Movies Saved My Day

Today was a shit pile of hopelessness. Not as bad as some (keeping in mind any war torn country, anyone in "actual" poverty and of course any shark attack victims--PS ITS SHARK WEEK), but not a great day.

I went to the ATM to get some fresh, crispy, well-earned Hamiltons and much to my dismay I was firmly dissed by the machine. The bank fairies who work behind the ATM told me that I had "insufficient funds" that I was "in the red" (as some might call it) and to "go fuck myself" because I was "S.O.L." Okay, so they didn't actually tell me the last two things, but they mine as well.

Due to my sole nature of the trip--getting some green paper to buy a sweet hair cut, to which I will refer later--I was short on time and heavy on problems. I called the hair salon to postpone my appointment.

Let me tell you something; Growing up, I was the only Alexis I knew. There was never a need for "Alexis M." or "Lexi" or even "Lex" (yes, I used them, but under my own free will, not due to some teacher's need for me to be recognized if punishment be needed). So when I called "Studio S," the hippest, bangin'-est salon in Santa Barbara, it really threw me for a whirl that the lady on the other end's name was in fact, Alexis. Here's how it went:

Alexis: Hello, Studio S, this is Alexis Whatevermylastnamewas, how can I help you today?

Alexis: I need to reschedule my appointment

Alexis: Okay, can I have your name?

Alexis: (in my head) *Bitch you already stole my name.* Alexis Morrell.

Alexis: Okay, Alexis, I [Alexis] have you in for a 1:30. Can I switch you to 4:15

Alexis: Yes, thanks.

Is that confusing? What the fuck!?

So after this adorable rendezvous on the phone with my alter ego who just happens to have my name (that's how freaking awesome my name is) I entered the block, the bastille, the BofA, The Bank of America.

Now the last time I was in the building, I was reporting some fraudulent activity that had come my way. Guess what I was there for this time? The same thing!

I am not a wealthy person. I am not a poor person, well not in my head. But in real life, I am a poor person, I just have well off people around me and I am babysat by LOTS of people. When the money disappears, I have problems. I work hard for those dollars. Julia demands quite a bit of legos, trips to the beach, potty trips, books read aloud and attention spent on her and only her. These hours are wasted when some douche-bag hacks into my shit and steals my dough. NO WAY JOSE~!

I talked to the dude in the BofA and he said I have to wait until tomorrow to do anything! This is BOGUS! So tomorrow, part 2 of the lovely bank activities will continue. Now all of this was unexpected stress. Here, you might say, is where you could criticize me and tell me that "That's not stress, I'll tell you about stress"--well here's what I have to say to you. How about you lose ALL of your money, go into the red and be 3000 miles away from your Mommy! That's stressful brotha. So stick it up your ass. The only way to get away with this-- say it like in Crocodile Dundee "That's not a knife..."

I am lucky in all of this. Because I am a metaphorical 12 year old until January, my surrogate family here in Santa Barbara paid for me to have my hair cut. I think they were nervous that I might do something dramatic or possibly cry. I didn't do either--well I mean the haircut is slightly dramatic-- but it leads into the more positive part of my day!

I saw 500 Days of Summer, again, this weekend. I am in love with this movie. It's my generations The Graduate. Though I know I have already blabbered on about this flick, it's worth it. Zooey Deschanel is in this movie and she is kick ass, across-the-board-kick-ass. I decided, due to my interpretation of the character, my brown hair, blue eyes (not quite Zooey blue, but bugger off!) and my boop-boop nose, that I would emulate the hair cut that Ms. Deschanel has in the film.

My new haircut

Unlike Ingrid Bergman's short hair cut, which destroyed a lot of the women's hair in middle class America in the 1940s, this haircut is a winner!!

Totally made my day to have it come out exactly as I had hoped! One movie saves the day! Oh, wait, there's more.

After a hilarious dinner with the Case/Carlander clan, we watched George Cukor's 1938 classic Holiday starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn; this movie is fantastic. What a great way to end a shitty day! This movie is a hilarious comedy that was transformed from a play to a movie and then remade into this movie. See it. It's worth it.

I took a liking to the drunk brother, Katharine Hepburn's character who is the crazy sister--love it!-- and the people Cary Grant hangs out with and of course Cary Grant's character.

This movie is screwy yet poignant showing conflicts between classes and gender. There is so much that it has to offer. See it.

Now I'm going to read more of Nathan Rabin's book "The Big Rewind," It's been taking me a bit because I'm pacing as not to have it end. Read it.

Buena Notte!

P.S.

Did you know that Great White Sharks are warm blooded and can therefore beat the ever-living crap out of a Tiger Shark in cold water. That is why Deloris the Tiger Shark's radio tag was beeping from the stomach of a White Shark. R.I.P. Deloris.

Also-- the camera guys and shark experts shouldn't wear black wet suits, they just look like seals.

"Live every week like it's shark week"-30 Rock

Katharine Hepburn Museum

I received a nice comment the other day for my entry about Katharine Carlander and Katharine Hepburn.
The comment read:

Love your post. I wanted you to know that the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center and Theater is opening this summer (2009) in Hepburn's beloved seaside town of Old Sabrook, Connecticut.
We'd love it if you'd link to us and help us spread the word!
http://www.katharinehepburntheater.org

Ann Nyberg asked me to do a write up to help spread the word about the new Hepburn Center and after visiting the page, I feel obligated to!


If you click on the banner it takes you to the site. The website is well organized and easy to navigate. They describe the history and mission of the organization as well as the location and reasons for putting the theatre together.

You can visit the "Kate Shop" and donate to the museum. They have options for small donations of $15 or larger ones that can buy you a seat in the house.

I'd write more about the site, but you should really just visit and see for yourself. Contact them if you wish. They are amiable and will write back quickly.

http://www.katharinehepburntheater.org

Baby Katharine

Baby Katharine is spelling her name the same way good 'ole Katharine Hepburn spelled her's.
I feel the need to pay homage to the late, great actress with an opinionated summary of her life and movies.

First of all, let's talk about Katharine Anne Carlander.
Here is a little video I took of the child, by accident, today...



Look at her screen presence! I mean, she's obviously a star!
She's going to have to think that way if she's going to be anything like Hepburn.


Katharine Hepburn was a grad A bad ass. She wrote a book titled Me.
I mean, that title takes cojones. I read the book and now that I'm writing about it, I may just read it again. She was a crazy lady who knew what she wanted, went for it and didn't give a hoot what anyone else thought. Her family was well off and she spent a lot of time at Martha's Vineyard. Speaking of that...my sister HATES when I imitate Hepburn (generally talk about life in MV with a Massachusetts accent while shaking my head), but I don't care because it is one of my favorite accents in the world.
She starred in many films including Bringing Up Baby, The Philadelphia Story, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and On Golden Pond. These are just a few of her movies, but they are the ones that I would like to discuss right now.

Bringing Up Baby was not a good movie for Katharine.
Though it is now considered one of the best comedies of all time and a great screwball classic, it earned 'ole Kate a reputation of being "box office poison." This film sent her trekking back to New York City and starring on the stage, which provided great success, but I will get to that in a bit.
BUB is one of my favorite movies of all time and my favorite Katharine Hepburn movie. I love that both she and Cary Grant say the word "leopard" a zillion times in the film. They both have great accents and to hear them fight over a silly kitty is fantastic. I recommend it to anyone at any age.
If you have seen Martin Scorsese's The Aviator, you may note a similarity in the golfing scene between Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett to the golfing in BUB.
Blanchett's characterization of Hepburn is dead on and she must have studied the film to realize the craftiness that Hepburn embodied, beyond the screen. Kate was known for her athleticism and if you doubt it, read her book... she'll change your worldview in a hurry.


Moving on, (as I assume Ms. Hepburn would have) now comes success. When Katharine Hepburn went to NYC, she was in a play called The Philadelphia Story.
She used some sense and bought the rights to the play in order to make some serious cash, if it were a success. Well, it turns out that she and the play did quite well during the run and the movie rights were discussed. Hepburn sold the rights and made a pretty penny off of the deal. It was her play, her movie and her big break. Though she was known, this movie sent her into stardom. She co-starred again with Cary Grant and also James Stewart. The movie is hilarious. It is well done: the acting as well as direction which was crafted by the genius, George Cukor. It is another famous "must see" that has since become a classic. I think this movie proves that Hepburn was an actress but she was also incredibly savvy, intelligent, manipulative and before her time.

When Jeff and I talk about her we always say "I liked to wear pants Howard"-- regarding her love of pantelones and distaste for wearing the traditional skirts. (If you want to know more about that, you'll have to read her book... I'm not even going to try!) She was a woman before her time.

^-- Pants

Jumping ahead to her later years...

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner was Hepburn's last film with her long-time sweetheart, Spencer Tracy.

Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn

Sidney Poitier, Katharine Houghton, Katharine Hepburn, and Spencer Tracy

The movie was released in 1967 and also starred Sindey Poitier and Hepburn's niece Katharine Houghton (just another Katharine!). This movie addressed social issues including interracial marriage and marriage in general. The movie was made when 14 of the 50 states still considered interracial marriage a crime. Katharine was not afraid to push the rules, actually I'd say it was a common theme in her life. Her mother and father were involved in the women's suffrage movement as well as birth-control activism, so it was sure she'd take on an active role with acting! She never saw this movie because she felt the pain from Tracy's death (which was 17 days after they stopped shooting) was too real.

The last movie I'd like to throw at you is On Golden Pond.

Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn

If you have a grandparent who has recently passed or someone who you feel might... or just cry easily... keep the tissues handy. I made the mistake of watching this movie too close to my Pop-pop's death... balled for hours!
The movie is HILARIOUS. Katharine Hepburn co-stars with Henry Fonda and Jane Fonda. It is a film about ageism and bridging gaps to have a good life. Hepburn is in full force in this movie. She plays a woman who I assume is very like the real Kate. She skinny dips, goes for hikes, pushes people around and speaks her mind. She calls Henry Fonda's character an "old poop" which is fantastic when said in her famous shaky, Bryn Mawr accent. The only film better than this in her old age is her documentary that was released around her book release. SEE THEM!

Katharine Hepburn died in 2003... I think she just decided to stop.

Baby Katharine is following in step with the name. Granted, she is really named after her Aunt Katie who also spells the name with an "A," but I assume is takes a special something to qualify.