Kevin Marshall's America
“Dear George, STOP. This telegram crook charges by the word, STOP. …that’s it.”
Last night I had the opportunity to see Darren Aronofsky’s widely hailed “Black Swan” at the Spectrum in Albany.
"Can someone help me? My head is stuck in this big red circle with a slash through it! Helloooo! Anyone?!"
First off, I love the Spectrum. I appreciate that they offer lower prices for all films and, more importantly, show films that otherwise wouldn’t be available to local audiences until they were released on DVD. More importantly, it gives these films attention they so desperately deserve in an industry where 3D is deemed a priority over story and character.
Some purists have given them Hell for showing the sort mainstream fare that also appears in Crossgates. But the way I see it, if showing “Love and Other Drugs” will alow them to also show stuff like “Client 9″ and “Heartbreaker” (neither of which I’ve seen yet but both of which come highly recommended), then I’m all for it.
That said, there’s one consistently annoying aspect to going to see a movie at The Spectrum: old people talking in my ear.
It’s definitely a generational thing. It seems that I never have a problem with, say, someone my age talking behind me. It’s always older folk, and they’re always asking why this person did that, why this thing happened that is about to be explained by the movie, or asking for clarification on something that’s clearly meant to be ambiguous.
Which is fine; some people just can’t grasp subtlety. But the TALKING right in my EAR!
I can’t shush them, which is something I despise and discourage even more than talking during a film. Just because you can hear it doesn’t mean everyone else in the audience can. In fact, they most likely can’t. However, everybody hears your angry shush, which is much more distracting and takes us out of the experience more than the distant murmurs you’re bringing further attention to.
Also, they’ve been through many more life obstacles, experiences, and Presidents than me. II feel like they’ve earned the right to talk during a movie or cut in line at the grocery.
I don’t know what The Spectrum can do, if anything, to alleviate this situation. They throw up a large image at the beginning of the film that says “no talking.”
Maybe at the end of it, they can add “, even if you were born before V.E. Day.” Or, perhaps, we can strike a deal. If old folk stop talking in my ear during the movie, I’ll volunteer to stand outside and allow every old person to slap me in the face for being such a jerk about this and also for people my age these days who don’t show them the respect they deserve and have earned.
What do you say, older folk. Deal?
As for the film itself, my review was posted last night. CLICK HERE.
With the exception of Stanley Kubrick, I’ve always made a conscious effort not to expect a certain level of quality from any given filmmaker simply by virtue of who they are.
That said, Darren Aronofsky has yet to disappoint me.
Frenemies: Kunis and Portman in "Black Swan"
“Black Swan” is a majestic and beautifully shot thriller. The film is framed around a production of “Swan Lake” with the principal dancer Nina (played by Natalie Portman) playing both the White Swan and the Black Swan. The pressure of attaining and sustaining the pinnacle of achievement in her physically and emotionally demanding profession drives Nina towards self-destruction and madness.
Although Portman is the star, Mila Kunis has the long-deserved breakout performance. Ever since watching her in the laughably bad and depressingly misguided “American Psycho 2,” I’ve felt her talents were largely wasted in Hollywood. She has a natural charisma and believability she brings to every role I’ve seen her play, and it’s about time she moved up to the higher profile and higher quality films. Here’s hoping we see more roles like this for her.
The film is nigh perfect aesthetically. Aronofsky has two great gifts as a director that endear him to me: he perfectly frames every shot and the pacing never lets up. The first act of the film, which simply explores Nina’s life as a ballet dancer, is every bit as riveting and engrossing as later acts when she starts hallucinating and questioning the reality around her. Aronofsky doesn’t just rely on tricks, and the end result is the best horror movie in years that isn’t even really a horror movie.
This is not to say it’s a perfect film. For one, Nina is simply not a sympathetic character despite the odds stacked against her. Part of this is that Portman is too perfectly cast as the physically punished ballet dancer with the pristine and fragile exterior. It’s an inescapable paradox inherent in the project: we have to explore the humanity of a person who is brought up and taught to be unreal and inorganic. As such, we never connect or identify with her. Which I suppose is the point, though it’s a decision that hampers emotional investment in the story.
The other shortfall comes with the film’s narrative. We are thrilled and terrified by moments, but not the story as a whole. We’re not wondering what’s behind the corner for Nina or whether or not she’ll succeed in her role, but rather squirming during specific scenes. I think much of this is due to the script being handled as a project rather than a story. The screenwriters successfully parallel the personal journey of Nina with the tale of “Swan Lake,” but seem to get distracted by this and other methods. As a result, the story suffers and at times takes a back seat.
Still, it’s one of the most fascinating mainstream films I’ve ever seen, and with it, Aronofsky establishes himself as a master. I don’t think any other director alive could have made this film watchable, let alone required viewing. And yet, with a creative vision and artistic integrity that is unmatched by most directors, Aronofsky pulls it off.
Bravo.
For a different though still positive take on the film, check out Kim Morgan’s piece over at her Sunset Gun blog.
A common response I’m seeing to the Senate’s repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” from friends and family members on Facebook and Twitter is that homosexuals who want to serve have a right to do so.
Then they add, “why should I care if they’re gay?”
Though well intentioned, I think “why should we care?” is the wrong attitude towards gay marriage & military service, because it implies ignoring a person’s sexual orientation rather than accepting it.
There’s a huge difference, and though it may seem like arguing semantics, it’s a vital distinction to make. Theirs is a community that long has had to hide who they are, even in present day, and telling them you don’t care if they’re gay might as well say “I allow you to engage in basic liberties but still consider you invisible.”
In the past, I might have said it was a minor point in language and did not matter. I know now the folly of that and how easy it is to feign acceptance when really what you’re doing is ignoring the difference and pretending certain people aren’t there.
It is no different than those who say “I don’t care what color you are” or joke that “we should all just have sex until we’re one color” (by the way – that joke’s so old even Carlos Mencia won’t steal it). That isn’t embracing diversity, it’s a cry for us to abandon those things that make us unique people in order to coincide with your standards and sensibilities.
I am not saying that people who say this are bad people, just misguided. Ignoring diversity is not the same as advocating discrimination.
But it does make the voices of the intolerant seem that much louder.
“I don’t care who you love,” Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon, said as the debate opened. “If you love this country enough to risk your life for it, you shouldn’t have to hide who you are.”
The repeat of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that was adopted during the Clinton Administration has passed a Senate procedural vote. If successful in the House, we’ll finally be rid of this archaic and cartoonish pretension towards sensitivity that not only constitutes a very real danger to our sense of justice and civil liberties, but also to national security.
It’s odd how an image of a mad, delusional despot can be representative of how I’m feeling.
I’m a bit sick and have been for a couple days, which is the direct result of ignoring warning signs over the past week and pushing myself harder physically than is advised when you’re “coming down” with something. On top of that, I’m feeling super angsty.
So there I am, staring absently out the window, pondering “what next” while someone who thinks they’re important to me says something he only thinks I’ve deemed worth listening to.
The photo’s from the AP, but I came across it via the always illuminating blog Kim Jong-Il Looking at Things. It is exactly what it says it is: the man who controls the minds of an entire nation and keeps the free world up at night, engaged and seemingly transfixed on conventional objects.
In short, I’m in a weird mood and need to sleep off what’s left of this cold.
Y’all have a good weekend.
Video comes courtesy ESPN, which explains the terrible decision to modify the speed and put it behind a crappy beat.
Last night at WEC 53…well, the video pretty much says it all.
Amazingly, this kick didn’t finish the fight. Henderson, who gained notoriety through his solid chin and survival of submission attempts, was able to recover just moments after.
Still, absolutely nuts and unlike anything I’ve ever seen in MMA.
Anthony Pettis, the fighter delivering the kick, won a unanimous decision and will face the winner of Gray Maynard and Frankie Edgar sometime this Spring.
In the co-main event of the evening, Dominick Cruz continued his domination, completely baffling Scott Jorgensen with footwork that would make any striker or boxer envious, and winning the first ever UFC Bantamweight Championship.
Other results:
- Renan Barao def. Chris Cariaso via Submission (R1; Rear Naked Choke)
Keep an eye on Barao. - Yuri Alcantara def. Ricardo Lamas via TKO (R1)
- Danny Castillo def. Will Kerr via TKO (R1)
- Eddie Wineland def. Ken Stone via KO (R1; slam)
Scary moment here as Stone was knocked out cold and had to be taken out on a stretcher, transforming Wineland’s elation into concern. He was later released from the hospital and is said to be fine, but will most likely be put on at least a six-month medical suspension. - Brad Pickett def. Ivan Menjivar via Unanimous Decision
- Shane Roller def. Jamie Varner via Submission (R1; Rear Naked Choke)
Varner, in six months, has gone from one of WEC’s biggest stars to looking at potentially getting cut by the UFC. - Kamal Shalorus def. Bart Palaszewski via Split Decision
A little surprised this went to a Split Decision, considering the rest of the night the judging was pretty consistent. - Danny Downes def. Tiequan Zhang via Unanimous Decision
It was hoped that UFC could expand into China with a ready-made and established star. No such luck. - Donald Cerrone def. Chris Horodecki via Submission (R2; Triangle Choke)
In between the first and second rounds, Horodecki’s corner told him to take it to the ground. Stupendously baffling. Chris, if you’re reading this, drop to 145 and get a new camp. - Dominick Cruz def. Scott Jorgensen via Unanimous Decision
Cruz retains WEC Bantamweight Championship/becomes first UFC Bantamweight Champion. - Anthony Pettis def. Benson Henderson via Unanimous Decision
Pettis becomes the new/final WEC Lightweight Champion and becomes defacto no. 1 Contender for the UFC Lightweight Title
Photo courtesy Epic Win
Hey folks!
Before we begin, a reminder that Season’s Screenings is this coming Monday. $6 to hang out with great people and see “A Christmas Story” on the big screen at The Palace, followed by a meet-up afterwards at The Brown Derby. What’s not to like?
CLICK HERE to purchase/reserve your ticket(s).
Now, on to Blogorama.
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WE’RE YOUR SOURCE: This Week on the Times Union Blogs
Exercise Equipment Experts Don’t Recommend (HealthyLife)
Do Restaurants Overcook Your Burgers and Steaks? (Table Hopping)
I’m a Gift Giver (Amanda Talar)
Gift-Giving Rant of the Day (Simpler Living)
Caring Again About…the Knicks? (Mark McGuire)
Youth Group Confessionals (High School / Tobi Walsh)
Get Out of Your Way (Real [Fit] Life)
Marc Brown’s Jersey Retired by Saints (Chuck Miller)
Band Q & A: Enigmatic Heart (High School/Taylor Rao)
More amazingness is after the jump.
I’ve had a couple folks in the past week ask me where to start if they want to get into MMA.
Well, a great choice would be tonight’s final WEC show on Versus (available on Time Warner Cable and in HD!), tonight at 9:00pm.
WEC – or World Extreme Cagefighting – is a subsidiary of Zuffa, LLC, which is the parent company of the UFC. WEC focuses on the lighter weight classes, specifically Bantamweight (135 lbs.) and Featherweight (145 lbs.) and also has its own Lightweight (155 lbs.) division.
In boxing, you’ll often find that excitement and superior technique in fights is inversely proportional to the weight class the fighters compete in. MMA is no different, and over the last few years the WEC has exemplified that, putting on the best cards and fights in the sport.
Tonight is the final show for the promotion before it is fully absorbed into the UFC. It’s headlined by two title fights: WEC Lightweight champion Benson Henderson defends his title against Anthony Pettis, with the winner getting a future title shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship. In the co-main event, current WEC champion Dominick Cruz looks to use his superior technique to derail the momentum of Scott Jorgensen in a battle to crown the first ever UFC Bantamweight Champion.
The event starts at 9:00pm. I’ll be watching, huddled with my blanket and hot tea, because I’m sick and as always I’m a total baby about it.
My picks and predictions are after the jump.
This coming Monday, December 20th, the Times Union in conjunction with the Palace Theater presents SEASON’S SCREENINGS.
The event begins at the mezzanine of the Palace Theater at 6:00pm. Then, at 7:00pm, there will be a screening inside the historic theater of the 1983 classic “A Christmas Story.”
The evening concludes afterwards at The Brown Derby.
Many bloggers have stated why you should go, and I’ll add mine – to see a film that for many of us we missed during its initial theatrical run 27 years ago in the manner which it was intended. Often, even with films devoid of special effects and explosions, the difference between image and sound eminating from the silver screen and the television screen is night and day.
More importantly, I’ll be there, and I’m a blast to be around.
Plus it’s only $6, which is friendly to your holiday budget.
Come join us!
CLICK HERE to purchase a ticket/reservation.
STALK ME
