Moonrise Kingdom

I am learning that just like you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, you should judge a film by its title. A friend gave me a copy of the film Moonrise Kingdom. I had remembered the title from the Oscars, but didn't know anything about the film. I thought it might be a serious film or perhaps a documentary. Usually I have to be in a certain mood to watch certain movies. Foreign films, documentaries and any thing over two hours, I reserve for Sunday afternoons. That way they have my full attention and I don't miss anything important.
Moonrise Kingdom is directed by Wes Anderson and stars, Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Frances McDormond, Bill Murray, Bob Balaban, Tilda Swinton and Harvey Keitel. I didn't know what to expect from this film, but it was quite a surprise. It was funny, sad and it made a statement. There are some amazing visuals which is a signature of Wes Anderson. The film is about young love, trying to fit in, abandonment, infidelity,mental illness, forster care and social services.

If you are a fan of any of the actors or the director, check out this film.

Movies in Brief

     I decided to watch a film that I hadn’t seen in a while. It was a Showtime film which starred Pam Grier. Those of you that know me can guess why this film is even in my collection. 3 A.M. is the story of a day in the life of a waitress and several cab drivers. Their personal demons as they try to work and avoid being killed by a serial killer. I’m making it sound better than it is. The film also stars Danny Glover and Michelle Rodriguez. There are appearances by film maker/producer Spike Lee and rapper turned actor, Treach. Bobby Cannavale, Pepa of Salt and Pepa fame and Walt Frasier as himself.
The film gives us a glimpse into the lives of a half dozen cab drivers of various backgrounds. We follow them on their journey of one night, until the shift ends at 3 A.M.
The film was written and directed by Lee Davis, don’t worry I hadn’t heard of him either. It was produced by Spike Lee and Sam Kitt.

I watched several animated films this week. I love animation and good animation really captures my attention. 8 Man After is a film put together from various episodes of the series. It’s like an animated version of Terminator and Robo Cop. It’s very graphic and dark at times. It’s funny how life imitates art. Remember the bionic man? Now people are slowly becoming cyborgs as they are able to walk, run, see and do things they wouldn’t have been able to do 30 years ago.
Even in animation the acting can be over the top, but its animation. LOL. The visuals are pretty good.
We follow an investigation into cyborgs being hooked on a drug that causes mass destruction.

The other animated film I watched was Tarzan and Jane. This is the sequel to Tarzan. I’ve come to the conclusion, when it comes to Disney sequels, they aren’t as good as the first film. I think they are just trying to cash in on the popularity of the first film. The story of Tarzan and Jane is about their first year Anniversary and Jane wants to throw a party, but she is reminded of how Tarzan dealt with other situations. It’s fun for the kids. No big name voices behind the characters and the animation is so so.

I also watched another animated film, Perfect Blue. Now this brings animation to a whole new level. This is a psychological thriller. A pop icon, Mima goes from being part of a trio singing group, Cham, to being an actress. That part of the story isn’t original and nor is the stalking, but it is original for animation. Perfect Blue is based on a graphic novel.
The film goes back and forth from reality to the film world that Mima has become a part of. Her management shows concern of her image, but Mima tries to be a team player as the duo Cham rises to the top of the pop charts. Art seems to imitate art as Mima is stalked and the people around her seem to turn up dead. Perfect Blue is very brutal and graphic. This is certainly not an animated film for kids.

Thanks for stopping by, and do come back again. Remember to keep an open mind.

Mad Beat Hip and Gone

Mad Beat Hip and Gone

[This is a view of the theater from S. Lamar and Riverside Dr.]

Mad Beat Hip and Gone - Last night I attended this performance at the Zachery Scott Theater. The play was written and Directed by Steven Dietz. It’s the story of two guys who stumble across Jack Kerouac and follow him because he was talking to a girl that one of the guys liked. It’s a story about searching. Not just for parts of a past, but for the future. Looking for adventure, anything that will make life more exciting. The writer creates characters that may or may not have been in the bar from the book On The Road.

Mad Beat Hip and Gone stars Jacob Trussell, Jon Cook, Erin Barlow, Babs George, Rick Roemer and Topaz McGarrigle. The set design really takes over as a character. The team at Zachery Scott has done some incredible work on the last three performances I’ve seen and this one is no exception. The cast is really good, but Jon Cook really stands out as Rich, Danny’s partner in crime.

The play centers on the idea “Nothing is true, but everything is real.” It’s a line from a letter Jack Kerouac wrote to a friend in 1949. The writer was trying to solve Nietzsche’s metaphysics, according to the Playwright’s notes.

Topaz McGarrigle plays the sax which ads to the dark side within the characters. I’m sure we can all relate to something someone has written. We all have our own personal adventures, even if they are only in our dreams.

Relive the beginning of the beatnik era or get introduced to a time when young guys and girls wanted to be hip. It was drugs, sex, poetry and jazz.

Mad Beat Hip and Gone runs at the Zachery Scott Theater until April 28, 2013.

[The Topfer at night]

Thanks for stopping by, and do come back again. Remember to keep an open mind.

Everyday People

I found this film for a dollar and it seemed like an interesting premise and one of the faces was familiar so I picked it up. It’s an interesting story on many levels. It deals with the perceptions we have of people without really getting to know them. For most of us we tend to judge someone by what we see and not what we know. If we see someone on the street begging for money, we immediately think they are homeless or have some sort of addiction. Sometimes the person begging on the street isn’t homeless, but they just can’t make ends meet. But if we just pass judgment and don’t bother to ask, then we’ll never know. Many of us don’t care to know. I too am guilty of that, but I made myself aware of this world that I knew nothing about. People get into a situation because they are afraid or don’t know how to ask for help. When you hear no often enough in your life you just don’t bother to ask your family or friends for help.

Everyday people brings people of various backgrounds together. There are people who work, but they aren’t doing it for the money. They are doing it because they enjoy it. I know it may sounds odd, but it is true. There aren’t many people who can say they have a job that they would do for free. I used to volunteer a lot and from time to time I try to help others, but I don’t volunteer like I used to. One of the reasons is that here in Austin, they don’t seem to supply parking so it makes it difficult unless of course you take public transportation.

We live in a world where we are divided on many levels. There is the racial divide and the economic divide. Sometimes we become a part of this without even knowing. One day we are a part of something and then before we know it we are a part of something else. Everyday is a challenge and if we don’t acquire the knowledge to deal with it, then we are doomed.

Everyday People has won several awards and was written and directed by Jim McKay for HBO films.

Thanks for stopping by, and do come back again. Remember to keep an open mind.