Before Midnight

This great film is probably the best of the "before" series of three very special movies.  Beautifully shot and acted, it's the script that makes it so exceptional.  This couple bong around in their endless conversations with each other.  These resonate with so many of us, I'm sure, who have been sparring in the relationship world for awhile.  Love and exasperation, humor and irritation.  Sometimes it seems they are just a word or two from ending it all.  A scary-real film.  I'll see this movie again.

Off The Cuff

I just spent most of the last week in Austin, Texas at Mary Lou's 55th high school reunion.  Somewhere in there I suddenly realized that I'm almost 80 (next Feb.).  In 20 years I'll be almost 100! 
HOLY CRAP!!

Extraordinary Movie (Disconnect) and Extraordinary new TV Series (Rectify)

Disconnect is not to be missed.  It deals with the internet and issues involving bullying and identity theft, interweaving three sets of people with very current  and real problems.
Rectify is also not to be missed.  A man convicted of murder and rape is released from prison after 19 years based upon DNA evidence exonerating him..  How will his family, friends, the townfolk treat him?  This is unfolding in ways sometimes predictable and sometimes shocking  There is a fascinating creepiness that sifts through every scene in this most compelling drama.  I don't feel creeped out.  I want to give this guy a chance, but I need to know more if I'm going side with him.  Also, he is a little creepy himself.  See what I mean and why I find this so compelling?

A Movie, A Book and more Off the Cuff

Spring Breakers.  Tampa is loaded with rockin' bare breasted party animals.  It turns out not to be such a great party after all, but along the way we've got a pulsating sound track and some great music from Chris Martinez (Traffic).  And along comes James Franco in a wild and exhilarating performance.
The book, Flight Behavior, by Barbara Kingsolver is a must-read.  It pits the scientists/environmentalists with the locals in a poor Appalachian town to grapple with a huge influx of butterflies that get off course due to climate changes and settle in trees that are being considered for a presumed money-making logging venture.
Off the Cuff:  "If you don't follow your dreams, you're just like a cow in the field." Werner Herzog

Ryan Gosling, Mad Men and New Addition to this Blog

Ryan Gosling is the most magnetic actor out there right now.  Go see The Place Beyond The Pines.  It is not an A movie, and the reason will be obvious when you see this film.  I'd still give it a good solid B, however.  Mad Men is off to a rousing start as it keeps a firm hold on the best tv series going.  After touting The Good Wife, I've been extremely disappointed in the most recent shows.  I sure hope they can get back that grit with episodes that raise complicated moral issues instead of the current drivel. 
I'm going to add an Off the Cuff entry to this blog, which I expect to regularly appear.  First entry here is:
Do you know what good friends do?   They shoot the shit.

TV series, 2 disappointments, 2 good and 1 special, and ++movie

Smash and Justified are not holding up to their last seasons.  As for Smash where is the compelling issue, like who is going to get the Marilyn role?  The writing also is not as crisp.  Justified is suffering in similar ways.  Let's get it back yáll, please!  These two shows both had too much promise.  Two excellent tv series that are holding up as well as ever:  Real Time with Bill Maher and The Good Wife.  Also, Girls has clearly established  Lena Dunham as a fresh and extraordinary new talent.  This is a must-see series, however serious viewing issues arise for teenagers and younger.  As for a good movie, try The Gatekeepers, an Oscar-nominated documentary, about the Israeli security forces.  Enlightening in terms of the incredible difficulties involved in the continuing terrorism.  Tragic as to "collateral damages".  Hopeful?  Flimsy, at best.  An engrossing movie, nevertheless.

Post Oscar Splash

Oscar party was pretty good, I thought.  My most exciting moment was when Searching for Sugarman won Best Documentary.  There were some looks by stars that I thought were appalling -  George Clooney and Ben Affleck sported those incredibly ugly beards, especially Clooney.  Ugh!!  As for the women, I think Kerry Washington, a talent with potential beauty, has gone for the scrawny, emaciated look.  Why, why does this look persist?  I really don't get it.  Lara Flynn Boyle comes to mind.