Joe's Notes...

MOORE Individual Rights!

2010-03-11T08:35:00.000-08:00

I think Michael's funny as hell. I first saw him at the "Battle in Seattle" when I lived there in 99. But this idea that Capitalism is the problem or "Better Living Through Socialism" is misguided. The answer is MORE freedom for the individual even when he's doing things you don't like, so long as while he's doing those things, he respects the legitimate rights of other individuals. (and that goes for both political sides) When the lines get blurred between Government & Corporations, what you have then is Fascism. Look, I hate the R's as much as anybody, but if what we all want is a truly free society in a truly free country (and that's a big IF), we first need to quit bashing the "ism" we've all benefited from. There! This is Joe's magnum opus. ; )

A serious good film!

2009-10-10T06:51:00.001-07:00

If you enter the universe of another man's creation, know the laws of that universe! Why? Because, as with all universal laws, actions have consequences! This is my advise to anyone who sees a Coen Brothers film and especially this one.

A Serious Man - Coen Brothers. The film takes place at a time in American culture dear to my heart. 1967 for me was a time of discovery by means of FM radio and Playboy. For the younger protagonist, much of the film centers around the precursor to the iPod in the form of a transistor radio. The music of Jefferson Airplane is so perfectly meshed with the story that it's hard to imagine the film without it. The juxtaposition of a 1960s counter-culture anthem with that of young Danny, in a cloud of pot, as he prepares for his bah mitzvah is nothing less than surreal. ( I remember trying to learn pages of Latin the night before my one and only appearance as an alter boy in 1967.)

No one will ever forget Michael Stuhlbarg's portrayal of Larry Gopnik, the man trying to be serious. He's a good man who does the best he can. And when he makes certain decisions it's hard to blame him. The Coens don't always present main characters one can sympathize with. Thankfully they chose to do so with this hilariously serious man.

Roger Deakins' talent as a cinematographer is on full display especially during scenes where reefer is being inhaled. Pay close attention to the sets, wardrobe and production designs which are letter perfect.

When I come out of a movie theater inspired, I know I've had a good time. This film, as with Paris, Texas and let's say Bladerunner, succeeded in inspiring me to be even more creative.

2009-09-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

In the Shadow of the Moon has to be the most inspiring film I've ever seen. If you weren't around in those days, you really missed something. Not just the moon-landing itself, but the the character of the country at the time. So many things were changing in the culture and to me, this was the county's high water mark. Everything the United States was about culminated in Apollo. Not man against nature, but man harnessing it's potential.

It was a time when this country made bold moves. Such as deciding to launch Apollo 8 and orbit the moon when the original mission was to only orbit the earth. Along with Philip Sheppard's sublime score, the British documentary includes film footage never seen and premiered at Sundance in 2007. I was one of the lucky ones who saw it on the big screen and it brought back great memories from almost 40 years ago. I downloaded the film from iTunes. A different world from 1969.