All posts tagged film

blue valentine ~

what happens when memories bleed empty;
no you, no me; we breathe separately under
cold waters turned dead; this love bled
out into winter’s white landscape; wrapped
thinly in loneliness; escape, following a
moon path upon mother’s bridal cape;
ice crystals warming frozen soles
tripping over spilt dreams lost long ago;

a field opens herself wide, offering a
blanket of chipped diamonds built from
solemn tears;
too many years living hollow;
too many fears overflowed;
false laughs filling a dollhouse home;

early spring, you’ll spy a set of bones,
uncovered in a brown expanse turning;
waiting for rusted metal disks to plow,
to bury death, nature’s detritus; me,
a forgotten valentine turned blue.

Blue Valentine is not for the faint romantic. If you cannot handle gritty real life, you shall not dig this flick. I didn’t quite know what to expect when I popped in this DVD tonight, but, in the end I was pleasantly surprised. There was no “Hollywood” ending; no tidy bow, no ah-ha, but a silent hmmmmm as I stared at the credits rolling by wondering “why?”.

Why do we fall in love.
Why do our paths intersect with some and not others.
Why do we seem to then gravitate back to the beginning when we have not found an ending.

I place no question mark at the end, for it seems to overstate the question. I oft think that we know the answer, but pretend that we do not. We are human, after all. We’ve been given the ability to choose our path; our fate via ‘free will’. But will we actually listen to our inner voice that knows which fork in the road to take?

Blue Valentine’s characters know what is toxic. They know what is love, plastic or real. Sadly, they get caught up in the rat race; fall to their own limitations without lashing to the other to say, “please, help me up”.

If we love just to love then what of love other than the word. If we love those that help us discover ourselves at a level deeper than we began then we shall begin to understand what the divine had planned all along. If not, we run the risk of finding ourselves lost, gone wintering, perhaps never to find warmth from the cold.

>>>sidebar: the poem and summation are not reflections of the actual events in the film. this is in no way a spoiler. truth, I need to watch again, but I still don’t think I could tell you how it ‘really’ ends ~

1 Comment
by angela on 2011/09/10  •  Permalink
Posted in poetry, yoga
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Posted by angela on 2011/09/10

http://yellowhousecafe.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/blue-valentine/

Food for thought ~

Curious, the idea of comfort food. It brings about a multitude of connotations, however, I question how those invoked by one living in relative abundance (aka, above poverty, in an industrialized nation) compares to one who struggles daily to feed his or her self and their loved ones.

I hadn’t really an idea about how to approach Sidey’s weekend theme “comfort food” until I viewed Pieces of April, circa 2003. I brought this film home tonight after a long day in libraryland to ‘wind down’. What I didn’t realize was that Pieces of April would cause me a bit of discomfort and pain during an already distressful weekend. (Memorial Day weekend..bittersweet)

I digress … what can I say about Pieces of April, other than despite the depressive nature of the film, there is an uplifting, positive message as well. To summarize, April (Katie Holmes), the first child, the problem child, has gone off to live in NYC and muster her way through life. April’s mother, Joy, is fighting breast cancer and despite a very disjointed relationship with the entire family, April has extended the olive branch. She has invited the family to her rough neighborhood for Thanksgiving, the ultimate comfort food holiday.

What transpires is anything but typical which is to be expected considering that Peter Hedges wrote and directed the film. Hedges, known for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (Leonardo’s first shot into the limelight), and more recent, Dan In Real Life.

Hedges continues to grace the screen with dysfunctional family life in a most refreshing way. There is no apology for familial disfunction, but neither is there predictability in how it plays out. The dialogue is terribly real, but not trite. Even if you hate dramas such as this, you cannot tear your eyes away, and you laugh in spite of the horrid things being said (because they say what you wish you could).

Ironically, this ‘comfort food’ themed film, so to speak, was taken in while I enjoyed my key comfort food – popcorn. What is so ironic about that? Peter Hedges is originally from Iowa, as am I (sadly, I’m still here…that is for another blog post). My comfort food is very Iowan…corn! No, I’ve no farm to call home, nor was I raised in a barn, but I do adore popcorn.

I think, for me, comfort food is more the knowledge that I’ve a fridge stocked full of fruit and produce in which I can eat at any time. How spoilt do I then feel when I think about those that have no such luxury, 925 million to be within the ballpark of 2010 statistics. Wow, best stop, or I’ll start to sound like my mother, reminding me to eat all my roast for there are hungry children…somewhere… It is, though, food for thought… just not today ~

We should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink… ~Epicurus

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by angela on 2011/05/29  •  Permalink
Posted in life, writing
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Posted by angela on 2011/05/29

http://yellowhousecafe.wordpress.com/2011/05/29/food-for-thought/

“Elegance is refusal” ~ Coco Chanel

The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud. ~ Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel, along side Emily Dickinson and Georgia O’Keeffe,  is a woman whom I deem as the epitome of an artist, who happens to also be female. I mean that not in a sexist way, actually, quite the opposite. All three seem to have defined their art, or honed their creative talents, in spite of the preconceived expectations of the time. Each woman recognized the limitations of her station, and then fought to tear down those walls.

Coco Chanel knew who she was and never questioned her talent. She was a women before her time, avant, indeed. A woman who wore riding pants instead of the expected skirt. A woman who attended a polo match wearing a petite straw hat instead of a fashionable flourish of feathers and flounce. A woman elegantly clad in a column of black silk when every other curve in the room was dressed in white. Yes, Coco was a woman whom I would have loved to have had as a confidant…truly an inspiration.

Why all this Coco talk? I finally viewed Coco Chanel which was made for television a few years ago. It was a bit of a rough go, but once I focused, I became fascinated with one aspect that Coco Avant Chanel didn’t explore, Chanel’s romantic life. Does this make Coco Chanel more of a chic flick than Coco Avant Chanel, oui. Both films are biopics of Coco’s life, however, the television one is heavy on the ‘drama’. Coco Avant Chanel is a beautiful film which I would recommend without hesitation.

As for authenticity of the two films, I need to do a bit of research. True to my handle, I’ll now use the library to find a good biography. I shall find out more about her life, her art and her ability to remain true to her vision…

How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone. ~ Coco Chanel

10 Comments
by angela on 2011/05/28  •  Permalink
Posted in musing, writing
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Posted by angela on 2011/05/28

http://yellowhousecafe.wordpress.com/2011/05/28/elegance-is-refusal-coco-chanel/

Nowhere Boy – Flash 55

Birds circled ‘bout
as he dug out,
rockin’; stars
fell; we fell for
this lonely guy;
Mother, he cried,
Mimi, or Julia;
one aunt, one mum -
no father among ‘em;
The quarry changed,
he remained rock,
even after his Mum’s
spirit was stolen
too soon; John,
nowhere boy,
every fan’s sun,
we’re blessed to
sing his
songs.

This Flash Fiction was inspired by the film, Nowhere Boy. I’m a huge fan of Lennon, but didn’t know until this film, about his early years. The song, Mother is quite heart wrenching after watching his childhood story. I recommend the flick for any Lennon fans…it is a docudrama, but was endorsed by Yoko and Paul for content and overall story.

This piece was written for the very hip G-Man who is kind enough to host a Friday Flash Fiction soiree on his blog for yahoos like moi to get their creative juices going before the weekend. Go check it out…all are welcome to play ~

10 Comments
by angela on 2011/05/27  •  Permalink
Posted in poetry, writing
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Posted by angela on 2011/05/27

http://yellowhousecafe.wordpress.com/2011/05/27/nowhere-boy-flash-55/

don’t look back..

Johnny’s in the basement
Mixing up the medicine
I’m on the pavement
Thinking ’bout the government…

Bob Dylan would never force a song, there is no need. Dylan is blessed with the soul of a poet and the ear of a maestro. As he states in the documentary, Don’t Look Back if he couldn’t express his thoughts into song he would go insane.

I’ve enjoyed Dylan, but I’ve never followed his career like I did with John Lennon or Jim Morrison. Perhaps Dylan was too sophisticated for my tastes when I was in my early teens, or maybe it was because my brother didn’t care for him. I considered Lennon and Morrison the creme, but as I do more reading on Dylan, I realize that he is always in the sweet spot. His music defines decades; forms ideologies and poets the masses.

I think of this because tonight I forced a poem. I hate when I force poetry. I saw a blog about One Shot Poetry’s site and thought, I must write something. Grrr, I’ve learned my lesson. If it doesn’t flow, don’t write it. Now, I shall have to vindicate myself. Poetry month will be upon us in no time, and I warn you, dear reader, I take the daily challenge! No worries, though, I’ll start a new tab…along with my new Children’s book idea ~ anyone draw well ;)

3 Comments
by angela on 2011/03/10  •  Permalink
Posted in artist, creative mind, life, musing, writing
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Posted by angela on 2011/03/10

http://yellowhousecafe.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/dont-look-back/

When in Rome..

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair. ~Audrey Hepburn

What does define a woman, then, if Ms. Hepburn’s words are to be believed? After looking for a quote to mark today’s 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day, I was surprised to find so many references not to a woman’s brain, but her beauty. Despite all our advances, it seems society still is obsessed more about a woman’s face than her intellect.

Do you remember the scene in Roman Holiday when Audrey cuts off her hair as a way to define her independence? As Princess Ann, she must keep it long and tidy, but as ‘just Ann’ she declares her freedom by telling the barber to “cut it all off”. It may seem trivial, but it truly is a symbolic way to define one’s self.

It sounds silly, I know, but we do put a lot of stock in the presentation of ourselves and others. If you doubt, think about how you surf WordPress. Do you find yourself more drawn to blogs that have someone’s picture? Would you follow a blog if the picture of the person disturbed you, yet you really enjoyed their writing? Personally, I enjoy when I picture the person because it makes things more personable. Really, though, should it matter if their content is fabulous? That said, I do follow quite a few that have fun pictures of their animals, themes or symbols.

We women, we’re a strong group no matter our physical composition. If we are lucky enough to keep a blog, we understand the joys of expressing ourselves through a multitude of mediums. There are many women around the globe that may never have the option to express their opinions aloud, let alone on the digital page. It is these women that we must consider not just today, but everyday, as they were born into this world as free as you, or me, with a voice that should be heard.

I’ll end this on a lighter note with this snippet compliments YouTube.

Cheers~

2 Comments
by angela on 2011/03/08  •  Permalink
Posted in culture, life, musing
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Posted by angela on 2011/03/08

http://yellowhousecafe.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/when-in-rome/

Would you steal into a dream?

An interesting question to ponder, no? What would it take for you to steal a dream, besides the nerve to enter into another person’s state of subconscious. I find the concept quite baffling, as does the majority, it seems. Quite a few have weighed in regarding the complex storyline as told by Christopher Nolan, the director of Inception, but few seem in agreement of what he is trying to tell us.

I know, Inception is old news, but I just happen to watch it for the first time via DVD. I remember finishing it, pondering a few things and then re-launching it to review the first 20 minutes. I knew I would need to rewatch it in the future if I dared to try to “break it down” philosophically.

Ironically, that is exactly what the pastor at the church I frequent did this weekend. His analysis was terribly interesting, but I questioned if it was his interpretation, or that of a theological think tank. Sadly, I’ve uncovered many interpretation, but none mesh with any others, let alone the pastors. Despite this, I will give the pastor credit for his delivery and ability to take this film into a wider scope regarding one’s faith. He is quite the talent in that way, especially for his skeptics, such as moi. I shall not try to recreate his sermon, but will share his hitting home points ~ courage to act on faith. A clip he showed highlighted this when Saito informs Cobb that he must have a leap of faith. Cobb must trust Saito at his word and risk everything for a chance to return home.

Truly, I’ve no idea if Nolan’s underlying intention was at all theological for the storyline, but it does work. I’ve no worries if it isn’t correct because I find that is the brilliance of the creative mind ~ our different visions, though the object remains the same.

Tonight, I’ve watched a few trailers and read a couple of interviews with Nolan, which made me ponder ~ would I ever steal into a dream. I must say that the thought of entering someone’s dream state, even if I desired to know their darkest secret, is a bit frightening. I’ve enough problem with some peeps convoluted realities. I dare say that to tangle within their web of created, dream reality would be a maze I would not wish to get lost. Besides, I’ve enough in my own dream world which is bizarre enough.

So… would you, could you, steal into someone’s dream?

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by angela on 2011/03/06  •  Permalink
Posted in creative mind, culture, musing
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Posted by angela on 2011/03/06

http://yellowhousecafe.wordpress.com/2011/03/06/would-you-steal-into-a-dream/

when time stops..


His dead eyes opened as he breathed
finally giving up his death dance

heat awakened him from the outside, and
a smile broke him free. His heart, overwhelmed,

lost time’s rhythm, a cruel game of irony
after making peace with fate’s loveless hand.

His body lay in state already surrendered,
the bedside clock gonged on to no one.

(a single man)

sidebar>> ditty inspired after watching A Single Man tonight. In hindsight, despite being quite tired after a long day in libraryland, I think I would have fared better going out than watching this film. A bit too somber for my current mood.

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by angela on 2011/03/05  •  Permalink
Posted in life, poetry
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Posted by angela on 2011/03/05

http://yellowhousecafe.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/when-time-stops/

It’s not about the blog..

..but, the challenge. Actually, I lie. It’s the blog and the challenge to post every day. I’m very committed to a project if I say I’m going to do it, even if I’m the only one who knows. I guess that is why, despite a rough day/night at the library, I still desire to post something. I realize that no one else will even notice if I do not, but I will know I “dropped the ball’.

Keeping the ball in play, I’m typing this while watching The Kids Are Alright. I’m notorious for multi-tasking while viewing a film unless I’m really drawn to it, or it is foreign. This is my second go with this one. Granted, I’ve only watched it with “one eye,” but it isn’t drawing me in. I keep tracking backwards since it is up for awards Sunday and I’m trying to figure out why. I must say, though, love Ruffalo, and Bening is great at being a complaining b*tch, but really, is that Oscar worthy?

I know that there are bloggers/readers from other parts of the globe. If you stumble upon this blog, question, do you follow the Oscars? I realize that there is BAFTA, the Berlin Film Festival, the Dublin Festival,… but is the Academy even regarded as an event elsewhere? As for me, I’ll watch “with one eye” since we’ve a friendly little wager at work. I just hope Bansky is there to paint the crowd. ;)

In the end, it is about the blog, since it keeps me thinking and writing for me, and for you. Cheers~

2 Comments
by angela on 2011/02/25  •  Permalink
Posted in creative mind, culture, musing, writing
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Posted by angela on 2011/02/25

http://yellowhousecafe.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/its-not-about-the-blog/

Art of my soul..

Seth Godin’s blog post today helped refresh my weary spirit. It was brief, but it was powerful. The heart of the dialogue, there is an artist inside all of us.

What is art, after all, but an honest expression of one’s passion, one’s soul. I struggle to call myself an artist, yet every passion I express is one that is artistic in nature. I paint (albeit, not wonderfully); I write (beyond the blog, I’ve columns of poetry, pages of prose and snatches of flash); I drama (yes, I keep life interesting) and I dance (though my expression these days is within a yoga asana). However, if you were ever to imply that I was an actual artist, I would quickly correct you stating my living is made as a library worker. It’s interesting how we define ourselves by our jobs, our status, our family and our sometimes, shallow, outer shell. We let others be even more critical when we allow them to correct our own definition and label us how they see it.

The Beats were certainly artists, though, those that didn’t appreciate their movement considered them posers with no worth at all. I was reminded of the Beats when the Guardian highlighted, Howl, a biopic released last year based on Allen Ginsberg’s famous poem.

You are artistic in nature whether you believe it or not. Your creation may be anything that sets your soul on fire. Don’t let others limit your voice, go ahead, howl..

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by angela on 2011/02/18  •  Permalink
Posted in artist, artists, culture, musing, writing
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Posted by angela on 2011/02/18

http://yellowhousecafe.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/art-of-my-soul/

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