Three years ago, I went to see the "Sex and the City" movie with my loving sisters and one (of two) brother-in-law.
I love movies. I love seeing them and I love talking about them with friends. I feel like you can have some really great movie conversations. Mainly, I like to discuss feelings which comes out in these discussions. I will ask questions such as:
"Did you cry?"
"Did you watch it alone? Did it make you lonely for someone?"
"Was it depressing?"
"You need to see "X" because it will make you laugh out loud."
So when it really comes down to it, I am all about setting my emotions up for something when I see a movie. I have to be in the right mood or place to see something sad/heartfelt/funny/cheesy, etc.
The other thing about movies is that I have to be comfortable letting myself cry. And sometimes I am really in the mood for crying and other times I refuse to let myself do it. And crying can feel really, really good. And really therapeutic a lot of the time. So once the tears are allowed, they usually don't stop.
I have not let myself cry during a movie in a really long time.
But back when I went to see "Sex and the City," I got really teary eyed in that last scene. There is nothing significant about it to the average person. At the time, I was living in Cleveland, thinking about moving to Madison. Miranda, Carrie, Samantha and Charlotte all walk down the street together. And they look so happy. So happy to be united. And here I was, watching it with two of my closest friends (even if they are my sisters) and it felt so good to be with them. But I was really, really missing my girlfriend time with all of my girlfriends. And it made me cry a little. I'll never forget that feeling because of my extraordinary memory.
So now that I am in Madison and have made a lot of good girlfriends, it has felt so good to be able to walk down the street like the gals from the movie. And know that I have a nice community here of friends. Where I can wake up in the early morning and have text messages awaiting to meet for breakfast or dog parking or whatever. It just feels so good.
Showing posts with label Cinematheque. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cinematheque. Show all posts
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The 2011 Wisconsin Film Festival
The initial run-down of options for the 2011 Wisconsin Film Festival sparked my usual interest and I chose to view three this year (as opposed to five my first year here and two last year). Three is a perfect amount. More than one a day is too much for me.
Here are the films I chose:
“Potiche”
“Made in India”
Shorts: “Mary & Bill,” “The Optima Hat Company” and “Style & Grace”
I recommend all of them.
"Potiche"
As a Francophile, I always enjoy a nice French film. A lot of the movies featured in Wisconsin’s film festival are documentaries and this was one of the few “cutesy” lighter film options. Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Depardieu star in this comedy that takes place in 1977 (filmed in 2010). While Deneuve’s husband’s umbrella company is striking, she has to take over after being a housewife her entire life. This is an entertaining film - something that doesn’t pull your heartstrings. Lots of funny scenes.
"Made in India"
Couples who cannot afford surrogacy in the states are now paying Indian women to house their babies in their womb. It is much cheaper. And you wonder why. Lisa and Brian, a stereo-typical “American” couple from Texas find a company who will pay Aasia, an Indian mother of three to be their surrogate. This feature length documentary makes the audience feel the human emotions for both the barren couple and Aasia and her family. To see the exploitation and politics that go on give you a glimpse of the desperation that people have for both money and to have a child. This was a very interesting film. And just when you think it is over after all of the challenges that they succumb to, you learn something more that makes you feel even differently walking away from the film.
“Mary & Bill"
As if you didn’t already know, I enjoy exercise. In this documentary, Mary Stoebe is a ninety year old Madison resident. And she is a triathlete. Bill Wamach is an eighty-three year old local who is a high jumper, competing in the National Senior Olympic Games. The two are portrayed doing their routinely disciplined work outs. Mary started doing triathlons at seventy-seven, so what is keeping you? They are in excellent physical shape. While they have suffered from some injuries (Mary is an avid down-hill ski instructor who was injured on the slopes and told not to do her last triathlon, while Bill survived a heart attack), the film was funny and inspiring. They were present for a question & answer session after the film. It’s amazing how healthy they appear. They look better than some people I know in their forties.
“The Optimo Hat Company”
A ten minute documentary on luxury hat making on the South Side of Chicago. It felt like watching an infomercial for the owner’s business. Nothing too exciting.
“Style & Grace”
A black barber shop that has existed in Madison for close to sixty years where Smitty has been cutting hair. Nothing happens and the quality of the film is low budget. As I often say, Madison is not the most diverse city and I felt the depiction of African Americans in this film was unfortunate. But Smitty has a nice community in his shop. While he soothes screaming toddlers who are getting their first haircut, two men are playing checkers at a table in the corner, just hanging out. It’s a nice, forty minute short.
Wisconsin Film Festival, you did it again!
Here are the films I chose:
“Potiche”
“Made in India”
Shorts: “Mary & Bill,” “The Optima Hat Company” and “Style & Grace”
I recommend all of them.
"Potiche"
As a Francophile, I always enjoy a nice French film. A lot of the movies featured in Wisconsin’s film festival are documentaries and this was one of the few “cutesy” lighter film options. Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Depardieu star in this comedy that takes place in 1977 (filmed in 2010). While Deneuve’s husband’s umbrella company is striking, she has to take over after being a housewife her entire life. This is an entertaining film - something that doesn’t pull your heartstrings. Lots of funny scenes.
"Made in India"
Couples who cannot afford surrogacy in the states are now paying Indian women to house their babies in their womb. It is much cheaper. And you wonder why. Lisa and Brian, a stereo-typical “American” couple from Texas find a company who will pay Aasia, an Indian mother of three to be their surrogate. This feature length documentary makes the audience feel the human emotions for both the barren couple and Aasia and her family. To see the exploitation and politics that go on give you a glimpse of the desperation that people have for both money and to have a child. This was a very interesting film. And just when you think it is over after all of the challenges that they succumb to, you learn something more that makes you feel even differently walking away from the film.
“Mary & Bill"
As if you didn’t already know, I enjoy exercise. In this documentary, Mary Stoebe is a ninety year old Madison resident. And she is a triathlete. Bill Wamach is an eighty-three year old local who is a high jumper, competing in the National Senior Olympic Games. The two are portrayed doing their routinely disciplined work outs. Mary started doing triathlons at seventy-seven, so what is keeping you? They are in excellent physical shape. While they have suffered from some injuries (Mary is an avid down-hill ski instructor who was injured on the slopes and told not to do her last triathlon, while Bill survived a heart attack), the film was funny and inspiring. They were present for a question & answer session after the film. It’s amazing how healthy they appear. They look better than some people I know in their forties.
“The Optimo Hat Company”
A ten minute documentary on luxury hat making on the South Side of Chicago. It felt like watching an infomercial for the owner’s business. Nothing too exciting.
“Style & Grace”
A black barber shop that has existed in Madison for close to sixty years where Smitty has been cutting hair. Nothing happens and the quality of the film is low budget. As I often say, Madison is not the most diverse city and I felt the depiction of African Americans in this film was unfortunate. But Smitty has a nice community in his shop. While he soothes screaming toddlers who are getting their first haircut, two men are playing checkers at a table in the corner, just hanging out. It’s a nice, forty minute short.
Wisconsin Film Festival, you did it again!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
No More Tears
I think it's time I clear some things up. I made a rule when I started this blog that I wouldn't talk about people. What I mean by this, is that I don't want to exploit anyone, and believe it or not, I don't want to divulge too much about my privacy. What I am saying is that these activities that I partake in are NOT done solo. A lot of you have told me that you think it's great how I am doing all of these things alone. Sometimes I attend things alone, but for the most part, I have friends with me. I just don't want to talk about them, and make them feel uncomfortable. So assume from now on that when I say "I," I mean "we."
Now that I have addressed that, as I mentioned in one of my first blogs, I have had the pleasure of seeing quite a few movies. I still prefer the Sundance Theater because their movies are mostly independent, and slightly more thoughtful than the average movie. After seeing a few "heavy" movies there, I saw that "House Bunny" movie, or whatever the hell it's called. It was odd, because after seeing some insightful movies, I left the theater (or I should say "we" because I saw it with someone!), forgetting that I even saw a movie. I am sort of not used to that feeling after viewing more philosophical films.
For example, I saw "Man on Wire," on September 10th, ironically. This is a documentary about a Frenchman (I am a francophile, if you didn't know), who is an idealist with some sort of an addictive personality, who was determined to walk on a metal cable between the twin towers in 1974. It is a fascinating story. So much of it is about the grand plan to execute this mission, with help from some American confederates, in addition to some of his french allies. It is a moving and beautiful picture, especially on the eve of the seventh anniversary (when I saw it). There is a ton of footage of the Trade Center, but the trauma that happened there in 2001 is not addressed. Leaving this movie, I found myself really reflecting on it. I was asking all sorts of questions - How did these people have the time and money to accompany him? Did he have sponsors? How many hours a day was he practicing for this? What would a psychologist diagnose him with? (That last one was a joke....)
Not only was I wondering about the event that occurred in 1974, but seeing so many clips of the World Trade Center, I contemplated everything that happened in 2001. Just weeks before, my dad, a New Yorker, and one of my sisters, also a New Yorker (I was the only child born in Ohio), drove us by the buildings, remembering when they were being constructed. It was only weeks later, on September 10, 2001, (And yes, girls, I remember what I was wearing, and I still wear the shirt), I can recall that entire day like it was yesterday. When I remind my close friends from college what we did that day, they ask me how I can retain that day so well. It's simple for me, because of the drastic change in our moods. We went from care free to freaked out. I can still feel the drastic difference from September 10, 2001, to the following morning, I kid you not. One of my closest friends and roommates was directly connected to that event, and when I think about it now, I get more emotional than I did when it happened.
I suppose what I was trying to say is that these heavier movies are more thought provoking, but I went off on a little tangent. Now, I also saw "Burn After Reading," and that was an enjoyable film. From what I have seen of the Coen brothers, they have yet to disappoint me. I also saw this at the Sundance Theater. It's cleverly written, with their usual twist and turns, and interwoven stories, violence, and humor. I thought about it after I saw it, even though it's not anything too deep (and I also snuck in a water bottle of wine - they sell it there, but why not BYOB?)
The entire reason I wanted to write this post, which has become more of a stress reliever for me, and a journal, although I can't write "Dear Diary," or talk about anything personal, is because I wanted to discuss that since I have moved here in July, I have yet to cry! I don't think I have shed a tear. At times, I am a sobber, (I didn't say sober...) and it just occurred to me that I haven't had any teardrops from my eyes before I went to see the most horrible movie, "Nights in Rodanthe."
So, my friend read the book, and she was excited to see the film. I thought it was just going to be some chick flick, where I could admire Diane Lane's beauty and Richard Gere's sexiness. I have always, always, always though Diane Lane was a horrible actress, although very sexy. Ditto for Gere. My friend informed me as we were getting frozen custard that the movie is a tear jerker, and so we stuffed all these napkins in my huge purse. We watched the movie, and from the beginning, I couldn't stop laughing out loud because the acting was so horrendous, and the lines so cheesy. I mean CHEESY! It was so terrible. I think the people around me must have thought I was drunk or something, because I couldn't stop laughing, even during the sappy parts, when the gray haired ladies around me were wiping their tears away. (I did not bring any wine in a thermos to this particular film).
I have still yet to cry. I am sure I will at some point. Like, if there is a night where I have to stay home, and there is nothing to read, and my internet is down. Or, if a certain male/female duo is elected for president/VP. Or, if I had a boss who told me what to do. But for now, I am happy being dry eyed. And I think I have Madison to thank for that.
And if you're feeling lonesome, and if you're feeling low, go make nightmoves. (That was just some lyrics from the song I am listening to........)
Now that I have addressed that, as I mentioned in one of my first blogs, I have had the pleasure of seeing quite a few movies. I still prefer the Sundance Theater because their movies are mostly independent, and slightly more thoughtful than the average movie. After seeing a few "heavy" movies there, I saw that "House Bunny" movie, or whatever the hell it's called. It was odd, because after seeing some insightful movies, I left the theater (or I should say "we" because I saw it with someone!), forgetting that I even saw a movie. I am sort of not used to that feeling after viewing more philosophical films.
For example, I saw "Man on Wire," on September 10th, ironically. This is a documentary about a Frenchman (I am a francophile, if you didn't know), who is an idealist with some sort of an addictive personality, who was determined to walk on a metal cable between the twin towers in 1974. It is a fascinating story. So much of it is about the grand plan to execute this mission, with help from some American confederates, in addition to some of his french allies. It is a moving and beautiful picture, especially on the eve of the seventh anniversary (when I saw it). There is a ton of footage of the Trade Center, but the trauma that happened there in 2001 is not addressed. Leaving this movie, I found myself really reflecting on it. I was asking all sorts of questions - How did these people have the time and money to accompany him? Did he have sponsors? How many hours a day was he practicing for this? What would a psychologist diagnose him with? (That last one was a joke....)
Not only was I wondering about the event that occurred in 1974, but seeing so many clips of the World Trade Center, I contemplated everything that happened in 2001. Just weeks before, my dad, a New Yorker, and one of my sisters, also a New Yorker (I was the only child born in Ohio), drove us by the buildings, remembering when they were being constructed. It was only weeks later, on September 10, 2001, (And yes, girls, I remember what I was wearing, and I still wear the shirt), I can recall that entire day like it was yesterday. When I remind my close friends from college what we did that day, they ask me how I can retain that day so well. It's simple for me, because of the drastic change in our moods. We went from care free to freaked out. I can still feel the drastic difference from September 10, 2001, to the following morning, I kid you not. One of my closest friends and roommates was directly connected to that event, and when I think about it now, I get more emotional than I did when it happened.
I suppose what I was trying to say is that these heavier movies are more thought provoking, but I went off on a little tangent. Now, I also saw "Burn After Reading," and that was an enjoyable film. From what I have seen of the Coen brothers, they have yet to disappoint me. I also saw this at the Sundance Theater. It's cleverly written, with their usual twist and turns, and interwoven stories, violence, and humor. I thought about it after I saw it, even though it's not anything too deep (and I also snuck in a water bottle of wine - they sell it there, but why not BYOB?)
The entire reason I wanted to write this post, which has become more of a stress reliever for me, and a journal, although I can't write "Dear Diary," or talk about anything personal, is because I wanted to discuss that since I have moved here in July, I have yet to cry! I don't think I have shed a tear. At times, I am a sobber, (I didn't say sober...) and it just occurred to me that I haven't had any teardrops from my eyes before I went to see the most horrible movie, "Nights in Rodanthe."
So, my friend read the book, and she was excited to see the film. I thought it was just going to be some chick flick, where I could admire Diane Lane's beauty and Richard Gere's sexiness. I have always, always, always though Diane Lane was a horrible actress, although very sexy. Ditto for Gere. My friend informed me as we were getting frozen custard that the movie is a tear jerker, and so we stuffed all these napkins in my huge purse. We watched the movie, and from the beginning, I couldn't stop laughing out loud because the acting was so horrendous, and the lines so cheesy. I mean CHEESY! It was so terrible. I think the people around me must have thought I was drunk or something, because I couldn't stop laughing, even during the sappy parts, when the gray haired ladies around me were wiping their tears away. (I did not bring any wine in a thermos to this particular film).
I have still yet to cry. I am sure I will at some point. Like, if there is a night where I have to stay home, and there is nothing to read, and my internet is down. Or, if a certain male/female duo is elected for president/VP. Or, if I had a boss who told me what to do. But for now, I am happy being dry eyed. And I think I have Madison to thank for that.
And if you're feeling lonesome, and if you're feeling low, go make nightmoves. (That was just some lyrics from the song I am listening to........)
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