I have always been a big fan of unconventional movie endings. The films that don't end as you would expect, or don't end with the traditional happy ending have always stuck with me. In fact, most of these endings are pretty bleak. It seems to me that one's preference for unconventional movie endings says something about why one enjoys going to movies. I like going to movies to be entertained and to escape, but my enjoyment is typically predicated on being surprised or seeing something original, be it storytelling or direction or some other novel aspect of a movie. For others, escaping into entertainment might means living an alternate experience, but still with the happy ending. For those folks, reality might be so demoralizing or boring, they want to experience the love, the adventure, the mystery, etc. but know that a happy ending is in store. Personally, I want to see originality.
The movies with unconventional endings that I enjoy are movies like Seven, Arlington Road, and Memento. Seven has a particularly bleak ending, but the way it unfolds and then ends is just so surprising and feels like it would end that way in real life. It is so easy to relate to Detective Mills (Brad Pitt's character) and also feel the despair and horror (and apathy) felt by Morgan Freeman's character. That movie sticks with you because of the ending, because so many movies have lunatic killers with strange methods of killing. Arlington Road is a great film because the ending, like Seven, sticks with you. I hesitate to give away the endings of any of these movies, because if you have not seen them, it really does spoil it to say how it ends. My college roommate spoiled the ending of the Sixth Sense for me, and I think that took away my enjoyment and fondness for the film that others might possess. Memento is has the trifecta of greatness (IMHO) due to the fact that it was directed by Christopher Nolan, is told in reverse time (an incredibly original concept), and has an ending (beginning?) that feels so real, so HUMAN, that is also sticks with you. Man that is a good movie.
One of the worst offenders for dealing the standard, happy, movie-ending is the romantic comedy. The protaganist always gets the object of their affection, typically after they hate each other or are laden with numerous obstacles. I am happy to report that there are some innovators out there that buck that trend. One example is My Best Friends' Wedding. The heroine, Juliet, played by Julia Roberts no less, is conniving and self-absorbed and acts how a person might act in her situation (with the standard Hollywood hyperbolic embellishments). It is still a love story, but with a different ending and different types of love that you might expect. In that same regard Love Actually is unconventional, with parallel stories both happy and sad, real and unrealistic, all mixed together. That movie can appeal to both people like myself and those who want the standard movie escape. A third rom-com that bucks the trend is 500 Days of Summer. Not only is the movie told in non-sequential order (in a non-linear fashion), but it achieves both the unexpected ending and a happy ending, which is particularly difficulty for a rom-com.
The percentage of movies out there with unconventional endings or completely original deliveries are low. In a good sense, having them be so rare makes me appreciate them all the more. The possibilities are out there. I say this going into the summer movie season, which is pretty much the rubber stamp season of movies. But as long as my expectations are for that, I can still enjoy the standard blockbuster fare. So I guess that is what the enjoyment of movie-watching all comes down to. What do you expect?
Friday, April 22, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Nostalgic Power of Entertainment
I have recently been thinking about the nostalgic power of entertainment. The music, movies, TV shows, etc. that I grew up listening to have a powerful influence on me. For example, among my copies of The Departed and Inception, I have Seasons 1 and 2 of The Muppet Show (and I don't have kids). For the rehearsal dinner at our wedding, my husband and I rented out the Alamo Drafthouse theatre in Austin, TX and showed a viewing of The Empire Strikes Back. It should be noted that a prerequisite for marrying me is loving the Star Wars franchise. As it turns out, my husband is a sci-fi fan in the "classical" sense. That is, he loves sci-fi as a morality metaphor and a twist on reality. But Science Fiction as a genre is a topic for another column.
At that rehearsal dinner, I met my cousin Allison and her husband Sam for the first time ever. Turns out that they are HUGE Star Wars fans and we bonded over that commonality. This is just a small example of how an entertainment medium (the Star Wars phenomenon in particular) brought a sense of nostalgia and facilitated bonding. I am sure I could wear a Star Wars T-shirt on the T in Boston and get a few comments from complete strangers. And the entertainment industry takes advantage of this, too. I mean, look at the SuperBowl commercial for Volkswagen in which the little boy tries using the force. (Catch it here: http://youtu.be/R55e-uHQna0). That was one of the most popular ads. Even the smallest reference to Star Wars brings me back to playing with the action figures, dressing up like Leia, or watching the movie.
It happens with music too. Back when I was a kid and my family was driving cross-country and I had little to no control over the music played in the car, I was subject to Neil Diamond, Lee Greenwood, the Beach Boys, the Righteous Brothers and the Kingston Trio. I may not actively seek out listening to any of those at this point, but I still remember the words to all the songs and hearing one of them instantly takes me back to being in that station wagon with my parents and brother. Just last weekend, after finally getting a table in Giacomo's in the North End of Boston on the Saturday night before the Boston marathon (no easy feat), I heard the Righteous Brothers "You're My Soul & Inspiration." It was like I was transported back 25 years sitting in the living room while my dad played the album.
Now TV and movie soundtracks are replete with music that invokes a sense of nostalgia. The only trouble is, if you use a well-known song, it is competing with other possible memories attached. It is almost as if there needs to be a waiting period to prominently feature a song in a movie. It also presents a challenge for writers as to how to incorporate (and if they should) a particular song into a scene. I really admire those who can incorporate music in an unconventional manner, in a way it has never been used before. An instance comes to mind in which a beloved character from my past was linked to a musician that came to enjoy later in life. As I have mentioned before, I am a huge NIN fan, and consider Trent Reznor to be a musical innovator, particularly with lyrics. His song "Hurt" is a powerful example, one that was covered by the late great Johnny Cash. However, some bold individual made a video using the song "Hurt" and showcasing Kermit the Frog as a heroin addict. This icon from my childhood was now shown in a distinctly more modern, adult light. I may have been offended, had I not considered a humorous, satirical perspective. I wonder what Trent Reznor thinks of it.
I think a lot of people use this entertainment nostalgia as a tool for dealing with life. Why else would we buy movies or songs but to view them repeatedly, or at least have them to experience when we like? With a modern culture of instant access, it has become a way to comfort ourselves, excite ourselves, or gain new perspective. It is entertainment not just to entertain, but as therapy.
At that rehearsal dinner, I met my cousin Allison and her husband Sam for the first time ever. Turns out that they are HUGE Star Wars fans and we bonded over that commonality. This is just a small example of how an entertainment medium (the Star Wars phenomenon in particular) brought a sense of nostalgia and facilitated bonding. I am sure I could wear a Star Wars T-shirt on the T in Boston and get a few comments from complete strangers. And the entertainment industry takes advantage of this, too. I mean, look at the SuperBowl commercial for Volkswagen in which the little boy tries using the force. (Catch it here: http://youtu.be/R55e-uHQna0). That was one of the most popular ads. Even the smallest reference to Star Wars brings me back to playing with the action figures, dressing up like Leia, or watching the movie.
It happens with music too. Back when I was a kid and my family was driving cross-country and I had little to no control over the music played in the car, I was subject to Neil Diamond, Lee Greenwood, the Beach Boys, the Righteous Brothers and the Kingston Trio. I may not actively seek out listening to any of those at this point, but I still remember the words to all the songs and hearing one of them instantly takes me back to being in that station wagon with my parents and brother. Just last weekend, after finally getting a table in Giacomo's in the North End of Boston on the Saturday night before the Boston marathon (no easy feat), I heard the Righteous Brothers "You're My Soul & Inspiration." It was like I was transported back 25 years sitting in the living room while my dad played the album.
Now TV and movie soundtracks are replete with music that invokes a sense of nostalgia. The only trouble is, if you use a well-known song, it is competing with other possible memories attached. It is almost as if there needs to be a waiting period to prominently feature a song in a movie. It also presents a challenge for writers as to how to incorporate (and if they should) a particular song into a scene. I really admire those who can incorporate music in an unconventional manner, in a way it has never been used before. An instance comes to mind in which a beloved character from my past was linked to a musician that came to enjoy later in life. As I have mentioned before, I am a huge NIN fan, and consider Trent Reznor to be a musical innovator, particularly with lyrics. His song "Hurt" is a powerful example, one that was covered by the late great Johnny Cash. However, some bold individual made a video using the song "Hurt" and showcasing Kermit the Frog as a heroin addict. This icon from my childhood was now shown in a distinctly more modern, adult light. I may have been offended, had I not considered a humorous, satirical perspective. I wonder what Trent Reznor thinks of it.
I think a lot of people use this entertainment nostalgia as a tool for dealing with life. Why else would we buy movies or songs but to view them repeatedly, or at least have them to experience when we like? With a modern culture of instant access, it has become a way to comfort ourselves, excite ourselves, or gain new perspective. It is entertainment not just to entertain, but as therapy.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Movie Soundtracks: A soundtrack for life.
I think almost anyone might agree that the sound and music in a movie is key to it's value/impact to the viewer. Sound mixers, foley artists, composers, songwriters, and so on can really shape your emotion and how you feel about a scene or movie as a whole. And isn't that what the movie-going experience is as a whole? An escape? An evaluation? A mirror?
I am a huge fan of movie scores/soundtracks, not just because they remind me of a movie, but usually because I will typically like the music from the movie I like. (Insert chicken or the egg argument here about which is the reason I like one or the other.) At this year's Oscars, I was torn as to whether to root for Hans Zimmer, whose mind-blowing score was integral to my love for the movie Inception, or for Trent Reznor, who scored for David Fincher's The Social Network. I thoroughly enjoyed The Social Network as a movie, but I am also partial to Mr. Reznor as I grew up a rabid Nine Inch Nails fan. In fact when I saw TSN, I almost dropped my popcorn when I heard the music in one scene and realized that it had to be Trent who scored it. I really wish they could have given out 2 Oscars for Score.
Growing up I not only listened to every conceivable type of music with lyrics, but I danced ballet from age 5 up through college. That experience gave me an appreciation for classical music, the movement of music, and particularly how music makes one FEEL. These days, as I take the subway or bus around town, or drive in my car, I listen to music whenever I can. I can't help but notice how my mood is so affected by what I have listened to. The music doesn't necessarily correlate with what you might think either. If I am listening to NIN or Metallica, it certainly puts me in a good mood, sometimes even relaxed. On the other hand, Marc Cohn's "Walking in Memphis" or Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" might make me angry. This is for reasons of personal experience which I will not divulge. But it goes to show that music and our own experience shape how we feel about the music.
How we feel about music, in turn, shapes how we feel about a movie. Even the absence of sound makes a powerful impact. Take the Coen brothers' No Country for Old Men. If you haven't, do it now and take notes. I guess the best way for us to create our own life score or soundtrack is via iPod, or by listening to the radio. It would be awesome to be able to do that whenever we wanted (especially at a job you don't necessarily like). Just as important would be taking time for NO music or sound, the time to contemplate, think, be.
So here's to the folks that shape how we listen to movies..........or should I say, HEARS to you?
I am a huge fan of movie scores/soundtracks, not just because they remind me of a movie, but usually because I will typically like the music from the movie I like. (Insert chicken or the egg argument here about which is the reason I like one or the other.) At this year's Oscars, I was torn as to whether to root for Hans Zimmer, whose mind-blowing score was integral to my love for the movie Inception, or for Trent Reznor, who scored for David Fincher's The Social Network. I thoroughly enjoyed The Social Network as a movie, but I am also partial to Mr. Reznor as I grew up a rabid Nine Inch Nails fan. In fact when I saw TSN, I almost dropped my popcorn when I heard the music in one scene and realized that it had to be Trent who scored it. I really wish they could have given out 2 Oscars for Score.
Growing up I not only listened to every conceivable type of music with lyrics, but I danced ballet from age 5 up through college. That experience gave me an appreciation for classical music, the movement of music, and particularly how music makes one FEEL. These days, as I take the subway or bus around town, or drive in my car, I listen to music whenever I can. I can't help but notice how my mood is so affected by what I have listened to. The music doesn't necessarily correlate with what you might think either. If I am listening to NIN or Metallica, it certainly puts me in a good mood, sometimes even relaxed. On the other hand, Marc Cohn's "Walking in Memphis" or Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" might make me angry. This is for reasons of personal experience which I will not divulge. But it goes to show that music and our own experience shape how we feel about the music.
How we feel about music, in turn, shapes how we feel about a movie. Even the absence of sound makes a powerful impact. Take the Coen brothers' No Country for Old Men. If you haven't, do it now and take notes. I guess the best way for us to create our own life score or soundtrack is via iPod, or by listening to the radio. It would be awesome to be able to do that whenever we wanted (especially at a job you don't necessarily like). Just as important would be taking time for NO music or sound, the time to contemplate, think, be.
So here's to the folks that shape how we listen to movies..........or should I say, HEARS to you?
Friday, March 25, 2011
Documentary on Graduate Student Life
I have always loved documentaries. It fascinates me how someone can go so in depth into a particular subject. IMHO, the best documentaries are either peeking behind the curtain of something that may already be popular, or shedding light on a particularly benign subject.
I have long wanted to develop and create a documentary. The topic had changed as I grew up, but during and since graduate school, is has remained the same. I think that the life and culture of graduate programs is a topic BEGGING to be covered. After getting my graduate degree, I spend over eight years working in and managing graduate programs in various departments. As such, I have developed quite the network of friends and acquaintances who have experienced life as a graduate student, and many that went on to make graduate program culture a permanent part of their life. (I am looking at you, graduate school faculty and staff!)
There is stress, tension, high drama, and no shortage of subjects. It is fascinating to me to see the dynamics between advisors and their advisees, and how they can range from distant to inappropriately intimate. Not only that, but the range of research and education is staggering. Particularly when a doctoral student can spend anywhere from 4 to 10 years focusing on the minutiae of a particular subject. It is a descent into obsession, and for some is the most trying time of their life. Particularly for students writing their dissertation. It is a journey really, a mental marathon for which no one is every prepared. I think it would put any reality show fodder to shame. I see it as a hybrid of a PBS show like "Nature" and an episode of "The Real Housewives of Such and Such". Except more information and infinitely more tears and rage.
Someday I would like to do such a documentary, but alas, as is the case of many aspiring documentary filmmakers, I lack the resources. I am working on developing contacts in this area, but resources are scarce. At least I have the seed of an idea and the passion..........
I have long wanted to develop and create a documentary. The topic had changed as I grew up, but during and since graduate school, is has remained the same. I think that the life and culture of graduate programs is a topic BEGGING to be covered. After getting my graduate degree, I spend over eight years working in and managing graduate programs in various departments. As such, I have developed quite the network of friends and acquaintances who have experienced life as a graduate student, and many that went on to make graduate program culture a permanent part of their life. (I am looking at you, graduate school faculty and staff!)
There is stress, tension, high drama, and no shortage of subjects. It is fascinating to me to see the dynamics between advisors and their advisees, and how they can range from distant to inappropriately intimate. Not only that, but the range of research and education is staggering. Particularly when a doctoral student can spend anywhere from 4 to 10 years focusing on the minutiae of a particular subject. It is a descent into obsession, and for some is the most trying time of their life. Particularly for students writing their dissertation. It is a journey really, a mental marathon for which no one is every prepared. I think it would put any reality show fodder to shame. I see it as a hybrid of a PBS show like "Nature" and an episode of "The Real Housewives of Such and Such". Except more information and infinitely more tears and rage.
Someday I would like to do such a documentary, but alas, as is the case of many aspiring documentary filmmakers, I lack the resources. I am working on developing contacts in this area, but resources are scarce. At least I have the seed of an idea and the passion..........
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Who do you look like?
One way that I have become good at remembering faces is by relating them to the famous person they look like. For example, when I first met my husband I thought he looked like a particular movie actor. I won't say who, because he doesn't think he looks like this person. The tricky thing is that the personality characteristics of the famous person might be displaced on to your new acquaintance, which is not helpful as you get to know the person. For example, if you think someone looks like George Clooney and start to attribute this new person as smooth, funny, etc. The guy may be a misogynistic, ill-mannered, boor.
This has also backfired on me in terms of attributing personality characteristics from a famous person to a friend. I made the mistake of saying that Steve Buscemi reminded me of guy (because I happen to think that Buscemi is a renaissance actor, funny and talented). My friend took it as I meant he LOOKED like Steve Buscemi, which he took great offense too. Because let's face it, Buschemi is talented, but unfortunate-looking. However, don't we see smart, beautiful, talented women with unfortunate-looking talented men all the time?
Another way in which this has been positive, beside helping me remember people, is that it can make a person I don't get along with more palatable. For example, I have a coworker who I don't see eye-to-eye with. I think she is immature and manipulative. However, I also think she looks like Snarf from the children's cartoon, Thundercats. No joke, that is the first association that popped in my head when I met her. So now it might be abrasive to deal with her, but I am usually reminded me of Snarf, which makes me laugh (at least internally). Tension in our staff meeting? Thundercats, HO!
This has also backfired on me in terms of attributing personality characteristics from a famous person to a friend. I made the mistake of saying that Steve Buscemi reminded me of guy (because I happen to think that Buscemi is a renaissance actor, funny and talented). My friend took it as I meant he LOOKED like Steve Buscemi, which he took great offense too. Because let's face it, Buschemi is talented, but unfortunate-looking. However, don't we see smart, beautiful, talented women with unfortunate-looking talented men all the time?
Another way in which this has been positive, beside helping me remember people, is that it can make a person I don't get along with more palatable. For example, I have a coworker who I don't see eye-to-eye with. I think she is immature and manipulative. However, I also think she looks like Snarf from the children's cartoon, Thundercats. No joke, that is the first association that popped in my head when I met her. So now it might be abrasive to deal with her, but I am usually reminded me of Snarf, which makes me laugh (at least internally). Tension in our staff meeting? Thundercats, HO!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
R.I.P. Joan of Arcadia
On last night's episode of House I was reminded of one of my all-time favorite shows, Joan of Arcadia. Amber Tamblyn now stars on House, and her former co-star on JoA, Christopher Marquette, showed up as a patient. With his character's references to God, I was thrown back into the whimsy of JoA. (Though I do know House writers love to put in references to actors' former roles. In a recent episode, Peter Jacobson (Taub) referred to Omar Epps (Foreman) as Linc from the Mod Squad. Epps played Linc in the movie version of the Mod Squad.) Another JoA reunion took place on Criminal Minds, where Joe Montegna (who played Will Girardi on JoA) reunited with Michael Welch (who played his son Luke on JoA).
The storyline on House was solid and this episode "Fall from Grace" had a turn at the end that was memorable which I will not reveal here. TV really seems to be a writers' place to shine, and none more so than on the series Joan of Arcadia. It is such a shame it only lasted two seasons. I guess because it addressed the existence of God and discussed religion, philosophy and morals on a TV show, it may not have been appealing to a mass audience. (Better to a "Mass" audience. HA! Had to get that pun in.) Plus it was on Friday nights, which can be the kiss of death for any show. What was great about it was that it was not a preachy show. Just a show that was a forum and catalyst for discussing such topics.
I have my opinions on all those subjects, but I found myself being impressed by how the proverbial door was opened to the topic. I mean, anybody could use that show as a tool for teaching a class on how to be a decent person. Not necessarily pertaining to any religion or faith or moral code. Just decency. It is really a shame that it did not continue. Especially since the 2nd season cliffhanger finale was a great setup for furthering those sorts of discussions, but done so in a way that Joan of the story's life was mirroring Joan of Arc. The series was just getting legs! Oh well. Here's hoping that some other series is written or comes along that is close to being as entertainingly meaningful as that one.
The storyline on House was solid and this episode "Fall from Grace" had a turn at the end that was memorable which I will not reveal here. TV really seems to be a writers' place to shine, and none more so than on the series Joan of Arcadia. It is such a shame it only lasted two seasons. I guess because it addressed the existence of God and discussed religion, philosophy and morals on a TV show, it may not have been appealing to a mass audience. (Better to a "Mass" audience. HA! Had to get that pun in.) Plus it was on Friday nights, which can be the kiss of death for any show. What was great about it was that it was not a preachy show. Just a show that was a forum and catalyst for discussing such topics.
I have my opinions on all those subjects, but I found myself being impressed by how the proverbial door was opened to the topic. I mean, anybody could use that show as a tool for teaching a class on how to be a decent person. Not necessarily pertaining to any religion or faith or moral code. Just decency. It is really a shame that it did not continue. Especially since the 2nd season cliffhanger finale was a great setup for furthering those sorts of discussions, but done so in a way that Joan of the story's life was mirroring Joan of Arc. The series was just getting legs! Oh well. Here's hoping that some other series is written or comes along that is close to being as entertainingly meaningful as that one.
Christopher Nolan is awesome
I just had to post something about this. Christopher Nolan is definitely one of the best directors of all time. I have seen all his movies and I am impressed that upon repeated viewings, I can find nuances that contribute to the story as a whole. That is what impresses me about him. Plus his stories and ways of telling stories are so incredible and original. His casting is spot on as well.
I just watched Inception for the twentieth or so time this past weekend and still marvel at the details of it. I have the date of the The Dark Knight Rises release on my calendar and it is over a year away. I don't know why every person in Hollywood is not clamoring to work with this man. At some point I will have to blog about my musings on what he has done with the Batman franchise, as well as the originality of Inception.
His moviemaking almost inspires me to go back to graduate school and write a dissertation about his work. I mean, his work is not just entertaining, but smart and thought-provoking. Maybe I should have called this blog "How much do I love Christopher Nolan's work?" There is a website called Nolan Fans, and those guys seem much better connected to Nolan and information regarding Nolan than I am.
I just watched Inception for the twentieth or so time this past weekend and still marvel at the details of it. I have the date of the The Dark Knight Rises release on my calendar and it is over a year away. I don't know why every person in Hollywood is not clamoring to work with this man. At some point I will have to blog about my musings on what he has done with the Batman franchise, as well as the originality of Inception.
His moviemaking almost inspires me to go back to graduate school and write a dissertation about his work. I mean, his work is not just entertaining, but smart and thought-provoking. Maybe I should have called this blog "How much do I love Christopher Nolan's work?" There is a website called Nolan Fans, and those guys seem much better connected to Nolan and information regarding Nolan than I am.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)