Well, it's about time for the Academy Awards again and in the rush to see some of the nominated movies, I just got back from The Reader. I have seen 3/5 films nominated for best picture, and in my biased opinion the best three. I saw Slumdog Millionaire when I was home for Thanksgiving break with my family, and Milk and The Reader here in DC. I really enjoyed all three, each for a different reason. Slumdog was, as it is billed, very unique. Apart from the sappy story where the protagonist wins in the end it exposed me to a corner of the world that I have seen very little of, and a life of poverty that most of us can hardly fathom. Although it was only a movie, it made feel as if I was transported to India, and it made me want to be a pediatrician all the more, if only to be able to help children in need, whether it be those in India, or right here in our own cities, who are not receiving adequate care....Milk was fascinating and quite poignant as well. Harvey Milk was a courageous individual who not only fought for what he believed in as a politician but also the rights and equalities he believed all Americans deserve regardless. I have always found Sean Penn to be an amazing actor, capable of transforming himself into the character he is playing. His role as Harvey Milk was nothing short of his best work rivaling Dead Man Walking, Mystic River, and 21 Grams (other movies of his I've seen). Also, I think all of the supporting actors really brought the film together and although it was certainly about Milk's life, the ensemble helped to paint a picture of the times, and the struggle that was going on in SF and throughout the country....Having just seen The Reader, I have not fully collected my thoughts. And I know some may say that the Holocaust subject matter has become somewhat trite in Hollywood, and others may argue that we must never forget the mistakes we have made in history nevertheless, this movie is hardly about that. To me it was a study of characters, of human emotions. For me it was about love, betrayal, longing, pain, forgiveness and retribution among other feelings. The complex characters in the film were deftly captured by Winslet who's performance was definitely Oscar worthy, and the young Michael Berg played by David Kross was magnificent as well. I think that there were many layers to this movie, and I am currently still unwrapping them in my head, so I am sorry for the abrupt ending to my monologue (some of you might be happy however).
Well, I hope I haven't ruined the movies for those who have yet to make it to the theater. I know most people are busy with higher education, strenuous jobs or other time commitments. I guess I am just trying to make the most of my free time before the proverbial feces hits the fan starting in Aug.
In other news, I am very pleased with the purchases I made from the warehouse sale at Barney's and unlike my usual post-shopping blues, I am feeling no buyer's remorse despite my frugality. Also, hooray for finally getting my Canali shirt back from the damn store that promised to help me replace the buttons from the dry cleaning fiasco, even if they did have to fly new ones in from Italy- I don't care, they did it for free haha. (that reminds me of that old mastercard commercial "a leather bustier that lifts and separates...I don't care) HAHAHA. oh man, i am really blabbing now, hope you are enjoying ;-)
Ok, it is definitely time for some warm weather. If I can't go on spring break to some warm weather paradise, I damn well better be able to wear my flip flops around here and sunbathe at the monuments. (that's a hoot...like I'd ever sit out half naked in front of Japanese tourists and there cameras... "Well here we have the famous Washington monument, and at the front, oh boy, there is the famed skinny white boy in his bermudas getting a tan!") So yeah, basically I would settle for not having to wear a scarf and gloves to work in the morning.
Anyone got any ideas for a new recipe? I think I reached an all time low tonight- I know I have boasted about my culinary skills, and maybe I can attribute the mess to my laziness and inability to drag my ass to Trader Joes, but tonight I made pasta with ground beef, black olives and green beans...well, it was better than it sounds, but not by much.
Looking forward to the Sunday NYTimes tomorrow and by the time I make a dent it will be time for the Oscars...no, not the grouch.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
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