American Splendor

Every time you finish watching a movie and walk out of the theater, don't you sometimes just tell yourself, "back to reality". That is true...the movie is nothing more than a few hours watching someone else's life...but what if we reversed that?

I've always loved Paul Giamatti and Hope Davis. They both worked their way playing excellent bit parts in movies. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to magnify those "bit parts" into two hours. Well here it is: American Splendor.

Being a pessimist, myself, I can relate to a lot of Harvey's gloom and doom way of thinking. And if the movie looked like an amplified depiction of dysfunction, well, it may be...but is it?

(I'll leave you and your shadow to discuss this now...)

KT Tunstall

If you ever hitched a ride with me these past few weeks, you'd probably cross me off your list by now. I've had a really short play list and "other side of the world" will always get at at least two or three replays. "Universe and U" and "False Alarm" are excellent Sunday afternoon tracks...you should try it sometime.

Come monday morning, go ahead and play "Heal Over" on the way to work.

Thanks, KT.

Tina Dico at the Chop Suey

The Chop Suey in Seattle is a small venue right across from a great Pizza place :).

Strumming and plucking her guitar with such ease, she sang most of her tracks from In the Red, one from her EP, and a new one (Magic). She was really comfortable and warm, making slight changes to the songs; a stronger line here, a whisper of a few words there, shorter here, longer there, ....it's so obvious that she's been playing and singing all her life.

Tina has a powerful voice, but she never uses it unless she has to (something Kelly Clarkson should learn to do). Her live accoustic set is really different from the studio album and is so much more livelier. I hope someday she makes a DVD of her live performances. It shows so much of her great character and strengths.

This is bad news and good news for me. Good that I was able to see her in such an intimate setting. I had such a great time. Bad that with so much talent, wisdom, and heart, she is destined for success. Chances are, the next time I watch her, I'll be somewhere in section O, row 3, seat 9.....

But that's ok. I'll always have this little solo concert in Seattle in my memory.

V for Vendetta

There is just something about Natalie Portman when she's not smiling that I see Mathilda (and deep inside I'm wishing for a sequel to Leon). The movie, as a whole, was in perfect balance. Even during the rather funny moments that could have spoiled it (i.e. the apron)...it is able to swerve back to the path of seriousness.

I don't know why they didn't pick Hugo Weaving to play the part of V, but I'm glad fate stepped in and put him in the role. Despite a few moments where I almost thought I heard him say "mister anderson!" subconsciously...hehe...I think his voice was perfect behind the mask.

There are several suggestions as to the identity of V, and my guess is that, well...he may have been Ruth.

I could be wrong...

It's all good, Woody!

I just had to write about it. Today it was announced that Kirk Rueter retired as a Giant (SFGIANTS article). Woody has always been one of my favorites and when he was designated for assignment last season my heart really sank. If anything, I wanted to see the Giants win it all with Kirk, JT, Barry, Marquis, and Rich still onboard. But....Rich and JT were lost to free agency and Marquis and Kirk were released to make room for other players.

Woody always embodied smart play. His best fastball was 85mph and if the beginning of last season was any indication, he relied heavily on the defense for ground balls. He simply located his fastball and used a wide array of combination pitches, altering speeds each time, to throw off batters. He made use of whatever he had in hir toolbox and just played it smart.

I'm sorry you didn't get to retire in your own terms, Woody. But I am forever in awe of you and in my own selfish way, am happy to see you retire as a Giant.

Now if you could just open The Shed to the public.....

No News is Bad News

Its funny how you get attached to the news. Every day you turn on the tv in the morning, sometimes at noon when you're not working, at night for primetime news...you really just take it for granted. I've always enjoyed the morning program at KTVU-2. So it wasn't a surpirse for me to wonder why on my last week in the bay area I never saw Noreen again. I mean, she had probably been gone for some time. But like I say, its funny how you get attached to the news....news people, anyway.

It was her eyes. They were tired. They've been through a lot. They carry a lot of experience. It was heartwarming to find out later that Noreen had been a longtime resident (and local favorite) in New Mexico.....where she has returned (http://www.kfoxtv.com/noreen/index.html).

This brings me back to the days when I was travelling a lot. I would be somewhere in Argentina, Toronto, or Colorado, but when I turned on the TV all I had to do was turn to CNN Headline News and I would feel right at home. Of course, that was when Lynne Russell was still anchoring it.


Lynne just had a great way of delivering the news. She was always calm and poised. She'd be smiling a bit but you'd never really know what that meant.

I think I was somewhere in Orlando when I was watching her last broadcast. They showed a lot of odd clips. My favorite was Lynne finishing a bit of news, and then slapping a post-it on her forehead.

I miss you, Lynne. Headline News has never been the same since you left.

Saved!

Have you ever seen the movie Dogma? If you have (and enjoyed it), then you will love Saved!. Like Dogma, it questions Christianity and the many levels people have taken it to make it their own. While Dogma used a comic satire to deliver its message, Saved! Stayed in the realms of reality. In one movie, it pushed Christian faith to a corner, dragging it through all the realities that will test any disciple: homosexuality, premarital sex, adultery, teenage pregnancy, rebellion. By the time you finish the movie, you realize that you’re not looking at a movie about Jesus freaks anymore. You’re witnessing the realities of life.

I turn back to the movie Dogma, for it delivers the same message. It wasn’t that God wants all of is to surrender our lives and worship him. He just wanted us to have a good idea about it all….about life.

I think that message goes beyond religion. And that makes it more powerful.

The Woodsman

The Woodsman is not just a story or redemption. It is a story of the road do redemption. It shows that redemption is dangerous. A repeat offender often has to be on the brink of a relapse, and hopefully be able to snap back. It’s as real as facing your demons as it gets. It’s no fairy tale story indeed. And like what really happens in real life, it all will take time.

Throne of Blood

That arrow ending Toshiro's execution was a classic.

The wife was either power behind the throne or devil's advocate....but such a great revelation that is far removed from the usual depiction of women in feudal Japan.

Kong

Naomi Watts was as beautiful as ever. The core of the plot was as I had known it over the years...with that bitter ending...but this version is so colorful, elaborate, and meticulously developed that I think it's the best rendition of this story. Some of the scenes did drag a bit...like Adrian Brody's car chase in the streets of New York....and some of the monster fights (but they were really entertaining!)....

In a silly way, Jack Black's character reminded me of Bob Cappa....how he braved the sight of monstrous dinosaurs, men killing each other, and fighting for survival....all the expense of getting a shot. Bob used to say that if you're war pictures aren't any good, its because you weren't close enough....(or something like that ;) ).

So long JT

It's a sad day for Giants fans, indeed. JT Snow was not offered aribtration, thus ending his 9 year career in black and orange. There are other teams that may be interested in him, but I selfishly would like to see him retire and perhaps work for the Giants front office.

I don't know if we'll ever see anybody as clutch on defense at 1st for some time.

So long JT....thanks, good luck, and god bless.

Requiem for a Dream

I have the DVD and I've seen it so many times on IFC....but I can only claim to have seen it from beginning to end only once. Since that one time, I have been unable to watch it completely. It breaks my heart to see Ellen Burstyn's character fall apart. I can't bear to watch any further than the scene when Jared Leto visits her and noticing her grinding her teeth.

"Ma, you're on uppers, aren't ya?"

Jarhead

I don't know what it is but I'm still disturbed by what I saw in Jarhead this past weekend. For me, personally, it felt like a rip-off of Full Metal Jacket...and I don't believe there as any way that movie can every be remade....ever....and I hope I'm dead by the time hollywood even tries. Nobody up to this point has come close to Lee Ermey's drill sargeant and Vincent D'Onfrio's Gomer Pile characters.

To the movie's credit, I think Peter Saarsgard did a great job. His performance was most believable.

Mildflower

Sheryl Crow's latest CD (Wildflower) really should be called "Mildflower" :). I mean no disrespect, of course. It's just that the album is really mild in that it contains mostly ballads and I truly feel like a hippie when I listen to it :).

But don't get me wrong, I love this album. The DVD is a gem....I only wish there was more....

Stockbrokers and Mob Men

AMC had been running the classics Wall Street and The Godfather, Part II the past couple of weeks. Its a contrast in morality (well, not extremely), but both operations, that of stockbrokers and mob men, are run the same way:

Information is Key - In Wall Street, Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas' character) primary modus operandi is to get in on inside information to ensure the best profit possible. He quotes Sun Tzu's Art of War, "...a battle is won even before it is fought...". In GF II, Michael, in more than one occassion, is persistent on getting the information right out of people. He does so with intimidating fashion with his brother-in-law (before he orders him wacked) and Fredo (also before he is wacked later on).

Don't Get Personal - Nothing exemplifies it better in GF II when Michael Corleone's family is attacked at his house. This not only shows us how ingenius Micheal is in sniffing out his enemies but on how brutal he gets, ultimately ordering the hit on his brother Fredo. In Wall Street, Charlie Sheen's character had himself reduced to using his father's connection with the airline to get Gekko's attention. But it was Gekko's wrong move to buy Blue Star Airlines and suddenly reveal a plan to break it up. This angered Sheen's character and brought about his vendetta against Gekko....who eventually goes down.

Extraordinary Machine

I was disappointed at first with Mike Elizondo's work. I felt that he should have left the tracks alone. But as I continued to listen to the album, I started to appreciate the work he did and I have to say I'm satisfied with it now.

I only wish he kept the ferocity of the original "Red, Red, Red".....but his subdued version isn't bad ata all. I also wish he kept the original "Oh Well" untouched. The new recording seemed to have lost some of the emotion that came with the lines.

The intro to "Get Him Back" is fun to listen to....and "Parting Gift" makes me smile all the time. It's as sincere as a dog :).

I'm finally thrown a ginger!

On Sunday, Tori Amos finally sang Martha's Foolish Ginger. It was a cool but less breezy night at the Chronicle Pavillion (comapred to Shoreline). I have to admit though that, given this is the second time I have seen Tori this year, I really do miss John Evans (bass) and Matt Chamberlain (drums) and I really wish I was there for the Venus tour :(.

Ken Watanabe and the rest of the Japanese cast

Ken Watanabe and the rest of the Japanese cast....that's pretty much why I bought The Last Samurai several months back....and I watched it again today and I have to say I just am not fond of Tom Cruise. This has nothing to do with his latest exploits. I just can't seem to warm up to the guy. I really wish they'd gotten someone else for the role.

Anyway, all the other actors were great! I love the cinematography, especially the use of blue light and fog during their first encounter in the forest.

Broken Flowers

Ok, I finally saw it. I've been itching for so many weeks to see Jim Jarmusch's Broken Flowers and tonight (well, technically last night) I just dragged myself out of bed and went to the cinema in San Mateo to catch the last showing. I'm glad I didn't recommend this film to my friends for a weekend movie. I think I would have been burned at the stake :) . There are no monstrous explosions or fists of fury. It's just not that type of movie for a friday or saturday night.

I really felt like watching Bill Murray's character in Lost in Translation in this movie...as if it's a continuation of his life upon returning from Japan. I think the movie delivers a subliminal message, that in the same line that states that some stories are better left unsaid, some memories are better kept away.

A Thing of Beauty: The Counterattack

It was past midnight already and I could barely stay awake, tired from a 14 mile bike ride later in the day. But I stayed on, and watched the rerun of the full match between Agassi and Karlovic (sfgate-AP report). The day before, I saw Andre dismantle the unknown Sabau with nothing more than perfectly placed lobs and strokes...it was just beautiful.

Karlovic was a tougher match and had every potential to upset Agassi. The boxscore tells half of the story (7-6, 7-6, 7-5). Karlovic had a consistent 135mph serve that just produced ace-after-ace-after-ace. If Agassi had an ace up his sleeve, it wouldn't be his 95mph serve, but his skill as a serve return specialist. I'm sure even Karlovic was impressed at how half his surefire aces got returned to him as if he was gettin a dose of his own medicine :).

And that's the other half of the story, the fact that despite his skill, Agassi could only return those high-velocity bullets half the time (and that's an awesome feat in itself!). This is where experience and smart play kick in. Agassi needed to keep Karlovic in ground play, and making sure he was able to return as many serves as he could was half the battle (I know, I'm halving too much! ;) but hell there is no one singular element in this masterpiece....would you like me to talk about a two-prong approach instead :) :) ). The other half was exposing his weaknesses, and indeed the longer play caused Karlovic to make mistakes and only reveal to Agassi that he had a backhand stroke that was just out of whack...and Agassi pounded on it head-on.

What can I say, it was a thing of beauty. And to see Andre be truly gracious to the audience after he won the match was icing on the cake.