More on Stranger Than . . .

Bobby raises an interesting point about the ending of Stranger Than Fiction. If you haven’t seen the movie and you don’t want to know how it ends, stop reading now and don’t read the comments on the original Stranger Than Fiction post.

In many ways, Stranger Than is thoroughly postmodern, breaking down barriers between author and subject, inverting expectations, and toying (for lack of a better term) with features of modernity (boy meets girl story, the prevalence of Mies van der Rohe architecture, characters named for mathematicians, the playful GIU interface/overlay imposing structure on an unstructured world).

But I wonder; at what point does posmodernity lead to such an inversion of expectations regarding “Hollywood endings” that stories go full circle back to the Hollywood ending? The viewer recognizes that a story is postmodern (or perhaps quirky) and begins to anticipate that the story will not have the kind of ending where everything is wrapped up in a nice package. That is to say, this kind of quirky story usually (or in its best form, so the viewer thinks) has an ending that is, well, not fully resolved. Stranger, though, inverts the postmodern form itself, providing a happy ending—which is in reality the unexpected ending.

All that to say, as I watched the movie I was pretty certain that Harold would die. So when the author finds a way for him to live, that actually inverted my expectations regarding how a quirky, postmodern movie would play out.

Like I said in the beginning, Stranger Than Fiction would make a great discussion starter (there are many other things in the movie worth discussion if you don't enjoy discussions of postmodern story telling). Or maybe I just can’t enjoy a movie without over thinking it. But that’s why you love me.

Wow, this is like a real blog post. It must be the cold medicine.

The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio -- B

While I'm not in the target demographic (i.e., a woman), I found it to be genuinely sweet. Based on a true story, it is a warm story about a woman who holds her family (of 12) together by writing pithy jingles and overlooking her husband's not insignificant failings. Ladies will love it. Men will want to throttle the husband (a not so mellowed out Woody Harrelson) and tell him to snap out of it.

Jesus Camp -- B

One of the most disturbing things I've seen in a long time. It's a documentary that purports to be about evangelicalism, but mainly focuses on a single pentecostal church and a camp run by that church's children's pastor. The children are bombarded with overly-emotional messages about God and country that they are too young and too immature to comprehend. They are simply worked into an emotional frenzy. Much of what the film demonstrates seems like little more than brainwashing.

That said, the film is very, very heavily edited. Reaction shots seem to have been inserted for effect, and in some cases clearly do not reflect actual responses to what is being heard in the film at that time. It strikes me that the film-makers may be doing some emotional manipulation of their own.

It's worth seeing, though, to understand the widespread (mis)perception of evangelicals.

Stranger Than Fiction -- A

Interesting and well made film that becomes quite thought provoking in the end. Would make for a great discussion starter.

UPDATED: Shut Up and Sing — B

UPDATE: I don't want to be misunderstood about liking the song "Not Ready to Make Nice." I like it because it so clearly spells out how I do NOT want to be. I DO want to be ready and willing to make nice.

This documentary about the Dixie Chicks, and their lead singer (Natalie Maines) shooting her mouth off about the President and the War in Iraq is pretty good, particularly if you’re into media and public relations. Lots of behind the scenes discussions about how to manage their image. Maines ultimately comes off well because she is more concerned with being honest about what she believes than with managing her image. While I disagree strongly with what she believes, it’s refreshing to see someone actually being honest and not simply saying what people want to hear. Of course that could all just be in the editing.

I’m also pretty sure I’ve come to like their big hit song, “Not Ready to Make Nice.” While—again—I don’t agree with the ultimate message of the song, I think that it realistically portrays the fact that forgiveness and reconciliation are hard work when sincerely undertaken. And I think that we’ve all had times when we felt like the chorus. The problem is when we allow ourselves to get stuck there.

I'm not ready to make nice,
I'm not ready to back down,
I'm still mad as hell
And I don't have time
To go round and round and round
It's too late to make it right
I probably wouldn't if I could
Cause I'm mad as hell
Can't bring myself to do what it is
You think I should

Also, it has a nice beat and one could dance to it.


Wow, Mister Ginger made a long post.

Babel – F

Maybe I missed something, but I thought it was almost completely without merit. The confusion of languages serves to divide us and makes life difficult. Title: Babel. Subtle.

In the end, the viewer is left empty, wondering, is that it? That said, Brad Pitt does a very good job with his role. The music was minimal, and I think that it served the film well. By far the most redeeming character in the film was the guide from the bus. He takes Pitt and Blanchett to his village, works hard to get them the care that they need, stays with them until the ambulance arrives, and then refuses any compensation whatsoever. Otherwise, a real disappointment. Makes the contrivance that is Crash look good (at least it had a point).

The Departed – B-

As the film started, I told my life-partner lady-friend that Scorsese’s movies are always violent, but the violence is not without consequence. While that held mostly true here, the violence ultimately seemed pointless. Which, of course, is what a world of pure evil would quickly degenerate to—not just an eye for an eye, but a life for an eye (see Genesis 4:23-24). Perhaps the film would have been stronger if we had seen more of the inner struggles of Costigan (DiCaprio) and Sullivan (Damon) (and perhaps even Dignam (Wahlberg) and/or Queenan (Sheen)). As it is, we're given (at best) only hints about inner struggles.

One reviewer claims the film is a commentary on who we truly are versus who we appear to be. This may not be far off, particularly given the not so subtle digs at the Roman Catholic Church throughout the film.

Style-wise, it’s great. Depth-wise though, not so much.

Clarification

Several of you have written to say that, based on my recommendation, you've read The Sparrow. Most of you have also mentioned that you found it depressing. Well, yeah, that's probably true. The second book, Children of God sets what happened in The Sparrow into a different context, but CoG is not nearly as well written. If you pick it up, feel free to skip the chapters that are clearly not relevant to the plot from the first book (you'll know what I mean if you start reading the book).

Spoiler Alert
If you don't feel like wading through CoG then let me just say that it turns out that everything Emilio did and said on the alien planet was misinterpreted. As strange as it seems, they thought they were honoring him, and doing him big favors. Ah, miscommunication, ain't it great?!?

The Guardian - B-

It mostly achieves what it sets out to do, which is to be entertaining and to give a tip of the hat to the under-respected U.S. Coast Guard. A little something for the guys (action and adventure) and a little something for the ladies (romance and Ashton Kutcher). Not great movie-making, but not awful either.

Mister Ginger found it interesting on another level, as parts of it were filmed in and around a city where he once lived and he recognized some of the locations.

Scoop - C+

This is the style of movie I thought I was getting when I rented Match Point. Scoop has its moments, primarily one-liners, some of which are spoken as throw-away lines. If you're a fan of Allen, you've probably already seen it. If you're not a fan, this probably isn't the place to start.

Serenity - B+

I've never seen Firefly (the TV show on which Serenity is based) so I went in to the movie with few expectations. It’s a space western in the mold of the original Star Trek, but considerably more western/outlaw. From what I understand, the film’s budget was somewhat limited, but the special effects are quite good. If you’re a fan of the various Star Trek franchises, Star Wars, Tom Clancy, and/or cyberpunk, you’ll probably enjoy Serenity.

You, Me and Dupree - B

It had the potential to be as annoying as What about Bob, but somehow it comes of as quite a bit more likable. Michael Douglas does an Alec Baldwin-esq turn as an over the top father-in-law/boss. Molly's brief speech at the end of the movie was a tad counter-cultural (in a good way), even if it was not exactly consistent with Kate Hudson's real life.

Little Miss Sunshine - B+

Today nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, Little Miss Sunshine is good. But one of the best five movies of 2006? I'm not sure. The best original screenplay nomination makes sense. Check it out.

Lady in the Water - B

The least believable of the M. Night Shyamalan movies. While setup as a bedtime story for children, and indeed based on a book Shyamalan wrote, I tend to think some of the scenes are probably a bit intense for most young-uns. Self-deconstructing, and entertaining for the over 13 set, though.

Idiocracy - C

Well, given the derivation of the title and the fact that it was written and directed by the guy who brought us Bevis and Butthead, I don't know what I expected. But since he also brought us Office Space and King of the Hill, I guess I hoped for more.

The movie does include an interesting critique of declining fertility rates among the affluent and well-educated. It is also, on the whole, a sort-of commentary on the kind of entertainment in which Judge usually traffics. But it's mostly idiocy.

The Devil Wears Prada – B

So we’re supposed to believe that the former editor of the student newspaper at one of the top (if not the top) journalism schools can’t find a job in journalism? Well, maybe . . . suspending belief and all that (oh, and based on a true story, so . . .)

That said, it’s an interesting movie that shows the lengths one will go to in order to win the approval of another.

Here’s a review worth reading for its literary breadth as well as for the deeper implications the reviewer finds.

2007 Book Prediction

I predict that my favorite book of 2007 will be this tome, due out in March.

2006 Book #1

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell — Theodicy as science fiction. Really outstanding, highly recommended. Quite possibly my favorite novel of all time. I also read the sequel, Children of God, but found it much less satisfying.


My Favorite Books of 2006 Series
Intro and Worst Books
2006 Book #5
2006 Book #4
2006 Book #3
2006 Book #2

Book #2

All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy is unlike anything I’d ever read (and not just because it’s a western). Yes, it is also a movie (which I’ve apparently failed to review here) but read the book; it’s better.

All the Pretty Horses is the first volume of McCarthy’s Border Trilogy, and I’m on the lookout for the other volumes as I visit used bookstores. McCarthy’s The Road is on a number of best books of 2006 lists, and it is also on my “to buy” list I’ve just purchased it. I finished McCarthy's No Country for Old Men in 2006 (at about 10:30 pm on December 31). Very good, but no Pretty Horse.

My Favorite Books of 2006 Series
Intro and Worst Books
2006 Book #5
2006 Book #4
2006 Book #3

Book #3

Back to the book business . . .

My #3 book for 2006 is David Allen’s Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, which may prove to have more long lasting effects on my life than any book I’ve read in a while. I certainly haven’t found productivity to be stress-free, but there is much in the book that has improved my work habits. And 43folders.com, which is based on but as far as I know not officially affiliated with the book, is lots of fun (if you're into all that GTD stuff).

My Favorite Books of 2006 Series
Intro and Worst Books
2006 Book #5
2006 Book #4