Films 91, 92, 93 (I'm Busting My Ass)
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).
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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 "Brat Pack" package that seemed to dominate the 80s. It's ultimately a film about teenage love and social cliques. Molly Ringwald plays Andie (right there, it sets her up to be made fun of by her socially superior peers, because she has a boy's name). She is a poor girl from the "wrong side of the tracks" being raised by a father who is physically around but seems to have checked out long ago, mentally. Her mother bailed on her when she was younger and perhaps that's why she has a close friendship with another girl at the record store she works at (hello, isn't that a cool enough job to make her cool? It worked in my life!). This girl, Iona (cool name!), is in her early 30s and kind of a hipster (before there were hipsters). Andie also has a best friend, nicknamed Duckie (played by Jon Cryer with aces, before his career took a nose-dive years later with "Two and a Half Men"). Duckie is the class clown minus the peer appreciation for his humor. He ultimately clowns his way through life. He is always there for Andie, will do anything for her (even wait outside of a club he is never let into for 4 hours until she is done hanging out and "being cool"), and he is "in love" with Andie (always has been and is waiting for her to notice him the way he notices her every day). Duckie obviously developed his sense of humor as a defense mechanism for something, although we never really get much of his background story.
I can only assume so much, because I was Duckie in high school. I became the class clown to garner the attention of girls, due to my excessive acne and lack of self-esteem. My family was going through a lot of shit throughout high school (and most of junior high, as well), so I figured I'd become the funny kid, who told jokes to cut the awkwardness or tensions of situations, even if it was at my own expense. Often times, it was even at my mother's expense, since often times I poked fun at her (in high school, because she also taught there, so everyone knew her). It was so much easier to joke and make people laugh than to deal with the pain. Oh, and also I thought I was hilarious, so why stop? I thought everyone else appreciated my humor and the fact that I spent 4 years earning the title of "Class Clown" only to have it go to some other dude in our small graduating class of 58 students! I still have a lingering feeling of resentment for that, as you can probably tell! Anyway, I also pinned after the same girl for 4 years (much like Duckie in "Pretty in Pink"). The difference between Duckie and myself, though, is that I had the likable factor. I didn't have enemies (that I know of). I was generally liked by everyone. I was, what I coined a "floater." Our school definitely had its cliques (very strongly). There was the (1) popular crowd, which seemed to consist of the jocks and cheerleaders and/or girlfriends or girls that wanted to be girlfriends (2) nerds/geeks, otherwise the people that didn't necessarily fit in or didn't want to fit in, usually played a musical instrument or read philosophical books and could have intellectual conversations at the drop of a hat (3) the stoners/druggies, yes, even though we were a private Catholic school, we definitely had a "burnout" group (4) there were also some girls that didn't really fit into any of these categories that seemed to create their own group. Anyway, I played the politics, without even knowing the difference, and just tried to be friendly to everyone; although there were definitely a handful of people I could've done without.
Anyway, it seems that Andie attends a similar school minus the Catholic piece, with wealthy "snobs" who have clearly defined the lines of popularity. Andie is clearly an outsider, just from the classic scenes with other girls, notably in gym class. Why is it that teenage girls seem to be awful to each other, especially at this age (but I'd even venture to claim it never gets nicer or easier)? Is it the sense of competition (for a male suitor)? I mean, guys can be like that too, but it's more physical. Girls are psychological terrorists to each other! But Andie doesn't seem to care or really take their shit. She likes herself as she is. A formidable trait in a lead, female character. Bravo, John Hughes! The only trouble is she has the hots, a crush, on a rich and popular boy named Blane (doesn't that just sound rich?), played with a sense of naivety and innocence that is slightly believable by Andrew McCarthy.
Their romance and courtship is set up to fail right from the beginning because of the social divide and it creates an old, old, done to death plot line. Hello, "Romeo and Juliet!" The rich boy finds the courage to ask out the poor girl because he genuinely likes her (it's not like the plot of "She's All That" where it's more of a dare for the rich, popular boy to transform the nerdy, poor girl). Poor girl says yes and really wants it to work, but doesn't want anyone to know the whole truth to her socio-economic disadvantages. Conflict ensues with another popular boy, played with weird, awkwardness every time you see him by James Spader (too old for high school). And in the end, Andie ultimately has to choose between her reliable "boy" friend, Duckie, who takes her to prom, and the rich boy she is "in love" with, who shows up at prom alone because he couldn't take Andie. I think you know the rest of the formula.
With a tale as old as time, I've always appreciated John Hughes' script writing. He manages to throw in some cleverness and humorous scenes, thanks to the eccentricity of his actors. You watch this film and sort of remember what it was like to be in high school, if these types of stories are familiar to your own story.
...............................................................
Film 92
"Mad Dog and Glory"
Starring: Bill Murray, Robert De Niro, Uma Thurman
This film was good almost solely because it is complete role reversal for Bill Murray and the always-great Bobby De Niro.
Murray plays a gangster/mob boss who owns and runs a comedy club (where he also tries out some terrible stand-up jokes). De Niro plays a timid Chicago-beat cop (who photographs crime scenes and dead bodies because God forbid he should actually be there in the heat of the moment to halt the crime). De Niro has no confidence in his abilities as a cop or even as a man (hence why he "hides" behind the camera lens). Both of these character flaws are tested early in the film, when his character, Wayne, walks into a convenience store in the middle of a robbery. He inadvertently saves Frank's (Bill Murray) life. Frank doesn't forget this. In fact, in order to show his gratitude he invites the timid and awkward cop to his comedy club where they converse and Wayne first meets Glory (a bartender) played perfectly by Uma Thurman (here she is again! Except this is a very early film for her, 1993). Perhaps Frank and his cronies and tell that Wayne needs to man-up and could use a companion, because the next day he sends Glory to Wayne's apartment as a "Thank You" for saving his life. We learn that she is to keep Wayne company for a week, on Frank's orders. Frank sort of "owns" Glory thanks to a debt that her brother owes Frank. She has been doing his bidding for awhile in order to save her brother's life from the mob boss. She doesn't mind. She's not a whore. She doesn't have sex, unless she wants to. She's like a paid-for girlfriend. An escort, I suppose.
The trouble is, Wayne and Glory fall in love. I know, I know. It's to be expected. Well, Frank is not happy about this at all, to be expected, as well. In order to have a happy ending, Frank wants Wayne to pay for Glory's freedom.
Robert De Niro plays the timid, awkward guy so well, you almost forget that it's De Niro in the role. When he has to man up and fight, he gets another cop buddy of his to fight for him. He is awkward and uncomfortable around Glory, at first, because she is beautiful and interested in being with him, and he doesn't understand why, I suppose. Then, they "make love" and it's all over for Wayne. It's almost like his character falls in love with every girl he sleeps with. I can sort of relate. He ties strong emotions to sex. Is that wrong?
One great line from Wayne: "I know I should do sit ups" as he is undressing. To which, Glory replies, "Right now?"
The film works because of the actors obvious commitment to these characters and their personalities and quirks. They are bothered, worried, and amusing, altogether. A great puzzle with pieces that fit well. Most of the well done moments in the film are quiet scenes where you have to pay attention. They dialogue is timed well and the humor comes at the right moments.
......................................................
Film 93
"Gone"
Perhaps the Australian outback is a place to be avoided if you are in the mood for a backpacking trip. Apparently "Gone" came out soon after the horror film "Wolf Creek" about an Australian outback serial killer whose never been found. The plot treads of similar ground but avoids the cliche, perhaps to be the low-budget.
The story is simple. A British traveler meets an American traveler who offers to party with him and then take him where he needs to get to, in order to meet up with his also-British girlfriend. The British couple then accompany the American through the outback. They share some stories and long nights.
The American guy, though, and obviously, starts to be attracted to the British girl, played very well by Amelie Werner). Sophie is clueless to the attraction, even though her boyfriend (Shaun Evans) sees it and tries to tell her. Perhaps she's just enjoying the company of two guys? Taylor, the American, begins planting seeds of malevolence between the otherwise-happy couple.
It's a film written well enough that we never really get into the psyche of the antagonist (Taylor) and we can only assume his intentions are to steal Sophie from Alex, but it is suddenly told to us that Taylor is a sort of womanizer. So, does he want to kill them both, after he gets what he wants? Will he get what he wants? Does Sophie want him?
Watch it and find out. It's a quick thriller.
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 "Brat Pack" package that seemed to dominate the 80s. It's ultimately a film about teenage love and social cliques. Molly Ringwald plays Andie (right there, it sets her up to be made fun of by her socially superior peers, because she has a boy's name). She is a poor girl from the "wrong side of the tracks" being raised by a father who is physically around but seems to have checked out long ago, mentally. Her mother bailed on her when she was younger and perhaps that's why she has a close friendship with another girl at the record store she works at (hello, isn't that a cool enough job to make her cool? It worked in my life!). This girl, Iona (cool name!), is in her early 30s and kind of a hipster (before there were hipsters). Andie also has a best friend, nicknamed Duckie (played by Jon Cryer with aces, before his career took a nose-dive years later with "Two and a Half Men"). Duckie is the class clown minus the peer appreciation for his humor. He ultimately clowns his way through life. He is always there for Andie, will do anything for her (even wait outside of a club he is never let into for 4 hours until she is done hanging out and "being cool"), and he is "in love" with Andie (always has been and is waiting for her to notice him the way he notices her every day). Duckie obviously developed his sense of humor as a defense mechanism for something, although we never really get much of his background story.
I can only assume so much, because I was Duckie in high school. I became the class clown to garner the attention of girls, due to my excessive acne and lack of self-esteem. My family was going through a lot of shit throughout high school (and most of junior high, as well), so I figured I'd become the funny kid, who told jokes to cut the awkwardness or tensions of situations, even if it was at my own expense. Often times, it was even at my mother's expense, since often times I poked fun at her (in high school, because she also taught there, so everyone knew her). It was so much easier to joke and make people laugh than to deal with the pain. Oh, and also I thought I was hilarious, so why stop? I thought everyone else appreciated my humor and the fact that I spent 4 years earning the title of "Class Clown" only to have it go to some other dude in our small graduating class of 58 students! I still have a lingering feeling of resentment for that, as you can probably tell! Anyway, I also pinned after the same girl for 4 years (much like Duckie in "Pretty in Pink"). The difference between Duckie and myself, though, is that I had the likable factor. I didn't have enemies (that I know of). I was generally liked by everyone. I was, what I coined a "floater." Our school definitely had its cliques (very strongly). There was the (1) popular crowd, which seemed to consist of the jocks and cheerleaders and/or girlfriends or girls that wanted to be girlfriends (2) nerds/geeks, otherwise the people that didn't necessarily fit in or didn't want to fit in, usually played a musical instrument or read philosophical books and could have intellectual conversations at the drop of a hat (3) the stoners/druggies, yes, even though we were a private Catholic school, we definitely had a "burnout" group (4) there were also some girls that didn't really fit into any of these categories that seemed to create their own group. Anyway, I played the politics, without even knowing the difference, and just tried to be friendly to everyone; although there were definitely a handful of people I could've done without.
Anyway, it seems that Andie attends a similar school minus the Catholic piece, with wealthy "snobs" who have clearly defined the lines of popularity. Andie is clearly an outsider, just from the classic scenes with other girls, notably in gym class. Why is it that teenage girls seem to be awful to each other, especially at this age (but I'd even venture to claim it never gets nicer or easier)? Is it the sense of competition (for a male suitor)? I mean, guys can be like that too, but it's more physical. Girls are psychological terrorists to each other! But Andie doesn't seem to care or really take their shit. She likes herself as she is. A formidable trait in a lead, female character. Bravo, John Hughes! The only trouble is she has the hots, a crush, on a rich and popular boy named Blane (doesn't that just sound rich?), played with a sense of naivety and innocence that is slightly believable by Andrew McCarthy.
Their romance and courtship is set up to fail right from the beginning because of the social divide and it creates an old, old, done to death plot line. Hello, "Romeo and Juliet!" The rich boy finds the courage to ask out the poor girl because he genuinely likes her (it's not like the plot of "She's All That" where it's more of a dare for the rich, popular boy to transform the nerdy, poor girl). Poor girl says yes and really wants it to work, but doesn't want anyone to know the whole truth to her socio-economic disadvantages. Conflict ensues with another popular boy, played with weird, awkwardness every time you see him by James Spader (too old for high school). And in the end, Andie ultimately has to choose between her reliable "boy" friend, Duckie, who takes her to prom, and the rich boy she is "in love" with, who shows up at prom alone because he couldn't take Andie. I think you know the rest of the formula.
With a tale as old as time, I've always appreciated John Hughes' script writing. He manages to throw in some cleverness and humorous scenes, thanks to the eccentricity of his actors. You watch this film and sort of remember what it was like to be in high school, if these types of stories are familiar to your own story.
...............................................................
Film 92
"Mad Dog and Glory"
Starring: Bill Murray, Robert De Niro, Uma Thurman
This film was good almost solely because it is complete role reversal for Bill Murray and the always-great Bobby De Niro.
Murray plays a gangster/mob boss who owns and runs a comedy club (where he also tries out some terrible stand-up jokes). De Niro plays a timid Chicago-beat cop (who photographs crime scenes and dead bodies because God forbid he should actually be there in the heat of the moment to halt the crime). De Niro has no confidence in his abilities as a cop or even as a man (hence why he "hides" behind the camera lens). Both of these character flaws are tested early in the film, when his character, Wayne, walks into a convenience store in the middle of a robbery. He inadvertently saves Frank's (Bill Murray) life. Frank doesn't forget this. In fact, in order to show his gratitude he invites the timid and awkward cop to his comedy club where they converse and Wayne first meets Glory (a bartender) played perfectly by Uma Thurman (here she is again! Except this is a very early film for her, 1993). Perhaps Frank and his cronies and tell that Wayne needs to man-up and could use a companion, because the next day he sends Glory to Wayne's apartment as a "Thank You" for saving his life. We learn that she is to keep Wayne company for a week, on Frank's orders. Frank sort of "owns" Glory thanks to a debt that her brother owes Frank. She has been doing his bidding for awhile in order to save her brother's life from the mob boss. She doesn't mind. She's not a whore. She doesn't have sex, unless she wants to. She's like a paid-for girlfriend. An escort, I suppose.
The trouble is, Wayne and Glory fall in love. I know, I know. It's to be expected. Well, Frank is not happy about this at all, to be expected, as well. In order to have a happy ending, Frank wants Wayne to pay for Glory's freedom.
Robert De Niro plays the timid, awkward guy so well, you almost forget that it's De Niro in the role. When he has to man up and fight, he gets another cop buddy of his to fight for him. He is awkward and uncomfortable around Glory, at first, because she is beautiful and interested in being with him, and he doesn't understand why, I suppose. Then, they "make love" and it's all over for Wayne. It's almost like his character falls in love with every girl he sleeps with. I can sort of relate. He ties strong emotions to sex. Is that wrong?
One great line from Wayne: "I know I should do sit ups" as he is undressing. To which, Glory replies, "Right now?"
The film works because of the actors obvious commitment to these characters and their personalities and quirks. They are bothered, worried, and amusing, altogether. A great puzzle with pieces that fit well. Most of the well done moments in the film are quiet scenes where you have to pay attention. They dialogue is timed well and the humor comes at the right moments.
......................................................
Film 93
"Gone"
Perhaps the Australian outback is a place to be avoided if you are in the mood for a backpacking trip. Apparently "Gone" came out soon after the horror film "Wolf Creek" about an Australian outback serial killer whose never been found. The plot treads of similar ground but avoids the cliche, perhaps to be the low-budget.
The story is simple. A British traveler meets an American traveler who offers to party with him and then take him where he needs to get to, in order to meet up with his also-British girlfriend. The British couple then accompany the American through the outback. They share some stories and long nights.
The American guy, though, and obviously, starts to be attracted to the British girl, played very well by Amelie Werner). Sophie is clueless to the attraction, even though her boyfriend (Shaun Evans) sees it and tries to tell her. Perhaps she's just enjoying the company of two guys? Taylor, the American, begins planting seeds of malevolence between the otherwise-happy couple.
It's a film written well enough that we never really get into the psyche of the antagonist (Taylor) and we can only assume his intentions are to steal Sophie from Alex, but it is suddenly told to us that Taylor is a sort of womanizer. So, does he want to kill them both, after he gets what he wants? Will he get what he wants? Does Sophie want him?
Watch it and find out. It's a quick thriller.
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