Notes from a Genius

I spent the weekend with family, and after a rough week (physically and medically), it felt good. I got to see my sister and nephew for awhile. He had an "egg hunt" in his house and didn't seem to amused by it. Is he already jaded by the holiday and only in it for the candy?! Yikes! I also took a 3-hour walk through the entirety of Portland, including a distance walk from the West End (where I live) to the East End, which connects to a wonderful and scenic walking trail known as the Back Cove Trail (which covers approximately 3.5 miles). I got to relax and be out of my head for 3 hours and just look around and listen to music. It felt great! Then, I had dinner, alone, at Flatbread (a great pizza place right by the Waterfront). ........................................... Film 91 "Pretty In Pink" Starring: Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, Andrew McCarthy, James Spader Written by: John Hughes "Pretty in Pink" came out in 1986, as a part of the "B...

Safety Not Guaranteed Starring: Aubrey Plaza ("Parks and Rec") and Nick Johnson ("New Girl") and Mark Duplass This is the kind of film that comes out of nowhere, and you literally have to search for it, too, and ends up delighting you with its enduring quality. It stars two actors that we are familiar with only on TV, both of them are fantastic comics on very well written shows that you cannot help but expect good things for them. Unfortunately, because this is an under-the-radar film, I do not really see them breaking away from television and getting film recognition in bigger films. I can see continuing to be indie "darlings" though, which I'd be more than happy with. It's probably no surprise that I have a major crush on Aubrey Plaza. She has all the qualities that fit the description of a Sean-induced crush: high cheekbones, perfect brown eyes, an almost-perfect heart-shaped mouth, a dry wit/sense of humor that is biting at times when it...

Monday night I was relaxing after an easier return to school from the weekend that was a welcome short vacation after a very long week, dealing with student's escalating behavior throughout the entire week. It was easier because something had just been working better internally within the classroom. Perhaps it was the fact that I shaved my 3 month-old beard in front of the school and now I looked like a "professional." Perhaps it's because it's almost April and the students are maturing. Perhaps it's my consistency of being their teacher every day which has finally kicked in. Then Tuesday morning hit and a wash of unhealthiness hit me very abruptly. I got a severe case of "swimmer's ear" (or so I thought). I was sitting in a meeting and all of a sudden it felt like my ear had imploded inward. I couldn't hear people to the left of me, I started to feel my body go entirely weak, my equilibrium was off kilter and I felt like a couldn't mov...

"Tiny Furniture" Written, Directed, Starring: Lena Dunham (and her real-life mother and sister) I never had that "strange space" between graduating college and beginning work. In fact, I never had that "strange space" even after graduating high school and college (that finally summer before freedom from parental guidance and control). I've always had a strong work ethic. I think I got it from my father. I started working the summer between sophomore and junior years of high school, I worked for my uncle. He was part owner of the Bates Mill and I worked in the office as a sort-of secretary. I did a lot of filing. Then I started working the summer between junior and senior year at Wendy's. I was following in my sister's footsteps. She worked there before me. They loved her, as an employee, and when I mentioned her name, I was immediately hired. I had an absolute blast working at Wendy's, even though it was a fast food joint. They peopl...

Pride and Prejudice Starring Keira Knightley (and Matthew Macfadyen as the quintessential Mr. Darcy) among others like Jena Malone, Carey Mulligan, Talulah Riley, Rosamund Pike and Donald Sutherland and Brenda Blethyn as the Bennetts "Pride and Prejudice" escapes the trap of being a "chick flick" because it deals with stronger thematic elements than commercialized "chick flicks" and let's face it Keira Knightley's Elizabeth Bennett is one of the strongest female characters as she pits herself against the likes of Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth comes out biting and inhabiting the "prejudice" of the title because she tends to judge others quickly upon first meeting and does not hide her opinion, instead boasts it loud and clear. Mr. Darcy holds "pride" close to him, as well. Dialogue within the first few moments of the film: Darcy to Bingley: "Elizabeth is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me." First off, get real!...

"Primal Fear" Starring: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton (and John Mahoney and Frances McDormand) "Primal Fear" is one of those movies that I could watch in my sleep and still enjoy thoroughly. I think I've seen this movie about a dozen times and it never gets old. I remember one of the first times I watched in was when it came out on VHS. I had rented it and I watched it with my mother. I don't think I understood the full scope of the material. Instead, I just enjoyed the fact that I was watching an R-rated movie. There's a lot going on in this film, from politics to religion to mental illness to the justice system. Richard Gere plays a character somewhat despicable at first since he seems to be a defense attorney who chases these hated defendants like they were ambulances because he's looking to be a part of the 6 o'clock news or the newspapers headlines. We meet him in a bar discusses the morals of his practices and he sees a pot...

"The Princess Bride" (78) Starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright Penn (among others) Directed by: Rob Reiner Easily one of my favorite movies from childhood.  It is one of those desert-island movies, you know, that you can watch over and over again and just never get sick of it. Why is that? Well, I think it starts with the fact that it is a charming, humorous fairy tale (of sorts) and the actors really believe in the material. You can tell, just from how they act their ways through things that otherwise might be scoffed at. Cary Elwes plays his part as the hero with such charm and ease. His dry wit and sarcasm are relished as he journeys to save his dear Princess Buttercup, after being treated poorly by her in the beginning of the fairy tale. Well, not so much treated poorly, as much as a farm boy should be treated, I suppose. Anyway, she realizes she loves him, slightly to late as they are separated from their love affair by the "Evil" Prince Humperdink (come on, n...

So, I've seen a lot of concerts, as I stated before, a lot of memories have come from these concerts. Live music has (usually) never been something that I regret not doing. I would say 98% of the time, if I want to go to a show, I will spend the money for it. It's one of the things that I've always been in the moment for. Here's a list of shows/concerts, in no real particular order, other than the ticket stubs that I've kept over the years and based on my ability to recollect for ones that I have no stub for. Please enjoy the list and please remember I have absolutely no guilt in some that might strike you as strange. I have an eclectic taste of music and it shows on my list and on my iPod. Interesting note: The Cure should have been my first concert. When I was in 8th grade, they were touring for their album "Wild Mood Swings" and they were scheduled to stop in Portland at the Civic Center, but they canceled because they did not sell out the show. Bas...

I hadn't been able to watch movies every night this week because I was very busy living life, which for me ultimately means I went to concerts and I worked a lot. Thursday night I saw one of my favorite bands: Coheed and Cambria (at the House of Blues in Boston, a venue I've traveled to many times over the years). This was one of the most energy-fueled shows (of theirs) that I've been to. Claudio Sanchez (lead singer/guitarist) was jumping around, flailing his massive amounts of hair everywhere. Hell, he even played the guitar with his teeth at one point near the end of the show. I've seen them 3 times now. The first time I saw them, they played the small venue here in Portland, Port City Music Hall, and prior to the show I was lucky enough to see them perform an acoustic set at Bull Moose Music in Scarborough and then I met them, got their autographs, and had enough time to tell them I thought they were one of the best, most inventive bands. They were touring for the...

The low-key birthday celebration continued Monday with a viewing of "The Hunger Games." I went and saw this film the day it came out and was not disappointed at all, especially after reading the entire book series (that's right it's another book adaptation, but this one is done well, and right) two summer's ago. I think the entire series (trilogy) of young adult books about a dystopian world in two days. Suzanne Collins wrote the series obviously years after great literary classics as "1984," "Brave New World," "Fahrenheit 451," and even "Ishmael," which are all novels that I have thoroughly enjoyed more than once.  I saw "The Hunger Games" in the theatre with my ex-girlfriend, who I'm convinced just didn't really "get it" and thought it was boring. Regardless, the film was done very well and I was thoroughly impressed and enjoyed it. Jennifer Lawrence was absolutely born to play Katniss (the ma...

This week was incredibly busy, to the point where I know I did things but they all seem to have blended together. The week went by in a blur. After the weekend box office disaster that was "Oz," I helped celebrate a coworkers birthday, by having dinner and watching a couple of movies Monday night. It was her birthday, so we let her choose the movies. The few times I've been over, I've asked to watch hockey, so since it was her birthday, I gave her control of the television! We had eggplant parm, which was great and probably the most delicious chocolate cake I've ever had! "Enchanted" (2007) Starring Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, and Susan Sarandon I saw this one in the theatre when it first came out, with my parents (I know, sounds pretty cool and I've probably lost a few "Cool" points, but who doesn't enjoy some family time every now and then). I usually steer clear of Disney films. They just never really impress m...