Video-- I'm A Lazy Blogger

The Mirror That is Julie & Julia

As I have mentioned before, I have now seen Julie & Julia twice. I loved it both times and I would now like to discuss what this movie has brought to my life.

The first thing I'd like to note about this movie is how it turns a mirror on us bloggers in a serious way.

I know that everyone has a narcissistic streak in them from time to time, but this makes us look like ego maniacs. Maybe we are, and, maybe we are.

The character, Julie, is stuck in a rut. She hates her job, feels stagnate and wants to spice up her life by rejuvenating her love of writing with a purpose. She challenges herself, but also challenges the world around her to deal with her obsession with Julia child, her complaints and her single mindedness. I think it's okay to have obsessions and devotion to projects. I don't really care for how whiney Julie is, but I guess that's just because I have my own rut I have to get out of right now.

I think I felt too much empathy at times with both Julie and Julia. I felt like I could understand the frustrations of blogging and tackling a vast world of "do I have readers?" "Does anyone read this beyond my parents?" "Do I matter in the greater scheme of things?" I also felt the joys of realizing you do have readers and people do care. Even if it's not the closest of kin, but a random devotee who also shares the love of a particular subject.

I felt empathy with the character of Julia Child. She had to work incredibly hard for what she wanted. She was someone to admire, breaking through in an environment that A) Didn't like women and B) Especially didn't like American women. She was a hard ass. Though this made it hard for Julie--spoiler alert!--in the end, because the ideal of Julia didn't match the high standards of the real Julia

As bloggers, we definitely refer to ourselves a lot. Some people accept this and some think it's because we can't get over ourselves. I like to think that, yes, I do think I'm God's gift to the world. Thank you for noticing, but also that in order for something to be perceived as "opinion" it has to be stated as one's own. I have to posess my words in the first person, otherwise it's taken as my putting words in your mouth.

i.e.

"...otherwise you think I'm putting words in your mouth."

You've probably noticed the amount of italics used in this post is abnormally higher than those used in other posts. I would like to credit this to the voice in my head that now sounds just like Julia Child. Mery Streep NAILS the accent. Both of my parents told me, on separate occasions, "Close your eyes and it's like she's [Meryl Streep] is her [Julia Child]!"

I think it's not a bad thing to look introspectively and find out how we can all become better people, whether it includes butter, is up to you.

The other actors, Stanley Tucci and Chris Messina, held up their own. Tucci and Streep showed us all how the job is done. I just love him. I have yet to see a movie where I don't love a character he plays. Chris Messina-- I could see him picking up some more films because of this. He was a relief to Amy Adam's character, Julie. He provided the ground that she needed, the base line of reality that she had to recognize. She had to see how good she still had it and that not everything is ideal; he provided it.

There were smaller nuances that I found refreshing as well:

• The French ladies--good and evil--were all fabulous.
• The Chef at Le Cordon Bleu looked like Chef Boyardee. LMAO.
• The food. THE food. THE FOOD!
• They used the phrase "Boning a duck." 1000 times (exaggeration but it was used a lot.) and every time I wanted to giggle because it's dirty. But I didn't. I really didn't.
• The music.

I heard a ton of people saying at the end of the film, "I want to go right home and cook!" I found myself saying, "I want to go home and blog!"

See how much I learned.

My Life: Movies

Movies are my favorite thing in the world. I think if I had to choose between eating and watching movies-- it would be a rock, scissors, paper type of deal. The thing about loving movies so much is that they become a true part of me. Now this is the best thing in the world, except that it sets me up to think like movies, talk like movies and obsess over movies. I read about them, pick them apart, try to put them into every conversation I have and look for events in life to become possible films I create. This weekend I discovered that I am in a vulnerable state as far as my summer movie selections and my emotions run.

This weekend I saw 500 Days of Summer again. This movie has hit me like a ton of bricks. I get it on so many levels that it makes me want to cry. I am so grateful and lucky to have met the writer and director of this film because I was able to express my sincere gratitude for the film. It is very The Graduate-esque. I mean, obvi, it refers to The Graduate as well as shows clips of the film, but there are deeper levels of meaning behind some of the shots and story line. I guess at this point in my life it is easy to succumb to the finer points of a movie about people in their early to mid twenties dealing with life, love, happiness, sadness, sexuality, money, jobs, school, etc.

This movie struck a chord the first time and the second time, but I don't think it truly sunk in until today when I saw Funny People.

Funny People is not the normal balls and nuts Judd Apatow film. This film was dark, cynical, hilarious, sad, happy, lovable, hateful and everything else all balled into 2 hours of cinematic experience. I identified deeply with Seth Rogen's character, to the point that I started to cry a bit. I'm sitting there, in the theater, laughing my ass off at some hysterical joke Adam Sandler has just told and then crying because things are too real. This is powerful stuff. Thank God you can't smell films because my senses were all in sensory overload.

The reason this bridges the two films together, more than just me seeing the movies in the same weekend, is that in 500 Days... Zooey Deschanel's character, Summer, cries when she witnesses the end of The Graduate. This made sense to me in the film because that part when Benjamin and Elaine are riding on the bus towards the unknown is a gray space of emotion. Do they have anywhere to turn? Do they know each other? Will anyone actually ever be happy if put in a situation like this? What is marriage? Will I ever find "the one?" Will I ever find someone? Will I ever find anyone?

All of these things become real in what was just a happy accident in film courtesy of Mike Nichols.

When I began to cry in Funny People, I understood what she was feeling. I actually understand those feelings regarding The Graduate (which just happens to be my 2nd favorite film of all time).

It's not easy being 20 something and trying to figure out what comes next. Sacrifices become heavier than ever. Family becomes more distant than ever (even if they're right next to you). There is a sense of aloneness that hasn't been realized until this time. You have to start to figure out what you want to do or really what you don't want to do. This movie really showed what choices do to people and how they affect the people around you. This age is a very selfish time, but it isn't always selfish.

I think what really got me was that Seth Rogen's character wasn't just with his peers, he was in this other arena of slightly older adults. I too live in a world where I constantly encounter this "10 to 15 years above me crowd"--they're rough and like to tumble.

This age group has helped me and hurt me--both of which I am happy to have dealt with because they have taught me what I want and don't want just from observation.

Seth Rogen's character reminded me of myself in a different sense as well:

He was malleable in the sense that he wanted to learn the ropes and the tools of the trade.

He was impressed by the elder group's achievements and saw everything for the first time--enjoying every moment of what he loved.

He was grateful for every advantage and privilege doted upon him... not taking any single moment for granted.

Something fantastic landed in his lap and though he felt he didn't deserve it, he did and worked hard to keep it.

He didn't let the arguments and generation gap keep him from taking the next necessary steps toward success-- I think this is how you figure out how to be on your own and how to make decisions to create success.

I think I'm going to turn this blog around. I'll occasionally write about what's happening in my life, especially when I go to school, but I'd really like to start reviewing films and books that I read. I'll give you the spins that I find and the finer points that I enjoy or hate.

If you have any suggestions as to what films you'd like to see on here let me know. I'll either take them or ignore them.

PS

This is what I want to get my hair cut like-- and this is how I might get it done for Kate's wedding.

Adi's Hats and Comments!

Taken is Bad Ass

I have seen the movie, Taken, 3 times now. I have loved it every time. I hope to see the extended version and I'm thinking, in time, that it might be a worth while purchase. 

The first time I saw the film, I went with Jeff for a random late night venture to the theatre. Liam Neeson kicked so much ass in the film that we were blown away. We were light hearted after the film, mocking a couple lines and scaring each other with stuff like: "Good Luck," "I'll tear down the Eiffel Tower if I have to!" and "It's only a flesh wound."

Jeff said if someone stole his pomeranian, Peanut Butter, that he would "Tear down the Statue of Liberty to find him."-- all true and funny. 

The second time I saw the film, my mood was different. I was in North Carolina with my Dad and my sister, Erin, and we were looking for something to do. They hadn't seen the movie and I actually wasn't sure I wanted to see it again. It was March 18th, the day Liam's wife, Natasha Richardson (of whom, and we know this, I am a HUGE fan), died. I was more focused and noticed a lot of the really spectacular camera work, and details that this film had to offer. 

I didn't realize, until the third time I saw the film, that, we, in America, are not the first to have this extrodinary piece of film. It actually premiered a year before in France and the filmmakers are French! Extra points, Taken. Extra points.  

I just read a blog, posted by someone I follow on twitter (@mysmallpotatoes)  about this movie. The post lists 10 Things I Learned From Watching Taken. The list is hysterical and he also truly is a fan of this film. I am going to piggyback off of Jason, the blogger's, post with my own "Reasons to Watch Taken." Check it out.

Busy Week

I have been shooting fiesta footage, editing and working on various other activities this week. I have been extremely busy but I hope to get back to writing a good blog soon. Stay tuned! The Mission will be available soon! :)

http://fiestamovement.com/agent4

Jason Martin

(Photo courtesy of Jason Martin)

I posted a blog yesterday about Jason Martin, and photos he took of the Fiesta. I would like to take this opportunity to re-blog about the incident because that blog was lame--and the event--was NOT.

I was really excited yesterday because Adi invited me to go to eat sushi before our normal NBC Thursday night line up (the highlight of every week--hands down). I have been on what SC calls a "money diet" this week. But yesterday's excitement of potential raw fish sent me into an unpreventable frenzy-- SC had no choice but to spoil me with a slight advance so I could have my way! haha!

Dinner was fantastic. We ate at my favorite Japanese restaurant in town, ShoGun, and the food was delicious and filling. The conversation was a great release to what had been a stressful day-- so crazy that it lead me to the strange quote: "Breast cancer is so much quieter than children."
Don't worry, I'm not sick or pregnant. Lol.

While we were waiting for food, Byron and Adi noticed a man in the parking lot taking pictures of the Fiesta. I turned around and saw him as well, of course, duh! I went out to the parking lot and gave him a bit of a fright. He asked me if the car was mine and I asked him if he'd heard about the "Fiesta Movement." He said he hadn't, but that he reads Motor Trend magazine, and had been shocked to see a Fiesta anywhere, especially Salisbury.

The man's name is Jason Martin.

(Jason)

He is a wonderful photographer and blogger stationed here in Salisbury, MD. He posted a entry on his blog, "Grayscale" about my work online as well as the "Fiesta Movement." He is going to shoot some more stills for me this weekend at the Alumni Women's Lacrosse game at SU and hopefully will work with me in the future. 

His photos of the Fiesta came out beautifully, if you'd like to see them head over to my flickr page and check it out!

All Sorts of Crazy: In the Morning

Isabella Rossellini made a stop on the Today Show. It was the later in the morning time with Kathy Lee Gifford and the other chick.
I don't watch the Today show, but I do tune into Hulu...
Here's the video from the morning...expect nothing but crazy...and since KLG was there...most likely little gets accomplished.
(Mom--I know you could care less about Isabella and Ingrid, but PLEASE watch this clip because of Kathy Lee Gifford--Regis got rid of her just in time for her to snap!)




Post note:
Okay--to be honest, I hadn't watched the clip completely when I wrote this. I know, poor form. BUT Can I just say, that this clip TRUMPS Isabella's crazy style probably 100xs over. Kathy Lee Gifford is insane! She's like touchy, dirty and loud crazy. I'm not sure I like that style of crazy because it's too "in your face."

Though watching her is entertaining, I just felt very uncomfortable watching that clip, but I couldn't turn my head away. Apparently she's doing her job, but maybe she should lay off whatever booze she drinks in the morning and stop touching, groping and sexually harassing her co-host and guests. Luckily, I'm pretty sure Isabella can take her. Lol.

Webbie

I just found out that I will be filming in the Ford Fiesta with a new Sony Webbie.



I'm not sure which version we get, but I also just found out, via twitter, from @fordfiesta, that Sony donated the cameras. There's a good chance that I won a sweet little toy for making new media video. This camera is specifically designed to make movies for the internet. If you visit their website you'll see that Youtube.com also has a bit to say and is on board with the "Webbie."

I am really excited about the contest and again want to thank everyone for helping me win. I found out that I will be receiving a Silver Ford Fiesta! I am so glad that I didn't have to drive Lime or Magenta... that's just not my style.

Anyway, congratulations to all the other winners and to all who didn't win, don't let this break your spirits! Keep making movies and putting them out there, you'll find something good!!

I'll keep everyone updated with details as I get them! :)

Too Funny

I am telling you, once again, I LOVE The Onion. The satirical news is one of my favorite things about being alive. Lol.

Check out this video from their site:


DNA Evidence Frees Black Man Convicted Of Bear Attack

I WON A FORD FIESTA!!!

I am currently extremely happy because I won a 2011 Ford Fiesta for 6 months!



#1-- I want to thank everyone for reading my blog and (most likely) watching my video!
"Grazie tante!" ("thank you very much" in Italian)
#2-- I now want to tell you what the next steps are so you can continue to be a part of this!

I received a call today from Andrew Rinke, a representative from a promotional group that Ford has hired for the "Fiesta Movement," and he told me that I won!
I said, "Yey! That's great! Thanks. I've been biting my nails for a week now, waiting."
He said, "Well, you can stop biting them and maybe you could try cutting them instead."
I said, "I meant metaphorically."
He said, "Yeah, sorry. That was an attempt at a lame joke."
Though the joke wasn't, the conversation was; funny.

He asked me my preference in color. My choices were black, silver, blue, magenta and lime. I'm not guaranteed to get the color I want, but hopefully I'll get black or silver... I don't like the other colors for a car. He also asked me for my shirt and shoe size. I'm not sure what the shoe size is for... I'm guessing for a clutch? I don't know, but if it's for shoes, I'm going to laugh REALLY hard.

I will be taking a train to NYC for a training weekend in April. I think, after that, I will receive the car and begin my missions and driving a sweet, international version of the car that will be available in the U.S. in 2011.

I have to fill out some paper work tomorrow and do some updates of my profile for Ford, then I'll be all set!
In the meantime, here is the Fiesta Movement Page and a video to watch about the Fiesta.

www.fiestamovement.com




Thanks again and stay tuned for details.

PS
My Uncle John sent me a hilarious email in response to my win... I'd like to share it here:

"Excellent…

Glad it wasn’t a GM contest (or Chrysler) !!

Look forward to hearing the results

jm"

That's funny stuff.

New Entry Soon!

Tomorrow I will work on/post a new entry about my adventures touring the East Coast for a week. I haven't had computer access for daysssssss... please be patient!! :)

Ingrid Bergman Blog

I have finally done it, I have made an Ingrid blog.

http://ingridbergmanfilms.blogspot.com

The blog will discuss all things Ingrid Bergman. I will analyze her films, life, work and how it relates to me, society, history, film, etc.

I am very excited about it and I hope you all take a bit of time to occasionally check it out...also feel free to follow any of my blogs! Sign up for blogger...it's easy, free and you don't have to blog if you don't want to!

Facebook Fan Page!

I have just posted a "Seriously?" fan page on facebook.com!

Please join my fan group if you are on facebook and like my page! I will try to put updates on there and it would be another great place for you to tell me what you want to read!

Seriously? Facebook Page

I WANT YOU! (to comment on my blog!)

With that said,
Go to the comment link and leave me some sugar.
:)