Notes from a Genius

"Feeling Spiritual"  God and the devil are waging war in me Like black fights the white in your eyes Or better yet, blue and black are allies Using their fists to kiss upon skin I am only bereaved When wrapped up in you If I only could die Within the confines of the sunset colors of bedsheets Dove under to beat The summer evening's heat You don't play nice Because I know You've had better men than me Before our tryst Love was all I thought I would need Now I know better than you  That love has led me astray I am a dog off his leash Trapped inside your mental cage Taking endless laps Pride was my only sin You took it like a bargaining chip At the end of a discussion About the politics of sex Licking your lips to make your point Such as this:  Who should make the first move Is it in you  To let yourself be vulnerable If, within a breath You feel the hesitation on my lips Will it discourage  ...

"The Deep Blue Sea" starring: Rachel Weisz, Tom Hiddleston, Ann Mitchell, Simon Russell Beale written and directed by: Terence Davies Terence Davies has made a movie that's cinematography plays out like a love-note to a London only the filmmaker knows and remembers. If per chance, you were lucky enough to live through the time period this London portrays, perhaps you'll be struck by the film, but unfortunately, there are really no characters that you can ultimately relate to or feel much sympathy for. It's a remake of a film from 1955 with Vivien Leigh, too. Rachel Weisz has always impressed me as an actress. She knows how to really dig herself deep into each role, for the most part- even in "The Mummy." The film is based on a play by  Terence Rattigan , which tells the story of Hester Collyer ( Rachel Weisz ), an attractive but inward young woman (dealing with some internal struggles) who is married to Sir William Collyer ( Simon Russell Be...

"Frozen" starring (voiced): Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Joshua Gad, Santino Fontana, Alan Tudyk directed by: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee written by: Jennifer Lee- based on Hans Christian Anderson's "The Snow Queen" I have to admit, when I first saw the trailer for "Frozen" back in like November, I was a bit skeptical and every time, I finished the preview, I didn't exactly know what the film was about. It came off very vague, perhaps that was Disney's intent, because they did not exactly know how to properly market such a bizarre entry into their film catalogue, even though it seems pretty simple now. It suddenly became this gigantic, box-office smash and shattered some records, earned an Oscar for Best Original Song (listen above). Children and adults were delighting in the film's story. Luckily, my friend purchased the DVD for their daughter and I got to watch it this past Friday. I loved it! If you look past the ...

"Veronica Mars" starring: Kristen Bell, Jason Dohring, Enrico Colantoni, Chris Lowell, Percy Daggs III, Tina Majorino, Krysten Ritter, Martin Starr, Gaby Hoffman written and directed by: Rob Thomas (not the guy from Matchbox Twenty!) Marshmallows!!! If you don't know what I'm talking about, you're obviously not a "big" fan of "Veronica Mars," and therefore this film just isn't going to be for you. This is a film financed by the fans, thanks to a Kickstarter project that may very well change, slightly, the way movies are produced. It was definitely a love-project for Rob Thomas the creator and writer of the original series, which was canceled after 3 fantastic seasons, rather abruptly. This film comes 7 years after it's cancellation and let me just say it is a welcome return, but it really just leaves you really craving more by the end of the film. Either another movie, because it could clearly become a successful franchise, o...

"The Improv: 50 Years Behind the Brick Wall" Interviewees: Jerry Seinfeld, Ray Romano, Jay Leno, Kathy Griffin, Jimmy Fallon, Sarah Silverman, Wayans Brothers, Judd Apatow, Russell Brand This is basically a love-letter to one of the most beloved comedy venues of all time. The Improv was always the place to perform if you were attempting to be anyone...and famous. This documentary is just an hour long, and it seems a bit of a tease, something to whet your appetite for comedy, as we get short clips of some of the famous comedians who came across the stage: Richard Pryor, Jerry Seinfeld, Jimmy Fallon, Larry David, Robin Williams, Jay Leno, and Sarah Silverman. You are left a bit frustrated because everything just seems too short, especially if you're a fan of comedy and any of these guys, plus Sarah Silverman. For me, one of the best moments happens when Jimmy Fallon's impression of Jerry Seinfeld is interrupted by Seinfeld himself. We get the sad story of an...

"The Bank, The Loan Officer, The Investment, The Scam Artist" Heard some stories about-  Warned about-  Getting caught up with a girl like you  Can't get past the look in your eyes When you look at me  The way you always seem to Telling me that what you want  Is what I can offer  But I never give enough  Still, you take it all  And now I am bankrupt on emotion Hurt from my own terms Of endearment, which I loaned to you  On the trusted idea of getting interest  From you in return For who I am  The man I claimed to be Was never what you wanted  When you thought you knew what you wanted  And now my investment hasn't paid off I'd rather pay you off Then continue to empty my pockets  I am no longer interested in loving you  Since it's an investment which has brought me nothing In return, except a yard sale of emotions For which my rented table in the crowd i...

Music is a constant in my life and daily activities, from listening to it on my iPod at the gym to playing it while I read/write/type, etc. to setting a mood to driving anywhere in my car whether it takes 2 minutes for 5 hours to get somewhere to playing it in my classroom. I have to have music on. I have recently been thinking about the albums that have been most influential in my musical upbringing lately and I wanted to share a list of the Albums That Have Stayed with Me Throughout My Life. In no particular order: Spoon- Girls Can Tell I discovered this album thanks to my sister, who worked at WRBC, the Bates College radio station while she was a student there. It is perfect indie-pop. Bikini Kill- Reject All American Again, I found them thanks to my sister, but also because of my love for all things Nirvana and Kurt Cobain related. Kathleen Hanna was probably the original Riot Grrl! Beastie Boys- Paul's Boutique Although my cousin introduced me to these...