The Fabulous Baker Boys –
Jeff and Beau Bridges are the Baker brothers (makes sense) who’ve played dueling pianos in bars for fifteen years. While Beau is happy, as it pays the bills for his family, Jeff, who’s piano playing is far better than this situation, has grown cynical and bitter to the point you wonder if he is even able to care about anything. The brother’s relationship splinters with the arrival of a beautiful, exceptional woman singer (Michelle Pfeiffer). A terrific, edgy performance by Bridges who needs to convince that beneath the cold, indifferent exterior exists a person longing to be freed.
The movie would be nothing without the exceptional script by Steve Kloves (The Wonder Boys, Harry Potter Movies).
Friday, November 7, 2008
Director's 1st Film - Man Without A Face
Man Without A Face - Mel Gibson (Braveheart, Passion Of The Christ)
A physically and emotionally scarred former teacher hiding out in a small Maine town helps tutor a lonely boy new to the area with his school exams so he can fulfill his dream of being accepted at a military academy. The teacher is rejuvenated…until his past catches up with him, as it always does. (Mel Gibson, and a young Nick Stahl – “Terminator 3”)
A physically and emotionally scarred former teacher hiding out in a small Maine town helps tutor a lonely boy new to the area with his school exams so he can fulfill his dream of being accepted at a military academy. The teacher is rejuvenated…until his past catches up with him, as it always does. (Mel Gibson, and a young Nick Stahl – “Terminator 3”)
Director's 1st Film - Hard Eight
Hard Eight – Paul Thomas (P.T.) Anderson (Boogie Nights, Magnolia, the underappreciated Punch-Drunk Love)
Set in Reno, Nevada, the land of winners and losers, two losers, down and out John and waitress/prostitute Clementine are aided by professional gambler Sydney, out to make right a past he cannot forget. Unfortunately, standing in the way of his desire to steer these two people onto the winner’s path is menacing Jimmy. Outstanding performances. (Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel Jackson)
Set in Reno, Nevada, the land of winners and losers, two losers, down and out John and waitress/prostitute Clementine are aided by professional gambler Sydney, out to make right a past he cannot forget. Unfortunately, standing in the way of his desire to steer these two people onto the winner’s path is menacing Jimmy. Outstanding performances. (Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel Jackson)
The Onion Field (1979)
The Onion Field - Directed by: Harold Becker Written by Joseph Wambaugh
Unlike many movies “based on” or “Inspired by” a true story, this IS a true story. Everything in it was corroborated by Joseph Wambaugh in his book and now screenplay.
One night, detectives Ian Campbell and Karl Hettinger pull over a car and are kidnapped by the two men inside and taken to an onion field, where Ian Campbell is killed, while Carl Hettinger escapes unharmed…physically at least. The killing is just the drop and the story mainly about the ripples it creates and the number of people it effects.
While convicted of the crime and sentenced to death, the killers appeal and write motions and re-appeal and on and on for years to the point of ridiculous. After six years, the prosecuting attorney not only quits the case but law entirely, stating Ian Campbell’s forgotten by now, Hettinger’s a ghost, and that sometimes the thought crosses his mind that he’d be willing to let the murderers go free if he could send just one judge to the gas chamber.
With many small scenes that don’t seem significant on their own (much like most of life) placed back to back, they build and build upon one another creating a haunting portrait of lives lost. Excellent editing, as the scenes seem to cut out a fraction before the scenes would normally end.
I highly recommend watching the Special Feature: Ring Of Truth
(Starring John Savage, James Woods, Ted Danson, Franklyn Seales)
Unlike many movies “based on” or “Inspired by” a true story, this IS a true story. Everything in it was corroborated by Joseph Wambaugh in his book and now screenplay.
One night, detectives Ian Campbell and Karl Hettinger pull over a car and are kidnapped by the two men inside and taken to an onion field, where Ian Campbell is killed, while Carl Hettinger escapes unharmed…physically at least. The killing is just the drop and the story mainly about the ripples it creates and the number of people it effects.
While convicted of the crime and sentenced to death, the killers appeal and write motions and re-appeal and on and on for years to the point of ridiculous. After six years, the prosecuting attorney not only quits the case but law entirely, stating Ian Campbell’s forgotten by now, Hettinger’s a ghost, and that sometimes the thought crosses his mind that he’d be willing to let the murderers go free if he could send just one judge to the gas chamber.
With many small scenes that don’t seem significant on their own (much like most of life) placed back to back, they build and build upon one another creating a haunting portrait of lives lost. Excellent editing, as the scenes seem to cut out a fraction before the scenes would normally end.
I highly recommend watching the Special Feature: Ring Of Truth
(Starring John Savage, James Woods, Ted Danson, Franklyn Seales)
Infinity
the gentle night
spread wide her wings
lit her canvas of candles
let the lantern moon swing
opened all windows
of imagination
‘til we tingled through our toes
with unparalleled sensation
stars beyond planets
and planets beyond stars
so beautifully strange, it is, to fathom
how truly fragile we really are
and small, yes, so very, very small
as we stand in wonder
under the endless blanket
of infinity
spread wide her wings
lit her canvas of candles
let the lantern moon swing
opened all windows
of imagination
‘til we tingled through our toes
with unparalleled sensation
stars beyond planets
and planets beyond stars
so beautifully strange, it is, to fathom
how truly fragile we really are
and small, yes, so very, very small
as we stand in wonder
under the endless blanket
of infinity
Faith
faith is a refection of god and light
a lioness in winter
whose true power of might
is her gentle soul
faith is a lamppost on a dark, rainy street
offering salvation
to the lost souls she meets
‘neath her electric halo
faith is a tree branch to a sailor lost at sea
a possibility of land
when he began to believe
he would not make it home
faith is a question that offers nothing more
than a longing for tomorrow
until you’re finally sure
you’ll never be alone
she’s got the light in her eyes
she’s got the light of heaven in her eyes
a lioness in winter
whose true power of might
is her gentle soul
faith is a lamppost on a dark, rainy street
offering salvation
to the lost souls she meets
‘neath her electric halo
faith is a tree branch to a sailor lost at sea
a possibility of land
when he began to believe
he would not make it home
faith is a question that offers nothing more
than a longing for tomorrow
until you’re finally sure
you’ll never be alone
she’s got the light in her eyes
she’s got the light of heaven in her eyes
She Walks Like A Mist
She walks like a mist
shrouded in mystery
wishing the unexpected.
as finite as fear
and deep and endless
as freedom itself
She holds all the answers
for those that may come
and enter her belly.
She screams for happenings
and allows all that may dare
exit their walls
to run under her blanket.
seeing nothing
but feeling all
how gentle the night comes
swallowing the aging day
blinding the peering eyes
allowing all to flee
allowing all to be
shrouded in mystery
wishing the unexpected.
as finite as fear
and deep and endless
as freedom itself
She holds all the answers
for those that may come
and enter her belly.
She screams for happenings
and allows all that may dare
exit their walls
to run under her blanket.
seeing nothing
but feeling all
how gentle the night comes
swallowing the aging day
blinding the peering eyes
allowing all to flee
allowing all to be
High School Reunion (My Oldest Friend)
It's good to see you, my oldest friend
My how the time has wound back around the bend
Sometimes I wonder if I had it to do again
But then I realize we'd still mark out time
In the Christmas cards that we send
Another year's been recognized as a burning candle
Another series of suns have passed across my windowsill
Reminding me of days when time stood still
And we'd make magic castle from sand
Knowing always too soon
The tide would come
I was just thinking how much you hated ties
Believing them to be the hangmen of your freedom cries
Saying if you want to know a man just look into his eyes
Well, looking into yours, I see my reflection
And I'm thinking it's a pack of lies
Yes, it's good to see you, my oldest friend
We really should get together now and then
Of course I realize this depends
On all the things we must now
Contend with
It was good to see you, my oldest friend
So very good to see you, my oldest friend
Two worlds and twenty miles apart
Until the very end
My how the time has wound back around the bend
Sometimes I wonder if I had it to do again
But then I realize we'd still mark out time
In the Christmas cards that we send
Another year's been recognized as a burning candle
Another series of suns have passed across my windowsill
Reminding me of days when time stood still
And we'd make magic castle from sand
Knowing always too soon
The tide would come
I was just thinking how much you hated ties
Believing them to be the hangmen of your freedom cries
Saying if you want to know a man just look into his eyes
Well, looking into yours, I see my reflection
And I'm thinking it's a pack of lies
Yes, it's good to see you, my oldest friend
We really should get together now and then
Of course I realize this depends
On all the things we must now
Contend with
It was good to see you, my oldest friend
So very good to see you, my oldest friend
Two worlds and twenty miles apart
Until the very end
I'm Weary As A Winter Robin
I’m weary as a winter robin
Tired of the frost
Tried to take flight and lost
And now he pays the cost
For the winter wind leaves him
Torn and tossed
I’m folded and I’m fading
And feeling like the rain
Some days I disappear
Some days I leave a stain
And some days I hide
Behind my name
I’m ready to go rolling
Back across the fields of time
Let my memories unwind
See again what was once mine
So I’ll remember how I felt
When I grow old
If you would let me
I could open up your eyes
Take out all the cries
Harvest them with ties
And leave them in the wind
That’s freezing cold
A sailor who discovers
Is never the same on return
All the things that he did learn
He has changed and he has turned
So let’s now take a step
In the unknown
Reach out your hand I’m waiting
To take you past the sun
Where one-man wars are won
Without the use of guns
And every heart that enters
Is never alone
Tired of the frost
Tried to take flight and lost
And now he pays the cost
For the winter wind leaves him
Torn and tossed
I’m folded and I’m fading
And feeling like the rain
Some days I disappear
Some days I leave a stain
And some days I hide
Behind my name
I’m ready to go rolling
Back across the fields of time
Let my memories unwind
See again what was once mine
So I’ll remember how I felt
When I grow old
If you would let me
I could open up your eyes
Take out all the cries
Harvest them with ties
And leave them in the wind
That’s freezing cold
A sailor who discovers
Is never the same on return
All the things that he did learn
He has changed and he has turned
So let’s now take a step
In the unknown
Reach out your hand I’m waiting
To take you past the sun
Where one-man wars are won
Without the use of guns
And every heart that enters
Is never alone
First Frost
the sun
doesn’t seem
to want to wake up
anymore,
hung in the distance
like some
all knowing crystal ball
able to reminisce
with the
beautiful summer
that was
and forecast
possible realities
of the winter
to come
with her
sudden and penetrating
indifference,
my breath
entering as a character
and transforming
into a living portrait
of the first snow
to fall,
the promise
of the new year
certain in my head
as the stars
sewn into
the magic night
with the moon
now smiling
contentedly
at this season
that’s come
to play
doesn’t seem
to want to wake up
anymore,
hung in the distance
like some
all knowing crystal ball
able to reminisce
with the
beautiful summer
that was
and forecast
possible realities
of the winter
to come
with her
sudden and penetrating
indifference,
my breath
entering as a character
and transforming
into a living portrait
of the first snow
to fall,
the promise
of the new year
certain in my head
as the stars
sewn into
the magic night
with the moon
now smiling
contentedly
at this season
that’s come
to play
Memories Fall Softly
memories
fall
softly
like the
gentleness of
the rain's
hands
and
the road is
washed anew
for
all the
steps
that will
fall
tomorrow
fall
softly
like the
gentleness of
the rain's
hands
and
the road is
washed anew
for
all the
steps
that will
fall
tomorrow
You Deserve A Fairy Tale
You deserve a fairy tale
One with horses and knights and kings
With forever blossoming gardens of colors
And beautiful birds that sing
You deserve a magical moment
One with music and dreams and romance
Where you wish on stars under the full moonlight
Touch cheek to cheek and slowly dance
And you deserve a noble prince
One whose one-knee humbled by your beauty
Who'll enrapture you in deep breathing passion
Allow you to be you and become all you want to be
Yes, you deserve a fairy tale
One that swirls like a carnival inside your head
But what you deserve most of all
Is for the fairy tale to still exist
When you rise from your bed
One with horses and knights and kings
With forever blossoming gardens of colors
And beautiful birds that sing
You deserve a magical moment
One with music and dreams and romance
Where you wish on stars under the full moonlight
Touch cheek to cheek and slowly dance
And you deserve a noble prince
One whose one-knee humbled by your beauty
Who'll enrapture you in deep breathing passion
Allow you to be you and become all you want to be
Yes, you deserve a fairy tale
One that swirls like a carnival inside your head
But what you deserve most of all
Is for the fairy tale to still exist
When you rise from your bed
Seasons
The hawk winds its way
Slowly through the trees
The willow's standing slightly slanted
In the bending breeze
The animals that are sleeping
Peacefully on the ground
Are glad this time of season
Is once again around
For everything's alive again
All the flowers have arrived
Soon the bees will be making honey
And living in their hives
While the incredible skies of heaven
Keep growing endlessly blue
And hung with picturelike cotton clouds
Continually passing through
The birds are back and soaring
And flying always higher
Dreaming as they coast along
Upon their wings of desire
And the children are out playing
The adults young again through their eyes
Rememberances as the children twirl
A memory wished upon starfilled skies
The gleaming sun sailing the sea
The lover's moon telling them what to say
Holding each other inside the car
Asking, "Can you imagine us years from today?"
The sun still reaching down its legs
But you can feel the time is near
Time to paint your book of summer
And shed a leaflike tear
The trees now color all the paths
That are winding along their way
The night keeps falling slighlty sooner
Leaving us less of a day
And the animals that are sleeping
Peacefully on the ground
Are glad this time of season
Is once again around
Slowly through the trees
The willow's standing slightly slanted
In the bending breeze
The animals that are sleeping
Peacefully on the ground
Are glad this time of season
Is once again around
For everything's alive again
All the flowers have arrived
Soon the bees will be making honey
And living in their hives
While the incredible skies of heaven
Keep growing endlessly blue
And hung with picturelike cotton clouds
Continually passing through
The birds are back and soaring
And flying always higher
Dreaming as they coast along
Upon their wings of desire
And the children are out playing
The adults young again through their eyes
Rememberances as the children twirl
A memory wished upon starfilled skies
The gleaming sun sailing the sea
The lover's moon telling them what to say
Holding each other inside the car
Asking, "Can you imagine us years from today?"
The sun still reaching down its legs
But you can feel the time is near
Time to paint your book of summer
And shed a leaflike tear
The trees now color all the paths
That are winding along their way
The night keeps falling slighlty sooner
Leaving us less of a day
And the animals that are sleeping
Peacefully on the ground
Are glad this time of season
Is once again around
Dawn Crawls Like A Child
Dawn crawls like a child
innocent and unashamed to believe
Night opens its legs
allowing the infant to rush from the womb
splintering sunlight
in freshly woken eyes
All is new and alive again
Doors are set free
to welcome all that may enter
Hope invades every corner of impossibility
limitless, impossible itself
yet full of energy
raising its head to challenge
Afternoon is alive
enthralled by her discoveries
enchanted by her adventures
Laughter attacks
restless and blind
kindly caressing
those she possesses
Fearing no future
remembering no past
knowing only now
She craves every moment
if even a second’s feeling
She is loose
Nighttime invades
aged and decaying
leaving the desires
of those who wish for more
Death scratches her palms
yet her heart is fueled with passion
for those who jump in her blanket
grasping uncertainty
Love lingers
and blossoms in the heat by the fire
an angel whose strength is unknowing
Dreams drift
amongst the rubble and the ruins
creating a home for those that ponder
seemingly endless yet holding limits
She is fading
Don’t sorrow, however
for the night is pregnant
and eager to give a child
to those who miss and regret
the vines that have bent and wound
through yesterday’s life
If I Gave You A Box
if I gave you a box
would you fill it with clouds
or stuff it with smiles
to make it laugh out loud
if I gave you a friend
would you learn only his name
or crawl inside his heart
to strike your match against his flame
if I gave you a memory
would you paint empty fields
or walk with someone through them
‘til there’s nothing to reveal
and if I gave you a feeling
would you sink it in sorrow
or free it like some newfound bird
that flies today for the sun may not rise
tomorrow
Very Soon This Will Qualify As Chit-Chat At Parties
Here’s a scenario I see soon being everyday, casual chit-chat at get-togethers.
CINDY notices two men, ARTHUR and BOB, out on the patio, talking, laughing, eating potato chips dipped in, well, dip so she goes to join them, eating dipped chips right along with them.
CINDY: (eating a dipped chip) You two look like you’re having fun. What’s up?
ARTHUR: Bob, here was just telling me about his latest penis.
CINDY: Good for you. Congratulations. Where’d you go?
BOB: Building The Perfect Beast.
CINDY: No way. That’s where I got my last vagina. God, this dip’s good. What’d you go with?
BOB: I went girth this time. Kinda got jerked around on the price to get the vibrating option, but…
CINDY: Well, I guess when you’re the best, you get to name your price. It’ll be worth it, though.
BOB: It already has been. You’re right. This dip is really good.
CINDY: What about you, Arthur? Any new body change? I think you went too big last time.
ARTHUR: I know. I didn’t have the money to change it.
BOB: Not, that is, until I suggested this little party, and having the guests pay to come.
CINDY: Oh, my god! That’s genius. I’m going to have to do that before I go in to have my nipples flash on and off.
ARTHUR: This really is good dip.
CINDY/BOB: It really is.
AND END SCENE
Nope. No wasting of lives there.
The School Bully
So, there was this school bully – a middle school school bully – and no, contrary to what my prior writing may indicate, the bully was not me.
I’ll for now on refer to the bully as Matt Gutwell, since that’s his name.
Now here we are years later, all growed up, and Matt (the bully if you forgot who I’m referring to as Matt since that’s his name…See line above) becomes, guess what?
Who guessed criminal? Well, you’re WRONG!!! He became a cop.
Then again, maybe I was harsh on you. As has been said, sometimes the only thing that separates a cop from a criminal is a badge?
Let’s pause and reflect a moment, shall we?
Okay, reflection moment over.
So, recently I read that while he was having a party with some fellow men in blue, two teens see the cars, hear the music, think they’ve stumbled on a party – you know, not a policemen party – knock on the door, asking if they join them and as payment, they bring offerings of marijuana.
So, he arrests them.
I tell my friends adamantly, fist pounding – figuratively speaking…and speaking of figures, have you seen Megan Fox? – they were such idiots, he should have taken the weed (from what I read, that’s what people who partake of such a substance sometimes call it), showed his badge, and said get out of here you idiots.
My friends all pretty much felt like he really did do what he had to do, that the situation was forced on him.
And I immediately go:
Well, all I know is he smushed my fingers between two desks in 8th grade.
It didn’t even take a long and winding conversation to lead me to the moment of my real anger.
ONE FRIEND SAID: Guess that saved ten years of therapy.
Yep. Guess I’ll never forget the bully I referred to as Matt Gutwell cuz that’s his name.
By the way: Yes, I actually used the wor
d: SMUSHED. A word bullies use? To be sure. But I promise, I am not the bully.
I’ll for now on refer to the bully as Matt Gutwell, since that’s his name.
Now here we are years later, all growed up, and Matt (the bully if you forgot who I’m referring to as Matt since that’s his name…See line above) becomes, guess what?
Who guessed criminal? Well, you’re WRONG!!! He became a cop.
Then again, maybe I was harsh on you. As has been said, sometimes the only thing that separates a cop from a criminal is a badge?
Let’s pause and reflect a moment, shall we?
Okay, reflection moment over.
So, recently I read that while he was having a party with some fellow men in blue, two teens see the cars, hear the music, think they’ve stumbled on a party – you know, not a policemen party – knock on the door, asking if they join them and as payment, they bring offerings of marijuana.
So, he arrests them.
I tell my friends adamantly, fist pounding – figuratively speaking…and speaking of figures, have you seen Megan Fox? – they were such idiots, he should have taken the weed (from what I read, that’s what people who partake of such a substance sometimes call it), showed his badge, and said get out of here you idiots.
My friends all pretty much felt like he really did do what he had to do, that the situation was forced on him.
And I immediately go:
Well, all I know is he smushed my fingers between two desks in 8th grade.
It didn’t even take a long and winding conversation to lead me to the moment of my real anger.
ONE FRIEND SAID: Guess that saved ten years of therapy.
Yep. Guess I’ll never forget the bully I referred to as Matt Gutwell cuz that’s his name.
By the way: Yes, I actually used the wor
d: SMUSHED. A word bullies use? To be sure. But I promise, I am not the bully.
How long would this relationship last, ladies?
It’s mentally, emotionally, and physically fulfilling EXCEPT when the man reaches his point of release, he starts to SCREAM in utter agony as if being slowly chopped to pieces.
I mean in in every other way sexually, this man pushes every right button but at his point of release, this terrifying wail…and, since at heart he’s a romantic and wants to feel as close and connected to his partner, he insists upon the missionary position when reaching release so he can stare into his partner’s eyes as he does so…every time SCREAMING and SCREAMING and SCREAMING this anguished moan that dies into a whimper.
Not long, I’m thinking. I’m thinking this relationship wouldn’t last long at all.
What about you?
It’s mentally, emotionally, and physically fulfilling EXCEPT when the man reaches his point of release, he starts to SCREAM in utter agony as if being slowly chopped to pieces.
I mean in in every other way sexually, this man pushes every right button but at his point of release, this terrifying wail…and, since at heart he’s a romantic and wants to feel as close and connected to his partner, he insists upon the missionary position when reaching release so he can stare into his partner’s eyes as he does so…every time SCREAMING and SCREAMING and SCREAMING this anguished moan that dies into a whimper.
Not long, I’m thinking. I’m thinking this relationship wouldn’t last long at all.
What about you?
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