To think that his ancestors traveled as luggage...

Take a look at this and be glad that you get to fly in a numbered seat.

Also, huge Exploding Dog update and a kinda-new MegaTokyo.

Saw "Panic Room". Fincher is still such a great visual stylist. All the pre-release poo-pooing of the script (too simple, too contrived, too de-humanized) has been made obsolete by perfect visual planning, some unorthodox casting, proficient direction, and compelling performances. Giving good-ole-boy Dwight Yoakam the part of "Raoul" takes the part miles away from the horrid racial slur it could have been, leaving only a character of untarnished rage. Forrest Whitaker almost channels his character from "Ghost Dog" - the hoodlum with a heart and soul - and just adds dialogue. Jared Leto is as annoying and cowerdly as his part calls for. Not to mention Jodie Foster and her little clone (Kristen Stewart) - they both exude such control and personal strength that you hope they'll break down and get the movie over with with some stupid coincidence. This never happens and the realism leaves you with the feeling that, yes, you could get through the same thing, if only you could stay that calm.

All of this proves that a movie is more than its script - so sad for someone like me, but true. Let's just hope that any bad future script of mine could be directed by someone with this much redemtive directing skill.

When shows' initial runs are ended, periodic "specials" even allow viewers to revisit them at their fictional mediascapes and catch up on what has been happening there. Television personalities and characters actually serve as friends and neighbors for many viewers...They are hyperrealities, simulating intimate networks of emotional human activity for many alienated consumers in order to deliver the commodity of audiences to advertising producers...("Screens of Power", 43)

So does this mean that "Gilmore Girls 2020" will only be shown so I'll feel emotionally drawn to Revlon's likely "Roaring Red" line?

Finally, things are starting to get good in Marx class:

- Timothy W. Luke's "Screens of Power" - Corny title, but it's a great look at the media and entertainment sectors' role in "commodity fetishism"...nothing kinky...aw, just figure it out.

- Theodore Adorno's "The Culture Industry" - a rather forward-thinking article from the 1940s...pretty much predicts the commercialization of today. Spooky.

"Screens of Power"...heh...kind of evokes the same aura as Nickelodeon's "Action League Now!"

The Unconditional Embrace of Academia and other Miracles

Well, during the past few weeks, starting with spring break, I've felt as if I've really "dropped the ball" academically: I fell behind in most every class, I skipped classes, I got nothing done while mom was in the hospital, I neglected my screenplay, I asked for extensions on a few assignments - all this from Mr. Perfect Attendance/four-point-oh. Whatever - it all fell apart.

And you know what? All of my teachers have been really amazing about the whole thing! My faith in basic human kindness has been rekindled. A few examples that I hope are soothing to a weary soul (although I hope these examples are a far cry from chicken soup - ick! Whoever came up with that metaphor? Whose soul needs chicken?):

-Screenwriting prof. number one - he enjoys British films made between 1960 and 1984, Stanley Kubrick, and long rants that are supposed to inspire us. Usually he tells me I'm not living up to my potential. Today he invites me into his office and tells me that I've never "dropped the ball" in his eyes and that my work has always pleased him...it seems that I hold the dubious title of The Only Christian That He Can't Reason Away Or Pidgeonhole. I confound him. Today he ranted about how he wants to homeschool his daughter because she's not challenged enough in public school, class sizes are too big, the other kids are dumb, "as opposed to why your parents homeschooled you, Keith - because they wanted to indoctrinate you into all sorts of things and shelter you from the world." I let him know that my parents actually pulled me out of school because I wasn't being challenged, class sizes were too big, and the teachers were dumb - the indoctrination was just icing.

This confounded him.

Either way, he's been more than nice with me and his rants, in fact, are inspiring. Go screenwriting prof. number one!

- Screenwriting prof. number two - she likes Hollywood movies that masquerade as indies, writing exercises that involve roleplaying, and works best in mass chaos. I was supposed to have about 100 pages of a script done for her. I have about 25. She doesn't mind. She just wants a portfolio of process - outlines, scribblings, pages, diagrams, writing exercises in which I write a girl's diary, etc. Sainthood, anyone?

***

All that and a kickass "West Wing". Exploding Dog was good too.

Juan linked to a very good Salon critique of the Oscars. I do have to say one word in defense of Jennifer Connelly. The Salon writer states that her win was predictable because she was "the new girl"...and apparently the new girl always wins.

Can 18 years making movies still qualify Ms. Jen as the "new girl"? Connelly was making movies while Anna Paquin hadn't even been pushed into the biz by her parents (much less pushed into the world by her mom). Connelly was turning in good performances while Ms. Paltrow was cavorting around LA with her parents money. Connelly had her SAG card well before Kate Hudson grew into her mother's smile.

New girl. Harumph. Obviously the writer didn't see "Labyrinth". Could it be that the Academy was just making up for "Requiem"?

And I thought she looked pretty in that dress, elegant even.

Brilliant! Sports Satire! And it doesn't involve Dennis Miller!

This news story talks about a group of college students who called thier intramural basketball team the "Fightin' Whites" to make fun of team names that use unfavorable Native American stereotypes. Their team shirt sports a clip art pic of a smiling middle aged white guy and the slogan "Every thang's gonna be all white". Of course, people are up in arms.

I find it funny that the news is actually reporting this using the term "Whitie" rather than "Whites", even though the latter is being used by the team...some news editor has been watching a little too much Chris Rock.

I had quite a great time at the Giants concert last night. I had never seen them live - all I can say is that their live performance has only enhanced my appreciation for the two Johns (as well as their very capable touring band). The energy was high, the optimism was high, I was jumping and moving like a fish being reeled in - it was great! They played a bunch of new stuff and some old stuff that I haven't heard...serious money will be spent to update my TMBG record collection - thank God I'm not moving out anytime soon! =)

Their opening band rocked! The band goes by the name of "Ok Go" or okgo or OKgo or OKGO or OK GO...I think you get the idea...they kinda suffer from the short name syndrome of my friend's band "ruok"...at least their music doesn't suffer. They play a kinda doo-wop/rock/cutesy, but not sickening kind of thing - really happy, melodic, and nice to listen to live - I think they're going to do well for themselves. Their lead singer is the spitting image of Rufus Wainwright, just without the preciousness.

I went to the concert with fellow intrepid Giants-ite, Juan, who has a better rundown of the concert on his blog...but I suspect he's already had coffee today, so that's an unfair advantage =). Before the concert, we watched the short film "Rejected" by Don Hertzfeldt. It's really funny, even after the 10th time you see it. Frankly, I'm just glad someone else found it funny and not overly weird...or maybe it's funny b/c it's weird...either way, Nicole is tired of Braden and I reciting lines from it =). Then I got to watch the very witty "Home Movies" from Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim" programming. What a great show! Great dialogue, wonderful characterization, and crappy animation - what more could one ask for?

Awesome.

Um, gotta finish "A Passage to India"...must finish sprawling book...need air...