Part of my self-perception has always been that I often play the role of the cynical observer. I am more skeptic than believer, more likely to tear something down than build it up. I have always been more likely to sit back on the sidelines and comment on the action than to actually throw myself into it. My nerdiest pick-up line ever (describing myself as the “Nick Carraway” of the group) might also have been my most accurate. Heck, what have all of the incarnations of this blog been if not a way to report on all that goes on around me? I’m usually at the center of any group I’m in, but only because that is where the best view is. If that view allowed me to poke fun at everything around me, all the better.
Last week I was fortunate enough to go on two trips. The first trip was a work conference and training program in Oakland that all involved referred to as “CAMP”. Considering that almost all attendees were in the 25-40 demographic and that there was lots of talk about starting a movement and changing the world, this whole event appeared to be teed up for parody. As the week went on, though, I began to lose the desire to mock. I really liked all of the people around me. I might not have been inspired, but I definitely felt like I was part of something bigger. Sure there were some ridiculous activities and people who were just a little too excited, but I even found myself starting to like them, too. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was becoming one of them.
None of this really crystallized for me until the second part of my trip. On Friday night, I flew into Boulder for Susan’s 30th birthday party. I was really looking forward to that weekend, because in addition to hanging out with Susan and Aaron, I’d get to spend time with Sarah, Dane, and Jeff. On Saturday, we all gathered at a condo Aaron rented for the occasion and hung out with all of Susan’s friends to do what we specialize in…drink to excess. This was an older crowd than I normally hang out with…i.e., it was one that was actually my age for a change. As the night moved on and everyone got sippier, the conversation shifted in the direction of the “kids” today. Person after person expressed their opinion that the 21-year-olds of the world shouldn’t say anything until they had the chance to live a little. Well, Jeff didn’t say that…he greatly values all that 21-year olds have to offer. But as the conversation progressed, I began to become put off by its judgmental nature. It had the tenor of an old man yelling at the kids to get off of his lawn.
Don’t get me wrong…I had a very good time in Boulder (as anyone who read Jeff’s Facebook feed on Saturday can attest). And undoubtedly, I love my college friends in a way that I’ll never feel about any co-workers. What my two vacations did help me realize is that I am definitely not the same person I was when I left Houston three years ago. Undoubtedly, I’m less judgmental than I was before. I am more likely to drink the Kool-Aid. For lack of a better term, I just care more now. And if caring means that I have to participate more and relinquish my observer’s perch, I think I’m ready.
What I'm Listening To: Philadelphia - Standard Fare, Colleen - The Heavy, Too Young to Burn - Sonny and the Sunsets
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
What my Top 10 looks like (Finally!!)
My original goal was to finish this serious of columns during January…then before the Oscars…and seeing as how it is already July 26th, it is probably about time. Better late than never? Remember, these are my favorite movies of 2009…not necessarily the best. Something might hit me square that missed you completely. Agree or disagree, I hope you enjoy!
10) Where the Wild Things Are – This book terrified me as a child in such a way that I was actually proud of making myself watch it. And make no mistake…this isn’t a kids’ movie. I was enthralled by the real opening scenes, affected by the island, and moved by the ending.
9) Black Dynamite – I’m guessing you haven’t heard of this one. Trust me…set this one up in your Netflix queue for the next time you plan to watch a film with a large group. You’ll thank me.
8) A Serious Man – A lot of critics considered this to be a movie illustrating the Coen brothers’ total contempt for their characters and one of their lesser works. That wasn’t the movie I saw. Yes, the main character had to deal with an undeserved amount of abuse, but wasn’t that the whole point? I laughed throughout…you can’t underestimate a movie with a character as great as Sy Ableman.
7) District 9 – This movie gets almost everything right. A fantastic story idea with obvious undertones, a clever storytelling device, and a tonal shift after the first act that really throws the audience. This is a fully realized world filled with odd details. I could have lived without the Hollywood action movie ending, but it didn’t detract too much from the whole.
6) In the Loop – Biting, savagely funny modern update to the Wag the Dog style of political satire. Political humor isn’t for everyone, but this movie is a must for Daily Show/Colbert Report fans.
5) Up in the Air – Gorgeous film that brings to mind what may have become of Ed Norton’s Fight Club character if he had embraced his role of road warrior instead of being driven insane by it. This is a film whose foundation is built on performances, and all three leads are stellar. The clips of real people talking about their experiences being laid off add heft and ground the story in reality.
4) Hurt Locker – Here is what I wrote when I originally saw it in July – “The Hurt Locker may very well be the best movie (of the year). This is the type of movie that should win multiple Oscars, but will be lucky to even sniff a nomination. Iraq war movies have notoriously poor at the box office, but this one deserves to be the exception. It is haunting, tense, and claustrophobic. Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie are fantastic in the lead roles.” Wow, guess I underestimate the Oscar voters, huh?
3) Adventureland – This movie benefited the most from my procrastination. I loved it the first time I saw it, but was surprised by how much it still hit home with each subsequent viewing. This movie evokes an unmistakable era without hitting you over the head with it and it shows emotions without resorting to cloying sentimentality. Whenever someone tells me that they love this movie I just want to hug them and vow to be their best friend for life. You don’t get that with films like Avatar.
2) Inglorious Basterds – There is a very famous quote by legendary actress Rosalind Russell that goes “Do you know what makes a movie work? Moments. Give the audience a half dozen moments they can remember, and they’ll leave the theatre happy. “ Inglorious Basterds fits that line to a tee. The opening scene and the bar scene are probably the two best of the year, and there are numerous other s that are still sharp in my memory even though I only saw it once.
1) 500 Days of Summer – Again, back to what I wrote in July – “I almost feel bad reviewing this movie, because my praise is going to be so hyperbolic that I’m sure it will eventually cause some of you to be let down by it. This movie absolutely owned me. I had very high hopes, but they were exceeded in every respect. It was clever, it was sad. It was witty, thorny, and joyous. There were more scenes than I could count that left me with a smile that I couldn’t remove. There were scenes where the pain was visceral. The soundtrack was fantastic. Zooey Deschanel is my (and everybody else’s) celebrity crush. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was my favorite actor before I saw this movie…now I’m certain that he is about to become a household name. It is only July, but I’d be shocked if I see a movie that I like more all year.” I didn’t.
What I’m Listening To: Rill Rill - Sleigh Bells, I Need a Dollar - Aloe Blacc, Tightrope - Janelle Monáe
10) Where the Wild Things Are – This book terrified me as a child in such a way that I was actually proud of making myself watch it. And make no mistake…this isn’t a kids’ movie. I was enthralled by the real opening scenes, affected by the island, and moved by the ending.
9) Black Dynamite – I’m guessing you haven’t heard of this one. Trust me…set this one up in your Netflix queue for the next time you plan to watch a film with a large group. You’ll thank me.
8) A Serious Man – A lot of critics considered this to be a movie illustrating the Coen brothers’ total contempt for their characters and one of their lesser works. That wasn’t the movie I saw. Yes, the main character had to deal with an undeserved amount of abuse, but wasn’t that the whole point? I laughed throughout…you can’t underestimate a movie with a character as great as Sy Ableman.
7) District 9 – This movie gets almost everything right. A fantastic story idea with obvious undertones, a clever storytelling device, and a tonal shift after the first act that really throws the audience. This is a fully realized world filled with odd details. I could have lived without the Hollywood action movie ending, but it didn’t detract too much from the whole.
6) In the Loop – Biting, savagely funny modern update to the Wag the Dog style of political satire. Political humor isn’t for everyone, but this movie is a must for Daily Show/Colbert Report fans.
5) Up in the Air – Gorgeous film that brings to mind what may have become of Ed Norton’s Fight Club character if he had embraced his role of road warrior instead of being driven insane by it. This is a film whose foundation is built on performances, and all three leads are stellar. The clips of real people talking about their experiences being laid off add heft and ground the story in reality.
4) Hurt Locker – Here is what I wrote when I originally saw it in July – “The Hurt Locker may very well be the best movie (of the year). This is the type of movie that should win multiple Oscars, but will be lucky to even sniff a nomination. Iraq war movies have notoriously poor at the box office, but this one deserves to be the exception. It is haunting, tense, and claustrophobic. Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie are fantastic in the lead roles.” Wow, guess I underestimate the Oscar voters, huh?
3) Adventureland – This movie benefited the most from my procrastination. I loved it the first time I saw it, but was surprised by how much it still hit home with each subsequent viewing. This movie evokes an unmistakable era without hitting you over the head with it and it shows emotions without resorting to cloying sentimentality. Whenever someone tells me that they love this movie I just want to hug them and vow to be their best friend for life. You don’t get that with films like Avatar.
2) Inglorious Basterds – There is a very famous quote by legendary actress Rosalind Russell that goes “Do you know what makes a movie work? Moments. Give the audience a half dozen moments they can remember, and they’ll leave the theatre happy. “ Inglorious Basterds fits that line to a tee. The opening scene and the bar scene are probably the two best of the year, and there are numerous other s that are still sharp in my memory even though I only saw it once.
1) 500 Days of Summer – Again, back to what I wrote in July – “I almost feel bad reviewing this movie, because my praise is going to be so hyperbolic that I’m sure it will eventually cause some of you to be let down by it. This movie absolutely owned me. I had very high hopes, but they were exceeded in every respect. It was clever, it was sad. It was witty, thorny, and joyous. There were more scenes than I could count that left me with a smile that I couldn’t remove. There were scenes where the pain was visceral. The soundtrack was fantastic. Zooey Deschanel is my (and everybody else’s) celebrity crush. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was my favorite actor before I saw this movie…now I’m certain that he is about to become a household name. It is only July, but I’d be shocked if I see a movie that I like more all year.” I didn’t.
What I’m Listening To: Rill Rill - Sleigh Bells, I Need a Dollar - Aloe Blacc, Tightrope - Janelle Monáe
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