YOU WON'T FORGET IT and SUN ON CARMEL WHITE

FILM AS MORE THAN ENTERTAINMENT

     From the beginning, film has also been about sociology, politics, or explorations of the nuances of the human experience. Many people connect with cinema as the modern novel; entertainment, escape or a medium for drama. Over the years I've explained to friends why a director, writer, cinematographer, actor or perhaps the scope of a project itself will lead me to plunk down the money for a ticket, even if the film is not, in their minds or the minds of many, entertaining or enjoyable. My attraction might be the craft, skill, artistry, approach or even the topic. This, then, is my raison d'être for raving about AUGUST:OSAGE COUNTY.

      At lunch today I was asked if I "enjoyed" the film. I told her enjoy was not the correct word, but I was enthralled and maybe even mesmerized by the extraordinary acting.  If you are a film fan you've no doubt read the stunning reviews this work has gathered. There is little more that I can add, but to say there was not one character in the film who was not brilliantly portrayed by their actor. The characters were indeed dysfunctional, flawed, pained and painful, deep, conflicted and extraordinarily human and real.  They make you laugh and they make you cry and they confound.  

      Meryl Streep's work will blow your mind, even if you've seen her award winning roles and have marveled before, thinking she can't be any better. Yes, she can and this is it.  Julia Roberts, who I've enjoyed as a movie star but never given much credit to as a deep actress changed my mind about all of that. She's got serious chops. Margo Martindale and Chris Cooper are worthy of Oscar nominations, despite not being nominated. Misty Upham is compelling in her small, but essential role. Benedict Cumberbatch, who seems to be everywhere these days, Juliette Lewis, Ewan McGregor and Dermot Mulroney all bring characters to life with brilliance, subtle and otherwise. Sam Shephard in his all too brief role, Abigail Breslin and Julianne Nicholson are haunting in their portrayals.  In the case of Breslin and Nicholson some of the most compelling scenes are fueled by their expressions in poignant moments.

       So, dark, sad, riveting and even laugh out loud hilarious delivered by acting at it's best may not make for "enjoyable" but certainly is memorable and powerful.  

PHOTO PLAY

SUN ON WHITE

    January sun and sky mixed with Carmel white and shadows.

See you down the trail.

THE WEEKENDER-THE BEST AND THE WAY WE WERE

AS FRESH AS IT GETS

     The spring growing season has been good up here on the Pine ridge.  Our upper raised bed, on the back hill,  has yielded an abundance of great lettuce. 

      We call this upper raised bed "Indiana," because it is flat, tillable and produces well. I know the same can be said for the central valley, but we are paying tribute to some of our great gardens in years past.

FLYING ULTRA FIRST CLASS

   The Weekender Video was spotted by Beverly.  You've got to see this to believe it.

REEL NOTES

    THE COMPANY YOU KEEP

    If you were politically active, motivated or interested during the turbulent 70's, Robert Redford's THE COMPANY YOU KEEP, will register with you and may even ring a few bells.

    A former Weather Underground activist goes off the grid as a reporter pursues a story, the dimension of which he does not understand.  It is a superb reprise of the dilemma, how far do you go to stop a government that is doing wrong? That question ripped the peace movement, mobilized to stop the war in Viet Nam, when more radical elements amped up the fight to include bombings and violence.

    Susan Sarandon's monologue, shortly after she is arrested for an old crime, is a brilliant restatement of just that. You may wonder if much has changed at all?

    A thrilling intrigue, the film is smart, some of the dialogue plays back like history and is star laden. Robert Redford acts and directs. Great performance from Shia LaBeouf and superb smaller role performances from Chris Cooper, Terrence Howard, Stanley Tucci, Richard Jenkins, Sam Elliot, Julie Christie, Nick Nolte, Brendan Gleeson and Sarandon. 

    I took a personal interest in the side bar story of the role of the reporter. Back in the day I was assigned to cover the anti war movement which included New Mobe, Student Non Violent Coordinating Committee, SDS, Draft Resistance, the Black Panthers and more. Some of the questions and emotions Redford surfaces are flashbacks for some of us, and just old history to younger viewers.
    It came as an odd reminder that bombings in that era were done by Americans angry at the Viet Nam war. Deadly, disruptive and dangerous though they were, they seemed less sinister than those by modern terrorists. But America in the 60's and 70's was a vastly different place than America today. Redford draws that in a stoic way. It's a film that will make you think.

    See you down the trail.