Elections and Some ole Newstuff

So, I can certainly say one thing about college: it’s really hard to go see a movie in theaters. Something about managing your own money makes it just that much more difficult… So I have yet to see a film in theaters! But I expect this to change some way or another, given the exciting new movies coming out in the next couple months (it IS that time of year!). Look out for Clint Eastwood’s Changeling, Charlie Kauffman’s next screenplay and directorial debut Synecdoche, New York, a major feature film for the gay rights movement with Sean Penn as Harvey Milk in Milk, Sam Mendes (of American Beauty fame)’s latest feature Revolutionary Road, the world war 2 era flick Defiance with Daniel Craig and more. It’ll be an exciting season. So all I’ve really got for this are slightly older movies, some from this year, some from before. Look for something about music soon or eventually, given that time of year when it becomes necessary to reflect on the best of the year. There’ve been some good musical releases this year, it should be interesting. On a side note of monumental importance:

Berkeley

So Barack Obama is our new president elect. I must say it was sure something to have been here in Berkeley on Tuesday night, with a good 5,000 people running around everywhere screaming in elation. Ah to be young.

California: Douchebag of the Week

However, it was a bittersweet election night as California voted to enact the descriminatory, prejudice, and selfish Prop 8, specifically targetting the gay community as being deserving of less than the heterosexual community. It was also the first time in California history that rights had been taken AWAY from the people. It’s scary to think that only about half a century ago interracial marriage was still illegal in California. We’ve been noted as a state to be on the edge of American progressivism, and we tend to always vote blue. So we want change. We’re liberal. But not THAT liberal. I have a huge problem, personally, with devisive, horrible measures like Prop 8, and the people who zealously instill fear into the voting public to get their way. It’s clear that prop 8 was religiously motivated, and regardless of my own views about the legitimacy of religion, legislation should not be religiously motivated.
So, as of Wednesday I am immensely proud of America for voting for progress, while I am also immeasurably disappointed in the (once) great state of California. Congratulations guys. Let the homophobia live on.

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Reviews

- THE COUNTERFEITERS – (2008 – German)  

Dir:Stefan Ruzowitzky; Star:Karl Markovics
The interesting story of master counterfeiter Salomon Sorowitsch who is imprisoned in a concentration camp where he is enlisted to help counterfeit foreign currency to fund the ailing Nazi war machine. Given special treatment for his services, the ethics of the situation come into play and a great internal conflict arises. Should he fight for survival by aiding that which was out to destroy the world and his people? Markovics is great in the lead; his cryptic stare matches the complexity of thought in the character. It’s a quick moving if conventional drama that’s both emotional and exciting. Won an Oscar for best foreign film.

- ZODIAC – (2007)

Dir:David Fincher; Star:Mark Ruffalo, Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr.
Taut, well crafted crime thriller following the manhunt for the Zodiac killer in the San Francisco bay area during the 1970’s. Journalist Gyllenhaal takes the project upon himself the police prove uncooperative. Dark, brooding, well cast, and finely detailed, although it suffers from overlength. Riveting stuff nonetheless.

- ALMOST FAMOUS – (2000)
Teenage boy journalist follows fictional band on US tour where he learns about the rockstar lifestyle against the will of his mother. A vividly unique picture that seems a tad too calculated by the end, but the emotions are genuine.  Patrick Fugit is well cast as the hopeful boy.

- RAISING ARIZONA – (1987)
Those Coen brothers sure are weird, but thats more reason to love them. Especially when they’re as farcically silly as this. Their keen sense of mythical character is in fine form. Surreally attractive.

- SAW- (2004)
Begins with se7enesque sadism, hooks you in, then sort of puts you off in a lull, then the ending slams you in the face so hard it more than makes up for it. Neat.

- 28 DAYS LATER… – (2002)
Frightening, creative, feels real, kudos on the somewhat unique zombie design. A tad on the indulgent side, but a better effort in the modern survival horror movement.

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Tags: movie reviews, prop 8

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