The Metaphorical Magpie

Culture Shock Report 2009: Films

The Tale of Despereaux *
Affliction
Junior
Music From Another Room
Doubt *
Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven
Mamma Mia!
Frost/Nixon *
Encounters at the End of the World
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Pineapple Express
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired
Revolutionary Road *
The Wrestler *
Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice
How to Cook Your Life
Helvetica
Vicky Christina Barcelona
Coraline (3D)
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Who the ... Is Jackson Pollack?
The U.S. vs John Lennon
A Bigger Splash
10,000 B.C.
9 1/2 Weeks
The Running Man
Changeling
Trouble the Water
Star Trek *(Imax)
The Bicycle Thief
Twilight
Let the Right One In
Corrina, Corrina
In Bruges
Julia Child! America's Favorite Chef
Up *
The Reader
Forget Paris
Harry and Tonto
Day Watch
Vampire in Brooklyn
Feast of Love
Fantastic Mr. Fox *
State of Play
Adventureland
The Girlfriend Experience
Precious *
Up In The Air *
The Class
Wendy and Lucy
Happy Go-Lucky
Gran Torino
Becoming Jane
The Golden Compass
Bright Young Things
Christmas in Connecticut
Holiday Affair
Bright Star *
Duplicity
The Lady Eve
The Soloist
Away We Go
I Love You, Man
Funny People
He's Just Not That Into You
Dinner Rush
Where The Wild Things Are *
Public Enemies *
Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
Invisible Man
Intermezzo: A Love Story
Conrack
Freedom Writers
The Good Shepherd
Wristcutters: A Love Story
Julie & Julia *
Stardust
Eraserhead
Urban Cowboy
Pope of Greenwich Village
Factotum
The Vanishing
Dutch
500 Days of Summer *
Inglourious Basterds *
Black Book
Love Affair
An Affair to Remember
Drag Me to Hell
Cruising
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
The Brothers Bloom
The Butcher Boy
Food Inc.
Bruno

Let's Go Crazy

When I think of all the music that has moved me over the years - my quest for Cuban son, rhumba and soukous resonating from African, the endless nights raving under blinking lights, the bone crushing exhilaration of being the only girl in the mosh pit, exploring the depths of funk, awakening to Berlioz, fawning over New Wave and on and on - I must go far, far back to the time where I began to choose music for myself. Raised on my mother's vinyl collection, she taught me to harmonize with The Beatles, how to recognize instruments, and generally to appreciate music. Before she had me at the tender age of 17, she wanted to be a pianist. Her music collection was large but devoid of disco, funk, R&B.

When I finally got that coveted walkman for Christmas, one of the first cassette tapes I got (yes, my dears, we listened to tapes back then) was Purple Rain by Prince. I didn't realize there was a problem with my musically vanilla universe until I was exposed to his shades of lavender and changed forever. 

Oh my! Countless hours were spent by me gazing at him astride his motorcycle, slowly washing the dishes at night because I was too busy dancing in the kitchen while enclosed in his purple realm betwixt my headphones. He piqued my adolescent curiosity. I didn't understand some of the things he was singing about but I was definitely hellbent to find out. (Once I got over my ugly duckling stage.)

I think Purple Rain is one of the most perfect records ever made. It makes me yearn for love slightly out of reach. It makes me remember heartbreak. It makes me leave notes on windshields just like the one Darling Nikki left on the stairs. I play it when I know that it's time for me to go a little crazy. One time I had a party and JPo and I ended up dancing to the whole record while our drunken guests sat on the couch in a little bit of awe.

This year is the 25th anniversary of the record's release. Sing-a-long parties screening the film are happening all over the country. This Thursday Celebrate Brooklyn is hosting one in Prospect Park. It's been on my social calendar for weeks. I've got a ruffly shirt and my purple eyeshadow ready to go.

Don't you think it's time to go a bit crazy?

Grey Gardens goodness

HBO's feature film, Grey Gardens, begins airing on Saturday April 18th. The documentary of the same name by the Maysles Brothers is one of my all time favorite documentaries. (If you haven't seen it, rush to Netflix and acquire it this instant! I mean it. Chop! Chop!)

Starring Drew Barrymore as Little Edie and Jessica Lange as Big Edie, I'm hoping the film does the fascinating mother-daughter duo justice.

I've already got the Tivo set.

For behind the scenes shots of how the film makers recreated the house, furnishings and clothes for the film, check this out.

Inside all of us there is a wild thing

As a child, I read countless books. Some of them I remember, many I've forgotten, but one in particular became part of the very fabric of my existence, Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Occasionally, I will still pull it out for a quick and satisfactory read. I love the color palette, the wild things, Max's suit and crown and especially the rumpus. When I bought this house, I dubbed the upstairs room the rumpus room, not as a nod to the game rooms of suburbia but to Mr. Sendak and his creations.

Knowing Spike Jonze was making the book into a film has had me excited for some time. I just got a look at the trailer and it looks beautiful. I love that the wild things are puppets in a very Henson type way. Any child of the Muppet generation can appreciate that, I think. There is a scene where all the wild things are standing on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea and cheering. I'd like to join them there having fun, romping around. Maybe after dark we could all tromp into the woods and toast marshmallows while we tell stories of our most awesome rumpuses from the past.

The film is opening on October 16. Save me a seat!

What if you had to do to today over...and over?

It's Groundhog Day.

I love this movie because it let's someone try something over and over again until he gets it right. How often does one get that luxury?

I also love putting all my hopes for winter ending on the whim of a groundhog. I love you, you big  fat scardycat, Puxsatawney Phil, no matter if you see your shadow or not.

Connecting contemporary culture with the classics

Lykke Li - Tonight from Lykke Li on Vimeo.

I don't know what inspired this song but whenever I hear it,  I always think of the story of Orpheus venturing to the Underworld to fetch his wife, Eurydice. He is given the chance to lead her back into the living world above but may not turn back to look at her as they make their journey.

Both the story and this song bring into focus how sometimes a loved one is right by your side but you feel that they may be slipping away. It's hard to know what to do at that point. Do you look back like Orpheus and lose everything in the attempt to save it? Or move confidently forward knowing your lover is one step behind you today and that on another day you may be the one bringing up the rear?

If you haven't seen Jean Cocteau's film Orpheus, I suggest you put it in your Netflix queue.

Culture Shock Report 2009- Issue 01

My cultural consumption since 1/1/09.

Films:
Movies with trailers here were seen in the theater. Of those three, Doubt is the one most worth the ticket price. Wonderful acting all around. Seeing a movie like this, with acting of this caliber, makes me realize how much dreck Hollywood usually sends our way. Plus signs denote ones I like enough to pass on.

The Tale of Despereaux

Affliction +
Junior
Music From Another Room

Doubt +

 

Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven
 Mamma Mia

Frost/Nixon

TV:
Top Chef- I was sad to see Eugene pack up his knives. I didn't think he would win but there was a soft spot in my heart for him. As for Melissa, it's about time. How about the new judge? He's a bag full of barbed bon bons, eh? Quote of the week from Fabio: "This is Top Chef, not Top Scallops." on Jamie doing yet another seared scallop dish.

30 Rock - Liz's attempt to ruffle the hair of a young boy on the street leads to a doomed relationship with Peter Dinklage, who is small, yes, but not a boy. Can anyone source those gold shoes Tracy was wearing for me?

Greys Anatomy- I'm glad they are backing Izzy off the stupid plot line of seeing/sexing up Denny after he's died. The introduction of a new lady doctor means new entaglements for one of the McDoctor's I am sure. What I am not so sure of is if Greys is worth my hour of time anymore.

Golden Globes award ceremony

and enough HGTV and Food Network shows to choke a horse

Culture Shock Report 2008: Films

My general film watching motto is: Life's too short. Try to watch the good movies first and let the crap sneak in on occasion. The bad ones usually seep in through the cracks of my tivo which I hoard for particularly mind numbing days. I'd rather watch a bad movie to self medicate rather than drink vodka. I'm weird like that.

Film's noted here with a +, are ones I feel good about suggesting you watch, too.

Those with a @ are ones I'd rather eat a chocolate covered cockroach before watching again.

Any without notations are in the ether in between and I'd say if you are intrigued, go for it! 

Astericks indicate I saw the film in the theater.

Films are not in the order I saw them this year. I'm sure I've missed a handful of ones I've caught on cable but this is a pretty definitive list for the year.

Links to all films on Netflix for easy popping into your queue, which I'm sure is just dying for a little fresh blood for lazy winter weekend viewings.

My husband, Sweets, is the professional film reviewer in the family. This year, because he saw so many many films in advance of release, I missed out on a few big ones I still want to see. I'll be popping some of those into my own Netflix queue like Pineappple Express, Happy Go Lucky and Zack and Miri Make a Porno.

Did you see something this year that I should check out pronto? Let me know. And if you beg to differ on opinions, let me know that, too, I love to talk about films.

Delve into my film psyche further with My 2007 Culture Shock Movie Report,  which also has links to the 2004, 2005 and 2006 reports. Whew, I'm a big list making, film watchin nerd!

P.S. I already got started with my 2009 list with a 10:20 am matinee on New Year's Day.

Films I consumed in 2008

Once  - There was an abundance of love for this movie. I gave it a "eh" Make sure you try Before Sunrise and Before Sunset if you like this type of story,  for in my opinion, more satisfaction but with (almost) no singing.
Eagle vs. Shark
The King of Kong + - A very satisfying dorkumentary
2 Days in Paris + - A word of advice. Do NOT photograph your boyfriend with a balloon tied to um, a certain dangling participle, and share with others.
Paris, Je Taime
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg + - Fantastic classic. I even loved the music. I'm really not a musical hater, I swear. This proved it. Completely topical and fresh feeling today even after 40 years.
Peeping Tom
Gone Baby Gone + - Casey Affleck is in the hizzy. Ben who?
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story @
Lars and the Real Girl + - I thought this was perfectly played, not camp, not too dear, very human.
Across the Universe + - The story line was thinly drawn but boy oh boy, this was gorgeous to watch and the music stuck with me for days.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford + - See it for the breathtakingly cinematography alone. Another fine turn by Casey Affeck. And it has that Brad Pitt guy, too.
Bee Movie
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days + - Definitely one of the best films I saw all year. Harrowing, real and eye opening.
My Blueberry Nights - I love Wong Kar Wei but this one was a swing and a miss. Not by a mile but not as good as some of his earlier gems like Chungking Express or Fallen Angels.
Be Kind Rewind - I hope we all get the chance to "swede" a movie of our some day.
Persepolis + - Grown ups should have more animated films. Riveting.
Bringing Up Baby + - Katherine Hepburn is as cool as a dreamsicle. You'll eat up every drop.
Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day
Nosferatu + - Where vampire movies began.
The Visitor + - This one surprised me by how good it was. One of the best films I saw all year.
Reprise - Critically acclaimed. I was only so-so won over by it but it's worth a watch.
Control + - Loved this. Beautifully shot, well told. Made we want to learn more.
Manufactured Landscapes - Total yawn. Sorry.
Son of Rambow
42 Up - I am crazy about Michael Apted's Up Series. I find watching people progress at seven year intervals to be completely intriguing. Start with the group in  Seven Up in 1964 and work forward chronologically.
Youth Without Youth - Thought provoking, weird and probably too deep for my girl brain but I mostly liked this. Worth a watch. Especially as a foil to Benjamin Button.
Martian Child
No Reservations - After seeing both, I would opt for the German film, Mostly Martha, this remade
The Nanny Diaries @
The Jane Austen Book Club
Starter For Ten @
Catch and Release @- I think this one is tied with El Cantante for worst movie I saw all year.
El Cantante @
27 Dresses @
The Haunting + - Creepy in all the right ways and in some subtler ones as well. Still solid for a horror movie from the 60's because it wisely steered away from over the top effects and scared you with suspense instead.
Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer
Shooter
Man on Wire + - I wrote about this documentary recently. Just see it. If you love New York, Frenchmen, dreamers or an amazing true story, you'll love it. I promise.
The Dark Knight * - I know I am supposed to love this. I do in part but not as a whole.
Iron Man * + - I did love this. Super heroes aren't my thang but I Robert Downey Jr. made me care about the person first and then the superhero.
WALL-E
Mafioso + - A very funny 60's Italian crime story
Michael Clayton +
The Lady Vanishes
I Think I Love My Wife
Kung Fu Panda  * + - In the dukeout for best animated feature with Wall-E, Panda has the secret ingredient
The Joy Luck Club
Talk To Me +
Red Rock West

Do the Right Thing + - Although this felt a little stage-y and I didn't think the "right thing" happened at the end, I think it's one of those NY movies that should be watched.
The Wings of the Dove + - This will just break your heart in two .
One Fine Day
License To Wed @ - Really, really awful. But not as bad as Catch and Release.
Slumdog Millionaire * +
Ghost Town * + - This small Ricky Gervais film was woefully unnoticed. Please watch.
Tropic Thunder * + - It has Robert Downey Jr., some really funny moments and that dance scene by Tom Cruise that made it just the thing for stress relief the day I slipped into the theater.
Sex and the City  * - Was it a great movie? Nah. Was it great fun? Abso-f'ing-lutely.
Frozen River - Indie cred got us interested but it never thawed my heart.
Quantum of Solace *- Bond is back to being bland after flirting with depth and emotion in Casino Royale. Pity.
Burn After Reading  *- This may be my favorite Clooney role ever. Not as funny as I'd hoped with this killer cast.
Smart People *
Baby Mama * - Tina Fey kinda let me down with this one. Good thing she got me back with the Palin impersonations and the new season of 30 Rock.
The Savages * + - Yes, it sounds like a downer but it is terrific.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly * + - Not enough words to express my love for this film.
There Will Be Blood  * + - One word. Wow.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street * - Ah, this is wear the musical hate in my crops up.
Atonement *
Milk * +
Ace in the Hole + - Movies about newspapers always grab me and this 1951 flick with Kirk Douglas and a corrupt reporter is a doozy.
X-Men: The Last Stand - It was New Year's Day. It was on. I was hung over.
The Best Man
The Pope of Greenwich Village +

Annie Hall + - Another NYC must see. What took me so long?
Take the Lead
The Triplets of Belleville
The Frighteners

Rachel Getting Married * + - Tough to watch but well worth it.

December Views: Movie suggestions

It's the time of year that I usually put together lists of all the films, concerts etc that I've taken in during the year. I've scarcely had time to do that but I want to share a few films with you that are worth seeing.

Slumdog Millionaire- The director, Danny Boyle, who brought us Trainspotting, delves into the gritty underbelly of a city far from Scotland (although there is a sly nod to Edinburgh in there). The film follows the path of a young man who finds himself a contestant on the Indian version of Who Want's to Be a Millionaire?. It turns out that all of his life experiences add up to him knowing the answers to questions that will catch him a huge pot of money. Yet he is motivated by love and loyalty, not the rupees. The story is told in a fresh visual style, is not too cloying, has a great soundtrack and a fun Bollywood sequence if you stick around for the credits. in select theaters now. This film should get lots of attention at the Golden Globes and Oscars.

Man on Wire- Now available on DVD, this documentary about a Frenchman, Phillipe Petit, who walked on a tightrope  between the World Trade Center towers in 1974. Prepare to be awed and inspired by this man driven to walk a thin line between reality and magic. This is a well crafted documentary. Netflix it, baby!