The Tourist - and that's why I don't travel.

Weekday matinee movies are a funny thing. It's like an adventure for everyone involved. Everyone there has nothing else better to do, and for that reason you don't care whether or not the movie is good because you got the theater experience in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday. A couple weeks ago, my roommates and I set out to see The Tourist. I wasn't particularly interested in seeing this film but for reasons previously stated, I went anyway.


This movie begins with the beautiful and captivating Angelina Jolie caught in the middle of some sort of CIA-type investigation. After besting the tracking agents a number of times, she introduces the audience to Johnny Depp, an innocent bystander to be used as a pawn in their scheme. After a number of amusing and impossible incidents the two fall in love and the movie ends with a surprising twist. 


I've always been a sucker for a good heist/secret agent movie. That is not what I would call this. The film presents potential in the first half-hour but quickly takes a dive when Angelina herself turns out to be an agent working on the case. Beyond this, the two spend less than twenty-four hours together before falling in love. Not only is this unrealistic, they don't experience enough together to warrant an emotional bond. Therefore, their love, to the viewer not only seems impossible, but shallow. 


I didn't like this movie. I would not watch it again. But like I always say, a couple hours of Johnny Depp never hurt anyone. The measure of good looking people cast in this film, made it completely worth my time and the six dollars I paid for it. That, though, is really all the good I can say for it. 

An Education for the viewer.

Please be warned that this entire review was written to be read (to be heard in your mind) in an English accent.

The world of tumblr is very educational in the way of popular culture. For example, through the tumblr accounts I follow daily, I have learned that Carey Mulligan, is all the rage. It is for this reason that tonight, I set out to take in her performance in the 2010 film An Education. Now having done so, I can certainly see why.


This film, set smack in the middle of the twentieth century, displays the difficulty for a young girl in choosing higher education or discovering the things the world has to offer - often at some cost. Carey Mulligan plays sixteen (going on seventeen) year old Jenny Mellor who is quickly seduced by the worldly excitement older man David, played by Peter Sarsgaard, has to offer. As he opens to Jenny his world of wonder, beauty and experience, she discovers another world of deceit and betrayal, hidden beneath the glamor.


The portrayal of Jenny's home and parental relations were wonderfully stuffy, as was the nature of her scholarly education. This stands in stark contrast to the seemingly wild life David exposes her to. In being reprimanded for her rebellion she powerfully explains "It's not enough to educate us anymore, Ms. Walters, you've got to tell us why you're doing it." This scene, along with others at the climax of the film, bring forth a strong feminist statement for the time. It is said many times throughout the film that Jenny can be anything she wants to be; women have so many more options nowadays. The journey David takes her on and her willingness to leave her plans and future behind, show that even with the feminist progress that had been made, many barriers seemed to stand in the way of her living the kind of life she longed for. 


Carey Mulligan holds a wonderful yet painfully dangerous innocence about her character as she begins to interact with Sarsgaard - who incidentally does quite the believable English accent. As she progresses throughout the show, there is an obvious aging of her character. The talent of this young actress is most evidently shown in this. Other high points of the film include Emma Thompson as Jenny's school principle, Rosamund Pike (Pride and Prejudice) as David's friend and business cohort and as was already mentioned, Peter Sarsgaard, who truly showed his range as a philandering British business man.


Needless to say, from this rave review, I truly recommend a watch. But I beg of you, keep your ears open for the feminist strains. If you aren't open to seeing it with those eyes, you might - as some of my lesser friends did - find it dull. I, on the other hand, am putting it in my top ten. 

The Problem with Twilight - a review in waiting.

Okay. I'm discovering that this whole blog for reviews isn't really working out for me. I'm too lazy and refuse to dedicate the time required to perfect a well phrased and worded review. This one however, cannot wait any longer. 

I came home from Eclipse a couple weeks ago having thoroughly enjoyed myself. Those movies are brilliant. I consider myself an intelligent person and as a result do not find that statement a challenge to that intelligence. Furthermore, anyone who admits a connection to the media-driven understanding of love and romance pushed on us everyday by American society, cannot (repeat CANNOT) say that the Twilight Series is not page after page of cultural genius. 


The vampire phenomenon is not new. We must note Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire, first a book and then a movie, which tells the tragically epic story of a man who becomes a vampire after wishing too closely for death after his wife and baby die in childbirth. Three years after its release, my generation will remember, the hit TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which followed an incredibly lame high school student as she fought to defend her generation against the evil of its day - Vampires. 


If you haven't noticed in your however many years, we as a human race are fascinated with that which is not our own. We are fascinated with worlds we cannot understand and will never be a part of. This goes back much further than the early nineties. J.R.R. Tolkien played on this with Middle Earth as did C.S. Lewis with Narnia. It also surfaced in the late nineties with the release of Harry Potter (closest to my heart). Anyone who read those books knew the vernacular for every spell and charm in there. The best part was imagining a world in which those phrases and arm gestures worked. As a surprise to no one, Twilight is no different. And appropriately so. 

Stephanie Meyer has found a way to feed (pardon my awesome pun) on our fascination with Vampirical life, while developing a very deep and blood boiling love story. It's straight up Christian Porn (a phrase coined by a dear friend that I will perhaps elaborate on later). All the viewer wants is for Edward and Bella to find a way to work it out. But what is that way? Is it for her to become a vampire too, so they can live happily in their stunted 17 year old physical state? Or is it for them to accept the passing of time and love each other as long as they are both alive? Then you add in Jacob with his eye-brow raising abs and his heart stopping smile. He loves Bella just as much as Edward, without presenting the problem of a very altering and painful life change. 


Let me ask you something - do you like romance? Do you like a slightly skewed presentation of true love? Then you like Twilight; even if you're not willing to admit it. 


But here's the problem. It's just so ridiculous. There's no getting around it. While the effects in the movie are decent and the acting passable, my intelligence - the same intelligence that allows me to appreciate this cultural phenomenon - helps me understand that it is not good. While I appreciate the well formed, albeit holed, love story, the presence of the good vampires, the enemy vampires  the wolverines and now the Volturi (the very powerful government - for lack of a better word - over all vampires), will never even out. 


Stephanie Meyer, you have won in many ways. You will never, however, be great in your victory because what you have created is laughable at best; at least for those of us who can keep our libido's at bay. 

Maxwell's Plum - Nearing English Perfection.

On my first trip to the Maritimes, Laura and I made our way down from Moncton, NB to Halifax, NS. This trip was exciting for me as I had heard of the urban culture in the port city of Halifax, NS but had yet to experience it. 

As we tediously made our way through the city and down to the harbor we passed by Maxwell's Plum. It had been our aim to find a cute pub to eat at and as we passed it I knew it was where I wanted to go. Laura wanted to see what else we could find, but I didn't. From the name to the location to the blue and red exterior the two seconds I had to identify it were enough to tell me I had to go.

I'm currently having a love affair with red meat. This is pretty new - five months new. Every time I go out to eat I just have to get a burger. It's has to have cheddar and bacon, everything else is icing on the cake. So I'm looking at Maxwell's menu and I the burger platter is listed and just 9.99. Sweet. I'm getting that. I order my beer and delicious burger and we had a nice conversation in a wonderful pub environment.

Then my burger came. Please identify that there are two burgers on that plate. Two half pound beef patties with bacon, cheddar, tomato, lettuce, onions . . . not to mention that pile of fries. I rechecked the menu - no I hadn't missed it; there wasn't even a description for the platter. I was immediately filled with fear. I tried to convince myself two thirds of the way through the first one that I wasn't getting full. I only made it through half of the second one but dang were they good. Laura was also pleased with her strips of chicken and she's not so easily pleased. 

Beyond our service - which was a little lacking, though I wouldn't assume it to consistently lacking - Maxwell's Plum was an amazing experience. It should also be noted that they have something called a brewtender which brings you eighty oz of beer on tap to your table. That's just a win right there. And if you buy the brand of the day you can get it for 20 bucks. I wouldn't, however, recommend buying it by the bottle. It's over-priced. So if you're in downtown Halifax and happen to be on Sackville St., walk into Maxwell's Plum and have a beer. I guarantee you'll enjoy it. 

Sufjan - say it right or I'll pinch you.

The time has come. 

Sufjan Stevens has been effectively changing my life for two years now and I need to find a way to articulate why and how.

The thing that captivates me most about his music is its spiritual nature. I don't speak directly to the lyrics. Though one has to wonder about his religious background as he references the Holy Spirit, the divinity, Bible Studies and the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. On his album Seven Swans he has songs dedicated to such biblical narratives as Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac and the Transfiguration. 

Beyond this lyrical basis, Sufjan carries an innovative use of instrumentation that, considering the time frame, parallels the innovation of J.S. Bach. If you don't know anything about this Bach-ian innovation let me just say that his blending of international styles to create something that appealed to the Western world as a whole was completely unexpected and beyond what anybody had ever done. In the same way, Sufjan Stevens uses the nature of certain instruments sounds to attain a sound that captures the essence of his musical message. He employs everything from horns to banjos to strings. In his commissioned album the BQE (named after the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway) he employs a full orchestra. The know-how required to write for such an ensemble is impressive and strengthens my appreciation of the complexity of the rest of his work.  


I've done some research in an attempt to discover whether Sufjan is a Christ follower or just intensely spiritually and biblically aware. I've come up dry. There is nothing I've found in print to convince me that Sufjan has a working relationship with Christ; yet I stand changed because of his music. 


I took a music fast for two weeks last fall and the broke that fast with Seven Swans. The aim of the fast was to reclaim the affect of music on my soul. At that point I knew nothing could fill my soul like that album. It claimed me then and continues to today. 

Godspell - a charming enterprise.

There's something pretentious about reviewing a live performance. The right to critique implies some sort of expertise in the area. I don't claim that expertise, but I'm going to critique anyway. 

Nine days ago, I attended a student run performance of Godspell. This play belongs to an almost forty year old musical theater tradition and taking it on was daring. I knew, however, that the man behind the curtain, director Ben Harrison, had a passion for the musical that gave him permission to do anything he wanted with the work. 

Ben opened the show by stating that he hoped the audience would see the character of Jesus in a way that he had never been portrayed before. "He is not a preacher being a pulpit, he is not a fictional or mythical figure, He is real." 

From that moment on, the audience was enraptured by the story these ten characters told.

Godspell tells the story of the Gospel according to Matthew. Because much of Jesus' teaching in this book is through parable form, the play follows suit. It also includes much of the passion narrative - the last supper, prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and the crucifixion and Resurrection. The timely nature of this play cannot be ignored. It brings the viewer into a wonderful preparation for Holy week and a re-affirmed understanding of the sacrifice made on their behalf. At least that's how it was for me.

The construction of the cast was incredibly diverse. The unity among them displayed on stage is true evidence of the grace of God at work with them in this. Let's start with the character of Jesus played by Greg Smith. He was perhaps the most unexpected element of this production. His love-able personality captivated the audience as soon as he stepped on stage. This is not an easy role to conquer. Greg held it expertly as he portrayed the anguish of the night before his death. 

Other moments of musical captivity were "Day by Day" - sung by Alexandria, "Save the People" - sung by Brett Mitchell and "All Good Gifts" - sung by Lydia-Ann Levesque. This one in particular, gave chills and provided the audience with an incredible moment of true worship.  

"By My Side" - sung by Rachel Hunter and Warnesia Travasso, is my favorite in the line up and was so epic as their voices moved and blended together. They owned this piece so well, it was absolutely stunning. Marianne Barker, known for her theatrical comedy, did not disappoint. This was also a small vocal debut, as she sang "Learn They Lessons Well". I'd definitely say it worked for her. 
It is also worth noting how well the height difference between Michael King (who has got to stand at little more than five feet) and Greg Smith (6'10) was played on brilliantly. 

I came away from this production more filled than I could have possibly expected and was singing the songs for days following. There was such a human element about it. Let me summarize by saying that there was nothing perfect about this thing. But nobody came for perfection - they came for honesty. This was beyond achieved. Perhaps this emphasizes that God doesn't ask for perfection, but willingness and honesty. 

Thank you, cast and crew of Godspell 2010. You have led me to a greater understanding of the love and grace of the teachings and sacrifice of Christ, as well as the relationship he longs for with each of us. 

Statements from the audience:

"The highlight of my year." - Professor Jim Paulson

"Phenomenal." -Professor Joel From

"I can't even believe it." - Pastor Blayne Banting

"This is the first time I've ever enjoyed hearing the stories of Jesus." - High School student

I would like to conclude by pointing out my stamp on the production. After Judas nails Jesus to the cross, ribbons of blood flow from his hands. That was so my idea.  

Year of the Dog - something to chew on.

I watched it for the second time tonight and affirmed my thoughts from the first time around.

Molly Shannon plays the role of Peggy, a horribly misunderstood secretary. The characters she interacts with throughout the film see her for what she is on the surface; kind, steady, predictable. The underlying angst for Peggy is that she may never be fully understood for who she really is. 

The one light in this situation is her dog, Pencil, who 15 minutes into the film dies of toxic poisoning. As the only one who understood her, Peggy now feels utterly alone. 

Newt, played by Peter Sarsgaard, an animal shelter worker enters to fill this in a small way by providing her with a new dog and human companionship. It is through him that Peggy discovers the sanctity of life; animal life. She then begins to delve into the world of animal exploitation. The reality of this issue opens Peggy's eyes to the insincerity of much of the world she lives in. She is then able to recognize that unless she surrounds her self with those who will care for what she cares for she cannot be satisfied in her life. 

The understated character of Peggy mixed with the hilarity of her (ridiculous) friends make this movie an easy watch. Add to this the flavor of Laura Dern, John C. Riley and John Pais and you're guaranteed a win. You're left with more, though. The call to see beneath the surface of those who surround you to they truly are; and to identify the good, within the bad, and fight for it to come out on top. 

If you're left confused and questioning the production of such a film, don't worry. I was too. Let it sit a bit. The more you think about it, the more you might realize how brilliant it truly was.