Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
My Blueberry Nights
My rommate and I were searching for something, anything, to watch on TV in this lovely, and boring friday night when we bumped into My Blueberry Nights. We had been through many, MANY awful channels trying to figure what the hell happened to TV channels in Turkey and we had just seen AVP: Alien vs. Predator (well, we like going on with the mainstream sometimes, but I must warn you that this particular movie was not exactly the best choice having just had dinner), and so we decided, why not, it's a Wong Kar Wai film and it's only 20 minutes passed since it started. Turns out, instead of why not, we should have asked, why.
My Blueberry Nights is Wong Kar Wai's 2007 movie, starring Norah Jones (why?), Jude Law (why?), Rachel Weisz (unfortunately, why?), Natalie Portman (no comment, yet) and David Strathairn. Elizabeth (Jones) is a young woman who is trying to cope with the ending of her relationship. One night she goes to a cafe owned by Jeremy (Law) who is an émigré from Manchester (with the terrible fake accent thanks to Law's acting talent), and they start talking to each other about relationships, keys that the customers leave at the cafe and the blueberry pie that noone ever eats except for Jeremy himself and Elizabeth eventually. They spend a few nights together at the cafe; however, uneasy with the thought that she can never let go as long as she is there, Elizabeth decides to leave New York and goes on to a trip, ending, at first, in Memphis. Working in a cafe during the day and in a bar at night, trying to save money to buy a car, she meets interesting characters with whole new problems of their own. She sends Jeremy postcards regularly, without giving the specific details of her address, continuing a kind of communication with him. Meanwhile, Jeremy desperately tries to find her, calling all the cafes and bars in Memphis, asking whether a girl named Elizabeth is working there.
Elizabeth, now calling herself Lizzie, then moves on to Nevada and finds a job as a waitress in a casino. There she meets Leslie, and after a deal with her, the two go on a journey to Las Vegas to see Leslie's father by Leslie's car. When they finally reach there, they find out that Leslie's father is dead. She helps Lizzie buy the car she always wanted, and each go on to her own way. And guess, after all this journey to "find herself and change" and finally having bought the car as she wanted, where Lizzie heads to?
I wonder what Wong Kar Wai was thinking while making this movie, but first of all, while casting the actors. Norah Jones' debut as an actress is one that would not lead to many other acting jobs. She is mostly seen bending her head while listening to other people and observing and that is - ok, almost - all. Jude Law is as usual looking with gentle eyes, and this is the "that is all" for him, not mentioning the accent (for I have already given the hints of this disaster above). Rachel Weisz was the one and only real dissappointment for me though, for I really like her acting in most of her movies, yet she was only the gorgeous sexy woman walking in the Memphis bar while men slobberingly watched her pass by and her crying her heart out scene was unbearable. I could hear the director whispering her, Rachel, be unreal, act exaggerated. As for Natalie Portman, well, I thought for a moment that I had fallen into the hell of Closer when I first saw her name, along with Jude Law.
The only nice and beautiful thing about the movie was the kiss. It was sweet and also passionate, however I am not sure if it was actually good or if it is me, craving for love at the moment, that I can find any love scene sweet and beautiful to long for.
I did watch the missing first 20 minutes right after the movie ended, when it started again on the next channel. It turns out that I might have as well left it unseen. The dialogues at the beginning were so poor that my hopes at the first time around of a powerful emotional bond between Jeremy and Elizabeth which I did not see just vanished into thin air. If you decide to watch this movie, I advice you to prepare for this question you will ask yourself again and again: What the hell happened in the 7 years between Fa Yeung Nin Wa (aka In The Mood For Love) and My Blueberry Nights?
***
Just remembered another beautiful thing about the movie; "Try A Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding, which played over and over again during the Memphis scenes, making you wonder if the movie ever has another soundtrack besides this, especially if you have just started watching it from that moment on:
My Blueberry Nights is Wong Kar Wai's 2007 movie, starring Norah Jones (why?), Jude Law (why?), Rachel Weisz (unfortunately, why?), Natalie Portman (no comment, yet) and David Strathairn. Elizabeth (Jones) is a young woman who is trying to cope with the ending of her relationship. One night she goes to a cafe owned by Jeremy (Law) who is an émigré from Manchester (with the terrible fake accent thanks to Law's acting talent), and they start talking to each other about relationships, keys that the customers leave at the cafe and the blueberry pie that noone ever eats except for Jeremy himself and Elizabeth eventually. They spend a few nights together at the cafe; however, uneasy with the thought that she can never let go as long as she is there, Elizabeth decides to leave New York and goes on to a trip, ending, at first, in Memphis. Working in a cafe during the day and in a bar at night, trying to save money to buy a car, she meets interesting characters with whole new problems of their own. She sends Jeremy postcards regularly, without giving the specific details of her address, continuing a kind of communication with him. Meanwhile, Jeremy desperately tries to find her, calling all the cafes and bars in Memphis, asking whether a girl named Elizabeth is working there.
Elizabeth, now calling herself Lizzie, then moves on to Nevada and finds a job as a waitress in a casino. There she meets Leslie, and after a deal with her, the two go on a journey to Las Vegas to see Leslie's father by Leslie's car. When they finally reach there, they find out that Leslie's father is dead. She helps Lizzie buy the car she always wanted, and each go on to her own way. And guess, after all this journey to "find herself and change" and finally having bought the car as she wanted, where Lizzie heads to?
I wonder what Wong Kar Wai was thinking while making this movie, but first of all, while casting the actors. Norah Jones' debut as an actress is one that would not lead to many other acting jobs. She is mostly seen bending her head while listening to other people and observing and that is - ok, almost - all. Jude Law is as usual looking with gentle eyes, and this is the "that is all" for him, not mentioning the accent (for I have already given the hints of this disaster above). Rachel Weisz was the one and only real dissappointment for me though, for I really like her acting in most of her movies, yet she was only the gorgeous sexy woman walking in the Memphis bar while men slobberingly watched her pass by and her crying her heart out scene was unbearable. I could hear the director whispering her, Rachel, be unreal, act exaggerated. As for Natalie Portman, well, I thought for a moment that I had fallen into the hell of Closer when I first saw her name, along with Jude Law.
The only nice and beautiful thing about the movie was the kiss. It was sweet and also passionate, however I am not sure if it was actually good or if it is me, craving for love at the moment, that I can find any love scene sweet and beautiful to long for.
I did watch the missing first 20 minutes right after the movie ended, when it started again on the next channel. It turns out that I might have as well left it unseen. The dialogues at the beginning were so poor that my hopes at the first time around of a powerful emotional bond between Jeremy and Elizabeth which I did not see just vanished into thin air. If you decide to watch this movie, I advice you to prepare for this question you will ask yourself again and again: What the hell happened in the 7 years between Fa Yeung Nin Wa (aka In The Mood For Love) and My Blueberry Nights?
***
Just remembered another beautiful thing about the movie; "Try A Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding, which played over and over again during the Memphis scenes, making you wonder if the movie ever has another soundtrack besides this, especially if you have just started watching it from that moment on:
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Einstein and Eddington
I was thinking of how to start writing this article when I just now heard about two Turkish scientists who managed to produce gold in a laboratory in Istanbul. Another golden light of science. I wonder what this new invention will lead to, for science, in the hands of human beings, can be both constructive and, unfortunately, destructive.
The single TV drama Einstein and Eddington is, in a way, about these consequences of scientific developments. It is a 2008 movie produced by BBC, in association with HBO, directed by Philip Martin, starring David Tennant as Arthur Eddington and Andy Serkis as Albert Einstein.
I like following scientific developments, and I know about Einstein's theories, however, I did not know about this particular event featured in the movie which led to Einstein's fame as a scientist; some better followers of science may be familiar with the story though. The movie starts with Eddington and his colleague Frank Dyson carrying a huge telescope up to a hill in an African island of Principe in 1919, in pursuit of the total eclipse of the sun, hoping to take photos of the full eclipse. We are then taken back to 1914, when it all began. Eddington is about to finish his years in Cambridge as an heir to Sir Isaac Newton, while Einstein is a scientist with some crazy ideas, working eagerly on gravity, living in Switzerland with his first wife and two sons. Eddington is given the task to make a research about the gravity works of, then not so much known, but is promising, Einstein by Sir Oliver Lodge. In the meantime, the World War I is just starting and Germany is trying to build a military by means of more powerful weapons, developed by German scientists; and so Einstein is invited back to Berlin to go on with his studies on gravity, however, the real aim is to be able to benefit from his works on military field. As is known, Einstein is against war, and this eventually causes trouble with other scientists and university.
Eddington, on the other hand, finds a clue in Einstein's work, that can be proved by means of a physical experiment, and can lead to a new theory on gravity, filling the gaps in Newton's theory. The two exchange some information by sending each other letters, and Eddington finally gets the money from Cambridge to make the experiment during the total eclipse of the sun in 1919. The result of this experiment would lead to fame for Einstein.
Before watching this movie, I thought that it would be a short drama explaining only the development of Einstein's general theory of gravity, however, it turns out that this movie has more than that. In fact, you need not know anything about the theory and you even need not have the desire to learn more. This - real - story's main theme is about the collaboration of two scientists of two different nations, which are at the time enemies. It is very well portrayed that science goes beyond national territories or conflicts, and goes beyond wars, while in pursuit for humanity. Einstein may not have been so much known, or it may taken a longer path, had it not been for Eddington's eagerness to pursue the truth, endangering the validity of one of the most important works in science up to that day, one even produced by the great scientist from his own homeland, one the British had been so much proud of, for centuries. The two men's personal lessons about humanity and anti-war speeches and expectations, leading even to the uncomfortable confrontations with the other scientists who lost their sons or other loved ones in the battle field is extremely precious to watch. Thus, the movie is not a lesson on laws of physics, but rather a lesson on humanity and peace.
I must admit that I was moved by Eddington and Einstein's meeting, finally, at the end and I even expected a big hug but well, that could be the over-Mediterranean side of me. In any case, I do recommend this movie, to witness a very important moment in the history of science, acted perfectly by David Tennant and the brilliant Andy Serkis.
The single TV drama Einstein and Eddington is, in a way, about these consequences of scientific developments. It is a 2008 movie produced by BBC, in association with HBO, directed by Philip Martin, starring David Tennant as Arthur Eddington and Andy Serkis as Albert Einstein.
I like following scientific developments, and I know about Einstein's theories, however, I did not know about this particular event featured in the movie which led to Einstein's fame as a scientist; some better followers of science may be familiar with the story though. The movie starts with Eddington and his colleague Frank Dyson carrying a huge telescope up to a hill in an African island of Principe in 1919, in pursuit of the total eclipse of the sun, hoping to take photos of the full eclipse. We are then taken back to 1914, when it all began. Eddington is about to finish his years in Cambridge as an heir to Sir Isaac Newton, while Einstein is a scientist with some crazy ideas, working eagerly on gravity, living in Switzerland with his first wife and two sons. Eddington is given the task to make a research about the gravity works of, then not so much known, but is promising, Einstein by Sir Oliver Lodge. In the meantime, the World War I is just starting and Germany is trying to build a military by means of more powerful weapons, developed by German scientists; and so Einstein is invited back to Berlin to go on with his studies on gravity, however, the real aim is to be able to benefit from his works on military field. As is known, Einstein is against war, and this eventually causes trouble with other scientists and university.
Eddington, on the other hand, finds a clue in Einstein's work, that can be proved by means of a physical experiment, and can lead to a new theory on gravity, filling the gaps in Newton's theory. The two exchange some information by sending each other letters, and Eddington finally gets the money from Cambridge to make the experiment during the total eclipse of the sun in 1919. The result of this experiment would lead to fame for Einstein.
Before watching this movie, I thought that it would be a short drama explaining only the development of Einstein's general theory of gravity, however, it turns out that this movie has more than that. In fact, you need not know anything about the theory and you even need not have the desire to learn more. This - real - story's main theme is about the collaboration of two scientists of two different nations, which are at the time enemies. It is very well portrayed that science goes beyond national territories or conflicts, and goes beyond wars, while in pursuit for humanity. Einstein may not have been so much known, or it may taken a longer path, had it not been for Eddington's eagerness to pursue the truth, endangering the validity of one of the most important works in science up to that day, one even produced by the great scientist from his own homeland, one the British had been so much proud of, for centuries. The two men's personal lessons about humanity and anti-war speeches and expectations, leading even to the uncomfortable confrontations with the other scientists who lost their sons or other loved ones in the battle field is extremely precious to watch. Thus, the movie is not a lesson on laws of physics, but rather a lesson on humanity and peace.
I must admit that I was moved by Eddington and Einstein's meeting, finally, at the end and I even expected a big hug but well, that could be the over-Mediterranean side of me. In any case, I do recommend this movie, to witness a very important moment in the history of science, acted perfectly by David Tennant and the brilliant Andy Serkis.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Kunsten å Tenke Negativt
Whenever I face a difficulty in life, I think the worst. Yes, I do fight, but then again, I am not the most positive thinker type. Even though I go on struggling, I am kind of devastated each time. I almost hit rock bottom a few years ago and what I did was to cry my heart out before I even thought of fighting against that depression.
The characters in Kunsten å Tenke Negativt though are not only depressed psychologically, but are also handicapped physically. And what they do is, instead of false smiles and illusions of happiness, to face the reality, and unfortunately, reality is not the most beautiful scene in their lives.
Kunsten å Tenke Negativt is a 2006 Norwegian movie by Bård Breien, about a group of handicapped people who choose to fight against their problems by trying to hit rock bottom. In the beginning of the film, we meet a local disability group who try to see the good things and the light in whatever they face with, despite the difficulties; Marte, who is paralyzed from the neck down after falling from the climbing rope; Gard, Marte's boyfriend, who does not have any physical disability but feels responsible from Marte's falling, well, after all he is the one who forgot to tight the rope; Lillemor, a lonely and bitter divorcee who had to live in a tiny apartment with a little money after a wealthy life with her ex-husband; and Asbjørn, a speechless stroke patient. Their leader, Tori, who is a professional in the positive thinking method, help them to go with their lives without falling down to darkness of depression; whenever they want to express a negative opinion, they have a little bag that Tori gives them, in which they express their negativity.
The group, one day, visits another handicapped patient, Geirr, in his home where he lives with his wife, Ingvild, after she calls them for help. Geirr, a wheelchair bound after an accident, is in the deepest depression, without any attempt to ask for help from or to communicate with Ingvild, and spends his time in his room drinking, watching war movies and taking lots of pills, with a gun always next to him. When the group arrives in their house, he does not want to participate in the meeting, and he even attacks them; however, with the threat of Ingvild leaving him, he decides to - kind of - join them, and he quickly realizes that these people are also not so far from negativity either; the smiles on their faces, their kindness and affections are nothing but fake, mostly because of Tori's almost tyranny and forced discipline to lead them to the light of optimism (I, personally, wanted to smash her face). Brutally separating Tori away from the group, Geirr, with all his negative manners, help the others reveal what they really feel, and after an uncomfortable night of awful truths and bizarre confrontations, they learn the art of negative thinking, while Tori, Ingvild and Gard learn that they should walk in their shoes, in order to fully understand what they have been living through.
Kunsten å Tenke Negativt is an interesting mixture of comedy and tragedy. It is both an interesting and brilliant work, without ever stumbling upon unnecessary drama and taboos about the handicapped, in the end, giving something real to everyone in general; one must face the depression and the reality of difficulties and should not repress the need to express anger. These people are angry; angry with their irresponsible boyfriends, angry with their ex-husbands, angry with the accidents, and angry with an all too soon stroke that has taken away everything. One should, at first, accept all these realities about their situations and if needed, should shout, cry, hate and curse, before seeing the light, not the fake one, but real light, in the end.
The characters in Kunsten å Tenke Negativt though are not only depressed psychologically, but are also handicapped physically. And what they do is, instead of false smiles and illusions of happiness, to face the reality, and unfortunately, reality is not the most beautiful scene in their lives.
Kunsten å Tenke Negativt is a 2006 Norwegian movie by Bård Breien, about a group of handicapped people who choose to fight against their problems by trying to hit rock bottom. In the beginning of the film, we meet a local disability group who try to see the good things and the light in whatever they face with, despite the difficulties; Marte, who is paralyzed from the neck down after falling from the climbing rope; Gard, Marte's boyfriend, who does not have any physical disability but feels responsible from Marte's falling, well, after all he is the one who forgot to tight the rope; Lillemor, a lonely and bitter divorcee who had to live in a tiny apartment with a little money after a wealthy life with her ex-husband; and Asbjørn, a speechless stroke patient. Their leader, Tori, who is a professional in the positive thinking method, help them to go with their lives without falling down to darkness of depression; whenever they want to express a negative opinion, they have a little bag that Tori gives them, in which they express their negativity.
The group, one day, visits another handicapped patient, Geirr, in his home where he lives with his wife, Ingvild, after she calls them for help. Geirr, a wheelchair bound after an accident, is in the deepest depression, without any attempt to ask for help from or to communicate with Ingvild, and spends his time in his room drinking, watching war movies and taking lots of pills, with a gun always next to him. When the group arrives in their house, he does not want to participate in the meeting, and he even attacks them; however, with the threat of Ingvild leaving him, he decides to - kind of - join them, and he quickly realizes that these people are also not so far from negativity either; the smiles on their faces, their kindness and affections are nothing but fake, mostly because of Tori's almost tyranny and forced discipline to lead them to the light of optimism (I, personally, wanted to smash her face). Brutally separating Tori away from the group, Geirr, with all his negative manners, help the others reveal what they really feel, and after an uncomfortable night of awful truths and bizarre confrontations, they learn the art of negative thinking, while Tori, Ingvild and Gard learn that they should walk in their shoes, in order to fully understand what they have been living through.
Kunsten å Tenke Negativt is an interesting mixture of comedy and tragedy. It is both an interesting and brilliant work, without ever stumbling upon unnecessary drama and taboos about the handicapped, in the end, giving something real to everyone in general; one must face the depression and the reality of difficulties and should not repress the need to express anger. These people are angry; angry with their irresponsible boyfriends, angry with their ex-husbands, angry with the accidents, and angry with an all too soon stroke that has taken away everything. One should, at first, accept all these realities about their situations and if needed, should shout, cry, hate and curse, before seeing the light, not the fake one, but real light, in the end.
The Scandinavians did it again; breaking the rules of story-telling and breaking the taboos of stories, they once again showed us the reality, and they did it without being all too didactic. Whether you are a positive thinker, or a negative one, like me, you should see this movie, and maybe one day you can taste the beauty of misery.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Playlist for today
There can not be a better choice than Nina Simone for this - rainy - first day of september.
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