Whoa There, Clooney...

Saw Anton Corbijn's The American today.  Even though George Clooney was pretty to look at, it was way too slow-paced and all in all pointless for me.  Some of the cuts seemed oddly timed.  Lots of moments were expected and obvious, as well as corny to the degree where I wanted to bash my head against the railing in front of me for large periods of time.  This was later topped by the urge to vomit in a paper bag because of the cliches that were mounting one on top of the other.  I could almost grasp the idea that a precious and intimate relationship between Clooney and the woman was supposed to blossom...'almost' being the key word.  It was unbelievable, whatever connection the two were supposed to have.  Clooney's character, as poker-faced and miserable as he was supposed to be, just was over-stoic.  Yet, we know from Up in the Air that he is capable of conveying understated emotions in a beautiful manner.  It wasn't seen here, though.  Waste of money.  Kept checking my watch.  Wanted to leave the movie.  Burst out in disbelieving laughter as the ending credits rolled.  Oh, but the scenery and architecture are gorgeous.

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you" - Rashi

Saw A Serious Man yesterday, a Coen brothers film.  Wasn't really into it, although there were several (maybe too many) moments where my jaw literally dropped.  Maybe it was almost too Jewish for me to grasp the underlying meanings, despite having attended an almost completely Jewish school.  The trailer was well-made, though, is what I remember, and that's why I wanted to see this movie pretty badly.  I guess it got part of its point across, though, of feeling the anxiety and unbearable frustration and pressure of someone trying to get by life but seems to be thrown into detours every step of the way.
Heading back to Chicago in a week's time.  There's this part of that is somewhat eager to go back, buy furni, setup and move in properly to my new place. I remember to try and reprimand that part of me.  Once again, the solution that seemed to work last fall (when I actually made efforts to do it) is to keep myself busy busy busy.  Get a part-time job, work on more sets, meet people, keep my place clean, do only the necessary for all other things that don't give me joy.