2016: My year of new films.

I had a thought very late in 2015 regarding my longtime love affair with all things film. I watch a lot of movies relative - I believe - to the average viewer. It's something I think I've always done and I definitely find comfort in those two hours where all that matters in my head is what I'm seeing and hearing.

But something's changed. I don't think I watched as many movies in 2014 and 2015 as I had in prior years. I have no way of knowing this for sure, but that's how I feel. It's more than likely just life doing its thing, but I thought it might be cool to see if I could watch a new film every day in 2016 if I put forth an actual effort to do so. I have a backlog like you wouldn't believe with Netflix and HBO Now at the ready. Yes, maybe it's silly. "Making a goal to watch movies is a bigger waste of time than watching the movies themselves" some of you may be saying. That's fine. This is about me and - in a way - taking better control of my wakeful hours rather than wasting those same hours wandering aimlessly across the neverending information superhighway.

So, what have I watched so far? Very happy you asked! The schedule thus far has been as follows:

1/1: THE LAST UNICORN
1/2: THE FLIGHT OF DRAGONS
1/3: WIZARDS
1/4: THE INTOUCHABLES
1/5: BEFORE SUNRISE
1/6: PITCH BLACK
1/7: ONE, TWO, THREE

Now, you may notice straight away that today is January 9 and I don't have a listing above for January 8. We'll call this the "Making a Murderer" effect. I'm through it now and back on task. Still, I won't be too hard on myself if I stumble onto something completely absorbing on a day off.

We'll see where this goes. I'm eager to add to my already strong knowledge of film. Maybe I'll write some impressions along the way and maybe someone will read them. We'll see.

Live at the Kitchen Counter

Blogger has changed significantly since my last post. Don't worry about checking that post out, by the way; horrible little write-up I did about a great film entitled "Black Swan". I need to go back and watch that; I've only seen it about seven times so there's undoubtedly elements I've yet to pick up on.

"I Am a Child" - Neil Young

We managed to get groceries this week and not get anything to eat. We didn't spend a ton of money, but we did spend some so you'd figure we'd have something to show for it. Maybe we did on Tuesday evening. But it's Thursday and all of that's history now. So, it was get pizza and breadsticks or suck it up and make something from scratch that the kids would pretend to like. Gavin's ears perked up at the sound of "pancakes" so I went from there.

Having not had much time this week for listening to music as I've been in training, I had yet to get to listen to Neil Young's new/old live LP "Live at the Cellar Door". I couldn't think of anything more perfect than cooking Canadian food (pancakes are Canadian staples; look it up) and listening to my favorite Canadian sing tunes predating "Harvest". Synced my Soundfreaq speaker to my phone and I was off. I was loving it, but it wasn't quite loud enough. So I plugged in the AC adapter and got the speaker up to "11". All was right.

Mixing sugar, egg, and vanilla while Neil crooned about love breaking hearts, Gavin enters the kitchen from his room. He's carrying his iPhone (calm down; it's just an MP3 player and alarm clock at this point) and hops up on a stool. Without any communication since I put the album on, he made a few gestures, and looked up at me eagerly as "Out on the Weekend" starting playing from his phone's speaker.

My jaw got a little wet as it touched the pancake batter I was mixing up. Then he simply put his phone down on the counter and slid it over by my speaker. I glanced at the phone and - sure enough - there's the "Harvest" art in all its timeless glory. I turned off my speaker, turned up the volume on his phone, and added the flour.

Best pancakes ever.

Black Swan - a review

At this point in my movie-watching career, I know I'm in for a ride when I sit down to watch a Darren Aronofsky film. Many people put weight on actors they enjoy watching and use that basis when it comes to seeing films. That's fine and well, but there really are only a few actors and actresses capable of carrying a film on their own. Sure, it’s been done, but I’ve been let down time and again every time I start to think I can depend on a single star. Incidentally, it’s generally not the stars fault; it comes down to the fact that - generally speaking - films sometime manage to be awful even when the best performances are delivered. And ultimately that comes back around to the director not delivering.

Aronofsky has earned my loyalty much like Fincher, Nolan and many other veteran directors. The very first thing I look to when previewing an upcoming film is the director’s billing; Aronofsky isn’t one to skip out on.

I was late to the party in regards to Black Swan. It managed to be hit theaters before I had heard anything about it let alone watched the stunningly beautiful, mysterious trailer that obviously preceded it’s release. And then it disappeared for the major local theaters only a couple of weeks after its release, before the buzz really had taken hold. And now many will find themselves as they have in so many recent years past. So many will go into the Oscars thinking “Best Picture” is down to The Social Network and Inception. And - as was the case with films like The Hurt Locker and Slumdog Millionaire - there will be a lot of post-Oscar hustling to track down a copy of Black Swan so everyone can see what all the fuss is about.

Black Swan open with a dream, both literal and figurative. Nina (Portman) imagines herself as having attained the lead role in Swan Lake, a performance she truly believes she’s ready to take on. The viewer isn’t led to believe Nina is strong-minded or even strong-willed; she seemingly lives only to please her oppressive, obsessive mother who never quite broke through on the ballet scene. And Nina’s core feelings for ballet shine through loud and clear for all to see when she auditions for the dual-role of the White Swan and Black Swan. She has technical ability to spare and exudes innocence, a perfect White Swan. But she undoubtedly lacks the passion and spontaneity that the seductive Black Swan demands. Nevertheless, she’s determined to prove her love for the art by any means necessary and this is the story of how she inevitably finds that darkness within.

Anyone previously exposed to Aronofsky should know he’s far from a “soft” director. Instead, he almost always expects viewers to dive in or be left far behind. I wouldn’t say that the film moves too fast; it has more of a perfect pacing than anything. But it does ask the viewer to pay attention, pick up on something, and move to the next thing almost immediately. Needless to say, this one will take at least a second viewing, one that I’ll be happy to sit through. And I dare say that this will be good for many viewings beyond that.

While there are many performances worth noting, no one outshines the excellent Natalie Portman. Malcolm McDowell once said that he believes he was born to play Alexander DeLarge in Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange; I can see Portman feeling the same way about this role years from now. I had been very impressed with Portman from other roles she’d taken on, but Black Swan will define her. And that’s far from a bad thing. Whether she’s awarded for it or not, I know I haven’t seen another woman deliver such a masterful performance this year or even in recent years. Like Nina’s finale, Portman’s portrayal is nothing short of perfection.

Going back to the director for a moment, Aronofsky had already impressed me with his other works (Pi, The Wrestler). Black Swan solidifies him as a current “big shot” director. However, unlike the aforementioned Fincher and Nolan, Aronofsky never appears to be out to make a hit. He’s never just along for the ride, his name only one in a sea of others on a blockbuster billing. Others might say he was already amongst the elite; I would agree with that statement. However, Black Swan is an undeniable achievement that will put Aronofsky on the radars of general audiences everywhere.

“That was perfect...” The final line uttered by Portman. Finding my mouth agape, I could only nod my head in agreement.

Give a little stretch!

Nothing quite like a good night's rest. I woke up feeling fairly refreshed, but also fairly sluggish. I think that's occurring more often if I'm being completely honest. Not sure what it means exactly, but it last no more than five minutes so should I really take issue over it? I didn't think so either.

Off to work in a bit and seeing The Expendables directly thereafter. I'm unapologetically a lifelong Stallone fan. The man can do no wrong in my eyes (no, not even Rhinestone) and I'm pretty pumped for this one as well. I remember being really bummed when I heard Richard Crenna had died several years back because I thought that spelled the end concerning another Rambo film. But did that stop Sly? Hells no. And the movie ended up being fantastic all the same. In the end, Stallone is responsible for Rambo and Rocky, two of the greatest ("greatest" doesn't do them justice) film icons of anyone's time.

Harrison Ford has Indiana Jones and Han Solo (and I'd love to be able to throw Rick Deckard in there as well, but it doesn't really fit with the schema), but he's about the only other actor I can think of that has played multiple rolls that wound up being essential to American cinema. Okay, I could probably think of more if I really tried and/or really cared, but that's not the point [I want to make].

The point [I want to make] is that Sylvester Stallone is the single greatest thing to happen to me as far as movies are concerned. I mean, where would I be without First Blood and Rocky IV?! I'll tell you where: I'd have smelly dreadlocks, an unkempt Santa Claus-esque beard, and think that Dave Matthews was the greatest singer/songwriter around. I'd be jobless (by choice) and single (not by choice; remember the smelly dreadlocks?), holding signs somewhere protesting Bush, BP, Obama, McDonalds, Kohls, or whatever other thing I heard I was supposed to rebel against. Instead, I choose to rock the buzzcut, neverending five o'clock shadow, and recognize Dave Matthews for the pajama-bottoms-wearing-no-talent-having-slob-even-Carrot-Top-hates stand-up guy that he is. I blindly love my country, my wife, my son, and my God. I have pride in myself, think for myself, and know that I'm always a single montage away from being in the best shape of my life. Thanks, Sly.

*** Am I alone in thinking that it's time Americans adopt Neil Young for ourselves? There's no way he's really happy being Canadian... That's another blog altogether! ***

Arcade Fire - "Ready to Start"

Great Dream?! Really?!

"Great dream last night. Kim and I were walking down the street when all of a sudden we get ambushed and dragged into a child-molester van."

Arcade Fire - "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)"

That first sentence was a draft from a blog I apparently started, was interrupted by something, and never came back to finish. In what way is being "dragged into a child-molester van" ever a "great" thing?! How does that sentence ever come together?! Obviously I only have these questions now because I can't remember the rest of the dream.

I imagine it ended with us relaxing on a beach somewhere - me with a cigar and drink in hand, Kim with a magazine and an Arnold Palmer - laughing about how awesome that prank was with the child-molester van. It probably didn't end with us being brutally beaten and abused, hogtied, and left for dead in the Mojave Desert as Komodo dragons circled our helpless persons. Just saying, that second part wouldn't classify as a "great dream". Not even in my sick, twisted head.

A Sick Boy

Two nights ago we had what was potentially our most scary moment as parents thus far. Gavin woke up shortly after 1:00am and was crying pretty hard which would qualify as unusual for him. It's not very often that he ends up sleeping with us, but that's been happening more and more lately; I'd say he's wound up in our bed more in the past six months than the previous two years combined. I digress...

The little monster (it's just a nickname; don't be [too] alarmed) is just burning up. I've heard the term "burning up" countless times before, but I think I was usually the one "burning up". That said, Gavin was hot to the touch. Never felt anything like it that I can remember, but it's quite possible that I have and just shrugged it off. After all, it seems more likely that I would find this sort of thing more important and memorable given that it's my own son.

Got out the thermometer... 102.8... damn!

*Swim break. Gavin brought me a towel, wanted a bath, and we compromised. 30 minutes later and we're back from the pool...*

We dosed him with Tylenol and he went back to sleep fairly readily as did I. However, Kim - being the super-mommy that she is - was up throughout the night doing research and checking his temperature to make sure the Tylenol was doing its job. I can't even pretend that I'd make it in this life without her doing the heavy lifting. What a champ!

6:30am rolled around pretty quickly and Gavin's torso - his upper half uncovered and shirtless the remainder of the night, mind you - seemed to be emitting an acceptable amount of heat while his legs - covered throughout the night - were still radiating tons of heat. Another dose of Tylenol, an hour later, and he was around 98.6.

Kim went ahead and made an appointment for him that morning and all went well. We were worried it might be an ear infection as he ran such a high fever.

*Um, I just overheard Led Zeppelin's "Moby Dick" on PBS. Wow.*

Long story short, it's just a virus and he's now on the road to recovery. Just Tylenol to keep his fever at an acceptable level and we should be back to good in about a week.

I'm guessing this parenting thing isn't going to get any less scary our first time through. Just when you think you've got a jump on things, a line drive finds a gap and rolls to the wall. Together - and undoubtedly through prayer - I know we'll find our way through the not-so-easy ones.

Dreams Away

How about a bunch of random things thrown together? Let's go. Been awhile since my last post. Been very busy and nothing really seemed worthy of an entire post. However, lots of little things should do the trick...

Rush - "Tom Sawyer"

Van and Erica are halfway through their leave and it's been great seeing them a few times over the past week. It's really hard to see my little brother married, but it's ever so easy to know that he's happy and has such a wonderful woman standing by his side. Over the past couple years he's grown up a lot and doesn't really feel like a "little" brother now. All in all, we're both grown men (it seems true sometimes, right?) and it really doesn't seem right to think of him as anything less than my contemporary at this point.

Plus, I'm really looking forward to being ripped from my dreams at 2:00am to answer a baby-related question. Know, Van and Erica, that I'll happily answer your inquiries... or I'll probably just pass the phone to Kim and get back to a hopefully lucid dream. You know, let's just cut out the middle man; you have Kim's number, right?

MGMT - "Flash Delirium"

My uncle, Keith, retired; my cousin, Brittany, graduated from high school. Good times. It was good to see lots of familiar and [somewhat] friendly faces on Friday. Food at the reception was fantastic. Who could find a way to not enjoy endless amounts of pulled pork, chicken, and beer? A good time was had by all.

And then Kim and I got to spend the evening and the next day with Kim's grandma, Jo. I hadn't seen her since Christmas and hadn't actually been to her house in Waterloo, IL since... I really don't remember when. The only rough patch came when Gavin had to sleep between us... in a full-size bed. Most of you know my body type (hold the fat jokes until the end, please) and might be having trouble picturing how ridiculous I might look with only 1/3 of a full-size bed for myself. Honestly, it probably wasn't even that much; Gavin managed to get himself sideways on more than one occasion that night.

Coheed & Cambria - "Everything Evil"

Last Thursday was a special day: our fourth wedding anniversary. We've been together for over nine years at this point so I don't know what I really expected. Either way, a very normal, uneventful day is what I got. We each acted quite professional about the thing... literally. I worked the day and Kim was scheduled that evening just like every other Thursday evening. I was pretty bummed about it at the time because I don't remember the last time we actually were able to spend an anniversary together (that's a lie; we spent our very first anniversary together. It was Super Bowl Sunday, 2002. Great day and I don't even remember who was playing that game).

The night went on, I bathed and put Gavin to bed, and I think I finished off The Pacific. It might have had a little to do with The Pacific finale, but I had an epiphany that night. Sure, it sucked that we didn't get to do anything specific to celebrating our anniversary, but I found peace in knowing that I get to spend the rest of my life with a gorgeous, caring, remarkable woman. And that's all that really matters. That she comes home at the very end of the day and we find even the shortest moment to reflect on four wonderful years of marriage. In the grand scheme, it's really the little things that mean the most.