Happy Halloween

I haven't really gone out for Halloween in almost 10 years. This year I had a party AND a pubnight to enjoy. So here are the some of the finer moments of the evening. Cheers to Jen & Mat for the excellent party. Props to Tanya - who NEVER dresses up - but made the best devil evah!









It was a wild night that included tasty jello shots, lotsa dancing, a spilled drink (at least I was wearing black!), a random 2am dog-walking, a casual mis-step, tasty creme de menthe & bailey's shots, good photos thanks to Carmen, a couple of priests, a geek, an indian and the ghostbusters, more blank spots in the memory than I would like, and a generally fabulous time!!

The Morning After

My nephew doesn't know this yet - as he poses in his first Halloween costume - but one day he will have to do the "walk of shame" post-Halloween party. Today is possibly the prettiest day of the month and I spent most of it in bed. That was, of course, after I got home from the bed I had been crashing in thanks to some friend hospitality and the fact that my drunk self was being sorta demanding about the sleeping arrangements.

And then, I had to arise this morning and take stock of the damage. My dark gothic eye makeup smeared around my eyes that made them sticky and hard to open. My rats nest of hair dried out on hairspray. My tragic (and fake) red nails, two missing and one broken to ragged bits. I was definitely not a prize. But a quick cleanup made most of that presentable. Until the walk home.

There is nothing like sauntering down the sun-dappled street in a black mini-dress and high-heeled boots at 11am. Thank goodness I had my sweater or it could have been completely undecent. And then, as I am entering my residence, on this lovely sunday morning I pass by a group of people enjoying a coffee break in the hallway. I pass the children with their toys, the parents with their coffee, and the NUN with her air of morality. What a way to start the day.

But I really cannot complain. It was daylight savings afterall, and I got an extra hour of sleep!

An Unfinished Life - movie review

It has been sitting on a shelf at a studio for almost two years waiting for the "right" time to be put on the market. Perhaps the studio was waiting for the media hurricane that is JLo to dissipate before it released the film. So now that all her private business is finished, we get An Unfinished Life to enjoy.

The film is a collection of life stories that have stalled. Revolving around the angry Einer (played by Robert Redford) we are treated to three intertwined histories that need to be reconnected for their futures to begin. Redford is his usual exceptional self. There is a reason the man is a screen legend. He has such a powerful presence and his grizzled visage is perfect for a man who (he believes) has lost everything. His low, judging tone delivers every word with meaning and makes his journey back to life a believable one. Morgan Freeman plays his best-friend - ravaged by an unfortunate attack - who sees everything with a clarity the others have forgotten. If Redford is pessimism incarnate - it is Freeman who offers the counter balance. It doesn't get much better than the exchanges between the two.

And then there is Jennifer Lopez. Taking on another battered-woman role, Lopez delivers a solid performance here. The subdued nature of the film constrains any cheesiness she may have delivered and she holds her own against the men. The role, sadly, is a thankless one that could have delivered by any actress - but it's nice to see Lopez away from the fluff. The supporting cast includes an exceptional Camryn Manheim; a beautiful (oh my god he's stunning!) Josh Lucas who obviously took the bit-part role to get some facetime with Redford; a sleaze-oozing Damian Lewis; and another (Alison Lohman-style) ingenue named Becca Gardner who is passable but hardly a standout.

Unfinished is a Lasse Halstrom affair and it shows. The man who brought us Chocolat, The Cider House Rules, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, and The Shipping News is a master of building the deliberate atmosphere's of small towns. This offering is no acception as the the sun-drenched mountain valley of Wyoming (actually BC) is developed as a character unto itself. As well, the script carries relevant references (the Stampede) and moments (Redford & Freeman's characters play crib together) to convincingly capture the western lifestyle. The one complaint is the bear theme that is shoved SO strongly down one's throat as to make one scream "enough!" This admission that the audience may not be bright enough to understand the device is insulting an the film would be better served if this element had been employed on the subtle side.

Overall, Unfinished is well-served by its delayed release. It is a solid journey into the lives of its characters. It moves slow like the sun across the hills and as it reaches into the shadows it reveals warmth and opportunity.

Two for the Money - movie review

The only thing worth betting on in Two for the Money is that Matthew McConnaughy is devasting without his shirt on. That one moment all women wait for in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is repeated - more than once - here. And thank goodness for that because without the M.M. hotness, there would be little to sustain this one-note flick.

Money is inspired by the story of Brandon who ruins his knee in the big game in highschool and loses his "window" for glory in pro football. After years of getting by as a 900-number recorder still living with his mom, he is recruited by Pacino's betting-line guru. The pair take the tips-hotline business to new heights thanks to the on-the-money picks of Brandon that keep the gambling fish on the line. And then, of course, it all goes wrong.

The film losing its momentum about half-way through as though its not sure of where it wants to go or what is wants to say. As the relationship between the two leads evolves, Pacino's character is revealed to be an incomprehensible destructive force, and McConnaughy's Brandon falls too easily into the temptations. There are shades of The Devil's Advocate here but, thankfully, Pacino chews a bit less of the scenery. He does, however, set his protege up for failure more than he supports him and the dysfunctionality of the pair is palpable. The two are anchored by the presence of Rene Russo as Pacino's wife who acts as a trident for the former and a conscience for the latter. It is an unsual and flawed role that, like many things in the film, is never fully articulated.

Director D.J. Caruso has a film history of flawed individuals hoping for peace of mind (Taking Lives, The Salton Sea) and once again Money attemps to redeem itself by redeeming its characters. But by the end, the film has long-been scratched as a winning bet. A slow, muddled mid-section is tiresome and the final triumph is overly convenient. The film could have been a solid character study but it gets busy trying to play the game of mainstream cliches and never really scores

Elizabethtown - movie review

I recently read the Fametracker Fame Audit for Cameron Crowe and was disappointed to see his films criticized cause, frankly, I've always been a Crowe fan. But then I went to see Elizabethtown (that I had been waiting for!) and it all fell apart. Elizabethtown is a mess.

It's hard to pinpoint exactly where the film suffers most. It never feels pulled together in any solid way, and because of its haphazzard structure, there is no emotional pull. And a lack of emotion in a film about relationships, loss, and overcoming failure is not a good thing. It's easy to see what Crowe wants you to feel and there is an obvious father-son motif being pushed but it feels empty all the same. Scenes, that are evocative in isolation, are hobbled together into a clashy patchwork of life moments. Now, this is nothing new for Crowe. His ability to capture such "moments" is one of the things I love about him; but this time around his seams are flawed.

My other issue with the film is the casting of Kirsten Dunst. As a character that can only be described as ODD (lest stalker be used instead!), she is completely unreal. There is nothing about Dunst that makes her magnetic or intriguing in this role and I couldn't help but wonder what Bloom's Drew was drawn to in the end. The almost-romance is frustrating and forced and the chemistry is non-existent. Dunst may be looking to save the drowning Drew but you never really understand WHY she likes this guy so much and because of that, its hard to buy her interest in the early stages. Then again, her interest is so intense as to be almost creepy sometimes.

And then there is Bloom. My interest in seeing this flick was sparked by one moment in the trailer when he offers a look that sticks with me today. Sadly, that moment isn't in the final cut of the film and with its absence, so too is the soul of Drew's character. He floats through the picture as if the activities have nothing to do with him. He is so detached for so long that by the time his crisis release arrives you hardly care anymore. This is a shame, because Bloom does a great job of giving us angry-sadness.

The film has some strong points -those "moments" I mentioned but even they seem cut from the cloth of Crowe's previous work. An all-night phone conversation between Dunst and Bloom smacks of the Cruise/Cruz affair in Vanilla Sky. The film's opening monologue and mentor introduction is all Jerry MacGuire. And Dunst's voice over for the (crammmed in and incongruent) road trip feels all too Penny Lane. Even Crowe's usual panache for using music effectively falls short here and becomes as contrived as the story he is trying to tell.

The one bright spot is Judy Greer - who in three small scenes manages to capture true emotion. If more of the players in Elizabethtown took cues from her, maybe it would have been a place worth the visit.

In Her Shoes - movie review

It takes a bit of finesse to make a "chick flick" that doesn't fall into the guilty pleasure or hallmark schmaltz categories. Enter In Her Shoes, that confidently avoids both pitfalls in the deft hands of Curtis Hanson. He is, afterall the man who brought us L.A. Confidential, 8 Mile, and Wonder Boys. He is a man who can tell a story of self-(re)discovery and he succeeds again, this time accomplishing it for the gals.

Shoes sets up with the stark comparison of sisters Maggie (Diaz) and Rose (Collette). They have an undeniable but tumultuous bond built on shared tragedy and shattered by Maggie's behaviour. Collette is her usual assured self and gives Rose both a confidence and vulnerablity that any average woman will recognize. Diaz is the find here and she leaves her cutesy girl acting at the door and bothers to be real. Her Maggie is terribly flawed but her growth process in the film is expertly portrayed. The pair are supported by Shirly Maclaine - an ideal matriarch for the two younger actresses who breathes life into a role that could have been overly cranky - and Mark Feurerstein - who is the one of the best movie-boyfriends around.

The strength of Shoes is in its honesty. The film steers clear of contrived moments and establishes credible interactions. This is not to say the film doesn't have "movie moments" but they are fulfilling rather than frustrating. Although the film moves a too quickly towards its resolution once the sisters reconnect, the good has already been achieved so its easy to forgive this weakness. In the end, Shoes offers up a portrait of sisterhood, friendship, family, relationships and love that tugs some heart strings and tickles some funny bones and that's what these kinds of movies are supposed to do.

Wonderwall

There is much to say, movies to review, complaints to file and no time for it at the moment. I have been remiss in my posting as I have been feeling lost in my life lately. But I am on my way back to goodness and I promise to bring the tales and be a better blogger soon. Check back on the weekend when I should have my comments on some new flicks posted. I just wish I could feel the wonderful satisfaction that my nephew has in this photo. Wouldn't it be nice to find the fantastic in water sprinkles again - just for a moment?

Mercy Buckets

Just got back from my Cape Breton Thanksgiving holiday. It has poured rain here for four days and I am convinced that I am to be denied the vistas of CB Island forever. I did, however, get to see a GIANT violin that plays celtic music. So, here I sit, tired of travelling, sated on turkey dinner (including succatash!!!), sick and sniffling. Time to give thanks...

So the most obvious one is thank you for my nephew. I'm not sure if such comments go to the parents (that stellar gene-pool that is Rob & Kat) or to some greater force in the world that concocts spectacular human specimans. Either way, Taggart is one of the joys in my world even though I don't get to see him these days.

Next would be family in general. After spending three years in my parents' house, it has been nice to be away (be on my own) and remember how much I love and need their support. I have tried to touch base with family members a little bit more these days and I hope that my thoughts of love are reaching them all and they know that I cherish them deeply.

Super thanks to Tanya and Colin (my "triangle" mates) who have been my saving graces in Halifax. Thank you for getting me out of the house, keeping me from wallowing in and falling into stress-depression, and for aiding & abetting me in drinking my weight in vodka/rye/keiths, etc. You make me smile more than I can ever express.

For my best friend Natalie who recently fielded a series of panicked phone calls as I tried to reorganize my life ... AGAIN! And to Cathy for facing the same challenge via messenger. To all my friends who remind me of who I am and what I can accomplish. I finally feel that I'm working on something good these days.

Thanks for Halifax - a truly wonderful city that offers everything my soul could need. Entertainment, culture, scenery, involvement, nightlife, and more. I feel at home here - at peace and totally content. Cheers.

It has been a full year of events and so many things to be thankful for that I know I have not mentioned. All you have to do is read this site from time to time and you will find out about them. So thank you for the internet - this great source of information exchange that allows me to throw my autumn leaves of thanks into the air and watch them fly away on the wind to distant lands.

For a B.C. Birthday Girl...

This is a birthday greeting to Nann.
Everyone who has ever met Nann loves her.
She is fantastic.

At the moment, I have NO idea where in the world Nann is - she might as well be Carmen Sandiago (I think she would like the hat!).
Nann became my best friend during a tumultuous year in Alberta.
She is one of my kindred spirits.
She is one of my soul-mates.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANN!

May & December in October

Okay the last couple of weeks have been crazy in my own life so I have been remiss in commenting on the goings-on of Hollywood folk. Interesting how the lives of rich, distant, movie people don't seem important when you have your own life going full tilt. Hmmmm....but I digress. Cause really? The news is all about these four people...



I am in awe of the recent advances in the relatioships of our two May-December power couples: TomKat and, well Ashton&Demi (did we ever get around to creating a "name" for them?).

It also inspires me to find a nice, young, hot, young man (I know, I said young twice). Yes, everyone knows I've done my share of cradle-robbing (to varying degrees of success) but maybe the next one could be "the one". I mean, do you think Demi was thinking long-term when she got her first jones for Ashton? And look how that turned out - a family-filled, fad-religion wedding with her ex in attendance. Could a gal over 40 ask for more? And I'm only 30 - imagine how great it could be for me?

And then we have Tom & Katie. My god - what a mess. Pregnant? There are no words. Nice to see that the ego-maniacal Mr. Cruise has held true to the thoughts we have about him and really is dating young to creat progengy. It's scary really. I don't know what else to say. The whole thing has a Jackson-Rowe creepiness to it - but kinda prettier.

Needless to say, I lean more to the A&D side of the spectrum. Bring on the young men! Lets leave the children out of the equation for now.

Birthday Wishes

Just wanted to take a moment to wish HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my brother.
He enters the last year of his 20s today.
Love you lots Rob!

48 Hours of Happiness

Touring the South Shore
with Colin, Pooja, Gael & Jaap
Peggy's Cove, Bridgewater, Hebbville & Lunenberg
Friday, September 30 ... Noon to 7pm



MBA Society Halifax Tour
Fun & Games with everyone...including:
Tanya, Colin, Beth, Rob, Evan, Gael & Nancy
Friday, September 30 ... 8pm to 4am




Acadia Axemen vs. SMU Huskies
Major Football Rematch between rivals (SMU lost)
Wolfville with Tanya, Colin & Jaap
Saturday, October 1 ... 11am to 8pm


Now back to the grind for a killer three days before Thanksgiving!

Um, Yeah, Men? YUM.

Just wanted to take a moment to revel in the joy that is maleness. The male form in all its glory is a gift to us women. The feel of a man is like nothing else in the world. The warm of a body next to yours. The sensation of skin against skin. Being able to wrap yourself in muslced arms or lay on a solid chest. Finding that crook in the arm or that nuzzling spot in the neck. The scent of it all. Sweat mixed with soap mixed with desire. The aroma of satisfaction that hangs in the air - not exactly sweet but infinately tempting. The hairy spots that tickle. The smooth spots that scream to be touched. The ability to cling to substance and claim it. And then, just as quickly be released to delicate touches and invitations. The chords in the neck. The eyelashes that don't appear long until they spread out over closed eyes. The hands that will always be bigger than your own. Men are put together wonderfully. It does not need to be perfect - simple maleness is enticing enough. And sometimes you forget how marvelous he is. Until you have him again. Are enclosed by him, supported by him, tempted by him. And all you can do is thank the heavens for man.