trip to the grocery store and that is the essence of his entire life.
And then an odd set of circumstances occur and Walter finds himself in a series of real life adventures taking him to Greenland, Iceland, the Himalayas and beyond. Even LA! During the course of trying to track down exotic photographer Sean O'Connell, Walter gets flown in a helicopter with a seriously drunk pilot, dropped in the ocean, nearly gets eaten by sharks, and on and on it goes. (And by the way the scenery in this movie is stunningly beautiful.) Walter is on a quest, and all the while he pines for a woman he works with. In fact in Iceland, a flock of birds form her face in the sky as they fly away.
Discretion won't allow me to reveal lots of details about this wonderful, exquisite film, but let me just say this. I didn't want to like this movie. I didn't really want to even go to the movies tonight. For my money there was nothing to see. But my wife was insistent so always one to want to keep her happy, we narrowed it down to '47 Ronin' or 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.' Out of respect for James Thurber, I pushed for the latter. Man, I'm glad I did. This was a treat.
If you are expecting a whacky, screwball comedy because of the name Ben Stiller, boy are you gonna be disappointed. But if you have half a brain, you'll be delighted and pleasantly surprised. This is a terrific, smart movie that I hope Ben Stiller will be judged by way beyond 'Dodgeball' 'Zoolander' and such. Not that those weren't good for what they were, but this is a special film and it tells me that Ben Stiller wants to sit at the grown-ups table. Ben pull up a chair....right over there between Ron Howard and Woody Allen.
Grade: A
Ben Stiller directs and stars in this updated fine adaptation of a James Thurber short story.
Walter Mitty is one of those transparent men that seem to blend into the woodwork. He occupies an office space deep in the bowels of the Time-Life Building in New York, and he has an over-active imagination because he's never really done anything in life. He one of those little guys who goes to work and goes home, with a weekly trip to the grocery store and that is the essence of his entire life.
And then an odd set of circumstances occur and Walter finds himself in a series of real life adventures taking him to Greenland, Iceland, the Himalayas and beyond. Even LA! During the course of trying to track down exotic photographer Sean O'Connell, Walter gets flown in a helicopter with a seriously drunk pilot, dropped in the ocean, nearly gets eaten by sharks, and on and on it goes. (And by the way the scenery in this movie is stunningly beautiful.) Walter is on a quest, and all the while he pines for a woman he works with. In fact in Iceland, a flock of birds form her face in the sky as they fly away.
Discretion won't allow me to reveal lots of details about this wonderful, exquisite film, but let me just say this. I didn't want to like this movie. I didn't really want to even go to the movies tonight. For my money there was nothing to see. But my wife was insistent so always one to want to keep her happy, we narrowed it down to '47 Ronin' or 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.' Out of respect for James Thurber, I pushed for the latter. Man, I'm glad I did. This was a treat.
If you are expecting a whacky, screwball comedy because of the name Ben Stiller, boy are you gonna be disappointed. But if you have half a brain, you'll be delighted and pleasantly surprised. This is a terrific, smart movie that I hope Ben Stiller will be judged by way beyond 'Dodgeball' 'Zoolander' and such. Not that those weren't good for what they were, but this is a special film and it tells me that Ben Stiller wants to sit at the grown-ups table. Ben pull up a chair....right over there between Ron Howard and Woody Allen.
Grade: A
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Music From 2013.....and Probably None of it From 2013.....
TUNES!
I didn't hear a lot of music in 2013 that excited me much, so this entry should be short and sweet.
Just to make any kind of list at all, I'll put down the best CDs I got this year, regardless of when they were made. Or else there won't be anything.
Best Live Act I Saw In 2013: The Vincent Hayes Project (featuring Doc Yankee). Saw them in Lowell and was blown away. A terrific blues ensemble. I bugged them to let me join the band, to no avail.
3. Wrecking Ball - Bruce Springsteen
Songs about togetherness and unity, and caring about each other. Oh my gosh, you don't suppose there of thread of that dirty word "liberal" in his blood do you? With songs like "We Take Care of Our Own", it gets mighty suspicious.....great record, and I haven't gotten a Springsteen record since "Lonesome Town". Okay, maybe I have "Radio Nowhere."
2. From The Ground Up - John Fullbright
I heard a track by chance on a summer night, and liked it alot. I bought the song on iTunes and got the whole CD for Christmas. This guy reminds me that there are still guys out there that want to write and play good songs, and even though main-stream radio is owned by women (Miley, Kelly, Taylor, Katie, and even Britney) guys like John Fullbright still are willing to shine like a beacon in the night and say "there is hope." This young man probably wouldn't let me in his band either, but since they already sound like The Band, they don't need a lug like me. This is like the sweet voice of Don McLean singing Bob Dylan songs. "Jericho" is a treasure. If you don't want to commit to the whole record, at least buy "Jericho" on iTunes.
1. Allen Stone - Allen Stone
This wonderful, fun, blue-eyed soulful, record is the best thing I've stumbled on in years. My pal Jerry told me to check it out, knowing full well I'd love it. It turns out that Mr. Stone was raised in a strict Christian home and was not allowed to listen to secular music. While in high school, a friend gave him a Stevie Wonder album that he sneaked into the house, and Stevie Wonder is how Allen gauges all secular music. So when he decided to do his own songs, naturally they have a soulful flavor. Very good stuff from a very fun guy. Go to YouTube and witness him on "Live From Daryl's House." You won't believe this it the guy singing all of these delicious soul tunes.
I didn't hear a lot of music in 2013 that excited me much, so this entry should be short and sweet.
Just to make any kind of list at all, I'll put down the best CDs I got this year, regardless of when they were made. Or else there won't be anything.
Best Live Act I Saw In 2013: The Vincent Hayes Project (featuring Doc Yankee). Saw them in Lowell and was blown away. A terrific blues ensemble. I bugged them to let me join the band, to no avail.
3. Wrecking Ball - Bruce Springsteen
Songs about togetherness and unity, and caring about each other. Oh my gosh, you don't suppose there of thread of that dirty word "liberal" in his blood do you? With songs like "We Take Care of Our Own", it gets mighty suspicious.....great record, and I haven't gotten a Springsteen record since "Lonesome Town". Okay, maybe I have "Radio Nowhere."
2. From The Ground Up - John Fullbright
I heard a track by chance on a summer night, and liked it alot. I bought the song on iTunes and got the whole CD for Christmas. This guy reminds me that there are still guys out there that want to write and play good songs, and even though main-stream radio is owned by women (Miley, Kelly, Taylor, Katie, and even Britney) guys like John Fullbright still are willing to shine like a beacon in the night and say "there is hope." This young man probably wouldn't let me in his band either, but since they already sound like The Band, they don't need a lug like me. This is like the sweet voice of Don McLean singing Bob Dylan songs. "Jericho" is a treasure. If you don't want to commit to the whole record, at least buy "Jericho" on iTunes.
1. Allen Stone - Allen Stone
This wonderful, fun, blue-eyed soulful, record is the best thing I've stumbled on in years. My pal Jerry told me to check it out, knowing full well I'd love it. It turns out that Mr. Stone was raised in a strict Christian home and was not allowed to listen to secular music. While in high school, a friend gave him a Stevie Wonder album that he sneaked into the house, and Stevie Wonder is how Allen gauges all secular music. So when he decided to do his own songs, naturally they have a soulful flavor. Very good stuff from a very fun guy. Go to YouTube and witness him on "Live From Daryl's House." You won't believe this it the guy singing all of these delicious soul tunes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)