Because of how beautiful Portrait of a Lady on Fire is, I couldn't stay away for too long. My friend and co-host of "Oscar Wild," a podcast about everything Oscars (or lack there of in this case), and I recently discussed everything about this film. And now that our podcast is officially on Apple Podcasts, you can listen to the podcast here.
Post your comments!
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Co-VIDeo Starter Kit
I published a list a few years ago of my Film Starter Pack, a slew of films from a variety of genres that are vital to one's undertaking of film history. While the list does include films from almost one hundred years ago, that doesn't mean it's only a film critic's paradise. Yes, some of the movies are award-winning gems and imperative viewings in understanding how film developed as a medium, but others are just a riotous fun time. And I would start listing all of them here again because each is impressive and worth a rewatch. Consider this a modest update to that list with a mix of films that are sure to cure your quarantine blues.
If you've had enough of this quarantine and are feeling shady and/or isolated:
4. Paris Is Burning (1991): Netflix
Learn the history of Harlem's drag scene in the 80s and 90s and how these safe spaces allowed LGBT people of color to blossom along with voguing, reading, and iconic ballroom moves.
to a desert island- 14. Cast Away (2000): rent or Cinemax
For a feel good moment because we all need one:
16. Faces Places: Kanopy
Agnes Varda's final film before her untimely passing last year. One of the French New Wave's most iconic filmmakers, Varda leads the viewer to find art and happiness in unlikely spaces. Which, by now, is every corner of your apartment!
And if you don't know what Kanopy is, it's a treasury of films provided free via your local library or university that you absolutely must shuffle through!
What films are getting you through these trying times?
For some laughs and a grand sing-along time, "forget about your worries and your strife":
1. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018): rent or Cinemax
On multiple best of the year lists, this prequel-sequel takes you back to the Greek Islands to further the happy-go-lucky story of Sophie and Donna with even more ABBA music. If a fun sing along can't cure your blues, then you're in for a very long quarantine!
2. La La Land (2016): rent
BOPS, courtesy of Pasek and Paul, that will lead you down a rabbit hole of their composing discography, from Dear Evan Hansen (also a great cry and amazing OST with Ben Platt) to The Greatest Showman. The film is also just a fun trip around LA's hot spots including a very non-social distancing, jam-packed 105.
3. Muriel's Wedding (1994): HBO GO
Showcasing an iconic and young Toni Collette, this movie follows Muriel in trying to achieve her dreams of getting married despite all odds. Enjoy dancing and laughing with more ABBA hits and lots of 90's makeup.
If you've had enough of this quarantine and are feeling shady and/or isolated:
4. Paris Is Burning (1991): Netflix
Learn the history of Harlem's drag scene in the 80s and 90s and how these safe spaces allowed LGBT people of color to blossom along with voguing, reading, and iconic ballroom moves.
5. In The Mood For Love (2000): Criterion Channel
The most beautifully crafted film (yes, even more than The Tree of Life) made by the genius Wong Kar-wai, whose entire filmography is flawless, from Happy Together to The Grandmaster and Chungking Express. This gem follows a tender relationship between a man and woman who discover that their partners are engaging in an affair yet try not to follow suit.
If you've already spiraled and need a good cry:
6. About Time (2013): Netflix
Sci-fi and wholesome and a romcom worth pouring your heart over. Its simple message of living every day to its fullest will have you laughing and crying until the very bittersweet end.
Anything Greta Gerwig touches because she's a true gift from the film gods:
7. Lady Bird (2017): Amazon or Kanopy
I'm not sure anyone has ever created such a perfect feature debut as Greta Gerwig has here. This sharp, witty film balances one's search for independence married by familial struggles and high school heartbreak.
I'm not sure anyone has ever created such a perfect feature debut as Greta Gerwig has here. This sharp, witty film balances one's search for independence married by familial struggles and high school heartbreak.
8. Frances Ha (2012): Netflix
My first memory of Noah Baumbach and Greta making a flawless team, he directs her as a struggling NYC dancer with a very strong personality and even bigger dreams. This screenplay, one like you've never seen before, has me coming back time and time again.
My first memory of Noah Baumbach and Greta making a flawless team, he directs her as a struggling NYC dancer with a very strong personality and even bigger dreams. This screenplay, one like you've never seen before, has me coming back time and time again.
9. Little Women (2019): rent
Greta, showing no signs of a sophomore slump, breathes new life into the Marsh family with a compelling screenplay and a sisterhood stronger than any travelling pants.
For some excitement:
10. Run Lola Run (1998): rent or Shudder
A uniquely designed film following Lola as she races against the clock to find $100K that her boyfriend lost. This film won multiple awards in the festival circuit and it's only 80 minutes long!
A uniquely designed film following Lola as she races against the clock to find $100K that her boyfriend lost. This film won multiple awards in the festival circuit and it's only 80 minutes long!
11. The Handmaiden (2016): Amazon
Another Asian genius, Park Chan-wook, known for Oldboy, Lady Vengeance, and Thirst, puts his own spin on this stunning erotic psychological thriller, snubbed from having a worthy discourse similar to Parasite. You will be gasping at every turn as this femme fatale tries to con a noblewoman out of her inheritance. Afterwards, go read 'Pachinko'!
12. Osmosis Jones (2001): rent or Starz
Maybe a bit on the nose, but enjoy this punny navigation of the human body while a white blood cell and a cold pill try to stop a deadly virus from taking over Bill Murray.
12. Osmosis Jones (2001): rent or Starz
Maybe a bit on the nose, but enjoy this punny navigation of the human body while a white blood cell and a cold pill try to stop a deadly virus from taking over Bill Murray.
For trying to escape this planet:
during the apocalypse- 13. Interstellar (2014): FXNOW
A stellar cast (and Hans Zimmer score!) to guide you through black holes, five dimensions, and other worlds in search of a new home amidst a food shortage on Earth. This is another wonder created by Nolan that will have you praying for no Tenet delay this summer.
during the apocalypse- 13. Interstellar (2014): FXNOW
A stellar cast (and Hans Zimmer score!) to guide you through black holes, five dimensions, and other worlds in search of a new home amidst a food shortage on Earth. This is another wonder created by Nolan that will have you praying for no Tenet delay this summer.
to a desert island- 14. Cast Away (2000): rent or Cinemax
In solidarity for Tom Hanks and his precious Vegemite quarantine updates, we all can understand a little too well the friend he made in Wilson all these years and miles ago. I still cringe at that toothache scene.
into a board/video game- 15. Jumanji (1995): rent
A fully-bearded Robin Williams, riotous monkeys, scarily large spiders, an elephant stampede, lots of dice rolling, and much much more. What gave me nightmares years ago still delivers on imagination today. Fun Fact: Jumanji also stars a young Kirsten Dunst who had, the year prior, starred in Gillian Armstrong's adaptation of Little Women (1994).
A fully-bearded Robin Williams, riotous monkeys, scarily large spiders, an elephant stampede, lots of dice rolling, and much much more. What gave me nightmares years ago still delivers on imagination today. Fun Fact: Jumanji also stars a young Kirsten Dunst who had, the year prior, starred in Gillian Armstrong's adaptation of Little Women (1994).
For a feel good moment because we all need one:
16. Faces Places: Kanopy
Agnes Varda's final film before her untimely passing last year. One of the French New Wave's most iconic filmmakers, Varda leads the viewer to find art and happiness in unlikely spaces. Which, by now, is every corner of your apartment!
And if you don't know what Kanopy is, it's a treasury of films provided free via your local library or university that you absolutely must shuffle through!
What films are getting you through these trying times?
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Oscars of the Decade
Here we are, finally settling into 2020 past all of the hoopla of awards season.
On the next installment of our Oscar Wild podcast, we will be discussing Oscars of the Decade. The rules are:
1. All nominees must have received an Oscar nomination in the assigned category in the 2010s.
2. You may pick five nominess for each category and ten for Best Picture.
3. You may pick the same actor multiple times for different roles (i.e. Bradley Cooper for A Star Is Born and American Sniper).
Click here to link to the spreadsheet of all nominees categorized by Picture, Director, all Acting categories, Original and Adapted Screenplay, and Cinematography. Winners have been highlighted in yellow but don't let that affect your voting! While it would be fun to do all twenty-four categories, you'll see how difficult and complex breaking down just these few categories becomes. I kept struggling with ranking the films based on category differentiation, my opinions and likes, and how the film has fared over time.
Follow along on our podcast as we debate and share all of our results!
Also, play along with the bracket below of all 88 Best Picture nominees! March Madness is truly in the air with how long this month has felt and how crazy it has been.
On the next installment of our Oscar Wild podcast, we will be discussing Oscars of the Decade. The rules are:
1. All nominees must have received an Oscar nomination in the assigned category in the 2010s.
2. You may pick five nominess for each category and ten for Best Picture.
3. You may pick the same actor multiple times for different roles (i.e. Bradley Cooper for A Star Is Born and American Sniper).
Click here to link to the spreadsheet of all nominees categorized by Picture, Director, all Acting categories, Original and Adapted Screenplay, and Cinematography. Winners have been highlighted in yellow but don't let that affect your voting! While it would be fun to do all twenty-four categories, you'll see how difficult and complex breaking down just these few categories becomes. I kept struggling with ranking the films based on category differentiation, my opinions and likes, and how the film has fared over time.
Follow along on our podcast as we debate and share all of our results!
Also, play along with the bracket below of all 88 Best Picture nominees! March Madness is truly in the air with how long this month has felt and how crazy it has been.
Who is your 2010s Champion?
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Oh, I'm Happily on Fire
To say that Portrait of a Lady on Fire packs a wild, cinematic punch would be doing so in way more words than the characters have to in this film. Céline Sciamma and DP Claire Mathon (also cinematographer for Atlantics and Stranger By The Lake) masterfully use the camera as a tool not only to detail the relationship of Heloise (Adèle Haenel) and Marianne (Noémie Merlant), but also to evoke emotions of a deeper story of love, conflict, desire, loss, and seclusion without heaps of dialogue. Truly, this is how you know you're in the presence of an auteur. There is no need to elaborate on the cinematography outside of the overwhelming viewing experience, for its Queer Palm and Best Screenplay wins at Cannes speak volumes. Each shot is a beautiful painting in itself, reminiscent of Mr. Turner’s portrayal of JMW Turner. The camera finds the perfect angles, light, and movement to capture the poise and purpose in their lives.
The story is told from the perspective of Marianne, a painter who is hired to secretly paint Heloise, the royal daughter of La Comtesse (must be royal with a name like that, right?), who detests the artwork because she knows that upon completion she is to be married off to an Italian aristocrat. What follows is a beautiful tale of forbidden love between two women: a journey that entrances the viewer with each successive shot.
Apart from the camera, music becomes the strokes which define and transform both characters. Since almost no score is used during the film and the music is used so sparingly, it is easy for the viewer to feel the power the music has in these women's lives. Heloise, never having heard an orchestra perform live, is gradually introduced. Marianne first plays for her on the harpsichord early in their introduction, quickly taking your breath away while foreshadowing and echoing “the storm that is brewing.” Later, the three come to a gathering in a scene that powerfully crescendos into the titular (I needed a way to include this word to imagine Beanie Feldstein yelling, re: Lady Bird) inspiration for Marianne. This scene is then edited so fluidly into the next sequence which highlights the growing intimacy between Marianne and Heloise through slight touches during another beach walk.
By the grand finale, both women have matured in their own way. Sciamma smartly reveals in the opening scene of the film, in lieu of plot-based (and less satisfying) suspense, that the women don't have a happy ending. On rewatch, you understand how Marianne has matured and now uses her experiences with Heloise to teach students the beauty and precision in painting. Then in the final moments, in an astounding long take similar to another recent queer masterpiece, you are completely enveloped by Heloise's transformation and her apparent undying love for Marianne, even after all these years.
Sadly, France submitted Les Miserables instead of Portrait for the Academy Award's International Feature category, so it wasn't eligible. And even though there was zero chance of any other film eclipsing Parasite in winning this category, Portrait still deserved to be nominated. Here's to hoping its re-release this week allows it to gain momentum and viewers around the world!
The story is told from the perspective of Marianne, a painter who is hired to secretly paint Heloise, the royal daughter of La Comtesse (must be royal with a name like that, right?), who detests the artwork because she knows that upon completion she is to be married off to an Italian aristocrat. What follows is a beautiful tale of forbidden love between two women: a journey that entrances the viewer with each successive shot.
Apart from the camera, music becomes the strokes which define and transform both characters. Since almost no score is used during the film and the music is used so sparingly, it is easy for the viewer to feel the power the music has in these women's lives. Heloise, never having heard an orchestra perform live, is gradually introduced. Marianne first plays for her on the harpsichord early in their introduction, quickly taking your breath away while foreshadowing and echoing “the storm that is brewing.” Later, the three come to a gathering in a scene that powerfully crescendos into the titular (I needed a way to include this word to imagine Beanie Feldstein yelling, re: Lady Bird) inspiration for Marianne. This scene is then edited so fluidly into the next sequence which highlights the growing intimacy between Marianne and Heloise through slight touches during another beach walk.
Another fascinating and satisfyingly laughable aspect of the film is how grandiosely Sciamma belittles men. Our first image of men is of transporting her to the residence where she is to paint Heloise. They row, they tell her where to go, and they leave. She needs no help in carrying her things up the rocky hillside nor when her canvas falls overboard and she jumps in to save them. The next male to be mentioned is the Milanese man to whom Heloise is to be married. To no surprise, she abhors the idea and the two in love later argue about complacency in the mother’s dated views of marrying her child off to have a better life. I’m with Heloise in that even saying Milanese brings to mind eating a delicious pasta dinner while listening to a beautiful orchestra and I would choose that over marriage any day.
Our third fleeting moment of a man’s presence is finding him eating, tired from travel, and being served by the brave housekeeper, Sophie, who carries more than just the weight of the house on her shoulders. In short, men have their limitations and need cared for; unlike the women who manage the entire estate by themselves. The final appearance of men comes as little more than an unorganized mass of spectators of a room full of portraits. Marianne stands by one of her portraits, notedly of Orpheus and Eurydice’s final glance, and corrects one man in saying it’s hers, not her father’s. I grinned through the penultimate sequence here in which she wades through men, passively chatting with each other, and pushes them aside to “[see] her again a first time.”
Our third fleeting moment of a man’s presence is finding him eating, tired from travel, and being served by the brave housekeeper, Sophie, who carries more than just the weight of the house on her shoulders. In short, men have their limitations and need cared for; unlike the women who manage the entire estate by themselves. The final appearance of men comes as little more than an unorganized mass of spectators of a room full of portraits. Marianne stands by one of her portraits, notedly of Orpheus and Eurydice’s final glance, and corrects one man in saying it’s hers, not her father’s. I grinned through the penultimate sequence here in which she wades through men, passively chatting with each other, and pushes them aside to “[see] her again a first time.”
By the grand finale, both women have matured in their own way. Sciamma smartly reveals in the opening scene of the film, in lieu of plot-based (and less satisfying) suspense, that the women don't have a happy ending. On rewatch, you understand how Marianne has matured and now uses her experiences with Heloise to teach students the beauty and precision in painting. Then in the final moments, in an astounding long take similar to another recent queer masterpiece, you are completely enveloped by Heloise's transformation and her apparent undying love for Marianne, even after all these years.
Sadly, France submitted Les Miserables instead of Portrait for the Academy Award's International Feature category, so it wasn't eligible. And even though there was zero chance of any other film eclipsing Parasite in winning this category, Portrait still deserved to be nominated. Here's to hoping its re-release this week allows it to gain momentum and viewers around the world!
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Oscars Nomination Predictions 2020
It feels like a lifetime ago when I apparently posted my nominations in 2012, albeit a shortlist. So I think this is the first year I've made a thorough, educated list, having seen the vast majority of the likely noms, minus a few including the shorts. Thank God I'm back on the East Coast this time around and don't have to be up at 5:30am (honestly Hollywood, that needs to change), but rest assured my eyes will be peeled Clockwork Orange-style at 8:18am waiting for Issa Rae and John Cho to announce the 24 Oscar nominated categories in two days! Here's my list of predictions and feel free to scrutinize: I didn't spend the last three months rewatching buzz features for nothing! Also, shorts, I love you and I'll go see you in theatres, but I'm not even going to attempt to guess which 15 of you will be nominated. So without further ado, let's do this!
8:18 announcement (not in order):
Actor in a Supporting Role
Hanks
Kang-Ho Song (LET HIM IN!)
Pacino
Pesci
Pitt
Alt:
Hopkins (it is quite a delight to watch him, as Pope, devour a slice of pizza)
Actress in a Supporting Role
Dern
Lopez
Pugh
Robbie (OUATIH, not Bombshell: it matters)
Shuzhen
Just please, not Bates...
Costume Design
Downton Abbey
Jojo Rabbit
Little Women
OUATIH
Rocketman
Film Editing
1917
Irishman
Marriage Story
OUATIH
Parasite
Alt:
Uncut Gems
Ford V Ferrari
Original Score
1917
The Farewell
Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
Alt:
Jojo Rabbit
Animated Short Film
I'm just sad Coaster didn't make it to the shortlist.
Live Action Short Film
Sound Editing (again, two categories that are usually very similar and unguessable to me)
1917
FvF?
Irishman
OUATIH
Star Wars
Sound Mixing
1917
Avengers
FvF
Rocketman
Uncut Gems
Actor in a Supporting Role
Hanks
Kang-Ho Song (LET HIM IN!)
Pacino
Pesci
Pitt
Alt:
Hopkins (it is quite a delight to watch him, as Pope, devour a slice of pizza)
Actress in a Supporting Role
Dern
Lopez
Pugh
Robbie (OUATIH, not Bombshell: it matters)
Shuzhen
Just please, not Bates...
Costume Design
Downton Abbey
Jojo Rabbit
Little Women
OUATIH
Rocketman
Film Editing
1917
Irishman
Marriage Story
OUATIH
Parasite
Alt:
Uncut Gems
Ford V Ferrari
Original Score
1917
The Farewell
Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
Alt:
Jojo Rabbit
Animated Short Film
I'm just sad Coaster didn't make it to the shortlist.
Live Action Short Film
Sound Editing (again, two categories that are usually very similar and unguessable to me)
1917
FvF?
Irishman
OUATIH
Star Wars
Sound Mixing
1917
Avengers
FvF
Rocketman
Uncut Gems
Alt:
Star Wars
8:30 announcement (not in order):
Actor in a Leading Role
Banderas
DiCaprio
Driver
Phoenix
Sandler
Alt:
Egerton (*loud sigh at Globes win likely pushing Sandler out*)
Actress in a Leading Role
Awkwafina
Johannson
Nyong'o (a likely upset like Collette for Hereditary but here's to hoping!)
Theron
Zellweger
Alt:
Ronan
Animated Feature Film
Frozen II
HTTYD: THW
I Lost My Body
Missing Link
Toy Story 4
8:30 announcement (not in order):
Actor in a Leading Role
Banderas
DiCaprio
Driver
Phoenix
Sandler
Alt:
Egerton (*loud sigh at Globes win likely pushing Sandler out*)
Actress in a Leading Role
Awkwafina
Johannson
Nyong'o (a likely upset like Collette for Hereditary but here's to hoping!)
Theron
Zellweger
Alt:
Ronan
Animated Feature Film
Frozen II
HTTYD: THW
I Lost My Body
Missing Link
Toy Story 4
Alt:
Klaus
Weathering With You
Cinematography
1917
Irishman
Joker
Parasite
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (SO DESERVED but since it wasn't submitted by France for International Film, is it even eligble here?)
Documentary Feature
American Factory
Apollo 11
For Sama
Honeyland (double nominated here and for International Feature, it'll show up in one of them)
The Cave
Midnight Family
Cinematography
1917
Irishman
Joker
Parasite
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (SO DESERVED but since it wasn't submitted by France for International Film, is it even eligble here?)
Documentary Feature
American Factory
Apollo 11
For Sama
Honeyland (double nominated here and for International Feature, it'll show up in one of them)
The Cave
Midnight Family
Biggest Little Farm
Documentary Short Subject
International Feature Film
Atlantics
Beanpole
Les Miserables
Pain & Glory
Parasite
Makeup and Hairstyling
1917
Bombshell
Joker
Judy
Rocketman
Production Design
1917
Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
OUATIH
Parasite
Visual Effects
1917
Avengers: Endgame
Irishman
Lion King
Star Wars
Documentary Short Subject
International Feature Film
Atlantics
Beanpole
Les Miserables
Pain & Glory
Parasite
Makeup and Hairstyling
1917
Bombshell
Joker
Judy
Rocketman
Production Design
1917
Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
OUATIH
Parasite
Visual Effects
1917
Avengers: Endgame
Irishman
Lion King
Star Wars
Alt:
Cats
Adapted Screenplay
ABDITN
Irishman
Jojo
Little Women
The Two Popes
Original Screenplay
Knives Out
Marriage Story
OUATIH
Parasite
The Farewell
Original Song
Glasgow (Wild Rose)
I'm Gonna Love Me Again (Rocketman)
Into The Unknown (Frozen II)
Spirit (Lion King)
Stand Up (Harriet)
A Glass of Soju (Parasite)
Directing
Bong
Mendes
Scorsese
Tarantino
Wang
Cats
Adapted Screenplay
ABDITN
Irishman
Jojo
Little Women
The Two Popes
Original Screenplay
Knives Out
Marriage Story
OUATIH
Parasite
The Farewell
Original Song
Glasgow (Wild Rose)
I'm Gonna Love Me Again (Rocketman)
Into The Unknown (Frozen II)
Spirit (Lion King)
Stand Up (Harriet)
A Glass of Soju (Parasite)
Directing
Bong
Mendes
Scorsese
Tarantino
Wang
Alt:
Baumbach
Gerwig
Phillips
Best Picture
1917
Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
OUATIH
Parasite
The Farewell
Uncut Gems (PLEASE)
Top Nominations
1917 10
Irishman 10
OUATIH 10
Parasite 8
Marriage Story 7
The Farewell 6
Joker 5
Little Women 5
Rocketman 4
Jojo Rabbit 3
Uncut Gems 3
How do we feel? Do you agree? Will you be up with me on Monday, January 13th at 8:18am ET? I hope so!
Gerwig
Phillips
Best Picture
1917
Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
OUATIH
Parasite
The Farewell
Uncut Gems (PLEASE)
Top Nominations
1917 10
Irishman 10
OUATIH 10
Parasite 8
Marriage Story 7
The Farewell 6
Joker 5
Little Women 5
Rocketman 4
Jojo Rabbit 3
Uncut Gems 3
How do we feel? Do you agree? Will you be up with me on Monday, January 13th at 8:18am ET? I hope so!
Sunday, October 22, 2017
If Not Later, When?
"Parce que c'était lui, parce que c'était moi"
Rushing into a movie after it has already started sounds like the opposite of ideal movie watching to me, but you do what you gotta do when you get a free standby ticket for being a film festival volunteer. There are very few exceptions I would do this for and Call Me By Your Name is one of them. And since I walked into the theatre just having read the book a week ago, I knew the small bit I had missed and everything that was to come. So BOY was I giddy! I was immediately overcome by Luca Guadagnino effortlessly adapting Andre Aciman's tour de force novel into a beautiful escape to Mediterranean Italy.
For a quick recap (check out my previous post), Oliver, an American writer played by Armie Hammer, is invited to Italy for six weeks in order to work on his Ph.D. thesis with an impeccably cultured host family. What develops over the coming weeks is encased in the subtlest of flirting: a gentle but firm touch sending goosebumps down Elio's spine (and man parts), a glance of each other's glistening bodies at the pool, and each man teasing the other by kissing or talking about his ~almost~ sexual encounter with a girl in public. While there's no big crescendo with thick palpable sexual tension in the air between the two men, Elio's explosion (figuratively and literally) in a ripe ball of emotions is the catalyst for their raw, blossoming relationship. [Side note: I highly recommend reading the book to get a better insight into how furiously Elio's mind is overworking being around Oliver.]Standing ovation for Call Me By Your Name. And so so so so so deserved. #NYFF— Nick Ruhrkraut (@sauerkraut27) October 4, 2017
Timothee, beyond talented at the age of 21, makes every scene an effortless interaction by communicating so much emotion in just one look. The final shot alone, which runs the length of the credits in one take, count stand as his reel by itself. He transforms into three or four emotional states after realizing the anguish of heartbreak, thus broadening Elio's complexity even more. Expect a Best Actor Oscar nom for Tim along with Direction for Luca, Costume Design for Giulia Piersanti, and Cinematography for Sayombhu Mukdeeprom.
And as a side note, the fashion in the film is to DIE for. I will definitely be contacting the costume designer to buy one of everything that Elio wore: his bracelet, bathing suits, shirts, even Oliver's shorts. I. Need. That. Floral. Shirt.!"Timothée had the intelligence, ambition, elegance to play Elio..." -Luca #CMBYN— Nick Ruhrkraut (@sauerkraut27) October 4, 2017
From the perspective of a gay man, it is easier to understand this less as a sexual study and more of a coming of age tale for Elio. More commonly that I initially imagined, I heard friends recounting homoerotic curiosities growing up similar to that of Elio and Oliver. In a world that is finally becoming more understanding of the fluidity of sexual identity, not everything has to be black or white or stay the same way forever. Elio is discovering different parts of himself through his separate attractions to Oliver and Marzia. By the end of the summer, relationships develop and we know Oliver has to leave. So it finally makes sense that Luca would leave out the final future scenes of the novel: to keep ambiguous and unclear if Elio will eventually end up with a male or female partner. This may give hope to the hopeless romantics who think maybe, maybe someday the two men could rekindle their summer love. In the book (SPOILERS), Elio remains single for over thirty more years, more or less waiting for Oliver. If their summer love made Elio realize that he was gay doesn't necessarily need to be made known.Timothée/Elio confirms that playing the piano is the most appealing and sensual talent anyone can master #CMBYN— Nick Ruhrkraut (@sauerkraut27) October 4, 2017
Luca always ends his films with a memorable sting. I Am Love still stands as my favorite ending of a film ever. Even though it does feel long at 132 minutes, CMBYN ends (oh how I wish it wouldn't end) on a different note than throughout the majority of the film. Also possibly why Luca decided not to play out the novel's ending was to make Elio's talk with his father a more significant scene of finality. "[Oliver] was good, and you were both lucky to have found each other, because you too are good" (Aciman 223). As someone struggling with his or her sexuality or just devastated by a breakup, Mr. Perlman's (Michael Stuhlbarg) words provide a profoundly accurate and emotionally comforting means to accepting grief, heartbreak, and helplessness. "Withdrawal can be a terrible thing when it keeps us awake at night, and watching others forget us sooner than we'd want to be forgotten is no better...But to feel nothing so as not to feel anything- what a waste!...I don't envy the pain. But I envy you the pain" (224-5). I longed to hear my dad utter these words of support, knowing that he would accept every part of my true self. Consequently, never having felt this is probably why I melted into a puddle (and wrinkled the pages while reading) during these humbling moments. The world would be a better place today if it had more Mr. P's in it.
In the end, it isn't perfect. I can't even recount one instance where the movie adaptation was better than the book. For what the novel accomplishes, the film seems slightly too long and omits some of the most emotional (and sensual) moments. But Luca made it perfect in its own way and he embodied in this Italian escape from reality the most heartwarming love story 2017 needs.
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Overnight BrOats
1/2 cup oats
1 scoop whey protein powder (match flavor to fruit or nut butter additions)
1/4 cup strawberries, blueberries, banana and/or peanut/almond butter
1 scoop chia seeds
1/2 cup almond milk (to desired consistency)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
honey
Mix ingredients and leave in fridge overnight. Either eat as is or blend for a morning drink on-the-go!
Thursday, September 28, 2017
A Summer, A Lifetime of Love
Being in love is never easy. There are always two outcomes: either you end up together forever until death or someone falls out of love and the relationship ends. And even with the former option- considering natural causes- someone has to die first and leave the other with a lifetime of memories to reflect on. Yeah, super morbid! But on the other hand, no matter how many times you go through it, love will always give you that unbound, visceral, ecstatic feeling of being truly alive. Nothing- except maybe skydiving- will ever come close to that intense rush of empowering emotions, that ephemeral immortality when your stars align with those of someone else. You sign up for whatever comes your way because you know you can handle anything. Sometimes the attachment comes when you least expect it. But it's there.
Forbidden love is the absolute worst. Because then you just want it more and deep down, locked inside the dungeons of your mind, you hear that trapped prisoner screaming out, "Don't do it! The end is near!" But the hope inside of you pushes him into the corner to shut him up and moves forward, pursuing your image of happiness that eventually morphs and deteriorates as you didn't think it could. All the while you kept it a secret because there was no one else you could tell. It lived in your heart alone and in every single place that your love endured. It implanted a memory, a feeling into each place so that when you return, a piece of your heart would forever stay there too, to keep the memory of your love alive.
Yet, (in the corniest line to date referencing the greatest of modern love hits), the heart wants what it wants because it knows you're the one that I want. (I warned you.) So when you first meet glances across the room, you feel the attraction pulse between you. And when you look back and find them taking a second glance too, you don't worry that your heart skipping a beat may be a medical emergency. Your first words, your first touch, the flirting, the overthinking, the deliberate avoiding hoping it'll lead to them missing you, and eventually your first kiss; courting always makes love worth it. In the end, it 100% is. Love is the act of being human and it is what connects us all.
Before I deconstruct everything about love, I should probably introduce that all of these thoughts and plenty more are thanks to my recent (less than 20 minutes ago) finishing of André Aciman's Call Me By Your Name. The fact that this is the first book review on my film blog carries its own weight, but this all comes in antici-------pation of the imminent release of the feature film directed by Luca Guadagnino. His previous works (I Am Love, A Bigger Splash) suggest a raw, deeply intimate look into his characters and their human struggles. Which, in part, is exactly what CMBYN is all about.
An American academic, Oliver, is invited to stay with an Italian family in their Mediterranean villa for six weeks. The son, Elio, and Oliver (played by Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer, respectively) create this unparalleled bond that makes the summer skip by in a heartbeat and the book's final page come with yet another torrent of tears. After I read A Little Life, I wasn't sure I had a single more tear to give. But for better or worse, CMBYN showed that I had even more to shed. It will be interesting to see how Guadagnino translates Aciman's fluid prose and Elio's borderline obsessive (don't worry, I've been there plenty of times) POV.
In short, these two friends, lovers create such a transcendent bond, they consider themselves extensions of each other. In effect, 'Call me by your name' so that we can be infinitely close to one another always. I don't want to give too much away before the film's release, but if you've read the book you know how impactful it can be. I can only hope for the same emotional roller coaster in the film. So pack your tissues, tie your heart strings up tight, bring along your memories of your first love, your summer love, and stay tuned for my review after the film! (Wish me luck that I can sneak into the Q&A with Luca, Armie, Timothée, and Michael after my volunteer shift!)
Later!
Forbidden love is the absolute worst. Because then you just want it more and deep down, locked inside the dungeons of your mind, you hear that trapped prisoner screaming out, "Don't do it! The end is near!" But the hope inside of you pushes him into the corner to shut him up and moves forward, pursuing your image of happiness that eventually morphs and deteriorates as you didn't think it could. All the while you kept it a secret because there was no one else you could tell. It lived in your heart alone and in every single place that your love endured. It implanted a memory, a feeling into each place so that when you return, a piece of your heart would forever stay there too, to keep the memory of your love alive.
Yet, (in the corniest line to date referencing the greatest of modern love hits), the heart wants what it wants because it knows you're the one that I want. (I warned you.) So when you first meet glances across the room, you feel the attraction pulse between you. And when you look back and find them taking a second glance too, you don't worry that your heart skipping a beat may be a medical emergency. Your first words, your first touch, the flirting, the overthinking, the deliberate avoiding hoping it'll lead to them missing you, and eventually your first kiss; courting always makes love worth it. In the end, it 100% is. Love is the act of being human and it is what connects us all.
Before I deconstruct everything about love, I should probably introduce that all of these thoughts and plenty more are thanks to my recent (less than 20 minutes ago) finishing of André Aciman's Call Me By Your Name. The fact that this is the first book review on my film blog carries its own weight, but this all comes in antici-------pation of the imminent release of the feature film directed by Luca Guadagnino. His previous works (I Am Love, A Bigger Splash) suggest a raw, deeply intimate look into his characters and their human struggles. Which, in part, is exactly what CMBYN is all about.
An American academic, Oliver, is invited to stay with an Italian family in their Mediterranean villa for six weeks. The son, Elio, and Oliver (played by Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer, respectively) create this unparalleled bond that makes the summer skip by in a heartbeat and the book's final page come with yet another torrent of tears. After I read A Little Life, I wasn't sure I had a single more tear to give. But for better or worse, CMBYN showed that I had even more to shed. It will be interesting to see how Guadagnino translates Aciman's fluid prose and Elio's borderline obsessive (don't worry, I've been there plenty of times) POV.
—but at what price, and did I want to be so safe from anyone? #CMBYN— Nick Ruhrkraut (@sauerkraut27) September 26, 2017
In short, these two friends, lovers create such a transcendent bond, they consider themselves extensions of each other. In effect, 'Call me by your name' so that we can be infinitely close to one another always. I don't want to give too much away before the film's release, but if you've read the book you know how impactful it can be. I can only hope for the same emotional roller coaster in the film. So pack your tissues, tie your heart strings up tight, bring along your memories of your first love, your summer love, and stay tuned for my review after the film! (Wish me luck that I can sneak into the Q&A with Luca, Armie, Timothée, and Michael after my volunteer shift!)
Later!
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Here's To The Fools
THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD IS BACK! #LaLaLand— Nick Ruhrkraut (@sauerkraut27) December 8, 2016
Now that I've had a few weeks to calm down after seeing La La Land, I can finally control my brain to actually form words about what I was seeing. It was magical, inspiring, transformative. I actually hadn't seen any articles or reviews about it before, apart from the trailer. Rarely do I go in without much insight, but this was definitely a worthy experience of losing myself in movie magic.
tfw ur heart rate is normal then ur bawling then internally screaming then happy crying. 5 times over. that's how passionate La La Land is.— Nick Ruhrkraut (@sauerkraut27) December 8, 2016
On the surface, it's just another love story between two beautiful stars mixed with Chazelle's characteristic music motif. But what he creates is an unforgettable journey through space and time -- just kidding (mostly). It really is an incredible two hours though. After just a couple minutes, you'll wish you were singing and dancing around LA along with the perfect Gosling and Stone.
From here on out, spoilers beware.
What most people are upset about, or talking about the most, is the tragic ending. What was a delightful escape for the entire film becomes a heartbreaking end for the pair that lights up the screen. But isn't it nice to have some reality in a mostly fictitious landscape? As Mia and Sebastian do, shouldn't we live for the journey and not just the ending? In another universe, they are for sure still together and as happy as in that dream sequence. This leads me to wonder: did they need to break up in order to achieve their dreams? Possibly, but they pushed each other to persevere their own dreams. And even though they have their weak moments, they never want to give that specific dream up. Sadly, this draws them apart and into different lives once again. I live by a saying that every single person comes into your life for a reason. Seb and Mia may have become fools for each other, but they met for the ultimate reason: for their love to inspire their own passion for life.
In that last glance with Mia in the doorway (which to this day makes me cry imagining it), their eyes say 'I love you, I'm so proud of what you've created.' And that to me is true love. Love may or may not be eternal and it definitely isn't always kind. Regardless, it recurs throughout one's life. Their love for their careers was the greatest during their relationship and without that (Mia's exhaustion being defeated through auditions and Sebastian joining a band where he knew he wasn't reaching his full potential), they couldn't even satisfy each other.
The end sequence in La La Land is reminiscent of the same in @XDolan's Mommy and I couldn't be more proud to compare the two's raw intensity— Nick Ruhrkraut (@sauerkraut27) December 8, 2016
His juxtaposition of the audiences' ideal ending with the more real and tragic end love is the cherry on top of a magnificent film. You get lost in the beauty that they have created and you don't want to escape. The classic Hollywood backdrop, a happy-go-lucky love story, is perfect to showcase the effortless on-screen chemistry between Gosling and Stone, almost tricking the audience to assume a perfect ending. So whether you love it or hate it, I think it is the most perfect way to end a movie. To make what is happening on-screen more than just plot. To not only make it surprising, but also to reshape the Classical Hollywood formula of a happy ending for modern times. (Also, if you haven't seen Mommy by Xavier Dolan, please do yourself the favor and watch that now.)
Is there anything I didn't like? No because even John Legend's interlude with 'Start A Fire' is catchy. Also, when you think you've hit the "slow part" of the movie after they're playing phone tag, Seb shows up and they fight. On the other hand, my grandma loathed the opening's unrealistic car-hopping number. But to me, the film's tightrope act between reality and fiction is what keeps you so emotionally engaged till the very end. Some parts are really fun and imaginative (who expected hundreds of people to get out and start dancing and singing on the 405?), some are pure beauty (Mia walking into the party, snow falling, the music crescendoing, the variety of bold colors dazzling every inch of the frame), and some awfully real (Mia coming to tears during first audition in her -again vibrantly- blue coat; well, all of Stone and Gosling's acting for that matter).
On another note, do I even need to say anything about the music? I've listened to the entire OST everyday for the past 3 weeks. So that's probably why I remembered the film on second viewing almost shot-for-shot. Chazelle uses jazz as a backdrop just like in Whiplash, and it is quite interesting to see music become almost a third character in the story. I'll be interested to see what he brings in his third picture-- maybe creating a jazz trilogy of sorts.
Here are some of my favorite moments from the soundtrack that blow you away on-screen:
-The entire first number, because how could you not be rejuvenated every morning after listening to it
-The crescendo in 'Someone In The Crowd' with Mia approaching the pool (mentioned above)
-Stone laughing while singing in her duet with Gosling. You can tell it's pure joy and it makes my heart melt for her more and more
-Planetarium. Easily the whole track but the swooping stretches of ballroom music bring me to tears
If you can't tell, I'm trying to ramble because there are an endless number of wonderful things to discuss about this movie. It will easily win Best Picture at the Oscars among many other deserving nominations. So if you haven't seen it but knowing the ending makes you want to see it now, GO. If you've already seen it, go again! Because if loving is dreaming, then let me be a crazy fool.
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New Year, New Me
1/2 (frozen) banana
large handful spinach
1 TB chia or flax seeds
12 grapes (because why not partake in a fun Spanish tradition)
1/2 TB ginger
carrot juice, enough to cover the ingredients
1/2 lemon, juiced
Top off with ice and honey. Happy 2017!
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