Merry freaking Christmas

Feel like Ebenezer Scrooge.

As the years progress, holidays become less and less my thing.

Watched The Princess and the Frog yesterday at the Lincoln Square theatre. 

I'm not huge on Disney..only some, like Beauty and the Beast and Mulan, and maybe even Cinderella. Hence, I don't really know the whole original fairytale storyline..maybe it's just: princess, prince, some witch, poof + frog, kiss then happily married forever thereafter? 

I remember what my Gender Studies professor said this past quarter: isn't it strange how the heteronormative model always involves marriage and its almost categorical association with a 'happily ever after'? And Disney just keeps on pushing that idea in our childlike fantasies.

Does life get better as you grow older? Are the potentials and possibilities we've always pondered about and hoped for at an attainable distance? Does time make everything better?

Snowfalls

It probably looks as if these pictures were taken while drunk, but alas, this is what happens shooting through my window with a Canon PowerShot SD990 IS. 

It's safe to say that winter has hit New York City, and the proof is in the slushy sidewalks that deceptively seem to be shallow, until you stick your foot in there and realize it's more along the lines of half a foot deep. Joy.


In some sense, it's better than Chicago, which has the wonderful black ice allowing for constant slippage while trying to scamper appropriately to class. But it's strange...I feel more at ease trying to survive Chicago's weather back at school, than dealing with fluffy white snow that's quickly transformed into grey crap here at home. I suppose I expect comfort and ease when I am at home. Unfortunately, the weather does not cater to specific individuals.


I keep having headaches. Might be a cold coming on, due to the great combo of sleeping late, working out, and pretending that winter in the city is no match for what Chicago has to offer.

Out the Window

 

 

Back to Healthy Living

It's amazing how good you feel for the rest of the day after working out. I wasn't able to go to the gym for about a week, and it was terrible. I'm not athletic by any means, aside from a variety of sports I dabbled around in during youth (ice-skating, gymnastics, swimming, golf, volleyball) as well as the other sports I continued with for awhile (tennis and riding). But I'm not good at any of them, haha.
I made myself learn to get used to going to the gym and working out on machines. I won't lie, it's mostly motivated for diet's sake, but I always notice the fascinating difference of how I mentally go about my day after some good sweating. I feel refreshed, and good, and eating well (aka healthy) throughout the day keeps me feeling even better. I'm prepared to feel good again, and ultimately reap the benefits. 

Final Film Project & Back to the City

My first production class came to a close with our final film screening.
After all the stress, sweat, and tears (literally), it's done.
Are there things I would change? Sure, but unless we're about to re-shoot, 
there's no point in thinking about that.
Each project we work on has emphasized and highlighted to me even more 
what being a film major entails: being able to work in groups, with whatever 
types of people. 
Working with others is a skill and interest I have never been able 
to properly fully cultivate and hone. But I know it's absolutely crucial to figure 
this out in order to thrive, not just get through, the rest of my years working in 
production. 
Here's our film, G.I. DISTRESS (December, 2009):



I am also now back in the city (aka New York City). Feels good.

Animated Films

These are a couple animated films that were shown in my film class last week.


Don Hertzfeldt's Billy's Balloon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rag-RGSYq6I

Pretty priceless. 
I'd like to say I've seen Billy's Balloon before, but there were definitely moments where my jaw dropped open, if only because the film was daring to cross the boundary of violence to merge with children and their innocence.



Quay Brothers' Street of Crocodiles: Part 1 and Part 2

Sure, it seems creepy at first glance, but I thought it was amazing. There was a bunch of snickering and horrified laughter during the screening of this in my film class... Don't people understand that there's more to life than cliched, stereotypical ideas that ooze unrealistic joy and happiness? I like to think that there's a darker, more real side to all of us that is willing to confront the unpleasant.

Review: Ninja Assassin

Why do screenplays like this get produced?

That's the recurring question I keep going back to in the aftermath of watching Ninja Assassin (2009).

The idea for the story is interesting enough. Not superbly original, but what IS nowadays? I do wonder often if there is a limit to creativity...and hence the frequent headlines of plagiarism..but that's a different topic.

For once, I don't believe that Bi (Rain) was at fault for the movie's failure. Sure, it's perplexing as to why his English is still sub-par, especially when his younger version of his character (Lee Chang Sun or Joon) displays a better proficiency. 

The problem stems mostly from the script. The lines said on screen, we've heard them all before, and it's not helping that this time, they're being said with heavy accents. Alot of the dialogue, I feel, should have been spread out and placed throughout the narrative in a more conscious manner. Or...some of it could be cut out altogether. I'm trying to imagine how the film would've looked minus the dialogue...and I think it would've been a whole lot better. The thoughtless words of dialogue actually detract from the film's value by emphasizing, and even creating, gag-worthy corny-ness that elicits mocking laughs and weary groans from viewers.

On the upside, I'm glad to see that Bi is not to blame for the film's awfulness (which would not be surprising, if we recall how Speed Racer (2008) went down). Maybe South Koreans aren't a complete disgrace when trying to go international in their film and music careers.

For those who love a good show of bloody gore and flailing limbs, perhaps this film will hit the spot for you. Then again, the impact of the digital effects seem to be unsure of being realistic or intentionally fake (think Wanted from 2008). 

Do I want my money back? No, apparently being able to get some Korean eye-candy keeps me from feeling that way.

However, I am now more ready than ever to get to Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Here's to Thanksgiving..not yet

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, they say.
This year will be the first time, I think, that I will not be spending it at home.


Apparently, the family members back in NYC don't have plans to share a meal together.
Nice to know everyone's getting along.
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