Movies

(First of all, I had to think really hard to come up with a title that was still a song name . . .)

This is going to be about what I look for in movies, and maybe a bit rant-y, too.

I don't necessarily want a movie to entertain me.  Sure, it's nice every now and then to watch a popcorn-eater or mind-bubblegum.  But, not all the time.  I want something that makes me think, something that challenges what I believe, and something that contains a well-told story.  Everything in the film should work together to create that story - good writing, good direction, good acting, good sound, good soundtrack, good cinematography . . . all that jazz.  So I tend to surprise people when I say I didn't really care for Avatar (WHAT?) or Inception (Blashphemy!).  There was just something in each of those that didn't really give them a leg to stand on.  Avatar relied solely on visuals, but told basically the same story as Dances with Wolves or any other empire/colonial-condemning story.  Inception had an outstanding cast (top billing excluded), but the story was transparent, trite, masturbatory, and predictable.  Also, the soundtrack sucked, which is surprising because I tend to like Hans Zimmer.  I did enjoy the mixing they pulled off with that Edith Piaf tune, but everything else sounded like exactly the same song.

Some of the movies I've found to be inspiration lately are films that haven't been in the mainstream and haven't received attention outside of - dare I say it - hipster and scene circles, like (500) Days of Summer, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, and for some reason, children's movies.  That may be because they aren't striving to be pretentious, high-budget showcases for expensive equipment and effects.

I don't really seem to know anyone who agrees with me on any of these points, and that has provided a bit of difficulty lately.  I'm part of a group that's going to put together a short film for a competition, and everyone seems to want to string a bunch of pop culture references and clever one-liners together enough to fill about four minutes, but I can't get a decent story out of them.

Conflict.  That's what drives stories.  Drama.  Suffering.  Pain.  Catharsis.  Aristotle wasn't wrong about this one.  I don't think he foresaw flicks like Dude Where's My Car?, but it still follows (very basically) his analysis of poetry.  Something happens to the characters, they get over it, the audience leaves feeling something, whether that be side-splitting pain from sheer ridiculousness or amused relief that the car was found and the weird German guys saved the planet.

I guess I'm looking for my movies to behave like literature.  That's where they started, after all.  Poetry led to the play led to the screenplay.  And everything in between.

Rollercoaster

Ups and freaking downs.  Like, for real.

It's been a very long time, so let's start with the most connected occurrence:  I got into CalArts and had everything ready right up until the tuition deposit was due.  Then, everyone who said they would be able to help me out ended up not having the money.  SO, no CalArts.

I've had interviews and auditions for three or four jobs, but nothing has stuck.  Still looking for a full-time position, hopefully in an area of theatre.  Or film.  Or television.  At this point, entertainment would be nice.

Still working at the movie theatre.  It looks like I'm moving up to Supervisor soon, but I'm not really sure how I feel about that.  I hadn't planned on working there this long.

My father was diagnosed with cancer in his neck a few weeks ago.  He's already had 2 surgeries, and we're waiting now on radiation and chemotherapy.

All of my student loans are in forbearance because I'm having to help with the mortgage, bills, and medical expenses.

I'm ready to test for my driver's license (finally, at the age of 23) on my next day off.

Mostly downs, but life happens.  When I'm able to drive, I'll be able to audition for shows downtown.  Get myself out there.