2003-08-20 | A MIME IS A TERRIBLE THING TO FACE

I just got done watching two great movies on the Independent Film Channel.

The first was Spanking the Monkey, the first (i think) film by David O. Russell, who also did two others I loved named Flirting with Disaster and Three Kings. This movie was really good, even though the subject matter was kind of strange. Well...I guess the subject matter is partly what made it so great, because it's not your every day run-of-the-mill story. If you've seen it, you obviously know what I mean. If you haven't, I won't ruin it for you.

I loved the feel of the movie. It never got too uncomfortable, even when the plot got more chaotic. I always felt at ease during it, although I was wondering when it would get really crazy, which in my opinion it never really did. (everyone has their own personal threshold for what they feel are intense moments or eerie or weird moments in cinema. I guess mine is pretty high. I get weirded out by things that other people think are mild, and I'm totally comfortable with things that repulse other people.)

I thought his dad was going to beat his ass, and I was glad that you got that feeling of reactionary rage, and then you got to see the calming of it later, even though there was a little more to come later, but not an overbearring amount. The lead actor, Jeremy Davies (i think that's his name) put on an amazing performance, because his facial expressions spoke much higher volumes than his voice or his physical acting, although both were quite exceptional as well.

The second film was The King of Comedy, by the incomparable Martin Scorsese, who shows the extremely high level of diversity that he has, and is still not given credit to, until this very day. I've seen most of this movie before, but this was the first oppurtunity I had to enjoy it from start to finish without interruption. Anyone who's seen this, or Raging Bull, or Bringing out the Dead, or the Last Temptation of Christ, etc., can attest to the fact that he is much more than the director of every great Italian New Yorker Mafia movie (not my words, but the stereotypical assumption of a lot of idiots out there) of the last 20 years.

This movie is odd in the fact that it inspires me to achieve something that could eventually lead to at least semi-superstardom, even though it also shows how truly mad the business can be.

One of my favorite things about this movie, which is also my favorite part of a lot of films, is how there are parts that are clearly fantasy, and clearly reality, but in between, they mess with you during breif moments, when you're not exactly sure which is which. It takes a very special gift to be able to do that to the audience, whether it be on purpose or accident. It just tends to come through automatically in the works of the true, respected giants of the industry.

These two great films have inspired me to start writing screenplays again, which I never really said I wanted to stop, but I've also been slacking on.

I saw Slingblade like 3 times last week, and I had already seen it multiple times before that, and it re-inspired me, when I didn't think it could. That movie is so brilliant, and beautiful, and charming, and flawless, and slick, and cool, and smart, yet simple.

The movie is great in so many ways, but one element that stands out to me, that makes it even more essential, is the fact that it ends with death, and confinement, but also with a full circle of meaningful completion, for all the characters involved. Carl has the syndrome that many prisoners carry, which makes them unable to live in society comfortably. A lot of them commit crimes so they can go back to jail, but in this film, Carl's murder was essential to the survival of all the good people in his life. The people that gave him life. And Frank found out that it isn't essential to have a father figure around, even though he has 2 fine would-be suitors. And Doyle almost accepts his destiny when Carl is about to slaughter him. It's like he knows it's his time to die. He doesn't want to die, but he knows he is a miserable human being as well. He doesn't always think he's great. He just wants people to share in his hate, and happiness just makes him more angry at the ones who are happy, and at himself for being such a disgusting human being.

Casting Dwight Yoakam, Vic Chesnutt, and Jim Jarmusch was also a plus, and just plain hip.

In the Bedroom was also on earlier this week, and is also a great movie, but deals with death in a much more dismal manner. It's just not fun to watch sometimes. It's great for when you're feeling deep, and you wanna be sad, or when you just want to watch something with substance, but it's not great for when you need a laugh, or when you want to forget what's wrong in the world. Most movies that I really love are the ones that make the real world disappear for awhile. But this is a great film nonetheless, and there is that little feeling of revenge, that is also always welcome in my film viewing. (see: Unbreakable)

I've been feeling down lately about future endeavors. People still think I'm whistling dixie everytime I mention screenwriting, or being in a band, or writing a book, etc., so I'll have to let my hands do the talking.

I'm not a mime, but some people seem to rather be in their company now days than myself.

I'd like to throw them through an invisible plate of glass.

I am now building 4 imaginary walls with my fingers, and you'll need a special handshake to get in.

In Undercover Brother, you needed to shake with soul to get in, but in my little invisible shed, all you need is a plain old hand shake. With a 5 dollar bill or more attached to your palm of course.

Welcome!

- premature ejaculation | tantra +