i miss childhood

often are the time i yearn for a time machine.

dogtooth: bite on this

yorgos lanthimos' DOGTOOTH. it's messed up in all the right places.

here's the story: two parents keep three kids (now matured young adults) at home, teaching them to fear the world that exists beyond their yard's fence. when they happen to accidentally learn of outside words and ideas, their parents explain them away (for example, they are taught the word "pussy" to mean a large light, and a "zombie" is a yellow flower). one of the three children acts up throughout the film despite physical punishment. because she creates stress for the family, we as audience members have enough of a plot to follow.

lanthimos begs his audience to reflect on how parents raise children, specifically comparing these kids to the domestic pets many families own today. he tells his story through scenes with unnerving action, imposing frightening and bizarre images on the minds of anyone who chooses to see it. (the clip below provides a great idea of the film's tone; trust me, though, it's just the tip of the iceberg.)

this cannot be anyone's cup o' tea, nor can i give it a stellar recommendation, but by golly does it start a discussion.

the last day of our acquaintance

127 hours: tik tok

damn, it would suck to be literally stuck between a rock and a hard place, wasting away until time snatched your soul from your nubile body. that's where aron ralston (james franco) finds himself in 127 HOURS, deserted in the desert and left only to imagine escape, the past, and his own loneliness.

danny boyle mounts the director's chair to tell this true story, something that proves to be both a cinematic and riveting experience. for the most part, audience members live the character's experience (though not as suffocatingly-so as this year's BLACK SWAN), realizing his regrets, despair, much-needed humor, and most memorably, his pain. in living the accelerated 127 hours with mr. ralston, we can see boyle's argument against solitary livelihood when our time on earth can be/is so limited.

it's a fun one--heartfelt, too. kate mara forever.

original hipster: film distribution edition

the criterion collection is totally inspiratory of a contemporary subculture.

today is our life

looks like an indie darling

i'm interested to see the directoral debut of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER's JOSH RADNOR in HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE, although the title is an annoying mouthful. it feels very zach braff, right?



"my great shame as a writer is just that i'm this suburban kid with good parents... hardly dickensian." magical visionary... definitely not, but i'm staying tuned.

and i love and will always love kate mara.