The Mistress of the Screen

Happy 2009 everyone --
Happy to be back to entertain you although I must say this entry is not as much entertaining as philosophical? I watched TONS of movies over break (am I still in college?), I mean vacation, so I thought I'd share some thoughts because of course I have a lot of them.

So the fam re-watched Elf Christmas Eve -- it is our tradition. And it is still funny, I mean really funny. I have never seen that Christmas Story movie where that kid (Ralphie?) sticks his tongue out or something so you may all argue with me, but I gotta say Elf is my holiday must have. Funny, sweet, I love it -- with maple syrup on top.

Also saw some Bollywood fare at home at the Shah's. Jodha Akbar stars the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan. It is a historical epic about one of the Moghal emperors who married a Hindu girl -- Jodha. It is a true story -- this emperor is the grandfather to Shah Jahaan who built the Taj Mahal for his wife. Shah Jahaan's story is obviously the more famous of the love stories so the story of the emperor and Jodha is less well known but it has a very strong message on the coming together of the Muslim and Hindu worlds at a critical point in history. Oh and the outfits are seriously stunning as are the stars in it. It is on netflix so save 2 nights for it and get it.

Also saw Taare Zameen Par which stars Aamir Khan -- a Bollywood actor who has developed more socially relevant fare in recent times and is a strong supporter of getting Bollywood films acknowledgement in the awards arena. His Lagaan was the first or one of the first Indian films nominated for Best Foreign Picture a few years ago. This one is more sweet, but not song and dancey like the typical stuff -- story of a dyslexic child who is not understood by his family, teachers or friends but with the help of one great teacher, finally breaks free from the chains of his disability. Touching. And believe me, I love the sing song dance variety of Bollywood films too, but it's nice to see something different.

In the theaters, saw Benjamin Button -- not totally on the bandwagon for this one. It is a simple tale with the twist of living life backwards, physically. Great acting and the effects were really amazing, but not the epic I was hoping for. Totally respect the film and its accolades, but its not my personal best picture.

Also saw The Reader -- I hadn't read the book but knew the story. Kate Winslet is just amazing. Every emotion reads on her face so thoroughly. The KID was great too, need to learn more about him. I give Ralph Fiennes credit for participating in such a great project, but he wasn't really needed. I would like to personally thanks Harvey Weinstein for forcing this movie to come out now to help guarantee a Kate win at the Oscars. Nice film, not great, but well acted, of course.

Also on DVD, oh my god, almost said "on video" (hello 1990). Saw Dan in Real Life with Steve Carrell. Really nice movie about a widower who falls for his brother's new girlfriend. Funny, touching -- great netflix get. Steve Carrell is, as you know, one of my favorites on the little screen, but he is making good film choices as well -- okay, some good choices (we will leave Evan Almighty and Get Smart out of it).

I know you are all wondering if I saw the one I have been ranting about, the one that was to surpass them all, the one at the heart of all my movie loving mania. The one that would bring me back to Titanic. REVOLUTIONARY ROAD.

Yep, I saw it. It isn't the kind of movie that you can rave about or cheer about or praise in a sense because it is just so raw. Like I have told you, I read the book and that hit me hard enough to make me go back and re-read certain dialogue to understand these characters even better and to try to make some sense of their pain. And then the film with these words come to life -- it was outstanding. Kate and Leo solidified their standing as two of today's finest actors. I really respect Sam Mendes's choices with this as well as that of the screenwriter. If you read the book, there is absolutely no disappointment in the film and we all know that is a rarity. Given, I read the book knowing they were to play these characters, but the dialogue and storyline are realized pretty directly from the book and hearing the words out loud and seeing their faces -- their emotion -- it literally leaps off the screen and reaches into your heart and psyche. It is rough. The truths we tell, the lies we tell, the emotions we feel especially towards the ones closest to us. Devastating.

I'll have some music updates later this week -- my gym mix is THE BEST. Just want to leave with you a choice quote from Sugarland. Those who know about my latest addition will appreciate it --
"Yeah he's yelling about my tattoos. We all live with the scars we choose. They might hurt like hell but they all make us stronger."

Looking forward to saying more in 2009 because my resolution is always...

don't be ashamed of your obsessions...