Movie Stats:
Released 1983 (USA)
American, in English (significant Spanish, mostly non-translated)
Director - Brian De Palma
Stars - Al Pacino, Steve Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer
Plot Summary:
Set in 1980s Miami, after arriving as a “boat person,” Cuban immigrant Tony Montana (Pacino) experiences a meteoric rise up the ranks of a drug cartel. Bauer co-stars as Tony’s BFF Manny & Pfeiffer as Tony’s love interest, Elvira.
Warnings:
Extreme violence; extreme gore; heavy blue language; brief female nudity (breasts & butt); heavy consensual drug use (mostly cocaine).
Bad Stuff:
Most of the actors playing Cubans are not, in fact, of Cuban descent (or even Latinx descent for that matter).
It’s just a little bit too long.
The end scene is pretty over-the-top ridiculous. I also thought it didn’t make a whole lot of sense. [SPOILER] I mean, this guy spends millions of dollars on security and his system is that easy to defeat? Like anybody can just jump over the wall? Seemed like an overly convenient plot device to make sure Tony could have his now-famous last stand. [SPOILER]
Good Stuff:
With one exception (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, as Tony’s sister, Gina) the acting was very good.
I liked the overarching theme, how it played with the idea that what one wants and what one needs can often be two entirely different things.
I enjoyed the character of Tony, as reprehensible as he was. He’s not a genius. He’s not a criminal mastermind. He’s a guy who knows what it’s like to be at the bottom & he’ll do anything to keep from going back there. That felt real to me.
About the Performance:
After watching “Heat,” I was worried about seeing another Pacino film. I agonized over whether to watch this or “Scent of a Woman.” But I’ve never been interested in Woman, and I figured, if Pacino went all AL PACINO in this, at least it made sense for a guy involved in the cocaine business. In the end, I quite liked him in this role. There’s a quiet, coiled sense of danger about Tony through the whole film. You know he’s going to explode and you sit there in tension, waiting for that moment when it bursts forth. It was well done. There are times when he turns into a screaming maniac but those scenes felt natural. It reminded me of why people consider Pacino a great actor.
Other performances of Pacino’s I’ve reviewed: The Godfather; The Godfather: Part II; Heat.
The Verdict:
I actually liked this film a lot. It’s not a cinematic masterpiece or anything, but it’s entertaining. My husband found it slow. I liked that about it. The tension ratchets up and up as the film goes along. By now, most of us are familiar with that famous last scene, whether we’ve seen the movie before or not, so you know it’s coming and you feel a bit breathless, wondering how things are going to get there. I was even impressed by the underlying message, which I wouldn’t have expected from a film of this caliber: getting to the top doesn’t matter if you haven’t taken the time to work on yourself because unhappiness follows you wherever you go. I suspect lots of people enjoy this film because they dream of going out in a blaze of glory but I liked it for its philosophical musings.
I give it 4 stars.
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Up with Geography: Gabon
Country Name:
Gabon
Capital:
Libreville
Continent:
Africa
Maps:
Neighbors:
Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo
Water Borders:
Atlantic Ocean
Total Area:
103,347 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Libreville, Mandji (Port-Gentil), Masuku (Franceville), Oyem, Moanda
Famous Geographical Point:
Cristal Mountains
Famous Person:
Yann Ulrich Stéphane Lasme, basketball player
Book Set In/About:
The Fury and Cries of Women by Angèle Rawiri
Set in 1980s Gabon, it’s the tale of one woman’s quest to discover herself and define womanhood in the crossroads between modernity and tradition.
Movie Set In/About:
“The Rhythm of My Life: Ismael Sankara” (2011), directed by Franck A. Onouviet & Marc A. Tchicot
This documentary short follows an American-based rapper who goes to Gabon and stumbles across the project of his dreams.
Headline of the Day:
“Gabon: Journalists Unhappy with Media Regulator” in africanews.com.
Gabon
Capital:
Libreville
Continent:
Africa
Maps:
 |
| African continent. Gabon outlined in dark ink. |
 |
| A close-up of Gabon & its neighbors. |
Neighbors:
Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo
Water Borders:
Atlantic Ocean
Total Area:
103,347 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Libreville, Mandji (Port-Gentil), Masuku (Franceville), Oyem, Moanda
Famous Geographical Point:
Cristal Mountains
Famous Person:
Yann Ulrich Stéphane Lasme, basketball player
Book Set In/About:
The Fury and Cries of Women by Angèle Rawiri
Set in 1980s Gabon, it’s the tale of one woman’s quest to discover herself and define womanhood in the crossroads between modernity and tradition.
Movie Set In/About:
“The Rhythm of My Life: Ismael Sankara” (2011), directed by Franck A. Onouviet & Marc A. Tchicot
This documentary short follows an American-based rapper who goes to Gabon and stumbles across the project of his dreams.
Headline of the Day:
“Gabon: Journalists Unhappy with Media Regulator” in africanews.com.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Top 50 Actors, #37 - Edward G. Robinson: "Key Largo" (1948)
Movie Stats:
Released 1948 (USA)
American, in English
Director - John Huston
Stars - Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Lionel Barrymore, Edward G. Robinson
Plot Summary:
On his way to Key West, Frank McCloud (Bogart) stops in to visit the family of a friend he lost during WWII — Nora Temple (Bacall), the dead man’s widow, and James Temple (Barrymore), his father — and finds they’re all trapped in a hotel with notorious gangster Johnny Rocco (Robinson) & his goons during a hurricane.
Warnings:
Violence.
Bad Stuff:
As is typical of films of this era, the treatment of the Native American characters isn’t exactly culturally sensitive.
I thought it was a bit boring. Lots of pontificating.
I didn’t care for the score, especially not the “romantic” music at the end, which felt out of place.
Good Stuff:
All the acting is top notch. I felt Bogart and Claire Trevor (as Johnny’s dame, Gaye Dawn) were the standouts.
It does a good job of building a tense atmosphere. Most of the action takes place in just one or two rooms, giving the film a claustrophobic feel.
I enjoyed the complexity of the relationship between Rocco and Dawn. It had the whole Madonna/whore vibe. Rocco liked her when he “found” her on the chorus line, young and innocent. Now that his influence has corrupted her, he finds her disgusting. It’s frustrating, but it’s well played by the actors.
About the Performance:
I like Robinson. I felt he did a good job with the nuances of the character. Rocco isn’t likable; I wouldn’t say he has any redeeming qualities. At the same time, he didn’t seem pure evil to me, either. He’s unsavory. Robinson portrays that well through Rocco’s smarm and ego. He made me feel exactly what I was supposed to feel for the character: revulsion.
Other performances of Robinson’s I’ve reviewed: Soylent Green; Double Indemnity.
The Verdict:
I didn’t love it. As mentioned above, a large portion of the film is just McCloud and Rocco metaphorically waving their wangs at each other. I don’t really care for that in movies (or in real life for that matter). It’s pretty ho hum to me. Also, I didn’t find McCloud’s rapid close relationship with the Temples especially believable. However, I did admire the film’s ability to create tense, dramatic moments and there were a lot of great performances. I don’t think I’ll ever watch it again, but I could see why a person might add it to a list of their favorites.
I give it 3.5 stars.
Released 1948 (USA)
American, in English
Director - John Huston
Stars - Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Lionel Barrymore, Edward G. Robinson
Plot Summary:
On his way to Key West, Frank McCloud (Bogart) stops in to visit the family of a friend he lost during WWII — Nora Temple (Bacall), the dead man’s widow, and James Temple (Barrymore), his father — and finds they’re all trapped in a hotel with notorious gangster Johnny Rocco (Robinson) & his goons during a hurricane.
Warnings:
Violence.
Bad Stuff:
As is typical of films of this era, the treatment of the Native American characters isn’t exactly culturally sensitive.
I thought it was a bit boring. Lots of pontificating.
I didn’t care for the score, especially not the “romantic” music at the end, which felt out of place.
Good Stuff:
All the acting is top notch. I felt Bogart and Claire Trevor (as Johnny’s dame, Gaye Dawn) were the standouts.
It does a good job of building a tense atmosphere. Most of the action takes place in just one or two rooms, giving the film a claustrophobic feel.
I enjoyed the complexity of the relationship between Rocco and Dawn. It had the whole Madonna/whore vibe. Rocco liked her when he “found” her on the chorus line, young and innocent. Now that his influence has corrupted her, he finds her disgusting. It’s frustrating, but it’s well played by the actors.
About the Performance:
I like Robinson. I felt he did a good job with the nuances of the character. Rocco isn’t likable; I wouldn’t say he has any redeeming qualities. At the same time, he didn’t seem pure evil to me, either. He’s unsavory. Robinson portrays that well through Rocco’s smarm and ego. He made me feel exactly what I was supposed to feel for the character: revulsion.
Other performances of Robinson’s I’ve reviewed: Soylent Green; Double Indemnity.
The Verdict:
I didn’t love it. As mentioned above, a large portion of the film is just McCloud and Rocco metaphorically waving their wangs at each other. I don’t really care for that in movies (or in real life for that matter). It’s pretty ho hum to me. Also, I didn’t find McCloud’s rapid close relationship with the Temples especially believable. However, I did admire the film’s ability to create tense, dramatic moments and there were a lot of great performances. I don’t think I’ll ever watch it again, but I could see why a person might add it to a list of their favorites.
I give it 3.5 stars.
Monday, August 19, 2019
Up with U.S. Geography: Oregon
Oregon is the sixth of the eight states I've lived in to make the list! I lived there for for nine years, from 1998 - 2007. Never thought I was going to leave but sometimes these things happen when you fall in love.
State Name:
Oregon
Capital:
Salem
Date of Entry:
February 14, 1859
Maps:
Neighbors:
Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California
Water Borders:
Pacific Ocean, Columbia River
Total Area:
98,381 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Portland, Salem, Eugene, Gresham, Hillsboro
Famous Geographical Point:
Crater Lake
State Nickname:
The Beaver State. Back when fur hats were "in," they were often made from beaver pelts, a lot of which came from Oregon. Note: Oregon’s legislature has never approved an official nickname, but this is the state’s widely accepted unofficial one.
Famous Person:
Matt Groening, cartoonist, writer, producer, voice actor (creator of "The Simpsons")
Book Set In/About:
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
After faking insanity for a lighter sentence, criminal McMurphy matches wits against the evil Nurse Ratched.
Movie Set In/About:
"The Goonies" (1985), directed by Richard Donner
A group of kids go on a treasure hunt in order to save their neighborhood from a land developer. Definitely not the best movie set/filmed in Oregon, but it includes some very iconic Oregon scenery, which is why I chose it.
Headline of the Day:
"Oregon Has Way Too Much Legal Weed. This Is Where It's Going" in Vice.
State Name:
Oregon
Capital:
Salem
Date of Entry:
February 14, 1859
Maps:
 |
| Map of USA. Oregon outlined in dark ink. |
 |
| A close-up of Oregon & its neighbors. |
Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California
Water Borders:
Pacific Ocean, Columbia River
Total Area:
98,381 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Portland, Salem, Eugene, Gresham, Hillsboro
Famous Geographical Point:
Crater Lake
State Nickname:
The Beaver State. Back when fur hats were "in," they were often made from beaver pelts, a lot of which came from Oregon. Note: Oregon’s legislature has never approved an official nickname, but this is the state’s widely accepted unofficial one.
Famous Person:
Matt Groening, cartoonist, writer, producer, voice actor (creator of "The Simpsons")
Book Set In/About:
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
After faking insanity for a lighter sentence, criminal McMurphy matches wits against the evil Nurse Ratched.
Movie Set In/About:
"The Goonies" (1985), directed by Richard Donner
A group of kids go on a treasure hunt in order to save their neighborhood from a land developer. Definitely not the best movie set/filmed in Oregon, but it includes some very iconic Oregon scenery, which is why I chose it.
Headline of the Day:
"Oregon Has Way Too Much Legal Weed. This Is Where It's Going" in Vice.
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Top 50 Actors, #38 - Robert DeNiro: "Heat" (1995)
Movie Stats:
Released 1995 (USA)
American, in English
Director - Michael Mann
Stars - Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro
Plot Summary:
A professional crew of thieves, led by Neil McCauley (DeNiro), plays cat and mouse with the LAPD, led by Lt. Vincent Hanna (Pacino).
Warnings:
Extreme violence; gore; heavy blue language; implied sexy times.
Bad Stuff:
It’s way too long (nearly 3 hours) with too many superfluous storylines that don’t advance the plot, like the stuff with Vincent’s stepdaughter Lauren (Natalie Portman) or the violent extracurricular activities of Neil’s former teammate Waingro (Kevin Gage).
Pacino’s scenery chewing acting is so out of control I literally laughed during moments that weren’t funny.
Amy Brennerman’s (as Neil’s love interest Eady) terribly done accent is an affront to all Southern accents (it took me a long time to realize it was even supposed to be Southern).
Good Stuff:
I liked the interplay between Neil and Vincent, especially the diner scene.
I enjoyed its message about choosing a path in life that is all-consuming and how it drew the parallel between the criminal life and the cop life. Both Neil and Vincent are addicted to the thrill of a big score; the only difference is in the score. It’s a message that could’ve been heavy-handed but wasn’t.
Neil is a good character, a believable character, and DeNiro plays him well.
About the Performance:
I really liked DeNiro in this. I don’t want to say he played out of type because he’s played a lot of criminals but there was something different about Neil. He’s tough but he’s not a wiseguy. He’s dangerous but not crazy. He’s cool, calculated, taciturn. The movie tells you nothing about his past and yet you find you can picture it, all the little moments that led him to be the kind of man who sets a serious set of rules for himself and generally moves with caution. DeNiro manages to convey a lot while saying little. It’s especially noticeable how understated he his when you compare his performance to Pacino's.
Other performances of DeNiro’s I’ve reviewed: Casino; Goodfellas; Brazil; Raging Bull; The Deer Hunter; Taxi Driver; The Godfather: Part II.
The Verdict:
As you can see, I’ve reviewed a lot of DeNiro’s films. In fact, there’s only one other actor I’ve reviewed as much as him. I had a difficult time finding a highly rated film of his I hadn’t already reviewed. Originally, I chose “Once Upon a Time in America.” My enthusiasm dimmed once I saw it’s nearly 4 hours long. I still tried to watch it but gave up after an hour (hated it). My husband owns “Heat,” has been trying to get me to watch it for years, so I thought I’d finally give it a shot. I wasn’t wowed. It’s definitely too long. I hated the subplots. And all the female characters sucked. On the other hand, I liked the main plot, the movie’s themes, and DeNiro’s acting. In the end, I decided to give it a low-end, middle-of-the-pack rating.
I give it 3.25 stars.
Released 1995 (USA)
American, in English
Director - Michael Mann
Stars - Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro
Plot Summary:
A professional crew of thieves, led by Neil McCauley (DeNiro), plays cat and mouse with the LAPD, led by Lt. Vincent Hanna (Pacino).
Warnings:
Extreme violence; gore; heavy blue language; implied sexy times.
Bad Stuff:
It’s way too long (nearly 3 hours) with too many superfluous storylines that don’t advance the plot, like the stuff with Vincent’s stepdaughter Lauren (Natalie Portman) or the violent extracurricular activities of Neil’s former teammate Waingro (Kevin Gage).
Pacino’s scenery chewing acting is so out of control I literally laughed during moments that weren’t funny.
Amy Brennerman’s (as Neil’s love interest Eady) terribly done accent is an affront to all Southern accents (it took me a long time to realize it was even supposed to be Southern).
Good Stuff:
I liked the interplay between Neil and Vincent, especially the diner scene.
I enjoyed its message about choosing a path in life that is all-consuming and how it drew the parallel between the criminal life and the cop life. Both Neil and Vincent are addicted to the thrill of a big score; the only difference is in the score. It’s a message that could’ve been heavy-handed but wasn’t.
Neil is a good character, a believable character, and DeNiro plays him well.
About the Performance:
I really liked DeNiro in this. I don’t want to say he played out of type because he’s played a lot of criminals but there was something different about Neil. He’s tough but he’s not a wiseguy. He’s dangerous but not crazy. He’s cool, calculated, taciturn. The movie tells you nothing about his past and yet you find you can picture it, all the little moments that led him to be the kind of man who sets a serious set of rules for himself and generally moves with caution. DeNiro manages to convey a lot while saying little. It’s especially noticeable how understated he his when you compare his performance to Pacino's.
Other performances of DeNiro’s I’ve reviewed: Casino; Goodfellas; Brazil; Raging Bull; The Deer Hunter; Taxi Driver; The Godfather: Part II.
The Verdict:
As you can see, I’ve reviewed a lot of DeNiro’s films. In fact, there’s only one other actor I’ve reviewed as much as him. I had a difficult time finding a highly rated film of his I hadn’t already reviewed. Originally, I chose “Once Upon a Time in America.” My enthusiasm dimmed once I saw it’s nearly 4 hours long. I still tried to watch it but gave up after an hour (hated it). My husband owns “Heat,” has been trying to get me to watch it for years, so I thought I’d finally give it a shot. I wasn’t wowed. It’s definitely too long. I hated the subplots. And all the female characters sucked. On the other hand, I liked the main plot, the movie’s themes, and DeNiro’s acting. In the end, I decided to give it a low-end, middle-of-the-pack rating.
I give it 3.25 stars.
Friday, August 9, 2019
Woodland Enchantress Cross Stitch, Project Report 11
Time for a cross stitch update!
Here's a reminder of what it's supposed to look like when it's done:
Here's what it looked like the last time I updated, in April 2019:
And here's what it looks like now:
This represents 36.50 hours of work. I pushed really hard to finish the regular stitching by July, as that marked 3 years since I began the project. I did meet that deadline, and even started the back stitching in July, but stopped pretty early on in the month. I'm in a place where I'm using brown thread to outline on brown stitches, black to outline on black, etc., and it's very difficult to see what I'm doing even in natural light. I needed a break. In the picture, the back stitching I've done so far is most noticeable in her hands/cuffs and her face.
Here's a reminder of what it's supposed to look like when it's done:
Here's what it looked like the last time I updated, in April 2019:
And here's what it looks like now:
This represents 36.50 hours of work. I pushed really hard to finish the regular stitching by July, as that marked 3 years since I began the project. I did meet that deadline, and even started the back stitching in July, but stopped pretty early on in the month. I'm in a place where I'm using brown thread to outline on brown stitches, black to outline on black, etc., and it's very difficult to see what I'm doing even in natural light. I needed a break. In the picture, the back stitching I've done so far is most noticeable in her hands/cuffs and her face.
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Top 50 Actors, #39 - Errol Flynn: "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938)
Movie Stats:
Released 1938 (USA)
American, in English
Directors - Michael Curtiz & William Keighley
Stars - Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains
Plot Summary:
While the rightful king is being held prisoner during the Crusades, his brother Prince John (Rains) takes over the throne with the help of lackey Guy of Gisbourne (Rathbone) and terrorizes the lower classes. Only Robin of Locksley (Flynn) is man enough to stand up to him. De Havilland co-stars as Robin’s love interest, Lady Marian.
Warnings:
Violence; sexual assault.
Bad Stuff:
It’s pretty cheesy. The laughing is so over the top!
It’s very gaudy. I think it’s one of the earliest films shot in Technicolor. It’s like they wanted to put every color in every scene because they could.
The sound mixing isn’t great. Some of the dialogue is muffled.
Good Stuff:
It’s quite funny, although I could’ve done without all the fat jokes.
The fight/action scenes are awesome! Very thrilling.
I like how cheerful & good-natured it is.
About the Performance:
This is literally the only film of Flynn’s I’ve seen. I have the impression that he’s kind of the same in everything but I can’t say for sure without any other performances for comparison. I thought he did well in this. He’s handsome & charming. This is not your modern-day Robin Hood and I think Flynn had the right sort of “feel" for this more light-hearted version. However, I wasn’t blow away.
Other performances of Flynn’s I’ve reviewed: none.
The Verdict:
I like this film. It’s fun and sweet. Nowadays, this story is given the “gritty” treatment. There’s something I really appreciated about it being told from an upbeat perspective. It lacks drama, which I mean in a good way. Robin Hood is, I think, universally appealing. We all like the idea of a man who stands up for the downtrodden. That’s probably why this story has been filmed so many times. This particular movie has a lot of Hollywood heavy hitters, all of whom do a fine job. If you choose to watch this, I think you’ll be very entertained.
I give it 4 stars.
Released 1938 (USA)
American, in English
Directors - Michael Curtiz & William Keighley
Stars - Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains
Plot Summary:
While the rightful king is being held prisoner during the Crusades, his brother Prince John (Rains) takes over the throne with the help of lackey Guy of Gisbourne (Rathbone) and terrorizes the lower classes. Only Robin of Locksley (Flynn) is man enough to stand up to him. De Havilland co-stars as Robin’s love interest, Lady Marian.
Warnings:
Violence; sexual assault.
Bad Stuff:
It’s pretty cheesy. The laughing is so over the top!
It’s very gaudy. I think it’s one of the earliest films shot in Technicolor. It’s like they wanted to put every color in every scene because they could.
The sound mixing isn’t great. Some of the dialogue is muffled.
Good Stuff:
It’s quite funny, although I could’ve done without all the fat jokes.
The fight/action scenes are awesome! Very thrilling.
I like how cheerful & good-natured it is.
About the Performance:
This is literally the only film of Flynn’s I’ve seen. I have the impression that he’s kind of the same in everything but I can’t say for sure without any other performances for comparison. I thought he did well in this. He’s handsome & charming. This is not your modern-day Robin Hood and I think Flynn had the right sort of “feel" for this more light-hearted version. However, I wasn’t blow away.
Other performances of Flynn’s I’ve reviewed: none.
The Verdict:
I like this film. It’s fun and sweet. Nowadays, this story is given the “gritty” treatment. There’s something I really appreciated about it being told from an upbeat perspective. It lacks drama, which I mean in a good way. Robin Hood is, I think, universally appealing. We all like the idea of a man who stands up for the downtrodden. That’s probably why this story has been filmed so many times. This particular movie has a lot of Hollywood heavy hitters, all of whom do a fine job. If you choose to watch this, I think you’ll be very entertained.
I give it 4 stars.
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Up with Geography: France
Country Name:
France
Capital:
Paris
Continent:
Europe
Maps:
Neighbors:
Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra, Spain
Water Borders:
English Channel, Mediterranean Sea, Gulf of Lion, Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay
Total Area:
246,201 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Nice
Famous Geographical Point:
Seine River
Famous Person:
Coco Chanel, fashion designer
Book Set In/About:
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
Set in rural 19th century France, Emma Bovary, obsessed with a life she can’t have, ruins the one she has.
Movie Set In/About:
“Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain (Amélie)” (2001), directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Set in a fantastical Paris, a shy young woman tries to fix the lives of others even though her own could use some improvement.
Headline of the Day:
“France Will Not Back Down on Digital Tax Despite US Legal Threats” in The Guardian.
France
Capital:
Paris
Continent:
Europe
Maps:
 |
| European continent. France outlined in dark ink. |
 |
| A close-up of France & its neighbors. |
Neighbors:
Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra, Spain
Water Borders:
English Channel, Mediterranean Sea, Gulf of Lion, Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay
Total Area:
246,201 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Nice
Famous Geographical Point:
Seine River
Famous Person:
Coco Chanel, fashion designer
Book Set In/About:
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
Set in rural 19th century France, Emma Bovary, obsessed with a life she can’t have, ruins the one she has.
Movie Set In/About:
“Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain (Amélie)” (2001), directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Set in a fantastical Paris, a shy young woman tries to fix the lives of others even though her own could use some improvement.
Headline of the Day:
“France Will Not Back Down on Digital Tax Despite US Legal Threats” in The Guardian.
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Top 50 Actors, #40 - James Dean: "East of Eden" (1955)
Movie Stats:
Released 1955 (USA)
American, in English
Director - Elia Kazan
Stars - James Dean, Raymond Massey, Julie Harris
Plot Summary:
Set in California during WWI, young Cal Trask (Dean) struggles to earn love and acceptance from his religious father Adam (Massey) after spending his life in the shadow of his “golden child” brother Aron (Richard Davalos). Harris co-stars as Aron’s girlfriend, Abra.
Warnings:
Minor violence; very minor gore.
Bad Stuff:
I found it a bit boring.
A lot of the acting is so overblown that it’s difficult not to have a little chuckle about it.
Aron is woefully underdeveloped. It’s been a long time since I’ve read the book, but I’m going to guess that he had better characterization in that medium.
Good Stuff:
While I didn’t care for his character, I thought Massey did a fantastic job of playing Adam, a man who is, in some ways, a great deal less righteous than he thinks he is.
It explores a couple of topics in a way that I really enjoyed: nature vs. nurture and fate/destiny. It asks the question: Is Cal destined to be the “bad one” because everyone believes he was born to be? I liked that even Cal himself spends most of the story uncertain of the answer to that.
I admire its openness in regards to a topic typically danced around in that era of film (prostitution), although I can’t say that it was particularly progressive about it.
About the Performance:
Not my favorite of Dean’s. I saw this film many years ago & remembered not being very fond of it (although I liked the book). I wasn’t keen to see it again, but I had no choice, as James Dean only starred in three feature films and I’ve reviewed the other two. Looking at his filmography, I see that his three films were released in this order: East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, Giant. That’s also my exact order of how much I enjoy Dean, from least to most. IMO his craft improved with each film. Too bad we never got to see how much he could grow.
Other performances of Dean’s I’ve reviewed: Giant; Rebel Without a Cause.
The Verdict:
I honestly didn’t hate it. I definitely enjoyed the themes. I’m neutral about a lot of the other stuff: costuming, score, cinematography, etc. I think my problem with this film is that it assumes you’ve read the book/remember enough of it to cover the movie’s shortcomings. I wish Aron had gotten more screen time, in order to make his actions later in the film make more sense. Also, I wish Dean and Harris had dialed down the acting a notch or two.
I give it 3.25 stars.
Released 1955 (USA)
American, in English
Director - Elia Kazan
Stars - James Dean, Raymond Massey, Julie Harris
Plot Summary:
Set in California during WWI, young Cal Trask (Dean) struggles to earn love and acceptance from his religious father Adam (Massey) after spending his life in the shadow of his “golden child” brother Aron (Richard Davalos). Harris co-stars as Aron’s girlfriend, Abra.
Warnings:
Minor violence; very minor gore.
Bad Stuff:
I found it a bit boring.
A lot of the acting is so overblown that it’s difficult not to have a little chuckle about it.
Aron is woefully underdeveloped. It’s been a long time since I’ve read the book, but I’m going to guess that he had better characterization in that medium.
Good Stuff:
While I didn’t care for his character, I thought Massey did a fantastic job of playing Adam, a man who is, in some ways, a great deal less righteous than he thinks he is.
It explores a couple of topics in a way that I really enjoyed: nature vs. nurture and fate/destiny. It asks the question: Is Cal destined to be the “bad one” because everyone believes he was born to be? I liked that even Cal himself spends most of the story uncertain of the answer to that.
I admire its openness in regards to a topic typically danced around in that era of film (prostitution), although I can’t say that it was particularly progressive about it.
About the Performance:
Not my favorite of Dean’s. I saw this film many years ago & remembered not being very fond of it (although I liked the book). I wasn’t keen to see it again, but I had no choice, as James Dean only starred in three feature films and I’ve reviewed the other two. Looking at his filmography, I see that his three films were released in this order: East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, Giant. That’s also my exact order of how much I enjoy Dean, from least to most. IMO his craft improved with each film. Too bad we never got to see how much he could grow.
Other performances of Dean’s I’ve reviewed: Giant; Rebel Without a Cause.
The Verdict:
I honestly didn’t hate it. I definitely enjoyed the themes. I’m neutral about a lot of the other stuff: costuming, score, cinematography, etc. I think my problem with this film is that it assumes you’ve read the book/remember enough of it to cover the movie’s shortcomings. I wish Aron had gotten more screen time, in order to make his actions later in the film make more sense. Also, I wish Dean and Harris had dialed down the acting a notch or two.
I give it 3.25 stars.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Music Love: "Kathy's Song" by Simon & Garfunkel
Recently, a friend adopted a new dog & was soliciting name recommendations, because she didn't like the name the dog came with (the name is associated with an annoying ear worm). Did we have any suggestions, she asked, perhaps based on a song? That got me thinking about my favorite songs that feature a woman's name, which thus reminded me of my love for Simon & Garfunkel.
Nowadays, I wouldn't say they get a lot of rotation on my playlist. I still listen to them; there's just so much new stuff to discover, I don't listen to older stuff as much. Back when I was in college, however, a roommate and I used to listen to them all the time. We even had a nickname for them: Petey & Arty. It took us YEARS after college to realize we referred to Paul Simon as "Petey." I don't know why we did; it was a simple brain fart.
Anyway, while there are many songs of theirs I love, "Kathy's Song" was always a favorite. I love Paul Simon's voice here. He's an amazingly talented songwriter; with simple language, he sets the scene of this song in such a way that you can picture it perfectly. His love and admiration for Kathy* shine through: "The only truth I know is you"; "There before the grace of you go I." It speaks to such a wistful, romantic, all-encompassing view of love.
However, I think Kathy is a terrible name for a dog.
*Unfortunately, in reading up about this song, I discovered that Kathy was 16 to Paul's 22 when they met. I know those were different times, but ick. Sometimes I think it's better to enjoy things without researching them, haha.
Nowadays, I wouldn't say they get a lot of rotation on my playlist. I still listen to them; there's just so much new stuff to discover, I don't listen to older stuff as much. Back when I was in college, however, a roommate and I used to listen to them all the time. We even had a nickname for them: Petey & Arty. It took us YEARS after college to realize we referred to Paul Simon as "Petey." I don't know why we did; it was a simple brain fart.
Anyway, while there are many songs of theirs I love, "Kathy's Song" was always a favorite. I love Paul Simon's voice here. He's an amazingly talented songwriter; with simple language, he sets the scene of this song in such a way that you can picture it perfectly. His love and admiration for Kathy* shine through: "The only truth I know is you"; "There before the grace of you go I." It speaks to such a wistful, romantic, all-encompassing view of love.
However, I think Kathy is a terrible name for a dog.
*Unfortunately, in reading up about this song, I discovered that Kathy was 16 to Paul's 22 when they met. I know those were different times, but ick. Sometimes I think it's better to enjoy things without researching them, haha.
Monday, June 17, 2019
Top 50 Actors, #41 - Gene Kelly: "On the Town" (1949)
Movie Stats:
Released 1949 (USA)
American, in English
Directors - Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly
Stars - Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Jules Munshin, Vera-Ellen, Betty Garrett, Ann Miller
Plot Summary:
In the 1940s, three sailors on 24-hour leave in NYC - Gabe (Kelly), Chip (Sinatra), and Ozzie (Munshin) - meet and fall for three women, respectively - Ivy (Vera-Ellen), Hildy (Garrett), and Claire (Miller).
Warnings:
None.
Bad Stuff:
There’s one song/dance routine that I found to be pretty racist (“Prehistoric Man”) & a couple of other, milder, racist bits.
I didn’t care for the dinosaur bones plot line. It felt superfluous.
Hildy comes off really quite rape-y in the beginning. Like, no means no, lady.
Good Stuff:
With an exception or two (including the one mentioned above), all of the song/dance routines are amazing & so much fun.
I love, love, loved the women’s costuming.
I liked how it played with tropes, making Hildy & Claire much more “manly” in that they were both forward, forceful, and savvy in a way that none of the men were.
About the Performance:
I feel the same way about Gene Kelly as I do other performers of his ilk/genre, such as Fred Astaire or Bing Crosby. I enjoy him immensely, I think he was very talented, and I completely understand his importance within the history of film. However, I would never add him to my own personal list of “great actors” because what he does doesn’t fall within the range of what’s important to me for great acting. I’ve never seen him play any character that was truly different from the rest. That said, I loved him in this.
Other performances of Kelly’s I’ve reviewed: Xanadu; What a Way to Go!; Singin’ in the Rain; An American in Paris.
The Verdict:
It’s certainly a movie of its time, so one has to overlook a bit of racism, misogyny, and antiquated ideals of romance to enjoy it. However, I was able to do so. It’s fun and breezy. From the opening number (“New York, New York”), I thought to myself, “Oh, this is going to be a blast!” I thought it was very clever to open with that; I could easily see how it hyped the audience up for the rest of the show because that’s how it made me feel. This isn’t the kind of film that’s going to make you think. My husband, who watched most of it with me, thought it was cheesy, but I didn’t mind that. Sometimes you just need to have a good time. A film like this can help you in that endeavor.
I give it 4 stars.
Released 1949 (USA)
American, in English
Directors - Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly
Stars - Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Jules Munshin, Vera-Ellen, Betty Garrett, Ann Miller
Plot Summary:
In the 1940s, three sailors on 24-hour leave in NYC - Gabe (Kelly), Chip (Sinatra), and Ozzie (Munshin) - meet and fall for three women, respectively - Ivy (Vera-Ellen), Hildy (Garrett), and Claire (Miller).
Warnings:
None.
Bad Stuff:
There’s one song/dance routine that I found to be pretty racist (“Prehistoric Man”) & a couple of other, milder, racist bits.
I didn’t care for the dinosaur bones plot line. It felt superfluous.
Hildy comes off really quite rape-y in the beginning. Like, no means no, lady.
Good Stuff:
With an exception or two (including the one mentioned above), all of the song/dance routines are amazing & so much fun.
I love, love, loved the women’s costuming.
I liked how it played with tropes, making Hildy & Claire much more “manly” in that they were both forward, forceful, and savvy in a way that none of the men were.
About the Performance:
I feel the same way about Gene Kelly as I do other performers of his ilk/genre, such as Fred Astaire or Bing Crosby. I enjoy him immensely, I think he was very talented, and I completely understand his importance within the history of film. However, I would never add him to my own personal list of “great actors” because what he does doesn’t fall within the range of what’s important to me for great acting. I’ve never seen him play any character that was truly different from the rest. That said, I loved him in this.
Other performances of Kelly’s I’ve reviewed: Xanadu; What a Way to Go!; Singin’ in the Rain; An American in Paris.
The Verdict:
It’s certainly a movie of its time, so one has to overlook a bit of racism, misogyny, and antiquated ideals of romance to enjoy it. However, I was able to do so. It’s fun and breezy. From the opening number (“New York, New York”), I thought to myself, “Oh, this is going to be a blast!” I thought it was very clever to open with that; I could easily see how it hyped the audience up for the rest of the show because that’s how it made me feel. This isn’t the kind of film that’s going to make you think. My husband, who watched most of it with me, thought it was cheesy, but I didn’t mind that. Sometimes you just need to have a good time. A film like this can help you in that endeavor.
I give it 4 stars.
Monday, June 10, 2019
Up with U.S. Geography: Minnesota
Minnesota is the fifth of the eight states I've lived in to make the list! I lived there for one year, fresh out of college, while I was working an AmeriCorps program.
State Name:
Minnesota
Capital:
Saint Paul
Date of Entry:
May 11, 1858
Maps:
Neighbors:
Canada, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota
Water Borders:
Lake of the Woods, Rainy River, Rainy Lake, Lake Superior, St. Croix River, Mississippi River, Red River
Total Area:
86,936 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Rochester, Duluth, Bloomington
Famous Geographical Point:
Mille Lacs Lake
State Nickname:
The North Star State. It’s derived from Minnesota’s state motto which, from the French, translates to “the star of the north.” I was honestly surprised to learn that “the land of 10,000 lakes” isn’t the official motto; I’ve never heard it called “the north star state.”
Famous Person:
Prince, singer, songwriter, and actor
True story. Shortly after I moved to Minnesota, while visiting Minneapolis with a friend who was traveling through (I lived outside the Twin Cities in a rural area), my car broke down. Through a series of random circumstances, we were rescued by a woman who drove us the 60 miles back to my place. She was basically a Deadhead for Prince, which until that moment I never knew existed. It was a weird night.
Book Set In/About:
Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace
The first book of the beloved childhood series about two little girls, Betsy and Tacy, who become lifelong best friends. I chose this book in honor of my friend P, who loves the series.
Movie Set In/About:
“Fargo” (1996), directed by Joel & Ethan Coen
A man’s crime goes horribly awry, aided by his own ineptitude & the tenaciousness of a small-town police chief. This movie was a million times funnier to me after I lived in Minnesota.
Headline of the Day:
“Minnesota Families in Need Celebrate Long-awaited Boost in State Aid” in Minnesota Public Radio News.
State Name:
Minnesota
Capital:
Saint Paul
Date of Entry:
May 11, 1858
Maps:
 |
| Map of USA. Minnesota outlined in dark ink. |
 |
| A close-up of Minnesota & its neighbors. |
Neighbors:
Canada, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota
Water Borders:
Lake of the Woods, Rainy River, Rainy Lake, Lake Superior, St. Croix River, Mississippi River, Red River
Total Area:
86,936 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Rochester, Duluth, Bloomington
Famous Geographical Point:
Mille Lacs Lake
State Nickname:
The North Star State. It’s derived from Minnesota’s state motto which, from the French, translates to “the star of the north.” I was honestly surprised to learn that “the land of 10,000 lakes” isn’t the official motto; I’ve never heard it called “the north star state.”
Famous Person:
Prince, singer, songwriter, and actor
True story. Shortly after I moved to Minnesota, while visiting Minneapolis with a friend who was traveling through (I lived outside the Twin Cities in a rural area), my car broke down. Through a series of random circumstances, we were rescued by a woman who drove us the 60 miles back to my place. She was basically a Deadhead for Prince, which until that moment I never knew existed. It was a weird night.
Book Set In/About:
Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace
The first book of the beloved childhood series about two little girls, Betsy and Tacy, who become lifelong best friends. I chose this book in honor of my friend P, who loves the series.
Movie Set In/About:
“Fargo” (1996), directed by Joel & Ethan Coen
A man’s crime goes horribly awry, aided by his own ineptitude & the tenaciousness of a small-town police chief. This movie was a million times funnier to me after I lived in Minnesota.
Headline of the Day:
“Minnesota Families in Need Celebrate Long-awaited Boost in State Aid” in Minnesota Public Radio News.
Monday, June 3, 2019
Top 50 Actors, #42 - Fred Astaire: "Top Hat" (1935)
Movie Stats:
Released 1935 (USA)
American, in English (minor, non-translated Latin & Italian)
Director - Mark Sandrich
Stars - Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton
Plot Summary:
When dance star Jerry Travers (Astaire) goes to work for producer Horace Hardwick (Horton), he meets and falls in love with the beautiful Dale Tremont (Rogers) without ever telling her his name. Unfortunately, she comes to believe he’s Horace, who’s married to her friend Madge (Helen Broderick). Hijinks ensue.
Warnings:
Very minor violence.
Bad Stuff:
I think the worst part of old romance movies is how bad the romances are. Like, I don’t consider kidnapping someone to be a romantic gesture. Also, domestic violence isn’t funny.
I don’t care for stories that rely on miscommunication as a central means to create drama/comedy/interest. It’s so frustrating. I spend the whole time thinking, “Just talk to each other, Jesus!”
I know this is a lighthearted comedy, so I really shouldn’t expect much in the way of character development, but I felt like people’s reactions in this made no sense. [SPOILER-y] For example, when Horace, Madge, and Beddini (Erik Rhodes) are adrift at sea, and Jerry & Dale — who presumably care about them — are like, “Lol, let’s go to a party!” Instead of, you know, sending them help before they’re lost forever. [SPOILER]
Good Stuff:
Of course, the song & dance routines are awesome. If you can believe it, I’d actually never seen Astaire in one of his singing/dancing roles before.
I loved the costuming & set design. The feather dress Rogers wore in her big dance routine was absolutely stunning.
Something about manservant Bates (Eric Blore) was so intensely entertaining. I enjoyed every scene that he was in.
About the Performance:
Astaire is quite likable in this. If I ignore the whole kidnapping thing (which is frankly light-hearted), Jerry is a sweet, innocent, kind-hearted guy who falls in love and puts his all into it. He’s cute. He’s got a great singing voice. His dancing is sublime. Would I watch this movie and think, “That’s a man with immense acting talent”? Probably not, but I’ve seen Astaire in some more serious films where I thought he was fantastic, so I understand why he earned himself a place on this list.
Other performances of Astaire’s I’ve reviewed: On the Beach.
The Verdict:
I feel kind of neutral about it. As comedies go, I didn’t find it particularly funny. At the same time, I didn’t hate it either. I enjoyed the spectacle of it. All of the actors were entertaining. I guess I just wasn’t particularly big on the story. I definitely would’ve liked to see a better script, I think that would’ve made me enjoy it a great deal more.
I give it 3.25 stars.
Released 1935 (USA)
American, in English (minor, non-translated Latin & Italian)
Director - Mark Sandrich
Stars - Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton
Plot Summary:
When dance star Jerry Travers (Astaire) goes to work for producer Horace Hardwick (Horton), he meets and falls in love with the beautiful Dale Tremont (Rogers) without ever telling her his name. Unfortunately, she comes to believe he’s Horace, who’s married to her friend Madge (Helen Broderick). Hijinks ensue.
Warnings:
Very minor violence.
Bad Stuff:
I think the worst part of old romance movies is how bad the romances are. Like, I don’t consider kidnapping someone to be a romantic gesture. Also, domestic violence isn’t funny.
I don’t care for stories that rely on miscommunication as a central means to create drama/comedy/interest. It’s so frustrating. I spend the whole time thinking, “Just talk to each other, Jesus!”
I know this is a lighthearted comedy, so I really shouldn’t expect much in the way of character development, but I felt like people’s reactions in this made no sense. [SPOILER-y] For example, when Horace, Madge, and Beddini (Erik Rhodes) are adrift at sea, and Jerry & Dale — who presumably care about them — are like, “Lol, let’s go to a party!” Instead of, you know, sending them help before they’re lost forever. [SPOILER]
Good Stuff:
Of course, the song & dance routines are awesome. If you can believe it, I’d actually never seen Astaire in one of his singing/dancing roles before.
I loved the costuming & set design. The feather dress Rogers wore in her big dance routine was absolutely stunning.
Something about manservant Bates (Eric Blore) was so intensely entertaining. I enjoyed every scene that he was in.
About the Performance:
Astaire is quite likable in this. If I ignore the whole kidnapping thing (which is frankly light-hearted), Jerry is a sweet, innocent, kind-hearted guy who falls in love and puts his all into it. He’s cute. He’s got a great singing voice. His dancing is sublime. Would I watch this movie and think, “That’s a man with immense acting talent”? Probably not, but I’ve seen Astaire in some more serious films where I thought he was fantastic, so I understand why he earned himself a place on this list.
Other performances of Astaire’s I’ve reviewed: On the Beach.
The Verdict:
I feel kind of neutral about it. As comedies go, I didn’t find it particularly funny. At the same time, I didn’t hate it either. I enjoyed the spectacle of it. All of the actors were entertaining. I guess I just wasn’t particularly big on the story. I definitely would’ve liked to see a better script, I think that would’ve made me enjoy it a great deal more.
I give it 3.25 stars.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Out and About: Staycation Pics
My husband and I never go on vacations together, mostly because we can't afford it. (I have realized in recent years that traveling simply isn't a priority of mine and that's ok but I probably would travel more if I had the money.) Recently, we decided to take a week off of work at the same time so we could have some fun before the busy season starts at my job. We didn't go anywhere, but we did take a few day trips around San Diego County.
First, we drove out to Julian in the mountains. We'd been there once before, to visit the California Wolf Center, loved the area, and wanted to go back. Julian is a fairly small town. There's not a ton to do there. After a little research, I decided on a hike. I chose the Upper Santa Ysabel Creek Trail. It was cold, very windy, and a bit rainy. I absolutely loved it!
It was nice to take some time off work. I'm feeling refreshed & ready to get back into the swing of things!
First, we drove out to Julian in the mountains. We'd been there once before, to visit the California Wolf Center, loved the area, and wanted to go back. Julian is a fairly small town. There's not a ton to do there. After a little research, I decided on a hike. I chose the Upper Santa Ysabel Creek Trail. It was cold, very windy, and a bit rainy. I absolutely loved it!
 |
| Clouds low enough to kiss the mountains. |
 |
| Santa Ysabel Creek (presumably). |
 |
| Loved the colors inside this felled tree. |
 |
| I read that the cows are friendly & usually greet hikers but they didn't move when we saw them. |
After the hike, we went into the town of Julian, walked around, and shopped. I insisted on visiting the old cemetery, much to my husband's dismay. I love cemeteries.
 |
| I'm guessing J.M. died in childbirth. |
 |
| I liked this headstone, which seems to have been carved by a non-professional. |
A couple of days later, we drove down to La Jolla, a well-to-do community on the ocean within the city of San Diego. It's famous for the sea lions that like to chill in the cove there. After we saw these local celebrities, we stopped by a coffee shop a friend had recommended for its scones (which were excellent). I wanted to go to a local museum but directed us to the wrong part of town. Next time!
Lastly, over the weekend, we drove out to Pala to visit Gems of Pala, where we panned for gemstones. Afterward, we stopped by the casino to hit up their buffet, confirming my dislike of buffets because 1. I can never eat enough to justify the price and 2. The food never impresses me. Still, I enjoyed the visit to this part of the county, where I'd never been before.
 |
| View from Gems of Pala. |
 |
| My relatively small haul of tourmaline: green, pink, and black. |
It was nice to take some time off work. I'm feeling refreshed & ready to get back into the swing of things!
Monday, May 20, 2019
Top 50 Actors, #43 - Buster Keaton: "The General" (1926)
Movie Stats:
Released 1926 (Japan)
American, in English (film is silent; scene cards in my version were in English)
Directors - Clyde Bruckman & Buster Keaton
Stars - Buster Keaton, Marion Mack
Plot Summary:
At the outbreak of the Civil War, train engineer Johnnie Gray (Keaton) is denied enlistment due to his profession & is thus dumped by his girlfriend, Annabelle Lee (Mack). Later, when a group of Union soldiers steals his train, he has the chance to redeem himself.
Warnings:
Violence.
Bad Stuff:
I wasn’t too keen on the Confederates being the heroes of this story (early Hollywood was weirdly obsessed with the Confederacy) or the pro-war theme.
As clever as it was, the train chase scene got a bit tedious after a while.
Good Stuff:
It’s really quite funny. I laughed numerous times.
So many great stunts! Very entertaining.
If I ignore the part where the Confederates are the heroes, I enjoyed the story. Johnnie is so determined, so single-minded in his desperation to get his beloved train back. He’s fearless and he’s a problem solver. He’s not superhuman; he’s just a regular guy doing what needs to be done, which was nice to watch in this modern era of superhero supremacy.
About the Performance:
I always find it a bit difficult to rate a silent performance, because the era of silent film was filled with a lot of overacting, carried over from the theater of the time, when people needed to exaggerate to get the point across. However, you have to admire Keaton for his incredible stunts. Plus, there were multiple times when his facial expressions had me in stitches. I think it’s a bit sad that, nowadays, he doesn’t maintain the same level of admiration as other silent film stars.
Other performances of Keaton’s I’ve reviewed: Around the World in Eighty Days; Sunset Blvd.
The Verdict:
I liked it. It was fun. It was funny. The practical effects were fantastic, as were all the stunts. I also enjoyed that it was all about saving the train, not about saving the girl, which was refreshing. Maybe I didn’t jive with all of the film’s values, but that’s never stopped me from enjoying a movie. I’m surprised that none of Keaton’s features (the other films of his I’ve reviewed were bit parts/cameos for him) have come up on any of my lists before.
I give it 4.25 stars.
Released 1926 (Japan)
American, in English (film is silent; scene cards in my version were in English)
Directors - Clyde Bruckman & Buster Keaton
Stars - Buster Keaton, Marion Mack
Plot Summary:
At the outbreak of the Civil War, train engineer Johnnie Gray (Keaton) is denied enlistment due to his profession & is thus dumped by his girlfriend, Annabelle Lee (Mack). Later, when a group of Union soldiers steals his train, he has the chance to redeem himself.
Warnings:
Violence.
Bad Stuff:
I wasn’t too keen on the Confederates being the heroes of this story (early Hollywood was weirdly obsessed with the Confederacy) or the pro-war theme.
As clever as it was, the train chase scene got a bit tedious after a while.
Good Stuff:
It’s really quite funny. I laughed numerous times.
So many great stunts! Very entertaining.
If I ignore the part where the Confederates are the heroes, I enjoyed the story. Johnnie is so determined, so single-minded in his desperation to get his beloved train back. He’s fearless and he’s a problem solver. He’s not superhuman; he’s just a regular guy doing what needs to be done, which was nice to watch in this modern era of superhero supremacy.
About the Performance:
I always find it a bit difficult to rate a silent performance, because the era of silent film was filled with a lot of overacting, carried over from the theater of the time, when people needed to exaggerate to get the point across. However, you have to admire Keaton for his incredible stunts. Plus, there were multiple times when his facial expressions had me in stitches. I think it’s a bit sad that, nowadays, he doesn’t maintain the same level of admiration as other silent film stars.
Other performances of Keaton’s I’ve reviewed: Around the World in Eighty Days; Sunset Blvd.
The Verdict:
I liked it. It was fun. It was funny. The practical effects were fantastic, as were all the stunts. I also enjoyed that it was all about saving the train, not about saving the girl, which was refreshing. Maybe I didn’t jive with all of the film’s values, but that’s never stopped me from enjoying a movie. I’m surprised that none of Keaton’s features (the other films of his I’ve reviewed were bit parts/cameos for him) have come up on any of my lists before.
I give it 4.25 stars.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Up with Geography: Finland
Country Name:
Finland
Capital:
Helsinki
Continent:
Europe
Maps:
Neighbors:
Norway, Sweden, Russia
Water Borders:
Gulf of Bothnia, Gulf of Finland
Total Area:
130,596 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Jyväskylä
Famous Geographical Point:
Lake Saimaa
Famous Person:
Eric Tigerstedt, inventor (pioneer of sound-on-film technology), the “Thomas Edison of Finland”
Book Set In/About:
The Year of the Hare by Arto Paasilinna
After nearly killing a hare with his car, frustrated-with-his-life Kaarlo nurses the animal back to health, drops out of his life, and sets off on various adventures around Finland with his newfound furry pal. I know a tiny bit about Finnish culture, and I have to say that this was the most Finnish thing I ever experienced in my life (it was one of my book club books last year).
Movie Set In/About:
“Tuntematon sotilas (The Unknown Soldier)” (1955), directed by Edvin Laine
Tells the story of Finland’s war against the Soviet Union to reclaim stolen land, waged at the same time as WWII, from the viewpoint of the soldiers who fought it.
Headline of the Day:
“Finland’s Next Government Forecast to Face Slowing Labor Market” on bloomberg.com.
Finland
Capital:
Helsinki
Continent:
Europe
Maps:
 |
| European continent. Finland outlined in dark ink. |
 |
| A close-up of Finland & its neighbors. |
Neighbors:
Norway, Sweden, Russia
Water Borders:
Gulf of Bothnia, Gulf of Finland
Total Area:
130,596 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Jyväskylä
Famous Geographical Point:
Lake Saimaa
Famous Person:
Eric Tigerstedt, inventor (pioneer of sound-on-film technology), the “Thomas Edison of Finland”
Book Set In/About:
The Year of the Hare by Arto Paasilinna
After nearly killing a hare with his car, frustrated-with-his-life Kaarlo nurses the animal back to health, drops out of his life, and sets off on various adventures around Finland with his newfound furry pal. I know a tiny bit about Finnish culture, and I have to say that this was the most Finnish thing I ever experienced in my life (it was one of my book club books last year).
Movie Set In/About:
“Tuntematon sotilas (The Unknown Soldier)” (1955), directed by Edvin Laine
Tells the story of Finland’s war against the Soviet Union to reclaim stolen land, waged at the same time as WWII, from the viewpoint of the soldiers who fought it.
Headline of the Day:
“Finland’s Next Government Forecast to Face Slowing Labor Market” on bloomberg.com.
Monday, May 6, 2019
Top 50 Actors, #44 - Groucho Marx: "Animal Crackers" (1930)
Movie Stats:
Released 1930 (USA)
American, in English
Director - Victor Heerman
Stars - Groucho Marx, Margaret Dumont, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx
Plot Summary:
In order to celebrate the return of Captain Jeffrey Spaulding (Groucho) from Africa, the wealthy Mrs. Rittenhouse (Dumont) throws a party that includes the unveiling of a priceless painting. Zaniness ensues. Chico and Harpo co-star, respectively, as Signor Emanuel Rivelli and The Professor, a pair of musicians/conmen(?).
Warnings:
Minor violence.
Bad Stuff:
Personally, I’m not into the Marx Brothers style of humor. It’s very old school. Most of it is just fast talking and eye roll-worthy puns. Half the jokes just seem to be random words strung together. And the jokes I do understand are rather mean-spirited (lots of “negging” of women). Some of the dialogue was awkwardly stilted. I think I laughed once or twice.
I was bored.
I know it’s a screwball comedy and I shouldn’t expect much, but I still thought the story was nonsensical.
Good Stuff:
I didn’t know it was a quasi-musical. I enjoyed the songs. I particularly liked “Why Am I So Romantic?”
In a similar vein, I liked the scene where Harpo played the harp.
I’m a big fan of Art Deco, so I loved the sets and costuming.
About the Performance:
Groucho Marx is one of those actors whose importance to cinematic history is understandable to me. He brought vaudeville to the big screen. He was a pioneer of comedy. Does that make him a great actor? Not in my opinion. Granted, I’ve only seen two of his films and don’t plan to see more, but he seems rather one-note. There’s no range, which is what I personally want from an actor. So I was unimpressed, even though I completely get why he’s on the list.
Other performances of Marx’s I’ve reviewed: Duck Soup.
The Verdict:
The Marx Brothers definitely aren’t my cup of tea. I suspected it after “Duck Soup,” but “Animal Crackers” really solidified it for me. Not only was I bored, I found it painfully unfunny. Thank god there were a few scenes that saved me from hating it completely.
I give it 2.75 stars.
Released 1930 (USA)
American, in English
Director - Victor Heerman
Stars - Groucho Marx, Margaret Dumont, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx
Plot Summary:
In order to celebrate the return of Captain Jeffrey Spaulding (Groucho) from Africa, the wealthy Mrs. Rittenhouse (Dumont) throws a party that includes the unveiling of a priceless painting. Zaniness ensues. Chico and Harpo co-star, respectively, as Signor Emanuel Rivelli and The Professor, a pair of musicians/conmen(?).
Warnings:
Minor violence.
Bad Stuff:
Personally, I’m not into the Marx Brothers style of humor. It’s very old school. Most of it is just fast talking and eye roll-worthy puns. Half the jokes just seem to be random words strung together. And the jokes I do understand are rather mean-spirited (lots of “negging” of women). Some of the dialogue was awkwardly stilted. I think I laughed once or twice.
I was bored.
I know it’s a screwball comedy and I shouldn’t expect much, but I still thought the story was nonsensical.
Good Stuff:
I didn’t know it was a quasi-musical. I enjoyed the songs. I particularly liked “Why Am I So Romantic?”
In a similar vein, I liked the scene where Harpo played the harp.
I’m a big fan of Art Deco, so I loved the sets and costuming.
About the Performance:
Groucho Marx is one of those actors whose importance to cinematic history is understandable to me. He brought vaudeville to the big screen. He was a pioneer of comedy. Does that make him a great actor? Not in my opinion. Granted, I’ve only seen two of his films and don’t plan to see more, but he seems rather one-note. There’s no range, which is what I personally want from an actor. So I was unimpressed, even though I completely get why he’s on the list.
Other performances of Marx’s I’ve reviewed: Duck Soup.
The Verdict:
The Marx Brothers definitely aren’t my cup of tea. I suspected it after “Duck Soup,” but “Animal Crackers” really solidified it for me. Not only was I bored, I found it painfully unfunny. Thank god there were a few scenes that saved me from hating it completely.
I give it 2.75 stars.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Woodland Enchantress Cross Stitch, Progress Report 10
Time for a cross stitch update!
Here’s a reminder of what it’s supposed to look like when it’s finished:
Here’s what it looked like the last time I updated, in January 2019:
And here’s what it looks like now:
I started keeping track of my work again, so I can tell you that this represents approximately 40.75 hours! I’m feeling pretty good because I tried really hard to work on it more frequently and I now know that I did, because this is quite a bit more work than every other quarter I previously tracked. I had to slow down toward the end of April because of a rib injury, but I’m getting back into the swing of things now!
Here’s a reminder of what it’s supposed to look like when it’s finished:
Here’s what it looked like the last time I updated, in January 2019:
And here’s what it looks like now:
I started keeping track of my work again, so I can tell you that this represents approximately 40.75 hours! I’m feeling pretty good because I tried really hard to work on it more frequently and I now know that I did, because this is quite a bit more work than every other quarter I previously tracked. I had to slow down toward the end of April because of a rib injury, but I’m getting back into the swing of things now!
Monday, April 29, 2019
Top 50 Actors, #45 - Gene Hackman: "Mississippi Burning" (1988)
Movie Stats:
Released 1988 (USA)
American, in English
Director - Alan Parker
Stars - Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, and many others
Plot Summary:
Based on a true story. In Mississippi during the summer of 1964, when three young civil rights workers go missing, FBI agents Rupert Anderson (Hackman) and Alan Ward (Dafoe) are sent to investigate.
Warnings:
Heavy blue language (including racial slurs); heavy violence; gore.
Bad Stuff:
The very last still shot was a bit ham-handed.
I didn’t care for some of the music (mostly the stuff in chase scenes); it felt too modern compared to the music in the rest of the film.
The FBI tactics portrayed toward the end of the film weren’t exactly believable but I decided to roll with it anyway.
Good Stuff:
The acting is all very good.
I enjoyed the shifting relationship between Anderson and Ward. They never dislike one another, but they don’t always respect each other. There’s a lot of distrust there. I liked watching them learn how to work together and integrate their disparate styles.
It felt well-crafted. From the first scene to the last, it told the story in such a riveting style that I never turned away, even though the subject matter was very upsetting to me.
About the Performance:
I really liked Hackman in this. It’s probably my favorite performance of his. Just like Ward, I initially felt suspicious of him. Is he on the same page? Does he want the same outcome as Ward and us, the viewers? The more you understand him and his motivations, the more you like him. Hackman does a great job portraying a man who understands what he’s up against because it’s what he’s come from. I would have enjoyed an even deeper exploration of how he came to be the person he was.
Other performances of Hackman’s I’ve reviewed: Unforgiven; Reds; Superman; The French Connection; Bonnie and Clyde.
The Verdict:
I thought this was a great movie. It is, however, a very difficult movie. I felt upset through pretty much the whole thing, right from the first scene. It’s a hard topic and it’s not fun, seeing people treat other people this way. While the film is dramatized, I know enough about history to know it wasn’t that far from the truth. Still, the difficulty of the material doesn’t detract from the overall quality of the film. I thought it was a masterpiece of storytelling that featured many fine actors doing excellent work.
I give it 4.5 stars.
Released 1988 (USA)
American, in English
Director - Alan Parker
Stars - Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, and many others
Plot Summary:
Based on a true story. In Mississippi during the summer of 1964, when three young civil rights workers go missing, FBI agents Rupert Anderson (Hackman) and Alan Ward (Dafoe) are sent to investigate.
Warnings:
Heavy blue language (including racial slurs); heavy violence; gore.
Bad Stuff:
The very last still shot was a bit ham-handed.
I didn’t care for some of the music (mostly the stuff in chase scenes); it felt too modern compared to the music in the rest of the film.
The FBI tactics portrayed toward the end of the film weren’t exactly believable but I decided to roll with it anyway.
Good Stuff:
The acting is all very good.
I enjoyed the shifting relationship between Anderson and Ward. They never dislike one another, but they don’t always respect each other. There’s a lot of distrust there. I liked watching them learn how to work together and integrate their disparate styles.
It felt well-crafted. From the first scene to the last, it told the story in such a riveting style that I never turned away, even though the subject matter was very upsetting to me.
About the Performance:
I really liked Hackman in this. It’s probably my favorite performance of his. Just like Ward, I initially felt suspicious of him. Is he on the same page? Does he want the same outcome as Ward and us, the viewers? The more you understand him and his motivations, the more you like him. Hackman does a great job portraying a man who understands what he’s up against because it’s what he’s come from. I would have enjoyed an even deeper exploration of how he came to be the person he was.
Other performances of Hackman’s I’ve reviewed: Unforgiven; Reds; Superman; The French Connection; Bonnie and Clyde.
The Verdict:
I thought this was a great movie. It is, however, a very difficult movie. I felt upset through pretty much the whole thing, right from the first scene. It’s a hard topic and it’s not fun, seeing people treat other people this way. While the film is dramatized, I know enough about history to know it wasn’t that far from the truth. Still, the difficulty of the material doesn’t detract from the overall quality of the film. I thought it was a masterpiece of storytelling that featured many fine actors doing excellent work.
I give it 4.5 stars.
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Up with Geography: Fiji
Country Name:
Fiji
Capital:
Suva
Continent:
None; it’s an island chain
Map:
Neighbors:
The nearest neighbors are Vanuatu, Tuvalu, and American Samoa.
Water Borders:
Pacific Ocean, Koro Sea
Total Area:
7,056 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Suva, Lautoka, Nadi, Labasa, Ba
Famous Geographical Point:
Mount Tomanivi
Famous Person:
Elena Baravilala, singer
Book Set In/About:
Getting Stoned with the Savages by J. Maarten Troost
One man’s true life adventures living in Fiji & Vanuatu.
Movie Set In/About:
“Pear ta ma 'on maf (The Land Has Eyes)” (2004) by Vilsoni Hereniko
To-date, the only feature length film to come out of Fiji, it’s a coming-of-age tale about a young woman seeking relief from the pressures of island culture.
Headline of the Day:
“Fiji Is Open for Business Invites Trade Minister” on fbcnews.com.fj.
Fiji
Capital:
Suva
Continent:
None; it’s an island chain
Map:
 |
| Map of Fiji. Disclaimer: There are over 300 islands in Fiji's archipelago. I didn't depict them all. |
Neighbors:
The nearest neighbors are Vanuatu, Tuvalu, and American Samoa.
Water Borders:
Pacific Ocean, Koro Sea
Total Area:
7,056 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Suva, Lautoka, Nadi, Labasa, Ba
Famous Geographical Point:
Mount Tomanivi
Famous Person:
Elena Baravilala, singer
Book Set In/About:
Getting Stoned with the Savages by J. Maarten Troost
One man’s true life adventures living in Fiji & Vanuatu.
Movie Set In/About:
“Pear ta ma 'on maf (The Land Has Eyes)” (2004) by Vilsoni Hereniko
To-date, the only feature length film to come out of Fiji, it’s a coming-of-age tale about a young woman seeking relief from the pressures of island culture.
Headline of the Day:
“Fiji Is Open for Business Invites Trade Minister” on fbcnews.com.fj.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Top 50 Actors, #46 - Morgan Freeman: "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994)
Movie Stats:
Released 1994 (Canada)
American, in English
Director - Frank Darabont
Stars - Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman
Plot Summary:
Over the course of nearly twenty years, Andy Dufresne (Robbins) and Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding (Freeman) form a tight bond of friendship while in prison.
Warnings:
Heavy blue language; violence; very minor gore; rape (off-screen); sexy times (brief, no nudity); brief reference to drug use (marijuana).
Bad Stuff:
The only true quibble I have is that it all wraps up in a nice little bow that seems a bit too neat.
Good Stuff:
I feel like it’s difficult to put your finger on what makes this movie so good. It’s got a great script with a solid story, excellent dialogue, a clever twist, and an ending that will please you unless you’ve got a heart made of stone. Plus, for a movie largely set in prison, it’s weirdly wholesome. Sure, there’s all these bad things that happen, but in a way you don’t even notice because of all the good things that Andy does. It’s like, “Yeah, there’s prison rape, but this movie makes me feel so dosh darn good!” Both Andy and Red are extremely likable characters. (Actually, most of the prisoners are.) You find yourself rooting for their happy ending, no matter what they might have done in the past. The acting is great, I enjoyed the cinematography, and while the score is a bit 90s schmaltzy, I found I rarely noticed it because I was so engrossed in the film.
What makes this a good movie? Pretty much everything.
About the Performance:
This is Morgan Freeman at his finest. Red is a professed murderer (the movie never tells you who his victim was). This should make him inherently a bad guy but you never feel that way about him. Freeman imbues Red with so much warmth and humanity that, even before he declares his feelings toward the end of the film, you get the sense that this is a man who regrets a rash, youthful decision. If Red had the chance to do it all over again, he would’ve made a different choice. Even if you’ve never committed a terrible crime, I think that’s someone practically anyone could find relatable. Plus, Morgan Freeman’s voice improves any film.
Other performances of Freeman’s I’ve reviewed: Million Dollar Baby; Unforgiven; Driving Miss Daisy.
The Verdict:
I think it’s pretty obvious that I like this film. It had been quite a while since I’d last seen it, so I thought, “Maybe it’s not as good as I remember it being.” It is. In fact, it’s even better than I remembered. The subject matter isn’t always easy, but in the end, it’s a heartwarming story that makes you feel good. Hands down, an all-time favorite.
I give it 4.75 stars.
Released 1994 (Canada)
American, in English
Director - Frank Darabont
Stars - Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman
Plot Summary:
Over the course of nearly twenty years, Andy Dufresne (Robbins) and Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding (Freeman) form a tight bond of friendship while in prison.
Warnings:
Heavy blue language; violence; very minor gore; rape (off-screen); sexy times (brief, no nudity); brief reference to drug use (marijuana).
Bad Stuff:
The only true quibble I have is that it all wraps up in a nice little bow that seems a bit too neat.
Good Stuff:
I feel like it’s difficult to put your finger on what makes this movie so good. It’s got a great script with a solid story, excellent dialogue, a clever twist, and an ending that will please you unless you’ve got a heart made of stone. Plus, for a movie largely set in prison, it’s weirdly wholesome. Sure, there’s all these bad things that happen, but in a way you don’t even notice because of all the good things that Andy does. It’s like, “Yeah, there’s prison rape, but this movie makes me feel so dosh darn good!” Both Andy and Red are extremely likable characters. (Actually, most of the prisoners are.) You find yourself rooting for their happy ending, no matter what they might have done in the past. The acting is great, I enjoyed the cinematography, and while the score is a bit 90s schmaltzy, I found I rarely noticed it because I was so engrossed in the film.
What makes this a good movie? Pretty much everything.
About the Performance:
This is Morgan Freeman at his finest. Red is a professed murderer (the movie never tells you who his victim was). This should make him inherently a bad guy but you never feel that way about him. Freeman imbues Red with so much warmth and humanity that, even before he declares his feelings toward the end of the film, you get the sense that this is a man who regrets a rash, youthful decision. If Red had the chance to do it all over again, he would’ve made a different choice. Even if you’ve never committed a terrible crime, I think that’s someone practically anyone could find relatable. Plus, Morgan Freeman’s voice improves any film.
Other performances of Freeman’s I’ve reviewed: Million Dollar Baby; Unforgiven; Driving Miss Daisy.
The Verdict:
I think it’s pretty obvious that I like this film. It had been quite a while since I’d last seen it, so I thought, “Maybe it’s not as good as I remember it being.” It is. In fact, it’s even better than I remembered. The subject matter isn’t always easy, but in the end, it’s a heartwarming story that makes you feel good. Hands down, an all-time favorite.
I give it 4.75 stars.
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Up with Geography: Ethiopia
Country Name:
Ethiopia
Capital:
Addis Ababa
Continent:
Africa
Maps:
Neighbors:
Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan
Water Borders:
None
Total Area:
426,400 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Addis Ababa, Gondar, Mek’ele, Adama, Hawassa (based on 2016 estimates; the middle 3 cities are all very close in population size)
Famous Geographical Point:
Lake Tana (the source of the Blue Nile)
Famous Person:
Yohannes Gebregeorgis, founder of childhood literacy non-profit Ethiopia Reads
Book Set In/About:
There Is No Me Without You by Melissa Fay Greene
The true story of an Ethiopian woman who, after the deaths of her husband & daughter, opened her home to an orphan, only to soon find herself running a full orphanage during the height of the AIDS crisis.
Movie Set In/About:
“Adwa” (2009), directed by Haile Gerima
This documentary film tells the history of the 1896 Battle of Adwa, wherein Ethiopians armed only with knives and spears were able to defeat the invading Italian army bent on colonization.
Headline of the Day:
“Ethiopian Ethnic Rivalries Threaten Abiy Ahmed’s Reform Agenda” in Financial Times
Ethiopia
Capital:
Addis Ababa
Continent:
Africa
Maps:
 |
| African continent. Ethiopia outlined in dark ink. |
 |
| A close-up of Ethiopia & its neighbors. |
Neighbors:
Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan
Water Borders:
None
Total Area:
426,400 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Addis Ababa, Gondar, Mek’ele, Adama, Hawassa (based on 2016 estimates; the middle 3 cities are all very close in population size)
Famous Geographical Point:
Lake Tana (the source of the Blue Nile)
Famous Person:
Yohannes Gebregeorgis, founder of childhood literacy non-profit Ethiopia Reads
Book Set In/About:
There Is No Me Without You by Melissa Fay Greene
The true story of an Ethiopian woman who, after the deaths of her husband & daughter, opened her home to an orphan, only to soon find herself running a full orphanage during the height of the AIDS crisis.
Movie Set In/About:
“Adwa” (2009), directed by Haile Gerima
This documentary film tells the history of the 1896 Battle of Adwa, wherein Ethiopians armed only with knives and spears were able to defeat the invading Italian army bent on colonization.
Headline of the Day:
“Ethiopian Ethnic Rivalries Threaten Abiy Ahmed’s Reform Agenda” in Financial Times
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Top 50 Actors, #47 - Denzel Washington: "Training Day" (2001)
Movie Stats:
Released 2001 (Italy)
American & Australian, in English (minor, non-translated Spanish, Russian & Korean)
Director - Antoine Fuqua
Stars - Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke
Plot Summary:
Rookie LAPD officer Jake Hoyt’s (Hawke) first day on the job with the narcotics department becomes a wild ride due to his supervisor, Alonzo Harris (Washington).
Warnings:
Extreme violence; extreme gore; extensive blue language; brief female nudity (everything); consensual (sort of) drug use (pot laced with PCP).
Bad Stuff:
I was bored to tears. I don’t understand how a movie with this much action & violence can be so dull, but it is.
Half the time, I didn’t understand what was happening. I’m a reasonably intelligent person, but I had to keep asking my husband (who’d seen it before) what was going on because nothing made much sense to me. I feel like they rarely explained anything.
There’s a big, eye roll-inducing coincidence that saves a character’s life & I can’t get over it because it was so stupidly unrealistic.
Good Stuff:
I liked the theme of it, the ideas that it played around with. It’s the movie’s one saving grace. To defeat “wolves,” does one need to become a wolf? And if one becomes a wolf, how far is too far to take it? It was an interesting insight into the kind of damage that battling against crime can do to a person’s psyche.
The cameos (Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Terry Crews) were fun.
About the Performance:
One of my most unpopular opinions in life is that I don’t care for Denzel Washington as an actor. Something about him bugs me, and I think he’s a bit of a scenery chewer. I also don’t tend to care for the types of movies he chooses to make. I had a hard time picking a film for him & wasn’t looking forward to watching this. That being said, I thought he was very good in it. I completely loathed his character, which I think was the point. However, I did feel that he fell into scenery chewing toward the end.
Other performances of Washington’s I’ve reviewed: Inside Man.
The Verdict:
Originally, I chose this film because it’s one of the ones Washington won an Oscar for, but I wasn’t particularly interested in it. So I decided to watch “Malcolm X” instead. After I got it from the library, though, I realized that it’s nearly 3.5 hours long, which was a firm “no” for me, so I went back to this. Everyone raves about this film, so I figured I would probably like it, despite my instincts. I was wrong. I didn’t like it at all. Alonzo is an asshole. Jake is whiny and annoying. Nothing makes any sense. The female nudity is ridiculously gratuitous. And it’s so slow! It’s supposed to be the longest day of Jake’s life, felt more like the longest day of my life. Just boo. Not my cup of tea for sure.
I give it 2.75 stars.
Released 2001 (Italy)
American & Australian, in English (minor, non-translated Spanish, Russian & Korean)
Director - Antoine Fuqua
Stars - Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke
Plot Summary:
Rookie LAPD officer Jake Hoyt’s (Hawke) first day on the job with the narcotics department becomes a wild ride due to his supervisor, Alonzo Harris (Washington).
Warnings:
Extreme violence; extreme gore; extensive blue language; brief female nudity (everything); consensual (sort of) drug use (pot laced with PCP).
Bad Stuff:
I was bored to tears. I don’t understand how a movie with this much action & violence can be so dull, but it is.
Half the time, I didn’t understand what was happening. I’m a reasonably intelligent person, but I had to keep asking my husband (who’d seen it before) what was going on because nothing made much sense to me. I feel like they rarely explained anything.
There’s a big, eye roll-inducing coincidence that saves a character’s life & I can’t get over it because it was so stupidly unrealistic.
Good Stuff:
I liked the theme of it, the ideas that it played around with. It’s the movie’s one saving grace. To defeat “wolves,” does one need to become a wolf? And if one becomes a wolf, how far is too far to take it? It was an interesting insight into the kind of damage that battling against crime can do to a person’s psyche.
The cameos (Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Terry Crews) were fun.
About the Performance:
One of my most unpopular opinions in life is that I don’t care for Denzel Washington as an actor. Something about him bugs me, and I think he’s a bit of a scenery chewer. I also don’t tend to care for the types of movies he chooses to make. I had a hard time picking a film for him & wasn’t looking forward to watching this. That being said, I thought he was very good in it. I completely loathed his character, which I think was the point. However, I did feel that he fell into scenery chewing toward the end.
Other performances of Washington’s I’ve reviewed: Inside Man.
The Verdict:
Originally, I chose this film because it’s one of the ones Washington won an Oscar for, but I wasn’t particularly interested in it. So I decided to watch “Malcolm X” instead. After I got it from the library, though, I realized that it’s nearly 3.5 hours long, which was a firm “no” for me, so I went back to this. Everyone raves about this film, so I figured I would probably like it, despite my instincts. I was wrong. I didn’t like it at all. Alonzo is an asshole. Jake is whiny and annoying. Nothing makes any sense. The female nudity is ridiculously gratuitous. And it’s so slow! It’s supposed to be the longest day of Jake’s life, felt more like the longest day of my life. Just boo. Not my cup of tea for sure.
I give it 2.75 stars.
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Up with U.S. Geography: California
California is the fourth of the eight states I've lived in to make the list! At the time of this post, my husband & I have lived in SoCal for just over five years and plan to stay at least until retirement age.
State Name:
California
Capital:
Sacramento
Date of Entry:
September 9, 1850
Maps:
Neighbors:
Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Mexico
Water Borders:
Lake Tahoe, Colorado River, Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay
Total Area:
163,696 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno
Famous Geographical Point:
Mt. Whitney
State Nickname:
The Golden State. Well, California first experienced explosive population growth after gold was discovered here. Also, the state is known for its sunsets & fields of poppies (the state flower). And apparently, gold is one of our official state colors!
Famous Person:
Ansel Adams, landscape photographer & environmentalist
Book Set In/About:
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Set in Salinas Valley, this novel follows the lives of two intertwined families, with strong parallels to Biblical tales.
Movie Set In/About:
“Shelter” (2007), directed by Jonah Markowitz
A young man who’s given up his dreams of art school to help raise his nephew finds himself slowly falling for his best friend’s older brother. I chose this film not only because it’s beautiful but also because each of the main characters represents a different side of SoCal, one poor, one wealthy.
Headline of the Day:
“California Governor Signs Executive Order Stopping State's Death Penalty for Now” on cnn.com.
State Name:
California
Capital:
Sacramento
Date of Entry:
September 9, 1850
Maps:
 |
| Map of USA. California outlined in dark ink & with name written on it. |
 |
| A close-up of California & its neighbors. |
Neighbors:
Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Mexico
Water Borders:
Lake Tahoe, Colorado River, Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay
Total Area:
163,696 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno
Famous Geographical Point:
Mt. Whitney
State Nickname:
The Golden State. Well, California first experienced explosive population growth after gold was discovered here. Also, the state is known for its sunsets & fields of poppies (the state flower). And apparently, gold is one of our official state colors!
Famous Person:
Ansel Adams, landscape photographer & environmentalist
Book Set In/About:
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Set in Salinas Valley, this novel follows the lives of two intertwined families, with strong parallels to Biblical tales.
Movie Set In/About:
“Shelter” (2007), directed by Jonah Markowitz
A young man who’s given up his dreams of art school to help raise his nephew finds himself slowly falling for his best friend’s older brother. I chose this film not only because it’s beautiful but also because each of the main characters represents a different side of SoCal, one poor, one wealthy.
Headline of the Day:
“California Governor Signs Executive Order Stopping State's Death Penalty for Now” on cnn.com.
Monday, March 11, 2019
Top 50 Actors, #48 - James Cagney: "White Heat" (1949)
Movie Stats:
Released 1949 (USA)
American, in English
Director - Raoul Walsh
Stars - James Cagney, Margaret Wycherly, Edmond O’Brien
Plot Summary:
A heist caper featuring a remorseless killer — Cody Jarrett (Cagney) — with a mommy complex (Ma is played by Wycherly) who comes to trust a man he maybe shouldn’t trust, Vic Pardo (O’Brien).
Warnings:
Violence.
Bad Stuff:
It has a little too much “movie magic” for me, i.e. absolutely everyone is a crack shot or that one scene where Ma is being followed by the police & a car conveniently backs out of a driveway, blocking the police car following her, etc.
Cody’s wife Verna (Virginia Mayo) is completely superfluous to the plot. She added nothing beyond a pretty face. It would’ve been the same movie without her in it.
Good Stuff:
I enjoyed the cat & mouse nature of it.
The acting is good. I particularly enjoyed all three leads.
I liked the idea that Cody was thoroughly dependent on Ma, and not in a creepy way. She wasn’t his moral compass but his reality compass, making sure that his plans were solid & keeping an eye out for plots against him. Then [SPOILER] as soon as she’s gone, he’s completely incapable of making sound decisions [SPOILER]. I thought it was a nice twist on the genre.
About the Performance:
I don’t think it’s any secret that Cagney played a lot of gangsters. It was kind of his thing. Normally this is something I might complain about here, “Oh, he played the same type of character he always plays!” But I thought there was more nuance to Cody Jarrett than that. Here is this thief and murderer who rules his gang with an iron fist, who executes complex plots, and he needs his mommy to be successful. Watching him unravel was quite fascinating. [SPOILER-y] The scene where he discovers he’s been duped and says, “And we went for it, I went for it,” I absolutely loved his delivery. [SPOILER] I was impressed.
Other performances of Cagney’s I’ve reviewed: Yankee Doodle Dandy; The Public Enemy.
The Verdict:
I thought this would be a fairly standard gangster film but found that it had a little something extra. Perhaps that’s because it came fairly late in the game (old style gangster films had largely fallen out of fashion by the late 40s). I liked that it showcased actual hit-the-pavement police work. I liked how clever & resourceful Pardo was, and the delicate dance he does with Cody. Most of the acting falls on a range from good to impressive. Occasionally, things get a little too convenient in order to move the plot forward, but beyond that, I thought it was both engaging and enjoyable. A really solid film.
I give it 4 stars.
Released 1949 (USA)
American, in English
Director - Raoul Walsh
Stars - James Cagney, Margaret Wycherly, Edmond O’Brien
Plot Summary:
A heist caper featuring a remorseless killer — Cody Jarrett (Cagney) — with a mommy complex (Ma is played by Wycherly) who comes to trust a man he maybe shouldn’t trust, Vic Pardo (O’Brien).
Warnings:
Violence.
Bad Stuff:
It has a little too much “movie magic” for me, i.e. absolutely everyone is a crack shot or that one scene where Ma is being followed by the police & a car conveniently backs out of a driveway, blocking the police car following her, etc.
Cody’s wife Verna (Virginia Mayo) is completely superfluous to the plot. She added nothing beyond a pretty face. It would’ve been the same movie without her in it.
Good Stuff:
I enjoyed the cat & mouse nature of it.
The acting is good. I particularly enjoyed all three leads.
I liked the idea that Cody was thoroughly dependent on Ma, and not in a creepy way. She wasn’t his moral compass but his reality compass, making sure that his plans were solid & keeping an eye out for plots against him. Then [SPOILER] as soon as she’s gone, he’s completely incapable of making sound decisions [SPOILER]. I thought it was a nice twist on the genre.
About the Performance:
I don’t think it’s any secret that Cagney played a lot of gangsters. It was kind of his thing. Normally this is something I might complain about here, “Oh, he played the same type of character he always plays!” But I thought there was more nuance to Cody Jarrett than that. Here is this thief and murderer who rules his gang with an iron fist, who executes complex plots, and he needs his mommy to be successful. Watching him unravel was quite fascinating. [SPOILER-y] The scene where he discovers he’s been duped and says, “And we went for it, I went for it,” I absolutely loved his delivery. [SPOILER] I was impressed.
Other performances of Cagney’s I’ve reviewed: Yankee Doodle Dandy; The Public Enemy.
The Verdict:
I thought this would be a fairly standard gangster film but found that it had a little something extra. Perhaps that’s because it came fairly late in the game (old style gangster films had largely fallen out of fashion by the late 40s). I liked that it showcased actual hit-the-pavement police work. I liked how clever & resourceful Pardo was, and the delicate dance he does with Cody. Most of the acting falls on a range from good to impressive. Occasionally, things get a little too convenient in order to move the plot forward, but beyond that, I thought it was both engaging and enjoyable. A really solid film.
I give it 4 stars.
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Top 50 Actors, #49 - Clint Eastwood: "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" (1966)
Movie Stats:
Released 1966 (Italy)
Italian, Spanish, & West German, in English (minor, non-translated Spanish)
Director - Sergio Leone
Stars - Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef
Plot Summary:
Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, two frenemies — Blondie (Eastwood) & Tuco (Wallach) — form an uneasy truce in order to beat another man, Angel Eyes (Van Cleef), to $200,000 in stolen Confederate gold coins.
Warnings:
Extreme violence; minor gore; minor blue language (including a slur uttered in Spanish).
Bad Stuff:
It’s way, way too long (nearly 3 hours). There were many scenes that felt either superfluous to the story or simply bloated.
It appears that some of the actors spoke in their native language (Italian, I’m guessing) and were dubbed over in English. I found it a bit distracting.
Good Stuff:
Loved the cinematography & costuming.
I appreciated the experimental aspects of the film, such as the unusual camera angles, close-up shots, and the fact that the first 10 minutes have no dialogue. You wouldn’t expect a scene of two men silently eating potatoes to provide a lot of tension, but it does.
It’s got a good bit of humor.
About the Performance:
I don’t dislike Eastwood but I can’t say that I ever feel particularly impressed by him, either. He always seems to play the same character: squinty, tough, stoic. Practically emotionless, really, which isn’t all that hard to convey IMO. Granted, I haven’t seen a ton of his films, but the only one I can think of where I glimpsed a bit of range was "Million Dollar Baby." Anyway, I wasn’t blown away, but I did enjoy his performance. He’s good at what he does.
Other performances of Eastwood’s I’ve reviewed: Million Dollar Baby; Unforgiven.
The Verdict:
I liked it. As Westerns go, it was really complete; it kind of had everything: tough-as-nails characters, the struggle to survive, the desert, lust for money, backstabbing, uneasy alliances, plot twists, violence. I mean, really, you name it. It’s an epic for the ages. I particularly enjoyed the scene at the bridge, which the Confederate & Union soldiers fought & died for fruitlessly, which seemed like a commentary about the futility of war in general, thrown in for good measure. However, it’s too damn long. I got really bored after a while. Just not quite my cup of tea.
I give it 3.75 stars.
Released 1966 (Italy)
Italian, Spanish, & West German, in English (minor, non-translated Spanish)
Director - Sergio Leone
Stars - Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef
Plot Summary:
Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, two frenemies — Blondie (Eastwood) & Tuco (Wallach) — form an uneasy truce in order to beat another man, Angel Eyes (Van Cleef), to $200,000 in stolen Confederate gold coins.
Warnings:
Extreme violence; minor gore; minor blue language (including a slur uttered in Spanish).
Bad Stuff:
It’s way, way too long (nearly 3 hours). There were many scenes that felt either superfluous to the story or simply bloated.
It appears that some of the actors spoke in their native language (Italian, I’m guessing) and were dubbed over in English. I found it a bit distracting.
Good Stuff:
Loved the cinematography & costuming.
I appreciated the experimental aspects of the film, such as the unusual camera angles, close-up shots, and the fact that the first 10 minutes have no dialogue. You wouldn’t expect a scene of two men silently eating potatoes to provide a lot of tension, but it does.
It’s got a good bit of humor.
About the Performance:
I don’t dislike Eastwood but I can’t say that I ever feel particularly impressed by him, either. He always seems to play the same character: squinty, tough, stoic. Practically emotionless, really, which isn’t all that hard to convey IMO. Granted, I haven’t seen a ton of his films, but the only one I can think of where I glimpsed a bit of range was "Million Dollar Baby." Anyway, I wasn’t blown away, but I did enjoy his performance. He’s good at what he does.
Other performances of Eastwood’s I’ve reviewed: Million Dollar Baby; Unforgiven.
The Verdict:
I liked it. As Westerns go, it was really complete; it kind of had everything: tough-as-nails characters, the struggle to survive, the desert, lust for money, backstabbing, uneasy alliances, plot twists, violence. I mean, really, you name it. It’s an epic for the ages. I particularly enjoyed the scene at the bridge, which the Confederate & Union soldiers fought & died for fruitlessly, which seemed like a commentary about the futility of war in general, thrown in for good measure. However, it’s too damn long. I got really bored after a while. Just not quite my cup of tea.
I give it 3.75 stars.
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Up with Geography: Estonia
Country Name:
Estonia
Capital:
Tallinn
Continent:
Europe
Maps:
Neighbors:
Russia, Latvia
Water Borders:
Gulf of Riga, Baltic Sea, Gulf of Finland, Lake Peipus, Lake Pskov
Total Area:
17,413 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Tallinn, Tartu, Narva, Pärnu, Kohtla-Järve
Famous Geographical Point:
Lake Võrtsjärv
Famous Person:
Arvo Pärt, composer
Book Set In/About:
Purge by Sofi Oksanen
An old woman who lives in an isolated cabin in the woods discovers a battered, beaten young woman in her garden one night. She takes the girl in and soon discovers a shocking truth that rockets her into memories of her past.
Movie Set In/About:
“Risttuules (In the Crosswind)” (2014), directed by Martti Helde
Based on a true story, it tells the tale of one Estonian family’s deportation to Siberia (In 1941, thousands of people from the Soviet-occupied Baltic states faced such deportations; the mortality rate of these unlucky souls is estimated at 60%).
Headline of the Day:
“Estonia Celebrates the Independence Day” on estonianworld.com
I felt compelled to choose this headline because today (February 24) is, in fact, Estonian Independence Day. I had no idea! However, I thought I would also mention my favorite headline of the day: “Workers in Estonia Rescue Dog from Icy River, Only to Find out It’s Actually a Wolf” in The News Journal.
Estonia
Capital:
Tallinn
Continent:
Europe
Maps:
 |
| European continent. Estonia outlined in dark ink. |
 |
| A close-up of Estonia & its neighbors. |
Neighbors:
Russia, Latvia
Water Borders:
Gulf of Riga, Baltic Sea, Gulf of Finland, Lake Peipus, Lake Pskov
Total Area:
17,413 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Tallinn, Tartu, Narva, Pärnu, Kohtla-Järve
Famous Geographical Point:
Lake Võrtsjärv
Famous Person:
Arvo Pärt, composer
Book Set In/About:
Purge by Sofi Oksanen
An old woman who lives in an isolated cabin in the woods discovers a battered, beaten young woman in her garden one night. She takes the girl in and soon discovers a shocking truth that rockets her into memories of her past.
Movie Set In/About:
“Risttuules (In the Crosswind)” (2014), directed by Martti Helde
Based on a true story, it tells the tale of one Estonian family’s deportation to Siberia (In 1941, thousands of people from the Soviet-occupied Baltic states faced such deportations; the mortality rate of these unlucky souls is estimated at 60%).
Headline of the Day:
“Estonia Celebrates the Independence Day” on estonianworld.com
I felt compelled to choose this headline because today (February 24) is, in fact, Estonian Independence Day. I had no idea! However, I thought I would also mention my favorite headline of the day: “Workers in Estonia Rescue Dog from Icy River, Only to Find out It’s Actually a Wolf” in The News Journal.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Top 50 Actors, #50 - Johnny Depp: "Dead Man" (1995)
Movie Stats:
Released 1995 (France)
American, German & Japanese, in English (significant non-translated Cree)
Director - Jim Jarmusch
Stars - Johnny Depp, Gary Farmer
Plot Summary:
During the 19th century, naive young Cleveland accountant William Blake (Depp) accepts a job in the Wild West town of Machine, only to quickly find himself in trouble. A Native American man by the name of Nobody (Farmer) comes to his aid.
Warnings:
Heavy blue language; extreme violence; extreme gore; sexy times; brief male & female nudity (buttocks only); consensual drug use (peyote).
Bad Stuff:
I really hated the soundtrack (by Neil Young). I found it oppressive and distracting.
There’s more than a whiff of that popular 90s motif: the Native American as noble savage.
The pacing is ponderous.
Good Stuff:
It has a surprising amount of funny moments.
Loved Gary Farmer.
For a movie with so much bloodshed and death, I find it quite beautiful. I think what touches me about this story is Nobody’s compassion. [SPOILER] He finds a stranger on death’s doorstep, nurses him back as close to health as he can get, and ushers him to his inevitable end with humor, grace, and dignity. There’s something unspeakably beautiful in that. [SPOILER]
About the Performance:
I used to love Johnny Depp. But then he played Captain Jack Sparrow (a role I enjoy him in) and forever after that only seemed interested in playing “weirdo” characters. It got old fast. Originally, I was supposed to review “Ed Wood” for this but feared that the characterization would be too close to the weirdo phase of his career for me, so I chose something else. I went with this film because I saw it some 20 years ago & loved it. I remembered it as a good vehicle for him. Upon re-watch, I’m no longer certain that it’s a great showcase of his talents. He spends a lot of the film unconscious. Despite that, I think he does a lovely, understated job of portraying Blake’s growth, including his slow acceptance of his role in life and his fate.
Other performances of Depp’s I’ve reviewed: The Tourist; Platoon.
The Verdict:
This is a 90s indie film through and through. I still liked it upon a third watch (I watched it twice when I rented the VHS all those years ago) but I saw the flaws in it this time that I didn’t see before. I especially wish I could’ve muted the soundtrack. On the other hand, it has a wealth of great cameos, some of which were an utter scream (I especially loved Michael Wincott as bounty hunter Conway Twill & Iggy Pop, Jared Harris, and Billy Bob Thornton as a trio of backwoods weirdos). It’s moving, lyrical, and beautiful. A truly unique film in many ways.
I give it 4 stars.
Released 1995 (France)
American, German & Japanese, in English (significant non-translated Cree)
Director - Jim Jarmusch
Stars - Johnny Depp, Gary Farmer
Plot Summary:
During the 19th century, naive young Cleveland accountant William Blake (Depp) accepts a job in the Wild West town of Machine, only to quickly find himself in trouble. A Native American man by the name of Nobody (Farmer) comes to his aid.
Warnings:
Heavy blue language; extreme violence; extreme gore; sexy times; brief male & female nudity (buttocks only); consensual drug use (peyote).
Bad Stuff:
I really hated the soundtrack (by Neil Young). I found it oppressive and distracting.
There’s more than a whiff of that popular 90s motif: the Native American as noble savage.
The pacing is ponderous.
Good Stuff:
It has a surprising amount of funny moments.
Loved Gary Farmer.
For a movie with so much bloodshed and death, I find it quite beautiful. I think what touches me about this story is Nobody’s compassion. [SPOILER] He finds a stranger on death’s doorstep, nurses him back as close to health as he can get, and ushers him to his inevitable end with humor, grace, and dignity. There’s something unspeakably beautiful in that. [SPOILER]
About the Performance:
I used to love Johnny Depp. But then he played Captain Jack Sparrow (a role I enjoy him in) and forever after that only seemed interested in playing “weirdo” characters. It got old fast. Originally, I was supposed to review “Ed Wood” for this but feared that the characterization would be too close to the weirdo phase of his career for me, so I chose something else. I went with this film because I saw it some 20 years ago & loved it. I remembered it as a good vehicle for him. Upon re-watch, I’m no longer certain that it’s a great showcase of his talents. He spends a lot of the film unconscious. Despite that, I think he does a lovely, understated job of portraying Blake’s growth, including his slow acceptance of his role in life and his fate.
Other performances of Depp’s I’ve reviewed: The Tourist; Platoon.
The Verdict:
This is a 90s indie film through and through. I still liked it upon a third watch (I watched it twice when I rented the VHS all those years ago) but I saw the flaws in it this time that I didn’t see before. I especially wish I could’ve muted the soundtrack. On the other hand, it has a wealth of great cameos, some of which were an utter scream (I especially loved Michael Wincott as bounty hunter Conway Twill & Iggy Pop, Jared Harris, and Billy Bob Thornton as a trio of backwoods weirdos). It’s moving, lyrical, and beautiful. A truly unique film in many ways.
I give it 4 stars.
Monday, February 4, 2019
Up with Geography: Eritrea
Country Name:
Eritrea
Capital:
Asmara
Continent:
Africa
Maps:
Neighbors:
Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia
Water Borders:
Red Sea
Total Area:
45,405 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Asmara, Keren, Teseney, Mendefera, Agordat
Famous Geographical Point:
Dahlak Archipelago
Famous Person:
Michael Adonai, painter
Book Set In/About:
I Didn't Do It for You: How the World Betrayed a Small African Nation by Michela Wrong
A non-fiction book detailing the many abuses Eritrea suffered at the hands of larger nations throughout its history.
Movie Set In/About:
"White Hotel" (2001), directed by Dianne Griffin and Tobi Solvang
A documentary about HIV/AIDS in Eritrea. It was exceedingly difficult to find a movie to fit this category. Eritrea is relatively newly independent (1993) and apparently has no film schools. I wanted to feature a writer/director by the name of Rahel Tewelde but could find no descriptions of her movies online.
Headline of the Day:
"Residents of Badwe Voice Concern Over Handover to Eritrea" in Deutsche Welle
Eritrea
Capital:
Asmara
Continent:
Africa
Maps:
 |
| African continent. Eritrea outlined in dark ink. |
 |
| A close-up of Eritrea & its neighbors. |
Neighbors:
Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia
Water Borders:
Red Sea
Total Area:
45,405 square miles
Five Largest Cities:
Asmara, Keren, Teseney, Mendefera, Agordat
Famous Geographical Point:
Dahlak Archipelago
Famous Person:
Michael Adonai, painter
Book Set In/About:
I Didn't Do It for You: How the World Betrayed a Small African Nation by Michela Wrong
A non-fiction book detailing the many abuses Eritrea suffered at the hands of larger nations throughout its history.
Movie Set In/About:
"White Hotel" (2001), directed by Dianne Griffin and Tobi Solvang
A documentary about HIV/AIDS in Eritrea. It was exceedingly difficult to find a movie to fit this category. Eritrea is relatively newly independent (1993) and apparently has no film schools. I wanted to feature a writer/director by the name of Rahel Tewelde but could find no descriptions of her movies online.
Headline of the Day:
"Residents of Badwe Voice Concern Over Handover to Eritrea" in Deutsche Welle