Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The stratospheric status of "Up in the Air"
This is always a great time of year for movies. And I've now seen what up to this point is the best movie of the year. Up In The Air has stellar buzz and a crystal clear and 'sleek as far as the horizon is wide' style. In this case, however, it is truly worth the accolades.
George Clooney is at his most spot-on approximation of the legendary Cary Grant as he slinks entirely into the role of Ryan Bingham. He's impeccable. Vulnerable. It's almost as if he were dancing throughout the movie. Unlike almost any other actor - male or female - I think the world has a collective crush on Clooney. But all that optical surface quality misses something larger that I think is the real point of this movie. Clooney inhabits a peerless, devastating position in this otherwise sad, sanitized climate of a movie. Plenty of other reviewers have talked about the timely nature of the story, given our current economic malaise. I believe that misses the larger point by about half.
Much is being made of how Clooney's character has the unenviable task of firing people on behalf of heartless corporations — most squeamishly portrayed during a scene that is meant to take place in Detroit. The people being "let go" look almost entirely like the frighteningly real jobless. Well, that's because they largely were. Director Jason Reitman employed many of them in the roles, playing, in effect, themselves, with the obvious exceptions of J.K. Simmons and Zach Galifianakis. Even the end of credits song came from a laid-off worker who wrote about his own soul-numbing experiences. Ballsy.
But aside from all that "it's tough out there" shorthand, this whip smart movie is about survival. It shows how even the stainless, elevated, beautiful people maybe just don't know what's going on out there in the big, wide, oft-traveled world any longer. The point is that we're all nihilists, I might even leap to argue. At the very least we're meant to imagine that we're all vulnerable. And if we take the time to listen to this very smart film, we can all maybe sit in that chair across from Clooney wondering what's next.
My rating - a full A. I believe this movie will be tough to watch for all manner of people. Get comfortable before doing so. Bring a chocolate bar. Take a walk afterward. If you can, hold someone's hand or call a friend beforehand just to say "hey". But see it. If you've got a pick for a better movie this year, I'm glad for you.
George Clooney is at his most spot-on approximation of the legendary Cary Grant as he slinks entirely into the role of Ryan Bingham. He's impeccable. Vulnerable. It's almost as if he were dancing throughout the movie. Unlike almost any other actor - male or female - I think the world has a collective crush on Clooney. But all that optical surface quality misses something larger that I think is the real point of this movie. Clooney inhabits a peerless, devastating position in this otherwise sad, sanitized climate of a movie. Plenty of other reviewers have talked about the timely nature of the story, given our current economic malaise. I believe that misses the larger point by about half.
Much is being made of how Clooney's character has the unenviable task of firing people on behalf of heartless corporations — most squeamishly portrayed during a scene that is meant to take place in Detroit. The people being "let go" look almost entirely like the frighteningly real jobless. Well, that's because they largely were. Director Jason Reitman employed many of them in the roles, playing, in effect, themselves, with the obvious exceptions of J.K. Simmons and Zach Galifianakis. Even the end of credits song came from a laid-off worker who wrote about his own soul-numbing experiences. Ballsy.
But aside from all that "it's tough out there" shorthand, this whip smart movie is about survival. It shows how even the stainless, elevated, beautiful people maybe just don't know what's going on out there in the big, wide, oft-traveled world any longer. The point is that we're all nihilists, I might even leap to argue. At the very least we're meant to imagine that we're all vulnerable. And if we take the time to listen to this very smart film, we can all maybe sit in that chair across from Clooney wondering what's next.
My rating - a full A. I believe this movie will be tough to watch for all manner of people. Get comfortable before doing so. Bring a chocolate bar. Take a walk afterward. If you can, hold someone's hand or call a friend beforehand just to say "hey". But see it. If you've got a pick for a better movie this year, I'm glad for you.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Holidaze Diversity, sponsored by Target
Like many families that I've grown to know, we're chest deep into Hanukah and closing in on Jesusmas. It truly is a stellar time of year. But for the first time, I'm fully aware of the commercial disparity. No earth-shaking news there. Let me explain.
I won't decry those that want to frill it up this time of year. Personally, I love a Jesusmas tree. And ours this year is outstanding. Pun mangled. Picking a tree out with Maya at our neighborhood lot is a new annual ritual, this year bolstered in its hilarity by her spot-on singing of Hanukah carols (who knew?) as we looked around. I even got guilted into keeping up neighborly appearances with regard to outside lights. In short, our place looks frosty festive even as Seattle's weather has turned from clear and cold to damp and gray.
In terms of retail, Target is a controlled riot in December. The sheer number of aisles for wrapping paper and varied poofy accountremants alone outnumber the space set aside for "Health and Beauty" by my unscientific count. Each and every last dollar of which is then destined to be either thrown away (can you recycle mirrored foil?) or put into storage for the next 11 months. Still, go ahead - knock yourself out, America.
After looking around those aisles yesterday, I asked one of the Target minions where to find the Hanukah stuff. In plain terms she said, "downstairs, across from the 'clearance' items". Granted, it was already the 5th of 8 Days into the Festival of Lights. But throw our Jewish friends a bone and at least put it on the same floor, doncha think? Well, it got worse. The Hanukah section was actually just the end of one aisle. The lamps aisle. Rimshot. It featured a few ceramic things (a Star of David cookie jar? Really?). A few plates, most of which were plastic. And, I still can't figure it out, a metal basket. Just to put in a margin notation in the NSA file of my purchases, I bought Maya a plastic dreidel-festooned cup with that fake lining filled with glitter and stars. Made in China and not dishwasher safe. In short, the loneliest little cup in the store.
Luckily, Maya loved it. That combined with her Hanukah gift last night (a fortune cookie), made for a lovely 5th night. Tonight we've got a big celebration planned. A party at her Pre-K, complete with all the standard fare. Including hash browns. Love the hash browns.
Hope your own celebrations today are equally momentous. Rock on.
I won't decry those that want to frill it up this time of year. Personally, I love a Jesusmas tree. And ours this year is outstanding. Pun mangled. Picking a tree out with Maya at our neighborhood lot is a new annual ritual, this year bolstered in its hilarity by her spot-on singing of Hanukah carols (who knew?) as we looked around. I even got guilted into keeping up neighborly appearances with regard to outside lights. In short, our place looks frosty festive even as Seattle's weather has turned from clear and cold to damp and gray.
In terms of retail, Target is a controlled riot in December. The sheer number of aisles for wrapping paper and varied poofy accountremants alone outnumber the space set aside for "Health and Beauty" by my unscientific count. Each and every last dollar of which is then destined to be either thrown away (can you recycle mirrored foil?) or put into storage for the next 11 months. Still, go ahead - knock yourself out, America.
After looking around those aisles yesterday, I asked one of the Target minions where to find the Hanukah stuff. In plain terms she said, "downstairs, across from the 'clearance' items". Granted, it was already the 5th of 8 Days into the Festival of Lights. But throw our Jewish friends a bone and at least put it on the same floor, doncha think? Well, it got worse. The Hanukah section was actually just the end of one aisle. The lamps aisle. Rimshot. It featured a few ceramic things (a Star of David cookie jar? Really?). A few plates, most of which were plastic. And, I still can't figure it out, a metal basket. Just to put in a margin notation in the NSA file of my purchases, I bought Maya a plastic dreidel-festooned cup with that fake lining filled with glitter and stars. Made in China and not dishwasher safe. In short, the loneliest little cup in the store.
Luckily, Maya loved it. That combined with her Hanukah gift last night (a fortune cookie), made for a lovely 5th night. Tonight we've got a big celebration planned. A party at her Pre-K, complete with all the standard fare. Including hash browns. Love the hash browns.
Hope your own celebrations today are equally momentous. Rock on.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Tea Time #1 - Maya looks for verification that she'd properly adjusted her tiara.
Tea Time #1 - Maya looks for verification that she'd properly adjusted her tiara.
Originally uploaded by emaggie
Friday, December 04, 2009
A drive-by mash-up of "Carving Rushmore", Hugo House and "The Nutcracker"
One fascinating story from earlier this week not only caught my eye, it prompted me to start a new blog project. The centerpiece is the auction going on today of Cormac McCarthy's old school manual typewriter, with the proceeds going to benefit the Santa Fe Institute. Aside from the fascinating nature of this old-timey machine having been a writer's primary outlet for his - I'm not afraid to say it - genius, I'm able to tap into an unfocused appreciation of my own. Manual typewriters. Cheaper to buy than to ship via eBay. So if you want to see where this nugget of an idea gets rolling downhill, check out my new project blog - Carving Rushmore.
It's a big weekend on this end. I've got an all-day event at Hugo House tomorrow. Sunday is all about "The Nutcracker" for Maya, Sarah and me. We're even doing a traditional high tea before the ballet, and getting all fancified for all the fun. I'll be sure to pass along pics thereafter. Hope your own calendar also allows ample time to plant bulbs and hang bulbs, of entirely different kinds. Rock on.
It's a big weekend on this end. I've got an all-day event at Hugo House tomorrow. Sunday is all about "The Nutcracker" for Maya, Sarah and me. We're even doing a traditional high tea before the ballet, and getting all fancified for all the fun. I'll be sure to pass along pics thereafter. Hope your own calendar also allows ample time to plant bulbs and hang bulbs, of entirely different kinds. Rock on.
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