2010.008 - House Husband

Wednesday was a big day; I got a lot of stuff done: oil change (the car, no V for me), played soccer (i am so sore), bought RAM and loaded it (success!), cut my hair, drove DW around, chased the cat, and more. I still feel exhausted.

And to you door to door salesmen, when the cat runs out and the owner looks frantic, drop the sales speech and ask to talk later. Or even better, offer to help get the cat.

Anyway, I plan to have more days like that... hopefully without the salesman.

2010.007 - Persepolis

I feel asleep during Persepolis (2007), which is very unfortunate as it is not indicative of the film's quality... more likely my irregular sleeping as of late. Watching a film in multiple sittings breaks the movie experience, and I always recommend against it, especially for films of higher calibre. I can see why it won several awards, including the Jury Prize at the Cannes Festival, and nominated for several more.

The film is based on the younger life of Marjane Satrapi while she grew up in Iran and Europe. It shows her struggles of becoming an adult that we all face, as well as the revolutions and wars and the resulting regimes that came after them. It helps "unveil" (if only a little bit) to us in the west the people that live under the government's rule, that they (or at least some of them) are not so different than us, that we want to be free. No doubt this is why the Iranian government protested a number of screenings at early film festivals.

Originally, the story was told in the form of a graphic novel - an extended comic book of sorts. The novel's artwork was very simple and in black and white; black was used heavily, bringing increased attention to the faces expressions but also indicating the depression that sometimes haunted her as well as the repressive goverment. The film mimics the same artwork brilliantly while adding intriguing fades and zooms that enhance the experience. Yet it all remains simple to allow the dramatic story to unfold and relate to us that despite our differences, we are very much alike.

Dramatic animated films are a rarity; filmmakers that attempt them should be respected and based on the outcome they are to be applauded. Another notch in the excellent films category.

2010.006 - Not Productive

I was not feeling well today, but I did get out of the house for dinner. Great meal by the way, B & C; it was all great, but the pork and rum cake were the highlights. I actually felt better around others; maybe this means I need to get out more. I have a list for tomorrow, so let's knock it out.

2010.005 - At a Loss for Words

Loss being the keyword.

2010.004 - My Favorite Zeros

This list is more of an approximation than a definitive opinion, each entry could easily be up or down 10 (or more) slots depending on my mood. Still, I figured I would make an attempt at my top favorite 25 films of the naughties... er, the 00's! I tried to consider both my current feelings toward the film as well as how much I enjoyed it upon leaving the theater (or seeing it on TV) among other factors too numerous to consider. That or I just looked at two movie titles and thought, "I think I like that one better."

25. The Hangover (2009)
24. Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
23. Brick (2006)
22. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
21. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
20. Iron Man (2008)
19. Sideways (2004)
18. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
17. The Incredibles (2004)
16. The Departed (2006)
15. "The Bourne Trilogy" (2002, 2004, 2007)
14. Lost In Translation (2003)
13. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
12. Donnie Darko (2001)
11. Mulholland Drive (2001)
10. Punch Drunk Love (2002)
9. Thank You For Smoking (2005)
8. The Dark Knight (2008)
7. Children of Men (2006)
6. "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy (2001, 2002, 2003)
5. Spirited Away (2001)
4. Memento (2000)
3. Snatch (2000)
2. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
1. Amélie (2001)

Other Honorable Mentions (in nearly random order): Billy Elliot, Ratatouille, Once, Juno, Up, The Illusionist, Superbad, 28 Days Later, In Bruges, X2, Finding Nemo, Bridget Jones's Diary, Sexy Beast, About a Boy, Love Actually, Ray, Bubba Ho-tep, The Ring, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Minority Report, Up in the Air, Batman Begins, Pan’s Labyrinth, Slumdog Millionaire, Big Fish, (500) Days of Summer, The Prestige, Coraline, District 9, Whip It, Shaun of the Dead, Role Models, 3:10 to Yuma, Casino Royale, and probably more. Hmm... maybe I should reorder some of those to the list.

Yeah, I've missed some and overlooked others, but some flicks just didn't do it for me. I know that I still need to see such gems as City of God, Cache, Avatar, Inglorious Basterds, Hotel Rwanda, Oldboy, The Wrestler, Precious, and Ponyo. Do you have any suggestions that might have slipped by me?

2010.003 - Reset, Review

I am back from the holidays; it is time to make a game plan... only I've been sidetracked. It's the end of the "naughties" so I thought I might join the crowd and rate my favorite flicks. I am doing top 25 and the last five are tough - ordering will be even tougher.

2010.002 - Chillin in Charlotte

We're just hanging out in Charlotte - not doing much other than maybe a Tech BB game later tonight. The food has been pretty good. Thx SF.

2010.001 - Resolutions

Let me tell it like it is... I could use some butt kickin'. Dad and FIL have helped drive it home, but I had already convinced myself of the same thing... I want/need to go back to school. Resolution #2. Figure out what classes to take. Resolution #3. Figure out how to get back in school. Resolution #4. Finish transferring bushes. Resolution #5. Start AND finish the basement. Resolution #6. There is NO... resolution 6. Resolution #7. Don't worry so much about the other resolutions until I'm done with numbers one through five.

Note to self: Motivation

Grats Sis!