Time Stands Still

 There’s a scene in the documentary Time is Illmatic where the frame is filled with photos taken for the cover of Nas’ seminal album Illmatic. They are snapshots of an era. Queensbridge. New York. 1994. In many ways, those scenes will never be captured again but they also haven’t changed. Set against the backdrop of this groundbreaking album, these first time filmmakers, One9 and Erik Parker, take the viewer on a trip from the Great Migration, through redlining, to the beginnings of hip hop and the takeover of crack to show the audience how Nasir Jones made an album that would become a defining experience for many.

Sumptuous but Unsubtle

Tonight I had the oppurtunity to see a free screening of Anna Karenina starring Keira Knightley in the title role. It was definitely intriguing and at times spell-binding, but (as is my way) there were certain aspects of the film I just could not get past. Full disclosure: I have never read Tolstoy's novel (though now I am inclined to), so I have no knowledge of the source material. The only thing I knew going into this story was *spoiler* she throws herself on the train tracks in despair over her lover. So with that ahead are the things I loved and the things that made me go hmmmm ...

100 Issues for 100 Days: #90

#90: Double Feature



Today I went to see Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day and Precious.

After reading a lot about Precious and hearing everyone's viewpoint on the film, I was eager to see it myself. I was surprised by how many people were in the theater. Almost every seat was taken. The reactions were varied and there were definitely moments when people laughed due to the uncomfortable things that were portrayed on-screen.

After seeing the film for myself, I find myself at an impasse. I've seen most of Lee Daniels' oeuvre and from what I've observed the man makes detailed choices. So I wonder about the choice to intercut Precious' rape with shots of pig's feet and vaseline. Or to show a beaten Precious walking the streets with her second child beneath a "spay and neuter" sign. I don't think these were unconscious decisions so I wonder what symbolism Daniels is trying to evoke. Is Precious no better than a homeless dog that should be spayed? Is the juxtaposition of pig's feet and Vaseline supposed to be commentary on the stereotype of Black female rape or a reinforcement of it? As a film it did it's job. I connected with Precious, I felt her pain and cheered for her overcoming her obstacles and though the film started to tread closely to the "nice white lady" stereotypes, it was good. And Lenny Kravitz was in it looking scrumdiddlyumptious.

I also went to see Boondock Saints II, a sequel I've been waiting for for years. Boondock Saints is one of those cult faves that people either love or hate. I love it. It's a simple story: two brothers decide to clean-up Boston when the cops fail to do so and earn the name, The Saints because they leave coins on the eyes of their kills and arrange them as if they are being buried. But it's so much more than that. It's clever, there's gratuitous violence and it's raunchy as hell. Essentially it's every guys favorite movie. The sequel was just as good. It was cute and funny and full of gunfights. Although the story stretched itself too far in some places, it was entertaining as hell and set itself up for a third installment (please God let this happen).

I'm thinking about going to see it again (and that says a lot cause it's hard for me to get to theaters).

100 Issues for 100 Days: #36

#36: Are You Ready for Some ...

Tonight I watched the season premieres of The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother and Castle. Although many people think the television sitcom is dead, I have to say that both BBT and HIMYM prove them wrong. Both shows consistently make me laugh out loud and tonight was no exception.

HIMYM has finally brought together my two favorite characters, Barney and Robin, and not only did we get to see them as a couple but we got to watch Lily try to get them to define their relationship (a losing battle with these two commitment-phobes). And what made the episode genius was that in trying not to define what they had, by the end of the episode both characters were completely involved in a relationship without even realizing it. At this point, do we even care who the mother is anymore? I just want more Barney and Robin.

The Big Bang Theory started its third season with Leonard, Sheldon, Raj and Wolowitz's return from the Arctic and Penny's apparent lust for Leonard which was stoked by his absence. The wonderful thing about this show is that the geek always gets the girl but it always comes out wrong. Ait the end of the episode we're left with Penny and Leonard tangled in bed and feeling thoroughly awkward, so it should be a great season. As Sheldon would say, in emoticon logic, I'm a semi-colon, upper-case "d".

The season premiere of Castle was every bit the procedural with roguish Nathan Fillion playing his part to perfection. Although I was happy to see the fallout from Castle delving into Beckett's past, what I find the most intriguing about this show is Castle's relationship with his teenage daughter. The chemistry and ease that Fillion has with the actress who plays his daughter is amazing to watch and it's my favorite part of the show.

All in all, I was not disappointed by this first outing from some of my returning faves. And both comedies gave me huge laugh out loud moments, which is a great way to end a Monday.