occasional contemplations

E Pluribus Unum

2010-08-16T15:25:00.003-05:00

The World Trade Center/mosque debate is a pretty incredible national discussion right now. I'm going to try and save my own personal comments to the end, and present some documented facts at the outset. No matter the situation, it is important to be educated about an issue of which you're passionately opinionated. Hopefully most of us have done our research on this mosque, but some choose to simply spread hate. I will say flat out that I sympathize with the families and people affected by 9/11. It's easy to diagnose the ethical problems people have with the proposed mosque--some people argue that it is offensive, a proverbial slap in the face to victims of 9/11. Even if that isn’t the Islamic group’s intention here, I completely understand this reaction.

The fact of the matter in this 'ethical argument,' however, is that ethics ultimately have no bearing on law. The First Amendment is about as transparent in this arena as it can get: if New York City allows houses of worship in the area, it cannot legally stop the mosque from being built without violating the most sacred right U.S. citizens enjoy daily.

Some facts (with occasional commentary thrown in after)

First and foremost, the Cordoba House will be built on the site of the old and unoccupied Burlington Coat Factory. It is not being built on the WTC site. No one perished on this ground, as it is two blocks from the WTC (and not even visible from Ground Zero)
Somebody looked up an aerial photo of the Cordoba House on Google Maps, or check it out yourself: the address is 45 Park Place, but the buildings on Vesey and Barclay Street are kind of in the way.
Here's a picture of the final architectural design; looks like an ordinary, 12-story building to me

So, in summary: it's not as close to WTC as media says, it doesn't resemble a mosque in structure, and the building that is being demolished to make room for this giant "mosque" housed…a mosque. This isn’t a new establishment, just a much larger version of what was already there.

Within three blocks walking distance of Ground Zero, the NY Daily News counted 17 pizza shops, 18 bank branches, 11 bars, 10 shoe stores and 17 separate "female" salons...not to mention a few adults stores and strip clubs

I know it's New York, and there's probably establishments of that variety on every block in lower Manhattan. But it kind of takes away from the "sanctity" of the surrounding area, no? Ground Zero is flooded by a sea of filth, yet no strong Christian opposition to any of those existing so close to the site.

The Cordoba Center near Ground Zero is just 686 feet closer than an already existing mosque
The New York City Mayor’s office says “It’s private property, and the area is zoned for uses that include this one.”

Personally I think this is the biggest and most important point of this entire story. Muslims have purchased land to build a building in which Muslims will pray and have services, amongst many other activities open to all. The people who frequent that mosque will not be forcing anyone else to worship there or to listen to their prayers. This is exactly what the First Amendment is meant to protect. People walk by all sorts of things on their way to and from Ground Zero, including profane and offensive graffiti. Having to walk by a beautiful mosque should be no more offensive than having to walk by a beautiful Catholic chapel.

History gives us something else to chew on; Timothy McVeigh, a Christian, blew up the Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing many children as well as adults. The Episcopal Cathedral right across the street was heavily damaged in the blast. Yet not one person objected to its being rebuilt near that Memorial because a Christian had committed that terrorist act.

The founder, Imam Rauf, calls the project a community center for all faiths. In addition to housing a mosque, the building will include fitness facilities (swimming pool, gym, basketball court), a 500-seat auditorium (Tribeca!), a restaurant and a cooking school, exhibition space, a library, art studios, prayer space (Muslim AND non-denominational), childcare facilities, and a 9/11 memorial
Rauf worked with GWBush on middle-eastern peace during his two terms
To everyone saying 'Ask the families!'--NY mayor is doing that

Colleen Kelly of the Bronx lost her brother on 9/11. Her comments were poignant: "The mosque is in many ways a fitting tribute. This is the voice of Islam that I believe needs a wider audience. This is what moderate Islam is all about."

This FoxNews nationwide poll is very interesting (only 900 registered voters)...The blog 538 summed it up nicely:

Essentially, public opinion on this issue is divided into thirds. About a third of the country thinks that not only do the developers have a right to build the mosque, but that it's a perfectly appropriate thing to do. Another third think that while the development is in poor taste, the developers nevertheless have a right to build it. And the final third think that not only is the development inappropriate, but the developers have no right to build it -- perhaps they think that the government should intervene to stop it in some fashion.

Obama's remarks, while asserting that "Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country," and that the "principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country, and will not be treated differently by their government, is essential to who we are," simply reflected the view that the developers had a First Amendment right to proceed with the project -- a view that at least 60 percent of Americans share. True, Obama could have hedged a little bit more, by saying something along the lines of "they have every right to build it, but I hope they will consider another location". On the other hand, it is not as though he said "this is a wonderful thing, and I'm going to make sure to take Sasha and Malia there once it's built." Instead, he acknowledged the sensitivity over the Ground Zero site, calling it "hallowed ground", but couched the controversy in terms of the First Amendment.

The President was asked again on Saturday for his thoughts on the issue: "I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making a decision to put a mosque there. I was commenting very specifically on the right that people have that dates back to our founding."

Obama said that "my intention was simply to let people know what I thought. Which was that in this country we treat everybody equally and in accordance with the law, regardless of race, regardless of religion."

Islam

I think a key question underlying the Ground Zero mosque debate is whether Americans are under the impression we are at war with Islam. Because that perception determines our direct feelings for the religion, as well as if we avoid or provoke a clash in the discrepancy.

Outlawing any Muslim presence from the neighborhood because of the actions of 19 terrorists succumbs this nation to the same flawed ideology of the terrorist who label all Americans as evil. The numbers are revealing; at least 23 Muslims were included among the victims of the 9/11 terrorists. Equating Islam as a whole to the terrorist acts of 19 individuals perpetuates the ignorance Americans have of this world religion. Maybe the presence of a mosque would provide people an opportunity to meet true Muslims, whose name (if you haven't forgotten) at its root word is "peace." By issuing a building permit to Americans who want to build a community center, we uphold the freedoms that define our nation and prove the ideologies of terrorists to be a lie.

If Islam is the enemy, then further action has to be taken by the government, and we should not stop at Cordoba. To follow suit, we would need to outlaw new mosques from Boston to San Francisco. Or we could get extremely dicey and reenact our treatment of Japanese-American Buddhists in WW2, putting them in camps and such. But if the enemy is terrorism, then we should realize that we only incite and inspire that enemy when we act as if we are at war with the religion of Islam.

The Constitution

Muslims clearly and unquestionably are entitled to the protections of religious freedom the Constitution offers. From this truth, any action to preclude disrupt plans to build the center would be "prohibiting the free exercise" of religion by Muslims. Even if we accept the judgment that some interpretations of Islamic belief were among the motivating factors behind the 9/11 attacks, we cannot overlook the Constitutional freedom that is guaranteed to Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, and others.

If Americans still believe that the Constitution truly matters, we should celebrate a desire to build a mosque in New York City. Otherwise, we will have not only abandoned our Constitution, we will have adopted the ideology of those in Iran who would not want a church or synagogue to be built in Tehran.

My thoughts

As a Christian, it would be incredible to experience an America in which religious faith can be expressed comfortably and confidently. Yes, the freedoms provided by the Constitution are there in plain writing, but we still have strings attached to our American culture. For example, neighborhood families being comfortable welcoming Muslims to the backyard BBQ in a post-9/11 world (without being suspicious just because of some fanatics) is a tall order, but more my idea of the American dream than Apple or Abercrombie could ever provide. Are our ideals as Americans, Christians, and freedom lovers really so fragile that they can’t deal with a public exercise of expression? Phil Collins might be the only one to agree with me, but the people fighting the mosque are showing their true colors in not showing confidence in their ideals.

So what is everyone scared of? Literally speaking, a mosque downtown gives people access to Islamic teachings, and if they are the violent religion their detractors claim, then wouldn’t we want them out in broad daylight for the public to see? And if those same detractors turn out to be wrong, then no harm, no foul. Perhaps letting them build the center would symbolize something different to people in the U.S., such as what Bloomberg suggested when he said it would represent tolerance. To me, it would be an incredible symbol of American confidence in our values. It would show that as a nation, we prize these beliefs even when it pains us to do so.

Some will argue why Groud Zero, and not somewhere else? If the city allows religious congregations in the area, they can’t keep out a mosque, simple as that. Motivations of the builders or anyone never really factor in, because adversely the government has no right to decide just because of a bad feeling. Also, the minute we empower government to shut down mosques, we empower it to shut down other things...like churches.

Coming to a close, I think many people in this country imagine that this "mosque" (not a mosque) will tower over the NYC skyline like Brunelleschi’s Dome in Florence. Anything over a dozen stories would tower over everything else in most towns, and even small cities in the US. But really, it’s not the height of said “mosque” that offends people, it’s the proximity. It feels to some like dancing on the graves of those whose lives were lost at the hands of terrorists who used Islam to justify their unspeakable deeds. And maybe that’s what people are projecting onto this Islamic center. It is near a location that is considered ‘hallowed ground’ in that it is a clear physical symbol of an attack on our nation: our first real gaping wound, and a fresh one at that. But the current the location also makes it the best place to redress the horror. It has the potential to be a place of permanent penance and an olive branch of peace. Remember, the WTC was specifically chosen because it functioned as a symbol in a pluralistic society. That fact is now lost on those who now wish to exclude a group related to the attackers only because of some loose affiliations of faith. Segregation of even one such group invalidates that which you claim to be--one nation made up of many geographical parts, varying nationalities, and faiths.

This is un-American to all but those who really don’t understand what American virtues. America isn’t about being a leader in war, space, culture, or technology. It really is best summed up as, “E Pluribus Unum.” THAT is how we are unique. Kudos to the media for grossly ballooning this topic into a nationwide debate. While I agree this is an ethical controversy, it's more of a Constitutional/American issue. It doesn't help that for much of the conservatives out there, critical thought is easily replaced by fear when Islam is thrown in. Taken for what it truly is, the Cordoba House should be built without controversy and without causing pain. It will provide a multicultural, interfaith space to discuss peace and understanding, and assets to the community...wherever it ends up being built.

Top 10 Most Anticipated of 2010

2010-02-09T00:10:00.000-06:00

Here's a quickie...needless to say, it should be a pretty awesome summer.

Top 10 most anticipated flicks of 2010!
(Subject to change)

1. Shutter Island -- 2/19/10 (Martin Scorsese)
2. Inception -- 7/16/10 (Christopher Nolan)
3. Iron Man 2 -- 5/7/10 (Jon Favreau)
4. Robin Hood -- 5/14/10 (Ridley Scott)
5. Predators -- 7/7/10 (Nimrod Antal)
6. Toy Story 3 -- 6/18/10 (Lee Unkrich)
7. The A-Team -- 6/11/10 -- (Joe Carnahan)
8. The Expendables -- 8/13/10 (Sylvester Stallone)
9. Alice in Wonderland -- 3/5/10 (Tim Burton)
10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Pt. 1 -- 11/19/10 (David Yates)

Others:
-The Social Network (aka the Facebook movie from David Fincher)
-Jonah Hex
-A Nightmare on Elm Street
-Clash of the Titans

PS -- the "Arrested Development" movie will only be filming in 2010, otherwise it would've made the #1 spot here. Just an FYI!

Top 10 of 2009: Part 2

2010-02-03T13:42:00.001-06:00

And we're finally here. I can honestly say that I love this Top 5, and that's how it should be, really. For all movies you see in a year, your Top 5 should be the ones that have stuck with you, the ones you could name off to a friend instantly. Looking at my Top 5, I have to say that 2009 was a strong year. But onto the list...

South African Neill Blomkamp (a Peter Jackson disciple) combined his love of Hollywood fare with an outsider perspective to remind us that if executed well, familiar stories can still be fresh. Blurring drama and documentary, Blomkamp spins the alien invasion movie and flips it all on its head. What if they came, and--instead of reacting with nuclear weapons or Will Smith--we put them into a refugee camp? Leading up to the summer, the hype machine started rolling for this Peter Jackson-produced alien movie. I went into this film having heard all the praise, but left the theater extremely pleased. Not only did District 9 live up to any hype, it featured a sharp social commentary about South Africa's segregating past, and effectively combined compelling characters with just enough Hollywood action to make for a thrilling film. Equally commendable is the casting of relative unknown Sharlto Copley in the lead. Plus, having an alien landing that is neither hostile nor a diplomatic mission is really creative, as is having the humans be indecisive over what exactly to do in that situation. Kudos all around to Blomkamp and crew.

You might recognize director Kathryn Bigelow from a little early-90s action movie by the name of Point Break. Several years later, she's re-claiming her territory as a legitimate action director, but it's clear she's also a more mature filmmaker. Bigelow made The Hurt Locker, a film set in the current war in Iraq, for just $11 million. And rather than take political shots or make judgments about whether our country belongs there, this "war movie" zooms in and focuses on the people--the soldiers. In this case, it’s a core group of three members of a bomb squad. These men live every day in a land where anything with a wire could potentially kill them. The Hurt Locker shows the effects of such a lifestyle and the types of people who find themselves in the midst of it. It really isn't a film about big action moments, but nearly every second of it is intense, thanks in large part to the great performances present. Playing on a powerful script, the story here is both intimate in its scope and broad in its thesis (war will never truly end, war is the ultimate drug, etc). And with Jeremy Renner’s star-making performance, The Hurt Locker provides audiences with a visceral, emotional journey into the mind of a soldier.

I say it every year, but seeing as how they've been firmly entrenched on my annual lists for a while now, I might as well reserve a spot in my Top 5 for PIXAR. The Disney studio has constantly found new and fascinating stories to tell, while resonating emotionally in ways that even live-action features have trouble doing. Not to mention, they've improved their visuals every step of the way. The first thing one notices about their latest offering, Up, is that it gives the viewer a geriatric protagonist worth following, something that's rare to the genre and film culture in general. But there's also the plucky sidekick who is almost too annoying to care about, and Dug, the loyal dog that makes even cat people consider picking up a canine pet. The adventure is vibrant enough to make the visuals a centerpiece, but the action is bombastic enough to keep the attention of children. But where Up really shines is in the first 15 minutes--perhaps the most touching I’ve seen in an animated film--so heartbreaking, so well told. It’s become cliche to say it, but these guys are the best storytellers working today. Adventure truly is out there, and a decade after they started, PIXAR shows so signs of slowing down or waning in quality.

One of the funniest, most engaging and heartwarming movies of the year, (500) Days of Summer tells the familiar story of a young man who has fallen in love with a woman. The two co-workers begin a relationship, but there’s only one problem: she isn’t in love with him. As we are assured from the start, this isn't a love story, but rather a look at the birth, life, and death of a relationship. The film masterfully blends drama, comedy and even a musical number together into a seamless, sincere and realistic portrayal of the modern relationship. Director Marc Webb may be getting all the buzz as Sony’s new choice to helm the next Spider-Man franchise, but he has this little gem of a film to thank for it. Throughout the course of the movie, Webb and his writing team never let the plot stray into predictable Hollywood territory. Rarely do audiences get treated to such an interpersonal and understanding ‘romance’ (especially revolving young people) without a hint of the mundane or multiple cliches bogging it down. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is certainly one of the most talented young actors out there, and his charm and relatability serve him well opposite a fetching Zooey Deschanel, who compliments him every step of the way. I hate lumping this film into the 'romantic comedy' genre, because the creativity, non-linear storytelling, and sharp dialogue/humor present make it more than that...better than that. This is an exploration of perception, hindsight and foresight, of people. But most of all, it's an exploration of modern love presented in an uncommonly engaging and creative way.

Going into December, the #1 spot of my Top 10 list was firmly squared away thanks to (500) Days of Summer. But then I saw Avatar, a film that I truthfully wasn't very sold on. The 3D technology was questionable, James Cameron had certainly been away from the game awhile, and the heavy reliance on performance capture usage in the past had always generated a creepy robotic effect (Polar Express, anyone?) rather than something entertaining. But Avatar made me a believer in all of the aforementioned items. In the midst of astronomical budgets, incredible pressure to meet expectations, and over four years of development, Cameron's Avatar delivered on every promise.

Avatar is unlike any other film ever made and provides a glimpse into the potential of film to literally immerse the viewer in the story. Is it an action movie or a drama? Is it more video game or sci-fi epic? At the end of the day, most people won't know/care if Cameron invented a new camera to shoot this film, or that he broke new ground in motion-capture to fully emote his actors digitally on-screen. All that will matter to the viewing audience is this: are the characters interesting? Is this story gripping? Thankfully, Cameron has always been a masterful storyteller, and he blends all these elements in with his new technology in beautiful harmony. I've heard a lot of people criticize the film for having an unoriginal storyline, but there's really nothing new under the sun in the realm of Hollywood plot lines. Rather than nitpick plot origins, I prefer to look at the content, execution, and the ability of movies to take me to another world for a little bit. Steven Spielberg, one of the most respected filmmakers ever, thinks Cameron succeeded, and I have to agree: "The last time I came out of a movie feeling that way was the first time I saw Star Wars."

The spiritual metaphors of Avatar are also truly dazzling. Aren’t all of us as humans truly avatars? Spiritual beings temporarily inhabiting human bodies? It's safe to say that the door leading to the future of movies has been opened with Avatar, and more filmmakers will use this technology to further immerse the viewer in such a powerful way. But here in 2009, Avatar breaks new ground in delivering a fully immersive, emotional story...and completely reinvents the movie-going experience.

My Top 10 Favorite Moments:

Up, the First 15 Minutes
(500) Days of Summer, You Make My Dreams
Inglorious Basterds, the first 15 minutes & the bar scene
Drag Me to Hell, the parking lot scene
District 9, in the prawn suit
The Road, the cannibal house
(500) Days of Summer, expectations vs. reality
Zombieland, the cameo
Taken, all the action scenes
Watchmen, the opening credits

Top 10 of 2009: Part 1

2010-01-29T11:42:00.001-06:00

'Puzzling' is the word that most often comes to mind when I think about the 2009 movie landscape. But here we are, my Top 10 of 2009--and it's out a little earlier than last year! Progress, not perfection. If you know me, you know I’m addicted to movies…if you really know me, you know I’m addicted to movies a little too much. Well here are my favorites, and keep that word in mind; uou're free to disagree with any or all of them. Hope you enjoy!

Honorable Mentions:
-Up in the Air
-Taken
-Public Enemies

Almost a forgotten genre, documentaries possess the ability to impact and inspire in unique ways due to their subject matters. Two have made my Top 10 this year, and I would strongly encourage both to be seen immediately. First off, following in the footsteps of Errol Morris's fantastic 2004 documentary The Fog of War is Chris Smith's Collapse. Described in one review as "an intellectual horror movie," we're guided through this grim tale by author, editor, and ex-cop Michael Ruppert. Told through his own words via an extended monologue, this riveting story has a certain brooding edge to it, and the subject matter definitely pierces the viewer. Ruppert presents an almost apocalyptic vision of a world spinning violently into chaos, yet his ever-present sense of certainty makes him hard to dismiss. Collapse is ultimately a guy in a room telling us what's on his mind; but by the time the credits roll, the future of our way of life will undoubtedly be on yours, too.

Having watched it just this week, The Cove is easily the most recent film to crack my list. All you really need to know about this documentary to be intrigued is that it features dolphins. They're like dogs--who doesn't love these guys? Much like Jules Winnfield said in Pulp Fiction, "Dog's got personality...," and the actions of dolphins seem very similar to that of a dog to me. You may have heard rumors of what foreign fish companies do to hit their quota, but I've never heard of anything like what goes on in Louie Psihoyos' shocking and moving documentary. The film sets out to expose the annual killing of about 23,00 dolphins in a National Park located in Taiji, Japan. Typical of any documentary that tries to pull the cover off of something this big, the execution isn't easy. The ragtag, quasi-Ocean's 11 band of activists infiltrate this forbidden location and set up equipment around the area. For being a documentary, the movie almost feels like a good espionage film, providing an aggressive counter-punch to the emotional resonance of what's happening in Taiji. Eventually, through the use of hidden cameras and microphones, they capture these horrific acts, as well as the dirty tactics used by certain departments of the Japanese government; all in the name of keeping what is happening to these dolphins (and the surrounding community) a secret.

It seems like zombies are everywhere nowadays--from popular video games, to modern cinema, to comics, to our literary classics with titles like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. The trend is at an absolute peak, which usually means people should be getting absolutely sick of them by now. However, with movies as funny and downright fun as Zombieland, it’s kind of hard to do anything but want more. Zombieland takes one page from Shaun of the Dead in its humor, and another from the The Zombie Survival Guide in its calculated approach to handling the undead. The awkward Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson’s take on a hillbilly gunslinger make for an entertaining duo, and it features the absolute best cameo of any film this year (and instead of sacrificing one for the other, it is both hilarious and gruesome at the same time). Hands down, just a fun flick.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, The Road is a bleak, post-apocalypse affair with silent emotion, gruesome scenes and an uncommon form of storytelling. This is a simple story of an long, trying journey between a father and his son. But you won't find any action scenes here; even the thrilling moments are few and far between. This is simply a dark vision of a dreadful future, but not without hope. Cormac McCarthy’s novel is an extremely difficult one to adapt, but director John Hillcoat proves up to the task. This is a hard movie to stomach, mainly because it doesn't play to the audience like a typical film does. In this world McCarthy has created, you don't know what's coming next, you don't have an overriding sense that everything will be alright; and that's truly troubling to witness, much less experience. Viggo Mortensen is fantastic here, and should get recognized come Oscar time. Mortensen makes the scenes between the father and son are simply gut-wrenching. The Road is the kind of movie that will disturb viewers to their very core, but that says a lot about what it achieves.

I definitely did not foresee including multiple science-fiction films in my list, but perhaps that speaks to how effective and enjoyable the genre can be in the right hands. Starting off the sci-fi streak is Moon, a film I enjoyed quite a bit when I first saw it, but truly love now that I've let it marinate. Writer/director Duncan Jones' (son of David Bowie) first film is somewhat of a throwback movie, drawing comparisons to 2001 rather than Armageddon. The story takes place in the near future and centers around an astronaut on the last leg of a 3-year contract as a moon rock harvester. Playing a man who is desperately trying to fight off the insanity of isolation, Sam Rockwell gives (what in a just world would be) an Oscar-winning performance, and Moon’s focus on the psychological aspects of seclusion make it very original. Moon also boasts a unique atmosphere, but above all else, it’s just refreshing. My favorite thing about Moon is how opposite it is from any current Hollywood trend. It was made on a meager budget, there's nothing flashy, it's plot-driven, authentic but minimal. For a simplistic, low-budget sci-fi flick, it also raises a lot of questions about existence, humanity, morality, the nature of man, and so forth. Moon is one of the best films I've ever seen of doing so much with so little--high praise indeed.

Much like 2006's Casino Royale, JJ Abrams' Star Trek has breathed new life into a franchise many had left for dead. Star Trek was everything you could want in a summer blockbuster: action, suspense, special effects, and even some LOST-inspired plot-explorations. For a reboot film with such a loyal (and expectant) fan base, Abrams had to make an impact. Luckily his film is the perfect popcorn movie, especially considering it did not compromise the pillars of storytelling, dialogue, or character development. The reasons this film works are twofold--the effectiveness of a smart script that never takes itself too seriously is immeasurable, and the casting is note-perfect. Even with the actors playing such iconic characters like Kirk, Spock and Bones, Star Trek wouldn't have been the same if you didn't love these characters from the start. Abrams showed he had the chops for action in 2006's Mission Impossible 3, but he gave us an adventure in space few could have expected out of him.

Favorite Performances:

Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker
Christopher Waltz, Inglorious Basterds
Carey Mulligan, An Education
Sam Rockwell, Moon
Anna Kendrick & Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, (500) Days of Summer
Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Patton Oswalt, Big Fan
Chris Pine & Karl Urban, Star Trek
Jackie Earle Haley, Watchmen

The second half of this list as well as my favorite moments of 2009 coming soon.

Movies: Top 10 of the 2000s

2010-01-05T17:56:00.000-06:00

What an amazing decade in film! Ten years ago, I was barely entering my teenage-dom, although a rabid love of The Matrix (33 viewings the summer of 2000) was whetting my appetite for the medium. As I look back, it leaves me speechless how quickly all those years evaporated. Anticipation is truly a sharp double-edged sword! You spend a year or so looking forward to a film, and in seemingly the next instant...you're purchasing it at some electronics store. My mind remembers those magical trailers for the movie adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved series sweeping the nation. My mind is lucky to have witnessed the brilliance and continued rise of PIXAR, ushering in a new era of classic Disney movies. My mind has been stretched, warped, numbed, and more--all for $10 and 90-120 minutes, give or take.

With all the movies I saw in the 2000s, narrowing a "Best Of" list down to 10 selections is incredibly difficult. And from there, one is tempted to address the whole 'Best vs. Favorite' debate; I'll leave that one alone for now. Instead, I'll simply say that these 10 movies I've chosen for my Top 10 of the 2000s represent my favorite mixtures of elite film-making, exceptional story-telling, and personal connection. Some of these might not make your proverbial Top 10, but these are the ones I just keep coming back to, keep loving, keep dissecting. That's gotta be a compliment, right? Looking forward to what the 2010s bring!

1. Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003)
2. Gladiator (2000)
3. Memento (2001)
4. The Dark Knight (2008)
5. PIXAR (Up, Incredibles, WALL-E, Finding Nemo)
6. No Country For Old Men (2007)
7. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
8. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
9. Master & Commander (2003)
10. The Prestige

Just missed the cut:

Almost Famous (2000)
25th Hour (2002)
Casino Royale (2006)
High Fidelity (2000)
Avatar (2009)

10 best performances: (in no particular order)

-Daniel Day-Lewis as Bill Cutting, Gangs of New York / Daniel Plainview, There Will Be Blood
-Heath Ledger as The Joker, The Dark Knight
-Guy Pearce as Leonard Shelby, Memento
-Andy Serkis as Gollum, The Lord of the Rings
-Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh, No Country for Old Men
-Kate Winslet as Clementine, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
-Viggo Mortensen as Tom Stall, A History of Violence
-Casey Affleck as Robert Ford, The Assassination of Jesse James
-Ryan Gosling as Dan Dunne, Half Nelson
-Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland, Cast Away

Magnificent

2009-10-16T17:12:00.010-05:00

A few years back, veteran director Rob Reiner assembled the legendary duo of Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman for his latest film, The Bucket List. The movie was pretty good, but inadvertently created a distinct awareness in the viewer by posing a simple question: What things do you HAVE to experience before you die? The title of the film gave a name to this phenomenon about assembling a direly important "To-Do List" before leaving this earth. Whether extreme activities like skydiving, visiting foreign countries, or reconciling with loved ones, there is definitely impact in realizing these important longings...and then eventually crossing one off your list.

With U2 in town this past week (and me without tickets), I had accepted the fact that I wasn't going to see them at Reliant Stadium. But then, in a whirlwind twenty-four period, Melissa and I were set to go, with great seats to boot. It was an incredible experience, to put it lightly. Seeing Bono & the boys is something on my own "bucket list," so I left quite fulfilled. The fact U2 played over two hours of great music--with a little Amazing Grace thrown in--was more than I was expecting. The best songs, in my mind: "Elevation," "Amazing Grace/Where the Streets Have No Name," "City of Blinding Lights," "Sunday Bloody Sunday," "One." Hard to narrow it down from there! Getting to see Muse as the opener was awesome too, but there was no doubt U2 met and exceeded the lofty expectations of a raucous Houston crowd.

(Pictures courtesy of the Houston Press)

CD Review: Relient K - Forget and Now Slow Down

2009-10-06T12:42:00.010-05:00

Annnnnnd I'm back into blogging! Though my few (if any) followers have little assurance that I won't go into a Howard Hughes-like disappearance again, I'm wholeheartedly giving consistent writing another shot. And look at the fancy new theme--fashioned after another movie I love, The Prestige--that means I'm serious, right? I'll jump back into the fray with a music review. Instead of harping on for eternity about individual songs, I'll quickly try to encapsulate the essence of an album, while highlighting songs I enjoyed or admire. Here we go...

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The fusion of life experiences and the timing in which they take place is certainly one of the more peculiar phenomenons people encounter. Usually these events transpire under the weighty circumstances of love, something career-related, or even relocation. It is in the realm of music, however, where one's being and the written words of another sync harmoniously. So it is with my life and the little-Christian-rock-band-that could, Relient K. The boys from Dayton, Ohio are back and sounding better than ever with Forget and Not Slow Down. Given their past two efforts seamlessly fused with who I was or where I have been (college, in transition), I shouldn't be surprised lead singer/lyricist Matthew Thiessen seems to be in my head on this one, too.

The title track (and first single) is vintage Thiessen--just the right amount of catchy rock to get stuck in your head, while clever/poignant enough to make an impact. First-time listeners and die hard fans alike will discover a variety of sounds on Forget. As the band has aged, the more noticeable punk influences have faded, resulting in some occasional soft, charming songs like "Savannah." Thiessen has always been something of a romantic, but he also possesses a raw authenticity in his words. Between some of the hardest guitar play the band's ever featured and the laid-back acoustic nature, the album flows surprisingly well. This is definitely a Relient K-sounding CD, yet the group sounds so comfortable broadening that sound as they mature; a great thing for the fans.

My favorites:
-"Therapy"
-"Savannah"
-"Forget and Not Slow Down"
-"Candlelight"

My Top 10 Movies of 2008 -- 1-5

2009-06-11T02:40:00.004-05:00

The Top 10, Cont'd

5. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

"I was gonna listen to that, but then, um, I just carried on living my life."

Yet another romantic comedy to crack the list, Sarah Marshall does an excellent job of portraying the harsh brutality of a severe breakup, while never failing (or stopping) to hilariously entertain. This one grew on me all year--I assumed a rom-com in my Top 5 would be impossible. The charm of the male/female leads, the believability factor (much of it was based on writer/star Jason Segel's life), and some very clever writing all add up to a movie with little fluff--and it's much better for it.

4. Iron Man

"They say that the best weapon is the one you never have to fire. I respectfully disagree. I prefer the weapon you only have to fire once. That's how Dad did it, that's how America does it...and it's worked out pretty well so far."

What a year for Robert Downey Jr--his roles as playboy weapons genius Tony Stark and hardcore method actor Kirk Lazarus (Tropic Thunder) have him back in the good graces of audiences nationwide. Downey's always been respected for his talent, but he makes Iron Man his movie, to the point where no one else would seem right for this franchise. Downey's Stark is a spoiled but troubled prodigy, but it is the actor's talent that gradually shows the clouded morality of a hidden hero. Actor-turned-director Jon Favreau makes this one of the more enjoyable moveis of the year, and doesn't botch the action sequences like many others would have. Can't wait to see the next adventure for this legitimate man of steel.

3. Slumdog Millionaire

"Money and women. The reasons for make most mistakes in life. Looks like you've mixed up both."

Director Danny Boyle is often cited as the "Spielberg of Britain" due to his versatility behind the camera. From Trainspotting to 28 Days Later to Sunshine, he is clearly fearless in choosing his projects. While without a doubt being the unexpected gem of the year, it's no surprise then Boyle handles the Dickensian tale Slumdog Millionaire so masterfully. Like Little Miss Sunshine before it, this indie drama crept up on audiences nationwide via preliminary Oscar talks and massive internet buzz. Considering Boyle used both children and largely inexperienced actors in crafting this wonderful tale of love, poverty, and destiny, it deserves every accolade. Try not to get swept away by this film, I dare ya!

2. WALL-E

"Too much garbage in your face? There's plenty of space out in space! BnL StarLiners leaving each day. We'll clean up the mess while you're away."

It would probably save me some trouble if I just reserved a spot in my Top 10 every year for Pixar. Outside of Cars, their films have never failed to impress or entertain. WALL-E is the most ambitious Pixar creation to date, throwing a Cast Away-like first half at the viewer, then wading into the grim waters of social justice and moral responsibility in the second. It's not out of the ordinary for Pixar films to cater their clever humor to adults, but this time they've pointed their arrow at our generations. While children will love WALL-E solely for the loveable robots, we definitely walk away with more to stew on. If this is Pixar going out on a limb, exploring new territory, being curious as to their potential...let's see more of it.

1. The Dark Knight

"Those mob fools want you gone so they can get back to the way things were. But I know the truth: there's no going back. You've changed things...forever."

By no means my favorite quote from the best movie of 2008, but easily the most applicable. I could have (and have been meaning to) dedicate an entire blog post to the performances found in this movie. Absolutely everyone is noteworthy, but special kudos to Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, and Gary Oldman. What stands out more to me is the scope of this movie. What Christopher Nolan and crew have done with The Dark Knight is nothing less than a turning point for all future "superhero" or comic-book adaptations. This is the film all the rest will aspire to be, and adversely, the film audiences should come to expect from the genre. Using daft story-telling, rock solid performances from top to bottom, and a real-world feel never fully realized in superhero movies before it, The Dark Knight stands alone as one of the truly best films of the 2000s.

My Top 5 Performances of the Year

1. Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
2. Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
3. Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
4. Robert Downey, Jr., Iron Man
5. Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married

HM -- Aaron Eckhart, The Dark Knight

My Top 10 Movies of 2008 -- 6-10

2009-06-11T01:32:00.000-05:00

Last year I posted my Top 10 of 2007 shortly into the new year, and I had planned to do the same for my '08 list. Alas, Lady Procrastination had her way with me, and this sucker got pushed back to mid-JUNE. And I call myself a movie buff...

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2008 was a very strange year in cinema! We saw the continued rise of legitimate comic-book superhero movies as mega blockbusters and even award contenders (Dark Knight, Iron Man). Animated films like WALL-E and Kung-Fu Panda proved yet again how solid a film from that genre can contribute. Comebacks were a major story in the year, as Robert Downey Jr. and Mickey Rourke showed you can always come back strong.

As with 2007, a few of my favorite movies in '08 emerged before the fall/winter Oscar season. This was the first year in awhile where I did see all of the Best Picture nominees, as well as other contenders I was curious about. So while I may not be as truly excited about 2008 as years' past, it was still a fantastic year in film.

Here are my favorites...

Honorable Mentions: (Just missed the cut)

15. Role Models
14. In Bruges
13. Gran Torino
12. Quantum of Solace
11. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Top 10:

10. [rec]

"Good evening, this is Angela Vidal speaking. Tonight on "While You're Asleep" we'll accompany a team of firemen on their rounds through the city. Not only that, but we'll see things never revealed: how they live, sleep, what they eat. We'll get an inside look at this fire station. Join us for 'While You're Asleep'."

I don't have the keenest eye for international indie films, but I took note of this 2007 Spanish horror gem due to the great online word of mouth. It almost pains me to have two similar films in a Top 10 (Cloverfield), but both were made differently using the same style. You follow the duo of cameraman and reporter following firemen for an evening, when a routine call becomes unthinkably frightening. Simply put, [rec] is a good bet to scare the pants off you, something American producers agreed with in importing a shot-for-shot remake to American theaters only one year later (Quarantine).

9. Definitely, Maybe

"Did you know that penguins mate for life? Although, Mr. Monell told us that sometimes the husband and wife penguins get separated because of their migraine patterns."

Released on Valentine's Day weekend, this little rom-com couldn't be more pidgeon-holed...and subsequently ignored. Ryan Reynolds gives one of the best performances of his career as a guy reminiscing his romantic history, but top acting dibs go to Isla Fisher. What sets apart Definitely, Maybe is the lack of a certain utterly annoying yet all-too-common factor in modern romantic comedies--predictability. This screenplay isn't afraid to lead the viewer through a maze to get to its conclusion, but you'll like the journey. In that sense, it's like a slightly more serious movie version of the TV sitcom "How I Met Your Mother."

8. The Wrestler

"I'm an old broken down piece of meat and I deserve to be all alone, I just don't want you to hate me."

'Witness the resurrection of Mickey Rourke.' That's the tagline for one of the more talked-about films in 2008, The Wrestler. From Requiem to The Fountain to Wrestler, director Darren Aronofsky seems to love floating through genres in order to sculp material that challenges everyone involved in the production. Rourke literally carries this heart-wrenching story, with great support from Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood. Be prepared, though; the emotions present here are just as raw and bloody as the wrestlers getting in the ring.

7. Cloverfield

"Okay, just to be clear here, our options are: die here, die in the tunnels, or die in the streets. That pretty much it?"

Ah, the JJ Abrams Magic Touch. I remember seeing the first teaser trailer for this at my first viewing of Transformers and leaving the theater speeding home towards Google. Abrams keeps his take on the monster/survival/chaos thriller incredibly simple, consequently establishing complete control over the audience's experience. Filmed from a character's point of view on a handheld digital camera, Cloverfield is instantly immersive, with the script doing an adequate job in the time alotted to make you feel for and like these characters before the chaos hits. Next up for Abrams & writer/director Drew Goddard--a horror movie simply titled Cabin in the Woods.

6. Frost/Nixon

"But that was before I really understood the reductive power of the close-up, because David had succeeded on that final day, in getting for a fleeting moment what no investigative journalist, no state prosecutor, no judiciary committee or political enemy had managed to get; Richard Nixon's face swollen and ravaged by loneliness, self-loathing and defeat. The rest of the project and its failings would not only be forgotten, they would totally cease to exist."

This movie had many things going for it before I ever walked in the theater--Ron Howard behind the lens, a truly fantastic ensemble cast, and dynamic historical material to work with. Ever the history buff, that last point hits home for me. But while some have criticized Howard's quasi-documentary style for Frost/Nixon, it only aids in immersing the viewer in the importance and weight of the circumstances presented. It's really a one man show though, as Frank Langella gives an incredible performance as the "I'm not a crook" President. This film could easily bore you to tears, but thanks to the momentum established by Langella and Michael Sheen, the verbal sparring is riveting.

Check back tomorrow for the second half of my Top 10, aka Payton's Shameless Attempt at More Comments.

-PB

The soundtrack of my life

2009-05-29T14:48:00.004-05:00

At long last, my triumphant personal return to blogging (it's only been nine months)! I originally intended to publish this on my birthday...but I'm lazy. One of these years I'll grow up and get my act together! Perhaps I'm turning cynical in my old age (ha!), but it's getting harder to acknowledge these special days. The common theme on my birthday weekend was good friends and a loving family, and they all fought to remind me this day holds significance!

Music is a lens in which life can be viewed a few different ways. It can be the companion to heartache, the bounce in your step, the stirring in your innermost you. As I look back on my 23 full years, these are the songs that would go on my All-Time Life Playlist, so-to-speak. They are the best combination of my personal favorite songs, while also being applicable or special in my journey thus far. Enjoy!

1. Led Zeppelin - Ramble On

2. Death Cab for Cutie - Soul Meets Body

3. Jimmy Eat World - Kill

4. U2 - With or Without You

5. Goo Goo Dolls - Here is Gone

6. Foo Fighters - Everlong

7. Coldplay - Warning Sign

8. Third Eye Blind - Blinded

9. Relient K - I Am Understood

10. Coldplay - Swallowed in the Sea

11. Jimmy Eat World - 23

12. The Killers - All These Things That I've Done

13. Explosions in the Sky - Your Hand in Mine

Four years ago, today

2008-09-22T13:00:00.003-05:00

...It all began...

Happy Anniversary, Oceanic Flight 815!

May the Schwartz be with you!

2008-07-24T15:42:00.005-05:00

Still recovering from the awesomeness that was The Dark Knight, but rest assured, a lengthy Batman-only post is coming. Gotta love the exhaustion that follows a week of hard work. It's a satisfying feeling--thank goodness it's the weekend!

Top Five...Dark Helmet quotes from Spaceballs:

"Before you die there is something you should know about us, Lone Star."
"What?"
"I am your father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate."
"What's that make us?"
"Absolutely nothing! Which is what you are about to become."

"Say goodbye to your two best friends, and I don't mean your pals in the Winnebago."

"You have the ring, and I see your Schwartz is as big as mine. Let's see how well you handle it."

"AH, BUCKLE THIS! Ludicrous speed--GO!"

"So, Lone Star, now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb."

"No, no, no. Go past this. Pass this part. In fact, never play this again."

"No you fool, we're following orders. We were told to comb the desert so we're combing it."

More than five, but he's just too funny! More to come.

Coming clean

2008-07-15T10:33:00.002-05:00

I lied, kind of dug myself into a hole...there is no Part 2. I thought I'd have some dramatic finale, an appropriate way to sum up the last few years of my life in blog form while also offering a look at the present. What I've found is that things are way too kinetic right now to offer an honest take on things. If Sarah Connor is right and there's "no fate but what we make," then I'll just keep on keeping on and try to update this thing along the way.

Top Five...Things I love most about The Dark Knight so far:

1. The viral marketing campaign that's taken place the last year-and-a-half
2. Joker-isms from the trailers ("...better class of criminal..." / "You'll see, I'll show you" / "And here...we...go.")
3. The opening prologue (bank heist), also known as the 6 minutes shown in front of I Am Legend-IMAX back in December
4. The fact my favorite critic James Berardinelli gave it four stars (hasn't given that out since 2006)
5. The soundtrack, by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard

Hold on to your butts! --Part 1

2008-07-10T15:39:00.005-05:00

I am 23 years old, and some days I feel like I'm back in junior high. Aren't I supposed to be older than this? Wiser? Not as juvenile? I have things in my life I need to work on; some large and important (money), some small and inconsequential (laundry). But I think the root of these basic flaws lies in the fact that I, like so many humans, am striving to find that something more. Whether you define 'more' as a person, a situation, a job--that's up to you.

In the past, instead of feeling empowered to pursue this missing puzzle piece in my life, I felt empty and lazy. I became cornered into a nonchalant philosophy that did me no good. I became inconsistent and unreliable. I started relationships with people that I didn’t care about and didn’t want to care about. I was wasting time.

I was drifting. Watching the world evolve around me and not feeling fulfilled enough to know that I was a part of it. I wanted nothing more than to be the person that I know I am. To share love, kindness, goodness with the world around me. But the world is also dark, and cold. And that kind of intimidation pushed my true feelings and yearnings into suppression, leaving me more emotionally distant than I let on. I kept going through the motions with people that deserved better, all the while settling for one more night with not enough sleep; one more trip to McDonalds for the “convenience” of a dollar menu item.

This stagnant lifestyle came to a head a few months ago. One of my favorite things to do when I need to collect myself is taking a night drive. There's something calming to me about just hitting the highway and cruising for awhile. Totally alone with my thoughts, or finding solace in whatever music I set my iPod to play. Instead of taking that night drive, I drove around the neighborhood for all of ten minutes, during which I convinced myself that the price of gas had taken that ability away from me.

Lester Burnham once said that "it's a great thing when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself."

What I did in that moment truly surprised me. It's one thing to talk to others about turning to God, to tell your friends how you always pray, etc. It's something else entirely when the rubber meets the road, and you can turn to the things of the world as a solution to your problems/frustration/negativity, or you can turn to Door #2, which obviously requires a lot more faith. I started talking to God again, like I used to...like I did in junior high. The rest, as they say, is history.

Lately I've been legitimately trying to keep my life in line with what He wants. I get the feeling he knows I'm trying, too...because when I've most needed help, when I've most been looking for a swift kick in the pants, when I've most needed a push to get somewhere--He's shown me the door, cracked open the window, and gave me the shovel to dig myself out. Now, months later, I'm here in a city I love, working at something challenging but enjoyable for me.

And then out of nowhere, right as I start to get comfy--He takes a 2x4 to my face and leaves me questioning so much. I feel completely flabbergasted, totally overwhelmed, yet strangely determined all at once.

You'll understand why when you read Part 2.

"...I will find you!"

2008-07-08T10:31:00.003-05:00

Every now and then I go through a phase where I don't listen to music, per say. Rather, I pop in a recently burned CD, or turn to an iPod playlist, and enjoy some of my favorite film composers' best works. Recently, I've been overcome with Randy Edelman's score for Last of the Mohicans (Promontory--the epic from the end "fight") and Zimmer/Howard's score for The Dark Knight. Music in film has the ability to aid or hinder it...a powerful score adds insight and emotional resonance. I'll let some famous directors comment more eloquently than I could:

Q: In what way does music best enhance film?

"Too broad a question. Let's just say it covers a multitude of sins." -Woody Allen

"The best soundtrack music by-passes your mind and goes straight to your soul. It sort of trips something in your brain, you know you're being transported." -Cameron Crowe

"By revealing something that is not dealt with in the rest of the movie. It should be treated as another leading characters." -Sidney Lumet

"In the obvious way: Music or its absence is the soul of the film." -Fernando Meirelles

"Music and cinema fit together naturally. Because there's a kind of intrinsic musicality to the way moving images work when they're put together. It's been said that cinema and music are very close as art forms, and I think that's true." -Martin Scorsese

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Top Five...Film composers of the last 25 years: (some of my favorite scores in parenthesis)

1. Thomas Newman (Road to Perdition, Finding Nemo, Meet Joe Black, The Shawshank Redemption, Pay it Forward, Cinderella Man, so many others)
2. John Williams (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Saving Private Ryan)
3. Hans Zimmer (Crimson Tide, The Thin Red Line, Gladiator)
4. James Newton Howard (Shyamalan movies, King Kong, The Dark Knight
5. Danny Elfman (Batman, Mission: Impossible, Spider-Man)

Honorable Mentions:
-James Horner (Titanic, Glory, Braveheart)
-Michael Kamen (Band of Brothers, The Iron Giant, Mr. Holland's Opus)
-Howard Shore (Lord of the Rings, Se7en, Silence of the Lambs)
-Ennio Morricone (The Mission, The Untouchables)
-Nick Cave, Clint Mansell (Jesse James, Smokin' Aces)

Folie a deux...a madness shared by two

2008-07-07T10:22:00.002-05:00

Folie à deux
Pronunciation: \fȯ-lē-ä-ˈdœ, ˌfä-lē-ˌä-ˈdə(r)\

Function: noun

Etymology: French, literally, double madness

Date: circa 1892

Definition: The presence of the same or similar delusional ideas in two persons closely associated with one another.

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This rare psychotic disorder is the only feasible way I can describe yesterday's Wimbledon final. The latest edition of Federer/Nadal will no doubt he hyped as a "changing of the guard," a sure sign the world's greatest tennis player has reached the back nine of his career. I don't care about all that, to be honest. Having grown up on Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi playing well into their 30s, both Federer and Nadal are still very young, and certainly in their prime.

What blew my mind, melted my face off, left me drooling, etc was the ebb and flow of this match; the rollercoaster effect, if you will. Nadal stormed out of the gates to take a commanding (and demoralizing) two set lead on the 5-time defending champion. Nadal looked crisp, was hitting the big shots, and generally not making many mistakes...and then the rains came. To heighten the suspense, keep in mind that up to this point, Roger hadn't lost a match at the All England Club since Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" was #1 and the first "Spider-Man" had just come out. That he had not dropped a set in the tournament until facing Nadal is the status quo for Roger, always overlooked, but incredibly impressive.

Federer came out after the first rain delay looking like the world's #1 player. Rafa hadn't given up, nor was he resting on his comfy lead--he was simply being outplayed (albeit barely). Before you could blink, Federer had evened things up 2-2 after consecutive tiebreakers. The fifth set was exhausting (longest Wimbledon final ever, difficult (the lighting became a factor), and thrilling. Both men fought heroically, as displayed by their 8-8 fifth set finale. In the end, you can point to Nadal's youth and quick adaptation to grass to explain his win, or focus on Federer converting only 1 out of 13 break chances to justify his loss.

All I know is that at the end of the day, this is up there with the following matches as being truly special to me:
Sampras/Agassi - 1995 US Open
Sampras/Federer - 2000 Wimbledon
Sampras/Agassi - 2001-2002 US Open
Sampras/Roddick - 2002 US Open
Federer/Roddick - 2004 Wimbledon
Federer/Nadal - 2007-2008 Wimbledon

"You'll see, I'll show you."

2008-07-02T01:09:00.003-05:00

I'm running out of adjectives to describe my giddiness for The Dark Knight. It's becoming hard for me now to not just assume/expect that this movie is going to be spectacular. They say a picture's worth a thousand words...

"Big Gulps, eh guys? Well, see ya later!"

2008-06-23T10:07:00.003-05:00

Top Five...random questions on a Monday morning:

1. If Doc Brown were alive and well in 2008, what would the modern day DeLorean be?
2. If it's called Vacation Bible School, why do we meet at our home church?
3. Is Jolly Rancher the most random candy name of all time? Think about it.
4. Why is the man who invests all your money called a 'broker'?
5. Why is yawning so instantly contagious?

Altar/Alter

2008-06-19T22:45:00.003-05:00

Top Five...Uplift quotes:

1. "Brick, where'd you get a hand grenade?!"
2. "I didn't think the hug would be this smelly."
3. (An anonymous camper talking to me about Indiana Jones 4) "That guy has his own series? Whose idea was that?"
4. "Plastic Fantastic!"
5. "Speaking of heading out--this is my home, it ain't yours. So you ain't gotta leave, but you can't stay here. Peace."

If there's half a chance in this moment
When your eyes meet mine, we show it off

Viva La Vida

2008-06-16T11:14:00.002-05:00

What a difference a week makes! Sheryl Crow put it best when she said "a change could do you good." I'm back at Harding this week for Uplift, and while this week is one of my favorites of the year, being back at this place is invokes different feelings. For all the memories and fun had on this campus, there's been equal/more amounts of anxiety, frustration, and embarrassment. The theme of our Uplift class this year has to do with taking the road less traveled; the path in life that requires perseverance, patience, and humility. And while I'm just the corny game-show host for an object lesson during the class, the message hits home in a powerful way for me...no matter how many times a day I hear it. It's such a reflection of my own life--the enjoyment of being young and irresponsible, crossed with the powerful and inventive ways God helps me come back to him. Being on this campus will always make me smile; but it also serves as a sharp reminder of how much I've screwed up. The light at the end of the tunnel, the good news about this "road less traveled" is that we don't walk it blindly. I've learned that the hard way, but I'm better off for it.

Top Five...Acappella songs:

1. Well On My Way
2. Rescue
3. Teaching the Truth in Love
4. Everybody Said
5. Abba Father

Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost

2008-06-12T02:18:00.004-05:00

Top Five...quotes for this week:

1. "I think everything we're trying to do at the moment is about not starting again so much as breaking down what we've built up before and trying to build something different and hopefully better, or worse in a good way. And this song is one of our favorites, because none of us are doing anything on it that we've ever done before. But we really enjoy playing it. The longer you go on as a band, the harder it is to surprise yourself." -Chris Martin, about the title-track of Coldplay's newest album

2. "Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport..." -Jim McKay

3. "I've decided never to decide another thing again." -Chaos Theory

4. (Actual email to ESPN's Bill Simmons) I've noticed in your columns that you refer to the "TD Banknorth Garden" as "Whatever The Hell The Garden Is Called." We at TD Bank spent over $100 million purchasing the naming rights to the Garden. We would appreciate if you mentioned the "TD Banknorth Garden" by its proper name. With your large number of readers, it would make our investment worthwhile. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Ed Clark, president & CEO of TD Bank

5. "I feel like the best version of myself when I’m with you…and that makes me doubt everything else." -Keeping the Faith

Championship Vinyl

2008-06-08T00:40:00.003-05:00

It's been over four months since my last blog post...yikes. In the time since my last post, my favorite sports team has won the national championship, LOST: Season 4 has run its course, I've made a major life change by moving to Houston for the next few years, Coldplay has come out with a masterpiece, and we finally have our two candidates for President. Anyway--I'm going to give consistency an honest shot this summer, starting now. This reboot comes complete with some purdy new colors and a new theme from one of my favorite flicks, "High Fidelity." After all, what better day to start something fresh than the day you were born? (Edit--didn't get this finished in time...crap)

I'll keep it short and sweet tonight--

Top Five...thoughts on my birthday:

1. I need to work out daily more than I already am (at least an hour). Eating out so much is not helping, but neither does being ridiculously skinny.
2. What a month for sports championships--Red Wings/Penguins makes the NHL "cool" again to younger viewers, and Lakers/Celtics is about as good as it gets.
3. The age-old battle of Head vs. Heart tends to fatigue both combatants pretty quickly.
4. I really, really, really wish Houston had a better public transportation system. I envy some of my buddies in Dallas...AHEM, Fireman Dan
5. I definitely feel a year older. Not in a 'cooler' or 'more adult' sense, but in a 'miles traveled' way. Maybe Indy was right--"It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage."

-PB

Christopher Nolan on Heath Ledger

2008-01-27T23:35:00.000-06:00

Taken from Newsweek, this a very cool memorandum from Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan on the kind of actor/person Heath Ledger was. Really good stuff.

One night, as I’m standing on LaSalle Street in Chicago, trying to line up a shot for “The Dark Knight,” a production assistant skateboards into my line of sight. Silently, I curse the moment that Heath first skated onto our set in full character makeup. I’d fretted about the reaction of Batman fans to a skateboarding Joker, but the actual result was a proliferation of skateboards among the younger crew members. If you’d asked those kids why they had chosen to bring their boards to work, they would have answered honestly that they didn’t know. That’s real charisma—as invisible and natural as gravity. That’s what Heath had.

Heath was bursting with creativity. It was in his every gesture. He once told me that he liked to wait between jobs until he was creatively hungry. Until he needed it again. He brought that attitude to our set every day. There aren’t many actors who can make you feel ashamed of how often you complain about doing the best job in the world. Heath was one of them.

One time he and another actor were shooting a complex scene. We had two days to shoot it, and at the end of the first day, they’d really found something and Heath was worried that he might not have it if we stopped. He wanted to carry on and finish. It’s tough to ask the crew to work late when we all know there’s plenty of time to finish the next day. But everyone seemed to understand that Heath had something special and that we had to capture it before it disappeared. Months later, I learned that as Heath left the set that night, he quietly thanked each crew member for working late. Quietly. Not trying to make a point, just grateful for the chance to create that they’d given him.

Those nights on the streets of Chicago were filled with stunts. These can be boring times for an actor, but Heath was fascinated, eagerly accepting our invitation to ride in the camera car as we chased vehicles through movie traffic—not just for the thrill ride, but to be a part of it. Of everything. He’d brought his laptop along in the car, and we had a high-speed screening of two of his works-in-progress: short films he’d made that were exciting and haunting. Their exuberance made me feel jaded and leaden. I’ve never felt as old as I did watching Heath explore his talents. That night I made him an offer—knowing he wouldn’t take me up on it—that he should feel free to come by the set when he had a night off so he could see what we were up to.

When you get into the edit suite after shooting a movie, you feel a responsibility to an actor who has trusted you, and Heath gave us everything. As we started my cut, I would wonder about each take we chose, each trim we made. I would visualize the screening where we’d have to show him the finished film—sitting three or four rows behind him, watching the movements of his head for clues to what he was thinking about what we’d done with all that he’d given us. Now that screening will never be real. I see him every day in my edit suite. I study his face, his voice. And I miss him terribly.

Back on LaSalle Street, I turn to my assistant director and I tell him to clear the skateboarding kid out of my line of sight when I realize—it’s Heath, woolly hat pulled low over his eyes, here on his night off to take me up on my offer. I can’t help but smile.

Top 10 of 2007, Redux

2008-01-27T01:34:00.002-06:00

WELP, I've seen some more contenders that I had wanted to see before I made this list, so I wanted to revise it a bit. No major changes except for the inclusion of Into the Wild, one of the most impressive films of 2007. It forges a spot in my top 3 due to magnificent atmosphere, message, and technical prowess. As much as I was anticipating There Will Be Blood, I left the theater extremely disappointed with PTA. Daniel Day-Lewis was epic, as usual, but I found it to be PTA's sloppiest film by far. A beauty to look at though, as always. Here's my Top 10, Version 1.5...

Honorable Mentions:

15. Knocked Up
14. Ocean's Thirteen
13. Superbad
12. I Am Legend
11. Juno

The Top 10:

10. 3:10 to Yuma
9. Ratatouille
8. The Kingdom
7. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
6. Zodiac
5. Atonement
4. Gone Baby Gone
3. Into the Wild
2. The Bourne Ultimatum
1. No Country for Old Men

Rock Chalk Jayhawk -- Midseason Report

2008-01-21T13:55:00.001-06:00

Well, my beloved Jayhawks have finally entered Big 12 conference play. To be totally honest, I didn't think we'd be 18-0 coming into it, either, so the level of play I've seen from my boys has been quite the surprise. There were too many "ifs" present on this team for even their biggest fan to justify a preseason undefeated prediction. Rush's knee, Collins's foot, post presence, heart. This group has always had the talent to succeed, but the will to put away opponents and play their high octane brand of basketball on both ends of the floor has sometimes been questioned. Not anymore; at least, not from me.

High Points:
1. Team unity--With all the early injuries, I had my doubts about how well the regular starting 5 would play together once they all were back on the floor. But I underestimated the three years of growth they've all endured through their Big 12 challenges and early NCAA tournament losses. Now, they're all playing together like seasoned veterans, even though some pieces have been added along the way (Darrell Arthur, Sherron Collins).
2. Big men--The play of senior Darnell Jackson has been nothing short of heroic. I've observed him his entire career, and he's never played with this much fire. The guy's playing 24 minutes a game (2nd lowest of the starting 5) and leading the team in rebounding, while also coming just a hair behind fellow big man Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers for 3rd in scoring. He's been aggressive (upped his RPG by 2), smart (67% from the field!), and an overall team leader on this squad. Arthur has been exceptional as well--together, they give the Jayhawks a dynamic duo of fluid big men to run the floor...something Sasha Kaun simply cannot provide. Let's just hope Arthur doesn't declare for the draft.
3. Bill Self--This is the Bill Self I've been waiting for since he came over from Illinois. I want the mean, motivating, blue-collar defense Bill Self, not the "Ive been to Final Fours, my team will be fine without me" Bill Self. The coach has been fantastic this year, not letting his talented team rest on their laurels at any point this season. See for instance KU's blowout of Loyola of Maryland, which for Self was apparently not a well-executed victory. He knows the limits, but I really hope he continues to ride these guys into conference play. The last thing they need is to 1) get overconfident 2) get in a trap game (hello, Mizzou) 3) choke in the NCAA Tournament again

Low Points:
1. Sasha Kaun--I was really hoping he would make his senior year special, but the 7-footer just doesn't seem to have the hustle necessary for this running team. He's upped his PPG and FG% from last year, but I just don't see a presence from him like I do from Jackson/Arthur.
2. For as long as I've watched this current squad, the potential is always there for them to lose focus and drop a few games in these dog days of winter. Don't get me wrong, Big 12 play pretty much guarantees a good matchup, but the Jayhawks have one of/if not the best starting 5 in the nation. The confidence and poise they've played with on offense AND defense should be present in every game.

Future:
1. Big games ahead--1/30 @ Kansas State could be an upset if KU isn't mentally prepared. Super freshman Michael Beasley teaming with RS freshman Bill Walker has me scared of the Wildcats. 2/11 @ Texas is always a tough place to play, but DJ Augustin is one of the best PGs in America. Oh well, at least Rick Barnes is coaching the Horns. 3/8 @ A&M reeks makes me nervous, partly because I still have nightmares about Acie Law. Mark Turgeon's a good coach, and while the Aggies have lost some depth, they've still got some great pieces in Joseph Jones and DeAndre Jordan.
2. The NCAA Tournament--I'd be lying if I said I didn't have high expectations for this team. I love their chances in the tournament, because they have all the ingredients you need for a good run--solid post play, 2-3 scoring guards, good coaching, and defense. KU is the only team in the nation to rank in the Top 5 in both Offensive and Defensive Efficiency (4th for each last I checked). That speaks volumes for how well-built they are for the Big Dance.

My Top 10 Movies of 2007

2008-01-14T14:56:00.000-06:00

2007 has been an incredible year in cinema for me. Assembling this list was both easy and difficult; there were so many excellent films, yet so few spaces in a Top 10. I'd love to call an audible and branch out to 15 spots, but I'm just going to use 15-11 as Honorable Mentions. I have never done more than 10, but there's too many good films to talk about. I have seen virtually every major release I've wanted to before making this list, but a few potential Top 5 spoilers could warrant future editing. Until then, here we go...

Apologies To:

-There Will Be Blood
-Into the Wild
-The Assassination of Jesse James
-Michael Clayton
-The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Honorable Mentions:

15. Charlie Wilson's War
14. 1408
13. Knocked Up
12. Ocean's Thirteen
11. I Am Legend

The Top 10:

10. Juno
"What's the prognosis, Fertile Myrtle?"

9. Ratatouille
"After reading a lot of overheated puffery about your new cook, you know what I'm craving? A little perspective. That's it. I'd like some fresh, clear, well seasoned perspective. Can you suggest a good wine to go with that?"

8. 3:10 to Yuma
"If I don't go, we gotta pack up and leave. Now I'm tired, Alice. I'm tired of watching my boys go hungry. I'm tired of the way that they look at me. I'm tired of the way that you don't."

7. The Kingdom
"The end comes no matter what, the only thing that matters is how do you wanna go out, on your feet or on your knees? I bring that lesson to this job. I act, knowing that someday this job will end, no matter what. You should do the same."

6. Superbad
"The guy's either going think 'here's another guy with a fake ID', or here's McLovin, 25-year-old Hawaiian organ donor. Okay? So what's it gonna be?"

5. Gone Baby Gone
"Kids forgive, they don't judge, they turn the other cheek, and what do they get for it?"

4. Atonement
"I can become again the man who once crossed the surrey park at dusk, in my best suit, swaggering on the promise of life."

3. Zodiac
"Do you know more people die in the East Bay commute every three months than that idiot ever killed? He offed a few citizens, wrote a few letters, then faded into footnote...Not that I haven't been sitting here idly, waiting for you to drop by and reinvigorate my sense of purpose."

2. The Bourne Ultimatum
"Do you even know why you're supposed to kill me? Look at us. Look at what they make you give."

1. No Country for Old Men
"The crime you see now, it's hard to even take its measure. It's not that I'm afraid of it. I always knew you had to be willing to die to even do this job. But I don't want to push my chips forward and go out and meet something I don't understand. A man would have to put his soul at hazard. He'd have to say 'Okay...I'll be part of this world.'"

This can't be right...

2008-01-01T04:00:00.000-06:00

My site is worth $59,048,640.
How much is yours worth?

Yale Book of Quotations -- Top 10 Quotes of '07

2007-12-19T19:44:00.000-06:00

10. "I think as far as the adverse impact on the nation around the world, this administration has been the worst in history." -- Former President Jimmy Carter in an interview in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette newspaper.

9. "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that's a storybook, man." -- Biden describing rival Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

8. "(I have) a wide stance when going to the bathroom." -- Idaho Republican Sen. Larry Craig's explanation of why his foot touched that of an undercover policeman in a men's room.

7. "I'm not going to get into a name-calling match with somebody (Vice President Dick Cheney) who has a 9 percent approval rating." -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat.

6. "There's only three things he (Republican presidential candidate and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani) mentions in a sentence: a noun and a verb and 9/11." -- Sen. Joseph Biden, speaking at a Democratic presidential debate.

5. "I don't recall." -- Former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' repeated response to questioning at a congressional hearing about the firing of U.S. attorneys.

4. "That's some nappy-headed hos there." -- Shock jock Don Imus comments about the Rutgers University women's basketball team.

3. "In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country." -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's October comment at Columbia University in New York.

2. "I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don't have maps and I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and Iraq and everywhere like such as and I believe that they should our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S. or should help South Africa and should help Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future for us." -- South Carolina Miss Teen America contestant Lauren Upton when asked why one-fifth of Americans are unable to locate the United States on a map.

1. "Don't Tase Me, Bro!" -- the plea made by University of Florida student Andrew Meyer on September 17, accompanied by Meyer's screams as he was tased and thrown out of a speech by Sen. John Kerry

Why so serious?

2007-12-05T01:47:00.001-06:00

And people wonder why they spend so much time and effort on their online marketing campaign. That's why.

I am Jack's smirking revenge

2007-11-25T18:52:00.000-06:00

If my life ever felt like "The Twilight Zone," it's after I pull off a marathon journey either to or from home/college. I may not be hearing the exact theme music to the popular show, but there's a distinct ringing in my head that is definitely making me a bit delirious. This is a euphoric feeling--I'm completely physically and mentally exhausted, even though all I did was stay up all night sitting in a car, yet it takes such a toll on your body. I feel awful from fast food, from the time zone and geography change, and of course, CLASS in roughly twelve hours. In a lot of ways, it reminds me of The Narrator from Fight Club. Ed Norton portrays the insomniac as a desperate person void of a normal existence. But there's a chaotic glory in the way this sleepy social parasite floats through his life. I'd imagine what I feel after a long trip is what The Narrator feels like 24/7...well, before Fight Club anyway.

At the same time, I LOVE this euphoric feeling of accomplishment. Remember in elementary school when you'd get ribbons at the science fair, or be awarded a team sports medallion or trophy? That feeling of pure excitement, even though what you had "accomplished" might not have even been as significant as you thought. It didn't matter, because it only had to mean something to you. I love driving long distances. And while I can sometimes be pretty stubborn or unsafe in how I do it, it always leaves me satisfied to come away from a trip without incident and ticket-less. Oh, and I always make good time. I am Payton's unconscious smile.

2007-11-19T17:30:00.000-06:00

BEST show on TV.

Coca-Cola product placement

2007-11-17T20:16:00.001-06:00

Coming to you live from Dallas, Texas! I'm leaving to drive home in a little bit, but it's been a good weekend. Aside from my favorite hockey team getting killed by the local one (and the ensuing walk of shame that followed), there's not much to complain about. One of my favorite movies to watch in nearly any mood if American Beauty. So many themes inside, so many lessons to take away. Kevin Spacey's performance as Lester Burnham is in my mind, one of the best performances of the last 25 years.

One of my favorite lines in a very quotable movie is Lester declaring, "It's a great thing when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself." That line had always stuck out to me, but never been specifically relevant to anything in my life...until now. This weekend hockey trip to Dallas was an oasis, a therapeutic pilgrimage to escape the meandering life of an Arkansas college student. But I got a lot more out of it. I got a big surprise.

I would by no means consider myself 'old' or 'mature.' I do like to throw those words around because I'm in my 20s, however. But with the experience of life comes situations in which you think you have a bead on things. You're pretty sure you've got it all figured out. And then you end up surprising yourself. Maybe the surprise comes because you're different, or because they're different...but when you realize it it's a giant elephant in the room, a not-so-negative scarlet letter. The peace that comes from finally having a real resolution/wisdom about a situation or a someone is only comparable to the feeling of drinking an ice-cold Coke on a blazing hot day. You may not even like Coke, but if you're out in the heat, the wave of refreshment you get from the beverage is heaven on earth. I may be 22, but if the past 36 hours are any indication, I've got so many more surprises ahead of me.

Better go grab a Coke...

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

2007-11-14T17:28:00.000-06:00

So...I pretty much wrote a ton in my inaugural post. I doubt that's a sign of things to come, but it did surprise me. Movies, sports, and busywork essays are possibly the only subject matters that I can vent endlessly on. And since I don't have any more busywork essays for this semester, that only leaves two topics...again, you've been warned.

There are many things I wanted to address on here today, but I'm going to pace myself for the inevitable boredom that will ensue over Thanksgiving break. Despite homework, family, tryptophan, and football, it always ends up happening. Must be a college thing. Anyway--the majority of next week will be a look at various recent sports topics, the highs/lows of returning to school this year, and a summary of the year in film. But for now, I'm going to devote a little time to something extremely dear to my heart; something that has shaped the fabric of my being and hardened me into the grizzled individual you see today:

In the great tradition of Kansas Jayhawk basketball, I give you a preview and analysis of the 2007 Jayhawks by a diehard college basketball/KU fan. And for those of you scoring at home, yes, this is totally the highlight of my day.

2006-2007 Season:
The Jayhawks were a team of youth, fortunate to not lose any/all of their stud freshman trio of Julian Wright, Brandon Rush, and Mario Chalmers to the NBA Draft. With those three anchoring the team, valuable pieces like incumbent PG Russell Robinson provided the veteran edge this team needed. Freshmen spark plugs PF Darrell Arthur and G Sherron Collins came off the bench to ignite the Jayhawks on both ends of the court. Following a slow start to the year, the team gelled mid season, and played the best basketball of any team in the land en route to winning the Big 12 regular season and tournament championships. The team blazed through March Madness before playing their first bad game of basketball against one of the best teams of 2007--the loaded UCLA Bruins. KU lost in the elite to UCLA.

2007-2008 Season:
The offseason was somewhat tumultuous for Bill Self and crew, as to-be-juniors F Julian Wright G/F Brandon Rush declared for the 2007 NBA Draft. Despite previously vowing to not leave Lawrence until graduation, Wright was viewed as a lottery pick, and taken No. 13 by Sacramento. I don't blame him for leaving, and I will very much miss Julian Wright, one of the few players in recent years to truly epitomize the basketball definition of "upside." He is an athletic freak, a natural passer, and a weapon on defense. But man, it couldn't have come at a worse time for Kansas.

Brandon Rush also decided to test the NBA Draft waters, but kept his collegiate eligibility open by not hiring an agent. In a May pre-draft scrimmage, Rush tore his ACL and immediately had surgery. He wisely decided to return to school, and hoped to be back and contributing to the Jayhawks by December. Recent reports have Rush ahead of that schedule, nearing 100%. I just hope he takes his time; we'll need his scoring. In the last week, reserve G Sherron Collins had surgery on a stress fracture in his left foot. Collins was totally unaware of this injury, but he'll be out at least six weeks.

That means the scoring load will fall primarily on G Mario Chalmers and F Darrell Arthur. PG Russell Robinson can get to the lane with his speed, which certainly adds an element to the team; he is not a threat from outside, however. It will be critical for the team that Arthur establishes himself as an athletic force on the low post. Bill Self will know how to capitalize on this team's quickness and pace, so until Brandon Rush can get back and contribute on the wing, this team won't have much size from the outside. I also see a potentially weak bench (only key G and F reserves are somewhat inexperienced or young) being a problem early on as the team gels, as well as late into the season. The one glaring weakness is the lack of a go-to scoring option. In the past, so many of the players have chipped in, or exploded for 20-point outings (Rush, Chalmers, Arthur, Wright, Collins). With the roster being so uncertain right now, what the Jayhawks need is consistency. Whether that's 15/8 from Arthur, or 18/4 from Rush or Chalmers, certain players have to step up.

Final Prediction/On the Horizon:
The Jayhawks begin this years as an extremely talented but unpredictable team (when do they not?). In many ways, being a Jayhawks fan is the ocllege basketball equivalent of being a Chicago Cubs fan. The players and personnel might look great on paper, but the critics will always have the postseason failure card to play. That argument rings true for Kansas this year. I see this team getting fierce Big 12 competition from Texas and Texas A&M (possibly Kansas State as well), but they have the talent to win both conference titles. Barring any early stumbles, a 28-7 type season is what I expect. The talent, however, is still somewhere in the 30-5 range and a Final Four trip. I won't go any bolder than that without knocking on wood. Like Cubbies fans, we're paranoid. I also anticipate Rush and Arthur declaring for the Draft after this year. Their stock was high last year, so I think they'll bolt. Good news for the Lawrence faithful is that Self is an excellent recruiter, and has already locked up a Top 10 recruiting class for next year to potentially replace those losses.

Random Fact of the Day: The only two days of the year in which there are no professional sports games (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL) are the day before and the day after the Major League Baseball All-Star game.

Remember Sammy Jankis...

2007-11-13T20:34:00.001-06:00

For years I've flirted with the idea of maintaining a "serious" blog. This was a time before Facebook (stay calm, reader), when the sounds-like-a-scifi-planet Xanga was the only real challenger to MySpace for supreme domination of online attention. Four years later, my setting hasn't changed, but everything ranging from the Internet to my relationships most certainly have. I never wanted to be that person who kept a blog for the sole purpose of venting feelings. Adversely, I also didn't want to have one and only post random, meaningless stuff 'just because I could.' So, to bridge this gap I'll be doing a lot of both, and probably at the same time. You've been warned.

If you are unfamiliar with the film around which I'm theming this blog, no sweat. The movie in question is Christopher Nolan's Memento, released stateside at Sundance in 2001. Nolan has moved on to greater cinematic fame, directing such blockbusters as Batman Begins, The Prestige, 2008's The Dark Knight. It is his second directorial effort that has been in the upper echelon of my all-time favorite movie list for years. The film revolves around Leonard Shelby, a former insurance claims investigator with anterograde amnesia (short-term memory loss), which he suffered the night his wife was assaulted in their home. Unsympathetic to his mental state of being, Leonard prowls the streets seeking revenge on his wife's real killer. As if this vigilante's disability wasn't enough to interest the viewer, Nolan and his screenwriter brother Jonathan introduce a clever twist into the proceedings--the story is told backwards. Not out of order or jumbled, but in reverse. What your eyes first see is the end of the movie, and from then on this tale of redemption, vengeance, and deceit works its way backwards.

Memento is many things--impressive, manipulative, ingenious; it all depends on who you're talking to. However. the noir-ish settings and overlying twist only help the viewer connect to Leonard in such a unique way. You have no feelings for this man besides sympathy, no reason to care for him. But his dedication/obsession almost warrant the circumstances he unknowingly walks into.

Through it all, Leonard Shelby has had a profound effect on me over the years. Memento was one of the first movies I've ever watched that I immediately started again the minute the credits started rolling (after a short bathroom break, of course). The backwards concept is mind-blowing as it weaves in and out of the plot line, enhancing it exponentially over the course of the running length. Memento is also a movie I regularly go back and watch for the spiritual value it offers me, as strange as that sounds. Yep, it earns its R-rating, and the characters certainly do and say many things we'd label "un-Christian." But the shining light of the film is always Leonard. I love the character (as well as the actor), but I also pity him.

I never want to be a Leonard Shelby in my spiritual life--a man so desperate and narrow-minded that I miss the tremendous positives of the life I lead. Sure, Leonard is avenging his wife, something we'd all assume to be noble. But Leonard's mission and drive changes him into something far from noble. He gets mixed up with the wrong people, regularly acting out the principle of "the end justifies the means," and ignores any chances to get out. And due to his lack of short-term memory, this is no isolated incident. The film never gives the vibe of a tragedy until it's settled into your consciousness over time. I pray I never have that kind of an epiphany about my life. I don't want to be Leonard Shelby.

I hope that posting on this blog is a consistent thing, unlike my old Xanga. I have a feeling it will be; that banner of Leonard is a snapshot of the last few seconds of the film (or first, chronologically), where Leonard finds himself at a gigantic crossroad. To say any more is to spoil a masterpiece, so see the film. As for me, I made it to remind and focus me daily. Who knew a blog could be so impacting?