Django, The Hobbit, and Another Thought

Django Unchained

This was one of my most anticipated films of the Awards season and I was not disappointed. Quentin Tarantino’s brassy stylistic choices are always visually stark and remarkably character driven. He famously employs anachronistic music and bold, humorous violence to enhance his already tantalizing stories. These trademarks are visible (and audible) in Django Unchained, but the tightness of his storytelling and his driving pace are a bit too slack here. The final fourth of the movie starts to feel indulgent despite the promised bloody end. The ensemble really nails the style, humor, and finds the reality of the outlandish situations. Jamie Foxx is an adequate centerpiece for the film, but Christoph Waltz’s charm and Leonardo DiCaprio incendiary performance really make the film volatile and unpredictable. Samuel L. Jackson and Kerry Washington also give strong performances, but the latter’s role is so underwritten that she must rely on her beauty and charisma as filler. However, it is Tarantino’s love and reverence for filmmaking that truly inspires this film. He is the rare artist that possesses the bravado and craft to pay homage whilst redefining a genre.

4/5 Stars.

And Now A Little Deviation From The Film Reviews

While viewing Django Unchained, I couldn’t help but recalling Sofia Coppola’s 2006 film, Marie Antoinette. Granted, there are blatant differences in these two films, but there are stylistic similarities. Both films boldly use contemporary music to communicate feeling, beautifully compelling visual storytelling, and modern sensibilities in the performances. Tarantino is applauded for his choices while Coppola was (some would argue unfairly) jeered for hers. The differences may have caused the discrepancy in the films receptions. Marie Antoinette is a meditation on celebrity with a minimal plotline driving it and void of extravagant characterizations while Django Unchained is a revenge Western with a close-to-contrived plotline and showy acting. I enjoy each film for its idiosyncrasies and believe Django to be the superior film, but why all the hate on Coppola and Marie Antoinette? Coppola makes distinct choices and is as polarizing as Tarantino. Is it that she is a newer, less-proven filmmaker? Is it that she is a woman doing a film about a woman? Is it her preference as a director to be more of an observer than an orchestrator like Tarantino? Or was Marie Antoinette (much like her other films Somewhere and Lost In Translation – despite its Oscar nods) considered too pedestrian?

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Being a fan of The Lord of the Rings trilogy films, but never having read J.R. Tolkien’s epics, I am nowhere near the most knowledgeable nor avid fanboy. However, I am fond of the exciting and wholehearted adventures that comprise The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. So I expected The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’s brilliant visuals, epic battles, and humorous banter. Yet, Martin Freeman’s performance added a most welcome farcical tone without cheapening or even diluting the emotional resonance. It takes a masterful actor to anchor such a challenging film. Peter Jackson craftily weaves action sequences and dramatic scenes through the lengthy film. Despite Jackson’s expert directing, the film really struggles to maintain momentum while highlighting themes and covering multiple storylines. I don’t know the reasoning or justifications for making a trilogy out of Tolkien’s The Hobbit, but I know that this film could have been distilled into a shorter film for more efficient storytelling. That said, I enjoyed the journey to Middle Earth and eagerly anticipate the following installments.

3.5/5 Stars. 

The Bachelors

Here's the press release for the staged reading I will be working on the next few weeks!

David Zak of Pride Films and Plays will direct an enhanced staged reading of The Bachelors, a screenplay written by Rick Kinnebrew and Martha Meyer

on Sunday, January 13, at 2 pm. The performance will be at Piven Theater, 927 Noyes Street, Evanston. 

In a small town during the Depression, an improbable business venture conceals a great love.

Based on a true story, The Bachelors introduces us to Bob Neal, a London interior decorator who returns to his failing Wisconsin hometown in 1934 and hires a local man to help him restore a historic rock cottage.

The Bachelors was a semifinalist for the Great Gay Screenplay Competition, and opens a fresh perspective on gay marriage. Your comments and feedback will help shape this new work.  Free and open to the public. 

David Zak is Executive Director of Pride Films and Plays.  He served as Managing Director of Chicago Bailiwick Repertory Theater, and has won Jeff Awards for fostering new works.

The acting ensemble will be comprised of Pride Films and Plays' artistic ensemble members David Besky, Tom Chiola, Kristofer Hyland, Joan McGrath, Beth Richards, Nelson Rodriguez, Jamie Smith, and Nick Stockwell.

Rick Kinnebrew and Martha Meyer live in Evanston, Illinois and write plays for children as part of their work at Evanston Public Library.  Proceeds from this performance will benefit the Mineral Point Public Library, where Rick and Martha researched this story.

For more information, contact Rick Kinnebrew at 847-644-7448.

XMAS stuff

3 25-word Reviews

The Impossible

McGregor and Watts give extraordinary performances alongside wonderful newcomer Holland. Bayona directs with fierce suspense. The compelling story and visual spectacle are a winning combination. 

4/5 Stars.

This Is 40

Rudd and Mann are not funny or charming enough to keep this repetitive, uninsightful script afloat. Apatow’s focus and story meander to an unfulfilling end. 

2.5/5 Stars.

m. henrietta’s veritable vegan epiphany

Awesomely seasoned scrambled organic tofu with sautéed onions served next to passable veggie sausage and thinly sliced avocado. A completely satisfying and richly flavored dish.

Christmas Catch-Up

So I am working my way towards vegan, guys. It’s going to be a process. I thought I could just decide and do an all plant-based diet overnight, but alas that did not work. I have to do some more research on options, substitutes, and vegan-friendly establishments. I am excited for this venture. I had an amazing vegan peanut butter cookie and m. henrietta which just furthered my resolve to make the transition. The most difficult everyday item to give up will be eggs (or possibly that sneaky milk I don’t realize is in just about everything. But I love having a good cheese every once in a while too so that will be a hard commodity to relinquish.

In other news… we had a WHITE CHRISTMAS in Chicago. Trent and I walked around our neighborhood with our pink wine and champagne concoction. The air was crisp, the dusting fluffy, and the streets practically deserted. It was really nice. For Christmas dinner Trent made a veggie sausage and cream cheese stuffing (inside crescent rolls) and I made two of the Beekman Boys' recipes (maple glazed sweet potatoes and glazed carrots with pine nuts and golden raisins) for our sides. We also had an aromatic mulled wine which was infused with brandy, an orange, honey, cloves, and ginger. Delicious.

I got Ed Sheeran’s album “+” for Christmas and gifted Ellie Goulding’s “Halcyon.” They are two of my favorite musicians from 2012. After I give the albums a few listens, I’ll write some thoughts on them and artists’ contribution to the post-retro British invasion. Also, I’ll post my Chicago Stage Standard review of Trap Door’s The Unveiling and Dozens of Cousins later this week when it’s live on their website.

I am going to attempt to escape the post-Christmas blues with movies (Les Miserables, Django Unchained, Rust and Bone, Anna Karenina, etc), vegan delights, new projects (Pride Films & Plays’ enhanced staged reading of "The Bachelors"), and New Year’s shenanigans planning.

What’re ya’ll up to? 

BAATHHAUS

Since moving to Chicago on August 1^st, 2011, I have been anticipating my chance to see BAATHHAUS (a queer-electronic-fuck band fka DAAN) perform. They became well known in Chicago’s queer-scene due to their hypersexual performance art; last night, “the night before the apocalypse,” I got to experience why they have achieved underground cred at Salonathon’s You’re Gonna Die: A Holiday Fantasia at Metro. 

Photo Credit: John Sturdy

The quartet that comprises BAATHHAUS provides all the vocals and instrumentation for their sets. They seamlessly weave from theatrical singing to spitting rhymes while executing provocative and interpretive choreography. The multidisciplinary artists take turns being front and center, but are most effective when collectively jamming out with high-energy abandon. The most notable solo moment came at the end of “I Like Boys,” in which Patrick Andrews explicitly raps with raw pleasure about how he desires his men to behave in bed which he finalizes with an innocent, cutesy curtsey. All four members began the set with unsettling neutral masks topped with Santa-hats which they one-at-a-time removed, crumpled, and tossed into the audience. Apart from unwrapping gifts which consisted of musical instruments and glitter guns, the performance was more straightforward than I anticipated. Their performances of "All I Got" and "Cave Song" were flavored with all the expected overt sexuality and the finale brought the anticipated spluttering of blood from the bandmates' mouths. 

BAATHHAUS is fully engaged from beginning to end and thus is inescapably mesmerizing. Their performance ranges from cheeky humor to brass sensuality and is always unapologetically and fiercely queer. But all nitpicking  aside, the band puts on an awesome show. I had a fucking blast. There were songs when I couldn’t stop watching them… other times I had to dance…and at other times I just had to grind against my boyfriend. BAATHHAUS put on an inspired show and spread queer cheer for the holidays.

Photo Credit: Vern Hestor

check out their music at: https://soundcloud.com/baathhaus

and here's their website: http://baathhaus.com/ 

Loneliest Planet Review, Verdura, and Armageddon

The Loneliest Planet organically meanders with very minimal dialogue and seemingly endless shots of an engaged couple and their guide hiking through rough terrain. Gael Garcia Bernal and Hani Furstenberg’s unadorned performances fit with the overly patient capturing of their trekking and love-making. Yet, when their relationship is challenged, the long, silent shots beg for action. Despite the two charismatic leads, the film pitfalls into moody tone shifts and stretches out what is instantly (and expertly) made clear through stunning visuals. What could have been an excellent, engaging short film became a tedious exploration that lacks the depth to be a character study, the insight to be a meditation on love, and the subtext to classify it as a metaphor of human dependency. The title would suggest that these characters reflect all humanity – wandering the world accompanied but ultimately alone. Yet, Julia Loktev’s direction is strangely content to follow these characters without truly examining, questioning, or presenting the purpose.  Why do these characters need one another? Is it love, need, or habit that binds them? Are each individual’s inscapes so remote that loneliness is the true reality? The isolated landscapes and the uncertain wilderness are the perfect backdrop for these questions to be addressed, but unfortunately the film meanders all the way to its trite, anticlimactic end. 

2/5 Stars.

PS - this whole film could have benefited from 

Gael Garcia Bernal's naked body. That's all. 

Vegetarian Entry

Last night, I attempted to make my mother’s “verdura” recipe. The plate is a combination of yuca, taro root, yautia, and plantains boiled and served with olive oil, roaster yellow onions and garlic, and a glass of milk. I tried to add jicama, but it wouldn't cede to the boiling water. (I was just informed that should be eaten grated like carrots in salad or in slices like apples as a snack… the more you know.) I love this dish. I wish I had added sweet potatoes or found some breadfruit to add, but my first attempt was delicious. Unless you’re name is Ryan (Trent) Jackson Oldham. Trent did not care for the dish. After tasting the taro root, he said, 

TRENT:That taste like dirt.

NELSON: It taste like potato to me.

TRENT: Well, then, it tastes like a dirty potato.

He apologized for not liking the dish and downed his almond milk. It is for sure not a texture or taste that everyone will enjoy. Next time I will try roasting them and see if that improves his opinion. Oh and I’ll make a much smaller batch. Yikes, I am gonna have to freeze the verdura because there’s like four helpings leftover. 

PS – did you know that taro root is the most hypoallergenic food in the world because of its starch grains are the smallest and most easily digested of all complex carbohydrates? I didn't  the more you know. 

The End of the World

So it's the end. Chicago is being battered by a snowstorm tonight apparently and the world is going to end shortly there after. Growing up Jehovah's Witness, I was taught that Armageddon would be conducted through a series of natural disasters orchestrated by our ever loving God. yay. But also, it's confusing because wouldn't the Mayans be considered "false prophets?" Ugh! Anyways, the metaphor states that some (hopefully hunky) men will ride in on (undoubtedly fabulous) horses to signify the end. The illustration in my JW publication was this:

I now understand that it's God's army waging war on unrepentant sinners and that it's a metaphor, but when I was little I thought horses were literally going to be coming from the skies which didn't seem all that likely. Logically though, this metaphor came from a society that battled on horses. So bible verses written today would have WHAT coming from the clouds with God(the sun)'s light shining from behind while strangely not silhouetting it? Tanks? Fighter Aircrafts? Viruses? The Pentagon? But that's how America wars. Oh well, I'm done thinking for today. Adios! 

Vegetarian: Week Three

Vegetarian day #17.

Trent: Do we ever get a cheat day?

Nelson: No. Vegetarians don’t get “cheat days.” It’s not a diet.

Well, day before yesterday, I received my copy of Jonathan Safran Foer’s Eating Animals. I was instantly reminded of how much I love his writing and just moments later horrified and enlightened by some of his insight, logic, and research. If he was a homosexual, he would be perfect. I will not divulge specifics here because Trent is patiently waiting for his turn with Jon (which he could fill by finishing Catching Fire…just a polite reminder/suggestion/plead/leaning-towards-command.)

We are on our 17^th day of being meat-free and going strong. Yesterday, I ate approximately half of a 10 oz. container of hummus with roasted pine nuts on celery for dinner (and a veggie corndog and innumerable bite-sized pieces of candy). 

But this Sunday, Trent and I brunched at our new favorite restaurant called M. Henry which is situated in Andersonville. This. Place. Is. The. Shit. They have vegetarian options galore. I had a roasted poblano pepper stuffed with eggs, soyrizo, mozzarella, topped with red adobo sauce, and served with Mexicali rice, French (fattier) sour cream, masa tortillas, and sweet plantains.

(< that is the  plate. YUM!) 

Words cannot… they just cast cannot.

Then, I indulged in a half serving of their “out of this world breakfast bread pudding” (pictured right >) which is more like flan topped with warm peaches and blackberries. It was very rich and very very good.  I wish I had taken it to go or just had this as my entree because it was very filling. 

However, I have no regrets and hope we go back soon.

On another note:

Last night, I watched The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and found it absolutely delightful. The ensemble performance is just wonderful (especially Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and the high-energy, high-stakes, full-of-heart Dev Patel.) I thought the script was a little over-long and got a bit tedious towards the end, but it did set-up the conclusion very nicely and benefited from the strong cast and no-fuss direction that allowed them to shine. The film has a lovely message of making the most of your life and learning to roll with the punches. I wonder if it will be able to find any Oscar nominations... Dench has received a Golden Globe nod for her work, Smith is nominated for a SAG award, and the entire ensemble has been recognized by SAG. Yet, will any one of them be able to standout enough  to earn a spot? The film was released in the summer and has been available on dvd since September. What's to become of this little gem? Dench and Smith stand the best chance, but Tom Wilkinson might be able to sneak in or maybe for Best Adapted Screenplay or perhaps the film will be up for the top prize... there are ten slots that can be filled. hmmmmm.
4/5 Stars. 

3 Golden Globe Nominated Films Reviewed

Hyde Park on Hudson & Hitchcock

On days when I am doing a double feature, I try to find the best coupling of times among the movies I want to see. I try to make sure there is as little layover time as possible so I am not too tempted by the buttery popcorn and Reese’s Pieces. This particular pairing turned out to be intriguing in their generational parallels and warmly welcome in stylistic differences.

Hyde Park on Hudson felt like an after-school special attempting to be naughty. The meandering script shied away from the more scandalous affairs surrounding President Roosevelt and his mistresses to focus on the ensuing comedy of manners instead. Bill Murray (in a Golden Globe nominated performance)  and Laura Linney safely portray FDR and his cousin which further hinders Richard Nelson’s blandly written characters. However, this fares well for Samuel West and Olivia Coleman (King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) for they give the film the bit of buoyancy present. After seeing the film, I was left thinking that maybe it was meant for a different generation. Perhaps, older audiences craved a simple, neutered retelling of an important and mostly uneventful weekend that changed the course of history.

I entered Hitchcock expecting a similar biopic treatment meant for a different generation. I was thankfully mistaken. Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren not only infused the titular character and his wife, Alma, with destructive carnal desire, but also accompanied it with earnest longing and passionate jealousy. Hopkins’ wonderful physical transformation is nicely matched with his behavioral changes. His unflinching facial austerity serves for the comedic moments and he wisely selects when to soften his expression for emotional impact. Mirren earned Golden Globe and SAG nominations by boldly embodying a headstrong woman with sexuality, unfaltering wit, and accenting her with loving patience, and loyalty. She makes her Alfred’s equal in intellect and determination – just as it should be – and by doing so anchors the film. Scarlett Johansson nails Janet Leigh’s onscreen performances but struggles a bit in the casual encounters. The script wisely focuses on Hitchcock and Alma’s marital struggles in the midst of their perilous professional time, but feels uneven in tone and intent. Yet, for a film targeted to a different generation, Hitchcock infused life, energy, and humor into an American icon, which Hyde Park on Hudson completely failed to do. HYDE PARK ON HUDSON 2.5/5 Stars. HITCHCOCK 3.5/5 Stars.

The Deep Blue Sea

After hearing of Rachel Weisz’s Golden Globe Nomination for The Deep Blue Sea, I was pleased to find it available instantly on Netflix. While her performance is an interesting mix of strength and frailty, the film’s style and pacing does not allow her to feel fully engrossed. There are strong supporting performances as well, but the film overall falls flat under Terence Davies’ direction of his own scattered adaptation. The costume design, original music, and overall production design greatly excels the final product. 2/5 Stars




Anybody else seeing any of these three films? What did you think?? 

SAG Nomination Reactions

SAG Nomination Reactions

goshcrapdarnit! I harbored serious hopes of Jake Gyllenhaal earning a nomination for his ferocious and charming performance in End of Watch. However, the film’s critical praise was dampened by its September release date and basically non-existent campaigning. This practically throws him out of the Oscar race. Guess I’ll have to content myself that the Critics’ Choice Awards sited him in Best Actor in an Action Movie. Sigh.

Joaquin Phoenix is ignored after an incredible, comeback performance in The Master. I didn’t care for the film as a whole, but believe he made the strongest showing in the film and holds together what bit of coherence the movie possesses. Amy Adams was also ignored in the Supporting Actress category. Although, her performance was more easily dismissed as it was challengingly underplayed.   

Yet, their absences made room for Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables) and Nicole Kidman (The Paperboy). I have yet to see these two films, but adore these two Aussies’ previous work. Welcome back, Nicole. I’ve missed you.

It’s no surprise that Jennifer Lawrence was selected for Silver Linings Playbook. She has had a great year between SLP and The Hunger Games. I have loved her since Winter’s Bone and the affair continues. Yet, I was surprised to see Emmanuelle Riva not included for Amour after winning multiple precursors.

It’s great to see Helen Mirren (Hitchcock) and Naomi Watts (The Impossible) in the running, but part of me was hoping to see    Mary Elizabeth Winsted (Smashed) amongst the names; at least she has an Independent Spirit nom with which to content herself.

The Supporting Actor category is all over the place. The exclusion of critical favorites Leonard DiCaprio (Django Unchained) and Matthew McConaughey (Magic Mike) is saddening. Also, personal favorites of mine, Sam Rockwell’s hilarious turn in Seven Psychopaths and Bryan Cranston’s standout performance in Argo went unmentioned. I think McConaughey, Rockwell, and Cranston all were better than Philip Seymour Hoffman’s nominated effort in The Master. Lastly, why is everyone in love with Tommy Lee Jones’ performance in Lincoln? Am I the only person that found him out of place and distracting??

YAY for Chris Messina being included in Best Ensemble for Argo! He is having a great year that also includes great performances in Celeste and Jesse Forever and Ruby Sparks. Hopefully, he will keep this momentum going.

how cool is 12/12/12??

TRENT: 
12/12/12

Vegetarian day 3,595. Non Smoker Week 3.

Cookies are my drug of choice.

Okay, so honestly vegetarianism hasn't been all that bad. I've actually enjoyed the health benefits of it not to mention it's cheaper for me now at Subway.

I have admittedly been going back and forth on the pesca lifestyle. Not that I eat fish on the regular, but I will feel like such an asshole if I go back to visit Mississippi and say "No I don't eat fried shrimp poboys." I feel like an asshole just for typing it right now. 

I'm doing this veggie thing solely for animals but does this mean I'm a hypocrite if I buy the leather jacket I've been eying at Prada? And what about crawfish boils? Beer is vegetarian, so are potatoes and corn. I don't think crawdads have feelings do they? Ha.

But then I also think about sushi. What do I do now? Just make some rice, slice some avocado, and slather wasabi on it? Sounds like some straight up bullshit to me. 

I know that I cannot if I want to be a true vegetarian, but I'm having a hard time letting go. Unlike Rose did when she told Jack she'd never let go and then whoops, see ya playa I've gotta blow this whistle and get the fuck off this headboard in the freezing Atlantic. 

I have been gorging myself on cookies. It's like I have a problem. I walked into Trader Joe's the other day to get some staples and sitting in front of me was an entire display of butter cookies lightly sprinkled with red and white sugar candies. Yes, I bought a box. Oh, and yes, I have about a quarter of that left. I've also drank almond milk with my cookies. Almond milk is amazing! Not to mention Nelson brings home a cookies from office work functions and I loose my mind on those. Yesterdays was a double chocolate, a peppermint cookie, chocolate chip, and others that I don't remember because I was too busy playing the game of eat it fast before it goes stale. I know you think I'm exaggerating but I don't even think Sally Struthers ate her feelings this much. 

The cookies have to stop because I have no control. I will miss those cookies so much.

The smoking thing is good as in I have not. My life has resumed normal and I've found that I can do all the things I used to do but without smoking i.e coffee drinking, cocktails, or blinking. It tends to creep up on me around the afternoon time at work. That's when I feel it come on and my palms gets sweaty, people look at me funny, and someone always offers "Do you need to take a break and I'll sit at your desk?" I yell at them because I'm a non smoker and non smokers don't need breaks. Yeah, that's right..I'm a veggie non smoker, bitches! I don't need sushi, seafood, or breaks. I'll have a cookie though..

NELSON: 

12/12/12

Vegetarian Day 15. Prohibitionist Day 12. 

Still going strong on both fronts despite the deep dish sausage pizza at work and the Bacardi ads playing every third song on Spotify. 

PS - if I could have Spotify at work my life would be complete. But, alas, corporate America won't allow me the luxury of listening to the new Ke$ha Mumford and Sons album all day. Sigh. Also, I am not permitted to download music from Amazon anymore which is making the music selection on my Android very summer of 2K12 which is not far enough in the distant to be nostalgic or cute.

But back to vegetation and in what forms it goes into my mouth. This portion will be brought to you in elementary school style grading:

SNACKS

Raw Almonds: B+ (I get the raw kind because the flavored ones basically double-dog dare me to eat them all in one sitting. Raw taste just a step above dirt, but that's ok because they are super good for you and filling.)

Pop Chips: C- (I get these when I am starving but know that there's food less than half an hour away. The tortilla chip variety are even worse than the regular ones. Why god why can't Kettle Chips be good for me?!?!?! Did you know they have limited edition Red Chili and Jalapeño Jack flavors available right now?)

Whatever Is Being Sampled At Trader Joe's: B (Not always vegetarian and sample portions make me rage, but I am thankful for the gesture, I guess.) 

Hot Chocolate: A- (This has dangerously become a nightly ritual. The Mexican variety is better than the Puerto Rican which is better than the powdered American kind. May I suggest topping it with light whipped cream and holiday sprinkles? )

Celery & Hummus: A (This. Has. Saved. My. Life. I just love the crunch of the celery with the smooth, flavorful wash of the hummus. Roasted Red Pepper hummus is the way to go.) 

Native Foods Cafe's Chicken Wings: A++ (ALL TIME FAVORITE THING. *mic drop*) 

Now that Bacardi isn't imbibing empty calories into my diet, I can afford to have a little treat here and there. I've even had cheese! However, I am still feeling pretty satisfied with my diet. Trent and I have been cooking up some hearty stuff and trying new places like The Chicago Diner (meat free since '83). Their cajun black bean burger was fanfuckingtastic as are their flautas, but the real winner is their vegan vanilla ice cream... seriously, it's like cows can go extinct now because who needs them would be set free to graze if people would nut-up and try the vegan option. It's that good. Especially when accompanied by a vegan chocolate chip cookie drizzled with vegan melted chocolate. Speaking of vegan... I am contemplating trying it for a week just as a personal experiment. We'll see... 

Film & Theatre Reviews

So I am an entertainment junkie (kind of) and frequent movie theaters and regular theatres. I love to follow the awards season with special interest in the Academy Awards. I like to predict the nominees/winners and name my own superlatives. In preparation for that madness, I write short reviews on movies and plays. Here's a little taste of that:

THEATRE

You can check out my review of 
About Face Theatre's We Three Lizas for Chicago Stage Standard 

on their website: http://chicagostagestyle.com/threelizas.asp. 

FILM

Though not as stuffy as the trailer would make you believe, LINCOLN fails to fully engage and falters to be thoroughly entertaining despite fine performances. Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field are strongly paired, but Tommy Lee Jones barely fits in style of the film despite his earnest performance. Tony Kushner’s relevant script adds surprises to the well-known historical story, but is stretched by an indulgent pace. The period detail is marvelous from the set decor to the instantly recognizable costumes. Finally, Steven Spielberg is a legendary filmmaker that creates masterful epics. However, LINCOLN is not a film that I truly enjoyed or am excited to watch again. 3.5/5 Stars.

The visual storytelling in LIFE OF PI is breathtaking. Ang Lee playfully incorporates lovely images and aids Suraj Sharma to giving a truthful performance in a tricky, difficult role. What the screenplay lacks in subtlety, it makes up for with humor. The task of making the bleak circumstances exciting was masterfully handled through beautiful cinematography and incredible visual and sound effects. LIFE OF PI is truly a technical wonder. 4/5 Stars.

Ben Affleck delivers a surprisingly exciting period drama that is as suspenseful as tender. He directs a fine ensemble with outstanding performance by Bryan Cranston and Alan Arkin.  The ensemble, taut script, and excellent cinematography give ARGO an authentic feel. Affleck has developed nicely as an actor, but more remarkably as a filmmaker. The unrelenting pace and continuous promises of violence make ARGO a top notch thriller right up to its climactic scene.  5/5 Stars.

Hopefully, that was enough to wet your palette. Have you had a chance to see any of these? What did you think?? 

Trent & I Do It Veggie-style

After just a few days of going full-blown vegetarian, Trent and I blogged our feelings. Here are the results:

TRENT:
12/06/12

25 and a non smoking vegetarian...

That is what will be inscribed either on my tombstone or a classified ad.

So, last week I got sick and acquired a virus that made me cough up black and green. It was like I was ridding the colors of the wicked witch from Oz out of my body. I should also mention that I've been a heavy smoker for a while, and I enjoy the hell out of it. I'm not one of those types of smokers that casually smokes a cigarette. If I smoke, I smoke the shit out of it and as much of it as possible. So when I was dying of the Witch Bronchitis, naturally my body did not want to smoke. I thought to myself "Trent, you're killing yourself and it's expensive. Stop and don't ever look back. Free yourself from the cycle of abuse." Trust me, it wasn't as "after school special" in my head as it sounds written down. It's been a week and a half since I quit and while I feel better, I still miss it and frankly I like smoking. But I'm strong, or at least I think I am.

So what does a newly non smoker whose body is going through such trauma and agitation do? I became a Vegetarian. I capitalized the V on Vegetarian because we're so fucking elite.

My boyfriend and I were sitting in bed flipping through the Netflix figuring out what to watch. I'm an avid documentary fan, and I saw Vegucated which was a documentary about 3 individuals who went vegan for 6 weeks. Now what with it being a documentary, there was a wealth of information about America's Farm Industry and how their supply and demand forces them to churn out their production efficiently thus animals are treated with torture, baby chicken gets their beaks ripped off, and generally Farms are now like fucking Guantanamo Bay. Well, my moral conscious got the best of me. I don't know why, I usually ignore that shit. Now I can't do the Vegan. I'm sorry but I feel limited as of now anyways, so If I was forced to endure Veganism, I might loose my mind. I know there are those extremists out there that say "Well, if you want to do good for animals, it has to be for ALL animals, and it's not pleasant getting milked from a machine and blah blah blah, and basically what I'm saying is that I don't like cheese." Well fuck you. I do like cheese and actually I'm hungry right now and feel like I always will be. Oh, and unless zucchini comes in cake form, I think it's fucking disgusting. Some people have mentioned to me that it's best to try and do veggie more days than not and slowly ease into the transition of no meat and all veggie. 

So, now I'm vegetarian. It's day 3 or 4. I'm not sure how long I'll hang on. I keep dreaming of burgers.

NELSON:

12/06/12

 

26 years old, 6 week purposefully sober, and 4 days completely vegetarian.

 

I'd just like to start by saying that I would rather Trent's "25 and a non smoking vegetarian" be chiseled into his tombstone than printed in a classifieds ad. I mean, why would he need a classifieds ad unless he was looking for another man? So there's that out of the way.

 

Pero a lo que venimos (that's espanol for let's get down to business)... I have always had vegetarian tendencies (yes, it's as sexy as it sounds) and don't eat meat all that often unless you count that terrible time that I couldn't live without chicken biscuits - so basically, all three years of my Mississippi residency - I wanted to fit in with the locals. So I don't expect the transition to full blown vegetarianism to be that difficult. Luckily, I also enjoy meat substitutes, vegan food (especially from Native Foods Cafe), most vegetables, and love beans and nuts. AND HUMMUS. Sorry I'm not sorry about the caps.

 

I have been vegetarian before for six months while in undergrad and often choose vegetarian options because I am gay and thus self-conscious about my appearance. So roasted vegetable burritos bowls and falafel plates are common place choices instead of ground beef burritos and chicken schwarma pitas. Yet, I will likely still encounter cravings for turkey which I really enjoy and sushi and oh what the hell I love me a good hamburger, chicken sandwich, and pepperoni pizza on occasion. Plus, I want to do this in a healthy way. I don't want to fall into the trap of trying to kill cravings with extra bread, more cheese, or sweets.

 

I have noticed that so far my caffeine intake has increased likely due that my alcohol intake has disappeared which means no Coke Zero, but also because coffee make me feel full so I'm not sure if that's from the-all-veggie-highway or otherwise. (Yes, I know alcohol is vegetarian but I am on a hiatus.)

 

Today I am in an class learning about Microsoft Excel (and order of operations, apparently). I had an English muffin filled with egg-whites, green peppers, red onions, and hot sauce with black coffee for breakfast. Lunch was vegan chicken wings from Native Foods with a side of chili lime pop chips, a handful of almonds... and I must admit that I stopped in at I Dream of Falafel to get my post class snack (a side order of falafel with spicy tomato sauce and pickled turnips.) The plan is to make burrito bowls with Trent for dinner. But we'll see... he was damn near a nervous breakdown last night because he didn't get the feta he requested on his grilled zuchinni pita...

TRENT:

12/07/12

Vegetarians Poop a lot...

I will not lie, my dinner last night was fucking amazeballs. All thanks to my boyfriend who cooked us up a lovely veggie burrito bowl. I have learned that meat substitutions will in fact be my friend on this journey we call Vegetarian (see how I capitalized it again? Mad respect, right?

I think that my psychology about my current lifestyle change is fucking me up thought. I know that the amount of food I ate last night was beyond sufficient. I was full, satisfied, sated; all of those things you're supposed to feel when eating a lovely meal, but since my mind thinks "You really think fucking spinach is going to do the trick?" I freak and start to gorge on other things like celery with hummus and 25,000 cinnamon sugar pita chips. Yes, the cinnamon sugar thing is real and you would be a fool to not check it out. I have to learn more self control because I know my stomach is happy so much so that I'm shitting more than a 3 month old.

I know that's more than you need to know, but seriously. I'm so regular that I feel like it's irregular. It's not, I know that now, but at first..at first I thought I had a stomach virus. Then I realized that turns out if you don't eat like a 7 year old, you'll poop like a normal adult. Look, I poop and digress a lot..anyway, it really is the psychology. I then think about it in a twisted way. I think, yeah I'm overeating but at least it's good for me. Vegetables are good for me. I overeat. What can I say? I'm an American damnit.