Bonjour,
Today is my Birthday. This day 31 years ago my mother did her thing and now I am here. I have passed the quarter life mark and am poised to take on my 30's with a little more perspective than I thought I would. It made me think back. Its what birthday's do. Birthday's give us time for pause and reflection. And so I have been doing so. It is weird. Although there are 31 years to reflect on, it is the last year that has been so intense that I can't shake it. I think the reason is that it's not only my life that has been traumatic and insane, but many of the people who make up my life. If I put together a chart of the increase of occurrences of things like deaths, job losses, pregnancies, marriages, divorces, moves, lifestyle changes, surgeries, career changes, cutting habits, picking up habits, falling in love, falling out of love, and so on, I am certain there would be a significant increase from previous years. As I took a mental snap shot, I started to think of specific people and how they have all dealt with the unplanned shakeups in their lives. Each person had a unique way of dealing. One person took trips they had put off for years. One person decided to just breath and relax. One person decided to change career paths. One person decided Canada was no longer for them. As I continued to mentally article my friends I realized almost everyone has dealt with some pretty intense stuff over the last year. Stuff that can sometimes break a person. Break their strength and resolve. But it didn't. As we walk into 2010, they are still pushing, still growing and still optimistic about the days ahead. I document these things because I know I will have moments in 2010 when I think I have had enough. Been pushed aside enough. Been told no enough. And I will need something to renew my resolve and remind me that someone else somewhere is dealing with things far worse than me. And so I will use this post...every once in a while when things get bad and out of focus I will come back and be reminded I need to suck it up and love who I have, what I have and where I am going.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
HOLIDAYS = FRIENDS, MUSIC, MOVIES AND ONE TV SERIES
Ok, I have just eaten one truffle, half a french mint chocolate bar, 1/3 of a quiche and a salad..I am jacked and am going to list some movie and music that is/are worth checking out. I managed to really enjoy my holidays and balance friends, family and enlightenment with relative ease. Luckily I can say any holiday tears I shed were not a result of repressed anger bubbling up from mass alcohol consumption and complete loss of emotional control, but from some pretty amazing journeys I went on courtesy of some new, returning and prolific artists. Ok, highlights of 2009 Holiday funtimes:
MUSIC
NIN @ V-FEST
Ok, this one has nothing do to with the holidays, but was one of the most notable performances of 2009 in Toronto. It was seamless, powerful and honest. The band was so on point and so committed, they got a standing ovation and posted it on the NIN website. http://beta.media.nin.com/gallery/index?g_type=token&g_val=2124&g_sort=newest&g_tag=&g_media=video&page=1
PHOENIX
A friend brought me to a show this spring and I am happy my first Phoenix experience came from the stage. They are a true live performance band, and that's rare nowadays. Go buy their album.
30 SECONDS TO MARS (THIS IS WAR)
Don't judge. There is an epic quality to most of the tracks. They make a major effort to build solid songs that come from somewhere and end up in another place. They use their fans for some of the choir bits and I have Stranger in a Strange land on my shuffle. I imagine myself climbing up Victoria Peak in Hong Kong where I once gave myself the worst shin splints of my life.
BRYN CHRISTOPHER (THE QUEST)
I have had this album for over a year, but it is so good, I need to mention it each year for the rest of my life.
MOVIES
500 DAYS SUMMER
Beautiful on all accounts. It is well written, well acted, beautifully created by the Director, DOP, Cinematographer, etc. Love is a series of emotions that are interconnected. You can't have the sky without the sea. 500 days is a fav.
NINE
Pretty to look at. Pretty to listen to. Pretty to watch. It's a series of scenes that come together to tell a story about a man. A tortured man who can't keep his hands to himself and physically cripples himself with his deceit and lying. The final scene is worth watching the whole movie. My only problem with the movie is I really don't care about the male character played by Daniel Day-Lewis. He can breathe air into a bag and it will entertain, but the soul of this character is bare and the contribution he makes to the world sort of neutralizes his
THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR.PARNASSUS
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a fantastical morality tale, set in the present day. It tells the story of Dr Parnassus and his extraordinary 'Imaginarium', a travelling show where members of the audience get an irresistible opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom. Heath Ledger passed away during the filming of Dr.Parnassus, so the movie got a little over hyped. It was good and was other worldly, but it's not a complete film. It's a small, tiny, little look into the window of the minds and imaginations of Terry Gilliam and Charles McKeown. Worth watching and will have a lasting effect.
SHERLOCK HOLMES
Whataver...That's pretty much all I have to say. They should have donated the money that it took to make the movie to youth shelters around the world or donated it to the makers of the COVE. Waste of my time and truly a waste of time for some amazing actors.
THE NARROWS
So the Bush family is good for something and that something is Sophie Bush. She's a pretty good actress..Very surprised. Kevin Zegers plays a 19 year old Brooklyn boy who is torn between two worlds; life of crime in Brooklyn and the high art world of NYU when his photography portfolio wins him a partial scholarship. Bush is the love interest, Vincent D'Onofrio plays Zegers dad and does a good job. A nice surprise.
EXTRACT
Disappointing and weak use of talent like Kristen Wig and Jason Bateman. There were a few funny scenes and may be worth a watch on a Sunday afternoon when nothing else is on. Don't spend time looking for it.
ALL ABOUT STEVE (Don't judge me)
Sandra Bullock is a neurotic crossword puzzle engineer. Bradley Cooper (The new hot thing...Why I ask) is a cameraman who goes on a blind date with her and within five minutes runs for his life. So what does any intelligent , sophisticated woman do; run after him. It's a lame movie with some funny parts. Katy Mixon is a highlight of this film and many others such as Four Christmases and Eastbound & Down. http://www.imdb.com/media/rm352163072/nm1737500. Check her out!
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS (Yet again, Don't judge me)
Wow, so there was nothing else in the theater I hadn't seen and felt like punishing myself...And punish myself I did! Sarah Jessica Parker yet again plays a New Yorker, but this time an uppity neurotic one A la Family Stone. Hugh Grant plays a lawyer who gets caught up in himself and forgets to pay attention to his wife. They get separated, then witness a crime and get placed in the witness relocation program and what ensues is an exercise in patience for the viewer. I really wish I had those two hours of my life back, but I don't so please don't make the same mistake I did!
THE COVE
Using state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renown dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health.
AVATAR
Ok, so it was amazing and it was industry changing and it really truly is a film that puts all the other animated/live auction films to shame..My friend Randall said " It is something I have never seen or experienced and you only say that about films a few times in your life. The story was even good. It was very topical and at the same time spoke to the century long battles that have raged over land and power. The more things change, the more they stay the same. A truly timeless story set against some of the most advanced cinema and GC ever created in the world. I am not going to illiterate and go on with any attempt at further describing AVATAR. I would embarrass myself and do the movie no justice. Just go see it and remember it's 3D...Takes time for your eyes to adjust.
BROTHERS
Boring. Good acting. Boring. Good cinematography. Boring.
SINGLE MAN
Beautiful. A visual symphony. A Beautiful and poetic story that marries harmoniously with the aesthetic and tone of the film. Please go see it.
INVICTUS
A Disney version of a time in history when Nelson Mandela, in his first term as the South African President, initiates a unique venture to unite the apartheid-torn land: enlist the national rugby team on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Matt Damon is pretty with his blond highlights and Morgan Freedman does what he does, acts the shit out of things. The story moves as if we are watching Evan Almighty; light and fluffy. There is no grit, no dirt. I could actually visualize the talent wranglers behind the screen waiting with towels and water bottles for the "acting" rugby players so they can get the "set dirt" off their face as soon as the director yells cut. There is ONE thing that is worth watching this movie for. Through all the Hollywood shine that is Invictus, you get a small picture of a man who defied all odds and truly exemplified a person who can forgive and extend empathy with a whole heart. He sacrificed his personal life for his country. We can only aspire to be a 1 10th of the man Mandela is.
THE LIFE BEFORE HER EYES
A waste of Evan Rachel Wood and Uma Thurman's talent. It was an interesting spin and story, but nothing about the film left a permanent impression. If it is in your hands and free, watch it. Otherwise, keep scanning the shelves.
TELEVISION
WONDERFALLS
An awesome series about an over educated Brown graduate who chooses to live in a trailer park and work in a Niagara Falls souvenir shop rather than get a "respectable job" and live in the lap of luxury in her parents house. It is smart, funny and so sadly only got one season. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361256/
MUSIC
NIN @ V-FEST
Ok, this one has nothing do to with the holidays, but was one of the most notable performances of 2009 in Toronto. It was seamless, powerful and honest. The band was so on point and so committed, they got a standing ovation and posted it on the NIN website. http://beta.media.nin.com/gallery/index?g_type=token&g_val=2124&g_sort=newest&g_tag=&g_media=video&page=1
PHOENIX
A friend brought me to a show this spring and I am happy my first Phoenix experience came from the stage. They are a true live performance band, and that's rare nowadays. Go buy their album.
30 SECONDS TO MARS (THIS IS WAR)
Don't judge. There is an epic quality to most of the tracks. They make a major effort to build solid songs that come from somewhere and end up in another place. They use their fans for some of the choir bits and I have Stranger in a Strange land on my shuffle. I imagine myself climbing up Victoria Peak in Hong Kong where I once gave myself the worst shin splints of my life.
BRYN CHRISTOPHER (THE QUEST)
I have had this album for over a year, but it is so good, I need to mention it each year for the rest of my life.
MOVIES
500 DAYS SUMMER
Beautiful on all accounts. It is well written, well acted, beautifully created by the Director, DOP, Cinematographer, etc. Love is a series of emotions that are interconnected. You can't have the sky without the sea. 500 days is a fav.
NINE
Pretty to look at. Pretty to listen to. Pretty to watch. It's a series of scenes that come together to tell a story about a man. A tortured man who can't keep his hands to himself and physically cripples himself with his deceit and lying. The final scene is worth watching the whole movie. My only problem with the movie is I really don't care about the male character played by Daniel Day-Lewis. He can breathe air into a bag and it will entertain, but the soul of this character is bare and the contribution he makes to the world sort of neutralizes his
THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR.PARNASSUS
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a fantastical morality tale, set in the present day. It tells the story of Dr Parnassus and his extraordinary 'Imaginarium', a travelling show where members of the audience get an irresistible opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom. Heath Ledger passed away during the filming of Dr.Parnassus, so the movie got a little over hyped. It was good and was other worldly, but it's not a complete film. It's a small, tiny, little look into the window of the minds and imaginations of Terry Gilliam and Charles McKeown. Worth watching and will have a lasting effect.
SHERLOCK HOLMES
Whataver...That's pretty much all I have to say. They should have donated the money that it took to make the movie to youth shelters around the world or donated it to the makers of the COVE. Waste of my time and truly a waste of time for some amazing actors.
THE NARROWS
So the Bush family is good for something and that something is Sophie Bush. She's a pretty good actress..Very surprised. Kevin Zegers plays a 19 year old Brooklyn boy who is torn between two worlds; life of crime in Brooklyn and the high art world of NYU when his photography portfolio wins him a partial scholarship. Bush is the love interest, Vincent D'Onofrio plays Zegers dad and does a good job. A nice surprise.
EXTRACT
Disappointing and weak use of talent like Kristen Wig and Jason Bateman. There were a few funny scenes and may be worth a watch on a Sunday afternoon when nothing else is on. Don't spend time looking for it.
ALL ABOUT STEVE (Don't judge me)
Sandra Bullock is a neurotic crossword puzzle engineer. Bradley Cooper (The new hot thing...Why I ask) is a cameraman who goes on a blind date with her and within five minutes runs for his life. So what does any intelligent , sophisticated woman do; run after him. It's a lame movie with some funny parts. Katy Mixon is a highlight of this film and many others such as Four Christmases and Eastbound & Down. http://www.imdb.com/media/rm352163072/nm1737500. Check her out!
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS (Yet again, Don't judge me)
Wow, so there was nothing else in the theater I hadn't seen and felt like punishing myself...And punish myself I did! Sarah Jessica Parker yet again plays a New Yorker, but this time an uppity neurotic one A la Family Stone. Hugh Grant plays a lawyer who gets caught up in himself and forgets to pay attention to his wife. They get separated, then witness a crime and get placed in the witness relocation program and what ensues is an exercise in patience for the viewer. I really wish I had those two hours of my life back, but I don't so please don't make the same mistake I did!
THE COVE
Using state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renown dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health.
AVATAR
Ok, so it was amazing and it was industry changing and it really truly is a film that puts all the other animated/live auction films to shame..My friend Randall said " It is something I have never seen or experienced and you only say that about films a few times in your life. The story was even good. It was very topical and at the same time spoke to the century long battles that have raged over land and power. The more things change, the more they stay the same. A truly timeless story set against some of the most advanced cinema and GC ever created in the world. I am not going to illiterate and go on with any attempt at further describing AVATAR. I would embarrass myself and do the movie no justice. Just go see it and remember it's 3D...Takes time for your eyes to adjust.
BROTHERS
Boring. Good acting. Boring. Good cinematography. Boring.
SINGLE MAN
Beautiful. A visual symphony. A Beautiful and poetic story that marries harmoniously with the aesthetic and tone of the film. Please go see it.
INVICTUS
A Disney version of a time in history when Nelson Mandela, in his first term as the South African President, initiates a unique venture to unite the apartheid-torn land: enlist the national rugby team on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Matt Damon is pretty with his blond highlights and Morgan Freedman does what he does, acts the shit out of things. The story moves as if we are watching Evan Almighty; light and fluffy. There is no grit, no dirt. I could actually visualize the talent wranglers behind the screen waiting with towels and water bottles for the "acting" rugby players so they can get the "set dirt" off their face as soon as the director yells cut. There is ONE thing that is worth watching this movie for. Through all the Hollywood shine that is Invictus, you get a small picture of a man who defied all odds and truly exemplified a person who can forgive and extend empathy with a whole heart. He sacrificed his personal life for his country. We can only aspire to be a 1 10th of the man Mandela is.
THE LIFE BEFORE HER EYES
A waste of Evan Rachel Wood and Uma Thurman's talent. It was an interesting spin and story, but nothing about the film left a permanent impression. If it is in your hands and free, watch it. Otherwise, keep scanning the shelves.
TELEVISION
WONDERFALLS
An awesome series about an over educated Brown graduate who chooses to live in a trailer park and work in a Niagara Falls souvenir shop rather than get a "respectable job" and live in the lap of luxury in her parents house. It is smart, funny and so sadly only got one season. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361256/
Thursday, December 10, 2009
TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY
It is December 10th and the pressure is starting to build. Do I have everyone covered off on my holiday list? Does friend X get a small token of love or the limited edition book on Paris's most influential designers that will cost me a half day's pay? Do I donate $500 to Children's Aid and send everyone a card? In previous years, I have gone the baked goods route; filling small white boxes with my best confectionery creations. This has been a smashing success in the past, but I have opted to see if I can go the more traditional gift route and not pull my hair out.
The first day in the mall wasn't too painful. I aimlessly wandered in and out of chain stores trying to find inspiration for the gifts I will give to my loved ones. As I spend more time in each store I start examining things; scarfs, hats, books, pens, and other gift items that have promised to satisfy all your holiday gifting needs. Many of the items I examined were pretty and shiny and colorful. They almost put you into a coma like state where everything around you bleeds into itself and you are left with a rainbow of colors and a very perky salesperson to help you pick your color of choice! I tried desperately to find something; anything that I could feel safe buying someone that said I care. Not "I don't really know you so here is a basket from Bath and Body Works". Please don't assume that statement applied to everyone. There are people you and I know that we like and respect, but really don't know enough to get them a Best Friends Forever pendant. It is those people that do appreciate the kind gesture of a more general item like a gift certificate or the always awesome "Spa in a bag". I am talking about the people you have fought battles with, endured break-ups and make-ups with. The ones that can tell how you are feeling by the temperature in the air around you. They are the ones that you know and want to surprise with something they would adore, but never think to buy for themselves.
Perhaps I am placing the present bar too high. Creating a sort of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" situation where I am setting expectations so high, they are doomed to be missed. Following my first trip at the mall, it was clear I needed to really flush out the presents before entering the building of stuff and things with no home. I layed all the people out, their favorite things, their secret passions, their most prized possessions and built a wish list of things for each person. Back to the mall I go with a game plan and my trusty ipod to block out the screaming children and chattering teenagers. After two hours or dogging, weaving, sorting and lots of waiting I came out with three presents. THREE out of FIFTEEN. Although I felt a small success, the three bricks I pulled down were nothing in comparison to the other fifteen that remained.
After my mall visits and my attempt to personalize each gift I made a decision. I am not going to do holiday gifts in the month of December anymore. I am going to explain to all my peoples that they will get awesome things. They will get surprised. They will get these awesome things and surprised at ANY point during the year. It will be when the moment is right and the stars have aligned to bring me and their gift together in a meeting of wonderment. In addition to the mall visits and challenges reconciling a manufactured holiday dictating when and why I should buy somebody something, I came to my final decision after listening to a Toys R Us commercial aimed at parents. The commercial painted this picture of the old days when Christmas was about family and egg nog and stringing the tree with fresh cranberries and popcorn. It said " Remember when Christmas was about family and friends, not toys and presents". then is continues to say " old days are gone and new are here to stay, so get your kid the best toy on the market". Basically saying without saying "get your kid the cool toys or he will be judged". I am being slightly dramatic, but can't we try and strike a fine balance and throw in a carol with the newest addition to the Sony Playstation family. Hey, maybe they can create a game for Rockband where the family gets together to sing custom carols, they get recorded and you email that out as your holiday card. Just a thought.
The first day in the mall wasn't too painful. I aimlessly wandered in and out of chain stores trying to find inspiration for the gifts I will give to my loved ones. As I spend more time in each store I start examining things; scarfs, hats, books, pens, and other gift items that have promised to satisfy all your holiday gifting needs. Many of the items I examined were pretty and shiny and colorful. They almost put you into a coma like state where everything around you bleeds into itself and you are left with a rainbow of colors and a very perky salesperson to help you pick your color of choice! I tried desperately to find something; anything that I could feel safe buying someone that said I care. Not "I don't really know you so here is a basket from Bath and Body Works". Please don't assume that statement applied to everyone. There are people you and I know that we like and respect, but really don't know enough to get them a Best Friends Forever pendant. It is those people that do appreciate the kind gesture of a more general item like a gift certificate or the always awesome "Spa in a bag". I am talking about the people you have fought battles with, endured break-ups and make-ups with. The ones that can tell how you are feeling by the temperature in the air around you. They are the ones that you know and want to surprise with something they would adore, but never think to buy for themselves.
Perhaps I am placing the present bar too high. Creating a sort of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" situation where I am setting expectations so high, they are doomed to be missed. Following my first trip at the mall, it was clear I needed to really flush out the presents before entering the building of stuff and things with no home. I layed all the people out, their favorite things, their secret passions, their most prized possessions and built a wish list of things for each person. Back to the mall I go with a game plan and my trusty ipod to block out the screaming children and chattering teenagers. After two hours or dogging, weaving, sorting and lots of waiting I came out with three presents. THREE out of FIFTEEN. Although I felt a small success, the three bricks I pulled down were nothing in comparison to the other fifteen that remained.
After my mall visits and my attempt to personalize each gift I made a decision. I am not going to do holiday gifts in the month of December anymore. I am going to explain to all my peoples that they will get awesome things. They will get surprised. They will get these awesome things and surprised at ANY point during the year. It will be when the moment is right and the stars have aligned to bring me and their gift together in a meeting of wonderment. In addition to the mall visits and challenges reconciling a manufactured holiday dictating when and why I should buy somebody something, I came to my final decision after listening to a Toys R Us commercial aimed at parents. The commercial painted this picture of the old days when Christmas was about family and egg nog and stringing the tree with fresh cranberries and popcorn. It said " Remember when Christmas was about family and friends, not toys and presents". then is continues to say " old days are gone and new are here to stay, so get your kid the best toy on the market". Basically saying without saying "get your kid the cool toys or he will be judged". I am being slightly dramatic, but can't we try and strike a fine balance and throw in a carol with the newest addition to the Sony Playstation family. Hey, maybe they can create a game for Rockband where the family gets together to sing custom carols, they get recorded and you email that out as your holiday card. Just a thought.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
SAW HI TO AWESOME...THE NEWEST SEXY MOBILE DEVICES..OR I LIKE TO CALL THEM MY LIFE TOOL
http://blog.e-tms.com.my/top-10-smartphones-of-2010
Monday, November 30, 2009
A FEW MOVIES AND THE CURRENT STATE OF TELEVISION!
Hey, how is it going out there? I have started to catch up on my movie watching since TIFF.
I always need to go through a detox after TIFF to scrape all the images, thoughts, reflections and random lines out of my brain.
Recently, I have seen:
In The Loop- Awesome satire of the British Parliament's back door activities.
AntiChrist- Artistic, disturbing, self serving (on the director's part) and choppy. I saw the film as a commentary on female sexuality but many have countered that interpretation with their view that it was about misogyny. If you decide to see it, I had nothing to do with it.
Away we go- Awesome, go see it. Leaves you knowing that there is beauty in the flawed. May be hard to find it at first, but it is there.
Up in the Air- More of a downer if you ask me. I got it. I just didn't care all that much. It was an story about a guy that fires people for a living and the parallels that come out of the stories between him, those he fires and the firm he works for. There is more to the movie, but I really don't want to waste your time.
Terminator- Salvation- Holy awesome Batman. The newest addition to the Blockbuster shelves does not disappoint. It is everything it should be and more. Find a friend with a killer entertainment system and hijack it for the day.
New Moon- People reviewing this film need to LOWER their expectations to that of a 13 year of girl. Every young teen entering the new world of sexuality and love needs something to reflect their delusional, unrealistic and unhealthy romantic ideals onto. Just sayin.
The Blindside- True story about Michael Oher who went from extreme poverty to an NFL Ravens left tackle player with the help of a family of strangers. He is black and from the hood, they are white and own a big house and some fast food chains. The Blindside was not given much love from the critics, and one reviewer said that it was a shame they didn't talk to the racial tension that MUST have existed between the family and Michael. Who is to say that there was any. The reviewer assumed there must have been some and they kept it out of the movie. For me, its not a racial thing so much as a rich and poor thing. I grew up around poverty and numerous ethnicities. There were divides in high school between races to some degree, but the thing that really created a divide was money. Kids without it got into trouble and did bad things. Kids with it were taught to stay in school, take up extra curricular activities and to get a job at Starbucks. I never felt out of place until I was with the rich kids. Throughout my youth I realized that money doesn't solve problems and people with or without it are all equal. But I grew up in Toronto, not Mississippi, so I may need to suck it up and realize there are racial tensions around the world and there may have been some in the Tuohy household.
During my movie catch up I decided to give TV a try again. I don't have cable. The last time I moved, I decided to get the cable connected. It had been a while and I thought maybe the cycle of suck TV had come to an end. It didn't, and two months later I disconnected it. This last attempt was at a friends and I can tell you right now, I have NO intention of reconnecting my cable anytime soon. I will preface this with I know there is SOME good TV out there. I am judging from channel 2 to lets say 40. Anything above 40 and on specialty is in a different category. The Category that I can purchase in full series format or episode by episode either in the store or online. All I have to say is I can't believe someone paid someone to follow Tori Spelling around. It actually gives me a stress rash..Not going to lie. Go online...Broadcasters are adapting and making it possible for us to consume what we really want, not what's been programmed for our ideal enjoyment. It is exciting to think about how my kids will live and consumer their entertainment and stories. The world is moving quickly and the further from traditional format TV we get, the happier I will be! Ciao for now...
I always need to go through a detox after TIFF to scrape all the images, thoughts, reflections and random lines out of my brain.
Recently, I have seen:
In The Loop- Awesome satire of the British Parliament's back door activities.
AntiChrist- Artistic, disturbing, self serving (on the director's part) and choppy. I saw the film as a commentary on female sexuality but many have countered that interpretation with their view that it was about misogyny. If you decide to see it, I had nothing to do with it.
Away we go- Awesome, go see it. Leaves you knowing that there is beauty in the flawed. May be hard to find it at first, but it is there.
Up in the Air- More of a downer if you ask me. I got it. I just didn't care all that much. It was an story about a guy that fires people for a living and the parallels that come out of the stories between him, those he fires and the firm he works for. There is more to the movie, but I really don't want to waste your time.
Terminator- Salvation- Holy awesome Batman. The newest addition to the Blockbuster shelves does not disappoint. It is everything it should be and more. Find a friend with a killer entertainment system and hijack it for the day.
New Moon- People reviewing this film need to LOWER their expectations to that of a 13 year of girl. Every young teen entering the new world of sexuality and love needs something to reflect their delusional, unrealistic and unhealthy romantic ideals onto. Just sayin.
The Blindside- True story about Michael Oher who went from extreme poverty to an NFL Ravens left tackle player with the help of a family of strangers. He is black and from the hood, they are white and own a big house and some fast food chains. The Blindside was not given much love from the critics, and one reviewer said that it was a shame they didn't talk to the racial tension that MUST have existed between the family and Michael. Who is to say that there was any. The reviewer assumed there must have been some and they kept it out of the movie. For me, its not a racial thing so much as a rich and poor thing. I grew up around poverty and numerous ethnicities. There were divides in high school between races to some degree, but the thing that really created a divide was money. Kids without it got into trouble and did bad things. Kids with it were taught to stay in school, take up extra curricular activities and to get a job at Starbucks. I never felt out of place until I was with the rich kids. Throughout my youth I realized that money doesn't solve problems and people with or without it are all equal. But I grew up in Toronto, not Mississippi, so I may need to suck it up and realize there are racial tensions around the world and there may have been some in the Tuohy household.
During my movie catch up I decided to give TV a try again. I don't have cable. The last time I moved, I decided to get the cable connected. It had been a while and I thought maybe the cycle of suck TV had come to an end. It didn't, and two months later I disconnected it. This last attempt was at a friends and I can tell you right now, I have NO intention of reconnecting my cable anytime soon. I will preface this with I know there is SOME good TV out there. I am judging from channel 2 to lets say 40. Anything above 40 and on specialty is in a different category. The Category that I can purchase in full series format or episode by episode either in the store or online. All I have to say is I can't believe someone paid someone to follow Tori Spelling around. It actually gives me a stress rash..Not going to lie. Go online...Broadcasters are adapting and making it possible for us to consume what we really want, not what's been programmed for our ideal enjoyment. It is exciting to think about how my kids will live and consumer their entertainment and stories. The world is moving quickly and the further from traditional format TV we get, the happier I will be! Ciao for now...
Thursday, October 1, 2009
TIFF MAKES THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE
It's done. It's over. It's a distant memory. It was here and now it's gone.
The 34th Toronto International Film Festival touched down with a whirlwind of people, parties and prolific filmmakers like Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Adam Egoyan.
During it's nine day city invasion, TIFF reminded local and visiting filmfans why it really is the best and most consumer friendly film festival in the world. In addition to the regular mini tornado's comprised of heavyhitters like Le Weinstein, Lowe, Barrymore and Connellly, TIFF made a huge statement by hosting numerous free screenings and live performances including films about U2, The Dixie Chicks and Bob Marley. They told the world that TIFF is for the people and spent a considerable amount of money making it happen.
I got to see a few movies in between planning our CFC Annual BBQ fundraiser that helps keep the CFC training tomorrow's film, television and new media content creators. Each year, the team works tirelessly and we raise close to $200,000 from an amazing group of sponsors who make it possible for us to host over 1,000 visiting and local members of the industry. They come, they drink, they make plans to talk deals, then they are off to the next of dozens of stops on the TIFF tornado!
So what did I see worth mentioning? Out of the 10 films I saw, three of them are worthy of checking out.
1. The first pick is The Invention of Lying with Ricky Gervais. As my friend Dustin said, " It's a totally original idea and story". The Invention of Lying takes you on a journey into a world where people don't lie...EVER. It's an awesome, and you would assume idealistic place to live,
but Mr.Gervais takes the story from the clouds to the mean streets quicker that you can say ' no, your ass doesn't look fat in that". Its a cute movie that will make you laugh, done.
2. Whip It is my second pick. I totally wished I was a thirteen year old girl watching this movie about a young girl living in a small town near Austin, Texas. She is the odd ball, the quirky one, the purple haired, Doc Marten wearing rebel chick who needs a home. While in a head shop, she
finds out about roller derby and as soon as she sets foot into the warehouse space to see her first game, you know this little one has found her people. She tries out, and it's clear she can handle her own. The rest of the movie was as predictable as the beginning, but this movie is about sending a message to young ladies that you can be all that you want...Smart, tough, pretty and a little crazy all at the same time..Why this was not taught to us in grade eight sex-ed, I do not know...But I would have saved a lot of time had it been!
3. Micmacs (Micmacs à tire-larigot) is my third pick. This film is from Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who co-wrote and directed Amelie. Micmacs is a film about optimism. Based on a character named Brasil who was orphaned as a youngster when his soldier father was killed by a roadside bomb. Working in a video store and trying to find his place in the world, Bazil is hit by a stray bullet in a freak drive-by shooting incident. Emerging from hospital, he finds himself jobless and penniless. Brasil finds support in a group of underground gypsies who take him in as family and help him create plan to destroy two big weapons manufacturers, one of which made the roadside bomb
that killed his father. The journey takes a few left turns and you are more than happy to go for the ride with a beautiful sensory experience only the likes of Jeunet and his team of free thinkers could create. Mic Macs is beautiful, subtitled and will become a classic like Amelie.
P.S: I also saw two NON TIFF movies recently.
THE INFORMERS: If you are doing a project on period pieces from the 80's, watch it. Otherwise, it will bore you and remind you that the 80's sucked..was a vacuous period of self-indulgence.
SUNSHINE CLEANING: Awesome, sweet and considerate storytelling, motivating and an overall good movie that makes your heart feel.
The 34th Toronto International Film Festival touched down with a whirlwind of people, parties and prolific filmmakers like Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Adam Egoyan.
During it's nine day city invasion, TIFF reminded local and visiting filmfans why it really is the best and most consumer friendly film festival in the world. In addition to the regular mini tornado's comprised of heavyhitters like Le Weinstein, Lowe, Barrymore and Connellly, TIFF made a huge statement by hosting numerous free screenings and live performances including films about U2, The Dixie Chicks and Bob Marley. They told the world that TIFF is for the people and spent a considerable amount of money making it happen.
I got to see a few movies in between planning our CFC Annual BBQ fundraiser that helps keep the CFC training tomorrow's film, television and new media content creators. Each year, the team works tirelessly and we raise close to $200,000 from an amazing group of sponsors who make it possible for us to host over 1,000 visiting and local members of the industry. They come, they drink, they make plans to talk deals, then they are off to the next of dozens of stops on the TIFF tornado!
So what did I see worth mentioning? Out of the 10 films I saw, three of them are worthy of checking out.
1. The first pick is The Invention of Lying with Ricky Gervais. As my friend Dustin said, " It's a totally original idea and story". The Invention of Lying takes you on a journey into a world where people don't lie...EVER. It's an awesome, and you would assume idealistic place to live,
but Mr.Gervais takes the story from the clouds to the mean streets quicker that you can say ' no, your ass doesn't look fat in that". Its a cute movie that will make you laugh, done.
2. Whip It is my second pick. I totally wished I was a thirteen year old girl watching this movie about a young girl living in a small town near Austin, Texas. She is the odd ball, the quirky one, the purple haired, Doc Marten wearing rebel chick who needs a home. While in a head shop, she
finds out about roller derby and as soon as she sets foot into the warehouse space to see her first game, you know this little one has found her people. She tries out, and it's clear she can handle her own. The rest of the movie was as predictable as the beginning, but this movie is about sending a message to young ladies that you can be all that you want...Smart, tough, pretty and a little crazy all at the same time..Why this was not taught to us in grade eight sex-ed, I do not know...But I would have saved a lot of time had it been!
3. Micmacs (Micmacs à tire-larigot) is my third pick. This film is from Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who co-wrote and directed Amelie. Micmacs is a film about optimism. Based on a character named Brasil who was orphaned as a youngster when his soldier father was killed by a roadside bomb. Working in a video store and trying to find his place in the world, Bazil is hit by a stray bullet in a freak drive-by shooting incident. Emerging from hospital, he finds himself jobless and penniless. Brasil finds support in a group of underground gypsies who take him in as family and help him create plan to destroy two big weapons manufacturers, one of which made the roadside bomb
that killed his father. The journey takes a few left turns and you are more than happy to go for the ride with a beautiful sensory experience only the likes of Jeunet and his team of free thinkers could create. Mic Macs is beautiful, subtitled and will become a classic like Amelie.
P.S: I also saw two NON TIFF movies recently.
THE INFORMERS: If you are doing a project on period pieces from the 80's, watch it. Otherwise, it will bore you and remind you that the 80's sucked..was a vacuous period of self-indulgence.
SUNSHINE CLEANING: Awesome, sweet and considerate storytelling, motivating and an overall good movie that makes your heart feel.
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