broken flowers

broken flowers
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

Bill Murray is right on the mark as computer company owner Don Johnston in the film Broken Flowers. I went to see this film saturday with some friends. Admittedly, I wanted to see it for many days before we saw it. So, I was looking forward to it. I hadn't heard much about the plot. I only knew Bill Murray was in it.

As I stated in an earlier blog, it's easy to take Bill Murray for granted because he's so good. Broken Flowers may very well be my favorite performance of his to date. Of course, it's tough to rate it higher than Lost In Translation, which is close. It's hard to rate these performances on any kind of fair scale. They're both different, and beautiful performances. The magic is in the subtlety.

Now, down to business. This film isn't for everyone. I don't even know if it's a comedy or a drama. I certainly laughed out loud in several spots. I was never deeply moved, but this movie does have a weird cerebral depth that has you waiting for the next moment, hanging on for the next event in Don's adventure. I won't go into detail about the plot, but the point of it is he has to confront four or five "old flames" in his life. He literally has to fly there and confront each one of them. These "broken flowers" have all gone their seperate ways, and it's fascinating to see where their lives ended up. You can see Don, who is reluctant to take this trip, absorbing these women's lives, and trying to process exactly what's happening.

I love the ending. At the time, I was upset by how it ended. But, the more it sinks in retrospect, the more beautiful I think it is. Life doesn't always present us with answers. There are things in all our lives that we strive to learn. But, these mysteries are not always answered in simple black and white explanations. It's tough to deal with, but the film does it beautifully.

It also deals with the choices we all make. Not the small daily choices of "white or wheat", but bigger choices. Life choices. It's similar to some themes of the film Garden State, but it's not as emotionally intrusive. Don seems to be coming to terms with guilt and regret, possibly for the first time ever. He learns that he may have a son with one of his former flames. It seems to bring him to a place of reflection and regret he has never experienced. Don't we all have those times? Maybe we don't have illegitimate sons roaming around, but we do have weird experiences from our past that deserve closure. At least, I do.

When I watched it, I was constantly apprehensive that director Jim Jarmousch was going to slip off into "artsy fartsy" territory. But, the film never gives in to that temptation. It seems to have a certain integrity, and genuine stability to it. I loved it, and I'm probably going to see it again.

That's my two cents. To Learn more about the plot, and other things, click here.

autumn time

Well, as the summer lumbers on into late August, I am beginning to sense the first traces of fall. The afternoons are not quite as blistering and oppressive. There is a cool breeze most of the time. The humidity has eased its blanket from around the earth, thankfully. Schools are back in here in Tennessee, and the day light is getting shorter day after day.

This is going to be an unusual autumn for me. I haven't experienced fall in almost two years. At least, the real Appalachian fall. The hillsides smothered with oranges, yellows, reds, and browns. That's my favorite, you know.

Along with this time of year, which is my favorite, there are certain traditions. Since trading in the scuzzy Hollywood fastlane lifestyle, this fall is going to be a more traditional down-home experience. And, traditionally, there is certain music that accompanies that. Over the years, I've developed kind of my favorite autumn time music. Some of the associations are subconcious, associating a certain song or album to a certain time of year. So, I'd like to share with you some of my favorite fall time music, which dates back as early as 1997.


1. Beck - One Foot in the Grave
I first got into this album around 2000. I love the early Beck style, and the simplicity of the music. There is also the early Beck humor laced throughout, which makes it twice as enjoyable. This is an album that happened pre-Mellow Gold, and pre-Odelay, so it's sort of a side project. Which, makes it even better. But, there's a greyish meloncholy edge that makes it appropriate for fall. It's also an album that makes you want to play in a pile of freshly raked leaves.

An aside:
While you're at it, check out the bizarre journey of "Mellow Gold" (very fall-like) and "Odelay", a late summer/early fall celebration. And, "Odelay" is one of my favorite albums of all time.

2. Smashing Pumpkins - Various
Now, I hesitate with the "various" recommendation. And, here's the reason: there is not really one whole album that is appropriate for fall. It's mostly the band's overall vibe that fits in with the theme. There's sort of a drab, intensely emotional, vaguely Halloween-is-coming-soon thing happening here. But, among my two favorite Pumpkins albums, "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness", and "Ava Adore", there are some real gems. Not all songs are winners, but most are perfect autumn adornements. Another fall song, not included on either of these albums, is "Disarm". It's worth checking out. And "Today." I don't know why it reminds me so much of fall, but it just does, okay? Back off!

3. Dave Matthews Band - Under the Table and Dreaming, Crash
Ah, nostalgia. Nothing sweeps me back to warm cozy coffee houses in the late cold fall like Dave Matthews. I can almost taste the Capuccino when I listen to the soothing melodies and soaring acoustic guitars. I feel like a college freshman again, in a good way. Favorites: "Crash Into Me", and "Satellite".

Honorable mention: Radiohead - OK Computer
Still brilliant. Still beautiful. Still sad.

These are not my only fall albums. But, to list everything here would be a tediously long blog entry. Some recent discoveries are The Shins, particularly the Chutes Too Narrow album. This band is thanks to my friend Tim who recommended them. I hope you enjoy!

You can check out all these albums on AllMusic.com

Iraq controversy

intelligent beauracracy

star wars

star_wars
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

I am basically going through an identity crisis in my life these days. So many strange factors in this world pull us in different directions. What career? What family? Where to live? You know, the usual routine. The same old questions that plague my thinking, day after day. It's kind of a zen experience much of the time. You think you've taken three steps forward, only to find yourself in a tougher place than you were before.

That's where George Lucas comes into frame. Today, and yesterday, I had the privelage of watching the original Star Wars film. Now, you may consider me a Star Wars purist, because I love the non-Special Edition version. Without aid of tons of money, a small band of rogue nerds created a genuine masterpiece. And, at the helm, was a young George Lucas. This film is inspiring to me on so many levels, I hardly know where to start. And, of course, what would it be without the brilliant John Williams score?

First, there is the George Lucas factor. Here was a young guy who had directed an independent film called THX. And, well, that was about it. He wasn't much of a writer, and loathed the process. Yet, he had ideas, and passion. With that as his driving force, he worked around financial limitations. The result was a genuine masterpiece. Today, we flippantly throw around terms such as "masterpiece", and "genius" very loosely. People that are very talented, or clever often gain the "genius" label.

The dictionary definition of masterpiece is: "The greatest work, as of an artist. Also called masterwork." or "An outstanding work of art or craft." A genius is described as "A person of extraordinary intellect and talent: 'One is not born a genius, one becomes a genius' (Simone de Beauvoir)." Well, Lucas fits the bill.

One reason I love Star Wars is because Luke Skywalker experiences genuine change. He is a young (whiney) man who doesn't know what to do with his life. He knows something bigger is out there, but he doesn't know how to achieve it. Then, before he realizes it, he's doing and feeling things he never thought were possible. It's very inspiring.

Plus, the Mellinnium Falcon is rad.

Click here if you want to learn more about George Lucas. There is a fascinating interview on achievement.org.

Thompson/Muir

Today I walked along the Hiawasee River. Yes, the very place where naturalist/writer John Muir once marveled at the natural beauty and architecture of the land. It truly is beautiful, and very rough.

I also read quite a bit about the life of Hunter S. Thompson today. Okay, am I the only one who thinks he was just completely insane? I mean, some of the crazy stories are fascinating to read. But, overall, it's hard to admire a man whose legacy is all about how many drugs he did. I guess there's the whole gonzo journalism thing. But, still, it's all quite strange. I will give him this: when I read the stories of his eccentric drug-fueled insanity, underneath it all there was a genuine inspiration. I guess you have to really go for something if you have that deep hunger for it. I don't think Thompson was a "genius". But, maybe revolutionary. Or, at the least, he was cutting edge. I don't know where I'm going with this. The guy was crazy, yet inspirational. It's a paradox, and I have mixed feelings about it. It's just the same way we all feel about Ben Affleck, right? We like the guy, but don't want to admit it.

Guess I'll stop this blog while I'm still ahead.

items of the day

1. Yesterday I heard a rumor that Willie Nelson died. I was in a panic, until I was able to confirm it as mere heresay. (And, I've been trying to find a use for the phrase "mere heresay" for a long time, so mission accomplished!)

2. Today I saw the Wes Anderson film "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou". What a cast. Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, and Willem Dafoe among my favorites. And, they're fantastic. Bill and Jeff give exceptionally good performances. At this point, it's easy to take Bill Murray for granted because we're all so used to him being so good. But, his performance in this film is one of his best ever. And personally, I felt Jeff Golblum stealing every scene he was in. Goldblum's natural persona is so good. Two outstanding performances. Everything else was just okay. I chuckled a few times at the moderate humor.

3. I am totally addicted to a video game called "the Sims." It's a game where, instead of living your real life, you sit down at your computer and live fake computer people's lives. It's great.

4. Happy birthday to my friend MAK.

5. It's really, really hot outside. Hotter than California. And more humid. And more miserable.

6. I discovered a new and wonderful chinese restaurant in town. Despite the lack of a buffet, their food is good. And, they have more than you could eat at once, so it's really two meals.

7. My special friend is going on vacation for like 3 months, so the distance thing is getting out of control.

That's about it.

hold the proverbial press

eleanor cook
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

Whoa! I heard recently on the news that two jurors in the Michael Jackson case regret their acquital! I can't handle this. In my soul, I was settled with the verdict. I was somewhat surprised that Jackson had been found innocent of all those charges, but the court of law was good enough for me. I mean, any respectable person is going to have OJ Simpson-like doubts about the verdict, but nothing too incriminating.

But NOW...these two schmoes step out into the public eye and claim they regret the acquital. All these weird "behind-the-scenes" stories are coming to the surface. And it also happens that both these jurors are going to write books. Hm. How coincidental. Eleanor Cook's book is going to be called "Guilty as Sin, Free as a Bird." And, Ray Hultman's book will be called "The Deliberator."

So, why would they acquit Micheal Jackson, then write scandalous books revealing the "truth" of his guilt? Something doesn't add up. They both claim that they were sort of pressured into the acquital. But, come on. They knew how big a deal this trial was. I mean, it was child molestation. It was Michael Jackson's life on the line. It was the life of a child on trial. Not to mention, this child's whole family was affected. Why would anything persuade a person against their belief in a trial of that magnitude? To me, it could be a huge stunt to sell books.

But there's always two sides to any story. Watching 79 year old Eleanor Cook on the news, I was confused. She seemed genuinely moved by the fact that a "child molester" had been set free. She was brought to tears as she talked about the weight of her guilt. I'm tempted to say that a 79 year old is not going to be a good actor, but Christopher Lee proves that wrong.

The bottom line is, now all my suspicions of Michael are drudged back up. I mean, how could a grown 45 year old man not understand that having small children in your own bed is not okay?!? You can say "eccentric" this, and "lost his childhood" that, but it doesn't seem right. Any grown adult should understand that. That's why Michael was tried as an adult, and not as a child. He's responsible for his actions. Now I don't know about his innocence anymore. Are they creating a publicity stunt to sell books, or getting the truth off their conscience?

super size me

burger
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

Today I watched a fascinating documentary entitled Super Size Me. Now, I know the power these documentaries have to skew the truth in favor of something biased. But, much of the "facts" of this documentary rang true to me. If you've ever read a book called Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, then this doc isn't such a stretch.

The basic premise is, this guy eats NOTHING but fast food for 30 solid days. 3 meals per day, every day. As he does so, he documents the physical changes in his body. And, he interviews many doctors and nutritionists along the way.

It will be a long, long time before I can bring myself to eat fast food again. Even foods containing partially hydrogenated fats, and monohydro-whatever fats, are so bad for your body.
In California, I ate fast food frequently. I mean, I love a good burger as much as the next guy. But, I was hooked on the NoHo diner. Fast food just ain't my bag, baby.

I would encourage anyone to check out this documentary. Not only is it informative, but entertaining. I really got emotionally involved with the "main character" of this documentary. By the end, I was really begging him to stop eating junk food! I was in his corner. And, I found myself checking every label of everything I ate today.

The documentary also had some things to say about the way we feed kids in public schools. Now, public school beauracracy is already an issue that interests me. Especially with all the "intelligent design" nonsense that's happening. Well, politics doesn't end in the classroom. It gets carried over into the cafeteria as well. They showed these middle school girls eating french fries and cola for lunch. And, that was it. Some kids had potato chips (filled with fat), Gatorade, and candy bars. And, that's all they ate. The teachers seemed to be conveniently ignorant about what the kids were eating. Everyone seemed to pass the buck to someone else. They also addressed the condition of physical education classes. Which, if it's anything like it was when I was in school, is just appauling.

I'm not saying I'll never eat another fast food burger ever again, but I'll sure think twice. And, it's going to be a while.

Check out the Super Size Me web site here.

Play the official Super Size Me game (free!!!) here.

happy halloween

happy halloween
Originally uploaded by ehiggin.

I just had a magical experience. I was watching Boy Meets World on ABC Family. And, of course, it was a Halloween episode. This holiday fascinates me. The imagery, history, imagination, and customs of this night are enthralling.

Check out this web site to visit some ghosts from my past.