NEED A SUNSET? HOFFMAN'S NEXT ROLE

DIFFICULT TO RESIST

    I'm resigned to accept my inability to watch a sunset without reaching for a camera. It is a daily magic show.

THE HOFFMAN CHORUS

    My beloved younger brother spent too much of his short life as a junkie, so the Phillip Seymour Hoffman overdose hit me extra hard. My brother was the smartest, most creative of the three of us. He died young, though he lived a big life before his body, damaged by street drugs, blew an artery, a brain aneurysm.

    It's been moving to see the sense of loss felt by those who knew Hoffman and those of us who were simply impressed by his extraordinary talent. Poignant and bitter. Such a waste!

     And there has been this phenomena where his death, syringe in arm, has become the poster child of the heroin scourge. Law enforcement and the more alert of the media have attempted to warn of a new flood of heroin. That it's in our high schools, colleges and a choice of young professionals has been largely overlooked by most. Hoffman's demise has been the launch of a new round of reporting and hopefully this time we'll learn.

     When I was a street reporter, smack, skank, crank, jolt was mostly "an urban" problem. In those days that translated as African American, or ghetto. Later it crossed over into other strata's, and there was a time when more affluent white kids tried "chasing the dragon," smoking it, thinking it was impossible to become addicted that way. Not true.
      Hoffman talked of his battles with addiction, though we seemed to put that out mind when we were dazzled by his talent and the creation of those characters he played with such mastery.  Heartbreaking to think of him going the way he did. In all of the talk the last few days there's been an examination of the way some European countries have lowered their use heroin. And there has been focus on good intervention and education programs, though they are too few and often struggle for survival.
     My kid brother was smart.  He knew what he was doing, but like so many who get started and hooked, there was that youthful feeling of being immune or bulletproof. He told me it was the "perfect drug."  He amassed a small fortune, real estate, boats, exotic locales, but the drug took it all, beat him, broke him and put my parents through hell. He never intended for any of that. He was a sweet person. Hoffman almost certainly didn't want to die the way he did, leaving behind a love and 3 children. Those who sell heroin never tell you that part of the story.  
   In death, Hoffman may be playing his most important role.
   See you down the trail.

DYLAN SCORES-SEATTLE POUNDS-USING THE RAIN AND OTHER GOOD THINGS-CHEERS

GOOD THINGS
(For the Dylan surprise and the Super flop
read below--but first....)

     A painted sky, from the deck of friends Jacque and Mike.

THE FIRST RAIN OF THE YEAR

   The California drought was dampened with a bit of rain on Super Bowl Sunday.  A little more than an inch fell in the first measurable rain since last year, but conservation minded Californians went to work gathering what we could.

 Lana made repeated visit to empty a catchment vessel, filling storage containers. 

    The harvested rain water will irrigate a vegetable garden.

  All communities ought be more aggressive in harvesting rain flow. 

 MORE GOOD STUFF

   Comparing French Burgundy to Windward Pinot. Vintage tasting from 2000 to 2014. Our favorite was Windward in each year and these women are two of the best wine hostesses in the state, any year.

    Carpaccio covered with a Parmesan and truffle sauce!

    Catching the Moon and Venus in a ballet.

   And one more look at a rain wet deck-a delightful scene to dry Californians.

NOT SO GOOD

    Disappointed by the Super Bowl-not just the outcome, but the lack of excitement, balance, and competition.  Seattle's defense was relentless and effective. Denver's was not. 
     It is almost a sport to criticize Peyton Manning today, though not fair or objective. Manning never really got a chance, his line did very little to help, though his performance still set a record, but is of little consolation. Seattle's offense and especially Russell Wilson were champions. Seattle won the game, handily and deserve accolades.I wish it would have been closer, just because it would have been more fun. And while the Red Hot Chili Peppers are fun, I would have preferred a half time show with more Bruno Mars and less Peppers. But the party was cool, the company was great and the food was good, so, why should I complain.  Go 49ers!
     And while some of you are yelling "sell out," I was knocked out by the Bob Dylan Chrysler commercial. I certainly didn't see that coming! I was surprised that he'd do a commercial, yes, but I loved the tone and vibe of the piece he did.  
     I can't understand why folks would be upset. After all the music biz is just that, a business. Why shouldn't a poet, songwriter or rock star be able to earn a bit more by doing a commercial? It raises the quality of the advertising. Are artists supposed to give away paintings, or songs, or novels? I'm not sure it makes me want to buy a Chrysler, but I give them credit for making the American road, a patch of Highway 61.

    See you down the trail.

MANNING UP THE SUPERBOWL-A SHORE REFRESHER-THE WEEKENDER

HERE'S HOPING

    Peyton Manning exemplifies excellence. He is testament to the virtue of hard work, preparation and discipline. He's a role model as a leader and he could be the best, or smartest, quarterback to ever play the game.  He might be both. I became a fan of both the football player and the man when we were both in Indianapolis. I didn't like the way Jimmy Irsay, owner of the Colts, handled Peyton's employment when he was injured and fighting to recover and I've told him that.  So with all of this as preamble it is no surprise who I will be rooting for this weekend.  It would be a sweet thing if Peyton can steer the Broncos to a win, gaining himself another ring and validating the extraordinary effort he's put into rebuilding himself and proving the power of overcoming.

THE SHORE

   The Pacific Coast is forever fascinating and begging for a camera.

WEEKENDER VIDEO

     If you are feeling landlocked, suffering cabin fever, tired of winter or maybe just a little tense, this weekend's video may be for you.  Three minutes of peace by the pacific.

See you down the trail.

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.

SMILE-A DRONE IS WATCHING YOU plus IT'S ALL IN THE FOAM-THE WEEKENDER

DRONE SKIRMISHES

      Several years ago while running a large television news operation I had my first relationship with a drone.
      A contact/source with whom I had worked previously called to say he was working with a technology guy and they had developed a flight platform and wanted to test it. He brought a very sophisticated and light weight "miniature"  airplane to the station.  Some of my news managers attended and we were joined by the developer, an investor in the project and two fellows identified as interested parties and potential buyers.  Later I was to learn they were  from a federal agency that had high hopes for the plane.
     The plane fit on a conference table but was rigged so it could take a lightweight camera mount. This was long before "drone" had worked it's way into the public lexicon or  before being pressed into action as they are now.  I was excited by the prospects of flying it over traffic jams, fires, emergency situations and getting images back for broadcast at much less expense than what our helicopter cost to operate.
      My corporate boss lacked vision on this and despite my best efforts he passed and did so in a derisive way.  I told him he was passing up a chance to be the first to use something from the future. Still to no avail.  
      Fast forward to 2014.  They've become ubiquitous and in some cases practical. But I think we've entered a new chapter in our relationship with drones, as this piece of video tape from California demonstrates.

SHADOWS AND FOAM

       I was fascinated by the interplay of the shadows and 

kaleidoscopic flow of waves and sea foam. It provided a sort of black and white shape puzzle.

   See you down the trail.

CHINA SMOG-PACIFIC BREEZE-YOUR CHOICE

WAKE UP TIME

    Published in the UK's Daily Mail, these photos are simply  frightening.  That the Beijing sky is so fouled is apocalyptic, then to see the seeming acceptance?! The sunrise is posted electronically, because the smog makes it impossible to see.

I'LL TAKE PACIFIC A BREEZE, PLEASE

    A recent drive through Big Sur, after seeing the Beijing photos, gave me an extra appreciation for clean air and sky and for the US EPA.

    Say what you will about American bureaucracy, but at least we are unwilling to accept what the Chinese must endure.

     Cheers to those who are guardians of clean air and water.

   See you down the trail.

HER, HIM AND HIM AND THEM-THE WEEKENDER

JOEL,ETHAN AND SPIKE

a range of artistry

MEDITATIONS ON HER

    A well read, sophisticated, professional woman who is a friend said she wanted to walk out of this film, so I went in with guarded expectations, despite the critical acclaim.  I had the opposite reaction and understand why director Spike Jonez won the Golden Globe and why the film has been nominated for film of the year.

   HER pushes boundaries and is fresh and original in many ways. It is about a lot more than the curious storyline. Jonez's work is a marvelous study into the nature and life-cycle of relationships. It is a fascinating speculation on a likely outcome of our increasingly technological and communication driven culture. HER is a mirror to how we look and behave since we have become obsessed or addicted to our phones. It is a poignant reminder of how lonely we can become, even amidst a world seemingly bound together by the Internet. We see how we can be alone in our connectedness. It lampoons the intimate chats and sexual experiences of those who so engage via phone or computer.  It also raises some marvelous science fiction speculations about intuitive artificial intelligence and the rise of crowd sourcing and ponders a great what if.  

    Joaquin Phoenix is masterful in playing a heart broken, lonely citizen in an increasingly impersonal world where actual human contact is limited. And it was this prospect where Jonez engages in good sociology. 

    Amy Adams once again demonstrates her versatility.  And it seems no mystery why the Phoenix character fell in love with the voice of Samantha, his operating system.  Scarlett Johansson is seductive even without being seen. 

    The scenic design, cinematography and feel of the film emphasize how the brave new world can be a lonely place. This is a film that will seem foreign, distant and even contrived to some. But for others it seems to hit on several themes that will make you want to upgrade your own personal operating system.

A DOSE OF COEN

  The Coen brothers make films that you either enjoy or consider a waste of your time and money. I'm in the enjoy category, though in varying stages. Often I like the way they do the film-the actors, the shooting and editing, music direction, sense of vision-more than I like the story. Not that they don't spin imaginative stories, but I wonder about what if they tried to do cinema with a purpose, other than as a kind of grand gag, yarn, or put on. They entertain, they tell rich stories, but at the end of the day I often question if there was any "nutritional value?"  This is not to discredit their obvious talent, skill and mastery of the craft. And perhaps all we should expect is only an entertainment, well done.  But these guys are so good what if they did a film with soul, or a philosophic or political point or axe to grind? 
     In this comparison today, I think of how Jonez moved the goal line a bit. As good as Inside Llewyn Davis is, as nuanced, as musically rich, as well acted, it is at most the portrait of a fictional folk singer and a snap shot of the Village music scene on the cusp of Bob Dylan's arrival. Maybe there is an underlying examination of the tortured soul of a poet or a mash up on commercialism vs. artistry, but that is pretty thin.
    Oscar Issac is an incredible talent and discovery.  John Goodman, Justin Timberlake, Carey Mulligan, Pappi Corsicato, Garrett Hedlund and for that matter all of the supporting cast are superb. The music, under the supervision of T-Bone Burnett is worth the price of admission alone. The Coens are that way, they do all of the little and big things right and they deliver a film excellence. And they always give it that Coen twist, or a turn into darkness or despair, or depression though admittedly in entertaining ways.  
    I don't know that it will ever happen, but I'd like to see how the brothers could do with something in a different emotional timbre or with a story that means something.

    Don't you love neighborhood Italian restaurants with white table clothes and lace curtains?

AN ELEPHANT SEAL'S LIFE

   We are deep into birthing season in the Elephant Seal colony at Piedras Blancas, north of Cambria. Another 2-4 weeks of birthing and then mating season begins, just in time for Valentines day.

WATCH THE SAND TOSS AND HEAR THE SOUND

    See you down the trail.