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Sighted on Clark Street in Chicago Saturday August 4th. 

While street people and shopping carts are synonymous, this is the first I have ever seen decorated and actually kind of cheerful.

Sleeping bag, blankets tucked neatly below, worldly possessions protected in the basket.

Reminds me of a song by Wide Spread Panic "This Part of Town"

So I started thinkin' 'bout, this world we live in,
And about how far I've got my hand in.
Sometimes it seems that all we have, we have taken,
But maybe next time, won't be the forsaken.

Bourne Again

Movie remakes and mimics most often fall to a similar fate. They are a commercial flop or, at the very least leave you wanting without knowing why.

Some examples from this year.  John Carter at a cost of $200 million followed Avatar's special FX formula but forgot to include a plot. Death did not come soon enough for this film.

Battleship at $220 million was tossed out of its theater run in about a week; possibly a world's record for failure.

Tom Cruise should have focused on his pending divorce instead of throwing Rock of Ages at us. 

The Dark Knight Rises should have been buried after Heath Ledgers wonderfully dark performance. And few films
can honestly say they had be rescued from the critics by having Rotten Tomatoes shut down the comments before its release only to reappear with a much better spelled (altered) rating.

There have been exceptions this year. The Amazing Spider-man 2012 gave us Andrew Garfield who absolutely beats Toby McGuire hands down as the real Peter Parker.  I am actually looking forward to the new series even at $15 for IMAX. Well with popcorn and a drink, make that USD $30.

The Avengers brought all the super heroes together without them tripping over each other so, it can be done.

And there is the matter of Jeremy Renner who hit the radar for me in The Hurt Locker and now the carrier of the torch for The Bourne Legacy in more than one sense.

Did I sound hopeful here?  Did Hollywood somehow get it right some of the time?  Well I do already have my tickets for the new Bourne Saturday night and strangely enough there is no I MAX or 3D option.

Gee you think Hollywood is relying on the quality of the story line and the acting to carry the film?
For once, I hope so. 

But that's just me.

With Apologies To The French

L' Homme du Train (The Man on the Train) (2002)

"I wish I had sailed from one unknown woman to another.

Different continents to explore.  Never dropping the anchor, new islands..."  

No matter what adventures or comforts we may have experienced there is always a moment when we look back and only find regret.

What I liked

Man on the Train offers and opportunity to explore that moment of regret we all have, but allows you your own conclusion.

The movie sets individual scenes as still frame photos a technique I rarely find in films and one I find very appealing.  No wipes, special effects, fades to black, just a perfectly set portrait that comes to life.  Each scene is flawless beginning like chapters in a book.

And to the French, well normally I would be squirming as the movie plodded along deep in a cement like script.  This movie made me want to watch it. and of course to forgive those other films from Paris that sent me to my computer to tinker while it played out.

Channeling Marylin

To share what I see, I use my camera.  To express what I feel, I use quotes, as my own words always fail me.
This may still come back to bite me in the ass as even quotations can still be misunderstood.

This time I was thinking about how people change as we travel whatever path we choose for ourselves.

Looking around for the right quote I found myself reading a series of observations from Marilyn Monroe.

About friends

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so you can learn to let go"

About ourselves

"I'm selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control, and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."

 And how to decide who to keep

“The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.”
Bob Marley

Maybe I am channeling a dead movie star, I was blond too at one time. Of course you can't decide anything without a little reggae philosophy.

In Real Movies, Everybody Dies

If you favor the darker side of things you are in the right place, at least when it comes to movies.

Theatrical Release Poster

Averaging at least 3 movies a week, I have all but abandoned Hollywood in favor of foreign films primarily those from Asia.

First, most Asian films do not include some impossible happy ending.  Most often, everybody dies!  It may not be the happily ever after side, but at least it is real.
Even then there is dark humor and laughs to be had. However, you may not want to advertise that to friends or collegues unless they share in your understanding.

Another flaw, if it is one, I don't actually review films, I tell you if I like it, tell you why and let you decide if it is worth your time.  

I will not compare directors, film styles or burden you with any technical jargon.  I can't remember reading a film review and have it relate to why I wanted to see any movie.

In 2012 I will admit  posting what I am watching has not been a priority.  So let's start with on of the best to date.

The HouseMaid 2010

Korean films have become my favorite source of dark humor and bleak outcomes.  The HouseMaid hits the mark for me as I see a statement being made about the very rich
using the working class as disposables, kind of like a lightbulb; if you break one you just get another.  

There are rich people manipulating everyone around them, and at least one member of the downtrodden working class who for awhile learns how to turn the screws to maximize the monetary benefit. 

No, not everybody dies, but you won't see the ending to this film in anything that Hollywood churns out.  Yeah, if you find yourself snickering a couple of times during the movie, no worries, you just found your dark side.

And then after Hollywood got involved
with the U.S. release.

Saying GoodBye One Day

Can you fall in love with a face? 

If it is the face of Miho Nakayama the answer is simply; hell yes!

Sayonara Itsuka is filled with storybook like scenery that for me was almost as perfect as the film.

It also creates a tragically perfect love that you will find yourself cheering for.

And as in real life, we know how that works.

 Yeah, I would like to add this to my book of dreams: in 2013 I will be going Thai.