Au Revoir Les Enfants

Sundance Hits and One Big Miss

2008-01-27T19:42:00.000-08:00

I just got out of Frozen River at Sundance. I paid $32 for my wife and I to go, and it was awful in our opinions. We both considered leaving, and didn't know each other had the same urge.

I saw Trouble The Water the night before which was super great. Seriously. Same with 'Kicking It.'

I cannot believe how a film like Frozen River gets into Sundance, let alone wins the dramatic grand prize.

From the very first scene it was clear this would be bad, transparent acting with dialog that sounded read off of an awful script.

The plot didn't make up for it, and there wasn't a single character I cared about in it. Everyone tried to over act, making lines that needn't be spoken angry come out one after the other.

I applaud the effort of making a film, it's hard work, but I am still in disbelief. And I wasn't the only one, since half the theater got up and wanted to run for the door before the director came in to steal another 30 mins. from our lives.

Didn't anyone look at the dailies for this show to spot the bad acting, or spot the lack of character development to evoke any empathy from the viewers?

In a day when Hollywood cranks out sequels, remakes and reality shows to no end, it is no wonder my wife and I have to resort to NetFlix, and foreign films that are character driven more often than not...whether it's new films like Dans Paris, or old ones like Breathless, Elevator to the Gallows, Jean de Florette/Manon of Spring, etc. KEEP SUNDANCE GOOD since so many like us depend on it.

Looking for some side-by-side info on Dem. candidates?

2007-12-27T12:07:00.000-08:00

Vote-USA.org says you can read all about the candidates with side by side comparisons on their Web site. So grab a cup o' joe and go to it!

On a note that's more "fun," check out Banksy, whose art is in books sold all over the place (Urban Outfitters, Amazon, independent shops, etc.) This guy is the stencil master doing smart street art that is thought-provoking and cutting edge. Bansky rocks to say the least.

The cover of the book is pictured, and the guy is throwing a bouquet of flowers as opposed to a Molotov cocktail.

He even smuggles his art into the Louvre and hangs it when nobody's looking and sees how long it takes people to notice it and take it down. Or he paints objects into old oil paintings, like Apache helicopters coming over the mountains in a bad landscape painting, etc. Brilliant.

America, Freedom to Fascism

2007-12-23T10:52:00.001-08:00

Don't worry kiddies, I'm not going to go overboard coining terms like these. This is a film, that I believe was in Sundance a couple years ago. Kim and I saw it at the Tower, and ever since then I've told about 6 or 7 people about it. America Freedom to Fascism is about how the Federal Reserve is not a federal entity at all, and how the IRS has unchecked powers like our very own gestapo, and how people are winning cases in court claiming that income tax is illegal and that they shouldn't have to pay it. Apparently there literally is no law out there that states Americans must pay income tax.

There are rogue citizens standing up for the rest of us and fighting this battle, claiming that we already have our property taxes, sales taxes, food taxes, gas taxes, vehicle taxes, inheritance taxes and plenty more where government services are supposed to be paid from.

This news about the federal reserve is really crazy. I think the film said in the early 1900s the biggest bankers and tycoons knew if they could bank roll the U.S. government and charge it interest on the money it borrows, there couldn't be a better scenario for being the richest and most powerful in the world. People like Lincoln and Jefferson (maybe?) said that if a day ever came where that happened it would be the worst day in the history of the nation. And at an otherwise mundane session of Congress way back when, they slipped it through and it wasn't until after that the representatives realized what they had done. Crazy to say the least. Go watch this film from NetFlix or something and get your name on that prestigious list GWB and the FBI are keeping of enemy combatants.

One from the Vault

2007-12-17T17:15:00.000-08:00

As hard drives crash and computers are scrapped and repurchased (See the new book: Made to Break: Technology and Obsolescence in America) it seemed like a good idea to delve into my hard drive and see what kinds of odd images I'd lose from way back when.

Old Halloween photos are some personal favorites. Here's Kim and me at a party with a half-pipe in the backyard. Everyone skated in their costumes and drank 'til the wee hours.

Drum and Bass Celtic Dancing Revolution?

2007-12-16T17:28:00.000-08:00

Jim Morrison is back from the dead doing Celtic Drum and Bass dancing. No, seriously, there is a whole subculture of people out there remixing D 'n B over funny old clips. I love the Interslice:

Dennis Kucinich for President

2007-12-16T10:23:00.001-08:00

Out of all the Democrats running, Dennis Kucinich is the only one who risked looking like a "non-patriot" by voting not to go to war with Iraq. When everyone else voted yes so they could look like strong, retaliating Americans after Sept. 11 even if it was the wrong country, Dennis took the chance and took the heat.

Dennis is for universal health coverage, ending this ridiculous war, and prioritizing education among other things. He won't win since he looks like he's from The Littles, but he's the best candidate out there hands down.

The Sweet Truth of High Fructose Corn Syrup

2007-12-15T17:37:00.001-08:00

So...Some might think this blog is just going to be about France, rock and politics. Anything shady deserves being exposed though, especially if it's a problem on the national level. There's a new book out called Skinny Bitch and at first it sounds like a diet book. But, now it's caught on like wildfire because of how blunt and gross of an expose it is on the food industry. My wife's friend is reading it, which is how I know about it.

The Jungle of our day and age, it talks about a lot, from corporate pig farming where they are raised with a rod permanently up their butt to keep them in place, just eating and growing and ready for consumption, to these designer sweeteners like phenylketoneurics or whatever.

If that isn't gross enough, there is plenty more. But they talk about high fructose corn syrup which is in almost EVERYTHING from conventional grocers. Read up on it, so at least you have a fighting chance at making an informed decision. There's a good article about it at http://www.westonaprice.org/motherlinda/cornsyrup.html

For the visual of the day, refer back to posting one, Drum and Bass/Jungle dancing...

The Carnival of Politics

2007-12-14T16:50:00.000-08:00

Anyone who has been to Nice knows that there is an old section where the buildings are from the 1700s. This area is called Old Nice. It's characterized by narrow alleys that echo, the flower market and farmers' market, and lots of cool little eclectic businesses. The best part is that most of Old Nice is 100-200 meters from the ocean!

Nice Carnival is a roughly 800 year old festival. Today, most of it consists of daily and nightly parades with countries from around the world participating and representing their music and culture. We had seen it on a DVD and coincidentally arrived a few days before it began! A half-million people come to the week long festival.

What's up with the burgers? This might be Sarkozy, the guy who became president of France shortly after. The burgers might symbolize that he's becoming Americanized on issues like retirement benefits. At least he opposed the war in Iraq, but how long will he hold out?

Jungle/Drum & Bass: How it was Meant to Be

2007-12-13T21:17:00.000-08:00

Vieux Nice...But when?

2007-12-13T19:55:00.001-08:00

After renting an apartment in 'Old Nice' in France, it's time to think about moving back there for a lot longer than deux mois (two months). I'm hoping to practice a little francais, meet some other people who live in Vieux Nice and keep the dream alive to go back!

This blog will also get me to shrink some photos down since I've been too busy until now. Anyone who wants to share photos and stories about France or Americans living in France is welcome to leave some comments and links.

Rudolph, Thys et Mathilde...ou sont vous? Maintenant, vous pouvez regarder mes photos et ecrirer moi et Kim.

I'd love to hear from anyone who likes my favorite garage rock bands too (links on the right). Vintage, raw and real...

Take my poll, and even leave comments about politics. If you watch the first couple music vids below you will see I have an interest in that sort of thing. Et porquoi pas? A tout l'huere!