Why I Love Film...

I love films for many reasons, and over the past couple of months I have realized how much I love them. They have taught me lessons that I would have never known, and am so grateful for that. I love movies because they bring stories you never have heard to a common medium, as in Milk. I saw the film, knowing it was going to be fantastic, but never really cared about the cause. In that movie, I learned that these discrimination against them affect their lives. Their lives were on the line for this cause. Because of this film, I care about them and have passionate feelings against the laws being made. I think more people need to see this. Movies can also feed your creative, visual soul. Seeing Diving Bell and the Butterfly is such an incredible feat of art. It becomes art in the process. I can be low-budget as in Once, or a large-budget. Doesn't matter, it's all beautiful. It's wierd, after watching a really long movie, I just watch another one. I'm truly addicted, and I love just about every movie I see. I want to learn about the process more,and try things in front of the camera. After all, how can one critize actors without trying it themselves? I hope to do that, among the other things I want to do. Films can open your heart, mind, soul, and every sense that is there. I love how I can suddenly start caring for a cause because of a movie. A not-quite-so-simple two hours of moving pictures. Amazing, I have learned to have an open mind and new things will come upon you and help you make this world a better place. Come to a movie with an open-mind, you won't regret it.

Literature and Films, go together hand in hand

This weekend I have been watching a lot of movies, and it seems like a good percentage of them were inspired by books. From classics, like "Gone With the Wind", to an magician's story in "The Illusionist". Discovering the stories is the producer's job, even by reading. "Fight Club" was inspired by an awesome book (I'm halfway through it), where they quickly tried to make it into the amazing film that it is. A new film should be mentioned, "Revolutionary Road", is also started by a book. Reading and watching films has been put together since the early years of filmmaking, plain as that. Some movies are made after some great plays have been written as in the case of "Casablanca", one of the best movies in this world. The stories are all different, but it is those that can resonate with a wide variety of people are those blockbuster hits. Those outstanding stories, one filled with characters that you can't help but love are sure to please at the box office. Having a good story is what makes a good movie. In many cases, that what they are, so read. If you have a problem reading, imagine it like your watching a movie. It's also a lot easier to analyze for a report...the literature terms are easier to understand. Even in foreign films, books are being put in front of the camera, as in "Diving Bell and The Butterfly", a story of a top guy in the city who becomes paralyzed and is able to write a book. Both the movie and book are amazing. So read a book inspired by a favorite movie. You won't be disappointed.

Paolo Nutini: A Great Pop Star

This week I have heard a new talent. His name is Paolo Nutini, an Scottish-Italian singer. I was once again, flipping through the channels at about 11 at night, saw this musician, with so much talent with great lyrics playing his music. He intrigued me with his modern troubadour style.

With songs of love, stardom in the U.K. that has maturity of far beyond his age of 22. I looked him up on the Internet, and only listened to five songs. Loved them all. So sweet, so real, and you can hear his influences in his music...gotta love that. Some artists at his age, from as far as I have heard have his range and sensitivity in his music, has major class ahead. The lyrics make me laugh, feel for him, understand what he went through at the time. His story of how he became a star is also pretty interesting too, as he started out as a roadie for a local band. He was discovered by a member of the band, and then shortly received his label signing. He has sung for the Queen, played with The Stones, Paul Weller (The Jam), Quincy Jones, and also has a song on a commerical for PUMA. Wow, what a talent! Right now as I am listening to his debut cd, These Streets, listening to the amazing, beautiful, accented voice feel the passion behind the lyrics. Those sweet ballads that just stay in your head, and that you don't want to leave. From the pop single "New Shoes" to the James Brown and Marvin Gaye soul inspired song "Loving You", to a tired, hardworking young man feelings in "Million Faces" leaving you with a feel of how Paolo lives. A great talent! Hope to come to your show soon!

Milk, wow.

It has been a few weeks since I have seen Milk. Honestly, it had a major effect and influence on me. I want to bring up the issues and resolve them, and help all the minorities in their fight for their rights. This movie, and the current book I was reading at the time, The Holy Barbarians by Lawerence Lipton (Beat culture and explanation of their culture) incited me to research and take the initiative to join a Peace Society. If you have something you believe in, go out there and fight for it. Do not stay quiet, that won't go anywhere. Stand up and protest if you believe. We have the 1st Amendment, let's not waste it. Last night and early morning I was watching Half Nelson (2006) starring Ryan Gosling, a history teacher who has a drug problem and a student who is dealing with a small-town drug dealer and how they help each other through their struggles. In a short clip in the movie, a student is talking about Harvey Milk and the assassination of he and the mayor with the Twinkie Defense of Dan White. I was clapping with honor to the amazing man he was. I know I didn't know much about Harvey, now I can't forget. I am so excited that his story is being reverberated today. Cleve Jones is also another inspiration from this film, I knew of his charity work but didn't know it was him. By the way, he created the Names foundation and the AIDS name blanket. He was also one of the advisors concerning Milk's Frisco life. I am again excited by civil rights and equality for all. " All men are created equal. No matter how hard you try you can not erase those words". That phrase means more to me, more than ever. No matter who you are, Harvey's work has affected you somehow. I hope for the better:)

Milk--I've finally saw it!

I've been so excited to see this film, ever since seeing the trailers for it. I knew it was going to mean something, leave an impact. It most truly did. It tells the story of the great Harvey Milk, during the last eight years of his life, from his loves, fights, rallies, friends, and more. Remarkable picture. Gus Van Sant did a amazing job of telling the story of Harvey and the people around him during his time on earth. Many issues are being shown in this film, which only can make it a stronger film. People will talk about it, discuss, share opinions...use communication to help solve the world's problems. I love that movies can do that, as it did in earlier times. If you support his cause, see it. If you disagree, see it. If you are not sure where you stand, see it. Come to the theatre or your couch/favorite chair..whatever, with an open-mind ready to experience something special. Milk definitely is something special. It may change your mind, so please have an open-mind. I'm happy I saw this, when people may mention they saw Milk by renting; I will say with pride, "I saw that when it was in theatres!". A moving experience...deserves all the recognition it has received.

My Criteria to Seeing a Movie in Theatres...

As the title suggests, I have a criteria to what movies I will see in the theatres, unless they are independents. I see who is acting in the film, watch interviews with the main roles and director after establishing if it's worth seeing, the main plot line, and also after capturing a few glimpses of the movie in their trailer or scenes; one can tell if the film is going to be great. The three points are terrific actors you know that can do the part justice, fantastic story to flow with the actors, and when watching those bits and pieces of the film see if the cinematography is up to par. Those are my criteria, if you want to know. Sometimes the stars and planets aline to make those amazing, fantastic, jaw-dropping films/movies that you decide to see. In my mind, I'm spending money on something I could be saving for to watch a movie that in a few months, I very well could rent it for half the price. There is only one movie right now I want to see in the theatre's (the other one I just saw), Milk. It was weird, flipping the remote at 11:15ish on Christmas night, and Brad Pitt and David Fincher being interviewed by the one and only, Charlie Rose. Even though they talked about the movie without giving too much away, I had to see it after watching these fantastic interviews. Some questions I've read in the Rolling Stone interview, but Charlie is able to "dig" and go deeper. That's what happened when seeing Sean Penn and Gus Van Sant being asked thought-out questions. So far this idea has worked for me, the last time other than tonight when I saw "Curious Case of Benjamin Button"--Fantastic!!, definitely saw why it is nominated for Oscars, was when I saw "The Dark Knight"-the best superhero movie ever, but I like the villain. I am picky about what movies I will take the time and see in theatres, now you know the reasons...feel free to use them yourself.

Fight Club

Fight Club is a definitive and amazing film. With an amazing, incredibly talented cast is definitely worth seeing. I decided to watch it after hearing from a wide range of people that this movie is fantastic, a must-see. I have recently heard so many references to it-- even on Food Network! On Good Eats, Alton Brown makes a reference to the lye solution while making something. I had to see this, I feel like I missed something special by not seeing it. Let me tell you, you have. It may see seem like a movie about fighting, but don't let that fool you. I am not going to tell you what it is about, you are going to have to figure that out by yourself. I was told that the more times you watch it, the better you understand and see connections. I've only seen it once, but all through the night I was trying to tie up loose ends. But, I also can't wait to read the book (by Chuck Palahniuk) and watch the film again. The movie will be engrained in you for a long time. They make references to things in your everyday life. Makes you think. Awesome movie...and I still don't know what it all means...