I could introduce this post by talking about how I'm currently in Costa Rica and that I've actually been here for two weeks. I could write about the 100hr training I just finished and I could, of course, discuss the fact that I'm staying here until mid April but I'll spare everyone (Ok, just me) from all the ramblings that are bumping around inside my head.
I think I've figured out why it's been so hard to write lately and I've come to believe that it is because it's relatively easy for me to talk about my thoughts but not about my feelings.
I'm trying to bring myself into having a relationship with my feelings and not die in the struggle. This means negotiating with my mind and suggesting her that it is ok not to try to solve everything and not to make sense of everything which you know are like my hobbies.
Having said that, today I chose Instead to talk about a few little things on the side.
Before I came here Heinz had to go on an almost-two-week trip. It was a work thing and I thought I would use this time to catch up on everything. By everything I mean watching House of Cards and all the Academy-nominated films.
So M&M's in hand I watched all 2nd season of House of Cards in two days because if someone can do it in more time please let me know how you did it. I tried to pace myself and initially wanted to watch a couple of episodes per day -at the most- but two days later there I was, 3:00 AM and fast forwarding the intro song because I couldn't wait any longer!
If you haven't watched it, it's a Netflix original series and there are spoilers ahead so go watch it and then come back.
House of Cards is -I read somewhere- power porn. I still can't figure out who's using who. I think Frank wanted to become President yes, but I also believe that Claire wanted to become either the First Lady or maybe, President herself. Anyways I don't think the Oval Office is their ultimate goal. I keep asking this to people and everyone keeps saying that it's all about having power but I just don't think so. I think we'll find out some sort of vengeance because then why would they make him President so fast. Power for power seems too flat, I hope they make it power for vengeance!
Oh, and I took this buzzfeed quiz "Which House of Card character are you?" and I was so happy as I was sure I would get Zoe Barnes because I've always wanted to be that fearless investigative reporter that makes her way up (minus the sleeping with congress men part) but eh, no! I got freaking Doug Stamper! Who's just the most evil character of them all because he's not even in it for fame and power but plain loyalty to a cruel man. Well, I guess I could say I'm loyal.
The second part of my two-week update were all the freaking awesome movies that were nominated for this years' Academy Awards. So I know I'm a little late, all the buzz has disappeared and maybe that's why I feel safe talking about it now.
I loveeeee Red Carpet season, also known as Film Award Season, I'm not that into the who-wore-what thing but I just love watching everyone looking so dressed up and happy.
There are some years where the list of nominated movies is very unappealing but this year there were so many great movies in it. Alexander Pain (Nebraska) is one of my favorite directors and I don't have -ONE- favorite director but a list of must-watch-every-movie-they-make directors.
Baz Luhrman (The Great Gatsby) is on that list too. Spike Jonze (Her) and Martin Scorsese (Wolf of Wall Street) are both on Heinz's list so they were also a must-see.
Nebraska was simply exquisite. It's a black and white movie which made me cringe a little at the beginning because I sometimes get the idea that making a movie black and white, now with all the technology at hand, is pretentious. I was so wrong, this is the most down to earth story I've watched in a while, so honest and so simple. There are no abrupt twists and no unexpected turns but there is so much depth and love that at the end I understood how pointless it would have been to color the story.
Twelve Years a Salve is as good as everyone says. It is vital to continue telling these stories, to make them part of a live history instead of letting them fall into a forgotten memory. Also, Michael Fassbener...
Gravity is a movie I won't get that much into because I'm biased. I love Cuaron. He, as many people from Latin America, has a curious mind and a special voice and, as very few people have, was able to make himself heard. I would love to give him a huge hug. I don't care what people say about the movie, I love that Cuaron got Best Director because of his own personal story. And I did like the movie.
American Hustle was the least of my favorite. I liked it but I thought there would be more to it than a great production design. All the actors are good but that's nothing new. Amy Adam's good, Batman's good, the Hungover guy is good and Katniss is hilarious. They are all great actors so what could be expected, right? I just wished they would have given them a more interesting story to play with.
The Dallas Buyers Club is the kind of movies I think should be produced in the USA. It is what the American movie industry should be known and recognized for. It is what Cannes and Berlin should praise. It was solid in every aspect. The story, the actors, the way everyone played its part. Poor Leo Dicaprio, he lost the Oscar again and to the guy from How to lose a guy in 10 dates and you know, that's something that bothers me because I've always thought Mathew McConaughey was a great actor but he had to go and validate himself making this type of movies when if he would've stayed with chick flicks he would have never been nominated. Oh the industry...
Dallas Buyers tells a very american story and in the best way possible. Even though it takes elements and builds a story from cowboys and rodeo, all the characters and symbolism are still available for everyone outside this context.
And finally, I promise I'll shut up after this one....HER.
Her is IT. It's the movie of our era. It's 1984 by Orwell, it's Kubrik's Space Odyssey.
Spike, man, you delivered. Hard core delivered. There is a very fine line in how much of the story is predicting and how much it's describing and as McLuhan said, those are the real artists:
"The artist picks up the message of cultural and technical challenge decades before its transforming impact occurs. He, then, builds models or Noah's arks for facing the change that is ahead."
If McLuhan is a philosopher known for his phrase "the medium is the message", Spike is a story teller that will be known for HER.
I would love to read what Mcluhan had to say about HER, about what Spike just did. He would grasp all the layers at once when as for me, I feel I have to watch it a gazillion more times to scratch beneath the surface.
No, I almost forgot. Blue Jazmin....Yes! Bring me back that discursive Woody Allen from Annie Hall and from Deconstructing Harry. Anytime, just bring him back!
I love -not all- Woody Allen's films but the ones I love...I adore.
Midnight in Paris is Nutella for da' soul.
Now, I know I'm missing The Wolf but I won't talk about it. I'm not a big Sorsese fan -and Heinz is going to divorce me right about now for having said this- .
This is a long post, I know, but I have to say that it felt good to write it all down.
That's it.
