Under a Red Roof

Saint Ralph

December 4, 2009 in Spotlighting, Watching by Colleen | 1 comment

I was certain the bright red Netflix envelope contained the final DVD of season two of Mad Men, so when I saw this film instead, I found myself a bit miffed. Thankfully, I am rather pleased to say that I got over my pout in a jiffy. This is one terrific movie!

Ralph, in many ways, is a typical teenager. He is a bit of an outcast, save his one friend Chester, frequently the butt of jokes and ill treatment by the boys at school, is mystified by girls, and despite knowing that he is committing a sin (venal or mortal?) he cannot help indulge in pleasures of the flesh (gulp!). When his mother, suffering from a serious mystery illness, falls into a coma, Ralph finds himself at a crossroads. Not wanting to become an orphan (his father died in the war – presumably Korea, as it is 1954), Ralph is in dire need of a miracle.

After hearing a lecture on saints and miracles in religion class, Ralph decides he will perform one himself and save his mother’s life by winning the Boston Marathon, despite the fact that he’s only just started to run (as punishment for a multitude of sins). What ensues is a touching and, at times, hilarious account of his path to Boston. A great story, full of wit, warmth, and humor – really quite fulfilling. Five stars!

Tags: Movies

Rize

November 27, 2009 in Spotlighting, Watching by Colleen | 1 comment

“We’re not gonna be clones of the commercial hip-hop world because that’s been seen for so many years. Somebody’s waitin’ on something different, another generation of kids with morals and values. They won’t need what’s being commercialized or tailor-made for them…custom-made, because I feel that we’re custom-made. And we’re of more value than any piece of jewelry or any car or any big house that anybody could buy.” Though the quotation is from Tiger Eyez, all of the young people in this moving and fascinating documentary film from David LaChapelle represent his beliefs. These are young people literally dancing for change in a place filled with violence, irreverence, and complacency. The place they call home.

That fact really rung out for me. Home. Though we never had much money growing up, we always had enough. We also lived in a neighborhood that was mostly free of violence and crime, as well. I can only imagine what it would be like to have home be a place where I worry about getting enough (of anything) or that I am mistaken for another person and shot dead on a street corner. What would I do?

For the people in the film, they act out their frustrations through Krumping (Kingdom Radically Uplifted Mighty Praise) or Clowning. It is dance, freestyle moves of exuberance and exaggeration, pumping and popping with incredible skill and speed (I don’t think I’ve ever seen bodies move so fast!). It is not only a vehicle to escape gang life, but a meaningful way to express, via often harsh hyper kinetic movements, their anger with the world.

It is a wonderful film about the ways we can choose to uplift, not only ourselves, but the those around us via positive beliefs and actions, with dance as the dazzling centerpiece.

Tags: Movies

Mad Men

November 20, 2009 in Spotlighting, Watching by Colleen | 2 comments

Not having cable, and perhaps, being generally behind the times (in a good way), the hubster and I have only recently discovered the merits of Mad Men. I heard a great interview with Jon Hamm and Matthew Weiner on Fresh Air with Terry Gross (she is awesome, by the way) that convinced me to move the videos to the top of our Netflix queue. Boy, am I ever glad I did.

We just finished the first season (no spoilers if you’ve seen more!) on Wednesday and hope we receive the first of season two for our weekend viewing pleasure. This is such a terrific show, one that we love watching together. We both love settling in for the evening, as we can’t just watch one, ready to be dazzled, flummoxed, and delighted (especially by the fashion). Though we are quite late to the party, it’s great to finally have arrived.

The video is a little Saturday Night Live bit Bridget told me about – fun and ever so true!

Green Porno

November 11, 2009 in Admiring, Spotlighting, Watching by Colleen | Permalink

Hi friends – welcome to a mid-week make-up for missing last week’s Spotlight. Though I sat and sat at the keyboard, no flashes of brilliance came my way, and thus, no post.

I recently took one of those magazine quizzes telling me what I should do with my life. I know, I know. I’m a sucker for them. The result? Pursue a career in writing or some other creative endeavor where I can work independently and further my knowledge of the world. Well, hot damn, I’m already doing that! Thank you for the positive reinforcement.

To be quite honest, I am a knowledge junkie. I love learning about all manner of things – people, birds, flowers, bees, history, geography, you name it. Well, maybe not sports (this is always the hardest category in Trivial Pursuit), except tennis. I like tennis, other sports are beyond my capacity for understanding and enjoyment; though I do admire anyone who is really good at a particular sport, born for it, so to speak, like Babe Ruth, Wayne Gretzky, or Michael Jordan – these people make me cry with admiration. This is also true of people being born for their time, like all of the fellas of World War II: Patton, Churchill, Roosevelt (his wife was pretty terrific, too), and even the wicked ones, Rommel and Hitler, for without them, we would not have known the superior logic and strengths of the former (and our brave countrymen), would we?

So to knowledge, made even more lovely when it is fun. That’s what I’m finally getting at – fun facts. It can be in the form of trivia, tongue twisters, or Isabella Rossellini. If you’ve seen what I’m getting at, you already know. But let me digress for a moment. Isabella Rossellini. I’ve had a girl-crush on her for ages. She’s so fascinating, has a divine voice (I could listen to it all day), and beautiful features – eyes, skin, and lovely lips with just the right shade of lipstick, always (see above photo). Not to mention that certain je ne sais quoi that her mother had as well. Lucky lady.

Now we are the lucky ones to benefit from her love of learning and film making. Have you ever wondered about the mating habits of bees, starfish, shrimp, or maybe even a preying mantis? Do you have two minutes? Isabella delves into the lives of all of these creatures and more via very short films, “becoming” each creature and showing how they live (sometimes die) and reproduce. They are funny, fact-filled, and lively jaunts, but not for the squeamish, easily offended, or children. It’s not called Green Porno for nothing. If I were a knowledge seeker, I would watch and learn. Watch for yourself: Green Porno.

Tags: Movies

The Newshour with Jim Lehrer

October 23, 2009 in Admiring, Spotlighting, Watching by Colleen | Permalink

I am a woman with very few regrets. Frankly, I don’t see the point. I am glad about everything that has happened to me. Every event shapes me and my world view and presents me with opportunities to learn and grow. Take, for instance, a certain boy who was in my seventh grade P.E. class. I thought he was funny and had great hair. It was something I wanted to tell him, but I thought it too trivial, and furthermore, was a bit shy. He committed suicide shorty after this. Now, I don’t know that it would have made much of a difference to him and his reasons for taking such a drastic measure, but I certainly always appreciate a kind word, especially an unexpected one. As you might imagine, with that bit of knowledge, that I really never do know when I will see someone again, I hedge my bets and speak the truth.

It is with this same mind set that I write this post. I love The Newshour with Jim Lehrer, especially now that it comes on at 4:00, and I can have an intellectual afternoon break in front of the television. That being said, I do sometimes switch to Oprah if I’ve had enough of a topic. Don’t forget – I am a Gemini, we’re a tricky lot.

So, to The Newshour. Gosh, do I love this program. To my mind, it is serious news without taking itself too seriously (watch on Friday for Shields and Brooks, there’s almost always a laugh there). It is such a fine production, covering diverse topics, and with a depth that other news outlets lack. Since it is an hour broadcast, there is ample time to really delve into the news of the day, as well as the opportunity to present opposing view points about a topic, allowing me to make up my own mind. This was especially so during the presidential primaries last year. Every Republican and Democratic contender was invited to speak and given ample opportunity to do so. Unlike the mainstream news who only showcased who they believed to be the front runners. I don’t like being told what I should think; I can do it on my own thankyouverymuch.

My favorite aspect, however, are the correspondents. They really shine here. Each is a consummate professional: poised, highly knowledgeable, polite (some say too much so, but I disagree), and quick on their feet. They are asking the great questions before I can even think of them. I so appreciate this. As well, given the pacing of the show, I really understand a topic by the time the segment is over, rather than feeling like I’ve gotten a snippet of information that only leaves me with more questions than answers.

Another highlight is the Honor Roll, displaying, in silence, a photograph, name, rank, and hometown of deceased U.S. service personnel in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Though it always breaks my heart to see, I wouldn’t have it any other way. My discomfort is a small price to pay for their sacrifice in my country’s name.

As well, as someone who appreciates art, there are many interesting interviews with writers, actors, filmmakers, and artists of every stripe. I hope to one day be showcased among them.

There’s just so much goodness in one hour! Thanks Ray, Margaret, Jim, Judy, Gwen, Jeffrey, Paul, Kwame, Betty Ann, and all the others I can’t recall at the moment. Your program is very fine, and I would certainly be at a loss without it.