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December 25, 2007
I'm Not There
As the experts say, this is a film that will get better with multiple viewings. I can't say I saw it in ideal conditions - it was one of many things I did last weekend to distract myself from my loneliness and grief. I suppose the nonlinear format was easier to engage with than the straight-forward biopic I watched later in the evening.
Still, for some reason I didn't fully understand the connection between Bale's character and Ledger's character until I read the reviews.
Like many people, I thought Gere's bit was the least enjoyable of the movie. While I enjoy the Basement Tapes, I had the hardest time connecting to Gere. I appreciated the dissolution of Riddle, but Gere seemed to be skimming the surface of the milieu - one reviewer said his character was an actor in a period drama, but I thought he was actually supposed to be part of the environment without the artifice of actor playing a role.
Of course, like everyone, I thoroughly enjoyed Blanchett's reenactment of the seminal moments Dylan's transformation from folkie to rocker. And I got a kick out of Moore's bitter Joan Baez impersonation. Reminds me that my 2004 Halloween costume augured my future relationship to my personal Robert Zimmerman.
Though it is impossible to fully understand during a first viewing, and it doesn't have the linear draw of most movies - or the satisfying puzzle explained ending of most nonlinear movies - I'm Not There is one of my favorite movies of the year.
rotten tomatoes entry
Ty Burr's review in the Globe
Carina Chocano's review in the LAT
Ebert's review contains useful back story links
Owen Gleiberman's EW review
Posted by cj at 02:25 PM | Comments (0)
Another year coming to an end...
I'm back from Chicago. It was a difficult visit. There's a lot of questions lingering, but in the end all I can do is hope that Katie is at peace. I'm trying to not dwell on things I should've done and concentrate on the friendship we shared.
Went to Cafe Matou, which seems appropriate since I stayed in Maison Matou. I am grateful to Kelvin for putting up with my moodiness and providing a futon for me to sleep on. I was clearly difficult and distracted company, to say the least.
As this year comes to an end, I'm reminded of all the people I've lost touch with over the years. Since mortality is a lesson I've learned several times this year, I am making a concerted effort to rekindle friendships, enjoy each day, and make time for joy. Though my shock and grief at Katie's passing cannot be cast off like yesterday's clothes, I know I need to move forward and live each day to its fullest.
Since my writing is being drowned by trite cliches, I'll end here. Please consider sharing your year end thoughts with me, either in the comments section or via email: socialupheaval (at) gmail.com.
Posted by cj at 10:02 AM | Comments (0)
December 14, 2007
In loving memory, Katie Cerullo
A shining literary light has gone dark far before her time. Katie was a brilliant playwright, extraordinary observer of life, and hopeless romantic. She was one of my closest friends and I still cannot believe she is gone.
Katie and I met at Wellesley and rekindled our friendship during my sojourn in Chicago. Her friendship was unwavering and all-encompassing. She was very concerned about my cancer treatment - she even sent a radiation care package, which in my hypo-state I could not find until after I returned from the hospital.
Katie was the first gourmet cook in my life and she conjured up the grandest meals I ate during college (forget the all-you-can-eat food plan, her meals were worth a thousand Sunday sundaes.) Her lust for life included a taste for the more down-to-earth culinary delights, from McDonald's Big Macs (hold the vegetables) to fried food on a stick at the Woodstock County Fair.
We both experienced profound love and heart break, which probably made us appear off kilter to the rest of the world. We were moving forward in our lives, not exactly on the same trajectory as Wendy Wellesley, but in our own ways making an impact on the world.
I am devastated by this loss. My heart goes out to her family and her "babies" - Luke & Pepper, her beloved dogs. I will be in Chicago next weekend to attend a memorial for her.
Posted by cj at 09:47 PM | Comments (0)
December 04, 2007
Why is Room Service so Nasty?
Just curious - why is the overpriced food (complete with 18% gratuity) so abhorrent? I was starving, so I ordered a margherita pizza, assuming there's really no way to screw up cheese pizza.
Alas, I was wrong.
Perhaps I was spoiled by my sojourn in Chicago, but come on - why add tomatoes to your pizza if they're not fresh? Why bake it with so much cheese that the dough doesn't have time to cook? It's so disappointing.
I'm finally starting to get tired and it's 12:30 here. Good thing I don't have an AM meeting tomorrow. Hope I catch onto Eastern time soon...
Posted by cj at 09:27 PM | Comments (0)