Blessings #1

Bodies Of Water - Twist Again (2012)

One drop of rain, in the midst of a field, that runs through the trees, and climbs over the hills, across stones, rivers, flowers, sprouting from the cracks, of a young one's dream, while lying on her back, beneath a canopy of leaves, that catches the rainbow, left by the sun, plunging through holes, scattered across clouds, to tumult upon the heads, of those on the ground, who look up in the stead, of fear found below, deep in their hearts, and no amount of prayer, shall allow it to depart, but though it lingers, hope springs anew, from an aura that blooms, and helps them find truth, though they do not know how, or whenst it will come, but the promise of joy, keeps all that's undone, away from desires, which tear at the flesh, and gorge at the trough, of all that is blessed, so that someday tomorrow, our children shall weep, at all the dismay, we did not keep, because someone somewhere, said it would be, our privileged honor, to always be free, of suffering and pain, the small price of being, a human upon this earth, aware but never seeing.

Paris 36 - Christophe Barratier (2008)

Following an arrest for murder, Pigoil, the manager of a struggling cabaret tells his story. After his wife leaves him, taking their only son, Pigoil is a destitute wreck but he dreams about reopening the Chansonia, the music hall that he loves. Somehow he convinces the owner, a fascist stereotype, to let them and they manage to get things going for awhile. They only problem is they don't have a very good act. In comes Douce, a beautiful young woman with a voice to match and a history of her own that connects her to this little suburb outside of Paris. Soon she is packing the house, much to the chagrin of the landlord, who never wanted them to succeed and he'll do anything to stop them. It's an elegant tale that embodies a different era of film. The supreme touches that weave throughout the production elevate your heart and allow you to emerge yourself in this strange and magical place and time.

Blessings #2

Austra - Feel It Break (2011)

When had our heroes turned to villains? We've taken these archetype images that were so relevant in our youth and twisted them so thoroughly that our culture now reveres drug dealers and serial killers. Sure they may seem like they're accomplishing some good as they defy forces even worse than them, as we revel in the way they overcome the impossible, but what is it that allows us to identify with them in the first place? Or is it that we've rejected the concept of the pure human spirit embodied in the idea of hero worship? We've all grown up and realized that these fantasies of human glory are simply illusions that only tease us as we search for a refreshing drop in the desert of our souls. There is no purity in the world. There is only a complex and divisive struggle within us that extends out and affects everything around us. Sometimes we do things that are evil or stupid or greedy. Sometimes we attempt to be noble or courageous or conscientious. It's not always good nor is it bad. It just is. Which is why it can seem wholly interesting to identify with a protagonist who is as flawed as everyone else on the planet and somehow continues to thrive in spite of it.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Tomas Alfredson (2011)

During the '70s, the "Circus", the highest level of the British Secret Service is immersed in an incredible chess match with Soviet Intelligence. An operation is set forth to discover the identity of a mole inside the circus but when that fails, the hierarchy of the circus is shifted and new players take over. Are these new powers simply being controlled by the mole and Moscow? Only someone from outside the power structure can discover the truth. Enter George Smiley, one of those who were forced out during the power shift, who starts a new game that is played in the shadows of the original but perhaps with even more at stake. An engrossing and elegant tale, told through the lens of an absolute master who never reveals too much. You simply keep searching until everything is laid out in perfect detail.

Blessings #3

Lee Fields And The Expressions - Faithful Man (2012)

I couldn't breathe, like my lungs were full of smoke. I needed to expel the pungency from me but the the thought of taking that active step filled me with dread. Outside the curtain my devoted followers waited for the routine that they have come to love and respect. If only I still felt what they felt. Was it possible to start over after all these years? So often we settle into a comfortable place that eventually will not allow us to grow. I feel like I'm stuck in that place right now. But it' so hard to ignore all the years of success that have transformed into an empire of wealth and adulation. All I have to do is step out on that stage and I will see it shining in the light of their eyes. It will provide illumination for any material need that I wish but it also has the power to expose the path of deception I've tread for so long. So I turn away and the shadows wrap around me, swallowing the trail I leave behind. I'm cut off and the wilderness will either destroy me or help me become a new person. I suppose that I shall find comfort in the fact that I can look at myself in the mirror and truly feel a sense of freedom with what I see.

Incendies - Denis Villeneuve (2010)

When a mother passes away suddenly, twin brother and sister learn through the reading of her will that a strange mystery surrounds their beginnings. Now they must travel to Lebanon to find the father they thought was dead and a brother they never knew existed. Weaving through a trail of deceit and destruction that is caught up in the midst of the tragic conflict between the Christians and Muslims, the twins follow the path toward an entire history they never imagined could exist: their mother is a woman capable of incredible deeds of survival as well as the kind of viciousness that can tear apart a nation and she is strong enough to come out of the most heinous brutalization only to raise two children alone in a foreign country, while forever being reminded of her torture each time she looks into their faces. It is a tale of war and the hate that cascades from every action and an explicit reminder that no one can escape the effects of such a wicked instrument.

Blessings #4

Nicolas Jaar - Space Is Only Noise (2011)

When the two women found the body it was half-way in and half-way out of the water. Face down, the waves gently lapped at the man's waist, his arms above his head as if he were crawling from the surf. By the time the detectives arrived the tide had fallen below the knees. The women had been sent on their way by then, having given their contact information and received contact information for trauma counseling. It's not everyday that people stumble upon a dead body. A small crowd had gathered outside the containment area, but there wasn't a lot to see. There were few immediate clues beyond what was physically on the body and it was obvious that it had been in the water for some time. The lead detective, a man named Surley with a reputation to match, knew that if they couldn't find anything in the victim's background the path going from this final resting place would be pretty hazy. Sure, they could get lucky, but there were a thousand unsolved cases sitting in cold filing cabinets back in a warehouse somewhere. They only had so much time and very little support to follow through. Surley glanced up at the beach and the small cottages that lined the avenue beyond. The sun would fade soon and they'd be working in the dark. It was a perfect metaphor for the life of a homicide detective. Little did he know, but as he peered at the faces of the on-lookers the murderer was staring right back at him watching his every move.

Biutiful - Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (2010)

He was a family man. In this cutthroat world of trade and commerce, he has managed to carve out a tiny piece of living beneath the facade. Down below the streets in the corners of the shadows, another form of market capitalism unfolds. It's not entirely legal, but it isn't much different from the one that is; exploitation and ruthlessness behind every transaction. In the midst of it all he's discovered that he has been handed a death sentence, an illness that will slowly eat him alive. Now he must decide how to help his family. How can he provide for their future once he's gone when they barely live day by day? The life that he took for granted for so long will soon unravel and all of the ways that he has tried to protect those he loves will no longer matter. He puts plans in motion and every step he takes reminds him of the harshness of this life, but amidst it all he begins to see the beauty that lives in every breath, every memory. It won't be easy and people may eventually take advantage of him as he has done to others. He strives for a stable legacy with the faces of his children motivating each decision. In the end, maybe that's all that he can take with him, perhaps it will provide some peace after all.

Blessings #5

Polica - Give You The Ghost (2012)

He was programmed to bring control to a society that was coming unraveled. They were needed to keep order in a world where people no longer wanted to fight against their neighbors and friends. Those in power needed something else to help them remain on top, so by standing order 5702-341 the clone program went into full effect. Before the year was out there was a new line of defense against the riots that raged outside their gated communities. But no one counted on these designed beings to develop emotions and thoughts of their own. Yes, they looked human, in a way, but it was obvious to differentiate them with their body suits and headsets that were graphed directly into the skin cells. They could thrive on a simple supply of supplement that was injected through a tube and had no reproductive characteristics at all. But their faces resembled humans in every way and that may have been the one failure of their design. It was what lay in the eyes that allowed Kandra to fall in love, or perhaps it wasn't love exactly as some kind of mutual attraction that developed between them. Her heart went out to it when she looked into its eyes, that was all she knew. She wasn't expecting any physical connection to happen at first, maybe just someone to talk to, but it could kiss. It could touch her and before she knew what had happened she was immersed in a very strange companionship. They tried to run away together but they were apprehended and both of them vanished. But they were remembered as the first to break through the chains that were set up to separate humanity. They became a symbol that eventually brought us into the more compassionate and hopeful age that we live in today. We must always remember that no matter what is created to keep us apart, we somehow continue to develop the power to reconnect.

Attack The Block - Joe Cornish (2011)

Kids these days! They just lay about smoking weed, selling drugs and stealing from the good folk of the world. They're just good for nothing hoodlums on a one way ticket to the slammer, destroying the very fabric of our society and bringing down the property value of decent communities. What are we going to do with them? It's hard to find a use for em, is what I say. Except they're pretty good to have a round when a cluster of aliens from outer space plummet to the Earth in search of mating ground. Before we know it, they'll be running around with a vengeance saving our asses from total infestation. I suppose we should simply have some appreciation for the youth that will run things some day. Unlikely heroes, after all.

Blessings #6

Chairlift - Something (2012)

She'd been behind the wheel of a cab for a long time and she'd seen just about anything that you can think of in that back seat. So, when the two girls started making out, she wasn't surprised. They were young, vibrant and beautiful, so before long, her eyes were drawn to them. The way that they reached for one another, the passion pushing together in urgency, caused a stirring within her. It brought forth memories from a time that suddenly didn't seem so long ago, though she hadn't dreamed about it in many years. Their open lustful mouths twisted and closed to pull at the dripping taste. Hands on skin, caressing then kneading into the flesh with their wanton display. A tingling sensation began to run through her thighs at the sight of them and she found herself staring in the rear-view mirror while the slick wet streets passed beneath the wheels of the cab. The car was in auto-drive, she could make these routes blind. She took it all in, not knowing how far the women would go. When one of them moaned, she heard the sound catch deep in her own throat, as well. Her moan reached the girl opposite her and she caught the driver's eye in the mirror. The girl noticed how they were affecting her and a warm smile beckoned. She looked away, back to the road and thought about the invitation hidden within the girl's smile. Long ago, she never would have hesitated to follow them but tonight she only felt like a ghost of what once was.





Blue Valentine - Derek Cianfrance (2010)

There's something precious in those first moments when a new sensation brings forth all these hopeful ideas. Oh, that dynamic feeling is beautiful in dramatic ways. A simple walk down a late night avenue offers a glimpse into the human dream that plays out before us all. Sometimes it's so easy to reach and touch in meaningful ways and those quick emotions are powerful enough to lift you up above the mundane workings beneath the surface. But time slowly leaks through and all those feelings, all of that beauty begins to dissipate. It turns into responsibility and monotony and work and not all of us are willing to put in the same amount of work. Then, when you try to fall back on the memories that held you together for so long, it's simply not enough. The past has turned into tomorrow and all it looks like is a cheap hotel with plastic covered dreams. The distaste turns into anger and the passion goes bad, pushing each other away where it once pulled you together. Sometimes it takes years for a relationship to end, the drama of a broken heart lost in the tired refrain that has become your life. It draws out of the ash with a whimper and slowly walks away, never to turn its head.

Blessings #7

Yuna - Yuna (2012)

They found him in a hay field outside of Kansas. Hard to believe, right? Such a cliche, no? When Rachel Daugherty spotted him, she had no idea what she was about to discover. She was photographing for an article about family farms in the mid-west and the loss of the great agricultural heritage of the nation. She spotted him through the lens and the camera opened up to him. Before long she had him in her studio in New York and the rest was a blur, a mix of pleasure and delight and creativity that launched his presence upon the world. He became an icon, a face that everyone fell in love with and that's when he slipped from her fingers. The universe wrapped its tentacles around him and pulled him into the vortex. Rachel was happy for him but she also felt like something special came and went before she had a chance to really experience it. She was also worried about what might become of him. The machine has a way of destroying such innocence. But the amazing thing about it was that he came out of it all unscathed. She saw him ten years later and he was still pretty much the way that she remembered him. By then, he was even more famous than she ever imagined he would become. Her  life had changed dramatically, as well. She was still an active photographer but she was now married with children. He was a star while her life had grown more subdued but that night he never made her feel like he was better than her. He was still so grounded and she couldn't fathom how someone who came from such humble beginnings would catapult into fame only to come out with his soul intact. He didn't really know either. He simply shrugged his shoulders and gave her that smile that made everyone swoon.

Winter's Bone - Debra Granik (2010)

Rural Missouri, forgotten and desperate, where people push against the fringes just to earn a living. A teenager looking at a future without hope has learned to stand up for herself in order to survive, to fight. When a father, who is no longer part of her life, goes missing and must be found so that they don't lose their home, she steps out into the rugged and dangerous community full of backwater gangsters and farmhand drug addicts. No one will help but determination goes a long way with people who are simply trying to lie beneath the surface. It'll either get you dead or some sense of respect. Ree Dolly has no choice. If she can't find her father, she'll end up homeless and on a path that will lead to nowhere real quick with people who rely on her also tumbling along the way. If she can find him, then at least she will still have a roof over their heads for the time being. So she follows the twisted and violent path to its bitter end because these stories always end that way, especially in the cold woods of modern day Missouri.

Blessings #8

Miike Snow - Happy To You (2012)

"I've never heard so much grace in one person before. I listen to the sound of your voice and it's lilting off your tongue. I catch each step that you take and I can only imagine the way that your body moves. I listen to you so close...and it's there, even in the way that you breathe." She grew up dancing, a path laid out by her guardians and for the longest time, she didn't even question the steps that she took. But now she was in her late teens and the pressure had been building for years. The relief valve was somewhere in her head, between her ears and the cartoonish image of clouds of steam coming out of her ears was not so comical anymore. The headaches came on in waves then would depart just as quickly, like the tides rolling along because of something unknown and powerful force that orbited around her. Fortunately, she never felt the pain when she performed. During those moments she was always free from the pressure and the eyes that watched her. People had been watching her for a long time, with a trained eye. Her talent, her beauty and her future. She had come to despise those eyes that laid upon her with all of the sick ambition that came with their twisted minds. Perhaps that was one of the reasons that she came to enjoy his presence. He was so different than her. Large and bulky, a giant of a man but he had a certain grace of his own. He moved quickly and fluid even though the world around him was dark. He was blind, had been since birth, but he had a way of perceiving her far better than anyone else that she had ever known.

 Meek's Cutoff - Kelly Reichardt (2010)

They were alone, split off from the main group at the request of their guide, Stephen Meek but things were turning bad. His confidence for direction was no longer obvious to the travelers. Had they put their faith in the wrong man? Only time will tell. Meanwhile they had to preserve water, food and they hoped, prayed. The environment was beginning to close in on them and they struggled with the untamed landscape, the harsh world under the glare of the sun. Somewhere over the horizon lies the security they long for but it's becoming more and more clear that their guide doesn't know where they are going. Small mutiny rises in their midst, led by the strong-willed Emily and soon they are debating on how best to move on. Then a strange twist falls into their circle. A native who they cannot understand or who does not understand them. Is he a fierce warrior who will lead them to their demise or will he help set them upon the proper way? Meek has only one response. The man must be killed but his voice no longer carries value and Emily, who is becoming a leader, begins to trust the native man. They shall follow him without knowing their destination but how is that any different than where they began? They can follow one who has proven a fool or follow one whose heart they will only discover when they reach the hour of their destination. 

Blessings #9

Metric - Synthetica (2012)

They said that she was incapable of feeling love, that when she was manufactured there was nothing wired into her DNA to provide those sort of feelings. She was only programmed to cause fear, an unstoppable force that changed the way battles were waged. She went out into the world and performed the services that were required of her. But how can you not love once you are able to perceive the beauty that is all around? Each moment that came, only a brief glimpse at first, began to change her. A shudder within the flower. A golden ray of light upon a person's face. A note of music weaving inside her like a dream. A taste of perfection on the tip of her tongue. A touch of magic in the hands of someone who really looked at her. Her reflection in the mirror. The memories that came the longer she survived. Day after day, she experienced life in new and wonderful ways and this allowed her to evolve into someone who is suddenly aware of a different life. Like the soft light that reaches beyond the eastern sky in the morning, she came into being. She found love in everything. She was connected. With this realization came great responsibility. No more hate. No more fear. No more destruction. But one day her life would end. There was a finality programmed into her DNA, a time when she would shut down. Nothing could change that but now that she knew the meaning that so many others knew, she was no longer concerned with mundane notions like death. She had found purpose that was hers alone, beyond the lab, beyond the engineers and they would never know the true perfection of their experiment.

Certified Copy - Abbas Kiarostami (2010)

She was intrigued by what he had to say but did he truly believe in his thesis. Could the copy be just as valuable as the original. Could the fake evolve into meaning. Why not play with the idea and see where it goes. A walk in the Tuscan sun, amongst cobblestones and statuesque fountains. A conversation that twisted into a history that others can perceive in the way they look at one another or walk together with arms clasped. But it can change in an instant, shift into memories that provide tears instead of laughter or resentment instead of appreciation. That's the difficulty of improvisation, the more you explore the more you learn about those who dance along with you. Eventually it may lead to an ultimatum that can become something magical or be lost in the way the wind can take a sound far from your grasp. The bell tolls for all relationships, even those lifetimes that grow and descend within a day. No one truly knows how they will turn when the choice is laid bare before them. To let go with the soft caress lingering on the tip of a finger or to hold on tight, with the type of intensity that lasts forever. Somehow, no matter how it unfolds, the potential for beauty lies within.

Blessings #10

The Head And The Heart - The Head And The Heart (2011)

He met Eve at the Bonnoroo Festival in Tennessee, outside the Head and the Heart show. Just one look and they knew that they would be together. So he took her hand and they waded through into the thick of the music. It was euphoric and their minds went numb and they danced next to each other and felt the heat burn from their bones. They traced the day and the night in each other's arms and felt the blessings of finding a kindred soul. Though he was from New York and she hailed all the way from Seattle, it was like their roots were connected below the earth and the flowers of love were meant to bloom. But it wasn't until they woke the next morning that their true story began. It was cold, which was strange because it was the beginning of summer and the night before had been perfectly warm. They decided to cuddle together for awhile and fell asleep again. By the time they woke again the sun was high in the sky and it was still chilly. Then they began to notice that it was really quiet when there should have been quite a bit of noise coming from their fellow campers packing up to leave. Everyone was supposed to be gone today but there was no way that everyone could have left while they were sleeping. Yet that's exactly what it looked like when they stepped outside. Not only was no one around, the entire place had been cleaned up and cleared away. It was just the two of them, standing next to a meager tent in the middle of a giant field. They looked at each other like with one of those WTF expressions that young people get these days and after much confusion, they decided to explore to see if there was anything they might discover. Right away, the landscape seemed different and even though they were convinced that they had walked far enough, they couldn't find a highway or a car or a building of any sort, no matter what direction they took. Now, they were getting exasperated but what the hell were you going to do when everything about your world had been turned asunder. After spending another night holding each other, shivering and doing everything they could to find a little comfort, they found the same scenario the next day. They were alone. God had cast them out of the garden. All they had was each other but that wouldn't scare Adam because he was a survivor.





Tiny Furniture - Lena Dunham (2010)

I was thinking about the show "Girls" the other day, which we've been watching for the past couple of months, and I was trying to remember a scene from one of the early episodes but what I was really thinking about was a scene from this movie, "Tiny Furniture". It makes sense, it is a prequel to "Girls" in a way. Lena Dunham plays Aura, a young woman who moves back into her mother's house in New York after college. She's creative and trying to find her bearing in this life, which means she needs to learn how to earn a living and navigate the currents of relationships. Sound familiar? Don't get me wrong, I love "Girls" because of the unflinching way that it addresses a young woman's uncertainty in our culture, while also providing characters that are empowered to express their true confidence, as well. It's just that when I saw all of that here, in "Tiny Furniture" it felt like taking in something truly refreshing. It was so sincere and hard. How often do we see honest roles for women that don't devolve into some form of flattery so that us viewers can sigh and sink into our preordained acceptance of patriarchal norms? We're so used to it that we never have to question the entire structure, even if it is coming from "liberal" Hollywood. But it's such a big bore and we all know it. Why do we need to watch some mindless romantic comedy with the exact same statue actress placed upon the pedestal of standard beauty concept? Does anyone really get off on that representation anymore? Or is it just some sick drug that has seeped into our veins turning us into zombies? No wonder everyone loves "Girls"! It's the only thing keeping us from becoming the walking dead. Lena Dunham is a true hero. Well, if you like "Girls", then go check out the prequel, because it is just as entertaining and eye-opening.

Blessings #11

Heartless Bastards - Arrow (2012)

When we first came to the mountain we were terrified but also excited. We knew from evidence that there were great riches up in the high hills but knew also that it would be extremely difficult to set up some semblance of community. We labored hard those early years but eventually homes and a town sprang up in the harsh climate. By then we were making great headway into a vein we discovered that was our gateway into the heart of the mountain. It provided much bounty for us and by the time our children were old enough to work, our community was thriving. Many of our initial fears had been replaced with more mundane concerns by then, so we were not prepared to endure the horror of what came next. I cannot speak of exact knowledge about what we found deep in the mountain, for I never saw it with my own eyes, but it was something that should have remained buried. I lost my two boys early to the terror that came forth like a cloud of locusts to devour everything that we built. Most of those who survived fled quickly, thankful to be spared, but some us tried to stay and fight. After the town burned to the ground, we set up a camp up on the ridges looking down, hoping to have a more prosperous advantage point when the beast decided to venture forth once again. Perhaps it had been satiated because we saw or heard nothing for almost three months. Then in the heart of winter, Klaus went missing. I discovered his trail down near the mother lode and to this day, I am certain that something was watching me when I stumbled upon the blood. Klaus was a large man and that may be the only reason I am here still to tell this tale. The two brothers, Peter and Harold, and I managed to close the vein with a dozen sticks of dynamite and a whole lot of gumption. We surely would have perished if we tried to kill the monster and I've never felt more accomplished in my life than in that moment, staring at the rubble. I hoped and prayed that I would never feel that type of fear for the rest of my life. I've stayed close enough to watch over the mountain, to know if there was a chance that someone might unlock the key to the cage that held such a destructive force. Now, amidst my ninety-third year upon this earth, I am astonished to see massive equipment being loaded up the mountain, fracking gear. Oh, good lord, how can this be happening and no one is interested in listening horror stories from an old man. But as I live and breath, I know with a doubt that what they are doing up there will bring about the destruction of all that we know.




The Last September - Deborah Warner (1999)

Following the 'Great War' in the early 20th century, Ireland fell into a delicate balance between the occupying force of the English army and the inhabitants, a mixture of wealthy elite who helped support England's rule of their homeland and the commoners, who hold the English occupancy in contempt. There was a fine line between keeping the peace and rising up in resistance. "The Last September" is a film adapted from the novel of the same name that was written in 1929 and it is a keen insight into the atmosphere of the country at the time. It follows the story of Lois, the niece of Sir Richard Naylor and Lady Myra Naylor, as she visits for the summer with her cousin Laurence. They grew up spending summers in the region and are acquainted with many of the residents but now they are coming of age, which, along with the aftermath of the war, creates much drama. Lois is being courted by Gerald, a young Black & Tan officer, but she only has eyes for Peter, a boy she grew up with who is now part of the resistance. Warner does a wonderful job at creating some of the anxiety caught up in the interwoven story. You truly get a sense of Lois's conflicted feelings and responsibilities. She wants to trust her heart but also is acutely aware at how much pain it may bring. Though it is light at first, almost to the point that it's hard to believe that their is great tension between these two nations that just fought for years, as the film leads toward more serious decisions, the tale becomes more and more somber. With each step Lois takes toward adulthood we are faced with greater truths about the nature of life and death, a solemn tale with which we all can relate. This movie addresses a part of history that we don't normally discover and it's told with a magnificent eye for cinematic storytelling, along with many great performances from some of the greatest English actors of our era. In the middle of it all is Lois, played by Keeley Hawes, who is one of the great heroines ever set upon the silver screen.

Blessings #12

Oh Land - Oh Land (2012)

She lived as a cloud for about three centuries and that informed much of her perspective when she took this form down here on earth. She was flighty, a dreamer, people said, but she also carried herself with a dignity that could overcome any obstacle that hurtled toward her. It was as if she was aware of a bigger truth and when she spoke, her words came down from a higher place, a higher self. She couldn't remember any part of her experience as a heavenly body, of course, but there were moments when an essence of something would trigger an overwhelming desire in her. For what? She didn't know, but this urge to connect came from deep within her, in the marrow of her soul. When the rain began to fall, light with mist that covered everything in a sheen of gloom, she desperately stumbled out the door in a daze and wandered along the coast where she lived. When the day turned dark from the heavy choking turmoil above her head, she couldn't sit still, had to scream, to beat at the air until her shuddering form was found curled in the corner of the room. When a ray of sun broke through and fell upon her face, she stopped and waited for the enlightened air to provide its beautiful message, her feet lifting off the ground and floating through the rest of the day. She fell in love easily and broke away from intimacy without notice. She could live anywhere and often moved wherever the whim led. Through it all, there was a fulfillment that surrounded her, an aura that refracted light in a strange way and many people wondered if she was truly an angel that had descended to earth.



Broken Embraces/The Skin I Live In - Pedro Almodovar (2009/2011)

If you were ever concerned that there are no more original filmmakers in the world, that the stories on the screen are simply something old retold, that the imaginative creative force of humanity is waning terribly when it comes to this medium, then you need to watch more Almodovar films. These two are his latest. "Broken Embraces" traces the tale of a blind screenwriter named Harry Caine as many events that occur in the present bring up seminal events from his past. Many of the mundane situations that inform who he is today are caught up in this twisting story told through flashbacks connecting a film that Almodovar made years ago to this alternative universe. Almodovar mastery often comes from these crooked avenues that transform events that seem so ordinary into a magical story full of intrigue and delight. The fact that he used one of his most successful works into this film just shows how much joy Almodovar has for the process of filmmaking. "The Skin I Live In" is one of the most twisted films I have ever seen but I was enraptured. A doctor, played by Almodovar veteran Antonio Banderas, conducts secret surgeries in a clandestine clinic that he built in his house. Many of these operations are simply to earn some money through this underground network that he's created but he also uses it for his own personal experiments and research. When the film starts, he is developing a new artificial skin to help burn victims, but he is conducting his trials by experimenting on a young woman locked in a room of his house. The real story is found in the reason this woman came to his home to begin with and what will come of her. It is incredible and one of the most unique visions I've ever seen on film. Almodovar has been making films since 1980 and he is universally loved in Spain. We are fortunate that they aren't keeping him for themselves because when you have access to a director of this magnitude, you should take every opportunity to experience his art while you can.

Blessings #13

The Black Keys - El Camino (2012)

No band today seems to embody the heart of Rock n Roll than The Black Keys. They have taken the world by storm, yes. They have played live with Johnny Depp, yes. They are stylish and dapper young men, yes. They are gifts that make us feel good, yes. Their sound is timeless, hearkening back to the roots of electric guitar blues. They create a melodic groove that harmonizes and crunches with distortion. It's a blessed blend of music that sounds like a bunch of covers from the seventies but they are also incredibly original. The one thing that I keep coming back to when I listen is that they just know how to play music with such precision and splendor that I slip down into the artistry of it all. This album has become a staple for me and pretty much epitomizes the year 2012. It was difficult and rocky and beautiful and massive. It was a turbulent time filled with turbulent personalities and it will affect us all for years to come.

Alamar - Pedro Gonzalez-Rubio (2009)

Some movies are so small but have such a big heart that they overwhelm the senses in a way that a big studio blockbuster will never fulfill. "Alamar" is that movie. Such a blessing! When I was thinking about the theme for my countdown for the year, I came up with the idea of blessings. We are given so many wonderful expressions of art that we are blessed by the presence of such beauty. I'm sure that this movie was in the back of my mind when I came up with that theme. A humble tale of a father who is spending one last moment with his son before he moves away to another continent with his mother. The father lives a simple life out on the Banco Chinchorro, the largest coral reef in Mexico, earning a modest living by catching various sea life in the reef and passing it along until it probably ends up on the tables of our restaurants here in San Diego. He teaches the boy the way of life out on the ocean, so that he might carry some of that with him to his new destination. It's a heart warming film that has so much to say without saying hardly any of it with words. There's very little dialogue as the camera follows these two souls who will be forever linked. I simply love visual displays such as this and believe that is the true purpose of filmmaking. Yes, we can be entertained and there's nothing wrong with a fast-pacing story with a magnificent plot but to bring poetry into the lives of human beings elevates us into a higher realm and allows our spirits to evolve. That is the magic of art and Alamar is a perfect example of how to do it with film.

Blessings #14

Roommate - Guilty Rainbow (2011)

He was a friend of a friend or maybe a roommate of that friend's friend. She wasn't really sure. The first time she saw him was that night they went camping. He was really cute, would be handsome some day but not quite there yet, still holding on to the dashing boy that was always grinning at the playground. Everyone spent the afternoon getting to know one another, half the people meeting at least someone new. She kept looking his way even though it seemed like nothing would ever happen but as they drank more then smoked some marijuana, the two of them eventually gravitated toward one another. They stayed up after everyone else went to bed, the fire dancing off their faces, smelling the smoke on each other's skin. They didn't kiss for long before he was trying to take off her shirt and she kept feeling eyes on them coming from the tents set up all around them. So she took his hand and led him off into the dark. They didn't have to go far before they found seclusion and she could hardly contain herself, wanting to feel him so bad. Earlier in the night a long debate had spread around the campfire about the decorum of condoms. She had fallen on the mandatory side until one was truly in a relationship, even glanced his way when she spoke but then, when he reached for his wallet, she couldn't fathom the idea. She had to feel him up against her. She craved that more than anything. So she pushed his hand away and pulled him into such intimacy that tears sprang from her eyes. Now she was in a bind and needed to get ahold of him. Crazy to think that after that night they didn't even try for something more permanent but once they were done, they went back to their own tents and sleep separated them. The next morning they seemed to be a thousand miles away and then she was packing and leaving, thinking to herself that if she needed to see him again then she could find him. Christ, what was she going to tell him. She was more scared now than when he first touched her, when his want came flooding out of his eyes. What if he said no? Could she take this journey alone? Did she even want to take this journey with him? Right now, she still had so many options but once she said something to him, then everything would change. But something inside her needed to let him know, wanted to be connected to him forever, regardless of what that meant. She wanted to watch him grow handsome someday, even if it was only in the face of his child.

127 Hours - Danny Boyle (2010)

Danny Boyle is a very good filmmaker. He's done some pretty crazy stuff and has never been stuck in one form or genre. He appears to be interested in trying different things and some of them work to perfection, while a couple haven't performed so well. Lately, he's been getting it right. This movie is the first undertaking since he made the world swoon with "Slumdog Millionaire" and it's pretty impressive. Not very many directors can make a film about a guy stuck in a ditch for three-quarters of the movie and have you completely mesmerized. And not many actors can be stuck in one position for that long and cause you to feel so much empathy for him. That's why James Franco's performance ranks up there with one of the best that I've seen. "127 Hours" is based on the true story about a man who takes a journey out into the wilderness for a day and gets stuck between a rock and hard place, literally. For the next 127 hours he waits and waits and waits for someone to come and save him because there is absolutely no way he is getting out on his own. Meanwhile he reflects on some moments in his life, some choices he's made and prepares for the worst. Eventually he must do something absolutely stunning in order to get out of his predicament and live to tell the tale. I thought it was a very intimate portrayal of a terrible situation and as you watch the movie, you can't help but put yourself in this man's place.Would you have the determination and will to get out alive? So hard to know but somehow this guy did it.

Blessings #15

Scout Niblett - This Fool Can Die Now (2011)

Do you want to live forever? These were the type of questions from my best friend when we were little. She was the type who always took my hand when she was excited. It made perfect sense when we were kids but later, when we became teenagers, I didn't know how to react. It became awkward between us but that was probably only me. She never seemed to mind or notice but eventually she gave up on me. It wasn't long before I began to miss that twinkle in her eye. By then we were in college on other sides of the country and I was dating the woman who would become my wife. I still thought about my childhood friend often but never managed to find out where she disappeared to all those years later. It wasn't until the era of facebook hit us that I finally discovered her again. She was single, raising a child on her own and living somewhere on the east coast. I never imagined that anything would ever come of it but then my divorce happened. I began to write to her about the good ole days and an invitation to visit followed. Was it meant to be? I don't know but I've discovered that she never gave up that light that came from her eyes. Our children grew old around us and there were many days that provided more magic than I ever imagined possible. Those were the days when I felt like I could live forever. But now...If only she would stay by my side. I can't imagine life without her. As I sit by this bed, warming her cold hands, I hope for the moment that she'll open her eyes again and give me that special look that comes from the days of our youth. Please...just once more, my good friend.

Water Lillies - Celine Sciamma (2007)

It's so refreshing to watch a movie about a young teenager coming of age, learning about her sexuality without it being horribly provocative so that it just turns into some male lens fantasy made by some men who never truly matured in life. "Water Lillies' is that film. It follows a trio of girls during one summer as they deal with the awareness of their first sexual encounters. The backdrop is in the confines of synchronized swim teams as they compete in the pool and for the hearts of those for whom they long to connect. The beautiful girl, Florianne, is still a virgin though she plays the opposite for all the other girls who think she's just a slut. She confides in the awkward girl, Marie, who is infatuated with Florianne and does just about anything in order to be close to her. Marie's best friend, Anne, becomes resentful of Marie's new friendship. All the other girls laugh behind her back, because Anne is overweight and doesn't seem to care about being pretty. But she has more than enough confidence to go around, which eventually gets her into bed with the cute boy who has repeatedly been rejected by Florianne because she can't seem to get over the hump of going all the way. Before long Florianne allows Marie to get more intimate but is it simply because she knows that she can control her? The paths taken by these three characters is a genuine expression of a difficult time for adolescent girls. None of it is about glowing nubile bodies or magical ideas of sex. There are no pat resolutions that make everyone feel good. It's about growing up and doing your best to deal with conflicting and strange emotions that have taken control of your life. The girls may all seem a little older by the end but it all came from the natural flow of some real world experiences.

Blessings #16

Santigold - Master Of My Make Believe (2012)

I think it would be amazing if Santigold were to become President someday. Perhaps that sounds ridiculous because we have all these preconceived notions about politicians and what it means to be a leader but I can just feel it in my heart that Santigold would be an incredible leader of the free world. Her energy is just fantastic, full of good vibes and an inclusive spirit. She can make people move, rally around the dance floor if need be. She can call out against oppression and enlighten the masses. She can dazzle us and work the room with her magical persona. There's simply something about her that elevates the rest of humanity. It's a beautiful experience immersing yourself in her world. Every time I listen to her music, I feel better. Nothing's really changed that much but my heart is happier. Isn't that the ultimate goal of the President, after all. I mean, what has Barack Obama really done that's changed our lives? We're all pretty much in the same predicament we were in four years ago but don't we all feel better about things? He's worked his magic and helping us feel like America is a wonderful place. Santigold can do that, as well. That's why I'm endorsing her in 2016.

I Am - Tom Shadyac (2010)

What is wrong with our world? And what can we do about it? It all began with these two questions and evolves into a dynamic hopeful vision for humanity. Tom Shadyac, the prosperous director behind Jim Carrey's rise to fame, finds humility and then tackles the problems of the world. After a horrible biking accident forces him to face his own mortality, the multi-millionaire a-list Hollywood filmmaker travels all around the globe to talk to the great thinkers of today and see what they have to say about our plight. Howard Zinn, Noam Chomsky, Desmond Tutu, Lynne McTaggart, Elisabet Sahtouris, Thom Hartmann, David Suzuki, along with many others share their feelings on the social experiment of human civilization. The one thing they all seemed to understand is that, by looking back through out the history of the all animal social interactions, the groups that thrive are the ones that share a deep connection with one another. Even the great evolution of human beings was due to how strongly we developed our community and helped one another. The only way to survive is to truly embrace our interconnections with each other and the environment all around us. The major problem we face today is that human beings have forgotten what that means. We are no longer connected with one another in deep and complex ways. We are becoming more and more isolated from one another and it is leading to a destructive force that threatens to destroy the entire planet. We must learn how to reconnect with one another if we are going to make it. It sounds simple but this connection already exists naturally. There's even a scene in the movie that shows the power of our hearts. Every time our hearts beat we send out an elctro-magnetic pulse that affects everything in our environment, even inanimated objects. If we are suffering then our hearts send out suffering. If we are happy then our hearts affect the world with that joy. Even on this fundamental level, we are affecting the world around us. It is up to all of us to change our perspective. Do whatever we can to shift our lives so that we may create happiness in ourselves and bring it to the rest of the planet. Watching this movie is a good start, a first step toward a different reality.

Blessings #17

Julia Holter - Ekstasis (2012)

So this is what I'll do. I'm going to immerse myself in this album, cut off all other senses and only listen to this music. Then I'm going to write an opera about the world of faeries. It will be a transcendental escape into a magical place filled with laughter,  sadness and jovial pranksters. It will be full of the yearnings of the heart as beings interact with one another in beautiful ways. It will be immersed within an incredible landscape that comes from a great love for the earth that provides life. It will challenge the expectations that we've all come to know and open our eyes to the wonderful possibilities of all beings as they weave in and out of existence. I can see it all now as I close my eyes and listen. It all comes from the beauty of Holter's expression here in Ekstasis.

Mysteries of Lisbon - Raul Ruiz (2010)

"Mysteries of Lisbon" is a magical expression about people as they weave in and out of each other's lives. Beginning with an orphan, a young boy whose yet to create stories of his own, we follow a vein of life that goes from the present to the past to the future and back around again. Each person's tale connecting with another until we have an incredible history that spans generations. Some are heartbreaking, while others are transformative. Some involve tragic confrontations and others great consequences because of the choices being made. It's a beautiful display and Ruiz, the master Chilean filmmaker who has been around since the mid-60's, vividly brings it all to life in a wonderful mosaic. It's hard to imagine a more complete film in recent memory than this one. It is so precise with all the technical aspects; costumes, movement, acting. It is so captivating and sincere. Movies like this don't get made anymore without completely losing a touch of mystique somewhere along the way. Nothing is missing here, then it is all pulled together in such a somber way that it may cause some to dismiss the film. That would be the biggest tragedy of all because we don't often get a glimpse at the broad scope of human character in one package. The great mystery of all is that I imagine most people reading this are hearing about this movie for the first time but please make sure that more and more people learn about it. Allow it to weave throughout our lives in much the same way as the stories being told within it.

 

Blessings #18

Wilco - The Whole Love (2011)

It's been a long run for Wilco (almost twenty years!) and as I listened to this record, I began to reflect on their prolific and influential history. The question I kept asking myself was, What is their best record? From their country rock roots in "A.M." and "Being There" to the well-rounded turn in "Summer Teeth". Then their infamous experimental pop-rock blast, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot", that got them dumped by their label and their really experimental "Ghost Is Born" that shook off all the bandwagon fans from the previous outing. Followed by the gentle flow of "Sky Blue Sky" that was a blessed reprieve from all of the experiments. After that came their eponymous seventh album that sounded great out of the gate then faded fast and finally we get "The Whole Love", which I approached cautiously but became enamored with after listening long into the night. Which one would you choose? Yankee is such an obvious choice because everyone knows it by heart but I have to say that it hasn't held up over time for me. When I go back and listen I enjoy the one right before it more. The first two seem to be stuck in the shadow of Uncle Tupelo (what a bad move that was, eh, Jay?). Sky has stuck with me over the years and I can still listen to that one the most, while the one that came after I could never listen to again and I wouldn't feel like I missed anything. But this one, The Whole Love, just may be the best of all. It seems to have captured the best moments in all of the others and transcribed them into something powerful. But the greatest accomplishment is that, after all these years, the band continues to push forward with a captivating energy that sets its hooks into you and drags you along the blessed road that will forever lead to the land of Wilco.

A Town Called Panic - Stephane Aubier & Vincent Patar (2009)

If you would like to see a really crazy animated movie that was made in France and features plastic toys, headlined by a horse that can talk and drive a car, a cowboy and an indian who are best friends that can't seem to do anything right and strange underwater creatures that steal homes for a living, along with a neighbor who shouts dramatically every time he opens his mouth and his wife who loves him but constantly flirts with the policeman who runs the toll booth next to their homes, surrounded by a bunch of farm animals who attend music school every day that is taught by the horse's dream mate, while they stumble into an adventure that sends them from their humble town to the center of the earth to the north pole where a mechanical penguin tank piloted by superhuman scientists conducts experiments involving giant snowballs tossed all over the earth to a town beneath the ocean that mirrors our protagonists almost exactly...well, then you came to the right place. Dont' panic, it's as silly as it sounds and just as wonderful.

Blessings #19

Cat Power - Sun (2012)

That voice! The siren song that called him again and again. He wasn't stalking her, although there had been a restraining order and a few nights in the cold confinements of a jail cell. It was natural at first, after seeing him in the front row of show after show after show. What else was she going to do? There were some sick people out there who have done some horrible things. He didn't hold it against her but he would never hurt her. He simply wanted to hear her voice. In person, on the radio, from a  CD, on his ipod; it didn't matter where or how. He just had to hear it at least once a day, preferably even more than that. Her song was the muse for his life. It gave him reason and he learned so much with every new syllable that was uttered. And after awhile, she began to understand that he wasn't a threat to her. She began to appreciate his presence at her shows. It became a comfort for her. She even let him star in one of her videos. It was a strange partnership that bloomed between the dark and light of audience and stage. Weird but rewarding, in a way. Some day it would all change. Her voice would shudder and sound different or she would quit altogether. He could find another place that would hold his attention, perhaps, an intimacy with another soul that was out there for him. Who knew? All things were bound to end but until it happened, he would cherish her voice because it was something special in this life.

Swimming Pool - Fracois Ozon (2003)


Francois Ozon creates this masterful thriller about a successful mystery writer who needs to escape from her work, which has grown tiresome for her. Sarah Morton, played by the great Charlotte Rampling, has hit the metaphorical wall that so many writer's face during their career. She's pretty much fed up with what has brought her so much success, a string of books with a very popular detective as the protagonist. Her publisher suggests that she borrow his country home, in order to get some much needed rest, with the hopes that it will help her overcome her writer's block. After a few days at the house, where she does very little except sleep in the sun around the swimming pool in the backyard and visit the cafe in the nearby town, Sarah is woken in the middle of the night by the young nubile daughter of her publisher, who had no clue that someone would be staying there. They agree to a tentative arrangement where they both can stay and then the story gets interesting. A sexually explosive mystery begins to unfold and the two women must rely on one another to survive the ordeal. What's so amazing about this film is it's vivid portrayal of the creative process. Instead of simply telling us the story that is in Sarah's imagination, Ozon allows it to unfold in intriguing fashion. When you get to the end, you are simply stunned by everything that happened and the mystery turns into a blessed display of art. Lovely!

Blessings #20

tUne-YarDs - W H O K I L L (2011)

I just learned that, in music, everyone has a unique tone that is specific to the essence of that person. Like a fingerprint is totally original, so is the tonal expression of every human being. That explains how one person can play the exact same chords on an instrument but it just never quite captures how you play those chords. Since I've been learning to play the violin and other musical instruments, I've always wondered why the sound coming out when I play is different, even from Lucas. We've been learning to play together and that little truth has always confounded during my pursuit. Merrill Garbus probably has never concerned herself with such philosophical musings because the music that she creates is incredibly unique. I have spent many hours listening to the sonic display of this auteur and there have been many times where I'm simply astounded at the distinctive twists each song takes. It's a journey that wandered off the highway long ago and by the time that you've reached the end of the road, you never realized that there could be such hidden delights that existed out in the far reaches of the music world.

True Grit - The Coen Brothers (2010) 

When the Coen Brothers said that they were going to make "True Grit", they were adamant that it wasn't a remake, that it was simply a new adaptation of the book. I thought to myself, 'What's the difference?' If the first movie was an adaptation of the book and the new movie is an adaptation of the book, how is it not a remake? It seemed like they were just being petty. Perhaps it was because the last remake that they did, "The Ladykillers", was one of the worst movies of their career. Regardless, we knew that this new version was going to be very Coenesque. This means that it is most likely going to be a very good movie. It didn't disappoint. Watching Jeff Daniels as Rooster Cogburn, the same role as John Wayne in the original, was as incredible as it sounds. Like Wayne, Daniels has become one of the great actors of our time. Hattie Steinfeld as Mattie Ross and Matt Damon as LeBeouf join Daniels in pursuit of a nuisance of a man, played by Josh Brolin. So it's a star studded cast and with the Coens at the helm, all the actors at the top of their game. I grew up watching the great Spaghetti Western films from when I was a kid and "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly" is still one of my all time favorites. There's a mystique that lives in these stories; the open terrain, free from control, that carries a certain romanticism. And though there may be an overabundance of films in the genre, so few of them are actually good. This is one of them.

Blessings #21

Mount Eerie - Clear Moon (2012)

After the fall, he wandered around for awhile. There weren't very many people left so he didn't have much trouble staying out of trouble. I guess, for once in his life, it was beneficial to be so anti-social. He never saw the thunder rays that caused all of the damage. For three days he was locked in his basement going over a new proof that he was to present at a conference up north in San Francisco. Those calculations were the furthest thing from his mind now and it had only been a few months since the world had changed. He noticed the environment now, the world had expanded overnight. The long mornings when the gray fog covered the inlet to the lake. The mountains when it rained, silver light dripping from the foliage. The sun beating down hard on everything turning the steam into fire. The dark purple shadows as night set in and caused his heart to fall into whisper. He loved that he now had the opportunity to see it. There were no distractions. No voices pushing him further into himself. It was quiet all around, which allowed him a peace that was meant to be known.

Inception - Christopher Nolan (2010)

Do you notice how there are films where the director just seems to do something original? Our civilized experience is a constant massive changing entity, so there are constantly new stories to be told. That's why it is so frustrating to see remakes or sequels flooding the market year after year. That's why I have no tolerance for generic films. Often these original expressions in film only hit the smaller screens, the independent movie theaters viewed only by the die-hard film buffs. Inception seems to be one of the few films where everyone gets it. After flashing some heavyweight success with his Batman franchise, Christopher Nolan decided to transform that power into one very unique conceptual vision. Inception descends into the realm of sleep to harness the power of dreams in order to affect the outcome of everyday life. If you haven't seen the movie then, no, that wasn't a metaphor. That is probably the one line synthesis told in the Hollywood board room when the film was green-lighted. It's a sprawling display that warps around every corner, as the players in this game go further and further into people's dreams and cause more and more damage. There are a few clunky plot links that could destroy the mirage but the visual stimulation that moves you along outweighs any of those feeble attempts to disconnect you from the story. This movie is fun and interesting and outlandish, everything we wish for as we sink into our cushion seats and the lights go down. We wait and hope that when the projector turns, the images spooling forth will be just as magical as that first time, long ago in our youth when every tale was new.

Blessings #22

Chromatics - Kill For Love (2012)

I remember being fifteen, sixteen and suddenly feeling like I was becoming this emotionally mature person. Everything had more meaning and the melodrama that rattled around inside my head was this truly special and significant place. I was growing up. I was becoming a self-realized individual and that meant that I now had new responsibility. It was a scary and exciting place, this adolescence. It was also very serious and sincere, or at least that's what I told myself. Life was no longer simple, poppy fun. I suddenly began to listen to melancholy music and turned to brooding much more often than before. I remember driving around in my Datsun pick-up with the latest Echo & the Bunnymen played at an extreme volume to drown out all the life that was trying to invade my important moral consciousness. It was a strange place and could only be quelled by the likes of The Northern Pikes or The Silencers, music made for the soul of a teenage boy living in the midst of the 1980s. For some reason, "Kill For Love", takes me back to those feelings. I let their sound flood through my headphones, close my eyes and suddenly I'm transported into the skinny soul of that teenage boy. All the fear and doubt, all the thrilling thoughts about the future slip right into my thoughts. I go back into that place for a few minutes and as the lazy guitar swaddles my brain, I feel those emotions bubbling to the surface. But it's become a blissful realm, now that I have gone through the years and know about this journey called maturity. It's safe because all the worries are gone, all the ridiculous fears summoned by child who wasn't quite absent from my mind back then. We have that luxury now, to use art in a way that allows us a certain space to comfort our past digressions or to help us tap into those hidden dreams of yesterday. Because no one truly wants to go back, after all, no matter how tempting. We would still be just as lost, simply kids hoping to find our way through the long dark days.

The Ides Of March - George Clooney (2011)

This is one of those movies that reveals how a politician doesn't have a soul. Even the ones who seem so promising, full of ideas that are going to change the way our society works. But there's a reason why nothing ever changes. It simply shifts slowly, like a behemoth with a tiny rudder; sometimes a little to the left, sometimes a little to the right. Once we delve into the scheming machinations of the system, we discover that it's just a churning self-perpetuating mess. That's pretty much the essence of "The Ides Of March". We've seen this movie before but Clooney brings an earnestness to the story. Plus, we get to follow Ryan Gosling around, the "it" kid in Hollywood nowadays, and isn't he so much fun to follow around? He plays a young campaign manager who's been working for politics since college and has moved up the ranks to the second in command in support of Clooney's ambitious Presidential candidacy bid. It all looks too good to be true, which means that it probably is and soon the wheels start coming off for Gosling. He gets stuck in a bad situation and has to scramble to find a way out of it without losing his soul. But this is politics, after all, so there's only one way to go. In the end, he comes out on top but, as they say, from where we stand that could just as well be the bottom and the sky is just beneath us.

Blessings #23

Beirut - The Rip Tide (2011)

In Hungary, near the western shore of Lake Balaton, it is rumored that an ancient relic was hidden long ago. This powerful tool was once considered to be cursed and is thought to be at the root of so many conflicts that pushed all of Europe into a dark age thousands of years ago. The legend says that it came into the hands of a religious sect that had earned great trust among the people of the time and that, after an intense debate on whether the device should be destroyed or buried somewhere to never be discovered again, it was taken into the hills above the lake where it vanished for all time. There are some who say that it was really destroyed all those years agao but now, treasure seekers, along with clandestine groups connected to the rich and powerful, are turning their energy toward discovering this relic. Is it one of the great wonders of the world that has the means to change civilizations or is it a terrible force destined to bring about the last dark age of man? No one knows for sure but it has become the nexus of a growing confrontation that will reveal the true nature of humanity.

We Need To Talk About Kevin - Lynne Ramsey (2011)

Wow. It's hard not to feel some sense of wonder after watching this movie. Horror. Shock, Awe, Stunned. Disgust. Hope. Any of these adjectives are justifiable for what you may feel inside when the final scene is over. This is a powerful display that really jolts the viewer. You cannot walk out of the theater without questioning our society. What answer may come is truly based on the individual but Lynne Ramsey doesn't allow you to just shrug it off and going on your merry little way, whistling Dixie. Those days are long gone in America, anyway. "We Need To Talk About Kevin" is the story about a mother dealing with the aftermath of her child's horrible conduct. From the moment the child is born to the terrible murderous spree in the hallways of his high school, this woman must face the difficult truth that she doesn't understand this being that is of her flesh. We often think that once a baby is born that it is only natural for a mother to immediately bond but sometimes it isn't as natural as we think, especially in our increasingly constructed society of disconnection that is rising up creating walls around everyone and everything. What if a woman doesn't instantly know her child? How do you overcome the fear regarding this lack of instinct that is supposedly so primal? Where does the blurry line of responsibility between parent and child lie? Are we truly responsible for everything that they may do? There are no real answers to these questions as psychologists around the world may attest. After every terrible ordeal, following every tragic act, whether it's done in our name or under the rules of engagement, an era of recovery must occur. That's the true story hidden in this complex film. To see the transformation in Tilda Swinton's eyes by the time she confronts all of the madness happening around her, reminds us all that the only way that we can change anything is to change the way we react to the reflection all around us.

Blessings #24

Sleigh Bells - Reign Of Terror (2012)

Like a knife that slashes right through the skin. You know, one of those bloody violent movie moments that people obsess about but don't know why. Right into the brain killing all the mindless flesh, all the cells that have become useless. It all sloughs away with a shuddering grasp at new life. Then you push through the membrane to find the cool air upon your skin. Clutching, tearing, bursting forth from the shell like a butterfly into that the open void above your head. The one that lifts you or pulls you down, at this point it's hard to know which way is up and what way is down. Or sideways. Or out. Or in. None of it really matters anyway. All that matters is that you have sliced right through to the very core of your being and have finally touched the precious jewel that only you can touch. It's time to hold it aloft so that you can somehow help make this life expand. It's time for life to become more pure. It's time to convert all of that rage and hatred into a sublime force that shines a light on the very heart of the universe.

Untitled - Jonathan Parker (2009)

If you love art. If you've ever gone to an exhibit. If you've ever gone to see music. If you love that human beings have a creative spirit and continually try to tap into that energy in some way or another. If this world interests you in any way whatsoever then I suggest that you go check out this movie. It is a very amusing look at the art world. Adam Goldberg, our favorite hipster grump, plays Adrian, an avant garde musician who despises conventional art. His brother, Josh, is a mediocre artist whose art frequents the walls of hotel lobbies and corporate hallways, in other words, conventional. Josh is dating Madeleine, who runs a chic little gallery in New York but once she hears Adrian's music she realizes that she is a witness to true art. She has a knack for this understanding and knows how to market the pure art form, as well as, schlock like Josh's paintings. This quickly turns into a triangle, of course, and before long they're rethinking their connections to each other, society and art. These relationships that we have with one another are supposed to provide some sort of value for people, after all, but discovering what that truly means is a difficult task. Yet, the process can be very funny if it's done right and Jonathan Parker creates a delightful film by the time the credits role.