Brokeback Mountain again & again

In today's Wall Street Journal, Joe Morgenstern selects Brokeback as the best film of the year. I usually like his outlook on film. He maintains an informed perspective on both art and pop films. I'd link to his comments but that's a paid subscription so I'll promote the WSJ to hopefully offset breaking any copyright laws.

He writes: "At the top of my list is "Brokeback Mountain," Ang Lee's drama of two cowboys hiding their love for one another behind shaky heterosexual facades in the Marlboro Country of the 1960s and 1970s. Critics love this film; one critics group after another has put it at the top of their list. More importantly, though, moviegoers are embracing it, and not just because it's about gay cowboys. Mr. Lee's direction is masterful, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal are flawless in the starring roles, and the film is both classic and modern: It brings us up against deep feelings we know well--love, longing, loneliness--but in a new, startling way."

By the way, the official site has loads of good reviews from major papers. Also, the best source of Brokeback news is Andy Towle's blog.

The Chronicles of Narnia

Pass. While Narnia is a competent film with some positive qualities, it comes off as cloying and simplistic. Perfect for a youngster, or oldster attending with youngster.

Brokeback Mountain again

Who knew Christians made such cynical film critics and why is this Baehr so hard on the film?

Ted Baehr, who reviews films for the Christian Film & Television Commission, called the film "abhorrent" and "twisted, laughable, frustrating and boring neo-Marxist homosexual propaganda" in a review on the Commission's MovieGuide Web site.

Note to self: start blasting films I loathe as "neo-Christian heterosexual propaganda".

King Kong

Pass. This is too much filmmaking effort for too little viewer payoff. It's tedious, overblown and even a little silly. Not horrible, but just not that good. The special effects are too obvious. The oversized island critters are disgusting! Plus, there are so many other better movies out right now.

Brokeback Mountain

Go! Brokeback Mountain not only delivers the goods in terms of craft (acting, direction, sets, etc.) but excels in showing a story of love that is probably unique in film history. When two people fall in love but spend a lifetime making compromises that never allow them to bring their relationship to fruition, the conflict makes for excellent filmmaking in the hands of Ang Lee.

Is 2hr 15min too long? For me, no. In fact, I will see it a second time to flesh out all the ideas provoked by the first viewing. Unfortunately, it won't hit Louisville until January 6. Fortunately, I was able to see it in Manhattan this weekend.

In a slow build of exponential momentum, the idyllic situation presented as a social laboratory of sorts in the first part of the movie is eroded by the encroachment of the outside world and polluted by its often hostile people. The film says no couple can live and love in a vacuum and that their secrets can't be kept.

This and Syriana are the two best films I've seen this year.

The Family Stone

Pass. One word for this film: dreck.

My Old Kentucky Home (or Red State Blues)

This article shows why Kentucky can be such an embarrassing, backwards state. Democrats are fighting Republicans in claiming the alleged high ground in wanting to post the Ten Commandments. We've spent lots of taxpayer dollars to fight this crap already and yet they want to wage this losing battle AGAIN.

The state motto is "Unbridled Spirit". Why didn't they just make it "Unbridled Holy Spirit"?

Jesus Is Magic

Go! Sarah Silverman brings up so many taboos in this hilarious 72 minute film you won't be able to tell if your face is red from embarrassment or laughter. Rolling Stone has a nice piece that tells you all about this talented actress and comedian. I'm not sure if and when it will be here in Kentucky; I saw it in NYC this weekend. The setup piece at the beginning of this concert film is classic. Don't miss it. And don't be too distracted by the comedic lyrics in the film's songs, the music is fantastic.

Walk the Line

Go! This competent biopic features great acting, a flashback motif that works and the most dysfunctional Thanksgiving dinner ever. And who can't love Maybelle Carter carrying a rifle to ward off a drug dealer from Johnny's house?

The death of Johnny's brother permeates his life, psyche and family just as the cosmic background radiation echoes from the Big Bang: subtle, persistent and isotropic.

Pride & Prejudice

Yawn. I hope the book is better than this 2-hour snoozefest. See? Even the actors are getting sleepy!

Syriana

Go! Several plot lines bob and weave through this well-crafted, suspenseful film. Despite using some near-paranoid cliches about big business and government, the movie shows all people as machines* subject to the whims of external events despite each person's illusion of control and self-determination.

*I found this from Ouspensky's book quoting Gurdjieff: "...all his life he [any person] has been subject to some extraneous will and has never had any decisions of his own. But a man is not concious of this. He considers that he has the right of free choice. It is hard for him to renounce the illusion that he directs and organizes his life himself."

Faux News Network

Surfing through, I saw one of the Fox talking heads promise to stay on top of "these developing stories" regarding the just-announced deaths of Eugene McCarthy and Richard Pryor. Developing? They're dead, Einstein!

Capote

Go! It's true what we've heard and it's no surprise really. Philip Seymour Hoffman portrays Truman Capote brilliantly. Also, I think Catherine Keener is becoming my favorite actress.

Aeon Flux

If you have 90 minutes to waste and like sci-fi action, this is a fun movie . The writing and acting are a bit wooden overall but some good shoot-em-up scenes and special effects will take your mind off those flaws.

It was 25 years ago today...

... and I was almost asleep in the top bunk of my frathouse room when I heard Mike H. running down the hall yelling "John Lennon's been shot!".

A warm, new anecdote appears in today's NYTimes.

Precocious Parrot

At 17 months, she says a lot including the recent "My name is Stella. What's your name, girl?." Let's see a dog or cat try that!

Silver Bullet

R.E.M. told us everybody hurts in their masterpiece. Ryan Adams eschews that misery-loves-company solace with a bid to "Go and get the gun/'Cause it's only getting worse/Go and fill it up with silver bullets". My advice? Forget the firearm and buy his latest CD with the Cardinals, "Jacksonville City Nights," for a collection of songs that will grow favorably with each listening.

Evolution: That's the fact, Jack.

Richard Dawkins buries intelligent design in the primordial ooze where it belongs.

Find water, insert toe

Is the blogosphere all wet? I'm about to find out on my maiden voyage. Join me if you wish.

Andrew has a lot to say today. (Actually this link is just a test).