AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT...

Believe it or not, I do think about things other than movies (not often, mind you.) I've been thinking about capitalism, thanks to an anarchist friend. He openly states how much he hates capitalism and favors socialism instead. He believes that the capitalist system has created the haves and have-nots. So that got me thinking and I have to say that I don't agree. Let's look up the definition of capitalism: economic system in which the production and distribution of goods depend on invested private capital and profit making.

Doesn't sound too bad (in theory), but than many things sound good on paper. For example:

Communism: political theory advocating public ownership of property.

Socialism: political and economic theory of social organization advocating state ownership and control of the means of production, distribution, and exchange.

Democracy: government by the whole population, usually through elected representatives.

They all seem like sound systems, so why don't they work? It's the people that fail the system, not the system failing the people. Let's face facts folks, we are fallible. The problem with the haves and have-nots is that it boils down to human nature. There will always be those who want endlessly and those-myself included-who don't put much importance on stuff. Our society as a whole believes that it is the things we have and not the values and morals we believe in that make us who we are. It sickens me and I would do anything to change that, but I don't see an answer to it. There will always be people who are greedy and power hungry. And there will always be those who need a leader, who are stuck where they are and don't mind.

Does this sound pessimistic? Perhaps. I often say that I hate humans and what I mean is that I hate how some people are narrow-minded, pig-headed, and flat out stupid. It frustrates me, but what ya gonna do? I have always voted because I can't bitch if I don't. I live in this country so I support capitalism. Do I think things will change? Probably not in my lifetime, but does that mean that I won't express my opinions whenever I can? Hell No!!! My strength is my voice and my ability to share my thoughts whenever I can.

But I digress...my point is that no matter what system we use, we are victims of human nature. We have seen in history that socialism and communism can fail and now we are witnessing the failure of democracy. What's sad is that the majority-those who by definition should have the power-are allowing this to happen. So I have been trying to find a system that would suit human nature and do you know what I have decided? There isn't a system to support the selfishness, narrow-mindedness, and malignant complacency of people. To be honest, I think we could screw up anarchy, too.

That sounds pretty pathetic, but than that's how I often feel about the majority. If I could have one wish it would be one giant slap across the face to wake people up and make them feel again. If for no other reason, so they could see that it doesn't mean shit what car you drive, how big your house is, what kind of job you have, or how much money you have. In the end, we all decompose into the same stuff.

CRONENBERG: LOVE HIM OR HATE HIM

I went to see "A History of Violence" this weekend and I can only say one word: wow! This is a disturbing and very good film. It quickly moves from images of extreme violence to moments of near-boring family life. We are introduced to the Stall family with the scream of a young girl. Her father comforts her after a nightmare. His teenage son comes in and calms her down. Finally, her mother joins them, completing an almost surreal picture of family. This is not the kind of family we are familiar with anymore-a real "Leave it to Beaver" portrait. The film continues to show an existence that seems too good to be true. They live in a small town where everyone knows everyone and they all seem happy. The father, Tom Stall, owns a diner in town. One evening, two men enter and try to rob the diner. Stall protects his employees and customers with brutal force, quickly killing both men with apparent ease.

He suddenly becomes a reluctant local hero and is thrust into the limelight. This brings a stranger into town, Carl Fogarty, who insists that Tom is actually Joey Cusack from Philadelphia. Fogarty goads Tom, telling him that he used to be a great killer. Despite Tom's insistance that Fogarty is mistaken, he lurks around keeping an eye on both Tom and his family. The film escalates into a virus of fury that inflicts Tom, his wife, and his teenage son.

As I said, I enjoyed the film. Viggo Mortensen's portrayal of Tom reveals a man conflicted, confused, and concerned for his family. Maria Bello is mesmerizing as Edie, a woman who must watch as everything she knows crumbles in front of her. I have always enjoyed David Cronenberg; however, I have found that the lines are strictly drawn as far as whether people like his films or hate them. He enjoys shocking his audiences and he succeeds in this film. He lulls the audience into a false sense of comfort and then throws gore in their faces. Don't relax too much because he will grab your shoulders and shake 'em!

It's interesting to note that Cronenberg didn't write this script, which he usually does. The script came from a graphic novel. This is the second film I have seen recently that was adapted from graphic novel that I really enjoyed-the first being "Road to Perdition." If you haven't seen that film, watch it. It stars Tom Hanks as, of all things, a hitman who must protect his son from the mob family he has been a part of for years. Paul Newman plays the head of the family torn between his love for Hanks' character and his fatherly duty to his son who is played by Daniel Craig (the new James Bond.) Every performance in this movie is great. Jude Law is barely recognizable as the creepiest of creepy hitmen. What I truly enjoy about this film is the cinematography. It is beautiful. It takes place in the 1930's and is set in the midwest. It has a simple, quiet beauty about it.

There is another graphic novel I have heard is being adapted into a movie. It is Steve Niles' "30 Days of Night", the story of a quiet Alaska town that is invaded by vampires during the winter month where there is no sunlight. As far as I can see, it should be coming out some time next year, but there is no other information about it. I await it's arrival eagerly. But I digress...

Go and see "A History of Violence" and tell me what you thought of it, but keep in mind if you don't like David Cronenberg films, you probably won't like this one.

CRASHED INTO ME

It's been nearly two weeks since I first watched "Crash" and it stills haunts me. This film has lingered like the image you see when you close your eyes after staring at the sun. It is the in-your-face honesty that intrigued me. "Crash" begins with Det. Waters (Don Cheadle) theorizing about why L.A. drivers get in accidents. "It's the sense of touch. In any real city, you walk, you know? You brush past people, people bump into you. In L.A., nobody touches you. We're always behind this metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much, that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something." At this point it becomes apparent that he has been in a car accident.

The next scene shows Anthony (Ludacris) and Peter (Lorenz Tate), two young African American men, leaving a restaurant. Anthony is complaining about the service they received saying that it is because they are black. He further rants about prejudices that his race suffers on a daily basis. I can't tell you any more. You have to see it for yourself.

What I can tell you is this is one of the best films I have seen in a long time. The script is expertly written. It is interesting to note that Paul Haggis wrote it because of an incident that happened to him over ten years ago. He and his wife were car-jacked one night and that crime lingered in his mind,but not because it happened to him. He kept wondering about the men who committed the crime. Who were they? Were they long-time friends or just partners in crime? And did they watch the rented video they had also stolen? I have always been interested in how screenwriters develop their stories, primarily because I am an aspiring screenwriter myself and I think it is fascinating how simply some people can find a story.

The other thing I must shout about is the entourage of outstanding actors in this film. From the experienced skills of Don Cheadle and Matt Dillon to the fresh new talents of Chris (Ludacris) Bridges and Michael Pena, this film is the best acted film in a long time. The list of excellent performances is amazing. What a coup for Mr. Haggis. Not only has he written a wonderful script, but he has amassed the perfect cast for his directorial debut.

I could continue talking about this film forever, but I won't because I want you to stop reading this blog, rush to your nearest rental place, watch it, think, watch it again, and then let me know what you think.

"Crash" leaves you thinking about many interesting ideas. I will pose this question to you-what makes a person a hero and what makes them a recreant?

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-Robert Frost

TO EACH HIS OWN...

Everyone has their own way of celebrating their birthday. Some people like to have big parties, others like to go out and get wasted. I, on the other hand, have not really celebrated my birthday much over the years. I'm not sure why, but it lost it's meaning. It became just another day. This year was totally different. For the first time in a while I was home for my birthday. I got to spend time with my family and although we didn't do anything special, it was nice to be with them.

But that's not why I'm writing. Two things happened to make my birthday very special. The first actually happened the day before. My friend, Amy, came down to have lunch with me. She had told me previously that she and her family were thinking about going to Germany. I was excited for her since I know she has wanted to go to Europe for some time. She told me on Monday that she wants me to go and she will pay for my ticket! I am trying not to get too excited but it's hard. I really want to go.

The best part of my birthday happened that night. One of my best friends told me I needed to do something special because it is MY day. Since I don't like to go to bars and I didn't want a big party full of people I don't know, I didn't know what I should do. So I chose three people I thought I would enjoy spending time with. It was perfect. We didn't do anything special, just went to dinner and then spent the evening playing Mah Jong. I thoroughly enjoyed the night. It was one of the best birthdays I have ever had. I can never thank my three friends enough for what they did for me. I feel so fortunate to have them in my life. This birthday will always hold a special place in my heart.

Sometimes it's the simplest things in life that bring the most happiness.

ANOTHER GREAT FILM TO SEE

I am becoming a huge fan of Japanese films. There have been great movies coming out of this country for some time, but it's only within the last few years that they have found a wider audience thanks in part to the growing independent film scene. Case in point: Studio Ghibli and the wonderful works of Hayao Miyazaki. If you don't know, he is the talent behind such film's as Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and his newest masterpiece, Howl's Moving Castle. I was so excited to be able to experience Howl on the big screen since I have only seen the others on dvd. All of these films are more than just animated features, they are works of art. They combine beautiful images with wonderful stories.

Princess Mononoke tells the story of Ashitaka, the prince of a small village, who is cursed and journeys to the east to seek a cure. He becomes involved in a battle between the animals of the forest and a nearby mining town. This film addresses the question of whether man and nature can co-exist. It is a remarkable movie pairing fairy tale with a relevant storyline.

One of my favorite movies, Spirited Away, is the story of a young girl who must find her courage to save her parents. It is an inspiring tale aimed at children, but just as entertaining for adults. The one aspect of both of these films that I love is their insight into Japanese culture. They both express the importance of spirit gods and the belief that they exist everywhere in nature.

Howl's Moving Castle is different in that it takes place in a fantasy world. It tells the story of Sophie, a young woman who is cursed by the Witch of the Waste and turned into an old woman. She seeks refuge in Howl's Castle. Howl is a wizard who is feared by the villagers because they believe he lures beautiful young women to his castle and then steals their hearts. Sophie quickly befriends Markl, a young apprentice wizard, and Calcifer, the fire demon who powers the castle. She soon realizes that Howl is not as evil as people believe. The movie is a love story that carries an anti-war theme.

All of these films are splendid fairy tales, but what I truly love about them is the incredible animation. Miyazaki shows the beauty in simple things like clouds floating through the sky or the wind blowing through a field. I don't think I can ever get tired of watching his artistry.

What is most impressive is his resolve to hold onto traditional animation. His films are hand-drawn, not computer-generated. Although I do enjoy movies like Shrek and Toy Story, it is a pleasure to see such incredible images created traditionally. I anxiously await his next film.

I gotta have more!!!

I'll just start off by saying I am a huge fan of Martial Arts films. I've seen all of Bruce Lee's movies, most of Jackie Chan's, and a few movies with Jet Li. I was pleasantly surprised with how well Lawrence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Keanu Reeves fought in the Matrix movies. And I was very impressed with Jason Statham's abilities in The Transporter. I had only ever known him as a good co-star and had no idea how talented he was. So I rushed to see Transporter 2 with great anticipation. I'm still waiting for satisfaction. I had some idea that it might not be good after glancing at a review in the paper. Let me just interject here by saying that I never hold much faith in reviews-especially reviews of action and horror films. Reviewers tend to focus on things like story and character development. They forget these films are not known for that, so to base an opinion on those aspects means that a person can miss the whole point of these two genres-FUN!!! That's not to say that you can get away with a total crap script, but it is slightly less painful if there are plenty of kick-ass fight sequences and stunts.

But I digress, let's get back to Transporter 2. The review in the paper did say that the movie lacked a good story, but as I just said that doesn't always mean much. For once, the reviewer was somewhat right. The story was not that good. For those of you who have seen the first one I'd like to say that story wasn't very good as well. I had about all I could take of the screaming Asian chic by the end of the movie; however, there were several very good fight scenes and a great car chase that started the film. I have to say that my favorite fight scene is the 'oil' fight. I don't just say that because it shows off Jason's physique (it is a very nice body, though.) I thoroughly enjoy watching something that is new and fresh. Using oil to keep the bad guys from hitting the good guy was unique. Then having Frank use the pedals as both traction and weapons when kicking was very innovative. That is something I expect from a director like Cory Yuen, a popular Hong Kong action film director who directed The Transporter. Although he didn't direct this new film, he did choreograph the fight scenes, so I was still encouraged. Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough action and good fight sequences to carry the movie past it's dismal plot. The car chase was not very exciting and the fights were either poorly shot or just plain dull. I'm not going to say they could do better because I really don't think that there needed to be a sequel. Some things are better left alone.

I bet you're wondering why the title to this blog mentions wanting more. I have a new action God that I worship and I have to pass this love to everyone. The film is Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior and my Lord and savior is...

Tony Jaa.

I am still trying to pick my jaw up off of the floor. Let me get the praise out of the way: he is amazing, incredible, exciting, exhilarating, mesmerizing, hypnotizing...

I could go on, but I want to tell you why he is all these things. He is an artist. He moves like a dancer. He has a level of control I have never seen. In one scene he kicks a guy off a table and lands on the same table. It looks so subtle, but if you think about it a person's momentum would keep them moving past that point. Tony Jaa has complete control of his kicks and punches. That's not to say that the stuntmen didn't get hit. They got the shit kicked out them. I have such respect for those men. They have to be just as talented as Jaa. As I said previously, I enjoy new ideas and this film is full of variety. There is a chase scene using Thai cabs. Let's just say their cabs do not look like a checker cab. You have to get rid of one of the front wheels. Now imagine three-wheelers racing down streets and taking hair-pin turns. Are you getting the picture?

I could go on telling about other scenes, but I don't want to give too much away. Just know that if you are half the martial arts fan I am, you will truly enjoy this film. So why are you still sitting here reading my blog? Get out there and rent it, then go buy it so you can watch it over and over like I'll be doing. You can thank me later.

DON'T PUT OFF 'TIL TOMORROW...

So I was thinking...I've always wanted to go to New Orleans. Not just for Marti Gras, but for the history, the culture, the beautiful cemetaries. I fucked up. I put it off, even when I lived in Florida-I never went. Now...it's gone. It doesn't matter what they do, I don't think it will ever be the same.

So this means I'm going to start doing everything I've put off for so long, right? Probably not. It's funny how things like this tragedy make people ponder about their own lives, what they haven't done, what they want to do, what they should have done. Sometimes it makes a difference in a person's life. More often than not, it doesn't do a damn thing but make you feel like you've wasted your life. Well, fuck that! I haven't wasted shit! So I never went to New Orleans, so what. I can still go. It might not be the same, but how the hell would I know-I've never been there!

So I'm just gonna keep enjoying every day the best way I can. If there's anything I've learned from what has happened, it's make the most of today cuz tomorrow it could be gone. I truly am enjoying my life. I have so many things to be thankful for, if nothing else-I have a fuckin' roof over my head and no dead bodies in my yard. As the all-knowing and wise Martha Stewart says, "and that's a good thing!"

I was just talking to my mother and she said that the U.S. has not accepted any help from the numerous countries that have offered it. Apparently it wouldn't look good if we admitted that we need help. Well, I got news for this government-not mine cuz I didn't vote for that asshole-swallow your freaking pride and let these countries help. Let's be brave enough to say we can't handle what's happened and would love any assistance we can get. Doesn't the government understand that this hurricane will affect the entire world, too. New Orleans is(was?) the largest port for exports. 95% of what was shipped through there was export products, so we could be narrow-minded enough to say 'they only want to help us so they can start getting our products again.' Fine, if that's what our arrogant government needs to think to justify accepting help then do it!!! Just give the people of New Orleans some aid. They are living a nightmare. Bush was brave enough to go into the hurricane-ravaged areas of Mississippi and Alabama, but he only flew over New Orleans. Why don't you go to the Super Dome? I hear it's quite a sight.
This whole thing is absolutely pathetic! We sent help to the foreign countries affected by the tsunami within 2 days. New Orleans has been hell for almost a week. What happened? Who's to blame? Although it is sad that people have acted out violently, I can understand why. They were abandoned. Left to fend for themselves with no food, water or shelter. What else do you do? An MSNBC journalist just asked who these looters were, are they gangsters or criminals? You know what? They could be you or me. These people are by no means doing the most honorable thing, but I'd like to see how others would cope with this situation. I honestly don't know how I would react if I were left to suffer the way they have. These are U.S. citizens. They may not be rich, but they are humans. They deserve better.

RED EYE IS MORE OF A BLACK EYE

So I was asked recently when I was going to review the movie "Red Eye" and then I remembered that I had seen the movie. Here is my review...

I had been anticipating this film for months, not because it was Wes Craven's newest, but because I thought the idea of a woman being secretly terrorized on a plane was intriguing. I have to be honest, because I am a woman I am always on the lookout for strong female roles in films. I don't think there is a monumental lack of these roles, but I definitely feel there could always be more. So I sat in the theater with baited breath, anxiously awaiting a kick-ass chic. You know what? Not so much. I had to sit through more than half the movie watching her be all weepy and weak. SHIT!!! Just do something already! Finally she found her balls at the end of the film and by then I was ready for it to end. She should have taken lessons from such great women as Ripley from the Alien series, Clarice from Silence of the Lambs, Sarah Connor from the Terminators, Bette Davis in All About Eve, and any Katherine Hepburn film. I won't be so bold as to say that only female characters are weak. Look at Sean Archer from "Face/Off" when he's played by Nicholas Cage. Or Private Hudson (Bill Paxton) in Aliens. What a pair of snivelling idiots! But Hudson did deliver one of my favorite lines: game over man!

This leads to my next complaint about "Red Eye"...

Sometimes I think that there is no such thing as a true 'thriller' anymore. Atleast I didn't feel very thrilled with this movie. I have to admit, I have been desensitized when it comes to scary movies. I have seen many, but unfortunately am not a fan of a lot of them. For some reason not only is it difficult to write an original script, it is also hard to find original ways to terrorize the audience. The last time I was scared in a movie (and I mean scared) was "Blair Witch." What's funny is that several of my friends said it wasn't frightening because you never got to see anything. Hello? Ever heard of subtle? I still get a chill down my spine thinking of the guy at the end standing in the corner, waiting...brrrr! Sometimes I don't want to see the monster. In the case of "Red Eye", they had a great monster-a young, attractive, intelligent man. And Cillian Murphy was the best part of the movie. Unfortunately, he couldn't carry it off without out an equally strong protagonist. She could have been, but the screenwriter fell short. Damn it! Not again. I know, I know...put up or shut up. Well, I'm not writing a 'thriller', but it will be original.

As far as "Red Eye" is concerned...rent it and tell me what you think.

AN ANSWER TO A DIFFICULT QUESTION?

A woman came into the bookstore today. When I asked her what I could help her with, it was apparent that she was very upset. She said she was Christian and her daughter had just come out to her. She wanted a book to help her. I referred her to a fellow employee whom I knew had more knowledge of books that could assist her in coping with this news. Shortly afterwards, he came to me and angrily told me that she was looking for books to help "cure" her daughter. Initially, I thought he was mad at me, but I quickly recognized that his fervor was aimed at this woman's ignorance and naivety. I admit I was also angry at the idea that this poor young woman was suffering from some affliction; however, I have to say that I quickly saw this as an opportunity to practice what I have learned from the Dalai Lama.

As I said previously, I have been reading "The Art of Happiness." One section discusses the importance of feeling compassion, even and especially in situations where compassion would not be the first emotion felt.

The Dalai Lama says that compassion starts by placing yourself in someone's shoes and experiencing their suffering as if it were your own. This is not an easy task and requires a person to train their mind. I am a new student, but leapt at the chance to practice this especially with a situation that I have little understanding of.

So, why is this woman suffering? There are two reasons I can distinguish: the fact that she is a Christian and that this is her daughter. I'll take on the first reason since it is the most difficult for me to understand.

I was not raised Christian. I am an Agnostic with very strong Athiest tendencies. If I were to follow any religion, it would be Buddhism, but let me open up my mind to her beliefs. She has been raised all her life believing that if she follows certain rules she will go to heaven. This is all she has known. It is difficult, perhaps impossible, for me to state categorically that anyone's beliefs are wrong, so it is important to remember that this is who she is. Everything she knows is based on these beliefs. The hardest thing to face is any challenge of faith. Because of her Christian ideals, she now fears that her daughter will not spend eternity with her. This finality is terrifying for her. Her first reflex is to 'fix' this so that her daughter will be 'saved.'

The second reason is that this is happening to her daughter. Again, I am not a parent, but I have two and am close to many people who have children. A parent's job is to protect their children-from pain and suffering. This behavior is truly altruistic and noble. Perhaps this woman was suffering because she knew that her daughter's life would be very difficult and perhaps full of discrimination. A parent's hope for their child is that they won't have to suffer and will be able to find happiness in life. Her actions would be to try to protect her child from pain.

So, what would I say to her to try to help? Open your heart, see that your daughter has not changed. She needs love and compassion from the people closest to her. This is not her decision, it is her life. Showing her compassion can only bring you closer, while being angry and trying to 'cure' her will only alienate her. I have many gay friends and several have told me that if they had the 'choice' they would not have decided to be gay. It is not an easy life to lead. This is who she is. She will be facing all kinds of obstacles and has already faced the biggest one: coming out to you. Show her that you will love her no matter what, even if you don't agree with her lifestyle. She needs your support now more than ever.

So do I think that this woman will recognize these things, I don't know. Will her daughter have a difficult time? She may have a difficult time whether her mother supports her or not. Did looking at this woman's suffering through compassionate eyes help? It was enlightening to feel compassion rather than anger. I think that if the opportunity were to present itself again, I would be more apt to show sympathy and perhaps be of more assisstance. I will say that I think that my co-worker handled the situation very well, despite the anger he felt. He gave her a book that helps Christians understand and be more accepting of gays and lesbians.

I've been watching the news and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and it is incredible. Ironically, I have also been reading "The Art of Happiness" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He speaks of several things that are pertinent to what is happening. The Dalai Lama says that one of the most integral parts of being happy is feeling compassion for others. I am definitely able to do that for all the people effected. I saw one man who had to escape the rising waters by climbing onto the roof of his home. He, his wife and his son held on for as long as they could when suddenly the house broke in half. As his wife began to slip away from him, she told him to let her go and take care of their son. When the news crew found him he was wandering the streets with his son. The helplessness was written all over his face. He has lost both his wife and his home. I think only the hardest person could not have compassion for him.

The other thing the Dalai Lama talks about is making the most of every day. It is important to utilize every moment to its fullest because there is no way to know how many more we will have. This is painfully obvious today in the face of the devastation people are waking up to.

It is unfortunate that it takes a catastrophe like this to remind people of how precious life is. It is equally unfortunate how quickly people can forget the importance of simple pleasures like sitting with friends or taking a walk. Our focus should be on living life to its fullest.

I strongly recommend everyone read this book.

Independence Day is near!

Nine months ago I moved home after years of living on my own. My mother was extremely generous and allowed me into her home without paying anything. She did everything to make me feel welcome and gave me as much space as her small house could afford. I will be eternally grateful for this; however, I have spent this time feeling more and more limited both by living with someone and by the fact that I live so far away from the friends I have. It hasn't been too bad living with my mother, but it has been a little strained at times. Imagine living at home again after being away for nearly half your life. How long do you think you could keep your sanity? I have to be honest, I don't know if it was living with my mother or just the fact that I was living with someone again. I have been completely independent for a long time. Even when I lived with my then-fiance he never supported me (a fact of which I am extremely proud.)

Initially, I moved in to get out of the massive debt I had accumulated in Florida and I have succeeded in doing that for the most part, but I was waiting to move until the debt was gone. Let's be honest, there are very few people who can say they don't owe anything. Debt is unfortunately a fact of life in the good ol' US of A. Capitalism at it's best! I suddenly remembered that I had always been able to support myself when I was in that tremendous debt, so it should be much easier now that my debt has been trimmed to a minimal amount. So I have taken the leap. Today I found myself a place to live, somewhere I can finally feel at home.

The fact is I thrive on independence. I love being alone. When I moved 1200 miles away, I immediately moved into my own place. I won't be so bold as to say that I never felt anxious or lonely, but that anxiety disappeared and I quickly learned the difference between being lonely and being alone. Feeling lonely is a hinderence. It slows you from what you want to do. It evokes words like wallowing, self-pity, and suffering. Being alone is enlightening. You can focus your energies better by being alone. You can learn so much about yourself by spending time away from other people. Not to mention the fact that you can run around the house completely naked singing and dancing and there ain't no one there to give you that inevitable "your crazy" look. That's what I'm really looking forward to.

In the end I would much rather struggle and be independent than have someone support me and feel empty.

What defines a "good life?" Is it the length of time we spend on this planet? Or the actions we take toward those around us? Perhaps it is measured in the accomplishments we make. There are many who believe that they need to acquire things to fulfill their lives. Still others believe that a good life is achieved by following a set of 'rules' carved in stone brought down from a mountain. If you follow these 'rules' you will be rewarded at the time of your death with eternal happiness. I don't follow that belief at all primarily because I don't think life ends with death. Death is just one stage in our existence. It will occur over and over as we are reincarnated. I believe that our purpose in life is finding the answers that we need to reach omniscience. The journey to achieve this state is what defines a life. The people we meet, the experiences we encounter, the things we learn are all a part of this quest. I believe that a good life is measured by our experiences, by the lives we touch, and those lives that touch us.
The irony of life is that many people (myself included) easily forget this. We often measure our lives by the most trivial of things. Money, success, acceptence. We feel stressed by trying to achieve these things and are consumed by this compulsion; however, none of these things will be carried on to the next life. Their importance only exists now. I was reminded of this because of the passing of two people this week. One I knew for a very short time and one I never had the pleasure to meet; however, both have had a profound effect on me.
The first person was my favorite manager at work. He went out of his way to help everyone. He always acknowledged hard work with genuine praise and acclaim. He was the first person to make me feel truly welcome in a new place. He did this every time he saw me. I learned about his life through the fascinating stories he shared. We laughed every day. He was a constant source of support and encouragement. In short, he has been one of the biggest influences in my life and I didn't even know him a year.
The second person was a young girl I learned about three months ago. She was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor late last year at the young age of seven. Despite every attempt to prolong her life, she lost her battle earlier this week. She was a beautiful young girl who was full of life. She was surrounded by people who loved her. She always had a positive outlook. Even when she was in constant pain, she made people smile. In the short time she spent here, she touched so many people and reminded us of the importance of living every day to its fullest.
Although I am sad that she has gone and am even more devestated that I won't get to see my boss again, the best way to honor their lives is to remember their strengths and to focus not on what may occur weeks, months, or years away, but to concentrate on today. It is paramount that we live every day to its fullest, experiencing everything around us, extracting every piece of knowledge and enjoying the simplest of pleasures. This may sound like a hallmark card, but what the hell, it's my way of dealing with grief. And there is no wrong way to grieve. It is equally ironic that it takes loss to remind us of how much we have missed in life. I am newly resolved in living my life as simply and happily as I am able.
To Michael and Katie, I say thank you for everything you have given me!

Another great independent movie...
I am happy to say that there are still films being made that are original, well-made, and extremely entertaining. Case in point: The Station Agent. It is a wonderful 'day-in-the-life-of' movie. The story revolves around Fin, a dwarf who loves trains. He lives a simple, quiet life until the sudden death of his only friend. He then inherits a small train depot in the boondocks of New Jersey. He moves there with the hope of escaping a life of stares and comments. His life is forever changed by the people he meets there.
I absolutely love this kind of film. Yes, we need the big action movies and films made entirely to win oscars, but sometimes the best way to escape the dredges of life is to watch another person's day-to-day struggles. No matter how mundane, I think it is fascinating to see the simplest of character developments. I have often envied the ability many screenwriter's possess to create characters who are both multi-layered and very simple. That doesn't sound possible, but I've seen it several times. Films like "Being There" starring Peter Sellers, "Chocolat" starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp, and most recently "Garden State", an incredible first-time film written and directed by Zach Braff who also brings to life the incredibly ordinary

CHARLIE vs. WILLY

I went to see "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" on Friday and I must say I was very impressed. To all of you who are huge fans of the original Gene Wilder film (like me), this is a completely different film. This movie has kept closer to the original Roald Dahl story. It may seem a little odd to see the Oompa Loompas singing songs and dancing because this new version is not a musical like the classic; however, those of you not familiar with book may want to know that the Oompa Loompas sing in the book. That is why "Willy Wonka" was made as a musical. I can see where traditional fans might be put off by the songs, but please notice in the credits that the lyrics to these new songs are written by Dahl, meaning that they are the same songs from the book and not something Tim Burton added. Tim Burton did, however, add to the story. I believe that this new material made the story his. It gave the film a definite 'Burtonesque' feel. (Yes, I just made up that word!) I am a huge fan of Burton's films. They are fairy tales of every kind and I have always loved fairy tales. So if you can separate the original from this one, you can truly enjoy this film. If for no other reason, this film is another excellent performance by Johnny Depp. He never ceases to amaze me.

ME AND MY FULL-BLOODED DEVOTION

So the Harry Potter book came out this weekend and I had the pleasure of working at the bookstore that night. It is truly something to see so many people who share a love for this series that I have. I have to thank Ms. Rowling for giving me back my love of reading. I not only enjoy her books, but have read numerous other great books since I picked up the first installment of Harry Potter. For those of you who are not HP fanatics, I can't explain how the story effects me except to say that it awakens the child in me and for the time that I am reading it, there are no problems in my life. If Harry is not your cup of tea, I hope that you have something that fulfills that need to be set free from what can be a drab, repetitious life.

With the inundation of movie sequels and remakes, it is refreshing to discover a unique screenplay. I have been fortunate to find several recently. Probably the best example would be "The Machinist." It stars Christian Bale as Trevor Reznik, a man who has not slept for a year and is being harrassed by Ivan, a mysterious co-worker. Trevor has a dark secret that haunts him. The most shocking thing about this film is Christian Bale's appearance. He lost 60 pounds for the role and wanted to lose more, but they wouldn't let him. The best way to appreciate what he did is to watch something like "American Psycho" before you see this movie. It will blow your mind how awful he looks, but his performance is mesmerizing. The film was directed by Brad Anderson. The only other movie he's done that I've seen is "Session 9" which he also wrote. It was a fairly interesting film, too. "The Machinist" was written by Scott Kozar who is teaming up with Brad again to film "The Crazies." There has been no casting yet. It is about the military trying to contain a killer man-made virus. It's supposed to be released in 2006, so I'll be looking for that one.

Another film I've seen recently that had a very interesting and original plot was "The Final Cut." This is the first film by Omar Naim who both wrote and directed it. It stars Robin Williams in a completely serious role. It takes place in the near future where some people have recording devices implanted in their newborn babies. When these people die, a cutter then edits their entire lives down to a movie shown at their memorial service. Robin Williams plays Alan Hakman, the best cutter around, who is disturbed when he sees someone from his past while he's cutting. If this film is any indication, Mr. Naim has a bright future ahead of him.

Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed this summer's offerings. Anyone who knows me is aware that I have been waiting years for the last Star Wars episode. I did enjoy it, although I wasn't blown away. I think the major reason is because the end was no surprise. I also enjoyed "Batman Begins", "War of the Worlds" and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" (although I didn't really need to see the last one on the big screen.) And I'm very excited about "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" which I will hopefully be seeing on Friday; however, there are just as many smaller films that I'm excited about seeing. Here's a short list, keep an eye out for them and my reviews to come: "The Island", "Domino", "Red-eye", "The Brothers Grimm", "Everything is Illuminated."