Ice skating for the holidays? Check! I didn't look like this lady, but I did get into a groove, picking up speed as I spun around the rink. Calling all fans of "White Christmas:" doesn't she look like a Haynes sister?
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Big Hugs
I may have hinted at it earlier, but come the next few weeks of December and well into the new year, I will be talking about my cinematic experiences a bit more often. Good movies are flowing through theaters, or at least are supposed to be. I will probably go strong in this manner straight through to the end of "awards season," and it is then that I, once again, will become utterly jaded and go back to my March-November rules about going to movies: foreign and documentary ONLY! With the exception of Woody Allen. And Kate Winslet. And...
So I tried not to get too hyped up about Pedro Almodovar's new film, "Broken Embraces." I watched no trailers, read no reviews, and limited my exposure to one article in The New York Times way back about the filmmaker and his muse, Penelope Cruz...
Nice rhyme. I know, thanks! And what a muse she is. Man, he loves her. But who wouldn't. She is beautiful, funny, and, let's face it, she is a star! She is a delicate creature who owns the room in which she finds herself, or rather, puts herself. In complete control, she encompasses the screen with that same magnetic presence characteristic of the greats: Hepburn #1 and Hepburn #2, Ingrid Bergman, Sophia Loren. I don't mean to be going gaga (oooh, Gaga...) for Penelope, but she nails the character in this film the way she did in "Volver" and the way she did in Woody Allen's "Vicky Christina Barcelona."
Cynics, romantics, and everyone in between: don't miss "Broken Embraces." I wanted to escape into something yesterday afternoon. By all means, I do not mean I wanted to tune out. Life's too short to venture out in the rain, pay $10 and do something that I can do from my couch. I wanted to be carried away to that "other" world that is a fabulous film. And I was. The landscape of an Almodovar film is like the ocean: it is mysteriously beautiful on the outside, but once you dive in, there are treasures, both surprising and haunting, and buried deep within. And they appear, illuminated, like a revelation.
The film surprised me in how a film-maker can be both modest and self-reflexive at the same time. On the other hand, it did not surprise me that, yet again, Almodovar gets close to the bottom of human beings and their nature of imperfection. The relationships he shows prosper not from cliches but from the unique way we find one another. Characters in an Almodovar film lean askew from their downfalls and weakness and it is for this reason that they stumble into, over, and upon one another. Even the most beautiful actress (Penelope) can be worn ragged by destruction, humiliation, temptation. But she is human. You can see it in her eyes.
I cherish the way this story is told, frame by frame but judge for yourself and enjoy. Sure there were problematic elements to the film, but it's a great one in a year a bad ones, which makes it lovely and memorable. I feel so often I walk out of a film and forget about it the next day. Perhaps that's the intention: to transport temporarily and let people get on. But film is an art and when it is excellent and well-made, it can be magical. I don't mean to be negative toward other films, but you know what I mean. Sometimes those feelings you get in your seat (some of euphoria, some of suspense) are strong enough to last beyond the theater. Ideally they will lift off the screen and into your head, and from there, make their way into your own work or art. One medium to the next, inspiration has the power to be boundless (if you will let it). Translation doesn't have to be limited to subtitles.
One final comment slash suggestion. And it's only a suggestion, not a requirement. Remember way back a few weeks when I also went gaga over "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown?" If not, review. I recommend watching that film (it's 80 minutes, no biggie) before heading out to see "Embraces." I won't say why, but having recently watched the 80's romp, I felt further engaged with "Embraces." Engaged in Embraces. Sounds like the perfect romantic comedy. Except Almodovar's isn't. Like many films this year, it's genre-less and leaves the interpreting up to you: the audience. Me: still pondering how films are made. "Broken Embraces:" ambiguous yet trustworthy. Like a verse that leaves you breathless...
Cynics, romantics, and everyone in between: don't miss "Broken Embraces." I wanted to escape into something yesterday afternoon. By all means, I do not mean I wanted to tune out. Life's too short to venture out in the rain, pay $10 and do something that I can do from my couch. I wanted to be carried away to that "other" world that is a fabulous film. And I was. The landscape of an Almodovar film is like the ocean: it is mysteriously beautiful on the outside, but once you dive in, there are treasures, both surprising and haunting, and buried deep within. And they appear, illuminated, like a revelation.
The film surprised me in how a film-maker can be both modest and self-reflexive at the same time. On the other hand, it did not surprise me that, yet again, Almodovar gets close to the bottom of human beings and their nature of imperfection. The relationships he shows prosper not from cliches but from the unique way we find one another. Characters in an Almodovar film lean askew from their downfalls and weakness and it is for this reason that they stumble into, over, and upon one another. Even the most beautiful actress (Penelope) can be worn ragged by destruction, humiliation, temptation. But she is human. You can see it in her eyes.
I cherish the way this story is told, frame by frame but judge for yourself and enjoy. Sure there were problematic elements to the film, but it's a great one in a year a bad ones, which makes it lovely and memorable. I feel so often I walk out of a film and forget about it the next day. Perhaps that's the intention: to transport temporarily and let people get on. But film is an art and when it is excellent and well-made, it can be magical. I don't mean to be negative toward other films, but you know what I mean. Sometimes those feelings you get in your seat (some of euphoria, some of suspense) are strong enough to last beyond the theater. Ideally they will lift off the screen and into your head, and from there, make their way into your own work or art. One medium to the next, inspiration has the power to be boundless (if you will let it). Translation doesn't have to be limited to subtitles.
One final comment slash suggestion. And it's only a suggestion, not a requirement. Remember way back a few weeks when I also went gaga over "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown?" If not, review. I recommend watching that film (it's 80 minutes, no biggie) before heading out to see "Embraces." I won't say why, but having recently watched the 80's romp, I felt further engaged with "Embraces." Engaged in Embraces. Sounds like the perfect romantic comedy. Except Almodovar's isn't. Like many films this year, it's genre-less and leaves the interpreting up to you: the audience. Me: still pondering how films are made. "Broken Embraces:" ambiguous yet trustworthy. Like a verse that leaves you breathless...
Friday, December 18, 2009
Past, Present, and Future - It Keeps Carolling
Just think: on this day, December 18th, in 1843, the world had yet to meet Ebenezer Scrooge, or Tiny Tim, or Bob Cratchit. Readers and Dickens-ians alike would have to wait one more day for what would be Charles Dickens' heartwarming tale of what, not who, 'the Christmas spirit' really is. According to Garrison Keillor's "The Writer's Almanac," Dickens' previous novel had been a flop and he needed some success to warm his bed. He thought that a holiday themed tale would do the trick. And do the trick it did. It has all the fixings for a good Christmas story: family, loneliness, ghosts, parties, lost love, children, financial woes, forgiveness and, ultimately, the gift of giving. An absolute precursor to cinematic classics like "It's A Wonderful Life," the story is timeless in its message: life is beautiful, so much in fact, that all we must be is grateful.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
A Secret Garden
For those of you 'angels' who frequent Runyon Canyon multiple times a week (you know who you are) you may recognize the image above. Amidst the Hollywood Hills, it's just another gate surrounding another home, perhaps historic. The last time I passed it, it made me think of Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel "The Secret Garden." I like to imagine the author found a door much like this one for which she found the inspiration for her story about a sad little girl who finds life again in a secret garden.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
My Favorite Things
On and off for the past week, I have been under the weather. The below-freezing temperatures outside don't help either, so it's been a real chore to stay healthy. On the other hand, it does make it slightly easier to hibernate. However, resting isn't something I do very well. Sure, I know how to relax and have a little lounge, but most of the time I like to be active. Even when I know I should take it easy, I lean more towards the get-up-and-go approach: the kind that often slams you into the ground. And, alas, it is the reason that last week's cold crept on me this week. In the end, the only possibility was and is rest.
Inspired by my friend Sophie (who said she was giving herself a treat by resting) I decided I would do the same and take a full day off. If I'm so high and mighty about my ability to turn the energy on, I might as well challenge myself to do the opposite. Can I turn the switch off? Here's a hint: I didn't leave the house ONCE yesterday and I loved it! It was a challenge for me, but I feel so much better today! While taking it easy, I prescribed myself subtle remedies and kept track of what worked and what didn't. Counting down, here is my top ten list of to-do's (or, aka: Mastering the Art of Cozy Resting) when it comes to feeling better:
10. Non-stop cups of herbal tea (preferably with a glob of wildflower honey dipped from a honey stick).
9. Wrap up in 1, maybe 2 blankets, and remain in a horizontal position as long as possible (socked feet may or may not poke out from the bottom of your self-made cocoon).
8. Sorry, Al Gore, but keep the heater pumping all day (but turn off when you do # 7).
7. If you're getting restless, whip up some cookies with baking goods stashed in the pantry (you know you have them).
6. Take a scalding hot shower mid-day (you know, the kind that steams up every mirror and window in the house) and then change from pajama uniform #1 into pajama uniform #2 (who says you can't feel rejuvenated?).
5. Open a window once or twice for a blast of fresh air (even when it's freezing outside).
4. Skip your favorite yoga class, sorry (no, seriously, skip it).
3. Relish in a good book (maybe short stories, like currently Lorrie Moore's "Birds of America").
2. Dinner is Won Ton Soup with dumplings (have someone you love drop it by).
1. And finally, watch a movie for the ultimate distraction (ideally, make it a classic, 3-hour long film, like "The Sound of Music") -- it'll get you singing despite the stuffy nose!
Inspired by my friend Sophie (who said she was giving herself a treat by resting) I decided I would do the same and take a full day off. If I'm so high and mighty about my ability to turn the energy on, I might as well challenge myself to do the opposite. Can I turn the switch off? Here's a hint: I didn't leave the house ONCE yesterday and I loved it! It was a challenge for me, but I feel so much better today! While taking it easy, I prescribed myself subtle remedies and kept track of what worked and what didn't. Counting down, here is my top ten list of to-do's (or, aka: Mastering the Art of Cozy Resting) when it comes to feeling better:
10. Non-stop cups of herbal tea (preferably with a glob of wildflower honey dipped from a honey stick).
9. Wrap up in 1, maybe 2 blankets, and remain in a horizontal position as long as possible (socked feet may or may not poke out from the bottom of your self-made cocoon).
8. Sorry, Al Gore, but keep the heater pumping all day (but turn off when you do # 7).
7. If you're getting restless, whip up some cookies with baking goods stashed in the pantry (you know you have them).
6. Take a scalding hot shower mid-day (you know, the kind that steams up every mirror and window in the house) and then change from pajama uniform #1 into pajama uniform #2 (who says you can't feel rejuvenated?).
5. Open a window once or twice for a blast of fresh air (even when it's freezing outside).
4. Skip your favorite yoga class, sorry (no, seriously, skip it).
3. Relish in a good book (maybe short stories, like currently Lorrie Moore's "Birds of America").
2. Dinner is Won Ton Soup with dumplings (have someone you love drop it by).
1. And finally, watch a movie for the ultimate distraction (ideally, make it a classic, 3-hour long film, like "The Sound of Music") -- it'll get you singing despite the stuffy nose!
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